Cassette for holding disks of multiple form factors
AssigneeSeagate Technology LLC
InventorsGerardo Buitron, Walter Crofton, David Newman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various apparatus and methods are provided for positioning and handling hard memory disks. A disk carrier is provided with adjustably positionable side wall inserts. The inserts or panels may be moved between a plurality of positions to accommodate disks of different diameters. The inserts may also be substituted to accommodate disks of different thickness or different orientations, such as pairs of disks in gap merge orientation or contact merge orientation.
Claims23
A method for storing a plurality of hard memory disks of varying diameter, comprising:
- a. providing a container body having two end walls interconnected by a pair of elongate side members;
- b. providing a pair of side panel members comprising an upper panel and a lower panel, said upper and lower panels further comprising disk engaging portions;
- c. providing multiple securement positions on each end wall for receiving said side panel members to accommodate disks of different diameters;
- d. securing said side panel members to said end walls to accommodate disks of a specific diameter;
- e. placing a plurality of disks in said container body.
A method of manufacturing hard memory disks, the method comprising:
- a. providing a plurality of disks having a first diameter;
- b. positioning the plurality of disks in a container in parallel axial alignment;
- c. processing the plurality of disks;
- d. adjusting the container to accommodate a second plurality of disks of a second diameter, where said first and second diameters are different;
- e. positioning a plurality of disks having the second diameter in the cassette;
- f. processing the plurality of disks having the second diameter.
A method of flexible practices in the manufacture of hard memory disks, comprising:
- a. providing a plurality of disks of two different sizes;
- b. placing disks of a first size in a modular container having two end walls and two adjustably positionable side panels;
- c. processing said disks of a first size;
- d. reconfiguring the modular container by repositioning the side panels relative to the end walls so that the container accommodates disks of the second size;
- e. placing disks of the second size in the container;
- f. processing the disks of a second size.
A method of flexible practices in the manufacture of hard memory disks, comprising:
- a. providing a plurality of disks;
- b. placing the plurality of disks in a modular container having two end walls and two detachable side panels;
- c. orienting the disks in a gap merge configuration;
- d. processing said disks;
- e. reconfiguring the modular container by repositioning the side panels relative to the end walls so that the container accommodates disks in a contact merge orientation;
- f. placing a plurality of disks in the container;
- g. processing the second plurality of disks.
A method for changing a disk carrier to accommodate disks of different sizes, comprising:
- a. providing a disk carrier body portion having two opposed end walls with a plurality of predetermined securement locations;
- b. providing a pair of side wall inserts, configured to hold a plurality of disks in a predetermined orientation;
- c. attaching the side wall inserts to the exposed end walls at one of the plurality of predetermined securement locations to accommodate disks of a first diameter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.