Tape auto-loading device and tape linking method therefor

A tape auto-loading device for loading a carrier tape in a tape feeder in which a cover tape is peeled off from a base tape of the carrier tape and the cover tape so peeled off is discharged therefrom along a predetermined path, the tape auto-loading device comprising:

• a temporary tape laying device configured to lay a temporary tape along a path following the predetermined path and hold the temporary tape in position;
• a cover tape gripping device configured to grip a distal end of the cover tape which is peeled off from the base tape;
• a linking device configured to link the temporary tape held by the temporary tape laying device to a distal end portion of the cover tape gripped by the cover tape gripping device;
• and
• a transfer device configured to transfer the temporary tape linked to the distal end portion of the cover tape from the temporary tape laying device to the tape feeder,
• wherein the linking device comprises:
• a tape support member configured to support the distal end portion of the cover tape and the temporary tape in such a state that the distal end portion of the cover tape and the temporary tape overlap each other;
• and
• a heating member configured to heat-bond the cover tape and the temporary tape together by pinching a predetermined portion where the distal end portion of the cover tape and the temporary tape overlap each other, the heat-bonding being performed between the tape support member and the heating member;
• and
• wherein the tape support member and the heating member have respective shapes for pinching the predetermined portion in such a state of the predetermined portion being bent at a halfway position along a length in a tape's longitudinal direction.