Cartridge

Abstract

Provided is a cartridge that contributes to the suppression of poor winding of an ink ribbon by a winding drum. In the lower box (40) of the box (100), the front end of the third middle wall is connected with the left end of the first middle wall, the rear end of the third middle wall is connected with the left end of the second middle wall, and the rear end of the fourth middle wall is connected with the right end of the second middle wall. The second wall (81) comprises an upper erecting part erected at the upper end of the first middle wall and the upper end of the second middle wall. The first wall (71) has formed therein a first cutout portion that is cutout from the tip to a space between the first middle wall and the second middle wall, and a second cutout portion that is cutout from the first cutout portion toward the left. The first wall (71) has a lower support section (41) for supporting the lower end of the winding drum (109), and the second wall (81) has an upper support section (43) for supporting the upper end of the winding drum (109). The size of a first gap (G1) between the lower end of the winding drum (109) and the lower support part (41) is different from the size of a second gap (G2) between the upper end of the winding drum (109) and the upper support part (43).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a box. Background Art

[0002] A cassette containing an ink ribbon for use in a printer is known. For example, the cassette described in Patent Document 1 includes a second frame, an auxiliary tape reel, and a take-up drum. The second frame accommodates the auxiliary tape reel and the take-up drum. The auxiliary tape reel is formed by winding the ink ribbon. The take-up drum winds the ink ribbon from the auxiliary tape reel.

[0003] The second frame portion includes a lower wall, an upper wall, and a second side wall. The lower wall and the upper wall are arranged in the vertical direction. The second side wall extends from the periphery of the lower wall to the periphery of the upper wall, and includes a front wall, a rear wall, a left wall, and a right wall. The front wall and the rear wall are arranged in the front-to-back direction. The left wall and the right wall are arranged in the left-to-right direction. The second frame portion further includes a first middle wall, a second middle wall, a third middle wall, and a fourth middle wall. The first middle wall and the second middle wall are arranged between the front wall and the rear wall, and are arranged in the order of the first middle wall and the second middle wall toward the rear. The third middle wall and the fourth middle wall are arranged between the left wall and the right wall, and are arranged in the order of the third middle wall and the fourth middle wall toward the right. The front end of the third middle wall is connected to the left end of the first middle wall. The rear end of the third middle wall is connected to the left end of the second middle wall. The rear end of the fourth middle wall is connected to the right end of the second middle wall.

[0004] The upper wall is mounted on the upper end of the first middle wall and the upper end of the second middle wall in the front-to-back direction. A cutout portion is formed in the lower wall. The cutout portion extends from a portion of the front end of the lower wall that is located to the right of the right end of the front wall toward the rear, and is cut out in the front-to-back direction to between the first middle wall and the second middle wall. The cutout portion is further cut out toward the left between the first middle wall and the second middle wall. An exposed portion is formed in the second frame portion. The exposed portion extends from between the right end of the front wall and the right end of the first middle wall to between the front end of the fourth middle wall and the front end of the right wall. The ink ribbon is mounted on the winding drum from the auxiliary belt reel through the sequence of between the left wall and the third middle wall, between the front wall and the first middle wall, the exposed portion, and between the fourth middle wall and the right wall.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-148605

[0008] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0009] In the above-described box, the upper wall is mounted on the upper ends of the first and second middle walls. Meanwhile, a cutout is formed in the lower wall between the lower ends of the first and second middle walls. This allows the lower end of the first middle wall to be cantilevered in the vertical direction. Consequently, if the ink ribbon contacts the first middle wall from the front while passing between the front wall and the first middle wall, the lower end of the first middle wall could bend backward relative to its upper end. If this bends backward relative to its upper end, the ink ribbon could skew, potentially causing the winding drum to improperly wind the ribbon. Summary of the Invention

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a cassette that helps suppress winding defects of an ink ribbon by a winding drum.

[0011] Technical means for solving technical problems

[0012] A cartridge according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a lower case having a box shape; a ribbon reel housed in the lower case, wound with an ink ribbon, and rotatable about a first axis extending in the vertical direction; and a winding drum housed in the lower case, wound with the ink ribbon from the ribbon reel. The cartridge is characterized in that the lower case comprises: a first wall and a second wall extending in a front-rear direction and a left-right direction that are orthogonal to each other and respectively orthogonal to the vertical direction, and arranged in the vertical direction; and a peripheral wall extending from the peripheral edge of the first wall to the peripheral edge of the second wall, the peripheral wall comprising: a front wall and a rear wall extending along the left-right direction and the up-down direction and arranged in the front-to-back direction; and a left wall and a right wall extending along the front-to-back direction and the up-down direction and arranged in the left-to-right direction, the lower box further comprising: a first middle wall and a second middle wall extending along the left-to-right direction and the up-down direction, and arranged between the front wall and the rear wall, and the a first middle wall and a second middle wall arranged in that order in the front-to-back direction from the front wall toward the rear wall; and a third middle wall and a fourth middle wall extending in the left-right and up-down directions, disposed between the left wall and the right wall, and arranged in that order in the right-to-right direction from the left wall toward the right wall, the front end of the third middle wall being connected to the left end of the first middle wall, the rear end of the third middle wall being connected to the left end of the second middle wall, and the rear end of the fourth middle wall being connected to the right end of the second middle wall; the second wall including a spanning portion spanning the upper ends of the first and second middle walls in the front-to-back direction, the first wall having a first notch formed therein, the first notch extending from a portion of the front end of the first wall located to the right of the right end of the front wall toward the rear and notched in the front-to-back direction to between the first and second middle walls;The second cutout portion is continuous from the first cutout portion and is cut toward the left opposite to the right between the first middle wall and the second middle wall. An exposed portion is formed in the lower box, and the exposed portion extends from the right end of the front wall and the right end of the first middle wall to the opening between the front end of the fourth middle wall and the front end of the right wall. The ribbon reel and the winding reel are arranged between the second middle wall and the rear wall and between the left wall and the right wall. The ink ribbon is passed from the ribbon reel through the space between the left wall and the third middle wall and the front wall. The first wall is provided on the winding drum in the order between the first middle wall, the exposed portion, and the fourth middle wall and the right wall. The first wall includes a lower support portion that rotatably supports the lower end of the winding drum, and the second wall includes an upper support portion that rotatably supports the upper end of the winding drum. In the radial direction of the winding drum, a first gap is provided between the lower end of the winding drum and the lower support portion, and in the radial direction, a second gap is provided between the upper end of the winding drum and the upper support portion. The first gap and the second gap are different in size.

[0013] According to the above embodiment, since the size of the first gap is different from that of the second gap, even if the ink ribbon is tilted, the axis of the winding drum is tilted along the width direction of the ink ribbon. Therefore, the cassette helps to prevent the winding of the ink ribbon by the winding drum from being poor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the printer 1 and the cartridge 100 .

[0015] Figure 2 It is a top view of the mounting portion 11 without the mounting box 100 .

[0016] Figure 3 It is a top view of the mounting portion 11 to which the cartridge 100 is mounted.

[0017] Figure 4 It is a perspective view of the box 100.

[0018] Figure 5 It is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge 100 .

[0019] Figure 6 yes Figure 10 The cross-sectional view is shown along the VI-VI line.

[0020] Figure 7 It is a perspective view of the cassette 100 with the lower cover 70 removed.

[0021] Figure 8 It is a perspective view of the cassette 100 with the lower cover 70 removed.

[0022] Figure 9It is a perspective view of the lower cover 70 .

[0023] Figure 10 is a bottom view of the box 100.

[0024] Figure 11 It is a bottom view of the case 100 with the lower cover 70 removed.

[0025] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 A cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII is shown.

[0026] Figure 13 yes Figure 11 An enlarged view of area W1 is shown.

[0027] Figure 14 This is a diagram for explaining how the printing tape 101 and the tape reel 102 are fixed.

[0028] Figure 15 It is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along a plane including the axis AX3.

[0029] Figure 16 It is a perspective view of the periphery of the head front peripheral wall 84 of the cartridge 100A.

[0030] Figure 17 It is a perspective view of the periphery of the head front peripheral wall 84 of the cartridge 100B.

[0031] Figure 18 It is a perspective view of the box 200.

[0032] Figure 19 is a bottom view of the box 200.

[0033] Figure 20 It is a perspective view of the cassette 300 with the lower cover 70 removed.

[0034] Figure 21 It is a bottom view of the case 300 with the lower cover 70 removed.

[0035] Figure 22 is a bottom view of the box 300A.

[0036] Figure 23 It is a perspective view of the box 300B.

[0037] Explanation of symbols

[0038] 30: Upper box, 40: Lower box, 41: Lower supporting part, 43: Upper supporting part, 44: Belt insertion port, 71: Lower wall, 81: Middle wall, 84: Head front peripheral wall, 85: Head rear peripheral wall, 86: Head left peripheral wall, 87: Head right peripheral wall, 92: Exposed part, 100: Box, 101: Printing tape, 103: Tape reel, 105: Ink ribbon, 107: Ribbon reel, 109: Winding drum, 140: Outer peripheral wall, 141: Front wall, 142: Rear wall, 143: Left wall, 144: Right wall. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are provided to illustrate the technical features that can be employed in the present invention. The structures and the like described in the drawings are not intended to be limiting and are merely illustrative examples.

[0040] Reference Figures 1 to 15 As a first embodiment, the cartridge 100 is described. The cartridge 100 includes an ink ribbon 105 and a printing ribbon 101, and is used in the printer 1. The printing ribbon 101 is a type of printing medium and has a strip shape. The ink ribbon 105 has a strip shape and includes a surface coated with ink. Figure 1 The lower left, upper right, upper left, lower right, lower and upper sides of the cartridge 100 and the printer 1 are defined as the right, left, front, rear, lower and upper sides, respectively.

[0041] Reference Figures 1 to 3 The printer 1 is described below. The printer 1 is a thermal printer that prints on a printing tape 101 using an ink ribbon 105. The printer 1 includes a housing 2 and a cover 3 (see FIG. Figure 1 ). The housing 2 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. A mounting portion 11 is provided on the right portion of the upper surface of the housing 2. The mounting portion 11 is a recessed portion that is recessed downward from the upper surface of the housing 2. The mounting portion 11 has a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the box 100 when viewed from above. The box 100 (see FIG. 1 ) is mounted on the mounting portion 11. Figure 3 ). On the right surface of the housing 2, a discharge port 12 for discharging the printed printing tape 101 from the housing 2 is provided. The discharge port 12 has a slit shape and extends in the vertical direction.

[0042] The cover 3 has a plate shape and extends in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions. The cover 3 is attached to the housing 2 from above. When the cover 3 is attached to the housing 2, the cover 3 covers the mounting portion 11 from above. The cover 3 is removable from the housing 2. When the cover 3 is removed from the housing 2, the cover 3 opens the mounting portion 11 upward.

[0043] The mounting portion 11 is provided with a thermal head 4, a platen unit 5, and a rotating shaft 6. The thermal head 4 is located on the right side of the mounting portion 11 and extends upward from the bottom surface of the mounting portion 11. The thermal head 4 has a plate-like shape and extends in the left-right and up-down directions. The thermal head 4 includes multiple heating elements. The multiple heating elements are arranged in the up-down direction on the front surface of the thermal head 4. The thermal head 4 selectively generates heat from the multiple heating elements to print on the printing tape 101.

[0044] The platen unit 5 includes a platen holder 15, a swing shaft 16, a platen shaft 17, a platen roller 18, and a platen gear 19. The platen holder 15 is disposed in front of the thermal head 4 in the mounting portion 11. The platen holder 15 extends in the left-right direction and opens rearward.

[0045] The swing shaft 16 is arranged at the left end of the stamp holder 15 and extends in the vertical direction. The swing shaft 16 supports the stamp holder 15 so that it can rotate. The lower end of the swing shaft 16 is fixed to the housing 2. The right end of the stamp holder 15 swings in the front-back direction around the swing shaft 16 when viewed from above (see FIG. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The right end of the platen holder 15 is biased by a spring (not shown) so as to swing forward around a swing shaft 16 .

[0046] The platen shaft 17 is rotatably supported on the right end of the platen holder 15 and extends in the vertical direction. The platen roller 18 extends in the vertical direction and is attached to the lower portion of the platen shaft 17. The platen gear 19 is attached to the upper end of the platen shaft 17.

[0047] The rotating shaft 6 is located behind the thermal head 4 in the mounting portion 11 and extends vertically. The lower end of the rotating shaft 6 is rotatably supported on the bottom surface of the mounting portion 11. The conveying motor is located behind the mounting portion 11. The driving force of the conveying motor is transmitted to the rotating shaft 6 via a gear train (not shown).

[0048] Reference Figures 4 to 15 , the box 100 will be described. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the cassette 100 includes a box 20. The box 20 includes a lower box 40 and an upper box 30, and is formed by assembling the upper box 30 on top of the lower box 40. The lower box 40 constitutes the lower portion of the box 20. The lower box 40 is a rectangular parallelepiped with a cutout at the lower right portion, and has a box shape.

[0049] A head opening 99 is formed in the lower box 40. The head opening 99 is a recessed portion that is recessed rearward and further leftward from the right front corner of the lower box 40. The head opening 99 opens downward and obliquely to the right front. Hereinafter, the portion of the lower box 40 that is closer to the front than the head opening 99 is referred to as the "arm portion 49." The arm portion 49 extends rightward from the left front corner of the lower box 40. The upper box 30 is arranged above the lower box 40 and constitutes the upper portion of the box 20. The upper box 30 is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped and has a box shape.

[0050] like Figures 5 to 8 As shown, it has a ribbon reel 107, a winding reel 109 and a tape reel 103 (see Figure 5 The ribbon reel 107 is housed in the lower case 40. The ribbon reel 107 is formed by winding the ink ribbon 105 around the ribbon reel 106. The ribbon reel 106 has a cylindrical shape and extends in the vertical direction. The winding drum 109 is housed in the lower case 40. The winding drum 109 winds the ink ribbon 105 from the ribbon reel 107.

[0051] The winding drum 109 has a cylindrical shape and extends in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the outer diameter R11 of the lower end of the winding drum 109 is larger than the inner diameter R12 of the upper end of the winding drum 109 (see Figure 6 Guide discs 109A and 109B are provided on the winding drum 109. The guide disc 109A is provided near the upper portion of the lower end of the winding drum 109 and protrudes radially outward from the outer circumference of the winding drum 109. The guide disc 109B is provided near the lower portion of the upper end of the winding drum 109 and protrudes radially outward from the outer circumference of the winding drum 109. The guide discs 109A and 109B guide the ink ribbon 105 wound around the winding drum 109 between them so as to prevent it from moving in the vertical direction.

[0052] In this embodiment, the lower end of the winding drum 109 is a portion of the winding drum 109 that is lower than the guide disc 109A. The upper end of the winding drum 109 is a portion that is higher than the guide disc 109B. A clutch spring 119 (see FIG. 11 ) is wound around the outer periphery of the upper end of the winding drum 109. Figure 6 The clutch spring 119 applies rotational resistance to the winding drum 109 when the winding drum 109 winds up the ink ribbon 105 .

[0053] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the tape reel 103 is housed in the upper case 30. The tape reel 103 is formed by winding the printing tape 101 around a tape reel 102. The tape reel 102 has a cylindrical shape and extends in the vertical direction.

[0054] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the upper box 30 will be described. Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the upper box 30 includes an upper wall 51 and a support wall 61 (see Figure 5 ) and the outer peripheral wall 130. The upper wall 51 is arranged at the upper end of the upper box 30. The upper wall 51 extends in the front-back direction and the left-right direction and has a rectangular shape when viewed from above. Figure 5 The support wall 61 shown is arranged below the upper wall 51 and above the lower end of the upper box 30. The support wall 61 extends in the front-back direction and the left-right direction and has a rectangular shape when viewed from above. The upper wall 51 and the support wall 61 are arranged in the vertical direction.

[0055] The outer peripheral wall 130 extends from the periphery of the upper wall 51 through the periphery of the support wall 61 to below the periphery of the support wall 61, and includes a front wall 131, a rear wall 132, a left wall 133, and a right wall 134. The front wall 131 is located at the front end of the upper box 30 and extends in the left-right direction and the vertical direction. The rear wall 132 is located at the rear end of the upper box 30 and extends in the left-right direction and the vertical direction. The front wall 131 and the rear wall 132 are arranged in the front-to-back direction.

[0056] The left wall 133 is located at the left end of the upper case 30 and extends in the front-to-back and vertical directions. The front end of the left wall 133 is connected to the left end of the front wall 131. The rear end of the left wall 133 is connected to the left end of the rear wall 132. The right wall 134 is located at the right end of the upper case 30 and extends in the front-to-back and vertical directions. The left wall 133 and the right wall 134 are aligned in the left-to-right direction. The front end of the right wall 134 is connected to the right end of the front wall 131. The rear end of the right wall 134 is connected to the right end of the rear wall 132.

[0057] like Figure 5 As shown, a support shaft 31 is provided on the upper wall 51. The support shaft 31 is arranged in the center of the upper wall 51 in the front-back direction and the left-right direction, and protrudes downward from the lower surface of the upper wall 51. The support shaft 31 is connected to the support shaft 48 (see Figure 9 ) together with the support shaft 31 to support the tape reel 103. The tape reel 103 is rotatable about the axis AX2. The axis AX2 passes through the center of the support shaft 31 and extends in the up-down direction.

[0058] Three support shafts 32, 33, and 34 are provided on the support wall 61. The support shaft 32 is arranged at the front right portion of the support wall 61 and protrudes downward from the lower surface of the support wall 61. The support shaft 32 supports the output gear 21 so that it can rotate. The support shaft 33 is arranged at the left oblique rear side of the support shaft 32 and protrudes downward from the lower surface of the support wall 61. The support shaft 33 supports the connecting gear 22 so that it can rotate. The right oblique front end of the connecting gear 22 meshes with the left oblique rear end of the output gear 21. The support shaft 34 is arranged at the right oblique rear side of the support shaft 33 and protrudes downward from the lower surface of the support wall 61. The support shaft 34 supports the input gear 23 so that it can rotate. The left oblique front end of the input gear 23 meshes with the right oblique rear end of the connecting gear 22.

[0059] A tape guide opening (not shown) is formed in the support wall 61. The tape guide opening is formed at the rear portion of the support wall 61. The tape guide opening is an opening for guiding the printing tape 101 from the upper case 30 to the tape insertion opening 44, described later. The tape guide opening penetrates the support wall 61 in the vertical direction and extends in the horizontal direction.

[0060] like Figures 4 to 6 As shown, the upper box 30 has an upper cover 50 and a lower cover 60, which are formed by assembling the upper cover 50 on the upper part of the lower cover 60. The upper cover 50 constitutes the upper part of the upper box 30, including an upper wall 51 and an outer peripheral wall 52. The outer peripheral wall 52 extends downward from the periphery of the upper wall 51. The lower cover 60 constitutes the lower part of the upper box 30, including Figure 5 The supporting wall 61 and the peripheral wall 62 are shown. The peripheral wall 62 is Figure 5 The peripheral edge of the support wall 61 shown extends upward and downward.

[0061] The upper cover 50 is assembled to the lower cover 60 by engaging the outer peripheral wall 52 with the outer peripheral wall 62 from above. Thus, the outer peripheral wall 52 and the outer peripheral wall 62 constitute the outer peripheral wall 130. "The outer peripheral wall 52 and the outer peripheral wall 62 engage" means that one or more protrusions provided on one of the outer peripheral walls 52 and 62 fit into one or more recesses provided on the other of the outer peripheral walls 52 and 62, or one or more hooks provided on one of the outer peripheral walls 52 and 62 are hooked into one or more engagement holes provided on the other of the outer peripheral walls 52 and 62.

[0062] Reference Figures 4 to 10 , the lower box 40 will be described. Figures 4 to 6 As shown, the lower box 40 includes a lower wall 71, an intermediate wall 81, an outer peripheral wall 140, a head peripheral wall 83, and a partition wall 88. The lower wall 71 is disposed at the lower end of the lower box 40. The lower wall 71 extends in the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction and has a rectangular shape when viewed from above. The front end of the lower wall 71 forms the lower wall of the arm portion 49. Figure 5 The intermediate wall 81 shown is positioned above the lower wall 71 and is located at the upper end of the lower case 40. The intermediate wall 81 extends in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions and has a rectangular shape when viewed from above. The front end of the intermediate wall 81 forms the upper wall of the arm portion 49. The lower wall 71 and the intermediate wall 81 are aligned in the vertical direction.

[0063] The outer peripheral wall 140 extends from the periphery of the lower wall 71 to the periphery of the intermediate wall 81 and includes a front wall 141, a rear wall 142, a left wall 143, and a right wall 144. The front wall 141 is located at the front end of the lower box 40 and extends in the left-right and vertical directions. The right end of the front wall 141 is located approximately in the center of the lower box 40 in the left-right direction. The front wall 141 constitutes the front wall of the arm portion 49. The rear wall 142 is located at the rear end of the lower box 40 and extends in the left-right and vertical directions. The front wall 141 and the rear wall 142 are aligned in the front-to-back direction.

[0064] Left wall 143 is located at the left end of lower case 40 and extends in the front-to-back and vertical directions. The front end of left wall 143 is connected to the left end of front wall 141. The rear end of left wall 143 is connected to the left end of rear wall 142. Right wall 144 is located at the right end of lower case 40 and extends in the front-to-back and vertical directions. Left wall 143 and right wall 144 are aligned in the left-to-right direction. The rear end of right wall 144 is connected to the right end of rear wall 142.

[0065] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the head peripheral wall 83 extends downward from the right front portion of the middle wall 81. The upper end of the head peripheral wall 83 is connected to the middle wall 81. The head peripheral wall 83 surrounds the head opening 99 and includes a head front peripheral wall 84, a head rear peripheral wall 85, a head left peripheral wall 86, and a head right peripheral wall 87.

[0066] The front and rear head walls 84, 85 extend in the left-right and up-down directions and are positioned between the front and rear walls 141, 142. They are arranged in this order toward the rear. The front head wall 84 forms the rear wall of the arm portion 49. The left and right head walls 86, 87 extend in the front-back and up-down directions and are positioned between the left and right walls 143, 144. They are arranged in this order toward the right.

[0067] The right end of the head front peripheral wall 84 is positioned approximately at the same position as the right end of the front wall 141 in the left-right direction. The left end of the head front peripheral wall 84 is positioned to the right of the left wall 143. The right end of the head rear peripheral wall 85 is positioned to the left of the right wall 144. The left end of the head rear peripheral wall 85 is positioned at the same position as the left end of the head front peripheral wall 84 in the left-right direction. The front end of the head left peripheral wall 86 is connected to the left end of the head front peripheral wall 84. The rear end of the head left peripheral wall 86 is connected to the left end of the head rear peripheral wall 85. The rear end of the head right peripheral wall 87 is connected to the right end of the head rear peripheral wall 85. The front end of the head right peripheral wall 87 is positioned rearward of the front wall 141.

[0068] The left-right length of the head front wall 84 is shorter than the left-right length of the head rear wall 85. The front-back lengths of the head left wall 86 and the head right wall 87 are shorter than the left-right length of the head rear wall 85 and shorter than the left-right length of the head front wall 84.

[0069] The head front peripheral wall 84 includes path defining portions 98A, 98B and a main body portion 84A. The path defining portion 98A is provided at the left end of the head front peripheral wall 84. The path defining portion 98A has a pin shape and is a cylindrical body extending in the up-down direction. The path defining portion 98A changes the direction of the path of the ink ribbon 105 by making overall contact with the ink ribbon 105 in the width direction (up-down direction). In detail, the path defining portion 98A bends the path of the ink ribbon 105 along the outer periphery of the path defining portion 98A. The contact point between the ink ribbon 105 and the path defining portion 98A has a straight line shape extending in the up-down direction when viewed from the length direction of the ink ribbon 105.

[0070] The path defining portion 98B is provided at the right end of the head front peripheral wall 84. The path defining portion 98B has a pin shape and is a cylindrical body extending in the vertical direction. The path defining portion 98B changes the direction of the path of the ink ribbon 105 by making overall contact with the ink ribbon 105 in the width direction (vertical direction). Specifically, the path defining portion 98B bends the path of the ink ribbon 105 along the outer periphery of the path defining portion 98B. The contact point between the ink ribbon 105 and the path defining portion 98B has a straight line extending in the vertical direction when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the ink ribbon 105.

[0071] The main body portion 84A is a portion of the head front peripheral wall 84 that is distinct from the path defining portion 98A and the path defining portion 98B. Specifically, the main body portion 84A is the portion of the head front peripheral wall 84 between the path defining portions 98A and 98B. The main body portion 84A has a plate-like shape and extends in the left-right and up-down directions. The outer peripheries of the path defining portions 98A and 98B protrude forward from the main body portion 84A.

[0072] The dividing wall 88 extends horizontally and vertically and is positioned between the front wall 141 and the head front peripheral wall 84. The upper end of the dividing wall 88 is connected to the intermediate wall 81. The right end of the dividing wall 88 is positioned approximately at the same position as the right end of the head front peripheral wall 84 in the horizontal direction. The dividing wall 88 divides the path of the ink ribbon 105 and the path of the printing tape 101 between the front wall 141 and the head front peripheral wall 84. Specifically, the path of the ink ribbon 105 is between the dividing wall 88 and the head front peripheral wall 84, and the path of the printing tape 101 is between the dividing wall 88 and the front wall 141.

[0073] The intermediate wall 81 includes an upper bridging portion 81A. The upper bridging portion 81A is a portion of the intermediate wall 81 that bridges the upper ends of the front and rear peripheral walls 84 and 85 in the front-to-back direction. The upper bridging portion 81A connects the upper ends of the front and rear peripheral walls 84 and 85 in the front-to-back direction. Therefore, even if a forward force acts on the front peripheral wall 84, the upper bridging portion 81A does not substantially contract in the front-to-back direction, and the upper end of the front peripheral wall 84 does not substantially approach the rear peripheral wall 85 in the front-to-back direction.

[0074] like Figures 5 to 8 As shown, the intermediate wall 81 is provided with a support shaft 42, an upper support portion 43 and a belt insertion port 44 (see Figure 7 and Figure 8 ). The support shaft 42 is arranged at the left portion of the middle wall 81 and protrudes downward from the lower surface of the middle wall 81. The support shaft 42 supports the ribbon reel 107. Therefore, the ribbon reel 107 is arranged between the head rear peripheral wall 85 and the rear wall 142, and between the left wall 143 and the right wall 144. The ribbon reel 107 can rotate around the axis AX1 (refer to Figure 5 ) rotates. The axis AX1 passes through the center of the support shaft 42 and extends in the up-down direction. The upper support portion 43 is formed on the right side of the support shaft 42. The upper support portion 43 has an annular outer peripheral wall and protrudes slightly downward from the intermediate wall 81. The upper support portion 43 is embedded in the winding drum 109 from above. That is, the upper support portion 43 is arranged on the inner side of the inner circumference of the winding drum 109 in the radial direction of the winding drum 109. The upper support portion 43 supports the upper end of the winding drum 109 so that it can rotate. A shaft insertion hole that passes through the intermediate wall 81 in the up-down direction is provided on the inner side of the upper support portion 43.

[0075] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the tape insertion port 44 is formed at the left rear corner of the middle wall 81. The tape insertion port 44 is an opening that passes through the middle wall 81 in the vertical direction. The printing tape 101 is inserted into the tape insertion port 44 from above.

[0076] like Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, a first cutout portion 71A and a second cutout portion 71B are formed in the lower wall 71. The first cutout portion 71A extends rearward from the right front corner of the lower wall 71. Specifically, the first cutout portion 71A extends rearward from a portion of the front end of the lower wall 71 that is to the right of the right end of the front wall 141, and is cut in the front-to-back direction to between the head front peripheral wall 84 and the head rear peripheral wall 85. The second cutout portion 71B extends leftward from the rear end of the first cutout portion 71A. Specifically, the second cutout portion 71B is continuous with the first cutout portion 71A and is cut toward the left between the head front peripheral wall 84 and the head rear peripheral wall 85.

[0077] The left end of the first cutout portion 71A defines the lower end of the guide opening 91 described later. The right end of the first cutout portion 71A is connected to the lower end of the head right peripheral wall 87. The front end of the second cutout portion 71B is connected to the lower end of the head front peripheral wall 84. The rear end of the second cutout portion 71B is connected to the lower end of the head rear peripheral wall 85. The left end of the second cutout portion 71B is connected to the lower end of the head left peripheral wall 86. The first cutout portion 71A and the second cutout portion 71B are the lower ends of the head opening 99. The first cutout portion 71A and the second cutout portion 71B are the lower ends of the head opening 99.

[0078] The lower wall 71 is provided with the lower support portion 41 and the support shaft 48 (see Figure 9 The lower support portion 41 is disposed at the right rear portion of the lower wall 71. The lower support portion 41 is an inner peripheral wall that defines a support hole that passes through the lower wall 71 in the up-down direction.

[0079] like Figure 6 As shown, the winding drum 109 is embedded in the lower support portion 41. That is, the lower support portion 41 is arranged outside the outer periphery of the winding drum 109 in the radial direction of the winding drum 109. The lower support portion 41 supports the lower end of the winding drum 109 so that it can rotate. That is, the winding drum 109 is supported from above by the upper support portion 43 and from below by the lower support portion 41. The winding drum 109 can rotate around the axis AX3 (refer to Figure 5 and Figure 10 ) rotation. Axis AX3 passes through the centers of the lower support portion 41 and the upper support portion 43 and extends in the vertical direction. Axis AX3 is the center of the winding drum 109 when viewed from above. The winding drum 109 is arranged between the head rear peripheral wall 85 and the rear wall 142, and between the left wall 143 and the right wall 144.

[0080] In the radial direction of the winding drum 109, a first gap G1 is provided between the lower end of the winding drum 109 and the lower support portion 41, and a second gap G2 is provided between the upper end of the winding drum 109 and the upper support portion 43. Specifically, the winding drum 109 is supported by the lower support portion 41 in the radial direction with the first gap G1 existing between the lower end of the winding drum 109 and the lower support portion 41. The winding drum 109 is supported by the upper support portion 43 in the radial direction with the second gap G2 existing between the upper end of the winding drum 109 and the upper support portion 43.

[0081] The first gap G1 is the value obtained by subtracting the radius of the inner diameter of the lower support portion 41 from the radius of the outer diameter R11 of the lower end of the winding drum 109. The first gap G1 is not limited to a specific size, but in this embodiment, it is approximately 0.3 mm. The second gap G2 is the value obtained by subtracting the radius of the inner diameter R12 of the upper end of the winding drum 109 from the radius of the outer diameter of the upper support portion 43. The second gap G2 is not limited to a specific size, but in this embodiment, it is approximately 0.06 mm. Thus, the size of the first gap G1 and the size of the second gap G2 are different. In this embodiment, the first gap G1 is larger than the second gap G2. The absolute value of the difference between the first gap G1 and the second gap G2 (|G1-G2|) is smaller than the vertical thickness T3 of the lower support portion 41 and smaller than the vertical thickness T4 of the upper support portion 43. In this embodiment, the absolute value of the difference between the first gap G1 and the second gap G2 is approximately 0.24 mm.

[0082] like Figure 9As shown, the support shaft 48 is arranged at the left front of the lower support portion 41 and protrudes upward from the upper surface of the lower wall 71. The support shaft 48 is aligned with the support shaft 31 (see FIG. Figure 5 The support shaft 48 supports the belt reel 103.

[0083] like Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, the lower wall 71 includes an opening edge 46. The opening edge 46 is arranged in the lower wall 71, in front of the second cutout portion 71B, that is, at the arm portion 49. The opening edge 46 has a rectangular shape that is longer in the left-right direction than in the front-back direction, and defines the engagement hole 45. The engagement hole 45 passes through the lower wall 71 in the vertical direction and extends in the left-right direction. The lower end 88A of the partition wall 88 is inserted into the engagement hole 45 (see Figure 10 ).

[0084] A rib 46A is provided on the lower wall 71. Rib 46A is located at the right end of the engagement hole 45. Rib 46A protrudes rearward, that is, toward the engagement hole 45, from the front end of the opening edge 46. In other words, rib 46A protrudes from the opening edge 46 toward the lower end 88A of the partition wall 88 in the front-to-back direction. The rear end of rib 46A is slightly separated forward from the lower end 88A of the partition wall 88, or is in contact with the lower end 88A of the partition wall 88. Rib 46A is located at a position such that, at least when a rearward force is applied to the arm portion 49, the rear end of rib 46A contacts the lower end 88A of the partition wall 88.

[0085] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the lower case 40 includes an upper cover 80 and a lower cover 70, and is constructed by assembling the upper cover 80 above the lower cover 70. The upper cover 80 forms the upper portion of the lower case 40 and includes an intermediate wall 81, an outer peripheral wall 82, a head peripheral wall 83, and a partition wall 88. The outer peripheral wall 82 extends downward from the periphery of the intermediate wall 81. The lower cover 70 forms the lower portion of the lower case 40 and includes a lower wall 71 and an outer peripheral wall 72. The outer peripheral wall 72 extends upward from the periphery of the lower wall 71.

[0086] The lower cover 70 is assembled to the upper cover 80 by engaging the outer peripheral wall 72 with the outer peripheral wall 82 from below. Thus, the outer peripheral wall 72 and the outer peripheral wall 82 constitute the outer peripheral wall 140. "The outer peripheral wall 72 and the outer peripheral wall 82 engage" means that one or more protrusions provided on one of the outer peripheral walls 72 and 82 fit into one or more recesses provided on the other of the outer peripheral walls 72 and 82, or one or more hooks provided on one of the outer peripheral walls 72 and 82 are hooked into one or more engagement holes provided on the other of the outer peripheral walls 72 and 82.

[0087] like Figure 4 and Figure 7As shown, the lower box 40 is formed with a guide port 91, an exposed portion 92, an inlet 93, and an outlet 94. The guide port 91 is formed between the right end of the head front peripheral wall 84 and the right end of the front wall 141. The guide port 91 has a slit shape and extends in the vertical direction. The guide port 91 is used to Figure 4 The printing tape 101 and the ink ribbon 105 are shown as being guided from the inside of the arm portion 49 to the opening of the exposed portion 92 .

[0088] The exposed portion 92 is the right oblique front end of the head opening 99, extending from the right end of the front wall 141 and the right end of the head front peripheral wall 84 to the front end of the head right peripheral wall 87 and the front end of the right wall 144. The exposed portion 92 is used to make the guide port 91 and the discharge port 94 Figure 4 The printing tape 101 and the ink ribbon 105 are shown exposed from the opening of the lower case 40.

[0089] The inlet 93 is formed between the front end of the head right peripheral wall 87 and the front end of the right wall 144. The inlet 93 has a slit shape and extends in the vertical direction. The inlet 93 is an opening for allowing the ink ribbon 105 to enter the lower case 40 from the exposed portion 92.

[0090] The discharge port 94 is formed at the front end of the right wall 144. The discharge port 94 is slit-shaped and extends in the vertical direction. The discharge port 94 is an opening for discharging the printing tape 101 from the lower case 40. The discharge port 94 is defined at the front end of the right wall 144 by a guide 145. The guide 145 is columnar and extends in the vertical direction.

[0091] Reference Figure 11 , the relationship between the thickness of the main body 84A and the front wall 141 in the front-to-back direction is described. The front surface area and the rear surface area are defined. The front wall 141 includes a front surface 141A and a rear surface 141B. The front surface 141A is the surface of the front wall 141 facing forward. The rear surface 141B is the surface of the front wall 141 facing backward. For example, there are multiple surfaces with different positions in the front-to-back direction on the front surface 141A. Specifically, there are concave portions or convex portions on the front surface 141A. The front surface area is a surface of the front surface 141A whose positions in the front-to-back direction are arranged on the same plane.

[0092] For example, if front surface 141A is flattened, there is only one front surface region. For example, if front surface 141A has a concave or convex portion, there are multiple front surface regions. Specifically, if front surface 141A has both concave and convex portions, the three surfaces forming the front surface regions are the surface at the top of the convex portion, the surface at the bottom of the concave portion, and the surface at the base of the convex portion or the surface forming the opening of the concave portion. Front surface 141A contains the largest front surface region. The largest front surface region is the front surface region with the largest area within front surface 141A.

[0093] The maximum front surface area in the following case is described. Assume that there are one or more recesses and one or more protrusions on the front surface 141A. Assume that the sum of the areas of the front surface areas where the tops of the one or more protrusions are arranged is smaller than the sum of the areas of the front surface areas where the surfaces forming the protrusions and recesses are arranged. Assume that the sum of the areas of the front surface areas where the bottoms of the one or more recesses are arranged is smaller than the sum of the areas of the front surface areas where the surfaces forming the protrusions and recesses are arranged. In this case, the front surface area where the surfaces forming the protrusions and recesses are arranged becomes the front surface area occupying the largest area in the front surface 141A, and becomes the maximum front surface area. Figure 11 The position of the maximum front surface area in the front-back direction is indicated by an imaginary line R1.

[0094] Similar to the front surface area, the rear surface area is the area of ​​rear surface 141B that is located on the same plane in the front-to-back direction. Rear surface 141B includes the largest rear surface area. The largest rear surface area is the area of ​​rear surface 141B that occupies the largest area. For example, the largest rear surface area is the area of ​​rear surface 141B excluding the path defining portion 98H described below. Figure 11 The position of the maximum rear surface area in the front-to-back direction is indicated by an imaginary line R2.

[0095] The maximum thickness T1 of the main body 84A in the front-to-back direction is the thickness of the thickest portion of the main body 84A in the front-to-back direction. The maximum thickness T1 of the main body 84A in the front-to-back direction is not limited to a specific value and is, for example, 1.7 mm. The maximum thickness T1 of the main body 84A in the front-to-back direction is greater than the distance D1 between the maximum front surface area and the maximum rear surface area in the front-to-back direction. The distance D1 between the maximum front surface area and the maximum rear surface area in the front-to-back direction is not limited to a specific value and is, for example, 1.0 mm.

[0096] The minimum thickness T2 of the main body 84A in the front-to-back direction is the thickness of the thinnest portion of the main body 84A in the front-to-back direction. The minimum thickness T2 of the main body 84A in the front-to-back direction is not limited to a specific value and is, for example, 1.7 mm. In the cartridge 100, it is the same as the maximum thickness T1. That is, in the cartridge 100, the main body 84A is a flat plate with a uniform thickness. The minimum thickness T2 of the main body 84A in the front-to-back direction is greater than the distance D1 between the maximum front surface area and the maximum rear surface area in the front-to-back direction.

[0097] Reference Figure 8 and Figure 11, the path of the ink ribbon 105 and the path of the printing tape 101 are explained. In the lower box 40, in addition to the path defining parts 98A and 98B, path defining parts 98C, 98D, 98E, 98F, 98G, and 98H are also provided. The path defining part 98C is provided at the front end of the right peripheral wall 87 of the head. The path defining part 98C has a pin shape and is a cylinder extending in the up-down direction. The path defining part 98C changes the direction of the path of the ink ribbon 105 by making overall contact with the width direction (up-down direction) of the ink ribbon 105. In detail, the path defining part 98C bends the path of the ink ribbon 105 along the outer periphery of the path defining part 98C. The contact point Z5 (refer to Figure 13 ) has a straight line shape extending in the up and down direction when viewed from the length direction of the ink ribbon 105.

[0098] The path defining portion 98D is provided at the rear end of the right peripheral wall 87 of the head. The path defining portion 98D is pin-shaped and is a cylindrical body extending in the vertical direction. The path defining portion 98D changes the direction of the path of the ink ribbon 105 by making contact with the entire width direction (vertical direction) of the ink ribbon 105. Specifically, the path defining portion 98D bends the path of the ink ribbon 105 along the outer periphery of the path defining portion 98D. The contact point Z3 (refer to Figure 13 ) When viewed from the longitudinal direction of the ink ribbon 105, it has a straight line shape extending in the up and down direction.

[0099] A rib 97 is provided between the path defining portion 98C and the path defining portion 98D. That is, the rib 97 is provided in an area of ​​the head right peripheral wall 87 excluding the front end and the rear end. The rib 97 is a convex portion that protrudes to the right from the right surface of the head right peripheral wall 87 and extends in the up-down direction. The upper end of the rib 97 is arranged below the upper end of the ink ribbon 105. The lower end of the rib 97 is arranged above the lower end of the ink ribbon 105. The center of the rib 97 in the up-down direction is roughly consistent with the center of the ink ribbon 105 in the up-down direction (width direction). The length of the rib 97 in the up-down direction is not limited to a specific size, but in the box 100, the length of the rib 97 in the up-down direction is, for example, about 7 mm relative to the width of the ink ribbon 105 of 12 mm.

[0100] A recessed portion 97A is provided in the rib 97. The recessed portion 97A is recessed leftward from the center portion of the rib 97. The recessed portion 97A releases gas generated when the upper cover 80 is injection-molded using resin, for example.

[0101] The path defining portion 98E is located at the left rear portion of the lower case 40. The path defining portion 98E is a wall that protrudes downward from the middle wall 81 and extends forward as it approaches the left. The path defining portion 98E has a curved shape with its center portion bulging rearward in the left-right direction. The path defining portion 98E contacts the printing tape 101 to change the direction of the path of the printing tape 101. Specifically, the path defining portion 98E curves the path of the printing tape 101 along its rear surface.

[0102] The path defining portion 98F is located at the left front corner of the lower case 40. Specifically, the path defining portion 98F is positioned between the left end of the head front peripheral wall 84 and the left wall 143. The path defining portion 98F is a roller that extends vertically. The path defining portion 98F is rotatably supported by the lower case 40. The path defining portion 98F changes the direction of the path of the printing tape 101 by contacting it. Specifically, the path defining portion 98F bends the path of the printing tape 101 along the outer periphery of the path defining portion 98F.

[0103] The path defining portion 98G is provided at the rear compared to the path defining portion 98D. The path defining portion 98G has a wall shape and is a plate extending in the up-down direction and the left-right direction. The path defining portion 98G protrudes to the left from the right wall 144. That is, when viewed from the up-down direction, the path defining portion 98G is provided at a position opposite to the path defining portion 98D relative to the path of the ink ribbon 105, and is provided on the right in this embodiment. The path defining portion 98G changes the direction of the path of the ink ribbon 105 by making overall contact with the width direction (up-down direction) of the ink ribbon 105. In detail, the path defining portion 98G bends the path of the ink ribbon 105 along the left end of the path defining portion 98G. The contact point Z2 between the ink ribbon 105 and the path defining portion 98G has a straight line shape extending in the up-down direction when viewed from the length direction of the ink ribbon 105.

[0104] The path defining portion 98H is provided on the rear surface 141B of the front wall 141. The path defining portion 98H is a pin-shaped, vertically extending cylindrical body. The path defining portion 98H changes the direction of the path of the printing tape 101 by contacting the printing tape 101. Specifically, the path defining portion 98H bends the path of the printing tape 101 along the outer periphery of the path defining portion 98H.

[0105] The path of the ink ribbon 105 is defined by the path defining portions 98A, 98B, 98C, 98D, and 98G. Specifically, the ink ribbon 105 extends forward from the left end of the outer periphery of the ribbon spool 107, passing between the left wall 143 and the head left peripheral wall 86, and finally reaching the path defining portion 98A. The ink ribbon 105 curves rightward along the outer periphery of the path defining portion 98A and passes through the interior of the arm 49. Within the arm 49, the ink ribbon 105 passes between the front wall 141 and the head front peripheral wall 84, specifically, between the partition wall 88 and the head front peripheral wall 84, and finally reaches the path defining portion 98B. Because the outer peripheries of the path defining portions 98A and 98B protrude forward from the main body 84A, the ink ribbon 105 passes through a position separated forward from the main body 84A without contacting the main body 84A.

[0106] The ink ribbon 105 bends obliquely rightward and rearward along the outer periphery of the path defining portion 98B, is guided to the exposed portion 92 through the guide opening 91, and then extends to the path defining portion 98C. The ink ribbon 105 bends rearward along the outer periphery of the path defining portion 98C and enters the lower case 40 through the inlet opening 93. From the path defining portion 98C, the ink ribbon 105 passes rearward between the head right peripheral wall 87 and the right wall 144, and extends to the path defining portion 98D.

[0107] The ink ribbon 105 contacts the rib 97 between the path defining portion 98C and the path defining portion 98D. Figure 12 As shown, the rib 97 contacts the center portion of the ink ribbon 105 in the width direction (up and down direction), and does not contact the ends of the ink ribbon 105 in the width direction (up and down direction). Therefore, the rib 97 bends the ink ribbon 105 in the width direction, that is, the ends of the ink ribbon 105 in the width direction (up and down direction) bend to the left. Therefore, the oblique movement of the ink ribbon 105 is suppressed. In addition, the oblique movement of the ink ribbon 105 refers to the movement of the ink ribbon 105 in a direction that is not perpendicular to the direction (up and down direction) in which the axis AX1 extends. The direction that is not perpendicular to the direction (up and down direction) in which the axis AX1 extends is a direction that tilts downward as it goes to the right, a direction that tilts downward as it goes to the back, etc.

[0108] In this embodiment, a path defining portion 98C is present between the exposed portion 92 and the rib 97. Therefore, even if the ink ribbon 105 deflects in the width direction due to the rib 97, the ink ribbon 105 returns to a state without being deflected in the width direction by the path defining portion 98C. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the deflection of the ink ribbon 105 in the width direction caused by the rib 97 from adversely affecting printing performed by the thermal head 4 at the exposed portion 92.

[0109] like Figure 8 and Figure 11As shown, the ink ribbon 105 bends slightly to the left and rearward along the outer periphery of the path defining portion 98D and extends to the path defining portion 98G. The ink ribbon 105 bends to the right and rearward along the left end of the path defining portion 98G and is then stretched over the right end of the outer periphery of the winding drum 109. Specifically, the ink ribbon 105 is stretched over the winding drum 109 from the ribbon spool 107 in the order of the path defining portion 98A, the path defining portion 98B, the path defining portion 98C, the path defining portion 98D, and the path defining portion 98G.

[0110] The winding drum 109 winds the ink ribbon 105 in a clockwise direction when viewed from below. Therefore, after passing between the head right peripheral wall 87 and the right wall 144, the ink ribbon 105 remains in the horizontal direction between the center of the winding drum 109 and the right wall 144 while being wound by the winding drum 109. Furthermore, assuming that the winding drum 109 winds the ink ribbon 105 in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from below, the ink ribbon 105, after passing between the head right peripheral wall 87 and the right wall 144, is stretched over the left end of the outer circumference of the winding drum 109. Therefore, after passing between the head right peripheral wall 87 and the right wall 144, the ink ribbon 105 crosses the area between the center of the winding drum 109 and the right wall 144 from the right and is wound by the winding drum 109.

[0111] The path of the printing tape 101 is defined by the path defining portions 98E, 98F, and 98H. Specifically, the printing tape 101 extends diagonally downward and leftward from the rear end of the outer periphery of the tape reel 103, is inserted through the tape guide opening and the tape insertion opening 44 in that order, and then extends to the path defining portion 98E. The printing tape 101 curves forward along the outer periphery of the path defining portion 98E, passes between the left wall 143 and the head left peripheral wall 86, and extends to the path defining portion 98F. The printing tape 101 curves rightward along the outer periphery of the path defining portion 98F and passes through the inside of the arm portion 49.

[0112] In the arm portion 49, the printing tape 101 is slightly bent forward along the outer periphery of the path defining portion 98H while extending from the left to the right. In the arm portion 49, the printing tape 101 passes between the front wall 141 and the head front peripheral wall 84, specifically, between the front wall 141 and the dividing wall 88, and extends to the guide port 91. The printing tape 101 is guided to the exposed portion 92 via the guide port 91. The ink ribbon 105 overlaps with the printing tape 101 from the rear at the exposed portion 92. The printing tape 101 extends from the exposed portion 92 to the discharge port 94 and is discharged from the box 20 via the discharge port 94. That is, the printing tape 101 is discharged from the tape reel 103 from the discharge port 94 in the order of the path defining portion 98E, the path defining portion 98F, and the path defining portion 98H.

[0113] Reference Figure 13The positional relationship between the winding drum 109, the path defining portions 98D and 98G, and the rib 97 will be described in detail. An imaginary line S1 connects the contact point Z1 between the rib 97 and the ink ribbon 105 and the contact point Z2 between the path defining portion 98G and the ink ribbon 105. An imaginary line S2 is the tangent to the right of the winding drum 109, of a pair of tangent lines to the outer circumference of the winding drum 109 that pass through the contact point Z3 between the path defining portion 98D and the ink ribbon 105. An imaginary line S2 passes through point Z4. Point Z4 is the point of contact between the imaginary line S2 and the outer circumference of the winding drum 109 and is located to the right of the center of the winding drum 109.

[0114] The imaginary line S1 passes to the left of the contact point Z3 between the path defining portion 98D and the ink ribbon 105. That is, the imaginary line S1 is located to the right of the contact point Z3 between the path defining portion 98D and the ink ribbon 105. The imaginary line S2 passes to the right of the contact point Z2 between the path defining portion 98G and the ink ribbon 105. That is, the imaginary line S2 is located to the left of the contact point Z2 between the path defining portion 98G and the ink ribbon 105.

[0115] Reference Figure 14 Next, the method for securing the printing tape 101 to the tape reel 102 is described. The printing tape 101 is secured to the tape reel 102 via a securing tape 104. Specifically, the end 104A of the securing tape 104 is secured to the outer circumference of the tape reel 102. The top end 104B of the securing tape 104 and the end 101A of the printing tape 101 are bonded together via an adhesive tape 108. The securing tape 104 and the adhesive tape 108 are not print media.

[0116] The colors of the fixing tape 104 and the adhesive tape 108 are such that the user can identify their presence and can distinguish them from the printed tape 101. For example, the fixing tape 104 may have a color different from that of the printed tape 101, such as a striped pattern. The adhesive tape 108 may have a color different from that of the printed tape 101, and may have a color other than colorless or transparent. For example, the adhesive tape 108 may be red. The color and pattern of the adhesive tape 108 may be the same as or different from those of the fixing tape 104.

[0117] Figure 14 The position of the guide opening 91 relative to the tape reel 102 is indicated by an imaginary line Q. The length L1 of the fixed tape 104 in the longitudinal direction is substantially equal to the length L2 of the printing tape 101 along the conveying path from the tape reel 102 to the guide opening 91 (imaginary line Q). Figure 14 As shown in (A), when the printing tape 101 has no remaining amount, the top end 104B of the fixing tape 104 is exposed from the guide port 91. That is, the top end 104B of the fixing tape 104 is arranged to the right of the imaginary line Q. In this case, the user can understand that the printing tape 101 has no remaining amount.

[0118] like Figure 14 As shown in (B), there are cases where the top end 104B of the fixing tape 104 does not reach the guide opening 91, for example, if the fixing tape 104 is not completely pulled out from the tape reel 102. In other words, the top end 104B of the fixing tape 104 may be positioned to the left of the imaginary line Q. In this case, assuming that the fixing tape 104 is colorless and transparent, it would be difficult for the user to visually distinguish between the fixing tape 104 and the adhesive tape 108. Therefore, it would be difficult for the user to understand that there is no remaining printed tape 101.

[0119] In the cassette 100, even if the top end 104B of the fixing tape 104 does not reach the guide opening 91, as long as the adhesive tape 108 reaches the guide opening 91, the user can still recognize that the printing tape 101 is running low. For example, due to design or manufacturing reasons, it may be difficult to change the length L1 of the fixing tape 104. In the first embodiment, the cassette 100 does not change the length L1 of the fixing tape 104, but instead uses the adhesive tape 108, which helps the user recognize that the printing tape 101 is running low.

[0120] Reference Figures 1 to 3 , the printing action of the printer 1 is described. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the user will Figure 1 The cover 3 is removed from the housing 2 so that the rotary shaft 6 is inserted into the lower support portion 41 (see FIG. Figure 4 ), insert the thermal head 4 into the head opening 99, and install the box 100 from the top to the bottom of the installation portion 11. The user installs the cover 3 on the housing 2. Figure 3 As shown, a cam (not shown) causes the right end of the stamp holder 15 to swing backward around the swing shaft 16 from a position where it is urged forward by a spring (not shown). Figure 1 The platen roller 18 shown presses the ink ribbon 105 and the printing ribbon 101 from the front against the thermal head 4 in a state where the ink ribbon 105 and the printing ribbon 101 overlap each other.

[0121] The user inputs a print instruction into the printer 1 via the operation unit (not shown). The printer 1 drives the feed motor, rotating the rotary shaft 6. This causes the rotary shaft 6 to rotate the take-up drum 109 and the input gear 23. The rotation of the take-up drum 109 feeds the ink ribbon 105 from the ribbon spool 107 toward the take-up drum 109. The rotation of the input gear 23 rotates the output gear 21 via the coupling gear 22. The rotation of the output gear 21 rotates the platen gear 19, which in turn rotates the platen roller 18.

[0122] The platen roller 18 rotates in a clockwise direction when viewed from above, thereby pulling the printing tape 101 from the tape reel 103 and conveying it to the right. Therefore, the left side of the printer 1 becomes the upstream of the conveying direction of the printing tape 101, and the right side of the printer 1 becomes the downstream of the conveying direction of the printing tape 101. The thermal head 4 selectively heats the multiple heating elements. As a result, the ink of the ink ribbon 105 is thermally transferred to the printing tape 101 at the positions corresponding to the heating elements. The printer 1 prints on the printing tape 101 in the exposed portion 92 by repeatedly conveying the printing tape 101 by the platen roller 18 and selectively heating the multiple heating elements by the thermal head 4. The printed printing tape 101 is discharged from the lower box 40 through the discharge port 94 and discharged from the housing 2 through the discharge port 12.

[0123] As described above, in the first embodiment, since the maximum thickness T1 of the main body 84A in the front-to-back direction is greater than the distance D1 between the maximum front and rear surface areas in the front-to-back direction, the rigidity of the main body 84A is increased compared to a case where the maximum thickness T1 of the main body 84A in the front-to-back direction is less than the distance D1 between the maximum front and rear surface areas in the front-to-back direction. Consequently, the lower end of the head front peripheral wall 84 is prevented from deflecting rearward relative to the upper end of the head front peripheral wall 84. Consequently, the cartridge 100 helps prevent the ink ribbon 105 from skewing.

[0124] In the first embodiment, since the minimum thickness T2 of the main body 84A in the front-to-back direction is greater than the distance D1 between the maximum front surface area and the maximum rear surface area in the front-to-back direction, the rigidity of the main body 84A is further improved. Therefore, the cartridge 100 helps to further suppress the skew movement of the ink ribbon 105.

[0125] In the first embodiment, the tape insertion port 44 is provided in the middle wall 81. Compared with the case where the printing tape 101 and the lower case 40 are handled separately, the user can easily handle the printing tape 101. Therefore, the case 100 helps to facilitate the handling of the printing tape 101.

[0126] In the first embodiment, the cassette 100 includes the upper case 30. The user can handle the printing tape 101 without touching the printing tape 101. Therefore, the cassette 100 contributes to facilitating the handling of the printing tape 101.

[0127] In the first embodiment, the rib 46A protrudes rearward from the opening edge 46. Therefore, a force in the direction in which the lower end of the head front peripheral wall 84 is bent rearward relative to the upper end of the head front peripheral wall 84 acts on the lower wall 71, and the rib 46A contacts the lower end 88A of the partition wall 88. In this case, the force in the direction in which the lower end of the head front peripheral wall 84 is bent rearward relative to the upper end of the head front peripheral wall 84 is dispersed from the lower wall 71 to the partition wall 88 via the rib 46A. This can suppress the lower end of the head front peripheral wall 84 from bending rearward relative to the upper end of the head front peripheral wall 84. Therefore, the box 100 helps to suppress the slanting of the ink ribbon 105.

[0128] In the first embodiment, the rib 97 protrudes rightward from the area of ​​the head right peripheral wall 87 excluding the front and rear ends, contacts the widthwise center of the ink ribbon 105, and bends the ink ribbon 105 in the widthwise direction. Thus, since the ink ribbon 105 is bent in the widthwise direction by the rib 97, if the ink ribbon 105 deviates in the widthwise direction, a force acts on the ink ribbon 105 in a direction that suppresses the deviation of the ink ribbon 105 in the widthwise direction. Therefore, the cartridge 100 helps suppress the skew movement of the ink ribbon 105.

[0129] In the first embodiment, a path defining portion 98D is provided at the rear end of the head right peripheral wall 87. The path defining portion 98D contacts the entire width direction of the ink ribbon 105, and contacts the ink ribbon 105 in a straight line extending in the vertical direction when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the ink ribbon 105. Therefore, after the ink ribbon 105 is bent in the width direction by the ribs 97, it returns to a state without being bent in the width direction by the path defining portion 98D. As a result, the ink ribbon 105 is wound around the winding drum 109 in a state without being bent in the width direction. Therefore, the cassette 100 helps to prevent the ink ribbon 105 from being wound around the winding drum 109 in a state without being bent in the width direction, which would cause the winding drum 109 to poorly wind the ink ribbon 105.

[0130] In the first embodiment, the imaginary line S1 passes to the left of the contact point Z3 between the path defining portion 98D and the ink ribbon 105. Therefore, the path defining portion 98G presses the ink ribbon 105 leftward against the path defining portion 98D. As a result, the ribs 97 further bend the ink ribbon 105 in the width direction. Consequently, the cartridge 100 helps further suppress skew movement of the ink ribbon 105.

[0131] In the first embodiment, the contact point Z2 between the path defining portion 98G and the ink ribbon 105 is located to the left of the imaginary line S2. Therefore, regardless of the outer diameter of the ink ribbon 105 wound on the winding drum 109, the path defining portion 98G presses the ink ribbon 105 leftward against the path defining portion 98D. As a result, the ribs 97 further bend the ink ribbon 105 in the width direction. Consequently, the cartridge 100 helps further suppress skewed movement of the ink ribbon 105.

[0132] In the first embodiment, the length of the head right peripheral wall 87 in the front-to-back direction is shorter than the length of the head rear peripheral wall 85 in the left-to-right direction. Consequently, the distance between the path defining portion 98D and the rib 97 is shortened. Consequently, the rib 97 further flexes the ink ribbon 105 in the width direction. Consequently, the cartridge 100 helps further suppress skewed movement of the ink ribbon 105.

[0133] In the first embodiment, in the radial direction of the winding drum 109 , a first gap G1 is provided between the lower end of the winding drum 109 and the lower support portion 41 , and a second gap G2 is provided between the upper end of the winding drum 109 and the upper support portion 43 . Figure 15 (A) is different from the first embodiment and indicates Figure 6 The first gap G1 and the second gap G2 are shown to have the same size. Figure 15 (B) and Figure 15 (C) means that, as in the first embodiment, Figure 6 The first gap G1 is shown to be larger than the second gap G2. Figure 15 In the example of (A), when a tension F1 in a direction that tilts upward as it moves to the right acts on the ink ribbon 105, the winding drum 109 moves to the right. In this case, the lower end of the winding drum 109 contacts the lower support portion 41 on the right, and the upper end of the winding drum 109 contacts the upper support portion 43 on the left. The contact of the lower end of the winding drum 109 with the lower support portion 41 and the contact of the upper end of the winding drum 109 with the upper support portion 43 are approximately simultaneous. Therefore, the winding drum 109 rotates in a state where the axis AX3 is parallel to the up and down directions. Therefore, assuming that Figure 6 In the case where the first gap G1 and the second gap G2 shown are of the same size, when the winding drum 109 winds the ink ribbon 105 while the tension F1 is applied to the ink ribbon 105, the ink ribbon 105 is gradually wound upward in the axial direction of the winding drum 109. Therefore, there is a possibility that the ink ribbon 105 contacts the guide plate 109B, and the winding drum 109 may not properly wind the ink ribbon 105. In the first embodiment, the size of the first gap G1 and the size of the second gap G2 are different. Therefore, as Figure 15As shown in (B), when tension F1 acts on the ink ribbon 105 and the winding drum 109 moves rightward, the upper end of the winding drum 109 contacts the left upper support portion 43 before the lower end of the winding drum 109 contacts the lower support portion 41. That is, the contact between the lower end of the winding drum 109 and the lower support portion 41 and the contact between the upper end of the winding drum 109 and the upper support portion 43 are not simultaneous. Therefore, at the moment the upper end of the winding drum 109 contacts the upper support portion 43, a gap exists between the lower end of the winding drum 109 and the lower support portion 41. Therefore, with the contact between the upper end of the winding drum 109 and the left upper support portion 43 as a fulcrum, the lower end of the winding drum 109 swings rightward so that the axis AX3 is perpendicular to the direction of tension F1. As a result, the winding drum 109 is in a state where, for example, the upper end of the winding drum 109 contacts the upper support portion 43 on the right side, and the lower end of the winding drum 109 contacts the lower support portion 41 on the right side. In this state, when the winding drum 109 winds the ink ribbon 105, the ink ribbon 105 is wound around the winding drum 109 while suppressing axial deviation of the ink ribbon 105. Thus, in the first embodiment, because the sizes of the first gap G1 and the second gap G2 differ, the axis AX3 of the winding drum 109 is tilted along the width direction of the ink ribbon 105 even when the ink ribbon 105 is tilted. Therefore, the cassette 100 helps prevent improper winding of the ink ribbon 105 by the winding drum 109.

[0134] In the first embodiment, the first gap G1 is larger than the second gap G2. Therefore, it is easy for the operator to assemble the lower cover 70 to the upper cover 80. The reason is as follows. After the operator assembles the winding drum 109 to the upper cover 80, the operator assembles the lower cover 70 to the upper cover 80. Assuming that the second gap G2 is larger than the first gap G1, the operator needs to assemble the lower cover 70 to the upper cover 80 in a state where the winding drum 109 supported by the upper support portion 43 swings greatly. In the first embodiment, since the second gap G2 is smaller than the first gap G1, the operator can assemble the lower cover 70 to the upper cover 80 in a state where the winding drum 109 supported by the upper support portion 43 swings little. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the lower cover 70 from colliding with the lower end of the winding drum 109 from below. Therefore, the box 100 helps to improve the ease of assembly of the lower cover 70 to the upper cover 80.

[0135] Furthermore, since the first gap G1 is larger than the second gap G2, it is easier for the user to install the cassette 100 on the mounting portion 11. The reason is as follows. The user installs the cassette 100 on the mounting portion 11 in such a manner that the rotating shaft 6 is embedded in the winding drum 109. Therefore, the rotating shaft 6 passes through the upper end of the winding drum 109 after passing through the lower end of the winding drum 109. Assuming that the first gap G1 is smaller than the second gap G2, the user needs to install the cassette 100 on the mounting portion 11 while the play of the winding drum 109 supported by the lower support portion 41 is small. In the first embodiment, since the first gap G1 is larger than the second gap G2, the user can install the cassette 100 on the mounting portion 11 while the play of the winding drum 109 supported by the lower support portion 41 is large. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the lower end of the winding drum 109 from colliding with the rotating shaft 6 from above, and the rotating shaft 6 is guided into the winding drum 109. Therefore, the cassette 100 helps to improve the ease of installation of the cassette 100 on the mounting portion 11.

[0136] If the absolute value of the difference between the first gap G1 and the second gap G2 is greater than the vertical thickness T3 of the lower support portion 41, and the winding bobbin 109 tilts, there is a possibility that the winding bobbin 109 will fall off the lower support portion 41. In the first embodiment, the absolute value of the difference between the first gap G1 and the second gap G2 is less than the vertical thickness T3 of the lower support portion 41. Therefore, the cassette 100 helps to suppress the possibility of the winding bobbin 109 falling off the lower support portion 41.

[0137] If the absolute value of the difference between the first gap G1 and the second gap G2 is greater than the vertical thickness T4 of the upper support portion 43, and the winding bobbin 109 tilts, there is a possibility that the winding bobbin 109 will fall off the upper support portion 43. In the first embodiment, the absolute value of the difference between the first gap G1 and the second gap G2 is less than the vertical thickness T4 of the upper support portion 43. Therefore, the cassette 100 helps to suppress the possibility of the winding bobbin 109 falling off the upper support portion 43.

[0138] In the first embodiment, the lower support portion 41 is arranged on the outside of the outer periphery of the winding drum 109 in the radial direction of the winding drum 109. Therefore, compared with the case where the lower support portion 41 is arranged on the inside of the inner periphery of the winding drum 109 in the radial direction, the hole defined by the lower support portion 41 becomes larger, and thus the lower wall 71 is lightweight. In the first embodiment, the upper support portion 43 is arranged on the inside of the inner periphery of the winding drum 109 in the radial direction of the winding drum 109. Therefore, the box 100 can ensure the size of the thickness T4 of the upper support portion 43 in the vertical direction. Therefore, the box 100 helps to suppress the possibility of the winding drum 109 falling off from the upper support portion 43. That is, the box 100 helps to suppress the possibility of the winding drum 109 falling off from the upper support portion 43 while making the box 20 lightweight. Furthermore, since the upper support portion 43 is arranged inside the inner periphery of the winding drum 109 in the radial direction of the winding drum 109 , the cassette 100 helps to ensure a space for mounting the clutch spring 119 on the outer periphery of the upper end of the winding drum 109 .

[0139] In the first embodiment, the lower case 40 corresponds to the "lower case" of the present invention. The ribbon reel 107 corresponds to the "ribbon reel" of the present invention. The winding drum 109 corresponds to the "winding drum" of the present invention. The lower wall 71 corresponds to the "first wall" of the present invention. The upper wall 81 corresponds to the "second wall" of the present invention. The outer peripheral wall 140 corresponds to the "peripheral wall" of the present invention. The front wall 141 corresponds to the "front wall" of the present invention. The rear wall 142 corresponds to the "rear wall" of the present invention. The left wall 143 corresponds to the "left wall" of the present invention. The right wall 144 corresponds to the "right wall" of the present invention.

[0140] The head front peripheral wall 84 is equivalent to the "first middle wall" of the present invention. The head rear peripheral wall 85 is equivalent to the "second middle wall" of the present invention. The head left peripheral wall 86 is equivalent to the "third middle wall" of the present invention. The head right peripheral wall 87 is equivalent to the "fourth middle wall" of the present invention. The upper mounting portion 81A is equivalent to the "mounting portion" of the present invention. The first cutout portion 71A is equivalent to the "first cutout portion" of the present invention. The second cutout portion 71B is equivalent to the "second cutout portion" of the present invention. The exposed portion 92 is equivalent to the "exposed portion" of the present invention. The lower support portion 41 is equivalent to the "lower support portion" of the present invention. The upper support portion 43 is equivalent to the "upper support portion" of the present invention. The first gap G1 is equivalent to the "first gap" of the present invention. The second gap G2 is equivalent to the "second gap" of the present invention.

[0141] The printing tape 101 corresponds to the "print medium" of this invention. The tape insertion port 44 corresponds to the "insertion port" of this invention. The upper case 30 corresponds to the "upper case" of this invention. The tape reel 103 corresponds to the "medium reel" of this invention. The axis AX1 corresponds to the "first axis" of this invention. The axis AX2 corresponds to the "second axis" of this invention.

[0142] Various modifications can be made to the first embodiment. Figure 16As a modification of the first embodiment, the box 100A will be described. The head front peripheral wall 84 includes a protrusion 84B. The protrusion 84B protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the main body 84A, extending in the up-down direction and the left-right direction. The protrusion 84B has a plate shape. The length of the protrusion 84B in the left-right direction is smaller than the length of the main body 84A in the left-right direction. The length of the protrusion 84B in the up-down direction is smaller than the length of the main body 84A in the up-down direction or is the same as the length of the main body 84A in the up-down direction. The length of the protrusion 84B in the front-to-back direction is smaller than the length of the protrusion 84B in the left-to-right direction, and is smaller than the length of the protrusion 84B in the up-down direction.

[0143] In the cartridge 100A, the maximum thickness T11 of the main body 84A in the front-to-back direction is determined by the position of the protrusion 84B. Specifically, the maximum thickness T11 of the main body 84A in the front-to-back direction is the distance between the rear end of the protrusion 84B and the front surface of the main body 84A. The maximum thickness T11 of the main body 84A in the front-to-back direction is greater than the distance D1 between the maximum front and rear surface areas.

[0144] The minimum thickness T12 of the main body 84A in the front-to-back direction is determined by the position of the portion where the protrusion 84B is not present. Specifically, the minimum thickness T12 of the main body 84A in the front-to-back direction is the distance in the front-to-back direction between the rear surface of the main body 84A in the portion where the protrusion 84B is not present and the front surface of the main body 84A. In the cartridge 100A, the minimum thickness T12 of the main body 84A in the front-to-back direction is smaller than or equal to the distance D1 between the maximum front surface area and the maximum rear surface area.

[0145] In the cartridge 100A, the main body 84A is lighter than if the minimum thickness T12 of the main body 84A in the front-to-back direction is greater than the distance D1 between the maximum front and rear surface areas in the front-to-back direction. On the other hand, since the maximum thickness T11 of the main body 84A in the front-to-back direction is greater than the distance D1 between the maximum front and rear surface areas in the front-to-back direction, the rigidity of the head front peripheral wall 84 is increased. Therefore, the cartridge 100A contributes to reducing the weight of the lower case 40 and suppressing skew movement of the ink ribbon 105.

[0146] Reference Figure 17 As a modified example of the first embodiment, a cartridge 100B will be described. The head front peripheral wall 84 includes a plurality of ribs 84C. The ribs 84C protrude rearward from the rear surface of the main body 84A and extend in the vertical direction. The ribs 84C are arranged in the horizontal direction.

[0147] In the cartridge 100B, the maximum thickness T21 of the main body 84A in the front-to-back direction is determined by the position of the plurality of ribs 84C. Specifically, the maximum thickness T21 of the main body 84A in the front-to-back direction is the distance in the front-to-back direction between the rear ends of the plurality of ribs 84C and the front surface of the main body 84A. The maximum thickness T21 of the main body 84A in the front-to-back direction is greater than the distance D1 in the front-to-back direction between the maximum front surface area and the maximum rear surface area.

[0148] The minimum thickness T22 of the main body 84A in the front-to-back direction is determined by the position of the recesses formed between the ribs 84C. Specifically, the minimum thickness T22 of the main body 84A in the front-to-back direction is the distance in the front-to-back direction between the bottom surface of the recesses formed between the ribs 84C and the front surface of the main body 84A. In the cartridge 100B, the minimum thickness T22 of the main body 84A in the front-to-back direction is smaller than or equal to the distance D1 between the maximum front surface area and the maximum rear surface area.

[0149] In the cartridge 100B, the head front peripheral wall 84 is lighter than in the cartridge 100A. Therefore, the cartridge 100B contributes to further reducing the weight of the lower case 40 and suppressing the oblique movement of the ink ribbon 105.

[0150] Other variations of the first embodiment will now be described. Rib 46A may protrude forward from the rear end of opening edge 46. Rib 46A may be omitted from lower case 40. Upper case 30 may be omitted from cassette 100. In this case, tape reel 103 may be supported by lower case 40. The tape reel 103 may also be omitted from cassette 100.

[0151] The tape insertion port 44 may not be provided in the intermediate wall 81. In this case, for example, the tape reel 103 may be housed in the lower case 40. The upper mounting portion 81A may have a columnar shape extending in the front-rear direction.

[0152] The path defining portion 98D may not be provided at the rear end of the head right peripheral wall 87, and may be provided, for example, between the rear end of the head right peripheral wall 87 and the path defining portion 98G in the front-to-back direction. The imaginary line S1 may pass through the right relative to the contact point Z3 between the path defining portion 98D and the ink ribbon 105. The contact point Z2 between the path defining portion 98G and the ink ribbon 105 may be located to the right relative to the imaginary line S2. For example, one or both of the path defining portion 98D and the path defining portion 98G may be omitted. In the case where both the path defining portion 98D and the path defining portion 98G are omitted, the ink ribbon 105 may be directly wound by the winding drum 109 after passing through the rib 97. The length of the head right peripheral wall 87 in the front-to-back direction may be the same as the length of the head rear peripheral wall 85 in the left-to-right direction, or may be longer than the length of the head rear peripheral wall 85 in the left-to-right direction.

[0153] The size of the first gap G1 and the size of the second gap G2 may be the same. The first gap G1 may be smaller than the second gap G2. The absolute value of the difference between the first gap G1 and the second gap G2 may be the same as the thickness T3 of the lower support portion 41 in the vertical direction, or may be greater than thickness T3. The absolute value of the difference between the first gap G1 and the second gap G2 may be the same as the thickness T4 of the upper support portion 43 in the vertical direction, or may be greater than thickness T4. The outer diameter R11 of the lower end of the winding drum 109 may be the same as the inner diameter R12 of the upper end of the winding drum 109, or may be smaller than inner diameter R12.

[0154] The lower support portion 41 may be arranged on the inner side of the inner circumference of the winding drum 109 in the radial direction of the winding drum 109. The upper support portion 43 may be arranged on the outer side of the outer circumference of the winding drum 109 in the radial direction of the winding drum 109. Both the lower support portion 41 and the upper support portion 43 may be arranged on the outer side of the outer circumference of the winding drum 109 in the radial direction of the winding drum 109, or on the inner side of the inner circumference of the winding drum 109. For example, when the lower support portion 41 is arranged on the inner side of the winding drum 109, the lower support portion 41 may protrude upward from the lower wall 71.

[0155] The winding drum 109 may also be rotated counterclockwise as viewed from below to wind the ink ribbon 105. In this case, the path defining portion 98G may be arranged so that, of a pair of tangent lines to the outer peripheral surface of the winding drum 109 that pass through the contact point Z3 between the path defining portion 98D and the ink ribbon 105, the tangent line passing to the left of the winding drum 109 passes to the right of the contact point Z2 between the path defining portion 98G and the ink ribbon 105.

[0156] Reference Figure 18 and Figure 19 As a second embodiment, a cartridge 200 will be described. Regarding cartridge 200, portions or components having the same shape or function as cartridge 100 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in cartridge 100, or the reference numerals are omitted and the description thereof omitted or simplified. In cartridge 200, the maximum thickness of main body 84A in the front-to-back direction may be greater than the front-to-back distance between the maximum front surface area and the maximum rear surface area, may be smaller than the front-to-back distance between the maximum front surface area and the maximum rear surface area, or may be the same as the front-to-back distance between the maximum front surface area and the maximum rear surface area.

[0157] The cartridge 200 is used in the printer 1. It is used in the same manner as the cartridge 100 in the printer 1. The cartridge 200 differs from the cartridge 100 in that it includes a bottom wall 271 instead of the bottom wall 71. The structure of the cartridge 200 other than the bottom wall 271 is the same as that of the cartridge 100.

[0158] Lower wall 271 has a shape different from that of lower wall 71. Specifically, lower wall 271 further includes a lower mounting portion 272 relative to lower wall 71. Lower mounting portion 272 is a portion of lower wall 271. Specifically, lower mounting portion 272 covers the space enclosed by head front peripheral wall 84, head rear peripheral wall 85, head left peripheral wall 86, and head right peripheral wall 87, i.e., head opening 99, from below. Lower mounting portion 272 has a wall shape and extends in the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction.

[0159] Define "centerline C1." Centerline C1 bisects the front peripheral wall 84 in the left-right direction and extends in the front-back direction. Define "front trisection line V1" and "rear trisection line V2." Front trisection line V1 and rear trisection line V2 bisect the left peripheral wall 86 in the front-back direction and extend in the left-right direction. The front trisection line V1 and rear trisection line V2 are arranged in the order of front trisection line V1 and rear trisection line V2 toward the rear.

[0160] Hereinafter, the position between the left and right ends of the head front peripheral wall 84 in the left-right direction is referred to as "point P1." In the second embodiment, point P1 is located to the left of the centerline C1. The position between the left and right ends of the head rear peripheral wall 85 in the left-right direction, or between the front and rear ends of the head left peripheral wall 86 in the front-back direction, is referred to as "point P2." In the second embodiment, point P2 is located rearward of the front trisection line V1. Point P2 is located between the front and rear ends of the head left peripheral wall 86 in the front-back direction.

[0161] The right end 272A of the lower mounting portion 272 is connected to the front end 711 of the second cutout portion 71B at point P1. The right end 272A of the lower mounting portion 272 extends from point P1 to point P2, and in the second embodiment, extends rearward as it approaches the left. The right end 272A of the lower mounting portion 272 is connected to the rear end 712 or left end 713 of the second cutout portion 71B at point P2. In the second embodiment, the right end 272A of the lower mounting portion 272 is connected to the left end 713 of the second cutout portion 71B at point P2.

[0162] As described above, in the second embodiment, the lower case 40 includes the lower mounting portion 272. Thus, when a force acts rearward on the lower end of the head front peripheral wall 84, the lower mounting portion 272 receives the force. This prevents the lower end of the head front peripheral wall 84 from deflecting rearward relative to the upper end of the head front peripheral wall 84. Consequently, the case 200 helps prevent the ink ribbon 105 from skewing.

[0163] In the second embodiment, point P2 is positioned rearward relative to the front trisecting line V1. Consequently, compared to a case where point P2 is positioned forward relative to the front trisecting line V1, the lower mounting portion 272 can withstand a greater force acting rearward on the head front peripheral wall 84. Consequently, rearward deflection of the lower end of the head front peripheral wall 84 relative to the upper end of the head front peripheral wall 84 is further suppressed. Consequently, the cartridge 200 further helps suppress skewed movement of the ink ribbon 105.

[0164] In the second embodiment, point P1 is located to the left of center line C1. This allows for a larger left-right space for the head opening 99 than would be possible if point P1 were located to the right of center line C1. Thus, the cartridge 200 helps ensure space for the head opening 99 and prevents the ink ribbon 105 from skewing.

[0165] In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the tape insertion port 44 is provided on the intermediate wall 81. Therefore, the box 200, as in the first embodiment, facilitates handling of the printing tape 101. In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the box 200 includes an upper case 30. Therefore, the box 200, as in the first embodiment, facilitates handling of the printing tape 101. In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the rib 46A protrudes rearward from the opening edge 46. Therefore, the box 200, as in the first embodiment, helps prevent the ink ribbon 105 from skewing.

[0166] Reference Figure 20 and Figure 21 As a third embodiment, a box 300 will be described. The box 300 includes a box 20. The box 20 is composed of an upper box 30 and a lower box 40. Figure 20 Illustration of the upper case 30 is omitted, and illustration of the lower cover 70 of the lower case 40 is also omitted. Regarding the case 300, portions or components having the same shape or function as those of the case 100 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the case 100, and their descriptions are omitted or simplified. In the case 300, the maximum thickness of the main body 84A in the front-to-back direction may be greater than the front-to-back distance between the maximum front surface area and the maximum rear surface area, may be less than the front-to-back distance between the maximum front surface area and the maximum rear surface area, or may be the same as the front-to-back distance between the maximum front surface area and the maximum rear surface area.

[0167] The cartridge 300 is used in the printer 1. It is used in the same manner as the cartridge 100 in the printer 1. The cartridge 300 differs from the cartridge 100 in that the lower case 40 includes a middle mounting portion 372. The cartridge 300 has the same structure as the cartridge 100 except for the middle mounting portion 372.

[0168] The middle mounting portion 372 is a wall portion of the upper cover 80. Specifically, the middle mounting portion 372 is located within the space enclosed by the front head peripheral wall 84, the rear head peripheral wall 85, the left head peripheral wall 86, and the right head peripheral wall 87, i.e., within the head opening 99. The middle mounting portion 372 extends vertically. The right end of the middle mounting portion 372 extends from the front toward the rear and from the right toward the left.

[0169] The right end 372A of the middle mounting portion 372 is connected to the front head peripheral wall 84 at point P1. The right end 372A of the middle mounting portion 372 extends from point P1 to point P2. The right end 372A of the middle mounting portion 372 is connected to the rear head peripheral wall 85 or the left head peripheral wall 86 at point P2. In the third embodiment, the right end 372A of the middle mounting portion 372 is connected to the left head peripheral wall 86 at point P2.

[0170] In the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, point P1 is located to the left of center line C1, and point P2 is located behind the front trisection line V1. Point P2 is located between the front and rear ends of the head left peripheral wall 86 in the front-back direction.

[0171] As described above, in the third embodiment, the lower case 40 includes the middle bridging portion 372. Thus, when a force acts rearward on the lower end of the head front peripheral wall 84, the middle bridging portion 372 receives the force. This prevents the lower end of the head front peripheral wall 84 from deflecting rearward relative to the upper end of the head front peripheral wall 84. Consequently, the case 300 helps prevent the ink ribbon 105 from skewing.

[0172] In the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, point P2 is located behind the front trisecting line V1. Therefore, as in the second embodiment, the cartridge 300 further helps suppress the skew movement of the ink ribbon 105. In the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, point P1 is located to the left of the center line C1. Therefore, as in the second embodiment, the cartridge 300 helps ensure space for the head opening 99 and suppress the skew movement of the ink ribbon 105.

[0173] In the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the tape insertion port 44 is provided on the intermediate wall 81. Therefore, the cassette 300 facilitates handling of the printing tape 101, as in the first embodiment. In the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the cassette 300 includes an upper case 30. Therefore, the cassette 300 facilitates handling of the printing tape 101, as in the first embodiment. In the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the rib 46A protrudes rearward from the opening edge 46. Therefore, the cassette 300 helps prevent the ink ribbon 105 from skewing, as in the first embodiment.

[0174] The second embodiment and the third embodiment can also be modified in various ways. For example, Figure 22A modification of the third embodiment is shown. Figure 22 As shown in FIG, in the cartridge 300A, the point P1 may be positioned to the right of the center line C1. Similarly, in the second embodiment, the point P1 may be positioned to the right of the center line C1. Figure 23 It represents a modification of the second embodiment or the third embodiment. Figure 23 As shown, in the cassette 300B, both the lower mounting portion 272 and the middle mounting portion 372 may be provided in the lower case 40 .

[0175] Other variations of the second and third embodiments will be described. In the second and third embodiments, point P2 may be located at the same position as the front trisecting line V1 or located forward of the front trisecting line V1. Furthermore, the second and third embodiments may be modified in the same manner as the first embodiment, unless conflicts arise.

Claims

1. A box comprising: a lower box having a box shape; a ribbon reel housed in the lower box, wound with an ink ribbon, and rotatable about a first axis extending in the vertical direction; and The winding drum is a drum housed in the lower box and winds the ink ribbon from the ribbon reel, and is characterized in that: The lower box has: a first wall and a second wall extending in a front-rear direction and a left-right direction that are orthogonal to each other and respectively orthogonal to the up-down direction, and arranged in the up-down direction; and a peripheral wall extending from a peripheral edge of the first wall to a peripheral edge of the second wall, The peripheral wall comprises: a front wall and a rear wall extending in the left-right direction and the up-down direction and arranged in the front-to-back direction; and a left wall and a right wall, the left wall and the right wall extending in the front-to-rear direction and the up-down direction and arranged in the left-to-right direction, The lower box also has: a first middle wall and a second middle wall, the first middle wall and the second middle wall extending in the left-right direction and the up-down direction, disposed between the front wall and the rear wall, and arranged in the order of the first middle wall and the second middle wall in the front-to-back direction from the front wall toward the rear of the rear wall; as well as a third middle wall and a fourth middle wall, the third middle wall and the fourth middle wall extending in the left-right direction and the up-down direction, being disposed between the left wall and the right wall, and arranged in the order of the third middle wall and the fourth middle wall in the right direction from the left wall toward the right wall. The front end of the third middle wall is connected to the left end of the first middle wall. The rear end of the third middle wall is connected to the left end of the second middle wall. The rear end of the fourth middle wall is connected to the right end of the second middle wall, The second wall includes a bridge portion that bridges the upper ends of the first middle wall and the second middle wall in the front-to-back direction. The first wall is formed with: a first cutout extending from a portion of the front end of the first wall located to the right of the right end of the front wall toward the rear and extending in the front-to-rear direction to between the first middle wall and the second middle wall; as well as a second cutout portion, which is continuous from the first cutout portion and is cut toward the left, opposite to the right, between the first middle wall and the second middle wall; The lower box is provided with an exposed portion, which is an opening extending from between the right end of the front wall and the right end of the first middle wall to between the front end of the fourth middle wall and the front end of the right wall. The ribbon reel and the winding reel are arranged between the second middle wall and the rear wall and between the left wall and the right wall. The ink ribbon is laid on the winding drum in this order from the ribbon reel through the space between the left wall and the third middle wall, between the front wall and the first middle wall, the exposed portion, and between the fourth middle wall and the right wall. The first wall has a lower support portion that rotatably supports the lower end of the winding drum. The second wall has an upper support portion that rotatably supports the upper end of the winding drum. In the radial direction of the winding drum, a first gap is provided between the lower end of the winding drum and the lower support portion. In the radial direction, a second gap is provided between the upper end of the winding drum and the upper support portion. The size of the first gap is different from the size of the second gap.

2. The box according to claim 1, characterized in that The first gap is larger than the second gap.

3. The box according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that An absolute value of a difference between the first gap and the second gap is smaller than a thickness of the lower support portion in the up-down direction.

4. The box according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that An absolute value of a difference between the first gap and the second gap is smaller than a thickness of the upper support portion in the up-down direction.

5. The box according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The winding drum has a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction. One of the lower support portion and the upper support portion is arranged on the inner side of the inner circumference of the winding drum in the radial direction. The other of the lower support portion and the upper support portion is arranged outside the outer circumference of the take-up drum in the radial direction.

6. The box according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The second wall is provided with an insertion port, which is an opening for inserting a printing medium. The printing medium passes through the insertion port in the order of between the left wall and the third middle wall, between the front wall and the first middle wall, and the exposed portion. The ink ribbon and the print medium overlap each other at the exposed portion.

7. The box according to claim 6, characterized in that have: an upper box arranged above the lower box from the first wall toward the second wall in the vertical direction and having a box shape; and a medium roll, which is housed in the upper box and is wound with the printing medium, and is rotatable around a second axis extending in the up-down direction; The print medium is pulled out from the media roll and inserted into the insertion port.

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