Patent ID: 8544652

Claim:
A method of preparing a component tape for engagement with a tape splitter of a feeder, the method comprising: providing a component tape including: a base tape, wherein the base tape includes pockets configured to house electrical components for placement on a printed circuit board; and a cover tape, covering the base tape; manipulating a portion of the cover tape from above the cover tape to form an upraised manipulated portion of the cover tape that continues to cover the base tape and retain the electrical components in the base tape beneath the upraised manipulated portion of the cover tape, the upraised manipulated portion of the cover tape having structure facilitating initial engagement of the cover tape with the tape splitter of the feeder, wherein the structure of the manipulated portion defined by a vacancy between a top surface of the base tape and the cover tape; and after the manipulating the cover tape to form the upraised portion, advancing the component tape towards the tape splitter whereby the upraised manipulated portion of the cover tape contacts the tape splitter to split the cover tape from one section into two sections and expose the electrical components.