US4012006A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Continuous loop tape cartridges
Assignee: Hellermann Cassettes Ltd
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Filing: 1975-09-30
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Granted: 1977-03-15
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Expires: 1995-09-30
Abstract
Abstract A continuous-loop tape cartridge for high speed running, comprising a non-rotatively mounted tape-pack carrier having a hub around which a pack of tape is coiled, an opening in the hub wall through which in use the tape is pulled from the innermost turn of the pack, guide means for guiding the tape along a fixed path within the cartridge and back onto the pack as the outermost turn, and a duct for conveying air to the pack to provide an air-bearing for the tape at least between the innermost turn thereof and the hub.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward Alexander Leshik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:27
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H20/00; B65H20/26; G; G11; G11B; G11B23/00; G11B23/02; G11B23/04; G11B23/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
A tape cartridge, comprising: a. a base; b. a tape-pack carrier mounted non-rotatively on said base, said tape-pack carrier comprising a cylindrical hub projecting upwards from said base, said hub containing a recess, and an axial slot extending radially inwardly from the periphery of said hub in communication with said recess; c. tape-guiding means on said base; d. a length of tape wound as a pack around said hub, said tape passing successively off the innermost turn of said pack, through said slot, in a 90° twisted relation within said recess to a horizontal plane, and over the top of said hub and pack at a point diametrically opposite said slot, said tape then being twisted back again through 90° to a vertical plane and passing around said guiding means to return to said pack as the outermost turn thereof, said tape being in a continuous loop; and e. at least one radial duct extending through said hub to the cylindrical peripheral surface thereof, to convey air to said pack to provide an air-bearing for the tape at least between said innermost turn and said cylindrical surface of said hub.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
A tape cartridge, comprising: a. a base; b. a tape-pack carrier mounted non-rotatively on said base, said tape-pack carrier comprising a cylindrical hub projecting upwards from said base, said hub containing a recess, and an axial slot extending radially inwardly from the periphery of said hub in communication with said recess; c. tape-guiding means on said base; d. a length of tape wound as a pack around said hub, said tape passing successively off the innermost turn of said pack, through said slot, in a 90° twisted relation within said recess to a horizontal plane, and over the top of said hub and pack at a point diametrically opposite said slot, said tape then being twisted back again through 90° to a vertical plane and passing around said guiding means to return to said pack as the outermost turn thereof, said tape being in a continuous loop; and e. at least one radial duct extending through said hub to the cylindrical peripheral surface thereof, to convey air to said pack to provide an air-bearing for the tape at least between said innermost turn and said cylindrical surface of said hub.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A cartridge as claimed in claim 1, including a series of said ducts which open on said cylindrical surface of the hub at points spaced apart generally in the axial direction of the hub.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A cartridge as claimed in claim 1, in which the opening of said duct on said cylindrical wall comprises an elongate slot extending generally in the axial direction of the hub.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A cartridge as claimed in claim 2, in which the opening points of said series of ducts follow a line inclined to the axis of said hub.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A cartridge as claimed in claim 3, wherein said elongate slot is inclined relative to the axis of said hub.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A cartridge as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of said ducts opening onto said cylindrical surface at points spaced apart fround the circumference of said hub.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
A cartridge as claimed in claim 1, comprising an annular flange extending radially from said hub to support one side of the tape pack, said flange containing at least one duct, and means for directing air as a jet through said duct against the adjacent side of the tape pack, thereby to provide an air bearing between adjacent turns of the tape within said pack.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A cartridge as claimed in claim 7, comprising a series of said ducts formed through said flange and spaced apart in the radial direction of said flange.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A cartridge as claimed in claim 7, in which said duct formed through said flange opens on the surface of said flange as a slot elongated in the radial direction of said flange.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A cartridge as claimed in claim 7, comprising a plurality of said ducts formed through said flange and spaced at intervals around said flange.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
59 words
A cartridge as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tape pack carrier is formed as a one-piece cover member formed of synthetic plastic material and removably mounted with its hub disposed over a fixed hub of the tape cartridge and with the duct of the carrier aligned to receive air from a corresponding duct formed within the tape cartridge.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
A cartridge as claimed in claim 11, in which the tape running surfaces of the carrier are coated with a material which improves the wear-resistance and reduces the frictional resistance of the plastics material of which the carrier is formed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
A cartridge as claimed in claim 1, in which the hub thereof is provided with a plurality of ribs spaced apart around the hub and extending axially of the hub to reduce the surface area of the hub which contacts the innermost turn of the tape pack.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
A cartridge as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a nozzle for directing air, as a jet, tangentially of the tape pack into the space between the outermost turn of the pack and the length of tape leading back onto the pack as the outermost turn.
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) | 1980-03-14 | 1980-09-13 | 1981-03-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-03-14 | 1984-09-13 | 1985-03-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-03-14 | 1988-09-13 | 1989-03-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |