Method of and apparatus for sticking tape on reel hub and method of and apparatus for winding tape onto tape reel

Abstract

An apparatus for sticking a tape end on a reel hub of a tape reel in a tape cartridge which is set in a chamber so as to permit the tape reel to rotate comprises a tape carrier movable into and out from the tape cartridge through an egress/ingress opening of the tape cartridge for grasping a tape end of a tape strip and bringing the tape end into a position where the tape end portion is placed adjacently to the reel hub, a liquid applicator for applying a sticking liquid to the reel hub, a side edge detector for detecting a side edge position in a tape width direction of the tape strip, and a position adjuster for adjusting the tape carrier in the tape width direction relative to the reel hub according to a detected side edge position of the tape strip before the tape carrier reaches the reel hub.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for sticking a magnetic tape strip on a reel hub of a reel of a tape cartridge which is used in a cartridge assembling line and a method and an apparatus for assembling a tape cartridge using the tape end sticking method and apparatus.

2. Description of Related Art

Typically, magnetic tape cartridges are commonly used as an external memory device for computer data backup. Such a tape cartridge comprises a cartridge case, and a tape reel and its associated parts enclosed in the cartridge case. The cartridge case has a tape egress opening located in one of end walls. In a cartridge case assembling line, a magnetic tape strip is wound on a reel hub at a final stage of the assembling line. The tape wind is entered by firmly sticking one tape end of the magnetic tape strip on the reel hub using a tape end sticking apparatus. There have been proposed a variety of tape end sticking apparatus. One of the tape end sticking awash which is known from, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-322353 comprises a tape carrier arm which is provided with a sponge with a liquid such as alcohol instilled therein and capable of grasping or picking one tape end of a magnetic tape strip with vacuum and moving in and out of a cartridge case. When the tape carrier arm is moved into the cartridge case, the sponge is forced against the reel hub so as to apply the liquid to the reel hub. Then, the tape carrier arm brings the tape end of the magnetic tape strip held with vacuum into contact with the reel hub, the tape end of the magnetic tape strip is firmly stuck on the reel hub. Subsequently to movement of the tape carrier arm out of the cartridge case after sticking the magnetic tape strip on the reel hub, a desired length of the magnetic tape strip is wound on the reel hub of the tape reel in the cartridge case and cut off. A magnetic tape cartridge is completed by sticking a slip of leader tape on and attaching a leader pin to the cutoff end of the magnetic tape strip.

A problem encountered by the tape end sticking apparatus is that a relative position between the tape carrier arm and a tape end of a magnetic tape strip held with vacuum by the tape carrier arm varies. In particular, if the relative position varies in the tape width direction, the magnetic tape strip is stuck on the reel hub with an axial deviation. This axial deviation makes the magnetic tape strip apt to lean against reel flange at one of opposite tape edges and consequentially to be folded back at its leading end portion, resulting in accounting for an occurrence of a radial winding irregularity in a roll of the magnetic tape strip wound on a reel hub. The occurrence of a radial winding irregularity produces such local defects, e.g. wrinkles, on the magnetic tape strip as to lead to loose contact with a recording/reproducing head and, in consequence, deterioration in recording/reproducing quality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENON

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method of and an apparatus for sticking an end portion of a tape strip on a reel hub of a tape reel in a desired position in a width of tape strip.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of and an apparatus for winding a tape strip on a reel hub of a tape reel without causing a radial winding irregularity in a roll of tape strip wound on the tape reel.

The foregoing objects of the present invention is accomplished by a tape end sticking method and a tape end sticking apparatus for sticking a tap end of a tape strip on a hub of a tape reel installed in a cartridge case having an egress/ingress opening before winding the tape strip on the reel hub of the tape reel. The tape end sticking apparatus comprises cartridge case setting means for supporting said tape cartridge so as to permit rotation of said tape reel, tape carrier means movable into and out from an interior of the tape cartridge passing through the egress/ingress opening for grasping a tape end portion of the tape strip in a position where the tape carrier means is outside the tape cartridge and bringing the tape end portion to a position where the tape end portion is placed adjacently to the tape reel, liquid applying means for applying a sticking liquid to the tape end portion and/or the reel hub when the tape end portion is placed adjacently to the tape reel, side edge detection means for detecting a position in a tape width direction of a side edge of the tape strip on the way of movement of the tape carrier means toward the tape cartridge, and position adjustment means for adjusting the tape carrier means in the tape width direction relative to the reel hub according to the position in the tape width direction of the side edge of the tape strip before movement of the tape carrier means to the reel hub.

With this configuration of the tape end sticking apparatus, while supporting the tape cartridge so as to permit the tape reel to rotate, the tape carrier means grasps a tape end portion of a tape strip to be wound on a tape reel. On the way of movement of the tape carrier means toward the tape cartridge, the position adjustment means adjusts the tape carrier means in the tape width direction relative to the reel hub according to a position in the tape width of a side edge of the tape strip detected by the side edge detection means. When the tape carrier means is moved to enter the tape cartridge until placing the tape end portion close to the reel hub, the liquid applying means applies a sticking liquid to the reel hub and then the tape carrier means is further moved to place the tape end portion adjacently to the reel hub and to release the tape end portion so as thereby to stick it on the reel hub with the sticking liquid. The side edge detection means may detects a deviation of a side edge of the tape strip carried by the tape carrier means from a predetermined reference position in the tape width direction so that the position adjusting means may adjust the tape carrier means according to the deviation.

Accordingly, even if a tape end portion of a tape strip is grasped significantly off from a predetermined position in the tape width direction by the tape carrier means, the tape carrier means is shifted in the tape width direction according to a deviation in the tape width direction, so that the tape end portion is always stuck on the reel hub in an adequate position.

The tape winding apparatus for winding a tape strip on a reel hub of a tape reel installed in a cartridge case having an egress/ingress opening comprises the tape end sticking apparatus having the configuration described above and winding means for rotating the tape reel so as thereby to wind the tape strip onto the reel hub of the tape reel.

According to the tape winding apparatus, since a tape end portion of a tape strip is always stuck on the reel hub in an adequate position relative to the reel hub, the tape winding apparatus always winds the tape strip in a roll on the tape reel without causing a radial winding irregularity in the roll.

The tape end sticking method of sticking a tap end portion of a tape strip on a reel hub of a tape reel installed in a cartridge case having an egress/ingress opening before winding the tape strip on the reel hub comprises the steps of supporting the tape cartridge so that the tape reel is permitted to rotate, grasping a tape end portion of the tape strip by a tape carrier means which is movable into and out from the tape cartridge through the egress/ingress opening, moving the tale carrier means into an interior of the tape cartridge until placing the tape end portion close to the tape reel, adjusting the tape carrier means in a tape width direction according to a position of a side edge of the tape end portion in the tape width direction relative to the reel hub during movement of the tape carrier means toward the tape reel, applying a sticking liquid to the reel hub and/or the tape end portion on the way of movement of the tape carrier means to the reel hub, and bringing the tape end potion into contact with the reel hub after releasing the tape end potion from the tape carrier means so as thereby to stick the tape end portion on the reel hub with the sticking liquid. The step of sticking liquid application may be performed at any time between the tape end grasping step and the tape end releasing step. The tape end sticking method may further comprises the step of detecting a deviation of the side edge of the tape end portion in the tape width direction from a predetermined position of side edge of the tape end portion on the way of movement of the tape carrier toward the tape reel.

According to the tape end sticking method, even if a tape end portion of a tape strip is grasped significantly off from a predetermined position in the tape width direction by the tape carrier means, the tape carrier means is shifted in the tape width direction according to a deviation in the tape width direction, so that the tape end portion is always stuck on the reel hub in an adequate position.

The tape winding method of winding a tape strip on a reel hub of a tape reel installed in a cartridge case having an egress/ingress opening comprises the tape end sticking method described above and the step of rotating the tape reel so as thereby to wind the tape strip on the reel hub of the tape reel.

According to the tape winding method, since a tape end portion of a tape strip is always stuck on the reel hub in an adequate position relative to the reel hub, the tape strip is always wound in a roll on the tape reel without producing a radial winding irregularity in the roll.

The method of and the apparatus for sticking a tap end portion of a tape strip on a reel hub of a tape reel installed in a cartridge case enables sticking the tape end portion on the reel hub in an adequate position, so as to prevent an occurrence of sticking defects of a tape end portion on the reel hub, e.g. a lean against a reel flange and a bend at a tape end. In addition, the method of and the apparatus for winding a tape strip on a reel hub of a tape reel tilled in a cartridge case prevents an occurrence of sticking defects of a tape end portion on the reel hub, so as to prevent a roll of tape strip wound on the tape reel from producing a radial winding irregularity and to manufacture tape cartridges at a high yield rate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects and features of the present invention will be clearly understood from the following detailed description when reading with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a magnetic tape cartridge which is manufactured by a method of and apparatus for manufacturing a tape cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a tape winding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of tape carrier means of the tape winder;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a tape carrier head of the tape winder;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the tape carrier head of the tape winder;

FIG. 6 is a top view of a position adjustment device of the tape carrier means;

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of a side edge detection device of the tape carrier means;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a suction table;

FIGS. 9A to 9C are schematic views showing a process of edge position adjustment of a magnetic tape strip;

FIGS. 10A to 10F are schematic views showing a process of sticking a tape end portion of a magnetic tape strip on a reel hub by the tape carrier means; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic side view showing edge position adjustment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is suitable for use on all types of tape cartridges and has particular application in the assembling of tape cartridges which are compliant with Linear Tape Open (LTO) standard. However, it should be appreciated that the invention has broader application and is not limited to this particular use.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a LTO type tape cartridge 10. Generally, the tape cartridge 10 comprises a cartridge case 11 made up of two mating shell halves 11a and 11b, a dustproof door 16 forced closed by a spring 17 to prevent dust from entering the cartridge interior through a tape egress/ingress opening 11c located between the two shell halves 11a and 11b and slid open against the spring 17 to permit tape movement into and out of the cartridge interior via the tape egress/ingress opening 11c, a tape reel 1 rotatable inside the cartridge case 11 in opposite tape winding and tape unwinding directions to wind a magnetic tape strip MT on a cylindrical core as a reel hub 2 of a tape reel 1 and to unwind the magnetic tape strip Mr off the reel hub 2, a reel lock 13 for preventing the tape reel 1 from rotation, a coil spring 14 for forcing the reel lock 13 against the reel hub 2, and a release pad 15 for unlocking the tape reel 1. The magnetic tape strip MT at its leading end is provided with a leader tape strip L connected by means of a splicing strip S and a leader pin 5 attached to the free end of the leader tape strip L. The tape reel 1 has disk-shaped flanges 3 and 4 fixedly attached to opposite ends of the reel hub 2. The tape cartridge 10 is provided with a faulty erasure prevention claw 18 and an IC chip 19 installed therein.

FIG. 2 shows a tape winding apparatus 100 for winding a magnetic tape strip MT on the reel hub 2 of the tape reel 1 in an empty tape cartridge 10 shown in FIG. 1. The following description will be directed to a type having a tape end sticking apparatus 20 mounted on a vertical panel 100b by way of example. As shown in FIG. 2, the tape winding apparatus 100 winds magnetic tape strips MT which are prepared by cutting a magnetic tape stock rolled in the shape like a pancake into rolls having a given tape width (desirably 12.65 mm) and by cutting it into a given length. The tape winding apparatus 100 comprises a tape feeder 30 for feeding a magnetic tape strip MT to be wound on a tape cartridge, a tape end sticking apparatus 20 for sticking a foremost end of magnetic tape strip MT on a reel hub 2 of the tape reel 1 installed in a tape cartridge 10 which is fed by a cartridge feeder 80 for containing a stuck of a number of empty tape cartridges therein and feeding them one by one, a cutting device 70 for sucking and grasping the magnetic tape strip MT with vacuum and cutting it to a given length and a cartridge ejection device 90 for ejecting a tape cartridge with the magnetic tape strip MT wound on the reel hub 2. The tape winding apparatus 100 is further provided with a plurality of guide rollers G for defining a given traveling path of a magnetic tape strip MT between the tape feeder 30 and the tape end sticking apparatus 20, a polishing device 40 for polishing a coated surface of the magnetic tape strip MT, a pair of cleaning devices 50 for cleaning both surfaces of the magnetic tape strip MT and a tension control device 60 for controlling tension of the magnetic tape strip MT. An operation control panel 100b is installed to the panel 100b of the tape winding apparatus 100. These devices 40, 50 and 60 are known in various forms and may take any form known in the art.

The tape feeder 30 includes two tape reels R1 and R2, each reel R1, R2 having a roll of a roll of magnetic tape strip MY wound thereon, and drives it to feed the magnetic tape strip MT at a predetermined constant rate toward the tape end sticking apparatus 20. When one of the tape reels R1 and R2 runs out of the magnetic tape strip MT, the other tape reel R1 or R2 is alternatively driven to feed the magnetic tape strip MT toward the tape end sticking apparatus 20 so as thereby to feed the magnetic tape strip MT continuously.

The tape end sticking apparatus 20 comprises a cartridge setting chamber 21 for receiving a tape cartridge 10 from the a cartridge feeder 80 and rotate the tape cartridge 10 at a high speed, a tape carrier 22 for picking a leading end MT1 of the magnetic tape strip MT fed from the tape feeder 30 and carrying it to the tape cartridge 10 received in the tape cartridge setting chamber 21, a side edge detection device 23 for detecting a cross-diretional position of a side edge of the magnetic tape strip MT carried by the tape carrier 22, and a position adjustment device 26 for adjusting the tape carrier 22 in a tape width direction (a direction of depth or a direction perpendicular to the panel 100 in this embodiment).

The tape carrier 22 is provided with a blotting sponge pad 228 which is instilled with a sticking liquid, such as alcohol including methanol, ethanol, isopropanol (IPA), etc. in this embodiment to be applied to the reel hub 2 of the tape reel 1 of the tape cartridge 10 set in the tape cartridge setting chamber 21 for sticking a tape end on the reel hub 2. The tape cartridge setting chamber 21, which is disposed on the panel 100a, for example, in a lower right position, receives and the tape cartridge 10 with the tape egress/ingress opening 11c directed lower left, i.e. toward the tape carrier 22 and holds it so that the tape reel 1 is driven by a reel driving unit (not shown) so as to wind the magnetic tape strip MT thereon.

Referring to FIG. 3 showing the tape carrier 22 in detail, the tape carrier 22, which comprises an elongated parallelepiped suction arm 220 disposed at a horizontal distance from where the tape egress/ingress opening 11c of a tape cartridge 10 is located when the tape cartridge 10 is set in position in the tape cartridge setting chamber 21 (see FIG. 2), has a function of picking a leading portion MT1 of the magnetic tape strip MT and carrying it and is movable into the interior of the cartridge case 11 through the egress/ingress opening 11c. The tape carrier 22 is provided on the position adjustment device 26 as shown in FIG. 2. This position adjustment device 26 cooperates with a shifting mechanism (not shown) for shifting the tape carrier 22 horizontal and vertical directions to form a driving device 24 (see FIGS. 4 to 6). Generally, the suction arm 220 forming the tape carrier 22 is given a width slightly smaller than the width of the magnetic tape strip MT so as to cause no interference with flanges 4 of the tape reel 1 even when the carrier arm 22 moves for position adjustment in the tape width direction. On the top of the suction arm 220 there are formed in order from the front (on a side of tape cartridge setting chamber 21) a sponge chamber 223 for receiving the blotting sponge pad 228, a first suction table 224 and a second suction table 225 which are on the same level and separate from each other in a longitudinal direction by a sponge seat 226 in the shape of a dent. These first suction table 224 and second suction table 225 serve as tape holding means.

The sponge chamber 223 receives the blotting sponge pad 228 therein and is supplied with sticking alcohol such as alcohol including methanol, ethanol, isopropanol (IPA), etc. so that the blotting sponge pad 228 is regularly instilled with an adequate quantity of sticking alcohol. The first suction table 224 has a number of air orifices H1 in communication with a common air passage (not shown) formed in the carrier arm 22 which is connected to and unconnected from an external air compressor and a vacuum pump (not shown) through a conduit tube having a selector solenoid valve. Therefore, the first suction table 224 can suck and grasp the magnetic tape strip MT with vacuum thereon. Similarly, the second suction table 225 has a number of air orifices H2 in communication with a common air passage (not shown) formed in the carrier arm 22 which is connected to and unconnected from a vacuum pump (not shown) through a conduit tube having a solenoid valve. Therefore, the second suction table 225 can suck and grasp the magnetic tape strip MT with vacuum thereon. The sponge seat 226 is formed in the shape of dent by a bottom wall 226a and front and rear tapered walls 226b continuing to the first and second suction tables 224 and 225, respectively. In the case where the magnetic tape strip MT has a width of 12.65 mm (112 inch), the sponge seat 226 is cut to a width A less than 11 mm, a length B greater than 19 mm and a depth C greater than 0.5 mm. In order to avoid interference of the tape carrier 22 with flanges 4 of tape reels 1, the sponge seat 226 should have a width A less than the magnetic tape strip MT. Further, the sponge seat 226 having a width less than 11 mm and a length B greater than 19 mm prevents the front and rear tapered walls 226b from interfering with the reel hub 2 when the bottom wall 226a is brought into contact with the reel hub 2. A sponge pad 227, that is tapered so as to fit the front and rear tapered walls 226b, is stuck on the sponge seat 226 by set screws V, or otherwise may be secured by a double-sides adhesive tape or an adhesive. The sponge pad 227 is brought into crimping on the reel hub 2 of a tape reel 1 to force the magnetic tape strip MT against the reel hub 2 of a tape reel 1 when the tape carrier 22 is moved upward. Using the sponge pad 227 for forcing the magnetic tape strip MT against the reel hub 2 is contributive to that alcohol applied to the reel hub 2 by the blotting sponge pad 228 gets more intimate with the magnetic tape strip MT and that the magnetic tape strip MT is forced to acclimate the shape of the reel hub 2. In this instance, since the suction arm 220 is nothing but provided with the air orifices HI and H2 and the common air passages only, the tape carrier 22 can be made compact in overall size according to the egress/ingress opening 11c of the cartridge case 11.

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, the driving device 24 for moving the tape carrier 22 comprises a pair of reverse L-shaped base supports 245 mounted on the panel 100, a pair of guide rails 243 horizontally held by brackets 244 secured to the base supports 245, respectively, a slide table 242 supported for slide movement by the guide rails 243, a L-shaped mounting 241 sticked to the slide table 242, an air slide table 252 supported for slide movement by the mounting table 241 and having a vertically movable head 253, and a reverse L-shaped table 251 secured to the movable head 253 and supporting a mounting 261 forming a part of the position adjustment device 26 thereon. The mounting 261 is movable in the tape width direction (a direction perpendicular to the panel 100 in this embodiment) on the reverse L-shaped table 251 and mounts the tape carrier 22 thereon. Therefore, the tape carrier 22 is moved vertically and horizontally by the driving device 24 and in the tape width direction (a direction perpendicular to the panel 100) by the position adjustment device 26.

The position adjustment device 26 comprises a pair of tails 268 which is mounted at their opposite ends on brackets 267 secured to the reverse L-shaped table 251 and supports the mounting 261 for slide movement in the tape width direction, and an adjustment screw rod 265 connected to a rotary shaft 263 of a pulse motor 262 through a coupling 264. The adjustment screw rod 265 extends loosely passing through a bore 261a of the mounting 261 and screwed into threaded openings formed in tie boards 266 stickedly attached to opposite side surfaces of the mounting 261. The pulse motor 262 is connected to a controller 27 (see FIG. 11). The mounting 262 linearly moves in one direction following rotation of the pulse motor 262 in one direction and in another direction following rotation of the pulse motor 262 in another direction, so as thereby to cause an adjustment shift of the tape carrier 22 in the tape width direction.

FIG. 7 shows the side edge detection device 23 for detecting a side edge of the magnetic tape strip MT sucked and grasped by the tape carrier 22 in detail. As shown, the side edge detection device 23, that is one of transmission optical sensors, comprises a light source unit 231 and a photo acceptance unit 232 disposed on opposite sides of a traveling path of one side edge of the magnetic tape strip MT traveling closely to the panel 100, respectively. The light source unit 231 comprises a light source 231a and a condenser lens 231b for gathering light from the light source 231a. The photo acceptance unit 232 comprises a photosensor element 232a and a focusing lens 232b for focusing an optical image including a side edge of the magnetic tape strip MT on the photosensor element 232a and providing an electric signal for the controller 27. In this embodiment, the light source 231a may take any one of known types including a tungsten lamp, a light emitting diode, a laser diode and the like. The photosensor element 232a may take any one of known photo sensors including one-dimensional image pickup element such as CCD sensor, a CMOS sensor and the like as well as a photo sensors such as a photo diode, a photo transistor and the like.

FIG. 8 shows the cutting device 70 for sucking and grasping a magnetic tape strip MT with vacuum and cutting it in detail. As shown, the cutting device 70, that is disposed in close proximity to a traveling path of a magnetic tape strip MT (see FIG. 2), comprises a front suction table 71 and a rear suction table 72 arranged in a straight line with a small clearance therebetween, and a cutter blade CT which is disposed immediately below the clearance between the suction tables 71 and 72. Each suction table 71, 72 has a number of air orifices H3 or H4 extending from the bottom and being in communication with a common air passage (not shown) which is formed in the suction table 71, 72 and connected to an external vacuum pump (not shown) through a conduit tube having a selector solenoid valve so as to suck or release a magnetic tape strip MT. The cutter blade CT is movable up and down to cut off and split the magnetic tape strip MT sucked and grasped by the suction tables 71 and 72.

In operation of the tape winding apparatus 100 thus configured, as shown in FIG. 2, while the tape feeder 30 is activated to feed a magnetic tape strip MT from one of the tape reels R1 and R2, the cartridge feeder 80 feeds an empty tape cartridge 10 into the cartridge setting chamber 21. The empty tape cartridge 10 is set in the cartridge setting chamber 21 so as to permit the tape reel 1 to be rotated. The magnetic tape strip MT travels in its given traveling path defined by a number of guide rollers G to the tape end sticking apparatus 20, comprising the cartridge setting chamber 21, the tape carrier 22, the side edge detection device 23 and the position adjustment device 26, via the polishing device 40, the cleaning devices 50 and the tension control device 60. When a leading end portion of the magnetic tape strip MT reaches the tape end sticking apparatus 20, the vacuum pump is activated to cause the tape carrier 22 to suck and grasp the leading end portion of the magnetic tape strip MT and then the pulse motor is activated to move the tape carrier 22 forward to the cartridge setting chamber 21 until the leading end portion of the magnetic tape strip MT reaches the interior of the empty tape cartridge 10 in the cartridge setting chamber 21 via the side edge detection device 23 and the position adjustment device 26. At this time, the tape carrier 22 forces the blotting sponge pad 228 with the alcohol instilled therein against the reel hub 2 so as thereby to apply alcohol to the reel hub 2 and to stick the leading end portion of the magnetic tape strip MT on the reel hub 2 as will be described in mare detail later. Subsequently, the tape reel 1 is rotated at a high and varying speed by a driving mechanism (not shown) incorporated in the cartridge setting chamber 21 to wind the magnetic tape strip MT onto the reel hub 2. Specifically, the tape reel 1 is driven at a rotational speed which is gradually increased at the beginning of tape winding, maintained at a predetermined speed for a predetermined period of time after the predetermined speed is reached, and, subsequently, gradually decreased on the basis of prediction of a necessary time for completion of winding a given length of magnetic tape strip MT so that the tape reel 1 stops at the completion of winding a given length of the magnetic tape strip MT.

When completing winding of a given length of magnetic tape strip MT, the cutting device 70 is activated to move the cutting blade CT upward between the front and rear suction tables 71 and 72, thereby cutting off the magnetic tape strip MT on the front and rear suction tables 71 and 72. Thereafter, a leader tape strip L is connected to the magnetic tape strip MT wound on the reel hub 2 by means of a splicing strip S, and a leader pin 5 is attached to the free end of the leader tape strip L (see FIG. 12). These splicing and pin-attaching may be automatically performed. The automatic device is known in various forms and may take any form well known in the art. In this manner, a magnetic tape cartridge 10 is completed. The completed magnetic tape cartridge 10 is released in the cartridge setting chamber 21 and ejected out from the cartridge setting chamber 21.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show the step of adjusting a leading end portion of magnetic tape strip MT in the tape width direction and the step of sticking the leading end portion of magnetic tape strip MT, respectively. Where a given length of magnetic tape strip MT is completely wound on the reel hub 2 as shown in FIG. 9A, the tape carrier 22 is positioned in its rest position. The cutting device 70 activates the vacuum pump to deaerate the front and rear suction tables 71 and 72, thereby causing the front and rear suction tables 71 and 72 to suck and grasp a portion of the magnetic tape strip MT staying thereon with vacuum and then moves the cutter blade CT upward to cut off the magnetic tape strip M wound on the reel hub 2. Thereafter, the cutting device 70 discontinues deaeration of the rear suction table 72, thereby releasing one end portion of magnetic tape strip MT which is a leading portion of the magnetic tape strip MT of the tape cartridge 10. As was previously described, a splicing strip S with a leader pin 5 sticked thereto is connected to the fire end of the magnetic tape strip MT. Thus, the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is completed.

On the other hand, another end portion of magnetic tape strip MT1 remains sucked by the front suction table 71. This state is an initial condition of the beginning of magnetic tape winding for another tape cartridge. As shown in FIG. 9B, while the cartridge feeder 80 feeds another empty tape cartridge 10 into the cartridge setting chamber 21, the tape carrier 22 is activated to move to a position where the suction arm 220 faces the front suction table 71. Then, while the cutting device 70 discontinues deaeration of the front suction table 71, the tape carrier 22 activates the vacuum pump to deaerate the first and second suction tables 224 and 225, thereby sucking and grasping the end portion of magnetic tape strip MT1 released from the front suction table 71. At this moment, it is possible that the released end portion of the magnetic tape strip MT shifts laterally in the tape width direction.

As shown in FIG. 9C, when sucking and grasping the end portion of magnetic tape strip MT1, the tape carrier 22 moves towards the cartridge setting chamber 21 in which an empty tape cartridge is received and rotatably held. During the movement of the tape carrier 22, the side edge detection device 23 picks up an image including a side edge of the end portion of magnetic tape strip MT1. The controller 27 determines a position in the tape width direction of the end portion of magnetic tape strip MT1 on the basis of an image signal provided from the side edge detection device 23 and causes the pulse motor 262 of the position adjustment device 26 so as to shift the mounting 261 until the tape carrier 22 moves in the tape width direction to cancel a lateral shift of the end portion of magnetic tape strip MT1. This position adjustment is finished before the tape carrier 22 reaches the empty tape cartridge 10 set in the cartridge setting chamber 21. Although movement of the tape carrier 22 may be interrupted while the position adjustment is made, it is preferred to perform the position adjustment while the tape carrier 22 moves towards the cartridge setting chamber 21 from the viewpoint of time saving.

After the position adjustment, the tape carrier 22 enters the cartridge setting chamber 21 for sticking the end portion of magnetic tape strip MT1 on a hub 2 of the empty tape cartridge 10.

FIGS. 10A through 10E show a process of tape end sticking. As shown in FIG. 10A, the tape carrier 22 moves the suction ann 220 with the approaches the magnetic tape strip MT adjusted in lateral position in the tape width direction in the step shown in FIG. 9C so that the suction ann 220 approaches the cartridge setting chamber 21. Then, as shown in FIG. 10B, the tape carrier 22 further moves the suction arm 220 horizontally until the blotting sponge pad 228 is brought into contact with the reel hub 2 of the tape reel 1 of the empty tape cartridge 10 for application of an adequate quantity of alcohol to the reel hub 2. Then, as shown in FIG. 10C, the ape carrier 22 further moves the suction ann 220 horizontally until the sponge pad 227 is positioned below the reel hub 2. While rotating the tape reel 1, the tape carrier 22 then moves the suction arm 220 vertically upward so as to force the sponge pad 227 against the reel hub 2 of the tape reel 1 as shown in FIG. 10D. As apparent from an enlarged view of the reel hub 2 and parts around the reel hub 2 shown in FIG. 10E, the alcohol applied to the reel hub 2 gets intimate well with the magnetic tape strip MT and that the magnetic tape strip MT is forced to acclimate the shape of the reel hub 2. Furthermore, while the ape carrier 22 continues deaeration of the second suction table 225, the ape carrier 22 discontinues deaeration of the first suction table 224 of the suction arm 220 and causes the compressor to supply compressed air through the air orifices H1 so as thereby to blow up the end portion of magnetic tape strip MT. In consequence, the end portion of magnetic tape strip MT is stuck firmly on the reel hub 2. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 10F, while the ape carrier 22 moves the suction arm 220 a little downward and then moved back it horizontally to the initial position shown in FIG. 10A, the tape cartridge 10 is turned through a predetermined angle to wind the end portion of magnetic tape strip MT1 on the reel hub 2 of the tape reel 1 set in the cartridge setting chamber 21. In this instance, in place of applying alcohol to the reel hub 2, it is permitted to apply alcohol to the end portion of magnetic tape strip MT1. In this alteration, separate liquid application means having an alcohol instilled blotting sponge pad is arranged between the cutting device 70 and the cartridge setting chamber 21 so as to bring the alcohol instilled blotting sponge pad into contact with an end portion of magnetic tape strip MT1 staying on the suction arm 220 of the tape carrier 22. In this case, the liquid application step may be performed after the tape carrier 22 sucks and grasps the end portion of magnetic tape strip MT1 with vacuum and before it enters the cartridge setting chamber 21.

FIG. 11 shows details of position adjustment by the position adjustment device 26. As was previously described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, the slide table 242 supported by the parallel guide rails 243 is moved horizontally in opposite directions by a drive mechanism comprising at least an air cylinder and a linear motor (not shown). Further, the slide table 242 has the L-shaped mounting 241 fixedly provided with the air slide table 252 movable vertically up and down on which the movable head 253 is mounted. The reverse L-shaped table 251 is secured to the movable head 253. Therefore, the reverse L-shaped table 251 moves vertically following vertical movement of the air slide table 252. The position adjustment device 26 mounted on the reverse L-shaped table 251. The position adjustment device 26 on which the tape carrier 22 is mounted has the mounting 261 which is mounted for slide movement on a pair of rails 268 and movably connected to pulse motor 262 by way of the adjustment screw rod 265. Therefore, the tape carrier 22 is moved along the rails 268 in the tape width direction X by a distance equal to one pitch of the adjustment screw rod 265 every one revolution of the pulse motor 262.

In the state shown in FIG. 11, the tape carrier 22 is halfway through movement to the cartridge setting chamber 21 and an end portion of magnetic tape strip MT is just about being detected by the side edge detection device 23. Since light emanating from the light source unit 231 is partly blocked by the magnetic tape strip MT, the light intensity that the photosensor element 232a of the acceptance unit 232 detects varies, increases or decreases, according to a position in the tape width direction X of a side edge of the magnetic tape strip MT. Accordingly, a position in the tape width direction X of the side edge of the magnetic tape strip MT is found on the basis of the light intensity detected by the photosensor element 232a. Specifically, the photo acceptance unit 232 provides for the controller 27 an electric output representative of the detected intensity. The controller 27 determines an edge position Xl of the magnetic tape strip M from a relationship of sensor intensity to edge position which is stored in the form of position map. In the case where a one-dimensional image pickup element, e.g. a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor, is employed for the photosensor element 323a, the image sensor picks up an image including a side edge of the magnetic tape strip MT and provides for the controller image signals of the image. The controller 27 analyzes the image in a well known manner to determine an edge position X1. In this instance, it is possible to determine an edge position X1 by detecting a terminator (a boundary between light and shade) which appears due to blocking of light from the light source unit 231 by the magnetic tape strip MT.

The position map stored in the controller 27 includes a reference edge position Xo which indicates an edge position when the magnetic tape strip MT0 is in a predetermined position in the tape width direction X relative to the reel hub 2. The controller 27 calculates a deviation ΔX of a detected edge position X1 from the reference edge position Xo from the position map and provides pulses according to the deviation ΔX so as to cause operate the pulse motor 262 to turn the adjustment screw rod 265, thereby shifting the mounting 261, and hence the tape carrier 22, in the tape width direction X so as to shift the tape edge of the magnetic tape strip MT from the position X1 to the reference position Xo. For example, when the mounting 261 is shifted 1 μm every turn of the pulse motor 262 per one pulse, 100 pulses are required in order to shift the mounting 261 0.1 mm. A shift direction of the mounting 261 is changed by reversing a direction of current flow to the pulse motor.

As just described above, the tape winding apparatus 100 equipped with the tape end sticking apparatus 20 is capable of aligning centers in the tape width direction of a tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MT and a reel hub 2 of a tape reel 1 with each other when sticking tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MT on the reel hub. In consequence, the tape winding apparatus 100 equipped with the tape end sticking apparatus 20 prevents an occurrence of a radial winding irregularity in a roll of magnetic tape strip wound onto a tape reel and, as a result produces magnetic tape cartridges at a high yield rate.

Although, in the above embodiment, the magnetic tape strip is directly stuck on the reel hub of a tape reel, it is permitted to attach a splicing tape previously connected to a cutoff end of the magnetic tape strip to the reel hub of the reel.

It is also to be understood that although the present invention has been described with regard to preferred embodiments thereof various other embodiments and variants may occur to those skilled in the art, which are within the scope and spirit of the invention, and such other embodiments and variants are intended to be covered by the following claims.

Claims

1. A tape end sticking apparatus for sticking a tap end of a tape strip on a reel hub of a tape reel installed in a cartridge case having an egress/ingress opening before winding said tape strip onto said reel hub, said tape end sticking apparatus comprising:

cartridge case setting means for supporting said tape cartridge in a predetermined position so as to permit rotation of said tape reel;

tape carrier means movable into and out from an interior of said tape cartridge through said egress/ingress opening for grasping a tape end portion of said tape strip and bringing said tape end portion into a position where said tape end portion is placed adjacently to said reel hub;

liquid applying means for applying a sticking liquid to said reel hub and/or said tape end portion on the way of movement of said tape carrier means toward said tape cartridge;

side edge detection means for detecting a position in a tape width-direction of a side edge of said tape strip on the way of movement of said tape carrier means toward said tape cartridge; and

position adjustment means for adjusting said tape carrier means in said tape width direction relative to said reel hub according to said position in said tape width direction of said side edge of said tape strip before said tape carrier means reaches said reel hub.

2. A tape end sticking apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said position adjusting means adjust said tape carrier means according to a deviation of said position in said tape width direction of said side edge of said tape strip detected by said side edge detection means from a predetermined reference position.

3. A tape winding apparatus for winding a tape strip onto a reel hub of a tape reel installed in a cartridge case having an egress/ingress opening, said tape winding apparatus comprising:

a tape end sticking apparatus for sticking a tap end of said tape strip on said reel hub; and

winding means for rotating said tape reel so as thereby to wind said tape strip onto said reel hub;

wherein said tape end sticking apparatus comprising:

cartridge case setting means for supporting said tape cartridge in a predetermined position so as to permit rotation of said tape reel;

tape carrier means movable into and out from an interior of said tape cartridge through said egress/ingress opening for grasping a tape end portion of said tape strip and bringing said tape end portion into a position where said tape end portion is placed adjacently to said reel hub;

liquid applying means for applying a sticking liquid to said reel hub and/or said tape end portion on the way of movement of said tape carrier means toward said tape cartridge;

side edge detection means for detecting a position in a tape width direction of a side edge of said tape strip on the way of movement of said tape carrier means toward said tape cartridge; and position adjustment means for adjusting said tape carrier means in said tape width direction relative to said reel hub according to said position in said tape width direction of said side edge of said tape strip before movement of said tape carrier means to said reel hub.

4. A tape winding apparatus as define in claim 3, wherein said position adjusting means adjust said tape carrier means according to a deviation of said position in said tape width direction of said side edge of said tape strip detected by said side edge detection means from a predetermined reference position.

5. A tape end sticking method for sticking a tap end of a tape strip on a reel hub of a tape reel installed in a cartridge case having an egress/ingress opening before winding said tape strip onto said reel hub, said tape end sticking method comprising the steps of:

grasping a tape end portion of said tape strip by tape carrier means which is movable into and out from an interior of said tape cartridge through said egress/ingress opening;

applying a sticking liquid to said reel hub and/or said tape end portion grasped by said tape end carrier means on the way of movement of said tape carrier means to said tape cartridge;

adjusting said tape carrier means in a direction of tape width according to a position of a side edge of said tape end portion in said direction of tape width relative to said reel hub during movement of said tape carrier means toward said tape cartridge; and

moving said tape carrier means into said tape cartridge so as to position said tape end portion adjacently to said reel hub; and

releasing said tape end potion from said tape carrier means and bringing said tape end potion into contact with said reel hub after movement of said tape carrier means to a position where said tape end portion is placed adjacently to said reel hub so as thereby to stick said tape end portion on said reel hub with said sticking liquid.

6. A tape end sticking method as defined in claim 5, further comprising the step of detecting a deviation of said side edge of said tape end portion in said direction of tape width from a predetermined position of side edge during movement of said tape carrier toward said tape reel according to which said tape carrier is adjusted.

7. A tape winding method for winding a tape strip onto a reel hub of a tape reel installed in a cartridge case having an egress/ingress opening, said tape strip winding method comprising the steps of:

sticking a tap end portion of said tape strip on said reel hub; and

rotating said tape reel to wind said tape strip on said reel hub of;

wherein said sticking step comprises:

supporting said tape cartridge so that said tape reel is permitted to rotate;

grasping a tape end portion of said tape strip by a tape carrier movable into said tape cartridge through said egress/ingress opening of said tape cartridge;

moving said tale end carrier into said tape cartridge to a position adjacent to said tape reel;

applying a sticking liquid to said reel hub and/or said tape end portion grasped by said tale end carrier before said tape carrier passes through said egress/ingress opening of said tape cartridge;

adjusting said tape carrier in a direction of tape width according to a position of a side edge of said tape end portion in said direction of tape width relative to said reel hub during movement of said tape carrier toward said tape reel; and

bringing said tape end potion into contact with said reel hub after releasing said tape end potion from said tape carrier so as thereby to stick said tape end portion on said reel hub with said sticking liquid.

8. A tape winding method as defined in claim 7, further comprising the step of detecting a deviation of said side edge of said tape end portion in said direction of tape width from a predetermined position of side edge during movement of said tape carrier toward said tape reel according to which said tape carrier is adjusted.