Abstract: A reel spring for use in a magnetic tape reel cassette, having a longer longitudinal axis and a shorter transverse axis is disclosed. The reel spring includes two arms joined at the central transverse axis which has the smallest transverse width of the reel spring. The arms extend longitudinally from the central transverse axis to respective ends, and increase uniformly in transverse width toward the ends to form a bow-tie shape. The reel spring also includes transverse crimps which define a central base portion and two end portions extending at an angle from the central base portion to provide a biasing force. Two openings are formed in the central base portion to mount the reel spring in the cassette. The openings are spaced from the transverse axis on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A single reel data tape cartridge includes a base and a cover. The base includes a rear wall, two opposing side walls, a front wall, and a lower wall connecting the rear, front, and side walls. The lower wall has an outer surface and an inner surface. A strengthening rib is formed on the inner surface of the lower wall adjacent each of the four corners of the base. The portion of the lower wall on one side of and adjacent the strengthening rib has a groove extending along the length of the strengthening rib. The groove and the adjacent strengthening rib share a common wall.

Abstract: A reel pressure button assembly is used in a magnetic tape reel cassette for applying pressure to a tape reel. The reel pressure button assembly includes a substantially cylindrical reel pressure button and a portion of the cassette housing. The reel pressure button is formed as an integral, one-piece member and includes a central horizontal portion which is disposed within an opening in the cassette housing portion. A cylindrical portion of the button has a plurality of recesses and terminates in a flange. The housing portion includes a plurality of tabs which are received in respective recesses to secure the reel pressure button to the housing portion. A compression spring is mounted between the housing portion and the reel pressure button flange.

Abstract: An imager apparatus for exposing a film with recorded images includes an exposure site, a primary film path along which unexposed films are fed to the exposure site, a secondary film path along which exposed films are taken away from the exposure site, and a film driver at the exposure site. The film driver drives films between the primary and the secondary film paths. The film driver includes at least a pair of cooperating driving wheels on opposite faces along only one side edge of the film to eliminate transmission rods.

Abstract: An apparatus for binding a plurality of sheets of paper together is disclosed. A pair of clamping plates presents one edge of the sheets for binding after a jogging plate aligns the edges. After a solid hot melt adhesive material sheet is placed along the edge of the sheets, a heating platen heats and melts the hot melt adhesive material sheet and causes the liquid adhesive to bind the sheets together. The method of binding the stack of a plurality of sheets of paper includes positioning a plurality of sheets between the clamping plates, vibrating the sheets to square and align their edges, clamping the aligned sheets of paper, presenting the aligned edge of the paper to the heating platen, placing an adhesive hot melt material sheet on the edge of the sheets, heating and melting the hot melt adhesive material sheet onto the edge, and removing the bound sheets from the apparatus.

Abstract: A parallelepipedal storage container is formed of two sections. Each section is rectangular and is foldable to separate the section into a central base wall and two side walls. The adjacent base and side walls can be oriented ar right angles to each other to form a U-shape. The storage container is formed by mating the two U-shaped sections so that the side edges of the side walls of the U-shape on one section are disposed adjacent the side edges of the side walls of the other U-shape to form edges of the storage container. The two sections are secured together using a tongue and groove connection to mate the sections along respective edges.

Abstract: The system ensures the proper placement of bottles which deliver material to a system. The system prevents male components from being mounted on incorrect female components. The male components can be tubes, and the female components can be covers which fit on the openings of bottles. A first key is formed on a first male component and a complementarily-shaped first keyway is formed on a first female component. Additional male and female component pairs have similar key-keyway pairs. Each key and each keyway includes first and second projections. The first projection is located in a reference position, and the second projection is located a predetermined distance from the reference position. This distance for each component pair is selected to identify the particular component pair.

Abstract: A belt driven reel-to-reel tape cartridge includes two primary tape guides, a guide pin, and two secondary tape guides for guiding the tape to and from respective tape reels. The tape guides and guide pin define a tape guide path between the reels which the extends around the outside of both primary tape guides, both secondary tape guides, and the guide pin.

Abstract: A system securing a plurality of tape pancakes includes a compressible baffled core support on which the pancakes can be mounted. An interior rod having a head fits and is received within the baffled core support. A nub on the inside surface of the core support engages a groove on the outside surface of the interior rod to provide a threaded engagement between the interior rod and the core support. Rotation of the interior rod within the core support after the head contacts the end of the core support provides an axial compression load onto the core support to hold together the pancakes. This axial compression also expands the baffles which contact and tighten against the inside of the tape pancake cores and provide a radial force to secure the pancakes in place.

Abstract: A drive system for rotating a disk includes a housing having a planar element with a working surface which includes a spindle which facilitates rotational movement of the disk relative to the drive assembly. A plurality of orifices extend through planar element at an acute angle relative to the working surface and are arranged in a circular array. A conduit assembly delivers fluid to the housing. The fluid exits through the orifices outlets to provide a motive force for rotating the disk around the spindle, while also providing a pressure differential to support the medium.

Abstract: An ultrasonically assisted coating method for applying a smooth layer of coating material on a surface of a moving web are disclosed. A coating material is applied onto one web surface. An ultrasonic energy generator excites the line of initial contact between the coating material and the web at a uniform ultrasonic intensity selected in combination with the properties of the coating material. The coated web has a thin, uniform crossweb thickness with low thickness variations.

Abstract: A disk cartridge includes a rotatable disk, a cartridge case for housing the disk, and a U-shaped shutter slidably disposed on the front wall of the cartridge case. The cartridge case includes a head access opening formed adjacent the front wall. The access opening is opened and closed by the shutter which is biased closed by a spring. A projection mounted on the shutter contacts and locates the spring between one of the cartridge case side walls and the projection.

Abstract: A disk cartridge includes a rotatable disk, a cartridge case for housing the disk, and a U-shaped shutter slidably disposed on the front wall of the cartridge case. The cartridge case includes upper and lower walls, and a head access opening formed in both walls adjacent the front wall to access the disk. The access opening is opened and closed by the shutter which is biased closed by a spring. A projection mounted on the shutter contacts and locates the spring between one of the cartridge case side walls and the projection. A tab is mounted on the cartridge case and contacts the projection to stop movement of the shutter when the shutter is biased in the closed position.

Abstract: A shock shield formed of an annular body having a central axial hole which mounts within a case is disclosed. A cylindrical axial ring is formed around the central axial hole. The shock shield permits a tape reel stored within the case to rotate within the case and absorbs shocks to prevent damage to the tape reel. A tab on the shield mates with the tape reel to prevent relative rotation therebetween. Shock absorption is accomplished by compressible elements formed on the shield body. The compressible elements are annular bearing rings concentric with the annular circumference. The annular bearing rings have a generally V-shaped cross section and an axial height less than the axial height of the axial ring. The shield body preferably is formed of four spaced radial members to enhance flexion.

Abstract: A valve for controlling fluid flow is provided, which permits fluid flow through the valve upon a first exposure to incident light, and prevents fluid flow through the valve upon a second exposure to incident light. The valve includes inlet and outlet passageways that are adapted to divert a portion of the fluid away from a central passageway to shift a plunger between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the plunger permits fluid flow through the valve, and in the second position, the plunger prevents fluid flow through the valve.

Abstract: A single reel data tape cartridge includes a base and a cover. The cover includes a rear wall, two opposing side walls, a front wall, and an upper wall connecting the rear, front, and side walls. The upper wall has an upper surface and a lower surface. A leader block area is formed in one of the corners of the upper wall and a strengthening rib is formed on the lower surface of the upper wall adjacent the leader block area. The strengthening rib partially encloses the leader block area. The portion of the upper wall adjacent the strengthening rib and outside of the leader block area is at least thicker than the portion of the upper wall in the leader block area.

Abstract: A single reel data tape cartridge includes a base and a cover. The cover includes a rear wall, two opposing side walls, a front wall, and an upper wall connecting the rear, front, and side walls. The upper wall has an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface has a substantially rectangular recessed portion which is adapted to receive an identifying label and to receive ribs on the base of an adjacent cartridge when a plurality of cartridges are stacked. The upper wall is formed with a stepped wall thickness such that the portion of the lower surface corresponding in location to the recessed portion has an increased stepped portion. The depth of the recessed portion varies and is greater adjacent its edges.

Abstract: The recording latch is pivotably mountable in a recording cassette between a record position and a no-record position. A plug at the bottom of the latch selectively blocks the record opening in the bottom wall of the cassette, and a flange at the top of the latch is selectively visible through the latch-engaging opening in the top wall. Two tabs are mounted on the flange, and the top wall of the cassette includes a record groove and a no-record groove. The tabs engage the record groove when the cassette can be used in the record mode and the tab engages the no-record groove when the cassette can not be used in the record mode. This engagement system is located entirely on the flange of the recording latch.

Abstract: A disk cartridge including a rotatable disk, a cartridge case for housing the disk, and a U-shaped shutter slidably disposed on the front wall of the cartridge case is disclosed. The cartridge case includes upper and lower walls, and a head access opening formed in both walls between a central axis and the front wall to access the disk. The access opening is opened and closed by the shutter which is biased closed. An indented portion is formed on the walls for receiving the shutter. Two tabs are formed in one shutter arm portion and are received in a slot formed in the cartridge case.