Patent Grant
10770105
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C 119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-140020 filed on Jul. 19, 2017. The above application is hereby expressly incorporated by reference, in its entirety, into the present application.
The present invention relates to a magnetic tape and a magnetic tape device.
Magnetic recording media are divided into tape-shaped magnetic recording media and disk-shaped magnetic recording media, and tape-shaped magnetic recording media, that is, magnetic tapes (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “tapes”) are mainly used for data storage such as data back-up or archive.
The recording of information on a magnetic tape is normally performed by recording a magnetic signal on a data hand of the magnetic tape. Accordingly, data tracks are formed in the data band.
An increase in recording capacity (high capacity) of the magnetic tape is required in accordance with a great increase in information content in recent years. As means for realizing high capacity, a technology of disposing a larger amount of data tracks in a width direction of the magnetic tape by narrowing the width of the data track to increase recording density is used.
However, in a case where the width of the data track is narrowed and the recording and/or reproduction of information is performed by allowing the running of the magnetic tape in a magnetic tape device (normally referred to as a “drive”), it is difficult that a magnetic head correctly follows the data tracks due to the position change of the magnetic tape, and errors may easily occur at the time of recording and/or reproduction. Thus, as means for preventing occurrence of such errors, a system using a head tracking servo using a servo signal (hereinafter, referred to as a “servo system”) has been recently proposed and practically used (for example, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,384A).
In a magnetic servo type servo system among the servo systems, a servo signal (servo pattern) is formed in a magnetic layer of a magnetic tape, and this servo pattern is magnetically read to perform head tracking. More specific description is as follows.
First, a servo head reads a servo pattern to be formed in a magnetic layer (that is, reproduces a servo signal). A position of a magnetic head in a magnetic tape device is controlled in accordance with a value obtained by reading the servo pattern. Accordingly, in a case of transporting the magnetic tape in the magnetic tape device for recording and/or reproducing information, it is possible to increase an accuracy of the magnetic head following the data track, even in a case where the position of the magnetic tape is changed. For example, even in a case where the position of the magnetic tape is changed in the width direction with respect to the magnetic head, in a case of recording and/or reproducing information by transporting the magnetic tape in the magnetic tape device, it is possible to control the position of the magnetic head in the width direction of the magnetic tape in the magnetic tape device, by performing the head tracking servo. By doing so, it is possible to correctly record information on the magnetic tape and/or correctly reproduce information recorded on the magnetic tape in the magnetic tape device.
Meanwhile, the magnetic tape is normally used to be accommodated and circulated in a magnetic tape cartridge. In order to increase recording capacity for one reel of the magnetic tape cartridge, it is desired to increase a total length of the magnetic tape accommodated in one reel of the magnetic tape cartridge. In order to increase the total length of the magnetic tape, it is necessary that the magnetic tape is thinned (hereinafter, referred to as “thinning”). As a method for thinning the magnetic tape, a method of decreasing a total thickness of a non-magnetic layer and a magnetic layer of a magnetic tape including the non-magnetic layer and the magnetic layer on a non-magnetic support in this order is used.
In consideration of these circumstances, the inventors have studied the application of a magnetic tape, in which a total thickness of a non-magnetic layer and a magnetic layer is decreased, to a timing-based servo system. However, in such studies, it was clear that, a phenomenon which was not known in the related art occurred, in which, in a magnetic tape having a total thickness of a non-magnetic layer and a magnetic layer equal to or smaller than 0.60 μm, in a case where head tracking is continuously performed while allowing the magnetic tape to run in a timing-based servo system, an output of a servo signal reproduced by a servo head is decreased compared to that in a running initial stage (hereinafter, also referred to as an “output decrease of a servo signal”). The output decrease of the servo signal may cause a decrease in accuracy of the magnetic head following a data track in a servo system (hereinafter, referred to as “head positioning accuracy”). Accordingly, it is necessary to prevent the output decrease of the servo signal, in order to more correctly record information on the magnetic tape and/or more correctly reproduce information recorded on the magnetic tape by using the servo system.
An aspect of the invention can prevents an output decrease of a servo signal in a servo system, in a magnetic tape having a total thickness of a non-magnetic layer and a magnetic layer equal to or smaller than 0.60 μm.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a magnetic tape comprising: a non-magnetic support; a non-magnetic layer including non-magnetic powder and a binding agent on the non-magnetic support; and a magnetic layer including ferromagnetic powder and a binding agent on the non-magnetic layer, in which a total thickness of the non-magnetic layer and the magnetic layer is equal to or smaller than 0.60 μm, the magnetic layer has a servo pattern, the ferromagnetic powder is ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder, an intensity ratio (Int(110)/Int(114); hereinafter, also referred to as “X-ray diffraction (XRD) intensity ratio) of a peak intensity Int(110) of a diffraction peak of a (110) plane with respect to a peak intensity Int(114) of a diffraction peak of a (114) plane of a hexagonal ferrite crystal structure obtained by an X-ray diffraction analysis of the magnetic layer by using an In-Plane method is 0.5 to 4.0, and a vertical direction squareness ratio of the magnetic tape is 0.65 to 1.00.
In one aspect, the vertical direction squareness ratio of the magnetic tape is 0.65 to 0.90.
In one aspect, the total thickness of the non-magnetic layer and the magnetic layer is 0.20 μm to 0.60 μm.
In one aspect, the magnetic tape may further comprise a back coating layer including non-magnetic powder and a binding agent on a surface side of the non-magnetic support opposite to a surface side provided with the magnetic layer.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a magnetic tape device comprising: the magnetic tape; a magnetic head; and a servo head.
In the specification, a “servo write head”, a “servo head”, and a “magnetic head” are disclosed as a head. The servo write head is a head which performs recording of a servo signal (that is, formation of a servo pattern). The servo head is a head which performs reproduction of the servo signal (that is, reading of the servo pattern), and the magnetic head is a head which performs recording and/or reproduction of information.
According to one aspect of the invention, it is possible to provide a magnetic tape, in which a total thickness of a non-magnetic layer and a magnetic layer is equal to or smaller than 0.60 μm, a servo pattern is formed on a magnetic layer, an output decrease of a servo signal in a servo system is prevented, and a magnetic tape device which records a magnetic signal on this magnetic tape and/or reproduces the magnetic signal.
Magnetic Tape
One aspect of the invention relates to a magnetic tape including: a non-magnetic support; a non-magnetic layer including non-magnetic powder and a binding agent on the non-magnetic support; and a magnetic layer including ferromagnetic powder and a binding agent on the non-magnetic layer, in which a total thickness of the non-magnetic layer and the magnetic layer is equal to or smaller than 0.60 μm, the magnetic layer has a servo pattern, the ferromagnetic powder is ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder, an intensity ratio (Int(110)/Int(114)) of a peak intensity Int(110) of a diffraction peak of a (110) plane with respect to a peak intensity Int(114) of a diffraction peak of a (114) plane of a hexagonal ferrite crystal structure obtained by an X-ray diffraction analysis of the magnetic layer by using an In-Plane method is 0.5 to 4.0, and a vertical direction squareness ratio of the magnetic tape is 0.65 to 1.00.
In the invention and the specification, the “ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder” means an aggregate of a plurality of ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite particles. The ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite particles are ferromagnetic particles having a hexagonal ferrite crystal structure. Hereinafter, particles (ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite particles) configuring the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder are also referred to as “hexagonal ferrite particles” or simply “particles”. The “aggregate” not only includes an aspect in which particles configuring the aggregate are directly in contact with each other, but also includes an aspect in which a binding agent, an additive, or the like is sandwiched between the particles. The points described above are also applied to various powders such as non-magnetic powder of the invention and the specification, in the same mariner.
In the invention and the specification, the description regarding directions and angles (for example, vertical, orthogonal, parallel, and the like) includes a range of errors allowed in the technical field of the invention, unless otherwise noted. For example, the range of errors means a range of less than ±10° from an exact angle, and is preferably within ±5° and more preferably within ±3° from an exact angle.
Servo Pattern
The magnetic tape has a servo pattern in the magnetic layer. The formation of the servo pattern on the magnetic layer is performed by magnetizing a specific position of the magnetic layer by a servo write head. A shape of the servo pattern and disposition thereof in the magnetic layer for realizing the head tracking servo are well known. In regards to the servo pattern of the magnetic layer of the magnetic tape, a well-known technology can be used. For example, as a head tracking servo system, a timing-based servo system and an amplitude-based servo system are known The servo pattern of the magnetic layer of the magnetic tape may be a servo pattern capable of allowing head tracking servo of any system. In addition, a servo pattern capable of allowing head tracking servo in the timing-based servo system and a servo pattern capable of allowing head tracking servo in the amplitude-based servo system may be formed in the magnetic layer.
Hereinafter, as one specific aspect of the head tracking servo, head tracking servo in the timing-based servo system will be described. However, the head tracking servo of the invention is not limited to the following specific aspect. The “timing-based servo pattern” which will be described later is a servo pattern with which the head tracking of the timing-based servo system can be performed.
In the head tracking servo in the timing-based servo system (hereinafter, referred to as a “timing-based servo”), a plurality of servo patterns having two or more different shapes are formed on a magnetic layer, and a position of a servo head is recognized by an interval of time in a case where the servo head has read two servo patterns having different shapes and an interval of time in a case where the servo head has read two servo patterns having the same shapes. The position of the magnetic head in the width direction of the magnetic tape is controlled based on the position of the servo head recognized as described above. In one aspect, the magnetic head, the position of which is controlled here, is a magnetic head (reproducing head) which reproduces information recorded on the magnetic tape, and in another aspect, the magnetic head is a magnetic head (recording head) which records information in the magnetic tape.
In the head tracking servo in the timing-based servo system, a position of a servo head is recognized based on an interval of time in a case where the servo head has read the two servo patterns (reproduced servo signals) having different shapes and an interval of time in a case where the servo head has read two servo patterns having the same shapes. The time interval is normally obtained as a time interval of a peak of a reproduced waveform of a servo signal. For example, in the aspect shown in
For example, in a case of recording or reproducing a magnetic signal (information) by a magnetic head by allowing the magnetic tape to run in the magnetic tape device using the timing-based servo system, a decrease in output of a servo signal while continuously reading a servo pattern by a servo head (continuously reproducing the servo signal) causes a decrease in measurement accuracy of the time interval. As a result, the head positioning accuracy decreases during the continuous running. This is not limited to the timing-based servo system, and in a case where an output of a servo signal is decreased while continuously reading a servo pattern by a servo head in a magnetic tape device using a servo system, the head positioning accuracy decreases during the continuous running.
In regards to the point described above, in the studies of the inventors, it is determined that, in the magnetic tape having the total thickness of the non-magnetic layer and the magnetic layer equal to or smaller than 0.60 μm, the output decrease of the servo signal significantly occurs. The inventors have thought that a main reason of the output decrease of the servo signal is a foreign material attached to a servo write head, while sequentially forming a plurality of servo patterns on the magnetic layer, while allowing the servo write head to come into contact with and slide on the surface of the magnetic layer of the magnetic tape. The inventors have surmised that, as a result of a decrease in servo pattern forming ability of the servo write head due to the effect of the attached foreign material, a magnetic force of the servo patterns to be formed gradually decreases, while continuously forming the servo patterns. It is thought that, in the magnetic layer having the servo patterns formed as described above, the output of the servo signal decreases, while continuously reading the servo patterns (continuously reproducing the servo signals) by the servo head. The inventors have surmised that a reason of occurrence of such a phenomenon in the magnetic tape having the total thickness of the non-magnetic layer and the magnetic layer equal to or smaller than 0.60 μm in such a magnetic tape, is a contact state of the servo write head and the surface of the magnetic layer which is different from that in a magnetic tape having a total thickness of a non-magnetic layer and a magnetic layer greater than 0.60 μm. However, this is merely a surmise. With respect to this, as a result of intensive studies of the inventors, it is clear that the output decrease of the servo signal in the magnetic tape having total thickness of the non-magnetic layer and the magnetic layer equal to or smaller than 0.60 μm can be prevented by setting the XRD intensity ratio to be 0.5 to 4.0 and the vertical direction squareness ratio to be 0.65 to 1.00. A surmise of the inventors regarding this point will be described later.
XRD Intensity Ratio and Vertical Direction Squareness Ratio
Next, the XRD intensity ratio and the vertical direction squareness ratio will be described.
The magnetic tape includes ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder in the magnetic layer. The inventors have surmised that particles affecting magnetic properties of the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder (aggregate of particles) (hereinafter, also referred to as “former particles”) and particles which are considered not to affect or slightly affects the magnetic properties thereof (hereinafter, also referred to as “latter particles”) are included in the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder included in the magnetic layer. It is considered that the latter particles are, for example, fine particles generated due to partial chipping of particles due to a dispersion process performed at the time of preparing a magnetic layer forming composition.
However, as described above, the attachment of a foreign material to the servo write head, while sequentially forming the plurality of servo patterns on the magnetic layer while allowing the servo write head to come into contact with and slide on the surface of the magnetic layer of the magnetic tape, results in a decrease in output of the servo signal, while continuously reading the servo patterns (continuously reproducing the servo signals) by the servo head. Examples of such a foreign material include scraps generated due to chipping of the surface of the magnetic layer and scraps generated due to the chipping of the servo write head.
Meanwhile, the vertical direction squareness ratio is a ratio of residual magnetization with respect to saturation magnetization measured in a direction vertical to the surface of the magnetic layer and this value decreases, as a value of the residual magnetization decreases. It is surmised that, since the latter particles are fine and hardly hold magnetization, as a large amount of the latter particles is included in the magnetic layer, the vertical direction squareness ratio tends to decrease. Accordingly, the inventors have thought that the vertical direction squareness ratio may be an index for the amount of the latter particles (fine particles) present in the magnetic layer. In addition, the inventors have surmised that, as a large amount of the fine particles is included in the magnetic layer, hardness of the magnetic layer is decreased, and scraps generated due to chipping of the surface of the magnetic layer during the sliding of the surface of the magnetic layer and the servo head is interposed between the surface of the magnetic layer and the servo head, and accordingly, smooth sliding of the servo head and the surface of the magnetic layer is prevented. With respect to this, the inventors have surmised that, in the magnetic layer having the vertical direction squareness ratio of 0.65 to 1.00, chipping due to the sliding with the servo write head which hardly occurs by decreasing the presence amount of the latter particles (fine particles) contributes to the prevention of the generation of scraps of the surface of the magnetic layer.
In addition, the inventors have thought that the surface of the magnetic layer which is suitably deformed during sliding of the servo write head and the surface of the magnetic layer causes promotion of smooth sliding of the servo write head and the surface of the magnetic layer. Meanwhile, the inventors have thought that, in the particles included in the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder included in the magnetic layer, the former particles are particles causing the diffraction peak in the X-ray diffraction analysis using the In-Plane method, and since the latter particles are fine, the latter particles do not or hardly affect the diffraction peak. Accordingly, it is surmised that it is possible to control a state of the particles affecting the magnetic properties of the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder present in the magnetic layer, based on the intensity of the diffraction peak caused by the X-ray diffraction analysis of the magnetic layer using the In-Plane method. The inventors have thought that the XRD intensity ratio is an index regarding this point. Specifically, the inventors have surmised that, as the XRD intensity ratio increases, a large number of the former particles present in a state where a direction orthogonal to the easy-magnetization axial direction is closer to a parallel state with respect to the surface of the magnetic layer is present in the magnetic layer, and as the XRD intensity ratio decreases, a small amount of the former particles present in such a state is present in the magnetic layer. In addition, the inventors have thought that, as a large amount of the former particles present in a state where a direction orthogonal to the easy-magnetization axial direction is closer to a parallel state with respect to the surface of the magnetic layer is present in the magnetic layer, a deformation amount of the deformation of the surface of the magnetic layer due to a contact with the servo write head is small, and as the amount of the former particles of the former particles present in the magnetic layer in such a state is small, the deformation amount of the deformation of the surface of the magnetic layer due to a contact with the servo write head increases. The inventors have surmised that the XRD intensity ratio of 0.5 to 4.0 causes suitable deformation of the surface of the magnetic layer due to a contact with the servo write head, and as a result, it is possible to promote smooth sliding of the servo write head and the surface of the magnetic layer. It is thought that the smooth sliding of the servo write head and the surface of the magnetic layer causes the prevention of the generation of a foreign material due to the chipping of the surface of the magnetic layer and/or the servo write head.
As described above, it is surmised that the XRD intensity ratio of 0.5 to 4.0 and the vertical direction squareness ratio of 0.65 to 1.00 cause the prevention of the generation of a foreign material due to the chipping of the surface of the magnetic layer and/or the servo write head. The inventors have thought that the prevention of the generation of a foreign material contributes to the prevention of a decrease in output of the servo signal while continuously reading the servo patterns by the servo head.
However, this is merely a surmise and the invention is not limited thereto.
XRD Intensity Ratio
The XRD intensity ratio is obtained by the X-ray diffraction analysis of the magnetic layer including the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder by using the In-Plane method. Hereinafter, the X-ray diffraction analysis performed by using the In-Plane method is also referred to as “In-Plane XRD”. The In-Plane XRD is performed by irradiating the surface of the magnetic layer with the X-ray by using a thin film X-ray diffraction device under the following conditions. A measurement direction is a longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape.
Cu ray source used (output of 45 kV, 200 mA)
Scan conditions: 0.05 degree/step, 0.1 degree/min in a range of 20 to 40 degrees
Optical system used: parallel optical system
Measurement method: 2θχ scan (X-ray incidence angle of 0.25°)
The values of the conditions are set values of the thin film X-ray diffraction device. As the thin film X-ray diffraction device, a well-known device can be used. As an example of the thin film X-ray diffraction device, Smart Lab manufactured by Rigaku Corporation. A sample to be subjected to the In-Plane XRD analysis is a tape sample cut out from the magnetic tape which is a measurement target, and the size and the shape thereof are not limited, as long as the diffraction peak which will be described later can be confirmed.
As a method of the X-ray diffraction analysis, thin film X-ray diffraction and powder X-ray diffraction are used. In the powder X-ray diffraction, the X-ray diffraction of the powder sample is measured, whereas, according to the thin film X-ray diffraction, the X-ray diffraction of a layer or the like formed on a substrate can be measured. The thin film X-ray diffraction is classified into the In-Plane method and an Out-Of-Plane method. The X-ray incidence angle at the time of the measurement is 5.00° to 90.00° in a case of the Out-Of-Plane method, and is generally 0.20° to 0.50°, in a case of the In-Plane method. In the In-Plane XRD of the invention and the specification, the X-ray incidence angle is 0.25° as described above. In the In-Plane method, the X-ray incidence angle is smaller than that in the Out-Of-Plane method, and thus, a depth of penetration of the X-ray is shallow. Accordingly, according to the X-ray diffraction analysis by using the In-Plane method (In-Plane XRD), it is possible to perform the X-ray diffraction analysis of a surface portion of a measurement target sample. Regarding the tape sample, according to the In-Plane XRD, it is possible to perform the X-ray diffraction analysis of the magnetic layer. The XRD intensity ratio is an intensity ratio (Int(110)/Int(114)) of a peak intensity Int(110) of a diffraction peak of a (110) plane with respect to a peak intensity Int(114) of a diffraction peak of a (114) plane of a hexagonal ferrite crystal structure, in X-ray diffraction spectra obtained by the In-Plane XRD. The term Int is used as abbreviation of intensity. In the X-ray diffraction spectra obtained by In-Plane XRD (vertical axis: intensity, horizontal axis: diffraction angle 2θχ (degree)), the diffraction peak of the (114) plane is a peak at which the 2θχ is detected at 33 to 36 degrees, and the diffraction peak of the (110) plane is a peak at which the 2θχ is detected at 29 to 32 degrees.
Among the diffraction plane, the (114) plane having a hexagonal ferrite crystal structure is positioned close to particles (hexagonal ferrite particles) of the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder in an easy-magnetization axial direction (c axis direction). In addition the (110) plane having a hexagonal ferrite crystal structure is positioned in a direction orthogonal to the easy-magnetization axial direction.
The inventors have surmised that, in the X-ray diffraction spectra obtained by the In-Plane XRD, as the intensity ratio (Int(110)/Int(114); XRD intensity ratio) of the peak intensity Int(110) of the diffraction peak of a (110) plane with respect to the peak intensity Int(114) of the diffraction peak of the (114) plane of a hexagonal ferrite crystal structure increases, a large number of the former particles present in a state where a direction orthogonal to the easy-magnetization axial direction is closer to a parallel state with respect to the surface of the magnetic layer is present in the magnetic layer, and as the XRD intensity ratio decreases, a small amount of the former particles present in such a state is present in the magnetic layer. It is thought that a state where the XRD intensity ratio is 0.5 to 4.0 means a state where the former particles are suitably aligned in the magnetic layer. It is surmised that this causes the promotion of the smooth sliding of the servo write head and the surface of the magnetic layer. The inventors have thought that, as described above, the promotion of the smooth sliding contributes to the prevention of a decrease in output of the servo signal while continuously reading the servo patterns by the servo head.
The XRD intensity ratio is preferably equal to or smaller than 3.5 and more preferably equal to or smaller than 3.0, from a viewpoint of further preventing the output decrease of the servo signal. From the same viewpoint, the XRD intensity ratio is preferably equal to or greater than 0.7 and more preferably equal to or greater than 1.0. The XRD intensity ratio can be, for example, controlled in accordance with process conditions of an alignment process performed in a manufacturing step of the magnetic tape. As the alignment process, the homeotropic alignment process is preferably performed. The homeotropic alignment process can be preferably performed by applying a magnetic field vertically to the surface of a coating layer of a magnetic layer forming composition in a wet state (undried state). As the alignment conditions are reinforced, the value of the XRD intensity ratio tends to increase. As the process conditions of the alignment process, magnetic field strength of the alignment process is used. The process conditions of the alignment process are not particularly limited. The process conditions of the alignment process may be set so as that the XRD intensity ratio of 0.5 to 4.0 can be realized. As an example, the magnetic field strength of the homeotropic alignment process can be 0.10 to 0.80 T or 0.10 to 0.60 T. As dispersibilty of the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder in the magnetic layer forming composition increases, the value of the XRD intensity ratio tends to increase by the homeotropic alignment process.
Vertical Direction Squareness Ratio
The vertical direction squareness ratio is a squareness ratio measured regarding a magnetic tape in a vertical direction. The “vertical direction” described regarding the squareness ratio is a direction orthogonal to the surface of the magnetic layer. That is, regarding the magnetic tape, the vertical direction is a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape. The vertical direction squareness ratio is measured by using an oscillation sample type magnetic-flux meter. Specifically, the vertical direction squareness ratio of the invention and the specification is a value obtained by sweeping an external magnetic field in the magnetic tape at a measurement temperature of 23° C.±1° C. in the oscillation sample type magnetic-flux meter, under conditions of a maximum external magnetic field of 1194 kA/m (15 kOe) and a scan speed of 4.8 kA/m/sec (60 Oe/sec), and is a value after diamagnetic field correction. The measurement value is obtained as a value obtained by subtracting magnetization of a sample probe of the oscillation sample type magnetic-flux meter as background noise.
The vertical direction squareness ratio of the magnetic tape is equal to or greater than 0.65. The inventors have surmised that the vertical direction squareness ratio of the magnetic tape is an index for the presence amount of the latter particles (fine particles) described above. It is thought that, in the magnetic layer in which the vertical direction squareness ratio of the magnetic tape is equal to or greater than 0.65, the presence amount of such fine particles is small. The inventors have thought that, as described above, this also contributes to the prevention of a decrease in output of the servo signal while continuously reading the servo patterns by the servo head.
From a viewpoint of further preventing the output decrease of the servo signal, the vertical direction squareness ratio is preferably equal to or greater than 0.68, more preferably equal to or greater than 0.70, even more preferably equal to or greater than 0.73, and still more preferably equal to or greater than 0.75. In addition, in principle, a maximum value of the squareness ratio is 1.00. Accordingly, the vertical direction squareness ratio of the magnetic tape is equal to or smaller than 1.00. The vertical direction squareness ratio may be, for example, equal to or smaller than 0.95, equal to or smaller than 0.90, equal to or smaller than 0.87, or equal to or smaller than 0.85. It is thought that, a great value of the vertical direction squareness ratio is preferable, from a viewpoint of decreasing the amount of the fine latter particles in the magnetic layer and further preventing the output decrease of the servo signal. Therefore, the vertical direction squareness ratio may be greater than the value exemplified above.
The inventors have considered that, in order to set the vertical direction squareness ratio to be equal to or greater than 0.65, it is preferable to prevent occurrence of fine particles due to partial chipping of the particles in a preparation step of the magnetic layer forming composition. A specific method for preventing the occurrence of chipping will be described later.
Next, the magnetic layer and the like included in the magnetic tape will be described more specifically.
Magnetic Layer
Ferromagnetic Powder
The magnetic layer of the magnetic tape includes ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder as ferromagnetic powder. Regarding the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder, a magnetoplumbite type (also referred to as an “M type”), a W type, a Y type, and a Z type are known as the crystal structure of the hexagonal ferrite. The ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder included in the magnetic layer may have any crystal structure. In addition, an iron atom and a divalent metal atom are included in the crystal structure of the hexagonal ferrite, as constituent atoms. The divalent metal atom is a metal atom which may become divalent cations as ions, and examples thereof include a barium atom, a strontium atom, an alkaline earth metal atom such as calcium atom, and a lead atom. For example, the hexagonal ferrite including a barium atom as the divalent metal atom is a barium ferrite, and the hexagonal ferrite including a strontium atom is a strontium ferrite. In addition, the hexagonal ferrite may be a mixed crystal of two or more hexagonal ferrites. As an example of the mixed crystal, a mixed crystal of the barium ferrite and the strontium ferrite can be used.
As an index for a particle size of the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder, an activation volume can be used. The “activation volume” is a unit of magnetization reversal. Regarding the activation volume described in the invention and the specification, magnetic field sweep rates of a coercivity He measurement part at time points of 3 minutes and 30 minutes are measured by using an oscillation sample type magnetic-flux meter (measurement temperature: 23° C.±1° C.), and the activation volume is a value acquired from the following relational expression of Hc and an activation volume V.
Hc=2 Ku/Ms {1−[(kT/KuV)In(At/0.693)]1/2}
[In the expression, Ku: anisotropy constant, Ms: saturation magnetization, k: Boltzmann's constant, T: absolute temperature, V: activation volume, A: spin precession frequency, and t: magnetic field reversal time]
As a method for achieving high-density recording, a method of decreasing a particle size of ferromagnetic powder included in a magnetic layer and increasing a filling percentage of the ferromagnetic powder of the magnetic layer is used. From this viewpoint, the activation volume of the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder is preferably equal to or smaller than 2,500 nm3, more preferably equal to or smaller than 2,300 nm3, and even more preferably equal to or smaller than 2,000 nm3. Meanwhile, from a viewpoint of stability of magnetization, the activation volume is, for example, preferably equal to or greater than 800 nm3, more preferably equal to or greater than 1,000 nm3, and even more preferably equal to or greater than 1,200 nm3.
The shape of the particle configuring the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder is specified by imaging the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder at a magnification ratio of 100,000 with a transmission electron microscope, and tracing an outline of a particle (primary particle) with a digitizer on a particle image obtained by printing the image on printing paper so that the total magnification of 500,000. The primary particle is an independent particle which is not aggregated. The imaging with a transmission electron microscope is performed by a direct method with a transmission electron microscope at an acceleration voltage of 300 kV. The transmission electron microscope observation and measurement can be, for example, performed with a transmission electron microscope H-9000 manufactured by Hitachi, Ltd. and image analysis software KS-400 manufactured by Carl Zeiss. Regarding the shape of the particle configuring the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder, a “planar shape” is a shape having two plate surfaces facing each other. Meanwhile, among the shapes of the particles not having such a plate surface, a shape having distinguished long axis and short axis is an “elliptical shape”. The long axis is determined as an axis (linear line) having the longest length of the particle. In contrast, the short axis is determined as an axis having the longest length of the particle in a linear line orthogonal to the long axis. A shape not having distinguished long axis and short axis, that is, a shape in which the length of the long axis is the same as the length of the short axis is a “sphere shape”. From the shapes, a shape in which the long axis and the short axis are hardly specified, is called an undefined shape. The imaging with a transmission electron microscope for specifying the shapes of the particles is performed without performing the alignment process with respect to the imaging target powder. The shape of the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder used for the preparation of the magnetic layer forming composition and the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder included in the magnetic layer may be any one of the planar shape, the elliptical shape, the sphere shape, and the undefined shape.
An average particle size of various powders disclosed in the invention and the specification is an arithmetical mean of the values obtained regarding randomly extracted 500 particles by using the particle image which is captured as described above. The average particle size shown in the examples which will be described later is a value obtained by using transmission electron microscope H-9000 manufactured by Hitachi, Ltd. as the transmission electron microscope and image analysis software KS-400 manufactured by Carl Zeiss as the image analysis software.
For details of the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder, descriptions disclosed in paragraphs 0134 to 0136 of JP2011-216149A can be referred to, for example.
The content (filling percentage) of the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder of the magnetic layer is preferably 50% to 90% by mass and more preferably 60% to 90% by mass. The component other than the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder of the magnetic layer is at least a binding agent, and one or more kinds of additives can be randomly included. A high filling percentage of the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder of the magnetic layer is preferable, from a viewpoint of improving recording density.
Binding Agent
The magnetic tape is a coating type magnetic tape, and the magnetic layer includes a binding agent together with the ferromagnetic powder. As the binding agent, one or more kinds of resin is used. The resin may be a homopolymer or a copolymer. As the binding agent, various resins normally used as a binding agent of the coating type magnetic recording medium can be used. For example, as the binding agent, a resin selected from a polyurethane resin, a polyester resin, a polyamide resin, a vinyl chloride resin, an acrylic resin obtained by copolymerizing styrene, acrylonitrile, or methyl methacrylate, a cellulose resin such as nitrocellulose, an epoxy resin, a phenoxy resin, and a polyvinylalkylal resin such as polyvinyl acetal or polyvinyl butyral can be used alone or a plurality of resins can be mixed with each other to be used. Among these, a polyurethane resin, an acrylic resin, a cellulose resin, and a vinyl chloride resin are preferable. These resins can be used as the binding agent even in the non-magnetic layer and/or a back coating layer which will be described later. For the binding agent described above, description disclosed in paragraphs 0028 to 0031 of JP2010-24113A can be referred to. An average molecular weight of the resin used as the binding agent can be, for example, 10,000 to 200,000 as a weight-average molecular weight. The weight-average molecular weight of the invention and the specification is a value obtained by performing polystyrene conversion of a value measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). As the measurement conditions, the following conditions can be used. The weight-average molecular weight shown in examples which will be described later is a value obtained by performing polystyrene conversion of a value measured under the following measurement conditions.
GPC device: HLC-8120 (manufactured by Tosoh Corporation)
Column: TSK gel Multipore HXL-M (manufactured by Tosoh Corporation, 7.8 mmID (inner diameter)×30.0 cm)
Eluent: Tetrahydrofuran (THF)
In addition, a curing agent can also be used together with the binding agent. As the curing agent, in one aspect, a thermosetting compound which is a compound in which a curing reaction (crosslinking reaction) proceeds due to heating can be used, and in another aspect, a photocurable compound in which a curing reaction (crosslinking reaction) proceeds due to light irradiation can be used. At least a part of the curing agent is included in the magnetic layer in a state of being reacted (crosslinked) with other components such as the binding agent, by proceeding the curing reaction in the magnetic layer forming step. The preferred curing agent is a thermosetting compound, polyisocyanate is suitable. For details of the polyisocyanate, descriptions disclosed in paragraphs 0124 and 0125 of JP2011-216149A can be referred to, for example. The amount of the curing agent can be, for example, 0 to 80.0 parts by mass with respect to 100.0 parts by mass of the binding agent in the magnetic layer forming composition, and is preferably 50.0 to 80.0 parts by mass, from a viewpoint of improvement of hardness of each layer such as the magnetic layer.
Other Components
The magnetic layer may include one or more kinds of additives, if necessary, together with the various components described above. As the additives, a commercially available product can be suitably selected and used according to the desired properties. Alternatively, a compound synthesized by a well-known method can be used as the additives. As the additives, the curing agent described above is used as an example. In addition, examples of the additive which can be included in the magnetic layer include a non-magnetic filler, a lubricant, a dispersing agent, a dispersing assistant, an antibacterial agent, an antistatic agent, an antioxidant, and carbon black. The non-magnetic filler is identical to the non-magnetic powder. As the non-magnetic filler, a non-magnetic filler (hereinafter, referred to as a “projection formation agent”) which can function as a projection formation agent which forms projections suitably protruded from the surface of the magnetic layer, and a non-magnetic filler (hereinafter, referred to as an “abrasive”) which can function as an abrasive can be used.
Non-Magnetic Filler
As the projection formation agent which is one aspect of the non-magnetic filler, various non-magnetic powders normally used as a projection formation agent can be used. These may be inorganic substances or organic substances. In one aspect, from a viewpoint of homogenization of fiction properties, particle size distribution of the projection formation agent is not polydispersion having a plurality of peaks in the distribution and is preferably monodisperse showing a single peak. From a viewpoint of availability of monodisperse particles, the projection formation agent is preferably powder of inorganic substances (inorganic powder). Examples of the inorganic powder include powder of inorganic oxide such as metal oxide, metal carbonate, metal sulfate, metal nitride, metal carbide, and metal sulfide, and powder of inorganic oxide is preferable. The projection formation agent is more preferably colloid particles and even more preferably inorganic oxide colloid particles. In addition, from a viewpoint of availability of monodisperse particles, the inorganic oxide configuring the inorganic oxide colloid particles are preferably silicon dioxide (silica). The inorganic oxide colloid particles are more preferably colloid silica (silica colloid particles). In the invention and the specification, the “colloid particles” are particles which are not precipitated and dispersed to generate a colloid dispersion, in a case where 1 g of the particles is added to 100 mL of at least one organic solvent of at least methyl ethyl ketone, cyclohexanone, toluene, or ethyl acetate, or a mixed solvent including two or more kinds of the solvent described above at a random mixing ratio. In addition, in another aspect, the projection formation agent is preferably carbon black.
An average particle size of the projection formation agent is, for example, 30 to 300 nm and is preferably 40 to 200 nm.
The abrasive which is another aspect of the non-magnetic filler is preferably non-magnetic powder having Mohs hardness exceeding 8 and more preferably non-magnetic powder having Mohs hardness equal to or greater than 9. A maximum value of Mohs hardness is 10 of diamond. Specifically, powders of alumina (Al2O3), silicon carbide, boron carbide (B4C), SiO2, TiC, chromium oxide (Cr2O3), cerium oxide, zirconium oxide (ZrO2), iron oxide, diamond, and the like can be used, and among these, alumina powder such as α-alumina and silicon carbide powder are preferable. In addition, regarding the particle size of the abrasive, a specific surface area which is an index for the particle size is, for example, equal to or greater than 14 m2/g, and is preferably 16 m2/g and more preferably 18 m2/g. Further, the specific surface area of the abrasive can be, for example, equal to or smaller than 40 m2/g. The specific surface area is a value obtained by a nitrogen adsorption method (also referred to as a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) 1 point method), and is a value measured regarding primary particles. Hereinafter, the specific surface area obtained by such a method is also referred to as a BET specific surface area.
In addition, from a viewpoint that the projection formation agent and the abrasive can exhibit the functions thereof in more excellent manner, the content of the projection formation agent in the magnetic layer is preferably 1.0 to 4.0 parts by mass and more preferably 1.5 to 3.5 parts by mass with respect to 100.0 parts by mass of the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder. Meanwhile, the content of the abrasive in the magnetic layer is preferably 1.0 to 20.0 parts by mass, more preferably 3.0 to 15.0 parts by mass, and even more preferably 4.0 to 10.0 parts by mass with respect to 100.0 parts by mass of the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder.
As an example of the additive which can be used in the magnetic layer including the abrasive, a dispersing agent disclosed in paragraphs 0012 to 0022 of JP2013-131285A can he used as a dispersing agent for improving dispersibility of the abrasive of the magnetic layer forming composition. It is preferable to improve dispersibility of the magnetic layer forming composition of the non-magnetic filler such as an abrasive, in order to decrease the magnetic layer surface roughness Ra.
In addition, as the dispersing agent, a well-known dispersing agent such as a carboxy group-containing compound or a nitrogen-containing compound can be used. For example, the nitrogen-containing compound may he any of a primary amine represented by NH2R, a secondary amine represented by NHR2, and a tertiary amine represented by NR3. In the above description, R represents a random structure configuring the nitrogen-containing compound, and a plurality of Rs may be the same as each other or different from each other. The nitrogen-containing compound may be a compound (polymer) having a plurality of repeating structure in a molecule. The inventors have thought that a nitrogen-containing part of the nitrogen-containing compound which functions as an adsorption part to the surface of the particle of the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder is a reason why the nitrogen-containing compound can function as the dispersing agent. As the carboxy group-containing compound, fatty acid such as oleic acid can be used, for example. The inventors have thought that a carboxy group which functions as an adsorption part to the surface of the particle of the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder is a reason why the carboxy group-containing compound can function as the dispersing agent. It is also preferable to use the carboxy group-containing compound and the nitrogen-containing compound in combination.
Non-Magnetic Layer
Next, the non-magnetic layer will be described. The magnetic tape includes a non-magnetic layer including non-magnetic powder and a binding agent between the non-magnetic support and the magnetic layer. The non-magnetic powder used in the non-magnetic layer may be powder of inorganic substances or powder of organic substances. In addition, carbon black and the like can be used. Examples of the inorganic substance include metal, metal oxide, metal carbonate, metal sulfate, metal nitride, metal carbide, and metal sulfide. These non-magnetic powders can be purchased as a commercially available product or can be manufactured by a well-known method. For details thereof, descriptions disclosed in paragraphs 0146 to 0150 of JP2011-216149A can be referred to. For carbon black which can be used in the non-magnetic layer, descriptions disclosed in paragraphs 0040 and 0041 of JP2010-24113A can be referred to. The content (filling percentage) of the non-magnetic powder of the non-magnetic layer is preferably 50% to 90% by mass and more preferably 60% to 90% by mass.
In regards to other details of a binding agent or additives of the non--magnetic layer, the well-known technology regarding the non-magnetic layer can be applied. In addition, in regards to the type and the content of the binding agent, and the type and the content of the additive, for example, the well-known technology regarding the magnetic layer can be applied.
The non-magnetic layer of the invention and the specification also includes a substantially non-magnetic layer including a small amount of ferromagnetic powder as impurities or intentionally, together with the non-magnetic powder. Here, the substantially non-magnetic layer is a layer having a residual magnetic flux density equal to or smaller than 10 mT, a layer having coercivity equal to or smaller than 7.96 kA/m (100 Oe), or a layer having a residual magnetic flux density equal to or smaller than 10 mT and coercivity equal to or smaller than 7.96 kA/m (100 Oe). It is preferable that the non-magnetic layer does not have a residual magnetic flux density and coercivity.
Non-Magnetic Support
Next, the non-magnetic support will be described. As the non-magnetic support (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a “support”), well-known components such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyamide, polyamide imide, aromatic polyamide subjected to biaxial stretching are used. Among these, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, and polyamide are preferable. Corona discharge, plasma treatment, easy-bonding treatment, or thermal treatment may be performed with respect to these supports in advance.
Back Coating Layer
The magnetic tape can also include a back coating layer including non-magnetic powder and a binding agent on a surface side of the non-magnetic support opposite to the surface including the magnetic layer. The back coating layer preferably includes any one or both of carbon black and inorganic powder. In regards to the binding agent included in the back coating layer and various additives which can be randomly included in the back coating layer, a well-known technology regarding the treatment of the magnetic layer and/or the non-magnetic layer can be applied.
Various Thicknesses
A total thickness of the magnetic layer and the non-magnetic layer of the magnetic tape is equal to or smaller than 0.60 μm and preferably equal to or smaller than 0.50 μm, from a viewpoint of the thinning of the magnetic tape. In addition, the total thickness of the magnetic layer and the non-magnetic layer can be, for example, equal to or greater than 0.10 μm or equal to or greater than 0.20 μm.
Among thicknesses of the non-magnetic support and various layers of the magnetic tape, a thickness of the non-magnetic support is preferably 3.00 to 4.50 μm.
A thickness of the magnetic layer can be optimized according to a saturation magnetization amount of a magnetic head used, a head gap length, a recording signal band, and the like. The thickness of the magnetic layer is normally 0.01 μm to 0.15 μm, and is preferably 0.02 μm to 0.12 μm and more preferably 0.03 μm to 0.10 μm from a viewpoint of realization of high-density recording. The magnetic layer may be at least single layer, the magnetic layer may be separated into two or more layers having different magnetic properties, and a configuration of a well-known multilayered magnetic layer can be applied. A thickness of the magnetic layer in a case where the magnetic layer is separated into two or more layers is the total thickness of the layers.
A thickness of the non-magnetic layer is, for example, 0.10 to 0.55 μm and preferably 0.10 to 0.50 μm.
A thickness of the back coating layer is preferably equal to or smaller than 0.90 μm and more preferably 0.10 to 0.70 μm.
In addition, the total thickness of the magnetic tape is preferably equal to or smaller than 6.00 μm, more preferably equal to or smaller than 5.70 μm, and even more preferably equal to or smaller than 5.50 μm, from a viewpoint of improving recording capacity per one reel of the magnetic tape cartridge. Meanwhile, from a viewpoint of ease of handling (handleability) of the magnetic tape, the total thickness of the magnetic tape is preferably equal to or greater than 1.00 μm.
The thicknesses of various layers of the magnetic tape and the non-magnetic support can be acquired by a well-known film thickness measurement method. As an example, a cross section of the magnetic tape in a thickness direction is, for example, exposed by a well-known method of ion beams or microtome, and the exposed cross section is observed with a scan electron microscope. In the cross section observation, various thicknesses can be acquired as a thickness acquired at one portion of the cross section in the thickness direction, or an arithmetical mean of thicknesses acquired at a plurality of portions of two or more portions, for example, two portions which are randomly extracted. In addition, the thickness of each layer may he acquired as a designed thickness calculated according to the manufacturing conditions.
Manufacturing Method
Manufacturing of Magnetic Tape in Which Servo Pattern is Formed
Preparation of Each Layer Forming Composition
Each composition for forming the magnetic layer, the non-magnetic layer, or the hack coating layer normally includes a solvent, together with various components described above. As the solvent, various organic solvents generally used for manufacturing a coating type magnetic recording medium can be used. Among those, from a viewpoint of solubility of the binding agent normally used in the coating type magnetic recording medium, each layer forming composition preferably includes one or more ketone solvents such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, diisobutyl ketone, cyclohexanone, isophorone, and tetrahydrofuran. The amount of the solvent in each layer forming composition is not particularly limited, and can be set to be the same as that of each layer forming composition of a typical coating type magnetic recording medium. In addition, steps of preparing each layer forming composition generally include at least a kneading step, a dispersing step, and a mixing step provided before and after these steps, if necessary. Each step may be divided into two or more stages. All of raw materials used in the invention may be added at an initial stage or in a middle stage of each step. In addition, each raw material may be separately added in two or more steps. For example, a binding agent may be separately added in a kneading step, a dispersing step, and a mixing step for adjusting viscosity after the dispersion. In the manufacturing step of the magnetic tape, a well-known manufacturing technology of the related art can be used in a part or all of the steps. In the kneading step, an open kneader, a continuous kneader, a pressure kneader, or a kneader having a strong kneading force such as an extruder is preferably used. The details of the kneading processes of these kneaders are disclosed in JP1989-106338A (JP-H01-106338A) and JP1989-79274A (JP-H01-79274A). As a dispersing machine, a well-known dispersing machine can be used. Each layer forming composition may be filtered by a well-known method before performing the coating step. The filtering can be performed by using a filter, for example. As the filter used in the filtering, a filter having a hole diameter of 0.01 to 3 μm (for example, filter made of glass fiber or filter made of polypropylene) can be used, for example.
Regarding the dispersion process of the magnetic layer forming composition, it is preferable to prevent the occurrence of chipping as described above. In order to realize the prevention, it is preferable to perform the dispersion process of the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder by a dispersion process having two stages, in which a coarse aggregate of the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder is crushed by the dispersion process in a first stage, and the dispersion process in a second stage, in which a collision energy applied to particles of the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder due to collision with the dispersion beads is smaller than that in the first dispersion process, is performed, in the step of preparing the magnetic layer forming composition. According to such a dispersion process, it is possible to improve dispersibility of the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder and prevent the occurrence of chipping.
As a preferred aspect of the dispersion process having two stages, a dispersion process including a first stage of obtaining a dispersion liquid by performing the dispersion process of the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder, the binding agent, and the solvent under the presence of first dispersion beads, and a second stage of performing the dispersion process of the dispersion liquid obtained in the first stage under the presence of second dispersion beads having smaller bead diameter and density than those of the first dispersion beads can be used. Hereinafter, the dispersion process of the preferred aspect described above will be further described.
In order to increase the dispersibility of the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder, the first stage and the second stage are preferably performed as the dispersion process before mixing the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder and other powder components. For example, in a case of forming the magnetic layer including the non-magnetic filler, the first stage and the second stage are preferably performed as a dispersion process of a solution (magnetic liquid) including ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder, a binding agent, a solvent, and randomly added additives, before mixing the non-magnetic filler.
A bead diameter of the second dispersion bead is preferably equal to or smaller than 1/100 and more preferably equal to or smaller than 1/500 of a bead diameter of the first dispersion bead. The bead diameter of the second dispersion head can be, for example, equal to or greater than 1/10,000 of the head diameter of the first dispersion bead. However, there is no limitation to this range. The bead diameter of the second dispersion bead is, for example, preferably 80 to 1,000 nm. Meanwhile, the head diameter of the first dispersion bead can be, for example, 0.2 to 1.0 mm.
The bead diameter of the invention and the specification is a value measured by the same method as the measurement method of the average particle size of the powder described above.
The second stage is preferably performed under the conditions in which the amount of the second dispersion beads is equal to or greater than 10 times of the amount of the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder, and is more preferably performed under the conditions in which the amount of the second dispersion beads is 10 times to 30 times of the amount of the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder, based on mass.
Meanwhile, the amount of the dispersion beads in the first stage is preferably in the range described above.
The second dispersion beads are beads having lower density than that of the first dispersion beads. The “density” is obtained by dividing the mass (unit: g) of the dispersion beads by volume (unit: cm3). The measurement is performed by the Archimedes method. The density of the second dispersion beads is preferably equal to or lower than 3.7 g/cm3 and more preferably equal to or lower than 3.5 g/cm3. The density of the second dispersion beads may be, for example, equal to or higher than 2.0 g/cm3 or may be lower than 2.0 g/cm3. As the preferred second dispersion beads from a viewpoint of density, diamond beads, silicon carbide beads, or silicon nitride beads can be used, and as preferred second dispersion beads from a viewpoint of density and hardness, diamond beads can be used.
Meanwhile, as the first dispersion beads, dispersion beads having density exceeding 3.7 g/cm3 are preferable, dispersion beads having density equal to or higher than 3.8 g/cm3 are more preferable, and dispersion beads having density equal to or higher than 4.0 g/cm3 are even more preferable. The density of the first dispersion beads may be, for example, equal to or smaller than 7.0 g/cm3 or may exceed 7.0 g/cm3. As the first dispersion beads, zirconia beads or alumina beads are preferably used, and zirconia beads are more preferably used.
The dispersion time is not particularly limited and may he set in accordance with the kind of a dispersing machine used.
Coating Step
The magnetic layer can he formed performing multilayer coating of the magnetic layer forming composition with the non-magnetic layer forming composition in order or at the same time. The back coating layer can be formed by applying the back coating layer forming composition to the surface side of the non-magnetic support opposite to a surface side provided with the magnetic layer (or to be provided with the magnetic layer). For details of the coating for forming each layer, a description disclosed in a paragraph 0066 of JP2010-231843A can be referred to.
Other Steps
For details of various other steps for manufacturing the magnetic tape, descriptions disclosed in paragraphs 0067 to 0070 of JP2010-231843A can be referred to. It is preferable that the coating layer of the magnetic layer fanning composition is subjected to an alignment process, while the coating layer is wet (not dried). For the alignment process, various well-known technologies such as a description disclosed in a paragraph 0067 of JP2010-231843A can be used without any limitation. As described above, it is preferable to perform the homeotropic alignment process as the alignment process, from a viewpoint of controlling the XRD intensity ratio. Regarding the alignment process, the above description can also be referred to.
As described above, it is possible to obtain a magnetic tape included in the magnetic tape device according to one aspect of the invention. However, the manufacturing method described above is merely an example, the XRD intensity ratio and the vertical direction squareness ratio can be controlled to be in respective ranges described above by a random method capable of adjusting the XRD intensity ratio and the vertical direction squareness ratio, and such an aspect is also included in the invention.
Formation of Servo Pattern
The magnetic tape has a servo pattern in the magnetic layer. Details of the servo pattern is as described above. For example,
The servo pattern can be formed by magnetizing a specific region of the magnetic layer by a servo write head mounted on a servo writer. A region to be magnetized by the servo write head (position where the servo pattern is formed) is determined by standards. As the servo writer, a commercially available servo writer or a servo writer having a well-known configuration can be used. For the configuration of the servo writer, well-known technologies such as technologies disclosed in JP2011-175687A, U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,384A, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,542,325B can be referred to.
The magnetic tape is generally accommodated in a magnetic tape cartridge and the magnetic tape cartridge is mounted in the magnetic tape device. In the magnetic tape cartridge, the magnetic tape is generally accommodated in a cartridge main body in a state of being wound around a reel. The reel is rotatably provided in the cartridge main body. As the magnetic tape cartridge, a single reel type magnetic tape cartridge including one reel in a cartridge main body and a twin reel type magnetic tape cartridge including two reels in a cartridge main body are widely used. In a case where the single reel type magnetic tape cartridge is mounted in the magnetic tape device (drive) in order to record and/or reproduce information (magnetic signals) to the magnetic tape, the magnetic tape is drawn from the magnetic tape cartridge and wound around the reel on the drive side. A magnetic head is disposed on a magnetic tape transportation path from the magnetic tape cartridge to a winding reel. Sending and winding of the magnetic tape are performed between a reel (supply reel) on the magnetic tape cartridge side and a reel (winding reel) on the drive side. In the meantime, the magnetic head comes into contact with and slides on the surface of the magnetic layer of the magnetic tape, and accordingly, the recording and/or reproduction of the magnetic signal is performed. With respect to this, in the twin reel type magnetic tape cartridge, both reels of the supply reel and the winding reel are provided in the magnetic tape cartridge. The magnetic tape according to one aspect of the invention may be accommodated in any of single reel type magnetic tape cartridge and twin reel type magnetic tape cartridge. The configuration of the magnetic tape cartridge is well known.
The magnetic tape according to one aspect of the invention described above is a magnetic tape in which a total thickness of the non-magnetic layer and the magnetic layer is equal to or smaller than 0.60 μm and a servo pattern is formed on the magnetic layer, and can prevent the output decrease of the servo signal in the servo system.
Magnetic Tape Device
One aspect of the invention relates to a magnetic tape device including the magnetic tape, a magnetic head, and a servo head.
The details of the magnetic tape mounted on the magnetic tape device are as described above. Such a magnetic tape includes servo patterns. Accordingly, a magnetic signal is recorded on the data band by the magnetic head to form a data track, and/or, in a case of reproducing the recorded signal, head tracking is performed based on the read servo pattern, while reading the servo pattern by the servo head, and therefore, it is possible to cause the magnetic head to follow the data track at a high accuracy.
As the magnetic head mounted on the magnetic tape device, a well-known magnetic head which can perform the recording and/or reproducing of the magnetic signal with respect to the magnetic tape can be used. A recording head and a reproduction head may be one magnetic head or may be separated magnetic heads. As the servo head, a well-known servo head which can read the timing-based servo pattern of the magnetic tape can be used. At least one or two or more servo heads may be included in the magnetic tape device. In addition, a servo pattern reading element may be included in a magnetic head including an element for recording a magnetic signal and/or an element for the reproducing. That is, the magnetic head and the servo head may be a single head.
For details of the head tracking servo of the timing-based servo system, for example, well-known technologies such as technologies disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,384A, U.S. Pat. No. 6,542,325B, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,876,521B can be used. In addition, for the details of the head tracking servo in the amplitude-based servo system, well-known technologies disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,426,543A and U.S. Pat. No. 5,898,533A can be used.
A commercially available magnetic tape device generally includes a magnetic head and a servo head in accordance to a standard. In addition, a commercially available magnetic tape device generally has a servo controlling mechanism for realizing head tracking of the servo system in accordance to a standard. The magnetic tape device according to one aspect of the invention can be configured by incorporating the magnetic tape according to one aspect of the invention to a commercially available magnetic tape device.
Hereinafter, the invention will be described with reference to examples. However, the invention is not limited to aspects shown in the examples. “Parts” and “%” in the following description mean “parts by mass” and “% by mass”, unless otherwise noted. In addition, steps and evaluations described below are performed in an environment of an atmosphere temperature of 23° C.±1° C., unless otherwise noted.
1. Manufacturing of Magnetic Tape
A list of each layer forming composition is shown below.
List of Magnetic Layer Forming Composition
Magnetic Liquid
Plate-shaped ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder (M-type barium ferrite): 100.0 parts
Oleic acid: 2.0 parts
A vinyl chloride copolymer (MR-104 manufactured by Zeon Corporation): 10.0 parts SO3Na group-containing polyurethane resin: 4.0 parts
An amine-based polymer (DISPERBYK-102 manufactured by BYK Additives & Instruments): 6.0 parts
Methyl ethyl ketone: 150.0 parts
Cyclohexanone: 150.0 parts
Abrasive Solution
α-alumina: 6.0 parts
SO3Na group-containing polyurethane resin: 0.6 parts
2,3-Dihydroxynaphthalene: 0.6 parts
Cyclohexanone: 23.0 parts
Projection Forming Agent Liquid
Colloid silica: 2.0 parts
Methyl ethyl ketone: 8.0 parts
Lubricant and Curing Agent Liquid
Stearic acid: 3.0 parts
Stearic acid amide: 0.3 parts
Butyl stearate: 6.0 parts
Methyl ethyl ketone: 110.0 parts
Cyclohexanone: 110.0 parts
Polyisocyanate (CORONATE (registered trademark) L manufactured by Tosoh Corporation): 3.0 parts
List of Non-Magnetic Layer Forming Composition
Non-magnetic inorganic powder: α-iron oxide: 100.0 parts
Carbon black: 25.0 parts
A SO3Na group-containing polyurethane resin: 18.0 parts
Stearic acid: 1.0 parts
Cyclohexanone: 300.0 parts
Methyl ethyl ketone: 300.0 parts
List of Back Coating Layer Forming Composition
Non-magnetic inorganic powder: α-iron oxide: 80.0 parts
Carbon black: 20.0 parts
A vinyl chloride copolymer: 13.0 parts
A sulfonic acid group-containing polyurethane resin: 6.0 parts
Phenylphosphonic acid: 3.0 parts
Cyclohexanone: 155.0 parts
Methyl ethyl ketone: 155.0 parts
Stearic acid: 3.0 parts
Butyl stearate: 3.0 parts
Polyisocyanate: 5.0 parts
Cyclohexanone: 200.0 parts
Preparation of Magnetic Layer Forming Composition
The magnetic layer forming composition was prepared by the following method.
A dispersion liquid A was prepared by dispersing (first stage) various components of the magnetic liquid with a batch type vertical sand mill by using zirconia beads having a bead diameter of 0.5 mm (first dispersion beads, density of 6.0 g/cm3) for 24 hours, and then performing filtering with a filter having a hole diameter of 0.5 μm. The used amount of zirconia beads was 10 times of the amount of the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder based on mass.
After that, a dispersion liquid (dispersion liquid B) was prepared by dispersing (second stage) dispersion liquid A with a batch type vertical sand mill by using diamond beads having a bead diameter shown in Table 1 (second dispersion beads, density of 3.5 g/cm3) for 1 hour, and then separating diamond beads by using a centrifugal separator. The magnetic liquid is the dispersion liquid B obtained as described above. The used amount of diamond beads was 10 times of the amount of the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder based on mass.
Regarding the abrasive solution, various components of the abrasive solution were mixed with each other and put in a transverse beads mill disperser together with zirconia beads having a bead diameter of 0.3 mm, so as to perform the adjustment so that a value of bead volume/(abrasive solution volume+bead volume) was 80%, the beads mill dispersion process was performed for 120 minutes, the liquid after the process was extracted, and an ultrasonic dispersion filtering process was performed by using a flow type ultrasonic dispersion filtering device. By doing so, the abrasive solution was prepared.
The magnetic layer forming composition was prepared by introducing the prepared magnetic liquid, the abrasive solution, the projection formation agent solution, and the lubricant and curing agent solution in a dissolver, stirring the mixture at a circumferential speed of 10 m/sec for 30 minutes, and performing a process of 3 passes at a flow rate of 7.5 kg/min with a flow type ultrasonic disperser, and filtering the mixture with a filter having a hole diameter of 1 μm.
The activation volume of the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder described above is a value calculated by performing measurement by using powder which is the same powder lot as the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder used in the preparation of the magnetic layer forming composition. The magnetic field sweep rates in the coercivity Hc measurement part at timing points of 3 minutes and 30 minutes were measured by using an oscillation sample type magnetic-flux meter (manufactured by Toei Industry Co., Ltd.), and the activation volume was calculated from the relational expression described above. The measurement was performed in the environment of 23° C.±1° C.
Preparation of Non-Magnetic Layer Forming Composition
A non-magnetic layer forming composition was prepared by dispersing various components of the non-magnetic layer forming composition with a batch type vertical sand mill by using zirconia beads having a bead diameter of 0.1 mm for 24 hours, and then performing filtering with a filter having a hole diameter of 0.5 μm.
Preparation of Back Coating Layer Forming Composition
Components among various components of the back coating layer forming composition except a lubricant (stearic acid and butyl stearate), polyisocyanate, and 200.0 parts of cyclohexanone were kneaded and diluted by an open kneader, and subjected to a dispersion process of 12 passes, with a transverse beads mill disperser and zirconia beads having a bead diameter of 1 mm, by setting a bead filling percentage as 80 volume %, a circumferential speed of rotor distal end as 10 m/sec, and a retention time for 1 pass as 2 minutes. After that, the remaining components were added and stirred with a dissolver, the obtained dispersion liquid was filtered with a filter having a hole diameter of 1 μm and a back coating layer forming composition was prepared.
Manufacturing Method of Magnetic Tape
The non-magnetic layer forming composition prepared as described above was applied to a surface of a support made of polyethylene naphthalate having a thickness shown in Table 1 so that the thickness after the drying becomes a thickness show in Table 1 and was dried to form a non-magnetic layer. The magnetic layer forming composition prepared as described above was applied onto the surface of the formed non-magnetic layer so that the thickness after the drying becomes a thickness shown in Table 1 and a coating layer was formed. A homeotropic alignment process was performed by applying a magnetic field having a strength shown in Table 1 in a vertical direction with respect to the surface of the coating layer, while the coating layer of the magnetic layer forming composition is wet (not dried). After that, the coating layer was dried to form a magnetic layer.
After that, the back coating layer forming composition prepared as described above was applied to the surface of the support opposite to the surface where the non-magnetic layer and the magnetic layer are formed, so that the thickness after the drying becomes a thickness shown in Table 1, and was dried.
A calender process (surface smoothing treatment) was performed with respect to the magnetic tape obtained as described above by a calender configured of only a metal roll, at a speed of 100 m/min, linear pressure of 300 kg/cm (294 kN/m), and by using a calender roll at a surface temperature of 95° C., and then, a heat treatment was performed in the environment of the atmosphere temperature of 70° C. for 36 hours. After the heat treatment, the slitting was performed to have a width of ½ inches (0.0127 meters), and a magnetic tape was obtained.
In a state where the magnetic layer of the obtained magnetic tape was demagnetized, servo patterns having disposition and shapes according to the LTO Ultrium format were formed on the magnetic layer by using a servo write head mounted on a servo tester. Accordingly, a magnetic tape including data bands, servo bands, and guide hands in the disposition according to the LTO Ultrium format in the magnetic layer, and including servo patterns having the disposition and the shape according to the LTO Ultrium format on the servo band was obtained. In this magnetic tape, 5,000,000 servo frames in total including the A burst, the B burst, the C burst, and the D burst are formed in the disposition shown in
Through the steps described above, a magnetic tape of Example 1 in which timing-based servo patterns are formed on the magnetic layer was manufactured.
A magnetic tape was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that various items shown in Table 1 were changed as shown in Table 1.
In Table 1, in the comparative examples and the reference examples in which “none” is shown in a column of the dispersion beads and a column of the time, the magnetic layer forming composition was prepared without performing the second stage in the magnetic liquid dispersion process.
In Table 1, in the comparative examples and the reference examples in which “none” is shown in a column of the homeotropic alignment process magnetic field strength, the magnetic layer was formed without performing the alignment process.
The thickness of each layer and the thickness of the non-magnetic support of each magnetic tape of the examples, the comparative examples, and the reference examples were acquired by the following method, and it was confirmed that the thicknesses obtained were thicknesses shown in Table 1.
A cross section of the magnetic tape in a thickness direction was exposed to ion beams and the exposed cross section was observed with a scanning electron microscope. Various thicknesses were obtained as an arithmetical mean of thicknesses obtained at two portions in the thickness direction in the cross section observation.
2. Various Evaluations
(1) XRD Intensity Ratio
A tape sample was cut out from the manufactured magnetic tape.
Regarding the cut-out tape sample, the surface of the magnetic layer was irradiated with X-ray by using a thin film X-ray diffraction device (Smart Lab manufactured by Rigaku Corporation), and the In-Plane XRD was performed by the method described above.
The peak intensity Int(114) of the diffraction peak of the (114) plane and the peak intensity Int(110) of the diffraction peak of a (110) plane of a hexagonal ferrite crystal structure were obtained from the X-ray diffraction spectra obtained by the In-Plane XRD, and the XRD intensity ratio (Int(110)/Int(114)) was calculated.
(2) Vertical Direction Squareness Ratio
A vertical direction squareness ratio of the manufactured magnetic tape was obtained by the method described above using an oscillation sample type magnetic-flux meter (manufactured by Toei Industry Co., Ltd.).
(3) Output Decrease of Servo Signal
The magnetic tape in which the timing-based servo patterns are formed is attached to the servo tester. In the servo tester, the reading of the servo patterns (reproducing of servo signals) was sequentially performed from a servo pattern of the first servo frame to a servo pattern of the last 5,000,000th servo frame formed in the magnetic tape by the servo head, while allowing the surface of the magnetic layer of the running magnetic tape and the servo head to come into contact with each other and sliding. An arithmetical mean of signal outputs obtained in the first to 100th servo frames was set as A, an arithmetical mean of signal outputs obtained in the 4,999,900th to 5,000,000th servo frames was set as B, and the output decrease of the servo signal (unit: %) was calculated as “[(B−A)/A]×100]”.
The results of the above calculation arc shown in Table 1 (Table 1-1 and Table 1-2).
With the comparison of Reference Examples and Comparative Examples, it was confirmed that the output of the servo signal significantly decreases, in a case where the total thickness of the non-magnetic layer and the magnetic layer is equal to or smaller than 0.60 μm (Comparative Examples 1 to 6), compared to a case where the total thickness of the non-magnetic layer and the magnetic layer is greater than 0.60 μm (Reference Examples 1 and 2).
With respect to this, in the magnetic tapes of Examples 1 to 6, although the total thickness of the non-magnetic layer and the magnetic layer is equal to or smaller than 0.60 μm, the output decrease of the servo signal was prevented, compared to the magnetic tapes of Comparative Examples 1 to 6.
One aspect of the invention can be effective in technical fields of magnetic tapes for high-density recording.
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| 2007-305197 | Nov 2007 | JP |
| 2008-047276 | Feb 2008 | JP |
| 2008-243317 | Oct 2008 | JP |
| 2009-245515 | Oct 2009 | JP |
| 2009-283082 | Dec 2009 | JP |
| 2010-036350 | Feb 2010 | JP |
| 2010-49731 | Mar 2010 | JP |
| 2011-48878 | Mar 2011 | JP |
| 2011-138566 | Jul 2011 | JP |
| 2011-187142 | Sep 2011 | JP |
| 2011-210288 | Oct 2011 | JP |
| 2011-225417 | Nov 2011 | JP |
| 2012-38367 | Feb 2012 | JP |
| 2012-043495 | Mar 2012 | JP |
| 2012-203955 | Oct 2012 | JP |
| 2013-25853 | Feb 2013 | JP |
| 2013-77360 | Apr 2013 | JP |
| 2013-164889 | Aug 2013 | JP |
| 2014-15453 | Jan 2014 | JP |
| 2014-179149 | Sep 2014 | JP |
| 2015-39801 | Mar 2015 | JP |
| 2015-111484 | Jun 2015 | JP |
| 2016-15183 | Jan 2016 | JP |
| 2016-502224 | Jan 2016 | JP |
| 2016-051493 | Apr 2016 | JP |
| 2016-071912 | May 2016 | JP |
| 2016-71926 | May 2016 | JP |
| 2016-126817 | Jul 2016 | JP |
| 2016-139451 | Aug 2016 | JP |
| 2016-177851 | Oct 2016 | JP |
| 2017-041291 | Feb 2017 | JP |
| Entry |
|---|
| Advisory Action dated Jul. 5, 2018 in U.S. Appl. No. 14/838,663. |
| Office Action dated Apr. 26, 2017 which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/388,864. |
| Office Action dated Aug. 10, 2017, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 14/870,618. |
| Office Action dated Aug. 3, 2018 which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/388,911. |
| Office Action dated Feb. 4, 2016 which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 14/753,227. |
| Office Action dated Jun. 7, 2018 which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/380,309. |
| Office Action dated May 2, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/280,195. |
| Office Action dated May 4, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/422,944. |
| Office Action dated May 4, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/625,428. |
| Office Action dated May 7, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/624,792. |
| Office Action dated May 7, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/624,897. |
| Office Action dated May 7, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/626,832. |
| Office Action dated Nov. 16, 2016 which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/072,550. |
| Office Action dated Oct. 12, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/626,355. |
| Office Action dated Oct. 12, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/627,696. |
| Office Action dated Oct. 15, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/619,012. |
| Office Action dated Oct. 22, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,439. |
| Office Action dated Oct. 9, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/628,814. |
| Office Action dated Sep. 24, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/690,400. |
| Office Action dated Sep. 27, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/690,906. |
| Office Action dated Sep. 27, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,383. |
| Office Action dated Aug. 23, 2018 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office in U.S. Appl. No. 15/614,876. |
| Office Action dated Aug. 23, 2018 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office in U.S. Appl. No. 15/621,464. |
| Office Action dated Aug. 23, 2018 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office in U.S. Appl. No. 15/626,720. |
| Office Action dated Aug. 24, 2018 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office in U.S. Appl. No. 15/620,916. |
| Office Action dated Aug. 3, 2018 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office in U.S. Appl. No. 15/380,336. |
| Office Action dated Dec. 5, 2016 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office in U.S. Appl. No. 14/978,834. |
| Office Action dated Dec. 6, 2016 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office in U.S. Appl. No. 14/757,555. |
| Office Action dated Jun. 9, 2017 which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/388,864. |
| Office Action dated May 30, 2018 which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/388,911. |
| Office Action dated Nov. 18, 2016 which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 14/753,227. |
| Office Action dated Aug. 15, 2016 which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 14/753,227. |
| “Introduction to TMR Magnetic Sensors”, Anonymous, Mar. 12, 2015, MR Sensor Technology, pp. 1-5 (Year: 2015). |
| Notice of Allowance dated Apr. 25, 2017 which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/072,550. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Apr. 27, 2017, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/052,115. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Apr. 5, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 14/867,752. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Aug. 28, 2018 from the US Patent & Trademark Office in U.S. Appl. No. 15/422,821. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Aug. 30, 2017, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/466,143. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Aug. 6, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/920,768. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Aug. 9, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/920,563. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Dec. 2, 2016 which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 14/753,227. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Dec. 3, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/920,518. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Dec. 4, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/625,428. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Feb. 14, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 14/870,618. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Jul. 12, 2017 which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/388,864. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Jul. 13, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/920,782. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Jun. 2, 2017, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/218,190. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Jun. 28, 2017, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/464,991. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Mar. 14, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,474. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Mar. 16, 2018 which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,410. |
| Notice of Allowance dated May 10, 2018 which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/615,871. |
| Notice of Allowance dated May 8, 2017, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 14/757,555. |
| Notice of Allowance dated May 8, 2017, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 14/978,834. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Oct. 11, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/380,336. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Oct. 11, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/422,944. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Oct. 11, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/624,792. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Oct. 11, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/624,897. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Oct. 12, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/626,832. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Oct. 6, 2016, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 14/209,065. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Sep. 24, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,438. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Sep. 4, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/625,428. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Apr. 16, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/625,428. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Apr. 30, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/380,309. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Aug. 27, 2018 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/920,635. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Jan. 10, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/848,173. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Jan. 17, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/422,944. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Jan. 17, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/626,720. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Jan. 30, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,409. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Jul. 16, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,144. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Jul. 31, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 16/100,289. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Jul. 31, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 16/143,646. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Jun. 25, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/620,916. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Jun. 27, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,439. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Jun. 6, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,383. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Mar. 13, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 16/100,289. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Mar. 14, 2018 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,329. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Mar. 18, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/626,355. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Mar. 18, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/628,814. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Mar. 5, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 16/009,603. |
| Notice of Allowance dated May 13, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,379. |
| Notice of Allowance dated May 14, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/422,821. |
| Notice of Allowance dated May 14, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,164. |
| Notice of Allowance dated May 15, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,106. |
| Notice of Allowance dated May 15, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,242. |
| Notice of Allowance dated May 16, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/614,876. |
| Notice of Allowance dated May 16, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/621,464. |
| Notice of Allowance dated May 24, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,345. |
| Notice of Allowance dated May 24, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 16/143,646. |
| Notice of Allowance dated May 28, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/920,616. |
| Notice of Allowance dated May 29, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,160. |
| Notice of Allowance dated May 29, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,334. |
| Notice of Allowance dated May 30, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,230. |
| Office Action dated Apr. 19, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,438. |
| Office Action dated Dec. 14, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/920,517. |
| Office Action dated Dec. 17, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/920,515. |
| Office Action dated Dec. 17, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/920,533. |
| Office Action dated Dec. 17, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/920,538. |
| Office Action dated Dec. 17, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/920,544. |
| Office Action dated Dec. 20, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,164. |
| Office Action dated Dec. 21, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,230. |
| Office Action dated Feb. 25, 2016, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 14/867,752. |
| Office Action dated Jan. 27, 2015 from the Japanese Patent Office in Japanese Application No. 2013-053543 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 14/209,065. |
| Office Action dated Jan. 31, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 14/867,752. |
| Office Action dated Jul. 3, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/920,518. |
| Office Action dated Jul. 6, 2015, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 14/209,065. |
| Office Action dated Jul. 6, 2018 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office in U.S. Appl. No. 15/848,173. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 13, 2015, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 14/209,065. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 16, 2017, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 14/867,752. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 24, 2016, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 14/209,065. |
| Office Action dated May 4, 2018 which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/422,821. |
| Office Action dated Nov. 28, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/899,587. |
| Office Action dated Nov. 28, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,080. |
| Office Action dated Nov. 28, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,144. |
| Office Action dated Nov. 29, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/380,309. |
| Office Action dated Nov. 29, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/422,821. |
| Office Action dated Nov. 8, 2016 from the Japanese Patent Office in Japanese Application No. 2014-199022 Machine Translation corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 14/867,752. |
| Office Action dated Oct. 15, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,403. |
| Office Action dated Oct. 19, 2016, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 14/867,752. |
| Office Action dated Oct. 3, 2018 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office in U.S. Appl. No. 15/280,195. |
| Office Action dated Sep. 10, 2015, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 14/209,065. |
| Office Action dated Sep. 19, 2014, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 14/209,065. |
| Office Action dated Sep. 26, 2017 issued by the Japanese Patent Office in JP Appln. No. 2014-265723 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 14/978,834. |
| Office Action dated Sep. 26, 2017 issued by the Japanese Patent Office in JP Appln. No. 2015-249264 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 14/757,555. |
| Office Action dated Sep. 28, 2018, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,409. |
| Office Action dated Sep. 7, 2017, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 14/867,752. |
| Office Action dated Apr. 15, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 16/182,083. |
| Office Action dated Apr. 16, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 16/232,165. |
| Office Action dated Apr. 23, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2016-169851 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/690,906. |
| Office Action dated Apr. 23, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2016-182230 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/705,531. |
| Office Action dated Aug. 23, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,409. |
| Office Action dated Aug. 25, 2017 in U.S. Appl. No. 14/838,663. |
| Office Action dated Aug. 27, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2016-254428 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,403. |
| Office Action dated Aug. 27, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2016-254430 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,409. |
| Office Action dated Aug. 27, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2016-254432 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,397. |
| Office Action dated Aug. 28, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,397. |
| Office Action dated Aug. 6, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2016-254421 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,383. |
| Office Action dated Aug. 6, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2016-254427 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/848,173. |
| Office Action dated Dec. 19, 2018 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,345. |
| Office Action dated Dec. 19, 2018 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,379. |
| Office Action dated Dec. 20, 2018 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,106. |
| Office Action dated Dec. 20, 2018 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,242. |
| Office Action dated Dec. 21, 2018 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,160. |
| Office Action dated Dec. 21, 2018 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/920,616. |
| Office Action dated Dec. 25, 2018 in Japanese Application No. 2015-245144 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/378,907. |
| Office Action dated Dec. 25, 2018 in Japanese Application No. 2015-245145 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/380,336. |
| Office Action dated Dec. 25, 2018 in Japanese Application No. 2015-254192 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 9,773,519. |
| Office Action dated Dec. 27, 2018 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,334. |
| Office Action dated Dec. 31, 2018 in U.S. Appl. No. 16/009,603. |
| Office Action dated Dec. 7, 2018 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/920,592. |
| Office Action dated Feb. 11, 2016 in U.S. Appl. No. 14/838,663. |
| Office Action dated Feb. 21, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,383. |
| Office Action dated Feb. 26, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2016-123207 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/619,012. |
| Office Action dated Feb. 26, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/380,336. |
| Office Action dated Feb. 26, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/624,792. |
| Office Action dated Feb. 26, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/624,897. |
| Office Action dated Feb. 26, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/626,832. |
| Office Action dated Feb. 28, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/920,518. |
| Office Action dated Feb. 5, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2016-117339 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 16/100,289. |
| Office Action dated Feb. 5, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2016-123205 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/620,916. |
| Office Action dated Feb. 5, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2016-169871 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/690,400. |
| Office Action dated Feb. 5, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 16/038,339. |
| Office Action dated Feb. 7, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/621,464. |
| Office Action dated Jan. 10, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/899,430. |
| Office Action dated Jan. 29, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/614,876. |
| Office Action dated Jan. 30, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/620,916. |
| Office Action dated Jul. 16, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2016-124933 Machine Translation, corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/627,696. |
| Office Action dated Jun. 10, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/920,518. |
| Office Action dated Jun. 25, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2015-245144 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/378,907. |
| Office Action dated Jun. 6, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/899,587. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 15, 2018 in U.S. Appl. No. 14/838,663. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 15, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/280,195. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 15, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/619,012. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 15, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/627,696. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 15, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/690,906. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 18, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/442,961. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 19, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2016-116261 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/614,876. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 19, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2016-124515 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/621,464. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 19, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2016-124529 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/628,814. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 19, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2016-124932 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/626,720. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 19, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2016-124933 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/627,696. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 19, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2016-124935 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/626,355. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 19, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/443,094. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 21, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,144. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 21, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 16/160,377. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 27, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/690,400. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 30, 2017 in U.S. Appl. No. 14/838,663. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 5, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/443,026. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 5, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,397. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 6, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,403. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 7, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,439. |
| Office Action dated May 23, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/388,911. |
| Office Action dated Nov. 14, 2018 in U.S. Appl. No. 16/100,289. |
| Office Action dated Nov. 19, 2018 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,141. |
| Office Action dated Oct. 12, 2018 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,397. |
| Office Action dated Sep. 12, 2016 in U.S. Appl. No. 14/838,663. |
| Office Action dated Sep. 16, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,403. |
| Office Action dated Sep. 17, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2017-029499 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,106. |
| Office Action dated Sep. 19, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/443,026. |
| Office Action dated Sep. 20, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/442,961. |
| Office Action dated Sep. 24, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2016-254436 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,507. |
| Office Action dated Sep. 24, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2016-254439 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 16/232,165. |
| Office Action dated Sep. 24, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2016-254441 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,474. |
| Office Action dated Sep. 24, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2016-254450 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,410. |
| Office Action dated Sep. 24, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2017-029491 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/899,587. |
| Office Action dated Sep. 24, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2017-029508 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,345. |
| Office Action dated Sep. 24, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2017-065730 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 16/160,377. |
| Office Action dated Sep. 3, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2016-254434 Machine Translation, corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,329. |
| Office Action dated Oct. 1, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2017-029495 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,141. |
| Office Action dated Oct. 1, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2017-029493 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,144. |
| Office Action dated Oct. 1, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2017-029494 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,080. |
| Office Action dated Oct. 2, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/443,094. |
| Office Action dated Oct. 5, 2017 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office in U.S. Appl. No. 15/241,286. |
| Office Action dated Oct. 5, 2017 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office in U.S. Appl. No. 15/241,631. |
| Office Action dated Oct. 5, 2017 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office in U.S. Appl. No. 15/378,907. |
| Office Action dated Oct. 5, 2017 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office in U.S. Appl. No. 15/241,297. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Mar. 21, 2018 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/241,286. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Mar. 27, 2018 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/241,631. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Mar. 19, 2018 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/378,907. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Mar. 21, 2018 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/241,297. |
| Office Action dated Oct. 8, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2017-029492 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/899,430. |
| Office Action dated Oct. 8, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2017-065700 Machine Translation corresponds to U.S. Appl. No.15/920,544. |
| Office Action dated Oct. 8, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2017-065708 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 16/182,083. |
| Office Action dated Oct. 8, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2017-065678 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/920,538. |
| Office Action dated Oct. 10, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/705,531. |
| Office Action dated Oct. 9, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 16/440,161. |
| Office Action dated Oct. 22, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 16/037,564. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Oct. 17, 2019 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/388,911. |
| Office Action dated Dec. 10, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2016-254428 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,403. |
| Office Action dated Dec. 17, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2016-254430 English Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,409. |
| Office Action dated Dec. 17, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2016-254432 English Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,397. |
| Office Action dated Dec. 17, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2017-029507 English Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,242. |
| Office Action dated Dec. 24, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2016-254434 English Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,329. |
| Office Action dated Dec. 24, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2017-029510 English Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,230. |
| Office Action dated Nov. 26, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2016-254421 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,383. |
| Office Action dated Nov. 26, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2017-029496 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 16/044,574. |
| Office Action dated Nov. 26, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2017-029502 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,379. |
| Office Action dated Nov. 26, 2019 in Japanese Application No. 2017-065694 Machine Translation; corresponds to U.S. Appl. No. 15/920,518. |
| Advisory Action dated Jan. 17, 2020 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/443,094. |
| Office Action dated Jan. 28, 2020 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/442,961. |
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| U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,403, Abandoned. |
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| U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,438 Patented as U.S. Pat. No. 10,373,633. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,409, Abandoned. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 15/443,026, Pending. |
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| U.S. Appl. No. 16/182,083, Patented as U.S. Pat. No. 10,515,661. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 15/705,531, Allowed. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 16/232,165, Patented as U.S. Pat. No. 10,510,366. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 16/100,289, Patented as U.S. Pat. No. 10,497,389. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 16/038,669, Pending. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,106, Patented as U.S. Appl. No. 10,438,624. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,412, Patented as U.S. Appl. No. 10,062,403. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,141, Patented as U.S. Appl. No. 10,573,338. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,160, Patented as U.S. Appl. No. 10,438,625. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,345, Patented as U.S. Appl. No. 10,482,913. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,379, Patented as U.S. Appl. No. 10,453,488. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 16/012,018, Pending. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 15/920,616, Patented as U.S. Appl. No. 10,438,623. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,242, Patented as U.S. Appl. No. 10,475,480. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 15/900,334, Patented as U.S. Appl. No. 10,438,621. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 15/920,592, Patented as U.S. Appl. No. 10,403,312. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 15/920,635, Patented as U.S. Appl. No. 10,170,144. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 16/160,377, Patented as U.S. Appl. No. 10,490,220. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 15/443,094, Pending. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 15/442,961, Pending. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 16/038,687, Pending. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 16/038,514 (the present Application), Pending. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 16/038,545, Pending. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 16/037,596, Pending. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 16/038,771, Pending. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 16/037,564, Allowed. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 16/038,339, Patented as U.S. Pat. No. 10,403,316. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 16/037,573, Pending. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 16/037,681, Pending. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 16/038,884, Pending. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 16/038,847, Pending. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 16/044,574 Patented as U.S. Pat. No. 10,438,622. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 16/142,560, Pending. |
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| U.S. Appl. No. 16/143,646, Patented as U.S. Pat. No. 10,515,657. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 16/144,428, Pending. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 16/143,747, Pending. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 16/440,161, Allowed. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 16/144,605, Pending. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 15/854,397, Abandoned. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 15/57,329, Patented as U.S. Pat. No. 9,984,712. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 14/838,663, Abandoned. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Feb. 20, 2020 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/705,531. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Feb. 7, 2020 in U.S. Appl. No. 16/440,161. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 10, 2020 in U.S. Appl. No. 16/037,573. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 10, 2020 in U.S. Appl. No. 16/037,596. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 10, 2020 in U.S. Appl. No. 16/037,681. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 10, 2020 in U.S. Appl. No. 16/038,545. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 10, 2020 in U.S. Appl. No. 16/038,687. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 10, 2020 in U.S. Appl. No. 16/038,771. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 10, 2020 in U.S. Appl. No. 16/038,847. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 10, 2020 in U.S. Appl. No. 16/038,884. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 10, 2020 in U.S. Appl. No. 16/142,560. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 10, 2020 in U.S. Appl. No. 16/143,747. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 10, 2020 in U.S. Appl. No. 16/144,428. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 13, 2020 in U.S. Appl. No. 16/038,669. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 13, 2020 in U.S. Appl. No. 16/144,605. |
| Notice of Allowance dated Mar. 18, 2020 in U.S. Appl. No. 16/037,564. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 31, 2020 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/443,026. |
| Office Action dated Apr. 1, 2020 in U.S. Appl. No. 15/443,094. |
| Office Action dated Apr. 29, 2020 in U.S. Appl. No. 16/012,018. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20190027171 A1 | Jan 2019 | US |
