Web cartridge

Claim 2

A cartridge for an elongated web, comprising: a first member having a first portion interconnecting second and third portions in substantially opposite relation to form one part of an enclosure which is open on three sides; at least one reel rotatably mounted between said second and third portions and adapted to receive said web; second and third members having generally an L-shape; and means including hinges for mounting said second and third members to said first member with said second and third members in first position thereof being disposed along the exposed sides of said enclosure to form a completely enclosed enclosure, and in a second position thereof being in nonenclosing relation to provide access to said web via said three open sides.

Claim 3

The invention according to claim 1, and including releasable latching means affixed to said first member for holding said second and third members in said first position, and said mounting means including spring means operable to move said second and third member to said second position upon release of said latching means.

Claim 4

A cartridge for an elongated web, comprising: a first member having a first portion interconnecting two parallel planar portions to form three sides of an enclosure; first and second reels rotatably mounted in spaced relation between said planar portions; a plurality of posts spanning said planar portions along the exposed edges of said first member, said posts defining a path for said web between said reels; second and third generally ''''L'''' shaped members hinged to opposite exposed edges of the first portion of said first member, said second and third members extending about the open sides of said first member completely enclosing said reels and said web; releasable means for holding said first, second and third members in said enclosing relation; and means coupled between said first member and said second and third member, and operable upon release of said holding means to rotate said second and third members away from said first member exposing said web along said open sides of said first member.

Claim 5

A cartridge for an elongated web, comprising: a first member having a first portion interconnecting two parallel planar portions to form three sides of an enclosure; first and second reels rotatably mounted in spaced relation between said planar portions; a plurality of posts spanning said planar portions along the exposed edges of said first member, said posts defining a path for said web between said reels; second and third generally ''''L'''' shaped members hinged to opposite exposed edges of the first portion of said first member, said second and third members extending about the open sides of said first member completely enclosing said reels and said web; releasable means for holding said first, second and third members in said enclosing relation; and means coupled between said first member and said second and third member, and operable upon release of said holding means to rotate said second and third members away from said first member exposing said web along said open sides of said first member.

Claim 6

The invention according to claim 3, wherein each of said planar portions of said first member have a pair of raised annular portions between which said reels are captively rotatable, and said reel mounting means further includes means urging said reels axially into frictional relation with one of said pair of annular portions.

Claim 7

The invention according to claim 3, wherein the planar portions of said first member have a first pair of apertures therein, and at least one other aperture, said first pair of apertures being substantially registered with the respective axis of rotation of said reels, and said other aperture being substantially registered with respect to said holding means.

Claim 8

The invention according to claim 3, wherein one of said planar portions has a pair of notches therein, communicating with an edge of said first member, said notches extending along said planar portions to a point within said web path defined by said posts.

Claim 9

The invention according to claim 6, wherein each of said second and third members having further portions arranged to cover said notches when said second and third members are in enclosing relation with said first member.

Claim 10

In combination: a recorder-reproducer system of the type using a web-like record medium; a web cartridge for use in said system having a plurality of fixed portions, and at least one movable portion mounted to said fixed portion, said cartridge in a first condition having said movable portion forming with said fixed portions a completely enclosed hollow enclosure, at least one reel rotatably mounted between opposite fixed portions of said cartridge, said reel being adapted to have said web wound thereon, and said cartridge in a second condition thereof having said movable portion spaceD from said fixed portions to provide access by said system to said web; releasable means coupled between said fixed and movable portions, for holding said cartridge in said first condition thereof; means for releasing said holding means; and means operable upon the release of said holding means for urging said movable portion to dispose said cartridge in said second condition thereof.

Claim 11

In combination: a recorder-reproducer system of the type using a web-like record medium; a web cartridge for use in said system having a plurality of fixed portions, and at least one movable portion mounted to said fixed portion, said cartridge in a first condition having said movable portion forming with said fixed portions a completely enclosed hollow enclosure, at least one reel rotatably mounted between opposite fixed portions of said cartridge, said reel being adapted to have said web wound thereon, and said cartridge in a second condition thereof having said movable portion spaceD from said fixed portions to provide access by said system to said web; releasable means coupled between said fixed and movable portions, for holding said cartridge in said first condition thereof; means for releasing said holding means; and means operable upon the release of said holding means for urging said movable portion to dispose said cartridge in said second condition thereof.

Claim 12

In combination with a recorder-reproducer system having a transport including means arranged to define a path for an elongated web, a web cartridge having a plurality of fixed sides and at least one movable side hinge-mounted to said fixed sides, said movable side in a first position thereof forming with said fixed sides a completely enclosed hollow enclosure, first and second reels rotatably mounted within said enclosure, a plurality of web guiding members mounted in parallel spaced relation to said reels, said members adapted to have said web pass from one of said reels about said members to the other of said reels, releasable means for holding said sides in enclosing relation, means operable upon release of said holding means to move said movable side to a second position thereof, in which said movable side is rotated away from said fixed sides to expose said web, web engaging means movable between said cartridge and said transport means; means for interposing said web engaging means between said guide members and said reels when said movable side is in said second position; and means for driving said web engaging means to withdraw said web from said cartridge and to dispose said web for positioning in said path defined by said transport means.

Claim 13

In combination with a recorder-reproducer system having a transport including means arranged to define a path for an elongated web, a web cartridge having a plurality of fixed sides and at least one movable side hinge-mounted to said fixed sides, said movable side in a first position thereof forming with said fixed sides a completely enclosed hollow enclosure, first and second reels rotatably mounted within said enclosure, a plurality of web guiding members mounted in parallel spaced relation to said reels, said members adapted to have said web pass from one of said reels about said members to the other of said reels, releasable means for holding said sides in enclosing relation, means operable upon release of said holding means to move said movable side to a second position thereof, in which said movable side is rotated away from said fixed sides to expose said web, web engaging means movable between said cartridge and said transport means; means for interposing said web engaging means between said guide members and said reels when said movable side is in said second position; and means for driving said web engaging means to withdraw said web from said cartridge and to dispose said web for positioning in said path defined by said transport means.

Claim 14

The invention according to claim 9 and further including means associated with at least one of said reels for opposing withdrawal of said web from said reel.