Apparatus for handling linear elements

Claim 2

Apparatus for guiding a linear element comprising: means for providing a tensioned flexible linear element extending along a given temporary path; and guide means for the linear element providing a surface defining a notch through which the linear element is extended along an operational path, the notch bieng laterally spaced from the temporary path, the guide means including spaced apart opposing guide surfaces for facilitating movement of the element into the notch, such guide surfaces converging in a direction generally towards the path to the mouth of the notch, the surface defining the notch including opposing surface portions at its mouth, each of these surface portions meeting with one of the conveRging guide surfaces to form an angle larger than 180* and substantially less than 270*, the guide means further providing an opening for lateral introduction of the linear element from its temporary path into the space between the converging guide surfaces, the linear element being laterally urged by tension towards the temporary path and into contact with one of the guide surfaces after introduction into the space, the contacted guide surface being disposed with respect to the temporary path such that the direction along which the linear element is urged by tension towards such path and the contacted guide surface maintain an oblique relationship with each other throughout movement of the linear element on the guide surface to the notch.

Claim 3

Apparatus for guiding a linear element comprising: means for advancing a tensioned flexible linear element extending along a given temporary path; and guide means for the linear element providing a surface defining a notch through which the linear element is advanced along an operational path, the notch being laterally spaced form the temporary path, the guide means including spaced apart opposing guide surfaces for facilitating movement of the element into the notch, such guide surfaces converging in a direction towards the path to the mouth of the notch, the surface defining the notch including opposing surface portions at its mouth, each of these surface portions meeting with one of the converging guide surfaces to form an angle larger than 180* and substantially less than 270*, the guide means further providing an opening for lateral introduction of the linear element from its temporary path into the guide space between the converging guide surfaces, the linear element being laterally urged by tension towards the temporary path and into contact with one of the guide surfaces after introduction into the space, the contacted guide surface being disposed with respect to the temporary path such that the direction along which the linear element is urged by tension towards such path and the contacted guide surface maintain an oblique relationship with each other throughout movement of the linear element on the guide surface to the notch.

Claim 4

Apparatus for guiding a linear element comprising: means for advancing a tensioned flexible linear element extending along a given temporary path; and guide means for the linear element providing a surface defining a notch through which the linear element is advanced along an operational path, the notch being laterally spaced form the temporary path, the guide means including spaced apart opposing guide surfaces for facilitating movement of the element into the notch, such guide surfaces converging in a direction towards the path to the mouth of the notch, the surface defining the notch including opposing surface portions at its mouth, each of these surface portions meeting with one of the converging guide surfaces to form an angle larger than 180* and substantially less than 270*, the guide means further providing an opening for lateral introduction of the linear element from its temporary path into the guide space between the converging guide surfaces, the linear element being laterally urged by tension towards the temporary path and into contact with one of the guide surfaces after introduction into the space, the contacted guide surface being disposed with respect to the temporary path such that the direction along which the linear element is urged by tension towards such path and the contacted guide surface maintain an oblique relationship with each other throughout movement of the linear element on the guide surface to the notch.

Claim 5

Apparatus of claim 2 in which the angles formed by each of the opposing surface portions of the notch and a converging guide surface are equal.

Claim 6

Apparatus of claim 2 in which the angles are between 200* and 250*.

Claim 7

Apparatus of claim 2 in which the guide surfaces are convex.

Claim 8

Apparatus of claim 2 in which the guide surfaces are planar.

Claim 9

Apparatus for guiding linear elements comprising: means for providing a group of side-by-side tensioned flexible linear elements extending along a given temporary path; and guide means for the linear elements providing surfaces defining adjacent side-by-side notches through which individual linear elements are advanced along operational paths, the notches being laterally spaced from the temporary paths, the guide means providing spaced apart opposing pairs of guide surfaces each pair for facilitating movement of a linear element into one of the notches, each of the pairs of guide surfaces converging in a direction towards the paths to one of the notches, the surface defining each of the notches including opposing guide surface portions at its mouth, each of these surface portions meeting with one of the converging guide surfaces to form an angle larger than 180* and substantially less than 270*, the guide means further providing an opening for lateral introduction of linear elements from their temporary paths into the guide spaces between the pairs of converging guide surfaces, the linear elements being laterally urged by tension towards their given paths and into contact with one of the guide surfaces after introduction into a space, the contacted guide surfaces being disposed with respect to the temporary paths such that the directions along which The linear elements are urged by tension towards such paths and the contacted guide surfaces maintain oblique relationships with each other throughout movement of the linear elements on the guide surfaces to the notches.

Claim 10

Apparatus for guiding linear elements comprising: means for providing a group of side-by-side tensioned flexible linear elements extending along a given temporary path; and guide means for the linear elements providing surfaces defining adjacent side-by-side notches through which individual linear elements are advanced along operational paths, the notches being laterally spaced from the temporary paths, the guide means providing spaced apart opposing pairs of guide surfaces each pair for facilitating movement of a linear element into one of the notches, each of the pairs of guide surfaces converging in a direction towards the paths to one of the notches, the surface defining each of the notches including opposing guide surface portions at its mouth, each of these surface portions meeting with one of the converging guide surfaces to form an angle larger than 180* and substantially less than 270*, the guide means further providing an opening for lateral introduction of linear elements from their temporary paths into the guide spaces between the pairs of converging guide surfaces, the linear elements being laterally urged by tension towards their given paths and into contact with one of the guide surfaces after introduction into a space, the contacted guide surfaces being disposed with respect to the temporary paths such that the directions along which The linear elements are urged by tension towards such paths and the contacted guide surfaces maintain oblique relationships with each other throughout movement of the linear elements on the guide surfaces to the notches.

Claim 11

Apparatus of claim 7 in which the guide means is a single member.

Claim 12

Apparatus for processing spaced apart linear elements comprising: means for linearly advancing a group of side-by-side adjacent tensioned linear elements along given temporary paths; and a guide member for the linear elements laterally spaced from the temporary paths of the group, the member having side-by-side spaced apart elongated openings therethrough, each of the openings being oriented with its longitudinal axis extending in a direction towards the group and including a notch at its end region nearest the group through which a linear element is advanced along an operational path, each of the openings being defined from its mid-region to the mouth of its notch by spaced apart guide surfaces facilitating movement of a linear element into the notch, the guide surfaces converging in a direction towards the group, each of the surfaces defining a notch including opposing guide surface portions at its mouth, each of these surface portions meeting one of the converging guide surfaces to form an angle larger than 180* and substantially less than 270*, the guide member having a passage for lateral introduction of a linear element from its temporary path into each of the openings, the linear elements being laterally urged by tension towards their given paths and into contact with one of the converging guide surfaces after introduction into the openings, the contacted guide surfaces being disposed with respect to the given paths such that the direction along which the linear elements are urged by tension against such surfaces towards their given paths and the orientation of the contacted guide surfaces maintain an oblique relationship with each other throughout movement of the linear elements along the guide surfaces into the recesses.

Claim 13

Apparatus for processing spaced apart linear elements comprising: means for linearly advancing a group of side-by-side adjacent tensioned linear elements along given temporary paths; and a guide member for the linear elements laterally spaced from the temporary paths of the group, the member having side-by-side spaced apart elongated openings therethrough, each of the openings being oriented with its longitudinal axis extending in a direction towards the group and including a notch at its end region nearest the group through which a linear element is advanced along an operational path, each of the openings being defined from its mid-region to the mouth of its notch by spaced apart guide surfaces facilitating movement of a linear element into the notch, the guide surfaces converging in a direction towards the group, each of the surfaces defining a notch including opposing guide surface portions at its mouth, each of these surface portions meeting one of the converging guide surfaces to form an angle larger than 180* and substantially less than 270*, the guide member having a passage for lateral introduction of a linear element from its temporary path into each of the openings, the linear elements being laterally urged by tension towards their given paths and into contact with one of the converging guide surfaces after introduction into the openings, the contacted guide surfaces being disposed with respect to the given paths such that the direction along which the linear elements are urged by tension against such surfaces towards their given paths and the orientation of the contacted guide surfaces maintain an oblique relationship with each other throughout movement of the linear elements along the guide surfaces into the recesses.

Claim 14

Apparatus of claim 9 in which the openings are the same size and the longitudinal axes of the openings are mutually parallel.

Claim 15

Apparatus of claim 10 in which the guide member is longitudinal and the openings are aligned in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of such member.

Claim 16

Apparatus of claim 11 in which the openings are elliptical in shape and each of the notches is disposed on the longitudinal axis of its associated opening.

Claim 17

Apparatus of claim 12 in which the guide member has openings each with a second notch opposite the first notch.

Claim 18

Apparatus for handling a plurality of strands for collection into a package comprising: means for supplying a group of side-by-side strands along temporary paths; means for rotating the collector; and guide members for the strands providing surfaces defining adjacent side-by-side notches through which the individual strands are advanced along their collection paths to the package, the notches being laterally spaced from the temporary paths, the guide member having spaced apart opposing pairs of guide surfaces each pair for facilitating movement of a strand into one of the notches, each of the pairs of guide surfaces converging in a direction towards the group to one of the notches, each of the surfaces defining each of the notches including opposing guide surface portions at its mouth, each of these surface portions meeting with one of the pairs of converging guide surfaces to form an angle between 200* and 250*, the guide member further having an opening for lateral introduction of strands from their temporary paths into the guide spaces between the pairs of converging guide surfaces, the strands being laterally urged by tension towards their given paths and into contact with one of the guide surfaces after introduction into one of the spaces, the contacted guide surfaces being disposed with respect to the temporary paths such that the directions along which the strands are urged by tension towards such paths and the orientation of the contacted guide surfaces maintain oblique relationships with each other throughout movement of the strands along the guide surfaces into the notches.

Claim 19

Apparatus for handling a plurality of strands for collection into a package comprising: means for supplying a group of side-by-side strands along temporary paths; means for rotating the collector; and guide members for the strands providing surfaces defining adjacent side-by-side notches through which the individual strands are advanced along their collection paths to the package, the notches being laterally spaced from the temporary paths, the guide member having spaced apart opposing pairs of guide surfaces each pair for facilitating movement of a strand into one of the notches, each of the pairs of guide surfaces converging in a direction towards the group to one of the notches, each of the surfaces defining each of the notches including opposing guide surface portions at its mouth, each of these surface portions meeting with one of the pairs of converging guide surfaces to form an angle between 200* and 250*, the guide member further having an opening for lateral introduction of strands from their temporary paths into the guide spaces between the pairs of converging guide surfaces, the strands being laterally urged by tension towards their given paths and into contact with one of the guide surfaces after introduction into one of the spaces, the contacted guide surfaces being disposed with respect to the temporary paths such that the directions along which the strands are urged by tension towards such paths and the orientation of the contacted guide surfaces maintain oblique relationships with each other throughout movement of the strands along the guide surfaces into the notches.

Claim 20

Apparatus for producing continuous glass filaments comprising: means for supplying streams of molten glass for attenuation into continuous glass filaments which are gathered into strands; a rotatable collet; a tube upon which the strands are advanced to be wound as a package, the tube being shorter than the collet and being telescoped thereon such than an end portion of the collet projects beyond the tube for temporary strand collection prior to commencement of package formation; means for rotating the collet; rotary traversing means for distributing the strands lengthwise of the package during formation thereof; and guide member for gathering the filaments into a group of side-by side strands, the guide member having surfaces defining adjacent side-by-side notches through which the individual strands are advanced along their collection paths to the package, the notches being laterally spaced from the temporary filament collection paths to the collet, the guide member having spaced apart opposing pairs of guide surfaces each for facilitating filament movement into one of the notches, each of the pairs of guide surfaces converging in a direction to one of the notches, each of the surfaces defining each of the notches including opposing guide surface portions at its mouth, each of these surface portions meeting with one of the pairs of converging guide surfaces to form an angle between 200* and 250*, the guide member further having an opening for lateral introduction of filaments from their temporary paths into the guide spaces between the pairs of converging guide surfaces, the filaments being laterally urged by tension towards their given paths and into contact with one of the guide surfaces after introduction into one of the spaces, the contacted guide surfaces being disposed with respect to the temporary paths such that the directions along which the filaments are urged by tension towards such paths and the orientation of the contacted guide surfaces maintain oblique relationship with each other throughout movement of the filaments along the guide surfaces into the notches.

Claim 21

Apparatus for producing continuous glass filaments comprising: means for supplying streams of molten glass for attenuation into continuous glass filaments which are gathered into strands; a rotatable collet; a tube upon which the strands are advanced to be wound as a package, the tube being shorter than the collet and being telescoped thereon such than an end portion of the collet projects beyond the tube for temporary strand collection prior to commencement of package formation; means for rotating the collet; rotary traversing means for distributing the strands lengthwise of the package during formation thereof; and guide member for gathering the filaments into a group of side-by side strands, the guide member having surfaces defining adjacent side-by-side notches through which the individual strands are advanced along their collection paths to the package, the notches being laterally spaced from the temporary filament collection paths to the collet, the guide member having spaced apart opposing pairs of guide surfaces each for facilitating filament movement into one of the notches, each of the pairs of guide surfaces converging in a direction to one of the notches, each of the surfaces defining each of the notches including opposing guide surface portions at its mouth, each of these surface portions meeting with one of the pairs of converging guide surfaces to form an angle between 200* and 250*, the guide member further having an opening for lateral introduction of filaments from their temporary paths into the guide spaces between the pairs of converging guide surfaces, the filaments being laterally urged by tension towards their given paths and into contact with one of the guide surfaces after introduction into one of the spaces, the contacted guide surfaces being disposed with respect to the temporary paths such that the directions along which the filaments are urged by tension towards such paths and the orientation of the contacted guide surfaces maintain oblique relationship with each other throughout movement of the filaments along the guide surfaces into the notches.

Claim 22

Apparatus for processing spaced apart linear elements comprising: a linear element guide member having side-by-side spaced apart oval openings therethrough, each of the oval openings including a notch at each of its end regions, the surfaces of the member defining the oval openings facilitating movement of linear elements extending through the openings into the notches, each of the surfaces defining each of the notches including opposing surface portions at its mouth, each of these surface portions meeting a surface portion defining its associated oval opening, the guide member having a passageway for lateral introduction of a linear element into each of the oval openings.

Claim 23

Apparatus for processing spaced apart linear elements comprising: a linear element guide member having side-by-side spaced apart oval openings therethrough, each of the oval openings including a notch at each of its end regions, the surfaces of the member defining the oval openings facilitating movement of linear elements extending through the openings into the notches, each of the surfaces defining each of the notches including opposing surface portions at its mouth, each of these surface portions meeting a surface portion defining its associated oval opening, the guide member having a passageway for lateral introduction of a linear element into each of the oval openings.

Claim 24

Apparatus of claim 16 in which the member is elongated and the oval openings are spaced apart along a direction lengthwise of the member.

Claim 25

Apparatus of claim 17 in which the longitudinal axis of at least one of the oval openings is oriented in oblique relationship to the longitudinal axis of the member.