Abstract: In one example of one aspect of the invention, a tape drive is provided. The tape drive includes a housing configured to receive a storage cartridge, the housing having a take-up reel and a plurality of guide elements disposed therein. The guide elements are configured to guide storage tape from the storage cartridge to the take-up reel along a tape path, the tape path passing adjacent a data transducer head (e.g., a read and/or write head) and wrapping a portion of the take-up reel at a first location and winding onto the take-up reel at a second location. The first location and the second location may be positioned along the tape path between the data transducer head and the take-up reel.

Abstract: In one example of one aspect of the invention, a single reel data storage cartridge is provided. The single reel data storage cartridge includes a housing having an access window and a reel rotatably disposed within the housing and having storage tape wound on the reel. A guide surface is further disposed within the housing such that the tape extends from the reel to the guide surface before extending to the access window. The guide surface thereby increases the tape path from the reel to guiding elements within a tape drive to reduce the force imparted on the tape edge during guiding.

Abstract: In one example of one aspect of the invention, a single reel data storage cartridge is provided. The single reel data storage cartridge includes a housing having an access window and a reel rotatably disposed within the housing and having storage tape wound on the reel. A guide surface is further disposed within the housing such that the tape extends from the reel to the guide surface before extending to the access window. The guide surface thereby increases the tape path from the reel to guiding elements within a tape drive to reduce the force imparted on the tape edge during guiding.

Abstract: In one example of one aspect of the invention, a single reel data storage cartridge is provided. The single reel data storage cartridge includes a housing having an access window and a reel rotatably disposed within the housing and having storage tape wound on the reel. A guide surface is further disposed within the housing such that the tape extends from the reel to the guide surface before extending to the access window. The guide surface thereby increases the tape path from the reel to guiding elements within a tape drive to reduce the force imparted on the tape edge during guiding.