System and method for guiding fibers

Abstract

A fiber guide that guides fibers in a fiber processing system. The fiber guide has a surface having apertures through which fibers can pass in a direction from an upstream side of the surface to a downstream side of the surface. The apertures include at least one pair of apertures adjacent to and spaced from one another. The inlet of the first aperture is offset from the inlet of the second aperture. The offset is in the direction in which the fibers pass from the upstream side of the surface to the downstream side of the surface. A distance d1 between the inlet of the first aperture and the inlet of the second aperture is larger than a distance d2 between the first aperture and the second aperture measured transverse to the direction in which the fibers can pass.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A fiber guide configured to guide fibers in a fiber processing system, the fiber guide comprising:
 a board defining a surface having a plurality of apertures through which fibers can pass in a direction from an upstream side of the surface to a downstream side of the surface, each of the apertures having an inlet positioned to receive fibers from the upstream side of the surface, the board having a plurality of eyelets coupled to the board at positions corresponding to selected apertures, wherein the plurality of eyelets define the inlet of the selected apertures;   the plurality of apertures including at least one pair of first and second apertures adjacent to and spaced from one another;   the inlet of the first aperture of the at least one pair of first and second apertures being offset from the inlet of the second aperture of the at least one pair of first and second apertures, the offset being in the direction in which the fibers can pass from the upstream side of the surface to the downstream side of the surface, wherein a distance (d 1 ) between the inlet of the first aperture and the adjacent inlet of the second aperture is larger than a distance (d 2 ) between the first aperture and the adjacent second aperture measured transverse to the direction in which the fibers can pass;   wherein the plurality of eyelets are cylindrically formed, each having an annular first edge formed at one axial end and projecting radially outward, and an annular second edge formed at another axial end and projecting radially inward; and   wherein the inlets are formed between the respective first annular edges of adjacent eyelets and in the second annular edge of each eyelet.   
     
     
         2 . The fiber guide of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet of the first aperture is offset from the surface of the board. 
     
     
         3 . The fiber guide of  claim 1 , wherein the distance (d 1 ) between the inlet of the first aperture and the adjacent inlet of the second aperture is 2.5 cm or larger and the distance (d 2 ) between the first aperture and the adjacent second aperture measured transverse to the direction in which the fibers can pass is less than 2.5 cm. 
     
     
         4 . A fiber processing system comprising:
 a source of fibers; and   a fiber guide of  claim 1  positioned downstream from the source of fibers, the fiber guide being configured to guide fibers as the fibers are received from the source of fibers.   
     
     
         5 . A system for guiding fibers traveling along substantially parallel paths between an upstream location and a downstream location, the system comprising:
 a fiber guide defining at least one pair of fiber guide passages, the fiber guide being positioned between the upstream location and the downstream location;   each of the fiber guide passages having a guide opening configured to receive a portion of the fibers when the fibers are traveling between the upstream location and the downstream location, and each of the guide openings being defined by a guide surface;   wherein the fiber guide passages of the at least one pair of fiber guide passages are spaced from one another but positioned proximal to one another;   wherein the guide surface of the guide opening of one of the fiber guide passages of the at least one pair of fiber guide passages is proximal to the guide surface of the guide opening of the other one of the fiber guide passages of the at least one pair of fiber guide passages; and   wherein a position of the guide surface of the guide opening of one of the fiber guide passages of the at least one pair of fiber guide passages is positioned upstream in a direction along the paths relative to the guide surface of the guide opening of the other one of the fiber guide passages of the at least one pair of fiber guide passages;   wherein the guide openings are defined by eyelets disposed in the fiber guide;   wherein the plurality of eyelets are cylindrically formed, each having an annular first edge formed at one axial end and projecting radially outward, and an annular second edge formed at another axial end and projecting radially inward; and   wherein the inlets are formed between the respective first annular edges of adjacent eyelets and in the second annular edge of each eyelet.   
     
     
         6 . A method for guiding fibers in a fiber processing system, the method comprising:
 passing fibers through the plurality of apertures of the fiber guide of  claim 1 ;   maintaining the at least one pair of first and second apertures adjacent to and spaced from one another.   
     
     
         7 . A method for configuring a fiber guide to reduce fiber deposits in the fiber guide, the fiber guide having a surface defining a plurality of apertures through which the fibers can pass in a direction from an upstream side of the surface to a downstream side of the surface, the method comprising:
 maintaining at least one pair of first and second apertures adjacent to and spaced from one another;   offsetting an inlet of the first aperture of the at least one pair of first and second apertures from an inlet of the second aperture of the at least one pair of first and second apertures, the offset being in the direction in which the fibers pass from the upstream side of the surface to the downstream side of the surface, such that a distance (d 1 ) between the inlet of the first aperture and the adjacent inlet of the second aperture is greater than a distance (d 2 ) between the first aperture and the adjacent second aperture measured transverse to the direction in which the fibers pass;   coupling eyelets to a board defining the surface at positions corresponding to selected apertures, wherein the eyelets define the inlet of the selected apertures;   wherein the plurality of eyelets are cylindrically formed, each having an annular first edge formed at one axial end and projecting radially outward, and an annular second edge formed at another axial end and projecting radially inward; and   wherein the inlets are formed between the respective first annular edges of adjacent eyelets and in the second annular edge of each eyelet.