Media straightener, feeder and method

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a feeder that includes a receiver configured to receive a reel of carrier tape having media disposed thereon, a presentation location configured to present media from the reel for a subsequent picking process, a media straightener. The media straightener includes an inlet configured to receive the carrier tape and an outlet configured to expel the carrier tape to the presentation location. The media straightener includes a path located between the inlet and the outlet, the path including a first bend configured to permanently deform the media as the carrier tape moves through the first bend. Further disclosed is a media straightener and a method of straightening media.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A feeder comprising:
 a receiver configured to receive a reel of carrier tape having media disposed thereon;   a presentation location configured to present media from the reel for a subsequent picking process; and   a media straightener, wherein the media straightener includes an inlet configured to receive the carrier tape and an outlet configured to expel the carrier tape to the presentation location, wherein the media straightener includes a path located between the inlet and the outlet, the path including a first bend configured to permanently deform the media as the carrier tape moves through the first bend.   
     
     
         2 . The feeder of  claim 2 , wherein the receiver is configured to receive the reel of carrier tape such that the carrier tape rotates in a first circular direction when expelling the carrier tape from the receiver to the media straightener, and wherein the carrier tape is configured to curve through the first bend in a second circular direction that is opposite to the first circular direction. 
     
     
         3 . The feeder of  claim 1 , wherein the media straightener includes a top guide block and a bottom guide block, and wherein the path is located between the top guide block and the bottom guide block. 
     
     
         4 . The feeder of  claim 3 , wherein a width of the path is adjustable by moving the top guide block with respect to the bottom guide block. 
     
     
         5 . The feeder of  claim 1 , wherein the path of the media straightener includes a second bend, wherein the carrier tape is configured to curve through the second bend in the first circular direction, and wherein the path of the media straightener includes a third bend, wherein the carrier tape is configured to curve through the third bend in the second circular direction, 
     
     
         6 . The feeder of  claim 5 , wherein the first bend includes a smaller radius of curvature than the second bend. 
     
     
         7 . The feeder of  claim 3 , wherein the media straightener is located proximate a tape drive system, the tape drive system configured to pull the carrier tape through the media straightener. 
     
     
         8 . The feeder of  claim 5 , wherein the path of the media straightener includes a fourth bend, wherein the carrier tape is configured to curve through the fourth bend in the first circular direction, wherein the path of the media straightener includes a fifth bend, wherein the carrier tape is configured to curve through the fifth bend in the second circular direction. 
     
     
         9 . The feeder of  claim 1 , wherein the media straightener includes a plurality of wheels arranged to define the path such that the carrier tape moves above a first wheel and below a second wheel, and wherein the first wheel and the second wheel have different radii. 
     
     
         10 . A media straightener comprising:
 a top guide block;   a bottom guide block disposed below the top guide block, and wherein a path is located between the top guide block and the bottom guide block;   an inlet configured to receive a carrier tape having media disposed thereon;   an outlet configured to expel the carrier tape; and   an attachment interface for attaching the media straightener to a feeder of a pick and place process;   wherein the path includes a first bend configured to permanently deform the media as the carrier tape moves through the first bend.   
     
     
         11 . A method comprising:
 providing a pick and place feeder;   receiving a reel of carrier tape by the pick and place feeder, the carrier tape having media disposed thereon;   receiving the carrier tape from the reel by a media straightener;   moving the carrier tape through the media straightener;   straightening the media by the media straightener;   expelling the straightened media from the media straightener; and   presenting the straightened media for a subsequent picking process.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising permanently deforming the media during the moving the carrier tape through the media straightener. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the media straightener includes a first element and a second element and a path located between the first element and the second element, the method further comprising moving the carrier tape through a bend in the path. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising bending the media during the moving the carrier tape in an orientation that is opposite to a natural bend in the media as a result of being stored on the reel. 
     
     
         15 . The media of  claim 11 , further comprising picking the straightened media by a pick and place machine. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising adjusting the location of the first element with respect to the second element and increasing or decreasing a thickness of the path. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising pulling the tape through the media straightener with a tape drive system. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the media straightener includes a plurality of wheels arranged to define a path, the method further including moving the carrier tape above a first wheel and below a second wheel, and wherein the first wheel and the second wheel have different radii. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the media includes a curl resulting from being stored on the reel, the method further comprising uncurling the curl by the media straightener. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising removing the straightened media from the carrier tape prior to the presenting the straightened media for a subsequent picking process.