Tape reel, tape reel molding apparatus, and method for molding tape reel

Abstract

A tape reel molding apparatus adapted to be resin-molded by using a molding die, which includes: knockout portions pushing one surface of the tape reel to take the tape reel out of a cavity formed in the molding die after a resin is cooled; and a holding member including: suction portions sucking and holding the other surface of the tape reel pushed out of the cavity; and support portions supporting the suction portions, wherein each of the knockout portions is opposed to each of the suction portions, the tape reel being put between the knockout portions and suction portions.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention disclosed herein will be understood better with reference to the following drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a magnetic tape cartridge having a tape reel according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2A to 2C are views illustrating a procedure for molding a tape reel according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating-the relationship between the positions of knockout portions and those of suction portions in the tape reel according to the first embodiment;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are views illustrating the configuration of a molding apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 5A to 5C are views illustrating a procedure for molding a tape reel according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a portion of a tape reel according to the second embodiment, against which a knockout portion abuts;

FIGS. 7A to 7C are views illustrating a procedure for molding a tape reel according to a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating the relationship between the positions of knockout portions and those of suction portions in the tape reel according to the third embodiment;

FIGS. 9A to 9C are explanatory views illustrating a part of the process of molding a tape reel; and

FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating a tape reel.

Claims

1. A tape reel molding apparatus adapted to be resin-molded by using a molding die, which comprises: knockout portions pushing one surface of the tape reel to take the tape reel out of a cavity formed in the molding die after a resin is cooled; anda holding member including: suction portions sucking and holding the other surface of the tape reel pushed out of the cavity; andsupport portions supporting the suction portions,whereineach of the knockout portions is opposed to each of the suction portions, the tape reel being put between the knockout portions and suction portions.

2. The tape reel molding apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support portion comprises a material having a high degree of hardness.

3. A method for molding tape reel adapted to be resin-molded by using a molding die, which comprises: cooling the resin;putting the tape reel between each of knockout portions and suction portions opposed to face each other; andpushing one surface of the tape reel by the knockout portions to take the tape reel out of a cavity formed in the molding die, while holding the other surface of the tape reel by the suction portions, the suction portions being supported by a support portion provided on a holding member.

4. The method for molding tape reel as claimed in claim 3, wherein the support portion comprises a material having a high degree of hardness.

5. A tape reel molding apparatus adapted to be resin-molded by using a molding die, which comprises: a knockout portion having an end portion having annular shape and pushing one surface of the tape reel to take the tape reel out of a cavity formed in the molding die after a resin is cooled; anda holding member including suction portions sucking the other surface of the tape reel pushed out of the cavity to hold the tape reel.

6. The tape reel molding apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the knockout portion is opposed to each of the suction portions, and the tape reel is put between the knockout portion and suction portions.

7. The tape reel molding apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the end portion has an annular area contacting with the other surface of the tape reel and having width in a circumstance direction of 0.8 mm or more.

8. A method for molding tape reel adapted to be resin-molded by using a molding die, which comprises: cooling the resin; andpushing one surface of the tape reel by the knockout portions having an annular shape to take the tape reel out of a cavity, while holding the other surface of the tape reel by the suction portions, the suction portions being supported by a support portion provided on a holding member.

9. The method for molding tape reel as claimed in claim 8, wherein the knockout portion is opposed to each of the suction portions, and the tape reel is put between the knockout portion and suction portions.

10. The method for molding tape reel as claimed in claim 8, wherein the end portion has an annular area contacting with the other surface of the tape reel and having width in a circumstance direction of 0.8 mm or more.

11. A method for molding tape reel adapted to be resin-molded by using a molding die, which comprises: forming an abutment portion on one surface of the tape reel, the abutment portion having thickness being thicker than thicknesses of other parts on one surface thereof by cooling a resin;putting the tape reel between each of knockout portions and suction portions opposed to face each other; andpushing the abutment portion of the tape reel by the knockout portions to take the tape reel out of a cavity formed in the molding die, while holding the other surface of the tape reel by the suction portions, the suction portions being supported by a support portion provided on a holding member.

12. The tape reel as claimed in claim 11, wherein the abutment portion has thickness being more than 1.2 times thicknesses of the other parts thereof.

13. A method for molding tape reel adapted to be resin-molded by using a molding die, which comprises: knockout portions pushing an abutment portion provided on one surface of the tape reel to take the tape reel out of a cavity formed in the molding die after a resin is cooled; anda holding member including: suction portions sucking and holding the other surface of the tape reel pushed out of the cavity; andsupport portions supporting the suction portions,whereinthe abutment portion has thickness being thicker than thicknesses of other parts on one surface thereof.

14. The method for molding tape reel as claimed in claim 13, wherein the abutment portion has thickness being more than 1.2 times thicknesses of the other parts thereof.