Lead tape puller and method

摘要

A lead tape puller comprising a housing, a passage in the housing, a piston slidable in the passage of the housing, and a retraction member coupled to the piston and movable with the piston between extended and retracted positions. A passage is provided within the piston and the retraction member, with the passage opening on one side of the piston and having a port on the other side of the piston. The piston and retraction member can be moved by differential fluid pressure acting on the piston to the extended position where the port is adjacent the leader of tape within a cassette. Subatmospheric pressure is then applied to one side of the piston, and this subatmospheric pressure acts on the leader through the passage means and the port to tend to draw the leader into the port. This at least partially closes the passage means to restrict air flow through the passage. This valving action of the port and the leader is used to assist in moving the piston and retraction member to the retracted position.