Tape guide

摘要

A tape guide (38) in which the corner (48 or 56) geometry between the flanges (40) and the hub (42) prevents the tape (12) from abruptly bumping the flange (40). The tape guide (38) includes a hub (42), a pair of spaced apart parallel flanges (40) extending out from the hub (42) and a corner (48 or 56) defining the intersection of the hub (42) and each flange (40). The corners (48 or 56) are configured to apply progressively more force to an edge of the tape (12) as the edge of the tape (12) moves around the corner (48 or 56) from the hub (42) toward the flange (40). For example, in one version of the invention, the corners (48) are rounded. In a second version, the corners (56) are chamfered. These corner configurations urge the tape (12) more gently away from the flange (40) at a much lower rate of acceleration. Guiding the tape (12) in this manner results in smoother movement of the tape (12) allowing the head (20) positioning system to better follow the tape (12) as it wanders back and forth between the guide flanges (40). <IMAGE> <IMAGE>