Photosensitive recording medium cartridge

#The present invention relates to a photosensitive recording medium cartridge receiving a photosensitive recording medium therein. Particularly, it relates to improvement in a photosensitive recording medium cartridge provided with a light-shield plate and a shutter for opening/closing an opening provided in a cartridge body.

#A holographic recording medium on which data are recorded holographically has been invented (e.g. see JP-A-2004-029476). The holographic recording medium is a photosensitive recording medium in which holographic recording layers each made of a photosensitive material are provided on a disc-shaped support. Data are multiplexedly recorded on the holographic recording medium as interference fringes of laser light, so that the holographic recording medium can obtain a larger data recording capacity than that of a DVD which is a recording medium heretofore widespread. Exposure of the holographic recording layers to light or deposition of dust on the holographic recording layers exerts a bad influence on the performance of the holographic recording medium. For this reason, the holographic recording medium is dealt with in the condition that the holographic recording medium is stored in a cartridge having a light-shielding function and a dustproof function (e.g. see JP-A-2003-317422 (corresponding to US 2003/0198177 A1)). In addition, there has been known a cartridge having a cartridge housing, a shutter plate and a cover (e.g. see JP-A-2003-317424).

#In the invention described in JP-A-2004-029476, the holographic recording medium is stored in a cartridge similar to the cartridge of a DVD-RAM. The cartridge is made of a material low in transmittance of light rays in a wavelength range exerting influence on the holographic recording layers. Although JP-A-2004-029476 did not give any description on the detailed configuration of the cartridge, it may be conceived that the cartridge has the same configuration as that of the cartridge described in JP-A-2003-317422 (corresponding to US 2003/0198177 A1).

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the shape of external appearance of a cartridge for carrying out the invention.

#FIG. 2 is an external appearance perspective view showing an opposite surface of the cartridge.

#FIG. 3 is an external appearance perspective view showing a state in which a shutter of the cartridge is opened.

#An embodiment of the invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 to 3 are perspective views each showing the shape of external appearance of a holographic recording medium cartridge (hereinafter referred to as cartridge simply) according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a surface of the cartridge faces up. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which an opposite surface of the cartridge faces up. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a shutter is in an open position and a holographic recording medium (hereinafter referred to as recording disc) shaped like a disc is received rotatably in a disc storage portion.

#As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the cartridge 2 is mounted, in a direction of an arrow C, into a holographic recording apparatus etc. for handling the cartridge. Positioning grooves 7 and 8 are provided in opposite side surfaces of a front end of the cartridge 2 in the mounting direction. When the cartridge 2 is mounted in various apparatuses such as a holographic recording apparatus etc., positioning members provided in each apparatus are inserted into the positioning grooves 7 and 8.

#A recording disc 4 is a holographic recording disc having a hole formed in its central portion. Holographic recording layers are provided in opposite surfaces of the recording disc 4. For example, on each of the holographic recording layers, data are multiplexedly recorded as interference fringes of laser light by the laser light in a range of from a green wavelength of 532 nm to a blue wavelength of 405 nm. Incidentally, a reinforcement material may be added to the hole portion of the recording disc 4. In order to record data on the opposite recording surfaces of the recording disc 4, the cartridge 2 is set in the holographic recording apparatus while an A surface 2a or a B surface 2b of the cartridge 2 is made to face up.