Data storage tape cartridge with air filter and methodology utilizing the same

A data storage tape cartridge adapted to be mounted in and demounted from a tape transport apparatus, comprising:

• a. a housing having a housing interior and including:
• (i) an air inlet port extending through a first wall of said housing in communication with the housing interior;
• (ii) an air outlet port extending through a second wall of said housing in communication with the housing interior;
• b. an air filter interposed in the housing interior between said air inlet port and said air outlet port, wherein said air inlet port and said air outlet port extend in opposed, facing relationship to one another;
• and
• c. a data storage tape stored in the housing interior.

A data storage tape cartridge, comprising:

• a. a housing including:
• (i) first and second housing sections operatively connected together to define a housing interior;
• (ii) an air inlet formed through said housing in communication with the housing interior;
• and
• (iii) an air outlet formed through said housing in communication with the housing interior;
• b. an air filter disposed within the housing interior and interposed between said inlet and outlet ports, wherein said filter is a compressible member that is retained within the housing interior in a compressed state;
• c. a tape reel assembly disposed within the housing interior, said tape reel assembly including a central hub;
• and
• d. a data storage tape wound about said central hub.

A data storage tape cartridge for use with a tape drive including a take-up reel, said data storage tape cartridge comprising:

• a. a rectangularly configured housing including:
• (i) a cover piece;
• (ii) a base piece connected to said cover piece to define a housing interior;
• (iii) a storage cavity;
• (iv) a tape access window formed through said housing;
• (v) an air inlet formed through said housing in communication with the housing interior;
• and
• (vi) an air outlet formed through said housing in communication with the housing interior;
• b. an air filter disposed within said storage cavity between said air inlet and said air outlet;
• c. a tape reel assembly disposed centrally within the housing interior, said tape reel assembly including a spool having a central hub;
• d. a data storage tape wound about said central hub;
• and
• e. a leader block assembly secured to a free end of said data storage tape and supported within the housing interior proximate to said tape access window.

In a data storage tape cartridge which includes a housing formed by a pair of housing pieces connected together to define a housing interior, a tape reel assembly disposed within the housing interior, and a data storage tape wound about a central hub of said tape reel assembly, the improvement comprising:

• (i) an air inlet formed through said housing in communication with the housing interior;
• (ii) an air outlet formed through said housing in communication with the housing interior;
• and
• (iii) an air filter interposed in the housing interior between said air inlet and said air outlet, wherein said filter is a compressible member that is retained within the housing interior in a compressed state.

A data storage tape cartridge, comprising:

• a. a housing having opposed top and bottom panels and a surrounding sidewall extending therebetween to define a housing interior, said housing formed from a rigid plastic material and including:
• (i) first and second housing sections operatively connected together to define the housing interior;
• (ii) an air inlet formed through said housing in communication with the housing interior;
• and
• (iii) an air outlet formed through said housing in communication with the housing interior;
• b. a compressible, wedge-shaped air filter interposed between said inlet and outlet ports and disposed in a compressed state within the housing interior in a storage region of a selected geometric configuration that is located between said surrounding sidewall and a peripheral boundary of said data storage tape;
• c. a tape reel assembly disposed within the housing interior, said tape reel assembly including a central hub;
• and
• d. a data storage tape wound about said central hub.

A data storage tape cartridge adapted to be mounted in and demounted from a tape transport apparatus, comprising:

• a. a housing including a housing interior, there being first and second openings formed through the housing in communication with the housing interior;
• b. a filter disposed in the housing interior proximate to said first opening and interposed between said first and second openings, wherein said filter is a compressible member that is retained within the housing interior in a compressed state;
• and
• c. a data storage tape stored in the housing interior.