Component sequencing and taping machine

Claim 2

Apparatus for arranging electrical components in sequence and applying supporting tapes thereto, comprising: a. a rotatable taping head having a substantially cylindrical surface portion having circumferentially spaced notches for receiving the leads of electrical components supplied thereto; b. means for feeding a first Adhesive tape over said cylindrical surface with a non-adhesive side of said tape contacting said surface; c. means for supplying components of different characteristics to said head in a desired sequence as said head is rotated so that the leads of said components contact the adhesive side of said first tape in substantial registry with the notches in said head, said means comprising a plurality of component dispensers for holding and dispensing components of different characteristics to be sequenced, pick-off means for intercepting and diverting components from said dispensers as said dispensers are moved past said pick-off means, and means for supporting said component dispensers and for moving them past said pick-off means in a desired sequence; d. means for feeding a second adhesive tape over said cylindrical surface so that an adhesive side thereof contacts the adhesive side of said first tape and said component leads; and e. means for applying pressure against the non-adhesive side of said second tape to press said first tape and said component leads into said notches and to press the adhesive sides of said tapes into intimate contact.

Claim 3

Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said means for applying pressure comprises a non-resilient roller arranged to bear against said cylindrical surface.

Claim 4

Apparatus according to claim 1 for use with electrical components having substantially cylindrical body portions and axially extending leads, in which said taping head comprises separate, spaced-apart, notched, cylindrical portions for receiving respectively opposite leads of said components, and in which said means for applying pressure comprises separate non-resilient rollers, each arranged to bear against one of said cylindrical portions, said rollers being mounted at opposite ends of a centrally pivoted support block to equalize the pressure applied by said rollers to said cylindrical portions.

Claim 5

Apparatus according to claim 1 for use with electrical components having substantially cylindrical body portions and axially extending leads, in which each of said component dispensers comprises: a. a pair of parallelly disposed rail assemblies, each comprising a pair of substantially parallelly disposed rails spaced apart a distance approximately equal to the length of the body portions of said components, said rail assemblies having corresponding rails juxtaposed and spaced apart a distance approximately equal to the thickness of said leads for receiving respectively opposite leads of said components to retain them in said dispenser while permitting them to move lengthwise in the direction of said rails, and b. leaf spring means affixed to one end of one of said assemblies and having portions extending over the spaces between corresponding rails of the two assemblies so as to resist removal of components from that end of the dispenser, but to permit removal of components by applying to a component sufficient force to overcome the resistance of said spring means.

Claim 6

Apparatus according to claim 1 for use with electrical components having substantially cylindrical body portions and axially extending leads, in which said pick-off means comprises: a. a pair of parallelly-disposed pick-off plates, each having a first edge comprising a straight portion and a concavely curved portion near one end of said edge, said curved portion and an adjacent edge of said plate defining a projecting tapered portion of said plate suitable for intercepting leads of components approaching said plate in the vicinity of said curved edge portion and for deflecting said leads along said curved portion and onto the straight portion of said edge, b. a pair of parallelly disposed guide plates, each being disposed in substantially the same plane as one of said pick-off plates in juxtaposition thereto and having an edge formed to conform substantially to said first edge of said pick-off plate but being spaced therefrom by approximately the thickness of said component leads, said juxtaposed edges of said plates defining a path to be traversed by said component leads, and c. means for orienting components intercepted by said apparatus so that their axes are substantially perpendicular to said plates, said means comprising stabilizer plates disposed substantially perpendicular to and near the curved edge portions of said pick-off plates and approximately parallel to the straight edge portions thereof for engaging the leads of said components whenever the orientation thereof departs appreciably from the desired perpendicular relationship to counteract such departure.

Claim 7

Apparatus for arranging electrical components in sequence and applying supporting tapes thereto, comprising: a. a rotatable taping head having a substantially cylindrical surface portion having circumferentially spaced notches for receiving leads of electrical components supplied thereto, said rotatable head comprising a pair of circular plates spaced by approximately the length of said component body portions and having circumferentially spaced matching radial slots in their peripheries for receiving leads from opposite ends of said components with the body portions of said components positioned between said plates; b. means for feeding a first adhesive tape over said cylindrical surface with a non-adhesive side of said tape contacting said surface; c. means for supplying components of different characteristics to said head in a desired sequence as said head is rotated so that the leads of said components contact the adhesive side of said first tape in substantially registry with the slots in said head, said means including means for straightening the leads of said components, said straightening means comprising a rotatable head having circumferentially spaced slots for receiving portions of said leads adjacent said body portions, a deflector plate spaced axially from said head and lying in a plane generally perpendicular to the rotational axis of said head, said plate having an arcuate edge disposed to contact said leads and deflect them as said head is rotated, and means for rotating said components about their lead axes as said head rotates; d. means for feeding a second adhesive tape over said cylindrical surface so that an adhesive side thereof contacts the adhesive side of said first tape and said component leads; and e. means for applying pressure against the non-adhesive side of said second tape to press said first tape and said component leads into said notches and to press the adhesive sides of said tapes into intimate contact.

Claim 8

Apparatus for arranging electrical components in sequence and applying supporting tapes thereto, comprising: a. a rotatable taping head having a substantially cylindrical surface portion having circumferentially spaced notches for receiving leads of electrical components supplied thereto, said rotatable head comprising a pair of circular plates spaced by approximately the length of said component body portions and having circumferentially spaced matching radial slots in their peripheries for receiving leads from opposite ends of said components with the body portions of said components positioned between said plates; b. means for feeding a first adhesive tape over said cylindrical surface with a non-adhesive side of said tape contacting said surface; c. means for supplying components of different characteristics to said head in a desired sequence as said head is rotated so that the leads of said components contact the adhesive side of said first tape in substantially registry with the slots in said head, said means including means for straightening the leads of said components, said straightening means comprising a rotatable head having circumferentially spaced slots for receiving portions of said leads adjacent said body portions, a deflector plate spaced axially from said head and lying in a plane generally perpendicular to the rotational axis of said head, said plate having an arcuate edge disposed to contact said leads and deflect them as said head is rotated, and means for rotating said components about their lead axes as said head rotates; d. means for feeding a second adhesive tape over said cylindrical surface so that an adhesive side thereof contacts the adhesive side of said first tape and said component leads; and e. means for applying pressure against the non-adhesive side of said second tape to press said first tape and said component leads into said notches and to press the adhesive sides of said tapes into intimate contact.

Claim 9

Apparatus according to Claim 6 including a ring positioned between said circular plates and free to rotate independently of said plates about the same axis as said plates, the diameter of said ring being such that its periphery engages the body portions of components whose leads are positioned in the slots in said plates, and an arcuate friction pad positioned near the peripheries of said plates in the vicinity of said deflector plate for engaging the body portions of said components and pressing them against said ring as they are carried past said pad to cause them to rotate about their lead axes while said leads are in contact with said deflector plate.

Claim 10

Apparatus according to Claim 7 in which said ring is provided with a resilient peripheral surface.

Claim 11

Apparatus according to claim 6 in which the spacing between said arcuate edge surface of said deflector plate and the axis of rotation of said head increases progressively as the distance from said head increases.