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:
Aug. 18, 1998
Filed:
Jan. 23, 1996
Mitsuro Hamuro, Otsu, JP;
Keiichi Shimamaki, Shiga-ken, JP;
Abstract
An alignment/feed mechanism includes a container for receiving a plurality of chips, and an outlet port through which the chips are fed one by one in an aligned fashion. A sensor is operable to detect whether the number of the chips within the container is reduced below a predetermined level. If below the level, additional chips are fed from a chip tank into the container through a replenishment line or pipe. The chip tank is located above the alignment/feed mechanism. An on-off valve is disposed in the replenishment line and operable to open the replenishment line in response the sensed result of the sensor and close the replenishment line when a required number of additional chips are fed to the container.