Component Retaining Pockets Patents (Class 206/714)
  • Patent number: 6142306
    Abstract: A carrier band of electronic parts which can carry electronic parts such as IC packages in good protected condition without spoiling the convenience of a carrier tape having convexities and sticking tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Nissho Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Mori, Eiji Itemadani, Souhei Tanaka, Osamu Hikita, Uzo Tomii, Kanji Sugio, Teruo Shoji, Yukihiko Asao
  • Patent number: 6109445
    Abstract: A modular tray system for holding component carriers includes a rectangular frame having retaining elements in the form of slots or pegs along opposite sides. Rails or partitions are arranged in parallel and selectively spaced apart along the opposite sides, and spaced apart along the opposite sides, and spanning between the opposite sides. Component carriers such as strips of thermoformed component-holding carrier tape are supported on the spaced apart rails. The modules can be stacked to allow for the holding of component carriers having relatively deep component-holding pockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Tek Pak, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony W. Beyer
  • Patent number: 6105783
    Abstract: In order to solve the aforementioned problems, the present invention provides an embossed carrier tape comprising a plurality of device holes defined in an embossed carrier tape material at predetermined intervals so as to hold electronic devices therein, and protective ribs provided between the adjacent device holes respectively. Another invention provides a taping method for an embossed carrier tape with electronic devices held therein, comprising the following steps of accommodating the electronic devices in a plurality of device holes defined in the embossed carrier tape respectively, and winding the embossed carrier tape around a tape reel with predetermined spaces respectively defined between lower surfaces of the overlapping one device holes and upper surfaces of the overlapping other device holes upon successively winding the same therearound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuaki Sato
  • Patent number: 6102210
    Abstract: The present invention provides a carrier tape for electronic components comprising a flexible tape material having embossed portions for storing electronic components at regular intervals in the lengthwise direction of the tape, characterized in that each of the opposing first and third side walls of the embossed portion which are positioned at both sides of the lengthwise direction of the tape, has a pair of first protrusions A for preventing the electronic component from transverse shaking which protrude inwardly in the embossed portion, and optionally further has, between the protrusions A, a plurality of second protrusions B for preventing the electronic component from longitudinal shaking which differ in shape from the protrusions A. According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the carrier tape for electronic components has, at the bottom surface of the embossed portion, two or more central protuberances in the direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the carrier tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Sumitomo Bakelite Company Limited
    Inventor: Shinichi Mikami
  • Patent number: 6101790
    Abstract: The band 10 which stores little parts 20 in many storing dents 14 arranged along a longitudinal direction and packs the little parts 20 by covering surfaces of the storing dents 14 with a cover tape 30, and is made of a flexible material having a compress-forming nature, and comprises storing dents 14 which are compress-formed from a surface to a fixed depth in a thickness direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd, Nissho Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Mori, Eiji Itemadani, Souhei Tanaka, Uzo Tomii, Yukihiko Asao, Yozo Uotsu
  • Patent number: 6098808
    Abstract: There is provided a cassette case for holding a plurality of substrates therein, including a cassette case for holding a plurality of substrates therein, including (a) a three-dimensional, hollow frame, and (b) a pair of substrate support members spaced away from each other and carried at the frame with at least one substrate being supported therebetween in the frame. The substrate support members are fixedly carried at the frame at one of longitudinal ends thereof, and at the other of the longitudinal ends thereof so that so that the members are able to expand or contract in a length-wise direction thereof. The above mentioned cassette case ensures that even if the substrate support members thermally expand when the cassette case is thermally treated, there is nothing which obstructs thermal expansion of the substrate support members. Thus, it is possible to eliminate deformation of the substrate support members caused by obstruction to thermal expansion of the substrate support members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Akehiro Matsuda, Haruhiko Ohno
  • Patent number: 6076681
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Advantek, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean B. Chenoweth
  • Patent number: 6059116
    Abstract: Heat sinks and electrical components pre-coated with a layer of a material such as thermal grease are disclosed. Contamination and migration of the thermal grease is substantially reduced by covering the coated areas with a release liner that is removed prior to the assembly of the heat sink into a circuit board or other assembly. By providing a pre-coated heat sink, productivity can be enhanced, by increasing accuracy with which the thermal grease is applied, thus eliminating waste and clean up. Methods for pre-coating either a heat sink or the release liner with thermal grease are also disclosed. In preferred embodiments areas of the heat sink can be either fully coated, or portions electively coated, and the coating may be accomplished by a silk screening or pad printing process, which includes using an applicator head. The release liner is preferably provided with a pull-off tab to facilitate the removal of the release liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Thermalloy, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard G. Hinshaw, Matthew C. Smithers
  • Patent number: 6056124
    Abstract: A carrier tape in which bottomed accommodating recesses whose upper surfaces are opened are provided in a row, comprises opening-closing spring pieces provided in each of the accommodating recesses, the opening-closing spring pieces being disposed on an upper surface of a product accommodated in each of the accommodating recesses and being capable of opening and closing from a closing position for preventing the product from dropping out upward to an opening position for allowing the product to be taken out upward. With this structure, it is possible to excellently prevent the product from dropping out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Inventor: Toshiko Kaneko
  • Patent number: 6047832
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Advantek, Inc.
    Inventor: Russ V. Raschke
  • Patent number: 6036023
    Abstract: Convective heat transfer enhancement features are formed in trays for carrying and thermally conditioning semiconductor devices or on integrated circuit chip packages. Upward extending ribs, perpendicular to a fluid flow, are formed in the trays and/or packages for increasing the mixing of the fluid flow near the devices under test, thereby enhancing convective heat transfer to or from the devices. Downward extending ribs are also formed in the trays and/or packages. The upward and downward extending ribs formed in the trays are in a staggered relationship for facilitating the stacking of trays. Alternatively, a surface roughness is applied to the trays and/or packages. The surface roughness applied to the packages is such that sufficient smooth regions remain on the packages for allowing pick-and-place machines to handle the packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Teradyne, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas C. Pfahnl, Alexander H. Slocum, John H. Lienhard, V
  • Patent number: 6027802
    Abstract: A cover tape adapted to seal individual components in respective recesses of a carrier tape or a two dimensional carrier tray, including a randomly embossed layer, an adhesive layer covered over one side of the randomly embossed layer, and a non-adhesive layer adhered to the adhesive layer to prevent the components from adhering to the adhesive layer, the randomly embossed layer including an adhesion portion adapted for fastening to the carrier tape through the adhesive layer, a torn strip portion adapted to enhance the cohesive strength of the randomly embossed layer through the non-adhesive layer, and a stress concentration zone disposed between the contact border line of the adhesion portion and the contact border line of the non-adhesive layer, the torn strip portion being peeled off from the adhesion portion along the stress concentration zone before the removal of the encased components from the carrier tape, the applied tearing force to peel off the torn strip portion from the adhesion portion along th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Four Piliars Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: David Lin
  • Patent number: 6016918
    Abstract: A part carrier strip in combination with a part for insertion therein. A flexible planar part carrier strip includes a plurality of part-receiving apertures define by a plurality of side edges. Each of the aperture side edges includes an inwardly projecting and resiliently deflectable tab. Each part is adapted for securement in a corresponding one of the apertures and includes a closed top side, an open bottom side having a peripheral flange, and a plurality of interconnecting sidewalls. Each sidewall is disposed adjacent a corresponding one of the aperture side edges, and each sidewall further includes an outwardly projecting retaining member spaced upwardly from the peripheral sidewall. The retaining members and the sidewall define therebetween a capture area adapted to receive therewithin an adjacent one of the side edge tabs to thereby retain each part on the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Dial Tool Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Ziberna
  • Patent number: 6016917
    Abstract: A component carrier for holding a component includes a carrier substrate and a pocket recessed in the substrate for holding the component in its interior. The pocket has a wall and a floor, and the wall includes a series of elongated arcuate channels. The channels are concave relative to the pocket interior and extend substantially perpendicular to the pocket floor. The wall is substantially flat between the channels. A substantially continuous pedestal projects from the pocket floor. The pedestal has (i) an upper surface for supporting the component, (ii) a pair of support walls extending from the pocket floor and terminating in the support surface, and (iii) a notched portion intermediate the pedestal and defined by a lateral support member extending between the support walls and spaced from the pocket floor, for absorbing lateral components of compressive forces applied to the pedestal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Peak International, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifton C. Haggard, James R. Thomas, Qifang Yang, Zhong Ru Wang, Jing Xiao, Liansheng Wei, Jaime S. Villaflor, Gang Wang
  • Patent number: 6003676
    Abstract: A carrier tape formed with a plurality of product receiving pockets molded therein. Pocket detail is formed by moving a male mold element and the carrier tape relatively toward one another thereby causing a respective region of the tape to conform to the shape of the mold element. Fluid pressure can be used to drive the carrier tape further into conformity with the shape of the respective mold element. A vacuum channel can be provided in the mold element to reduce the pressure on the side of the tape adjacent to the mold thereby increasing the pressure differential across the tape. Both multi-station linear and rotary molds carrying male molding surfaces can be used to increase throughput. Product positioning surfaces, formed on the male mold elements can be imparted to the interior of the formed pockets along with light diffusing patterns to provide improved performance by scanning or optical monitoring systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Tek Pak, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony W. Beyer
  • Patent number: 6003675
    Abstract: The present invention is a part retainer for housing and retaining various electronic and mechanical parts wherein a retaining unit has an engaging piece that stably stops at both a position at which it protrudes toward the opening of a part housing space and a position at which it withdraws, and which can move between these two positions under a specified or more amount of force, and wherein when protruding toward the opening, the engaging piece prevents the part housed in the housing space from falling out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Maruyama, Yoshinori Wada, Shinji Kadoriku, Osamu Yamazaki, Osamu Hikita, Daisuke Nagano
  • Patent number: 5992639
    Abstract: A carrier tape having a row of pockets for accommodating electronic components therein is made by injection molding such that a thickness of connecting walls between the pockets is less than a thickness of a bottom wall of each pocket, to allow rolling of the row, and reinforcement of the bottom to protect the electronic components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignees: Fujitsu Limited, Fujitsu Takamizawa Component Limited
    Inventors: Fuminori Naito, Yukio Ando, Osamu Kanai, Kazuo Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5967328
    Abstract: A part carrier device for receiving and transporting component parts includes a flexible member capable of being flattened into a planar strip and having a plurality of part receiving areas. Each of the part receiving areas is defined or bounded by a plurality of part positioning tabs. Each of the part positioning tabs is positioned to abut an edge of a pre-formed part placed adjacent the part receiving area. Each of the part receiving areas is further being bounded on at least two opposing sides by a row of resiliently deflectable part retaining latches which releasably engaging the part. At least one of the latches in each row is positioned to overlie the surface of the part, while at least one of the latches in each row is positioned to underlie the surface of the part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Dial Tool Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank J. Ziberna
  • Patent number: 5964353
    Abstract: Carrier tape (12) is disclosed which absorbs kinetic energy and protects the leads (34, 34') of electronic circuit components (32) from bending or being otherwise damaged in an industry drop test. The components (32) are supported in pockets (22) by platforms (40) which are free of ridges extending above the bottoms of the components (32). The free ends of the leads (34) simultaneously engage ramp portions (42) of the pocket sidewalls (24) which are inclined upwardly and outwardly from the pocket bottoms (26) to center the components (32) in the pockets (22). The pockets (22) are of a size to sandwich the components (32) against the platforms (40) when the carrier tape (12) is in a stacked arrangement such as by being wound on a reel (58). The pocket bottoms (26) include undercuts (54) allowing the pocket bottoms (26) in an upper layer to sandwich two different components (32) in two circumferentially adjacent pockets (22) of the lower layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Ilinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Robert N. Hamlin
  • Patent number: 5960961
    Abstract: A carrier tape system for receiving, retaining and quickly releasing small components, such as singulated bare die, integrated circuit (IC) chips, or other small components for automated assembly processing. The carrier tape system is comprised of a longitudinal elongated flexible punched carrier tape frame and a solid width of pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) tape affixed to one side of the carrier tape frame. The punched carrier tape frame has a plurality of spaced apart aperture cavities therethrough. The solid width of PSA tape also has a plurality of spaced apart configured apertures which are smaller than the plurality of aperture cavities of the punched carrier tape frame. These configured apertures of the PSA tape are centrally aligned and respectively located within the aperture cavities of the carrier tape frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Tempo G
    Inventor: Charles Gutentag
  • Patent number: 5913425
    Abstract: A component carrier, for holding for purposes of automated visual inspection an electrical component having a lead with a free end, includes a carrier substrate and a pocket recessed in the substrate for holding the component in the interior of the pocket. The pocket includes a wall, depending from the carrier substrate and defining a lateral boundary of the pocket, and a bottom. There is a lead-tip horizontal plane and a lead-tip vertical plane when a correctly constructed component of the type the carrier is intended to hold is properly oriented in the pocket. The lead-tip vertical plane is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the pocket. The wall slopes down and inwardly at a first angle relative to the substrate through the lead-tip horizontal plane and at a second angle relative to the substrate through the lead-tip vertical plane. The first angle is greater than or equal to approximately 75.degree. and less than or equal to 90.degree., and the second angle is less than 90.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Peak International, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Thomas, Clifton C. Haggard, Qifang Yang, Song Ping Chen, Mao Shi Khoo, Gang Wang, Jason D. Brown
  • Patent number: 5908114
    Abstract: A carrier tape for electronic or electrical devices which contains a support film containing pockets. The floor of each pocket has been weakened, for example, by means of slits, so that it can be easily deformed. A device is releasably attached to a fastening member in the pocket, for example to a layer of a PSA or an elastomer on the floor of the pocket. When a deforming force is applied to the floor of the pocket, the floor deforms and separates the device from the fastening member, making it easy to remove from the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: GelPak, LLC
    Inventors: Victor E. Althouse, Christopher E. Brodie
  • Patent number: 5887722
    Abstract: A bandoleer package and method for the making thereof in which bandoleer packages can be used to hold objects that are dimensioned or relatively thick without the usual risk of damage to the object caused by burst rollers. The preferred embodiment is made by forming a tube from a first web around a card cut from a secondary web and an object to be packaged, heat sealing the tube to itself to form a bottom seam of the package and a top seam of a previous package, then bonding the edges of the tube to the card. By bonding the edges to the card, the dimensioned object is kept away from the edges, thus preventing crushing of the object by burst rollers. The second web is preferably coated with a material that facilitates bonding to the first web material. In the preferred embodiment, the first web and the coating are formed from resinous materials, such as polyethylene; but any suitable materials can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: American Creative Packaging
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Albrecht, Hector L Vega, Donald A. Guth
  • Patent number: 5878890
    Abstract: A carrier tape is provided with a large number of accommodating recesses with each recess having a bottom surface, the top surface being open to accept an electronic part. Each accommodating recess is provided with resilient retainer arms formed together as a unit extending from the top surface of the recess, the resilient retainer arms permitting the electronic part to be inserted into the recess but preventing it from falling off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Kaneko Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Kaneko
  • Patent number: 5875897
    Abstract: A packaging system (100) protects integrated circuit devices (106) from corrosion and mechanical damage. The devices are enclosed in a reel (102) having a hub (114) in which a cavity (116) is formed for retaining a molded desiccant (118). Apertures (120) between the cavity and the devices provide a vapor path for drawing moisture from the devices. A banding strip (108) for enclosing the devices within the reel has recessed areas (142) for housing pellets of desiccant (140). The reel is placed in an inflatable envelope (50) that includes view ports (56) for reading identifying information on the reel. A vacuum is drawn and the envelope is sealed. Air cells (52) in the inflatable envelope are inflated to cushion the devices from mechanical damage during shipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: William V Duncan, Richard J. Barton
  • Patent number: 5820952
    Abstract: The object is to provide a carrier tape which is provided with retainer arms to effectively prevent the contents from falling out of the accommodating recesses and to prevent the accommodating recesses from fitting into each other and which can be inexpensively manufactured.The carrier tape is provided in a line with a large number of accommodating recesses at predetermined intervals and the retainer arms are formed in separate attachment sheets secured to the top surface of the carrier tape and are substantially horizontally projected at the top level of and to the inside of the accommodating recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Kaneko Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Kaneko
  • Patent number: 5810170
    Abstract: A component carrier tape which can be molded as an integral member from flexible sheet material. The carrier tape includes a substrate having a plurality of spaced pallet/component-receiving apertures, walls projecting from the substrate and surrounding the apertures, one or more pedestal tabs extending from each wall into the associated aperture and one or more finger tabs extending from each wall into the associated aperture. The pedestal tabs have a sloping pedestal wall and a pedestal edge which extend into the aperture at an angle. The pedestal tabs engage and support a first surface of pallets positioned within the apertures at a pedestal height. The finger tabs extend from the wall into the aperture at a finger tab height which is vertically displaced from the pedestal height, and engage and support a second surface of pallets positioned within the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Robodyne Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph Alvite
  • Patent number: 5775509
    Abstract: A carrier system for electrical components, in particular dipole wired electrical components, includes a carrier strip for receiving supply line wires of components and fasteners for fixing the supply line wires to the carrier strip. The fasteners are fastening elements disposed on the carrier strip having guide grooves formed therein for retaining the supply line wires threaded into the guide grooves by force-locking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Siemens Matsushita Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ewald Lampl
  • Patent number: 5769236
    Abstract: A component collective includes component holders respectively holding components therein and connected to one another in the form of a tape carrier. Each of holders is provided with a cavity to accommodate the component, a lid for shutting an opening of the cavity, and a keeping device for keeping the lid at a closed position. An apparatus for feeding the component collective includes a device for transferring the component collective, a device for forcibly opening the lid means of the component holder transferred to a predetermined position, and a device for forcibly closing the lid of the component holder after a component is removed from the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Maruyama, Shinji Kadoriku, Toshiaki Yamauchi, Shoriki Narita, Naomi Kuromoto, Hiroshi Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 5769237
    Abstract: A carrier tape for electronic or electrical devices which contains a support film containing pockets and, within each of the pockets, a fastening layer having a fixed portion which is attached to the floor of the pocket and a release portion which is composed of a flexible polymeric film, preferably a soft elastomer film, and which can be deformed away from the floor without detaching the fixed portion from the floor. The devices are placed on the release portions of the fastening member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Vichem Corporation
    Inventors: Victor E. Althouse, Christopher E. Brodie
  • Patent number: 5758776
    Abstract: A semiconductor chip tray holding chips in individual bins that can each be independently moved with six degrees of freedom. The bins are held in the tray with a flexural bearing system. The flexural bearing system centers the chips at a nominal position allows compliant motion of the bins. The flexural bearing system is made of four beams, with pairs joined at right angles through flexural bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Kinetrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander H. Slocum, R. Scott Ziegenhagen, II, Richard W. Slocum, III, Luis A. Muller
  • Patent number: 5747139
    Abstract: A flexible carrier tape used for protecting components while they are being transported, wherein the carrier tape comprise a strip portion having a component-receiving surface and first and second longitudinal edge surfaces. At least two side walls having inner and outer major surfaces extend upwardly from the component-receiving surface between the longitudinal edge surfaces forming at least one component-receiving area. The inner major surface of at least one side wall is inclined inwardly toward the component-receiving area, forming an angle greater than 0 degrees but less than 90 degrees with the component-receiving surface of the carrier tape. When a component is placed in the component-receiving area, the inclined inner major surface advantageously exerts a force on the component that prevents the component from moving within or falling out of the component-receiving area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: James L. Schenz
  • Patent number: 5727688
    Abstract: A component holder body is provided with a component arrangement section where an installation space for a component is defined, and holding parts for holding the component arranged in the installation space. The component arrangement section is constructed so as to be shiftable between a holding position in which the component arrangement section projects and a position projecting upward from the holding position. Meanwhile, the holding parts are designed so as to shift, in association with the shift of the component arrangement section between the holding and projecting positions, between a holding posture for holding the component and a retreat posture for opening the installation space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshimichi Ishii, Ryoichi Kamatani, Hiroyuki Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 5690233
    Abstract: A carrier tape is provided with a large number of accommodating recesses with each recess having a bottom surface, the top surface being open to accept an electronic part. Each accommodating recess is provided with resilient retainer arms formed together as a unit extending from the top surface of the recess, the resilient retainer arms permitting the electronic part to be inserted into the recess but preventing it from falling off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Kaneko Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Kaneko
  • Patent number: 5667073
    Abstract: The present invention provides a carrier tape for storage use of super-miniaturized electronic components, by which the reflection of irradiated light which might cause detection errors cab be prevented, the product inspection can be performed easily and quickly, and number of stored pieces and remaining un-used pieces can be easily and quickly counted, when the presence or absence of deformation--which might take place on the lead portion of the electronic components being stored in the carrier tape--is examined by the optical equipment on the lead portion kept on the carrier tape. The surface of said base component can be treated to form a film to prevent the light reflection or to absorb the light, such as by painting with resins or ink which doesn't reflect the light, or by immersion. Alternatively, the color of the base component is selected to be black.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Inventor: Tokujiro Okui
  • Patent number: 5664680
    Abstract: A carrier tape (12) is disclosed including a plurality of longitudinally spaced pockets (22) extending parallel to index holes (20). Each pocket (22) includes side walls (24) and a bottom (26) having provisions (28) for holding a microchip (32). Abutments (38) having semicircular cross sections are integrally formed on the side walls (24) for engaging the free ends of the leads (34) of the microchip (32) to prevent their engagement with the side walls (24). A greater number of abutments (38) at lesser spacings are provided than the leads (34) of the microchip (32) to prevent the leads (34) from hooking between the abutments (38). The abutments (38) are arranged to minimize the number of leads (34) actually engaged and to minimize the actual area contacted by the free ends of the leads (34) with the abutments (38). The shape of the abutments (38) also optically disperses major portions of the reflection of the leads (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: CariTech Inc.
    Inventor: Robert N. Hamlin
  • Patent number: 5653344
    Abstract: An electronic parts storage cassette for supplying a plurality of electronic parts to a mounting machine includes a plurality of electronic parts contained in a case body member for storing the electronic parts and an adaptor member to be attached to the mounting machine. The case body member may be formed of a disposable sheet material such as paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Higuchi, Keiichi Shimamaki
  • 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: 5645170
    Abstract: A tape and terminal package (30, 84) is disclosed wherein terminals (52, 86, 88) of different relative sizes are positioned on a carrier tape (32) so that each is a standard height (64) above the surface (66) of the tape and a crimping zone (58, 96, 98) of each terminal is a standard distance (68) from a datum (62) on the tape. A shim tape (76, 92) is arranged between the smaller terminals (52-2, 88) and the carrier tape (32) to position them to the standard height (64), each different terminal having a specific thickness shim tape (76, 92). In this way, two or more different tape and terminal packages (30, 94), each package having terminals of a different size or type than the other packages, can be accommodated by a single applicator tool (50) without modification or adjustment. Additionally, a tape and terminal package having terminals of different sizes or types on the same carrier tape may be accommodated by a single applicator tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventor: Craig W. Hornung
  • Patent number: 5494168
    Abstract: An improved surface mount component dispensing system including a dispenser and a package/display box. The dispenser is formed as a spool having an outer diameter of about four inches so that a small amount of tape carrying quantities of surface mounted components can be packaged. The package/display box includes a circular front window sized to expose an information label on the dispenser in any rotational orientation of the dispenser. The box further includes a punch-out manual assembly dispensing slot in one end wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: National Electronics Corp.
    Inventor: Martin B. Hart
  • Patent number: 5491013
    Abstract: An electrostatic dissipating packaging tape is disclosed that comprises a transparent substrate, a substantially transparent adhesive layer on one surface of the substrate, and a clay coating on the opposite surface of the substrate from the adhesive. The clay is characterized by being able to provide a surface resistivity of 10.sup.14 ohms per square or less when present on a surface in amounts that are low enough to remain transparent, and the clay is present on the substrate surface in an amount sufficient to provide the coating with a surface resistivity of 10.sup.14 ohms per square or less, but less than an amount that would substantially reduce the transparent optical properties of the packaging tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Rexam Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Leonard Holley
  • Patent number: 5472085
    Abstract: A gated-pocket, tape-form packaging system is provided having an elongated carrier tape which is formed with a series of longitudinally spaced apart pockets for containing of respective articles. The system includes a series of retaining fingers that cooperate in one embodiment with the pockets to directly mechanically engage with and effect retention of articles, but which, through mechanical manipulation of the tape, can be displaced to a position where they do not obstruct passage of an article either into or out of a pocket. An alternative construction includes a cover tape working in combination with the retaining fingers to perform the gating function. The cover tape is mechanically secured to the carrier tape by the retaining fingers which permit relative longitudinal displacement of the carrier and cover tapes to accommodate the difference in longitudinal length that occur as a consequence of the combination of two tapes being wound up onto a reel for storage or transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: GPAX International, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Gelzer