U.S. patent application number 11/565324 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-14 for magnetic tape cartridge.
This patent application is currently assigned to FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Akihiko Fujii, Seiji Tsuyuki.
Application Number | 20070131812 11/565324 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31884618 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070131812 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fujii; Akihiko ; et
al. |
June 14, 2007 |
MAGNETIC TAPE CARTRIDGE
Abstract
A magnetic tape cartridge made up of a cartridge case composed
of an upper and lower cases welded together on the mating surfaces
by ultrasonic welding with a plurality of energy directors, and a
single reel of magnetic tape rotatalby retained in the case, in
which the weld deposits formed by the energy directors may be
prevented from sticking out of the mating surfaces. A plurality of
energy directors provided on one of the mating surfaces have an
elongated shape, and are disposed with the longitudinal direction
substantially perpendicular to the direction along the side wall of
the upper and lower cases.
Inventors: |
Fujii; Akihiko;
(Odawara-shi, JP) ; Tsuyuki; Seiji; (Odawara-shi,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUGHRUE MION, PLLC
2100 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W.
SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20037
US
|
Assignee: |
FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.
Minamiashigara-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
31884618 |
Appl. No.: |
11/565324 |
Filed: |
November 30, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11274155 |
Nov 16, 2005 |
7188797 |
|
|
11565324 |
Nov 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
10640317 |
Aug 14, 2003 |
7000861 |
|
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11274155 |
Nov 16, 2005 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
242/348 ;
G9B/23.049; G9B/23.077 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B29C 66/54 20130101;
B29L 2031/758 20130101; G11B 23/04 20130101; G11B 23/107 20130101;
B29C 65/08 20130101; B29C 66/30221 20130101; B29C 66/322
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/348 |
International
Class: |
G11B 23/107 20060101
G11B023/107 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 23, 2002 |
JP |
243591/2002 |
Claims
1. A magnetic tape cartridge comprising: a cartridge case composed
of an upper case and a lower case welded together on the mating
surfaces thereof by ultrasonic welding with a plurality of energy
directors, and having a tape reeling-out opening on a side wall
thereof; and a single reel of magnetic tape rotatably retained
therein, wherein said plurality of energy directors provided on one
of said mating surfaces are disposed off-center on the inner side
of the case with respect to the center of said mating surface in
the direction of the thickness thereof, and said one of the mating
surfaces has a wall on the inner side of the case with respect to
said plurality of energy directors for blocking the weld deposits
made of said plurality of energy directors from flowing out of said
mating surfaces.
2. A magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said
tape reeling-out opening is formed across the upper and lower
cases.
Description
[0001] This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 11/274,155
filed Nov. 16, 2005, which is a Divisional Application of U.S.
application Ser. No. 10/640,317 filed Aug. 14, 2003. The entire
disclosures of the prior applications are considered part of the
disclosure of the accompanying divisional application and is hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a magnetic tape cartridge
having a single reel of magnetic tape rotatably retained
therein.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Conventionally, the magnetic tape cartridge having a single
reel of magnetic tape rotatably retained therein has been known as
a type of magnetic tape cartridge used as the recording medium of
an external storage device of computers, etc. as described, for
example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 11
(1999)-306722, 2001-148179, and 2001-266533.
[0006] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a magnetic tape cartridge 1
of this type, illustrating an overall structure of the cartridge
with a sliding door 11 opened. On a side wall of a cartridge case 4
composed of an upper case 2 and a lower case 3 firmly fixed
together as a unit, a tape reeling-out opening 10 that extends to
the upper and lower cases 2 and 3 is formed in the vicinity of a
corner section. The tape reeling-out opening 10 has a sliding door
11 which is slidable to open and close the opening 10. A magnetic
tape 6 is used as a data storage medium of computers and the like,
and has a leader pin 5 firmly fixed at the end, which is engaged by
a pin holding member of a magnetic tape cartridge read/write
apparatus for reeling out the magnetic tape 6 from the cartridge
case 4, and loading onto the magnetic tape cartridge read/write
apparatus when the magnetic tape cartridge 1 is loaded therein. The
magnetic tape cartridge read/write apparatus is configured and
adapted to rewind the magnetic tape onto the reel 7 and bring back
the leader pin into the cartridge when the magnetic tape cartridge
is unloaded.
[0007] The cartridge case 4 is composed of the upper case 2 and
lower case 3 made of a synthetic resin firmly fixed together as a
unit, e.g. by screws as described, for example, in Japanese
Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-148179, or by ultrasonic
welding on the mating surfaces of the side walls of the upper and
lower cases 2 and 3 as described, for example, in Japanese
Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-266533. The leader pin 5 is
removably retained across the upper and lower cases with the axis
line in up-down direction in the vicinity of the tape reeling-out
opening 10 provided on the cartridge case 4, and the sliding door
11 for opening and closing the tape reeling-out opening 10 is urged
by a spring toward a position to close the opening 10.
[0008] In the magnetic tape cartridge 1 structured as described
above, the tape reeling-out opening 10 is formed in the vicinity of
a corner of the generally square cartridge case 4, and a space for
the pathway of the magnetic tape and the access path to the leader
pin 5 by the pin holding member of the magnetic tape read/write
apparatus needs to be secured around the place where the leader pin
5 is retained inside the opening 10, so that the screws for fixing
the upper and lower cases can not be used in that area, and
consequently they are provided in places away from that area as
described, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication
No. 2001-148179. Therefore, the area of the cartridge case 4 in the
vicinity of the tape reeling-out opening 10 has a low strength,
since the area has no fixed portion secured by screws, as well as
no side wall because of the opening 10, and moreover, a lead-in
recess 20 for the leader pin 5 is formed on the bottom surface of
the lower case 3.
[0009] In handling the magnetic tape cartridge 1, the cartridge may
be sometimes dropped accidentally on the floor, and if it falls
with the corner having the tape reeling-out opening 10 facing
downwards, crashing the weak corner in bond strength against the
floor, the case 4 is likely to be damaged with the broken or
cracked corner.
[0010] In this connection, it may be contemplated that the upper
and lower cases are welded together as described, for example, in
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-266533, in order to
increase the bond strength. But a portion of a weld deposit
jointing the mating surfaces of the upper and lower cases may stick
out of the mating surfaces, thereby cosmetic appearance is spoiled.
In addition, the portion of the weld deposit sticking out of the
mating surfaces may come off by frictions and contaminates the
working environment. Further, a portion of the weld deposit may get
into the case by the vibration of the ultrasonic horn during the
welding process, and turns into so-called welding dust which causes
degradation in the quality of the magnetic tape cartridge.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In recognition of the circumstance described above, it is an
object of the present invention to provide a magnetic tape
cartridge capable of preventing a weld deposit from sticking
out.
[0012] The magnetic tape cartridge according to the present
invention comprises: a cartridge case composed of an upper and
lower cases welded together on the mating surfaces thereof by
ultrasonic welding with a plurality of energy directors, and having
a tape reeling-out opening on a side wall thereof; and a single
reel of magnetic tape rotatably retained therein, wherein each of
said plurality of energy directors provided on one of said mating
surfaces has an elongated shape, and is disposed with the
longitudinal direction thereof substantially perpendicular to the
direction along the side wall of the upper and lower cases.
[0013] It is preferable, however, that the energy director provided
on one of the mating surfaces near the end of the side wall of the
upper and lower cases is extended, to the area in close proximity
to the end of the side wall, in the direction parallel to the
direction along the side wall.
[0014] Further, the magnetic tape cartridge according to the
present invention comprises: a cartridge case composed of an upper
and lower cases welded together on the mating surfaces thereof by
ultrasonic welding with a plurality of energy directors, and having
a tape reeling-out opening on a side wall thereof; and a single
reel of magnetic tape rotatably retained therein, wherein one of
said mating surfaces on which said plurality of energy directors
are provided has grooves on both sides of said plurality of energy
directors for trapping the weld deposits made of said plurality of
energy directors.
[0015] Preferably, the grooves on one of the mating surfaces for
trapping the weld deposits is created to enclose the plurality of
energy directors.
[0016] Still further, the magnetic tape cartridge according to the
present invention comprises: a cartridge case composed of an upper
and lower cases welded together on the mating surfaces thereof by
ultrasonic welding with a plurality of energy directors, and having
a tape reeling-out opening on a side wall thereof; and a single
reel of magnetic tape rotatably retained therein, wherein said
plurality of energy directors provided on one of said mating
surfaces are disposed off-center on the inner side of the case with
respect to the center of said one of the mating surfaces in the
direction of the thickness thereof, and said one of the mating
surfaces has a wall on the inner side of the case with respect to
said plurality of energy directors for blocking the weld deposits
made of said plurality of energy directors from flowing out of said
mating surfaces.
[0017] If the energy director has an elongated rib-like shape, the
weld deposit formed thereby has a tendency to extend in the
direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction thereof.
[0018] In a magnetic tape cartridge according to the present
invention a plurality of elongated energy directors are disposed
with the longitudinal direction substantially perpendicular to the
direction along the side wall of the upper and lower cases, so that
the weld deposits flow on the mating surface along the direction
parallel to the direction along the side wall of the upper and
lower cases, thereby the weld deposits may be prevented from
sticking out of the mating surfaces. In this case, the energy
director near the end of the side wall of the upper and lower cases
is extended to an area in close proximity to the end of the side
wall in the direction parallel to the direction along the side
wall, thereby the upper and lower cases maybe welded together to
the area in close proximity to the end of the side wall, while the
weld deposits are prevented from sticking out of the mating
surfaces at the end of the side wall.
[0019] Further, in the magnetic tape cartridge according to the
present invention, one of the mating surfaces on which the
plurality of energy directors are provided has grooves on both
sides of the plurality of energy directors for trapping the weld
deposits made of the plurality of energy directors, so that the
weld deposits may be prevented from sticking out of the mating
surfaces, regardless of the direction in which the plurality of
energy directors is extended.
[0020] Still further, in the magnetic tape cartridge according to
the present invention, a plurality of energy directors provided on
one of the mating surfaces are disposed off-center on the inner
side of the case with respect to the center of the mating surface
in the direction of the thickness thereof, and the mating surface
has a wall on the inner side of the case with respect to the
plurality of energy directors for blocking the weld deposits made
of the plurality of energy directors from flowing out of the mating
surfaces, so that the weld deposits may be prevented from sticking
out of the mating surfaces, even if the plurality of energy
directors are extended in the direction along the side wall of the
upper and lower cases. In addition, the intrusion of the welding
dust may also be prevented by the wall described above. Further,
providing the wall described above on the inner surface of the side
wall of the upper and lower cases alternately across the mating
surfaces may greatly increase the strength of the mating
surfaces.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is an enlarged perspective view of a magnetic tape
cartridge according to the present invention, illustrating the
structure of the relevant part of the lower case near the tape
reeling-out opening.
[0022] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view schematically
illustrating a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 3A is a plan view schematically illustrating a first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 3B is a plan view schematically illustrating a modified
arrangement of a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 3C is a plan view schematically illustrating a second
embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 3D is a plan view schematically illustrating a third
embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a conventional magnetic tape
cartridge.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in
detail by way of preferred embodiments illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
[0029] FIG. 1 is an enlarged perspective view of a magnetic tape
cartridge according to the present invention that has substantially
the same structure as that of the magnetic tape cartridge 1 shown
in FIG. 4, illustrating the structure of the relevant part of the
lower case near the tape reeling-out opening. FIG. 1 shows a groove
12 for a sliding door 11 to slide along to open and close an
opening 10, a mating surface 13 on top of the side wall to be
welded to an upper case by ultrasonic welding, and a lead-in recess
for a leader pin 5.
[0030] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a first embodiment
of the present invention, illustrating that a plurality of
elongated rib-like energy directors 15 are disposed on the mating
surface 13 on top of the side wall of a lower case 3 with the
longitudinal direction substantially perpendicular to the direction
along the side wall of the mating surface 13.
[0031] FIG. 3A is a plan view of a first embodiment shown in FIG.
2, schematically illustrating that a plurality of energy directors
15 are disposed on the mating surface 13 with weld deposits 16 to
be formed by ultrasonic welding.
[0032] If the energy director 15 has an elongated rib-like shape,
the weld deposit 16 formed by the energy director 15 has a tendency
to extend in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal
direction thereof, as illustrated in FIG. 3A. Therefore, placement
of the plurality of elongated rib-like energy directors 15 on the
mating surface 13 in the direction substantially perpendicular to
the direction along the side wall of the mating surfaces 13 of the
upper and lower cases 2 and 3, as in this embodiment, will cause
the weld deposits 16 to flow on the mating surface 13 in the
direction along the side wall, so that the weld deposits 16 may be
prevented from sticking out of the mating surfaces 13.
[0033] FIG. 3B shows a similar arrangement to that shown in FIG.
3A, except that one of the energy directors 15 provided on the
mating surface 13 near the end of the side wall is extended to the
area in close proximity to the end of the side wall in the
direction parallel to the direction along the side wall. This
arrangement of the energy directors allows the upper and lower
cases to be welded together to the area in close proximity to the
end of the side wall, while the weld deposit is prevented from
sticking out of the mating surfaces at the end of the side
wall.
[0034] FIG. 3C is a schematic plan view of the mating surface 13
according to a second embodiment of the present invention,
illustrating an arrangement in which the mating surface 13 has
grooves 17 (indicated by hatched lines) for trapping the weld
deposits 16 made of the energy directors 15. When the energy
directors 15 are extended along the direction parallel to the
direction along the side wall, as shown in FIG. 3C, the grooves 17
may be provided only on both sides of the energy directors in the
direction parallel to the direction along the side wall, but it is
more preferable that the grooves 17 are created such that they
enclose the energy directors 15.
[0035] The magnetic tape cartridge according to the second
embodiment of the present invention may prevent the weld deposits
from sticking out of the mating surfaces, regardless of the
direction in which the energy directors are extended.
[0036] FIG. 3D is a schematic plan view of the mating surface 13
according to a third embodiment of the present invention,
illustrating an arrangement in which the plurality of energy
directors 15 are disposed off-center of the mating surface 13 on
the inner side of the case with respect to the center of the mating
surface in the direction of the thickness thereof, i.e., on a
downward side of the center in FIG. 3D, and a wall 18 is provided
on the inner side of the case with respect to the plurality of
energy directors for blocking the weld deposits 16 formed thereby
from flowing out of the mating surfaces.
[0037] The magnetic tape cartridge according to the third
embodiment may prevent the weld deposits 16 from sticking out of
the mating surfaces 13, even if the plurality of energy directors
is disposed in the direction along the side wall of the upper and
lower cases, and the welding dust generated during the welding
process may be prevented from entering into the case by the wall 18
described above.
* * * * *