Printing cassette

Abstract

To provide a cassette for printing configured so that a capacity of a tape for printing can be increased.SOLUTION: A cassette for printing according to the present disclosure comprises a tape roll for printing and a first case arranged at a position different from a position of the tape roll for printing in a first direction. The first case has: an ejection port through which the tape for printing is ejected to the outside; a conveyance path through which the tape for printing is conveyed toward the ejection port; a first outer surface and a second outer surface constituting an outermost surface of the first case in a second direction; and a third outer surface and a fourth outer surface constituting an outermost surface of the first case in a third direction. The tape roll for printing has an overlapping part overlapping with the first case in the first direction. A distance up to a central axis of the tape roll for printing of at least one of the first outer surface, the second outer surface, the third outer surface and the fourth outer surface is smaller than an outer radius of the tape roll for printing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a printing cassette. [Background Art]

[0002] In a printing apparatus that performs printing on a printing tape, the printing tape is replaced and supplied by attaching and detaching a cassette containing the printing tape to and from the main body of the printing apparatus. In such a cassette for a printing apparatus, the capacity of the printing tape can be increased by increasing the diameter of the printing tape roll (see Patent Document 1). [Prior Art Literature] [Patent Literature]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-131690 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] When the diameter of the printing tape roll is increased as described above, the size of the cassette in the radial direction of the printing tape roll increases. Therefore, the capacity of the printing tape roll is limited by the shape of the cassette accommodating portion in the main body of the printing apparatus.

[0005] An object of one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a printing cassette that can increase the capacity of a printing tape. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a printing cassette including: a printing tape roll formed of a printing tape; and a first case disposed at a position different from the printing tape roll in a first direction parallel to the central axis of the printing tape roll.

[0007] The first case includes an outlet for discharging the printing tape to the outside, a transport path through which the printing tape pulled out from the printing tape is transported toward the outlet, a first outer surface and a second outer surface constituting the outermost surface of the first case in a second direction parallel to the direction of discharge of the printing tape at the outlet, and a third outer surface and a fourth outer surface constituting the outermost surface of the first case in a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions.

[0008] The printing tape roll has an overlapping portion that overlaps with the first case in a first direction. At least one of the first outer surface, second outer surface, third outer surface, and fourth outer surface has a distance from the central axis of the printing tape roll that is smaller than the outer radius of the printing tape roll.

[0009] With this configuration, the printing tape roll and the first case are positioned at different locations in the axial direction of the printing tape roll. This allows for an increase in the diameter of the printing tape roll while maintaining the size of the first case that is inserted into the printing device body. As a result, the capacity of the printing tape can be increased while reducing the limitations imposed by the shape of the cassette housing in the printing device body. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a printing apparatus in an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2A is a schematic top view showing the main body of the printing apparatus in Figure 1, and Figure 2B is a schematic perspective view showing the main body of the printing apparatus in Figure 2A. [Figure 3] Figures 3A and 3B are schematic perspective views of the printing cassette in the printing apparatus shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the printing cassette shown in Figure 3A. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic plan view showing the internal structure of the first frame section in the printing cassette shown in Figure 3A. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the internal structure of the second frame section in the printing cassette shown in Figure 3A. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a schematic plan view of the printing cassette shown in Figure 3A. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a schematic plan view of the second frame and drive transmission mechanism in the printing cassette shown in Figure 3A. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] [1. First Embodiment] [1-1. Structure] The printing device 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises a printing cassette 10 and a printing device body 100. The printing device 1 is a device that prints on a printing tape 11A.

[0012] In this embodiment, the direction parallel to the central axis of the printing tape roll 11 is defined as the up-down direction (first direction), the direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and parallel to the discharge direction of the printing tape 11A at the discharge port 32C is defined as the left-right direction (second direction), and the direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the left-right direction is defined as the front-back direction (third direction).

[0013] <Printing device body> As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the printing device body 100 includes a cassette housing 101, a print head 102, a platen roller 103, a roller holder 104, a drive shaft 105, a detection unit 107, and a housing 110.

[0014] (Cassette storage compartment) The cassette housing section 101 is a recess into which the printing cassette 10 is installed. The cassette housing section 101 has a positioning function for the printing cassette 10.

[0015] The cassette housing 101 has an opening 101A provided in the housing 110. The printing cassette 10 is inserted through the opening 101A and housed inside the cassette housing 101. The housing 110 is provided with a slit-shaped discharge section 110B that communicates with the cassette housing 101. The printing tape 11A is discharged from the discharge section 110B.

[0016] (Print Head) The print head 102 is arranged inside the cassette housing portion 101. The print head 102 has a plurality of heating elements whose heat generation is individually controlled.

[0017] (Platen Roller) The platen roller 103 is arranged in the vicinity of the print head 102 inside the cassette housing portion 101 so as to face the print head 102. The platen roller 103 is capable of swinging in a direction approaching or moving away from the print head 102. The rotational axis of the platen roller 103 is parallel to the vertical direction.

[0018] A platen gear (not shown) that engages with the output gear 21 of the printing cassette 10 is connected to the platen roller 103. The platen gear swings together with the platen roller 103.

[0019] (Roller Holder) The roller holder 104 holds the platen roller 103. The roller holder 104 is attached to the housing 110 so as to be swingable in the front-rear direction.

[0020] (Drive Shaft) The drive shaft 105 is inserted into the take-up spool 16 and the input gear 22 of the printing cassette 10. The drive shaft 105 inputs a driving force for rotating the take-up spool 16 and the input gear 22 to the printing cassette 10.

[0021] The drive shaft 105 is arranged inside the cassette housing portion 101. The rotational axis of the drive shaft 105 is parallel to the vertical direction. The drive shaft 105 is rotated about the rotational axis by, for example, a driving source (not shown) combining a motor and a gear.

[0022] (Detection Unit) The detection unit 107 detects the cassette identification information provided to the print cassette 10 from the print cassette 10. The detection unit 107 detects the identification information from the detected part 32E of the print cassette 10 using a mechanical, optical, or electromagnetic reading sensor.

[0023] <Printing Cassette> The printing cassette 10 stores the printing tape 11A. The printing cassette 10 can be attached to and detached from the printing device body 100. By replacing the printing cassette 10, the printing tape 11A can be replenished and the type of printing tape 11A (e.g., size, color, material, etc.) can be changed.

[0024] As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the printing cassette 10 includes a main case 35 that houses at least a portion of the printing tape 11A and at least a portion of the ink ribbon 14A (i.e., auxiliary tape).

[0025] The main case 35 has a first case 41 and a second case 42. The first case 41 and the second case 42 are rectangular parallelepipeds, each having sides parallel to the vertical direction, sides parallel to the front-to-back direction, and sides parallel to the left-to-right direction.

[0026] The first case 41 is connected to the second case 42 so as to protrude downward from the bottom surface of the second case 42. With the printing cassette 10 installed in the cassette housing 101, the first case 41 is positioned inside the cassette housing 101. The main case 35 is inserted into the cassette housing 101 with the first case 41 facing the bottom surface of the cassette housing 101.

[0027] The area of ​​the second case 42, as viewed from above, is larger than the area of ​​the opening 101A of the cassette housing 101. Therefore, the second case 42 is not inserted inside the cassette housing 101, but is positioned outside of the cassette housing 101.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4, the printing cassette 10 includes a printing tape roll 11, a first supply spool 12, an auxiliary tape roll 14, a second supply spool 15, a take-up spool 16, and a drive transmission mechanism 20.

[0029] (Printable tape roll) The printing tape roll 11 consists of a strip-shaped printing tape 11A wound around a first supply spool 12. Printing is performed on the surface of the printing tape 11A by the print head 102 and ink ribbon 14A of the printing device body 100.

[0030] Two spacer films 13A and 13B are positioned on the outer, vertical sides of the printing tape roll 11, sandwiching the printing tape roll 11. The spacer films 13A and 13B are positioned between the printing tape roll 11 and the second lid portion 34, and between the printing tape roll 11 and the second frame portion 33. The printing tape 11A drawn from the printing tape roll 11 is guided by the first roller 17A and the second roller 17C.

[0031] (First supply spool) The first supply spool 12 is rotatable around a rotation axis parallel to the vertical direction. The first supply spool 12 rotates in conjunction with the transport of the printing tape 11A by the platen roller 103 of the printing device body 100, thereby supplying the printing tape 11A to the print head 102.

[0032] The rotational axis of the first supply spool 12 coincides with the central axis of the printing tape roll 11. The first supply spool 12 is subjected to rotational resistance by a clutch spring held in the first clutch spring holder 17B.

[0033] (Auxiliary tape roll) The auxiliary tape roll 14 is a strip-shaped ink ribbon 14A used for printing on the printing tape 11A, wound around the second supply spool 15.

[0034] The ink ribbon 14A is placed on top of the printing tape 11A at the head opening 32B and used for printing by the print head 102. The ink ribbon 14A used for printing is wound onto the take-up spool 16.

[0035] The auxiliary tape roll 14 is positioned differently from the printing tape roll 11 in the vertical direction (specifically, lower). In addition, at least a portion of the auxiliary tape roll 14 is positioned to overlap with the printing tape roll 11 in the vertical direction.

[0036] (Second supply spool) The second supply spool 15 is rotatable around its rotation axis. The rotation axis of the second supply spool 15 is parallel to the vertical direction.

[0037] The second supply spool 15 rotates in conjunction with the winding of the ink ribbon 14A by the winding spool 16, thereby supplying the ink ribbon 14A to the print head 102. The second supply spool 15 is provided with rotational resistance by a clutch spring held in the second clutch spring holder 17D.

[0038] (Reel spool) The winding spool 16 is rotatable around its axis of rotation. The axis of rotation of the winding spool 16 is parallel to the axis of rotation of the second supply spool 15.

[0039] The winding spool 16 is cylindrical and has a hollow portion defined by its inner circumferential surface 16A. Spline teeth 16B are provided on the inner circumferential surface 16A of the winding spool 16. The drive shaft 105 of the printing device body 100 is connected to the spline teeth 16B. The winding spool 16 is rotated by the drive shaft 105 and winds up the ink ribbon 14A.

[0040] (Drive transmission mechanism) The drive transmission mechanism 20 transmits the driving force transmitted from the drive shaft 105 to the platen roller 103 when the printing cassette 10 is mounted on the printing device body 100. The drive transmission mechanism 20 includes an output gear 21, an input gear 22, and an idler gear 23.

[0041] The printing tape roll 11, the drive transmission mechanism 20, and the take-up spool 16 are arranged in the vertical direction in the order of printing tape roll 11, drive transmission mechanism 20, and take-up spool 16.

[0042] (Output gear) The output gear 21 is an external gear that outputs the driving force used to transport the printing tape 11A to the outside. Specifically, the output gear 21 transmits the driving force to the platen gear of the printing apparatus body 100.

[0043] The rotation axis of the output gear 21 is parallel to the rotation axis of the second supply spool 15. Part of the output gear 21 is exposed in the space communicating with the head opening 32B. The output gear 21 engages with the platen gear in the space communicating with the head opening 32B when the printing cassette 10 is mounted on the printing device body 100 (i.e., when the main case 35 is housed in the cassette housing 101).

[0044] (Input gear) The input gear 22 indirectly engages with the output gear 21 via the idler gear 23, transmitting the driving force to the output gear 21.

[0045] The input gear 22 comprises an external gear 22A and a cylindrical internal gear spool 22B, which is fixed to one side of the external gear 22A and has spline teeth on its inner surface. The external gear 22A rotates integrally with the spool 22B due to the driving force input to the spool 22B. The rotational axes of the input gear 22 (i.e., the rotational axes of the external gear 22A and the spool 22B) are aligned with the rotational axis of the winding spool 16.

[0046] The rotational axis of the input gear 22 coincides with the hollow portion of the winding spool 16 in the vertical direction. Therefore, when the printing cassette 10 is mounted on the printing device body 100, the drive shaft 105 is inserted simultaneously through the winding spool 16 and the input gear 22. As a result, the input gear 22 is not directly connected to the winding spool 16, but is rotated together with the winding spool 16 by the drive shaft 105.

[0047] (Idol Gear) The idler gear 23 is driven-coupled (i.e., engaged) to the input gear 22 and the output gear 21, and transmits the driving force input to the input gear 22 to the output gear 21.

[0048] The idler gear 23 is a stepped gear in which an upstream gear 23A engaged with the input gear 22 and a downstream gear 23B engaged with the output gear 21 are arranged coaxially. The downstream gear 23B has a smaller diameter than the upstream gear 23A. In addition, the downstream gear 23B is positioned closer to the printing tape roll 11 (i.e., higher) than the upstream gear 23A in the vertical direction.

[0049] The idler gear 23 reduces the rotational speed of the driving force input to the input gear 22 and transmits it to the output gear 21. In other words, the drive transmission mechanism 20 includes a reduction mechanism whose reduction ratio is the transmission ratio obtained by dividing the rotational speed of the input gear 22 by the rotational speed of the output gear 21.

[0050] (case) The main case 35 has a first lid portion 31, a first frame portion 32, a second frame portion 33, and a second lid portion 34.

[0051] The first lid portion 31 constitutes the lower end of the printing cassette 10. The first frame portion 32 is positioned above the first lid portion 31 and is connected to the first lid portion 31 in the vertical direction. The second frame portion 33 is positioned above the first frame portion 32 and is connected to the first frame portion 32 in the vertical direction. The second lid portion 34 constitutes the upper end of the printing cassette 10. The second lid portion 34 is connected to the second frame portion 33 in the vertical direction.

[0052] The first lid 31, the first frame 32, and a portion of the second frame 33 constitute a first case 41 that houses the auxiliary tape roll 14, the second supply spool 15, the winding spool 16, and the drive transmission mechanism 20. The first case 41 is positioned differently from the printing tape roll 11 in the vertical direction (specifically, downwards).

[0053] The auxiliary tape roll 14, the second supply spool 15, and the take-up spool 16 are arranged in the space enclosed by the first lid portion 31 and the first frame portion 32. The drive transmission mechanism 20 is arranged in the space enclosed by the first frame portion 32 and the second frame portion 33. In other words, the drive transmission mechanism 20 is located between the printing tape roll 11 and the auxiliary tape roll 14 in the vertical direction.

[0054] The second lid 34 and the second frame 33 constitute the second case 42 that houses the printing tape roll 11. In other words, the printing tape roll 11 is placed in the space enclosed by the second lid 34 and the second frame 33.

[0055] The first frame section 32 includes a first side wall 32A, a head opening 32B, an outlet 32C, a transport path 32D, a detection section 32E, a first claw 32F, and a second claw 32G (see Figure 3A). The first side wall 32A constitutes the outer surface of the main case 35, which is parallel to the vertical direction.

[0056] The head opening 32B is a portion of the first side wall 32A that has been cut out. The head opening 32B is the space in which the print head 102 and the holding member 102A that holds the print head 102 are arranged when the print cassette 10 is mounted on the printing device body 100. In other words, the head opening 32B consists of a printing space where printing takes place and a recess that communicates with the printing space in the left-right direction.

[0057] Printing on the printing tape 11A is performed by the print head 102 at the head opening 32B. The head opening 32B is located below the printing cassette 10 so that the print head 102 can be inserted from below.

[0058] As shown in Figure 5, the printing tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A are stretched horizontally across the left region of the head opening 32B. The printing tape 11A is exposed to the outside of the main case 35 at the head opening 32B and is superimposed on the ink ribbon 14A. After printing, the printing tape 11A is discharged to the outside of the printing device 1 via the discharge port 32C. The direction in which the printing tape 11A is discharged from the discharge port 32C is to the left.

[0059] The transport path 32D is the space through which the printing tape 11A, pulled from the printing tape roll 11, is transported toward the discharge port 32C. Specifically, the transport path 32D transports the printing tape 11A from an opening that communicates with the inside of the second case 42 to the head opening 32B.

[0060] The detection unit 32E shown in Figure 4 causes the printing device body 100 to detect identification information for identifying the printing cassette 10. The detection unit 32E has recesses, holes, or protrusions provided on the first side wall 32A. The detection unit 32E, by combining the recesses, holes, or protrusions to form a three-dimensional marker, causes the detection unit 107 of the printing device body 100 to detect the identification information of the printing cassette 10 by contact-type or non-contact-type reading of the three-dimensional marker formed by the recesses, holes, or protrusions.

[0061] Furthermore, the detection unit 32E may have an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag instead of, or together with, the three-dimensional marker. In other words, the detected unit 32E may cause the detection unit 107 to detect identification information via wireless communication.

[0062] The first claw 32F protrudes to the right from the right side of the first side wall 32A. The second claw 32G, shown in Figure 3A, protrudes to the left from the left side of the first side wall 32A. The first claw 32F and the second claw 32G engage with the printing device body 100 (specifically the cassette housing section 101) into which the first case 41 is inserted.

[0063] The second frame section 33 shown in Figure 4 has a second side wall 33A, an auxiliary wall 33B, a partition wall 33C, and a roll frame section 33D. The second side wall 33A forms the outer surface parallel to the vertical direction of the main case 35. The auxiliary wall 33B protrudes downward from the partition wall 33C and is connected to the first side wall 32A of the first frame section 32.

[0064] The partition wall 33C has a surface perpendicular to the vertical direction and extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. The partition wall 33C is positioned in the vertical direction between the printing tape roll 11 and the drive transmission mechanism 20, that is, between the first supply spool 12 and the transport path 32D.

[0065] Of the partition wall 33C, the portion that overlaps vertically with the first frame portion 32 constitutes a partition wall between the first case 41 and the second case 42. In other words, the partition wall 33C constitutes the upper wall of the first case 41 and the lower wall of the second case 42.

[0066] As shown in Figure 6, the roll frame portion 33D protrudes upward from the partition wall 33C. The roll frame portion 33D surrounds the printing tape roll 11 from the radially outer side. The printing tape 11A is drawn out from the printing tape roll 11 at the opening 33E of the roll frame portion 33D.

[0067] The printing tape 11A, pulled out from the printing tape roll 11, is guided downward by a guide 33F provided on the roll frame 33D and sent to the transport path 32D of the first case 41.

[0068] <Case position and shape> As shown in Figure 7, the first case 41 has a first outer surface 41A and a second outer surface 41B that constitute the outermost surface of the first case 41 in the left-right direction, and a third outer surface 41C and a fourth outer surface 41D that constitute the outermost surface of the first case 41 in the front-rear direction.

[0069] The first outer surface 41A is the leftmost outer surface of the first case 41. The second outer surface 41B is the rightmost outer surface of the first case 41. The discharge port 32C discharges the printing tape 11A from the inside of the first outer surface 41A toward the outside of the first outer surface 41A when viewed from above. In other words, the first outer surface 41A is located to the left of the discharge port 32C.

[0070] The third outer surface 41C is the rearmost outer surface of the first case 41. The fourth outer surface 41D is the frontmost outer surface of the first case 41. The third outer surface 41C is positioned further away from the head opening 32B in the front-rear direction than the fourth outer surface 41D.

[0071] The printing tape roll 11 has an overlapping portion 11B that overlaps with the first case 41 in the vertical direction. The overlapping portion 11B does not include the tape pull-out portion 11C of the printing tape 11A in the printing tape roll 11. In other words, the tape pull-out portion 11C does not overlap with the first case 41 in the vertical direction.

[0072] Furthermore, the length of the outer surface of the printing tape roll 11 included in the overlapping portion 11B is less than half of the total circumference of the printing tape roll 11. In other words, the length of the portion of the outer surface of the printing tape roll 11 that does not overlap with the first case 41 in the vertical direction is half or more of the total circumference of the printing tape roll 11.

[0073] The second outer surface 41B and the fourth outer surface 41D are located at a distance from the central axis L1 of the printing tape roll 11 that is smaller than the outer radius of the printing tape roll 11. In other words, when viewed from above, the printing tape roll 11 protrudes to the right of the second outer surface 41B and forward of the fourth outer surface 41D.

[0074] On the other hand, the distance between the first outer surface 41A and the third outer surface 41C and the central axis L1 of the printing tape roll 11 is greater than the outer radius of the printing tape roll 11. In other words, the first outer surface 41A is located to the left of the outer circumferential surface of the printing tape roll 11, and the third outer surface 41C is located behind the outer circumferential surface of the printing tape roll 11.

[0075] As shown in Figure 1, with the first case 41 of the printing tape roll 11 inserted into the cassette housing 101 of the printing device body 100, the second case 42 and the printing tape roll 11 overlap in the vertical direction with the surface 110A surrounding the opening 101A of the cassette housing 101. In other words, the printing tape roll 11 does not enter the interior of the cassette housing 101.

[0076] As shown in Figure 7, the first claw 32F is located on the second outer surface 41B (i.e., the outer surface where the distance from the central axis L1 of the printing tape roll 11 is smaller than the outer radius of the printing tape roll 11). The first claw 32F also overlaps with the printing tape roll 11 in the vertical direction. The second claw 32G is located on the first outer surface 41A and does not overlap with the printing tape roll 11.

[0077] As shown in Figure 3B, the detection unit 32E is located on the fourth outer surface 41D (that is, the outer surface where the distance from the central axis L1 of the printing tape roll 11 is smaller than the outer radius of the printing tape roll 11). The fourth outer surface 41D also faces the roller holder 104 of the printing device body 100 when the first case 41 is inserted into the printing device body 100.

[0078] As shown in Figure 7, the second case 42 has a fifth outer surface 42A and a sixth outer surface 42B that sandwich the printing tape roll 11 in the left-right direction, and a seventh outer surface 42C and an eighth outer surface 42D that sandwich the printing tape roll 11 in the front-back direction.

[0079] The fifth outer surface 42A is the leftmost outer surface in the second case 42. The sixth outer surface 42B is the rightmost outer surface in the second case 42. The fifth outer surface 42A is located closer to the first outer surface 41A than the sixth outer surface 42B in the left-right direction.

[0080] Specifically, the fifth outer surface 42A is continuous with the first outer surface 41A without any step in the vertical direction. In other words, when viewed from the vertical direction, a portion of the fifth outer surface 42A overlaps with the first outer surface 41A so that it coincides with it.

[0081] The sixth outer surface 42B is located to the right of the second outer surface 41B. In other words, the second case 42 extends to the right of the second outer surface 41B. The distance between the first outer surface 41A and the fifth outer surface 42A in the left-right direction is smaller than the distance between the second outer surface 41B and the sixth outer surface 42B in the left-right direction.

[0082] The seventh outer surface 42C is the rear outermost surface of the second case 42. The eighth outer surface 42D is the front outermost surface of the second case 42. The seventh outer surface 42C is located closer to the third outer surface 41C than to the eighth outer surface 42D in the front-rear direction.

[0083] Specifically, the seventh outer surface 42C is continuous with the third outer surface 41C without any step in the vertical direction. In other words, when viewed from the vertical direction, a portion of the seventh outer surface 42C overlaps with the third outer surface 41C in a way that coincides with it.

[0084] The eighth outer surface 42D is positioned forward of the fourth outer surface 41D. In other words, the second case 42 extends forward of the fourth outer surface 41D. The distance between the third outer surface 41C and the seventh outer surface 42C in the front-to-back direction is smaller than the distance between the fourth outer surface 41D and the eighth outer surface 42D in the front-to-back direction.

[0085] The volume of the second case 42 is larger than the volume of the first case 41. Furthermore, the center of gravity G of the printing tape storage section, which includes the second case 42 and the components housed in it (i.e., the printing tape roll 11, the first supply spool 12, etc.), overlaps with that of the first case 41 in the vertical direction.

[0086] At least a portion of the first supply spool 12 overlaps with the head opening 32B in the vertical direction. Also, the rotation axis of the first supply spool 12 (i.e., the central axis L1 of the printing tape roll 11) overlaps with the inner wall 32H in the vertical direction. The inner wall 32H is the wall that defines the head opening 32B when viewed from the vertical direction. The inner surface of the inner wall 32H that defines the head opening 32B intersects with a virtual plane perpendicular to the vertical direction (for example, the lower surface of the partition wall 33C).

[0087] As shown in Figure 8, the first supply spool 12 overlaps with the partition wall 33C in the vertical direction. Also, the rotation axis L2 of the first supply spool 12 does not overlap with the drive transmission mechanism 20 in the vertical direction. In other words, the rotation axis L2 of the first supply spool 12 does not overlap with any of the output gear 21, input gear 22, or idler gear 23.

[0088] <Tape transport and printing by the printing device itself> With the printing cassette 10 mounted on the printing device body 100, the print head 102 is positioned in the head opening 32B so as to overlap the printing tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A in the front-to-back direction.

[0089] The printing tape 11A is transported to the head opening 32B by the platen roller 103, and is pressed against the print head 102, which has a heating element heated up, via the ink ribbon 14A by the platen roller 103. As a result, some of the ink on the surface of the ink ribbon 14A is transferred to the printing tape 11A, and characters, symbols, etc. are printed on the printing tape 11A.

[0090] The platen roller 103 transports the printed tape 11A from inside the printing cassette 10 to the outside via the discharge port 32C. The platen roller 103 is rotated by a platen gear engaged with the output gear 21. The platen roller 103 is pivotable by a roller holder 104 between a position away from the printing cassette 10 and a position where the platen gear is engaged with the output gear 21.

[0091] When the main case 35 of the printing cassette 10 is inserted into the cassette housing section 101, the drive shaft 105 engages with the input gear 22, and the platen gear engages with the output gear 21.

[0092] Specifically, with the drive shaft 105 inserted into the winding spool 16 and input gear 22 of the printing cassette 10, the platen roller 103 swings toward the head opening 32B of the printing cassette 10, causing the platen gear to engage with the output gear 21.

[0093] With the printing cassette 10 installed, the drive shaft 105 rotates the input gear 22, which in turn rotates the output gear 21. Furthermore, the rotation of the output gear 21 rotates the platen gear, which in turn rotates the platen roller 103.

[0094] [1-2. Effects] According to the embodiments described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained. (1a) By positioning the printing tape roll 11 and the first case 41 at different positions in the axial direction of the printing tape roll 11, the diameter of the printing tape roll 11 can be increased while maintaining the size of the first case 41 that is inserted into the printing device body 100. As a result, the capacity of the printing tape 11A can be increased while reducing the limitations imposed by the shape of the cassette housing section 101 in the printing device body 100.

[0095] (1b) By having the second case 42 have an outer surface that is continuous in the vertical direction with the first outer surface 41A and the third outer surface 41C, the volume of the second case 42 can be increased while improving the productivity of the printing cassette 10.

[0096] (1c) The center of gravity of the printing tape storage section including the second case 42 overlaps with that of the first case 41 in the vertical direction, so that when the printing cassette 10 is placed with the second case 42 on top, the tipping of the printing cassette 10 can be suppressed.

[0097] (1d) The first claw 32F overlaps with the printing tape roll 11, which reduces the size of the printing cassette 10 in the left-right direction. (1e) By providing the detected part 32E on the fourth outer surface 41D, the detected part 32E can be protected by the second case 42.

[0098] (1f) The first supply spool 12 overlaps with the inner wall 32H in the vertical direction, thereby increasing the strength of the part that pivotally supports the first supply spool 12. (1g) By having the first supply spool 12 overlap with the head opening 32B in the vertical direction, the size of the printing cassette 10 in the left-right and front-back directions can be reduced.

[0099] [2. Other Embodiments] While embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, it goes without saying that this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and can take various forms.

[0100] (2a) The printing apparatus of the above embodiment is not limited to one that prints using an ink ribbon. For example, the printing apparatus may print on strip-shaped thermal paper. In other words, the printing cassette does not necessarily have to be equipped with an ink ribbon.

[0101] Furthermore, the printing apparatus may use stencil tape, which is perforated with a printing pattern by a thermal head, as the printing tape. When stencil tape is used as the printing tape, a protective backing tape is used as an auxiliary tape instead of an ink ribbon to protect the stencil tape.

[0102] (2b) In the printing cassette of the above embodiment, the second case does not necessarily have to have an outer surface that is continuous with the outer surface of the first case in the vertical direction. For example, the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth outer surfaces of the second case may all be located outside the first case when viewed from the vertical direction.

[0103] (2c) In the printing cassette of the above embodiment, the printing tape roll does not have to overlap with the surface around the opening of the cassette housing in the vertical direction when the first case is inserted into the cassette housing. In other words, the printing tape roll may be housed in the cassette housing together with the second case.

[0104] (2d) In the printing cassette of the above embodiment, the drive transmission mechanism may be located below the transport path of the printing tape. Also, the printing cassette does not necessarily have to be equipped with a drive transmission mechanism.

[0105] (2e) The functions of one component in the above embodiment may be distributed among multiple components, or the functions of multiple components may be integrated into one component. Also, some parts of the configuration of the above embodiment may be omitted. Also, at least some parts of the configuration of the above embodiment may be added to, substituted for, or otherwise replaced with the configuration of other above embodiments. Any aspect of the technical concept specified by the wording of the claims is an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0106] 1…Printing device, 10…Printing cassette, 11…Printing tape roll, 11A...Printing tape, 11B...Duplicate section, 11C...Pull-out section 12...First supply spool, 20...Drive transmission mechanism, 32...First frame section, 32B...head opening, 32C...discharge port, 32D...transport path, 32E...detected part, 32F...First claw, 32H...Inner wall, 33...Second frame section, 33C...Partition wall, 35...Main case 41...First case, 41A...First outer surface, 41B...Second outer surface, 41C...Third outer surface, 41D...4th outer surface, 42...2nd case, 42A...5th outer surface, 42B...6th outer surface, 42C...7th outer surface, 42D...8th outer surface, 100...printing device main body, 101...Cassette storage compartment, 101A...Opening, 102...Print head, 103...Platen roller, 104...Roller holder, 107...Detection unit, 110...Housing.

Claims

1. A roll of printing tape made up of printing tape, A first case positioned at a location different from the printing tape roll in a first direction parallel to the central axis of the printing tape roll, A second case for housing the aforementioned printing tape roll, Equipped with, The first case mentioned above is, An outlet for discharging the aforementioned printing tape to the outside, A transport path through which the printing tape drawn from the printing tape roll is transported toward the discharge port, The first outer surface and the second outer surface that constitute the outermost surface of the first case in a second direction parallel to the discharge direction of the printing tape at the discharge port, The third and fourth outer surfaces constituting the outermost surface of the first case in a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions, It has, The printing tape roll has an overlapping portion that overlaps with the first case in the first direction, At least one of the first outer surface, the second outer surface, the third outer surface, and the fourth outer surface is such that the distance from the central axis of the printing tape roll is smaller than the outer radius of the printing tape roll. The second case has a fifth outer surface and a sixth outer surface that sandwich the printing tape roll in the second direction, The discharge port discharges the printing tape from the inside of the first outer surface toward the outside of the first outer surface when viewed from the first direction. The fifth outer surface is positioned closer to the first outer surface than the sixth outer surface in the second direction. A printing cassette in which the distance between the first outer surface and the fifth outer surface in the second direction is smaller than the distance between the second outer surface and the sixth outer surface in the second direction.

2. The first case has a head opening from which the printing tape is exposed, The second case has a seventh outer surface and an eighth outer surface that sandwich the printing tape roll in the third direction, The third outer surface is positioned further away from the head opening than the fourth outer surface in the third direction. The seventh outer surface is positioned closer to the third outer surface than the eighth outer surface in the third direction. The printing cassette according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the third outer surface and the seventh outer surface in the third direction is smaller than the distance between the fourth outer surface and the eighth outer surface in the third direction.

3. A roll of printing tape made up of printing tape, A first case positioned at a location different from the printing tape roll in a first direction parallel to the central axis of the printing tape roll, A second case for housing the aforementioned printing tape roll, Equipped with, The first case mentioned above is, An outlet for discharging the aforementioned printing tape to the outside, A transport path through which the printing tape drawn from the printing tape roll is transported toward the discharge port, The first outer surface and the second outer surface that constitute the outermost surface of the first case in a second direction parallel to the discharge direction of the printing tape at the discharge port, The third and fourth outer surfaces constituting the outermost surface of the first case in a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions, It has, The printing tape roll has an overlapping portion that overlaps with the first case in the first direction, At least one of the first outer surface, the second outer surface, the third outer surface, and the fourth outer surface is such that the distance from the central axis of the printing tape roll is smaller than the outer radius of the printing tape roll. The first case has a head opening from which the printing tape is exposed, The second case has a seventh outer surface and an eighth outer surface that sandwich the printing tape roll in the third direction, The third outer surface is positioned further away from the head opening than the fourth outer surface in the third direction. The seventh outer surface is positioned closer to the third outer surface than the eighth outer surface in the third direction. A printing cassette in which the distance between the third outer surface and the seventh outer surface in the third direction is smaller than the distance between the fourth outer surface and the eighth outer surface in the third direction.

4. The printing cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second case has an outer surface that is continuous in a first direction with at least one of the first outer surface, second outer surface, third outer surface and fourth outer surface.

5. The printing cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the volume of the second case is greater than the volume of the first case.

6. The printing cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the center of gravity of the printing tape storage section, which combines the second case and the components housed in the second case, overlaps with the first case in the first direction.

7. The first case has claws that engage with the printing device body into which the first case is inserted. The printing cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the claws are provided on the outer surface of the first outer surface, second outer surface, third outer surface and fourth outer surface, the outer surface at which the distance from the central axis of the printing tape roll is smaller than the outer radius of the printing tape roll.

8. The printing cassette according to claim 7, wherein the claws overlap with the printing tape roll in the first direction.

9. The first case has a detection unit that causes the printing device body into which the first case is inserted to detect cassette identification information. The printing cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the detected portion is provided on one of the first outer surface, the second outer surface, the third outer surface, and the fourth outer surface, the outer surface at which the distance from the central axis of the printing tape roll is smaller than the outer radius of the printing tape roll.

10. The printing cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, of the first outer surface, the second outer surface, the third outer surface, and the fourth outer surface, the outer surface whose distance from the central axis of the printing tape roll is smaller than the outer radius of the printing tape roll faces a roller holder that holds the platen roller of the printing device body when the first case is inserted into the printing device body.

11. The printing cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the overlapping portion does not include the portion for pulling out the printing tape in the printing tape roll.

12. The printing cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the length of the outer surface of the printing tape roll included in the overlapping portion is less than half of the total circumference of the printing tape roll.

13. The spool on which the aforementioned printing tape is wound further comprises The first case has a head opening from which the printing tape is exposed, The printing cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least a portion of the spool overlaps with the head opening in the first direction.

14. The spool on which the aforementioned printing tape is wound further comprises The first case mentioned above is, A head opening in which the printing tape intersecting the first direction is exposed, An inner wall defining the head opening when viewed from the first direction, It has, The printing cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rotation axis of the spool overlaps with the inner wall in the first direction.

15. A spool around which the aforementioned printing tape is wound, At least one gear that transmits driving force, Furthermore, The printing cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rotational axis of the spool does not overlap with the at least one gear in the first direction.

16. The printing tape roll, when the first case is inserted into the cassette housing of the printing device body, overlaps with the surface surrounding the opening of the cassette housing in the first direction, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the printing cassette.

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