Method and system for flipping a tray of parts
First Claim
1. A method for flipping a tray of electronic devices, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving at a flip station a first tray, which holds a plurality of electronic devices, from a first part processing station;
a second tray being positioned in said flip station;
joining the second tray with the first tray so that the first and second trays mate without the second tray engaging the electronic devices;
inverting the mated first and second trays together so that the electronic devices are also inverted and held in the second tray so that the electronic devices are movable in the second tray between the mated first and second trays; and
separating the mated first and second trays;
transferring the second tray which now holds the plurality of electronic devices from the flip station to a second electronic device processing station and leaving the first tray in the flipping station to function as the second tray when a subsequent first tray holding a plurality of electronic devices is received in the flipping station;
means for transferring the second tray which holds the plurality of parts from the flip station; and
said trays moving through the flip station in a one-way direction.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system are provided for flipping a tray of parts such as integrated circuit packages including a pair of flippable storage trays. A first storage tray has an upper surface which forms a grid of storage compartments wherein each of the storage compartments is adapted to hold a single integrated circuit package. Initially, the first tray is received at a flip station from a first part processing station. Then, the first and second trays are joined together so that they mate. Then, the mated first and second trays are inverted so that the packages are held in the second tray. Then, the first and second trays are separated and the second tray which now holds the plurality of packages is transferred to a second part processing station. Then, the cycle is repeated with a third tray of parts and the now empty first tray.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method for flipping a tray of electronic devices, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving at a flip station a first tray, which holds a plurality of electronic devices, from a first part processing station; a second tray being positioned in said flip station; joining the second tray with the first tray so that the first and second trays mate without the second tray engaging the electronic devices; inverting the mated first and second trays together so that the electronic devices are also inverted and held in the second tray so that the electronic devices are movable in the second tray between the mated first and second trays; and separating the mated first and second trays; transferring the second tray which now holds the plurality of electronic devices from the flip station to a second electronic device processing station and leaving the first tray in the flipping station to function as the second tray when a subsequent first tray holding a plurality of electronic devices is received in the flipping station; means for transferring the second tray which holds the plurality of parts from the flip station; and said trays moving through the flip station in a one-way direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system for flipping a tray of electronic devices, the system comprising:
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a flip station for receiving a first tray, which holds a plurality of electronic devices from a first part processing station; means for supporting a second tray in the flip station; means for joining the second tray with the first tray so that the first and second trays mate without the second tray engaging the electronic devices; means for inverting the mated first and second trays together so that the electronic devices are also inverted and held in the second tray so that the electronic devices are movable in the second tray between the mated first and second trays, the means for joining separating the mated first and second trays after the electronic devices are inverted, means for transferring the second tray which now holds the plurality of electronic devices from the flip station to a second electronic device processing station; means for positioning the now empty first tray in the position previously occupied by the second tray so that the first tray becomes the second tray when a subsequent first tray holding a plurality of electronic devices is received in the flip station; means for transferring the second tray which holds the plurality of parts from the flip station; and said trays moving through the flip station in a one-way direction. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification