US 5,665,294 A · Method of making cleaning pads for tape transport cleaning devices

Abstract

The cleaning elements are used in cleaning cassettes for cleaning the tape-contacting parts of a tape transport device, particularly a data tape transport device. The cleaning elements are high-density springy, absorbent foam pads each having an indented linear fused section or groove transverse to the direction in which wiping forces tend to remove the cleaning element from its holder. Ridges are provided in the holder to engage the grooves so as to securely hold the cleaning elements in place, and make it relatively easy to remove and replace them. The pads are made by partially die-cutting a foam sheet to form individual pads which can be torn free from the sheet along perforation lines, and forming the linear fused section in each of a plurality of pads simultaneously by contacting the sheet with a linear heated die.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A method of making a generally planar foam cleaning element for use in devices for cleaning tape-contacting members in tape transport mechanisms, each of said devices having a cleaning element holder with a receptacle for receiving said cleaning element, said receptacle having a pair of spaced apart side walls and at least one ridge extending into said receptacle to reduce the spacing between said walls along a line transverse to the edges of said side walls, said method comprising the steps of;

(a) providing a foam pad with two ends, said pad having a thickness to fit between said side walls;
and
(b) forming a fused indentation in said pad at a location intermediate said ends and dimensioning said indentation to reduce said thickness of said pad along a line at said location so that said ridge fits into said indentation.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method of making cleaning pads for tape transport cleaning devices

Life of this patent

Method of making cleaning pads for tape transport cleaning devices

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11