Integrated circuit package separators

• US 20050284274A1
• Filed: 08/30/2005
• Published: 12/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jason E. Tripard
• Original Assignee: Jason E. Tripard
• Inventors: Tripard, Jason E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,513,182 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 83/467.1
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 1/14 with a circular cutting member, e.g. disc cutter
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 7/01 Means for holding or positioning work
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 7/18 Means for removing cut-out material or waste
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/481 Insulating layers on insulating parts, with or without metallisation
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/09063 Holes or slots in insulating substrate not used for electrical connections
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2203/0165 Holder for holding a Printed Circuit Board [PCB] during processing, e.g. during screen printing
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2203/0228 Cutting, sawing, milling or shearing
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2203/167 Using mechanical means for positioning, alignment or registration, e.g. using rod-in-hole alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/0052 Depaneling, i.e. dividing a panel into circuit boards; Working of the edges of circuit boards
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 83/953 with work support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5313 Means to assemble electrical device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53274 Means to disassemble electrical device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53309 Disassembly means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7593 Work-stop abutment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7633 Collapsible

Abstract

In one aspect, the invention includes a method of forming integrated circuit packages. A base having a plurality of pins extending upwardly therefrom is provided. A support is provided over the base. The support has an upper surface and a plurality of holes extending therethrough. The pins extend through the holes and upwardly beyond the upper surface of the support. An actuator is provided beneath the support. A board having a plurality of integrated circuits bonded thereto is provided. The integrated circuits form a repeating pattern of integrated circuit packages across the board, and the board has a plurality of holes extending through it. The board is placed over the support upper surface with the pins extending into the holes in the board. While the board is over the support upper surface, it is cut to separate the integrated circuit packages from one another. After the cutting, the support is vertically displaced by the actuator to lift the support off the pins. In another aspect, the invention encompasses an integrated circuit package separator for separating integrated circuit packages from a board.

Claims

1-91. -91. (canceled)

92. An integrated circuit package separator for separating a plurality of integrated circuit packages from one another, the integrated circuit packages being provided as integrated circuit chip components joined to a board, the separating including cutting the board, the separator comprising:

a panel fastened to a support;

a plurality of blocks over the panel, the blocks having curved upper surfaces and being configured to support the board while leaving the integrated circuit chip components extending between the block upper surfaces and the panel; and

a cutting mechanism configured to cut the board while the board is supported on the blocks and to thereby separate the integrated circuit packages from one another.

93. The separator of claim 92 wherein the integrated circuit chip components have respective thicknesses, and wherein the blocks have respective thicknesses about equal to that of the integrated circuit chip components.

94. The separator of claim 92 wherein the blocks are in a one-to-one correspondence with the integrated circuit packages on the board.

95. The separator of claim 92 further comprising a plurality of panels fastened to the support, the respective panels having the plurality of the blocks associated therewith.

96. The separator of claim 95 wherein each panel and the plurality of the blocks associated therewith is a panel and block assembly, the panel and block assemblies all being identical to one another.

97. The separator of claim 92 wherein the panel is fastened to the support by a plurality of screws.

98. The separator of claim 92 wherein the panel is fastened to the support by at least one rivet.

99. The separator of claim 92 wherein the panel is fastened to the support by being molded as part of the support.

100. The separator of claim 92 wherein the support comprises static-reduced plastic.

101. The separator of claim 92 wherein the support comprises a thickness of greater than 3/16 inches.

102. The separator of claim 92 wherein the panel comprises aluminum.

103. The separator of claim 92 wherein the plurality of the blocks comprise respective thicknesses ranging from about 0.035 inches to about 0.045 inches.

104. The separator of claim 92 wherein the plurality of the blocks comprise respective thicknesses ranging from about 0.135 inches to about 0.145 inches.

105. The separator of claim 92 wherein the plurality of the blocks are discrete pieces from the panel, and wherein the plurality of the blocks are fastened to the panel.

106. The separator of claim 92 wherein the plurality of the blocks are one piece with the panel.