Disk cartridge with fuzzed liner having rough fibers

Details Disk cartridge with fuzzed liner having rough fibers Disk cartridge with fuzzed liner having rough fibers

2000-06-28

2001-12-11

Klimowicz, William (Department: 2652)

Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval

Record medium

In container

C369S291100

Reexamination Certificate

active

06330130

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to disk cartridges for storing electronic information, and more particularly, to a disk cartridge having an improved fabric liner.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Removable disk cartridges for storing digital electronic information typically comprise an outer casing or shell that houses a magnetic, magneto-optical or optical disk upon which electronic information can be stored. The cartridge shell often comprises upper and lower halves that are joined together to house the disk. The disk is mounted on a hub that rotates freely within the cartridge. When the cartridge is inserted into a disk drive, a spindle motor in the drive engages with the disk hub in order to rotate the disk within the cartridge at a given speed. The outer shell of the cartridge typically has an aperture near one edge to provide access to the disk. A shutter or door mechanism is often provided to cover the aperture when the cartridge is not in use to prevent dust or other contaminants from entering the cartridge and settling on the recording surface of the disk.
Although the cartridge shell and shutter mechanism provide some protection against contaminants entering the cartridge, some contaminants will inevitably reach the recording surface of the disk. For example, dust, smoke and other debris may enter the cartridge through the disk hub or through the cartridge shutter when the disk is inserted in a disk drive. Additionally, magnetic particles may be generated during manufacturing of the disk cartridge as well as during read/write operations in the disk drive. These contaminants can interfere with a read/write head causing errors and a potential loss of information.
To reduce the risk of read/write errors resulting from particles on the disk surface, cartridge often include one or more fabric liners within the cartridge in contact with the disk surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,667,818, Ma et al., issued on an application from which a divisional application is the parent hereof. It describes a non-woven fabric liner which has been fuzzed to loosen fibers in a region which contacts the surface of the disk. The upstanding fibers wipe the surface of the disk while the main body of the liner remains spaced from the disk thereby reducing drag. A second non-woven fabric liner is attached to the inner surface of the other of the shells.
Making the liner more compliant and less abrasive to the disk and making the liner more abrasion resistant to protect itself, lead to improved performance of the disk cartridge system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention an improved liner for a disk cartridge includes a polyester material having round fibers which vary in diameter along the length of the fibers. The rough surface of the polyester fiber makes the liner more compliant and less abrasive to the disk. Because of the variations in diameter along the length of the fiber, the liner is more abrasion resistant which protects the liner. This new liner provides greatly improved performance when compared with cartridges having liners made of prior material.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages will be better understood from the following more detailed description and appended claims.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5122919 (1992-06-01), Takemae et al.
patent: 5311389 (1994-05-01), Howey
patent: 5398151 (1995-03-01), Swanson et al.
patent: 5677818 (1997-10-01), Ma et al.
patent: 0 399 110 A1 (1990-11-01), None
patent: 0 854 484 A1 (1998-07-01), None
patent: 62-164283 (1987-07-01), None
patent: 96/12282 (1996-04-01), None

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