Printing device

Abstract

To provide a printing device provided with a tape cartridge whose attachment / detachment property has been improved.SOLUTION: A printing device 1 comprises an enclosure (a device enclosure) 3 having a cartridge storage part 40 which a tape cartridge 6 can be attached to and detached from. In the enclosure 3, an opening through which the tape cartridge 6 is attached thereto and detached therefrom is formed at an upper surface side, and a notch part 50 cut off up to a position lower than a bottom surface of the tape cartridge 6 (for instance, the tape cartridge 6 whose tape width is 18 mm or less) stored in the cartridge storage part 40 is provided at an edge part in which the opening is formed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a printer that prints on roll paper stored in a main body cover (device housing) and discharges the printed roll paper from an outlet. In this type of printer, for example, in order to prevent the discharged roll paper from entering through the gap between the main body cover and the top cover (opening and closing cover), a protrusion is provided in part of the area facing the roll paper in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the roll paper stored in the main body cover (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-144264 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the printer disclosed in Patent Document 1, the above-mentioned protrusion is provided on the inner surface of the rear wall of the main body cover so as to protrude toward the front wall, which poses the problem that it makes it difficult to attach and detach the roll paper.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a printing device that improves the ease of mounting and removing a tape cartridge. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a printing device according to the present invention comprises: A printing device that prints on a tape supplied from a tape cartridge, an apparatus housing having a storage section into which the tape cartridge can be detachably attached; The device housing includes: An opening for inserting and removing the tape cartridge is provided on the top surface side, a notch that is cut out to a position lower than the bottom surface of the tape cartridge accommodated in the accommodating section at an edge where the opening is formed; It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printing device that improves the ease of mounting and removing a tape cartridge. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a printing device with an access cover open and no tape cartridge housed therein; [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view showing a printing device with an access cover open and a tape cartridge housed therein; [Figure 4] 1 is a side view of the printing device with the access cover open and a tape cartridge housed therein. FIG. [Diagram 5] 2 is a plan view showing the housing when no tape cartridge is accommodated in the cartridge accommodating section. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a plan view showing the housing with a first tape cartridge housed in a cartridge housing section. FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is a plan view showing the housing with a second tape cartridge housed in the cartridge housing portion. FIG. [Figure 8] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the housing when a second tape cartridge with a tape width of 6 mm is housed in the cartridge housing portion. FIG. [Figure 9]11 is a cross-sectional view showing the housing when a second tape cartridge with a tape width of 18 mm is housed in the cartridge housing portion. FIG. [Figure 10] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the housing in a state where a second tape cartridge with a tape width of 46 mm is housed in the cartridge housing portion. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a printing device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is subject to various technically preferable limitations for implementing the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment and illustrated examples.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a printing device 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the printing device 1 with the access cover 2 open and without a tape cartridge 6 housed therein. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the printing device 1 with the access cover 2 open and with a tape cartridge 6 housed therein. Fig. 4 is a side view of the printing device 1 with the access cover 2 open and with a tape cartridge 6 housed therein.

[0011] In this embodiment, the direction in which the tape (hereinafter referred to as the print tape) supplied from the tape cartridge 6 is transported is referred to as the "transport direction X," the width direction of the print tape perpendicular to this transport direction X is referred to as the "width direction Y," and the thickness direction of the print tape is referred to as the "thickness direction Z." These X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are perpendicular to one another.

[0012] The printing device 1 is a label printer that heats a printing tape to print images such as characters, marks, figures, tables, etc. The printing device 1 has a function of cutting the printed printing tape, a function of communicating with external devices via a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), etc.

[0013] The printed tape has a tape body to be printed and a release paper for the tape body. The tape body is a multi-layered tape having a laminate film, a coloring layer, a tape color layer, a base material, and an adhesive layer, which are integrally formed in this order from the front surface to the back surface. The laminate film is a transparent protective layer, and is made of, for example, PET (Poly Ethylene Terephthalate). The coloring layer is a layer that develops color when heated, and develops color, for example, black. The tape color layer is a base layer of a color (for example, white) that becomes the base (background) of the printed coloring layer of the tape body. The color of the tape color layer is not limited to white, and may be other colors such as yellow.

[0014] [Printing device configuration] First, the configuration of a printing device 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the printing device 1 is provided with an opening / closing lid 2 and multiple buttons (power button 31, wireless LAN switch button 32, cut button 33, and lid opening / closing button 34) on the top surface of a box-shaped housing (device housing) 3.

[0015] The power button 31 is a button that receives a pressing input to turn the printer 1 on / off.

[0016] The wireless LAN switching button 32 is a key that accepts a press input to switch between an access point mode and a client mode as the wireless LAN communication mode of the printing device 1. The access point mode is a mode in which the printing device 1 functions as a wireless LAN access point and performs wireless LAN communication directly with an external device. The client mode is a mode in which the printing device 1 performs wireless LAN communication with an external device via a wireless LAN access point.

[0017] The cut button 33 is a button that receives a press input for cutting and feeding the print tape supplied from the tape cartridge 6.

[0018] The lid opening / closing button 34 is a button that opens the opening / closing cover 2. Note that the lid opening / closing button 34 in this embodiment only opens the opening / closing cover 2, and when closing the opening / closing cover 2, the user closes the opening / closing cover 2 manually.

[0019] The opening / closing cover 2 is disposed so as to be able to be opened and closed freely so as to cover an opening formed on the upper surface side of the housing 3 and an opening formed by a notch 50 (described later).

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the opening / closing cover 2 includes an upper surface portion 21, a side surface portion 22, a window portion 23, a protrusion portion 24, a locking claw 25, and a pressing member .

[0021] The upper surface portion 21 is a portion that covers an opening formed on the upper surface side of the housing 3, and has a shape (substantially rectangular) corresponding to the opening. The upper surface portion 21 is provided with a window portion 23, which will be described later.

[0022] The side surface portion 22 is connected to an end of the top surface portion 21 and is a portion that covers the opening formed by the notch portion 50 in the side surface of the housing 3. The side surface portion 22 has a shape corresponding to the notch portion 50, and is provided so as to face the notch portion 50 when the opening / closing lid 2 is closed.

[0023] The window portion 23 allows visual confirmation as to whether or not a tape cartridge 6 is accommodated inside the housing 3 (cartridge accommodation portion 40 (described later)) even when the opening / closing cover 2 is closed.

[0024] The protrusion 24 is provided so as to engage with an open / close detector 36 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) provided on the housing 3 when the opening / closing cover 2 is closed. When the protrusion 24 engages with the open / close detector 36, the open / close detector 36 electrically detects the closed state of the opening / closing cover 2.

[0025] The locking claw 25 is arranged to lock into a locking recess 37 (see Figs. 2 and 3) provided in the housing 3 when the opening / closing cover 2 is closed. The locking claw 25 locks into the locking recess 37, preventing the opening / closing cover 2 from being opened accidentally.

[0026] The pressing member 26 is a member that presses the top surface of the tape cartridge 6 housed inside the housing 3 (cartridge housing section 40) when the opening / closing cover 2 is closed. The pressing member 26 includes an elastic member, and the pressing force is adjusted so that excessive pressure is not applied to the tape cartridges 6, which have various thicknesses, by the elastic force of the elastic member. Furthermore, when the opening / closing cover 2 is opened, the pressing member 26 plays a role in lifting the opening / closing cover 2 by the restoring force of the contracted elastic member. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, the pressing member 26 is disposed so as to overlap with the side surface portion 22 and not be visible when the printing device 1 is viewed from the "thickness direction Z" when the opening / closing cover 2 is open.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing 3 includes a cartridge housing portion 40 for housing the tape cartridge 6, in addition to the above-mentioned multiple buttons, the open / close detection portion 36, and the locking recess 37.

[0028] An outlet 38 is formed on the side of the housing 3 at a portion located downstream in the "transport direction X" of the print tape supplied from the tape cartridge 6. After printing by the thermal head 11 in the printing device 1 is completed, the print tape is discharged from the outlet 38 to the outside of the device.

[0029] Although not shown, the housing 3 is provided with a power cord connection terminal, an external device connection terminal, a storage medium insertion port, etc. If the printing device 1 is powered by an internal power source such as a battery, the power cord connection terminal may not be provided.

[0030] [Cartridge storage section configuration] Next, the configuration of the cartridge receiving portion 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 is a plan view showing the housing 3 in a state where no tape cartridge 6 is housed in the cartridge housing portion 40. Here, the cartridge housing portion 40 of this embodiment is capable of housing both a first tape cartridge 6A having a relatively large outside dimension in an XZ plane defined by the "transport direction X" and the "thickness direction Z", and a second tape cartridge 6B having an outside dimension smaller than that of the first tape cartridge 6A.

[0031] Fig. 6 is a plan view showing the housing 3 in a state where a first tape cartridge 6A is accommodated in the cartridge accommodating section 40. Fig. 7 is a plan view showing the housing 3 in a state where a second tape cartridge 6B is accommodated in the cartridge accommodating section 40. Note that in the following, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the first tape cartridge 6A and the second tape cartridge 6B, they will be described as a tape cartridge 6 that includes both.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 5, the cartridge storage section 40 is provided with a thermal head 11 and a platen roller 12. The thermal head 11 is a print head that prints on the print tape supplied from the tape cartridge 6, and has a plurality of heating elements (not shown) whose energized state is independently controlled. A thermistor (not shown) is also embedded in the thermal head 11. The thermistor functions as a measuring means for measuring the temperature of the thermal head 11. The platen roller 12 is a transport roller that transports the print tape while sandwiching the print tape between the platen roller 12 and the thermal head 11. The platen roller 12 transports the print tape in the "transport direction X" toward the discharge port 38.

[0033] In addition, the cartridge accommodating section 40 is provided with a first space forming section 41, a second space forming section 42, a step section 43, an ink ribbon winding drive shaft 44, a first support section 45, a second support section 46, a third support section 47, a plurality of tape width detection switches 48, a push button 49, and a cutout section 50.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 5, the first space forming portion 41 is provided in the center of the cartridge accommodating portion 40, and is configured to form the deepest space in the cartridge accommodating portion 40 (see FIG. 2).

[0035] As shown in Fig. 5, the second space forming portion 42 is provided at a corner (upper right in the figure) of the cartridge storage portion 40, and is configured to form the second deepest space in the cartridge storage portion 40 (see Fig. 2). That is, the bottom surface of the second space forming portion 42 is disposed at a position higher than the bottom surface of the first space forming portion 41, and is disposed at a position lower than a step portion 43 described later. Also, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the second space forming portion 42 is configured to form a space into which a user's finger (e.g., the index finger of the right hand) can be inserted in the negative direction of the "width direction Y" when removing the tape cartridge 6 contained in the cartridge storage portion 40.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 5, the step portion 43 is provided at one end (upper side in the figure) of the cartridge accommodating portion 40, and is formed at a position higher than the bottom surface of the second space forming portion 42 (see Fig. 2). Also, as shown in Fig. 6, the step portion 43 plays a role in supporting the locking portion 62 provided at the end portion (upper side in the figure) of the first tape cartridge 6A when the first tape cartridge 6A is accommodated in the cartridge accommodating portion 40.

[0037] The ink ribbon take-up drive shaft 44 is a drive shaft for engaging with the ink ribbon take-up core 61 of the tape cartridge 6, as shown in FIGS.

[0038] As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the first support portion 45 is vertically disposed on the bottom surface of the first space forming portion 41. The first support portion 45 is a portion that supports a locking portion 62 (see Figures 8 to 10) provided at a corner (the lower left corner in the figures) of the tape cartridge 6 when the tape cartridge 6 is housed in the cartridge housing portion 40. The height of the upper surface of the first support portion 45 is configured to be the same height as the height of the upper surfaces of the step portion 43 and the second support portion 46 and the third support portion 47 described below.

[0039] 5 to 7, the second support portion 46 is vertically disposed on the bottom surface of the second space forming portion 42. The second support portion 46 is a portion that supports the locking portion 62 provided at a corner (the upper right corner in the figure) of the tape cartridge 6 when the tape cartridge 6 is housed in the cartridge housing portion 40. The height of the upper surface of the second support portion 46 is configured to be the same height as the height of the upper surfaces of the step portion 43, the first support portion 45, and a third support portion 47 described below.

[0040] The third support portion 47 is provided so as to protrude from the stepped portion 43 in the positive direction of the "transport direction X" in a normal state (when the push button 49 is not pressed down). On the other hand, when the push button 49 is pressed down, the third support portion 47 slides in the negative direction of the "transport direction X" and is stored in the space below the stepped portion 43. Here, the height of the upper surface of the third support portion 47 is configured to be the same height as the height of the upper surfaces of the stepped portion 43, the first support portion 45, and the second support portion 46.

[0041] 7, when the second tape cartridge 6B is accommodated in the cartridge accommodating section 40, the push button 49 is not pressed down, so the third support section 47 is disposed at a position protruding from the stepped section 43 in the positive direction of the "transport direction X." Therefore, the third support section 47 is able to support the locking section 62 provided at the corner (the upper left corner in the figure) of the second tape cartridge 6B (see FIGS. 8 to 10).

[0042] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 6, when the first tape cartridge 6A is accommodated in the cartridge accommodating section 40, the third support section 47 is configured so that the push button 49 is pressed down by the locking section 62 provided at the end (upper side in the figure) of the first tape cartridge 6A. As a result, the third support section 47 slides in the negative direction of the "transport direction X" and is accommodated in the space below the step section 43. Therefore, when the first tape cartridge 6A is accommodated in the cartridge accommodating section 40, the space of the first space forming section 41 expands by the amount of sliding of the third support section 47, so that the main body section of the first tape cartridge 6A can be fitted into the first space forming section 41 without being locked by the third support section 47.

[0043] The multiple tape width detection switches 48 are detection units that detect the width of the print tape based on the shape of the tape cartridge 6. The tape width detection switches 48 are provided on the upper surface of each of the first support part 45 and the second support part 46. Multiple tape cartridges 6 with different tape widths are configured to press the multiple tape width detection switches 48 in different combinations. The printing device 1 identifies the type of tape cartridge 6 from the combination of pressed tape width detection switches 48 and detects the width of the print tape (tape width).

[0044] In this embodiment, the tape width detection switch 48 can detect five different tape widths, for example, 6 mm, 9 mm, 12 mm, 18 mm, and 24 mm, in the case of the first tape cartridge 6A, and eight different tape widths, for example, 3.5 mm, 6 mm, 9 mm, 12 mm, 18 mm, 24 mm, 36 mm, and 46 mm, in the case of the second tape cartridge 6B.

[0045] As described above, the push button 49 is a button for sliding the third support portion 47 in the negative direction of the “transport direction X.” The push button 49 is provided on the upper surface of the stepped portion 43 at a position that comes into contact with the locking portion 62 provided on the end portion of the first tape cartridge 6A when the first tape cartridge 6A is accommodated in the cartridge accommodating portion 40.

[0046] 2 to 4, the cutout portion 50 is formed in a substantially V-shape and exposes a portion of a side end portion of the tape cartridge 6 (first tape cartridge 6A) housed in the cartridge housing portion 40 to the outside of the printing device 1, thereby allowing the exposed side end portion to be supported by the user's fingers. More specifically, the cutout portion 50 exposes a side surface 65 of the tape cartridge 6 (first tape cartridge 6A) housed in the cartridge housing portion 40 to the outside when the opening / closing lid 2 is open, for example, as shown in FIGS.

[0047] Next, the height position of the second tape cartridge 6B accommodated in the cartridge accommodating portion 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the housing 3 in a state where the second tape cartridge 6B having a tape width of 6 mm is accommodated in the cartridge accommodating section 40. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the housing 3 in a state where the second tape cartridge 6B having a tape width of 18 mm is accommodated in the cartridge accommodating section 40. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the housing 3 in a state where the second tape cartridge 6B having a tape width of 46 mm is accommodated in the cartridge accommodating section 40. The dashed lines (V-shaped dashed lines) shown superimposed on the cross-sectional views of Figs. 8 to 10 indicate the formation position (outline) of the cutout portion 50.

[0048] As shown in Figs. 8 to 10, the second tape cartridges 6B having different tape widths are accommodated such that the center positions (central positions) of the printing tape to be supplied in the "width direction Y" are the same position (height position) in the "width direction Y". Specifically, the second tape cartridges 6B are provided with the locking portions 62 such that the lower surfaces (surfaces that come into contact with the first support portion 45, the second support portion 46, and the third support portion 47) of the locking portions 62 provided at the ends of the second tape cartridges 6B are located at predetermined positions based on the center positions of the second tape cartridges 6B in the "width direction Y". Note that Figs. 8 to 10 only show three types of tape widths, 6 mm, 18 mm, and 46 mm, but the second tape cartridges 6B and the first tape cartridges 6A having other tape widths are also accommodated such that the center positions of the printing tape to be supplied in the "width direction Y" are the same position (height position) in the "width direction Y".

[0049] Here, the lowest end (the valley of the V-shape) of the notch 50 has a height of about 1 to 2 cm from the bottom surface of the first space forming portion 41. As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, when a tape cartridge 6 with a relatively narrow tape width (for example, a tape width of 18 mm or less) is stored, the lowest end of the notch 50 is located at a position lower than the bottom surface of the tape cartridge 6. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, when a tape cartridge 6 with a tape width of 6 mm is stored, the user's fingers inserted from the notch 50 can be inserted between the bottom surface of the tape cartridge 6 and the bottom surface of the first space forming portion 41 and hooked on the bottom surface of the tape cartridge 6 to support the tape cartridge 6. Also, as shown in FIG. 9, when a tape cartridge 6 with a tape width of 18 mm is stored, the user's fingers inserted from the notch 50 can be hooked on the edge portion between the bottom surface and the side surface of the tape cartridge 6 to support the tape cartridge 6. 10, when a tape cartridge 6 with the widest tape width (46 mm width) is stored, the bottom end of the cutout 50 is located below the center of the tape cartridge 6. Therefore, the tape cartridge 6 can be stably supported by the user's fingers placed below the center of the tape cartridge 6.

[0050] Next, a method for removing the first tape cartridge 6A housed in the cartridge housing portion 40 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, in the cartridge storage section 40, the notch 50 is formed at a position facing one side surface (left side in the figure) of the first tape cartridge 6A. On the other hand, the second space forming section 42 is formed at a position facing the side surface (right side in the figure) opposite to the one side surface. Therefore, when removing the first tape cartridge 6A stored in the cartridge storage section 40, the user can hook his / her fingers on the two side surfaces facing opposite to each other of the first tape cartridge 6A and firmly grasp the first tape cartridge 6A. This allows the first tape cartridge 6A to be stably lifted, and therefore the first tape cartridge 6A can be easily removed from the printing device 1. Also, when the first tape cartridge 6A is stored in the cartridge storage section 40, the first tape cartridge 6A can be stored in a state where it is firmly grasped, and therefore, for example, a problem such as the first tape cartridge 6A being stored in the cartridge storage section 40 in a tilted state can be avoided.

[0051] Next, a method for removing the second tape cartridge 6B housed in the cartridge housing portion 40 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, in the cartridge storage section 40, the notch 50 is formed at a position facing one side surface (left side in the figure) of the second tape cartridge 6B, in the same manner as when the first tape cartridge 6A is stored. On the other hand, the second space forming section 42 is formed at a position facing the side surface (right side in the figure) opposite to the one side surface. Therefore, when removing the second tape cartridge 6B stored in the cartridge storage section 40, the user can hook his / her fingers on the two side surfaces of the second tape cartridge 6B facing opposite to each other and firmly grasp the second tape cartridge 6B. This allows the second tape cartridge 6B to be stably lifted, and therefore the second tape cartridge 6B can be easily removed from the printing device 1.

[0052] Furthermore, when the second tape cartridge 6B is housed in the cartridge housing 40, a space into which the user's fingers (for example, thumb) can be inserted is formed between the side surface of the housing 3 where the notch 50 is formed and one side surface (left side in the figure) of the second tape cartridge 6B facing the side surface of the housing 3, so that the user can easily place the fingers on the one side surface of the second tape cartridge 6B. Furthermore, when the second tape cartridge 6B is housed in the cartridge housing 40, a space is also formed above the step portion 43. Therefore, a user who places the thumb in the space where the notch 50 is formed and places the thumb on the second tape cartridge 6B can freely place the remaining fingers in the space formed in the second space forming portion 42 and the space formed above the step portion 43. Such a high degree of freedom in the placement of the fingers has an advantage that the usability is not easily affected by the size of the hand, and a structure that makes it easy for many users to lift and remove the second tape cartridge 6B can be provided.

[0053] As described above, the printing device 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a housing (device housing) 3 having a cartridge storage section 40 into which the tape cartridge 6 can be attached and detached, and the housing 3 has an opening on its upper surface for attaching and detaching the tape cartridge 6, and the edge where the opening is formed has a notch 50 that is cut out to a position lower than the bottom surface of the tape cartridge 6 (for example, a tape cartridge 6 with a tape width of 18 mm or less) stored in the cartridge storage section 40. Therefore, according to the printing device 1, since the printing device 1 has the notch 50 cut out to a position lower than the bottom surface of the tape cartridge 6 housed in the cartridge housing 40, the user can insert his / her fingers through the notch 50 and place them on the bottom surface of the tape cartridge 6 or on the edge portion between the bottom surface and the side surface to support the tape cartridge 6. As a result, the tape cartridge 6 can be firmly supported, improving the ease of attachment and detachment of the tape cartridge 6.

[0054] In addition, when a tape cartridge 6 (e.g., a tape cartridge 6 having a tape width of 6 mm or less) is accommodated in the cartridge accommodating section 40 of the printing device 1 of this embodiment, a space is formed between the bottom surface of the tape cartridge 6 and the bottom surface of the cartridge accommodating section 40 into which a user's finger can be inserted. Therefore, according to the printing device 1, when a tape cartridge 6 (for example, a tape cartridge 6 with a tape width of 6 mm or less) is stored, a space into which a user's fingers can be inserted is formed between the bottom surface of the tape cartridge 6 and the bottom surface of the cartridge storage section 40, so that the user's fingers inserted from the cutout section 50 can be securely hooked on the bottom surface of the tape cartridge 6 to support the tape cartridge 6. As a result, the tape cartridge 6 can be securely supported, improving the ease of attachment and detachment of the tape cartridge 6.

[0055] Furthermore, the cutout portion 50 of the printing device 1 of this embodiment is provided at a position where, when viewed from the side of the housing 3, a portion of the space into which a user can insert their finger is exposed between the bottom surface of the tape cartridge 6 (e.g., a tape cartridge 6 having a tape width of 6 mm or less) and the bottom surface of the cartridge accommodating section 40 (see FIG. 8). Therefore, according to the printing device 1, the cutout portion 50 is provided at a position where a part of the space is exposed, so that the user's finger can be smoothly inserted into the space. As a result, the attachment and detachment of the tape cartridge 6 can be further improved.

[0056] Further, the cutout portion 50 of the printing device 1 of this embodiment is provided so that a part (a part of the side surface) of the tape cartridge 6 housed in the cartridge housing portion 40 is exposed in a side view of the housing 3. Therefore, according to the printing device 1, the cutout portion 50 is provided so as to expose a part (a part of the side surface) of the tape cartridge 6 housed in the cartridge housing portion 40. In other words, since the other parts of the tape cartridge 6 are covered by the housing 3, it is possible to prevent foreign matter such as dust from entering the inside of the printing device 1 from the side of the housing 3.

[0057] Moreover, the cutout portion 50 of the printing device 1 of this embodiment is formed in a V shape. Therefore, according to the printing device 1, by making the shape of the cutout portion 50 a simple shape such as a V-shape, it is possible to reduce production costs.

[0058] In addition, the cartridge storage section 40 of the printing device 1 of this embodiment has support sections (first support section 45, second support section 46, third support section 47) that support the tape cartridge 6 so that the center position (central position) of the "width direction Y" of the printing tape supplied from the stored tape cartridge 6 is at the same position in the "width direction Y" of the printing tape within the cartridge storage section 40 when each of multiple types of tape cartridges is stored. Therefore, according to the printing device 1, the tape cartridge 6 is stored so that the center of the print tape in the "width direction Y" is at a fixed position, regardless of the type of the tape cartridge 6. Therefore, by setting the position (height position) of the bottom end of the cutout portion 50 to a predetermined position below this fixed position, the printing device 1 can expose the side of the tape cartridge 6 stored in the cartridge storage portion 40, regardless of the type of tape cartridge 6.

[0059] In addition, the printing device 1 of this embodiment is equipped with an opening / closing lid 2 attached to the housing 3 in a manner that allows the opening on the upper surface side of the housing 3 to be opened and closed, and the opening / closing lid 2 has a top surface portion 21 that covers the opening, and a side surface portion 22 that covers the opening formed by the cutout portion 50. Therefore, according to the printing device 1, when the opening / closing cover 2 is closed, the opening on the top surface of the housing 3 and the opening formed by the cutout portion 50 are not exposed, thereby preventing foreign matter such as dust from entering the inside of the printing device 1 during printing.

[0060] In addition, since the opening / closing cover 2 of the printing device 1 of this embodiment has a top surface portion 21 and a side surface portion 22 connected to each other, the opening on the top surface of the housing 3 and the opening formed by the cutout portion 50 can be opened and closed simultaneously.

[0061] In addition, the opening / closing lid 2 of the printing device 1 of this embodiment has a pressing member 26 on the surface of the upper surface 21 that faces the tape cartridge 6 accommodated in the cartridge accommodating section 40 when closed (in the closed state), which presses the tape cartridge 6 toward the lower side of the device 1. Therefore, according to the printing device 1, by having the pressing member 26, it is possible to suppress the tape cartridge 6 housed in the cartridge housing portion 40 from being displaced or lifted up.

[0062] Furthermore, the pressing member 26 of the printing device 1 of this embodiment is provided so as to overlap the side surface portion 22 when the side surface portion 22 of the opening / closing cover 2 is viewed from the side opposite the side surface portion 22. Therefore, according to the printing device 1, when the side portion 22 of the opening / closing lid 2 is viewed from the side opposite to the side portion 22, the pressing member 26 is hidden behind the side portion 22 and cannot be seen, thereby improving the appearance of the printing device 1.

[0063] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0064] For example, in the above embodiment, the shape of the cutout portion 50 is V-shaped, but regardless of the type of tape cartridge 6, it may be other shapes (e.g., U-shaped, rectangular concave shape, etc.) as long as it is possible to expose a portion of the side of the tape cartridge 6 accommodated in the cartridge accommodating portion 40.

[0065] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1 Printing device 11 Thermal head 12 Platen roller 2 Opening and closing lid 21 Top part 22 Side part 23 Window 24 Protrusion 25 Locking claw 26 Pressing member 3. Chassis 31 Power button 32 Wireless LAN switch button 33 Cut button 34 Lid opening / closing button 36 Open / close detector 37 Locking recess 38 Outlet 40 Cartridge storage section 41 First space forming part 42 Second space forming part 43 Step 44 Ink ribbon winding drive shaft 45 First support 46 Second Support 47 Third Support 48 Tape width detection switch 49 Push Button 50 Notch 6 Tape Cartridge 6A 1st Tape Cartridge 6B Second tape cartridge 61 Ink ribbon take-up core 62 Locking part

Claims

1. A printing apparatus that prints on tape supplied from a tape cartridge, The device housing includes a compartment from which the tape cartridge can be attached and detached, The aforementioned device housing is An opening for attaching and detaching the tape cartridge is provided on the upper side. The edge where the opening is formed has a notch that extends to a position lower than the bottom surface of the tape cartridge housed in the housing, A printing apparatus characterized by the following features.

2. The notch portion is It is formed in a V-shape. The printing apparatus according to feature 1.

3. The aforementioned housing section is When the tape cartridge is housed, a space is formed between the bottom surface of the tape cartridge and the bottom surface of the housing into which the user's finger can be inserted. The printing apparatus according to feature 1.

4. The aforementioned notch is In a side view of the device housing, it is provided in a position where a part of the space is exposed. The printing apparatus according to feature 3.

5. The aforementioned notch is In a side view of the device housing, a portion of the tape cartridge housed in the housing is exposed. The printing apparatus according to feature 1.

6. The aforementioned storage section is formed to accommodate multiple types of tape cartridges, each with different external dimensions in the width direction of the tape. When at least one of the multiple types of tape cartridges, excluding the tape cartridge with the largest external dimensions, is housed in the housing, the space is formed between the bottom surface of the tape cartridge and the bottom surface of the housing. The printing apparatus according to feature 3.

7. The aforementioned housing section is The tape cartridges have a support portion that supports them such that a predetermined position in the width direction of the tape supplied from the contained tape cartridge is the same position in the width direction of the tape within the storage portion when each of the multiple types of tape cartridges is stored. The printing apparatus according to feature 6.

8. The device housing is equipped with an opening / closing lid that is attached in a manner that allows the opening to be opened and closed, The aforementioned opening and closing lid is It has an upper portion that covers the opening and a side portion that covers the opening formed by the notch. The printing apparatus according to feature 1.

9. The aforementioned opening and closing lid is The upper portion and the side portion are connected in a manner. The printing apparatus according to feature 8.

10. The aforementioned opening and closing lid is The upper surface of the housing that faces the tape cartridge housed in the housing when the housing is closed has a pressing member that presses the tape cartridge downwards. The printing apparatus according to feature 8 or 9.

11. The pressing member is, When the side portion of the opening / closing lid is viewed from the side opposite to the side portion, it is provided so as to overlap with the side portion. The printing apparatus according to feature 10.

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