Container device with adjustable volume for immobilizing solder shperes and method thereof

• Main Author: GERARD R. MINOGUE
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 25.02.2002
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ELECTRICITY; MACHINE TOOLS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PRINTED CIRCUITS; SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; TRANSPORTING; WELDING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM

A container device with an adjustable volume is provided for holding and immobilizing solder spheres used in manufacturing printed circuit boards and other electronic assemblies. The container device includes a hollow containing portion having a first terminal end and a second terminal end with a side wall connecting the first and second terminal ends and a removable sealing mechanism connected to the first terminal end. An adjustable piston is positioned within the containing portion having a length and a width such that when the piston is inserted into the containing portion of the container device, the piston exerts a sufficient pressure against the side wall of the containing portion to rigidly position the piston within the container device. The pressure exerted by the piston forms a seal between the piston and the side wall of the containing portion, thereby preventing solder spheres contained therein from slipping between the piston and the side wall. The piston is positioned within the containing portion at an adjustable and appropriate position such that the piston substantially fills any empty volume of the containing portion and presses substantially against a mass of solder spheres to immobilize solder spheres during transport and storage. The invention also provides a method of immobilizing solder spheres during transport and storage.