Method for connecting component delivery tapes, structure of the connection, and scissors for component delivery tape, used for the connection method

#The present invention relates to a method of connecting part delivery tapes mounted on a part supply device that composes a part mounting apparatus, a structure of the connection, and scissors for part delivery tape, used for the connecting method.

#A part supply device that composes a part mounting apparatus for mounting parts on a circuit board is loaded with part delivery tapes wound onto a reel and successively supplies parts from the part delivery tape. The part delivery tape is constituted of a long carrier tape in which recess portions for accommodating parts are formed at predetermined intervals and a long top tape that is adhered to the upper surface of the carrier tape so as to cover the opening of the recess portions. When the rest of the part delivery tape becomes a little amount, a new part delivery tape (a second part delivery tape) is connected to the part delivery tape (a first part delivery tape) to continue supplying the parts. A method of connecting part delivery tapes is disclosed, wherein the carrier tapes and the top tapes of the first and second part delivery tapes are respectively connected by connecting tapes (Patent Document 1). The trailing end of the first part delivery tape and the leading end of the second part delivery tape are cut off with a cutting off tool that is provided with a wavelike blade. Thereafter, the leading end and the trailing end are connected by the connecting tape with the both end surfaces thereof being in abutting contact with each other, in which the leading end is not laid on the trailing end.

#Patent Document 1 is a Japanese unexamined, published patent application No. 2002-187210 (page 7 to 9, FIGS. 1, 4, 15 and 16).

#(a) in FIG. 1 is a plan view of a part delivery tape showing the first step of the connecting process of the method of connecting part delivery tapes in the first embodiment according to the present invention; (b) in FIG. 1 is a side view;

#(a) in FIG. 2 is a plan view of the part delivery tape showing the second step of the connecting process of the method of connecting the part delivery tapes in the first embodiment according to the present invention; (b) in FIG. 2 is a side view; (c) in FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view;

#(a) in FIG. 3 is a plan view of the part delivery tape showing the third step of the connecting process of the method of connecting the part delivery tapes in the first embodiment according to the present invention; (b) in FIG. 3 is a side view; (c) in FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view;

#Hereafter, the method of connecting part delivery tapes in the first embodiment according to the present invention will be described. FIGS. 1 through 3 show the steps of the connecting process of the method of connecting the part delivery tapes. A part delivery tape will be explained briefly before explaining the method of connecting the part delivery tapes. The part delivery tape is wound onto a reel (not shown), which is mounted on a part supply device that composes a part mounting apparatus. The part mounting apparatus mounts parts on a circuit board successively supplied with the part delivery tape.

#When the rest of the part delivery tape 10 becomes a little amount, a new part delivery tape 20 (second part delivery tape) is connected to the part delivery 10 (first part delivery tape) to continue supplying the parts. The trailing end of the first part delivery tape 10 and the leading end of the second part delivery tape 20 are shown in FIG. 1. The first part delivery tape 10 is constituted of a first long carrier tape 11 in which recess portions 11a having respective openings on the upper ends thereof for accommodating parts P are formed at predetermined intervals and the first long top tape 12 that is adhered to the upper surface of the first carrier tape 11 so as to cover the openings of the recess portions 11a. The carrier tape 11 is constituted of a paper tape in which many holes (recess portions 11a) for accommodating respective parts are made by punching, and a bottom tape that is adhered to the bottom surface of the paper tape. The carrier tape 11 is provided with feed holes along with the recess portions 11a in a longitudinal direction thereof. The ends (trailing ends) of the first carrier tape 11 and the first top tape 12 are even with each other.

#As the first part delivery tape 10, the second part delivery tape is constituted of a second long carrier tape 21 in which recess portions 21a having respective openings on the upper ends thereof for accommodating parts P are formed at predetermined intervals and a second long top tape 22 that is adhered to the upper surface of the second carrier tape 21 so as to cover the openings of the recess portions 21a. The carrier tape 21 is also provided with feed holes in a row in a longitudinal direction. Both tapes 21, 22 are cut off so that the leading end of the second top tape 22 extends for a predetermined amount (for example; 2 mm) beyond the end of the leading end of the second carrier tape 21. The predetermined amount is determined with taking the difference between the adhesive strength with which the top tape adheres to the carrier tape and the adhesive strength with which the connecting tape adheres to the top tape, and the width of the top tape, etc. in consideration.