System for automated handling of symmetrical supply tubes
US5117963A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 12, 1990 |
| Grant date | Jun 2, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 12, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G2203/042
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The inventive apparatus automatically processes symmetrical supply tubes used in the storage and handling of semiconductor integrated circuit packages, IC. Unlike prior art methods which rely on the asymmetrical quality of the A-tube, the invention processes symmetrical, rectangular tubes to a point where the contents are discharged to a desired orientation. The invention operates to manipulate the symmetrical supply tubes from a gravity bin to a standing position wherein each tube is at rest on one of its two narrow sides. The tubes are then singulated, moved, and tilted to a position where the leading ICs are discharged to a short distance outside the tube. The IC are held on side in either a lead left or lead right position and are sensed to determine their orientation. Upon determination of the lead left or lead right orientation, the sort block is appropriately placed and the IC are released. The IC are reoriented as they stream through one of two geometrically shaped voids of the sort block onto a part track.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.