Method for Packaging Thermal Interface Materials

Abstract

A package for delivery of a tacky product includes a carrier with a plurality of cavities separately disposed along a length and width thereof. Each of the cavities in the carrier tape includes a base that is sized to operably receive and support the product within the cavity. The base of each cavity includes a surface profile which defines a contact surface area that is sufficiently low so as to facilitate removal of the product from the cavity without damage to the product. In some cases, the contact surface area is less than about 50% of a base surface area of the base. The carrier may be configured to stack with other carriers without risk of damage to the tacky product.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A package for delivery of a tacky product, said package comprising:
 a carrier having an upper side and a generally opposed lower side, and a plurality of cavities arranged in an array in said upper side, each of said cavities being sized to receive the tacky product, and having a base with a base surface and a pattern of embossments extending upwardly from said base surface to form a surface profile defining a first contact surface area for supporting the tacky product in a spaced relationship from said base surface, said lower side of said carrier including a recess configured to receive an upper side of an adjacent carrier therein in a nested arrangement, said recess defining a substantially planar recess surface extending through a recess surface area that is capable of covering an entirety of the upper side of the adjacent nested carrier, said recess surface having a raised surface texture defining a second contact surface area contactable with the tacky product disposed at one or more cavities in the adjacent nested carrier.