Device for reusable integrated circuit tape and reel

Abstract

A reusable device for transporting integrated circuits comprising a hub having a substantially cylindrical shape, a top surface, and a bottom surface, a top flange for connecting to the top surface of the hub and a bottom flange for connecting to the bottom surface of the hub, a tape mechanism for holding the integrated circuits during shipment, and a lock mechanism located on the hub for locking the top and bottom flanges into place on the hub whereby the hub and top and bottom flanges, when assembled, form a reel for shipment of the integrated circuits.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for transporting integrated circuits comprising: 
 a hub having a substantially cylindrical shape, a top surface, and a bottom surface;    a top flange removably connected to the top surface of the hub, the top flange also having a spindle hole;    a bottom flange removably connected to the bottom surface of the hub;    a tape mechanism for holding the integrated circuits during shipment; and    a lock mechanism located on the top and bottom surfaces for locking the top and bottom flanges into place on the hub;    whereby the hub and top and bottom flanges when assembled form a reel for shipment of the integrated circuits.    
     
     
         2 . The device as in  claim 1  wherein the top and bottom surfaces of the hub comprise a series of wings along an inner edge of the top and bottom surfaces.  
     
     
         3 . The device as in  claim 2  wherein top and bottom flanges comprise a plurality of hooks, the plurality of hooks forming a recess in which the series of wings are seated when the reel is assembled.  
     
     
         4 . The device as in  claim 3  wherein the top and bottom flanges further comprise a plurality of slots alternately disposed between the hooks, the slots utilized for stacking the top and bottom flanges.  
     
     
         5 . The device as in  claim 4  wherein the number of wings and plurality of hooks are equal in number.  
     
     
         6 . The device as in  claim 5  wherein the number of wings and the number of hooks equal twelve in number.  
     
     
         7 . The device as in  claim 1  wherein the top and bottom flanges have a substantially circular shape.  
     
     
         8 . The device as in  claim 7  wherein the top and bottom flanges have a diameter of about thirteen inches.  
     
     
         9 . The device as in  claim 1  wherein the hub has a spindle hole through which a spindle may be located to facilitate unwinding of the tape mechanism from around the hub.  
     
     
         10 . The device as in  claim 1  wherein locking mechanism comprises a push button lock on the top and bottom surfaces of the hub.  
     
     
         11 . The device as in  claim 10  wherein the top and bottom flanges each comprise a lock hole in which the push button lock on the top surface will engage with the lock hole on the top flange and the push button lock on the bottom surface will engage with the lock hole on the bottom surface.  
     
     
         12 . The device as in  claim 1  wherein the hub, top flange, and bottom flange are made of an anti-static material.  
     
     
         13 . The device as in  claim 12  wherein the anti-static material is plastic.  
     
     
         14 . The device as in  claim 1  wherein the hub has a uniform diameter of four to seven inches.  
     
     
         15 . The device as in  claim 14  wherein the hub has a sleeve having a substantially circular shape, the foam sleeve designed to fit around the hub whereby the diameter of the hub can be increased.  
     
     
         16 . The device as in  claim 15  wherein the sleeve is made of a foam material.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the plurality of hooks of the top and bottom flanges extend one-eighth of an inch from a surface of the top and bottom flanges.  
     
     
         18 . A device for transporting integrated circuits comprising: 
 a hub having a substantially cylindrical shape, a top surface, and a bottom surface, the top and bottom surfaces having a series of wings along an outer edge of the top and bottom surfaces;    a top and a bottom flange each comprising a plurality of hooks which form a recess in which the series of wings are seated when the reel is assembled and a plurality of rotational lock holes;    a tape mechanism for holding the integrated circuits during shipment, the tape mechanism designed to be wound around the hub and between the top and bottom flanges; and    a lock mechanism having bush button locks which are designed to align with the rotational lock holes to define a locked and unlocked position;    whereby the hub and top and bottom flange when assembled forms a tape and reel device for shipment of the integrated circuits.    
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the device is made of an anti-static material.  
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the hub has a constant diameter of four to seven inches.  
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the hub has a foam sleeve having a substantially circular shape, the foam sleeve designed to fit around the hub whereby the diameter of the hub can be increased as needed.  
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the series of wings comprise 12 wings.  
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the hooks of the top and bottom flanges extend one-eighth of an inch from a surface of the top and bottom flanges.  
     
     
         24 . A method of assembling a reel of a tape and reel device comprising: 
 attaching a first flange to a first end of a hub having a locking mechanism;    locking the first flange by rotating the first flange until the locking mechanism is engaged;    attaching a second flange to a second end of a hub having a locking mechanism; and    locking the second flange by rotating the second flange until the locking mechanism is engaged.    
     
     
         25 . The method as in  claim 23  wherein the top and bottom flanges comprise rotational lock holes.  
     
     
         26 . The method as in  claim 24  wherein the locking mechanism comprises a push button lock which engages when rotated into alignment with the rotational lock holes.  
     
     
         27 . A method of disassembling and preparing for shipment a device for transporting integrated circuits, the device including a hub having a series of wings disposed on the hub and having top and bottom flanges having hooks coupled with the series of grooves on the hub, the method comprising: 
 rotating the top flange and bottom flanges to disengage the hooks from the series of wings; and    stacking the top and bottom flanges for return in layers such that the hooks of each flange abuts through the stacking slot of another flange.