A tape guide for guiding a component tape

A tape guide for guiding a component tape wound around a core portion sandwiched between two disc members of a tape reel to a picking position of a component mounting machine, said tape guide comprising

• a support structure arranged for guiding the component tape from an upstream end portion of the tape guide to a downstream end portion of the tape guide;
• and wherein the tape guide further comprises
• a hook portion arranged at the downstream end portion and configured to grip an outer periphery of at least one of the two disc members when the tape guide and tape reel are removed from said component mounting machine,
• wherein the hook portion and an outer surface of the support structure define a receiving slit for the outer periphery between the hook portion and the outer surface of the support structure when the hook portion grips the outer periphery, and wherein the receiving slit extends in the direction between said upstream and downstream end portions of the tape guide.