Patent ID: 7210238

Claim:
A fiber stacking apparatus comprising: a top component comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface includes an opening therein configured to accommodate insertion of a plurality of fibers into the top component, wherein the opening defines a through hole through which the plurality of fibers can pass completely though the top component and out the bottom surface; a bottom component comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom component and the top component are coupled to each other with a coupling such that the bottom surface of the top component and the top surface of the bottom component are in proximity to each other, and such that the bottom component and the top component may rotate with respect to each other about an axis of rotation defined by the coupling, wherein the bottom component comprises, an opening in the top surface of the bottom component that is approximately aligned with the through hole when the top component and the bottom component are rotated with respect to each other to a closed position; a curved wall of the opening that defines an area sized to accommodate the plurality of fibers that is passed through the through hole of the top component, wherein the curved wall extends from a first point on a side surface of the bottom component and around the area to a second point on the side surface, wherein the side surface is orthogonal to the top surface of the bottom component, such that an opening is defined in the side surface that allows the bottom component to be rotated about the axis of rotation away from the closed position in a direction that rotates the bottom component away from the plurality of fibers to expose the plurality of fibers without disturbing the plurality of fibers; and an alignment surface parallel to the top surface of the bottom component, wherein a circumference of the alignment surface is defined by the curved wall and the side surface, and wherein the alignment surface provides a limit of travel for the plurality of fibers that is inserted through the through hole and into the area.