US 5,305,964 AGranted

Cassette tape loading device having pivotable adhesive tape applicator and method of use

AssigneeOtari Inc.

InventorKoichi Sota

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Abstract

A magnetic tape cassette loading and winding apparatus having a pivotable adhesive tape applicator for splicing the end of a leader tape to the end of a magnetic tape and winding into the cassette. The loading and winding apparatus has three tape holders. Two of the holders are pivotally mounted so they can be moved to sequentially change position to first hold the leader tape while it is cut, hold one cut end of the leader on a free end of the magnetic tape while it is spliced with an adhesive tape, and then hold the other cut end of the leader tape and a second cut end of the magnetic tape while it is spliced. The pivotable tape holders can thus perform several functions. A movable adhesive tape is also provided to move from one position to another to apply pieces of adhesive tape to the cut ends of leader tape.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A magnetic tape winding apparatus for winding a magnetic tape into a cassette case having a leader tape, comprising in combination:

magnetic tape supply means for supplying magnetic tape;
first tape holding means for holding a free end of a magnetic tape supplied from the magnetic tape supply means, cassette case holding means for holding the cassette case, leader tape withdrawing means for withdrawing tape from said cassette case being held on said cassette case holding means;
second tape holding means movable between a first position with an outer portion of the withdrawn leader tape being held and a second position with an inner portion of the leader tape being exposed;
third tape holding means for holding the end of a leader tape, said third tape holding means being movable between a third position aligned level with said second tape holding means at a first position and a fourth position aligned level with the first tape holding means;
first cutting means for cutting the leader tape held on said second and third tape holding means when said second tape holding means is at the first position and the third tape holding means is at a third position;
second cutting means for cutting the tape when the third holding means is at the fourth position;
first sticking means for sticking a piece of adhesive tape to the cut end of said magnetic tape being on said first tape holding means and an end of said leader tape cut by the first cutting means held on said third tape holding means when said third holding means is at the fourth position;
second sticking means for sticking a piece of adhesive tape to the other end of said leader tape cut by the first cutting means held on said second tape holding means, half of said piece of adhesive tape extending beyond the other cut end of said leader tape held on the second tape holding means at the second position;
third sticking means for sticking the section of adhesive tape on the leader tape held on said second tape holding means to the end of the magnetic tape held on said third tape holding means when said second tape holding means is at the first position and said third tape holding means is at the third position;
said first and second sticking means constitute a single structure that is movable from a first position to stick a piece of adhesive tape on a first cut end of said leader tape and end of said magnetic tape to a second position to stick a piece of adhesive tape on a second cut end of said leader tape, and revolving means for revolving a reel in the cassette case to wind the spliced magnetic tape into the cassette.

7 more elements

A tape cassette loading and winding apparatus for splicing and winding a magnetic tape into a cassette comprising;

magnetic tape supply means for supplying magnetic tape;
first tape holding means for holding an end of said magnetic tape from said magnetic tape supply means;
cassette holding means for holding a cassette to be loaded with magnetic tape;
leader tape withdrawing means for extending a leader tape from said cassette;
second tape holding means movable between a first position and a second position, said second tape holding means holding a portion of said withdrawn leader tape when in said second position;
third tape holding means for holding the leader tape exposed outside of said cassette;
said third tape holding means being movable between first and second positions, said third tape holding means being in alignment with said second holding means in its first position and in alignment with said first tape holding means when moved to said second position;
first tape cutting means constructed and arranged to cut said leader tape being held on said second and third tape holding means when they are in alignment;
second cutting means for cutting said magnetic tape when said third tape holding means is in alignment with said first tape holding means;
first sticking means for sticking a piece of adhesive tape on the first cut end of said leader tape and the held end of said magnetic tape;
second sticking means for sticking a piece of adhesive tape to the other cut end of leader tape with about half of the piece of adhesive tape extending beyond the other cut end of said leader tape;
third sticking means for pressing the piece of adhesive tape extending beyond the other cut end of said leader tape to the cut end of said magnetic tape when the respective ends are in abutment;
said first and second sticking means constitute a single structure that is movable from a first position to stick a piece of adhesive tape on a first cut end of said leader tape and one end of said magnetic tape to a second position to stick a piece of adhesive tape on a second cut end of said leader tape;
revolving means for revolving a reel in said cassette to wind the leader tape and spliced magnetic tape into the cassette;
whereby the cassette is loaded with magnetic tape.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.