CONTAINER FOR ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS

Abstract: A container for electronic components of a generally flat rectangular type, the so-called chips, which container comprises a tubular housing which can be closed at at least one of its ends by means of a closure member which can be clamped in at least one recess in opposite walls of the housing, the closure member being in the form of a key having a shaft and a handle, the shaft having, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the handle, a thickness substantially equal to the distance between the walls of the tubular housing provided with the recess, while the shaft has a thickened part in a direction at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the handle and has a cross-­ section substantially corresponding to the dimensions of the recess, furthermore, the distance of the handle from the thickened part corresponds to the distance of the end of the tubular housing from the opening.

Description: The invention relates to a container for electronic components of a generally flat rectangular type, which container comprises a tubular housing with a substantially rectangular cross-­ sectional area suitable to receive the said electronic components and made of a synthetic material, while the tubular housing can be closed at least one of its ends by means of a closure member, which can be clamped in at least one recess in opposite major surfaces sides of the housing. Such containers are used for the transport of components, such as integrated circuits, transistors, resistors, capacitors and the like. They are frequently used as a supply magazine in machines for automatic mounting of components on a support provided with a conductive wiring. A container of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph is described in US 4,207,665. In this case, a pin is passed through an opening in each of two opposite walls of the tube; the pin is consequently arranged at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the tube. Such a pin cannot always be provided in a simple manner. The pin projects from the walls, which is inconvenient both for the transport and for the function of automatic supply magazine. The use can also be adversely affected by manufacturing tolerances. Closure members are also known which are made of a flexible material, such as rubber, and are slipped into the end of the tube and must remain in place by friction. However, it has been found that these closure members not always remain clamped in the tube; when these members are disengaged, the packed components are lost. The invention has for its object to provide a container of the aforementioned kind, which can be arranged in a very simple manner, operates in a very reliable manner and is suitable as supply container in apparatus for automatic mounting of components. In order to achieve this object, the container according to the invention is characterized in that the closure member has the form of a key comprising a shaft and a handle, the shaft having a generally square cross section with a thickness substantially equal to the distance between the walls of the tubular housing whereas the shaft has a tickened part in a direction at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the handle, the cross-section of the thickened part corresponding substantially to the dimensions of the recess, and in that the distance of the handle from the thickened part corresponds to the distance of the end of the tubular housing from the opening. The key-shaped closure member can be inserted in longitudinal direction into the tube and can then be rotated a quarter turn, as a result of which the thickened part falls into the recess of the tube wall and a perfect closure is obtained. The plane of the handle of the key now lies in the main plane of the tube and thus need not comprise projecting parts. The key-shaped closure member can be provided in a very simple manner. Preferably, both opposite major surfaces of the tubular housing are provided with a recess and a thickened part is formed on two opposite sides of the shaft of the key. Furthermore, the handle of the key, viewed in the direction of the shaft, preferably has a form which roughly corresponds to the outer dimensions of the tubular housing, viewed in the longitudinal direction. Embodiments of the invention will now be described more fully with reference to the drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a tubular housing and a closure member, Fig, 2 is an elevation similar to that of Fig. 1, in which the closure member is in the closed position, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the closure member and, Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the tubular housing with a component present in the housing. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular housing 1 has a cross-section as shown in Figures 1 and 4. In Fig. 4, a component 2 present in the housing 1 is also shown. This component is an integrated circuit with conductors 3; other electronic components, such as resistors and capacitors, may also be accomodated in the tubular housing. The tubular housing 1 has a recess 4 in two opposite major surfaces, indicated as walls 10, 11. The housing is made of synthetic material and is preferably transparent. The profile of the tube is chosen so that the components 2 are guided therein in a suitable manner, as shown in Fig. 4. The housing 1 can be closed by a closure member in the form of a key 5. The key has a handle 6 and a shaft 7. In the embodiment shown, the shaft is provided with thickened parts 8. The thickness A of the shaft 7 (so viewed in the longitudinal direction of the handle 6) is substantially equal to the distance between the walls 10 and 11, in which the recesses 4 are formed. The tickness B at the area of the tickened parts 8, viewed in a direction at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the handle, is such that it corresponds approximately to the distance between the outer sides (of the walls 10 and 11). The wall 11 has a protuberant part 9, which is slightly wider than the distance B. The dimensions of the ends of the tickenend parts 8 are slightly smaller than the dimensions of the recesses 4. In order to close the tubular housing 1, the closure member 5 is arranged in the position shown in Fig. 1 with respect to the tube 1 and is inserted into the housing. The protuberance 9 then forms a guide for the thickened part of the shaft 7 and thus ensures that the shaft is guided to the recesses 4. The distance of the handle 6 from the thickened parts 8 is chosen to be equal to the distance of the end of the housing 1 from the recesses 4. When the handle 6 abuts against the tube end, the thickened parts 8 are consequently located at the recesses 4. Now the handle is rotated a quarter turn and reaches the position shown in Fig. 2. Due to this rotation, the thickened parts 8 are arranged in line with the recesses 4 and fall into these recesses. This snap connection is possible because the housing 1 of synthetic material is slightly eleastic. During rotation, the thickened parts push the walls 10 and 11 slightly apart and, after the quarter turn has been performed, the walls spring back again due to the fact that the thickened parts snap into the recesses. Thus, an absolutely certain closure of the housing 1 is obtained. In order to open it, the handle has first to be rotated a quarter turn, after which the closure member can be pulled out of the housing. The closure member can also operate if there is only one thickened part 8 and, as the case may be, also only one recess 4 is present. The embodiment shown is to be prefered, however. The shape of the handle 6 is not critical. For practical reasons, it will preferably correspond to the shape of the outer side of the housing end, as shown in Fig. 2. The handle then does not constitute a part projecting from the profile of the housing. The handle 6 may be provided with a recess, as a result of which an automatic operation can be simplified. Then thickened parts 8 need not be formed at the end of the shaft. Depending upon the length dimensions of the components and the length of the housing, the shaft may be provided beyond the thickened parts with a projection in order to ensure that the components are enclosed immevably. In a practical embodiment, the closure member consisted of a hard synthetic material. The distance A was 3.8 mm; the distance B was 4.6 mm. The recesses 4 were in the form of a square having sides of 3.4 mm, while the ends of the thickened parts were in the form of a square having sides of 3.2 mm. The distance of the housing end from the recesses 4 and hence also the distance of the handle 6 from the thickened parts 8 was 4.5 mm.

Claims: 1. A container for electronic components of a generally flat rectangular type, which container comprises a tubular housing having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional area which is suitable to receive the said electronic components and is made of a synthetic material, while the tubular housing can be closed at at least one of its ends by means of a closure member which can be clamped in at least one recess in opposite major surfaces of the housing, characterized in that the closure member has the form of a key having a shaft and a handle, the shaft having a generally square cross section with a thickness substantially equal to the distance between said opposite major surfaces of the tubular housing, whereas the shaft has a thickened part in a direction at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the handle, the cross-section of the thickenend part substantially corresponding to the dimensions of the recess, and in that the distance of the handle from the thickened part corresponds to the distance of the end of the tubular housing from the opening. 2. A container as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that both opposite major surfaces of the housing are provided with a recess, while a thickened part is formed at two opposite sides of the shaft of the key. 3. A container as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the handle of the key, viewed in the direction of the shaft, has a shape roughly corresponding to the outer dimensions of the tubular housing, viewed in the longitudinal direction. 4. A container as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a protuberance for guiding the thickened part of the shaft of the key which extends in the longitudinal direction of the tube is present in at least one of the major surfaces of the tube provided with a recess. 5. A container in any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the length of the shaft exceeds the distance of the handle from the thickened part. 6. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the handle is provided with a recess for automatic operation of the container. 7. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the key is made of a hard synthetic material.

Inventors: LUE, HSUE CHENG
Applicants: N.V. PHILIPS' GLOEILAMPENFABRIEKEN
Application year: 1986
Main classification: H05K13
IPC codes: B65D85, H05K13