Imation Corporation

Allan R Markert

Robert W Tapani

Douglas W Johnson

Saeed Fahimi

Durkee B Richards

Richard E Jewett

James J Evanoff

Wayne P Schaefer

The invention is directed to arrangements of tape guides which can improve the guiding of data storage tape. Tape guides having specific sizes relative to the data storage tape are also disclosed. The disclosed tape guides and arrangements of tape guides can improve the ability to properly guide the data storage tape, e.g., during media fabrication, servo recording or readout, data recording or data readout. The invention is particularly useful for magnetic tape, but may also find application with optical tape, holographic tape, or other formats of data storage tape.

Guide arrangements for data storage tape guiding systems

A drive chuck of a tape drive system for operatively engaging a tape reel of a data storage tape cartridge. The tape reel includes a circular ring of outwardly projecting reel teeth that defines inner and outer circumferential faces. The drive chuck includes a circular ring of drive chuck teeth and an alignment feature. The alignment feature is radially spaced from the drive chuck teeth and includes a radial contact surface. The radial contact surface is configured and positioned to contact one of the inner and outer circumferential faces upon operative engagement between the drive chuck and the tape reel. In one preferred embodiment, the alignment feature is a ring positioned to contact the outer circumferential face of the ring of reel teeth.

Tape drive system with radial alignment feature

A system and method for cleaning a tape media, such as a magnetic tape. The system preferably includes first and second cleaning heads. The first cleaning head has a plurality of spaced ridges defining a curved, tape-receiving face. The second cleaning head has including a plurality of lands spaced by shallow cavities configured to establish a sub-ambient condition. During use, a tape is transversed over the first cleaning head, with contact at leading edges formed by the ridges removing relatively large and loose particles. Relative to the second cleaning head, the tape partially wraps about a leading corner of the lands, due to the sub-ambient condition within the shallow cavities, facilitating removal of small, tacky debris. Processing by the cleaning heads simulates multiple passes over a magnetic head, thereby stabilizing magnetic tape. In alternative embodiments, the system includes only one of the first or second cleaning heads.

Tape media cleaning/finishing device

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Lake Elmo, MN, United States of America

Allan R Markert