Quantum Corporation

Xerox Corporation

Kim M Thomas

John C Owens

Ryan S Porter

Scott Ryan Patterson

Paddy Eliot Collins

David Ray Berry

Alexander Chan

Peter A Johnson

Theodore James Oade

Sam Wen

Christopher Lee Felton

Thua Nang Dai

Gary Eugene Sadler

Dominic John Maglia

Gerald A Domoto

Daniel M Bray

Michael J Savino

Alvin D Kromm, Jr

Pat Eliot Collins

Dominic John Maglin

The tape cartridge autoloader library system comprises at least one read/write tape drive, a tape cartridge picker, a single tape cartridge interface, and at least one pair of tape cartridge transport magazines within a compact form factor that fits into a standard library rack mount of cabinet. The autoloader/library system is a complete tape cartridge library that stores, manages, and automatically exchanges a plurality of tape cartridges between the tape drive unit, the single cartridge interface, and the tape cartridge transport magazines. The tape cartridge transport magazines are each configured to receive and store a plurality of individual tape cartridges in a horizontal relationship. The tape cartridge transport magazines also transport the individual tape cartridges within the tape cartridge transport magazine so that a specific one of the tape cartridges is in position for selection by the cartridge picker. The cartridge picker is configured to rotate to position the cartridge picker to exchange the individual tape cartridges with one of the tape drive, the tape cartridge transport magazines, and/or the single tape cartridge interface. The single cartridge interface is configured to receive individual tape cartridges for either storage in one of the tape cartridge transport magazines or read/write operations in the tape drive.

Automated tape cartridge autoloader/library system

Tape cartridge picker including a turntable that rotates in a fixed base to interface with at least one tape cartridge storage location and at least one tape drive. The turntable includes a cavity configured to receive a tape cartridge. The cavity is defined in the turntable about a central axis of rotation so that once received in the cavity, the tape cartridge may be rotated within the turntable for delivery to one of the at least one storage location and the at least one tape drive. Tape cartridges are loaded onto the turntable using a translation arm that extends horizontally from the turntable to engage or hook a tape cartridge and pull the tape cartridge into the cavity. Tape cartridges are unloaded from the turntable by extending the translation arm to slide the tape cartridge out of the cavity and into one of the at least one storage location and the at least one tape drive.

Tape cartridge picker for an automated tape cartridge autoloader/library system

A tape cartridge autoloader library system including at least one read/write tape drive, a tape cartridge picker, a single tape cartridge interface, and a pair of tape cartridge magazines within a compact form factor that fits into a standard library rack mount. The autoloader/library system is a complete tape cartridge library that stores, manages, and automatically exchanges a plurality of tape cartridges between the tape drive, the single cartridge interface, and the pair of tape cartridge magazines. The tape cartridge magazines are each configured to receive and store a plurality of individual tape cartridges in a horizontal relationship. The tape cartridge magazines transport the individual tape cartridges within the tape cartridge magazines so that an individual one of the tape cartridges is in position for selection by the cartridge picker. The cartridge picker rotates to exchange tape cartridges between one of the tape drive, the pair of tape cartridge magazines, and/or the single tape cartridge interface. The single cartridge interface exchanges individual tape cartridges between an operator and the autoloader/library system.

Compact form factor for an automated tape cartridge autoloader/library system

The tape cartridge transport magazine receives and stores tape cartridges in a horizontal orientation relative to the tape cartridge transport magazine to achieve a substantially smaller form factor. Once loaded into the magazine, the tape cartridges are shuffled in a vertical closed loop within the magazine so that any one of the tape cartridges can be positioned for selection by a cartridge picker. During shuffling within the magazine, individual tape cartridges are not flipped or reoriented, but remain properly oriented for selection by the cartridge picker. When used with a tape cartridge autoloader/library system as disclosed herein, a pair of interchangeable magazines can be utilized to store and provide tape cartridges for selection by a rotating cartridge picker.

Tape cartridge transport magazine for an automated tape cartridge autoloader/library system

A moisturizing and decurling apparatus, mountable immediately downstream of a fusing apparatus in an electrostatographic reproduction machine, is provided for removing any curl from a copy sheet in order to produce a high quality toner particle image of an original image on a stable flat copy sheet. The moisturizing and decurling apparatus includes a moisturizing device for applying moisture onto a copy sheet within a critical period of time after the copy sheet passes through the fusing apparatus, and a constraining and stabilizing assembly for constraining and stabilizing the copy sheet into a desired flat condition before the melted toner particles cool below a set critical temperature. The constraining and stabilizing assembly includes a flat vacuum belt assembly for holding flat and transporting the copy sheet before the melted toner particles cool below the set critical temperature.

Electrophotographic printing machine including a post-fusing substrate

An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on a surface with toner. The apparatus includes a housing having a supply of toner therein; a donor member arranged in said housing to transport toner to a development zone adjacent the surface; a electrode member is provided for detaching toner from said donor member and produce a toner cloud in the development zone; and an air handling system, associated with said housing, for collecting stray toner particles emitted from said housing, said air handling system including a separator for separating toner by size. The air handling system includes a blower, a particle chamber and a valve assembly.

Air handling system for a development housing

An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on a surface with toner. The apparatus includes a housing having a supply of toner therein; a donor member arranged in the housing to transport toner to a development zone adjacent the surface; a detaching toner device for detaching toner from the donor member and producing a toner cloud in the development zone; and an air handling system, associated with the housing, for collecting stray toner particles emitted from the housing, the air handling system including a separator for separating toner by size.

Growing community of inventors

Colorado Springs, CO, United States of America

Kim M Thomas