Patents by Inventor Rockwell Smith

Rockwell Smith 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: 6751853
    Abstract: An apparatus which reduces the surface area with which a carrier film adheres to a die, including a plate member including laterally-spaced supports. Preferably, the apparatus also includes a vacuum source operatively connected to the plate member. Upon placement of a carrier film having an array of semiconductor dice adhered thereto onto the plate member, the dice are proximate the supports. The vacuum pulls air from the spaces between the supports, which partially releases the carrier film from the bottom surface of at least some of the dice. The apparatus may also include a die removal mechanism such as a vacuum collet type die pick-up mechanism, an extendable member die plunge-up mechanism, or a combination thereof. The present invention also includes a method for reducing the surface area with which a carrier film adheres to a die to facilitate removal thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren M. Farnworth, Rockwell Smith
  • Patent number: 6658718
    Abstract: An apparatus which reduces the surface area with which a carrier film adheres to a die, including a plate member including laterally spaced supports preferably, the apparatus also includes a vacuum source operatively connected to the plate member Upon placement of a carrier film having an array of semiconductor diet adhered thereto onto the plate member, the dice are proximate the supports. The vacuum pulls air from the spaces between the supports, which partially releases the carrier film from the bottom surface of at Least sonic of the dice. The apparatus may also include a die removal mechanism such as a vacuum toilet type die pick-up mechanism, an extendable member die plunge-dip mechanism, or a combination thereof. The present invention also includes a method for reducing the surface area with which a carrier film adheres to a die to facilitate removal thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren M. Farnworth, Rockwell Smith
  • Patent number: 6505395
    Abstract: An apparatus which reduces the surface area with which a carrier film adheres to a die, including a plate member including laterally-spaced supports. Preferably, the apparatus also includes a vacuum source operatively connected to the plate member. Upon placement of a carrier film having an array of semiconductor dice adhered thereto onto the plate member, the dice are proximate the supports. The vacuum pulls air from the spaces between the supports, which partially releases the carrier film from the bottom surface of at least some of the dice. The apparatus may also include a die removal mechanism such as a vacuum collet type die pick-up mechanism, an extendable member die plunge-up mechanism, or a combination thereof. The present invention also includes a method for reducing the surface area with which a carrier film adheres to a die to facilitate removal thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren M. Farnworth, Rockwell Smith
  • Publication number: 20020178567
    Abstract: An apparatus which reduces the surface area with which a carrier film adheres to a die, including a plate member including laterally spaced supports. Preferably, the apparatus also includes a vacuum source operatively connected to the plate member. Upon placement of a carrier film having an array of semiconductor dice adhered thereto onto the plate member, the dice are proximate the supports. The vacuum pulls air from the spaces between the supports, which partially releases the carrier film from the bottom surface of at least some of the dice. The apparatus may also include a die removal mechanism such as a vacuum collet type die pick-up mechanism, an extendable member die plunge-up mechanism, or a combination thereof. The present invention also includes a method for reducing the surface area with which a carrier film adheres to a die to facilitate removal thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Warren M. Farnworth, Rockwell Smith
  • Publication number: 20010010119
    Abstract: An apparatus which reduces the surface area with which a carrier film adheres to a die, including a plate member including laterally-spaced supports. Preferably, the apparatus also includes a vacuum source operatively connected to the plate member. Upon placement of a carrier film having an array of semiconductor dice adhered thereto onto the plate member, the dice are proximate the supports. The vacuum pulls air from the spaces between the supports, which partially releases the carrier film from the bottom surface of at least some of the dice. The apparatus may also include a die removal mechanism such as a vacuum collet type die pickup mechanism, an extendable member die plunge-up mechanism, or a combination thereof. The present invention also includes a method for reducing the surface area with which a carrier film adheres to a die to facilitate removal thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventors: Warren M. Farnworth., Rockwell Smith
  • Patent number: 6202292
    Abstract: An apparatus which reduces the surface area with which a carrier film adheres to a die, including a plate member including laterally-spaced supports. Preferably, the apparatus also includes a vacuum source operatively connected to the plate member. Upon placement of a carrier film having an array of semiconductor dice adhered thereto onto the plate member, the dice are proximate the supports. The vacuum pulls air from the spaces between the supports, which partially releases the carrier film from the bottom surface of at least some of the dice. The apparatus may also include a die removal mechanism such as a vacuum collet type die pick-up mechanism, an extendable member die plunge-up mechanism, or a combination thereof. The present invention also includes a method for reducing the surface area with which a carrier film adheres to a die to facilitate removal thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren M. Farnworth, Rockwell Smith