cartridge

Abstract

The present application provides a cartridge capable of post-attaching a ribbon cartridge without the ribbon cartridge being scattered. The cartridge is a cartridge capable of being attached to a ribbon printing device, and includes: a ribbon cartridge (5) formed by winding a ribbon (11); a cartridge housing (9) capable of housing a ribbon cartridge formed by winding a ribbon, and housing the ribbon cartridge (5), the cartridge housing (9) having: a third housing portion; a first housing portion (101) forming a ribbon cartridge housing portion (25) for housing a ribbon cartridge between the third housing portion; a second housing portion (201) provided separately from the first housing portion (101) and housing the ribbon cartridge (5) between the third housing portion, the first housing portion (101) opening and closing the ribbon cartridge housing portion (25).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a cartridge mountable on a tape printing device. BACKGROUND

[0002] Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a tape cartridge is known in which a print tape and an ink tape are housed in a cartridge case having a first case and a second case that can be disassembled from each other. The tape cartridge is configured so that the print tape and the ink tape can be replaced after being consumed by disassembling the cartridge case into the first case and the second case using a cartridge disassembling device.

[0003] Further, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, a label tape cartridge is known in which a label tape and an ink tape are housed in a cartridge main body and a cover. The label tape cartridge is configured so that the cover can be easily detached from the cartridge main body by fixing the cartridge main body and the cover using a fixing screw, and the cover and the cartridge main body can be separately recycled and reused after the label tape and the ink tape are consumed.

[0004] Although the conventional tape cartridge is a device in which a tape reel and a ribbon reel are housed in advance, in recent years, there has been a demand to want to load a separate tape reel after the fact with respect to the tape reel. In response to such a demand, it is considered to provide a cartridge that houses a ribbon reel and can load a tape reel after the fact. However, in the conventional tape cartridge, since the ribbon reel is housed between the cartridge main body and the cover, there is a problem that if a purchaser of the tape cartridge detaches the cover from the cartridge main body in order to load a separate tape reel after the fact, the ribbon reel will be scattered.

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-301872

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-114456 SUMMARY

[0007] The cartridge of the present application is a cartridge mountable on a tape printing device, and includes a ribbon reel formed by winding an ink tape, a cartridge case capable of housing a tape reel formed by winding a tape and housing the ribbon reel, the cartridge case having a third case portion, a first case portion constituting a tape reel housing portion that houses the tape reel between the third case portion, and a second case portion provided separately from the first case portion and housing the ribbon reel between the third case portion, the first case portion being capable of opening and closing the tape reel housing portion.

[0008] Another box of the present invention is a box that can be installed on a tape printing device, comprising: a ribbon reel, which is formed by winding an ink ribbon; a box shell, which can store the tape reel formed by winding the tape and stores the ribbon reel; a tape reel storage portion, which can store the tape reel; and a ribbon reel storage portion, which stores the ribbon reel. The box shell has a first shell portion and a second shell portion separately provided from the first shell portion, and the first shell portion can open and close the tape reel storage portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 This is a diagram of the box viewed from the +Z direction.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a diagram of a tape cassette housing a tape reel as viewed from the +Z direction.

[0011] Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional diagram with a printing device.

[0012] Figure 4 A three-dimensional diagram of the box.

[0013] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the box with the first housing part removed.

[0014] Figure 6 It is a three-dimensional view of the third housing part.

[0015] Figure 7 This is a diagram of the third outer shell portion as viewed from the +Z direction.

[0016] Figure 8 3D is a perspective view of the first housing portion.

[0017] Figure 9 For Figure 8 A three-dimensional view of the first housing portion as viewed from an angle other than FIG.

[0018] Figure 10 3D is a perspective view of the second housing portion.

[0019] Figure 11 This is a diagram of the second outer shell portion viewed from the -Z direction.

[0020] Figure 12 4 is a perspective view of the fourth housing portion.

[0021] Figure 13 This is a diagram of the fourth outer shell portion as viewed from the -Z direction.

[0022] Figure 14 This is a diagram of the box viewed from the -X direction.

[0023] Figure 15 A cross-sectional view of the box showing the structure around the platen roller.

[0024] Figure 16 A diagram showing the platen roller in a first posture.

[0025] Figure 17 A diagram showing the platen roller in a second posture.

[0026] Figure 18 For Figure 5 A perspective view of the box with the first housing portion removed, as viewed from an angle other than the above.

[0027] Figure 19 For Figure 10 A three-dimensional view of the second housing portion as viewed from an angle other than FIG.

[0028] Figure 20 It is a perspective view of the box of the second embodiment.

[0029] Figure 21 It is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the tape roll storage portion is closed in the cassette of the third embodiment.

[0030] Figure 22 It is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the tape roll storage portion of the cassette according to the third embodiment is opened. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Hereinafter, a cartridge 1 as one embodiment of the cartridge will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. While the following description uses directions defined by the XYZ orthogonal coordinate system shown in the various figures, these directions are merely for ease of explanation and do not limit the following embodiment in any way. Furthermore, the number of components is merely illustrative and does not limit the following embodiment in any way.

[0032] Schematic structure of box and tape box

[0033] like Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown, the cassette 1 includes a platen roller 3, a ribbon reel 5, a take-up core 7, and a cassette housing 9 for housing these components. The ribbon reel 5 is a component in which an ink ribbon 11 is wound around a take-up core 13. The ink ribbon 11 unwound from the take-up core 13 is taken up on the take-up core 7. A head insertion hole 15 is provided in the cassette housing 9 so as to penetrate in the Z direction. In addition, a tape delivery port 17 extending in the Z direction is provided on the -X direction surface of the cassette housing 9.

[0034] The cartridge 1 is capable of housing the tape roll 19. Therefore, a worker is capable of performing the post-installation of the individual tape roll 19 into the cartridge 1. In addition, the worker refers to a person who performs the post-installation of the tape roll 19 and the like, for example, a purchaser of the cartridge 1. The tape roll 19 is a member in which the tape 21, which is a printing medium, is wound around the tape core 23. The tape 21, which is wound out from the tape roll 19, is sent out from the tape delivery outlet 17 to the outside of the cartridge housing 9.

[0035] In addition, in the present embodiment, the cartridge 1 which does not house the tape roll 19 (refer to Figure 1 ) is simply referred to as "cartridge 1", and the cartridge 1 which houses the tape roll 19 (refer to Figure 2 ) is referred to as "tape cartridge 1T". The tape cartridge 1T is installed on the tape printing device 501, and printing is performed on the tape 21 which is sent out from the installed tape cartridge 1T.

[0036] Tape printing device

[0037] As shown in Figure 3 , the tape printing device 501 is provided with a device housing 503 and an installation portion cover 505. On the +Z direction face of the device housing 503, a keyboard 507, a display 509, and a cartridge installation portion 511 are provided.

[0038] The keyboard 507 receives an input operation from a user. The display 509 displays various information in addition to the input result input from the keyboard 507.

[0039] The cartridge installation portion 511 is formed in a concave shape which is open in the +Z direction, and the tape cartridge 1T is detachably installed thereon. In addition, since the cartridge 1 is configured in the same manner as the tape cartridge 1T except for the point that the tape roll 19 which is a printing medium is not housed, with respect to the cartridge 1 as well, it is possible to install it on the cartridge installation portion 511. However, since the cartridge 1 does not house the tape roll 19 which is a printing medium, normally, the tape cartridge 1T is installed on the cartridge installation portion 511.

[0040] The installation portion cover 505 is installed in a rotatable manner at the end portion in the +Y direction of the device housing 503, and opens and closes the cartridge installation portion 511.

[0041] A platen shaft 513 and a take-up shaft 515 protrude in the +Z direction from the bottom face of the cartridge installation portion 511. When the tape cartridge 1T is installed on the cartridge installation portion 511, the platen shaft 513 is inserted into the platen roller 3, and thereby the platen roller 3 is engaged with the platen shaft 513. Due to this, the rotation of a motor (omitted from the drawing) is capable of being transmitted to the platen roller 3 via the platen shaft 513. Similarly, when the tape cartridge 1T is installed on the cartridge installation portion 511, the take-up shaft 515 is inserted into the take-up core 7, and thereby the take-up core 7 is engaged with the take-up shaft 515. Due to this, the rotation of the motor is capable of being transmitted to the take-up core 7 via the take-up shaft 515.

[0042] A thermal head 517 and a head cover 519 are provided in the cartridge mounting portion 511. The thermal head 517 includes a heating element (not shown) and prints on the tape 21. The head cover 519 partially covers the thermal head 517.

[0043] When the tape cassette 1T is installed on the cassette mounting portion 511, the thermal head 517 and the head cover 519 are inserted into the head insertion hole 15. Next, when the mounting portion cover 505 is closed, the thermal head 517 is moved toward the platen roller 3 by omitting the head moving mechanism (not shown). As a result, the tape 21 and the ink ribbon 11 are clamped between the thermal head 517 and the platen roller 3. When the platen roller 3 rotates in this state, the tape 21 and the ink ribbon 11 are fed. At this time, heat is generated by the thermal head 517, so that the ink of the ink ribbon 11 is transferred to the tape 21, thereby printing an image based on the input result input from the keyboard 507 on the tape 21.

[0044] A tape outlet 521 is provided on the -X direction surface of the device housing 503. The printed tape 21 is discharged from the tape outlet 521. A cutter 523 is provided between the cassette mounting portion 511 and the tape outlet 521. The cutter 523 cuts the tape 21. This separates the printed portion of the tape 21.

[0045] Box shell

[0046] like Figure 1 、 Figure 2 as well as Figure 4 As shown, the cassette housing 9 includes a first housing portion 101, a second housing portion 201, a third housing portion 301, and a fourth housing portion 401. The first housing portion 101, the second housing portion 201, and the fourth housing portion 401 are located in the +Z direction in the cassette housing 9, and the third housing portion 301 is located in the -Z direction in the cassette housing 9. The tape cassette 1T is mounted on the cassette mounting portion 511 in such a manner that the third housing portion 301 faces the bottom surface of the cassette mounting portion 511. Alternatively, the tape cassette 1T may be mounted on the cassette mounting portion 511 in such a manner that the first housing portion 101, the second housing portion 201, and the fourth housing portion 401 face the bottom surface of the cassette mounting portion 511.

[0047] The first housing 101, the second housing 201, the third housing 301, and the fourth housing 401 are provided separately from each other. The first housing 101, the second housing 201, and the fourth housing 401 are molded parts made of a light-transmitting resin, while the third housing 301 is molded parts made of a non-light-transmitting resin. However, the materials and manufacturing methods of the first housing 101, the second housing 201, the third housing 301, and the fourth housing 401 are not limited thereto.

[0048] The first housing portion 101 can accommodate the ribbon cartridge 19 between the third housing portion 301. That is, the first housing portion 101 and the third housing portion 301 constitute the housing of the ribbon cartridge accommodating portion 25. The ribbon cartridge 19 can be accommodated in the ribbon cartridge accommodating portion 25. By mounting the first housing portion 101 on the third housing portion 301, the ribbon cartridge accommodating portion 25 can be closed, and by detaching the first housing portion 101 from the third housing portion 301, the ribbon cartridge accommodating portion 25 can be opened. In addition, the closing here means covering the ribbon cartridge accommodating portion 25, and a gap can be generated between the first housing portion 101 and the third housing portion 301, for example, within an allowable range.

[0049] The second housing portion 201 is disposed in the -Y direction with respect to the first housing portion 101. The second housing portion 201 accommodates the ink ribbon 11 between the third housing portion 301. That is, the second housing portion 201 and the third housing portion 301 constitute the housing of the ink ribbon accommodating portion 27. The ink ribbon 11, the ribbon cartridge 19, and the take-up core 7 are accommodated in the ink ribbon accommodating portion 27.

[0050] The fourth housing portion 401 is disposed between the first housing portion 101 and the second housing portion 201 at the end of the -X direction of the cartridge housing 9. The fourth housing portion 401 accommodates the platen roller 3 between the third housing portion 301. That is, the third housing portion 301 and the fourth housing portion 401 constitute the housing of the platen roller accommodating portion 29. The platen roller 3 is accommodated in the platen roller accommodating portion 29.

[0051] Since the second housing portion 201 is combined with the third housing portion 301 by pressing the second engagement pin 219 (refer to Figure 10 ) described later into the 3A engagement hole 335 (refer to Figure 6 ), it is difficult to detach the second housing portion 201 from the third housing portion 301 by hand. In addition, the second housing portion 201 can be detached from the third housing portion 301 using a predetermined cartridge disassembling device. Similarly, since the fourth housing portion 401 is combined with the third housing portion 301 by pressing the fourth engagement pin 411 (refer to Figure 12 ) described later into the 3B engagement hole 337 (refer to Figure 6 ), it is difficult to detach the fourth housing portion 401 from the third housing portion 301 by hand. In addition, the fourth housing portion 401 can be detached from the third housing portion 301 using a predetermined cartridge disassembling device.

[0052] In relation thereto, as described later, the first housing portion 101 is combined with the third housing portion 301 by the 1A engagement protrusion 117a, the 1B engagement protrusion 117b, and the 1C engagement protrusion 117c (refer to Figure 8) are engaged with the 3A engaging receiving portion 333a, the 3B engaging receiving portion 333b, and the 3C engaging receiving portion 333c provided on the third housing portion 301, respectively, and thereby mounted. Thus, the first housing portion 101 is easily detached from the third housing portion 301 by hand (refer to Figure 5 ). Thus, the worker detaches the first housing portion 101 from the third housing portion 301 by hand, and after the separate tape reel 19 is housed in the cartridge housing 9 (refer to Figure 5 ) from which the first housing portion 101 is detached, the first housing portion 101 is mounted on the third housing portion 301 again, and thereby the tape cartridge 1T in which the separate tape reel 19 is housed can be produced.

[0053] Third housing portion

[0054] As shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7 , the third housing portion 301 includes a third bottom wall portion 303 and a third side wall portion 305 protruding from a peripheral portion of the third bottom wall portion 303 in the +Z direction.

[0055] The third bottom wall portion 303 is located in the -Z direction in the cartridge housing 9. The third core protrusion 307, the A tape guide 309, the B tape guide 311, and the insertion guide 313 protrude from the third bottom wall portion 303 in the +Z direction. Further, on the third bottom wall portion 303, the third head opening 315, the impression opening 317, the unwinding opening 319, the third winding opening 321, and the tape guide engaging hole 323 are provided.

[0056] The third core protrusion 307 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The third core protrusion 307 is inserted into the tape core 23 of the tape reel 19 from the -Z direction. That is, the third core protrusion 307, together with the first core protrusion 107 described later, becomes a rotation axis of the tape reel 19.

[0057] The A tape guide 309 is provided in the -X direction with respect to the unwinding opening 319. The A tape guide 309 guides the supply of the ink ribbon 11 between the unwinding core 13 and the B tape guide 311. Further, a tape guide engaging protrusion 325 is provided at an end portion of the A tape guide 309 in the +Z direction. The tape guide engaging protrusion 325 is engaged with the tape guide engaging hole 215 (refer to Figure 10 ) provided on the second bottom wall portion 203 of the second housing portion 201. Thus, the A tape guide 309 is supported by both the third bottom wall portion 303 and the second bottom wall portion 203.

[0058] The B ribbon guide 311 is formed into a roughly square cylindrical shape at the peripheral portion of the third head opening 315. The B ribbon guide 311 constitutes the peripheral wall of the head insertion hole 15. The B ribbon guide 311 guides the supply of the ink ribbon 11 between the A ribbon guide 309 and the winding core 7 so that the ink ribbon 11 is wound around the head insertion hole 15. A portion of the +Y direction surface of the B ribbon guide 311 is opened, and this open portion is called a guide opening portion 327. When the tape cassette 1T is mounted on the cassette mounting portion 511, the thermal head 517 clamps the tape 21 and the ink ribbon 11 between the platen roller 3 via the guide opening portion 327.

[0059] The insertion guide 313 is located between the third core protrusion 307 and the coining opening 317 and is provided near the coining opening 317. The insertion guide 313 is provided when the tape reel 19 is housed in the cassette housing 9 and when the tape 21 to be drawn out from the tape reel 19 is inserted into the tape insertion opening 33 (see FIG. Figure 1 ) when inserting the tape 21. An insertion guide chamfer 329 is provided at the end in the +Z direction of the insertion guide 313. This prevents the tape 21 from getting caught on the insertion guide 313 when the tape 21 drawn from the tape reel 19 is inserted through the tape insertion port 33.

[0060] The third head opening 315 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape and is provided at a corner in the −X direction and the −Y direction of the third bottom wall portion 303. The third head opening 315 constitutes an end portion of the head insertion hole 15 in the −Z direction.

[0061] The stamp opening 317 is formed in a generally circular shape. The -Y end of the stamp opening 317 is connected to the third head opening 315. The stamp opening 317 engages with the -Z end of the stamp roller 3. A third housing-side roller engaging portion 331 is provided at the periphery of the stamp opening 317, projecting in the +Z direction. The third housing-side roller engaging portion 331 is formed in a generally arcuate shape and engages with the -Z end of the stamp roller 3.

[0062] The unwinding opening 319 is formed in a generally circular shape and is located in the +X direction relative to the third head opening 315. The unwinding opening 319 engages with the -Z end of the unwinding core 13. The third winding opening 321 is formed in a generally circular shape and is located between the third head opening 315 and the unwinding core 13. The third winding opening 321 engages with the -Z end of the winding core 7.

[0063] The tape guide engaging hole 323 is provided in the +Y direction with respect to the third head opening 315. The tape guide engaging hole 323 engages with the tape guide engaging protrusion 217 provided on the tape guide 209.

[0064] The third side wall portion 305 protrudes from the peripheral portion of the third bottom wall portion 303 in the +Z direction. Among the third side wall portion 305, the side wall portion in the -X direction is referred to as a 3A side wall portion 305a, the side wall portion in the +X direction is referred to as a 3B side wall portion 305b, the side wall portion in the +Y direction is referred to as a 3C side wall portion 305c, and the side wall portion in the -Y direction is referred to as a 3D side wall portion 305d. That is, in the third housing portion 301, the 3A side wall portion 305a and the 3B side wall portion 305b are located on opposite sides of each other, and the 3C side wall portion 305c and the 3D side wall portion 305d are located on opposite sides of each other.

[0065] On the third housing portion 301, three third engagement receiving portions 333, five 3A engagement holes 335, and four 3B engagement holes 337 are provided.

[0066] The three third engagement receiving portions 333, i.e., a 3A engagement receiving portion 333a, a 3B engagement receiving portion 333b, and a 3C engagement receiving portion 333c, are engaged with the three first engagement protrusions 117, i.e., a 1A engagement protrusion 117a, a 1B engagement protrusion 117b, and a 1C engagement protrusion 117c (see FIG. 2) provided on the first housing portion 101. Thus, the first housing portion 101 is detachably mounted with respect to the third housing portion 301. Figure 9

[0067] The five 3A engagement holes 335 are provided in a manner corresponding to the positions at which the second housing portion 201 is mounted on the third housing portion 301. Four of the five 3A engagement holes 335 extend in the -Z direction from the +Z direction end surface of the third side wall portion 305, and one 3A engagement hole 335 extends in the -Z direction from the +Z direction end surface of the B ink ribbon guide 311. The five second engagement pins 219 provided on the second housing portion 201 are pressed in from the +Z direction into the five 3A engagement holes 335. Thus, the second housing portion 201 is combined with the third housing portion 301.

[0068] The four 3B engagement holes 337 are provided in a manner corresponding to the positions at which the fourth housing portion 401 is mounted on the third housing portion 301. Three of the four 3B engagement holes 337 are provided on the third side wall portion 305, and one 3B engagement hole 337 is provided on the insertion guide 313. The four 3B engagement holes 337 extend in the Z direction. The four fourth engagement pins 411 provided on the fourth housing portion 401 are pressed in from the +Z direction into the four 3B engagement holes 337. Thus, the fourth housing portion 401 is combined with the third housing portion 301.

[0069] The first housing portion

[0070] As​Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown in FIG. 1, the first housing portion 101 is provided with a first bottom wall portion 103 and a first side wall portion 105 which protrudes from a peripheral portion of the first bottom wall portion 103 in the -Z direction.

[0071] The first bottom wall portion 103 is located in the +Z direction in the cartridge housing 9. The first core protrusion 107 protrudes from the first bottom wall portion 103 in the -Z direction. The first core protrusion 107 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The first core protrusion 107 is inserted into the tape core 23 of the tape spool 19 from the +Z direction. That is, the first core protrusion 107, together with the third core protrusion 307 described above, becomes the rotation axis of the tape spool 19.

[0072] A tape spring portion 31 is provided at the base end portion of the first core protrusion 107, that is, the end portion in the +Z direction. As the tape spring portion 31, for example, a belleville spring, a compression coil spring, or the like can be used. The tape spring portion 31 applies a load in the width direction of the tape 21, that is, the -Z direction, to the tape core 23 of the tape spool 19 housed in the cartridge housing 9. Thus, when the tape 21 is fed, the case where the tape core 23 shakes can be suppressed, and the feeding of the tape 21 can be stabilized.

[0073] Four fixing portions 109 are provided at the base end portion of the first core protrusion 107. The four fixing portions 109 are provided at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the first core protrusion 107 and protrude in the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface of the first core protrusion 107. The tape spring portion 31 is fixed at the base end portion of the first core protrusion 107 by the four fixing portions 109. Thus, when the first housing portion 101 is detached from the third housing portion 301, the case where the tape spring portion 31 is detached from the first core protrusion 107 can be suppressed, and the labor and time for reattaching the tape spring portion 31 to the first core protrusion 107 can be saved. In addition, the fixing portions 109 are not limited to four, and can be three or less or five or more. Furthermore, the method of fixing the tape spring portion 31 at the base end portion of the first core protrusion 107 is not limited to providing the fixing portions 109. For example, an inner thread can be provided on the inner peripheral portion of the belleville spring-shaped tape spring portion 31, and an outer thread can be provided on the outer peripheral portion of the first core protrusion 107, and the tape spring portion 31 can be attached to the base end portion of the first core protrusion 107 by screwing. Furthermore, the tape spring portion 31 can be inserted into the base end portion of the first core protrusion 107, that is, fitted to the base end portion of the first core protrusion 107. Furthermore, the tape spring portion 31 can be attached to the base end portion of the first core protrusion 107 using an adhesive. Furthermore, the fixing portions 109 are not limited to being provided at the base end portion of the first core protrusion 107. For example, the fixing portions 109 can be provided on the first bottom wall portion 103, and the tape spring portion 31 can be fixed to the first bottom wall portion 103. Furthermore, the tape spring portion 31 can be attached to the first bottom wall portion 103 by screwing or using an adhesive, similarly to the above-described method.

[0074] An overlapping portion 111 is provided at an edge portion of the first bottom wall portion 103 in the -Y direction. The overlapping portion 111 is a portion that overlaps the outside of the second bottom wall portion 203 of the second housing portion 201, that is, the +Z direction, in a state in which the first housing portion 101 is mounted to the third housing portion 301 (see Fig. 1). By providing the overlapping portion 111 on the first bottom wall portion 103, even in a case in which a force is applied to the first bottom wall portion 103 from the outside, the first bottom wall portion 103 can be inhibited from being deflected inward, that is, in the -Z direction, and the tape roll 19 can be inhibited from being pressed by the first bottom wall portion 103 that has been deflected inward and crushed in the width direction of the tape 21, that is, in the Z direction. Figure 1 ) By providing the overlapping portion 111 on the first bottom wall portion 103, even in a case in which a force is applied to the first bottom wall portion 103 from the outside, the first bottom wall portion 103 can be inhibited from being deflected inward, that is, in the -Z direction, and the tape roll 19 can be inhibited from being pressed by the first bottom wall portion 103 that has been deflected inward and crushed in the width direction of the tape 21, that is, in the Z direction.

[0075] The first side wall portion 105 protrudes in the -Z direction from a peripheral edge portion of the first bottom wall portion 103. Among the first side wall portion 105, a side wall portion in the -X direction is referred to as a first A side wall portion 105a, a side wall portion in the +X direction is referred to as a first B side wall portion 105b, and a side wall portion in the +Y direction is referred to as a first C side wall portion 105c. That is, in the first housing portion 101, the first A side wall portion 105a and the first B side wall portion 105b are located on opposite sides.

[0076] In addition, in the first housing portion 101, a surface on the opposite side of the first bottom wall portion 103, that is, a surface of the first housing portion 101 in the -Z direction, is open. That is, in the first housing portion 101, a first open portion 113 is provided in a direction from the first housing portion 101 toward the third housing portion 301, that is, in the -Z direction. By providing the first open portion 113 in the first housing portion 101, when the first housing portion 101 is mounted to the third housing portion 301 after the tape roll 19 is housed in the cartridge housing 9, the first housing portion 101 can be inhibited from interfering with the tape roll 19.

[0077] Furthermore, in the first housing portion 101, a surface on the opposite side of the first C side wall portion 105c, that is, a surface of the first housing portion 101 in the -Y direction, is open. That is, in the first housing portion 101, a second open portion 115 is provided in a direction from the first housing portion 101 toward the second housing portion 201, that is, in the -Y direction. By providing the second open portion 115 in the first housing portion 101, a case in which the tape 21 fed from the tape roll 19 to the tape feed-out opening 17 interferes with the first housing portion 101 can be inhibited.

[0078] In the first housing portion 101, three first engagement protrusions 117, namely, a first A engagement protrusion 117a, a first B engagement protrusion 117b, and a first C engagement protrusion 117c are provided. The first A engagement protrusion 117a, the first B engagement protrusion 117b, and the first C engagement protrusion 117c are engaged with a third A engagement receiving portion 333a, a third B engagement receiving portion 333b, and a third C engagement receiving portion 333c, respectively, which are provided in the third housing portion 301. Thereby, the first housing portion 101 is attached to the third housing portion 301 in a detachable manner.

[0079] Second housing portion

[0080] As shown in Figure 10 and Figure 11 The second housing portion 201 includes a second bottom wall portion 203, and a second side wall portion 205 which protrudes from a peripheral portion of the second bottom wall portion 203 in the -Z direction.

[0081] The second bottom wall portion 203 is located in the +Z direction in the cartridge housing 9. A second core protrusion 207 and a tape guide 209 protrude from the second bottom wall portion 203 in the -Z direction. Further, in the second bottom wall portion 203, a second head opening 211, a second take-up opening 213, and a tape guide engagement hole 215 are provided.

[0082] The second core protrusion 207 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The second core protrusion 207 is inserted into the take-up core 13 from the +Z direction. That is, the second core protrusion 207 becomes a rotation axis of the take-up core 13. A tape spring portion, which is omitted from the drawing, is provided on the second core protrusion 207. As the tape spring portion, for example, a belleville spring, a compression coil spring, or the like can be used. The tape spring portion applies a load in the -Z direction, which is the width direction of the ink ribbon 11, to the take-up core 13. Thereby, when the ink ribbon 11 is fed, the take-up core 13 can be prevented from shaking, and the feeding of the ink ribbon 11 can be stabilized. In addition, the second housing portion 201 is not detached from the third housing portion 301 except when the tape 21 and the ink ribbon 11 are consumed, unlike the first housing portion 101, and thus a fixing portion for fixing the tape spring portion is not provided on the second core protrusion 207.

[0083] The tape guide 209 guides the feeding of the tape 21 between the tape spool 19 and the impression roller 3. The tape guide 209 is provided in opposition to the insertion guide 313 (refer to Figure 1), the belt 21 inserted from the belt insertion port 33 is inserted between the belt guide 209 and the insertion guide 313. That is, the belt guide 209 is located in the -Z direction relative to the belt insertion port 33. In addition, a belt guide engaging protrusion 217 is provided at the end of the belt guide 209 in the -Z direction. The belt guide engaging protrusion 217 engages with the belt guide engaging hole 323 (see FIG. 21 ) provided in the third bottom wall portion 303 of the third housing portion 301. Figure 7 Therefore, the belt guide 209 is supported on both sides by the second bottom wall portion 203 and the third bottom wall portion 303.

[0084] The second head opening 211 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape and is provided at a corner in the −X direction and the −Y direction of the second bottom wall portion 203. The second head opening 211 constitutes an end portion of the head insertion hole 15 in the +Z direction.

[0085] The second winding opening 213 is formed in a substantially circular shape and is provided in the +X direction relative to the second head opening 211. The second winding opening 213 engages with an end portion of the winding core 7 in the +Z direction.

[0086] The ribbon guide engaging hole 215 is provided in the −X direction with respect to the second core protrusion 207 . The ribbon guide engaging hole 215 engages with the ribbon guide engaging protrusion 325 provided on the A ribbon guide 309 .

[0087] The second housing portion 201 is provided with five second engaging pins 219. Four of the five second engaging pins 219 project in the -Z direction from the -Z end surface of the second side wall portion 205. One second engaging pin 219 is located near the second head opening 211 and projects in the -Z direction from the second bottom wall portion 203. The five second engaging pins 219 are press-fitted from the +Z direction into the five 3A engaging holes 335 provided in the third housing portion 301. This allows the second housing portion 201 and the third housing portion 301 to be assembled.

[0088] Fourth shell

[0089] like Figure 12 as well as Figure 13 As shown, the fourth housing portion 401 includes a fourth bottom wall portion 403 and a fourth side wall portion 405 protruding in the −Z direction from an edge portion of the fourth bottom wall portion 403 in the −X direction.

[0090] The fourth bottom wall portion 403 is located in the +Z direction in the box housing 9. A fourth shell side roller engaging portion 407 is provided on the fourth bottom wall portion 403. The fourth shell side roller engaging portion 407 is a recessed portion of the inner surface of the fourth bottom wall portion 403, i.e., the surface in the -Z direction, which is recessed in the +Z direction and is formed into an oblong shape that is longer in the Y direction. The fourth shell side roller engaging portion 407 engages with the end portion in the +Z direction of the platen roller 3. A platen shaft insertion hole 409 is provided in the fourth shell side roller engaging portion 407. When the tape box 1T is installed on the box mounting portion 511, the platen shaft 513 is inserted into the platen shaft insertion hole 409.

[0091] Four fourth engaging pins 411 protrude from the fourth bottom wall 403 in the -Z direction. Three of the four fourth engaging pins 411 protrude from the -Z end surface of the fourth side wall 405 in the -Z direction, and one fourth engaging pin 411 protrudes from the fourth bottom wall 403 in the -Z direction. The four fourth engaging pins 411 are press-fitted from the +Z direction into the four 3B engaging holes 337 provided in the third housing 301. This allows the fourth housing 401 to be assembled with the third housing 301.

[0092] The first engagement protrusion and the third engagement receiving portion

[0093] like Figure 6 to Figure 9 As shown above, the first housing portion 101 is provided with the 1A engaging protrusion 117a, the 1B engaging protrusion 117b, and the 1C engaging protrusion 117c. The 1A engaging protrusion 117a protrudes from the 1A side wall portion 105a in the -Z direction. The 1B engaging protrusion 117b protrudes from the 1B side wall portion 105b in the -Z direction. The 1C engaging protrusion 117c protrudes from the 1C side wall portion 105c in the -Z direction.

[0094] The tip of the 1A engaging projection 117a is formed into a hook shape and engages with the 3A engaging receiving portion 333a of the third housing portion 301 from the inside of the third housing portion 301, that is, from the +X direction toward the -X direction. The tip of the 1B engaging projection 117b is formed into a hook shape and engages with the 3B engaging receiving portion 333b of the third housing portion 301 from the inside of the third housing portion 301, that is, from the -X direction toward the +X direction. The tip of the 1C engaging projection 117c is formed into a hook shape and engages with the 3C engaging receiving portion 333c of the third housing portion 301 from the inside of the third housing portion 301, that is, from the -Y direction toward the +Y direction.

[0095] The first housing 101 is detachably mounted to the third housing 301 by engaging the 1A, 1B, and 1C engagement projections 117a, 117b, and 117c with the 3A, 3B, and 3C engagement receiving portions 333a, 333b, and 333c, respectively.

[0096] When removing the first housing 101 from the third housing 301, the operator manually grasps the first housing 101 in the X direction, thereby bending the 1A side wall 105a and the 1B side wall 105b inward. This causes the 1A engagement projection 117a provided on the 1A side wall 105a to disengage from the 3A engagement receiving portion 333a provided on the third housing 301, and the 1B engagement projection 117b provided on the 1B side wall 105b to disengage from the 3B engagement receiving portion 333b provided on the third housing 301. In this state, the operator rotates the first housing 101 in the +Z direction, for example, using the -Z end of the 1C side wall 105c as a fulcrum. As a result, the 1C engagement protrusion 117 c provided on the 1C side wall portion 105 c is disengaged from the 3C engagement receiving portion 333 c provided on the third housing portion 301 .

[0097] In this way, the operator can remove only the first housing portion 101 and the first housing portion 101 from the third housing portion 301. That is, even if the first housing portion 101 is removed from the third housing portion 301, the second housing portion 201 is attached to the third housing portion 301, so the ribbon spool 5 remains stored between the second and third housing portions 201 and 301. Therefore, the operator can reinstall the ribbon spool 19 into the cassette housing 9 without the ribbon spool 5 becoming disorganized.

[0098] Furthermore, since the 1A side wall portion 105a and the 1B side wall portion 105b are disposed on opposite sides of the first housing portion 101, a worker can easily perform an operation to bend the 1A side wall portion 105a and the 1B side wall portion 105b inward. Therefore, a worker can easily remove the 1A engaging protrusion 117a provided on the 1A side wall portion 105a and the 1B engaging protrusion 117b provided on the 1B side wall portion 105b from the 3A engaging receiving portion 333a and the 3B engaging receiving portion 333b, respectively.

[0099] Furthermore, when attaching the first housing 101 to the third housing 301, the worker manually holds the first housing 101 in the X-direction, thereby bending the 1A side wall 105a and the 1B side wall 105b inward. In this state, the worker aligns the first side wall 105 of the first housing 101 with the third side wall 305 of the third housing 301, engages the 1C engagement protrusion 117c with the 3C engagement receiving portion 333c from the inside of the third housing 301, and then releases the force holding the first housing 101. Thus, the 1A engaging protrusion 117a provided on the 1A side wall portion 105a engages with the 3A engaging supporting portion 333a from the inner side of the third shell portion 301, and the 1B engaging protrusion 117b provided on the 1B side wall portion 105b engages with the 3B engaging supporting portion 333b from the inner side of the third shell portion 301.

[0100] Thus, the 1A side wall portion 105a provided with the 1A engaging protrusion 117a and the 1B side wall portion 105b provided with the 1B engaging protrusion 117b are provided on opposite sides of each other in the first housing portion 101. This allows a worker to easily bend the 1A side wall portion 105a and the 1B side wall portion 105b inward in order to remove the 1A engaging protrusion 117a and the 1B engaging protrusion 117b from the 3A engaging receiving portion 333a and the 3B engaging receiving portion 333b, respectively.

[0101] With insertion port

[0102] like Figure 1 As shown, a tape insertion port 33 is provided on the +Z direction surface of the cartridge housing 9. The tape insertion port 33 is provided between the second housing portion 201 and the fourth housing portion 401. The end portion of the tape insertion port 33 in the -X direction is passed through a tape introduction passage 35 (see Figure 14 ) and is connected to the belt delivery outlet 17.

[0103] When a worker rear-loads the individual tape roll 19 into the cassette housing 9, for example, while holding the tape roll 19 with one hand, the worker uses the other hand to pull out the tape 21 from the tape roll 19 so that the tip of the tape 21 extends out of the cassette housing 9 from the tape delivery port 17. Next, the worker places the tape roll 19 on the third bottom wall 303 so that the third core protrusion 307 is inserted into the tape core 23 of the tape roll 19. The worker then inserts the tape 21 pulled out from the tape roll 19 into the tape insertion port 33 in the -Z direction, from one end in the width direction of the tape 21, i.e., the end in the -Z direction. The tape 21 inserted from the tape insertion port 33 is inserted between the ink ribbon 11 and the platen roller 3.

[0104] In this way, the staff can store the tape reel 19 in the box shell 9 with the top end of the tape 21 extending out of the box shell 9 from the tape delivery outlet 17 without performing the labor-intensive and time-consuming work of rotating the tape reel 19 by hand to feed the tape 21 to the tape delivery outlet 17.

[0105] The edge portion of the tape insertion opening 33 in the -Y direction is referred to as the second insertion edge portion 221, and the edge portion of the tape insertion opening 33 in the +Y direction is referred to as the fourth insertion edge portion 413. The second insertion edge portion 221 is formed by the second bottom wall portion 203 of the second housing portion 201. The fourth insertion edge portion 413 is formed by the fourth bottom wall portion 403 of the fourth housing portion 401.

[0106] The second insertion edge 221 is formed into an arcuate shape that bulges toward the side opposite the platen roller 3 relative to the second insertion edge 221, that is, toward the -Y direction. Therefore, the shape of the tape 21 inserted through the tape insertion opening 33 can be curved to match the outer peripheral surface of the platen roller 3, which bulges toward the -Y direction. This prevents the tape 21 from catching on the platen roller 3 when inserted into the tape insertion opening 33.

[0107] Belt delivery outlet and belt inlet channel

[0108] like Figure 14 As shown, a tape delivery port 17 and a tape introduction passage 35 are provided on the −X direction surface of the box housing 9 .

[0109] The tape 21 unwound from the tape reel 19 is delivered to the outside of the cassette housing 9 through the tape delivery outlet 17. The tape delivery outlet 17 is formed into a substantially rectangular shape that is long in the Z direction. Approximately half of the tape delivery outlet 17 in the +Z direction is located between the second housing portion 201 and the fourth housing portion 401, and approximately half of the tape delivery outlet 17 in the -Z direction is located between the second housing portion 201 and the third housing portion 301.

[0110] The edge of the tape delivery port 17 in the -Y direction is referred to as the second delivery edge 223. The second delivery edge 223 is formed by the second sidewall 205 of the second housing 201. The second delivery edge 223 extends in the Z direction. A delivery projection 225 is provided at the end of the second delivery edge 223 in the +Z direction.

[0111] The delivery protrusion 225 protrudes from the second delivery edge portion 223 toward the opposite edge portion 417 described later, that is, in the +Y direction. The delivery protrusion 225 is provided at the +Z direction of the tape delivery outlet 17. With this delivery protrusion 225, it is possible to suppress the tape 21 from being pulled out in the +Z direction from the tape delivery outlet 17. Further, when the tape 21 is fed, with the delivery protrusion 225, it is possible to suppress the tape 21 from being bent or skewed in the +Z direction.

[0112] The portion of the edge portion in the +Y direction of the tape delivery outlet 17, which is constituted by the third side wall portion 305 of the third housing portion 301, is referred to as a third delivery edge portion 339, and the portion constituted by the fourth side wall portion 405 of the fourth housing portion 401 is referred to as a fourth delivery edge portion 415. The third delivery edge portion 339 extends in the Z direction. The fourth delivery edge portion 415 is provided in the +Z direction with respect to the third delivery edge portion 339. The fourth delivery edge portion 415 extends in the Z direction.

[0113] The tape introduction passage 35 introduces the tape 21 inserted from the tape insertion port 33 toward the tape delivery outlet 17. The tape introduction passage 35 connects the +Y direction side of the -X direction end portion of the tape insertion port 33 and the +Z direction end portion of the tape delivery outlet 17. That is, the +Z direction end portion of the tape introduction passage 35 is connected to the -X direction end portion of the tape insertion port 33, and the -Y direction end portion of the tape introduction passage 35 is connected to the +Y direction side of the +Z direction end portion of the tape delivery outlet 17.

[0114] The opposite edge portion 417 and the inclined edge portion 419 are provided at the edge portion in the +Y direction of the tape introduction passage 35. The opposite edge portion 417 and the inclined edge portion 419 are constituted by the fourth side wall portion 405 of the fourth housing portion 401. The opposite edge portion 417 extends in the Z direction and opposes the delivery protrusion 225. When the tape 21 is inserted from the tape insertion port 33, the tape 21 is inserted between the delivery protrusion 225 and the opposite edge portion 417 in the tape introduction passage 35.

[0115] The inclined edge portion 419 is provided between the opposing edge portion 417 and the fourth delivery edge portion 415. The inclined edge portion 419 is inclined relative to the opposing edge portion 417 so as to guide the tape 21 inserted between the delivery protrusion 225 and the opposing edge portion 417 into the tape delivery outlet 17. Specifically, the -Z end of the inclined edge portion 419 is located in the -Y direction relative to the +Z end of the inclined edge portion 419. When the tape 21 is inserted between the delivery protrusion 225 and the opposing edge portion 417, the -Z end of the tape 21 strikes the inclined edge portion 419. Having struck the inclined edge portion 419, the tape 21 is guided from the tape introduction passage 35 to the tape delivery outlet 17 by the inclined edge portion 419, which is inclined relative to the opposing edge portion 417. This allows the operator to easily insert the tape 21 drawn from the tape reel 19 into the tape delivery outlet 17 through the tape insertion opening 33.

[0116] Furthermore, the width of the tape introduction passage 35, that is, the distance between the delivery protrusion 225 and the opposing edge 417, is greater than the width of the tape delivery outlet 17, that is, the distance between the second delivery edge 223 and the fourth delivery edge 415. Therefore, when the tape 21 is inserted from the tape insertion opening 33, even a tape 21 that is thicker than a normal tape 21 can be easily inserted between the delivery protrusion 225 and the opposing edge 417.

[0117] Furthermore, when the tape 21 drawn from the tape reel 19 housed in the cassette case 9 is removed from the tape insertion opening 33, for example, to replace the tape reel 19, one widthwise end of the tape 21, i.e., the end in the +Z direction, is passed between the feed-out protrusion 225 and the opposing edge 417. In this embodiment, since the inclined edge 419 is inclined relative to the opposing edge 417, the +Z direction end of the tape 21 is slightly bent, allowing the +Z direction end of the tape 21 to pass between the feed-out protrusion 225 and the opposing edge 417. Therefore, a worker can easily remove the tape 21 drawn from the tape reel 19 housed in the cassette case 9 from the tape insertion opening 33.

[0118] Platen roller and third shell side roller engaging portion

[0119] like Figure 15 As shown, the platen roller 3 includes a roller body 37 and a roller shaft 39 . The roller body 37 is made of an elastic body such as rubber and is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape. The roller body 37 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the roller shaft 39 .

[0120] The roller shaft 39 is made of resin, for example, and is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. On the roller shaft 39, a first roller side engaging portion 41 and a second roller side engaging portion 43 are provided. The first roller side engaging portion 41 is provided near the end portion of the roller shaft 39 in the -Z direction, and the second roller side engaging portion 43 is provided at the end portion of the roller shaft 39 in the +Z direction. The portion of the roller shaft 39 between the first roller side engaging portion 41 and the second roller side engaging portion 43 is referred to as a roller mounting portion 45. The roller body 37 is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the roller mounting portion 45. Further, the portion of the roller shaft 39 in the -Z direction with respect to the first roller side engaging portion 41 is referred to as an opening insertion portion 47. The opening insertion portion 47 is inserted into the platen opening 317.

[0121] The first roller side engaging portion 41 is formed to have a larger diameter than the roller mounting portion 45 and the opening insertion portion 47. The first roller side engaging portion 41 engages with the third housing side roller engaging portion 331. A face of the first roller side engaging portion 41 in the -Z direction is referred to as a first roller side contact face 49. The first roller side contact face 49 contacts with a face of the third housing side roller engaging portion 331 in the +Z direction.

[0122] The second roller side engaging portion 43 is formed to have a larger diameter than the roller mounting portion 45. The second roller side engaging portion 43 engages with the fourth housing side roller engaging portion 407. As described above, the fourth housing side roller engaging portion 407 is formed in an oblong shape that is longer in the Y direction. Therefore, the platen roller 3 can take a first attitude (refer to Figure 16 ) and a second attitude (refer to Figure 17 ) in which the first attitude is an upright attitude, and the second attitude is an attitude in which the end portion of the platen roller 3 in the +Z direction is distanced from the end portion of the platen roller 3 in the -Z direction in the +Y direction with respect to the first attitude. In addition, the first attitude in which the platen roller 3 is upright means an attitude in which the axial direction of the platen roller 3 becomes substantially parallel to the width direction of the ink ribbon 11, that is, the Z direction.

[0123] When the platen roller 3 is upright and becomes the first attitude, if the case 1 is viewed from the +Z direction, the end face 37a of the roller body 37 in the +Z direction can be seen via the tape insertion port 33 (refer to Figure 16 ). On the other hand, when the platen roller 3 is inclined and becomes the second attitude, if the case 1 is viewed from the +Z direction, not only the end face 37a of the roller body 37 in the +Z direction but also the outer peripheral surface 37b of the roller body 37 can be seen via the tape insertion port 33, and further, the second roller side engaging portion 43 can be seen via the platen shaft insertion hole 409 (refer to Figure 17 ).

[0124] On the +Z direction face of the third housing side roller engaging portion 331, a first contact face 341 and a second contact face 343 are provided. The first contact face 341 is formed in a circular arc shape with a larger central angle than a semicircle when viewed from the +Z direction (refer to Figure 7 ). The first contact face 341 is inclined with respect to the XY plane. That is, the +Y direction end portion of the first contact face 341 is located in the -Z direction compared to the -Y direction end portion of the first contact face 341. The second contact face 343 is provided in the -Y direction with respect to the first contact face 341, and is formed in two circular arc shapes with a smaller central angle than the first contact face 341 when viewed from the +Z direction (refer to Figure 7 ). The second contact face 343 is parallel to the XY plane.

[0125] When the cartridge 1 is placed on a substantially horizontal surface such as a desk in a posture in which the -Z direction face of the cartridge 1 faces downward, that is, in a posture in which the first roller side engaging portion 41 and the first roller side engaging portion 41 among the second roller side engaging portion 43 are lower, the first roller side engaging portion 41 is supported by the third housing side roller engaging portion 331. At this time, since the first contact face 341 is larger than the second contact face 343, the platen roller 3 is inclined in a manner in which the first roller side contact face 49 contacts the first contact face 341 and the first contact face 341 among the second contact face 343, and thus the platen roller 3 becomes the second posture.

[0126] When the platen roller 3 becomes the second posture, as described above, the +Z direction end portion of the platen roller 3 is farther away from the ink ribbon 11 in the +Y direction compared to the -Z direction end portion of the platen roller 3 (refer to Figure 17 ). That is, when the platen roller 3 is in the first posture, the platen roller 3 almost contacts the ink ribbon 11, but when the platen roller 3 is in the second posture, a gap is generated between the platen roller 3 and the ink ribbon 11. Therefore, when the tape 21 is inserted from the tape insertion port 33 to between the ink ribbon 11 and the platen roller 3, it is possible to suppress the tape 21 from hanging on the platen roller 3.

[0127] When the tape cartridge 1T is attached to the cartridge mounting portion 511, the platen roller 3 becomes the first posture by the platen shaft 513 extending in the Z direction among the cartridge mounting portion 513 being inserted through the roller shaft 39 of the platen roller 3 (refer to Figure 16 ). At this time, the first roller side contact face 49 becomes a state of contacting the second contact face 343 among the +Z direction face of the third housing side roller engaging portion 331 (refer to Figure 15), so that the platen roller 3 is supported by the second contact surface 343. Therefore, when the platen roller 3 is rotated, it is possible to suppress the inclination of the platen roller 3 with respect to the platen shaft 513, and it is possible to appropriately feed the tape 21 and the ink ribbon 11 by the platen roller 3. In addition, by the platen roller 3 becoming the first attitude, the tape 21 is pressed in the -Y direction by the platen roller 3, and the end portion in the +Z direction of the tape 21 is pressed by the feed protrusion 225 while being distanced from the tape introduction passage 35 in the -Y direction, so it is possible to suppress the case where the tape 21 is pulled out in the +Z direction from the tape introduction passage 35.

[0128] Second tape guide

[0129] As shown in Figure 18 and Figure 19 The tape guide 209 has a guide base portion 227 and nine protrusions 229. The tape guide 209 is able to appropriately guide the tape 21 across the entire width direction of the tape 21 by having a plurality of protrusions 229.

[0130] The guide base portion 227 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape that is long in the Z direction. The protrusions 229 protrude in the +Y direction from the guide base portion 227. The protrusions 229 are formed in a substantially semicircular plate shape, and contact the tape 21 at a contact surface that is a circumferential surface thereof. That is, the contact surface of the protrusions 229 is formed in a circular arc shape, and contacts the printing surface of the tape 21 that is fed to the tape feed outlet 17. By the protrusions 229 being formed in a plate shape, it is possible to reduce the contact area of the protrusions 229 with the tape 21. Furthermore, by the contact surface of the protrusions 229 that contacts the tape 21 being formed in a circular arc shape, it is possible to reduce the contact area of the protrusions 229 with the tape 21.

[0131] The nine protrusions 229 are dispersedly provided in the width direction of the tape 21, that is, the -Z direction. The nine protrusions 229 constitute three protrusion groups 231. The protrusion groups 231 are spaced apart from each other by a larger distance than the protrusions 229 included in the same protrusion group 231. Therefore, compared to a structure in which the nine protrusions 229 are provided at equal intervals, the width of a non-contact region in the tape 21 that is not in contact with the protrusions 229 is larger between the protrusion groups 231 and the protrusion groups 231. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the feeding load of the tape 21 due to friction between the tape guide 209.

[0132] Further, the interval between the protruding groups 231 is the interval between the n-th protruding group 231 and the (n+1)-th protruding group 231 from the +Z direction, that is, the interval between the protrusion 229 located at the most -Z direction in the n-th protruding group 231 and the protrusion 229 located at the most +Z direction in the (n+1)-th protruding group 231. n is an integer of 1 or more. Further, the interval between the protrusions 229 included in the same protruding group 231 is the interval between the m-th protrusion 229 and the (m+1)-th protrusion 229 from the +Z direction in an arbitrary protruding group 231. m is an integer of 1 or more.

[0133] The tape guide chamfer portion 233 is provided at the end portion of each protrusion 229 in the +Z direction. In a structure in which the tape guide chamfer portion 233 is not provided at the end portion of each protrusion 229 in the +Z direction unlike the present embodiment, the inserted tape 21 can be caught on the protrusion 229 provided on the tape guide 209 when the tape 21 is inserted from the tape insertion port 33. In contrast, in the present embodiment, by providing the tape guide chamfer portion 233 at the end portion of each protrusion 229 in the +Z direction, it is possible to suppress the tape 21 from being caught on the protrusion 229 when the tape 21 is inserted from the tape insertion port 33.

[0134] As described above, the cartridge 1 of the present embodiment is a cartridge 1 that can be mounted on the tape printing device 501, and includes the ribbon spool 5 and the cartridge housing 9. The cartridge housing 9 can accommodate the tape spool 19, and accommodates the ribbon spool 5. The cartridge housing 9 includes the third housing portion 301, the first housing portion 101, and the second housing portion 201. The first housing portion 101 can accommodate the tape spool 19 between the first housing portion 101 and the third housing portion 301. The second housing portion 201 is provided separately from the first housing portion 101, and accommodates the ribbon spool 5 between the second housing portion 201 and the third housing portion 301. The first housing portion 101 can be detached with respect to the third housing portion 301.

[0135] According to this structure, the worker can detach only the first housing portion 101 from the third housing portion 301 and the first housing portion 101 of the second housing portion 201. Thus, the worker can load the tape spool 19 into the cartridge housing 9 without the ribbon spool 5 being spread.

[0136] Further, the cartridge 1 of the present embodiment is a cartridge 1 which can be attached to the tape printing device 501, and is provided with a cartridge case 9 which can accommodate the tape roll 19. The cartridge case 9 is provided with a third case portion 301, a first case portion 101, a second case portion 201, and a fourth case portion 401. The first case portion 101 can accommodate the tape roll 19 between the first case portion 101 and the third case portion 301, and can be attached to and detached from the third case portion 301. The second case portion 201 is provided separately from the first case portion 101. The fourth case portion 401 is provided separately from the first case portion 101. Between the second case portion 201 and the fourth case portion 401, a tape discharge port 17 and a tape insertion port 33 are provided. The tape 21 which is unwound from the tape roll 19 is discharged to the outside of the cartridge case 9 from the tape discharge port 17. When the tape roll 19 is accommodated in the cartridge case 9, the tape 21 which is drawn from the tape roll 19 so that the tip end of the tape 21 protrudes to the outside of the cartridge case 9 from the tape discharge port 17 can be inserted into the tape insertion port 33 from the end portion in the -Z direction which is one of the width directions of the tape 21 in the -Z direction.

[0137] According to this structure, the worker can accommodate the tape roll 19 in the cartridge case 9 in a state in which the tip end of the tape 21 protrudes to the outside of the cartridge case 9 from the tape discharge port 17 without performing the operation of supplying the tape 21 to the tape discharge port 17 by rotating the tape roll 19 by hand with labor and time.

[0138] Further, the cartridge 1 of the present embodiment is a cartridge 1 which can be attached to the tape printing device 501, and is provided with a cartridge case 9 which can accommodate the tape roll 19. The cartridge case 9 is provided with a third case portion 301, a first case portion 101, a second case portion 201, and a fourth case portion 401. The first case portion 101 can accommodate the tape roll 19 between the first case portion 101 and the third case portion 301, and can be attached to and detached from the third case portion 301. The second case portion 201 is provided separately from the first case portion 101. The fourth case portion 401 is provided separately from the first case portion 101. Between the second case portion 201 and the fourth case portion 401, a tape discharge port 17 and a tape insertion port 33 are provided. The tape 21 which is unwound from the tape roll 19 is discharged to the outside of the cartridge case 9 from the tape discharge port 17. When the tape roll 19 is accommodated in the cartridge case 9, the tape 21 which is drawn from the tape roll 19 so that the tip end of the tape 21 protrudes to the outside of the cartridge case 9 from the tape discharge port 17 can be inserted into the tape insertion port 33 from the end portion in the -Z direction which is one of the width directions of the tape 21 in the -Z direction.

[0139] According to this structure, by providing the tape guide chamfer portion 233 at the end portion in the +Z direction of the protruding portion 229, it is possible to suppress the tape 21 from hanging on the protruding portion 229 when the tape 21 is inserted into the tape insertion port 33.

[0140] Second Embodiment

[0141] Based on Figure 20The second embodiment of the cartridge 1A is described below. The cartridge 1A of the second embodiment is constructed in a substantially similar manner to the cartridge 1 of the first embodiment, but differs in that the first housing 101 engages with the second housing 201 and the first housing 101 engages with the fourth housing 401.

[0142] The first housing portion 101 is provided with a 1A engaging portion 119 and a 1B engaging portion 121. The 1A engaging portion 119 and the 1B engaging portion 121 protrude from the first bottom wall portion 103 in the -Z direction. The 1A engaging portion 119 is provided on the overlapping portion 111, but its position is not particularly limited. The 1A engaging portion 119 engages with a second engaging recess 235 provided on the second bottom wall portion 203 of the second housing portion 201. The 1B engaging portion 121 engages with a fourth engaging recess 421 provided on the fourth bottom wall portion 403 of the fourth housing portion 401.

[0143] Furthermore, unlike the aforementioned structure in which the second engaging pin 219 is press-fitted into the 3A engaging hole 335, the 1A engaging portion 119 is not press-fitted into the second engaging recess 235. Therefore, even when the 1A engaging portion 119 is engaged with the second engaging recess 235, the first housing portion 101 can be easily removed from the third housing portion 301 by hand. The same applies to the 1B engaging portion 121.

[0144] The engagement of the first A engaging portion 119 with the second engaging recess 235 suppresses the first and second housing portions 101 and 201 from shaking in the X and Y directions. This improves the overall rigidity of the cartridge housing 9. Similarly, the engagement of the first B engaging portion 121 with the fourth engaging recess 421 suppresses the first and fourth housing portions 101 and 401 from shaking in the X and Y directions. This improves the overall rigidity of the cartridge housing 9.

[0145] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to a configuration in which the first housing 101 is provided with the firstA engaging portion 119 and the second housing 201 is provided with the second engaging recess 235. Alternatively, a configuration in which the first housing 101 is provided with an engaging recess and the second housing 201 is provided with an engaging portion may be provided. Furthermore, a configuration in which the first housing 101 is provided with an engaging portion and an engaging recess, and the second housing 201 is provided with an engaging recess that engages with the engaging portion provided in the first housing 101 and an engaging portion that engages with the engaging recess provided in the first housing 101 may be provided. The same applies to the first housing 101 and the fourth housing 401.

[0146] Further, the engaging portion is not limited to a portion that protrudes from the first bottom wall portion 103 as the first A engaging portion 119 and the first B engaging portion 121, and for example, the entire overlapping portion 111 can function as the first A engaging portion 119. That is, it can be a structure in which an engaging recess portion that engages with the overlapping portion 111 is provided on the second housing portion 201.

[0147] Third Embodiment

[0148] Based on Figure 21 And Figure 22 The third embodiment of the cartridge 1B will be described. The cartridge 1B of the third embodiment has a hinge portion 123 provided between the first housing portion 101 and the third housing portion 301. The hinge portion 123 has a rotation axis parallel to the X-axis direction, and links the +Y direction and -Z direction end portions of the first housing portion 101 with the +Y direction and +Z direction end portions of the third housing portion 301 in a manner that allows the first housing portion 101 to rotate with respect to the third housing portion 301. In addition, in the third embodiment, the second housing portion 201 is omitted. Figure 21 And Figure 22 In the third embodiment, the illustration of the second housing portion 201 is omitted.

[0149] In the cartridge 1B, the tape roll housing portion 25 can be opened and closed by the user rotating the first housing portion 101 with respect to the third housing portion 301 about the hinge portion 123. In addition, in the cartridge 1B, the first C engaging protrusion 117c and the third C engaging receiving portion 333c do not need to be provided.

[0150] Other Modified Examples

[0151] The embodiments described above are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various structures can of course be employed within the scope of the gist thereof. For example, the above-described embodiments can be changed to the following modes in addition to the above-described content. Further, a structure in which the embodiments and the modified examples are combined respectively can also be employed.

[0152] The first housing portion 101, the second housing portion 201, the third housing portion 301, and the fourth housing portion 401 are not limited to a structure in which they are provided separately from each other, and as long as any of the first housing portion 101 and the second housing portion 201, the third housing portion 301, and the fourth housing portion 401 are provided separately, other structures can also be employed. For example, the second housing portion 201 and the third housing portion 301 can be integrated with each other, the second housing portion 201 and the fourth housing portion 401 can be integrated with each other, the third housing portion 301 and the fourth housing portion 401 can be integrated with each other, and further, a structure in which the second housing portion 201, the third housing portion 301, and the fourth housing portion 401 are integrated with each other can also be employed.

[0153] If the second housing 201 and the fourth housing 401 are integrally formed, the tape insertion opening 33, the inclined edge 419, and the first contact surface 341 for positioning the platen roller 3 in the second position may not be provided. When a worker rear-loads the individual tape reel 19 into the cassette housing 9, for example, the worker unwinds the tape 21 from the reel 19 so that the tip of the tape 21 extends out of the cassette housing 9 through the tape delivery opening 17. Next, the worker places the tape reel 19 on the third bottom wall 303, inserting the third core protrusion 307 into the tape core 23 of the reel. The worker then inserts the tip of the tape 21 unwound from the reel 19 into the gap between the tape guide 209 and the insertion guide 313, moving from the +X direction toward the -X direction. If the second housing 201 and the fourth housing 401 are separate components, the tape insertion opening 33, the inclined edge 419, and the first contact surface 341 may not be provided.

[0154] The structure is not limited to the structure in which the first engaging protrusion 117 is provided in the first shell part 101 and the third engaging receiving part 333 is provided in the third shell part 301 , but may also be a structure in which the engaging receiving part is provided in the first shell part 101 and the engaging protrusion is provided in the third shell part 301 .

[0155] Notes

[0156] The following is a supplementary note on the box.

[0157] A box that can be installed on a tape printing device comprises: a ribbon reel, which is formed by winding an ink ribbon; a box shell, which can store the tape reel formed by winding the tape and stores the ribbon reel, and the box shell has: a third shell part; a first shell part, which constitutes a tape reel storage part for storing the tape reel between the first shell part and the third shell part; a second shell part, which is separately arranged from the first shell part and stores the ribbon reel between the second shell part and the third shell part, and the first shell part can open and close the tape reel storage part.

[0158] According to this structure, the staff can remove only the first shell part of the first shell part and the second shell part from the third shell part. Thus, the staff can reinstall the ribbon reel into the cassette shell without the ribbon reel being scattered.

[0159] In this case, it is preferred that a snap-fitting protrusion is provided on one of the third shell part and the first shell part, and a snap-fitting receiving part is provided on the other of the third shell part and the first shell part, the snap-fitting protrusion is engaged with the snap-fitting receiving part from the inner side of the shell part of the third shell part and the first shell part on which the snap-fitting receiving part is provided, and the snap-fitting protrusion is disengaged from the snap-fitting receiving part by bending the shell part of the third shell part and the first shell part on which the snap-fitting protrusion is provided inward.

[0160] According to this structure, by making the housing portion provided with the engagement protrusion flex by such an easy operation, the first housing portion can be detached from the third housing portion.

[0161] Further, the first engagement protrusion 117 is an example of an "engagement protrusion". The third engagement receiving portion 333 is an example of an "engagement receiving portion".

[0162] In this case, it is preferable that the engagement protrusion include an A engagement protrusion provided on an A engagement side wall portion in the first direction in the third housing portion and the housing portion of the first housing portion provided with the A engagement protrusion and a B engagement protrusion provided on a B engagement side wall portion in the second direction opposite to the first direction in the third housing portion and the housing portion of the first housing portion provided with the A engagement protrusion and the B engagement protrusion, and the engagement receiving portion include an A engagement receiving portion engaged with the A engagement protrusion and a B engagement receiving portion engaged with the B engagement protrusion, the A engagement receiving portion being provided on an A receiving side wall portion in the first direction in the third housing portion and the housing portion of the first housing portion provided with the A engagement receiving portion and the B engagement receiving portion, and the B engagement receiving portion being provided on a B receiving side wall portion in the second direction in the third housing portion and the housing portion of the first housing portion provided with the A engagement receiving portion and the B engagement receiving portion.

[0163] According to this structure, by providing the A engagement side wall portion provided with the A engagement protrusion and the B engagement side wall portion provided with the B engagement protrusion at opposite sides of each other in the first housing portion or the third housing portion, a worker can easily perform an operation of flexing the A engagement side wall portion and the B engagement side wall portion inward.

[0164] Further, the first A side wall portion 105a is an example of an "A engagement side wall portion". The first B side wall portion 105b is an example of a "B engagement side wall portion". The third A side wall portion 305a is an example of an "A receiving side wall portion". The third B side wall portion 305b is an example of a "B receiving side wall portion". The -X direction is an example of a "first direction". The +X direction is an example of a "second direction".

[0165] In this case, it is preferable that the cartridge case have a fourth housing portion provided separately from the first housing portion and housing the platen roller between the third housing portion.

[0166] According to this structure, the worker can detach only the first casing portion and the first casing portion of the fourth casing portion from the third casing portion. Thus, the worker can load the tape roll into the cartridge casing after the impression roller is not detached from the cartridge casing.

[0167] In this case, preferably, the first casing portion is provided with a first opening portion in a direction from the first casing portion toward the third casing portion, and is provided with a second opening portion in a direction from the first casing portion toward the second casing portion.

[0168] According to this structure, by providing the first casing portion with the first opening portion, it is possible to suppress the case where the first casing portion interferes with the tape roll when the first casing portion is attached to the third casing portion after the tape roll is housed in the cartridge casing. Further, by providing the first casing portion with the second opening portion, it is possible to suppress the case where the tape supplied from the tape roll to the tape discharge port interferes with the first casing portion.

[0169] In this case, preferably, the first casing portion is provided with an overlapping portion that overlaps the outside of the second casing portion in a state where the first casing portion is attached to the third casing portion.

[0170] According to this structure, even in a case where a force is applied to the first casing portion from the outside, it is possible to suppress the case where the first casing portion is deflected inward, and it is possible to suppress the case where the tape roll is pressed by the first casing portion that is deflected inward and is crushed in the width direction of the tape.

[0171] In this case, preferably, a tape elastic portion that applies a load to the core of the tape roll of the tape roll is provided, and the tape elastic portion is fixed to the first casing portion.

[0172] According to this structure, when the first casing portion is detached from the third casing portion, it is possible to suppress the case where the tape elastic portion is detached from the first casing portion, and it is possible to save labor and time for attaching the tape elastic portion to the first casing portion again.

[0173] In this case, preferably, an engaging portion is provided on one of the first casing portion and the second casing portion, and an engaging recess portion that engages with the engaging portion is provided on the other of the first casing portion and the second casing portion.

[0174] According to this structure, by engaging the engaging portion with the engaging recess portion, it is possible to suppress the case where the first casing portion and the second casing portion are shaken. Thus, it is possible to improve the rigidity of the cartridge casing as a whole.

[0175] In addition, the first engaging portion 119 is an example of the "engaging portion". The second engaging recess portion 235 is an example of the "engaging recess portion".

[0176] A cartridge mountable on a printer, comprising: a ribbon spool formed by winding a ribbon; a cartridge housing capable of housing the ribbon spool formed by winding the ribbon, and housing the ribbon spool; a ribbon spool housing portion capable of housing the ribbon spool; and a ribbon spool housing portion housing the ribbon spool, the cartridge housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion provided separately from the first housing portion, the first housing portion being capable of opening and closing the ribbon spool housing portion.

[0177] According to this structure, the worker opens the ribbon spool housing portion by detaching the first housing portion from the cartridge housing, and after housing a separate ribbon spool in the opened ribbon spool housing portion, closes the ribbon spool housing portion by mounting the first housing portion on the cartridge housing, thereby enabling the production of a ribbon cartridge into which the separate ribbon spool is rear-loaded.

[0178] In this case, it is preferable that the cartridge housing further comprises a third housing portion provided separately from the first housing portion and the second housing portion, the first housing portion and the third housing portion constituting the housing of the ribbon spool housing portion, and the second housing portion and the third housing portion constituting the housing of the ribbon spool housing portion.

[0179] According to this structure, the worker can detach only the first housing portion among the first housing portion and the second housing portion from the third housing portion. Thus, the worker can rear-load the ribbon spool under the condition that the ribbon spool does not come off.

[0180] In this case, it is preferable that a hinge portion is provided between the first housing portion and the third housing portion, and the first housing portion is turned about the hinge portion to open and close the ribbon spool housing portion.

[0181] According to this structure, the first housing portion does not need to be detached from the third housing portion when the user opens the ribbon spool housing portion, and thus the loss of the first housing portion can be suppressed. Further, since the first housing portion does not need to be aligned with the third housing portion when the user closes the ribbon spool housing portion, the operation of closing the ribbon spool housing portion can be easily performed.

[0182] Symbol Explanation

[0183] 1…cartridge; 3…impression roller; 5…ribbon spool; 9…cartridge housing; 11…ink ribbon; 19…ribbon spool; 21…ribbon; 25…ribbon spool storage portion; 27…ink ribbon storage portion; 31…ribbon elastic portion; 101…first housing portion; 105a…1st A side wall portion; 105b…1st B side wall portion; 105c…1st C side wall portion; 107…first core protrusion; 109…fixing portion; 111…overlapping portion; 113…first opening portion; 115…second opening portion; 117…first engagement protrusion; 117a…1st A engagement protrusion; 117b…1st B engagement protrusion; 117c…1st C engagement protrusion; 119…1st A engagement portion; 121…1st B engagement portion; 201…second housing portion; 235…second engagement recess; 301…third housing portion; 305…third side wall portion; 305a…3rd A side wall portion; 305b…3rd B side wall portion; 305c…3rd C side wall portion; 305d…3rd D side wall portion; 401…fourth housing portion; 501…ribbon printing device; 517…thermal head.

Claims

1. A box, characterized in that It is a box that can be mounted on a tape printing device and has: a ribbon reel, which is formed by winding an ink ribbon; The box housing can accommodate a ribbon roll formed by winding the ribbon and accommodates the ribbon roll. The box housing has: a third housing portion; a first housing portion constituting a tape reel storage portion for storing the tape reel between the first housing portion and the third housing portion; a second housing portion, which is separately provided with the first housing portion and houses the ribbon reel between the second housing portion and the third housing portion; The first housing portion can open and close the tape reel storage portion. The first housing portion includes a first opening portion extending from the first housing portion toward the third housing portion. In the first housing portion, a second open portion is provided in a direction from the first housing portion toward the second housing portion.

2. The box according to claim 1, wherein An engaging protrusion is provided on one of the third shell portion and the first shell portion. The other of the third housing portion and the first housing portion is provided with an engagement receiving portion. The engaging protrusion engages with the engaging receiving portion from the inner side of the third housing portion and the first housing portion where the engaging receiving portion is provided. The engaging protrusion is disengaged from the engaging receiving portion by bending the outer shell portion of the third outer shell portion and the first outer shell portion, which outer shell portion is provided with the engaging protrusion, inwardly.

3. The box according to claim 2, characterized in that The engaging protrusions include an A engaging protrusion and a B engaging protrusion. The A engaging protrusion is provided on the A engaging side wall portion located in the first direction in the third housing portion and the housing portion of the first housing portion on which the A engaging protrusion and the B engaging protrusion are provided. The B engaging protrusion is provided on the B engaging side wall portion located in a second direction opposite to the first direction in the third housing portion and the housing portion of the first housing portion on which the A engaging protrusion and the B engaging protrusion are provided. The engagement receiving portion includes an A engagement receiving portion engaged with the A engagement convex portion and a B engagement receiving portion engaged with the B engagement convex portion. The A engagement receiving portion is provided on the A receiving side wall portion located in the first direction in the third housing portion and the housing portion of the first housing portion where the A engagement receiving portion and the B engagement receiving portion are provided. The B engagement receiving portion is provided on a B receiving side wall portion located in the second direction in the housing portion of the third housing portion and the first housing portion where the A engagement receiving portion and the B engagement receiving portion are provided.

4. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein A platen roller is provided for feeding the tape and the ink ribbon between the platen roller and a thermal head provided in the tape printing device when the cassette is mounted on the tape printing device. The cartridge housing includes a fourth housing portion that is provided separately from the first housing portion and houses the platen roller between the fourth housing portion and the third housing portion.

5. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein An overlapping portion is provided in the first housing portion, the overlapping portion overlapping the outer side of the second housing portion in a state in which the first housing portion is attached to the third housing portion.

6. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein A belt elastic portion is provided for applying a load to the belt core of the belt reel. The belt elastic portion is fixed to the first housing portion.

7. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein A locking portion is provided on one of the first shell portion and the second shell portion. An engaging recess is provided on the other of the first housing portion and the second housing portion, and the engaging recess engages with the engaging portion.

8. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein A hinge portion is provided between the first housing portion and the third housing portion, The tape roll storage portion is opened and closed by rotating the first housing portion about the hinge portion.

9. A box, characterized in that This is a cartridge that can be mounted on a tape printing device and includes: a ribbon reel, which is formed by winding an ink ribbon; a cassette housing capable of housing a ribbon reel formed by winding a ribbon and housing the ribbon reel; a belt reel storage portion capable of storing the belt reel; A ribbon reel storage unit for storing the ribbon reel. The box housing includes a first housing portion, a second housing portion separately provided with the first housing portion, and a third housing portion separately provided with the first housing portion and the second housing portion. The first housing portion can open and close the tape reel storage portion. The first housing portion and the third housing portion constitute the housing of the ribbon reel storage portion, and the second housing portion and the third housing portion constitute the housing of the ribbon reel storage portion. The first housing portion includes a first opening portion extending from the first housing portion toward the third housing portion. In the first housing portion, a second open portion is provided in a direction from the first housing portion toward the second housing portion.

10. The cartridge according to claim 9, wherein A belt elastic portion is provided for applying a load to the belt core of the belt reel. The belt elastic portion is fixed to the first housing portion.

11. The cartridge according to claim 9, wherein A hinge portion is provided between the first housing portion and the third housing portion, The tape roll storage portion is opened and closed by rotating the first housing portion about the hinge portion.

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