U.S. Philips Corporation

Cornelis Ouwerkerk

Robertus J Verhoeven

Cornelis M Beijersbergen Van Henegouwen

Rudolf J Van Der Hoorn

Pieter D Schuitmaker

Waltherus C Bierhoff

Marcelles B Douwes

Wilhelmus J Rath

Pieter G Markus

Paul J Van Weele

Cornelis H Van Rijsewijk

Gerardus I Elders

Cornelis M Van Beijersbergen

A system for recording and/or reading signals on/from information carriers (4) accommodated in cassettes (2) composed of cassettes (2-3A) of a first type and cassettes (2-3B) of a second type, which two types of cassettes have substantially identical dimensions and shapes apart from local identifying distinctive features (22-3A, 26-3A; 22-3B, 26-3B) of a first type and of a second type respectively. Drive apparatus constructed to cooperate with a cassette of the system when inserted in a correct orientation. Drive apparatus of the first type, is constructed for cooperation with cassettes (2-3A) of the first type but not for cooperation with cassettes (2-3B) of the second type, and drive apparatus of a second type, is constructed for cooperation with cassettes (2 3B) of the second type but not for cooperation with cassettes (2 3A) of the first type. The drive apparatus further comprise a physical blocking mechanism (30; 52) of a first type and a second type respectively, which are constructed to cooperate with the distinctive features of the different cassette types wherein the drive apparatus of the first type accept cassettes of a first type but do not accept cassettes of the second type and the drive apparatus of the second type accept cassettes of the second type but do not accept cassettes of the first type, at least when that the cassettes are inserted in a correct orientation and in other cases block the cassettes.

System for selectively interfacing information carriers by physically

A disc cassette (1) has an outer case (4) with a front opening which is closed by a shutter (8) and latched in the case by a movable latching device. The apparatus has a device to release the shutter of an inserted disc cassette and with the aid of a withdrawal mechanism withdraws the shutter from the case when the case is withdrawn from the apparatus. The movable latching device for latching the shutter (8) in the case (4) comprises a movable part (14) of the case, and the release device of the apparatus comprises an insertion element (18A, 18B) which penetrates between the shutter and the case when the loaded disc cassette is inserted, thereby moving the movable part of the case to a free position in which the shutter is no longer latched in the case.

Combination disc cassette and apparatus for removing disc therefrom

A cassette contains an information disc arranged to be rotatable in the space inside the cassette and has an opening in a main wall of the housing to provide access to the disc surface for a pick-up. In order to minimize the area of the opening, while maintaining a wide field of use for the cassette, the opening is arranged asymmetrically relative to a radius of the disc.

Cassette having an information disc

Cassette includes a disc (1) accommodated in an external sleeve (2) and retained therein by a disc holder (7) which closes the front of the sleeve (2) by means of a shutter (8), which retains the disc by retaining jaws (9), and which is latched in the sleeve by latching means (48) which can be moved by external means to remove the disc holder and the disc from the sleeve. Apparatus includes release levers (11) which release the disc holder (7) and an extraction mechanism (11, 13, 14) which withdraws the disc-holder/disc unit from the sleeve in such a way that the disc and disc holder remain inside the apparatus after withdrawal of the sleeve. Jaws (9) also retain the disc (2) outside the sleeve and can be moved relative to each other from the retaining position to a free position, in which the disc can be rotated and is clear of the retaining means, by external means only. Apparatus includes release means (11, 15, 20, 24) which ensure that inside the apparatus the jaws (9) are moved from the retaining position to the free position.

System for recording/reading information on/from a disc, comprising a

A printer (1) having a guide (13,15,16) for an insertable cassette (17), which is provided with a data strip (175) displaceable along a printing head (19). In certain arrangements the cassette may also include a transfer strip (177), which could include colored portions. The cassette (17) has an entrance window (167) for a transport roller (65) pivotable in the printer (1) by translation of the cassette (17). During printing, the data strip (175) and the transfer strip (177), if any, are clamped between the printing head (19) on a first cassette side and the transport roller (65) pivoted from a second cassette side located opposite the first cassette side into the entrance window (167). Separate gear wheel trains both driven by the same motor transport the two strips when both are provided.

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Eindhoven, Netherlands

Cornelis Ouwerkerk