Abstract: A mechanism comprising a base having a top surface and including a groove extending along the top surface and a frame flexibly coupled to the base. The frame includes a right side attached to a left side. The right side has a substantially “L-shaped” cross-section and includes a knife portion and a creasing portion. The left side includes a substantially “L-shaped” cross-section and is rigidly coupled to the right side such that the frame has a substantially “U-shaped” cross-section that is sized to receive at least a portion of the base. A first spring is positioned proximate the knife portion and is arranged to control a compressive force between the knife portion and the base and a second spring is positioned proximate the creasing portion and is arranged to control a compressive force between the creasing portion and the base.

Abstract: A medical apparatus having a plurality of medical vials, each medical vial having a vial flange; and a medical carousel configured to be selectively engaged with the plurality of medical vials, the medical carousel having: a carousel platform having: a plurality of vial holders, wherein each vial holder is configured to be selectively engaged with a corresponding medical vial, each vial holder being configured to selectively confine the vial flange of the corresponding medical vial such that upon rotation of the medical vial about a vial vertical axis, and subsequent lifting of the medical vial, the vial holder is configured to allow a patient to extract the selected medical vial using an extraction tool. The medical apparatus may be configured to selectively rotate the medical carousel to align a corresponding medical vial with an extraction aperture, and actuate an extraction door to uncover the extraction aperture, thus facilitating medication dispensing.

Abstract: Provided are a die pickup module and a die bonding apparatus including the same. The die pickup module includes a wafer stage for supporting a wafer including dies attached on a dicing tape, a die ejector arranged under the dicing tape and for separating a die to be picked up from the dicing tape, a non-contact picker for picking up the die in a non-contact manner so as not to contact a front surface of the die, a vertical driving unit for moving the non-contact picker in a vertical direction to pick up the die and an inverting driving unit for inverting the non-contact picker to invert a die picked up by the non-contact picker.

Abstract: There is described a chain of pouches including a plurality of pouches each pouch containing aerosolizable material. Each pouch in the chain is connected to at least one other pouch in the chain by a respective weakened region. The chain is arranged to be foldable and breakable at each respective weakened region. Each pouch is porous to enable aerosol to flow through or out of the pouch.

Abstract: A device for separating infusion capsules includes a base unit and a plunger, the base unit having a face with an aperture for receiving a body part of the capsule, wherein a portion of the face surrounding the aperture has a surface that undulates in a longitudinal direction relative to a central axis through the aperture; the plunger including a projection sized to fit within the aperture. A capsule can be placed, rim side down, on the base unit over the aperture, and the plunger used to urge the capsule down into the aperture. The result is that the capsule inverts, rupturing the foil layer and emptying the coffee or other infusion into the base unit below the aperture. The coffee (etc) and the capsule can then be removed for separate recycling. The undulating surface ensures that the rim section of the capsule is distorted during this process, which assists in separating any layers that have been provided for example by way of sealant.

Abstract: A lockable container comprising a sleeve having at least three sidewalls, the sidewalls defining a pocket, the pocket having at least one entrance, and the pocket adapted for receiving and housing a hinged shell, a least one sidewall of the sleeve having a slit; a hinged shell having a lid, a tray hingedly connected to the shell, storage space defined by the tray, and a locking tab disposed on one of the lid or the tray, the hinged shell comprised of a flexible and resilient material; wherein the locking tab is substantially aligned with the slit when the hinged shell is housed within the sleeve, causing the locking tab to protrude through the slit; and wherein the hinged shell is prevented from sliding out of the sleeve unless the locking tab is flexed to disengage the slit.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to operation of a robotic system to transfer an object from a source to a destination. The robotic system may implement one or more motion plans or portions thereof to operate a picking robot to grip and lift the object and place a transfer tray under the lifted object. The robotic system may further implement the one or more motion plans or portions thereof to place the object on the transfer tray and laterally displace the transfer tray and the object thereon toward the destination. The robotic system may operate a placement mechanism to transfer the object from the transfer tray to the destination.

Abstract: A system, method and corresponding apparatus are provided for packaging, storing, tracking, and dispensing pharmaceuticals in unit doses in a highly efficient manner. In particular, a method of packaging pharmaceuticals within a ribbon having a plurality of adjacent segments each containing a unit dose of a pharmaceutical and having associated data indicia for efficient and uniform transport, tracking, storage and dispensing is provided. Pharmaceuticals are loaded into an automated dispenser that is networked with computers for accepting prescriptions and dispensing pharmaceutical accordingly.

Abstract: An implant magazine for use with a driver includes a plurality of implants, an implant carrier defining a plurality of apertures, each implant of the plurality of implants being disposed within an aperture of the plurality of apertures, wherein an implant is disengaged from the implant carrier upon application of a predetermined force applied to the implant, and a base defining a cavity in which the implant carrier and the plurality of implants are disposed. A cartridge for use with a driver includes the implant magazine, a housing in which the implant magazine is disposed, and a blade having a longitudinal axis and being at least partially and rotatably disposed within the housing. A kit includes a driver, a motor, and the cartridge configured for cooperation with the driver to be operated by the motor. A method of using the driver includes inserting an implant into a medium.

Abstract: A blister strip advance mechanism includes: an indexing gear train; drive mechanism configured to drive the indexing gear train; and a hub including a recess shaped to engage a first blister of a blister strip, the hub being rotatable by the indexing gear train to engage the first blister in the recess and move the engaged blister strip such that a second blister is moved to a dosing position at which the second blister can be emptied; wherein the indexing gear train is configured to temporarily disengage the drive mechanism from the hub when the second blister is in the dosing position. Also disclosed is a dosing mechanism including the blister strip advance mechanism; an inhaler including the dosing mechanism; a method for advancing a blister strip; and a method for dosing a medicament including the method for advancing a blister strip.

Abstract: A working machine causes a working mechanism to install, on a workpiece, a storing-target body stored in a tape. The working machine includes: a storing-target-body supply device that supplies the storing-target body stored in the tape to the working mechanism; and a drive device that gives a drive force to the storing-target-body supply device. The storing-target-body supply device includes a supply-reel storage that stores a supply reel around which the tape storing the storing-target body is wound, a tape feed mechanism that unwinds the tape from the supply reel so as to feed the storing-target body to a predetermined supply position, and a drive transmitting mechanism that transmits, to the tape feed mechanism, the drive force given from the drive device.

Abstract: A solution is proposed for dispensing substances to be taken by a user. A corresponding dispensing device comprises a memory for storing an indication of a taking plan of a plurality of doses of one or more substances, the taking plan comprising an indication of a taking time of each dose, a plurality of compartments each one for containing one of the doses, a signaling unit for providing a taking notice of each dose in response to the corresponding taking time, a pushbutton for releasing the dose corresponding to each taking notice from the corresponding compartment in response to a releasing command; the dispensing device comprises a plate having a collecting surface in a central zone thereof, the compartments being arranged in a peripheral zone of the plate and the pushbutton facing towards the central zone of the plate for collecting the doses released thereby onto the collecting surface.

Abstract: Systems/methods for delivery and control of medications for patient use and, more particularly, to dispenser-based systems that facilitate access to and use of individually packaged sets of medications (e.g., pills, tablets and the like), and associated control functionalities that monitor and communicate the status/inventory of medications associated with the dispenser-based system, are provided. Systems/methods that include indicia associated with the packaged sets of medications and for “reading” the indicia to monitor or determine the status or position of the packaged set of medications are also provided.

Abstract: A system, method and corresponding apparatus are provided for packaging, storing, tracking, and dispensing pharmaceuticals in unit doses in a highly efficient manner. In particular, a method of packaging pharmaceuticals within a ribbon having a plurality of adjacent segments each containing a unit dose of a pharmaceutical and having associated data indicia for efficient and uniform transport, tracking, storage and dispensing is provided. Pharmaceuticals are loaded into an automated dispenser that is networked with computers for accepting prescriptions and dispensing pharmaceutical accordingly.

Abstract: A portable pill dispenser device mountable with one or more pill cartridges that dispense pills by winding a pill strip that encloses pills between flexible films. The pills are enclosed in the pill strip and are released as the films of the pill strip are separated. The pill dispense device include actuators (e.g., motors) that cause winding cylinders in each of the pill cartridges to rotate, causing the pill strip to move towards an opening of each pill cartridge, separate the films of the pill strip, and release the pills through the opening. Indicia may be marked on at least one of the films to enable detection of the moving distance of the pill strip. The pill dispense device includes a sensor for detecting the indicia so that the movement of the films and release of the pills can be tightly controlled.

Abstract: A mechanism for dispensing pills from an array-type pill package is provided. The mechanism includes a chassis, a package holder, a cutting mechanism configured to cut a sidewall of an individual container in the array-type pill package, a dispensing mechanism configured to receive and dispense a cut individual container therein; and a control system configured to control a relative position of the cutting mechanism and the package holder along at least two degrees of freedom. A cutting mechanism is also provided. The cutting mechanism includes a cutter base movably mounted to the chassis, a cutting tool mounted to the cutting base and adapted for cutting a side wall of an individual container adjacent a common top surface of an array-type pill package to entirely detach individual container from the array-type package; and motor operatively to displace the cutting tool along a plane generally tangent to the package holder.

Abstract: A jam prevention mechanism includes a used tape guide with a guide surface along which a used tape fed out from a tape feeder is guided in a guide direction following a longitudinal direction of the used tape. A pressing member presses, against the guide surface, the used tape guided along the guide surface. A support member removably supports the pressing member.

Abstract: A component supply device loaded with a component supply tape for exposing and supplying an electronic component from the component supply tape with respect to a component mounting device mounting the electronic component on a substrate includes a replenishing unit performing replenishment of a new component supply tape when a preceding component supply tape is exhausted and a sensor senses exhaustion of the preceding component supply tape while a confluent portion where a channel for the preceding component supply tape and a channel for the new component supply tape join with each other is formed between the sensor and the replenishing unit. A buckling prevention mechanism moves in response to an operation of the preceding component supply tape or the new component supply tape for preventing buckling when the new component supply tape is transported to the component supply device by the replenishing unit is arranged on the confluent portion.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the filling of a medication dispenser that comprises a first and a second container for receiving a strip of medication packages. In the method a taking time of the first medication package of the second strip inserted into the second container is compared with a taking time of the last medication package of the first strip inserted into the first container, in order to determine if the delivery of medication packages can be continued after the first strip with the second strip. The invention also relates to a medication dispenser.

Abstract: A component supplying apparatus includes a main tape entering port, a component supply port through which components are picked up from a carrier tape, a main tape path extending in a body part from the main tape entering port to the underside of the component supply port, a top tape removing part removing the top tape from the carrier tape on the main tape path upstream of the component supply port, a sub tape entering port, a sub tape path meeting a slope path portion of the main tape path at a meeting point upstream of the top tape removing part, and at least one sprocket wheels engaging with the carrier tape on the main tape path downstream of the meeting point. A length of the sub tape path is shorter than a length of the main tape path from the main tape entering port to the meeting point.

Abstract: A blister packaging including a blister card including a plurality of flexible blisters; and a backing sheet including blister backing portions and backing securing portions, wherein when the backing securing portions are secured to the blister card, the blister backing portions are aligned to each blister forming a plurality of compartments adapted to store a medicament, and wherein the backing includes two or more conductive first leads affixed to the backing, two or more conductive second leads affixed to the backing, and a plurality of conductive zones, wherein each conductive zone electrically connects one of the first leads to one of the second leads, and wherein each blister backing portion includes a conductive zone.

Abstract: A packaged product assembly is provided. The packaged product assembly may include a packet received in a dispensing container. The packet may be a blister packet including units of a product received in sealed cavities. The dispensing container may include a top casing and a bottom casing. The upper casing may be pivotably connected to the lower casing such that the upper casing is moveable between a closed position in which access to the packet is substantially blocked, and an open position in which access to the packet is provided. The packet may be supported by a shoulder defined at an inner surface of sidewalls of the lower casing such that a receptacle is formed between the packet and a major wall of the lower casing. A unit of the product released from one of the sealed cavities may be received in the receptacle and dispensed via a dispensing aperture.

Abstract: A dressing applicator that deposits a dressing pad and tape portion onto a surface. The dressing applicator comprises a lever-actuated mechanism that biases various arms in order to position and deposit the dressing pad and tape portion onto a surface.

Abstract: A medication management system (100) for controlling access to medication. The system (100) comprises of a portable, electronically locking cassette (102) and a docking station (104). The cassette (102) comprises at least one internal compartment (110) adapted for storing patient-specific medication, a cover (114) adapted for restricting access to said compartment (110), a locking mechanism (112) for securing said cover (114), and means for storing a cassette identifier associated with said cassette.

Abstract: A method of handling an adhesive laminate, wherein the adhesive laminate is provided releasably adhered to a first web, comprising a plurality of cut or punched sections and wherein adjacent sections of the adhesive laminate remain joined to one another in the longitudinal direction of the web through one or more tie points. A first supporting structure and a second supporting structure adjacent to the first supporting structure are provided. The first web is led over the first supporting structure. A second web is provided and led over the second supporting structure, wherein the second web is oriented such that the release surface of the second web faces the first supporting structure.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for managing blood sugar levels while on the go. A roll of water soluble sugar thin-film is contained within a specialized dispensing container. A sliding button is disposed on one side of the dispenser and actuates dispensing of a single sugar strip and advancement of a counter. Each sugar strip contains a predetermined dose of dextrose or other sugar in a rapidly dissolving oral film. Thus, diabetics and persons experiencing a blood sugar imbalance can rapidly dispense a measured dose of sugar that dissolves in saliva. A counter on the side of the dispenser tracks the number of remaining sugar strips, thereby ensuring that users who rely on ready availability of sugar strips are aware of their remaining supply.

Abstract: A method for applying false eyelashes with an applicator for dispensing false eyelashes, which includes a supply wheel and a take-up wheel, the supply wheel comprising a tape having a plurality of pockets, where the pockets secure individual or clusters of false eyelashes until they are dispensed from a dispensing pivot. The spent tape is returned to the take-up wheel.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical product dispensers (e.g., in the shape of a common ink pen) are operable to indicate information regarding a dosing schedule of a pharmaceutical product dispensable from the dispenser. Embodiments of the dispensers may include a plurality of dosing segments, each corresponding to a different dose of the pharmaceutical product. Actuation of an actuator may result in interaction between the actuator and the pharmaceutical product storage area such that a dose of pharmaceutical product contained in the pharmaceutical product storage area is dispensed, along with a corresponding advancement of the plurality of dosing segments. The dispenser may also include one or more locks to prevent unauthorized access to the pharmaceutical product (e.g., by a child or the like). Furthermore, the pharmaceutical product dispenser may include a disabling mechanism to permanently disable actuation of the actuator of the dispenser.

Abstract: In the separation of a cover tape 15e from a carrier tape 15 performed by a cover tape separating mechanism 50, a cover tape 15e, which is separated from a base tape 15a by a separating blade edge 51f, comes into contact with a concave conical surface 52c, so that one side portion of a cover tape 15e is bent toward the other side portion; and the bent cover tape 15e is pressed against a guide surface 32s from below while the carrier tape 15 is guided to a pick-up position. Accordingly, the cover tape 15e is folded on the base tape 15a in a flat shape.

Abstract: A tape feeder includes a guide part that guides a carrier tape and is detachably attached to a main body. The guide part includes: a lower member guiding the carrier tape and attached to and detached from the main body; an upper member pressing down the carrier tape from above; a tape introduction part guiding the carrier tape into the upper member at an upstream side thereof in a tape feed direction; a confirmation opening part disposed in the upper member for visually confirming that the carrier tape arrives at a pin engagement range; an open/close mechanism opening and closing the upper member with respect to the lower member; and a positioning mechanism fitting a positioning pin into a feed hole of the carrier tape in the guide part, thereby positioning the carrier tape relative to the guide part in the tape feed direction.

Abstract: A tape feeder includes a guide part that guides a carrier tape and is detachably attached to a main body. The guide part includes: a lower member guiding the carrier tape and attached to and detached from the main body; an upper member pressing down the carrier tape from above; a tape introduction part guiding the carrier tape into the upper member at an upstream side thereof in a tape feed direction; a confirmation opening part disposed in the upper member for visually confirming that the carrier tape arrives at a pin engagement range; an open/close mechanism opening and closing the upper member with respect to the lower member; and a positioning mechanism fitting a positioning pin into a feed hole of the carrier tape in the guide part, thereby positioning the carrier tape relative to the guide part in the tape feed direction.

Abstract: An aerosolization apparatus comprises a housing defining a chamber having one or more air inlets. The chamber is sized to receive a capsule which contains an aerosolizable pharmaceutical formulation. A puncturing mechanism is provided within the housing and comprising a puncture member. The puncture member comprises a forward end shaped to form a cutting edge that is effective in cutting the wall of the capsule to create an opening into the capsule. The puncture member also comprises a trailing end shaped so that it has a non-cutting surface that does not cut the wall of the capsule when the trailing end is inserted into the opening created by the forward end. An end section is associated with the housing. The end section is sized and shaped to be received in a user's mouth or nose so that the user may inhale through the end section to inhale aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation that has exited the capsule through the opening created in the capsule.

Abstract: A sheet driver for use in a drug dispenser where the sheet driver includes a shaft with a shaft cavity co-axial with a rotational axis of the shaft and a hub that defines a hub aperture, where within the shaft cavity there is an indicator pin having a side member and an indicator pin head that may project through the hub aperture, where within the shaft cavity there is a spring for biasing said indicator pin out of the shaft cavity, and where an engagement member may selectively engage said side member of the indicator pin to prevent movement of the engagement member upon the occurrence of an fault condition of the sheet driver.

Abstract: A container or array of containers that is are sealed with a peelable seal is transported via a conveyor along a processing path toward a desealing station at which an adhesive surface having a width substantially the same as or greater than the width of the seal is pressed against the upper surface of the peelable seal. A collection rod applies a downward pressure on the adhesive surface, pressing it against the seal and keeping the container or container array in position on the conveyor as the plate moves with the conveyor. As the leading edge of the seal passes the collection rod, the adhesive surface is rolled upward, away from the plane of the seal, pulling up on the leading edge of the seal to separate it from the container or container array while the container or container array is held down by the roller. The removed seal is then discarded.

Abstract: In a structure that exfoliation is performed in the pitch sending of a carrier tape (15) by making a cover tape exfoliating mechanism (50) intervene between joining surfaces of a base tape (15a) and a cover tape (15e), in an exfoliation start position where an exfoliating knife tip (51f) of an acuminate shape, which is provided at a front end, starts to exfoliate the joining surface, a lower guide member (40), which guides the carrier tape (15) from below, is pushed up from the bottom side by a lever member (44), and when the carrier tape (15) is installed, the carrier tape (15) is pushed up together with the lower guide member (40) to make the exfoliating knife tip (51f) in the exfoliation start position to be aligned to the joining surfaces and enter between the joining surfaces.

Abstract: There is provided a medicament dispenser for use with plural elongate form medicament carriers, each having multiple distinct medicament dose portions carried thereby, the dispenser having a dispensing mechanism for dispensing the distinct medicament dose portions carried by each of the plural medicament carriers. The mechanism comprises a receiving station for receiving each of the plural medicament carriers; a release for releasing a distinct medicament dose portion from each of the plural medicament carriers on receipt thereof by the receiving station; an outlet, positioned to be in communication with the distinct medicament dose portions releasable by said a release; and an indexer for individually indexing the distinct medicament dose portions of each of the plural medicament carriers.

Abstract: A method of operation of a micro device feeder system includes: adjusting a distance between a movable drive plate and a mounting plate for aligning a carrier tape carrying a micro device to a center line for pick-up of the micro device by external device handling equipment; and configuring a tape handling mechanism, having a sprocket assembly, to accommodate a predetermined width of the carrier tape.

Abstract: A positioning mechanism, which determines the relative position of a carrier tape 15 in a tape feed direction by fitting alignment pins 37 to feed holes 15d in a lower member 31, and a cover tape separating mechanism 50, which is provided on an upper member 32 and exposes electronic components 16 stored in component pockets 15b by separating a cover tape 15e from a base tape 15, are provided at non-interference positions that do not interfere with each other when the upper member 32 is closed to the lower member 31. Accordingly, when the cover tape 15e is separated from the carrier tape 15, the carrier tape 15 is aligned with the guide section 30.

Abstract: A collaborative robotized system comprises: a mobile platform furnished with running device, with an electric motor propulsion assembly, and with a longitudinal mechanical linkage assembly comprising an articulation; an electrical power source; manual control device of the system; remote control device of the system; a computer assembly of at least one computer; hardware-incorporating device suitable for integrating sensors and effectors, and software-incorporating device suitable for integrating software elements; and management device for managing integrated sensorimotor behaviors, suitable for arbitrating implementations of several sensorimotor behaviors in parallel.

Abstract: A carrier tape feeder is provided. The carrier tape feeder includes a unit for loading a carrier tape, a picking-up unit where chips are picked up, and a driving unit. The pick-up unit includes a knife portion, a folding-guiding portion, and an inversion-guiding portion. The knife portion separates a cover tape from a base tape in a first adhesive portion. The folding-guiding portion is spaced from one lateral side of the knife portion to induce folding of the cover tape separated by the knife portion in the lengthwise direction in a state in which the cover tape is partially attached to the base tape in a second adhesive portion. The inversion-guiding portion extends in an oblique direction from the knife portion and the folding-guiding portion toward the outside of the carrier tape to induce inversion of the upper and lower surfaces of the cover tape folded in the folding-guiding portion so as to be superimposed on the base tape.

Abstract: A position control method for controlling a position of a movable portion, includes: performing control of allowing the movable portion to approach a predetermined position by moving the movable portion; and performing control of moving the movable portion to the predetermined position by moving the movable portion and detecting a relative position of the movable portion with respect to the predetermined position by using an imaging unit.

Abstract: A paper towel dispenser includes a housing for holding a stack of interfolded towels. The housing includes a front wall, a rear wall, two outer side walls, an upper wall and a support surface for the stack of towels, the stack of towels being located adjacent and parallel to at least the front wall. The front wall extends a predetermined distance below the support surface. A dispensing opening is located between the front wall and the support surface, and at least one guide element is arranged to support a leading panel of a first towel adjacent the front wall and a leading edge of the leading panel parallel to the lower edge of the front wall.

Abstract: Tamper evident devices and methods including devices that can be used with pill bottles and other packages to provide evidence of tampering by an unauthorized user are provided.

Abstract: There is provided a medicament dispenser for use with plural elongate form medicament carriers, each having multiple distinct medicament dose portions carried thereby, the dispenser having a dispensing mechanism for dispensing the distinct medicament dose portions carried by each of the plural medicament carriers. The mechanism comprises a receiving station for receiving each of the plural medicament carriers; a release for releasing a distinct medicament dose portion from each of the plural medicament carriers on receipt thereof by the receiving station; an outlet, positioned to be in communication with the distinct medicament dose portions releasable by said a release; and an indexer for individually indexing the distinct medicament dose portions of each of the plural medicament carriers.

Abstract: A medication drawer, a related medication packaging strip, and a related method of handling a medication packaging strip.

Abstract: A position control method for controlling a position of a movable portion, includes: performing control of allowing the movable portion to approach a predetermined position by moving the movable portion; and performing control of moving the movable portion to the predetermined position by moving the movable portion and detecting a relative position of the movable portion with respect to the predetermined position by using an imaging unit.

Abstract: A component feeder capable of enhancing productivity is provided by that the component feeder includes a tape feeding device intermittently feeding a component housing tape constituted of a carrier tape having component housing parts formed with predetermined interval to contain respective electronic components, and a cover tape covering the component housing parts to prevent the components from jumping out from the component housing parts while the component housing tape wound on a housing tape reel is sequentially fed to a component extracting position, and an electronic component exposing device exposing the electronic components in the component housing parts to be allowed to be extracted, wherein the tape feeding device is constituted of a first feeding device and a second feeding device, and the electronic component exposing device is provided between the first feeding device and the second feeding device.

Abstract: In the separation of a cover tape 15e from a carrier tape 15 performed by a cover tape separating mechanism 50, a cover tape 15e, which is separated from a base tape 15a by a separating blade edge 51f, comes into contact with a concave conical surface 52c, so that one side portion of a cover tape 15e is bent toward the other side portion; and the bent cover tape 15e is pressed against a guide surface 32s from below while the carrier tape 15 is guided to a pick-up position. Accordingly, the cover tape 15e is folded on the base tape 15a in a flat shape.

Abstract: A sheet driver for use in a medicament dispenser including a medicament carrier having a plurality of pockets for containing medicament wherein the pockets are spaced along the length of and defined between first and second sheets secured to each other and separable by drivable pulling action, the sheet driver comprises a hub having a hub surface which is adapted to provide an initial effective winding surface which provides uniform indexing of the medicament carrier, and the tensioning of a torsion spring compensates for an increase in the effective winding surface of the hub caused by receipt of the sheet of the medicament carrier about the hub.

Abstract: A component suction method including feeding components accommodated in component storage spaces of a tape base to a predetermined position, lowering a nozzle capable of sucking the components supplied to the predetermined position, stopping the nozzle at a predetermined distance from an upper surface of the tape base, pushing an undersurface of the component up when the nozzle is at a bottom dead center position or a position adjacent to the center, vacuum-sucking the component by the nozzle at the bottom dead center position or at the position adjacent to the center, and moving the component sucked by the nozzle to a predetermined position of a board after the vacuum-sucking.