Chip-like electronic component series and method for supplying chip-like electronic components

A method for supplying chip-like electronic components, comprising the steps of:

• preparing a chip-like electronic component series comprising a flexible means having a longitudinal direction of extension and having a plurality of cavities therein that are distributed along said longitudinal direction and that each contain a chip-like electronic component having first and second opposite ends and having first and second electrodes formed on said first and second opposite ends thereof, respectively, and cover means for closing said cavities to retain said components therein;
• each said cavity having an open end covered by said cover means, and the shape of said open end of each said cavity cooperating with the shape of the respective said component contained therein to cause said component to be contained therein irrotatably and with a predetermined orientation;
• moving said chip-like electronic component series in said longitudinal direction to successively place each of said chip-like components at a chip removal location;
• and
• withdrawing each said chip-like electronic component from its respective cavity when said chip-like component is at said chip removal location.

A chip-like electronic component series, comprising:

• a flexible tape extending in a longitudinal direction and having a thickness as measured in a direction orthogonal to said longitudinal direction, said tape having a plurality of cavities formed therein, distributed along said tape in said longitudinal direction and extending through the entire thickness of said tape, such that each of said cavities has first and second respective open ends;
• a plurality of chip-like electronic components, each received in a respective one of said cavities;
• and
• first and second cover means for covering said first and second open ends of said cavities, respectively, to retain said components therein;
• each of said cavities defining a hexahedral space;
• each of said components having first and second opposite ends and having first and second electrodes formed on said first and second opposite ends thereof, respectively, and having a cross section smaller than said first open end of each said cavity, and the shape of each said component cooperating with that of its respective said cavity to cause said component to be received in its respective said cavity irrotatably and with a predetermined orientation;
• said first cover means being adhered to said tape and having a tensile strength that is greater than the adhesion between said first cover means and said tape.