Apparatus for assembling flat packs

Claim 2

Apparatus for applying infra-red and mechanical energy to solid state devices for connecting components thereof comprising: lamp means for producing radiant energy whose wave length is substantially in the infra-red band, and concentrating said energy in an elongated tube-like area extending generally horizontally; a shuttle mounted for reciprocating motion along a horizontal axis between a load-unload position and a transfer position, the shuttle having a plurality of cradle means for respectively supporting a plurality of devices, the cradles being serially disposed side-by-side along an axis for positioning the devices in or adjacent to said tube-like area when the shuttle is in the transfer position and substantially separating the devices from the tube-like area when in the load-unload position; and a mechanism for engaging the devices and securely holding the same, and including means for a. deenergizing the lamp when the shuttle is in the transfer position loaded with devices, engaging said devices and removing the same from said cradles and positioning said devices within said tube-like area; b. holding the devices in the tube-like area for the application for infra-red energy thereto when the lamp is energized; c. replacing the devices in the respective cradles and releasing the same for movement with the shuttle to the loadunload position when the lamp is deenergized and the shuttle is in the transfer position; means connected for applying vibratory energy to the devices gripped in said mechanism; and means rendering last said means operable when the devices are receiving infra-red energy.

Claim 3

Apparatus for applying infra-red and mechanical energy to flat packs for connecting the bases and lids thereof comprising: lamp means for producing radiant energy whose wave length is substantially in the infra-red band, and concentrating said energy in an elongated tube-like area extending generally horizontally; a shuttle mounted for reciprocating motion along a horizontal axis between a load-unload position and a transfer position, the shuttle having a plurality of cradle means for respectively supporting a plurality of flat packs, the cradles being serially disposed side-by-side along an axis for positioning the flat packs in or adjacent to said tube-like area when the shuttle is in the transfer position and substantially separating the flat packs from the tube-like area when in the load-unload position; and a mechanism for engaging the bases and lids of the flat packs and securely holding the flat packs, and including means for: a. moving the shuttle from the load-unload position to the transfer position when the cradles have been loaded with flat packs; b. engaging the flat packs and removing the same from said cradles when the shuttle is in transfer position; c. moving the shuttle from the transfer positon to the load-unload position; d. holding the flat packs to receive infra-red energy from said lamp means; e. moving the shuttle from the load-unload position to the transfer position after said application of infra-red; f. causing the mechanism to replace the flat packs in said cradles and release the same when the shuttle is in the transfer position; and g. causing the shuttle to move from the transfer positon to the load-unload position carrying the flat packs with it; and means connected for applying vibratory energy to the flat packs gripped in said mechanism, last said means being operable for supplying vibratory energy when the flat packs are receiving infra-red energy.

Claim 4

Apparatus for applying infra-red and mechanical energy to flat packs for connecting the bases and lids thereof comprising: lamp means for producing radiant energy whose wave length is substantially in the infra-red band, and concentrating said energy in an elongated tube-like area extending generally horizontally; a shuttle mounted for reciprocating motion along a horizontal axis between a load-unload position and a transfer position, the shuttle having a plurality of cradle means for respectively supporting a plurality of flat packs, the cradles being serially disposed side-by-side along an axis for positioning the flat packs in or adjacent to said tube-like area when the shuttle is in the transfer position and substantially separating the flat packs from the tube-like area when in the load-unload position; and a mechanism for engaging the bases and lids of the flat packs and securely holding the flat packs, and including means for: a. moving the shuttle from the load-unload position to the transfer position when the cradles have been loaded with flat packs; b. engaging the flat packs and removing the same from said cradles when the shuttle is in transfer position; c. moving the shuttle from the transfer positon to the load-unload position; d. holding the flat packs to receive infra-red energy from said lamp means; e. moving the shuttle from the load-unload position to the transfer position after said application of infra-red; f. causing the mechanism to replace the flat packs in said cradles and release the same when the shuttle is in the transfer position; and g. causing the shuttle to move from the transfer positon to the load-unload position carrying the flat packs with it; and means connected for applying vibratory energy to the flat packs gripped in said mechanism, last said means being operable for supplying vibratory energy when the flat packs are receiving infra-red energy.

Claim 5

Apparatus for applying infra-red and mechanical energy to flat packs for connecting the bases and lids thereof comprising: lamp means to produce radiant energy whose wave length is substantially in the infra-red band, the energy being concentrated in an elongated tube-like area and extending generally horizontally; a shuttle mounted for reciprocating motion along a horizontal axis as between a load-unload position and a transfer position, the shuttle having a plurality of cradle means serially disposed side-by-side along an axis for positioning the flat packs in or adjacent to said tube-like area when the shuttle is in the transfer position and substantially separating the flat packs from the tube-like aRea when in the load-unload position; a mechanism for simultaneously engaging the bases and lids of the flat packs and securely holding the flat packs and removing the same from the cradles and holding the same in the tube-like area for the application for infra-red energy thereto; a housing enclosing said mechanism, the housing comprising means substantially sealing the interior thereof from the atmosphere including a quartz plate to receive and to transmit infra-red energy whereby said tube-like area is within said housing; means on the housing forming a door means operative to provide for a portion of the shuttle to enter the housing in the transfer position and to position the cradles adjacent said tube-like area and to substantially seal the interior of the housing from the atmosphere when the shuttle is removed from said interior, the housing thus forming a dry box for containing an inert gas atmosphere around the flat packs; means for introducing an inert gas inside the housing; and means connected to apply vibratory energy to the flat packs gripped in said mechanism, last said means being operable for supplying vibratory energy when the flat packs are receiving infra-red energy.

Claim 6

Apparatus for applying infra-red and mechanical energy to flat packs for connecting the bases and lids thereof comprising: lamp means to produce radiant energy whose wave length is substantially in the infra-red band, the energy being concentrated in an elongated tube-like area and extending generally horizontally; a shuttle mounted for reciprocating motion along a horizontal axis as between a load-unload position and a transfer position, the shuttle having a plurality of cradle means serially disposed side-by-side along an axis for positioning the flat packs in or adjacent to said tube-like area when the shuttle is in the transfer position and substantially separating the flat packs from the tube-like aRea when in the load-unload position; a mechanism for simultaneously engaging the bases and lids of the flat packs and securely holding the flat packs and removing the same from the cradles and holding the same in the tube-like area for the application for infra-red energy thereto; a housing enclosing said mechanism, the housing comprising means substantially sealing the interior thereof from the atmosphere including a quartz plate to receive and to transmit infra-red energy whereby said tube-like area is within said housing; means on the housing forming a door means operative to provide for a portion of the shuttle to enter the housing in the transfer position and to position the cradles adjacent said tube-like area and to substantially seal the interior of the housing from the atmosphere when the shuttle is removed from said interior, the housing thus forming a dry box for containing an inert gas atmosphere around the flat packs; means for introducing an inert gas inside the housing; and means connected to apply vibratory energy to the flat packs gripped in said mechanism, last said means being operable for supplying vibratory energy when the flat packs are receiving infra-red energy.

Claim 7

Apparatus for applying infra-red energy to solid state devices comprising: lamp means for producing radiant energy whose wave length is substantially in the infra-red band, and concentrating said energy in an elongated tube-like area extending along an axis; a shuttle means mounted for reciprocating motion between a load-unload position and a transfer position, the shuttle having a plurality of cradle means for respectively supporting a plurality of devices, the cradles being serially disposed side-by-side along an axis for positioning the devices in or adjacent to said tube-like area when the shuttle in the transfer position and substantially separating the devices from the tube-like area when in the load-unload position; and a mechanism for engaging said devices and securely holding the same, and including means operable: a. when the lamp is de-energized and the shuttle is in the transfer position loaded with devices to engage said devices and remove the same from said cradles and position within said tube-like area; b. when the lamp is energized to hold said devices in the tube-like area for the application for infra-red energy thereto; and c. when the lamp is de-energized and the shuttle is in the transfer position to replace the devices in the respective cradles and release the same for movement with the shuttle to the load-unload position.

Claim 8

Apparatus for applying infra-red energy to solid state devices comprising: lamp means for producing radiant energy whose wave length is substantially in the infra-red band, and concentrating said energy in an elongated tube-like area extending along an axis; a shuttle means mounted for reciprocating motion between a load-unload position and a transfer position, the shuttle having a plurality of cradle means for respectively supporting a plurality of devices, the cradles being serially disposed side-by-side along an axis for positioning the devices in or adjacent to said tube-like area when the shuttle in the transfer position and substantially separating the devices from the tube-like area when in the load-unload position; and a mechanism for engaging said devices and securely holding the same, and including means operable: a. when the lamp is de-energized and the shuttle is in the transfer position loaded with devices to engage said devices and remove the same from said cradles and position within said tube-like area; b. when the lamp is energized to hold said devices in the tube-like area for the application for infra-red energy thereto; and c. when the lamp is de-energized and the shuttle is in the transfer position to replace the devices in the respective cradles and release the same for movement with the shuttle to the load-unload position.

Claim 9

A construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said mechanism includes: a first carrier mounted for reciprocating motion along an axis in a direction toward and away from said tube-like area; a second carrier mounted for reciprocating motion along an axis parallel to and spaced from first said axis; a plurality of first grippers mounted for reciprocating motion on said first carrier respectively along axes parallel the carrier axis; a plurality of springs respectively yieldably biasing the first grippers in a direction toward said tube-like area; a plurality of second grippers respectively connected to said second carrier, the grippers positioned for motion along axes respectively substantially co-axial with the axes of the first grippers; and means for simultaneously moving the carriers in opposite directions whereby the first grippers move to respectively engage said devices and the second grippers move to engage the devices and then continue to move to lift the devices out of the cradles and move the first grippers back against the spring pressure, last said movement continuing until the devices are in desired position within said tube-like area.

Claim 10

Apparatus for applying infra-red energy to solid state devices comprising: lamp means for producing radiant energy whose wave length is substantially in the infra-red band, and concentratinG said energy in an elongated tube-like area extending along an axis; a shuttle mounted for reciprocating motion between a load-unload position and a transfer position, the shuttle having a plurality of cradle means for respectively supporting a plurality of devices, the cradles being serially disposed side-by-side along an axis for positioning the devices in or adjacent to said tube-like area when the shuttle is in the transfer position and substantially separating the devices from the tube-like area when in the load-unload position; and a mechanism for engaging said devices and securely hold the same, and including means: a. operable when the cradles have been loaded with devices for moving the shuttle from the load-unload position to the transfer position; b. for engaging said devices and removing the same from said cradles when the shuttle is in the transfer position; c. for moving the shuttle from the transfer position to the load-unload position; d. for holding said devices to receive infra-red energy from said lamp means; e. for moving the shuttle from the load-unload position to the transfer position after the said application of infra-red; f. for replacing said devices in said cradles and releasing the same; when the shuttle is in the transfer position; and g. for moving the shuttle to the load-unload position while carrying the devices with it.

Claim 11

Apparatus for applying infra-red energy to solid state devices comprising: lamp means for producing radiant energy whose wave length is substantially in the infra-red band, and concentratinG said energy in an elongated tube-like area extending along an axis; a shuttle mounted for reciprocating motion between a load-unload position and a transfer position, the shuttle having a plurality of cradle means for respectively supporting a plurality of devices, the cradles being serially disposed side-by-side along an axis for positioning the devices in or adjacent to said tube-like area when the shuttle is in the transfer position and substantially separating the devices from the tube-like area when in the load-unload position; and a mechanism for engaging said devices and securely hold the same, and including means: a. operable when the cradles have been loaded with devices for moving the shuttle from the load-unload position to the transfer position; b. for engaging said devices and removing the same from said cradles when the shuttle is in the transfer position; c. for moving the shuttle from the transfer position to the load-unload position; d. for holding said devices to receive infra-red energy from said lamp means; e. for moving the shuttle from the load-unload position to the transfer position after the said application of infra-red; f. for replacing said devices in said cradles and releasing the same; when the shuttle is in the transfer position; and g. for moving the shuttle to the load-unload position while carrying the devices with it.

Claim 12

Apparatus for applying infra-red energy to solid state devices comprising: lamp means for producing radiant energy whose wave length is substantially in the infra-red band, and concentrating said energy in an elongated tube-like area extending along an axis; a shuttle mounted for reciprocating motion between a load-unload position and a transfer position,, the shuttle having a plurality of cradle means for respectively supporting a plurality of devices, the cradles being serially disposed side-by-side along an axis for positioning the devices in or adjacent to said tube-like area when the shuttle is in the transfer position and substantially separating the devices from the tube-like area when in the load-unload position; mechanism for engaging said devices and securely holding the same and for removing the same from the cradles and holding the same in the tube-like area for the application for infra-red energy thereto; a housing enclosing said mechanism, the housing comprising means substantially sealing its interior from the atmosphere and including quartz means for receiving and transmitting said infra-red energy so that said tube-like area is produced within said housing; and means on the housing forming a door means operative to provide for the cradle to enter the housing in the transfer position and for substantially sealing the interior of the housing from the atmosphere when the cradle is removed from said interior, the housing thus forming a dry box for containing an inert gas atmosphere around the device; and means for introducing an inert gas inside the housing.

Claim 13

Apparatus for applying infra-red energy to solid state devices comprising: lamp means for producing radiant energy whose wave length is substantially in the infra-red band, and concentrating said energy in an elongated tube-like area extending along an axis; a shuttle mounted for reciprocating motion between a load-unload position and a transfer position,, the shuttle having a plurality of cradle means for respectively supporting a plurality of devices, the cradles being serially disposed side-by-side along an axis for positioning the devices in or adjacent to said tube-like area when the shuttle is in the transfer position and substantially separating the devices from the tube-like area when in the load-unload position; mechanism for engaging said devices and securely holding the same and for removing the same from the cradles and holding the same in the tube-like area for the application for infra-red energy thereto; a housing enclosing said mechanism, the housing comprising means substantially sealing its interior from the atmosphere and including quartz means for receiving and transmitting said infra-red energy so that said tube-like area is produced within said housing; and means on the housing forming a door means operative to provide for the cradle to enter the housing in the transfer position and for substantially sealing the interior of the housing from the atmosphere when the cradle is removed from said interior, the housing thus forming a dry box for containing an inert gas atmosphere around the device; and means for introducing an inert gas inside the housing.

Claim 14

Apparatus for applying infra-red energy to solid state devices comprising: lamp means for producing radiant energy whose wave length is substantially in the infra-red band, and concentrating said energy in an elongated tube-like area extending along an axis; a shuttle mounted for reciprocating motion along a horizontal axis between a load-unload position and a transfer position, the shuttle having a plurality of cradles means serially disposed side-by-side along an axis for supporting and positioning devices in or adjacent to said tube-like area when the shuttle is in the transfer position and substantially separating the devices from the tube-like area when in the load-unload position; a first block mounted for reciprocating motion in a generally vertical direction; a plurality of spaced-apart bores in said first block, the axes of the bores being parallel and extending generally vertical, each bore having a stop; a plurality of plungers rEspectively mounted in said bore for reciprocating motion therein; means on each plunger respectively forming a first gripper; a plurality of springs respectively mounted in said bores in engagement with said plungers and each spring biasing its plunger for engagement with a stop; a second block mounted for reciprocating motion in a direction generally parallel the motion of first said block; a plurality of arms connected to said second block for reciprocating motion therewith, each arm extending outwardly and below said first block; means on each arm respectively forming a second gripper, the respective second grippers being positioned below said first grippers to form a plurality of pairs of grippers, the respective pairs of grippers comprising means for engaging and holding a device therebetween; means forming a rack on first said block and means forming a rack on second said block and a rotatably mounted pinion engaging the racks, the rotation of the pinion thereby moving the first and second blocks in opposite directions; means for rotating the pinion as between an open and a closed position, such that rotation of the pinion to the open position causes the blocks to simultaneously move in opposite directions so that the grippers are spaced apart for receiving a device therebetween when the shuttle is in the transfer position, and such that rotation of the pinion to the closed position causes the blocks to simultaneously move in opposite directions so that each of said first and second grippers moves to engage a device and then continue to move to lift the device out of the cradle and thus move the first grippers back against the spring pressure, last said movement continuing until the devices are in desired position and said tube-like area.

Claim 15

Apparatus for applying infra-red energy to solid state devices comprising: lamp means for producing radiant energy whose wave length is substantially in the infra-red band, and concentrating said energy in an elongated tube-like area extending along an axis; a shuttle mounted for reciprocating motion along a horizontal axis between a load-unload position and a transfer position, the shuttle having a plurality of cradles means serially disposed side-by-side along an axis for supporting and positioning devices in or adjacent to said tube-like area when the shuttle is in the transfer position and substantially separating the devices from the tube-like area when in the load-unload position; a first block mounted for reciprocating motion in a generally vertical direction; a plurality of spaced-apart bores in said first block, the axes of the bores being parallel and extending generally vertical, each bore having a stop; a plurality of plungers rEspectively mounted in said bore for reciprocating motion therein; means on each plunger respectively forming a first gripper; a plurality of springs respectively mounted in said bores in engagement with said plungers and each spring biasing its plunger for engagement with a stop; a second block mounted for reciprocating motion in a direction generally parallel the motion of first said block; a plurality of arms connected to said second block for reciprocating motion therewith, each arm extending outwardly and below said first block; means on each arm respectively forming a second gripper, the respective second grippers being positioned below said first grippers to form a plurality of pairs of grippers, the respective pairs of grippers comprising means for engaging and holding a device therebetween; means forming a rack on first said block and means forming a rack on second said block and a rotatably mounted pinion engaging the racks, the rotation of the pinion thereby moving the first and second blocks in opposite directions; means for rotating the pinion as between an open and a closed position, such that rotation of the pinion to the open position causes the blocks to simultaneously move in opposite directions so that the grippers are spaced apart for receiving a device therebetween when the shuttle is in the transfer position, and such that rotation of the pinion to the closed position causes the blocks to simultaneously move in opposite directions so that each of said first and second grippers moves to engage a device and then continue to move to lift the device out of the cradle and thus move the first grippers back against the spring pressure, last said movement continuing until the devices are in desired position and said tube-like area.