Automatic cassette loading machine

In combination with a machine for loading a selected supply tape into a cassette which includes a tape leader, said machine having cassette holding means for holding the cassette to be loaded, a splicing block assembly for supporting the leading end of the supply tape and the leader of the cassette to be loaded, and means for sequentially (a) severing the leader on the splicing block assembly into first and second leader sections, (b) splicing said first leader section to the leading end of the supply tape, (c) winding the first leader section and a predetermined length of the supply tape which is connected thereto into the cassette held by the cassette holding means (d) severing said supply tape at said splicing block assembly so as to form a trailing end for said predetermined length of supply tape, and (e) splicing said trailing end to the second leader section, the improvement comprising a leader extractor mechanism which includes a member which is adapted for reciprocal movement past said splicing block assembly toward and away from a cassette held by said cassette holding means, means for reciprocally moving said member, and means for connecting said member to a source of vacuum so that the leader is withdrawn from said cassette by suction and positioned on said splicing block assembly as said member is reciprocated toward and away from said cassette.

A leader extractor mechanism for withdrawing a leader from a tape cassette located at a selected loading position and positioning said leader on a splicing block assembly comprising, a carriage movable back and forth along a selected path, a hollow member carried by said carriage and having an opening for accommodating a leader tape, and means for removing air from said hollow member so as to create a suction force at said opening for holding a tape leader to said member.

Method for automatically loading a cassette with a selected supply tape comprising the following steps:

• advancing the cassette to be loaded from a magazine to a selected loading position, withdrawing the leader from the cassette by a suction device and moving the suction device with the leader so as to position the withdrawn leader upon a splicing block assembly which is displaced from said loading position, severing the leader on the splicing block assembly into first and second leader sections, attaching said first leader section to the leading end of a supply tape of idefinite length, winding said first leader section and the supply tape attached thereto into said cassette, terminating winding, severing said supply tape at a selected point so as to form a trailing end for the supply tape wound into the cassette, splicing said trailing end to the second leader section, winding said trailing end and said second leader section into said cassette, discharging said cassette from said loading position and replacing it with a second cassette, and automatically repeating the foregoing steps in order to effect loading of said second cassette.