Patent ID: 6139243
Filing Date: 2000-10-31
Classification: B65G,H01L

Abstract:
A method for flipping a tray of electronic devices, the method comprising the steps of:receiving at a flip station a first tray, which holds a plurality of electronic devices, from a first part processing station;a second tray being positioned in said flip station;joining the second tray with the first tray so that the first and second trays mate without the second tray engaging the electronic devices;inverting the mated first and second trays together so that the electronic devices are also inverted and held in the second tray so that the electronic devices are movable in the second tray between the mated first and second trays; andseparating the mated first and second trays;transferring the second tray which now holds the plurality of electronic devices from the flip station to a second electronic device processing station and leaving the first tray in the flipping station to function as the second tray when a subsequent first tray holding a plurality of electronic devices is received in the flipping station;means for transferring the second tray which holds the plurality of parts from the flip station; andsaid trays moving through the flip station in a one-way direction.