U.S. patent application number 12/222701 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-19 for apparatus for holding stacked trays.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Jong-Hoon Kim, Jae-Nam Lee, Woong-San Na, No-Shin Park.
Application Number | 20090045196 12/222701 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40362165 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090045196 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Jae-Nam ; et
al. |
February 19, 2009 |
Apparatus for holding stacked trays
Abstract
An apparatus for holding stacked trays includes a cover and a
hooking unit. The cover protects an upper surface of the stacked
trays. The hooking unit is connected to the cover. The hooking unit
is drawn from at least two side surfaces of the cover along the
side surfaces of the stacked trays, to hold both lower ends of the
stacked trays. Thus, the stacked trays may be easily held only by
hooking the hook on the lower end of the stacked trays.
Inventors: |
Lee; Jae-Nam; (Cheonan-si,
KR) ; Park; No-Shin; (Cheonan-si, KR) ; Kim;
Jong-Hoon; (Cheonan-si, KR) ; Na; Woong-San;
(Nam-gu, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C.
P.O. BOX 8910
RESTON
VA
20195
US
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Electronics Co.,
Ltd.
|
Family ID: |
40362165 |
Appl. No.: |
12/222701 |
Filed: |
August 14, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/212.5 ;
206/712; 220/318; 220/754; 220/756; 220/759 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 21/67346
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/212.5 ;
220/318; 206/712; 220/754; 220/756; 220/759 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/00 20060101
B65D025/00; B65D 85/86 20060101 B65D085/86; B65D 85/30 20060101
B65D085/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 17, 2007 |
KR |
10-2007-0082711 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for holding stacked trays, comprising: a cover
configured to cover an upper surface of the stacked trays; and a
hooking unit attached to the cover, the hooking unit configured to
be drawn from side surfaces of the cover to run along side surfaces
of the stacked trays and hook into lower ends of the stacked
trays.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hooking unit comprises: a
pair of drums, the drums configured to attach to the cover; belts
wound on the drums, the belts configured to be drawn from side
surfaces of the cover; hooking springs located in the drums, the
hooking springs configured to impart a tensile force on the belts;
and hooks provided on the ends of the belts, the hooks configured
to hook into the lower ends of the stacked trays.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the hooking unit further
comprises: hooking blocks on the ends of the belts, the hooks
affixed to the hooking blocks.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the hooking unit further
comprises: hooking brackets mounted on the hooking blocks, the
hooking brackets configured to fix both ends of the hooks.
5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the hooking unit further
comprises: hooking handles mounted on the hooking blocks.
6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the belts are dust-free
belts.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a locking unit for
locking the hooking unit.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the locking unit comprises: a
locking housing on the cover, the locking housing having at least
two locking grooves are arranged along a vertical direction; two
locking bars movably received in the locking housing, the locking
bars movable in the vertical direction and a horizontal direction,
the locking bars having outer ends configured to selectively insert
into the locking grooves; locking springs connected to inner ends
of the locking bars, the locking springs connected to each other by
a connecting portion; a locking button movably inserted into the
locking housing in the vertical direction, the locking button
selectively pressing on the connecting portion of the locking
springs to release the outer ends of the locking bars from the
locking grooves; and locking rods mounted on the locking bars, the
locking rods configured to press on and lock the hooking unit.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the locking unit further
comprises: a first locking protrusion provided on a lower surface
of the locking rods, the first locking protrusion configured to
press on the hooking unit; and at least two second locking
protrusions located below the hooking unit, the at least two second
locking protrusions configured to form a receiving groove in which
the first locking protrusion and the hooking unit are received.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: the stacked
trays, wherein the stacked trays are configured to receive
semiconductor packages, the stacked trays including holding
protrusions formed at the side surfaces of the stacked trays, the
holding protrusions configured to allow the hooking unit to hook
into the protrusions.
11. An apparatus for holding stacked trays, the stacked trays
configured to receive semiconductor package trays and having
holding protrusions formed at side surfaces of the trays;
comprising: a cover configured to cover an upper surface of the
stacked trays; a pair of drums installed on the cover; belts wound
on the drums, the belts configured to be selectively drawn from
side surfaces of the cover along side surfaces of the stacked
trays; hooking springs located in the drums, the hooking springs
configured to impart a tensile force on the belts; hooks provided
on the ends of the belts, the hooks configured to hook into the
lower ends of the stacked trays; a locking housing on the cover,
the locking housing having at least two locking grooves are
arranged along a vertical direction; two locking bars movably
received in the locking housing, the locking bars movable in the
vertical direction and a horizontal direction, the locking bars
having outer ends configured to selectively insert into the locking
grooves; locking springs connected to inner ends of the locking
bars, the locking springs connected to each other by a connecting
portion; a locking button movably inserted into the locking housing
in the vertical direction, the locking button selectively pressing
on the connecting portion of the locking springs to release the
outer ends of the locking bars from the locking grooves; and
locking rods mounted on the locking bars, the locking rods
configured to press on and lock the hooking unit.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: hooking blocks
on the ends of the belts, the hooks affixed to the hooking
blocks.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: hooking brackets
mounted on the hooking blocks, the hooking brackets configured to
fix both ends of the hooks.
14. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: hooking handles
mounted on the hooking blocks.
15. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: a first locking
protrusion provided on a lower surface of the locking rods, the
first locking protrusion configured to press on the hooking unit;
and at least two second locking protrusions located below the
hooking unit, the at least two second locking protrusions
configured to form a receiving groove in which the first locking
protrusion and the hooking unit are received.
16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the belts are dust-free
belts.
17. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein one belt is provided for each
drum, the belts being configured to be drawn along opposing sides
of the stacked trays.
18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein one belt is provided for
each drum, the belts being configured to be drawn along opposing
sides of the stacked trays.
Description
PRIORITY STATEMENT
[0001] This application claims the priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119 to Korean Patent Application No. 2007-82711, filed on
Aug. 17, 2007, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO),
the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] Example embodiments relate to an apparatus that may hold
stacked trays. More particularly, example embodiments relate to an
apparatus that may hold stacked trays in which semiconductor
packages may be received.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Generally, various semiconductor fabricating processes may
be performed on a wafer to form a plurality of semiconductor chips.
In order to mount the semiconductor chips on a printed circuit
board (PCB), a packaging process may be performed on the wafer to
form semiconductor packages. These semiconductor packages may be
received in a tray so as to protect the semiconductor packages from
external impacts. Further, the tray in which the semiconductor
packages are received may be transferred to process units.
[0006] A collective process may be performed on a plurality of the
semiconductor packages. Thus, a plurality of the trays in which the
semiconductor packages are received may be stacked. The stacked
trays may be transferred to the process units.
[0007] To prevent the stacked trays from collapsing, the stacked
trays may be tied with bands, such as Velcro.TM. bands. However, it
may be difficult to continuously tie and untie such bands. Further,
dust may be produced when using such bands, which may adversely
affect the semiconductor packages.
SUMMARY
[0008] Example embodiments provide an apparatus for holding stacked
trays without generating dust.
[0009] An apparatus for holding stacked trays in accordance with
example embodiments includes a cover and a hooking unit. The cover
protects an upper surface of the stacked trays. The hooking unit
may be connected to the cover. The hooking unit may be drawn from
both side surfaces of the cover along both side surfaces of the
stacked trays to hold both lower ends of the stacked trays.
[0010] According to example embodiments, the hooking unit may
include a pair of drums, belts, a hooking spring and a hook. The
drums may be mounted on the cover. The belts may be wound on the
drums and drawn from the both side surfaces of the cover along both
side surfaces of the stacked trays. The belt may include a
dust-free belt. The hooking spring may be interposed between the
drums and the belts to provide the belts with a tensile force. The
hook may be installed at ends of the belts to hold the both ends of
the stacked trays.
[0011] Additionally, the hooking unit may further include a hooking
block connected to the ends of the belts. The hook may be fixed to
the hooking block. The hooking unit may further include a hooking
bracket mounted on the hooking block to fix both ends of the hook.
The hooking unit may further include a hooking handle installed on
the hooking block.
[0012] According to example embodiments, the apparatus may further
include a locking unit for locking the hooking unit. The locking
unit may include a locking housing, two locking bars, a locking
spring, a locking button and locking rods. The locking housing may
be mounted on the cover. Further, the locking housing has at least
two locking grooves arranged in a horizontal direction. The locking
bars may be movably received in the locking housing along the
horizontal direction and a vertical direction. The locking bars may
have inner ends selectively inserted into the locking grooves. The
locking spring may be connected between the inner ends of the
locking bars. The locking button may be movably inserted into the
locking housing along the vertical direction. The locking button
may selectively press a portion of the locking spring between the
inner ends of the locking bars to release outer ends of the locking
bars from the locking grooves. The locking rods may be installed on
the locking bars, respectively, to press and lock the hooking
unit.
[0013] Further, the locking unit may include a first locking
protrusion and at least two second locking protrusions. The first
locking protrusion may be provided on lower surfaces of the locking
rods to press the hooking unit. The second locking protrusions may
be arranged alternately with respect to the first locking
protrusion under the hooking unit to form a receiving groove for
receiving the first locking protrusion and the hooking unit.
[0014] According to example embodiments, the stacked trays may be
easily held only by hooking the hook, which may be connected to the
belt, on the end of the stacked trays. Further, since the belt may
be a dust-free belt, dust may not be generated from the belt.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The above and other features and advantages of example
embodiments will become more apparent by describing in detail
example embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. The
accompanying drawings are intended to depict example embodiments
and should not be interpreted to limit the intended scope of the
claims. The accompanying drawings are not to be considered as drawn
to scale unless explicitly noted.
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an apparatus for
holding stacked trays in accordance with example embodiments.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a front view of the apparatus in FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus in FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a side view of the apparatus in FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a hooking unit of the
apparatus in FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a side view of the stacked trays held by the
apparatus in FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating a hook of the apparatus
in FIG. 1.
[0023] FIGS. 8 and 9 are front views illustrating operations for
holding the stacked trays in FIG. 6 with the hook in FIG. 7.
[0024] FIGS. 10 to 12 are cross-sectional views illustrating a
locking unit of the apparatus in FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0025] Detailed example embodiments are disclosed herein. However,
specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are
merely representative for purposes of describing example
embodiments. Example embodiments may, however, be embodied in many
alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the
embodiments set forth herein.
[0026] Accordingly, while example embodiments are capable of
various modifications and alternative forms, embodiments thereof
are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be
described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there
is no intent to limit example embodiments to the particular forms
disclosed, but to the contrary, example embodiments are to cover
all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the
scope of example embodiments. Like numbers refer to like elements
throughout the description of the figures.
[0027] It will be understood that, although the terms first,
second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these
elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only
used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first
element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second
element could be termed a first element, without departing from the
scope of example embodiments. As used herein, the term "and/or"
includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated
listed items.
[0028] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as
being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it may be
directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening
elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred
to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another
element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words
used to describe the relationship between elements should be
interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly
between", "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent", etc.).
[0029] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an"
and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further
understood that the terms "comprises", "comprising,", "includes"
and/or "including", when used herein, specify the presence of
stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or
components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or
more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,
components, and/or groups thereof.
[0030] It should also be noted that in some alternative
implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the
order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in
succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or
may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the
functionality/acts involved.
[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an apparatus for
holding stacked trays in accordance with example embodiments. FIG.
2 is a front view of the apparatus in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a plan view
of the apparatus in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a side view of the apparatus
in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a hooking unit of the
apparatus in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a side view of the stacked trays
held by the apparatus in FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating
a hook of the apparatus in FIG. 1. FIGS. 8 and 9 are front views
illustrating operations for holding the stacked trays in FIG. 6
with the hook in FIG. 7. FIGS. 10 to 12 are cross-sectional views
illustrating a locking unit of the apparatus in FIG. 1.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, an apparatus 100 for holding
stacked trays in accordance with example embodiments includes a
cover 110, a hooking unit 130 and a locking unit 150.
[0033] The cover 110 may act to cover an upper surface of the
stacked trays 200. In example embodiments, each of the stacked
trays 200 may receive a plurality of semiconductor packages. With
reference to FIGS. 6, 8 and 9, a holding protrusion 210 may be
formed at both side surfaces of each of the stacked trays 200 along
a horizontal direction. A holding groove 212 may be formed at a
lower surface of the holding protrusion 210 of the stacked trays
200.
[0034] Referring again to FIGS. 1 to 4, each of the stacked trays
200 may have a rectangular cross-section. Thus, the cover 110 may
have a rectangular cross-section. The cover 110 may make contact
with the upper surface of the stacked trays 200. In example
embodiments, the cover 110 may have an area slightly larger than
that of the upper surface of the stacked trays 200. Further, the
cover 110 may have a flange 112 configured to cover upper edges of
the stacked trays 200.
[0035] The hooking unit 130 may be provided to attach to the cover
110. The hooking unit 130 supports both side surfaces of the
stacked trays 200, while also fixing both lower ends of the stacked
trays 200 to prevent the stacked trays 200 from collapsing while
the stacked trays 200 are transferred. The hooking unit 130 may
include a pair of drums 131, a belt 132, hooking springs 133, and
hooks 136.
[0036] The drums 131 may be located in the cover 110. The drums 131
may be fixed to a vertical shaft (not shown) that may be secured to
the cover 110 along a vertical direction. A drum cover 138 may
cover the drums 131. The belt 132 may be wound on the drums 131,
respectively. The hooking springs 133 may be arranged in the drums
131, and the hooking springs 133 may be connected to belt 132 to
resiliently support belt 132 toward the drums 131. Thus, a tensile
force may be applied to belt 132 by the hooking springs 133.
[0037] A belt 132 may be drawn from the both side surfaces of the
cover 110. The length of belt 132 may be adjusted in accordance
with a height of the stacked trays 200. Further, belt 132 may be
drawn downwardly along at least both side surfaces of the stacked
trays 200, such that two belts 132 are supporting the stacked trays
200. Alternatively, more than two belts 132 may be used to support
at least two side surfaces of stacked trays 200. In example
embodiments, belt 132 may include a dust-free belt from which dust
may not be generated.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, hooking blocks 134 may be
installed on lower ends of belt 132. A pair of hooking brackets 135
may be mounted on the inner surfaces of the hooking blocks 134.
Both ends of the hooks 136 may be secured to hooking brackets 135.
In other words, the hook 136 may be one elongated bar that runs
horizontally along the length of hooking block 134. In example
embodiments, the hooks 135 may be three in numbers. However, the
number of hooks 135 need not be restricted to three in number. The
hooks 136 may enter between the holding protrusions 210 of the
stacked trays 200, and allowing the hooks 136 to then be held in
the holding groove 212. Because belt 132 offers vertical tensile
force due to the hooking springs 133, the hooks 136 in the holding
grooves 212 may not slip out of holding grooves 212.
[0039] Additionally, hooking handles 137 may be formed on outer
side surfaces of the hooking blocks 134. Thus, a worker may easily
draw belt 132 down by grasping the hooking handles 137, in order to
secure the hooking block 134 to the stacked trays 200.
[0040] Referring to FIGS. 10 to 12, the locking unit 150 locks the
belt 132 to maintain the hooks 136 in the holding grooves 212. The
locking unit 150 includes a locking housing 151, a pair of locking
bars 154 and 155, a locking spring 156, a locking button 157 and
locking rods 158.
[0041] The locking housing 151 may be installed on the cover 110.
The locking housing 151 includes a pair of vertical locking rods
158 arranged at both sides of the upper surface of the cover 110,
as the locking housing 151 runs horizontally along the upper
surface of cover 110 between the vertical locking rods 158. At
least two locking grooves 152 and 153 may be formed vertically
along inner side surfaces of the locking housing 151. The locking
housing 151 may allow for an opening to exist between the locking
housing 151 and the cover 110.
[0042] The locking bars 154 and 155 may be received in hollow inner
spaces along the horizontal plane of the locking housing 151. The
locking bars 154 and 155 may be movably arranged in the horizontal
portion, in both the vertical direction and the horizontal
direction. Each of the locking bars 154 and 155 may have outer ends
selectively inserted into either of locking grooves 152 and 153,
and inner ends adjacent to each other. Therefore, a gap may be
defined between the inner ends of locking bars 154 and 155.
[0043] Both ends of the locking spring 156 may be wound on the
inner ends of the locking bars 154 and 155. Thus, the inner ends of
the locking bars 154 and 155 may be connected to each other via a
connecting portion 170 of the locking springs 156. The connecting
portion 170 of the locking springs 156 may have a linear shape.
[0044] A locking button 157 may be movably inserted into an upper
surface of locking housing 151, along a vertical direction. The
locking button 157 selectively presses down on the connecting
portion 170 of the locking springs 156, such that insertion of the
locking button 157 may cause the connecting portion 170 to pull
locking bars 154 and 155 toward each other. Withdrawal of locking
button 157 releases tension on connecting portion 170, allowing
locking springs 156 to press the locking bars 154 and 155 into
locking grooves 152 or 153. Thus, the locking bars 154 and 155 may
be moved along the vertical direction from either groove 152 or
153, by pressing and releasing locking button 157.
[0045] The locking rods 158 may be installed on the outer ends of
the locking bars 154 and 155. The locking rods 158 extend from the
locking bars 154 and 155 to a lower region where belt 132 may be
positioned.
[0046] An upper locking plate 161 may be mounted on lower surfaces
of the locking rods 158. A lower locking plate 162 may be arranged
on a bottom surface of the cover 110. The upper locking plate 161
and the lower locking plate 162 may be configured to engage either
side of belt 132. At least one first locking protrusion 159 may be
provided on a lower surface of the upper locking plate 161. At
least two second locking protrusions 160 may be provided on an
upper surface of the lower locking plate 162. Thus, a receiving
groove 163 may be formed between the second locking protrusions
160, along the first locking protrusion 159 to snuggly fit inside
groove 163. The locking bars 154 and 155 may be received in the
upper locking groove 152, thereby allowing a gap between upper
locking plate 161 and lower locking plate 162 to allow belts 132 to
pass through. The first locking protrusion 159 and the second
locking protrusions 160 may be alternately arranged so that the
first locking protrusion 159 is configured to press belt 132, such
that locking protrusion 159 then is received in the receiving
groove 163 between the second locking protrusions 160 together with
the belts 132.
[0047] Hereinafter, operations for holding the stacked trays 200
using the apparatus 100 will be explained in detail.
[0048] The cover 110 may be placed on the stacked trays 200. A user
may draw the hooking handles 137 to draw belts 132 over both side
surfaces of the stacked trays 200. The hooking handles 137 may
therefore be moved to a lower region of the stacked trays 200. The
hooks 136 may be inserted into the holding protrusions 210 of the
stacked trays 200. When an external force applied to the hooking
handles 137 is removed, the hooks 136 may be held in the grooves
212 by the tensile force of the belts 132. The tensile force may be
upwardly applied to belt 132 by the hooking springs 133. When an
external force greater than the tensile force of the belt 132 is
applied to the hooks 136, the hooks 136 may be released from the
holding grooves 212. Therefore, hooks 136 may firmly support the
lower end of the stacked trays 200, while belts 132 may support at
least two side surfaces of the stacked trays 200, to ensure that
the stacked trays 200 do not collapse while being transferred.
[0049] A user may press the locking button 157, which in turn
causes tension on the connecting portion 170 of locking springs
156, allowing the locking bars 154 and 155 to be pulled toward each
other. As a result, the outer ends of the locking bars 154 and 155
may be released from the upper locking groove 152, as shown in FIG.
10.
[0050] While the locking button 157 is continuously pressed, the
locking bars 154 and 155 may descend to the next set of locking
grooves 153. Thus, the locking rods 158 may descend together with
locking bars 154 and 155, to cause the first locking protrusion 159
to press on the belts 132. The first locking protrusion 159 and
belt 132 may be received in the receiving groove 163 between the
second locking protrusions 160. When an external force is removed
from the locking button 157, tension on the connecting portion 170
of locking springs 156 is released. This allows locking springs 156
to push the outer ends locking bars 154 and 155 into lower locking
grooves 153, such that the locking bars 154 and 155 may then be
locked in a vertical direction. As a result, a portion of belt 132
may be firmly fixed, such that belt 132 may then firmly hold the
lower end of the stacked trays 200.
[0051] In example embodiments, the trays 200 held by the apparatus
100 may receive semiconductor packages. Alternatively, the
apparatus 100 may be applied to the trays 200 for receiving other
parts.
[0052] According to example embodiments, the stacked trays may be
easily held with belts only by hooking the hook on the holding
protrusion of stacked trays. Further, the length of the belts may
be adjusted in accordance with the height of the stacked trays, so
that it may cope with height changes of the belts. Furthermore, the
belts may be firmly fixed by pressing the locking button. As a
result, the stacked trays may be transferred without the trays
collapsing.
[0053] Moreover, since the belt may include a dust-free belt, dust
which may otherwise adversely affect the semiconductor package may
not be generated from the belt.
[0054] Example embodiments having thus been described, it will be
obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations
are not to be regarded as a departure from the intended spirit and
scope of example embodiments, and all such modifications as would
be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included
within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *