Abstract: There is provided a tape cartridge capable of reliably preventing tight adhesion of a magnetic tape to the back side of a front plate portion of a front cover. A regulation body for preventing adhesion of the tape to the back side of the front plate portion of the front cover is integrally provided in a protruding manner in the region including a tape loading pocket on the front face of a main case. The regulation body includes a plurality of kinds of ribs different in protruding size from the back side. The top end of each rib is convex-curved to have a circular arc cross section. A plurality of kinds of the ribs are disposed in horizontal direction at intervals.

Abstract: A cartridge for operatively housing a recording/playback medium comprising a first spool and a second spool located at offset positions inside a cartridge shell body; a recording/playback medium of a fixed width and length wound around the first and second spools; and a plurality of slant tape guides positioned between the first and second spools for guiding the recording/playback medium and for creating a helical scan tape wrap angle in connection with a plurality of main tape guides, the plurality of main tape guides being positioned between the first and second spools. The cartridge shell body comprises a plurality of pull out arm assemblies serving as enclosure doors for a bottom surface of the cartridge shell body, the pull out arm assemblies further serving as semicircular side walls of the cartridge shell body; a top plate; and opposing end plates formed perpendicular to the pull out arm assemblies and the top plate.

Abstract: An information medium includes: a tape reel around which a magnetic tape is wound; a case body that encloses the tape reel; a lid, including a support plate that is pivotally attached to the case body, that opens and closes a withdrawal opening; and a coil spring disposed between the case body and the lid in a state where a first arm portion of the coil spring engages a top plate of the case body and a second arm portion of the coil spring has engaged the lid, the coil spring energizing the lid in a direction of pivotal movement so as to close the withdrawal opening. The coil spring is formed so that the first arm portion is linear, and when the coil spring has been disposed, an end of the first arm portion protrudes from a withdrawal opening-side edge of the top plate.

Abstract: A recording medium cartridge including a case with two main surfaces which are disposed substantially parallel to each other and side surfaces which connect the main surfaces. An opening is provided on one of the side surfaces which is disposed toward a direction in which the recording medium cartridge is loaded into the drive device. A through hole is provided on one of the main surfaces. A cover member opens and closes the opening and is urged in a closing direction in which the cover member closes the opening. A cam member is mounted on the cover member. When the recording medium cartridge is loaded into the drive device, an engagement pin disposed at the drive device passes through the through hole to move the cover member in an opening direction.

Abstract: A tape cartridge, for use with a tape drive having an actuation member, includes a cartridge body that is insertable into the tape drive and a door movably associated with the cartridge body. The door is engageable with the actuation member when the cartridge body is inserted into the tape drive, and is movable between a closed position and an open position upon engagement with the actuation member. Furthermore, the door includes a retainer that is enageable with the actuation member when the door is in the open position to facilitate retention of the cartridge body in the tape drive.

Abstract: At both sides of an opening of a cassette case, there are formed tape guides having guide faces, and a magnetic tape is stretched between the guide faces. First and second cam grooves for guiding an open/close lid which covers the stretched magnetic tape are provided at opposite sides of the cassette case so as to guide first and second slide pins projected from opposite sides of the open/close lid. A biasing member is provided near one of the cam grooves for urging the open/close lid in a closing direction. A gap between an inner face of a curved portion of one of the first cam groove and an outer peripheral face of the first slide pin is different from a gap between an inner face of the curved portion of the second cam groove and the outer peripheral face of the second slide pin.

Abstract: A single-reel magnetic tape cartridge has a cartridge casing and a single reel around which a magnetic tape is wound and which is contained in the cartridge casing for rotation, in which the magnetic tape is fixed at the leading edge thereof to a leader pin employed for extracting the magnetic tape from the cartridge and the flanges at the upper and lower ends of the leader pin are engaged by the lateral drawing force of a latch spring removably held in the tape cartridge casing. Even for cases in which there is a deviation in the insertion position in which leader pin is inserted by the record and playback apparatus, etc. causing the entry path of the leader pin into the cartridge casing to be off track, etc., it is still possible for the leader pin to be inserted into the cartridge casing.

Abstract: A recording tape cartridge disclosed with an increased strength leads to a compact drive device. A rectangular case of the recording tape cartridge accommodates a single reel on which a recording tape is wound. An opening for pulling out a leader member attached to an end of the recording tape is formed in a corner disposed closest to the drive device among corners of the case at the time of insertion into the drive device. The recording tape cartridge includes a shield slidable to open and close the opening, a guide wall for guiding the shield, and a friction-reducing device protruding from the shield. The guide wall is provided along an inner surface of the case. The friction-reducing device abuts the guide surface of the guide wall in order to reduce friction between the shield and the guide surface.

Abstract: At both sides of an opening of a cassette case, there are formed tape guides having guide faces, and a magnetic tape is stretched between the guide faces. On back faces of the guide faces of the tape guides, are formed cam grooves for guiding an open/close lid which covers the stretched magnetic tape. The open/close lid includes an inner lid provided with slide pins projected from both ends thereof and adapted to be slidably engaged with the cam grooves. An upper cassette half includes position regulating member adapted to be abutted by the slide pins in a state where said open/close lid is fully opened.

Abstract: At both sides of a an opening of cassette case, there are formed tape guides having guide faces, and a magnetic tape is stretched between the guide faces. On back faces of the guide faces of the tape guides, are formed cam grooves for guiding an open/close lid which covers the stretched magnetic tape. The open/close lid includes an inner lid adapted to cover a back face of the magnetic tape. The inner lid is provided with slide pins projected from both ends thereof and adapted to be slidably engaged with the cam grooves. An upper cassette half is provided with cam covers at a front edge thereof projected forward so as to be positioned above the cam grooves for the inner lid, wherein protrusions are provided at inner base parts of the cam covers.

Abstract: A shutter mechanism is provided at an access opening in a portable data storage cartridge. Clamshell shutters meet at a common junction in the access opening. Actuation paddles positioned at the clamshell shutters are arranged to, when engaged by actuation pins, pivot the respective clamshell shutters in opposite directions away from the common junction, to expose the access opening. The clamshell shutters are mounted such that, when pivoted away from the common junction, each clamshell shutter remains within the cartridge housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tape cassette including a cassette shell in which two tape reels are rotatably contained; a front lid, turnably supported by the cassette shell, for opening/closing the front side of a tape-like recording medium crossing a front portion of a mouth portion provided in a front portion of the cassette shell in such a manner as to be opened forwardly, upwardly, and downwardly; and a lid lock member for locking the front lid in the closed state to the cassette shell, wherein the locking of the front lid by the lid lock member is released when the tape cassette is mounted in a tape drive apparatus; the lid lock member is biased in the locking direction by biasing means; and the lid lock member is engaged with and held by a tape cassette side member in the unlocking state. With this configuration, the mounting state of the tape cassette in a tape drive apparatus can be stabilized and also the size and weight of the tape drive apparatus can be reduced.

Abstract: At both sides of an opening (14) of a cassette case (10a), there are formed tape guides (18) having guide faces (18a), and a magnetic tape (T) is stretched between the guide faces (18a). On back faces (18b) of the guide faces (18a) of the tape guides (18), are formed cam grooves (26) for guiding an open/close lid (320) which covers the stretched magnetic tape (T). In lower parts of the back faces (18b) and backward of the cam grooves (26), there are formed projections (28) provided with position detecting holes (28a). Molding sink preventive recesses are formed only at positions on the back faces (18b) forward of the cam grooves (26) and above the projections (28).

Abstract: At both sides of an opening (14) of a cassette case (10a), there are formed tape guides (18) having guide faces (18a), and a magnetic tape (T) is stretched between the guide faces (18a). On back faces (18b) of the guide faces (18a) of the tape guides (18), are formed cam grooves (26) for guiding an open/close lid (320) which covers the stretched magnetic tape (T). In lower parts of the back faces (18b) and backward of the cam grooves (26), there are formed projections (28) provided with position detecting holes (28a). Molding sink preventive recesses are formed only at positions on the back faces (18b) forward of the cam grooves (26) and above the projections (28).

Abstract: The cassette half molding method molds one of upper and lower halves of the magnetic tape cassette by injection molding with an injection mold in which a gas vent pin for smoothing a flow of molten resin to be introduced in the cavity for molding a transparent or semitransparent window portion provided in the upper half. The cassette half is molded by this molding method. The magnetic tape cassette has a friction sheet interposed either between a pair of take-up hubs and the upper half, or between the pair of take-up hubs and the lower half, or both, and the friction sheet is made of polyethylene-based resin and has a surface electric resistance value in the range of 1×107 &OHgr; to 1×1010 &OHgr;. The magnetic tape cassette has a rib for reducing a resistance when the roller of the detecting member passes through which is provided at a position corresponding to a recess and on a side of the front lid in the top surface of the body case.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge includes a cartridge casing formed by upper and lower casing halves and a single reel around which a magnetic tape is wound and which is contained in the cartridge casing for rotation. A slide door for opening and closing a tape outlet opening is mounted on the cartridge casing to be linearly slidable along a door passage between a closing position where it closes the tape outlet opening and an opening position where it opens the tape outlet opening. A door spring for urging the slide door toward the closing position and holding the same in the closing position is disposed on the door passage.

Abstract: A tape cassette, in which a mouth portion opened forward, upward, and downward is provided in a front portion of a cassette shell containing tape reels around which a tape-like magnetic recording medium is wound, and part of the tape-like recording medium is positioned so as to cross the front end of the mouth portion, includes a front lid positioned on the front side of part of the tape-like recording medium positioned so as to cross the front end of the mouth portion; a slider movable forward and rearward, the slider being provided on the cassette shell; and a back lid positioned on the rear side of part of the tape-like recording medium positioned so as to cross the front end of the mouth portion, the back lid being separated rearward from the tape-like recording medium along with rearward movement of the slider. The tape cassette is characterized in that the back lid is supported on the slider, and each of the slider and the back lid is made from a good conductor, for example, stainless steel.

Abstract: A releasing/hooking force meter of a leader pin of a magnetic tape cartridge is provided which measures the releasing/hooking force of the leader pin by carrying out a releasing/hooking test. The releasing/hooking force meter includes a first moving part having a gauge head to be engaged with the leader pin; a translation guide for guiding the gauge head in the releasing-and-hooking directions of the leader pin; a second moving part to be connected to the first moving part through a joint; a driving device for achieving the advancing-and-backing movement of the second moving part along the releasing-and-hooking directions of the leader pin; and a compressive tensile load meter for measuring a compressive tensile load added to the joint.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tape cassette which is loaded in a tape drive apparatus by a manner of inserting the tape cassette in a cassette holder and then moving the cassette holder relative to a main chassis of the tape drive apparatus. The tape cassette includes a mouth portion provided in a front portion of a cassette shell in such a manner as to be opened forward, upward, and downward. Part of a magnetic tape (tape-like recording medium) is positioned to cross the front end of the mouth portion. The tape cassette also includes a front lid for covering the front side of the magnetic tape. The front lid is opened when the tape cassette is inserted in the cassette holder. This tape cassette is characterized by including two side butting portions and two upper butting portions which are brought into contact with two side receiving portions and two upper receiving portions of the cassette holder when the tape cassette is inserted in the cassette holder.

Abstract: A method to control the inside environment of a cartridge is disclosed. The method includes providing a cartridge having a first chamber for the data storage media and a second chamber for material to control contaminants inside the cartridge. A selectively openable structure permits communication of the air within the first chamber to the material in the second chamber to decontaminate the first chamber.

Abstract: In a tape cassette 10 in which a mouth portion 21 opened in forward and up-and-down directions is provided at the front portion of a cassette shell 20 accommodating therein tape reels 40 and 50 having a magnetic tape 30 wound therearound, a part of the magnetic tape is located so as to traverse the front end of the mouth portion, and a front lid 60 for covering the front side of the magnetic tape is provided, a slider 80 is provided so as to be freely movable forwardly and downwardly, each side surface portion of the slider along the side surface of the front lid has a lid-support portion 83 at the front-end portion thereof and a main-surface portion 82 located so as to be farther outward than the lid-support portion, the front lid has a front-surface portion 61 covering the front surface of the tape-shaped recording medium, and side-surface portions 62 projecting backwardly from both the ends of said front surface portion, the side surface portions being freely-rotatably supported to the lid-support portion

Abstract: An environmentally controlled cartridge and method for protecting data storage media from disallowed humidity levels and contaminants. The cartridge has a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is operative to contain the data storage media and is openable to the ambient environment to provide drive access to the media. A charged desiccant is disposed in communication with the second chamber and may further include a pollutant getter. The second chamber is in selective communication with the first chamber.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge includes a cartridge casing formed by upper and lower casing halves and a single reel around which a magnetic tape is wound and which is contained in the cartridge casing for rotation. A slide door for opening and closing a tape outlet opening is mounted on the cartridge casing to be linearly slidable along a door passage between a closing position where it closes the tape outlet opening and an opening position where it opens the tape outlet opening. A door spring for urging the slide door toward the closing position and holding the same in the closing position is disposed on the door passage.

Abstract: A tape cassette comprising a tape reel around which a tape-shaped recording medium is wound, a cassette shell in which the tape-shaped recording medium is accommodated, a mouth portion which is opened forwardly, upwardly and downwardly at the front portion of the cassette shell, a part of the tape-shaped recording medium being disposed so as to traverse the front end of said mouth portion, and a front lid which covers the front side of the tape-shaped recording medium and is moved backward when the lid is opened to made the front side of the tape-shaped recording medium open, thereby making the upper side of the mouth portion open.

Abstract: In a tape cassette having a slider which is freely forward and backward movably provided to a cassette shell in which a tape reel having a tape-shaped recording medium wound therearound is accommodated, the cassette shell comprises an upper shell constituting substantially the upper side portion thereof and a lower shell constituting substantially the lower side portion thereof, and the upper shell and the lower shell are temporarily coupled to each other through the slider by butting the lower shell and the upper shell against each other after the upper shell and the slider are coupled to each other and moving the slider, and then the upper shell and the lower shell are really coupled to each other.

Abstract: A tape cassette having a case body including an upper case and a lower case, a recessed portion formed on the side of a lower surface of the case body, and a slider so provided in the case body as to be slidable for opening and closing the recessed portion, is disclosed. The tape cassette further has a lock member positioned at an opening of the lower case to lock the slider in respective positions where the recessed portion is closed and opened, and a biasing member, supported at its two side ends with the opening being interposed therebetween by an inner surface of the lower case, for biasing the slider to a lock position.

Abstract: A magnetic tap cassette 201 comprises: an open/close lid 208 which includes, as one element thereof, an outer lid 209 composed of a front lid plate 209a for covering the front surface side of magnetic tape and two side plate portion 209b respectively hanging down from the two sides of the front lid plate 209a, and also which is assembled in a freely openable and closable manner to the front surface side of a cassette main body so that, as the need arises, the magnetic tape can be covered by the open/close lid 208; and, two screwing portions 225d which are respectively formed in the front surface of an upper half and are used to screw together upper and lower halves projected up to a position adjacent to the outer lid 209. In order to be able to restrict the movement or displacement of the outer lid 209, there are provided in the outer lid 209 two ribs 208r which can be respectively contacted with the respective peripheral surfaces of the two screwing portions 225d.

Abstract: A magnetic tap cassette 201 comprises: an open/close lid 208 which includes, as one element thereof, an outer lid 209 composed of a front lid plate 209a for covering the front surface side of magnetic tape and two side plate portion 209b respectively hanging down from the two sides of the front lid plate 209a, and also which is assembled in a freely openable and closable manner to the front surface side of a cassette main body so that, as the need arises, the magnetic tape can be covered by the open/close lid 208; and, two screwing portions 225d which are respectively formed in the front surface of an upper half and are used to screw together upper and lower halves projected up to a position adjacent to the outer lid 209. In order to be able to restrict the movement or displacement of the outer lid 209, there are provided in the outer lid 209 two ribs 208r which can be respectively contacted with the respective peripheral surfaces of the two screwing portions 225d.

Abstract: A universal tape path subassembly that forms a data storage tape supply and path and fits within tape cartridge housings of varying form factors. The universal subassembly includes registration datum features and surfaces that can be made accessible externally to a tape cartridge (containing the tape path subassembly) for aligning the tape path subassembly relative to a drive unit adapted to receive the tape cartridge.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge includes a cartridge casing formed by upper and lower casing halves and a single reel around which a magnetic tape is wound and which is contained in the cartridge casing for rotation. A slide door for opening and closing a tape outlet opening is mounted on the cartridge casing to be linearly slidable along a door passage between a closing position where it closes the tape outlet opening and an opening position where it opens the tape outlet opening. A door spring for urging the slide door toward the closing position and holding the same in the closing position is disposed on the door passage.

Abstract: A tape cassette, in which a mouth portion opened forward, upward, and downward is provided in a front portion of a cassette shell containing tape reels around which a tape-like magnetic recording medium is wound, and part of the tape-like recording medium is positioned so as to cross the front end of the mouth portion, includes a front lid positioned on the front side of part of the tape-like recording medium positioned so as to cross the front end of the mouth portion; a slider movable forward and rearward, the slider being provided on the cassette shell; and a back lid positioned on the rear side of part of the tape-like recording medium positioned so as to cross the front end of the mouth portion, the back lid being separated rearward from the tape-like recording medium along with rearward movement of the slider. The tape cassette is characterized in that the back lid is supported on the slider, and each of the slider and the back lid is made from a good conductor, for example, stainless steel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tape cassette which is loaded in a tape drive apparatus by a manner of inserting the tape cassette in a cassette holder and then moving the cassette holder relative to a main chassis of the tape drive apparatus. The tape cassette includes a mouth portion provided in a front portion of a cassette shell in such a manner as to be opened forward, upward, and downward. Part of a magnetic tape (tape-like recording medium) is positioned to cross the front end of the mouth portion. The tape cassette also includes a front lid for covering the front side of the magnetic tape. The front lid is opened when the tape cassette is inserted in the cassette holder. This tape cassette is characterized by including two side butting portions and two upper butting portions which are brought into contact with two side receiving portions and two upper receiving portions of the cassette holder when the tape cassette is inserted in the cassette holder.

Abstract: In a tape cassette including a cassette shell in which a tape reel having a tape-shaped recording medium wound therearound is accommodated, and a front lid which serves to cover the front surface side of the tape-shaped recording medium exposed to the front face of the cassette shell and is provided to the cassette shell so as to be movable between a lid-closed position at which it covers the front surface side of the tape-shaped recording medium and a lid open position at which the front surface side of the tape-shaped recording medium is opened, the front lid comprises a main portion for covering the front surface side of the tape-shaped recording medium and a side surface portion projecting backward from the side edge of the main portion, and a lid lock member for locking the front lid at the lid-closed position is provided to the inner surface of the side surface portion of the front lid so as to be rotatable inside the side surface portion of the front lid.

Abstract: For a VTR cassette tape having an accommodation section for a small article, the present invention attempts to provide an efficient configuration for a cover for the small article accommodation section and to ensure that the cover can be opened and closed appropriately, thus, wherein an accommodation section 17 for a small article M is shaped like a recess and set in the top surface on a rear surface end of the cassette body 10, a cover 20 allowing the external shape of a cassette body 10 comprising an upper and a lower part to remain almost the same as the original shape encloses the accommodation section, the cover 20 being journaled into the upper part 10a of the cassette body 10 so as to open the accommodation section 17 when rotated upward, and a hook section 23 detachably hooks the cover 20 to the lower part 10b of the cassette body so as to rotate the cover 20 downward and to maintain the closed state.

Abstract: A tape cassette capable of ensuring the opening and closing of a cover member, satisfying the specification requirement of a height of a rear cover and preventing the rear cover from interfering with a tape. The tape cassette includes a cover member having a front cover for covering the front surface of the tape before the front surface of a casing when the cassette is not used, an upper cover for covering from above the tape stretched outside the casing, and a rear cover for covering the rear surface of the tape. The front cover rotates when using the cassette, and the upper cover and the rear cover move interlockingly with each other to open the front surface of the casing. A cam portion for guiding the rear cover has a first inclined portion, a second inclined portion more inclined than the first inclined portion, and a perpendicular portion more inclined than the second inclined portion.

Abstract: A tape cassette is provided with a lock member of a covering member integrally connected with a spring member having high durability and strength as well as improved workability at assembling. The tape cassette includes a covering member rotatably mounted to the housing to cover the tape member placed at a front of the housing, and a lock member provided inside the housing to lock the covering member in a closed state. The lock member is rotated together with the main body and is provided with rotation shafts pivotally supported in the housing, an engagement projection rotating around the axis between the locked position engaging with the covering member and the locked position not engaging with the covering member, biasing members for biasing the engagement projection toward the locked position, and an unlock member for shifting the engagement projection toward an unlocked position.

Abstract: A videotape cassette includes a housing made of plastic, a pair of video tape-holding spools, and a dust cover rotatably attached to said housing at a front portion thereof, where the dust cover is rotatable into an open position when placed in a videotape cassette recorder. The cassette housing is durable and weighs approximately 3.5 ounces or less, and the resultant videotape cassette is compatible with industry standard videocassette recorders. A method of direct mailing a videotape cassette as described above includes the steps of loading on a spool of the videotape cassette a selected content of video, shrink-wrapping the videotape cassette, affixing a mailing label and postage to the shrink-wrapped videotape cassette, and placing the labeled, shrink-wrapped videocassette in the mail for shipment.

Abstract: The magnetic tape cassette 20 wherein a closing lid unit 27 which covers a front side of the cassette main body 24 consists of three lid plates, an outer lid 29, a top lid 30 and an inner lid 31 has a structure wherein top ends of the inner lid guide grooves 35 open wide to an upper surface of the cassette main body 24 so that the inner lid slide pins 31c of the inner lid 31 can be fitted-in the inner lid guide grooves 35 from the upper side of the cassette main body 24. Slits 40a and 40b are provided at both ends of the top lid plate 30a of the top lid 30 so as to facilitate flexibility of the outer lid linking portions 30b and arm portions 30c to be bent outward.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge includes a cartridge casing formed by upper and lower casing halves and a single reel around which a magnetic tape is wound and which is contained in the cartridge casing for rotation. A slide door for opening and closing a tape outlet opening is mounted on the cartridge casing to be linearly slidable along a door passage between a closing position where it closes the tape outlet opening and an opening position where it opens the tape outlet opening. A door spring for urging the slide door toward the closing position and holding the same in the closing position is disposed on the door passage.