# US 6,296,108 B1 · Method and apparatus for delivering components on a compartmented belt

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- Number: US 6,296,108 B1
- Document ID: US6296108B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 09/197,956
- Filed: 1998-11-20
- Granted: 2001-10-02
- Earliest claimed: 1998-09-29
- Assignees: Siemens Production and Logistics System AG
- Inventors: Hans-Horst Grasmueller; Harald Stanzl
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6296108B1

## CPC

- H05K 13/0417: {Feeding with belts or tapes}
- H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS

## Abstract

A configuration for positioning components within the compartments on a delivery belt prior to their removal by an onserting apparatus. The configuration can include a brush and a vibrator.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for the delivery of belted components to an onserting apparatus, comprising the steps of:
conveying the components to a removal position in component compartments of a belt;
holding the components in the component compartments with the assistance of a covering that is located above the removal position;
releasing each component compartment in the removal position by moving the covering in a moving direction; and
moving a component into a predetermined position within the component compartment prior to removal of the component;
wherein the component is moved into the predetermined position in the component compartment by the moving of the covering when the component compartment is in the removal position.

### Claim 2

A method for the delivery of belted components to an onserting apparatus, comprising the steps of:
conveying the components to a removal position in component compartments of a belt;
holding the components in the component compartments with the assistance of a covering that is located above the removal position;
releasing each component compartment in the removal position by moving the covering in a moving direction;
moving a component into a predetermined position within the component compartment prior to removal of the component; and
subjecting the component to vibration during the moving of the component to the predetermined position.

### Claim 3

A method for the delivery of belted components to an onserting apparatus, comprising the steps of:
conveying the components to a removal position in component compartments of a belt;
holding the components in the component compartments with the assistance of a covering that is located above the removal position;
releasing each component compartment in the removal position by moving the covering in a moving direction; and
moving a component into a predetermined position within the component compartment prior to removal of the component;
wherein said step of moving a component comprises moving both magnetic and non-magnetic components.

### Claim 4

A method for the delivery of belted components to an onserting apparatus, comprising the steps of:
conveying the components to a removal position in component compartments of a belt;
holding the components in the component compartments with the assistance of a covering that is located above the removal position;
releasing each component compartment in the removal position by moving the covering in a moving direction; and
moving a component into a predetermined position within the component compartment prior to removal of the component;
wherein the predetermined position consists of an x, y position in an x, y plane parallel to a top surface of the component belt and the predetermined position is one in which the component abuts a compartment edge.

### Claim 5

An apparatus for the delivery of belted components to an onserting apparatus, said delivery apparatus comprising:
a belt having component compartments; and
a movable covering located above a removal position, the covering comprising an element for moving a component into a predetermined position in a component compartment.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The apparatus for the delivery of belted components according to claim 5, wherein the element of the covering is a suction tube that moves the component into the predetermined position by forming a vacuum in the suction tube.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The apparatus for the delivery of belted components according to claim 5, wherein a vibrator is provided that promotes the movement of the component into the predetermined position.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the element for moving the component can move both magnetic and non-magnetic components.

### Claim 9 (depends on 5)

The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the predetermined position consists of an x, y position in an x, y plane parallel to a top surface of the component belt.

### Claim 10 (depends on 5)

The apparatus for the delivery of belted components according to claim 5, wherein the component is moved into the predetermined position by the element of the covering when the covering is moved in a moving direction, when the component compartment holding the component is in the removal position.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The apparatus for the delivery of belted components according to claim 10, wherein the element of the covering is a brush that pushes the component into the predetermined position.