Tape cassette

Abstract

To provide a tape cassette capable of stably detecting, via a sensor, tape information.SOLUTION: A tape cassette is used attached to a printer, when used, and comprises: a housing; a tape roll held inside the housing and wound with a tape; a tape ejection part, which ejects, out of the housing, a tape fed out from the taper roll and passing through a detection target position arranged at a position corresponding to a sensor of a printer; a first guide part that guides, towards the tape ejection part, the tape passing through the detection target position; a first opening part opening towards a first surface at one side of the tape passing through the detection target position; a second opening part opening towards a second surface at the opposite side of the one side of the tape; a first rotating body arranged at the first opening part side being an inlet of the detection target position for the tape fed out from the tape roll; and a second rotating body arranged at the second opening part side being an outlet of the detection target position upstream in a conveying direction of the tape with respect to the first guide part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tape cassette.

Background Art

[0002] The tape cassette of Patent Document 1 includes a tape roll, a first rotating body, a second rotating body, a discharge port, and an opening. A tape is wound around the tape roll. The first rotating body is provided upstream of the opening in the tape conveyance path. The second rotating body is provided downstream of the opening in the tape conveyance path. The first rotating body guides the tape fed out from the tape roll toward the second rotating body. The second rotating body guides the tape conveyed by the first rotating body toward the discharge port. The opening is where a sensor of a printer is inserted. The sensor detects tape information of the tape conveyed between the first rotating body and the second rotating body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above tape cassette, the conveyance path for the tape conveyed between the first rotating body and the second rotating body is a straight line and the distance is long. When the types of the tape, such as thickness, width, and material, are different, the rigidity changes. Therefore, depending on the type of the tape, the conveyance of the tape to be conveyed becomes unstable in the tape cassette. In this case, there was a possibility that the tape cassette could not stably detect tape information by the sensor.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a tape cassette capable of stably detecting tape information by a sensor.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] This specification discloses, for example, the following embodiments:

[0007] The tape cassette according to the present invention is a tape cassette used by being mounted in a printer, and is characterized by comprising: a housing; a tape roll held inside the housing and around which tape is wound; a tape discharge unit that discharges the tape, which has been unwound from the tape roll and passed through a detection position located opposite to a sensor of the printer, to the outside of the housing; a first guide unit that guides the tape that has passed through the detection position toward the tape discharge unit; a first opening that opens toward a first surface on one side of the tape passing through the detection position; a second opening that opens toward a second surface on the opposite side of the tape; a first rotating body that is the inlet of the tape unwound from the tape roll at the detection position and is located on the side of the first opening; and a second rotating body that is the outlet of the tape at the detection position and is located upstream of the first guide unit in the tape transport direction and toward the second opening.

[0008] The tape cassette is guided to the first guide section by a first and second rotating body, which move the tape through the detection point. This ensures that the tape is transported stably between the first and second rotating bodies. Therefore, the tape cassette allows for stable detection of information from the tape by the sensor. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of printer 1 with the cassette cover 6 in the open position. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view illustrating the tape cassette 30 and the cassette mounting section 8. [Figure 3] This is a plan view of the cassette mounting section 8 into which the tape cassette 30 is installed. [Figure 4] This is a plan view of the lower right section of tape cassette 30. [Figure 5] This diagram shows the transport routes 591-595. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The printer 1 and tape cassette 30 according to this embodiment will now be described. In the following description, the lower left, upper right, lower right, upper left, upper, and lower sides of Figure 1 will be referred to as the front, rear, right, left, upper, and lower sides of the printer 1, respectively. The lower right, upper left, upper right, lower left, upper, and lower sides of Figure 2 will be referred to as the front, rear, right, left, upper, and lower sides of the tape cassette 30, respectively.

[0011] Hereinafter, the various tapes stored in the tape cassette 30 (for example, printed tape and the half-cut tape 57 described later) will be collectively referred to as "tape." The types of tapes stored in the tape cassette 30 (for example, tape width, printing pattern, tape color, text color, etc.) will be collectively referred to as "tape type."

[0012] Printer 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Printer 1 is a general-purpose tape printing device that can use various types of tape cassettes, such as thermal type, receptor type, laminate type, and half-cut type, with a single unit. The thermal type tape cassette is equipped with thermal paper tape. The receptor type tape cassette is equipped with printable tape and an ink ribbon. The laminate type tape cassette is equipped with double-sided adhesive tape, film tape, and an ink ribbon. The half-cut type tape cassette is equipped with half-cut tape and an ink ribbon.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the printer 1 is equipped with a roughly rectangular main body cover 2. A keyboard 3, including character keys and function keys, is located on the front of the top surface of the main body cover 2. Behind the keyboard 3 is a display 5 capable of displaying characters (letters, numbers, and shapes) entered on the keyboard 3. Behind the display 5 is a cassette cover 6 that is opened and closed when replacing the tape cassette 30 (see Figure 2).

[0014] The cassette cover 6 is a lid that is roughly rectangular in plan view. The cassette cover 6 is pivotally supported at both the left and right ends of the upper rear of the main body cover 2 and is rotatable between a closed position (not shown) and an open position (shown in Figure 1). Inside the main body cover 2 is a cassette mounting section 8. The cassette mounting section 8 is capable of detaching the tape cassette 30.

[0015] An ejection slit 111 is provided on the rear left side of the main body cover 2. The ejection slit 111 ejects the printed tape from the cassette mounting section 8. An ejection window 112 is provided on the left side of the cassette cover 6. When the cassette cover 6 is in the closed position, the ejection window 112 exposes the ejection slit 111 to the outside.

[0016] The internal structure of the main body cover 2 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. As shown in Figure 2, the cassette mounting section 8 includes a cavity 811 and a corner support section 812. The cavity 811 is a recess with a flat bottom surface. The recess of the cavity 811 corresponds to the shape of the bottom surface 302 of the cassette case 31. The corner support section 812 is a flat section that extends horizontally from the outer edge of the cavity 811. When the tape cassette 30 is mounted in the cassette mounting section 8, the corner support section 812 supports the lower surface of the periphery of the tape cassette 30.

[0017] As shown in Figure 3, a sensor 20 is provided on the right side of the cassette mounting section 8. Sensor 20 includes sensors 201 and 202. Sensors 201 and 202 are arranged opposite each other on the left and right sides. Sensor 201 is located to the left of sensor 202. One of sensors 201 and 202 is a light-emitting part, and the other is a light-receiving part. The light-emitting part emits light. The light-receiving part receives the light emitted from the light-emitting part.

[0018] When the tape cassette 30 is mounted on the cassette mounting portion 8, the sensors 201 and 202 are respectively arranged inside the openings 801 and 802 described later. The sensor 20 detects a pattern provided in a predetermined range from the end of the tape conveyed between the sensor 201 and the sensor 202. The printer 1 detects the remaining amount of the tape among the tape information based on the detected pattern. Hereinafter, the position of the tape passing between the sensor 201 and the sensor 202 is referred to as the detected position P. Among the tape conveyance paths 59, the position near the sensor 20 on the upstream side of the detected position P is also referred to as the detected position P inlet, and the position near the sensor 20 on the downstream side of the detected position P is also referred to as the detected position P outlet.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, a head holder 74 is provided at the front part of the cassette mounting portion 8. A thermal head 10 is mounted on the head holder 74. A tape drive motor 23 is disposed on the upper right side of the cassette mounting portion 8. The tape drive motor 23 is, for example, a stepping motor. A gear 91 is fixed to the lower end of the drive shaft of the tape drive motor 23. The gear 91 meshes with a gear 93 through an opening. The gear 93 meshes with a gear 94. The gear 94 meshes with a gear 97. The gear 97 meshes with a gear 98. The gear 98 meshes with a gear 101.

[0020] A ribbon take-up shaft 95 is erected on the upper surface of the gear 94. The ribbon take-up shaft 95 is detachable from the ribbon take-up spool 44. The ribbon take-up shaft 95 is a shaft body extending in the vertical direction. A tape drive shaft 100 is erected on the upper surface of the gear 101. The tape drive shaft 100 is a shaft body detachable from the hole portion 461 of the tape drive roller 46.

[0021] When the tape drive motor 23 rotationally drives the gear 91 in the counterclockwise direction, the ribbon take-up shaft 95 is rotationally driven in the counterclockwise direction via the gears 93 and 94. The rotation of the gear 94 is transmitted to the tape drive shaft 100 via the gears 97, 98, and 101. Thereby, the tape drive shaft 100 is rotationally driven in the clockwise direction.

[0022] An arm-shaped platen holder 12 is provided on the front side of the head holder 74. The platen holder 12 is pivotally supported around a pivot 121. A platen roller 15 and a movable transport roller 14 are pivotally supported on the tip side of the platen holder 12. The platen roller 15 can move toward and away from the thermal head 10. The movable transport roller 14 can move toward and away from the tape drive roller 46.

[0023] When a half-cut type tape cassette 30 is installed in the cassette mounting section 8, the platen roller 15 presses against the thermal head 10 via the half-cut tape 57 and the ink ribbon 60. At the same time, the movable transport roller 14 presses against the tape drive roller 46 via the half-cut tape 57. In this case, the printer 1 becomes capable of printing on the half-cut tape 57.

[0024] To the right of the discharge slit 111 (see Figure 1), a cutting mechanism 17 is provided for cutting the printed tape 50 at a predetermined position. The cutting mechanism 17 has a fixed blade 18 and a movable blade 19. The movable blade 19 is movable in the front-rear direction opposite to the fixed blade 18.

[0025] Referring to Figure 2, the appearance of the tape cassette 30 will be described. The tape cassette 30 can be used to store different types of tapes. For example, the tape cassette 30 can be mounted on half-cut tapes, etc. In the following description, a tape cassette 30 with a half-cut tape 57 mounted on it will be described as an example. The rigidity of the half-cut tape 57 is, for example, 3 [N·mm]. 2 That's all.

[0026] The tape cassette 30 comprises a cassette case 31, which is the housing. The cassette case 31 is rectangular in shape and has rounded corners when viewed from above. The cassette case 31 includes an upper case 311 and a lower case 312. The lower case 312 includes a bottom plate 306 having the bottom surface 302 of the cassette case 31. The upper case 311 is fixed to the top of the lower case 312. The upper case 311 includes a top plate 305. The top plate 305 includes the top surface 301 of the cassette case 31.

[0027] The cassette case 31 has side sections formed by an upper plate 305 and a bottom plate 306. The side sections of the cassette case 31 have four corners 321 to 324. When the tape cassette 30 is mounted in the cassette mounting section 8, the lower surfaces of the corners 321 to 324 are supported by the corner support section 812. An ejection guide section 49 is provided at corner 324.

[0028] The cassette case 31 is provided with three support holes 65, 67, and 68. The holes located on the left rear and right front of the cassette case 31 are called the first tape support hole 65 and the ribbon support hole 67, respectively. The hole located between the first tape support hole 65 and the ribbon support hole 67 in a plan view is called the take-up spool support hole 68.

[0029] The first tape support hole 65 rotatably supports the tape spool 40 (see Figure 3). The ribbon support hole 67 rotatably supports the ribbon spool 42 (see Figure 3). The winding spool support hole 68 rotatably supports the ribbon winding spool 44 (see Figure 3).

[0030] The opening 80 is located at the right end of the cassette case 31 and in the center of the cassette case 31 in the front-to-back direction. The opening 80 includes a pair of openings 801 and 802. The openings 801 and 802 are spaced apart from each other and arranged side by side. Opening 802 is located to the right of opening 801. In plan view, the openings 801 and 802 are rectangular in shape, elongated in the front-to-back direction. The openings 801 and 802 penetrate the bottom plate 306 and the top plate 305 in the vertical direction. The openings 801 and 802 are defined by the first restricting section 75 and the second restricting section 76, respectively, which will be described later.

[0031] The front end of the cassette case 31 is provided with a front wall 32, an arm front wall 35, and an arm rear wall 37. The front wall 32 is located on the right side of the front end of the cassette case 31. The arm front wall 35 is located to the left of the front wall 32. The arm rear wall 37 is located at a position spaced rearward from the arm front wall 35.

[0032] The arm portion 34 is defined by the arm front wall 35, the arm rear wall 37, etc. The arm portion 34 extends from the right front of the tape cassette 30 to the left. The arm portion 34 has an outlet 341 at its left end. The outlet 341 is a gap that extends vertically between the left end of the arm front wall 35 and the left end of the arm rear wall 37.

[0033] The head insertion section 39 is located adjacent to the rear side of the arm section 34. The head insertion section 39 is defined by the arm rear wall 37, the head peripheral wall 36, etc. The head peripheral wall 36 extends rearward from the right end of the arm rear wall 37 and extends parallel to the arm rear wall 37. The head insertion section 39 penetrates the tape cassette 30 in the vertical direction. The head insertion section 39 is a roughly rectangular space in plan view.

[0034] The head insertion section 39 connects to the outside on the front side of the tape cassette 30 via the exposed section 77. When the tape cassette 30 is mounted in the cassette mounting section 8, a head holder 74 that supports the thermal head 10 is inserted into the head insertion section 39. The separation section 61 and the ejection guide section 49 will be described later.

[0035] The interior of the cassette case 31 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. As shown in Figure 3, the cassette case 31 is provided with a tape area 400 and a pin arrangement area 410. The tape area 400 is the area adjacent to the left rear corner 321 of the cassette case 31. The tape area 400 is roughly circular in plan view and occupies approximately the left half of the cassette case 31. The pin arrangement area 410 is the area adjacent to the right rear corner 322 of the cassette case 31. The pin arrangement area 410 occupies the upper right area of ​​the cassette case 31.

[0036] The tape area 400 houses a tape roll 571 around which a half-cut tape 57 is wound. The pin arrangement area 410 is provided with a plurality of pins 21. That is, the plurality of pins 21 are located to the right of the tape spool 40. The plurality of pins 21 can bend the transport path 59 of the half-cut tape 57 that is fed out from the tape roll 571 toward the first rotating body 71. The plurality of pins 21 include the first pin 21A to the fourth pin 21D. An adjustment pin 16 is provided between the tape area 400 and the pin arrangement area 410. The adjustment pin 16 can bend the transport path 59. In this embodiment, a detailed description of the plurality of pins 21 and the adjustment pin 16 is omitted below.

[0037] As shown in Figure 4, the first rotating body 71 is located to the right and in front of the winding center 572 of the tape roll 571. The first rotating body 71 is positioned at the entrance to the detected position P, behind the opening 801. The first rotating body 71 faces the opening 801 in the front-rear direction. In the front-rear direction, the distance between the first rotating body 71 and the opening 80 is shorter than the diameter of the first rotating body 71.

[0038] The first rotating body 71 is cylindrical. The first rotating body 71 includes a support shaft 712 and a through hole 711 (see Figure 3). The through hole 711 extends in the vertical direction. The support shaft 712 is inserted into the through hole 711. The vertical length of the first rotating body 71 is longer than the vertical length of the half-cut tape 57. The material of the first rotating body 71 is, for example, ABS resin.

[0039] The first rotating body 71 forms a transport path 59 for the half-cut tape 57 pulled from the tape roll 571. The first rotating body 71 is capable of following the transport of the half-cut tape 57 in a clockwise direction in plan view. The first rotating body 71 guides the tape unwound from the tape roll 571 towards the second rotating body 82, which will be described later, via the detected position P.

[0040] The first restricting section 75 is provided on the front side of the first rotating body 71. The first restricting section 75 includes wall sections 751, 752, 753, 78 and an extending wall section 85. Wall section 751 is positioned in front of the first rotating body 71. In the front-rear direction, wall section 751 is positioned at the center of the ribbon winding spool 44. In the left-right direction, wall section 751 is positioned at the location of the first rotating body 71. Wall section 751 extends in the left-right direction.

[0041] The wall portion 752 extends rearward from the right end of the wall portion 751. The rear end of the wall portion 752 is located forward of the center of the opening 801 in the front-to-back direction. The wall portion 752 is positioned on the left side of the tape at the detected position P and extends along the tape transport direction.

[0042] The wall portion 753 extends upward from the left end of the wall portion 751. The upper end of the wall portion 753 is approximately at the same position as the front end of the first rotating body 71 in the front-rear direction. The wall portion 78 extends to the right from the rear end of the wall portion 753. The length of the wall portion 78 in the left-right direction is approximately half the length of the wall portion 751 in the left-right direction. The extension wall portion 85 extends backward from the right end of the wall portion 78. In this case, the extension wall portion 85 extends along the first rotating body 71 on its left side. That is, the extension wall portion 85 is curved along the first rotating body 71. The extension wall portion 85 prevents the first rotating body 71 from being pushed over by the tape.

[0043] The first regulating section 75 and the first rotating body 71 define the first opening 87. The first opening 87 opens toward the left side of the tape passing through the detected position P. The opening 801 is also defined by the first regulating section 75 and the first rotating body 71.

[0044] The second regulating section 76 is provided to the right of the first regulating section 75 via the tape transport path 59. The second regulating section 76 faces the first regulating section 75 to the left and right. The second regulating section 76 includes wall sections 761, 762, 763, 79 and an extending wall section 86. Wall section 761 is positioned in the same location as wall section 78 in the front-rear direction. Wall section 761 extends in the left-right direction.

[0045] The wall portion 762 extends forward from the left end of the wall portion 761. The front end of the wall portion 762 is located behind the center of the opening 802 in the front-to-back direction. The wall portion 762 is positioned on the right side of the tape at the detected position P and extends along the direction in which the tape is transported.

[0046] The wall section 763 extends forward from the right end of the wall section 761. The length of the wall section 763 in the front-to-back direction is the same as the length of the wall section 753 in the front-to-back direction. The wall section 79 extends to the left from the front end of the wall section 763. The length of the wall section 79 in the left-to-right direction is approximately half the length of the wall section 761 in the left-to-right direction. The extended wall section 86 extends forward from the left end of the wall section 79. In this case, the extended wall section 86 extends along the second rotating body 82, to the right of the second rotating body 82, which will be described later. The extended wall section 86 is curved along the second rotating body 82. The extended wall section 86 prevents the second rotating body 82 from being pushed over by the tape.

[0047] The second regulating section 76 and the second rotating body 82 constitute the second opening 88. The second opening 88 opens toward the right side of the tape, opposite to the left side. The second regulating section 76 and the second rotating body 82 also define the opening 802.

[0048] The second rotating body 82 is located at the exit of the detected position P, in front of the opening 802 and to the left of the extended wall portion 86. The second rotating body 82 is supported by the extended wall portion 86 on its left side. The second rotating body 82 is cylindrical. The second rotating body 82 includes a support shaft 822 and a through hole 821. The through hole 821 extends in the vertical direction. The support shaft 822 is inserted into the through hole 821. The vertical length of the second rotating body 82 is longer than the vertical length of the half-cut tape 57. The diameter of the second rotating body 82 is the same as the diameter of the first rotating body 71. The material of the second rotating body 82 is, for example, ABS resin.

[0049] The second rotating body 82 forms the transport path 59 for the half-cut tape 57 pulled from the tape roll 571. The second rotating body 82 contacts the half-cut tape 57 from the right. The second rotating body 82 is capable of following the transport of the half-cut tape 57 in a counterclockwise direction in a plan view. As a result, the second rotating body 82 bends the tape transport path 59, guiding the tape to the third rotating body 81.

[0050] The third rotating body 81 is positioned at the rear end of the ribbon spool 42 in the front-rear direction. The third rotating body 81 is positioned at the opening 802 in the left-right direction. In other words, the third rotating body 81 is positioned downstream of the second rotating body 82 and upstream of the fourth rotating body 72 in the tape transport direction. The third rotating body 81 is cylindrical.

[0051] The third rotating body 81 includes a support shaft 813 and a through hole 814. The through hole 814 extends in the vertical direction. The support shaft 813 is inserted into the through hole 814. The vertical length of the third rotating body 81 is shorter than the vertical length of the half-cut tape 57. The diameter of the third rotating body 81 is larger than the diameters of the first rotating body 71 and the second rotating body 82. The material of the third rotating body 81 is, for example, ABS resin.

[0052] The third rotating body 81 forms the transport path 59 for the half-cut tape 57 pulled from the tape roll 571. The third rotating body 81 contacts the tape from the left as it passes the detected position P. The third rotating body 81 is capable of rotating in a clockwise direction in plan view as the half-cut tape 57 is transported. As a result, the third rotating body 81 bends the tape transport path 59, guiding the tape to the fourth rotating body 72.

[0053] The fourth rotating body 72 is positioned to the left front of the third rotating body 81 and behind the front wall 32. The fourth rotating body 72 is cylindrical. The fourth rotating body 72 includes a support shaft 722 and a through hole 721. The through hole 721 extends in the vertical direction. The support shaft 722 is inserted into the through hole 721. The vertical length of the fourth rotating body 72 is shorter than the vertical length of the half-cut tape 57. The diameter of the fourth rotating body 72 is the same as the diameter of the third rotating body 81. The material of the fourth rotating body 72 is, for example, ABS resin.

[0054] The fourth rotating body 72 forms the transport path 59 for the half-cut tape 57 pulled from the tape roll 571. The fourth rotating body 72 contacts the half-cut tape 57 from the left rear. The fourth rotating body 72 is capable of rotating in a clockwise direction in plan view as the half-cut tape 57 is transported. As a result, the fourth rotating body 72 bends the tape transport path 59, guiding the half-cut tape 57 to the arm portion 34.

[0055] A guide portion 33 is provided at the left end of the arm portion 34. The guide portion 33 extends in the vertical direction. A projection portion 331 that protrudes forward is provided at the vertical end of the guide portion 33. The half-cut tape 57 is positioned between the upper and lower projection portions 331. The half-cut tape 57 is guided by contacting the guide portion 33. The guide portion 33 guides the half-cut tape 57 to the discharge port 341.

[0056] The ribbon spool 42 is located to the right of the head insertion section 39. An ink ribbon 60 is wound around the ribbon spool 42. An unused ink ribbon 60 is wound around the ribbon spool 42. The ink ribbon 60 is used for printing on the half-cut tape 57. The ink ribbon 60 faces the opening 801 in the front-to-back direction.

[0057] A ribbon winding spool 44 is provided behind and to the left of the ribbon spool 42. The ribbon winding spool 44 is located between the tape area 400 and the ribbon spool 42. The ribbon winding spool 44 winds up the ink ribbon 60 after it has been used for printing.

[0058] A separation section 61 is provided to the left of the head insertion section 39. The separation section 61 separates the half-cut tape 57 used for printing from the ink ribbon 60 on the downstream side of the exposed section 77 in the tape transport direction. The separation section 61 includes regulating members 361, 362 (see Figure 2), and a ribbon guide wall 38, etc.

[0059] A tape drive roller 46 is rotatably supported on the left side of the separation section 61 (see Figure 2). The front surface of the tape drive roller 46 is exposed to the outside of the cassette case 31 and contacts the half-cut tape 57.

[0060] A discharge guide section 49 is provided on the downstream side of the tape drive roller 46 in the transport direction. The discharge guide section 49 is provided slightly forward from the front end of the left side. The discharge guide section 49 is a plate-shaped member that spans the top surface 301 and the bottom surface 302 of the cassette case 31. The discharge guide section 49 discharges the printed tape 50, which has been transported via the tape drive roller 46, to the outside of the tape cassette 30.

[0061] Referring to Figure 4, the transport path 59 will be described. The transport path 59 is defined by the first rotating body 71, the second rotating body 82, the third rotating body 81, the fourth rotating body 72, the guide section 33, and the discharge port 341. The half-cut tape 57 unwound from the tape roll 571 is transported to the outside of the tape cassette 30 via the transport path 59. The transport path 59 is an ideal path for the half-cut tape 57 to pass through without bending.

[0062] The transport path 59 is composed of transport paths 591 to 595. Transport path 591 is the path to the right of the tape roll 571 and behind the first rotating body 71. Transport path 592 is the path in front of the first rotating body 71 and behind the second rotating body 82. Transport path 593 is the path in front of the second rotating body 82 and behind the third rotating body 81. Transport path 594 is the path in front of the third rotating body 81 and behind the fourth rotating body 72. Transport path 595 is the path to the left of the fourth rotating body 72 and to the right of the guide section 33.

[0063] Here, the imaginary line connecting the tape roll 571 and the end 701 of the first rotating body 71 in the transport path 59 is called the starting straight line 731. The imaginary line connecting the end 701 of the first rotating body 71 and the end 702 of the second rotating body 82 is called the first straight line 732. The imaginary line connecting the end 702 of the second rotating body 82 and the end 703 of the third rotating body 81 is called the second straight line 733. The imaginary line connecting the end 704 of the third rotating body 81 and the end 705 of the fourth rotating body 72 is called the third straight line 734. The imaginary line connecting the end 706 of the fourth rotating body 72 and the guide section 33 is called the fourth straight line 735.

[0064] The transport route 591 and the starting straight line 731 are on the same straight line. The transport route 592 and the first straight line 732 are on the same straight line. The transport route 593 and the second straight line 733 are on the same straight line. The transport route 594 and the third straight line 734 are on the same straight line. The transport route 595 and the four The line 735 is on the same straight line.

[0065] Referring to Figure 5, the angles at which the transport path 59 bends are explained. The angle θ1 between the starting line 731 and the first line 732 is 90 degrees or more. That is, transport paths 591 and 592 bend at an obtuse angle. The angle θ2 between the first line 732 and the second line 733 is 90 degrees or more. That is, transport paths 592 and 593 bend at an obtuse angle. The angle θ3 between the second line 733 and the third line 734 is 90 degrees or more. That is, transport paths 593 and 594 bend at an obtuse angle. The angle θ4 between the third line 734 and the fourth line 735 is 90 degrees or more. That is, transport paths 594 and 595 bend at an obtuse angle.

[0066] The following describes the case in which printing is performed on the half-cut tape 57 by the printer 1. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, a half-cut type tape cassette 30 is mounted in the cassette mounting section 8. In this case, sensors 201 and 202 are positioned inside the openings 801 and 802. The rotation of the tape drive shaft 100 of the printer 1 rotates the tape drive roller 46 mounted on the tape drive shaft 100. The tape drive roller 46 and the movable transport roller 14 work together to pull out the half-cut tape 57 from the tape roll 571. As the half-cut tape 57 is pulled out, the tape roll 571 rotates clockwise in a plan view.

[0067] The half-cut tape 57 drawn from the tape roll 571 is transported through the transport path 591 toward the first rotating body 71. In this case, the first rotating body 71 contacts the half-cut tape 57 regardless of the amount of tape stored in the tape area 400 of the tape roll 571. The half-cut tape 57 is transported through the transport path 592 toward the second rotating body 82. The half-cut tape 57 is transported through the transport path 593 toward the third rotating body 81. The half-cut tape 57 is transported through the transport path 594 toward the fourth rotating body 72. The half-cut tape 57 is transported through the transport path 595 toward the arm section 34.

[0068] Meanwhile, the ribbon winding shaft 95 of the printer 1 rotates the ribbon winding spool 44 mounted on the ribbon winding shaft 95. The ribbon winding spool 44 rotates counterclockwise in a plan view as the ribbon winding shaft 95 is driven, and the ink ribbon 60 is drawn out from the ribbon spool 42. As the ink ribbon 60 is drawn out, the ribbon spool 42 rotates counterclockwise in a plan view. The ink ribbon 60 drawn out from the ribbon spool 42 is conveyed toward the arm section 34.

[0069] Within the arm section 34, the half-cut tape 57 passes through a transport path 595 that extends approximately parallel to the front wall 35 of the arm. The half-cut tape 57 is bent diagonally to the left and rear by the guide section 33 and discharged from the discharge port 341 to the exposed section 77. The ink ribbon 60 passes through the cylindrical section 333, the wall section 332, and the area behind the guide section 33 within the arm section 34, overlapping with the half-cut tape 57, and is discharged from the discharge port 341 to the exposed section 77.

[0070] In the exposed portion 77, the release paper of the half-cut tape 57 discharged from the discharge port 341 is exposed forward, and the printing surface faces the thermal head 10. The thermal head 10 prints on the half-cut tape 57 located in the exposed portion 77 using the ink ribbon 60.

[0071] After printing, the ink ribbon 60 is separated from the half-cut tape 57 by the separation unit 61, moves along the ribbon guide wall 38, and is wound onto the ribbon winding spool 44. The printed half-cut tape 57, i.e., the printed tape 50, is guided downstream in the tape transport direction by the regulating members 361 and 362, and is transported towards the discharge guide unit 49 via the tape drive roller 46 and the movable transport roller 14. The printed tape 50 is discharged to the outside from the discharge guide unit 49. In this way, the printer 1 creates the printed tape 50.

[0072] As described above, the first rotating body 71 is located at the inlet of the tape to be detected position P as the tape is unwound from the tape roll 571, and is positioned on the side of the first opening 801. The second rotating body 82 is located at the outlet of the tape to be detected position P, and is positioned upstream of the fourth rotating body 72 in the tape transport direction and on the side of the second opening 802.

[0073] The tape cassette 30 uses the second rotating body 82 to bend the transport path 59 of the tape being transported between the fourth rotating body 72 and the first rotating body 71, thereby guiding the tape to the fourth rotating body 72. As a result, the tape is transported stably between the fourth rotating body 72 and the first rotating body 71, regardless of the type of tape. Therefore, the tape cassette 30 enables stable detection of tape information by the sensor 20.

[0074] The wall portion 752 constitutes the first opening 87. The first opening 87 opens toward the left side of the tape passing through the detection position P. The wall portion 762 constitutes the second opening 88. The second opening 88 opens toward the right side of the tape, opposite to the left side. For example, if a transmissive optical sensor is used, the optical sensor is inserted into the tape cassette 30 through the first opening 87 and the second opening 88. In this case, the optical sensor can detect tape information of the tape passing through the detection position P. Furthermore, the tape cassette 30 has the first rotating body 71 positioned above the sensor 201 and the second rotating body 82 positioned below the sensor 202. This allows the tape cassette 30 to further reduce the influence of ambient light.

[0075] The angles θ1, θ2, θ3, and θ4 are 90 degrees or greater. Therefore, the tape transport path 59 does not bend at an angle sharper than 90 degrees. Consequently, the tape cassette 30 can reduce the load on the tape when the tape is being transported.

[0076] The extended wall portion 85 is positioned on the side of the first rotating body 71 opposite to the side that contacts the tape, preventing the first rotating body 71 from tipping over. The extended wall portion 86 is positioned on the side of the second rotating body 82 opposite to the side that contacts the tape, preventing the second rotating body 82 from tipping over. In this case, the tape cassette 30 is easier to assemble due to the extended walls 85 and 86.

[0077] The rigidity of the tape is 3 [N·mm 2 ] or more. In this case, the tape cassette 30 has a rigidity of 3 [N·mm 2 With tapes of the above specifications, the tape can be transported stably while reducing the pull-out load.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the vertical direction is an example of the "first direction" of the present invention. The left-right direction is an example of the "second direction" of the present invention. The front-back direction is an example of the "third direction" of the present invention. The half-cut tape 57 is an example of the "tape" of the present invention. The discharge port 341 and discharge guide section 49 are examples of the "tape discharge section" of the present invention. The fourth rotating body 72 is an example of the "first guide section" of the present invention. The third rotating body 81 is an example of the "second guide section" of the present invention. The wall section 752 is an example of the "first wall" of the present invention. The wall section 762 is an example of the "second wall" of the present invention. The extended wall section 85 is an example of the "third wall" of the present invention. The extended wall section 86 is an example of the "fourth wall" of the present invention.

[0079] The above embodiment can be further modified in various ways as follows. In the tape cassette 30 of the above embodiment, a half-cut tape 57 was transported, but it is not limited to this. The tape cassette 30 may be a thermal type cassette or the like. For example, the tape may be tubular. In this case, the tape may shrink due to heat. The tape cassette 30 can transport the tape stably while reducing the load on the tubular tape when it is pulled out.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the tape cassette has multiple pins 21 arranged in the pin arrangement area 410, but is not limited to this. For example, there may be no multiple pins 21. For example, if the tape cassette 30 is a laminated cassette, the tape cassette 30 may be configured so that a film tape, which is the printing medium, can be stored in the pin arrangement area 410. The adjustment pin 16 may be omitted.

[0081] The positions of the first, second, third, and fourth rotating bodies 71, 82, 81, and 72 may be changed as appropriate. The position should be determined by the arrangement of the first and fourth rotating bodies 71 and 72. In this case, angles θ1 to θ4 should ideally be obtuse.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the transport path 59 is bent by the first rotating body 71, the second rotating body 82, the third rotating body 81, and the fourth rotating body 72, but it is not limited to this. For example, the third rotating body 81 may be omitted. In this case, the transport path 59 may be bent by the first rotating body 71, the second rotating body 82, and the fourth rotating body 72.

[0083] The first rotating body 71 and the second rotating body 82 were made of substantially the same material, but are not limited to this. For example, the dimensions, shape, etc., of the first rotating body 71 and the second rotating body 82 may be changed as appropriate. The first rotating body 71 and the second rotating body 82 may also be made of the same material as the third rotating body 81 and the fourth rotating body 72.

[0084] The fourth rotating body 72 and the third rotating body 81 were substantially the same material, but are not limited to that. For example, the dimensions, shape, etc., of the fourth rotating body 72 and the third rotating body 81 may be changed as appropriate. The fourth rotating body 72 and the third rotating body 81 may also be the same material as the first rotating body 71 and the second rotating body 82.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the vertical lengths of the first rotating body 71 and the second rotating body 82 were longer than the vertical length of the half-cut tape 57, but this is not limited to this. For example, the vertical lengths of the first rotating body 71 and the second rotating body 82 and the vertical length of the half-cut tape 57 may be the same or shorter.

[0086] The vertical lengths of the third and fourth rotating bodies 81 and 72 were shorter than the vertical length of the half-cut tape 57, but this is not limited to this. For example, the vertical lengths of the third and fourth rotating bodies 81 and 72 may be the same as or longer than the vertical length of the half-cut tape 57.

[0087] The first rotating body 71, the fourth rotating body 72, the third rotating body 81, and the second rotating body 82 rotated due to contact with the tape, but are not limited to this. For example, at least one of the first rotating body 71, the fourth rotating body 72, the third rotating body 81, and the second rotating body 82 may be a pin. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1. Printer 20, 201, 202 sensors 30 Tape Cassettes 31 Cassette Cases 71, 72, 81, 82 Solids of revolution 87, 88 Openings 341 Outlet 571 Tape Roll 731, 732, 733, 734, 735 straight line P Detected position

Claims

1. A tape cassette that is installed and used in a printer, The casing and A tape roll, on which tape is wound, is held inside the aforementioned housing, A tape discharge unit discharges the tape that has been unwound from the tape roll and passed through a detection position located opposite the sensor of the printer to the outside of the housing, A first guide unit that guides the tape that has passed the detected position toward the tape ejection unit, A first opening that opens toward the first surface on one side of the tape passing through the detected position, A second opening that opens toward the second surface opposite to one side of the aforementioned tape, The first rotating body is positioned at the inlet of the tape to be detected, which is unwound from the tape roll, and is located on the side of the first opening. The detection position exit, wherein the second rotating body is positioned upstream of the first guide portion in the tape transport direction and on the second opening side, A third wall is positioned on the side of the first rotating body opposite to the side that contacts the tape, and supports the first rotating body, A fourth wall is positioned on the side of the second rotating body opposite to the side that contacts the tape, and supports the second rotating body. A tape cassette characterized by having the following features.

2. The aforementioned enclosure is A first wall forming a first opening that opens toward the first surface on one side of the tape passing through the detected position, A second wall that faces the first wall and forms a second opening that opens toward the second surface opposite to one side of the tape, The tape cassette according to claim 1, characterized by having the following features.

3. In the tape transport direction, a second guide section is provided, which is located downstream of the second rotating body and upstream of the first guide section. The angle between the first straight line connecting the transport path for transporting the tape from the first rotating body to the second rotating body and the second straight line connecting the transport path for transporting the tape from the second rotating body to the second guide section is 90 degrees or more. The angle between the second straight line and the third straight line connecting the transport path for transporting the tape from the second guide section to the first guide section is 90 degrees or more. The angle between the third straight line and the fourth straight line connecting the transport path that transports the tape from the first guide section to the tape discharge section is 90 degrees or more. The tape cassette according to feature 1 or 2.

4. The rigidity of the tape is 3 [N·mm ２ That's all. A tape cassette according to any one of features 1 to 3.

5. The tape is tubular in shape. A tape cassette according to any one of features 1 to 4.

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