`
`PCT
`
`WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION
`International Bureau
`
`
`
`INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
`(51) International Patent Classification © :
`(11) International Publication Number:
`WO 97/15925
`G11B 23/107
`
`(43) International Publication Date:
`
`1 May 1997 (01.05.97)
`
`pack.
`
`
`
`(21) International Application Number: PCT/US96/16434|(81) Designated States: CN, DE,JP.
`
`!
`
`‘
`
`(22) International Filing Date:
`
`16 October 1996 (16.10.96)
`
`(30) Priority Data:
`08/548,706
`
`26 October 1995 (26.10.95)
`
`US
`
`Published
`With international search report.
`
`(71) Applicant: IMATION CORP.[US/US]; 1 Imation Place, P.O.
`Box 64898, Saint Paul, MN 55164-0898 (US).
`
`(72) Inventor: MARTIN,Robert, C.; P.O. Box 64898, Saint Paul,
`MN 55164-0898 (US).
`
`(74) Agent: DENNIS, Charles, L., II; Imation Legal Affairs, P.O.
`Box 64898, Saint Paul, MN 55164-0898 (US).
`
`(54) Title: STRUCTURE TO LIMIT EDGE CREASING IN A SCATTER-WOUND CARTRIDGE
`
`og
`
`et”
`
`ANANANANNSE AUNAANAANY
`
`(57) Abstract
`
`Various structures are described to minimize tape edge creasing in a tape cartridge. Several structures prevent the flange from being
`pressed by the housing ofthe tape cartridge into the tape pack with sufficient force to crease the edges of any exposed tape strands. Use
`of various structures oralternative materials also can stiffen the flange, again reducing the likelihood of the flange deflecting into the tape
`
`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2017, p. 1
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`

`

`FOR THE PURPOSES OF INFORMATION ONLY
`
`Codes used to identify States party to the PCT on the front pages of pamphlets publishing international
`applications under the PCT.
`
`Viet Nam
`
`Armenia
`Austria
`Australia
`Barbados
`Belgium
`Burkina Faso
`Bulgaria
`Benin
`Brazil
`Belarus
`Canada
`Central African Republic
`Congo
`Switzerland
`Cite d'Ivoire
`Cameroon
`China
`Czechoslovakia
`Czech Republic
`Germany
`Denmark
`Estonia
`Spain
`Finland
`France
`Gabon
`
`United Kingdom
`Georgia
`Guinea
`Greece
`Hungary
`Ireland
`Italy
`Japan
`Kenya
`Kyrgystan
`Democratic People’s Republic
`of Korea
`Republic of Korea
`Kazakhstan
`Liechtenstein
`Sri Lanka
`Liberia
`Lithuania
`Luxembourg
`Latvia
`Monaco
`Republic of Moldova
`
`Malawi
`Mexico
`Niger
`Netherlands
`Norway
`New Zealand
`Poland
`Portugal
`Romania
`Russian Federation
`Sudan
`Sweden
`Singapore
`Slovenia
`Slovakia
`Senegal
`Swaziland
`Chad
`Togo
`Tajikistan
`Trinidad and Tobago
`Ukraine
`Uganda
`United States of America
`Uzbekistan
`
`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2017, p. 2
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`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2017, p. 2
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`

`

`WO 97/15925
`
`PCT/US96/16434
`
`STRUCTURE TO LIMIT EDGE CREASING
`IN A SCATTER-WOUND CARTRIDGE
`
`Background of the Invention
`
`Field of the Invention
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`The present invention relates to support mechanismsfortape in a
`
`tape cartridge, andin particular, to structures for supporting scatter-wound
`
`tape packs.
`
`Description of the Related Art
`
`The tape in manytypesof tape cartridges winds into a tape pack
`about the tape spool such that some portions of the tape project above or
`below the main bodyof the tape pack. This type of windingis called
`scatter-wound, as distinct from the smoother winding (with better alignment
`from one piece of tape to the next) found in some cartridges using belts or
`the like to assist in packing.
`
`The tape spool in a 3480-style tape cartridge such as that shown in
`
`European Published Patent Application 0 588 219 (Martin et al.) is free to
`float within the cavity created by the base and cover. The onlyrestraint
`against such motionis the low restraining force of a spring biasing a brake
`into engagement with the spool. However, during shipping and handling
`the inertia of the tape pack can easily overcomethe force of the brake
`spring, causing the tape spoolto contact the inner walls of the cavity. This
`contact can force the spoolflanges to deflect into the tape pack, thereby
`creasing the edges of any tape strand which protrudes from the pack.
`Creasesin the tape can result in high error counts on the edge tracks of
`the tape and the like. Evenfairly routine shipping and handling of the
`
`cartridge can develop this problem.
`
`30
`
`This problem is usually most significant for the upperflange
`because the spool normally is biased toward the bottom of the cartridge
`
`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2017, p. 3
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`

`WO 97/15925
`
`PCT/US96/16434
`
`housing. This meansthatit already is resting flat against the bottom, so
`any forces tend to be evenly distributed over the entire lower flange. Thus,
`the lowerflange is notlikely to be significantly bent or distorted if the
`cartridge is struck on the bottom.
`In contrast, the gap between the top of
`the spool and the coverallowsthe spool to be thrown againstthe cover,
`and, in particular, to be thrown against the cover at varying angles. This
`meansthat the outer diameterof the flange may bethe only part of the
`spool contacting the cover. Since the flange is a cantilever beam, a force
`applied only to the outer diameter deflects the flange much more than a
`force applied to the inner diameter orthe entire flange. This deflection
`causestheflange to press against the tape pack, potentially creasing the
`edge of any tape strand(s) projecting above the main body of the tape
`pack.
`
`Efforts have been madeto limit the amount of tape which can
`protrude from the tape pack bytightly controlling the spacing and taperof
`the spoolflanges. The effectiveness of this approach has beenlimited by
`the molding and assembly tolerances encountered during manufacture of
`the spool and assemblyof the drive. As a consequence ofthis, some past
`spool designs allow tapes to become creased within the recording part of
`the tape, thus resulting in high error counts.
`
`Summary of the Invention
`The presentinvention significantly reduces creasing by modifying
`the tape spool orcoverto limit contact between the flange and the
`cartridge cover. A ring or ridge of material is added to the upper surface of
`the flange nearits inner diameter.
`If the cartridge is bumped, causing the
`spool move towardthe cover,this ring will define the primary line of
`contact of the spoolwith the inner surface of the cover. Preferably, the
`height of the ring is such that only the ring will contact the cover. However,
`it is acceptable for the very outer diameterof the flange to also contact,
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`-2-
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`

`
`
`
`
`WO 97/15925
`
`PCT/US96/16434
`
`provided the geometry is such that the outer diameteris not significantly
`
`deflected by the contact. As a result, the inner surface of the flange will
`
`not be deflected into the tape pack.
`
`Thering or ridge preferably is placed close to the inner diameter of
`
`the flange. This provides the maximum transfer of force directly to the
`
`spool hub, with the minimum deflection of the flange.
`
`Alternatively, a ring or ridge of material can be added to the coverof
`
`the tape cartridge instead of or in addition to the ring on the flange.
`
`According to another embodimentof the invention, the upper flange
`
`10
`
`is made stiffer to resist deflection into the tape pack. One methodis to
`
`makethe flange out of a material with a higher flexural modulus, such as
`
`glass reinforced material. Another methodis to provide the flange with
`
`radial ribs which resist deflection.
`
`As will be apparent, these various embodiments are not mutually
`
`15
`
`exclusive, and can be combinedasdesired to achieve the desired effect,
`
`which is preventing the flange from creasing the tape edges projecting
`
`from the main bodyof the tape pack.
`
`Brief Description of the Drawings
`
`20
`
`Fig. 1 is a partial cross-section of a cartridge according to a first
`
`embodimentof the invention.
`
`Fig. 2 is a partial cross-section of a cartridge according to a second
`
`embodimentof the invention.
`
`Fig. 3 is a partial cross-section of a cartridge according to a third
`
`25
`
`embodimentof the invention.
`
`Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
`
`Fig. 1 depicts a cartridge 10 with a cover 12 and a base 14 defining
`
`a cavity 15 therebetweenin which a tape spool 16 is rotatably mounted. A
`
`30
`
`brake 18 also is positioned in the cavity 15 and is biased by a brake spring
`
`-3-
`
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`

`WO 97/15925
`
`PCT/US96/16434
`
`In
`
`20 toward the spool hub 21. Whenpositionedin a drive, the drive would
`push the brake 18 away from the spool hub 21 (as shown in the drawing
`for clarity). When notin a drive, the brake spring 20 would bias the brake
`teeth 22 into engagementwith the spoolteeth 24, thereby preventing
`rotation of the spool 16.
`The spool 16 includes a lowerflange 26 and an upperflange 28.
`use, tape (shown schematically at 29) would be wound around the spool
`16 betweenthe lower and upperflanges 26, 28. The spool 16 may be
`formed as a single piece (as shown in Fig. 1), or, more conveniently, in
`multiple pieces, as shown, e.g., in European Published Patent Application
`0 588 219 (Martin etal.).
`According to the currentinvention, a ring 30 is provided on the
`uppersurface of the upperflange 28 near the center thereof.
`If the
`cartridge is dropped or otherwise impacted and the spool16 is displaced
`toward the top cover 12, the ring 30 will engage the cover 12. Preferably,
`the height and radial position of the ring 30 are such that only the ring will
`contact the cover. However,it is acceptable for the very outer diameterof
`the upperflange 28 to also contact, provided the geometry is such that the
`upperflange 28 is not significantly deflected by the contact. The upper
`flange 28 therefore will not press against the tape pack 29.
`A droptest can be useful in determining the appropriate height and
`radial position for the ring 30. To usethis test, the height and radial
`position of the ring 30 should be such that the cartridge 10 can be dropped
`from a predetermined height, e.g., about 1.5 m, andstill prevent the flange
`from deflecting into the tape pack with sufficient force to crease the edges
`of any exposed tapestrands.
`Fig. 2 depicts a cartridge which is substantially the same as that
`depicted in Fig. 1 and therefore will not be describedin detail. The
`difference between Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is the location of the ring 30.
`In Fig.
`2, a ring 30' is positioned on the cover 12’ abovethe central portion of the
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
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`WO 97/15925
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`PCT/US96/16434
`
`spool 16'. This ring 30' will interact with the upper portion of the spool 16'
`
`in much the same fashion as the ring 30 to prevent the flange 28’ from
`
`pressing against the tape pack 29’.
`
`Fig. 3 depicts a third embodiment according to the present
`
`invention. Again, most of the elements are substantially the same as those
`
`shown in Fig. 1 and will not be described in detail.
`
`In the embodiment of
`
`Fig. 3, however, instead of a ring 30, a radially extending rib 32 is provided
`
`on the upperflange 28". A plurality of these ribs 32 distributed around the
`
`spool 16"stiffen the upper flange 28". As a result, this addedstiffnesswill
`
`10
`
`prevent upperflange 28” from pressing against the tape pack 29”. Note
`
`that the rib 32 is shown on the right side of the drawing and not on theleft
`
`becausethe ribs 32 may not necessarily be along the same diameter
`
`across the spool 16".
`
`in addition to or instead of using a ring 30, 30' or ribs 32, the upper
`
`15
`
`flange 28 may be formedof a material having a higherflexural modulus.
`
`For example, the material could be a glass reinforced material. Such a
`
`material currently is used with some regularity in forming the lower flange
`
`26, @.g., as taught in European Published Patent Application 0 588 219
`
`(Martin et al.), so one skilled in the art will be familiar with how to form a
`
`20
`
`flange of such material.
`
`It will be understood by oneskilled in the art that any orall of the
`
`various embodiments described above could be combined. For example,it
`
`would be perfectly possible to have a ring on both the upper cover and the
`
`top of the flange, as well as to have both a ring and ribs. The rings 30, 30’
`
`25
`
`and rib 32 also can be moidedaspart of the upperflange 28, 28’, 28”, or
`
`can be added thereto, as convenient for manufacturing. Finally, any of
`
`these could be combined with a stiffer modulus material.
`
`With all of these alternative embodiments and materials, the drop
`
`test described in connection with the first embodiment can be used to set a
`
`30
`
`useful guide for the necessary height, position and/orstiffness.
`
`-5-
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`

`WO 97/15925
`
`PCT/US96/16434
`
`It will be understood that these exemplary embodiments in no way
`limit the scopeof the invention. Other modifications of the invention will be
`apparentto thoseskilled in the art in view of the foregoing description.
`These descriptions are intended to provide specific examples of
`embodiments which clearly disclose the presentinvention. Accordingly,
`the invention is not limited to the described embodimentsor to the use of
`specific elements, dimensions, materials or configurations contained
`therein. All alternative modifications and variations of the present
`invention which fall within the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims are
`covered.
`
`10
`
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`

`

`
`
`WO 97/15925
`
`| Claim:
`
`1.
`
`A tape cartridge having:
`
`PCT/US96/16434
`
`a)
`
`b)
`
`c)
`
`a housing defining a cavity therein;
`
`a spool having a central hub, and two flanges; and
`
`tape wound on the spool betweenthe flanges to form a tape
`
`Pack;
`
`characterized in that an abutment structure is formed on at least the
`
`housing or one flange, the abutment structure being of a height and
`
`radial position such thatit does not interfere with operation of the
`
`10
`
`spool in normaluse,butif the cartridge is dropped from a
`
`predetermined height, the abutment structure will contact the
`
`opposing flange or housing to substantially prevent the flange from
`
`being deflected by the housing into the tape pack with sufficient
`
`force to crease the edge of any tape strands projecting beyond the
`
`15
`
`main body of the tape pack.
`
`The tape cartridge of claim 1, further characterized in that the
`
`abutment structure comprises a ring.
`The tape cartridge of claim 2, further characterized in that the ring is
`formed on a surface of the spool near the center of the flange.
`
`20
`
`The tape cartridge of claims 2 or 3, further characterized in that the
`
`ring is formed on an inner surface of the housing adjacentto the
`
`central portion of the flange.
`
`The tape cartridge of any of claims 1-4, further characterizedin that
`
`the abutment structure is formed on both the housing and one
`
`25
`
`flange.
`
`The tape cartridge of claim 5, further characterized in that the
`
`abutment structure on the housing aligns with the abutment
`
`structure on the flange.
`
`-7-
`
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`

`

`WO 97/15925
`
`PCT/US96/16434
`
`A tape cartridge having:
`a)
`a housing defining a cavity therein;
`b)
`@ spool having a central hub and an upper and a lower
`flange; and
`tape woundon the spool betweentheflanges;
`Cc)
`characterizedin that the upperflange is stiffened by stiffening
`means enoughthatif the cartridge is dropped from a predetermined
`height and the flange contacts the housing, the housingwill not
`deflect the flange into the tape pack with sufficient force to crease
`the edge of any tape strands projecting beyond the main body of the
`tape pack.
`
`The tape cartridge of any of claims 1-7, further characterized in that
`the upperflangeis stiffened by being formed of materials having a
`sufficiently high flexural modulus to make the flange sufficiently stiff
`to preventthe deflection.
`
`The tape cartridge of any of claims 1-8, further characterizedin that
`the upperflangeis stiffened by forming a plurality of radially
`extending ribs on an uppersurface of the upperflange, the ribs
`being of a sufficient thicknessto stiffen the upperflange sufficiently
`to prevent the deflection.
`
`10.
`
`The tape cartridge of any of claims 1-9, further characterized in that
`the upperflange is formed of a glass reinforced material.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
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`

`

`WO 97/15925
`
`PCT/US96/16434
`
`1/1
`
`
`
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`

`
`
`
`
`INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT
`
`
`Inter
`
`nal Application No
`
`PCT/US 96/16434
`
`A._ CLASSIFICATION OF SUBJECT MATTER
`TPC 6
`G11B23/107
`
`According to International Patent Classification (IPC) or to both national classification and [PC
`B. FIELDS SEARCHED
`
`Minimum documentation searched (classification system followed by classificakon symbols)
`IPC 6
`G11B
`
`Documentaton searched other than munimum documentatonto the extent that such documents are included in the fields searched
`
`Electronic data base consulted during the international search (name of data base and, where practical, search terms used)
`
`C. DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT
`
`Citation of document, with indication, where appropniate, of the relevant passages
`
`Relevant to claum No.
`
`EP,A,0 588 219 (MINNESOTA MINING & MFG
`;STORAGE TECHNOLOGY CORP (US)) 23 March
`1994
`cited in the application
`see column 5,
`line 12 - column 6,
`
`line 34
`
`1,7
`
`US,A,3 987 489 (SCHOETTLE KLAUS ET AL) 19
`October 1976
`see column 4,
`
`line 47 -
`
`line 64
`
`US,A,3 836 096 (FUKUSHIMA J ET AL) 17
`September 1974
`see column 5,
`
`line 29 -
`
`
`
`"A" document defining the general state of the art which is not
`considered to be of parucular relevance
`°E" earlier document but published on or after the international
`filing date
`“L" document which may throw doubts on pronity claim{s) or
`which is cited to establish the publication date of another
`citation or other special reason (as specified)
`“O" documentreferring to an oral disclosure, use, exhibition or
`other means
`“P” document published prior to the international filing date but
`later than the pnority date claimed
`
`line 64
`
`US,A,3 857 531 (JANTZEN J) 31 December
`1974
`see column 3,
`
`line 11 -
`
`line 17
`
`° Special categories of cated documents :
`
`Date of the actual completion of the international search
`
`17 January 1997
`Name and mailing address of the [SA
`European Patent Office, P.B. 5818 Patentlaan 2
`NL - 2280 HV Rijswijk
`Tel. (+ 1-70) 340-2040, Tx. 31 651 epo nl,
`Fax. (+ 31-70) 340-3016
`
`Form PCT/ISA/210 (second theet) (July 1992)
`
`later document published after the international filing date
`or prionty date and notin conflict with the application but
`cited to understand the principle or theory underlying the
`invention
`document of particular relevance; the claimed invention
`cannot be considered novel or cannot be considered to
`involve an inventive step when the documentis taken alone
`document of particular relevance; the claimed invention
`cannot be considered to involve an inventive step when the
`document is combined with one or more other such docu-
`ments, such combination being obvious to a person siulled
`in the art.
`
`document member ofthe same patent family
`
`Date of mailing of the international search report
`
`28.01.97
`
`Authonzed officer
`
`Ressenaar, J-P
`
`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2017, p. 12
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`

`

`INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT
`«nformation on patent family members
`
`
`
`nal Application No
`
`“PCT/US 96/16434
`Pubiication
`15-03-94
`07-10-94
`
`Patent family
`member(s)
`CA-A-
`2105116
`JP~A-
`6282960
`
`Patent document
`cited in search report
`EP-A-0588219
`
`Publication
`date
`23-03-94
`
`17-09-74
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` US-A-3836096
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CA-A-
`DE-A-
`DE-A-
`GB-A-
`GB-A-
`NL-A,B
`AU-B-
`
`980317
`2264553
`2264555
`1416744
`1416743
`7216248
`453571
`4948372
`
`23-12-75
`18-04-74
`02-05-74
`03-12-75
`03-12-75
`05-06-73
`03-10-74
`
`
`
`
`Form PCT/ISA/210 (patent family annex) (July 1992)
`
`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2017, p. 13
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`