High density tray

Abstract

An apparatus that handles a high density of HDA components, integrated circuits or disk-shaped objects is disclosed. The components are stored in at least two different horizontal planes of the tray

1 . An apparatus for holding a plurality of disks, comprising: 
 a first array of protrusions in a first plane, wherein said disks can be placed in said first plane by positioning a portion of said protrusions through a central opening in each disk;    a second array of protrusions in a second plane, wherein said second plane is at a different height than said first plane, wherein said disks can be placed in said second plane by positioning a portion of said protrusions through a central opening in each disk; and    wherein said second array of protrusions are laterally offset from said first array of protrusions by a distance less than the diameter of the disks but greater than the radius of said disks, and wherein said first plane is separated from said second plane by a distance greater than the thickness of said disks.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the components comprise disks, disk clamps, or spacers.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a stackable tray.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said tray is formed from an insulating, static dissipating or electrically conductive material.  
   
   
       5 . An apparatus for holding electronic components comprising: 
 a) a matrix of horizontal and vertical ribs that connect at an intersection;    b) a serpentine rib that is located between pairs of vertical ribs along the longitudinal axis of the matrix;    c) a first array of protrusions in a first plane on the intersection upon which a first component can be placed; and    d) a second array of protrusions in a second plane at a different height than said first plane, said protrusion on a serpentine rib, wherein a second component can be placed on said protrusion.    
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said second array of protrusions are laterally offset from said first array of protrusions by a distance less than the diameter of the disks but greater than the radius of said disks, and wherein said first plane is separated from said second plane by a distance greater than the thickness of said disks.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the components comprise disks, disk clamps, or spacers.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the apparatus comprises a stackable tray.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the tray is formed from an insulating, static dissipating or electrically conductive material.  
   
   
       10 . An apparatus for holding components comprising: 
 a) a tray having a matrix of cells formed by intersecting ribs;    b) angled ribs located in predetermined cells; and    c) stand-offs attached to a portion of the angled ribs; wherein a plurality of notches on the stand-offs hold components in more than one horizontal plane on the tray, wherein each plane is of a different height than any other plane.    
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the components comprise integrated circuits.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising locating markers on a portion of the intersecting ribs to indicate where components may be placed within each plane of the tray.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said tray is formed from an insulating, static dissipating or electrically conductive material.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said tray is stackable.