CN110171211B - Belt unit and unit adapter - Google Patents

Abstract

A tape unit (40) and a unit adaptor (10), the tape unit (40) is provided with a thermosensitive tape (42) and a tension sheet (44). The thermosensitive tape (42) is wound so as to have a hollow portion (42A). The tension sheet (44) has an opening (44a) having a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow portion (42a) of the thermosensitive tape (42), and the opening (44a) is bonded to one side surface of the thermosensitive tape (42) so as to correspond to the hollow portion (42a) of the thermosensitive tape (42).

Description

Belt unit and unit adapter

Technical Field

The disclosure of the present specification relates to a belt unit and a unit adapter.

Background

Conventionally, there is known a label printer that prints characters, graphics, and the like on a tape unit having a roll shape wound in a longitudinal direction to produce a label.

Japanese patent application laid-open No. 2012-179882 describes a label printer that houses a tape unit.

Japanese patent application laid-open No. 2014-028448 describes a label printer that stores a tape cartridge storing a tape unit.

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, various types of tape units exist in tape units used in label printers due to differences in width, color of a printing surface, and the like.

The user can use a plurality of belt units of different types separately by personally attaching the belt unit selected according to the use or preference to the printing apparatus.

However, in the conventional belt unit having a roller shape, a user may mount the belt unit in an incorrect direction.

In view of the above circumstances, an object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a technique of preventing a belt unit from being mounted in an erroneous direction.

Means for solving the problems

A belt unit having the following structure: a belt wound in a manner to have a hollow portion; and a first adhesive sheet having a first opening with a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow portion of the tape, adhered to one side surface of the tape so as to correspond to the hollow portion, and having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the hollow portion of the tape.

A unit adaptor for receiving the belt unit described above, wherein a protrusion is provided which is inserted into the hollow portion of the belt included in the belt unit received in the unit adaptor, the protrusion having a first protrusion having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow portion of the belt and larger than the diameter of the first opening.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the above aspect, the belt unit can be prevented from being mounted in an incorrect direction.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the printing apparatus 1 in a state where the cover 4 is closed.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the printing apparatus 1 in a state where the cover 4 is opened.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the unit adaptor 10.

Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining the structure of the belt unit 40.

Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining the structure of the thermosensitive tape 42.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the adapter body 20.

Fig. 7 is a top view of the adapter body 20.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the adapter body 20.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the belt unit 40 in a state where the tension sheet 44 is directed upward.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of the belt unit 40 in a state where the scattering prevention sheet 43 is directed upward.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the adapter body 50.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view of the adapter body 60.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the adapter body 70.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the belt unit 80 in a state where the thermosensitive tape 42 is consumed to some extent.

Fig. 15 is a plan view of the scattering prevention sheet 83.

Fig. 16 is a plan view of the belt unit 80 as viewed from the dispersion preventing sheet 83 side.

Fig. 17 is a view showing a case where a part of the scattering prevention sheet 83 is cut out.

Fig. 18 is a plan view of the scattering prevention sheet 93.

Fig. 19 is a plan view of the scattering prevention sheet 103.

Fig. 20 is a plan view of the dispersion preventing piece 113.

Fig. 21 is a plan view of the scattering prevention sheet 123.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the printing apparatus 1 in a state where the cover 4 is closed.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the printing apparatus 1 in a state where the cover 4 is opened.

The structure of the printing apparatus 1 will be described below with reference to fig. 1 and 2.

The printing apparatus 1 is a label printer that prints on the thermosensitive tape 42 provided in the tape unit 40.

Hereinafter, a label printer of a thermal type using the thermal tape 42 will be described as an example, but the printing method is not particularly limited.

The printing apparatus 1 may be a thermal transfer type label printer using an ink ribbon.

The printing apparatus 1 as a label printer is not limited to a thermal printer.

For example, an ink jet printer, a laser printer, or the like may be used.

The printing apparatus 1 may perform printing in a single pass (one pass) or may perform printing in a multi-pass (scanning) manner.

As shown in fig. 1, the printing apparatus 1 includes an apparatus housing 2, an input unit 3, a cover 4 that can be opened and closed, a window 5, and a display unit 6.

Although not shown, the apparatus housing 2 is provided with a power line connection terminal, an external device connection terminal, a storage medium insertion port, and the like.

The input unit 3 is provided on the upper surface of the apparatus casing 2.

The input unit 3 includes various keys such as an input key, a cross key, a shift key, and a enter key.

The cover 4 is disposed on the apparatus housing 2.

The user can open the lid 4 by pressing the button 4a and releasing the lock mechanism as shown in fig. 2.

The cover 4 is formed with a window 5 so that whether or not the tape unit 40 is housed in the printing apparatus 1 can be visually checked even when the cover 4 is closed.

The cover 4 has a display unit 6.

The display unit 6 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (electro-luminescence) display, or the like.

The display unit 6 displays a selection menu for various settings, such as characters corresponding to input from the input unit 3, and messages related to various processes.

The display unit 4 may be a display with a touch panel, or may function as a part of the input unit 3.

As shown in fig. 2, the apparatus housing 2 includes a unit adapter housing section 2a, a platen roller 7, and a thermal head 8 below the cover 4.

The unit adaptor housing 2a houses the unit adaptor 10 housing the belt unit 40.

In addition, the unit adaptor 10 and the belt unit 40 will be described later.

The platen roller 7 is a conveying section that conveys the thermosensitive tape 42.

The platen roller 7 is rotated by rotation of a not-shown motor for conveyance.

The conveying motor is, for example, a stepping motor, a Direct Current (DC) motor, or the like.

The platen roller 7 rotates while sandwiching the thermosensitive tape 42 drawn out from the unit adapter 10 between it and the thermal head 8, and conveys the thermosensitive tape 42 in the conveying direction.

The thermal head 8 is a print head that prints on the thermosensitive tape 42.

The thermal head 8 has a plurality of heat generating elements arranged in a main scanning direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the thermosensitive tape 42, and performs printing line by heating the thermosensitive tape 42 by the heat generating elements.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the unit adaptor 10.

Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining the structure of the belt unit 40.

Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining the structure of the thermosensitive tape 42.

The following describes the configurations of the unit adaptor 10 and the belt unit 40 with reference to fig. 3 to 5.

The unit adaptor 10 is a unit adaptor for housing the belt unit 40, and houses the belt unit 40 so that the user can replace the belt unit 40.

That is, the unit adaptor 10 is designed on the premise that the user takes in and out the belt unit 40 with respect to the unit adaptor 10.

As shown in fig. 3, the unit adapter 10 includes an adapter body 20 and an adapter cover 30.

The tape unit 40 is accommodated in an internal space of the unit adaptor 10 defined by the adaptor body 20 and the adaptor cover 30. The adapter body 20 will be described later.

The adapter cover 30 is openably and closably attached to the adapter body 20.

In addition, the unit adaptor 10 is designed according to the bandwidth of the thermosensitive tape 42 that the tape unit 40 has.

The bandwidth of the thermosensitive tape 42 that the unit adapter 10 should accommodate is shown in the area 20a of the adapter body 20.

In this example, the unit adaptor 10 is a unit adaptor for a belt having a bandwidth of 6 mm.

In the printing apparatus 1, the unit adaptor 10 in which the tape unit 40 is stored in the printing apparatus 1, whereby the tape unit 40 is stored in the printing apparatus 1.

In addition, the printing apparatus 1 can accommodate unit adapters corresponding to different bandwidths.

Specifically, the printing apparatus 1 can accommodate, for example, a unit adapter 10 for a 6mm belt shown in fig. 3, a unit adapter for a 9mm belt, a unit adapter for a 12mm belt, a unit adapter for an 18mm belt, and the like.

As shown in fig. 4, the tape unit 40 includes a paper tube 41, a thermosensitive tape 42, a scattering prevention sheet (second adhesive sheet) 43, and a tension sheet (first adhesive sheet) 44.

The paper tube 41 is a cylindrical member around which the thermosensitive tape 42 is wound, and has a hollow portion 41 a.

The thermosensitive tape 42 is a printing tape wound in a longitudinal direction and having a cylindrical shape, and is wound so as to have a hollow portion 42 a.

The dispersion preventing sheet 43 is an adhesive sheet that is stuck to one side (side 42c) of the annular side surface of the thermosensitive tape 42.

The tension sheet 44 is an adhesive sheet that is attached to the other (side surface 42b) of the annular side surfaces of the thermosensitive tape 42.

The paper tube 41 is provided in the hollow portion 42a of the thermosensitive tape 42.

The paper tube 41 preferably has at least a hollow portion of a cylindrical shape, and more preferably a cylindrical member as shown in fig. 4.

In a state where the tape unit 40 is stored in the unit adaptor 10, the protruding portion 23 (see fig. 6) of the adaptor body 20 is inserted through the hollow portion 41a of the paper tube 41.

The paper tube 41 is effective in smoothly rotating the tape unit 40 inside the unit adapter 10 without damaging the tape unit 40 when the thermosensitive tape 42 is conveyed by the platen roller 7.

The thermosensitive tape 42 has a 5-layer construction such as shown in fig. 5.

That is, the separator L1, the adhesive layer L2, the base material L3, the color-developing layer L4, and the protective layer L5 were stacked in this order.

The separator L1 was releasably stuck to the base material L3 so as to cover the adhesive layer L2.

The material of the separator L1 is, for example, paper, but is not limited to paper, and may be PET (polyethylene terephthalate).

The adhesive layer L2 is an adhesive material applied to the base material L3.

The material of the substrate L3 is for example coloured PET.

The color development layer L4 is a thermosensitive color development layer that develops color by heating with thermal energy.

The material of the protective layer L5 is, for example, transparent PET.

The structure of the thermosensitive tape 42 is not limited to the structure shown in fig. 5.

The thermosensitive tape 42 may be formed without the separator L1 to expose the adhesive layer L2.

In this case, the dispersion preventing sheet 43 may be omitted.

The thermosensitive tape 42 may have no protective layer L5 and the color-developing layer L4 may be exposed.

The thermosensitive tape 42 has a shape corresponding to the paper tube 41 in a state of being wound around the paper tube 41.

As shown in fig. 4, if the paper tube 41 has a cylindrical shape, the thermosensitive tape 42 also has a cylindrical shape, and both side surfaces (side surface 42b, side surface 42c) have a circular ring shape.

If the paper tube 41 is in the shape of a hollow hexagonal prism, the thermosensitive tape 42 also has a hollow hexagonal prism shape, and both side surfaces have a hexagonal ring shape.

The dispersion prevention sheet 43 is an adhesive sheet for maintaining the shape of the thermosensitive tape 42.

The thermosensitive tape 42 sometimes expands due to a change in humidity.

However, by attaching the dispersion preventing sheet 43 to the side face 42c of the thermosensitive tape 42, it is possible to suppress a change in the shape of the thermosensitive tape 42 accompanying expansion, that is, dispersion of the thermosensitive tape 42.

Further, even when an impact is applied to the thermosensitive tape 42 by dropping of the tape unit 40 or the like, the dispersion preventing sheet 43 can suppress the change in shape.

The dispersion preventing sheet 43 has an opening (second opening) 43a and an adhesive surface 43 b.

The size of the opening 43a is the same as the size of the hollow portion 41a of the paper tube 41, or is larger than the hollow portion 41a of the paper tube 41.

The opening 43a is larger than an opening 44a (first opening) described later.

The opening 43a is preferably the same size as or larger than the hollow portion 42a of the thermosensitive tape 42.

More specifically, the diameter of the opening 43a is preferably equal to or larger than the inner diameter of the hollow portion 42a of the thermosensitive tape 42.

The dispersion preventing sheet 43 is attached to the side surface 42c so that the opening 43a faces the hollow portion 42a of the thermosensitive tape 42.

The dispersion prevention sheet 43 preferably has a size covering the side surface 42c of the thermosensitive tape 42.

That is, the dispersion preventing sheet 43 is preferably larger than the side surface 42 c.

This allows the entire thermosensitive tape 42 to be held by the adhesive surface, and thus the shape can be maintained more reliably.

The shape of the dispersion preventing piece 43 is preferably a shape similar to the shape of the side surface 42 c.

That is, if the side surface 42c has a circular ring shape, the dispersion preventing piece 43 preferably also has a circular ring shape.

This can reduce the area that does not contribute to maintaining the shape of the thermosensitive tape 42, and thus can reduce the size of the dispersion preventing sheet 43.

Further, since the adhesive surface is less exposed, adhesion of dust, dirt, and the like to the dispersion preventing sheet 43 can be suppressed.

The tension sheet 44 is an adhesive sheet indicating the type of the belt unit 40 (more precisely, the type of the thermosensitive belt 42).

The thermosensitive tape 42 exists in various kinds depending on the tape width and the color of the printed surface.

Since the tension sheet 44 includes information for specifying the type of the thermosensitive tape 42, the user can easily specify the type of the tape unit 40 by sticking the tension sheet 44 to the side surface 42b of the thermosensitive tape 42.

The tension sheet 44 has an opening 44a and an adhesive surface 44 b.

The opening portion 44a is smaller than the hollow portion 42a of the thermosensitive tape 42 and smaller than the hollow portion 41a of the paper tube 41.

In more detail, the diameter of the opening portion 44a is smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow portion 42a of the thermosensitive tape 42, and smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow portion 41a of the paper tube 41.

The tension sheet 44 is attached to the side surface 42b so that the opening 44a faces the hollow portion 42a of the thermosensitive tape 42.

Further, for example, at the time of sale of the belt unit 40 or the like, the tension sheet 44 is preferably smaller than the side face 42b of the thermosensitive belt 42 at least before the start of use of the belt unit 40.

More specifically, the tension sheet 44 preferably has an area smaller than the area of the side surface 42b of the thermosensitive tape 42.

This reduces the area of the side surface 42b of the thermosensitive tape 42 covered with the tension sheet 44, and thus facilitates confirmation of the remaining amount of the thermosensitive tape 42.

The materials of the paper tube 41, the scattering prevention sheet 43, and the tension sheet 44 are not limited to paper.

However, if these members are made of paper, the used belt unit 40 that runs out of the thermosensitive tape 42 can be discarded as combustible waste.

Therefore, the paper tube 41, the scattering prevention sheet 43, and the tension sheet 44 are preferably made of paper.

As described above, in the tape unit 40, the tension sheet 44 having the opening 44a smaller than the hollow portion 42a of the thermosensitive tape 42 is stuck to the side surface 42c of the thermosensitive tape 42.

Therefore, the size of the opening when the belt unit 40 is viewed from the side surface 42b (i.e., the size of the opening 44a) is different from the size of the opening when the belt unit 40 is viewed from the side surface 42c (i.e., the size of the opening 43 a).

According to the belt unit 40, the belt unit 40 can be prevented from being stored in the unit adaptor 10 in an incorrect orientation by the difference in the size of the openings.

Further, in the printing apparatus 1, the belt unit 40 is attached to the unit adaptor 10, but the belt unit 40 may be used for a printing apparatus that directly houses the belt unit 40.

In this case, the belt unit 40 can be prevented from being stored in the printing apparatus in the wrong orientation.

Therefore, according to the belt unit 40, the belt unit 40 can be prevented from being mounted in an erroneous orientation.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the adapter body 20.

Fig. 7 is a top view of the adapter body 20.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the adapter body 20.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the belt unit 40 in a state where the tension sheet 44 is directed upward.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of the belt unit 40 in a state where the scattering prevention sheet 43 is directed upward.

Hereinafter, the prevention of the attachment in the wrong orientation will be described in more detail with reference to fig. 6 to 10.

As shown in fig. 6, the adapter body 20 includes a guide 21, a medium housing 22, and a projection 23.

The guide 21 is a regulating member that regulates the conveying direction of the thermosensitive tape 42 drawn out from the medium housing 22.

The medium housing section 22 has a bottom surface 22a which is a part of the inner wall surface of the unit adapter 10, and houses the belt unit 40 in a state where the dispersion preventing piece 43 is directed toward the bottom surface 22 a.

The protrusion 23 will be described later.

As shown in fig. 7, the adapter body 20 has a plurality of ribs 26.

The ribs 26 are provided on the bottom surface 22a and support the belt unit 40 housed in the medium housing section 22.

This reduces frictional resistance when the belt unit 40 rotates inside the unit adapter 10, and therefore, smooth rotation can be achieved.

In particular, by providing the plurality of ribs 26 radially with respect to the protruding portion 23, the frictional force can be uniformly applied to each position in the radial direction of the belt unit 40.

Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the adapter body 20 has regions 27 between the plurality of ribs 26.

A seal printed with information for specifying the tape width of the tape unit to be stored is attached to the region 27, for example.

That is, the unit adaptor 10 is shown in the area 27 as a unit adaptor for a belt having a bandwidth of several mm.

Thus, when the user attaches the belt unit 40 to the unit adaptor 10, the user can confirm at a glance whether or not the belt width of the belt unit 40 is the corresponding belt width of the unit adaptor 10 by comparing the information of the area 27 with the information of the tension sheet 44.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent the belt unit 40 having an erroneous bandwidth from being mounted on the unit adaptor 10.

The protruding portion 23 is inserted into the hollow portion 42a of the thermosensitive tape 42 included in the tape unit 40 in a state where the tape unit 40 is housed in the unit adaptor 10. The protruding portion 23 has a first protruding portion 24 protruding from the bottom surface 22a of the medium housing portion 22 and a second protruding portion 25 protruding from the front end surface 24a of the first protruding portion 24.

The first protrusion 24 is smaller than the hollow portion 42a of the thermosensitive tape 42 and larger than the opening 44a of the tension sheet 44.

In more detail, the first protruding portion 24 is smaller than the paper tube 41a of the paper tube 41.

In other words, the outer diameter D1 of the first protrusion 24 shown in fig. 8 is smaller than the inner diameter D42i of the hollow portion 42a of the thermosensitive tape 42 shown in fig. 9, and is larger than the opening diameter D44i of the tension sheet 44 shown in fig. 9 (i.e., the diameter of the opening portion 44 a).

Also, the outer diameter D1 of the first projection 24 is smaller than the inner diameter D41 of the hollow portion 41a of the paper tube 41 shown in fig. 9.

In addition, as shown in fig. 10, the opening diameter D43i of the dispersion preventing piece 43 is equal to or larger than the inner diameter D41 of the hollow portion 41a of the paper tube 41.

Therefore, the outer diameter D1 of the first protruding portion 24 is smaller than the opening diameter D43i of the dispersion preventing piece 43 (i.e., the diameter of the opening portion 43 a).

As shown in fig. 8, the first projecting portion 24 has a height H1 with respect to the bottom surface 22 a.

The height H1 of the first tab 24 is lower than the bandwidth of the thermosensitive tape 42 corresponding to the unit adapter 10. I.e. lower than 6 mm.

The second protrusion 25 is smaller than the opening 44a of the tension sheet 44.

In other words, the outer diameter D2 of the second protrusion 25 shown in fig. 8 is smaller than the opening diameter D44i of the tension sheet 44 shown in fig. 9.

As shown in fig. 8, the second projecting portion 25 has a height H2 with respect to the bottom surface 22a, and has a height H12 with respect to the front end surface 24 a.

The height H2 of the second projection 25 is greater than the bandwidth of the thermosensitive tape 42 corresponding to the unit adapter 10.

I.e. higher than 6 mm.

Further, as shown in fig. 9, the outer diameter D44o of the tension sheet 44 is larger than the inner diameter D42i of the thermosensitive tape 42.

In addition, as shown in fig. 9 and 10, the outer diameter D43o of the dispersion preventing piece 43 is equal to or larger than the outer diameter D42o of the thermosensitive tape 42.

By setting the dimensions of the protruding portion 23 and the belt unit 40 to have the above-described relationship, if the dispersion preventing piece 43 is directed toward the bottom surface 22a, the protruding portion 23 is inserted into the hollow portion 42a of the thermosensitive belt 42, and the dispersion preventing piece 43 is supported by the rib 26 of the bottom surface 22 a.

Therefore, the belt unit 40 can be housed in the unit adaptor 10 in a stable state.

On the other hand, when the tension sheet 44 faces the bottom surface 22a, the tension sheet 44 contacts the distal end surface 24a and does not reach the rib 26.

This state is a state in which the belt unit 40 is supported by the narrow front end surface 24a, and is very unstable.

Therefore, the user can immediately notice the wrong direction of mounting the belt unit 40.

In addition, in this state, the adapter cover 30 hits the belt unit 40 and is not closed.

Therefore, according to the belt unit 40 and the unit adapter 10, the belt unit 40 can be prevented from being mounted in an erroneous direction.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the adapter body 50.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view of the adapter body 60.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the adapter body 70.

Hereinafter, differences between unit adapters corresponding to different bandwidths will be described with reference to fig. 8 and fig. 11 to 13.

The adapter body 50 shown in fig. 11, the adapter body 60 shown in fig. 12, and the adapter body 70 shown in fig. 13 are adapter bodies included in 9mm, 12mm, and 18mm unit adapters for a belt, respectively.

The adapter covers of these unit adapters are the same as the adapter cover 30 of the 6mm belt unit adapter 10.

As shown in fig. 11, the adapter body 50 has a projection 53.

The protruding portion 53 has a first protruding portion protruding from the bottom surface 52a and a second protruding portion protruding from the first protruding portion.

As shown in fig. 12, the adapter body 60 has a projection 63.

The protruding portion 63 has a first protruding portion protruding from the bottom surface 62a and a second protruding portion protruding from the first protruding portion.

As shown in fig. 13, the adapter body 70 has a projection 73.

The protruding portion 73 has a first protruding portion protruding from the bottom surface 72a and a second protruding portion protruding from the first protruding portion.

The outer diameter D1 of the first protrusion and the outer diameter D2 of the second protrusion are common independent of the unit adapter.

The height H12 of the second projecting portion with respect to the distal end surface of the first projecting portion is also common regardless of the unit adapter.

The height H1 of the first protrusion and the height H2 of the second protrusion with respect to the bottom surface are different on each unit adapter.

In the adapter body 20 for a 6mm belt shown in fig. 8, the height H1 of the first protrusion 24 is lower than the 6mm belt width corresponding to the adapter body 20.

The height H2 of the second protrusion 25 is higher than the 6mm width corresponding to the adapter body 20 and lower than the 9mm width corresponding to the adapter body 50.

In the 9mm belt adapter body 50 shown in fig. 11, the height H1 of the first projecting portion is lower than the 9mm belt width corresponding to the adapter body 50.

The height H2 of the second protrusion is higher than the width of the adapter body 50, i.e., 9mm, and lower than the width of the adapter body 60, i.e., 12 mm.

In the adapter body 60 for a 12mm belt shown in fig. 12, the height H1 of the first projecting portion is lower than the width of the belt corresponding to the adapter body 60, that is, 12 mm.

The height H2 of the second protrusion is 12mm higher than the width of the adapter body 60 and 18mm lower than the width of the adapter body 70.

In the adapter body 70 for the 18mm belt shown in fig. 13, the height H1 of the first projecting portion is lower than the 18mm belt width corresponding to the adapter body 70.

The height H2 of the second protrusion is higher than the width of the adapter body 70, i.e., 18 mm.

That is, the height H1 of the first protrusion is lower than the corresponding bandwidth, and the height H2 of the second protrusion is higher than the corresponding bandwidth.

In addition, the height H1 of the first protrusion is higher than the bandwidth corresponding to the other unit adapter having a shorter bandwidth.

In other words, the height H1 of the first protrusion is higher than a bandwidth shorter than a corresponding bandwidth included in a plurality of predetermined bandwidths (6mm, 9mm, 12mm, 18 mm).

By the dimensions (height, outer diameter) of the projection being in the relationship as described above, in the case where the tape unit 40 has a tape width corresponding to the unit adapter, the projection is inserted through the hollow portion 42a of the thermosensitive tape 42, and the dispersion preventing piece 43 is supported by the rib.

Therefore, the belt unit 40 can be housed in the unit adaptor in a stable state.

On the other hand, when the belt unit 40 has a belt width shorter than the belt width corresponding to the unit adapter, even when the belt unit is attached in the correct orientation, the tension piece 44 comes into contact with the front end surface of the first protruding portion, and the scattering prevention piece 43 does not reach the rib.

This state is a state in which the belt unit 40 is supported by the narrow front end face, and is very unstable.

Therefore, the user can immediately notice the band unit 40 in which the bandwidth different from the bandwidth corresponding to the unit adaptor is installed.

In addition, when the tape unit 40 has a tape width longer than the tape width corresponding to the unit adapter, the tape width of the tape unit 40 is longer than the height H2 of the second protrusion, and the protrusion is not completely inserted into the hollow portion 42a of the thermosensitive tape 42.

In addition, the height of the second protrusion is substantially equal to the height of the internal space of the unit adapter.

Therefore, the belt unit 40 hits the adapter cover, and the adapter cover is not closed.

Therefore, according to the belt unit 40 and the unit adapter, it is possible to prevent the belt unit 40 having a different bandwidth corresponding to the unit adapter from being mounted.

Next, a modified example of the scattering prevention sheet 43 will be described.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the belt unit 80 in a state where the thermosensitive tape 42 is consumed to some extent.

Fig. 15 is a plan view of the scattering prevention sheet 83.

Fig. 16 is a plan view of the belt unit 80 as viewed from the dispersion preventing sheet 83 side.

Fig. 17 is a view showing a case where a part of the scattering prevention sheet 83 is cut out.

The belt unit 80 shown in fig. 14 is a belt unit having a variation of the scattering prevention sheet 83.

The belt unit 80 has a paper tube 41, a thermosensitive tape 42, and a dispersion preventing sheet 83.

The belt unit 80 is different from the belt unit 40 in that a scattering prevention sheet 83 is provided instead of the scattering prevention sheet 43, and the tension sheet 44 is not provided.

In the tape unit 80, as shown in fig. 14, when the heat-sensitive tape 42 is consumed, the exposed portion of the adhesive surface of the dispersion preventing sheet 83 becomes large, and therefore dust, dirt, or the like is likely to adhere thereto.

Further, if the exposed portion of the adhesive surface becomes large, handling of the tape unit 80 such as grasping the adhesive surface becomes difficult when replacing the tape unit 80.

However, the belt unit 80 can cope with such a situation.

The belt unit 80 will be described in more detail below.

The dispersion preventing sheet 83 included in the tape unit 80 has an opening, and is attached to one of the side surfaces having the loop shape of the thermosensitive tape 42 so that the opening faces the hollow portion of the thermosensitive tape 42, similarly to the dispersion preventing sheet 43.

As shown in fig. 15, the scattering prevention sheet 83 is different from the scattering prevention sheet 43 in that it includes a perforated line 83a, a notch 83b, a first sheet portion 83c, and a second sheet portion 83d separable from the first sheet portion 83 c.

The perforated line 83a is a line formed by a plurality of holes arranged in a ring shape, and is a line indicating a boundary between the first sheet portion 83c and the second sheet portion 83 d.

The perforation line 83a is formed along the winding line of the thermosensitive tape 42.

That is, the opening is formed in an annular shape.

More strictly speaking, the perforation line 83a and at least one of the hollow portion 42a of the thermosensitive tape 42 and the opening of the dispersion preventing sheet 83 are formed concentrically.

The position in the radial direction where the perforation line 83a is formed is the outer peripheral position of the thermosensitive tape 42 when the remaining amount reaches a predetermined amount.

In fig. 15, the position of the punching line 83a is the outer peripheral position of the thermosensitive tape 42 when the remaining amount of the thermosensitive tape 42 reaches 50%.

The notch 83b extends from the outer peripheral portion of the dispersion preventing piece 83 toward, for example, the opening portion.

More specifically, the notch 83b extends from the outer peripheral portion to the perforated line 83 a.

In the tape unit 80, if the remaining amount of the thermosensitive tape 42 is 50% or more, the presence of the thermosensitive tape 42 can be confirmed from the notch 83b as shown in fig. 16.

On the other hand, when the remaining amount of the thermosensitive tape 42 is less than 50%, the presence of the thermosensitive tape 42 cannot be confirmed from the notch 83 b.

Therefore, the user can determine whether the remaining amount of the thermosensitive tape 42 is 50% or more or less than 50% by checking whether the presence of the thermosensitive tape 42 can be confirmed from the notch 83b, and can roughly grasp the remaining amount of the thermosensitive tape 42.

In the tape unit 80 configured as described above, since the perforation lines 83a are formed in the dispersion preventing sheet 83, when the consumption of the thermosensitive tape 42 progresses and the amount of exposure of the adhesive surface of the dispersion preventing sheet 83 becomes large, as shown in fig. 17, a part of the dispersion preventing sheet 83 (second sheet portion 83d) can be cut along the perforation lines 83 a.

This can reduce the amount of exposure of the adhesive surface, which increases with consumption.

Therefore, adhesion of dust, dirt, and the like to the adhesive surface can be suppressed.

In addition, the ease of operation of the belt unit 80 can be maintained.

In the belt unit 80, the cuts 83b extend from the outer peripheral portion to the perforation lines 83a, and therefore the scattering prevention pieces 83 can be easily cut along the perforation lines 83 a.

Further, as shown in fig. 17, when the user cannot confirm the presence of the thermosensitive tape 42 from the cut 83b, a part of the dispersion preventing sheet 83 (second sheet portion 83d) may be cut along the perforated line 83 a.

By cutting the dispersion preventing sheet 83 at such a timing, the dispersion preventing sheet 83 can be prevented from being smaller than the side surface of the thermosensitive tape 42.

Therefore, even after a part is cut out, the shape of the thermosensitive tape 42 can be maintained by the dispersion preventing sheet 83.

Therefore, according to the belt unit 80, the shape of the belt unit can be maintained without losing the ease of handling.

Another modification of the scattering-preventing sheet 43 will be described.

Fig. 18 is a plan view of the scattering prevention sheet 93.

Fig. 19 is a plan view of the scattering prevention sheet 103.

Fig. 20 is a plan view of the dispersion preventing piece 113.

Fig. 21 is a plan view of the scattering prevention sheet 123.

The dispersion preventing sheet 93 shown in fig. 18 is the same as the dispersion preventing sheet 83 in that it includes perforated lines 83a which are lines formed of a plurality of holes arranged in a ring shape.

The dispersion prevention sheet 93 is different from the dispersion prevention sheet 83 in that the dispersion prevention sheet 93 includes a slit 93b extending from the outer peripheral portion of the dispersion prevention sheet 93 to the opening portion instead of the slit 83 b.

The dispersion preventing sheet 93 includes a first sheet portion 93c and a second sheet portion 93d separable from the first sheet portion 93 c.

By the belt unit having the scattering prevention sheet 93, the shape of the belt unit can be maintained without losing the ease of handling, as in the case of the belt unit 80.

Even when the dispersion preventing sheet 93 is used, a part of the dispersion preventing sheet 93 can be easily cut along the perforated line 83a, and the approximate remaining amount can be grasped by comparing the outer peripheral position of the thermosensitive tape 42 with the perforated line 83 a.

Thus, the notch may extend at least as far as the perforation line 83a, or may extend further deeply beyond the perforation line 83 a.

The scattering prevention sheet 103 shown in fig. 19 is different from the scattering prevention sheet 93 in that it has a plurality of lines (the perforation lines 83a, 103a) at different positions in the radial direction.

The other points are the same as those of the scattering prevention sheet 93.

The dispersion preventing sheet 103 includes a first sheet 103c, a second sheet 103d separable from the first sheet 103c, and a third sheet 103e separable from the second sheet 103 d.

By the belt unit having the scattering prevention sheet 103, the shape of the belt unit can be maintained without losing the ease of handling, as in the case of the belt unit 80.

Further, by forming a plurality of perforated lines, the amount of exposure of the adhesive surface can be finely adjusted.

Further, for example, by associating the perforation line 83a with the remaining amount of 50%, the perforation line 103a with the remaining amount of 20%, or the like, each perforation line is associated with the remaining amount of the thermosensitive tape 42, and the remaining amount of the thermosensitive tape 42 can be grasped finely by the tape unit 80.

The dispersion preventing sheet 113 shown in fig. 20 is similar to the dispersion preventing sheet 83 in that it includes perforated lines 83a which are lines formed of a plurality of holes arranged in a ring shape.

The dispersion preventing sheet 113 differs from the dispersion preventing sheet 83 in that a perforated line 113a is provided instead of the slit 83 b.

The dispersion preventing sheet 113 includes a first sheet portion 113c and a second sheet portion 113d separable from the first sheet portion 113 c.

The perforation line 113a is a line including a plurality of holes aligned from the outer peripheral portion of the dispersion preventing sheet 113 toward the perforation line 83 a.

By the belt unit having the scattering prevention sheet 113, the shape of the belt unit can be maintained without losing the ease of handling, as in the belt unit 80.

Even when the dispersion preventing sheet 113 is used, a part of the dispersion preventing sheet 113 can be easily cut along the perforation lines 113a and 83 a.

The dispersion preventing sheet 123 shown in fig. 21 is similar to the dispersion preventing sheet 83 in that it includes perforated lines 83a, which are cut lines formed by a plurality of holes arranged in a ring shape.

The dispersion prevention sheet 123 is different from the dispersion prevention sheet 83 in that a perforated line 123a and a slit 123b are provided instead of the slit 83 b.

The dispersion preventing sheet 123 includes a first sheet portion 123c and a second sheet portion 123d separable from the first sheet portion 123 c.

The perforation line 123a is a cutting line extending from the notch 123b toward the perforation line 83 a.

The notch 123b is a notch extending from the outer peripheral portion of the dispersion preventing piece 123, but does not reach the perforation line 83a, unlike the notch 83 b.

By the belt unit having the scattering prevention sheet 123, the shape of the belt unit can be maintained without losing the ease of handling, as in the case of the belt unit 80.

Even when the dispersion preventing sheet 123 is used, a part of the dispersion preventing sheet 123 can be easily cut along the perforation line 123a and the perforation line 83 a.

Further, by forming the perforation line 123a, the size of the notch 123b can be freely designed.

Thus, the remaining amount of the thermosensitive tape 42 and the timing at which a part of the dispersion preventing sheet 123 is cut out due to the increase in the exposed amount of the adhesive surface can be individually set, and the remaining amount of the thermosensitive tape 42 can be grasped by checking the presence of the thermosensitive tape 42 from the notch 123 b.

The above-described embodiments are specific examples for easy understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

The belt unit and the unit adaptor may be variously modified and changed without departing from the scope of claims.

In the above-described embodiment, the tension sheet 44 is smaller than the side surface 42b of the thermosensitive tape 42, but the tension sheet 44 may be larger than the side surface 42 b.

In this case, the tension sheet 44 has the same effect as the scattering prevention sheet 43.

In the above-described embodiment, the dispersion preventing sheet is attached to one side surface of the thermosensitive tape 42, and the tension sheet 44 is attached to the other side surface thereof.

In the case where the dispersion preventing sheets are attached to both surfaces, if the dispersion preventing sheets have no perforated lines, there is a possibility that the dispersion preventing sheets contact each other as the consumption of the thermosensitive tape 42 progresses. When the dispersion preventing pieces come into contact with each other, rotation of the belt unit in the unit adapter may be hindered, and therefore, it is preferable that perforated lines be formed on the dispersion preventing pieces.

In the above-described embodiment, the perforated lines in which a plurality of holes are arranged are illustrated as lines indicating the boundaries between the first sheet portion and the second sheet portion of the dispersion prevention sheet, but the lines indicating the boundaries are not limited to the perforated lines.

The line indicating the boundary may be, for example, a space between the separated first sheet and second sheet, in which the first sheet and second sheet are separated in advance.

The line indicating the boundary may be a line printed to indicate the cutting position (i.e., a cut line), and the printed line is not limited to a solid line and may be a dot-dash line or a broken line.

The line indicating the boundary may include at least one of a perforated line and a cutting line (including a solid line, a dot-dash line, and a broken line).

In the above-described embodiment, the perforated lines are provided from the outer peripheral portion of the dispersion preventing sheet toward the lines indicating the boundaries, but the perforated lines may be replaced with or in addition to the perforated lines, and the cutting lines may be provided from the outer peripheral portion toward the lines indicating the boundaries.

In the above-described embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 having the input unit 3 and the display unit 6 is exemplified, but the printing apparatus may not have an input unit and a display unit, and print data may be input from an electronic device other than the printing apparatus such as a computer.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the height H1 of the first protrusion and the height H2 of the second protrusion are different for each of the unit adapters having different corresponding bandwidths is shown, but the present invention is not limited to the unit adapters, and the height H1 of the first protrusion and the height H2 of the second protrusion may be the same.

Claims (4)

1. A unit adaptor for receiving a belt unit, the belt unit having the following structure: a belt wound in a manner to have a hollow portion; and a first adhesive sheet having a first opening portion having a diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the hollow portion of the tape, adhered to one side surface of the tape so as to correspond to the hollow portion, and having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the hollow portion of the tape,

the unit adapter is provided with a protruding portion that is inserted through the hollow portion of the tape included in the tape unit housed in the unit adapter,

the protrusion has a first protrusion having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow portion of the band and larger than the diameter of the first opening portion.

2. The unit adapter of claim 1,

the protruding portion further has a second protruding portion protruding from a front end face of the first protruding portion, and having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the first opening portion.

3. The unit adapter of claim 2,

the height of the first projecting portion with respect to the bottom surface is lower than the width of the belt,

the height of the second protruding portion with respect to the bottom surface is higher than the width of the belt.

4. The unit adapter of claim 3,

the unit adaptor is a unit adaptor for receiving a tape of a first width among predetermined tapes of a plurality of widths,

the first protruding portion has a height greater than a second width that is shorter than the first width and is included in the plurality of widths.

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