Electronic component package for standard and odd form components

An electronic component package comprising:

• a plurality of component-receiving tray sections which are flexibly interconnected to one another;
• and
• mode transforming structure for causing the electronic component package to function in one of at least two modes,
• in a first mode the electronic component package functions as a sufficiently rigid tray that supports electronic components located within the plurality of component-receiving tray sections and protects the electronic components during handling, shipping and storage of the electronic component package, and
• in a second mode the electronic component package functions as a flexible carrier tape that flexes relatively easily at the flexible interconnections between the plurality of component-receiving tray sections, such that the electronic component package conforms to a radius of a roller when passed over the roller,
• wherein the electronic component package includes a plurality of edge connectors integrally formed within the edges, each open on a bottom side thereof to engage a drive mechanism for feeding the electronic component package along a pathway.

An article package comprising:

• a plurality of article-receiving tray sections having leading and trailing edges which are flexibly interconnected to one another, each article-receiving tray section open on a top side, such that the article package functions as a flexible carrier tape that conforms to a radius of a roller when passed over the roller;
• and
• first and second package edges interconnected to and extending along the tray sections, the first and second package edges removably connectable to a cover over the top side of the tray sections,
• wherein the first and second package edges each include a plurality of connectors open on a bottom side thereof to engage a drive mechanism for feeding the electronic component package along a pathway, such that the package is sufficiently rigid when covered to function as a tray that supports articles located within the plurality of article-receiving tray sections and protects the articles during handling and storage of the article package.