cassette

Abstract

The present application provides a tape cartridge capable of making a space provided with an ink ribbon small in a perpendicular direction to an up-and-down direction. At least a part of a supply shaft (270) and at least a part of a take-up shaft (276) overlap a print tape roll (226) in a first direction. Thus, the print tape roll (226), the ink ribbon (268), and the take-up shaft (276) are respectively provided in a print tape housing (220) and a ribbon housing (221), and therefore, the tape cartridge (210) can be miniaturized in a perpendicular direction to the first direction.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of application No. 202080026161.1, filed on March 13, 2020, entitled "Tape Cartridge". TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to a tape cartridge which is detachably attached to a printing apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0003] In the past, a tape cartridge including a print tape and an ink ribbon for printing on the print tape has been known. For example, the ink ribbon cartridge described in Patent Literature 1 includes a color ribbon cartridge and a print sheet cartridge. An ink ribbon roll and a take-up shaft for taking up the ink ribbon are housed in the color ribbon cartridge. A print tape roll is housed in the print sheet cartridge. A plurality of positioning claws are provided on the outer peripheral wall of the print tape cartridge. By the plurality of positioning claws cooperating with the color ribbon cartridge, the print tape cartridge is overlaid on the color ribbon cartridge and integrated with the color ribbon cartridge. The color ribbon cartridge is provided with a head opening portion into which a print head of a printer is inserted. A tape opening portion through which the print tape passes is provided in the print tape cartridge at a position opposite the head opening portion with respect to the print tape roll. The print tape is pulled out from the print tape roll and pulled out to the outside of the print tape cartridge via the tape opening portion. Then, the print tape passes around the outer peripheral wall of the print tape cartridge and passes through the head opening portion. In the head opening portion, the print tape and the ink ribbon are overlaid on each other, and printing is performed by the print head of the printer. The printed print tape is guided by the fixing claws on the head opening portion side to a sheet door for discharging the print tape. The used ink ribbon is taken up by the take-up shaft.

[0004] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-156762 SUMMARY

[0005] With the above-described ink ribbon cartridge, by providing the ink ribbon and the print tape roll at different positions in the axis direction of the take-up shaft, i.e., in the up-down direction, the cartridge is downsized in the vertical direction perpendicular to the up-down direction. However, it is necessary to further downsize the tape cartridge in the vertical direction perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0006] The present application has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a tape cartridge which can be downsized in the vertical direction perpendicular to the width direction of the ink ribbon.

[0007] A first aspect of the present application provides a cartridge including: a print tape roll that winds a print tape that is a printed medium; a supply shaft that is rotatable to supply an ink tape used for printing to the print tape; and a take-up shaft that is rotatable to take up the ink tape supplied from the supply shaft, the supply shaft and the take-up shaft being located on one side in a first direction of the print tape roll, the first direction being a width direction of the ink tape wound on the supply shaft, at least a portion of the supply shaft and at least a portion of the take-up shaft overlapping the print tape roll in the first direction.

[0008] A second aspect of the present application, a center of rotation of the take-up shaft overlaps the print tape roll in the first direction.

[0009] A third aspect of the present application, a center of rotation of the supply shaft overlaps the print tape roll in the first direction.

[0010] A fourth aspect of the present application, the print tape roll is formed by winding the print tape on a rotatable print tape shaft, at least a portion of the ink tape taken up on the take-up shaft overlaps the print tape shaft in the first direction.

[0011] A fifth aspect of the present application, at least a portion of the take-up shaft overlaps the print tape shaft in the first direction.

[0012] A sixth aspect of the present application, the print tape roll is formed by winding the print tape on a rotatable print tape shaft, in a perpendicular direction to the first direction, a distance between a center of rotation of the take-up shaft and a center of rotation of the print tape shaft is shorter than a distance between a center of rotation of the supply shaft and the center of rotation of the print tape shaft.

[0013] A seventh aspect of the present application, in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, a distance between a center position of the cartridge and a center of rotation of the print tape roll is smaller than either of a distance between the center of rotation of the take-up shaft and the center position and a distance between the center of rotation of the supply shaft and the center position, the center position being a center of the second direction and a center of the third direction of the cartridge.

[0014] An eighth aspect of the present application, in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a size of a convex envelope defined by the print tape roll, the take-up shaft, and the supply shaft is greater than half a size of the cartridge in the second direction, in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, the size of the convex envelope is greater than half a size of the cartridge in the third direction.

[0015] In a ninth aspect of the present application, the ribbon cartridge includes: a print ribbon case accommodating the print ribbon roll; and a ribbon case located on one side of the print ribbon case in the first direction, accommodating the supply shaft and the take-up shaft, the ribbon case including: a discharge port through which the print ribbon supplied from the print ribbon roll and the ink ribbon wound around the supply shaft are discharged from the ribbon case; and an input port through which the ink ribbon discharged from the discharge port is input to the ribbon case, the take-up shaft winding the ink ribbon input from the input port.

[0016] In a tenth aspect of the present application, a portion of the ink ribbon located between the input port and a position at which the ink ribbon is wound around the take-up shaft overlaps the print ribbon roll in the first direction.

[0017] In an eleventh aspect of the present application, the ribbon case includes an adhesive ribbon roll winding an adhesive ribbon for adhering to the print ribbon, at least a portion of the adhesive ribbon roll overlapping the print ribbon roll in the first direction.

[0018] In a twelfth aspect of the present application, the print ribbon roll is formed by winding the print ribbon around a print ribbon shaft that is rotatable, at least a portion of the adhesive ribbon shaft overlapping the print ribbon shaft in the first direction.

[0019] In a thirteenth aspect of the present application, the adhesive ribbon roll is formed by winding the adhesive ribbon around an adhesive ribbon shaft that is rotatable, a center of rotation of the adhesive ribbon shaft overlapping the print ribbon roll in the first direction.

[0020] In a fourteenth aspect of the present application, the print ribbon roll is formed by winding the print ribbon around a print ribbon shaft that is rotatable, at least a portion of the adhesive ribbon shaft overlapping the print ribbon shaft in the first direction.

[0021] In a fifteenth aspect of the present application, a ribbon cartridge includes: a print ribbon roll winding a print ribbon that is a printed medium; a supply shaft that is rotatable to wind an ink ribbon used for printing to the print ribbon; a take-up shaft that is rotatable to wind the ink ribbon supplied from the supply shaft; and a spacer abutting against the print ribbon roll in a first direction that is a width direction of the ink ribbon wound around the supply shaft, at least a portion of the supply shaft and at least a portion of the take-up shaft overlapping the spacer in the first direction.

[0022] The tape cartridge according to the first aspect of the present application includes: a print tape roll that winds a print tape that is a printed medium; a supply shaft that is rotatable to supply an ink tape used for printing to the print tape; and a take-up shaft that is rotatable to take up the ink tape supplied from the supply shaft, the supply shaft and the take-up shaft being located on one side in a first direction with respect to the print tape roll, the first direction being a width direction of the ink tape wound on the supply shaft, at least a portion of the supply shaft and at least a portion of the take-up shaft overlapping the print tape roll in the first direction. Thus, the print tape roll, the supply shaft, and the take-up shaft are disposed apart in the first direction, at least a portion of the supply shaft and at least a portion of the take-up shaft overlap the print tape roll in the first direction, and therefore, the tape cartridge can be reduced in size in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0023] The tape cartridge according to the second aspect of the present application includes: a print tape roll that winds a print tape that is a printed medium; a supply shaft that is rotatable to supply an ink tape used for printing to the print tape; and a take-up shaft that is rotatable to take up the ink tape supplied from the supply shaft, a rotation center of the take-up shaft overlapping the print tape roll in the first direction. Thus, compared to a case where the rotation center of the take-up shaft does not overlap the print tape roll in the first direction, the tape cartridge can be reduced in size in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0024] The tape cartridge according to the third aspect of the present application includes: a print tape roll that winds a print tape that is a printed medium; a supply shaft that is rotatable to supply an ink tape used for printing to the print tape; and a take-up shaft that is rotatable to take up the ink tape supplied from the supply shaft, a rotation center of the supply shaft overlapping the print tape roll in the first direction. Thus, compared to a case where the rotation center of the supply shaft does not overlap the print tape roll in the first direction, the tape cartridge can be reduced in size in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0025] The tape cartridge according to the fourth aspect of the present application includes: a print tape roll that is formed by winding a print tape that is a printed medium on a rotatable print tape shaft, at least a portion of the ink tape taken up on the take-up shaft overlapping the print tape shaft in the first direction. Thus, compared to a case where at least a portion of the ink tape taken up on the take-up shaft does not overlap the print tape roll in the first direction, the tape cartridge can be reduced in size in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0026] The tape cartridge according to the fifth aspect of the present application includes: a print tape roll that winds a print tape that is a printed medium; a supply shaft that is rotatable to supply an ink tape used for printing to the print tape; and a take-up shaft that is rotatable to take up the ink tape supplied from the supply shaft, at least a portion of the take-up shaft overlapping the print tape shaft in the first direction. Thus, compared to a case where at least a portion of the take-up shaft does not overlap the print tape shaft in the first direction, the tape cartridge can be reduced in size in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0027] The tape cartridge according to the sixth aspect of the present application, the print tape roll is formed by winding the print tape on a print tape shaft capable of rotation, and in a perpendicular direction to the first direction, the distance between the rotation center of the take-up shaft and the rotation center of the print tape shaft is shorter than the distance between the rotation center of the supply shaft and the rotation center of the print tape shaft. Thus, compared to a case where the distance between the rotation center of the take-up shaft and the rotation center of the print tape shaft is longer than the distance between the rotation center of the supply shaft and the rotation center of the print tape shaft, the tape cartridge can be downsized in a perpendicular direction to the first direction.

[0028] The tape cartridge according to the seventh aspect of the present application, in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, the distance between the center position of the tape cartridge and the rotation center of the print tape roll is smaller than either one of the distance between the rotation center of the take-up shaft and the center position and the distance between the rotation center of the supply shaft and the center position, the center position being the center of the second direction and the center of the third direction of the tape cartridge. Compared to a case where the distance between the center position and the rotation center of the print tape roll is not smaller than either one of the distance between the rotation center of the take-up shaft and the center position and the distance between the rotation center of the supply shaft and the center position, the print tape roll overlaps the supply shaft more, and the tape cartridge can be downsized in a perpendicular direction to the first direction.

[0029] The tape cartridge according to the eighth aspect of the present application, in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the size of a convex envelope defined by the print tape roll, the take-up shaft, and the supply shaft is greater than half the size of the tape cartridge in the second direction, and in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, the size of the convex envelope is greater than half the size of the tape cartridge in the third direction. Thus, the print tape roll, the take-up shaft, and the supply shaft utilize a high ratio of the space within the tape cartridge, and thus the tape cartridge can be downsized in a perpendicular direction to the first direction.

[0030] The tape cartridge according to the ninth aspect of the present application includes: a print tape housing that accommodates the print tape roll; and a ribbon housing that is located on one side of the print tape housing in the first direction, accommodates the supply shaft and the take-up shaft, and includes: a discharge port through which the print tape supplied from the print tape roll and the ink ribbon wound around the supply shaft are discharged from the ribbon housing; and an input port through which the ink ribbon discharged from the discharge port is input to the ribbon housing, the take-up shaft winding the ink ribbon input from the input port. Thus, the ink ribbon that is discharged from the discharge port while being input from the input port is wound around the take-up shaft, and therefore, compared to a case where the ink ribbon is wound around the take-up shaft by a path formed in the ribbon housing, a space for forming the path is not required, and the tape cartridge can be downsized in a perpendicular direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0031] The tape cartridge according to the tenth aspect of the present application includes a portion of the ink ribbon that is located between the input port and a position at which the ink ribbon is wound around the take-up shaft overlaps the print tape roll in the first direction. Thus, compared to a case where a portion of the ink ribbon that is not located between the input port and the position at which the ink ribbon is wound around the take-up shaft overlaps the print tape roll in the first direction, the tape cartridge can be downsized in a perpendicular direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0032] The tape cartridge according to the eleventh aspect of the present application includes an adhesive tape roll that winds an adhesive tape for adhering to the print tape, at least a portion of the adhesive tape roll overlapping the print tape roll in the first direction. Thus, compared to a case where at least a portion of the adhesive tape does not overlap the print tape roll in the first direction, the tape cartridge can be downsized in a perpendicular direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0033] The tape cartridge according to the twelfth aspect of the present application includes a print tape roll formed by winding the print tape around a print tape shaft that is rotatable, at least a portion of the adhesive tape roll overlapping the print tape shaft in the first direction. Thus, compared to a case where at least a portion of the adhesive tape roll does not overlap the print tape shaft in the first direction, the tape cartridge can be downsized in a perpendicular direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0034] The tape cartridge according to the thirteenth aspect of the present application includes an adhesive tape roll formed by winding the adhesive tape around an adhesive tape shaft that is rotatable, a center of rotation of the adhesive tape shaft overlapping the print tape roll in the first direction. Thus, compared to a case where the center of rotation of the adhesive tape shaft does not overlap the print tape roll in the first direction, the tape cartridge can be downsized in a perpendicular direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0035] The tape cartridge according to the fourteenth aspect of the present application, the print tape roll is formed by winding the print tape on a print tape shaft capable of rotation, at least a portion of the adhesive tape shaft overlaps the print tape shaft in the first direction. Thereby, the tape cartridge can be downsized in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the first direction, compared to a case where at least a portion of the adhesive tape shaft does not overlap the print tape shaft in the first direction.

[0036] The fifteenth aspect of the present application provides a tape cartridge including: a print tape roll winding a print tape that is a printed medium; a supply shaft capable of rotation winding an ink tape used for printing to the print tape; a take-up shaft capable of rotation to wind the ink tape supplied from the supply shaft; and a spacer abutting against the print tape roll in a first direction that is a width direction of the ink tape wound on the supply shaft, at least a portion of the supply shaft and at least a portion of the take-up shaft overlap the spacer in the first direction. Thereby, compared to a case where the spacer does not overlap the supply shaft and the take-up shaft in the first direction, the tape cartridge can be downsized in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the first direction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0037] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating an upper surface side of a stacked tape cartridge according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0038] Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating a lower surface side of the tape cartridge of Figure 1 .

[0039] Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating a structure and an internal structure of a housing of the tape cartridge of Figure 1 .

[0040] Figure 4 is a front view illustrating an upper surface side of the first housing member of Figure 1 .

[0041] Figure 5 is a perspective view illustrating a lower surface side of the first housing member of Figure 1 .

[0042] Figure 6 is a front view illustrating an upper surface side of the second housing member of Figure 1 and a print tape roll.

[0043] Figure 7 is a perspective view illustrating the tape cartridge of Figure 1 , with the first housing member removed.

[0044] Figure 8 is a Figure 6is a sectional view of VIII-VIII of FIG. 8, showing a state in which the print ribbon is housed in the ribbon housing from the print ribbon cartridge.

[0045] Figure 9 is a sectional view of VIII-VIII of FIG. 8, showing a state in which the print ribbon is housed in the ribbon housing from the print ribbon cartridge. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the lower surface side of the second housing member of FIG. 9.

[0046] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the upper surface side of the third housing member of FIG. 10. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the upper surface side of the third housing member of FIG. 10.

[0047] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the lower surface side of the third housing member of FIG. 11. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the lower surface side of the third housing member of FIG. 11.

[0048] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the upper surface side of the fourth housing member of FIG. 12. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the upper surface side of the fourth housing member of FIG. 12.

[0049] Figure 13 is a perspective view of the lower surface side of the fourth housing member of FIG. 13. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the lower surface side of the fourth housing member of FIG. 13.

[0050] Figure 14 is a view showing the lower surface of the third housing member of FIG. 10, showing the paths of the print ribbon pulled from the print ribbon cartridge and the adhesive ribbon pulled from the adhesive ribbon cartridge, and the path of the ink ribbon pulled from the ink ribbon cartridge. Figure 1 is a view showing the lower surface of the third housing member of FIG. 10, showing the paths of the print ribbon pulled from the print ribbon cartridge and the adhesive ribbon pulled from the adhesive ribbon cartridge, and the path of the ink ribbon pulled from the ink ribbon cartridge.

[0051] Figure 15 is a view for explaining the stack of the print ribbon and the adhesive ribbon fed from the ribbon cartridge of FIG. 8. Figure 1 is a view for explaining the stack of the print ribbon and the adhesive ribbon fed from the ribbon cartridge of FIG. 8.

[0052] Figure 16 is a plan view of the ribbon cartridge of FIG. 8, showing the relative positions of the print ribbon cartridge, the adhesive ribbon cartridge, the ink ribbon, and the take-up shaft. Figure 1 is a plan view of the ribbon cartridge of FIG. 8, showing the relative positions of the print ribbon cartridge, the adhesive ribbon cartridge, the ink ribbon, and the take-up shaft.

[0053] Figure 17 is a sectional view of XVII-XVII of FIG. 14. Figure 6 is a sectional view of XVII-XVII of FIG. 14.

[0054] Figure 18 is a view for explaining the ribbon cartridge mounting portion of the print apparatus for mounting the ribbon cartridge of FIG. 8. Figure 1 is a view for explaining the ribbon cartridge mounting portion of the print apparatus for mounting the ribbon cartridge of FIG. 8.

[0055] Figure 19 is a perspective view of the upper surface side of the non-stacked type ribbon cartridge of another embodiment of the present application.

[0056] Figure 20 is a perspective view of the lower surface side of the ribbon cartridge of FIG. 15. Figure 19 is a perspective view of the lower surface side of the ribbon cartridge of FIG. 15.

[0057] Figure 21 is a perspective view of the lower surface side of the ribbon cartridge of FIG. 15.Figure 19 is a perspective view of the structure and internal structure of the cassette, showing the first casing member, the second casing member, the third casing member, and the fourth casing member that constitute the casing, separately.

[0058] Figure 22 is a front view of the upper surface side of the first casing member of Figure 19

[0059] Figure 23 is a perspective view of the lower surface side of the first casing member of Figure 19

[0060] Figure 24 is a front view of the upper surface side of the second casing member of Figure 19

[0061] Figure 25 is a perspective view of the cassette of Figure 19

[0062] is a cross-sectional view of Figure 26 Figure 24 is a state in which the print ribbon is housed in the ribbon cassette of Figure 19

[0063] is a perspective view of the lower surface side of the second casing member of Figure 27 Figure 19

[0064] Figure 28 is a perspective view of the upper surface side of the third casing member of Figure 19

[0065] Figure 29 is a perspective view of the lower surface side of the third casing member of Figure 19

[0066] Figure 30 is a perspective view of the upper surface side of the fourth casing member of Figure 19

[0067] is a bottom view of the lower surface side of the fourth casing member of Figure 31 Figure 19 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cassette of

[0068] Figure 32 Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 24

[0069] Figure 33 Figure 19 ​​​​​​​​​​​​a path of the print tape pulled out from the print tape roll and a path of the ink tape pulled out from the ink tape roll are shown.

[0070] Figure 34 is a view for explaining a path of the print tape pulled out from Figure 19 the tape cartridge of the present embodiment.

[0071] Figure 35 is a view for explaining a path of the print tape pulled out from Figure 19 the tape cartridge of the present embodiment.

[0072] Figure 36 is a view for explaining a path of the print tape pulled out from the tape cartridge of the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0073] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present application will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0074]

Embodiment 1

[0075] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the tape cartridge 10 of one embodiment of the present application from the front side, i.e., the upper surface. In the explanation of the present embodiment, Figure 1 the upper side is the front side of the tape cartridge 10, the lower side is the rear side of the tape cartridge 10, the right side is the left side of the tape cartridge 10, the left side is the right side of the tape cartridge 10, the upper left side is the upper side of the tape cartridge 10, and the lower right side is the lower side of the tape cartridge 10. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the tape cartridge 10 from the back side, i.e., the lower surface. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the tape cartridge 10 by separating the first housing member 12, the second housing member 14, the third housing member 16, and the fourth housing member 18 of the tape cartridge 10. The tape cartridge 10 is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped as a whole, and is detachably attached to the tape cartridge attachment portion 104 of the printing device 102 shown in Figure 18 Fig. 1. The tape cartridge 10 includes a first housing, i.e., a print tape housing 20, which is composed of the first housing member 12 and the second housing member 14, and a second housing, i.e., a ribbon housing 21, which is composed of the third housing member 16 and the fourth housing member 18. The stacking direction of the first housing member 12 to the fourth housing member 18, i.e., the up-down direction shown in Figure 1 Fig. 1, corresponds to a first direction of the present application. Further, the front-rear direction shown in Figure 1 Fig. 1 corresponds to a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the left-right direction shown in Figure 1 Fig. 1 corresponds to a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

[0076] The ribbon housing 21 is located on one side in the vertical direction relative to the printing tape housing 20. In this embodiment, the ribbon housing 21 is located on the lower side in the vertical direction relative to the printing tape housing 20. The printing tape housing 20 includes a printing tape roll 26 in a first space S1 formed therein, and the printing tape roll 26 is wound around the printing tape 22, which is the printing medium. The ribbon housing 21 includes an ink tape roll 72 and an adhesive tape roll 64 in a second space S2 formed therein.

[0077] The ink ribbon roll 72 is configured as a strip-shaped ink ribbon 68 wound around a take-up shaft 76, with its width direction being vertical. The ink ribbon 68 is used to print onto the strip-shaped printing belt 22. The radial direction of the ink ribbon roll 72 is both front-to-back and left-to-right, and the radial direction is a vertical direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. The vertical direction can also be any direction parallel to a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. The adhesive tape roll 64 is configured as a strip-shaped adhesive tape 60 for bonding to the printed printing belt 22, wound on an adhesive shaft, with the width direction of the adhesive tape 60 being vertical. The first housing member 12, the second housing member 14, the third housing member 16, and the fourth housing member 18 are overlapped in the vertical direction and fixed to each other by the engagement of multiple mating claws 27 and fixing claws 28 respectively provided between their respective outer peripheral walls, and by the positioning of 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.

[0078] like Figure 2 As shown, a take-up shaft support hole 94 extending vertically through the lower surface of the fourth housing member 18 of the tape cassette 10 is provided. Furthermore, on the front surfaces of the third housing member 16 and the fourth housing member 18, i.e., on the front surface of the ribbon housing 21, a recess 99 is formed for insertion into the printhead 106 (described later) of the tape cassette mounting portion 104 when the tape cassette 10 is mounted on the tape cassette mounting portion 104 of the printing device 102.

[0079] Figure 4 This is a front view showing the upper surface side of the first housing member 12. Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing the lower surface side of the first housing member 12. Figure 6 This is a front view showing the upper surface side of the second housing member 14. Figure 6 The printing tape 22 pulled out from the printing tape roll 26 is omitted in the text. Figure 7 This is a perspective view showing the upper surface of the second housing member 14. Furthermore, Figure 8 yes Figure 6 Sectional view VIII-VIII shows the state in which the printing tape 22 is mounted inside the ribbon housing 21 from the printing tape housing 20. Figure 9 This is a perspective view showing the lower surface of the second housing member 14. Figure 10is a perspective view showing the upper surface side of the third housing member 16, Figure 11 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 is a bottom view showing the lower surface side of the fourth housing member 18.

[0080] A first space S1 is formed between the first housing member 12 and the second housing member 14. In the first space S1, the print tape roll 26 is housed in a manner rotatable about a first rotation center line Cl parallel to the up-down direction. The first rotation center line Cl is not only the rotation center of the print tape roll 26 but also the rotation center of the print tape shaft 24. The print tape roll 26 is configured to wind the print tape 22 on the print tape shaft 24 as a cylindrical shaft core member. The first housing member 12 and the second housing member 14 are rectangular, and the first rotation center line Cl is located slightly to the right of the center in the first housing member 12 and the second housing member 14 in the left-right direction as a second direction, and is located approximately near the center in the front-back direction as a third direction.

[0081] The print tape 22 is a printed medium printed by the print head 106. As shown in Figure 15 , the release tape 22c is layered on the side opposite the print surface of the printed tape 22a with the adhesive 22b interposed therebetween, to constitute the print tape 22.

[0082] As shown in Figure 3 and Figure 5 , on the lower surface side of the first housing member 12, a cylindrical first support protrusion 30 and a first circumferential wall 34 are provided. The first support protrusion 30 is inserted into the cylindrical print tape shaft 24 to rotatably support the print tape roll 26. The first housing member 12 includes an outer circumferential wall 44 having a short side portion 44a and a long side portion 44b. The inner diameter of the first circumferential wall 34 is larger than the outer diameter of the print tape roll 26. The first support protrusion 30 and the first circumferential wall 34 are provided to project downward from the lower surface side of the first housing member 12 in a state of having the same center line as the first rotation center line Cl. As shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, on the upper surface side of the second housing member 14, a second support protrusion 32 and a second circumferential wall 36 are provided. The second support protrusion 32 is inserted into the cylindrical print tape shaft 24 to rotatably support the print tape roll 26. The second circumferential wall 36 has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the print tape roll 26. The second support protrusion 32 and the second circumferential wall 36 are provided to protrude upward from the upper surface side of the second housing member 14 in a state of having the same center line as the first rotation center line Cl. The print tape roll 26 is provided between the first housing member 12 and the second housing member 14 in a state of having a circular spacer 38 having substantially the same outer diameter as the outer diameter of the print tape roll 26 on the upper and lower sides of the print tape roll 26.

[0083] As shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6 , on the lower surface side of the first housing member 12 and the upper surface side of the second housing member 14, print tape doors 40, 42 are formed by cutting a portion of the first circumferential wall 34 and the second circumferential wall 36, for pulling the print tape 22 out from a certain position from the print tape roll 26. As shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7 , on the upper surface side of the second housing member 14, a guide wall 50 extending to the left side from the left end of the print tape door 42 is formed for guiding the print tape 22 pulled out from the print tape roll 26 in a certain direction.

[0084] As shown in Figure 6 , the guide wall 50 extending to the left from the left end of the print tape door 42 is bent to the long side portion 46b side, that is, to the rear, before reaching the short side portion 46a of the outer circumferential wall 46, extends along the second circumferential wall 36, and is connected to the long side portion 46b.

[0085] As shown in Figure 6 , on the bottom plate 14a of the second housing member 14, a through hole 52 extending in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction along the guide wall 50 and the long side portion 46b of the outer circumferential wall 46 and having a substantially L shape when viewed from the front is formed. On the bottom plate 14a, between the portion of the second circumferential wall 36 opposite the guide wall 50 and the long side portion 46b and the through hole 52, a plurality of guide ribs 54 are formed. The plurality of guide ribs 54 guide the print tape 22 pulled out from the print tape roll 26 and passing through the print tape doors 40, 42 into the through hole 52.

[0086] Figure 7 The cassette 10 with the first housing member 12 removed is shown. As shown in Figure 7As shown, the printing tape 22 pulled from the printing tape roll 26 is guided through the through hole 52 into the second space S2 between the third housing member 16 and the fourth housing member 18. The printing tape 22 is supported between the printing tape housing 20 and the ribbon housing 21 through the through hole 52 formed in the base plate 14a, which serves as a plate separating the first space S1 and the second space S2.

[0087] like Figure 8 As shown, the printing tape 22 is obliquely mounted inside the ribbon housing 21 from within the printing tape housing 20 through the through hole 52. More specifically, as described later. Figure 14 As shown, the printing tape 22 is mounted in the recess 99 of the tape housing 21. Figure 9 The lower surface side of the second housing member 14 is shown. (As shown) Figure 9 As shown, on the back side of the bottom plate 14a of the second housing component 14, a through hole 52 is opened, and a guide wall 56 is erected along the through hole 52 in the vertical direction. Figure 10 The upper surface of the third housing member 16 is shown. On the top plate 16e of the third housing member 16, a through hole 58, an adhesive tape roll support hole 66, an ink tape support hole 74, a take-up shaft support hole 78, and a roller support hole 82 are formed. The through hole 58 is formed at a position corresponding to the through hole 52 of the second housing member 14, for allowing the printing tape 22 pulled from the printing tape roll 26 to pass through the second space S2. That is, a portion of the through hole 52 and a portion of the through hole 58 repeat each other in the vertical direction.

[0088] The bottom plate 14a of the second housing member 14 and the top plate 16e of the third housing member 16 separate the first space S1 inside the printing tape housing 20 and the second space S2 inside the ribbon housing 21.

[0089] 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, supporting the adhesive tape roll 64 in a manner that allows it to rotate about a second rotation center line C2 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 for protecting the print surface of the print tape 22 is made of a transparent film 60a coated with an adhesive 60b on the surface in contact with the print surface. One end of a supply shaft 70 on which the ink tape 68 is wound is inserted into an ink tape support hole 74, so that the ink tape support hole 74 supports the ink tape roll 72 in such a manner as to be rotatable about a third rotational center line C3 parallel to the first rotational center line Cl. The third rotational center line C3 is not only the rotational center of the ink tape roll 72 but also the rotational center of the supply shaft 70. One end of a take-up shaft 76 on which the ink tape 68 drawn from the ink tape roll 72 is wound is inserted into a take-up shaft support hole 78, so that the take-up shaft support hole 78 supports the take-up shaft 76 in such a manner as to be rotatable about a fourth rotational center line C4 parallel to the first rotational center line Cl. The fourth rotational center line C4 is the rotational center of the take-up shaft 76. In order to press the print surface of the print tape 22 and the adhesive surface of the adhesive tape 60 together, a roller 80 presses the print tape 22 and the adhesive tape 60 between the roller and a roller of the printing device 102, one end of the roller 80 is inserted into a roller support hole 82, so that the roller support hole 82 supports the roller 80 in such a manner as to be rotatable about a fifth rotational center line C5 parallel to the first rotational center line Cl.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 6, the third housing member 16 has a short side portion 16a and a long side portion 16b as outer peripheral walls, and a U-shaped recess wall 16c arranged so as to surround the recess 99. Further, on the lower surface of the third housing member 16, a support protrusion 93 is provided which rotatably supports an upper end portion of an anti-adhesion roller 91 for preventing the adhesive tape 60 from adhering. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, on the upper surface of the fourth housing member 18, a support protrusion 95 is provided which supports a lower end portion of the anti-adhesion roller 91 in such a manner as to be connectable to the lower end portion of the anti-adhesion roller 91. Figure 11 As shown in FIG. 6, the third housing member 16 has a short side portion 16a and a long side portion 16b as outer peripheral walls, and a U-shaped recess wall 16c arranged so as to surround the recess 99. Further, on the lower surface of the third housing member 16, a support protrusion 93 is provided which rotatably supports an upper end portion of an anti-adhesion roller 91 for preventing the adhesive tape 60 from adhering. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, on the upper surface of the fourth housing member 18, a support protrusion 95 is provided which supports a lower end portion of the anti-adhesion roller 91 in such a manner as to be connectable to the lower end portion of the anti-adhesion roller 91. Figure 12 As shown in FIG. 6, the third housing member 16 has a short side portion 16a and a long side portion 16b as outer peripheral walls, and a U-shaped recess wall 16c arranged so as to surround the recess 99. Further, on the lower surface of the third housing member 16, a support protrusion 93 is provided which rotatably supports an upper end portion of an anti-adhesion roller 91 for preventing the adhesive tape 60 from adhering. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, on the upper surface of the fourth housing member 18, a support protrusion 95 is provided which supports a lower end portion of the anti-adhesion roller 91 in such a manner as to be connectable to the lower end portion of the anti-adhesion roller 91.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 6, the third housing member 16 has a short side portion 16a and a long side portion 16b as outer peripheral walls, and a U-shaped recess wall 16c arranged so as to surround the recess 99. Further, on the lower surface of the third housing member 16, a support protrusion 93 is provided which rotatably supports an upper end portion of an anti-adhesion roller 91 for preventing the adhesive tape 60 from adhering. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, on the upper surface of the fourth housing member 18, a support protrusion 95 is provided which supports a lower end portion of the anti-adhesion roller 91 in such a manner as to be connectable to the lower end portion of the anti-adhesion roller 91. Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 6, the third housing member 16 has a short side portion 16a and a long side portion 16b as outer peripheral walls, and a U-shaped recess wall 16c arranged so as to surround the recess 99. Further, on the lower surface of the third housing member 16, a support protrusion 93 is provided which rotatably supports an upper end portion of an anti-adhesion roller 91 for preventing the adhesive tape 60 from adhering. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, on the upper surface of the fourth housing member 18, a support protrusion 95 is provided which supports a lower end portion of the anti-adhesion roller 91 in such a manner as to be connectable to the lower end portion of the anti-adhesion roller 91.

[0092] Figure 12 and Figure 13 The upper surface and the lower surface of the fourth housing member 18 are shown. The fourth housing member 18 is formed with a winding shaft support hole 94 that penetrates in the up-and-down direction, the other end of the winding shaft 76 is inserted into the winding shaft support hole 94, and the winding shaft support hole 94 rotatably supports the winding shaft 76. A coupling 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 housing member 18 through the winding shaft support hole 94, as shown in Figure 2 When the tape cartridge 10 is mounted in the printing device 102, a winding shaft drive shaft 108 of the printing device 102 described later is inserted into the coupling hole 96 to be coupled to the winding shaft 76, and the winding shaft 76 is driven to rotate by the winding shaft drive shaft 108. Further, the fourth housing member 18 is formed with a cylindrical support protrusion 97, the other end of the supply shaft 70 is inserted into the support protrusion 97, and the support protrusion 97 rotatably supports the supply shaft 70.

[0093] 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, and the roller exposure hole 98 exposes the shaft end of the roller 80. A coupling portion 80a of the roller 80 formed on the end portion on the fourth housing member 18 side is exposed to the lower surface of the fourth housing member 18 through the roller exposure hole 98, as shown in Figure 2 When the tape cartridge 10 is mounted in the printing device 102, a roller drive shaft 110 of the printing device 102 described later is coupled to the coupling portion 80a, and the roller 80 is rotationally driven by the roller drive shaft 110. As shown in Figure 12 and Figure 13 The fourth housing member 18 is formed with a U-shaped cutout 18a corresponding to the recess wall 16c. The recess wall 16c and the cutout 18a form a recess 99.

[0094] Figure 14 The lower surface of the third housing member 16 when the tape cartridge 10 is mounted in the tape cartridge mounting portion 104 of the printing device 102 is shown. As described above, the print tape 22 is drawn out from the print tape roll 26, and is inclined from the first space SI inside the print tape housing 20 to the second space S2 inside the ribbon housing 21 through the through hole 52 and the through hole 58. Therefore, in the Figure 14 , the print tape 22 is shown from the through hole 58 at the back of the third housing member 16. As shown in Figure 14 The print tape 22 and the adhesive tape 60 are pressed and held by the roller 80 and a pressure roller 118 of the printing device 102, and are drawn out from the print tape roll 26 and the adhesive tape roll 64, respectively, by the drive of the roller 80. The ink tape 68 is drawn out from the ink tape roll 72 by the drive of the winding shaft 76, and is wound on the winding shaft 76. The print tape 22 is indicated by a double-dotted line, the adhesive tape 60 is indicated by a dashed line, and the ink tape 68 is indicated by a single-dotted line.

[0095] AsFigure 14 As shown, the ink ribbon 68 is discharged from the colorant cartridge 21, i.e., the third housing member 16, toward the printing position P along with the print tape 22 from the discharge port 130 of the colorant cartridge 21. At the printing position P between the print head 106 and the platen roller 116, the print tape 22 is pressed against the print head 106 with the ink ribbon 68 interposed therebetween. In this state, a plurality of heating elements provided on the surface of the print head 106 are selectively driven to locally heat, thereby causing a portion of the ink 68a provided on one surface of the ink ribbon 68 to be transferred to the print tape 22, and characters, symbols, or the like are printed on the print tape 22. The used ink ribbon 68 that has passed through the printing position P is introduced into the colorant cartridge 21 from the input port 132, and is wound around the take-up shaft 76. The roller 80 and the pressure roller 118 of the printing device 102 press and adhere the transparent adhesive tape 60 to the printed surface of the print tape 22 that has passed through the printing position P. Thus, the printed surface of the print tape 22 is protected by the adhesive tape 60.

[0096] Figure 15 The stack of the print tape 22 and the adhesive tape 60 that is fed from the cartridge 10 is schematically shown. The adhesive tape 60, which is composed of a transparent film 60a having an adhesive 60b applied to one surface, is adhered to the printed surface side of the print tape 22, i.e., the print tape a side of the print tape 22. Thus, the ink 68a transferred to the printed surface of the print tape 22 is protected. Figure 15 The dimensions and size ratios of the respective components 22a to 22c, 60a, 60b, 68a of the stack in

[0097] Figure 16 is a view showing the lower surface of the third housing member 16. Inside the second space S2 between the third housing member 16 and the fourth housing member 18, i.e., inside the colorant cartridge 21, the adhesive tape roll 64, the ink ribbon roll 72, the take-up shaft 76, and the roller 80 are arranged. As described above, the colorant cartridge 21 is arranged so as to overlap the print tape cartridge 20 in the lower direction. When the print tape roll 26 and the spacer 38 housed in the print tape cartridge 20 are projected in the up-and-down direction onto a projection plane that extends in the front-and-rear direction and the left-and-right direction, the projection positions of the print tape roll 26 and the spacer 38 are indicated by single-dot chain lines in Figure 16 Since the spacer 38 has substantially the same diameter as the print tape roll 26, the Figure 16 In Figure 16 As shown, the adhesive tape roll 64, the ink ribbon roll 72, and the take-up shaft 76 are arranged at positions overlapping the print tape roll 26 in the up-and-down direction. At least a portion of the adhesive tape roll 64 and at least a portion of the adhesive tape shaft 62 overlap the print tape roll 26 in the up-and-down direction. More specifically, a portion of the adhesive tape roll 64 and a portion of the adhesive tape shaft 62 overlap the print tape shaft 24 and the print tape 22 wound around the print tape shaft 24, respectively, in the up-and-down direction.

[0098] In Figure 16 which the second rotation center line C2 of the adhesive tape roll 64, the third rotation center line C3 of the ink tape roll 72, and the fourth rotation center line C4 of the take-up shaft 76 overlap in the up-and-down direction. In other words, the second rotation center line C2 of the adhesive tape roll 64, the third rotation center line C3 of the ink tape roll 72, and the fourth rotation center line C4 of the take-up shaft 76 are located within the projection plane of the print tape roll 26 in the up-and-down direction. The third rotation center line C3 is also the rotation center of the supply shaft 70, and the fourth rotation center line C4 is also the rotation center of the take-up shaft 76. Furthermore, a portion of the adhesive tape roll 64 and the adhesive tape shaft 62 overlap the print tape roll 26 and the spacer 38 in the up-and-down direction. At least a portion of the supply shaft 70, at least a portion of the ink tape roll 72, at least a portion of the take-up shaft 76, at least a portion of the ink tape 68 wound around the take-up shaft 76, and at least a portion of the used ink tape 68 that has passed through the printing position P overlap the print tape roll 26 and the spacer 38 in the up-and-down direction. That is, at least a portion of each of the adhesive tape roll 64, the adhesive tape shaft 62, the supply shaft 70, and the ink tape roll 72 is located within the projection plane of the print tape roll 26 and the spacer 38 in the up-and-down direction.

[0099] Furthermore, in Figure 16 which the distance between the second rotation center line C2 of the adhesive tape roll 64 and the third rotation center line C3 of the ink tape roll 72 is greater than the distance between the second rotation center line C2 of the adhesive tape roll 64 and the fourth rotation center line C4 of the take-up shaft 76 and the distance between the third rotation center line C3 of the ink tape roll 72 and the fourth rotation center line C4 of the take-up shaft 76. The distance between the second rotation center line C2 of the adhesive tape roll 64 and the fourth rotation center line C4 of the take-up shaft 76 is greater than the distance between the third rotation center line C3 of the ink tape roll 72 and the fourth rotation center line C4 of the take-up shaft 76.

[0100] Furthermore, in Figure 16 which the first rotation center line CI of the print tape roll 26 is located near the midpoint of a straight line connecting the second rotation center line C2 of the adhesive tape roll 64 and the third rotation center line C3 of the ink tape roll 72. The first rotation center line CI overlaps the adhesive tape roll 64 in the front-and-rear direction and the left-and-right direction. That is, the rotation center of the print tape roll 26, in other words, the rotation center of the print tape shaft 24, overlaps the adhesive tape roll 64 in the up-and-down direction. The fourth rotation center line C4 of the take-up shaft 76 is located on the opposite side of the aforementioned straight line from the recess 99. The distance between the fourth rotation center line C4 and the first rotation center line CI is smaller than the distance between the third rotation center line C3 and the first rotation center line CI and smaller than the distance between the second rotation center line C2 and the first rotation center line CI.

[0101] Furthermore, at least a portion of the ink tape 68 wound on the take-up shaft 76, and at least a portion of the ink tape 68 located between the positions of the print position P and the position wound on the take-up shaft 76 from the input port 132, overlap with the print tape roll 26, the print tape shaft 24 and the spacer 38 in the vertical direction.

[0102] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the outer peripheral wall of the third housing member 16 forms part of the outer peripheral wall of the box 10. The dimensions of the third housing member 16 in the front-rear and left-right directions are approximately equal to the dimensions of the box 10 in the front-rear and left-right directions. Therefore, the center positions of the third housing member 16 in the front-rear and left-right directions are approximately the same as the center positions of the box 10 in the front-rear and left-right directions. Figure 16 As shown, in the front-back direction and the left-right direction (vertical direction), the distance between the center position M, which is the center of the tape cassette 10 in the front-back direction and the center of the left-right direction, and the first rotation center line C1 of the printing tape roll 26 is shorter than the distance between the center position M and the second rotation center line C2 of the adhesive tape roll 64, the distance between the center position M and the third rotation center line C3 of the ink tape roll 72, and the distance between the center position M and the fourth rotation center line C4 of the take-up shaft 76. That is, in the vertical direction, which is perpendicular to the up-down direction, the first rotation center line C1 is positioned closer to the center of the tape cassette 10 than any of the second to fourth rotation center lines C2 to C4.

[0103] Furthermore, the diameter of the printing tape roll 26 is larger than the diameter of the adhesive tape roll 64. In the front-back direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and in the left-right direction perpendicular to both the up-down and front-back directions, the size (diameter d) of the printing tape roll 26 is greater than half the size of the tape cassette 10 in the front-back and left-right directions, for example, half the length L of the long side.

[0104] Figure 17 yes Figure 6 Sectional view XVII-XVII. In the vertical direction, the distance D between the lower end of the printing tape roll 26 and the upper end of the adhesive tape roll 64 is less than the width dimension W1 of the adhesive tape 60. Since 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.

[0105] In the front-rear direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the left-right direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the front-rear direction, the distance from the center position M that is the center of the front-rear direction and the left-right direction of the cartridge to the first rotation center line Cl that is the rotation center of the print tape roll 26 is smaller than the distance from the center position M to the second rotation center line C2 that is the rotation center of the adhesive tape roll 64. The diameter of the print tape roll 26 is larger than the diameter of the adhesive tape roll 64. The convex envelope line H formed by connecting the outer circumferential circles of the print tape roll 26, the take-up shaft 76, and the supply shaft 70 of the wound ink ribbon 68 in tangents has a dimension in the front-rear direction that is larger than half the dimension of the third housing member 16 in the front-rear direction. The dimension of the convex envelope line H in the left-right direction is larger than half the dimension of the third housing member 16 in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 10, the outer peripheral wall of the third housing member 16 constitutes part of the outer peripheral wall of the cartridge 10. Therefore, it can also be said that the dimensions of the convex envelope line H in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction are each larger than half the dimensions of the cartridge 10 in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. Figure 2

[0106] Figure 18 A cartridge mounting portion 104 provided in a part of a printing device 102 included in a printing system 122 is shown. The cartridge mounting portion 104 is provided with a rectangular positioning hole 112 for positioning an inserted cartridge 10, and a take-up shaft drive shaft 108 and a roller drive shaft 110 that are provided upright on the bottom surface of the positioning hole 112. The positioning hole 112 functions as a housing portion that houses a part of a ribbon case 21 that is the lower case of the cartridge 10. The take-up shaft drive shaft 108 and the roller drive shaft 110 are rotationally driven in the same direction by a step motor (not shown) via a gear mechanism. On the bottom surface of the positioning hole 112 of the cartridge mounting portion 104, a print head holding plate 114 on which a thermal print head (thermal sensitive print head) 106 is fixed is provided upright, and a platen roller holding member 120 is provided so as to be rotatable about the base end portion, and a platen roller 116 and a pressure roller 118 are provided so as to be rotatable at the head end portion of the platen roller holding member 120. The print head holding plate 114 is, for example, an aluminum-made metal plate that functions as a heat sink for the print head.

[0107] When the cartridge 10 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 104 of the printing device 102, the take-up shaft drive shaft 108 and the roller drive shaft 110 provided upright on the cartridge mounting portion 104 are coupled to the take-up shaft 76 and the roller 80. Next, when a lid (not shown) of the printing device 102 is closed in a state in which the cartridge 10 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 104, the platen roller holding member 120 is rotated about the base end portion thereof, and the platen roller 116 and the pressure roller 118 are pressed toward the print head 106 and the roller 80 of the cartridge 10. The printing device 102 and the cartridge 10 constitute the printing system 122.

[0108] ​The tape cartridge 10 of the present embodiment includes a print tape roll 26 on which a print tape 22 serving as a print medium is wound, a rotatable supply shaft 70 on which an ink ribbon 68 used when printing on the print tape 22 supplied from the print tape roll 26 is wound, and a take-up shaft 76 that is rotatable to take up the ink ribbon 68 supplied from the supply shaft 70, the supply shaft 70 and the take-up shaft 76 being located on a lower side in an up-and-down direction that is a width direction of the ink ribbon 68 wound on the supply shaft 70 with respect to the print tape roll 26, at least a portion of the supply shaft 70 and at least a portion of the take-up shaft 76 overlapping the print tape roll 26 in the up-and-down direction. Thus, the print tape roll 26, the supply shaft 70, and the take-up shaft 76 are disposed separately in the up-and-down direction, at least a portion of the supply shaft 70 and at least a portion of the take-up shaft 76 overlapping the print tape roll 26 in the up-and-down direction, and thus the tape cartridge 10 can be downsized in a vertical direction that is perpendicular to the up-and-down direction.

[0109] Further, according to the tape cartridge 10 of the present embodiment, a fourth center of rotation C4 that is a center of rotation of the take-up shaft 76 overlaps the print tape roll 26 in the up-and-down direction. Thus, compared to a case where the fourth center of rotation C4 of the take-up shaft 76 does not overlap the print tape roll 26 in the up-and-down direction, the tape cartridge 10 can be downsized in a vertical direction that is perpendicular to the up-and-down direction.

[0110] Further, according to the tape cartridge 10 of the present embodiment, a third center of rotation C3 that is a center of rotation of the supply shaft 70 overlaps the print tape roll 26 in the up-and-down direction. Thus, compared to a case where the third center of rotation C3 of the supply shaft 70 does not overlap the print tape roll in the up-and-down direction, the tape cartridge 10 can be downsized in a vertical direction that is perpendicular to the up-and-down direction.

[0111] Further, according to the tape cartridge 10 of the present embodiment, in the print tape roll 26, the print tape 22 is wound on a rotatable print tape shaft 24, and at least a portion of the ink ribbon 68 taken up on the take-up shaft 76 overlaps the print tape roll 26 in the up-and-down direction. Thus, compared to a case where at least a portion of the ink ribbon 68 taken up on the take-up shaft 76 does not overlap the print tape roll 26 in the up-and-down direction, the tape cartridge 10 can be downsized in a vertical direction that is perpendicular to the up-and-down direction.

[0112] Further, according to the tape cartridge 10 of the present embodiment, at least a portion of the take-up shaft 76 overlaps the print tape shaft 24 in the up-and-down direction. Thus, compared to a case where at least a portion of the take-up shaft 76 does not overlap the print tape shaft 24 in the up-and-down direction, the tape cartridge 10 can be downsized in a vertical direction that is perpendicular to the up-and-down direction.

[0113] Further, according to the tape cartridge 10 of the present embodiment, by winding the print tape around the print tape shaft 24 that is rotatable to form the print tape roll 26, in the vertical direction perpendicular to the up-down direction, the distance between the fourth center of rotation C4 that is the center of rotation of the take-up shaft 76 and the first center of rotation C1 that is the center of rotation of the print tape shaft 24 is shorter than the distance between the third center of rotation C3 that is the center of rotation of the supply shaft 70 and the first center of rotation C1 that is the center of rotation of the print tape shaft 24. Thus, compared to a case where the distance between the fourth center of rotation C4 that is the center of rotation of the take-up shaft 76 and the first center of rotation C1 that is the center of rotation of the print tape shaft 24 is longer than the distance between the third center of rotation C3 that is the center of rotation of the supply shaft 70 and the first center of rotation C1 that is the center of rotation of the print tape shaft 24, the tape cartridge 10 can be downsized in the vertical direction perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0114] Further, according to the tape cartridge 10 of the present embodiment, in the front-rear direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the left-right direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the front-rear direction, the distance between the center position M that is the front-rear direction center and the left-right direction center of the tape cartridge 10 and the first center of rotation C1 that is the center of rotation of the print tape roll 26 is smaller than either one of the distance between the fourth center of rotation C4 that is the center of rotation of the take-up shaft 76 and the center position M and the distance between the third center of rotation C3 that is the center of rotation of the supply shaft 70 and the center position. Since the diameter of the print tape roll 26 is larger than the diameter of the adhesive tape roll 64, compared to a case where the distance between the center position M and the center of rotation of the print tape roll 26 is not smaller than either one of the distance between the center of rotation of the take-up shaft 76 and the center position M and the distance between the center of rotation of the supply shaft 70 and the center position M, the print tape roll 26 overlaps the supply shaft 70 more, and the tape cartridge 10 can be downsized in the vertical direction perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0115] Further, according to the tape cartridge 10 of the present embodiment, the convex envelope H formed by connecting the outer circumferences of the print tape roll 26, the take-up shaft 76, and the ribbon roll 72 or the supply shaft 70 with tangents has a dimension in the front-rear direction perpendicular to the up-down direction that is larger than half the dimension of the tape cartridge 10 in the front-rear direction. Also, the convex envelope H has a dimension in the left-right direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the front-rear direction that is larger than half the dimension of the tape cartridge 10 in the left-right direction. Thus, the print tape roll 26, the take-up shaft 76, and the supply shaft 70 utilize a high ratio of the space within the tape cartridge 10, and thus the tape cartridge 10 can be downsized in the vertical direction perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0116] Further, the tape cartridge 10 according to the present embodiment includes the print tape case 20 that accommodates the print tape roll 26, and the ribbon case 21 that is located below the print tape case 20 in the up-down direction and accommodates the supply shaft 70 and the take-up shaft 76. The ribbon case 21 includes the discharge port 130 through which the ink ribbon 68 supplied from the print tape roll 26 and wound around the supply shaft 70 is discharged from the ribbon case 21, and the input port 132 through which the ink ribbon 68 discharged from the discharge port 130 is input to the ribbon case 21. The take-up shaft 76 winds the ink ribbon 68 input from the input port 132. Thus, the ink ribbon 68 that is input from the input port 132 while being discharged from the discharge port 130 is wound on the take-up shaft 76, and therefore, compared to a case where the ink ribbon 68 is wound on the take-up shaft 76 by a path formed in the ribbon case 21, a space for forming a return path of the ink ribbon 68 in the ribbon case 21 is not required, and the tape cartridge 10 can be downsized in a vertical direction perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0117] Further, the tape cartridge 10 according to the present embodiment, a portion of the ink ribbon 68 located between the input port 132 and a position where the ink ribbon 68 is wound on the take-up shaft 76 overlaps the print tape roll 26 in the up-down direction. Thus, compared to a case where a portion of the ink ribbon not located between the input port 132 and the position where the ink ribbon 68 is wound on the take-up shaft 76 overlaps the print tape roll 26 in the up-down direction, the tape cartridge 10 can be downsized in a vertical direction perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0118] Further, the tape cartridge 10 according to the present embodiment, the ribbon case 21 includes the adhesive tape roll 64 for winding the adhesive tape 60 adhered to the print tape 22, at least a portion of the adhesive tape 60 overlaps the print tape roll 26 in the up-down direction. Thus, compared to a case where at least a portion of the adhesive tape 60 does not overlap the print tape roll 26 in the up-down direction, the tape cartridge 10 can be downsized in a vertical direction perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0119] The tape cartridge 10 according to the present embodiment, by winding the print tape 22 on the print tape shaft 24 that can rotate to form the print tape roll 26, at least a portion of the adhesive tape roll 64 overlaps the print tape shaft 24 in the up-down direction. Thus, compared to a case where at least a portion of the adhesive tape roll 64 does not overlap the print tape shaft 24 in the up-down direction, the tape cartridge 10 can be downsized in a vertical direction perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0120] According to the tape cartridge 10 of this embodiment, the adhesive tape roll 64 is configured by winding the adhesive tape 60 around the rotatable adhesive tape shaft 62, and the rotation center of the adhesive tape shaft 62 overlaps the print tape roll 26 in the up-down direction. Thus, compared to a case where the rotation center of the adhesive tape shaft 62 does not overlap the print tape roll 26 in the up-down direction, the tape cartridge 10 can be downsized in the vertical direction perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0121] According to the tape cartridge 10 of this embodiment, the print tape roll 26 is formed by winding the print tape 22 around the rotatable print tape shaft 24, and at least a portion of the adhesive tape shaft 62 overlaps the print tape shaft 24 in the up-down direction. Thus, compared to a case where at least a portion of the adhesive tape shaft 62 does not overlap the print tape shaft 24 in the up-down direction, the tape cartridge 10 can be downsized in the vertical direction perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0122] Further, according to the tape cartridge 10 of this embodiment, the tape cartridge 10 includes the print tape roll 26 around which the print tape 22 as a printed medium is wound, the ink ribbon 68 around which printing is performed on the print tape 22, the rotatable supply shaft 70, the take-up shaft 76 around which the ink ribbon 68 supplied from the supply shaft 70 is taken up, and the spacer 38 that abuts against the print tape roll 26 in the up-down direction, i.e., the width direction of the ink ribbon 68 wound around the supply shaft 70, and at least a portion of the supply shaft 70 and at least a portion of the take-up shaft 76 overlap the spacer 38 in the up-down direction. Thus, compared to a case where the spacer 38 and the ink ribbon 68 do not overlap in the up-down direction, the tape cartridge 10 can be downsized in the vertical direction perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0123] [Embodiment 2]

[0124] Next, other embodiments of the present application will be described. In the following description, portions common to each of the embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0125] Figure 19 is a perspective view of a tape cartridge 210 of another embodiment of the present application, shown from the front side, i.e., the upper surface. In the description of this embodiment, Figure 19 the upper side is the front side of the tape cartridge 210, the lower side is the rear side of the tape cartridge 210, the right side is the left side of the tape cartridge 210, the left side is the right side of the tape cartridge 210, the upper left side is the upper side of the tape cartridge 210, and the lower right side is the lower side of the tape cartridge 210. Figure 20 is a perspective view of the tape cartridge 210, shown from the back side, i.e., the lower surface. The tape cartridge 210 is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped as a whole, and is attached to a printer that is the same in structure as Figure 18 except that the size is slightly different and does not include the roller drive shaft 110, in a detachable manner. Hereinafter, the Figure 18The printer will be described with reference to the printing apparatus 102. Since the tape cartridge 210 of the present 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 tape cartridge 10. Figure 21 Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the tape cartridge 210, and shows the first housing member 212, the second housing member 214, the third housing member 216, and the fourth housing member 218 of the tape cartridge 210 separately.

[0126] The tape cartridge 210 includes a first housing, i.e., a print tape housing 220, composed of the first housing member 212 and the second housing member 214, and a second housing, i.e., a color tape housing 221, composed of the third housing member 216 and the fourth housing member 218. The laminating direction of the first housing member 212 to the fourth housing member 218, i.e., the up-down direction shown in Fig. 10, corresponds to a first direction of the present application. Further, the front-rear direction shown in Fig. 10 corresponds to a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, Figure 19 Figure 19 Figure 19

[0127] The color tape housing 221 is located on one side in the up-down direction with respect to the print tape housing 220. In the present embodiment, the color tape housing 221 is located on the lower side in the up-down direction with respect to the print tape housing 220. The print tape housing 220 includes a print tape roll 226 wound with a print tape 222 as a printing medium in a first space S1 formed in the inside thereof. The color tape housing 221 includes an ink tape roll 272 in a second space S2 formed in the inside thereof.

[0128] The ink tape roll 272 is configured such that an ink tape 268 in a tape shape is wound around the winding shaft 76 so that the width direction is the up-down direction. The ink tape 268 is used for printing on the print tape 222 in a tape shape. The radial direction of the ink tape roll 272 is the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, and the radial direction is a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the up-down direction. The perpendicular direction can also be an arbitrary direction parallel to a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0129] The first housing member 212, the second housing member 214, the third housing member 216, and the fourth housing member 218 are fixed to each other in a state of being overlapped with each other in the up-down direction by engagement of the plurality of engagement claws 227 and the fixing claws 228 and positioning of the positioning protrusions 229 provided between the outer peripheral walls of the members, thereby constituting the tape cartridge 210. In the present embodiment, the surface on the upper side of each of the housing members 212 to 218 is referred to as an upper surface or a front surface, and the surface on the lower side is referred to as a lower surface or a back surface.

[0130] As shown in Fig. 10, Figure 20 ​​​As shown, a winding shaft support hole 294 that penetrates in the up-down direction is provided in the lower surface of the fourth housing member 218 of the ribbon cassette 210. Further, in the surface of the front side of the third housing member 216 and the fourth housing member 218, that is, in the surface of the front side of the ribbon housing 221, a recess 299 into which the aforementioned print head 106 provided in the ribbon cassette mounting portion 104 is inserted when the ribbon cassette 210 is mounted in the ribbon cassette mounting portion 104 of the printing device 102 is formed.

[0131] Figure 22 is a front view showing the upper surface side of the first housing member 212, Figure 23 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. In Figure 24 , the print ribbon 222 pulled out from the print ribbon roll 226 is omitted. Figure 25 is a perspective view showing the upper surface side of the second housing member 214. Further, Figure 26 is Figure 24 a cross-sectional view of XXVI-XXVI of FIG. 26, showing a state in which the print ribbon 222 is housed in the ribbon housing 220 inside the ribbon cassette 210. Figure 27 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 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 is a bottom view showing the lower surface side of the fourth housing member 218.

[0132] A first space S1 is formed between the first housing member 212 and the second housing member 214. In the first space S1, the print ribbon roll 226 is housed in a manner rotatable about a first rotation center line Cl that is parallel to the up-down direction. The print ribbon roll 226 is configured to wind the print ribbon 222 around the print ribbon shaft 224 that is a cylindrical shaft core member. The first housing member 212 and the second housing member 214 are rectangular, the first rotation center line Cl is located slightly to the right of the center in the first housing member 212 and the second housing member 214 in a left-right direction that is a second direction, and is located approximately near the center in a front-rear direction that is a third direction.

[0133] The print ribbon 222 is a printed medium that is printed by the print head 106. As shown in Figure 34 , for example, a release tape 222c is laminated on the surface of the printed ribbon 222a on the opposite side of the printing surface with an adhesive 222b to configure the print ribbon 222.

[0134] AsFigure 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 rotatably support the printing tape roll 226. The first housing member 212 includes an outer circumferential wall 244 having a short side 244a and a long side 244b. 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 configured to protrude downward from the lower surface side of the first housing member 212 with a centerline that is the same as the first rotation centerline C1. Figure 25 and Figure 25 As shown, a cylindrical second support protrusion 232 and a second circumferential wall 236 are provided on the upper surface side of the second housing member 214. The second support protrusion 232 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 second circumferential wall 236 is larger than the outer diameter of the printing tape roll 226. The second support protrusion 232 and the second circumferential wall 236 are configured to protrude upward from the upper surface side of the second housing member 214 with a centerline that is the same as the first rotation centerline C1. The printing tape roll 226 is disposed between the first housing member 212 and the second housing member 214 with circular spacers 238 having an outer diameter that is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the printing tape roll 226 located above and below the printing tape roll 226, respectively.

[0135] like Figure 23 and Figure 24 As shown, printing tape doors 240 and 242 are formed on the lower surface of the first housing member 212 and the upper surface of the second housing member 214 by cutting a portion of the first circumferential wall 234 and the second circumferential wall 236, for pulling the printing tape 222 out from a certain position from the printing tape roll 226. Figure 24 and Figure 25 As shown, a guide wall 250 extending to the left from the left end of the printing tape gate 242 is formed on the upper surface side of the second housing member 214 for guiding the printing tape 222 pulled out from the printing tape roll 226 in a certain direction. In this embodiment, the guide wall 248 is formed by a portion of the second circumferential wall 236.

[0136] like Figure 23 As shown, the guide wall 248 of the first housing member 212 extends to the left from the printing tape door 240 and connects to the short side 244a of the outer peripheral wall 244. Figure 24 As shown, the guide wall 250 of the second housing member 214 extends to the left from the printing tape door 240 and connects to the short side 246a of the outer peripheral wall 246.

[0137] like Figure 24As shown, a through hole 252 is formed on the bottom plate 214a of the second housing member 214, extending in both the front-rear and left-right directions along the short side 246a and long side 246b of the second circumferential wall 236 and the outer circumferential wall 246, and generally L-shaped when viewed from the front. The through hole 252 is the third opening. Multiple guide ribs 254 are formed on the bottom plate 214a, between the portion of the second circumferential wall 236 opposite the corners of the short side 246a and long side 246b and the through hole 252. The multiple guide ribs 254 guide the printing tape 222 pulled out of the printing tape roll 226 and passing through the printing tape doors 240 and 242 into the through hole 252.

[0138] Figure 25 The image shows the cassette 210 with the first housing member 212 removed. (See image.) Figure 25 As shown, the printing tape 222 pulled from the printing tape roll 226 is guided through the through hole 252 into the second space S2 between the third housing member 216 and the fourth housing member 218. Thus, the printing tape 222 is supported between the printing tape housing 220 and the ribbon housing 221 through the through hole 252 formed in the base plate 214a, which serves as a plate separating the first space S1 and the second space S2.

[0139] like Figure 26 As shown, the printing tape 222 is obliquely mounted inside the ribbon housing 221 from within the printing tape housing 220 through the through-hole 252. More specifically, as described later. Figure 33 As shown, the printing tape 222 is mounted in the recess 299 of the tape housing 221. Figure 27 The lower surface of the base plate 214a of the second housing member 214 is shown. Figure 27 As shown, on the back side of the bottom plate 214a of the second housing component 214, a through hole 252 is opened, and a guide wall 256 is erected along the through hole 252 in the vertical direction. Figure 28 The upper surface of the third housing member 216 is shown. A through hole 258, a tape support hole 274, and a take-up shaft support hole 278 are formed on 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, for allowing the printing tape 222 to access the second space S2. That is, a portion of the through hole 252 and a portion of the through hole 258 repeat each other in the vertical direction.

[0140] The bottom plate 214a of the second housing member 214 and the top plate 216e of the third housing member 216 separate the first space S1 inside the printing tape housing 220 and the second space S2 inside the ribbon housing 221.

[0141] One end of the supply shaft 270, around which the ink ribbon 268 is wound, is inserted into the ink ribbon support hole 274, so that the ink ribbon support hole 274 supports the ink ribbon roll 272 in a manner that is rotatable around a third rotational center line C3 that is parallel to the first rotational center line Cl. One end of the take-up shaft 276, which takes up the ink ribbon 268 pulled out from the ink ribbon roll 272, is inserted into the take-up shaft support hole 278, so that the take-up shaft support hole 278 supports the take-up shaft 276 in a manner that is rotatable around a fourth rotational center line C4 that is parallel to the first rotational center line Cl.

[0142] As shown in Figure 29 the lower surface of the third housing member 216, an ink ribbon roll holding wall 286 and a cylindrical protrusion 288 are formed. The ink ribbon roll holding wall 286 is used to determine the arrangement position of the ink ribbon 268 taken up on the take-up shaft 276, and is formed in an arc shape around the center of the take-up shaft support hole 278. The cylindrical protrusion 288 is formed so as to protrude downward from the periphery of the ink ribbon support hole 274 and have a head end surface with concavities and convexities arranged in the circumferential direction. The third housing member 216 has a short side portion 216a and a long side portion 216b as outer peripheral walls, and a U-shaped recess wall 216c arranged so as to surround the recess 299.

[0143] As shown in Figure 21 the clutch spring holding portion 290, which accommodates the clutch spring, is interposed between the one end of the supply shaft 270, around which the ink ribbon 268 is wound, and the head end surface of the cylindrical protrusion 288, and the supply shaft 270 is given an appropriate rotational resistance to the ink ribbon roll 272 by the clutch spring located inside the clutch spring holding portion 290.

[0144] Figure 30 and Figure 31 The upper surface and the lower surface of the fourth housing member 218 are shown. The fourth housing member 218 is formed with a take-up shaft support hole 294 that penetrates the fourth housing member 218 in the vertical direction, and the other end of the take-up shaft 276 is inserted into the take-up shaft support hole 294, which rotatably supports the take-up shaft 276. In addition, a cylindrical support protrusion 297 is formed in the fourth housing member 218, and the other end of the supply shaft 270 is inserted into the support protrusion 297, so as to rotatably support the supply shaft 270. A coupling 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 housing member 218 through the take-up shaft support hole 294, as shown in Figure 20 When the cartridge 210 is mounted in the printing device 102, the take-up shaft drive shaft 108 of the printing device 102 is inserted into the coupling hole 296 to be coupled to the take-up shaft 276, and the take-up shaft 276 is driven to rotate by the take-up shaft drive shaft 108. As shown in Figure 30 and Figure 31As shown, the fourth housing member 218 has a U-shaped cutout 218a corresponding to the recessed wall 216c. The recessed wall 216c and the cutout 218a form a recess 299.

[0145] Figure 32 yes Figure 24 XXXII-XXXII sectional view. A third space S3 of predetermined volume is formed between the printing tape housing 220 and the 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.

[0146] Figure 33 This is a diagram showing the lower surface of the third housing member 216. Figure 33 The paths of the printing tape 222 pulled from the printing tape roll 226 and the ink tape 268 pulled from the ink tape roll 272 are shown respectively when the tape cassette 210 is installed in the tape cassette mounting section 104, which is upright and equipped with the take-up shaft drive shaft 108. As described above, the printing tape 222 is pulled out from the printing tape roll 226 and obliquely mounted in the second space S2 within the ribbon housing 221 from the first space S1 within the printing tape housing 220 through through holes 252 and 258. Therefore, the path of the third housing member 216 is shown. Figure 33 In the image, the print tape 222 is shown through a through-hole 258 at the rear of the third housing member 216. A take-up shaft 276, driven by a take-up shaft drive shaft 108, winds up an ink tape 268, thereby pulling the print tape 222, which is pressurized between the print head 106 and the pressure roller 116 together with the ink tape 268, out of the print tape roll 226. Figure 33 In the diagram, the path of the printing tape 222 and the path of the ink tape 268 pulled from the ink tape roll 272 by the drive take-up shaft 276 are shown by double-dotted lines and dashed lines, respectively.

[0147] At the printing position P between the print head 106 and the platen roller 116, the print belt 222 is pressed against the print head 106 with the ink belt 268 interposed therebetween. In this state, a plurality of heating elements provided on the surface of the print head 106 are selectively driven to locally generate heat, thereby causing a portion of the ink 268a provided on one surface of the ink belt 268 to be transferred to the print belt 222, and characters, symbols, or the like are printed on the print belt 222. The ink belt 268, together with the print belt 222, is discharged from the discharge port 300 formed in the ink belt housing 221, i.e., the third housing member 216 of the ribbon cartridge 210, to the printing position P. The used ink belt 268 that has passed through the printing position P is introduced into the ink belt housing 221 from the introduction port 302, and is wound around the winding shaft 276. The discharge port 300 is provided in the ink belt housing 221, which is located on the lower side in the up-down direction with respect to the print belt roll 226 in the ribbon cartridge 210. Further, the introduction port 302 is provided in the ink belt housing 221, which is located on the lower side in the up-down direction with respect to the print belt roll 226 in the ribbon cartridge 210.

[0148] Figure 34 A stack of the print belt 222 fed from the ribbon cartridge 210 is schematically shown. The print belt 222 is a stack of the printed belt 222a and the release belt 222c adhered to the non-printing surface side of the printed belt 222a by the adhesive 222b. The printing surface of the printed belt 222a is transferred with the ink 268a from the ink belt 268. Figure 34 The dimensions and size ratios of the components 222a to 222c, 268a of the stack are merely illustrative, not accurate.

[0149] Figure 35 is a view 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, i.e., in the ink belt housing 221, the ink belt roll 272 and the winding shaft 276 are accommodated. As described above, the ink belt housing 221 is arranged to overlap below the print belt housing 220. When the print belt roll 226 and the spacer 238 accommodated in the print belt housing 220 are projected in the up-down direction onto a projection plane extending in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction perpendicular to the up-down direction, the projection positions of the print belt roll 226 and the spacer 238 are indicated by the single-dot chain lines in Figure 35 Since the spacer 238 has substantially the same diameter as the print belt roll 226, the Figure 35 In the view, only the single-dot chain line indicating the print belt roll 226 is shown. As shown in Figure 35 The ink belt roll 272 and the winding shaft 276 are arranged at positions overlapping the print belt roll 226 in the up-down direction. As shown in Figure 35 The diameter of the print belt roll 226 is larger than that of the ink belt roll 272, and the diameter of the ink belt roll 272 is larger than that of the winding shaft 276.

[0150] In Figure 35 , the third rotation center line C3 of the ink ribbon roll 272 and the fourth rotation center line C4 of the take-up shaft 276 overlap in the up-down direction with the print tape roll 226. In other words, the third rotation center line C3 of the ink ribbon roll 272 and the fourth rotation center line C4 of the take-up shaft 276 are located within the projection plane of the print tape roll 226 in the up-down direction. The third rotation center line C3 is also the rotation center of the supply shaft 270. Further, at least a portion of the supply shaft 270, at least a portion of the ink ribbon roll 272, at least a portion of the ink ribbon 268 wound around the take-up shaft 276, and at least a portion of the used ink ribbon 268 that has passed through the printing position P overlap with the print tape roll 226 and the spacer 238 in the up-down direction, i.e., the first direction.

[0151] Further, the distance between the fourth rotation center line C4 of the take-up shaft 276 and the third rotation center line C3 of the ink ribbon roll 272 is longer than the distance between the first rotation center line Cl of the print tape roll 226 and the third rotation center line C3 of the ink ribbon roll 272. The distance between the first rotation center line Cl of the print tape roll 226 and the fourth rotation center line C4 of the take-up shaft 276 is shorter than the distance between the first rotation center line Cl of the print tape roll 226 and the third rotation center line C3 of the ink ribbon roll 272, and is 1 / 3 or less. The first rotation center line Cl of the print tape roll 226 is located closer to the print position P side than a straight line connecting the fourth rotation center line C4 of the take-up shaft 276 and the third rotation center line C3 of the ink ribbon roll 272.

[0152] Further, in Figure 35 , in the front-rear direction perpendicular to the up-down direction of the tape cartridge 210 and the left-right direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the front-rear direction, the distance between the center position M, which is the front-rear direction center, i.e., the depth direction dimension LI center, and the left-right direction center, i.e., the left-right direction dimension L2 center, of the tape cartridge 210 and the first rotation center line Cl, which is the rotation center of the print tape roll 226, is smaller than either of the distance between the center position M and the fourth rotation center line C4, which is the rotation center of the take-up shaft 276, and the distance between the center position M and the third rotation center line C3, which is the rotation center of the supply shaft 270 around which the ink ribbon 268 is wound. Further, the dimension of the convex envelope line H formed by connecting the outer circumferential circles of the print tape roll 226, the take-up shaft 276, and the ink ribbon roll 272 or the supply shaft 270 with tangents in the front-rear direction is greater than half the dimension of the third housing member 216 in the front-rear direction. The dimension of the convex envelope line H in the left-right direction is greater than half the dimension of the third housing member 216 in the left-right direction. As Figure 19As shown, the outer peripheral wall of the third housing member 216 constitutes a part of the outer peripheral wall of the tape cartridge 210. Thus, it can also be said that the dimensions of the convex envelope H in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction are each greater than half the dimensions of the tape cartridge 210 in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, respectively. In the present embodiment, since the entire take-up shaft 276 overlaps the print tape roll 226 in the up-down direction, the convex envelope H is formed by connecting the outer periphery of the supply shaft 270 and the print tape roll 226 with tangents.

[0153] The tape cartridge 210 of the present embodiment includes: a print tape roll 226 on which a print tape 222 that is a printed medium is wound; a rotatable supply shaft 270 on which an ink ribbon 268 used when printing on the print tape 222 supplied from the print tape roll 226 is wound; and a take-up shaft 276 that is rotatable to take up the ink ribbon 268 supplied from the supply shaft 270, the supply shaft 270 and the take-up shaft 276 being located on a lower direction side of an up-down direction that is a width direction of the ink ribbon 268 wound on the supply shaft 270 with respect to the print tape roll 226, at least a part of the supply shaft 270 and at least a part of the take-up shaft 276 overlapping the print tape roll 226 in the up-down direction. Thus, the print tape roll 226, the supply shaft 270, and the take-up shaft 276 are disposed separately in the up-down direction, at least a part of the supply shaft 270 and at least a part of the take-up shaft 276 overlapping the print tape roll 226 in the up-down direction, and thus the tape cartridge 210 can be downsized in a perpendicular direction that is perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0154] According to the tape cartridge 210 of the present embodiment, a fourth center of rotation C4 that is a center of rotation of the take-up shaft 276 overlaps the print tape roll 226 in the up-down direction. Thus, compared to a case where the fourth center of rotation C4 of the take-up shaft 276 does not overlap the print tape roll 226 in the up-down direction, the tape cartridge 210 can be downsized in a perpendicular direction that is perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0155] According to the tape cartridge 210 of the present embodiment, a third center of rotation C3 that is a center of rotation of the supply shaft 270 overlaps the print tape roll 226 in the up-down direction. Thus, compared to a case where the third center of rotation C3 of the supply shaft 270 does not overlap the print tape roll 226 in the up-down direction, the tape cartridge 210 can be downsized in a perpendicular direction that is perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0156] According to the tape cartridge 210 of the present embodiment, in the print tape roll 226, the print tape 222 is wound on a rotatable print tape shaft 224, and at least a part of the ink ribbon 268 taken up on the take-up shaft 276 overlaps the print tape roll 226 in the up-down direction. Thus, compared to a case where at least a part of the ink ribbon 268 taken up on the take-up shaft 276 does not overlap the print tape roll 226 in the up-down direction, the tape cartridge 210 can be downsized in a perpendicular direction that is perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0157] According to the tape cartridge 210 of this embodiment, at least a portion of the take-up shaft 276 overlaps the print tape shaft 224 in the up-down direction. Thereby, the tape cartridge 210 can be downsized in a vertical direction perpendicular to the up-down direction, as compared to a case where at least a portion of the take-up shaft 276 does not overlap the print tape shaft 224 in the up-down direction.

[0158] According to the tape cartridge 210 of this embodiment, the print tape 222 is wound around the print tape shaft 224 that is rotatable to form the print tape roll 226, and in a vertical direction perpendicular to the up-down direction, a distance between the fourth center of rotation C4 that is a center of rotation of the take-up shaft 276 and the first center of rotation C1 that is a center of rotation of the print tape shaft 224 is shorter than a distance between the third center of rotation C3 that is a center of rotation of the supply shaft 270 and the first center of rotation C1 that is a center of rotation of the print tape shaft 224. Thereby, the tape cartridge 210 can be downsized in the vertical direction perpendicular to the up-down direction, as compared to a case where the distance between the fourth center of rotation C4 that is the center of rotation of the take-up shaft 276 and the first center of rotation C1 that is the center of rotation of the print tape shaft 224 is longer than the distance between the third center of rotation C3 that is the center of rotation of the supply shaft 270 and the first center of rotation C1 that is the center of rotation of the print tape shaft 224.

[0159] Further, according to the tape cartridge 210 of this embodiment, in a front-rear direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and a left-right direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the front-rear direction, a distance between the center position M that is a front-rear direction center and a left-right direction center of the tape cartridge 210 and the first center of rotation C1 that is a center of rotation of the print tape roll 226 is smaller than either one of a distance between the fourth center of rotation C4 that is a center of rotation of the take-up shaft 276 and the center position M and a distance between the third center of rotation C3 that is a center of rotation of the supply shaft 270 and the center position M. Since the diameter of the print tape roll 226 is larger than the diameters of the ink tape roll 272 and the take-up shaft 276, the print tape roll 226 overlaps the supply shaft 270 and the take-up shaft 276 more greatly than in a case where the distance between the center position M and the center of rotation of the print tape roll 226 is not smaller than either one of the distance between the center of rotation of the take-up shaft 276 and the center position M and the distance between the center of rotation of the supply shaft 270 and the center position M, and the tape cartridge 210 can be downsized in the vertical direction perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0160] Further, according to the tape cartridge 210 of the present embodiment, a convex envelope H formed by connecting the print tape roll 226, the take-up shaft 276, and the outer circumferential circle of the ink ribbon roll 272 or the supply shaft 270 with tangents has a dimension in the front-rear direction perpendicular to the up-down direction that is greater than half the dimension of the tape cartridge 210 in the front-rear direction. Also, the convex envelope H has a dimension in the left-right direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the front-rear direction that is greater than half the dimension of the tape cartridge 210 in the left-right direction. Thus, the print tape roll 226, the take-up shaft 276, and the supply shaft 270 make use of a high ratio of the space within the tape cartridge 210, and thus the tape cartridge 210 can be reduced in size in the vertical direction perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0161] The tape cartridge 210 according to the present embodiment includes a print tape case 220 that accommodates the print tape roll 226, and a ribbon case 221 that is located on one side in the first direction with respect to the print tape case 220 and accommodates the supply shaft 270 and the take-up shaft 276. The ribbon case 221 includes a discharge port 300 through which the print tape 222 supplied from the print tape roll 226 and the ink ribbon 268 wound around the supply shaft 270 are discharged from the ribbon case 221, and an input port 302 through which the ink ribbon 268 discharged from the discharge port 300 is input to the ribbon case 221. The take-up shaft 276 winds the ink ribbon 268 input from the input port 302. Thus, the ink ribbon 268 that is input from the input port 302 while being discharged from the discharge port 300 is wound on the take-up shaft 276, and thus, compared to a case in which the ink ribbon 268 is wound on the take-up shaft 276 by a path formed within the ribbon case 221, a space for forming a return path of the ink ribbon 268 in the ribbon case 221 is not required, and the tape cartridge 210 can be reduced in size in the vertical direction perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0162] The tape cartridge 210 according to the present embodiment has a portion of the ink ribbon 268 between the input port 302 and the position at which the ink ribbon 268 is wound on the take-up shaft 276 overlap the print tape roll 226 in the up-down direction. Thus, compared to a case in which a portion of the ink ribbon 268 other than the portion between the input port 302 and the position at which the ink ribbon 268 is wound on the take-up shaft 276 overlaps the print tape roll 226 in the up-down direction, the tape cartridge 210 can be reduced in size in the vertical direction perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0163] The tape cartridge 210 according to the present embodiment includes a print tape roll 226 in which a print tape 222 that is a print medium is wound, an ink ribbon 268 that is used for printing to the print tape 222, a supply shaft 270 that is rotatable, a take-up shaft 276 that takes up the ink ribbon 268 supplied from the supply shaft 270, and a spacer 238 that abuts against the print tape roll 226 in a width direction of the ink ribbon 268 wound around the supply shaft 270, i.e., in a vertical direction. At least a portion of the supply shaft 270 and at least a portion of the take-up shaft 276 overlap the spacer 238 in the vertical direction. Thus, the tape cartridge 210 can be downsized in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, compared to a case where the spacer 238 and the ink ribbon 268 do not overlap in the vertical direction.

[0164] Note that the above merely illustrates an embodiment of the present application, and various modifications can be made to the present application without departing from the spirit of the present application.

[0165] For example, the tape cartridge 10 of Embodiment 1 includes the roller 80, but can not include the roller 80. Further, the print tape rolls 26 and 226, the adhesive tape roll 64, the ink ribbon rolls 72 and 272, and the take-up shafts 76 and 276 of the above-described embodiments are horizontally disposed with respect to the front-rear direction or the left-right direction, but can not be horizontally disposed. For example, in a case where the ink ribbon rolls 72 and 272 are not horizontally disposed with respect to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, a first direction that is a width direction of the ink ribbon 68 and 268 is different from the vertical direction of the above-described embodiments. In this case, a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction that is the width direction of the ink ribbon 68 and 268, and a third direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction are directions different from the front-rear direction and the left-right direction of the above-described embodiments. Further, the conveyance paths of the print tape 22, the adhesive tape 60, and the ink ribbon 68 are not limited to the paths shown in the drawings, and various paths can be appropriately adopted. For example, it can be that the ink ribbon 68 is input from the input port 132 to the ribbon housing 21, and is taken up on the take-up shaft 76 through the left side and the rear side of the adhesive tape roll 64. Even in this case, if at least a portion of the ink ribbon 68 input from the input port 132 overlaps the print tape roll 26 in the vertical direction, the tape cartridge can be downsized in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. Similarly, the conveyance paths of the print tape 222 and the ink ribbon 268 are not limited to the paths shown in the drawings, and various paths can be appropriately adopted. Figure 14 Figure 33 ​The illustrated path, the configuration of the adhesive tape roll 64, the ink tape rolls 72 and 272, and the take-up shafts 76 and 276 is not limited to the positions illustrated in the above-described embodiments. For example, the adhesive tape roll 64 can be configured to the right of the take-up shaft 76, and the take-up shaft 276 can be configured to the right of the ink tape roll 272. Further, in Embodiment 1, the adhesive tape roll 64, the supply shaft 70, and the take-up shaft 76 are all configured at positions overlapping the print tape roll 26 in the up-down direction, but the supply shaft 70 and the take-up shaft 76 can be configured at positions overlapping the print tape roll 26 in the up-down direction.

[0166] Further, the tape cartridges 10 and 210 of the above-described embodiments are configured by overlapping the four casing members, the first casing members 12 and 212, the second casing members 14 and 214, the third casing members 16 and 216, and the fourth casing members 18 and 218 in the up-down direction, but the tape cartridges 10 are not limited to this structure. For example, as illustrated in Figure 36 As illustrated, the tape cartridge 10 can be configured by stacking the first casing members 12 and 212, the fifth casing member 501, and the fourth casing members 18 and 218 in the up-down direction. The fifth casing member 501 has through-holes 502 that pass through in the up-down direction, corresponding to the through-holes 52, 58, 252, 258 of the above-described embodiments, and separates the first space S1 and the second space S2. The fifth casing member 501 can be a structure in which the upper surface side shape is the same as the upper surface side of the second casing members 14, 214, and the lower surface side is the same as the lower surface side of the third casing members 16, 216. In the case of this modification example, the first casing members 12, 212 and the fifth casing member 501 configure the print tape casing 20, 220 having the first space S1 inside, and the fifth casing member 501 and the fourth casing members 18, 218 configure the ink tape casing 21, 221 having the second space S2 inside.

[0167] Further, the print tape rolls 26, 226 of the above-described embodiments are configured with the print tape 22, 222 wound around the print tape shaft 24, 224 that is a cylindrical shaft core member, but the print tape 22, 222 can not be wound around the print tape shaft 24, 224, and the print tape roll 26, 226 can be formed by winding around the first support protrusion 30, 230 and the second support protrusion 32, 232. Similarly, the adhesive tape 60 can not be wound around the adhesive tape shaft 62, but the outer periphery of the adhesive tape 60 can be defined by the adhesive tape roll holding wall 84 and the circular-arc-shaped wall 92.

[0168] Further, the print tape roll 26, 226 is not limited to the above-described embodiments Figure 16 or Figure 35The size ratio of the third housing member 16, 216 relative to the first housing member 12, 212 is shown as the size ratio shown. For example, the diameter of the print tape roll 26, 226 can be increased so as to be in contact with the inner side of the side wall of the print tape housing 20, 220. In this case, when the print tape 22, 222 is pulled out from the print tape housing 20, 220 to the printing position P through the discharge port 130, 300, the print tape roll 26, 226 overlaps the print tape 22, 222 discharged from the discharge port 130, 300 in the up-down direction. Further, in this case, the print tape 22, 222 conveyed within the ink ribbon housing 21, 221 overlaps the print tape roll 26, 226 in the up-down direction before being discharged from the discharge port 130, 300. Even with this structure, it is possible to downsize the cartridge in the vertical direction perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0169] Note that the above is merely an embodiment of the present application, and various modifications can be made to the present application without departing from the spirit of the present application.

[0170] [Legend of Reference Numerals]

[0171] 10, 210: cartridge

[0172] 12, 212: first housing member

[0173] 14, 214: second housing member

[0174] 16, 216: third housing member

[0175] 18, 218: fourth housing member

[0176] 20, 220: print tape housing (first housing, upper housing)

[0177] 21, 221: ink ribbon housing (second housing, lower housing)

[0178] 22, 222: print tape (printed medium)

[0179] 22a, 222a: printed tape

[0180] 22b, 222b: adhesive

[0181] 22c, 222c: release tape

[0182] 24, 224: print tape shaft

[0183] 26, 226: print tape roll

[0184] 27, 227: engagement claw

[0185] 28, 228: fixing claw

[0186] 29, 229: positioning protrusion

[0187] 30, 230: first support protrusion

[0188] 32, 232: second support protrusion

[0189] 34, 234: first circumferential wall

[0190] 36, 236: second circumferential wall

[0191] 38, 238: spacer

[0192] 40, 240: print tape door

[0193] 42, 242: print tape door

[0194] 44, 244: outer circumferential wall of first housing member

[0195] 44a, 244a: short side portion

[0196] 46, 246: outer circumferential wall of second housing member

[0197] 46a, 246a: short side portion

[0198] 46b, 246b: long side portion

[0199] 248: guide wall

[0200] 50, 250: guide wall

[0201] 52, 252: through hole

[0202] 54, 254: guide rib

[0203] 56, 256: guide wall

[0204] 58, 258: through hole

[0205] 60: adhesive tape

[0206] 60a: transparent film

[0207] 60b: adhesive

[0208] 62: adhesive tape shaft

[0209] 64: adhesive tape roll

[0210] 66, 266: adhesive tape roll support hole

[0211] 68, 268: ink tape

[0212] 68a, 268a: ink

[0213] 70, 270: supply shaft

[0214] 72, 272: ink ribbon roll

[0215] 74, 274: ink ribbon support hole

[0216] 76, 276: winding shaft

[0217] 78, 278: winding shaft support hole

[0218] 80, 280: roller

[0219] 80a, 280a: connecting portion

[0220] 82: roller support hole

[0221] 84: adhesive tape roll holding wall

[0222] 86, 286: ink ribbon roll holding wall

[0223] 88, 288: cylindrical protrusion

[0224] 90, 290: clutch spring holding portion

[0225] 91: anti-adhesion roller

[0226] 92: arc-shaped wall

[0227] 93: support protrusion

[0228] 94, 294: winding shaft support hole

[0229] 96, 296: connecting hole

[0230] 98: roller exposure hole

[0231] 99, 299: recess

[0232] 102: printing apparatus

[0233] 104: tape cartridge mounting portion

[0234] 106: print head

[0235] 108: winding shaft drive shaft

[0236] 110: roller drive shaft

[0237] 112: positioning hole

[0238] 114: print head holding plate

[0239] 116: platen roller

[0240] 118: pressure roller

[0241] 120: platen roller holding member

[0242] 122: printing system

[0243] 130, 300: discharge port

[0244] 132, 302: input port

[0245] S1: first space

[0246] S2: second space

[0247] C1: first rotation center line

[0248] C2: second rotation center line

[0249] C3: third rotation center line

[0250] C4: fourth rotation center line

[0251] C5: fifth rotation center axis

Claims

1. A ribbon cartridge comprising: a print ribbon roll that winds a print ribbon that is a printed medium; a supply shaft that is rotatable to supply an ink ribbon used for printing to the print ribbon; a take-up shaft that is rotatable to take up the ink ribbon supplied from the supply shaft; and a ribbon case that houses the supply shaft and the take-up shaft, the supply shaft and the take-up shaft are located on one side of a first direction that is parallel to a center line of rotation of the supply shaft with respect to the print ribbon roll, at least a portion of the supply shaft and at least a portion of the take-up shaft overlap the print ribbon roll in the first direction, the ribbon case is formed with a hole that penetrates in the first direction, the take-up shaft is exposed through the hole. a center of rotation of the take-up shaft overlaps the print ribbon roll in the first direction.

2. The tape cartridge of claim 1, wherein, a center of rotation of the supply shaft overlaps the print ribbon roll in the first direction.

3. The tape cartridge of claim 1 or 2, wherein, the print ribbon roll is formed by winding the print ribbon on a rotatable print ribbon shaft, 4. The tape cartridge of claim 1 or 2, wherein, at least a portion of the ink ribbon wound on the take-up shaft overlaps the print ribbon shaft in the first direction. at least a portion of the take-up shaft overlaps the print ribbon shaft in the first direction.

5. The tape cartridge of claim 4, wherein, the print ribbon roll is formed by winding the print ribbon on a rotatable print ribbon shaft, 6. The tape cartridge of claim 1 or 2, wherein, in a perpendicular direction that is perpendicular to the first direction, a distance between a center of rotation of the take-up shaft and a center of rotation of the print ribbon shaft is shorter than a distance between a center of rotation of the supply shaft and the center of rotation of the print ribbon shaft. in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and a third direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, a distance between a center position of the ribbon cartridge and a center of rotation of the print ribbon roll is smaller than any one of a distance between the center of rotation of the take-up shaft and the center position and a distance between the center of rotation of the supply shaft and the center position, the center position being a center of the second direction and a center of the third direction of the ribbon cartridge.

7. The tape cartridge of claims 1 or 2, wherein, in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction, a size of a convex envelope defined by the print ribbon roll, the take-up shaft, and the supply shaft is greater than half of a size of the ribbon cartridge in the second direction, 8. The tape cartridge of claims 1 or 2, wherein, in a third direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, the size of the convex envelope is greater than half of a size of the ribbon cartridge in the third direction. comprises a print ribbon case that houses the print ribbon roll, 9. The tape cartridge of claim 1 or 2, wherein, the ribbon case includes: a discharge port through which the print ribbon supplied from the print ribbon roll and the ink ribbon wound on the supply shaft are discharged from the ribbon case; and an input port through which the ink ribbon discharged from the discharge port is input to the ribbon case, the take-up shaft winds the ink ribbon input from the input port. a portion of the ink ribbon located between the input port and a position at which the ink ribbon is wound on the take-up shaft overlaps the print ribbon roll in the first direction.

10. The tape cartridge of claim 9, wherein, the ribbon case includes an adhesive tape roll that winds an adhesive tape for being adhered to the print ribbon, 11. The tape cartridge of claim 9, wherein, ​ At least a portion of the adhesive tape roll overlaps the print tape roll in the first direction.

12. The tape cartridge of claim 9, wherein, The print tape conveyed within the ribbon housing overlaps the print tape roll in the first direction before being discharged from the discharge port.

13. The tape cartridge of claim 11, wherein, The print tape roll is formed by winding the print tape on a rotatable print tape shaft, At least a portion of the adhesive tape roll overlaps the print tape shaft in the first direction.

14. The tape cartridge of claim 11, wherein, The adhesive tape roll is formed by winding the adhesive tape on a rotatable adhesive tape shaft, A center of rotation of the adhesive tape shaft overlaps the print tape roll in the first direction.

15. The tape cartridge of claim 14, wherein, The print tape roll is formed by winding the print tape on a rotatable print tape shaft, At least a portion of the adhesive tape shaft overlaps the print tape shaft in the first direction.

16. A cartridge comprising: a print tape roll winding a print tape that is a printed medium; a rotatable supply shaft winding an ink tape used for printing to the print tape; a take-up shaft that is rotatable to take up the ink tape supplied from the supply shaft; a spacer abutting against the print tape roll in a first direction parallel to a center line of rotation of the supply shaft; and a ribbon housing accommodating the supply shaft and the take-up shaft, at least a portion of the supply shaft and at least a portion of the take-up shaft overlap the spacer in the first direction. ​

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