Disk cartridge

Abstract

A cartridge assembly ( 10 ) for holding disks or similar substrates includes a cassette ( 12 ) provided with a plurality of curved grooved channels ( 20 ) of substantially even channel width and at least one protruding feature ( 34. 36. 40 ) into each channel ( 20 ) for reducing the channel width, the protruding features ( 34, 36, 40 ) being provided as areas of greater channel wall thickness. The protrusions allow more compact storage of disks within the cartridge ( 10 ) while still ensuring that the disks do not touch one another during transportation and handling. One or more burrs ( 44 ) are also provided in each channel ( 20 ) to prevent or reduce disk spin during transportation of the cartridge ( 10 ). The assembly ( 10 ) is provided with an electronic tag operable to store and record data relating to the contents of the cartridge and/or transport and storage conditions, the tag being operable to store data relating to one or more of the date of manufacture, the place of manufacture, identification of the manufacturer, distribution history, warranty details, cartridge contents and to store transport and/or or storage conditions including temperature, humidity, vibration.

1 . A disk cartridge assembly for holding disks or similar substrates including a cassette provided with a plurality of curved grooved channels of substantially even channel width and at least one protruding feature into each channel for reducing the channel width.  
   
   
       2 . A disk cartridge assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein there are provided a plurality of protruding features in each channel.  
   
   
       3 . A disk cartridge assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one protruding feature is provided as areas of greater channel wall thickness.  
   
   
       4 . A disk cartridge assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein there are provided protrusions symmetrically arranged to hold a disk at opposing ends thereof.  
   
   
       5 . A disk cartridge assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein there is provided at least one burr in each channel.  
   
   
       6 . A disk cartridge assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the burrs are located in a base of the channels.  
   
   
       7 . A disk cartridge assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the burrs are located on a base of the channels.  
   
   
       8 . A disk cartridge assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein there are provided burrs in only a portion of the length of each channel.  
   
   
       9 . A disk cartridge assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the assembly is provided with an electronic tag operable to store and record data relating to at least one of: the contents of the cartridge, transport and storage conditions.  
   
   
       10 . A disk cartridge assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein the tag is operable to store data relating to one or more of the date of manufacture, the place of manufacture, identification of the manufacturer, distribution history, warranty details, cartridge contents.  
   
   
       11 . A disk cartridge assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein the tag is operable to store at least one of transport and or storage conditions including temperature, humidity, vibration.  
   
   
       12 . A disk cartridge assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein the tag is provided with communication means.  
   
   
       13 . A disk cartridge assembly for holding disks including a cassette provided with a plurality of curved grooved channels of substantially even channel width and at least one friction element in a base wall of each channel.  
   
   
       14 . A disk cartridge assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the at least one friction element is a burr.  
   
   
       15 . A disk cartridge assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the at least one burr is located in a base of the channels.  
   
   
       16 . A disk cartridge assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the at least one burr is located on a base of the channels.  
   
   
       17 . A disk cartridge assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein there are provided burrs in only a portion of the length of each channel.  
   
   
       18 . A disk cartridge assembly able to hold at least fifty disks.  
   
   
       19 . A disk cartridge assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein the disks are memory disks.  
   
   
       20 . Apparatus for removing disks from a cartridge including a lifter operable to lift alternate ones of a series of disks in the cartridge and a remover operable to remove the lifted disks.