Method for guiding a tape as well as flexible strip

Abstract

A method is provided for guiding a tape provided with a carrier tape and a cover tape through a component feeder. An end of the cover tape is peeled-off the carrier tape. Subsequently, a flexible strip is attached to the peeled-off end of the cover tape by means of a clip. The flexible strip, including the clip, is guided through a cover tape path of the component feeder.

1 . A method for guiding a tape provided with at least a carrier tape and a cover tape through a component feeder, the method comprising the steps of: 
 peeling an end of the cover tape off the carrier tape;    attaching a flexible strip to the peeled-off end of the cover tape by means of a clip; and    guiding the flexible strip through a cover tape path of the component feeder.    
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible strip is detachably attached to the cover tape.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the clip is a spring loaded clip.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the clip is a spring loaded clip.  
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the clip is provided with teeth for grasping the end of the cover tape.  
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the clip is provided with a polymer coating such as vinyl for grasping the end of the cover tape.  
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the strip is made of vinyl coated Nylon or a coated Kevlar type material.  
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible strip is relatively rigid in tension.  
   
   
       9 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a flexible strip; and    a clip,    wherein the clip is provided near one end of the strip and is configured to connect the flexible strip to a cover tape.    
   
   
       10 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the clip is a spring loaded clip.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein on a side remote from the clip, the flexible strip is provided with a free end.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein on a side remote from the clip, the flexible strip is provided with a free end.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the flexible strip has a length of about 30 cm.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the flexible strip has a width of about 8 mm.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the flexible strip is provided with teeth for grasping the end of the cover tape.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the flexible strip is provided with a polymer coating such as vinyl for grasping the end of the cover tape.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the flexible strip is made of vinyl coated Nylon or a coated Kevlar type material.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the flexible strip is relatively rigid in tension.