Patent ID: 8027122

Claim:
A data storage device comprising: a housing defining a cartridge sized to cooperate with a tape drive; a first tape reel mounted for rotation within the housing; a second tape reel mounted for rotation within the housing; and a data tape having a first end mounted to the first tape reel, a second end mounted to the second tape reel, a first data tape side and a second data tape side; wherein an access opening is formed in the housing adjacent to a tape path of the tape for access to the first data tape side by a first read/write head of the tape drive, and for access to the second data tape side by a second read/write head of the tape drive; and wherein the access opening is further defined as a first access opening adjacent to the tape path for access to the first data tape side, and a second access opening adjacent to the tape path for access to the second data tape side.