Cassette

Abstract

To provide a cassette that can smoothly convey a medium to be printed comprising a layer to be printed and a peeling layer.SOLUTION: A print tape 22 is conveyed in a winding direction D from a print tape roll 26 to a head space 11 through a conveyance passage HK provided in a case 19, which can prevent floating of a peeling tape 22c from a tape 22a to be printed caused by inversion of inside and outside of the print tape 22 during conveyance of the print tape 22 unlike a conventional cassette. This enables the print tape 22 comprising the tape 22a to be printed and the peeling tape 22c to be smoothly conveyed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 18

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cassette that is detachably attached to a printing machine.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, a cassette that is detachably used for a small printing machine is known. For example, the cassette shown in Patent Document 1 is such a cassette. In the cassette of Patent Document 1, inside the cassette main body 1, the supply reel 3 of the ink ribbon 4 is arranged in the first space between the cassette lid 2 and the partition plate 6, and the take-up reel 7 of the ink ribbon 4 is arranged in the second space below the partition plate 6. When the driving roller 8 is rotated by the driving means of the printing machine, the elastic belt 9 stretched between the driving roller 8 and the driven roller 10 runs, and the take-up reel 7 rotates. As a result, after a constant supply tension is applied to the ink ribbon 4 by the tension roller 5, the ink ribbon 4 is conveyed downward from the first space to the second space.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in a cassette such as Patent Document 1, before the ink ribbon 4 is conveyed downward from the first space to the second space, the ink ribbon 4 is once inverted about 180° around the axis of the tension roller 5 by the tension roller 5, that is, the inner and outer sides of the ink ribbon 4 are inverted by the tension roller 5 once. For this reason, when a cassette using the ink ribbon 4 as in Patent Document 1 is applied to a cassette using a printed medium having a printed layer and a release layer, for example, when the inner and outer sides of the printed medium are inverted, the release layer floats from the printed layer, and there is a problem that the printed medium cannot be conveyed smoothly.

[0005] The present invention has been made against the background of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a cassette capable of smoothly conveying a printed medium having a printed layer and a release layer.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The gist of the first invention is as follows: (a) a housing having a head space and including a first layer and a second layer; (b) a roll provided on the second layer around which a printed medium is wound in a winding direction around a rotation center; (c) the printed medium includes a printed layer and a release layer, and the printed layer is located inside the winding direction of the printed medium, and the release layer is located outside the winding direction of the printed medium, and is provided in the housing; (d) the housing includes a conveyance path for conveying the printed medium; (e) the conveyance path is configured such that the printed medium is conveyed in the winding direction through an opening formed at the boundary between the first layer and the second layer in the housing from the roll to the head space.

[0007] The gist of the second invention is that the opening is located opposite to the head space in a third direction orthogonal to a first direction from the first layer to the second layer and a second direction in which the printed medium is conveyed in the head space.

[0008] The gist of the third invention is that (a) the housing has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with four corner portions, and (b) the conveyance path passes through at least three of the four corner portions of the housing and reaches the head space.

[0009] The gist of the fourth invention is that (a) the three corner portions include a first corner portion, a second corner portion, and a third corner portion, (b) the first corner portion is located in the second layer, (c) for the second corner portion, a part of the second corner portion is located in either the first layer or the second layer, (d) the third corner portion is located in the first layer, (e) the conveyance path is configured such that the printed medium is bridged between the first corner portion and the second corner portion in a state inclined with respect to the printed medium wound around the roll, (f) the conveyance path is configured such that the printed medium is bridged between the second corner portion and the third corner portion in a state inclined with respect to the printed medium wound around the roll, (g) the conveyance path is configured such that the printed medium is horizontally bridged between the third corner portion and the head space with respect to the printed medium wound around the roll, and (h) the conveyance path is configured such that the printed medium is conveyed in the order of the first corner portion, the second corner portion, and the third corner portion, so that the printed medium moves from the second layer to the first layer and reaches the head space.

[0010] The gist of the fifth invention is that (a) the housing further includes a fourth corner portion located in the second layer, (b) the upstream end in the conveyance direction of the printed medium at the opening is located at the fourth corner portion, (c) the housing has a printed medium outlet in the first layer, and the printed medium outlet overlaps the fourth corner portion in the direction from the second layer to the first layer, and (d) the conveyance path is configured such that the printed medium is conveyed in the order of the fourth corner portion, the first corner portion, the second corner portion, and the third corner portion, so that after the printed medium moves from the second layer to the first layer and reaches the head space, it reaches the printed medium outlet.

[0011] The gist of the sixth invention is that: (a) the housing includes a lower case and an upper case connected to the lower case; (b) the lower case has a first opening at its upper part; (c) the upper case has a second opening at its lower part; and (d) the opening is formed by connecting the first opening and the second opening at a boundary where the upper part and the lower part are connected.

[0012] The gist of the seventh invention is that the first layer further includes an ink ribbon.

[0013] The gist of the eighth invention is that: (a) it further includes a supply spool for the ink ribbon; and (b) the supply axis of the supply spool is located within the projected area of the roll.

[0014] The gist of the ninth invention is that: (a) it further includes a supply spool and a take-up spool for the ink ribbon; and (b) in the direction from the second layer to the first layer, the opening does not overlap with any of the roll, the supply spool, and the take-up spool.

[0015] The gist of the tenth invention is that: (a) it further includes a supply spool and a take-up spool for the ink ribbon; and (b) the opening is located outside the supply spool and the take-up spool around the rotation center of the roll.

[0016] The gist of the eleventh invention is that: (a) the housing includes a guide for the printing medium in the first layer; (b) the second layer is located above the first layer; and (c) the vertical interval of the gap between the upper end of the printing medium at the opening and the housing is larger than the vertical interval of the gap between the upper end of the printing medium at the first layer and the guide.

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] According to the cassette of the first invention, (a) a housing having a first layer and a second layer, with a head space in the first layer; (b) a roll provided in the second layer, around which a printing medium is wound in a winding direction around a rotation center; (c) the printing medium includes a printed layer and a release layer, and the printed layer is positioned inside the winding direction of the printing medium, and the release layer is positioned outside the winding direction of the printing medium, and is provided in the housing; (d) the housing includes a conveyance path for conveying the printing medium; (e) the conveyance path is configured such that the printing medium is conveyed in the winding direction through an opening formed at the boundary between the first layer and the second layer in the housing from the roll to the head space. Therefore, since the printing medium is conveyed in the winding direction from the roll to the head space by the conveyance path provided in the housing, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the inside and outside of the printing medium are reversed during conveyance of the printing medium as in the prior art, and the release layer floats from the printed layer. As a result, the printing medium including the printed layer and the release layer can be smoothly conveyed.

[0018] According to the cassette of the second invention, the opening is located opposite to the head space in a third direction orthogonal to a first direction from the first layer to the second layer and a second direction in which the printing medium is conveyed in the head space. Therefore, the distance of the conveyance path from the roll to the head space can be increased.

[0019] According to the cassette of the third invention, (a) the housing has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with four corners; (b) the conveyance path passes through at least three of the four corners of the housing and reaches the head space. Therefore, the distance of the conveyance path from the roll to the head space can be increased.

[0020] According to the cassette of the fourth invention, (a) the three corner portions include a first corner portion, a second corner portion, and a third corner portion, (b) the first corner portion is located in the second layer, (c) a part of the second corner portion is located in either the first layer or the second layer, (d) the third corner portion is located in the first layer, (e) the conveyance path is configured such that the printed medium is bridged between the first corner portion and the second corner portion in an inclined state with respect to the printed medium wound around the roll, (f) the conveyance path is configured such that the printed medium is bridged between the second corner portion and the third corner portion in an inclined state with respect to the printed medium wound around the roll, (g) the conveyance path is configured such that the printed medium is horizontally bridged between the third corner portion and the head space with respect to the printed medium wound around the roll, and (h) the conveyance path is configured such that the printed medium is conveyed in the order of the first corner portion, the second corner portion, and the third corner portion, so that the printed medium moves from the second layer to the first layer and reaches the head space. Therefore, when moving the printed medium from the second layer to the first layer, the printed medium can be moved from the second layer to the first layer relatively gently, so that the twist of the printed medium can be preferably suppressed.

[0021] According to the cassette of the fifth invention, (a) the housing further includes a fourth corner portion located in the second layer, (b) the upstream end in the conveyance direction of the printed medium at the opening is located at the fourth corner portion, (c) the housing includes a printed medium outlet in the first layer, and the printed medium outlet overlaps the fourth corner portion in the direction from the second layer to the first layer, and (d) the conveyance path is configured such that the printed medium is conveyed in the order of the fourth corner portion, the first corner portion, the second corner portion, and the third corner portion, so that after the printed medium moves from the second layer to the first layer and reaches the head space, the printed medium reaches the printed medium outlet. Therefore, the distance of the conveyance path from the roll to the head space can be preferably lengthened.

[0022] According to the cassette of the sixth invention, (a) the housing includes a lower case and an upper case connected to the lower case, (b) the lower case has a first opening at its upper part, (c) the upper case has a second opening at its lower part, and (d) the opening is formed by connecting the first opening and the second opening at a boundary where the upper part and the lower part are connected. Therefore, the printed medium can be preferably conveyed from the second layer to the first layer through the first opening of the lower case and the second opening of the upper case.

[0023] According to the cassette of the seventh invention, the ink ribbon is further provided in the first layer. Thereby, the ink of the ink ribbon can be printed on the printed layer of the printed medium.

[0024] According to the cassette of the eighth invention, (a) the supply spool of the ink ribbon is further provided, and (b) the supply shaft of the supply spool is located in the projected area of the roll. Therefore, the housing can be preferably miniaturized.

[0025] According to the cassette of the ninth invention, (a) the supply spool and the take-up spool of the ink ribbon are further provided, and (b) in the direction from the second layer to the first layer, the opening does not overlap with any of the roll, the supply spool, and the take-up spool. Therefore, the printed medium can be preferably conveyed from the second layer to the first layer through the opening without contacting the supply spool and the take-up spool.

[0026] According to the cassette of the tenth invention, (a) the supply spool and the take-up spool of the ink ribbon are further provided, and (b) the opening is located outside the supply spool and the take-up spool around the rotation center of the roll. Therefore, the printed medium can be preferably conveyed from the second layer to the first layer through the opening without contacting the supply spool and the take-up spool.

[0027] According to the cassette of the 11th invention, (a) in the first layer, the housing includes a guide for the print medium, (b) the second layer is located above the first layer, and (c) the vertical interval of the gap between the upper end of the print medium in the opening and the housing is larger than the vertical interval of the gap between the upper end of the print medium in the first layer and the guide. Therefore, the print medium can be preferably conveyed from the second layer to the guide in the first layer without contacting the housing.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028]

Figure 1

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Figure 10

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Figure 19

Figure 20

Figure 21

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0029] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Examples

[0030] [Embodiment 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a cassette 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention from the front side, i.e., from above, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the cassette 10 from the back side, i.e., from below. FIG. 3 is a perspective view for explaining the case (housing) 19 of the cassette 10 and the internal configuration of the cassette 10 by separating the first case member 12, the second case member (upper case) 14, the third case member (lower case) 16, and the fourth case member 18 of the cassette 10. The cassette 10 is of a laminate type, has a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and is detachably attached to a cassette mounting portion 104 of a printer, i.e., a printing device 102, shown in FIG. 21 described later. The case 19 of the cassette 10 includes a tape case (second layer) 20 in which a print tape roll (roll) 26 is provided in a first space S1 formed inside, and a ribbon case (first layer) 21 that is mounted so as to be located below the tape case 20 and in which an ink ribbon roll 72 is provided in a second space S2 formed inside. Note that the tape case 20 includes the first case member 12 and the second case member 14, and the ribbon case 21 includes the third case member 16 and the fourth case member 18. In the case 19, the first case member 12, the second case member 14, the third case member 16, and the fourth case member 18 are mutually fixed by the engagement of a plurality of locking claws 27 and fixing claws 28 provided between their outer peripheral walls and the positioning by positioning projections 29 in a mutually overlapped state. Note that the tape case 20 forming the first space S1 corresponds to the first layer of the case 19 of the cassette 10, and the ribbon case 21 forming the second space S2 corresponds to the second layer of the case 19 of the cassette 10.

[0031] In FIG. 2, on the bottom surface of the fourth case member 18 of the cassette 10, when the cassette 10 is mounted on the cassette mounting portion 104 of the printing apparatus 102, a connection hole 96 of a take-up spool 76 described later into which a take-up spool drive shaft 108 provided in the cassette mounting portion 104 is inserted is exposed through a take-up spool support hole 94. Further, on the side surfaces of the third case member 16 and the fourth case member 18, when the cassette 10 is mounted on the cassette mounting portion 104 of the printing apparatus 102, a concave groove (head space) 11 into which a printing head 106 described later provided in the cassette mounting portion 104 is inserted is formed. That is, on the side surface of the ribbon case 21, a head space 11 into which the printing head 106 is inserted is formed when the cassette 10 is mounted on the cassette mounting portion 104.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a front view showing the upper (front) surface side of the first case member 12, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the lower (back) surface side of the first case member 12. FIG. 6 is a front view showing the upper surface side of the second case member 14 of FIG. 1 together with the printing tape roll 26. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the cassette 10 of FIG. 1 with the first case member 12 removed. FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11 are cross-sectional views of FIG. 6 showing a state in which the printing tape (printing medium) 22 moves from inside the tape case 20 into the ribbon case 21. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the lower surface side of the second case member 14. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the upper surface side of the third case member 16. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the lower surface side of the third case member 16. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the upper surface side of the fourth case member 18. FIG. 17 is a bottom view showing the lower surface side of the fourth case member 18.

[0033] Between the first case member 12 and the second case member 14, there is formed a first space S1 that rotatably accommodates a printing tape roll 26 around a first rotation center line (rotation center) C1 parallel to the vertical direction (first direction) F1, with a printing tape 22 wound around a printing tape spool 24 that is a cylindrical shaft core member. Note that the first rotation center line C1 is the rotation center of the printing tape roll 26 and also the rotation center of the printing tape spool 24. Also, the vertical direction F1 corresponds to the first direction, which is the stacking direction from the first case member 12 to the fourth case member 18. The upward direction indicates the direction toward the first case member 12 side, and the downward direction indicates the direction toward the fourth case member 18. The first case member 12 and the second case member 14 are rectangular, and the first rotation center line C1 is provided at a position slightly eccentric downward from the center in the longitudinal direction. The printing tape 22 is a medium to be printed by a printing head 106. The printing tape 22 is configured, for example, as shown in FIG. 19, by laminating a release tape (release layer) 22c via an adhesive 22b on the surface of a printing tape (printed layer) 22a as a base material, on the side opposite to the printing surface. That is, the printing tape 22 includes the printing tape 22a, the adhesive 22b, and the release tape 22c. Note that, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, for example, the printing tape 22 is wound around the printing tape spool 24 in the winding direction D around the first rotation center line C1 in the printing tape roll 26. The printed tape 22a is disposed on the inner side of the winding direction D of the printing tape 22, and the release tape 22c is disposed on the outer side of the winding direction D of the printing tape 22. Note that the inner side of the winding direction D of the printing tape 22 is the side (inner side) that approaches the printing tape spool 24, that is, the first rotation center line C1, on a pair of side surfaces formed on the printing tape 22 wound around the printing tape spool 24. Also, the outer side of the winding direction D of the printing tape 22 is the side (outer side) that is spaced apart from the printing tape spool 24, that is, the first rotation center line C1, on a pair of side surfaces formed on the printing tape 22 wound around the printing tape spool 24.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, on the lower surface side of the first case member 12 and the upper surface side of the second case member 14, there are provided a cylindrical first support protrusion 30 and a second support protrusion 32 that are rotatably fitted to the upper end and the other end of the printing tape spool 24 to rotatably support the printing tape roll 26, and a first circumferential wall 34 and a second circumferential wall 36 having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the printing tape roll 26 in the unused state, which protrude in a state of having the same center line as the first rotation center line C1. The printing tape spool 24 is disposed between the first case member 12 and the second case member 14 while being held within the first circumferential wall 34 and the second circumferential wall 36 and with a circular spacer film 38 having the same outer diameter as the outer diameter of the printing tape roll 26 interposed therebetween. The spacer film 38 is for smoothly rotating the printing tape roll 26 and is, for example, composed of a tetrafluoroethylene resin sheet.

[0035] Also, on the lower surface side of the first case member 12 and the upper surface side of the second case member 14, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, printing tape gates 40 and 42 are formed by cutting out a part of the first circumferential wall 34 and the second circumferential wall 36 to pull out the printing tape 22 from the printing tape roll 26 from a fixed position. Further, on the upper surface side of the second case member 14, in order to guide the printing tape 22 pulled out from the printing tape roll 26 in a certain direction, an arc-shaped guide wall 48 formed along the inner peripheral side of the through hole (second opening) 52 so that the outer surface is continuous, and a guide wall 50 extending from the left end of the printing tape gate 42 to the left side are formed. The guide wall 50 functions as a guiding part for guiding the printing tape 22.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 6, the guide wall 50 of the second case member 14 bends toward the long side part 46b before reaching the short side part 46a of the outer peripheral wall 46 and extends in a state of facing the second circumferential wall 36 and is connected to the long side part 46b.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 6, an opening, i.e., a through-hole 52, is formed longitudinally along the space between the guide wall 50 and the long-side portion 46b of the outer peripheral wall 46 on the bottom plate (lower part) 14a of the second case member 14. Further, on the guide wall 48 of the second case member 14, a plurality of guide ribs 54 are formed such that the circumscribed surface of the rib tip edge 54a is a tapered surface between the portion of the second circumferential wall 36 facing the guide wall 50 and the through-hole 52. The tapered surface formed by the circumscribed surfaces of the rib tip edges 54a of the plurality of guide ribs 54 is for guiding the printing tape 22 drawn from the printing tape roll 26 and fed through the printing tape gates 40 and 42 into the through-hole 52. FIG. 7 shows the cassette 10 with the first case member 12 removed, and shows a state in which the printing tape 22 drawn from the printing tape roll 26 is guided through the through-hole 52 into the second space S2 between the third case member 16 and the fourth case member 18. Thereby, the printing tape 22 is bridged between the tape case 20 and the ribbon case 21 through the through-hole 52 formed in the bottom plate 14a that functions as a partition between the first space S1 and the second space S2. An opening, i.e., a through-hole (first opening portion) 58, is formed in the ceiling plate (upper part) 16e of the third case member 16. Further, as shown in FIG. 15, a guide wall 91 with a continuous outer surface is provided along the inner peripheral side of the through-hole 58 on the ceiling plate 16e of the third case member 16. Inside this guide wall 91, a bonding tape roll 64 and an ink ribbon roll 72 are disposed.

[0038] Figs. 8, 9, 10, and 11 show the conveyance path HK of the printing tape 22 from the printing tape roll 26 in the tape case 20 to the head space 11 where the printing tape 22 is exposed through the through holes 52 and 58. That is, in the case 19 of the cassette 10, a conveyance path HK for conveying the printing tape 22 from the printing tape roll 26 to the head space 11 is formed. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII of Fig. 6, showing a state where the printing tape 22 is pulled out from the printing tape roll 26 and the transfer to the ribbon case 21 is started. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IX-IX of Fig. 6, showing a state where the printing tape 22 is obliquely bridged from inside the tape case 20 into the ribbon case 21. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X of Fig. 6, showing a state where the transfer of the printing tape 22 to the ribbon case 21 is completed. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI of Fig. 6, showing a state from after the completion of the transfer of the printing tape 22 until the printing tape 22 is exposed in the head space 11.

[0039] The case 19 of the cassette 10, i.e., the second case member 14, has a rectangular parallelepiped shape having four corner portions K1, K2, K3, and K4 in the order of the winding direction D of the printing tape roll 26 in a plan view, i.e., in a vertical direction F1 view, as shown in FIG. 6, for example. As shown in FIG. 2, a head space 11 into which the print head 106 is inserted is formed in the case 19, i.e., the ribbon case 21, between the corner portion K1 and the corner portion K4. The transition start position PS, which is a position where the printing tape 22 is separated from the printing tape roll 26, is a contact point with the tangent line L leading to the through hole 52 as shown in FIG. 6, and the transition end position PF is a position where the printing tape 22 descends most in the vertical direction F1 and becomes parallel to the ink ribbon 68, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 10. FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 correspond to the transition states of the printing tape 22 between the corner portion K1 and the corner portion K2, between the corner portion K2 and the corner portion K3, and between the corner portion K3 and the corner portion K4, and show the transition path IK in those figures. This transition path IK corresponds to a transition path IK that passes through at least three corner portions, preferably four corner portions, of the corner portion K1 to the corner portion K4 in the plan view of FIG. 6, and is indicated by a transition angle θi around the first rotation center line C1 of the printing tape roll 26. The transition angle θi is 180° or more and is smaller than the conveyance angle θh corresponding to the conveyance path HK. The conveyance path HK is a path from when the printing tape 22 is pulled out from the printing tape roll 26, i.e., from the transition start position PS, until the printing tape 22 reaches the head space 11. Further, the transition path IK is a path that transitions from the transition start position PS to the transition end position PF, i.e., a path in which the printing tape 22 is pulled out from the printing tape roll 26 within the tape case 20 and the printing tape 22 transitions into the ribbon case 21 in the vertical direction F1 and reaches the ink ribbon 68, i.e., a path until the printing tape 22 transitions into the ribbon case 21 in the vertical direction F1 and becomes parallel to the ink ribbon 68, and is a part of the conveyance path HK.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 7, the corner K1 includes an upper corner K1a formed in the tape case 20 and a lower corner K1b formed in the ribbon case 21. Further, the corner K2 includes an upper corner K2a formed in the tape case 20 and a lower corner K2b formed in the ribbon case 21. Further, the corner K3 includes an upper corner K3a formed in the tape case 20 and a lower corner K3b formed in the ribbon case 21. Further, the corner K4 includes an upper corner K4a formed in the tape case 20 and a lower corner K4b formed in the ribbon case 21.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 6, the through hole 52 formed in the bottom plate 14a of the second case member 14 includes a first hole portion 52a extending from the upper corner K1a of the corner K1 to the upper corner K2a of the corner K2, a second hole portion 52b extending from the upper corner K2a of the corner K2 to the upper corner K3a of the corner K3, and a third hole portion 52c extending from the upper corner K3a of the corner K3 to the upper corner K4a of the corner K4. As shown in FIG. 6, in the vertical direction F1, in the through hole 52, the printing tape 22 pulled out from the printing tape roll 26 is conveyed by the conveyance path HK from the first hole portion 52a through the second hole portion 52b toward the third hole portion 52c. That is, in the vertical direction F1, in the through hole 52, the printing tape 22 pulled out from the printing tape roll 26 is conveyed by the conveyance path HK through the corners K1, K2, and K3 in order. Note that the second hole portion 52b of the through hole 52 is located on the side opposite to the head space 11 with respect to the center position M of the cassette 10 in the front-rear direction (third direction) F3 (see FIG. 1) that is orthogonal to the vertical direction F1 (see FIG. 1) and the left-right direction (second direction) F2 (see FIG. 1) in which the printing tape 22 is conveyed in the head space 11, as shown in FIG. 6. In FIG. 1, the upper side of FIG. 1 is defined as the front side of the cassette 10, and the lower side is defined as the rear side of the cassette 10. In FIG. 1, the right side of FIG. 1 is defined as the left side of the cassette 10, and the left side is defined as the right side of the cassette 10. In FIG. 1, the upper left side of FIG. 1 is defined as the upper side of the cassette 10, and the lower right side is defined as the lower side of the cassette 10.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the through hole 58 formed in the ceiling plate 16e of the third case member 16 includes a first hole portion 58a extending from the lower side corner portion K1b of the corner portion K1 to the lower side corner portion K2b of the corner portion K2, a second hole portion 58b extending from the lower side corner portion K2b of the corner portion K2 to the lower side corner portion K3b of the corner portion K3, and a third hole portion 58c extending from the lower side corner portion K3b of the corner portion K3 to the lower side corner portion K4b of the corner portion K4. In the vertical direction F1, in the through hole 58, the printing tape 22 pulled out from the printing tape roll 26 is conveyed by the conveyance path HK from the first hole portion 58a through the second hole portion 58b toward the third hole portion 58c. That is, in the vertical direction F1, in the through hole 58, the printing tape 22 pulled out from the printing tape roll 26 is conveyed by the conveyance path HK through the corner portions K2, K3, and K4 in order. Note that the second hole portion 58b of the through hole 58 is located on the side opposite to the head space 11 with respect to the center position M of the cassette 10 in the front-rear direction F3 as shown in FIG. 20.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 6, the transfer start position PS of the conveyance path HK or the transfer path IK is on the same side as the side where the head space 11 is located with respect to the center position M of the cassette 10 in the left-right direction F2 which is the feeding direction of the printing tape 22 in the head space 11, and is also on the same side as the side where the head space 11 is located with respect to the center position M of the cassette 10 in the front-rear direction F3 which is the thickness direction of the printing tape 22 in the head space 11. The transfer end position PF of the transfer path IK is on the side opposite to the side where the head space 11 of the ribbon case 21 is located with respect to the center position M of the cassette 10 in the left-right direction F2 which is the feeding direction of the printing tape 22 in the head space 11, and is also on the same side as the side where the head space 11 of the ribbon case 21 is located with respect to the center position M of the cassette 10 in the front-rear direction F3 which is the thickness direction of the printing tape 22 in the head space 11.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 8, the conveyance path HK is formed such that the printing tape 22 pulled out from the printing tape roll 26 is bridged in an inclined state with respect to the printing tape 22 wound around the printing tape roll 26 between the upper corner K1a of the corner K1 and the upper corner (first corner) K2a of the corner K2. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the conveyance path HK is formed such that the printing tape 22 is bridged in an inclined state with respect to the printing tape 22 wound around the printing tape roll 26 between the upper corner K2a of the corner K2 and a part of the upper corner (second corner) K3a of the corner K3 and a part of the lower corner (second corner) K3b of the corner K3. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the conveyance path HK is formed such that the printing tape 22 is bridged in an inclined state with respect to the printing tape 22 wound around the printing tape roll 26 between the lower corner K3b of the corner K3 and the lower corner (third corner) K4b of the corner K4. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the conveyance path HK is formed such that the printing tape 22 is bridged horizontally (parallel) with respect to the printing tape 22 wound around the printing tape roll 26 between the lower corner K4b of the corner K4 and the head space 11. That is, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, the conveyance path HK is formed such that the printing tape 22 is conveyed in the order of the upper corner K2a of the corner K2, a part of the upper corner K3a of the corner K3 and a part of the lower corner K3b of the corner K3, and the lower corner K4b of the corner K4, so that the printing tape 22 moves from the first space S1 of the tape case 20 to the second space S2 of the ribbon case 21 and reaches the head space 11. The two-dot chain lines shown in FIGS. 9, 10, and 11 are virtual lines indicating the printing tape 22 wound around the printing tape roll 26. Further, in the ribbon case 21, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a guide 55 for guiding the printing tape 22 is formed such that the printing tape 22 inclined with respect to the printing tape 22 wound around the printing tape roll 26 becomes horizontal (parallel), that is, parallel to the ink ribbon 68, with respect to the printing tape 22 wound around the printing tape roll 26.Further, the conveyance path HK is such that the printed tape 22 drawn from the printed tape roll 26 passes through the opening 52x formed at the boundary between the tape case 20 and the ribbon case 21 within the case 19, that is, through the through hole 52 formed in the bottom plate 14a of the second case member 14 and the through hole 58 formed in the ceiling plate 16e of the third case member 16, from the first space S1 of the tape case 20 where the printed tape roll 26 is provided to the second space S2 of the ribbon case 21 where the head space 11 is formed. The opening 52x formed at the boundary between the tape case 20 and the ribbon case 21 within the case 19 is a space where the space of the through hole 52 and the space of the through hole 58 are connected at the boundary where they are connected by the bottom plate 14a of the second case member 14 and the ceiling plate 16e of the third case member 16. The interval Wx shown in FIG. 10 is larger than the interval Wy shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The interval Wx is, as shown in FIG. 10, the interval in the vertical direction F1 of the gap SKx between the upper end 22x of the printed tape 22 and the bottom surface 12b of the ceiling plate 12a of the first case member 12 above the opening 52x formed in the second case member 14 and the third case member 16, that is, above the through holes 52 and 58. The interval Wy is, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the interval in the vertical direction F1 of the gap SKy between the upper end 22x of the printed tape 22 guided by the printed tape guide (guide) TG and the ceiling wall portion TGu of the printed tape guide TG. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the ceiling wall portion TGu of the printed tape guide TG in FIG. 11. Thereby, an appropriate gap can be provided between the printed tape 22 and the case 19 with respect to the phenomenon that the width in the vertical direction F1 virtually increases while the printed tape 22 is being conveyed obliquely. The same relationship also exists in the left-right direction F2 and the front-rear direction F3. The printed tape guide TG is formed within the ribbon case 21, and the printed tape guide TG is formed with a ceiling wall portion TGu facing the upper end 22x of the printed tape 22 and a bottom wall portion TGd facing the lower end 22y of the printed tape 22. The printed tape 22 guided by the printed tape guide TG is restricted in its movement in the vertical direction F1 by the protrusion TGua formed in the ceiling wall portion TGu and the protrusion TGda formed in the bottom wall portion TGd.

[0045] Figure 13 shows the lower (back) surface of the bottom plate 14a of the second case member 14. In Figure 13, a through hole 52 is open on the back surface of the bottom plate 14a of the second case member 14, and a guide wall 56 that is continuous along the through hole 52 is erected. Figure 14 shows the upper surface side of the third case member 16. On the ceiling plate 16e of the third case member 16, a through hole 58, a bonding tape roll support hole 66, an ink ribbon support hole 74, a take-up spool support hole 78, and a roller support hole 82 are formed. The through hole 58 is formed at a position corresponding to the through hole 52 of the second case member 14 in order to pass the printing tape 22 to the second space S2.

[0046] The bottom plate 14a of the second case member 14 and the ceiling plate 16e of the third case member 16 correspond to the plate material that partitions the first space S1 in the tape case 20 and the second space S2 in the ribbon case 21.

[0047] The bonding tape roll support hole 66 fits one end of the bonding tape spool 62 around which the bonding tape 60 is wound, and rotatably supports the bonding tape roll 64 around a second rotation center line C2 parallel to the first rotation center line C1. Note that the second rotation center line C2 is the rotation center of the bonding tape roll 64 and also the rotation center of the bonding tape spool 62. As shown in FIG. 19, the bonding tape 60 is composed of a transparent film 60a, which is a transparent medium with an adhesive 60b applied to, for example, one outer surface, to protect the printing surface of the printing tape 22. The ink ribbon support hole 74 fits one end of the supply spool 70 around which the ink ribbon 68 is wound, and rotatably supports the ink ribbon roll 72 around a third rotation center line (supply axis) C3 parallel to the first rotation center line C1. Note that the third rotation center line C3 is the rotation center of the ink ribbon roll 72 and also the rotation center of the supply spool 70. The take-up spool support hole 78 fits one end of the take-up spool 76 that takes up the ink ribbon 68 drawn from the ink ribbon roll 72, and rotatably supports the take-up spool 76 around a fourth rotation center line C4 parallel to the first rotation center line C1. Note that the fourth rotation center line C4 is the rotation center of the take-up spool 76. The roller support hole 82 fits one end of the roller 80 that sandwiches the printing tape 22 and the bonding tape 60 between the roller on the printing apparatus 102 side to press-bond the printing surface of the printing tape 22 and the adhesive surface of the bonding tape 60, and rotatably supports the roller 80 around a fifth rotation center line C5 parallel to the first rotation center line C1.

[0048] FIG. 15 shows the lower surface side of the third case member 16. On the lower surface of the third case member 16, a bonding tape roll holding wall 84, an ink ribbon roll holding wall 86, and a cylindrical projection 88 are formed. The bonding tape roll holding wall 84 is formed in an arc shape centered on the bonding tape roll support hole 66 around the bonding tape roll support hole 66 to hold the bonding tape roll 64. The ink ribbon roll holding wall 86 is formed in an arc shape centered on the take-up spool support hole 78 around the take-up spool support hole 78 to hold the ink ribbon roll 72 of the ink ribbon 68 wound around the take-up spool 76 and continues from the bonding tape roll holding wall 84. The cylindrical projection 88 projects from around the ink ribbon roll holding wall 86 and around the ink ribbon support hole 74, and unevenness in the circumferential direction is formed on the tip surface.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 3, at the other end of the supply spool 70 around which the ink ribbon 68 is wound, a clutch spring holder 90 that houses a clutch spring is fitted. In the assembled state, the supply spool 70 is biased toward the cylindrical projection 88 by the clutch spring inside the clutch spring holder 90, so that an appropriate rotational resistance is imparted to the ink ribbon roll 72.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 15, on the lower surface of the third case member 16, a guide wall 91 whose outer surface is continuous along the inner peripheral side of the through hole 58 is provided. Inside this guide wall 91, the bonding tape roll 64 and the ink ribbon roll 72 are disposed. Further, on the lower surface of the third case member 16, an arc-shaped member 92 is provided, and the arc-shaped member 92 is formed in an arc shape centered on the bonding tape roll support hole 66 around the bonding tape roll support hole 66 to define the arrangement position of the bonding tape roll 64.

[0051] Figures 16 and 17 show the upper and lower surfaces of the fourth case member 18. In Figures 16 and 17, a take-up spool support hole 94 is formed through the fourth case member 18 on the side of the fourth case member 18 to fit the other end of the take-up spool 76 and rotatably support the take-up spool 76. Further, a cylindrical support projection 97 is formed on the fourth case member 18 to fit the other end of the supply spool 70 and rotatably support the supply spool 70. Since the connection hole 96 formed on the end face on the other end side of the take-up spool 76 is exposed on the lower surface of the fourth case member 18 through the take-up spool support hole 94 as shown in FIG. 2, when the cassette 10 is mounted on the printing apparatus 102, the take-up spool drive shaft 108 of the printing apparatus 102 is inserted into the connection hole 96 and connected so as not to relatively rotate, and the take-up spool 76 is rotationally driven by the take-up spool drive shaft 108.

[0052] Further, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the fourth case member 18 is provided with a roller exposure hole 98 for exposing the shaft end of the roller 80 at a position corresponding to the roller support hole 82 formed in the third case member 16. Since the connection portion 80a formed at the end of the roller 80 on the side of the fourth case member 18 is exposed on the lower surface of the fourth case member 18 through the roller exposure hole 98 as shown in FIG. 2, when the cassette 10 is mounted on the printing apparatus 102, the roller drive shaft 110 of the printing apparatus 102 is connected to the connection portion 80a formed at the end of the roller 80 so as not to relatively rotate, and the roller 80 is rotationally driven by the roller drive shaft 110.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 2, 15, and 16, in the ribbon case 21 composed of the third case member 16 and the fourth case member 18, when the cassette 10 is mounted on the cassette mounting portion 104 shown in FIG. 21, a recess 99 is formed for accommodating a head holding plate 114 that holds a print head 106 erected on the cassette mounting portion 104. As shown in FIG. 2, a concave groove 11, that is, a head space 11 formed in the ribbon case 21 communicates with the space of the recess 99 formed in the ribbon case 21. As shown in FIG. 15, on a part of the outer peripheral wall of the third case member 16, a first side wall 16a extending in the front-rear direction F3, a second side wall (arm wall) 16b extending in the left-right direction F2 orthogonal to the vertical direction F1 and the front-rear direction F3, and a U-shaped recess wall 16c that extends from the second side wall 16b on the recess 99 side to one side (rearward) in the front-rear direction F3 and extends to one side (right in FIG. 14), that is, the first side wall 16a side in the left-right direction F2 on one side in the front-rear direction F3 with respect to the second side wall 16b on the recess 99 side and surrounds the recess 99 are formed. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, in the fourth case member 18, a U-shaped notch 18a corresponding to the recess wall 16c is formed. The recess 99 is formed by these recess wall 16c and notch 18a.

[0054] FIG. 18 shows, using a view of the lower surface of the third case member 16 when the cassette 10 is mounted on the cassette mounting portion 104, the path of the printing tape 22 drawn from the printing tape roll 26 and the bonding tape 60 drawn from the bonding tape roll 64, which are sandwiched between the roller 80 and the rotor 118 on the printing apparatus 102 side by the driving of the roller 80, and the path of the ink ribbon 68 drawn from the ink ribbon roll 72 by the driving of the take-up spool 76. The printing tape 22 is shown by a two-dot chain line, the bonding tape 60 is shown by a broken line, and the ink ribbon 68 is shown by a one-dot chain line. Note that the arrow B1 shown in FIGS. 6 and 18 is an arrow indicating the conveyance direction of the printing tape 22 drawn from the printing tape roll 26, that is, the conveyance direction of the conveyance path HK. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 18, the conveyance path HK is formed such that the printing tape 22 drawn from the printing tape roll 26 is conveyed in the winding direction D of the printing tape roll 26 from the first space S1 of the tape case 20 to the head space 11 formed in the second space S2 of the ribbon case 21. Note that the upstream end in the conveyance direction B1 of the printing tape 22 in the through hole 52 formed in the bottom plate 14a of the second case member 14, that is, the end on the upper side corner K1a side of the corner K1 of the first hole portion 52a of the through hole 52, is disposed at the upper side corner (fourth corner) K1a of the corner K1.

[0055] In FIG. 18, when the take-up spool 76 and the roller 80 are rotationally driven, the printing tape 22 and the ink ribbon 68 are discharged from the discharge port 130 in a superimposed state toward the printing location P. At the printing location P between the print head 106 and a platen (not shown), with the printing tape 22 pressed against the print head 106 via the ink ribbon 68, when a plurality of heating elements arranged on the surface of the print head 106 are selectively driven to generate local heat, a part of the ink 68a provided in layers on one surface of the ink ribbon 68 is transferred to the printing tape 22, and characters, symbols, etc. are printed on the printing tape 22. The used ink ribbon 68 that has passed through the printing location P is wound onto the take-up spool 76. On the printed surface of the printing tape 22 that has passed through the printing location P, a transparent bonding tape 60 is pressed and adhered by the roller 80, whereby the printed surface of the printing tape 22 is protected by the bonding tape 60. Note that the printing tape 22 whose printed surface is protected by the bonding tape 60 is discharged from a printing tape outlet (printing medium outlet) 101 formed at the lower side corner K1b of the corner K1 of the ribbon case 21. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the printing tape outlet 101 is arranged so as to overlap the upper side corner K1a of the corner K1 in the vertical direction F1, which is the direction from the tape case 20 toward the ribbon case 21. Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 18, the conveyance path HK is formed such that the printing tape 22 is conveyed in the order of the upper side corner K1a of the corner K1, the upper side corner K2a of the corner K2, the upper side corner K3a of the corner K3, the lower side corner K3b of the corner K3, and the lower side corner K4b of the corner K4. As a result, after the printing tape 22 moves from the first space S1 of the tape case 20 to the second space S2 of the ribbon case 21 and reaches the head space 11, it reaches the printing tape outlet 101.

[0056] FIG. 19 shows a laminate of the printing tape 22 and the bonding tape 60 sent out from the cassette 10. A bonding tape 60 composed of a transparent film 60a with an adhesive 60b applied to one surface, i.e., the outer peripheral side, is adhered to the side of the printing tape 22 to be printed, i.e., the printed surface side. Thereby, the ink 68a transferred to the printed surface of the printing tape 22 is protected.

[0057] Figure 20 shows, in solid lines, the bonding tape roll 64, the ink ribbon roll 72, the take-up spool 76, and the roller 80 housed in the second space S2 between the third case member 16 and the fourth case member 18, i.e., inside the ribbon case 21. Superimposed on them in the vertical direction F1, the printing tape roll 26 and the spacer film 38 housed in the first space S1 between the first case member 12 and the second case member 14, i.e., inside the tape case 20, are shown by a one-dot chain line (virtual line) on a projection plane orthogonal to the vertical direction F1 within the second space S2. Figure 20 shows the printing tape roll 26, the bonding tape roll 64, and the ink ribbon roll 72 in an unused or initial state. As shown in Figure 20, the diameter of the unused or initial-state printing tape roll 26 is larger than the diameter of the bonding tape roll 64, the diameter of the bonding tape roll 64 is larger than the diameter of the ink ribbon roll 72, and the diameter of the ink ribbon roll 72 is larger than the diameter of the take-up spool 76.

[0058] In FIG. 20, the printing tape roll 26 and the spacer film 38 having the same diameter as it overlap at least a part of the bonding tape roll 64 and its second rotation center line C2, at least a part of the ink ribbon roll 72 and its third rotation center line C3, at least a part of the take-up spool 76 and its fourth rotation center line C4, and at least a part of the recess 99 and the recess wall 16c in the vertical direction F1. Note that the third rotation center line C3 of the ink ribbon roll 72 overlaps with the printing tape roll 26 in the vertical direction F1, and the third rotation center line C3 of the ink ribbon roll 72 is located within the projected area of the printing tape roll 26 in the vertical direction F1. Within the projected areas of the printing tape roll 26 and the spacer film 38, the bonding tape roll 64 and its second rotation center line C2, the ink ribbon roll 72 and its third rotation center line C3, the take-up spool 76 and its fourth rotation center line C4, and the recess 99 and the recess wall 16c are located. Further, at least a part of the recess 99 and the recess wall 16c overlaps with the printing tape spool 24 in the vertical direction F1. Also, in the left-right direction F2, the first rotation center line C1, which is the rotation center of the printing tape roll 26 and the printing tape spool 24, is located between one end 99a and the other end 99b of the recess 99 in the third direction. Further, the first rotation center line C1, which is the rotation center of the printing tape spool 24, is located between the discharge port 130 and one end (the right end in FIG. 17) of the recess 99 in the left-right direction F2 in the left-right direction F2. Furthermore, in FIG. 17, in the front-rear direction F3 orthogonal to the vertical direction F1 and in the left-right direction F2 orthogonal to the vertical direction F1 and the front-rear direction F3, the distance from the center position M, which is the center in the front-rear direction F3 and the center in the left-right direction F2 of the cassette 10, to the first rotation center line C1 of the printing tape roll 26 is set to be smaller than the distance from the center position M to the recess 99. Also, as shown in FIG. 20, in the direction from the tape case 20 to the ribbon case 21, that is, in the vertical direction F1, the through hole 52 and the through hole 58 do not overlap with any of the printing tape roll 26, the supply spool 70, and the take-up spool 76.Also, as shown in FIG. 20, the through holes 52 and 58 are located on the outer peripheral side of the supply spool 70 and the take-up spool 76 around the first rotation center line C1 of the printing tape roll 26. That is, the third hole portions 52c of the through hole 52 and the third hole portions 58c of the through hole 58 are located on the outer peripheral side of the supply spool 70 and the take-up spool 76 around the first rotation center line C1 of the printing tape roll 26.

[0059] FIG. 21 shows a cassette mounting portion 104 provided in a part of the printing apparatus 102 included in the printing system 122. The cassette mounting portion 104 is provided with a rectangular positioning hole 112 for positioning the inserted cassette 10, and a take-up spool drive shaft 108 and a roller drive shaft 110 erected on the bottom surface of the positioning hole 112. The positioning hole 112 functions as a housing portion for housing a part of the ribbon case 21 which is the lower case of the cassette 10. These take-up spool drive shaft 108 and roller drive shaft 110 are rotationally driven in opposite directions to each other via a gear mechanism by a stepping motor (not shown). Further, on the bottom surface of the positioning hole 112 of the cassette mounting portion 104, a head holding plate 114 to which a thermal printing head (thermal print head) 106 is fixed is erected, and a platen holding member 120 provided rotatably at its tip portion with a platen roller 116 and a pressing roller 118 rotatably provided around its base end portion. The head holding plate 114 is, for example, a metal plate made of aluminum and also serves as a heat sink for the printing head.

[0060] When the cassette 10 is mounted on the cassette mounting portion 104 of the printing apparatus 102, the take-up spool drive shaft 108 and the roller drive shaft 110 erected on the cassette mounting portion 104 are connected to the take-up spool 76 and the roller 80. Next, when a cover (not shown) of the printing apparatus 102 is closed with the cassette 10 mounted on the cassette mounting portion 104, the platen holding member 120 is rotated around its base end portion so that the platen roller 116 and the pressing roller 118 are pressed against the printing head 106 and the roller 80 of the cassette 10. The printing apparatus 102 and the cassette 10 constitute the printing system 122.

[0061] According to the cassette 10 of the present embodiment, it includes a ribbon case 21 and a tape case 20, a case 19 having a head space 11 in the ribbon case 21, and a printing tape roll 26 provided in the tape case 20 around which a printing tape 22 is wound in a winding direction D around a first rotation center line C1. The printing tape 22 includes a tape to be printed 22a and a peeling tape 22c. The tape to be printed 22a is located inside the winding direction D of the printing tape 22, and the peeling tape 22c is located outside the winding direction D of the printing tape 22. The printing tape 22 is provided in the case 19. The case 19 includes a conveyance path HK for conveying the printing tape 22. The conveyance path HK is configured such that the printing tape 22 is conveyed in the winding direction D through an opening 52x formed at the boundary between the ribbon case 21 and the tape case 20 in the case 19 from the printing tape roll 26 to the head space 11. Therefore, since the printing tape 22 is conveyed in the winding direction D from the printing tape roll 26 to the head space 11 by the conveyance path HK provided in the case 19, the possibility that the inner and outer sides of the printing tape 22 are reversed during the conveyance of the printing tape 22 as in the prior art and the peeling tape 22c floats from the tape to be printed 22a can be reduced. As a result, the printing tape 22 including the tape to be printed 22a and the peeling tape 22c can be smoothly conveyed.

[0062] Also, according to the cassette 10 of the present embodiment, the second hole portions 52b, 58b of the through holes 52, 58 are located opposite to the head space 11 in the front-rear direction F3 that is perpendicular to the vertical direction F1 from the ribbon case 21 to the tape case 20 and the left-right direction F2 in which the printing tape 22 is conveyed in the head space 11. Therefore, the distance of the conveyance path HK from the printing tape roll 26 to the head space 11 can be increased.

[0063] Further, according to the cassette 10 of the present embodiment, the case 19 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with four corner portions K1, K2, K3, and K4, and the conveyance path HK reaches the head space 11 via three of the four corner portions K2, K3, and K4 of the case 19. Therefore, the distance of the conveyance path HK from the print tape roll 26 to the head space 11 can be increased.

[0064] Further, according to the cassette 10 of the present embodiment, the three corner portions K2, K3, and K4 include an upper corner portion K2a of the corner portion K2, an upper corner portion K3a and a lower corner portion K3b of the corner portion K3, and a lower corner portion K4b of the corner portion K4. The upper corner portion K2a of the corner portion K2 is located in the tape case 20. A part of the upper corner portion K3a and the lower corner portion K3b of the corner portion K3 is located in the ribbon case 21 and the tape case 20. The lower corner portion K4b of the corner portion K4 is located in the ribbon case 21. The conveyance path HK is configured such that the print tape 22 is bridged between the upper corner portion K2a of the corner portion K2 and the upper corner portion K3a and the lower corner portion K3b of the corner portion K3 in an inclined state with respect to the print tape 22 wound around the print tape roll 26. The conveyance path HK is configured such that the print tape 22 is bridged between the upper corner portion K3a and the lower corner portion K3b of the corner portion K3 and the lower corner portion K4b of the corner portion K4 in an inclined state with respect to the print tape 22 wound around the print tape roll 26. The conveyance path HK is configured such that the print tape 22 is horizontally bridged between the lower corner portion K4b of the corner portion K4 and the head space 11 with respect to the print tape 22 wound around the print tape roll 26. The conveyance path HK is configured such that the print tape 22 is conveyed in the order of the upper corner portion K2a of the corner portion K2, the upper corner portion K3a and the lower corner portion K3b of the corner portion K3, and the lower corner portion K4b of the corner portion K4, so that the print tape 22 moves from the tape case 20 to the ribbon case 21 and reaches the head space 11. Therefore, when the print tape 22 is moved from the tape case 20 to the ribbon case 21, the print tape 22 can be moved from the tape case 20 to the ribbon case 21 relatively gently, so that the twist of the print tape 22 can be suitably suppressed.

[0065] Also, according to the cassette 10 of the present embodiment, the case 19 further includes an upper corner portion K1a of the corner portion K1 located in the tape case 20. The upstream end of the printing tape 22 in the conveyance direction B1 of the through hole 52 is located at the upper corner portion K1a of the corner portion K1. The case 19 includes a printing tape outlet 101 in the ribbon case 21. The printing tape outlet 101 overlaps with the upper corner portion K1a of the corner portion K1 in the vertical direction F1 from the tape case 20 to the ribbon case 21. The conveyance path HK is configured such that the printing tape 22 is conveyed in the order of the upper corner portion K1a of the corner portion K1, the upper corner portion K2a of the corner portion K2, the upper corner portion K3a and the lower corner portion K3b of the corner portion K3, and the lower corner portion K4b of the corner portion K4, so that after the printing tape 22 moves from the tape case 20 to the ribbon case 21 and reaches the head space 11, it reaches the printing tape outlet 101. Therefore, the distance of the conveyance path HK from the printing tape roll 26 to the head space 11 can be preferably lengthened.

[0066] Also, according to the cassette 10 of the present embodiment, the case 19 includes a third case member 16 and a second case member 14 connected to the third case member 16. The third case member 16 has a through hole 58 in its ceiling plate 16e. The second case member 14 has a through hole 52 in its bottom plate 14a. The opening 52x is formed by connecting the through hole 58 and the through hole 52 at the boundary where the ceiling plate 16e and the bottom plate 14a are connected. Therefore, the printing tape 22 can be preferably conveyed from the tape case 20 to the ribbon case 21 through the through hole 58 of the third case member 16 and the through hole 52 of the second case member 14.

[0067] Also, according to the cassette 10 of the present embodiment, the ribbon case 21 further includes an ink ribbon 68. Thereby, the ink of the ink ribbon 68 can be printed on the printed tape 22a of the printing tape 22.

[0068] Moreover, according to the cassette 10 of the present embodiment, it further includes a supply spool 70 for the ink ribbon 68, and the third rotation center line C3 of the supply spool 70 is located within the projected area of the printing tape roll 26. Therefore, the case 19 can be suitably miniaturized.

[0069] Moreover, according to the cassette 10 of the present embodiment, it further includes a supply spool 70 and a take-up spool 76 for the ink ribbon 68. In the vertical direction F1 from the tape case 20 to the ribbon case 21, the through holes 52 and 58 do not overlap with any of the printing tape roll 26, the supply spool 70, and the take-up spool 76. Therefore, the printing tape 22 can be suitably conveyed from the tape case 20 to the ribbon case 21 without contacting the supply spool 70 and the take-up spool 76 through the through holes 52 and 58.

[0070] Moreover, according to the cassette 10 of the present embodiment, it further includes a supply spool 70 and a take-up spool 76 for the ink ribbon 68, and the through holes 52 and 58 are located on the outer peripheral side of the supply spool 70 and the take-up spool 76 around the first rotation center line C1 of the printing tape roll 26. Therefore, the printing tape 22 can be suitably conveyed from the tape case 20 to the ribbon case 21 without contacting the supply spool 70 and the take-up spool 76 through the through holes 52 and 58.

[0071] Moreover, according to the cassette 10 of the present embodiment, the case 19 includes a printing tape guide TG for guiding the printing tape in the ribbon case 21. The tape case 20 is located above the ribbon case 21, and the interval Wx in the vertical direction F1 of the gap SKx between the upper end 22x of the printing tape at the through holes 52 and 58 and the case 19 is larger than the interval Wy in the vertical direction F1 of the gap SKy between the upper end 22x of the printing tape 22 guided by the printing tape guide TG in the ribbon case 21 and the printing tape guide TG. Therefore, the printing tape 22 can be suitably conveyed from the tape case 20 to the printing tape guide TG of the ribbon case 21 without contacting the case 19.

[0072] Note that the above is merely one embodiment of the present invention, and various modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from its spirit.

[0073] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the bonding tape roll 64 is provided in the second space S2 of the ribbon case 21, but it is not necessarily required to provide the bonding tape roll 64 in the second space S2 of the ribbon case 21. That is, the printing surface of the printing tape 22 does not have to be protected by the bonding tape 60.

[0074] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the supply spool 70, the ink ribbon roll 72, and the take-up spool 76 are provided in the second space S2 of the ribbon case 21, but it is not necessarily required to provide the supply spool 70, the ink ribbon roll 72, and the take-up spool 76 in the second space S2 of the ribbon case 21. That is, by making the tape 22a to be printed of the printing tape 22 a thermal paper, the supply spool 70, the ink ribbon roll 72, and the take-up spool 76 can be removed from the cassette 10.

[0075] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the bonding tape roll 64, the supply spool 70, the ink ribbon roll 72, and the take-up spool 76 are provided in the second space S2 of the ribbon case 21, but it is not necessarily required to provide the bonding tape roll 64, the supply spool 70, the ink ribbon roll 72, and the take-up spool 76 in the second space S2 of the ribbon case 21. That is, by making the tape 22a to be printed of the printing tape 22 a thermal paper and not protecting its printing surface by the bonding tape 60, the bonding tape roll 64, the supply spool 70, the ink ribbon roll 72, and the take-up spool 76 can be removed from the cassette 10.

[0076] Also, in the above-described embodiment, in Case 19, the ribbon case 21 and the tape case 20 were stacked, but for example, other case members may be arranged between the ribbon case 21 and the tape case 20. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the conveyance path HK reached the head space 11 via three of the four corner portions K2, K3, K4 of the case 19, namely, K2, K3, and K4. However, for example, the shape of the conveyance path HK in the case 19 may be changed so as to reach the head space 11 via the four corner portions K1, K2, K3, and K4. That is, the shape of the conveyance path HK in the case 19 may be changed so as to reach the head space 11 via at least three of the four corner portions K2, K3, and K4 of the case 19, namely, K2, K3, and K4.

[0077] Note that the above is merely an example of the implementation of the present invention, and various modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from its spirit.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0078] 10: Cassette 11: Head Space (Concave Groove) 14: Second Case Member (Upper Case) 14a: Bottom Plate (Lower) 16: Third Case Member (Lower Case) 16e: Ceiling Plate (Upper) 19: Case (Housing) 20: Tape Case (Second Layer) 21: Ribbon Case (First Layer) 22: Printing Tape (Printed Medium) 22a: Printed Tape (Printed Layer) 22c: Release Tape (Release Layer) 22x: Upper End 26: Printing Tape Roll (Roll) 52: Through Hole (Opening, Second Opening) 52x: Opening (Opening) 58: Through Hole (Opening, First Opening) 68: Ink Ribbon 70: Supply Spool 76: Take-up spool 101: Printing tape outlet (printed medium outlet) B: Conveying direction C1: First rotation center line (rotation center) C3: Third rotation center line (supply axis) D: Winding direction F1: Up-down direction (first direction) F2: Left-right direction (second direction) F3: Front-back direction (third direction) HK: Conveying path K1, K2, K3, K4: Corners K1a: Upper side corner (fourth corner) K2a: Upper side corner (first corner) K3a: Upper side corner (second corner) K3b: Lower side corner (second corner) K4b: Lower side corner (third corner) SKx, SKy: Clearance TG: Printing tape guide (guide) Wx, Wy: Spacing

Claims

1. A housing having a first layer and a second layer overlapping in a first direction, and a roll around which a printed medium provided on the second layer of the housing and having a printed layer and a release layer is wound around a rotation center extending in the first direction. The roll is wound with the printed medium such that the printed layer is located on the inner side closer to the rotation center and the release layer is located on the outer side spaced apart from the rotation center. The first layer of the housing is provided with a discharge port through which the printed medium is discharged to the outside of the housing. The printed medium drawn from the roll is conveyed from the second layer into the housing through the first layer and then conveyed to the discharge port. While the printed medium is conveyed from the roll to the discharge port, the printed layer of the printed medium is maintained in a state of being located on the inner side and the release layer is located on the outer side. A cassette characterized by the above.

2. The first layer is provided with a first guide portion provided so as to be able to contact the printed medium. The second layer is provided with an opening and a second guide portion that can contact the printed medium and guides the printed medium drawn from the roll to the opening. The printed medium passes through the opening when being conveyed from the second layer to the first layer. The cassette according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. The opening does not overlap the roll in the first direction. The cassette according to claim 2, characterized by the above.

4. The opening is provided on the side opposite to the discharge port with respect to the center of the housing in a third direction that is orthogonal to the first direction and a second direction in which the printed medium is discharged from the discharge port. The cassette according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by the above.

5. The first layer of the housing is further provided with an ink ribbon roll around which an ink ribbon used for printing on the printed medium is wound around a rotation center. At least a part of the ink ribbon roll overlaps the roll in the first direction. The opening does not overlap the ink ribbon roll in the first direction. The cassette according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized by the above.

6. The first layer of the housing is further provided with a take-up spool for taking up the ink ribbon drawn from the ink ribbon roll. The take-up spool at least partially overlaps with the roll in the first direction. The opening does not overlap with the take-up spool in the first direction. The cassette according to claim 5, characterized in that.

7. The housing has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with four corner portions when viewed in the first direction. When the medium to be printed is conveyed from the roll to the discharge port, it is configured to pass through at least three of the four corner portions of the housing. The cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that.

8. The housing includes a first corner portion, a second corner portion, and a third corner portion corresponding to the three corner portions, through which the medium to be printed is sequentially conveyed. The first corner portion is provided in the second layer. The second corner portion and the third corner portion are provided in the first layer. The cassette according to claim 7, characterized in that.

9. In the first layer of the housing, a recess for accommodating a head holding plate for holding a print head is provided. At least a part of the recess overlaps with the roll in the first direction. The cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that.

10. The first layer of the housing is a first case. The second layer of the housing is a second case connected to the first case. The cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that.

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