Cartridge and method for manufacturing cartridge

Abstract

A cartridge and a method of manufacturing the cartridge. The cartridge accommodates a core in which a tape-shaped medium is wound in a roll shape, and includes, in order from the inside of the cartridge, the core, a spacer, an elastic member receiving portion, an elastic member, and one surface constituting the outer surface of the cartridge. The elastic member presses the core in the width direction of the medium across the elastic member receiving portion.

Description

Cross-reference of related applications

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-193437, filed on November 5, 2024. In this specification, reference is made to and cites the entire description, claims, and drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-193437. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to a cartridge for storing rolled media and a method for manufacturing the cartridge. Background Technology

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-151063 describes a printing apparatus that houses a roll of medium (e.g., a tape used as a printing medium) in a box, and performs a prescribed treatment (e.g., printing) on ​​the medium while feeding it out of the box.

[0004] To properly handle the medium, it is necessary to transport the medium from the cartridge without tilting. As a countermeasure, a load is applied inside the cartridge by using a force-applying component such as a ring spring to press down on the core on which the medium is wound in the width direction, thereby stabilizing the force pulling the medium out of the core. However, since the force applied by the force-applying component when pressing the core is prone to variation, there is a problem that the medium may travel at an angle when being transported.

[0005] This disclosure was made to improve and resolve the problem of such a situation, with the aim of suppressing the tilting of the medium when it is being transported from the cartridge. Summary of the Invention

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a box that internally houses a core in which a strip of medium is wound in a roll. From the inside of the box, the core, a spacer, an elastic member receiving portion, an elastic member, and one of the outer surfaces constituting the box are provided in sequence. The elastic member presses the core in the width direction of the medium through the elastic member receiving portion.

[0007] One aspect of the disclosed method of manufacturing a box includes a core containing a strip of medium wound in a roll shape. The method involves supporting the core rotatably on an inner side of one of the outer surfaces constituting the box. Between a spacer disposed on a side of the core in the width direction of the medium and the inner surface of the box, an elastic member receiving portion and an elastic member are sequentially installed from the spacer side, such that the elastic member presses the core in the width direction of the medium through the elastic member receiving portion. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 It is a 3D view of the box in its decomposed state.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a 3D view of the box in its completed state.

[0010] Figure 3 It is a plan view showing the internal structure of the box.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the retaining structure with a coil before the cover is installed on the base component of the box.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the coiled retaining structure with the cover installed on the base component of the box.

[0013] Figure 6 This is a graph showing the experimental results of conveying the belt using the box of the embodiment and the box of the comparative example. Detailed Implementation

[0014] In the embodiments described below, as an example of a box for storing a core of a strip-shaped medium wound into a roll, a box 10 (tape box) is suitable for storing a medium (printed medium) printed by a printing apparatus, i.e., a T-shaped medium. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions shown in the figures are mutually perpendicular. The Z-axis direction is the thickness direction of the box 10 and the width direction of the strip-shaped medium T.

[0015] Box 10 has a base component 11 and a cover 12 mounted on the base component 11. The base component 11 and the cover 12 can be separated from each other (see reference). Figure 1 and Figure 4 Approaching and combining along the Z-axis (refer to) Figure 2 and Figure 5The outer surface of the box 10 is formed by the combined base component 11 and cover 12. The base component 11 has a bottom portion 11a located on the -Z direction side and a side portion 11b protruding from the outer edge of the bottom portion 11a towards the +Z direction side, with the +Z direction side opposite to the bottom portion 11a being open. The cover 12 has an upper surface portion 12a, which is mounted on the front end side of the side portion 11b to seal the opening on the +Z direction side of the base component 11. That is, the upper surface portion 12a of the cover 12 is one of the surfaces (the surface on the +Z direction side) constituting the outer surface of the box 10. The base component 11 has a plurality of fitting holes 11c opening towards the +Z direction side inside, and the mounting position of the cover 12 relative to the base component 11 is determined by fitting the plurality of fitting protrusions 12b protruding from the upper surface portion 12a of the cover 12 towards the -Z direction side into the fitting holes 11c respectively. The base component 11 and the cover 12 are fixed to each other by a predetermined fixing method. Regarding the fixing method, the fitting protrusion 12b can be pressed into and fixed to the fitting hole 11c, or it can be fixed by the engagement of the fitting hole 11c and the engaging portion other than the fitting protrusion 12b. Alternatively, threaded fixing or the like can be used. A storage space 13 is formed inside the assembled base component 11 and cover 12. In the base component 11 and cover 12, the surface facing the storage space 13 is designated as the inner surface.

[0016] The base member 11 has a bottom portion 11a with a pair of sides extending generally along the X-axis and a pair of sides extending generally along the Y-axis, and four side portions 11b extending from these sides toward the +Z direction. That is, the side portions 11b have portions disposed on both sides in the X-axis direction and portions disposed on both sides in the Y-axis direction. The base member 11 has a recess 14 with a shape that is recessed inward toward the receiving space 13 (-Y direction side) than the side portions 11b. The base member 11 has a first passage 15 adjacent to the -X direction side of the recess 14, a second passage 16 adjacent to the +X direction side of the recess 14, and a guide member 17 adjacent to the +X direction side of the second passage 16. The first passage 15 and the second passage 16 communicate with the inner and outer sides of the receiving space 13, respectively.

[0017] Inside the storage space 13 are a core support shaft 18, a first reel 19, and a second reel 20 extending along the Z-axis. The core support shaft 18 is a cylindrical fixed shaft mounted on the base component 11, while the first reel 19 and the second reel 20 are cylindrical rotating shafts, rotatably supported relative to the base component 11 with their Z-axis axes as the center. The cover 12 has insertion holes 12c, 12d, and 12e into which the top ends of the core support shaft 18, the first reel 19, and the second reel 20 can be inserted.

[0018] The tape T, serving as the medium, is wound in a coil around the outer side of the cylindrical core 21. The structure with the tape T wound on the core 21 is called tape coil 22. The width of the tape T in the Z-axis direction is approximately the same as the width (axial length) of the core 21. The core 21 has a coaxial cylindrical outer cylinder 21a and an inner cylinder 21b, which are connected by a plurality of connecting portions 21c extending radially. A gap 21d is formed between the outer cylinder 21a and the inner cylinder 21b, except for the connecting portions 21c. This structure achieves both lightweight and strength assurance for the core 21. The tape T is wound around the outer circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 21a. The core support shaft 18 can be inserted into the central hole 21e inside the inner cylinder 21b, and the core 21 is supported in a rotatable manner within the housing space 13 with the core support shaft 18 as the center. Figure 4 and Figure 5 The central axis C shown is an axis that passes through the center of the core support shaft 18 and the core 21 and extends along the Z-axis.

[0019] like Figure 3 As shown, the tape T, fed from the tape roll 22 housed in the storage space 13, extends outward from the storage space 13 through the first passage 15, passes through the region on the +Y direction side of the recess 14, and is conveyed along the tape guide 17. That is, the tape T is conveyed from the tape roll 22 toward the approximately +X direction side. The ink tape K is wound in a coil on the first spool 19 within the storage space 13. The ink tape K, fed from the first spool 19, extends outward from the storage space 13 through the first passage 15, passes through the region on the +Y direction side of the recess 14, enters the interior of the storage space 13 through the second passage 16, and is wound on the second spool 20. In the region between the first passage 15 and the second passage 16, the ink tape K and the tape T are conveyed overlappingly.

[0020] The recess 14 of the base component 11 is the portion into which the print head 1 of the printing apparatus is inserted when the cartridge 10 is installed in the printing apparatus (not shown). The printing apparatus has a platen roller 2, which is rotatable about an axis in the Z-axis direction, positioned opposite the print head 1. The tape T and ink tape K are held between the print head 1 and the platen roller 2. When the printing apparatus heats the heating element of the print head 1 in this held state, the ink in the heated area of ​​the ink tape K is transferred to the tape T for printing. Furthermore, when the printing apparatus rotates the platen roller 2 in this held state, the tape T and ink tape K are conveyed approximately along the X-axis direction. The tape T, guided by the tape guide 17 and conveyed towards the +X direction, is discharged outside the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus has a cutter (not shown) that cuts the tape T, allowing the tape T discharged outside the printing apparatus to be cut in its entirety or a portion thereof. When the cartridge 10 is installed in the printing apparatus, the drive shaft 3 of the printing apparatus engages with the center hole 20a of the second roll 20. In the printing apparatus, the impression roller 2 rotates to convey the tape T and the ink tape K, and synchronously, the drive shaft 3 rotates the second roll 20, thereby enabling the ink tape K to be smoothly wound onto the second roll 20.

[0021] Furthermore, when the box disclosed herein is used as a tape holder for a printing apparatus, it is not limited to transfer printing from an ink ribbon as shown in the illustration; the medium can also be a thermal tape that develops color through heating. In this case, the first roll 19, the second roll 20, the ink ribbon K, etc., can be omitted from the structure of the box 10 shown in the illustration for application.

[0022] Next, the retaining structure with the "T" in box 10 will be described in detail. For example... Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the box 10 has retaining pieces 23 and 24 on both sides of the roll 22 in the Z-axis direction. The retaining piece 24 corresponds to a spacer in the box of this disclosure. The retaining pieces 23 and 24 are adhesive pieces with adhesive properties on their surfaces opposite the roll 22, and are circular in their outer periphery centered on the central axis C of the core 21, with central openings 23a and 24a centered on the central axis C. The box 10 uses the retaining pieces 23 and 24 to cover both sides of the roll of tape T wound around the core 21, thereby preventing the tape T from shifting axially (Z-axis direction) and radially (perpendicular to the Z-axis direction) towards the core 21. That is, the box 10 prevents the tape T from unwinding relative to the core 21 using the retaining pieces 23 and 24. The diameters of the central openings 23a and 24a are larger than the diameter of the inner cylinder 21b of the core 21 and smaller than the diameter of the outer cylinder 21a. Therefore, for the box 10, with the retaining piece 23 and retaining piece 24 respectively installed on the tape roll 22, the inner periphery of the retaining piece 23 and retaining piece 24 defined by the central opening 23a and the central opening 24a is located between the outer cylinder 21a and the inner cylinder 21b in the radial direction of the core 21.

[0023] The tape roll 22 is installed inside the storage space 13 with the retaining piece 23 positioned on the -Z direction side and the retaining piece 24 positioned on the +Z direction side. Specifically, the retaining piece 23 is disposed between the bottom portion 11a of the base member 11 and the core 21, and the retaining piece 24 is disposed between the upper surface portion 12a of the cover 12 and the core 21. A diaphragm 25 and an annular spring 26 are disposed between the retaining piece 24 and the upper surface portion 12a of the cover 12 (on the inner side of the box 10 relative to the upper surface portion 12a). The diaphragm 25 is located on the retaining piece 24 side (-Z direction side), and the annular spring 26 is located on the upper surface portion 12a side (+Z direction side). Thus, from the inner side of the box 10, the core 21, retaining piece 24, diaphragm 25, annular spring 26, and upper surface portion 12a are sequentially provided. The diaphragm 25 corresponds to the elastic member bearing portion in the box of this disclosure, and the annular spring 26 corresponds to the elastic member in the box of this disclosure.

[0024] The diaphragm 25 is circular in its outer periphery, centered on the central axis C of the core 21, and has a central opening 25a, also circular, centered on the central axis C. The outer diameter of the diaphragm 25 is the same as that of the retaining plate 24. The diameter of the central opening 25a is smaller than that of the central opening 24a of the retaining plate 24, and is equal to or greater than the diameter of the core support shaft 18. That is, the tip of the core support shaft 18 can be inserted into the central opening 25a. The diaphragm 25 is overlapped on the +Z direction side of the retaining plate 24 and is held with the core support shaft 18 inserted into the central opening 25a. In this state, the inner periphery of the diaphragm 25, defined by the central opening 25a, is radially inner than the central opening 24a of the retaining plate 24. Therefore, as Figure 4 As shown, a portion of the inner circumferential side of the diaphragm 25 near the central opening 25a, namely the variable-size permissible region 25b, is opposed to the axial side of the core 21 in a manner where the retaining plate 24 is not sandwiched between them in the Z-axis direction. An initial gap S1 corresponding to the thickness of the retaining plate 24 in the Z-axis direction is formed between the core 21 and the diaphragm 25 (variable-size permissible region 25b). The initial gap S1 is an annular space centered on the central axis C, formed radially between the outer circumferential surface of the core support shaft 18 and the inner circumferential portion of the central opening 24a of the retaining plate 24. The diaphragm 25 has the flexibility to bend the variable-size permissible region 25b toward the initial gap S1 by being pressed by the annular spring 26. However, the diaphragm 25 has the ability to maintain a gap S2 (described later) between itself and the core 21. Figure 5 The strength of the membrane 25 is such that it does not cause excessive overall deformation of the deformable region 25b. The material of the membrane 25, which satisfies these conditions and is relatively inexpensive, is preferably a resin material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polycarbonate.

[0025] The annular spring 26 is a leaf spring (annular elastic member) formed in a ring shape in a plane parallel to the upper surface portion 12a of the cover 12, and has a central opening 26a through which the core support shaft 18 is inserted. The annular spring 26 has a warped shape in which a portion of the circumferential region protrudes towards the -Z direction side compared to other regions. More specifically, the annular spring 26 has a pair of protruding regions 26b on both radially opposite sides of the central opening 26a, located on the -Z direction side, and has a shape that advances towards the +Z direction side as it moves away from the protruding regions 26b in the circumferential direction. The region of the annular spring 26 located on the +Z direction side is designated as the support region 26c. The distance between the inner surface of the upper surface portion 12a and the Z-axis direction of the retaining piece 24 when the cover 12 is mounted on the base member 11 is designated as the distance P (refer to...). Figure 5 In the case of an initial state (free state) without external force applied, the ring spring 26 (refer to) Figure 4 The warping in the Z-axis direction (the distance from the protruding region 26b to the supporting region 26c in the Z-axis direction) is greater than the interval P. Therefore, as Figure 5As shown, with the diaphragm 25 and the annular spring 26 positioned between the upper surface portion 12a and the retaining piece 24, and the cover 12 mounted on the base member 11, the annular spring 26, pressed by the upper surface portion 12a, is compressed and deformed in the Z-axis direction. The force of the annular spring 26 recovering from the compression deformation presses the deformable region 25b of the diaphragm 25 towards the -Z direction. The annular spring 26 is compressed and deformed with the support region 26c in contact with the inner surface of the upper surface portion 12a of the cover 12 and the protruding region 26b in contact with the deformable region 25b of the diaphragm 25. The deformable region 25b of the diaphragm 25, subjected to the pressing force from the annular spring 26, deforms towards the -Z direction and enters the initial gap S1, contacting the core 21 and pressing it towards the -Z direction. Thus, the annular spring 26 presses the core 21 in the width direction of the band T, through the diaphragm 25.

[0026] The result of the variable area 25b of the diaphragm 25 being pressed by the annular spring 26 is that, from the initial gap S1 state before the cover 12 is installed, the diaphragm 25 (variable area 25b), the core 21, and the retaining plate 24, now pressed by the annular spring 26, are surrounded, thus forming a gap S2. Figure 5 As shown, the gap S2 is a shape that gradually widens in the Z-axis direction from the position where the protruding region 26b of the annular spring 26 presses against the deformable region 25b, and advances radially along the core 21 toward the position where the support region 26c of the annular spring 26 contacts the upper surface portion 12a of the cover 12. The annular spring 26 is limited in size to the inner side of the outer periphery of the gap S2 in a plane parallel to the upper surface portion 12a.

[0027] When manufacturing box 10, such as Figure 4 As shown, with the cover 12 not installed on the base member 11, a roll 22 with retaining pieces 23 and 24 arranged on both sides of the width direction of the roll T is installed in the storage space 13, and the core 21 is supported in a rotatable manner via the core support shaft 18. Furthermore, a diaphragm 25 is overlapped with the retaining piece 24, forming an initial gap S1 around the core support shaft 18, and an annular spring 26 is placed on the opposite side of the diaphragm 25 from the initial gap S1. That is, the diaphragm 25 and the annular spring 26 are sequentially installed between the retaining piece 24 provided on the side of the core 21 and the upper surface portion 12a (inner surface of the box 10) of the cover 12, starting from the retaining piece 24 side. The annular spring 26 is set to protrude in the -Z direction from the protruding region 26b. From this state onwards... Figure 5With the cover 12 mounted on the base component 11 as shown, the upper surface portion 12a approaches the diaphragm 25 and presses the annular spring 26. The annular spring 26 elastically deforms in a nearly flattened shape in the Z-axis direction while pressing the diaphragm 25. The deformable allowable region 25b of the diaphragm 25, pressed by the annular spring 26, enters the initial gap S1, and the diaphragm 25 is pressed against the axial side of the core 21 while forming a gap S2. As a result, the box 10 is completed with the annular spring 26 pressing the core 21 in the width direction of the band T through the diaphragm 25.

[0028] For the box 10 manufactured as described above, the force from the annular spring 26, which is compressed and deformed in the Z-axis direction, presses the core 21 in the Z-axis direction, thereby stabilizing the position of the core 21 in the Z-axis direction and applying a specified load to the rotation of the core 21. The stabilization of the core 21 in the Z-axis direction, i.e., the width direction of the belt T, has the effect of suppressing the swaying of the belt T fed from the tape roll 22 in the width direction. The load applied to the rotation of the core 21 has the effect of stabilizing the force used to pull the belt T from the tape roll 22 (hereinafter referred to as the pull force). When the pull force of the belt T is stable, even belt Ts made of soft materials or thin belt Ts can be transported stably. When the belt T sways in the width direction or the pull force of the belt T is unstable, the transport of the belt T is unstable and it travels at an angle, which may reduce the printing quality of the belt T. In the case of a large degree of tilting of the belt T, a part of the printing area may deviate from the range in the width direction of the belt T, resulting in poor printing. In contrast, by applying the pressing force of the annular spring 26 to the core 21, it is possible to prevent the tape T from tilting as it is fed from the tape roll 22, thereby improving the printing quality of the tape T. However, research results show that simply applying a pressing force to the core 21 in the width direction of the tape T can sometimes cause load variations and thus fail to achieve a sufficient effect. As described below, the cartridge 10 of this embodiment has an improved structure for preventing the tape T from tilting.

[0029] Circular spring 26 according to Figure 4 The amount of warpage in the initial state shown, such as Figure 5The amount of compression deformation when the cover 12 is pressed in varies. The greater the original warpage, the greater the force applied to the pressing core 21 during compression deformation. Therefore, the load on the pressing core 21 can be adjusted by the warpage of the annular spring 26. However, if the warpage of the annular spring 26 is too large, the stability of its shape and posture during compression deformation will decrease, and the load on the core 21 may deviate. In this regard, in the box 10 of this embodiment, the core 21, the retaining piece 24, the diaphragm 25, the annular spring 26, and the upper surface portion 12a (forming one of the surfaces of the outer surface of the box 10) are provided sequentially from the inside of the box 10. The diaphragm 25 is positioned between the annular spring 26 and the core 21. Thus, the load on the core 21 can be applied not only by the warpage of the annular spring 26, but also by the deformation of the annular spring 26 and the diaphragm 25. That is, by clamping the diaphragm 25, a sufficient pressing force can be applied to the core 21 while ensuring the stability of the shape and posture of the annular spring 26 during compression deformation. The deformable region 25b of the diaphragm 25 can deform with the compression deformation of the annular spring 26 while efficiently pressing the core 21.

[0030] The annular spring 26 does not uniformly apply pressure to the axial side of the core 21 in a circumferential direction. Instead, it has a protruding region 26b that protrudes towards the core 21 and a support region 26c that supports the upper surface portion 12a of the cover 12. The pressure towards the core 21 is mainly transmitted by a portion including the protruding region 26b. Furthermore, the core 21 has a gap 21d separated by the connecting portion 21c between the outer cylinder 21a and the inner cylinder 21b. Therefore, when the annular spring 26 is pressed directly against the core 21 without the diaphragm 25 in between, the annular spring 26 may shift radially in position towards the core 21, or the protruding region 26b may fall into the gap 21d on the core 21 side, causing the annular spring 26 to tilt, resulting in biased pressure on the core 21, or variations in the pressure applied by the annular spring 26. To ensure stable rotation of the core 21, it is necessary to prevent such states. The annular spring 26 applies a uniform and consistent radial pressure to the core 21. Ideally, the center of the annular spring 26 should always be aligned with the central axis C of the core 21. In the housing 10 of this embodiment, by positioning the diaphragm 25 between the annular spring 26 and the core 21, it is possible to prevent the position of the annular spring 26 from shifting radially in the core 21 and to prevent the protruding area 26b of the annular spring 26 from falling into the gap 21d on the core 21 side, thereby stabilizing the position and orientation of the annular spring 26. As a result, the pressing force exerted by the annular spring 26 on the core 21 can be made into a force with minimal force variation and positional deviation, thereby stabilizing the rotation of the core 21.

[0031] In particular, by having a gap S2 surrounded by the deformable region 25b of the diaphragm 25 under the pressure of the annular spring 26, the core 21, and the retaining plate 24, the following effect can be achieved: the deformable region 25b deforms with the compression deformation of the annular spring 26, and in a plane parallel to the upper surface portion 12a, the center of the annular spring 26 and the central axis C of the core 21 are held coaxially together. Therefore, the annular spring 26 can apply a stable, unbiased load to the core 21 near the core support axis 18. In a plane parallel to the upper surface portion 12a, since the annular spring 26 is limited to a size closer to the inner side of the gap S2, no part of the annular spring 26 will contact the diaphragm 25 at a position deviating from the deformable region 25b, thus achieving a more stable effect for the annular spring 26.

[0032] As described above, in the housing 10 of this embodiment, the annular spring 26 has a certain amount of compression deformation near the core support shaft 18. Therefore, the position of the core 21 in the width direction (axial direction of the core 21) of the belt T and the pull-out force of the belt T acting on the core 21 are stable, enabling stable conveying without tilting of the belt T pulled from the housing 10. In particular, when the belt T is made of a soft material or is thin, there are problems such as difficulty in stable conveying and easy tilting of the belt T. However, even in such cases, by using the housing 10 of this embodiment, stable conveying of the belt T can be achieved, preventing problems caused by tilting or slackness of the belt T. In the housing 10, the load can be adjusted by the warp of the annular spring 26, and the pull-out force of the belt T can be designed by the contact pressure of the diaphragm 25 directly below the annular spring 26 on the core 21. The optimal pull-out force corresponding to the type of belt T (softness, thickness, etc.) can be easily set.

[0033] Figure 6 The results show the experimental results of keeping the tape roll in the box under several different conditions. Figure 6The embodiment shown illustrates a case where the same structure as the box 10 described above is applied, having a retaining plate (equivalent to retaining plate 24), a diaphragm (equivalent to diaphragm 25), and a gap (equivalent to gap S2). Regarding the ring spring, two types are prepared: one with large warpage and high load capacity, and the other with small warpage and low load capacity. In this embodiment, a ring spring with high load capacity is used. The unit of deformation of the ring spring is mm (millimeters). The deformation of the ring spring in this embodiment is set as the reference value "α". The differences in deformation relative to the reference value α are shown in each comparative example. The pull-out force of the belt is obtained by continuously measuring the pull-out force using a push-pull force gauge while pulling the belt from a roll, and extracting the lowest value of the pull-out force. The unit of pull-out force is gf (grams per unit weight). The pull-out force of this embodiment is set as the reference value "β". The differences in pull-out force relative to the reference value β are shown in each comparative example. In the experiment, a long, narrow, frame-shaped test pattern is printed along the length of the belt, and the quality of the results is determined based on the printed test pattern. The printing data for the test pattern is set such that the frame lines are printed parallel to the two edges of the tape at positions with a predetermined blank space between them in the width direction of the tape. A good result is considered when the positional relationship between the two edges of the tape and the frame lines of the printed test pattern is based on the content of the printing data. In the embodiment, the tape travels from the cartridge without tilting and is transported stably and easily, allowing the test pattern to be printed in the appropriate position and shape set by the printing data.

[0034] In Comparative Example 1, only a retaining plate was installed on the axial side of the tape roll, without a diaphragm, and a relatively weak ring spring was used. Printing was performed under these conditions. Because no diaphragm was installed, there were no gaps, and the ring spring directly pressed against the core. In Comparative Example 1, the deformation of the ring spring was -0.2 mm compared to the example, and the tape pull-out force was -6.5 gf compared to the example. Compared to the example, both the ring spring load and the tape pull-out force were smaller, resulting in unstable ring spring posture and load. This caused the tape to travel at a greater angle, leading to a printing result where the frame line of the test pattern locally broke off midway within the width direction of the tape (printing defect).

[0035] In Comparative Example 2, the condition of only installing a retaining piece on the side of the tape roll without providing a diaphragm was the same as in Comparative Example 1. The tape was printed under the condition that the load on the ring spring was as strong as in the embodiment. Similar to Comparative Example 1, since no diaphragm was provided, there was no gap and the ring spring directly pressed the core. In Comparative Example 2, the deformation of the ring spring was -0.1 mm compared to the embodiment, and the pull-out force was -4.0 gf compared to the embodiment. By increasing the load of the ring spring itself, the force pressing the core became stronger compared to Comparative Example 1, but since no diaphragm was provided, the deformation of the ring spring was smaller compared to the embodiment. In addition, there were load variation factors such as the gap where the ring spring partially fell into the core, and the stability of the pull-out force was lower compared to the embodiment. As a result, the tilting of the tape could not be sufficiently suppressed, and the frame line of the test pattern was barely printed on the two edges of the tape, resulting in a printing result where the blanks disappeared.

[0036] In Comparative Example 3, instead of a retaining plate, a diaphragm was installed on the side of the tape roll. Based on this, the tape was printed under the same conditions as in the embodiment, with the load and deformation of the annular spring set as in the example. Similar to the embodiment, the annular spring pressed against the core through the diaphragm, but because no retaining plate was provided, there was no gap. In Comparative Example 3, the pull-out force was -4.5 gf relative to the embodiment. Regarding the conditions of the annular spring itself in Comparative Example 3, which were the same as in the embodiment, the deformation of the annular spring was stable. However, due to the lack of gap, the annular spring was prone to radial movement relative to the center of the core (i.e., there was a variation in load), resulting in lower stability of the pull-out force compared to the embodiment. As a result, the tilting of the tape could not be adequately suppressed, and the frame lines of the test pattern were partially and barely printed on the two edges of the tape, resulting in a printing result where blank areas disappeared.

[0037] Based on the above experimental results, it is evident that the structure of the embodiment, which includes a ring spring functioning as an elastic member, a retaining plate functioning as a spacer, and a diaphragm functioning as a support for the elastic member between the inner surface of the box and the core, can prevent tilting during belt transport, thus achieving good results. It is clear that by omitting either the retaining plate or the diaphragm, as in the comparative examples, the effect of preventing tilting of the belt is reduced. Furthermore, it is clear that by providing a retaining plate (spacer) and a diaphragm (support for the elastic member) as in the embodiment, and having a gap surrounded by the diaphragm, core, and elastic member in a pressed state by the ring spring (elastic member), the position of the ring spring is stabilized, the load of the ring spring is appropriately transferred to the core, and the stability of the pull-out force is improved.

[0038] The above embodiments are provided as specific examples for ease of understanding of the invention. This disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and alterations can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0039] In the box 10 of the above embodiment, the retaining piece 23, which is mounted on the opposite side of the retaining piece 24 relative to the tape roll 22, also has a central opening 23a of the same size as the central opening 24a of the retaining piece 24. However, no annular spring is provided on the retaining piece 23 side, and it is not necessary to form the same gap S2 as on the retaining piece 24 side in relation to the annular spring. Therefore, the structure of the retaining piece 23 can be changed to have a central opening (with an opening diameter smaller than the central opening 23a) that is the minimum size for inserting the core support shaft 18.

[0040] In the box 10 of the above embodiment, a ring spring 26 is used as an elastic member to apply a pressing force to the tape roll 22. The ring spring 26 is excellent in that it can be obtained inexpensively with a small and lightweight structure and is easy to optimize for load, but the elastic member is not limited to this. For example, as an alternative to the ring spring 26, a ring-shaped rubber member, a helical compression spring, etc., can also be used.

[0041] In the case of cartridge 10 in the above embodiment, the case of a roll of medium wound around the core 21 as tape T is described as an example. However, the same structure as the holding structure of tape T can also be applied to the holding structure of tape K in cartridge 10 when tape K is used as medium.

[0042] The cartridge 10 of the above embodiment houses the tape T, which serves as a printing medium. However, the cartridge of this disclosure can also be applied to situations other than cartridges housing printing-related media. For example, it can also be applied to cartridges where magnetic tape recording magnetic information is wound in a roll and housed in a core. If the magnetic tape travels at an angle during transport, errors will occur in the positional relationship between the magnetic head and the tape, potentially leading to errors in reading and writing information. Therefore, it is useful to use the cartridge of this invention to transport the tape without tilting it. Alternatively, it can also be applied to a structure where adhesive tape having an adhesive layer on at least one side in the thickness direction is wound in a roll and housed in a cartridge. When the adhesive tape is pulled out of the core and cut to a predetermined length using a cutter, the adhesive tape can be transported without tilting when using the cartridge of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A box that internally houses a core in which a strip of medium is wound in a roll, characterized in that, Starting from the inside of the box, it sequentially includes the core, the spacer, the elastic member support portion, the elastic member, and one of the surfaces constituting the outer surface of the box. The elastic member presses the core in the width direction of the medium through the elastic member bearing portion.

2. The box as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, A gap is formed by the elastic member bearing portion, the core, and the spacer, which are in a state of deformation due to being pressed by the elastic member.

3. The box as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The elastic member is confined in a plane parallel to the surface to a position inside the outer periphery of the gap.

4. The box as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The elastic component is a leaf spring formed in a ring shape in a plane parallel to the surface.

5. The box as described in claim 4, characterized in that, In a plane parallel to the surface, the center of the elastic member and the center of the core are coaxial.

6. A method for manufacturing a box, wherein the box internally houses a core in which a strip of medium is wound in a roll, the method for manufacturing the box being characterized in that... The core is rotatably supported on the inner side of one of the surfaces constituting the outer surface of the box. Between the spacer disposed on the side of the core in the width direction of the medium and the inner surface of the box, an elastic member support and an elastic member are sequentially installed from the spacer side, such that the elastic member presses the core in the width direction of the medium through the elastic member support.

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