Patent ID: 6239929
Filing Date: 2001-05-29
Classification: B65H,G11B

Abstract:
A combined high-speed magnetic tape duplicator and cassette loader, comprising:a transfer mechanism operative to place a magnetic mirror-master tape and a magnetic copy tape in intimate and substantially slip-free contact, said mirror-master tape having a helically-scanned pattern magnetically encoded thereupon, said transfer mechanism including contact duplication means operative to transfer said magnetically encoded pattern to said magnetic copy tape without electronically re-recording said pattern from the mirror-master tape;a master tape transport mechanism operative to receive said mirror master tape and guide said master tape to and from said duplication means;a copy tape transport mechanism including one or more pancake-type supply reels, said copy tape transport mechanism being operative to receive said magnetic copy tape and guide said copy tape to and from said duplication means; anda cassette loading station operative to perform the following functions:a) receive an empty cassette shell at a first position,b) transfer said empty shell into a second position different from said first position for the purpose of loading said empty cassette shell,c) receive duplicated copy tape in a continuous path directly from said duplication means and wind said duplicated copy tape into said cassette shell, the longitudinal centerline of said copy tape at all times residing substantially within the same, andd) eject said cassette shell with said duplicated copy tape loaded therein to a third position different from said first and second positions; andmeans to detect a signal previously recorded on said master tape, the operation of said cassette loading station being a function of the detection of said signal.