# US 2017/0283178 A1 · Electronic device separator for a feeding apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0283178 A1 - Document ID: US20170283178A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/089,885 - Filed: 2016-04-04 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-04-04 - Assignees: Asm Technology Singapore Pte Ltd - Applicants: ASM Technology Singapore Pte Ltd - Inventors: Shing Kai YIP; Yu Sze CHEUNG; Chi Wah CHENG - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170283178A1 ## CPC - B65G 25/04: the carrier or impeller having identical forward and return paths of movement, e.g. reciprocating conveyors - B65G 27/00: Jigging conveyors - H05K 13/028: {Simultaneously loading a plurality of loose objects, e.g. by means of vibrations, pressure differences, magnetic fields} - H05K 13/043: {Feeding one by one by other means than belts} - H10P 72/37: {with orientating and positioning by means of a vibratory bowl or track} - B65G 2812/03: Vibrating conveyors - B65G 2812/12: Conveyors with reciprocating means - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - H10P: GENERIC PROCESSES OR APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF DEVICES COVERED BY CLASS H10 ## Abstract A feeding apparatus for supplying electronic devices for pick-up comprises a guide track for guiding and feeding a plurality of electronic devices and a separator operative to receive electronic devices from the guide track for the electronic devices to be picked up from the separator. A protrusion is located on either of the guide track or the separator, and a cavity is located on the other of the guide track or the separator for receiving the protrusion. The protrusion and the cavity cooperate to form a substantially continuous surface for transferring the electronic devices to the separator. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A feeding apparatus for supplying electronic devices for pick-up, the feeding apparatus comprising: a guide track for guiding and feeding a plurality of electronic devices; a separator operative to receive electronic devices from the guide track for the electronic devices to be picked up from the separator; a protrusion located on at least one of the guide track and the separator, the protrusion comprising an abutment surface extending from a top portion of a side wall of the at least one of the guide track and the separator; and a cavity located on the other of the guide track or the separator, the cavity comprising an indented surface recessed into a top portion of a side wall of the guide track or the separator, wherein the cavity is configured to receive the protrusion, such that the abutment surface and the indented surface cooperate to form a substantially continuous surface for transferring the electronic devices to the separator; and wherein a plane perpendicular to a direction of travel of the electronic devices intersects at the cavity portions of both the abutment surface and the indented surface comprised in the substantially continuous surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The feeding apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the separator is configured to move reciprocally between a first position next to the guide track to receive the electronic devices and a second position spaced from the guide track for the electronic devices to be picked up, wherein the substantially continuous surface is formed at the first position of the separator. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The feeding apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a gap between the protrusion and the cavity at the first position of the separator. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The feeding apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protrusion is located at an end portion of the separator, and the cavity is located at an end portion of the guide track. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The feeding apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protrusion is located at an end portion of the guide track, and the cavity is located at an end portion of the separator. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The feeding apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protrusion and cavity are V-shaped from a plan view of the feeding apparatus. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The feeding apparatus as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a chamfer located at a tip end of the protrusion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The feeding apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protrusion and cavity are W-shaped from a plan view of the feeding apparatus. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The feeding apparatus as claimed in claim 8, further comprising chamfers located at respective tip ends of the protrusion. ### Claim 10 A feeding apparatus for supplying electronic devices for pick-up, the feeding apparatus comprising: a guide track for guiding and feeding a plurality of electronic devices; a separator operative to receive electronic devices from the guide track for the electronic devices to be picked up from the separator; a protrusion located on at least one of the guide track and the separator; a cavity located on the other of the guide track and the separator, the cavity configured to receive the protrusion such that the protrusion and the cavity cooperate to form a substantially continuous surface for transferring the electronic devices to the separator, the substantially continuous surface is formed at the first position of the separator, wherein the separator is configured for reciprocating motion between a first position next to the guide track to receive the electronic devices and a second position spaced from the guide track for the electronic devices to be picked up; and further comprising a gap between the protrusion and the cavity at the first position of the separator.