Microchip storage tape and cover therefor

摘要

A tape has a plurality of pockets longitudinally spaced with transverse bridges for carrying electronic microchips. Each pocket has a bottom wall having ridges surrounding the center of the pocket. The ridges engage the microchip to center the microchip within the recess and space leads connected to the microchip from the side walls and end walls of the pocket. Support members extending angularly between the ridge ends are adapted to elevate the microchip above the bottom wall of the pocket and space the leads from the bottom wall. A cover is releasably attached to side flanges and bridges of the tape to close the top of the pockets and retain the positions of the microchips in the pockets. A hole in the bottom wall of the tape allows optical readings to verify the position of the microchip. A heat sealing apparatus has movable shoes with ribs and heaters to heat seal side edges of the cover to the side flanges of the tape and middle portions of the cover to the bridges.