The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 16, 1996
Filed:
Mar. 13, 1995
Donald S Rich, Long Valley, NJ (US);
Technology Handlers, Inc., Long Valley, NJ (US);
Abstract
A handler/sorter for articles such as the trays of integrated circuit chips is provided with an unstacking elevator system, an inspection station, a sorting station for repopulating the tray with non-defective integrated circuit chips, and an output station. The output station has a stacking elevator which is essentially the mirror image of the unstacking elevator at the input station, reducing the number of different parts. The elevators employ pneumatic or linear motor drives which gently place the trays on the conveyor shuttles, without rattling the integrated circuit chips. In an optical inspection embodiment, a focussing elevator is provided at the inspection station. The focussing elevator operates in response to focus control signals issued by a scanning camera system. Transportation between the respective stations is provided by a pair of conveyor shuttles which employ linear motors. Such motors, which are computer controlled, have advantageously adjustable acceleration characteristics and ride smoothly on a bearing of air. In operation, the handler/sorter performs its functions at the respective stations substantially independent of one another, resulting in greater throughput.