Magnetic tape cleaning system
First Claim
1. Apparatus for cleaning an elongated magnetic tape media having two surfaces, the tape media being intended for use in extremely high data density applications, comprising:
- means for moving the tape media along a predetermined path;
means engaging one surface of the tape media with a wiping media at a first location;
means for driving air through a flow path including said first location thereby passing air across both surfaces of the tape media;
means for ionizing the air in said flow path prior to passage thereof over both surfaces of the tape media,said ionizing means including an electrostatic discharge grid in said flow path, andmeans for applying a potential voltage across said grid for ionizing the air in said flow path.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A cleaning system for magnetic tape intended for high density magnetic data usage combines passing a high volume flow of negatively ionized air across a moving tape surface with simultaneous wiping of one surface of the tape with a soft, non-abrading material to remove dust and foreign particles from the tape. The air flow passes through a filter, which removes the particles. The air then passes through an ionizing grid and back across the tape in a continuous, closed loop operation. The cleaning material is housed in a removable cartridge along with the air filter. A brush moves in response to loading of the tape to pinch the tape and thus remove particles from the surface opposite the tape surface engaged by the soft material.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. Apparatus for cleaning an elongated magnetic tape media having two surfaces, the tape media being intended for use in extremely high data density applications, comprising:
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means for moving the tape media along a predetermined path; means engaging one surface of the tape media with a wiping media at a first location; means for driving air through a flow path including said first location thereby passing air across both surfaces of the tape media; means for ionizing the air in said flow path prior to passage thereof over both surfaces of the tape media, said ionizing means including an electrostatic discharge grid in said flow path, and means for applying a potential voltage across said grid for ionizing the air in said flow path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. High data density magnetic tape cleaning apparatus for use in cleaning magnetic tape having two surfaces, comprising:
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means for receiving a cartridge containing the tape, means for extracting the tape from the cartridge for presentation at a first station; first and second means for engaging both respective surfaces of the tape at said first station for dislodging particles therefrom; means providing a flow of air across both tape surfaces; means for ionizing the air from said flow providing means prior to engagement with both tape surfaces; said ionizing means including an electrostatic discharge grid in said flow of air, and means for applying a potential voltage across said grid for ionizing the air in said flow of air. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for cleaning magnetic tape media with two surfaces comprising the steps of:
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moving one surface of the tape media across a wiping material; providing an air flow path; providing an electrostatic grid in said air flow path, providing a potential voltage across said grid for ionizing the air in said air flow path, and causing said ionized air flow path to pass over both surfaces of the tape. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification