Patent ID: 6926937

Claim:
A matrix tray for handling and retaining a plurality of small components comprising: a plastic rigid body portion having an upper surface with a plurality of pockets formed therein, each of said pockets adapted to receive one of said plurality of components; and an elastomeric layer molded in each of said plurality of pockets for contacting and retaining the component when the tray is disposed in an inverted position, said layer having an upwardly facing elastomeric contact surface and a downwardly facing concealed surface continuously contacting the rigid body portion, and being formed from a thermoplastic elastomer material having a surface energy between about 20 dyne/cm and about 100 dyne/cm, a hardness of between about Shore A15 and about Shore D75, and a surface electrical resistivity of between about 1×10 4 ohms/square and about 1×10 12 ohms/square with each component being laterally and vertically restrained in place exclusively by adhesion with said at least one component contact surface when the surface of the component is placed in contact with the component contact surface, and wherein the adhesion is at least sufficient so that the component, remains in place on the component contact surface when said tray is inverted.