Ultra fast backup (UFB) tape cartridge and method for loading same

A cartridge for operatively housing a recording/playback medium, comprising:

• a first spool and a second spool located at offset positions inside a cartridge shell body;
• a recording/playback medium of a fixed width and length wound around said first and second spools;
• and
• a plurality of slant tape guides positioned between said first and second spools for guiding said recording/playback medium and for creating a helical scan tape wrap angle in connection with a plurality of main tape guides, said plurality of main tape guides being positioned between said first and second spools, wherein the offset positions of the first and second spools accommodate the helical scan tape wrap angle;
• wherein said cartridge shell body comprises:
• a plurality of pull out arm assemblies serving as enclosure doors for a bottom surface of said cartridge shell body, said pull out arm assemblies further serving as semicircular side walls of said cartridge shell body, wherein semicircular portions of said pull out arm assemblies are formed around said spools so as to be rotatable, such that when said semicircular portions of said pull out arm assemblies are rotated around said spools, flat portions of said pull out arm assemblies serving as the bottom surface of said cartridge shell body rotate to expose said recording/playback medium;
• a top plate;
• and
• opposing end plates formed perpendicular to said pull out arm assemblies and said top plate.