US 5,349,713 A · Magnetic tape cleaning system

Abstract

A cleaning system for magnetic tape intended for high density magnetic data usage combines passing a high volume flow of negatively ionized air across a moving tape surface with simultaneous wiping of one surface of the tape with a soft, non-abrading material to remove dust and foreign particles from the tape. The air flow passes through a filter, which removes the particles. The air then passes through an ionizing grid and back across the tape in a continuous, closed loop operation. The cleaning material is housed in a removable cartridge along with the air filter. A brush moves in response to loading of the tape to pinch the tape and thus remove particles from the surface opposite the tape surface engaged by the soft material.

Claims14

Dependent claims

Apparatus for cleaning an elongated magnetic tape media having two surfaces, the tape media being intended for use in extremely high data density applications, comprising:

means for moving the tape media along a predetermined path;
means engaging one surface of the tape media with a wiping media at a first location;
means for driving air through a flow path including said first location thereby passing air across both surfaces of the tape media;
means for ionizing the air in said flow path prior to passage thereof over both surfaces of the tape media,
said ionizing means including an electrostatic discharge grid in said flow path, and
means for applying a potential voltage across said grid for ionizing the air in said flow path.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Magnetic tape cleaning system

Life of this patent

Magnetic tape cleaning system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14