Abstract: The magnetic tape includes a non-magnetic support; and a magnetic layer in which the magnetic layer has a timing-based servo pattern, an edge shape of the timing-based servo pattern, specified by magnetic force microscopy is a shape in which a difference between a value L99.9 of a cumulative distribution function of 99.9% and a value L0.1 of a cumulative distribution function of 0.1% in a position deviation width from an ideal shape of the magnetic tape in a longitudinal direction is 180 nm or less, and a difference between a spacing Safter measured on a surface of the magnetic layer by an optical interferometry after methyl-ethyl-ketone cleaning and a spacing Sbefore measured on the surface of the magnetic layer by an optical interferometry before methyl-ethyl-ketone cleaning is greater than 0 nm and 15.0 nm or less.

Abstract: The present application discloses optical disc apparatus including: drive mechanism for rotating medium including processing surface to be subjected optical information process; housing for storing drive mechanism; tray mechanism for displacing medium between storage position, at which medium is stored in housing, and ejection position, at which medium is ejected from housing; at least one objective lens for condensing light onto processing surface of medium situated at storage position to perform information process; and first displacement mechanism for displacing at least one objective lens along processing surface between first position and second position which is more distant from rotational center of medium rotated by the drive mechanism than first position is. Tray mechanism defines at least one opening in position closer to second position than first position.

Abstract: An information recording and reproduction device comprises an optical pickup that has an objective lens and records information to a tape-form medium or reproduces information from a tape-form medium using laser light; a tape threading component that allows the tape-form medium to be arranged opposite the objective lens; a controller that detects that the tape-form medium is a cleaning tape; a movement mechanism that operates so as to bring the tape-form medium and the objective lens into contact with each other, in response to the detection by the control unit; and a first drive mechanism that plays out the tape-form medium in a state in which the tape-form medium and the objective lens are in contact with each other. The information recording and reproduction device is capable of cleaning the optical pickup even with a tape-form medium.

Abstract: A tape cartridge library that is equipped with a cleaning device is described. The tape cartridge library essentially includes a plurality of tape cartridges each possessing recording tape media. A plurality of tape drives that read and write data to and from each of the tape cartridges. A tape cleaning drive incapable of transferring data to and from the recording tape media which is independent of the tape drives, the tape cleaning drive disposed entirely within the tape cartridge library. The tape cleaning drive automatically receives one of the tape cartridges and cleans its respective recording tape medium when a predetermined reason for cleaning the tape cartridge is justified.

Abstract: An optical disk polishing device which includes: a disk holder for rotatably holding an optical disk, the disk holder installed in a lower fixed portion; a cylindrical buff disposed in parallel with the surface of the optical disk and perpendicular to a rotary shaft of the disk holder in an offset manner; a drive motor to rotate the buff; and an upper opening-and-closing portion normally urged to an open state to the lower fixed portion by a spring or other member. The device makes it possible to clean a readout surface of the optical disk in a short period of time, and to be offered at a low price owing to the simple and small-sized structure thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to high purity apparati, e.g., magnetic hard disk drives, and more specifically, to coatings for particle reduction of surfaces of such apparati. The provided coatings include thin polymer coatings with reactive pendant groups having crosslinking functionality and ability to anchor to substrate surfaces to suppress particle shedding from substrate surfaces. Provided is a substrate that includes a coating on at least a portion of the substrate that comprises a fluorinated acrylate random copolymer. Methods of reducing particulate contamination are also provided.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a disk drive device including: assembling a subassembly by fixing at least a bearing unit, a drive unit and a hub to a base member in a first clean room; cleaning the subassembly in a second clean room; and sealing the subassembly by a sealing member. The first clean room and the second clean room are communicated with each other by a communicating opening for transferring the subassembly, and an atmospheric pressure in the second clean room is equal to or higher than that in the first clean room.

Abstract: The invention relates to storing information on compact discs and can be used for cleaning a section arranged inside a device for reading information from compact discs, in particular a spindle support pad, on which compact discs are mountable. The aim of the invention is to increase the cluing efficiency of a spindle support pad for a device for reading (recording) information on compact discs. The inventive device for cleaning the support pad (1) of the spindle (2) of a device for reading information from compact discs and/or recording it thereon comprises a cleaning compact disc (4) placeable inside said device on the support pad (1) of the spindle (2) and is provided with a clamp for the cleaning compact disc (4), cleaning elements (6) being positioned on the surface of the cleaning compact disc (4) oriented towards the support pad (1) of the spindle (2). The cleaning elements (6) can be in the form of slots or in the form of brushes.

Abstract: A cleaning tape has a base tape made of a synthetic resin and a cleaning layer formed on a surface of this base tape. The cleaning layer has a binding agent and a large number of spherical particles dispersed in the binding agent in a single particle layer. Such a cleaning tape is capable of removing very small unwanted protrusions and particles on the surface of a target object such as a magnetic hard disk without forming scratches.

Abstract: An optical disk polishing device which includes: a disk holder for rotatably holding an optical disk 11, the disk holder installed in a lower fixed portion 10; a cylindrical buff disposed in parallel with the surface of the optical disk 11 and perpendicular to a rotary shaft of the disk holder in an offset manner; a drive motor to rotate the buff 21; and an upper opening-and-closing portion 20 normally urged to an open state to the lower fixed portion 10 by a spring or other member. The device makes it possible to clean a readout surface of the optical disk in a short period of time, and to be offered at a low price owing to the simple and small-sized structure thereof.

Abstract: A universal media disc cleaning/repairing device including: a main body having a receptacle for snugly receiving a universal media disc; a driving motor mounted in the main body; a disc driving mechanism rotationally drivable by the driving motor, the disc driving mechanism having a disc driving tray upward protruding from a carrier board section of the main body for rotationally driving the universal media disc placed in the carrier board section; a cleaning/repairing tray pivotally mounted on the main body and rotationally drivable by the driving motor. The cleaning/repairing tray is adapted to contact with lower side of a read/write window of the cartridge of the universal media disc placed in the carrier board section.

Abstract: A cleaning structure for removing dust is constituted of a guiding member having a sliding surface for guiding run of a tape, and a vacuum pressure supply source for making a vacuum pressure effect on a suction space provided inside the guiding member and so on. At the sliding surface of the guiding member, a suction port for making the suction space communicate with an external space is formed, and the opening edge of the suction port on the downstream side in the tape running direction is served as a first dust removal portion for removing dust on the tape surface. The guiding member has a guiding wall having a contact surface which guides at least one tape edge of a tape, and the contact surface is served as a second dust removal portion for removing dust adhering to the tape edge.

Abstract: A disk processing apparatus used for cleaning, mending or damaging a disk includes a first arm and a second arm to define a clamping structure. The front end of the second arm is a detachable tongue plate, and the first arm and the tongue plate separately or individually have at least one processing unit. If the disk is placed in the disk processing apparatus and contacted with the processing unit, different materials and properties of a surface of the processing unit can clean, mend or damage the disk. If it is necessary to change the processing unit, the tongue plate of the second arm can be removed to facilitate the change of the processing unit.

Abstract: A simple method for evaluating an optical information medium by judging quantitatively and reproducibly the surface quality of the optical information medium by the use of an artificial fingerprint liquid as an evaluation dispersion liquid, is provided. An optical information medium having a remarkably excellent anti-staining property of the surface which is on the incident side of recording/reproducing beam is provided. A method for evaluating an optical information medium, comprising: adhering an artificial fingerprint liquid containing a fine-particle-form substance and a dispersion medium capable of dispersing the fine-particle-form substance onto the surface of the optical information medium which is on the incident side of a recording/reproducing beam; observing the state of the artificial fingerprint liquid droplets adhered to the surface; and judging the quality of the medium surface.

Abstract: The invention provides a disc inspection and rejuvenation/repair system. The inspection system and rejuvenation/repair system may be provided as separate modules or may be combined in an integrated unit. The integrated unit may be manually operated, or may be an automated system comprising a controller and disk handling system Appertaining methods of operating the system and modules are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cleaning disk and a magneto-optical disk drive apparatus being simple in structure, adaptable to cleaning disks having various specifications, low in power consumption, low in electromagnetic noise, and preventing damage to the magnetic head and the optical head; the cleaning disk comprises a magneto-optical disk having an information layer, and a head-cleaning member, provided on the magneto-optical disk, for cleaning the magnetic head of the magneto-optical disk drive apparatus, wherein information regarding a magnetic head cleaning condition for setting the operation condition of the magneto-optical disk drive apparatus during cleaning of the magnetic head has been recorded in advance on the information layer of the magneto-optical disk. The magneto-optical disk drive apparatus reads the information regarding the magnetic head cleaning condition so as to set the operation condition properly.

Abstract: A coating tool and a coating set including such a coating tool can uniformly and reliably apply protection liquid onto the recording surface of a recording medium so as to avoid problems of uneven application and uncoated areas. The coating tool comprises a protection liquid absorbing member for absorbing and holding protection liquid. The protection liquid absorbing member is formed to show a density not less than 30 kg/m3.

Abstract: A device process for event-activated recording generally includes the steps of providing an acquisition buffer having at least one finite extent of a recording medium. Events are recorded in the acquisition buffer. Current events in place of earlier events are then recorded within the acquisition buffer. Action by the user or triggering system activates the preservation of all or part of the record of the most recent events recorded in the acquisition buffer upon the detection of one or more predetermined events. A portion of the record of events selected by the user is preserved by reserving a portion of the record of events from being overwritten by other events, and/or by transferring the selected portions of the record of events to a predetermined permanent location. Portable devices and applications to the recording telephone conversations are also disclosed.

Abstract: A compact disk labeling, cleaning and repairing system for use in applying an adhesive label to a surface of a compact disk, and for cleaning and repairing a readable surface of a compact disk. In an exemplary system, a top portion is used for labeling the compact disk and has a side wall with a shape that matches the shape of the compact disk and a flat shelf that forms an upper cavity. A plurality of tabs are formed around the periphery of the side wall that hold the compact disk above the label prior to attachment and which register the compact disk. The flat shelf has a plurality of slots therein that form a plurality of tabs, and a plurality of vertical projections extend away from the tabs to form a hub. The hub is sized to allow a central hole in the adhesive label to register thereto. The slots allow the tabs or hub to flex during application of the label. A bottom portion of the system may be used to clean and repair the compact disk.

Abstract: A device for destroying signals stored on compact disk includes a base, a punching pin, and a push lever. The base has a top stub for engaging with a central hole of a compact disk positioned on the base, a through hole corresponding to a Start Lead In (SLD) area on the compact disk, and an L-shaped arm portion holding a spring mechanism. The punching pin is vertically movably mounted in the spring mechanism and aligned with the SLD area, and the push lever is pivotally connected at an end to one side of the arm portion for pushing against an upper end of the punching pin. When the push lever is pivotally pushed downward, the punching pin is driven downward to punch a hole on the SLD area and ruin lead-in signals recorded thereon, preventing data stored on the compact disk from being read and disclosed.

Abstract: A tape cleaner with a cleaning tape to wipe out dirt adhered to a surface of a tape is composed to wipe out the dirt adhered to the surface of the tape by pressing said cleaning tape on a surface of a running tape, and the cleaning tape is composed so that a weft made of an ultra fine fiber is exposed more outside than a warp and the weft is vertically arranged for a running direction of the tape.

Abstract: An integrated compact disc cleaning and labeling device mainly includes pivotally connected top and bottom covers, a turning plate rotatably fitted in the top cover, a CD cleaner rotatably mounted to one side of the turning plate, a sleeve barrel vertically slidably received in a barrel portion of the bottom cover, and a return spring mounted between the bottom cover and the sleeve barrel. The bottom cover includes an annular seat surrounding the barrel portion for supporting a label thereon. When a compact disc is removably supported on a flat top of the sleeve barrel with a print side facing downward and the top cover is closed onto the bottom cover, the label is attached to the print side of the compact disc. Meanwhile, the CD cleaner could be rotated to effectively clean a signal side of the compact disc and ensure a firm attachment of the label to the compact disc.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cleaning disk and a magneto-optical disk drive apparatus being simple in structure, adaptable to cleaning disks having various specifications, low in power consumption, low in electromagnetic noise, and preventing damage to the magnetic head and the optical head; the cleaning disk comprises a magneto-optical disk having an information layer, and a head-cleaning member, provided on the magneto-optical disk, for cleaning the magnetic head of the magneto-optical disk drive apparatus, wherein information regarding a magnetic head cleaning condition for setting the operation condition of the magneto-optical disk drive apparatus during cleaning of the magnetic head has been recorded in advance on the information layer of the magneto-optical disk. The magneto-optical disk drive apparatus reads the information regarding the magnetic head cleaning condition so as to set the operation condition properly.

Abstract: An apparatus for repairing the surface of the optical disc, which is used to repair a damaged area of the laser transparent surface of the optical disc. A rotary seat is rotatably disposed on the base seat. An upper cover is pivotally connected with the base seat for covering the same. A buffing roller has a buffing layer and is rotatably disposed on inner side of the upper cover and passes over the disc rest face. A driving mechanism is mounted between the rotary seat and the buffing roller. When rotating, the buffing roller buffs the laser transparent layer of the disc. At the same time, the rotary seat is driven to rotate, whereby the disc rested on the disc rest face thereof is simultaneously rotated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cleaning disk and a magneto-optical disk drive apparatus being simple in structure, adaptable to cleaning disks having various specifications, low in power consumption, low in electromagnetic noise, and preventing damage to the magnetic head and the optical head; the cleaning disk comprises a magneto-optical disk having an information layer, and a head-cleaning member, provided on the magneto-optical disk, for cleaning the magnetic head of the magneto-optical disk drive apparatus, wherein information regarding a magnetic head cleaning condition for setting the operation condition of the magneto-optical disk drive apparatus during cleaning of the magnetic head has been recorded in advance on the information layer of the magneto-optical disk. The magneto-optical disk drive apparatus reads the information regarding the magnetic head cleaning condition so as to set the operation condition properly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cartridge and a method that can sweep away dust or the like from a recordation medium housed in the cartridge in a simple way without adversely influencing recording and replaying of the recordation medium. The cartridge includes a shutter opposed to a surface of the recordation medium, a cleaner member, a support for supporting the cleaner member, and a sweeping mechanism actuated upon opening and closing movements of the shutter. The support pivots in a plane substantially in parallel to the surface of the recordation medium when the sweeping mechanism is actuated. When the sweeping mechanism moves forwards, the cleaner member moves without contacting the recordation medium surface. When the sweeping mechanism moves backwards, the cleaner member moves in contact with the recordation medium surface to clean the recordation medium surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for cleaning and polishing an optical disk. The system comprises a tray having a circular floor and a parameter wall; an armature having at least two circular pads being rotatably coupled to the armature; and a mechanism for rotating the armature parallel to the floor and about a central axis of the wall being perpendicular to the floor. The mechanism rotates the armature in a first direction, which in turn rotates each pad in a second direction to clean and polish the optical disk.

Abstract: A cassette library (1) is provided with a driving apparatus (13), cassette housing shelves (14, 15) and a cassette carrier (16). A library controller (2) simulates as if driving apparatuses (13) having continuous address numbers were apparently used in the host computer (3) even when physically discontinuous address numbers are allocated to the driving apparatus (13), thereby making it possible to set occupancy for a driving apparatus with an arbitrary address number. The library controller (2) has the cassette carrier (16) automatically carry, at a preset timing, a cleaning cassette from the cassette housing shelf (14, 15) to the driving apparatus (13) to clean a recording reproduction head of the driving apparatus (13) using the cleaning cassette which is then carried back to the housing section in the original cassette housing shelf (14, 15) after the cleaning work.

Abstract: An integrated laser disc cleaning and repairing device includes a case consisting of pivotally connected top and bottom covers, a turning plate rotatably fitted in a hole provided on the top cover, and a base plate eccentrically and rotatably connected to a bottom surface of the turning plate with an operating knob having a lower shaft downward extended through pivot holes on the turning and the base plates. The top cover is provided at an inner surface with a circle of radially inward projected teeth and the base plate at a top surface with a circle of radially outward projected teeth adapted to mesh with the teeth on the top cover. By moving the operating knob to rotate the turning plate, the base plate is caused to revolve around a center of the bottom cover while rotating about the lower shaft portion of the operating knob.

Abstract: Device and method for removing contaminant particles from an optical disk, the optical disk having an optical disk substrate, a reflective layer on the disk substrate, a first insulating layer on the reflective layer, a recording layer on the first insulating layer for recording/reproducing a data thereon/therefrom, and a second insulating layer on the recording layer, the device including an electrode pattern of a plurality of concentric circles on the optical disk except the recording layer, a third insulating layer on the electrode pattern to expose a region of the electrode pattern, and a number of connection electrodes in contact with the exposed electrode pattern for applying dust collecting voltages to the electrode pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling, storing and reloading carriers for disk-shaped items, such as semiconductor wafers or CDs, has at least one cleaning unit and at least one storage unit for the carriers containing the disk-shaped items. The apparatus further has at least one sorting unit for the disk-shaped items. The cleaning unit, the storage unit and the sorting apparatus are integral component parts of the apparatus and are operated by a common automatic control.

Abstract: A compact disk labeling, cleaning and repairing system for use in applying an adhesive label to a surface of a compact disk, and for cleaning and repairing a readable surface of a compact disk. In an exemplary system, a top portion is used for labeling the compact disk and has a side wall with a shape that matches the shape of the compact disk and a flat shelf that forms an upper cavity. A plurality of tabs are formed around the periphery of the side wall that hold the compact disk above the label prior to attachment and which register the compact disk. The flat shelf has a plurality of slots therein that form a plurality of tabs, and a plurality of vertical projections extend away from the tabs to form a hub. The hub is sized to allow a central hole in the adhesive label to register thereto. The slots allow the tabs or hub to flex during application of the label. A bottom portion of the system may be used to clean and repair the compact disk.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing device for recording/reproducing information on/from an information disc, which is rotatable about an axis of rotation, by means of a pick-up device movable over the rotating information disc comprises:

Abstract: A blade-type disk cleaner system for removing fine dust or greasy contamination from disks is disclosed. In one embodiment, the blade-type disk cleaner includes a cleaning blade having a length of approximately the radius of the disk, for scraping debris off the disk. The cleaning blade is positioned to contact the surface of the disk at approximately 30 to 45 degree contact angle, and the top angle of the cleaning blade is approximately 15 to 25 degrees. A control unit is coupled to the cleaning blade and is used to raise and lower the blade to the rotating disk. In some embodiments, a dust collection element is used to collect debris scraped from the disk by the cleaning blade. In one embodiment, a smaller blade is used. A radial movement mechanism moves the cleaning blade across the radius of the rotating disk, allowing non-flat disks to be cleaned. A cleaning pad is used to clean debris from the cleaning blade.

Abstract: A disk cartridge with dust collection is disclosed. The disk cartridge includes a cartridge shell with a door assembly. Inside the disk cartridge is an optical, magnetic, or other type of disk which rotates and can be read from or written to by the access device. The cartridge shell is manufactured with interior recessed areas into which dust collection element can be placed. In some embodiments, the recessed areas are positioned so that the surface of the disk moves proximately to the recessed areas as the disk rotates. In some other embodiments, the recessed areas are positioned near a corner (or other region) of the cartridge shell. The dust collection element can be double-sided sticky tape, grease, electrostatic material, or other composition which can attract and retain airborne dust particles.

Abstract: An integrated laser disc cleaning and repairing device includes a case consisting of pivotally connected top and bottom covers, a turning plate rotatably fitted in a hole provided on the top cover, and a base plate eccentrically and rotatably connected to a bottom surface of the turning plate with an operating knob having a lower shaft downward extended through pivot holes on the turning and the base plates. The top cover is provided at an inner surface with a circle of radially inward projected teeth and the base plate at a top surface with a circle of radially outward projected teeth adapted to mesh with the teeth on the top cover. By moving the operating knob to rotate the turning plate, the base plate is caused to revolve around a center of the bottom cover while rotating about the lower shaft portion of the operating knob.

Abstract: In the recording method of the present invention, the surface of a master information carrier facing a recording medium becomes slightly concave in its center when the master information carrier is placed upon and brought into tight contact with the recording medium, and information signals are transferred and recorded onto the recording medium. The recording method of the present invention can be widely used for producing disk-type recording media with a hole such as magnetic disks, photomagnetic disks and optical disks. The recording method of the present invention achieves quick and productive production of a very flat and smooth recording medium that is free of fine dust. Furthermore, high-density information signals can be recorded evenly and firmly on the whole surface of the magnetic surface of the magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: An optical disk cleaning machine with adaptors for holding any size disk and cassette for optical disks wherein the disks are rotated while cleaning cloths are radially reciprocated on the top and bottom of the disk simultaneously to remove dirt and other contaminants form the surface of the optical disk. The radial strokes are adjustable to cover the surface of different size disks. The pressure of the cleaning cloths on the surface of the disks is adjustable as is the rate of rotation of the disks during cleaning and the number of revolutions of the disk. The cleaning cloth is spooled on spools held on the cleaning arms and can be advanced as required to maintain a clean portion of the cloth in contact with the disk to be cleaned. An inspection station is included for securing the disk and rotating it while it is examined under a high intensity light by-use of a magnifying glass for cleanliness and for flaws in the disks or damaged disks before returning the optical disks to use.

Abstract: A method for enhancing music signal fidelity derived from a compact disk storage media comprises exposing the encoded surface of the compact disk music storage media to a series of color fields in sequence immediately prior to playing the compact disk.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cartridge and a method that can sweep away dust or the like from a recordation medium housed in the cartridge in a simple way without adversely influencing recording and replaying of the recordation medium. The cartridge includes a shutter opposed to a surface of the recordation medium, a cleaner member, a support for supporting the cleaner member, and a sweeping mechanism actuated upon opening and closing movements of the shutter. The support pivots in a plane substantially in parallel to the surface of the recordation medium when the sweeping mechanism is actuated. When the sweeping mechanism moves forwards, the cleaner member moves without contacting the recordation medium surface. When the sweeping mechanism moves backwards, the cleaner member moves in contact with the recordation medium surface to clean the recordation medium surface.

Abstract: An integrated compact disc cleaning and labeling device mainly includes pivotally connected top and bottom covers, a turning plate rotatably fitted in the top cover, a CD cleaner rotatably mounted to one side of the turning plate, a sleeve barrel vertically slidably received in a barrel portion of the bottom cover, and a return spring mounted between the bottom cover and the sleeve barrel. The bottom cover includes an annular seat surrounding the barrel portion for supporting a label thereon. When a compact disc is removably supported on a flat top of the sleeve barrel with a print side facing downward and the top cover is closed onto the bottom cover, the label is attached to the print side of the compact disc. Meanwhile, the CD cleaner could be rotated to effectively clean a signal side of the compact disc and ensure a firm attachment of the label to the compact disc.

Abstract: A CD cleaning and labeling device includes a basin-shaped upper case, a lower case engageable with the upper case, a base having a concave base center located inside the lower case for providing a CD supporting surface, and a movable sticking seat located inside the base center. The upper case is furnished with at least one CD cleaning means. The lower case has a base for carrying a CD or a CD label. The sticking seat has a brim for allowing a CD label with a center hole to be sleeved along and a top surface for resting the CD. The sticking seat is movable between an extension position and a retracting position. While in the retracting position, the top surface of the sticking seat is lower than the supporting surface of the base so as to allow the CD to rest upon the supporting surface of the base.

Abstract: A CD cleaning and labeling device comprises an upper case engageable with a lower case to form a compartment therein. The upper case has an actuating means to drive a driving means and at least one cleaning means. The lower case has a base for carrying a CD or a CD label, a driven means engageable with the driving means and a movable sticking seat which may be lifted above the base at an extension position for receiving the CD or be pressed downward by means of the closed upper case for performing the CD cleaning or labeling operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compact disc cleaner which includes a box base having a cover and a seat, a turntable that is rotated on the cover, a cleaning device moveably attached at the near end of the turntable that includes a knob and a wheel body on the exterior and interior of the turntable, a cleaning element attached underneath the wheel body and gear teeth on the external wall of the wheel body that engage with the gear teeth on the internal wall of the box base. The cover is pivoted, at one end, with the seat in which the compact disc is held. When the user rotates the knob of the cleaning device, the turntable will revolve as the same time and the internal gear of the box base will bring the wheel body on the cleaning device to rotate within the radius of the compact disc so to effectively clean the compact disc with the cleaning element underneath the wheel body.

Abstract: An optical disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes a carrier mechanism, an optical pickup apparatus, a shutter and a moving mechanism. The carrier mechanism carries a disc inside and outside the apparatus. The optical pickup apparatus radiates beams on a disc carried by the carrier mechanism. The optical pickup apparatus is provided with an objective lens. The shutter exposes or closes the upper surface of the objective lens. The shutter is provided to the optical pickup apparatus so that the shutter can be moved between a first position for exposing the upper surface of the objective lens and a second position for closing the upper surface of the objective lens. The moving mechanism moves the shutter between the first position and the second position according to recording and/or reproducing operation.

Abstract: A radially reciprocating cleaning device for compact disc, including: a lower casing in which a retaining wheel is rotatably disposed, a circumference of the retaining wheel being formed with a gear section: an upper casing one end of which is pivotally connected with the lower casing for snugly mating the upper casing with the lower casing; and a cleaning mechanism including a slide board slidably disposed on a bottom of the upper casing and connected with at least one wiping member positioned on a compact disc rested on the retaining wheel. The cleaning mechanism further includes a rotary tray rotatably mounted on the upper casing for driving a cam disc to rotate. A driving post of the cam disc is slidably fitted in a longitudinal guide slot of the slide board, whereby when the upper and lower casings are mated with each other, a driving gear projecting from bottom end of the cam disc drivingly meshes with the gear section of the retaining wheel.

Abstract: A compact disc cleaning device including a seat, a cover pivotally connected to one edge of the seat, and a rotatable wheel. The seat has a circular recess portion with teeth provided along an inner peripheral wall thereof. The rotatable wheel includes a hand cap and a wheel body connected to a lower axis portion of the hand cap. The wheel body has a cleaning element attached to a bottom side thereof and has teeth formed along an outer peripheral wall thereof to mesh with the teeth on the peripheral wall of the circular recess portion of the seat, such that the rotatable wheel can move in rotation along the toothed inner peripheral wall of the circular recess portion in the seat, allowing the cleaning element at the bottom side of the wheel body to wipe clean a compact disc positioned in the circular recess portion. The circular recess portion is further formed of a central recess, an inner annular recess, an intermediate partition ring, and an outer annular recess.

Abstract: A disk cartridge assembly includes an enclosure, a recording disk mounted for rotation in the enclosure, and an electrostatic cleaning element positioned on an interior surface of the enclosure. The cleaning element engages one side of the disk at least when the disk is at rest and when the disk is rotated at a low speed, and the cleaning element is charged to a high voltage.

Abstract: An optical pickup unit is formed such that a portion on an upstream side of the air flow has a streamline shape or similar shape to the streamline shape so as to keep the air flow generated with high speed rotations of a disc-shaped recording medium away from a vicinity of an objective lens. According to this arrangement, dust contained in the air flow can be prevented from adhering to the surface of the objective lens. Moreover, the dust will not enter inside the optical pickup unit through a small clearance between a lens holder of the objective lens and a cover for the optical pickup unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus improve the playback fidelity and quality of a compact disk player by controlling charge conditions in the zone of interaction between the playback read head and a CD. In one form of apparatus, an electrode is associated with the read head, and an ion generator coupled to the electrode provides an electrostatic field. The introduction of random noise to the field potentiates or enhances the improvement.