Patent ID: 6444935
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: B07C

Abstract:
An automated semiconductor handling device including an inspection station operative to inspect a plurality of semiconductor chips and an inclined track down which the semiconductor chips travel, the semiconductor handling device operative in removing semiconductor chips rejected at the inspection station, and delivering acceptable semiconductor chips to a storage medium, the automated semiconductor handling device comprising:at least one elongated rail positioned substantially continuously along the inclined track, wherein the semiconductor chips are positioned beneath the rail to prevent the semiconductor chips from disengaging from the inclined track, the rail including at least one gap in the rail where the semiconductor chips are not substantially underneath the rail wherein the semiconductor chips are not prevented from disengaging from the track; at least one shutter positioned to selectively cover the gap in the rail such that when the shutter is covering the gap, the shutter is co-linear with the rail and the shutter prevents the semiconductor chips from disengaging from the track, and when the shutter is not covering the gap the automated semiconductor handling device may remove semiconductor chips from the track.