Recording medium cartridge and signal recording apparatus

Abstract

A cartridge for housing a recording medium therein. The cartridge includes a cartridge body configured such that a signal recording apparatus can record a signal onto the recording medium when the cartridge is loaded in the signal recording apparatus. The cartridge also includes an opening in the cartridge body for removing the recording medium from the cartridge body, and a cover covering the opening. An indicator on the cartridge body indicates whether the cover has ever been opened or removed from the cartridge body.

1. A cartridge for housing a recording medium therein, comprising:
 a cartridge body configured such that a signal recording apparatus can record a signal onto a removable recording medium housed within said cartridge body when said cartridge body is loaded in said signal recording apparatus;    an opening in said cartridge body for removing said recording medium from said cartridge body; and    an indicator for indicating whether a cover over said opening has ever been opened or removed from said cartridge body and for providing such an indication to an electrical detecting device,    wherein said indicator comprises a detachable claw mounted to said cartridge body such that detaching said claw from said cartridge body enables a user to unlatch a latch of said cover and thereby open or remove said cover from said cartridge body.    
     
     
       2. A cartridge for housing a recording medium therein, comprising:
 a cartridge body configured such that a signal recording apparatus can record a signal onto a removable recording medium when said cartridge is loaded in said signal recording apparatus;    an opening in said cartridge body for removing said recording medium from said cartridge body;    a cover covering said opening; and    an indicator for indicating whether said cover has ever been opened or removed from said cartridge body and for providing such an indication to an electrical detecting device,    wherein said indicator comprises a detachable claw mounted to said cartridge body such that detaching said claw from said cartridge body enables a user to unlatch a latch of said and thereby open or remove said cover from said cartridge body.    
     
     
       3. A cartridge for housing a recording medium therein, comprising:
 a cartridge body having at least one window for permitting recording of a signal onto a removable recording medium when said cartridge is loaded in a signal recording apparatus;    an opening in said cartridge body for removing said recording medium from said cartridge body;    a cover covering said opening; and    an indicator for indicating whether said cover has ever been opened or removed from said cartridge body and for providing such an indication to an electrical detecting device,    wherein said indicator comprises a detachable claw mounted to said cartridge body such that detaching said claw from said cartridge body enables a user to unlatch a latch of said cover and thereby open or remove said cover from said cartridge body.    
     
     
       4. A cartridge for housing a recording medium therein, comprising:
 a cartridge body comprising:    first, second and third surfaces, with said first and second surfaces being on opposite sides of said cartridge body,    a first window in said first surface for permitting recording of a signal onto a removable recording medium when said recording medium is loaded in said signal recording apparatus, and    a second window in said second surface for permitting recording of a signal onto said recording medium when said recording medium is loaded in said signal recording apparatus, said second window being of an approximately identical shape as that of said first window;    an opening provided in said third surface for removing said recording medium from said cartridge;    a cover covering said opening; and    an indicator for indicating whether said cover has ever been opened or removed from said cartridge body and for providing such an indication to an electrical detecting device,    wherein said indicator comprises a detachable claw mounted to said cartridge body, such that detaching said claw from said cartridge body enables a user to unlatch a latch of said cover and thereby open or remove said cover from said cartridge body.    
     
     
       5. The cartridge of either claims  2 ,  3  or  4 ,
 wherein said claw and said cartridge body comprise a single molded article.    
     
     
       6. A signal recording apparatus capable of receiving a cartridge for housing a recording medium therein, said cartridge comprising:
   a cartridge body configured such that said signal recording apparatus can record a signal onto a removable recording medium housed within said cartridge body when said cartridge body is loaded in said signal recording apparatus;        an opening in said cartridge body for removing said recording medium from said cartridge body;        an indicator for indicating whether a cover over said opening has ever been opened or removed from said cartridge body, said indicator comprising a detachable claw engaging said cartridge such that detaching said claw from said cartridge enables a user to unlatch a latch of said cartridge and thereby open or remove said cover from said cartridge body; and        a detector which determines the presence or absence of said detachable claw.      
     
     
       7. A signal recording apparatus capable of receiving a cartridge for housing a recording medium therein, said cartridge comprising:
   a cartridge body configured such that said signal recording apparatus can record a signal onto a removable recording medium when said cartridge is loaded in said signal recording apparatus;        an opening in said cartridge body for removing said recording medium from said cartridge body;        a cover covering said opening; and        an indicator for indicating whether said cover has ever been opened or removed from said cartridge body, said indicator comprising a detachable claw engaging said cartridge such that detaching said claw from said cartridge enables a user to unlatch a latch of said cartridge and thereby open or remove said cover from said cartridge body; and        a detector which determines the presence or absence of said detachable claw.      
     
     
       8. A signal recording apparatus capable of receiving a cartridge for housing a recording medium therein, said cartridge comprising:
   a cartridge body having at least one window for permitting recording of a signal onto a removable recording medium when said cartridge is loaded in said signal recording apparatus;        an opening in said cartridge body for removing said recording medium from said cartridge body;        a cover covering said opening; and        an indicator for indicating whether said cover has ever been opened or removed from said cartridge body, said indicator comprising a detachable claw engaging said cartridge such that detaching said claw from said cartridge enables a user to unlatch a latch of said cartridge and thereby open or remove said cover from said cartridge body,        a detector which determines the presence or absence of said detachable claw.      
     
     
       9. A signal recording apparatus capable of receiving a cartridge for housing a recording medium therein, said cartridge comprising:
   a cartridge body comprising;        first, second and third surfaces, with said first and second surfaces being on opposite sides of said cartridge body,        a first window in said first surface for permitting recording of a signal onto a removable recording medium when said recording medium is loaded in said signal recording apparatus, and        a second window in said second surface for permitting recording of a signal onto said recording medium when said recording medium is loaded in said signal recording apparatus, said second window being of an approximately identical shape as that of said first window;        an opening provided in said third surface for removing said recording medium from said cartridge;        a cover covering said opening; and        an indicator for indicating whether said cover has ever been opened or removed from said cartridge body, said indicator comprises a detachable claw engaging said cartridge such that detaching said claw from said cartridge enables a user to unlatch a latch of said cartridge and thereby open or remove said cover from said cartridge body; and        a detector which determines the presence or absence of said detachable claw.      
     
     
       10. The signal recording apparatus of claims  6 ,  7 ,  8  or  9 , wherein said detachable claw initially being in the state of engaging said cartridge such that said cover is in a closed position.  
     
     
       11. The signal recording apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said claw and said cartridge body comprise a single molded article.  
     
     
       12. The signal recording apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said claw must be detached in order to remove said recording medium from said cartridge.  
     
     
       13. The signal recording apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said claw being in the detached state indicates that the recording medium may have been removed from said cartridge.  
     
     
       14. The signal recording apparatus of claims  6 ,  7 ,  8  or  9 , wherein said presence of said indicator indicates that said recording medium has not be removed from said cartridge.