Tape cassette

Abstract

To provide a tape cassette in which a tape can be easily disposed at a desired position in a discharging portion.SOLUTION: A tape cassette is equipped with a tape, a discharging portion that discharges the tape, and a guide that is provided in the discharging portion and guides the tape. The guide is equipped with a first contact portion contacting with a first surface of the tape, and a second contact portion and a third contact portion contacting a second surface on the opposite side to the first surface of the tape. In the guide, in a width direction of the tape, the second contact portion, the first contact portion and the third contact portion are aligned in this order. In a first direction from the first surface toward the second surface, the first contact portion is located in the first direction than the second contact portion and the third contact portion. On a side opposite to the first contact portion of the third contact portion, in a second direction from the second contact portion toward the third contact portion, a first taper toward a third direction opposite to the first direction is provided.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] The cassette of Patent Document 1 includes a tape, a discharge portion, and a guide. The discharge portion discharges the tape. The guide is provided in the discharge portion and guides the tape. The guide includes a first region, a second region, and a third region. The first region contacts the first surface of the tape. The second region and the third region contact the second surface, which is the back surface of the first surface. In the width direction of the tape, the second region, the first region, and the third region are arranged in this order. In the first direction from the first surface to the second surface, the first region is located in the first direction relative to each of the second region and the third region. When the tape is discharged, the tape is arranged at a desired position in the discharge portion by the guide. The desired position is a position where the first region contacts the first surface of the tape and the second region and the third region contact the second surface of the tape.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When assembling the above cassette, when an operator inserts the tape from the second region side to the third region side, the end of the tape may contact the side opposite to the first region of the third region. Since the tape is not smoothly guided to the third region, the tape cassette may have difficulty arranging the tape at a desired position in the discharge portion.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a tape cassette that can easily arrange the tape at a desired position in the discharge portion.

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 comprising a tape, an ejection unit for ejecting the tape, and a guide provided in the ejection unit for guiding the tape, wherein the guide comprises a first contact portion that contacts a first surface of the tape, and second and third contact portions that contact a second surface of the tape opposite to the first surface, and the guide is arranged in the order of the second contact portion, the first contact portion, and the third contact portion in the width direction of the tape, and in a first direction from the first surface toward the second surface, the first contact portion is located in the first direction more than the second contact portion and the third contact portion, and the side of the third contact portion facing the first contact portion is provided with a first taper that extends in a third direction opposite to the first direction as it moves in a second direction from the second contact portion toward the third contact portion.

[0008] On the side of the third contact portion facing the first contact portion, a first taper is provided that extends in the third direction as it extends in the second direction. Therefore, when assembling the tape cassette, if the tape is inserted into the discharge portion from the second contact portion side toward the third contact portion side, the end of the tape on the second direction side is smoothly guided to the third contact portion by the first taper. Thus, the tape cassette makes it easy to position the tape at the desired position in the discharge portion. [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 an enlarged perspective view of the discharge section 49. [Figure 4] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view taken in the direction of the arrow AA. [Figure 5]This figure shows the case where the tape 50 is placed in the discharge section 49. [Figure 6] This figure shows a modified tape cassette 30A. [Figure 7] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view taken in the direction of line AA. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view of a modified tape cassette 30B. [Figure 9] This is an enlarged view of region C in Figure 8. [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, all types of tapes stored in the tape cassette 30 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 and 2. Printer 1 is a general-purpose tape printing device that can use various types of tape cassettes, such as thermal, receptacle, and laminate types, with a single unit. The thermal type tape cassette is equipped with thermal paper tape. The receptacle type tape cassette is equipped with printing tape and an ink ribbon. The laminate type tape cassette is equipped with double-sided adhesive tape, film 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] Referring to Figure 2, the internal structure of the main body cover 2 will be described. 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 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.

[0018] 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. 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] An arm-shaped platen holder (not shown) is provided on the front side of the head holder 74. The platen holder is pivotally supported about a shaft support portion so as to be rotatable. A platen roller (not shown) and a movable conveyance roller (not shown) are rotatably supported on the distal end side of the platen holder. The platen roller is separable from and contactable with the thermal head 10. The movable conveyance roller is separable from and contactable with the tape drive roller 46.

[0021] When the tape cassette 30 is mounted in the cassette mounting section 8, the platen roller presses the thermal head 10, for example, via the tape 50 and the ink ribbon 60. At the same time, the movable transport roller presses the tape drive roller 46 via the tape 50. In this case, the printer 1 becomes capable of printing on the tape 50.

[0022] To the right of the discharge slit 111 (see Figure 1), a cutting mechanism (not shown) is provided for cutting the printed tape 50 at a predetermined position.

[0023] Referring to Figure 2, the appearance of the tape cassette 30 will be described. The tape cassette 30 can be used to change the type of tape stored inside as appropriate. For example, the tape cassette 30 can be mounted in a receptor type, etc. In the following description, a receptor type tape cassette 30 will be described as an example. The tape 50 stored in the tape cassette 30 has a printable tape with a printing surface and a release paper attached to the printable tape via an adhesive surface. The length of the tape 50 in the width direction is, for example, 12 mm.

[0024] 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 cassette case 31 is separable into the upper case 311 and the lower case 312 in the vertical direction. The lower case 312 includes a bottom plate 306. The bottom plate 306 has 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 has the top surface 301 of the cassette case 31.

[0025] 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 section 49 is provided at corner 324.

[0026] 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.

[0027] The first tape support hole 65 rotatably supports the tape spool (not shown). The ribbon support hole 67 rotatably supports the ribbon spool (not shown). The winding spool support hole 68 rotatably supports the ribbon winding spool (not shown).

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] A separation section 61 is provided to the left of the head insertion section 39. The separation section 61 separates the tape 50 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 (not shown), etc.

[0034] 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 tape 50.

[0035] A discharge section 49 is provided on the downstream side of the tape drive roller 46 in the transport direction. The discharge section 49 is provided slightly forward from the front end of the left side of the tape cassette 30. The discharge 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 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.

[0036] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a guide 51 is provided in the discharge section 49. The guide 51 corrects the shape of the tape 50 passing through the discharge section 49 into a backward-facing arc shape, thereby ensuring stable transport of the tape 50.

[0037] The guide 51 consists of a base 49D, a support plate 49A, a lid 49B, an opposing plate 49C, a first contact portion 52, a second contact portion 55, and a third contact portion 58. The base 49D is the left front end of the bottom plate 306 of the lower case 312. The support plate 49A extends upward from the front end of the base 49D. The support plate 49A is a rectangular shape that is long in the vertical direction. The opposing plate 49C is positioned at a predetermined distance from the support plate 49A in the front-rear direction. The opposing plate 49C is a rectangular shape that is long in the vertical direction. The support plate 49A and the opposing plate 49C face each other in the front-rear direction.

[0038] The lid portion 49B is provided at the left front end of the upper plate 305 of the upper case 311. The lid portion 49B is a C-shaped member that opens downward when viewed from the right side. The lower front end of the lid portion 49B contacts the upper end of the support plate 49A. The lower rear end of the lid portion 49B contacts the upper end of the opposing plate 49C.

[0039] A first contact portion 52 is provided on the rear surface of the support plate 49A. When viewed from the rear, the first contact portion 52 is a rectangular shape that is elongated in the vertical direction. The rear surface 52A of the first contact portion 52 is the surface of the portion that protrudes in the rearward direction and is formed in a planar shape. The rear surface 52A of the first contact portion 52 is located in the central part of the guide 51 in the vertical direction.

[0040] The rear surface 52A of the first contact portion 52 contacts the center of the front surface 50A of the tape 50. In this case, the first contact portion 52 applies a rearward force to the center of the tape 50. As a result, the center of the tape 50 bends backward. The front surface 50A of the tape 50 is the side of the tape 50 that has the release liner on it.

[0041] A third contact portion 58 is provided at the lower end of the opposing plate 49C. The third contact portion 58 protrudes forward. The front surface 58A of the third contact portion 58 is the surface of the portion that protrudes forward and is formed in a planar shape.

[0042] The front surface 58A of the third contact portion 58 can contact the lower end of the rear surface 50B of the tape 50. In this case, the third contact portion 58 applies a forward force to the lower end of the tape 50. As a result, the lower end of the tape 50 bends forward. The rear surface 50B of the tape 50 is the printed surface on which printing has been performed.

[0043] The rear side of the cover portion 49B constitutes the second contact portion 55. The front surface 55A of the second contact portion 55 is formed in a planar shape. The front surface 55A of the second contact portion 55 can contact the upper end of the rear surface 50B of the tape 50. In this case, the second contact portion 55 applies a forward force to the upper end of the tape 50. As a result, the upper end of the tape 50 bends forward.

[0044] The second contact portion 55, the first contact portion 52, and the third contact portion 58 of the guide 51 are arranged in this order, facing downwards. The front surface 55A of the second contact portion 55 and the front surface 58A of the third contact portion 58 are positioned at the same location in the front-to-back direction. In the rearward direction, the rear surface 52A of the first contact portion 52 is located further back than the front surface 55A of the second contact portion 55 and the front surface 58A of the third contact portion 58. In this case, when the tape 50 is inserted into the guide 51, when viewed from the right side, the tape 50 takes on a curved shape facing backwards. In other words, the central part of the tape 50 guided by the guide 51 is given a desired amount of displacement backwards. By giving the tape 50 a desired amount of displacement backwards, for example, the curl of the tape 50 is corrected, and the tape 50 can be transported stably toward the discharge slit 111.

[0045] Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the tapers 52B, 52C, 55B, and 58B will be described. The first contact portion 52 is provided with a second taper 52B and a third taper 52C. The second taper 52B is formed on the upper side of the rear surface 52A of the first contact portion 52. In other words, the second taper 52B is provided on the side of the first contact portion 52 that faces the second contact portion 55 in the vertical direction. The second taper 52B is directed towards the rear as it goes downwards. Therefore, the second taper 52B is planar in the upward and rearward direction.

[0046] The third taper 52C is formed on the underside of the rear surface 52A of the first contact portion 52. In other words, the third taper 52C is provided on the side of the first contact portion 52 facing the third contact portion 58 in the vertical direction. The third taper 52C is directed forward as it extends downward. Therefore, the third taper 52C is planar in the rearward and downward direction. The inclination angle θ of the second taper 52B and the third taper 52C is, for example, 45 degrees with respect to the front-to-back direction. Due to the second taper 52B and the third taper 52C, the first contact portion 52 has a symmetrical shape in the vertical direction.

[0047] A first taper 58B is provided on the third contact portion 58. The first taper 58B is formed on the upper side of the front surface 58A of the third contact portion 58. In other words, the first taper 58B is provided on the side of the third contact portion 58 that faces the first contact portion 52 in the vertical direction. The first taper 58B is directed forward as it goes downward. Therefore, the first taper 58B is planar and faces both upward and forward. The inclination angle θ of the first taper 58B is, for example, 45 degrees with respect to the vertical direction.

[0048] A fourth taper 55B is provided on the second contact portion 55. The fourth taper 55B is formed on the underside of the front surface 55A of the second contact portion 55. In other words, the fourth taper 55B is provided on the side of the second contact portion 55 that faces the first contact portion 52. The fourth taper 55B is directed backward as it extends downward. Therefore, the fourth taper 55B is planar in shape, facing both forward and downward. The inclination angle θ of the fourth taper 55B is, for example, 45 degrees with respect to the vertical direction.

[0049] Referring to Figure 5, the starting positions P1 to P4 of each taper 52B, 52C, 55B, and 58B are described below. Starting position P1 is the position where the upward and forward taper of the second taper 52B begins. Starting position P2 is the position where the downward and forward taper of the third taper 52C begins. Starting position P3 is the position where the upward and backward taper of the first taper 58B begins. Starting position P4 is the position where the downward and backward taper of the fourth taper 55B begins.

[0050] Distance F is the vertical distance from the starting position P1 of the second taper 52B to the upper end of the guide 51. Distance E is the vertical distance from the starting position P2 of the third taper 52C to the lower end of the guide 51. Distances E and F are equal. Therefore, the rear surface 52A of the first contact portion 52 is positioned in the center of the guide 51 in the vertical direction. Thus, the guide 51 is well-suited to guiding the tape 50 in a rearward-facing arc shape in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the guide 51 is well-suited to guiding the tape 50 in a vertically symmetrical shape with respect to the rear surface 52A of the first contact portion 52.

[0051] Here, when the tape 50 is being transported, it may be transported at an angle above or below the guide 51. In this case, if the end of the tape 50 rests on the first taper 58B or the fourth taper 55B, the stability of the tape 50's transport may be compromised. For this reason, for example, the starting positions P3 and P4 must be defined as follows.

[0052] The distance A on the left is the distance from the lower end of the guide 51 in the vertical direction to the starting position P3 of the first taper 58B. The length M is the vertical length of the guide 51. The width T is the vertical width of the tape 50. Note that the width T is the length of the tape 50 when it is stretched straight in the vertical direction. In this case, the starting position P3 of the first taper 58B is set such that distance A, length M, and width T satisfy A > MT. As a result, even if the tape 50 moves diagonally upward, the lower end of the tape 50 will not rest on the first taper 58B.

[0053] Furthermore, the distance A on the right is the distance from the starting position P4 of the fourth taper 55B in the vertical direction to the upper end of the guide 51. The distance A on the right is the same distance as in the case of the first taper 58B. In this case, even if the tape 50 moves diagonally downward, the upper end of the tape 50 will not rest on the fourth taper 55B. Also, the starting positions P3 and P4 of the first taper 58B and the fourth taper 55B are symmetrical in the vertical direction on the guide 51. Therefore, the tape 50 can be stably guided by the guide 51.

[0054] The case in which a tape 50 is set in the ejection section 49 of the tape cassette 30 will be described. The second contact section 55 is provided on the upper case 311 side, and the first contact section 52 and the third contact section 58 are provided on the lower case 312 side. Therefore, when the upper case 311 is separated from the lower case 312, the second contact section 55 is separated from the lower case 312 together with the upper case 331.

[0055] With the upper case 311 and lower case 312 separated, the worker sets the tape 50 into the lower case 312 from above. The worker inserts the tape 50 from above towards the third contact portion 58 inside the guide 51 of the discharge portion 49. In this case, the lower end of the tape 50 is smoothly guided downward by the second taper 52B of the first contact portion 52. The lower end of the tape 50 is the downward side in the width direction of the tape 50.

[0056] Subsequently, the tape 50 is guided further downward. At this time, when the lower end of the tape 50 contacts the third contact portion 58, the first taper 58B smoothly guides it to the front surface 58A of the third contact portion 58. The operator attaches the upper case 311 to the lower case 312. The vertical center of the tape 50 is guided to the rear surface 52A of the first contact portion 52. The upper end of the tape 50 is guided onto the front surface 55A of the second contact portion 55. Thus, the operator can easily set the tape 50 to the desired position in the discharge portion 49. Here, the desired position is a position in which the shape of the tape 50 inside the discharge portion 49 becomes an arc directed backward by a predetermined amount of displacement, and is vertically symmetrical with respect to the center of the guide 51 (see Figure 4).

[0057] The following describes the case where printing is performed on tape 50 by printer 1. In this case, tape cassette 30 is mounted in cassette mounting section 8. The rotation of the tape drive shaft 100 of printer 1 rotates the tape drive roller 46 mounted on the tape drive shaft 100. Through the cooperation of the tape drive roller 46 and the movable transport roller (not shown), tape 50 is pulled out from tape roll (not shown). As tape 50 is pulled out, tape roll rotates clockwise in a plan view. The tape 50 pulled out from tape roll is transported towards arm section 34 through the transport path inside tape cassette 30.

[0058] Meanwhile, the ribbon winding shaft 95 of the printer 1 rotates a ribbon winding spool (not shown) mounted on the ribbon winding shaft 95. The ribbon winding spool 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 (not shown). As the ink ribbon 60 is drawn out, the ribbon spool rotates counterclockwise in a plan view. The ink ribbon 60 drawn out from the ribbon spool is conveyed toward the arm section 34.

[0059] Within the arm section 34, the tape 50 travels along a transport path that extends approximately parallel to the front wall 35 of the arm. The tape 50 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 is superimposed with the tape 50 within the arm section 34 and discharged from the discharge port 341 to the exposed section 77.

[0060] In the exposed section 77, the front surface 50A (release paper) of the tape 50 discharged from the discharge port 341 is exposed forward, and the rear surface 50B (printing surface) of the tape 50 faces the thermal head 10. The thermal head 10 prints on the tape 50 located in the exposed section 77 using the ink ribbon 60.

[0061] After printing, the ink ribbon 60 is separated from the tape 50 by the separation unit 61, moves along the ribbon guide wall (not shown), and is wound onto the ribbon winding spool. The printed tape 50, 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 unit 49 via the tape drive roller 46 and the movable transport roller (not shown).

[0062] As the tape 50 passes through the discharge section 49, it is guided to a desired position by the guide 51. The front surface 50A of the tape 50 contacts the first contact portion 52 of the guide 51, and the rear surface 50B of the tape 50 contacts the second contact portion 55 and the third contact portion 58. As a result, the tape 50 is transported with a predetermined amount of displacement toward the rear. Therefore, the cassette 7 can correct the curl of the tape 50 on the guide 51 and maintain a stable posture.

[0063] The printed tape 50 is discharged to the outside from the discharge section 49. The tape 50 discharged from the discharge section 49 is guided toward the discharge slit 111. The printed tape 50 is then cut at a predetermined position by a cutting mechanism (not shown). In this way, the printer 1 creates a printed tape 50.

[0064] As explained above, in the [0] tape cassette 30, the first taper 58B is provided on the side of the third contact portion 58 facing the first contact portion 52, and as it moves downward from the second contact portion 55 toward the third contact portion 58, it moves in the forward direction opposite to the rear direction.

[0065] On the side of the third contact portion 58 facing the first contact portion 52, a first taper 58B is provided that tapers forward as it extends downward. Therefore, when assembling the tape cassette 30, if the tape 50 is inserted into the discharge portion 49 from the second contact portion 55 side toward the third contact portion 58 side, the lower end of the tape 50 is smoothly guided to the third contact portion 58 by the first taper 58B. Thus, the tape cassette 30 makes it easy to position the tape 50 at the desired position in the discharge portion 49.

[0066] The second taper 52B is provided on the side of the first contact portion 52 facing the second contact portion 55, and as it extends downward, it moves backward. When assembling the tape cassette 30, the tape 50 is inserted from the second contact portion 55 towards the first contact portion 52. The lower end of the tape 50 is smoothly guided toward the third contact portion 58 by the second taper 52B. Furthermore, the tape cassette 30 can distribute the displacement of the tape 50 in the backward direction evenly by the first taper 58B and the second taper 52B.

[0067] The third taper 52C is provided on the side of the first contact portion 52 facing the third contact portion 58, and it tapers forward as it extends downward. The first contact portion 52 of the tape cassette 30 has a second taper 52B and a third taper 52C at both ends. Therefore, the tape cassette 30 has a good appearance. In addition, the first contact portion 52 has a symmetrical shape in the downward direction, so it is easy to mold.

[0068] Distances E and F are equal. This makes it easier for the tape cassette 30 to impart the desired amount of displacement to the tape 50 guided by the ejection section 49.

[0069] The fourth taper 55B is provided on the side of the second contact portion 55 facing the first contact portion 52, and as it extends downward, it moves backward. The tape cassette 30 can smoothly guide the tape 50 from the second contact portion 55 to the first contact portion 52 by the fourth taper 55B.

[0070] The third contact portion 58 or the second contact portion 55 satisfies A > MT. Therefore, even when the tape 50 is transported at an angle, the end of the tape 50 does not rest on the first taper 58B and the fourth taper 55B. Thus, the tape cassette 30 can transport the tape 50 stably.

[0071] The tape cassette 30 is separable into an upper case 311 and a lower case 312 in the downward direction. The second contact portion 55 is provided on the upper case 311, and the first contact portion 52 and the third contact portion 58 are provided on the lower case 312. When assembling the tape cassette 30, the user separates the lower case 312 from the upper case 311 and guides the tape 50 downward toward the third contact portion 58. Therefore, the tape cassette 30 makes it easy to position the tape 50 at the desired position in the ejection portion 49.

[0072] In the above embodiment, the front surface 50A of the tape 50 corresponds to the "first surface" of the present invention. The rear surface 50B of the tape 50 corresponds to the "second surface" of the present invention. The vertical direction corresponds to the "width direction" of the present invention. The rear direction corresponds to the "first direction" of the present invention. The downward direction corresponds to the "second direction" of the present invention. The forward direction corresponds to the "third direction" of the present invention. The upward direction corresponds to the "fourth direction" of the present invention. The upper case 311 corresponds to the "first case" of the present invention. The lower case 312 corresponds to the "second case" of the present invention.

[0073] A modified tape cassette 30A of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. Hereinafter, components having the same function as in the above embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be omitted or simplified. In the modified tape cassette 30A, while the tape 50 in the above embodiment had a tape width of 12 mm, the tape 50 has a tape width of 9 mm. To accommodate this, the tape cassette 30A is equipped with an ejection section 491 instead of the ejection section 49 of the tape cassette 30.

[0074] The discharge section 491 includes a guide 511. The guide 511 includes a base 491D, a support plate 491A, an opposing plate 491C, a cover 491B, a first contact portion 521, a second contact portion 551, and a third contact portion 581. The vertical length of the guide 511 is shorter than the vertical length of the guide 51 itself, in order to accommodate a tape width of 9 mm.

[0075] The base 491D is the left front end of the bottom plate 306 of the lower case 312. The support plate 491A extends upward from the front end of the base 491D. The support plate 491A is rectangular in shape and elongated in the vertical direction. The opposing plate 491C is positioned at a predetermined distance from the support plate 491A in the front-to-back direction. The support plate 491A and the opposing plate 491C face each other in the front-to-back direction.

[0076] The lid portion 491B is the left front end of the upper plate 305 of the upper case 311. The lid portion 491B is a rectangular parallelepiped extending in the front-rear direction. The lower front end of the lid portion 491B contacts the upper end of the support plate 491A. The lower rear end of the lid portion 491B contacts the upper end of the opposing plate 491C.

[0077] A first contact portion 521 is provided on the rear surface of the support plate 491A. The first contact portion 521 is rectangular in shape and extends in the vertical direction. The rear surface 521A of the first contact portion 521 is the surface of the portion that protrudes in the rearward direction and is formed in a planar shape. The position of the rear surface 521A of the first contact portion 521 in the vertical direction is positioned slightly lower than the rear surface 51A of the first contact portion 52 in the above embodiment. The shapes of the second taper 521B and the third taper 521C are substantially the same as those of the second taper 52B and the third taper 52C.

[0078] A third contact portion 581 is provided at the lower end of the opposing plate 491C. The third contact portion 581 protrudes forward. The front surface 581A of the third contact portion 581 is formed in a planar shape. A first taper 581B is provided on the third contact portion 581. The shape of the first taper 581B is substantially the same as that of the first taper 58B.

[0079] A second contact portion 551 is provided at the upper end of the opposing plate 491C. The second contact portion 551 protrudes forward. The front surface 551A of the second contact portion 551 is formed in a planar shape. A fourth taper 551B is provided on the second contact portion 551. The shape of the fourth taper 551B is substantially the same as that of the fourth taper 55B.

[0080] Unlike the second contact portion 55 in the above embodiment, the second contact portion 551 is provided on the lower case 312 side. Therefore, when the upper case 311 is separated from the lower case 312, the second contact portion 551 remains attached to the lower case 312 along with the first contact portion 521 and the third contact portion 581.

[0081] In order to accommodate a tape width of 9 mm, the tape cassette 30A has a shorter distance between the second contact portion 551 and the third contact portion 581 in the vertical direction compared to the above embodiment.

[0082] The process of setting the tape 50 into the discharge section 491 of the tape cassette 30A will now be described. With the upper case 311 and lower case 312 separated, the operator sets the tape 50 into the lower case 312 from above. The operator inserts the tape 50 downwards through the second contact section 551 towards the third contact section 581 inside the guide 511 of the discharge section 491. In this case, the lower end of the tape 50 can be guided to the front surface 581A of the third contact section 581 via the first taper 581B, similar to the case of the tape cassette 30. Therefore, the operator can easily set the tape 50 in the desired position in the tape cassette 30.

[0083] A modified tape cassette 30B of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. Hereinafter, components having the same function as in the above embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be omitted or simplified.

[0084] The modified tape cassette 30B includes an ejection section 492 instead of an ejection section 49. The guide 512 of the ejection section 492 includes a first contact section 522 instead of a first contact section 52. The shape of the first contact section 522 is substantially the same as that of the first contact section 52. A recess 522D that is recessed forward is provided in the center of the front surface 522A of the first contact section 522 in the vertical direction.

[0085] The tape 50 has a printed surface 50E and a release liner 50C bonded together via an adhesive layer 50D. The release liner 50C of the tape 50 has a slit S formed in the center of its width. The slit S extends linearly parallel to the transport direction of the tape 50. When the tape 50 is guided by the guide 512, the recess 522D is positioned in the portion of the release liner 50C corresponding to the slit S.

[0086] For example, the adhesive surface of the adhesive layer 50D may be exposed through the slit S of the release paper 50C. Even in this case, the recess 522D of the first contact portion 522 prevents the adhesive surface of the adhesive layer 50D from coming into contact with the front surface 522A of the first contact portion 522. Therefore, the tape cassette 30B can transport the tape 50 without the adhesive surface of the adhesive layer 50D coming into contact with the first contact portion 522.

[0087] The above embodiment can be further modified in various ways as follows. The various modifications described below can be combined in any way as long as they do not create inconsistencies. The printer 1 in the above embodiment may be modified as appropriate as long as it can accommodate a tape cassette 30. The shape of the tape cassette 30 may be modified as appropriate.

[0088] The tape 50 in the above embodiment had a width dimension of 12 mm, but is not limited to this. The width of the tape 50 may be changed as appropriate. The first contact portion 52, second contact portion 55, and third contact portion 58 of the guide 51 should be arranged accordingly. The tape cassette 30 in the above embodiment is not limited to a receptor type, but may be a thermal type or a laminate type, for example.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the guide 51 was a frame-shaped structure that was long in the vertical direction, but it is not limited to this. For example, the guide 51 does not have to be frame-shaped as long as it can accommodate the rear surface 52A of the first contact portion 52, the front surface 55A of the second contact portion 55, and the front surface 58A of the third contact portion 58. For example, it may be C-shaped with an opening in the upward or downward direction, or it may be any other shape.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the first contact portion 52 is provided on the support plate 49A, but it is not limited to this. For example, the first contact portion 52 and the support plate 49A may be integrated. The important thing is that the tape 50 can be given a desired amount of displacement.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the first contact portion 52 is provided with a second taper 52B and a third taper 52C, but is not limited to this. The shapes of the second taper 52B and the third taper 52C are not limited to those shown in Figures 3 and 4, and for example, the inclination angle θ of the second taper 52B and the third taper 52C may be changed as appropriate. The shape of the third taper 52C does not have to be tapered. Also, the third taper 52C may be omitted.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the second contact portion 55 is provided on the upper plate 305 of the upper case 311, but is not limited to this. For example, the second contact portion 55 may be integrally formed with the upper plate 305. The shape of the fourth taper 55B is not limited to those shown in Figures 3 and 4, and the inclination angle θ of the fourth taper 55B may be changed as appropriate. The shape of the fourth taper 55B does not have to be tapered. The fourth taper 55B may be omitted.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the third contact portion 58 was part of the opposing plate 49C, but it is not limited to this. For example, the third contact portion 58 may be attachable to the opposing plate 49C. The third contact portion 58 may also be attachable to the base 49D. Furthermore, the shape of the first taper 58B is not limited to that shown in Figures 3 and 4, and the inclination angle θ of the first taper 58B may be changed as appropriate.

[0094] In the above embodiment, the starting position P3 of the first taper 58B of the third contact portion 58 was determined first, and then the starting position P4 of the fourth taper 55B of the second contact portion 55 was determined. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the starting position P4 of the fourth taper 55B may be determined such that A > MT is satisfied, and then the starting position P3 of the first taper 58B may be determined. The starting positions P3 and P4 do not necessarily have to be vertically symmetrical. In other words, the two distances A shown in Figure 5 may be different values ​​from each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 1. Printer 49, 491, 492 Discharge section 30, 30A, 30B Tape Cassettes 50 tapes 50A front 50B rear 50C release paper 50D adhesive layer 50E Print surface Guides 51, 511, and 512 52, 521, 522 1st contact part 52A Rear 52B, 52C, 55B, 58B, 521B, 521C, 551B, 581B, 522 Taper 55, 551 2nd contact part 55A Front 58, 581 3rd contact part 58A Front 311 Upper case 312 Lower case 522D recess P1, P2, P3, P4 starting position A, E, F distance M length T width

Claims

1. Tape and, A discharge unit for ejecting the tape, A guide is provided in the discharge section for guiding the tape. A tape cassette equipped with, The aforementioned tape is Printing tape and A release paper is attached to the printed tape via an adhesive surface, and has a slit in the center in the width direction of the tape. It has, The aforementioned guide, The tape has a first contact portion that contacts the first surface, which is the surface of the release paper opposite to the adhesive surface, The tape has a second contact portion and a third contact portion that contact the second surface opposite to the first surface. Equipped with, The aforementioned guide, In the width direction of the tape, the second contact portion, the first contact portion, and the third contact portion are arranged in that order. In the first direction from the first surface to the second surface, the first contact portion is located in the first direction more than the second contact portion and the third contact portion, On the side of the third contact portion facing the first contact portion, a first taper is provided that extends in a third direction opposite to the first direction as it moves in the second direction from the second contact portion toward the third contact portion. A tape cassette characterized in that the portion of the tape corresponding to the slit in the first contact portion is provided with a recess that is recessed on the opposite side from the slit.

2. On the side of the first contact portion facing the second contact portion, a second taper is provided that extends in the first direction as it extends in the second direction. The tape cassette according to feature 1.

3. On the side of the first contact portion facing the third contact portion, a third taper is provided that extends in the third direction as it extends in the second direction. The tape cassette according to feature 2.

4. The first contact portion is at the center of the guide in the second direction, and the distance in the fourth direction from the starting position of the second taper to the end of the guide on the fourth direction side opposite to the second direction is equal to the distance in the second direction from the starting position of the third taper to the end of the guide on the second direction side. The tape cassette according to feature 3.

5. On the side of the second contact portion facing the first contact portion, a fourth taper is provided that extends in the direction of the first direction as it extends in the second direction. A tape cassette according to any one of features 1 to 4.

6. Let A be the distance in the second direction from the end of the guide on the fourth direction side opposite to the second direction to the starting position of the fourth taper, let M be the length of the guide in the second direction, and let T be the width of the tape, then satisfy A > M - T. The tape cassette according to feature 5.

7. Let A be the distance in the second direction from the end of the guide on the second direction side to the starting position of the first taper, let M be the length of the guide in the second direction, and let T be the width of the tape, then satisfy A > M - T. A tape cassette according to any one of features 1 to 6.

8. The tape cassette is separable into a first case and a second case in the second direction. The second contact portion is provided in the first case, The first contact portion and the third contact portion are provided in the second case A tape cassette according to any one of features 1 to 7.

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