GB2195809A

GB2195809A - Cleaning device for magnetic head

Info

Publication number: GB2195809A
Application number: GB08623652A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nan Yeh Tsun
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-10-02
Filing date: 1986-10-02
Publication date: 1988-04-13
Anticipated expiration: 2006-10-02
Also published as: GB2195809B; GB8623652D0; IN169012B

Abstract

A cleaning device for a magnetic head includes cassette body (1), take up-reel (21) and feed reel (22) a cleaning tape (3) of fluid-absorbent fabric and a replaceable cleaning fluid containing unit (5), including a fluid container (12), an activating means which can be a push button (17) and spray head (14), and a nozzle with a dispensing end (151), to dispense cleaning fluid to soak tape (3). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cleaning device for magnetic head This invention relates to a cleaning device for a magnetic head of a cassette recorder, particularly to a one-piece cleaning device provided with a replaceable cleaning fluid unit integrally disposed therein, which can efficiently dispense cleaning fluid to a cleaning tape of the cleaning device to allow the tape to clean the magnetic head. Cleaning devices for magnetic heads of conventional cassette recorders generally take the shape of cassettes with a special cleaning tape wound around feed and take-up reels of the cassette. In use, the tape is soaked with cleaning fluid, the fluid being fed into the tape of the cassette from outside, and then the cassette is placed in the cassette recorder to have the cleaning tape wind past the magnetic heads, cleaning the tape as it passes.

This arrangement has the disadvantages that it is inconvenient to feed the fluid into the cassette to soak the tape, as both the cassette and the fluid container must be held manually; and it is also inefficient, because the amount of fluid fed can not be controlled precisely. Also, this arrangement requires two components, so is inconvenient to carry and store.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a cleaning device for a magnetic head which is of one piece, so is convenient to use and store.

It is another object of this invention to provide a cleaning device in which cleaning fluid can be refilled.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a cleaning device which is of simple construction and which is operated easily.

To achieve these and other objects, a cleaning device is provided which includes a cassette body receivable in a conventional cassette tape recorder; a take up-reel and a feed reel provided inside the cassette body; a fluidabsorbent cleaning tape wound around the reels similarly to a cassette tape, wherein a cleaning fluid containing unit, including a fluid container, an activating means, and a nozzle designed to dispense cleaning fluid to soak the tape on the feed reel, is provided replaceably inside the cassette body, and is activated by an activating means to dispense cleaning fluid to the tape; whereby, the tape can be inserted into the recorder to clean the magnetic head.

In one aspect of the invention, the activating means is a press button integrally provided in the nozzle, extending outwardly of a surface of the cassette body so as to be able to be pressed from the exterior of the cassette body.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to the appended drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a planar perspective view of a cleaning device as shown in Figure 1; Figure 2 is a top plan illustrative view of a preferred embodiment of a cleaning device for a magnetic head according to this invention; and Figure 3 is an alternative embodiment of a cleaning device for a magnetic head according to this invention.

The following is a detailed description of a currently preferred embodiment of this invention. This description is made for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a cleaning device for a magnetic head according to this invention includes a housing body 1; take-up and feed reels 21,22; a cleaning tape 3; and a cleaning fluid dispensing unit 5.

The housing body 1 is substantially in the shape of a cassette tape, and is made using materials conventionally used in constructing a cassette tape body. It includes reinforcing ribs A for holding apart its top and bottom walls, and various indentations along its side walls for fitting into a conventional cassette player.

The take-up reel 21 and feed reel 22 are disposed inside the housing body 1 left and right of the center thereof. The cleaning tape 3 is wound around the reels 21,22 in a conventional manner and passes around guide roller B, near an indentation of the housing body 1, so as to be exposed at the side wall of the housing which abuts the magnetic head when the device is placed inside a cassette player.

The cleaning fluid dispensing unit 5 is disposed in the housing body 1 between the reels 21 ,22. It comprises a fluid container 12 containing cleaning fluid 13; a spray head 14 integrally formed with the fluid container 12, including an enlarged portion 142 and a hollow needle-shaped fluid duct 141 extending from the enlarged portion 142 deep into the fluid container 12 for drawing fluid into the spray head; a dispensing duct 15 extending from the top portion with a dispensing end 151 located directly adjacent to the cleaning tape 3 wound around the feed reel 22; and a push button activating means 17 cooperating with the spray head 14 in such a way that when pushed, cleaning fluid 13 is dispensed from the spray head 14 through the dispensing duct 15, out of the dispensing end 151 to the cleaning tape 3, where it is absorbed by the capillary action of the cleaning tape 3.

The fluid container 12 is prevented from moving laterally by retaining posts 11 disposed between the top and bottom walls of the housing 1. The dispensing duct 15 and dispensing end 151 are prevented from mov ing laterally by U-shaped positioning member 16.

The push button is accessible to be pushed from outside the cassette body by being disposed in a discontinuous portion 19 of the side wall of the housing body opposite from the side with the indentations and roller B.

Two flanges C extend perpendicularly into the housing body 1 from the periphery of the wall defining the discontinuous portion 19. push button 17 fits between the flanges C, and is retained to be movable only axially with respect to the spray head 14 and fluid duct 141 thereby. Push button 17 is retained from being released axially from the housing body by flanges 171 integrally formed therewith, which abut against the rims of flanges C.

The top cover at the top side of the housing body 1, as seen in Figure 2, is provided with viewing windows 41,42. Viewing window 41, which is disposed adjacent to fluid duct 141, is used for seeing the amount of fluid left in the fluid container 12 (the cleaning device being held button 17- side up to judge), while viewing window 42, which is disposed adjacent to dispensing end 151, is used to confirm that the dispensing end 151 is dispensing a sufficient amount of cleaning fluid 13 in the right direction towards the tape 3.

When the cleaning fluid 13 is used up, the entire cleaning fluid dispensing unit 5 may be removed and replaced by taking the top cover off the housing body 1, and lifting the unit 5 out. (While the unit is restricted to move laterally, as has been described, it can be understood that it can be removed via the top of the housing.) Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of this invention. Description of elements which are identical to those of the first embodiment is omitted for clarity. In this embodiment, the cleaning fluid container 12' is cylindrical and is disposed longitudinally adjacent to the side wall of the housing 1' opposite the side with indentations. Container 12' is prevented from lateral movement by reinforcing ribs A' disposed around reels 21',22'. push button 17' is disposed at a corner of housing 1'.

It can be understood that the cleaning device of this invention is convenient to carry and store, as it is of one piece; that it is simple to manufacture and operate; and that it is refillable.

While this invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it is apparent that variations and modifications may suggest themselves to one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. It is therefore intended that this invention be limited as indicated in the ap

Claims

pended claims. CLAIMS

1. A cleaning device for a magnetic head, comprising a cassette body; a take up-reei and a feed reel provided in said cassette body; and a cleaning tape made of liquid-absorbent fabric wound around said reels similarly to a cassette tape, wherein a cleaning fluid containing unit, including a fluid container, an activating means and a nozzle designed to dispense cleaning fluid to soak said tape on said feed reel, is provided replaceably inside said cassette body, and is activated by said activating means to dispense cleaning fluid to said tape; whereby, said tape can be inserted into a cassette recorder to clean said magnetic head.

2. A cleaning device for a magnetic head according to Claim 1, wherein said activating means is a press button integrally provided in said nozzle, extending outwardly of a surface of said cassette body so as to be able to be pressed from the exterior of said cassette body.

3. A cleaning device for a magnetic head substantially as described hereinbefore with reference to the accompanying drawings.