MEDIUM, CARTRIDGE, AND MEDIUM PRODUCTION METHOD

Abstract

To provide a medium that has high durability, and a cartridge and a method for making a medium.SOLUTION: A laminated tape 9 consists of the under face of an adhesive tape 7 laminated on the top face of a printed heat-sensitive tape 4. The heat-sensitive tape 4 has a substrate 41, a plurality of heat-sensitive layers 42, a plurality of heat-shielding layers 43 and an overcoat layer 44. The plurality of heat-sensitive layers 42 is provided on a first face side of the substrate 41. Each of the heat-sensitive layers 42 is heated to a coloring temperature according to each layer, developing a color designated for each layer. The adhesive tape 7 has a double-sided adhesive tape 71 and a release sheet 75. The double-sided adhesive tape 71 has a substrate 72, a first adhesive layer 73 and a second adhesive layer 74. The adhesive tape 7 has a width N that is larger than a width K of the heat-sensitive tape 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a medium, a cartridge, and a method for producing a medium. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a cartridge, a thermal printer, a thermal medium, and an adhesive medium. The thermal medium and the adhesive medium are housed in a cartridge. The thermal medium has a thermal layer, a first protective layer, and a second protective layer. The thermal layer develops a single color when heated. The first protective layer and the second protective layer protect the thermal layer from both sides in the thickness direction of the medium. The cartridge can be mounted in a thermal printer. With the cartridge mounted, the thermal printer heats the thermal medium from the second protective layer side to develop color and perform printing. The adhesive medium has an adhesive layer and a base material. The adhesive layer of the adhesive medium is bonded to the second protective layer of the thermal medium to create a bonded medium printed in a single color. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-177438 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the laminated medium of Patent Document 1, the ends of the stacked layers are exposed at the end faces in the width direction, and therefore the laminated medium of Patent Document 1 has a problem of low durability at the end in the width direction, such as moisture penetrating between the layers.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT It is an object of the present invention to provide a highly durable medium, cartridge, and method of making the medium. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present specification discloses, for example, the following aspects. The medium of the first embodiment is used in a thermal printer, and is a medium in which a thermal medium and an adhesive medium are overlapped and bonded together in the thickness direction, the thermal medium comprising a thermal medium substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a first coloring layer provided on the first surface side of the thermal medium substrate, which becomes less transparent and develops color when heated to a predetermined temperature or higher, the adhesive medium comprising an adhesive medium substrate and an adhesive layer provided on the adhesive medium substrate, and a width direction size N intersecting the length direction and the thickness direction of the adhesive medium is larger than a width direction size K of the thermal medium.

[0007] According to the first aspect, since the size of the adhesive medium in the width direction is larger than the size of the thermal medium in the width direction, when the thermal medium and the adhesive medium are bonded together, the adhesive medium protrudes from the end of the thermal medium in the width direction. As a result, the portion of the adhesive medium protruding from the thermal medium in the width direction (hereinafter referred to as the width protruding portion) is bonded together so as to cover the end face in the width direction of the thermal medium. Thus, since the end face in the width direction of the thermal medium is covered with the adhesive medium, the medium becomes more durable against the intrusion of moisture, the adhesion of dirt, abrasion, etc. at the end face in the width direction of the thermal medium by the amount of the adhesive medium covering the thermal medium.

[0008] The cartridge according to the second aspect is the cartridge for storing the medium according to the first aspect, and is characterized in that it includes a case, a first holding part provided inside the case and holding the thermal medium, and a second holding part provided inside the case and holding the adhesive medium. According to the second aspect, it is possible to achieve the same effect as the first aspect.

[0009] A medium creation method according to a third aspect is a medium creation method for creating a medium in which a thermal medium and an adhesive medium are laminated together in a thickness direction, the thermal medium comprises a thermal medium substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a coloring layer provided on the first surface of the thermal medium substrate, which is heated to a predetermined temperature or higher and loses transparency, and develops a color, the adhesive medium includes an adhesive medium substrate and an adhesive layer provided on the adhesive medium substrate, and has a size in a width direction intersecting with a length direction and a thickness direction larger than the size of the thermal medium in the width direction, the medium creation method includes a printing step of printing by heating the thermal medium, and a lamination step of laminating the thermal medium printed in the printing step and the adhesive medium to create the medium. According to the third aspect, it is possible to achieve the same effect as the first aspect. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a thermal printer 1. [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view of a tape cassette 30 and a mounting portion 8. FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 is a plan view of the mounting portion 8 in which the tape cassette 30 is mounted when the platen holder 12 is in the standby position. [Figure 4] 1 is a plan view of the mounting portion 8 with the tape cassette 30 mounted therein when the platen holder 12 is in the printing position. [Diagram 5] 2 is a perspective view of the tape cassette 30 from above. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a perspective view of the cassette case 31 in a state where the components are exploded into an upper case 311 and a lower case 312. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the lower case 312. [Figure 8] 13 is a bottom view of the upper case 311. FIG. [Figure 9] 13 is a perspective view of a restriction guide portion 61 in a state where the parts are expanded into an upper case 311 and a lower case 312. FIG. [Figure 10]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a heat-sensitive tape 4 and an adhesive tape 7. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the laminating tape 9. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a printing process performed by the thermal printer 1. [Figure 13] 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the thermal printer 1. FIG. [Figure 14] 13 is a flowchart of a laminated tape production process. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a mounting portion 8 of a first modified example. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a plan view of mounting portion 8 in which tape cassettes 320, 321 are mounted in a second modified example. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a front view showing a bonding tape 901 in a third modified example. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a front view showing a laminating tape 902 in a fourth modified example. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a front view showing a laminating tape 903 in a fifth modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The drawings are used to explain technical features that the present invention can employ, and the configurations, controls, etc. of the devices described are merely illustrative examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0012] 1 are respectively referred to as the front, rear, right, left, upper and lower sides of the thermal printer 1. The lower right, upper left, upper right, lower left, upper and lower sides of the tape cassette 30 are respectively referred to as the front, rear, right, left, upper and lower sides of the tape cassette 30. For ease of understanding, the tape cassette 30 is shown mounted in the mounting portion 8 with the upper case 311 removed in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0013] The printing system of this embodiment includes a thermal printer 1 (see FIG. 1) and a tape cassette 30 (see FIG. 2). The thermal printer 1 can print characters, figures, symbols, etc. on a thermal tape 4 using the tape cassette 30. An adhesive tape 7 is laminated to the printed thermal tape 4 to create a laminated tape 9.

[0014] <External configuration of thermal printer 1> As shown in Fig. 1, the thermal printer 1 has a body cover 2. The body cover 2 is box-shaped. A keyboard 3 is provided on the front top surface of the body cover 2. A user operates the keyboard 3 to input various information to the thermal printer 1. A display 5 is provided behind the keyboard 3. The display 5 is capable of displaying the various input information.

[0015] A cassette cover 6 is provided behind the display 5. The cassette cover 6 opens and closes an attachment section 8 (see FIG. 2) described below from above. A user opens and closes the cassette cover 6 when replacing a tape cassette 30 (see FIG. 2). An ejection slit (not shown) is provided at the rear left surface of the main body cover 2. The ejection slit ejects the laminated tape 9 to the outside of the thermal printer 1.

[0016] <Internal configuration of thermal printer 1> As shown in FIG. 2, a mounting section 8 is provided below the cassette cover 6 (see FIG. 1). The mounting section 8 is recessed downward from the upper surface of the main body cover 2 with a shape corresponding to the tape cassette 30. The tape cassette 30 is removably mounted in the mounting section 8. A head holder 19 is provided in front of the mounting section 8. The head holder 19 is plate-shaped and extends up, down, left and right. A thermal head 10 is provided on a front surface 191 (see FIG. 3) of the head holder 19. The thermal head 10 includes a plurality of heating elements 11. The plurality of heating elements 11 are arranged in a line in the vertical direction. When the tape cassette 30 is mounted in the mounting section 8, the thermal head 10 uses the plurality of heating elements 11 to heat the thermal tape 4 exposed from an opening 341 (described below).

[0017] Two positioning pins 102, 103 are provided at two locations on the mounting portion 8. Specifically, the positioning pin 102 is provided on the left side of the mounting portion 8, and the positioning pin 103 is provided on the right side of the mounting portion 8. When the tape cassette 30 is mounted in the mounting portion 8, the positioning pins 102, 103 are inserted into pin holes 62, 63 (see FIG. 7), respectively, of the cassette case 31.

[0018] A transport motor 95, which is a stepping motor, is disposed outside the mounting unit 8 (upper right side in FIG. 2). A gear 91 is fixed to the lower end of the drive shaft of the transport motor 95. The gear 91 is connected to a gear 101 via gears 93, 94, 97, and a gear 98. A drive shaft 18 is erected on the upper surface of the gear 101. The drive shaft 18 is a shaft body that is detachable from the transport roller 56 described below. The drive shaft 18 is driven to rotate by the transport motor 95. As the drive shaft 18 rotates, the thermal tape 4 and the adhesive tape 7 described below are transported.

[0019] An auxiliary shaft 110 is provided upright on the rear side of the gear 98. The auxiliary shaft 110 is a generally cylindrical shaft body that can be inserted into and removed from a support hole 66, which will be described later. An auxiliary shaft 120 is provided upright on the right rear part of the mounting portion 8, and on the rear side of the positioning pin 103. The auxiliary shaft 120 is a shaft body that can be inserted into and removed from a guide hole 57, which will be described later.

[0020] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the cutting mechanism 16 is provided on the left side of the drive shaft 18. The cutting mechanism 16 cuts the laminated tape 9 by driving a cutting motor 96 (see Figure 13). A platen holder 12 is provided in front of the head holder 19. The platen holder 12 is arm-shaped, and is supported by a support shaft 121 so as to be swingable around an axis in the vertical direction. The support shaft 121 is provided at the right end of the platen holder 12.

[0021] A platen roller 15 and a movable roller 14 are both rotatably supported on the tip side of the platen holder 12. The platen roller 15 is capable of moving toward and away from the thermal head 10 as the platen holder 12 swings. The movable roller 14 is provided on the left side of the platen roller 15, and is capable of moving toward and away from a transport roller 56 (described later) as the platen holder 12 swings.

[0022] In this embodiment, when the cassette cover 6 is opened, the platen holder 12 moves toward the standby position (the position shown in FIG. 4), and when the cassette cover 6 is closed, the platen holder 12 moves toward the printing position (the position shown in FIG. 3). At the standby position, the platen holder 12 moves in a direction away from the mounting portion 8. This allows the user to attach and detach the tape cassette 30 to and from the mounting portion 8.

[0023] At the printing position, the platen holder 12 moves in a direction approaching the mounting section 8. Therefore, when the tape cassette 30 is mounted in the mounting section 8, the platen roller 15 presses the thermal tape 4 against the thermal head 10, and the movable roller 14 overlaps the thermal tape 4 and the adhesive tape 7 and presses them against the conveying roller 56.

[0024] The platen roller 15 is rotated together with the drive shaft 18 by a transport motor 95 (see FIG. 2). In this embodiment, in order to prevent the thermal tape 4 from becoming loose due to transport, the platen roller 15 is connected to the transport motor 95 via multiple gears (not shown) so that the rotation speed of the platen roller 15 is slower than the rotation speed of the drive shaft 18 (transport roller 56).

[0025] <Configuration of Tape Cassette 30> As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the tape cassette 30 has a cassette case 31. The cassette case 31 is substantially rectangular parallelepiped in shape, and is constructed by combining an upper case 311 and a lower case 312. The upper case 311 is a box-shaped body that is open downward and includes an upper plate 305 (see Figure 2) that forms the upper surface 301 of the cassette case 31. The lower case 312 is a box-shaped body that is open upward and includes a bottom plate 306 that forms the bottom surface 302 of the cassette case 31. The upper case 311 is fixed to an upper part of the lower case 312. The distance from the bottom surface 302 to the upper surface 301 is referred to as the height of the tape cassette 30 or the cassette case 31.

[0026] 7, pin holes 62, 63 corresponding to positioning pins 102, 103 of the thermal printer 1 are provided in two locations on the underside of the front left and rear right of the cassette case 31. Specifically, a recess provided in the underside of the front left of the cassette case 31 is the pin hole 62 into which the positioning pin 102 is inserted. A recess provided in the underside of the rear right of the cassette case 31 is the pin hole 63 into which the positioning pin 103 is inserted.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 5, the cassette case 31 is provided with support holes 65, 66 for rotatably supporting the tape spools 21, 22 (see Fig. 3) mounted in the cassette case 31. The support hole 65 passes through the right rear part of the cassette case 31 in the vertical direction. The support hole 66 passes through the left rear part of the cassette case 31, i.e., the left side of the support hole 65 in the vertical direction. When the tape cassette 30 is mounted in the mounting portion 8, an auxiliary shaft 110 is inserted into the support hole 66.

[0028] 3 and 4, the heat-sensitive tape 4 described below is wound around the tape spool 21 in a clockwise direction in a plan view away from the center of rotation of the tape spool 21. In detail, the heat-sensitive tape 4 is wound so that a plurality of heat-sensitive layers 42 (see FIG. 10(A)) are on the inside of a substrate 41 (see FIG. 10(A)) described below. The supply source of the heat-sensitive tape 4 configured in this manner is called a first supply roll 40.

[0029] The tape spool 22 is configured by winding the adhesive tape 7 around the tape spool 22 in a counterclockwise direction in a plan view away from the rotation center of the tape spool 22. In detail, the adhesive tape 7 is wound so that a first adhesive layer 73 (see FIG. 10(B)) described below is on the inside relative to a second adhesive layer 74 (release paper 75, see FIG. 10(B)). The supply source of the adhesive tape 7 configured in this manner is called a second supply roll 70.

[0030] 3 and 4, tape areas 400, 410 are provided within cassette case 31. Tape areas 400, 410 are areas capable of storing first supply roll 40 and second supply roll 70, respectively. Thermal tape 4 and adhesive tape 7 are stored and transported within cassette case 31 such that their respective width directions are parallel to the up-down direction of tape cassette 30.

[0031] Tape area 400 is a generally circular area in plan view provided in the right rear part inside cassette case 31. Support hole 65 is provided in approximately the center of tape area 400 in plan view. Upper tape area 400A constituting the upper part of tape area 400 is provided in upper case 311 (see FIG. 8). Lower tape area 400B constituting the lower part of tape area 400 is provided in lower case 312 (see FIG. 7).

[0032] As shown in Fig. 8, the upper tape area 400A is provided with an upper regulating portion 401A that protrudes slightly downward from the upper plate 305. In detail, an annular protrusion is provided at the center position of the upper tape area 400A where the tape spool 21 (see Fig. 3) of the first supply roll 40 is disposed. Eight linear protrusions extend radially from this annular protrusion to the periphery of the upper tape area 400A. These protrusions constitute the upper regulating portion 401A. A support hole 65A that becomes the upper portion of the support hole 65 is provided at the center of the annular protrusion of the upper regulating portion 401A.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 7, the lower tape area 400B is provided with a lower regulating portion 401B that protrudes slightly upward from the bottom plate 306. In detail, an annular protrusion is provided at the center position of the lower tape area 400B where the tape spool 21 (see Fig. 3) of the first supply roll 40 is disposed. Eight linear protrusions extend radially from this annular protrusion to the periphery of the lower tape area 400B. These protrusions constitute the lower regulating portion 401B. A support hole 65B that becomes the lower portion of the support hole 65 is provided at the center of the annular protrusion of the lower regulating portion 401B.

[0034] 3 and 4, tape area 410 is a generally circular area in plan view that occupies approximately the left half of cassette case 31. Support hole 66 is provided in approximately the center of tape area 410 in plan view. Upper tape area 410A constituting the upper portion of tape area 410 is provided in upper case 311. Lower tape area 410B constituting the lower portion of tape area 410 is provided in lower case 312.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 8, the upper tape area 410A is provided with an upper regulating portion 411A that protrudes slightly downward from the upper plate 305. In detail, an annular protrusion is provided at the center position of the upper tape area 410A where the tape spool 22 (see Fig. 3) of the second supply roll 70 is disposed. Three linear protrusions extend radially from this annular protrusion to the periphery of the upper tape area 410A. These protrusions constitute the upper regulating portion 411A. A support hole 66A that becomes the upper portion of the support hole 66 is provided at the center of the annular protrusion of the upper regulating portion 411A.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 7, the lower tape area 410B is provided with a lower restricting portion 411B that protrudes slightly upward from the bottom plate 306. In detail, an annular protrusion is provided at the center position of the lower tape area 410B where the tape spool 22 (see Fig. 3) of the second supply roll 70 is disposed. Three linear protrusions extend radially from this annular protrusion to the periphery of the lower tape area 410B. These protrusions constitute the lower restricting portion 411B. A support hole 66B that becomes the lower portion of the support hole 66 is provided at the center of the annular protrusion of the lower restricting portion 411B.

[0037] 6 and 7, a guide hole 57 is provided on the right side of the lower tape area 400B and behind the pin hole 63, into which the auxiliary shaft 120 is inserted when attaching or detaching the tape cassette 30. The positioning pins 102, 103 and auxiliary shafts 110, 120 (see FIG. 2) are inserted into the pin holes 62, 63 (see FIG. 7), support hole 66 (see FIG. 5) and guide hole 57, respectively, so that the movement of the tape cassette 30 attached to the attachment portion 8 in the front-rear and left-right directions is restricted.

[0038] As shown in Figures 3, 4 and 7, shaft 533 is erected from bottom plate 306 at the right front corner of cassette case 31. Shaft 533 is inserted into a shaft hole of roller member 535, which is a cylindrical rotating body. Shaft 533 rotatably supports roller member 535. A restricting portion 384B is provided at the lower end of shaft 533. Restricting portion 384B is a plate-like body that extends in the front-rear direction from shaft 533 to the front wall of lower case 312 and extends slightly upward from bottom plate 306. The height of restricting portion 384B from bottom plate 306 is lower than the height of shaft 533 from bottom plate 306.

[0039] 3 to 8, an arm portion 34 is provided on the front surface of the cassette case 31. The arm portion 34 extends from the right front portion of the cassette case 31 to the left front portion. An arm front wall 35 which is the front wall of the arm portion 34 is configured by combining an upper arm front wall 35A (see FIG. 8) provided on the upper case 311 and a lower arm front wall 35B (see FIG. 7) provided on the lower case 312.

[0040] The arm rear wall 37, which is the rear wall of the arm section 34, is configured by combining an upper arm rear wall 37A (see FIG. 8) provided in the upper case 311 and a lower arm rear wall 37B (see FIG. 7) provided in the lower case 312. An opening 341 is provided between the left end of the arm front wall 35 and the left end of the arm rear wall 37. The opening 341 is formed in the shape of a slit extending in the vertical direction.

[0041] 7, a restriction wall 33, which is a wall portion extending upward from the bottom plate 306, is provided between the lower arm front wall 35B and the lower arm rear wall 37B of the lower case 312. The height of the restriction wall 33 is slightly greater than the width of the thermal tape 4 stored in the cassette case 31. Lower restriction portions 381B and 382B are provided at the lower ends of the left and right ends, respectively, of the restriction wall 33. The lower restriction portions 381B and 382B each extend slightly upward from the bottom plate 306 and extend forward from the restriction wall 33 to the lower arm front wall 35B.

[0042] 6, a restricting portion 383 that restricts the upward movement of the heat-sensitive tape 4 is provided at the upper end of the left end of the restricting wall 33. The restricting portion 383 is a protruding piece that protrudes forward from the upper end of the restricting wall 33. The vertical distance between the lower restricting portions 381B, 382B and the restricting portion 383 is the same as the width of the heat-sensitive tape 4.

[0043] 8, a fixing groove 331 is provided in the upper case 311 at a position corresponding to the restricting wall 33 of the lower case 312. The fixing groove 331 is a groove portion having the same shape as the restricting wall 33 in a plan view. When the upper case 311 and the lower case 312 are assembled, the upper end of the restricting wall 33 is fitted into the fixing groove 331, and the upper case 311 and the lower case 312 are fixed. Upper restricting portions 381A and 382A are provided in contact with the left and right ends of the fixing groove 331, respectively. The upper restricting portions 381A and 382A each extend slightly downward from the upper plate 305 and extend forward from the fixing groove 331 to the upper arm front wall 35A.

[0044] The peripheral wall extending rearward from the right end of the arm rear wall 37 and extending parallel to the arm rear wall 37 is the head peripheral wall 36. The head peripheral wall 36 is configured by combining an upper head peripheral wall 36A provided in the upper case 311 and a lower head peripheral wall 36B (see FIG. 7) provided in the lower case 312.

[0045] The space that is defined by the arm rear wall 37 and the head peripheral wall 36 and has a generally rectangular shape in plan view that penetrates the tape cassette 30 in the up-down direction is the head insertion portion 39. The head insertion portion 39 is also connected to the outside on the front side of the tape cassette 30 via an exposed portion 77 provided on the front side of the tape cassette 30. The head holder 19 is inserted into the head insertion portion 39 with the tape cassette 30 attached to the attachment portion 8.

[0046] 5 and 6, a regulating guide portion 61 is provided on the left side of the head insertion portion 39. The regulating guide portion 61 is located between the opening 341 and a transport roller 56 (described later) in the left-right direction. The regulating guide portion 61 includes regulating members 361 and 362, a guide wall 58, a separating wall 53, etc. The regulating member 361 is a plate-like body extending downward from the upper plate 305. The regulating member 362 is a plate-like body extending upward from the bottom plate 306 toward the regulating member 361.

[0047] 9, the guide wall 58 is a wall portion of the lower head peripheral wall 36B that extends in the front-rear direction on the left side of the head insertion portion 39. The partition wall 53 stands on the rear side of the guide wall 58. The partition wall 53 is provided between the guide wall 58 and an opening 64B, which will be described later, in the left-right direction. The partition wall 53 is provided so as to draw a gentle arc in the front-rear direction of the cassette case 31 along part of the opening 64B in a plan view. The left surface of the partition wall 53 is formed in a sawtooth shape in a plan view.

[0048] A vertically long gap formed between the guide wall 58 and the regulating member 362 functions as a lower portion of the inlet 61A. The inlet 61A is a part of the feed path of the heat-sensitive tape 4 that communicates with the exposed portion 77. Hereinafter, the feed path of the heat-sensitive tape 4 is referred to as a first feed path. The inlet 61A guides the heat-sensitive tape 4 into the regulating and guiding portion 61.

[0049] A vertically long gap formed between the separating wall 53 and the restricting member 362 functions as a lower portion of the guide opening 61B. The guide opening 61B is a part of the first conveying path provided continuously downstream from the introduction opening 61A. The guide opening 61B guides the thermal tape 4 toward the front of the conveying roller 56 (see FIG. 4), which will be described later.

[0050] At the lower end of the introduction port 61A, the upper surface of the bottom plate 306 forms a continuous flat surface without any irregularities. Meanwhile, a lower restricting portion 363B that protrudes slightly upward from the bottom plate 306 is provided across the base of the partition wall 53 and the base of the restricting member 362. Therefore, the lower end of the guide port 61B (i.e., the protruding end of the lower restricting portion 363B) is located higher than the lower end of the introduction port 61A (i.e., the upper surface of the bottom plate 306). In other words, the lower restricting portion 363B forms a step such that the lower end of the guide port 61B is higher than the lower end of the introduction port 61A.

[0051] The upper end of the front end of the separating wall 53 is provided with a restricting portion 364 which is a protruding piece that protrudes forward. The upper part of the restricting portion 364 is provided with a protrusion 398 which is a pin that protrudes upward. The vertical distance between the lower restricting portion 363B and the restricting portion 364 is the same as the width of the tape. The front end surface of the separating wall 53 is provided with restricting portions 53A and 53B. The restricting portion 53A is a stepped portion provided at the lower part of the restricting portion 364 and protruding slightly forward from the front end surface of the separating wall 53. The restricting portion 53B is a stepped portion provided at the base of the separating wall 53 and protruding slightly forward from the front end surface of the separating wall 53.

[0052] 9, upper plate 305 has fixing groove 332 at a position corresponding to partition wall 53 of lower case 312. Fixing groove 332 is a groove portion having the same shape as partition wall 53 in a plan view. Fixing hole 399 having the same diameter as protrusion 398 is provided at a position corresponding to protrusion 398 provided on partition wall 53. When upper case 311 is assembled to lower case 312, the upper end of partition wall 53 fits into fixing groove 332, and protrusion 398 fits into fixing hole 399, thereby fixing upper case 311 and lower case 312.

[0053] The restricting member 361 is provided in front of the fixing groove 332. When the upper case 311 is assembled to the lower case 312, a vertically long gap formed between the guide wall 58 and the restricting member 361 functions as an upper portion of the introduction port 61A. A vertically long gap formed between the separation wall 53 and the restricting member 361 functions as an upper portion of the guide port 61B.

[0054] At the upper end of the introduction port 61A, the lower surface of the upper plate 305 forms a continuous flat surface without any unevenness. On the other hand, an upper regulating portion 363A is provided between the fixing groove 332 and the base of the regulating member 361, protruding slightly downward from the upper plate 305. In other words, the upper regulating portion 363A is provided at a position corresponding to the lower regulating portion 363B of the lower case 312 in the vertical direction, and functions as the upper end of the guide port 61B. The upper end of the guide port 61B (i.e., the protruding end of the upper regulating portion 363A) is located lower than the upper end of the introduction port 61A (i.e., the lower surface of the upper plate 305). In other words, the upper regulating portion 363A forms a step such that the upper end of the guide port 61B is lower than the upper end of the introduction port 61A.

[0055] As shown in Figs. 3 to 5, a conveying roller 56 is provided on the left side of the regulating guide portion 61. The conveying roller 56 is cylindrical and extends in the vertical direction. The front end of the conveying roller 56 is exposed forward from the cassette case 31. The conveying roller 56 supports the adhesive tape 7 in a state in which the thermal tape 4 and the adhesive tape 7 are superimposed on each other and guided to the guide opening 61B. The conveying roller 56 is rotatably supported by a support hole 64. Although details will be described later, the conveying roller 56 sandwiches the thermal tape 4 and the adhesive tape 7 between the movable roller 14 and adheres the thermal tape 4 and the adhesive tape 7 in a state in which the thermal tape 4 and the adhesive tape 7 are superimposed on each other, and adheres the laminated tape 9 to each other.

[0056] The support hole 64 includes an opening 64A (see FIG. 8) provided in a top plate 305 described later, and an opening 64B (see FIG. 7) provided in a bottom plate 306 described later. The openings 64A and 64B are through holes provided at corresponding positions in the up-down direction of the cassette case 31. With the tape cassette 30 attached to the attachment portion 8, the drive shaft 18 is inserted inside the transport roller 56.

[0057] A guide portion 59 is provided at the left front corner of the cassette case 31, to the left of the transport roller 56. The guide portion 59 is formed in the shape of a slit extending in the vertical direction. When the splicing tape 9 is transported via the transport roller 56, it passes inside the guide portion 59. At this time, the guide portion 59 supports the splicing tape 9 from both sides in the width direction. As a result, the splicing tape 9 is discharged from the cassette case 31 while maintaining its posture. In other words, the guide portion 59 guides the splicing tape 9 to the outside of the cassette case 31.

[0058] <Thermal Tape 4 Composition> In the following, the upper and lower sides of Fig. 10 are the upper and lower sides of each tape, respectively. Fig. 10 shows the width of each tape, the magnitude relationship of the width of each tape, the thickness of each layer, and the magnitude relationship of the thickness of each layer, and the actual thickness of each layer and the magnitude relationship of the thickness of each layer may differ from Fig. 10 (the same applies to Figs. 11, 12, and 17 to 19).

[0059] As shown in Fig. 10(A), the thermal tape 4 is a long medium having a longitudinal direction (length direction) and a transverse direction (width direction), and is configured by laminating a plurality of layers. In detail, the thermal tape 4 has a base material 41, a plurality of thermal sensitive layers 42, a plurality of heat shielding layers 43, and an overcoat layer 44 (hereinafter collectively referred to as "each layer of the thermal tape 4"). In this embodiment, the plurality of thermal sensitive layers 42 include a first thermal sensitive layer 421, a second thermal sensitive layer 422, and a third thermal sensitive layer 423. The plurality of heat shielding layers 43 include a first thermal shielding layer 431 and a second thermal shielding layer 432. The width, which is the length in the transverse direction of the thermal tape 4, is K, and the thickness of the thermal tape 4 is t.

[0060] The substrate 41, the first thermosensitive layer 421, the first heat shielding layer 431, the second thermosensitive layer 422, the second heat shielding layer 432, the third thermosensitive layer 423, and the overcoat layer 44 are laminated in this order from the lower side of the thermosensitive tape 4 in the thickness direction of the thermosensitive tape 4 (the up-down direction in FIG. 10(A)). In other words, the overcoat layer 44 is provided on the opposite side of the substrate 41 with respect to the multiple thermosensitive layers 42, more specifically, on the upper surface of the thermosensitive tape 4. Hereinafter, the surface of the substrate 41 on which the first thermosensitive layer 421 is laminated will be referred to as the first surface, and the surface of the substrate 41 opposite to the first surface will be referred to as the second surface.

[0061] The substrate 41 is a resin film, specifically a non-foamed resin film, and more specifically a non-foamed polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film. In other words, the substrate 41 does not contain any air bubbles.

[0062] Each of the plurality of thermosensitive layers 42 develops a color corresponding to the layer by being heated to a color development temperature corresponding to the layer. The plurality of thermosensitive layers 42 uses, for example, a chemical described in JP-A-2008-6830.

[0063] The first thermosensitive layer 421 is formed in a film shape by applying a chemical to the lower surface of the first heat shielding layer 431. The first thermosensitive layer 421 develops a first color when it exceeds a first temperature. In this embodiment, the first color is cyan.

[0064] The second thermosensitive layer 422 is formed in a film shape by applying a chemical to the lower surface of the second heat shielding layer 432. The second thermosensitive layer 422 develops a second color when the second temperature exceeds a second temperature. The second temperature is higher than the first temperature. In this embodiment, the second color is magenta.

[0065] The third thermosensitive layer 423 is formed in a film shape by applying a chemical to the upper surface of the second heat shielding layer 432. The third thermosensitive layer 423 develops a third color when it exceeds a third temperature. The third temperature is higher than the second temperature. In this embodiment, the third color is yellow.

[0066] In the thermal tape 4, the first color is cyan, the second color is magenta, and the third color is yellow. That is, the first thermal layer 421, the second thermal layer 422, and the third thermal layer 423 generate the three primary colors. In the thermal tape 4, many colors can be displayed by combining the three primary colors through the color generation of multiple thermal layers 42.

[0067] The heat shield layers 43 are in the form of a sheet. Since the heat shield layers 43 have low thermal conductivity, the heat shield layers 43 act as a resistance against heat conduction. Therefore, a temperature gradient occurs inside each of the heat shield layers 43 in the direction in which heat is transmitted. When the thermal head 10 heats the thermal tape 4 from the upper side in FIG. 10 as described below, the temperature of the lower surface of each heat shield layer 43 becomes lower than the temperature of the upper surface of each heat shield layer 43. As a result, each heat shield layer 43 can provide a desired difference in temperature between the two heat-sensitive layers 42 adjacent to each other on both the upper and lower sides of each heat shield layer 43 according to the thermal conductivity of the heat shield layer 43.

[0068] In detail, the second heat-shielding layer 432 can make the temperature of the second heat-sensitive layer 422 lower than the temperature of the third heat-sensitive layer 423. The first heat-shielding layer 431 can make the temperature of the first heat-sensitive layer 421 lower than the temperature of the second heat-sensitive layer 422. In this way, the heat-sensitive tape 4, by the action of the heat-shielding layer 43, can intentionally control the temperature of the first heat-sensitive layer 421 to a temperature higher than the first temperature and lower than the second temperature, the temperature of the second heat-sensitive layer 422 to a temperature higher than the second temperature and lower than the third temperature, and the temperature of the third heat-sensitive layer 423 to a temperature higher than the third temperature.

[0069] The overcoat layer 44 is formed in a film shape by being coated on the upper surface of the third thermosensitive layer 423. The overcoat layer 44 protects the multiple thermosensitive layers 42 from the side opposite to the base material 41 (i.e., the upper surface side of the thermosensitive tape 4).

[0070] The thermal tape 4 as a whole has visible light transmittance (transparency) in the thickness direction of the thermal tape 4. That is, each layer of the thermal tape 4 has transparency. The visible light transmittance (%) of the base material 41 may be the same as or different from the visible light transmittance of at least one of the multiple thermal sensitive layers 42, the multiple heat shielding layers 43, and the overcoat layer 44. The visible light transmittance of each layer of the thermal tape 4 is, for example, 90% or more, preferably 99% or more, and more preferably 99.9% or more. The transparency of each layer of the thermal tape 4 may be such that the user can at least visually recognize the color development in the thermal layer 42 through the base material 41, even if the visible light transmittance of each layer of the thermal tape 4 is less than 90%. Each layer of the thermal tape 4 is transparent or translucent, and is preferably transparent.

[0071] <Configuration of adhesive tape 7> As shown in FIG. 10(B), the adhesive tape 7 is a long medium having a longitudinal direction (length direction) and a lateral direction (width direction), and is configured by laminating multiple layers. In detail, the adhesive tape 7 includes a double-sided adhesive tape 71 and a release paper 75. The double-sided adhesive tape 71 is white, and includes a substrate 72, a first adhesive layer 73, and a second adhesive layer 74. The substrate 72 is white. That is, in this embodiment, the adhesive tape 7 as a whole does not have transparency in the thickness direction of the heat-sensitive tape 4. The visible light transmittance of the substrate 72 is lower than the visible light transmittance of any of the layers of the heat-sensitive tape 4.

[0072] The adhesive tape 7 has a width, which is the length in the short direction, of N. In this embodiment, the width N of the adhesive tape 7 is expressed by formula (1) using the width K and thickness t of the heat-sensitive tape 4. N = K + 2t (1)

[0073] The first adhesive layer 73 is provided on the lower surface of the substrate 72. The second adhesive layer 74 is provided on the upper surface of the substrate 72. In other words, the double-sided adhesive tape 71 is constructed by applying an adhesive to both the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate 72. As the adhesive for the first adhesive layer 73 and the second adhesive layer 74, adhesives such as urethane resin-based, silicone resin-based, vinyl resin-based, polyester resin-based, synthetic rubber-based, natural rubber-based, and acrylic resin-based adhesives can be used.

[0074] The release paper 75 is attached to the double-sided adhesive tape 71 via the second adhesive layer 74. A slit 76 is provided in the release paper 75. The slit 76 extends in the longitudinal direction of the adhesive tape 7 and divides the release paper 75 into two in the lateral direction. The slit 76 penetrates into part of the double-sided adhesive tape 71, but does not reach the first adhesive layer 73. In other words, the base material 72 is connected in a continuous manner across the slit 76. In other words, the double-sided adhesive tape 71 is connected in a continuous manner across the slit 76.

[0075] The release paper 75 is attached to the double-sided adhesive tape 71 via the second adhesive layer 74. A slit 76 is provided in the release paper 75. The slit 76 extends in the longitudinal direction of the adhesive tape 7 and divides the release paper 75 into two in the lateral direction. The slit 76 penetrates into part of the double-sided adhesive tape 71, but does not reach the first adhesive layer 73. In other words, the base material 72 is connected in a continuous manner across the slit 76. In other words, the double-sided adhesive tape 71 is connected in a continuous manner across the slit 76.

[0076] <Configuration of Laminating Tape 9> In Fig. 11, Fig. 18, and Fig. 19, each tape is arranged so that the direction of the user's view is downward. That is, Fig. 10 is upside down, and Fig. 11, Fig. 18, and Fig. 19 are upside down. As shown in Fig. 11(A), the laminating tape 9 is formed by laminating the lower surface of the adhesive tape 7 to the upper surface of the printed heat-sensitive tape 4. In other words, the adhesive tape 7 is laminated to the heat-sensitive tape 4 from the first surface side of the substrate 41. Therefore, in the laminating tape 9, the substrate 41, the first heat-sensitive layer 421, the first heat-shielding layer 431, the second heat-sensitive layer 422, the second heat-shielding layer 432, the third heat-sensitive layer 423, the overcoat layer 44, the first adhesive layer 73, the substrate 72, the second adhesive layer 74, and the release paper 75 are laminated in this order in the thickness direction.

[0077] The user views the bonding tape 9 from the second surface side of the substrate 41 (i.e., the upper side in FIG. 11(A)) (see viewing direction Y1). Since the heat-sensitive tape 4 is transparent overall, when the user views the bonding tape 9 from the substrate 41 side, the color development of each layer of the multiple heat-sensitive layers 42 (i.e., the printed image) can be seen through the substrate 41, and the adhesive tape 7 can be seen as the background. In this embodiment, since the double-sided adhesive tape 71 is white, when the user views the bonding tape 9 from the substrate 41 side, the background appears white. For example, the user can peel off the release paper 75 from the double-sided adhesive tape 71 and attach it to a predetermined wall, mount, or the like, to use the bonding tape 9.

[0078] <Transportation path of the heat-sensitive tape 4 and the adhesive tape 7> As shown in Fig. 4, the thermosensitive tape 4 stored in the tape area 400 is pulled forward from the right end of the first supply roll 40 by the rotational drive of the transport roller 56. The transport direction of the first transport path is the same as the longitudinal direction of the thermosensitive tape 4. The thermosensitive tape 4 is guided by the shaft 533 at the right front corner of the cassette case 31 and turns left. The thermosensitive tape 4 passing through the shaft 533 is smoothly sent out toward the left front corner of the cassette case 31 by the rotation of the roller member 535 inserted into the shaft 533. At this time, the downward movement of the thermosensitive tape 4 is restricted by the restricting portion 384B.

[0079] The thermal tape 4 passing along the shaft 533 passes between the arm front wall 35 and the regulating wall 33 inside the arm portion 34. At this time, the upward movement of the thermal tape 4 is regulated by the upper regulating portions 381A, 382A (see FIG. 8) and the regulating portion 383 (see FIG. 6). The downward movement of the thermal tape 4 is regulated by the lower regulating portions 381B, 382B (see FIG. 7). Then, when the thermal tape 4 passes the left end portion of the regulating wall 33, it passes between the regulating portion 383 and the lower regulating portion 381B, whose vertical distance is the same as the width K of the thermal tape 4. Thereafter, the thermal tape 4 exits from the opening 341 to the outside of the cassette case 31.

[0080] 12(A), in the exposed portion 77, the side of the multiple heat-sensitive layers 42 (the upper surface side of the heat-sensitive tape 4) faces the thermal head 10, and the side of the substrate 41 of the heat-sensitive tape 4 (the lower surface side of the heat-sensitive tape 4) faces the platen roller 15. In other words, the thermal head 10 is located on the opposite side of the multiple heat-sensitive layers 42 to the substrate 41 (i.e., the rear side of the heat-sensitive tape 4) when the tape cassette 30 is attached to the attachment portion 8. Therefore, in the exposed portion 77, the heat-sensitive tape 4 is heated by the thermal head 10 from the opposite side to the substrate 41 (see printing direction Y2).

[0081] 9, the thermal tape 4 printed by heating from the thermal head 10 is transported toward the transport roller 56 via the inlet 61A and the guide outlet 61B in the regulating and guiding portion 61. At this time, the upward movement of the thermal tape 4 is regulated by the upper regulating portion 363A and the regulating portion 364. The downward movement of the thermal tape 4 is regulated by the lower regulating portion 363B. When the thermal tape 4 passes through the guide outlet 61B, it passes between the regulating portion 364 and the lower regulating portion 363B, whose vertical distance is the same as the width K of the thermal tape 4.

[0082] As shown in Fig. 4, the heat-sensitive tape 4 that has passed through the regulating and guiding portion 61 passes between the transport roller 56 and the movable roller 14. At this time, as shown in Fig. 12(B), the side of the multiple heat-sensitive layers 42 of the heat-sensitive tape 4 faces the transport roller 56, and the side of the base material 41 of the heat-sensitive tape 4 faces the movable roller 14.

[0083] In this embodiment, the protruding ends of the lower restricting portions 401B, 381B, 382B, 363B, and restricting portion 384B are all set to the same height regardless of their respective positions. Therefore, the downward movement of the thermal tape 4 housed in the tape area 400 is restricted at the same vertical positions as the thermal tape 4 present in the arm portion 34 and the restricting guide portion 61.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 4, the adhesive tape 7 accommodated in the tape area 410 is pulled forward from the left end of the second supply roll 70 by the rotational drive of the conveying roller 56. Hereinafter, the conveying path of the adhesive tape 7 is referred to as the second conveying path. The conveying direction of the second conveying path is the same as the longitudinal direction of the adhesive tape 7. The adhesive tape 7 bends leftward while contacting the right front part of the outer periphery of the conveying roller 56. At this time, as shown in FIG. 12(B), the release paper 75 side (upper surface side of the adhesive tape 7) of the adhesive tape 7 faces the conveying roller 56, and the double-sided adhesive tape 71 side (lower surface side of the adhesive tape 7) of the adhesive tape 7 faces the movable roller 14. Therefore, the conveying roller 56 supports the adhesive tape 7 from the opposite side to the heat-sensitive tape 4 with respect to the adhesive tape 7 in a state in which the adhesive tape 7 is superimposed on the heat-sensitive tape 4 from the opposite side to the base material 41 with respect to the multiple heat-sensitive layers 42.

[0085] In this embodiment, the protruding end of the lower restricting portion 411B is set to be lower than the protruding end of the lower restricting portion 401B by the thickness t of the heat-sensitive tape 4. Therefore, the adhesive tape 7 accommodated in the tape area 410 is transported by the transport roller 56 so that the centers of the adhesive tape 7 and the heat-sensitive tape 4 transported from the tape area 400 are aligned in the vertical direction.

[0086] The movable roller 14 sandwiches the thermal tape 4 and the adhesive tape 7 in an overlapping state between the movable roller 14 and the transport roller 56 to bond the thermal tape 4 and the adhesive tape 7 together. This creates a laminated tape 9. As shown in FIG. 4, the laminated tape 9 passes inside the guide portion 59 and is discharged to the outside of the tape cassette 30. The laminated tape 9 is transported to the cutting mechanism 16 and cut by the cutting mechanism 16. The cut laminated tape 9 is discharged to the outside of the thermal printer 1 through the discharge slit in the main body cover 2.

[0087] <Electrical configuration of thermal printer 1> 13, the thermal printer 1 includes a CPU 81. The CPU 81 functions as a processor and controls the thermal printer 1. The CPU 81 is electrically connected to a flash memory 82, a ROM 83, a ROM 84, a keyboard 3, a display 5, a thermal head 10, a transport motor 95, and a cutting motor 96.

[0088] The flash memory 82 stores programs executed by the CPU 81. The ROM 83 stores various parameters required for executing various programs. The ROM 84 stores various temporary data such as print data for forming an image.

[0089] <Laminating tape creation process using thermal printer 1> A user operates the keyboard 3 to input a print start command to the thermal printer 1. When the CPU 81 receives the print start command, it reads a program from the flash memory 82 and executes a laminated tape production process. In the laminated tape production process, the printing operation by the thermal printer 1 is controlled to produce the laminated tape 9.

[0090] 14, the CPU 81 acquires image data indicating an image designated by a user (S1). The user designates in advance an image to be formed on the bonding tape 9 via the keyboard 3. The image to be formed on the bonding tape 9 is an image that is visible when the user views the bonding tape 9 from a viewing direction Y1.

[0091] The CPU 81 starts the transport control (S2). In the transport control, the CPU 81 controls the transport motor 95 to rotate the drive shaft 18. As a result, the transport roller 56 and the movable roller 14 cooperate with each other to pull out the thermal tape 4 from the first supply roll 40, and pull out the adhesive tape 7 from the second supply roll 70. At this time, the lower regulating units 401B, 411B, 381B, 382B, 363B, the upper regulating units 381A, 382A, 363A, and the regulating units 383, 364 transport the thermal tape 4 and the adhesive tape 7 so that the center of the thermal tape 4 and the center of the adhesive tape 7 coincide with each other in the up-down direction.

[0092] The CPU 81 performs printing control based on the acquired image data (S3). In the printing control, the CPU 81 controls the thermal head 10. In detail, the CPU 81 selectively causes the multiple heating elements 11 to generate heat while transporting the thermal tape 4. At this time, as described above, the thermal tape 4 is heated by the thermal head 10 from the side opposite to the substrate 41 with respect to the multiple thermal layers 42 (see FIG. 12).

[0093] The CPU 81 performs control to bond the adhesive tape 7 to the printed thermosensitive tape 4 (S4). Specifically, the CPU 81 controls the conveying motor 95 to rotate the drive shaft 18, thereby conveying the printed thermosensitive tape 4 and the adhesive tape 7. Between the conveying roller 56 and the movable roller 14, the adhesive tape 7 is bonded to the printed thermosensitive tape 4 from the opposite side of the substrate 41 with respect to the multiple thermosensitive layers 42. In this way, a laminated tape 9 is produced.

[0094] The CPU 81 stops the transport motor 95 and stops the transport control started in S2 (S5). The CPU 81 controls the cutting motor 96 to cut the laminated tape 9 by the cutting mechanism 16 (S6). The CPU 81 ends the laminated tape production process.

[0095] <Main Effects of This Embodiment> The laminating tape 9 is constructed by laminating the lower surface of the adhesive tape 7 onto the upper surface of the printed heat-sensitive tape 4. The heat-sensitive tape 4 has a substrate 41, a plurality of heat-sensitive layers 42, a plurality of heat-shielding layers 43, and an overcoat layer 44. A third heat-sensitive layer 423, which is the heat-sensitive layer 42, is provided on the first surface side of the substrate 41. The third heat-sensitive layer 423 develops a third color (yellow) when it exceeds a third temperature. The adhesive tape 7 includes a double-sided adhesive tape 71. The double-sided adhesive tape 71 has a substrate 72, a first adhesive layer 73, and a second adhesive layer 74. The width N of the adhesive tape 7 is greater than the width K of the heat-sensitive tape 4.

[0096] In this case, when the thermal tape 4 and the adhesive tape 7 are bonded together, the adhesive tape 7 protrudes from the end of the thermal tape 4 in the width direction, as shown in Fig. 11(A). As a result, as shown in Fig. 11(B), the portion of the adhesive tape 7 protruding from the thermal tape 4 in the width direction (hereinafter referred to as the width protruding portion) can be bonded to cover the width direction end face of the thermal tape 4. Since the width direction end face of the thermal tape 4 is covered with the adhesive tape 7, the bonding tape 9 has high durability against intrusion of moisture, adhesion of dirt, abrasion, etc. at the width direction end face of the thermal tape 4 by the amount of the adhesive tape 7 covering the thermal tape 4.

[0097] The thermosensitive tape 4 has a first thermosensitive layer 421 and a second thermosensitive layer 422, which are the thermosensitive layer 42, between the base material 41 and the third thermosensitive layer 423. The first thermosensitive layer 421 develops a first color (cyan) when it exceeds a first temperature. The second thermosensitive layer 422 develops a second color (magenta) when it exceeds a second temperature. The thermosensitive tape 4 can express various colors by combining the third color developed in the third thermosensitive layer 423, the first color developed in the first thermosensitive layer 421, and the second color developed in the second thermosensitive layer 422. Here, in the bonding tape 9, the end surface in the width direction of the thermosensitive tape 4 is covered with the adhesive tape 7, so that, for example, moisture and dirt are prevented from penetrating between the first thermosensitive layer 421 and the third thermosensitive layer 423. Therefore, the bonding tape 9 is highly durable and can express various colors.

[0098] The substrate 41 is transparent. The adhesive tape 7 is superimposed on the heat-sensitive tape 4 from the first surface side of the substrate 41 with the heat-sensitive layers 42 therebetween. In this case, the heat-sensitive layers 42 are sandwiched between the substrate 41 and the adhesive tape 7, so that the laminating tape 9 has high durability against the intrusion of moisture, adhesion of dirt, abrasion, etc. in the thickness direction.

[0099] The width N of the adhesive tape 7, the width K and the thickness t of the heat-sensitive tape 4, satisfy the relationship of formula (2). K <N≦K+2t ···(2) In this case, the heat-sensitive tape 4 and the adhesive tape 7 can be bonded together so that the length of the width-protruding portion of the adhesive tape 7 is equal to or less than the thickness t of the heat-sensitive tape 4. At this time, the width-protruding portion of the adhesive tape 7 does not protrude from the end of the heat-sensitive tape 4 in the thickness direction when covering the end face in the width direction of the heat-sensitive tape 4. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11(B), the width-protruding portion of the adhesive tape 7 is not bonded to anything other than the end face in the width direction of the heat-sensitive tape 4, and the convenience of the bonding tape 9 is improved. In particular, when the width N of the adhesive tape 7 is expressed by the formula (1) using the width K and thickness t of the heat-sensitive tape 4, the width-protruding portion of the adhesive tape 7 can be bonded to the heat-sensitive tape 4 so as to cover the entire end face in the width direction of the heat-sensitive tape 4. In this case, the bonding tape 9 has even higher durability against the intrusion of moisture, the adhesion of dirt, abrasion, etc. at the end face in the width direction of the heat-sensitive tape 4.

[0100] The tape cassette 30 has a cassette case 31. Support holes 65, 66 are provided inside the cassette case 31. The support hole 65 rotatably supports the tape spool 21. The support hole 66 rotatably supports the tape spool 22. The thermal tape 4 is wound around the tape spool 21 in a clockwise direction in a plan view away from the center of rotation of the tape spool 21. The adhesive tape 7 is wound around the tape spool 22 in a counterclockwise direction in a plan view away from the center of rotation of the tape spool 22. As a result, the tape cassette 30 can provide a bonding tape 9 that is highly durable against the intrusion of moisture, the adhesion of dirt, abrasion, etc. at the end faces in the width direction of the thermal tape 4.

[0101] The tape cassette 30 conveys the adhesive tape 7 relative to the heat-sensitive tape 4 so that the adhesive tape 7 is superimposed on the heat-sensitive tape 4 from the first surface side of the base material 41 with the plurality of heat-sensitive layers 42 therebetween. In this case, the user can see the color of the heat-sensitive layer 42 from the base material 41 side of the laminating tape 9. Furthermore, the adhesive tape 7 increases the durability of the laminating tape 9 against moisture intrusion, dirt adhesion, abrasion, etc. at the end faces in the width direction of the heat-sensitive tape 4, and the base material 41 also increases the durability of the surface of the laminating tape 9.

[0102] The first conveying path is provided with the lower regulating portions 401B, 381B, 382B, 363B, the upper regulating portions 381A, 382A, 363A, and the regulating portions 383, 364. As a result, when the thermal tape 4 is conveyed along the first conveying path, the movement of the thermal tape 4 in the vertical direction, which is the width direction of the thermal tape 4, within the tape cassette 30 is regulated. The second conveying path is provided with the lower regulating portion 411B. The protruding end of the lower regulating portion 411B is set to be lower than the protruding end of the lower regulating portion 401B by the thickness t of the thermal tape 4. Therefore, the adhesive tape 7 is conveyed by the conveying roller 56 so that the centers of the adhesive tape 7 and the thermal tape 4 are aligned in the vertical direction. As a result, the thermal tape 4 and the adhesive tape 7 are bonded together with the adhesive tape 7 protruding from both ends of the thermal tape 4 in the width direction. Therefore, the tape cassette 30 can provide a bonding tape 9 with high durability.

[0103] The CPU 81 performs printing control (S3). In the printing control, the CPU 81 controls the thermal head 10 while controlling the transport motor 95. In detail, the CPU 81 selectively heats the multiple heating elements 11 while transporting the thermal tape 4. At this time, the multiple thermal layers 42 of the thermal tape 4 are heated by the thermal head 10. Each layer of the multiple thermal layers 42 is heated to a color development temperature corresponding to each layer, and develops a color corresponding to each layer. The CPU 81 performs control to bond the adhesive tape 7 to the printed thermal tape 4 (S4). In detail, the CPU 81 controls the transport motor 95 to transport the printed thermal tape 4 and the adhesive tape 7. The adhesive tape 7 is bonded to the printed thermal tape 4 between the transport roller 56 and the movable roller 14. As a result, the printing system can provide a bonded tape 9 that is highly durable against moisture intrusion, dirt adhesion, rubbing, etc. at the end face in the width direction of the thermal tape 4.

[0104] In S4, the adhesive tape 7 is superimposed on the heat-sensitive tape 4 from the first surface side of the substrate 41 with the plurality of heat-sensitive layers 42 therebetween. As a result, the heat-sensitive layer 42 is sandwiched between the substrate 41 and the adhesive tape 7, so that the printing system can provide a lamination tape 9 that is highly durable in the thickness direction against intrusion of moisture, adhesion of dirt, abrasion, etc.

[0105] The CPU 81 performs transport control (S2). In the transport control, the lower regulating units 401B, 411B, 381B, 382B, 363B, the upper regulating units 381A, 382A, 363A, and the regulating units 384B, 383, 364 transport the thermal tape 4 and the adhesive tape 7 while aligning the center of the thermal tape 4 and the center of the adhesive tape 7 so that they coincide with each other in the vertical direction. In this case, the thermal tape 4 and the adhesive tape 7 are bonded together with the adhesive tape 7 protruding from both ends of the thermal tape 4 in the width direction. Therefore, the printing system can provide a bonding tape 9 with high durability.

[0106] <Response description> In the above embodiment, the thermal tape 4 corresponds to the "thermal medium" of the present invention. The adhesive tape 7 corresponds to the "adhesive medium" of the present invention. The laminating tape 9 corresponds to the "medium" of the present invention. The substrate 41 corresponds to the "thermal medium substrate" of the present invention. The third temperature corresponds to the "predetermined temperature" of the present invention. The third thermal layer 423 corresponds to the "first coloring layer" and "coloring layer" of the present invention. The substrate 72 corresponds to the "adhesive medium substrate" of the present invention. The first adhesive layer 73 and the second adhesive layer 74 correspond to the "adhesive layer" of the present invention. The first thermal layer 421 and the second thermal layer 422 correspond to the "second coloring layer" of the present invention. The tape cassette 30 corresponds to the "cartridge" of the present invention. The cassette case 31 corresponds to the "case" of the present invention. The support hole 65 corresponds to the "first holding portion" of the present invention. The support hole 66 corresponds to the "second holding portion" of the present invention. The process of S3 in FIG. 14 corresponds to the "printing process" of the present invention. The process of S6 in FIG. 14 corresponds to the "laminating process" of the present invention. The transport control executed in S2 of FIG. 14 corresponds to the "positioning step" of the present invention.

[0107] <First Modification> In the following, components having the same functions as those in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals as those in the above embodiment, and their explanations are omitted or simplified. As shown in Fig. 15, the first modified example differs from the above embodiment in that the tape cassette 30 is not used. The first modified example uses the same heat-sensitive tape 4 and adhesive tape 7 as those in the above embodiment. The first modified example uses the same thermal printer 1 (except for the configuration of the mounting unit 8) as those in the above embodiment. The first modified example performs the same control (laminate tape creation process) as the above embodiment.

[0108] The mounting portion 8 is provided with a first mounting portion 811 and a second mounting portion 812. The first mounting portion 811 is located at the upper right portion of the mounting portion 8. The first mounting portion 811 is provided with a support shaft 811A. The support shaft 811A extends in the vertical direction, and is inserted into the tape spool 21. The support shaft 811A rotatably supports the tape spool 21. As a result, the first supply roll 40 is mounted in the first mounting portion 811.

[0109] The second mounting portion 812 is located at the upper left of the mounting portion 8, that is, to the left of the first mounting portion 811. A support shaft 812A is provided in the second mounting portion 812. The support shaft 812A extends in the vertical direction, and is inserted into the tape spool 22. The support shaft 812A rotatably supports the tape spool 22. As a result, the second supply roll 70 is mounted in the second mounting portion 812.

[0110] A transport roller 313 is provided downstream (left side) of the thermal head 10 in the transport direction. The transport roller 313 is cylindrical and attached to the drive shaft 18. The transport roller 313 rotates when driven by the drive shaft 18. The movable roller 14 can move toward and away from the transport roller 313 as the platen holder 12 swings. At the printing position, the movable roller 14 overlaps the thermal tape 4 and the adhesive tape 7 and presses them against the transport roller 313.

[0111] The thermal tape 4 is pulled downward from the right end of the first supply roll 40 and turns left at the right front corner of the mounting section 8. The thermal tape 4 passes in front of the head holder 19. At the front of the head holder 19, the multiple thermal layers 42 of the thermal tape 4 face the thermal head 10, and the substrate 41 of the thermal tape 4 faces the platen roller 15. In other words, the thermal head 10 is located on the opposite side of the multiple thermal layers 42 to the substrate 41 (i.e., the rear side of the thermal tape 4). Therefore, the thermal tape 4 is heated by the thermal head 10 from the opposite side to the substrate 41.

[0112] The thermal tape 4 passes between the transport roller 313 and the movable roller 14 via the front side of the head holder 19. At this time, the multiple thermal layers 42 of the thermal tape 4 face the transport roller 313, and the base material 41 of the thermal tape 4 faces the movable roller 14.

[0113] The adhesive tape 7 is pulled downward from the left end of the second supply roll 70. The adhesive tape 7 bends leftward while contacting the right front portion of the outer periphery of the transport roller 313. At this time, the release paper 75 side of the adhesive tape 7 faces the transport roller 313, and the double-sided adhesive tape 71 side of the adhesive tape 7 faces the movable roller 14. Therefore, the transport roller 313 supports the adhesive tape 7 from the opposite side to the heat-sensitive tape 4 with respect to the adhesive tape 7, with the adhesive tape 7 overlapping the heat-sensitive tape 4 from the opposite side to the base material 41 with respect to the multiple heat-sensitive layers 42.

[0114] The movable roller 14 sandwiches the heat-sensitive tape 4 and the adhesive tape 7 in an overlapping state between the movable roller 14 and the transport roller 313 to bond the heat-sensitive tape 4 and the adhesive tape 7 together, thereby producing a bonded tape 9.

[0115] In the first modified example, similarly to the above embodiment, the laminating tape 9 can increase the durability of the end faces of the heat-sensitive tape 4 in the width direction against intrusion of moisture, adhesion of dirt, abrasion, and the like.

[0116] <Second Modification> As shown in Fig. 16, the printing system of the second modified example includes a thermal printer 1 and tape cassettes 920, 921. The second modified example differs from the above embodiment in that a plurality of tape cassettes 920, 921 are used, and the first supply roll 40 and the second supply roll 70 are housed in the tape cassettes 920, 921, respectively. The second modified example uses the same thermal tape 4 and adhesive tape 7 as the above embodiment. The second modified example uses the same thermal printer 1 (except for the configuration of the mounting unit 8) as the above embodiment. The second modified example performs the same control (laminate tape creation process) as the above embodiment.

[0117] The mounting portion 8 is provided with a first mounting portion 821 and a second mounting portion 822. The first mounting portion 821 is approximately the right half of the mounting portion 8. A tape cassette 920 is detachably mounted in the first mounting portion 821. The second mounting portion 822 is approximately the left half of the mounting portion 8. A tape cassette 321 is detachably mounted in the second mounting portion 822.

[0118] The tape cassette 920 corresponds to the right side portion when the tape cassette 30 of the above embodiment is divided in two in the left-right direction between the first supply roll 40 and the second supply roll 70. The tape cassette 920 has a cassette case 930. The cassette case 330 is substantially rectangular and is formed by combining a lower case 932 and an upper case (not shown). The first supply roll 40 is accommodated inside the cassette case 930. The arm portion 34 is provided on a front surface 930A of the cassette case 930.

[0119] The tape cassette 921 corresponds to the left side portion when the tape cassette 30 is divided in two in the left-right direction between the first supply roll 40 and the second supply roll 70. The tape cassette 921 has a cassette case 940. The cassette case 940 is substantially rectangular and is formed by combining a lower case 942 and an upper case (not shown). The second supply roll 70 is housed inside the cassette case 940. The transport roller 56 is provided at the front left corner of the cassette case 940. The head insertion section 39 is formed by the arm section 34 and a front surface 940A of the cassette case 940.

[0120] The thermal tape 4 is pulled downward from the right end of the first supply roll 40 and bends left at the right front corner of the cassette case 930. The thermal tape 4 passes through the inside of the arm portion 34 and exits from the opening 341 to the outside of the cassette case 930.

[0121] In the exposed portion 77, the multiple heat-sensitive layers 42 side of the heat-sensitive tape 4 faces the thermal head 10, and the substrate 41 side of the heat-sensitive tape 4 faces the platen roller 15. In other words, when the tape cassette 320 is attached to the first attachment portion 821 and the tape cassette 321 is attached to the second attachment portion 822, the thermal head 10 is located on the opposite side of the multiple heat-sensitive layers 42 to the substrate 41 (i.e., behind the heat-sensitive tape 4). Therefore, in the exposed portion 77, the heat-sensitive tape 4 is heated by the thermal head 10 from the opposite side to the substrate 41.

[0122] The heat-sensitive tape 4 passes between the transport roller 56 and the movable roller 14 via the exposed portion 77. At this time, the multiple heat-sensitive layers 42 of the heat-sensitive tape 4 face the transport roller 56, and the base material 41 of the heat-sensitive tape 4 faces the movable roller 14.

[0123] The adhesive tape 7 is pulled downward from the left end of the second supply roll 70. The adhesive tape 7 bends leftward while contacting the right front portion of the outer periphery of the transport roller 56. At this time, the release paper 75 side of the adhesive tape 7 faces the transport roller 56, and the double-sided adhesive tape 71 side of the adhesive tape 7 faces the movable roller 14. Therefore, the transport roller 56 supports the adhesive tape 7 from the opposite side to the heat-sensitive tape 4 with respect to the adhesive tape 7 being superimposed on the heat-sensitive tape 4 from the opposite side to the substrate 41 with respect to the multiple heat-sensitive layers 42.

[0124] The movable roller 14 sandwiches the thermal tape 4 and the adhesive tape 7 in an overlapping state between the movable roller 14 and the transport roller 56 to bond the thermal tape 4 and the adhesive tape 7 together, thereby producing a bonded tape 9. The bonded tape 9 passes inside the guide portion 59 and is discharged to the outside of the cassette case 340.

[0125] In the second modified example, similarly to the above embodiment, the laminating tape 9 can have high durability against intrusion of moisture, adhesion of dirt, abrasion, etc. at the end faces in the width direction of the heat-sensitive tape 4.

[0126] <Third Modification> 17, a printing system of the third modified example includes a thermal printer 1 and a tape cassette 30. The third modified example differs from the above embodiment in that an adhesive tape 701 is stored in the tape cassette 30 as a second supply roll instead of the adhesive tape 7. The adhesive tape 701 is configured to include a transparent substrate 721 instead of the white substrate 72, and does not include a second adhesive layer 74 or a release paper 75. Also, instead of the thermal tape 4, another adhesive tape 601 is pre-attached to the substrate 41 of the thermal tape, and is stored in the tape cassette 30 as a first supply roll.

[0127] The adhesive tape 601 is a long medium, and includes a sheet 620, a first adhesive layer 630, a second adhesive layer 640, and a release paper 650. The size of the adhesive tape 601 in the width direction is K, and the other configurations are similar to those of the adhesive tape 7 of the above embodiment. That is, the first adhesive layer 630 corresponds to the first adhesive layer 73 of the above embodiment, the second adhesive layer 640 corresponds to the second adhesive layer 74 of the above embodiment, the release paper 650 corresponds to the release paper 75 of the above embodiment, and the slit 660 provided in the release paper 650 corresponds to the slit 76 of the above embodiment.

[0128] In the third modified example, the same thermal printer 1 as in the above embodiment is used. In the third modified example, the same tape cassette 30 as in the above embodiment is used. In the third modified example, the same control (bonded tape production process) as in the above embodiment is performed.

[0129] In the third modified example, a laminated tape 901 shown in Fig. 17 is produced in the same manner as in the above embodiment. That is, a laminated tape 901 is produced in which the adhesive tape 701 and another adhesive tape 601 sandwich the heat-sensitive tape 4 in the thickness direction. Since the base material 721 is transparent, a user can visually see the color of the heat-sensitive layer 42 from the adhesive tape 701 side of the laminated tape 901 (i.e., the first surface side of the base material 41) (see visual direction Y3). In addition, since the adhesive tape 701 covers the upper surface when the laminated tape 901 is attached to an adherend, it is possible to increase the durability of the end surface of the heat-sensitive tape 4 in the width direction against intrusion of moisture, adhesion of dirt, rubbing, etc.

[0130] <Fourth modified example> 18, the printing system of the fourth modified example includes a thermal printer 1 and a tape cassette 30. The fourth modified example differs from the above embodiment in that an adhesive tape 702 is accommodated in the tape cassette 30 instead of the adhesive tape 7. The width M of the adhesive tape 702 is greater than the width N of the adhesive tape 7. More specifically, the width M of the adhesive tape 702 satisfies the relationship of formula (3) with respect to the width K and thickness t of the thermal tape 4. K+2t <M ···(3) The adhesive tape 702 includes a substrate 722 and a first adhesive layer 73. The substrate 722 is transparent, and the other configurations are similar to those of the substrate 72 of the above embodiment.

[0131] In the fourth modified example, the same thermal printer 1 as in the above embodiment is used. In the fourth modified example, the same tape cassette 30 as in the above embodiment is used. In the fourth modified example, the same control (bonded tape production process) as in the above embodiment is performed.

[0132] In the fourth modified example, a bonding tape 902 shown in FIG. 18(A) is created in the same manner as in the above embodiment. Here, in the fourth modified example, the heat-sensitive tape 4 and the adhesive tape 702 can be bonded together so that the length of the width-protruding portion of the adhesive tape 7 is longer than the thickness t of the heat-sensitive tape 4. In this case, the width-protruding portion of the adhesive tape 702 protrudes from the end of the heat-sensitive tape 4 in the thickness direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 18(B), the adhesive tape 702 protruding from the end of the heat-sensitive tape 4 in the thickness direction can be bonded to the heat-sensitive tape 4. Therefore, the width-protruding portion of the adhesive tape 702 covers a larger area of ​​the heat-sensitive tape 4. Therefore, the bonding tape 902 has higher durability against the intrusion of moisture, adhesion of dirt, rubbing, etc. of the heat-sensitive tape 4.

[0133] In addition, as a modified example, for example, after the laminating tape 9 is completed, the user may apply an adhesive to the lower surface of the laminating tape 9 (the surface of the base material 722 opposite to the first adhesive layer 73). In addition, the adhesive tape 702 may have self-adhesive properties.

[0134] <Fifth Modification> As shown in FIG. 19, the printing system of the fifth modified example includes a thermal printer 1 and a tape cassette 30. The fifth modified example differs from the above embodiment in that an adhesive tape 703 is housed in the tape cassette 30 instead of the adhesive tape 7. The adhesive tape 703 differs from the above embodiment in that it includes a double-sided adhesive tape 713 including a flexible first adhesive layer 733 having a thickness s instead of the first adhesive layer 73. The fifth modified example uses the same thermal printer 1 as the above embodiment. The fifth modified example uses the same tape cassette 30 as the above embodiment. The fifth modified example performs the same control (laminate tape creation process) as the above embodiment.

[0135] In the fifth modified example, a bonding tape 903 shown in FIG. 19(A) is produced in the same manner as in the above embodiment. In the fifth modified example, since the first adhesive layer 733 has flexibility, the heat-sensitive tape 4 and the adhesive tape 7 can be bonded together in a state in which the heat-sensitive tape 4 sinks into the adhesive tape 7, as shown in FIG. 19(B). Since the heat-sensitive tape 4 sinks into the adhesive tape 7, the thickness of the first adhesive layer 733 sandwiched between the heat-sensitive tape 4 and the base material 72 in the thickness direction is r. The widthwise end surface of the heat-sensitive tape 4 is covered by the adhesive tape 7 by the amount of the heat-sensitive tape 4 that sinks in the thickness direction (the difference between the thickness s and the thickness r). Therefore, the bonding tape 903 has even higher durability against the intrusion of moisture, adhesion of dirt, rubbing, etc. of the heat-sensitive tape 4.

[0136] <Other Modifications> In addition to the first to third modifications, the present invention allows various modifications to the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, the substrate 41 may be a foamed PET film. The substrate 41 may be polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer (EMMA), polybutene (PB), polybutadiene (BDR), polymethylpentene (PMP), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyimide (PI), polyetherimide (PEI), polyether ketone (PEK), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), nylon (NY), It may be a resin film such as polyamide (PA), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), expanded polystyrene (FS / EPS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), saponified ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVOH), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), ordinary cellophane (PT), moisture-proof cellophane (MST), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), vinylon (VL), polyurethane (PU), triacetyl cellulose (TAC), etc. In this case, the substrate 41 may be a foamed resin film or a non-foamed resin film.

[0137] When the substrate 41 is made of a foamed resin film, the thermal conductivity of the foamed resin is smaller than that of the same non-foamed resin, so this embodiment can reduce the thermal conductivity of the substrate 41 with a simple configuration. If the thermal conductivity of the substrate 41 is low, heat input from the thermal layer 42 side to the thermal tape 4 is less likely to diffuse to the substrate 41 during printing with the thermal printer 1. Therefore, this embodiment can reduce the amount of heat input to the thermal tape 4 to cause the thermal layer 42 to develop color with a simple configuration. That is, by using a foamed resin film for the substrate 41, this embodiment can reduce the amount of heat input to the thermal tape 4 to cause the thermal layer 42 to develop color without using a special material for the substrate 41 to reduce thermal conductivity.

[0138] After printing by the thermal printer 1, when the adhesive tape 7 is attached to the heat-sensitive tape 4, the substrate 41 functions as a laminating member that protects the heat-sensitive layer 42. If the thermal conductivity of the substrate 41 is low, the substrate 41 can prevent unwanted discoloration of the heat-sensitive layer 42 due to heat input from the substrate 41 side, compared to the case where a material with high thermal conductivity is used.

[0139] When the base material 41 is made of a non-foamed resin film, the visible light transmittance of the base material 41 tends to be higher than in the case of a foamed resin film. Therefore, the laminating tape 9 can make the printed image look beautiful to the user.

[0140] As long as the substrate 41 has a degree of transparency appropriate for the application, it may be a metal foil (aluminum foil, copper foil), a vacuum deposition film (VM), etc., or various types of paper such as translucent paper, Japanese paper, fine paper, dust-free paper, glassine paper, clay-coated paper, resin-coated paper, laminated paper (polyethylene-laminated paper, polypropylene-laminated paper, etc.), synthetic paper, craft paper, etc. The substrate 41 may be a nonwoven fabric, a glass cloth, etc.

[0141] The overcoat layer 44 may be made of the same material as the heat-shielding layer 43, for example. That is, in the above embodiment, a third heat-shielding layer (not shown) may be provided as the overcoat layer 44. The overcoat layer 44 may be omitted. In this case, the thermal transferability from the thermal head 10 to the multiple heat-sensitive layers 42 is improved. Therefore, the thermal printer 1 can shorten the heating time by the thermal head 10. The thermal printer 1 can reduce the cost of the overcoat layer 44.

[0142] In the above embodiment, the thermal tape 4 has a plurality of thermal layers 42. In contrast, the thermal tape 4 may have only one thermal layer. In this case, for example, the substrate 41, the first thermal layer 421, the first heat shielding layer 431, and the overcoat layer 44 are laminated in this order. After printing, the adhesive tape 7 having the slit 76 is attached to the thermal tape 4 from the opposite side to the substrate 41. Therefore, the tape cassette 30 can suppress the deterioration of the print quality due to the slit 76. In other words, since the adhesive tape 7 is attached to the printed thermal tape 4 later, the tape cassette 30 can suppress the occurrence of the white line phenomenon not only in the case of the thermal tape 4 having a plurality of thermal layers 42, but also in the case of the thermal tape 4 having one thermal layer.

[0143] When the thermal tape 4 has one thermal layer, both the first heat shielding layer 431 and the overcoat layer 44 may be omitted. In this case, the one thermal layer may be formed by applying a chemical to the upper surface of the base material 41.

[0144] In the above embodiment, the multiple thermosensitive layers 42 may be configured with two layers. That is, the third thermosensitive layer 423 may be omitted. In this case, the second heat-shielding layer 432 may also be omitted. In this case, the first thermosensitive layer 421 may be formed by applying a chemical to the lower surface of the first heat-shielding layer 431, and the second thermosensitive layer 422 may be formed by applying a chemical to the upper surface of the first heat-shielding layer 431. That is, it is sufficient that the heat-sensitive tape 4 is provided with at least one heat-shielding layer.

[0145] In the above embodiment, the multiple thermosensitive layers 42 may be composed of four or more layers. For example, a fourth thermosensitive layer (not shown) may be provided on the opposite side of the third thermosensitive layer 423 to the second thermosensitive layer 422. In this case, the fourth thermosensitive layer develops a fourth color, for example, when it exceeds a fourth temperature. The fourth temperature is higher than the third temperature. The fourth color is, for example, black. In this case, a third heat-shielding layer (not shown) is provided between the third thermosensitive layer 423 and the fourth thermosensitive layer in the thickness direction.

[0146] In the above embodiment, the first color, the second color, and the third color may be colors other than cyan, magenta, and yellow, respectively, and may be the same color, for example. The laminating tape 9 is formed by overlapping a plurality of layers of the same color, thereby expressing depth of the formed image.

[0147] In the above embodiment, the plurality of heat-sensitive layers 42 may be formed by applying a chemical to the upper surfaces of the plurality of heat-shielding layers 43. The plurality of heat-sensitive layers 42 may be formed in a sheet shape in advance and adhered to the plurality of heat-shielding layers 43.

[0148] At least one of the first adhesive layer 73 and the second adhesive layer 74 may be colored or may be opaque. When the double-sided adhesive tape 71 is transparent or translucent (i.e., has transparency), for example, when the bonding tape 9 is attached to a specific wall, the wall to which it is attached becomes the background. Therefore, the user can freely change the background depending on the wall to which the bonding tape 9 is attached.

[0149] In the above embodiment, the adhesive tape 7 may be composed of a base material 72 and a first adhesive layer 73. In this case, for example, after the lamination tape 9 is completed, the user may apply an adhesive to the surface of the base material 72 opposite to the first adhesive layer 73 (i.e., the surface exposed to the outside). The adhesive tape 7 may be self-adhesive. If the thickness of the adhesive tape 7 is small, the size of the second supply roll 70 of the tape cassette 30 can be reduced. Therefore, the cassette case 31 of the tape cassette 30 can be reduced in size.

[0150] In the above embodiment, the slit 76 does not have to be a straight line and may be, for example, a wavy line. The slit 76 does not have to be a single line, and multiple slits 76 may be lined up in the width direction and provided in the release paper 75. For example, multiple slits 76 may extend in the width direction at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction, or may extend obliquely with respect to the width direction and the longitudinal direction.

[0151] In the above embodiment, the cassette case 31 may accommodate a first supply fan fold instead of the first supply roll 40. That is, the first supply fan fold may be accommodated in the cassette case 31 as a supply portion for the heat-sensitive tape 4 in a folded state. The cassette case 31 may accommodate a second supply fan fold instead of the second supply roll 70. That is, the second supply fan fold may be accommodated in the cassette case 31 as a supply portion for the adhesive tape 7 in a folded state.

[0152] In the above embodiment, the first supply roll 40 may be a so-called coreless type in which the tape spool 21 is omitted. The second supply roll 70 may be a so-called coreless type in which the tape spool 22 is omitted.

[0153] In the above embodiment, the transport roller 56 may be provided on the thermal printer 1 side. In other words, the transport roller 56 may be pre-attached to the drive shaft 18. The printed thermal tape 4 and the adhesive tape 7 may be bonded to each other by members on the thermal printer 1 side (the transport roller 56 and the movable roller 14 pre-attached to the drive shaft 18).

[0154] In the above embodiment, the process of S1 may be executed by an external device (personal computer, smartphone, etc.) connected to the thermal printer 1. Also, the process of S4 may be omitted. For example, the laminating tape 9 may be cut manually by a user. The cutting mechanism 16 may be capable of performing a so-called half cut, in which the thermal tape 4 of the laminating tape 9 is entirely cut in the thickness direction while the adhesive tape 7 is kept continuously connected in the longitudinal direction at the cutting position.

[0155] The user may manually bond the printed thermal tape 4 and the adhesive tape 7 together. In this case, the thermal printer 1 may not be provided with a mechanism for bonding the thermal tape 4 and the adhesive tape 7 together. The top, bottom, and part of the side of the cassette case 31 may be omitted. The transport roller 56 may be non-rotatable, and may be, for example, a fixed cylindrical body or a plate-like body. In this case, for example, the driving force of the transport motor 95 may be transmitted to the movable roller 14.

[0156] Instead of the CPU 81, a microcomputer, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or the like may be used as a processor. The laminated tape production process may be distributed among a plurality of processors. The non-transitory storage medium may be any storage medium capable of retaining information regardless of the period for which the information is stored. The non-transitory storage medium may not include a temporary storage medium (e.g., a transmitted signal). For example, the program may be downloaded (i.e., transmitted as a transmission signal) from a server connected to a network and stored in the flash memory 82. In this case, the program may be stored in a non-transitory storage medium such as a hard disk drive provided in the server. The above-mentioned modified examples may be combined with each other as long as no contradiction occurs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0157] 1. Thermal printer 4 Thermal tape 7. Adhesive Tape 9. Bonding Tape 10 Thermal head 11 Heating element 30 Tape Cassette 31 Cassette Case 65, 66 Support hole 41, 72 Base material 42 Heat sensitive layer 71 Double-sided adhesive tape 73 First adhesive layer 74 Second Adhesive Layer 81 CPU 421 First Heat-Sensitive Layer 422 Second Heat-Sensitive Layer 423 Third Heat-Sensitive Layer

Claims

1. A medium kit for use in a thermal printer, in which a thermal medium and an adhesive medium are laminated together in a thickness direction, comprising: The thermal medium is a thermal media substrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side; a first color-forming layer provided on the first surface side of the thermal medium substrate, the first color-forming layer being reduced in transparency and colored when heated to a predetermined temperature or higher; Equipped with The adhesive medium is An adhesive medium substrate; An adhesive layer provided on the adhesive medium substrate; Equipped with A medium kit characterized in that the width direction N of the adhesive medium intersecting the length direction and the thickness direction is larger than the width direction K of the thermal medium, and when the thermal medium and the adhesive medium are bonded together, the adhesive medium covers the ends of the thermal medium.

2. The medium kit described in claim 1, characterized in that the thermal medium further comprises a second color-forming layer disposed between the first color-forming layer and the thermal medium substrate, the second color-forming layer being reduced in transparency when heated to a temperature different from the specified temperature and thereby being colored in a color different from that of the first color-forming layer.

3. 3. The medium kit according to claim 1, wherein the thermal-sensitive medium substrate is transparent, and the adhesive medium is attached to the thermal-sensitive medium from the first surface side of the thermal-sensitive medium substrate.

4. 3. The medium kit according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive medium substrate has transparency, and the adhesive medium is attached to the thermal medium from the first surface side of the thermal medium substrate.

5. The size N of the adhesive medium in the width direction is calculated by the following formula, where t is the thickness of the thermal medium: K<N≦K+2t 5. The medium kit according to claim 1, wherein the above conditions are satisfied.

6. The size N of the adhesive medium in the width direction is calculated by the following formula, where t is the thickness of the thermal medium: K+2t<N 5. The medium kit according to claim 1, wherein the above conditions are satisfied.

7. 7. The medium kit according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive layer has flexibility in the thickness direction.

8. A cartridge containing the media kit of any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising: Case and a first holding portion provided inside the case and holding the thermal medium; A cartridge comprising: a second holding portion provided inside the case and holding the adhesive medium.

9. 9. The cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the adhesive medium is guided to a position where it is bonded from the first surface side of the thermal medium.

10. A cartridge as described in claim 8 or 9, characterized in that it is provided on at least one of a first transport path that transports the thermal medium in the longitudinal direction from the first holding portion and a second transport path that transports the adhesive medium in the longitudinal direction from the second holding portion, and is provided with a regulating portion that regulates the movement of the thermal medium or the adhesive medium in the width direction so that the thermal medium and the adhesive medium are bonded together with the adhesive medium protruding from both ends of the thermal medium in the width direction.

11. A medium creation method for creating a medium in which a thermal medium and an adhesive medium are laminated together in a thickness direction, comprising the steps of: The thermal medium includes a thermal medium substrate having a first surface and a second surface located opposite to the first surface, and a color-developing layer provided on the first surface side of the thermal medium substrate, the color-developing layer decreasing in transparency and developing a color when heated to a predetermined temperature or higher; the adhesive medium includes an adhesive medium base material and an adhesive layer provided on the adhesive medium base material, and has a size in a width direction intersecting with a length direction and the thickness direction that is larger than a size in the width direction of the thermal-sensitive medium, and when the thermal-sensitive medium and the adhesive medium are bonded together, the adhesive medium covers an edge of the thermal-sensitive medium, The medium creating method includes: a printing step of printing by heating the thermal medium; a bonding process for bonding the thermal medium printed in the printing process and the adhesive medium to create the medium; A medium creation method comprising:

12. The thermal medium substrate has transparency, The medium production method according to claim 11 , wherein the bonding step bonds the adhesive medium to the first surface side of the thermal medium base material of the thermal medium.

13. The adhesive medium substrate has transparency, The medium production method according to claim 11 , wherein the bonding step bonds the adhesive medium to the first surface side of the thermal medium base material of the thermal medium.

14. A medium creation method as described in any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that it further comprises a positioning step of positioning the thermal medium and the adhesive medium in the width direction prior to the bonding step so that the thermal medium and the adhesive medium are bonded together with the adhesive medium protruding from both ends of the thermal medium in the width direction.

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