Magnetic media erasure system

An apparatus for erasing magnetic media, said apparatus comprising:

• a first magnetic erase head which comprises a series of radially arranged poles of alternating polarity;
• a second magnetic erase head which is identical in structure to the first;
• means to position said magnetic erase heads on opposite sides of said magnetic media such that poles of like polarity are disposed opposite one another, and the magnetic fields associated with said poles are of sufficient strength to induce asymptotic signal saturation of the magnetic media.

A method of bulk erasing high coercivity magnetic recording media, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) positioning a reel of high coercivity magnetic tape between two magnetic erase heads, such that all recorded portions of said tape pass between said erase heads when said reel is rotated, each of said erase heads comprising a series of magnetic poles of alternating polarity arranged radially and in a circumferential fashion about said erase head, wherein poles of like polarity on opposing erase heads are disposed opposite one another, and the magnetic fields associated with said poles are of sufficient strength to induce asymptotic signal saturation of the magnetic media;
• (b) rotating said high coercivity magnetic tape between said erase heads to accomplish DC and AC type erasure.

A method of bulk erasing high coercivity magnetic recording media, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) positioning a reel of high coercivity magnetic tape between two magnetic erase heads, such that all recorded portions of said tape pass between said erase heads when said reel is rotated, each of said erase heads comprising a series of magnetic poles of alternating polarity arranged radially and in a circumferential fashion about said erase head, wherein poles of like polarity on opposing erase heads are disposed opposite one another, and the magnetic fields associated with said poles are of sufficient strength to induce asymptotic signal saturation of the magnetic media;
• (b) rotating said erase heads synchronously about a common axis to accomplish DC and AC type erasure of the high coercivity magnetic tape disposed between said erase heads.

A method of bulk erasing high coercivity magnetic recording media, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) positioning a reel of high coercivity magnetic tape between two magnetic erase heads, such that all recorded portions of said tape pass between said erase heads when said reel is rotated, each of said erase heads comprising a series of magnetic poles of alternating polarity arranged radially about said erase head, wherein poles of like polarity on opposing erase heads are disposed opposite one another, and the magnetic fields associated with said poles are of sufficient strength to induce asymptotic signal saturation of the magnetic media;
• (b) rotating said erase heads asynchronously about a common axis to accomplish DC and AC type erase of the high coercivity magnetic tape disposed between said erase heads.

A method of bulk erasing magnetic recording media, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) positioning two magnetic erase heads such that said magnetic recording media can pass between said erase heads, wherein each of said erase heads comprises a series of magnetic poles of alternating polarity arranged radially and in a circumferential fashion about said erase head, wherein poles of like polarity on opposing erase heads are disposed opposite one another, and the magnetic fields associated with said poles are of sufficient strength to induce asymptotic signal saturation of the magnetic media passing therebetween;
• (b) dropping said magnetic recording media between said erase heads to accomplish DC and AC type erasure.