Automatic tube orientation apparatus
AssigneeTexas Instruments Incorporated
InventorT. D. Hsieh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An orientation apparatus (10) includes a pair of conveyor chains (21a,21b) with pins (22) on alternate links for moving a component tube (40) to a lift station (26,27) where the component tube (40) is rotated until it is in a desired orientation. The component tube (40) is rotated by rollers (30,33) until an index tab (28a) falls into an opening (40a)in the component tube (40), stopping its rotation. The component tube (40) is then lowered onto the conveyor chains (21a,21b) and moved to the end of the apparatus where is it removed from the orientation apparatus. A component tube chamber (50) located above the conveyor chains drops one component tube (40) at a time, utilizing two singulators (58,59), onto the conveyor chains (21a,21b).
Claims12
A semiconductor component tube orientation apparatus, comprising:
- at least one motorized conveyor chain having spaced apart separators for holding a component tube;
- a dispensing chamber for placing a component tube onto the conveyor chain;
- a roller for rotating said component tube;
- a index pin for stopping rotation of said component tube;
- and
- a elevator station for lifting the component tube from the conveyor chain into contact with said roller and index pin.
A semiconductor component tube orientation apparatus, comprising:
- a motorized conveyor chain having spaced apart separators for holding a component tube;
- a dispensing chamber for placing a component tube onto the conveyor chain;
- a pair or rails along which the conveyor chain moves the component tube;
- a roller for rotating said component tube;
- a index pin for stopping rotation of said component tube;
- and
- a elevator station for lifting the component tube from the conveyor chain into contact with said roller and index pin.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.