Automatic feed apparatus and process for integrated circuits stored in tubes

A system for automatically loading IC's into the input of a high speed test handler/sorter where the IC's are held in an end-to-end line in elongated hollow tubes with a closed end that blocks the discharge of IC's and an open end, comprising

• A. an accumulating conveyor table that holds one or more of the tubes and transports them laterally in a first direction, said table being inclined from the horizontal at an acut angle about a lower edge;
• B. means for sensing when one of the tubes is in a pick-up position located at one end of the conveyor table and oriented substantially transversely to said first direction, said sensing means generating a first control signal when one of said tubes is in said pick-up position;
• C. means for gripping the tube in the pick-up position at its upper, open end and rotating said gripped tube about first and second axis transverse to one another while continously gripping said tube during the rotations, said first axis being generally parallel to said first direction wherein said gripping means moves said tube from said pickup position to a a discharge position at said input and said second axis defining the path of movement of said gripped tube from said discharge positions to a tube-release position.