Abstract: Embodied herein is a service station for an ink jet printer including a print movable carriage supporting at least one printhead. The service station includes a sled having at least one wiper blade and at least one sealing cap attached to the sled. A selector valve selectively applies a vacuum at least one sealing cap in a first and a second operational state. A first operational state involves a vacuum through the at least one sealing cap to remove residue. A second operational state selectively applies vacuum through the cap to declog the printhead while in operation to keep the printhead from drying. A third operational state moves in a second direction, wherein the sled is held against the carriage allowing the orifice plate to be wiped as the carriage moves until it engages the plank releasing the sled to return to the first state.

Abstract: A disk cartridge for use in a miniature drive. The drive is usable in a variety of small computer devices. As such it is constrained in both height, width and length. Preferably, the drive is of a PCMCIA size, preferably type II. The cartridge for use therein is less than about {fraction (1/10)} inches high and less than about 2 inches wide.

Abstract: A system provides for mounting a removable media disk cartridge in a disk drive without translating the cartridge or spindle motor in a Z-axis relative to each other. The system comprises a spindle in the drive having a substantially planar top surface with an annular groove disposed and an datum ring disposed thereon. The annular groove accepts an inner ring surface of a media disk hub. The disk cartridge has a hub with an inner ring that engages the annular groove in the spindle. Additionally the hub has an outer peripheral edge that has an angled surface. During disengagement of the hub from the spindle, the hub is tilted when the cartridge shell engages the outer peripheral edge. The datum ring acts as a fulcrum while the inner ring is tilted out of the annular groove.

Abstract: A process for assembling a disk cartridge is disclosed. The process includes the steps of snapping a top shell half of the disk cartridge over a bottom shell half of the disk cartridge; adjusting the shell halves until the shell halves are in abutment contact with each other at a weld site; and directing an energy beam at the weld site until a portion of the top shell half and a portion of the bottom shell half fuse so that the top shell half is fixed to the bottom shell half. The process is repeated for each of a plurality of weld sites located on the perimeter of the disk cartridge. A process for assembling a disk cartridge is disclosed in which an energy beam is split into a plurality of split energy beams. The plurality of split energy beams are focused on a plurality of weld sites until a portion of the top shell half and a portion of the bottom shell half fuse so that the top shell half is fixed to the bottom shell half.

Abstract: A disk cartridge has a rotary inner shell, or shutter, to permit access to a data-storage medium disposed within the shell. A driving-access opening is located in a bottom surface of the cartridge's outer shell to allow a drive mechanism to rotate the storage medium. A portion of the inner shell projects into the driving-access opening to aid in the rotational alignment of the shell. The outer shell has a wedge-shaped disk-access opening. The inner shell rotates over a predefined arc to expose the data storage medium via the disk-access opening. A liner is disposed between the inner and outer shells to reduce sliding friction between the shells.

Abstract: A flexible magnetic disk cassette for use in a disk drive. The cassette comprises a flexible magnetic disk disposed within a rectangular shell. The flexible magnetic disk have a center hub with an aperature for engagement with a drive spindle. The hub aperature forms an annular projection for engaging a cylindrical retaining well that is formed in the top inside portion of the shell.

Abstract: A data storage system having a disk cartridge with a rotary inner shell to permit access to a medium is disclosed. The cartridge comprises a latch disposed on an edge of the cartridge for locking the cartridge in a closed position. A flexible lever in the data storage device is adapted to engage and unlock the latch during cartridge insertion. The lever having a spring portion flexes away from the cartridge as it is further inserted into the data storage device.

Abstract: A disk cassette for use in a disk drive. The cassette employs a detent mechanism to resistively retain a shutter in a closed position. This shutter is opened by applying a force greater than the resistive force of the detent mechanism. The detent mechanism eliminates the need for a spring bias to retain the shutter in a closed position.

Abstract: A disk cartridge has a hub with an inner ring that engages an annular groove in a drive motor. The hub can be constructed of either one piece or two pieces of joined sheet metal. In either embodiment, the hub has an outer peripheral edge that has an angled surface. The hub can be attached to the medium via adhesive or mechanically by way of a retainer.

Abstract: A disk cartridge, for use in a disk drive, has a shutter for opening and closing over a disk access opening. A compression spring provides a force to bias the shutter to a closed position. The spring is coupled at one end to the shutter and follows an arcuate path substantially concentric with the disk within the cartridge.

Abstract: A disk cartridge has two shell layers encapsulating a medium. The first layer encases the disk medium. The second layer encases the first layer. Both layers have a head access opening such that rotation of one layer relative to the other layer causes the head access openings to be aligned or misaligned. When the head access openings are misaligned the cartridge is closed. When the head access openings are aligned the cartridge is open.

Abstract: A process for assembling a disk cartridge is disclosed. The process includes the steps of snapping a top shell half of the disk cartridge over a bottom shell half of the disk cartridge; adjusting the shell halves until the shell halves are in abutment contact with each other at a weld site; and directing an energy beam at the weld site until a portion of the top shell half and a portion of the bottom shell half fuse so that the top shell half is fixed to the bottom shell half. The process is repeated for each of a plurality of weld sites located on the perimeter of the disk cartridge. A process for assembling a disk cartridge is disclosed in which an energy beam is split into a plurality of split energy beams. The plurality of split energy beams are focused on a plurality of weld sites until a portion of the top shell half and a portion of the bottom shell half fuse so that the top shell half is fixed to the bottom shell half.

Abstract: A system is for mounting a removable media disk cartridge in a disk drive without translating the cartridge or spindle motor in a Z-axis relative to each other The system comprises a spindle in the drive having a substantially planar top surface with an annular groove disposed and an datum ring disposed thereon. The annular groove accepts an inner ring surface of a media disk hub. The disk cartridge has a hub with an inner ring that engages the annular groove in the spindle. Additionally the hub has an outer peripheral edge that has an angled surface. During disengagement of the hub from the spindle, the hub is tilted when the cartridge shell engages the outer peripheral edge. The datum ring acts as a fulcrum while the inner ring is tilted out of the annular groove.

Abstract: A system for inserting and ejecting a cartridge from a removable media disk drive is disclosed. The system works by pushing the cartridge into the drive until a stop is reached. Thereafter, when the pushing is ceased, the cartridge is locked into position in the disk drive. To eject the cartridge, the cartridge is again pushed into the drive until a second stop is reached. Thereafter, the cartridge is ejected form the drive.

Abstract: A system for inserting and ejecting a cartridge from a removable media disk drive is disclosed. The system works by pushing the cartridge into the drive until a stop is reached. Thereafter, when the pushing is ceased, the cartridge is locked into position in the disk drive. To eject the cartridge, the cartridge is again pushed into the drive until a second stop is reached. Thereafter, the cartridge is ejected from the drive.

Abstract: A data-storage cartridge has a rotary inner shell, or shutter, to selectively permit access to a data-storage disk disposed within the shell. The shutter is equipped with a wedge-shaped opening through which access to the data-storage disk is attained. A fabric liner is affixed to the inner surface of the shutter to isolate the disk from direct contact with the shutter. The ends of the liner extend beyond, i.e., overhang, the edges of the shutter which form the disk-access opening, thereby preventing direct contact between the data-storage disk and the edges.

Abstract: A disk cartridge has two shell layers. The first layer encases the disk medium. The second layer encases the first layer. Both layers have a head access opening such that rotation of one layer relative to the other layer causes the head access openings to be aligned or misaligned. When the head access openings are misaligned the cartridge is closed. When the head access openings are aligned the cartridge is open.

Abstract: A flexible magnetic disk cassette is for use in a disk drive. The cassette comprises a flexible magnetic disk disposed within a cartridge shell with a driving hole in the bottom of the cartridge. The flexible magnetic disk has a center hub projecting through the center hole. The hub has a projection for engaging the driving hole to restrain the lateral movement of the disk cartridge.

Abstract: A disk cartridge has a passive shutter opening mechanism. The cartridge is adapted so that during insertion into a drive, the shutter is automatically opened. A projection is coupled to a shutter surface. The projection is sized so that it impinges on the front of the drive as the cartridge is inserted. This impingement causes the shutter to open and no levers are required to activate the shutter. The shutter also has a latch that operates to keep the shutter in the closed position. As the cartridge is inserted into the drive, the latch impinges on the drive opening causing the latch to release the shutter.