Abstract:
A splicing tape for accurately aligning and joining spliced component carrier reels is disclosed. The flexible splice tape allows the components to remain aligned and picked from a component carrier reel without interruption at the union of a first and second reel. The splice tape with an optional stiffening strip provides a flexible, yet strong connection to prevent back and forth, axial and lateral movement between spliced reels. The detection of the disclosed splice tape facilitates elimination of incorrect and mismatched components during splicing. The splice tape comprises a plastic-type material coated on one side with a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition. A protective paper covers the adhesive composition. The splice tape and protective paper are divided into sections using a staggered slit arrangement. The staggered slit arrangement aids in proper alignment and adhesion of the splice tape to component carrier reels.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claims the priority and benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/383,616 filed on Sep. 16, 2010, and entitled “System and Method for Accurately Aligning Splicing Reels Using Antistatic Splicing Tape,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL HELD 
       [0002]    The disclosed embodiments relate to components and component carrier reels. The disclosed embodiments further relate to techniques for accurately splicing, aligning, and connecting component carrier reels. The disclosed embodiments also relate to accurate component placement from the properly spliced component carrier reels into various devices. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    As miniaturization of components and circuit boards advance, smaller components require precise reel-to-reel interface in order to avoid costly integration problems. A missing, wrong, or misplaced component occurring at a red changeover connection could result in loss of an entire run of finished circuit boards, or other assembled products. A significant and expensive product loss, however, may result following a splicing error. Product loss entails a difficult re-work of devices, scrap of the circuit board assembly, for example, or even more catastrophic, a product failure in the field. 
         [0004]    Proposed solutions include using some form of alignment tool on the alignment or splice tape, such as box-like teeth of a certain length and width, holes for receiving sprockets or knobs, color-coding spliced motion picture film. These methods are problematic because alignment tools incorporated on tape itself makes it difficult to accurately align spliced reels in an efficient manner. Production in manufacturing lines often interrupts when alignment errors in reel splicing occur. Further, previous proposed solutions do not maintain a strong, yet flexible joint when feeding the component carrier reels through machines for insertion of mechanical or electrical components. The static shock-inducing plastic carrier of previous designs is further problematic in previous splicing tapes. Universal use of a single splice tape design could apply to numerous sizes, shapes, and widths of component carrier reels. 
         [0005]    Therefore, a need exists for a method to error proof reel splicing to prevent costly interruptions of manufacturing lines. Using an improved, cost-efficient splice tape to accurately aligns and connects component carrier reels will result in accurate component placement into various devices from properly aligned component carrier reels. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The following summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the embodiments disclosed and is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the embodiments can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole. 
         [0007]    It is therefore an object of the disclosed embodiments to enhance splice tape reliability by reducing improper placement of components that may shift pick location near a reel splice interconnection. 
         [0008]    It is another object of the disclosed embodiments to eliminate or reduce waste sections of static shock-inducing alignment and handling portions of splice designs, and the disposal of such waste at the point of use, while maintaining ease of use with a single placement of splice tape to achieve full assembly of spliced reels. 
         [0009]    It is an object of the disclosed embodiments to provide a means of detecting the joint between the first and second spliced reels through visual blocking of the component&#39;s reel feeder holes, or use of inductive sensible materials incorporated in the splice. 
         [0010]    The above and other aspects can be achieved as is now described. A splicing tape for accurately aligning and joining spliced component carrier reels is disclosed. The flexible splice tape allows the components to remain aligned and picked from a component carrier reel without interruption at the union of a first and second reel. The splice tape with an optional stiffening strip provides a flexible, yet strong connection to prevent back and forth, axial and lateral movement between spliced reels. The detection of the disclosed splice tape facilitates elimination of incorrect and mismatched components during splicing. The splice tape comprises a plastic-type material coated on one side with a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition. A protective paper covers the adhesive composition. The splice tape and protective paper are divided into sections using a staggered slit arrangement. The staggered slit arrangement aids in proper alignment and adhesion of the splice tape to component carrier reels. 
         [0011]    A splice tape is disclosed that comprises a tape material, a protective paper covering an adhesive composition applied to one side of said tape material wherein said adhesive composition adheres said tape material to a component carrier reel joint, and a staggered slit arrangement cut into said tape material and said protective paper to form staggered sections between said tape material and said protective paper in order to easily remove sections of said protection paper to expose said adhesive composition for proper alignment and adhesion of said tape material to said component carrier reel joint. The component carrier reel joint comprises a first component carrier reel laterally aligned with a second component carrier reel. The tape material can be made of a thin plastic material, such as, for example, polyester, or other type of polymeric material. A stiffening strip made of brass, copper, or bronze, for example, can be attached to said tape material to prevent said component carrier reel joint from moving either axially or laterally when said splice tape is adhered to said component carrier reel joint. The metalized stiffening strip can also be used for inductive or visual sensing of spliced component carrier reels to determine splice location for a new feed of components. 
         [0012]    The staggered slit arrangement in said tape material creates a first tape section, a second tape section, and third tape section. The staggered slit arrangement in said protective paper creates a first protective paper section, a second protective paper section, and third protective paper section. The first tape section adheres to an offset said first protective paper section, the second tape section adheres to an offset said second protective paper section, and the third tape section adheres to an offset said third protective paper section. 
         [0013]    A method for splicing component carrier reels is disclosed. The method comprises providing a splice tape comprising a tape material, an adhesive composition coating one side of said tape material, and a protective paper covering said adhesive composition on said one side of said tape material; dividing said tape material and said protective paper into staggered, adhered sections of said tape material and said protective paper using a staggered slit arrangement; and adhering said splice tape to aligned first component carrier reel and second component carrier reel to form a strong and flexible joint between said first component carrier reel and second component carrier reel. A stiffening strip can also be attached to said tape material to prevent said component carrier reel joint from moving either axially or laterally when said splice tape is adhered to form a component carrier reel joint. The stiffening strip can also be used for inductive or visual sensing of spliced component carrier reels to determine splice location for a new feed of components. The staggered slit arrangement in said tape material creates a first tape section, a second tape section, and third tape section wherein notches between tape sections help initially connect said tape sections; said staggered slit arrangement in said protective paper creates a first protective paper section, a second protective paper section, and third protective paper section; and said first tape section adheres to an offset said first protective paper section, said second tape section adheres to an offset said second protective paper section, and said third tape section adheres to an offset said third protective paper section. 
         [0014]    The method further comprises removing said first protective paper section from said first section of tape material to expose said adhesive composition on one side of said first section of tape material; aligning said first section of tape material with a top side of said first component carrier reel with a top side of a laterally-aligned said second component carrier reel; adhering said first section of tape material with said top side of said first component carrier reel with said top side of a laterally-aligned said second component carrier reek The top side of said second component carrier reel comprises feeder holes and top cover tape covering component wells. The method further comprises removing said third protective paper section from said third section of tape material to expose said adhesive composition on one side of said third section of tape material; aligning said third section of tape material with a bottom side of said first component carrier reel with a bottom side of a laterally-aligned said second component carrier reel; adhering said third section of tape material with said bottom side of said first component carrier reel with said bottom side of a laterally-aligned said second component carrier reel. The bottom side of said first component carrier reel and said bottom side of said second component carrier reel comprises an underside of component wells. 
         [0015]    The method further comprises removing said second section of tape material with adhered said second section of protective paper using a shearing motion at said staggered slits in said tape material and said protective paper to allow seamless feeding through machinery that accurately load components from spliced said first component carrier reel and said second component carrier reel into a device. An alignment fixture can be used to align feeder holes on said first and second component carrier reels, wherein said alignment fixture does not interfere with adhering said splice tape to said first and second component carrier reels to form a joint between said first and second component carrier reels. To aid in further proper alignment, the first component carrier reel and said second component carrier reel can be trimmed using a mandrel attached to scissors to align said first component carrier reel with said second component carrier reel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally-similar elements throughout the separate views and which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, further illustrate the embodiments and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain the embodiments disclosed herein. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a plan view of a first side of a splice tape, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments; 
           [0018]      FIG. 1B  illustrates a plan view of a second side of a splice tape, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2A  illustrates an exploded plan view of a first side of a splice tape, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2B  illustrates an exploded plan view of a second side of a splice tape, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  illustrates a plan view of a multiple units of splice tape, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 4 to 14  illustrate graphical representations of the application of the splice tape to component carrier reels, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 15 to 21  illustrate graphical representations of the application of the splice tape to component carrier reels using an alignment fixture, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments; 
           [0024]      FIG. 22  illustrates a graphical representation of an exemplary spliced 8 mm component carrier reels, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments; 
           [0025]    PG.  23  illustrates a graphical representation of exemplary spliced 4 mm component carrier reels, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments; and 
           [0026]      FIGS. 24 and 25  illustrate a graphical representation of exemplary spliced 24 mm component carrier reels, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    The particular values and configurations discussed in these non-limiting examples can be varied and are cited merely to illustrate at least one embodiment and are not intended to limit the scope thereof. 
         [0028]    The embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which illustrative embodiments of the invention are shown. The embodiments disclosed herein can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete., and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
         [0029]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context dearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, dements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
         [0030]    Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
         [0031]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a first side, or “tape side”, of the splice tape  100  for aligning and connecting component carrier reels, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. Component carrier reds can be aligned and connected utilizing a thin film splice tape  100  comprising polyester, or other plastic, polymeric, or flexible material, of any color or design. The spliced joint is strong, yet flexible to allow added components to be aligned in the red without interruption at the union of first and second component carrier reds. The splice tape  100  can be divided using slits  102 ,  102 ′,  102 ″ between the different sections  104 ,  105 ,  106 ,  107 , respectively comprising the tape side  109 . The divided sections  104 ,  105 ,  106 ,  107  either adhere to certain portions of a component carrier red joint, while others are removed, as will be further described herein. The splice tape  100  is generally folded  103  in the second tape section  115  when adhering it to component carrier reds. The edge of the protective paper  110  slightly extends from a first edge of the splice tape  100 . The splice tape  100  eliminates the static shock-inducing plastic carrier of previous red connecting splice designs. 
         [0032]    The splice tape  100  may have a stiffening material section  107  to prevent the spliced component carrier reds from moving back and forth, either axially or laterally. The inclusion of a stiffening strip  107  on the splice tape  100  depends on the size of the component carrier reel. Smaller component carrier reds, such as, for example, 4 mm reds, do not need an added stiffening strip to effectively secure the joint on the top tape sprocket feed hole side between component carrier reds as in the location of  107  above the component carrier feed holes. Alternatively, the stiffening strip can be attached to the underside of component carrier splicing tape, as illustrated, for example, in  FIG. 23 . The stiffening material section  107  can be comprised of metal or any other type of stiffening material that is either incorporated into the tape itself, or added as another section of the splice tape. The incorporated metal material, such as, for example, brass, copper, or bronze, can serve as a stiffening strip  107  for either inductive sensing or visual sensing of the spliced component carrier reds to determine splice location for a new feed of components. The stiffening strip  107  may also serve as a means of detecting the joint between the first and second spliced component carrier reds through visual blocking of the component&#39;s reel holes, or use of inductive sensible materials incorporated in the splice. The stiffening and inductive sensing metal could be incorporated onto the component carrier side of the component carrier reek 
         [0033]    The tape side  109  of the splice tape  100  may also have small notches  108 , or indentions or nicks, between tape sections  114 ,  115 ,  116 ,  107  to aid in holding these sections together when the splice tape  100  is applied to a joint between component carrier reels. It is important to note that these notches  108  do not serve to align or attach the splice tape  100  with the component carrier reel, but rather lends further support and initial connectivity between tape sections  114 ,  115 ,  116 ,  107  of the splice tape  100 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 1B  illustrates a second side, or “protective paper side”, of the splice tape  100 , in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. The protective paper side of the splice tape  100  comprises a protective paper  110  that adherers to the tape side that is covered with an adhesive composition  209 . The protective paper  110  is used to help grip the splice tape  100  for proper application to component carrier reels. The protective paper  110  is later removed to expose the adhesive composition  209  on the tape. The adhesive composition  209  is used to secure the splice tape  100  to component carrier reels, thus connecting the reels for seamless feeding through machinery that loads components from the component carrier reels into various devices. 
         [0035]    The protective paper  110  can include slits  202 ′,  202 ″ located in different locations to allow removal of the protective paper  110  covering certain tape sections  114 ,  115 ,  116 , and  107  of the splice tape  100 . The adhesive composition  209  covering a certain tape section  114 ,  115 ,  116 , and  107  is then exposed for adhesion of the splice tape  100  onto the component carrier reels to form a strong, yet flexible joint. A fold line  103 ′ helps guide proper folding of the splice tape  100  into position to form the joint between component carrier reels. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate exploded plan views of the tape side and protective paper side of the splice tape  100 , respectively, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. The slits  102 ,  102 ′,  102 ″ in the tape side are staggered with the slits  202 ′,  202 ″ in the protective paper  110  on the protective paper side of the splice tape  100 . Slit  102  divides the stiffening strip  107  and the top of the first section of tape material  114 . Slit  102 ′ divides the bottom of the first section of tape material  114 , also known as the “cover tape section”, and the top of the second section of tape material  115 . Slit  102 ″ divides the bottom of the second section of tape material  115  and the top of the third section of tape material  116 , also known as the “component carrier reel section”. Slit  202 ′ divides the bottom of the first section of protective paper  111  from the top of the second section of protective paper  112 . Slit  202 ″ divides the bottom of the second section of protective paper  112  from the top of the third section of protective paper  113 . This staggered slit arrangement allows the proper alignment, tape adhesion, and removal of the protective paper  110  from the tape side covered with the adhesive composition  209  when the splice tape  100  adheres to component carrier reels. 
         [0037]    The staggered slit arrangement of the splice tape  100  further aids in adhering each tape section  114 ,  115 ,  116  and protective paper section  111 ,  112 ,  113  to each other to form complete sections  104 ,  105 ,  106  of tape adhered to protection paper. The first complete section  104  of the splice tape  100  comprises the stiffening strip  107 , a first section of tape material  114 , a first section of tape material with adhesive  214 , and a first section of protective paper  111 . The first section of protective paper  111  slightly extends past one side of the first section of tape material  114 . The bottom of the first section of tape material  114  extends past the bottom edge of the first section of protective paper  111 . Therefore, the bottom edge of the first section of tape material  214  adheres to the top portion of the second section of protective paper  112 . 
         [0038]    The second complete section  105  of the splice tape  100  comprises a second section of tape material  115 , a second section of tape material with adhesive  215 , a fold line  103 ,  103 ′, and a second section of protective paper  112 . The second section of protective paper  112  slightly extends past three sides (the top edge, the first side edge, and the bottom edge) of the second section of tape material  115 . The second side edge of the second section of tape material  115  extends past the edge of the second section of protective paper  112 . Therefore, the top edge of the third section of tape material  216  adheres to the bottom portion of the second section of protective paper  112 , and the bottom edge of the first section of tape material  214  adheres to the top portion of the second section of protective paper  112 . 
         [0039]    The third complete section  106  of the splice tape  100  comprises a third section of tape material  116 , a third section of tape material with adhesive  216 , and a third section of protective paper  113 . The third section of protective paper  113  slightly extends past one side of the third section of tape material  116 . The top of the third section of tape material  116  extends past the top edge of the third section of protective paper  113 . Therefore, the bottom edge of the first section of tape material  214  adheres to the top portion of the second section of protective paper  112 . The top edge of the third section of tape material  216  then adheres to the bottom portion of the second section of protective paper  112 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 3  illustrates a graphical representation of several units of splice tape  100  connected in a roll of splice tape, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. The protective paper  110  in  FIG. 1A  adheres to the tape material with the adhesive composition  209  of  FIG. 1B  to form infinite units of splice tape  100  dispensed either from a roll or another dispensing mechanism. The desired units of splice tape  100  can be removed from a roll of multiple sections of splice tape  100 , as shown in PG.  3 . 
         [0041]    The application of the splice tape  100  to form a strong, yet flexible, joint between component carrier reels is described in  FIGS. 4 to 14 . It is understood that an 8 mm exemplary component carrier reel is illustrated in  FIGS. 4 to 14 . The disclosed splice tape may be used on any size component carrier reel and is not limited only to 8 mm component carrier reels. It is further understood that  FIGS. 4 to 14  illustrate an exemplary, manual method for applying the splice tape to component carrier reels. The disclosed splice tape may be applied in either a manual, semi-automated, or automated manner, and is not limited to any one of these particular methods of use or application.  FIGS. 15-21  illustrate an exemplary method of applying the disclosed splicing tape to connect component carrier reels using a fixture to align the reels for splicing, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. A hand or cart mounted tool could be developed where an operator cuts and preps the ends of the component carrier reels, and places the ends of the reels in a similar fixture. Using rolls of disclosed splice tape  100 , an automated system using, such as, for example, a label application-type machine, could apply the splice tape to the top and bottoms of the component carrier reels as disclosed herein. Either an automated or manual system could ensure the splice tape  100  is properly adhered to the component carrier reels and dispose of the removed portion of folded splice tape  100 . It is understood that component carrier reels can carry any number or combination of different components such as electrical components, including resistors, capacitors, or IC&#39;s, or a mechanical component, such as a screw, or any combination of components. 
         [0042]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary mandrel  411  for cutting and aligning the component carrier reels  401 ,  402  to be aligned using the splice tape  100 , in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. The mandrel  411  is attached to a pair of scissors  410 , or any other type of manual or automated cutting or trimming device. The mandrel  411  attached to a pair of scissors  410  works for trimming all sizes of component carrier reels  401 ,  402 . Both ends of the component carrier reels  401 ,  402  are aligned using alignment pins  412 ,  413  in the appropriate locations on the mandrel  411  attached to a pair of scissors  410 . The alignment pins  412 ,  413  can also be sized to receive the feeder holes  405  of the component carrier reels  401 ,  402  for further alignment. The scissors  410  then trim the ends of the component carrier reels  401 ,  402  to the appropriate size to form a proper connection between reels  401 ,  402 . 
         [0043]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the top cover tape  408  of the component carrier reels  401 ,  402 , can be lifted before trimming the reels  401 ,  402  using the mandrel  411  attached to a pair of scissors  410 , in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. The cover tape  408  is used to hold components  450  in place within the component pockets  407  of the component carrier reels  401 ,  402 . It is understood that the exemplary mandrel  411  attached to a pair of scissors  410  is a non-limiting example of on method of cutting component carrier reels  401 ,  402  to size. This process can be performed either manually, in a semi-automated fashion, or fully automated fashion. The components  450  are exposed for picking and placing by removing the top cover tape  408  and any attached splice tape  100 . The attached splice tape  100  does not interfere with either feeding through machinery or removal of the top cover tape  408 . Component carrier reels  401   402  usually have components  450  in the component pockets  407 . Component pick and place machines (not illustrated) take component carrier reels  401 ,  402  loaded with components  450  within the component pockets  407 , pull the cover tape  408  off, and pick components  450  out of the pockets  407 . The pick and place machine then places the components  450  onto circuit boards for use in electronic equipment, or any other type of device. 
         [0044]      FIG. 6  illustrates a single unit of splice tape  100  for application to component carrier reels  401 ,  402 , in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. The single unit of splice tape  100  is comprised of the stiffening strip  107 , first section of tape material  114 , the second section of tape material  115 , the third section of tape material  116 . A fold line  103  bisects the second section of tape material  115  and guides folding the splice tape  100  around a component carrier reek Notches  108  help hold sections  107 ,  114 ,  115 , and  116  together before application to a reek 
         [0045]      FIG. 7  illustrates an optional removal of stiffening strip  107  for placement on smaller component carrier reds, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. Smaller component carrier reels, such as, for example, 4 mm reds, do not need an added stiffening strip to effectively secure the joint on the top tape sprocket feed hole side between component carrier reds as in the location of  107  above the component carrier feed holes. 
         [0046]    In  FIG. 8 , the first section of protective paper  111  is removed from first section  104  of the splice tape  100 , thus exposing the adhesive side  214 . In  FIG. 9 , a first section of tape material  114  and the stiffening strip  107  are adhered to the top side  403  of component carrier reels  401 ,  402 , thus covering a portion of the top cover tape  408  on top of component wells  407 . In  FIG. 10 , the component carrier reels  401 ,  402  are flipped over to the underside  404 . The third section of protective paper  113  is then removed from the third complete section of tape material  106  to expose a third section of tape material with adhesive  216 . In  FIG. 11 , the third section of rape material with adhesive  216  and the portion of the middle section  105  of splice tape above the fold line  103 ′ is folded towards the underside  404  of the component carrier reels  401 ,  402 . In  FIG. 12 , the third section of tape material  116  is adhered to the underside  404  of the component carrier reels  401 ,  402 , thus forming a strong, yet flexible joint between reels  401 ,  402 . The adhered third section  116  of splice tape  100  covers the exterior portion  406  of the component pockets  407 , but does not cover or interfere with the feeder holes  405  of the component carrier reels  401 ,  402 . The spliced component carrier reels therefore easily feed through machines adding components at a later time. 
         [0047]    In  FIG. 13 , the folded second section  105  of splice tape  100  is removed, along with the second section of protective paper  112  still attached to the adhesive  215  on the second section  105  of splice tape. The folded second section  105  of splice tape  100  hanging off the component carrier reels  401 ,  402  is easily removed from the spliced reel joint by a shearing movement. The removal of complete tape section  105  does not cause a static shock that may damage components  450 .  FIG. 14  illustrates the completed, spliced component carrier reels  401 ,  402  with the attached splice tape  100 , showing adhered tape sections  107  and  114 . 
         [0048]      FIGS. 15-21  illustrate an exemplary method of applying the disclosed splicing tape  100  to component carrier reels using an alignment fixture  420  to align the component carrier reels  401 ,  402  for splicing, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. In  FIG. 15 , a component carrier reel  401  is aligned on an exemplary alignment fixture  420  to aid in alignment of component carrier reels  401 ,  402 . Alignment fixture  420  can be comprised of any type of stiff material, such as, for example plastic or metal. The feeder holes  405  of component carrier reel  401  can be aligned on the alignment fixture  420  using any number of alignment pins  421  to  431  that outwardly extend from the alignment fixture  420 . Alignment pins  421  to  431  can be sized to receive any size feeder holes  405  of any size component carrier reel  401 . Feeder holes  405  of component carrier reel  401  are aligned on alignment pins  424 ,  425 ,  426  in  FIG. 15 . Alignment pins  421 ,  422 ,  423  are sized to receive and fit feeder holes  405  on component carrier reel  402 . When aligned using the alignment fixture  420 , component carrier reels  401 ,  402  laterally align to form a joint, as illustrated in FIG,  16 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 17  illustrates adhesion of splice tape  100  to component carrier reels  401 ,  402  using an alignment fixture  420 , in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. The first section of protective paper  111  is first removed from the back of the supporting strip  107  and the first tape section  114  to expose its adhesive side  214 . The adhesive side of the supporting strip  107  is adhered over the feeder holes  405  of the joint of the component carrier reels  401 ,  402 . The adhesive side  214  of the first tape section  114  is adhered on top cover tape  408  of the component carrier reels  401 ,  402 . Therefore the slit  102 ′ is aligned in a parallel manner with the edge of the component carrier reels  401 ,  402 . 
         [0050]    In  FIG. 18 , the third section of protective paper  113  is then removed from the back of the third section  116  of splice tape  100  to expose the adhesive side  216  (not shown). Thereafter third tape section  116  is folded towards the bottom side of the competent carrier reels  401 ,  402 , as shown in  FIG. 19 . The splice tape folds in half at the fold line  103  that bisects section  115 . In  FIG. 20 , the adhesive side  216  of splice tape  100  section  116  is then adhered to the back portion of the component carrier reels  401 ,  402 . The alignment fixture  420  is does not interfere with adhesion of the splice tape  100 , but rather aid in alignment to form an accurate joint between reels  401 ,  402 . 
         [0051]    The second complete section  105  of the splice tape  100  is then pulled away from the adhered sections  107 ,  114 , and  116 , as illustrated in  FIG. 21 . The second complete section  105  of the splice tape  100  shears from adhered sections  114  and  116  at slits  102 ′ and  102 ″, respectively. The second protective paper  112  is still attached to the back of second tape section  115 . In  FIG. 22 , the component carrier reels  401 ,  402  have been removed from the alignment fixture  420  and are ready for feeding through component pick and place machinery (not illustrated). 
         [0052]      FIGS. 23-25  illustrate graphical representations of exemplary component carrier reels  501 ,  502 ,  601 ,  602 ,  701 ,  702 , in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. It is understood that the space tape disclosed herein is not limited to any particular size or dimensions. It is further understood that any size component carrier reel can be connected using the disclosed splice tape. In  FIG. 23 , splice tape  500  is applied to the underside, or “pocket side” of component carrier reels  501 ,  502  in accordance with the disclosed embodiments described in  FIGS. 4 to 21 . For use on smaller component carrier reds, such as the exemplary 4 mm red  501 ,  502 , the metalized supporting strip  107  can either be used to connect the reds  501 ,  502  or removed to allow attachment in accordance with the embodiments disclosed in  FIGS. 4 to 21 . On the cover tape side, a non-metalized tape  600  is used to connect the ends of the component carrier reds  601 ,  602 . The 4 mm component carrier reds are exemplary reds showing application of the disclosed splice tape  100  on smaller component carrier reds and is not solely limited to application on the 4 mm reels. 
         [0053]      FIGS. 24 and 25  illustrate the application of the splice tape  700 ,  800  on 24 mm component carrier reds  701 ,  702 , in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. Splice tape  800  is applied twice using the steps described in  FIGS. 4-21 . The 24 mm component carrier reds are exemplary reds showing application of the disclosed splice tape  100  on larger component carrier reds and is not solely limited to application on the 24 mm reds. For larger component carrier reels  701   702 , additional support for the component carrier reel joint may be needed. The disclosed splice tape is applied as described in  FIGS. 4 to 21  on both sides of the 24 mm component carrier reds  701 ,  702 . Further support may be added using an additional portion of splice tape  700  on the bottom side of the component carrier reel. 
         [0054]    It will be appreciated that variations of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Furthermore, various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art, which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.