Merlin E Behnke

US Patent:

6481187, Nov 19, 2002

Filed:

Apr 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/462555

Inventors:

Merlin E. Behnke - Grafton WI
Steven J. Alexander - Milwaukee WI
Donald P. McGee - Oconomowoc WI
Todd K. Pichler - New Berlin WI
John Novak - Hartford WI

Assignee:

Robotic Vision Systems, Inc. - Canton MA

International Classification:

B65B 728

US Classification:

53471, 53473, 53 51, 53250, 53281

Abstract:

A carrier tape drive used in conjunction with a pick and place module. The drive advances carrier tape to a desired position in two steps. The first step includes substantially stopping a carrier tape compartment short of a loading position, and the second step includes moving the compartment into the loading position.

US Patent:

6585185, Jul 1, 2003

Filed:

Jul 6, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/900757

Inventors:

Martin Weiss - Penang, MY
Merlin Behnke - Grafton WI
Scott E. Booker - Oconomowoc WI
David J. Rollmann - New Berlin WI
Troy R. Beasley - West Allis WI
Kenneth J. Pikus - Franklin WI

Assignee:

Robotic Vision Systems, Inc. - Canton MA

International Classification:

B65H 1926

US Classification:

2425277, 2425325, 2425335, 2425336

Abstract:

A multiple output reel module includes a reel wheel supporting a plurality of spindles. Mounted to each spindle is a reel. The reel wheel is rotatable to position one of the spindle and reel combinations in a loading position in which output media from a nearby machine is interconnected to the reel. The spindle and reel are rotated to load the reel with output media. A CPU monitors the status of the reel, and stops the loading when the reel is full. The CPU then rotates the reel wheel to position a second spindle and reel combination in the loading position. The output media is automatically positioned over a portion of the second reel, and the output media is automatically interconnected to the second reel with an over-center finger assembly. Then the output media between the two reels is cut and the second reel is loaded with output media.

US Patent:

6735927, May 18, 2004

Filed:

Oct 1, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/262245

Inventors:

Merlin E. Behnke - Grafton WI
Steven J. Alexander - Milwaukee WI
Donald P. McGee - Oconomowoc WI
Todd K. Pichler - New Berlin WI
John Novak - Hartford WI

Assignee:

International Product Technology, Inc. - New Berlin WI

International Classification:

B65B 504

US Classification:

53473, 53 64, 53250

Abstract:

A drive for a carrier tape used in conjunction with a pick and place module of a machine for inspecting and handling advances the carrier tape to its desired position in two steps. Using the number of sprocket holes between compartments in the tape (n holes), the first step is n-1 sprocket holes. The second step takes the carrier tape the remaining distance to complete the advance to the distance equal to n sprocket holes. The tape is driven by friction rollers not by the use of the sprocket holes. The presence of a device in a compartment and its proper positioning in the compartment is also inspected.

US Patent:

6810936, Nov 2, 2004

Filed:

Oct 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/287878

Inventors:

Merlin E. Behnke - Grafton WI

Assignee:

International Product Technology, Inc. - New Berlin WI

International Classification:

B30B 1500

US Classification:

156582, 156292, 1563082, 156499, 156555

Abstract:

Method and apparatus for sealing cover tape. A sealing mechanism is connected to an actuator that moves the mechanism toward an adhesively backed cover tape and a carrier tape. The sealing mechanism applies heat and/or pressure to the cover tape to activate and bond the cover tape to the carrier tape. A biasing member biases the mechanism away from the cover and carrier tapes. The actuator is actuable to overcome the biasing force of the biasing member and to initiate contact between the sealing mechanism and the cover tape. When the actuator is disengaged, the biasing member moves the sealing mechanism away from the cover tape.

US Patent:

6820401, Nov 23, 2004

Filed:

Oct 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/282625

Inventors:

Merlin E. Behnke - Grafton WI

Assignee:

International Product Technology, Inc. - New Berlin WI

International Classification:

B65B 728

US Classification:

53486, 53478, 53487, 53282, 53289, 53290

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for packaging parts in compartments of a carrier tape and affixing a cover tape over the carrier tape to trap the parts in the compartments. The method and apparatus provide for deflecting a flange of the carrier tape and sealing the cover tape to the deflected flange. The cover tape is tightened across the carrier tape when the carrier tape flange returns to its undeflected condition.

US Patent:

RE38880, Nov 22, 2005

Filed:

Jul 15, 1998

Appl. No.:

10/122372

Inventors:

Merlin E. Behnke - Grafton WI, US
Michael L. Schneider - Wauwatosa WI, US
Donald P. McGee - Oconomowoc WI, US
Robert G. Bertz - Wauwatosa WI, US
William Fusco, Jr. - Pewaukee WI, US
Todd K. Pichler - Muskego WI, US
Jon P. Ubert - New Berlin WI, US
Steven J. Bilodeau - Setauket NY, US
Frank L. Jacovino - Plainview NY, US

Assignee:

Robotic Vision Systems, Inc. - Canton MA

International Classification:

B07C005/02

US Classification:

209540, 209541, 209556, 4147886, 4147887

Abstract:

An apparatus for processing electronic circuit devices includes an infeed station, a first inspection station, an inverter station, a second inspection station, a sorting station, and an outfeed station. A linear transport mechanism having side edges transports a first work piece containing a plurality of electronic circuit devices through the stations along a linear path. The inverter station holds an empty second work piece above the transport mechanism in an inverted orientation. The inverter station also includes an elevator for lifting the first work piece vertically into an abutting relationship with the second work piece, and an inverting mechanism for inverting the first and second work pieces while maintaining them in the abutting relationship to position the electronic devices in the second work piece in the inverted orientation. The inverter station executes the work piece inverting action while maintaining the work pieces above the linear transport mechanism and between the side edges of the linear transport mechanism. Thus, the electronic circuit devices are inspected at the first inspection station in a first orientation in the first work piece, and are inspected at the second inspection station in an inverted orientation in the second work piece.

US Patent:

20030044056, Mar 6, 2003

Filed:

Jun 13, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/171466

Inventors:

Dallin Katt - Waukesha WI, US
Mark Shires - Glendale WI, US
Robert Bertz - Wauwatosa WI, US
Michael Reilly - New Berlin WI, US
Merlin Behnke - Grafton WI, US

Assignee:

Robotic Vision Systems, Inc. - Canton MA

International Classification:

G06K009/00

US Classification:

382/143000

Abstract:

A method for inspecting composite tape including cover tape bonded to carrier tape comprises capturing a digital image of the composite tape, dividing the seal tracks within the image into a plurality of fragments or segments. The method also provides for analyzing each segment of the seal track for the presence or absence of the seal and for the width of the seal, and assigning a failing grade to the segment if the seal is not continuous within the segment or if the seal has a width less than a minimum width within the segment. The method further provides for notifying a machine operator of a defective seal if the number consecutively-failed segments in the seal track exceeds a defect tolerance. The method also provides for measuring the spacings of the carrier tape edge, cover tape edge, and seal tracks from each other and comparing those spacings to acceptable values.

US Patent:

20030079444, May 1, 2003

Filed:

Oct 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/282492

Inventors:

Merlin Behnke - Grafton WI, US

Assignee:

Robotic Vision Systems, Inc. - Canton MA

International Classification:

B65B005/00
B65B007/00

US Classification:

053/467000, 053/493000, 053/284500

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for flattening cover tape prior to the cover tape being sealed to a carrier tape. The apparatus includes a cover tape flattener with a leading edge angled in the direction of the moving carrier tape and cover tape. The method and apparatus provide for smoothing the cover tape and sealing the cover tape to the carrier tape.