Tape cartridge and method of manufacturing tape cartridge

Abstract

To guide a delivery side end part of a tape to a proper carrying passage.SOLUTION: The tape cartridge 1 includes a tape passage port 13 through which the tape T passes, the tape passage port 13 being provided in a conveyance path of the tape T from a printing position at which printing is performed on the tape T to a tape delivery port 22 of the printing device 2 that delivers the tape T after printing to the outside of the device, and a tape receiving member 5 is provided between the tape passage port 13 and the tape delivery port 22. The tape receiving member 5 has a support part 52 abutting on the tape T from the rear surface side of the tape T.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tape cartridge and a method for manufacturing the tape cartridge. [Background technology]

[0002] As a conventional printing device, for example, in the printing device described in Patent Document 1, a tape cartridge (printing cassette) set inside the device has an outlet for discharging an overlapping tape made of a first tape and a second tape bonded together to the outside, and the overlapping tape discharged from the outlet is discharged outside the device from the tape outlet of the printing device after printing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-56430 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In this type of printing device, if the end of the tape on the output side is lowered due to the weight of the tape, for example, the tape may not be properly received by the output (exit) side of the printing device and may end up in a position other than the one it is supposed to be inserted in, which may ultimately cause transport problems.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve these problems, and has as its object to provide a tape cartridge and a method for manufacturing a tape cartridge that can guide the feeding end of the tape to an appropriate transport path. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the tape cartridge according to the present invention comprises: A tape cartridge that is accommodated in a storage unit of a printing device that prints on a tape and has a tape passage opening through which the tape passes, the tape passage opening is provided midway along a transport path of the tape from a printing position where printing is performed on the tape to a tape outlet opening of the printing device through which the printed tape is sent out of the printing device, a tape receiving member is provided between the tape passage opening and the tape delivery opening, The tape receiving member has a support portion that abuts against the tape from the back side of the tape. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the end of the tape on the delivery side can be guided to an appropriate transport path. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view illustrating an external configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the printing device shown in FIG. 1 with a cover opened. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the appearance of a tape cartridge according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a plate-shaped member that forms the tape receiving member. [Figure 5] 6 is a perspective view of a tape receiving member assembled from the plate-like members shown in FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a top view of a main part showing the vicinity of the tape passage opening of the tape cartridge as seen from the direction of the arrow VI in FIG. 3. [Figure 7] 7 is a side view of a main part showing the vicinity of the tape passage opening of the tape cartridge as seen from the direction of arrow VII in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 1 is an enlarged view of a main portion showing the area from the tape passage opening of the tape cartridge to the tape outlet opening of the printing device in an embodiment. [Figure 9]10 is an enlarged view of a main portion showing the area from the tape passage opening of the tape cartridge to the tape outlet opening of the printing device when no tape receiving member is provided. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is an enlarged view of a main portion showing the area from the tape passage opening of the tape cartridge to the tape outlet opening of the printing device when no tape receiving member is provided. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing how a two-layer tape that has passed through a tape passage opening of a tape cartridge is separated into layers and fed out. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] With reference to the drawings, an embodiment of a tape cartridge 1 according to the present invention and a method for manufacturing the tape cartridge 1 will be described. The tape cartridge 1 of this embodiment houses a tape T, which is a print medium to be printed on by a printing device 2, inside, and is housed in a housing portion 21 of the printing device 2 when in use. It should be noted that the embodiments described below are subject to various limitations that are technically preferable for carrying out the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples.

[0010] [Printing device configuration] First, as a premise, the configuration of the printing device 2 in which the tape cartridge 1 is housed will be described. In the following embodiments, the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis directions refer to the directions shown in Figures 1 and 2. The x-axis direction is the horizontal direction of the printing device 2, the y-axis direction is the vertical direction of the printing device 2, and the z-axis direction is the height direction of the printing device 2. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, when the tape cartridge 1 is housed in the printing device 2 in this embodiment, the long side direction L of the tape cartridge 1 shown in Figure 3 coincides with the x-axis direction, the short side direction H of the tape cartridge 1 coincides with the y-axis direction, and the height direction W of the tape cartridge 1 (the width direction of the tape T housed in the tape cartridge 1) coincides with the z-axis direction.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1, the printing device 2 has a substantially box-shaped housing 20, and inside the housing 20 is provided a storage section 21 into which a tape cartridge 1 containing a tape T can be attached. The housing 20 is provided with an openable and closable lid 20a at a position corresponding to the storage section 21. As shown in Fig. 2, when the lid 20a is opened, the storage section 21 is exposed, and the tape cartridge 1 can be attached and detached.

[0012] In addition, when the tape cartridge 1 is accommodated in the accommodation section 21, a tape outlet 22 is provided at a position downstream of the tape passage port 13 of the tape cartridge 1 (described later) on the transport path D of the tape T (indicated by the white arrow in Figure 2, etc.) for feeding the printed tape T (in this embodiment, the tape main body t1, which is the first tape of the tape T) out of the device. The tape outlet 22 has a receiving section 22a (see FIG. 8) that receives the tape T that is fed along the transport path D from the tape passage 13 side.

[0013] It is preferable that the receiving section 22a is slightly lower on the tape passage opening 13 side (storage section 21 side) so as to easily receive the leading end of the transported tape T. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 8, the receiving section 22a is inclined so that the upstream side of the transport path D is slightly lower than the downstream side, and has a shape that makes it easier to receive the leading end of the tape T transported from the tape cartridge 1 in the storage section 21.

[0014] The printing device 2 of this embodiment is a thermal printer that prints on tape T, which is a long print medium. A thermal head 23 and a platen roller 24, which are printing units, are provided inside the storage section 21. The thermal head 23 and the platen roller 24 are arranged on a transport path D (see FIGS. 2, 3, etc.) of the tape T from a payout position P (see FIG. 3) where the tape T in the tape cartridge 1, which will be described later, is paid out until the tape passes through the tape passage opening 13 of the tape cartridge 1 when the tape cartridge 1 is stored.

[0015] For example, when the tape cartridge 1 is housed in the housing section 21, the thermal head 23 is disposed within the printing space Arp (see FIGS. 2, 3, etc.) in the tape cartridge 1. The platen roller 24 is disposed in a position facing the thermal head 23, sandwiching the tape T, which is the printing medium. The tape T that has been unwound from the unwinding position P in the housing section 21 is held between the platen roller 24 and the thermal head 23 (see FIG. 8, for example), and by rotating the platen roller 24, the tape T is transported from the upstream side to the downstream side along the transport path D.

[0016] The thermal head 23 has a heating element (not shown) that is heated by passing a current through it, and applies heat to the tape T. In the following embodiment, a thermal transfer printing device 2 that uses an ink ribbon t2 will be described as an example. For example, the tape T in this embodiment is a two-layer tape that is integrated with a tape body t1, which is the "first tape," and an ink ribbon t2, which is the "second tape," provided on the back side of the tape body t1 (first tape), as will be described later.

[0017] The tape body t1 and the ink ribbon t2 are overlapped at a payout position P (see FIG. 3), and are paid out as an integrated tape T from the payout position P to a transport path D. When heat is applied by the thermal head 23 in the printing space Arp, the heated portion of the ink ribbon t2 is transferred to the tape main body t1, and a predetermined print is performed on the tape T (the tape main body t1 of the tape T). There is no particular limitation on the printing method of the printing device 2. For example, the printing device 2 may use thermal paper as the tape T and perform thermal printing.

[0018] The printing device 2 is also provided with a cutting unit 28 between the tape T fed from the tape passage port 13 of the tape cartridge 1 and the tape T being fed out of the device through the tape feed outlet 22. The cutting unit 28 has a cutter blade 281, and cuts the tape T (in this embodiment, the tape main body t1 of the tape T) at a predetermined position after printing. The cutting unit 28 is located downstream of the printing space Arp on the conveying path D until the tape T is sent out of the device, and in the example shown in Figure 8, etc., it is located between the reception section 22a and the exit side of the tape sending outlet 22.

[0019] The cutter blade 281 of the cutting unit 28 may be a cutter (full cutter) that cuts the entire tape T, which is the print medium, or a cutter (half cutter) that cuts a portion of the tape T. For example, if the tape T has a multi-layer structure having a tape layer and a protective film layer (e.g., release paper), a full cutter cuts the entire tape T made up of multiple layers, while a half cutter cuts only a portion of the layer of the tape T, such as only the tape layer. The cutting unit 28 may be provided with both a full cutter blade and a half cutter blade. The cutter blade 281 may be a cutter that makes perforations in the tape T, and the cutting unit 28 may be provided with a plurality of types of cutter blades 281 that can be selected as appropriate.

[0020] An input operation unit 26 consisting of, for example, various buttons and operation keys is provided on the surface of the housing 20. A display device 27 consisting of, for example, a liquid crystal display panel is also arranged on the surface of the housing 20. Characters entered by operating the operation keys of the input operation unit 26, setting information for the printing device 2, and the like are appropriately displayed on the display device 27. A touch panel may be integrally formed on the display panel of the display device 27. In this case, the touch panel also functions as the input operation unit of the printing device 2. The printing device 2 also includes a control device (not shown) that operates each section of the device.

[0021] [Tape cartridge configuration] The tape cartridge 1 of this embodiment will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. As described above, the tape cartridge 1 of this embodiment is a tape cassette that is accommodated in the accommodation unit 21 of the printing device 2 that prints on the tape T. It should be noted that different types of tape cartridges 1 may be selectively accommodated in the accommodation section 21. The different types of tape cartridges 1 may be, for example, differences in the configuration or material of the tape T, or differences in the width or thickness of the tape T.

[0022] As shown in Figure 3, the tape cartridge 1 has a substantially box-shaped main body case 10, and the tape T formed in a long, thin strip is stored inside the main body case 10. As described above, the printing device 2 of this embodiment is a thermal transfer printing device. The tape T of this embodiment is a two-layer tape consisting of a tape main body t1 (also referred to as the "first tape") and an ink ribbon t2 (also referred to as the "second tape") containing an ink layer for thermal transfer.

[0023] The tape main body t1 ("first tape") is a print medium on which printing is performed by the printing device 2. A cylindrical tape core 11 extending in the W direction shown in FIG. 3 is provided inside the main body case 10, and the tape main body t1 is wound in a roll around this tape core 11. The tape core 11 is supported so as to be rotatable about an axis in the W direction. Inside the main body case 10, there is provided a cylindrical ink ribbon supply core 12 extending in the W direction shown in Fig. 3, and the ink ribbon t2 ("second tape") is wound in a roll around this ink ribbon supply core 12. The ink ribbon supply core 12 is supported so as to be rotatable about an axis in the W direction.

[0024] The tape core 11 and the ink ribbon supply core 12 each have an internal space that penetrates in the W direction around the axis. The housing section 21 of the printing device 2 has support protrusions (not shown) that are inserted into the internal spaces of the tape core 11 and the ink ribbon supply core 12 at positions corresponding to the internal spaces when the tape cartridge 1 is housed therein. The support protrusions rotate around the axis in synchronization with each other by a motor (not shown) or the like. This causes the tape core 11 and the ink ribbon supply core 12, into which the support protrusions are inserted, to rotate in synchronization with each other.

[0025] The ink ribbon t2 supplied from the ink ribbon supply core 12 is superimposed on the back side of the tape main body t1 supplied from the tape core 11 just before the printing space Arp where printing is performed. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, at the payout position P (see Figure 3) where the tape T is paid out, the tape main body t1, which is the "first tape," and the ink ribbon t2, which is the "second tape" provided on the back side of this tape main body t1 (first tape), are integrated to form a two-layer tape T.

[0026] A tape passage opening 13 through which the printed tape T passes is provided downstream of the printing space Arp in the tape cartridge 1 in the transport path D of the tape T (indicated by the white arrow in Figures 2, 3, etc.). The tape passage opening 13 is located on the tape outlet 22 side of the printing device 2 when the tape cartridge 1 is housed in the housing section 21 of the printing device 2. At the tape passage opening 13, guide portions 131 (see Figure 6) extend from both sides of the width direction (W direction in Figure 3, etc.) of the tape T toward the center in the width direction (W direction), and the tape T passes through a gap portion 132 (see Figure 7) of the tape passage opening 13, which is below the guide portions 131.

[0027] In this embodiment, a tape receiving member 5 is provided between the tape passing opening 13 and the tape outlet 22 on the printing device 2 side. In this embodiment, after the tape T is fed out from the tape passing opening 13, only the tape main body t1, which is the "first tape," passes over the tape receiving member 5 (a support portion 52 of the tape receiving member 5, which will be described later), and is fed out from the tape outlet 22, and the ink ribbon t2, which is the "second tape," is separated from the tape main body t1 and taken up on the take-up shaft 14 inside the main body case 10.

[0028] Now, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the tape receiving member 5 will be described in detail. The tape receiving member 5 has a pair of locking portions 51 and a support portion 52 that spans between the pair of locking portions 51. The tape receiving member 5 before assembly is a plate-like member 50 that is punched out into a roughly U-shape, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, and has a pair of leg pieces 510 and a bridging portion 520 that is a plate-like member that spans between the leg pieces 510. The tape receiving member 5 is formed by appropriately bending such a flat plate-like member 50. The material of the plate-like member 50 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a PET film.

[0029] For example, both ends of a plate-like member 50 with appropriate cuts made therein are valley-folded along the dashed lines shown in Fig. 4. The valley-folded ends form a pair of locking portions 51 that are locked to both sides of the main case 10 of the tape cartridge 1. On the surface of the locking portion 51 that is attached to the main case 10, an attachment means 53 such as double-sided tape is provided. Note that the attachment means 53 is shown in black shading in Figs. 4 and 5.

[0030] The upper end of the support portion 52 (the upper end in FIGS. 4 and 5) comes into contact with the tape T from the rear surface side of the tape T (the lower side in FIG. 7). As shown in FIG. 7 and other figures, in this embodiment, the tape T whose back surface is in contact with the upper end of the support portion 52 is the tape main body t1 from which the ink ribbon t2 has been separated.

[0031] That is, as described above, the tape T of this embodiment is a two-layer tape that is formed by integrating the tape body t1, which is the "first tape," and the ink ribbon t2, which is the "second tape," provided on the back side of this tape body t1, and after being fed out from the tape passage opening 13, only the tape body t1 passes over the support portion 52 of the tape receiving member 5 and is fed out from the tape feed opening 22 (see Figure 11). When the ink ribbon t2, which is the "second tape," hits the support portion 52, it functions as an obstructing member that obstructs the ink ribbon t2 from being sent toward the tape outlet 22. As a result, the ink ribbon t2, which is the "second tape," is separated from the tape main body t1, which is the "first tape," and is wound onto the winding shaft 14.

[0032] The support portion 52 protrudes from the tape passage opening 13 toward the tape outlet 22, and at least the end portion on the protruding side is arranged in the vicinity of the tape outlet 22. There are no particular limitations on the configuration for making the support portion 52 protrude to the vicinity of the tape outlet 22. In this embodiment, the bridge portion 520, which is a plate-shaped member that spans between the leg pieces 510 (portions that will become a pair of locking portions 51 after assembly), is formed to be larger (longer) than the length in the W direction of the main body case 10 of the tape cartridge 1 (the thickness and width of the main body case 10). As a result, when the pair of locking portions 51 are attached to both sides of the main body case 10, the bridging portion 520 (plate-shaped member) that constitutes the support portion 52 is given some bending, causing the support portion 52 to bulge in an arc shape from the tape passage opening 13 toward the tape outlet 22 side (see Figure 6).

[0033] The extent to which the plate-like member hung over the locking portion 51 is made larger than the length of the main body case 10 in the W direction, and the extent to which the support portion 52 protrudes toward the tape outlet 22 are set appropriately. The tape receiving member 5 prevents the leading end of the tape T in the feed direction from sagging by supporting the leading end of the tape T from the back side. For this reason, it is preferable that the support portion 52 protrude as close to the tape outlet 22 as possible. However, on the other hand, the tape receiving member 5 must not get in the way when the tape cartridge 1 is inserted into the storage portion 21, and it is preferable that it does not hit the receiving portion 22a of the tape outlet 22.

[0034] 7 and 8, when the tape cartridge 1 as described above is accommodated in the accommodation section 21 of the printing device 2, the height position at which the support section 52 of the tape receiving member 5 abuts against the tape T from the back side is approximately the same height position as the position at which the tape T passes through the tape passing opening 13 of the tape cartridge 1. As a result, even after passing through the tape passing opening 13, the tape T is supported by the support section 52 and is transported toward the tape outlet 22 while maintaining its height position.

[0035] On the other hand, the tape outlet 22 of the printing device 2 has a receiving section 22a that receives the tape T that is fed out from the tape passage opening 13 side of the tape cartridge 1, as described above, and as shown in Fig. 8, the height position at which the support section 52 abuts against the tape T from the back side is set at least higher than the position of the receiving section 22a in the tape outlet 22. As a result, even if the leading end of the tape T drops slightly downstream of the support section 52 on the transport path D, the tape T is received by the receiving section 22a, and the tape T is transported to the exit side to the outside of the tape outlet 22 via an appropriate transport path D.

[0036] [Effect] Next, a method for manufacturing the tape cartridge 1 of this embodiment and its operation will be described. When manufacturing the tape cartridge 1, the main body case 10 in which the tape T (in this embodiment, the tape main body t1 and the ink ribbon t2) is housed and the tape receiving member 5 are prepared.

[0037] When forming the tape receiving member 5, first, a plate made of PET film or the like is die-cut to cut out a plate-like member 50 (see FIG. 4) having a pair of leg pieces 510 that constitute a pair of locking portions 51 in an assembled state and a bridging portion 520 spanning between the pair of leg pieces 510. Then, by bending the plate-like member 50, the tape receiving member 5 is formed, having a pair of locking portions 51 and a support portion 52 spanning between the pair of locking portions 51. The pair of locking portions 51 are then locked to both sides of the main body case 10 with attachment means 53 such as double-sided tape. In this embodiment, the length of the bridge portion 520 is set longer than the length in the W direction (the width of the main body case 10) of the tape cartridge 1. As a result, as shown in Fig. 6, when the pair of locking portions 51 are locked to both sides of the main body case 10, the support portion 52 (bridge portion 520) bends and bulges in an arc shape from the tape passage opening 13 toward the tape outlet 22 side.

[0038] The extent to which the length of the bridging portion 520 is made longer than the length of the tape cartridge 1 in the W direction (the width of the main body case 10) and the extent to which the support portion 52 protrudes (bulges) toward the tape outlet 22 when the locking portion 51 is attached to the main body case 10 are matters that are set appropriately. The more the support portion 52 protrudes (bulges) toward the tape outlet 22, the more it is possible to support the tape T from the back side and maintain its height position close to the tape outlet 22. However, on the other hand, there is a limit to the space between the tape passage opening 13 and the tape outlet 22 depending on the size of the tape cartridge 1 and the size of the storage section 21 that stores the tape cartridge 1, and if the support portion 52 protrudes (bulges) too much, the support portion 52 will hit a wall or the like of the printing device 2.

[0039] However, even in this case, the support portion 52 of this embodiment is merely bent and bulged out, and is therefore capable of elastic deformation. Therefore, even if the support portion 52 bulges out somewhat from the space between the tape passage opening 13 and the tape outlet 22, it can be contained within the space. Since there is no need to strictly specify the amount of bulge (amount of bulge), strict precision is not required in the work of forming the tape receiving member 5 or in the attachment position when attaching the formed tape receiving member 5 to the main body case 10 of the tape cartridge 1, and this makes it possible to reduce the occurrence of defective products during the manufacturing stage of the tape cartridge 1.

[0040] Furthermore, by providing such a simple structure for the tape receiving member 5 so that it can be retrofitted to an existing main body case 10, it is possible to easily manufacture a tape cartridge 1 having the tape receiving member 5 by simply preparing a plate-shaped member 50 punched to the same shape. This makes it possible to realize a tape cartridge 1 that can guide the delivery end of the tape T to the appropriate transport path D without the need for design changes or other effort.

[0041] When the locking portion 51 is locked to the main body case 10, the support portion 52 is attached so that the height of the upper end (for example, the upper end in FIG. 7 , the end that abuts against the back surface of the tape T) is approximately the same as the height of the tape T when it passes through the tape passing opening 13. If the upper end of the support portion 52 is lower than the height of the tape T when it passes through the tape passing opening 13, the effect of maintaining the height of the tape T is reduced. On the other hand, if the upper end of the support portion 52 is higher than the height of the tape T when it passes through the tape passing opening 13, it will create resistance when the tape passes, making smooth transport difficult. For this reason, it is preferable that the upper end of the support portion 52 that abuts against the back surface of the tape T is approximately the same as the height of the tape T when it passes through the tape passing opening 13.

[0042] Furthermore, when the tape cartridge 1 is accommodated in the accommodation section 21, the upper end of the support section 52 that abuts against the back surface of the tape T is positioned higher than at least the receiving section 22a of the tape outlet 22. For this reason, even if, for example, the leading end of the tape T is sagging downward due to its weight or the leading end has become curled downward (toward the bottom in FIG. 8), the tape T is easily received by the receiving section 22a of the tape outlet 22, and the tape T is less likely to come off the transport path D.

[0043] 9 and 10 are side views of the main part showing the positional relationship of the members around the tape outlet when a conventional tape cartridge not provided with a tape receiving member is housed in the housing of a printing device. If the tape receiving member 5 is not provided, there is nothing to support the tape T sent out from the tape passage opening 13. For this reason, if the leading end of the tape T sags down due to its own weight or if the leading end is curled, it may sag down before being received by the receiving section 22a of the tape sending-out opening 22, as shown in Figure 9, and the leading end of the tape T may get stuck in a place that is not the intended transport path D. In this case, transport will be poor, and the tape T will not be sent out of the device and will become jammed inside the printing device 2.

[0044] In this regard, if printing is performed by reeling out the leading end of the tape T to a position where it can be reliably received by the receiving portion 22a of the tape outlet 22, as shown in FIG. 10, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of transport failures. However, in this case, the leading end of the tape T needs to be unwound long (for example, several centimeters), which results in unnecessary consumption of the tape T.

[0045] In contrast to these, in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 8, the tape T is transported to the tape outlet 22 with the height position of the leading edge of the tape T maintained at approximately the same level as when it passed through the tape passing opening 13, even after passing through the tape passing opening 13. The receiving section 22a of the tape outlet 22 reliably receives the tape T at a position lower than the height position of the leading edge of the tape T that abuts against the tape passing opening 13 and the support section 52 of the tape receiving member 5, and can guide the tape T to the correct transport path D. This makes it less likely that transport problems will occur.

[0046] As mentioned above, the tape T in this embodiment is a two-layer tape that is integrated with the tape body t1, which is the "first tape," and the ink ribbon t2, which is the "second tape," provided on the back side of this tape body t1, and after being fed out from the tape passage port 13, only the tape body t1 passes over the support portion 52 of the tape receiving member 5 and is fed out from the tape feed outlet 22. However, in the case of two-layer tape, the ink ribbon t2, which is the "second tape," may stick strongly to the tape body t1 and be difficult to peel off.

[0047] In such a case, after printing, the ink ribbon t2 may not be separated from the tape main body t1 even after passing through the tape passage opening 13, and the ink ribbon t2 may be transported from the tape outlet together with the tape main body t1. In this embodiment, when the ink ribbon t2, which is the "second tape," hits the support portion 52 of the tape receiving member 5, the support portion 52 functions as an obstructing member that obstructs the ink ribbon t2 from being fed toward the tape outlet 22, and peels the ink ribbon t2 off the tape main body t1. As a result, the ink ribbon t2 is properly separated from the tape main body t1 and taken up onto the take-up shaft 14, as shown in FIG. 11 , and does not cause transport problems within the printing device 2.

[0048] [effect] As described above, the tape cartridge 1 in this embodiment is a tape cartridge 1 that is housed in the housing 21 of the printing device 2 that prints on the tape T, and has a tape passage opening 13 through which the tape T passes. The tape passage opening 13 is provided midway along the transport path of the tape T from the printing position where printing is performed on the tape T to the tape outlet 22 of the printing device 2 that sends the printed tape T out of the device, and a tape receiving member 5 is provided between the tape passage opening 13 and the tape outlet 22, and the tape receiving member 5 has a support portion 52 that abuts the tape T from the back side of the tape T. The tip of the tape T may be sagging due to its weight. In addition, if the tape T is wound in a roll, it may have a tendency to curl, causing the tip end of the tape T to curl. It is expected that the tendency will become particularly severe as the tape T approaches the end of the winding. In this regard, in the tape cartridge 1 of this embodiment, the support portion 52 of the tape receiving member 5 supports the leading end portion of the tape T from the back surface side. Therefore, even if the tape T has a curled tendency, the leading end portion of the tape T can be guided to the tape outlet 22 while maintaining its height. This prevents the leading end of the tape T fed out from the tape passage port 13 from deviating from the original transport path D and getting into a gap or the like inside the printing device before being transported to the tape delivery port 22, causing transport problems.

[0049] In addition, in this embodiment, the tape receiving member 5 is formed by bending a plate-shaped member 50, and has a pair of locking portions 51 that lock onto both sides of the main body case 10 of the tape cartridge 1, and the support portion 52 is hung between the pair of locking portions 51 and protrudes from the tape passage opening 13 toward the tape outlet 22, with at least the protruding end portion being positioned near the tape outlet 22. This allows the tape receiving member 5 to be formed by a relatively simple method of bending the plate-like member 50. When the formed tape receiving member 5 is attached to the existing main body case 10, the support portion 52 protrudes toward the tape outlet 22, and guides the leading end of the tape T to the original transport path D toward the tape outlet 22. This makes it possible to easily realize a tape cartridge 1 that can prevent the occurrence of tape T transport problems.

[0050] In this embodiment, the support portion 52 bulges in an arc shape from the tape passing slot 13 toward the tape feeding slot 22 by providing flexibility to the bridge portion 520, which is a plate-shaped member. This allows for easy fine adjustment of the support portion 52 by adjusting the amount of bending. Furthermore, because the bulging support portion 52 is flexibly deformable, the tape cartridge 1 can be easily accommodated in the accommodation portion 21 of the printing device 2 without strictly specifying the amount of protrusion (amount of swelling). Therefore, strict precision is not required in the work of forming the tape receiving member 5 or in the attachment position when attaching the formed tape receiving member 5 to the main body case 10 of the tape cartridge 1, and the occurrence of defective products during the manufacturing stage of the tape cartridge 1 can be reduced.

[0051] In this embodiment, the height position at which the support portion 52 abuts against the back side of the tape T is substantially the same height position as the position at the tape passing opening 13 where the tape T passes. If the upper end of the support portion 52 is lower than the height of the tape T when it passes through the tape passing opening 13, the effect of maintaining the height of the tape T will be reduced. On the other hand, if the upper end of the support portion 52 is higher than the height of the tape T when it passes through the tape passing opening 13, resistance will arise when the tape passes, making it difficult to transport it smoothly. In this regard, by making the height position of the upper end of the support portion 52 that abuts against the back surface of the tape T approximately the same as the height of the tape T when it passes through the tape passage opening 13, the height of the leading end of the tape T is maintained while also reducing transport resistance, enabling smooth transport of the tape T along the transport path D.

[0052] In addition, in this embodiment, the tape outlet 22 has a receiving section 22a that receives the tape T that is fed out from the tape passage port 13 side, and the height position at which the support section 52 abuts the back side of the tape T is at least higher than the position of the receiving section 22a at the tape outlet 22. As a result, even if the leading end of the tape T is sagging due to its weight or the leading end of the tape T is curled due to a tendency to wind, the leading end of the tape T can be easily received by the receiving part 22a and can be correctly guided from the tape outlet 22 to the outside of the device.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the tape T is a two-layer tape that is integrated with a tape body t1, which is the "first tape," and an ink ribbon t2, which is the "second tape," provided on the back side of the tape body t1. After being fed out from the tape passage opening 13, only the tape body t1, which is the "first tape," passes over the support portion 52 of the tape receiving member 5 and is fed out from the tape feed opening 22, and the ink ribbon t2, which is the "second tape," is separated from the tape body t1 and taken up. In the case of two-layer tape, the ink ribbon t2, which is the "second tape," may stick strongly to the tape body t1 and be difficult to peel off. Even in such a case, by providing the tape receiving member 5, the ink ribbon t2 can be separated from the tape main body t1, and only the tape main body t1 can be transported from the tape outlet 22. This makes it possible to avoid transport problems such as the tape main body t1 and the ink ribbon t2 being transported together.

[0054] In this embodiment, when the ink ribbon t2, which is the "second tape", hits the support portion 52, the support portion 52 functions as an obstructing member that obstructs the ink ribbon t2, which is the "second tape", from being sent to the tape outlet 22 side. If the ink ribbon t2, which is the "second tape," strongly adheres to the tape main body t1 and is difficult to peel off, the ink ribbon t2 may be fed out of the tape feed opening 22 while still integrated with the tape main body t1, which may result in poor feeding. In such a case, in this embodiment, the support portion 52 can forcibly peel the ink ribbon t2 from the tape main body t1. Therefore, the tape receiving member 5, which reduces the tendency for the tape T to curl at the leading end, can be expected to separate the ink ribbon t2 stuck to the tape main body t1, thereby preventing transport problems.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when manufacturing a tape cartridge 1 that is accommodated in the accommodation section 21 of a printing device 2 that prints on the tape T and has a tape passage port 13 through which the tape T passes, a plate-shaped member 50 is bent to form a tape receiving member 5 that has a pair of locking portions 51 and a support portion 52 that is hung between the pair of locking portions 51 and extends from the tape passage port 13 side toward the tape outlet 22 side of the printing device 2, and the pair of locking portions 51 of the tape receiving member 5 are locked on both sides of the main body case 10 of the tape cartridge 1 near the tape passage port 13, and the tape receiving member 5 is attached so that the support portion 52 supports the tape T from the back side of the tape T between the tape passage port 13 and the tape outlet 22. In this way, the tape receiving member 5 can be easily formed by bending the plate-like member 50. Therefore, for example, it is possible to prepare a plurality of plate-like members 50 in advance by die-cutting them, and then attach them to the main body case 10 of an existing tape cartridge 1. Therefore, various existing tape cartridges 1 can be easily converted into tape cartridges 1 that have a tape receiving member 5 and can guide the leading end of the tape T to the correct transport path D.

[0056] In this embodiment, the support portion 52 is formed so as to bulge in an arc shape from the tape passing slot 13 toward the tape feeding slot 22 by providing flexibility to the bridge portion 520, which is a plate-shaped member. If the support portion 52 is made to bulge in an arc shape and is able to flexibly deform, it is possible to mount the tape cartridge 1 having the tape receiving member 5 on the printing device 2 without having to strictly adjust the amount of protrusion (bulge amount) according to the size of the storage portion 21, etc. Therefore, strict precision is not required in the work involved in forming the tape receiving member 5 or in the mounting position when attaching the formed tape receiving member 5 to the main body case 10 of the tape cartridge 1, and the occurrence of defective products during the manufacturing stage of the tape cartridge 1 can be reduced.

[0057] [Variations] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and that various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0058] For example, a plurality of tape cartridges 1 of this embodiment may be prepared, each having a different width (width in the W direction) of the tape T housed therein. In this case, even if the width in the W direction of the main body case 10 of the tape cartridge 1 varies slightly due to differences in the width of the tape T, the tape receiving member 5 formed of the same plate-like member 50 may be attachable. In other words, when the bridging portion 520 constituting the support portion 52 is formed longer than the width in the W direction and is bent to bulge in an arc shape, the amount of protrusion (bulge) of the support portion 52 can be adjusted by the amount of bending of the bridging portion 520, or the engagement position of the engagement portion 51 to the main body case 10 can be shifted back and forth along the conveying path D, thereby making it possible to accommodate to some extent main body cases 10 with different widths in the W direction. Therefore, it is possible to use the same plate member 50 to accommodate a plurality of types of tape cartridges 1 without the need to take the trouble of changing the cutting die for the plate member 50 or the like.

[0059] In addition, in this embodiment, the support portion 52 is made to bulge in an arc shape so that the support portion 52 protrudes from the tape passage port 13 toward the tape outlet 22 side, but the configuration for protruding the support portion 52 toward the tape outlet 22 side is not limited to this. For example, the support portion 52 may not be arc-shaped, but may be formed in a generally triangular shape in top view, with the tip end projecting at an acute angle. For example, the bridging portion 520 constituting the support portion 52 may be made approximately the same as the width in the W direction of the main body case 10, and the engaging portion 51 may be extended from the tape passage opening 13 toward the tape outlet 22, thereby positioning the support portion 52 in a position that protrudes toward the tape outlet 22, making the support portion 52 approximately rectangular when viewed from above.

[0060] In addition, in this embodiment, the tape T is an example of a two-layer tape in which the tape body t1, which is the "first tape," and the ink ribbon t2, which is the "second tape" provided on the back side of the tape body t1, are integrated together, but the configuration of the tape T is not limited to this. For example, if the tape T is a thermal paper type, the tape T may be made up of a single layer. Furthermore, even if the tape T has two layers, for example, if it is composed of a tape having an adhesive layer on the back surface of the printing medium and a protective layer (such as release paper) that protects the adhesive layer, both layers may pass over the support portion 52 of the tape receiving member 5 and be fed out from the tape feed outlet 22.

[0061] In addition, in this embodiment, the tape outlet 22 has a receiving section 22a that receives the tape T that is fed out from the tape passage port 13 side, and further, the receiving section 22a is inclined so that it is lower toward the tape passage port 13 side, but the configuration of the tape outlet 22 is not limited to this. For example, it is not essential that the tape outlet 22 has the receiving section 22a. Furthermore, it is not essential that the receiving portion 22a has a slope that becomes lower toward the tape passage opening 13 side. Whatever the configuration of the tape outlet 22, the height position at which the support part 52 of the tape receiving member 5 abuts against the tape T from the back side is set to be higher than the height position of the receiving side of the tape T at the tape outlet 22.

[0062] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1 tape cartridge, 10 main body case, 13 tape passage port, 2 printing device, 20 housing, 21 storage section, 22 tape outlet, 22a receiving section, 5 tape receiving member, 51 engaging section, 52 support section, 53 adhesive member, D transport path, T tape, t1 tape main body (first tape), t2 ink ribbon (second tape)

Claims

1. A tape cartridge housed in the housing section of a printing device that prints on tape, and having a tape passage opening through which the tape passes, The tape passage opening is provided in the middle of the tape transport path from the printing position where printing is performed on the tape to the tape discharge outlet of the printing device where the printed tape is sent out of the printing device. A tape receiving member is provided between the tape passage opening and the tape discharge opening. The tape receiving member has a support portion that contacts the tape from the back side of the tape, When the tape cartridge is housed in the housing of the printing apparatus equipped with a platen roller, the tape passage opening and the platen roller are located on one side of the tape, and the support portion is located on the other side of the tape. A tape cartridge characterized by the following features.

2. A tape cartridge housed in the housing section of a printing device that prints on tape, and having a tape passage opening through which the tape passes, The tape passage opening is provided in the middle of the tape transport path from the printing position where printing is performed on the tape to the tape discharge outlet of the printing device where the printed tape is sent out of the printing device. A tape receiving member is provided between the tape passage opening and the tape discharge opening. The tape receiving member has a support portion that contacts the tape from the back side of the tape, The support portion is made of a plate-shaped member that is flexible, so that when viewed in plan along the width direction of the tape, the support portion bulges out in an arc shape from the tape passage opening toward the tape discharge opening. A tape cartridge characterized by the following features.

3. The tape receiving member has a pair of locking parts that are locked to both sides of the main body case of the tape cartridge, The support portion is stretched between the pair of locking portions and extends outwards from the tape passage opening toward the tape outlet side, with at least the end on the extending side positioned near the tape outlet. A tape cartridge according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The height at which the support portion contacts the back side of the tape is approximately the same height as the position through which the tape passes in the tape passage opening. A tape cartridge according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The tape outlet has a receiving section that receives the tape being sent out from the tape passage side, The height at which the support portion contacts the back side of the tape is at least higher than the position of the receiving portion at the tape output. A tape cartridge according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The tape is a two-layer tape in which a first tape and a second tape provided on the back side of the first tape are integrated. After being fed out from the tape passage opening, only the first tape passes over the support portion of the tape receiving member and is fed out from the tape discharge opening, while the second tape is separated from the first tape and wound up. A tape cartridge according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The support portion functions as an obstructing member that prevents the second tape from being sent to the tape output side when the second tape abuts against it. The tape cartridge according to feature 6.

8. A method for manufacturing a tape cartridge, which is housed in a housing section of a printing device that prints on tape and has a tape passage opening through which the tape passes, By bending a plate-shaped member, a tape receiving member is formed having a pair of locking portions and a support portion that is stretched between the pair of locking portions and extends from the tape passage side toward the tape discharge side of the printing device. The pair of locking portions of the tape receiving member are locked to both sides of the main case of the tape cartridge near the tape passage opening, and the tape receiving member is installed such that the support portion supports the tape from the back side between the tape passage opening and the tape outlet. When the tape cartridge is housed in the housing of the printing apparatus equipped with a platen roller, the tape passage opening and the platen roller are positioned on one side of the tape, and the support portion is positioned on the other side of the tape. A method for manufacturing a tape cartridge characterized by the following:

9. A method for manufacturing a tape cartridge, which is housed in a housing section of a printing device that prints on tape and has a tape passage opening through which the tape passes, By bending a plate-shaped member, a tape receiving member is formed having a pair of locking portions and a support portion that is stretched between the pair of locking portions and extends from the tape passage side toward the tape discharge side of the printing device. The pair of locking portions of the tape receiving member are locked to both sides of the main case of the tape cartridge near the tape passage opening, and the tape receiving member is installed such that the support portion supports the tape from the back side between the tape passage opening and the tape outlet, and the plate-shaped member is made to flex so that when viewed in plan in the width direction of the tape, the support portion protrudes approximately in the center, and bulges out in an arc shape from the tape passage opening towards the tape outlet. A method for manufacturing a tape cartridge characterized by the following:

10. The support portion is formed by giving a plate-shaped member flexibility so that it bulges out in an arc shape from the tape passage opening toward the tape discharge opening. A method for manufacturing a tape cartridge according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by the features described above.

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