cassette

Abstract

To provide a cassette that can smoothly convey a medium to be printed comprising a layer to be printed and a peeling layer.SOLUTION: A print tape 22 is conveyed in a winding direction D from a print tape roll 26 to a head space 11 through a conveyance passage HK provided in a case 19, which can prevent floating of a peeling tape 22c from a tape 22a to be printed caused by inversion of inside and outside of the print tape 22 during conveyance of the print tape 22 unlike a conventional cassette. This enables the print tape 22 comprising the tape 22a to be printed and the peeling tape 22c to be smoothly conveyed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 18

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cassette that is detachably mounted in a printing machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, cassettes that can be detachably attached to, for example, small printing presses have been known. For example, the cassette disclosed in Patent Document 1 is such a cassette. In the cassette disclosed in Patent Document 1, a supply reel 3 for an ink ribbon 4 is disposed in a first space between a cassette lid 2 and a partition plate 6 within a cassette body 1, and a take-up reel 7 for the ink ribbon 4 is disposed in a second space below the partition plate 6. When a drive roller 8 is rotated by a driving means of the printing press, an elastic belt 9 stretched between the drive roller 8 and a driven roller 10 runs, causing the take-up reel 7 to rotate. As a result, the ink ribbon 4 is given a constant supply tension by a tension roller 5 and then transported downward from the first space to the second space. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 59-95180 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, in a cassette such as that described in Patent Document 1, before the ink ribbon 4 is transported downward from the first space to the second space, the tension roller 5 once turns the ink ribbon 4 about 180 degrees around the axis of the tension roller 5, that is, the tension roller 5 once turns the ink ribbon 4 inside out. For this reason, if a cassette using the ink ribbon 4 described in Patent Document 1 is applied to a cassette that uses a print medium having a printable layer and a release layer, for example, when the print medium is turned inside out, the release layer will float from the printable layer, causing a problem that the print medium cannot be transported smoothly.

[0005] The present invention has been made against the background of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a cassette that can smoothly transport a printing medium having a printing layer and a release layer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The gist of the first invention is that it comprises: (a) a housing having a first layer and a second layer, with a head space in the first layer; (b) a roll provided on the second layer, with the printable medium wound in a winding direction around a rotation center; (c) the printable medium has a printable layer and a release layer, and is provided in the housing so that the printable layer is located inside the winding direction of the printable medium and the release layer is located outside the winding direction of the printable medium; (d) the housing has a transport path for transporting the printable medium; and (e) the transport path is configured so that the printable medium is transported in the winding direction from the roll to the head space through an opening formed at the boundary between the first layer and the second layer in the housing.

[0007] The gist of the second invention is that the opening is located opposite the head space in a third direction perpendicular to a first direction from the first layer to the second layer and a second direction in which the printing medium is transported in the head space.

[0008] The gist of the third invention is that (a) the housing is a rectangular parallelepiped shape having four corners, and (b) the transport path passes through at least three of the four corners of the housing and reaches the head space.

[0009] The gist of the fourth invention is that (a) the three corners include a first corner, a second corner, and a third corner, (b) the first corner is located in the second layer, (c) a part of the second corner is located in either the first layer or the second layer, (d) the third corner is located in the first layer, (e) the transport path is configured so that the print medium is stretched between the first corner and the second corner in a state of being inclined with respect to the print medium wound around the roll, and (f) the transport path is configured so that the print medium is stretched between the first corner and the second corner in a state of being inclined with respect to the print medium wound around the roll. (g) the transport path is configured so that the print medium is hung at an angle between the corner and the third corner, relative to the print medium wound on the roll; and (h) the transport path is configured so that the print medium is transported in the order of the first corner, the second corner, and the third corner, causing the print medium to move from the second layer to the first layer and reach the head space.

[0010] The gist of the fifth invention is that (a) the housing further has a fourth corner portion located in the second layer, (b) the upstream end of the opening in the transport direction of the printed medium is located in the fourth corner portion, (c) the housing has a printed medium outlet in the first layer, and the printed medium outlet overlaps with the fourth corner portion in the direction from the second layer to the first layer, and (d) the transport path is configured so that the printed medium is transported in the order of the fourth corner portion, the first corner portion, the second corner portion, and the third corner portion, so that the printed medium moves from the second layer to the first layer, reaches the head space, and then reaches the printed medium outlet.

[0011] The gist of the sixth invention is that (a) the housing comprises a lower case and an upper case connected to the lower case, (b) the lower case has a first opening at its upper part, (c) the upper case has a second opening at its lower part, and (d) the openings are configured such that the first opening and the second opening are connected at the boundary where the upper part and the lower part are connected.

[0012] The gist of the seventh invention is that the first layer further comprises an ink ribbon.

[0013] The gist of the eighth aspect of the invention is that (a) the ink ribbon supply spool is further provided, and (b) the supply shaft of the supply spool is located within the projected area of ​​the roll.

[0014] The gist of the ninth invention is that (a) the device further comprises a supply spool and a take-up spool for the ink ribbon, and (b) in the direction from the second layer to the first layer, the opening does not overlap with any of the roll, the supply spool, and the take-up spool.

[0015] The gist of the 10th invention is that (a) the device further includes a supply spool and a take-up spool for the ink ribbon, and (b) the opening is located outside the supply spool and the take-up spool around the center of rotation of the roll.

[0016] The gist of the eleventh invention is that (a) the housing has a guide for the printing medium in the first layer, (b) the second layer is located above the first layer, and (c) the vertical distance of the gap between the upper end of the printing medium and the housing at the opening is larger than the vertical distance of the gap between the upper end of the printing medium and the guide in the first layer. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the first invention, the cassette comprises: (a) a housing having a first layer and a second layer and a head space in the first layer; (b) a roll provided on the second layer, on which the printable medium is wound in a winding direction around a rotation center; (c) the printable medium has a printable layer and a release layer, and is provided in the housing so that the printable layer is located inside the winding direction of the printable medium and the release layer is located outside the winding direction of the printable medium; (d) the housing has a transport path for transporting the printable medium; and (e) the transport path is configured so that the printable medium is transported in the winding direction from the roll to the head space through an opening formed at the boundary between the first layer and the second layer in the housing. Therefore, the print medium is transported in the winding direction from the roll to the head space by the transport path provided in the housing, which reduces the possibility that the inside and outside of the print medium are reversed during transport, causing the release layer to float away from the print layer, as in the conventional case. This allows the print medium, which includes the print layer and the release layer, to be transported smoothly.

[0018] According to the cassette of the second invention, the opening is located opposite the head space in a third direction perpendicular to a first direction from the first layer to the second layer and a second direction in which the print medium is transported in the head space, thereby making it possible to lengthen the distance of the transport path from the roll to the head space.

[0019] According to the cassette of the third invention, (a) the housing has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with four corners, and (b) the transport path passes through at least three of the four corners of the housing and reaches the head space, thereby making it possible to lengthen the distance of the transport path from the roll to the head space.

[0020] According to the cassette of the fourth invention, (a) the three corners include a first corner, a second corner, and a third corner, (b) the first corner is located in the second layer, (c) a part of the second corner is located in either the first layer or the second layer, (d) the third corner is located in the first layer, (e) the transport path is configured so that the print medium is stretched between the first corner and the second corner in a state of being inclined with respect to the print medium wound around the roll, and (f) the transport path is configured so that the print medium is stretched between the first corner and the second corner in a state of being inclined with respect to the print medium wound around the roll. (g) the transport path is configured so that the print medium is suspended at an angle between the second corner and the third corner relative to the print medium wound on the roll, and (h) the transport path is configured so that the print medium is transported in the order of the first corner, the second corner, and the third corner, causing the print medium to move from the second layer to the first layer and reach the head space. Therefore, when the print medium is moved from the second layer to the first layer, the print medium can be moved relatively slowly, which can effectively prevent twisting of the print medium.

[0021] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, (a) the housing further includes a fourth corner located on the second layer, (b) the upstream end of the opening in the print medium transport direction is located at the fourth corner, (c) the housing includes a print medium outlet on the first layer, which overlaps with the fourth corner in the direction from the second layer to the first layer, and (d) the transport path is configured so that the print medium is transported through the fourth corner, the first corner, the second corner, and the third corner in that order, moving the print medium from the second layer to the first layer and reaching the head space before reaching the print medium outlet. This allows the distance of the transport path from the roll to the head space to be suitably long.

[0022] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the cassette (a) includes a lower case and an upper case connected to the lower case, (b) the lower case has a first opening at its top, (c) the upper case has a second opening at its bottom, and (d) the openings are connected at a boundary where the first opening and the second opening are connected to each other. This allows the print medium to be transported efficiently from the second layer to the first layer via the first opening of the lower case and the second opening of the upper case.

[0023] According to the cassette of the seventh aspect of the present invention, an ink ribbon is further provided on the first layer, whereby the ink of the ink ribbon can be printed on the print-receiving layer of the print-receiving medium.

[0024] According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the cassette (a) further comprises a supply spool for the ink ribbon, and (b) the supply shaft of the supply spool is located within the projected area of ​​the roll, which allows the housing to be suitably miniaturized.

[0025] According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the cassette (a) further includes a supply spool and a take-up spool for the ink ribbon, and (b) the opening does not overlap with any of the roll, the supply spool, and the take-up spool in the direction from the second layer to the first layer. Therefore, the print medium can be suitably transported from the second layer to the first layer through the opening without coming into contact with the supply spool or the take-up spool.

[0026] According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the cassette (a) further includes a supply spool and a take-up spool for the ink ribbon, and (b) the opening is located outside the supply spool and the take-up spool around the rotation center of the roll, so that the print medium can be suitably transported from the second layer to the first layer through the opening without coming into contact with the supply spool and the take-up spool.

[0027] According to the cassette of the eleventh aspect of the invention, (a) the housing includes a guide for the print medium in the first layer, (b) the second layer is located above the first layer, and (c) the vertical distance of the gap between the upper end of the print medium at the opening and the housing is larger than the vertical distance of the gap between the upper end of the print medium in the first layer and the guide. Therefore, the print medium can be suitably transported from the second layer to the guide in the first layer without coming into contact with the housing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the top side of the cassette according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the lower surface side of the cassette of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 2 is a perspective view showing the structure and internal structure of the case of the cassette of FIG. 1, with a first case member, a second case member, a third case member, and a fourth case member that constitute the case separated. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a front view showing the top surface side of the first case member of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 5] 2 is a perspective view showing the underside of the first case member of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a front view showing the upper surface side of the second case member of FIG. 1 together with the print tape roll. [Figure 7] 2 is a perspective view showing the cassette of FIG. 1 with a first case member removed. FIG. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 6, illustrating a state in which the printing tape is unwound from the printing tape roll and the ribbon case starts to move. [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 6, showing a state in which the printing tape is stretched obliquely from inside the tape case 20 into the ribbon case. [Figure 10] 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX in FIG. 6, showing the state in which the transfer of the print tape to the ribbon case has been completed. [Figure 11]10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI in FIG. 6, showing the state in which the transfer of the print tape to the ribbon case has been completed. [Figure 12] 12 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the ceiling wall portion of the print tape guide of FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 13] 2 is a perspective view showing the underside of the second case member of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 14] 2 is a perspective view showing the top surface side of the third case member of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 15] 2 is a perspective view showing the underside of the third case member of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 16] 2 is a perspective view showing the upper surface side of the fourth case member of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 17] 1. FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing the bottom side of the fourth case member of FIG. [Figure 18] This figure shows the paths of the printing tape pulled out from the printing tape roll and the laminating tape pulled out from the laminating tape roll, and the path of the ink ribbon pulled out from the ink ribbon, using a diagram showing the underside of the third case member in Figure 1. [Figure 19] 2 is a diagram illustrating a stack of printing tape and laminating tape fed out from the cassette of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 20] 2 is a plan view of the cassette of FIG. 1, showing the relative positions of a printing tape roll, a laminating tape roll, an ink ribbon, and a take-up spool. FIG. [Figure 21] 2 is a diagram illustrating a cassette mounting portion of a printing device into which the cassette of FIG. 1 is mounted. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. [Example]

[0030] [Embodiment 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cassette 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the cassette 10 from the front side, i.e., the top side, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cassette 10 from the back side, i.e., the bottom side. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the case (housing) 19 of the cassette 10 and the internal configuration of the cassette 10, with the first case member 12, the second case member (upper case) 14, the third case member (lower case) 16, and the fourth case member 18 of the cassette 10 separated. The cassette 10 is a laminated type having an overall rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is removably mounted in a cassette mounting section 104 of a printer, i.e., a printing device 102, shown in FIG. 21, which will be described later. The case 19 of the cassette 10 includes a tape case (second layer) 20 in which a print tape roll (roll) 26 is provided in a first space S1 formed therein, and a ribbon case (first layer) 21 mounted below the tape case 20 and in which an ink ribbon roll 72 is provided in a second space S2 formed therein. The tape case 20 includes a first case member 12 and a second case member 14, and the ribbon case 21 includes a third case member 16 and a fourth case member 18. In the case 19, the first case member 12, the second case member 14, the third case member 16, and the fourth case member 18 are stacked on top of each other and fixed to each other by engagement between a plurality of locking claws 27 and fixing claws 28 provided between the outer peripheral walls of the respective members and positioning by positioning protrusions 29. The tape case 20, which forms the first space S1, corresponds to the first layer of the case 19 of the cassette 10, and the ribbon case 21, which forms the second space S2, corresponds to the second layer of the case 19 of the cassette 10.

[0031] 2, a connection hole 96 for the take-up spool 76 (described later) is exposed through a take-up spool support hole 94 on the bottom surface of the fourth case member 18 of the cassette 10. A take-up spool drive shaft 108 provided in the cassette mounting portion 104 is inserted into the connection hole 96. The take-up spool drive shaft 108 is provided in the cassette mounting portion 104 when the cassette 10 is mounted in the cassette mounting portion 104 of the printing device 102. The third case member 16 and the fourth case member 18 have formed on their side surfaces a recessed groove (head space) 11 into which a print head 106 (described later) provided in the cassette mounting portion 104 is inserted when the cassette 10 is mounted in the cassette mounting portion 104 of the printing device 102. In other words, the ribbon case 21 has formed on its side surface a head space 11 into which the print head 106 is inserted when the cassette 10 is mounted in the cassette mounting portion 104.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a front view showing the top (front) side of the first case member 12, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the bottom (rear) side of the first case member 12. FIG. 6 is a front view showing the top side of the second case member 14 of FIG. 1 together with the print tape roll 26. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the cassette 10 of FIG. 1 with the first case member 12 removed. FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11 are cross-sectional views of FIG. 6 showing the print tape (print medium) 22 moving from the tape case 20 to the ribbon case 21. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the bottom side of the second case member 14. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the top side of the third case member 16. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the bottom side of the third case member 16. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the top side of the fourth case member 18. FIG. 17 is a bottom view showing the bottom side of the fourth case member 18.

[0033] Between the first case member 12 and the second case member 14, a first space S1 is formed. The first space S1 accommodates a print tape roll 26, in which the print tape 22 is wound around a print tape spool 24, a cylindrical core material, rotatably about a first rotation center line (rotation center) C1 parallel to the vertical direction (first direction) F1. The first rotation center line C1 is the rotation center of both the print tape roll 26 and the print tape spool 24. The vertical direction F1 corresponds to the first direction, which is the stacking direction from the first case member 12 to the fourth case member 18, with the upward direction referring to the direction toward the first case member 12 and the downward direction referring to the direction toward the fourth case member 18. The first case member 12 and the second case member 14 are rectangular, and the first rotation center line C1 is located slightly offset downward from the center in the longitudinal direction. The print tape 22 is the print medium on which printing is performed by the print head 106. As shown in Fig. 19, for example, the printing tape 22 is configured by laminating a release tape (release layer) 22c, via an adhesive 22b, on the surface opposite the printing surface of a print-receiving tape (print-receiving layer) 22a serving as a substrate. That is, the printing tape 22 includes a print-receiving tape 22a, an adhesive 22b, and a release tape 22c. Note that, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, for example, the printing tape roll 26 has the printing tape 22 wound around a printing tape spool 24 in a winding direction D about a first rotation center line C1, with the print-receiving tape 22a positioned on the inside of the winding direction D of the printing tape 22 and the release tape 22c positioned on the outside of the winding direction D of the printing tape 22. Note that the inside of the winding direction D of the printing tape 22 refers to the side (inner side) of a pair of side surfaces formed on the printing tape 22 wound around the printing tape spool 24 that is closer to the printing tape spool 24, i.e., the first rotation center line C1. Further, the outside of the winding direction D of the printing tape 22 refers to the side (outside) of the pair of side surfaces formed on the printing tape 22 wound around the printing tape spool 24 that is spaced apart from the printing tape spool 24, i.e., the first rotation center line C1.

[0034] 3, 5, and 6, cylindrical first support protrusions 30 and second support protrusions 32 that rotatably fit onto the upper and other ends of the print tape spool 24 to rotatably support the print tape roll 26, and first and second circumferential walls 34 and 36 that have inner diameters larger than the outer diameter of an unused print tape roll 26, protrude from the underside of the first case member 12 and the upper side of the second case member 14, with their center lines coinciding with the first rotation center line C1. The print tape spool 24 is held within the first circumferential wall 34 and second circumferential wall 36, and is disposed between the first case member 12 and the second case member 14 with circular spacer films 38 interposed therebetween, each having an outer diameter the same as the outer diameter of the print tape roll 26. The spacer films 38 are used to ensure smooth rotation of the print tape roll 26 and are made, for example, of a tetrafluoroethylene resin sheet.

[0035] 5 and 6, print tape gates 40, 42 are formed on the bottom surface of the first case member 12 and the top surface of the second case member 14 by cutting out portions of the first circumferential wall 34 and the second circumferential wall 36, respectively, in order to pull out the print tape 22 from the print tape roll 26 from a specific position. Also, on the top surface of the second case member 14, a guide wall 48 is formed in an arc shape that extends along the inner periphery of the through-hole (second opening) 52 so that its outer surface is continuous with the through-hole, and a guide wall 50 extends leftward from the left end of the print tape gate 42, in order to guide the print tape 22 pulled out from the print tape roll 26 in a specific direction. The guide wall 50 functions as a guide for guiding the print tape 22.

[0036] As shown in Figure 6, the guide wall 50 of the second case member 14 bends toward the long side portion 46b before reaching the short side portion 46a of the outer peripheral wall 46, and extends opposite the second circumferential wall 36, connecting to the long side portion 46b.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 6, the bottom plate (lower part) 14a of the second case member 14 has a longitudinal opening, i.e., a through-hole 52, formed between the guide wall 50 and the long side portion 46b of the outer circumferential wall 46. Furthermore, the guide wall 48 of the second case member 14 has a plurality of guide ribs 54 formed such that the circumscribed surfaces of the rib tip edges 54a form tapered surfaces between the through-hole 52 and the portion of the second circumferential wall 36 facing the guide wall 50. The tapered surfaces formed by the circumscribed surfaces of the rib tip edges 54a of the plurality of guide ribs 54 are intended to guide the printing tape 22 unwound from the printing tape roll 26 and fed through the printing tape gates 40 and 42 into the through-hole 52. FIG. 7 shows the cassette 10 with the first case member 12 removed, illustrating the state in which the printing tape 22 unwound from the printing tape roll 26 is guided through the through-hole 52 into the second space S2 between the third case member 16 and the fourth case member 18. As a result, the printing tape 22 is stretched between the tape case 20 and the ribbon case 21 through a through hole 52 formed in the bottom plate 14a, which functions as a partition between the first space S1 and the second space S2. An opening, i.e., a through hole (first opening) 58, is formed in the top plate (upper) 16e of the third case member 16, and as shown in Fig. 15, a guide wall 91 is provided on the top plate 16e of the third case member 16, the outer surface of which is continuous with the inner periphery of the through hole 58. The laminating tape roll 64 and the ink ribbon roll 72 are disposed inside this guide wall 91.

[0038] Figures 8, 9, 10, and 11 show the transport path HK of the print tape 22 from the print tape roll 26 in the tape case 20 to the head space 11, where the print tape 22 is exposed through the through holes 52 and 58. That is, the case 19 of the cassette 10 is formed with a transport path HK for transporting the print tape 22 from the print tape roll 26 to the head space 11. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of Figure 6, showing the state in which the print tape 22 is being pulled out from the print tape roll 26 and begins to move to the ribbon case 21. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX of Figure 6, showing the state in which the print tape 22 is being stretched obliquely from inside the tape case 20 into the ribbon case 21. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX of Figure 6, showing the state in which the print tape 22 has finished moving to the ribbon case 21. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI in FIG. 6, and shows the state from when the print tape 22 has been moved until the print tape 22 is exposed in the head space 11. FIG.

[0039] As shown in Figure 6, the case 19 of the cassette 10, i.e., the second case member 14, is a rectangular parallelepiped in plan view, i.e., when viewed in the vertical direction F1, with four corners K1, K2, K3, and K4 in the winding direction D of the print tape roll 26. As shown in Figure 2, the case 19, i.e., the ribbon case 21, has a head space 11 between corners K1 and K4 into which the print head 106 is inserted. The transition start position PS, where the print tape 22 separates from the print tape roll 26, is the point of contact with the tangent line L toward the through hole 52, as shown in Figure 6, and the transition end position PF, where the print tape 22 is lowest in the vertical direction F1 and parallel to the ink ribbon 68, as shown in Figures 6 and 10. Figures 8, 9, and 10 correspond to the transition states of the printing tape 22 between corners K1 and K2, between corners K2 and K3, and between corners K3 and K4, and each shows a transition path IK. In the plan view of Figure 6, this transition path IK passes through at least three corners, preferably four corners, from corners K1 to K4, and is indicated by a transition angle θi around the first rotation center line C1 of the printing tape roll 26. The transition angle θi is 180° or greater and is smaller than the conveyance angle θh corresponding to the conveyance path HK. Note that the conveyance path HK is the path from when the printing tape 22 is unwound from the printing tape roll 26, i.e., from the transition start position PS, until the printing tape 22 reaches the head space 11. Furthermore, the transition path IK is the path that transitions from the transition start position PS to the transition end position PF, i.e., the path from when the printing tape 22 is pulled out from the printing tape roll 26 in the tape case 20, until the printing tape 22 transitions into the ribbon case 21 in the vertical direction F1 and reaches the ink ribbon 68, i.e., the path from when the printing tape 22 transitions into the ribbon case 21 in the vertical direction F1 and becomes parallel to the ink ribbon 68, and is part of the conveying path HK.

[0040] 1, 2, and 7, the corner K1 includes an upper corner K1a formed on the tape case 20 and a lower corner K1b formed on the ribbon case 21. The corner K2 includes an upper corner K2a formed on the tape case 20 and a lower corner K2b formed on the ribbon case 21. The corner K3 includes an upper corner K3a formed on the tape case 20 and a lower corner K3b formed on the ribbon case 21. The corner K4 includes an upper corner K4a formed on the tape case 20 and a lower corner K4b formed on the ribbon case 21.

[0041] 6, the through hole 52 formed in the bottom plate 14a of the second case member 14 includes a first hole 52a extending from the upper corner K1a of the corner K1 to the upper corner K2a of the corner K2, a second hole 52b extending from the upper corner K2a of the corner K2 to the upper corner K3a of the corner K3, and a third hole 52c extending from the upper corner K3a of the corner K3 to the upper corner K4a of the corner K4. As shown in Fig. 6, in the up-down direction F1, the through hole 52 allows the printing tape 22 pulled out from the printing tape roll 26 to be transported along the transport path HK from the first hole 52a, through the second hole 52b, and toward the third hole 52c. That is, in the up-down direction F1, the through hole 52 allows the printing tape 22 pulled out from the printing tape roll 26 to be transported along the transport path HK, passing through corners K1, K2, and K3 in that order. The second hole 52b of the through hole 52 is located on the opposite side of the head space 11 from the center position M of the cassette 10, as shown in FIG. 6, in a front-rear direction (third direction) F3 (see FIG. 1) that is perpendicular to the up-down direction F1 (see FIG. 1) and the left-right direction (second direction) F2 (see FIG. 1) in which the printing tape 22 is transported in the head space 11. In addition, in FIG. 1, the upper side of FIG. 1 corresponds to the front side of the cassette 10, and the lower side corresponds to the rear side of the cassette 10. In addition, in FIG. 1, the right side of FIG. 1 corresponds to the left side of the cassette 10, and the left side corresponds to the right side of the cassette 10. In addition, in FIG. 1, the upper left side of FIG. 1 corresponds to the upper side of the cassette 10, and the lower right side corresponds to the lower side of the cassette 10.

[0042] 14 and 15, the through hole 58 formed in the ceiling plate 16e of the third case member 16 includes a first hole 58a extending from the lower corner K1b of corner K1 to the lower corner K2b of corner K2, a second hole 58b extending from the lower corner K2b of corner K2 to the lower corner K3b of corner K3, and a third hole 58c extending from the lower corner K3b of corner K3 to the lower corner K4b of corner K4. In the up-down direction F1, the through hole 58 allows the printing tape 22 pulled out from the printing tape roll 26 to be transported along the transport path HK from the first hole 58a, through the second hole 58b, and toward the third hole 58c. That is, in the up-down direction F1, the through hole 58 allows the printing tape 22 pulled out from the printing tape roll 26 to be transported along the transport path HK, passing through corners K2, K3, and K4 in that order. Note that the second hole 58b of the through hole 58 is located on the opposite side of the head space 11 with respect to the center position M of the cassette 10 in the front-rear direction F3, as shown in Figure 20.

[0043] 6, the transition start position PS of the transport path HK or the transition path IK is on the same side as the head space 11 with respect to the center position M of the cassette 10 in the left-right direction F2, which is the feed direction of the printing tape 22 in the head space 11, and is located on the same side as the head space 11 with respect to the center position M of the cassette 10 in the front-rear direction F3, which is the thickness direction of the printing tape 22 in the head space 11. The transition end position PF of the transition path IK is on the opposite side of the center position M of the cassette 10 from the side where the head space 11 of the ribbon case 21 is located with respect to the center position M of the cassette 10 in the left-right direction F2, which is the feed direction of the printing tape 22 in the head space 11, and is on the same side as the head space 11 of the ribbon case 21 with respect to the center position M of the cassette 10 in the front-rear direction F3, which is the thickness direction of the printing tape 22 in the head space 11.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 8, the transport path HK is formed so that the printing tape 22 pulled out from the printing tape roll 26 is stretched between the upper corner K1a of corner K1 and the upper corner (first corner) K2a of corner K2, at an angle relative to the printing tape 22 wound around the printing tape roll 26. Also, as shown in Fig. 9, the transport path HK is formed so that the printing tape 22 is stretched between the upper corner K2a of corner K2 and part of the upper corner (second corner) K3a of corner K3 and part of the lower corner (second corner) K3b of corner K3, at an angle relative to the printing tape 22 wound around the printing tape roll 26. 10, the transport path HK is formed so that the printing tape 22 is stretched between the lower corner K3b of the corner K3 and the lower corner (third corner) K4b of the corner K4 at an angle to the printing tape 22 wound around the printing tape roll 26. Also, as shown in Fig. 11, the transport path HK is formed so that the printing tape 22 is stretched horizontally (parallel) to the printing tape 22 wound around the printing tape roll 26 between the lower corner K4b of the corner K4 and the head space 11. 8 to 11, the conveying path HK is formed so that the printing tape 22 is conveyed through the upper corner K2a of corner K2, part of the upper corner K3a and part of the lower corner K3b of corner K3, and the lower corner K4b of corner K4 in this order, thereby moving the printing tape 22 from the first space S1 of the tape case 20 to the second space S2 of the ribbon case 21 and reaching the head space 11. Note that the two-dot chain lines shown in FIGS. 9, 10, and 11 are imaginary lines that represent the printing tape 22 wound around the printing tape roll 26. Also, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the ribbon case 21 is formed with a guide 55 that guides the printing tape 22 so that the printing tape 22, which is inclined relative to the printing tape 22 wound around the printing tape roll 26, becomes horizontal (parallel) to the printing tape 22 wound around the printing tape roll 26, i.e., parallel to the ink ribbon 68.The conveying path HK is also configured so that the printing tape 22 pulled out from the printing tape roll 26 passes through an opening 52x formed at the boundary between the tape case 20 and the ribbon case 21 in the case 19, from the first space S1 of the tape case 20 in which the printing tape roll 26 is provided, to the second space S2 of the ribbon case 21 in which the head space 11 is formed, i.e., passes through a through hole 52 formed in the bottom plate 14a of the second case member 14 and a through hole 58 formed in the ceiling plate 16e of the third case member 16. The opening 52x formed at the boundary between the tape case 20 and the ribbon case 21 in the case 19 is a space where the space of the through hole 52 and the space of the through hole 58 are connected at the boundary where the bottom plate 14a of the second case member 14 and the ceiling plate 16e of the third case member 16 are connected. The distance Wx shown in FIG. 10 is greater than the distance Wy shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. As shown in FIG. 10, the distance Wx is the vertical distance F1 of the gap SKx between the upper end 22x of the print tape 22 and the bottom surface 12b of the top plate 12a of the first case member 12, above the openings 52x formed in the second case member 14 and the third case member 16, i.e., above the through-holes 52 and 58. The distance Wy is the vertical distance F1 of the gap SKy between the upper end 22x of the print tape 22 guided by the print tape guide (guide) TG and the top wall portion TGu of the print tape guide TG, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the area around the top wall portion TGu of the print tape guide TG in FIG. 11. This allows for an appropriate gap to be provided between the print tape 22 and the case 19 in response to the phenomenon in which the width of the print tape 22 in the vertical direction F1 virtually increases while the print tape 22 is being transported at an angle. Similar relationships exist in the left-right direction F2 and the front-rear direction F3. The print tape guide TG is formed inside the ribbon case 21, and has a ceiling wall TGu that faces the upper end 22x of the print tape 22, and a bottom wall TGd that faces the lower end 22y of the print tape 22. Movement of the print tape 22 guided by the print tape guide TG in the up-and-down direction F1 is restricted by a protrusion TGua formed on the ceiling wall TGu and a protrusion TGda formed on the bottom wall TGd.

[0045] Figure 13 shows the lower (rear) surface of the bottom plate 14a of the second case member 14. In Figure 13, a through hole 52 opens into the rear surface of the bottom plate 14a of the second case member 14, and a guide wall 56 is provided that continues along the through hole 52. Figure 14 shows the upper surface side of the third case member 16. A through hole 58, a laminating tape roll support hole 66, an ink ribbon support hole 74, a take-up spool support hole 78, and a roller support hole 82 are formed in the ceiling plate 16e of the third case member 16. The through hole 58 is formed at a position corresponding to the through hole 52 of the second case member 14 so that the printing tape 22 can pass through to the second space S2.

[0046] The bottom plate 14a of the second case member 14 and the ceiling plate 16e of the third case member 16 correspond to plates that separate the first space S1 in the tape case 20 and the second space S2 in the ribbon case 21.

[0047] The laminating tape roll support hole 66 receives one end of a laminating tape spool 62 around which a laminating tape 60 is wound, thereby supporting the laminating tape roll 64 rotatably about a second rotation center line C2 parallel to the first rotation center line C1. The second rotation center line C2 is the rotation center of both the laminating tape roll 64 and the laminating tape spool 62. As shown in FIG. 19 , the laminating tape 60 is made of a transparent film 60a, which is a transparent medium with an adhesive 60b applied to one outer surface to protect the printing surface of the printing tape 22. The ink ribbon support hole 74 receives one end of a supply spool 70 around which an ink ribbon 68 is wound, thereby supporting the ink ribbon roll 72 rotatably about a third rotation center line (supply axis) C3 parallel to the first rotation center line C1. The third rotation center line C3 is the rotation center of both the ink ribbon roll 72 and the supply spool 70. The take-up spool support hole 78 receives one end of the take-up spool 76, which winds up the ink ribbon 68 pulled out from the ink ribbon roll 72, and supports the take-up spool 76 rotatably about a fourth rotation center line C4 parallel to the first rotation center line C1. The fourth rotation center line C4 is the rotation center of the take-up spool 76. The roller support hole 82 receives one end of the roller 80, which clamps the printing tape 22 and the laminating tape 60 between itself and a roller on the printing device 102 side to press the printing surface of the printing tape 22 and the adhesive surface of the laminating tape 60 together, and supports the roller 80 rotatably about a fifth rotation center line C5 parallel to the first rotation center line C1.

[0048] 15 shows the underside of the third case member 16. A laminated tape roll holding wall 84, an ink ribbon roll holding wall 86, and a cylindrical protrusion 88 are formed on the underside of the third case member 16. The laminated tape roll holding wall 84 is formed in an arc shape around the laminated tape roll support hole 66 and centered on the laminated tape roll support hole 66 to hold the laminated tape roll 64. The ink ribbon roll holding wall 86 is formed in an arc shape around the take-up spool support hole 78 and centered on the take-up spool support hole 78, and is continuous with the laminated tape roll holding wall 84, to hold the ink ribbon roll 72 of the ink ribbon 68 taken up on the take-up spool 76. The cylindrical protrusion 88 protrudes from the ink ribbon roll holding wall 86 and the periphery of the ink ribbon support hole 74, and has circumferential irregularities formed on its tip surface.

[0049] As shown in Figure 3, a clutch spring holder 90 containing a clutch spring is fitted to the other end of the supply spool 70 around which the ink ribbon 68 is wound. In the assembled state, the supply spool 70 is urged toward the cylindrical protrusion 88 by the clutch spring inside the clutch spring holder 90, so that an appropriate rotational resistance is applied to the ink ribbon roll 72.

[0050] 15, a guide wall 91 is provided on the underside of the third case member 16, the outer surface of which is continuous along the inner periphery of the through hole 58. The laminating tape roll 64 and the ink ribbon roll 72 are disposed inside this guide wall 91. In addition, an arc-shaped member 92 is provided on the underside of the third case member 16, and the arc-shaped member 92 is formed in an arc shape around the laminating tape roll support hole 66, with the laminating tape roll support hole 66 as its center, in order to determine the position at which the laminating tape roll 64 is disposed.

[0051] 16 and 17 show the top and bottom surfaces of the fourth case member 18. In FIGS. 16 and 17, a take-up spool support hole 94 is formed through the fourth case member 18, into which the other end of the take-up spool 76 fits to rotatably support the take-up spool 76. The fourth case member 18 also has a cylindrical support protrusion 97 that fits into which the other end of the supply spool 70 fits to rotatably support the supply spool 70. A connecting hole 96 formed in the end face on the other end side of the take-up spool 76 is exposed to the bottom surface of the fourth case member 18 through the take-up spool support hole 94, as shown in FIG. 2. Therefore, when the cassette 10 is attached to the printing device 102, a take-up spool drive shaft 108 of the printing device 102 is inserted into the connecting hole 96 and coupled to it so as not to rotate relative to the take-up spool drive shaft 108, and the take-up spool 76 is rotationally driven by the take-up spool drive shaft 108.

[0052] 16 and 17, the fourth case member 18 is provided with a roller exposing hole 98 that exposes the shaft end of the roller 80 at a position corresponding to the roller support hole 82 formed in the third case member 16. The connecting portion 80a formed at the end of the roller 80 on the fourth case member 18 side is exposed on the underside of the fourth case member 18 through the roller exposing hole 98 as shown in FIG. 2. Therefore, when the cassette 10 is attached to the printing device 102, the roller drive shaft 110 of the printing device 102 is connected to the connecting portion 80a formed at the end of the roller 80 so as not to rotate relative to the connecting portion 80a, and the roller 80 is driven to rotate by the roller drive shaft 110.

[0053] 2, 15, and 16, the ribbon case 21, which is made up of the third case member 16 and the fourth case member 18, is formed with a recess 99 for accommodating the head holding plate 114 that holds the print head 106 erected in the cassette mounting portion 104 when the cassette 10 is mounted in the cassette mounting portion 104 shown in Fig. 21. Note that, as shown in Fig. 2, the recessed groove 11 formed in the ribbon case 21, i.e., the head space 11, and the space of the recess 99 formed in the ribbon case 21 are in communication. As shown in FIG. 15, a portion of the outer peripheral wall of the third case member 16 is formed with a first side wall 16a extending in the front-rear direction F3, a second side wall (arm wall) 16b extending in the left-right direction F2 perpendicular to the up-down direction F1 and the front-rear direction F3, and a U-shaped recess wall 16c extending from the second side wall 16b on the recess 99 side toward one side (rear) in the front-rear direction F3 and surrounding the recess 99, the recess wall 16c extending toward one side in the front-rear direction F3 (the right side in FIG. 14), i.e., the first side wall 16a, on the one side of the front-rear direction F3 of the second side wall 16b on the recess 99 side. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, a U-shaped notch 18a corresponding to the recess wall 16c is formed in the fourth case member 18. The recess wall 16c and the notch 18a form the recess 99.

[0054] Figure 18 uses a diagram showing the underside of the third case member 16 when the cassette 10 is installed in the cassette installation section 104 to show the paths of the printing tape 22 pulled out from the printing tape roll 26 and the laminating tape 60 pulled out from the laminating tape roll 64, which are clamped between the roller 80 and the rotor 118 on the printing device 102 side as a result of the drive of the roller 80, and the path of the ink ribbon 68 pulled out from the ink ribbon roll 72 as a result of the drive of the take-up spool 76. The printing tape 22 is shown by a two-dot chain line, the laminating tape 60 by a dashed line, and the ink ribbon 68 by a one-dot chain line. Note that the arrow B1 shown in Figures 6 and 18 indicates the feed direction of the printing tape 22 pulled out from the printing tape roll 26, i.e., the feed direction of the feed path HK. 6 and 18, the transport path HK is formed so that the printing tape 22 pulled out from the printing tape roll 26 is transported in the winding direction D of the printing tape roll 26 from the first space S1 of the tape case 20 to the head space 11 formed in the second space S2 of the ribbon case 21. Note that the upstream end of the printing tape 22 in the transport direction B1 of the through hole 52 formed in the bottom plate 14a of the second case member 14, that is, the end on the upper corner K1a side of the corner K1 of the first hole portion 52a of the through hole 52, is positioned at the upper corner K1a (fourth corner) K1a of the corner K1.

[0055] 18 , when the take-up spool 76 and roller 80 are driven to rotate, the printing tape 22 and ink ribbon 68 are discharged from the discharge port 130 toward the printing location P in a superimposed state. At the printing location P between the print head 106 and a platen (not shown), the printing tape 22 is pressed against the print head 106 via the ink ribbon 68. When multiple heating elements arranged on the surface of the print head 106 are selectively driven to generate localized heat, some of the ink 68a provided in a layer on one surface of the ink ribbon 68 is transferred to the printing tape 22, printing characters, symbols, etc. on the printing tape 22. The used ink ribbon 68 that has passed the printing location P is taken up onto the take-up spool 76. A transparent laminating tape 60 is pressed against and adhered to the printed surface of the printing tape 22 by the roller 80, so that the printed surface of the printing tape 22 is protected by the laminating tape 60. The print tape 22, whose print surface is protected by the laminating tape 60, is discharged from a print tape outlet (printed medium outlet) 101 formed in a lower corner K1b of the corner K1 of the ribbon case 21. As shown in Figures 2 and 7, the print tape outlet 101 is positioned so as to overlap the upper corner K1a of the corner K1 in the direction from the tape case 20 to the ribbon case 21, i.e., in the up-and-down direction F1. As shown in Figures 6 and 18, the transport path HK is configured so that the printing tape 22 is transported in the order of the upper corner K1a of corner K1, the upper corner K2a of corner K2, the upper corner K3a and lower corner K3b of corner K3, and the lower corner K4b of corner K4, causing the printing tape 22 to move from the first space S1 of the tape case 20 to the second space S2 of the ribbon case 21, reach the head space 11, and then reach the printing tape exit 101.

[0056] Figure 19 shows a laminate of printing tape 22 and laminating tape 60 fed out from cassette 10. Laminating tape 60, which is made of a transparent film 60a with an adhesive 60b applied to one side, i.e., the outer periphery, is attached to the printable tape 22a side, i.e., the printing surface side, of printing tape 22. This protects the ink 68a transferred to the printing surface of printing tape 22.

[0057] 20 shows the laminated tape roll 64, ink ribbon roll 72, take-up spool 76, and roller 80 housed in the second space S2 between the third case member 16 and the fourth case member 18, i.e., in the ribbon case 21, using solid lines. Overlapping these in the vertical direction F1 are the printing tape roll 26 and spacer film 38 housed in the first space S1 between the first case member 12 and the second case member 14, i.e., in the tape case 20, shown in a projection plane perpendicular to the vertical direction F1 within the second space S2 using dashed and dotted lines (imaginary lines). FIG. 20 shows the printing tape roll 26, laminating tape roll 64, and ink ribbon roll 72 in an unused, i.e., initial state. As shown in FIG. 20, the diameter of the printing tape roll 26 in the unused, i.e., initial state, is larger than the diameter of the laminating tape roll 64, which is larger than the diameter of the ink ribbon roll 72, which is larger than the diameter of the take-up spool 76.

[0058] 20 , the printing tape roll 26 and the spacer film 38, which has the same diameter as the printing tape roll 26, overlap in the vertical direction F1 with at least a portion of the laminating tape roll 64 and its second rotation center line C2, at least a portion of the ink ribbon roll 72 and its third rotation center line C3, at least a portion of the take-up spool 76 and its fourth rotation center line C4, and at least a portion of the recess 99 and the recess wall 16c. Note that the printing tape roll 26 overlaps with the third rotation center line C3 of the ink ribbon roll 72 in the vertical direction F1, and the third rotation center line C3 of the ink ribbon roll 72 is located within the projected area of ​​the printing tape roll 26 in the vertical direction F1. The laminating tape roll 64 and its second rotation center line C2, the ink ribbon roll 72 and its third rotation center line C3, the take-up spool 76 and its fourth rotation center line C4, the recess 99, and the recess wall 16c are located within the projected surface of the printing tape roll 26 and the spacer film 38. 17, in the front-rear direction F3, which is perpendicular to the up-down direction F1, and in the left-right direction F2, the distance from the center position M, which is the center of the cassette 10 in the front-rear direction F3 and the left-right direction F2, to the first rotation center line C1 of the printing tape roll 26 is smaller than the distance from the center position M to the recess 99. 20, in the direction from the tape case 20 to the ribbon case 21, ie, in the vertical direction F1, the through holes 52 and 58 do not overlap with the printing tape roll 26, the supply spool 70, or the take-up spool 76.20 , the through holes 52 and 58 are located more radially outward than the supply spool 70 and take-up spool 76 around the first rotational center line C1 of the print tape roll 26. That is, the third hole portion 52c of the through hole 52 and the third hole portion 58c of the through hole 58 are located more radially outward than the supply spool 70 and take-up spool 76 around the first rotational center line C1 of the print tape roll 26.

[0059] FIG. 21 shows a cassette loading section 104 provided in a part of a printing device 102 included in a printing system 122. The cassette loading section 104 is provided with a rectangular positioning hole 112 for positioning the inserted cassette 10, and a take-up spool drive shaft 108 and a roller drive shaft 110 erected on the bottom surface of the positioning hole 112. The positioning hole 112 functions as a housing for accommodating part of the ribbon case 21, which is the lower case of the cassette 10. The take-up spool drive shaft 108 and the roller drive shaft 110 are driven to rotate in opposite directions via a gear mechanism by a step motor (not shown). In addition, a head holding plate 114 to which a thermal printhead 106 is fixed is erected on the bottom surface of the positioning hole 112 of the cassette loading section 104, and a platen holding member 120, having a platen roller 116 and a pressure roller 118 rotatably attached at its tip, is provided rotatably around its base end. The head holding plate 114 is a metal plate made of aluminum, for example, and also serves as a heat sink for the print head.

[0060] When the cassette 10 is installed in the cassette installation section 104 of the printing device 102, a take-up spool drive shaft 108 and a roller drive shaft 110, which are erected in the cassette installation section 104, are connected to the take-up spool 76 and roller 80. Next, when a cover (not shown) of the printing device 102 is closed with the cassette 10 installed in the cassette installation section 104, the platen holding member 120 is rotated about its base end, and the platen roller 116 and pressure roller 118 are pressed against the print head 106 and roller 80 of the cassette 10. The printing device 102 and the cassette 10 constitute a printing system 122.

[0061] According to the cassette 10 of this embodiment, the cassette 10 comprises a case 19 which comprises a ribbon case 21 and a tape case 20, with the ribbon case 21 having a head space 11, and a printing tape roll 26 which is provided in the tape case 20 and on which the printing tape 22 is wound in a winding direction D around the first rotation center line C1, the printing tape 22 comprising a printable tape 22a and a peeling tape 22c, and is provided in the case 19 so that the printable tape 22a is positioned inside the winding direction D of the printing tape 22 and the peeling tape 22c is positioned outside the winding direction D of the printing tape 22, the case 19 has a transport path HK for transporting the printing tape 22, and the transport path HK is configured so that the printing tape 22 is transported in the winding direction D from the printing tape roll 26 to the head space 11 through an opening 52x formed at the boundary between the ribbon case 21 and the tape case 20 within the case 19. For this reason, the printing tape 22 is transported in the winding direction D from the printing tape roll 26 to the head space 11 by the transport path HK provided in the case 19, reducing the possibility that the inside and outside of the printing tape 22 will be reversed while the printing tape 22 is being transported, causing the peeling tape 22c to float away from the print-receiving tape 22a, as was the case in the past. This allows the printing tape 22, which includes the print-receiving tape 22a and the peeling tape 22c, to be transported smoothly.

[0062] Furthermore, according to the cassette 10 of this embodiment, the second hole portions 52b, 58b of the through holes 52, 58 are located opposite the head space 11 in the front-rear direction F3 that is perpendicular to the up-down direction F1 from the ribbon case 21 to the tape case 20 and the left-right direction F2 in which the printing tape 22 is transported in the head space 11. This makes it possible to increase the distance of the transport path HK from the printing tape roll 26 to the head space 11.

[0063] Furthermore, according to the cassette 10 of this embodiment, the case 19 is a rectangular parallelepiped having four corners K1, K2, K3, and K4, and the transport path HK passes through three of the four corners K1, K2, K3, and K4 of the case 19, namely, corners K2, K3, and K4, and reaches the head space 11. Therefore, the distance of the transport path HK from the printing tape roll 26 to the head space 11 can be increased.

[0064] Furthermore, according to the cassette 10 of this embodiment, the three corners K2, K3, K4 include an upper corner K2a of the corner K2, an upper corner K3a and a lower corner K3b of the corner K3, and a lower corner K4b of the corner K4, the upper corner K2a of the corner K2 is located in the tape case 20, the upper corner K3a and the lower corner K3b of the corner K3 are partially located in the ribbon case 21 and the tape case 20, and the lower corner K4b of the corner K4 is located in the ribbon case 21, and the transport path HK is configured so that the printing tape 22 is stretched between the upper corner K2a of the corner K2 and the upper corner K3a and lower corner K3b of the corner K3 in a state inclined with respect to the printing tape 22 wound around the printing tape roll 26. The transport path HK is configured so that the printing tape 22 is stretched at an angle relative to the printing tape 22 wound around the printing tape roll 26 between the upper corner K3a and lower corner K3b of corner K3 and the lower corner K4b of corner K4, and the transport path HK is configured so that the printing tape 22 is stretched horizontally relative to the printing tape 22 wound around the printing tape roll 26 between the lower corner K4b of corner K4 and the head space 11, and the transport path HK is configured so that the printing tape 22 is transported in the order of the upper corner K2a of corner K2, the upper corner K3a and lower corner K3b of corner K3, and the lower corner K4b of corner K4, so that the printing tape 22 moves from the tape case 20 to the ribbon case 21 and reaches the head space 11. Therefore, when the print tape 22 is moved from the tape case 20 to the ribbon case 21, the print tape 22 can be moved from the tape case 20 to the ribbon case 21 relatively slowly, so that twisting of the print tape 22 can be suitably suppressed.

[0065] Furthermore, according to the cassette 10 of this embodiment, the case 19 further has an upper corner K1a of the corner K1 located in the tape case 20, and the upstream end of the through hole 52 in the conveying direction B1 of the printing tape 22 is located at the upper corner K1a of the corner K1, and the case 19 has a printing tape outlet 101 in the ribbon case 21, and the printing tape outlet 101 overlaps with the upper corner K1a of the corner K1 in the vertical direction F1 from the tape case 20 to the ribbon case 21, and the conveying path HK is configured so that the printing tape 22 is conveyed in the order of the upper corner K1a of the corner K1, the upper corner K2a of the corner K2, the upper corner K3a and lower corner K3b of the corner K3, and the lower corner K4b of the corner K4, so that the printing tape 22 moves from the tape case 20 to the ribbon case 21, reaches the head space 11, and then reaches the printing tape outlet 101. Therefore, the distance of the transport path HK from the print tape roll 26 to the head space 11 can be suitably long.

[0066] Furthermore, according to the cassette 10 of this embodiment, the case 19 includes a third case member 16 and a second case member 14 connected to the third case member 16, the third case member 16 having a through hole 58 in its top plate 16e, the second case member 14 having a through hole 52 in its bottom plate 14a, and the opening 52x being connected to the through hole 58 at the boundary where the top plate 16e and the bottom plate 14a are connected. Therefore, the printing tape 22 can be suitably transported from the tape case 20 to the ribbon case 21 via the through hole 58 of the third case member 16 and the through hole 52 of the second case member 14.

[0067] Furthermore, according to the cassette 10 of this embodiment, the ribbon case 21 is further provided with an ink ribbon 68. This allows the ink of the ink ribbon 68 to be printed on the print-receiving tape 22a of the printing tape 22.

[0068] Furthermore, the cassette 10 of this embodiment further includes a supply spool 70 for the ink ribbon 68, and the third rotation center line C3 of the supply spool 70 is located within the projected area of ​​the print tape roll 26. This allows the case 19 to be suitably miniaturized.

[0069] Furthermore, the cassette 10 of this embodiment further includes a supply spool 70 and take-up spool 76 for the ink ribbon 68, and in the vertical direction F1 from the tape case 20 to the ribbon case 21, the through holes 52, 58 do not overlap with any of the printing tape roll 26, supply spool 70, or take-up spool 76. Therefore, the printing tape 22 can be suitably transported from the tape case 20 to the ribbon case 21 via the through holes 52, 58 without coming into contact with the supply spool 70 or take-up spool 76.

[0070] Furthermore, the cassette 10 of this embodiment further includes a supply spool 70 and a take-up spool 76 for the ink ribbon 68, and the through holes 52, 58 are located on the outer circumferential side of the supply spool 70 and the take-up spool 76 around the first rotational center line C1 of the printing tape roll 26. Therefore, the printing tape 22 can be suitably transported from the tape case 20 to the ribbon case 21 via the through holes 52, 58 without coming into contact with the supply spool 70 and the take-up spool 76.

[0071] Furthermore, according to the cassette 10 of this embodiment, the case 19 is equipped with a print tape guide TG that guides the print tape in the ribbon case 21, the tape case 20 is located above the ribbon case 21, and the spacing Wx in the up-down direction F1 of the gap SKx between the case 19 and the upper end 22x of the print tape in the through holes 52, 58 is larger than the spacing Wy in the up-down direction F1 of the gap SKy between the print tape guide TG and the upper end 22x of the print tape 22 guided by the print tape guide TG in the ribbon case 21. For this reason, the print tape 22 can be suitably transported from the tape case 20 to the print tape guide TG of the ribbon case 21 without coming into contact with the case 19.

[0072] It should be noted that the above is merely one embodiment of the present invention, and various modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof.

[0073] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the laminating tape roll 64 was provided in the second space S2 of the ribbon case 21, but it is not necessary to provide the laminating tape roll 64 in the second space S2 of the ribbon case 21. In other words, the printed surface of the printing tape 22 does not have to be protected by the laminating tape 60.

[0074] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the supply spool 70, the ink ribbon roll 72, and the take-up spool 76 were provided in the second space S2 of the ribbon case 21, but it is not necessary to provide the supply spool 70, the ink ribbon roll 72, and the take-up spool 76 in the second space S2 of the ribbon case 21. In other words, by using thermal paper for the print-receiving tape 22a of the printing tape 22, the supply spool 70, the ink ribbon roll 72, and the take-up spool 76 can be removed from the cassette 10.

[0075] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the laminating tape roll 64, the supply spool 70, the ink ribbon roll 72, and the take-up spool 76 were provided in the second space S2 of the ribbon case 21, but it is not necessary to provide the laminating tape roll 64, the supply spool 70, the ink ribbon roll 72, and the take-up spool 76 in the second space S2 of the ribbon case 21. In other words, by using thermal paper for the print-receiving tape 22a of the printing tape 22 and not protecting the printing surface with the laminating tape 60, the laminating tape roll 64, the supply spool 70, the ink ribbon roll 72, and the take-up spool 76 can be removed from the cassette 10.

[0076] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the ribbon case 21 and the tape case 20 are stacked in the case 19, but, for example, another case member may be disposed between the ribbon case 21 and the tape case 20. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the transport path HK reaches the head space 11 via three corners K2, K3, and K4 of the four corners K1, K2, K3, and K4 of the case 19, but, for example, the shape of the transport path HK inside the case 19 may be changed so that the transport path HK reaches the head space 11 via the four corners K1, K2, K3, and K4. In other words, the shape of the transport path HK inside the case 19 may be changed so that the transport path HK reaches the head space 11 via at least three corners K2, K3, and K4 of the four corners K1, K2, K3, and K4 of the case 19.

[0077] It should be noted that the above is merely an embodiment of the present invention, and various modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 10: Cassette 11: Head space (groove) 14: Second case member (upper case) 14a: Bottom plate (lower part) 16: Third case member (lower case) 16e: Ceiling board (upper) 19: Case (housing) 20: Tape case (second layer) 21: Ribbon case (first layer) 22: Printing tape (printing medium) 22a: Printing tape (printing layer) 22c: Peeling tape (peeling layer) 22x:Top edge 26: Printing tape roll (roll) 52: Through hole (opening, second opening) 52x: Aperture (opening) 58: Through hole (opening, first opening) 68: Ink ribbon 70: Supply spool 76: Take-up spool 101: Printing tape exit (printed media exit) B: Conveying direction C1: First rotation center line (rotation center) C3: Third rotation center line (supply axis) D: Winding direction F1: Vertical direction (first direction) F2: Left / right direction (second direction) F3: Anteroposterior direction (third direction) HK: Transport route K1, K2, K3, K4: Corner K1a: Upper corner (second square part) K2a: Upper corner (first corner) K3a: Upper corner (second corner) K3b: Lower side corner (second corner) K4b: Lower side corner (first triangular part) SKx, SKy: gap TG: Printing tape guide (guide) Wx, Wy: spacing

Claims

1. a housing having a first layer and a second layer, the first layer having a head space; a roll provided on the second layer, the roll having the printing medium wound in a winding direction around a rotation center; the print medium includes a printable layer and a release layer, and is provided in the housing such that the printable layer is located on the inside of the winding direction of the print medium and the release layer is located on the outside of the winding direction of the print medium; the housing includes a transport path for transporting the print medium; The transport path is configured so that the print medium is transported in the winding direction from the roll to the head space through an opening formed at the boundary between the first layer and the second layer in the housing. A cassette characterized by:

2. The opening is located opposite the head space in a third direction perpendicular to a first direction from the first layer to the second layer and a second direction in which the print medium is transported in the head space.

2. The cassette of claim 1.

3. The housing has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with four corners, The transport path passes through at least three of the four corners of the housing and reaches the head space.

3. A cassette according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the three corners include a first corner, a second corner, and a third corner; the first corner portion is located in the second layer, a part of the second corner portion is located in either the first layer or the second layer; the third corner portion is located in the first layer, the transport path is configured so that the print medium is stretched between the first corner portion and the second corner portion in a state inclined with respect to the print medium wound around the roll, the transport path is configured such that the print medium is stretched between the second corner portion and the third corner portion in an inclined state relative to the print medium wound around the roll, the transport path is configured so that the print medium is horizontally stretched across the print medium wound around the roll between the third corner portion and the head space, The transport path is configured such that the print medium is transported through the first corner, the second corner, and the third corner in this order, so that the print medium moves from the second layer to the first layer and reaches the head space.

4. The cassette of claim 3.

5. the housing further includes a fourth corner portion located on the second layer, an upstream end of the opening in the conveying direction of the print medium is located at the fourth corner portion; the housing includes a print medium outlet in the first layer, the print medium outlet overlapping the fourth corner portion in a direction from the second layer toward the first layer; The transport path is configured such that the print medium is transported through the fourth corner, the first corner, the second corner, and the third corner in this order, so that the print medium moves from the second layer to the first layer, reaches the head space, and then reaches the print medium outlet.

5. The cassette of claim 4.

6. the housing includes a lower case and an upper case connected to the lower case, the lower case has a first opening at an upper portion thereof; the upper case has a second opening at its lower portion; The opening is characterized in that the first opening and the second opening are connected at a boundary where the upper portion and the lower portion are connected.

6. A cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The first layer further comprises an ink ribbon.

7. A cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. a supply spool for the ink ribbon; The supply shaft of the supply spool is located in the projected area of ​​the roll.

8. The cassette of claim 7.

9. Further comprising a supply spool and a take-up spool for the ink ribbon, In a direction from the second layer to the first layer, the opening does not overlap with any of the roll, the supply spool, and the take-up spool.

8. The cassette of claim 7.

10. Further comprising a supply spool and a take-up spool for the ink ribbon, The opening is located outside the supply spool and the take-up spool around the rotation center of the roll.

10. A cassette according to any one of claims 7 to 9.

11. the housing includes a guide for the print medium in the first layer; the second layer is located above the first layer, The vertical distance of the gap between the upper end of the print medium and the housing at the opening is larger than the vertical distance of the gap between the upper end of the print medium and the guide at the first layer. A cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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