Watanabe, Toshio; Mori, Hidenori;

Disc cartridge

A disc cartridge which is capable of effectively preventing undesirable and deteriorating recording and playback characteristics of an optical disc accommodated and retained therein due to the effects of dust particles and other foreign materials being adhered to the surfaces of the optical disc. In accordance therewith, shock relieving or sealing members close a gap between the shutter and the case of the disc cartridge to prevent dust particles and other foreign materials from intruding onto the surfaces of the optical disc. In addition, sheet-like members are provided in this disc cartridge for cleaning the surfaces of the optical disc.

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What is claimed is:

1. A disc cartridge for accommodating and retaining an optical disc having data recorded onto and reproduced therefrom by irradiation of a laser beam wherein said optical disc can be rotated in said disc cartridge but cannot be easily removed from said disc cartridge, said disc cartridge comprising:

an opening extending in a radial direction of said optical disc to a periphery thereof;

a shutter for closing and exposing said opening when the shutter is respectively moved between first and second positions; and

a sealing member located at partly around the periphery of said opening without engaging said shutter and closing a gap between said shutter and the periphery of said opening for preventing and/or reducing foreign material from entering said opening and being adhered to said optical disc, and

wherein said laser beam can be irradiated upon said optical disc through said exposed opening by sliding said shutter to its said second position.

2. The disc cartridge of claim 1 wherein said sealing member is an elastic member positioned on a surface of a housing of said disc cartridge surrounding said opening.

3. The disc cartridge of claim 1 wherein said sealing member is made of felt positioned on a surface of a housing of said disc cartridge surrounding said opening.