Alignment system for multiple yarn ends
1 h I Whitest States 1&#39; ate t 1 [111 3,880,338  
 Lees et al. Apr. 29, 1975 [54] ALIGNMENT SYSTEM FOR MULTIPLE 3,766,726 10/1973 Carroll 242/157 R YARN ENDS Inventors! Robert Lees; William Dorne Primary E.\&#39;aminerRichard A. Schacher Braswen, both of Ch ster, Va. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Patrick L. Henry [73] Assignee: Allied Chemical Corporation, New  
  York, NY. [22] Filed: Apr. 25, 1974 [57] ABSTRACT [2]] A N 463335 A system is disclosed for single-step string-up and precise alignment to within 001 inch resolution of dual yarn ends relative to the passageways of a draw point [52] [1.8. CI. 226/93; 226/97; 226/109; localizing j The System has two guides which are [51] Int. Cl each adjustable to permit precise alignment in two planes of the dual yarn ends relative to a draw point localizing jet, and a single step string-up device which separates and positions the dual yarn ends for stringup through the guides and the draw point localizing et.  
 [58] Field of Search 226/91, 97, 108, 109, 199; 242/4703, 157 R; 57/345 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3.698.612 10/1972 Brock 226/91 32 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PLT&#39;ENTEB APR 2 9 I975 SHEET 2 BF 5 ALIGNMENT SYSTEM FOR MULTIPLE YARN ENDS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an apparatus for the alignment of continuously running multiple yarn ends. In particular. it relates to an alignment system to be used in conjunction with a yarn treating system. In the alignment system. the multiple yarn ends are. in a single step, separated and positioned for placement in an adjustable guide system&#39; which precisely aligns the positions of the yarn ends independently in planes normal to one another for string-up through further process apparatus. The yarn treating system includes an apparatus having tube-like passageways through which the yarn ends travel.  
  Throughout the present specification and claims. the term yarn&#34; is employed in a general sense to indicate a continuous. often plied. strand composed of fibers. filaments. glass. metal. asbestos. paper. or plastic, or a noncontinuous strand such as staple. and the like. An end is one or a contiguous group of such strands of yarn.  
  The invention is applicable to many phases of yarn handling. the particular use disclosed herein being merely illustrative and not limiting thereof.  
  U.S. Pat. No. 3.747.317 discloses an apparatus for separating yarns twisted and heat set during the production of textured yarns wherein a Duotwist-type texturing machine is modified by replacement of fixed yarn separation pins with a pivotal apparatus for stabilizing the separation point of two twisted together yarns.  
  U.S. Pat. No. 3.396.422 related to a yarn treating system which includes an apparatus having a tube-like passageway through which the traveling yarns runs and wherein guides are provided for insuring proper laceup of the apparatus and for causing the yarn to return to its proper course through the passageway should it become accidentally displaced therefrom.  
  U.S. Pat. No. 3.278.137 relates to an improved thread guiding apparatus which prevents damage to threads carried thereby and ensures maximum utilization of the guiding surface thereof by exposing the thread to fresh surfaces along the length and circumference of a cylindrical-shaped guide element.  
  Where a plurality of yarn ends are intially fed to&#39;continuous production equipment for string-up. the yarn ends frequently are twisted in the string-up means and it is therefore necessary to separate the yarn ends for further process treatment. However. after separation it is often desirable to treat the separated yarn ends as one for further string-up through the treatment system. i.e.. single-step string-up of multiple yarns. From a safety standpoint. it also preferable that string-up be accomplished without allowing the yarn to be touched by hands or any handheld device other than the single string-up means. such as an aspirator.  
  The continuous production equipment of the treating system includes an apparatus with a plurality of tubelike passageways. It is generally desirable to be able to adjust independently in planes normal to one another the positions of the yarn ends. The apparatus with tubelike passageways subjects the yarn ends passing therethrough to a treatment of some sort to change a physical or chemical characteristic thereof. For example. the yarns may be subjected in their individual passageways to a blast of air. lfthe passageways have a communicating string-up slot to facilitate the introduction of the yarns into the passageways. it is necessary to prevent the yarn from blowing back through the string-up slot during treatment. With single end equipment. an adjustable guide. which comprises a plate with an oversize hole, is mounted at the base of the treatment apparatus. This guide can move relative to the tube-like passageways passing longitudinally through the treatment apparatus by means of clamping screws. and thereby align the yarn for passage therethrough. Applying this concept to multiple yarns provides a plurality of guide surfaces at fixed distances which do not give a precise enough alignment of the yarns. To facilitate the advancement of yarn ends during treatment. the yarn ends are guided on guide pins. But. in a short time, the surfaces of such guide pins will irregularly wear and/or groove so that the yarns become damaged and thus. necessitate the stopping of the process to replace the guide pins. To prevent yarn damage and to minimize the number of process interruptions. it is therefore important to have control over the movement of the guide pins. U.S. Pat. No. 3,278,137 eliminates this problem generally be exposing the thread to fresh surfaces along the length and circumference of a cylindrical-shaped guide element. However. the use of the cylindricalshaped guide element of this apparatus precludes the single-step string-up operation. the advantages of which are obvious. The cylindrical shape inhibits the separation of the multiple yarn ends.  
  None of the prior art patents teach an apparatus which is entirely suitable for the single-step string-up and precise alignment of multiple yarn ends.  
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an alignment system for multiple yarn ends the essential elements of which are adjustable guide means and separating and positioning means. The adjustable guide means comprises mounting means and a plurality of guiding means. Each of the guiding means has a groove. and at least one of the guiding means has a tapered end extending beyond its respective groove; the number of guiding means having tapered ends extending beyond their respective grooves is at least one less than the number of multiple yarn ends. All of the guiding means include pivot means thereon adapted for connection to the mounting means and on whichh any guiding means can pivot. All of the guiding means also have first adjusting means and second adjusting means thereon; the first adjusting means adjusts the position of any guiding means along the axis of their pivot means. and the second adjusting means angularly adjusts the position of any guiding means about the axis of their pivot means. The separating and positioning means has a plurality of pins projecting in the same general direction therefrom. as well as supporting means about which it can pivot up to 180C. The distance between the pins and the spatial relationship thereof relative to the direction of the yarn ends at the point of first contact with the pins is such as to maintain a total contact of 180-360 with the multiple yarn ends when the multiple yarn ends are in an appproximately sinusoidal turn about the pins so as to cause separation of the multiple yarn ends. The portions of the pins in contact with the multiple yarn ends are curved. The pins are of sufficient length to project beyond the tapered end(s) of the guiding means. The  
 pins permit the positioning of the separated multiple yarn ends when the separating and positioning means is pivoted from up to approximately 45 so that when the separating and positioning means is pivoted from 45 to 180 the separation of the multiple yarn ends is maintained by the tapered end(s) of the guiding means. Thus. the multiple yarn ends are separated and subsequently positioned for precise alignment to within .001 inch resolution by adjustment of the adjustable guide means relative to the multiple yarn ends. The adjustable guide means and the separating and positioning means of the present invention are preferably used in conjunction with one another in combination with a jet. more specifically, a draw point localizing jet. for precise alignment to within .001 inch resolution of multiple yarn ends in passageways of the jet. They may. however. be used independently with other systems. The adjustable guide means can precisely align multiple yarn ends for passage through the passageways of a jet without the aid of the separating and positioning means. The separating and positioning means is a string-up aid for use in conjunction with a guide system having at least one guide with a tapered end; the number of guides with tapered ends is at least one less than the number of multiple yarn ends.  
  Dual yarn ends, which are initially led into the alignment system by string-up means, are aligned in a preferred embodiment of this invention. the essential elements of which are adjustable guide means and separating and positioning means. The adjustable guide means comprises two guides. a mounting bracket plate. two adjustable guide supports, and a restraint guard plate. Each of the guides has a generally cylindrical shape with a groove encircling its respective midsection. and at least one of the guides has a tapered end extending beyond its respective groove. The mounting bracket plate has. at one end, two lateral projections which are perpendicular to the mounting bracket plate and opposite one another. The two adjustable guide supports are each located between the lateral projections and are each narrower in width than the distance between the lateral projections for a distance corresponding to at least the length of the lateral projections. Each of the guide supports has separate pivot means thereon adapted for connection to both of the lateral projections. and on which each of the guide supports can pivot independently. Each of the guide supports also has separate first adjusting means thereon adapted for connection to both of the lateral projections. and by which the position of each of the guide supports along the axis of its respective pivot means can be independentlyadjusted. Each of the guide supports has a projection which extends outwardly. beneath and beyond one of the lateral projections in a direction substantially parallel to the mounting bracket plate. Each of the projections has means for supporting the nontapered end of one of the guides. and the projetion of the guide support farther away from the mounting bracket plate supports a guide with a tapered end. Each of the guide supports has separate second adjusting means thereon adapted for connection to the mounting bracket plate. and by which the position of each of the guide supports can be independently adjusted angularly about the axis of its respective pivot means. The plane of the restraint guard plate is perpendicular to and bestraint guard plate itself extends in the same general direction as the lateral projections. away from the mounting bracket plate. The end of the restraint guard plate farther away from the mounting bracket plate has a lip which extends approximately perpendicularly from the restraint guard plate in the same general direction as the projections of the guide supports. The restraint guard plate has means for attaching it to the mounting bracket plate. The separating and positioning means. or string-up aid. comprises a plate and two pins. The plate has supporting means about which it can pivot up to 180. The pins, which are mounted on the plate. are of a generally cylindrical shape and are parallel in the plane normal to the plate. The distance between the pins and the spatial relationship thereof relative to the direction of the yarn ends at the point of first contact with the pins is such as to maintain a total contact of l-360 with the dual yarn ends when the dual yarn ends are in an approximately sinusoidal turn about the pins so as to cause separation of the dual yarn ends. The pins are of a sufficient length to project beyond the guide having a tapered end. When the plate is in its prestring-up position, the pin nearer the guides is longer than the other pin. The pins permit positioning of the separated dual yarn ends when the plate is pivoted from 0 up to approximately 45 so that when the plate is pivoted from 45 to I80. the separation of the dual yarn ends is maintained by the tapered end of the guide farther away from the mounting bracket plate. Thus. the dual yarn ends are separated and subsequently positioned for precise alignment to within .001 inch resolution by adjustment of the adjustable guide means relative to the dual yarn ends.  
 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front view of the invention as string-up is initiated;  
  FIG. 2 is a plan view of the invention. omitting the draw point localizing jet;  
  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention after string-up;  
 FIG. 4 is a side view of the invention;  
  FIG. 5 is a plan view of the draw point localizing jet taken on lines 5-5 of FIG. I; and  
  FIGS. 6A. 6B and 6C are schematic views of the string-up sequence.  
 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the acccompanying drawings. like numbers indieate like apparatus. Dual yarn ends 9 and 9&#39; are strungup and aligned for passage through a draw point localizing jet 5. Preferably. the dual yarn ends are continuously running and processed in parallel. By processed in parallel is meant the yarn ends are treated in a generally side-by-side relationship, not necessarily continuously geometrically parallel. The essential elements are adjustable guide means 6 and separating and positioning means 7.  
  The adjustable guide means 6 comprises two ceramic guides 10 and 11. two adjustable guide supports I6 and I7. a mounting bracket plate 14. and a restraint guard plate 34. The guides 10 and 11 have a generally cylindrical shape with grooves 12 and I2 encircling their respective midsections. Guide 10 has a tapered end 13 extending beyond its groove I2. The mounting bracket plate 14 has atits upper end two lateral projections 15 and 15 which are perpendicular to the mounting bracket plate 14 and opposite one another. The two adjustable guide supports 16 and 17 are each located between the lateral projections 15 ad 15&#39; and are each narrower in width than the distance between the lateral projections 15 and 15 for a distance corresponding to at least the length of the lateral projections 15 and 15&#39;. As the guide supports 16 and 17 are practically identical. unless otherwise indicated. reference to elements of guide support 16 will be understood to equally apply to elements of guide support 17. This is depicted in the accompanying drawings by identifying elements of guide support 17 by the numeral given to similar elements of guide support 14. with a prime symbol. A pivot pin 18 passes through guide support 16 with its axis perpendicular to and its ends secured in lateral projections 15 and 15&#39;. Below pivot pin 18 is bore 19 which is bored into and approximately 80% through guide support 16 in the direction away from lateral projection 15. The axis of bore 19 is parallel to the axis of pivot pin 18. Compression spring 20, the maximum diameter of which is slightly smaller than the diameter of bore 19, is placed in bore 19 with one end bearing against guide support 16 at the end of bore 19 and the other end bearing against lateral projection 15. Adjusting screw 21 passes through internally threaded hole 22 of lateral projection 15 to bear against guide support 16. The axis of hole 22 is within the boundary of bore 19. By turning adjusting screw 21, compression spring can be compressed or released and thus. adjust the position of guide support 16 along the axis of its pivot pin 18 between lateral projections 15 and 15. Guide support 16 also has a projection 23 which extends outwardly beneath and beyond lateral projection 15. Projection 23 has at its far end a cavity 24 into which the cylindrical end of guide 10 is slipped and secured in place by set screw 25. The cylindrical end of guide 11 is slipped into cavity 24&#39; and secured in place by a set screw (not shown Guide support 16 additionally has a projection 26 in a direction opposite to that of projection 23; however. guide support 17 does not. Projection 26 has at its end slot 27 which extends inwardly. Mounting bracket plate 14 has a bore 28, the axis of which is within the adjustable boundary of slot 27. Where bore 28 ends in mounting bracket plate 14, an internally threaded hole 29, smaller in diameter than and concentric with bore 28, passes the remainder of the way through mounting bracket plate 14. Compression spring 30, the diameter of which is large enough to prevent entrance into either slot 27 or hole 29 and which is small enough to fit into bore 28, is placed between slot 27 and into bore 28: in this manner it bears against guide support 16 and on the interior. against mounting bracket plate 14. Clamping screw 31 passes through slot 27 and compression spring 30 to screw into internally threaded hole 29. The head 32 ofclamping screw 31 is large enough to prevent clamping screw 31 from completely passing through slot 27 and to permit its edges to bear against guide support 16. Guide support 16 is sufficiently cut away along the edge of slot 27 to prevent head 32 of clamping screw 31 from projecting beyond the edge of guide support 16. The width of slot 27 is slightly greater than the maximum diameter of clamping screw 31 so that clamping screw 31 can be easily passed into and through slot 27. By  
 turning clamping screw 31. compression spring 30 is compressed or released and this. in combination with guide support 16&#39;s ability to pivot about the axis of its pivot pin 18. permits adjustment of the position of guide support 16 in a planar are normal to mounting bracket plate 14. Guide support 17 has inwardly extending slot 27 at the lower right-hand edge thereof. Slot 27&#39; has the same characteristics as slot 27 with the additional characteristic of being partially cutaway on the edge nearer compression spring 30. Slot 27&#39; is sufficiently cutaway to avoid contact with compression spring 30 when guide support 16 is as closely positioned as possible to lateral projection 15&#39; along the axis of pivot pin 18 and when guide support 17 is as closely positioned as possible to lateral projection 15 along the axis of pivot pin 18&#39;. The lengths of compression spring 30&#39; and clamping screw 31&#39; are shorter thann those of compression spring 30 and clamping screw 31 to correspond to the shorter distance between guide support 17 and mounting bracket plate 14. As shown in FIG. 1, guide support 16 also has another slot 33 opening at its base. Slot 33 is large enough to permit access to the head 32 of clamping screw 31&#39; for ease in adjustment and replacement. The restraint guard plate 34, the plane of which is approximately perpendicular to the mounting bracket plate 14, is secured to the bottom of mounting bracket plate 14 by two screws 35 and 35&#39;. The restraint guard plate 34 extends away from the mounting bracket plate 14 in the same direction as lateral projections 15 and 15&#39;. As depicted in FIG. 2, restraint guard plate has at its end farther away from mounting bracket plate 14 a lip 36 extending approximately perpendicularly therefrom in the same general direction as projections 23 and 23&#39;.  
  The separating and positioning means 7 is a string-up aid which comprises a plate 37 and two pins 38 and 39. The plate has a mounting screw 40 about which it can pivot up to Pins 38 and 39 are of a cylindrical shape and are mounted in parallel on plate 37 in the plane normal to plate 37. The distance between pins 38 and 39 is such as to maintain a contact of 360 with dual yarn ends 9 and 9&#39; when the dual yarn ends 9 and 9 are in an S turn about them. The length of pins 38 and 39 is such that they both project outwardly beyond the tapered end 13 of guide 10, with pin 38 being approximately ().4() times longer than pin 39.  
  With reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, the drawing point localizing jet 5 is located between separating and positioning means 7 and the side of mounting bracket plate 14 with lateral projection 15&#39;, and above guides 10 and 11. It is supported by draw point localizing jet support 41 which is secured to mounting bracket plate 14 by screw 43 and pin 44 respectively. Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3, and 5, the draw point localizing jet 5 comprises two yarn passages 46 and 46&#39; vertically therethrough which are connected by slot 47 and access to which is provided by string-up slot 45. The guides 10 and 11 are positioned by adjustment of guide supports 16 and 17 so that the dual yarn ends 9 and 9&#39; on either side of groove 12 will be aligned with the center lines. respectively. of yarn passages 46 and 46.  
  With reference to FIG. 1. in operation dual yarn ends 9 and 9&#39; are supplied by feed roll 8. Feed roll 8 is positioned below adjustable guide means 6 so that dual yarn ends 9 and 9&#39; extend vertically with yarn end 9 to the front of and yarn end 9 to the back of groove 12. During string-up dual ends 9 and 9 are brought up with string-up means. preferably string-up aspirator gun 48, to the right of and over pin 38, then downwardly be tween pins 38 and 39. then under and around to the left of pin 39 and up. The dual yarn ends 9 and 9. which are twisted in the string-up aspirator gun 48. separate as they approach pin 38 due to the frictional drag created by the S turn made by them on pins 38 and 39. By pulling the dual yarn ends 9 and 9&#39; to the right above pin 39 with the aspirator gun 48. the operator causes plate 37 to pivot to the right about mounting screw -10 as shown in phantom in FIG. 1. An approximately 45 to 180 pivot is satisfactory, with a l80 pivot preferred. As plate 37 pivots. the operator should ascertain that the dual yarn end-s 9 and 9 will be separated by tapered end 13 of guide 10. If it appears that they will not be. he can move the position of the dual yarn ends 9 and 9&#39; so that they will be. This must be done before plate 37 has been pivoted to a point at which both of the dual yarn ends 9 and 9&#39; will go to one side of guide 10. This critical pivot degree is approximately 45. As plate 37 pivots, the dual yarn ends 9 and 9 break contact with pin 38 and are simply looped over pin 39.  
  With plate 37 in its pivoted string-up position. the dual yarns ends 9 and 9 are on either side of guide 10. Referring now to FIGS. 1. 6A. 6B. and 6C, the dual yarn ends 9 and 9 which are separate prior to their loop over pin 39 are placed further to the right of tapered end 13 with the yarn end 9 between groove 12 and lip 36 and yarn end 9 between grooves 12 and 12. When the dual yarn ends 9 and 9 are thus positioned. the operator slides them off pin 39. To place the dual yarn ends 9 and 9 in draw point localizingjet 5. the operator now pulls forward on the dual yarn ends 9 and 9 so that yarn end 9 is brought forward against groove 12 and beneath draw point localizing jet and yarn end 9 rests against lip 36 of restraint guard plate 34. Lip 36 prevents yarn end 9 from slipping off feed roll 8 during string-up. Then. the dual yarn ends 9 and 9 are brought up vertically through string-up slot- 45 of the draw point localizing jet 5. Referring to FIG. 5. yarn end 9&#39; will pass through yarn passage 46&#39; while yarn end 9 will pass through yarn passage 46. From the draw point localizing jet 5, the dual yarn ends 9 and 9 may be strung-up through further process apparatus and/or would-up. Their crossover and/or entanglement in the draw point localizing jet 5 is inhibited by firstly. the guide 10 maintaining separation at entrance. and by secondly. the tension produced in the dual yarn ends 9 and 9&#39; while in the draw point localizing jet 5 by upstream processing apparatus. During treatment. dual yarn ends 9 and 9 rub against. respectively. the front portions of grooves 12 and 12 due to a tendency for the yarn ends 9 and 9&#39; to slant to the back.  
  The operation of the adjustable guide supports 16 and 17. and thus of their respective guides 10 and 11, is as follows. Guide support 16 is pivoted on pivot pin 18 and is free to move right and left on this pivot pin 18 by movement of the guide support 16 to the right by compression spring 20 and to the left by adjusting screw 21. Guide support 16 is also pushed outwardly by compression spring and inwardly by clamping screw 31 in a planar are normal to mounting bracket plate l-t. It follows for guide support 17. This combination of possible adjustments for positioning effectively guides 10 and 11 permits precise alignment of the dual yarn ends 9 and 9&#39; to within .001 inch resolution on the center lines of their respective yarn passages 46 and 46&#39; through draw point localizing jet 5. Dual yarn ends 9 and 9 can also be aligned with respect to some line other than the center line of their respective yarn passages 46 and 46. The separating and positioning means 7 permits a single step string-up from feed roll 8 through draw point localizing jet 5 using only string-up aspirator gun 48.  
  Ceramic guides 10 and 11 are perfectly symmetrical for two reasons. Firstly. as yarn end 9 is brought forward against groove 12 and beneath draw point localizingjet 5. the continuity of groove 12 prevents yarn slippage and damage. Secondly. the guides 10 and 11 may be rotated. which gives them a longer life span.  
  The materials of construction are preferably as follows: for the guides. steel coated with a commercially available abrasion resistant substance or solid ceramic. more preferably the latter; for the screws. carbon steel plated with black oxide to prevent corrosion; for the springs. stainless steel; and for the remainder of the apparatus. a metal such as aluminum or stainless steel. more preferably the latter.  
 While the invention has been described primarily in conjunction with the string-up and alignment of dual yarn ends for passage through a draw point localizing jet. it is not intended to exclude the string-up and alignment of more than two yarn ends for passage through other types ofjets. Various modifications and other advantages will be apparent to one skilled in the art. and it is intended that this invention be limited only as set forth in the following claims.  
 What is claimed is:  
  1. An alignment system for dual yarn ends. said dual yarn ends being initially led into said system by stringup means. said alignment system comprising;  
 A. adjustable guide means. said adjustable guide means comprising:  
 a. two guides. each of said guides having a generally cylindrical shape and having a groove encircling its midsection. at least one of said guides having a tapered end extending beyond its respective groove;  
 b. a mounting bracket plate. said mounting bracket plate having two lateral projections at one end. said lateral projections being perpendicular to said mounting bracket plate and opposite one another;  
 c. two adjustable guide supports. each of said guide supports being narrower in width than the distance betweensaid lateral projections for a distance corresponding to at least the length of said lateral projections. each of said guide supports being located between said lateral projections, each of said guide supports having separate pivot means thereon adapted for connection to both of said lateral projections and on which each of said guide supports can pivot independently. each of said guide supports having separate first adjusting means thereon adapted for connection to both of said lateral projections and by which the position of each of said guide supports along the axis of its respective pivot means can be independently adjusted. each of said guide supports having a projection. said projection extending outwardly beneath and beyond one of said lateral projections in a direction substantially parallel to said mounting bracket plate. each of said projections having means for supporting the nontapered end of one of said guides. the projection of the guide support farther away from said mounting bracket plate supporting said guide having a tapered end. each of said guide supports having separate second adjusting means thereon adapted for connection to said mounting bracket plate and by which the position of each of said guide supports can be independently adjusted angularly about the axis of its respective pivot means; and d. a restraint guard plate. the plane of said restraint guard plate being perpendicular to and beneath the end of said mounting bracket plate opposite to said end having said lateral projections. said restraint guard plate extending in the same general direction as said lateral projections away from said mounting bracket plate. the end of said restraint guard plate farther away from said mounting bracket plate having a lip. said lip extending approximately perpendicularly from said restraint guard plate in the same general direction as said projections of said guide supports. said restraint guard plate having means for attaching it to said mounting bracket plate; and B. separating and positioning means. said separating and positioning means comprising a plate and two pins. said plate having supporting means about which said plate can pivot up to I80&#34;, each of said pins being ofa generally cylindrical shape. said pins being mounted on said plate and being parallel in the plane normal to said plate. the distance between said pins and the spatial relationship thereof relative to the direction of the yarn ends at the point of first contact with said pins being such as to maintain a total contact of l80-36() with said dual yarn ends when said dual yarn ends are in an approximately sinusoidal turn about said pins so as to cause separation of said dual yarn ends. said pins being of sufficient length to project beyond said guide having a tapered end. the pin nearer said guides when said plate is in its pre-string-up position being longer than other said pin. said pins permitting positioning of said separated dual yarn ends when said plate is pivoted from 0 up to approximately 45 so that when said plate is pivoted from 45 to 180 said separation of said dual yarn ends is maintained by the tapered end of the guide farther away from said mounting bracket plate;  
 whereby said dual yarn ends can be separated and subsequently positioned for precise alignment to within .001 inch resolution by adjustment of said adjustable guide means relative to said dual yarn ends.  
  2. The alignment system of claim 1 in combination with a jet. said jet being located between said separating and positioning means and the lateral projection above said guide supports projections and above said guides. said jet having two yarn passages vertically therethrough. said yarn passages being connected by a slot. the axes of said yarn passages being within the adjustable boundaries of their respective yarn ends as said dual yarn ends pass through said adjustable guide means. the yarn passage through which the yarn end next to said lip of said restraint guard plate passes having an access slot through which said dual yarn ends can be strung-up through saidyarn passages of said jet.  
  3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said jet is a draw point localizing jet. and said yarn ends are continuously running and processed in parallel.  
  4. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said jet is a draw point localizing jet.  
  5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said mounting means comprises a mounting bracket plate. said mounting bracket plate having two lateral projections at one end. said lateral projections being perpendicular to said mounting bracket plate and opposite one another. each of said guiding means comprising a guide and an adjustable guide support. each of said guides having a generally ellipsoidal shape with said groove encircling its midsection, at least one of said guides having said tapered end extending beyond its respective groove. each of said guide supports being nar- -rower in width than the distance between said lateral projections for a distance corresponding to at least the length of said lateral projections, each of said guide supports being located between said lateral projections. said pivot means connecting all of said guide supports to both of said lateral projections, said first adjusting means adjusting the position of any of said guide supports along the axis of its said pivot means. each of said guide supports having a projection. said projection extending outwardly beneath and beyond one of said lateral projections in a direction substantially parallel to said mounting bracket plate. each of said projections having means for supporting the non-tapered end of one of said guides. the projection of the guide support farthest away from said mounting bracket plate supporting said guide having a tapered end. said second adjusting means adjusting angularly the position of any of said guide supports about the axis of its said pivot means.  
  6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said pivot means comprises a plurality of pivot pins corresponding in number to the number of said guide supports. said pivot pins each connecting independently one of said guide supports with both of said lateral projections. said first adjusting means comprising for each of said guide supports a compression spring and an adjusting screw, said compression spring bearing against one of said lateral projections and against its respective guide support. said adjusting screw passing through the other lateral projection and bearing against its respective guide support to provide a force counter to the force exerted by said compression springfthe axis of said adjusting screw being concentric with respect to the axis of said compression spring and being parallel to and beneath the pivot pin passing through said guide support. each compression spring with its respective adjusting screw independently adjusting the position of one of said guide supports along the axis of its respective pivot pin. the number of said compression springs with their respective adjusting screws corresponding to the number of said guide supports. said second adjusting means comprising for each of said guide supports a second compression spring and a clamping screw. said second compression spring bearing against its respective guide support and against said mounting bracket plate below said lateral projections. said clamping screw passing through its respective guide support and corresponding second compressionn spring to screw into said mounting bracket plate. said clamping screw bearing against said guide support to provude a force counter to the force exerted by said second compression spring. each second compression spring with its respective clamping screw independently adjusting the position of one of said guide supports angularly about the axis of its respective pivot pin. the number of said second compression springs with their respective clamping screws corresponding to the number of said guide supports.  
  7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said separating and positioning means comprises a plate and a plurality of pins. each of said pins being of a generally ellipsoidal shape. said pins being mounted on said plate and being parallel in the plane normal to said plate. the pin nearest said guides when said plate is in its prestring-up position being longer than other said pins.  
  8. The alignment system of claim 7 in combination with a restraint guard plate. the plane of said restraint guard plate being approximately perpendicular to and beneath the end of said mounting bracket plate opposite to said end having said lateral projections. said restraint guard plate extending in the same general direction as said lateral projections away from said mounting bracket plate, the end of said restraint guard plate farther away from said mounting bracket plate having a lip, said lip extending from said restraint guard plate in the same general direction as said projections of said guide supports.  
  9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said restraint guard plate has means for attaching it to said mounting bracket plate.  
 -. 10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein the number of said multiple yarn ends. said guides. and said guide supports is two. and said yarn ends are continuously running and processed in parallel.  
  11. An alignment system for multiple yarn ends. said alignmentsystem comprising:  
 A&#34;. adjustable guide means. said adjustable guide A means comprising: i a. mounting means; and  
 b. a plurality of guiding means. each of said guiding means having a groove. at least one of said guiding means having&#39;a tapered end extending beyond its respective groove, the number of guiding means having tapered ends extending beyond their respective grooves being at least one less than the number of said multiple yarn ends. all of said guiding means including pivot means thereon adapted for connection to said mounting means and on which any guiding means can pivot. all of said guiding means having first adjusting means thereon and by which the position of any guiding meanscan be adjusted along the axis of said pivot means.&#39;a1l of said guiding means having second adjusting means thereon and by which the position of any guiding means can be v angularly adjusted about the axis of said pivot means; and  
 B. separating and positioning means. said separating and positioning means having a plurality of pins projecting in the same general direction therefrom and having supporting means about which said separating and positioning means can pivot up to 180. the distance between said pins and the spatial relationship thereof relative to the direction ofthe yarn ends at the point of first contact with said pins being such as to maintain a total contact of 180-36() with said multiple yarn ends when said multiple yarn ends are in an approximately sinusoidal turn about said pins so as to cause separation of said multiple yarn ends. the portions of said pins contacting said multiple yarn ends being curved.  
 said pins being of sufficient length to project beyond the tapered end(s) of said guiding means. said pins permitting positioning of said separated multiple yarn ends when said separating and positioning means is pivoted from 0 up to approximately 45 so that when said separating and positioning means is pivoted from 45 to 180 said separation of said multiple yarn ends is maintained by the tapered end(s) of said guiding means;  
 whereby said multiple yarn ends can be separated and subsequently positioned for precise alignment to within .001 inch resolution by adjustment of said adjustable guide means relative to said multiple yarn ends.  
  12. The alignment system of claim 11 in combination with a jet. said jet being located between said separating and positioning means and said mounting means and above the tapered end(s) of said guiding means. said jet having a plurality of yarn passages vertically therethrough. the axes of said yarn passages being -within the adjustable boundaries of their respective yarn ends as said multiple yarn ends pass through said adjustable guide means. said yarn passages having an access slot through which said multiple yarn ends can be strung-up through said yarn passages of said jet.  
  13. A separating and positioning system for dual yarn ends for use in conjunction with a guide system which has at least one guide with a tapered end. said dual yarn ends being initially led into said separating and positioning system by string-up means. said separating and positioning system comprising:  
 A. a plate. said plate having supporting means about which said plate can pivot up to 180; and  
  two pins. each of said pins being of a generally cylindrical shape. said pins being mounted on said plate and being parallel in the plane normal to said plate. the distance between said pins and the spatial relationship thereof relative to the direction of the yarn ends at the point of first contact with said pins being such as to maintain a total contact of 18()-360 with said dual yarn ends when said dual yarn ends are in an approximately sinusoidal turn about said pins so as to cause separation of said dual yarn ends. said pins being of sufficient length to project beyond said guide having a tapered end. the pin nearer said guides when said plate is in its pre-string-up position being longer than other said pin. said pins permitting positioning of said separated dual yarn ends when said plate is pivoted from 0 up to approximately so that when said plate is pivoted from 45 to said separation of said dual yarn ends is maintained by the tapered end of said guide having a tapered end;  
 whereby said dual yarn ends can be separated and subsequently positioned for placement in said guide system.  
  14. Apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said yarn ends are continuously running and processed in parallel.  
  15. A separating and positioning system for multiple yarn ends for use in conjunction with a guide system which has at least one guide with a tapered end. the number of guides with tapered-ends being at least one less than the number of said yarn ends. said separating and positioning system comprising:  
 means for separating said yarn ends. said means for separating said yarn ends having a plurality of pins projecting in the same general direction therefrom and having supporting means about which said means for separating said yarn ends can pivot up to 180, the distance between said pins and the spatial relationship thereof relative to the direction of the yarn ends at the point of first contact with said pins being such as to maintain a total contact of l80-360 with said multiple yarn ends when said multiple yarn ends are in an approximately sinusoidal turn about said pins so as to cause separation of said multiple yarn ends. the portions of said pins contacting said yarn ends being curved. said pins being of sufficient length to project beyond the guides of said guide system. said pins permitting positioning of said separated multiple yarn ends when said means for separating said yarn ends is pivoted from up to approximately 45 so that when said means for separating said yarn ends is pivoted from 45 to 180 said separation of said multiple yarn ends is maintained by the tapered end(s) of said guides having tapered ends.  
  16. Apparatus as defined in claim wherein said distance between said pins and the spatial relationship thereof relative to the direction of the yarn ends at the point at first contact with said pins is such as to maintain a total contact of 27()360 with said multiple yarn ends when said multiple yarn ends are in an approximately sinusoidal turn about said pins.  
  17. Apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said pins are of a generally ellipsoidal shape.  
  18. Apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein the pin nearest said guides of said guide system when said means for separating said multiple yarn ends is in its pre-string-up position is longer than other said pins.  
  19. Apparatus as defined in claim 18 wherein said means for separating said yarn ends is a plate. said plate having said pins mounted thereon.  
  20. Apparatus as defined in claim 19 wherein said pins are mounted on said plate in parallel in the plane normal to said plate.  
  21. Apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein the number of said multiple yarn ends and of said pins is two. and said yarn ends are continuously running and processed in parallel.  
  22. An adjustable guide system for dual yarn ends comprising:  
 A. two guides. each of said guides having a generally cylindrical shape and having a groove encircling its midsection, at least one of said guides having a tapered end extending beyond its respective groove;  
 B. a mounting bracket plate. said mounting bracket plate having two lateral projections at one end. said lateral projections being perpendicular to said mounting bracket plate and opposite one another;  
 C. two adjustable guide supports. each of said guide supports being narrower in width than the distance between said lateral projections for a distance cor responding to at least the length of said lateral prt jections. each of said guide supports being located between said lateral projections. each of said guide supports having separate pivot means thereon adapted for connection to both of said lateral projections and on which each of said guide supports can pivot independentlyfeach of said guide supports havig separate first adjusting means thereon adapted for connection to both of said lateral projections and by which the position of each of said guide supports along the axis of its respective pivot means can be adjusted independently. each of said guide supports having a projection. said projection extending outwardly beneath and beyond one of said lateral projections in a direction substantially parallel to said mounting bracket plate, each of said projections having means for supporting the cylindrical end of one of said guides, the projection of the guide support farther away from said mounting bracket plate supporting said guide having a tapered end, each of said guide supports having separate second adjusting means thereon adapted for connection to said mounting bracket plate and by which the position of each of said guide supports can be independently adjusted angularly about the axis of its respective pivot means; and D. a restraint guard plate, the plane of said restraint guard plate being perpendicular to and beneath the end of said mounting bracket plate opposite to said end having said lateral projections. said restraint guard plate extending in the same general direction as said lateral projections away from said mounting bracket plate, the end of said restraint guard farther away from said mounting bracket plate having a lip. said lip extending approximately perpendicularly from said restraint guard plate in the same general direction as said projections of said guide supports. said restraint guard plate having means for attaching it to said mounting bracket plate;  
 whereby said dual yarn ends can be precisely aligned to within .001 inch resolution by adjustment of said adjustable guide system relative to said dual yarn ends.  
  23. The adjustable guide system of claim 22 in combination with a jet. said jet being located above said guides. said jet having two yarn passages vertically therethrough. said yarn passages being connected by a slot. the axes of said yarn passages being within the adjustable boundaries of their respective yarn ends as said dual yarn ends pass through said adjustable guide means. the yarn passage through which the yarn end next to said lip of said restraint guard plate passes having an excess slot through which said dual yarn ends can be strung-up through said yarn passages of said jet.  
  24. Apparatus as defined in claim 23 wherein said jet is a draw point localizing jet. and said dual yarn ends are continuously running and processed in parallel.  
  25. An adjustable guide system for multiple yarn ends comprising:  
 A. mounting means; and  
 B. a plurality of guiding means. each of said guiding means having a groove. at least one of said guiding means having a tapered end extending beyond its respective groove. the number of guiding means having tapered ends extending beyond their respective grooves being at least one less than the number of said multiple yarn ends. all of said guiding means including pivot means thereon adatped for connection to said mounting means and on which any guiding means can pivot. all of said guiding means having first adjusting means thereon and by which the position of any guiding means can be adjusted along the axis of said pivot means. all of said guiding means having second adjusting means thereon and by which the position of any guiding means can be angularly adjusted about the axis of said pivot means:  
 whereby said multiple yarn ends can be precisely aligned to within .001 inch resolution by adjustment of said adjustable guide means relative to said multiple yarn ends.  
  26. The adjustable guide system of claim 25 in combination with a jet, said jet being located above the tapered end(s) of said guiding means, said jet having a plurality of yarn passages vertically therethrough. the axes of said yarn passages being within the adjustable boundaries of their respective yarn ends as said multiple yarn ends pass through said adjustable guide means. said yarn passages having an access slot through which said multiple yarn ends can be strung-up through said yarn passages of said jet.  
  27. Apparatus as defined in claim 26 wherein said jet is a draw point localizing jet.  
  28. Apparatus as defined in claim 27 wherein said mounting means comprises a mounting bracket plate, said mounting bracket plate having two lateral projections at one end, said lateral projections being perpendicular to said mounting bracket plate and opposite one another, each of said guiding means comprising a guide and an adjustable guide support, each of said guides having a generally ellipsoidal shape with said groove encircling its midsection, at least one of said guides having said tapered end extending beyond its respective groove, each of said guide supports being narrower in width than the distance between said lateral projections for a distance corresponding to at least the length of said lateral projections, each of said guide supports being located between said lateral projections. said pivot means connecting all of said guide supports to both of said lateral projections. said first adjusting means adjusting the position of any of said guide supports along the axis of its said pivot means, each of said guide supports having a projection, said projection extending outwardly beneath and beyond one of said lateral projections in a direction substantially parallel to said mounting bracket plate. each of said projections having means for supporting the non-tapered end of one of said guides. the projection of the guide support farthest away from said mounting bracket plate supporting said guide having a tapered end, said second adjusting means adjusting angularly the position of any of said guide supports about the axis of its said pivot means.  
  16 justing screw, said compression spring bearing against one of said lateral projections and against its respective guide support. said adjusting screw passing through the other lateral projection and bearing against its respective guide support to provide a force counter to the force exerted by said compression spring. the axis of said adjusting screw being concentric with respect to the axis of said compression spring and being parallel to and beneath the pivot pin passing through said guide support. each compression spring with its respective adjusting screw independently adjusting the position of one of said guide supports along the axis of its respec tive pivot pin, the number of said compression springs with their respective adjusting screws corresponding to the number of said guide supports, said second adjusting means comprising for each of said guide supports a second compression spring and a clamping screw, said second compression spring bearing against its respective guide support and against said mounting bracket plate below said lateral projections. said clamping screw passing through its respective guide support and corresponding second compression spring to screw into said mounting bracket plate. said clamping screw bearing against said guide support to provide a force counter to the force exerted by said second compression spring, each second compression spring with its respective clamping screw independently adjusting the position of one of said guide supports angularly about the axis of its respective pivot pin, the number of said second compression springs with their respective clamping screws corresponding to the number of said guide supports.  
  30. The adjustable guide system of claim 29 in combination with a restraint guard plate, the plane of said restraint guard plate being approximately perpendicular to and beneath the end of said mounting bracket plate opposite to said end having said lateral projections, said restraint guard plate extending in the same general direction as said lateral projections away from said mounting bracket plate, the end of said restraint guard plate farther away from said mounting bracket plate having a lip, said lip extending from said restraint guard plate in the same general direction as said projections of said guide supports.  
  31. Apparatus as defined in claim 30 wherein said restraint guard plate has means for attaching it to said mounting bracket plate.  
  32. Apparatus as defined in claim 31 wherein the number of said multiple yarn ends, said guides. and said guide supports is two, and said yarn ends are continuously running and processed in parallel.