Optical disc cartridge

Claim 2

A radiation-sensitive record cartridge comprising: a disc-shaped member having a radiation-sensitive recording layer on at least one planar side thereof; an enclosure spaced from and completely surrounding said disc-shaped member; means for supporting said disc-shaped member within said enclosure and for enabling rotation of said disc-shaped member around an axis extending through the center of and perpendicular to the plane of said disc-shaped member; means for causing the rotation of said disc-shaped member at a predetermined angular velocity from outside said enclosure; and means for allowing access to the radiation-sensitive layer on said disc-shaped member for the recording and reading of information thereon.

Claim 3

A radiation-sensitive record cartridge as claimed in claim 1 wherein said supporting means comprises a bearing assembly having a first part attached to said disc-shaped member and a second part attached to said enclosure thereby allowing said disc-shaped member to rotate relative to said enclosure.

Claim 4

A radiation-sensitive record cartridge as claimed in claim 1 wherein said enclosure is hermetically sealed.

Claim 5

A radiation-sensitive record cartridge as claimed in claims 1 or 3 wherein said means for causing the rotation of said disc-shaped member comprises a permanent magnet attached to the disc-shaped member and magnetic drive means situated outside said enclosure which generates a magnetic field for interaction with said pemanent magnet.

Claim 6

A radiation-sensitive record cartridge as claimed in claim 1 wherein said access allowing means comprises at least one transparent window formed in said enclosure, said window extending radially from the axis of said disc-shaped member to allow access to any particular point on said radiation-sensitive layer on said disc-shaped member while said disc-shaped member is rotating with respect to said enclosure.

Claim 7

A radiation-sensitive record cartridge as claimed in claim 1 wherein said radiation-sensitive layer is formed on both planar sides of said disc-shaped member.

Claim 8

A radiation-sensitive record cartridge as claimed in claim 6 wherein said access allowing means comprises a pair of transparent windows form in opposite sides of said enclosure, said windows each extending radially from the axis of said disc-shaped member to allow access by a focused radiation beam to any particular point on the respective radiation-sensitive layer while said disc-shaped member is being rotated within said enclosure.

Claim 9

A radiation-sensitive record cartridge as claimed in claims 1, 5 or 7 wherein said enclosure is formed from an opaque material.

Claim 10

A radiation-sensitive record cartridge comprising: a disc-shaped member having a radiation-sensitive recording layer on at least one planar side thereof; an opaque enclosure spaced from and completely surrounding said disc-shaped member, said enclosure being hermetically sealed; a bearing assembly having a first part attached to said disc-shaped member and a second part attached to said enclosure for rotatably supporting said disc-shaped member about an axis extending through the center of and perpendicular to the plane of said disc-shaped members; magnetic drive means, including a first permenant magnet attached to said disc-shaped member and a second permanent magnet attached to a drive motor, for causing the rotation of said disc-shaped member at a predetermined angular velocity; and at least one transparent window formed in said enclosure, said window extending radically from the axis of said disc-shaped member and overlying said radiation-sensitive layer formed thereon to allow access by a focused radiation beam to any particular point on said radiation-sensitive layer while said disc-shaped member is being rotated in said enclosure.

Claim 11

A radiation-sensitive record cartridge comprising: a disc-shaped member having a radiation-sensitive recording layer on at least one planar side thereof; an opaque enclosure spaced from and completely surrounding said disc-shaped member, said enclosure being hermetically sealed; a bearing assembly having a first part attached to said disc-shaped member and a second part attached to said enclosure for rotatably supporting said disc-shaped member about an axis extending through the center of and perpendicular to the plane of said disc-shaped members; magnetic drive means, including a first permenant magnet attached to said disc-shaped member and a second permanent magnet attached to a drive motor, for causing the rotation of said disc-shaped member at a predetermined angular velocity; and at least one transparent window formed in said enclosure, said window extending radically from the axis of said disc-shaped member and overlying said radiation-sensitive layer formed thereon to allow access by a focused radiation beam to any particular point on said radiation-sensitive layer while said disc-shaped member is being rotated in said enclosure.