Abstract: The present disclosure provides a feeder and a backlight production apparatus. The feeder includes: a storing assembly configured to store a material tray on which a plurality of elements to be fed are placed; a fetching assembly configured to obtain the material tray from the storing assembly by sucking and transport the material tray; a distributing assembly configured to obtain at least one element to be fed by sucking from the material tray transported by the fetching assembly, and distribute the at least one element to be fed; and a turn-over assembly configured to turn over the at least one element to be fed distributed by the distributing assembly, and transport the at least one element to be fed to a next process unit.

Abstract: Integrated circuits may be assembled by placing a batch of integrated circuit (IC) die on a leadframe. Each of the IC die includes a magnetically responsive structure that may be an inherent part of the IC die or may be explicitly added. The IC die are then agitated to cause the IC die to move around on the leadframe. The IC die are captured in specific locations on the leadframe by an array of magnetic domains that produce a magnetic response from the plurality of IC die. The magnetic domains may be formed on the lead frame, or may be provided by a magnetic chuck positioned adjacent the leadframe.

Abstract: An electronic component transportation device includes a rotation path and a first magnetic force generator. The rotation path extends along a transportation direction of an electronic component with a rectangular or substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The rotation path is inclined with respect to a horizontal direction. The rotation path includes a first surface and a second surface intersecting with each other. The first magnetic force generator is arranged at a lateral side of the rotation path.

Abstract: A method and a device for individually supplying rollable discoidal components stocked in a reservoir in a supply position, wherein one component is respectively held in the supply position with the aid of a magnetic field of the device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a checking unit for checking a material web and to a calibrating method for the checking unit. The checking unit is equipped with drive means for transporting the calibration medium past the checking unit in order to detect a multiplicity of measurement values of the calibration medium. The drive means are arranged in the housing of the checking unit in order for the drive means to be protected from moisture or contaminants from the environment. To obtain a transporting of the calibration medium past the checking unit in spite of the arrangement of the drive means in the housing, drive means are employed that are configured for a contactless interaction with the calibration medium and can transport the calibration medium past the checking unit contactlessly. For this purpose there is preferably used a magnetic interaction between the drive means and the calibration medium.

Abstract: A bulk feeder including a storage section storing multiple electronic components in a loose state and a supply passage guiding the electronic components stored in that storage section to an electronic component supply position while arranged in a single line. The supply path, as well as arranging electronic components stored in the storage section in a single line by relying on magnetic force of permanent magnets, includes a magnetic force dependent supply passage for indexing from the storage section, and an air pressure dependent supply passage indexing electronic components indexed from the magnetic force dependent supply passage to the supply position by relying on positive pressure or negative pressure air blown from air passages. By combining the appropriate advantages of magnetic force and air pressure respectively, it is possible to perform supply of electronic components ideally and practicality of the bulk feeder is improved.

Abstract: A conveyor belt with integrated spatially-modulated magnetic arrays and a vibrating device, and a method for use thereof are described, for sorting and aligning parts. A part which is to be sorted and aligned is provided with a spatially-modulated magnetic array that is complementary to that which is integrated into the conveyor belt. The vibrating device assures that parts placed in arbitrary locations on the conveyor belt will be sufficiently moved to come into magnetic proximity with the magnetic arrays integrated into the conveyor belt. A system of multiple conveyor belts for sorting and/or aligning a number of different parts is disclosed.

Abstract: A turning mechanism includes a disc-shaped rotatable carriage comprising receptacles spaced around an edge, each receptacle being adapted to receive one of polarized electronic component and including an air channel; a turn channel projecting out of the edge of the carriage, the turn channel being arc and comprising an inlet communicating with one receptacle and including a first sensor, and an outlet communicating with another receptacle and including a second sensor; an auxiliary air passageway proximate to the first sensor and projecting inward out of the turn channel, the auxiliary air passageway communicating with the turn channel and comprising an air outlet; and a polarity detector disposed externally of the carriage and being proximate to the inlet, the polarity detector being adapted to detect polarity of the polarized electronic component proximate thereto.

Abstract: There is provided a device for electronic components including: a tray provided with electronic components formed by stacking dielectric sheets on which inner conductors are formed; a transfer unit continuously transferring the electronic components moved from the tray; and a magnetic field providing unit providing a magnetic field to the electronic components moved from the transfer unit to align the inner conductors in a direction in which the magnetic field and magnetic resistance are reduced.

Abstract: A sheet guiding apparatus, including: a supporting member having a supporting surface which supports a sheet; a first electrode provided in the supporting member; an electric field generating portion configured to generate an electric field between the supporting surface and the first electrode; a guide member which is distant from the supporting surface by a predetermined distance in a direction perpendicular to the supporting surface; a moving portion configured to move the sheet supported by the supporting surface by moving at least one of the supporting member and the guide member relatively to each other in a direction parallel to the supporting surface; and an electric field inverting portion configured to invert a direction of the electric field generated by the electric field generating portion, when a leading end portion of the sheet in a direction in which the sheet is moved has reached a vicinity of the guide member.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for coating, singulating, aligning, ablating, and indexing a number of seeds for testing is described. The apparatus has a carrier designed to hold seeds in a predetermined alignment for ablating a seed sample from a seed portion, the seed portions are indexed to the seed samples. The carrier is then located on the apparatus which delivers the seed samples from the carrier to a collector for laboratory testing.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an inverting device which takes one or more articles from a first device, inverts the article(s), and discharges the article(s) onto a second device that may be at essentially the same relative height as the first device. The inverting device has a rotating device with two opposed surfaces that are spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the height of the article. Once the article(s) has been moved into position in the rotating device, the rotating device rotates 180 degrees about a transverse axis, resulting in the inversion of the article. The new orientation of the article may facilitate further processing in a manufacturing environment, such as cleaning, filling, labeling, stacking or any other activity that relies on a specific product disposition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic positioning and/or orientation of an object. The method includes applying a substance or component to an object, or takes advantage of a substance or component already on or associated with an object. The substance or component has a characteristic that can be utilized to automatically attract the substance or component. That characteristic is used to position, move, and/or orient the object automatically, without requiring manual handling. The object can then be further processed or handled. In one embodiment, the substance or component is a magnetically active substance or component. The attraction can be actuated by a magnet.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an apparatus for bulk-feeding electronic components which utilizes magnetic force and a rotating feeder tube to properly orient the components for presentment to an automated pick-and-place machine.

Abstract: A parts alignment device includes: an input port introducing chip-like parts having a magnetic-substance electrode; a storage chamber storing the parts introduced through the input port; a wall made of non-magnetic material, the wall defining a back surface of the storage chamber; an arc-like guide made of non-magnetic material and provided at least above the storage chamber; an intake port provided in connection with the guide and taking in only parts aligned in a predetermined direction from the parts; a parts passageway connected to the intake port and provided toward downstream of the intake port; a rotary plate made of non-magnetic material and provided at the rear of the wall so as to rotate in a parts taking-in direction of the intake port; and a magnet provided on the rotary plate. The magnet attracts the parts both in a direction of the guide and in a direction of the wall simultaneously by a magnetic force thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for orienting containers which have vertical seams is disclosed. The apparatus is useful in label machines where, prior to the application of labels to the containers, the apparatus orients the containers around longitudinal axes, so that the ends of labels applied to such containers are positioned adjacent to the seams. Apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a star wheel with roller bearings which permit relatively free rotation of containers positioned within the pockets of the star wheel, a container drive wheel movable between a first position where it is operable, and a second position where it is inoperable, to cause rotation of a container which is in a pocket of the star wheel and means for moving the drive wheel between the first and second positions.

Abstract: An article separating and drying system which receives container ends from an infeed station, separates and dries the container ends and the compound applied thereto in a separating and drying station, and passes the articles to an outfeed station. The article separating and drying system includes a magnetic separating assembly which imposes a magnetic field on the container ends passing thereby for similarly magnetizing the container ends causing neighboring ends to repel one another. The magnetic repulsion of neighboring ends produces gaps between the neighboring ends as they move through the separating and drying station. A conveying device is provided to controllably move the container ends through the separating and drying station. An air distribution assembly is provided to deliver air to said separating and drying station and drive the air through the gap between neighboring container ends thereby contacting the liner compound applied to the container ends and removing moisture therefrom.

Abstract: A system for readily determining the magnetic orientation of permanent magnets for mass assembly in a predetermined orientation into electronic or mechanical devices, the system comprises a first movable conveyor having a first surface which is magnetically polarized in a predetermined orientation. The magnets are individually placed on the first conveyor by a second conveyor which, in association with the first conveyor, orients the magnets in a preferred orientation on the first conveyor. A motor for moving the first conveyor is attached to it for passing the magnets through a mass production assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus applies labels onto small cylindrical articles and includes a label transport drum that defines a central axis. Labels are supplied onto the surface of the drum and returned thereto. The drum rotates about its axis so that the label moves with the drum into an article wrapping position. Small cylindrical articles are tangentially delivered onto the drum surface and into rotative engagement with the label as the label moves into the article wrapping position for wrap around labelling so that the trailing edge of the label overlaps its leading edge forming a bond. The rotation of the article is retarded after wrapping for a period of time while the drum continues its rotation so that the article rests on the overlapping seam and applies pressure while allowing sufficient time for any solvent or adhesive applied thereon to react with the label material. Magnetic attractive forces can be applied onto a magnetically attractive article to enhance pressure applied on the seam.

Abstract: A wafer transporter comprising a plurality of plane electrodes which are horizontally coplanar with each other. The plane electrodes face the wafer to be transported. A plurality of air nozzles are provided through the electrodes, and air is blown from the nozzles perpendicularly toward the wafer surface. A voltage is applied between the electrodes facing the wafer. The applied voltage is divided by the capacitances between the wafer which is electrically conductive, and the electrodes, thus the wafer is attracted vertically toward the electrode, and is maintained without friction by the balance of the repulsive force of the air blowing and the attractive electrostatic force. The divided voltages become unequal due to the difference of the wafer area facing respective electrodes. This voltage difference produces a horizontal force which moves the wafer in a horizontal direction. The wafer is forced to stay at a balancing point where the induced voltages are equal.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method of orienting a cylinder with an oblique end such that the slant of same faces a preferred direction. To this end, a special fixture is used which includes a central axial bore having a cylindrical surface which engages in bearing-like fashion with the oblique-ended cylinder. On opposite sides of the bore, are a magnet for imposing a magnetic field across the bore and across therefrom a dowel pin stop. The magnetic field acts to rotate the oblique-ended cylinder about the common axis of the bore and cylinder into a generally preferred position wherefrom the oblique-ended cylinder can come to its final resting position against the dowel pin stop.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for feeding singled can lids from a conveyor to a spreader magnet buffer magazine, the can lids being made of magnetic material. The conveyor has an end roller made of magnetic material, the end roller being positioned adjacent to the magazine. Curved tracks are provided between the end roller and the magazine, the tracks serving to control the direction of movement of the can lids as they move from the end roller into the magazine.

Abstract: A can-orienting system in which open-topped steel-based cans in random orientations are first automatically aligned with each other by feeding them to an aligning chute to form an end-on train of cans which are fed end-on, at a controlled rate, to the edge of a first rotating magnetic pick-up wheel which picks up and carries with it the successive leading cans in the train. A second magnetic wheel, rotating oppositely to the first wheel, is preferably located above the first wheel and to the opposite side of the first wheel from the point at which the cans are fed to the first wheel. Those cans initially having their bottoms against the first wheel stay on the first wheel until they are rotated far enough to be wiped off onto a first separator plate, all with their bottoms against the plate; those cans having their open ends against the first wheel are pulled off by the second wheel and carried by it to a second separator plate, all with their bottoms against the plate.

Abstract: An inverting apparatus for reorienting electrically asymmetrical axial lead electronic devices in a testing and sorting machine has a wheel rotatably mounted in a magnetic output bin of the tester/sorter. The bin has sets of permanent magnets mounted in its side walls that create two oppositely directed magnetic fields that define upper and lower regions of the output bin. The axis of rotation of the wheel is generally aligned with the magnetic fields across the bin. The wheel carries a set of holder assemblies each mounted for free rotation on its outer circumference. Each holder assembly carries a bar magnet that aligns the holder assembly, and a device carried in the holder assembly, with the prevailing magnetic field. As the wheel rotates the holder assemblies and the devices they carry are transported from the magnetic field in the upper region to the oppositely directed field in the lower region. The bar magnet rotates the holder assembly and the device 180.degree.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating, ordering, and feeding metallic workpieces, particularly hard-to-handle workpieces which become easily entangled with one another, from a disorganized pile of workpieces. A traveling electromagnetic field is produced by a three-phase motor stator. The stator may be of the linear type, or either internal or external rotor type, cylindrical three-phase motor stators. Metallic workpieces are disposed within the traveling field, and experience stochastic motions therein. When organized, the metallic workpieces are oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the traveling magnetic field. Discharge channels may be provided to transport the oriented workpieces to a pick-up point.

Abstract: System for handling axial lead components that have a low ratio of paramagnetism to weight comprising at least one nonmagnetic magazine and at least one packing and/or unpacking station for receiving the nonmagnetic magazine. The packing and/or unpacking stations receive the magazines and enable the slope of the bottom of the magazines to be adjusted to the horizon. The packing stations support two plate-like magnets along each sidewall of the magazine positioned therein for creating a magnetic field passing in and out of the sidewalls of the magazine. A vibrator is mounted to the magazine when secured to the packing and/or unpacking station to apply vibrations to it in a direction substantially aligned with the magnetic field.

Abstract: An axially leaded diode (12), travelling at a high rate of speed in a longitudinal direction, is terminated within a bin assembly (18). The bin (18) has first and second ends (43 and 44) and first and second sidewalls (21 and 22) including magnets (33-41) therein to orient a diode (12) transversely to such sidewalls. A tube (48) guides the diode (12) on a path forming a given angle "A" with the sidewalls (21 and 22). A discharge end (49) of tube (48) is located at the first sidewall (21) such that the diode (12) is discharged toward the second sidewall (22). A deceleration apparatus (54) is provided at discharge end (49) of tube (48) and spaced therefrom. Apparatus (54) includes a vertical bar (65) with a row of deceleration elements (66) extending therefrom toward the first end (43) of the bin (18). The row of elements (66) provides a penetrable restraint (64) such that a first lead (14) of a diode (12) discharged from tube (48) penetrates between the elements (66).

Abstract: A device for separating shadow masks from a strip of base material includes a conveyor upon which the strip moves. Two loading plates are arranged above the conveyor and press the strip against the conveyor. The loading plates are separated by a space which is angularly disposed with respect to the axis of the conveyor. A tensioned wire is arranged in the space and a magnet raises a fully etched portion of the shadow mask over the tensioned wire as the shadow mask enters the space. The tensioned wire thus shears the partially etched shadow mask from the strip of base material.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing microminiature solid state devices and apparatus for use in such a method. In various operations, e.g. wire-bonding and die-bonding it is essential to accurately orientate a header of the device. The header (1a) is mounted in a carrier strip (2) and is transported with approximately the desired orientation into the work area (6). Previous mechanical orientation techniques have caused both bending of the lead pins and adhesion between the header and the mechanical elements of the bonding machine. In this method, which is suitable for orientating devices with e.g. a T0.3, T0.5, T0.9 or T0.18 outline, magnetic attraction is used to pull two lead pins (12) against an abutment (14a) so that it becomes correctly orientated. The use of an electromagnet (7), which may be cooled using e.g. a nitrogen jet (17) or a water-cooling jacket (23), facilitates a periodic polarity reversal thus preventing any undesirable permanent magnetization.

Abstract: Electrodynamic separation of nonmagnetic free-flowing materials is accomplished by feeding the flow of a material into a region of maximum intensity of a variable nonuniform magnetic field for inducing maximum eddy currents in electrically conducting particles of the material being separated and producing maximum electromagnetic forces which deflect the electrically conducting particles from the direction of feed of the material being separated.The variable nonuniform magnetic field is generated by an electromagnet having a closed magnetic core with a magnetic air gap defined by pole pieces. The electromagnet pole pieces are symmetrically divergent from the pole axes in a plane substantially perpendicular to the direction of feed of the material being separated.

Abstract: A magnetic storage system receives electronic axial lead devices, particularly polarized devices such as diodes, that are advancing axially from a sorter. The storage system includes a chute assembly with an upper run that funnels the devices to a stop wall spaced from the lower end of the run. The stopped device forms an acute angle with a magnetic field extending horizontally across the chute assembly to produce a controlled rotation of the device to a horizontal orientation. The reoriented device falls through the spacing to a lower chute run that guides it in a lateral mode of advance to a bin cassette replaceably secured between a pair of magnet pole pieces. The pole pieces have a tapered thickness to develop a downwardly increasing magnetic flux density that promotes a high packing density of the devices in the cassette. A flapper valve is manually operable to block movement of the devices on the second chute assembly while a loaded cassette is being replaced with an empty cassette.

Abstract: In making electrically asymmetrical semiconductor devices, it is generally necessary to orient all of the devices into a common polarity at some point in the manufacturing operation. To accomplish this, a magnetic turning chute receives those devices which do not have the desired common polarity and turns them into the common polarity. A helical magnetic field is established in the turning chute by arranging strip magnets into vertical helices around a cylinder. As the devices, which have magnetic properties, progress through the helical field, they are turned by the magnetic force. Further turning impetus is provided by nonmagnetic helical tracks disposed to coincide with the helical magnetic field so that the leads of the devices can slide along the tracks while they move through the chute. Air jets may be used to assist in forcing the devices through the apparatus.

Abstract: A device for contactless separation of individual ferromagnetic components from a flow of components, comprising a magnet and guards arranged between pole pieces. The guards are made from a non-magnetic material and confine a channel through which components are fed. The gap between the pole pieces is made narrowing in the direction of the component flow. The cross section of at least one pole piece is selected such as to ensure saturation of the magnetic material from which this pole piece is made, when a component being separated from the flow is in the narrowest portion of the pole gap.

Abstract: Alignment plate construction for use in electrostatically aligning particles for particleboard production includes a plate of conductive material to which is secured flexible, controlled resistive material. In a bank of successively positioned plates, particles which are permitted to pass downwardly between the plates are unidirectionally aligned, and the flexible material ensures that the electric field lines between the plates remain substantially horizontal over the entire plate and material height so that field line distortion does not occur adjacent a mat being formed beneath the plates. Because the flexible material is of controlled resistance, voltage grading occurs across its height and arc over between the plates and a conductive caul plate is thereby prevented.

Abstract: A fragile article handling and orientating apparatus comprises a disoriented supply of the articles. Pick-up means associated with the supply and adjacent thereto are actuatable into engagement with the supply whereby the pick-up means engages a plurality of the articles. Further means are then provided for moving the pick-up means to a delivery zone. Positioned intermediate the supply and the delivery zone is a stripper means for stripping off all but one article, and insuring that the remaining article has a particular, desired orientation. At the delivery zone means are provided for removing the article therefrom and delivering it to a remote location.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the assembly of a two component home canning closure. One popular type of home canning closure utilizes a relatively thin lid to seal a jar with a threaded band holding the lid down. The gasket portion of the lid is relatively fragile. In the assembly of the two components in a manufacturing process for shipment to the consumer, the lids are handled gasket upmost the minimize possible damage. At an assembly station, the lids are rotated 180.degree. to present the gasket downward in the band for protection during shipment and storage.