Dual sided tape storage device and dual sided tape drive

A tape drive comprising:

• a first read/write head having a first position to receive a data storage device having dual sided data tape, and a second position for engaging one side of the dual sided tape for performing a read/write function;
• and
• a second read/write head having a first position to receive the data storage device and a second position for engaging the other side of the tape for performing a read/write function individually or concurrently with the first read/write head;
• wherein the first read/write head and the second read/write head are oriented facing a single peripheral region of the data storage device;
• and
• wherein each of the first and second read/write heads are aligned to extend into one of a pair of access openings in the data storage device.

A data storage device comprising:

• a housing defining a cartridge sized to cooperate with a tape drive;
• a first tape reel mounted for rotation within the housing;
• a second tape reel mounted for rotation within the housing;
• a data tape having a first end mounted to the first tape reel, a second end mounted to the second tape reel, a first data tape side and a second data tape side;
• wherein an access opening is formed in the housing adjacent to a tape path of the tape for access to the first data tape side by a first read/write head of the tape drive, and for access to the second data tape side by a second read/write head of the tape drive;
• a first guide adjacent to the access opening;
• a second guide adjacent to the access opening;
• a third guide adjacent to the access opening;
• and
• a fourth guide adjacent to the access opening;
• wherein the tape path from the first tape reel extends to the first guide, around the second guide thereby exposing the first data tape side to the access opening, around the second tape reel, to the third guide, around the fourth guide thereby exposing the second data tape side to the access opening, to the second tape reel.