Method and apparatus for cleaning magnetic tape having air bearings and vacuum-assisted cleaning

In a tape cleaning apparatus for cleaning magnetic tape from a tape cartridge, wherein the magnetic tape has an inside surface and an outside surface, at least one of which surfaces is adapted to contain data, and wherein the tape cleaning apparatus includes a take-up spool for winding the magnetic tape from the cartridge along a tape path, and a tape loading apparatus for loading the magnetic tape from the cartridge onto the take-up spool, an improvement comprising:

• air bearing means positioned adjacent the tape path for supporting the magnetic tape as it travels along the tape path;
• and
• vacuum assisted cleaning means positioned adjacent said tape path for cleaning the magnetic tape, said vacuum assisted cleaning means including a first cleaning tape guide block assembly with a first wiping medium positioned adjacent the tape path on the inside surface of the magnetic tape and a second cleaning tape guide block assembly with a second wiping medium positioned adjacent the tape path on the outside surface of the magnetic tape, said first cleaning tape guide block assembly containing a vacuum port for assisting in holding said magnetic tape in contact with said first wiping medium and for pulling particles from said inside surface of said magnetic tape into said first wiping medium and retaining them there, and said first and second cleaning tape guide block assemblies being adapted to hold said first and second wiping media in contact with the respective inside surface and outside surface of the magnetic tape.

Apparatus for cleaning magnetic tape from a tape cartridge, the magnetic tape having a beginning and an end and being wound around an annular drum inside of the cartridge such that the magnetic tape beginning is unwound before the magnetic tape end, wherein the magnetic tape has an inside surface and an outside surface, at least one of which surfaces is adapted to contain data, and wherein the tape cartridge also includes a puck attached to the beginning of the magnetic tape, comprising:

• cartridge receiving means adapted for receiving and retaining the tape cartridge, said cartridge receiving means including means for engaging the annular drum in the cartridge;
• tape take-up means for unwinding the magnetic tape from the cartridge, said take-up means including a take-up wheel adapted to receive the puck;
• tape threading means for threading the puck from the cartridge onto said take-up wheel, said tape threading means including a threader arm adapted to releasably engage the puck, said threader arm being pivotable between first and second positions, the first position allowing said threader arm to engage the puck at the cartridge and the second position allowing said threader arm to engage the puck at said take-up wheel, the magnetic tape following a tape path between the first and second positions;
• vacuum assisted tape cleaning means positioned adjacent said tape path for cleaning the magnetic tape, said vacuum assisted tape cleaning means including a first cleaning tape guide block assembly with a first wiping medium positioned adjacent the tape path on the inside surface of the magnetic tape and a second cleaning tape guide block assembly with a second wiping medium positioned adjacent the tape path on the outside surface of the magnetic tape, said first cleaning tape guide block assembly containing a vacuum port for assisting in holding said magnetic tape in contact with said first wiping medium and for pulling particles from said inside surface of said magnetic tape into said first wiping medium and retaining them there, and said first and second cleaning tape guide block assemblies being adapted to hold said first and second wiping media in contact with the respective inside surface and outside surface of the magnetic tape;
• and
• control means connected to said cartridge receiving means, said tape take-up means, said tape threading means, and said vacuum assisted tape cleaning means for automatically controlling the threading and cleaning of the magnetic tape.