GB2257115A - Labelling cassettes - Google Patents

Abstract

A magnetic tape cassette has write-protect aperture 5 and a labelling means 12 and a moveable closure means 6. In a first position the means 6 covers the write-protect aperture 5 and in a second position it leaves the write-protect aperture open. The labelling means is erasable so that it can temporarily retain label marks made by a writing implement. The closure means 6 additionally comprises the means whereby the label marks can be removed as it moves between the first and the second positions. The labelling means may comprise a backing (10, Fig. 4) over which is located a sheet (11) with coloured pressure-adhesive surface covered by a transparent film 12. Pressure on the film 12 from the writing implement causes the film to adhere to the coloured sheet (11) to create the label marks. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS TO CASSETTES The present invention relates to magnetic tape cassettes.

Magnetic tape cassettes generally include a writeprotect mechanism so that, if necessary, the user can prevent the magnetic tape in the cassette from being overwritten. The mechanism comprises a small panel in the side of the cassette, the presence or otherwise of which is detected by a conventional recorder and which, if removed, will prevent the recorder from writing to the tape in the cassette. However, most blank cassettes, and in particular video cassettes, are bought for use over and over again.

In this regard, problems are usually encountered in keeping a record of exactly what has been recorded on any given cassette and whether the cassette is free for reuse. Most labelling systems supplied with cassettes comprise sticky labels which, when once secured to the cassette itself, are difficult to remove. Other ways of keeping a track of recordings usually involve means remote from the actual cassette itself, such as log books or labels affixed to a cassette's slipcase. These methods tend to be inconvenient and as a result can be unreliable.

The object of the present invention is to provide a cassette which overcomes or substantially mitigates the aforementioned disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a cassette comprising an erasable labelling means, a write-protect aperture and a moveable closure means which in a first position covers the write-protect aperture and in a second position leaves the write-protect aperture open.

Preferably, the labelling means comprises a backing over which is located a sheet with a coloured pressureadhesive surface covered by a transparent film, pressure on the film from a stylus causing the film to adhere to the coloured sheet and thereby record a label for the cassette.

preferably also, the moveable means comprises a slider which also operates to erase any label recorded by use of the labelling means.

Preferably also, the slider is located between the adhesive surface and the transparent film.

Preferably also, the labelling means defines a substantially rectangular labelling surface located on a side of the cassette adjacent the write-protect aperture so that in moving the slider from the second position to the first position any recorded label is erased from the labelling means.

Preferably also, the cassette comprises an aperture in which a stylus for use with the labelling means can be located and stored.

An example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a video cassette according to the present invent ion; Figs 2 and 3 are side views of the cassette shown in Fig. 1 with a moveable slider thereof shown in first and second positions respectively; and Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the side wall of the cassette along the line IV-IV in Fig. t.

The cassette shown in the drawings comprises a substantially plastics box 1 enclosing a magnetic video tape 2 and is of a standard shape and size for a video cassette. The cassette differs from a conventional cassette along its side 3, which is opposite the side 4 that is always inserted first into a video recorder to expose the tape 2 to the magnetic heads in the recorder.

The side 3 comprises a write-protect aperture 5 which is of a conventional size and in the usual location on this side but which is left open, unlike a conventional cassette wherein the aperture is usually closed by a knock-out panel. The industry standard practice in the manufacture of video cassettes is that if the aperture 5 is closed then the cassette can be written to as well as read, whereas if the aperture 5 is open then the cassette can only be read and not be written to.

In the present invention, the aperture 5 can be closed by a moveable means comprising a slider 6. The slider 6 is located within the cassette behind the side wall 3 in a receptacle 8 defined by a second backing wall 7, which is located immediately behind the wall 3 to the interior of the cassette and along virtually the whole of its length. The slider 6 is larger than the aperture 5, for reasons described below, and is of a width comparable with the width of the wall 3 rather than that of the aperture 5. In a first position, as shown in Fig. 2, the slider 6 is located immediately behind the aperture 5, closing it in terms of the write-protection of the tape 2.

However, the slider 6 can be moved in the receptacle 8 along the length of the wall 3 into a second position at the end opposite the aperture 5, as shown in Fig. 3.

Adjacent the aperture 5, is a labelling means which is shown in detail in Fig. 4. The labelling means is also located in the receptacle 8 and is visible and thereby usable through a rectangular slot 9 which is formed in the side wall 3 in front of the backing wall 7 and to one side of the aperture 5.

Covering the backing wall 7 behind and just beyond the edge of the slot 9 is a substantially resilient backing sheet 10, such as a card or board. Attached to or formed on the surface of the sheet 10 is a coloured pressure-adhesive surface 11 and this in turn is covered by a transparent plastics film 12. The sheet 10 and its covering surface 11 can be attached to the wall 7 by a convenient means, such as an adhesive, whereas the film 12 can be attached by its shorter edges to the interior of the side wall 3 at each end of the slot 9. The surface 11 and the film 12 interact in a known manner such that if the film 12 is written on by means of a stylus, the pressure imparted to the film 12 is such that it sticks to the surface 11 along the line traced by the stylus.The colour of the surface 11 can be seen through the film 12 more darkly along the line than through the rest of the film 12 to enable the writing to be seen and read.

However, detachment of the film 12 from the surface 11 removes all trace of the writing.

A stylus suitable from writing on the film 12 can be accommodated in the cassette in a second receptacle 13 forming a sheath, which is located along one of the end walls of the cassette.

The film 12 can be detached from the surface 11 by means of the slider 6 which is located between the film 12 and the surface 11. The size of the slider 6 is such that when it is in its first position closing the aperture 5 it can also be seen through the film at one end of the slot 9. To enable the slider 6 to be moved, the part of the slider showing through the slot when it is in its first position is attached to a finger-pull 14 which projects through the slot 9 and thereby also forms a stop limiting movement of the slider 6. The film 12 passes between the slider 6 and the finger-pull 14, which locates behind the edges of the slot 9 and is attached to the slider 6 around opposed edges of the film, 12, as shown in Fig. 4.When the slider 6 is moved from its first position, as shown in Fig. 2, into its second position, as shown in Fig. 3, by means of the finger-pull 14 it passes between the film 12 and the surface 11 forcing them apart and thereby erasing any label written thereon.

In use, the slider 6 must be located in its first position, covering the aperture 5, to enable the tape 2 in the cassette to be written to by a standard video recorder. After recording it is envisaged that the slider 6 will be moved by means of the finger pull 14 into its second position at the other end of the slot 9 and a label detailing the recording will then be written on the film 12 using the stylus. With the slider 6 in the second position, the tape 2 cannot be written to or overrecorded. After viewing or when it is otherwise desired to write to the tape 2 again, the slider 6 is moved from the second position back into the first position to cover the write-protect aperture 5. This will also have the effect of erasing the label.

Hence, the present invention assists in preventing cassettes from being accidentally re-used after recording while also providing an easily erasable label which is permanently secured to the cassette.

It will be appreciated that whilst the invention has been described in relation to a video tape, it is suitable for use on a cassette containing any tape medium.

Claims (8)

1. A cassette defining a write-protect aperture and comprising a labelling means and a moveable closure means, which in a first position covers the write-protect aperture and in a second position leaves the write-protect aperture open, and characterised in that the labelling means is erasable so that it can temporarily retain label marks made thereon by means of a writing implement until these marks are removed, and in that the closure means additionally comprises the means whereby the label marks can be removed as it moves between the first and the second positions.

2. A cassette as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the labelling means comprises a backing over which is located a sheet with a coloured pressure-adhesive surface covered by a transparent film, pressure on the film from the writing implement causing the film to adhere to the coloured sheet to create the label marks and thereby record a label for the cassette.

3. A cassette as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the closure means comprises a slider which is located between the pressure-adhesive surface and the transparent film so that movement of the slider between the surface and the film forces them apart to erase any label marks.

4. A cassette as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the cassette comprises a box with inner and outer backing walls defining a receptacle between them, in which receptacle the labelling means and the slider are located.

5. A cassette as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the outer backing wall defines a slot to provide access to the labelling means for the writing implement and an adjacent aperture comprising the write-protect aperture.

6. A cassette claimed in Claim 5, wherein the slider is connected to a finger pull located to the exterior of the outer backing wall, opposed edges of the outer wall defining the ends of the slot comprising stops to limit travel of the slider as it moves between the first and second positions.

7. A cassette as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, which comprises an aperture in which a stylus comprising the writing implement for use with the labelling means can be located and stored.

8. A cassette substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.