Carrier tape with anti-mismating device

Abstract

A carrier tape (1) adapted for accommodating a component (4) comprises a main body (2) and a plurality of pockets (3) recessed downwardly from the main body (2). Each of the pockets (3) comprises a bottom wall (321) and at least a sidewall (31) to define a receiving space for receiving the component. The bottom wall (321) of the pocket forms with a protruding body (322) protruding into the receiving space of the pocket. A mating portion (33) protrudes into the receiving space from the protruding body (322) to mate with the component to prevent the component from mismating with the pocket (3).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is generally related to a carrier tape for handing electronic components, and especially to a carrier tape with an anti-mismating device.

2. Description of Related Art

In general, a carrier tape that is used to transport and storage components from a component manufacturer to a different manufacturer that assembles the components into electronic devices are well known.

Rather than manually fixing each individual component to an electronic device, the electronic industry makes extensive use of robotic placement machines, sometimes known as “pick-and-place” machines, which grasp a component at a specific location and place it at another specific location. To ensure the sustained operation of the robotic placement machine, a continuous supply of electronic components must be furnished to the machine at a predetermined rate and location to permit the machine to be programmed to repeat a precise sequence of movements during every cycle. It is therefore important that the components must be retained in the carrier tape in a proper predetermined position. On the other hand, in order to ensure security of shipment and storage of the components, the components also must be must be retained in the carrier tape in a proper position even manually fixing each individual component to an electronic device.

The carrier tape defines a plurality of pockets to receive the components. When the pockets are irregular shape corresponding to exterior of the components, such as disclosure in FIG. 2 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,892,886, the pockets and the components have identification functions themselves to have the components accommodated in right position of the pockets. However, when the pockets have regular shape, such as rectangular or square shape, disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,729,474 and 5,729,963, the components may be easily accommodated in the pockets in an improper position by mistakes. Thus, it is easily to damage the components or the carrier tape and produce excessive difficulties in subsequent steps.

Hence, an improved carrier tape is highly desired to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a carrier tape with an anti-mismating device.

To achieve the above object, a carrier tape adapted for accommodating a component comprises a main body and a plurality of pockets recessed downwardly from the main body. Each of the pockets comprises a bottom wall and at least a sidewall to define a receiving space for receiving the component. The bottom wall of the pocket forms with a protruding body protruding into the receiving space of the pocket. A mating portion protrudes into the receiving space from the protruding body to mate with the component to prevent the component from mismating with the pocket.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will be drawn from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an assembled, perspective view of a carrier tape in accordance with the present invention with a component accommodated in;

FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the carrier tape of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view similar to FIG. 2, but taken from another aspect.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In commonly, a carrier tape comprises a plurality of pockets for received a plurality of corresponding components. Because the plurality of pockets have same configuration, therefore, a single unit of the carrier tap is illustrated in the present invention for convenience.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the carrier tape 1 adapted for receiving a component 4 comprises a main body 2 and a pocket 3 recessed downwardly from an upper face of the body 2. A plurality of though holes 21 are formed besides the pocket 3 along the carrier tape 2 to receive teeth of a drive sprocket that advances the carrier tape towards a next procedure.

The component 4, such as a flexible printed circuit (FPC), is approximately rectangular configuration. The component 4 comprises a body portion 41 and a plurality of side portions 42 downwardly extending from four lateral sides of the body portion 41, respectively. The body portion 41 is formed with a mating hole 43 near a corner thereof.

Referring to FIGS. 2-3, the pocket 3 comprises a bottom wall 321 and a plurality of sidewalls 31, commonly defining a receiving space (not labeled) with an upward opening. The pocket 3 is approximately rectangular and a protruding body (not labeled) protruding upwardly and exposed into the receiving space from an approximate middle portion of the bottom wall 321. The protruding body comprises an upper wall 322 and a plurality of sidewalls downwardly connecting with the bottom wall 32, thus also defining a small space isolated from the receiving space of the pocket 3. The sidewalls of the protruding body spaces away from the corresponding sidewalls 31 of the pocket 3 to leave a space among there. A plurality of inclined faces are formed at corners between the sidewalls 31 and the upper face of the main body 2.

The upper wall 322 of the protruding body is formed with a mating portion 33 protruding upwardly into the receiving space of the pocket 3. The mating portion 33 is approximately sphere configuration in this embodiment. When the component 4 is received in the pocket 3, the protruding body sustains the component 4 in the pocket 3 and the mating portion 33 mates with the mating hole 43 to ensure the component 4 to accommodate properly in the carrier tape 1 so as to avoid mismating of the component 4 and the carrier tape 1. The side portions 42 of the component 4 accommodate in the space among the sidewalls of the pocket 3 and the protruding body.

In the present, the mating portion 33 is also be other configurations, such as column, circular spot or recessed portion etc. The shape of the pocket and the protruding body vary corresponding to exterior configuration of the component.

While a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention has been shown and described, equivalent modifications and changes known to persons skilled in the art according to the spirit of the present invention are considered within the scope of the present invention as described in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A carrier tape adapted for accommodating a component, comprising:

a main body and a plurality of pockets recessed downwardly from the main body;

each of the pockets comprising a bottom wall and at least a sidewall to define a receiving space for receiving the component; and

the bottom wall of the pocket formed with a protruding body protruding into the receiving space of the pocket, and a mating portion protruding into the receiving space from the protruding body to mate with the component to prevent the component from mismating with the pocket.

2. The carrier tape as described in claim 1, wherein the protruding body comprises an upper wall and the mating portion is formed on the upper wall.

3. The carrier tape as described in claim 1, wherein the component defines a mating hole thereon to mate with the mating portion.

4. The carrier tape as described in claim 3, wherein the mating portion is approximately spherical.

5. The carrier tape as described in claim 1, wherein the protruding body comprises at least a sidewall spaced away from the sidewall of the pocket.

6. The carrier tape as described in claim 5, wherein the pocket is approximately cubic configuration.

7. The carrier tape as described in claim 1, wherein an inclined face is formed at corner between the sidewall of pocket and the main body.

8. The carrier tape as described in claim 1, wherein the protruding body sustains the component in the pocket.

9. A carrier tape adapted for accommodating a component, comprising:

a main body and a plurality of pockets recessed downwardly from the main body;

each of the pockets comprising a bottom wall and at least a sidewall to define a receiving space for receiving the component; and

a protruding body exposed into the receiving space of the pocket, the protruding body comprising at least a sidewall and an upper face sustaining the component in the pocket.

10. The carrier tape as described in claim 9, wherein the protruding body is unitary with the pocket and the protruding body protrudes into the pocket from the bottom wall of the pocket.

11. The carrier tape as described in claim 9, wherein a mating portion protrudes from the upper face of the protruding body.

12. The carrier tape as described in claim 11, wherein the component defines a mating hole to mate with the mating portion of the protruding body.

13. The carrier tape as described in claim 9, wherein the mating portion is approximately spherical.

14. The carrier tape as described in claim 9, wherein the sidewall of the protruding body spaces away from the corresponding sidewall of the pocket.

15. The carrier tape as described in claim 9, wherein the component is a flexible printed circuit.

16. In combination,

a carrier tap defining a loop like trough structure with a protrusion provided in a center section with a mating portion upwardly extending therefrom in an eccentric position; and

a container like component defining a plate vertically covering said protrusion with an opening vertically aligned with and circumferentially coupled to said mating potion; wherein

said component further includes at least one side wall downwardly extending from an edge of said plate and into said trough structure.