Patent Publication Number: US-11051440-B2

Title: Component supply device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a National Stage of International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2016/073311, filed Aug. 8, 2016, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a component supply device that supplies components stored in a component storage tape to a component extracting position. 
     Background Art 
     A component mounting machine for mounting electronic components (hereinbelow, merely referred to as the “components”) on a substrate such as a printed wiring board is provided with a component supply device that supplies the components to a component extracting position. A device using a component storage tape in which components are stored is known as the component supply device. The component storage tape includes a carrier tape which includes component storage parts for storing the components and a cover tape which is stuck to the carrier tape to cover the component storage parts. This kind of component supply device is disclosed, for example, in JP 2011-155181 A. 
     The component supply device (feeder) disclosed in JP 2011-155181 A is provided with a tape chute which serves as a travel path for a component storage tape and a guide mechanism. The guide mechanism includes a cutter which cuts a cover tape of the component storage tape traveling on the tape chute and a cover tape guide which guides the cut cover tape. Here, the tape chute is formed in a recessed shape so that the component storage tape travels downward once and then travels upward again. 
     In the component supply device disclosed in JP 2011-155181 A, the cover tape of the component storage tape traveling on the tape chute formed in a recessed shape is raised to the upper side and spread out in the right-left direction by the cover tape guide while being cut by the cutter. Accordingly, a component is removably exposed inside a component storage part of the component storage tape. 
     SUMMARY 
     In a component storage tape, a carrier tape may deform in a buckling manner when a cover tape is raised and spread out to expose a component. A deformation amount of the buckling deformation of the carrier tape tends to increase as the length in the width direction of the component storage tape becomes longer and a raised region of the cover tape expands. Further, the deformation amount of the buckling deformation of the carrier tape tends to increase as a travel distance of the component storage tape during the raising of the cover tape becomes shorter. 
     In the above conventional component supply device, the tape chute which serves as the travel path for the component storage tape is formed in a recessed shape. Thus, in view of the above tendencies relating the buckling deformation of the carrier tape, it seems that, in the above conventional component supply device, the travel distance of the component storage tape during the raising of the cover tape by the cover tape guide becomes long, which enables the buckling deformation of the carrier tape to be prevented. 
     However, in the above conventional component supply device, the most upstream end and the most downstream end in a tape feeding direction of the component storage tape are located at the same height position in a region part formed in a recessed shape in the tape chute. In such a configuration, when the component storage tape travels downward once and then travels upward again along the tape chute having a recessed shape, a tensile stress directing from the downstream end in the tape feeding direction toward a raising starting point (the starting point of contact between the cover tape and the cover tape guide) is generated in the cover tape raised by the cover tape guide. When the tensile stress is generated in the cover tape, the buckling deformation of the carrier tape is caused by the stress. When the carrier tape deforms in a buckling manner, the traveling performance of the component storage tape is deteriorated, which reduces the efficiency of supplying components to a component extracting position by the component supply device. 
     The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a component supply device that supplies components stored in a component storage tape to a component extracting position, the component supply device being capable of efficiently supplying the components. 
     A component supply device according to one aspect of the present disclosure supplies components to a component extracting position using a component storage tape, the component storage tape including a carrier tape including a plurality of component storage parts arrayed at predetermined intervals for storing the components and a cover tape stuck to the carrier tape to cover the component storage parts. The component supply device includes a tape feeding unit that feeds the component storage tape toward the component extracting position in a tape feeding direction along an array direction of the component storage parts, a tape travel path forming unit that forms a travel path leading to the component extracting position for the component storage tape fed by the tape feeding unit, and a component exposing unit that is disposed on the travel path and exposes the components inside the component storage parts of the component storage tape traveling on the travel path. The travel path includes a first path part including a slope part, the slope part being inclined to one direction side in a first direction perpendicular to a width direction of the travel path and the tape feeding direction from an upstream side toward a downstream side in the tape feeding direction. The component exposing unit includes a cover tape raising unit that performs a raising process for raising the cover tape of the component storage tape with respect to the carrier tape to expose the components by coming into contact with the cover tape. The cover tape raising unit is disposed on the first path part on the travel path. 
     The objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a component supply device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are diagrams illustrating the configuration of a component storage tape used in the component supply device; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating a tape feeding unit included in the component supply device viewed in a tape feeding direction; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a tape travel path forming unit included in the component supply device; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a component exposing unit included in the component supply device; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a cover tape raising unit in the component exposing unit; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram for describing the shape of a first path part in a travel path formed from the tape travel path forming unit; 
         FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C  are diagrams for describing the shapes of a first region and a second region in the first path part of the travel path; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram for describing the shape of the second region in the first path part of the travel path; 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating a state of buckling deformation of a carrier tape during a raising process for a cover tape of the component storage tape; 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  are diagrams illustrating the configuration of a cover tape pre-process unit in the component exposing unit; 
         FIG. 12  is a diagram illustrating a state in which an insertion member of the cover tape pre-process unit is inserted between the cover tape and the carrier tape of the component storage tape; 
         FIGS. 13A and 13B  are diagrams illustrating a state in which a cover tape cutting member of the cover tape pre-process unit cuts the cover tape of the component storage tape; 
         FIGS. 14A and 14B  are diagrams illustrating a state of swings of the insertion member and the cover tape cutting member of the cover tape pre-process unit; 
         FIG. 15  is a diagram illustrating a cover member included in the component supply device; 
         FIG. 16  is a diagram illustrating a modification of the cover member; 
         FIG. 17  is an enlarged view of the cover member of  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a component exposing unit included in a component supply device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 19  is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a cover tape raising unit in the component exposing unit according to the second embodiment; 
         FIGS. 20A and 20B  are diagrams illustrating the configuration of a cover tape pre-process unit in the component exposing unit according to the second embodiment; 
         FIGS. 21A and 21B  are diagrams illustrating a state in which an insertion member of the cover tape pre-process unit is inserted between a cover tape and a carrier tape of a component storage tape; 
         FIGS. 22A and 22B  are diagrams illustrating a state of a swing of the insertion member of the cover tape pre-process unit; and 
         FIGS. 23A and 23B  are diagrams illustrating a cover member included in the component supply device according to the second embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinbelow, a component supply device according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the directional relationship will be described using XYZ rectangular coordinate axes. A right-left direction is defined as an X-axis direction, a front-rear direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction is defined as a Y-axis direction, and an upper-lower direction perpendicular to both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is defined as a Z-axis direction. Further, a left direction which is one direction in the X-axis direction is referred to as a “+X direction”, and a right direction which is the other direction opposite to the one direction in the X-axis direction is referred to as a “−X direction”. Further, a front direction which is one direction in the Y-axis direction is referred to as a “+Y direction”, and a rear direction which is the other direction opposite to the one direction in the Y-axis direction is referred to as a “−Y direction”. Further, a lower direction which is one direction in the Z-axis direction is referred to as a “−Z direction”, and an upper direction which is the other direction opposite to the one direction in the Z-axis direction is referred to as a “+Z direction”. 
     First Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a component supply device  1  according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The component supply device  1  is attached to a component mounting machine for mounting components on a substrate such as a printed wiring board and used for supplying components stored in a component storage tape to a component extracting position  21 . The component supplied to the component extracting position  21  by the component supply device  1  is extracted from the component storage tape by a suction nozzle included in the component mounting machine and then mounted on the substrate. The suction nozzle is capable of sucking and holding a component (extracting the component) by the supply of a negative pressure to the suction nozzle. The sucking and holding of the component is released by the supply of a positive pressure to the suction nozzle. A mechanism for removing a component from the component storage tape may be a head unit which is provided with a plurality of mounting heads each of which includes a suction nozzle attached to the tip thereof. Prior to describing the configuration of the component supply device  1 , the component storage tape will be described with reference to  FIGS. 2A and 2B .  FIGS. 2A and 2B  are diagrams illustrating the configuration of a component storage tape  100  which is used in the component supply device  1 . 
     The component storage tape  100  includes a carrier tape  101  and a cover tape  102 . The carrier tape  101  includes a plurality of component storage parts  101   a  which are arrayed at predetermined intervals for storing components P. Further, the carrier tape  101  includes engagement holes  101   b  which are arrayed at predetermined intervals on both ends in the width direction of the carrier tape  101 . The engagement holes  101   b  are engaged with teeth of a first sprocket  311 , a second sprocket  321 , and a third sprocket  331  in a tape feeding unit  3  (described below) to feed the component storage tape  100  by the tape feeding unit  3 . Note that “the engagement holes  101   b  of the component storage tape  100  are engaged with the teeth of the first sprocket  311 , the second sprocket  321 , and the third sprocket  331 ” indicates a state in which the teeth are fit in the engagement holes  101   b  to enable feeding of the component storage tape  100  in conjunction with the rotations of the first sprocket  311 , the second sprocket  321 , and the third sprocket  331 . 
     The cover tape  102  is stuck to the carrier tape  101  to cover the component storage parts  101   a . Both ends in the width direction of the cover tape  102  are melted to stick the cover tape  102  to the carrier tape  101 . Thus, in the component storage tape  100 , fused parts  103  formed by the melting of the cover tape  102  are linearly formed on both ends in the width direction of the upper face of the carrier tape  101  along the inner side of edges in the width direction of the cover tape  102 . In the width direction of the carrier tape  101 , the fused parts  103  are disposed on the inner side with respect to the engagement holes  101   b.    
     In the component storage tape  100  having the configuration as described above, a length K 1  between the fused parts  103 , which are formed on both the ends in the width direction of the carrier tape  101  along the inner side of the edges in the width direction of the cover tape  102 , is substantially equal to the length in the width direction of the cover tape  102 . Further, a length K 2  in the width direction of the component storage tape  100  is equal to the length in the width direction of the carrier tape  101 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the component supply device  1  is provided with a device body  2 , the tape feeding unit  3 , a tape travel path forming unit  4 , a component exposing unit  6 , and a cover member  7 . The device body  2  is a housing which accommodates each unit of the component supply device  1 . An operation panel  22  is attached to the device body  2 . The operation panel  22  is a part to which an instruction for operating the component supply device  1  is input by an operator. 
       FIG. 3  is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the tape feeding unit  3  included in the component supply device  1  viewed in a tape feeding direction H.  FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the tape travel path forming unit  4  included in the component supply device  1 .  FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the component exposing unit  6  included in the component supply device  1 . 
     The tape feeding unit  3  feeds the component storage tape  100  toward the component extracting position  21  in the predetermined tape feeding direction H along the array direction of the component storage parts  101   a . The tape feeding direction H when the tape feeding unit  3  feeds the component storage tape  100  toward the component extracting position  21  corresponds to the +Y direction. The tape feeding unit  3  intermittently feeds the component storage tape  100  in the tape feeding direction H so that the component storage parts  101   a  arrive at the component extracting position  21  one by one at predetermined time intervals. The tape feeding unit  3  is capable of executing a loading operation for feeding the component storage tape  100  toward the component extracting position  21  in the tape feeding direction H and an unloading operation for feeding the component storage tape  100  in the −Y direction which is opposite to the tape feeding direction H. 
     The tape travel path forming unit  4  forms a travel path  5  leading to the component extracting position  21  for the component storage tape  100  which is fed by the tape feeding unit  3 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the tape travel path forming unit  4  includes a pair of guide walls  41  and a plurality guide rollers including first to sixth guide rollers  42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45 ,  46 ,  47 . 
     The pair of guide walls  41  is a pair of wall parts which is opposed to each other with a predetermined interval therebetween in the X-axis direction and extends in the Y-axis direction inside the device body  2 . Both ends in the X-axis direction of a face on the −Z direction side (the lower face) of the component storage tape  100 , which is fed by the tape feeding unit  3 , are guided by end faces  411  (hereinbelow, referred to as the “guide faces  411 ”) on the +Z direction side of the pair of guide walls  41 . That is, the travel path  5  is formed along the guide faces  411  of the pair of guide walls  41 . The pair of guide walls  41  is cut away in region parts in which a pair of the second sprockets  321  of a second feeding unit  32  and a pair of the third sprockets  331  of a third feeding unit  33  (described below) are disposed in the tape feeding unit  3 . 
     A distance K 3  between opposed inner faces of the pair of guide walls  41  is set to be substantially equal to the length K 1  between the fused parts  103  of the component storage tape  100 . Further, a distance K 4  between outer faces of the pair of guide walls  41  is set to be substantially equal to the length K 2  in the width direction of the component storage tape  100 . The distance K 4  corresponds to the length in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the travel path  5 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the travel path  5 , which is formed along the guide faces  411  of the pair of guide walls  41 , includes a first path part  51 , a second path part  52 , and a third path part  53 . The first path part  51  in the travel path  5  is a path including a slope part which is inclined to one direction side (the −Z direction side, the lower direction side) in the Z-axis direction (the first direction, the upper-lower direction) which is perpendicular to the width direction of the travel path  5  (the X-axis direction) and the tape feeding direction H from the upstream side toward the downstream side in the tape feeding direction H. The first path part  51  includes a first region  511  which is located on the most upstream side in the tape feeding direction H, a second region  512  which is continuous with the downstream side in the tape feeding direction H of the first region  511 , and a third region  513  which is continuous with the downstream side in the tape feeding direction H of the second region  512 . The details of the shape of the first path part  51  will be described below. 
     The second path part  52  in the travel path  5  is a path which is continuous with the upstream side in the tape feeding direction H of the first path part  51 . In the present embodiment, the second path part  52  horizontally extends from the upstream side toward the downstream side in the tape feeding direction H. 
     The third path part  53  in the travel path  5  is a path which is continuous with the downstream side in the tape feeding direction H of the first path part  51  and leads to the component extracting position  21 . In the present embodiment, the third path part  53  includes a horizontal region  531  and an inclined region  532 . The horizontal region  531  is a region part which is continuous with the third region  513  of the first path part  51  and horizontally extends in the tape feeding direction H. The downstream end in the tape feeding direction H of the horizontal region  531  in the third path part  53  corresponds to the component extracting position  21  in the tape feeding direction H. In this manner, the configuration in which the component extracting position  21  is located in the horizontal region  531 , which is a horizontal region part in the third path part  53 , improves the accuracy of extracting the component P from the component storage tape  100  at the component extracting position  21 . The inclined region  532  is a region part which is continuous with the downstream side in the tape feeding direction H of the horizontal region  531  and inclined downward. 
     Each of the first to sixth guide rollers  42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45 ,  46 ,  47  of the tape travel path forming unit  4  is a pair of rollers which is separated from each other in the X-axis direction and rotatable around an axis extending in the X-axis direction. The first to sixth guide rollers  42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45 ,  46 ,  47  form the first path part  51  in the travel path  5  together with the guide faces  411  of the pair of guide walls  41 . 
     The first guide roller  42  is disposed on the upstream end in the tape feeding direction H of the first region  511  in the first path part  51 . The first guide roller  42  slightly projects to the +Z direction side (the upper direction side) with respect to the guide faces  411  of the pair of guide walls  41 . The first guide roller  42  guides both the ends in the X-axis direction of the face on the −Z direction side (the lower face) of the component storage tape  100  which is fed by the tape feeding unit  3 . 
     The second guide roller  43  is disposed on the downstream side in the tape feeding direction H with respect to the first guide roller  42  in the first region  511  in the first path part  51 . The second guide roller  43  slightly projects to the +Z direction side (the upper direction side) with respect to the guide faces  411  of the pair of guide walls  41 . The second guide roller  43  guides both the ends in the X-axis direction of the face on the −Z direction side (the lower face) of the component storage tape  100  which is fed by the tape feeding unit  3 . 
     The third guide roller  44  is disposed facing the second guide roller  43  in the first region  511  in the first path part  51 . The third guide roller  44  guides both ends in the X-axis direction of a face on the +Z direction side (the upper face) of the component storage tape  100  which is fed by the tape feeding unit  3 . 
     The fourth guide roller  45  is disposed facing the guide faces  411  of the pair of guide walls  41  in the second region  512  in the first path part  51 . The fourth guide roller  45  guides both the ends in the X-axis direction of the face on the +Z direction side (the upper face) of the component storage tape  100  which is fed by the tape feeding unit  3 . 
     The fifth guide roller  46  is disposed facing the guide faces  411  of the pair of guide walls  41  on the downstream side in the tape feeding direction H with respect to the fourth guide roller  45  in the second region  512  in the first path part  51 . The fifth guide roller  46  guides both the ends in the X-axis direction of the face on the +Z direction side (the upper face) of the component storage tape  100  which is fed by the tape feeding unit  3 . 
     The sixth guide roller  47  is disposed facing the guide faces  411  of the pair of guide walls  41  in the third region  513  in the first path part  51 . The sixth guide roller  47  guides both the ends in the X-axis direction of the face on the +Z direction side (the upper face) of the component storage tape  100  which is fed by the tape feeding unit  3 . 
     As described above, each of the first to sixth guide rollers  42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45 ,  46 ,  47  is rotatable around the axis extending in the X-axis direction. Thus, it is possible to reduce a frictional force which is generated when the first to sixth guide rollers  42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45 ,  46 ,  47  guide the component storage tape  100  fed by the tape feeding unit  3 . Thus, it is possible to reduce a traveling resistance when the component storage tape  100  travels on the first path part  51  which is formed from the first to sixth guide rollers  42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45 ,  46 ,  47  and the guide faces  411  of the pair of guide walls  41 . 
     Although the tape travel path forming unit  4  which includes the first to sixth guide rollers  42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45 ,  46 ,  47  and the pair of guide walls  41  has been described above, the tape travel path forming unit  4  is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the tape travel path forming unit  4  may have a configuration in which a plurality of pairs of rollers opposed in the Z-axis direction are arrayed. 
     The configuration of the tape feeding unit  3  will be specifically described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 3 . The tape feeding unit  3  includes a first feeding unit  31 , the second feeding unit  32 , and the third feeding unit  33 . 
     The first feeding unit  31  is disposed on the upstream end in the tape feeding direction H of the second path part  52  in the travel path  5 . The first feeding unit  31  feeds the component storage tape  100  with a tip of the component storage tape  100  being a free end to cause the component storage tape  100  to travel on the second path part  52  and the first path part  51 . The first feeding unit  31  includes a pair of the first sprockets  311 , a pair of first worm wheels  312 , a pair of first worms  313 , a first servomotor  314 , a first belt  315 , and a first tension roller  316 . 
     The pair of first sprockets  311  is a pair of disc-like sprockets which is supported on the device body  2  rotatably around an axis extending in the X-axis direction. The pair of first sprockets  311  is provided with a plurality of teeth  311   a  which are arrayed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. Each of the teeth  311   a  of the pair of first sprockets  311  is engageable with the engagement holes  101   b  which are formed on both the ends in the width direction of the carrier tape  101  of the component storage tape  100 . Further, a one-way clutch which transmits torque only in one direction is incorporated in the pair of first sprockets  311 . 
     Each of the first worm wheels  312  is a worm gear which is disposed coaxially with each of the pair of first sprockets  311 . Each of the pair of first worms  313  is a screw-like gear which is meshed with each of the pair of first worm wheels  312 . 
     The first servomotor  314  is a driving source which produces a driving force for rotating the pair of first sprockets  311 . The first servomotor  314  includes a motor output shaft  314   a  for outputting the driving force. The first belt  315  is an endless belt and stretched between the motor output shaft  314   a  and the pair of first worms  313 . The first belt  315  circularly travels by the rotation of the first servomotor  314 . The first tension roller  316  abuts on the outer peripheral face of the first belt  315  and applies a tension to the first belt  315 . 
     In the first feeding unit  31  configured as described above, a rotary driving force of the first servomotor  314  is transmitted to the pair of first worm wheels  312  through the first belt  315  and the pair of first worms  313 . Accordingly, the pair of first worm wheels  312  rotates. When the pair of first worm wheels  312  rotates, the pair of first sprockets  311  rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the pair of first worm wheels  312 . When the pair of first sprockets  311  rotates, the component storage tape  100  which includes the carrier tape  101  having the engagement holes  101   b  which are engaged with the teeth  311   a  of the first sprockets  311  is fed. 
     The second feeding unit  32  is disposed on the downstream end in the tape feeding direction H of the first path part  51  in the travel path  5 , in other words, on the upstream end in the tape feeding direction H of the third path part  53 . The second feeding unit  32  receives the component storage tape  100  which is fed by the first feeding unit  31  and travels on the first path part  51  and feeds the component storage tape  100  toward the component extracting position  21 . Accordingly, the second feeding unit  32  causes the component storage tape  100  to travel on the third path part  53 . 
     In a manner similar to the first feeding unit  31 , the second feeding unit  32  includes the pair of second sprockets  321 , a pair of second worm wheels  322 , a pair of second worms  323 , a second servomotor  324 , a second belt  325 , and a second tension roller  326 . 
     The pair of second sprockets  321  is a pair of disc-like sprockets which is supported on the device body  2  rotatably around an axis extending in the X-axis direction. The pair of second sprockets  321  is provided with a plurality of teeth  321   a  which are arrayed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. In the pair of second sprockets  321 , the teeth  321   a  located on the other direction side (the +Z direction side, the upper side) in the Z-axis direction (the first direction, the upper-lower direction) are exposed from the guide faces  411  of the pair of guide walls  41 . Each of the teeth  321   a  of the pair of second sprockets  321  is engageable with the engagement holes  101   b  which are formed on both the ends in the width direction of the carrier tape  101  of the component storage tape  100 . 
     Each of the pair of second worm wheels  322  is a worm gear which is disposed coaxially with each of the pair of second sprockets  321 . Each of the pair of second worms  323  is a screw-like gear which is meshed with each of the pair of second worm wheels  322 . 
     The second servomotor  324  is a driving source which produces a driving force for rotating the pair of second sprockets  321 . The second servomotor  324  includes a motor output shaft  324   a  for outputting the driving force. The second belt  325  is an endless belt and stretched between the motor output shaft  324   a  and the pair of second worms  323 . The second belt  325  circularly travels by the rotation of the second servomotor  324 . The second tension roller  326  abuts on the outer peripheral face of the second belt  325  and applies a tension to the second belt  325 . 
     In the second feeding unit  32  configured as described above, a rotary driving force of the second servomotor  324  is transmitted to the pair of second worm wheels  322  through the second belt  325  and the pair of second worms  323 . Accordingly, the pair of second worm wheels  322  rotates. When the pair of second worm wheels  322  rotates, the pair of second sprockets  321  rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the pair of second worm wheels  322 . When the pair of second sprockets  321  rotates, the component storage tape  100  which includes the carrier tape  101  having the engagement holes  101   b  which are engaged with the teeth  321   a  of the second sprockets  321  is fed. 
     When the tip of the component storage tape  100  fed by the first feeding unit  31  arrives at the pair of second sprockets  321 , and the engagement holes  101   b  of the carrier tape  101  on the tip of the component storage tape  100  are engaged with the teeth  321   a  of the pair of second sprockets  321 , the first servomotor  314  stops. When the first servomotor  314  stops in this manner, a rotation shaft of the first sprockets  311  stops. However, the first sprockets  311  can rotate in conjunction with the movement of the component storage tape  100 , which is fed by the rotation of the pair of second sprockets  321 , by the one-way clutch interposed between the rotation shaft and the first sprockets  311  without the rotation of the rotation shaft. 
     The third feeding unit  33  is disposed on the downstream end in the tape feeding direction H of the horizontal region  531  in the third path part  53  of the travel path  5 . That is, the third feeding unit  33  is disposed at the position corresponding to the component extracting position  21  in the tape feeding direction H. The third feeding unit  33  receives the component storage tape  100  which is fed by the second feeding unit  32  and travels on the third path part  53  and feeds the component storage tape  100  so that the component storage tape  100  passes through the component extracting position  21 . The configuration in which the third feeding unit  33  is disposed at the position corresponding to the component extracting position  21  in the tape feeding direction H and receives the component storage tape  100  makes it possible to feed the component storage tape  100  positioned with respect to the component extracting position  21  with high accuracy. 
     The third feeding unit  33  includes the pair of third sprockets  331  and a pair of third worm wheels  332 . In the above description, “the third feeding unit  33  is disposed at the position corresponding to the component extracting position  21 ” indicates that the third feeding unit  33  is disposed in such a manner that the component extracting position  21  is located within the range of the pair of third sprockets  331  in the tape feeding direction H when viewed in the width direction of the travel path  5  (the X-axis direction). When viewed in the width direction of the travel path  5  (the X-axis direction), the component extracting position  21  is desirably located immediately above the top (the uppermost end) of the pair of third sprockets  331 . When the component extracting position  21  is located at a position shifted in the Y-axis direction from the top of the pair of third sprockets  331 , it is preferred that the position be shifted to the upstream side in the tape feeding direction H rather than to the downstream side. This is because a region part passing through the component extracting position  21  in the component storage tape  100  fed by the pair of third sprockets  331  of the third feeding unit  33  is brought into a pulled state, and deformation in the region part is thus small and the component storage tape  100  is positioned with respect to the component extracting position  21  with high accuracy. 
     The pair of third sprockets  331  is a pair of disc-like sprockets which is supported on the device body  2  rotatably around an axis extending in the X-axis direction. The pair of third sprockets  331  is provided with a plurality of teeth  331   a  which are arrayed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. In the pair of third sprockets  331 , the teeth  331   a  located on the other direction side (the +Z direction side, the upper side) in the Z-axis direction (the first direction, the upper-lower direction) are exposed from the guide faces  411  of the pair of guide walls  41 . Each of the teeth  331   a  of the pair of third sprockets  331  is engageable with the engagement holes  101   b  which are formed on both the ends in the width direction of the carrier tape  101  of the component storage tape  100 . 
     Each of the pair of third worm wheels  332  is a worm gear which is disposed coaxially with each of the pair of third sprockets  331 . Each of the pair of third worm wheels  332  is meshed with each of the pair of second worm  323 . 
     In the third feeding unit  33  configured as described above, in a manner similar to the second feeding unit  32 , a rotary driving force of the second servomotor  324  is transmitted to the pair of third worm wheels  332  through the second belt  325  and the pair of second worms  323 . Accordingly, the pair of third worm wheels  332  rotates. When the pair of third worm wheels  332  rotates, the pair of third sprockets  331  rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the pair of third worm wheels  332 . When the pair of third sprockets  331  rotates, the component storage tape  100  which includes the carrier tape  101  having the engagement holes  101   b  which are engaged with the teeth  331   a  of the third sprockets  331  is fed. 
     Next, the configuration of the component exposing unit  6  included in the component supply device  1  will be described with reference to  FIG. 5 . The component exposing unit  6  is disposed on the travel path  5  formed from the tape travel path forming unit  4 . The component exposing unit  6  exposes the components P inside the component storage parts  101   a  of the component storage tape  100  which is fed by the tape feeding unit  3  and travels on the travel path  5 . The component exposing unit  6  includes a cover tape raising unit  61 , a cover tape pre-process unit  62 , and a cover tape post-process unit  63 . 
       FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the cover tape raising unit  61  in the component exposing unit  6 . The cover tape raising unit  61  is disposed on the first path part  51  on the travel path  5 . The cover tape raising unit  61  performs a raising process for raising the cover tape  102  to the +Z direction side (the upper direction side) with respect to the carrier tape  101  by coming into contact with the cover tape  102  of the component storage tape  100  traveling on the first path part  51  of the travel path  5 . The raising process for the cover tape  102  by the cover tape raising unit  61  exposes the components P inside the component storage parts  101   a  of the component storage tape  100 . 
     In the present embodiment, the cover tape raising unit  61  comes into contact with a cut part  102   a  of the cover tape  102  cut by a cover tape cutting member  622  included in the cover tape pre-process unit  62  (described below) to perform the raising process for the cut cover tape  102 . The cover tape cutting member  622  of the cover tape pre-process unit  62  cuts the cover tape  102  at a predetermined position (e.g., a central position) between the ends in the width direction of the cover tape  102 . Further, the cut part  102   a  of the cover tape  102  cut by the cover tape cutting member  622  linearly extends along the travel path  5 . 
     The cover tape raising unit  61  includes a raised region expanding part  611  and a raised region holding part  612 . The raised region expanding part  611  is a region part on the upstream side in the tape feeding direction H in the cover tape raising unit  61 . The tip of an upstream end  611 A in the tape feeding direction H of the raised region expanding part  611  constitutes a most upstream end  61 A of the cover tape raising unit  61  and serves as a starting point of the contact with the cover tape  102 . The raised region expanding part  611  expands a raised region of the cover tape  102  to the +Z direction side (the upper direction side) with respect to the carrier tape  101  to a range from a raising starting point to the fused parts  103 . The raising starting point of the cover tape  102  is a starting point of the contact with the most upstream end  61 A of the cover tape raising unit  61  in the cover tape  102  and, in the present embodiment, located on the cut part  102   a  of the cover tape  102  cut by the cover tape cutting member  622 . Further, the upstream end  611 A in the tape feeding direction H of the raised region expanding part  611  is fixed to the cover member  7  (described below). 
     The raised region expanding part  611  includes a first region expanding piece  6111  and a second region expanding piece  6112 . The first region expanding piece  6111  and the second region expanding piece  6112  are plate-like members each having a predetermined length in the tape feeding direction H and connected to each other at their upstream ends in the tape feeding direction H. The connected part between the first region expanding piece  6111  and the second region expanding piece  6112  constitutes the upstream end  611 A in the tape feeding direction H of the raised region expanding part  611 . 
     The first region expanding piece  6111  extends in a manner to approach an end on one direction side (the +X direction side) in the width direction (the X-axis direction) in the travel path  5  from the upstream end in the tape feeding direction H as the part connected with the second region expanding piece  6112  toward the downstream end. The upstream end in the tape feeding direction H of the first region expanding piece  6111  comes into contact with the cut part  102   a  of the cut cover tape  102 . An edge on the −Z direction side of the downstream end in the tape feeding direction H of the first region expanding piece  6111  comes into contact with a boundary between one direction side (the +X direction side) in the width direction of the cover tape  102  and the fused part  103 . 
     The second region expanding piece  6112  extends in a manner to approach an end on the other direction side (the −X direction side) in the width direction (the X-axis direction) in the travel path  5  from the upstream end in the tape feeding direction H as the part connected with the first region expanding piece  6111  toward the downstream end. The upstream end in the tape feeding direction H of the second region expanding piece  6112  comes into contact with the cut part  102   a  of the cut cover tape  102 . An edge on the −Z direction side of the downstream end in the tape feeding direction H of the second region expanding piece  6112  comes into contact with a boundary between the other direction side (the −X direction side) in the width direction of the cover tape  102  and the fused part  103 . 
     The raised region holding part  612  is connected to the downstream end in the tape feeding direction H of the raised region expanding part  611  through a connecting member  613 . The raised region holding part  612  is connected to the raised region expanding part  611  swingably about the connecting member  613 . A tip of the downstream end in the tape feeding direction H of the raised region holding part  612  constitutes a most downstream end  61 B of the cover tape raising unit  61  and serves as an end point of the contact with the cover tape  102 . The raised region holding part  612  holds the raised region of the cover tape  102 , the raised region being expanded to the range leading to the fused parts  103  by the raised region expanding part  611 , as it is. The cover tape raising unit  61  having the configuration in which the raised region holding part  612  is connected to the raised region expanding part  611  swingably about the connecting member  613  is swingable in response to a change in a traveling behavior of the component storage tape  100  on the first path part  51 . Thus, reduction in the stability of the raising process for the cover tape  102  by the cover tape raising unit  61  is prevented. The change in the traveling behavior of the component storage tape  100  on the first path part  51  will be described below. 
     The raised region holding part  612  includes a first region holding piece  6121  and a second region holding piece  6122 . The first region holding piece  6121  and the second region holding piece  6122  are plate-like members each having a predetermined length in the tape feeding direction H. 
     The first region holding piece  6121  extends along the first path part  51  in the travel path  5  from the upstream end toward the downstream end in the tape feeding direction H. The upstream end in the tape feeding direction H of the first region holding piece  6121  is connected to the downstream end of the first region expanding piece  6111  through the connecting member  613 . The first region holding piece  6121  is supported on the device body  2  swingably about the connecting member  613  with respect to the first region expanding piece  6111 . The downstream end in the tape feeding direction H of the first region holding piece  6121  constitutes the most downstream end  61 B of the cover tape raising unit  61 . An edge on the −Z direction side of the first region holding piece  6121  comes into contact with the boundary between one direction side (the +X direction side) in the width direction of the cover tape  102  and the fused part  103 . 
     The second region holding piece  6122  extends along the first path part  51  in the travel path  5  from the upstream end toward the downstream end in the tape feeding direction H. The upstream end in the tape feeding direction H of the second region holding piece  6122  is connected to the downstream end of the second region expanding piece  6112  through the connecting member  613 . The second region holding piece  6122  is supported on the device body  2  swingably about the connecting member  613  with respect to the second region expanding piece  6112 . The downstream end in the tape feeding direction H of the second region holding piece  6122  constitutes the most downstream end  61 B of the cover tape raising unit  61 . An edge on the −Z direction side of the second region holding piece  6122  comes into contact with the boundary between the other direction side (the −X direction side) in the width direction of the cover tape  102  and the fused part  103 . 
     Next, the shape of the first path part  51  of the travel path  5  on which the cover tape raising unit  61  is disposed and buckling deformation of the carrier tape  101  during the raising process for the cover tape  102  of the component storage tape  100  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 7 to 10  in addition to  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 7  is a diagram for describing the shape of the first path part  51  in the travel path  5  formed from the tape travel path forming unit  4 .  FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C  are diagrams for describing the shapes of the first region  511  and the second region  512  in the first path part  51  of the travel path  5 .  FIG. 9  is a diagram for describing the shape of the second region  512  in the first path part  51  of the travel path  5 .  FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating a state of the buckling deformation of the carrier tape  101  during the raising process for the cover tape  102  of the component storage tape  100 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the carrier tape  101  may deform in a buckling manner during the raising process for the cover tape  102  by the cover tape raising unit  61 . Referring to  FIG. 9 , it is considered that the buckling deformation of the carrier tape  101  during the raising process for the cover tape  102  occurs due to a gap between a downstream end  102   b  in the tape feeding direction H of the cover tape  102  raised by the cover tape raising unit  61  and an upstream end  102   c  in the tape feeding direction H of the cover tape  102  spread out by the cover tape post-process unit  63  (described below). 
     In the cover tape  102  raised by the cover tape raising unit  61 , a tensile stress directing from the downstream end  102   b  in the tape feeding direction H toward the raising starting point (the starting point of the contact between the cover tape  102  and the most upstream end  61 A of the cover tape raising unit  61 ) is generated by the gap. When the tensile stress is generated in the cover tape  102 , the buckling deformation of the carrier tape  101  is caused by the stress. 
     The size of the gap increases as the length K 1  between the fused parts  103  of the component storage tape  100  becomes longer and the raised region of the cover tape  102  by the raising process expands. That is, a deformation amount of the buckling deformation of the carrier tape  101  increases as the raised region of the cover tape  102  by the raising process expands. Further, the size of the gap increases as the length C in the cover tape raising unit  61  along the first path part  51  becomes shorter and a travel distance of the component storage tape  100  during the raising of the cover tape  102  becomes shorter. That is, the deformation amount of the buckling deformation of the carrier tape  101  increases as the travel distance of the component storage tape  100  during the raising of the cover tape  102  becomes shorter. 
     For example, when the size of the component storage parts  101   a  is increased to supply large components P, the length K 1  between the fused parts  103  becomes long. When the large components P are supplied using such a component storage tape  100 , the possibility of the occurrence of buckling deformation increases in view of the above behavior relating to the buckling deformation of the carrier tape  101 . In this case, the buckling deformation of the carrier tape  101  can be prevented by increasing the travel distance of the component storage tape  100  during the raising of the cover tape  102 . 
     In the present embodiment, as described above, the first path part  51  on which the cover tape raising unit  61  is disposed is inclined to one direction side (the −Z direction side, the lower direction side) in the Z-axis direction (the first direction, the upper-lower direction) which is perpendicular to the width direction of the travel path  5  (the X-axis direction) and the tape feeding direction H from the upstream side toward the downstream side in the tape feeding direction H. Accordingly, it is possible to increase the travel distance of the component storage tape  100  when the component storage tape  100  travels on the first path part  51  and passes through the cover tape raising unit  61  as compared to a case where, for example, the cover tape raising unit  61  is disposed on a travel path horizontally extending in the tape feeding direction H. 
     Further, the first path part  51  is not configured in such a manner that the most upstream end and the most downstream end in the tape feeding direction H are located at the same height position like the above conventional technique. Thus, in the cover tape  102  raised by the cover tape raising unit  61 , the generation of the tensile stress directing from the downstream end  102   b  in the tape feeding direction H toward the raising starting point is prevented. Thus, it is possible to prevent the buckling deformation of the carrier tape  101 , the buckling deformation being caused by the tensile stress of the cover tape  102 , during the raising process for the cover tape  102  by the cover tape raising unit  61 . Thus, an excellent traveling performance of the component storage tape  100  is maintained, and the components P can be efficiently supplied toward the component extracting position  21 . 
     Further, in the component supply device  1  having the configuration capable of preventing the buckling deformation of the carrier tape  101  during the raising process for the cover tape  102 , it is possible to reduce the length in the tape feeding direction H of the first path part  51  on which the cover tape raising unit  61  is disposed, that is, the length in the tape feeding direction H from the most upstream end to the most downstream end of the first path part  51 . Thus, the component supply device  1  can be downsized. 
     Further, as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the first path part  51  on which the cover tape raising unit  61  is disposed includes the first region  511  on the most upstream side in the tape feeding direction H, the second region  512  which is continuous with the downstream side in the tape feeding direction H of the first region  511 , and the third region  513  which is continuous with the downstream side in the tape feeding direction H of the second region  512  as described above. 
     In the first path part  51 , a path part from the most upstream end  511 A in the tape feeding direction H of the first region  511  to the most downstream end  512 A in the tape feeding direction H of the second region  512  is formed in a shape extending along a virtual curve having an inflection point F 12  when viewed in the width direction of the travel path  5  (the X-axis direction). Specifically, the first region  511  of the first path part  51  is formed in a shape extending along a first virtual curve F 1  which projects in the other direction (the +Z direction, the upper direction) opposite to one direction (the −Z direction, the lower direction) in the Z-axis direction (the first direction, the upper-lower direction) when viewed in the width direction of the travel path  5  (the X-axis direction). The second region  512  of the first path part  51  is formed in a shape extending along a second virtual curve F 2  which projects in one direction (the −Z direction, the lower direction) in the Z-axis direction (the first direction, the upper-lower direction) when viewed in the width direction of the travel path  5  (the X-axis direction). 
     Here, the shape of the path part from the most upstream end  511 A in the tape feeding direction H of the first region  511  to the most downstream end  512 A in the tape feeding direction H of the second region  512  is not particularly limited to any shape as long as the shape is inclined to the −Z direction side from the upstream side toward the downstream side in the tape feeding direction H. For example, the first region  511  extending along the first virtual curve F 1  and the second region  512  extending along the second virtual curve F 2  may have an arc shape as illustrated in  FIG. 8A , a bent shape including a plurality of segments coupled to each other as illustrated in  FIG. 8B , or a curved shape including a plurality of curves coupled to each other as illustrated in  FIG. 8C  when viewed in the width direction of the travel path  5  (the X-axis direction). 
     In the first path part  51  viewed in the width direction of the travel path  5  (the X-axis direction), the first region  511  extending along the first virtual curve F 1  and the second region  512  extending along the second virtual curve F 2  are curved in different directions with respect to the Z-axis direction (the first direction, the upper-lower direction) and have opposite signs of the curvature. When the component storage tape  100  travels along the first path part  51  as described above, a force of bending acts on the component storage tape  100  in opposite directions with respect to the Z-axis direction (the first direction, the upper-lower direction) between when the component storage tape  100  passes through the first region  511  and when the component storage tape  100  passes through the second region  512 . Thus, for example, in the first path part  51 , when the cover tape raising unit  61  is disposed across the first region  511  and the second region  512 , there is a possibility that the stability of the raising process for the cover tape  102  by the cover tape raising unit  61  is reduced. 
     Thus, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the cover tape raising unit  61  is disposed in such a manner that the most upstream end  61 A in the tape feeding direction H as the starting point of the contact with the cover tape  102  is located on or near a boundary line S 1  between the first region  511  and the second region  512  in the first path part  51 . In such a configuration, since the most upstream end  61 A of the cover tape raising unit  61  is located on or near the boundary line S 1  between the first region  511  and the second region  512 , the cover tape raising unit  61  is not located across the first region  511  and the second region  512 , but located in the second region  512 . Thus, the reduction in the stability of the raising process for the cover tape  102  by the cover tape raising unit  61  is prevented. 
     Further, the component storage tape  100  travels while bending in the first region  511  and the second region  512  of the first path part  51 . Here, in the component storage tape  100  traveling on the first path part  51 , a bending direction during traveling and the traveling behavior on the first path part  51  change at the inflection point F 12  between the first virtual curve F 1  extending along the first region  511  and the second virtual curve F 2  extending along the second region  512  between when the component storage tape  100  is fed by the first feeding unit  31  which is disposed on the upstream side of the first path part  51  and when the component storage tape  100  is fed by the second feeding unit  32  which is disposed on the downstream side of the first path part  51 . Such a change in the traveling behavior of the component storage tape  100  on the first path part  51  occurs not only in the loading operation in which the component storage tape  100  is fed in the tape feeding direction H toward the component extracting position  21 , but also in the unloading operation in which the component storage tape  100  is fed in the −Y direction which is opposite to the tape feeding direction H. 
     Specifically, in the loading operation, the component storage tape  100  fed by the first feeding unit  31  bends to the +Z direction side (the upper direction side) in the first region  511  and bends to the −Z direction side (the lower direction side) in the second region  512 . Further, the component storage tape  100  fed by the second feeding unit  32  bends to the −Z direction side (the lower direction side) in the first region  511  and bends to the +Z direction side (the upper direction side) in the second region  512 . 
     In the cover tape raising unit  61  of the present embodiment, as described above, only the upstream end  611 A of the raised region expanding part  611  is fixed to the cover member  7  (described below), and the raised region holding part  612  is connected to the raised region expanding part  611  swingably about the connecting member  613 . Accordingly, the cover tape raising unit  61  is swingable in response to the change in the traveling behavior of the component storage tape  100  on the first path part  51 . Thus, the reduction in the stability of the raising process for the cover tape  102  by the cover tape raising unit  61  is prevented. 
     Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the first path part  51  is formed from the first to sixth guide rollers  42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45 ,  46 ,  47  together with the guide faces  411  of the pair of guide walls  41  as described above. Each of the first to sixth guide rollers  42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45 ,  46 ,  47  is rotatable around the axis extending in the X-axis direction. Thus, even when the traveling behavior of the component storage tape  100  on the first path part  51  changes, it is possible to reduce the traveling resistance of the component storage tape  100  when the component storage tape  100  travels on the first path part  51 . 
     Further, when the component storage tape  100  travels on the first path part  51 , the face on the −Z direction side (the lower face) thereof is guided by the guide faces  411  of the pair of guide walls  41  and the first guide roller  42  and the second guide roller  43 . On the other hand, the face on the +Z direction side (the upper face) of the component storage tape  100  is guided by the third to sixth guide rollers  44 ,  45 ,  46 ,  47 . That is, the tape travel path forming unit  4  is not provided with a guide wall having a continuous guide face as a configuration for guiding the face on the +Z direction side (the upper face) of the component storage tape  100  in order to more reliably reduce the traveling resistance when the traveling behavior of the component storage tape  100  on the first path part  51  changes. 
     Next, a configuration for more reliably preventing the buckling deformation of the carrier tape  101  during the raising process for the cover tape  102  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 7 and 9 . It is desired that the shape of the second region  512  of the first path part  51  on which the cover tape raising unit  61  is disposed on the travel path  5  be designed on the basis of a threshold T (refer to  FIG. 9 ) corresponding to the gap between the downstream end  102   b  in the tape feeding direction H of the cover tape  102  raised by the cover tape raising unit  61  and the upstream end  102   c  in the tape feeding direction H of the cover tape  102  spread out by the cover tape post-process unit  63  (described below). As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the threshold T can be obtained from the following equation (1).
 
 T=W ·sin 2θ=2 W ·sin θ·cos θ  (1)
 
     In the above equation (1), “W” denotes a distance in the width direction of the travel path  5  (the X-axis direction) between the most upstream end  61 A in the tape feeding direction H as the starting point of the contact with the cover tape  102  and the most downstream end  61 B in the tape feeding direction H as the end point of the contact with the cover tape  102  in the cover tape raising unit  61 . Further, in the above equation (1), “θ” denotes an angle around the raising starting point of the cover tape  102  raised by the cover tape raising unit  61  (the starting point of the contact with the most upstream end  61 A of the cover tape raising unit  61  in the cover tape  102 ) as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . 
     Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , “sin θ” and “cos θ” in the above equation (1) are obtained from the following equations (2) and (3), respectively.
 
sin θ= W /sqrt( C   2   +W   2 )  (2)
 
cos θ= C /sqrt( C   2   +W   2 )  (3)
 
     In the above equations (2) and (3), “C” denotes a length along the second region  512  of the first path part  51  in the cover tape raising unit  61 . 
     The following equation (I) is obtained as an equation that defines the threshold T by substituting “sin θ” represented by equation (2) and “cos θ” represented by equation (3) into equation (1).
 
 T= 2 C·W   2 /( C   2   +W   2 )  (I)
 
     Further, in the present embodiment, a difference value (L−d) between a length L of an arc (corresponding to the second virtual curve F 2 ) and a length d of a chord F 5  in a sector F 4  (a central angle α) corresponding to the second virtual curve F 2  which defines the shape of the second region  512  of the first path part  51  on which the cover tape raising unit  61  is disposed on the travel path  5  is set to be larger than the threshold T defined by the above equation (I). Accordingly, during the raising process for the cover tape  102  by the cover tape raising unit  61  which is disposed on the second region  512  of the first path part  51 , it is possible to more reliably prevent the buckling deformation of the carrier tape  101 , the buckling deformation being caused by the tensile stress of the cover tape  102 . 
     Further, as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the third region  513  which is continuous with the downstream side in the tape feeding direction H of the second region  512  on which the cover tape raising unit  61  is disposed in the first path part  51  is formed in a shape extending along a third virtual curve F 3  which projects in the +Z direction (the upper direction) when viewed in the width direction of the travel path  5  (the X-axis direction). 
     As described above, the second feeding unit  32  which is provided with the pair of second sprockets  321  is disposed on a most downstream end  513 A in the tape feeding direction H of the third region  513 , the most downstream end  513 A corresponding to the most downstream end in the tape feeding direction H of the first path part  51  in the travel path  5 . The third region  513  is formed in the shape extending along the third virtual curve F 3  which projects in the +Z direction (the upper direction) in order to improve an engagement performance of the engagement holes  101   b  of the carrier tape  101  on the tip of the component storage tape  100  which is fed by the first feeding unit  31  and travels in the third region  513  with the teeth  321   a  of the pair of second sprockets  321 . The tape feeding unit  3  is not necessarily provided with the second feeding unit  32 . However, when the tape feeding unit  3  is provided with the second feeding unit  32 , the teeth  321   a  of the second sprockets  321  are fitted in and engaged with the engagement holes  101   b  of the component storage tape  100  which is fed by the first feeding unit  31  and travels on the first path part  51 , which enables the component storage tape  100  to be reliably received. Further, the second feeding unit  32  makes it possible to reliably feed the component storage tape  100  received by the second feeding unit  32  toward the third feeding unit  33  which is disposed at the position corresponding to the component extracting position  21  in the third path part  53  on the downstream side in the tape feeding direction H of the first path part  51 . 
     The height position of the most downstream end  513 A in the tape feeding direction H of the third region  513  is set taking into consideration the engagement performance of the engagement holes  101   b  of the carrier tape  101  with respect to the teeth  321   a  of the pair of second sprockets  321  and an effect of preventing the buckling deformation of the carrier tape  101  during the raising process for the cover tape  102 . The height position of the most downstream end  513 A of the third region  513  is set to be different from the height position of the most upstream end  511 A of the first region  511 , the most upstream end  511 A corresponding to the most upstream end in the tape feeding direction H of the first path part  51 . 
     That is, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , a distance K 6  in the Z-axis direction (the upper-lower direction) between the most downstream end  512 A of the second region  512  and the most downstream end  513 A of the third region  513  is set to be shorter than a distance K 5  in the Z-axis direction (the upper-lower direction) between the most upstream end  511 A of the first region  511  and the most downstream end  512 A of the second region  512 . When the tape feeding unit  3  is not provided with the second feeding unit  32 , the first path part  51  may not include the third region  513  and horizontally extend from the most downstream end  512 A of the second region  512  toward the third path part  53 . Alternatively, the second feeding unit  32  may be disposed on a part horizontally extending from the most downstream end  512 A of the second region  512 . 
     Further, as described above, the sixth guide roller  47  which guides both the ends in the X-axis direction of the face on the +Z direction side (the upper face) of the component storage tape  100  is disposed on the third region  513  of the first path part  51 . The sixth guide roller  47  guides the component storage tape  100  such that the tip of the component storage tape  100  which is fed by the first feeding unit  31  and travels in the third region  513  comes into contact with the roots of the teeth  321   a  of the pair of second sprockets  321 . Accordingly, it is possible to achieve an excellent engagement performance of the engagement holes  101   b  of the carrier tape  101  on the tip of the component storage tape  100  with the teeth  321   a  of the pair of second sprockets  321 . 
     Next, the cover tape pre-process unit  62  and the cover tape post-process unit  63  of the component exposing unit  6  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 5 . 
     The cover tape pre-process unit  62  is disposed on the second path part  52 , which is continuous with the upstream side in the tape feeding direction H of the first path part  51  in the travel path  5 , away from the cover tape raising unit  61 . The cover tape pre-process unit  62  performs a pre-process for cutting the cover tape  102  on the component storage tape  100  which is fed by the first feeding unit  31  and travels on the second path part  52  with the tip of the component storage tape  100  being a free end prior to the raising process for the cover tape  102  by the cover tape raising unit  61 . Accordingly, the cover tape raising unit  61  smoothly comes into contact with the cover tape  102  of the component storage tape  100 , and the raising process for the cover tape  102  by the cover tape raising unit  61  is smoothly performed. 
     Further, the component storage tape  100  is fed by the first feeding unit  31  with the tip of the component storage tape  100  being a free end and travels on the second path part  52  and the first path part  51  from the upstream side toward the downstream side of the travel path  5 . Here, the cover tape pre-process unit  62  is disposed on the second path part  52  away from the cover tape raising unit  61  which is disposed on the first path part  51 . Thus, when the component storage tape  100  travels on the second path part  52  on the upstream side of the first path part  51  in the travel path  5  and passes through the cover tape pre-process unit  62 , the raising process has not yet been performed on the cover tape  102  of the component storage tape  100 . As a result, in the component storage tape  100  traveling on the second path part  52  on which the cover tape pre-process unit  62  is disposed, it is possible to prevent the buckling deformation of the carrier tape  101 , the buckling deformation being caused by the tensile stress of the cover tape  102  associated with the raising process. 
     The component storage tape  100  after the raising process for the cover tape  102  by the cover tape raising unit  61  is fed to the third path part  53  on the downstream side of the first path part  51  in the travel path  5  by the second feeding unit  32 . The cover tape post-process unit  63  is disposed on the third path part  53 . The cover tape post-process unit  63  performs a post-process for spreading out the cover tape  102  raised by the cover tape raising unit  61  in the width direction of the component storage tape  100 . Accordingly, an exposed degree of the component P inside the component storage part  101   a  of the component storage tape  100  increases. Thus, it is possible to improve a removal performance for the component P at the component extracting position  21 . 
     The detailed configuration of the cover tape pre-process unit  62  of the component exposing unit  6  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 11A and 11B .  FIGS. 11A and 11B  are diagrams illustrating the configuration of the cover tape pre-process unit  62  of the component exposing unit  6 . The cover tape pre-process unit  62  includes an insertion member  621 , a cover tape cutting member  622 , and a support member  623 . 
     The insertion member  621  is inserted between the cover tape  102  and the carrier tape  101  in the component storage tape  100  which is fed by the first feeding unit  31  with the tip of the component storage tape  100  being a free end and travels on the second path part  52 . The insertion member  621  is formed in a flat-plate shape. The insertion member  621  includes a base part  6211  and a tip part  6212  which is continuous with the upstream end in the tape feeding direction H of the base part  6211 . The cover member  7  (described below) is connected to a downstream end  6211   a  in the tape feeding direction H of the base part  6211  of the insertion member  621 . 
       FIG. 12  is a diagram illustrating a state in which the insertion member  621  of the cover tape pre-process unit  62  is inserted between the cover tape  102  and the carrier tape  101  of the component storage tape  100 . In the insertion member  621 , the tip part  6212  is inclined upward with respect to the base part  6211  in such a manner that the tip part  6212  is inclined to the other direction side (the +Z direction side, the upper direction side) in the Z-axis direction (the first direction, the upper-lower direction) from the part connected with the base part  6211  toward an upstream end  6212   a  in the tape feeding direction H. In other words, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , in a state where the insertion member  621  is inserted between the cover tape  102  and the carrier tape  101 , the base part  6211  is substantially parallel to the cover tape  102 , and the tip part  6212  is inclined toward the cover tape  102  away from the carrier tape  101 . 
     The inclined structure of the tip part  6212  of the insertion member  621  as described above makes it possible to prevent the tip part  6212  from making contact with a storage part connecting region part  101   c  which is a region part located between adjacent component storage parts  101   a  in the carrier tape  101  when the component storage tape  100  is fed by the first feeding unit  31  with the insertion member  621  inserted between the cover tape  102  and the carrier tape  101 . Thus, an excellent traveling performance of the component storage tape  100  is maintained, and the components P can be efficiently supplied toward the component extracting position  21 . 
     Further, the tip part  6212  of the insertion member  621  is formed in a tapered shape. Accordingly, an insertability of the insertion member  621  inserted between the cover tape  102  and the carrier tape  101  is improved. Further, the insertion member  621  is supported by the support member  623 . In the present embodiment, the support member  623  is disposed on the upper face of the cover member  7  (described below) which is connected to the downstream end  6211   a  in the tape feeding direction H of the base part  6211  of the insertion member  621  and fixed to the device body  2 . With such a configuration, the support member  623  supports the insertion member  621  through the cover member  7 . 
     The cover tape cutting member  622  cuts the cover tape  102  of the component storage tape  100  which is fed by the first feeding unit  31  with the tip of the component storage tape  100  being a free end and travels on the second path part  52 . The cover tape cutting member  622  cuts the cover tape  102  at a predetermined position (e.g., a central position) between the ends in the width direction of the cover tape  102 . The cut part  102   a  of the cover tape  102  cut by the cover tape cutting member  622  linearly extends along the travel path  5 . 
     The cover tape cutting member  622  includes a blade part  6221  which cuts the cover tape  102  and a holding part  6222 . The holding part  6222  includes a holding face  6222   a  which holds the blade part  6221  so that the blade edge is exposed. 
     The cover tape cutting member  622  is supported by the support member  623  through the cover member  7  in such a manner that at least a face opposite to the holding face  6222   a  in a region part  6222   b  on the upstream side in the tape feeding direction H of the holding part  6222  abuts on a face  6211   b  (the face on the cover tape  102  side) on the other direction side (the +Z direction side, the upper direction side) in the Z-axis direction (the first direction, the upper-lower direction) of the base part  6211  of the insertion member  621 . Further, in the cover tape cutting member  622 , the blade part  6221  which is held by the holding face  6222   a  of the holding part  6222  faces the other direction side (the +Z direction side, the upper direction side) in the Z-axis direction (the first direction, the upper-lower direction). In such a configuration, when the component storage tape  100  traveling on the second path part  52  of the travel path  5  passes through the cover tape cutting member  622 , the insertion member  621  is interposed between an upstream end  6222   c  of the cover tape cutting member  622  and the carrier tape  101 . Thus, it is possible to prevent the upstream end  6222   c  of the cover tape cutting member  622  from making contact with the component P stored in the component storage part  101   a  of the carrier tape  101 . Thus, it is possible to prevent the component P from being damaged by contact with the cover tape cutting member  622 . 
     Further, in the holding part  6222  of the cover tape cutting member  622 , the holding face  6222   a  is desirably an inclined plane which is inclined downward from the downstream side toward the upstream side in the tape feeding direction H. Accordingly, when the component storage tape  100  travels on the second path part  52  of the travel path  5  and passes through the cover tape cutting member  622 , the component storage tape  100  is guided along the holding face  6222   a , which is an inclined plane, of the holding part  6222 . As a result, it is possible to reduce the traveling resistance when the component storage tape  100  passes through the cover tape cutting member  622 . 
       FIGS. 13A and 13B  are diagrams illustrating a state in which the cover tape cutting member  622  of the cover tape pre-process unit  62  cuts the cover tape  102  of the component storage tape  100 . In a state where the insertion member  621  and the cover tape cutting member  622  are inserted between the cover tape  102  and the carrier tape  101  in the component storage tape  100  traveling on the second path part  52  of the travel path  5 , a tensile stress in a direction away from the carrier tape  101  is applied to the cover tape  102 . The cover tape  102  is smoothly cut by the blade part  6221  of the cover tape cutting member  622  by the application of such a tensile stress to the cover tape  102 . 
     On the other hand, when the tensile stress is applied to the cover tape  102 , as illustrated in  FIG. 13A , the carrier tape  101  may deform in a buckling manner. The buckling deformation of the carrier tape  101  reduces the tensile stress applied to the cover tape  102 . When the tensile stress applied to the cover tape  102  is excessively reduced, smooth cutting of the cover tape  102  by the blade part  6221  of the cover tape cutting member  622  is obstructed. 
     Thus, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , a distance K 7  between the upstream end  6212   a  in the tape feeding direction H of the tip part  6212  in the insertion member  621  and the upstream end  6222   c  in the tape feeding direction H of the holding part  6222  in the cover tape cutting member  622  is set to be equal to or more than the sum of a width dimension K 8  in the tape feeding direction H of each of the component storage parts  101   a  of the component storage tape  100  and an interval K 9  between adjacent two of the component storage parts  101   a . Accordingly, as illustrated in  FIG. 13B , it is possible to prevent the buckling deformation of the carrier tape  101  in a state where the insertion member  621  and the cover tape cutting member  622  are inserted between the cover tape  102  and the carrier tape  101 . Thus, it is possible to maintain smooth cutting of the cover tape  102  by the blade part  6221  of the cover tape cutting member  622 . 
       FIGS. 14A and 14B  are diagrams illustrating a state of swings of the insertion member  621  and the cover tape cutting member  622  of the cover tape pre-process unit  62 . The insertion member  621  may be supported by the support member  623  through the cover member  7  swingably around a predetermined axis J 1  extending in the width direction of the second path part  52  of the travel path  5  (the X-axis direction). Further, at least the region part  6222   b  on the upstream side in the tape feeding direction H of the holding part  6222  in the cover tape cutting member  622  abuts on the face  6211   b  (the face on the cover tape  102  side) on the other direction side (the +Z direction side, the upper direction side) in the Z-axis direction (the first direction, the upper-lower direction) of the base part  6211  of the insertion member  621  so as to enable the cover tape cutting member  622  to swing in conjunction with the swing of the insertion member  621 . Accordingly, for example, when the component storage tape  100  travels on the travel path  5  while bending, the insertion member  621  and the cover tape cutting member  622  which are inserted between the cover tape  102  and the carrier tape  101  are swingable in response to the bending of the component storage tape  100 . Thus, it is possible to stably prevent the tip part  6212  of the insertion member  621  from making contact with the storage part connecting region part  101   c  in the carrier tape  101 . 
     Next, the cover member  7  included in the component supply device  1  will be described with reference to  FIG. 15  in addition to  FIGS. 1 and 5 .  FIG. 15  is a diagram illustrating the cover member  7  included in the component supply device  1 . The cover member  7  covers at least a part of an opening of each of the component storage parts  101   a  of the component storage tape  100  after an exposing process for exposing the component P inside the component storage part  101   a  by the component exposing unit  6 . With the configuration in which the component supply device  1  is provided with the cover member  7 , it is possible to restrict jumping out of the components P from the component storage parts  101   a  by the cover member  7  when the component storage tape  100  after the exposing process is fed by the tape feeding unit  3 . Thus, it is possible to stably supply the components to the component extracting position  21  by the component supply device  1  and efficiently supply the components toward the component extracting position  21 . 
     In the present embodiment, the cover member  7  extends from the downstream end  6211   a  in the tape feeding direction H of the base part  6211  of the insertion member  621  up to the component extracting position  21  along the travel path  5 . Accordingly, at least a part of the opening of each of the component storage parts  101   a  in the component storage tape  100  traveling on the travel path  5  is covered with the cover member  7  from the downstream end  6211   a  of the base part  6211  of the insertion member  621  up to the component extracting position  21 . Thus, it is possible to reliably restrict jumping out of the components P from the component storage parts  101   a  by the cover member  7  in the component storage tape  100  after the exposing process. 
     Further, the cover member  7  which is connected to the downstream end  6211   a  of the base part  6211  of the insertion member  621  covers the component storage parts  101   a  along the travel path  5  in a state where the cover member  7  is inserted between the cover tape  102  and the carrier tape  101  of the component storage tape  100  fed by the tape feeding unit  3 . Thus, the cover member  7  has a function of guiding traveling of the component storage tape  100  fed by the tape feeding unit  3  in a state where the cover member  7  is inserted between the cover tape  102  and the carrier tape  101 . Thus, the cover member  7  forms the travel path  5  and constitutes the tape travel path forming unit  4  together with the pair of guide walls  41  and the first to sixth guide rollers  42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45 ,  46 ,  47 . 
     As described above, the first path part  51  of the travel path  5  includes the first region  511  and the second region  512  which are formed in the shape extending along the virtual curve having the inflection point F 12  when viewed in the width direction of the travel path  5  (the X-axis direction). The component storage tape  100  travels while bending in the first region  511  and the second region  512  of the first path part  51 . Thus, there is a possibility that, in the component storage tape  100  traveling in the first region  511  and the second region  512  of the first path part  51 , a frictional force caused by contact between the cover member  7  which covers the component storage parts  101   a  and the carrier tape  101  increases. 
     Thus, the cover member  7  desirably has flexibility. In such a configuration, when the component storage tape  100  travels along the first region  511  and the second region  512  of the first path part  51  while bending, the cover member  7  bends in response to the bending of the component storage tape  100 . Accordingly, in the component storage tape  100  traveling in the first region  511  and the second region  512  of the first path part  51 , it is possible to prevent the increase in the frictional force caused by the contact between the cover member  7  which covers the component storage parts  101   a  and the carrier tape  101 . Thus, it is possible to reduce the traveling resistance when the component storage tape  100  travels on the travel path  5 . 
       FIG. 16  is a diagram illustrating a modification of the cover member  7 .  FIG. 17  is an enlarged view of the cover member  7  of  FIG. 16 . The cover member  7  having flexibility may include a film member having a sheet-like shape as illustrated in  FIG. 15 . Further, the cover member  7  having flexibility may also include a plurality of linear members which are arrayed at predetermined intervals in the width direction of the travel path  5  (the X-axis direction) as illustrated in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . 
     Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the upstream end in the tape feeding direction H of the cover member  7 , the upstream end being a part connected with the downstream end  6211   a  in the tape feeding direction H of the base part  6211  of the insertion member  621 , is supported by the support member  623 . Further, the downstream end in the tape feeding direction H of the cover member  7  is supported by the device body  2  from the upper side. 
     As described above, in the component storage tape  100  traveling on the first path part  51 , the bending direction during traveling and the traveling behavior on the first path part  51  change at the inflection point F 12  between the first virtual curve F 1  extending along the first region  511  and the second virtual curve F 2  extending along the second region  512  between when the component storage tape  100  is fed by the first feeding unit  31  which is disposed on the upstream side of the first path part  51  and when the component storage tape  100  is fed by the second feeding unit  32  which is disposed on the downstream side of the first path part  51 . 
     With the configuration in which only the upstream end and the downstream end of the cover member  7  are supported by the support member  623  and the device body  2 , respectively, the cover member  7  bends in response to the change in the traveling behavior of the component storage tape  100  on the first path part  51  of the travel path  5 . Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the traveling resistance when the component storage tape  100  with the component storage parts  101   a  covered with the cover member  7  travels on the first path part  51 . 
     Second Embodiment 
       FIG. 18  is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a component exposing unit  60  included in a component supply device  10  according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. The component supply device  1  according to the first embodiment described above performs the pre-process for cutting the cover tape  102  as one process in the exposing process for exposing the components P inside the component storage parts  101   a  of the component storage tape  100 . On the other hand, the component supply device  10  according to the second embodiment performs a pre-process for separating a cover tape  102  from a carrier tape  101  as one process in an exposing process. The component supply device  10  according to the second embodiment is configured in a manner similar to the component supply device  1  according to the first embodiment except the configuration of the component exposing unit  60 . In this manner, the component supply device  10  according to the second embodiment includes parts similar to the component supply device  1  according to the first embodiment. Thus, in the following description and the drawings, corresponding similar parts will be denoted by the same reference signs, and description thereof will be omitted. 
     The component exposing unit  60  included in the component supply device  10  includes a cover tape raising unit  601 , a cover tape pre-process unit  602 , and a cover tape post-process unit  603 . 
       FIG. 19  is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the cover tape raising unit  601  in the component exposing unit  60  according to the second embodiment. The cover tape raising unit  601  is disposed on a first path part  51  on a travel path  5 . The cover tape raising unit  601  performs a raising process for raising the cover tape  102  to the +Z direction side (the upper direction side) with respect to the carrier tape  101  by coming into contact with the cover tape  102  of the component storage tape  100  traveling on the first path part  51  of the travel path  5  to expose components P. 
     In the present embodiment, the cover tape raising unit  601  comes into contact with the cover tape  102  separated from the carrier tape  101  by an insertion member  6021  included in the cover tape pre-process unit  602  (described below) to perform the raising process for the separated cover tape  102 . The insertion member  6021  of the cover tape pre-process unit  602  separates an end on one direction side in the width direction of the cover tape  102  along a fused part  103 . 
     The cover tape raising unit  601  is a plate-like member having a predetermined length in the tape feeding direction H. An upstream end  601 A in the tape feeding direction H of the cover tape raising unit  601  is fixed to a cover member  7 . The cover tape raising unit  601  extends from an end on one direction side (the +X direction side) in the width direction (the X-axis direction) to an end on the other direction side (the −X direction side) in the width direction (the X-axis direction) in the travel path  5  from the upstream side toward the downstream side in the tape feeding direction H. That is, in the cover tape raising unit  601 , a most upstream end  601 Aa which serves as a starting point of the contact with the cover tape  102  is located on the end on one direction side (the +X direction side) in the width direction (the X-axis direction) in the travel path  5 . Further, a most downstream end  601 B which serves as an end point of the contact with the cover tape  102  is located on the end on the other direction side (the −X direction side) in the width direction (the X-axis direction) in the travel path  5 . 
     In the cover tape raising unit  601  having the above configuration, the most upstream end  601 Aa comes into contact with the end on one direction side (the +X direction side) in the width direction of the cover tape  102  separated by the insertion member  6021 . The most downstream end  601 B of the cover tape raising unit  601  comes into contact with a boundary between the other direction side (the −X direction side) in the width direction of the cover tape  102  and the fused part  103 . 
     Also in the component supply device  10  according to the second embodiment, in a manner similar to the component supply device  1  according to the first embodiment described above, the first path part  51  on which the cover tape raising unit  601  is disposed is inclined to one direction side (the −Z direction side, the lower direction side) in the Z-axis direction (the first direction, the upper-lower direction) from the upstream side toward the downstream side in the tape feeding direction H. Accordingly, it is possible to increase a travel distance of the component storage tape  100  when the component storage tape  100  travels on the first path part  51  and passes through the cover tape raising unit  601 . 
     Further, in the cover tape  102  raised by the cover tape raising unit  601 , the generation of a tensile stress directing from the downstream end  102   b  in the tape feeding direction H toward the raising starting point is prevented. Thus, it is possible to prevent buckling deformation of the carrier tape  101 , the buckling deformation being caused by the tensile stress of the cover tape  102 , during the raising process for the cover tape  102  by the cover tape raising unit  601 . Thus, an excellent traveling performance of the component storage tape  100  is maintained, and the components P can be efficiently supplied toward the component extracting position  21 . 
     The cover tape pre-process unit  602  is disposed on a second path part  52 , which is continuous with the upstream side in the tape feeding direction H of the first path part  51  in the travel path  5 , away from the cover tape raising unit  601 . The cover tape pre-process unit  602  performs a pre-process for separating the cover tape  102  from the carrier tape  101  on one end in the width direction of the component storage tape  100  which is fed by a first feeding unit  31  and travels on the second path part  52  with a tip of the component storage tape  100  being a free end prior to the raising process for the cover tape  102  by the cover tape raising unit  601 . Accordingly, the cover tape raising unit  601  smoothly comes into contact with the cover tape  102  of the component storage tape  100 , and the raising process for the cover tape  102  by the cover tape raising unit  601  is smoothly performed. 
     Further, the component storage tape  100  is fed by the first feeding unit  31  with the tip of the component storage tape  100  being a free end and travels on the second path part  52  and the first path part  51  from the upstream side toward the downstream side of the travel path  5 . Here, the cover tape pre-process unit  602  is disposed on the second path part  52  away from the cover tape raising unit  601  which is disposed on the first path part  51 . Thus, when the component storage tape  100  travels on the second path part  52  on the upstream side of the first path part  51  in the travel path  5  and passes through the cover tape pre-process unit  602 , the raising process has not yet been performed on the cover tape  102  of the component storage tape  100 . As a result, in the component storage tape  100  traveling on the second path part  52  on which the cover tape pre-process unit  602  is disposed, it is possible to prevent the buckling deformation of the carrier tape  101 , the buckling deformation being caused by the tensile stress of the cover tape  102  associated with the raising process. 
     The component storage tape  100  after the raising process for the cover tape  102  by the cover tape raising unit  601  is fed to a third path part  53  on the downstream side of the first path part  51  in the travel path  5  by the second feeding unit  32 . The cover tape post-process unit  603  is disposed on the third path part  53 . The cover tape post-process unit  603  performs a post-process for spreading out the cover tape  102  raised by the cover tape raising unit  601  in the width direction of the component storage tape  100 . Accordingly, an exposed degree of the component P inside the component storage part  101   a  of the component storage tape  100  increases. Thus, it is possible to improve a removal performance for the component P at the component extracting position  21 . 
     The detailed configuration of the cover tape pre-process unit  602  of the component exposing unit  60  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 20A and 20B .  FIGS. 20A and 20B  are diagrams illustrating the cover tape pre-process unit  602  of the component exposing unit  60  according to the second embodiment. The cover tape pre-process unit  602  includes an insertion member  6021  and a support member  6022 . 
     The insertion member  6021  is inserted between the cover tape  102  and the carrier tape  101  on an end on one direction side (the +X direction side) in the width direction of the component storage tape  100  which is fed by the first feeding unit  31  with the tip of the component storage tape  100  being a free end and travels on the second path part  52 . The insertion member  6021  separates the end on one direction side (the +X direction side) in the width direction of the cover tape  102  along the fused part  103 . 
     The insertion member  6021  is formed in a flat-plate shape. The insertion member  6021  includes a base part  60211  and a tip part  60212  which is continuous with the upstream end in the tape feeding direction H of the base part  60211 . The cover member  7  is connected to a downstream end  60211   a  in the tape feeding direction H of the base part  60211  of the insertion member  6021 . 
       FIGS. 21A and 21B  are diagrams illustrating a state in which the insertion member  6021  of the cover tape pre-process unit  602  is inserted between the cover tape  102  and the carrier tape  101  of the component storage tape  100 . In the insertion member  6021 , the tip part  60212  is inclined upward with respect to the base part  60211  in such a manner that the tip part  60212  is inclined to the other direction side (the +Z direction side, the upper direction side) in the Z-axis direction (the first direction, the upper-lower direction) from the part connected with the base part  60211  toward an upstream end  60212   a  in the tape feeding direction H. In other words, as illustrated in  FIGS. 21A and 21B , in a state where the insertion member  6021  is inserted between the cover tape  102  and the carrier tape  101 , the base part  60211  is substantially parallel to the cover tape  102 , and the tip part  60212  is inclined toward the cover tape  102  away from the carrier tape  101 . 
     The inclined structure of the tip part  60212  of the insertion member  6021  as described above makes it possible to prevent the tip part  60212  from making contact with a storage part connecting region part  101   c  in the carrier tape  101  when the component storage tape  100  is fed by the first feeding unit  31  with the insertion member  6021  inserted between the cover tape  102  and the carrier tape  101 . Thus, an excellent traveling performance of the component storage tape  100  is maintained, and the components P can be efficiently supplied toward the component extracting position  21 . Further, the insertion member  6021  is supported by the support member  6022 . The support member  6022  is fixed to a device body  2 . 
       FIGS. 22A and 22B  are diagrams illustrating a state of a swing of the insertion member  6021  of the cover tape pre-process unit  602 . The support member  6022  may be disposed on the upper face of the cover member  7  which is connected to the downstream end  60211   a  in the tape feeding direction H of the base part  60211  of the insertion member  6021 . In this case, the support member  6022  supports the insertion member  6021  through the cover member  7 . 
     The insertion member  6021  may be supported by the support member  6022  through the cover member  7  swingably around a predetermined axis J 1  extending in the width direction of the second path part  52  of the travel path  5  (the X-axis direction). Accordingly, for example, when the component storage tape  100  travels on the travel path  5  while bending, the insertion member  6021  which is inserted between the cover tape  102  and the carrier tape  101  is swingable in response to the bending of the component storage tape  100 . Thus, it is possible to stably prevent contact of the tip part  60212  of the insertion member  6021  with the storage part connecting region part  101   c  in the carrier tape  101 . 
       FIGS. 23A and 23B  are diagrams illustrating the cover member  7  included in the component supply device  10  according to the second embodiment. The cover member  7  included in the component supply device  10  according to the second embodiment may be configured in a manner similar to the cover member  7  of the component supply device  1  according to the first embodiment described above. That is, the cover member  7  included in the component supply device  10  desirably has flexibility. Further, the cover member  7  may include a film member having a sheet-like shape as illustrated in  FIG. 23A . Further, the cover member  7  may also include a plurality of linear members which are arrayed at predetermined intervals in the width direction of the travel path  5  (the X-axis direction) as illustrated in  FIG. 23B . 
     The component supply device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure has been described above. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and, for example, modifications as described below can be employed. 
     In the above embodiment, one direction in which the first path part  51  on which the cover tape raising unit  61  is disposed on the travel path  5  is inclined in the Z-axis direction (the first direction, the upper-lower direction) from the upstream side toward the downstream side in the tape feeding direction H is the lower direction (−Z direction). However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. The one direction in which the first path part  51  on which the cover tape raising unit  61  is disposed is inclined in the Z-axis direction (the first direction, the upper-lower direction) from the upstream side toward the downstream side in the tape feeding direction H may be the upper direction (the +Z direction). 
     Further, in the above embodiment, the cover tape pre-process unit  62  includes the insertion member  621  and the cover tape cutting member  622  as separate members. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. The holding part  6222  of the cover tape cutting member  622  may have a function of the insertion member  621 . In this case, a structure in which the holding part  6222  and the insertion member  621  are integrally formed serves as an insertion member. 
     Note that the specific embodiments described above mainly include the disclosure having the following configuration. 
     A component supply device according to one aspect of the present disclosure supplies components to a component extracting position using a component storage tape, the component storage tape including a carrier tape including a plurality of component storage parts arrayed at predetermined intervals for storing the components and a cover tape stuck to the carrier tape to cover the component storage parts. The component supply device includes a tape feeding unit that feeds the component storage tape toward the component extracting position in a tape feeding direction along an array direction of the component storage parts, a tape travel path forming unit that forms a travel path leading to the component extracting position for the component storage tape fed by the tape feeding unit, and a component exposing unit that is disposed on the travel path and exposes the components inside the component storage parts of the component storage tape traveling on the travel path. The travel path includes a first path part including a slope part, the slope part being inclined to one direction side in a first direction perpendicular to a width direction of the travel path and the tape feeding direction from an upstream side toward a downstream side in the tape feeding direction. The component exposing unit includes a cover tape raising unit that performs a raising process for raising the cover tape of the component storage tape with respect to the carrier tape to expose the components by coming into contact with the cover tape. The cover tape raising unit is disposed on the first path part on the travel path. 
     According to the component supply device, in the travel path formed from the tape travel path forming unit, the first path part on which the cover tape raising unit is disposed includes the slope part, the slope part being inclined to one direction side in the first direction perpendicular to the width direction of the travel path and the tape feeding direction from the upstream side toward the downstream side in the tape feeding direction. Accordingly, it is possible to increase the travel distance of the component storage tape when the component storage tape travels on the first path part on the travel path and passes through the cover tape raising unit as compared to a case where, for example, the cover tape raising unit is disposed on a travel path horizontally extending in the tape feeding direction. 
     Further, the first path part is not configured in such a manner that the most upstream end and the most downstream end in the tape feeding direction are located at the same height position like the above conventional technique. Thus, in the cover tape raised by the cover tape raising unit, the generation of the tensile stress directing from the downstream end in the tape feeding direction toward the raising starting point (the starting point of the contact between the cover tape and the cover tape raising unit) is prevented. Thus, it is possible to prevent the buckling deformation of the carrier tape, the buckling deformation being caused by the tensile stress of the cover tape, during the raising process for the cover tape by the cover tape raising unit. Thus, an excellent traveling performance of the component storage tape is maintained, and the components can be efficiently supplied toward the component extracting position. 
     Further, in the component supply device having the configuration capable of preventing the buckling deformation of the carrier tape during the raising process for the cover tape, it is possible to reduce the length in the tape feeding direction of the first path part on which the cover tape raising unit is disposed, that is, the length in the tape feeding direction from the most upstream end to the most downstream end of the first path part. Thus, the component supply device can be downsized. 
     In the above component supply device, the one direction in the first direction is a lower direction in an upper-lower direction, and the first path part includes, when viewed in the width direction of the travel path, a first region formed in a shape extending along a first virtual curve projecting in an upper direction, and a second region continuous with the downstream side in the tape feeding direction of the first region and formed in a shape extending along a second virtual curve projecting in the lower direction. The cover tape raising unit is disposed in such a manner that a most upstream end in the tape feeding direction as the starting point of the contact with the cover tape is located on or near a boundary line between the first region and the second region in the first path part. 
     In this aspect, in the first path part viewed in the width direction of the travel path, the first region extending along the first virtual curve and the second region extending along the second virtual curve are curved in different directions with respect to the first direction (the upper-lower direction) and have opposite signs of the curvature. When the component storage tape travels along the first path part as described above, a force of bending acts on the component storage tape in opposite directions with respect to the first direction (the upper-lower direction) between when the component storage tape passes through the first region and when the component storage tape passes through the second region. Thus, for example, in the first path part, when the cover tape raising unit is disposed across the first region and the second region, there is a possibility that the stability of the raising process for the cover tape by the cover tape raising unit is reduced. 
     Thus, the cover tape raising unit is disposed in such a manner that the most upstream end in the tape feeding direction as the starting point of the contact with the cover tape is located on or near the boundary line between the first region and the second region in the first path part. In such a configuration, since the most upstream end of the cover tape raising unit is located on or near the boundary line between the first region and the second region, the cover tape raising unit is not located across the first region and the second region, but located in the second region. Thus, the reduction in the stability of the raising process for the cover tape by the cover tape raising unit is prevented. 
     In the above component supply device, a difference value (L−d) between a length L of an arc and a length d of a chord in a sector defined by a virtual circular arc extending along the second virtual curve is set to be larger than a threshold T defined by the above equation (I). 
     In this aspect, during the raising process for the cover tape by the cover tape raising unit which is disposed on the second region of the first path part, it is possible to more reliably prevent the buckling deformation of the carrier tape, the buckling deformation being caused by the tensile stress of the cover tape. 
     In the above component supply device, the travel path formed from the tape travel path forming unit further includes a second path part continuous with the upstream side in the tape feeding direction of the first path part. The tape feeding unit includes a first feeding unit that is disposed on an upstream end in the tape feeding direction of the second path part and that feeds the component storage tape with a tip of the component storage tape being a free end to cause the component storage tape to travel on the second path part and the first path part. The component exposing unit further includes a cover tape pre-process unit that is disposed on the second path part on the travel path away from the cover tape raising unit and that performs a pre-process for separating the cover tape from the carrier tape on one end in a width direction of the component storage tape or cutting the cover tape prior to the raising process by the cover tape raising unit. 
     In this aspect, the cover tape pre-process unit performs the pre-process for separating the cover tape from the carrier tape or cutting the cover tape prior to the raising process for the cover tape by the cover tape raising unit. Accordingly, the cover tape raising unit smoothly comes into contact with the cover tape of the component storage tape, and the raising process for the cover tape by the cover tape raising unit is smoothly performed. 
     Further, the component storage tape is fed by the first feeding unit with the tip of the component storage tape being a free end and travels on the second path part and the first path part from the upstream side toward the downstream side of the travel path. Here, the cover tape pre-process unit is disposed on the second path part away from the cover tape raising unit which is disposed on the first path part. Thus, when the component storage tape travels on the second path part on the upstream side of the first path part in the travel path and passes through the cover tape pre-process unit, the raising process has not yet been performed on the cover tape of the component storage tape. As a result, in the component storage tape traveling on the second path part on which the cover tape pre-process unit is disposed, it is possible to prevent the buckling deformation of the carrier tape, the buckling deformation being caused by the tensile stress of the cover tape associated with the raising process. 
     In the above component supply device, the travel path formed from the tape travel path forming unit further includes a third path part continuous with the downstream side in the tape feeding direction of the first path part, the third path part leading to the component extracting position. The tape feeding unit further includes a second feeding unit that is disposed on an upstream end in the tape feeding direction of the third path part, and that receives the component storage tape fed by the first feeding unit, the component storage tape traveling on the first path part, and feeds the component storage tape toward the component extracting position to cause the component storage tape to travel on the third path part. The component exposing unit further includes a cover tape post-process unit that is disposed on the third path part on the travel path and that performs a post-process for spreading out the cover tape raised by the cover tape raising unit in the width direction of the component storage tape. 
     In this aspect, the component storage tape after the raising process for the cover tape by the cover tape raising unit is fed to the third path part on the downstream side of the first path part in the travel path by the second feeding unit in the tape feeding unit. The cover tape post-process unit is disposed on the third path part. The cover tape post-process unit performs the post-process for spreading out the cover tape raised by the cover tape raising unit in the width direction of the component storage tape. Accordingly, an exposed degree of the component inside the component storage part of the component storage tape increases. Thus, it is possible to improve a extracting performance for the component at the component extracting position. 
     As described above, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide the component supply device that supplies components stored in the component storage tape to the component extracting position, the component supply device being capable of efficiently supplying the components.