A tape feeder comprising: a tape feeding device configured to feed component supply tape to a component pickup position; and a cover tape pulling device configured to peel cover tape from a top surface of the component supply tape forward of the component pickup position and pull the cover tape in a direction opposite to the tape feeding direction in accordance with the feeding operation of the component supply tape; wherein the cover tape pulling device is configured to pull the cover tape by sandwiching the cover tape peeled from the top surface of the component supply tape between two gears (28, 29) that engage with each other, the cover tape being pulled by the gears (28, 29) being rotated by a gear driving device, a one-directional clutch that allows only rotation in a forward direction that is a winding direction of the cover tape is provided between, from among the two gears (28, 29), at least one of the gears (28, 29) and a shaft thereof, characterized by an engaging portion of the one-directional clutch and the gear (28, 29) is configured such that the gear slip rotates in a reverse direction when a specified rotational force or greater in the reverse direction that is greater than a force required to peel the cover tape is applied with respect to the gear, and an expansion groove is formed in the gear (28, 29) that engages with the one-directional clutch, such that an internal diameter of the gear (28, 29) is elastically deformable. a tape feeding device configured to feed component supply tape to a component pickup position; and a cover tape pulling device configured to peel cover tape from a top surface of the component supply tape forward of the component pickup position and pull the cover tape in a direction opposite to the tape feeding direction in accordance with the feeding operation of the component supply tape; wherein the cover tape pulling device is configured to pull the cover tape by sandwiching the cover tape peeled from the top surface of the component supply tape between two gears (28, 29) that engage with each other, the cover tape being pulled by the gears (28, 29) being rotated by a gear driving device, a one-directional clutch that allows only rotation in a forward direction that is a winding direction of the cover tape is provided between, from among the two gears (28, 29), at least one of the gears (28, 29) and a shaft thereof, characterized by an engaging portion of the one-directional clutch and the gear (28, 29) is configured such that the gear slip rotates in a reverse direction when a specified rotational force or greater in the reverse direction that is greater than a force required to peel the cover tape is applied with respect to the gear, and an expansion groove is formed in the gear (28, 29) that engages with the one-directional clutch, such that an internal diameter of the gear (28, 29) is elastically deformable. the cover tape pulling device is configured to pull the cover tape by sandwiching the cover tape peeled from the top surface of the component supply tape between two gears (28, 29) that engage with each other, the cover tape being pulled by the gears (28, 29) being rotated by a gear driving device, a one-directional clutch that allows only rotation in a forward direction that is a winding direction of the cover tape is provided between, from among the two gears (28, 29), at least one of the gears (28, 29) and a shaft thereof, characterized by an engaging portion of the one-directional clutch and the gear (28, 29) is configured such that the gear slip rotates in a reverse direction when a specified rotational force or greater in the reverse direction that is greater than a force required to peel the cover tape is applied with respect to the gear, and an expansion groove is formed in the gear (28, 29) that engages with the one-directional clutch, such that an internal diameter of the gear (28, 29) is elastically deformable.