cassette

Abstract

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

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

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

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in a cassette like the one in Patent Document 1, before the ink ribbon 4 is transported downward from the first space to the second space, the ink ribbon 4 is once inverted by the tension roller 5 by approximately 180° around the axis of the tension roller 5, that is, the inside and outside of the ink ribbon 4 are once reversed by the tension roller 5. For this reason, when a cassette using an ink ribbon 4 like the one in Patent Document 1 is applied to a cassette using a medium to be printed, for example, a medium to be printed, which has a printable layer and a release layer, the release layer floats away from the printable layer when the inside and outside of the medium to be printed is reversed, which is a problem because the medium to be printed cannot be transported smoothly.

[0005] The present invention was made against the above circumstances, and its objective is to provide a cassette that can smoothly transport a printing medium comprising a printing layer and a release layer. [Means for solving the problem]

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

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

[0008] The gist of the third invention is that (a) the housing is a rectangular parallelepiped having four corners, and (b) the transport path passes through at least three of the four corners of the housing to reach the head space.

[0009] The gist of the fourth invention is that (a) the three corners comprise a first corner, a second corner, and a third corner; (b) the first corner is located in the second layer; (c) a part of the second corner is located in either the first layer or the second layer; (d) the third corner is located in the first layer; (e) the transport path is configured such that the medium to be printed is stretched between the first corner and the second corner in an inclined position relative to the medium to be printed wound around the roll; and (f) the transport path is configured such that the medium to be printed is stretched between the first corner and the second corner in an inclined position relative to the medium to be printed wound around the roll. (g) The transport path is configured such that the transport path is inclined to span the space between the corner and the third corner with respect to the medium to be printed wound around the roll, and (h) the transport path is configured such that the medium to be printed spans horizontally between the third corner and the head space with respect to the medium to be printed wound around the roll, and the transport path is configured such that the medium to be printed is transported in the order of the first corner, the second corner, and the third corner, so that the medium to be printed moves from the second layer to the first layer and reaches the head space.

[0010] The gist of the fifth invention is that (a) the housing further comprises a square portion located in the second layer, (b) the upstream end of the opening in the direction of transport of the medium to be printed is located in the square portion, (c) the housing comprises a medium to be printed outlet in the first layer, the medium to be printed outlet overlaps with the square portion in the direction from the second layer to the first layer, and (d) the transport path is configured such that the medium to be printed is transported in the order of the square portion, the first corner, the second corner, and the third corner, so that the medium to be printed moves from the second layer to the first layer, reaches the head space, and then reaches the medium to be printed outlet.

[0011] The gist of the sixth invention is that (a) the housing comprises a lower case and an upper case connected to the lower case, (b) the lower case has a first opening at its upper part, (c) the upper case has a second opening at its lower part, and (d) the opening is configured such that the first opening and the second opening are connected at a boundary which is the point where the upper part and the lower part are connected.

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

[0013] The gist of the eighth invention is that (a) it further comprises a supply spool for the ink ribbon, and (b) the supply shaft of the supply spool is located in the projected area of ​​the roll.

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

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

[0016] The gist of the 11th invention is that (a) the housing includes a guide for the printing medium in the first layer, (b) the second layer is located above the first layer, and (c) the vertical distance of the gap between the upper end of the printing medium and the housing in the opening is greater than the vertical distance of the gap between the upper end of the printing medium and the guide in the first layer. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the cassette of the first invention, (a) a housing comprising a first layer and a second layer, the first layer having a head space, (b) a roll provided on the second layer on which a medium to be printed is wound in a winding direction around a rotation center, (c) the medium to be printed comprises a printable layer and a release layer, provided on the housing such that the printable layer is located on the inside of the medium in the winding direction and the release layer is located on the outside of the medium in the winding direction, (d) the housing comprises a transport path for transporting the medium to be printed, and (e) the transport path is configured such that the medium to be printed is transported from the roll to the head space through an opening formed at the boundary between the first layer and the second layer in the housing in the winding direction. Therefore, since the printing medium is transported in the winding direction from the roll to the head space by the transport path provided in the housing, the possibility that the inside and outside of the printing medium will be reversed during transport, as in the conventional method, and that the release layer will lift away from the printing layer can be reduced. This allows the printing medium, which comprises the printing layer and the release layer, to be transported smoothly.

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

[0019] According to the cassette of the third invention, (a) the housing is a rectangular parallelepiped having four corners, and (b) the transport path passes through at least three of the four corners of the housing to reach the head space. Therefore, the distance of the transport path from the roll to the head space can be increased.

[0020] According to the cassette of the fourth invention, (a) the three corners comprise a first corner, a second corner, and a third corner; (b) the first corner is located in the second layer; (c) a part of the second corner is located in either the first layer or the second layer; (d) the third corner is located in the first layer; (e) the transport path is configured such that the medium to be printed is stretched between the first corner and the second corner in an inclined position relative to the medium to be printed wound around the roll; and (f) the transport path is configured such that the medium to be printed is (g) The transport path is configured such that the transport path is inclined to span the space between the second corner and the third corner with respect to the medium to be printed wound around the roll, and (h) the transport path is configured such that the medium to be printed spans horizontally between the third corner and the head space with respect to the medium to be printed wound around the roll, and the transport path is configured such that the medium to be printed moves from the second layer to the first layer and then to the head space by transporting the medium to be printed in the order of the first corner, the second corner, and the third corner. Therefore, when moving the medium to be printed from the second layer to the first layer, the medium to be printed can be moved relatively slowly, so that twisting of the medium to be printed can be effectively suppressed.

[0021] According to the cassette of the fifth invention, (a) the housing further comprises a square portion located in the second layer, (b) the upstream end of the opening in the direction of transport of the medium to be printed is located in the square portion, (c) the housing comprises a medium to be printed outlet in the first layer, the medium to be printed outlet overlaps with the square portion in the direction from the second layer to the first layer, and (d) the transport path is configured such that the medium to be printed is transported in the order of the square portion, the first corner, the second corner, and the third corner, so that the medium to be printed moves from the second layer to the first layer, reaches the head space, and then reaches the medium to be printed outlet. Therefore, the distance of the transport path from the roll to the head space can be suitably increased.

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

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

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

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

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

[0027] According to the cassette of the 11th invention, (a) the housing includes a guide for the printing medium in the first layer, (b) the second layer is located above the first layer, and (c) the vertical distance of the gap between the upper end of the printing medium in the opening and the housing is greater than the vertical distance of the gap between the upper end of the printing medium in the first layer and the guide. Therefore, the printing medium can be suitably transported from the second layer to the guide in the first layer without coming into contact with the housing. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0028] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the top side of a cassette of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the bottom side of the cassette. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration and internal structure of the cassette case, with the first case member, second case member, third case member, and fourth case member that make up the case separated. [Figure 4] This is a front view showing the top side of the first case member in Figure 1. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing the lower side of the first case member in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 1 is a front view showing the upper side of the second case member together with the printed tape roll. [Figure 7] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the cassette with the first case component removed. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in Figure 6, showing the state in which the printed tape is unwound from the printed tape roll and the transfer to the ribbon case begins. [Figure 9] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX, showing the printed tape being stretched diagonally from inside the tape case 20 to inside the ribbon case. [Figure 10] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view from XX showing the completed state of transfer of the printed tape to the ribbon case. [Figure 11]This is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI in Figure 6, showing the completed state of the transfer of the printed tape to the ribbon case. [Figure 12] Figure 11 is a magnified view of the area around the ceiling wall portion of the printed tape guide. [Figure 13] This is a perspective view showing the lower side of the second case member in Figure 1. [Figure 14] This is a perspective view showing the upper side of the third case member in Figure 1. [Figure 15] This is a perspective view showing the lower side of the third case member in Figure 1. [Figure 16] This is a perspective view showing the upper side of the fourth case member in Figure 1. [Figure 17] This is a bottom view showing the lower side of the fourth case member in Figure 1. [Figure 18] This diagram, using the lower surface of the third case member in Figure 1, shows the paths of the printed tape drawn from the printed tape roll and the laminated tape drawn from the laminated tape roll, as well as the path of the ink ribbon drawn from the ink ribbon. [Figure 19] This figure illustrates the laminate of printed tape and laminated tape dispensed from the cassette shown in Figure 1. [Figure 20] Figure 1 is a plan view of the cassette, showing the relative positions of the printing tape roll, laminated tape roll, ink ribbon, and take-up spool. [Figure 21] This diagram illustrates the cassette mounting section of the printing device where the cassette shown in Figure 1 is installed. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0029] One embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. [Examples]

[0030] [Embodiment 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cassette 10, which is one embodiment of the present invention, from the front, i.e., from the top, and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the cassette 10 from the back, i.e., from the bottom. Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating the case (housing) 19 of the cassette 10 and the internal structure of the cassette 10, with the first case member 12, second case member (upper case) 14, third case member (lower case) 16, and fourth case member 18 of the cassette 10 separated. The cassette 10 is of the laminate type, and as a whole it is shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped, and is detachably mounted in the cassette mounting section 104 of the printer, i.e., printing device 102, as shown in Figure 21 below. The case 19 of the cassette 10 comprises a tape case (second layer) 20 in which a printing tape roll (roll) 26 is provided in a first space S1 formed inside, and a ribbon case (first layer) 21 mounted below the tape case 20, in which an ink ribbon roll 72 is provided in a second space S2 formed inside. The tape case 20 comprises a first case member 12 and a second case member 14, and the ribbon case 21 comprises a third case member 16 and a fourth case member 18. In case 19, the first case member 12, the second case member 14, the third case member 16, and the fourth case member 18 are stacked on top of each other and fixed together by the engagement of multiple locking claws 27 and fixing claws 28 provided between their respective outer peripheral walls, and by positioning by positioning projections 29. The tape case 20, which forms the first space S1, corresponds to the first layer of case 19 of the cassette 10, and the ribbon case 21, which forms the second space S2, corresponds to the second layer of case 19 of the cassette 10.

[0031] In Figure 2, the bottom surface of the fourth case member 18 of the cassette 10 exposes a connecting hole 96 for the winding spool 76, described later, through a winding spool support hole 94. This hole is into which the winding spool drive shaft 108, provided in the cassette mounting section 104 of the printing device 102, is inserted when the cassette 10 is mounted in the cassette mounting section 104 of the printing device 102. Furthermore, the sides of the third case member 16 and the fourth case member 18 have grooves (head spaces) 11 into which the print head 106, described later, provided in the cassette mounting section 104 of the printing device 102, is inserted when the cassette 10 is mounted in the cassette mounting section 104 of the printing device 102. In other words, the sides of the ribbon case 21 have head spaces 11 into which the print head 106 is inserted when the cassette 10 is mounted in the cassette mounting section 104.

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

[0033] Between the first case member 12 and the second case member 14, a first space S1 is formed that houses a printed tape roll 26, in which the printed tape 22 is wound around a cylindrical core material, the printed tape spool 24, so that it can rotate around a first rotational centerline (rotation center) C1 parallel to the vertical direction (first direction) F1. The first rotational centerline C1 is both the rotation center of the printed tape roll 26 and the rotation center of the printed tape spool 24. The vertical direction F1 corresponds to the first direction, which is the stacking direction from the first case member 12 to the fourth case member 18, with the upward direction indicating the direction toward the first case member 12 and the downward direction indicating the direction toward the fourth case member 18. The first case member 12 and the second case member 14 are rectangular in shape, and the first rotational centerline C1 is located slightly downward eccentrically from the longitudinal center. The printed tape 22 is the printing medium printed on by the print head 106. The printed tape 22 is constructed by laminating a release tape (release layer) 22c to the side of the substrate tape (printed layer) 22a opposite to the printed surface via an adhesive 22b, as shown in Figure 19, for example. That is, the printed tape 22 comprises a printed tape 22a, an adhesive 22b, and a release tape 22c. The printed tape roll 26 is constructed by winding the printed tape 22 around a printed tape spool 24 in a winding direction D around a first rotational centerline C1, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, for example, with the printed tape 22a positioned on the inside of the winding direction D of the printed tape 22 and the release tape 22c positioned on the outside of the winding direction D of the printed tape 22. The inside of the winding direction D of the printed tape 22 refers to the side (inside) of a pair of sides formed on the printed tape 22 that is closer to the printed tape spool 24, i.e., the first rotational centerline C1, when the printed tape 22 is wound around the printed tape spool 24. Furthermore, the outer side of the printed tape 22 in the winding direction D refers to the side (outer side) of a pair of sides formed on the printed tape 22 that are spaced apart from the printed tape spool 24, i.e., the first rotational centerline C1, when the printed tape 22 is wound around the printed tape spool 24.

[0034] As shown in Figures 3, 5, and 6, cylindrical first support projections 30 and 32 are provided on the lower surface of the first case member 12 and the upper surface of the second case member 14, respectively. These projections rotatably fit onto the upper and other ends of the printing tape spool 24 to rotatably support the printing tape roll 26. The first circumferential wall 34 and the second circumferential wall 36 have an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the unused printing tape roll 26 and are provided with the same centerline as the first rotation centerline C1. The printing tape spool 24 is held within the first circumferential wall 34 and the second circumferential wall 36, and is disposed between the first case member 12 and the second case member 14 with circular spacer films 38 having the same outer diameter as the printing tape roll 26 interposed between them. The spacer films 38 are for the purpose of smoothly rotating the printing tape roll 26 and are made of, for example, a sheet of tetrafluoroethylene resin.

[0035] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, printed tape gates 40 and 42 are formed on the lower side of the first case member 12 and the upper side of the second case member 14, respectively, by cutting out parts of the first circumferential wall 34 and the second circumferential wall 36, respectively, in order to pull the printed tape 22 from the printed tape roll 26 from a certain position. In addition, on the upper side of the second case member 14, a guide wall 48 is formed in an arc shape on the inner circumference of the through hole (second opening) 52 so as to be continuous with the outer surface along it, and a guide wall 50 is formed extending to the left from the left end of the printed tape gate 42, in order to guide the printed tape 22 pulled from the printed tape roll 26 in a certain direction. The guide wall 50 functions as a guide for the printed tape 22.

[0036] As shown in Figure 6, the guide wall 50 of the second case member 14 curves toward the long side 46b before reaching the short side 46a of the outer peripheral wall 46, and extends toward the second circumferential wall 36, connecting to the long side 46b.

[0037] As shown in Figure 6, the bottom plate (lower part) 14a of the second case member 14 has a longitudinal opening, or through hole 52, formed along the space between the guide wall 50 and the long side portion 46b of the outer peripheral wall 46. In addition, the guide wall 48 of the second case member 14 has a plurality of guide ribs 54 formed such that the circumscribing surface of the rib tip edge 54a is tapered between the portion of the second circumscribing wall 36 facing the guide wall 50 and the through hole 52. The tapered surface formed by the circumscribing surface of the rib tip edge 54a of the plurality of guide ribs 54 is for guiding the printed tape 22, which is drawn from the printed tape roll 26 and fed through the printed tape gates 40 and 42, into the through hole 52. Figure 7 shows the cassette 10 with the first case member 12 removed, and shows the state in which the printed tape 22 drawn from the printed tape roll 26 is guided through the through hole 52 into the second space S2 between the third case member 16 and the fourth case member 18. As a result, the printed tape 22 is stretched between the tape case 20 and the ribbon case 21 through a through hole 52 formed in the bottom plate 14a, which functions as a partition wall between the first space S1 and the second space S2. An opening, or through hole (first opening), 58 is formed in the ceiling plate (upper part) 16e of the third case member 16, and as shown in Figure 15, a guide wall 91 is provided on the ceiling plate 16e of the third case member 16, the outer surface of which is continuous along the inner circumference of the through hole 58. The adhesive tape roll 64 and the ink ribbon roll 72 are arranged inside this guide wall 91.

[0038] Figures 8, 9, 10, and 11 show the transport path HK of the printed tape 22 from the printed tape roll 26 inside the tape case 20 to the head space 11 where the printed tape 22 is exposed through through holes 52 and 58. In other words, the case 19 of the cassette 10 has a transport path HK formed in it that transports the printed tape 22 from the printed tape roll 26 to the head space 11. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken from VIII-VIII in Figure 6, showing the state in which the printed tape 22 is pulled out from the printed tape roll 26 and the transfer to the ribbon case 21 begins. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken from IX-IX in Figure 6, showing the state in which the printed tape 22 is stretched diagonally from inside the tape case 20 to inside the ribbon case 21. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken from XX in Figure 6, showing the state in which the transfer of the printed tape 22 to the ribbon case 21 is completed. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 6 from line XI-XI, showing the state from after the transition of the printing tape 22 is complete until the printing tape 22 is exposed in the head space 11.

[0039] The case 19 of the cassette 10, or the second case member 14, is a rectangular parallelepiped shape with four corners K1, K2, K3, and K4 in the order of the winding direction D of the printing tape roll 26, as shown in Figure 6, for example. As shown in Figure 2, the case 19, or ribbon case 21, has a head space 11 formed between corners K1 and K4 into which the print head 106 is inserted. The transition start position PS, which is the position where the printing tape 22 separates from the printing tape roll 26, is the point of contact with the tangent L toward the through hole 52, as shown in Figure 6, and the transition end position PF, as shown in Figures 6 and 10, is the position where the printing tape 22 is at its lowest point in the vertical direction F1 and parallel to the ink ribbon 68. Figures 8, 9, and 10 correspond to the transition states of the printed tape 22 between corners K1 and K2, between corners K2 and K3, and between corners K3 and K4, and the transition paths IK are shown in Figures 8, 9, and 10. In the plan view of Figure 6, this transition path IK corresponds to a transition path IK that passes through at least three corners, preferably four corners, from corner K1 to corner K4, and is indicated by a transition angle θi around the first rotation centerline C1 of the printed tape roll 26. The transition angle θi is 180° or more and is smaller than the transport angle θh corresponding to the transport path HK. The transport path HK is the path from when the printed tape 22 is pulled out from the printed tape roll 26, i.e., from the transition start position PS, to when the printed tape 22 reaches the head space 11. Furthermore, the transition path IK is the path from the transition start position PS to the transition end position PF, that is, the path from when the printed tape 22 is pulled out from the printed tape roll 26 inside the tape case 20, until the printed tape 22 moves into the ribbon case 21 in the vertical direction F1 and arrives at the ink ribbon 68, that is, the path from when the printed tape 22 moves into the ribbon case 21 in the vertical direction F1 and becomes parallel to the ink ribbon 68, and is part of the transport path HK.

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

[0041] As shown in Figure 6, the through-hole 52 formed in the bottom plate 14a of the second case member 14 includes a first hole 52a extending from the upper corner K1a of corner K1 to the upper corner K2a of corner K2, a second hole 52b extending from the upper corner K2a of corner K2 to the upper corner K3a of corner K3, and a third hole 52c extending from the upper corner K3a of corner K3 to the upper corner K4a of corner K4. As shown in Figure 6, in the vertical direction F1, the printed tape 22 pulled from the printed tape roll 26 is transported through the through-hole 52 via the transport path HK from the first hole 52a through the second hole 52b toward the third hole 52c. In other words, in the vertical direction F1, the printed tape 22 pulled from the printed tape roll 26 is transported through the through-hole 52 via the transport path HK, passing through corners K1, K2, and K3 in order. The second hole 52b of the through-hole 52 is located on the opposite side of the head space 11 from the center position M of the cassette 10, as shown in Figure 6, in the front-to-back direction (third direction) F3 (see Figure 1), which is perpendicular to the vertical direction F1 (see Figure 1) and the left-to-right direction (second direction) F2 (see Figure 1) in which the printed tape 22 is transported in the head space 11. Also, in Figure 1, the upper side of Figure 1 is the front side of the cassette 10 and the lower side is the rear side of the cassette 10. Also, in Figure 1, the right side of Figure 1 is the left side of the cassette 10 and the left side is the right side of the cassette 10. Also, in Figure 1, the upper left side of Figure 1 is the top side of the cassette 10 and the lower right side is the bottom side of the cassette 10.

[0042] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the through-hole 58 formed in the ceiling plate 16e of the third case member 16 includes a first hole 58a extending from the lower corner K1b of corner K1 to the lower corner K2b of corner K2, a second hole 58b extending from the lower corner K2b of corner K2 to the lower corner K3b of corner K3, and a third hole 58c extending from the lower corner K3b of corner K3 to the lower corner K4b of corner K4. In the vertical direction F1, the printed tape 22 pulled from the printed tape roll 26 is transported through the through-hole 58 via the transport path HK from the first hole 58a through the second hole 58b toward the third hole 58c. In other words, in the vertical direction F1, the printed tape 22 pulled from the printed tape roll 26 is transported through the through-hole 58 via the transport path HK, passing through corners K2, K3, and K4 in sequence. The second hole 58b of the through-hole 58 is located in the front-to-back direction F3, on the opposite side of the head space 11 from the center position M of the cassette 10, as shown in Figure 20.

[0043] As shown in Figure 6, the transition start position PS of the transport path HK or transition path IK is on the same side as the head space 11 relative to the center position M of the cassette 10 in the left-right direction F2, which is the feeding direction of the printed tape 22 in the head space 11, and is located on the same side as the head space 11 relative to the center position M of the cassette 10 in the front-back direction F3, which is the thickness direction of the printed tape 22 in the head space 11. The transition end position PF of the transition path IK is on the opposite side of the ribbon case 21 from the head space 11 relative to the center position M of the cassette 10 in the left-right direction F2, which is the feeding direction of the printed tape 22 in the head space 11, and is located on the same side as the head space 11 relative to the center position M of the cassette 10 in the front-back direction F3, which is the thickness direction of the printed tape 22 in the head space 11.

[0044] As shown in Figure 8, the transport path HK is formed so that the printed tape 22 pulled from the printed tape roll 26 is stretched across the upper corner K1a of corner K1 and the upper corner (first corner) K2a of corner K2 at an inclined position relative to the printed tape 22 wound around the printed tape roll 26. Also, as shown in Figure 9, the transport path HK is formed so that the printed tape 22 is stretched across the upper corner K2a of corner K2 and a part of the upper corner (second corner) K3a of corner K3 and a part of the lower corner (second corner) K3b of corner K3 at an inclined position relative to the printed tape 22 wound around the printed tape roll 26. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, the transport path HK is formed so that the printed tape 22 is stretched across the printed tape 22 wound around the printed tape roll 26 at an inclination between the lower corner K3b of corner K3 and the lower corner (third corner) K4b of corner K4. Also, as shown in Figure 11, the transport path HK is formed so that the printed tape 22 is stretched across the printed tape 22 wound around the printed tape roll 26 horizontally (parallel) between the lower corner K4b of corner K4 and the head space 11. In other words, as shown in Figures 8 to 11, the transport path HK is formed such that the printed tape 22 is transported in the order of the upper corner K2a of corner K2, a part of the upper corner K3a of corner K3 and a part of the lower corner K3b of corner K3, and the lower corner K4b of corner K4, so that the printed tape 22 moves from the first space S1 of the tape case 20 to the second space S2 of the ribbon case 21 and reaches the head space 11. The dashed lines shown in Figures 9, 10, and 11 are imaginary lines that represent the printed tape 22 wound around the printed tape roll 26. In addition, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the ribbon case 21 has guides 55 that guide the printed tape 22 so that the printed tape 22, which is inclined with respect to the printed tape 22 wound around the printed tape roll 26, becomes horizontal (parallel) with respect to the printed tape 22 wound around the printed tape roll 26, that is, parallel to the ink ribbon 68.Furthermore, the transport path HK is such that the printed tape 22 pulled out from the printed tape roll 26 is transported from the first space S1 of the tape case 20 in which the printed tape roll 26 is installed to the second space S2 of the ribbon case 21 in which the head space 11 is formed, through the opening 52x formed at the boundary between the tape case 20 and the ribbon case 21 inside the case 19, that is, through the through hole 52 formed in the bottom plate 14a of the second case member 14 and the through hole 58 formed in the ceiling plate 16e of the third case member 16. The opening 52x formed at the boundary between the tape case 20 and the ribbon case 21 inside the case 19 is a space where the space of the through hole 52 and the space of the through hole 58 are connected at the boundary where the bottom plate 14a of the second case member 14 and the ceiling plate 16e of the third case member 16 are connected. The interval Wx shown in Figure 10 is larger than the interval Wy shown in Figures 11 and 12. The above-mentioned spacing Wx is the vertical spacing F1 of the gap SKx between the upper end 22x of the printed tape 22 and the bottom surface 12b of the ceiling plate 12a of the first case member 12, on the openings 52x formed in the second case member 14 and the third case member 16, i.e., on the through holes 52 and 58, as shown in Figure 10. The above-mentioned spacing Wy is the vertical spacing F1 of the gap SKy between the upper end 22x of the printed tape 22 guided by the printed tape guide (guide) TG and the ceiling wall portion TGu of the printed tape guide TG, as shown in Figures 11 and 12. Figure 12 is an enlarged view of the area around the ceiling wall portion TGu of the printed tape guide TG in Figure 11. This allows for an appropriate gap to be provided between the printed tape 22 and the case 19, in response to the phenomenon where the width of the vertical direction F1 virtually increases while the printed tape 22 is being transported diagonally. The same relationship exists in the left-right direction F2 and the front-back direction F3. Furthermore, the printing tape guide TG is formed inside the ribbon case 21, and the printing tape guide TG has a ceiling wall portion TGu facing the upper end 22x of the printing tape 22 and a bottom wall portion TGd facing the lower end 22y of the printing tape 22. The printing tape 22 guided by the printing tape guide TG has its movement in the vertical direction F1 restricted by a projection TGua formed on the ceiling wall portion TGu and a projection TGda formed on the bottom wall portion TGd.

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

[0046] The bottom plate 14a of the second case member 14 and the top plate 16e of the third case member 16 correspond to the plate materials that partition the first space S1 inside the tape case 20 and the second space S2 inside the ribbon case 21.

[0047] The lamination tape roll support hole 66 accommodates one end of the lamination tape spool 62 around which the lamination tape 60 is wound, allowing the lamination tape roll 64 to rotate around a second rotation centerline C2 parallel to the first rotation centerline C1. The second rotation centerline C2 is the rotation center of both the lamination tape roll 64 and the lamination tape spool 62. As shown in Figure 19, the lamination tape 60 consists of a transparent film 60a, which is a transparent medium with an adhesive 60b applied to one outer surface, for example, to protect the printed surface of the printing tape 22. The ink ribbon support hole 74 accommodates one end of the supply spool 70 around which the ink ribbon 68 is wound, allowing the ink ribbon roll 72 to rotate around a third rotation centerline (supply axis) C3 parallel to the first rotation centerline C1. The third rotation centerline C3 is the rotation center of both the ink ribbon roll 72 and the supply spool 70. The winding spool support hole 78 accommodates one end of the winding spool 76, which winds the ink ribbon 68 drawn from the ink ribbon roll 72, and supports the winding spool 76 so that it can rotate around a fourth rotation centerline C4 parallel to the first rotation centerline C1. The fourth rotation centerline C4 is the rotation center of the winding spool 76. The roller support hole 82 accommodates one end of the roller 80, which presses the printing tape 22 and the adhesive tape 60 together with a roller on the printing device 102 side in order to press the printed surface of the printing tape 22 and the adhesive surface of the adhesive tape 60 together, and supports the roller 80 so that it can rotate around a fifth rotation centerline C5 parallel to the first rotation centerline C1.

[0048] Figure 15 shows the lower surface of the third case member 16. The lower surface of the third case member 16 has a bonding tape roll holding wall 84, an ink ribbon roll holding wall 86, and a cylindrical projection 88. The bonding tape roll holding wall 84 is formed in an arc shape around the bonding tape roll support hole 66 to hold the bonding tape roll 64. The ink ribbon roll holding wall 86 is formed in an arc shape around the winding spool support hole 78 and is continuous with the bonding tape roll holding wall 84 to hold the ink ribbon roll 72 of the ink ribbon 68 wound on the winding spool 76. The cylindrical projection 88 protrudes from the ink ribbon roll holding wall 86 and from around the ink ribbon support hole 74 and has circumferential irregularities formed on its tip surface.

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

[0050] As shown in Figure 15, a guide wall 91 is provided on the lower surface of the third case member 16, the outer surface of which is continuous with the inner circumference of the through hole 58. The adhesive tape roll 64 and the ink ribbon roll 72 are arranged inside this guide wall 91. In addition, an arc-shaped member 92 is provided on the lower surface of the third case member 16, and the arc-shaped member 92 is formed in an arc shape centered on the adhesive tape roll support hole 66, around the adhesive tape roll support hole 66, in order to define the position of the adhesive tape roll 64.

[0051] Figures 16 and 17 show the upper and lower surfaces of the fourth case member 18. In Figures 16 and 17, a winding spool support hole 94 is formed through the fourth case member 18, into which the other end of the winding spool 76 is fitted and which is rotatably supported. The fourth case member 18 also has a cylindrical support projection 97 into which the other end of the supply spool 70 is fitted and which is rotatably supported. As shown in Figure 2, the connecting hole 96 formed on the end face of the other end of the winding spool 76 is exposed on the lower surface of the fourth case member 18 through the winding spool support hole 94. When the cassette 10 is mounted on the printing device 102, the winding spool drive shaft 108 of the printing device 102 is inserted into the connecting hole 96 and connected so that relative rotation is not possible, and the winding spool 76 is rotationally driven by the winding spool drive shaft 108.

[0052] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 16 and 17, the fourth case member 18 is provided with a roller exposure hole 98 that exposes the shaft end of the roller 80 at a position corresponding to the roller support hole 82 formed in the third case member 16. As shown in Figure 2, the connecting portion 80a formed at the end of the roller 80 on the fourth case member 18 side is exposed on the lower surface of the fourth case member 18 through the roller exposure hole 98. Therefore, when the cassette 10 is mounted on the printing device 102, the roller drive shaft 110 of the printing device 102 is connected to the connecting portion 80a formed at the end of the roller 80 in a way that prevents relative rotation, and the roller 80 is rotated by the roller drive shaft 110.

[0053] As shown in Figures 2, 15, and 16, the ribbon case 21, which is composed of a third case member 16 and a fourth case member 18, has a recess 99 formed therein for accommodating a head holding plate 114 that holds the print head 106 erected on the cassette mounting section 104 shown in Figure 21 when the cassette 10 is mounted on the cassette mounting section 104. As shown in Figure 2, the groove 11 formed in the ribbon case 21, i.e., the head space 11, and the space of the recess 99 formed in the ribbon case 21 are in communication with each other. As shown in Figure 15, a portion of the outer periphery wall of the third case member 16 has a first side wall 16a extending in the front-rear direction F3, a second side wall (arm wall) 16b extending in the left-right direction F2 perpendicular to the up-down direction F1 and the front-rear direction F3, and a U-shaped recess wall 16c that extends from the second side wall 16b on the recess 99 side toward one side (rear) in the front-rear direction F3, and extends toward one side (right in Figure 14) in the left-right direction F2, i.e., toward the first side wall 16a, on one side of the front-rear direction F3 than the second side wall 16b on the recess 99 side, and surrounds the recess 99. As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the fourth case member 18 has a U-shaped notch 18a corresponding to the recess wall 16c. The recess 99 is formed by these recess walls 16c and notch 18a.

[0054] Figure 18 shows the path of the printed tape 22 pulled from the printed tape roll 26 and the laminated tape 60 pulled from the laminated tape roll 64, which are pressed between the roller 80 and the rotor 118 on the printing device 102 side by the drive of the roller 80, and the path of the ink ribbon 68 pulled from the ink ribbon roll 72 by the drive of the take-up spool 76. The printed tape 22 is shown by a dashed line, the laminated tape 60 by a broken line, and the ink ribbon 68 by a dashed line. Arrow B1 shown in Figures 6 and 18 indicates the transport direction of the printed tape 22 pulled from the printed tape roll 26, i.e., the transport direction of the transport path HK. As shown in Figures 6 and 18, the transport path HK is configured so that the printed tape 22 pulled from the printed tape roll 26 is transported in the winding direction D of the printed tape roll 26 from the first space S1 of the tape case 20 to the head space 11 formed in the second space S2 of the ribbon case 21. The upstream end of the printed tape 22 in the transport direction B1 of the through hole 52 formed in the bottom plate 14a of the second case member 14, that is, the end of the through hole 52 on the upper side corner K1a of the corner K1, is positioned at the upper side corner (fourth corner) K1a of the corner K1.

[0055] In Figure 18, when the winding spool 76 and roller 80 are rotated, the printing tape 22 and ink ribbon 68 are discharged from the discharge port 130 in an overlapping state toward the printing location P. At the printing location P between the print head 106 and a platen (not shown), the printing tape 22 is pressed against the print head 106 via the ink ribbon 68. When multiple heating elements arranged on the surface of the print head 106 are selectively driven and localized heating occurs, a portion of the ink 68a, which is layered on one side of the ink ribbon 68, is transferred to the printing tape 22, and characters, symbols, etc. are printed on the printing tape 22. The used ink ribbon 68 that has passed through the printing location P is wound onto the winding spool 76. The printed surface of the printing tape 22 that has passed through the printing location P is protected by the adhesive tape 60, as a transparent adhesive tape 60 is pressed and adhered to it by the roller 80. Furthermore, the printed tape 22, whose printed surface is protected by the adhesive tape 60, is discharged from the printed tape outlet (printed medium outlet) 101 formed at the lower corner K1b of the corner K1 of the ribbon case 21. In addition, as shown in Figures 2 and 7, the printed tape outlet 101 is positioned to overlap the upper corner K1a of the corner K1 in the direction from the tape case 20 toward the ribbon case 21, i.e., the vertical direction F1. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 6 and 18, the transport path HK is formed such that the printed tape 22 is transported in the order of the upper corner K1a of corner K1, the upper corner K2a of corner K2, the upper corner K3a of corner K3 and the lower corner K3b of corner K3, and the lower corner K4b of corner K4, so that the printed tape 22 moves from the first space S1 of the tape case 20 to the second space S2 of the ribbon case 21, reaches the head space 11, and then reaches the printed tape exit 101.

[0056] Figure 19 shows a laminate of the printed tape 22 and the adhesive tape 60 fed out of the cassette 10. The adhesive tape 60, which is made of a transparent film 60a with adhesive 60b applied to one side, i.e., the outer edge, is attached to the printed surface side of the printed tape 22a. This protects the ink 68a transferred to the printed surface of the printed tape 22.

[0057] Figure 20 shows the laminated tape roll 64, ink ribbon roll 72, winding spool 76, and roller 80 housed in the second space S2 between the third case member 16 and the fourth case member 18, i.e., the ribbon case 21, with solid lines. Overlaid on them in the vertical direction F1, the printed tape roll 26 and spacer film 38 housed in the first space S1 between the first case member 12 and the second case member 14, i.e., the tape case 20, are shown as dashed lines (dummy lines) on a projection plane perpendicular to the vertical direction F1 in the second space S2. Figure 20 shows the unused, i.e., initial state of the printed tape roll 26, laminated tape roll 64, and ink ribbon roll 72. As shown in Figure 20, the diameter of the unused, i.e., initial state of the printed tape roll 26 is larger than the diameter of the laminated tape roll 64, the diameter of the laminated tape roll 64 is larger than the diameter of the ink ribbon roll 72, and the diameter of the ink ribbon roll 72 is larger than the diameter of the winding spool 76.

[0058] In Figure 20, the printed tape roll 26 and the spacer film 38 of the same diameter overlap in the vertical direction F1 with at least a portion of the laminated tape roll 64 and its second rotational centerline C2, at least a portion of the ink ribbon roll 72 and its third rotational centerline C3, at least a portion of the winding spool 76 and its fourth rotational centerline C4, the recess 99 and at least a portion of the recess wall 16c. The printed tape roll 26 overlaps with the third rotational centerline C3 of the ink ribbon roll 72 in the vertical direction F1, and the third rotational centerline C3 of the ink ribbon roll 72 is located in the projected area of ​​the printed tape roll 26 in the vertical direction F1. The laminated tape roll 64 and its second rotational centerline C2, the ink ribbon roll 72 and its third rotational centerline C3, the winding spool 76 and its fourth rotational centerline C4, the recess 99 and the recess wall 16c are located within the projected planes of the printed tape roll 26 and the spacer film 38. Furthermore, at least a portion of the recess 99 and the recess wall 16c overlap with the print tape spool 24 in the vertical direction F1. Also, in the left-right direction F2, the first rotational centerline C1, which is the rotational center of the print tape roll 26 and the print tape spool 24, is located between one end 99a and the other end 99b in the third direction of the recess 99. Also, the first rotational centerline C1, which is the rotational center of the print tape spool 24, is located between the discharge port 130 and one end of the recess 99 in the left-right direction F2 (the right end in Figure 17). Furthermore, in Figure 17, in the front-rear direction F3 perpendicular to the vertical direction F1, and in the left-right direction F2 perpendicular to both the vertical direction F1 and the front-rear direction F3, the distance from the center position M, which is the center of the front-rear direction F3 and the left-right direction F2 of the cassette 10, to the first rotational centerline C1 of the print tape roll 26 is set to be smaller than the distance from the center position M to the recess 99. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 20, in the direction from the tape case 20 to the ribbon case 21, i.e., the vertical direction F1, the through holes 52 and 58 do not overlap with the printed tape roll 26, the supply spool 70, or the take-up spool 76.Furthermore, as shown in Figure 20, the through holes 52 and 58 are located on the outer circumference of the first rotational centerline C1 of the printing tape roll 26, compared to the supply spool 70 and the take-up spool 76. That is, the third hole portion 52c of the through hole 52 and the third hole portion 58c of the through hole 58 are located on the outer circumference of the first rotational centerline C1 of the printing tape roll 26, compared to the supply spool 70 and the take-up spool 76.

[0059] Figure 21 shows a cassette mounting section 104 provided in a part of the printing device 102 included in the printing system 122. The cassette mounting section 104 is provided with a rectangular positioning hole 112 for positioning the fitted cassette 10, and a winding spool drive shaft 108 and a roller drive shaft 110 erected on the bottom surface of the positioning hole 112. The positioning hole 112 functions as a housing section that accommodates a part of the ribbon case 21, which is the lower case of the cassette 10. These winding spool drive shaft 108 and roller drive shaft 110 are rotated in opposite directions via a gear mechanism by a stepper motor (not shown). In addition, a head holding plate 114 to which a thermal print head 106 is fixed is erected on the bottom surface of the positioning hole 112 of the cassette mounting section 104, and a platen holding member 120, to which a platen roller 116 and a pressure roller 118 are rotatably provided at the tip, is rotatably mounted around its base end. The head holding plate 114 is, for example, a metal plate made of aluminum, and also serves as a heat sink for the print head.

[0060] When the cassette 10 is mounted in the cassette mounting section 104 of the printing device 102, the winding spool drive shaft 108 and the roller drive shaft 110, which are erected in the cassette mounting section 104, are connected to the winding spool 76 and the roller 80. Next, when the cover (not shown) of the printing device 102 is closed with the cassette 10 mounted in the cassette mounting section 104, the platen holding member 120 is rotated around its base end, causing the platen roller 116 and the pressure roller 118 to press against the print head 106 and the roller 80 of the cassette 10. The printing device 102 and the cassette 10 constitute the printing system 122.

[0061] According to the cassette 10 of this embodiment, the cassette 10 comprises a ribbon case 21 and a tape case 20, the ribbon case 21 having a case 19 with a head space 11, and the tape case 20 having a printed tape roll 26 on which a printed tape 22 is wound around a first rotational centerline C1 in a winding direction D, the printed tape 22 comprises a tape to be printed 22a and a release tape 22c, the printed tape 22a is located inside the winding direction D of the printed tape 22 and the release tape 22c is located outside the winding direction D of the printed tape 22, the case 19 is provided with a transport path HK for transporting the printed tape 22, the transport path HK is configured such that the printed tape 22 is transported from the printed tape roll 26 to the head space 11 through an opening 52x formed at the boundary between the ribbon case 21 and the tape case 20 in the case 19 in the winding direction D. Therefore, the printed tape 22 is transported in the winding direction D from the printed tape roll 26 to the head space 11 by the transport path HK provided in the case 19. This reduces the possibility that the inside and outside of the printed tape 22 may be reversed during transport, causing the release tape 22c to lift away from the printed tape 22a, as in conventional designs. This allows for smooth transport of the printed tape 22, which includes the printed tape 22a and the release tape 22c.

[0062] Furthermore, according to the cassette 10 of this embodiment, the second holes 52b and 58b of the through holes 52 and 58 are located opposite the head space 11 in the front-to-back direction F3, which is perpendicular to the vertical direction F1 from the ribbon case 21 to the tape case 20 and the left-to-right direction F2 in which the printed tape 22 is transported in the head space 11. Therefore, the distance of the transport path HK from the printed tape roll 26 to the head space 11 can be increased.

[0063] Furthermore, according to the cassette 10 of this embodiment, the case 19 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with four corners K1, K2, K3, and K4, and the transport path HK passes through three of the four corners K1, K2, K3, and K4 of the case 19 to reach the head space 11. Therefore, the distance of the transport path HK from the print tape roll 26 to the head space 11 can be increased.

[0064] Furthermore, according to the cassette 10 of this embodiment, the three corners K2, K3, and K4 are comprised of the upper corner K2a of corner K2, the upper corner K3a and lower corner K3b of corner K3, and the lower corner K4b of corner K4. The upper corner K2a of corner K2 is located in the tape case 20, and the upper corner K3a and lower corner K3b of corner K3 are located in the ribbon case 21 and the tape case 20, and the lower corner K4b of corner K4 is located in the ribbon case 21. The transport path HK is configured such that the printed tape 22 is stretched between the upper corner K2a of corner K2 and the upper corner K3a and lower corner K3b of corner K3 in an inclined manner relative to the printed tape 22 wound on the printed tape roll 26. The transport path HK is configured such that the printed tape 22 is stretched at an inclination between the upper corner K3a and lower corner K3b of corner K3 and the lower corner K4b of corner K4, relative to the printed tape 22 wound on the printed tape roll 26. The transport path HK is configured such that the printed tape 22 is stretched horizontally between the lower corner K4b of corner K4 and the head space 11, relative to the printed tape 22 wound on the printed tape roll 26. The transport path HK is configured such that the printed tape 22 is transported in the order of the upper corner K2a of corner K2, the upper corner K3a and lower corner K3b of corner K3, and the lower corner K4b of corner K4, so that the printed tape 22 moves from the tape case 20 to the ribbon case 21 and then to the head space 11. Therefore, when moving the printed tape 22 from the tape case 20 to the ribbon case 21, the printed tape 22 can be moved relatively slowly, thus effectively suppressing twisting of the printed tape 22.

[0065] Furthermore, according to the cassette 10 of this embodiment, the case 19 further includes an upper corner K1a of the corner K1 located on the tape case 20, and the upstream end of the printed tape 22 in the transport direction B1 of the through hole 52 is located at the upper corner K1a of the corner K1, and the case 19 is provided with a printed tape outlet 101 on the ribbon case 21, and the printed tape outlet 101 overlaps with the upper corner K1a of the corner K1 in the vertical direction F1 from the tape case 20 to the ribbon case 21, and the transport path HK is configured such that the printed tape 22 is transported in the order of the upper corner K1a of the corner K1, the upper corner K2a of the corner K2, the upper corner K3a and lower corner K3b of the corner K3, and the lower corner K4b of the corner K4, so that the printed tape 22 moves from the tape case 20 to the ribbon case 21 and reaches the head space 11, and then reaches the printed tape outlet 101. Therefore, the distance of the transport path HK from the printing tape roll 26 to the head space 11 can be suitably increased.

[0066] Furthermore, according to the cassette 10 of this embodiment, the case 19 comprises a third case member 16 and a second case member 14 connected to the third case member 16. The third case member 16 has a through hole 58 in its top plate 16e, and the second case member 14 has a through hole 52 in its bottom plate 14a. The opening 52x is configured such that the through hole 58 and the through hole 52 are connected at the boundary where the top plate 16e and the bottom plate 14a are connected. As a result, the printed tape 22 can be suitably transported from the tape case 20 to the ribbon case 21 through the through hole 58 of the third case member 16 and the through hole 52 of the second case member 14.

[0067] Furthermore, according to the cassette 10 of this embodiment, the ribbon case 21 is further equipped with an ink ribbon 68. This allows the ink from the ink ribbon 68 to be printed onto the printable tape 22a of the printing tape 22.

[0068] Furthermore, according to the cassette 10 of this embodiment, a supply spool 70 for the ink ribbon 68 is further provided, and the third rotational centerline C3 of the supply spool 70 is located within the projected area of ​​the printing tape roll 26. Therefore, the case 19 can be made more compact.

[0069] Furthermore, according to the cassette 10 of this embodiment, a supply spool 70 and a take-up spool 76 for the ink ribbon 68 are further provided, and in the vertical direction F1 from the tape case 20 to the ribbon case 21, the through holes 52 and 58 do not overlap with any of the printed tape roll 26, the supply spool 70, or the take-up spool 76. Therefore, the printed tape 22 can be suitably transported from the tape case 20 to the ribbon case 21 through the through holes 52 and 58 without coming into contact with the supply spool 70 and the take-up spool 76.

[0070] Furthermore, according to the cassette 10 of this embodiment, a supply spool 70 and a take-up spool 76 for the ink ribbon 68 are further provided, and the through holes 52 and 58 are located on the outer circumference side of the supply spool 70 and take-up spool 76 around the first rotational centerline C1 of the printing tape roll 26. Therefore, the printing tape 22 can be suitably transported from the tape case 20 to the ribbon case 21 through the through holes 52 and 58 without coming into contact with the supply spool 70 and take-up spool 76.

[0071] Furthermore, according to the cassette 10 of this embodiment, the case 19 is equipped with a printed tape guide TG in the ribbon case 21 for guiding the printed tape, the tape case 20 is located above the ribbon case 21, and the vertical distance Wx of the gap SKx between the upper end 22x of the printed tape in the through holes 52, 58 and the case 19 is greater than the vertical distance Wy of the gap SKy between the upper end 22x of the printed tape 22 guided by the printed tape guide TG in the ribbon case 21 and the printed tape guide TG. Therefore, the printed tape 22 can be suitably transported from the tape case 20 to the printed tape guide TG of the ribbon case 21 without contacting the case 19.

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

[0073] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the adhesive tape roll 64 was provided in the second space S2 of the ribbon case 21, but it is not necessarily required to provide the adhesive tape roll 64 in the second space S2 of the ribbon case 21. In other words, the printed surface of the printed tape 22 does not need to be protected by the adhesive tape 60.

[0074] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the supply spool 70, ink ribbon roll 72, and take-up spool 76 were provided in the second space S2 of the ribbon case 21. However, it is not necessarily required to provide the supply spool 70, ink ribbon roll 72, and take-up spool 76 in the second space S2 of the ribbon case 21. In other words, by using thermal paper for the printed tape 22a of the printing tape 22, the supply spool 70, ink ribbon roll 72, and take-up spool 76 can be removed from the cassette 10.

[0075] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the second space S2 of the ribbon case 21 contained the laminated tape roll 64, the supply spool 70, the ink ribbon roll 72, and the take-up spool 76. However, it is not necessarily required to contain the laminated tape roll 64, the supply spool 70, the ink ribbon roll 72, and the take-up spool 76 in the second space S2 of the ribbon case 21. In other words, by making the printed tape 22a of the printed tape 22 thermal paper and not protecting its printed surface with the laminated tape 60, the laminated tape roll 64, the supply spool 70, the ink ribbon roll 72, and the take-up spool 76 can be removed from the cassette 10.

[0076] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the ribbon case 21 and the tape case 20 were stacked in the case 19, but other case members may be placed between the ribbon case 21 and the tape case 20, for example. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the transport path HK reached the head space 11 via three of the four corners K1, K2, K3, and K4 of the case 19, but the shape of the transport path HK inside the case 19 may be changed so that it reaches the head space 11 via all four corners K1, K2, K3, and K4, for example. In other words, the shape of the transport path HK inside the case 19 may be changed so that it reaches the head space 11 via at least three of the four corners K1, K2, K3, and K4 of the case 19.

[0077] It should be noted that the above-mentioned examples are merely positional embodiments of the present invention, and various modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from its spirit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 10: Cassette 11: Head space (recessed groove) 14: Second case component (upper case) 14a: Base plate (bottom) 16: Third case component (lower case) 16e: Ceiling panel (upper part) 19: Case (enclosure) 20: Tape case (second layer) 21: Ribbon case (first layer) 22: Printed tape (printed medium) 22a: Printing tape (printing layer) 22c: Release tape (release layer) 22x:Top edge 26: Printed tape roll (roll) 52: Through hole (opening, second opening) 52x: Aperture (opening) 58: Through hole (opening, first opening) 68: Ink Ribbon 70: Supply spool 76: Winding spool 101: Printing tape exit (printed media exit) B: Conveying direction C1: First rotational centerline (rotational center) C3: Third rotational centerline (supply axis) D: Winding direction F1: Vertical direction (first direction) F2: Left / right direction (second direction) F3: Anteroposterior direction (third direction) HK: Transport route K1, K2, K3, K4: Corner K1a: Upper corner (second square part) K2a: Upper corner (first corner) K3a: Upper corner (second corner) K3b: Lower side corner (second corner) K4b: Lower side corner (first triangular part) SKx, SKy: gap TG: Printed tape guide (guide) Wx, Wy: Interval

Claims

1. A housing having a first layer and a second layer that overlap in a first direction, The housing comprises a second layer, the first of which a roll is provided, in which a printing medium having a first surface and a second surface is wound around a rotation center extending in the first direction, The medium to be printed is wound around the roll such that the first surface is located on the inside, closer to the center of rotation, and the second surface is located on the outside, further away from the center of rotation. The first layer of the housing is provided with an outlet through which the printing medium is discharged to the outside of the housing. The printing medium drawn from the roll is transported from the second layer to the first layer, and then transported to the discharge port. While the printing medium is being transported from the roll to the discharge port, the state is maintained in which the first surface of the printing medium is positioned on the inside and the second surface is positioned on the outside. A cassette characterized by the following features.

2. The first layer is provided with a first guide portion that is in contact with the printing medium, The second layer is provided with an opening and a second guide portion that can come into contact with the printing medium and guides the printing medium drawn from the roll into the opening. When the printing medium is transported from the second layer to the first layer, it passes through the opening. The cassette according to feature 1.

3. The opening does not overlap with the roll in the first direction. The cassette according to feature 2.

4. The opening is provided on the opposite side of the discharge port from the center of the housing in the third direction, in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction from which the printing medium is discharged from the discharge port. The cassette according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The first layer of the housing is further provided with an ink ribbon roll in which an ink ribbon used for printing on the printing medium is wound around a rotation center, The ink ribbon roll overlaps with the roll in the first direction, at least a portion of it. The opening does not overlap with the ink ribbon roll in the first direction. A cassette according to any one of features 2 to 4.

6. The first layer of the housing is further provided with a winding spool for winding the ink ribbon drawn out from the ink ribbon roll, The winding spool overlaps with the roll in the first direction, at least a portion of it. The opening does not overlap with the winding spool in the first direction. The cassette according to feature 5.

7. The housing has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with four corners when viewed in the first direction, The printing medium is configured to pass through at least three of the four corners of the housing when it is transported from the roll to the discharge port. A cassette according to any one of features 1 to 6.

8. The housing comprises a first corner, a second corner, and a third corner, corresponding to the three corners, through which the printing medium is sequentially transported, The first corner portion is provided in the second layer, The second and third corners are provided on the first layer. The cassette according to feature 7.

9. The first layer of the housing is provided with a recess for housing a head holding plate for holding a print head, The recess overlaps with the roll in the first direction, at least in part. A cassette according to any one of features 1 to 8.

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