Tape cartridge and printing device

Abstract

To prevent clogging of a printed medium in a printer which is caused by a curl occurring in the rolled printed medium.SOLUTION: A tape cartridge 12A includes: a housing part 1211 which houses a rolled printed medium 11R; and a feeding port 1200 for feeding the printed medium 11 which is unrolled from the rolled printed medium 11R to the outside. The housing part 1211 is provided with a support part 13 which rotatably supports the rolled printed medium 11R and configured to apply an external force Fp in a direction such that a diameter of the rolled printed medium 11 is expanded.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The disclosure herein relates to a tape cartridge and a printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Among printing devices that print on a print medium, there is one that mounts a tape cartridge that contains a long print medium in the printing device and prints on the print medium supplied by the tape cartridge. The tape cartridge used in this type of printing device contains the print medium wound up in a roll, and the roll of print medium is used for printing by the printing device starting from the outermost part (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-028448 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a conventional tape cartridge, the radius of the rolled print medium to the outermost circumference decreases each time the stored print medium is consumed by printing, etc. For this reason, the print medium supplied by the conventional tape cartridge gradually changes from a portion with a large radius of curvature to a portion with a small radius of curvature of the rolled print medium.

[0005] In a roll of print medium, a portion with a small radius of curvature (i.e., a portion with a large curvature) is more likely to develop a bend than a portion with a large radius of curvature (i.e., a portion with a small curvature).As a result, in a printing device that uses a conventional tape cartridge, when the remaining amount of print medium in the tape cartridge becomes low, the print medium that is unwound from the tape cartridge and transported toward an outlet provided in the housing of the printing device may not enter the outlet and may become stuck in the printing device due to the bend that has developed in the print medium.

[0006] In light of the above-described circumstances, an object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide technology that can prevent the printing medium from clogging inside a printing device due to a curling tendency that occurs in the roll-shaped printing medium. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A tape cartridge according to one aspect of the present invention includes a storage section that stores a roll of print medium, and a feed opening that feeds the print medium unwound from the roll of print medium to the outside, and the storage section a plate surface whose normal direction is set to be along the winding axis of the roll-shaped printing medium; a support section configured to rotatably support the roll-shaped print medium and to apply an external force in a direction to expand the diameter of the roll-shaped print medium; and a guide mechanism that guides a moving direction of the support portion when the support portion expands the diameter of the roll-shaped print medium, the guide mechanism including a long hole formed in the plate surface such that a longitudinal direction of the long hole is aligned with the direction of the expansion, and a protrusion formed on the support portion that is insertable into the long hole. The tape cartridge is characterized by the above.

[0008] A printing device according to one aspect of the present invention is a printing device characterized by comprising: a tape cartridge according to the aspect described above; a device housing having an outlet for discharging the printed medium reeled out from the tape cartridge to the outside of the printing device; and a transport section for transporting the printed medium reeled out from the tape cartridge toward the outlet of the device housing. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the above aspect, it is possible to prevent the roll-shaped print medium from becoming clogged inside the printing device due to a curling tendency that occurs in the roll-shaped print medium. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an example of the appearance of a printing device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a partial plan view of the printing device illustrated in FIG. 1 with the cover open. [Diagram 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transport path of a print medium in a printing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a tape jam that may occur in a printing device. [Diagram 5] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a first example of a configuration of a tape adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 4 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view illustrating an example of the configuration of a tape roll support portion. FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the tape adapter taken along line AA in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 11A to 11C are diagrams illustrating the operation of a tape roll supporting portion. [Figure 9] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating a second configuration example of a tape adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating a third example configuration of a tape adapter according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of a spiral spring that can be used in a tape adapter according to an embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a printing apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that detailed description of well-known functions, mechanisms, operations, etc. of a printing device exemplified in the following description will be omitted.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a plan view illustrating an example of the appearance of a printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a partial plan view of the printing device illustrated in Fig. 1 with the cover open.

[0013] The printing device 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is a thermal printer that prints on a tape-shaped print medium 11 having a heat-sensitive layer. The printing device 1 includes a device housing 2 having an adapter housing section 201 and a keyboard section 203, and a cover 4 that is attached to the device housing 2 and can open and close the adapter housing section 201 of the device housing 2. The keyboard section 203 of the device housing 2 has a plurality of keys arranged thereon for performing various operation inputs to the printing device 1. The plurality of keys arranged on the keyboard section 203 include a key for inputting a character string to be printed on the print medium 13. In addition, a display device 5 such as a liquid crystal display is arranged on the cover 4 of the printing device 1 illustrated in this embodiment. The display device 5 displays a character string input by operating the keys of the keyboard section 203, setting information of the printing device 1, and the like.

[0014] The tape adapter 12 that supplies the print medium 11 is detachably accommodated in the adapter accommodation section 201 of the device housing 2. The tape adapter 12 is a container having an accommodation section (not shown) that accommodates a roll-shaped print medium 11R (hereinafter referred to as "tape roll 11R") and an opening (unwinding port 1200) that unwinds the print medium 11 from the tape roll 11R accommodated in the accommodation section to the outside of the tape adapter 12. The underlined number "9" in the tape adapter 12 illustrated in FIG. 2 indicates that the width of the print medium 11 accommodated in the tape adapter 12 is 9 mm. The printing device 1 illustrated in this embodiment can change the width of the print medium 11 to be printed by replacing the tape adapter 12 accommodated in the adapter accommodation section 201.

[0015] Although not shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the storage section of the tape adapter 12 is provided with a tape roll support section that rotatably supports the tape roll 11R. The tape roll 11R is stored in the storage section of the tape adapter 12 in a state in which the tape roll support section can be inserted along the central axis of the roll and can be expanded in diameter when a pressing load is applied from the tape roll support section in the radially outward direction of the roll. For example, the tape roll 11R is stored in the storage section of the tape adapter 12 in a state in which there is no core member around which the print medium 11 is wound. In addition, the tape adapter 12 exemplified in this embodiment is provided with, for example, a lid that can freely open and close the storage section, and the tape roll 11R can be replaced, replenished, etc. The tape adapter 12 exemplified in this embodiment is an example of a tape cartridge that is detachable from the printing device 1 that prints on the print medium 11 and has a storage section that stores the roll-shaped print medium 11R and a payout port 1200 that pays out the print medium 11 unwound from the roll-shaped print medium 11R to the outside of the tape adapter 12.

[0016] In the device housing 2, a platen roller 6, a printing unit 7, and a cutting unit 8 are arranged along a transport path of the print medium 11 from an outlet 1200 of the tape adapter 12 housed in an adapter housing section 201 of the device housing 2 to an outlet 202 provided on a side of the device housing 2. In the printing device 1 of this embodiment, the print medium 11 is transported along the transport path by rotating the platen roller 6 while the print medium 11 is sandwiched between the platen roller 6 and a thermal head (print head) 701 of the printing unit 7. The printing unit 7 applies heat to the print medium 11 with the thermal head 701, thereby discoloring or developing a heat-sensitive layer of the print medium 11 and performing printing. The cutting unit 8 cuts the print medium 11.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of a transport path of the print medium in a printing device according to an embodiment. In FIG. 3, the transport path of the print medium 11 provided in the printing device 1 is shown in a simplified linear form. In FIG. 3, a tape feed position, a printing position, an ejection port entry position, and an ejection port exit position are shown as representative positions on the transport path of the print medium 11. The tape feed position is the position of the ejection port 1200 of the tape adapter 12, and the printing position is the position where the thermal head 701 prints on the print medium 11. The ejection port entry position is the position where the print medium 11 transported in the direction from the tape feed position toward the ejection port entry position (ejection direction) enters the ejection port 202 of the device housing 2, and the ejection port exit position is the position where the print medium 11 transported in the ejection direction exits from the ejection port 202 of the device housing 2 to the outside of the device housing 2.

[0018] The print medium 11 fed out from the feed port 1200 of the tape adapter 12 to the outside of the tape adapter 12 passes between the platen roller 6 and the thermal head 701 at a printing position between the tape feed position and the discharge port entry position on the transport path. The position of the thermal head 701 from the platen roller 6 changes in conjunction with, for example, the opening and closing of the lid 4. For example, when the lid 4 is opened, the thermal head 701 moves in a direction away from the platen roller 6, creating a gap between the thermal head 701 and the platen roller 6 that is equal to or greater than the thickness of the print medium 11, and when the lid 4 is closed, the thermal head 701 moves in a direction approaching the platen roller 6, and the print medium 11 is sandwiched between the thermal head 701 and the platen roller 6. When printing on the print medium 11, the print medium 11 is clamped between the thermal head 701 and the platen roller 6, and heat is applied to the print medium 11 by the thermal head 701 while rotating the platen roller 6 (forward) in the rotational direction in which the print medium 11 is transported in the discharge direction.

[0019] A cutting unit 8 for cutting the print medium 11 is disposed between the printing position and the discharge port entrance position on the conveyance path. The cutting unit 8 includes a first cutter 801 and a second cutter 802. The first cutter 801 is a cutter (full cutter) for cutting the entire print medium 11, and the second cutter 802 is a cutter (half cutter) for cutting a part of the print medium 11. For example, when the print medium 11 is a multi-layered medium including a tape layer having a heat-sensitive layer and an adhesive layer, and a protective layer (e.g., release paper) for protecting the adhesive layer of the tape layer, the first cutter 801 cuts all layers to separate the entire print medium 11 into two, and the second cutter 802 cuts only the tape layer. The second cutter 802 may be, for example, a cutter for perforating the print medium 11.

[0020] The print medium 11 transported in the discharge direction along the transport path enters the discharge outlet 202 of the device housing 2 at the discharge outlet entry position, and exits to the outside of the device housing 2 from the discharge outlet 202 of the device housing 2 at the discharge outlet exit position.

[0021] When such a transport path is provided in the device housing 2 of the printing device 1, in order to prevent deterioration of print quality or transport failure due to friction between the print surface of the print medium 11 and the device housing 2, or to reduce the weight of the device housing 2, for example, the shape of the device housing 2 may be designed to avoid contact with the print surface or the back surface of the print medium 11 on the transport path as much as possible. In addition, it is desirable to make the opening dimension of the discharge outlet 202 as small as possible, for example, in order to prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the device housing 2 from the discharge outlet 202. For this reason, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the transport path of the print medium 11 in the printing device 1 may be such that the amount of displacement in the thickness direction of the print medium 11 changes discontinuously at the discharge outlet entry position, and the amount of displacement at the discharge outlet exit position side may be smaller than that at the discharge outlet entry position. Here, the discontinuous change in the amount of displacement is a change that causes a step that cannot be ignored when transporting the print medium 11 in the discharge direction (for example, a step that prevents the movement of the leading end of the print medium 11 in the discharge direction when the leading end of the print medium 11 transported in the discharge direction comes into contact with the step). 3, for example, the dimension in the thickness direction of the print medium 11 within the discharge outlet 202 located on the right side of the discharge outlet entry position is about several mm. On the other hand, the dimension in the thickness direction of the print medium 11 in the internal space of the device housing 2 located on the left side of the discharge outlet entry position is about several cm. In such a transport path, the side portion of the device housing 2 (the portion surrounding the discharge outlet 202) becomes a step that changes the amount of displacement that the print medium 11 can have in the thickness direction at the discharge outlet entry position from several cm to several mm.

[0022] When such a printing device 1 transports and discharges the print medium 11 that has been unwound from a conventional tape adapter 12, if the starting end of the print medium 11 to be discharged approaches the part of the print medium 11 that is located at the innermost circumference of the tape roll 11R (the ending end of the print medium 11), an event that the print medium 11 cannot be discharged from the discharge outlet 202 of the device housing 2 (tape jam) is likely to occur.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a tape jam that can occur in a printing device.

[0024] Fig. 4(a) schematically shows the state of the tape roll 11R and the leading end portion of the printed medium 11 being discharged immediately after the start of use of the printed medium 11 housed in the conventional tape adapter 12. The tape roll 11R immediately after the start of use in this specification is a tape roll 11R in a state of being housed in the tape adapter 12 or provided to the user alone for the printing apparatus 1, and the amount of the printed medium 11 consumed in printing or the like by the printing apparatus 1 is 0 (zero) or very small. The portion of the printed medium 11 closest to the outermost circumference in the tape roll 11R immediately after the start of use (for example, portions 1103 and 1104 etc. where the distance from the axis P is close to Ra) has a larger radius of curvature (that is, a smaller curvature) compared to the portion close to the end 1102 of the printed medium 11 located at the innermost circumference (for example, portions 1105 and 1106 etc. where the distance from the axis P is close to Rb (<Ra)). Therefore, it can be considered that the portion of the printed medium 11 closest to the outermost circumference in the tape roll 11R immediately after the start of use has a relatively small or no bend due to the curvature of the tape roll portion 11R compared to other portions. Accordingly, the leading end 1101 of the printed medium 11 conveyed in the discharge direction along the conveyance path in a state displaceable in the thickness direction enters the discharge port 202 and is discharged to the outside of the apparatus housing 2 as illustrated in Fig. 4(a).

[0025] 4(b) shows a schematic diagram of the tape roll 11R and the starting end 1110 and the portion 1111 near the starting end of the print medium 11 being discharged when the print medium 11 housed in the conventional tape adapter 12 is nearly finished (the tape is about to break). The print medium 11 is unwound sequentially from the outermost portion of the tape roll 11R and is unwound from the unwinding opening 1200 to the outside of the tape adapter 12. As a result, as the print medium 11 is consumed, the unwound print medium 11 changes to a portion of the tape roll 11R with a smaller radius of curvature (i.e., a larger curvature). The portions of the roll-shaped print medium 11 with a large curvature (e.g., portions 1105, 1107, and 1111 between the starting end 1110 and the ending end 1102 of the print medium 11 in FIG. 4B) are more likely to develop a bending tendency and the degree of bending is greater than the portions with a small curvature (e.g., portions 1103 and 1104 in FIG. 4A). For this reason, when the starting end 1110 of the print medium 11 being discharged is close to the innermost circumference of the tape roll 11R, as illustrated in FIG. 4B, the bending tendency that occurs in the portion 1111 near the starting end of the print medium 11 may cause the position of the starting end 1110 of the print medium 11 in the thickness direction on the transport path to deviate from the position of the discharge opening 202 in the device housing 2. In such a case, the beginning 1110 of the print medium 11 may come into contact with the device housing 2 at the discharge port entry position, and the device housing 2 may prevent the print medium 11 from moving in the discharge direction, preventing it from entering the discharge port 202. If the beginning of the print medium 11 does not enter the discharge port 202, an event occurs in which the print medium 11 is not discharged from the discharge port 202 to the outside of the device housing 2 (tape jam).

[0026] The tape adapter according to this embodiment makes it possible to prevent tape jams caused by the bending tendency of the print medium 11 resulting from the curvature of the print medium 11 in the tape roll 11R described above. Several configuration examples of the tape adapter according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figs. 5 to 11.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a first configuration example of a tape adapter according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a partially sectional perspective view for explaining a configuration example of a tape roll support part. FIG. 7 is a partially sectional side view of the tape adapter taken along line AA in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the tape roll support part. The U direction and V direction in FIG. 6 and FIG. 8 respectively correspond to the U direction and V direction in FIG. 5. The V direction and W direction in FIG. 7 respectively correspond to the V direction and W direction in FIG. 6.

[0028] The tape adapter 12A illustrated in Fig. 5 includes a first adapter member 1210 having a storage section (not shown) for storing the tape roll 11R, and a second adapter member 1250 that covers the open end of the storage section of the first adapter member 1210. The storage section of the first adapter member 1210 is a generally concave portion having a bottom surface 1212 and a wall surface 1213, and a tape feed opening 1200 is provided at one of its corners. The second adapter member 1250 is attached to the first adapter member 1250 in a manner that allows the storage section of the first adapter member 1210 to be freely opened and closed (see Fig. 7).

[0029] The housing section of the first adapter member 1210 is provided with a tape roll support section 13 that rotatably supports the tape roll 11R by being inserted into a hollow area provided in the axial center section of the tape roll 11R. The tape roll support section 13 illustrated in FIG. 5 includes a pair of tape roll support members 1310 and 1320, and a pair of compression coil springs 1391 and 1392.

[0030] The first tape roll support member 1310 and the second tape roll support member 1320 are members of the same shape having a cylindrical side surface-like convex curved surface. The first tape roll support member 1310 has a cylindrical side surface-like convex curved surface 1311, and a first flat surface 1312 connected to one end of the convex curved surface 1311 in the arc direction, and a second flat surface 1313 connected to the other end. The second tape roll support member 1320 has a cylindrical side surface-like convex curved surface 1321, and a first flat surface 1322 connected to one end of the convex curved surface 1321 in the arc direction, and a second flat surface 1323 connected to the other end. The radii of curvature of the convex surface 1311 of the first tape roll support member 1310 and the convex surface 1321 of the second tape roll support member 1320 are each set to be equal to or less than the radius of curvature of the inner peripheral surface of the tape roll 11R at the start of use (for example, the distance Rb illustrated in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b)). The tape roll 11R at the start of use is the tape roll 11R that is provided to the user of the printing device 1 either housed in the tape adapter 12 or alone, and the amount of the print medium 11 consumed in printing or the like by the printing device 1 is 0 (zero).

[0031] The first tape roll support member 1310 and the second tape roll support member 1320 are attached to the bottom surface 1212 of the accommodation section such that the respective convex curved surfaces 1311 and 1321 face radially outward from the axis P, which is the rotation axis of the tape roll 11R set in the accommodation section, and are positioned symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry. In the tape adapter 12A illustrated in Fig. 5, the axis P extends in a direction perpendicular to the U direction and the V direction, and the plane (symmetric plane) including the axis P is parallel to the U direction and perpendicular to the V direction.

[0032] 5, the first tape roll support member 1310 and the second tape roll support member 1320 are attached to the bottom surface 1212 of the accommodating section so that their radial distances from the axis P can be changed. That is, the first tape roll support member 1310 and the second tape roll support member 1320 are attached to the bottom surface 1212 of the accommodating section so that their movements away from the axis P are opposite to each other. For example, the first tape roll support member 1310 and the second tape roll support member 1320 can be moved along long holes 1221 and 1222 provided in the bottom surface 1212 of the accommodating section. The distance between the first tape roll support member 1310 and the second tape roll support member 1320 can be changed within a range from a predetermined shortest distance at which the diameter of the circumscribing circle of a line segment figure combining the arcs of each convex curved surface 1311 and 1321 is equal to or smaller than the inner diameter of the tape roll 11R to a predetermined longest distance at which the diameter is equal to or smaller than the outer diameter of the tape roll 11R at the start of use.

[0033] A pair of compression coil springs 1391 and 1392 of the tape roll support part 13 apply an external force in a radially outward direction of the axis P to each of the first tape roll support member 1310 and the second tape roll support member 1320 attached to the bottom surface 1212 of the accommodation part in the above-mentioned orientation. The first compression coil spring 1391 is disposed between the opposing first flat surface 1312 of the first tape roll support member 1310 and the second flat surface 1323 of the second tape roll support member 1320, with one end abutting against the first flat surface 1312 and the other end abutting against the second flat surface 1323. The second compression coil spring 1392 is disposed between the opposing second flat surface 1313 of the first tape roll support member 1310 and the first flat surface 1322 of the second tape roll support member 1320, with one end abutting the second flat surface 1313 and the other end abutting the first flat surface 1323. The first tape roll support member 1310 and the second tape roll support member 1320 inserted into the hollow region in the center portion of the tape roll 11R move in directions away from each other due to the restoring forces of the compression coil springs 1391 and 1392, and abut against a portion of the print medium 11 located at the innermost periphery of the tape roll 11R to rotatably support the tape roll 11R.

[0034] The movement of the first tape roll support member 1310 and the second tape roll support member 1320 on the bottom surface 1212 of the housing section is restricted, for example, by inserting and engaging protrusions provided on the respective tape roll support members 1310 and 1320 into long holes 1221 and 1222 provided on the bottom surface 1212. FIGS. 6 and 7 show examples of the long hole 1221 provided on the bottom surface 1212 of the housing section 1211 and the protrusion 1315 provided on the first tape roll support member 1310 in order to restrict the movement of the first tape roll support member 1310. The long hole 1221 is formed so that its length direction is the radial direction of the axis P and has a length such that the distance between the first tape roll support member 1310 and the second tape roll support member 1320 (not shown) is within the above-mentioned range. The first tape roll support member 1310 is provided with a protrusion 1315 having a dimension corresponding to the width of the long hole 1221 on an end surface 1314 facing the bottom surface 1212 of the storage section 1211. The long hole 1221 illustrated in FIG. 6 has a length direction in the V direction and a width direction in the U direction. The protrusion 1315 provided on the first tape roll support member 1310 is inserted into the long hole 1221 formed on the bottom surface 1212 of the storage section 1211, and the protrusion 1315 and the bottom surface 1212 are slidably engaged with each other, thereby restricting the direction and range of movement of the first tape roll support member 1310. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the protrusion 1315 may be provided with a flange for preventing it from coming off at an end opposite to the end that contacts the end surface 1314 of the first tape roll support member 1310.

[0035] 5 to 7, the tape roll 11R accommodated in the tape adapter 12A can have the tape roll support part 13 (a pair of tape roll support members 1310 and 1320) inserted into the hollow region. The tape roll support members 1310 and 1320 inserted into the hollow region of the tape roll 11R receive the restoring forces Fk of the compression coil springs 1391 and 1392 at recesses 1319 (see FIG. 6) that come into contact with the compression coil springs 1391 and 1392, respectively. As a result, the first tape roll support member 1310 and the second tape roll support member 1320 each have convex surfaces 1311 and 1321 facing radially outward from the axis P abutting a portion of the printing medium 11 located at the innermost circumference of the tape roll 11R (e.g., portion 1105 close to the end end 1102 of the printing medium 11), applying a radially outward pressing load Fp to the tape roll 11R.

[0036] As described above, the tape roll 11R is accommodated in the accommodating section 1211 of the tape adapter 12A without a core member around which the print medium 11 is wound. When the number of turns of the print medium 11 on the tape roll 11R is large, for example, in the case of the tape roll 11R at the beginning of use as illustrated in FIG. 8(a), the sum of the frictional forces between the parts of the print medium 11 adjacent in the radial direction is relatively large, so that even if a pressure load Fp in the radial outward direction is applied to the part of the print medium 11 located at the innermost circumference of the tape roll 11R, the shape of the tape roll 11R is unlikely to change. However, the radii of curvature Ra1 and Ra2 of the part of the print medium 11 located at the outermost circumference of the tape roll 11R (e.g., parts 1103 and 1104, etc.) are larger than the radius of curvature Rb of the part near the end end 1102 of the print medium 11 (e.g., parts 1105 and 1106, etc.). That is, at the start of use, the portion of the print medium 11 located at the outermost circumference of the tape roll 11R has a small curvature and is less likely to bend. Therefore, as described above with reference to (a) of Figure 4, the print medium 11 that is unwound from the tape roll 11R immediately after the start of use and transported toward the discharge port 202 of the device housing 2 has a leading end 1101 that enters the discharge port 202 of the device housing 2 and then proceeds from the discharge port 202 to the outside of the device housing 2.

[0037] As the print medium 11 housed in the tape adapter 12A is consumed and the number of turns of the print medium 11 on the tape roll 11R decreases, the sum of the frictional forces between adjacent portions of the print medium 11 in the radial direction becomes relatively smaller. Therefore, when a radially outward pressing load Fp is applied to the portion of the print medium 11 located at the innermost circumference of the tape roll 11R, the number of turns of the print medium 11 on the tape roll 11R decreases and the sum of the frictional forces between the print medium 11 becomes equal to or less than a specific value, the portions of the print medium 11 adjacent in the radial direction on the tape roll 11R slip in the circumferential direction. The specific value refers to, for example, the value of the frictional force immediately after the maximum static frictional force changes to kinetic frictional force. Therefore, in the tape adapter 12A according to this embodiment, when the total frictional force between the print media 11 decreases as the number of turns of the print medium 11 on the tape roll 11R decreases, the first tape roll support part 1310 and the second tape roll support part 1320 move radially outward from the axis P due to the restoring forces of the compression coil springs 1391 and 1392, and the tape roll 11R expands in diameter. Due to this expansion, the radii of curvature Rc1 and Rc2 of the parts (e.g., parts 1105 and 1106, etc.) close to the end end 1102 of the print medium 11 become larger than the radius of curvature Rb of the innermost part of the tape roll 11R at the start of use. In addition, due to this expansion, the portion (e.g., portion 1113, etc.) that was located at the outermost periphery of the tape roll 11R in which the number of turns of the printing medium 11 has been reduced also expands in diameter to a radius of curvature approximately equal to the radii of curvature R1a and Ra2 of the outermost portion of the tape roll 11R at the start of use.

[0038] In this manner, in the tape adapter 12A according to the present embodiment, the tape roll 11R is rotatably supported by the tape roll support section 13 configured to apply an external force to the tape roll 11R in a direction in which the diameter of the tape roll 11R is expanded. The tape roll support section 13 described with reference to Figs. 5 to 8 applies an external force to the tape roll 11R in a direction in which the diameter of the tape roll 11R is expanded by the first tape roll support member 1310 and the second tape roll support member 1320, utilizing the restoring forces of the compression coil springs 1391 and 1392. In such a tape adapter 12A, when the number of turns of the print medium 11 on the tape roll 11R is reduced as the print medium 11 is consumed, the first tape roll support member 1310 and the second tape roll support member 1320 move radially outward from the axis P set at the center of rotation of the tape roll 11R, and the tape roll 11R expands in diameter. By expanding the diameter of the tape roll 11R, the radius of curvature of each portion of the print medium 11 on the tape roll 11R becomes larger (the curvature becomes smaller), and the bending tendency caused by the magnitude of the curvature is alleviated. Therefore, by using the tape adapter 12A according to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the print medium 11 from clogging in the printer 1 due to the bending tendency of the print medium 11 caused by the curvature of the print medium 11 on the tape roll 11R, as described with reference to (b) of FIG.

[0039] The configuration of the tape roll support portion 13 in the tape adapter 12A according to this embodiment is not limited to the configuration having the pair of tape roll support members 1310 and 1320 described with reference to Figures 5 to 8, and may be other configurations.

[0040] Fig. 9 is a diagram for explaining a second configuration example of a tape adapter according to an embodiment. Note that Fig. 9 shows only the long holes of the tape roll support section and the storage section in the tape adapter of the second configuration example. The U direction and V direction in Fig. 9 respectively correspond to the U direction and V direction in Fig. 5.

[0041] The tape adapter 12A of the second configuration example described here has four tape roll support members 1310, 1320, 1330, and 1340, as shown in Fig. 9, and the shape of each of the tape roll support members 1310, 1320, 1330, and 1340 is substantially the same as one shape of a cylinder divided into four equal parts. Each of the tape roll support members 1310, 1320, 1330, and 1340 has a convex curved surface 1311, 1321, 1331, and 1341 on the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder, and a concave curved surface 1317, 1327, 1337, and 1347 on the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder, respectively. The four tape roll support members 1310, 1320, 1330, and 1340 are attached to the bottom surface 1212 of the storage section 1211 so that the convex curved surface faces radially outward from the axis P. In addition, the four tape roll support members 1310, 1320, 1330, and 1340 each have a protrusion (not shown) inserted into a long hole 1221, 1222, 1223, and 1224 extending radially from the axis P, thereby regulating the direction and amount of movement on the bottom surface 1212 of the storage section.

[0042] In the tape adapter of the second configuration example, a compression coil spring is provided between a pair of tape roll support members whose concave curved surfaces face each other across a plurality of planes including the axis P (in other words, a pair of tape roll support members whose directions away from the axis P are opposite to each other), to apply an external force in the radial outward direction of the axis P to each of the pair of tape roll support members. When the U direction and the V direction are rotated 45 degrees within the UV plane to the U' direction and the V' direction, respectively, Fig. 9 illustrates a pair of tape roll support parts 1310 and 1320 whose boundary is a plane parallel to the V' direction and perpendicular to the U' direction, and a pair of tape roll support parts 1330 and 1340 whose boundary is a plane parallel to the U' direction and perpendicular to the V' direction. For example, a compression coil spring 1391 is provided between the first tape roll support member 1310 and the second tape roll support member 1320, which are opposite in direction away from the axis P, to apply an external force in the radial outward direction of the axis P to these support members 1310 and 1320. Furthermore, a compression coil spring 1393 is provided between the third tape roll support member 1330 and the fourth tape roll support member 1340, which are opposite in direction away from the axis P, to apply an external force in the radial outward direction of the axis P to these support members 1330 and 1340. The compression coil springs 1391 and 1393 are provided at positions shifted in the W direction (see FIG. 6) so as not to interfere with each other.

[0043] 9, when the total frictional force between the print media 11 decreases as the number of turns of the print medium 11 on the tape roll 11R decreases, the four tape roll support parts 1310, 1320, 1330, and 1340 move radially outward from the axis P due to the restoring forces of the compression coil springs 1391 and 1393, and the tape roll 11R expands in diameter. This expansion makes the radius of curvature Rc3 of the portion close to the end end 1102 of the print medium 11 (e.g., portion 1105 and portion 1106) larger than the radius of curvature Rb of the innermost portion of the tape roll 11R at the start of use. Furthermore, due to this expansion, the portion located at the outermost periphery of the tape roll 11R in which the number of turns of the print medium 11 has been reduced also expands to a radius of curvature Ra1 that is approximately the same as the radius of curvature of the outermost periphery of the tape roll 11R at the start of use. For this reason, also in the second configuration example of the tape adapter 12A described with reference to Fig. 9, the radius of curvature of the portion near the end end 1102 of the print medium 11 when the number of turns of the print medium 11 on the tape roll 11R has been reduced can be made a large value close to the radius of curvature of the outermost periphery of the tape roll 11R at the start of use, and the bending tendency of the portion near the end end 1102 of the print medium 11 can be alleviated.

[0044] 9, by increasing the number of tape roll support members so that they are spaced equally apart in the circumferential direction, the number of portions of the tape roll 11R that receive the pressure load from the tape roll support members increases, and the tape roll 11R expands in diameter more isotropically. This makes it possible to reduce the difference in curvature between the portions of the tape roll 11R that receive the pressure load from the tape roll support members and the portions intermediate the portions that receive the pressure load, thereby making it possible to prevent the print medium 11 from developing an unintended bending tendency due to the difference in curvature.

[0045] Fig. 10 is a diagram for explaining a third configuration example of a tape adapter according to an embodiment. Note that Fig. 10 shows only the long holes of the tape roll support section and the storage section in the tape adapter of the third configuration example. The U direction and V direction in Fig. 10 respectively correspond to the U direction and V direction in Fig. 5.

[0046] 10, the tape adapter 12A of the third configuration example described here has three tape roll support members 1310, 1320, and 1330 and a shaft member 1350, and the shape of each of the tape roll support members 1310, 1320, and 1330 is substantially the same as one of the shapes obtained by dividing a cylinder into three equal parts. Each of the tape roll support members 1310, 1320, and 1330 has a convex curved surface 1311, 1321, and 1331 on the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder, and a concave curved surface 1317, 1327, and 1337 on the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder, respectively. The three tape roll support members 1310, 1320, and 1330 are attached to the bottom surface 1212 of the storage section 1211 so that the convex curved surfaces 1311, 1321, and 1331, respectively, face radially outward from the axis P. In addition, the three tape roll support members 1310, 1320, and 1330 each have a protrusion (not shown) inserted into a long hole 1221, 1222, and 1223 extending radially from the axis P, thereby regulating the direction and amount of movement on the bottom surface 1212 of the storage section.

[0047] Moreover, in the tape adapter of the third configuration example, a shaft member 1350 is erected at a position where the axis P is set on the bottom surface 1212 of the accommodation section, and compression coil springs 1394, 1395, and 1396 are provided between the shaft member 1350 and each of the tape roll support members 1310, 1320, and 1330. That is, while in the first and second configuration examples, one compression coil spring applies an external force to two tape roll support members, in the third configuration example, one compression coil spring applies an external force to one tape roll support member.

[0048] Even in a tape adapter 12A having three tape roll support members 1310, 1320, and 1330 and an axis member 1350 as illustrated in FIG. 10, the radius of curvature of the portion near the end end 1102 of the print medium 11 when the number of turns of the print medium 11 on the tape roll 11R is reduced can be made to a large value close to the radius of curvature of the outermost portion of the tape roll 11R at the start of use, and the bending tendency of the portion near the end end 1102 of the print medium 11 can be alleviated.

[0049] 10, the three tape roll support members 1310, 1320, and 1330 receive an external force in the radially outward direction of the axis P from compression coil springs 1394, 1395, and 1396, respectively, which are in contact with a shaft member 1350, one end of which is positioned at the axis P. For this reason, in the third configuration example, it is possible to reduce variation in the distance between the axis P and the position farthest from the axis P on the convex curved surfaces 1311, 1321, and 1331 of each tape roll support member 1310, 1320, and 1330.

[0050] Furthermore, the external force used to expand the diameter of the tape roll 11R in which the number of turns of the print medium 11 has been reduced in the tape adapter 12A according to this embodiment is not limited to the above-mentioned compression coil spring, but may be another elastic material capable of applying an external force in the radial outward direction about the axis P that is the center of rotation of the tape roll 11R in the accommodation section of the tape adapter 12A. For example, the external force used to expand the diameter of the tape roll 11R may be a restoring force of a spiral member such as a spiral spring (power spring) 14 as exemplified in FIG. 11.

[0051] 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a spiral spring that can be used in a tape adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the U direction and the V direction in FIG.

[0052] 11(a) to 11(c) show the process in which the deformed spiral spring 14 returns to its original shape before deformation due to a restoring force, together with the inner diameter 15 of the tape roll 11R at the start of use. In the tape adapter 12A according to this embodiment, when the spiral spring 14 is used to expand the diameter of the tape roll 11R, the spiral spring 14 is disposed in the housing of the tape adapter 12A so that the outer diameter of the spiral spring 14 expands radially outward from the axis due to a restoring force. For example, a one-turn spiral spring 14 whose original shape is larger than the radius Rb of the inner diameter 15 of the tape roll 11R at the start of use as illustrated in FIG. 11(c) is tightly wound so as to be equal to or smaller than the radius Rb as illustrated in FIG. 11(a) and inserted into the hollow region of the tape roll 11R immediately after the start of use to rotatably support the tape roll 11R. When the number of turns of the print medium 11 on the tape roll 11R decreases as the print medium 11 is used for printing, the spiral spring 14 expands in diameter due to its own restoring force as shown in Fig. 11(b) . After that, when the number of turns of the print medium 11 on the tape roll 11R decreases further, the spiral spring 14 expands in diameter further and returns to its original shape as shown in Fig. 11(c) .

[0053] In this way, even when the spiral spring 14 is used, the spiral spring 14 expands in diameter due to its own restoring force, and an external force in the radial outward direction of the center (axis P) of the spiral spring 14 can be applied to the tape roll 11R.

[0054] The elastic body that can be used to expand the diameter of the tape roll 11R is not limited to the above-mentioned spring-shaped elastic body such as the compression coil spring or the spiral spring, but may be a block-shaped (for example, column-shaped) rubber or the like.

[0055] Furthermore, the configuration for regulating the movement direction and amount of movement of the tape roll support member in the tape adapter 12A is not limited to the configuration in which a long hole formed on the bottom surface 1212 of the above-mentioned storage section engages with the protrusion portion of the tape roll support member, and may be another configuration.

[0056] The above-described embodiment is a specific example shown to facilitate understanding of the invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The tape cartridge and printing device according to the present invention can be modified and changed in various ways without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0057] For example, the number of tape roll supporting members and the number of external force applying members such as compression coil springs used to expand the diameter of the tape roll 11R are not limited to the combinations exemplified in the above-described embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate.

[0058] For example, the shape of the tape roll support member that expands the diameter of the tape roll 11R is not limited to a shape in which a convex curved surface such as a cylindrical side surface or a cylindrical outer peripheral side surface is brought into contact with the print medium 11 located at the innermost circumference of the tape roll 11R as exemplified in the above-mentioned embodiment, and can be appropriately changed. Also, for example, the shape of two or more tape roll support members provided to expand the diameter of the tape roll 11R may each be a columnar shape such as a cylindrical shape, or a tubular shape such as a cylindrical shape. Furthermore, the movement direction and movement amount of the tape roll support member are not limited to the method of using a long hole as exemplified in the above-mentioned embodiment, and may be regulated by other methods.

[0059] Also, for example, the tape cartridge according to the present invention is not limited to the tape adapter 12A in which the print medium 11 is replaceable as exemplified in the above-mentioned embodiment, but may be a disposable tape cartridge. Also, the tape cartridge according to the present invention is not limited to a tape cartridge that houses the print medium 11 having a heat-sensitive layer, but may be a tape cartridge that houses a print medium and an ink ribbon that can be used in a thermal transfer printing device.

[0060] In addition, the method of applying a radially outward pressing load to the tape roll 11R housed in the tape cartridge is not limited to the above-mentioned method of using the restoring force of an elastic material, but may be a method of mechanically moving the tape roll support member in the radially outward direction of the axis P to apply the load. In other words, the tape roll support member is not limited to an external force applying member such as the above-mentioned elastic material, but may be moved in the radially outward direction of the axis P using a moving mechanism that moves the tape roll support member by an amount corresponding to the amount (length) of the print medium 11 unwound from the tape cartridge using, for example, a gear or the like. The moving mechanism may be configured to operate when the sum of frictional forces between adjacent parts in the radial direction of the print medium 11, which is derived based on the remaining amount of the print medium 11 in the tape cartridge (the number of turns of the print medium 11 on the tape roll 11R), becomes equal to or less than a specific value. When the moving mechanism is used, for example, a constant external force can be continuously applied to the tape roll 11R regardless of the amount of movement of the tape roll support member in the radially outward direction of the axis P, and it is considered that the bending tendency of the print medium 11 that has become significantly bent can be sufficiently alleviated. In addition, the moving mechanism may be, for example, a mechanism that operates in conjunction with the unwinding operation of the printing medium 11 in the tape cartridge (tape adapter 12A), or it may be a mechanism that can be manually operated by the user of the tape cartridge at any timing.

[0061] Also, for example, in the printing device 1 to which the tape adapter 12A is attached, it may be possible to electrically control the timing and amount of movement of the tape roll supporting member.

[0062] FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a printing apparatus.

[0063] The printing device 1, which is equipped with the tape adapter 12A illustrated in the above-described embodiment and prints on the print medium 11 supplied from the tape adapter, includes, for example, a control unit 20, a storage unit 21, an input unit 22, a display unit 23, an adapter detection unit 24, a conveying unit 25, a printing unit 26, and a cutting unit 27, as shown in FIG. 12. The control unit 20 controls the overall operation of the printing device 1. The storage unit 21 stores various programs used to control the operation by the control unit 20, and data such as character strings to be printed on the print medium 13. The input unit 22 accepts operation input to the printing device 1 using a plurality of keys arranged on the keyboard unit 203 of the device housing 2 illustrated in FIG. 1. The display unit 23 displays various information using the display 5 of the cover 4 illustrated in FIG. 1. The adapter detection unit 24 detects that the tape adapter is accommodated in the adapter accommodation unit 201 of the device housing 2 illustrated in FIG. 1, and detects the width of the print medium 11 supplied from the tape adapter. The transport unit 25 transports the print medium 11. The transport unit 25 includes a drive unit 2501 that drives a power (motor) for rotating the platen roller 6, and an encoder 2502 that counts the amount of rotation of the platen roller 6. The printing unit 26 prints on the print medium 11 using a printing unit 7 having a print head 701 illustrated in FIG. 1. The cutting unit 27 cuts the print medium 11 using a cutting unit 8 illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0064] Also, although not shown in the figures, when electrically controlling the timing and amount of movement of the tape roll support member in the printing device 1, for example, a member operable to engage with the tape roll support member and move the tape roll support member radially outward from the axis P is provided within the printing device 1.

[0065] In the printing device 1, when the print medium 11 is transported by the transport unit 25, the encoder 2502 counts the amount of rotation of the platen roller 6, thereby controlling the transport amount of the print medium 11. For this reason, for example, the control unit 20 may detect or predict the remaining amount of the print medium 11 in the tape adapter based on the transport amount of the print medium 11 supplied from the tape adapter attached to the printing device 1, and when the remaining amount of the print medium 11 falls below a predetermined remaining amount, the control unit 20 of the printing device 1 may electrically control the operation of the above-mentioned member to move the tape roll support member provided on the tape adapter in the radially outward direction of the axis P. Compared to the case where an elastic material such as a compression coil spring is used, such electrical control can continue to apply a constant external force to the tape roll 11R regardless of the amount of movement of the tape roll support member in the radially outward direction of the axis P, and it is considered that the bending tendency of the print medium 11 that has become significantly bent can be sufficiently alleviated.

[0066] The invention as described in the claims of the original application is set forth below. [Appendix 1] A storage section that stores a roll of print medium; a delivery port for delivering the print medium unwound from the roll of print medium to the outside, The storage section is provided with a support section configured to rotatably support the roll-shaped print medium and to apply an external force in a direction to expand the diameter of the roll-shaped print medium. A tape cartridge comprising: [Appendix 2] The support unit expands the diameter of the rolled print medium when a sum of frictional forces between the print media in the rolled print medium becomes equal to or less than a specific value. 2. A tape cartridge as described in claim 1. [Appendix 3] The support portion is A plurality of support members are attached to the storage section so as to be movable in different radial directions among radial directions of an axis set as a rotation center of the roll-shaped print medium in the storage section; At least one external force application member that applies an external force in a radially outward direction of the axis to each of the plurality of support members; 3. A tape cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: [Appendix 4] The support portion includes a pair of support members opposed to each other across a plane including the axis, The external force application member of the support portion is disposed between the pair of support members and is made of an elastic material that applies the external force in the radially outward direction of the axis to each of the pair of support members. 4. The tape cartridge according to claim 3. [Appendix 5] the support portion includes the pair of support members that face each other across a plurality of planes including the axis, The external force application members of the support portion are each disposed between the pair of support members and each of the pair of support members is made of a plurality of elastic materials that apply the external force in the radially outward direction of the axis to each of the pair of support members. 5. The tape cartridge according to claim 4, [Appendix 6] The support portion is a shaft member disposed in the storage section at a position of a shaft center set as a rotation center of the roll-shaped print medium; A plurality of support members attached to the housing portion so as to be movable in different radial directions among the radial directions of the axis; a plurality of external force application members disposed between each of the plurality of support members and the shaft member, the plurality of external force application members applying an external force in a radially outward direction of the shaft center to each of the plurality of support members; 3. A tape cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: [Appendix 7] The support portion is an external force applying member that is arranged around a shaft center set as a rotation center of the roll-shaped print medium in the storage section and applies an external force to the roll-shaped print medium in a radial direction outward of the shaft center by varying a radial dimension of the shaft center; 3. The tape cartridge according to claim 1 or 2. [Appendix 8] The external force application member is made of an elastic material wound in a spiral shape, and is disposed in the housing portion so that the outer diameter of the spiral of the elastic material expands radially outwardly from the axis due to a restoring force. 8. The tape cartridge according to claim 7. [Appendix 9] The support portion is A plurality of support members are attached to the storage section so as to be movable in different radial directions among radial directions of an axis set as a rotation center of the roll-shaped print medium; a moving mechanism that moves each of the plurality of support members in a radially outward direction of the axis in accordance with an amount of the print medium that has been fed outward; 3. A tape cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: [Appendix 10] A tape cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 9; a device housing having an outlet for discharging the print medium fed from the tape cartridge to the outside of the printing device; a conveying section that conveys the print medium fed out from the tape cartridge toward the discharge port of the device housing; A printing device comprising: [Appendix 11] The device housing has a shape in which the amount of displacement of the transported print medium in a thickness direction thereof becomes discontinuously smaller along a transport path along which the print medium unwound from the tape cartridge is transported toward the discharge port of the device housing. 11. The printing device according to claim 10, [Appendix 12] a control unit that controls the application of an external force to expand the diameter of the rolled print medium by a support unit that rotatably supports the rolled print medium based on the remaining amount of the rolled print medium in the tape cartridge. 12. The printing device according to claim 10 or 11. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1 Printing device 2. Equipment case 201 Adapter housing 202 Outlet 203 Keyboard section 4 Lid 5. Display 6 Platen roller 7 Printing unit 701 Thermal head 8 Cutting unit 801, 802 Cutter 11 Printing medium 11R Tape Roll 1101, 1110, 1112 Start 1102 End 12 Tape Adapter 1200 Outlet 1211 Storage unit 1212 Bottom 1221, 1222, 1223, 1224 long hole 1213 Wall 13 Tape roll support 1310, 1320, 1330, 1340 Tape roll support member 1311, 1321, 1331, 1341 Convex surface 1350 Shaft member 1391, 1392, 1393, 1394, 1395, 1396 Compression coil springs 14 Spiral Spring 20 Control section 21 Memory section 22 Input section 23 Display section 24 Adapter detector 25 Conveyor 2501 Drive unit 2502 Encoder 26 Printing Department 27 Cutting section

Claims

1. A storage section that stores a roll of print medium; a feed port for feeding the print medium unwound from the roll of print medium to the outside; Equipped with The storage section includes: A plate surface in which a direction along a winding axis of the roll-shaped printing medium is set as a normal direction; A support section configured to rotatably support the roll-shaped print medium and to apply an external force in a direction to expand the diameter of the roll-shaped print medium; a guide mechanism that guides a movement direction of the support portion when the support portion expands a diameter of the roll-shaped print medium; Equipped with The guide mechanism includes: A long hole is formed in the plate surface so that the longitudinal direction is along the radial expansion direction; a protrusion formed on the support portion so as to be insertable into the long hole; A tape cartridge comprising:

2. the support unit expands a diameter of the rolled print medium when a sum of frictional forces between the print media in the rolled print medium becomes equal to or less than a specific value.

2. The tape cartridge according to claim 1.

3. The support portion is configured to apply the restoring force of a compression coil spring as the external force.

3. The tape cartridge according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The roll-shaped print medium is arranged so that a side surface of the roll-shaped print medium faces the plate surface, The area of ​​the plate surface is formed larger than the area of ​​the side surface.

4. The tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are disposed on the first and second surfaces of the tape cartridge.

5. A tape cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4; a device housing having an outlet for discharging the print medium fed from the tape cartridge to the outside of the printing device; a conveying section that conveys the print medium fed out from the tape cartridge toward the discharge port of the device housing; A printing device comprising:

Images