Process and apparatus for disassembling tape cassettes

• US 20010009057A1
• Filed: 03/19/2001
• Published: 07/26/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/1995
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gerhard Hoefer, Manfred Schlatter, Norbert Muller
• Original Assignee: Gerhard Hoefer, Manfred Schlatter, Norbert Muller
• Inventors: Muller, Norbert, Schlatter, Manfred, Hoefer, Gerhard
• Granted Patent: US 6,349,457 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/426.4
• CPC Class Codes: B03B 9/061 the refuse being industrial
• CPC Class Codes: B09B 5/00 Operations not covered by a single other subclass or by a single other group in this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: B29B 17/02 Separating plastics from other materials
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2007/00 Flat articles, e.g. films or sheets B29L2024/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2017/008 Tapes tapes in general B29L2007/007
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 30/62 Plastics recycling; Rubber recycling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 83/948 having "memory", e.g. photographic or magnetic film
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49751 Scrap recovering or utilizing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49755 Separating one material from another
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49815 Disassembling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49819 with conveying of work or disassembled work part
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49821 by altering or destroying work part or connector
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/51 Plural diverse manufacturing apparatus including means for metal shaping or assembling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53 Means to assemble or disassemble
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53048 Multiple station assembly or disassembly apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53465 Film or tape cartridge

Abstract

Processes and apparatuses for partly disassembling tape cassettes having at least one closure flap comprise separating the closure flap from the cassette or from the cassette housing at an early time, before, during or shortly after the opening of the cassette. Several process methods and examples of apparatus are specified. The separating methods and apparatuses can be expediently used for all tape cassettes with one or more closure flaps, it being possible for these to be any type of audio, video and data cassettes.

Claims

1. A process for disassembling tape cassettes having a housing and at least one closure flap connected thereto and at least one tape reel located in the housing, the tape cassette being transported past disassembly stations, wherein a separation of the closure flap(s) from the housing takes place before or during or shortly after the opening of the housing at a disassembly station.

2. A process as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein the separation of the closure flap(s) from the housing takes place by knocking off or cutting off at least one corner of the housing, with the result of producing a free end of the closure flap.

3. A process as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein the separation of the closure flap(s) from the housing takes place by reaching between a side part of the closure flap and the adjoining transverse side of the housing and by bending out from the housing the fastening lug on the side part, thereby producing a free end of the closure flap.

4. A process as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein the separation of the closure flap(s) from the housing takes place by means of pressure on the closure flap through at least one of the openings.

5. A process as claimed in

claim 3

, wherein the separation of the closure flap(s) from the housing takes place by reaching between each of the two side parts of the closure flap and each of the adjoining transverse sides of the housing and destroying the fastening lugs.

6. A process as claimed in

claim 2

or

3

, wherein the free end of the closure flap(s) is pivoted in one direction, with the result that the other end of the closure flap is separated from the housing.

7. A process as claimed in

claim 6

, wherein the free end of the closure flap(s) is swiveled substantially in the plane of the housing.

8. A process as claimed in

claim 7

, wherein the pivoting or swiveling angle is about 6°

.

9. Apparatus for disassembling tape cassettes having a housing and at least one closure flap connected thereto and at least one tape reel located in the housing, the tape cassettes being moved past disassembly stations by means of a transporting device, which apparatus comprises an opening device for the housing and at least one device for separating the closure flap from the closed or opened housing, arranged in front of or parallel to or directly behind said opening means, seen in the transporting direction.

10. Apparatus as claimed in

claim 9

, wherein the separating device comprises a cutting device and a swiveling device, of which the cutting device separates one of the fastening lugs from the housing or destroys it, with the result of producing a free end of the closure flap, and the swiveling device pivots the free end of the closure flap in one direction, with the result that the other fastening lug is separated from the housing or destroyed.

11. Apparatus as claimed in

claim 9

or

10

, wherein the separating device comprises a cutting device which detaches at least one corner of the housing, at which one end of the closure flap is arranged.

12. Apparatus as claimed in

claim 9

or

10

, wherein the separating device comprises a pressure-exerting device, whereby the closure flap is removed from the housing.