Compliant Tape Cleaner for Magnetic Recording Tapes

The present invention relates to cleaning means for a transported magnetic tape and, more particularly, to improved means for removing foreign material from the oxide-covered surface of the magnetic tape.

In using magnetic tape for storing signals to be utilized by a digital machine, and particularly a computer, it is necessary to transport the tape rapidly but in close proximity to the read/write transducers, termed heads, which detect or induce flux reversals in the tape surface. In order to accomplish this it is necessary that the tape not be spaced too far from the surface of the head, in which case the lines of flux emanating from the tape surface will be too weak to be accurately detected by the heads.

Previous tape machines, i.e. those operating at a rate of 3200 flux reversals per inch (f.r.p.i.) have been able to withstand transient head-to-tape separations up to 200 microinches due to foreign substances from the tape surface build up upon the heads. To combat this problem various tape cleaning devices have been devised, primarily including mechanical scraping devices for physically separating foreign matter from the surface of the tape.

With the advent of modern, high-density digital machinery, which commonly utilize a tape separation distance of approximately 70 microinches, the problem of foreign material upon tape surfaces has become particularly critical. In particular, prior art tape cleaning apparatus are not satisfactory for use with the more sensitive, modern equipment. Small foreign particles on the tape surface, which heretofore would not have been large enough to cause errors, will cause substantial errors when present on tapes of the high density variety. In addition, prior art cleaning apparatus do not remove soft particles or viscous materials from the surface very effectively. Still further, the previously used cleaning devices tend to accumulate foreign matter thereon which is from time to time transferred to the tape surface in relatively large amounts. Or the collected material can cause the tape to stick to the head and/or cleaner causing either a "no tape motion" condition, or pull out of the oxide from the tape.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for removing foreign matter from the surface of a transported magnetic tape.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved tape cleaning means which removes smaller particles than cleaners heretofore known.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved tape cleaning apparatus which is particularly well adapted to remove viscous materials from the surface of the tape.

Briefly stated, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention the foregoing objects are achieved by providing a substantially rigid cleaner body supporting thereon a sharp-edged blade, and a resilient pad of reticulated foam. A portion of the interior of the cleaner body defines a cavity, and a source of negative pressure is coupled thereto such that an area of negative pressure appears between the foam pad and blade for drawing the nearby tape against the pad and blade. The air flow through the body of the apparatus and through the foam pad serves to remove accumulated foreign matter.

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional side elevation of one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is an end view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 shows, in cross-sectional form, one embodiment of the inventive tape cleaner. The cleaner comprises a body member 10 preferably made of a rigid, nonporous material such as metal or plastic. The interior of body 10 is hollow, defining a cavity 12 which communicates with a source of negative pressure (not shown) by means of a suitable conduit or tube 14. At the lower surface of one side of the body 10 is disposed a sharp scraper blade 14. The blade is preferably made of a hard, abrasion-resistant material of any suitable type. It is preferable that the blade not be made of a ferromagnetic material, since such a material may disturb the magnetic domains in the surface of the transported tape. Nonferromagnetic materials, such as carbides, high density aluminum oxide, stainless steels, etc. are readily available and familiar to those skilled in the art.

A portion of cavity 12 is covered by a compliant cleaner element generally designated 18. The cleaner comprises a rigid backing 20 and a foam element 22 attached to the lower surface of the backing. In one embodiment, a plurality of apertures 24 are formed in backing 20 for reasons to be explained hereinafter.

The foam element 22 is of an open-cell or reticulated foam material. In a successfully tested embodiment the foam element comprises a 1/16th inch thick pad of a polyurethane reticulated foam manufactured by the Foam Division of the Scott Paper Company of Chester, Pa. The foam advantageously is provided with 60 pores per inch (ppi), with a preferred range being from 50 to 70 ppi. As is evident from the Figure, the lower surface of the foam is advantageously oriented at an angle .theta. with a nominal undeflected direction of travel of a length of magnetic tape 26. Backing 20 is mounted to cleaner body 10 by means of screws 28, although obviously other fastening means may be used.

The downwardly-depending side walls of body 10, one of which is visible in the Figure, are cut away slightly in the region between the table 16 and inward end of foam pad 22, to form a relief as shown at 30. This provides a small channel through which outside air may pass above the path of the tape in order to allow a flow of air which carries off foreign matter accumulated at the rightward or forward side of blade 16.

Turning now to FIG. 2 an end view of the cleaner is shown, the downwardly-depending side elements 32 and 34 being apparent. The lower surface of foam element 22 is seen, against which surface the front or coated side of a transported tape may be brought to bear. While the outward end 36 of the foam element is shown as open to the atmosphere, it will be understood that in some applications it may be desirable to provide means for blocking the end with a nonporous material so as to lessen the flow of air therethrough.

Returning to FIG. 1, as tape 26 is transported in the direction indicated by the arrow, foreign matter on the tape first encounters foam element 22, and subsequently the depending edge of blade 16. The combination of the tension upon tape 26 and the negative (i.e. below ambient) pressure occurring within cavity 12 of the cleaner causes the tape to be drawn firmly against the lower surface of foam element 22. This compresses the foam slightly, and forcibly entrains soft particles and viscous matter into the open-cell foam. Particles more firmly adhering to the surface of the tape are subsequently removed by blade 16.

As shown in the Figure, the limited air flow through porous form element 22 tends to draw the foreign material accumulated therein inwardly into the foam, and occasionally into cavity 12 from where it may be transported to a filter located downstream in conduit 14. Similarly, due to the air flow through relieved section 30 foreign matter removed from the tape surface by blade 16 may be carried from the interior of body 10 to a filtering element in conduit 14.

In one successfully tested embodiment the breakaway angle .alpha. of blade 16 with respect to tape 26 was at least 4.degree., the shear angle .beta. being no more than 120.degree.. Angle .theta., which denotes the orientation of the lower surface of foam element 22, is advantageously between 0.degree. and 1.degree. and aids in maintaining the tape surface forcibly against the lower surfaces of the various cleaning elements.

In using the reticulated polyurethane foam described hereinabove it has been found advantageous to lubricate the surface of the foam with a low vapor pressure silicone oil. This lubricant may be sprayed upon the surface of the foam, then most of the residue wiped off to leave a thin layer on the foam. If too much lubricant is left, the residue will build up upon the oxide surface of the tape 26. The lubricant serves to lower the effective coefficient of friction of the foam pad surface, improving the tape driven performance in start and stop operations.

It is anticipated that after some period of usage the pores of foam element 22 will become clogged with foreign matter from the tape. At a convenient time, the associated pad and backing 20 may be removed from the cleaner body and rinsed with an appropriate solvent, such as alcohol, to remove the embedded foreign matter and renew the foam. Alternatively, and especially in view of the simplicity and low cost of the elements, it may be found advantageously to simply replace the pad of foam with a new one.

As will be evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the invention are not limited to the particular details of the examples illustrated, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications or applications will occur to those skilled in the art. It is accordingly intended that the appended claims shall cover all such modifications and applications as do not depart from the true spirit and scope of the invention.