Tape cartridge

A tape cartridge for use with a tape drive including a threading mechanism and a tape path having a first guide element, the cartridge comprising:

• a supply reel;
• a magnetic tape wound on the supply reel;
• a leader attached to an end of the tape, the leader including a head having an aperture for receiving the threading mechanism of the tape drive;
• and
• a cartridge body supporting the supply reel and including first and second adjacent faces that are generally perpendicular to each other, the first face having a first opening through which the tape may travel, the second face having a second opening for receiving the threading mechanism of the tape drive, the cartridge body further having a channel for stowing the leader in a stowed position, and a stop that engages the head of the leader when the leader is in the stowed position, the channel extending at an angle with respect to the second face such that the channel is generally aligned with the first guide element of the tape drive when the cartridge body is inserted into the tape drive.

A method of accessing a leader of a tape cartridge, the method comprising:

• inserting the cartridge into a tape drive having a threading mechanism, the cartridge having first and second faces disposed at an angle to each other, the first face at least partially defining a first opening, and the second face having a second opening;
• inserting the threading mechanism through the second opening to engage the leader of the cartridge;
• and
• pulling the leader through the first opening;
• wherein the cartridge comprises a cartridge body including the first and second faces, and a door movably associated with the cartridge body, the door being movable between a closed position and an open position for allowing extraction of the leader, and wherein prior to the step of inserting the cartridge into the tape drive, the door is in the closed position and extends into an aperture of the leader.

A tape cartridge for use with a tape drive having a threading mechanism, the cartridge comprising:

• a magnetic tape;
• a leader attached to an end of the tape and configured to engage the threading mechanism;
• and
• a cartridge body for housing the tape, the cartridge body including first and second faces disposed at an angle to each other, the first face having a first opening through which the tape may travel, the second face having a second opening for receiving the threading mechanism of the tape drive, wherein the cartridge body further has a slot for stowing the leader in a stowed position, the slot being adjacent to the second face and extending at an angle with respect to the second face.