Method and apparatus for automatically loading tape cartridges with supply tape

A method for loading supply tape into cartridges, each cartridge being of the type containing two internal hubs connected to a tape member therebetween, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) feeding a first cartridge into a first winding assembly;
• (b) extracting a portion of the tape member of said first cartridge;
• (c) positioning and supporting the extracted tape member in a first track of a support means and in a first track of a multi-track movable block;
• (d) cutting said tape member and separating the cut ends thereof;
• (e) aligning a second track of said movable block with the first track of said support means;
• (f) positioning the supply tape in said second track of said movable block so as to align said supply tape with a cut end of said tape member positioned in said first track of said support means;
• (g) joining said supply tape and said cut end of said tape member;
• (h) winding a length of supply tape into the first cartridge and, while said supply tape is being wound,
• (i) feeding a second cartridge into a second winding assembly;
• (ii) extracting a portion of the tape member of said second cartridge;
• and
• (iii) positioning and supporting the extracted tape member of said second cartridge in a second track of said support means and a third track of said movable block;
• (i) when said length of supply tape has been fully wound into said first tape cartridge, simultaneously cutting the extracted tape member of said second cartridge and the supply tape positioned on said support means and said movable block;
• (j) aligning the second track of said movable block with the second track of said support means and the first track of said movable block with the first track of said support means;
• (k) simultaneously joining said supply tape in the second track of said movable block to the tape member in the second track of said support means and the supply tape in the first track of said support means to the tape member in the first track of said movable block;
• (l) winding a length of supply tape into said second cartridge and simultaneously replacing said first cartridge in said first winding assembly with a third cartridge;
• and repeating steps (a) through (l).

An assembly for splicing a tape member of a first cartridge to the leading end of a supply tape while simultaneously splicing the trailing end of a supply tape wound into a second cartridge to a previously extracted tape member of said second cartridge, said assembly comprising:

• support means having first and second tracks therein adapted to receive first and second tapes;
• means for positioning said first and second tapes in said first and second tracks, respectively;
• a movable block having third, fourth and fifth tracks therein, each adapted to receive tape;
• means for positioning tape in each of said third, fourth and fifth tracks;
• means for selectively aligning the first track of said support means with the third or fourth track of the movable block and, concurrently, the second track of said support means with the fourth and fifth track of the movable block;
• and
• splicing means for selectively joining tape positioned on said support means with tape positioned on said movable block.

A feeding assembly for selectively feeding a cartridge into a first or second winding assembly, said feeding assembly comprising:

• a hopper for holding a plurality of cartridges;
• a rotatable cartridge jacket adapted to receive and hold a cartridge, said jacket having a guide means for holding and selectively releasing said cartridge therefrom;
• and
• positioning means for receiving a cartridge from said jacket and for selectively feeding said received cartridge into a selected one of said first or second winding assembly.