Cassette

Abstract

To provide a cassette that can contribute to suppressing an ink ribbon from skewing.SOLUTION: In a lower case 40 of a cassette 100, a front end of a third middle wall 86 is connected to a left end of a first middle wall 84, a rear end of the third middle wall 86 is connected to a left end of a second middle wall 85, and a rear end of a fourth middle wall 87 is connected to a right end of the second middle wall 85. A second wall 81 includes an upper stretched part 81A stretched over an upper end of the first middle wall 84 and an upper end of the second middle wall 85. In a first wall are formed a first cut-off part cut off from the front end to a space between the first middle wall 84 and the second middle wall 85 and a second cut-off part cut-off toward the left side from the first cut-off part. The first middle wall 84 includes course regulating parts 98A and 98B and a main body part 84A. A maximum thickness T1 in a longitudinal direction of the main body part 84A is larger than a distance D1 in the longitudinal direction between a first maximum region occupying largest areas and a second maximum region occupying largest areas.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Cassettes having ink ribbons for use in printers are known. For example, the cassette described in Patent Document 1 includes a second frame, an auxiliary tape roll, and a take-up spool. The second frame houses the auxiliary tape roll and the take-up spool. The auxiliary tape roll is configured by being wound with the ink ribbon. The take-up spool takes up the ink ribbon from the auxiliary tape roll.

[0003] The second frame portion includes a lower wall, an upper wall, and a second side wall. The lower wall and the upper wall are aligned in the vertical direction. The second side wall extends from the periphery of the lower wall to the periphery of the upper wall, and includes a front wall, a rear wall, a left wall, and a right wall. The front wall and the rear wall are aligned in the front-to-rear direction. The left wall and the right wall are aligned in the left-to-right direction. The second frame portion further includes a first interior wall, a second interior wall, a third interior wall, and a fourth interior wall. The first and second interior walls are disposed between the front and rear walls, and are aligned in the order of the first interior wall and the second interior wall toward the rear. The third and fourth interior walls are disposed between the left and right walls, and are aligned in the order of the third interior wall and the fourth interior wall toward the right. The front end of the third interior wall is connected to the left end of the first interior wall. The rear end of the third interior wall is connected to the left end of the second interior wall. The rear end of the fourth interior wall is connected to the right end of the second interior wall.

[0004] The upper wall is stretched between the upper ends of the first and second interior walls in the front-to-rear direction. A cutout portion is formed in the lower wall. The cutout portion extends from a portion of the front end of the lower wall that is to the right of the right end of the front wall toward the rear, and extends to the space between the first and second interior walls in the front-to-rear direction. The cutout portion is further stretched toward the left between the first and second interior walls. An exposed portion is formed in the lower case. The exposed portion extends from the space between the right end of the front wall and the right end of the first interior wall to the space between the front end of the fourth interior wall and the front end of the right wall. The ink ribbon is stretched from the auxiliary tape roll to the take-up spool, passing in this order between the left wall and the third interior wall, between the front wall and the first interior wall, through the exposed portion, and between the fourth interior wall and the right wall. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-148605 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the above cassette, the upper wall spans the upper ends of the first and second interior walls, while a notch is formed in the lower wall between the lower ends of the first and second interior walls. This allows the lower end of the first interior wall to be cantilevered in the vertical direction. Therefore, if the ink ribbon contacts the first interior wall from the front as it passes between the front wall and the first interior wall, the lower end of the first interior wall may bend backward relative to the upper end of the first interior wall. If the lower end of the first interior wall bends backward relative to the upper end of the first interior wall, the ink ribbon may become skewed, potentially adversely affecting the print quality of the ink ribbon.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a cassette that contributes to suppressing skew of the ink ribbon. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A cassette according to one aspect of the present invention is a cassette including a box-shaped lower case, a roll housed in the lower case, the roll being a ribbon roll around which an ink ribbon is wound and which is rotatable about a first axis extending in a vertical direction, and a spool housed in the lower case, the take-up spool for taking up the ink ribbon from the ribbon roll, wherein the lower case includes a first wall and a second wall which extend perpendicular to each other and in a front-rear direction and a left-right direction which are perpendicular to the vertical direction, and which are aligned in the vertical direction, and a peripheral wall which extends from a peripheral edge of the first wall to a peripheral edge of the second wall, The walls include a front wall and a rear wall extending in the left-right direction and the up-down direction and aligned in the front-back direction, and a left wall and a right wall extending in the front-back direction and the up-down direction and aligned in the left-right direction, and the lower case further includes a first inner wall and a second inner wall extending in the left-right direction and the up-down direction and disposed between the front wall and the rear wall, the first inner wall and the second inner wall being aligned in this order rearward from the front wall toward the rear wall in the front-back direction, and a third inner wall extending in the front-back direction and the up-down direction and disposed between the left wall and the right wall. a fourth interior wall, the third interior wall and the fourth interior wall being arranged in this order from the left wall to the right in the left-right direction toward the right wall, the front end of the third interior wall being connected to the left end of the first interior wall, the rear end of the third interior wall being connected to the left end of the second interior wall, the rear end of the fourth interior wall being connected to the right end of the second interior wall, the second wall including an upper bridging portion that is a portion that spans between the upper ends of the first interior wall and the second interior wall in the front-rear direction, and the first wall includes a front end of the first wall that is located to the right of the right end of the front wall. a first cutout portion cut out from the portion toward the rear to between the first interior wall and the second interior wall in the front-to-rear direction, and a second cutout portion continuous with the first cutout portion and cut out toward the left side opposite the right side between the first interior wall and the second interior wall; an exposure portion which is an opening extending from between the right end of the front wall and the right end of the first interior wall to between the front end of the fourth interior wall and the front end of the right wall is formed in the lower case; and the ribbon roll and the take-up spool are disposed between the second interior wall and the rear wall, and between the left wall and the right wall,The ink ribbon is stretched from the ribbon roll to the take-up spool, passing in this order between the left wall and the third interior wall, between the front wall and the first interior wall, the exposed portion, and between the fourth interior wall and the right wall, the first interior wall including: a path defining portion provided at each end of the first interior wall in the left-right direction and serving as a portion for changing the direction of the path of the ink ribbon; and a main body portion which is a portion of the first interior wall different from the path defining portion, the front surface of the front wall including a first maximum region which occupies the largest area of ​​the front surface, the rear surface of the front wall including a second maximum region which occupies the largest area of ​​the rear surface, and the maximum thickness of the main body portion in the front-to-rear direction being greater than the distance in the front-to-rear direction between the first maximum region and the second maximum region.

[0009] According to the above aspect, since the maximum thickness of the main body in the front-rear direction is greater than the distance between the first maximum region and the second maximum region, the rigidity of the main body is higher than when the maximum thickness of the main body in the front-rear direction is equal to or less than the distance between the first maximum region and the second maximum region. This prevents the lower end of the first interior wall from bending rearward relative to the upper end of the first interior wall. Therefore, the cassette contributes to preventing the ink ribbon from skewing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the printer 1 and the cassette 100. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the mounting portion 11 with no cassette 100 mounted therein. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the mounting portion 11 in which the cassette 100 is mounted. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cassette 100. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the cassette 100. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI of FIG. 9. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cassette 100 with the lower cover 70 removed. [Figure 8]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cassette 100 with the lower cover 70 removed. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the cassette 100. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a bottom view of the cassette 100 with the bottom cover 70 removed. [Figure 12] 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XII-XII in FIG. 11. [Figure 13] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of an area W1 shown in FIG. [Figure 14] 1 is a diagram illustrating a manner in which a print tape 101 and a tape spool 102 are fixed. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along a plane including the axis AX3. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the periphery of a head front peripheral wall 84 of the cassette 100A. [Figure 17] 10 is a perspective view of the periphery of a head front peripheral wall 84 of a cassette 100B. FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cassette 200. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the cassette 200. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cassette 300 with the lower cover 70 removed. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the cassette 300 with the lower cover 70 removed. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the cassette 300A. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a cassette 300B. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings are used to explain technical features that can be adopted by the present invention. In other words, the configurations and the like shown in the drawings are merely illustrative examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0012] A cassette 100 will be described as a first embodiment with reference to FIGS. 1 to 15. The cassette 100 includes an ink ribbon 105 and a printing tape 101, and is used in a printer 1. The printing tape 101 is a type of printing medium and is strip-shaped. The ink ribbon 105 is strip-shaped and includes a surface on which ink is applied. Hereinafter, the lower left, upper right, upper left, lower right, lower, and upper in FIG. 1 will be referred to as the front, rear, left, right, lower, and upper of the cassette 100 and the printer 1, respectively.

[0013] The printer 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The printer 1 is a thermal printer that prints on a print tape 101 using an ink ribbon 105. The printer 1 comprises a housing 2 and a lid 3 (see Figure 1). The housing 2 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. A mounting section 11 is provided on the right side of the top surface of the housing 2. The mounting section 11 is a recess that is recessed downward from the top surface of the housing 2. The mounting section 11 has a shape that corresponds to the outline of the cassette 100 in a plan view. The cassette 100 is mounted in the mounting section 11 (see Figure 3). An outlet 12 is provided on the right surface of the housing 2 for discharging the printed print tape 101 from inside the housing 2. The outlet 12 is slit-shaped and extends in the vertical direction.

[0014] The lid 3 has a plate shape and extends in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions. The lid 3 is attached to the housing 2 from above. When the lid 3 is attached to the housing 2, the lid 3 covers the mounting portion 11 from above. The lid 3 can be removed from the housing 2. When the lid 3 is removed from the housing 2, the lid 3 opens the mounting portion 11 upward.

[0015] The mounting section 11 is provided with a thermal head 4, a platen unit 5, and a rotation shaft 6. The thermal head 4 is located on the right side of the mounting section 11 and extends upward from the bottom surface of the mounting section 11. The thermal head 4 is plate-shaped and extends in the left-right and up-down directions. The thermal head 4 includes multiple heating elements. The multiple heating elements are lined up in the up-down direction on the front surface of the thermal head 4. The thermal head 4 selectively heats the multiple heating elements to print on the print tape 101.

[0016] The platen unit 5 includes a platen holder 15, a swing shaft 16, a platen shaft 17, a platen roller 18, and a platen gear 19. The platen holder 15 is disposed to the left of the thermal head 4 in the mounting portion 11. The platen holder 15 extends in the left-right direction and opens to the rear.

[0017] The swing shaft 16 is disposed at the left end of the platen holder 15 and extends in the vertical direction. The swing shaft 16 rotatably supports the platen holder 15. The lower end of the swing shaft 16 is fixed to the housing 2. The right end of the platen holder 15 swings back and forth around the swing shaft 16 in a plan view (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The right end of the platen holder 15 is biased by a spring (not shown) so as to swing forward around the swing shaft 16.

[0018] The platen shaft 17 is rotatably supported at the right end of the platen holder 15 and extends in the vertical direction. The platen roller 18 extends in the vertical direction and is attached to the lower part of the platen shaft 17. The platen gear 19 is attached to the upper end of the platen shaft 17.

[0019] The rotating shaft 6 is disposed to the right of the thermal head 4 in the mounting section 11 and extends in the vertical direction. The lower end of the rotating shaft 6 is rotatably supported on the bottom surface of the mounting section 11. The transport motor is disposed behind the mounting section 11. The driving force of the transport motor is transmitted to the rotating shaft 6 via a gear train (not shown).

[0020] Cassette 100 will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 15. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, cassette 100 includes a case 20. Case 20 includes a lower case 40 and an upper case 30, and is configured by assembling upper case 30 above lower case 40. Lower case 40 forms the lower part of case 20. Lower case 40 is a rectangular parallelepiped with a notched lower right portion, and has a box-like shape.

[0021] A head opening 99 is formed in the lower case 40. The head opening 99 is a recess that recesses rearward from the front right corner of the lower case 40 and then further to the left. The head opening 99 opens downward and diagonally forward to the right. Hereinafter, the portion of the lower case 40 forward of the head opening 99 will be referred to as the "arm portion 49." The arm portion 49 extends rightward from the front left corner of the lower case 40. The upper case 30 is aligned above the lower case 40 and forms the upper part of the case 20. The upper case 30 is rectangular and box-shaped.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the printer includes a ribbon roll 107, a take-up spool 109, and a tape roll 103 (see FIG. 5). The ribbon roll 107 is housed in the lower case 40. The ribbon roll 107 is formed by winding an ink ribbon 105 around a ribbon spool 106. The ribbon spool 106 has a cylindrical shape and extends in the vertical direction. The take-up spool 109 is housed in the lower case 40. The take-up spool 109 winds the ink ribbon 105 from the ribbon roll 107.

[0023] The take-up spool 109 has a cylindrical shape and extends in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the outer diameter R11 of the bottom end of the take-up spool 109 is larger than the inner diameter R12 of the top end of the take-up spool 109 (see FIG. 6). The take-up spool 109 is provided with guide discs 109A and 109B. The guide disc 109A is provided near the top of the take-up spool 109 and protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the take-up spool 109. The guide disc 109B is provided near the bottom of the take-up spool 109 and protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the take-up spool 109. The guide discs 109A and 109B guide the ink ribbon 105 wound around the take-up spool 109 between them to prevent it from moving in the vertical direction.

[0024] In this embodiment, the lower end of the take-up spool 109 is a portion of the take-up spool 109 that is below the guide disc 109A. The upper end of the take-up spool 109 is a portion above the guide disc 109B. A clutch spring 119 (see FIG. 6) is wound around the outer periphery of the upper end of the take-up spool 109. The clutch spring 119 applies rotational resistance to the take-up spool 109 when the take-up spool 109 takes up the ink ribbon 105.

[0025] 5 and 6, the tape roll 103 is housed in the upper case 30. The tape roll 103 is configured by winding the printing tape 101 around the tape spool 102. The tape spool 102 has a cylindrical shape and extends in the vertical direction.

[0026] The upper case 30 will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the upper case 30 includes an upper wall 51, a support wall 61 (see Figure 5), and an outer peripheral wall 130. The upper wall 51 is disposed at the upper end of the upper case 30. The upper wall 51 extends in the front-rear and left-right directions and has a rectangular shape in a plan view. The support wall 61 shown in Figure 5 is disposed below the upper wall 51 and above the lower end of the upper case 30. The support wall 61 extends in the front-rear and left-right directions and has a rectangular shape in a plan view. The upper wall 51 and the support wall 61 are aligned in the vertical direction.

[0027] The outer peripheral wall 130 extends from the periphery of the upper wall 51, through the periphery of the support wall 61, and below the periphery of the support wall 61, and includes a front wall 131, a rear wall 132, a left wall 133, and a right wall 134. The front wall 131 is disposed at the front end of the upper case 30 and extends in the left-right and up-down directions. The rear wall 132 is disposed at the rear end of the upper case 30 and extends in the left-right and up-down directions. The front wall 131 and the rear wall 132 are aligned in the front-to-back direction.

[0028] The left wall 133 is disposed at the left end of the upper case 30 and extends in the front-to-rear and up-down directions. The front end of the left wall 133 is connected to the left end of the front wall 131. The rear end of the left wall 133 is connected to the left end of the rear wall 132. The right wall 134 is disposed at the right end of the upper case 30 and extends in the front-to-rear and up-down directions. The left wall 133 and the right wall 134 are aligned in the left-to-right direction. The front end of the right wall 134 is connected to the right end of the front wall 131. The rear end of the right wall 134 is connected to the right end of the rear wall 132.

[0029] As shown in Figure 5, a support shaft 31 is provided on the upper wall 51. The support shaft 31 is disposed at the center of the upper wall 51 in the front-rear and left-right directions, and protrudes downward from the lower surface of the upper wall 51. The support shaft 31 supports the tape roll 103 together with a support shaft 48 (see Figure 9), which will be described later. The tape roll 103 is rotatable around an axis AX2. The axis AX2 passes through the center of the support shaft 31 and extends in the up-down direction.

[0030] The support wall 61 is provided with three support shafts 32, 33, and 34. The support shaft 32 is disposed at the front right portion of the support wall 61 and protrudes downward from the lower surface of the support wall 61. The support shaft 32 rotatably supports the output gear 21. The support shaft 33 is disposed diagonally rearward and leftward of the support shaft 32 and protrudes downward from the lower surface of the support wall 61. The support shaft 33 rotatably supports the connecting gear 22. The diagonally front right end of the connecting gear 22 meshes with the diagonally rear left end of the output gear 21. The support shaft 34 is disposed diagonally rearward and rightward of the support shaft 33 and protrudes downward from the lower surface of the support wall 61. The support shaft 34 rotatably supports the input gear 23. The diagonally front left end of the input gear 23 meshes with the diagonally rear right end of the connecting gear 22.

[0031] A tape guide opening (not shown) is formed in the support wall 61. The tape guide opening is formed at the rear of the support wall 61. The tape guide opening is an opening for guiding the printing tape 101 from the upper case 30 to the tape insertion opening 44, which will be described later. The tape guide opening penetrates the support wall 61 in the vertical direction and extends in the horizontal direction.

[0032] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the upper case 30 has an upper cover 50 and a lower cover 60, and is configured by assembling the upper cover 50 above the lower cover 60. The upper cover 50 forms the upper part of the upper case 30, and includes an upper wall 51 and an outer peripheral wall 52. The outer peripheral wall 52 extends downward from the periphery of the upper wall 51. The lower cover 60 forms the lower part of the upper case 30, and includes a support wall 61 and an outer peripheral wall 62 shown in Figure 5. The outer peripheral wall 62 extends upward and downward from the periphery of the support wall 61 shown in Figure 5.

[0033] The upper cover 50 is assembled to the lower cover 60 by the outer peripheral wall 52 engaging with the outer peripheral wall 62 from above. As a result, the outer peripheral wall 52 and the outer peripheral wall 62 constitute the outer peripheral wall 130. "The outer peripheral wall 52 engages with the outer peripheral wall 62" means that one or more protrusions provided on one of the outer peripheral walls 52, 62 fit into one or more recesses provided on the other of the outer peripheral walls 52, 62, or one or more hooks provided on one of the outer peripheral walls 52, 62 get caught in one or more engagement holes provided on the other of the outer peripheral walls 52, 62.

[0034] The lower case 40 will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 10. As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the lower case 40 includes a bottom wall 71, an intermediate wall 81, an outer peripheral wall 140, a head peripheral wall 83, and a partition wall 88. The bottom wall 71 is disposed at the bottom end of the lower case 40. The bottom wall 71 extends in the front-rear and left-right directions and has a rectangular shape in plan view. The front end of the bottom wall 71 forms the bottom wall of the arm portion 49. The intermediate wall 81 shown in Figure 5 is disposed above the bottom wall 71 and is disposed at the top end of the lower case 40. The intermediate wall 81 extends in the front-rear and left-right directions and has a rectangular shape in plan view. The front end of the intermediate wall 81 forms the top wall of the arm portion 49. The bottom wall 71 and the intermediate wall 81 are aligned in the vertical direction.

[0035] The outer peripheral wall 140 extends from the periphery of the lower wall 71 to the periphery of the intermediate wall 81, and includes a front wall 141, a rear wall 142, a left wall 143, and a right wall 144. The front wall 141 is located at the front end of the lower case 40, and extends in the left-right and up-down directions. The right end of the front wall 141 is located approximately in the center of the lower case 40 in the left-right direction. The front wall 141 constitutes the front wall of the arm portion 49. The rear wall 142 is located at the rear end of the lower case 40, and extends in the left-right and up-down directions. The front wall 141 and the rear wall 142 are aligned in the front-to-back direction.

[0036] The left wall 143 is disposed at the left end of the lower case 40 and extends in the front-to-rear and up-down directions. The front end of the left wall 143 is connected to the left end of the front wall 141. The rear end of the left wall 143 is connected to the left end of the rear wall 142. The right wall 144 is disposed at the right end of the lower case 40 and extends in the front-to-rear and up-down directions. The left wall 143 and the right wall 144 are aligned in the left-to-right direction. The rear end of the right wall 144 is connected to the right end of the rear wall 142.

[0037] 7 and 8 , the head peripheral wall 83 extends downward from the right front portion of the intermediate wall 81. The upper end of the head peripheral wall 83 is connected to the intermediate wall 81. The head peripheral wall 83 surrounds the head opening 99 and includes a head front peripheral wall 84, a head rear peripheral wall 85, a head left peripheral wall 86, and a head right peripheral wall 87.

[0038] The head front peripheral wall 84 and the head rear peripheral wall 85 extend in the left-right and up-down directions and are disposed between the front wall 141 and the rear wall 142. The head front peripheral wall 84 and the head rear peripheral wall 85 are aligned rearward in this order. The head front peripheral wall 84 constitutes the rear wall of the arm portion 49. The head left peripheral wall 86 and the head right peripheral wall 87 extend front-back and up-down directions and are disposed between the left wall 143 and the right wall 144. The head left peripheral wall 86 and the head right peripheral wall 87 are aligned rightward in this order.

[0039] The right end of the head front wall 84 is located at approximately the same position in the left-right direction as the right end of the front wall 141. The left end of the head front wall 84 is located to the right of the left wall 143. The right end of the head rear wall 85 is located to the left of the right wall 144. The left end of the head rear wall 85 is located at the same position in the left-right direction as the right end of the head front wall 84. The front end of the head left wall 86 is connected to the left end of the head front wall 84. The rear end of the head left wall 86 is connected to the left end of the head rear wall 85. The rear end of the head right wall 87 is connected to the right end of the head rear wall 85. The front end of the head right wall 87 is located rearward of the front wall 141.

[0040] The left-right length of the head front peripheral wall 84 is shorter than the left-right length of the head rear peripheral wall 85. The front-rear lengths of the head left peripheral wall 86 and the head right peripheral wall 87 are shorter than the left-right length of the head rear peripheral wall 85 and shorter than the left-right length of the head front peripheral wall 84.

[0041] The head front peripheral wall 84 includes path determining portions 98A and 98B and a main body portion 84A. The path determining portion 98A is provided at the left end of the head front peripheral wall 84. The path determining portion 98A is pin-shaped and is a cylindrical body extending in the vertical direction. The path determining portion 98A changes the direction of the path of the ink ribbon 105 by contacting the entire width direction (vertical direction) of the ink ribbon 105. More specifically, the path determining portion 98A bends the path of the ink ribbon 105 along the outer periphery of the path determining portion 98A. The contact point between the ink ribbon 105 and the path determining portion 98A has a linear shape extending in the vertical direction when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the ink ribbon 105.

[0042] The path defining portion 98B is provided at the right end of the head front peripheral wall 84. The path defining portion 98B is a pin-shaped cylindrical body extending in the vertical direction. The path defining portion 98B changes the direction of the path of the ink ribbon 105 by contacting the entire width direction (vertical direction) of the ink ribbon 105. More specifically, the path defining portion 98B bends the path of the ink ribbon 105 along the outer periphery of the path defining portion 98B. The contact point between the ink ribbon 105 and the path defining portion 98B has a linear shape extending in the vertical direction when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the ink ribbon 105.

[0043] The main body portion 84A is a portion of the head front peripheral wall 84 that is different from the path defining portions 98A and 98B. In other words, the main body portion 84A is a portion of the head front peripheral wall 84 that is between the path defining portions 98A and 98B. The main body portion 84A has a plate shape and extends in the left-right and up-down directions. The outer peripheries of the path defining portions 98A and 98B protrude forward from the main body portion 84A.

[0044] The partition wall 88 extends in the left-right and up-down directions, and is disposed between the front wall 141 and the head front wall 84. The upper end of the partition wall 88 connects to the intermediate wall 81. The right end of the partition wall 88 is disposed at approximately the same position in the left-right direction as the right end of the head front wall 84. The partition wall 88 separates the path of the ink ribbon 105 and the path of the print tape 101 between the front wall 141 and the head front wall 84. In more detail, the path of the ink ribbon 105 is between the partition wall 88 and the head front wall 84, and the path of the print tape 101 is between the partition wall 88 and the front wall 141.

[0045] The intermediate wall 81 includes an upper bridge portion 81A. The upper bridge portion 81A is a portion of the intermediate wall 81 that bridges in the front-to-rear direction between the upper end of the head front wall 84 and the upper end of the head rear wall 85. The upper bridge portion 81A connects the upper end of the head front wall 84 and the upper end of the head rear wall 85 in the front-to-rear direction. Therefore, even if a forward force acts on the head front wall 84, for example, the upper bridge portion 81A does not substantially shrink in the front-to-rear direction, and therefore the upper end of the head front wall 84 does not substantially approach the head rear wall 85 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0046] As shown in Figures 5 to 8, the intermediate wall 81 is provided with a support shaft 42, an upper support portion 43, and a tape insertion opening 44 (see Figures 7 and 8). The support shaft 42 is located on the left side of the intermediate wall 81 and protrudes downward from the lower surface of the intermediate wall 81. The support shaft 42 supports a ribbon roll 107. Therefore, the ribbon roll 107 is located between the head rear peripheral wall 85 and the rear wall 142, and between the left wall 143 and the right wall 144. The ribbon roll 107 is rotatable around an axis AX1 (see Figure 5). The axis AX1 passes through the center of the support shaft 42 and extends in the vertical direction. The upper support portion 43 is formed to the right of the support shaft 42. The upper support portion 43 is an outer peripheral wall having an annular shape and protrudes slightly downward from the intermediate wall 81. The upper support portion 43 fits into the take-up spool 109 from above. That is, the upper support portion 43 is disposed inside the inner periphery of the take-up spool 109 in the radial direction of the take-up spool 109. The upper support portion 43 rotatably supports the upper end of the take-up spool 109. A shaft insertion hole that penetrates the intermediate wall 81 in the vertical direction is provided inside the upper support portion 43.

[0047] 7 and 8, the tape insertion opening 44 is formed in the left rear corner of the intermediate wall 81. The tape insertion opening 44 is an opening that passes through the intermediate wall 81 in the vertical direction. The printing tape 101 is inserted into the tape insertion opening 44 from above.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , a first cutout 71A and a second cutout 71B are formed in the lower wall 71. The first cutout 71A extends rearward from the right front corner of the lower wall 71. Specifically, the first cutout 71A extends rearward from a portion of the front end of the lower wall 71 that is to the right of the right end of the front wall 141, and extends rearward to between the head front wall 84 and the head rear wall 85 in the front-to-rear direction. The second cutout 71B extends leftward from the rear end of the first cutout 71A. Specifically, the second cutout 71B is continuous with the first cutout 71A and extends leftward between the head front wall 84 and the head rear wall 85.

[0049] The left end of the first cutout portion 71A defines the lower end of the guide opening 91 described below. The right end of the first cutout portion 71A connects to the lower end of the head right peripheral wall 87. The front end of the second cutout portion 71B connects to the lower end of the head front peripheral wall 84. The rear end of the second cutout portion 71B connects to the lower end of the head rear peripheral wall 85. The left end of the second cutout portion 71B connects to the lower end of the head left peripheral wall 86. The first cutout portion 71A and the second cutout portion 71B are the lower ends of the head opening 99. The first cutout portion 71A and the second cutout portion 71B are the lower ends of the head opening 99.

[0050] A lower support portion 41 and a support shaft 48 (see FIG. 9) are provided on the lower wall 71. The lower support portion 41 is disposed at the right rear portion of the lower wall 71. The lower support portion 41 is an inner peripheral wall that defines a support hole that penetrates the lower wall 71 in the vertical direction.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 6, the take-up spool 109 fits into the lower support part 41. In other words, the lower support part 41 is disposed outside the outer periphery of the take-up spool 109 in the radial direction of the take-up spool 109. The lower support part 41 rotatably supports the lower end of the take-up spool 109. In other words, the take-up spool 109 is supported from above by the upper support part 43 and from below by the lower support part 41. The take-up spool 109 is rotatable about an axis AX3 (see FIGS. 5 and 10). The axis AX3 passes through the centers of the lower support part 41 and the upper support part 43 and extends in the vertical direction. The axis AX3 is the center of the take-up spool 109 in a plan view. The take-up spool 109 is disposed between the head rear peripheral wall 85 and the rear wall 142, and between the left wall 143 and the right wall 144.

[0052] In the radial direction of the take-up spool 109, a first gap G1 is provided between the lower end of the take-up spool 109 and the lower support part 41, and a second gap G2 is provided between the upper end of the take-up spool 109 and the upper support part 43. In other words, the take-up spool 109 is supported by the lower support part 41 with the first gap G1 existing between the lower end of the take-up spool 109 and the lower support part 41 in the radial direction. The take-up spool 109 is supported by the upper support part 43 with the second gap G2 existing between the upper end of the take-up spool 109 and the upper support part 43 in the radial direction.

[0053] The first gap G1 is the radius of the outer diameter R11 of the lower end of the take-up spool 109 minus the radius of the inner diameter of the lower support portion 41. The first gap G1 is not limited to a specific size, but in this embodiment, it is approximately 0.3 mm. The second gap G2 is the radius of the outer diameter of the upper support portion 43 minus the radius of the inner diameter R12 of the upper end of the take-up spool 109. The second gap G2 is not limited to a specific size, but in this embodiment, it is approximately 0.06 mm. As described above, the sizes of the first gap G1 and the second gap G2 are different, and in this embodiment, the first gap G1 is larger than the second gap G2. The absolute value of the difference between the first gap G1 and the second gap G2 (|G1-G2|) is less than the vertical thickness T3 of the lower support portion 41 and less than the vertical thickness T4 of the upper support portion 43. In this embodiment, the absolute value of the difference between the first gap G1 and the second gap G2 is approximately 0.24 mm.

[0054] 9, the support shaft 48 is disposed diagonally forward and to the left of the lower support portion 41, and protrudes upward from the upper surface of the lower wall 71. The support shaft 48 faces the support shaft 31 (see FIG. 5) in the vertical direction. The support shaft 48 supports the tape roll 103.

[0055] 9 and 10, the lower wall 71 includes an opening edge 46. The opening edge 46 is located in front of the second cutout portion 71B of the lower wall 71, i.e., at the arm portion 49. The opening edge 46 has a rectangular shape that is longer in the left-right direction than in the front-rear direction, and defines an engagement hole 45. The engagement hole 45 penetrates the lower wall 71 in the up-down direction and extends in the left-right direction. A lower end 88A of the partition wall 88 fits into the engagement hole 45 (see FIG. 10).

[0056] A rib 46A is provided on the lower wall 71. The rib 46A is disposed at the right end of the engagement hole 45. The rib 46A protrudes rearward from the front end of the opening edge 46, i.e., toward the engagement hole 45. In other words, the rib 46A protrudes in the front-to-rear direction from the opening edge 46 toward the lower end 88A of the partition wall 88. The rear end of the rib 46A is slightly spaced forward from the lower end 88A of the partition wall 88, or is in contact with the lower end 88A of the partition wall 88. The rib 46A is disposed at least at a position where the rear end of the rib 46A will come into contact with the lower end 88A of the partition wall 88 when a rearward force is applied to the arm portion 49.

[0057] 4 and 5, the lower case 40 has an upper cover 80 and a lower cover 70, and is constructed by assembling the upper cover 80 above the lower cover 70. The upper cover 80 forms the upper part of the lower case 40, and includes an intermediate wall 81, an outer peripheral wall 82, a head peripheral wall 83, and a partition wall 88. The outer peripheral wall 82 extends downward from the peripheral edge of the intermediate wall 81. The lower cover 70 forms the lower part of the lower case 40, and includes a lower wall 71 and an outer peripheral wall 72. The outer peripheral wall 72 extends upward from the peripheral edge of the lower wall 71.

[0058] The outer peripheral wall 72 engages with the outer peripheral wall 82 from below, thereby assembling the lower cover 70 to the upper cover 80. In this way, the outer peripheral wall 72 and the outer peripheral wall 82 constitute the outer peripheral wall 140. "The outer peripheral wall 72 engages with the outer peripheral wall 82" means that one or more protrusions provided on one of the outer peripheral walls 72, 82 fit into one or more recesses provided on the other of the outer peripheral walls 72, 82, or one or more hooks provided on one of the outer peripheral walls 72, 82 get caught in one or more engagement holes provided on the other of the outer peripheral walls 72, 82.

[0059] As shown in Figures 4 and 7, the lower case 40 is formed with a guide opening 91, an exposed portion 92, an entrance opening 93, and an exit opening 94. The guide opening 91 is formed between the right end of the head front peripheral wall 84 and the right end of the front wall 141. The guide opening 91 has a slit shape and extends in the vertical direction. The guide opening 91 is an opening for guiding the printing tape 101 and ink ribbon 105 shown in Figure 4 from inside the arm portion 49 to the exposed portion 92.

[0060] The exposed portion 92 is the right-hand front end of the head opening 99, and continues from between the right end of the front wall 141 and the right end of the head front peripheral wall 84 to between the front end of the head right peripheral wall 87 and the front end of the right wall 144. The exposed portion 92 is an opening between the guide opening 91 and the discharge opening 94 for exposing the printing tape 101 and the ink ribbon 105 shown in FIG. 4 from the lower case 40.

[0061] The entrance 93 is formed between the front end of the head right peripheral wall 87 and the front end of the right wall 144. The entrance 93 has a slit shape and extends in the vertical direction. The entrance 93 is an opening for allowing the ink ribbon 105 to enter the lower case 40 from the exposed portion 92.

[0062] The discharge opening 94 is formed at the front end of the right wall 144. The discharge opening 94 is slit-shaped and extends in the vertical direction. The discharge opening 94 is an opening for discharging the printing tape 101 from the lower case 40. The discharge opening 94 is defined by a guide 145 at the front end of the right wall 144. The guide 145 is pillar-shaped and extends in the vertical direction.

[0063] Referring to Figure 11, the relationship between the thickness of the main body 84A and the front wall 141 in the front-to-rear direction will be described. The front region and the rear region will be defined. The front wall 141 includes a front surface 141A and a rear surface 141B. The front surface 141A is the surface of the front wall 141 that faces forward. The rear surface 141B is the surface of the front wall 141 that faces rearward. For example, the front surface 141A may have multiple surfaces that are positioned at different positions in the front-to-rear direction. Specifically, this is the case when the front surface 141A has a recess or a protrusion. The front region is the surface of the front surface 141A that is positioned on the same plane in the front-to-rear direction.

[0064] For example, if the front surface 141A is flush, there is only one front surface region. For example, if the front surface 141A has a concave portion or a convex portion, there are multiple front surface regions. Specifically, if the front surface 141A has a concave portion and a convex portion, there are three surfaces as the front surface region: a surface on which the tip of the convex portion is located, a surface on which the bottom surface of the concave portion is located, and a surface on which the base end of the convex portion or the surface on which the opening of the concave portion is formed. The front surface 141A includes a maximum front surface region. The maximum front surface region is the front surface region that occupies the largest area of ​​the front surface 141A.

[0065] The maximum front surface area will be explained in the following cases. Assume that there are one or more recesses and one or more protrusions on the front surface 141A. Assume that the total area of ​​the front surface area where the tips of one or more protrusions are located is smaller than the total area of ​​the front surface area where the surfaces on which the protrusions and recesses are formed are located. Assume that the total area of ​​the front surface area where the bottom surfaces of one or more recesses are located is smaller than the total area of ​​the front surface area where the surfaces on which the protrusions and recesses are formed are located. In this case, the front surface area where the surfaces on which the protrusions and recesses are formed is located becomes the front surface area that occupies the largest area of ​​the front surface 141A, and is the maximum front surface area. Figure 11 shows the front-to-rear position of the maximum front surface area with a virtual line R1.

[0066] Similar to the front surface region, the rear surface region is a surface of the rear surface 141B that is positioned on the same plane in the front-to-rear direction. The rear surface 141B includes a maximum rear surface region. The maximum rear surface region is the rear surface region that occupies the largest area of ​​the rear surface 141B. For example, the maximum rear surface region is the area of ​​the rear surface 141B excluding the path defining portion 98H, which will be described later. Figure 11 shows the front-to-rear direction position of the maximum rear surface region by a virtual line R2.

[0067] The maximum thickness T1 of the main body 84A in the front-to-rear direction is the thickness of the thickest portion of the main body 84A in the front-to-rear direction. The maximum thickness T1 of the main body 84A in the front-to-rear direction is not limited to a particular size, but is, for example, 1.7 mm. The maximum thickness T1 of the main body 84A in the front-to-rear direction is greater than the distance D1 in the front-to-rear direction between the maximum front region and the maximum rear region. The distance D1 in the front-to-rear direction between the maximum front region and the maximum rear region is not limited to a particular size, but is, for example, 1.0 mm.

[0068] The minimum thickness T2 in the front-to-rear direction of the main body 84A is the thickness of the thinnest portion of the main body 84A in the front-to-rear direction. The minimum thickness T2 in the front-to-rear direction of the main body 84A is not limited to a specific value, but is, for example, 1.7 mm, which is the same as the maximum thickness T1 in the cassette 100. That is, in the cassette 100, the main body 84A is a flat plate with a uniform thickness. The minimum thickness T2 in the front-to-rear direction of the main body 84A is greater than the distance D1 in the front-to-rear direction between the maximum front surface area and the maximum rear surface area.

[0069] The path of the ink ribbon 105 and the path of the print tape 101 will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 11. In addition to path defining portions 98A and 98B, the lower case 40 is provided with path defining portions 98C, 98D, 98E, 98F, 98G, and 98H. The path defining portion 98C is provided at the front end of the head right peripheral wall 87. The path defining portion 98C is pin-shaped and is a cylindrical body extending in the vertical direction. The path defining portion 98C changes the direction of the path of the ink ribbon 105 by contacting the entire width direction (vertical direction) of the ink ribbon 105. More specifically, the path defining portion 98C bends the path of the ink ribbon 105 along the outer periphery of the path defining portion 98C. The contact point Z5 (see Figure 13) between the ink ribbon 105 and the path defining portion 98C has a linear shape extending in the vertical direction when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the ink ribbon 105.

[0070] The path defining portion 98D is provided at the rear end of the head right peripheral wall 87. The path defining portion 98D is a pin-shaped cylindrical body extending in the vertical direction. The path defining portion 98D changes the direction of the path of the ink ribbon 105 by contacting the entire width (vertical direction) of the ink ribbon 105. More specifically, the path defining portion 98D bends the path of the ink ribbon 105 along the outer periphery of the path defining portion 98D. The contact point Z3 (see Figure 13) between the ink ribbon 105 and the path defining portion 98D has a linear shape extending in the vertical direction when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the ink ribbon 105.

[0071] A rib 97 is provided between the path defining portion 98C and the path defining portion 98D. In other words, the rib 97 is provided in an area excluding the front and rear ends of the head right peripheral wall 87. The rib 97 is a convex portion that protrudes rightward from the right surface of the head right peripheral wall 87 and extends in the vertical direction. The upper end of the rib 97 is located below the upper end of the ink ribbon 105. The lower end of the rib 97 is located above the lower end of the ink ribbon 105. The vertical center of the rib 97 approximately coincides with the vertical (width) center of the ink ribbon 105. The vertical length of the rib 97 is not limited to a specific size, but in the cassette 100, the width of the ink ribbon 105 is 12 mm, and it is, for example, approximately 7 mm.

[0072] A recess 97A is provided in the rib 97. The recess 97A is recessed leftward from the center of the rib 97. The recess 97A allows gas to escape when the upper cover 80 is injection molded using, for example, resin.

[0073] The path defining portion 98E is provided at the rear left of the lower case 40. The path defining portion 98E is a wall that protrudes downward from the intermediate wall 81 and extends forward as it moves leftward. The path defining portion 98E has a curved shape with the center portion in the left-right direction bulging rearward. The path defining portion 98E changes the direction of the path of the print tape 101 by coming into contact with the print tape 101. In detail, the path defining portion 98E curves the path of the print tape 101 along the rear surface of the path defining portion 98E.

[0074] The path defining portion 98F is provided at the front left corner of the lower case 40. More specifically, the path defining portion 98F is disposed between the left end of the head front peripheral wall 84 and the left wall 143. The path defining portion 98F is a roller that extends in the vertical direction. The path defining portion 98F is rotatably supported by the lower case 40. The path defining portion 98F changes the direction of the path of the print tape 101 by coming into contact with the print tape 101. More specifically, the path defining portion 98F bends the path of the print tape 101 along the outer periphery of the path defining portion 98F.

[0075] The path defining portion 98G is located behind the path defining portion 98D. The path defining portion 98G is a wall-shaped plate extending in the up-down and left-right directions. The path defining portion 98G protrudes leftward from the right wall 144. In other words, the path defining portion 98G is located opposite the path defining portion 98D with respect to the path of the ink ribbon 105 when viewed from the up-down direction, and is located on the right in this embodiment. The path defining portion 98G changes the direction of the path of the ink ribbon 105 by contacting the entire width direction (up-down direction) of the ink ribbon 105. More specifically, the path defining portion 98G bends the path of the ink ribbon 105 along the left edge of the path defining portion 98G. The contact point Z2 between the ink ribbon 105 and the path defining portion 98G has a linear shape extending in the up-down direction when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the ink ribbon 105.

[0076] The path defining portion 98H is provided on the rear surface 141B of the front wall 141. The path defining portion 98H is a pin-shaped cylindrical body that extends in the vertical direction. The path defining portion 98H changes the direction of the path of the print tape 101 by coming into contact with the print tape 101. In detail, the path defining portion 98H bends the path of the print tape 101 along the outer periphery of the path defining portion 98H.

[0077] The path of the ink ribbon 105 is defined by the path defining portions 98A, 98B, 98C, 98D, and 98G. That is, the ink ribbon 105 extends forward from the left end of the outer periphery of the ribbon roll 107, passes between the left wall 143 and the head left peripheral wall 86, and reaches the path defining portion 98A. The ink ribbon 105 then curves to the right along the outer periphery of the path defining portion 98A and passes through the arm portion 49. Inside the arm portion 49, the ink ribbon 105 passes between the front wall 141 and the head front peripheral wall 84, specifically, between the partition wall 88 and the head front peripheral wall 84, and reaches the path defining portion 98B. Because the outer peripheries of the path defining portions 98A and 98B protrude forward from the main body portion 84A, the ink ribbon 105 passes at a position spaced forward from the main body portion 84A and does not come into contact with the main body portion 84A.

[0078] The ink ribbon 105 curves diagonally rearward to the right along the outer periphery of path defining portion 98B, is guided through guide opening 91 to exposed portion 92, and extends to path defining portion 98C. The ink ribbon 105 curves rearward along the outer periphery of path defining portion 98C, and enters lower case 40 through entrance opening 93. The ink ribbon 105 passes rearward from path defining portion 98C between head right peripheral wall 87 and right wall 144, and extends to path defining portion 98D.

[0079] The ink ribbon 105 contacts the rib 97 between the path defining portion 98C and the path defining portion 98D. In this case, as shown in FIG. 12, the rib 97 contacts the center of the ink ribbon 105 in the width direction (vertical direction) but does not contact both ends of the ink ribbon 105 in the width direction (vertical direction). Therefore, the rib 97 bends the ink ribbon 105 in the width direction, that is, both ends of the ink ribbon 105 in the width direction (vertical direction) bend to the left. This suppresses skew of the ink ribbon 105. Note that skew of the ink ribbon 105 refers to the ink ribbon 105 moving in a direction that is not perpendicular to the direction in which the axis AX1 extends (vertical direction). The direction that is not perpendicular to the direction in which the axis AX1 extends (vertical direction) includes a direction that slopes downward as it moves to the right, a direction that slopes downward as it moves backward, etc.

[0080] In this embodiment, the path defining portion 98C is present between the exposed portion 92 and the rib 97. Therefore, even if the ink ribbon 105 is bent in the width direction by the rib 97, the path defining portion 98C returns the ink ribbon 105 to a state where it is not bent in the width direction. Therefore, the width direction bending of the ink ribbon 105 caused by the rib 97 is prevented from adversely affecting printing by the thermal head 4 at the exposed portion 92.

[0081] 8 and 11, the ink ribbon 105 curves slightly diagonally rearward to the left along the outer periphery of path defining portion 98D and extends to path defining portion 98G. The ink ribbon 105 curves diagonally rearward to the right along the left edge of path defining portion 98G and is wound around the right edge of the outer periphery of take-up spool 109. That is, the ink ribbon 105 passes from the ribbon roll 107 through path defining portion 98A, path defining portion 98B, path defining portion 98C, path defining portion 98D, and path defining portion 98G in this order, before being wound around take-up spool 109.

[0082] The take-up spool 109 takes up the ink ribbon 105 in a clockwise direction when viewed from below. Therefore, after passing between the right head peripheral wall 87 and the right wall 144, the ink ribbon 105 is taken up by the take-up spool 109 while maintaining a state in which it passes between the center of the take-up spool 109 and the right wall 144 in the left-right direction. If the take-up spool 109 were to take up the ink ribbon 105 in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from below, the ink ribbon 105 would pass between the right head peripheral wall 87 and the right wall 144, and then be wound around the left end of the outer periphery of the take-up spool 109. Therefore, after passing between the right head peripheral wall 87 and the right wall 144, the ink ribbon 105 would be taken up by the take-up spool 109 while traversing the area between the center of the take-up spool 109 and the right wall 144 from right to left.

[0083] The path of the print tape 101 is defined by the path defining portions 98E, 98F, and 98H. That is, the print tape 101 extends diagonally downward to the left from the rear end of the outer periphery of the tape roll 103, is inserted into the tape guide opening and then the tape insertion opening 44, and extends to the path defining portion 98E. The print tape 101 curves forward along the outer periphery of the path defining portion 98E, passes between the left wall 143 and the head left peripheral wall 86, and extends to the path defining portion 98F. The print tape 101 curves to the right along the outer periphery of the path defining portion 98E, and passes inside the arm portion 49.

[0084] Within the arm portion 49, the print tape 101 extends from left to right while bending slightly forward along the outer periphery of the path defining portion 98H. Within the arm portion 49, the print tape 101 passes between the front wall 141 and the head front peripheral wall 84, more specifically, between the front wall 141 and the partition wall 88, and extends to the guide opening 91. The print tape 101 is guided through the guide opening 91 to the exposed portion 92. In the exposed portion 92, the ink ribbon 105 is superimposed on the print tape 101 from the rear. The print tape 101 extends from the exposed portion 92 to the discharge opening 94 and is discharged from the case 20 through the discharge opening 94. In other words, the print tape 101 passes from the tape roll 103 through the path defining portion 98E, path defining portion 98F, and path defining portion 98H in that order, and is discharged from the discharge opening 94.

[0085] The positional relationship between the take-up spool 109, the path defining portions 98D and 98G, and the rib 97 will be described in detail with reference to Figure 13. Imaginary line S1 is a straight line connecting contact point Z1 between the rib 97 and the ink ribbon 105 and contact point Z2 between the path defining portion 98G and the ink ribbon 105. Of a pair of tangents to the outer peripheral surface of the take-up spool 109 that pass through contact point Z3 between the path defining portion 98D and the ink ribbon 105, imaginary line S2 is the tangent that passes to the right of the take-up spool 109. Imaginary line S2 passes through point Z4. Point Z4 is the point of contact between imaginary line S2 and the outer peripheral surface of the take-up spool 109, and is located to the right of the center of the take-up spool 109.

[0086] The imaginary line S1 passes to the left of the contact point Z3 between the path defining portion 98D and the ink ribbon 105. In other words, the contact point Z3 between the path defining portion 98D and the ink ribbon 105 is located to the right of the imaginary line S1. The imaginary line S2 passes to the right of the contact point Z2 between the path defining portion 98G and the ink ribbon 105. In other words, the contact point Z2 between the path defining portion 98G and the ink ribbon 105 is located to the left of the imaginary line S2.

[0087] 14, a method for fixing the printing tape 101 to the tape spool 102 will be described. The printing tape 101 is fixed to the tape spool 102 via a fixing tape 104. More specifically, an end 104A of the fixing tape 104 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the tape spool 102. A leading end 104B of the fixing tape 104 and an end 101A of the printing tape 101 are bonded together with an adhesive tape 108. The fixing tape 104 and the adhesive tape 108 are not printing media.

[0088] The colors of the fixing tape 104 and the adhesive tape 108 are colors that allow a user to recognize the presence of the fixing tape 104 and the adhesive tape 108, and to recognize that the fixing tape 104 and the adhesive tape 108 are different from the fixing tape 104. For example, the fixing tape 104 has a color different from the color of the fixing tape 104, such as a zebra pattern. The adhesive tape 108 has a color different from the color of the fixing tape 104, and is a color other than colorless and transparent. The adhesive tape 108 has a red color, for example. The color and pattern of the adhesive tape 108 may be the same as or different from the color and pattern of the fixing tape 104.

[0089] In Figure 14, the position of the guide opening 91 relative to the tape spool 102 is indicated by an imaginary line Q. The length L1 of the fixing tape 104 in the longitudinal direction is approximately equal to the length L2 of the printing tape 101 along the transport path from the tape spool 102 to the guide opening 91 (imaginary line Q). As shown in Figure 14(A), when the remaining amount of printing tape 101 runs out, the leading end 104B of the fixing tape 104 is exposed from the guide opening 91. In other words, the leading end 104B of the fixing tape 104 is positioned to the right of the imaginary line Q. In this case, the user can tell that the remaining amount of printing tape 101 has run out.

[0090] 14(B), there are cases where the leading end 104B of the fixing tape 104 does not reach the guide opening 91, for example, when the fixing tape 104 is not completely pulled out from the tape spool 102. In other words, there are cases where the leading end 104B of the fixing tape 104 is positioned to the left of the imaginary line Q. In this case, if the fixing tape 104 were colorless and transparent, it would be difficult for the user to see either the fixing tape 104 or the adhesive tape 108. This makes it difficult for the user to know that the remaining amount of printing tape 101 has run out.

[0091] In the cassette 100, even if the leading end 104B of the fixing tape 104 does not reach the guide opening 91, as long as the adhesive tape 108 has reached the guide opening 91, the user can know that the remaining amount of printing tape 101 has run out. For example, it may be difficult to change the length L1 of the fixing tape 104 due to design, manufacturing, or other reasons. In the first embodiment, the cassette 100 uses the adhesive tape 108 without changing the length L1 of the fixing tape 104, thereby contributing to the user being able to know that the remaining amount of printing tape 101 has run out.

[0092] The printing operation of the printer 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the cover 3 shown in FIG. 1 removed from the housing 2, the user mounts the cassette 100 in the mounting portion 11 from top to bottom so that the rotation shaft 6 is inserted into the lower support portion 41 (see FIG. 4) and the thermal head 4 is inserted into the head opening 99. The user then attaches the cover 3 to the housing 2. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, a cam (not shown) swings the front end of the platen holder 15 rightward about the swing shaft 16 from a position where it is biased leftward by a spring (not shown). In this case, the platen roller 18 shown in FIG. 1 presses the ink ribbon 105 and the printing tape 101 against the thermal head 4 from the left while they are overlapped. Furthermore, the platen gear 19 meshes with the output gear 21.

[0093] A user inputs a print command to the printer 1 via an operation unit (not shown). The printer 1 drives the transport motor to rotate the rotary shaft 6. This causes the rotary shaft 6 to rotate the take-up spool 109 and the input gear 23. The rotation of the take-up spool 109 transports the ink ribbon 105 from the ribbon roll 107 toward the take-up spool 109. The rotation of the input gear 23 rotates the output gear 21 via the connecting gear 22. The rotation of the output gear 21 rotates the platen gear 19, which in turn rotates the platen roller 18.

[0094] The platen roller 18 rotates clockwise in a plan view, thereby pulling out the print tape 101 from the tape roll 103 and transporting it forward. Therefore, the rear of the printer 1 is upstream in the transport direction of the print tape 101, and the front of the printer 1 is downstream in the transport direction of the print tape 101. The thermal head 4 selectively heats multiple heating elements. As a result, ink on the ink ribbon 105 is thermally transferred to the print tape 101 at positions corresponding to the heated heating elements. The printer 1 prints on the print tape 101 in the exposed portion 92 by repeatedly feeding the print tape 101 with the platen roller 18 and selectively heating the multiple heating elements with the thermal head 4. The printed print tape 101 is discharged from the lower case 40 via the discharge port 94, and then discharged from the housing 2 via the discharge port 12.

[0095] As described above, in the first embodiment, the maximum thickness T1 in the front-to-rear direction of the main body 84A is greater than the distance D1 in the front-to-rear direction between the maximum front region and the maximum rear region. This increases the rigidity of the main body 84A compared to when the maximum thickness T1 in the front-to-rear direction of the main body 84A is equal to or less than the distance D1 in the front-to-rear direction between the maximum front region and the maximum rear region. This prevents the lower end of the head front peripheral wall 84 from bending rearward relative to the upper end of the head front peripheral wall 84. This contributes to preventing the ink ribbon 105 from skewing.

[0096] In the first embodiment, the minimum thickness T2 of the main body 84A in the front-to-rear direction is greater than the distance D1 between the maximum front and rear regions in the front-to-rear direction, which further increases the rigidity of the main body 84A. Therefore, the cassette 100 further contributes to suppressing skew of the ink ribbon 105.

[0097] In the first embodiment, the tape insertion opening 44 is provided in the intermediate wall 81. This makes it easier for the user to handle the printing tape 101 compared to when the printing tape 101 is handled separately from the lower case 40. Therefore, the cassette 100 contributes to making the handling of the printing tape 101 easier.

[0098] In the first embodiment, the cassette 100 includes an upper case 30. A user can handle the printing tape 101 without touching the printing tape 101. Thus, the cassette 100 contributes to making the handling of the printing tape 101 easier.

[0099] In the first embodiment, the rib 46A protrudes rearward from the opening edge 46. Therefore, a force acts on the lower wall 71 in a direction that causes the lower end of the head front peripheral wall 84 to bend rearward relative to the upper end of the head front peripheral wall 84, and the rib 46A comes into contact with the lower end 88A of the partition wall 88. In this case, the force that causes the lower end of the head front peripheral wall 84 to bend rearward relative to the upper end of the head front peripheral wall 84 is dispersed from the lower wall 71 to the partition wall 88 via the rib 46A. This prevents the lower end of the head front peripheral wall 84 from bending rearward relative to the upper end of the head front peripheral wall 84. Therefore, the cassette 100 contributes to preventing the ink ribbon 105 from skewing.

[0100] In the first embodiment, the rib 97 protrudes rightward from an area of ​​the head right peripheral wall 87 excluding the front and rear ends, and comes into contact with the central portion of the ink ribbon 105 in the width direction, bending the ink ribbon 105 in the width direction. As a result, because the rib 97 causes the ink ribbon 105 to bend in the width direction, when the ink ribbon 105 tries to shift in the width direction, a force acts on the ink ribbon 105 in a direction that suppresses the ink ribbon 105 from shifting in the width direction. Therefore, the cassette 100 contributes to suppressing skew of the ink ribbon 105.

[0101] In the first embodiment, a path defining portion 98D is provided at the rear end of the head right peripheral wall 87. The path defining portion 98D contacts the entire width of the ink ribbon 105 and contacts the ink ribbon 105 in a straight line extending vertically as viewed from the longitudinal direction of the ink ribbon 105. Therefore, after the ink ribbon 105 is bent in the width direction by the rib 97, the path defining portion 98D returns the ink ribbon 105 to a state where it is not bent in the width direction. As a result, the ink ribbon 105 is taken up onto the take-up spool 109 without being bent in the width direction. Therefore, the ink ribbon 105 in the cassette 100 is taken up onto the take-up spool 109 with the ink ribbon 105 bent in the width direction, which contributes to preventing problems with the take-up spool 109 taking up the ink ribbon 105.

[0102] In the first embodiment, the imaginary line S1 passes to the left of the contact point Z3 between the path defining portion 98D and the ink ribbon 105. Therefore, the path defining portion 98G presses the ink ribbon 105 leftward against the path defining portion 98D. This causes the rib 97 to further bend the ink ribbon 105 in the width direction. Therefore, the cassette 100 contributes to further suppressing skew of the ink ribbon 105.

[0103] In the first embodiment, the contact point Z2 between the path defining portion 98G and the ink ribbon 105 is located to the left of the imaginary line S2. Therefore, the path defining portion 98G presses the ink ribbon 105 leftward against the path defining portion 98D, regardless of the outer diameter of the ink ribbon 105 wound around the take-up spool 109. This causes the rib 97 to further bend the ink ribbon 105 in the width direction. Therefore, the cassette 100 contributes to further suppressing skew of the ink ribbon 105.

[0104] In the first embodiment, the length of the head right peripheral wall 87 in the front-to-rear direction is shorter than the length of the head rear peripheral wall 85 in the left-to-right direction. This shortens the distance from the rib 97 to the path defining portion 98D. This causes the rib 97 to further bend the ink ribbon 105 in the width direction. Therefore, the cassette 100 contributes to further suppressing skew of the ink ribbon 105.

[0105] In the first embodiment, a first gap G1 is provided between the lower end of the take-up spool 109 and the lower support portion 41 in the radial direction of the take-up spool 109, and a second gap G2 is provided between the upper end of the take-up spool 109 and the upper support portion 43. FIG. 15(A) illustrates a case where the first gap G1 and the second gap G2 shown in FIG. 6 are the same size, unlike the first embodiment. FIGS. 15(B) and 15(C) illustrate a case where the first gap G1 shown in FIG. 6 is larger than the second gap G2, as in the first embodiment. In the example of FIG. 15(A), when tension F1 acting in a direction that tilts upward toward the right acts on the ink ribbon 105, the take-up spool 109 moves to the right. In this case, the lower end of the take-up spool 109 contacts the lower support portion 41 on the right side, and the upper end of the take-up spool 109 contacts the upper support portion 43 on the left side. The lower end of the take-up spool 109 contacts the lower support portion 41 and the upper end of the take-up spool 109 contacts the upper support portion 43 almost simultaneously. Therefore, the take-up spool 109 rotates while the axis AX3 remains parallel to the vertical direction. For this reason, if the first gap G1 and the second gap G2 shown in FIG. 6 are the same size, when the take-up spool 109 takes up the ink ribbon 105 while tension F1 is acting on the ink ribbon 105, the ink ribbon 105 is gradually shifted upward in the axial direction of the take-up spool 109. For this reason, there is a possibility that problems with the take-up spool 109 winding the ink ribbon 105, such as the ink ribbon 105 contacting the guide disc 109B, may occur. In the first embodiment, the size of the first gap G1 and the size of the second gap G2 are different. 15(B), when tension F1 acts on the ink ribbon 105 and moves the take-up spool 109 to the right, the upper end of the take-up spool 109 contacts the left-side upper support portion 43 before the lower end of the take-up spool 109 contacts the lower support portion 41. In other words, the lower end of the take-up spool 109 does not contact the lower support portion 41 and the upper end of the take-up spool 109 does not contact the upper support portion 43 simultaneously. Therefore, when the upper end of the take-up spool 109 contacts the upper support portion 43, a gap exists between the lower end of the take-up spool 109 and the lower support portion 41. Therefore, the lower end of the take-up spool 109 swings to the right, with the contact point between the upper end of the take-up spool 109 and the left-side upper support portion 43 as a fulcrum, so that the axis AX3 is perpendicular to the direction of tension F1.As a result, the take-up spool 109 is in a state where, for example, the upper end of the take-up spool 109 contacts the right-side upper support portion 43 and the lower end of the take-up spool 109 contacts the right-side lower support portion 41. When the take-up spool 109 takes up the ink ribbon 105 in this state, the ink ribbon 105 is wound around the take-up spool 109 while being prevented from shifting in the axial direction of the take-up spool 109. As described above, in the first embodiment, since the size of the first gap G1 and the size of the second gap G2 are different, even if the ink ribbon 105 moves skewed, the axis AX3 of the take-up spool 109 tilts so as to align with the width direction of the ink ribbon 105. Therefore, the cassette 100 contributes to preventing problems with the take-up spool 109 winding the ink ribbon 105.

[0106] In the first embodiment, the first gap G1 is larger than the second gap G2. This makes it easier for the operator to assemble the lower cover 70 to the upper cover 80. The reason is as follows: The operator assembles the take-up spool 109 to the upper cover 80 and then assembles the lower cover 70 to the upper cover 80. If the second gap G2 were larger than the first gap G1, the operator would have to assemble the lower cover 70 to the upper cover 80 while the take-up spool 109 supported by the upper support portion 43 was in a state of significant wobble. In the first embodiment, the second gap G2 is smaller than the first gap G1, so the operator can assemble the lower cover 70 to the upper cover 80 while the take-up spool 109 supported by the upper support portion 43 is in a state of minimal wobble. This prevents the lower cover 70 from colliding with the lower end of the take-up spool 109 from below. Therefore, the cassette 100 contributes to improving the ease of assembling the lower cover 70 to the upper cover 80.

[0107] Furthermore, because the first gap G1 is larger than the second gap G2, the user can easily attach the cassette 100 to the mounting portion 11. The reason is as follows: The user attaches the cassette 100 to the mounting portion 11 so that the rotating shaft 6 fits into the take-up spool 109. Therefore, the rotating shaft 6 passes the lower end of the take-up spool 109 and then the upper end of the take-up spool 109. If the first gap G1 were smaller than the second gap G2, the user would have to attach the cassette 100 to the mounting portion 11 with little play in the take-up spool 109 supported by the lower support portion 41. In the first embodiment, because the first gap G1 is larger than the second gap G2, the user can attach the cassette 100 to the mounting portion 11 with plenty of play in the take-up spool 109 supported by the lower support portion 41. Therefore, the lower end of the take-up spool 109 is prevented from colliding with the rotating shaft 6 from above, and the rotating shaft 6 is guided into the take-up spool 109. Therefore, the cassette 100 contributes to improving ease of mounting the cassette 100 in the mounting portion 11.

[0108] If the absolute value of the difference between the first gap G1 and the second gap G2 is larger than the thickness T3 of the lower support part 41 in the vertical direction, tilting of the take-up spool 109 may cause the take-up spool 109 to fall off from the lower support part 41. In the first embodiment, the absolute value of the difference between the first gap G1 and the second gap G2 is less than the thickness T3 of the lower support part 41 in the vertical direction. Therefore, the cassette 100 contributes to reducing the possibility of the take-up spool 109 falling off from the lower support part 41.

[0109] If the absolute value of the difference between the first gap G1 and the second gap G2 is larger than the vertical thickness T4 of the upper support portion 43, tilting of the take-up spool 109 could cause the take-up spool 109 to fall off from the upper support portion 43. In the first embodiment, the absolute value of the difference between the first gap G1 and the second gap G2 is less than the vertical thickness T4 of the upper support portion 43. Therefore, the cassette 100 contributes to reducing the possibility of the take-up spool 109 falling off from the upper support portion 43.

[0110] In the first embodiment, the lower support portion 41 is disposed outside the outer periphery of the take-up spool 109 in the radial direction of the take-up spool 109. Therefore, compared to when the lower support portion 41 is disposed inside the inner periphery of the take-up spool 109 in the radial direction, the hole defined by the lower support portion 41 is larger, and the weight of the lower wall 71 is reduced accordingly. In the first embodiment, the upper support portion 43 is disposed inside the inner periphery of the take-up spool 109 in the radial direction of the take-up spool 109. Therefore, the cassette 100 can ensure a sufficient thickness T4 in the up-down direction of the upper support portion 43. Therefore, the cassette 100 contributes to reducing the possibility of the take-up spool 109 falling off from the upper support portion 43. In other words, the cassette 100 contributes to reducing the weight of the case 20 while reducing the possibility of the take-up spool 109 falling off from the upper support portion 43. Furthermore, since the upper support portion 43 is positioned inside the inner circumference of the take-up spool 109 in the radial direction of the take-up spool 109, the cassette 100 contributes to ensuring space for attaching the clutch spring 119 to the outer circumference of the upper end of the take-up spool 109.

[0111] In the first embodiment, the lower case 40 corresponds to the "lower case" of the present invention. The ribbon roll 107 corresponds to the "ribbon roll" of the present invention. The winding spool 109 corresponds to the "winding spool" of the present invention. The lower wall 71 corresponds to the "first wall" of the present invention. The middle wall 81 corresponds to the "second wall" of the present invention. The outer peripheral wall 140 corresponds to the "periphery wall" of the present invention. The front wall 141 corresponds to the "front wall" of the present invention. The rear wall 142 corresponds to the "rear wall" of the present invention. The left wall 143 corresponds to the "left wall" of the present invention. The right wall 144 corresponds to the "right wall" of the present invention.

[0112] The head front peripheral wall 84 corresponds to the "first inner wall" of the present invention. The head rear peripheral wall 85 corresponds to the "second inner wall" of the present invention. The head left peripheral wall 86 corresponds to the "third inner wall" of the present invention. The head right peripheral wall 87 corresponds to the "fourth inner wall" of the present invention. The upper bridge portion 81A corresponds to the "upper bridge portion" of the present invention. The first cutout portion 71A corresponds to the "first cutout portion" of the present invention. The second cutout portion 71B corresponds to the "second cutout portion" of the present invention. The exposed portion 92 corresponds to the "exposed portion" of the present invention. The path defining portions 98A, 98B correspond to the "path defining portion" of the present invention. The main body portion 84A corresponds to the "main body portion" of the present invention. The maximum front surface area corresponds to the "first maximum area" of the present invention. The maximum rear surface area corresponds to the "second maximum area" of the present invention.

[0113] The printing tape 101 corresponds to the "printing medium" of the present invention. The tape insertion slot 44 corresponds to the "insertion slot" of the present invention. The upper case 30 corresponds to the "upper case" of the present invention. The tape roll 103 corresponds to the "medium roll" of the present invention. The partition wall 88 corresponds to the "fifth inner wall" of the present invention. The engagement hole 45 corresponds to the "engagement hole" of the present invention. The opening edge 46 corresponds to the "opening edge" of the present invention. The rib 46A corresponds to the "rib" of the present invention. The axis AX1 corresponds to the "first axis" of the present invention. The axis AX2 corresponds to the "second axis" of the present invention.

[0114] The first embodiment may be modified in various ways. A cassette 100A will be described as a modified example of the first embodiment with reference to FIG. 16 . The head front peripheral wall 84 includes a protrusion 84B. The protrusion 84B protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the main body 84A and extends in the up-down and left-right directions. The protrusion 84B has a plate shape. The left-right length of the protrusion 84B is smaller than the left-right length of the main body 84A. The up-down length of the protrusion 84B is smaller than or equal to the up-down length of the main body 84A. The front-to-rear length of the protrusion 84B is smaller than the left-to-right length of the protrusion 84B and is also smaller than the up-down length of the protrusion 84B.

[0115] In the cassette 100A, the maximum front-rear thickness T11 of the main body 84A is determined by the position of the protrusion 84B. That is, the maximum front-rear thickness T11 of the main body 84A is the distance between the rear end of the protrusion 84B and the front surface of the main body 84A. The maximum front-rear thickness T11 of the main body 84A is greater than the distance D1 between the maximum front surface area and the maximum rear surface area in the front-rear direction.

[0116] The minimum thickness T12 in the front-rear direction of the main body 84A is determined at a position where the protrusion 84B is not present. In other words, the minimum thickness T12 in the front-rear direction of the main body 84A is the distance in the front-rear direction between the rear surface of the main body 84A where the protrusion 84B is not present and the front surface of the main body 84A. In the cassette 100A, the minimum thickness T12 in the front-rear direction of the main body 84A is smaller than or equal to the distance D1 in the front-rear direction between the maximum front surface area and the maximum rear surface area.

[0117] In the cassette 100A, the weight of the main body 84A is lighter than when the minimum thickness T12 in the front-to-rear direction of the main body 84A is greater than the distance D1 in the front-to-rear direction between the maximum front area and the maximum rear area. On the other hand, because the maximum thickness T11 in the front-to-rear direction of the main body 84A is greater than the distance D1 in the front-to-rear direction between the maximum front area and the maximum rear area, the rigidity of the head front peripheral wall 84 is high. Therefore, the cassette 100A contributes to reducing the weight of the lower case 40 while suppressing skew of the ink ribbon 105.

[0118] A cassette 100B will be described as a modified example of the first embodiment with reference to Fig. 17. The head front peripheral wall 84 includes a plurality of ribs 84C. The ribs 84C protrude rearward from the rear surface of the main body 84A and extend in the up-down direction. The ribs 84C are aligned in the left-right direction.

[0119] In the cassette 100B, the maximum front-rear thickness T21 of the main body 84A is determined by the positions of the ribs 84C. That is, the maximum front-rear thickness T21 of the main body 84A is the distance between the rear ends of the ribs 84C and the front surface of the main body 84A. The maximum front-rear thickness T21 of the main body 84A is greater than the distance D1 between the maximum front surface area and the maximum rear surface area.

[0120] The minimum thickness T22 in the front-to-rear direction of the main body 84A is determined by the position of a recess formed between the multiple ribs 84C. In other words, the minimum thickness T22 in the front-to-rear direction of the main body 84A is the distance in the front-to-rear direction between the bottom surface of the recess formed between the multiple ribs 84C and the front surface of the main body 84A. In the cassette 100B, the minimum thickness T22 in the front-to-rear direction of the main body 84A is smaller than or equal to the distance D1 in the front-to-rear direction between the maximum front surface area and the maximum rear surface area.

[0121] In the cassette 100B, the weight of the head front peripheral wall 84 is even lighter than that of the cassette 100A. Therefore, the cassette 100A contributes to suppressing the ink ribbon 105 from moving obliquely while further reducing the weight of the lower case 40.

[0122] Another modification of the first embodiment will be described. The rib 46A may protrude forward from the rear end of the opening edge 46. The rib 46A may be omitted from the lower case 40. The upper case 30 may be omitted from the cassette 100. In this case, the tape roll 103 may be supported by the lower case 40. The tape roll 103 may be omitted from the cassette 100.

[0123] The tape insertion opening 44 does not have to be provided in the intermediate wall 81. In this case, for example, the tape roll 103 may be housed in the lower case 40. The upper bridge portion 81A may have a pillar shape extending in the front-rear direction.

[0124] The path defining portion 98D does not have to be located at the rear end of the head right peripheral wall 87, but may be located, for example, between the rear end of the head right peripheral wall 87 and the path defining portion 98G in the front-to-rear direction. The imaginary line S1 may pass to the right of the contact point Z3 between the path defining portion 98D and the ink ribbon 105. The contact point Z2 between the path defining portion 98G and the ink ribbon 105 may be located to the right of the imaginary line S2. For example, one or both of the path defining portion 98D and the path defining portion 98G may be omitted. When both the path defining portion 98D and the path defining portion 98G are omitted, the ink ribbon 105 may be directly wound onto the take-up spool 109 after passing through the rib 97. The length of the head right peripheral wall 87 in the front-to-rear direction may be the same as or longer than the length of the head rear peripheral wall 85 in the left-to-right direction.

[0125] The size of the first gap G1 and the size of the second gap G2 may be the same. The first gap G1 may be smaller than the second gap G2. The absolute value of the difference between the first gap G1 and the second gap G2 may be the same as or larger than the vertical thickness T3 of the lower support part 41. The absolute value of the difference between the first gap G1 and the second gap G2 may be the same as or larger than the vertical thickness T4 of the upper support part 43. The outer diameter R11 of the lower end of the take-up spool 109 may be the same as or smaller than the inner diameter R12 of the upper end of the take-up spool 109.

[0126] The lower support portion 41 may be arranged inside the inner circumference of the take-up spool 109 in the radial direction of the take-up spool 109. The upper support portion 43 may be arranged outside the outer circumference of the take-up spool 109 in the radial direction of the take-up spool 109. Both the lower support portion 41 and the upper support portion 43 may be arranged outside the outer circumference of the take-up spool 109 in the radial direction of the take-up spool 109, or may be arranged inside the inner circumference of the take-up spool 109. For example, when the lower support portion 41 is arranged inside the take-up spool 109, the lower support portion 41 may protrude upward from the lower wall 71.

[0127] The take-up spool 109 may rotate counterclockwise as viewed from below to wind up the ink ribbon 105. In this case, the path defining portion 98G may be disposed such that, of a pair of tangents to the outer peripheral surface of the take-up spool 109 that pass through contact point Z3 between the path defining portion 98D and the ink ribbon 105, the tangent that passes to the left of the take-up spool 109 passes to the right of contact point Z2 between the path defining portion 98G and the ink ribbon 105.

[0128] 18 and 19, a cassette 200 will be described as a second embodiment. Regarding cassette 200, portions or components having the same shape or function as cassette 100 are denoted by the same reference numerals as cassette 100, or the reference numerals are omitted to omit or simplify the description. In cassette 200, the maximum thickness in the front-to-rear direction of main body 84A may be greater than, smaller than, or the same as the distance in the front-to-rear direction between the maximum front surface area and the maximum rear surface area.

[0129] Cassette 200 is used in printer 1. It is used in the same manner as cassette 100 in printer 1. Cassette 200 differs from cassette 100 in that it has a bottom wall 271 instead of bottom wall 71. Other than bottom wall 271, cassette 200 has the same configuration as cassette 100.

[0130] The lower wall 271 has a shape different from the shape of the lower wall 71. Specifically, the lower wall 271 further includes a lower bridging portion 272 in addition to the lower wall 71. The lower bridging portion 272 is a part of the lower wall 271. In more detail, the lower bridging portion 272 is a portion that covers the space surrounded by the head front peripheral wall 84, the head rear peripheral wall 85, the head left peripheral wall 86, and the head right peripheral wall 87, i.e., the head opening 99, from below. The lower bridging portion 272 has a wall shape and extends in the front-to-rear and left-to-right directions.

[0131] A "center line C1" is defined. The center line C1 bisects the head front peripheral wall 84 in the left-right direction and extends in the up-down direction. A "front trisecting line V1" and a "rear trisecting line V2" are defined. The front trisecting line V1 and the rear trisecting line V2 divide the head left peripheral wall 86 into three equal parts in the front-to-rear direction and extend in the left-to-right direction. The front trisecting line V1 and the rear trisecting line V2 are aligned in the order of front trisecting line V1 and rear trisecting line V2 as they move rearward.

[0132] In the following, the position between the left and right ends of the head front peripheral wall 84 in the left-right direction is referred to as "point P1." In the second embodiment, point P1 is located to the left of the center line C1. The position between the left and right ends of the head rear peripheral wall 85 in the left-right direction, or the position between the front and rear ends of the head left peripheral wall 86 in the front-to-rear direction, is referred to as "point P2." In the second embodiment, point P2 is located rearward of the front trisecting line V1. Point P2 is located between the front and rear ends of the head left peripheral wall 86 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0133] The right end 272A of the lower connecting portion 272 connects to the front end 711 of the second cutout portion 71B at point P1. The right end 272A of the lower connecting portion 272 extends from point P1 to point P2, and in the second embodiment, extends rearward as it moves leftward. The right end 272A of the lower connecting portion 272 connects to the rear end 712 or left end 713 of the second cutout portion 71B at point P2. In the second embodiment, the right end 272A of the lower connecting portion 272 connects to the left end 713 of the second cutout portion 71B at point P2.

[0134] As described above, in the second embodiment, the lower case 40 includes the lower bridge portion 272. With this, when a rearward force acts on the lower end of the head front peripheral wall 84, the applied force is received by the lower bridge portion 272. This prevents the lower end of the head front peripheral wall 84 from bending rearward relative to the upper end of the head front peripheral wall 84. Therefore, the cassette 200 contributes to preventing the ink ribbon 105 from skewing.

[0135] In the second embodiment, point P2 is located rearward of the front trisecting line V1. This allows the lower bridge portion 272 to withstand a larger portion of the rearward force acting on the head front peripheral wall 84 than when point P2 is located forward of the front trisecting line V1. This further prevents the lower end of the head front peripheral wall 84 from bending rearward relative to the upper end of the head front peripheral wall 84. Therefore, the cassette 200 contributes to further suppressing skew of the ink ribbon 105.

[0136] In the second embodiment, point P1 is located to the left of center line C1. This allows the head opening 99 to have a larger space in the left-right direction than when point P1 is located behind center line C1. Therefore, the cassette 200 contributes to suppressing skew of the ink ribbon 105 while ensuring space for the head opening 99.

[0137] In the second embodiment, the tape insertion opening 44 is provided in the intermediate wall 81, as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the cassette 200 contributes to facilitating handling of the printing tape 101, as in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the cassette 200 includes an upper case 30, as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the cassette 200 contributes to facilitating handling of the printing tape 101, as in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, a rib 46A protrudes rearward from the opening edge 46, as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the cassette 200 contributes to suppressing skew of the ink ribbon 105, as in the first embodiment.

[0138] 20 and 21, a cassette 300 will be described as a third embodiment. Cassette 300 includes a case 20. Case 20 is composed of an upper case 30 and a lower case 40, but FIG. 20 does not illustrate the upper case 30, and also does not illustrate the lower cover 70 of the lower case 40. For cassette 300, portions or members having the same shape or function as cassette 100 are denoted by the same reference numerals as cassette 100, and their description will be omitted or simplified. For cassette 300, the maximum thickness in the front-to-rear direction of main body 84A may be greater than, smaller than, or the same as the distance in the front-to-rear direction between the maximum front surface area and the maximum rear surface area.

[0139] Cassette 300 is used in printer 1. It is used in the same manner as cassette 100 in printer 1. Cassette 300 differs from cassette 100 in that the lower case 40 includes a middle transfer section 372. Cassette 200 has the same configuration as cassette 100 except for the middle transfer section 372.

[0140] The middle bridging portion 372 is a wall that is part of the upper cover 80. More specifically, the middle bridging portion 372 is a portion provided in the space surrounded by the head front peripheral wall 84, the head rear peripheral wall 85, the head left peripheral wall 86, and the head right peripheral wall 87, i.e., the head opening 99. The middle bridging portion 372 extends in the vertical direction. The right end of the middle bridging portion 372 extends from the front to the rear and from the right to the left.

[0141] The right end 372A of the middle bridge portion 372 connects to the head front peripheral wall 84 at point P1. The right end 372A of the middle bridge portion 372 extends from point P1 to point P2. The right end 372A of the middle bridge portion 372 connects to the head rear peripheral wall 85 or the head left peripheral wall 86 at point P2. In the third embodiment, the right end 372A of the middle bridge portion 372 connects to the head left peripheral wall 86 at point P2.

[0142] In the third embodiment, similarly to the second embodiment, point P1 is located to the left of center line C1. Point P2 is located rearward of front trisecting line V1. Point P2 is located between the front end and the rear end of left head peripheral wall 86 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0143] As described above, in the third embodiment, the lower case 40 includes the middle bridge portion 372. With this, when a force acts rearward on the lower end of the head front peripheral wall 84, the middle bridge portion 372 receives the force. This prevents the lower end of the head front peripheral wall 84 from bending rearward relative to the upper end of the head front peripheral wall 84. Therefore, the cassette 300 contributes to preventing the ink ribbon 105 from skewing.

[0144] In the third embodiment, point P2 is located behind the front trisecting line V1, as in the second embodiment. Therefore, the cassette 300 contributes to further suppressing skew of the ink ribbon 105, as in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, point P1 is located to the left of the center line C1, as in the second embodiment. Therefore, the cassette 300 contributes to suppressing skew of the ink ribbon 105 while ensuring space for the head opening 99, as in the second embodiment.

[0145] In the third embodiment, the tape insertion opening 44 is provided in the intermediate wall 81, as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the cassette 300 contributes to facilitating handling of the printing tape 101, as in the first embodiment. In the third embodiment, the cassette 200 has an upper case 30, as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the cassette 300 contributes to facilitating handling of the printing tape 101, as in the first embodiment. In the third embodiment, a rib 46A protrudes rearward from the opening edge 46, as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the cassette 300 contributes to suppressing skew of the ink ribbon 105, as in the first embodiment.

[0146] The second and third embodiments may be modified in various ways. For example, FIG. 22 shows a modified example of the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 22, in the cassette 300A, the point P1 may be located to the right of the center line C1. Similarly, in the second embodiment, the point P1 may be located to the right of the center line C1. FIG. 23 shows a modified example of the second or third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 23, in the cassette 300B, both the lower bridging portion 272 and the middle bridging portion 372 may be provided in the lower case 40.

[0147] Other modifications of the second and third embodiments will be described. In the second or third embodiment, point P2 may be located at the same position as the front trisecting line V1 or further forward than the front trisecting line V1. Note that the second and third embodiments may be modified in the same manner as the first embodiment, provided no contradictions arise. [Explanation of symbols]

[0148] 30: Upper case 40: Lower case 44: Tape insertion slot 45: Engagement hole 46: Opening edge 46A: Rib 71: Lower wall 71A: First notch 71B: Second notch 81: Intermediate wall 81A: Upper bridge section 84: Head front wall 84A: Main body 84B:Protrusion 84C: Rib 85: Rear wall of head 86: Left side wall of head 87: Right peripheral wall of head 88 :Division wall 92:Exposed part 98A: Route definition section 98B: Route definition section 100: Cassette 107: Ribbon roll 109:Roll up the スプール 140: Outer wall 141: Anterior wall 141A: Front 141B: behind 142: posterior wall 143: Left wall 144: Right wall

Claims

1. a box-shaped lower case; a ribbon roll accommodated in the lower case, the ribbon roll having an ink ribbon wound thereon and rotatable about a first axis extending in the vertical direction; a take-up spool housed in the lower case, which takes up the ink ribbon from the ribbon roll; A cassette comprising: The lower case is a first wall and a second wall extending in a front-rear direction and a left-right direction perpendicular to each other and perpendicular to the up-down direction, and aligned in the up-down direction; a peripheral wall extending from a peripheral edge of the first wall to a peripheral edge of the second wall; Equipped with The peripheral wall is a front wall and a rear wall extending in the left-right direction and the up-down direction and aligned in the front-rear direction; a left wall and a right wall extending in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction and aligned in the left-right direction; Equipped with The lower case further comprises: a first inner wall and a second inner wall extending in the left-right direction and the up-down direction and disposed between the front wall and the rear wall, the first inner wall and the second inner wall being arranged in this order rearward in the front-to-rear direction from the front wall toward the rear wall; a third interior wall and a fourth interior wall extending in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction and disposed between the left wall and the right wall, the third interior wall and the fourth interior wall being arranged in this order from the left wall to the right toward the right wall in the left-right direction; Equipped with a front end of the third interior wall is connected to a left end of the first interior wall; a rear end of the third interior wall is connected to a left end of the second interior wall; a rear end of the fourth interior wall is connected to a right end of the second interior wall, the second wall includes an upper bridging portion that is a portion that spans between an upper end of the first interior wall and an upper end of the second interior wall in the front-rear direction, The first wall has: a first cutout portion cut from a portion of a front end of the first wall that is to the right of the right end of the front wall toward the rear, to a portion between the first interior wall and the second interior wall in the front-rear direction; a second cutout portion that is continuous with the first cutout portion and cuts out toward the left between the first interior wall and the second interior wall, opposite to the right; is formed, an exposure portion that is an opening extending from between the right end of the front wall and the right end of the first interior wall to between the front end of the fourth interior wall and the front end of the right wall is formed in the lower case; the ribbon roll and the take-up spool are disposed between the second interior wall and the rear wall, and between the left wall and the right wall; the ink ribbon is wound around the take-up spool from the ribbon roll through a gap between the left wall and the third inner wall, a gap between the front wall and the first inner wall, the exposed portion, and a gap between the fourth inner wall and the right wall in this order; The first interior wall is a path defining portion provided at each end of the first interior wall in the left-right direction, the path defining portion being a portion for changing the direction of the path of the ink ribbon; a main body portion that is a portion of the first interior wall that is different from the path defining portion; Including, a front surface of the front wall including a first maximum region occupying the largest area of ​​the front surface; the rear surface of the front wall includes a second maximum region that occupies the largest area of ​​the rear surface; The maximum thickness of the main body in the front-rear direction is greater than the distance between the first maximum region and the second maximum region in the front-rear direction. A cassette characterized by:

2. The minimum thickness of the main body in the front-to-rear direction is greater than the distance between the first maximum region and the second maximum region in the front-to-rear direction.

2. The cassette of claim 1.

3. The minimum thickness of the main body in the front-to-rear direction is smaller than or equal to the distance between the first maximum region and the second maximum region in the front-to-rear direction.

2. The cassette of claim 1.

4. the body portion includes a plurality of ribs; a maximum thickness of the main body portion is defined by positions of the plurality of ribs; The minimum thickness of the main body is determined by the position of a recess formed between the plurality of ribs.

4. The cassette of claim 3.

5. The second wall is provided with an insertion opening through which a print medium is inserted, the print medium passes from the insertion opening to between the left wall and the third interior wall, between the front wall and the first interior wall, and then to the exposed portion, in this order; The ink ribbon and the print medium are overlapped with each other at the exposed portion.

5. A cassette according to claim 1.

6. an upper case having a box shape and arranged above the lower case from the first wall toward the second wall in the up-down direction; a media roll accommodated in the upper case, the media roll being rotatable about a second axis extending in the vertical direction and around which the printing medium is wound; Equipped with The print medium is pulled from the media roll and inserted into the insertion slot.

6. The cassette of claim 5.

7. The lower case is a fifth interior wall extending in the left-right direction and the up-down direction and disposed between the front wall and the first interior wall, the fifth interior wall separates the ink ribbon path from the print medium path between the front wall and the first interior wall; the first wall includes an opening edge that defines an engagement hole; an upper end of the fifth interior wall is connected to the second wall; a lower end of the fifth inner wall is fitted into the engagement hole, The first wall is provided with a rib that protrudes from the opening edge toward the fifth interior wall in the front-rear direction.

6. The cassette of claim 5.

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