Apparatus for maintaining constant the packing density of magnetic tape within a magazine

Claim 2

A magnetic tape apparatus comprising: a master loop box having a magazine for temporarily storing a magnetic tape in a zig-zag condition; a transferring device disposed within said magazine so as to move and support said magnetic tape disposed within said magazine in said zig-zag condition to a tape outlet of said magazine; detector means disposed within said magazine for detecting the apparent packing density of said magnetic tape adjacent said tape outlet and for emitting a signal when said density is less than a predetermined value; and means for intermittently driving said transferring device in response to said signal so as to transport said zig-zag configured tape from a high density region to the low density region adjacent said tape outlet and thereby maintain said density substantially constant.

Claim 3

A magnetic tape apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said magnetic tape is an endless magnetic tape; and said transferring device is disposed within the bottom portion of said magazine.

Claim 4

A magnetic tape apparatus comprising: a master loop box interposed between a feed reel and a take-up reel so as to temporarily store a magnetic tape, being fed from said feed reel and conducted to said take-up reel, in a zig-zag condition; said master loop box including a magazine having a tape inlet and a tape outlet at different ends thereof and detector means disposed within said magazine near said tape inlet and said tape outlet of said magazine for detecting the apparent packing density of said tape within said magazine and for emitting a signal when said density is less than a predetermined value; means disposed at said tape inlet for intermittently feeding said magnetic tape from said feed reel into said magazine in response to said signal from said detector and thereby maintain said density substantially constant; feed control roller means disposed at said tape outlet so as to control the feed of said magnetic tape to said take-up reel; and a tensioner interposed between said master loop box and a magnetic head so as to impart a predetermined tension to said magnetic tape whereby said tape will contact said magnetic head; said feed control roller means including a pair of rollers rotating in a direction tending to feed said tape, being withdrawn from said magazine and conducted to said take-up reel, back into said magazine, whereby said rollers constantly interact with said tape in said zig-zag condition so as to retain said zig-zag configured loops of said tape within said magazine while permitting said tape to pass between said rollers and be fed from said magazine in a linear manner to said take-up reel.

Claim 5

A magnetic tape apparatus comprising: a master loop box interposed between a feed reel and a take-up reel so as to temporarily store a magnetic tape, being fed from said feed reel and conducted to said take-up reel, in a zig-zag condition; said master loop box including a magazine having a tape inlet and a tape outlet at different ends thereof and detector means disposed within said magazine near said tape inlet and said tape outlet of said magazine for detecting the apparent packing density of said tape within said magazine and for emitting a signal when said density is less than a predetermined value; means disposed at said tape inlet for intermittently feeding said magnetic tape from said feed reel into said magazine in response to said signal from said detector and thereby maintain said density substantially constant; feed control roller means disposed at said tape outlet so as to control the feed of said magnetic tape to said take-up reel; and a tensioner interposed between said master loop box and a magnetic head so as to impart a predetermined tension to said magnetic tape whereby said tape will contact said magnetic head; said feed control roller means including a pair of rollers rotating in a direction tending to feed said tape, being withdrawn from said magazine and conducted to said take-up reel, back into said magazine, whereby said rollers constantly interact with said tape in said zig-zag condition so as to retain said zig-zag configured loops of said tape within said magazine while permitting said tape to pass between said rollers and be fed from said magazine in a linear manner to said take-up reel.

Claim 6

The magnetic tape apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said master loop box is vertically disposed and said magnetic tape is moved in a zig-zag condition from the upper part thereof to the lower part thereof by means of the weight of said magnetic tape, and said transferring device is disposed within the bottom portion of said master loop box.

Claim 7

The magnetic tape apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: light means for projecting light rays to said detector; and baffle means disposed in front of said detector for permitting only light rays inclined to the surface of said detector to reach said detector.

Claim 8

The magnetic tape apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said transferring device is a belt.

Claim 9

The magnetic tape apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said master loop box is horizontally disposed and said magnetic tape is moved by air means; and said transferring device is disposed at one side of said master loop box.

Claim 10

The magnetic tape apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said transferring device includes a plurality of rollers.