Abstract: Cartridges containing a tray retained flexible disc with the tray locked to the cartridge housing are accepted so that the tray is unlocked and withdrawn from the cartridge housing into an operating position internal to a receiver. The cartridge housing is held in a relatively fixed position so that it cannot be removed from the receiver unless the tray has been properly returned to the cartridge housing and again locked therein. The flexible disc is automatically clamped into a spindle arrangement and rotary motion applied thereto when a detector indicates that the disc is in the proper operating position. The tray is returned to the cartridge housing in essentially a reverse sequence from the loading operaton but with additional means for insuring that the disc has stopped rotation prior to return to the tray and is properly seated on the tray prior to its return to the cartridge housing.

Abstract: A flexible or "floppy" disc such as is used for data storage is retained within an enclosure that substantially protects it from contaminants or damage from handling while not in use but still permits ready access to the disc by a machine. A hub nests the disc in a bore on a tray which is received by an envelope-type of housing so that a complete enclosure is provided. The flat surfaces of the housing act to retain the disc hub within the bore while in the cartridge. A latching arrangement between the tray and the housing permits either manual or machine release of the tray. The entire housing containing the tray and the disc is readily adapted to loading within a machine by means of a hub-engaging spindle to lift the disc from the tray after it has been removed from the housing. Strategically located ridges guide the disc hub into proper tray engagement when the disc is stored in the cartridge. A plurality of slots on the tray augment air flow under the disc.

Abstract: In electromagnetically reading or writing information on a flexible recording medium, commonly referred to as a "floppy" disc, a read/write head is permanently secured for translational movement with respect to each of a succession of discs which are brought into position beneath the head, the disc being rotated until its recording surface is raised into close proximity to the head for reading and writing information thereon. An airflow pattern is established between the disc and a flat reference plate to form an air bearing interface therebetween which will maintain the disc in a flat plane of rotation directly beneath the head. A second air bearing is formed between the head and the disc to maintain a slight, precise separation therebetween so as to prevent direct contact in close proximity between the head and disc to facilitate electromagnetic recording.