Patent ID: 6155514
Filing Date: 2000-12-05
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
In combination with a tape-laying system containing a tape-laying head that receives and deposits composite tape onto a workpiece, an automatic tape supply system which supplies said tape-laying system with composite tape, said automatic supply system comprising;a plurality of cassettes containing composite tape, and wherein each of said plurality of cassettes includes: a housing; a tape spool which is centrally mounted in said housing, said tape spool containing a roll of composite tape wound upon it, said tape spool having a sprocketed inside diameter which allows said cassette loading system to roll controlled amounts of composite tape from it; and a first tape feed roller mounted in said housing and receiving a stream of composite tape from said tape spool, said first tape feed roller rotating to help drive said stream of tape out of said housing; anda cassette loading system which: stores said plurality of cassettes, supplies tape from said plurality of cassettes to said tape-laying head, and ejects cassettes when they exhaust their supply of composite tape.