Abstract: A carrier tape has a central portion, and first and second rows of device pockets and dummy pockets. The device pockets are smaller in size than the dummy pockets. The pockets in each of the first and second rows are vertically aligned and are separated vertically from each other by an equal distance. Vertically aligned and adjacent pockets may be horizontally separated relative to each other by a constant dimension, a regularly or irregularly increasing or decreasing dimension, or both a regularly or irregularly increasing or decreasing dimension. Vertically aligned and adjacent pockets may also vary in positioning relative to an upper edge of the carrier tape in an increasing or decreasing regular or irregular dimension or both. The carrier tape may be layered on a reel during transportation.

Abstract: A multi-step reel includes a first hub flange having a first arbor hole and a first platform area located outwardly from the first arbor hole. The first platform area has at least a first and second hub platform, each having a first and second depth dimension, respectively. A first outer flange area extends outwardly from the first platform area. A second hub flange has the identical elements as the first hub flange. One of the first and a second hub platforms of the first hub flange may be positioned adjacent to one of the first and second hub platforms of the second hub flange, defining a width dimension. A locking mechanism may be used to secure the first and second hub flanges together. One or more clips may be used to maintain the desired width dimension between the first and second outer flanges areas.

Abstract: A carrier tape has a central portion, and first and second rows of device pockets and dummy pockets. The device pockets are smaller in size than the dummy pockets. The pockets in each of the first and second rows are vertically aligned and are separated vertically from each other by an equal distance. Vertically aligned and adjacent pockets may be horizontally separated relative to each other by a constant dimension, a regularly or irregularly increasing or decreasing dimension, or both a regularly or irregularly increasing or decreasing dimension. Vertically aligned and adjacent pockets may also vary in positioning relative to an upper edge of the carrier tape in an increasing or decreasing regular or irregular dimension or both. The carrier tape may be layered on a reel during transportation.

Abstract: A carrier tape, cover tape or static shielding bag for transportation of electronic components is constructed of polymers and carbon nanotubes being between 0.01% and 3% by weight. The carbon nanotubes may have any number of walls and any desired size of diameter dimension which is less than approximately 100 nm. The carrier tape, cover tape or bags including the carbon nanotubes have a static dissipative range measured between 1×105 and 1×1012 ?/sq and a light transmittance value of between 60% and 90%. The carrier tape, cover tape or bags including the carbon nanotubes reduce surface defects, high density entanglements and agglomerations. The static shielding bags including the carbon nanotubes may be formed as sheets which are manufactured into a desired size of bag.

Abstract: A multi-step reel includes a first hub flange having a first arbor hole and a first platform area located outwardly from the first arbor hole. The first platform area has at least a first and second hub platform, each having a first and second depth dimension, respectively. A first outer flange area extends outwardly from the first platform area. A second hub flange has the identical elements as the first hub flange. One of the first and a second hub platforms of the first hub flange may be positioned adjacent to one of the first and second hub platforms of the second hub flange, defining a width dimension. A locking mechanism may be used to secure the first and second hub flanges together. One or more clips may be used to maintain the desired width dimension between the first and second outer flanges areas.

Abstract: A method of forming an insulation panel with an insulating core sealed within an envelope. The envelope formed from a single sheet of highly flexible material with a pair of opposing edge portions sealed together contiguously along the entire respective lengths thereof to form a sleeve with a single and two open ends. The sleeve may be folded to define sides. A longitudinal pleat may be formed in at least one of the sides of the envelope. One open end is sealed to form an envelope and a core of insulation material is inserted. The remaining open end is sealed and the envelope is evacuated.

Abstract: A microchip carrier tape has a plurality of sets of pockets for accommodating microchips. Each set of pockets has side walls and end walls joined to bottom walls. The side walls in selected pockets have recesses at the juncture of the side walls with end walls. The bottom walls of the pockets have extensions that inhibit nesting or copulation of portions of the tape that are superimposed when wound on a reel.

Abstract: A carrier tape has a plurality of pockets longitudinally spaced with transverse bridges for accommodating microchips. The tape has a bottom wall having upright corner supports and platforms that engage and retain the microchip with a pocket and space leads connected to the microchip from the side walls, end walls and bottom wall of the tape. A cover tape is releasably attached to side flanges and bridges of the carrier tape to close the top of the pockets and retain the positions of the microchips in the pockets. A hole in the bottom wall of the tape allows optical readings to verify the position of the microchip.

Abstract: A tape having a plurality of pockets for accommodating electronic components has a bottom wall with platforms for supporting electronic components and end walls having bosses adjacent opposite ends of tape and side walls adjacent opposite sides of the tape to prevent lateral, longitudinal, and rotational movements of the electronic components in the pockets. Fingers on the bosses and/or side walls extend over opposite portions of the electronic components to vertically retain the electronic components in the pockets.

Abstract: A microchip tray handling apparatus has microchip loading and receiving units for supplying microchips to a microchip tester and receiving tested microchips. The units have tables to support stacks of trays containing microchips. Each unit has a tray holding assembly for raising a stack of trays to allow a bottom tray to allow a bottom tray to be moved along the table. Pick, invert and place probes remove microchips from the trays and place tested microchips back into the trays.

Abstract: A microchip tray handling apparatus has microchip loading and receiving units for supplying microchips to a microchip tester and receiving tested microchips. The units have tables to support stacks of trays containing microchips. Each unit has a tray holding assembly for raising a stack of trays to allow a bottom tray to allow a bottom tray to be moved along the table. Pick, invert and place probes remove microchips from the trays and place tested microchips back into the trays.

Abstract: A band has a pair of laterally spaced grooves adjacent its side edges accommodating the outer peripheral edges of a tape accommodating reel assembly. A connecting clip has first and second hook members projecting through corresponding openings in opposite ends of the band to hold the band on the reel assembly to enclose and protect a carrier tape stored on the reel assembly. The hook members and openings in the band are longitudinally aligned so that the band is held on the reel assembly in an end-to end relationship.

Abstract: An inertial parts feeding apparatus and method for dispensing parts, such as microchips, onto a moving belt. The feeding apparatus has a housing supporting an elongated tube accommodating the microchips. A guide mounted on the housing aligns the tube with an arm having an impact shoulder and a microchip stop finger. A roller, engageable with the tube, driven by a stepping motor, moves the tube longitudinally into engagement with the shoulder causing a microchip to move out of the end of the tube and into engagement with the stop finger. The arm is released from the microchip during the time that the tube moves back to its initial position to allow the microchip to move with the belt.

Abstract: A band has a pair of laterally spaced grooves adjacent its side edges accommodating the outer peripheral edges of a tape accommodating reel assembly. A connecting clip has first and second hook members projecting through corresponding openings in opposite ends of the band to hold the band on the reel assembly to enclose and protect a carrier tape stored on the reel assembly. The hook members and openings in the band are longitudinally aligned so that the band is held on the reel assembly in an end-to end relationship.

Abstract: A tape has a plurality of pockets longitudinally spaced with transverse bridges for carrying electronic microchips. Each pocket has a bottom wall having ridges surrounding the center of the pocket. The ridges engage the microchip to center the microchip within the recess and space leads connected to the microchip from the side walls and end walls of the pocket. Support members extending angularly between the ridge ends are adapted to elevate the microchip above the bottom wall of the pocket and space the leads from the bottom wall. A cover is releasably attached to side flanges and bridges of the tape to close the top of the pockets and retain the positions of the microchips in the pockets. A hole in the bottom wall of the tape allows optical readings to verify the position of the microchip. A heat sealing apparatus has movable shoes with ribs and heaters to heat seal side edges of the cover to the side flanges of the tape and middle portions of the cover to the bridges.

Abstract: A tape has a plurality of pockets longitudinally spaced with transverse bridges for carrying electronic microchips. Each pocket has a bottom wall having ridges surrounding the center of the pocket. The ridges engage the microchip to center the microchip within the recess and space leads connected to the microchip from the side walls and end walls of the pocket. Support members extending angularly between the ridge ends are adapted to elevate the microchip above the bottom wall of the pocket and space the leads from the bottom wall. A cover is releasably attached to side flanges and bridges of the tape to close the top of the pockets and retain the positions of the microchips in the pockets. A hole in the bottom wall of the tape allows optical readings to verify the position of the microchip. A heat sealing apparatus has movable shoes with ribs and heaters to heat seal side edges of the cover to the side flanges of the tape and middle portions of the cover to the bridges.

Abstract: A tape has a plurality of recesses for carrying electronic microchips. Each recess has a bottom wall having ridges surrounding the center of the recess. The ridges engage the microchip to center the microchip within the recess and space leads connected to the microchip from the side walls and end walls of the recess. Support members extending angularly between the ridge ends are adapted to elevate the microchip above the bottom wall of the recess and space the leads from the bottom wall. A cover is releasably attached to the tape to close the top of the recess. A hole in the bottom wall of the recess allows optical readings to verify the position of the microchip. A modification of the tape has a plurality of recesses for carrying electronic microchips having corner ears. Each recess has corner supports for supporting the corner ears of the microchip. The corner supports elevate the microchip and space leads connected to the microchip from the recess walls.