US3701178A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cassette tape cleaner
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-12-02
•
Granted: 1972-10-31
•
Expires: 1990-12-02
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for cleaning magnetic tape in a cassette has a plurality of scraping blades which project into the standard openings in the cassette when the cassette is inserted in the apparatus and a drive mechanism which engages the take-up reel in the cassette to pull the tape past the blades while a flow of air past the blades and away from the cassette removes the scrapings from the blades.
Inventors
- 👤 Jonathan C Kuntz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:42
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47L; A47L7/00; A47L7/0047; G; G11; G11B; G11B23/00; G11B23/50; G11B23/502; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S15/00; Y10S15/13
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
Apparatus for cleaning magnetic tape in a cassette comprising: means for holding the cassette, a plurality of scraping blades for engaging both sides of the tape inside the cassette, means for producing air flow proximate the blades for removing from the blades material scraped from the tape, and means for driving the tape inside the cassette causing the tape to move past the blades.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus for cleaning magnetic tape in a cassette comprising: means for holding the cassette, a plurality of scraping blades for engaging both sides of the tape inside the cassette, means for producing air flow proximate the blades for removing from the blades material scraped from the tape, and means for driving the tape inside the cassette causing the tape to move past the blades.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said means for holding includes means for aligning a cassette relative to the apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 2 in which said means for holding includes spring loaded means for steadying a cassette during operation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which each of said scraping blades is mounted on a probe which projects through a hole in a cassette for engaging the tape in the cassette.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 4 in which each of said probes includes at least one port proximate each blade for conveying air past that blade to remove tape scrapings therefrom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 5 in which said means for producing air flow includes a vacuum chamber and means for interconnecting said chamber to each said port.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which means for driving includes two spindles for engaging the two hubs of the tape reels within a cassette for the purpose of providing prime tape motion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-31 | 1976-05-01 | 1976-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-31 | 1980-05-01 | 1980-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-31 | 1984-05-01 | 1984-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |