Component bearing strips

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a device for packaging and conveying components that uses a heat-formed bearing strip provided with cells. The cells preferably all have the same standard size, and the components are maintained in place in the cells using a filler material that can be configured at will. The disclosure also relates to a component supply device including such a device, and to a method for implementing such a device.

1 . A device for packaging and conveying components, the device comprising a heat-formed bearing strip provided with cells, each one being so configured as to receive at least one component, each cell being filled with a reversibly deformable filler material which defines a print corresponding to the shape of the component contained in the cell. 
     
     
         2 . A device for packaging and conveying components according to  claim 1 , wherein all of the cells have the same dimensions, such dimensions being greater than the dimensions of the biggest component contained in the conveying device. 
     
     
         3 . A device for packaging and conveying components according to  claim 1 , wherein the filler material is heat-deformable. 
     
     
         4 . A device for packaging and conveying components according to  claim 3 , wherein the filler material is deformable at a temperature between 40 and 70°. 
     
     
         5 . A device for packaging and conveying components according to  claim 3 , wherein the prints are liable to be erased by melting the filler material. 
     
     
         6 . A device for packaging and conveying components according to  claim 3 , wherein the filler material is polycaprolactone. 
     
     
         7 . A device for packaging and conveying components according to  claim 1 , wherein the filler material is stiff at room temperature. 
     
     
         8 . A component supply device comprising a device for packaging and conveying components according to  claim 1 , and a device making it possible to feed the bearing strip at a selected rate. 
     
     
         9 . A component supply device according to  claim 8 , wherein the bearing strip includes identifying elements making it possible to spot the position of a special component in the bearing strip, with the supply device including a device for reading such identifying elements. 
     
     
         10 . A method for packaging and conveying components, the method comprising:
 using a bearing strip provided with cells, each one being so configured as to receive at least one component;   filling each cell with a reversibly deformable material which includes at least one print, the profile of which corresponds to the shape of the components to be conveyed in such cell; and   placing a component in each print.   
     
     
         11 . A method for packaging and conveying components according to  claim 10 , wherein the material is heat-deformable, and the cell filling step includes:
 injecting the deformable material in a liquid shape into each cell at a temperature above room temperature;   leaving the deformable material to harden at room temperature; and   obtaining the print of the component in the deformable material by local melting.   
     
     
         12 . A method for packaging and conveying components according to  claim 10 , further comprising winding up the bearing strip, thus sealing the cells.