Abstract: A tape-form packaging system for conveyance or dispensing of articles and apparatus for assembly and disassembly of the packaging system is disclosed. The packaging system includes elongated carrier and cover tapes disposed in superposed relationship with article retaining pockets formed in the carrier tape in spaced relationship along its longitudinal axis. Cooperative interconnecting components are formed in the two tapes intermediate adjacent pairs of pockets. The component in the carrier tape is a rectangular aperture having opposed ends extending longitudinally of the tape and the component formed with the cover tape is a projection of the same length as the aperture through which it is extended. A tab extends from a side of the projection into underlying, contacting relationship to the carrier tape thereby mechanically interlocking the tapes together in releasable engagement.

Abstract: A gated-pocket, tape-form packaging system is provided having an elongated carrier tape which is formed with a series of longitudinally spaced apart pockets for containing of respective articles. The system includes a series of retaining fingers that cooperate in one embodiment with the pockets to directly mechanically engage with and effect retention of articles, but which, through mechanical manipulation of the tape, can be displaced to a position where they do not obstruct passage of an article either into or out of a pocket. An alternative construction includes a cover tape working in combination with the retaining fingers to perform the gating function. The cover tape is mechanically secured to the carrier tape by the retaining fingers which permit relative longitudinal displacement of the carrier and cover tapes to accommodate the difference in longitudinal length that occur as a consequence of the combination of two tapes being wound up onto a reel for storage or transport.

Abstract: A tape-form packaging system is provided having an elongated carrier tape on which a plurality of elongated article-receiving loops are mounted on a face of the tape in transversely oriented relationship to the longitudinal axis of the tape with the axial ends of the loops spaced a distance inwardly from the longitudinal edges of the tape. Gating elements are affixed to the carrier tape with a gating element positioned between each axial end of a loop and the adjacent longitudinal edge of the carrier tape and operative to block axial movement of an article into or out of the respective loop. The carrier tape is flexible and upon flexing of the marginal edge portion of the tape, the gating element is displaced out of blocking relationship to the loop permitting axial displacement of an article into or out of a loop.