Patent ID: 12256498

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

FIGS.1A to1Cshow an illustration of a conventional use of a conventional device. A device according to the present invention can be used in a similar manner.FIGS.2and3show a conventional device.

FIG.1Ashows a first step of using a conventional device. In this first step, bars B are deposited on a gel film25. Below the gel film25, a nylon grid23is formed, which is mounted on a base carrier21. The bars B are deposited in the storage device in such a way that they cannot slip or fall off the base carrier21during transport.FIG.1Ashows the device in the state in which no negative pressure or vacuum has yet been built up between gel25and base carrier21. The base carrier21has a passage to the area below the gel25. Through this passage, the air can be pumped out between the bar B or the gel25and the base carrier21. In this way, a negative pressure or vacuum is created which attracts the gel film25towards the base carrier21such that contact areas between a bar B and the gel film25are effectively reduced.

FIG.1Bshows another illustration of the conventional device, during a second step of using the conventional device.FIG.1Bcorresponds toFIG.1A, but with the difference that now negative pressure is built up or a vacuum Vis generated in the space between the gel film25and the base carrier21in such a way that the gel film25nestles against the nylon grid23. At this stage, the vacuum V reduces the contact areas between the bars B and the gel film25. In this way, the bars B are now prepared for lifting. The adhesive force of the carrier material, which in this case is the gel film25, has thus been effectively reduced.

FIG.1Cshows a further illustration of a conventional device and a third step of the use of the conventional device.FIG.1Cshows a top view which follows the condition according toFIG.1B. Since a vacuum Vis now applied, the semiconductors or bars B can be lifted off in a simple manner, for example by means of vacuum tweezers VP in a non-destructive manner.

FIG.2shows a further illustration of a conventional device. According to the illustration inFIG.2, a conventional device for storage is shown as individual parts stacked on top of one another. A nylon grid23is positioned on a base carrier21, over which a gel film25is provided. The stack is closed from above by means of a transparent cover27.

FIG.3shows a further illustration of a conventional device. According toFIG.3, in contrast toFIG.2, the individual parts are shown separately from one another. InFIG.2, the individual parts are stacked on top of each other. Reference sign21indicates a base carrier. Reference sign23indicates a nylon grid, reference sign25refers to a gel film and reference sign27indicates a cover.

FIG.4Ashows an illustration of a device according to the invention. The illustration according toFIG.4Ashows the device according to the invention as individual parts layered on top of each other.FIG.4Ashows a base carrier1, on which a carrier foil3is arranged, which can be fixed by means of a fixing frame5.

FIG.4Bshows a further illustration of a device according to the invention, in this case with individual parts separated from one another.FIG.4Bshows individual parts of the storage device according to the invention, which is to be used for components, in particular for semiconductor components, in particular in the form of bars. Reference sign1indicates a base carrier1extending along a surface, in particular an X-Y plane, which comprises a surface structuring on a main surface side. In the centre of the illustration inFIG.4Ba carrier foil3is shown, one main surface of which can be positioned on the main surface of the base substrate1comprising the surface structuring, and on the other main surface of which components, for example bars B, can be positioned and fixed.FIG.4Balso shows a fixing frame5which fixes the carrier foil3positioned on the main surface of the base substrate1comprising the surface structuring to the base substrate1.

The core idea of such a foil pack, which can likewise be referred to as a tape pack, is a carrier foil3such as an adhesive foil or a foil with adhesive edges. Accordingly, a conventional gel and an underlying conventional nylon grid or mesh can be dispensed with. The foil or carrier foil3can be clamped into or onto the base carrier1by means of a ring, a clamp or, more generally, by means of a fixing frame5. For example, a conventional foil can be used, such as an adhesive foil ATR-MF120.

The base carrier1can be manufactured, for example, by injection molding and with elongated recesses11optimized for the removal of bars B, for example in the form of grooves or riffles. Such grooves or riffles are an example of a surface structuring of a main surface side of a base carrier1. The grooves or riffles or recesses11enable a carrier foil3to be easily and effectively inserted into a groove or riffles under negative pressure or vacuum. In this way, a contact surface of an bar B on a carrier foil3is effectively reduced, whereby the adhesive force is reduced in such a way that the components or bars B can be removed from the carrier foil3without great force. It should be possible to lay down bars B transversely, for example at an angle of more than 40 degrees, to the elongated recesses11. If bars B are generally oriented along the X- or Y-axis of the base carrier1, an orientation of the elongated recesses11at an angle of 45 degrees to the X-axis is suitable for these two orientations of the bars B.

As a result of a strong spread of conventional gel packs in the semiconductor industry, the base carrier1should correspond as far as possible to the dimensions of a conventional gel pack. The dimensions of the base carrier are standardized for all packs with and without vacuum environment in the semiconductor industry.

The tape packs according to the invention also differ from conventional gel packs in height. It is estimated that tape packs according to the invention are about 1 mm higher than conventional gel packs. However, such a height difference can be compensated for by appropriate system settings.

FIG.4Bshows side by side a base carrier1with elongated recesses11, for example riffles, which can be produced as an injection molded part. A further individual part is a carrier foil3, which can be designed as an adhesive foil or generally as a foil. The carrier foil3may have an adhesive on at least one main surface. Another individual part is a fixing frame5, which may be provided as a ring or clamp, for example with slightly conical self-locking formations. The fixing frame5may, for example, have been manufactured as an injection-molded part.

FIG.4Cshows a further illustration of a device according to the invention, namely with further individual parts separated from each other.FIG.4Cshows a cover with reference sign7. This can be designed as an injection molded part. A cover7can, for example, close off the carrier foil3, which is fixed to the base carrier1by means of a fixing frame5, from the side of the fixing frame5.

InFIG.4C, reference sign9designates a closure. A closure9can cover or close off the carrier foil3fixed to the base carrier1by means of the fixing frame5from the side of the base carrier1. In the center ofFIG.4C, a stack consisting of a base carrier1, a carrier foil3and a fixing frame5is shown. On top of this are bars B oriented in the X or Y direction. A closure9can be engaged with a cover7in such a way that the cover7, together with the closure9, completely encloses or wraps around the carrier foil3, which is fixed to the base substrate1by means of the fixing frame5, and mechanically fixes it.

FIG.5Ashows a side view of a device according to the invention next to a conventional device. The device according to the invention, which can also be referred to here as a tape pack, can be approximately 1 mm taller in its overall height than conventional gel packs due to the fixing frame5acting as a clamp for clamping the carrier foil3and the material rigidity required as a result.

FIG.5Ashows the difference in size between a device according to the invention and a conventional device, which is shown on the right inFIG.5A. InFIG.5A, cover7and closure9enclose base carrier1, carrier foil3and fixing frame5.

FIG.5Bshows a cross-section of a device according to the invention in addition to a conventional device as shown inFIG.5A.FIGS.5A and5Bshow a possible height difference between a device according to the invention and a conventional device.

FIG.6Ashows a cross-section of a device according to the invention. The sectional plane corresponds to the plane A-A as shown inFIG.6B. In the cross-section ofFIG.6A, the base carrier1, the carrier foil3and the fixing frame5are visible. From above, a cover7is mechanically coupled to a lower closure9in such a way that, in addition, the three inner individual parts, base carrier1, carrier foil3and fixing frame5, are mechanically fixed and protected from external influences by means of cover7and closure9. Semiconductor components, for example bars B, can be fixed, stored and protected on the carrier foil3.

FIG.6Bshows a top view of a device according to the invention, wherein inFIG.6Bthe cross-sectional plane ofFIG.6Ais marked by the section line A-A. The view according toFIG.6Bshows a top view of the cover7, which can be mechanically pushed into a guide rail of the closure9.

FIGS.6A and6Bshow an example of a device according to the invention, which may be manufactured as an injection molded part.

FIG.7shows an exploded view of a further example of a device according to the invention. A base carrier1with a carrier foil3and a fixing frame5are arranged between a cover7and a closure9. Here the fixing frame5is designed as a foil clamp in the form of an outer ring. All individual parts may, for example, be made of a conductive polycarbonate material.

FIG.7also shows that a fixing frame5can additionally be positioned and fixed by means of securing pins17of the base carrier1. Furthermore, the individual parts of a device according to the invention may have been manufactured by means of a sintering process. Further manufacturing processes are made possible by a so-called3D printer.

FIG.8shows a further illustration of a device according to the invention, in this case under the effect of a vacuum. Longitudinal recesses11are produced here as grooves with round cross-section lines. Bars B project beyond the grooves provided, with one bar covering three grooves, for example. The bars are oriented at right angles to the grooves. A carrier foil3is arranged between the surface-structured base substrate1and the bar B and is attracted towards the base substrate1under the influence of vacuum or vacuum pressure. In this way, there is only contact between bar B and carrier foil3and the open ends of the grooves. In the state shown inFIG.8, bars B can easily be lifted off. The carrier foil3is sucked into the riffles as shown inFIG.8. This reduces the contact area of the component B on the carrier foil3. The bars B can be removed from the foil in a simple manner, for example by means of vacuum tweezers. To prevent the bars B from falling into the grooves, the positioning of the bars Bis such that they have been arranged in their longitudinal direction transverse to the direction of the grooves.FIG.8shows a so-called groove shaft with bars B under vacuum influence.

For example, an adhesive foil ATR-MF 120 can be used as carrier foil3. The use of the type of carrier foil is not limited to this. Semiconductor components can, for example, be placed on an adhesive foil and removed again while reducing the contact area of the foil. If the component B is placed over the entire surface of the adhesive foil, it is not possible for the semiconductors to slip or fall off. Any type of carrier foil for semiconductor production can also be used as a foil.

FIG.9Ashows a further illustration of a base carrier1according to the invention. Here, the base carrier1comprises riffles11as longitudinal recesses. In contrast to grooves, riffles can have angular cross-sectional lines. The base carrier1can be manufactured by injection molding with defined riffles. The riffles can be offset or rotated 45° to the X axis. In addition, the recesses11or riffles can comprise regular interruptions15at their open wall ends or tips. These interruptions15reduce mechanical stresses on the carrier foil3under vacuum or negative pressure. Furthermore, the interruptions15can be used to further reduce the contact area of the bars B.

To provide negative pressure or a vacuum between the carrier foil3and the base carrier1, the base carrier1can comprise passages. Such a passage D or via is visible, for example, in the center of the base carrier1. For example, a base carrier1can be milled from aluminium. In particular, a design of the base carrier1as an aluminium part is suitable, whereby adhesion foils can be used with the base carrier1consisting of aluminium.

FIG.9Bshows a more detailed illustration of a surface structure of a base carrier1according to the invention. In this case, elongated recesses11are formed which have regular interruptions15, in this case square cutouts, at their open wall ends, which in particular here can be formed in cross-section as tips. The interruptions15can also be rectangular or rounded.FIG.9Bshows the orientation of the elongated recesses11or riffles, which extend slanted and, for example, rotated through an angle of 40 to 50° with respect to an X axis. The example shows a 45° angle.FIG.9Bshows a cutaway view of the open ends of three walls forming two elongated recesses11.

FIG.9Cshows a further detailed illustration of a surface structuring of a base carrier1according to the invention. The elongated recesses11here are riffles. To prevent bars B from falling into the riffles, it is necessary to select a mutually crossing orientation. The riffles here also have regular interruptions15.FIG.9Cshows the orientation of the riffles, which extend slanted and rotated, for example, by an angle of 130 to 140° to an X axis. The angle shown here is 135°.

The detailed view ofFIG.9Cshows that recesses11can be created at their open wall ends with regular interruptions15.

FIG.9Dshows a further illustration of a surface structure of a base carrier according to the invention. A bar B lies transverse to an elongated recess11of a riffle which here comprises angular lines in its cross-section. The open ends of the walls providing the recess11run pointedly in the direction of the respective open end. These ends also have indentations E or, according toFIG.9B, regular interruptions of a respective upper boundary line. These interruptions or indentations E have a square or rectangular shape when viewed from above. In contrast toFIG.9B, the distances between the regular interruptions or indentations are larger.

FIG.10Ashows a further illustration of a fixing frame5according to the invention. The fixing frame5can be designed as a clamp. By means of the fixing frame5designed as a clamp, the carrier foil3can be clamped and secured on the base carrier1. In this case, the fixing frame5acts as a clamp via a groove on the base carrier1, this is shown with reference toFIG.10BandFIG.10C. The fixing frame5can alternatively be fixed to the base carrier1by conical design of the flanges21, this being shown with reference toFIG.10D. In addition, locking pins17can be provided at the corners of the base carrier1, into which the fixing frame3can also be positioned and fixed. The latter is shown inFIG.10Aon the right-hand side.

Accordingly,FIGS.10A,10B,10C and10Dshow how a fixing frame5can be detachably fixed to a base carrier1. The fixing frame5, which is designed as a clamp, can be released or opened again so that a foil change is possible. Thus, a base carrier1can be cleaned and reused.

FIG.11Ashows a further illustration of the use of a device according to the invention.FIG.11Ashows how semiconductor components, in particular bars B, can be placed on a used carrier foil3. The bars B are oriented here along an X-direction. The bars B can be placed on target markers, in particular target rectangles, oriented accordingly along the X-direction. These can be applied to a respective carrier foil3or a base carrier1.

FIG.11Bshows, in addition toFIG.11A, a placement sequence of bars B on the target rectangles of a carrier foil3or a base carrier1. First a left target rectangle column and then a right target rectangle column are loaded with bars B, in each case from top to bottom.

In addition to the illustrations inFIGS.11A and11B,FIGS.12A,12B and12Cshow further placement of bars B on a respective carrier foil3or a respective base carrier1. There are preferred placement locations and placement sequences. In addition, conventional placement patterns can be used. The bars B are oriented here along a Y-direction and arranged perpendicular to target rectangles.

FIG.13shows a further illustration of a base carrier1according to the invention.FIG.13clearly shows the surface structuring of the base carrier1. A fixing frame5is clamped onto the frame of the base carrier1. For further clarity, this arrangement is also shown as a cross-section.

FIG.14shows a further illustration of the use of a device according to the invention. According to a possible use of a storage device according to the invention, the following example is described. In a first step S1, semiconductor components are deposited and fixed on the carrier foil, in particular by means of adhesion and/or by means of adhesive. In a next step S2, the component-carrying carrier foil is fixed or clamped to the base carrier1by means of a fixing frame. This is followed by a third step S3, in which, after fixing the component- and bar B-carrying carrier foil to the base carrier by means of the fixing frame, a complete wrapping is carried out by means of the cover and the closure.

After the storage time, a removal of the cover and closure can be carried out in a fourth step S4. With a final step S5, a removal of the components or bars B from the carrier foil carried by the base carrier can be carried out by applying a vacuum or negative pressure to the carrier foil carried by the base carrier.

The present invention includes several advantages. For example, replacement of a carrier foil3and multiple use of the base carrier1, the carrier foil3and the fixing frame5are possible due to the clamp. In this way, multiple use of the so-called tape pack is possible.

Another advantage is the possibility to use different carrier foils. This results in low production costs for the carrier foils. The carrier foils3can be evaluated and used individually for each component. The base substrate1with the elongated recesses11can, for example, be manufactured in a casting process. This makes it possible to dispense with the insertion of a nylon grid. Furthermore, no special gel film needs to be used as the carrier foil3.

Another advantage is the resistance of the carrier foil3to a gel. Due to its thickness, a carrier foil3is significantly more tear-resistant than a gel. Thus, the packs are less susceptible.

Furthermore, production effort and costs can be reduced. Due to the low manufacturing effort, the packs can be produced in high quantities at a lower price.

Furthermore, the proposed corrugated design is advantageous. Insertion of the carrier foil3and thus sufficient reduction of the contact points of the bars B is only possible in the elongated recesses11. Since the carrier foil3used is thicker than a conventional gel, with conventional nylon grids and domes the foil would not be sufficiently inserted and would adhere to the component B. The foil is therefore not sufficiently thick.

Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by means of the preferred embodiment examples, the present invention is not restricted by the disclosed examples and other variations may be derived by the skilled person without exceeding the scope of protection of the invention.