With box

Abstract

A tape cartridge capable of being miniaturized in a vertical direction perpendicular to the up-down direction includes a ribbon housing (21), the ribbon housing including a first side wall (16a) extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a second side wall (16b) extending in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and intersecting the second direction, and a recessed wall (16c) defining a recessed portion (99) extending from the second side wall (16b) to one side of the second direction and extending in the third direction at a position located on one side of the second direction relative to the second side wall (16b). At least a portion of the recessed portion (99) overlaps with a printing tape roll (26) in the first direction. As a result, the printing tape housing (20) including the printing tape roll (26) overlaps with the ribbon housing (21) including the recessed wall (16c) in the first direction, i.e., the up-down direction. At least a portion of the recessed portion (99) overlaps with the printing tape roll (26) in the first direction, thereby miniaturizing the tape cartridge (10) in a vertical direction perpendicular to the up-down direction.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the application with application number 202080026096.2, application date March 13, 2020, and invention name “Tape Box”. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a tape cassette that can be mounted to and removed from a printing apparatus. Background Art

[0003] Conventionally, a ribbon cassette is known that includes a printing ribbon and an ink ribbon for printing on the printing ribbon. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an ink ribbon cassette that includes an ink ribbon cassette and a print sheet cassette. The ink ribbon cassette contains an ink ribbon and a take-up reel for winding the ink ribbon. The print sheet cassette contains print sheets. Multiple positioning claws are provided on the outer peripheral wall of the print sheet cassette. These positioning claws engage the ink ribbon cassette, allowing the print sheet cassette to overlap and become integrated with the cassette. The ribbon cassette is provided with a head opening for insertion into the printer's print head. A sheet opening is provided in the print sheet cassette, opposite the head opening from the print sheet roll, through which the print sheet passes. After the print sheet is pulled from the print sheet roll, it is pulled out of the print sheet cassette through the sheet opening. The print sheet then passes around the outer peripheral wall of the print sheet cassette and through the head opening. At the head opening, the print sheet and the ink ribbon overlap, allowing the printer's print head to print. The printed sheet is guided by the fixed claws on the head opening side to the sheet door for discharging the printed sheet. The ink ribbon used for printing is wound by the winding shaft.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-156762 Summary of the Invention

[0005] The ink ribbon cassette is miniaturized in a vertical direction perpendicular to the vertical direction by arranging the ink ribbon and the head opening at different positions in the vertical direction in which the ink ribbon cassette and the print sheet cassette are arranged. It is desirable to further miniaturize the ribbon cassette in the vertical direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a tape cassette that can be miniaturized in a vertical direction perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0007] A first aspect of the present invention provides a tape cassette comprising: a rotatable printing tape roll around which a printing tape serving as a printed medium is wound; and an outer peripheral wall located on one side of the printing tape roll in a first direction, the first direction being the width direction of the printing tape. The outer peripheral wall includes: a first side wall extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a second side wall extending in a third direction perpendicular to and intersecting the first direction; and a recessed portion wall defining a recessed portion extending from the second side wall toward one side of the second direction and extending in the third direction at a position located on one side of the second direction relative to the second side wall. At least a portion of the recessed portion overlaps with the printing tape roll in the first direction.

[0008] In a second aspect of the present invention, the printing tape roll is formed by winding the printing tape around a rotatable printing tape shaft, and at least a portion of the recessed wall overlaps the printing tape shaft in the first direction.

[0009] In a third aspect of the present invention, at least a portion of the recess overlaps with the print tape shaft in the first direction.

[0010] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third direction, the rotation center of the printing tape roll is located between one end portion and the other end portion of the recess in the third direction.

[0011] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the printing tape roll is formed by winding the printing tape around a rotatable printing tape shaft, and in the third direction, at least a portion of the printing tape shaft is located between one end and the other end of the recess in the third direction.

[0012] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the third direction, the rotation center of the printing tape shaft is located between the one end portion and the other end portion of the recess in the third direction.

[0013] The seventh aspect of the present invention includes: a first shell, which accommodates the printing tape roll; and a second shell, which is located on the side of the first direction relative to the first shell and has the outer peripheral wall, the second shell includes a discharge port, the discharge port is defined by the second side wall, and is located in the third direction between the one side end and the other side end of the recess, and is used to discharge the printing tape supplied from the printing tape roll from the second shell to the recess, and in the third direction, the rotation center of the printing tape shaft is located between the discharge port and the one side end of the recess in the third direction.

[0014] In the eighth aspect of the present invention, the recess overlaps with at least a portion of the first housing in the first direction.

[0015] The ninth aspect of the present invention includes: a rotatable supply shaft, located on one side of the first direction relative to the printing tape roll, for winding the ink ribbon used for printing the printing tape supplied from the printing tape roll; and a rotatable winding shaft, located on one side of the first direction relative to the printing tape roll, for winding the ink ribbon supplied from the supply shaft, at least a portion of the supply shaft and at least a portion of the winding shaft overlap with the printing tape roll in the first direction.

[0016] The tenth aspect of the present invention includes a rotatable adhesive tape roll, which is located on one side of the first direction relative to the printing tape roll, and is wound with an adhesive tape for adhering to the printing tape, and at least a portion of the adhesive tape roll overlaps with the printing tape roll in the first direction.

[0017] In an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the adhesive tape roll is formed by winding the adhesive tape around an adhesive tape shaft, and the adhesive tape shaft and the printing tape roll overlap in the first direction.

[0018] According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the third direction, the rotation center of the adhesive tape shaft is located between one end portion and the other end portion of the recessed portion in the third direction.

[0019] In the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the second direction and the third direction, the distance from the center position of the tape box as the center in the second direction and the center in the third direction to the rotation center of the printing tape roll is smaller than the distance from the center position to the recess.

[0020] A fourteenth aspect of the present invention provides a tape cassette comprising: a printing tape roll around which a printing tape is wound; a spacer abutting the printing tape roll in a first direction, which is the width direction of the printing tape; and an outer peripheral wall located on one side of the first direction relative to the printing tape roll and the spacer. The outer peripheral wall includes: a first side wall extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a second side wall extending in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and intersecting the second direction; and a recessed portion wall defining a recessed portion, the recessed portion extending from the second side wall to one side of the second direction and extending in the third direction at a position located on one side of the second direction relative to the second side wall. At least a portion of the recessed portion overlaps with the spacer in the first direction.

[0021] A first aspect of the present invention includes a tape cassette comprising: a rotatable printing tape roll wound around a printing tape serving as a print medium; and an outer peripheral wall located on one side of the printing tape roll in a first direction, the first direction being the width of the printing tape. The outer peripheral wall comprises: a first side wall extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a second side wall extending in a third direction perpendicular to and intersecting the first direction; and a recessed wall defining a recess extending from the second side wall to one side of the second direction and extending in the third direction at a position located on one side of the second direction relative to the second side wall. At least a portion of the recess overlaps with the printing tape roll in the first direction. Consequently, because the first housing including the printing tape roll and the second housing including the recessed wall overlap in the first direction, i.e., the vertical direction, and because at least a portion of the recess overlaps with the printing tape roll in the first direction, the tape cassette is miniaturized in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0022] In a second aspect of the present invention, the printing tape roll is formed by winding the printing tape around a rotatable printing tape shaft, and at least a portion of the recessed wall overlaps the printing tape shaft in the first direction. As a result, the tape cassette is miniaturized in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, compared to a case where at least a portion of the recessed wall does not overlap the printing tape shaft in the first direction.

[0023] According to a third aspect of the present invention, at least a portion of the recess overlaps the ribbon shaft in the first direction. This reduces the size of the tape cassette in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, compared to a case where at least a portion of the recess does not overlap the ribbon shaft in the first direction.

[0024] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third direction, the rotation center of the printing tape roll is located between one end and the other end of the recess in the third direction. Thus, compared to a case where the rotation center is not located between one end and the other end of the recess in the third direction, the tape cassette is miniaturized in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0025] In a fifth aspect of the present invention, the printing tape roll is formed by winding the printing tape around a rotatable printing tape shaft, and in the third direction, at least a portion of the printing tape shaft is located between one end and the other end of the recess in the third direction. Thus, compared to a case where at least a portion of the printing tape shaft is not located between one end and the other end of the recess in the third direction, the tape cassette is miniaturized in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0026] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the third direction, the rotation center of the print ribbon shaft is located between the one end and the other end of the recess in the third direction. Thus, compared to a case where the rotation center of the print ribbon shaft is not located between the discharge port and the one end of the recess in the third direction, the tape cassette is miniaturized in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0027] A seventh aspect of the present invention includes: a first housing for accommodating the printing tape roll; and a second housing located on the one side of the first direction relative to the first housing and having the outer peripheral wall, the second housing including a discharge port defined by the second side wall and located between one end and the other end of the recess in the third direction in the third direction, for discharging the printing tape supplied from the printing tape roll from the second housing into the recess, wherein the rotation center of the printing tape shaft in the third direction is located between the discharge port and the one end of the recess in the third direction. Thus, the tape cassette is miniaturized in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, compared to a case where the rotation center of the printing tape roll is not located between the discharge port and the one end of the recess in the third direction in the third direction.

[0028] In the eighth aspect of the present invention, the recess overlaps at least a portion of the first housing in the first direction. This allows the tape cassette to be miniaturized in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, compared to a case where the recess does not overlap at least a portion of the first housing in the first direction.

[0029] A ninth aspect of the present invention includes: a rotatable supply shaft, located on one side of the printing tape roll in the first direction, for winding an ink ribbon used for printing on the printing tape supplied from the printing tape roll; and a rotatable take-up shaft, located on one side of the printing tape roll in the first direction, for taking up the ink ribbon supplied from the supply shaft, wherein at least a portion of the supply shaft and at least a portion of the take-up shaft overlap with the printing tape roll in the first direction. Thus, the tape cassette is miniaturized in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, compared to a case where at least a portion of the supply shaft and at least a portion of the take-up shaft do not overlap with the printing tape roll in the first direction.

[0030] The tenth aspect of the present invention includes a rotatable adhesive tape roll, the adhesive tape roll being located to one side of the printing tape roll in the first direction, the adhesive tape being wound around the printing tape roll, and at least a portion of the adhesive tape roll overlapping the printing tape roll in the first direction. As a result, the tape cassette is miniaturized in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, compared to a case where at least a portion of the adhesive tape roll does not overlap the printing tape roll in the first direction.

[0031] According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the adhesive tape roll is formed by winding the adhesive tape around an adhesive tape shaft, and the adhesive tape shaft and the printing tape roll overlap in the first direction. Thus, compared to a case where the adhesive tape shaft and the printing tape roll do not overlap in the first direction, the tape cassette is miniaturized in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0032] According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the third direction, the rotation center of the adhesive tape shaft is located between one end and the other end of the recess in the third direction. Thus, compared to a case where the rotation center of the adhesive tape roll is not located between one end and the other end of the recess in the third direction, the tape cassette is miniaturized in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0033] In the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the second direction and the third direction, the distance from the center position of the tape cassette (which is the center in the second direction and the center in the third direction) to the rotation center of the print tape roll is smaller than the distance from the center position to the recess. Thus, the tape cassette is miniaturized in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, compared to a case where the distance from the center position of the tape cassette to the rotation center of the print tape roll is larger than the distance from the center position to the recess.

[0034] A fourteenth aspect of the present invention provides a tape cassette comprising: a printing tape roll around which a printing tape is wound; a spacer abutting the printing tape roll in a first direction, which is the width direction of the printing tape; and an outer peripheral wall located on one side of the first direction relative to the printing tape roll and the spacer. The outer peripheral wall comprises: a first side wall extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a second side wall extending in a third direction perpendicular to and intersecting the first direction; and a recessed wall defining a recess extending from the second side wall to one side of the second direction and extending in the third direction at a position on one side of the second direction relative to the second side wall. At least a portion of the recess overlaps with the spacer in the first direction. Thus, because the first housing including the printing tape roll and the second housing including the recessed wall overlap in the first direction, i.e., the vertical direction, and because at least a portion of the recess overlaps with the spacer in the first direction, the tape cassette is miniaturized in a vertical direction perpendicular to the first direction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the upper surface side of the tape cassette according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the lower surface side of the tape box.

[0037] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of the structure and internal structure of the shell of the tape box, showing the first shell member, second shell member, third shell member and fourth shell member that constitute the shell separately.

[0038] Figure 4 It shows Figure 1 A front view of the upper surface side of the first shell member.

[0039] Figure 5 It shows Figure 1 A perspective view of the lower surface side of the first shell member.

[0040] Figure 6 It shows Figure 1 A front view of the upper surface side of the second shell component and the printing tape roll.

[0041] Figure 7 It shows Figure 1 A perspective view of the tape cassette with the first housing member removed.

[0042] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 The VIII-VIII sectional view shows the state where the printing ribbon is supported in the ribbon housing from inside the printing ribbon housing.

[0043] Figure 9 It shows Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the lower surface side of the second shell member.

[0044] Figure 10 It shows Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the upper surface side of the third shell member.

[0045] Figure 11 It shows Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the lower surface side of the third shell member.

[0046] Figure 12 It shows Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the upper surface side of the fourth shell member.

[0047] Figure 13 It shows Figure 1 A bottom view of the lower surface side of the fourth shell member.

[0048] Figure 14 Use the shown Figure 1 The figure shows the lower surface of the third housing member to respectively illustrate the paths of the print tape pulled out from the print tape roll, the adhesive tape pulled out from the adhesive tape roll, and the path of the ink ribbon pulled out from the ink ribbon roll.

[0049] Figure 15 Is used to illustrate the Figure 1Figure 2 is a diagram of a stack of printing tape and adhesive tape fed out of a tape cassette.

[0050] Figure 16 yes Figure 1 The top view of the tape cassette is a diagram showing the relative positions of the printing tape roll, adhesive tape roll, ink ribbon and take-up shaft.

[0051] Figure 17 yes Figure 6 Sectional view XVI I-XVI I.

[0052] Figure 18 It is used to explain the installation Figure 1 Figure 1 is a diagram of a cassette mounting portion of a cassette-mounted printing device.

[0053] Figure 19 It is a perspective view showing the upper surface side of a non-stacked type tape cassette according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Figure 20 It shows Figure 19 A three-dimensional view of the lower surface side of the tape box.

[0055] Figure 21 It shows Figure 19 A three-dimensional diagram of the structure and internal structure of the shell of the tape box, showing the first shell member, second shell member, third shell member and fourth shell member that constitute the shell separately.

[0056] Figure 22 It shows Figure 19 A front view of the upper surface side of the first shell member of the tape cassette.

[0057] Figure 23 It shows Figure 19 A perspective view of the lower surface side of the first shell member of the tape cassette.

[0058] Figure 24 It shows Figure 19 A front view of the upper surface side of the second shell component of the tape cassette and the printing tape roll.

[0059] Figure 25 It shows Figure 19 A perspective view of the tape cassette with the first housing member removed.

[0060] Figure 26 yes Figure 24 The XXVI-XXVI sectional view shows Figure 19 The printing tape in the tape cassette is in a state where the printing tape is supported in the ribbon housing from inside the printing tape housing.

[0061] Figure 27 It shows Figure 19 A perspective view of the lower surface side of the second shell member of the tape cassette.

[0062] Figure 28 It shows Figure 19 A perspective view of the upper surface side of the third shell member of the tape cassette.

[0063] Figure 29 It shows Figure 19 A three-dimensional view of the lower surface side of the third shell member of the tape box.

[0064] Figure 30 It shows Figure 19 A three-dimensional view of the upper surface side of the fourth shell member of the tape cassette.

[0065] Figure 31 It shows Figure 19 An overhead view of the lower surface side of the fourth shell member of the tape box.

[0066] Figure 32 It shows Figure 19 The longitudinal section of the tape box is Figure 24 XXXIII-XXXIII sectional view.

[0067] Figure 33 Use the shown Figure 19 The diagram of the lower surface of the third housing member is used to respectively illustrate the path of the print ribbon pulled out from the print ribbon roll and the path of the ink ribbon pulled out from the ink ribbon roll.

[0068] Figure 34 Is used to illustrate the Figure 19 Figure 2 is a diagram of a stack of printing tape and adhesive tape fed out of a tape cassette.

[0069] Figure 35 It shows Figure 19 Diagram showing the relative positions of the printing tape roll, ink ribbon, take-up shaft and recess of the tape cassette.

[0070] Figure 36 It is a perspective view showing the upper surface side of the tape cassette according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] Figure 37 It shows Figure 36 A three-dimensional view of the lower surface side of the tape box.

[0072] Figure 38 It shows Figure 36 A three-dimensional view of the structure of the tape box according to the embodiment of the present invention shows the first shell member, the second shell member, the third shell member and the fourth shell member that constitute the shell separately.

[0073] Figure 39 It shows Figure 36 A front view of the upper surface side of the first shell member of the tape cassette.

[0074] Figure 40It shows Figure 36 A perspective view of the lower surface side of the first shell member of the tape cassette.

[0075] Figure 41 It shows Figure 36 A front view of the upper surface side of the second shell component of the tape cassette and the printing tape roll.

[0076] Figure 42 It shows Figure 36 A perspective view of the lower surface side of the second shell member of the tape cassette.

[0077] Figure 43 It shows Figure 36 A perspective view of the upper surface side of the third shell member of the tape cassette.

[0078] Figure 44 It shows Figure 36 A three-dimensional view of the lower surface side of the third shell member of the tape box.

[0079] Figure 45 It shows Figure 36 A three-dimensional view of the upper surface side of the fourth shell member of the tape cassette.

[0080] Figure 46 It shows Figure 36 An overhead view of the lower surface side of the fourth shell member of the tape box.

[0081] Figure 47 Use the shown Figure 36 The figure shows the lower surface of the third housing member to respectively illustrate the path of the printing tape pulled out from the printing tape roll and the path of the adhesive tape pulled out from the adhesive tape roll.

[0082] Figure 48 Is used to illustrate the Figure 36 Figure 14 shows the printing tape being fed out of the tape cassette.

[0083] Figure 49 It shows Figure 36 Figure 2 shows the relative positions of the printing tape roll, adhesive tape roll and recess of the tape cassette.

[0084] Figure 50 It is a perspective view showing the upper surface side of the tape cassette according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0085] Figure 51 It shows Figure 50 A three-dimensional view of the lower surface side of the tape box.

[0086] Figure 52 It shows Figure 50 A three-dimensional view of the structure of the tape box according to the embodiment of the present invention shows the first shell member, the second shell member, the third shell member and the fourth shell member that constitute the shell separately.

[0087] Figure 53 Is used to illustrate the Figure 50 Figure 14 shows the printing tape being fed out of the tape cassette.

[0088] Figure 54 It is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a tape box according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0089] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0090] [Implementation Method 1]

[0091] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing a tape cassette 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention from the front side, i.e., the upper surface. Figure 1 The upper side is the front side of the tape box 10, the lower side is the rear side of the tape box 10, the right side is the left side of the tape box 10, the left side is the right side of the tape box 10, the upper left side is the upper side of the tape box 10, and the lower right side is the lower side of the tape box 10. Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the tape cassette 10 from the back side, that is, the bottom surface. Figure 3 The 3D diagram of the internal structure of the tape cassette 10 is shown by separating the first shell member 12, the second shell member 14, the third shell member 16 and the fourth shell member 18 of the tape cassette 10. The tape cassette 10 is a rectangular parallelepiped as a whole and is detachably mounted on the tape cassette 10 described later. Figure 18 The tape cassette mounting portion 104 of the printing device 102 is shown. The tape cassette 10 includes a first housing, i.e., a printing tape housing 20, which is composed of a first housing member 12 and a second housing member 14, and a second housing, i.e., a ribbon housing 21, which is composed of a third housing member 16 and a fourth housing member 18. The first housing member 12 to the fourth housing member 18 are arranged in a Figure 1 . The first housing member 12, the second housing member 14, the third housing member 16, and the fourth housing member 18 are fixed to each other in an overlapping state by the engagement of a plurality of engaging claws 27 and fixing claws 28 provided between their respective outer peripheral walls and the positioning of the positioning protrusions 29. In this embodiment, the upper surface of each housing member 12 to 18 is referred to as the upper surface or front surface, and the lower surface is referred to as the lower surface or back surface.

[0092] The ribbon housing 21 is located on one side of the ribbon housing 20 in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the ribbon housing 21 is located on one side, i.e., the lower side, of the ribbon housing 20 in the vertical direction. The ribbon housing 20 rotatably accommodates a ribbon roll 26 in a first space S1 formed therein. The ribbon roll 26 is wound around a ribbon 22 serving as the print medium. The ribbon roll 26 is configured to wind the ribbon 22 around a cylindrical core member. The ribbon 22 is wound such that its width corresponds to the vertical direction, serving as a first direction. The radial direction of the ribbon roll 26 is the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction, and the radial direction is perpendicular to the vertical direction. The vertical direction can be any direction parallel to a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. The ribbon 22, the ribbon shaft 24, and the ribbon roll 26 correspond to the print medium, the print medium shaft, and the print medium roll.

[0093] The ribbon housing 21 rotatably accommodates an ink ribbon roll 72, an adhesive tape roll 64, and a take-up shaft 76 in a second space S2 formed therein. The ribbon roll 72 is configured such that a strip-shaped ink ribbon 68 is wound around the take-up shaft 76, with the width of the ink ribbon 68 oriented vertically. The ink ribbon 68 is used to print onto the strip-shaped printing tape 22. The take-up shaft 76 takes up the ink ribbon 68 drawn from the ribbon roll 72. The adhesive tape roll 64 is configured such that a strip-shaped adhesive tape 60, which is to be bonded to the printed printing tape 22, is wound around the adhesive tape shaft 62, with the width of the adhesive tape 60 oriented vertically.

[0094] like Figure 2 As shown, a winding shaft support hole 94 is provided on the lower surface of the fourth shell member 18 of the tape cassette 10. Through the winding shaft support hole 94, a connecting hole 96 of the winding shaft 76 described later is exposed. When the tape cassette 10 is mounted on the tape cassette mounting portion 104 of the printing device 102, the winding shaft drive shaft 108 provided in the tape cassette mounting portion 104 is inserted into the connecting hole 96. In addition, a recess 99 is formed on the side surfaces of the third shell member 16 and the fourth shell member 18, that is, on a portion of the outer peripheral wall 16w of the ribbon housing 21 and a portion of the outer peripheral wall of the second shell member 14. When the tape cassette 10 is mounted on the tape cassette mounting portion 104 of the printing device 102, the print head 106 described later provided in the tape cassette mounting portion 104 is inserted into the recess 99. As shown Figure 2 As shown, the upper end of the recess 99 is defined by the surface of the underside of the second housing member 14 .

[0095] Figure 4 is a front view showing the upper surface side of the first housing member 12, Figure 5 It is a perspective view showing the lower surface side of the first housing member 12 . Figure 6 1 is a front view showing the upper surface side of the second housing member 14 and the printing tape roll. Figure 6In FIG. 1 , the printing tape 22 pulled out from the printing tape roll 26 is omitted. Figure 7 : is a perspective view showing the upper surface side of the second housing member 14. Figure 8 yes Figure 6 The VIII-VIII cross-sectional view shows a state where the printing ribbon 22 is extended from the printing ribbon housing 20 to the ink ribbon housing 21. Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the lower surface side of the second housing member 14, Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the upper surface side of the third housing member 16, Figure 11 It is a perspective view showing the lower surface side of the third housing member 16 . Figure 12 is a perspective view showing the upper surface side of the fourth housing member 18, Figure 13 It is a bottom view showing the lower surface side of the fourth case member 18 .

[0096] In the first space S1 between the first housing member 12 and the second housing member 14, the printing tape roll 26 is accommodated in a manner that allows it to rotate around a first rotation center line C1 parallel to the vertical direction. The first rotation center line C1 is not only the rotation center of the printing tape roll 26, but also the rotation center of the printing tape shaft 24. The first housing member 12 and the second housing member 14 are rectangular, and the first rotation center line C1 is located slightly to the right of the center in the left-right direction, which is the second direction, and is located approximately near the center in the front-back direction, which is the third direction. For example, Figure 15 As shown, the printing tape 22 is formed by laminating a release tape 22c on the surface of the printed tape 22a opposite to the printing surface via an adhesive 22b.

[0097] like Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, a cylindrical first support protrusion 30 and a first circumferential wall 34 are provided on the lower surface side of the first housing member 12. The first support protrusion 30 is inserted into the cylindrical printing tape shaft 24 to support the printing tape roll 26 in a rotatable manner. The inner diameter of the first circumferential wall 34 is larger than the outer diameter of the printing tape roll 26. The first support protrusion 30 and the first circumferential wall 34 are arranged to protrude downward from the lower surface side of the first housing member 12 in a state where the center line is the same as the first rotation center line C1. Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, a cylindrical second support protrusion 32 and a second circumferential wall 36 are provided on the upper surface of the second housing member 14. The second support protrusion 32 is inserted into the cylindrical print ribbon shaft 24 and rotatably supports the print ribbon roll 26. The inner diameter of the second circumferential wall 36 is larger than the outer diameter of the print ribbon roll 26. The second support protrusion 32 and the second circumferential wall 36 are arranged so as to protrude upward from the upper surface of the second housing member 14 with their centerlines aligned with the first rotational centerline C1. The print ribbon roll 26 is disposed between the first housing member 12 and the second housing member 14, with circular spacers 38 having an outer diameter substantially the same as that of the print ribbon roll 26 positioned above and below the print ribbon roll 26. The spacers 38 are formed, for example, from a tetrafluoroethylene resin sheet to ensure smooth rotation of the print ribbon roll 26.

[0098] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, on the lower surface side of the first housing member 12 and the upper surface side of the second housing member 14, printing tape doors 40 and 42 are formed by cutting out a portion of the first circumferential wall 34 and the second circumferential wall 36, for pulling the printing tape 22 out of a certain position from the printing tape roll 26. Figure 7 As shown, a guide wall 50 is formed on the upper surface side of the second housing member 14 and extends leftward from the left end of the tape door 42 for guiding the tape 22 pulled out from the tape roll 26 in a certain direction.

[0099] like Figure 6 As shown, the guide wall 50 extending leftward from the left end of the printing tape door 42 bends toward the long side 46b before reaching the short side 46a of the outer peripheral wall 46, extends along the second circumferential wall 36, and is connected to the long side 46b.

[0100] like Figure 6 As shown, a through-hole 52 is formed in the bottom plate 14a of the second housing member 14. The through-hole 52 extends in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions along the guide wall 50 and the long side 46b of the outer peripheral wall 46 and is generally L-shaped when viewed from the front. A plurality of guide ribs 54 are formed in the bottom plate 14a between the portion of the second circumferential wall 36 that faces the guide wall 50 and the long side 46b and the through-hole 52. The guide ribs 54 guide the print tape 22, which has been drawn from the print tape roll 26 and passed through the print tape doors 40 and 42, into the through-hole 52.

[0101] Figure 7 The cassette 10 is shown with the first housing member 12 removed. Figure 7As shown, the printing tape 22 pulled out from the printing tape roll 26 is guided into the second space S2 between the third housing member 16 and the fourth housing member 18 through the through hole 52. The printing tape 22 is suspended between the printing tape housing 20 and the ribbon housing 21 via the through hole 52 formed in the bottom plate 14a, and the bottom plate 14a is used to separate the first space S1 and the second space S2.

[0102] like Figure 8 As shown, the printing tape 22 passes through the through hole 52 and is tilted from the printing tape housing 20 to the ribbon housing 21. More specifically, as described later Figure 14 As shown, the printing tape 22 is mounted on the recess 99 of the ribbon housing 21 . Figure 9 FIG. 2 shows the lower surface side of the second housing member 14. Figure 9 As shown, a through hole 52 opens on the back surface of the bottom plate 14 a of the second housing member 14 , and a guide wall 56 is vertically provided along the through hole 52 . Figure 10 The top surface of the third housing member 16 is shown. Formed in the top plate 16e of the third housing member 16 are a through-hole 58, an adhesive tape roll support hole 66, an ink ribbon support hole 74, a take-up shaft support hole 78, and a roller support hole 82. The through-hole 58 is formed at a position corresponding to the through-hole 52 in the second housing member 14 and allows the print tape 22 drawn from the print tape roll 26 to pass into the second space S2. Specifically, a portion of the through-hole 52 and a portion of the through-hole 58 overlap in the vertical direction.

[0103] The bottom plate 14 a of the second housing member 14 and the top plate 16 e of the third housing member 16 partition a first space S1 in the ribbon housing 20 and a second space S2 in the ribbon housing 21 .

[0104] The adhesive tape roll support hole 66 is inserted into one end of the adhesive tape shaft 62 on which the adhesive tape 60 is wound, and supports the adhesive tape roll 64 in a manner that allows it to rotate around a second rotation center line C2 that is parallel to the first rotation center line C1. The second rotation center line C2 is not only the rotation center of the adhesive tape roll 64, but also the rotation center of the adhesive tape shaft 62. Figure 15As shown, the adhesive tape 60 is used to protect the printing surface of the printing ribbon 22 and is made of a transparent film 60a with an adhesive 60b applied to the surface that contacts the printing surface. One end of a supply shaft 70, on which the ink ribbon 68 is wound, is inserted into a ribbon support hole 74. This supports the ink ribbon roll 72 rotatably about a third rotational centerline C3, which is parallel to the first rotational centerline C1. The third rotational centerline C3 serves as the rotational center of not only the ink ribbon roll 72 but also the supply shaft 70. One end of a take-up shaft 76, which winds the ink ribbon 68 drawn from the ink ribbon roll 72, is inserted into a take-up shaft support hole 78. This supports the take-up shaft 76 rotatably about a fourth rotational centerline C4, which is parallel to the first rotational centerline C1. The fourth rotational centerline C4 serves as the rotational center of the take-up shaft 76. In order to press the printing surface of the printing tape 22 and the adhesive surface of the adhesive tape 60 together, the roller 80 applies pressure to the printing tape 22 and the adhesive tape 60 between it and the roller of the printing device 102, and one end of the roller 80 is embedded in the roller support hole 82, so that the roller support hole 82 supports the roller 80 in a manner that can rotate around a fifth rotation center line C5 parallel to the first rotation center line C1.

[0105] like Figure 11 As shown, on the lower surface of the third shell member 16, there are formed an adhesive tape roll retaining wall 84, an ink ribbon roll retaining wall 86, a cylindrical protrusion 88 and an arc-shaped wall 92. The adhesive tape roll retaining wall 84 and the arc-shaped wall 92 are used to determine the configuration position of the adhesive tape roll 64, and are formed into an arc shape around the adhesive tape roll support hole 66 with the adhesive tape roll support hole 66 as the center. The ink ribbon roll retaining wall 86 is used to determine the ink ribbon roll configuration position of the ink ribbon 68 wound on the winding shaft 76, and is formed into an arc shape around the winding shaft support hole 78 with the winding shaft support hole 78 as the center. The cylindrical protrusion 88 is formed to protrude downward from the periphery of the ink ribbon support hole 74 and the head end surface has concave and convex arranged in the circumferential direction. In addition, on the lower surface of the third shell member 16, a support protrusion 93 is provided, and the support protrusion 93 supports the upper end portion of the anti-adhesion roller 91 for preventing the adhesive tape 60 from adhering in a rotatable manner. In addition, as Figure 12 As shown, a support protrusion 95 is provided on the upper surface of the fourth housing member 18 , and the support protrusion 95 supports the lower end portion of the sticking prevention roller 91 in a manner that can be coupled to the lower end portion of the sticking prevention roller 91 .

[0106] like Figure 3 As shown, a clutch spring retaining portion 90 that accommodates a clutch spring is embedded in the other end of the supply shaft 70 around which the ink ribbon 68 is wound. The supply shaft 70 applies appropriate rotational resistance to the ink ribbon roll 72 through the clutch spring located in the clutch spring retaining portion 90 .

[0107] Figure 12 and Figure 13The upper and lower surfaces of the fourth shell member 18 are shown. The fourth shell member 18 is formed with a winding shaft support hole 94 extending therethrough, into which the other end of the winding shaft 76 is embedded, and the winding shaft support hole 94 rotatably supports the winding shaft 76. The fourth shell member 18 is formed with a cylindrical support protrusion 97, into which the other end of the supply shaft 70 is embedded, and the support protrusion 97 rotatably supports the supply shaft 70. A connecting hole 96 formed on the end surface on the other end side of the winding shaft 76 is exposed to the lower surface of the fourth shell member 18 through the winding shaft support hole 94, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 When the tape cassette 10 is mounted on the printing apparatus 102, a take-up shaft drive shaft 108 of the printing apparatus 102, which will be described later, is inserted into the coupling hole 96 and coupled to the take-up shaft 76, and the take-up shaft 76 is rotated by the drive shaft.

[0108] The fourth housing member 18 is provided with a roller exposure hole 98 at a position corresponding to the roller support hole 82 formed in the third housing member 16. The roller exposure hole 98 exposes the axial end of the roller 80. The connecting portion 80a of the end portion of the roller 80 formed on the fourth housing member 18 side is exposed on the lower surface of the fourth housing member 18 through the roller exposure hole 98. Figure 2 When the tape cassette 10 is mounted on the printing apparatus 102 , a roller drive shaft 110 of the printing apparatus 102 , which will be described later, is coupled to the coupling portion 80 a , and the roller 80 is rotationally driven by the roller drive shaft 110 .

[0109] like Figure 2 and Figure 11 As shown, a recess 99 is formed in the ribbon housing 21 composed of the third housing member 16 and the fourth housing member 18. The recess 99 is used when the ribbon cassette 10 is installed in the ribbon housing 21. Figure 18 The tape cartridge mounting portion 104 shown accommodates a print head holding plate 114 for holding a print head 106 disposed upright on the tape cartridge mounting portion 104. Figure 11 As shown, a portion of the outer peripheral wall 16w of the third shell member 16 is formed with: a first side wall 16a extending in the front-to-back direction, the front-to-back direction being a second direction perpendicular to the up-down direction corresponding to the stacking direction; a second side wall 16b extending from the front end portion of the first side wall 16a in a third direction, i.e., the left-to-right direction, perpendicular to the up-down direction and the front-to-back direction; and a U-shaped recessed wall 16c surrounding the recessed portion 99. The recessed wall 16c is composed of an inner wall 16h extending in the left-to-right direction relative to the second side wall 16b in the front-to-back direction, an inner wall 16i extending rearward from the right end of the inner wall 16h, an inner wall 16j extending leftward from the rear end of the inner wall 16i, and an inner wall 16k extending forward from the left end of the inner wall 16j. By the second side wall 16b and the recessed wall 16c, the recessed portion 99 is defined as extending rearward from the left side end portion of the second side wall 16b and extending in the left-to-right direction behind the second side wall 16b. In the fourth shell member 18, as Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, a U-shaped cutout 18a is formed corresponding to the concave wall portion 16c. The concave portion 99 is formed by the concave wall 16c and the cutout 18a. Figure 2 As shown, a portion of the upper end of the recess 99 is defined by the lower surface of the second housing member 14. That is, the recess 99 overlaps the second housing member 14 and the first housing member 12 in the vertical direction.

[0110] Figure 14 The bottom surface of the third housing member 16 is shown when the tape cassette 10 is mounted on the tape cassette mounting portion 104 of the printing device 102. As described above, the printing tape 22 is pulled out from the printing tape roll 26 and is tilted from the first space S1 in the printing tape housing 20 to the second space S2 in the ribbon housing 21 through the through hole 52 and the through hole 58. Figure 14 , the print ribbon 22 is shown through the through hole 58 from the rear of the third housing member 16. Figure 14 As shown, the printing ribbon 22 and the adhesive tape 60 are pressure-clamped by the roller 80 and the pressure roller 118 of the printing device 102, and are respectively pulled out from the printing ribbon roll 26 and the adhesive tape roll 64 by the drive of the roller 80. The ink ribbon 68 is pulled out from the ink ribbon roll 72 by the drive of the take-up shaft 76 and is wound on the take-up shaft 76. Figure 14 1 and 2. The diagram shows the conveyance paths of the printing tape 22, the ink ribbon 68, and the adhesive tape 60. The printing tape 22 is indicated by a two-dot chain line, the adhesive tape 60 is indicated by a dotted line, and the ink ribbon 68 is indicated by a single-dot chain line.

[0111] like Figure 14 As shown, when the take-up shaft 76 and roller 80 rotate, the printing ribbon 22 and the ink ribbon 68 overlap and are discharged from the discharge port 130 toward the printing position P. The discharge port 130 is a gap extending in the left-right direction and defined by the left end of the second side wall 16b and the left end of the side wall 16h. At the printing position P between the print head 106 and the platen roller 116, the printing ribbon 22 is pressed against the print head 106, with the ink ribbon 68 interposed therebetween. In this state, the multiple heating elements arranged on the surface of the print head 106 are selectively driven to generate localized heat. This causes a portion of the ink 68a on one surface of the ink ribbon 68 to transfer to the printing ribbon 22, printing text, symbols, etc. on the printing ribbon 22. The used ink ribbon 68, which has passed the printing position P, is fed into the ribbon housing 21 through the input port 132 and wound onto the take-up shaft 76. The input port 132 is located to the left of the discharge port 130 and is provided in the third housing member 16. The roller 80 presses and adheres the transparent adhesive tape 60 to the printing surface of the printing tape 22 that has passed the printing position P. Thus, the printing surface of the printing tape 22 is protected by the adhesive tape 60 .

[0112] Figure 15The stack of the printing tape 22 and the adhesive tape 60, which are fed from the tape cassette 10, is schematically shown. The adhesive tape 60, which is composed of a transparent film 60a coated with an adhesive 60b on one side, is adhered to the printing surface (i.e., the printing tape 22a) of the printing tape 22. This protects the ink 68a transferred to the printing surface of the printing tape 22. Figure 15 The sizes and size ratios of the components 22a to 22c, 60a, 60b, 68a of the stack are merely schematic and not accurate.

[0113] Figure 16 : is a diagram showing the lower surface of the third housing member 16. In the second space S2 between the third housing member 16 and the fourth housing member 18, that is, in the ribbon housing 21, the adhesive tape roll 64, the ink ribbon roll 72, the winding shaft 76, and the roller 80 are housed. As described above, the ribbon housing 21 is configured to overlap with the printing tape housing 20 below. When the printing tape roll 26 and the spacer 38 housed in the printing tape housing 20 are projected in the vertical direction onto a projection plane extending in the front-back direction and the left-right direction in the second space S2, the projected positions of the printing tape roll 26 and the spacer 38 are determined by Figure 16 Since the spacer 38 has a diameter substantially the same as that of the printing tape roll 26, Figure 16 Only a single dotted line representing the printing tape roll 26 is shown. Figure 16 As shown, the adhesive tape roll 64, the ink ribbon roll 72, and the take-up shaft 76 are arranged in a position that vertically overlaps the print ribbon roll 26. At least a portion of the adhesive tape roll 64 and at least a portion of the adhesive tape shaft 62 vertically overlap the print ribbon roll 26. More specifically, a portion of the adhesive tape roll 64 and a portion of the adhesive tape shaft 62 vertically overlap the print ribbon shaft 24 and the print ribbon 22 wound around the print ribbon shaft 24, respectively.

[0114] exist Figure 16In the figure, the print ribbon roll 26 and the spacer 38, which have substantially the same diameter, vertically overlap at least a portion of the adhesive tape roll 64 having the adhesive tape shaft 62 and its second rotational centerline C2, at least a portion of the ink ribbon roll 72 and its third rotational centerline C3, at least a portion of the take-up shaft 76 and its fourth rotational centerline C4, the recess 99, and at least a portion of the recess wall 16c. When the print ribbon roll 26 and the spacer 38 are projected vertically, the adhesive tape roll 64 and its second rotational centerline C2, the ink ribbon roll 72 and its third rotational centerline C3, the take-up shaft 76 and its fourth rotational centerline C4, the recess 99, and the recess wall 16c are located within the projection plane of the print ribbon roll 26 and the spacer 38. Furthermore, at least a portion of the recess 99 and the recess wall 16c vertically overlap the print ribbon shaft 24. Furthermore, in the left-right direction, a portion of the print tape roll 26 and the first rotation center line C1, which is the rotation center of the print tape shaft 24, are located between one side end portion, i.e., the right side end portion 99a, and the other side end portion, i.e., the left side end portion 99b, of the recess 99 in the left-right direction. Furthermore, the first rotation center line C1, which is the rotation center of the print tape shaft 24, is located between the discharge port 130 and the right side end portion 99a of the recess 99 in the left-right direction. Furthermore, the adhesive tape shaft 62 is located between the right side end portion 99a and the left side end portion 99b of the recess 99 in the left-right direction. In particular, the second rotation center line C2, which is the rotation center of the adhesive tape roll 62, is located between the right side end portion 99a of the recess 99 and the discharge port 130 in the left-right direction. Furthermore, in Figure 16 In the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction, the distance from the center position M which is the center of the tape box 10 in the front-to-back direction and the center in the left-to-right direction to the first rotation center line C1 of the printing tape roll 26 is set to be smaller than the distance from the center position M to the recess 99.

[0115] Figure 17 yes Figure 6 In the vertical direction, the distance D between the end of the printing tape roll 26 on one side (lower side) and the end of the adhesive tape roll 64 on the other side (upper side) in the vertical direction is less than the width dimension W1 of the adhesive tape 60. Because the printing tape 22 and the adhesive tape 60 have the same width dimension, the distance D is less than the width dimension of the printing tape roll 26.

[0116] Figure 18The tape cassette mounting portion 104 in a portion of the printing device 102 included in the printing system 122 is shown. The tape cassette mounting portion 104 is provided with a rectangular positioning hole 112 for positioning the embedded tape cassette 10, and a take-up shaft drive shaft 108 and a roller drive shaft 110 that are erected on the lower surface of the positioning hole 112. The positioning hole 112 serves as a accommodating portion to accommodate a portion of the ribbon housing 21 that serves as the lower housing of the tape cassette 10. The take-up shaft drive shaft 108 and the roller drive shaft 110 are driven to rotate in the same direction by a stepping motor (not shown) via a gear mechanism. On the lower surface of the positioning hole 112 of the tape cassette mounting portion 104, a print head retaining plate 114 to which a thermal print head (thermal print head) 106 is fixed is erected, and a paper pressing roller retaining member 120 is provided in a manner that can rotate around the base end portion, and a paper pressing roller 116 and a pressure roller 118 are arranged on the head end portion of the paper pressing roller retaining member 120 in a manner that can rotate. The print head holding plate 114 is a metal plate made of, for example, aluminum, and also serves as a heat sink for the print head.

[0117] When the tape cassette 10 is mounted on the cassette mounting portion 104 of the printing apparatus 102, the take-up shaft drive shaft 108 and the roller drive shaft 110, which are provided upright on the cassette mounting portion 104, are coupled to the take-up shaft 76 and the roller 80. Next, when a cover (not shown) of the printing apparatus 102 is closed with the tape cassette 10 mounted on the cassette mounting portion 104, the platen roller retaining member 120 rotates about its base end portion, and the platen roller 116 and the pressure roller 118 are pressed toward the print head 106 and the roller 80 of the tape cassette 10. The printing apparatus 102 and the tape cassette 10 constitute a printing system 122.

[0118] The tape cassette 10 of this embodiment includes a rotatable print tape roll 26 around which a print tape 22 serving as a print medium is wound; and an outer peripheral wall 16w located on one side (lower side) of the print tape roll 26 in the first direction, i.e., the width direction of the print tape 22. The outer peripheral wall 16w includes a first side wall 16a extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a second side wall 16b extending in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and intersecting the second direction; and a recessed wall 16c defining a recessed portion 99 extending from the second side wall 16b in the third direction. At least a portion of the recessed portion 99 overlaps with the print tape roll 26 in the first direction. Consequently, because the print tape roll 26 overlaps with the recessed wall 16c below it in the first direction, i.e., the vertical direction, and because at least a portion of the recessed portion 99 overlaps with the print tape roll 26 in the first direction, the tape cassette 10 is compact in a vertical direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0119] In the tape cassette 10 of this embodiment, the print tape roll 26 winds the print tape 22 around the rotatable print tape shaft 24, and at least a portion of the recessed wall 16c overlaps the print tape shaft 24 in the first direction. Consequently, the tape cassette 10 is more compact in the vertical direction, which is perpendicular to the vertical direction, compared to a case where at least a portion of the recessed wall 16c does not overlap the print tape shaft 24 in the first direction.

[0120] In the tape cassette 10 of this embodiment, at least a portion of the recess 99 overlaps in the first direction with the print ribbon shaft 24. Thus, compared to a case where at least a portion of the recess 99 does not overlap in the first direction, the tape cassette 10 is more compact in the vertical direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0121] In the tape cassette 10 of this embodiment, in the third direction, the rotation center of the print tape roll 26, i.e., the first rotation centerline C1, is located between the third-direction one end 16a and the other end 16b of the recess 99. Thus, compared to a case where the first rotation centerline C1 is not located between the third-direction one end and the other end of the recess 99, the tape cassette 10 is more compact in the vertical direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0122] In the tape cassette 10 of this embodiment, the print tape roll 26 winds the print tape 22 around the rotatable print tape shaft 24. In the third direction, at least a portion of the print tape shaft 24 is located between one end portion 16a and the other end portion 16b of the recess 99 in the third direction. Consequently, the tape cassette 10 is more compact in the vertical direction, which is perpendicular to the vertical direction, compared to a case where at least a portion of the print tape shaft 24 is not located between one end portion 16a and the other end portion 16b of the recess 99 in the third direction.

[0123] In the tape cassette 10 of this embodiment, in the third direction, the rotation center of the print tape shaft 24, i.e., the first rotation centerline C1, is located between the discharge port 130 and one end of the recess 99 in the third direction. Thus, compared to a case where the first rotation centerline C1 of the print tape shaft 24 is not located between the discharge port 130 and one end of the recess 99 in the third direction, the tape cassette 10 is more compact in the vertical direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0124] The tape cassette 10 of this embodiment includes a ribbon housing (first housing) 20 that houses a print ribbon roll 26, and a ribbon housing (second housing) 21 located to one side in the first direction relative to the ribbon housing 20 and having an outer peripheral wall 16w. The ribbon housing 21 includes a discharge port 130, defined by a second side wall 16b. The discharge port 130 is located between one third-direction end 16a and the other third-direction end 16b of the recess 99 in the third direction. The discharge port 130 is used to discharge the print ribbon 22 supplied from the print ribbon roll 26 from the ribbon housing 20 into the recess 99. In the third direction, the first rotational centerline C1, the rotational center of the print ribbon roll 26, is located between the discharge port 130 and the third-direction end 16a of the recess 99. Consequently, the tape cassette 10 is more compact in the vertical direction, compared to a case where the first rotational centerline C1 of the print ribbon roll 26 is not located between the discharge port 130 and the third-direction end 16a of the recess 99 in the third direction.

[0125] In the tape cassette 10 of this embodiment, the recess 99 overlaps with at least a portion of the tape housing (first housing) 20 in the first direction. This allows the tape cassette to be more compact in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, compared to a case where the recess 99 and at least a portion of the tape housing (first housing) 20 do not overlap in the first direction.

[0126] The tape cassette 10 of this embodiment includes: a rotatable supply shaft 70, located on one side in the first direction relative to the print tape roll 26, and winding an ink ribbon 68 for printing on the print tape 22 supplied from the print tape roll 26; and a rotatable take-up shaft 76, located on one side in the first direction relative to the print tape roll 26, and taking up the ink ribbon 68 supplied from the supply shaft 70. At least a portion of the supply shaft 70 and at least a portion of the take-up shaft 76 overlap with the print tape roll 26 in the first direction. As a result, the tape cassette 10 is more compact in a vertical direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, compared to a case where at least a portion of the supply shaft 70 and at least a portion of the take-up shaft 76 do not overlap with the print tape roll 26 in the first direction.

[0127] The tape cassette 10 of this embodiment includes a rotatable adhesive tape roll 64. The adhesive tape roll 64 is located on one side in the first direction relative to the print tape roll 26 and is wound around the adhesive tape 60 for bonding to the print tape 22. At least a portion of the adhesive tape roll 64 overlaps with the print tape roll 26 in the first direction. As a result, the tape cassette 10 is more compact in a vertical direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, compared to a case where at least a portion of the adhesive tape roll 64 does not overlap with the print tape roll 26 in the first direction.

[0128] In the tape cassette 10 of this embodiment, the adhesive tape roll 64 is formed by winding the adhesive tape 60 around an adhesive tape shaft 62. The adhesive tape shaft 62 overlaps the printing tape roll 26 in the first direction. As a result, the tape cassette 10 is miniaturized in the vertical direction, which is perpendicular to the vertical direction, compared to a case where the adhesive tape shaft 62 and the printing tape roll 26 do not overlap in the first direction.

[0129] In the tape cassette 10 of this embodiment, the second rotation centerline C2, which serves as the rotation center of the adhesive tape roll 62, is located in the third direction between one end portion in the third direction and the other end portion 16b of the recess 99. Thus, compared to a case where the second rotation centerline C2 of the adhesive tape roll 62 is not located between one end portion in the third direction and the other end portion 16b of the recess 99, the tape cassette 10 is miniaturized in the vertical direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0130] In the tape cassette 10 of this embodiment, in the second and third directions, the distance from the center position M, which is the center of the tape cassette 10 in the second direction and the center in the third direction, to the first rotation center line C1 of the print tape roll 26 is shorter than the distance from the center position M to the recessed portion 99. Thus, compared to a case where the distance from the center position M of the tape cassette 10 to the first rotation center line C1 of the print tape roll 26 is longer than the distance from the center position M to the recessed portion 99, the tape cassette 10 is miniaturized in the vertical direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0131] The tape cassette 10 of this embodiment includes: a printing tape roll 26 around which the printing tape 22 is wound; a spacer 38 abutting against the printing tape roll 26 in a first direction; a first side wall 16a extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a second side wall 16b extending in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and intersecting the second direction; and a recessed portion wall 16c formed in a U-shape for defining a recessed portion 99, the recessed portion 99 extending from the second side wall 16b to one side in the second direction, and Figure 16 The first side wall 16a, the second side wall 16b, and the recessed wall 16c extend in the third direction. The first side wall 16a, the second side wall 16b, and the recessed wall 16c are portions of the outer peripheral wall 16w located on one side in the first direction relative to the print tape roll 26 and the spacer 38. At least a portion of the recessed portion 99 overlaps with the spacer 38 in the first direction. Thus, since at least a portion of the recessed portion 99 overlaps with the spacer 38 in the first direction, the tape cassette 10 is miniaturized in a vertical direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0132] [Implementation Method 2]

[0133] Next, other embodiments of the present invention will be described. In the following description, common portions in the respective embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0134] Figure 19 This is a perspective view showing a non-stacked tape cassette 210 of another embodiment of the present invention, which does not use an adhesive tape roll 64, from the front side, i.e., the upper surface. Figure 20 The cassette 210 is a perspective view showing the tape cassette 210 from the back side, i.e., the bottom side. The tape cassette 210 is a rectangular parallelepiped as a whole and is detachably mounted on the same device except that the dimensions are slightly different and the roller drive shaft 110 is not included. Figure 18 Printers with the same structure. Figure 18 The printer is described with reference to the printing device 102 of FIG. Since the tape cassette 210 of this embodiment is a non-laminated type that does not include the adhesive tape roll 64 and the roller 80, it is smaller than the laminated type tape cassette 10. The tape cassette 210, like the tape cassette 10, includes a first shell, i.e., a printing tape shell 220, which is composed of a first shell member 212 and a second shell member 214, and a second shell, i.e., a ribbon shell 221, which is composed of a third shell member 216 and a fourth shell member 218. The first shell member 212 to the fourth shell member 218 are arranged in a Figure 18 . The first housing member 212, the second housing member 214, the third housing member 216, and the fourth housing member 218 are stacked in an overlapping state and fixed to each other by the engagement of a plurality of engaging claws 227 and fixing claws 228 provided between their respective outer peripheral walls, and the positioning of the positioning protrusions 229. In this embodiment, the upper surface of each housing member 212 to 218 is referred to as the upper surface or front surface, and the lower surface is referred to as the lower surface or back surface.

[0135] The ribbon housing 221 is located on one side of the ribbon housing 220 in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the ribbon housing 221 is located on one side, i.e., the lower side, of the ribbon housing 220 in the vertical direction. The ribbon housing 220 rotatably accommodates a ribbon roll 226 in a first space S1 formed therein. The ribbon roll 226 is wound around a ribbon 222 serving as the print medium. The ribbon roll 226 is configured to wind the ribbon 222 around a cylindrical core member. The ribbon 222 is wound such that its width corresponds to the vertical direction, serving as a first direction. The radial direction of the ribbon roll 226 is the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction, and the radial direction is perpendicular to the vertical direction. The vertical direction can be any direction parallel to a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. The ribbon 222, the ribbon shaft 224, and the ribbon roll 226 correspond to the print medium, the print medium shaft, and the print medium roll. The ribbon housing 221 rotatably accommodates an ink ribbon roll 272 and a take-up shaft 276 in a second space S2 formed therein. The ribbon roll 272 is configured such that a strip-shaped ink ribbon 268 is wound around the take-up shaft 276, with the width of the ink ribbon 268 oriented vertically. The ink ribbon 268 is used for printing on the strip-shaped printing tape 222. The take-up shaft 276 takes up the ink ribbon 268 pulled from the ribbon roll 272.

[0136] like Figure 20 As shown, a winding shaft support hole 294 is provided on the lower surface of the fourth shell member 218 of the tape cassette 210. Through the winding shaft support hole 294, the connecting hole 296 of the winding shaft 276 described later is exposed. When the tape cassette 210 is mounted on the tape cassette mounting portion 104 of the printing device 102, the winding shaft drive shaft 108 provided in the tape cassette mounting portion 104 is inserted into the connecting hole 296. In addition, a recess 299 is formed on the side surfaces of the third shell member 216 and the fourth shell member 218, that is, on a portion of the outer peripheral wall 216w of the ribbon housing 221 and a portion of the outer peripheral wall of the second shell member 214. When the tape cassette 210 is mounted on the tape cassette mounting portion 104 of the printing device 102, the print head 106 provided in the tape cassette mounting portion 104 is inserted into the recess 299. As shown Figure 20 As shown, the upper end of the recess 299 is defined by a surface of the underside of the second housing member 214 .

[0137] Figure 21 It is a perspective view for explaining the internal structure of the tape cassette 210 , and shows the first housing member 212 , the second housing member 214 , the third housing member 216 , and the fourth housing member 218 separately. Figure 22 is a front view showing the upper surface side of the first housing member 212, Figure 23 It is a perspective view showing the lower surface side of the first housing member 212 . Figure 24 is a front view showing the upper surface side of the second housing member 214, Figure 25 is a perspective view showing the lower surface side of the second housing member 214, Figure 26 yes Figure 24 The XXVI-XXVI cross-sectional view shows the state where the printing tape 222 is mounted inside the ribbon housing 221 from inside the printing tape housing 220. Figure 27 It is a perspective view showing the lower surface side of the second housing member 214 . Figure 28 is a perspective view showing the upper surface side of the third housing member 216, Figure 29 It is a perspective view showing the lower surface side of the third housing member 216 . Figure 30 is a perspective view showing the upper surface side of the fourth housing member 218, Figure 31 It is a bottom view showing the lower surface side of the fourth case member 218.

[0138] In the first space S1 between the first housing member 212 and the second housing member 214, the printing tape roll 226 is accommodated so as to be rotatable about a first rotation center line C1 parallel to the vertical direction. The first housing member 212 and the second housing member 214 are rectangular, and the first rotation center line C1 is located slightly to the right of the center in the left-right direction, which is the second direction, and is located approximately near the center in the front-back direction, which is the third direction. For example, Figure 34 As shown, the printing tape 222 is formed by laminating a release tape 222c on the surface of the printed tape 222a opposite to the printing surface via an adhesive 222b.

[0139] like Figure 21 and Figure 23 As shown, a cylindrical first support protrusion 230 and a first circumferential wall 234 are provided on the lower surface side of the first housing member 212. The first support protrusion 230 is inserted into the cylindrical printing tape shaft 224 to support the printing tape roll 226 in a rotatable manner. The inner diameter of the first circumferential wall 234 is larger than the outer diameter of the printing tape roll 226. The first support protrusion 230 and the first circumferential wall 234 are arranged to protrude downward from the lower surface side of the first housing member 212 in a state where the center line is the same as the first rotation center line C1. Figure 24 and Figure 25As shown, a cylindrical second support protrusion 232 and a second circumferential wall 236 are provided on the upper surface of the second housing member 214. The second support protrusion 232 is inserted into the cylindrical print ribbon shaft 224 and rotatably supports the print ribbon roll 226. The inner diameter of the second circumferential wall 236 is larger than the outer diameter of the print ribbon roll 226. The second support protrusion 232 and the second circumferential wall 236 are arranged to protrude upward from the upper surface of the second housing member 214 with their centerlines aligned with the first rotational centerline C1. The print ribbon roll 226 is disposed between the first housing member 212 and the second housing member 214, with circular spacers 238 having an outer diameter substantially the same as that of the print ribbon roll 226 positioned above and below the print ribbon roll 226.

[0140] like Figure 23 and Figure 24 As shown, on the lower surface side of the first housing member 212 and the upper surface side of the second housing member 214, a portion of the first circumferential wall 234 and the second circumferential wall 236 are cut out to form printing tape doors 240 and 242 for pulling the printing tape 222 out of a certain position from the printing tape roll 226. Figure 23 As shown, a guide wall 248 is formed on the lower surface side of the first housing member 212, extending from the printing tape door 240 to the left, for guiding the printing tape 222 pulled out from the printing tape roll 226 in a certain direction. Figure 24 As shown, a guide wall 250 is formed on the upper surface side of the second housing member 214 and extends leftward from the left end of the printing tape door 242 for guiding the printing tape 222 pulled out from the printing tape roll 226 in a certain direction.

[0141] like Figure 24 As shown, a through hole 252 is formed in the bottom plate 214a of the second housing member 214. The through hole 252 extends in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions between the second circumferential wall 236 and the short side 246a and the long side 246b of the outer circumferential wall 246. The through hole 252 is formed with a plurality of guide ribs 254 between portions of the second circumferential wall 236 that oppose the corners of the short side 246a and the long side 246b. The guide ribs 254 guide the print tape 222, which has been drawn from the print tape roll 226 and fed through the print tape doors 240 and 242, into the through hole 252. Figure 25 The cassette 210 is shown with the first housing member 212 removed. Figure 25 As shown, the printing tape 222 pulled out from the printing tape roll 226 is guided into the second space S2 between the third housing member 216 and the fourth housing member 218 through the through hole 252. The printing tape 222 is suspended between the printing tape housing 220 and the ribbon housing 221 through the through hole 252 formed in the bottom plate 214a. The bottom plate 214a is used to separate the first space S1 and the second space S2.

[0142] like Figure 26 As shown, the printing tape 222 passes through the through hole 252 and is tilted from the printing tape housing 220 to the ribbon housing 221. More specifically, as described later Figure 33 As shown, the printing tape 222 is mounted on the recess 299 of the ribbon housing 221 . Figure 27 2 shows the lower surface side of the second housing member 214. Figure 27 As shown, a through hole 252 opens on the back surface of the bottom plate 214 a of the second housing member 214 , and a guide wall 256 is vertically provided along the through hole 252 . Figure 28 The top surface of the third housing member 216 is shown. A through-hole 258, an ink ribbon support hole 274, and a take-up shaft support hole 278 are formed in the top plate 216e of the third housing member 216. The through-hole 258 is formed at a position corresponding to the through-hole 252 of the second housing member 214 and allows the printing tape 222 drawn from the printing tape roll 226 to pass into the second space S2. Specifically, a portion of the through-hole 252 and a portion of the through-hole 258 overlap in the vertical direction.

[0143] The bottom plate 214 a of the second housing member 214 and the top plate 216 e of the third housing member 216 partition a first space S1 within the ribbon housing 220 and a second space S2 within the ribbon housing 221 .

[0144] One end of the supply shaft 270, around which the ink ribbon 268 is wound, is inserted into the ribbon support hole 274. The ribbon support hole 274 thus supports the ink ribbon roll 272 rotatably about a third rotation center line C3 that is parallel to the first rotation center line C1. One end of a take-up shaft 276, which takes up the ink ribbon 268 drawn from the ribbon roll 272, is inserted into the take-up shaft support hole 278. The take-up shaft support hole 278 thus supports the take-up shaft 276 rotatably about a fourth rotation center line C4 that is parallel to the first rotation center line C1.

[0145] like Figure 29 As shown, a ribbon roll retaining wall 286 and a cylindrical protrusion 288 are formed on the lower surface of the third housing member 216. The ribbon roll retaining wall 286 is used to determine the arrangement position of the ink ribbon 268 wound on the take-up shaft 276. It is formed in an arc shape around the take-up shaft support hole 278 with the take-up shaft support hole 278 as the center. The cylindrical protrusion 288 is formed to protrude downward from the periphery of the ribbon support hole 274 and has concave and convex portions arranged in the circumferential direction on its tip end surface.

[0146] like Figure 21As shown, the clutch spring retaining portion 290 that accommodates the clutch spring is embedded between one end of the supply shaft 270 that winds the ink ribbon 268 and the head end surface of the cylindrical protrusion 288. The supply shaft 270 applies appropriate rotational resistance to the ink ribbon roll 272 through the clutch spring located in the clutch spring retaining portion 90.

[0147] Figure 30 and Figure 31 The upper and lower surfaces of the fourth shell member 218 are shown. The fourth shell member 218 is formed with a take-up shaft support hole 294 that penetrates the fourth shell member 218, and the other end of the take-up shaft 276 is embedded in the take-up shaft support hole 294, and the take-up shaft support hole 294 supports the take-up shaft 276 in a rotatable manner. The fourth shell member 218 is formed with a cylindrical support protrusion 297, and the other end of the supply shaft 270 is embedded in the support protrusion 297, and the support protrusion 297 supports the supply shaft 270 in a rotatable manner. The connecting hole 296 formed on the end surface on the other end side of the take-up shaft 276 is exposed to the lower surface of the fourth shell member 218 through the take-up shaft support hole 294, as shown Figure 21 When the tape cassette 210 is installed in the printing device 102 , the take-up shaft drive shaft 108 of the printing device 102 is inserted into the coupling hole 296 and coupled to the take-up shaft 276 , and the take-up shaft 276 is rotationally driven by the take-up shaft drive shaft 108 .

[0148] Figure 32 yes Figure 24 A third space S3 of a predetermined volume is formed between the printing tape housing 220 and the ink ribbon housing 221, that is, between the bottom plate 214a of the second housing member 214 and the top plate 216e of the third housing member 216.

[0149] like Figure 20 and Figure 29 As shown, a recess 299 is formed in the ribbon housing 221 composed of the third housing member 216 and the fourth housing member 218. The recess 299 is used when the ribbon cassette 210 is installed in the ribbon housing. Figure 18 The tape cartridge mounting portion 104 shown accommodates a print head holding plate 114 for holding a print head 106 disposed upright on the tape cartridge mounting portion 104. Figure 29As shown, a portion of the outer peripheral wall 216w of the third shell member 216 is formed with: a first side wall 216a extending in the front-to-back direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction; a second side wall 216b extending in the left-to-right direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the front-to-back direction; and a U-shaped recessed wall 216c surrounding the recessed portion 299. The recessed wall 216c is composed of an inner wall 216h extending in the left-to-right direction relative to the second side wall 216b in the front-to-back direction, an inner wall 216i extending rearward from the right end of the inner wall 216h, an inner wall 216j extending leftward from the rear end of the inner wall 216i, and an inner wall 216k extending forward from the left end of the inner wall 216j. By the second side wall 216b and the recessed wall 216c, the recessed portion 299 is defined as extending rearward from the left side end portion of the second side wall 216b and extending in the left-to-right direction behind the second side wall 216b. In the fourth shell member 218, as Figure 30 and Figure 31 As shown, a U-shaped cutout 218a is formed corresponding to the concave wall portion 216c. The concave portion 299 is formed by the concave wall 216c and the cutout 218a. Figure 21 As shown, a portion of the upper end of the recess 299 is defined by the lower surface of the second housing member 214. That is, the recess 299 overlaps the second housing member 214 and the first housing member 212 in the vertical direction.

[0150] Figure 33 The bottom surface of the third housing member 216 is shown when the tape cassette 210 is mounted on the tape cassette mounting portion 104 of the printing apparatus 102. As described above, the printing tape 222 is pulled out from the printing tape roll 226 and is tilted from the first space S1 in the printing tape housing 220 to the second space S2 in the ribbon housing 221 through the through hole 252 and the through hole 258. Figure 33 In FIG, the printing tape 222 is shown from the through hole 258 at the rear of the third housing member 216. When the tape cassette 210 is mounted on the tape cassette mounting portion 104 on which the take-up shaft drive shaft 108 is erected, the take-up shaft 276 driven by the take-up shaft drive shaft 108 takes up the ink ribbon 268, thereby pulling the printing tape 222, which is clamped between the print head 106 and the platen roller 116 under pressure together with the ink ribbon 268, out of the printing tape roll 226. Figure 33 , the path of the printing tape 222 and the path of the ink ribbon 268 pulled out from the ink ribbon roll 272 by the driving take-up shaft 276 are shown by a two-dot chain line and a dotted line, respectively.

[0151] like Figure 33As shown, the print ribbon 222 and ink ribbon 268 are discharged from the discharge port 300 toward the printing position P. The discharge port 300 is a gap extending in the left-right direction and defined by the left end of the second side wall 216b and the left end of the side wall 216h. At the printing position P between the print head 106 and the platen roller 116, the print ribbon 222 is pressed against the print head 106 via the ink ribbon 268. In this state, the multiple heating elements arranged on the surface of the print head 106 are selectively driven to generate localized heat. This causes a portion of the ink 268a on one surface of the ink ribbon 268 to transfer to the print ribbon 222, printing text, symbols, etc. on the print ribbon 222. The used ink ribbon 268, which has passed the printing position P, is fed into the ribbon housing 221 through the input port 302 and wound onto the take-up shaft 276. The input port 302 is located to the left of the discharge port 300 and is provided in the third housing member 216.

[0152] Figure 34 The stacked structure of the printing tape 222 fed from the tape cassette 210 is schematically shown. The printing tape 222 is a stacked structure consisting of a printed tape 222a and a release tape 222c adhered to the non-printing side of the printed tape 222a via an adhesive 222b. Ink 268a from an ink ribbon 268 is transferred to the printing surface of the printed tape 222a. Figure 34 The dimensions and size ratios of the components of the laminated body are merely schematic and are not accurate.

[0153] Figure 35 2 is a diagram showing the lower surface of the third housing member 216. In the second space S2 between the third housing member 216 and the fourth housing member 218, that is, in the ribbon housing 221, the ink ribbon roll 272 and the winding shaft 276 are housed. As described above, the ribbon housing 221 is configured to overlap with the printing ribbon housing 220 below. When the printing ribbon roll 226 and the spacer 238 housed in the printing ribbon housing 220 are projected in the vertical direction onto a projection plane extending in the front-back direction and the left-right direction in the second space S2, the projected positions of the printing ribbon roll 226 and the spacer 238 are determined by Figure 35 Since the spacer 238 has a diameter substantially the same as that of the printing tape roll 226, Figure 35 Only a single dotted line representing the printing tape roll 226 is shown. Figure 35 As shown, the ink ribbon roll 272 and the take-up shaft 276 are arranged at a position overlapping with the printing tape roll 226 in the vertical direction.

[0154] At least a portion of the supply shaft 270, at least a portion of the ink ribbon 268 or the ink ribbon roll 272, and at least a portion of the ink ribbon 268 that has passed through the take-up shaft 276 and the print position P and is wound up on the take-up shaft 276 overlap with the print ribbon roll 226 and the spacer 238 in the vertical direction. In other words, at least a portion of the ink ribbon 268 or the ink ribbon roll 272 that has been wound up on the take-up shaft 276 or is being wound up onto the take-up shaft 276 from the input port 302 is located in the projection plane of the print ribbon roll 226 and the spacer 238 in the vertical direction.

[0155] exist Figure 35 In the figure, the print ribbon roll 226 and the spacer 238, which have substantially the same diameter, vertically overlap with at least a portion of the ink ribbon roll 272 and its third rotational centerline C3, at least a portion of the take-up shaft 276 and its fourth rotational centerline C4, the recess 299, and at least a portion of the recess wall 216 c. When the print ribbon roll 226 and the spacer 238 are projected vertically, at least a portion of the ink ribbon roll 272 and its third rotational centerline C3, at least a portion of the take-up shaft 276 and its fourth rotational centerline C4, the recess 299, and at least a portion of the recess wall 216 c are located within the projection plane of the print ribbon roll 226 and the spacer 238. Furthermore, at least a portion of the recess 299 and the recess wall 216 c vertically overlap with the print ribbon shaft 224. Furthermore, in the left-right direction, a portion of the print ribbon roll 226 and the first rotation centerline C1, which is the rotation center of the print ribbon shaft 224, are located between one end portion, i.e., the right end portion 299a, and the other end portion, i.e., the left end portion 299b, of the recess 299 in the left-right direction. Furthermore, the first rotation centerline C1, which is the rotation center of the print ribbon shaft 224, is located between the discharge port 300 and the right end portion 299a of the recess 299 in the left-right direction. Figure 35 In the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction, the distance from the center position M which is the center of the tape box 210 in the front-to-back direction and the center in the left-to-right direction to the first rotation center line C1 of the printing tape roll 226 is set to be smaller than the distance from the center position M to the recess 299.

[0156] The tape cassette 210 of this embodiment includes a rotatable tape roll 226 around which a print tape 222, serving as a print medium, is wound; and an outer peripheral wall 216w, located on one side of the tape roll 226 in the first direction, which is the width direction of the tape 222. The outer peripheral wall 216w includes a first side wall 216a extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a second side wall 216b extending in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and intersecting the second direction, and a U-shaped recessed wall 216c defining a recessed portion 299 extending from the second side wall 216b in the third direction. At least a portion of the recessed portion 299 overlaps with the tape roll 226 in the first direction. Consequently, the tape cassette 210 is compact in a vertical direction perpendicular to the vertical direction because the tape housing 220 including the tape roll 226 and the ribbon housing 221 including the recessed wall 216c overlap in the first direction, which is the vertical direction, and because at least a portion of the recessed portion 299 overlaps with the tape roll 226 in the first direction.

[0157] In the tape cassette 210 of this embodiment, the print tape roll 226 winds the print tape 222 around the rotatable print tape shaft 224, and at least a portion of the recessed wall 216c overlaps in the first direction with the print tape shaft 224. Thus, compared to a case where at least a portion of the recessed wall 216c does not overlap in the first direction with the print tape shaft 224, the tape cassette 210 can be more compact in the vertical direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0158] In the tape cassette 210 of this embodiment, at least a portion of the recess 299 overlaps the print ribbon shaft 224 in the first direction. This allows the tape cassette 210 to be more compact in the vertical direction, which is perpendicular to the vertical direction, compared to a case where at least a portion of the recess 299 does not overlap the print ribbon shaft 224 in the first direction.

[0159] In the tape cassette 210 of this embodiment, in the third direction, the rotation center of the print tape roll 226, i.e., the first rotation center line C1, is located between one end portion and the other end portion of the recessed portion 299 in the third direction. Thus, compared to a case where the first rotation center line C1 is not located between one end portion and the other end portion of the recessed portion 299 in the third direction, the tape cassette 210 can be miniaturized in the vertical direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0160] In the tape cassette 210 of this embodiment, the print tape roll 226 winds the print tape 222 around a rotatable print tape shaft 224. In the third direction, at least a portion of the print tape shaft 224 is located between one end portion and the other end portion of the recess 299 in the third direction. Consequently, compared to a case where at least a portion of the print tape shaft 224 is not located between one end portion and the other end portion of the recess 299 in the third direction, the tape cassette 210 can be miniaturized in the vertical direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0161] In the tape cassette 210 of this embodiment, in the third direction, the rotation center of the print ribbon shaft 224, i.e., the first rotation centerline C1, is located between the discharge port 300 and one end of the recess 299 in the third direction. Thus, compared to a case where the first rotation centerline C1 of the print ribbon shaft 224 is not located between the discharge port 300 and one end of the recess 299 in the third direction, the tape cassette 210 can be miniaturized in the vertical direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0162] The tape cassette 210 of this embodiment includes a ribbon housing (first housing) 220 that houses a print ribbon roll 226, and a ribbon housing (second housing) 221 located to one side in the first direction relative to the ribbon housing 220 and having an outer peripheral wall 216w. The ribbon housing 221 includes a discharge port 300 defined by the second side wall 216b. The discharge port 300 is located between the third-direction end 216a and the third-direction end 216b of the recess 299 in the third direction. The discharge port 300 is used to discharge the print ribbon 222 supplied from the print ribbon roll 226 from the ribbon housing 220 into the recess 299. In the third direction, the rotation center line C1 of the print ribbon roll 226, i.e., the first rotation center line C1, is located between the discharge port 300 and the third-direction end of the recess 299. Thus, the tape cassette 210 can be miniaturized in the vertical direction, as compared to a case where the first rotation center line C1 of the print tape roll 226 is not located between the discharge port 300 and the third direction one end 216a of the recess 299 in the third direction.

[0163] In the tape cassette 210 of this embodiment, the recess 299 overlaps with at least a portion of the tape housing (first housing) 220 in the first direction. This allows the tape cassette 210 to be more compact in the vertical direction, perpendicular to the vertical direction, compared to a case where the recess 299 and at least a portion of the first housing 220 do not overlap in the first direction.

[0164] The tape cassette 210 of this embodiment includes a rotatable supply shaft 270 located on one side in the first direction relative to the print tape roll 226 and winding an ink ribbon 268 for printing on the print tape 222 supplied from the print tape roll 226; and a rotatable take-up shaft 276 located on one side in the first direction relative to the print tape roll 226 and winding the ink ribbon 268 supplied from the supply shaft 270. At least a portion of the supply shaft 270 and at least a portion of the take-up shaft 276 overlap with the print tape roll 226 in the first direction. This allows the tape cassette 210 to be more compact in a vertical direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, compared to a case where at least a portion of the supply shaft 270 and at least a portion of the take-up shaft 276 do not overlap with the print tape roll 226 in the first direction.

[0165] In the tape cassette 210 of this embodiment, in the second and third directions, the distance from the center position M, which is the center of the tape cassette 210 in the second direction and the center in the third direction, to the first rotation center line C1 of the print tape roll 226 is shorter than the distance from the center position M to the recessed portion 299. Thus, compared to a case where the distance from the center position M of the tape cassette 210 to the first rotation center line C1 of the print tape roll 226 is longer than the distance from the center position M to the recessed portion 299, the tape cassette 210 can be miniaturized in the vertical direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0166] The tape cassette 210 of this embodiment includes: a printing tape roll 226 around which the printing tape 222 is wound; a spacer 238 that abuts against the printing tape roll 226 in a first direction; a first side wall 216a extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a second side wall 216b extending in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and intersecting the second direction; and a recessed wall 216c formed in a U shape for defining a recessed portion 299, the recessed portion 299 extending from the second side wall 216b to one side in the second direction, and extending to one side in the second direction of the second side wall 216b ( Figure 16 The first side wall 216a, the second side wall 216b, and the recessed wall 216c are portions of the outer peripheral wall 216w located on one side in the first direction relative to the print tape roll 226 and the spacer 238. At least a portion of the recessed portion 299 overlaps with the spacer 238 in the first direction. Thus, because at least a portion of the recessed portion 299 overlaps with the spacer 238 in the first direction, the tape cassette 210 is miniaturized in a vertical direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0167] [Implementation Method 3]

[0168] Figure 36 This is a perspective view showing a tape cassette 410 according to another embodiment of the present invention from the front side, that is, the upper surface. The tape cassette 410 is a thermal type tape cassette in which the printing tape 422 itself develops color due to heat. Figure 37 The cassette 410 is a perspective view showing the tape cassette 410 from the back side, i.e., the bottom surface. The tape cassette 410 is a rectangular parallelepiped as a whole and is detachably mounted on the same side as the ribbon spool 72 and the take-up shaft 76 except that the size is slightly different and the ribbon spool 72 and the take-up shaft 76 are not included. Figure 18 The cassette mounting portion 104 has the same structure. The cassette mounting portion 104 does not include the take-up shaft drive shaft 108, but has a roller drive shaft 110 protruding therefrom.

[0169] The tape cassette 410 of this embodiment includes an adhesive tape roll 464 and a roller 480, but does not include a take-up shaft or an ink ribbon roll. The printed tape 422a of the printing tape 422 included in the tape cassette 410 is made of thermal paper that develops color when heated. Like the tape cassettes 10 and 210, the tape cassette 410 includes a first housing, namely a printing tape housing 420, formed by a first housing member 412 and a second housing member 414, and a second housing, namely a ribbon housing 421, formed by a third housing member 416 and a fourth housing member 418. The printing tape housing 420 contains a printing tape roll 426 within a first space S1 formed therein. The ribbon housing 421 is located on the lower side of the printing tape housing 420 and contains an adhesive tape roll 464 within a second space S2 formed therein. The first housing member 412, the second housing member 414, the third housing member 416, and the fourth housing member 418 are fixed to each other in an overlapping state by the engagement of a plurality of engaging claws 427 and fixing claws 428 provided between their respective outer peripheral walls, and by the positioning of the positioning protrusions 429. In this embodiment, the upper surface of each housing member 412 to 418 is referred to as the upper surface or front surface, and the lower surface is referred to as the lower surface or back surface.

[0170] The ribbon housing 421 is located on one side of the ribbon housing 420 in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the ribbon housing 421 is located on one side, i.e., the lower side, of the ribbon housing 420 in the vertical direction. The ribbon housing 420 rotatably accommodates a ribbon roll 426 in a first space S1 formed therein. The ribbon roll 426 is wound around a ribbon 422 serving as the print medium. The ribbon roll 426 is configured to wind the ribbon 422 around a cylindrical core member. The ribbon 422 is wound such that its width corresponds to the vertical direction, serving as a first direction. The radial direction of the ribbon roll 426 is the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction, and the radial direction is perpendicular to the vertical direction. The vertical direction can be any direction parallel to a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. The ribbon 422, the ribbon shaft 424, and the ribbon roll 426 correspond to the print medium, the print medium shaft, and the print medium roll.

[0171] The ribbon housing 421 rotatably houses an adhesive tape roll 464 in a second space S2 formed therein. The adhesive tape roll 464 winds a strip of adhesive tape 460, which is to be bonded to the printed printing tape 422, around an adhesive tape shaft 462 such that the width of the adhesive tape 460 is in the vertical direction.

[0172] like Figure 37As shown, a roller exposure hole 498 is provided in the fourth shell member 418 of the tape cassette 410. The roller exposure hole 498 exposes the shaft end of the roller 480 to be described later. When the tape cassette 410 is mounted on the tape cassette mounting portion 104 of the printing device 102, the shaft end of the roller 480 is inserted into the roller drive shaft 110 provided in the tape cassette mounting portion 104. In addition, a recess 499 is formed on the side surfaces of the third shell member 416 and the fourth shell member 418, that is, on a portion of the outer peripheral wall 416w of the ribbon housing 421 and a portion of the outer peripheral wall of the second shell member 414. When the tape cassette 410 is mounted on the tape cassette mounting portion 104, the print head 106 provided in the tape cassette mounting portion 104 is inserted into the recess 499. As shown Figure 37 As shown, the upper end of the recess 499 is defined by a surface of the underside of the second housing member 414 .

[0173] Figure 38 It is a perspective view for explaining the internal structure of the tape cassette 410 , and shows the first housing member 412 , the second housing member 414 , the third housing member 416 , and the fourth housing member 418 separately. Figure 39 and Figure 40 The upper surface side and the lower surface side of the first housing member 412 are shown, and the structure is the same as that of the first housing member 212 of the tape cassette 210 in the second embodiment. Figure 41 and Figure 42 The upper surface side and the lower surface side of the second housing member 414 are shown, and the structure is the same as the second housing member 214 of the tape cassette 210 of the second embodiment. Figure 22 As shown in the structure, the lower surface side of the first shell member 412 is as shown in the Figure 23 The composition shown. Figure 43 and Figure 44 3 and 4 are diagrams showing the upper surface side and the lower surface side of the third housing member 416 . Figure 45 and Figure 46 1 and 2 are diagrams showing the upper surface side and the lower surface side of the fourth case member 418 .

[0174] In the first space S1 between the first housing member 412 and the second housing member 414, the printing tape roll 426 is accommodated so as to be rotatable about a first rotation center line C1 parallel to the vertical direction. The first housing member 412 and the second housing member 414 are rectangular, and the first rotation center line C1 is located slightly to the right of the center in the left-right direction, which is the second direction, and is located approximately near the center in the front-back direction, which is the third direction. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. Figure 47 As shown, the printed tape 422a is made of a heat-sensitive material that develops color, for example, black, when heated, and a local color-developing area 422d is shown in a portion of the printed tape 422a.

[0175] like Figure 38 and Figure 40 As shown, a cylindrical first support protrusion 430 and a first circumferential wall 434 are provided on the lower surface side of the first housing member 412. The first support protrusion 430 is inserted into the cylindrical printing tape shaft 424 to support the printing tape roll 426 in a rotatable manner. The inner diameter of the first circumferential wall 434 is larger than the outer diameter of the printing tape roll 426. The first support protrusion 430 and the first circumferential wall 434 are provided to protrude downward from the lower surface side of the first housing member 412 in a state where the center line is the same as the first rotation center line C1. Figure 41 As shown, a cylindrical second support protrusion 432 and a second circumferential wall 436 are provided on the upper surface of the second housing member 414. The second support protrusion 432 is inserted into the cylindrical print ribbon shaft 424 and rotatably supports the print ribbon roll 426. The inner diameter of the second circumferential wall 436 is larger than the outer diameter of the print ribbon roll 426. The second support protrusion 432 and the second circumferential wall 436 are arranged to protrude upward from the upper surface of the second housing member 414 with their centerlines aligned with the first rotational centerline C1. The print ribbon roll 426 is disposed between the first housing member 412 and the second housing member 414, with circular spacers 438 having an outer diameter substantially the same as that of the print ribbon roll 426 positioned above and below the print ribbon roll 426.

[0176] like Figure 41 As shown, a through-hole 452 is formed in the bottom plate 414a of the second housing member 414. The through-hole 452 extends in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions between the second circumferential wall 436 and the short side 446a and long side 446b of the outer circumferential wall 446, and is generally L-shaped when viewed from the front. A plurality of guide ribs 454 are formed between the through-hole 452 and a portion of the second circumferential wall 436 that opposes the corners of the short side 446a and long side 446b. The guide ribs 454 guide the printing tape 422, which is drawn from the printing tape roll 426, into the through-hole 452. Thus, the printing tape 422 is positioned between the printing tape housing 420 and the ink ribbon housing 421 through the through-hole 452 formed in the bottom plate 414a. The bottom plate 414a serves as a partition wall separating the first space S1 from the second space S2.

[0177] like Figure 42 and Figure 43 As shown, the bottom plate 414 a of the second housing member 414 and the top plate 416 e of the third housing member 416 separate the first space S1 in the printing tape housing 420 and the second space S2 in the ribbon housing 421 .

[0178] like Figure 44As shown, the lower surface of the third housing member 416 is formed with an adhesive tape roll retaining wall 486 and a cylindrical protrusion 488. The adhesive tape roll retaining wall 486 is used to determine the placement of the adhesive tape roll 464. The cylindrical protrusion 488 is embedded in the adhesive tape shaft 462 of the adhesive tape roll 464 to rotatably support it. The adhesive tape roll retaining wall 486 is formed in an arc shape concentric with the cylindrical protrusion 488 that retains the adhesive tape shaft 462.

[0179] Figure 45 and Figure 46 The top and bottom surfaces of the fourth housing member 418 are shown. The fourth housing member 418 has an adhesive tape shaft support hole 494 extending vertically therethrough. The adhesive tape shaft support hole 494 is inserted into the fourth housing member 418 to rotatably support the end of the adhesive tape shaft 462 on the fourth housing member 418 side. Furthermore, the fourth housing member 418 has a roller exposure hole 498 extending vertically therethrough. The roller exposure hole 498 is inserted into the fourth housing member 418 to rotatably support the end of the roller 480 on the fourth housing member 418 side. The roller exposure hole 498 exposes the shaft end of the roller 480 on the fourth housing member 418 side, thereby coupling the roller 480 to the roller drive shaft 110.

[0180] like Figure 37 As shown, a recess 499 is formed in the ribbon housing 421 composed of the third housing member 416 and the fourth housing member 418. The recess 499 is used when the ribbon cassette 410 is installed in the ribbon housing. Figure 18 The tape cartridge mounting portion 104 shown accommodates a print head holding plate 114 for holding a print head 106 disposed upright on the tape cartridge mounting portion 104. Figure 44 As shown, a portion of the outer peripheral wall 416w of the third shell member 416 is formed with: a first side wall 416a extending in the front-to-back direction perpendicular to the up-down direction; a second side wall 416b extending in the left-to-right direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the front-to-back direction; and a U-shaped recessed wall 416c surrounding the recessed portion 499. The recessed wall 416c is composed of an inner wall 416h extending in the left-to-right direction relative to the second side wall 416b in the front-to-back direction, an inner wall 416i extending rearward from the right end of the inner wall 416h, an inner wall 416j extending leftward from the rear end of the inner wall 416i, and an inner wall 416k extending forward from the left end of the inner wall 416j. By the second side wall 416b and the recessed wall 416c, the recessed portion 499 is defined as extending rearward from the left side end portion of the second side wall 416b and extending in the left-to-right direction behind the second side wall 416b. In the fourth shell member 418, as Figure 45 and Figure 46 As shown, a U-shaped cutout 418a is formed corresponding to the concave wall portion 416c. The concave portion 499 is formed by the concave wall 416c and the cutout 418a. Figure 37As shown, a portion of the upper end of the recess 499 is defined by the lower surface of the second housing member 414. That is, the recess 499 overlaps the second housing member 414 and the first housing member 412 in the vertical direction.

[0181] Figure 47 4 is a diagram showing the lower surface of the third housing member 416 when the tape cassette 410 is mounted on the cassette mounting portion 104 of the printing apparatus 102. The printing tape 422 is pulled out from the printing tape roll 426 and is tilted from the first space S1 in the printing tape housing 420 to the second space S2 in the ribbon housing 421 through the through hole 452 and the through hole 458. Figure 47 In the figure, the printing tape 422 is shown through the through hole 458 at the rear of the third housing member 416. When the tape cassette 410 is mounted on the tape cassette mounting portion 104 on which the roller drive shaft 110 is erected, the roller 480, which is driven by the roller drive shaft 110, clamps the printing tape 422 and the adhesive tape 460 under pressure while conveying them. As a result, the printing tape 422 is pulled out from the printing tape roll 426 between the print head 106 and the platen roller 116 and discharged from the discharge port 500. Figure 47 , the path of the printing tape 422 and the path of the adhesive tape 460 are shown by a double-dashed line and a dotted line, respectively. Figure 47 When the roller 480 (not shown) is driven to rotate, the printing tape 422 is pulled out from the discharge port 500 toward the printing position P and overlapped with the adhesive tape 460 by the roller 480. The discharge port 500 is a gap extending in the left-right direction and defined by the left end of the second side wall 416b and the left end of the side wall 416h.

[0182] At the printing position P between the print head 106 and the platen roller 116, the print tape 422 is pressed against the print head 106. In this state, the plurality of heating elements arranged on the surface of the print head 106 are selectively driven to generate localized heat, thereby causing the printed portion 422a of the print tape 422 to develop color, and text, symbols, etc. are printed on the print tape 422.

[0183] Figure 48 The stacked structure of the printing tape 422 fed from the tape cassette 410 is schematically shown. The printing tape 422 is a stack of a printed tape 422a and a release tape 422c adhered to the non-printing surface of the printed tape 422a via an adhesive 422b. The printed tape 422a has a localized color development area 422d formed therein. A transparent film 460a of the adhesive tape 460 is laminated onto the printed tape 422a, serving as the base material of the printing tape 422, via an adhesive 460b.

[0184] Figure 49: is a diagram showing the lower surface of the third housing member 416. In the second space S2 between the third housing member 416 and the fourth housing member 418, that is, in the ribbon housing 421, an adhesive tape roll 464 is accommodated. As described above, the ribbon housing 421 is configured to overlap with the printing tape housing 420 below. When the printing tape roll 426 and the spacer 438 accommodated in the printing tape housing 420 are projected in the vertical direction onto a projection plane extending in the front-back direction and the left-right direction in the second space S2, the projection positions of the printing tape roll 426 and the spacer 438 are determined by Figure 49 Since the spacer 438 has a diameter substantially the same as that of the printing tape roll 426, Figure 49 Only a single dotted line representing the printing tape roll 426 is shown. Figure 49 As shown, the adhesive tape roll 464 is arranged at a position overlapping with the printing tape roll 426 in the vertical direction.

[0185] At least a portion of the adhesive tape roll 464 and the second rotation centerline C2 vertically overlap the print tape roll 426 and the spacer 438. That is, at least a portion of the adhesive tape roll 464 and the second rotation centerline C2 are located in the projection plane of the print tape roll 426 and the spacer 438 in the vertical direction.

[0186] exist Figure 49 In the figure, the print tape roll 426 and the spacer 438, which have substantially the same diameter, vertically overlap with at least a portion of the adhesive tape roll 464, the second rotational centerline C2, and at least a portion of the recess 499 and the recess wall 416c. When the print tape roll 426 and the spacer 438 are projected vertically, at least a portion of the adhesive tape roll 464, the second rotational centerline C2, and at least a portion of the recess 499 and the recess wall 416c are located within the projection plane of the print tape roll 426 and the spacer 438. Furthermore, at least a portion of the recess 499 and the recess wall 416c vertically overlap with the print tape shaft 424. Furthermore, in the left-right direction, the print tape roll 426 and the first rotational centerline C1, which serves as the rotational center of the print tape shaft 424, are located between the right end 499a, which is one end of the recess 499, and the left end 499b, which is the other end of the recess 499 in the left-right direction. Furthermore, the first rotation center line C1, which is the rotation center of the printing tape shaft 424, is located between the discharge port 500 and the right end 499a of the recessed portion 499 in the left-right direction. Figure 49 In the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction, the distance from the center position M which is the center of the tape box 410 in the front-to-back direction and the center in the left-to-right direction to the first rotation center line C1 of the printing tape roll 426 is set to be smaller than the distance from the center position M to the recess 499.

[0187] The tape cassette 410 of this embodiment, similar to the first and second embodiments, includes a rotatable printing tape roll 426 around which a printing tape 422 serving as a print medium is wound, and an outer peripheral wall 416w located on one side of the printing tape roll 426 in the first direction, which is the width direction of the printing tape 422. The outer peripheral wall 416w includes a first side wall 416a extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a second side wall 416b extending in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and intersecting the second direction, and a U-shaped recessed wall 416c defining a recessed portion 499 extending in the third direction from the second side wall 416b on the second direction side. At least a portion of the recessed portion 499 overlaps with the printing tape roll 426 in the first direction. Thus, because the printing tape housing 420 having the printing tape roll 426 overlaps with the ribbon housing 421 having the recess wall 416c in the first direction, i.e., the up and down direction, and at least a portion of the recess 499 overlaps with the printing tape roll 426 in the first direction, the tape box 410 is miniaturized in the vertical direction perpendicular to the up and down direction.

[0188] In the tape cassette 410 of this embodiment, the printing tape roll 426 winds the printing tape 422 around the rotatable printing tape shaft 424, and at least a portion of the recessed wall 416c overlaps with the printing tape shaft 424 in the first direction. Thus, compared to a case where at least a portion of the recessed wall 416c does not overlap with the printing tape shaft 424 in the first direction, the tape cassette 410 can be more compact in the vertical direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0189] In the tape cassette 410 of this embodiment, at least a portion of the recess 499 overlaps the print ribbon shaft 424 in the first direction. This allows the tape cassette 410 to be more compact in the vertical direction, as compared to a case where at least a portion of the recess 499 does not overlap the print ribbon shaft 424 in the first direction.

[0190] In the tape cassette 410 of this embodiment, in the third direction, the rotation center of the print tape roll 426, i.e., the first rotation center line C1, is located between one end and the other end of the recess 499 in the third direction. Thus, compared to a case where the first rotation center line C1 is not located between one end and the other end of the recess 499 in the third direction, the tape cassette 410 can be miniaturized in the vertical direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0191] In the tape cassette 410 of this embodiment, the print tape roll 426 winds the print tape 422 around a rotatable print tape shaft 424. In the third direction, at least a portion of the print tape shaft 424 is located between one end portion and the other end portion of the recess 499 in the third direction. Thus, compared to a case where at least a portion of the print tape shaft 424 is not located between one end portion and the other end portion of the recess 499 in the third direction, the tape cassette can be miniaturized in the vertical direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0192] In the tape cassette 410 of this embodiment, in the third direction, the rotation center of the print tape shaft 424, i.e., the first rotation centerline C1, is located between the discharge port 500 and one end of the recess 499 in the third direction. Therefore, compared to a case where the first rotation centerline C1 of the print tape shaft 424 is not located between the discharge port 500 and one end of the recess 499 in the third direction, the tape cassette 410 can be miniaturized in the vertical direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0193] In the tape cassette 410 of this embodiment, the recess 499 overlaps with at least a portion of the tape housing (first housing) 420 in the first direction. This allows the tape cassette 410 to be more compact in the vertical direction, perpendicular to the vertical direction, compared to a case where the recess 499 and at least a portion of the first housing 420 do not overlap in the first direction.

[0194] The tape cassette 410 of this embodiment includes a rotatable adhesive tape roll 464. The adhesive tape roll 464 is located on one side in the first direction relative to the print tape roll 426, and is wound around an adhesive tape 460 for bonding to the print tape 422. At least a portion of the adhesive tape roll 464 overlaps with the print tape roll 426 in the first direction. This allows the tape cassette 410 to be more compact in a vertical direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, compared to a case where at least a portion of the adhesive tape roll 464 does not overlap with the print tape roll 426 in the first direction.

[0195] In the tape cassette 410 of this embodiment, the adhesive tape roll 464 is formed by winding the adhesive tape 460 around an adhesive tape shaft 462. The adhesive tape shaft 462 overlaps the printing tape roll 426 in the first direction. This allows the tape cassette 410 to be more compact in the vertical direction, which is perpendicular to the vertical direction, compared to a case where the adhesive tape shaft 462 and the printing tape roll 426 do not overlap in the first direction.

[0196] In the tape cassette 410 of this embodiment, in the third direction, the second rotation centerline C2, which serves as the rotation center of the adhesive tape roll 462, is located between one end portion in the third direction and the other end portion 416b of the recessed portion 499. Thus, compared to a case where the second rotation centerline C2 of the adhesive tape roll 462 is not located between one end portion in the third direction and the other end portion 416b of the recessed portion 499, the tape cassette 410 can be miniaturized in the vertical direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0197] In the tape cassette 410 of this embodiment, in the second and third directions, the distance from the center position M, which is the center of the tape cassette 410 in the second direction and the center in the third direction, to the first rotation center line C1 of the print tape roll 426 is shorter than the distance from the center position M to the recessed portion 499. Thus, compared to a case where the distance from the center position M of the tape cassette 410 to the first rotation center line C1 of the print tape roll 426 is longer than the distance from the center position M to the recessed portion 499, the tape cassette 410 can be miniaturized in the vertical direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0198] The tape cassette 410 of this embodiment includes: a printing tape roll 426 around which the printing tape 422 is wound; a spacer 438 abutting against the printing tape roll 426 in a first direction; a first side wall 416a extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a second side wall 416b extending in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and intersecting the second direction; and a recessed wall 416c formed in a U shape for defining a recessed portion 499, the recessed portion 499 extending from the second side wall 416b toward one side in the second direction, and extending toward one side in the second direction of the second side wall 416b ( Figure 49 The first side wall 416a, the second side wall 416b, and the recessed wall 416c are portions of the outer peripheral wall 416w located on one side in the first direction relative to the print tape roll 426 and the spacer 438. At least a portion of the recessed portion 499 overlaps with the spacer 438 in the first direction. Thus, since at least a portion of the recessed portion 499 overlaps with the spacer 438 in the first direction, the tape cassette 410 is miniaturized in a vertical direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0199] [Implementation Method 4]

[0200] Figure 50 and Figure 51 1 is a perspective view of the upper surface side and the lower surface side of the tape box 510 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 52 As shown, only a printing tape roll 526 is provided. The printing tape 522 of the printing tape roll 526 of this embodiment is similar to the printing tape 422 of the third embodiment, and is constructed by laminating a peeling tape 522c on the surface opposite to the printing surface of a printed tape 522a as a base material via an adhesive 522b. Figure 53 The printed printing tape 522 is shown being fed out from the tape cassette 510. The printing tape 522 of this embodiment is similar to the printing tape 522 of the embodiment shown in FIG. Figure 34The printing tape 422 of the third embodiment shown is similarly composed of a printed tape 522a serving as a base material and a release tape 522c laminated to the printed tape 522a via an adhesive 522b. The printed tape 522a is made of a heat-sensitive material that develops a color, for example, black, when heated. A portion of the printed tape 522a is shown with a locally colored area 522d formed by localized heating.

[0201] The tape box 510 of this embodiment, as Figure 52 As shown, the second embodiment Figure 21 The first shell member 212, the second shell member 214, the third shell member 216 and the fourth shell member 218 of the tape cassette 210 shown are similarly composed of the first shell member 512, the second shell member 514, the third shell member 516 and the fourth shell member 518, but the tape cassette 510 does not have the ribbon reel 272 for winding the ink ribbon 268 on the supply shaft 270 and the winding shaft 276 for winding the ink ribbon 268, which is different from the tape cassette 210.

[0202] The tape box 510 of this embodiment has the same effect as the first side wall 216a, the second side wall 216b and the recess wall 216c for forming the recess 299 of the third shell member 216 of the tape box 210. Therefore, the tape box 510 has the same effect as the tape box 210.

[0203] The above are only specific embodiments of the present invention, and various modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0204] In the above-described embodiment, the tape cassettes 10, 210, 410, 510, the first housing member 12, 212, 412, 512, the second housing member 14, 214, 414, 514, the third housing member 16, 216, 416, 516, and the fourth housing member 18, 218, 418, 518 overlap in the vertical direction. However, the tape cassette is not limited to this structure. For example, Figure 54As shown, the tape cassette 10, 210, 410, or 510 may be constructed by stacking three housing members in the vertical direction: a first housing member 12, 212, 412, or 512; a fifth housing member 501; and a fourth housing member 18, 218, 418, or 518. The fifth housing member 501 may have a through-hole 502 extending vertically, which corresponds to the through-holes 52, 58, or the like in the above-described embodiment, and serves to separate the first space S1 from the second space S2. The fifth housing member 501 may have an upper surface having the same shape as the upper surface of the second housing member 14, 214, 414, or 514, and a lower surface having the same shape as the lower surface of the third housing member 16, 216, 416, or 516. In this modified example, the first shell member 12, 212, 412, 512 and the fifth shell member 501 constitute a first shell having a first space S1 therein, and the fifth shell member 501 and the fourth shell member 18, 218, 418, 518 constitute a second shell having a second space S2 therein.

[0205] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the recesses 99, 299, 499, and 599 are formed by the U-shaped recess walls 16c, 216c, 416c, and 516c, but are not limited to this shape. For example, a circular recess may be used.

[0206] Furthermore, the radial directions of the printing tape roll, adhesive tape roll, ink ribbon roll, and take-up shaft in the above-described embodiment are arranged horizontally relative to the front-to-back and left-to-right directions. However, these directions may not be horizontal. For example, if the printing tape roll is not horizontal relative to the front-to-back and left-to-right directions, the width direction of the printing tape, i.e., the first direction, may be different from the vertical direction in the above-described embodiment. In this case, the second direction perpendicular to the first direction, i.e., the width direction of the printing tape, and the third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions may be different from the front-to-back and left-to-right directions in the above-described embodiment.

[0207] Furthermore, the placement of the printing tape roll, adhesive tape roll, ink ribbon roll, and take-up shaft is not limited to the positions shown in the above embodiment. For example, in the first embodiment, the adhesive tape roll 64 may be placed to the right of the take-up shaft 76, and the take-up shaft 76 may be placed in front of the ink ribbon roll 72.

[0208] Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, the recess 99, adhesive tape roll 64, supply shaft 70, and take-up shaft 76 are all positioned so as to vertically overlap with the print tape roll 26. However, this configuration is not limiting. At least the recess 99 may be positioned so as to vertically overlap with the print tape roll 26. Similarly, in Embodiments 2 through 4, at least the recess may be positioned so as to vertically overlap with the print tape roll. Furthermore, in Embodiments 1 through 4, the recess or recess wall vertically overlaps with the print tape shaft. However, at least the recess or recess wall may also vertically overlap with the print tape wound around the print tape shaft.

[0209] In addition, the printing tape rolls of the above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 4 are configured to be wound around the printing tape shaft as a cylindrical core member. However, the printing tape may be wound around the printing tape shaft instead of around the printing tape shaft, and may be wound around the first supporting protrusion and the second supporting protrusion to form the printing tape roll. Similarly, the adhesive tape 60 may be wound around the adhesive tape shaft 62, and the outer circumference of the adhesive tape 60 may be defined by the adhesive tape roll retaining wall 84 and the arcuate wall 92.

[0210] Description of Reference Numerals

[0211] 10, 210, 410, 510: with box

[0212] 12, 212, 412, 512: First housing member

[0213] 14, 214, 414, 514: Second housing member

[0214] 16, 216, 416, 516: Third housing member

[0215] 16a, 216a, 416a, 516a: first side wall (outer peripheral wall)

[0216] 16b, 216b, 416b, 516b: Second side wall (outer peripheral wall)

[0217] 16c, 216c, 416c, 516c: concave wall

[0218] 16h, 216h, 416h, 516h: inner wall

[0219] 16i, 216i, 416i, 516i: inner wall

[0220] 16j, 216j, 416j, 516j: inner wall

[0221] 16k, 216k, 416k, 516k: inner wall

[0222] 18, 218, 418, 518: Fourth housing member

[0223] 20, 220, 420, 520: Printing tape housing (first housing, upper housing)

[0224] 21, 221, 421, 521: Ribbon housing (second housing, lower housing)

[0225] 22, 222, 422, 522: Printing tape (printed medium, first medium)

[0226] 22a, 222a, 422a, 522a: Printed tape

[0227] 22b, 222b, 422b, 522b: Adhesive

[0228] 22c, 222c, 422c, 522c: Peel tape

[0229] 24, 224, 424: Print with shaft

[0230] 26, 226, 426, 526: Printing tape roll

[0231] 27, 227, 427: Matching claws

[0232] 28, 228, 428: Fixed claw

[0233] 29, 229, 429: Positioning protrusions

[0234] 30, 230, 430: First support protrusion

[0235] 32, 232, 432: Second support protrusion

[0236] 34, 234, 434: First circumferential wall

[0237] 36, 236, 436: Second circumferential wall

[0238] 38, 238, 438: spacers

[0239] 40, 240: Print with door

[0240] 42, 242: Print with door

[0241] 44, 244, 444: Outer peripheral wall of the first housing member

[0242] 44a, 244a, 444a: Short side

[0243] 46, 246, 446: Outer peripheral wall of the second housing member

[0244] 46a, 246a, 446a: Short side

[0245] 46b, 246b: long side

[0246] 48, 248, 448: guide wall

[0247] 50, 250, 450: guide wall

[0248] 52, 252, 452: through hole

[0249] 54, 254, 454: guide ribs

[0250] 56, 256, 456: guide wall

[0251] 58, 258, 458: through hole

[0252] 60, 460: Adhesive tape

[0253] 60a, 460a: transparent film

[0254] 60b, 460b: Adhesive

[0255] 62, 462: Adhesive tape shaft

[0256] 64:464: ​​Adhesive tape roll

[0257] 66, 466: Adhesive tape roll support hole

[0258] 68, 268: Ink Ribbon

[0259] 68a, 268a: Ink

[0260] 70, 270: supply shaft

[0261] 72, 272: Ink Ribbon Roll

[0262] 74, 274: Ribbon support hole

[0263] 76, 276: Winding shaft

[0264] 78, 278: Winding shaft support hole

[0265] 80, 280, 480: Roller

[0266] 80a, 280a: Connecting part

[0267] 82, 482: Roller support hole

[0268] 84, 484: Adhesive tape roll retaining wall

[0269] 86, 286: Ribbon roll retaining wall

[0270] 88, 288: Cylindrical protrusion

[0271] 90, 290: Clutch spring retaining part

[0272] 92, 292: Arc-shaped wall

[0273] 94, 294: Winding shaft support hole

[0274] 96, 296: connecting hole

[0275] 98, 498: Roller exposed hole

[0276] 99, 299, 499, 599: concave part

[0277] 102: Printing device

[0278] 104: cassette installation section

[0279] 106: Print head

[0280] 108: Winding shaft drive shaft

[0281] 110: Roller drive shaft

[0282] 112: Positioning hole

[0283] 114: Print head retaining plate

[0284] 116: Paper pressing roller

[0285] 118: Pressure roller

[0286] 120: Platen roller holding member

[0287] 122: Printing system

[0288] 130, 300, 500: discharge outlet

[0289] 132, 302: Input port

[0290] S1: First Space

[0291] S2: Second Space

[0292] C1: First rotation center line

[0293] C2: Second rotation center line

[0294] C3: Third rotation center line

[0295] C4: Fourth rotation center line

[0296] C5: Fifth rotation center line

Claims

1. A tape box comprising: A rotatable printing tape roll, which is wound with a printing tape as a printed medium; a first side wall extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the first direction is a width direction of the printing tape; a second side wall extending in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and intersecting the second direction; as well as a recess wall defining a recess, the recess extending from the second side wall toward one side in the second direction and extending in the third direction at a position located on one side in the second direction relative to the second side wall, The recess is a recess for inserting the print head. At least a portion of the recess overlaps with the printing tape roll in the first direction.

2. The tape cassette according to claim 1, wherein: The printing tape roll is formed by winding the printing tape around a rotatable printing tape shaft. At least a portion of the recess wall overlaps the print ribbon shaft in the first direction.

3. The tape cassette according to claim 2, wherein: At least a portion of the recess overlaps the print ribbon shaft in the first direction.

4. The tape cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that In the third direction, the rotation center of the printing tape roll is located between one end portion and the other end portion of the recess in the third direction.

5. The tape cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The printing tape roll is formed by winding the printing tape around a rotatable printing tape shaft. In the third direction, at least a portion of the printing tape shaft is located between one end portion and the other end portion of the recess in the third direction.

6. The tape cassette according to claim 5, wherein: In the third direction, the rotation center of the print tape shaft is located between the one end portion and the other end portion of the recess in the third direction.

7. The tape cassette according to claim 5, wherein: include: A first housing, accommodating the printing tape roll; as well as The second housing is located on one side of the first direction relative to the first housing and has the recess. The second housing includes a discharge port defined by the second side wall and located between one end portion and the other end portion of the recess in the third direction, for discharging the printing tape supplied from the printing tape roll from the second housing to the recess. In the third direction, the rotation center of the printing tape shaft is located between the discharge port and the one end portion of the recess in the third direction.

8. The tape cassette according to claim 7, wherein: The second housing accommodates an ink ribbon used for printing on the printing tape supplied from the printing tape roll.

9. The tape cassette according to claim 7, wherein: The recess overlaps with at least a portion of the first housing in the first direction.

10. The tape cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: include: a rotatable supply shaft, located on one side of the printing tape roll in the first direction, for winding an ink ribbon used for printing on the printing tape supplied from the printing tape roll; as well as a rotatable take-up shaft, located on one side of the first direction relative to the printing ribbon roll, for taking up the ink ribbon supplied from the supply shaft; At least a portion of the supply shaft and at least a portion of the take-up shaft overlap the printing tape roll in the first direction.

11. The tape cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The adhesive tape roll is rotatable and located on one side of the first direction relative to the printing tape roll, and is wound with an adhesive tape for bonding to the printing tape. At least a portion of the adhesive tape roll overlaps the printing tape roll in the first direction.

12. The tape cassette according to claim 11, wherein: The adhesive tape roll is formed by winding the adhesive tape around an adhesive tape shaft. The adhesive tape shaft overlaps the printing tape roll in the first direction.

13. The tape cassette according to claim 12, wherein: In the third direction, the rotation center of the adhesive tape shaft is located between one end portion and the other end portion of the recessed portion in the third direction.

14. The tape cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: In the second and third directions, a distance from a center position of the tape cassette as a center in the second and third directions to a rotation center of the printing tape roll is smaller than a distance from the center position to the recess.

15. A tape box comprising: A rotatable printing tape roll, which is wound with a printing tape as a printed medium; as well as an outer peripheral wall located on one side of the printing tape roll in a first direction, the first direction being the width direction of the printing tape, the outer peripheral wall including a recessed portion extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and intersecting the second direction, The recess is a recess for inserting the print head. At least a portion of the recess overlaps with the printing tape roll in the first direction.

16. The tape cassette according to claim 15, wherein: The printing tape roll is formed by winding the printing tape around a rotatable printing tape shaft. At least a portion of the recess overlaps the print ribbon shaft in the first direction.

17. The tape cassette according to claim 16, wherein: At least a portion of the recess overlaps the print ribbon shaft in the first direction.

18. The tape cassette according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that: In the third direction, the rotation center of the printing tape roll is located between one end portion and the other end portion of the recess in the third direction.

19. The tape cassette according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that: The printing tape roll is formed by winding the printing tape around a rotatable printing tape shaft. In the third direction, at least a portion of the printing tape shaft is located between one end portion and the other end portion of the recess in the third direction.

20. The tape cassette according to claim 19, wherein: In the third direction, the rotation center of the print tape shaft is located between the one end portion and the other end portion of the recess in the third direction.

21. The tape cassette according to claim 19, wherein: include: A first housing, accommodating the printing tape roll; as well as The second housing is located on one side of the first direction relative to the first housing and has the outer peripheral wall. The second housing includes a discharge port, the discharge port being located between one end portion and the other end portion of the recess in the third direction, for discharging the printing tape supplied from the printing tape roll from the second housing to the recess, In the third direction, the rotation center of the printing tape shaft is located between the discharge port and the one end portion of the recess in the third direction.

22. The tape cassette according to claim 21, wherein: The second housing accommodates an ink ribbon used for printing on the printing tape supplied from the printing tape roll.

23. The tape cassette according to claim 21, wherein: The recess overlaps with at least a portion of the first housing in the first direction.

24. The tape cassette according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that include: a rotatable supply shaft, located on one side of the printing tape roll in the first direction, for winding an ink ribbon used for printing on the printing tape supplied from the printing tape roll; as well as a rotatable take-up shaft, located on one side of the first direction relative to the printing ribbon roll, for taking up the ink ribbon supplied from the supply shaft; At least a portion of the supply shaft and at least a portion of the take-up shaft overlap the printing tape roll in the first direction.

25. The tape cassette according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that The adhesive tape roll is rotatable and located on one side of the first direction relative to the printing tape roll, and is wound with an adhesive tape for bonding to the printing tape. At least a portion of the adhesive tape roll overlaps the printing tape roll in the first direction.

26. The tape cassette according to claim 25, wherein: The adhesive tape roll is formed by winding the adhesive tape around an adhesive tape shaft. The adhesive tape shaft overlaps the printing tape roll in the first direction.

27. The tape cassette according to claim 26, wherein: In the third direction, the rotation center of the adhesive tape shaft is located between one end portion and the other end portion of the recessed portion in the third direction.

28. The tape cassette according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that In the second and third directions, a distance from a center position of the tape cassette as a center in the second and third directions to a rotation center of the printing tape roll is smaller than a distance from the center position to the recess.

29. A tape box comprising: A rotatable printing tape roll, which is wound with a printing tape as a printed medium; as well as The housing is located on one side of the printing tape roll in a first direction, the first direction being the width direction of the printing tape, the housing including a recess, the recess extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and intersecting the second direction. The recess is a recess for inserting the print head. At least a portion of the recess overlaps with the printing tape roll in the first direction.

30. The tape cassette according to claim 29, wherein: The printing tape roll is formed by winding the printing tape around a rotatable printing tape shaft. At least a portion of the recess overlaps the print ribbon shaft in the first direction.

31. The tape cassette according to claim 30, wherein: At least a portion of the recess overlaps the print ribbon shaft in the first direction.

32. The tape cassette according to any one of claims 29 to 31, characterized in that In the third direction, the rotation center of the printing tape roll is located between one end portion and the other end portion of the recess in the third direction.

33. The tape cassette according to any one of claims 29 to 31, characterized in that The printing tape roll is formed by winding the printing tape around a rotatable printing tape shaft. In the third direction, at least a portion of the printing tape shaft is located between one end portion and the other end portion of the recess in the third direction.

34. The tape cassette according to claim 33, wherein: In the third direction, the rotation center of the print tape shaft is located between the one end portion and the other end portion of the recess in the third direction.

35. The tape cassette according to claim 33, wherein: comprising a first housing for accommodating the printing ribbon roll, The housing is located on one side of the first direction relative to the first housing, The housing includes a discharge port, the discharge port being located between one end portion and the other end portion of the recess in the third direction, for discharging the printing tape supplied from the printing tape roll from the housing to the recess, In the third direction, the rotation center of the printing tape shaft is located between the discharge port and the one end portion of the recess in the third direction.

36. The tape cassette according to claim 35, wherein: The housing accommodates an ink ribbon used for printing on the printing tape supplied from the printing tape roll.

37. The tape cassette according to claim 35, wherein: The recess overlaps with at least a portion of the first housing in the first direction.

38. The tape cassette according to any one of claims 29 to 31, characterized in that include: a rotatable supply shaft, located on one side of the printing tape roll in the first direction, for winding an ink ribbon used for printing on the printing tape supplied from the printing tape roll; as well as a rotatable take-up shaft, located on one side of the first direction relative to the printing ribbon roll, for taking up the ink ribbon supplied from the supply shaft; At least a portion of the supply shaft and at least a portion of the take-up shaft overlap the printing tape roll in the first direction.

39. The tape cassette according to any one of claims 29 to 31, characterized in that The adhesive tape roll is rotatable and located on one side of the first direction relative to the printing tape roll, and is wound with an adhesive tape for bonding to the printing tape. At least a portion of the adhesive tape roll overlaps the printing tape roll in the first direction.

40. The tape cassette according to claim 39, wherein: The adhesive tape roll is formed by winding the adhesive tape around an adhesive tape shaft. The adhesive tape shaft overlaps the printing tape roll in the first direction.

41. The tape cassette according to claim 40, wherein: In the third direction, the rotation center of the adhesive tape shaft is located between one end portion and the other end portion of the recessed portion in the third direction.

42. The tape cassette according to any one of claims 29 to 31, characterized in that In the second and third directions, a distance from a center position of the tape cassette as a center in the second and third directions to a rotation center of the printing tape roll is smaller than a distance from the center position to the recess.

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