Tape media cleaning/finishing device

A method of removing debris from a tape media, the method comprising:

• providing a cleaning head having a front and a plurality of transverse slots formed in the front to define a plurality of spaced ridges each having an outer surface extending between opposing transverse edges, the outer surfaces combining to define a curved, tape-receiving face;
• driving the tape across the face in a generally perpendicular fashion relative to the transverse edges such that a transverse chordal segment of the tape contacts a leading transverse edge of at least three of the ridges as the tape is driven across the face;
• and
• removing debris from the tape via the driven contact between the tape and the leading transverse edges.

A tape media cleaning device comprising:

• a head having a front defined by opposing outer regions and a central region;
• a plurality of transverse cavities formed in the front to define a plurality of lands in the central region each having a flat outer face extending between opposing sides with opposing corners being formed at an intersection between the outer face and the opposing sides, respectively;
• and
• first and second outriggers formed at the opposing outer regions, respectively, wherein each of the outriggers are spaced from a corresponding, adjacent land;
• wherein the plurality of cavities are configured to establish a sub-ambient condition as a tape is driven across the outer faces in a generally perpendicular fashion relative to the lands such that the tape at least partially wraps about a leading corner of at least three of the lands to effectuate removal of debris.

A method of removing debris from a tape media, the method comprising:

• providing a cleaning head having a front defined by opposing outer regions and a central region, a plurality of transverse cavities formed in the front to define a plurality of lands in the central region, each of the lands having a flat outer face extending between opposing corners, and opposing outriggers formed at the opposing outer regions, respectively;
• driving the tape across the outer faces in a generally perpendicular fashion relative to the lands such that a transverse chordal segment of the tape is passed over at least three of the lands;
• establishing a sub-ambient condition within at least three of the cavities during the step of driving the tape such that the magnetic tape at least partially wraps about a leading corner of at least three of the lands;
• and
• removing debris from the tape via driven contact between the tape and a leading corner about which the tape is at least partially wrapped.

A tape media cleaning system comprising:

• a first cleaning device comprising:
• a first head having a front;
• a plurality of transverse slots formed in the front to define a plurality of spaced ridges each having an outer surface extending between opposing transverse edges;
• wherein the outer surfaces combine to define a curved, tape-receiving face configured such that a tape driven along the tape-receiving face in a generally perpendicular fashion relative to the transverse edges contacts a leading transverse edge of at least three of the ridges to effectuate removal of debris;
• and
• a second cleaning device associated with the first cleaning device, the second cleaning device comprising:
• a second head having a front defined by opposing outer regions and a central region;
• a plurality of transverse cavities formed in the front of the second head to define a plurality of lands in the central region each having flat outer face extending between opposing sides with opposing corners being formed at an intersection between the outer face and the opposing sides, respectively;
• and
• first and second outriggers formed at the opposing outer regions, respectively, wherein each of the outriggers are spaced from a corresponding, adjacent land;
• wherein the plurality of cavities are configured to establish a sub-ambient condition as a tape is driven across the outer faces in a generally perpendicular fashion relative to the lands such that the tape at least partially wraps about a leading corner of at least three of the lands to effectuate removal of debris.

A method of removing debris from a tape media, the method comprising:

• providing a first cleaning head having a front and a plurality of transverse slots formed in the front to define a plurality of spaced ridges each having an outer surface extending between opposing transverse edges, the outer surfaces combining to define a curved, tape-receiving face;
• providing a second cleaning head having a front defined by opposing outer regions and a central region, a plurality of transverse cavities formed in the front to define a plurality of lands in the central region, each of the lands having a flat outer face extending between opposing corners, and opposing outriggers formed at the opposing outer regions, respectively;
• driving the tape across the tape-receiving surface of the first cleaning head and the outer faces of the lands of the second cleaning head such that a transverse chordal segment of the tape contacts a leading transverse edge of at least three of the ridges of the first cleaning head and is passed over at least three of the lands of the second cleaning head;
• establishing a sub-ambient condition within at least three of the cavities of the second cleaning head during the step of driving the tape such that the tape at least partially wraps about a leading corner of at least three of the lands of the second cleaning head;
• and
• removing debris from the tape via driven contact between the tape and the leading transverse edges of the first cleaning head and between the tape and a leading corner about which the tape is at least partially wrapped of the second cleaning head.