DEVICE FOR CLEANING TAPE CONTACTING MEMBERS IN VIDEO TAPE RECORDERS AND THE LIKE APPARATUS

Abstract: The device comprises a case (1), insertable into the cassette receiving compartment of an apparatus to be cleaned and having a pair of spools (3, 4) rotatably mounted therein. The spools are adapted to be driven by the cassette drive mechanism of the apparatus to be cleaned and have a web (2) wound thereon. The device further comprises an aerosol type container (12) containing cleaning fluid, being located in said case (1) and adapted for being automatically actuated by actuating elements (8-11b) upon introduction into a cassette receiving compartment. Fluid distribution members (12a-13a) being provided to distribute fluid displaced from the container (12) onto the web (2).

Description: "DEVICE FOR CLEANING TAPE CONTACTING MEMBERS IN VIDEO TAPE RECORDERS AND THE LIKE APPARATUS" Technioal field The present invention relates to a device for cleaning tape contacting members in video tape recorders and the like apparatus. Background art As is known, the various tape contacting parts of video tape recorders or similar apparatus such as heads, capstans, guides and entrainraent or pinch rollers require to be cleaned periodically. Failure to clean or insufficient cleaning of such parts in a known manner adversely affects the quality of recording and/or reproduction and in cases of excessive neglect can even cause damage of the apparatus. However, such tape contacting members are frequently difficult to clean by virtue of their inaccessibility. Prior European Patent application N. 85110080.0 by this same applicant discloses a cleaner cartridge, for cleaning audio and video tape recorders and players, comprising a cartridge body and a detergent reservoir, externally attached to said cartridge body and being selectively di-assemblable, assemblable, replaceable, and refillable. However, in the particular instance of a video tape recorder the parts to be cleaned are different from those of the audio player-recorders, in that the parts to be cleaned are only accessible by a tape. For this reason cleaner cartridges have been proposed which comprise a tape which contacts the video tape recorder's heads and guide and entrainment devices. Also currently known are cleaning fluids, usually sold in bottles and intended for application to the heads, capstans etc. by means of a small applicator pad or brush. Various types of cleaning cassettes and cartridges are also known, which contain a web and/or brushes impregnated with cleaning substances and others which comprise a reservoir or externally located bottle containing detergent liquid for moistening those parts of the cartridge adapted to contact the various members of the apparatus to be cleaned. However, such prior means and devices for cleaning the tape contacting members in video tape recorders are not devoid of drawbacks. The cleaning fluids sold in bottles and intended for manual application by such means as brushes or pads, whilst being suitable for cleaning easily accessible members in audio apparatus, cannot be effectively applied to awkwardly located or inaccessible parts in a video recorder. Thus, whilst being useful for the skilled technician who may wish to clean disassembled components, the periodic application of such fluids to the heads etc. of a video recorder is an impossible task for the layman. Cartridges containing impregnated webs or brushes must either be very frequently re-moistened by manual intervention or disposed when their cleaning ability diminishes, and in a known manner, an insufficiently moist web may merely transfer dust and foreign matter from one member to another, without efficiently cleaning the apparatus. Even the known cartridges with fluid reservoires are not devoid of drawbacks which mainly reside in the fact that it is impossible to wipe all of the moving or fixed parts of the cartridge which will come into contact with the apparatus to be cleaned, and in the case where an externally located bottle is utilized, the cartridge becomes unwieldy and expensive. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a device for cleaning tape-contacting members in video tape recorders and the like which overcomes the problems of the known devices, and in particular permits the effective cleaning of all of the tape contacting members such as heads, capstans, rollers etc., even where inaccessibly located. Within the above aim it is an object of the invention to provide a device which carries out the cleaning operation in an automatic manner without the requirement of any manual intervention. It is another object of the invention to provide a device which does not compulsorily avail itself of externally mounted bottles, and which, on the contrary, is very compact. A further object of the invention is to provide a device which is very reliable, safe and simple to use. A not least object of the invention is to provide a device which can be manufactured on ordinary plant from readily available elements and materials, and which is advantageous from a purely economical standpoint. This aim and these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a device for cleaning tape contacting members in video tape recorders and the like apparatus, characterized in that it comprises a case, insertable' into a cassette receiving compartment of an apparatus to be cleaned, at least a first spool and a second spool rotatably mounted on said case and adapted for driving engagement relationship with drive spindles of said apparatus to be cleaned, and a web, having at least one end attached to said first spool, at least one other end attached to said second spool, and an intermediate portion windable around said spools, said device further comprising a container located in said case and being adapted for containing cleaning fluid, actuating means adapted for causing fluid to be displaced from said container and distribution means, adapted for distributing fluid displaced from said container at least onto said web. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent from the following detailed description of some preferred though not exclusive embodiments thereof, with reference to the accompanying illustrative, non-limitative drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a device for cleaning tape contacting members in video tape recorders and the like according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of another embodiment of a device for cleaning tape contacting members in video tape recorders and the like according to the invention: WAYS OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION With reference to the above cited drawing figures, generally designated with the reference numeral 1 is a container or case, expediently having the form of a standard cartridge or cassette as normally utilized with the apparatus to be cleaned. In the case 1 is a web or tape 2, rigidly associated at its ends with a first spool 3 and a second spool 4 and being wound around one of the spools, or partially wound around each of the spools, for the major part of its longitudinal extension, a portion of the tape 2 extending between the two spools 3 > ^ and being trained around first and second guide pins or rollers, 21,22 respectively. The guide rollers are substantially equi- distantly located from the front edge 23 of the container such that the web 2 may be unwound from the first spool 3 pass around the first guide roller 21, extend substantially parallel to the front edge 23 of the case 1 before passing around the second guide roller 22, and finally be wound around the second spool 4, or vice versa. I n a known manner, upon introduction of the case 1 irto the cassette compartment of a video tape recorder, its presence is sensed by a photoelectric cell 5, which permits actuation of the recorder's drive motor and the web 2 to be engaged by the recorder's entrainment bars - β - 6,7 which then move the web 2, from its path extending parallel to the front edge 23 of the case 1 to the various capstans, rollers and heads of the video-tape recorder's mechanism as illustrated in figure 1, just as would occur upon a video tape cassette being introduced into the cassette compartment. The spools 3,4, expediently being of the type utilized in video cassettes are adapted to be engaged by the drive spindles of the cassette recorder, and resultantly upon its actuation, the web 2 is unwound from the first spool 3 and wound around the second spool 4, or vice versa passing, as explained heretofore, around the various heads, capstans etc. of the video tape recorder. Advantageously the invention provides, at the interior of the case 1, a small container 12, expediently of the pressurized aerosol type, containing cleaning fluid and having an outlet tube 12a, which by being urged towards the bouy of the container against the elastic biasing action of the aerosol outlet valve, causes the cleaning fluid contained therein to be released under pressure. Expediently provided on the outlet tube 12a is an adapter 12b, whereto is connected a diffusion tube 13. communicating with the outlet tube 12 and having an end 13a located prσximately to the web 2, to deliver thereto cleaning fluid released from the container 12. Obviously, the tube 13 may terminate at one of the spools 3,4 or any portion of the interior of the case 1 containing web 2 which is being unwound before being passed around the heads, capstans etc. of the video tape recorder. Drawing figure 1 illustrates a first exemplary embodiment of means, for actuating the pressurized container 12 which comprise lever-like elements or ears 8,9, pivotally associated, at connection points 23,24 through pins screws or the like connection means, with the case 1 , and protruding laterally therefrom through appropriately formed side openings to define an overall width dimension which is greater than that defined by the interior of a cassette compartment of a video tape recorder, such that upon the case 1 being inserted into such a cassette compartment, the ears 8,9 are pushed inwards and are caused to rotate about the connection points 23,24. This inward movement of the ears 8,9, is transmitted through link elements 10a, 11a, to resultantly cause blocks or abutment elements 10,11 to move towards each other, i.e. in the direction of the arrows 30 (Figure 1). Associated with the abutment elements at the opposite sides thereof to the link elements are spacers, 10b, 11b, adapted to act on the bottom of the container 12 and the adapter 12b respectively to thus cause the outlet tube to be pushed towards the container 12, thus causing pressurized fluid to be released therefrom and distributed, through the diffusion tube 13 onto the web 2. Obviously, a fixed abutment may be provided at the adapter 12b or at the bottom of the container 12, to permit a single protruding ear to actuate the same. Advantageously, the spacers and the link elements could be formed integrally with the abutment elements or the link elements may be associated with the ears 8,9. Any convenient kinematic transmission means could be utilized to transmit movement of the ears to the container 12, such as rods or levers. Furthermore, any suitable means may be utilized to retain the container 12 and permit movement of the motion transmission members such as compartmentation of the case by the provision of internal walls, holders etc. Figure 2 illustrates another embodiment of the means for actuating the pressurized container 12 which comprise an electric motor 15, housed in the case 1 and receiving electrical power from a battery 14, also housed in the case 1. The motor 15 may be any small commercially available electric motor of the type utilized in motorized toys, of low voltage, such as those produced by the Swiss Company "MINIM0T0R". The electric motor 15 has an output shaft, wherewith a first toothed gear wheel 16a is rigidly associated and adapted for mesh engagement with a second toothed gear wheel 16b, advantageously rotatably mounted on a pin, rigidly associated with the case 1 and in turn adapted for mesh engagement with a third toothed gear wheel 16c, also advantageously rotatably mounted on a pin associated with the case 1 at a seat formed therein and having a cam 17 rigidly associated therewith, for example by means of teeth or protuberances protruding axially from the gear wheel 16c and engaging with the cam 17. In this case the pressurized container 12 is located in the case 1 between the cam 17 and a container abutment 12c, wherewith the adapter 12b engages in abutment engagement relationship. The 5 distance between the abutment 12c and the cam 17, at a position whereat its minor axis extends substantially in alignment with the longitudinal mid-axis of the container 12, corresponds to the longitudinal extension of the container 12, including the outlet tube 12a and 10 adapter 12b associated therewith, in an inactive condition. Thus, upon the cam 17, being rotated by the motor 15 and the cited gears 16 to a position whereat its major axis extends substantially in alignment with the "• -> longitudinal mid-axis of the container 12 (as illustrated in figure 2), the distance between the cam 17 and the abutment 12c is reduced, thus causing the container 12 to be pushed towards the adapter 12b abutting the abutment 12c and resultantly pushing the 20 outlet tube 12a to cause pressurized fluid, to be released from the container and distributed onto the web 2 via the diffusion tube 13, and a distributor 18, advantageously provided at the end of the diffusion tube proximately located to or contacting said tape. 2 Whilst the elastic biasing action of the aerosol outlet valve will be sufficient to return displaced elements such as the ears 8,9 to their original inoperative positions when the device is not being used, it will be appreciated that additional or 30 alternative biasing means may be provided. The battery 14 may either be of the rechargeable type or disposable when exhausted, and expediently housed in a small compartment, provided in the case 1 and having an access opening, wherethrough the battery is insertable, such opening being preferably closeable by means such as a lid or cover. An actuation switch for selectively actuating the motor 15 may be advantageously located on the exterior of the case 1 and may expediently be operable in an automatic manner upon the device being inserted into the cassette compartment of a video tape recorder, for example through linkages such as the ears 8,9 as utilized in the device of figure 1. Furthermore the gear ratio of the gearing arrangement I6a-1δc between the output shaft of the motor 14 and the cam 17 may be any ratio selected to provide the desired velocity of rotation of the cam 17, to cause in turn, adequate intermittent release of cleaning fluid from the pressurized container 12 to ensure thorough cleaning of the apparatus. Obviously, the case 1 may be provided with access means such as a lid for permitting the replacement of exhausted containers or batteries, or even for replacement of the web 2 by removing the spools 3,4 and inserting new spools with a new web wound thereon, which must be simply trained around the guide rollers 21,22. It has been found in practice that the invention achieves all of the cited objects and in particular, a device is provided which is very simple to use and which is insertable into the cassette compartment of a video-tape recorder, for thoroughly cleaning all of the tape contacting elements of the same in a very efficient, automatic manner without any manual intervention. The device as described herein is susceptible to numerous modifications, which are all encompassed by the same inventive concept. Thus as an example, an electrically or mechanically operated pump, could be utilized to deliver fluid from a container to means for distributing the fluid onto the web. In practicing the invention any materials, dimensions and shapes may be used according to contingent requirements.

Claims: CLAIMS 1 1. A device for cleaning tape contacting members 2 in video tape recorders and the like apparatus, 3 characterized in that it comprises a case (1), insertable into a cassette receiving compartment of an 5 apparatus to be cleaned, at least a first spool (3) and 6 a second spool (4) rotatably mounted on said case (1) 7 and adapted for driving engagement relationship with * *-* ■ drive spindles of said apparatus to be cleaned, and a 9 web (2), having at least one end attached to said first 10 spool (3), at least one other end attached to said 11 second spool (4), and an intermediate portion windable 12 around said spools, said device further comprising a 13 container (12) located in said case (1) and being 14 adapted for containing cleaning fluid, actuating means 15 (8-11b,14-17) adapted for causing fluid to be displaced 16 from said container (12) and distribution means (12a- " •7 13,18), adapted for distributing fluid displaced from 18 said container (12) at least onto said web (2). 1 2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in 2 that said container (12) is a pressurized aerosol type 3 container adapted for containing said cleaning fluid 4 under pressure. 1 3- A device according to claim 1, characterized in 2 that 3aid distribution means comprise an outlet tube (12a) communicating with an outlet of said container " (12), an adapter (12b) communicating with said outlet -> tube (12a) and a distribution tube (13) in turn β communicating with said adapter (12b) and having at 7 least one end (13a) adapted for distributing fluid 8 displaced from said container onto said web (2). 1 4. A device according to claim 1, characterized in 2 that said actuating means comprise at least two ears 3 (8,9) protruding from said case (1) and being movable 4 relatively thereto and transmission means (10-11b) 5 adapted for transmitting movement of said ears (8,9) ° " for causing fluid to be displaced from said container 7 (12). 1 5. A device according to claim 1, characterized in 2 that said actuating means comprise transmission means 3 (1β-16c), an electric motor (15), at least one battery 4 (14), and at least one cam (17), said motor (15) being 5 adapted to cause rotation of said cam (17) through said β transmission means (16-16c) upon being electrically 7 connected to said battery (14), said cam being adapted 8 to act on said container (12) to cause cleaning fluid 9 to be displaced therefrom. 1 6. A device according to claim 4, characterized in that said transmission means comprise link elements (10a, 11a), spacers (10b, 11b) and abutment elements ^ (10,11), adapted to communicate with said ears (8,9) 5 through said link elements and with said container (12) through said spacers (10b, 11b). 1 7. A device according to claim 5, characterized in 2 that said motor (15) has an output shaft and said transmission means comprises toothed gear wheels (16- 16c) adapted for transmitting rotσry motion from said output shaft of said motor (15) to said cam (17). 1 8. A device according to claim 5, characterized in 2 that said adapter (12b) is caused to rest against an abutment (12c) and said cam (17) is adapted to push said container, towards said abutment (12c) to cause fluid to be displaced therefrom. 9. A device according to claim 3, characterized in that said distribution means further comprise a distributor (18) located at the end (13a) of said distribution tube (13).

Inventors: ZAGO GIOVANNI, ZAGO, GIOVANNI
Applicants: ZAGO GIOVANNI, ZAGO, GIOVANNI
Application year: 1985
Main classification: G11B23
IPC codes: G11B5, G11B23