WO2009006393A2

WO2009006393A2 - Method and device for accessing a recess of a carrier tape

Info

Publication number: WO2009006393A2
Application number: PCT/US2008/068769
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shiow Shya Ling; Kam Poi Chia; Anthonius
Original assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
Priority date: 2007-07-03
Filing date: 2008-06-30
Publication date: 2009-01-08
Also published as: CN201345798Y; WO2009006393A3; TWM360848U

Abstract

A device for providing access to a recess of a carrier tape overlaid with a cover tape is described, the device comprising a body comprising a carrier tape receiving portion; and a separator coupled to the carrier tape receiving portion, moveable from a first position to a second position, wherein when the separator is in the first position, a carrier tape may be positioned in the carrier tape receiving portion, and when the separator is in the second position, it extends into the carrier tape receiving portion to an underside of the carrier tape. A method of providing access to a recess of a carrier tape overlaid with a cover tape is further described, the method comprising the steps of holding the carrier tape in place; and exerting a force on the carrier tape from beneath the recess with sufficient force to un-bond the cover tape from the carrier tape at the recess.

Description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ACCESSING A RECESS OF A CARRIER TAPE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method of accessing a recess of a carrier tape and a device for providing access to a recess of a carrier tape overlaid with a cover tape. BACKGROUND

In the field of electronic circuit assembly, electronic components are often carried from a supply of such components to a specific location on a circuit board for attachment thereto. The components may be of several different types, including surface mount components and through-hole components. Specifically, these components may include, but are not limited to such things as memory chips, resistors, connectors, dual in-line processors (DIPS), capacitors and gate arrays. These and other components are typically affixed to a circuit board that may later be incorporated into an electronic device.

Rather than manually affixing each individual electronic component to a circuit board, the electronics industry makes extensive use of robotic placement machines, sometimes known as "pick-and-place" machines, which grasp a component at a specific location (the supply) and place it at another specific location (the circuit board). To ensure the sustained operation of such robotic placement machines, a continuous supply of components must be furnished to the machine at a predetermined location in order that the robotic placement machine may be programmed to repeat a precise sequence of movements during every cycle. It is therefore important that each such component be located in the same position (i.e. the point at which the robotic placement machine grasps the component) as each preceding and succeeding component.

One way to provide a continuous supply of electronic components to a desired location is to load a series of such components into recesses (also referred to as pockets) that are spaced along a carrier tape. The loaded carrier tape, which is usually provided in roll form, may then be advanced towards the pick-up location at a predetermined rate as each succeeding component is removed from the tape by the robotic placement machine. Conventional transport tapes generally comprise a self-supporting lower portion having recess (carrier tape) that carries the component, and a flexible cover strip (otherwise referred to as cover tape) that holds components in the pockets and aids in preventing foreign matter from deleteriously affecting the component. The cover tape is typically bonded to the carrier tape, and is progressively peeled away from the carrier tape just before the robotic placement machine removes the component from the carrier tape. It is possible during the loading of the components into the recesses along the carrier tape that a component be damaged or that a component be placed in a wrong orientation such as the component being overturned upside-down. It is also possible that a defective component be accidentally loaded into a recess in the carrier tape during the loading process. If the damaged or defective component is not replaced with a working component before the placement process, the malfunctioned component will be subsequently affixed to a circuit board which is then incorporated into an electronic device. The malfunctioned component may later either cause the electronic device not to function or cause the performance of the electronic device to be compromised. If a misaligned component is not properly re-oriented before the placement process, similar consequences may be expected of the electronic device with the misaligned component.

Therefore, after the components are loaded into the recesses of the carrier tape, the cover tape is applied and the transport tape is then rolled onto a tape reel. There is a visual inspection step in the manufacturing process to quality assure that all components in the recesses are correctly placed and are functionally usable before they are used in the placement process. Depending on the components in question, there may be additional quality assurance steps in the manufacturing process to ensure that all components loaded in the recesses of the carrier tape are in working order before the roll of transport tape with the components is used for the placement process.

SUMMARY

It would be desirable to provide a device that can be used to facilitate the replacement of damaged or defective component or to facilitate the reorientation of the component in the carrier tape recesses without damaging the cover tape or adversely affecting the bond between the cover tape and the carrier tape.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a device for providing access to a recess of a carrier tape overlaid with a cover tape, comprising: a body comprising a carrier tape receiving portion; and a separator coupled to the carrier tape receiving portion, moveable from a first position to a second position, wherein when the separator is in the first position, a carrier tape may be positioned in the carrier tape receiving portion, and when the separator is in the second position, it extends into the carrier tape receiving portion to an underside of the carrier tape. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a device used for providing access to a recess of a carrier tape overlaid with a cover tape, comprising: a body comprising a carrier tape receiving portion, a ledge extending from the body configured to support the carrier tape in the carrier tape receiving portion and a protrusion extending from the body opposite the ledge; at least one holding device coupled to the protrusion moveable from a first position to a second position, wherein when the holding device is in the first position, it is remote from the carrier tape, and when the holding device is in the second position, it engages the carrier tape to limit its movement; a flap coupled to at least one side portion of the body via a coupling device wherein the coupling device allows the flap to move to a plurality of positions with respect to the body including a first position wherein the flap is alongside the protrusion in front of the body thereby further defining the carrier tape receiving portion between the protrusion and the flap, and a second position wherein the flap is away from the body thereby allowing the carrier tape to lie on the ledge; and a separator coupled to the body, the separator further coupled to an actuator, the actuator moveable from a first position to a second position, wherein when the actuator is in the first position, the separator is remote from an underside of the carrier tape, and when the actuator is in the second position, the separator extends into the carrier tape receiving portion to the underside of the carrier tape causing a component housed in a recess of the carrier tape to press against a cover tape of the carrier tape with sufficient force to cause the cover tape to un-bond from the carrier tape, thereby providing access to the recess. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing access to a recess of a carrier tape overlaid with a cover tape comprising the steps of: holding the carrier tape in place; and exerting a force on the carrier tape from beneath the recess with sufficient force to un-bond the cover tape from the carrier tape at the recess. The invention further includes any alternative combination of parts or features mentioned herein or shown in the accompanying drawings. Known equivalents of these parts or features which are not expressly set out are nevertheless deemed to be included. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An exemplary form of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure IA shows an example of a known carrier tape overlaid with a cover tape; Figure IB shows a top perspective view of a segment of cover tape as described in U.S. Patent Application 60/82194;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary device of the present invention with a carrier tape overlaid with a cover tape; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the exemplary device of the present invention with two flaps in an open position; Figure 4 A is a perspective view of the exemplary device of the present invention with a separator lowered beneath a platform by an actuator; Figure 4B is a perspective view of the exemplary device of the present invention with the separator raised above the platform by the actuator;

Figure 5 shows a diagrammatic representation of the cover tape un-bonded from the carrier tape as a result of the separator being raised above the platform by the actuator thereby extending to an underside of the carrier tape; Figure 6A shows an illustration the cover tape and the carrier tape bonded together before the separator is raised above the platform;

Figure 6B shows an illustration the cover tape un-bonded from the carrier tape when the separator is raised above the platform; and

Figure 7 is a perspective view of an alternate exemplary device of the present invention. While the above-identified drawing figures set forth several embodiments of the invention, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in the discussion. In all cases, this disclosure presents the invention by way of representation and not limitation. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art, which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of the invention. The figures may not be drawn to scale. Like reference numbers have been used throughout the figures to denote like parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Integrated circuits (ICs) are typically cut from a wafer and then subsequently assembled into a package that is mounted to a printed circuit board (PCB). A common technique for transporting ICs is to place them in flexible carrier tape pockets. The assembly further includes a cover tape that secures the ICs within the carrier tape. The transport tape (i.e. carrier tape with cover tape) is then rolled onto a reel that can be easily shipped and stored. Similarly, semiconductor devices are often placed into continuous strips or reels of device carrier tape having recesses therein for holding the devices in a predefined orientation. A thin cover tape seals the devices in the recesses in the carrier tape during shipping and prior to removing the devices when reels of such devices are used in automated production lines where the devices have to be removed for testing or mounting on a PCB. U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,136 discloses a tape and reel machine for placing semiconductor devices in the recesses of a carrier tape and then sealed with a cover tape.

Figure IA shows a typical carrier tape for ICs and semiconductor devices (hereinafter collectively referred to as components 340). Carrier tape 300 has a series of sprocket holes 330 on both sides of the carrier tape 300 which are used to advance the carrier tape 300 through an automated reel-to-reel process. In some cases, there may be sprocket holes 330 on only one side of the carrier tape 300. Also on the carrier tape 300 are a plurality of recesses 320 into which the components 340 are placed. After placement, a cover tape 310 is bonded along its side edges 350 to carrier tape 300 on each side of recesses 320. The present invention is useful with any suitable component in the recess, and is not limited to the exemplary components discussed herein.

It is common in the industry that the cover tape 310 be bonded to the carrier tape 300 by an adhesive. Types of bond adhesive 420 used may include but not limited to heat activated adhesive (HAA), pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), etc. Another type of bonding and another type of cover tape used for this purpose are disclosed in U.S. Pub. 2007/0062844, U.S. Pub. 2007/0062845, U.S. Pub. 2007/0062166 and U.S. Patent Application 60/82194 which are all incorporated into this application by reference. In at least one embodiment as illustrated in Figure IB, the cover tape 310 includes a score line 360 along each side that allows the centre portion 370 of the cover tape 310 to be separated and removed from the bonding portion 380 of the cover tape 310 bonded to the carrier tape 300 by bond adhesive 420. The score line 360 extends partially through the thickness of the cover tape 310 to provide a line of weakness along which a tear can be propagated.

The cover tape 310 may optionally include tear initiation features 390 along its outer edges that aid in initiating a tear and directing it towards the score line 360. The tear-initiation features 390 extend inwardly from side edge 350 and are situated at intermittent locations along the longitudinal axis of cover tape 310. The tear-initiation features 390 are typically slits extending from the top surface 400 toward, and typically through, the bottom surface 410 of cover tape 310.

The tear-initiation features 390 may be of any suitable shape such as curved, arcuate, and linear. The tear-initiation features 390 allow the centre portion 370 of cover tape 310 to be readily peeled from the bonding portions 380 of cover tape 310 bonded to carrier tape 300 without requiring an excessive amount of removal force. When cover tape 310 is initially peeled away from carrier tape 300, the bonding portion of cover tape 310 bonded to carrier tape 300 delaminates from carrier tape 300 until the peel intersects a tear-initiation feature 390. At this point, cover tape 310 starts to tear along the tear- initiation feature 390 and towards the center of cover tape 310. The tear continues until it runs into score line 360, which then provides the direction along which cover tape 310 will tear continually.

Score lines 360 are typically formed in the bottom surface 410 of cover tape 310. Score lines 360 are disposed laterally adjacent to side edges 350 and extend along the longitudinal axis of cover tape 310. Score lines 360 are typically disposed laterally inward relative to the bonding portion 380 of cover tape 310 bonded to carrier tape 300. As a result, when the tear of cover tape 310 reaches score lines 360, the force required to peel the center portion 370 of cover tape 310 only needs to exceed the tear force of score lines 360. Once the tear travels along score lines 360, the strength of the adhesive bond between the cover tape 310 and carrier tape 300 no longer directly affects the required peel force.

The tear-initiation features 390 typically extend from side edge 350 into, but not beyond, the bonding portions 380 of cover tape 310 that are bonded to carrier tape 300. This keeps cover tape 310 anchored to carrier tape 300 and reduces the risk of cover tape 310 accidentally peeling at a premature point in time (e.g., during accessing recesses 320, as described herein and during storage, transportation, or repair). The tear-initiation features 390 also do not intersect score lines 360 to further preserve the structural integrity of cover tape 310.

Depending on the type of components involved, the method of inspection, the type of equipment used and the level of automation in the component inspection process may differ. In some cases, elaborate process flow and extensive machineries are used to quality assure the components before shipping. U.S. Pat. No. 5,974,903 discloses an inspection station that is used to inspect an IC which is contained within a carrier tape and covered with a cover tape. It also discloses a de-taper mechanism which removes the cover tape before the IC is moved beneath the microscope, and a taper mechanism that reapplies the cover tape back onto the IC. Removing the cover tape provides an unobstructed view of the IC as well as it allows the operator to replace defective ICs on the carrier tape. PCT Pub. No. WO 02/054848 discloses a method and apparatus for the removal of electronic components from a carrier tape.

In other cases, the components in the recesses of the carrier tape may be inspected manually by human operators and the defective component be removed and replaced or the component be realigned in the recess of the carrier tape manually. Traditionally, the manual removal of the component 340 is done by first carefully un-bonding the cover tape 310 and the carrier tape 300 at the side edge 350 of the cover tape 310 using a sharp device such as a pair of pincers to create an access to the recess 320 of the carrier tape 300. Once the recess 320 carrying the component 340 to be replaced or realigned is exposed, the operator may use a device such as a pair of tweezers or vacuum nozzles to access the component 340 within.

Once the component 340 is replaced or realigned, the operator will then try to re- bond the cover tape 310 and the carrier tape 300 using the bond adhesive 420 remaining at the interface of the two tapes with either heat or pressure depending on the type of adhesive used to bond the two tapes initially. It is important to regain a high level of the initial bond strength in this step as the component 340 may fall out of the carrier tape recess 320 if there are crevices or external environmental elements such as water moisture may enter the recess 320 through the leaks in the adhesive bond and damage the component 340 during shipment if the cover tape 310 is not re -bonded adequately to the carrier tape 300.

For the traditional method of un-bonding the cover tape 310 and the carrier tape 300 at the side edge 350 with a sharp device such as a pair of pincers, there is a tendency to adversely damage the bond adhesive 420 between the cover tape 310 and the carrier tape 300 and a substantial amount of bond adhesive 420 may adhere to the sharp device after the component 340 is replaced or realigned. This lowers the success rate of the re- bonding process after the component 340 is replaced or realigned.

In the case where the cover tape 310 includes score lines 360 or tear initiation features 390, the traditional method of un-bonding the cover tape 310 and the carrier tape

300 at the side edge 350 with a sharp device may cause the centre portion 370 of the cover tape 310 to be separated from the bonding portion 380 of the cover tape 310 resulting in a permanent access to a recess 320 of the carrier tape 300. A permanent access to the recess 320 of the carrier tape 300 may also happen if the traditional method of un-bonding the cover tape 310 and the carrier tape 300 is used on a cover tape 310 with both score lines 360 and tear initiation features 390. From hereafter, a citation of 'score lines or tear initiation features' will include both the situation where there includes either score lines or tear initiation features and the situation where there includes both score lines and tear initiation features. In light of the discussion above, numerous advantages and benefits of the present invention should be recognized. One advantage of the device and method according to the present invention is that it does not require very expensive machineries or sophisticated equipment setup. Another advantage of the device and method according to the present invention is that it minimizes the damage to the bond adhesive and the amount of bond adhesive removed from the side edge where the access is created. This allows a better wet-out of the bond adhesive during the re -bonding process. This device and method is also suitable for use with cover tapes with score lines or tear initiation features. With reference to Figures 2, 3, 4A, 4B, 5, 6A and 6B, an exemplary device 100 of the present invention comprises a body 1000 comprising a carrier tape receiving portion and a separator 1134 coupled to the carrier tape receiving portion wherein the separator 1134 is moveable from a first position to a second position. When the separator 1134 is in the first position, a carrier tape 300 may be positioned in the carrier tape receiving portion and when the separator 1134 is in the second position, it extends into the carrier tape receiving portion to an underside of the carrier tape 300. The extension of the separator 1134 to the underside of the carrier tape 300 causes a component 340 housed in a recess 320 of the carrier tape 300 to press against a cover tape 310 of the carrier tape 300 with sufficient force 2000 to cause the cover tape 310 to un-bond from the carrier tape 300, thereby providing access to the recess 320. In the case of a cover tape with score lines 360 or tear initiation features 390, the force 2000 is insufficient to cause the centre portion 370 of the cover tape 310 to be separated from the bonding portion 380 of the cover tape 310 resulting in a permanent access to a recess 320 of the carrier tape 300. In one embodiment of the present invention, the body 1000 further comprises a ledge 1110 extending from the body 1000 configured to support the carrier tape 300 in the carrier tape receiving portion and a protrusion 1120 extending from the body 1000 opposite the ledge 1110. The protrusion 1120 may be used to limit the lateral movement of the carrier tape 300 when it is placed in the carrier tape receiving portion. The amount of extension of the protrusion 1120 from the body 1000 may differ according to the width of the carrier tape 300 to be used. The protrusion 1120 is preferred to extend further from the body 1000 if the width of the carrier tape 300 is broad.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the device 100 further comprises at least one holding device coupled to the protrusion 1120 moveable from a first position to a second position, wherein when the holding device is in the first position, it is remote from the carrier tape 300, and when the holding device is in the second position, it engages the carrier tape 300 to limit its movement. The holding device may be any device moveable from a first position to a second position, wherein when it is in the first position, it is remote from the carrier tape 300, and when it is in the second position, it engages the carrier tape 300 to limit its movement.

In one embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in Figure 2, the holding device may be a holding pin 1300 in a tunnel 1122 in the protrusion 1120. The tunnel 1122 extends from the top of the protrusion 1120 through the protrusion 1120 to the edge of the protrusion 1120 where the protrusion 1120 is in close proximity to the ledge 1110. When the holding pin 1300 is in a first position, it is remote from the carrier tape 300. When the holding pin 1300 is in a second position, it engages the carrier tape 300 at a sprocket hole 330 thereby limiting the carrier tape movement. The protrusion 1120 may have more than one tunnel 1122 and the tunnels 1122 may have different inner diameters to accommodate a plurality of holding pins 1300 with different outer diameters for engaging different types of carrier tape 300 with different sprocket hole 330 sizes.

In another embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in Figure 7, the holding device may be a holding arm 1310 coupled to the protrusion 1120 via a coupling device such as but not limited to a screw. When the holding arm 1310 is in a first position, it is remote from the carrier tape 300. When the holding arm 1310 is in a second position, it engages the carrier tape 300 limiting the carrier tape movement. The device 100 may have more than one or more than one type of holding devices coupled to the protrusion 1120.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the device 100 further comprises a flap 1210 coupled to at least one side portion 1200 of the body 1000. Preferably, there is one flap 1210 coupled to each side portion 1200 of the body 1000. The flap 1210 may be coupled to the body 1000 via a coupling device 1212 such as but not limited to a hinge. The coupling device 1212 allows the flap 1210 to move to a plurality of positions with respect to the body 1000 including a first position wherein the flap 1210 is alongside the protrusion 1120 in front of the body 1000 thereby further defining the carrier tape receiving portion between the protrusion 1120 and the flap 1210, and a second position wherein the flap 1210 is away from the body 1000 thereby allowing the carrier tape 300 to lie on the ledge 1110. Referring to Figure 2, the flap 1210 is in the first position while in

Figure 3, the flap 1210 is in the second position. Preferably, the protrusion 1120 has a first side that is curved and wherein the flap 1210 further comprises a first side facing the protrusion 1120 with a complementary contour of the curved side of the protrusion 1120 such that the carrier tape receiving portion is curved when the flap 1210 is in the first position.

The depth of the recess in the carrier tape may vary depending on the type and size of the component placed in the recess. In another embodiment of the present invention, the ledge 1110 on the device 100 further comprises a first portion nearer the body 1114 and a second portion further from the body 1116 wherein the first portion nearer the body 1114 is configured to engage with a side portion of the carrier tape 300 and the second portion further from the body 1116 is configured to engage with the recess 320 of the carrier tape 300.

Preferably, the first portion nearer the body 1114 is at a higher elevation than the second portion further from the body 1116. The difference in elevation between the first portion nearer the body 1114 and the second portion further from the body 1116 may be determined by the depth of the recess 320. By having the first portion nearer the body 1114 and the second portion further from the body 1116 at a different elevation which corresponds to the depth of the recess 320, the cover tape 310 and the carrier tape 300 can be laid flat on the ledge 1110 during the re-bond process. For pressure sensitive bond adhesive, the adhesive has a better chance of getting a good wet-out if the tapes can be laid flat. Alternatively, the device 100 may further comprise a platform 1130 coupled to the body 1000 alongside the ledge 1110. The platform 1130 may be coupled by devices such as but not limited to adhesive, screws and mechanical fasteners such 3M DUAL LOCK Reclosable Fasteners available from 3M Company, St Paul Minnesota. In Figure 3, the platform 1130 is coupled to the body 1000 by screws. Preferably the position of the platform 1130 relative to the ledge 1110 is adjustable to accommodate the different recess depths of different carrier tapes.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the device 100 further comprises an actuator 1132 coupled to the separator 1134 moveable from a first position to a second position as illustrated in Figures 4A and 4B. When the actuator 1132 is in the first position as shown in Figure 4A, the separator 1134 is remote from an underside of the carrier tape 300 as shown in Figure 6A. When the actuator 1132 is in the second position as shown in Figure 4B, the separator 1134 extends into the carrier tape receiving portion to the underside of the carrier tape 300 as shown in Figure 6B. Preferably, the separator 1134 is a pin coupled to the platform 1130. In the illustrated embodiment, the separator 1134 is biased, such as with a spring, to be in its first position. The actuator 1132 may comprise a cam or a wide portion. The cam allows the separator 1134 to rest in its first position when the actuator 1132 is in its first position. Moving the actuator 1132 to its second position engages the cam or wide portion of the actuator 1132 into the separator 1134 thereby forcing the separator 1134 into its second position.

Figures 6A and 6B show a diagrammatic representation of an exemplary method to provide access to a recess 320. To provide access to the recess 320 of the carrier tape 300, the carrier tape 300 is first held in place either manually or by device before a force 2000 is exerted on the carrier tape 300 from beneath the recess 320. The cover tape 310 un- bonds from the carrier tape 300 at the recess 320 if the force 2000 is sufficient. The un- bonding occurs at the side edge 350 of the cover tape 310 resulting in an access to a recess 320 between the cover tape 310 and the carrier tape 300.

Preferably, the force 2000 is exerted via the component 340 in the recess 320. With sufficient force 2000, the component 340 urges against the cover tape 310 thereby un-bonding the cover tape 310 from the carrier tape 300. Preferably, the force 2000 is transmitted by a separator 1134. It is common in the industry that the carrier tape 300 has a through-hole 325 at the bottom of a recess 320. The separator 1134 may then pass through the through-hole 325 in the recess 320 when it is in its second position thereby transmitting the force 2000 to the component 340 which then urges against the cover tape 310 to un-bond the cover tape 310 from the carrier tape 300. Depending on the physical dimensions of the recess, it is possible to achieve similar results even if there is no through-hole 325 at the bottom of a recess 320. This method is also suitable for use on a carrier tape 300 which has score lines 350 or tear initiation features 390. Although the force 2000 is sufficient to un-bond the cover tape 310 from the carrier tape 300, it may not be sufficient to cause the centre portion 370 of the cover tape 310 to be separated from the bonding portion 380 of the cover tape 310 resulting in a permanent access to a recess 320 of the carrier tape 300.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the body 1000 of the device 100 may be made using a material that is intrinsically electrically conductive or static dissipative such as but not limited to POMALUX SD-A Acetal Copolymer available from Westlake Plastics Company, Pennsylvania. The electrically conductive material allows an electric charge to dissipate throughout the device and preferably to the ground. This feature may prevent damage to the components contained within the recesses of the carrier tape due to an electric charge. The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, since many modifications or variations thereof are possible in light of the above teaching. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention. The embodiments described herein were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated thereof. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto, when interpreted in accordance with the full breadth to which they are legally and equitably suited.

Claims

1. A device to provide access to a recess of a carrier tape overlaid with a cover tape, comprising: a body comprising a carrier tape receiving portion; and a separator coupled to the carrier tape receiving portion, moveable from a first position to a second position, wherein when the separator is in the first position, a carrier tape may be positioned in the carrier tape receiving portion, and when the separator is in the second position, it extends into the carrier tape receiving portion to an underside of the carrier tape.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein when the separator is in the second position, it causes a component housed in a recess of the carrier tape to press against a cover tape of the carrier tape with sufficient force to cause the cover tape to un-bond from the carrier tape, thereby providing access to the recess.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the separator comprises a pin.

4. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the body further comprises: a ledge extending from the body configured to support the carrier tape in the carrier tape receiving portion; and a protrusion extending from the body opposite the ledge.

5. The device as claimed in claim 4 further comprising at least one holding device coupled to the protrusion moveable from a first position to a second position, wherein when the holding device is in the first position, it is remote from the carrier tape, and when the holding device is in the second position, it engages the carrier tape to limit its movement.

6. The device as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the protrusion includes at least one tunnel which extends through the protrusion to the edge of the protrusion where the protrusion is in close proximity to the ledge, and a holding pin in the tunnel in the protrusion.

7. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 further comprising an actuator coupled to the separator moveable from a first position to a second position, wherein when the actuator is in the first position, the separator is remote from an underside of the carrier tape, and when the actuator is in the second position, the separator extends into the carrier tape receiving portion to the underside of the carrier tape.

8. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 further comprising a flap coupled to at least one side portion of the body via a coupling device wherein the coupling device allows the flap to move to a plurality of positions with respect to the body including a first position wherein the flap is alongside the protrusion in front of the body thereby further defining the carrier tape receiving portion between the protrusion and the flap, and a second position wherein the flap is away from the body thereby allowing the carrier tape to lie on the ledge.

9. The device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the protrusion has a first side that is curved and wherein the flap further comprises a first side facing the protrusion with a complementary contour of the curved side of the protrusion such that the carrier tape receiving portion is curved when the flap is in the first position.

10. The device as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 9 wherein the ledge further comprises a first portion nearer the body and a second portion further from the body wherein the first portion nearer the body is configured to engage with a side portion of the carrier tape and the second portion further from the body is configured to engage with a recess of the carrier tape.

11. The device as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 9 further comprising a platform coupled to the body alongside the ledge wherein the position of the platform relative to the ledge is adjustable to accommodate carrier tape recesses of different depths.

12. A device to provide access to a recess of a carrier tape overlaid with a cover tape, comprising: a body comprising a carrier tape receiving portion, a ledge extending from the body configured to support the carrier tape in the carrier tape receiving portion and a protrusion extending from the body opposite the ledge; at least one holding device coupled to the protrusion moveable from a first position to a second position, wherein when the holding device is in the first position, it is remote from the carrier tape, and when the holding device is in the second position, it engages the carrier tape to limit its movement; a flap coupled to at least one side portion of the body via a coupling device wherein the coupling device allows the flap to move to a plurality of positions with respect to the body including a first position wherein the flap is alongside the protrusion in front of the body thereby further defining the carrier tape receiving portion between the protrusion and the flap, and a second position wherein the flap is away from the body thereby allowing the carrier tape to lie on the ledge; and a separator coupled to the body, the separator further coupled to an actuator, the actuator moveable from a first position to a second position, wherein when the actuator is in the first position, the separator is remote from an underside of the carrier tape, and when the actuator is in the second position, the separator extends into the carrier tape receiving portion to the underside of the carrier tape causing a component housed in a recess of the carrier tape to press against a cover tape of the carrier tape with sufficient force to cause the cover tape to un-bond from the carrier tape, thereby providing access to the recess.

13. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the body comprises of anti-static material.

14. A method of providing access to a recess of a carrier tape overlaid with a cover tape comprising the steps of: holding the carrier tape in place; and exerting a force on the carrier tape from beneath the recess with sufficient force to un-bond the cover tape from the carrier tape at the recess.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the exerting step further comprises exerting the force via a component in the recess, and thereby urging the component against the cover tape to un-bond the cover tape from the carrier tape.