A deep slot cell configured to house a plurality of tape cartridges. The deep slot cell includes a front side of the deep slot cell configured to allow insertion and removal of a locking tape cartridge of the plurality of tape cartridges by a robotic mechanism. The deep slot cell includes a depth side of the deep slot cell configured with an opening to engage a locking mechanism that prevents a biasing spring mechanism of the deep slot cell from advancing a rearmost tape cartridge of the plurality of tape cartridges forward toward the front side of the deep slot cell. The deep slot cell includes a front air gap at the front side of the deep slot cell that prevents the robotic mechanism from reaching a front-most tape cartridge of the plurality of tape cartridges after the robotic mechanism removes the locking tape cartridge from the deep slot cell.

In order to improve the probability of recovering tape remaining in a tape device without disassembling the tape device, this recovery device comprises: a connection unit that attaches one lengthwise end of a designated recovery tape member to near one lengthwise end, which is a free end, of a tape member having the other end bound to a designated binding member; a recovery unit to which the other end of the recovery tape member is fixed and that winds the recovery tape member and the attached tape member; and a release unit that separates the tape member from the binding member at the other end or near the other end after attachment.

In order to improve the probability of recovering tape remaining in a tape device without disassembling the tape device, this recovery device comprises: a connection unit that attaches one lengthwise end of a designated recovery tape member to near one lengthwise end, which is a free end, of a tape member having the other end bound to a designated binding member; a recovery unit to which the other end of the recovery tape member is fixed and that winds the recovery tape member and the attached tape member; and a release unit that separates the tape member from the binding member at the other end or near the other end after attachment.

A deep slot cell configured to house a plurality of tape cartridges. The deep slot cell includes a front side of the deep slot cell configured to allow insertion and removal of a locking tape cartridge of the plurality of tape cartridges by a robotic mechanism. The deep slot cell includes a depth side of the deep slot cell configured with an opening to engage a locking mechanism that prevents a biasing spring mechanism of the deep slot cell from advancing a rearmost tape cartridge of the plurality of tape cartridges forward toward the front side of the deep slot cell. The deep slot cell includes a front air gap at the front side of the deep slot cell that prevents the robotic mechanism from reaching a front-most tape cartridge of the plurality of tape cartridges after the robotic mechanism removes the locking tape cartridge from the deep slot cell.

A tape library rack includes partitions defining a slot for receiving a tape cartridge. A hook is coupled with the rack to engage a notch in the cartridge and retain the cartridge within the rack slot. A gripper for retrieving the cartridge includes a ramped surface to engage the hook and laterally displace the hook from the cartridge notch as the hook travels along the ramped surface. The gripper engages the notch from which the hook has been displaced and pulls the cartridge from the slot.