Coded tray for holding packaged semiconductor devices

Abstract

A tray for holding packaged semiconductor devices includes a structure on at least one edge of the tray adapted to receive a tab containing a unique identifier, such as a color or combination of colors or alphanumeric indicia, to identify the type of packaged device to be contained in said tray.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A tray for carrying package semiconductor devices comprising: 
 a frame containing a plurality of openings, each opening being capable of containing one package integrated circuit device, said tray also having at least one edge;    structure attached to said at least one edge for receiving a tab; and    a tab for insertion into said structure.    
     
     
         2 . Structure as in  claim 1  wherein said structure for receiving a tab comprises a groove formed as part of said edge, said groove having sides and a back surface, said sides being angled from said groove so as to form relative to said back surface an angle of less than 90° with said back surface, the portion of each side furthest from said back surface being closer to each other than the portion of each side closest to said back surface.  
     
     
         3 . Structure as in  claim 2  wherein each side includes a surface portion substantially perpendicular to said back surface and directly adjacent to said back surface, the angled portions of said sides being attached to said perpendicular portions of said sides.  
     
     
         4 . Structure as in  claim 3  wherein said tab for insertion into said groove includes at least one indicia on one surface thereof, said indicia being selected from a plurality of indicia.  
     
     
         5 . Structure as in  claim 4  wherein said indicia comprises a color, said color being selected from a plurality of different colors.  
     
     
         6 . Structure as in  claim 2  wherein said tab includes a plurality of circular buttons formed on one surface thereof, said one surface facing away from the edge of said tray.  
     
     
         7 . Structure as in  claim 6  including a plug, said plug being adapted to be press fit over at least one of the buttons on said tab, said plug having an indicia thereon to indicate the type of devices to be placed in said tray.  
     
     
         8 . Structure as in  claim 7  wherein said indicia comprises a selected color.  
     
     
         9 . Structure as in  claim 7  wherein said indicia comprises an alphanumeric symbol.  
     
     
         10 . Structure as in  claim 9  wherein said plug comprises a block of material, said block of material containing at least two cavities therein, each cavity being designed to align in a press fit manner with a corresponding button on said tab.  
     
     
         11 . A tray for holding packaged semiconductor devices in combination with a tab, said tray comprising a plurality of openings, each opening being adapted to hold one packaged semiconductor device, said tray further comprising at least one edge having thereon a groove for receipt of a tab; and said tab being formed so as to be insertable into said groove.  
     
     
         12 . Structure as in  claim 11  wherein said groove is such as to hold said tab directly against an edge of said tray.  
     
     
         13 . Structure as in  claim 11  including a plug attached to one surface of said tab, said plug having an indicia to indicate the type of devices in said tray.  
     
     
         14 . Structure as in  claim 13  wherein said plug comprises a selected color, said color corresponding to a select type of device in said tray.  
     
     
         15 . Structure as in  claim 13  wherein said plug has alphanumeric symbols thereon, said symbols corresponding to a select type of packaged semiconductor device in said tray.  
     
     
         16 . Structure as in  claim 11  wherein said tab has formed on a surface thereof a plurality of buttons, a selected number of said buttons being adapted to receive a plug in a press fit relationship thereby to hold said plug directly adjacent to the surface of said tab.  
     
     
         17 . Structure as in  claim 16  wherein said plug has one of a selected number of indicia thereon to indicate the type of devices in said tray.  
     
     
         18 . Structure as in  claim 17  wherein said indicia comprise a selected number of colors.  
     
     
         19 . Structure as in  claim 17  wherein said indicia comprise alphanumeric symbols.  
     
     
         20 . The method of identifying a particular type of packaged semiconductor devices in a tray comprising: 
 forming on the edge of said tray a structure for receiving a material indicating the type of devices in said tray; and    placing on said structure the material to indicate the type of devices in said tray.