Abstract: A means for receiving an optical disc to be transported to an optical drive is oriented off-axis to maintain an optical disc within such receiving means during loading/unloading of the disc to/from an optical drive. In a preferred embodiment, the optical drive comprises a receptacle operable to transport a disc to/from the optical drive, and such receptacle comprises a cavity that receives the disc. In a preferred embodiment, such cavity is oriented at an acute angle ? from the vertical axis. In a more preferred embodiment, such angle ? has a value selected from approximately 5 degrees to approximately 45 degrees from the vertical axis. In a most preferred embodiment, angle ? is has a value selected from approximately 5 degrees to approximately 15 degrees from the vertical axis. Angle ? is sufficient to maintain the disc within the receptacle. In a preferred embodiment, the optical drive itself is oriented at angle ? from the vertical axis.

Abstract: A device for receiving an optical disc to be transported to an optical drive is oriented off-axis to maintain an optical disc within such a receiving device during loading/unloading of the disc to/from an optical drive. In a preferred embodiment, the optical drive includes a receptacle operable to transport a disc to/from the optical drive, and such receptacle includes a cavity that receives the disc. In a preferred embodiment, such cavity is oriented at an acute angle &thgr; from the vertical axis. In a more preferred embodiment, such angle &thgr; has a value selected from approximately 5 degrees to approximately 45 degrees from the vertical axis. In a most preferred embodiment, angle &thgr; is has a value selected from approximately 5 degrees to approximately 15 degrees from the vertical axis. Angle &thgr; is sufficient to maintain the disc within the receptacle. In a preferred embodiment, the optical drive itself is oriented at angle &thgr; from the vertical axis.

Abstract: A means for receiving an optical disc to be transported to an optical drive is oriented off-axis to maintain an optical disc within such receiving means during loading/unloading of the disc to/from an optical drive. In a preferred embodiment, the optical drive comprises a receptacle operable to transport a disc to/from the optical drive, and such receptacle comprises a cavity that receives the disc. In a preferred embodiment, such cavity is oriented at an acute angle &thgr; from the vertical axis. In a more preferred embodiment, such angle &thgr; has a value selected from approximately 5 degrees to approximately 45 degrees from the vertical axis. In a most preferred embodiment, angle &thgr; is has a value selected from approximately 5 degrees to approximately 15 degrees from the vertical axis. Angle &thgr; is sufficient to maintain the disc within the receptacle. In a preferred embodiment, the optical drive itself is oriented at angle &thgr; from the vertical axis.

Abstract: A shutter is utilized to maintain an optical disc within a receptacle during loading/unloading of the disc to/from an optical drive. The optical drive comprises a receptacle operable to transport a disc to/from the drive by extending from and retracting into the drive. Such receptacle comprises a top side that receives a disc. The optical drive further comprises a shutter that extends from the drive over at least a portion of the top of the receptacle, wherein such shutter applies force toward the top of the receptacle when the receptacle is extended from the drive. Such force is sufficient to maintain a disc in the receptacle when oriented vertically. In a preferred embodiment, the shutter is hinged wherein it is rotatably connected to the optical drive such that it opens upward when the receptacle extends from the drive and closes downward when the receptacle retracts into the drive.

Abstract: Unique geometry is utilized within a disc receptacle of an optical drive to hold an optical disc within the receptacle when oriented vertically. In a preferred embodiment, rim projections strategically positioned along the rim of a cavity for receiving a disc within the receptacle maintain a disc within the receptacle. In a preferred embodiment, a first rim projection is positioned on the rim at angle &thgr;1 from 10-80 degrees from a horizontal diameter line of the cavity, and a second rim projection is positioned on the rim at angle &thgr;2 from 10-80 degrees from a horizontal diameter line of the cavity. Moreover, in a preferred embodiment such rim projections are substantially wedge shaped and protrude from the rim at a strategic angle to maintain a disc within the receptacle. In a preferred embodiment, such rim projections protrude from the rim at an angle &agr; having a value selected from 2 to 20 degrees.

Abstract: A tape drive for a data tape mini-cartridge. Cartridges of interest have an internal capstan for an internal drive belt driven by a drive roller in the tape drive. The tape drive has a drive roller directly on a rotating exterior surface of the motor. In one example embodiment, the motor has an external rotor. In an example embodiment, no part of the motor diameter extends below or above the data cartridge. No intermediate rollers or belts are required. The motor stator is preferably mounted onto a metal support plate for heat conduction from the stator into the support plate. The motor preferably has space between the rotor and the support plate for air to flow into the stator for convection cooling. In addition, the motor rotor preferably includes cooling fins and air flow holes for additional convection cooling. A spring is mounted between the motor support plate and a chassis to provide a force holding the drive roller against the cartridge capstan.

Abstract: An ink-jet printer having improved print quality and full color printing capability on plain paper media. A radiant print heater heats the medium at the print area to increase the ink carrier evaporation rate. The heater includes a wire heating element placed in a reflectorized cavity beneath the printing area, and radiant heat energy is directed onto the lower surface of the print medium through a grill. The heating element is energized by a low voltage signal. The print heater heats the portion of the medium disposed at the print area during print operations to cause accelerated drying of ink deposited on the medium.

Abstract: An ink-jet printer having improved print quality and full color printing capability on plain paper media. A media advancing mechanism advances the print medium through a media path during print operations. Electrically energized heater elements heat a portion of the print medium at the print area. A power supply supplies electrical power to the heater elements and the media advancing mechanism. A single fan airflow system with multiple ducts evacuator air from the printer, including the print area. The airflow system evacuates excess ink spray and carrier vapor from the print area, provides cooling for the power supply and other electronics, and actively ventilates the preheater and print heater to avoid runaway temperatures.