Cartridge loading apparatus

An apparatus for loading a cartridge which encloses an information recording disk therein, wherein said cartridge includes first and second cases selectively movable in opposite directions by a sliding movement along a plane substantially coinciding with that of said disk, and is adapted to be in a closed state to completely enclose and seal said disk when said first and second cases are by said sliding movement brought into contact with each other and in an open state to expose an area of said disk between said first and second cases when said first and second cases are by said sliding movement separated from each other, said first case having lateral side faces extending in the movable direction of said first case, said side faces being provided with a recess, and fixing means for locking said cartridge in said closed state, said apparatus comprising:

• a housing having a port at one side of said housing for receiving and discharging said cartridge therethrough;
• cartridge handling means, disposed in said housing, for receiving said cartridge from said port in said closed state, for opening the cartridge by separating by said sliding movement the first and second cases from each other to expose the area of said information recording disk, for closing the cartridge by bringing by said sliding movement the first and second cases into contact with each other, and for ejecting at least part of said closed cartridge outside of said housing through said port;
• locking means for locking said cartridge inserted in said housing in position, said locking means including a pair of locking devices arranged beside said lateral faces of said first case of said cartridge, and each locking device including a locking lever movable between a release position where said cartridge is set freely movable, and a locking position where the locking lever is inserted in said recess, thereby locking said cartridge in position;
• and for cooperating with said fixing means to lock said cartridge in a closed state when said cartridge is discharged from said housing.