Center sealing data disc cassette and processing machine

Claim 2

The combination of a disc cassette having outer covers and having a data disc with a spindle hole flange, and a disc processing machine comprising: a. a deck on the machine for supporting the disc cassette; b. a spindle projecting from the deck; c. central apertures in the cassette exposing the disc in the spindle flange region; d. a rigid washer disposed between the disc and each cassette cover and extending into the central opening; e. a compressible elastic washer disposed on each side of the disc around the central aperture and between the disc the rigid washers, and having an axial dimension large enough to press the rigid washers against the cassette covers to exclude dust; f. a rim on the spindle for engaging the rigid washer adjacent the deck; g. and a rotatable compressor for selectively engaging the rigid washer remote from the deck to thereby compress at least one elastic washer, whereby all washers are free from contact with the cassette so that the disc rotates freely on the spindle within the cassette when the cassette is supported by the deck.

Claim 3

The combination of claim 1 wherein the compressor engages the spindle for exerting a compressive force on at least one elastic washer.

Claim 4

The combination of claim 1 wherein the spacing between the deck and the spindle rim is such with respect to the cassette dimensions that the compressible washer adjacent to the deck is compressed to break mechanical contact between the cassette and the rigid washer closest to the deck when the cassette is supported by the deck.

Claim 5

The combination of claim 1 wherein the compressor engages the spindle for exerting its compressive force and has a releasable latch for removing the compressor from the spindle.

Claim 6

The combination of claim 1 wherein the compressible washers are strong enough to normally hold the disc out of contact with any other part of the cassette.

Claim 7

The combination of claim 1 wherein the cassette has a window, a shutter normally closing the window, and means interengaging the deck and shutter whereby the shutter opens the window when the cassette is placed on the deck with the disc mounted on the spindle.

Claim 8

The combination of claim 1 wherein the spindle has a portion that contacts the spindle hole flange of the disc so that the disc is directly supported by the spindle.

Claim 9

The combination of claim 1 wherein the spindle has a portion that contacts the spindle hole flange of the disc and the compressor has a portion that contacts the other side of the spindle hole flange of the disc, so that the disc is directly clamped to the spindle.

Claim 10

A cassette containing a data disc comprising: a. a pair of spaced covers each having aligned central openings; b. and a pair of aligned composite washers disposed between the covers around the central opening, each having a rigid surface in contact with its respective cover and each having an inner edge extending into the central opening of the respective covers, and each having a compressible, elastic body on the side away from theIr respective covers, and normally contacting the data disc to exclude dust.

Claim 11

A cassette containing a data disc comprising: a. a pair of spaced covers each having aligned central openings; b. and a pair of aligned composite washers disposed between the covers around the central opening, each having a rigid surface in contact with its respective cover and each having an inner edge extending into the central opening of the respective covers, and each having a compressible, elastic body on the side away from theIr respective covers, and normally contacting the data disc to exclude dust.

Claim 12

A cassette containing a data disc and adapted to engage a pin comprising: a. a pair of spaced covers each having central openings aligned with each other and a notch aligned with each other, and at least one having a processing window; b. a sliding shutter beneath the cover having a window and the shutter normally extending into the aligned notches when the window is covered and sliding to uncover the window when it is not in the notch; c. a spring normally urging the shutter to close the window and elastic enough to permit shutter movement to uncover the window; d. and a pair of aligned composite washers disposed between the covers around the central opening, each having a rigid surface in contrast with its respective cover and each having an inner edge extending into the central opening of the covers, and each having a compressible, elastic body on the side away from the respective cover, and normally contacting the data disc to exclude dust.

Claim 13

A cassette containing a data disc and adapted to engage a pin comprising: a. a pair of spaced covers each having central openings aligned with each other and a notch aligned with each other, and at least one having a processing window; b. a sliding shutter beneath the cover having a window and the shutter normally extending into the aligned notches when the window is covered and sliding to uncover the window when it is not in the notch; c. a spring normally urging the shutter to close the window and elastic enough to permit shutter movement to uncover the window; d. and a pair of aligned composite washers disposed between the covers around the central opening, each having a rigid surface in contrast with its respective cover and each having an inner edge extending into the central opening of the covers, and each having a compressible, elastic body on the side away from the respective cover, and normally contacting the data disc to exclude dust.

Claim 14

The combination of a disc cassette having outer coverings and having a data disc with a spindle flange, and a disc processing machine comprising: a. a deck on the machine for supporting the disc cassette; b. central apertures in the cassette exposing both sides of the disc in the spindle flange region; c. a rigid washer disposed between the disc and one cover of the cassette; d. a compressible elastic washer disposed between the disc and the rigid washer; e. a cushion disposed between the outer cassette cover and the disc; f. a spindle projecting from the deck and having a flange for engaging one spindle flange surface of the data disc next to the deck, and engaging also the rigid washer when it is disposed next to the deck; g. a rotatable compressor for engaging the other surface of the spindle flange of the disc and engaging the rigid washer when the cassette is placed on the processing machine with that rigid washer remote from the deck, and compressing the compressible washer to free the rigid washer from contact with its cassette cover, or to move the disc away from the cushion, characterized by the spacing between the deck and the spindle flange being such, with respect to the dimensions of the cassette, that the disc is lifted off of the cushion, or the compressible washer is partially compressed when the cassette is mounted on the deck and subsequent compression of the compressible washer breaks contact between the cassette and the rigid washer, or between cushion and disc, so that the disc can rotate freely in the cassette.

Claim 15

The combination of a disc cassette having outer coverings and having a data disc with a spindle flange, and a disc processing machine comprising: a. a deck on the machine for supporting the disc cassette; b. central apertures in the cassette exposing both sides of the disc in the spindle flange region; c. a rigid washer disposed between the disc and one cover of the cassette; d. a compressible elastic washer disposed between the disc and the rigid washer; e. a cushion disposed between the outer cassette cover and the disc; f. a spindle projecting from the deck and having a flange for engaging one spindle flange surface of the data disc next to the deck, and engaging also the rigid washer when it is disposed next to the deck; g. a rotatable compressor for engaging the other surface of the spindle flange of the disc and engaging the rigid washer when the cassette is placed on the processing machine with that rigid washer remote from the deck, and compressing the compressible washer to free the rigid washer from contact with its cassette cover, or to move the disc away from the cushion, characterized by the spacing between the deck and the spindle flange being such, with respect to the dimensions of the cassette, that the disc is lifted off of the cushion, or the compressible washer is partially compressed when the cassette is mounted on the deck and subsequent compression of the compressible washer breaks contact between the cassette and the rigid washer, or between cushion and disc, so that the disc can rotate freely in the cassette.

Claim 16

A cassette containing a data disc comprising: a. a pair of parallel spaced covers having a central spindle opening and at least one having a processing window; b. a perimeter spacer disposed between the covers defining a circular enclosure within which the data disc is placed and spacing said covers by a dimension greater than the transverse dimension of the disc and having a shutter guiding means; c. at least one sliding shutter inside of and adjacent to the cover having a window, and extending substantially across said circular enclosure of the perimeter spacer and having a processing window opening and having a central spindle opening; and guided in said spacer guide means to slide in a plane parallel to said cover; d. means for sliding said shutter to cover and open said processing window shutter central spindle opening and said cover central spindle openings being open at all times. e. and means for centrally supporting a disc inside the cassette, whereby any cocking or wobble of the disc within the cassette will cause the disc to contact the shutter near the outer periphery of the disc and thereby avoid damaging the data bearing portions of the disc.

Claim 17

A cassette containing a data disc comprising: a. a pair of parallel spaced covers having a central spindle opening and at least one having a processing window; b. a perimeter spacer disposed between the covers defining a circular enclosure within which the data disc is placed and spacing said covers by a dimension greater than the transverse dimension of the disc and having a shutter guiding means; c. at least one sliding shutter inside of and adjacent to the cover having a window, and extending substantially across said circular enclosure of the perimeter spacer and having a processing window opening and having a central spindle opening; and guided in said spacer guide means to slide in a plane parallel to said cover; d. means for sliding said shutter to cover and open said processing window shutter central spindle opening and said cover central spindle openings being open at all times. e. and means for centrally supporting a disc inside the cassette, whereby any cocking or wobble of the disc within the cassette will cause the disc to contact the shutter near the outer periphery of the disc and thereby avoid damaging the data bearing portions of the disc.