Method and apparatus for supplying tape loading machines with reels of tape

An automated apparatus for supplying magnetic tape reels to cassette loading machines comprising:

• at least one rotatable support hub, operatively connected to a loading machine, capable of engaging a reel of magnetic tape;
• a storage unit for storing a plurality of reels of magnetic tape for mounting on said support hub, wherein said storage unit comprises a removable magazine for releasably holding the plurality of reels of magnetic tape stored in said storage unit;
• and
• a main carriage, movable in relation to a loading machine and said storage unit, having at least one grasping and release member operatively connected thereto and capable of:
• engaging said support hub to remove an empty tape reel;
• engaging said storage unit to pick up a new tape reel;
• and engaging said support hub to fit a new tape reel thereon.

A method of supplying magnetic tape reels to a cassette loading machine comprising the steps of:

• removably mounting a plurality of filled reels of tape on a magazine;
• mounting said magazine on a storage unit;
• removing a filled reel of tape from said storage unit with a movable support arm;
• transporting said filled reel of tape, with said support arm, to a rotatable support hub connected to a tape loading machine;
• mounting said filled reel of tape onto said support hub;
• removing said magazine from said storage unit when at least substantially all of said filled reels of tape have been removed from said storage unit;
• and
• replacing said magazine with another magazine having plurality of filled reels of tape mounted thereon.

An automated apparatus for supplying magnetic tape reels to cassette loading machines comprising:

• at least one rotatable support hub capable of engaging a magnetic tape reel comprising:
• a core rotatable by a motor;
• and
• a plurality of locking levers capable of exerting
• a force to fix the position of a reel on said
• support hub;
• a main carriage slidably movable in relation to a loading machine and said storage unit having at least one support arm extending therefrom, wherein said support arm is movable relative to said support hub from a rest position in which it is spaced apart from a front wall of the loading machine to a working position in which it is located closer to said front wall;
• and
• at least one grasping and release member connected to said support arm capable of engaging said support hub and said storage unit in order to remove an empty tape reel from said support hub, pick up a new tape reel from said storage unit and fix said new tape reel on said support hub in place of the empty reel.