A component supply apparatus includes a tape conveying path that includes, both on an upstream side thereof: a first conveying route into which a carrier tape is inserted; and a second conveying route that is positioned under the first conveying route, the first conveying route and the second conveying route joining each other to guide traveling of the carrier tape in a downstream direction, a first tape conveying part that sequentially conveys the carrier tape in the tape conveying path present more downstream than a position at which the first conveying route and the second conveying route join each other, to a component taking out position in the tape conveying path, a tape holding part that holds the carrier tape in at least a portion of the first conveying route, a second tape conveying part that conveys the carrier tape held by the tape holding part, in the downstream direction of the tape conveying path, a tape holding releasing mechanism that causes the carrier tape held by the tape holding part to drop from the first conveying route onto the second conveying route. The tape holding releasing mechanism operates by using motivity of a driving source of the second tape conveying part.

A component supply device includes a reel placement portion capable of supporting a plurality of reels each on which a component supply tape is wound, and a feeder configured to feed the component supply tape toward a component supply position. The reel placement portion includes a first reel placement portion and a second reel placement portion including a first support configured to support an outer peripheral portion of a reel. The second reel placement portion is configured to change a position of the first support with respect to the feeder so as to change a distance between the feeder and the first support.

A method to advance a print medium, for example a flexible print medium, through a print zone of a printing device is described. A carrier is fed from a carrier supply. The carrier has an adhesive surface. A print medium is engaged with the adhesive surface of the carrier. The carrier with the engaged print medium is advanced to the print zone.

An apparatus for applying a decal to a nail of a human includes a housing having a cartridge recess, a cartridge that includes a supply spool around which a tape is at least partially wound, the tape having at least one decal that is transferrable to a nail of a human digit, and a take-up spool that includes a tape grip that holds an end of the tape, wherein the cartridge is removably mountable in the cartridge recess, an actuator coupled to the housing and moveable between an unactuated position and an actuated position, a tape advancement arrangement and a decal actuation surface are provided. The tape advancement arrangement coupled to the actuator and arranged to rotate the take-up spool to extend the tape from the supply spool during movement of the actuator between the unactuated position and the actuated position.

A component supply device supplies components stored in a component storage tape to a component extracting position. The component supply device includes a component exposing unit that performs an exposing process for exposing the components in the component storage tape fed by a tape feeding unit, the component storage tape traveling on a travel path formed from a tape travel path forming unit. The component supply device further includes a cover member that covers at least a part of each component storage part of the component storage tape after the exposing process by the component exposing unit.

Apparatus and method for the making of a pressure-sensitive adhesive stock for labels using a label production line, are disclosed. The stock comprises a first layer of facestock material configured to be die-cut to form the stock of labels surrounded by a matrix, the first layer being backed by a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive, which in turn is covered by a release liner. 5 The apparatus and method allow the matrix of the facestock to be peeled-off from the release liner on the label production line without stopping the label production line by merely slowing down the label production line. A pressure-sensitive adhesive stock free of the matrix of the facestock is therefore produced without lowering production yields.

An apparatus, kit, and method for applying a decal to a nail of a human digit are provided. A base coat of base nail polish is applied to a nail. The base coat has a tacky surface when dry. A decal application product is pressed against the tacky surface of the base coat, and includes a substrate and at least one decal adhered thereto. The at least one decal and the substrate have a first adhesion coefficient therebetween. The at least one decal and the tacky surface have a second adhesion coefficient that is greater than the first adhesion coefficient to cause a subset of the at least one decal to adhere to the base coat. A top coat of a top nail polish is applied atop of the base coat and the subset of the at least one decal to seal the subset of the at least one decal and the base coat.

A kit for dispensing disposable stethoscope covers and other instrument covers is provided. The kit may include a cartridge and a dispenser for automatic touch-free dispensing of disposable stethoscope covers. The kit further includes a first spool having a roll of backing member with disposable stethoscope covers disposed thereon and a second spool for receiving the spent backing member after a disposable stethoscope cover has been removed, self-contained within the cartridge. The cartridge is inserted within the dispenser so that a user may insert a stethoscope head through a window of the dispenser to attach to a disposable stethoscope cover. Alternatively, the cartridge or cassette may be comprised of disposable instrument covers so that a user may insert the instrument near or through the window of the dispenser for application of the instrument cover directly to the instrument. The kit may further include a proximity sensor for detecting a user.

A feeder system includes a feeder configured to receive a component, a pick location configured to present the component from the carrier tape for a subsequent picking process, a camera system configured to view the component at or prior to the pick location. The camera system is configured to measure an offset between one or more topside features of the component and an outline of the component. A pick and place machine that includes the feeder, and a method of inspecting components.

A reel holder includes: a plate-shaped rotating plate; multiple reel support portions evenly arranged in a circumferential direction about the center of the rotating plate, and supporting the tape reels such that each of the tape reels is rotatable about the center thereof; and a rotating plate support portion supporting the rotating plate such that the rotating plate is rotatable about the center of the rotating plate.