Carrier tape with integrated cover tape
First Claim
1. A carrier tape comprising:
- a base including an upper surface and a number of spaced apart pockets extending down from the upper surface, each pocket sized to receive a part;
a first piece of cover tape secured to the base, the first piece of cover tape extending over a portion of each of the pockets; and
a second piece of cover tape secured to the base, the second piece of cover tape extending over a portion of each of the pockets;
wherein a gap exists between the first and second pieces of cover tape, the gap overlying the pockets.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of a carrier tape having an integrated cover tape are disclosed. The carrier tape may comprise a base having a number of spaced-apart pockets. A first cover tape piece and a second cover tape piece may each be secured to the carrier tape base. Opposing inner ends of the first and second cover tape pieces extend toward the center of the carrier tape base and over portions of the pockets, and a gap exists between these opposing inner edges. The gap overlies the pockets, but this gap is sized to retain parts within the pockets when the cover tape pieces are “at rest.” A separator tool may be inserted within this gap and underneath the first and second cover tape pieces, and this separator tool may spread apart the cover tape pieces, allowing parts to be removed from or placed in the carrier tape. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
60 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A carrier tape comprising:
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a base including an upper surface and a number of spaced apart pockets extending down from the upper surface, each pocket sized to receive a part; a first piece of cover tape secured to the base, the first piece of cover tape extending over a portion of each of the pockets; and a second piece of cover tape secured to the base, the second piece of cover tape extending over a portion of each of the pockets; wherein a gap exists between the first and second pieces of cover tape, the gap overlying the pockets. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method comprising:
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providing a base including an upper surface and a number of spaced-apart pockets extending down from the upper surface, each pocket sized to receive a part; securing a first piece of cover tape to the base, the first cover tape piece extending over a portion of each of the pockets; and securing a second piece of cover tape to the base, the second cover tape piece extending over a portion of each of the pockets; wherein a gap is provided between the first and second pieces of cover tape, the gap overlying the pockets. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method comprising:
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spreading apart opposing portions of a first piece of cover tape and a second piece of cover tape, respectively, to provide access to a pocket, the pocket one of a number of spaced-apart pockets disposed on a carrier tape, the first and second pieces of cover tape secured to the carrier tape; and accessing the pocket. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A system comprising:
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a source tape reel to hold a length of carrier tape, the carrier tape including a number of spaced-apart pockets, the carrier tape further including a first piece of cover tape and a second piece of cover tape, each of the first and second cover tape pieces secured to the carrier tape; and a separator tool, the separator tool to spread apart opposing portions of the first and second pieces of cover tape to provide access to one of the pockets. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification