Printing Cassette

Abstract

To provide a printer capable of preventing damage to a gear for outputting a driving force to the outside of a cassette.SOLUTION: This printer comprises: a printer body; and a printing cassette detachable from the printer body. The printing cassette is provided with a roll of a first tape, a feed spool rotatable about a center axis, a second tape wound on the feed spool and used for printing or protection of the first tape, and an output gear for outputting a driving force to the outside. The feed spool, the output gear, and the roll are arranged in order of the feed spool, the output gear, and the roll in the axial direction of the rotation axis center of the feed roll.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a printing apparatus and a printing cassette. [Background technology]

[0002] In a device that performs processes such as printing on a tape, a cassette that stores the tape is attached to and detached from the main body to replace and supply the tape. A cassette that is used in such a device has a gear provided on a reel around which the tape is wound (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 58-141479 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned cassette, the gear is disposed near a surface of the case that is perpendicular to the axial direction of the reel, and therefore the gear is easily damaged when the cassette is dropped and the surface hits the floor or the like.

[0005] An object of one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a printing device and a printing cassette that can suppress damage to a gear that outputs a driving force to the outside of the cassette. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a printing device including a printing device main body and a printing cassette detachable from the printing device main body. The printing cassette includes a roll of a first tape, a supply spool rotatable about a rotation axis, a second tape wound on the supply spool and used for printing or protecting the first tape, an output gear for outputting a driving force to the outside, an input spool rotatable about the rotation axis, and an input gear that directly or indirectly engages with the output gear and transmits the driving force to the output gear.

[0007] The rotation axis of the input gear is aligned on the same line as the rotation axis of the input spool. The input spool, input gear, and roll are aligned in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the supply spool, in the order of input spool, input gear, and roll. The supply spool, output gear, and roll are aligned in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the supply spool, in the order of supply spool, output gear, and roll.

[0008] The printing device main body includes a print head for printing on the first tape, a platen roller for transporting the first tape, a platen gear connected to the platen roller and engaging with the output gear, and a drive shaft inserted into the input spool and engaging with the input gear for rotating the input spool and the input gear.

[0009] When the printing cassette is attached to the printing device body, the drive shaft engages with the input gear and the platen gear engages with the output gear, the input gear is rotated by the drive shaft to rotate the output gear, the output gear rotates due to the output gear rotation, and the platen gear rotates due to the platen roller rotation.

[0010] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a method for printing a print head comprising: printing a print head to a print head; a supply spool rotatable about an axis of rotation; a second tape wound on the supply spool and used to print or protect the first tape; and an output gear for outputting a driving force to the supply spool. The supply spool, the output gear, and the roll are arranged in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the supply spool in this order.

[0011] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a printing cassette detachable from a printer body. The printing cassette includes a roll of a first tape, a supply spool rotatable about a rotation axis, a second tape wound on the supply spool and used for printing or protecting the first tape, an output gear for outputting a driving force to the outside, an input spool rotatable about the rotation axis, and an input gear that directly or indirectly engages with the output gear and transmits the driving force to the output gear.

[0012] The rotation axis of the input gear is aligned on the same line as the rotation axis of the input spool. The input spool, input gear, and roll are aligned in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the supply spool, in the order of input spool, input gear, and roll. The supply spool, output gear, and roll are aligned in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the supply spool, in the order of supply spool, output gear, and roll.

[0013] The printing device main body includes a print head for printing on the first tape, a platen roller for transporting the first tape, a platen gear connected to the platen roller and engaging with the output gear, and a drive shaft inserted into the input spool and engaging with the input gear for rotating the input spool and the input gear.

[0014] When mounted in the printing device body, the drive shaft engages with the input gear and the platen gear engages with the output gear, the input gear is rotated by the drive shaft to rotate the output gear, the output gear rotates due to the output gear rotation, and the platen gear rotates due to the platen roller rotation.

[0015] With this configuration, the supply spool, output gear, and roll are arranged in the axial direction of the supply spool's rotation axis, in that order: supply spool, output gear, and roll. This reduces damage to the output gear when the printing cassette falls and a surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the supply spool's rotation axis collides with a floor surface or the like.

[0016] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a printing cassette including a roll of a first tape, an output gear rotatable about a rotation axis for outputting a driving force to the outside, and a case in which at least a part of the roll and at least a part of the output gear are disposed and which has an outlet from which the first tape pulled out from the roll is discharged. The outlet, the output gear, and the roll are disposed in line in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the output gear in the order of the outlet, the output gear, and the roll.

[0017] With this configuration, the outlet, output gear, and roll are arranged in the axial direction of the output gear's rotation axis in the order of outlet, output gear, and roll, thereby reducing damage to the output gear when the printing cassette falls and a surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the supply spool's rotation axis collides with a floor surface or the like. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1A, 1B, and 1C are schematic perspective views showing a state in which a printing cassette is removed from a printing apparatus main body in a printing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2A, 2B, and 2C are schematic perspective views of a printing cassette in the printing apparatus of FIG. 1A. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the printing cassette of FIG. 2A. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2C. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the printing cassette of FIG. 2C with a first lid portion removed. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the paths of the first tape and the ink ribbon in the printing cassette of FIG. 2A. [Figure 7] 7A is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VIIA-VIIA in FIG. 2C, FIG. 7B is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VIIB-VIIB in FIG. 2C, FIG. 7C is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VIIC-VIIC in FIG. 2C, and FIG. 7D is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VIID-VIID in FIG. 2C. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of the printer body of the printer of FIG. 1A. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an engagement state between the output gear and the platen gear in the printing device of FIG. 1A. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are schematic perspective views showing a state in which a printing cassette is removed from a printing device main body in a printing device in an embodiment different from that in FIG. 1A. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a printing cassette in the printing apparatus of FIG. 10A. [Figure 12] 12 is a schematic plan view of the printer body of the printer of FIG. 10A. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an engagement state between the output gear and the platen gear in the printing device of FIG. 10A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] [1. First embodiment] [1-1. Configuration] 1A, 1B, and 1C includes a printing cassette 10 and a printing device main body 100. The printing device 1 is a device that prints on a tape-like printing medium.

[0020] In this embodiment, the axial direction of the output gear 18 is defined as the up-down direction, the direction perpendicular to the up-down direction in which the output gear 18 and the input spool 16 are aligned is defined as the front-to-rear direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the front-to-rear direction is defined as the left-to-right direction.

[0021] <Printing device body> As shown in FIG. 1B, the printing apparatus main body 100 includes a cassette insertion section 101, a print head 102, a platen roller 103, a platen gear 104, and a drive shaft 105.

[0022] (Cassette insertion part) The cassette insertion portion 101 is a recess into which the printing cassette 10 is inserted. The cassette insertion portion 101 has a function of positioning the printing cassette 10.

[0023] (Print head) The print head 102 is disposed inside the cassette insertion section 101. The print head 102 has a plurality of heat generating elements whose heat generation is individually controlled.

[0024] (Platen roller) A rotation axis L1 of the platen roller 103 is parallel to the vertical direction. The platen roller 103 is disposed inside the cassette insertion portion 101 and adjacent to the print head 102. The platen roller 103 can swing toward or away from the print head 102.

[0025] (Platen gear) The platen gear 104 is connected to the platen roller 103. A rotation axis L2 of the 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.

[0026] (Drive shaft) The drive shaft 105 is inserted into the input spool 16. The drive shaft 105 rotates the input spool 16.

[0027] The drive shaft 105 is disposed inside the cassette insertion portion 101. The rotation axis L3 of the drive shaft 105 is parallel to the vertical direction. The drive shaft 105 rotates about the rotation axis L3 by a drive source (for example, a motor) (not shown).

[0028] <Printing cassette> The printing cassette 10 stores printing media. The printing cassette 10 is detachable from the printing device main body 100. By replacing the printing cassette 10, it is possible to replenish printing media and change the type of printing media (e.g., color, material, etc.).

[0029] 2A, 2B, and 2C, the printing cassette 10 includes a case 35 that stores the first tape 11A, an ink ribbon (an example of the second tape) 14A, etc. The outer shape of the printing cassette 10 (i.e., the shape of the case 35) is a rectangular parallelepiped with sides parallel to the up-down direction, sides parallel to the front-rear direction, and sides parallel to the left-right direction. The case 35 includes a first lid portion 31, a first frame portion 32, a second frame portion 33, and a second lid portion 34.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, the printing cassette 10 comprises a first roll 11, a first supply spool 12, spacer films 13A and 13B, a second roll 14, a second supply spool 15, an input spool 16, a clutch spring holder 17, an output gear 18, an input gear 19, and an idle gear 20.

[0031] (1st roll) The first roll 11 is formed by winding a first tape 11A, on which printing is to be performed, around a first supply spool 12. Printing is performed on the surface of the first tape 11A by a print head 102 of the printer main body 100 and an ink ribbon 14A.

[0032] 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 lid portion 31 and between the first roll 11 and the first frame portion 32.

[0033] (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 first tape 11A by the platen roller 103 of the printing apparatus main body 100, thereby supplying the first tape 11A to the print head 102.

[0034] (2nd roll) The second roll 14 has an ink ribbon 14A, which is used for printing on the first tape 11A, wound around a second supply spool 15.

[0035] The ink ribbon 14A is superimposed on the first tape 11A at the head opening 33B, and is used for printing by the print head 102. The ink ribbon 14A used for printing is taken up on an input spool 16. In addition, a rotational resistance is applied to the second roll 14 by a clutch spring 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.

[0036] (2nd supply spool) Second supply spool 15 is rotatable about a rotation axis L5. The rotation axis L5 of second supply spool 15 is parallel to the rotation axis L4 of first supply spool 12, that is, parallel to the up-down direction.

[0037] The second supply spool 15 rotates as the input spool 16 takes up the ink ribbon 14A, thereby supplying the ink ribbon 14A to the print head 102.

[0038] (Input spool) The input spool 16 is rotatable about a rotation axis L6. The rotation axis L6 of the input spool 16 is parallel to the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15.

[0039] The input spool 16 is cylindrical and has a hollow portion defined by an inner circumferential surface 16A. The inner circumferential surface 16A of the input spool 16 is provided with spline teeth 16B. A drive shaft 105 of the printing apparatus main body 100 is connected to the spline teeth 16B. The input spool 16 is rotated by the drive shaft 105.

[0040] (Output gear) The output gear 18 is a gear for outputting the driving force for transporting the first tape 11A to the outside. Specifically, the output gear 18 outputs the driving force to the platen gear 104 of the printing apparatus main body 100.

[0041] Output gear 18 is a single gear having a first side and a second side perpendicular to rotation axis L7. Rotation axis L7 of output gear 18 is parallel to rotation axis L5 of second supply spool 15. In addition, in the axial direction of rotation axis L5 of second supply spool 15 (i.e., the vertical direction), the first side is located closer to first roll 11 than the second side. The entire area of ​​the first side overlaps with cover portion 32B in the vertical direction.

[0042] A portion of the output gear 18 is exposed in the head opening 33 B. When the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing apparatus main body 100, the output gear 18 engages with the platen gear 104 in the head opening 33 B.

[0043] 4, the second supply spool 15, the output gear 18, and the first roll 11 are arranged in the vertical direction in the order of the second supply spool 15, the output gear 18, and the first roll 11. In other words, the output gear 18 is located between the second supply spool 15 and the first roll 11 in the vertical direction.

[0044] (Input gear) As shown in FIG. 3, the input gear 19 is a gear that indirectly engages with the output gear 18 via an idle gear 20 to transmit driving force to the output gear 18 .

[0045] The input gear 19 has a gear 19A and a cylindrical spool 19B that is fixed to one side of the gear 19A and has spline teeth on its inner peripheral surface. The gear 19A rotates integrally with the spool 19B by a driving force input to the spool 19B.

[0046] The rotation axis L8 of the input gear 19 (i.e., the rotation axis of the gear 19A and the rotation axis of the spool 19B) is disposed on the same line as the rotation axis L6 of the input spool 16. As shown in FIG. 4, the input spool 16, the input gear 19, and the first roll 11 are arranged in the vertical direction as follows: The input spool 16, the input gear 19, and the first roll 11 are arranged in this order.

[0047] That is, the input gear 19 is located between the input spool 16 and the first roll 11 in the up-down direction. In addition, at least a portion of the input gear 19 is disposed at a position overlapping with the first roll 11 in the up-down direction.

[0048] The rotation axis L8 of the input gear 19 overlaps with the hollow portion of the input spool 16 in the vertical direction. Therefore, the drive shaft 105 is inserted through the input spool 16 and the input gear 19 at the same time. As a result, the input gear 19 is not directly connected to the input spool 16, but is rotated by the same drive source (i.e., the drive shaft 105) as the input spool 16.

[0049] (Idol Gear) The idle gear 20 engages with the input gear 19 and the output gear 18. The idle gear 20 constitutes a transmission mechanism for transmitting the driving force input to the input gear 19 to the output gear 18.

[0050] The idle gear 20 is a stepped gear in which a first gear 20A engaged with the input gear 19 and a second gear 20B engaged with the output gear 18 are arranged side by side on the same axis. The second gear 20B has a smaller diameter than the first gear 20A. The second gear 20B is arranged closer to the first roll 11 (i.e., higher) in the vertical direction than the first gear 20A. The idle gear 20 constitutes a reduction mechanism that reduces the rotational speed of the driving force input to the input gear 19.

[0051] (case) As shown in Fig. 3, the first lid portion 31 constitutes the upper end portion of the printing cassette 10. The first frame portion 32 is disposed below the first lid portion 31 and is connected to the first lid portion 31 in the vertical direction. The second frame portion 33 is disposed below the first frame portion 32 and is connected to the first frame portion 32 in the vertical direction. The second lid portion 34 constitutes the lower end portion of the printing cassette 10. The second lid portion 34 is connected to the second frame portion 33 in the vertical direction.

[0052] The first lid portion 31 and the first frame portion 32 constitute a first case portion 41 that houses the first roll 11. In other words, the first roll 11 is disposed in a space surrounded by the first lid portion 31 and the first frame portion 32.

[0053] The second lid portion 34 and the second frame portion 33 constitute a second case portion 42 that houses the second roll 14, the second supply spool 15, and the input spool 16. In other words, the second roll 14, the second supply spool 15, and the input spool 16 are disposed in a space surrounded by the second lid portion 34 and the second frame portion 33.

[0054] The first frame portion 32 and the second frame portion 33 constitute a third case portion 43 in which a part of the output gear 18, the input gear 19, and the idle gear 20 are disposed. That is, the part of the output gear 18, the input gear 19, and the idle gear 20 are disposed in a space surrounded by the first frame portion 32 and the second frame portion 33. The third case portion 43 is disposed between the first case portion 41 and the second case portion 42 in the up-down direction.

[0055] The first frame 32 has a first side wall 32A, a cover portion 32B, a first guide 32C, a first gear support portion 32D, a second gear support portion 32E, and a third gear support portion 32F. The first side wall 32A constitutes a side surface parallel to the vertical direction of the printing cassette 10. The cover portion 32B is a portion having a surface perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0056] The cover portion 32B is disposed at a position overlapping with the output gear 18 in the up-down direction. In this embodiment, the cover portion 32B is provided continuous with the lower end portion of the first side wall 32A and is disposed at the right front corner portion of the first frame portion 32.

[0057] The output gear 18, the cover portion 32B, and the first roll 11 are arranged in the up-down direction in the order of the output gear 18, the cover portion 32B, and the first roll 11. As described above, the entire area of ​​the first side surface (i.e., the upper side surface) of the output gear 18 overlaps with the cover portion 32B in the up-down direction.

[0058] 5, the first guide 32C is a portion around which the first tape 11A pulled out from the first roll 11 is wound. The first guide 32C has multiple plate-shaped ribs spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the first roll 11. The multiple ribs protrude in the radial direction of the first roll 11, and the amount of protrusion (i.e., plate width) increases downward.

[0059] 3 rotatably supports the output gear 18. The second gear support portion 32E rotatably supports the input gear 19. The third gear support portion 32F rotatably supports the idle gear 20.

[0060] The second frame 33 has a second side wall 33A, a head opening 33B, a discharge port 33C, a second guide 33D, and an outlet 33E. The second side wall 33A constitutes a side surface of the printing cassette 10 that is parallel to the up-down direction.

[0061] The head opening 33B is a portion formed by cutting out a part of the second side wall 33A. The head opening 33B is a space into which the print head 102 is disposed by inserting the print head 102 from below when the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing device main body 100. The head opening 33B opens below the printing cassette 10.

[0062] The second guide 33D is a portion around which the first tape 11A that has passed through the first guide 32C is wound. Similar to the first guide 32C, the second guide 33D has a plurality of plate-like ribs that are spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the second roll 14. The multiple ribs protrude in the radial direction of the second roll 14, and the amount of protrusion (i.e., plate width) decreases toward the bottom.

[0063] The outlet 33E is a portion where the first tape 11A pulled out from the first roll 11 is discharged to the head opening 33B. In other words, the outlet 33E is in communication with the head opening 33B. The outlet 33E, the output gear 18, and the first roll 11 are arranged in the up-down direction in this order: the outlet 33E, the output gear 18, and the first roll 11.

[0064] 6, the first tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A are stretched across the head opening 33B in the left-right direction. After printing, the first tape 11A is discharged to the outside of the printer 1 from the discharge opening 33C.

[0065] The head opening 33B and the discharge port 33C are part of the second case portion 42. A part of the output gear 18 is located inside the head opening 33B. In addition, the cover portion 32B is exposed inside the head opening 33B.

[0066] As shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D, the first guide 32C and the second guide 33D form a passage that feeds the first tape 11A constituting the first roll 11 from the first case portion 41 to the second case portion .

[0067] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7A, a first tape 11A is pulled out from a first roll 11. The first tape 11A is transported downward and rearward within the first case portion 41 while contacting the first guide 32C from the radially outer side of the first roll 11 in a spiral manner. The first tape 11A is further transported downward and leftward while vertically straddling the third case portion 43, as shown in FIG. 7B .

[0068] The first tape 11A that has reached the second case portion 42 is transported downward and forward while abutting against the second guide 33D from the radially outer side, as shown in Fig. 7C. The first tape 11A that has reached the lower end of the printing cassette 10 passes through the head opening 33B and is discharged from the discharge opening 33C, as shown in Fig. 7D.

[0069] 7A, the output gear 18 is provided in a first region A1 of the case 35 in a first direction (i.e., front-rear direction) perpendicular to the up-down direction. Meanwhile, the first tape 11A is stretched across a second region A2 different from the first region A1 of the case 35 in the first direction, at an angle intersecting a second direction (i.e., left-right direction) perpendicular to the up-down direction and the first direction. The first region A1 in this embodiment is a region forward of the second region A2.

[0070] Furthermore, the first tape 11A is transported in the second direction toward the discharge opening 33C in a region of the first region A1 that is on the opposite side to the first roll 11 with the output gear 18 in the up-down direction therebetween.

[0071] <Tape transport and printing by the printer body> The print head 102 prints on the first tape 11A held by the printing cassette 10.

[0072] When the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing device main body 100, the print head 102 is disposed in the head opening 33B at a position overlapping the first tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 6).

[0073] The first tape 11A transported to the head opening 33B by the platen roller 103 is pressed against the print head 102, whose heating elements have generated heat, via the ink ribbon 14A. As a result, part of the ink arranged on the surface of the ink ribbon 14A is transferred to the first tape 11A, and letters, symbols, etc. are printed on the first tape 11A.

[0074] The platen roller 103 transports the first tape 11A from inside the printing cassette 10 to the outside. The platen roller 103 comes into contact with the first tape 11A at the head opening 33B, and presses the first tape 11A against the print head 102.

[0075] The platen gear 104 is connected to the platen roller 103 and engages with the output gear 18. The platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104 are capable of swinging between a position spaced apart from the printing cassette 10 shown in Fig. 8 and a position in which the platen gear 104 engages with the output gear 18 shown in Fig. 9.

[0076] The drive shaft 105 is inserted into the input spool 16 and engages with the input gear 19, causing the input spool 16 and the input gear 19 to rotate.

[0077] 9, with the printing cassette 10 attached to the printing device main body 100, the drive shaft 105 engages with the input gear 19 and the platen gear 104 engages with the output gear 18. Specifically, the drive shaft 105 is inserted into the input spool 16 and input gear 19 of the printing cassette 10. After that, the platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104 are swung toward the head opening 33B of the printing cassette 10.

[0078] With the printing cassette 10 attached, the input gear 19 rotates due to the drive shaft 105. As a result, the output gear 18 rotates, which in turn rotates the platen gear 104, which in turn rotates the platen roller 103.

[0079] [1-2. Effects] According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects can be obtained. (1a) The second supply spool 15, the output gear 18, and the first roll 11 are arranged in the axial direction of the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15 in the order of the second supply spool 15, the output gear 18, and the first roll 11.

[0080] In the printing cassette 10 of this embodiment, it is assumed that various printing cassettes 10 storing various types of tapes with different colors, shapes, etc. will be relatively frequently replaced in the printing device 1. Therefore, inevitably, there is a risk that the printing cassette 10 will fall when replacing the printing cassette 10.

[0081] In contrast, even if the printing cassette 10 falls and hits the floor or the like, due to the above-mentioned arrangement of the second supply spool 15, output gear 18, and first roll 11, there is a high probability that the second supply spool 15 side or the first roll 11 side in the vertical direction of the printing cassette 10 will hit before the output gear 18. This reduces the probability that the output gear 18 will hit the floor. As a result, damage to the output gear 18 when a surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15 hits the floor or the like is suppressed.

[0082] (1b) The above-mentioned arrangement makes it easy to align the output gear 18 in the axial direction with the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15 when mounting the printing cassette 10 in the printing device main body 100. This makes it possible to prevent problems with the engagement between the output gear 18 and the platen gear 104.

[0083] (1c) The above-described arrangement allows the first tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A to be spaced apart inside the printing cassette 10. This makes it possible to prevent interference between the components of the first tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A.

[0084] (1d) In the above-described arrangement, the rotation axis L7 of the output gear 18 and the rotation axis L8 of the input gear 19 are misaligned, so that the design freedom of the printing cassette 10 is improved.

[0085] (1e) The above-mentioned arrangement makes it possible to prevent interference between the output gear 18 and the transport path of the first tape 11A at the head opening 33B, thereby improving the design freedom of the printing cassette 10.

[0086] (1f) With the above-described arrangement, output gear 18 is disposed axially inside rotation axis L5 of second supply spool 15, thereby increasing the strength of the support portion for output gear 18 (i.e., first frame portion 32).

[0087] (1g) Since the input spool 16, input gear 19, and first roll 11 are arranged in the axial direction of the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15 in the order of input spool 16, input gear 19, and first roll 11, damage to the input gear 19 is suppressed when the printing cassette 10 falls and a surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15 collides with a floor surface or the like.

[0088] (1h) The output gear 18, the cover portion 32B, and the first roll 11 are arranged in the axial direction of the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15 in the order of the output gear 18, the cover portion 32B, and the first roll 11. As described above, in this embodiment, there is a risk that the printing cassette 10 may fall when replacing the printing cassette 10, for example.

[0089] In contrast, even if the printing cassette 10 falls, the cover portion 32B is provided, so that the probability that the cover portion 32B will collide with the floor surface or the like increases, rather than the output gear 18. Therefore, the output gear 18 is protected by the cover portion 32B, and damage to the output gear 18 is further suppressed.

[0090] (1i) Idle gear 20 can reduce the rotational speed of the driving force of drive shaft 105 to a rotational speed suitable for transporting first tape 11A. As a result, a common drive source can be used to transport first tape 11A and supply ink ribbon 14A.

[0091] (1j) The first tape 11A is stretched across the second region A2 at an angle intersecting the second direction, and is transported toward the discharge outlet 33C in the region of the first region A1 opposite the first roll 11 in the axial direction of the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15, sandwiched between the output gear 18, thereby making it possible to reduce the size of the printing cassette 10.

[0092] [2. Second embodiment] [2-1. Configuration] A printing apparatus 1A shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B includes a printing cassette 10A and a printing apparatus main body 100A.

[0093] <Printing cassette> The printing cassette 10A is obtained by adding a third roll 21, a take-up spool 22, a take-up gear 23, and a pinch roller 24 shown in Figure 11 to the printing cassette 10 of the first embodiment, and by replacing the input spool 16, first lid portion 31, first frame portion 32, second frame portion 33, and second lid portion 34 of the first embodiment with an input spool 25, a first lid portion 36, a first frame portion 37, a second frame portion 38, and a second lid portion 39.

[0094] The input spool 25 is the same as the input spool 16 except that it does not have spline teeth 16B. The first lid portion 36, the first frame portion 37, the second frame portion 38 and the second lid portion 39 are respectively formed by extending the first lid portion 31, the first frame portion 32, the second frame portion 33 and the second lid portion 34 in the left-right direction. The other configurations of the printing cassette 10A are the same as those of the printing cassette 10 of the first embodiment except for the points described below, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0095] The third roll 21 is a laminate tape used to protect the first tape 11A that is wound around an input spool 25. The laminate tape has an adhesive surface that is bonded to the first tape 11A that has been printed on by the print head 102.

[0096] The take-up spool 22 is rotatable about a rotation axis L9. The rotation axis L9 of the take-up spool 22 is parallel to the rotation axis L5 (i.e., the vertical direction) of the second supply spool 15. The take-up spool 22 takes up the ink ribbon 14A as the take-up gear 23 rotates.

[0097] The winding gear 23 is connected to the winding spool 22 and is engaged with the idle gear 20. The winding gear 23 is rotated by the driving force input to the input gear 19, causing the winding spool 22 to rotate.

[0098] Pinch roller 24, together with pressure roller 106, presses the laminate tape against first tape 11A after printing. Pinch roller 24 is disposed downstream of head opening 33B in the transport direction of first tape 11A.

[0099] <Printing device body> The printing device main body 100A is obtained by adding a pressure roller 106 shown in Fig. 12 to the printing device main body 100 of the first embodiment. Since the other configuration of the printing device main body 100A is the same as that of the printing device main body 100 of the first embodiment except for the points described below, the description will be omitted.

[0100] The pressure roller 106 is configured to be able to swing together with the platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104. That is, the pressure roller 106 is able to swing between a position spaced apart from the printing cassette 10A shown in Fig. 12 and a position in which the pressure roller 106 presses the first tape 11A and the laminate tape together with the pinch roller 24 shown in Fig. 13.

[0101] [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 printed content of the first tape 11A can be protected by the laminate tape.

[0102] 3. 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.

[0103] (3a) The printing device of the above embodiment is not limited to one that uses an ink ribbon as the second tape. The printing device may use a strip of thermal paper instead of the first tape in the first embodiment, and may use a laminate tape (i.e., a protective tape) instead of the ink ribbon.

[0104] The printing device may also use a stencil tape in which a printing pattern is punched by a thermal head as the first tape, and a strip-shaped interleaf paper that protects and supports the stencil tape as the second tape. In this case, in the head opening, the first tape may be superimposed on the second tape at a position closer to the print head than the second tape (i.e., as an upper layer), or the first tape may be superimposed on the second tape at a position farther from the print head than the second tape (i.e., as a lower layer).

[0105] (3b) The printing cassette of the above embodiment may have two or more idle gears. Furthermore, the transmission mechanism that engages with the input gear and the output gear does not necessarily have to include a reduction mechanism. In other words, the idle gear does not necessarily have to be a stepped gear, and may be a single spur gear. Furthermore, the printing cassette may have a transmission mechanism other than gears. Furthermore, the printing cassette does not have to have a transmission mechanism itself, and the output gear may directly engage with the input gear.

[0106] (3c) In the printing cassette of the above embodiment, the transport path of the first tape is an example. Therefore, the first tape does not necessarily have to be stretched across the second region at an angle in a direction intersecting the second direction. In addition, the direction in which the first tape is discharged may be other than the second direction.

[0107] (3d) The printing cassette of the second embodiment may include a third supply spool around which laminate tape is wound, instead of the take-up spool. Also, in the printing cassette of the second embodiment, the input spool may be used as a take-up spool for the ink ribbon.

[0108] (3e) 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. Also, part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. Also, at least part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments. Any aspect encompassed within the technical concept defined by the wording in the scope is an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 1,1A...printing device, 10,10A...printing cassette, 11...first roll, 11A...first tape, 12...first supply spool, 14...second roll, 14A: ink ribbon; 15: second supply spool; 16: input spool; 18...Output gear, 19...Input gear, 20...Idle gear, 20A...1st gear, 20B: second gear; 21: third roll; 22: take-up spool; 23: take-up gear; 31: first lid portion, 32: first frame portion, 32B: cover portion, 33: second frame portion, 33B...head opening, 33C...discharge port, 33E...exit, 34...second lid part, 35... case, 41... first case part, 42... second case part, 43... third case part, 100, 100A... Printing device main body, 101... Cassette insertion section, 102... Print head, 103: platen roller; 104: platen gear; 105: drive shaft.

Claims

1. a roll of a first tape; a supply spool rotatable about an axis of rotation; an output gear for outputting a driving force to the outside; a case in which at least a portion of the output gear is disposed; Equipped with the supply spool, the output gear, and the roll are arranged in the axial direction of the rotation shaft of the supply spool in the order of the supply spool, the output gear, and the roll; At least a portion of the output gear is exposed from the case. Printing cassette.

2. A printing cassette as described in claim 1, wherein the case has at least a portion of the roll and at least a portion of the supply spool disposed therein.

3. the case has a cover portion disposed at a position overlapping with the output gear in an axial direction of the rotation shaft of the supply spool, The printing cassette according to claim 2 , wherein the output gear, the cover portion, and the roll are arranged in the axial direction of the rotation shaft of the supply spool in the order of the output gear, the cover portion, and the roll.

4. an input spool rotatable about an axis of rotation; an input gear that directly or indirectly engages with the output gear; Further equipped with the axis of rotation of the input gear is collinear with the axis of rotation of the input spool; 4. A printing cassette as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the input spool, the input gear, and the roll are arranged in the axial direction of the rotation shaft of the supply spool in the order of the input spool, the input gear, and the roll.

5. the input spool is cylindrical; the input spool has a hollow portion defined by an inner circumferential surface, The input spool has an inner peripheral surface provided with spline teeth, 5. The printing cassette according to claim 4, wherein the rotation axis of the input gear overlaps with the hollow portion in the axial direction of the input spool.

6. 6. The printing cassette according to claim 4, wherein at least a part of the input gear is disposed at a position overlapping with the roll in an axial direction of the rotation shaft of the supply spool.

7. 7. The printing cassette according to claim 4, further comprising a transmission mechanism that engages with the input gear and the output gear and transmits a driving force input to the input gear to the output gear.

8. 8. The printing cassette according to claim 7, wherein the transmission mechanism has at least one idle gear.

9. The printing cassette according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the transmission mechanism includes a speed reducing mechanism.

10. 10. The printing cassette according to claim 9, wherein the transmission mechanism has a stepped gear in which a plurality of gears are arranged side by side on the same axis.

11. the idler gear engages with the output gear, 9. The printing cassette according to claim 8, wherein the idle gear is a stepped gear having a plurality of gears arranged coaxially.

12. the output gear has a first side and a second side; In an axial direction of the rotation shaft of the supply spool, the first side surface is located closer to the roll than the second side surface, The printing cassette according to claim 3 , wherein an entire area of ​​the first side surface overlaps with the cover portion in an axial direction of the rotation shaft of the supply spool.

13. 13. A printing cassette according to claim 1, wherein the output gear is a single gear.

14. The case is A first case portion that houses the roll; a second case portion that houses the supply spool; a passage for feeding the first tape constituting the roll from the first case portion to the second case portion; having 4. The printing cassette according to claim 2, wherein the second case portion has an outlet through which the first tape is discharged to the outside.

15. The printing cassette according to claim 14 , wherein the case further includes a third case portion disposed between the first case portion and the second case portion and having at least a portion of the output gear disposed therein.

16. The stepped gear includes a first gear and a second gear having a smaller diameter than the first gear, 12. The printing cassette according to claim 10, wherein the second gear is disposed at a position closer to the roll than the first gear is in an axial direction of the rotation shaft of the supply spool.

17. the output gear is provided in a first region of the case in a first direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the rotation shaft of the supply spool, The first tape is stretched across a second region of the case in the first direction, the second region being different from the first region of the case, and is inclined in a direction intersecting an axial direction of the rotation shaft of the supply spool and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, A printing cassette as described in claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the first tape is transported along the second direction toward the discharge outlet in an area of ​​the first region of the case in the first direction, the area being on the opposite side of the roll from the output gear in the axial direction of the rotation shaft of the supply spool.

18. The case has an outlet through which the first tape pulled out from the roll is discharged, The printing cassette according to claim 1 , wherein the outlet and the output gear are arranged next to each other in the axial direction of a rotation shaft of the output gear in this order.

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