ink cartridge

Abstract

Provided is a cartridge capable of smoothly conveying a print tape introduced from the outside of a tape printer. The cartridge is installed in a tape printer having a cartridge mounting portion, a print head provided on the cartridge mounting portion and performing printing on the print tape, and a device housing on which a device-side tape inlet through which the print tape is introduced from the outside of the device housing into the device housing and a device-side tape outlet through which the print tape is discharged to the outside of the device housing are provided, and the cartridge has a tape path that is a path through which the print tape introduced from the device-side tape inlet is conveyed toward the device-side tape outlet in a state in which the cartridge is installed on the cartridge mounting portion.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with application number 201980081917.X, application date December 23, 2019, and invention title "Ink Cartridge". Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to an ink cartridge installed in a printing device. Background Technology

[0003] Currently, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a known housing that is mounted on a printing tape making device and has a tape housing for holding printing tape that can be detachably mounted. The housing has a guide groove for conveying the tape unwound from the tape housing.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-090877 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] In a structure where the printing belt, which is printed by a belt printing device, is introduced from outside the belt printing device, it is necessary to smoothly transfer the printing belt within the belt printing device.

[0009] Methods for solving problems

[0010] The ink cartridge of the present invention is mounted on a tape printing apparatus, the tape printing apparatus comprising an ink cartridge mounting part, a print head disposed on the ink cartridge mounting part for printing on a printing tape, and an apparatus housing. The apparatus housing is provided with an apparatus-side tape inlet for guiding the printing tape from outside the apparatus housing into the apparatus housing and an apparatus-side tape outlet for discharging the printing tape out of the apparatus housing. The ink cartridge is provided with a tape path, which is a path for conveying the printing tape guided from the apparatus-side tape inlet toward the apparatus-side tape outlet when the ink cartridge is mounted on the ink cartridge mounting part. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional view with a printing device.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the printing device with ink cartridges installed, viewed from the front side of the installation direction.

[0013] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the printing device with the ribbon cartridge installed, viewed from the front side of the installation direction.

[0014] Figure 4 A diagram showing the printing device viewed from the front side of the mounting direction.

[0015] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the ribbon cartridge viewed from the front side of the installation direction.

[0016] Figure 6 This is a 3D view of a ribbon ink cartridge.

[0017] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the ribbon cartridge viewed from the depth side of the installation direction.

[0018] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the front side of the outer casing of the ribbon section as viewed from the depth side in the installation direction.

[0019] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing the housing with the retainer near the front side, viewed from the depth side in the installation direction.

[0020] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing the ribbon cartridge in a closed position, viewed from the front side of the installation direction with the front housing of the ribbon section, the front housing of the ribbon retainer, and the sliding plate removed.

[0021] Figure 11 This is a diagram showing the ribbon cartridge as viewed from the side of the cartridge with the inlet.

[0022] Figure 12 This is a diagram showing a ribbon cartridge with the sliding plate in the closed position, as observed from the cartridge side with the outlet.

[0023] Figure 13 This diagram illustrates the printing process performed by a tape printing apparatus with the tape cartridge mounted on the cartridge mounting section.

[0024] Figure 14 This is a 3D view of the arm.

[0025] Figure 15 This is a 3D view of the sliding plate.

[0026] Figure 16 A diagram showing the sliding plate as viewed from the front side of the installation direction.

[0027] Figure 17 A diagram showing the sliding plate viewed from the depth side of the installation direction.

[0028] Figure 18 This is a diagram showing the ribbon cartridge in the open position, viewed from the front side of the installation direction.

[0029] Figure 19This is a diagram showing the ribbon cartridge in an open position, viewed from the front side of the mounting direction with the front housing with the retainer and the sliding plate removed.

[0030] Figure 20 This is a diagram showing a ribbon cartridge with the sliding plate in an open position, observed from the cartridge side with the outlet side removed, with the front housing of the tape holder and the sliding plate removed.

[0031] Figure 21 This is a diagram showing a ribbon cartridge with the sliding plate in a closed position, observed from the cartridge side with the exhaust port side removed, with the front housing of the tape holder and the sliding plate removed.

[0032] Figure 22 This is a diagram showing a ribbon cartridge with the sliding plate in the open position, as observed from the cartridge side with the outlet.

[0033] Figure 23 This diagram shows a ribbon cartridge mounted on the cartridge mounting section, viewed from the front side of the mounting direction with the front housing with the retaining part and the sliding plate removed.

[0034] Figure 24 This is a diagram showing the ink cartridge from the front side of the installation direction.

[0035] Figure 25 This is a 3D model with an ink cartridge.

[0036] Figure 26 This is a diagram showing the ink cartridge from the depth side of the installation direction.

[0037] Figure 27 This diagram illustrates the printing process performed by a printing apparatus with an ink cartridge mounted on the ink cartridge mounting section.

[0038] Figure 28 This is a diagram showing the printing apparatus with the ink ribbon storage cartridge and the guide cartridge installed, viewed from the front side of the installation direction.

[0039] Figure 29 This is a 3D view of the ink cartridge with a guide.

[0040] Figure 30 This is a diagram showing the guide cartridge from the depth side of the installation direction. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The directions in the following figures are defined as follows: The up-down direction of the printing device 1 is designated as the Z direction; the left-right direction, orthogonal to the Z direction, is designated as the X direction; and the front-back direction, orthogonal to both the Z and X directions, is designated as the Y direction. Regarding the Z direction, the down direction or the direction of gravity is designated as the -Z direction, and the up direction is designated as the +Z direction. Regarding the Y direction, one direction is designated as the +Y direction, and its opposite direction is designated as the -Y direction. Figure 1 In this configuration, the rotation axis of the mounting cover 5 is set to the +Y direction. Regarding the X direction, one direction is set to the +X direction, and its opposite direction is set to the -X direction. Figure 1 In this diagram, the right side when viewed from above is designated as the +X direction. Furthermore, these directions are merely for illustrative purposes and do not limit the implementation methods described below.

[0042] [Summary of printing unit, ink cartridge, and ribbon ink cartridge]

[0043] based on Figures 1 to 3 The following is a brief description of the tape printing apparatus 1, the tape ink cartridge 101, and the ribbon ink cartridge 201. In the tape printing apparatus 1, the tape ink cartridge 101 and the ribbon ink cartridge 201 are optionally installed.

[0044] like Figure 2 As shown, a first printing tape 103 and a first ink ribbon 105 are housed in the ink cartridge 101. With the ink cartridge 101 installed in the ink cartridge mounting section 7, the tape printing apparatus 1 performs printing on the first printing tape 103 while transporting the first printing tape 103 and the first ink ribbon 105 housed in the ink cartridge 101.

[0045] like Figure 3 As shown, a second ink ribbon 205 is housed in the ribbon cartridge 201. With the ribbon cartridge 201 installed in the cartridge mounting section 7, a second printing ribbon 403, unwound from a tape roller 401 located outside the tape printing apparatus 1, is fed into the tape printing apparatus 1. The tape printing apparatus 1 performs printing on the second printing ribbon 403 while transporting the fed second printing ribbon 403 and the second ink ribbon 205 housed in the ribbon cartridge 201.

[0046] Furthermore, although the lengths of the second printing belt 403 on the unused roller 401 and the second ink belt 205 stored in the unused ribbon cartridge 201 are not particularly limited, in this embodiment, they are longer than the lengths of the first printing belt 103 and the first ink belt 105 stored in the unused ribbon cartridge 101. Therefore, the ribbon cartridge 201 is installed, for example, when a large number of labels are produced at once.

[0047] [With printing device]

[0048] based on Figure 4 The tape printing apparatus 1 will now be described. The tape printing apparatus 1 includes an apparatus housing 3, a mounting cover 5, and an ink cartridge mounting section 7. The apparatus housing 3 is generally rectangular. On the apparatus housing 3, a device-side tape inlet 9 for a second printing tape 403 unwound from the tape roller 401 is provided on the +X side surface, and a device-side tape outlet 11 shared by the tape ink cartridge 101 and the ribbon ink cartridge 201 is provided on the -X side surface. The device-side tape inlet 9 guides the second printing tape 403 from outside the apparatus housing 3 into the apparatus housing 3. The device-side tape outlet 11 discharges the introduced second printing tape 403 out of the apparatus housing 3. Furthermore, the device-side tape outlet 11 discharges the first printing tape 103 fed from the tape ink cartridge 101 mounted in the ink cartridge mounting section 7 out of the apparatus housing 3. The device-side tape inlet 9 and the device-side tape outlet 11 are formed as slits extending in the Z direction. Furthermore, on the belt transport path within the printing device 1, the direction of the second printing belt 403 from the device-side belt inlet 9 toward the device-side belt outlet 11 is designated as downstream, and its opposite direction is designated as upstream.

[0049] The device housing 3 is provided with a tape inlet channel 13 that connects the device-side tape inlet 9 and the ink cartridge mounting portion 7. Furthermore, the device housing 3 is provided with a tape discharge channel 15 that connects the ink cartridge mounting portion 7 and the device-side tape outlet 11. Both the tape inlet channel 13 and the tape discharge channel 15 are formed as grooves with the +Z side open. A cutter 17 is provided on the tape discharge channel 15. The cutter 17 cuts the first printing tape 103 or the second printing tape 403 on the tape discharge channel 15.

[0050] The mounting cover 5 opens and closes the ink cartridge mounting section 7. On the inner surface of the mounting cover 5 are provided a first pressing protrusion 19, a second pressing protrusion 20, a third pressing protrusion 21, a fourth pressing protrusion 22, a fifth pressing protrusion 23, and a sixth pressing protrusion 24. Although not shown in the figure, a keyboard and a display are provided on the outer surface of the mounting cover 5. The keyboard accepts input operations for printing information such as strings, or various instructions such as printing execution. The display shows various information in addition to the printing information input from the keyboard. The display has a hinge axis and is configured to be housed within the mounting cover 5. When the display is housed within the mounting cover 5, the display surface faces the keyboard. When the printing device 1 accepts printing execution input operations from the keyboard, it performs printing processing based on the printing information input from the keyboard. Alternatively, the printing device 1 may be structured with an input display unit such as a touch panel display instead of a keyboard and display. Furthermore, the printing device 1 can also be a structure that performs printing processing based on printing data and instructions received from external devices such as personal computers and smartphones. In other words, it can also be configured as a printing system obtained by combining the printing device 1 with an external device as an operating terminal. When configured to connect to these external devices, the keyboard and display can be provided on the printing device 1 or not.

[0051] The cartridge mounting portion 7 is formed as a concave shape with the +Z side open. Here, the inner peripheral surface on the -X side of the inner peripheral surface of the cartridge mounting portion 7 is called the first mounting inner peripheral surface 25. The inner peripheral surface extending from the -Y side end of the first mounting inner peripheral surface 25 toward the +X side is called the second mounting inner peripheral surface 27. The inner peripheral surface extending from the +X side end of the second mounting inner peripheral surface 27 toward the +Y side is called the third mounting inner peripheral surface 29. The inner peripheral surface extending from the +Y side end of the third mounting inner peripheral surface 29 toward the -X side is called the fourth mounting inner peripheral surface 31. The inner peripheral surface extending from the -X side end of the fourth mounting inner peripheral surface 31 toward the +Y side is called the fifth mounting inner peripheral surface 33. The inner peripheral surface extending from the +Y side end of the fifth mounting inner peripheral surface 33 toward the -X side is called the sixth mounting inner peripheral surface 35. The -X side end of the sixth mounting inner peripheral surface 35 is connected to the +Y side end of the first mounting inner peripheral surface 25. The downstream end with the inlet channel 13 opens on the fourth mounting inner circumferential surface 31. The upstream end with the outlet channel 15 opens on the first mounting inner circumferential surface 25.

[0052] On the bottom surface of the ink cartridge mounting section 7, i.e. the mounting bottom surface 37 which serves as the -Z side, a pressure roller shaft 39, a first take-up shaft 43, a first unwind shaft 41, a second unwind shaft 45, and a second take-up shaft 47 are sequentially provided from the -X side to the +Z side.

[0053] The pressure roller shaft 39 protrudes significantly forward in the mounting direction compared to the first unwind shaft 41, the first rewind shaft 43, the second unwind shaft 45, and the second rewind shaft 47. When the ink cartridge 101 or the ribbon ink cartridge 201 is installed in the ink cartridge mounting section 7, the pressure roller shaft 39 is inserted into the first pressure roller 109 or the second pressure roller 203 (described later), guiding the installation of the ink cartridge 101 or the ribbon ink cartridge 201. Furthermore, in the following text, the mounting direction of the ink cartridge 101 and the ribbon ink cartridge 201 will be simply referred to as the "installation direction," which is parallel to the direction in which the pressure roller shaft 39 extends, i.e., the Z-direction. Additionally, the forward side of the installation direction refers to the +Z side, and the depth side of the installation direction refers to the -Z side.

[0054] Furthermore, a head 49, an engaging protrusion 51, and an inserting protrusion 53 are provided on the mounting base 37, protruding towards the front in the mounting direction. The head 49 is located on the -Y side of the pressure roller shaft 39. The head 49 includes a printing head 55 and a head cover 56 covering at least the +X side, -Y side, and the front side in the mounting direction of the printing head 55. The printing head 55 is a thermal head equipped with a heating element. The head cover 56 is formed into a generally rectangular shape when viewed from the front side in the mounting direction. When the ink cartridge 101 or ribbon ink cartridge 201 is installed in the ink cartridge mounting part 7, the head cover 56, together with the pressure roller shaft 39, guides the installation of the ink cartridge 101 or ribbon ink cartridge 201. Figure 4 In the illustration, the head cover 56 is shown imaginaryly with double-dotted lines to illustrate the printing head 55. The engaging protrusion 51 is positioned near the corner where the fifth mounting inner circumferential surface 33 and the sixth mounting inner circumferential surface 35 intersect, and is formed as a plate facing the fifth mounting inner circumferential surface 33. That is, the engaging protrusion 51 is formed into a generally rectangular shape that is longer in the Y direction when viewed from the front side in the mounting direction. Furthermore, the engaging protrusion 51 protrudes from the mounting bottom surface 37 in a cantilever beam shape. The insertion protrusion 53 is located approximately at the midpoint between the engaging protrusion 51 and the pressure roller shaft 39, and is formed into a generally cylindrical shape with a height difference, where the diameter is larger in the depth direction and smaller in the front side in the mounting direction.

[0055] Additionally, a first hook 57, a second hook 59, a third hook 61, and a fourth hook 63 are provided on the mounting base 37, protruding towards the front in the mounting direction. The first hook 57 is located on the +Y side of the pressure roller shaft 39 and at the end of the mounting base 37 on the -X side. The second hook 59 is located on the +Y side of the first unwind shaft 41 and is positioned opposite the first hook 57 in the X direction. The third hook 61 is located on the -Y side at approximately the midpoint between the second unwind shaft 45 and the second rewind shaft 47, and at the end of the mounting base 37 on the -Y side. The fourth hook 63 is located on the +X side of the second rewind shaft 47 and at the end of the mounting base 37 on the +X side. Furthermore, a plurality of locating pins 65 are provided on the mounting base 37, protruding towards the front in the mounting direction.

[0056] On the fifth mounting inner peripheral surface 33, a substrate connection portion 67 is provided so as to face the engaging protrusion 51 at the +X side. The substrate connection portion 67 is connected to a control circuit (not shown) that controls each part of the tape printing apparatus 1.

[0057] [Ribbon Ink Cartridge]

[0058] according to Figures 5 to 7 The ribbon ink cartridge 201 will be described below. The ribbon ink cartridge 201 includes a second pressure roller 203, a second unwind core 206, a second rewind core 207, a retaining top portion 209, and a second cartridge housing 211 that houses these components. When viewed from the front side in the mounting direction, the second pressure roller 203, the second unwind core 206, and the second rewind core 207 are respectively positioned corresponding to the pressure roller shaft 39, the second unwind shaft 45, and the second rewind shaft 47 provided on the cartridge mounting portion 7. The second pressure roller 203 has a second pressure roller shaft insertion hole 213 that extends through in the mounting direction. A second ink ribbon 205 is wound on the second unwind core 206. The second ink ribbon 205, unwound from the second unwind core 206, is wound onto the second rewind core 207. Furthermore, in the second ink cartridge housing 211, there are various ink cartridge housings with different thicknesses, i.e., different dimensions in the installation direction, depending on the width of the second ink ribbon contained therein.

[0059] The second ink cartridge housing 211, when viewed from the front in the mounting direction, is shaped to be approximately similar to the ink cartridge mounting portion 7. The peripheral wall portion on the -X side of the second ink cartridge housing 211 is referred to as the first peripheral wall portion 215 on the ribbon side. The peripheral wall portion extending from the end on the -Y side of the first peripheral wall portion 215 towards the +X side is referred to as the second peripheral wall portion 217 on the ribbon side. The peripheral wall portion extending from the end on the +X side of the second peripheral wall portion 217 towards the +Y side is referred to as the third peripheral wall portion 219 on the ribbon side. The peripheral wall portion extending from the end on the +Y side of the third peripheral wall portion 219 on the ribbon side, via the first curved surface 211, towards the -X side is referred to as the fourth peripheral wall portion 223 on the ribbon side. The peripheral wall portion extending from the end on the -X side of the fourth peripheral wall portion 223 on the ribbon side towards the +Y side is referred to as the fifth peripheral wall portion 225 on the ribbon side. The peripheral wall portion extending from the +Y side end of the fifth peripheral wall portion 225 on the ribbon side towards the -X side is called the sixth peripheral wall portion 227 on the ribbon side. The -X side end of the sixth peripheral wall portion 227 on the ribbon side is connected to the +Y side end of the first peripheral wall portion 215 on the ribbon side via the second curved surface 229. The fourth peripheral wall portion 223 and the sixth peripheral wall portion 227 on the ribbon side are formed by a height difference through the fifth peripheral wall portion 225 on the ribbon side. In addition, when viewed from the front side in the installation direction, the angle α formed by the fourth peripheral wall portion 223 and the fifth peripheral wall portion 225 on the ribbon side exceeds 180°, for example, approximately 270°.

[0060] A second insertion hole 231 is provided on the second ink cartridge housing 211 in a through manner in the mounting direction. When viewed from the front side in the mounting direction, the second insertion hole 231 is located at the corner formed by the intersection of the first peripheral wall portion 215 and the second peripheral wall portion 217 on the ribbon side. The second insertion hole 231 is configured to run along the first peripheral wall portion 215 and the second peripheral wall portion 217 on the ribbon side. When viewed from the front side in the mounting direction, the second insertion hole 231 is formed in a shape corresponding to the head cover 56, i.e., a generally rectangular shape. The second insertion hole 231 and the aforementioned second pressure roller shaft insertion hole 213 position the ribbon ink cartridge 201 and guide its installation and removal when it is being installed or removed from the ink cartridge mounting portion 7.

[0061] The second cartridge housing 211 includes a front-side housing and a second depth-side housing 237. The front-side housing is divided into a ribbon portion front-side housing 233 and a ribbon holding portion front-side housing 235. Furthermore, the ribbon portion front-side housing 233 is an example of a first housing, the ribbon holding portion front-side housing 235 is an example of a second housing, and the second depth-side housing 237 is an example of a third housing. When the ribbon cartridge 201 is installed in the cartridge mounting portion 7, the ribbon portion front-side housing 233 and the ribbon holding portion front-side housing 235 become the front-side in the mounting direction, and the second depth-side housing 237 becomes the depth-side in the mounting direction. Although the front outer shell 233 of the ribbon portion and the front outer shell 235 of the ribbon retainer portion are molded parts made of translucent resin, and the second depth outer shell 237 is a molded part made of non-translucent resin, the material and manufacturing method of the front outer shell 233 of the ribbon portion, the front outer shell 235 of the ribbon retainer portion, and the second depth outer shell 237 are not limited thereto.

[0062] The front-side housing 233 of the ribbon portion includes a front-side wall portion 239 of the ribbon portion and a front-side peripheral wall portion 241 of the ribbon portion protruding from the periphery of the front-side wall portion 239 toward the depth in the mounting direction. The front-side housing 235 of the ribbon retainer includes a front-side wall portion 243 of the ribbon retainer and a front-side peripheral wall portion 245 of the ribbon retainer protruding from the periphery of the front-side wall portion 243 toward the depth in the mounting direction. The second-depth-side housing 237 includes a second-depth-side wall portion 247 and a depth-side peripheral wall portion 249 of the ribbon portion and a depth-side peripheral wall portion 251 of the ribbon retainer protruding from the second-depth-side wall portion 247 toward the front in the mounting direction.

[0063] The front-side outer shell 233 and the second-depth-side outer shell 237 of the ribbon portion are combined in such a way that the front-side peripheral wall portion 241 and the depth-side peripheral wall portion 249 of the ribbon portion are joined together, thereby forming the outer shell of the ink ribbon storage portion 253 for storing the second ribbon portion 205. That is, a plurality of ribbon portion insertion pins 242 protruding into the depth side in the mounting direction are provided on the front-side peripheral wall portion 241 of the ribbon portion (see reference). Figure 8 On the longitudinal peripheral wall portion 249 of the ribbon portion, a plurality of ribbon portion insertion holes 250 are provided, which open towards the front side in the installation direction (see reference). Figure 10 Since the ribbon insertion pin 242 is inserted into the ribbon insertion hole 250, the front side housing 233 and the second depth side housing 237 of the ribbon are combined.

[0064] The front-side housing 235 and the second depth-side housing 237 of the retaining portion are combined in such a manner that the front-side peripheral wall portion 245 and the depth-side peripheral wall portion 251 of the retaining portion are joined together, thereby forming the outer housing of the retaining mechanism housing portion 255 that houses the second pressure roller 203 and the retaining top portion 209. That is, a plurality of retaining portion insertion pins 246 protruding into the depth side in the mounting direction are provided on the front-side peripheral wall portion 245 of the retaining portion (see reference). Figure 9 On the peripheral wall portion 251 of the retaining portion, a plurality of retaining portion insertion holes 252 are provided, which open toward the front side in the mounting direction (see reference). Figure 10 Since the retaining part insertion pin 246 is inserted into the retaining part insertion hole 252, the front side housing 235 and the second depth side housing 237 of the retaining part are combined. The depth side end of the second pressure roller 203 in the mounting direction engages with the depth side roller engaging part 248 provided in the second depth wall 247, and the front side end of the second pressure roller 203 in the mounting direction engages with the front side roller engaging part 392 provided in the sliding plate 313 described later. The ink ribbon storage part 253 and the ribbon retaining mechanism storage part 255 are integrally formed via the second depth wall 247. In addition, regarding the ribbon retaining part 305 stored in the ribbon retaining mechanism storage part 255 (see Figure 10 (This will be explained later.)

[0065] On the near-front housing 233 of the ribbon section, there are a first peripheral wall recess 267, a second peripheral wall recess 269, a third peripheral wall recess 271, and a fourth peripheral wall recess 272. The first peripheral wall recess 267 is formed in a concave shape at the +X side end of the fourth peripheral wall section 223 on the ribbon side, extending from the near-front wall section 239 towards the mounting direction. The second peripheral wall recess 269 is formed in a groove shape extending in the mounting direction at approximately the middle of the second peripheral wall section 217 on the ribbon side in the X direction. The third peripheral wall recess 271 is formed in a concave shape at the -Y side end of the third peripheral wall section 219 on the ribbon side, extending from the near-front wall section 239 towards the mounting direction. The fourth peripheral wall recess 272 is formed in a concave shape at the +Y side end of the fifth peripheral wall section 225 on the ribbon side, extending from the near-front wall section 243 of the ribbon holding section towards the mounting direction. Additionally, on the longitudinal side peripheral wall portion 249 of the ribbon portion, at a position corresponding to the second peripheral wall recess 269, a peripheral wall protrusion 273 is provided protruding towards the front in the installation direction.

[0066] Here, the bottom surface of the first peripheral wall recess 267, the protruding top surface of the peripheral wall protrusion 273, and the bottom surface of the third peripheral wall recess 271 are respectively referred to as the first pressing part 275, the second pressing part 277, and the third pressing part 279. When viewed from the front side in the mounting direction, the first pressing part 275, the second pressing part 277, and the third pressing part 279 are configured to surround the second unwinding core 206 and the second winding core 207. The first pressing part 275, the second pressing part 277, and the third pressing part 279 are respectively positioned at locations corresponding to the first pressing protrusion 19, the second pressing protrusion 20, and the third pressing protrusion 21 provided on the mounting cover 5. Furthermore, the bottom surface of the fourth peripheral wall recess 272 and the front side of the ink cartridge side with the discharge port 261 in the mounting direction are respectively referred to as the fourth pressing part 280 and the fifth pressing part 282. The fourth pressing part 280 and the fifth pressing part 282 are respectively provided at positions corresponding to the fourth pressing protrusion 22 and the fifth pressing protrusion 23 provided on the mounting cover 5.

[0067] With the ribbon cartridge 201 installed in the cartridge mounting section 7, when the mounting cover 5 is closed, the first pressing protrusion 19, the second pressing protrusion 20, and the third pressing protrusion 21 provided on the mounting cover 5 are guided by the first peripheral wall recess 267, the second peripheral wall recess 269, and the third peripheral wall recess 271, respectively, and come into contact with the first pressing part 275, the second pressing part 277, and the third pressing part 279. That is, the first pressing protrusion 19, the second pressing protrusion 20, and the third pressing protrusion 21 can press the area around the second unwind core 206 and the second rewind core 207. In this way, the second unwind core 206 and the second rewind core 207 are prevented from tilting relative to the second unwind shaft 45 and the second rewind shaft 47 provided on the cartridge mounting section 7. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the second ribbon 205 from wrinkling when it is conveyed from the second unwind core 206 to the second take-up core 207.

[0068] Furthermore, the ribbon cartridge 201 can accommodate ink ribbons with a relatively large ribbon width, such as 50 mm. On the other hand, in order to accommodate ink ribbons with a width less than 50 mm, such as 24 mm or less, the ribbon cartridge 201 can also be configured by reducing the Z-direction dimensions of the ribbon portion near the front housing 233 and the ribbon holding portion near the front housing 235. In this case, it is also possible to omit either or both of the first peripheral wall recess 267 and the third peripheral wall recess 271, and instead allow either or both of the first pressing protrusion 19 and the third pressing protrusion 21 to press against the ribbon portion near the front wall 239.

[0069] Furthermore, when the ribbon ink cartridge 201 is installed in the cartridge mounting section 7, and the mounting cover 5 is closed, the fourth pressing protrusion 22 provided on the mounting cover 5 is guided by the fourth peripheral wall recess 272 and comes into contact with the fourth pressing part 280. Here, the fourth pressing part 280 is pressed deeper in the mounting direction by the fourth pressing protrusion 22, thereby enabling the second electrode part 330 of the second circuit board 327 provided near the fourth pressing part 280 to properly contact the contact terminal part 83. Additionally, when the mounting cover 5 is closed, and the ribbon ink cartridge 201 is installed in the cartridge mounting section 7, the fifth pressing protrusion 23 provided on the mounting cover 5 comes into contact with the fifth pressing part 282. In this way, the fifth pressing part 282 is pressed towards the depth side in the installation direction by the fifth pressing protrusion 23, thereby enabling the second pressure roller 203 provided near the fifth pressing part 282 to be properly aligned with the printing head 55.

[0070] A first hook engagement portion 321 is provided on the first peripheral wall portion 215 of the ribbon side in the longitudinal peripheral wall portion 249 of the ribbon section, a second hook engagement portion 323 is provided on the second peripheral wall portion 217 of the ribbon side, and a third hook engagement portion 325 is provided on the third peripheral wall portion 219 of the ribbon side. When the ribbon cartridge 201 is installed in the cartridge mounting portion 7, the first hook engagement portion 321, the second hook engagement portion 323, and the third hook engagement portion 325 on the ribbon cartridge 201 engage with the first hook 57, the third hook 61, and the fourth hook 63 provided on the cartridge mounting portion 7, respectively. This prevents the ribbon cartridge 201 from floating upwards from the mounting bottom surface 37.

[0071] On the other hand, a hook insertion hole 299 is formed on the +Y side of the unwinding side tube portion 283, which will be described later, on the second depth wall portion 247. When the ribbon cartridge 201 is installed in the cartridge mounting portion 7, the second hook 59 provided on the cartridge mounting portion 7 is inserted into the hook insertion hole 299 provided on the ribbon cartridge 201. This prevents interference between the second hook 59 and the ribbon cartridge 201 when it is installed in the cartridge mounting portion 7.

[0072] A plurality of second positioning holes 295 are provided on the surface of the second deep wall portion 247 in the mounting direction. When the ribbon ink cartridge 201 is installed in the ink cartridge mounting portion 7, the second positioning holes 295 provided on the ribbon ink cartridge 201 engage with the positioning pins 65 provided on the ink cartridge mounting portion 7. In this way, the ribbon ink cartridge 201 is positioned relative to the ink cartridge mounting portion 7.

[0073] Furthermore, a second circuit board 327 is mounted on the fifth peripheral wall portion 225 of the ribbon side in the depth peripheral wall portion 249 of the ribbon portion. That is, the second circuit board 327 is mounted on the fifth peripheral wall portion 225 of the ribbon side, which is arranged substantially parallel to the first peripheral wall portion 215 of the ribbon side, which is provided with the ink cartridge side tape outlet 261. A second board mounting portion 337 for mounting the second circuit board 327 is provided on the fifth peripheral wall portion 225 of the ribbon side.

[0074] As described above, the fifth peripheral wall portion 225 on the ribbon side bends at an interior angle α exceeding 180° relative to the fourth peripheral wall portion 223 on the ribbon side when viewed from the front side in the mounting direction. Therefore, when the ribbon cartridge 201 falls onto the floor or the like, the first curved surface 221 between the third peripheral wall portion 219 and the fourth peripheral wall portion 223 on the ribbon side, or the corner formed by the intersection of the fifth peripheral wall portion 225 and the sixth peripheral wall portion 227 on the ribbon side, collides with the floor or the like, and the fourth peripheral wall portion 223 and the fifth peripheral wall portion 225 on the ribbon side also collide with the floor or the like. Therefore, when the ribbon cartridge 201 falls onto the floor or the like, the collision between the second electrode portion 330, which is provided on the second circuit board 327, and the floor or the like is suppressed, thereby preventing damage to the mechanically weak second electrode portion 330. Furthermore, the same effect can be obtained in a structure where the second circuit board 327 is mounted on the fourth peripheral wall portion 223 on the ribbon side.

[0075] according to Figure 5 , Figure 6 as well as Figure 10 The second tape path 257 will now be described. The second tape path 257 is located between the front-side housing 233 of the tape portion and the front-side housing 235 of the tape holding portion, and is formed as a groove open in the mounting direction near the front. That is, a mounting opening 258 is provided in the mounting direction near the front of the second tape path 257. The mounting opening 258 allows the user to access the second printing tape 403 from the end face on the depth side in the mounting direction, i.e., the first width end face 405 (see reference). Figure 11 The second printing belt 403 is placed in the second belt path 257. Additionally, in Figure 11 In the diagram, the second printing belt 403 placed before the second belt path 257 is represented by a solid line, and the second printing belt 403 placed after the second belt path 257 is represented by a double-dotted line. Furthermore, the area in the placement opening 258 that is opened and closed by the opening / closing portion 389 described later is called the opening / closing area 260 (see reference). Figure 18 ).exist Figure 18In the illustration, the opening / closing area 260 is represented by a diagonal line. Furthermore, the opening / closing area 260 is not limited to a structure that occupies only a portion of the mounting opening 258 as in this embodiment; it may also occupy the entire mounting opening 258. That is, the opening / closing portion 389 may be a structure that opens and closes only a portion of the mounting opening 258, or it may be a structure that opens and closes the entire mounting opening 258.

[0076] The second tape path 257 connects the cartridge-side tape inlet 259 provided on the fifth peripheral wall portion 225 of the tape side and the cartridge-side tape outlet 261 provided on the first peripheral wall portion 215 of the tape side. Furthermore, the cartridge-side tape inlet 259 is provided between the ink tape storage portion 253 and the second circuit board 327 (described later). That is, the cartridge-side tape inlet 259 is located on the fourth peripheral wall portion 223 side of the tape side compared to the second circuit board 327. Figure 5 as well as Figure 10 In this configuration, the ink cartridge-side tape inlet 259 is positioned at a distance from the second circuit board 327 of the fifth peripheral wall portion 225 on the ribbon side, in the region intersecting with the fourth peripheral wall portion 223 on the ribbon side. Alternatively, the ink cartridge-side tape inlet 259 may be positioned on the fourth peripheral wall portion 223 on the ribbon side. In this case, for a simpler configuration, it is preferable to position it close to the region intersecting with both the fifth peripheral wall portion 225 and the fourth peripheral wall portion 223 on the ribbon side.

[0077] With the ribbon cartridge 201 installed in the cartridge mounting section 7, the cartridge side tape inlet 259 guides the second printing tape 403, which is introduced from the device side tape inlet 9, into the second cartridge housing 211. With the ribbon cartridge 201 installed in the cartridge mounting section 7, the cartridge side tape outlet 261 discharges the second printing tape 403 towards the device side tape outlet 11 to the outside of the second cartridge housing 211. The cartridge side tape inlet 259 and the cartridge side tape outlet 261 are formed as slits along the mounting direction (see reference). Figure 11 as well as Figure 12 Therefore, the second printing belt 403, which is introduced into the second ink cartridge housing 211, is conveyed in such a way that the width direction of the second printing belt 403 is approximately parallel to the mounting direction.

[0078] The side wall portion on the side of the ink receiving portion 253 in the second ribbon path 257 is referred to as the ribbon side path side wall portion 263, and the side wall portion on the side of the ribbon holding mechanism receiving portion 255 is referred to as the ribbon holding mechanism side path side wall portion 265. The ribbon side path side wall portion 263 and the ribbon holding mechanism side path side wall portion 265 are opposite to each other.

[0079] Near the cartridge-side tape inlet 259 of the second tape path 257, the inlet-side guide 264 protrudes from the tape-side path sidewall 263 toward the tape holding mechanism-side path sidewall 265. The inlet-side guide 264 is located near the front end face of the second printing tape 403 in the mounting direction of the tape being introduced into the second tape path 257, i.e., the second width end face 407 (see reference). Figure 11 The second printing belt 403 is connected to the second tape path 257 and guided in the width direction of the second printing belt 403. That is, the second printing belt 403 is guided by the second tape path 257 such that the second width end face 407 is located on the deeper side of the mounting direction compared to the inlet-side guide portion 264. In addition, the tape side path sidewall portion 263 is an example of a "first path sidewall portion". The tape holding mechanism side path sidewall portion 265 is an example of a "second path sidewall portion". The inlet-side guide portion 264 is an example of a "tape guide portion".

[0080] On the other hand, the edge near the front of the ink cartridge side outlet 261 serves as the discharge side guide 262 (see reference). Figure 12 The ejection-side guide 262 contacts the second width end face 407 of the second printed tape 403 that is introduced into the second tape path 257, and guides the second printed tape 403 in the width direction of the second printed tape 403. Therefore, the second printed tape 403 is conveyed in the second tape path 257 while being guided by the second depth wall portion 247 at the first width end face 405, and by the insertion-side guide 264 and ejection-side guide 262 at the second width end face 405. In addition, the cartridge-side tape ejection port 261 is provided in a manner that is shifted relative to the placement opening 258 towards the -Y side. Therefore, a tape guide slope 270 is provided at the edge portion on the +Y side of the ejection-side guide 262, which guides the second printed tape 403 inserted from the placement opening 258 to the cartridge-side tape ejection port 261.

[0081] A visual confirmation section 266 is provided on the inlet-side guide portion 264. The visual confirmation section 266 is formed by a recess provided on the surface near the front side in the mounting direction. Since the visual confirmation section 266 is thinner in the mounting direction than other parts of the inlet-side guide portion 264, the user can visually confirm the second printing tape 403 placed on the second tape path 257 through the visual confirmation section 266. In this way, the user can confirm whether the second printing tape 403 is placed in the proper placement position, that is, the position where the second width end face 407 meets the inlet-side guide portion 264. In addition, the visual confirmation section 266 may be formed, for example, by a recess provided on the surface of the inlet-side guide portion 264 in the mounting direction depth side, or by a hole penetrating the inlet-side guide portion 264 in the mounting direction.

[0082] The tape holding mechanism side path wall 265 has an expansion portion 268 extending towards the +Y side, i.e., the side opposite to the tape side path side wall 263, at a position opposite to the guide portion 264. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the situation where the guide portion 264 protruding from the tape side path side wall 263 obstructs the second printing tape 403 when the user places the second printing tape 403 into the second tape path 257 from the placement opening 258. Furthermore, the expansion portion 268 is formed in a curved shape when viewed from the front side in the mounting direction. Therefore, compared to a structure where the expansion portion 268 is formed in a crank shape, it is possible to suppress the situation where the second printing tape 403 bends at the expansion portion 268 when it is placed into the second tape path 257 from the placement opening 258.

[0083] On the second tape path 257, a second pressure roller 203 and a retaining tip portion 209 are sequentially arranged from the side closer to the ink cartridge side tape outlet 261. The portion of the tape retaining mechanism side path sidewall 265 corresponding to the retaining tip portion 209 is cut such that the retaining tip portion 209 holds the second printing tape 403, which is inserted into the second tape path 257, between the retaining tip portion 209 and the ribbon side path sidewall 263. Furthermore, the end of the second tape path 257 on the ink cartridge side tape outlet 261 side is connected to the second head insertion hole 231 via the second ribbon protrusion portion 291, described later.

[0084] The side of the second tape path 257 that is closer to the ink cartridge side and the inlet 259 side compared to the second pressure roller 203 is called the inlet-side path 257a, and the side that is closer to the ink cartridge side and the outlet 261 side compared to the second pressure roller 203 is called the outlet-side path 257b. The outlet-side path 257b is curved relative to the inlet-side path 257a, and its curvature angle θ (refer to...) Figure 5 The angle θ is preferably 21° or higher and 42° or lower. Since the bending angle θ is 21° or higher, the contact area between the second printing belt 403 and the second pressure roller 203 is increased, thus enabling stable transport of the second printing belt 403. Furthermore, by making the bending angle θ 42° or lower, the bending characteristics of the second printing belt 403 can be suppressed. Additionally, the second printing belt 403 is guided towards the printing position at the optimal entry angle of the guide side path 257a to avoid contact between the second hook 59 provided on the mounting base 37 and the insertion protrusion 53. Specifically, when viewed from the front side in the mounting direction, the entry angle relative to the long side direction of the ribbon cartridge 201, i.e., the X direction, is 21° or higher and 42° or lower. Although Figure 5The inlet-side path 257a shown is designed to have an entry angle within this range, but is particularly preferably set to 25° or more and 30° or less. Furthermore, the printing position here refers to the position where the second pressure roller 203 and the print head 55 clamp the second ink ribbon 205 and the second printing belt 403. Since in this embodiment, the discharge-side path 257b is approximately parallel to the long side direction of the ribbon cartridge 201, the entry angle of the inlet-side path 257a is approximately equal to the bending angle θ, but it is not limited to this.

[0085] based on Figure 9 The front-side housing 235 with retaining portion will be described. Two sliding guide portions 244 and a housing-side engaging portion 254 are provided on the inner surface of the front wall portion 243 of the retaining portion, i.e., on the surface in the mounting direction depth. The two sliding guide portions 244 are arranged in the X direction. The guide insertion portion 388, described later, is inserted into the sliding guide portion 244 from the -Y side. The sliding guide portion 244 extends in the Y direction and guides the movement of the guide insertion portion 388 in the Y direction. The housing-side engaging portion 254 protrudes in the mounting direction depth and, when viewed from the mounting direction depth side, is formed as a generally elongated rectangle in the X direction. The housing-side engaging portion 254 engages with the plate-side engaging portion 395, described later.

[0086] based on Figure 10 The second depth side housing 237 will now be described. On the second depth wall portion 247 of the second depth side housing 237, a second head peripheral protrusion 281, an unwinding side tube portion 283, a winding side tube portion 285, a first ribbon guide 287, and a second ribbon guide 289 are provided, protruding towards the front in the mounting direction. The second head peripheral protrusion 281 is located at the periphery of the second head insertion hole 231. A portion of the +Y side of the second head peripheral protrusion 281, i.e., the side of the second pressure roller 203, is cut out, and this cut-out portion becomes the second ribbon exposure portion 291, exposing the second ink ribbon 205. Therefore, with the ribbon cartridge 201 installed in the cartridge mounting portion 7, the printing head 55, inserted into the second head insertion hole 231, faces the second pressure roller 203 with the second ink ribbon 205 and the second printing belt 403 in between.

[0087] When viewed from the front side in the mounting direction, the unwinding side section 283 and the rewinding side section 285 are respectively positioned at positions corresponding to the first unwinding shaft 41 and the first rewinding shaft 43 provided on the cartridge mounting section 7. With the ribbon cartridge 201 installed in the cartridge mounting section 7, the first unwinding shaft 41 and the first rewinding shaft 43 provided on the cartridge mounting section 7 are inserted into the unwinding side section 283 and the rewinding side section 285 provided on the ribbon cartridge 201, respectively. This prevents interference between the first unwinding shaft 41 and the first rewinding shaft 43 and the ribbon cartridge 201 when it is installed in the cartridge mounting section 7.

[0088] The second ink ribbon 205, unwound from the second unwinding core 206, is guided sequentially by the take-up side tube 283, the second end peripheral protrusion 281, the take-up side tube 285, the first ribbon guide 287, and the second ribbon guide 289, and is then wound onto the second take-up core 207. That is, the unwinding side tube 283 and the take-up side tube 285 are not merely for insertion into the first unwinding shaft 41 and the first take-up shaft 43, but also function as guiding components for guiding the second ink ribbon 205.

[0089] Furthermore, a second cylindrical shaft portion 293 is provided on the second deep wall portion 247, protruding towards the front in the mounting direction. The second cylindrical shaft portion 293 is formed into a generally cylindrical shape with a height difference. When the ribbon ink cartridge 201 is installed in the ink cartridge mounting portion 7, the insertion protrusion 53 provided on the ink cartridge mounting portion 7 is inserted into the second cylindrical shaft portion 293 provided on the ribbon ink cartridge 201.

[0090] A second protruding receiving portion 297 is provided on the second deep wall portion 247 at the corner formed by the intersection of the fifth peripheral wall portion 225 and the sixth peripheral wall portion 227 on the ribbon side. When the ribbon cartridge 201 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 7, the second protruding receiving portion 297 on the ribbon cartridge 201 receives the engaging protrusion 51 provided on the cartridge mounting portion 7. Furthermore, on the -X side of the second protruding receiving portion 297, a housing-side spring locking portion 298 is provided protruding from the second deep wall portion 247 towards the front in the mounting direction. One end of the retaining spring 315 (described later) is locked in place on the housing-side spring locking portion 298.

[0091] [Printing process during ribbon cartridge installation]

[0092] according to Figure 13The printing process performed by the tape printing apparatus 1 with the ribbon ink cartridge 201 installed in the cartridge mounting section 7 will be described. With the ribbon ink cartridge 201 installed in the cartridge mounting section 7, the pressure roller shaft 39, the second unwinding shaft 45, and the second rewinding shaft 47, which are provided on the cartridge mounting section 7, are respectively inserted into the second pressure roller shaft insertion hole 213, the second unwinding core 206, and the second rewinding core 207 of the second pressure roller 203 provided on the ribbon ink cartridge 201. This allows the driving force of the conveyor motor provided on the tape printing apparatus 1 to be transmitted to the second pressure roller 203, the second unwinding core 206, and the second rewinding core 207.

[0093] Furthermore, with the ribbon ink cartridge 201 mounted on the cartridge mounting section 7, the head 49 provided on the cartridge mounting section 7 is inserted into the second head insertion hole 231 provided on the ribbon ink cartridge 201. After the ribbon ink cartridge 201 is mounted on the cartridge mounting section 7, when the mounting section cover 5 is closed, the printing head 55 is moved toward the pressure roller shaft 39 by a head moving mechanism (not shown). This causes the second printing tape 403 and the second ink ribbon 205 to be held between the printing head 55 and the second pressure roller 203.

[0094] In this state, when the conveyor motor rotates in the forward direction, the second pressure roller 203 rotates in the forward direction, and the second take-up core 207 rotates in the take-up direction. Thereby, the second printing tape 403, which is introduced from the device-side tape inlet 9, is conveyed toward the device-side tape outlet 11, and the second ink tape 205, which is unwound from the second unwind core 206, is wound onto the second take-up core 207.

[0095] Additionally, when the conveyor motor rotates in the return direction, the second pressure roller 203 rotates in the return direction, and the second unwind core 206 rotates in the winding return direction. As a result, regarding the second printing tape 403, the second printing tape 403 discharged from the ink cartridge side tape outlet 261 is pulled back into the second ink cartridge housing 211, and the second ink tape 205 unwound from the second unwind core 206 is rewound onto the second unwind core 206. Thus, the second unwind shaft 45 inserted into the second unwind core 206 and the second rewind shaft 47 inserted into the second rewind core 207 constitute the second ink tape transport mechanism for conveying the second ink tape 205.

[0096] The printing apparatus 1 prints input information from a keyboard onto the second printing belt 403 by rotating the conveyor motor in the forward direction and heating the print head 55, while simultaneously conveying the second printing belt 403 and the second ink ribbon 205. After printing, the printing apparatus 1 cuts off the printing end portion of the second printing belt 403 by operating the shearer 17. Then, the printing apparatus 1 pulls the second printing belt 403 back by rotating the conveyor motor in the return direction until the top of the second printing belt 403 is near the clamping position between the print head 55 and the second pressure roller 203. This shortens the blank space generated in the direction ahead of the long side of the second printing belt 403 that is subsequently printed.

[0097] [With retaining part]

[0098] according to Figure 10 as well as Figures 14 to 23 The tape holding part 305 will be described below. The tape holding part 305 is used to hold the second printing tape 403, which has been pre-guided onto the second tape path 257, when the ribbon cartridge 201 is mounted on the cartridge mounting part 7. Figure 10 As shown, the retaining part 305 includes an arm support shaft 307, an arm part 309, a retaining spring 315, a retaining top part 209, and a sliding plate 313 (see reference). Figure 18 ).

[0099] The arm support 307 protrudes forward from the second depth wall portion 247 in the mounting direction. The arm portion 309, when viewed from the forward side in the mounting direction, is roughly L-shaped. (As shown...) Figure 10 as well as Figure 14 As shown, the arm 309 includes an arm body 377, an arm top portion 378, a support shaft insertion hole 379, a locking pin 311, a top pin 380, an arm side spring locking portion 381, and a locking inclined surface 382.

[0100] The arm body 377 is formed into a generally cuboid shape. A support shaft insertion hole 379 is provided at one end of the arm body 377 viewed from the front side in the mounting direction, extending through the support shaft in the mounting direction. The arm tip 378 protrudes towards the second belt path 257 from the other end of the arm body 377 viewed from the front side in the mounting direction. An arm support shaft 307 is inserted through the support shaft insertion hole 379. On the arm tip 378, a locking pin 311 and a tip pin 380 are provided sequentially protruding from the side closer to the arm body 377 towards the front side in the mounting direction. The locking pin 311 is located on the +Y side of the arm locking portion 391 (described later) and engages with it. The tip pin 380 engages with a hole in the retaining tip portion 209. An arm-side spring locking portion 381 is provided on the surface of the arm body 377 on the front side in the mounting direction. One end of the arm-side spring locking part 381 is locked to the other end of the retaining spring 315 of the outer casing-side spring locking part 298. The engaging bevel 382 is formed by chamfering the corner of the arm body 377 in the mounting direction depth and the second tape path 257 side. As will be described later, the engaging bevel 382 engages with the insertion protrusion 53 provided on the cartridge mounting part 7 when the ribbon cartridge 201 is installed on the cartridge mounting part 7.

[0101] The arm 309 is configured to rotate between a position where the holding tip 209 is close to the ribbon path sidewall 263 and a position where the holding tip 209 is separated from the ribbon path sidewall 263. When the arm 309 is rotated to the close position, the holding tip 209 holds the second printing tape 403, which is being guided onto the second tape path 257, between itself and the ribbon path sidewall 263. Conversely, when the arm 309 is rotated to the separation position, the holding tip 209 separates from the ribbon path sidewall 263 and does not clamp the second printing tape 403, thus releasing the holding of the second printing tape 403.

[0102] The retaining spring 315 applies force toward the approach position to the arm portion 309. The retaining spring 315 is mounted on the arm support shaft 307, with one end locked to the arm-side spring locking portion 381 and the other end locked to the housing-side spring locking portion 298. Alternatively, a torsion coil spring, for example, can be used as the retaining spring 315. The retaining spring 315 is an example of an "applying portion".

[0103] A retaining tip 209 is provided on the tip pin 380 of the arm portion 309. The retaining tip 209 is made of a material with a high coefficient of friction, such as rubber, and is formed into a generally cylindrical shape. The retaining tip 209 clamps the second printing belt 403, which is guided into the second belt path 257, between itself and the side wall portion 263 of the ribbon path. This prevents the tip of the second printing belt 403, which is guided into the second belt path 257, from being pulled into the second belt path 257, i.e., from the side of the ink cartridge side belt inlet 259 compared to the second pressure roller 203. In addition, when the ribbon ink cartridge 201 is not installed in the tape printing apparatus 1, for example, when it is stored in a movable housing together with the tape roller 401, the second printing belt 403 is held in a way that does not move relative to the ribbon ink cartridge 201, thus suppressing the occurrence of wrinkles and folds in the second printing belt. Furthermore, the retaining tip 209 is tightly fitted relative to the tip pin 380 and does not rotate relative to the tip pin 380. Additionally, as described above, a ribbon insertion hole 250 is provided in the ribbon-side path sidewall portion 263 at a location corresponding to the retaining tip 209, thus its wall thickness is greater than other portions of the ribbon-side path sidewall portion 263. This allows the ribbon-side path sidewall portion 263 to properly withstand the force exerted by the retaining tip 209 pressing against it via the second printing belt 403. The retaining tip 209 is an example of a "clamping portion".

[0104] like Figures 15 to 17 As shown, the sliding plate 313 is configured to slide in the Y direction relative to the front wall portion 243 of the belt holder. Although the sliding plate 313, like the front housing 235 of the belt holder, is a molded part made of translucent resin, the material and manufacturing method of the sliding plate 313 are not limited thereto. Furthermore, the sliding plate 313 is an example of a "moving component".

[0105] The sliding plate 313 includes a plate body 317, an extension 384, and a sliding peripheral wall portion 385. The plate body 317, when viewed from the front side in the installation direction, is formed as a generally rectangular shape with the corners on the +X and -Y sides cut at an angle. The plate body 317 includes two sliding slits 386, a slit gap 387, two guide insertion portions 388, an opening / closing portion 389, a grip portion 319, an arm engaging portion 391, and a front roller engaging portion 392.

[0106] Two sliding slits 386 are arranged on the plate body 317 in the X direction. Each sliding slit 386 is arranged to cut into the plate body 317 from the +Y side edge towards the -Y side. The slit gap 387 is the portion between the two sliding slits 386. Two guide insertion portions 388 are arranged in the X direction with the slit gap 387 between them. The guide insertion portions 388 are inserted relative to the aforementioned sliding guide portion 244 in a manner that allows them to slide from the -Y side towards the Y direction.

[0107] The oblique edge provided on the -Y side of the plate body 317 functions as an opening / closing part 389 for opening and closing the aforementioned opening / closing area 260. That is, as... Figure 18 As shown, when the sliding plate 313 slides towards the +Y side, the opening / closing part 389 opens the opening / closing area 260, as... Figure 5 As shown, when the sliding plate 313 slides towards the -Y side, the opening / closing portion 389 closes the opening / closing area 260. In other words, the sliding plate 313 can move between an open position where the opening / closing portion 389 opens the opening / closing area 260 and a closed position where the opening / closing portion 389 closes the opening / closing area 260. Although the sliding plate 313 is normally in the closed position, as described later, it can be moved to the open position by the user's operation when the user places the second printing belt 403 on the second belt path 257.

[0108] A gripper 319 is located approximately at the center of the front side of the main body 317 in the mounting direction. The gripper 319 protrudes forward in the mounting direction and, when viewed from the front side in the mounting direction, is formed as a generally elongated rectangle in the X direction. The gripper 319 serves as a part for the user to press or pull by placing their fingers on it when moving the sliding plate 313. The gripper 319 is located on the -Y side relative to the -Y side edge of the front wall portion 239 of the ribbon portion, and when the sliding plate 313 moves to the open position, the gripper 319 contacts the -Y side edge of the front wall portion 239 of the ribbon portion (see reference). Figure 18 Additionally, as described later, the user places their fingers on the pinch handle 319 to move the slide plate 313, thereby rotating the arm 309. That is, the pinch handle 319 is an example of an "operating part" that rotates the arm 309.

[0109] The arm engaging portion 391 is provided on the surface of the plate body 317 on the mounting direction depth side, located on the -Y side of the aforementioned grip portion 319. The arm engaging portion 391 protrudes in the mounting direction depth side and, when viewed from the mounting direction depth side, is formed as a generally elongated rectangle in the X direction. The arm engaging portion 391 is located on the -Y side of the engaging pin 311 provided on the arm portion 309 and engages with the engaging pin 311. When the sliding plate 313 moves to the open position, the arm engaging portion 391 presses the engaging pin 311 towards the +Y side, thereby... Figure 19 As shown, the arm 309 rotates towards the separated position against the retaining spring 315. On the other hand, when the sliding plate 313 moves to the closed position, it moves away from the engaging pin 311 towards the -Y side via the arm engaging portion 391, thereby... Figure 10 As shown, the arm 309 rotates to the approach position via a retaining spring 315.

[0110] The near-front roller engaging portion 392 is located at the corner of the plate body 317 on both the -X and -Y sides, and its opening is approximately circular. The near-front roller engaging portion 392 engages with the end of the second pressure roller 203 on the near-front side of its mounting direction, i.e., the end on the side where the opening 258 is located. When the sliding plate 313 is moved to the open position, viewed from the near-front side of the mounting direction, the near-front roller engaging portion 392 is located on the +Y side relative to the aforementioned depth-side roller engaging portion 248. Therefore, as... Figure 19 as well as Figure 20 As shown, the second pressure roller 203 is tilted relative to the mounting direction, with the end on the side where the opening side 258 is located inclined away from the exposed portion 291 of the second ribbon. On the other hand, when the sliding plate 313 is moved to the closed position, when viewed from the front side in the mounting direction, the front side roller engaging portion 392 is located at approximately the same position as the depth side roller engaging portion 248. Therefore, as Figure 10 as well as Figure 21 As shown, the second pressure roller 203 is in an upright position, approximately parallel to the installation direction. Therefore, when the sliding plate 313 is in the open position, the end of the second pressure roller 203 on the side of the mounting opening 258 separates from the second ink strip 205 compared to when the sliding plate 313 is in the closed position.

[0111] The sliding peripheral wall portion 385 protrudes approximately half of the Y-side edge of the X-side edge of the plate body 317 towards the longitudinal direction of installation. The sliding peripheral wall portion 385 is disposed between the peripheral wall portion 241 near the front of the ribbon portion and the peripheral wall portion 245 near the front of the ribbon holding portion (see reference). Figure 22 The outer surface of the sliding peripheral wall portion 385 is substantially coplanar with the outer surface of the ribbon-side first peripheral wall portion 215, which extends in the Y direction, i.e., the moving direction of the sliding plate 313. Therefore, the situation where the sliding peripheral wall portion 385 protrudes relative to the ribbon-side first peripheral wall portion 215 when the sliding plate 313 moves from the open position to the closed position is suppressed. Thus, when the ribbon cartridge 201 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 7, even if the sliding plate 313 is in the open position, collision between the sliding plate 313 and the edge of the cartridge mounting portion 7 can be suppressed. Furthermore, the sliding peripheral wall portion 385 is an example of a "moving peripheral wall portion".

[0112] Additionally, a movable guide portion 394 is provided protruding towards the -Y side from the end face of the sliding peripheral wall portion 385 on the depth side in the mounting direction. When the sliding plate 313 moves to the closed position, as... Figure 12 As shown, the movable guide 394 moves to a guide position, which is a position where the second printing belt 403 approaches from the +Y side relative to the second printing belt 403 being guided onto the second belt path 257, and is between the edge of the cartridge-side belt outlet 261 on the -Y side, and guides the second printing belt 403 in the Y direction, i.e., the inward and outward directions of the second printing belt 403. On the other hand, when the guide plate 313 moves to the open position, as... Figure 22 As shown, the movable guide 394 moves to a non-guided position separated from the second printing belt 403 towards the +Y side. That is, the movable guide 394 can move between the guide position and the non-guided position along with the movement of the sliding plate 313.

[0113] The extension 384 extends from the slit 387 toward the +Y side and is generally rectangular when viewed from the front side in the mounting direction. A plate-side engaging portion 395 is provided at the end of the extension 384 on the +Y side, protruding toward the front side in the mounting direction. When the sliding plate 313 moves to the open position, the slit 387 and the extension 384 flex toward the depth side in the mounting direction, causing the plate-side engaging portion 395 to pass over the housing-side engaging portion 254 in the +Y side, and engage with the housing-side engaging portion 254. Although the sliding plate 313 is forced in the direction of moving to the closed position via the arm 309 and the retaining spring 315, the engagement of the plate-side engaging portion 395 with the housing-side engaging portion 254 ensures that even if the user releases their hand from the grip 39, it will be held in the open position by overcoming the retaining spring 315. In this way, the arm portion 309 is maintained in the separated position, the second pressure roller 203 is maintained in an inclined posture, and the movable guide portion 394 is maintained in the non-guided position. On the other hand, when the sliding plate 313 moves to the closed position, it flexes towards the depth side in the mounting direction through the slit portion 387 and the extension portion 384, thereby causing the plate-side engaging portion 395 to pass over the outer shell-side engaging portion 254 towards the -Y side and disengage from the plate-side engaging portion 254. In addition, the plate-side engaging portion 395 is an example of a "moving peripheral wall portion".

[0114] In the belt holding part 305 configured in this way, when the user places his finger on the gripping part 319 and moves the sliding plate 313 to the open position, as described above, the arm part 309 rotates to the separation position, the second pressure roller 203 becomes tilted, and the movable guide part 394 moves to the non-guided position.

[0115] By rotating the arm 309 to the separation position, a gap is created between the holding tip 209 and the ribbon side path sidewall 263, allowing the user to easily place the second printing belt 403 between the holding tip 209 and the ribbon side path sidewall 263. Furthermore, since the second pressure roller 203 is tilted, the gap between the second ink ribbon 205 and the opening 258 on the front side of the second pressure roller 203's mounting direction widens. This allows the user to easily place the second printing belt 403 between the second ink ribbon 205 and the second pressure roller 203. Additionally, since the movable guide 394 moves to the non-guided position, the situation where the movable guide 394 obstructs the second printing belt 403 when the user places it from the opening 258 into the second belt path 257 can be prevented.

[0116] On the other hand, when the user places their finger on the pinch part 319 and moves the sliding plate 313 to the closed position, as described above, the arm part 309 rotates to the approach position, the second pressure roller 203 becomes upright, and the movable guide part 394 moves to the guide position.

[0117] As the arm 309 rotates towards the approach position, the second guide belt 403, which is guided into the second belt path 257, is clamped between the retaining tip portion 209 and the ribbon side path sidewall portion 263. In this state, when a force is applied to the second printing belt 403 in the direction that the tip portion of the second printing belt 403 is pulled into the second belt path 257, the component force F of the frictional force between the retaining tip portion 209 and the second printing belt 403 rotates in the direction that the arm 309 rotates from the approach position to the side opposite to the separation position, i.e. Figure 10 It operates in the counterclockwise direction. Therefore, when a force is applied to the second printing belt 403 in the direction that the top end of the second printing belt 403 is pulled into the second belt path 257, the second printing belt 403 is more forcefully clamped between the top end 209 and the side wall 263 of the ribbon side path. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively suppress the situation where the top end of the second printing belt 403 is pulled into the second belt path 257. In addition, since the second pressure roller 203 is in an upright position, when the ribbon ink cartridge 201 is installed in the cartridge mounting part 7, the pressure roller shaft 39 is properly inserted into the second pressure roller 203. In addition, since the movable guide 394 moves to the guide position, when the second printing belt 403 is conveyed in the second belt path 257, it is guided in the width direction of the second printing belt 403 by the movable guide 394.

[0118] As described above, since the second printing belt 403, which is guided to the second belt path 257, is held between the top end 209 and the side wall 263 of the ribbon path, the situation where the top end of the second printing belt 403 is pulled into the ink cartridge side belt inlet 259 side relative to the second pressure roller 203 is prevented. However, in cases such as when the user mistakenly pulls the second printing belt 403 with excessive force, the top end of the second printing belt 403 may be pulled into the ink cartridge side belt inlet 259 side relative to the second pressure roller 203. When the top end of the second printing belt 403 is pulled into the ink cartridge side belt inlet 259 side relative to the second pressure roller 203, the second printing belt 403 cannot be conveyed by the second pressure roller 203.

[0119] To address this, in the ribbon cartridge 201, the user can reposition the second printing tape 403 onto the second tape path 257 by performing the following operations: First, the user places their finger on the grip 319 to move the slider 313 to the open position, thereby opening the opening / closing area 260 and removing the second printing tape 403 from the second tape path 257. Next, the user moves the tip of the second printing tape 403 from the cartridge side tape outlet 261 to outside the second tape path 257 and then places the second printing tape 403 back into the second tape path 257 through the placement opening 258. Therefore, the user does not need to perform the cumbersome operation of feeding the second printing tape 403 from the cartridge side tape inlet 259 by moving the tip of the second printing tape 403 from the cartridge side tape outlet 261 to outside the second tape path 257. Finally, the user places their finger on the grip 319 to move the slider 313 to the closed position and close the opening / closing area 260. This prevents foreign objects from entering the second path 257 from the open / closed area 260.

[0120] Furthermore, although the ribbon cartridge 201 is sold together with the belt roller 401 with the second printing belt 403 pre-positioned on the second belt path 257, it is not limited to this. It can be sold together with the belt roller 401 with the second printing belt 403 not positioned on the second belt path 257, or it can be sold separately from the belt roller 401. In the above cases, the user only needs to place the second printing belt 403 on the second belt path 257 by the same steps described above before installing the ribbon cartridge 201 onto the cartridge mounting part 7.

[0121] Furthermore, the user can simultaneously place the second printing belt 403 and the ribbon ink cartridge 201 on the tape printing apparatus 1 by pre-inserting the ribbon ink cartridge 201 of the second printing belt 403 into the ink cartridge mounting section 7 via a simple operation. That is, the user does not need to separately perform the operation of installing the ribbon ink cartridge 201 into the ink cartridge mounting section 7 and the operation of inserting the second printing belt 403 into the ink cartridge mounting section 7.

[0122] Furthermore, when the ribbon cartridge 201 is installed in the cartridge mounting section 7, it is inserted into the insertion protrusion 53 of the second cylindrical shaft section 293 and engaged with the engaging slope 382 of the arm section 309. Thus, as... Figure 23 As shown, the arm 309 rotates from the approach position to the separation position. At this time, since the retaining tip 209 does not clamp the second printing tape 403 between itself and the sidewall 263 of the ribbon path, the retention of the second printing tape 403 is released. Therefore, with the ribbon cartridge 201 mounted on the cartridge mounting part 7, the second printing tape 403 is smoothly conveyed in the second tape path 257. The insertion protrusion 53 is an example of a "retention release protrusion". In addition, the separation position of the arm 309 when it rotates by engaging the insertion protrusion 53 with the engaging slope 382 of the arm 309, and the separation position of the arm 309 when it rotates by moving the sliding plate 313 to the open position, can be the same or different.

[0123] Furthermore, with the ribbon ink cartridge 201 installed in the cartridge mounting section 7, as described above, the pressure roller shaft 39 is inserted into the second pressure roller 203. With the pressure roller shaft 39 inserted into the second pressure roller 203, the movement of the sliding plate 313 is restricted. This prevents the user from accidentally moving the sliding plate 313 from the closed position to the open position when the ribbon ink cartridge 201 is installed in the cartridge mounting section 7.

[0124] Furthermore, when the second printing belt 403 is introduced into the second belt path 257, the second printing belt 403 is guided in the width direction by the second deep wall portion 247, the inlet-side guide portion 264, and the outlet-side guide portion 262. Therefore, even if the ribbon cartridge 201 does not have the belt holding portion 305, the second printing belt 403 will not shift significantly in the width direction within the second belt path 257. In other words, the ribbon cartridge 201 may not have the belt holding portion 305, and even in this case, the user can simultaneously place the second printing belt 403 and the ribbon cartridge 201 in the tape printing apparatus 1.

[0125] [With ink cartridge]

[0126] according to Figures 24 to 26The ink cartridge 101 will be described below. The ink cartridge 101 includes a core 107, a first pressure roller 109, a first unwind core 111, a first rewind core 113, and a first cartridge housing 115 that houses these components for rotation. When viewed from the front side in the mounting direction, the core 107, the first pressure roller 109, the first unwind core 111, and the first rewind core 113 are respectively positioned at positions corresponding to the insertion protrusion 53, the pressure roller shaft 39, the first unwind shaft 41, and the first rewind shaft 43 provided on the cartridge mounting portion 7. The first pressure roller 109 has a through hole 117 extending through in the mounting direction.

[0127] A first printing tape 103 is wound on a tape core 107. The first printing tape 103, unwound from the tape core 107, is fed out of the first ink cartridge housing 115 through a tape feed outlet 119 provided on the tape-side first peripheral wall portion 123 (described later). Inside the first ink cartridge housing 115, a first tape path 121 is provided from the tape core 107 to the tape feed outlet 119. A first ink ribbon 105 is wound on a first unwind core 111. The first ink ribbon 105, unwound from the first unwind core 111, is wound onto a first take-up core 113. Furthermore, the first ink cartridge housing 115 contains various ink cartridge housings with different thicknesses, i.e., different dimensions in the mounting direction, depending on the width of the first printing tape 103 and the first ink ribbon 105 housed within it.

[0128] When viewed from the front side in the mounting direction, the first ink cartridge housing 115 is formed with both ends of the long side of a rectangle bent at right angles in the same direction. Here, the peripheral wall portion on the -X side of the peripheral wall portion of the first ink cartridge housing 115 is referred to as the first peripheral wall portion 123 on the belt side. The peripheral wall portion extending from the end on the -Y side of the first peripheral wall portion 123 on the belt side towards the +X side is referred to as the second peripheral wall portion 125 on the belt side. The peripheral wall portions extending from the end on the +X side of the second peripheral wall portion 125 on the belt side towards the +Y side are sequentially referred to from the -Y side as the third peripheral wall portion 127 on the belt side, the fourth peripheral wall portion 129 on the belt side, and the fifth peripheral wall portion 131 on the belt side. The fourth peripheral wall portion 129 on the belt side is formed concave relative to the third peripheral wall portion 127 and the fifth peripheral wall portion 131 on the belt side. The peripheral wall portion extending from the end on the +Y side of the fifth peripheral wall portion 131 on the belt side towards the -X side is referred to as the sixth peripheral wall portion 133 on the belt side. The end of the sixth peripheral wall portion 133 on the side of the belt is connected to the end of the first peripheral wall portion 123 on the side of the belt on the +Y side.

[0129] A first insertion hole 135 is provided on the first ink cartridge housing 115 in a through manner in the mounting direction. When viewed from the front side in the mounting direction, the first insertion hole 135 is located at the corner formed by the intersection of the first peripheral wall portion 123 and the second peripheral wall portion 125 on the belt side. When viewed from the front side in the mounting direction, the first insertion hole 135 is shaped to correspond to the head cover 56, i.e., it is approximately rectangular. The first insertion hole 135 and the aforementioned first pressure roller shaft insertion hole 117 position the ink cartridge 101 relative to the ink cartridge mounting portion 7 and guide its installation and removal.

[0130] The first ink cartridge housing 115 includes a first front-side housing 137 and a first depth-side housing 139. When the ink cartridge 101 is installed in the ink cartridge mounting portion 7, the first front-side housing 137 becomes the front-side in the mounting direction, and the first depth-side housing 139 becomes the depth-side in the mounting direction. Although the first front-side housing 137 is a molded part of translucent resin and the first depth-side housing 139 is a molded part of non-translucent resin, the material and manufacturing method of the first front-side housing 137 and the first depth-side housing 139 are not limited thereto.

[0131] The first front-side housing 137 includes a first front-side wall portion 141 and a first front-side peripheral wall portion 143 protruding from the periphery of the first front-side wall portion 141 toward the depth side in the mounting direction. The first depth-side housing 139 includes a first depth wall portion 145 and a first depth-side peripheral wall portion 147 protruding from the periphery of the first depth wall portion 145 toward the front side in the mounting direction. The first front-side housing 137 and the first depth-side housing 139 are assembled by mating the first front-side peripheral wall portion 143 and the first depth-side peripheral wall portion 147.

[0132] An elastic portion 149 is provided on the first near-front wall portion 141 at the corner formed by the intersection of the second peripheral wall portion 125 and the third peripheral wall portion 127 on the belt side. When viewed from the near-front side in the mounting direction, the elastic portion 149 is formed as a generally rectangular portion obtained by removing the first near-front wall portion 141 in a U-shape. When the cartridge 101 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 7, and the mounting cover 5 is closed, the second pressing protrusion 20 provided on the mounting cover 5 contacts the elastic portion 149, causing the elastic portion 149 to displace further in the mounting direction. The pressing force generated by the elastic displacement of the elastic portion 149 is borne by the second pressing protrusion 20, resulting in the cartridge 101 being pressed further in the mounting direction. This prevents the cartridge 101 from being mounted in a state where it floats above the mounting base 37.

[0133] A first head peripheral protrusion 151 is provided in the first depth wall portion 145, protruding from the periphery of the first head insertion hole 135 toward the front side in the mounting direction. A first ribbon exposure portion 153 is provided on the +Y side of the first head peripheral protrusion 151, i.e., on the side of the first pressure roller 109, for exposing the first ink ribbon 105. However, in the section showing the first ribbon exposure portion 153... Figure 25 The first ink ribbon 105 is omitted from the illustration. With the ink cartridge 101 installed in the ink cartridge mounting part 7, the printing head 55, which is inserted into the first head insertion hole 135, is positioned opposite the first pressure roller 109 with the first ink ribbon 105 and the first printing belt 103 in between.

[0134] A first cylindrical shaft portion 155 is provided on the first deep wall portion 145, protruding forward in the mounting direction. The first cylindrical shaft portion 155 is formed into a cylindrical shape with a general height difference and supports the tape core 107 in a rotatable manner. When the tape cartridge 101 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 7, the insertion protrusion 53 provided on the cartridge mounting portion 7 is inserted into the first cylindrical shaft portion 155 provided on the tape cartridge 101.

[0135] Furthermore, on the surface of the first deep wall portion 145 in the mounting direction, a plurality of first positioning holes 157 are provided diagonally. When the ink cartridge 101 is installed in the ink cartridge mounting portion 7, the first positioning holes 157 provided on the ink cartridge 101 engage with the positioning pins 65 provided on the ink cartridge mounting portion 7. This positions the ink cartridge 101 relative to the ink cartridge mounting portion 7.

[0136] Furthermore, a first protrusion receiving portion 159 is provided on the first deep wall portion 145 at the corner formed by the intersection of the fifth peripheral wall portion 131 and the sixth peripheral wall portion 133 on the belt side. When the ink cartridge 101 is mounted on the ink cartridge mounting portion 7, the first protrusion receiving portion 159 provided on the ink cartridge 101 receives the engaging protrusion 51 provided on the ink cartridge mounting portion 7.

[0137] A first hook engagement portion 161 is provided on the first peripheral wall portion 123 of the first depth side peripheral wall portion 147, and a second hook engagement portion 163 is provided on the fourth peripheral wall portion 129 of the belt side. When the ink cartridge 101 is installed in the ink cartridge mounting portion 7, the first hook engagement portion 161 and the second hook engagement portion 163 on the ink cartridge 101 engage with the first hook 57 and the second hook 59 on the ink cartridge mounting portion 7, respectively. This prevents the ink cartridge 101 from floating from the mounting bottom surface 37. Furthermore, a first circuit board 165 is mounted on the fifth peripheral wall portion 131 of the first depth side peripheral wall portion 147. That is, the first circuit board 165 is mounted on the fifth peripheral wall portion 131 of the belt side, which is positioned substantially parallel to the first peripheral wall portion 123 of the belt side, which has a feed outlet 119. A first substrate mounting portion 167 for mounting a first circuit board 165 is provided on the fifth peripheral wall portion 131 on the side.

[0138] The first grip portion 173 protrudes from the first peripheral wall portion 123 on the tape side toward the -X side, and the second grip portion 175 protrudes from the fourth peripheral wall portion 129 on the tape side. When viewed from the front side in the mounting direction, the first grip portion 173 and the second grip portion 175 are positioned approximately at the middle of the Y-direction within the entire first cartridge housing 115. The first grip portion 173 and the second grip portion 175 function as a handle when the user grips the tape cartridge 101. Here, the front side of the first grip portion 173 in the mounting direction is referred to as the sixth pressing portion 177. When the tape cartridge 201 is installed in the cartridge mounting portion 7, and the mounting cover 5 is closed, the sixth pressing protrusion 24 (see reference 24) provided on the mounting cover 5... Figure 2 It comes into contact with the sixth pressing part 177. Thereby, the sixth pressing part 177 is pressed toward the depth side in the installation direction by the sixth pressing protrusion 24.

[0139] [Printing process when installing with ink cartridges]

[0140] according to Figure 27 The printing process performed by the tape printing apparatus 1 with the ink cartridge 101 installed in the ink cartridge mounting section 7 will be described. With the ink cartridge 101 installed in the ink cartridge mounting section 7, the pressure roller shaft 39, the first unwind shaft 41, and the first rewind shaft 43 provided on the ink cartridge mounting section 7 are respectively inserted into the first pressure roller shaft insertion hole 117, the first unwind core 111, and the first rewind core 113 of the first pressure roller 109 provided on the ink cartridge 101. This allows the driving force of the conveyor motor (not shown) provided on the tape printing apparatus 1 to be transmitted to the first pressure roller 109, the first unwind core 111, and the first rewind core 113.

[0141] Furthermore, with the ink cartridge 101 mounted on the ink cartridge mounting section 7, the head 49 provided on the ink cartridge mounting section 7 is inserted into the first head insertion hole 135 provided on the ink cartridge 101. After the ink cartridge 101 is mounted on the ink cartridge mounting section 7, when the mounting section cover 5 is closed, the printing head 55 is moved toward the pressure roller shaft 39 by the head moving mechanism (not shown). This causes the first printing tape 103 and the first ink tape 105 to be held between the printing head 55 and the first pressure roller 109.

[0142] In this state, when the conveyor motor rotates in the forward direction, the first pressure roller 109 rotates in the forward direction, and the first take-up core 113 rotates in the take-up direction. Thereby, the first printing tape 103, unwound from the tape core 107, is conveyed through the tape feed outlet 119 toward the device-side tape discharge outlet 11, and the first ink tape 105, unwound from the first unwind core 111, is wound onto the first take-up core 113.

[0143] Furthermore, when the conveyor motor rotates in the return direction opposite to the forward direction, the first pressure roller 109 rotates in the return direction opposite to the forward direction, and the first unwind core 111 rotates in the winding return direction. This causes the first printing tape 103 discharged from the tape delivery outlet 119 to be pulled back into the first ink cartridge housing 115, and the first ink tape 105 unwound from the first unwind core 111 to be rewound onto the first unwind core 111. Thus, the first unwinding shaft 41 inserted into the first unwind core 111 and the first winding shaft 43 inserted into the first winding core 113 constitute the first ink tape transport mechanism for conveying the first ink tape 105.

[0144] The printing apparatus 1 prints input information from a keyboard onto the first printing belt 103 by rotating the conveyor motor in the forward direction and heating the print head 55, while simultaneously conveying the first printing belt 103 and the first ink ribbon 105. After printing, the printing apparatus 1 cuts off the printing end portion of the first printing belt 103 by operating the shear 17. Then, the printing apparatus 1 pulls the first printing belt 103 back by rotating the conveyor motor in the return direction until the top of the first printing belt 103 is near the clamping position of the print head 55 and the first pressure roller 109, i.e., near the printing position. This shortens the blank space in front of the long side of the first printing belt 103 in the next printing cycle caused by the separation of the print head 55 and the shear 17.

[0145] [Other Implementation Methods]

[0146] The embodiments described above are not limited to those described above, and various structures can be adopted without departing from the technical concept. For example, in addition to the above, the embodiments described above can also be modified into the following forms.

[0147] The ink cartridge 101 can also be a structure without the first circuit board 165. Similarly, the ribbon ink cartridge 201 can also be a structure without the second circuit board 327.

[0148] In addition, such as Figure 28 As shown, an ink ribbon storage cartridge 501 and a ribbon guide cartridge 503 can also be installed relative to the cartridge mounting section 7 to replace the structure of the ribbon cartridge 201. The ink ribbon storage cartridge 501 is configured to be substantially the same as the ink ribbon storage section 253 of the ribbon cartridge 201, and the ribbon guide cartridge 503 is configured to be substantially the same as the ribbon holding mechanism storage section 255 of the ribbon cartridge 201.

[0149] like Figures 28 to 30 As shown, the guide cartridge 503 includes a third pressure roller 505, a belt clamping part 507, and a third cartridge housing 509. Similar to the second pressure roller 203, the third pressure roller 505 clamps and transports the second printing belt 403 between itself and the print head 55. The belt clamping part 507 clamps the second printing belt 403 between itself and the peripheral wall of the third cartridge housing 509. The guide cartridge 503 is mounted on the cartridge mounting part 7 while the second printing belt 403 is held by the belt clamping part 507.

[0150] The third cartridge housing 509 is provided with a tape guide 511, a third substrate mounting portion 513, a third protrusion receiving portion 515, and a fourth peripheral wall recess 517. The tape guide 511 guides the second printing tape 403 introduced from the device-side tape inlet 9. A third tape path 52 for conveying the second printing tape 403 is formed between the tape guide 511 and the peripheral wall portion of the third cartridge housing 509. The third substrate mounting portion 513 is configured to be the same as the first substrate mounting portion 167 and the second substrate mounting portion 337, and a third circuit board 519 configured to be the same as the first circuit board 165 and the second circuit board 327 is mounted on the third substrate mounting portion 513. When the tape-guided cartridge 503 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 7, the contact terminal portion 83 contacts the third electrode portion 521 of the third circuit board 519. The third protrusion receiving portion 515 receives the engaging protrusion 51 in the same way as the first protrusion receiving portion 159 and the second protrusion receiving portion 297. The fourth peripheral wall recess 517 is configured to be the same as the fourth peripheral wall recess 272 provided on the ribbon cartridge 201. That is, the front side of the fourth peripheral wall recess 517 in the mounting direction becomes the fourth pressing part 523 that is pressed by the fourth pressing protrusion 22 when the mounting cover 5 is closed.

[0151] The ink cartridge is not limited to a structure that houses the printing tape and ink ribbon, as in the ink cartridge 101 and ribbon ink cartridge 201 of this embodiment; it is acceptable as long as it can be installed on the printing apparatus 1.

[0152] The cartridge mounting section 7 is not limited to a structure that allows for the selective mounting of either the tape cartridge 101 or the color ribbon cartridge 201; it can also be a structure that allows for the mounting of only the color ribbon cartridge 201.

[0153] Alternatively, the structure can be obtained by combining the above-described embodiments and variations.

[0154] [Postscript]

[0155] The following is a note about the ink cartridges.

[0156] The ink cartridge is installed in a tape printing apparatus, which includes an ink cartridge mounting section, a print head disposed in the ink cartridge mounting section for printing on a printing tape, and an apparatus housing. The apparatus housing is provided with an apparatus-side tape inlet for guiding the printing tape from outside the apparatus housing into the apparatus housing and an apparatus-side tape outlet for discharging the printing tape out of the apparatus housing. The ink cartridge has a tape path, which is a path for conveying the printing tape guided from the apparatus-side tape inlet toward the apparatus-side tape outlet when the ink cartridge is installed in the ink cartridge mounting section.

[0157] According to this structure, the printing tape, which is introduced into the device housing from the device side tape inlet, is conveyed to the device side tape outlet via the tape path. Therefore, printing tape introduced from outside the tape printing device can be smoothly conveyed within the tape printing device.

[0158] In this case, it is preferable to include: an ink ribbon receiving section for receiving ink ribbons; and a tape holding mechanism receiving section for receiving tape holding mechanisms, which hold the printed tape being guided to the tape path, the tape path being disposed between the ink ribbon receiving section and the tape holding mechanism receiving section.

[0159] According to this structure, a tape path can be formed by utilizing the ink tape storage section and the tape holding mechanism storage section.

[0160] In this case, it is preferable to have an ink cartridge housing, the ink cartridge housing comprising: a first housing, which forms the ink ribbon storage portion near the front of the ink cartridge in the mounting direction; a second housing, which forms the ink ribbon storage portion near the front in the mounting direction; and a third housing, which forms the ink ribbon storage portion and the ink ribbon storage portion in the mounting direction in the depth.

[0161] According to this structure, by combining the first and third housings, an ink ribbon storage section is formed. Furthermore, by combining the second and third housings, a ribbon holding mechanism storage section is formed.

[0162] In this case, it is preferable that an opening is provided on the belt path for placing the printing belt from one end, i.e., the first width end face, in the width direction of the printing belt onto the belt path.

[0163] According to this structure, even if the top of the printing belt is pulled into the belt path, the user can reposition the printing belt from the placement opening onto the belt path by bringing the top of the printing belt outside the belt path.

[0164] In this case, preferably, the tape path has a first path sidewall portion and a second path sidewall portion that are opposite to each other, and the ink cartridge has a tape guide portion that protrudes from the first path sidewall portion toward the second path sidewall portion and guides the other end face of the printing tape in the width direction, namely the second width end face.

[0165] According to this structure, the printing belt can be guided in the width direction of the printing belt through the belt guide in the belt path.

[0166] In this case, it is preferable that the belt guide has a belt visual confirmation section for visually confirming the printed belt placed on the belt path from the placement opening through the belt visual confirmation section.

[0167] According to this structure, the user can confirm whether the printing tape is placed in a position where the printing tape can be visually confirmed through the tape visual confirmation section, that is, the position where the second width end face and the tape guide are connected.

[0168] In this case, preferably, the second path sidewall portion has an extension portion that extends to the side opposite to the first path sidewall portion at a position opposite to the guide portion.

[0169] According to this structure, it is possible to suppress the situation where, when the user places the printing belt from the placement opening onto the belt path, the belt guide portion protruding from the first path sidewall portion becomes an obstruction to the printing belt.

[0170] In this case, it is preferable to have a movable guide that can move between a guide position and a non-guide position separated from the guide position, wherein the guide position is a position close to the printing belt and guiding the printing belt in the inward direction of the printing belt.

[0171] According to this structure, when the user places the printing belt on the belt path from the placement opening, the movable guide can be moved to a non-guided position to prevent the movable guide from becoming an obstruction to the printing belt.

[0172] In this case, it is preferable to have a cartridge housing with a cartridge-side tape inlet and a cartridge-side tape outlet. The cartridge-side tape inlet guides the printed tape introduced from the device-side tape inlet to the tape path, and the cartridge-side tape outlet discharges the printed tape toward the device-side tape outlet. The tape path has an inlet-side path closer to the cartridge-side tape inlet than the pressure roller, and an outlet-side path closer to the cartridge-side tape outlet than the pressure roller. The outlet-side path is curved relative to the inlet-side path, and the curvature angle of the outlet-side path relative to the inlet-side path is 21° or more and 42°.

[0173] According to this structure, by bending the discharge side path at an angle of 21° or more relative to the infeed side path, the contact area between the printing belt and the pressure roller is increased, thus enabling stable transmission of the printing belt. Furthermore, by bending the discharge side path at an angle of 42° or less relative to the infeed side path, the bending characteristics of the printing belt can be suppressed.

[0174] Symbol Explanation

[0175] 1…Printing device; 3…Device housing; 7…Ink cartridge mounting section; 9…Device side inlet; 11…Device side outlet; 55…Print head; 201…Ribbon cartridge; 205…Second ink ribbon; 211…Second cartridge housing; 233…Ribbon section front housing; 235…Ribbon retainer front housing; 237…Second depth side housing; 253…Ink ribbon storage section; 255…Ribbon retainer storage section; 257…Second ribbon path; 257a…Inlet side path 257b…exit side path; 258…installation opening; 259…cartridge side inlet; 261…cartridge side outlet; 263…ribbon side path sidewall; 264…inlet side guide; 265…side path sidewall with holding mechanism; 266…with visual confirmation section; 268…expansion section; 305…with holding section; 394…movable guide; 403…second printing belt; 405…first width end face; 407…second width end face; θ…bending angle.

Claims

1. An ink cartridge, characterized in that, It is mounted on a tape printing device, which includes an ink cartridge mounting section and a device housing. The device housing has a device-side tape inlet for guiding the printing tape from outside the device housing into inside the device housing, and a device-side tape outlet for discharging the printing tape out of the device housing. The ink cartridge has the following features: Ink cartridge casing; The ink cartridge has a side-mounted tape inlet and a side-mounted tape outlet, both of which are located on the ink cartridge housing. The side-mounted tape inlet guides the printing tape, which is introduced from the device-side tape inlet, into the ink cartridge housing. The side-mounted tape outlet discharges the printing tape towards the device-side tape outlet. The tape path connects the cartridge-side tape inlet and the cartridge-side tape outlet, and the tape path is the path through which the printing tape, which is introduced from the device-side tape inlet, is conveyed toward the device-side tape outlet when the cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting part. The ink ribbon storage section stores the ink ribbons. The circuit board has electrode sections. The ink cartridge side inlet is located between the ink ribbon storage section and the circuit board.

2. The ink cartridge as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a belt holding mechanism storage section for storing the belt holding mechanism, which holds the printed belt that has been fed onto the belt path. The cartridge housing includes: The first outer casing is located near the front of the ink cartridge, which forms the ink ribbon storage section. The second housing is located on the front side of the mounting direction of the storage portion with the retaining mechanism; The third housing constitutes the mounting direction depth side of the ink ribbon storage part and the ribbon holding mechanism storage part.

3. The ink cartridge as described in claim 2, characterized in that, It also has: The deep wall portion, which becomes the installation direction deep side of the third housing when the ink cartridge is installed in the ink cartridge mounting portion; An inlet-side guide is provided near the inlet port on the side of the ink cartridge; The discharge-side guide portion forms the edge of the ink cartridge side with an discharge port. When the printing tape is introduced into the tape path, the printing tape is guided in the width direction through the deep wall portion, the inlet-side guide portion, and the outlet-side guide portion.

4. The ink cartridge as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, It also has: The belt path has an inlet-side path on the cartridge side relative to the pressure roller, which has an inlet side, and an outlet-side path on the cartridge side relative to the pressure roller, which has an outlet side. The discharge-side path is curved relative to the inlet-side path. The curvature angle of the discharge side path relative to the inlet side path is greater than 21° and less than 42°.

Images