TAPE FEEDER AND TAPE FEEDING METHOD

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tape feeder and a tape feeding method capable of efficiently activating the tape feeder by rationally controlling the tape feeding when replenishing a subsequent carrier tape without splicing the tape.SOLUTION: At a first detection position P1 and a second detection position P2 each preset at a predetermined position in a tape travel path 5c, a first tape detection sensor S1 and a second tape detection sensor S2 detect a tail end and a top end respectively of a preceding tape and subsequent tape in two successive carrier tapes. Based on the detection result of tail end and top end, a tape feeding control section 26 controls the first tape feeding mechanism 20A and the second tape feeding mechanism 20B to control the interval between the tail end and the top end in the tape travel path 5c in a preset interval pattern.