cartridge

Abstract

To provide a cartridge in which a tape roll can be stored in a cartridge case by simple operation.SOLUTION: A cartridge case 9 has a third case part, a first case part 101 that can store a tape roll between the third case part and the first case part, which can be attached to and detached from the third case part, a second case part 201 arranged separately from the first case part 101, and a fourth case part 401 arranged separately from the first case part. Between the second case part 201 and the fourth case part 401 are provided a tape feed-out port 17 through which a tape fed out from the tape roll stored in the cartridge case 9 is fed out to the outside of the cartridge case 9 and a tape insertion port 33 through which when the tape roll is stored in the cartridge case 9, the tape pulled out from the tape roll so that a tip of a tape 21 protrudes through the tape feed-out port 17 to the outside of the cartridge case 9 can be inserted into in a first direction from an end part at one side in a width direction of the tape.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cartridge that can be attached to a tape printing device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a tape cartridge that houses a printing tape and an ink ribbon in a cartridge case having a first case and a second case that are separable from each other is known. This tape cartridge can replace the printing tape and the ink ribbon after they are consumed by decomposing the cartridge case into the first case and the second case using a cartridge decomposing device.

[0003] Also, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, a label tape cartridge that includes a cartridge body and a lid and houses a label tape and an ink ribbon is known. In this label tape cartridge, the lid can be easily removed from the cartridge body by fixing the cartridge body and the lid with a fixing screw. After the label tape and the ink ribbon are consumed, the lid and the cartridge body can be separately collected and reused or made reusable.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Conventional label tape cartridges contain both the label tape and ink ribbon pre-installed. However, in recent years, there has been a demand for the ability to add custom label tape later. To meet this demand, it is conceivable to provide a label tape cartridge that accommodates both the ink ribbon and allows for the later insertion of the label tape. However, in order to ensure that the tip of the label tape extends outside the cartridge case from the tape dispenser, it is necessary to manually rotate the tape roll to feed the label tape to the tape dispenser, a time-consuming process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The cartridge of the present invention is a cartridge that can be attached to a tape printing device and comprises a cartridge case capable of housing a tape roll around which tape is wound. The cartridge case has a third case section, a first case section capable of housing a tape roll between itself and the third case section and detachably attached to the third case section, a second case section separate from the first case section, and a fourth case section separate from the first case section. Between the second case section and the fourth case section, there is a tape outlet from which tape unwound from the tape roll housed in the cartridge case is fed out of the cartridge case, and a tape insertion opening into which tape pulled from the tape roll so that the leading edge of the tape exits the cartridge case from the tape outlet when the tape roll is housed in the cartridge case can be inserted in a first direction from one end in the width direction of the tape. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a view of the cartridge from the +Z direction. [Figure 2] This is a view of a tape cartridge, with the tape roll housed inside, from the +Z direction. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of a tape printing device. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the cartridge. [Figure 5]This is a perspective view of the cartridge with the first case removed. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view of the third case section. [Figure 7] This is a view of the third case section from the +Z direction. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view of the first case section. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view of the first case section, seen from a different angle than Figure 8. [Figure 10] This is a perspective view of the second case section. [Figure 11] This is a view of the second case section from the -Z direction. [Figure 12] This is a perspective view of the fourth case section. [Figure 13] This is a view of the fourth case section from the -Z direction. [Figure 14] This is a view of the cartridge from the -X direction. [Figure 15] This is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge showing the structure around the platen roller. [Figure 16] This diagram shows the platen roller in its first position. [Figure 17] This figure shows the platen roller in the second position. [Figure 18] This is a perspective view of the cartridge with the first case removed, seen from a different angle than Figure 5. [Figure 19] This is a perspective view of the second case section, seen from a different angle than Figure 10. [Figure 20] This is a perspective view of the cartridge according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The following description of Cartridge 1, one embodiment of the cartridge, will be made with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the directions shown in the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system in the following description are used, but these directions are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the following embodiments. Furthermore, the number of each component is illustrative and does not limit the following embodiments. [Schematic Configuration of Cartridge and Tape Cartridge]

[0009] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cartridge 1 includes a platen roller 3, a ribbon roll 5, a take-up core 7, and a cartridge case 9 that houses these components. The ribbon roll 5 has an ink ribbon 11 wound around a payout core 13. The ink ribbon 11 fed out from the payout core 13 is wound around the take-up core 7. A head insertion hole 15 is provided penetrating the cartridge case 9 in the Z direction. Further, a tape outlet 17 extending in the Z direction is provided on the -X direction surface of the cartridge case 9.

[0010] The cartridge 1 is capable of accommodating a tape roll 19. Therefore, an operator can insert a unique tape roll 19 into the cartridge 1. Here, the operator means a person who performs operations such as inserting the tape roll ១៩, for example, the purchaser of the cartridge 1. The tape roll 19 has a tape 21 serving as a printing medium wound around a tape core 23. The tape 21 fed out from the tape roll 19 is sent out of the cartridge case 9 through the tape outlet 17.

[0011] In this embodiment, the cartridge 1 not accommodating the tape roll 19 (see FIG. 1) is simply referred to as "cartridge 1", and the cartridge 1 accommodating the tape roll 19 (see FIG. 2) is referred to as "tape cartridge 1T". The tape cartridge 1T is mounted on a tape printing device 501, and printing is performed on the tape 21 sent out from the mounted tape cartridge 1T. [Tape Printing Device]

[0012] As shown in FIG. 3, the tape printing device 501 includes a device case 503 and a mounting part cover 505. A keyboard 507, a display 509, and a cartridge mounting part 511 are provided on the +Z direction surface of the device case 503.

[0013] The keyboard 507 accepts input from the user. The display 509 displays the input results from the keyboard 507 as well as various other information.

[0014] The cartridge mounting section 511 is formed in a concave shape with the +Z direction open, and the tape cartridge 1T is detachably mounted there. Since cartridge 1 is configured similarly to tape cartridge 1T, except that it does not contain a tape roll 19, cartridge 1 can also be mounted in the cartridge mounting section 511. However, since cartridge 1 does not contain a tape roll 19 which is the printing medium, tape cartridge 1T is usually mounted in the cartridge mounting section 511.

[0015] The mounting section cover 505 is rotatably attached to the +Y end of the device case 503 and opens and closes the cartridge mounting section 511.

[0016] The platen shaft 513 and the winding shaft 515 protrude in the +Z direction from the bottom surface of the cartridge mounting section 511. When the tape cartridge 1T is mounted in the cartridge mounting section 511, the platen shaft 513 is inserted into the platen roller 3, and the platen roller 3 and the platen shaft 513 engage. This allows the rotation of the motor (not shown) to be transmitted to the platen roller 3 via the platen shaft 513. Similarly, when the tape cartridge 1T is mounted in the cartridge mounting section 511, the winding shaft 515 is inserted into the winding core 7, and the winding core 7 and the winding shaft 515 engage. This allows the rotation of the motor to be transmitted to the winding core 7 via the winding shaft 515.

[0017] The cartridge mounting section 511 is provided with a thermal head 517 and a head cover 519. The thermal head 517 is equipped with a heating element (not shown) and prints on the tape 21. The head cover 519 partially covers the thermal head 517.

[0018] When the tape cartridge 1T is installed in the cartridge mounting section 511, the thermal head 517 and head cover 519 are inserted into the head insertion hole 15. Subsequently, when the mounting section cover 505 is closed, the thermal head 517 moves toward the platen roller 3 by a head movement mechanism (not shown). As a result, the tape 21 and ink ribbon 11 are sandwiched between the thermal head 517 and the platen roller 3. When the platen roller 3 rotates in this state, the tape 21 and ink ribbon 11 are fed. At this time, the thermal head 517 generates heat, transferring the ink from the ink ribbon 11 to the tape 21, and the print image based on the input from the keyboard 507 is printed on the tape 21.

[0019] A tape outlet 521 is provided on the -X direction surface of the device case 503. Printed tape 21 is discharged from the tape outlet 521. A cutter 523 is provided between the cartridge mounting section 511 and the tape outlet 521. The cutter 523 cuts the tape 21. This separates the printed portion of the tape 21.

[0020] If [Cartridge Case] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4, the cartridge case 9 comprises a first case section 101, a second case section 201, a third case section 301, and a fourth case section 401. The first case section 101, the second case section 201, and the fourth case section 401 are located in the +Z direction in the cartridge case 9, while the third case section 301 is located in the -Z direction in the cartridge case 9. The tape cartridge 1T is mounted on the cartridge mounting section 511 such that the third case section 301 faces the bottom surface of the cartridge mounting section 511. Alternatively, the tape cartridge 1T may be mounted on the cartridge mounting section 511 such that the first case section 101, the second case section 201, and the fourth case section 401 face the bottom surface of the cartridge mounting section 511.

[0021] The first case section 101, the second case section 201, the third case section 301, and the fourth case section 401 are separate components. The first case section 101, the second case section 201, and the fourth case section 401 are molded products of translucent resin, while the third case section 301 is a molded product of non-translucent resin. However, the materials and manufacturing methods of the first case section 101, the second case section 201, the third case section 301, and the fourth case section 401 are not limited to these.

[0022] The first case section 101 is capable of accommodating the tape roll 19 between itself and the third case section 301. That is, the first case section 101 and the third case section 301 constitute the outer shell of the tape roll storage section 25. The tape roll 19 can be accommodated in the tape roll storage section 25. By attaching the first case section 101 to the third case section 301, the tape roll storage section 25 can be closed, and by removing the first case section 101 from the third case section 301, the tape roll storage section 25 can be opened.

[0023] The second case section 201 is provided in the -Y direction relative to the first case section 101. The second case section 201 houses the ink ribbon 11 between itself and the third case section 301. In other words, the second case section 201 and the third case section 301 constitute the outer shell of the ink ribbon housing section 27. The ink ribbon housing section 27 houses the ribbon roll 5 and the winding core 7.

[0024] The fourth case section 401 is located at the -X end of the cartridge case 9, between the first case section 101 and the second case section 201. The fourth case section 401 houses the platen roller 3 between itself and the third case section 301. In other words, the third case section 301 and the fourth case section 401 constitute the outer shell of the platen roller housing section 29. The platen roller 3 is housed in the platen roller housing section 29.

[0025] The second case portion 201 is assembled with the third case portion 301 by press-fitting the second engagement pin 219 (see Figure 10), described later, into the third A engagement hole 335 (see Figure 6). Therefore, it is difficult to remove the second case portion 201 from the third case portion 301 by hand. However, it is possible to remove the second case portion 201 from the third case portion 301 using a predetermined cartridge disassembly device. Similarly, the fourth case portion 401 is assembled with the third case portion 301 by press-fitting the fourth engagement pin 411 (see Figure 12), described later, into the third B engagement hole 337 (see Figure 6). Therefore, it is difficult to remove the fourth case portion 401 from the third case portion 301 by hand. However, it is possible to remove the fourth case portion 401 from the third case portion 301 using a predetermined cartridge disassembly device.

[0026] As will be described later, the first case portion 101 is attached by the engagement of the first A engaging projection 117a, the first B engaging projection 117b, and the first C engaging projection 117c (see Figure 8) provided on the first case portion 101 with the third A engaging receiving portion 333a, the third B engaging receiving portion 333b, and the third C engaging receiving portion 333c, respectively, provided on the third case portion 301. For this reason, it is easy to remove the first case portion 101 from the third case portion 301 by hand (see Figure 5). Therefore, an operator can remove the first case portion 101 from the third case portion 301 by hand, place their own tape roll 19 into the cartridge case 9 (see Figure 5) from which the first case portion 101 has been removed, and then reattach the first case portion 101 to the third case portion 301 to create a tape cartridge 1T containing their own tape roll 19.

[0027] [Case 3 Section] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the third case portion 301 comprises a third base wall portion 303 and a third side wall portion 305 that protrudes in the +Z direction from the peripheral edge of the third base wall portion 303.

[0028] The third base wall 303 is located in the -Z direction in the cartridge case 9. The third core projection 307, the A ribbon guide 309, the B ribbon guide 311, and the insertion guide 313 protrude from the third base wall 303 in the +Z direction. The third base wall 303 is also provided with a third head opening 315, a platen opening 317, a feed opening 319, a third take-up opening 321, and a tape guide engagement hole 323.

[0029] The third core projection 307 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The third core projection 307 is inserted into the tape core 23 of the tape roll 19 from the -Z direction. That is, together with the first core projection 107, which will be described later, the third core projection 307 forms the axis of rotation of the tape roll 19.

[0030] The A ribbon guide 309 is positioned in the -X direction relative to the feed opening 319. The A ribbon guide 309 guides the feeding of the ink ribbon 11 between the feed core 13 and the B ribbon guide 311. A ribbon guide engaging projection 325 is provided at the +Z end of the A ribbon guide 309. The ribbon guide engaging projection 325 engages with a ribbon guide engaging hole 215 (see Figure 10) provided in the second base wall 203 of the second case portion 201. Therefore, the A ribbon guide 309 is supported by both the third base wall 303 and the second base wall 203.

[0031] The B ribbon guide 311 is formed in a roughly rectangular tubular shape at the periphery of the third head opening 315. The B ribbon guide 311 constitutes the peripheral wall of the head insertion hole 15. Between the A ribbon guide 309 and the winding core 7, the B ribbon guide 311 guides the feeding of the ink ribbon 11 so that the ink ribbon 11 circulates around the head insertion hole 15. A part of the surface of the B ribbon guide 311 in the +Y direction is open, and this open part is called the guide opening 327. When the tape cartridge 1T is mounted in the cartridge mounting section 511, the thermal head 517 holds the tape 21 and the ink ribbon 11 between itself and the platen roller 3 via the guide opening 327.

[0032] The insertion guide 313 is located between the third core projection 307 and the platen opening 317, and is provided near the platen opening 317. The insertion guide 313 guides the insertion of the tape 21 when the tape roll 19 is housed in the cartridge case 9 and the tape 21 pulled from the tape roll 19 is inserted through the tape insertion opening 33 (see Figure 1), which will be described later. An insertion guide chamfer 329 is provided at the +Z end of the insertion guide 313. This prevents the tape 21 from getting caught on the insertion guide 313 when the tape 21 pulled from the tape roll 19 is inserted through the tape insertion opening 33.

[0033] The third head opening 315 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape and is provided at the -X and -Y corners of the third base wall portion 303. The third head opening 315 constitutes the -Z end of the head insertion hole 15.

[0034] The platen opening 317 is formed in a substantially circular shape. The -Y end of the platen opening 317 is connected to the third head opening 315. The platen opening 317 engages with the -Z end of the platen roller 3. A third case-side roller engaging portion 331 is provided projecting in the +Z direction from the periphery of the platen opening 317. The third case-side roller engaging portion 331 is formed in a substantially arc shape and engages with the -Z end of the platen roller 3.

[0035] The feed opening 319 is formed in a substantially circular shape and is located in the +X direction relative to the third head opening 315. The feed opening 319 engages with the -Z end of the feed core 13. The third winding opening 321 is formed in a substantially circular shape and is located between the third head opening 315 and the feed core 13. The third winding opening 321 engages with the -Z end of the winding core 7.

[0036] The tape guide engagement hole 323 is provided in the +Y direction relative to the third head opening 315. The tape guide engagement hole 323 engages with the tape guide engagement projection 217 provided on the tape guide 209.

[0037] The third side wall portion 305 protrudes in the +Z direction from the peripheral edge of the third base wall portion 303. Of the third side wall portion 305, the side wall portion in the -X direction is called the third A side wall portion 305a, the side wall portion in the +X direction is called the third B side wall portion 305b, the side wall portion in the +Y direction is called the third C side wall portion 305c, and the side wall portion in the -Y direction is called the third D side wall portion 305d. That is, in the third case portion 301, the third A side wall portion 305a and the third B side wall portion 305b are located on opposite sides of each other, and the third C side wall portion 305c and the third D side wall portion 305d are located on opposite sides of each other.

[0038] The third case portion 301 is provided with three third engagement receiving portions 333, five third A engagement holes 335, and four third B engagement holes 337.

[0039] The three third engagement receiving portions 333, namely the third A engagement receiving portion 333a, the third B engagement receiving portion 333b, and the third C engagement receiving portion 333c, are engaged with the three first engagement projections 117 provided on the first case portion 101, namely the first A engagement projection 117a, the first B engagement projection 117b, and the first C engagement projection 117c (see Figure 9). As a result, the first case portion 101 is detachably attached to the third case portion 301.

[0040] The five third A engagement holes 335 are provided corresponding to the positions where the second case portion 201 is mounted on the third case portion 301. Of the five third A engagement holes 335, four extend in the -Z direction from the +Z end face of the third side wall portion 305, and one third A engagement hole 335 extends in the -Z direction from the +Z end face of the B ribbon guide 311. Five second engagement pins 219 provided in the second case portion 201 are press-fitted into the five third A engagement holes 335 from the +Z direction. This combines the second case portion 201 with the third case portion 301.

[0041] The four third B engagement holes 337 are provided corresponding to the positions where the fourth case portion 401 is mounted on the third case portion 301. Of the four third B engagement holes 337, three are provided on the third side wall portion 305, and one is provided on the insertion guide 313. The four third B engagement holes 337 extend in the Z direction. The four fourth engagement pins 411 provided on the fourth case portion 401 are press-fitted into the four third B engagement holes 337 from the +Z direction. This combines the fourth case portion 401 with the third case portion 301.

[0042] [Case 1 Section] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the first case portion 101 comprises a first base wall portion 103 and a first side wall portion 105 that protrudes in the -Z direction from the peripheral edge of the first base wall portion 103.

[0043] The first base wall portion 103 is located in the +Z direction in the cartridge case 9. A first core projection 107 protrudes from the first base wall portion 103 in the -Z direction. The first core projection 107 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The first core projection 107 is inserted into the tape core 23 of the tape roll 19 from the +Z direction. That is, the first core projection 107, together with the third core projection 307, forms the axis of rotation of the tape roll 19.

[0044] A tape elastic part 31 is provided at the base end, i.e., the end in the +Z direction, of the first core projection 107. For example, a disc spring or a compression coil spring can be used as the tape elastic part 31. The tape elastic part 31 applies a load to the tape core 23 of the tape roll 19 housed in the cartridge case 9 in the width direction of the tape 21, i.e., in the -Z direction. This suppresses rattling of the tape core 23 when the tape 21 is fed, and stabilizes the feeding of the tape 21.

[0045] Four fixing portions 109 are provided at the base end of the first core projection 107. The four fixing portions 109 are provided at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the first core projection 107 and protrude radially from the outer circumferential surface of the first core projection 107. The tape elastic portion 31 is fixed to the base end of the first core projection 107 by the four fixing portions 109. This prevents the tape elastic portion 31 from coming off the first core projection 107 when the first case portion 101 is removed from the third case portion 301, and eliminates the need to reattach the tape elastic portion 31 to the first core projection 107. Note that the number of fixing portions 109 is not limited to four; there may be three or fewer, or five or more. Also, the means of fixing the tape elastic portion 31 to the base end of the first core projection 107 is not limited to providing fixing portions 109. For example, a female thread may be provided on the inner circumference of the disc spring-shaped tape elastic portion 31, and a male thread may be provided on the outer circumference of the first core projection 107, and the tape elastic portion 31 may be attached to the base end of the first core projection 107 by screwing them together. Alternatively, the tape elastic portion 31 may be fitted into the base end of the first core projection 107, i.e., fitted together. Furthermore, the tape elastic portion 31 may be attached to the base end of the first core projection 107 using an adhesive.

[0046] An overlapping portion 111 is provided on the -Y-direction edge of the first base wall portion 103. The overlapping portion 111 is the portion of the second case portion 201 that overlaps with the outside of the second base wall portion 203, i.e., in the +Z direction, when the first case portion 101 is mounted on the third case portion 301 (see Figure 1). By providing the overlapping portion 111 on the first base wall portion 103, even when a force is applied to the first base wall portion 103 from the outside, the first base wall portion 103 is prevented from bending inward, i.e., in the -Z direction, and the tape roll 19 is prevented from being pressed by the first base wall portion 103 that has bent inward and crushing the tape 21 in the width direction, i.e., in the Z direction.

[0047] The first side wall portion 105 protrudes in the -Z direction from the peripheral edge of the first base wall portion 103. Of the first side wall portion 105, the side wall portion in the -X direction is called the first A side wall portion 105a, the side wall portion in the +X direction is called the first B side wall portion 105b, and the side wall portion in the +Y direction is called the first C side wall portion 105c. That is, in the first case portion 101, the first A side wall portion 105a and the first B side wall portion 105b are located on opposite sides.

[0048] Furthermore, in the first case portion 101, the side opposite to the first base wall portion 103, that is, the side of the first case portion 101 in the -Z direction, is open. In other words, in the first case portion 101, a first opening portion 113 is provided in the direction toward the third case portion 301, that is, in the -Z direction. By providing the first opening portion 113 in the first case portion 101, interference between the first case portion 101 and the tape roll 19 can be suppressed when the first case portion 101 is mounted on the third case portion 301 after the tape roll 19 has been housed in the cartridge case 9.

[0049] Furthermore, in the first case section 101, the side opposite to the first C side wall section 105c, that is, the -Y direction side of the first case section 101, is open. In other words, in the first case section 101, a second opening 115 is provided in the direction toward the second case section 201, that is, in the -Y direction. By providing the second opening 115 in the first case section 101, interference between the tape 21 being fed from the tape roll 19 to the tape outlet 17 and the first case section 101 can be suppressed.

[0050] The first case portion 101 is provided with three first engaging protrusions 117, namely, the first A engaging protrusion 117a, the first B engaging protrusion 117b, and the first C engaging protrusion 117c. The first A engaging protrusion 117a, the first B engaging protrusion 117b, and the first C engaging protrusion 117c engage with the third A engaging receiving portion 333a, the third B engaging receiving portion 333b, and the third C engaging receiving portion 333c, respectively, provided on the third case portion 301. As a result, the first case portion 101 is detachably attached to the third case portion 301.

[0051] [Case 2 Section] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the second case portion 201 comprises a second base wall portion 203 and a second side wall portion 205 that protrudes in the -Z direction from the peripheral edge of the second base wall portion 203.

[0052] The second base wall portion 203 is located in the +Z direction in the cartridge case 9. The second core projection 207 and the tape guide 209 protrude from the second base wall portion 203 in the -Z direction. The second base wall portion 203 is also provided with a second head opening 211, a second winding opening 213, and a ribbon guide engagement hole 215.

[0053] The second core projection 207 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The second core projection 207 is inserted into the feed core 13 from the +Z direction. That is, the second core projection 207 becomes the axis of rotation of the feed core 13. The second core projection 207 is provided with a ribbon elastic part, which is not shown in the figure. For example, a disc spring or a compression coil spring can be used as the ribbon elastic part. The ribbon elastic part applies a load to the feed core 13 in the width direction of the ink ribbon 11, i.e., the -Z direction. This suppresses rattling of the feed core 13 when the ink ribbon 11 is fed, and stabilizes the feeding of the ink ribbon 11. Note that, unlike the first case part 101, the second case part 201 is not normally removed from the third case part 301 except after the tape 21 and ink ribbon 11 have been consumed, so the second core projection 207 is not provided with a fixing part for fixing the ribbon elastic part.

[0054] The tape guide 209 guides the feeding of the tape 21 between the tape roll 19 and the platen roller 3. The tape guide 209 is positioned opposite the insertion guide 313 (see Figure 1), and the tape 21 inserted from the tape insertion opening 33 is inserted between the tape guide 209 and the insertion guide 313. That is, the tape guide 209 is positioned in the -Z direction with respect to the tape insertion opening 33. A tape guide engagement projection 217 is provided at the -Z end of the tape guide 209. The tape guide engagement projection 217 engages with a tape guide engagement hole 323 (see Figure 7) provided in the third base wall portion 303 of the third case portion 301. Therefore, the tape guide 209 is supported by both the second base wall portion 203 and the third base wall portion 303.

[0055] The second head opening 211 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape and is provided at the -X and -Y corners of the second base wall portion 203. The third head opening 315 constitutes the +Z end of the head insertion hole 15.

[0056] The second winding opening 213 is formed in a substantially circular shape and is positioned in the +X direction relative to the third head opening 315. The second winding opening 213 engages with the +Z end of the winding core 7.

[0057] The ribbon guide engagement hole 215 is provided in the -X direction relative to the second core projection 207. The ribbon guide engagement hole 215 engages with the ribbon guide engagement projection 325 provided on the A ribbon guide 309.

[0058] The second case portion 201 is provided with five second engagement pins 219. Of the five second engagement pins 219, four protrude in the -Z direction from the -Z end face of the second side wall portion 205, and one second engagement pin 219 is located near the second head opening 211 and protrudes in the -Z direction from the second base wall portion 203. The five second engagement pins 219 are press-fitted from the +Z direction into five third A engagement holes 335 provided in the third case portion 301. In this way, the second case portion 201 is combined with the third case portion 301.

[0059] [Case 4 Section] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the fourth case portion 401 comprises a fourth base wall portion 403 and a fourth side wall portion 405 that protrudes in the -Z direction from the -X edge of the fourth base wall portion 403.

[0060] The fourth base wall portion 403 is located in the cartridge case 9 in the +Z direction. The fourth base wall portion 403 is provided with a fourth case-side roller engagement portion 407. The fourth case-side roller engagement portion 407 is a recess in the +Z direction on the inner surface of the fourth base wall portion 403, i.e., the -Z direction surface, and is formed in an elongated oval shape that is long in the Y direction. The fourth case-side roller engagement portion 407 engages with the +Z direction end of the platen roller 3. The fourth case-side roller engagement portion 407 is provided with a platen shaft insertion hole 409. The platen shaft 513 is inserted through the platen shaft insertion hole 409 when the tape cartridge 1T is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 511.

[0061] Four fourth engagement pins 411 protrude in the -Z direction from the fourth base wall portion 403. Of the four fourth engagement pins 411, three protrude in the -Z direction from the -Z end face of the fourth side wall portion 405, and one fourth engagement pin 411 protrudes in the -Z direction from the fourth base wall portion 403. The four fourth engagement pins 411 are press-fitted from the +Z direction into four third B engagement holes 337 provided in the third case portion 301. In this way, the fourth case portion 401 is combined with the third case portion 301.

[0062] [First engaging projection and third engaging receiving portion] As shown in Figures 6 to 9, the first case portion 101 is provided with a first A engaging projection 117a, a first B engaging projection 117b, and a first C engaging projection 117c, as described above. The first A engaging projection 117a protrudes from the first A side wall portion 105a in the -Z direction. The first B engaging projection 117b protrudes from the first B side wall portion 105b in the -Z direction. The first C engaging projection 117c protrudes from the first C side wall portion 105c in the -Z direction.

[0063] The first A engaging projection 117a has a hook-shaped tip and engages with the third A engaging receiving portion 333a of the third case portion 301 from the inside of the third case portion 301, that is, from the +X direction to the -X direction. The first B engaging projection 117b has a hook-shaped tip and engages with the third B engaging receiving portion 333b of the third case portion 301 from the inside of the third case portion 301, that is, from the -X direction to the +X direction. The first C engaging projection 117c has a hook-shaped tip and engages with the third C engaging receiving portion 333c of the third case portion 301 from the inside of the third case portion 301, that is, from the -Y direction to the +Y direction.

[0064] The first case portion 101 is detachably attached to the third case portion 301 by the engagement of the first A engaging projection 117a, the first B engaging projection 117b, and the first C engaging projection 117c with the third A engaging receiving portion 333a, the third B engaging receiving portion 333b, and the third C engaging receiving portion 333c, respectively.

[0065] When removing the first case portion 101 from the third case portion 301, the worker grips the first case portion 101 with their hands in the X direction, causing the first A side wall portion 105a and the first B side wall portion 105b to bend inward. This causes the first A engaging projection 117a on the first A side wall portion 105a to disengage from the third A engaging receiving portion 333a on the third case portion 301, and the first B engaging projection 117b on the first B side wall portion 105b to disengage from the third B engaging receiving portion 333b on the third case portion 301. In this state, the worker rotates the first case portion 101 in the +Z direction, for example, using the -Z end of the first C side wall portion 105c as a pivot point. As a result, the first C engaging projection 117c provided on the first C side wall portion 105c disengages from the third C engaging receiving portion 333c provided on the third case portion 301.

[0066] In this way, the worker can remove only the first case section 101 from the third case section 301, out of the two cases 101 and 201. That is, even if the first case section 101 is removed from the third case section 301, the second case section 201 remains attached to the third case section 301, so the ribbon roll 5 remains housed between the second case section 201 and the third case section 301. Therefore, the worker can insert the tape roll 19 into the cartridge case 9 without the ribbon roll 5 becoming dislodged.

[0067] Furthermore, since the first A side wall portion 105a and the first B side wall portion 105b are provided on opposite sides of the first case portion 101, the operator can easily perform the operation of bending the first A side wall portion 105a and the first B side wall portion 105b inward. Therefore, the operator can easily detach the first A engaging projection 117a provided on the first A side wall portion 105a and the first B engaging projection 117b provided on the first B side wall portion 105b from the third A engaging receiving portion 333a and the third B engaging receiving portion 333b, respectively.

[0068] Furthermore, when the worker attaches the first case portion 101 to the third case portion 301, the worker grips the first case portion 101 with their hands in the X direction, causing the first A side wall portion 105a and the first B side wall portion 105b to bend inward. In this state, the worker butts the first side wall portion 105 of the first case portion 101 with the third side wall portion 305 of the third case portion 301, engages the first C engaging projection portion 117c with the third C engaging receiving portion 333c from the inside of the third case portion 301, and then releases the force that was gripping the first case portion 101. As a result, the first A engaging projection 117a provided on the first A side wall portion 105a engages with the third A engaging receiving portion 333a from the inside of the third case portion 301, and the first B engaging projection 117b provided on the first B side wall portion 105b engages with the third B engaging receiving portion 333b from the inside of the third case portion 301.

[0069] Thus, the first A side wall portion 105a, which is provided with the first A engaging projection 117a, and the first B side wall portion 105b, which is provided with the first B engaging projection 117b, are provided on opposite sides of each other in the first case portion 101. This allows the operator to easily perform the operation of bending the first A side wall portion 105a and the first B side wall portion 105b inward in order to disengage the first A engaging projection 117a and the first B engaging projection 117b from the third A engaging receiving portion 333a and the third B engaging receiving portion 333b, respectively.

[0070] [Tape insertion slot] As shown in Figure 1, a tape insertion opening 33 is provided on the +Z direction surface of the cartridge case 9. The tape insertion opening 33 is located between the second case section 201 and the fourth case section 401. The -X direction end of the tape insertion opening 33 is connected to the tape outlet 17 via a tape introduction path 35 (see Figure 14), which will be described later.

[0071] When inserting a custom tape roll 19 into the cartridge case 9, the operator, for example, holds the tape roll 19 in one hand and pulls the tape 21 out of the tape roll 19 with the other hand so that the leading edge of the tape 21 exits the cartridge case 9 through the tape outlet 17. Subsequently, the operator places the tape roll 19 on the third base wall 303 so that the third core projection 307 is inserted into the tape core 23 of the tape roll 19, and inserts the tape 21 pulled out from the tape roll 19 into the tape insertion opening 33 from one end in the width direction of the tape 21, i.e., the end in the -Z direction, in the -Z direction. The tape 21 inserted from the tape insertion opening 33 is placed between the ink ribbon 11 and the platen roller 3.

[0072] In this way, the operator can store the tape roll 19 in the cartridge case 9 with the leading edge of the tape 21 protruding from the tape outlet 17, without having to perform the time-consuming task of manually rotating the tape roll 19 to feed the tape 21 to the tape outlet 17.

[0073] The edge of the tape insertion opening 33 in the -Y direction is called the second insertion edge 221, and the edge of the tape insertion opening 33 in the +Y direction is called the fourth insertion edge 413. The second insertion edge 221 is formed by the second base wall 203 of the second case section 201. The fourth insertion edge 413 is formed by the fourth base wall 403 of the fourth case section 401.

[0074] The second insertion edge 221 is formed in an arc shape that is convex to the side opposite to the platen roller 3 relative to the second insertion edge 221, that is, an arc shape that is convex in the -Y direction. Therefore, the shape of the tape 21 inserted from the tape insertion opening 33 can be made to be curved to match the outer surface of the platen roller 3 which is convex in the -Y direction. This makes it possible to prevent the tape 21 from getting caught on the platen roller 3 when the tape 21 is inserted from the tape insertion opening 33.

[0075] [Tape output and tape input path] As shown in Figure 14, the -X direction surface of the cartridge case 9 is provided with a tape output port 17 and a tape introduction path 35.

[0076] The tape 21, unwound from the tape roll 19, is fed out of the cartridge case 9 from the tape outlet 17. The tape outlet 17 is formed in a roughly rectangular shape that is long in the Z direction. Approximately half of the tape outlet 17 in the +Z direction is located between the second case section 201 and the fourth case section 401, and approximately half of the tape outlet 17 in the -Z direction is located between the second case section 201 and the third case section 301.

[0077] The edge of the tape output port 17 in the -Y direction is called the second output edge 223. The second output edge 223 is formed by the second side wall portion 205 of the second case portion 201. The second output edge 223 extends in the Z direction. An output projection 225 is provided at the end of the second output edge 223 in the +Z direction.

[0078] The delivery projection 225 protrudes from the second delivery edge 223 toward the opposing edge 417, which will be described later, that is, in the +Y direction. The delivery projection 225 is provided so as to block the +Z direction of the tape outlet 17. This delivery projection 225 prevents the tape 21 from coming out of the tape outlet 17 in the +Z direction. Also, when the tape 21 is being fed, the delivery projection 225 prevents the tape 21 from meandering or moving diagonally in the +Z direction.

[0079] Of the edge of the tape output port 17 in the +Y direction, the portion formed by the third side wall portion 305 of the third case portion 301 is called the third output edge portion 339, and the portion formed by the fourth side wall portion 405 of the fourth case portion 401 is called the fourth output edge portion 415. The third output edge portion 339 extends in the Z direction. The fourth output edge portion 415 is provided in the +Z direction relative to the third output edge portion 339. The fourth output edge portion 415 extends in the Z direction.

[0080] The tape introduction path 35 introduces the tape 21 inserted from the tape insertion slot 33 to the tape output slot 17. The tape introduction path 35 connects the -X end of the tape insertion slot 33 to the +Y side of the +Z end of the tape output slot 17. That is, the +Z end of the tape introduction path 35 is connected to the -X end of the tape insertion slot 33, and the -Y end of the tape introduction path 35 is connected to the +Y side of the +Z end of the tape output slot 17.

[0081] The tape introduction path 35 is provided with an opposing edge portion 417 and an inclined edge portion 419 at its +Y-direction edge. The opposing edge portion 417 and the inclined edge portion 419 are formed by the fourth side wall portion 405 of the fourth case portion 401. The opposing edge portion 417 extends in the Z-direction and faces the delivery projection portion 225. When the tape 21 is inserted from the tape insertion opening 33, the tape 21 is inserted in the tape introduction path 35 between the delivery projection portion 225 and the opposing edge portion 417.

[0082] The inclined edge portion 419 is provided between the opposing edge portion 417 and the fourth delivery edge portion 415. The inclined edge portion 419 is inclined with respect to the opposing edge portion 417 so as to introduce the tape 21 inserted from between the delivery projection portion 225 and the opposing edge portion 417 into the tape outlet 17. That is, the -Z end of the inclined edge portion 419 is located in the -Y direction relative to the +Z end of the inclined edge portion 419. When the tape 21 is inserted from between the delivery projection portion 225 and the opposing edge portion 417, the -Z end of the tape 21 hits the inclined edge portion 419. The tape 21 that hits the inclined edge portion 419 is introduced from the tape introduction path 35 to the tape outlet 17 by the inclined edge portion 419 which is inclined with respect to the opposing edge portion 417. Therefore, the operator can easily insert the tape 21 pulled from the tape roll 19 from the tape insertion opening 33 into the tape outlet 17.

[0083] Furthermore, the width of the tape entry path 35, that is, the distance between the delivery projection 225 and the opposing edge 417, is wider than the width of the tape exit port 17, that is, the distance between the second delivery edge 223 and the fourth delivery edge 415. Therefore, when the tape 21 is inserted from the tape insertion port 33, even if the tape 21 is thicker than a normal tape 21, the tape 21 can be easily inserted between the delivery projection 225 and the opposing edge 417.

[0084] Furthermore, when the tape 21, which has been pulled out from the tape roll 19 housed in the cartridge case 9, is removed from the tape insertion opening 33 for purposes such as replacing the tape roll 19, one end of the tape 21 in the width direction, the end in the +Z direction, is passed between the feed projection 225 and the opposing edge 417. In this embodiment, since the inclined edge 419 is inclined with respect to the opposing edge 417, the end of the tape 21 in the +Z direction can be passed between the feed projection 225 and the opposing edge 417 by slightly bending the end of the tape 21 in the +Z direction. Therefore, the operator can easily remove the tape 21, which has been pulled out from the tape roll 19 housed in the cartridge case 9, from the tape insertion opening 33.

[0085] [Platen roller and third case side roller engagement portion] As shown in Figure 15, the platen roller 3 comprises a roller body 37 and a roller shaft 39. The roller body 37 is made of an elastic material such as rubber and is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The roller body 37 is mounted on the outer circumferential surface of the roller shaft 39.

[0086] The roller shaft 39 is made of resin, for example, and is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The roller shaft 39 is provided with a first roller-side engaging portion 41 and a second roller-side engaging portion 43. The first roller-side engaging portion 41 is provided near the -Z end of the roller shaft 39, and the second roller-side engaging portion 43 is provided at the +Z end of the roller shaft 39. The portion of the roller shaft 39 between the first roller-side engaging portion 41 and the second roller-side engaging portion 43 is called the roller mounting portion 45. The roller body 37 is mounted on the outer circumferential surface of the roller mounting portion 45. The portion of the roller shaft 39 located in the -Z direction relative to the first roller-side engaging portion 41 is called the opening insertion portion 47. The opening insertion portion 47 is inserted into the platen opening 317.

[0087] The first roller-side engaging portion 41 is formed with a larger diameter than the roller mounting portion 45 and the opening insertion portion 47. The first roller-side engaging portion 41 engages with the third case-side roller engaging portion 331. The -Z direction surface of the first roller-side engaging portion 41 is called the first roller-side contact surface 49. The first roller-side contact surface 49 is in contact with the +Z direction surface of the third case-side roller engaging portion 331.

[0088] The second roller-side engaging portion 43 is formed with a larger diameter than the roller mounting portion 45. The second roller-side engaging portion 43 engages with the fourth case-side roller engaging portion 407. As described above, the fourth case-side roller engaging portion 407 is formed in an elongated oval shape that is long in the Y direction. Therefore, the platen roller 3 can assume an upright first position (see Figure 16) and a second position (see Figure 17) inclined relative to the first position such that the end of the platen roller 3 in the +Z direction is further away from the ink ribbon 11 in the +Y direction than the end of the platen roller 3 in the -Z direction. The upright first position of the platen roller 3 means a position in which the axial direction of the platen roller 3 is approximately parallel to the width direction of the ink ribbon 11, i.e., the Z direction.

[0089] When the platen roller 3 is upright in the first position, when viewing the cartridge 1 from the +Z direction, the +Z end face 37a of the roller body 37 is visible through the tape insertion opening 33 (see Figure 16). On the other hand, when the platen roller 3 is tilted in the second position, when viewing the cartridge 1 from the +Z direction, not only the +Z end face 37a of the roller body 37 but also the outer circumferential surface 37b of the roller body 37 is visible through the tape insertion opening 33, and the second roller side engagement portion 43 is visible through the platen shaft insertion hole 409 (see Figure 17).

[0090] The third case-side roller engagement portion 331 has a first contact surface 341 and a second contact surface 343 on its +Z-direction surface. The first contact surface 341 is formed in the shape of an arc with a central angle larger than a semicircle when viewed from the +Z direction (see Figure 7). The first contact surface 341 is inclined with respect to the XY plane. That is, the +Y-direction end of the first contact surface 341 is located in the -Z direction more than the -Y-direction end of the first contact surface 341. The second contact surface 343 is provided in the -Y direction relative to the first contact surface 341 and is formed in the shape of two arcs with a central angle smaller than that of the first contact surface 341 when viewed from the +Z direction (see Figure 7). The second contact surface 343 is parallel to the XY plane.

[0091] When cartridge 1 is placed on a substantially horizontal surface such as a desk with its -Z-direction surface facing downwards, that is, with the first roller-side engaging portion 41 of the first roller-side engaging portion 43 facing downwards, the first roller-side engaging portion 41 is supported by the third case-side roller engaging portion 331. At this time, since the first contact surface 341 is larger than the second contact surface 343, the platen roller 3 is tilted so that the first roller-side contact surface 49 contacts the first contact surface 341 of the two contact surfaces 343, and the platen roller 3 assumes the second position.

[0092] When the platen roller 3 is in the second position, as described above, the end of the platen roller 3 in the +Z direction moves away from the ink ribbon 11 in the +Y direction compared to the end of the platen roller 3 in the -Z direction (see Figure 17). That is, when the platen roller 3 is in the first position, the platen roller 3 is almost in contact with the ink ribbon 11 (see Figure 16), but when the platen roller 3 is in the second position, a gap is created between the platen roller 3 and the ink ribbon 11 (see Figure 17). Therefore, when the tape 21 is inserted from the tape insertion opening 33 between the ink ribbon 11 and the platen roller 3, it is possible to prevent the tape 21 from getting caught on the platen roller 3.

[0093] When the tape cartridge 1T is mounted in the cartridge mounting section 511, the platen shaft 513, which extends in the Z direction in the cartridge mounting section 511, is inserted through the roller shaft 39 of the platen roller 3, so that the platen roller 3 assumes a first position (see Figure 16). At this time, the first roller-side contact surface 49 is in contact with the second contact surface 343 of the third case-side roller engagement section 331 in the +Z direction (see Figure 15), and the platen roller 3 is supported by the second contact surface 343. Therefore, when the platen roller 3 rotates, tilting of the platen roller 3 relative to the platen shaft 513 can be suppressed, and the tape 21 and ink ribbon 11 can be properly fed by the platen roller 3. Furthermore, when the platen roller 3 assumes the first position, the tape 21 is pushed in the -Y direction by the platen roller 3, and the end of the tape 21 in the +Z direction is held away from the tape introduction path 35 in the -Y direction by the delivery projection 225, thereby preventing the tape 21 from slipping out of the tape introduction path 35 in the +Z direction.

[0094] [Second Tape Guide] As shown in Figures 18 and 19, the tape guide 209 comprises a guide base portion 227 and nine protrusions 229. The tape guide 209, with its multiple protrusions 229, can properly guide the tape 21 across its entire width.

[0095] The guide base portion 227 is formed in the shape of a roughly rectangular plate that is long in the Z direction. The projection portion 229 protrudes from the guide base portion 227 in the +Y direction. The projection portion 229 is formed in the shape of a roughly semicircular plate and contacts the tape 21 on its circumferential surface. That is, the contact surface of the projection portion 229 is formed in the shape of an arc and contacts the printed surface of the tape 21 as it is fed to the tape outlet 17. Because the projection portion 229 is formed in the shape of a plate, the contact area between the projection portion 229 and the tape 21 can be reduced. Furthermore, because the contact surface of the projection portion 229 that contacts the tape 21 is formed in the shape of an arc, the contact area between the projection portion 229 and the tape 21 can be reduced.

[0096] The nine protrusions 229 are distributed in the width direction, i.e., the -Z direction, of the tape 21. The nine protrusions 229 constitute three groups of protrusions 231. The spacing between the groups of protrusions 231 is wider than the spacing between the protrusions 229 included in the same group 231. As a result, the width of the non-contact area between the groups of protrusions 231, where the tape 21 does not come into contact with the protrusions 229, is wider than in a configuration where the nine protrusions 229 are equally spaced. This reduces the feed load on the tape 21 due to friction with the tape guide 209.

[0097] The spacing between protrusion groups 231 refers to the spacing between the nth protrusion group 231 and the (n+1)th protrusion group 231, counting from the +Z direction. That is, the spacing between the protrusion 229 located furthest in the -Z direction within the nth protrusion group 231 and the protrusion 229 located furthest in the +Z direction within the (n+1)th protrusion group 231. n is an integer greater than or equal to 1. Furthermore, the spacing between protrusions 229 included in the same protrusion group 231 refers to the spacing between the mth protrusion 229 and the (m+1)th protrusion 229, counting from the +Z direction within any given protrusion group 231. m is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0098] A tape guide chamfer 233 is provided at the +Z end of each protrusion 229. Unlike this embodiment, in a configuration where the tape guide chamfer 233 is not provided at the +Z end of each protrusion 229, there is a risk that the inserted tape 21 may get caught on the protrusion 229 provided on the tape guide 209 when the tape 21 is inserted from the tape insertion opening 33. In contrast, in this embodiment, by providing the tape guide chamfer 233 at the +Z end of each protrusion 229, it is possible to prevent the tape 21 from getting caught on the protrusion 229 when the tape 21 is inserted from the tape insertion opening 33.

[0099] As described above, the cartridge 1 of this embodiment is a cartridge 1 that can be mounted on a tape printing device 501 and comprises a ribbon roll 5 and a cartridge case 9. The cartridge case 9 is capable of housing the tape roll 19 and houses the ribbon roll 5. The cartridge case 9 comprises a third case section 301, a first case section 101, and a second case section 201. The first case section 101 is capable of housing the tape roll 19 between itself and the third case section 301. The second case section 201 is separate from the first case section 101 and houses the ribbon roll 5 between itself and the third case section 301. The first case section 101 is detachable from the third case section 301.

[0100] With this configuration, the operator can remove only the first case section 101 from the third case section 301, out of the two case sections 101 and 201. This allows the operator to insert the tape roll 19 into the cartridge case 9 without the ribbon roll 5 coming apart.

[0101] Furthermore, the cartridge 1 of this embodiment is a cartridge that can be mounted on a tape printing device 501 and includes a cartridge case 9 capable of housing a tape roll 19. The cartridge case 9 includes a third case section 301, a first case section 101, a second case section 201, and a fourth case section 401. The first case section 101 is capable of housing the tape roll 19 between itself and the third case section 301 and is detachable from the third case section 301. The second case section 201 is separate from the first case section 101. The fourth case section 401 is separate from the first case section 101. Between the second case section 201 and the fourth case section 401, a tape outlet 17 and a tape insertion opening 33 are provided. From the tape outlet 17, the tape 21 unwound from the tape roll 19 is fed out of the cartridge case 9. The tape insertion opening 33 allows the tape 21, which has been pulled out from the tape roll 19, to be inserted in the -Z direction from one end of the tape 21 in the width direction, the -Z direction, so that when the tape roll 19 is housed in the cartridge case 9, the leading edge of the tape 21 exits the cartridge case 9 from the tape outlet 17.

[0102] With this configuration, the operator can store the tape roll 19 in the cartridge case 9 with the leading edge of the tape 21 protruding from the tape outlet 17, without having to perform the time-consuming task of manually rotating the tape roll 19 to feed the tape 21 to the tape outlet 17.

[0103] Furthermore, the cartridge 1 of this embodiment is a cartridge that can be mounted on a tape printing device 501 and includes a cartridge case 9 capable of housing a tape roll 19. The cartridge case 9 is provided with a tape outlet 17, a tape insertion opening 33, and a tape guide 209. The tape 21 unwound from the tape roll 19 is fed out of the cartridge case 9 from the tape outlet 17. The tape insertion opening 33 allows the tape 21, which has been pulled out from the tape roll 19, to be inserted in the -Z direction from one end in the width direction of the tape 21, such that the leading edge of the tape 21 exits the cartridge case 9 from the tape outlet 17 when the tape roll 19 is housed in the cartridge case 9. The tape guide 209 is located in the -Z direction relative to the tape insertion opening 33 and guides the feeding of the tape 21 by the tape printing device 501. The tape guide 209 is provided with a projection 229 that contacts the tape 21. A tape guide chamfer 233 is provided at the +Z direction end of the projection 229.

[0104] With this configuration, the tape guide chamfer 233 is provided at the +Z end of the protrusion 229, which prevents the tape 21 from getting caught on the protrusion 229 when it is inserted from the tape insertion opening 33.

[0105] [Second Embodiment] Based on Figure 20, a second embodiment of the cartridge, cartridge 1A, will be described. The cartridge 1A of the second embodiment is configured substantially the same as the cartridge 1 of the first embodiment, but differs in that the first case portion 101 and the second case portion 201 are engaged, and the first case portion 101 and the fourth case portion 401 are engaged.

[0106] The first case portion 101 is provided with a first A engaging portion 119 and a first B engaging portion 121. The first A engaging portion 119 and the first B engaging portion 121 protrude from the first base wall portion 103 in the -Z direction. The first A engaging portion 119 is provided in the overlap portion 111, but its position is not particularly limited. The first A engaging portion 119 engages with a second engaging recess 235 provided in the second base wall portion 203 of the second case portion 201. The first B engaging portion 121 engages with a fourth engaging recess 421 provided in the fourth base wall portion 403 of the fourth case portion 401.

[0107] Unlike the second engagement pin 219 described above, which is press-fitted into the third engagement hole 335, the first engagement portion 1A 119 is not press-fitted into the second engagement recess 235. Therefore, even when the first engagement portion 119 and the second engagement recess 235 are engaged, the first case portion 101 can be easily removed by hand from the third case portion 301. The same applies to the first engagement portion 1B 121.

[0108] The engagement of the first A engagement portion 119 and the second engagement recess 235 suppresses the first case portion 101 and the second case portion 201 from swinging in the X or Y direction. Therefore, the overall rigidity of the cartridge case 9 can be improved. Similarly, the engagement of the first B engagement portion 121 and the fourth engagement recess 421 suppresses the first case portion 101 and the fourth case portion 401 from swinging in the X or Y direction. Therefore, the overall rigidity of the cartridge case 9 can be improved.

[0109] Furthermore, the configuration is not limited to one in which the first case portion 101 is provided with a first A engaging portion 119 and the second case portion 201 is provided with a second engaging recess 235; a configuration in which the first case portion 101 is provided with an engaging recess and the second case portion 201 is provided with an engaging portion. In addition, a configuration in which the first case portion 101 is provided with an engaging portion and an engaging recess, and the second case portion 201 is provided with an engaging recess that engages with the engaging portion provided in the first case portion 101, and an engaging portion that engages with the engaging recess provided in the first case portion 101. The same applies to the first case portion 101 and the fourth case portion 401.

[0110] Furthermore, the engaging portion is not limited to those that protrude from the first base wall portion 103, such as the first A engaging portion 119 and the first B engaging portion 121. For example, the entire overlap portion 111 may function as the first A engaging portion 119. In other words, the second case portion 201 may be provided with an engaging recess that engages with the overlap portion 111.

[0111] [Other variations] It goes without saying that the embodiments are not limited to those described above, and various configurations can be adopted without departing from their spirit. For example, the embodiments described above can be modified to the following forms in addition to those described above. Furthermore, configurations combining embodiments and modifications are also acceptable.

[0112] The first case section 101, the second case section 201, the third case section 301, and the fourth case section 401 are not limited to being separate entities. Other configurations are also possible, as long as the first case section 101 is separate from any of the second case section 201, the third case section 301, and the fourth case section 401. For example, the second case section 201 and the third case section 301 may be integrated with each other, the second case section 201 and the fourth case section 401 may be integrated with each other, and the third case section 301 and the fourth case section 401 may be integrated with each other. Furthermore, the second case section 201, the third case section 301, and the fourth case section 401 may be integrated with each other.

[0113] The configuration is not limited to one in which a delivery projection 225 is provided on the second case section 201 and an opposing edge 417 and an inclined edge 419 are provided on the fourth case section 401. A configuration in which an opposing edge and an inclined edge are provided on the second case section 201 and a delivery projection is provided on the fourth case section 401 is also possible.

[0114] The cartridge 1 may also be configured to include a detachable connecting member that spans between the second insertion edge 221 and the fourth insertion edge 413 at the tape insertion opening 33, and is attached to the cartridge case 9. By attaching the connecting member to the cartridge case 9, the second case portion 201 and the fourth case portion 401 are connected, thereby improving the overall rigidity of the cartridge case 9. When inserting the tape 21 from the tape insertion opening 33, the connecting member can be removed from the cartridge case 9. Since the connecting member functions similarly to the feed projection 225, if the cartridge 1 is configured to include the connecting member, it is not necessary to provide the feed projection 225 on the second case portion 201.

[0115] [Note] The following is additional information about the cartridge. A cartridge that can be attached to a tape printing device, comprising a cartridge case capable of housing a tape roll around which tape is wound, the cartridge case having a third case section, a first case section capable of housing the tape roll between itself and the third case section and detachable from the third case section, a second case section separate from the first case section, and a fourth case section separate from the first case section, provided between the second case section and the fourth case section, a tape outlet from which tape unwound from the tape roll housed in the cartridge case is fed out of the cartridge case, and a tape insertion opening from which tape pulled out from the tape roll so that the leading edge of the tape exits the cartridge case through the tape outlet when the tape roll is housed in the cartridge case can be inserted in a first direction from one end in the width direction of the tape.

[0116] With this configuration, the operator can store the tape roll in the cartridge case with the tape's leading edge already outside the cartridge case, without having to manually rotate the tape roll to feed the tape to the tape outlet. Note that the -Z direction is an example of the "first direction".

[0117] In this case, when the cartridge is mounted on the tape printing device, it is preferable that the fourth case portion houses the platen roller between itself and the thermal head of the tape printing device, and the fourth case portion houses the platen roller between itself and the third case portion.

[0118] With this configuration, the operator can remove only the first case section from the third case section, out of the first and fourth case sections. This allows the operator to insert the tape roll into the cartridge case afterwards without the platen roller coming out of the cartridge case.

[0119] In this case, the second case section houses the ribbon roll around which the ink ribbon is wound between it and the third case section, and the platen roller feeds the tape and ink ribbon between itself and the thermal head when the cartridge is mounted on the tape printing device. The platen roller can assume an upright first position and a second position inclined with respect to the first position such that the end of the platen roller in the second direction opposite to the first direction is further away from the ink ribbon than the end of the platen roller in the first direction. Preferably, the third case section is provided with a third case-side roller engagement portion that engages with the platen roller, and the third case-side roller engagement portion is provided with a first contact surface that positions the platen roller in the second position.

[0120] With this configuration, when the tape is inserted from the tape insertion slot between the ink ribbon and the platen roller, the platen roller assumes a second position, which prevents the tape from getting caught on the platen roller.

[0121] In this case, when the cartridge is mounted on the tape printing device, the platen shaft provided on the tape printing device is inserted through the platen roller, so that the platen roller assumes a first position, and it is preferable that the third case-side roller engagement portion is provided with a second contact surface that contacts the platen roller when the platen roller is in the first position.

[0122] With this configuration, the platen roller is supported by the second contact surface, which prevents the platen roller from tilting relative to the platen axis when it rotates. Therefore, the platen roller can properly feed the tape and ink ribbon.

[0123] In this case, the second case portion is provided with a second insertion edge portion, which is the edge of the tape insertion opening, and it is preferable that the second insertion edge portion is formed in an arc shape that is convex on the side opposite to the platen roller relative to the second insertion edge portion.

[0124] This configuration allows the shape of the tape inserted through the tape insertion slot to be curved to match the outer surface of the platen roller. This prevents the tape from getting caught on the platen roller when it is inserted through the tape insertion slot.

[0125] In this case, it is preferable that a tape introduction path is provided between the second case section and the fourth case section to introduce the tape inserted from the tape insertion opening to the tape discharge opening, a discharge projection is provided on the edge of the tape discharge opening to block a second direction opposite to the first direction at the tape discharge opening, and an opposing edge facing the discharge projection and an inclined edge that is inclined with respect to the opposing edge to introduce the tape inserted from the tape insertion opening to the tape discharge opening.

[0126] With this configuration, the presence of a feeding projection prevents the tape from slipping out of the tape outlet in a second direction. Furthermore, the inclined edge allows the tape pulled from the tape roll to be easily inserted from the tape insertion opening into the tape outlet. Note that the +Z direction is an example of a "second direction". [Explanation of Symbols]

[0127] 1...Cartridge, 3...Platen roller, 5...Ribbon roll, 9...Cartridge case, 11...Ink ribbon, 17...Tape outlet, 19...Tape roll, 21...Tape, 33...Tape insertion slot, 35...Tape introduction path, 101...First case section, 201...Second case section, 221...Second insertion edge, 225...Feeding protrusion, 301...Third case section, 331...Third case side roller engagement section, 341...First contact surface, 343...Second contact surface, 401...Fourth case section, 417...Opposite edge, 419...Inclined edge, 501...Tape printing device, 513...Platen shaft, 517...Thermal head.

Claims

1. A cartridge that can be installed in a tape printing device, It includes a cartridge case capable of housing a tape roll on which tape is wound, The aforementioned cartridge case is The third case section, A first case portion is capable of accommodating the tape roll between itself and the third case portion, and is detachable from the third case portion, A second case section, which is separate from the first case section, It has a fourth case section which is separate from the first case section, Between the second case section and the fourth case section, A tape outlet through which the tape unwound from the tape roll housed in the cartridge case is fed out of the cartridge case, When the tape roll is housed in the cartridge case, the tape is pulled out from the tape roll so that the leading edge of the tape exits the cartridge case through the tape outlet, and the tape is inserted in a first direction from one end of the tape in the width direction into the tape insertion opening, A cartridge characterized by having a feature.

2. The cartridge is mounted in the tape printing device and includes a platen roller that feeds the tape between itself and the thermal head of the tape printing device, The cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that the fourth case portion houses the platen roller between itself and the third case portion.

3. The second case section houses the ribbon roll around which the ink ribbon is wound, between itself and the third case section. The platen roller, when the cartridge is mounted in the tape printing device, feeds the tape and the ink ribbon between itself and the thermal head. The platen roller can assume an upright first position and a second position inclined with respect to the first position such that the end of the platen roller in the second direction opposite to the first direction is further away from the ink ribbon than the end of the platen roller in the first direction. The third case portion is provided with a third case-side roller engagement portion that engages with the platen roller. The cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that the third case-side roller engagement portion is provided with a first contact surface that positions the platen roller in the second position.

4. When the cartridge is mounted in the tape printing device, the platen shaft provided in the tape printing device is inserted through the platen roller, causing the platen roller to assume the first position. The cartridge according to claim 3, characterized in that the third case-side roller engagement portion is provided with a second contact surface that contacts the platen roller when the platen roller is in the first position.

5. The second case portion is provided with a second insertion edge portion, which is the edge portion of the tape insertion opening. The cartridge according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the second insertion edge is formed in an arc shape that is convex to the side opposite to the platen roller with respect to the second insertion edge.

6. Between the second case section and the fourth case section, a tape introduction path is provided for introducing the tape inserted from the tape insertion opening to the tape output opening. The edge of the tape outlet is provided with a delivery projection so as to block a second direction opposite to the first direction in the tape outlet. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the edge of the tape introduction path is provided with an opposing edge facing the delivery projection and an inclined edge that is inclined with respect to the opposing edge so as to introduce the tape inserted from the tape insertion opening to the tape discharge opening.

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