Patents by Inventor Gerald C. Bird

Gerald C. Bird has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5857572
    Abstract: A component carrier tape used for storing and transporting components, wherein the carrier tape comprises a single layer elongated flexible strip portion having properties suitable for storing and transporting a plurality of components. The single layer strip portion comprises a layer of thermoplastic polymeric foam and has a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a plurality of openings spaced along the strip portion and extending through the strip portion between the first and second surfaces for receiving the plurality of components. The carrier tape further includes a bottom strip bonded to the second surface of the strip portion, extending along the strip portion, and covering at least a portion of the plurality of spaced openings. The carrier tape may further include a top cover tape realeasably secured to the first surface of the strip portion, extending along the strip portion, and covering at least a portion of the plurality of spaced openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Inventors: Gerald C. Bird, Steven J. Flynn, David L. Vall
  • Patent number: 5851664
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer processing tape comprises a permanent backing and a layer of a non-pressure sensitive adhesive comprising a thermoplastic elastomer block copolymer on the permanent backing. Optionally, the adhesive may include an adhesion modifier such as a tackifying resin, a liquid rubber or a photocrosslinking agent. The tapes are useful for both wafer grinding and wafer dicing applications. A method of processing semiconductor wafers is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Richard E. Bennett, Gerald C. Bird, Mark K. Nestegard, Eleanor Rudin
  • Patent number: 5729963
    Abstract: A flexible carrier tape for storage and delivery of components by an advancement mechanism, comprises a strip portion, a plurality of aligned pockets spaced along the strip portion for carrying the components, wherein each pocket includes a bottom wall, and a non-pressure sensitive adhesive comprising a thermoplastic elastomer block copolymer on the bottom wall of the pocket for retaining a component in the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Gerald C. Bird
  • Patent number: 5648136
    Abstract: A flexible carrier tape for storage and delivery of components by an advancement mechanism, comprises a strip portion, a plurality of aligned pockets spaced along the strip portion for carrying the components, wherein each pocket includes a bottom wall, and a non-pressure sensitive adhesive comprising a thermoplastic elastomer block copolymer on the bottom wall of the pocket for retaining a component in the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Gerald C. Bird
  • Patent number: 5150787
    Abstract: A carrier tape comprising a strip of flexible material having a series of spaced through openings and a predetermined thickness, the size of the openings and the predetermined thickness being adapted to receive a component between the major surfaces of said strip. The strip of flexible material comprises a layer of nonwoven thermoplastic polymeric fiber adhered together and has in the range of 20 to 70 percent air filled open spaces between the fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Gerald C. Bird, Paul E. Hansen
  • Patent number: 5132160
    Abstract: A carrier tape comprising a strip of flexible material having a series of spaced pockets and a predetermined thickness, the size of the pockets and the predetermined thickness being adapted to receive a component between the major surfaces of said strip. In a preferred embodiment the pockets have at least a substantially closed base portion which lies between the major surfaces of the strip. The strip of flexible material comprises a layer of nonwoven thermoplastic polymeric fiber adhered together and has in the range of 20 to 70 percent air filled open spaces between the fibers. The strip of flexible material may also be composed of a thermoplastic foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Gerald C. Bird
  • Patent number: 4812948
    Abstract: A shoe ground strap which has a static dissipative exposed surface and offers protection against static charges building on the wearer and offers protection against electrical hazards if contacting a source of electrical power. The strap comprises a band comprising a conductive metal ribbon, a static dissipative material and an adhesive layer to aid in holding the strap to the shoe, with at least the surface and the two edges of the band covered by said static dissipative material to expose only the static dissipative material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Gerald C. Bird, Orville M. Wiste