Carrier tape

Abstract

A carrier tape for transporting electronic components having a linearly displaceable continuous web and a plurality of pocket structures connected to the continuous web. The pocket structures are adapted to receive the electronic components. Each of the plurality of pocket structures defines an opening to enable passage of the electronic component into the pocket structure. Each of the pocket structures define at least one tab that is adapted to retain an electronic component in the pocket structure without a closure member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A carrier tape for transporting electronic components comprising:
 a continuous web;   a plurality of pocket structures connected to said continuous web and adapted to receive at least one of the electronic components, each of said plurality of pocket structures defining an opening adapted to enable passage of said at least one electronic component into said pocket structure, each of said plurality of pocket structures defining at least one tab adapted to retain said at least one electronic component in said pocket structure without a closure member.   
     
     
         2 . The carrier tape of  claim 1 , said at least one tab comprising a flexible cantilever member having a fixed end and a free end, said free end being positioned in said opening. 
     
     
         3 . The carrier tape of  claim 2 , said flexible cantilever member comprising a recess portion in said free end adapted to engage at least one surface of the at least one electronic component. 
     
     
         4 . The carrier tape of  claim 1 , said at least one tab associated with each of said plurality of pocket structures comprising a plurality of tabs. 
     
     
         5 . The carrier tape of  claim 1 , said linearly displaceable continuous web comprising:
 a first edge portion;   a first plurality of sprocket holes positioned along said first edge portion;   a second edge portion parallel to said first edge portion; and   a second plurality of sprocket holes positioned along said second edge portion.   
     
     
         6 . The carrier tape of  claim 1 ; said at least one tab comprising at least one pair of opposed tabs; said carrier tape having a plurality of operating modes comprising:
 an open operating mode in which said opposed tabs are positioned relatively widely spaced apart; and   a closed operating mode in which said opposed tabs are positioned relatively close together.   
     
     
         7 . The carrier tape of  claim 1 , said plurality of pocket structures connected to said continuous web being integrally formed with said continuous web. 
     
     
         8 . A packaging system for electronic components comprising:
 a carrier tape comprising:
 a continuous web having first and second longitudinally extending edge portions; 
 a plurality of pocket structures positioned between said longitudinally extending edge portions and each having a pocket structure opening and a plurality of tabs arranged around said pocket structure opening; and 
   a web displacement assembly comprising first and second displacement structures engaged with said first and second longitudinally extending edge portions of said continuous web, respectively, wherein said web displacement assembly comprises a first portion wherein said first and second displacement structures are positioned in relatively close relationship and a second portion wherein said first and second displacement structures are positioned in relatively widely spaced apart relationship.   
     
     
         9 . The packaging system of  claim 8  further comprising a pick-and-place machine located proximate said web displacement assembly and adapted to pick up electronic components and to deposit them in said plurality of pockets. 
     
     
         10 . The packaging system of  claim 8  further comprising a pick-and-place machine located proximate said web displacement assembly and adapted to pick up and remove electronic components positioned in said plurality of pockets. 
     
     
         11 . The packaging system of  claim 8 :
 wherein said continuous web comprised a first and second plurality of sprocket holes positioned along said first and second edge portions of said continuous web, respectively; and   wherein said a web displacement assembly comprising a first and second plurality of sprocket studs engaged with said first and second plurality of sprocket holes, respectively.   
     
     
         12 . The packaging system of  claim 8  wherein said plurality of tabs engage each electronic component that is received in a pocket structure. 
     
     
         13 . The packaging system of  claim 8 , further comprising a tape reel adapted to wind said continuous web therearound. 
     
     
         14 . A packaging assembly comprising a carrier tape having a plurality of pocket structures, each having a pocket structure opening, and a plurality of tabs arranged around each said pocket structure opening. 
     
     
         15 . The packaging assembly of  claim 14  further comprising a plurality of electronic components positioned inside corresponding ones of said plurality of pocket structures, each component in a corresponding one of said pocket structures being engaged by said plurality of tabs arranged around said pocket structure. 
     
     
         16 . The packaging assembly of  claim 15  said plurality of tabs comprising at least two oppositely positioned tabs at each of said pocket structures openings, each tab comprising a cutout portion having a first surface and a second surface extending transversely to said first surface, said first and second surfaces of said cutout portion engaging corresponding transversely positioned surfaces of said electronic component. 
     
     
         17 . The packaging assembly of  claim 16 , each of said pocket structures comprising a bottom wall, wherein said electronic component in each of said pocket structures is engaged by said bottom wall. 
     
     
         18 . The packaging assembly of  claim 14  wherein said carrier tape comprises a relatively flat web portion having a first surface and an opposite second surface, said plurality of pocket structures extending outwardly from second surface. 
     
     
         19 . The packaging assembly of  claim 18 ; said plurality of tabs extending into corresponding ones of said openings at positions substantially coplanar with said web portion. 
     
     
         20 . The packaging assembly of  claim 19  further comprising a reel around which said carrier tape is wound; said plurality of pocket structures being prevented from nesting in one another by said plurality of tabs.