US3821543A

US3821543A - Apparatus for handling linear elements

Info

Publication number: US3821543A
Application number: US00336315A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Gelin; J Sanders
Original assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Corp
Current assignee: Owens Corning
Priority date: 1973-02-27
Filing date: 1973-02-27
Publication date: 1974-06-28
Anticipated expiration: 1991-06-28

Abstract

Apparatus for processing a plurality of glass strands into a wound package in a glass filament forming operation. The apparatus includes two strand guide members that have notches communicating with strand guide spaces defined by converging guide surfaces each forming an angle greater than 180 degrees and substantially smaller than 270 degrees. The converging guide surfaces are oriented to facilitate movement into the notch of a strand or filament introduced into the guide space.

Description

United States Patent 11 1 1451 June 28, 1974 Gelin et al.

[ APPARATUS FOR HANDLING LINEAR 3,054,277 9/1962 3165611116.", 242/157 R x 3,168,390 2/1965 Theobald 65/11 R ELEMENTS 3,371,877 3/1968 Klink et al.. 242/18 G Inventors: Robert J- Gelm, Newark, 3,414,956 12/1968 06111611 242/18 0 x James f j Jackson Tenn FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [73] AwgmeZ F'berglas 417,136 9/1934 Great 131116111 28/54 Corporation, Toledo, Ohio [22] Filed: Feb. 27, 1973 Primary Examiner-Stanley N. Gilreath [211 pp NOJ 336,315 Attorney, Agent, or Fzrm-Staehn & Overman ABSTRACT [52] U.S. Cl 242/42, 28/54, 65/11 W,

242/18 G 242/157 R Apparatus for processmg a plurality of glass strands [51 1111.131... B65h 54/02, B6511 57/04, B65h 57/16 i j 5 [58] Field 61 Search... 242/42, 18 G, 157 R, 157 c; opera 6 aPPaa es e members that have notches commumcatmg wIth 65/11 R, 11 W, 28/54, 55, 57/106, 107

strand guide spaces defined by convergmg guIde surfaces each forming an angle greater than 180 degrees [56] References Clted and substantially smaller than 270 degrees. The con- UNITED STATES PATENTS verging guide surfaces are oriented to facilitate move- 2,363,205 1 H1944 Smith 242/42 X ment into the notch of a strand or filament introduced 2,377,173 5/1945 Nelson 242/157 R into the guide space 2,690,313 9/1954 McDermott 242/157 R 2,945,636 7/1960 Lenk 242/42 18 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PAIENTEBJIIRZB mm Sam 5; 2 3821543 mi A Fig 2 APPARATUS FOR HANDLING LINEAR ELEMENTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In processing continuous filament glass strands and rovings it is sometimes necessary to supply simultaneously more than one individual strand or roving to one or more packages. But prior apparatus has failed to function fully satisfactory in such operations.

It has been a practice to use guiding members or shoes to establish desired spaced apart side-by-side operating strand paths along which strands advance to a collecting package or packages. One type of prior art shoe uses spaced apart extensions defining spaced apart slits through which individual strands are advanced. But the closeness of the extensions required to keep an integral and controllably rounded filament bundle often fails to allow passage of enlarged strand regions. And these regions of increased cross sectional size can occur with considerable frequency in operations like the production of continuous glass filaments. The result has been strands that are broken by guide shoes. And these breaks effect undesirable disruption in continuous processing operations.

Another type of prior art guide shoe uses circular guide openings for strands. But when these circular openings of the shoes are sufficiently large to allow passage of strand portions of enlarged cross section, it

(like the other shoes) does not impart good strand integrity and roundness. And the somewhat flattened strands have edge regions that are subject to damage.

A guide shoe having circular openings have been improved to include notches. In such an arrangement the strands travel through the notches along the desired paths to the collection region. When an enlarged strand portion arrives at the shoe, the strand is normally pushed from the notch into the larger circular opening when the enlargement is able to pass. Tension in the traveling strand should return it to the notch for continued processing.

But this improved guide shoe has not been adequate to provide reliable guidance of strands into the notches. When the strand remains in the circular opening and hence does not become notched, the strands so pro cessed have the disadvantages described herein.

An improvement was needed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a front elevation view of apparatus according to the principles of the invention simultaneously collecting a plurality of side-by-side glass strands into a single wound package in a continuous glass filament forming operation. Upper and lower strand guide shoes are shown.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the upper filament gather and strand guide shoe or member shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 the upper and lower guide members are identical; however, their orientation with respect to the apparatus is different.

FIG. 4 is a further enlarged plan view of one of the guide openings of the upper guide member shown in FIG. 3'. Forward and rearward notches are illustrated.

FIG. 5 is yet a more enlarged view of one of the forward guide notches forming part of one of the guide openings of the member shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of one of the guide openings in another guide member according to the principles of the invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of one of the guide openings in still another guide member according to the principles of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of another guide member according to the principles of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is improved apparatus for processing one or more flexible linear elements.

Another object of the invention is an improved guide used in simultaneously handling a group of linear elements.

Still another object of the invention is a guide for reliably processing a plurality of tensioned linear elements into individual guide notches.

These and other objects are attained by apparatus including guide means for a tensioned flexible linear element that defines a notch through which the linear element is extended along an operational path; the notch is laterally spaced from a temporary path given to the element. And the guide means includes spaced apart converging opposed guide surfaces for facilitating movement of the element into the notch; the guide surfaces converge in a direction generally towards the temporary path to the mouth of the notch. Each of the opposing surface portions defining the notch at its mouth meet with one of the converging guide surfaces to form an angle larger than and substantially less than 270. Further, the guide means provides an opening for lateral introduction of the linear element from its temporary path into the space between the converging guide surfaces. Tension in the linear element laterally urges it towards the temporary path and into contact with one of the guide surfaces after introduction into the space. The contacted guide surface is 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 orientation of the contacted guide surface maintain an oblique relationship with each other throughout movement of the linear element along the guide surface into the notch.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the invention is described in more detail with reference made to the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 and 2 show a continuous filament forming operation where apparatus gathers continuous glass filaments into a number of side-by-side bundles or strands. A winder pulls the side-by-side oriented glass strands downwardly along given paths and collects them as a single wound package. A filament gathering and strand guide means combines the glass filaments into an initial generally planar array of side-by-side strands; another strand guide means, which is below the first means, turns the array of strand for collection into the wound package by the winder.

As illustrated a container or feeder 10 holds a supply of molten glass. The container 10 is normally made of platinum or an alloy of platinum. And the container 10 can connect to a forehearth that supplies molten glass from a furnace or can connect to other means for supplying glass. For example, the container 10 can be connected with glass marble supplying apparatus that a melter or other means associated with the container 10 reduces to a heat-softened condition.

Located at the ends of the container 10 are terminals 12. These terminals connect to a source of electrical energy to supply heat to the molten glass in the container 10 by conventional resistance heating. This heat maintains the molten glass at proper filament forming temperatures and viscosities.

The container 10 includes a bottom wall 14 that has a plurality of orifices or passageways for delivering streams 16 of molten glass. In the embodiment shown the orifices in the bottom wall 14 comprise a plurality of depending orificed projections or tubular members 18. I

The molten streams 16 are attenuated into individual continuous glass filaments 20. And these are combined into a planar array of spaced apart side-by-side bundles or strands 22 by a filament gathering and guide means in the form of a shoe member 24 located below the container 10.

The filaments 20 are protected by an application of water and a conventional liquid sizing or other coating material. A nozzle 26 located near the bottom wall 14 sprays water onto the newly formed filaments 20 prior to the filaments 20 being combined into the strands 22. An applicator 28 supported within a housing 30 applies sizing or other coating material to the filaments 20. The applicator 28, which is located immediately above the guide shoe 24, can be any suitable means known to the art; however, the applicator 28 as shown is an endless belt that is moved through sizing or coating liquid held in the housing 30. As the filaments 20 travel across the moving surface of the applicator 28, some of the liquid on the surface transfers to them.

From the initial filament gathering and guide shoe 24 the array of side-by-side strands 22 is advanced downwardly to engage a second guide shoe member 34. As shown the shoe 34 turns the plane of strand travel 90 from the planar orientation effected by the shoe 24.

The strands 22 are advanced from the shoe 34 by a winder 40 and collected as a wound package 42. Strand traversing apparatus in the form of spiral wires 44 mounted on a driven rotatable shaft 46 moves the advancing strands 22 back and forth lengthwise (axially) of the package 42 during package build. The strands 22 are wound upon a collector such as a tube 48 that has been telescoped over a spindle or collet 50 journalled for rotation on the winder 40. Conventional drive means within the winder 40 rotates the collet 50 and the spiral wire shaft 46. Further, means within the winder 40 effects slow reciprocal motion of the spiral wire shaft 46 lengthwise of the package 42. US. Pat. No. 2,391,870 describes the operation of a winder like the winder 40. Further, US. Pat. No. 3,276,945 describes in considerable detail the type of intermittently integrated strand product collected into the package 42 by the winder 40.

Referring to FIG. 2 it can be seen that in the embodiment shown the location of the upper shoe 24 is effective to slightly bend the filaments 20 on the surface of the applicator 28. In practice the plane in which the filaments 20 travel to the shoe 24 is commonly from to from the vertical. The individual groups of gathered filaments 20 (strands 22) are turned on the shoe 24 in a direction opposite to the turn of the filaments on the applicator 28. In practice the strands 22 leaving the shoe 24 travel along paths that are commonly 10 to 20 from the vertical.

In preparing for formation of a package an operator arranges the filaments 20 to travel along given temporary paths for collection as a single bundle on the outward end of the collet 50. This temporary path arrangement for the filaments 20 is indicated in FIG. 2 as a dashed line denoted as START-UP PATH. In traveling along their temporary start-up paths the filaments 20 converge at the collet 50 and collect as the single bundle outwardly of an empty collection tube 48.

Before commencement of package formation the advancing filaments 20 are grouped into a number of bundles or strands 22. Four strands are indicated into the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 as an example only. The operator laterally moves the grouped filaments from their temporary start-up paths into individual guide spaces defined by the shoe 24. Tension in the filaments 20 (strands 22) moves the filaments of the individual groups towards their original paths and against guide surfaces defining individual guide spaces. Tension in the filaments 20 (strands 22) effects filament movement along the guide surfaces into notches defined by the member. The individual groups of filaments or strands turn on the member 24 in the notches during package formation as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The operator subsequently laterally moves the strands 22 from temporary paths below the member 24 into notches formed in the shoe 34.

Throughout package build the strands 22 are held in spaced apart side-by-side relationship by the

shoes

24 and 34. And these shoes guide the strands 22 along desired strand paths throughout package build.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the

members

24 and 34 are identical.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the shoe 24. As shown the shoe 24 is a thin elongatedmember having four adjacent side-by-side elongated openings 56 therethrough aligned in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the member. Each of the elongated openings 56 has opposing notches or recesses 60 and 60 at its end regions. As shown in FIG. 3 the

notches

60 and 60 are the same size and are on the longitudinal axis 61 of each of the openings 56. During package formation the filaments 20 are combined into individual bundles or strands 22 as they are advanced through one of the notches. The filaments 20 are turned on the member 24 at the closed end of the notches.

The member 24 (and member 34) should be made of material that does not abrade the glass filaments. In practice good results have been obtained using a resintextile laminate commercially known as Micarta; this laminate uses a phenolic resin to bond layers of fibrous material (such as linen and duck) together. Further, the surfaces of the members are finished to ensure smooth even surfaces having rounded edges to reduce damage to the glass filaments and to allow barrier free movement of glass filaments (strands) across them.

The openings 56 are shown as elliptical or oval in shape except for the notches 60. In operation, elliptically shaped openings have given good results in facilitating guidance of filaments 20 (strands 22) into the

notches

60 and 60.

The member or shoe 24 provides each of the openings 56 with a passageway 62 for introduction of filaments (strands 22) into the openings 56. The passageways 62 are shown extending parallel to each other in a direction oblique to the longitudinal axis of member 24. The forward edge of the member 24 includes entrance guide surfaces 63 that give guide assist during entrance of the filaments 20 and strands 22 into the opening 56. In practice, these surfaces 63 commonly form an angle (angle A in FIG. 3) of from 45 to 60 with the longitudinal axis of the member 24. But the particular angle A depends upon the lateral spacing between the openings 56.

All of the elongated openings 56 are shown as the same size. Further, they all have the same orientation in the member 24. So their major or longitudinal axes are parallel each other. One of the longitudinal axes is shown in FIG. 3 and is denoted by the reference numeral 61. In practice, it has been useful to have each of the axes 61 extend in a direction that forms an angle (angle B in FIG. 3). And commonly angle B is between 60 and 85 with the longitudinal axis of the member 24; an angle B of about 80 is preferred. The passageways 62 are shown oriented in oblique relationship with the axes of the openings 56.

The shape of the openings 56 provide two zones for guiding linear elements such as filaments or strands into the

notches

60 and 60. In FIG. 4 a dashed line denoted by the reference numeral 64 separates the opening 56 into a forward guide zone 66 and a rearward guide zone 68. Each of these zones operates on the same principle. So only the forward zone 66 will be discussed in detail.

In FIG. 4 it can be seen that the member 24 provides the forward zone 66 of each of the openings 56 with a surface 70 defining the notch 60 within which the filaments 20 (strands 22) travel during package formation. Further, the forward zone 66 is provided with spaced apart guide

surfaces

72 and 74 converging to the mouth or entrance 76 of the notch 60. The surface 70 includes opposing

surface portions

78 and 80 at the mouth 76.

The notches 60 and 60' are much smaller in size than the main portion of the elliptical openings 56. In practice the

notches

60 and 60 have curved end regions and are substantially equal in area to the transverse cross sectional area of the strands passed through them.

The openings 56 commonly from to 100 times larger than the cross sectional area of the strands 22. As shown notches 60 and 60' are the same size.

It is important to have the filaments 20 (strands 22) introduced into an opening 56 find their way into the notch 60. In this regard the relationship between the converging guide surfaces 72 and 74 and the opposing

surfaces

78 and 80 at the mouth 76 of the notch 60 is important in facilitating movement of the filaments 20 (strands 22) into the notches. In FIG. 5 the angles formed at the corners formed by these surfaces are shown as angles C and D. These angles are normally equal. And these angles are larger than 180 and substantially less than 270. Angles C and D are between 200 and 250; an angle of about 240 is preferred. The corners are shown rounded or radiused to reduce strand abrasion.

FIG. 3 indicates by dashed lines the movement of a group of filaments 20 into one of the elongated openings 56 (the left most opening of the member 24) before commencement of package build. The filaments 20 are laterally moved from their temporary paths and through the passageways 62 into the opening 56. Tension in the filaments 20 moves them towards their original and temporary paths and into contact with the guide surfaces, some contacting guide surface 72 and others contacting guide surface 74. So when the guide surfaces are disposed with respect to the temporary path of the contacting filaments such that the direction along which the filaments are laterally urged by tension and the guide surface maintain an oblique relationship with each other, the filaments are moved along the surface into the notch 60.

Thus, the invention includes means for providing a tensioned flexible linear element extending along a given temporary path; and guide means for the linear element that provides both a surface defining a notch laterally spaced from the temporary path and spaced apart opposing guide surfaces for facilitating movement of the linear element to the notch. The guide surfaces converge in a direction generally towards the path to the mouth of the notch. Each of the opposing surfaces of the notch at its mouth meets with a conve rging guide surface to form an angle larger than 180 and substantially less than 270. The guide means further provides an opening for lateral introduction of the linear element from its temporary path into the spaced between the converging guides surface. Tension in the lin ear element urges the element towards its original path and into contact with one of the guide surfaces. The contacted guide surface is disposed with respect to the given path such that the direction along which the linear element is urged by tension toward the given temporary path and the guide surface maintain an oblique relationship with each other throughout movement of the linear movement on the guide surface into the notch.

The guide shoe 24 both gathers filaments 20 and guides strands 22; the shoe 34 only guides strands.

The operation of the member 24 has been described in relation to the notch 60. It is readily apparent, however, that the member 24 can be located with respect to the temporary path such that tension moves the filaments 20 along converging guide surfaces into the notch 60.

FIG. 6 shows a portion of a modified guide member 124 according to the principles of the invention. The member 124 includes an opening 156 in the shape of a square. The member 124 further includes opposing

notches

160 and 160 like the

notches

60 and 60 of the member 24 (and member 34). The notches are at opposite corner regions of the square opening 156.

A passageway 162 allows introduction of linear elements into the opening 156.

Further, the shape of the opening provides two guiding zones to facilitate movement of linear elements to a guide notch (notches 160 and 160'). And these zones each include spaced apart guide surfaces converging to the mouth of a notch. In FIG. 6 guide surfaces 172 and 174 meet the notch 160 at its mouth. Like the surfaces of the openings 56 the guide surfaces 172 and 174 meet the notch surfaces 178 and 180 respectively to form an angle larger than 180 and substantially less than 270.

FIG. 7 shows a portion of another modified guiding member 224 according to the principles of the invention. The member 12 includes an elongated opening 256 in the shape of a rectangle and a. passageway 262 for lateral introduction of linear elements into the opening 256. The member has opposing notches 260 and 260' at opposite corner regions of the opening 256.

Like the openings in the other members, the opening 256 provides two guiding zones to facilitate movement of linear elements to a guide notch. And these zones each include spaced apart guidesurfaces converging to the mouth of a notch. In FIG. -7 guide surfaces 272 and 274 meet the notch 260 at its mouth. Notch surfaces 278 and 280 at the mouth meet the guide surfaces 278 and 280 respectively to form an angle larger than 180 and substantially less than 270.

FIG. 8 shows still another modified guide member. i.e., guide member 324, according to the principles of the invention. Member 324 includes extensions 325 having oblique surfaces 372 and 374 that converge to form a somewhat V-shaped space 356 between them. A notch 360 is situated at the base or apex region of each of the V-shaped spaces.

Like the other guide members the angles formed between the converging guide surfaces and the respective notch surfaces form an angle larger than 180 and substantially less than 270.

Member 334 is especially suited for movement into a group of linear elements. The converging guide surfaces 372 and 374 move the engaged linear elements into their respective notches. Hence, the member 334, as with the other members, might be movable rather than fixed in location as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

We claim:

1. 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, thev 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.

2. Apparatus for guiding a linear element comprising:

7 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 and substantiallyless 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 sur faces 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.

3. 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.

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

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

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

7. 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 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 redefining adjacent side-by-side notches f spect 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.

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

9. 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.

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

11. 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.

12. Apparatus of claim 1 l in which the openings are elliptical in shape and each of the notches is disposed on the longitudinal axis of its associated opening.

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

14. 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.

15. 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 1 1 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.

16. Apparatus for processing spaced apart linear elenotches 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.

ments 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

Claims

1. 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.

2. 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.

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

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

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

7. 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.

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

9. 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.

12. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

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

18. 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.