WO2018157280A1

WO2018157280A1 - Carrier tape for electronic components

Info

Publication number: WO2018157280A1
Application number: PCT/CN2017/075143
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kuangyu CHEN; Zheng Liu; Cheng Lee
Original assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
Priority date: 2017-02-28
Filing date: 2017-02-28
Publication date: 2018-09-07
Also published as: CN110325457B; PH12019501960A1; TWI757436B; TW201840457A; CN110325457A; PH12019501960B1

Abstract

A flexible carrier tape for transporting a plurality of pre-determined components includes a flexible substrate extending along a longitudinal axis of the carrier tape. Spaced apart pockets are disposed along the longitudinal axis of the flexible substrate. Each pocket is configured to receive and store a component. Each pocket is substantially surrounded by a corresponding channel, forming a bridge between the pocket and the channel. When a first pocket of a first carrier tape receives and stores a component and a second pocket of a second carrier tape is placed on and centered with respect to the first pocket so that the bottom wall of the second pocket faces the component in the first pocket, the channel associated with the second pocket reduces contact between the bottom wall of the second pocket and the component stored in the first pocket.

Description

CARRIER TAPE FOR ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to carrier tapes useful for electronic component packaging applications.

BACKGROUND

As electronic equipment is miniaturized， the storage， handling， and transport of electronic components become more important. Generally， the electronic components are transported to an assembly location in a carrier tape that has a plurality of pockets formed therein to hold the electronic components. The carrier tape may be covered by a cover tape or film. Carrier tapes are often manufactured in a thermos-forming or embossing operation in which a web of thermoplastic polymer is delivered to a mold that forms the component pockets in the carrier tape. A cover film can be heat sealed continuously along the edges of the carrier tape to seal the electronic components within the pockets of the carrier tape.

The electronic components are mounted onto a printed circuit board (PCB) or other substrate during assembly of electronic equipment or sub-assemblies that will be used later to build electronic equipment. The cover film is removed from the carrier tape during this assembly process to expose the electronic components residing within the pockets of the carrier tape. The component is typically lifted from a pocket by automatic precision placement machines and mounted to the PCB or substrate being assembled.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to some embodiments， a flexible carrier tape for transporting a plurality of pre-determined components includes a flexible substrate extending along a longitudinal axis of the carrier tape. A plurality of spaced apart pockets are formed in the flexible substrate along the longitudinal axis of the carrier tape， each pocket configured to receive and store a pre-determined component and comprising a bottom wall lower than the substrate. At least one channel is formed in the flexible substrate and substantially surrounds a corresponding pocket in the plurality of pockets. The channel has a bottom wall lower than the bottom wall of the pocket. The channel and the pocket define a bridge therebetween that is substantially coextensive with the at least one channel. A top surface of the bridge is higher than a top surface of the substrate. When a first pocket in the plurality of pockets receives and stores a pre-determined component and the pocket corresponding to the at least one channel is centered with respect to and placed on the first pocket with the bottom wall of the pocket facing the component， the channel reduces contact between the bottom wall of the corresponding pocket and the component stored in the first pocket.

Some embodiments are directed to a flexible cartier tape for transporting a plurality of pre-determined components. The carrier tape includes a flexible substrate extending along a longitudinal axis of the carrier tape. A plurality of spaced apart pockets is formed in the flexible substrate along the longitudinal axis of the carrier tape. Each pocket has a main pocket configured to receive and store a pre-determined component. Each pocket has an auxiliary pocket surrounding the main pocket. The main and auxiliary pockets define openings on the same side of the substrate and are isolated from each other by a bridge defined therebetween. When the main pocket receives and stores a pre-determined component the bridge prevents the component from moving into the auxiliary pocket.

These and other aspects of the present application will be apparent from the detailed description below. In no event， however， should the above summaries be construed as limitations on the claimed subject matter， which subject matter is defined solely by the attached claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flexible carrier tape in accordance with some embodiments；

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the flexible carrier tape of FIG. 1 taken along the longitudinal axis of the flexible carrier tape；

FIG. 3 shows a first carrier tape stacked on a second carrier tape in accordance with some embodiments；

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a carrier tape and cover tape in accordance with some embodiments； and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the carrier tape and cover tape of FIG. 5 taken along the longitudinal axis of the carrier tape.

The figures are not necessarily to scale. Like numbers used in the figures refer to like components. However， it will be understood that the use of a number to refer to a component in a given figure is not intended to limit the component in another figure labeled with the same number.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

As semiconductor and/or other electronic components become smaller and thinner， the electronic components can migrate out of the pocket of a carrier tape during shipping and handling， especially when traveling through pick and place machines. In scenarios where electronic components are disposed in a carrier tape and covered by a cover tape and/or a second carrier tape， it can be problematic when the electronic components in the carrier tape stick to the cover tape or to the bottom of the second carrier tape. Embodiments described herein address these and other challenges with regard to electronic components disposed in carrier tapes.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flexible carrier tape 100 in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the flexible carrier tape 100 taken along the longitudinal axis 102 of the flexible carrier tape 100.

The flexible carrier tape 100 is configured to transport a plurality of pre-determined components 101. The flexible carrier tape 100 includes a flexible substrate 110 extending along the longitudinal axis 102 of the carrier tape 100. A row 150 of pockets 120 are formed in the flexible substrate 110. The pockets 120 of the plurality of pockets are spaced apart along the longitudinal axis 102 of the carrier tape 100. Each pocket 120 may be configured to receive and store a pre-determined component 101. Each pocket 120 includes a bottom wall 121 that is lower than the top surface 111 of the substrate 110.

At least one channel 130 is formed in the flexible substrate 110 and substantially surrounds a corresponding pocket 120a. The channel 130 includes a bottom wall 131 that is lower than the bottom wall 121 of the pocket 120a when the carrier tape 100 is oriented as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. According to some embodiments， the at least one channel 130 comprises a plurality of channels formed in the flexible substrate 110， each channel 130 substantially surrounding a corresponding pocket 120 in the plurality of pockets.

In a cross-section of the at least one channel 130 in a plane parallel or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 102 of the carrier tape 100， an opening top 132 of the channel 130 has a width Wl and the bottom wall 121 of the channel 130 has a width W2. According to some embodiments， W2 is greater than W1. According to some embodiments， the channel 130 may be so shaped and dimensioned so as to not be able to receive and store the component 101.

The channel 130 and the pocket 120 define a bridge 140 therebetween. The bridge 140 may be partially， substantially or completely coextensive with the channel 130. According to some embodiments， the at least one channel 130 completely surrounds the pocket 120 corresponding to the at least one channel 130. In some implementations， the top surface 141 of the bridge 140 is higher than the top surface 111 of the substrate 110. The top surface 141 of the bridge 140 may be substantially planar or may have a curved cross-section in a plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 142 of the bridge 140.

Referring now to FIG. 1， according to some aspects， the channel 130 forms an auxiliary pocket surrounding the main pocket 120. The main 120 and auxiliary 130 pockets define

openings

122， 132 on the same side of the substrate 110. The main 120 and auxiliary 130 pockets are separated or isolated from each other by a bridge 140 defined therebetween. Referring now to the cross sectional diagram of FIG. 2， when the main pocket 120a receives and stores a pre-determined component 101 the bridge 140 prevents the component 101 from moving into the auxiliary pocket 130.

FIG. 3 shows a first carrier tape stacked on a second carrier tape such that s pocket 120a is centered with respect to and placed on pocket 120b. Referring to FIG. 3， when a first pocket 120b in the plurality of pockets 120 receives and stores a pre-determined component 10lb and the second pocket 120a corresponding to the at least one channel 130 is centered with respect to and placed on the first pocket 120b with the bottom wall 121 of the second pocket 120a facing the component 10lb， the channel 130 corresponding to the second pocket 120a reduces contact between the bottom wall 121 of the pocket 120a and the component 10lb stored in the first pocket 120b.

Again referring to FIG. 3， according to some embodiments， when the first pocket 120b in the plurality of pockets 120 receives and stores a pre-determined component 10lb and the pocket 120a corresponding to the at least one channel 130 is centered with respect to and placed on the first pocket 120b with the bottom wall 121 of the pocket 120a facing the component 101， the channel 130 prevents any contact between the bottom wall 121 of the corresponding pocket 120a and the component 10 lb stored in the first pocket 120b.

The plurality of pockets 120 may be so shaped and dimensioned such that when the first pocket 120b in the plurality of pockets 120 receives and stores a pre-determined component 10 lb and a second pocket 120a in the plurality of pockets 120 is centered with respect to and placed on the first pocket 120b with the bottom wall 121 of the second pocket 120a facing the component 10lb， the channel 130 of the second pocket 120a reduces contact or prevents any contact between the bottom wall 121 of the second pocket 120a and the component 10lb stored in the first pocket 120b.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an embodiment wherein the carrier tape 100 is used with a cover tape 160. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the carrier tape 100 and cover tape 160. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the carrier tape 100 and cover tape 160 taken along the longitudinal axis 102 of the carrier tape 100. With reference to FIGS. 2， 4 and 5， when a cover tape 160 is use， the cover tape 160 may be disposed on and adhered to the

top surfaces

141， 111 of the bridge 140 and the substrate 110 of the carrier tape 100. When a pocket 120 corresponding to the at least one channel 130 receives and stores a pre-determined component 101， the carrier tape 160 (shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) can fully isolate the pocket 120 from the channel 130.

With reference to FIG. 1， optical sprocket holes 180 facilitate mechanical handling of the carrier tape 100. In some embodiments， other advancement structures (e.g.， notches or printed indicia) may be used in place of， or in addition to， sprocket holes 180. The advancement structures (including sprocket holes) may be disposed， for example， along one or both longitudinal edges of the carrier tape 100. The advancement structures can engage with teeth on a sprocketed drive (not shown) as may be present in the drive assemblies of the precision placement equipment used to remove the electronic components from the pockets of the carrier tape. The advancement structures are used to advance the carrier tape to a prescribed location such that the electronic component can be placed in or removed from the pocket of the carrier tape.

Carrier tapes and cover tapes used in practice of the present disclosure may be made of any suitable material including， for example， thermoplastic polymeric materials， cardboard， and/or metal foil. In addition， the materials that can be used for component carrier tapes should be dimensionally stable， durable， and readily formable into the desired configuration. Preferably， the material comprises a thermoplastic polymeric material that has a sufficient thickness and flexibility to permit it to be wound about the hub of a storage reel. Suitable thermoplastic polymeric materials include， but are not limited to， polyesters (e.g.， glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate， or polybutylene terephthalate ) ， polycarbonate， polypropylene， polystyrene， polyvinyl chloride， acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene， amorphous polyethylene terephthalate， polyamide， polyolefins (e.g.， polyethylene， polybutene， or polyisobutene) ， modified poly (phenylene ether) ， polyurethane， polydimethylsiloxane， acrylonitrilebutadiene-styrene resins， and polyolefin copolymers.

In some embodiments， the material has a melt temperature in the range of 400 F (204 C) to 630 F (332 C) . The carrier tape may be optically clear， pigmented or modified to be electrically dissipative. In the latter case， the carrier tape may include an electrically conductive material， such as carbon black or vanadium pentoxide， either dispersed within the resin material or coated onto the surface (s) of the formed carrier tape. The electrically conductive material helps dissipate an electric discharges that can occur during removal of the cover film or unwinding of the carrier tape assembly from a storage spool thus helping to prevent damage to the electronic components contained within the pockets of the carrier tape. In addition dyes， colorants， pigments， UV stabilizers， or other additives may be added to the resin material before forming the carrier tape.

Carrier tapes according to the present disclosure may have any dimensions suitable for use with particular desired electronic components. For example， the pockets may be spaced apart on 1.6 cm centers in some embodiments.

Embodiments disclosed herein include：

Embodiment 1. A flexible carrier tape for transporting a plurality of pre-determined components comprising：

a flexible substrate extending along a longitudinal axis of the carrier tape；

a plurality of spaced apart pockets formed in the flexible substrate along the longitudinal axis of the carrier tape， each pocket configured to receive and store a pre-determined component and comprising a bottom wall lower than the substrate； and

at least one channel formed in the flexible substrate and substantially surrounding a corresponding pocket in the plurality of pockets and comprising a bottom wall lower than the bottom wall of the pocket， the at least one channel and the pocket defining a bridge therebetween substantially coextensive with the at least one channel， a top surface of the bridge higher than a top surface of the substrate， such that when a first pocket in the plurality of pockets receives and stores a pre-determined component and the pocket corresponding to the at least one channel is centered with respect to and placed on the first pocket with the bottom wall of the pocket facing the component， the channel reduces contact between the bottom wall of the corresponding pocket and the component stored in the first pocket.

Embodiment 2. The flexible carrier tape of embodiment 1， wherein the at least one channel completely surrounds the pocket corresponding to the at least one channel.

Embodiment 3. The flexible carrier tape of any of embodiments 1 through 2， wherein the bridge is completely coextensive with the at least one channel.

Embodiment 4. The flexible carrier tape of any of embodiments 1 through 3， wherein the top surface of the bridge is substantially planar.

Embodiment 5. The flexible carrier tape of any of embodiments 1 through 3 1， wherein the top surface of the bridge has a curved cross-section in a plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bridge.

Embodiment 6. The flexible carrier tape of any of embodiments 1 through 5， wherein when the first pocket in the plurality of pockets receives and stores the pre-determined component and the pocket corresponding to the at least one channel is centered with respect to and placed on the first pocket with the bottom wall of the pocket facing the component， the channel prevents any contact between the bottom wall of the corresponding pocket and the component stored in the first pocket.

Embodiment 7. The flexible carrier tape of any of embodiments 1 through 6， wherein the at least one channel comprises a plurality of channels formed in the flexible substrate， each channel substantially surrounding a corresponding pocket in the plurality of pockets.

Embodiment 8. The flexible carrier tape of any of embodiments 1 through 7， wherein in a cross-section of the at least one channel in a plane parallel or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the carrier tape， an opening top of the channel has a width W1， the bottom wall of the channel has a width W2 greater than Wl.

Embodiment 9. The flexible carrier tape of any of embodiments 1 through 8， wherein when the pocket corresponding to the at least one channel receives and stores a pre-determined component， and a cover tape is disposed on and adhered to the top surfaces of the bridge and the substrate， the cover tape fully isolates the pocket from the channel.

Embodiment 10. The flexible carrier tape of any of embodiments 1 through 9， wherein the at least one channel is so shaped and dimensioned so as to not be able to receive and store the pre-determined component.

Embodiment 11. A flexible carrier tape for transporting a plurality of pre-determined components comprising：

a flexible substrate extending along a longitudinal axis of the carrier tape；

at least one channel formed in the flexible substrate and substantially surrounding a corresponding pocket in the plurality of pockets and comprising a bottom wall lower than the bottom wall of the pocket， the at least one channel and the pocket defining a bridge therebetween substantially coextensive with the at least one channel， a top surface of the bridge higher than a top surface of the substrate，

wherein the plurality of pockets are so shaped and dimensioned that when a first pocket in the plurality of pockets receives and stores a pre-determined component and a second pocket in the plurality of pockets is centered with respect to and placed on the first pocket with the bottom wall of the second pocket facing the component， a channel of the second pocket reduces contact between the bottom wall of the second pocket and the component stored in the first pocket.

Embodiment 12. The flexible carrier tape of embodiment 11， wherein the channel of the second pocket prevents any contact between the bottom wall of the second pocket and the component stored in the first pocket.

Embodiment 13. A flexible carrier tape for transporting a plurality of pre-determined components comprising：

a flexible substrate extending along a longitudinal axis of the carrier tape； and

a plurality of spaced apart pockets formed in the flexible substrate along the longitudinal axis of the carrier tape， each pocket comprising：

a main pocket configured to receive and store a pre-determined component； and

an auxiliary pocket surrounding the main pocket， the main and auxiliary pockets defining openings on a same side of the substrate and isolated from each other by a bridge defined therebetween， such that when the main pocket receives and stores a pre-determined component the bridge prevents the component from moving into the auxiliary pocket.

Embodiment 14. The flexible carrier tape of embodiment 13， wherein a top surface of the bridge is higher than a top surface of the substrate.

As used herein， the terms “higher” ， “lower” ， “up” ， “down” ， “vertical” ， and “horizontal” refers to and orientation when the carrier tape is laid horizontally with the pocket openings oriented toward the upper surface (i.e.， facing up) . It will be appreciated that other orientations of the carrier tape are possible.

Unless otherwise indicated， all numbers expressing feature sizes， amounts， and physical properties used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about. ” Accordingly， unless indicated to the contrary， the numerical parameters set forth in the foregoing specification and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by those skilled in the art utilizing the teachings disclosed herein. The use of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers within that range (e.g. 1 to 5 includes 1， 1.5， 2， 2.75， 3， 3.80， 4， and 5) and any range within that range.

Various modifications and alterations of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art and it should be understood that this scope of this disclosure is not limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth herein. For example， the reader should assume that features of one disclosed embodiment can also be applied to all other disclosed embodiments unless otherwise indicated.

Claims

A flexible carrier tape for transporting a plurality of pre-determined components comprising：

a flexible substrate extending along a longitudinal axis of the carrier tape；

a plurality of spaced apart pockets formed in the flexible substrate along the longitudinal axis of the carrier tape， each pocket configured to receive and store a pre-determined component and comprising a bottom wall lower than the substrate； and

at least one channel formed in the flexible substrate and substantially surrounding a corresponding pocket in the plurality of pockets and comprising a bottom wall lower than the bottom wall of the pocket， the at least one channel and the pocket defining a bridge therebetween substantially coextensive with the at least one channel， a top surface of the bridge higher than a top surface of the substrate， such that when a first pocket in the plurality of pockets receives and stores a pre-determined component and the pocket corresponding to the at least one channel is centered with respect to and placed on the first pocket with the bottom wall of the pocket facing the component， the channel reduces contact between the bottom wall of the corresponding pocket and the component stored in the first pocket.
The flexible carrier tape of claim 1， wherein the at least one channel completely surrounds the pocket corresponding to the at least one channel.
The flexible carrier tape of claim 1， wherein the bridge is completely coextensive with the at least one channel.
The flexible carrier tape of claim 1， wherein the top surface of the bridge is substantially planar.
The flexible carrier tape of claim 1， wherein the top surface of the bridge has a curved cross-section in a plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bridge.
The flexible carrier tape of claim 1， wherein when the first pocket in the plurality of pockets receives and stores the pre-determined component and the pocket corresponding to the at least one channel is centered with respect to and placed on the first pocket with the bottom wall of the pocket facing the component， the channel prevents any contact between the bottom wall of the corresponding pocket and the component stored in the first pocket.
The flexible carrier tape of claim 1， wherein the at least one channel comprises a plurality of channels formed in the flexible substrate， each channel substantially surrounding a corresponding pocket in the plurality of pockets.
The flexible carrier tape of claim 1， wherein in a cross-section of the at least one channel in a plane parallel or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the carrier tape， an opening top of the channel has a width W1， the bottom wall of the channel has a width W2 greater than W1.
The flexible carrier tape of claim 1， wherein when the pocket corresponding to the at least one channel receives and stores a pre-determined component， and a cover tape is disposed on and adhered to the top surfaces of the bridge and the substrate， the cover tape fully isolates the pocket from the channel.
The flexible carrier tape of claim 1， wherein the at least one channel is so shaped and dimensioned so as to not be able to receive and store the pre-determined component.
A flexible carrier tape for transporting a plurality of pre-determined components comprising：

a flexible substrate extending along a longitudinal axis of the carrier tape；

a plurality of spaced apart pockets formed in the flexible substrate along the longitudinal axis of the carrier tape， each pocket configured to receive and store a pre-determined component and comprising a bottom wall lower than the substrate； and

at least one channel formed in the flexible substrate and substantially surrounding a corresponding pocket in the plurality of pockets and comprising a bottom wall lower than the bottom wall of the pocket， the at least one channel and the pocket defining a bridge therebetween substantially coextensive with the at least one channel， a top surface of the bridge higher than the top surface of the substrate，

wherein the plurality of pockets are so shaped and dimensioned that when a first pocket in the plurality of pockets receives and stores a pre-determined component and a second pocket in the plurality of pockets is centered with respect to and placed on the first pocket with the bottom wall of the second pocket facing the component， a channel of the second pocket reduces contact between the bottom wall of the second pocket and the component stored in the first pocket.
The flexible carrier tape of claim 11， wherein the channel of the second pocket prevents any contact between the bottom wall of the second pocket and the component stored in the first pocket.
A flexible carrier tape for transporting a plurality of pre-determined components comprising：

a flexible substrate extending along a longitudinal axis of the carrier tape； and

a plurality of spaced apart pockets formed in the flexible substrate along the longitudinal axis of the carrier tape， each pocket comprising：

a main pocket configured to receive and store a pre-determined component； and

an auxiliary pocket surrounding the main pocket， the main and auxiliary pockets defining openings on a same side of the substrate and isolated from each other by a bridge defined therebetween， such that when the main pocket receives and stores a pre-determined component the bridge prevents the component from moving into the auxiliary pocket.
The flexible carrier tape of claim 13， wherein a top surface of the bridge is higher than a top surface of the substrate.