Printing cassette

Abstract

To provide a printing cassette which can be downsized in a direction perpendicular to a rotational axis of a gear, while disposing the gear for transmitting driving force.SOLUTION: The present disclosure is a printing cassette including: a printing tape roll to which a printing tape is wound about a winding axis parallel to a first direction; an input gear to which driving force is input from the outside; an output gear for outputting driving force to the outside; and an idle gear for transmitting driving force input to the input gear to the output gear by directly or indirectly engaging with the input gear and the output gear. At least a part of the input gear, at least a part of the output gear, and at least a part of the idle gear respectively are overlapped with the printing tape roll in the first direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a printing cassette. [Background technology]

[0002] In a printer that prints on tape, a cassette that contains the tape is attached to and detached from the printer body to replace and supply the tape. Among such cassettes, for example, one that has multiple gears inside the cassette that transmit the driving force for transporting the tape is known (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,657 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the cassette of the above publication, a plurality of gears are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of the gears together with the spool for supplying the tape, which increases the size of the cassette in this direction.

[0005] An object of one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a printing cassette that can be made compact in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of a gear that transmits driving force. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a printing cassette comprising a printing tape roll having printing tape wound around a winding central axis parallel to a first direction, an input gear to which a driving force is input from the outside, an output gear for outputting the driving force to the outside, and an idle gear that directly or indirectly engages with the input gear and the output gear and transmits the driving force input to the input gear to the output gear.

[0007] At least a portion of the input gear, at least a portion of the output gear, and at least a portion of the idler gear each overlap the printing tape roll in the first direction.

[0008] With this configuration, the input gear, output gear, and idle gear that transmit driving force are arranged to overlap with the printing tape roll in the first direction, so that the printing cassette can be made smaller in size in the direction perpendicular to the first direction. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1A, 1B, and 1C are schematic perspective views showing a state in which a printing cassette is removed from a printing apparatus main body in a printing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2A, 2B, and 2C are schematic perspective views of a printing cassette in the printing apparatus of FIG. 1A. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the printing cassette of FIG. 2A. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2C. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the printing cassette of FIG. 2C with the first case portion removed. [Figure 6] 6A and 6B are schematic bottom views showing the printing cassette in FIG. 2A with the second frame and second case removed. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the paths of the printing tape and the ink ribbon in the printing cassette of FIG. 2A. [Figure 8] 8A is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VIIIA-VIIIA in FIG. 2C, FIG. 8B is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VIIIB-VIIIB in FIG. 2C, FIG. 8C is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VIIIC-VIIIC in FIG. 2C, and FIG. 8D is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VIIID-VIIID in FIG. 2C. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of the printer body of the printer of FIG. 1A. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an engagement state between the output gear and the platen gear in the printing device of FIG. 1A. [Figure 11] 11A and 11B are schematic perspective views showing a state in which a printing cassette is removed from a printing device main body in a printing device in an embodiment different from that in FIG. 1A. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a printing cassette in the printing apparatus of FIG. 11A. [Figure 13] 13A and 13B are schematic bottom views showing the printing cassette of FIG. 11A with the second frame and second case removed. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view of the printer body of the printer of FIG. 11A. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing an engagement state between the output gear and the platen gear in the printing device of FIG. 11A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] [1. First embodiment] [1-1. Configuration] 1A, 1B, and 1C includes a printing cassette 10 and a printing device main body 100. The printing device 1 is a device that prints on a tape-like printing medium.

[0011] In this embodiment, the axial direction of the output gear 18 of the printing cassette 10 and the axial direction of the platen gear 104 of the printing device main body 100 are defined as the up-down direction, the direction perpendicular to the up-down direction in which the output gear 18 and the input spool 16 are aligned (i.e., the direction in which the platen gear 104 and the drive shaft 105 are aligned) is defined as the front-rear direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the front-rear direction is defined as the left-right direction.

[0012] In this specification, "parallel" is not limited to being strictly parallel, but also includes the concept of "approximately parallel." In other words, within the range where the function of the printing device 1 can be performed (for example, within the range where the printing tape 11A, the ink ribbon 14A, etc. can be transported), each rotation axis may be disposed at a slight incline with respect to the vertical direction.

[0013] <Printing device body> The printing apparatus main body 100 includes a cassette insertion section 101 , a print head 102 , a platen roller 103 , a platen gear 104 , a drive shaft 105 , and a housing 110 .

[0014] (Cassette insertion part) The cassette insertion portion 101 is a recess in which the printing cassette 10 is inserted. The cassette insertion portion 101 has a function of positioning the printing cassette 10. The cassette insertion portion 101 is provided in a housing 110.

[0015] (Print head) The print head 102 is disposed inside the cassette insertion section 101. The print head 102 has a plurality of heat generating elements whose heat generation is individually controlled.

[0016] (Platen roller) A rotation axis L1 of the platen roller 103 is parallel to the vertical direction. The platen roller 103 is disposed inside the cassette insertion portion 101 and adjacent to the print head 102. The platen roller 103 can swing toward or away from the print head 102.

[0017] (Platen gear) The platen gear 104 is connected to the platen roller 103. In this embodiment, a rotation axis L2 of the platen gear 104 is disposed on the same line as a rotation axis L1 of the platen roller 103. The platen gear 104 is capable of swinging together with the platen roller 103.

[0018] (Drive shaft) The drive shaft 105 is inserted into the input spool 16. The drive shaft 105 rotates the input spool 16.

[0019] The drive shaft 105 is disposed inside the cassette insertion portion 101. The rotation axis L3 of the drive shaft 105 is parallel to the vertical direction. The drive shaft 105 is rotated about the rotation axis L3 by a drive source (e.g., a motor) (not shown).

[0020] <Printing cassette> The printing cassette 10 stores printing media. The printing cassette 10 is detachable from the printing device main body 100. By replacing the printing cassette 10, it is possible to replenish printing media and change the type of printing media (e.g., color, material, etc.).

[0021] 2A, 2B, and 2C, the printing cassette 10 includes a case 35 that houses the printing tape 11A, the ink ribbon 14A, and the like. The outer shape of the printing cassette 10 (i.e., the shape of the case 35) is a rectangular parallelepiped having sides parallel to the up-down direction, sides parallel to the front-rear direction, and sides parallel to the left-right direction. The case 35 includes a first case portion 31, a first frame portion 32, a second frame portion 33, and a second case portion 34.

[0022] As shown in Figure 3, the printing cassette 10 comprises a printing tape roll 11, a first tape spool 12, spacer films 13A, 13B, an ink ribbon roll 14, a second tape spool 15, an input spool 16, a clutch spring holder 17, an output gear 18, an input gear 19, and an idle gear 20.

[0023] (Printing tape roll) The printing tape roll 11 is configured by winding a printing tape 11A, on which printing will be performed, around a first tape spool 12.

[0024] The printing tape 11A is wound around a winding central axis parallel to the up-down direction in the printing tape roll 11. Printing is performed on the surface of the printing tape 11A by the print head 102 and ink ribbon 14A of the printing device main body 100.

[0025] Two spacer films 13A, 13B are arranged on the outer sides in the vertical direction of the printing tape roll 11 so as to sandwich the printing tape roll 11. The spacer films 13A, 13B are arranged between the printing tape roll 11 and the first case portion 31, and between the printing tape roll 11 and the first frame portion 32.

[0026] (1st tape spool) The first tape spool 12 is rotatable about a rotation axis L4. The first tape spool 12 is rotated by the platen roller 103 of the printing apparatus main body 100 to feed the printing tape 11A. The rotation of the print head 102 causes the print tape 11A to be supplied to the print head 102.

[0027] (Ink ribbon roll) The ink ribbon roll 14 is configured by winding an ink ribbon 14A used for printing on the printing tape 11A around a second tape spool 15. In the ink ribbon roll 14, the ink ribbon 14A is wound around a winding central axis that is parallel to the up-down direction.

[0028] The ink ribbon 14A is superimposed on the printing tape 11A at the head opening 33B, and is used for printing by the print head 102. The ink ribbon 14A used for printing is taken up onto the input spool 16.

[0029] A rotational resistance is applied to the ink ribbon roll 14 by a clutch spring held by a clutch spring holder 17. At least a portion of the ink ribbon roll 14 is disposed at a position overlapping with the printing tape roll 11 in the vertical direction.

[0030] (2nd tape spool) The second tape spool 15 is rotatable around a rotation axis L5. The rotation axis L5 of the second tape spool 15 is parallel to the rotation axis L4 of the first tape spool 12, that is, parallel to the up-down direction.

[0031] The second tape spool 15 rotates as the input spool 16 takes up the ink ribbon 14A, thereby supplying the ink ribbon 14A to the print head 102.

[0032] (Input spool) The input spool 16 is rotatable about a rotation axis L6. The rotation axis L6 of the input spool 16 is parallel to the rotation axis L5 of the second tape spool 15.

[0033] The input spool 16 is cylindrical with a hollow portion defined by an inner circumferential surface 16 A. Spline teeth 16 B are provided on the inner circumferential surface 16 A of the input spool 16. The spline teeth 16 B engage with a drive shaft 105 of the printing apparatus main body 100.

[0034] The input spool 16 is rotated by a drive shaft 105. In this embodiment, the input spool 16 is a take-up spool that is rotatable to take up the ink ribbon 14A supplied from the ink ribbon roll 14.

[0035] (Output gear) The output gear 18 is a single gear for outputting to the outside the driving force for transporting the printing tape 11A.

[0036] Specifically, the output gear 18 outputs driving force to the platen gear 104 of the printing apparatus main body 100. The rotation axis L7 of the output gear 18 is parallel to the rotation axis L5 of the second tape spool 15. The output gear 18 overlaps with the cover portion 32B in the up-down direction.

[0037] A portion of the output gear 18 is exposed in the head opening 33 B. When the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing apparatus main body 100, the output gear 18 engages with the platen gear 104 in the head opening 33 B.

[0038] 4, the second tape spool 15, the output gear 18, and the printing tape roll 11 are arranged in the following order in the vertical direction: second tape spool 15, output gear 18, and printing tape roll 11. In other words, the output gear 18 is arranged in the following order in the vertical direction: It is located between the second tape spool 15 and the printing tape roll 11.

[0039] (Input gear) The input gear 19 shown in FIG. 3 indirectly engages with the output gear 18 via an idle gear 20, and transmits the driving force input from the printing apparatus main body 100 to the output gear 18.

[0040] The input gear 19 has a gear 19A and a cylindrical spool 19B that is fixed to a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the gear 19A and has spline teeth on its inner peripheral surface. The gear 19A rotates integrally with the spool 19B by a driving force input to the spool 19B.

[0041] The input gear 19 is disposed so that a rotation axis L8 of the input gear 19 (i.e., a rotation axis of the gear 19A and a rotation axis of the spool 19B) is collinear with a rotation axis L6 of the input spool 16. A portion of the spool 19B is inserted into the input spool 16.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, the input spool 16, a part of the input gear 19 (i.e., gear 19A), and the printing tape roll 11 are arranged in the vertical direction in the following order: input spool 16, a part of the input gear 19 (i.e., gear 19A), and the printing tape roll 11.

[0043] The rotation axis L8 of the input gear 19 overlaps with the hollow portion of the input spool 16 in the vertical direction. Therefore, the drive shaft 105 is inserted through the input spool 16 and the spool 19B of the input gear 19 at the same time. As a result, the input gear 19 is not directly connected to the input spool 16, but is rotated by the same drive source (i.e., the drive shaft 105) as the input spool 16.

[0044] (Idol Gear) The idle gear 20 is directly engaged with the input gear 19 and the output gear 18. The idle gear 20 transmits the driving force input to the input gear 19 to the output gear 18. A rotation axis L9 of the idle gear 20 is parallel to the vertical direction.

[0045] The idle gear 20 is a stepped gear in which a first gear 20A engaged with the output gear 18 and a second gear 20B engaged with the input gear 19 are arranged side by side on the same axis. The second gear 20B has a larger diameter than the first gear 20A.

[0046] Furthermore, the first gear 20A is disposed at a position closer to the printing tape roll 11 (i.e., above) than the second gear 20B in the vertical direction. The idle gear 20 constitutes a reduction mechanism that reduces the rotational speed of the driving force input to the input gear 19.

[0047] (case) 3, the first case portion 31 constitutes the upper end portion of the printing cassette 10. The first frame portion 32 is disposed below the first case portion 31 and is connected to the first case portion 31 in the up-down direction.

[0048] The second frame portion 33 is disposed below the first frame portion 32, and is connected to the first frame portion 32 in the up-down direction. The second case portion 34 constitutes the lower end portion of the printing cassette 10. The second case portion 34 is connected to the second frame portion 33 in the up-down direction.

[0049] The first case portion 31 and the first frame portion 32 house the printing tape roll 11. In other words, the printing tape roll 11 is disposed in a space surrounded by the first case portion 31 and the first frame portion 32.

[0050] The second case portion 34 and the second frame portion 33 house the ink ribbon roll 14, the second tape spool 15, and the input spool 16. In other words, the ink ribbon roll 14, the second tape spool 15, and the input spool 16 are disposed in a space surrounded by the second case portion 34 and the second frame portion 33.

[0051] A part of the output gear 18, the input gear 19, and the idle gear 20 are disposed in a space surrounded by the first frame portion 32 and the second frame portion 33. In other words, a part of the output gear 18, the input gear 19, and the idle gear 20 are housed in the first frame portion 32 and the second frame portion 33.

[0052] The first frame portion 32 has a first side wall 32A, a cover portion 32B, a first guide 32C, a first gear shaft 32D, a second gear shaft 32E, and a third gear shaft 32F. The first side wall 32A constitutes a side surface of the printing cassette 10 that is parallel to the up-down direction.

[0053] The cover portion 32B is a portion having a surface perpendicular to the up-down direction. The cover portion 32B is disposed at a position overlapping with the output gear 18 in the up-down direction. In this embodiment, the cover portion 32B is disposed at a right front corner of the first frame portion 32.

[0054] The first gear shaft 32D is inserted through the output gear 18 and rotatably supports the output gear 18. The second gear shaft 32E is inserted through the input gear 19 and rotatably supports the input gear 19. The third gear shaft 32F is inserted through the idle gear 20 and rotatably supports the idle gear 20.

[0055] 5, the first guide 32C is a portion around which the printing tape 11A pulled out from the printing tape roll 11 is wound. The first guide 32C has multiple plate-shaped ribs spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the printing tape roll 11. The multiple ribs protrude in the radial direction of the printing tape roll 11, with the amount of protrusion (i.e., plate width) increasing downward.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 3, the second frame portion 33 has a second side wall 33A, a head opening 33B, a discharge port 33C, and a second guide 33D. The second side wall 33A constitutes a side surface of the printing cassette 10 that is parallel to the up-down direction.

[0057] The head opening 33B is a recess that is recessed in the vertical direction and extends in the horizontal direction toward the first frame portion 32. The head opening 33B is a portion formed by cutting out a part of the second side wall 33A, and opens below the printing cassette 10.

[0058] When the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing device main body 100, the print head 102 is inserted into the head opening 33B from below. When the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing device main body 100, the print head 102 is disposed inside the head opening 33B.

[0059] The second guide 33D is a portion around which the printing tape 11A that has passed through the first guide 32C is wound. Similar to the first guide 32C, the second guide 33D has a number of plate-like ribs that are spaced apart and arranged along the circumferential direction of the ink ribbon roll 14. The multiple ribs protrude in the radial direction of the ink ribbon roll 14, and the amount of protrusion (i.e., plate width) decreases the further downward.

[0060] <Positional relationship of roll, spool and gear> As shown in FIG. 6A, a portion of the input gear 19, a portion of the output gear 18, and a portion of the idle gear 20 each overlap with the printing tape roll 11 in the vertical direction.

[0061] Furthermore, the rotation axis L8 of the input gear 19, the rotation axis L7 of the output gear 18, and the rotation axis L9 of the idle gear 20 are each located inside the outer circumferential surface 11B of the printing tape roll 11 in the front-rear and left-right directions.

[0062] Furthermore, in a projection diagram in which the first tape spool 12, the input gear 19, the output gear 18, and the idle gear 20 are projected onto an imaginary plane perpendicular to the up-down direction, the rotation axis L4 of the first tape spool 12 overlaps with a convex envelope P defined by the input gear 19, the output gear 18, and the idle gear 20. The convex envelope P also overlaps with a part of the first tape spool 12 and a part of the printing tape roll 11.

[0063] The second gear 20B of the idle gear 20 has an overlapping portion 20C that vertically overlaps with the output gear 18. A portion of the overlapping portion 20C of the second gear 20B vertically overlaps with the printing tape roll 11. In addition, a portion of the overlapping portion 20C of the second gear 20B also vertically overlaps with the first tape spool 12.

[0064] As shown in Fig. 6B, a portion of the ink ribbon roll 14 and a portion of the second tape spool 15 each overlap in the up-down direction with the idle gear 20. In addition, a portion of the input spool 16 also overlaps in the up-down direction with the idle gear 20. Note that the outer edge of the input spool 16 shown in Fig. 6B includes flanges provided on both ends in the axial direction of the rotation axis L6 of the input spool 16.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 7, the rotational axis L8 of the input gear 19, the rotational axis L7 of the output gear 18, and the rotational axis L9 of the idle gear 20 are each located between both ends of the head opening 33B in the left-right direction (i.e., in area A that overlaps with the head opening 33B in the front-rear direction).

[0066] The rotation axis L8 of the input gear 19 and the rotation axis L9 of the idle gear 20 are each located rearward of the head opening 33B. The rotation axis L7 of the output gear 18 passes through the head opening 33B.

[0067] <Tape transport inside the cassette> As shown in Fig. 7, the printing tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A are hung in the left-right direction in the head opening 33B. After printing, the printing tape 11A is discharged from the discharge port 33C to the outside of the printer 1. A part of the output gear 18 is located inside the head opening 33B. In addition, the cover part 32B is exposed inside the head opening 33B.

[0068] As shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D, the first guide 32C and the second guide 33D form a passage for feeding the printing tape 11A constituting the printing tape roll 11 from the first frame portion 32 to the second frame portion 33.

[0069] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 8A, the printing tape 11A pulled out from the printing tape roll 11 is transported downward and rearward within the first frame portion 32 while contacting the first guide 32C from the radially outer side of the printing tape roll 11 in a spiral manner. The printing tape 11A is further transported toward the lower left while vertically straddling the connecting portion between the first frame portion 32 and the second frame portion 33 as shown in Fig. 8B.

[0070] The printing tape 11A that has reached the second frame portion 33 is transported downward and forward while contacting the second guide 33D from the radially outer side, as shown in Fig. 8C. The printing tape 11A that has reached the lower end of the printing cassette 10 passes through the head opening 33B and is discharged from the discharge opening 33C, as shown in Fig. 8D.

[0071] <Tape transport and printing by the printer body> The print head 102 prints on the print tape 11A held by the print cassette 10.

[0072] When the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing device main body 100, the print head 102 is disposed in a position in the head opening 33B so as to overlap the printing tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A in the front-rear direction.

[0073] The printing tape 11A transported to the head opening 33B by the platen roller 103 is pressed against the print head 102, whose heating elements have generated heat, via the ink ribbon 14A. As a result, part of the ink arranged on the surface of the ink ribbon 14A is transferred to the printing tape 11A, and characters, symbols, etc. are printed on the printing tape 11A.

[0074] The platen roller 103 transports the printing tape 11A from inside the printing cassette 10 to the outside. The platen roller 103 comes into contact with the printing tape 11A at the head opening 33B, and presses the printing tape 11A against the print head .

[0075] The platen gear 104 is connected to the platen roller 103 and engages with the output gear 18. The platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104 are capable of swinging between a position separated from the printing cassette 10 shown in Fig. 9 and a position in which the platen gear 104 is engaged with the output gear 18 shown in Fig. 10.

[0076] The drive shaft 105 is inserted into the input spool 16 and the input gear 19, and causes the input spool 16 and the input gear 19 to rotate by engaging the spline teeth 16B with the spool 19B of the input gear 19.

[0077] With the printing cassette 10 attached to the printing device main body 100, the drive shaft 105 engages with the input gear 19 and the platen gear 104 engages with the output gear 18. Specifically, the drive shaft 105 is inserted into the input spool 16 and input gear 19 of the printing cassette 10. Thereafter, the platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104 are swung toward the head opening 33B of the printing cassette 10.

[0078] With the printing cassette 10 attached, the input gear 19 is rotated by the drive shaft 105, thereby rotating the output gear 18, which in turn rotates the platen gear 104, which in turn rotates the platen roller 103.

[0079] [1-2. Effects] According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects can be obtained. (1a) Since the input gear 19, output gear 18, and idle gear 20 that transmit driving force are arranged to overlap the printing tape roll 11 in the vertical direction, the printing cassette 10 can be made smaller in the left-right and front-rear directions.

[0080] (1b) By having the rotation axis L4 of the first tape spool 12 overlap with the convex envelope P defined by the input gear 19, the output gear 18, and the idle gear 20, the printing cassette 10 can be made more compact in the left-right and front-rear directions compared to a case in which the rotation axis L4 of the first tape spool 12 does not overlap with the convex envelope P. Furthermore, the thrust load of the first tape spool 12 is prevented from being unevenly transmitted to one gear shaft.

[0081] (1c) A part of the ink ribbon roll 14 and a part of the input spool 16 overlap with the idle gear 20 in the vertical direction, and the overlapping portion 20C of the second gear 20B overlaps with the idle gear 20 in the vertical direction. By overlapping the printing tape roll 11 in this manner, the printing cassette 10 can be further reduced in size in the left-right and front-rear directions.

[0082] (1d) Since the rotational axis L8 of the input gear 19, the rotational axis L7 of the output gear 18, and the rotational axis L9 of the idle gear 20 are located between both ends of the head opening 33B in the left-right direction, the printing cassette 10 can be further made smaller in the left-right direction.

[0083] [2. Second embodiment] [2-1. Configuration] A printing apparatus 1A shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B includes a printing cassette 10A and a printing apparatus main body 100A.

[0084] <Printing cassette> The printing cassette 10A is obtained by adding a laminated tape roll 21, a take-up spool 22, a take-up gear 23, and a pinch roller 24 shown in Figure 12 to the printing cassette 10 of the first embodiment, and by replacing the input spool 16, first case portion 31, first frame portion 32, second frame portion 33, and second case portion 34 of the first embodiment with a third tape spool 25, first case portion 36, first frame portion 37, second frame portion 38, and second case portion 39.

[0085] The third tape spool 25 is the same as the input spool 16 except that it does not have spline teeth 16B. The first case portion 36, the first frame portion 37, the second frame portion 38 and the second case portion 39 are respectively formed by extending the first case portion 31, the first frame portion 32, the second frame portion 33 and the second case portion 34 in the left-right direction. The other configurations of the printing cassette 10A are the same as those of the printing cassette 10 of the first embodiment except for the points described below, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0086] The laminated tape roll 21 is configured by winding the laminated tape around a third tape spool 25. In the laminated tape roll 21, the laminated tape is wound around a winding central axis that is parallel to the up-down direction. The laminated tape has an adhesive surface that is bonded to the printing tape 11A that has been printed on by the print head 102.

[0087] The take-up spool 22 is rotatable around a rotation axis L10. The rotation axis L10 of the take-up spool 22 is parallel to a rotation axis L5 (i.e., the up-down direction) of the second tape spool 15. The take-up spool 22 takes up the ink ribbon 14A that is unwound from the ink ribbon roll 14 by the rotation of the take-up gear 23.

[0088] The winding gear 23 is connected to the winding spool 22 and is directly engaged with the idle gear 20. The rotation axis L11 of the winding gear 23 and the rotation axis L10 of the winding spool 22 are arranged on the same straight line.

[0089] The winding gear 23 is rotated by the driving force input to the input gear 19, and rotates the winding spool 22. The idle gear 20 transmits the driving force input to the input gear 19 to the winding gear 23.

[0090] The pinch roller 24 presses the laminated tape against the printing tape 11A after printing, together with the pressure roller 106. The pinch roller 24 is disposed downstream of the head opening 33B in the transport direction of the printing tape 11A.

[0091] As shown in Fig. 13A, a part of the take-up gear 23 overlaps with the printing tape roll 11 in the vertical direction. It overlaps with tape roll 11.

[0092] 13B, a portion of take-up spool 22 overlaps with idle gear 20 in the vertical direction. Also, take-up gear 23 overlaps with take-up spool 22 in the vertical direction. Note that the outer edge of take-up spool 22 shown in FIG. 13B includes flanges provided on both ends of take-up spool 22 in the axial direction of rotation axis L10.

[0093] A part of the output gear 18 and a part of the idle gear 20 each overlap in the vertical direction with the laminated tape roll 21. In particular, a part of the overlapping portion 20C of the second gear 20B of the idle gear 20 overlaps in the vertical direction with the laminated tape roll 21.

[0094] <Printing device body> The printing device main body 100A is obtained by adding a pressure roller 106 shown in Fig. 14 to the printing device main body 100 of the first embodiment. Since the other configurations of the printing device main body 100A are the same as those of the printing device main body 100 of the first embodiment except for the points described below, the description will be omitted.

[0095] The pressure roller 106 is configured to be able to swing together with the platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104. That is, the pressure roller 106 is able to swing between a position separated from the printing cassette 10A shown in Fig. 14 and a position where the pressure roller 106 presses the printing tape 11A and the third tape together with the pinch roller 24 shown in Fig. 15.

[0096] In this embodiment, with the printing cassette 10A attached to the printing apparatus main body 100A, the drive shaft 105 is inserted into the hollow portion of the third tape spool 25 (i.e., the laminated tape roll 21), and the input gear 19 engages with the drive shaft 105.

[0097] [2-2. Effects] According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects can be obtained. (2a) Since a portion of the winding gear 23 and the rotation axis L11 of the winding gear 23 overlap with the printing tape roll 11 in the vertical direction, the printed content of the printing tape 11A can be protected by the laminating tape while retaining the same advantages as the first embodiment.

[0098] (2b) Since a portion of the take-up spool 22 overlaps with the idle gear 20 in the vertical direction, and the overlapping portion 20C of the second gear 20B of the idle gear 20 overlaps with the laminated tape roll 21 in the vertical direction, the printing cassette 10A can be further made smaller in the left-right and front-to-back directions.

[0099] 3. Other embodiments Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can take various forms.

[0100] (3a) In the printing device of the above embodiment, the printing tape roll, the ink ribbon roll, and the lamination tape roll do not necessarily have to be formed by winding each tape on a rotatable spool. These rolls may be wound on a non-rotating member fixed to the case, for example. Furthermore, these rolls do not necessarily have to be formed by winding each tape on another member.

[0101] (3b) The printing device of the above embodiment is not limited to one that uses an ink ribbon for printing. The printing device may use a strip of thermal paper instead of the printing tape in the first embodiment, and a laminating tape (i.e., a protective tape) instead of the ink ribbon. Good too.

[0102] The printing device may use a stencil tape in which a printing pattern is punched by a thermal head as the printing tape, and may use a strip of interleaf paper to protect and support the stencil tape instead of the laminating tape. In this case, the printing tape may be superimposed on the interleaf paper at a position closer to the print head than the interleaf paper (i.e., as an upper layer) at the head opening, or the printing tape may be superimposed on the interleaf paper at a position farther from the print head than the interleaf paper (i.e., as a lower layer).

[0103] (3c) In the printing cassette of the second embodiment, the positions of the take-up spool and the third tape spool may be interchanged. That is, the drive shaft may be inserted into the take-up spool, and the third tape spool may be rotated by the take-up gear.

[0104] (3d) In the printing cassette of the above embodiment, the output gear, the input gear, and the take-up gear may be indirectly engaged with the idle gear (i.e., via other gears). In addition, the idle gear does not necessarily have to be a stepped gear, and may be a single gear.

[0105] (3e) The function of one component in the above embodiments may be distributed among multiple components, or the functions of multiple components may be integrated into one component. In addition, a part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. In addition, at least a part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments. Note that all aspects included in the technical idea identified from the wording of the claims are embodiments of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 1,1A...printing device, 10,10A...printing cassette, 11...printing tape roll, 11A: printing tape; 11B: outer peripheral surface; 12: first tape spool; 14...ink ribbon roll, 14A...ink ribbon, 15...second tape spool, 16...input spool, 18...output gear, 19...input gear, 20...idle gear, 20A: first gear; 20B: second gear; 20C: overlapping portion; 21: laminated tape roll; 22: take-up spool; 23: take-up gear; 25... third tape spool, 31... first case portion, 32... first frame portion, 33... second frame portion, 33B...head opening, 34...second case part, 35...case, 100, 100A... Printing device main body, 101... Cassette insertion section, 102... Print head, 103: platen roller; 105: drive shaft; 106: pressure roller.

Claims

1. a printing tape roll in which the printing tape is wound around a winding central axis parallel to the first direction; an input gear to which a driving force is input from an external source; an output gear for outputting the driving force to an outside; an idler gear that is directly or indirectly engaged with the input gear and the output gear and transmits the driving force input to the input gear to the output gear; Equipped with A printing cassette, wherein at least a portion of the input gear, at least a portion of the output gear, and at least a portion of the idler gear each overlap the printing tape roll in the first direction.

2. 2. A printing cassette as described in claim 1, wherein the rotational axis of the input gear, the rotational axis of the output gear, and the rotational axis of the idle gear are each located inside the outer peripheral surface of the printing tape roll in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

3. Further comprising a tape spool rotatable about a rotation axis; the printing tape roll is configured by winding the printing tape around the tape spool, 3. The printing cassette according to claim 1, wherein in a projection of the tape spool, the input gear, the output gear, and the idle gear onto a virtual plane perpendicular to the first direction, the rotation axis of the tape spool overlaps with a convex envelope defined by the input gear, the output gear, and the idle gear.

4. The ink ribbon roll includes an ink ribbon used for printing on the printing tape, the ink ribbon being wound around a winding central axis parallel to the first direction, The printing cassette according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the ink ribbon roll overlaps with the idle gear in the first direction.

5. a take-up spool rotatable to take up the ink ribbon supplied from the ink ribbon roll, The printing cassette according to claim 4 , wherein at least a portion of the take-up spool overlaps with the idle gear in the first direction.

6. a take-up gear that directly or indirectly engages with the idle gear and rotates the take-up spool; The printing cassette of claim 5 , wherein at least a portion of the take-up gear overlaps with the printing tape roll in the first direction.

7. The printing cassette according to claim 6 , wherein a rotation axis of the take-up gear overlaps with the printing tape roll in the first direction.

8. The printing cassette according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the take-up gear overlaps with the take-up spool in the first direction.

9. the idle gear is a stepped gear in which a first gear engaged with the output gear and a second gear having a larger diameter than the first gear are arranged side by side, the second gear has an overlapping portion that overlaps with the output gear in the first direction, At least a part of the overlapping portion of the second gear is in contact with the printing tape in the first direction.

9. The printing cassette according to claim 1, wherein the printing cassette overlaps with the loop.

10. The printing tape further includes a laminated tape roll in which a laminated tape to be laminated to the printing tape is wound around a winding central axis parallel to the first direction, The printing cassette according to claim 9 , wherein at least a portion of the overlapping portion of the second gear overlaps with the bonding tape roll in the first direction.

11. a case that accommodates at least a portion of the input gear, at least a portion of the output gear, and at least a portion of the idle gear; the case has a recess that is recessed in the first direction and extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, 11. A printing cassette according to claim 1, wherein the rotational axis of the input gear, the rotational axis of the output gear, and the rotational axis of the idle gear are each located between both ends of the recess in the second direction.

12. The printing tape further includes a laminated tape roll in which a laminated tape to be laminated to the printing tape is wound around a winding central axis parallel to the first direction, The printing cassette according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the output gear and at least a portion of the idle gear overlap with the bonding tape roll in the first direction.

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