Pako Corporation

Micro Component Technology, Inc.

John A Wedel

Richard D Anderson

Michael P Kassner

Ronald B Harvey

Nathan R Smith

Gerald R Bowe

Larry M Karjala

Michael J Carroll

Randall C Knudsen

Robert L Skubic

The invention of the present document comprises apparatus for receiving and automatically feeding dual-in-line package (DIP) transportation and storage tubes (24) to the singulator (76) of an integrated circuit device handler (20) so that devices (22) in the tubes (24) can be introduced at the singulator (76). The tubes (24) are randomly placed in a hopper (66), and conveyed through an aperture (170) formed in a side wall (172) of the hopper (66). An elevator (74) is provided to raise the tubes (24) to a height at which open ends thereof are disposed above the height of the singulator (76). With a tube (24) so raised, a tube inserter (96) pushes the tube (24) into the tube holder (98) of a manipulator (100). The tube holder (98) is, in turn, pivoted to tilt the tube (24) so that devices (22) within the tube (24) are deposited for introduction into the singulator (76 ).

Automatic integrated circuit transportation tube elevating and tilting

The present invention is a device for bringing integrated circuit devices (22), to be tested at a test site, to a temperature to which the devices (22) will be subjected during operating conditions of equipments in which they will ultimately be installed. The device includes a rack (30) comprising a plurality of rails (32) overlying corresponding tracks (24) down which the integrated circuits (22) move through a magazine (20). The rails (32) are adjustable toward and away from their corresponding tracks (24), and both are heated in order to impart thermal energy to integrated circuit devices (22) passing down the tracks (24). Each track (24) has, proximate a lower end thereof, a singulation assembly (56) which not only isolates a single device (22) to be passed to a test site, but also functions to press the lowermost device (22) in a string passing down the respective track (24) into close engagement with the track (24) in order to effect maximum heat transfer.

Integrated circuit handler heating and singulation apparatus

Photographic print paper magazine with multi-position handle

A film cleaning apparatus cleans photographic film while the film is clamped at the print gate aperture of a photographic printer. When the film is clamped at the print gate, and before a print exposure is initiated, high velocity ionized air is directed onto both the top and bottom surfaces of the film to remove dust and other foreign materials from the film surfaces. When the exposure is commenced, the flow of ionized air is reduced to a low velocity which is sufficient to prevent dust from settling on the film surfaces during exposure.

Photographic film cleaner

In a photographic printer, photographic print paper is transported from the print paper supply to a print mask location. The print paper is guided by an interchangeable guide spool to ensure proper centering at the print mask location. The guide spool, being preset for a particular print paper width, automatically centers the print paper when mounted on a spindle so as to abut against a permanently positioned flange. The guide spool includes an inner sleeve that abuts against the permanently positioned flange, an outer sleeve coaxially rotating around the outer surface of the inner sleeve and having an outer surface that engages the photographic print paper, and guides attached proximate both ends of the outer sleeve for guiding the print paper on the outer surface of the outer sleeve.

Photographic print paper guide spool

A paper mask produces even width borders on bordered photographic prints even if the unexposed photographic print paper is misaligned, angularly mistracking, or wandering in alignment through roll feeding, or if the width of the paper varies. The paper mask apparatus includes a base which is mounted on the paper deck of the printer and front and rear guides which are movably mounted to the base and have masking lips which overhang the longitudinal edges of the print paper. The front and rear guides are generally parallel to one another and are urged toward one another by bias springs. A separate masking frame of the desired print size is mounted to one of the two guides and moves with that guide to define transverse masking edges.

Floating edge-follower bordered paper mask

A photographic printer has a punch marking module for placing cut and end-of-order marks on the photographic paper. A quick connect/disconnect mounting assembly automatically centers the punch marking module properly with respect to a paper mask. The quick mounting assembly includes a pair of detent bars and registration pins on a mounting base attached to the paper mask. A rigid member and a pair of plate holders form the bottom of the punch marking module. A plurality of ball plungers engage a plurality of recesses in the detent bars and the end plate holders engage side edges of the mounting base. The ball plungers apply a force to the rigid member holding it against the registration pins in an engaging relationship.

Modular punch marking apparatus

A photographic printer has a punch marking system for placing cut and end-of-order marks on the photographic paper. The punch marking mechanism is adjustable to accommodate different widths of print paper. The punch marking mechanism includes guide rods which are positioned transverse to the path of the print paper. First and second carriage assemblies are movable along the guide path defined by the guide rods on opposite sides of the center line of the paper path. A lead screw moves both the first and second carriage assemblies along the guide path in an essentially symmetrical manner about the center line of the paper path. Interchangeable inserts of different widths may be inserted between the carriages to define a spacing between the first and second carriages for a desired paper width. The punches or other marking devices are carried on the first and second carriage assemblies.

Adjustable width punch marking apparatus with interchangeable spacer

The neghold assembly of the present invention is used in photographic printers which do not have an automatic film advance system. The neghold assembly includes a transport base, a top insert holder, first and second aperture insert plates which are held in the transport base and the top insert holder, and a handle which is connected to the top insert holder. The first and second aperture insert plates are a set which have mating apertures which correspond to the desired film size. When a different size film is to be used, another set of first and second aperture insert plates having the appropriate size apertures are inserted.

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Mendota Heights, MN, United States of America

John A Wedel