CN101224802A - Shipping tray for optics and optics loaded therein - Google Patents

Abstract

The object of the present invention is to provide a shipping tray for optical components, which prevents the tipping of the optical components during transportation and maintains the optimization of the optical properties of the optical components. In a shipping tray for optical components, a single edge of a plurality of optical components each having two main surfaces formed as horizontal flat surfaces, arranged vertically in sequence in the transverse and longitudinal directions on an adhesive tape positioned on the bottom surface of the main container ; A plurality of optical elements are covered by a cover, and a plurality of recesses are formed in the cover for respectively accommodating a plurality of optical elements. Each depression in the cover has a hole portion provided in its stepped portion, into which one of the optical elements is vertically inserted and from which the free edge side protrudes, and the shape of the hole portion is oval.

Description

Shipping tray for optics and optics loaded therein

technical field

The present invention relates to a shipping tray for optical components in which the optical components are loaded and accommodating the loaded optical components therein, and more particularly to a shipping tray for optical components that ensures that the properties of the optical components are maintained during transportation.

Background technique

Background of the invention

Optical elements are made of materials such as crystal or glass for use after being assembled into various optical devices such as cameras, and thus demand has expanded recently. Such optical elements are generally housed, loaded and transported in a shipping tray for optical elements formed of plastic (resin).

current technology

A prior art shipping tray for optical components is shown in FIG. 3 , wherein FIG. 3A is a plan view with the cover 2 removed, FIG. 3B is a plan view of the cover, and FIG. 3C is from the arrow II-II direction of FIG. 3B See the partially enlarged cross-sectional view.

A prior art shipping tray for optical components is formed of a main container 1 and a cover 2, each of which is molded from a transparent plastic plate by using a mold (vacuum forming). The main container 1 has a concave portion and has a hole edge surface. The outer periphery of the main surface of the cover 2 has a frame wall 2a, and a plurality of recesses 3 formed in one main surface thereof in lateral and longitudinal directions, facing the extending direction of the frame wall 2a. The other main surface of the cover 2 has grooves 4 intersecting between recesses 3 . A flange 2 b is formed on each of the hole edge surface of the cover 2 and the frame wall 2 a of the cover 2 .

A plurality of rectangular cushioning elements 5 formed of foamed plastic material are horizontally pasted on the inner bottom surface 1c of the main container 1, and a single double-sided tape 6 formed of vinyl resin is laid on the plurality of cushioning elements 5. Note that the structure can have many variations, such as a single backing element 5, or a row of multiple double-sided films 6 in linear form, or both are single sheets, or both are multiple elements in linear form . A plurality of optical elements 7 are arranged adhered to the double-sided film 6 laid on the backing element 5, each peripheral side (edge surface) in a vertical manner ensuring that they do not come off.

Each optical element 7 is, for example, rectangular (7×8mm in size), and has two horizontally flat main (main) surfaces, where, as an example, an IR cut film (not shown) that prevents the passage of infrared light is formed on On one main surface, an antireflection film is formed on the other main surface. Optical thin films such as these IR cut films and antireflection films are formed on the main surface of each optical element 7 by, for example, deposition.

A cover 2 is placed over this main container 1 , each optical element 7 housed in one of the recesses 3 arranged in a transverse and longitudinal array. In this case, the outer periphery of the frame wall 2a of the outer peripheral region of the lid 2 is in close contact with the inner periphery of the frame wall 1a of the main container 1, and the flanges 1b, 2b and rims 1b, 2b on the hole edge surface of the main container 1 The frame walls of the cover 2 are in contact and engaged with each other, as shown in Fig. 3C. This prevents dust from outside from entering the main container 1 .

After this shipping tray for optical components is delivered to the user, the user removes the cover 2 from the main container 1, sequentially extracts the optical components 7 by hand using tweezers or an automated robot, and then transfers them to the optical equipment. In this case, the transfer means do not touch the two main surfaces of each optical element 7 but grab, for example, its outer peripheral side surface. Note that touching these two major surfaces with tweezers or a manipulator can cause damage to the optical film on the optical element, as dust generated on it can lead to deterioration of its optical properties. (See Japanese Patent Publication No.Hei9-30593)

Problems with Existing Technology

However, the above-described prior art shipping tray structure for optical components has the problem that the optical component 7 will be peeled off from the double-sided film 6 during the bumping or other rough handling during transportation, and the double-sided film 6 will stick. Attachment strength weakens with age. For this reason, if the size of the optical element 7 is smaller than that of the recess 3 , the optical element 7 will fall into the recess 3 . On the contrary, if the size of the optical element 7 is larger than the size of the recess 3, the optical element 7 will lean against the inner peripheral surface of the recess 3, so that each optical element 7 will completely topple over (topple), collide with the adjacent optical element 7, or The lid 2 is glued to the double-sided film 6 after removal from the main container 1 . In addition, such a structure must require handwork such as using a marker pen or the like to place positioning marks on the double-sided film 6 during the process of adhering the optical element 7 to the double-sided film 6 .

Therefore, the prior art shipping tray may cause damage to the optical films formed on the main surface of the optical element 7 , especially damage to the IR cut and antireflection films. In addition, when the main surfaces of the optical elements 7 fall over, they come into contact with the ahhesive sheet 6, so that the adhering dust adheres to the main surfaces of the optical elements 7. These problems cause the optical characteristics of the optical elements 7 to deteriorate, making them unusable. In addition, any fall of the optical element 7 will make it impossible to grip the optical element 7 itself with a robotic hand or the like, causing a problem for users that prevents mass production.

Contents of the invention

purpose of invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a transport tray for optical components that prevents the optical components from tipping over during transport and best preserves the optical properties of the optical components.

Contents of the invention

In the shipping tray for optical components according to the present invention, individual edges of a plurality of optical components each having two main surfaces formed as horizontal flat surfaces are formed in transverse and longitudinal directions on an adhesive tape provided on the bottom surface of the main container. The direction is arranged vertically in sequence; a plurality of optical elements is covered by a cover, and a plurality of recesses are formed in the cover for respectively accommodating a plurality of optical elements; wherein each recess in the cover has a hole portion arranged in its step portion (plateau portion) (aperture portion), one of the optical elements is inserted vertically into it and the free edge side protrudes therefrom, and the shape of the hole portion is oval.

This structure firstly ensures that the hole portion formed in the cover serves as a reference to allow the optical element to be adhered to the predetermined position on the tape, and also prevents each optical element from being detached from the adhesive tape and falling down during transportation. The free edge of the recess is in contact with the inner periphery of the corresponding hole portion of the recess. In addition, since the shape of each hole portion is oval, the raised portion of the optical element is in contact with only the edge of the hole portion, so that both main surfaces thereof are not in contact therewith. The properties of the optical elements can thus be maintained in an optimal manner, since the free edge side of each optical element protrudes upwards from the corresponding hole portion, the optical elements can be easily grasped by automatic machines such as manipulators.

According to the invention, the lid is used as an inner lid, the transverse and longitudinal grooves surround the outer periphery of the depression, and the main container is used as an outer lid by which each hole is partially closed. This prevents dust from entering the main container from the outside, making it possible to keep the optics clean.

The invention also ensures that partition portions engaging at least one of the transverse and longitudinal grooves are provided in the outer cover. This ensures that the inner cover is held by the segmented portion of the outer cover, preventing displacement of the inner cover, thereby ensuring that each optical element is firmly received in the corresponding recess.

The present invention further has a cut-out portion along both edge sides in the long axis direction of the oval hole portion. This facilitates the access of tweezers or grippers when they are used to grasp the side surfaces of the optic. This makes it easy to move each optic from the shipping pallet.

In addition, since each optical element has an optical film formed on at least one major surface, the present invention ensures that only its raised portion is in contact with the hole portion, so that the optical characteristics can be kept optimized without being easily damaged by such contact. any damage to the optical film.

The invention also relates to an optical component accommodated in a transport tray for transporting the optical component. Since the optical film is formed on at least one main surface of each optical element, the present invention provides an optical element that prevents its raised portion from falling down and colliding with the hole portion due to shock during transportation, thereby maintains its optical properties.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a transport pallet for optical components according to the present invention, wherein Fig. 1A is a plan view with the outer cover removed, and Fig. 1B is a partially enlarged sectional view viewed from the arrow I-I direction of Fig. 1A;

Figure 2 is a partial enlarged plan view of the recessed portion marked with P in Figure 1; and

Fig. 3 shows a prior art shipping tray for optical components, wherein Fig. 3A is a plan view with the cover removed, Fig. 3B is a plan view from the side of the cover, and Fig. 3C is an arrow II-II from Fig. 3B Partially enlarged cross-sectional view viewed from the direction.

Detailed ways

One embodiment of the transport pallet for optical components according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 1A is a plan view with the outer cover removed, and FIG. 1B is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view viewed from the arrow I-I direction of FIG. 1A . Note that the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those of the prior art, and descriptions thereof are simplified or omitted.

The shipping tray for optical components of the present invention is formed from a main container 1 and a cover 2, each of which is molded (vacuum formed) from a transparent plastic sheet by using a mold, as previously described. In this case, the cover 2 is composed of an inner cover 2A and an outer cover 2B.

The inner cover 2A has a plurality of rectangular-shaped depressions 3 formed in the lateral and longitudinal directions by, for example, extrusion, in which an oval (for example, oval) hole portion 8 perforated with a die is formed in the bottom surface of each depression 3 ( step portion of the inner cover 2A). Grooves 4 are formed in the transverse and longitudinal directions around the outer periphery of the recesses 3, and as previously described, the upper edge surfaces on the outer peripheral regions of the set of recesses are formed as flat portions.

The outer cover 2B has a divided portion 9 protruding horizontally on its inner bottom surface, and the outer peripheral region has a flange 2b as a frame wall. In this case, the flange 2b of the outer cover 2B is made wider than the flange 1b of the main container 1 to make it easy to remove the outer cover 2B from the main container 1 . Each divided portion 9 is used to press the inner cover 2A when the outer cover 2B is overlaid on the inner cover 2A.

According to the invention, a plurality of rectangular cushioning elements 5 formed of foamed plastic material are mounted on the inner bottom surface 1c of the main container 1, on which a double-sided film 6 is laid, and on which an inner lid 2A having a recess 3 is placed, wherein A hole portion 8 is provided on the depression 3, and one edge of each of a plurality of optical elements 7 (for example, having a size of 7×8 mm) is vertically adhered to the position of each hole portion 8 in the double-sided film 6, and this assembly This is repeated sequentially in the transverse and longitudinal directions so that the free edge side of the optical element 7 protrudes from the hole portion 8 . Then the outer cover 2B is placed on the inner cover 2A and adhered to the main container 1 by, for example, adhesive tape (not shown in the figure), and then the whole device is shrink-wrapped in a plastic film or the like.

In this case, a few μm thick layer of magnesium fluoride is deposited as an anti-reflection coating, usually on one major (principal) surface of each optical element 7, including an IR cut-off formed of 40-50 layers of silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide. The optical films of the film are alternately formed on the other major surfaces.

This structure ensures that one edge side of the end portion of each optical element 7 can be precisely guided by the hole portion 8 without any special positioning marks, so as to be firmly adhered to the double-sided film 6, so that the optical element 7 is free with its The edge side protrudes from the hole portion 8 of the inner cover 2A to be accommodated therein. Therefore, even if one edge of the optical element 7 is peeled off due to shock during transportation and the optical element 7 is toppled over, since the free edge side or raised portion of the optical element 7 will only be in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the hole portion 8, This will prevent the optical element 7 from falling over.

In addition, even if the free edge side of the optical element 7 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the hole portion 8, since the hole portion 8 has an oval shape (for example, an ellipse), the raised portions on both sides of the optical element 7 will only contact with the hole portion 8. The inner peripheral surface is in contact so that the two main surfaces of the optical element will not be in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the hole portion 8 . Therefore, there is no damage to any optical film, such as an IR cut film or an antireflection film, formed by, for example, deposition on, in particular, both main surfaces of each optical element 7 . This ensures that the optical properties of each optical element 7 are maintained in an optimal manner.

The user removes the outer lid 2B from the main container 1 while leaving the inner lid 2A in place when peeling off the package, then uses a device such as tweezers or other manipulator to grasp the optical element 7 protruding from the hole portion 8 of the recess 3 free edge surface. This ensures that there is no hindrance to the mass production of the optical element 7 . In this case, the optical element 7 can be moved while the inner cover 2A remains covering the optical element 7 at the manufacturing stage, thereby further increasing its mass production yield.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the hole portion 8 of the inner cover 2A has an oval shape, but it may also have, for example, a shape shown enlarged in FIG. In other words, rectangular cutout portions 10 may also be provided along both edges in the major axis direction of, for example, an oval shape. This structure also facilitates the access of tweezers or manipulators when using tweezers or manipulators to grasp both side surfaces of the optical element 7 for removal from the shipping tray, making it easy to remove the optical element 7 .

In the above-described embodiment, the spacer member 5 for absorbing shock (vibration) and preventing peeling is laid under one edge surface of the optical member 7, but this spacer member 5 may also be omitted. In addition, a double-sided adhesive film 6 is used for vertically adhering the optical element 7, but any other adhesive having weak adhesive strength may also be used.

Claims (6)

1. conveying tray that is used for optical element, wherein each all has the single edge of a plurality of optical elements of two first type surfaces that form horizontal flat surface, vertically is provided with successively on the horizontal and vertical direction in adhesive tape upper edge that is positioned on the bottom surface of primary tank; Described a plurality of optical element is covered by lid, is formed with a plurality of depressions in this lid and is used for holding respectively described a plurality of optical element; Each depression in the wherein said lid has the bore portion that is arranged in its step part, one of wherein said optical element perpendicular to insert wherein and the free edge side outstanding from it, and described bore portion be shaped as avette.

2. the conveying tray that is used for optical element according to claim 1, wherein said lid is formed by the enclosing cover of the described bore portion of inner cap that has horizontal and vertical groove on described depression neighboring and the described primary tank of sealing.

3. the conveying tray that is used for optical element according to claim 2, wherein said enclosing cover have with described horizontal and vertical groove at least one partitioning portion that engages.

4. the conveying tray that is used for optical element according to claim 1 wherein is provided with otch in each of two edge sides on the long axis direction of described oval pore part.

5. the conveying tray that is used for optical element according to claim 1, wherein said optical element has blooming on its at least one first type surface.

6. optical element, it is contained in according to any one described conveying tray that is used for optical element in the aforementioned claim 1,2,3,4 or 5.

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