Tape cartridge and method for manufacturing tape cartridge

Abstract

The invention provides a tape cartridge which guides a sending-out side end part of a tape to an appropriate conveying path. A tape cartridge (1) is housed in a housing section (21) of a printing device (2) for printing a tape (T) and has a tape passage opening (13) through which the tape (T) passes, the tape passage opening (13) being provided midway along a transport path of the tape (T) from a printing position at which printing is performed on the tape (T) to a tape delivery opening (22) of the printing device (2) for delivering the printed tape (T) to the outside of the device. A tape receiving member (5) is provided between the tape insertion opening (13) and the tape delivery opening (22), and the tape receiving member (5) has a support section (52) that abuts the tape (T) from the rear surface side of the tape (T).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tape cassette and a method for manufacturing the tape cassette. Background Art

[0002] As an existing printing device, for example, in the printing device described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2022-56430, a tape cassette (printing cassette) placed inside the device has a discharge port for discharging an overlapping tape formed by laminating a first tape and a second tape to the outside. The overlapping tape discharged from the discharge port is discharged to the outside of the device from the tape discharge port of the printing device after printing. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In such a printing device, for example, when the end portion on the feeding side drops due to the weight of the tape or the like, the tape is not properly received by the feeding port (discharge port) on the printing device side and enters a portion that is not the position where it is originally to be inserted, which may further cause a conveyance failure.

[0005] The present invention is for solving such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a tape cassette and a method for manufacturing the tape cassette that can guide the end portion on the feeding side of the tape to an appropriate conveyance path.

[0006] Solutions for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a tape cassette of the present invention is a tape cassette that is housed in a housing portion of a printing device for printing a tape and has a tape through-hole through which the tape passes, and is characterized in that

[0008] the tape through-hole is provided in the middle of the conveyance path of the tape from a printing position for printing the tape to a tape feeding port of the printing device for feeding the printed tape to the outside of the printing device,

[0009] a tape receiving member is provided between the tape through-hole and the tape feeding port,

[0010] the tape receiving member has a support portion that abuts against the back side of the tape.

[0011] Effects of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, the end portion on the feeding side of the tape can be guided to an appropriate conveyance path. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a printing device according to an embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 It isFigure 1 A partially enlarged perspective view of the state after the cover of the printing apparatus shown is opened.

[0015] Figure 3 A top view showing the appearance of the tape cassette according to the embodiment.

[0016] Figure 4 A top view of the plate-like member forming the tape receiving member.

[0017] Figure 5 It is Figure 4 A perspective view of the tape receiving member after assembling the plate-like member shown.

[0018] Figure 6 It is shown from Figure 3 A partially enlarged top view of the vicinity of the tape passing opening of the tape cassette viewed in the VI direction.

[0019] Figure 7 It is shown from Figure 6 A partially enlarged side view of the vicinity of the tape passing opening of the tape cassette viewed in the VII direction.

[0020] Figure 8 A partially enlarged view of the periphery of the tape passing opening of the tape cassette to the tape delivery opening of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment.

[0021] Figure 9 A partially enlarged view of the periphery of the tape passing opening of the tape cassette to the tape delivery opening of the printing apparatus in the case where the tape receiving member is not provided.

[0022] Figure 10 A partially enlarged view of the periphery of the tape passing opening of the tape cassette to the tape delivery opening of the printing apparatus in the case where the tape receiving member is not provided.

[0023] Figure 11 A perspective view showing the case where the double-layer tape passing through the tape passing opening of the tape cassette is separated into each layer and delivered. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

[0024] An embodiment of the tape cassette 1 and a method of manufacturing the tape cassette 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The tape cassette 1 of the present embodiment stores a tape T as a printing medium printed by a printing apparatus 2 therein and is used by being stored in a storage portion 21 of the printing apparatus 2.

[0025] In addition, in the embodiments described below, various technically preferable limitations are added in order to implement the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples.

[0026] [Configuration of Printing Apparatus]

[0027] First, as a prerequisite, the configuration of the printing device 2 of the storage tape cassette 1 will be described.

[0028] In addition, in the following embodiments, the x-axis direction, y-axis direction, and z-axis direction refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 the directions shown. The x-axis direction is the lateral direction of the printing device 2, the y-axis direction is the longitudinal direction of the printing device 2, and the z-axis direction is the height direction of the printing device 2. Additionally, as Figure 2 shown, in the embodiment, when the tape cassette 1 is stored in the printing device 2, Figure 3 the long side direction L of the tape cassette 1 shown is aligned with the x-axis direction, the short side direction H of the tape cassette 1 is aligned with the y-axis direction, and the height direction of the tape cassette 1 (the width direction of the tape T stored in the tape cassette 1) W is aligned with the z-axis direction.

[0029] As Figure 1 shown, the printing device 2 has a substantially box-shaped frame 20, and inside the frame 20, there is a storage portion 21 capable of mounting the tape cassette 1 storing the tape T. In the frame 20, an openable and closable lid portion 20a is provided at a position corresponding to the storage portion 21. As Figure 2 shown, when the lid portion 20a is opened, the storage portion 21 is exposed, and it becomes a state where the tape cassette 1 can be loaded and unloaded.

[0030] In addition, when the tape cassette 1 is stored in the storage portion 21, at a position on the downstream side of the conveying path D of the tape T (shown by a hollow arrow in Figure 2 etc.) compared to the tape passing port 13 of the tape cassette 1 described later, there is a tape delivery outlet 22 for sending out the printed tape T (in the embodiment, the tape main body t1 as the first tape in the tape T) to the outside of the device.

[0031] The tape delivery outlet 22 has a receiving portion 22a for receiving the tape T sent out along the conveying path D from the side of the tape passing port 13 (refer to Figure 8 ).

[0032] The receiving portion 22a is preferably slightly lower on the side of the tape passing port 13 (the storage portion 21 side) to easily receive the tip of the conveyed tape T. In the Figure 8 shown embodiment, the receiving portion 22a is inclined such that the upstream side of the conveying path D is slightly lower than the downstream side, forming a shape that is more likely to receive the tip of the tape T conveyed from the tape cassette 1 inside the storage portion 21.

[0033] The printing device 2 of the present embodiment is a thermal printer that prints on the tape T as a long strip of printed medium. Inside the storage portion 21, a thermal head 23 and a paper feed roller 24 are provided as the printing portion. The thermal head 23 and the paper feed roller 24 are arranged at the release position P where the tape T inside the tape cassette 1 described later is released when the tape cassette 1 is stored (refer to Figure 3) the conveyance path D of the tape T up to the tape passing port 13 through the tape cassette 1 (refer to Figure 2 , Figure 3 etc.).

[0034] For example, when the tape cassette 1 is housed in the housing portion 21, the thermal head 23 is disposed in the printing space Arp (refer to Figure 2 , Figure 3 etc.) in the tape cassette 1. Further, the paper feed roller 24 is disposed at a position facing the thermal head 23 with the tape T as the medium to be printed therebetween. After the tape T is released from the release position P in the housing portion 21, the tape T is in a state of being clamped between the paper feed roller 24 and the thermal head 23 (for example, refer to Figure 8 etc.), and by rotating the paper feed roller 24, the tape T is conveyed from the upstream side to the downstream side along the conveyance path D.

[0035] The thermal head 23 has a heating element (not shown). By energizing the heating element, the heating element is heated to apply heat to the tape T.

[0036] Further, in the following embodiments, a printing apparatus 2 using a thermal transfer method with an ink ribbon t2 will be described as an example. For example, the tape T in the present embodiment is a double-layered tape in which a tape main body t1 as a "first tape" described later and an ink ribbon t2 as a "second tape" provided on the back side of the tape main body t1 (first tape) are integrated.

[0037] The tape main body t1 and the ink ribbon t2 are in an overlapping state at the release position P (refer to Figure 3 ), and the integrated tape T is released from the release position P to the conveyance path D.

[0038] And, in the printing space Arp, when heat is applied by the thermal head 23, the heated portion of the ink ribbon t2 is transferred to the tape main body t1 to perform a prescribed printing on the tape T (the tape main body t1 in the tape T).

[0039] Further, the printing method of the printing apparatus 2 is not particularly limited. For example, it may be a printing apparatus that uses thermal paper as the tape T and performs printing by a thermal method.

[0040] Further, in the printing apparatus 2, a cutting unit 28 is provided in the section from when the tape T sent from the tape passing port 13 of the tape cassette 1 is sent out of the apparatus through the tape delivery port 22. The cutting unit 28 includes a cutting blade 281 and cuts the printed tape T (the tape main body t1 in the tape T in the present embodiment) at a prescribed position.

[0041] The cutting unit 28 is provided in the section on the downstream side of the printing space Arp with respect to the conveyance path D and within the section until the tape T is sent out of the apparatus, and Figure 8In the example shown, it is arranged in the section on the outlet side from the receiving portion 22a to the tape outlet 22.

[0042] The cutting blade 281 of the cutting unit 28 can be a cutter (full cutter) that cuts the entire tape T as the printed medium, or a cutter (semi-cutter) that cuts a part of the tape T. For example, when the tape T has a multi-layer structure such as a tape layer and a protective film layer (e.g., release paper), the full cutter cuts the entire tape T composed of multiple layers, while the semi-cutter cuts only a part of the layers in the tape T such as the tape layer.

[0043] The cutting unit 28 may also be provided with cutting blades for both full-cutting and semi-cutting purposes.

[0044] In addition, the cutting blade 281 can also be a cutter that forms perforations or the like on the tape T, and the cutting unit 28 can also be provided with a variety of cutting blades 281 that can be appropriately selected.

[0045] In addition, an input operation unit 26 composed of various buttons, operation keys, etc. is provided on the surface of the housing 20. And a display device 27 composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display panel is arranged on the surface of the housing 20. The display device 27 appropriately displays the strings input by operating the operation keys of the input operation unit 26, the setting information of the printing device 2, etc. In addition, a touch panel may be integrally formed on the display panel of the display device 27. In this case, the touch panel also functions as an input operation unit of the printing device 2.

[0046] In addition, the printing device 2 is provided with a control device (not shown) that causes each part of the device to operate.

[0047] [Configuration of the Tape Cassette]

[0048] Here, refer to Figures 3 to 7 to describe the tape cassette 1 of this embodiment in detail.

[0049] As described above, the tape cassette 1 of this embodiment is a tape cassette that is housed in the housing portion 21 of the printing device 2 for printing on the tape T.

[0050] In addition, in the housing portion 21, tape cassettes 1 of different types may be selectively housed. The different types of tape cassettes 1 can be, for example, different in the composition, material, etc. of the tape T, or different in the width, thickness, etc. of the tape T.

[0051] As Figure 3As shown, the tape cassette 1 has a substantially box-shaped main body case 10, and a long and slender belt-shaped tape T is stored inside the main body case 10. As described above, the printing apparatus 2 of the present embodiment is a thermal transfer type printing apparatus. The tape T of the present embodiment is a double-layered tape composed of a tape main body t1 (also referred to as the "first tape") and an ink ribbon t2 (also referred to as the "second tape") including an ink layer for thermal transfer.

[0052] The tape main body t1 ("the first tape") is a printing medium to be printed by the printing apparatus 2. Inside the main body case 10, a cylindrical tape core 11 extending in the W direction shown is provided, and the tape main body t1 is wound around the tape core 11 in a roll shape. The tape core 11 is supported so as to be rotatable about the axis in the W direction. Figure 3 As shown, a cylindrical ink ribbon supply core 12 extending in the W direction is provided inside the main body case 10, and the ink ribbon t2 ("the second tape") is wound around the ink ribbon supply core 12 in a roll shape. The ink ribbon supply core 12 is supported so as to be rotatable about the axis in the W direction.

[0053] In addition, inside the main body case 10, a cylindrical ink ribbon supply core 12 extending in the W direction shown is provided. Figure 3 As shown, a cylindrical ink ribbon supply core 12 extending in the W direction is provided inside the main body case 10, and the ink ribbon t2 ("the second tape") is wound around the ink ribbon supply core 12 in a roll shape. The ink ribbon supply core 12 is supported so as to be rotatable about the axis in the W direction.

[0054] The tape core 11 and the ink ribbon supply core 12 each have an internal space penetrating along the axis center in the W direction. At the storage portion 21 of the printing apparatus 2, at positions corresponding to the internal spaces of the tape core 11 and the ink ribbon supply core 12 when the tape cassette 1 is stored, there are support protrusions (not shown) inserted into the respective internal spaces. The respective support protrusions are rotated about the axis synchronously with each other by a motor or the like (not shown). Thus, the tape core 11 and the ink ribbon supply core 12 into which the respective support protrusions are inserted rotate synchronously.

[0055] The ink ribbon t2 supplied from the ink ribbon supply core 12 is superposed on the back side of the tape main body t1 supplied from the tape core 11 near the printing space Arp which is the printing portion. In the present embodiment, as shown, at the discharge position P where the tape T is discharged (refer to Figure 3 ), the tape main body t1 as the "first tape" and the ink ribbon t2 as the "second tape" provided on the back side of the tape main body t1 (the first tape) are integrated to form a double-layered tape T. Figure 3 )

[0056] On the downstream side of the conveyance path D of the tape T in the tape cassette 1 with respect to the printing space Arp (indicated by hollow arrows in Figure 2 , Figure 3 etc.), a tape through-hole 13 through which the printed tape T passes is provided. The tape through-hole 13 is disposed on the tape discharge port 22 side of the printing apparatus 2 when the tape cassette 1 is stored in the storage portion 21 of the printing apparatus 2.

[0057] At the tape through-hole 13, from the width direction of the tape T ( Figure 3On both sides in the W direction (such as in the W direction), guide portions 131 extend toward the central portion in the width direction (W direction) (refer to Figure 6 ), and the tape T passes through the clearance portion 132 of the tape passing opening 13 which is the lower side of the guide portion 131 (refer to Figure 7 ).

[0058] In the present embodiment, a tape receiving member 5 is provided between the tape passing opening 13 and the tape delivery outlet 22 on the printing device 2 side. In the present embodiment, after the tape T is sent out from the tape passing opening 13, only the tape body t1 as the "first tape" passes over the tape receiving member 5 (the support portion 52 of the tape receiving member 5 to be described later) and is sent out from the tape delivery outlet 22, and the ink ribbon t2 as the "second tape" is separated from the tape body t1 and wound around the winding shaft portion 14 in the main body housing 10.

[0059] Here, refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 to describe the tape receiving member 5 in detail.

[0060] The tape receiving member 5 has a pair of locking portions 51 and a support portion 52 bridged between the pair of locking portions 51. The tape receiving member 5 before assembly is, for example, Figure 4 a plate-like member 50 demolded into a substantially U-shape as shown, having a pair of leg pieces 510 and a bridging portion 520 as a plate-like member bridging between the leg pieces 510.

[0061] The tape receiving member 5 is formed by appropriately bending such a flat plate-like member 50. The material of the plate-like member 50 is not particularly limited, and for example, it is a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film.

[0062] For example, both end sides of the plate-like member 50 with appropriately formed cuts are concave-folded at the Figure 4 dotted line portions shown. The concave-folded end portions constitute a pair of locking portions 51 that are locked to both side portions of the main body housing 10 of the tape cassette 1. On the surface of the locking portion 51 on the pasting side to the main body housing 10, for example, a pasting unit 53 such as a double-sided tape is provided. In addition, the pasting unit 53 is shown in black shading in Figure 4 and Figure 5 .

[0063] The upper end portion of the support portion 52 (the upper end in Figure 4 and Figure 5 ) abuts against the tape T from the back side of the tape T (the lower side in Figure 7 ).

[0064] In addition, as shown in Figure 7 etc., in the embodiment, the upper end portion of the support portion 52 abuts against the tape T on the back side, which is the tape body t1 after the ink ribbon t2 is separated.

[0065] That is, as described above, the tape T in the present embodiment is a double-layer tape formed by integrating the tape main body t1 as the "first tape" and the ink ribbon t2 as the "second tape" provided on the back side of the tape main body t1. After being sent out from the tape insertion port 13, only the tape main body t1 passes over the support portion 52 of the tape receiving member 5 and is sent out from the tape delivery port 22 (see Figure 11 ).

[0066] Moreover, when the ink ribbon t2 as the "second tape" abuts against the support portion 52, the support portion 52 functions as an obstructing member that obstructs the ink ribbon t2 from being sent to the tape delivery port 22 side. As a result, the ink ribbon t2 as the "second tape" is separated from the tape main body t1 as the "first tape" and is wound around the winding shaft portion 14.

[0067] The support portion 52 extends from the tape insertion port 13 toward the tape delivery port 22 side, and at least the end portion on the extending side is disposed near the tape delivery port 22. The configuration for extending the support portion 52 to the vicinity of the tape delivery port 22 is not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, the bridging portion 520, which is a plate-like member bridging between the leg pieces 510 (the portions that become a pair of locking portions 51 after assembly), is formed to be larger (longer) than the length of the main body case 10 of the tape cassette 1 in the W direction (the thickness and width of the main body case 10).

[0068] Accordingly, when the pair of locking portions 51 are adhered to both sides of the main body case 10, the bridging portion 520 (plate-like member) constituting the support portion 52 is somewhat flexed, and the support portion 52 bulges in an arc shape from the tape insertion port 13 toward the tape delivery port 22 side (see Figure 6 ).

[0069] In addition, the degree to which the plate-like member mounted on the locking portion 51 is larger than the length of the main body case 10 in the W direction and the degree to which the support portion 52 extends toward the tape delivery port 22 side are appropriately set. The tape receiving member 5 prevents the top side of the tape T from dropping by supporting the top side in the conveying direction of the tape T from the back side. Therefore, it is preferable that the support portion 52 extends as close as possible to the tape delivery port 22. On the other hand, however, the tape receiving member 5 must not become an obstacle when the tape cassette 1 is installed in the storage portion 2, and it is preferably set to a degree that does not collide with the receiving portion 22a of the tape delivery port 22.

[0070] As Figure 7 and Figure 8 show, when the tape cassette 1 as described above is stored in the storage portion 21 of the printing apparatus 2, the height position at which the support portion 52 of the tape receiving member 5 abuts against the tape T from the back side is substantially the same as the height position at which the tape T passes through the tape insertion port 13 of the tape cassette 1. Accordingly, after passing through the tape insertion port 13, the tape T is also supported by the support portion 52 and is conveyed toward the tape delivery port 22 while maintaining the height position.

[0071] On the other hand, as described above, the tape delivery outlet 22 of the printing apparatus 2 has a receiving portion 22a for receiving the tape T delivered from the tape passing opening 13 side of the tape cassette 1. As Figure 8 shown, the height position where the support portion 52 abuts against the tape T from the back side is set to be at least higher than the position of the receiving portion 22a in the tape delivery outlet 22. Thus, even if the top end side of the tape T slightly drops on the downstream side of the support portion 52 with respect to the conveying path D, it will be received by the receiving portion 22a, and the tape T will be conveyed to the outside outlet side of the tape delivery outlet 22 along the appropriate conveying path D.

[0072] [Function]

[0073] Next, the manufacturing method and function of the tape cassette 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

[0074] In the case of manufacturing the tape cassette 1, a main body case 10 that internally houses the tape T (the tape main body t1 and the ink tape t2 in the embodiment) and a tape receiving member 5 are prepared.

[0075] In the case of forming the tape receiving member 5, first, a plate member 50 having a pair of leg pieces 510 that constitute a pair of locking portions 51 in the assembled state and a bridging portion 520 bridging between the pair of leg pieces 510 is cut out by demolding a plate formed of a polyethylene terephthalate film or the like (refer to Figure 4 ). Then, by bending the plate member 50, a tape receiving member 5 having a pair of locking portions 51 and a support portion 52 bridging between the pair of locking portions 51 is formed. Then, the pair of locking portions 51 are locked to both side portions of the main body case 10 by a pasting unit 53 such as double-sided tape.

[0076] In the present embodiment, the length of the bridging portion 520 is previously made longer than the length of the tape cassette 1 in the W direction (the width of the main body case 10). Thus, as Figure 6 shown, when the pair of locking portions 51 are locked to both side portions of the main body case 10, the support portion 52 (bridging portion 520) flexes and bulges into an arc shape toward the tape delivery outlet 22 side from the tape passing opening 13.

[0077] The extent to which the length of the bridging portion 520 is longer than the length in the W direction of the tape cassette 1 (the width of the main body housing 10), and the extent to which the support portion 52 protrudes (bulges) toward the tape delivery port 22 side when the locking portion 51 is assembled to the main body housing 10 are matters to be appropriately set. The larger the protrusion (bulge) toward the tape delivery port 22 side, the more the height position of the tape T supported from the back side can be maintained up to the vicinity of the tape delivery port 22. However, on the other hand, the space between the tape passing port 13 and the tape delivery port 22 is limited according to the size of the tape cassette 1, the size of the storage portion 2 for storing the tape cassette 1, etc. If the support portion 52 protrudes (bulges) too much, the support portion 52 will contact the wall portion of the printing device 2 or the like.

[0078] However, even in this case, since the support portion 52 of the present embodiment bulges only by flexing, it can also elastically deform. Therefore, even if the support portion 52 slightly protrudes compared to the space between the tape passing port 13 and the tape delivery port 22, it can be accommodated in the space. In this way, it is not necessary to strictly define the protrusion amount (bulge amount), so strictness is not required for the operation when forming the tape receiving member 5, the assembly position when assembling the formed tape receiving member 5 to the main body housing 10 of the tape cassette 1, etc., and the generation of defective products in the manufacturing stage of the tape cassette 1 can be suppressed to a small extent.

[0079] In addition, by enabling the tape receiving member 5 to be retrofitted to the existing main body housing 10 as such a simple structure, as long as a plate-like member 50 that is demolded into the same shape is prepared, the tape cassette 1 having the tape receiving member 5 can be simply manufactured. As a result, the tape cassette 1 that can guide the leading end portion of the tape T to an appropriate conveying path D can be realized without spending time on design changes or the like.

[0080] In addition, when the locking portion 51 is locked to the main body housing 10, the height of the upper end of the support portion 52 (for example, the upper end portion in Figure 7 is the upper side end portion, the end portion on the side in contact with the back surface of the tape T) is assembled to be the same as the height position of the tape T when passing through the tape passing port 13. If the upper end of the support portion 52 is lower than the height of the tape T when passing through the tape passing port 13, the effect of maintaining the height of the tape T will be reduced. On the other hand, if the upper end of the support portion 52 is higher than the height of the tape T when passing through the tape passing port 13, it will become a resistance during tape passing, and smooth conveyance will be difficult. Therefore, it is preferable that the upper end of the support portion 52 in contact with the back surface of the tape T is substantially the same as the height of the tape T when passing through the tape passing port 13.

[0081] In addition, when the tape cassette 1 is stored in the storage portion 21, the upper end of the support portion 52 in contact with the back surface of the tape T is arranged at a position higher than at least the receiving portion 22a of the tape delivery port 22. Therefore, for example, even when the leading end portion of the tape T descends downward due to its weight, and the leading end portion has a curling property and descends downward (inFigure 8 Even when the tape T is curled (with the curled part on the lower side), it can be easily received by the receiving portion 22a of the tape outlet 22, and the tape T is less likely to deviate from the conveying path D.

[0082] Figure 9 and Figure 10 is a main part side view showing the positional relationship of the members around the tape outlet when an existing tape cassette without a tape receiving member is housed in the housing portion of the printing apparatus.

[0083] In the case where the tape receiving member 5 is not provided, there is no member to support the tape T sent out from the tape passing opening 13. Therefore, when the top end portion of the tape T drops downward due to its weight or curls due to its curling property, it may drop downward near the time of being received by the receiving portion 22a of the tape outlet 22 as shown in Figure 9 , and the top end portion of the tape T enters a place that is not the original conveying path D. In this case, it becomes a conveying failure, and the tape T will not be sent out of the apparatus but will be stuck inside the printing apparatus 2.

[0084] Regarding this point, for example, if the top end portion of the tape T is released to a place where it can be reliably received by the receiving portion 22a of the tape outlet 22 for printing as shown in Figure 10 , the occurrence of conveying failure can be avoided.

[0085] However, in this case, it is necessary to release the top end portion of the tape T relatively long (for example, several centimeters longer), and accordingly, the tape T will be wasted.

[0086] In contrast, in the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 8 , after passing through the tape passing opening 13, the tape T is also conveyed to the tape outlet 22 while being maintained in a state where the height position of the top end portion of the tape T is the same as that when passing through the tape passing opening 13. And in the receiving portion 22a of the tape outlet 22, the tape T can be reliably received at a position lower than the height positions of the tape passing opening 13 and the top end portion of the tape T in contact with the support portion 52 of the tape receiving member 5, and guided to the correct conveying path D. Therefore, conveying failure is less likely to occur.

[0087] In addition, as described above, the tape T of the embodiment is a double-layer tape in which the tape main body t1 as the "first tape" and the ink ribbon t2 as the "second tape" provided on the back side of the tape main body t1 are integrated. After being sent out from the tape passing opening 13, only the tape main body t1 passes over the support portion 52 of the tape receiving member 5 and is sent out from the tape outlet 22.

[0088] However, in the case of a double-layer tape, the ink ribbon t2 as the "second tape" sometimes strongly adheres to the tape main body t1 and is difficult to peel off.

[0089] In such a case, after printing, it is possible that the ink ribbon t2 does not separate from the ribbon main body t1 even after passing through the ribbon passing opening 13, and the ink ribbon t2 and the ribbon main body t1 are conveyed from the ribbon delivery opening together.

[0090] Regarding this point, in the present embodiment, when the ink ribbon t2 as the "second ribbon" abuts against the support portion 52 of the ribbon receiving member 5, the support portion 52 functions as an obstructing member that obstructs the ink ribbon t2 from being sent to the side of the ribbon delivery opening 22, and peels off the ink ribbon t2 from the ribbon main body t1. Thus, as Figure 11 shown, the ink ribbon t2 is appropriately separated from the ribbon main body t1 and wound around the winding shaft portion 14, and no conveyance failure occurs inside the printing apparatus 2.

[0091] [Effect]

[0092] As described above, the ribbon cassette 1 of the present embodiment is a ribbon cassette 1 that is housed in the housing portion 21 of the printing apparatus 2 that prints on the ribbon T and has a ribbon passing opening 13 through which the ribbon T passes. The ribbon passing opening 13 is provided in the middle of the conveyance path of the ribbon T from the printing position where printing is performed on the ribbon T to the ribbon delivery opening 22 of the printing apparatus 2 that sends out the printed ribbon T to the outside of the apparatus. A ribbon receiving member 5 is provided between the ribbon passing opening 13 and the ribbon delivery opening 22, and the ribbon receiving member 5 has a support portion 52 that abuts against the back side of the ribbon T.

[0093] Sometimes the top end portion of the ribbon T drops downward due to its weight. In addition, in the case of the ribbon T wound in a roll shape, it sometimes has a curling property and the end portion on the top end side of the ribbon T curls. In particular, it can be envisioned that the curling property becomes stronger when the ribbon T is approaching the end of winding.

[0094] Regarding this point, in the ribbon cassette 1 of the present embodiment, the support portion 52 of the ribbon receiving member 5 supports the end portion on the top end side of the ribbon T from the back side. Therefore, even in the case where the ribbon T has a curling property, the end portion on the top end side of the ribbon T can be guided to the ribbon delivery opening 22 while maintaining its height.

[0095] Thereby, it is possible to prevent the end portion on the top end side of the ribbon T sent out from the ribbon passing opening 13 from deviating from the original conveyance path D and entering a gap or the like inside the printing apparatus before being conveyed to the ribbon delivery opening 22, and causing a conveyance failure.

[0096] In addition, in the present embodiment, the ribbon receiving member 5 is formed by bending a plate-like member 50, and has a pair of locking portions 51 that are locked to both side portions of the main body case 10 of the ribbon cassette 1. The support portion 52 is spanned between the pair of locking portions 51, extends from the ribbon passing opening 13 toward the ribbon delivery opening 22 side, and at least the end portion on the extending side is disposed near the ribbon delivery opening 22.

[0097] Thus, the belt holding member 5 can be formed by a relatively simple method such as bending the plate-like member 50.

[0098] In addition, as long as the formed belt holding member 5 is assembled to the existing main body housing 10, the support portion 52 projects toward the belt outlet 22 side, guiding the leading end side end portion of the belt T to the original conveying path D toward the belt outlet 22. Therefore, the tape cassette 1 that can prevent the occurrence of poor conveyance of the belt T can be easily realized.

[0099] In addition, in the present embodiment, the support portion 52 bulges in an arc shape toward the belt outlet 22 side from the belt through-hole 13 by causing the bridging portion 520, which is a plate-like member, to have a flexure.

[0100] Thus, by adjusting the amount of flexure, fine adjustment of the support portion 52 can be easily performed. Moreover, since the bulged support portion 52 can flexibly deform, the tape cassette 1 can be easily stored in the storage portion 21 of the printing apparatus 2 even if the protruding amount (bulging amount) is not strictly defined. Therefore, strictness is not required for operations when forming the belt holding member 5, the assembly position when assembling the formed belt holding member 5 to the main body housing 10 of the tape cassette 1, etc., and the generation of defective products in the manufacturing stage of the tape cassette 1 can be suppressed to a small amount.

[0101] In addition, in the present embodiment, the height position where the support portion 52 abuts against the back side of the belt T is approximately the same height position as the position where the belt T passes through in the belt through-hole 13.

[0102] If the upper end of the support portion 52 is lower than the height of the belt T when passing through the belt through-hole 13, the effect of maintaining the height of the belt T will be reduced. On the other hand, if the upper end of the support portion 52 is higher than the height of the belt T when passing through the belt through-hole 13, it will become a resistance during belt passing, and smooth conveyance will be difficult.

[0103] Regarding this point, by setting the height position of the upper end of the support portion 52 that abuts against the back side of the belt T to be approximately the same as the height of the belt T when passing through the belt through-hole 13, not only can the height of the leading end side end portion of the belt T be maintained, but also the conveyance resistance can be suppressed and the belt T can be smoothly conveyed along the conveyance path D.

[0104] In addition, in the present embodiment, the belt outlet 22 has a receiving portion 22a for receiving the belt T sent from the belt through-hole 13 side, and the height position where the support portion 52 abuts against the back side of the belt T is at least higher than the position of the receiving portion 22a in the belt outlet 22.

[0105] Thus, even when the top-side end of the belt T drops due to its weight or the top-side end curls because the belt T has a curling property, the top-side end of the belt T can be easily received by the receiving portion 22a and can be correctly guided from the belt delivery port 22 to the outside of the apparatus.

[0106] In addition, in the present embodiment, the belt T is a double-layer belt formed by integrating the belt main body t1 as the "first belt" and the ink ribbon t2 as the "second belt" provided on the back side of the belt main body t1. After being sent out from the belt passing port 13, only the belt main body t1 as the "first belt" passes over the support portion 52 of the belt receiving member 5 and is sent out from the belt delivery port 22, and the ink ribbon t2 as the "second belt" is separated from the belt main body t1 and wound up.

[0107] In the case of a double-layer belt, the ink ribbon t2 as the "second belt" may strongly adhere to the belt main body t1 and be difficult to peel off.

[0108] In such a case, by providing the belt receiving member 5, the ink ribbon t2 can also be separated from the belt main body t1, and only the belt main body t1 is conveyed from the belt delivery port 22. Thereby, it is possible to avoid a conveyance defect in which the belt main body t1 and the ink ribbon t2 are conveyed in an integrated state.

[0109] In addition, in the present embodiment, when the ink ribbon t2 as the "second belt" abuts against the support portion 52, the support portion 52 functions as an obstructing member that obstructs the ink ribbon t2 as the "second belt" from being sent to the belt delivery port 22 side.

[0110] In the case where the ink ribbon t2 as the "second belt" strongly adheres to the belt main body t1 and is difficult to peel off, it is possible that the ink ribbon t2 is sent out from the belt delivery port 22 in a state of being integrated with the belt main body t1, resulting in a conveyance defect.

[0111] In such a case, in the present embodiment, the support portion 52 can forcibly peel the ink ribbon t2 from the belt main body t1.

[0112] Therefore, by means of the belt receiving member 5 that alleviates the curling and coiling of the top-side end of the belt T, the ink ribbon t2 attached to the belt main body t1 can be separated, and the effect of avoiding conveyance defects can be expected.

[0113] In addition, in the present embodiment, when manufacturing the tape cassette 1 that is housed in the housing portion 21 of the printing apparatus 2 that prints on the tape T and has a tape passing opening 13 through which the tape T passes, by bending the plate-like member 50, a tape receiving member 5 is formed that has a pair of locking portions 51 and a support portion 52 that is provided between the pair of locking portions 51 and extends from the side of the tape passing opening 13 toward the tape delivery opening 22 side of the printing apparatus 2. The pair of locking portions 51 of the tape receiving member 5 are locked to both side portions of the main body case 10 of the tape cassette 1 near the tape passing opening 13, and the tape receiving member 5 is assembled in such a manner that the support portion 52 supports the tape T from the back side between the tape passing opening 13 and the tape delivery opening 22.

[0114] In this way, by bending the plate-like member 50, the tape receiving member 5 can be easily formed. Therefore, for example, a plurality of plate-like members 50 can be prepared in advance by demolding and then installed on the main body case 10 of the existing tape cassette 1.

[0115] Therefore, various existing tape cassettes 1 can be made into tape cassettes 1 that can easily have a tape receiving member 5 and guide the leading end side end portion of the tape T to the correct conveyance path D.

[0116] In addition, in the present embodiment, the support portion 52 is formed to bulge in an arc shape from the tape passing opening 13 toward the tape delivery opening 22 side by making the bridging portion 520, which is a plate-like member, have flexibility.

[0117] When the support portion 52 bulges in an arc shape and can flexibly deform, even if the protrusion amount (bulging amount) is not strictly adjusted according to the size of the housing portion 21 or the like, the tape cassette 1 having the tape receiving member 5 can be installed in the printing apparatus 2.

[0118] Therefore, strictness is not required for the operation when forming the tape receiving member 5, the assembly position when assembling the formed tape receiving member 5 to the main body case 10 of the tape cassette 1, etc., and the generation of defective products in the manufacturing stage of the tape cassette 1 can be suppressed to a small amount.

[0119] [Modification Example]

[0120] In addition, although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and of course, various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof.

[0121] For example, as the tape cassette 1 of the present embodiment, tape cassettes in which a plurality of tapes T having different widths (widths in the W direction) are housed inside can also be prepared.

[0122] And in this case, even when the width in the W direction of the main body case 10 of the tape cassette 1 is slightly different due to the difference in the width of the tape T, the tape receiving member 5 formed from the same plate-like member 50 can be assembled.

[0123] That is, when the bridging portion 520 constituting the support portion 52 is formed to be longer than the width in the W direction and is flexed to bulge in an arc shape, by adjusting the protruding amount (bulging amount) of the support portion 52 according to the amount of flexure of the bridging portion 520, or by moving the locking portion 51 back and forth along the conveying path D to the locking position of the main body case 10, it is possible to cope with the main body cases 10 having different widths in the W direction to some extent.

[0124] Therefore, without spending the effort of changing the die of the plate-like member 50, it is possible to cope with a variety of tape cartridges 1 with the same plate-like member 50.

[0125] In addition, in the present embodiment, the support portion 52 bulges in an arc shape so that the support portion 52 extends from the tape passing port 13 toward the tape delivery port 22 side. However, the configuration in which the support portion 52 extends toward the tape delivery port 22 side is not limited to this.

[0126] For example, the support portion 52 may not be in an arc shape, but may be a support portion 52 that protrudes at an acute angle on the top end side and is formed in a substantially triangular shape in a top view.

[0127] In addition, for example, the bridging portion 520 constituting the support portion 52 may be the same as the width of the main body case 10 in the W direction. By making the locking portion 51 extend from the tape passing port 13 toward the tape delivery port 22 side, the support portion 52 is arranged at a position extending toward the tape delivery port 22 side, and the support portion 52 becomes a substantially rectangular shape in a top view.

[0128] In addition, in the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the tape T is a double-layer tape in which the tape main body t1 as the "first tape" and the ink ribbon t2 as the "second tape" provided on the back side of the tape main body t1 are integrated. However, the configuration of the tape T is not limited to this.

[0129] For example, when the tape T is a thermal paper type, the tape T may also be composed of one layer.

[0130] In addition, even if the tape T is two-layer, for example, when it is composed of two layers of a tape having an adhesive layer on the back side of the medium to be printed and a protective layer (such as a release paper) for protecting the adhesive layer, both layers can pass over the support portion 52 of the tape receiving member 5 and be sent out from the tape delivery port 22.

[0131] In addition, in the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the tape delivery port 22 has a receiving portion 22a for receiving the tape T sent from the tape passing port 13 side, and the receiving portion 22a is inclined so as to be lower toward the tape passing port 13 side. However, the configuration of the tape delivery port 22 is not limited to this.

[0132] For example, the tape delivery port 22 does not necessarily have to have the receiving portion 22a.

[0133] In addition, the receiving portion 22a does not necessarily have to be an inclined surface that becomes lower toward the tape passing opening 13 side.

[0134] Regardless of the configuration of the tape delivery outlet 22, the height position at which the support portion 52 of the tape receiving member 5 abuts against the tape T from the back side is set to be higher than the height position of the receiving side of the tape T in the tape delivery outlet 22.

[0135] Some embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

Claims

1. A tape cassette which is stored in a storage section of a printing device for printing a tape and has a tape passage opening for passing the tape, characterized in that: The tape passage is provided in the middle of the tape conveying path from a printing position where printing is performed on the tape to a tape delivery outlet of the printing device where the printed tape is delivered to the outside of the printing device. A tape receiving member is provided between the tape passing opening and the tape delivery opening. The belt receiving member includes a supporting portion that abuts against the belt from a rear surface side of the belt.

2. The tape cassette according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tape receiving member has a pair of locking portions that are locked to both sides of the main body housing of the tape cassette. The support portion is bridged between the pair of locking portions, and extends from the tape passing opening toward the tape delivery opening, with at least an end portion on the extended side being arranged near the tape delivery opening.

3. The tape cassette according to claim 2, characterized in that: The support portion is formed by bending a plate-like member so as to bulge out in an arc shape from the tape passing port toward the tape delivery port.

4. The tape cassette according to claim 1, characterized in that: The height position at which the support portion contacts the back side of the belt is substantially the same as the height position at which the belt is passed through the belt passing opening.

5. The tape cassette according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tape delivery outlet has a receiving portion for receiving the tape delivered from the tape passing port side. The height position at which the supporting portion contacts the back side of the tape is higher than at least the position of the receiving portion in the tape delivery port.

6. The tape cassette according to claim 1, characterized in that: The belt is a double-layer belt formed by integrating a first belt and a second belt arranged on the back side of the first belt. After being sent out from the belt passing port, only the first belt passes over the supporting portion of the belt receiving member and is sent out from the belt delivery port, and the second belt is separated from the first belt and wound up.

7. The tape cassette according to claim 6, characterized in that: The support portion functions as a blocking member that blocks the second tape from being sent to the tape sending-out port side when the second tape abuts against the support portion.

8. A method for manufacturing a tape cassette which is stored in a storage section of a printing device for printing a tape and has a tape passage opening for passing the tape, characterized in that: The tape receiving member is formed by bending a plate-like member, wherein the tape receiving member has a pair of stopper portions and a support portion which is bridged between the pair of stopper portions and extends from the tape passing port side toward the tape delivery port side of the printing device. The belt receiving member is assembled in such a manner that the pair of locking portions of the belt receiving member are locked to the two side portions of the main body shell of the belt box and near the belt passage opening, and the supporting portion between the belt passage opening and the belt delivery outlet supports the belt from the back side of the belt.

9. The method for manufacturing a tape box according to claim 8, characterized in that: The support portion is formed by bending a plate-like member so as to bulge in an arc shape from the tape passing port toward the tape delivery port.

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