CN210655386U - Tape supply apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to a strip supply apparatus, it can include: a base frame (2) supporting a plurality of work stations (3, 103, 203), each work station comprising a reel receiver (4, 104, 204) and a preparation subassembly (7, 107, 207), the tape supply apparatus further comprising a connecting head (10), the connecting head (10) defining a tape path (11), the connecting head (10) comprising an anvil counterpart (13), the anvil counterpart (13) being selectively engageable with an anvil component (8, 108, 208) of each of the plurality of work stations, at least one preparation subassembly (7, 107, 207) comprising a positioning stop (114), the positioning stop (114) being arranged relative to a receiving surface of the anvil component so as to be projectable relative to a receiving surface of the anvil component in a manner. The utility model discloses a strip supply apparatus can realize automatic strip with reproducibility and reliable mode and connect.

Description

Tape supply apparatus

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a strip supply apparatus for supplying strips or any other similar longitudinal material in a production line, such as a tyre production line.

The strip may be a rubber-based strip reinforced with longitudinal reinforcing wires or wires, for example. Such strips may be wound, for example, around the circumference of a tire carcass to form a reinforcing ply.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a ribbon supply apparatus including a plurality of reels for storing a plurality of spare ribbons and a connector for continuously and automatically splicing the ribbons one after another to provide a continuous ribbon supply.

Background

Some automatic splicing devices are known in the prior art, for example from the document CN-106142616.

In this known automatic splicing apparatus, splicing is achieved by pressing the leading end portion of the second standby strip against the trailing end portion of the first unwound supply strip by means of an anvil member which supports the leading end portion of the second strip and is urged against a respective anvil counterpart which supports the trailing end portion of the first strip.

However, sometimes such a situation occurs: due to the misalignment of the strip portions to be joined in the longitudinal direction, the strip portions cannot be joined over the entire length of the leading end portion of the second strip, said leading end portion thus exhibiting a free foremost section, which is rolled up upwards and projects outwards with respect to the trailing end portion of the first strip. Thus, if the free foremost section engages an obstacle (e.g. a reel), the connection of the strap may be damaged due to the peeling effect. The protruding foremost segment may also cause an undesired thickness difference when the strip is wound on the tyre carcass surface.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The object of the present invention is to remedy the above-mentioned drawbacks and to provide a new strip supply device which enables an automatic strip connection in a reproducible and reliable manner.

The utility model is realized by a strip supply device, which comprises a base frame supporting a plurality of workstations,

each station including a spool receiver for receiving a spool including a strap extending longitudinally from a leading edge of a leading end portion to a trailing edge of a trailing end portion, and a preparation subassembly including an anvil member having a receiving surface for receiving the leading end portion of the strap from the spool in a standby position,

the tape supply apparatus further comprises a connecting head defining a tape path to enable a first tape from one of the workstations to be unwound through the tape path to supply the first tape,

the joining head comprising an anvil counterpart configured to selectively engage anvil members of respective ones of the plurality of stations such that when the leading end portion of a second strip is in a standby position on a receiving surface of an anvil member of another station, a leading end portion of the second strip from the other station is connected to a trailing end portion of a first strip engaged in the strip path, thereby splicing the second strip to the first strip and passing the second strip through the strip path after the first strip, thereby enabling continuous strip supply,

at least one preparation subassembly comprises a positioning stop arranged with respect to the receiving surface of the anvil member so as to be able to project with respect to the receiving surface of the anvil member in such a way that the leading edge of the leading end portion of the second standby tape located on the receiving surface of said anvil member abuts said positioning stop, thereby positioning the leading end portion properly in the desired standby position in the longitudinal direction.

The positioning stop is a movable positioning stop which is movable relative to the receiving surface of the anvil component from a projecting position, in which the positioning stop projects relative to the receiving surface of the anvil component such that the leading edge of the leading end portion of the second spare strip abuts the positioning stop to properly position the leading end portion in the desired spare position, to a retracted position, in which the positioning stop is retracted and disengaged from the leading edge of the leading end portion of the spare strip so as to allow the anvil counterpart of the connecting head to cooperate with the anvil component of another station in a manner to press and connect the leading end portion of the second spare strip to the trailing end portion of the first strip.

The movably positioned stop automatically retracts relative to the receiving surface of the anvil component of the other workstation as the anvil component approaches and presses against the anvil counterpart of the connecting head.

The other work station includes a release spring that urges the positioning stop toward the retracted position.

Preparing the subassembly to be movably connected to the base frame from a rest position, in which the anvil member thereof is away from the anvil counterpart of the connecting head so as to hold the second strip away from the first strip, and an engaged position, in which the anvil member is closer to the anvil counterpart so as to press the leading end portion of the second strip against the trailing end portion of the first strip; the positioning stop includes a trigger that cooperates with a finger secured to the base frame such that the finger pushes the trigger against the trip spring when the priming subassembly is in the rest position to hold the positioning stop in the protruding position and releases the trigger to allow the trip spring to move the positioning stop to the retracted position when the priming subassembly is moved toward the engaged position.

The positioning stop is guided in a sliding movement relative to the receiving surface of the anvil component in a direction perpendicular to said receiving surface towards the anvil counterpart.

The workstations are horizontally arranged in series on the base frame; the connecting head is guided on the base frame in horizontal translation across the work stations, so that the connecting head can be selectively positioned directly above any one of the work stations.

The preparation subassembly of each workstation is vertically movable relative to the base frame such that the anvil component is lifted towards the anvil counterpart supported by the connecting head located above the workstation.

The tape path of the connecting head comprises rollers for guiding the supplied tape.

The tape supply apparatus comprises three stations for receiving three spools.

Advantageously, the positioning stop is able to position the leading end portion of the second strip on the anvil member in a reproducible manner and such that the entire length of said leading end portion of the second strip is supported by said anvil member, including the leading edge of said leading end portion, such that said leading end portion completely overlaps the trailing end portion of the first strip and is pressed together with the trailing end portion over the entire length of the leading end portion between the anvil member and the anvil counterpart.

The resulting joint is therefore smooth, i.e. without any rolled-up foremost section, and therefore particularly strong.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a ribbon supply apparatus having three stations according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a detailed perspective view of the connection head and preparation subassembly of the device of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a front view of the apparatus of fig. 1 and 2, with the first strap tail end portion engaged in the connecting head and the second strap leading end portion in a standby position on the anvil component of the preparation subassembly in a lower rest position.

Fig. 4 is a front view of the ready subassembly of fig. 3 in an upper engaged position with the anvil component pressed against the anvil counterpart of the connecting head to join the second strip leading end portion to the first strip trailing end portion.

Fig. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the leading end portion of the second strap abutting the positioning stop in the projecting position.

Fig. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the positioning stop in the retracted position when the anvil member is urged against the anvil counterpart to connect the strap portions to one another.

Fig. 7 is a schematic illustration of a prior art bonding failure in which a second strip has an unconnected rolled foremost segment.

Detailed Description

The utility model relates to a strip supply apparatus 1.

The tape supplying apparatus 1 includes a base frame 2.

The base frame 2 supports a plurality of work stations 3, 103, 203.

Each work station 3, 103, 203 comprises a reel receiver 4, 104, 204, said reel receiver 4, 104, 204 being adapted to receive a reel 5, 105, 205 comprising a strip 6, 106, 206, said strip 6, 106, 206 extending longitudinally from a leading edge 6L, 106, 206L of a leading end portion 6F, 106F, 206F to a trailing edge of a trailing end portion 6R, 106R, 206R.

Preferably, the tape supply 1 comprises three stations 3, 103, 203 for receiving three reels 5, 105, 205.

Each work station further comprises a preparation subassembly 7, 107, 207, said preparation subassembly 7, 107, 207 comprising an anvil member 8, 108, 208, said anvil member 8, 108, 208 having a receiving surface 8A, 108A, 208A for receiving a leading end portion 6F, 106F, 206F of the web from the reel 5, 105, 205 in a standby position, as shown in fig. 2 and 3.

The tape supply apparatus 1 further comprises a connecting head 10, said connecting head 10 defining a tape path 11 so as to be able to unwind a first tape 6 from one workstation 3 through the tape path 11, thereby supplying the first tape 6.

Preferably, the tape path 11 of the connecting head comprises a roller 12 for guiding the supplied tape 6, 106, 206.

The joining head 10 comprises an anvil counter-piece 13, said anvil counter-piece 13 being able to selectively engage the anvil members 8, 108, 208 of each of the plurality of work stations, so that when said leading end portion 106F of the second strip is in the standby position on the receiving surface 108A of the anvil member 108 of the other work station 103, the leading end portion 106F of the second strip 106 from the other work station 103 is connected to the trailing end portion 6R of the first strip 6 engaged in the strip path 11, thus splicing the second strip 106 to the first strip 6 and making the second strip 106 pass through the strip path 11 after the first strip 6, thus achieving a continuous strip supply.

Thus, once the first reel 5 is empty, the tape supply apparatus 1 can effect automatic switching of the tape supply by automatically engaging the second reel 105 containing the second tape 106.

The anvil counter 13 comprises a receiving surface 13A, said receiving surface 13A extending along the strip path 11 and being arranged to support the first strip 6 against the pressing force applied by the anvil member 108.

According to the invention, at least one preparation subassembly 7, 107, 207 (preferably each preparation subassembly 7, 107, 207) comprises a positioning stop 14, 114, 214.

For convenience only, the apparatus is preferably described below with reference to a second preparation subassembly 107 of the second workstation 103, said second preparation subassembly 107 containing the second strip 106 and having said second strip in a standby position. Of course, the other workstations 3, 203 preferably also have a similar arrangement. Thus, any feature hereinafter relating to the workstation 103, the respective flight 114, the anvil member 108, etc., or the functional relationship of said workstation or workstation component with the joining head 10, may be extended in a similar manner to any other workstation 3, 203, preferably to each workstation 3, 103, 203.

The positioning flight 114 is arranged relative to the receiving surface 108A of the anvil member 108 so as to be able to project relative to the receiving surface 108A of the anvil member in such a way that the leading edge 106L of the leading end portion 106F of the second standby strip 106 located on the receiving surface 108A of said anvil member abuts said positioning flight 114, thereby properly positioning the leading end portion 106F in the desired standby position in the longitudinal direction.

Therefore, when the anvil member 108 and the anvil counterpart 13 press and join the tape portions together, the tape portions 6R, 106F to be joined can be perfectly aligned and overlapped, thereby preventing the leading end portion 106F of the second tape from being separated and rolled outward with respect to the surface of the trailing end portion 6R of the first tape 6.

The anvil component 8, 108, 208 preferably has a flat receiving surface 8A, 108A, 208A, while the anvil counterpart 13 preferably has a mating flat receiving surface 13A, said receiving surface 13A preferably being parallel to the receiving surface 8A, 108A, 208A of the anvil component 8, 108, 208 in question. The receiving surfaces 8A, 108A, 208A, 13A of the anvil component and the anvil counterpart are preferably horizontal.

Both the anvil component and the anvil counterpart are preferably made of a rigid material, such as metal.

The anvil component 8, 108, 208 and anvil counterpart 13 may comprise one or more holding means (e.g. vacuum/suction means and/or magnetic means) for holding the strip portions on their respective receiving surfaces 8A, 108A, 208A, 13A.

Preferably, the positioning flight 114 is a movable positioning flight that is movable relative to the receiving surface 108A of the anvil member 108 from a projected position P1 on the one hand to a retracted position P2 on the other hand, in said projecting position P1 the positioning flight projects relative to the receiving surface of the anvil member such that the leading edge 106L of the leading end portion 106F of the second standby strap 106 abuts said positioning flight 114 to properly position the leading end portion 106F in the desired standby position (as shown in figures 3 and 5), in the retracted position P2 the positioning flight 114 is withdrawn and disengaged from the leading edge 106L of the leading end portion of the backup tape 106, so as to allow anvil counter-piece 13 of joining head 10 to cooperate with anvil member 108 of work station 103 in such a way as to press and join leading end portion 106F of the second spare strip to trailing end portion 6R of first strip 6, as shown in fig. 4 and 6.

It should also be noted that in the retracted position P2, the flight 114 is retracted to clear the path to allow the connected straps 6, 106 to pass forwardly through the strap path 11 without the leading end portion 106F of the second strap 106 being obstructed by the flight 114.

Preferably, in the retracted position P2, the locating stop 114 is disposed rearwardly relative to the receiving surface 108A of the anvil member 108 or is flush with the receiving surface 108A of the anvil member 108.

Preferably, the positioning stop 114 is guided in a sliding movement (preferably in a linear sliding movement) with respect to the receiving surface 108A of the anvil component 108 in a direction D114 perpendicular to said receiving surface, preferably towards the anvil counterpart 13. The direction D114 is preferably vertical.

The locating stop 114 may be formed from a straight (preferably flat) rod or plate, which may have a rectangular cross-section.

Preferably, the movable positioning stop 114 is automatically retracted relative to the receiving surface 108A of the anvil component of the workstation 103 when the anvil component 108 approaches and presses against the anvil counterpart 13 of the connecting head 10.

Preferably, the workstation 103 includes a release spring 115 that urges the positioning stop 114 toward the retracted position P2. As shown in FIGS.

Preferably, the preparation subassembly 107 is movably connected to the base frame 2 from a rest position P3, in which the anvil member 108 of said preparation subassembly 107 is distanced from the anvil counterpart 13 of the connecting head 10 so as to keep the second strip 106 distanced from the first strip 6 (in particular to allow said first strip 6 to be unwound from the first reel 5 of the first station 3 through the strip path 11, as shown in fig. 2, 3 and 5), and an engagement position P4, in which the anvil member 108 is closer to the anvil counterpart 13 so as to press the front end portion 106F of the second strip 106 against the rear end portion 6R of the first strip 6 (as shown in fig. 4 and 6).

More specifically, the preparation subassembly 107 may preferably reciprocate from the rest position P3 to the engaged position P4, and vice versa (i.e., from the engaged position P4 to the rest position P3).

The movement of the preparation subassembly 107 relative to the base frame 2 may be driven by any suitable actuator, such as an electric motor or a pneumatic cylinder, which is preferably controlled by a suitable control unit, such as an electronic unit or a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC).

Preferably, the positioning stop 114 includes a trigger 116, the trigger 116 cooperating with a finger 117 secured to the base frame 2 such that the finger 117 pushes the trigger 116 against the trip spring 115 to hold the positioning stop 114 in the projected position P1 when the readiness subassembly 107 is in the resting position P3, and such that the trigger 116 is released to allow the trip spring 115 to move the positioning stop 114 to the retracted position P2 when the readiness subassembly 107 is moved toward the engaged position P4.

The trigger 116 may be formed by a branch connected to the positioning stop 114, wherein said branch is preferably made of a single piece with a stem forming said positioning stop 114. Furthermore, the branch preferably extends perpendicularly to the direction of translation D114 of said positioning stop, so that the force exerted by the finger 117 on the trigger 116 is substantially parallel to the direction in which the releasing spring 115 exerts a restoring force.

Advantageously, the arrangement according to the present invention makes it possible to automatically and gradually release the release spring 115 and the positioning stop 114 towards the retracted position P2, and more preferably lift the anvil component 108 towards the anvil counterpart 13, as the subassembly 107 is moved.

Conversely, when the readiness subassembly 107 moves back from the engaged position P4 to the resting position P3, the release spring 115 is tensioned and the positioning catch 114 is automatically urged toward the projected position P1 by the finger 117.

In a modified embodiment (not shown), a return spring may be used instead of the release spring 115 described above, wherein the return spring urges the positioning catch toward the projecting position P1. Accordingly, a suitable retraction mechanism may include a finger that pushes a trigger connected to the positioning stop 114 against a return spring such that the positioning stop 114 retracts to the retracted position P2 as the anvil component 108 of the preparation subassembly 107 approaches and engages the anvil counterpart 13 of the connecting head 10.

Preferably, the workstations 3, 103, 203 are arranged horizontally in series on the base frame 2.

In this case, the connecting head 10 may advantageously be guided on the base frame 2 in horizontal translation over the workstations 3, 103, 203, so that said connecting head 10 may be selectively seated directly above any one of said workstations 3, 103, 203.

More specifically, the joining head 10 may form a carriage that travels along the guide rail 15, transversely to the work stations 3, 103, 203.

This arrangement facilitates compactness of the apparatus and stability of movement when accessing and connecting the strap portions 6R, 106F.

The movement of the connecting head 10 may be driven by any suitable actuator, such as an electric motor or an air cylinder. The actuators are preferably controlled by the same control unit that controls the movement of the preparation subassemblies 7, 107, 207.

Preferably, the preparation subassembly 7, 107, 2017 of each workstation 3, 103, 203 is vertically movable with respect to the base frame 2, so that when the connecting head 10 is located above the workstation, the anvil component 8, 108, 208 is lifted towards the anvil counterpart 13 supported by the connecting head 10.

More preferably, the resting position P3 of the preparation subassembly 7, 107, 207 may thus be a lower position and the engagement position P4 may be an upper position.

Thus, the receiving surface 8A, 108A, 208A of the anvil component 8, 108, 208 faces upwards, while the mating receiving surface 13A of the anvil counterpart 13 faces downwards.

Furthermore, the connecting head 10 can thus be moved perpendicular to the vertical lifting direction of the preparation subassembly 7, 107, 207.

Again, this arrangement facilitates compactness of the apparatus and provides easy access to the anvil member 8, 108, 208 by the operator when placing the strap leading end portion 6F, 106F, 206F in a standby position on said anvil member within the respective preparation subassembly 7, 107, 207.

In operation, an operator places a reel 5, 105, 205 containing a strip 6, 106, 206 in each work station 3, 103, 203.

The first strip 6 is partially unwound from the first reel 5 and is engaged by the strip path 11 of the connecting head 10.

The second tape 106 is partially unwound from the second spool 105 and is in a standby position on the anvil member 108 of the second preparation subassembly 107 in the rest position P3 with the leading edge 106 abutting against the second positioning flight 114. This operation may be performed manually.

Similarly, the third ribbon 206 is partially unwound from the third spool 204 and is in a standby position on the anvil component 208 of the third preparation subassembly 207 with the leading edge 206 abutting the third positioning flight 214.

The first strip 6 is then automatically unwound from the first reel 5 and supplied to a downstream strip consuming device (e.g., a device for winding the strip into a helical turn around a tire carcass to form a reinforcing ply).

When it is detected by any suitable sensor that the first reel 5 is almost empty (i.e. the stock of the first strip 6 is almost exhausted) and the trailing end portion 6R of the first strip 6 approaches or passes the connecting head 10, the first strip 6 is temporarily stopped with its trailing end portion 6R on the anvil counterpart 13.

The joining head 10 is then placed above the second work station 103.

The second anvil member 108 supporting and retaining the second strip leading end portion 106F is then raised to the engaged position P4, and the second locating catch 114 is retracted so that the second anvil member 108 can abut the second strip leading end portion 106F against the first strip trailing end portion 6R.

Since the first tape 6 and the second tape 106 are partially overlapped so that the leading edge 106L of the second tape 106 is covered by and brought into contact with the first tape, the leading end portion 106F of the second tape is completely adhered to the trailing end portion 6R of the first tape. Thereby achieving a good quality, smooth connection.

Once the first and second strips 6, 106 are connected to each other, the second preparation subassembly 107 is moved back to the resting position P3, thereby causing the anvil member 108 to release the strips.

If desired, the tape supply apparatus 1 may include a cutting tool for removing an excess free portion of the trailing end portion 6R of the first tape (i.e., a portion extending beyond the engagement position with the second tape 106).

The joining head is then restarted to supply the tail end portion 6R of the first tape, and subsequently the joined second tape 106 is supplied toward the tape consuming device, thereby automatically achieving continuous supply.

Similarly, when the second spool 105 is empty, the leading end portion 206F of the third strip 206 may automatically connect to the trailing end portion 106R of the second strip. For this purpose, the connecting head 10 is moved to a third station 203, said third station 203 engaging a third anvil part 208 against the anvil counterpart 13.

With active supply of tape, it is possible to reload the tape feeding device 1 by replacing the or each empty spool with a completely new full spool while the other spool is unwinding during the simultaneous operation time.

Claims (10)

1. A strip supply apparatus (1) comprising a base frame (2) supporting a plurality of work stations (3, 103, 203),

each work station comprising a reel receiver (4, 104, 204) for receiving a reel (5, 105, 205) comprising a strip (6, 106, 206), the strip (6, 106, 206) extending longitudinally from a leading edge (6L, 106, 206L) of a leading end portion (6F, 106F, 206F) to a trailing edge of a trailing end portion (6R, 106R, 206R), and a preparation subassembly (7, 107, 207) comprising an anvil member (8, 108, 208), the anvil member (8, 108, 208) having a receiving surface (8A, 108A, 208A) for receiving the leading end portion of the strip from the reel in a standby position,

the tape supply apparatus further comprises a connecting head (10), the connecting head (10) defining a tape path (11) for enabling a first tape (6) from one workstation (3) to be unwound through the tape path for supplying the first tape,

characterised in that the joining head (10) comprises an anvil counterpart (13), said anvil counterpart (13) being capable of selectively engaging anvil parts (8, 108, 208) of each of the plurality of work stations such that, when said leading end portion of the second strip is in a standby position on a receiving surface (108A) of an anvil part of another work station, a leading end portion (106F) of the second strip (106) from the other work station (103) is connected to a trailing end portion (6R) of the first strip (6) engaged in the strip path (11), thereby splicing the second strip (106) to the first strip (6) and passing the second strip through the strip path after the first strip, thereby enabling continuous strip supply,

at least one preparation subassembly (7, 107, 207) comprises a positioning stop (114), said positioning stop (114) being arranged with respect to the receiving surface of the anvil component so as to be able to protrude in such a way with respect to the receiving surface of the anvil component that a leading edge (106L) of a leading end portion (106F) of the second strip (106) located on the receiving surface of said anvil component (108) abuts said positioning stop (114) so as to properly position the leading end portion in the longitudinal direction in a desired standby position.

2. The tape supply apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the positioning flight (114) is a movable positioning flight that is movable relative to the receiving surface (108A) of the anvil component (108) from a protruding position (P1), in which the positioning flight (114) protrudes relative to the receiving surface of the anvil component such that a leading edge (106L) of the leading end portion (106F) of the second tape (106) abuts the positioning flight to properly position the leading end portion (106F) in a desired standby position, to a retracted position (P2), in which the positioning flight (114) is retracted and disengaged from the leading edge (106L) of the leading end portion of the second tape, so as to allow the anvil counter-connecting head (13) of the connecting head (10) to cooperate with the anvil component (108) of another workstation (103) in a manner to press and connect the leading end portion (106F) of the second tape to the first tape in a manner The tail end portion (6R) of the tape.

3. The tape supply apparatus (1) according to claim 2, wherein the movably positioned stop (114) is automatically retracted relative to the receiving surface (108A) of the anvil component of the other station (103) when the anvil component (108) approaches and presses against the anvil counterpart (13) of the connecting head (10).

4. The tape supply apparatus (1) according to claim 3, wherein the other station (103) comprises a release spring (115), the release spring (115) urging the positioning catch (114) towards the retracted position (P2).

5. The tape supply apparatus (1) according to claim 4, wherein the preparation subassembly (107) is movably connected to the base frame (2) from a rest position (P3) in which its anvil member (108) is remote from the anvil counterpart (13) of the connecting head so as to hold the second tape (106) away from the first tape (6), and an engagement position (P4) in which the anvil member (108) is closer to the anvil counterpart (13) so as to press the leading end portion (106F) of the second tape against the trailing end portion (6R) of the first tape; the positioning stop (114) comprises a trigger (116), the trigger (116) cooperating with a finger (117) fastened to the base frame (2) such that the finger (117) pushes the trigger (116) against the release spring (115) when the readiness subassembly (107) is in the rest position (P3) to thereby hold the positioning stop (114) in the protruding position (P1), and releases the trigger (116) to allow the release spring (115) to move the positioning stop (114) to the retracted position (P2) when the readiness subassembly is moved towards the engaged position (P4).

6. The tape supply apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the positioning flight (114) is guided in a sliding movement relative to the receiving surface (108A) of the anvil component (108) in a direction (D114) perpendicular to said receiving surface (108A) towards the anvil counterpart (13).

7. The strip supply apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the workstations (3, 103, 203) are arranged horizontally in series on the base frame (2); the connecting head (10) is guided on the base frame in horizontal translation across the workstations, so that it can be selectively positioned directly above any of the workstations.

8. The strip supply apparatus (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the preparation subassembly (7, 107, 207) of each work station (3, 103, 203) is vertically movable with respect to the base frame (2) such that the anvil component (8, 108, 208) is lifted towards the anvil counterpart (13) supported by the connecting head (10) located above the work station.

9. The tape supply apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the tape path (11) of the connecting head (10) comprises a roller (12) for guiding the supplied tape (6, 106, 206).

10. A supply of tape (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises three stations (3, 103, 203) for receiving three reels (5, 105, 205).

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