Auxiliary tape cassette and printing tape cassette

Abstract

To provide an auxiliary tape cassette capable of properly carrying a printing tape.SOLUTION: An auxiliary tape cassette is equipped with a roll of an auxiliary tape provided for printing of a printing tape to be carried, and a case that stores the roll. The case has a discharge port that discharges the printing tape from the inside to the outside of the case, and a guide surface that is provided on an inner surface or an outer surface of the case and guides the printing tape supplied from the outside of the printing tape toward the discharge port. The printing tape is wound around the guide surface so as to configure a spiral portion where a rotation angle around a center axis parallel to a winding axis of the roll is 180° or more. The guide surface has a curved surface that guides at least a part of the spiral part on the upstream side of the discharge port in a discharging direction of the printing tape.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an auxiliary tape cassette and a printing tape cassette. [Background technology]

[0002] In a printing device that prints on a printing tape, a cassette that contains the printing tape is attached to and detached from the main body of the printing device to replace and supply the printing tape. As such a cassette, an ink ribbon cassette that contains an ink ribbon and a printing tape cassette that contains the printing tape are stacked together (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 63-156762 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned cassette, printing is performed in a state where the printing tape discharged from the printing tape cassette is superimposed on the ink ribbon in the ink ribbon cassette. If the path of the printing tape to the ink ribbon cassette is not set properly, the printing tape may not be fed properly due to the tape being twisted, etc.

[0005] An object of one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an auxiliary tape cassette and a printing tape cassette that can appropriately transport a printing tape. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is an auxiliary tape cassette including a roll of auxiliary tape to be used for printing on a transported printing tape, and a case to house the roll in. The case has an outlet for discharging the printing tape from inside the case to the outside, and a guide surface provided on the inner or outer surface of the case and guiding the printing tape supplied from outside the case toward the outlet.

[0007] The printing tape is wound on the guide surface so as to form a spiral portion whose rotation angle around a central axis parallel to the winding axis of the roll is 180° or more. The guide surface has a curved surface that guides at least a part of the spiral portion upstream of the discharge outlet in the discharge direction of the printing tape.

[0008] According to this configuration, the guide surface of the auxiliary tape cassette prevents problems such as twisting of the printing tape being fed to the head opening, so that the printing tape can be properly fed to the head opening provided in the auxiliary tape cassette.

[0009] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a printing tape cassette including a roll of printing tape and a case that houses the roll. The case has an outlet for discharging the printing tape to the outside of the case and a guide surface for guiding the printing tape discharged from the outlet. The printing tape is wound around the guide surface to form a spiral portion having a rotation angle of 180° or more around a central axis parallel to the winding axis of the roll.

[0010] According to this configuration, the guide surface of the printing tape cassette prevents problems such as twisting of the printing tape being fed to the external printing unit. For example, the tape can be appropriately transported to a head opening provided in the auxiliary tape cassette.

[0011] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a printing tape cassette comprising a roll of printing tape and a case for housing the roll, the case having a connecting surface intersecting a winding axis of the roll and an outlet provided on the connecting surface for discharging the printing tape to an outside of the case in a direction intersecting the connecting surface.

[0012] According to this configuration, the printing tape is discharged from the discharge opening provided on the connecting surface of the case, so that the printing tape can be appropriately transported to, for example, a head opening provided in the auxiliary tape cassette. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a printing apparatus main body according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2A and 2B are schematic perspective views of a printing cassette in an embodiment. [Diagram 3] 3A and 3B are schematic perspective views of the printing tape cassette of FIG. 2A. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the printing cassette of FIG. 2A. [Diagram 5] 5A and 5B are schematic perspective views of the auxiliary tape cassette of FIG. 2A. [Figure 6] 6A and 6B are schematic perspective views of a printing cassette in an embodiment different from that in FIG. 2A. [Figure 7] 7A is a schematic perspective view of the printing tape cassette of FIG. 6A, and FIG. 7B is a schematic perspective view of the auxiliary tape cassette of FIG. 6A. [Figure 8] 8A and 8B are schematic perspective views of a printing cassette in an embodiment different from that in FIG. 2A. [Figure 9] 9A and 9B are schematic perspective views of the printing tape cassette of FIG. 8A. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are schematic perspective views of the auxiliary tape cassette of FIG. 8A. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of a printing cassette in an embodiment different from that in FIG. 2A. [Figure 12] 12A and 12B are schematic perspective views of a printing cassette in an embodiment different from that in FIG. 2A. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of the printing cassette of FIG. 12A. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of the gear cassette of FIG. 12A. [Figure 15] 15A and 15B are schematic perspective views of a printing cassette in an embodiment different from that in FIG. 2A. [Figure 16] 16A and 16B are schematic perspective views of the printing tape cassette of FIG. 15A. [Figure 17] 17A and 17B are schematic perspective views of the auxiliary tape cassette of FIG. 15A. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the auxiliary tape cassette of FIG. 17A. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a printing cassette in an embodiment different from that in FIG. 2A. [Figure 20] 20A and 20B are schematic perspective views of a printing cassette in an embodiment different from that in FIG. 2A. [Figure 21] 21A and 21B are schematic perspective views of a printing cassette in an embodiment different from that in FIG. 2A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] [1. First embodiment] [1-1. Configuration] A printing device main body 100 shown in Fig. 1 constitutes a printing device together with a printing cassette 10 shown in Fig. 2A and 2B. This printing device is a device that prints on a tape-like printing medium.

[0015] In this embodiment, the axial direction of the output gear 21 is defined as the up-down direction, the direction perpendicular to the up-down direction in which the output gear 21 and the take-up spool 16 are aligned is defined as the front-to-back direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the front-to-back direction is defined as the left-to-right direction.

[0016] <Printing device body> As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus main body 100 includes a cassette storage section 101, a print head 102, a platen roller 103, a platen gear 104, a drive shaft 105, a drive source 107, and a housing 110.

[0017] (Cassette storage section) The cassette storage section 101 is a recess in which the printing cassette 10 is attached. The cassette storage section 101 has a function of positioning the printing cassette 10. The cassette storage section 101 is provided in a housing 110.

[0018] (Print head) The print head 102 is disposed inside the cassette storage unit 101. The print head 102 has a plurality of heat generating elements whose heat generation is individually controlled.

[0019] (Platen roller) The platen roller 103 is disposed inside the cassette storage unit 101 near the print head 102 so as to face the print head 102. The platen roller 103 can swing toward or away from the print head 102. The rotation axis L1 of the platen roller 103 is parallel to the up-down direction.

[0020] (Platen gear) The platen gear 104 is connected to the platen roller 103. In this embodiment, a rotation axis L2 of the platen gear 104 is disposed on the same line as a rotation axis L1 of the platen roller 103. The platen gear 104 is capable of swinging together with the platen roller 103.

[0021] (Drive shaft) The drive shaft 105 is inserted into the take-up spool 16 and the input gear 22 of the printing cassette 10. The drive shaft 105 rotates the take-up spool 16 and the input gear 22.

[0022] The drive shaft 105 is disposed inside the cassette storage unit 101. The rotation axis L3 of the drive shaft 105 is parallel to the vertical direction. The drive shaft 105 is rotated by a drive source 107 about the rotation axis L3.

[0023] (Drive source) The driving source 107 rotates the drive shaft 105. As the driving source 107, for example, a mechanism combining a motor and a gear can be used.

[0024] <Printing cassette> The printing cassette 10 shown in Figs. 2A and 2B is equipped with a printing medium (i.e., a printing tape 11A). The printing cassette 10 can be attached to and detached from the printing device main body 100. By replacing the printing cassette 10, printing media can be replenished and printing can be performed. The type of printing media (e.g. size, color, material, etc.) can be changed.

[0025] The printing cassette 10 includes a printing tape cassette 30 and an auxiliary tape cassette 40. The printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing device main body 100 with the printing tape cassette 30 and the auxiliary tape cassette 40 connected together.

[0026] (Printing tape cassette) 3A and 3B includes a printing tape case 35 that accommodates at least a portion of the printing tape 11A. As shown in FIG. 4, the printing tape cassette 30 also includes a first roll 11, a first supply spool 12, and spacer films 13A and 13B.

[0027] (1st roll) The first roll 11 is a printing tape 11A on which printing is to be performed that is wound around a first supply spool 12. Printing is performed on the surface of the printing tape 11A by a print head 102 of the printing device main body 100 and an ink ribbon 14A (an example of an auxiliary tape).

[0028] Two spacer films 13A and 13B are disposed on the outer sides of the first roll 11 in the vertical direction so as to sandwich the first roll 11. The spacer films 13A and 13B are disposed between the first roll 11 and the first case part 31 and between the first roll 11 and the second case part 32.

[0029] (1st supply spool) The first supply spool 12 is rotatable about a rotation axis L4. The first supply spool 12 rotates in association with the transport of the printing tape 11A by the platen roller 103 of the printing device main body 100, thereby supplying the printing tape 11A to the print head 102. The rotation axis L4 of the first supply spool 12 is parallel to the up-down direction and coincides with the winding axis of the first roll 11.

[0030] (Printing tape case) The printing tape case 35 has a first case portion 31, a second case portion 32, a first guide surface 35A (see FIGS. 3A and 3B), and a first discharge opening 35B (see FIGS. 3A and 3B).

[0031] The first case portion 31 constitutes the upper end portion of the printing tape case 35. The second case portion 32 constitutes the lower end portion of the printing tape case 35. The second case portion 32 is disposed below the first case portion 31 and is connected to the first case portion 31 in the up-down direction. The first roll 11 is disposed in a space surrounded by the first case portion 31 and the second case portion 32.

[0032] The first case portion 31 has a first side wall 31A and a first notch 31B. The second case portion 32 has a second side wall 32A, a second notch 32B, and a first positioning portion 32C.

[0033] The first side wall 31A and the second side wall 32A constitute the side surface that circumferentially surrounds the first roll 11 of the outer surface of the printing tape case 35. The first notch 31B is provided in the front portion of the first side wall 31A. The second notch 32B is provided in the front portion of the second side wall 32A. The first notch 31B and the second notch 32B are connected to each other to constitute a first discharge opening 35B for the printing tape 11A.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a part of the side surface of the printing tape case constitutes a first guide surface 35A that guides the printing tape 11A discharged from a first discharge opening 35B of the printing tape case .

[0035] The first discharge outlet 35B is provided on a side surface of the printing tape case 35, and discharges the printing tape 11A to the outside of the printing tape case 35. The printing tape 11A discharged from the first discharge outlet 35B in the radial direction of the first roll 11 is transported downward from the first discharge outlet 35B (i.e., toward the auxiliary tape cassette 40) while being wound around the first guide surface 35A in a spiral shape having a central axis parallel to the up-down direction.

[0036] 3A, the first positioning portion 32C is a hole provided in the first connecting surface 35C that faces and comes into contact with the auxiliary tape cassette 40 located below when the printing tape case 35 is inserted into the cassette storage section 101. The first positioning portion 32C positions the printing tape case 35 with respect to the auxiliary tape cassette 40. The second positioning portion 41E of the auxiliary tape cassette 40 is inserted into the first positioning portion 32C.

[0037] The first connecting surface 35C is a flat surface that intersects (specifically, is perpendicular to) the up-down direction on the outer surface of the printing tape case 35. The auxiliary tape cassette 40 can be placed on the first connecting surface 35C.

[0038] (auxiliary tape cassette) 5A and 5B is detachably attached to the printing tape cassette 30. The auxiliary tape cassette 40 includes an auxiliary tape case 45 that accommodates at least a portion of the ink ribbon 14A and at least a portion of the drive transmission unit 20.

[0039] The auxiliary tape cassette 40 of this embodiment is also a gear cassette that houses gears. As shown in FIG. 4, the auxiliary tape cassette 40 includes a second roll 14, a second supply spool 15, a take-up spool 16, a clutch spring holder 17, and a drive transmission unit 20.

[0040] (2nd roll) The second roll 14 is formed by winding an ink ribbon 14A used for printing on the printing tape 11A around a second supply spool 15.

[0041] The ink ribbon 14A is superimposed on the conveyed printing tape 11A at the head opening 42B, and is used for printing by the print head 102. The ink ribbon 14A used for printing is taken up by the take-up spool 16.

[0042] A rotational resistance is applied to the second roll 14 by a clutch spring (not shown) held by a clutch spring holder 17. At least a portion of the second roll 14 is disposed at a position overlapping with the first roll 11 in the vertical direction.

[0043] (2nd supply spool) The second supply spool 15 is rotatable about a rotation axis L5. The rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15 is parallel to the rotation axis L4 of the first supply spool 12, i.e., parallel to the up-down direction, and coincides with the winding axis of the second roll 14. The second supply spool 15 rotates in association with the winding of the ink ribbon 14A by the take-up spool 16, thereby supplying the ink ribbon 14A to the head opening 42B.

[0044] (Take-up spool) The take-up spool 16 is rotatable about a rotation axis L6 which is parallel to the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15.

[0045] The take-up spool 16 is cylindrical and has a hollow portion defined by an inner peripheral surface 16A. Spline teeth 16B are provided on an inner peripheral surface 16A of the spool 16. A drive shaft 105 of the printing apparatus main body 100 is connected to the spline teeth 16B. The take-up spool 16 is rotated by the drive shaft 105, and takes up the ink ribbon 14A used for printing.

[0046] (Drive transmission part) When the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing device main body 100, the drive transmission unit 20 transmits the driving force of the drive source 107 transmitted from the drive shaft 105 to the platen roller 103, and rotates the platen roller 103 at a rotational speed set for each printing cassette 10.

[0047] The drive transmission unit 20 has an output gear 21, an input gear 22, and an idle gear 23. The drive transmission unit 20 is disposed above the second roll 14 (i.e., near the printing tape cassette 30). In other words, the output gear 21 and the input gear 22 are disposed within the auxiliary tape case 45 and spaced apart from the second roll 14 in the up-down direction.

[0048] (Output gear) The output gear 21 is an externally toothed gear for outputting the driving force used to transport the print tape 11A to the outside. Specifically, the output gear 21 outputs the driving force to the platen gear 104 of the printing apparatus main body 100. The rotation axis L7 of the output gear 21 is parallel to the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15. A portion of the output gear 21 is exposed to the space communicating with the head opening 42B.

[0049] When the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing device main body 100 (i.e., when the auxiliary tape case 45 is stored in the cassette storage section 101), the output gear 21 engages with the platen gear 104 in a space communicating with the head opening 42B.

[0050] (Input gear) The input gear 22 indirectly engages with the output gear 21 via an idle gear 23 to transmit driving force to the output gear 21 .

[0051] The input gear 22 has an external gear 22A and a spool 22B which is a cylindrical internal gear having spline teeth on its inner peripheral surface and is fixed to one side of the external gear 22A. The external gear 22A rotates integrally with the spool 22B by the driving force of the driving source 107 input to the spool 22B.

[0052] A rotation axis L8 of the input gear 22 (i.e., a rotation axis of the external gear 22A and a rotation axis of the spool 22B) is disposed on the same line as a rotation axis L6 of the take-up spool 16. At least a portion of the input gear 22 is disposed at a position overlapping with the first roll 11 in the vertical direction.

[0053] A rotation axis L8 of the input gear 22 overlaps in the vertical direction with the hollow portion of the take-up spool 16. In addition, a lower end portion of the spool 22B of the input gear 22 is inserted into the hollow portion of the take-up spool 16 from above.

[0054] Therefore, when the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing device main body 100, the drive shaft 105 is inserted through the take-up spool 16 and the input gear 22 at the same time. As a result, the input gear 22 is not directly connected to the take-up spool 16, but is rotated by the drive shaft 105 together with the take-up spool 16.

[0055] (Idol Gear) The idle gear 23 is drivingly connected (i.e. engaged) with the input gear 22 and the output gear 21, and transmits the driving force input to the input gear 22 to the output gear 21. In other words, the drive shaft 105 indirectly inputs the driving force to the output gear 21 via the input gear 22 and the idle gear 23.

[0056] The idle gear 23 is a stepped gear in which an upstream gear 23A engaged with the input gear 22 and a downstream gear 23B engaged with the output gear 21 are arranged side by side on the same axis. The downstream gear 23B has a smaller diameter than the upstream gear 23A. The upstream gear 23A is arranged closer to the print tape cassette 30 (i.e., higher) in the up-down direction than the downstream gear 23B.

[0057] The idle gear 23 reduces the rotational speed of the driving force input to the input gear 22 and transmits it to the output gear 21. In other words, the drive transmission unit 20 includes a speed reduction mechanism having a transmission ratio obtained by dividing the rotational speed of the input gear 22 by the rotational speed of the output gear 21 as a reduction ratio.

[0058] (auxiliary tape case) The auxiliary tape case 45 has a third case portion 41, a fourth case portion 42, a fifth case portion 43, and a second guide surface 45A (see FIGS. 2A and 2B).

[0059] The third case part 41 constitutes an upper end part of the auxiliary tape case 45. The fifth case part 43 constitutes a lower end part of the auxiliary tape case 45. The fourth case part 42 is disposed below the third case part 41 and above the fifth case part 43, and is connected to the third case part 41 and the fifth case part 43 in the up-down direction.

[0060] The second roll 14, the second supply spool 15, and the take-up spool 16 are disposed in a space surrounded by the fourth case portion 42 and the fifth case portion 43. A part of the output gear 21, the input gear 22, and the idle gear 23 are disposed in a space surrounded by the third case portion 41 and the fourth case portion 42.

[0061] The third case portion 41 has a third side wall 41A, a first gear support portion 41B, a second gear support portion 41C, a third gear support portion 41D, and a second positioning portion 41E (see FIG. 5B). The third side wall 41A constitutes one of the outer surfaces of the auxiliary tape case 45 that is continuous with the side surface of the printing tape case .

[0062] The first gear support portion 41B rotatably supports the output gear 21. The second gear support portion 41C rotatably supports the input gear 22. The third gear support portion 41D rotatably supports the idle gear .

[0063] The second positioning portion 41E shown in FIG. 5B is provided on the second connecting surface 45B which faces and comes into contact with the printing tape cassette 30 located above when the auxiliary tape case 45 is inserted into the cassette storage portion 101.

[0064] The second connecting surface 45B is a plane on the outer surface of the auxiliary tape case 45 that intersects with the up-down direction (specifically, is perpendicular to the up-down direction) and is parallel to the first connecting surface 35C of the printing tape case 35. The printing tape cassette 30 can be placed on the second connecting surface 45B.

[0065] The second positioning portion 41E is a cylindrical or columnar portion that protrudes upward from the second connecting surface 45B. When the auxiliary tape cassette 40 and the printing tape cassette 30 are connected, the second positioning portion 41E is inserted into the first positioning portion 32C of the printing tape case 35, thereby adjusting the position of the auxiliary tape cassette 40 relative to the printing tape cassette 30 in the front-rear and left-right directions. will be carried out.

[0066] The fourth case portion 42 shown in FIG. 4 has a fourth side wall 42A, a head opening 42B, a second discharge port 42C, a guide inner wall 42D, a first restriction portion 42E, and a ceiling wall 42F. The fourth side wall 42A constitutes the side surface of the outer surface of the auxiliary tape case 45 that surrounds the second roll 14 in the circumferential direction.

[0067] The head opening 42B is a portion formed by cutting out a part of the fourth side wall 42A. The head opening 42B is a space in which the print head 102 is disposed when the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing device main body 100.

[0068] In the head opening 42B, printing on the printing tape 11A is performed by the print head 102. The head opening 42B opens below the auxiliary tape cassette 40 so that the print head 102 can be inserted from below. In the head opening 42B, the printing tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A are stretched across in the left-right direction.

[0069] The second discharge outlet 42C discharges the printing tape 11A after printing to the outside of the printing cassette 10. In other words, the second discharge outlet 42C discharges the printing tape 11A from the inside to the outside of the auxiliary tape case 45. After printing, the printing tape 11A is discharged from the second discharge outlet 42C to the outside of the printing device.

[0070] The guide inner wall 42D is a plate-shaped portion having a front surface that guides the printing tape 11A in the left-right direction (i.e., contacts the printing tape 11A from behind) inside the auxiliary tape case 45. The guide inner wall 42D constitutes a part of the second guide surface 45A that guides the printing tape 11A toward the second discharge opening 42C.

[0071] The inner guide wall 42D is provided continuously from the fourth side wall 42A. The inner guide wall 42D is disposed upstream of the head opening 42B in the discharge direction of the printing tape 11A and in front of the head opening 42B.

[0072] At least a portion of the guide inner wall 42D is disposed at the same position as the second discharge opening 42C in the vertical direction. In other words, at least a portion of the guide inner wall 42D overlaps with the second discharge opening 42C in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. On the guide inner wall 42D, the printing tape 11A is transported in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction (specifically, the left-right direction).

[0073] The first restricting portion 42E restricts movement in the width direction of the print tape 11A transported along the second guide surface 45A defined by the guide inner wall 42D. Specifically, the first restricting portion 42E is disposed above the guide inner wall 42D, and has a lower surface perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0074] The top wall 42F is disposed in front of and spaced apart from the guide inner wall 42D. A transport path for the print tape 11A is formed between the top wall 42F and the guide inner wall 42D. The top wall 42F is connected to the first regulating portion 42E. The inner surface (i.e., the rear surface) of the top wall 42F forms a regulating surface disposed to face the second guide surface 45A (i.e., the guide inner wall 42D).

[0075] The fifth case portion 43 has a fifth side wall 43A and a second restricting portion 43B. The fifth side wall 43A, together with the fourth side wall 42A of the fourth case portion 42, constitutes a side surface of the auxiliary tape case 45 that surrounds the second roll 14 in the circumferential direction.

[0076] The second regulating portion 43B regulates the width of the printing tape 11A transported along the second guide surface 45A. Specifically, the second restricting portion 43B is disposed below the guide inner wall 42D of the fourth case portion 42, and has an upper surface perpendicular to the up-down direction. The second restricting portion 43B faces the first restricting portion 42E of the fourth case portion 42 in the up-down direction.

[0077] 2B, the guide inner wall 42D, the ceiling wall 42F, the first regulating portion 42E and the second regulating portion 43B constitute an arm portion 45C having a space through which the printing tape 11A transported along the second guide surface 45A of the auxiliary tape case 45 passes. The printing tape 11A that has passed through the arm portion 45C is supplied to the head opening 42B.

[0078] Within the arm portion 45C, the guide inner wall 42D and the ceiling wall 42F regulate the movement of the printing tape 11A in the front-to-back direction (i.e., the thickness direction), while the first regulating portion 42E and the second regulating portion 43B regulate the movement of the printing tape 11A in the up-down direction (i.e., the width direction).

[0079] 2A and 2B, a part of the side surface of the auxiliary tape case 45 constitutes a second guide surface 45A that guides the printing tape 11A supplied from outside the auxiliary tape case 45 (i.e., from the printing tape cassette 30) toward the second discharge opening 42C. The second guide surface 45A further guides the printing tape 11A guided by the first guide surface 35A of the printing tape case 35 toward the head opening 42B.

[0080] <Transportation and printing of the printing tape by the printing device body> When the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing device main body 100, the printing tape 11A is wound around the first guide surface 35A of the printing tape case 35 and the second guide surface 45A of the auxiliary tape case 45 so as to form a spiral portion 11B whose rotation angle around a central axis parallel to the vertical direction (i.e., the winding angle around the printing tape case 35 and auxiliary tape case 45 when viewed from the vertical direction) is 180° or more.

[0081] The spiral portion 11B of the printing tape 11A being fed is wound across the side surface of the printing tape case 35 and the side surface of the auxiliary tape case 45. Specifically, the spiral portion 11B extends from the first discharge opening 35B of the printing tape case 35 to the inside of the arm portion 45C.

[0082] The first guide surface 35A and the second guide surface 45A each have a curved surface that guides at least a part of the spiral portion 11B upstream of the head opening 42B in the discharge direction of the printing tape 11A.

[0083] Specifically, the first guide surface 35A is entirely curved, and the second guide surface 45A is curved except for the inside of the arm portion 45C (i.e., the front surface of the guide inner wall 42D).

[0084] Furthermore, the radius of curvature of at least a portion of the curved surface of the first guide surface 35A and the radius of curvature of at least a portion of the curved surface of the second guide surface 45A are each greater than half the outer diameter of the second roll 14.

[0085] When the printing cassette 10 with the printing tape 11A wound around the guide surface is attached to the printing device main body 100, the print head 102 is positioned in the head opening 42B at a position overlapping the printing tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A in the front-to-rear direction.

[0086] The printing tape 11A is transported to the head opening 42B by the platen roller 103, and the heating element heats the ink ribbon 14A via the platen roller 103. It is pressed against the print head 102. As a result, a portion of the ink disposed on the surface of the ink ribbon 14A is transferred to the printing tape 11A, and characters, symbols, etc. are printed on the printing tape 11A.

[0087] The platen roller 103 transports the printing tape 11A after printing from inside the printing cassette 10 to the outside. The platen roller 103 is rotated by a platen gear 104 engaged with the output gear 21. The platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104 are capable of swinging between a position separated from the printing cassette 10 and a position where the platen gear 104 is engaged with the output gear 21.

[0088] When the auxiliary tape case 45 of the printing cassette 10 is inserted into the cassette storage section 101 , the drive shaft 105 engages with the input gear 22 and the platen gear 104 engages with the output gear 21 .

[0089] Specifically, with the drive shaft 105 inserted into the take-up spool 16 and input gear 22 of the printing cassette 10, the platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104 swing toward the head opening 42B of the printing cassette 10, causing the platen gear 104 to engage with the output gear 21.

[0090] With the printing cassette 10 attached, the input gear 22 is rotated by the drive shaft 105, thereby rotating the output gear 21. Furthermore, the rotation of the output gear 21 rotates the platen gear 104, and the rotation of the platen gear 104 rotates the platen roller 103.

[0091] <Modification of the first embodiment> The printing cassette 10A shown in Figures 6A and 6B has a printing tape cassette 30A and an auxiliary tape cassette 40A. The printing cassette 10A is configured such that the arm portion 45C provided on the auxiliary tape cassette 40 in the printing cassette 10 of Figures 2A and 2B is provided as an arm portion 35D on the printing tape cassette 30A.

[0092] As shown in Fig. 7A, the arm portion 35D of the printing tape cassette 30A has a slit-shaped transport path 35E through which the printing tape 11A can pass. The arm portion 35D is disposed overlapping in front of the head opening 42B (specifically, in front of the fourth side wall 42A) of the auxiliary tape cassette 40A shown in Fig. 7B. The arm portion 35D is composed of a plate portion that protrudes downward and that is provided on the first case portion 31, and a plate portion that protrudes downward and that is provided on the second case portion 32.

[0093] [1-2. Effects] According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects can be obtained. (1a) The first guide surface 35A of the printing tape cassette 30 and the second guide surface 45A of the auxiliary tape cassette 40 each suppress problems such as twisting of the printing tape 11A fed to the head opening 42B. Therefore, the printing tape 11A can be appropriately fed to the head opening 42B provided in the auxiliary tape cassette 40.

[0094] (1b) The first positioning portion 32C of the printing tape cassette 30 and the second positioning portion 41E of the auxiliary tape cassette 40 can suppress misalignment between the printing tape case 35 and the auxiliary tape case 45. As a result, the stability of the transport of the printing tape 11A can be improved.

[0095] (1c) The drive transmission unit 20 is disposed vertically apart from the second roll 14 in the auxiliary tape case 45, so that the printing tape 11A is appropriately transported to the head opening 42B while This allows the size of the auxiliary tape case 45 in the front-rear and left-right directions to be reduced.

[0096] (1d) The first regulating portion 42E and the second regulating portion 43B can improve the stability of the transport of the printing tape 11A to the head opening 42B. (1e) The regulating surface of the ceiling wall 42F can improve the stability of the transport of the printing tape 11A to the head opening 42B.

[0097] [2. Second embodiment] [2-1. Configuration] 8A and 8B is installed in the printing apparatus main body 100 of Fig. 1 in place of the printing cassette 10 of the first embodiment. The printing cassette 210 includes a printing tape cassette 230 and an auxiliary tape cassette 240.

[0098] (Printing tape cassette) 9A and 9B has a printing tape case 235 that houses the printing tape 11A and the drive transmission unit 20. The printing tape cassette 230 of this embodiment is also a gear cassette that houses gears.

[0099] The printing tape cassette 230 is obtained by adding the third case portion 41 of the auxiliary tape cassette 40 of the first embodiment as a third case portion 33 to the printing tape cassette 30 of the first embodiment, and by disposing the drive transmission portion 20 of the first embodiment inside a printing tape case 235. The other configurations of the printing tape cassette 230 are the same as those of the printing tape cassette 30 of the first embodiment.

[0100] The third case portion 33 is connected below the second case portion 32 and constitutes the lower end portion of the printing tape case 235. A part of the output gear 21, the input gear 22, and the idle gear 23 are disposed in a space surrounded by the second case portion 32 and the third case portion 33.

[0101] In other words, the output gear 21 and the input gear 22 are positioned vertically away from the first roll 11 which is positioned in the space surrounded by the first case portion 31 and the second case portion 32 within the printing tape case 235.

[0102] The bottom surface of the third case portion 33 constitutes a first connecting surface 35C on which the auxiliary tape cassette 240 can be placed. The first connecting surface 35C is provided with an insertion hole 33A through which the input gear 22 is inserted in the vertical direction. The printing tape case 235 has a positioning portion for the auxiliary tape cassette 240, which is formed by the input gear 22 protruding from the first connecting surface 35C.

[0103] (auxiliary tape cassette) An auxiliary tape cassette 240 shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B is obtained by removing the third case portion 41 and the drive transmission portion 20 from the auxiliary tape cassette 40 of the first embodiment.

[0104] The auxiliary tape cassette 240 includes an auxiliary tape case 245 having a fourth case portion 42 and a fifth case portion 43. The other configurations of the auxiliary tape cassette 240 are the same as those of the auxiliary tape cassette 40 of the first embodiment.

[0105] In this embodiment, the upper surface of the fourth case portion 42 constitutes a second connecting surface 45B on which the printing tape cassette 230 can be placed. The second connecting surface 45B is provided with an opening 42G into which the input gear 22 of the printing tape cassette 230 can be inserted. The opening 42G constitutes a positioning portion that positions the auxiliary tape cassette 240 relative to the printing tape cassette 230.

[0106] <Modification of the second embodiment> As shown in FIG. 11, the printing cassette 210 of this embodiment may include a cassette cover 46 disposed below the auxiliary tape cassette 240 .

[0107] 11 includes an arm portion 35D similar to the printing tape cassette 30A of FIG 7A, and a frame portion forming a space for storing an auxiliary tape cassette 240. A cassette cover constitutes a lid for the frame portion .

[0108] [2-2. Effects] According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects can be obtained. (2a) While retaining the same advantages as the first embodiment, the printing cassette 210 can be configured so that the ink ribbon 14A can be replaced individually.

[0109] [3. Third embodiment] [3-1. Configuration] 12A and 12B is installed in the printing device main body 100 of Fig. 1 in place of the printing cassette 10 of the first embodiment. The printing cassette 310 includes a printing tape cassette 30, an auxiliary tape cassette 240, and a gear cassette 50.

[0110] The printing tape cassette 30 in the printing cassette 310 is the same as that in the first embodiment. The auxiliary tape cassette 240 in the printing cassette 310 is the same as that in the second embodiment.

[0111] (Gear cassette) 13, the gear cassette 50 is disposed between the printing tape cassette 30 and the auxiliary tape cassette 240. The gear cassette 50 is detachable from the printing tape cassette 30 and the auxiliary tape cassette 240.

[0112] 14, the gear cassette 50 has a gear case 55 that houses the drive transmission unit 20 of the first embodiment. The gear case 55 has a sixth case portion 51, a seventh case portion 52, and a third guide surface 55A.

[0113] The sixth case portion 51 constitutes an upper end portion of the gear case 55. The seventh case portion 52 is connected below the sixth case portion 51 and constitutes a lower end portion of the gear case 55. A part of the output gear 21, the input gear 22, and the idle gear 23 are disposed in a space surrounded by the sixth case portion 51 and the seventh case portion 52.

[0114] The sixth case portion 51 has a third positioning portion 51A provided on the third connecting surface 55B that faces and comes into contact with the printing tape cassette 30 located above it when the gear case 55 is inserted into the cassette storage portion 101.

[0115] The third positioning portion 51A is a cylindrical or columnar portion that protrudes upward from the third connecting surface 55B. When the gear cassette 50 and the printing tape cassette 30 are connected, the third positioning portion 51A is inserted into the first positioning portion 32C of the printing tape case 35.

[0116] 13, the bottom surface of the seventh case portion 52 constitutes a fourth connecting surface 55C on which the auxiliary tape cassette 240 can be placed. The fourth connecting surface 55C is provided with an insertion hole 52A through which the input gear 22 is inserted in the vertical direction. The gear case 55 has a fourth positioning portion constituted by the input gear 22 protruding from the fourth connecting surface 55C.

[0117] 12A and 12B, a part of the side surface of the gear case 55 formed by the sixth case portion 51 and the seventh case portion 52 constitutes a third guide surface 55A that further guides the printing tape 11A guided by the first guide surface 35A of the printing tape cassette 30, toward the second guide surface 45A of the auxiliary tape cassette 240. The third guide surface 55A comes into contact with the spiral portion 11B of the printing tape 11A.

[0118] [3-2. Effects] According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects can be obtained. (3a) While retaining the same advantages as the first embodiment, the printing cassette 310 can be configured so that the printing tape 11A, the drive transmission unit 20, and the ink ribbon 14A are each replaceable individually.

[0119] [4. Fourth embodiment] [4-1. Configuration] 15A and 15B is installed in the printing apparatus main body 100 of Fig. 1 in place of the printing cassette 10 of the first embodiment. The printing cassette 410 includes a printing tape cassette 430 and an auxiliary tape cassette 440.

[0120] 15A shows a state in which the first case part 431 of the printing tape cassette 430 has been removed. Fig. 15B shows a state in which the third case part 441 of the auxiliary tape cassette 440 has been removed.

[0121] (Printing tape cassette) 16A and 16B has a printing tape case 435 that houses the printing tape 11A. The parts housed inside the printing tape case 435 are the same as those of the printing cassette 10 of the first embodiment.

[0122] The printing tape case 435 has a first case portion 431, a second case portion 432, a first guide surface 435A, and a first discharge port 435B. The first case portion 431 constitutes the upper end portion of the printing tape case 435. The second case portion 432 is connected below the first case portion 431, and constitutes the lower end portion of the printing tape case 435.

[0123] The second case portion 432 has a first positioning portion 32C provided on the first connecting surface 35C similar to the first embodiment. The second case portion 432 also has an inner wall 432A that constitutes a first guide surface 435A, and an opening that constitutes a first discharge port 435B. The inner wall 432A surrounds the first roll 11 from the radial outside.

[0124] The first discharge opening 435B is provided on the first connecting surface 35C, and discharges the printing tape 11A to the outside of the printing tape case 435 in a direction intersecting the first connecting surface 35C (that is, the up-down direction).

[0125] 15A, the first guide surface 435A guides the printing tape 11A pulled out from the first roll 11 toward the first discharge opening 435B. The printing tape 11A is wound around the first guide surface 435A from the radially outer side of the first roll 11 while forming a spiral portion 11B.

[0126] (auxiliary tape cassette) The auxiliary tape cassette 440 shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B has an auxiliary tape case 445 that houses the ink ribbon 14A and the drive transmission unit 20. The parts contained therein are the same as those contained in the printing cassette 10 of the first embodiment.

[0127] The auxiliary tape case 445 has a third case portion 441, a fourth case portion 442, a fifth case portion 443, a second guide surface 445A, a first guide opening 445D, and a second guide opening 445E.

[0128] The third case part 441 constitutes the upper surface (i.e., the second connecting surface 445B) of the auxiliary tape case 445. The fifth case part 443 constitutes the lower end part of the auxiliary tape case 445. The fourth case part 442 is connected to the upper part of the fifth case part 443.

[0129] The third case portion 441 has a second positioning portion 41E similar to that of the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 18, the third case portion 441 supports the drive transmission portion 20. The third case portion 441 is fitted inside an outer wall 442A of the fourth case portion 442 so as to close the internal space of the fourth case portion 442 from above.

[0130] The fourth case portion 442 has a head opening 42B, a second discharge port 42C, a guide inner wall 42D, a first restriction portion 42E, and a ceiling wall 42F similar to those in the first embodiment. The fourth case portion 442 also has an outer wall 442A and an inner wall 442B.

[0131] The inner wall 442B surrounds the second roll 14, the second supply spool 15, and the take-up spool 16 from the radial outside of the second roll 14. A part of the outer surface of the inner wall 442B forms a second guide surface 445A.

[0132] 17B, ​​at the upper end of the auxiliary tape case 445, a first guide opening 445D communicating with the space between the outer wall 442A and the inner wall 442B is formed by the third case portion 441 and the fourth case portion 442.

[0133] The first guide opening 445D is provided on a second connecting surface 445B (an example of a first outer surface) that is connected to the printing tape cassette 430. The printing tape 11A discharged from the first discharge opening 435B of the printing tape case 435 is transported into the auxiliary tape case 445 from the first guide opening 445D.

[0134] As shown in FIG. 15B, the printing tape 11A transported into the auxiliary tape case 445 is wound around the second guide surface 445A from the radially outer side of the second roll 14 while forming a spiral portion 11B.

[0135] 18 has a second restricting portion 43B similar to that of the first embodiment. The fifth case portion 443 also has an opening that constitutes a second guide opening 445E. The second guide opening 445E is provided in a bottom surface 445C (an example of a second outer surface) of the auxiliary tape case 445 that, together with the second connecting surface 445B, sandwiches the second roll 14 in the vertical direction.

[0136] The second guide opening 445E communicates with the space between the outer wall 442A and the inner wall 442B of the fourth case portion 442. At least a portion of the second guide opening 445E faces the first guide opening 445D. The second guide opening 445E extends along the second guide surface 445A to a position where it overlaps with the arm portion 45C (i.e., the guide inner wall 42D) so as to overlap in the up-down direction with the feed path of the printing tape 11A in the fourth case portion 442.

[0137] Therefore, while the printing tape 11A inserted into the auxiliary tape case 445 from the first guide opening 445D is being pulled out to the lower side of the auxiliary tape case 445 from the second guide opening 445E, , can be placed in the transport path within the auxiliary tape case 445.

[0138] The second guide opening 445E does not overlap the entire second roll 14 in the vertical direction. In other words, the second guide opening 445E is formed in a shape that prevents the second roll 14 from passing downward through the fifth case part 443 and falling out of the auxiliary tape case 445.

[0139] [4-2. Effects] According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects can be obtained. (4a) The first guide surface 435A and the second guide surface 445A are provided on the inner surface of the case, thereby making it possible to protect the printing tape 11A.

[0140] (4b) The printing tape 11A can be placed on the transport path inside the auxiliary tape case 445 while being pulled out of the printing tape cassette 430 by the second guide opening 445E.

[0141] 5. Other embodiments Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can take various forms.

[0142] (5a) The printing device of the above embodiment is not limited to one that uses an ink ribbon for printing. The printing device may use a strip of thermal paper instead of the printing tape. In this case, for example, a laminate tape is used as the auxiliary tape.

[0143] (5b) The printing cassettes of the above embodiments do not necessarily have to include a printing tape cassette. For example, a printing cassette 510 shown in Fig. 19 includes a first case part 531 that supports the first roll 11, a second case part 532 that houses the drive transmission part 20 together with the first case part 531, and a third case part 533 that houses the second roll 14 together with the second case part 532.

[0144] 19, the first roll 11 can be detachably attached to the auxiliary tape cassette composed of a first case part 531, a second case part 532, and a third case part 533. Therefore, it is possible to replace only the first roll 11 without replacing the printing tape cassette.

[0145] In the printing cassette 510 of FIG. 19, the side surface of the first case portion 531 forms a first guide surface 535A, and the side surface of the second case portion 532 forms a second guide surface 545A.

[0146] (5c) In the printing cassette of the above embodiment, a guide surface may be formed on the inner surface of the case of either the printing tape cassette or the auxiliary tape cassette, and a guide surface may be formed on the outer surface of the case of the other.

[0147] For example, in the printing cassette 610 shown in Figures 20A and 20B, the printing tape cassette 630 has a first guide surface 635A provided on the inner surface of the case, while the auxiliary tape cassette 640 has a second guide surface 645A provided on the outer surface of the case.

[0148] The printing tape 11A, guided by the first guide surface 635A and discharged downward from the first discharge opening 635B of the printing tape cassette 630, passes through the arm portion 45C while being guided by the second guide surface 645A, and is transported to the head opening 42B.

[0149] For example, in the printing cassette 710 shown in Figures 21A and 21B, the printing tape cassette 730 has a first guide surface 735A on the outer surface of the case, while the auxiliary tape cassette 740 has a second guide surface 745A on the inner surface of the case.

[0150] The printing tape 11A discharged from the first discharge opening 735B of the printing tape cassette 730 is guided by the first guide surface 735A and the second guide surface 745A and transported to the head opening 42B.

[0151] (5d) The printing cassette of the above embodiment does not necessarily have to have an arm portion. In other words, the cases of the printing tape cassette and the auxiliary tape cassette do not necessarily have to have a regulating portion that regulates the movement of the printing tape in the width direction transported along the guide surface and a regulating surface that faces the guide surface.

[0152] (5e) The function of one component in the above embodiments may be distributed among multiple components, or the functions of multiple components may be integrated into one component. In addition, a part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. In addition, at least a part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments. Note that all aspects included in the technical idea identified from the wording of the claims are embodiments of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0153] 10...printing cassette, 11...first roll, 11A...printing tape, 11B...spiral portion, 14...second roll, 14A...ink ribbon, 16...take-up spool, 20: drive transmission portion, 21: output gear, 22: input gear, 23: idle gear, 30...printing tape cassette, 32C...first positioning portion, 35...printing tape case, 35A...first guide surface, 35B...first discharge port, 35C...first connection surface, 40...auxiliary tape cassette, 41E...second positioning portion, 42B...head opening, 42C...Second discharge port, 42E...First regulation part, 42F...Ceiling wall, 43B...Second regulation part, 45...auxiliary tape case, 45A...second guide surface, 45B...second connection surface, 50... gear cassette, 55... gear case, 100... printing device main body, 101: cassette storage section, 102: print head, 103: platen roller.

Claims

1. a roll of auxiliary tape used for printing on the conveyed printing tape; A case for housing the roll; Equipped with The case is an outlet for discharging the printing tape from the inside of the case to the outside; a guide surface that is provided on an inner surface or an outer surface of the case and that guides the printing tape supplied from the outside of the case toward the discharge port; having the printing tape is wound on the guide surface so as to form a spiral portion having a rotation angle of 180° or more about a central axis parallel to a winding axis of the roll, the guide surface has a curved surface that guides at least a part of the spiral portion upstream of the discharge port in the discharge direction of the printing tape.

2. 2. The auxiliary tape cassette according to claim 1, wherein the radius of curvature of the curved surface is greater than half the outer diameter of the roll.

3. The case is a tape cassette connection surface that intersects with the winding axis of the roll; a positioning portion provided on the tape cassette connection surface and configured to position the printing tape cassette having the printing tape; 3. The auxiliary tape cassette according to claim 1, further comprising:

4. 4. The auxiliary tape cassette according to claim 1, wherein the case has a gear cassette connection surface that intersects with the winding axis of the roll and on which a gear cassette having a gear can be disposed.

5. 5. The auxiliary tape cassette according to claim 4, wherein the case has a positioning portion provided on the gear cassette connection surface and for positioning the case relative to the gear cassette.

6. With more gear, 4. The auxiliary tape cassette according to claim 1, wherein the gear is disposed within the case and spaced apart from the roll in a direction parallel to the winding axis of the roll.

7. 7. The auxiliary tape cassette according to claim 1, wherein the case has a restricting portion that restricts movement in a width direction of the printing tape transported along the guide surface.

8. 8. The auxiliary tape cassette according to claim 7, wherein the case has a regulating surface disposed opposite the guide surface.

9. The guide surface is provided on an inner surface of the case, The case is a first outer surface intersecting the winding axis of the roll; a second outer surface that sandwiches the roll together with the first outer surface in a direction parallel to the winding axis of the roll; a first guide opening provided on the first outer surface; a second guide opening provided in the second outer surface at a position opposite to the first guide opening; 9. The auxiliary tape cassette according to claim 1, further comprising:

10. A roll of printing tape; A case for housing the roll; Equipped with The case is an outlet for discharging the printing tape to the outside of the case; a guide surface that guides the printing tape discharged from the discharge port; having a printing tape cassette, wherein the printing tape is wound around the guide surface so as to form a spiral portion having a rotation angle of 180° or more about a central axis parallel to a winding axis of the roll.

11. The printing tape cassette according to claim 10 , wherein the case has a connection surface that intersects with the winding axis of the roll and on which a gear cassette having a gear can be disposed.

12. A roll of printing tape; A case for housing the roll; Equipped with The case is A connecting surface intersecting the winding axis of the roll; an outlet provided on the connecting surface and configured to discharge the printing tape to the outside of the case in a direction intersecting the connecting surface; A printing tape cassette having the following features.

13. The printing tape cassette according to claim 12 , wherein a gear cassette having a gear can be disposed on the coupling surface.

14. 14. The printing tape cassette according to claim 11, wherein the case has a positioning portion provided on the connecting surface and configured to position the case relative to the gear cassette.

15. With more gear, 13. The printing tape cassette according to claim 10, wherein the gear is disposed within the case and spaced apart from the roll in a direction parallel to the winding axis of the roll.

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