Pneumatic apparatus for incrementally advancing tape

Claim 2

A pneumatic apparatus for incrementally advancing a tape comprising: means of applying continuous force tending to advance tape in a path across a process station; a brake block adjacent the tape path having a brake surface thereon and a tape receiving recess adjacent said brake surface; and fluidic switch means adjacent to and spaced from said brake block the tape path being between said brake block and said switch means, said switch means selectably directing an aiR stream towards one of said brake surface and said tape receiving recess; and means controlling said fluidic switch means to cause said air stream to be directed selectably towards said brake surface and said tape receiving recess.

Claim 3

A pneumatic apparatus for incrementally advancing a tape comprising: means of applying continuous force tending to advance the tape in a path across a process station; a brake block adjacent the tape path having a brake surface thereon and a tape receiving recess adjacent said brake surface; a fluidic switch means supported adjacent to and spaced from said brake block, the tape path being between the fluidic switch means and the brake block, the fluidic switch means having a force air inlet, a first force air outlet opposite said brake block recess, a second force air outlet opposite said brake block brake surface, and a control air inlet, the force air inlet having communication between said first and second force air outlets; means applying air pressure to said switch means force air inlet; means selectably applying air pressure to said control air inlet whereby force air normally flows out of said switch means through said first force air outlet to impinge upon said tape opposite said brake block recess to force the same into said recess, force air being directed out of said switch means through said second outlet to impinge upon said tape opposite said brake surface and force the tape into contact with said brake surface, when air pressure is applied to said control air inlet.

Claim 4

A pneumatic apparatus for incrementally advancing a tape comprising: means of applying continuous force tending to advance the tape in a path across a process station; a brake block adjacent the tape path having a brake surface thereon and a tape receiving recess adjacent said brake surface; a fluidic switch means supported adjacent to and spaced from said brake block, the tape path being between the fluidic switch means and the brake block, the fluidic switch means having a force air inlet, a first force air outlet opposite said brake block recess, a second force air outlet opposite said brake block brake surface, and a control air inlet, the force air inlet having communication between said first and second force air outlets; means applying air pressure to said switch means force air inlet; means selectably applying air pressure to said control air inlet whereby force air normally flows out of said switch means through said first force air outlet to impinge upon said tape opposite said brake block recess to force the same into said recess, force air being directed out of said switch means through said second outlet to impinge upon said tape opposite said brake surface and force the tape into contact with said brake surface, when air pressure is applied to said control air inlet.

Claim 5

A pneumatic apparatus for incrementally advancing tape according to claim 2 wherein said means of selectably applying air pressure to said control air inlet includes: a high speed pneumatic control valve having an air inlet and an air outlet, the air inlet being connected to a source of control air pressure and the air outlet being connected to said fluidic switch means control air inlet.

Claim 6

A pneumatic apparatus for incrementally advancing a tape according to claim 2 wherein said fluidic switch means includes a first and second control air inlet, and wherein force air flows out of said switch means first force air outlet when air pressure is applied to said first control air inlet and force air flows out of said switch means second force air outlet when air pressure is applied to said second control air inlet.

Claim 7

A pneumatic apparatus for incrementally advancing a tape according to claim 4 wherein said means of selectably applying air pressure to said control air inlet includes: a first and second high speed control valve each having an air inlet and an air outlet, the air inlet of both said first and second control valves being connected to a source of control air pressure, the air outlet of said first control valve being connected to said fluidic switch means first control air inlet and the air outlet of said second control valve being connected to said fluidic switch means second control air inlet.