Device for loading a tape-like substance

Claim 1

A device for loading a tape-like substance comprising: a supply reel; a take-up reel; a guide drum; path-defining means defining a tape path extending from an inlet for receiving said tape-like substance from the supply reel to an outlet for supplying said tape-like substance to the take-up reel, said tape path including a peripheral path extending along the periphery of the guide drum; means defining a plurality of air outlets along the tape path; and at least one blower for blowing air from the plurality of air outlets into the tape path, wherein the tape-like substance is paid out of the supply reel and conveyed with assistance by the air blown from the plurality of air outlets, from said inlet to said outlet through said peripheral path; the device further comprising: a guide plate for leading said tape-like substance together with the air to the beginning of said peripheral path; and a drive mechanism for moving said guide plate in either direction between an active position and an inactive position, said guide plate in said active position leading said tape-like substance together with the air to the beginning of said peripheral path in order to facilitate loading of said tape-like substance and in said inactive position avoiding interference with movement of said tape-like substance in order to facilitate movement of said tape-like substance between said supply reel and said take-up reel.

Claim 2

A device for loading a tape-like substance comprising: a supply reel; a take-up reel; a guide drum; path-defining means defining a tape path extending from an inlet for receiving said tape-like substance from the supply reel to an outlet for supplying said tape-like substance to the take-up reel, said tape path including a peripheral path extending along the periphery of the guide drum; means defining a plurality of air outlets along the tape path; and at least one blower for blowing air from the plurality of air outlets into the tape path, wherein the tape-like substance is paid out of the supply reel and conveyed with assistance by the air blown from the plurality of air outlets, from said inlet to said outlet through said peripheral path; the device further comprising: a guide plate for leading said tape-like substance together with the air to the beginning of said peripheral path; and a drive mechanism for moving said guide plate in either direction between an active position and an inactive position, said guide plate in said active position leading said tape-like substance together with the air to the beginning of said peripheral path in order to facilitate loading of said tape-like substance and in said inactive position avoiding interference with movement of said tape-like substance in order to facilitate movement of said tape-like substance between said supply reel and said take-up reel.

Claim 8

A device for loading a tape-like substance, in which the tape-like substance is paid out by a supply reel and is taken up by a take-up reel after helically running along the periphery of a rotary drum, the device comprising: a pair of tape guides for regulating the angle of contact of said tape-like substance wound on said rotary drum and a drive mechanism for moving said pair of tape guides selectively to a record/playback position, where they facilitate running of said tape-like substance around said rotary drum at a given speed and a predetermined angle of contact; a load position spaced apart from said rotary drum, where they facilitate surrounding of said rotary drum by said tape-like substance in a tape loading operation; and a fast-forward/reverse position situated between said load and record/playback positions, where they facilitate partially unwinding said tape-like substance from said rotary drum and the running of said tape-like substance between said supply reel and said take-up reel at a speed higher than said given speed.

Claim 9

A device for loading a tape-like substance, in which the tape-like substance is paid out by a supply reel and is taken up by a take-up reel after helically running along the periphery of a rotary drum, the device comprising: a pair of tape guides for regulating the angle of contact of said tape-like substance wound on said rotary drum and a drive mechanism for moving said pair of tape guides selectively to a record/playback position, where they facilitate running of said tape-like substance around said rotary drum at a given speed and a predetermined angle of contact; a load position spaced apart from said rotary drum, where they facilitate surrounding of said rotary drum by said tape-like substance in a tape loading operation; and a fast-forward/reverse position situated between said load and record/playback positions, where they facilitate partially unwinding said tape-like substance from said rotary drum and the running of said tape-like substance between said supply reel and said take-up reel at a speed higher than said given speed.