Method and apparatus for manufacturing a tape strip folded about a workpiece

A method for continuously manufacturing tape strips having at one end a portion folded through an aperture of a workpiece, comprising the steps of:

• successively supplying workpieces to a workpiece receiving device via a workpiece supply path;
• feeding a continuous tape with a tape feed unit a first predetermined length through the aperture of the workpiece in the workpiece receiving section;
• folding the tape with a first folding device around the aperture and towards a tape fusing member;
• further folding the tape with a tape gripping device until the tape contacts the tape fusing member;
• and
• moving the manufactured tape strip from the workpiece receiving section to an ejection area using the tape gripping device.

A machine for continuously manufacturing a tape strip having at one end a portion folded through an aperture of a workpiece, comprising:

• a tape supply section accommodating a continuous tape;
• a tape feed unit adapted to intermittently supply a first predetermined length of tape and a second predetermined length of tape from the tape supply section along a tape traveling path;
• a workpiece receiving device movable between a first position for receiving the workpiece and a second position adjacent to the tape feed unit;
• a workpiece supply path along which workpieces are successively supplied to the workpiece receiving device at the first position;
• first and second tape folders oppositely positioned on each side of the workpiece receiving device, the first and second tape folders movable between a first position not in the tape traveling path and a second position in the tape traveling path;
• a tape fusing member positioned adjacent to the second position of the workpiece receiving device;
• a first gripping arm having first and second opposed members which move from an open position for surrounding the tape strip and a second position for gripping the tape strip,
• wherein the tape feed unit supplies the first predetermined length of tape through the aperture of the workpiece, the first and second tape folders move from the first position to the second position folding the tape towards the tape fusing member, and the first and second opposed members of the first gripping arm further fold the tape into contact with the tape fusing member.

A machine for continuously manufacturing tape strips having at least at one end a portion folded through an aperture of a workpiece, comprising:

• a tape supply section accommodating a continuous tape;
• a tape feed unit adapted to intermittently supply a first predetermined length of tape and a second predetermined length of tape from the tape supply section along a tape traveling path;
• a workpiece receiving device adapted to hold the workpiece and position the aperture of the workpiece in the tape traveling path;
• wherein the tape feed unit supplies the first predetermined length of tape through the aperture of the workpiece along the tape traveling path while in a first position near the workpiece and then supplies the second predetermined length of tape not through the aperture of the workpiece while in a second position distant from the workpiece.