GB2127204A

GB2127204A - Cleaning magnetic tape apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2127204A
Application number: GB08324164A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alayer De Costemore D Arc St D
Original assignee: Staar SA
Current assignee: Staar SA
Priority date: 1982-09-13
Filing date: 1983-09-09
Publication date: 1984-04-04
Also published as: GB8324164D0; BE894387A; JPS5990225A; DE3332492A1; FR2533060A1

Abstract

For cleaning the driving, playback and recording components of a magnetic tape apparatus using a cassette 10 of cleaning tape 11 having a code element (recess) 40 on the cassette, the apparatus includes a controller (52) (Fig. 3) operable to direct it through a cleaning cycle in response to detecting the code element on a cassette received in the apparatus, and then ejecting the cassette. Also disclosed is automatic initiation of tape rewind on cassette insertion, and stoppage of tape before tape end. The cassette has tape contacting roller (20) supported in the cassette and having a core (22) of absorbent material impregnated with cleaning liquid, and absorbent material (23) exposed on a portion of the roller surface for applying liquid to a surface of the tape intermittently as the tape is moved, the intermittent liquid application preventing the tape sticking to components as the tape is driven through the magnetic tape apparatus. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cleaning magnetic tape apparatus The present invention relates to a method for using cleaning devices for cleaning the components of magnetic tape recording and/or play-back apparatus.

It is well known that the passage of magnetic tapes against components such as recording and play-back heads and driving members creates deposits of particles of iron oxide, and that the accumulation of these deposits gives rise to noise and/or to distortion of the recorded or reproduced signal.

Also such deposits impair the passage of the tape at the constant speed required for the recording or reproduction of signals of good quality because of slipping of the driving members.

To eliminate these deposits and to clean such components of the recording and/or play-back apparatus, various means have been proposed including cleaning cassettes. One type of cleaning cassette incorporates a tank of cleaning liquid which is applied to a tape then used to apply the cleaning liquid on the tape to the components to be cleaned, such as that disclosed in our patent application filed simultaneously herewith and claiming priority from Belgian application 0/209.004.

However, the use of such cassettes requires attention from the user, and the cleaning liquid while applied continuously to the tape, may not be uniformly distributed thereon, which reduces cleaning effectiveness.

To ensure that effective cleaning is achieved, various stages listed below must be scrupulously observed: - rewinding of the tape before the cassette is inserted, to obtain a maximum cleaning period; - inserting the cassette and switching the apparatus to drive the cleaning tape at the normal tape speed to ensure cleaning; - StODpil,g the drive of the tape at the end of the tape to avoid abnormal tension.

If, for example, the cleaning tape is not rewound completely before starting the cleaning operation, or the operation is switched to fast speed with the cleaning cassette in place, there is a substantial risk of damaging either the cleaning tape or components of the apparatus. Furthermore, within one and the same family of apparatus it is common to find models having different modes of operation, which the user may be unfamiliar with. It will be appreciated that there are many sources of handling errors.

One object of the present invention is to control magnetic tape apparatus so that it carries out a cleaning cycle with a cleaning cassette, and to cause the cleaning cycle to be carried out automatically and without any intervention by the user other than insertion of a cleaning cassette into the apparatus.

A more specific object of preferred forms of the invention, as it relates to player apparatus controlled by a microprocessor under the command of programs, to operate the apparatus to carry out the various functions of a cleaning cycle automatically and in complete safety, and to provide on the cleaning cassette a coding intended to be detected by the apparatus into which it is introduced, and which commands a preprogrammed sequence of operating functions of the apparatus that ensures the components of the apparatus are cleaned.

Further objects will appear from the following descriptions, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a cassette constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view taken in the planes of lines 2-2 in Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a diagramatic view of the cassette and controller of the apparatus, and elements for detecting the cassette as it is inserted into the apparatus.

Turning now to Fig. 1, a cleaning cassette 10, as disclosed in our copending patent application referred to above, is shown having a cleaning tape 11 connected to a pair of reel hubs 12, 13 rotatably mounted in the cassette housing 14. The cleaning tape is preferably made of uncoated polythylene film, and is trained around rods or rollers 18 so as to extend across the front edge of the cassette housing 14, where it is protected by a removable cover 19.

The cassette includes a source of cleaning liquid herein shown as a roller 20 rotatable on a shaft 21 and having a core 22 of absorbment material.

To apply the cleaning liquid from the saturated core 22, a segment 23 of the core 22 is exposed on and protrudes from, the periphery of the roller 20, except for this segment 23 the core 22 being enclosed in an impervious shell 20-A.

To permit the introduction of cleaning liquid to the core 22, the cassette housing has an opening 30 formed by a disc shaped element 32 fixed to the outer wall 34 of the housing 14.

As the tape is driven from reel hub to reel hub, the roller 20 is driven and during each rotation of the roller, applies liquid from the core to the outer surface of the tape over a sector corresponding to the surface of the protruding segment 23 of the core. The surface of the tape 11 is wet intermittently in order to avoid sticking of the tape to the drum carrrying magnetic heads, or to tape driving means, of the tape apparatus being cleaned with the cleaning cassette.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 3, in accordance with the invention, magnetic tape apparatus is controlled to execute a cleaning cycle automatically when a cleaning cassette 10 is inserted in the apparatus. For carrying out the invention, a cleaning cassette 10 (Fig. 1) is provided with a recess 40 in the housing 14 which serves as a code element representing the cleaning function of the cassette 10, and distinguishing this type of cassette from standard cassettes in which the recess 40 is capped or covered. Means are also provided, herein shown as a switch actuator 46, in the magnetic tape apparatus adapted to receive this cassette 10, for detecting the code element on a cassette 10 received in the apparatus.The switch actuator 46 is adapted to penetrate the recess 40, closing the contacts 48 of a switch 50 included in the apparatus and connected to a controller 52 operable to direct the magnetic tape apparatus through a cleaning cycle responsive to detecting a code element on a cassette received in the apparatus.

In keeping with the invention, the steps involved in cleaning the driving, play-back and recording components of a magnetic tape apparatus using a cassette 10 of cleaning tape having a code element on the cassette, involve: (1) inserting the cleaning cassette 10 in the apparatus; (2) detecting the code element 40 on the cassette 10; (3) initiating a cleaning cycle responsive to the detection of the code element 40; and (4) ejecting the cassette 10 at the completion of the cleaning cycle.

It is important to rewind the cleaning tape before starting the cleaning cycle. If the cleaning tape is not first rewound, it may be close to the end of the tape when the cycle is begun, and that would prevent supply of sufficient cleaning tape and cleaning liquid to the machine components to clean them before the end of the tape is reached which terminates the transfer of the cleaning liquid to the apparatus. Accordingly, it is desired that the cleaning cycle initiated automatically when the cassette 10 is inserted also involves: (a) rewinding the cleaning tape in the cassette 10 completely on a take-off reel 12.

To carry out a full cleaning function, the cleaning tape should be driven at normal playing speed in the apparatus during the cleaning cycle. Since the automatic stop control of the magnetic tape apparatus may not operate perfectly with a clean-cassette, it is also desired to stop the tape automatically before the end of the tape is reached. This may be accomplished by timing the transfer of the tape, or by monitoring tape movement.

Therefore, it is also desired to include the step: (b) driving the cleaning tape at a normal playing speed in the apparatus for a predetermined period less than the full playing period for the tape on the take-off reel.

Finally, to prepare for subsequent cleaning operations, it is important to: (c) rewind the cleaning tape completely on the take-off reel.

For carrying out the cleaning cycle involving steps 1-4 and a-c, a microprocessor based control system 52 is preferably provided, having a program stored in memory 54 and controlling the apparatus 56 to carry out these functions, as indicated in the chart of functions included in Fig. 5.

Claims

1. A method of cleaning the driving, play back and recording components of a magnetic tape apparatus using a cassette of cleaning tape having a code element on the cassette, comprising the steps of: (1) inserting the cleaning cassette in the apparatus; (2) detecting the code element of the cassette; (3) initiating a cleaning cycle responsive to the detection of the code element; and (4) ejecting the cassette at the completion of the cleaning cycle.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said cleaning cycle includes: (a) rewinding the cleaning tape in said cassette completely on a take-off reel; (b) driving said cleaning tape at a normal playing speed in said apparatus; and (c) rewinding the cleaning tape completely on said take-off reel.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein step 3 or (b) respectively includes a further step for powering said cleaning cycle for a predetermined period.

4. A cleaning cassette comprising a pair of reel hubs, a tape connected for movement between said reel hubs, and a code element on the cassette representing the cleaning function.

5. A cleaning cassette according to claim 4 in combination with a magnetic tape apparatus adapted to receive said cassette, and including means for detecting said code element on a cassette received in said apparatus and for executing a cleaning cycle using said cassette in response to detecting a code element.

6. The combination according to claim 5, wherein in said reading means includes a switch, and said magnetic tape apparatus includes a controller connected to said switch and operable to direct said magnetic tape apparatus through a cleaning cycle in response to detecting a code element on a cassette received in said apparatus.

7. A magnetic tape apparatus for a combination according to claim 5 or claim 6.

8. A cleaning cassette having means for initiating a cleaning cycle, constructed and arranged for use and operation substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. A magnetic tape apparatus having means for executing a cleaning cycle, constructed and arranged for use and operation substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10. A method of cleaning components of a magnetic tape apparatus in a cycle of operations initiated by identification of a cleaning cassette inserted in the apparatus, substantially as described herein.