CA2202788A1 - Automatic input and output tube handlers for use with an electronic component processing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A fully automatic device is provided for handling components-containing tubes and for feeding the components contained in these tubes into the input rail or "accumulator" of the loading area of a component processing equipment. Another fully automatic device which is very similar in structure to the above device is also provided for recovering the components from the output rail of the unloading area of the component processing equipment, and reinserting such components into their tubes. Both of these devices have a column holder mounted on a frame for receiving and holding a column of tubes stacked one above the other. A rotatable barrel having a conical shape and a horizontal axis supports a set of tube catching assemblies. A motor rotates the barrel to position successively each of the tube catching assemblies horizontally just in front of the bottom end of the column holder to pick up oneof the tubes of the column holder, which is pushed forwards by a pusher mechanism, and then to move the catching assembly and tube held by the same up to a vertical, inclined position where the tube extend in line with the loading or unloading area of the equipment and can be emptied or filled up with components. An ejecting system pushes the emptied or filled tubes out of the barrel and into a chute. Such devices are very efficient and may easily handle up to 45,000 electronic components per hour.

Description

CA 02202788 1997-04-1~

AUTOMATIC INPUT AND OUTPUT TUBE
u~Nnn~P~ FOR U8E WITH
AN ELECTRONIC CONPONENT PROCE~ING NACHINE

5 Field of the invention The present invention relates to an automatic device for feeding electronic components stored in tubes into the loading area of a component processing equipment.
It also relates to an automatic device for recovering the electronic components from the unloading area of the component processing machine and reinserting them into the storing tubes.
In the following description and claims, the expression "electronic components" includes any kind of components that must be processed before use, such as transistors (TO's) or dual inline packages (DIP'S) whose leads must be tinned to prevent soldering effects. Similarly, the expression "component processing equipment" includes any kind of equipment or system in which the above components are conveyed and processed in line.

Brief description of the prior art In the electronic industry, components such as TO's, must have their metal leads "tinned" to prevent soldering defects before they are installed on or in an electronic circuit. This process is well known in the art and essentially consists in covering the leads with a hot solder coating to thereby assure the solderability of the leads and reduce defects and reworks.
A number of systems have been devised for carrying out this process in line, in a fully automated manner. An example of such a system is disclosed in Canadian Patent No.
1,256,323 issued in 1989 and assigned to the present Applicant.
Another example of such a system provided with improved CA 02202788 l997-04-l~

gripping means, is disclosed in Canadian Patent application No.

2,174,076 filed in 1996 in the name of the present Applicant.
In use, the TO's to be tinned are stored into elongated plastic tubes and slid out of such tubes into an inclined input rail also called "accumulator", which brings them down to the conveyor of the tinning machine where they can be picked up and processed. After tinning, the TO's are released from the conveyor into an inclined output rail and then reinserted into similar plastic tubes for further handling and storage.
Usually, the tubes are handled manually to feed the components into the accumulator and recover these components from the output rail.
To speed up the proceeding, Canadian Patent No.
1,256,323 discloses a semi-automatic feeding system for handling the tubes at the loading area of the tinning machine and feeding the components contained in the tubes into the accumulator (see Figs. 5 to 7 of the patent).
This system makes use of cartridges of tubes stacked up one above the other. A chain conveyor and a pair of cylinders bring each tube of each cartridge into alignment with the inlet of the accumulator such that the components in the tube may be discharged. Following emptying of all the tubes of a cartridge, one of the cylinders is activated to move the empty tubes and cartridge and let room for another full cartridge whose tubes are to be emptied.
A similar recovering system is also used at the unloading area of the tinning machine, to recover the components from the inclined output rail and reinsert them into their plastic tubes.
If the component-feeding and recovering systems disclosed in this patent are efficient, they are definitely not fast enough for a proper use with tinning machines like the one disclosed in Canadian Patent application No. 2,174,076, which can process up to 43,000 TO's per hour (26,000 in the case of T0-247; 43,000 in the case of T0-220).

CA 02202788 1997-04-1~

An object of the present invention is to provide a fully automatic device hereinafter called "automatic input tube handler" for handling the components-containing tubes and for feeding the components contained in these tubes into the input rail or "accumulator" of the loading area of a component processing machine.
Such a device is very efficient and may easily handle up to 45,000 electronic components per hour.
Another object of the invention is to provide a fully automatic device hereinafter called "automatic output tube handler", which is very similar in structure to the above-mentioned input tube handler. This output tube handler is devised to recover the components from the output rail of the unloading area of the component processing machine, and reinsert such components into their tubes.
The invention, its operation and its advantages will be better understood upon reading the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, made with reference to the accompanying drawings:

Brief description of the drawings:
Figure 1 is a schematic semi-exploded perspective view showing the main elements of an automatic input tube handler according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view from another angle of the frame used to hold the elements of the input tube handler shown in Figure l;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the multi-column magazine conveyor of the input tube handler of Figure 1, showing a multi-column magazine (MCM) in preloading position;
Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the column elevator in its lower position where it can pick up a column of tubes from the MCM, this view also showing the pneumatic support assembly that holds the tubes of the column after they have been lifted up;
Figure 5 is a perspective view similar to the one of Figure 4, showing the column elevator in its upper position;
5Figure 6 is a perspective view similar to the one of Figure 5, but additionally showing a column locking mechanism and a tube pusher that are parts of the input tube handler according to the invention;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the column locking 10mechanism and tube pusher shown in Figure 6, in different operative positions;
Figure 8 is a perspective view similar to Figure 6, but additionally showing the barrel of the input tube handler according to the invention, in operative position;
15Figure 9 is a perspective view of the barrel shown in Figure 8;
Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the barrel shown in Figures 8 and 9;
Figure 11 is a top plan view of the unloading area 20of a component processing machine equipped with an automatic output tube handler according to the invention; and Figure 12 is a side elevational view of the unloading area and of the automatic output to the handler shown in Figure 11 .

OF THE INVENTION

30An automatic input tube handler 1 according to the invention is shown in Figures 1 to 10.
A multi-column magazine 3 hereinafter called "MCM"
(see Figs. 3 to 6 and 7) and a trolley (not shown) are used to transport and deliver several columns of tubes 5 loaded with 35electronic components to the automatic input handler. The MCM
can be attached to the trolley by two tapered locating pins.
The trolley is wheeled into a loading position at one end of CA 02202788 1997-04-1~

a magazine conveyor 7 that is part of the input tube handler 1.
A loading dock elevator 9 lifts the MCM 3 from the trolley. A sensor and a light (not shown) indicate when the trolley can be removed. Once the trolley is removed, the loading dock elevator lowers the MCM onto the magazine conveyor 7 when and only when the previous MCM that may have been fed into the input tube handler, has been unloaded and raised off of the magazine conveyor by an unloading dock elevator 11 located at the other end of the magazine conveyor 7. If there is no other MCM present, the loading dock elevator 9 will proceed to lower the MCM immediately onto the magazine conveyor.
The magazine conveyor 7 moves the loaded MCM 3 from the loading dock elevator 11 to a column elevator 13 (see Figs.
4 to 6 and 7). Once the MCM is emptied, the same magazine conveyor 3 will move the empty MCM to the unloading dock 11.
The column elevator 13 comprises an integral fork 15 which lifts a full column of stacked tubes 5 from the MCM 3 and brings it up to a pneumatic support assembly 17. The column elevator then returns downward to its original position adjacent the magazine conveyor 3, which is then actuated so the MCM 3 can be advanced in order to bring the next column of stacked tubes to the elevator column and have this next column lifted up.
All the above-mentioned structural elements of the input tube handler 1, as well as all the other elements that will be described hereinafter, are operatively mounted onto a supporting frame 19 shown in Fig. 2.
The pneumatic support assembly 17 holds the column of stacked tubes in vertical position once this column has been lifted out of the MCM so that the tubes of this column may be placed and locked in a column holder 25 that will be described in greater detail hereinafter.
As is better shown in Figs. 4 to 6 and 8, the pneumatic support assembly 17 comprises a pusher plate and two retractable holding plates 21 located at the bottom of the CA 02202788 1997-04-1~

pusher plate. The assembly 17 also comprises two air-actuated cylinders 23 whose piston rods extend downwardly and parallel to the pusher plate toward the holding plates 21.
When the column elevator 13 lifts up with its forks 15 a column of stacked tubes toward the pneumatic support assembly 17, the holding plates 21 must of course be retracted, as is shown in Fig. 4, to give room to the column and let it move up along the pusher plate 19. Once the column elevator 13 has reached its top position (see Fig. 5), the holding plates 21 are extended under each end of the column of tubes to hold the tubes up. Then, the piston rods 23 are extended from their cylinders toward the top of the column of tubes to keep them stacked in place. The column elevator 13 can then be lowered to pick up a next column of tubes from the MCM, as was disclosed hereinabove.
After having been loaded with a column of tubes, the support assembly 17 is moved forward to bring the column of tubes that it holds into the column holder 25, which is shown in Figs. 1, 6, 7a to 7c and 8. As is better shown in Figs. 7a to 7b, the column holder 25 comprises a column locking mechanism 27 incorporating a set of vertical retaining plates 29 that are adjacent to the pusher plate 19 and each pivotally mounted about a vertical axis. The column 25 also comprises two air cylinders 35 connected to an actuating bar to open and close the retaining plates 29. In Figs. 7a and 7c, these plates are shown in closed position. In Fig. 7b, they are shown in open position. The column holder 25 further comprises a tube pusher mechanism 31 including two "flippers" 33. This mechanism 31 will be further described below.
The column locking mechanism 27 is devised to retain the stacked tubes in the correct position while the tube pusher mechanism 31 pushes the tubes one by one from the bottom column into the clamping mechanism of a barrel 39.
As is better shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the barrel 39 comprises an open frame consisting of four tube-catching assemblies 41 that are equally spaced and form together a conical shape. The assemblies 41 are attached to a pair of end CA 02202788 1997-04-1~

mounting plates 43, 45 that are mounted onto an axial spindle 47.
A motor and a precision indexing table (not shown) is provided to rotate the barrel and properly position each of its catching assemblies 41 in parallel and adjacent relationship just in front of the tube pusher mechanism 31, and, after a 90~ rotation of the barrel, in line with the inclined input accumulator of the loading area of a component processing machine (not shown). Each tube pushed by the mechanism 31 toward the barrel 39 is retained and supported by a pair of slotted holding blocks 51 that are part of each assembly 41. A linked clamping system 53 in the form of a pneumatically operated hook is designed to clamp and positively hold both ends of each tube simultaneously. As the tube is clamped in place, a wedge shaped tube opener (now shown) ensures that the exit end of the tube is adequately open to allow the electronic components (TO's for example) to smoothly exit the tube. The components are then transferred from the tube to the input accumulator via a transition track 49 (see Fig. 1). A sensing device (now shown) is located at this junction to detect any component jam.
As aforesaid, the pusher mechanism 31 comprising two flippers 31 which are joined by a gear plate and actuated by two air cylinders 37 so they will move in a synchronized fashion. The pusher mechanism 31 pushes the tubes out one by one into the barrel 39 while the same is rotating sequentially at 90~. During this period of time, the support assembly 17 may move back to its original position to receive from the column elevator 13 the next column of stacked tubes to be unloaded.
In use, a next column of tubes will be lifted and advanced into the holder 25 as soon as less than three tubes remain in the column that is located in the barrel loading area. Thus, barrel 39 catches the tubes and brings them into alignment with the input accumulator of the component processing machine, in such a manner that all the components contained in each tube may slide down by gravity into the accumulator.

CA 02202788 1997-04-1~

Once the tube in line with the accumulator is empty, the barrel 39 rotates at 90~ to its next position, so that the next tube may be emptied. At the same time, the empty tube is ejected into a chute 55 (see Fig. 1) while another one is loaded. Before ejecting each tube, a sensor determines if any components remain in the tubes. The chute 55 has a trap door that opens to divert any tube with components left in it into an output bin separate from the one receiving the empty tubes, which slide directly into it.
As is shown per se (see the above mentioned Canadian patent and application), the accumulator of the component processing machine feeds the components received from the input tube handler to a conveyor. The components enter the accumulator at the entrance of a slide and are then transferred to a stainless steel belt where they are presented to grippers which grasp and carry them through the machine. The belt conveyor mechanism may consist of a split stainless steel belt with a spring tensioner.
When a MCM 3 has completely been emptied, the column elevator 13 is moved up and the conveyor 7 actuated to bring the empty MCM to the unloading dock 11. This dock 11 is provided with another elevator which raises the empty MCM so that a trolley can be inserted. The empty MCM is lowered onto the trolley and removed from the magazine conveyor.
Of course, an electronic control device is provided to ensure proper operation and synchronization of all the structural elements disclosed hereinabove.
In use, the input tube handler 1 disclosed hereinabove operates as follows.
An amber light (not shown) is located above the loading dock 9 and blinks to indicate that it is OK to insert a trolley with an MCM 3. The trolley is wheeled into position above the loading dock 9 of the input transfer. Sensors detect both the trolley and the MCM in position while the amber light is steadily on, and instruct the loading dock to raise the MCM.
A sensor detects the loading dock at the full up position and activates a green light located above the loading dock to CA 02202788 1997-04-1~

indicate that it is OK to remove the trolley, which can then be wheeled out of its position above the loading dock. The MCM
is now lowered by the loading dock onto the magazine conveyor 11, which advances the MCM at a rate of 20ft per minute.
Once in close proximity to the column elevator 13, a sensor detects the MCM 3 and stops the conveyor 11, which now advances at 2ft per minute. Another sensor detects a slot that is part of the MCM and whose purpose is to ensure that the MCM
is at the first column position. Once this position is detected, the conveyor stops and a sensor detects if tubes are present in the first column position. If no tubes are detected, the MCM is advanced to the next column position. This cycle is repeated as necessary until tubes are detected.
Once tubes are detected, the column elevator 13 is actuated to lift a column tube into the column pusher 17. A
sensor detects that the elevator is in the up position and actuates the tube holding plate 21 to move them under the column of tubes to support the stack. Another sensor detects that the tubes holding plates 21 have moved into the correct position. Then, the tube locking rods are lowered to retain the stacked tube. A sensor confirms that the locking rods are in the down position, and another sensor confirms that all the tubes have been removed from the column of the MCM.
The elevator is now lowered down and a sensor confirms that all the tubes have been removed from the column of the MCM. The elevator is now lowered down and a sensor confirms that the elevator is in its full down position.
During that time, a sensor determines if less than three tubes remain in the column holder 25. When less than three tubes remain, both sides of the tube locking mechanism 27 are opened. A sensor confirms that the tube locking mechanism is fully open and the column pusher 17 advances the stacked tube into the column holder 25. A sensor detects that the tube stack is fully advanced and both sides of the tube locking mechanism on the column holder are closed. The sensor confirms that the tube locking mechanism 27 is fully closed and the tube locking rods are then retracted to their full up position. A sensor detects again that the rods have been fully retracted.
The column pusher 17 now returns to its original position and a sensor detects that it is in its original position. The tube supporting plates which supported the stacked tubes are now retracted and sensors confirm that the tube supports have been retracted.
As can be understood, the above sequence of steps has brought the tubes from the MCM to a position where they can be loaded into the barrel 39. The tubes are now ready to be advanced to the barrel.
It should be understood that during normal operation, many of the above and following steps are being executed simultaneously.
For the sake of clarity, we shall refer hereinafter to the 4 basic barrel positions as follows:
0 degrees - position where the tubes are loaded onto the barrel;
90 degrees - position where the components are released from the tube into the slide;
180 degrees - position where the tubes are ejected from the barrel;
270 degrees - empty position.
A sensor detects that tubes are present in the column holder 25 and the barrel 39 has completed its motion. Then, the tube pushers (flippers) 33 push a tube into the holding blocks 51 of one of the assemblies of the barrel at the 0 degree position and then return to their original position. A sensor detects this original position. The clamps 53 are actuated to secure the tube in position on the barrel and the barrel is indexed at so degrees.
At 90 degrees, the components in the tube drop into the slide. At 0 degree, the process is repeated. The barrel is then indexed at another 90 degrees. At the 180 degree position, a sensor determines if the tube is empty. The tube is then ejected from the barrel 39 and routed to one of two bins. At the end of the output chute, the empty tubes will drop into the CA 02202788 1997-04-1~

primary bin. If it iB determined that components remain in the tube, a trap door will divert the tube into a secondary bin.
When the sensor determines the condition of the tube, the trap door is opened, or closed, and verified in the correct position as required to deliver the tube to the correct bin. At the 90 degree position, the previous step is repeated.
Concurrent with the ejection of the tube from the 180 degree position, the tube at the 90 degree position is tapped with an air cylinder to dislodge any remaining components. Last of all, a sensor verifies that the tube has been ejected (checks both ends) in order to allow indexing to the next position.
As can be understood, the tube input handler 1 according to the invention is fully automated. It is very fast and efficient and, as aforesaid, may automatically feed up to 45,000 components into a component processing machine.

Of course, to take full advantage of the automatic input tube handler, it is compulsory that an output tube handler 101 as fast and efficient as the input handler 1 be provided at the unloading area of the component processing machine in order to recover the tinned components and load them in the tubes.
As is shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the output tube handler 101 according to the invention uses the same principle of design and handling of the tubes as the input tube handler 1 does. A conical rotating barrel 139 identical in structure and operation to the barrel 39 handles the tubes for feeding therein the processed components. An operator places the empty tubes into an empty tube stack assembly 102 which holds the empty tubes for loading into the barrel. The assembly 102 comprises two columns. The first column acts as a primary column and the second column as a buffer. Empty tubes are placed in both columns. When a sensor detects a tube in the first column, an elevator will lower this first column and the tubes will be fed from there into the barrel. If no tubes are detected in the first column, then they will be fed from the CA 02202788 1997-04-1~

second column. Whenever tubes are being fed from the second column, a pre-empty alarm will warn of the need to fill the first column. During the process, a thrubeam sensor verifies that the tubes are empty before they are pushed into the barrel.
Each empty tube is pushed into the barrel 139 and clamped into position. The barrel is now indexed at 90 degrees.
A "tube present" sensor (now shown) verifies that the tube is in position to receive a load of components. The components slide into the tube until the specified number have been counted, and the barrel is indexed at another 90 degrees. At the 180 degree position, the tube is ejected. Sensors verify that the tube has been properly ejected from the barrel, and the tube is pushed out onto an output table 104. This output table 104 comprises a flat anodized aluminium platen fitted with teflon strips to ease the sliding of the tubes when pushed out of the barrel, with two guides to align the tubes for pickup.
In use, an input transfer conveyor 106 receives components from the conveyor of the tinning machine and feeds them to the output tube handler. The grippers deposit the components onto an output conveyor belt and the components are carried to a slide 108. The components move down the slide and pass a thrubeam sensor that counts them as they enter a tube held in alignment by the barrel 139. Once the count reaches 20, singulation cylinders will stop the flow of components and singulate five additional components into the tube in order to avoid overshooting the count. When the tube is full (25 components), the singulator will stop feeding components until the full tube is replaced by an empty one. When the barrel indexes an empty tube into place, the singulator will release components automatically, and this cycle will repeat.
In use, the output tube handler 101 described hereinabove operates as follows.
An operator manually fills both the first and second columns with empty tubes. A reference notch can be made in the tubes to prevent it from being inserted into the column backwards. When a sensor detects tubes in the first column, the elevator will move them to a down position. A thrubeam sensor verifies that the tube is empty before it is pushed into the barrel.
A pushing mechanism 110 (see Fig. 11) pushes the tube into the barrel at the 0 degree position. The clamping mechanism of the barrel clamps the tube in place on the barrel 139. The barrel is indexed at 90 degrees and a "tube present"
sensor verifies that a tube is in position to receive the tinned components. The components slide into the tube until the specified number are counted. For this purpose, there is a sensor at the junction of the tube and the slide to detect any jam that might occur.
The barrels indexed again at 90 degrees and the actions listed above repeat at the same positions. At the 180 degree position, the filled-up tube is ejected from the barrel 139 and pushed out onto the output table 104. Two sensors verify that both ends of the tube are out of the barrel. Once again, the barrel is indexed at 90 degrees and the process is repeated.
Thus, as can now be better understood, the tube output handler 101 is fully automated. It is fast and efficient and thus can complement the input tube handler 1.

Claims (9)

1. A device (1) for feeding components stored in tubes (5) into a loading area of a component processing equipment, each of said tubes (5) being straight and having a longitudinal axis (A) and an open end (6), characterized in that it comprises:
- a frame (19);
- a column holder (25) mounted on the frame for receiving and holding a column of tubes (5) stacked one above the other with all their open ends on a same side of said column, each of said tubes extending horizontally and being filled with components to be fed into the loading area, said column holder (25) having a front side, a rear side and a bottom end;
- a rotatable barrel (39) having a conical shape and an apex and comprising an axle spindle (47) supporting a set of tube catching assemblies (41) extending along generating lines of said conical barrel, said tube catching assemblies (41) being equally spaced apart around the barrel and comprising holding blocks (51, 51') provided with radially outwardly opened slots (52), said barrel (39) being mounted on the frame close to the rear side of the column holder so that the axial spindle (47) extends horizontally and each of the tube catching assemblies moving towards the column holder (25) when the barrel is rotated passes through an horizontal loading position parallel and adjacent to the bottom end of said column holder;
- a motor (46) operatively connected to the spindle (47) for rotating the barrel to position successively (41) each of the tube catching assemblies in said horizontal loading position just in front of the bottom end of the column holder (25) and then to move up the catching assembly to a vertical, inclined position;
- a tube pusher mechanism (31) for pushing forwards the tube (5) of the column of tubes extending at the bottom end of the column holder (25) into the slots (52) of the holding blocks of the tube catching assembly (41) that has just been moved in the loading position, with the open end (6) of said tube (5) extending close to the apex of the conical barrel (39);

- a clamping system (53) for closing at least in part the open ends of the tubes (5) that are hold by the tube catching assemblies (41) so as to prevent the components from sliding out of the tubes in which they are stored when the barrel is rotated and the catching assemblies and tubes hold by said assemblies are moved up;
- a chute (55) mounted on the frame close to the barrel (39) and opposite to the column holder (25) for collecting the tubes (5) from the tube catching assemblies (41) after said tubes have been emptied and the barrel is further rotated to bring said tube catching assemblies to an unloadingposition;
- an ejecting system (60) operatively mounted on the barrel (39) to push the tubes out of the slots (52) of the tube catching assemblies (41) into the chute (55) when said tubes reach said chute; and - a control system (63) for actuating the motor (46), the tube pusher mechanism (31), the clamping system (53) and the ejecting system (60) sequentially so that each of the stacked tubes (5) hold in the column holder (25) is caught by one of the tube catching assemblies (41), then moved to the vertical inclined position and finally ejected into the chute (55); - wherein the frame (19) and barrel (39) have a size, shape and position adapted to the size of the component processing equipment so that, in said vertical, inclined position, the open end of the inclined tube (5)that is in a lower position, extends just in front of, and in line with, the loading area of said equipment, and the clamping system (53) is then actuated to let the components stored in the inclined tube slide down by gravity into said loading area.

2. The device of claim 1, characterized in that the clamping system (53) comprises a set of mechanically operated fingers (53) mounted on the barrel (39) in respective operational relationship with respect to the set of tube catching assemblies (41), said fingers when actuated closing the open ends of the tubes held by said catching assemblies.

3. The device of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that:

- the chute (55) is in the form of a slide leading to a bin (57) for receiving the empty tubes (5); and - said slide has a trap door (58) actuated by a sensor positioned to determine if any component remains in the tubes (5) dropped in the chute so as to divert into another bin (50) any such tubes having components left therein.

4. The device of any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it further comprises:
- a magazine conveyor (7) extending under the column holder (25), the barrel (39) and the chute (55), said conveyor (7) receiving andcarrying forward multicolumn magazines (3) in which columns of tubes (5) filled with components and stacked one above the other extend vertically in parallel relationship;
- a column elevator (13) mounted on the frame (19) transversely to the conveyor (7), said elevator comprising a fork movable up and down for picking up one by one each of the columns of tubes (5) contained in the magazines (3) and for lifting up the so-picked-up column:
- a support assembly (17) movable forwards and rearwards for picking up the column lifted up by the column elevator (13) and bringing it into the column holder (25), said support assembly being mounted on the frame (19) and including a pusher plate (19) extending vertically close to the front side of the column holder and transversely with respect to the conveyor;
at least one horizontal holding plate (21) at the bottom of the pusher plate (19) for retaining the column of tubes (5) lifted up by the column elevator (13) withsaid column extending flat against the pusher plate and thus for allowing the column elevator to move down and pick up another column of tubes; and means to move the support assembly with the column of tubes retained on it towards the column holder;
- said column holder (25) comprising two vertical members (27) each of U-shaped cross-section that are spaced apart to receive in between the column of tube brought by the support assembly (17), each of said members (27) having a rear wall (29) in the form of a retaining plate pivotable about a vertical axis (B), said retaining plates acting as a column locking mechanism and being operatively connected to actuating means (35, 36) so as to swing between an open position where the support assembly may move forward and bring the column of tubes in between the vertical members (27), and a closed position where the column of tubes is locked;
- said conveyor (7), column elevator (13), support assembly (17) and actuating means of the column holder (35, 36) being connected to the control system (63) and synchronized to work together in order to bring columns of tube in a continuous manner to the column holder (25) and then to the barrel (39) for continuously supplying the loading area of the processing equipment.

5. The device of claim 4:
- said at least one holding plate (2) of the support assembly (17) is retractable to allow the column of tubes to slide against the pusher plate (19) while said column is lifted up by the column elevator (13);
- at least one vertical cylinder (23) is mounted on the support assembly (17) so as to extend on top of the column of tubes extending flat against the pusher plate (19) and to apply a retaining pressure onto said column; and - the tube pusher mechanism (3) comprises two horizontal extending flippers (33) that are joined by gear plates (38) and actuated so as to move in a synchronized fashion.

6. The device of claim 4 or 5, characterized in that it further comprises:
- a loading dock elevator (9) and an unloading dock elevator (11) at both ends of the conveyor (7), respectively, so as to facilitate transfer of each magazine (3) from a trolley to the conveyor (7) and vice versa.

7. A device (101) for recovering components from an unloading area of a component processing equipment and for inserting the so-recovered components into tubes (5) that are straight and each has a longitudinal axis and an open end, characterized in that it comprises:
- a frame;
- a column holder (102) mounted on the frame for receiving and holding at least one column of tubes (5) stacked one above the other with all their open ends (6) on a same side of said column, each of said tubes extending horizontally and being empty, said column holder having a front side and a bottom end;
- a rotatable barrel (139) having a conical shape and an apex and comprising an axle spindle supporting a set of tube catching assemblies extending along generating lines of said conical barre, said tube catching assemblies being equally spaced apart around the barrel and comprising holding blocks provided with radially outwardly opened slots, said barrel being mounted on the frame close to the rear side of the column holder so that the axial spindle extends horizontally and each of the tube catching assemblies moving towards the column holder when the barrel is rotated passes through a loading position parallel and adjacent to the bottom end of said column holder;
- a motor operatively connected to the spindle for rotating the barrel to position successively each of the tube catching assemblies in saidhorizontal loading position just in front of the bottom end of the column holderand then to move up the catching assembly to a vertical, inclined position;
- a tube pusher mechanism for pushing forwards the tube of the column of tubes extending at the bottom end of the column holder into the slots of the holding blocks of the tube catching assembly that has just beenmoved in the loading position, with the open end of said tube extending opposite to the apex of the conical barrel;
- a chute (104) mounted on the frame close to the barrel (139) and opposite to the column holder (102) for collecting the tubes from the tube catching assemblies after said tubes have been emptied and the barrel is further rotated to bring said tube catching assemblies to an unloading position;
- an ejecting system (160) operatively mounted on the barrel to push the tubes out of the slots of the tube catching assemblies into the chute (104) when said tubes reach said chute (104); and - a control system for actuating the motor, the tube pusher mechanism, the clamping system and the ejecting system sequentially so that each of the stacked tubes hold in the column holder is caught by one of the tube catching assemblies, then moved to the unloading position and finally ejected into the chute;
- wherein the frame and barrel have a size, shape and position adapted to the size of the component processing equipment so that, in said vertical inclined position, the end of the inclined tube that is in an upper position, extends just in front of, and in line with, the unloading area of saidequipment and the components coming from said unloading area are then free to slide down by gravity into said inclined tube and fill it up.

8. The device of claim 7, characterized in that a clamping system comprising a mechanically operated finger is mounted at the unloading area of the processing equipment to prevent the processed components from moving out of said unloading area until an empty tube is positioned in said vertical inclined position.

9. The device of claim 8, characterized in that said column holder (102) is devised to receive at least two columns of tubes (5) in parallelrelationship.