Printing cassette

Abstract

To provide a printer capable of preventing damage to a gear for outputting a driving force to the outside of a cassette.SOLUTION: This printer comprises: a printer body; and a printing cassette detachable from the printer body. The printing cassette is provided with a roll of a first tape, a feed spool rotatable about a center axis, a second tape wound on the feed spool and used for printing or protection of the first tape, and an output gear for outputting a driving force to the outside. The feed spool, the output gear, and the roll are arranged in order of the feed spool, the output gear, and the roll in the axial direction of the rotation axis center of the feed roll.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a printing apparatus and a printing cassette.

Background Art

[0002] In an apparatus that performs processing such as printing on a tape, a cassette storing the tape is attached to and detached from the main body to replace and supply the tape. As a cassette used in such an apparatus, one having a gear provided on a reel around which a tape is wound is known (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above cassette, the gear is arranged near a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the reel in the case. Therefore, when the cassette drops and the above plane collides with the floor surface or the like, the gear is likely to be damaged.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure aims to provide a printing apparatus and a printing cassette that can suppress damage to a gear that outputs a driving force outside the cassette.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a printing apparatus including a main body of the printing apparatus and a printing cassette detachable from the main body of the printing apparatus. The printing cassette includes a roll of a first tape, a supply spool rotatable around a rotation axis, a second tape wound around the supply spool and used for printing or protecting the first tape, an output gear for outputting a driving force to the outside, an input spool rotatable around a rotation axis, and an input gear that directly or indirectly engages with the output gear and transmits the driving force to the output gear.

[0007] The rotation axis of the input gear is arranged on the same line as the rotation axis of the input spool. The input spool, the input gear, and the roll are arranged in this order of the input spool, the input gear, and the roll in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the supply spool. The supply spool, the output gear, and the roll are arranged in this order of the supply spool, the output gear, and the roll in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the supply spool.

[0008] The main body of the printing apparatus includes a printing head for printing on the first tape, a platen roller for conveying the first tape, a platen gear connected to the platen roller and engaging with the output gear, and a drive shaft inserted into the input spool and engaging with the input gear to rotate the input spool and the input gear.

[0009] In a state where the printing cassette is attached to the main body of the printing apparatus, when the drive shaft engages with the input gear and the platen gear engages with the output gear, the input gear is rotated by the drive shaft, so that the output gear is rotated. The rotation of the output gear rotates the platen gear, and the rotation of the platen gear rotates the platen roller.

[0010] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a roll of a first tape, a supply spool rotatable around a rotation axis, a second tape wound around the supply spool and used for printing or protecting the first tape, and an outer A printing cassette includes an output gear for outputting a driving force to a unit. The supply spool, the output gear, and the roll are arranged in this order of the supply spool, the output gear, and the roll in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the supply spool.

[0011] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a printing cassette detachable from a printing apparatus main body. The printing cassette includes a roll of a first tape, a supply spool rotatable around a rotation axis, a second tape wound around the supply spool and used for printing or protecting the first tape, an output gear for outputting a driving force to the outside, an input spool rotatable around a rotation axis, and an input gear that directly or indirectly engages with the output gear and transmits the driving force to the output gear.

[0012] The rotation axis of the input gear is arranged on the same line as the rotation axis of the input spool. The input spool, the input gear, and the roll are arranged in this order of the input spool, the input gear, and the roll in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the supply spool. The supply spool, the output gear, and the roll are arranged in this order of the supply spool, the output gear, and the roll in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the supply spool.

[0013] The printing apparatus main body includes a printing head for printing on the first tape, a platen roller for conveying the first tape, a platen gear connected to the platen roller and engaging with the output gear, and a drive shaft inserted into the input spool and engaging with the input gear to rotate the input spool and the input gear.

[0014] When the printing cassette is mounted on the printing apparatus main body, the drive shaft engages with the input gear and the platen gear engages with the output gear. By rotating the input gear by the drive shaft, the output gear is rotated. By rotating the output gear, the platen gear is rotated. By rotating the platen gear, the platen roller is rotated.

[0015] According to such a configuration, since the supply spool, the output gear, and the roll are arranged in this order in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the supply spool, when the printing cassette drops and the surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation axis of the supply spool collides with the floor surface or the like, damage to the output gear is suppressed.

[0016] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a printing cassette including a roll of a first tape, an output gear that is rotatable around a rotation axis and outputs a driving force to the outside, and a case in which at least a part of the roll and at least a part of the output gear are disposed inside, and having an outlet through which the first tape drawn from the roll is discharged. The outlet, the output gear, and the roll are arranged in this order in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the output gear.

[0017] According to such a configuration, since the outlet, the output gear, and the roll are arranged in this order in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the output gear, when the printing cassette drops and the surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation axis of the supply spool collides with the floor surface or the like, damage to the output gear is suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

Figure 1

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Figure 12

Figure 13

[0019] [1. First Embodiment] [1-1. Configuration] The printing apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C includes a printing cassette 10 and a main body 100 of the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus 1 is an apparatus for performing printing on a tape-shaped printing medium.

[0020] In the present embodiment, the axial direction of the output gear 18 is the vertical direction, the direction in which the output gear 18 and the input spool 16 are aligned among the directions perpendicular to the vertical direction is the front-rear direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the vertical direction and the front-rear direction is the left-right direction.

[0021] <Printer main body> As shown in FIG. 1B, the printer main body 100 includes a cassette insertion part 101, a print head 102, a platen roller 103, a platen gear 104, and a drive shaft 105.

[0022] (Cassette insertion part) The cassette insertion part 101 is a recess where the printing cassette 10 is mounted. The cassette insertion part 101 has a positioning function for the printing cassette 10.

[0023] (Print head) The print head 102 is disposed inside the cassette insertion part 101. The print head 102 has a plurality of heating elements whose heat generation is individually controlled.

[0024] (Platen roller) The rotation axis L1 of the platen roller 103 is parallel to the vertical direction. The platen roller 103 is disposed near the print head 102 inside the cassette insertion part 101. The platen roller 103 is swingable in a direction approaching or separating from the print head 102.

[0025] (Platen gear) The platen gear 104 is connected to the platen roller 103. In this embodiment, the rotation axis L2 of the platen gear 104 is disposed on the same line as the rotation axis L1 of the platen roller 103. The platen gear 104 is swingable together with the platen roller 103.

[0026] (Drive shaft) The drive shaft 105 is inserted into the input spool 16. The drive shaft 105 rotates the input spool 16.

[0027] The drive shaft 105 is disposed inside the cassette insertion part 101. The rotation axis L3 of the drive shaft 105 is parallel to the vertical direction. The drive shaft 105 rotates about the rotation axis L3 by a drive source (for example, a motor) not shown.

[0028] <Printing Cassette> The printing cassette 10 stores the printing medium. The printing cassette 10 is detachable from the main body 100 of the printing apparatus. By replacing the printing cassette 10, the replenishment of the printing medium and the change of the type of the printing medium (e.g., color, material, etc.) can be performed.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, the printing cassette 10 includes a case 35 that stores the first tape 11A, the ink ribbon (an example of the second tape) 14A, and the like. The outer shape of the printing cassette 10 (that is, the shape of the case 35) is a rectangular parallelepiped shape having sides parallel to the vertical direction, sides parallel to the front-rear direction, and sides parallel to the left-right direction. The case 35 has a first lid portion 31, a first frame portion 32, a second frame portion 33, and a second lid portion 34.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, the printing cassette 10 includes a first roll 11, a first supply spool 12, spacer films 13A and 13B, a second roll 14, a second supply spool 15, an input spool 16, a clutch spring holder 17, an output gear 18, an input gear 19, and an idler gear 20.

[0031] (First Roll) The first roll 11 is formed by winding the first tape 11A on which printing is performed around the first supply spool 12. Printing is performed on the surface of the first tape 11A by the print head 102 and the ink ribbon 14A of the main body 100 of the printing apparatus.

[0032] On the outer sides in the vertical direction of the first roll 11, two spacer films 13A and 13B are arranged so as to sandwich the first roll 11. The spacer films 13A and 13B are arranged between the first roll 11 and the first lid portion 31 and between the first roll 11 and the first frame portion 32.

[0033] (First Supply Spool) The first supply spool 12 is rotatable around the rotation axis L4. The first supply spool 12 rotates as the first tape 11A is conveyed by the platen roller 103 of the printing apparatus main body 100, thereby supplying the first tape 11A to the print head 102.

[0034] (Second roll) The second roll 14 is formed by winding the ink ribbon 14A used for printing on the first tape 11A around the second supply spool 15.

[0035] The ink ribbon 14A is superposed on the first tape 11A at the head opening 33B and is used for printing by the print head 102. The used ink ribbon 14A is wound up by the input spool 16. Also, a rotational resistance is applied to the second roll 14 by a clutch spring held by the clutch spring holder 17. At least a part of the second roll 14 is arranged at a position overlapping the first roll 11 in the vertical direction.

[0036] (Second supply spool) The second supply spool 15 is rotatable around the rotation axis L5. The rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15 is parallel to the rotation axis L4 of the first supply spool 12, that is, parallel to the vertical direction.

[0037] The second supply spool 15 rotates as the input spool 16 winds up the ink ribbon 14A, thereby supplying the ink ribbon 14A to the print head 102.

[0038] (Input spool) The input spool 16 is rotatable around the rotation axis L6. The rotation axis L6 of the input spool 16 is parallel to the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15.

[0039] The input spool 16 is cylindrical and has a hollow portion defined by the inner peripheral surface 16A. Spline teeth 16B are provided on the inner peripheral surface 16A of the input spool 16. The drive shaft 105 of the printing apparatus main body 100 is connected to the spline teeth 16B. The input spool 16 is rotated by the drive shaft 105.

[0040] (Output gear) The output gear 18 is a gear for outputting an external driving force for conveying the first tape 11A. Specifically, the output gear 18 outputs a driving force to the platen gear 104 of the printing apparatus main body 100.

[0041] The output gear 18 is a single gear having a first side surface and a second side surface perpendicular to the rotation axis L7. The rotation axis L7 of the output gear 18 is parallel to the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15. Also, in the axial direction (i.e., the vertical direction) of the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15, the first side surface is disposed closer to the first roll 11 than the second side surface. The entire area of the first side surface overlaps with the cover portion 32B in the vertical direction.

[0042] A part of the output gear 18 is exposed at the head opening 33B. The output gear 18 engages with the platen gear 104 at the head opening 33B in a state where the printing cassette 10 is mounted on the printing apparatus main body 100.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 4, the second supply spool 15, the output gear 18, and the first roll 11 are arranged in this order in the vertical direction, that is, the output gear 18 is positioned between the second supply spool 15 and the first roll 11 in the vertical direction.

[0044] (Input gear) As shown in FIG. 3, the input gear 19 is a gear for indirectly engaging with the output gear 18 via the idle gear 20 and transmitting a driving force to the output gear 18.

[0045] The input gear 19 has a gear 19A and a cylindrical spool 19B that is fixed to one side surface of the gear 19A and has spline teeth on its inner peripheral surface. The gear 19A rotates integrally with the spool 19B by the driving force input to the spool 19B.

[0046] The rotation axis L8 of the input gear 19 (that is, the rotation axis of the gear 19A and the rotation axis of the spool 19B) is arranged on the same line as the rotation axis L6 of the input spool 16. As shown in FIG. 4, the input spool 16, the input gear 19, and the first roll 11 are arranged in the vertical direction in the order of the input spool 16, the input gear 19, and the first roll 11.

[0047] That is, the input gear 19 is located between the input spool 16 and the first roll 11 in the vertical direction. Also, at least a part of the input gear 19 is arranged at a position overlapping the first roll 11 in the vertical direction.

[0048] The rotation axis L8 of the input gear 19 overlaps 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 input gear 19 at the same time. As a result, although the input gear 19 is not directly connected to the input spool 16, it is rotated by a common drive source (that is, the drive shaft 105) with the input spool 16.

[0049] (Idle gear) The idle gear 20 engages with the input gear 19 and the output gear 18. The idle gear 20 constitutes a transmission mechanism for transmitting the driving force input to the input gear 19 to the output gear 18.

[0050] The idle gear 20 is a stepped gear in which a first gear 20A engaged with the input gear 19 and a second gear 20B engaged with the output gear 18 are arranged coaxially side by side. The second gear 20B has a smaller diameter than the first gear 20A. Also, the second gear 20B is arranged at a position closer to the first roll 11 (i.e., above) than the first gear 20A in the vertical direction. The idle gear 20 constitutes a speed reduction mechanism for reducing the rotational speed of the driving force input to the input gear 19.

[0051] (Case) As shown in FIG. 3, the first lid portion 31 constitutes the upper end portion of the printing cassette 10. The first frame portion 32 is disposed below the first lid portion 31 and is connected to the first lid portion 31 in the vertical direction. The second frame portion 33 is disposed below the first frame portion 32 and is connected to the first frame portion 32 in the vertical direction. The second lid portion 34 constitutes the lower end portion of the printing cassette 10. The second lid portion 34 is connected to the second frame portion 33 in the vertical direction.

[0052] The first lid portion 31 and the first frame portion 32 constitute a first case portion 41 for housing the first roll 11. That is, the first roll 11 is disposed in a space surrounded by the first lid portion 31 and the first frame portion 32.

[0053] The second lid portion 34 and the second frame portion 33 constitute a second case portion 42 for housing the second roll 14, the second supply spool 15, and the input spool 16. That is, the second roll 14, the second supply spool 15, and the input spool 16 are disposed in a space surrounded by the second lid portion 34 and the second frame portion 33.

[0054] The first frame portion 32 and the second frame portion 33 constitute a third case portion 43 in which a part of the output gear 18, the input gear 19, and the idle gear 20 are disposed inside. That is, 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. The third case portion 43 is disposed between the first case portion 41 and the second case portion 42 in the vertical direction.

[0055] The first frame portion 32 includes a first side wall 32A, a cover portion 32B, a first guide 32C, a first gear support portion 32D, a second gear support portion 32E, and a third gear support portion 32F. The first side wall 32A constitutes a side surface parallel to the vertical direction of the printing cassette 10. The cover portion 32B is a portion having a surface perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0056] The cover portion 32B is disposed at a position overlapping the output gear 18 in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the cover portion 32B is provided continuously with the lower end portion of the first side wall 32A and is disposed at the right front corner portion of the first frame portion 32.

[0057] The output gear 18, the cover portion 32B, and the first roll 11 are arranged in this order in the vertical direction. Also, as described above, the entire region of the first side surface (that is, the upper side surface) of the output gear 18 overlaps the cover portion 32B in the vertical direction.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 5, the first guide 32C is a portion around which the first tape 11A drawn from the first roll 11 is wound. The first guide 32C has a plurality of plate-shaped ribs arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the first roll 11. The plurality of ribs protrude in the radial direction of the first roll 11, and the amount of protrusion (that is, the plate width) increases toward the lower side.

[0059] The first gear support portion 32D shown in FIG. 3 rotatably supports the output gear 18. The second gear support portion 32E rotatably supports the input gear 19. The third gear support portion 32F rotatably supports the idle gear 20.

[0060] The second frame portion 33 includes a second side wall 33A, a head opening 33B, a discharge port 33C, a second guide 33D, and an outlet 33E. The second side wall 33A constitutes a side surface parallel to the vertical direction of the printing cassette 10.

[0061] The head opening 33B is a part where a portion of the second side wall 33A is cut out. The head opening 33B is a space where the printing head 102 is disposed inside when the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing apparatus main body 100 and the printing head 102 is inserted from below. The head opening 33B opens downward of the printing cassette 10.

[0062] The second guide 33D is a part where the first tape 11A that has passed through the first guide 32C is wound around. Similar to the first guide 32C, the second guide 33D has a plurality of plate-shaped ribs arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the second roll 14. The plurality of ribs protrude in the radial direction of the second roll 14, and the protruding amount (i.e., the plate width) becomes smaller toward the lower side.

[0063] The outlet 33E is a part where the first tape 11A drawn out from the first roll 11 is discharged to the head opening 33B. That is, the outlet 33E communicates with the head opening 33B. Further, the outlet 33E, the output gear 18, and the first roll 11 are arranged in this order in the vertical direction.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 6, in the head opening 33B, the first tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A are spanned in the left-right direction. The printed first tape 11A is discharged to the outside of the printing apparatus 1 from the discharge port 33C.

[0065] The head opening 33B and the discharge port 33C are parts of the second case portion 42. A part of the output gear 18 is located inside the head opening 33B. Further, the cover portion 32B is exposed inside the head opening 33B.

[0066] As shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D, the first guide 32C and the second guide 33D constitute a passage for sending the first tape 11A constituting the first roll 11 from the first case portion 41 to the second case portion 42.

[0067] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7A, the first tape 11A drawn out from the first roll 11 It is conveyed downward and rearward in the first case portion 41 while abutting against the radially outer side of the first roll 11 against the first guide 32C so as to draw a spiral. As further shown in FIG. 7B, the first tape 11A is conveyed downward and leftward while straddling the third case portion 43 in the vertical direction.

[0068] The first tape 11A that has reached the second case portion 42 is conveyed downward and forward while abutting against the second guide 33D from the radially outer side, as shown in FIG. 7C. The first tape 11A that has reached the lower end portion of the printing cassette 10 passes through the head opening 33B and is discharged from the discharge port 33C, as shown in FIG. 7D.

[0069] The output gear 18 is provided in the first region A1 of the case 35 in the first direction (i.e., the front-rear direction) orthogonal to the vertical direction, as shown in FIG. 7A. On the other hand, the first tape 11A is inclined and spanned in a direction intersecting the vertical direction and the second direction (i.e., the left-right direction) in a second region A2 of the case 35 in the first direction, which is different from the first region A1. The first region A1 of the present embodiment is a region in front of the second region A2.

[0070] Furthermore, the first tape 11A is conveyed along the second direction toward the discharge port 33C in a region of the first region A1 that is on the opposite side of the first roll 11 across the output gear 18 in the vertical direction.

[0071] <Tape conveyance and printing by the printing apparatus main body> The printing head 102 prints on the first tape 11A held by the printing cassette 10.

[0072] The printing head 102 is disposed at a position overlapping the first tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A in the front-rear direction at the head opening 33B in a state where the printing cassette 10 is mounted on the printing apparatus main body 100 (see FIG. 6).

[0073] The first tape 11A conveyed to the head opening 33B by the platen roller 103 is pressed against the printing head 102 where the heating element generates heat via the ink ribbon 14A. As a result, a part of the ink disposed on the surface of the ink ribbon 14A is transferred to the first tape 11A, and characters, symbols, etc. are printed on the first tape 11A.

[0074] The platen roller 103 conveys the first tape 11A from inside the printing cassette 10 toward the outside. The platen roller 103 abuts on the first tape 11A at the head opening 33B and presses the first tape 11A against the printing head 102.

[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 swingable between a position separated from the printing cassette 10 shown in FIG. 8 and a position where the platen gear 104 engages with the output gear 18 shown in FIG. 9.

[0076] The drive shaft 105 is inserted into the input spool 16 and engages with the input gear 19, rotating the input spool 16 and the input gear 19.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 9, with the printing cassette 10 mounted on the printing apparatus 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 the 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 mounted, the input gear 19 is rotated by the drive shaft 105 so that the output gear 18 is rotated. The rotation of the output gear 18 rotates the platen gear 104, and the rotation of the platen gear 104 rotates the platen roller 103.

[0079] [1-2. Effect] According to the embodiments described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained. (1a) The second supply spool 15, the output gear 18, and the first roll 11 are arranged in this order in the axial direction of the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15.

[0080] In the printing cassette 10 of the present embodiment, it is assumed that various printing cassettes 10 storing various types of tapes different in color, shape, etc. are replaced with the printing apparatus 1 relatively frequently. Therefore, inevitably, there is a risk that the printing cassette 10 may drop when the printing cassette 10 is replaced.

[0081] On the other hand, even when the printing cassette 10 drops and collides with the floor surface or the like, due to the arrangement of the second supply spool 15, the output gear 18, and the first roll 11 described above, the probability that the side of the second supply spool 15 or the first roll 11 in the vertical direction of the printing cassette 10 hits before the output gear 18 is high. Therefore, the probability that the output gear 18 collides with the floor surface can be reduced. As a result, damage to the output gear 18 when the surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15 collides with the floor surface or the like is suppressed.

[0082] (1b) When the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing apparatus main body 100 by the above-described arrangement, alignment of the output gear 18 in the axial direction of the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15 becomes easy. Therefore, defects in the engagement between the output gear 18 and the platen gear 104 can be suppressed.

[0083] (1c) By the above-described arrangement, the first tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A can be arranged separately inside the printing cassette 10. Therefore, interference between the constituent components of the first tape 11A and the constituent components of the ink ribbon 14A can be suppressed.

[0084] (1d) In the above-described arrangement, since the rotation axis L7 of the output gear 18 and the rotation axis L8 of the input gear 19 are displaced, the degree of freedom in the design of the printing cassette 10 is improved.

[0085] (1e) With the above arrangement, interference between the output gear 18 and the conveyance path of the first tape 11A at the head opening 33B can be avoided. Therefore, the degree of freedom in designing the printing cassette 10 is improved.

[0086] (1f) With the above arrangement, since the output gear 18 is arranged inside in the axial direction of the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15, the strength of the support portion of the output gear 18 (that is, the first frame portion 32) can be increased.

[0087] (1g) Since the input spool 16, the input gear 19, and the first roll 11 are arranged in this order in the axial direction of the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15, when the printing cassette 10 drops and the surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15 collides with the floor surface or the like, damage to the input gear 19 is suppressed.

[0088] (1h) The output gear 18, the cover portion 32B, and the first roll 11 are arranged in this order in the axial direction of the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15. As described above, in this embodiment, there is a possibility that the printing cassette 10 may drop during replacement of the printing cassette 10 or the like.

[0089] On the other hand, even when the printing cassette 10 drops, since the cover portion 32B is provided, the probability that the cover portion 32B collides with the floor surface or the like instead of the output gear 18 is increased. Therefore, the output gear 18 is protected by the cover portion 32B, and damage to the output gear 18 is further suppressed.

[0090] (1i) By means of the idle gear 20, the rotational speed of the driving force of the drive shaft 105 can be reduced to a rotational speed suitable for the conveyance of the first tape 11A. Therefore, the conveyance of the first tape 11A and the supply of the ink ribbon 14A can be performed using a common drive source.

[0091] (1j) The first tape 11A is inclined and spanned in a direction intersecting the second direction in the second region A2, and is conveyed toward the discharge port 33C in a region of the first region A1 on the side opposite to the first roll 11 with the output gear 18 interposed therebetween in the axial direction of the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15, whereby the printing cassette 10 can be miniaturized.

[0092] [2. Second Embodiment] [2-1. Configuration] The printing apparatus 1A shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B includes a printing cassette 10A and a printing apparatus main body 100A.

[0093] [Printing Cassette] The printing cassette 10A is obtained by adding a third roll 21, a take-up spool 22, a take-up gear 23, and a pinch roller 24 shown in FIG. 11 to the printing cassette 10 of the first embodiment, and replacing the input spool 16, the first lid portion 31, the first frame portion 32, the second frame portion 33, and the second lid portion 34 of the first embodiment with an input spool 25, a first lid portion 36, a first frame portion 37, a second frame portion 38, and a second lid portion 39.

[0094] The input spool 25 is the same as the input spool 16 except that it does not have the spline teeth 16B. The first lid portion 36, the first frame portion 37, the second frame portion 38, and the second lid portion 39 are obtained by extending the first lid portion 31, the first frame portion 32, the second frame portion 33, and the second lid portion 34 in the left-right direction, respectively. Since 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, the description thereof is omitted.

[0095] The third roll 21 is formed by winding a laminate tape used for protecting the first tape 11A around the input spool 25. The laminate tape has an adhesive surface that is bonded to the first tape 11A on which printing has been performed by the print head 102.

[0096] The take-up spool 22 is rotatable about the rotation axis L9. The rotation axis L9 of the take-up spool 22 is parallel to the rotation axis L5 (i.e., the vertical direction) of the second supply spool 15. The take-up spool 22 winds up the ink ribbon 14A by the rotation of the take-up gear 23.

[0097] The take-up gear 23 is connected to the take-up spool 22 and engages with the idler gear 20. The take-up gear 23 rotates by the driving force input to the input gear 19 and rotates the take-up spool 22.

[0098] The pinch roller 24, together with the pressing roller 106, presses the laminate tape against the first tape 11A after printing. The pinch roller 24 is disposed downstream of the head opening 33B in the conveyance direction of the first tape 11A.

[0099] <Printing apparatus main body> The printing apparatus main body 100A is obtained by adding the pressing roller 106 shown in FIG. 12 to the printing apparatus main body 100 of the first embodiment. Since other configurations of the printing apparatus main body 100A are the same as those of the printing apparatus main body 100 of the first embodiment except for the points described below, the description thereof is omitted.

[0100] The pressing roller 106 is configured to be swingable together with the platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104. That is, the pressing roller 106 is swingable between a position separated from the printing cassette 10A shown in FIG. 12 and a position where it presses the first tape 11A and the laminate tape together with the pinch roller 24 shown in FIG. 13.

[0101] [2-2. Effects] According to the embodiment described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained. (2a) While having the same advantages as the first embodiment, the printed content of the first tape 11A can be protected by the laminate tape.

[0102] [3. Other embodiments] As described above, although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been explained, it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and can take various forms.

[0103] (3a) The printing apparatus of the above embodiment is not limited to printing using an ink ribbon as the second tape. The printing apparatus may use a strip of thermal paper as an alternative to the first tape in the first embodiment and may use a laminate tape (i.e., a protective tape) as an alternative to the ink ribbon.

[0104] Also, the printing apparatus may use a stencil tape on which a printing pattern is perforated by a thermal head as the first tape and may use a strip of backing paper that protects and supports the stencil tape as the second tape. In this case, at the head opening, the first tape may be superimposed on the second tape at a position closer to the printing head than the second tape (i.e., as the upper layer), or the first tape may be superimposed on the second tape at a position farther from the printing head than the second tape (i.e., as the lower layer).

[0105] (3b) The printing cassette of the above embodiment may have two or more idler gears. Also, the transmission mechanism that engages with the input gear and the output gear does not necessarily have to include a speed reduction mechanism. That is, the idler gear does not necessarily have to be a stepped gear and may be a single flat tooth gear. Further, the printing cassette may have a transmission mechanism other than gears. Also, the printing cassette does not necessarily have to have a transmission mechanism itself, and the output gear may directly engage with the input gear.

[0106] (3c) In the printing cassette of the above embodiment, the conveyance path of the first tape is an example. Therefore, the first tape does not necessarily have to be inclined and bridged in a direction intersecting the second direction in the second region. Also, the direction in which the first tape is discharged may be other than the second direction.

[0107] (3d) The printing cassette according to the second embodiment may include a third supply spool around which a laminate tape is wound instead of a take-up spool. Further, in the printing cassette according to the second embodiment, the input spool may be used as a take-up spool for an ink ribbon.

[0108] (3e) The functions of one component in the above embodiment may be distributed among a plurality of components, or the functions of a plurality of components may be integrated into one component. Also, a part of the configuration of the above embodiment may be omitted. Further, at least a part of the configuration of the above embodiment may be added to, replaced with, etc. the configuration of other above embodiments. Note that all aspects included in the technical idea specified from the language described in the scope of the claims are embodiments of the present disclosure.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0109] 1, 1A... printing device, 10, 10A... printing cassette, 11... first roll, 11A... first tape, 12... first supply spool, 14... second roll, 14A... ink ribbon, 15... second supply spool, 16... input spool, 18... output gear, 19... input gear, 20... idler gear, 20A... first gear, 20B... second gear, 21... third roll, 22... take-up spool, 23... take-up gear, 31... first lid portion, 32... first frame portion, 32B... cover portion, 33... second frame portion, 33B... head opening, 33C... discharge port, 33E... exit, 34... second lid portion, 35... case, 41... first case portion, 42... second case portion, 43... third case portion, 100, 100A... printing device main body, 101... cassette insertion portion, 102... printing head, 103... platen roller, 104... platen gear, 105... drive shaft.

Claims

1. A printing apparatus main body, a printing cassette detachable from the printing apparatus main body, comprising: the printing cassette includes a roll of a first tape, a supply spool rotatable around a rotation axis, a second tape wound around the supply spool and used for printing or protecting the first tape, an output gear for outputting a driving force to the outside, an input spool rotatable around a rotation axis, an input gear directly or indirectly engaged with the output gear and for transmitting the driving force to the output gear, comprising: the rotation axis of the input gear is arranged on the same line as the rotation axis of the input spool, the input spool, the input gear, and the roll are arranged in this order of the input spool, the input gear, and the roll in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the supply spool, the supply spool, the output gear, and the roll are arranged in this order of the supply spool, the output gear, and the roll in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the supply spool, the printing apparatus main body includes a printing head for printing on the first tape, a platen roller for conveying the first tape, a platen gear connected to the platen roller and engaged with the output gear, a drive shaft inserted into the input spool and engaged with the input gear for rotating the input spool and the input gear, comprising: In a state where the printing cassette is attached to the printing apparatus main body, the drive shaft is engaged with the input gear and the platen gear is engaged with the output gear. By rotating the input gear by the drive shaft, the output gear is rotated. By rotating the output gear, the platen gear is rotated. By rotating the platen gear, the platen roller is rotated. A printing apparatus.

2. A roll of a first tape, a supply spool rotatable around a rotation axis, a second tape wound around the supply spool and used for printing or protecting the first tape, an output gear for outputting a driving force to the outside, comprising: A printing cassette, wherein the supply spool, the output gear, and the roll are arranged in this order of the supply spool, the output gear, and the roll in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the supply spool.

3. The printing cassette according to claim 2, further comprising a case in which at least a part of the roll, at least a part of the supply spool, at least a part of the second tape, and at least a part of the output gear are disposed inside.

4. The case has a cover portion disposed at a position overlapping the output gear in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the supply spool. The printing cassette according to claim 3, wherein the output gear, the cover portion, and the roll are arranged in this order of the output gear, the cover portion, and the roll in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the supply spool.

5. An input spool rotatable around a rotation axis, An input gear that directly or indirectly engages with the output gear and transmits a driving force to the output gear, further comprising The rotation axis of the input gear is arranged on the same line as the rotation axis of the input spool. The printing cassette according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the input spool, the input gear, and the roll are arranged in this order of the input spool, the input gear, and the roll in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the supply spool.

6. The input spool is cylindrical. The input spool has a hollow portion defined by an inner peripheral surface. Spline teeth are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the input spool. The rotation axis of the input gear overlaps the hollow portion in the axial direction of the input spool. The printing cassette according to claim 5.

7. At least a part of the input gear is disposed at a position overlapping the roll in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the supply spool. The printing cassette according to claim 5 or 6.

8. The printing cassette according to any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising a transmission mechanism that engages with the input gear and the output gear and transmits the driving force input to the input gear to the output gear.

9. The printing cassette according to claim 8, wherein the transmission mechanism has at least one idle gear.

10. The printing cassette according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the transmission mechanism includes a speed reduction mechanism.

11. The printing cassette according to claim 10, wherein the transmission mechanism has a stepped gear in which a plurality of gears are arranged coaxially.

12. The idle gear engages with the output gear. The idle gear is a stepped gear in which a plurality of gears are arranged coaxially, the printing cassette according to claim 9.

13. The output gear has a first side surface and a second side surface, In the axial direction of the rotation axis of the supply spool, the first side surface is disposed closer to the roll than the second side surface, The entire region of the first side surface overlaps the cover portion in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the supply spool, the printing cassette according to claim 4.

14. At least a part of the second roll of the second tape wound around the supply spool is disposed at a position overlapping the roll in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the supply spool, the printing cassette according to any one of claims 2 to 13.

15. The output gear is a single gear, the printing cassette according to any one of claims 2 to 14.

16. The case A first case portion for housing the roll, A second case portion for housing the supply spool, A passage for sending the first tape constituting the roll from the first case portion to the second case portion, And has The second case portion has a discharge port for discharging the first tape to the outside, the printing cassette according to claim 3 or claim 4.

17. The case further has a third case portion disposed between the first case portion and the second case portion and at least a part of the output gear is disposed inside, the printing cassette according to claim 16.

18. The stepped gear has a first gear and a second gear having a smaller diameter than the first gear, The second gear is disposed closer to the roll than the first gear in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the supply spool, the printing cassette according to claim 11 or claim 12.

19. The output gear is provided in a first region of the case in a first direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the rotation axis of the supply spool, The first tape is inclined and bridged in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the rotation axis of the supply spool and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction in a second region of the case different from the first region in the first direction. The first tape is in a region of the first area of the case in the first direction, on the side opposite to the roll with the output gear interposed therebetween in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the supply spool, and is conveyed along the second direction toward the discharge port, the printing cassette according to claim 16 or claim 17.

20. A printing cassette detachable from a printing apparatus main body, a roll of a first tape, a supply spool rotatable around a rotation axis, a second tape wound around the supply spool and used for printing or protecting the first tape, an output gear for outputting a driving force to the outside, an input spool rotatable around a rotation axis, an input gear directly or indirectly engaged with the output gear for transmitting a driving force to the output gear, comprising: the rotation axis of the input gear is arranged on the same line as the rotation axis of the input spool, the input spool, the input gear, and the roll are arranged in this order of the input spool, the input gear, and the roll in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the supply spool, the supply spool, the output gear, and the roll are arranged in this order of the supply spool, the output gear, and the roll in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the supply spool, the printing apparatus main body a printing head for printing on the first tape, a platen roller for conveying the first tape, a platen gear connected to the platen roller and engaged with the output gear, a drive shaft inserted into the input spool and engaged with the input gear for rotating the input spool and the input gear, comprising: in a state of being mounted on the printing apparatus main body, the drive shaft is engaged with the input gear and the platen gear is engaged with the output gear, the input gear is rotated by the drive shaft so that the output gear is rotated, the platen gear is rotated by the rotation of the output gear, and the platen roller is rotated by the rotation of the platen gear, the printing cassette.

21. a roll of a first tape, an output gear rotatable around a rotation axis and for outputting a driving force to the outside, a case in which at least a part of the roll and at least a part of the output gear are disposed inside and which has an outlet through which the first tape drawn from the roll is discharged, comprising: The printing cassette is configured such that the outlet, the output gear, and the roll are arranged in this order in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the output gear.

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