FOLDED CONTAINER FOR PACKAGING ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Abstract: A container (10) for packaging surface mount electronic devices that protects such devices from physical damage during handling and also protects such devices from electrostatic discharge damage. The container (10) includes a plurality of panels (12, 26, 42) supporting a foam-like receptacle member (14), a foam-like plug member (32), and tab members (48, 50) for securing the panels (12, 26, 42) together when they are folded over one another to form a closed package.

Description: The present invention relates to a folded container for packaging electronic devices. More particularly, the invention relates to a container package for receiving a plurality of electronic devices of the surface mount type. In the field of electronic devices, it is well-known that certain devices have been commonly referred to as "bugs" by reason of the peculiar shape and construction of these devices. Such electronic devices may include resistors, capacitors, diodes, transistors, and like elements which make up the "bug" or integrated circuit chip. A common form of chip is rectangular in shape and includes leads or pins that are plugged into holes in a printed circuit board and then secured, as by wave soldering, to maintain the various elements in precise position and to secure the electrical connections. In the packaging and shipping of these so-called "bug" devices, the pins or leads provide means for insertion into a medium of foam or like insulating material which ensure that the devices are secure against accidental contact with another device or even becoming loose in the package. With the advent of surface mount technology, the surface mount devices do not have the leads or pins to enable use of the pins for securing the devices during packaging and shipment. The surface mount devices are formed with substantially smooth or flat surfaces and therefore require a unique method for packaging such devices. Representative means for packaging and shipping such surface mount devices have included clear plastic tubes wherein the devices are stacked against each other and a foam rubber or like element is provided at each end of the tube to provide resilient means and prevent physical damage of the devices. Other means for packaging such devices have included trays having individual plastic cups similar to those used in boxes of chocolate candy for containing individual devices. A further means for holding and containing the device may be the use of a taped reel for such devices. US-A-3 273 779 discloses a folded box for packaging fragile articles and made from flat box blanks folded over one another to form a box. Locking means are provided for locking together sections of the folded box. Opposite walls of the box are lined with a compressible material to hold a fragile article cushioning the same against external shocks. The confronting article-containing surfaces of the linings comprise spaced parallel ribs extending the full width or length of the linings, with the ribs of the lining on one wall extending at right angles to the ribs of the linings on the other wall. Such arrangement may provide protection for a relatively large single article, but would not be suitable for packaging a plurality of small surface mount electronic devices. Also, IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 26, no.6, November 1983, page 2981, discloses a folded container lined with foam pads. The container is disadvantageous in that it does not provide for isolated and cushioned packaging of a plurality of devices and also cannot be readily closed without deformation of the lid. It is an object of the present invention to provide a package for holding a plurality of surface mount electronic devices wherein each of such devices is isolated from another so as to protect the devices from damage in handling and shipping thereof. Thus, according to the invention, there is provided a folded container for packaging surface mount electronic devices, including a first panel; first connecting means connected to said first panel along a first fold lines; a second panel connected to said first connecting means along a second fold line parallel to the first fold line; second connecting means connected to said first panel along a third fold line parallel to the first and second fold lines; and cushioning means attached to said first and second panels and cooperating with each other to protect articles held therebetween, characterized in that said cushioning means includes receptacle means attached to one of said panels and comprising a first layer of foam-like material attached to said panel, a second layer of foam-like material attached to the first layer and including a plurality of spaced apertures therethrough for holding a like plurality of said electronic devices, and a third layer of foam-like material attached to the second layer and having an aperture therethrough; and insert means attached to the other of said panels, such that, when said panels are folded over one another, said aperture in said third layer of said receptacle means receives said insert means for containing said electronic devices in position in said plurality of spaced apertures; and further characterized by a third panel connected to said second connecting means along a fourth fold line parallel to the third fold line, said third panel being swingable to cover said second panel and having coupling means for coupling the third panel with said second panel to provide a secured package, and said first connecting means forming a first wall on a first side of said said receptacle means and said second connecting means forming a second wall on a second side of said receptacle means opposite said first side, when said third panel is folded to cover said second panel. One embodiment of the invention will be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the container package according to the present invention and showing the package in an open condition; and Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the package in a closed condition. Referring to the drawing, Fig. 1 illustrates the structure of the present invention wherein the package 10 is in an open condition. The package 10 includes three major portions or panels of sheet material, of different shapes, to provide different functions for the practice of the invention. A central panel 12, about two inches (5,08 cm) by two inches (5,08 cm) in the illustrated embodiment, provides a support or base for a receptacle 14 of foam-like material. The receptacle 14 is made up of a layer 16 of such foam-like material which is attached to the panel 12 by adhesive means, a layer 18 of such foam-like material that is attached to the layer 16, and a top portion 20 that includes an aperture 22 therethrough. The layer 16 is generally solid in form whereas the layer 18 includes one or more apertures 24 therethrough, the apertures providing recesses or cups formed to receive a respective surface mount device. While Fig. 1 shows only three apertures 24 of the preferred pattern of five, other patterns may be used in the practice of the invention. The aperture 22 in the top portion 20 provides a well for enabling easy placement of the surface mount devices into the several apertures 24 which form the recesses or cups for the devices. A right side panel 26, as oriented in the open condition of Fig. 1, is connected to the central panel 12 by means of a connecting portion 28. The panel 26 is of irregular shape and has an outer portion 30 that is narrowed for a purpose to be described. The panel 26 provides a base or support for a disk-like insert or plug 32 that is attached to the panel 26 by adhesive means or the like. The insert 32 is sized to fit into the aperture 22 of the top portion 20 and to seat on the surface 34 of the layer 18, when the panel 26 is folded or swung in the direction indicated by the arrow 36. A fold line 38 is provided at the junction of the right side panel 26 and the connecting portion 28, and a fold line 40 is provided at the junction of the connecting portion 28 and the central panel 12. When the right side panel 26 is folded over to place the insert 32 into the aperture 22 of the top portion 20, the connecting portion 28 serves as a wall on one side of the receptacle 14 (Fig. 2). A left side panel 42, as oriented in the open condition of Fig. 1, is connected to the central panel 12 by means of a connecting portion 44. The panel 42 is essentially square in shape and has a pair of tabs, 46 and 48, as an integral part thereof for securing the package. The tab 46 has an angular portion 50 and a square portion 52. A fold line 54 is provided at the junction of the portions 50 and 52, and a fold line 56 is provided at the junction of the portion 50 and the panel 42. Similarly, the tab 48 has an angular portion 58 and a square portion 60. A fold line 62 is provided at the junction of the portions 58 and 60, and a fold line 64 is provided at the junction of the portion 58 and the panel 42. The left side panel 42 provides a cover over the top of the insert panel 26 when the panel 42 is folded or swung in the direction of the arrow 66. A fold line 68 is provided at the junction of the panel 42 and the connecting portion 44, and a fold line 70 is provided at the junction of the connecting portion 44 and the central panel 12. The fold line 68 has a slot 72 for a distance therealong to receive an edge portion 74 (see also Fig. 2) of the outer portion 30 of the insert panel 26. When the panel 26 is swung, as indicated by the arrow 36, and when the panel 42 is swung, as indicated by the arrow 66, to effect a closed condition of the package 10, the edge portion 74 enters the slot 72 to secure the parts (Fig. 2). Also, when the left side panel 42 is folded over to place the tabs 46, 48 into the locking position, the connecting portion 44 serves as a wall on the other side of the receptacle 14 (Fig. 2). It is, of course, seen that the tabs 46 and 48 would be adequate to secure the parts in a modified arrangement of the package and without the use of the edge portion 74-slot 72 structure. Additionally, when the panels 26 and 42 are swung to the closed condition, the square portion 52 of tab 46 is folded at line 54 and such portion is inserted into the space between the connecting portion 28 and the side 76 (Fig. 1) of the receptacle 14, while, at the same time, the tab portion 50 is folded at line 56 to place such portion 50 against the side 78 (Fig. 2). Likewise, the square portion 60 of tab 48 is folded at line 62 and such portion is inserted into the space between the connecting portion 28 and the side 76 (Fig. 1) of the receptacle 14 at the opposite corner thereof, while, at the same time, the tab portion 58 is folded at line 64 to place such portion 58 against the side of the receptacle 14 which is opposite the side 78. When it is desired to open the package, the tabs 50 and 58 are pulled from the respective sides of the receptacle 14 which action swings the tabs upwardly and removes the tabs 52 and 60 from the space between the connecting portion 28 and the wall 76 of the receptacle 14. The package 10 is designed to prevent physical damage to the surface mount devices while they are being handled and/or shipped. The present design provides protection from physical damage during handling by reason of the structure of the package, and the design also provides protection from electrostatic discharge damage by reason of antistatic foam-like materials used in the package. The preferred materials used in the package are 0.73 kg polyether urethane for the receptacle 14 and the insert 32, and 32.2 kg conductive solid fiber liner for the three panels 12, 26 and 42 and their associated portions.

Claims: A folded container (10) for packaging surface mount electronic devices, including a first panel (12); first connecting means (28) connected to said first panel (12) along a first fold line (40); a second panel (26) connected to said first connecting means (28) along a second fold line (38) parallel to the first fold line (40); second connecting means (44) connected to said first panel (12) along a third fold line (70) parallel to the first and second fold lines (40,38); a third panal (42) connected to said second connecting means (44) along a forth fold line (68) parallel to the third fold line (70); and cushioning means (14,32) attached to said first and second panels (12,26) and cooperating with each other to protect articles held therebetween, characterized in that said cushioning means (14,32) includes receptacle means (14) attached to one of said panels (12,26) and comprising a first layer (16) of foam-like material attached to said panel, a second layer (18) of foam-like material attached to the first layer (16) and including a plurality of spaced apertures (24) therethrough for holding a like plurality of said electronic devices, and a third layer (20) of foam-like material attached to the second layer (18) and having an aperture (22) therethrough; and insert means (32) attached to the other of said panels (12,26), such that, when said panels (12,26) are folded over one another, said aperture (22) in said third layer (20) of said receptacle means (14) receives said insert means (32) such that said electronic devices are retained in position in said plurality of spaced apertures (24); and further characterized by said third panel (42) being swingable to cover said second panel (26) and having coupling means (46,48) for coupling the third panel (42) with said second panel (26) to effect a closed and secured condition of the package (10), and said first connecting means (28) forming a first wall on a first side of said receptacle means (14) and said second connecting means (44) forming a second wall on a second side of said receptacle means (14) opposite said first side, when said third panel (42) is folded to cover said second panel (26). A container according to claim 1, characterized in that said insert means (32) is a foam-like member of circular shape fitting into the aperture (22) of said third layer (20) of said receptacle means (14) for containing said plurality of said electronic devices. A container according to claim 1, characterized in that said coupling means (46,48) include at least one tab portion (52,60) formed on said third panel (42). A container according to claim 1, characterized in that said second panel (26) includes an edge portion (74) and said third panel (42) includes slot means (72) for receiving said edge portion (74) when said third panel (42) is folded to cover said second panel (26). A container according to claim 1, characterized in that said receptacle means (14) and said insert means (32) are made of antistatic foam-like material. A container according to claim 5, characterized in that said receptacle means (14) and said insert means (32) are made of polyether urethane material. A container according to claim 1, characterized in that said first (12), second (26) and third panels (42) are sheet-like members made of conductive fiber material.

Inventors: TEHRANI, KAZEM N.
Applicants: NCR INTERNATIONAL INC.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: B65D81
IPC codes: H01L21, B65D81, B65D85