CN216761260U - Tape box - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model provides a tape cassette capable of suppressing the bending of a detection projection. In the tape cassette, the cassette case has a contact portion that contacts a detection tip portion that is an end portion of the detection convex portion in the first direction at a position where the belt-like member is bent along a circumferential surface of the platen roller, and the platen roller has: a roller body in contact with the belt body; a roller shaft including a small diameter portion provided in the first direction with respect to the roller main body and having a smaller outer diameter than the roller main body, and a shaft engaging portion provided in the first direction with respect to the small diameter portion and engaged with the cartridge case; and an annular member provided radially outside the small diameter portion.

Description

Tape box

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a tape cassette to be mounted on a tape printing apparatus.

Background

Conventionally, as disclosed in patent document 1, a tape cassette including a label tape, a platen roller for transporting the label tape, and a cassette case for housing the label tape and the platen roller is known. The label tape device includes a tape main body and a detection target portion protruding in a first direction from a first side portion of the tape main body. The detection target portion can be detected by an optical sensor provided in the apparatus main body.

In the case where the conventional tape cassette includes the contact portion that contacts the detection tip portion, which is the first-direction end portion of the detection target portion, at the position where the label tape is bent along the circumferential surface of the platen roller, the detection tip portion contacts the contact portion, and thus the detection target portion may enter between the platen roller and the cassette case and be bent.

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 2014-184558

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The tape cassette of the present invention is mounted on a tape printing apparatus including a thermal head and a detection unit, and includes: a belt-shaped member having a belt body and a detection protrusion protruding in the belt body in a first direction from a first side portion located in the first direction, which is one of the width directions of the belt body, and being detectable by a detection portion; a platen roller that sandwiches the belt-like member with the thermal head; a cartridge case that houses the belt-like member and the platen roller, the cartridge case having a contact portion that contacts a detection tip portion that is an end portion of the detection convex portion in the first direction at a position where the belt-like member is bent along a circumferential surface of the platen roller, the platen roller including: a roller body in contact with the belt body; a roller shaft including a small diameter portion provided in the first direction with respect to the roller main body and having a smaller outer diameter than the roller main body, and a shaft engaging portion provided in the first direction with respect to the small diameter portion and engaged with the cartridge case; and an annular member provided radially outside the small diameter portion.

In the tape cassette according to the present invention, it is preferable that an outer diameter of the annular member is smaller than an outer diameter of the roller main body.

In the tape cassette of the present invention, it is preferable that a diameter difference, which is a difference obtained by subtracting the diameter of the annular member from the diameter of the roller main body, is 0.8mm or more and 1.5mm or less.

In the tape cassette according to the present invention, it is preferable that a gap is provided between the roller main body and the annular member.

In the tape cassette according to the present invention, it is preferable that the annular member is rotatable integrally with the roller main body.

According to the present invention, by providing the annular member radially outward of the small diameter portion located between the roller main body and the cartridge case, it is possible to suppress the detection convex portion from being bent so as to enter between the roller main body and the cartridge case.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a tape cassette.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the tape cassette with the first housing removed.

Fig. 3 is a view showing a belt-like member.

Fig. 4 is a view of the tape printing apparatus as viewed from the + Z direction.

Fig. 5 is a view of the tape cassette in a state where the first housing is detached, as viewed from the + Z direction.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the first housing.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the first housing viewed from a different angle than fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the platen roller.

Fig. 9 is a view showing the platen roller.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the tape cassette cut along a plane parallel to the XY plane.

Fig. 11 is a view of the tape cassette and the thermal head in a state where the first housing is detached, as viewed from the-X direction.

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the tape cassette showing a state where the detection tip portion of the detection convex portion is in contact with the contact portion.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, a tape cassette 101 as an embodiment of the tape cassette will be described with reference to the drawings. The tape cassette 101 is detachably mounted on the tape printing apparatus 1. In addition, the directions formed by the XYZ rectangular coordinate system shown in each drawing will be described below, but these directions are merely for convenience of explanation and do not limit the following embodiments at all.

Tape box

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the tape cassette 101 includes a platen roller 103, a tape core 105, an unwinding core 107, a winding core 109, and a cassette case 111 that houses these components.

A tape (tape) -shaped member 113 is wound around the tape core 105. A member obtained by winding the belt-like member 113 around the belt core 105 is referred to as a belt reel 115. Of the two surfaces of the belt member 113, the surface on the outside of the belt reel 115 is referred to as a first belt surface 113a, and the surface on the inside of the belt reel 115 is referred to as a second belt surface 113b (see fig. 10).

An ink ribbon (ink ribbon)117 is wound around the unwinding core 107. The ink ribbon 117 unwound from the unwinding core 107 is wound on the winding core 109. The platen roller 103 conveys a belt-like member 113 and an ink ribbon 117 sandwiched between the thermal head 13 (see fig. 4) provided in the tape printing apparatus 1. A head insertion hole 119 through which the thermal head 13 and the headcap 15 are inserted is provided in the cartridge case 111 so as to penetrate along the Z direction. A cartridge-side tape discharge port 121 is provided on the surface of the cartridge case 111 in the-X direction. The belt-like member 113 unwound from the belt reel 115 is discharged from the cartridge-side belt discharge port 121. Further, a detection opening 123 is provided in a position near the platen roller 103 on the surface of the cartridge case 111 in the + Z direction. The detection opening 123 is a portion where the detection portion 11 (see fig. 4) provided in the tape printing apparatus 1 is located.

Belt-shaped member

As shown in fig. 3, the belt-like member 113 includes a plurality of label portions 125 and a base paper tape 127.

The plurality of label portions 125 are releasably adhered to the first tape surface 113a of the base tape 127 so as to be arranged at substantially equal intervals in the X direction, that is, in the longitudinal direction of the tape-shaped member 113. The print image is printed on the label portion 125 by the tape printer 1. The shape of the label portion 125 is a rounded quadrangle, but is not limited thereto, and may be, for example, a circle, an ellipse, or a combination thereof.

The base tape 127 includes a tape main body 129 and a plurality of detection protrusions 131.

The belt main body 129 is formed in a belt shape. Of both sides of the belt main body 129 located in the width direction of the belt main body 129, that is, the width direction of the belt-like member 113, the side located in the + Z direction is referred to as a first side 133, and the side located in the-Z direction is referred to as a second side 135. A plurality of label portions 125 are affixed to tape main body 129 in base paper tape 127.

The detection protrusion 131 protrudes from the first side 133 in the + Z direction. The detection convex portion 131 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape that is long in the longitudinal direction of the belt-like member 113. The plurality of detection protrusions 131 are provided so as to be arranged at substantially equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of the belt-like member 113. The detection convex portions 131 are portions that can be detected by the detection portion 11, and correspond one-to-one to the label portions 125. That is, the detection convex portion 131 is provided at a predetermined position with respect to the corresponding label portion 125 in the longitudinal direction of the belt-like member 113. The tape printing apparatus 1 prints a print image on the label portion 125 corresponding to the detected detection convex portion 131 based on the detection result of the detection convex portion 131.

The end in the + Z direction of the detection projection 131 is referred to as a detection tip 137. The end of the belt-like member 113 in the-X direction is referred to as a first detection target portion 139, and the end of the belt-like member 113 in the + X direction is referred to as a second detection target portion 141. That is, of both ends of the detection convex portion 131 in the longitudinal direction of the belt-like member 113, an end close to the unwinding tip end portion of the belt-like member 113 is referred to as a first detection target portion 139, and an end distant from the unwinding tip end portion of the belt-like member 113 is referred to as a second detection target portion 141.

The first belt dimension L1, which is the dimension of the belt-like member 113 in the width direction of the belt-like member 113, is not particularly limited, but is 54mm, for example. The second tape dimension L2, which is the dimension of the tape main body 129 in the width direction of the tape-like member 113, is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 50 mm. The third belt dimension L3, which is the dimension of the detection projection 131 in the width direction of the belt-like member 113, is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 4 mm.

Tape printing apparatus

As shown in fig. 4, the tape printing apparatus 1 includes an apparatus housing 3 and an attachment cover 5. The device case 3 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. A cartridge mounting portion 7 is provided on the + Z direction surface of the apparatus casing 3. The cartridge mounting portion 7 is formed in a concave shape with the + Z direction opened. The cartridge mounting section 7 is detachably mounted with a tape cartridge 101.

A device-side tape ejection outlet 9 is provided on a surface of the device case 3 in the-X direction. The tape-like member 113 unwound from the tape cassette 101 mounted on the cassette mounting portion 7 is discharged from the apparatus-side tape discharge port 9.

The mounting portion cover 5 is rotatably mounted on an end portion of the apparatus casing 3 in the + Y direction, and opens and closes the cartridge mounting portion 7. A detection portion 11 is provided on the inner surface of the mounting portion cover 5. When the tape cartridge 101 is mounted on the cartridge mounting section 7 and the mounting section cover 5 is closed, the detection section 11 enters the detection opening 123 of the cartridge case 111 and detects the detection projection 131 exposed from the detection opening 123. As the detection unit 11, for example, a photo interrupter (photo interrupter) including a light emitting element and a light receiving element can be used.

The cartridge mounting portion 7 is provided with a thermal head 13 and a headcap 15. The thermal head 13 includes a heating element (not shown), and performs printing on the label portion 125 of the tape member 113. The head cap 15 partially covers the thermal head 13. When the tape cassette 101 is mounted on the cassette mounting portion 7, the thermal head 13 and the headcap 15 are inserted into the head insertion through hole 119. Further, the platen shaft 17, the unwinding shaft 19, and the winding shaft 21 protrude from the bottom surface of the cartridge mounting portion 7 in the + Z direction. When the tape cassette 101 is mounted on the cassette mounting section 7, the platen roller 17, the unwinding shaft 19, and the winding shaft 21 are inserted into the platen roller 103, the unwinding core 107, and the winding core 109, respectively. Thus, the rotation of the feed motor, which is not shown, can be transmitted to the platen roller 103, the unwinding core 107, and the winding core 109.

A cutter 23 is provided between the cartridge mounting portion 7 and the apparatus-side tape ejection opening 9. The cutter 23 cuts the belt-like member 113 using a cutter motor, not shown, as a drive source.

After the tape cassette 101 is mounted on the cassette mounting section 7, when the mounting section cover 5 is closed, the thermal head 13 is moved toward the platen roller 103 by a head moving mechanism (not shown). Thereby, the belt-like member 113 and the ink ribbon 117 are sandwiched between the thermal head 13 and the platen roller 103. That is, the thermal head 13 presses the belt-like member 113 with the platen roller 103 as a receiving member. In this state, the tape printer 1 performs a printing process based on print data generated by an input operation of characters or the like to the tape printer 1 or print data received by the tape printer 1 from an external device such as a personal computer.

That is, the tape printing apparatus 1 unwinds the tape-like member 113 from the tape reel 115 and conveys it toward the apparatus-side ribbon exit 9, and conveys the ink ribbon 117 from the unwinding core 107 to the winding core 109 by rotating the platen roller 103 and the winding core 109 by the feed motor. At this time, the tape printing apparatus 1 causes the thermal head 13 to generate heat, thereby printing a print image based on the print data on the label portion 125. The tape printing apparatus 1 cuts the base tape 127 at the rear of the printed label portion 125, that is, at a position in the + X direction with respect to the printed label portion 125, by operating the cutter 23 by the cutter motor. In addition, the tape printing apparatus 1 can also pull the tape-like member 113 back into the cartridge case 111 and wind the ink ribbon 117 back onto the winding core 107 by rotating the platen roller 103 and the winding core 107 by the feed motor.

The tape printing apparatus 1 executes these printing processes based on the detection result of the detection convex portion 131 obtained by the detection portion 11. That is, the tape printer 1 starts printing on the label portion 125 from the position where the tape member 113 is conveyed by a predetermined size after detecting the first detection target portion 139 of the detection convex portion 131. Further, the tape printer 1 detects the second detection target portion 141 of the detection projection 131, and then cuts the base tape 127 at a position where the tape-like member 113 is fed by a predetermined size.

Box shell

The cartridge case 111 includes a first case 143 and a second case 145 (see fig. 1). The first case 143 and the second case 145 are combined in a separable manner. The tape cassette 101 is mounted in the cassette mounting section 7 in a posture in which the first case 143 is located in the + Z direction, which is the front side, and the second case 145 is located in the-Z direction, which is the depth side.

As shown in fig. 5, the second case 145 includes a second base wall portion 147 and a second peripheral wall portion 149 protruding from a peripheral edge portion of the second base wall portion 147 in the + Z direction.

The second peripheral wall portion 149 is provided with a second discharge port 151 in the vicinity of a corner portion in the-X direction and the + Y direction of a second head opening 159, which will be described later. The second discharge port 151 is formed in a slit shape long in the Z direction.

The second base wall 147 is provided with a second press-fitting hole 153 (see fig. 12), a second core-unwinding fitting hole 155, and a second core-winding fitting hole 157. The second embossing engagement hole 153, the second unwinding core engagement hole 155, and the second winding core engagement hole 157 respectively engage with an end of the embossing roller 103 in the-Z direction, that is, a second shaft engagement portion 233, an end of the unwinding core 107 in the-Z direction, and an end of the winding core 109 in the-Z direction, which will be described later. The second embossing engagement hole 153 is formed in a substantially elliptical shape that is long in the drawing-in direction so as to allow movement of the embossing roller 103 in the drawing-in direction that accompanies drawing-in of the belt-like member 113. In addition, the introducing direction means a direction between the + X direction and the + Y direction. Further, a second head opening 159 is provided in the second base wall portion 147. The second head opening 159 is an end of the head insertion hole 119 in the-Z direction.

The second tape spool 163, the ribbon guide wall 165, and the pull-in prevention portion 167 protrude from the second base wall portion 147 in the + Z direction.

A second tape mandrel 163 is inserted into the tape core 105. A ribbon guide wall 165 is provided on an edge portion of the second head opening 159. The ribbon guide wall 165 guides the conveyance of the ink ribbon 117 from the unwinding core 107 to the platen roller 103.

The pull-in prevention portion 167 is positioned in the + X direction with respect to the platen roller 103 via the belt member 113. The pull-in prevention portion 167 sandwiches the belt-like member 113 with the platen roller 103 that has moved in the pull-in direction in accordance with the pull-in of the belt-like member 113 when the belt-like member 113 is pulled into the cartridge case 111 in a state where the belt cartridge 101 is not mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 7. This can prevent the tip of the band-like member 113 from being drawn into the cartridge case 111.

As shown in fig. 6 and 7, the first housing 143 includes a first base wall 173 and a first peripheral wall 175 protruding in the-Z direction from a peripheral edge of the first base wall 173.

The first peripheral wall portion 175 is provided with a first discharge port 177 near a corner portion in the-X direction and the + Y direction of a first header opening 185, which will be described later. The first discharge port 177 is formed in a slit shape long in the Z direction. The first discharge port 177 constitutes the cartridge-side tape discharge port 121 in alignment with the second discharge port 151.

The first base wall 173 is provided with a first pressed engaging hole 179, a first unwinding core engaging protrusion 181, and a first winding core engaging hole 183. The end portion in the + Z direction of the embossing roller 103, that is, the first shaft engaging portion 231, the end portion in the + Z direction of the unwinding core 107, and the end portion in the + Z direction of the winding core 109, which will be described later, are engaged with the first embossing engaging hole 179, the first unwinding core engaging projection 181, and the first winding core engaging hole 183, respectively. Like the second embossing engagement hole 153, the first embossing engagement hole 179 is formed in a substantially elliptical shape that is long in the drawing direction so as to allow the movement of the embossing roller 103 in the drawing direction in association with the drawing of the belt-like member 113. Further, a first head opening 185 is provided on the first base wall portion 173. The first head opening 185 is an end of the head insertion through hole 119 in the + Z direction.

The first base wall 173 is provided with the detection opening 123 at a position closer to the + X direction than the first press-fitting hole 179.

Here, a portion between the detection opening 123 and the first discharge opening 177 in the first base wall portion 173 is referred to as an intermediate portion 187. The intermediate portion 187 is also a portion between the first stamped engagement hole 179 and the first head opening 185. The inner surface of the intermediate portion 187, i.e., the surface in the-Z direction, functions as a contact portion 189.

When the tape member 113 is conveyed from the tape reel 115 to the cartridge-side tape discharge port 121, the contact portion 189 comes into contact with the detection distal end portion 137 of the detection protrusion 131 (see fig. 12). By detecting that the tip end portion 137 is in contact with the contact portion 189, the belt-like member 113 is suppressed from running obliquely or in a distorted manner in the + Z direction.

The contact portion 189 includes an inclined portion 191 and a flat portion 193. The inclined portion 191 is provided at an end portion of the contact portion 189 in the + X direction, and corresponds to an edge portion of the detection opening 123. The inclined portion 191 is inclined such that an end portion of the inclined portion 191 in the-X direction is located in the-Z direction compared to an end portion of the inclined portion 191 in the + X direction. The inclined portion 191 guides the detection protrusion 131 passing through the detection opening 123 toward the flat portion 193 when the tape member 113 is conveyed from the tape reel 115 to the cartridge-side tape discharge opening 121. Thereby, the detection convex portion 131 passing through the detection opening 123 is suppressed from being caught on the edge portion in the + X direction of the detection opening 123. The flat portion 193 is provided between the inclined portion 191 and the first discharge port 177, and is formed in a planar shape parallel to the XY plane. In a state where the detection tip 137 is in contact with the flat portion 193, the detection convex portion 131 transferred from the inclined portion 191 to the flat portion 193 is transferred to the cartridge-side tape discharge port 121.

Further, a housing step portion 194 is provided between the contact portion 189 and the peripheral edge portion of the first stamped engagement hole 179 on the inner surface of the first base wall portion 173, i.e., the surface in the-Z direction. That is, the contact portion 189 is located in the-Z direction with respect to the peripheral edge portion of the first press-engaging hole 179.

The first tape spool 195 and the guide 197 protrude in the-Z direction from the first base wall portion 173.

A first tape mandrel 195 is inserted into tape core 105. That is, the first tape core shaft 195 is provided coaxially with the second tape core shaft 163.

The guide portion 197 is positioned in the + X direction with respect to the platen roller 103 via the belt-like member 113. The guide portion 197 guides the conveyance of the belt-like member 113 between the belt reel 115 and the platen roller 103.

Embossing roller

As shown in fig. 8 and 9, the platen roller 103 includes a roller shaft 221, a roller body 223, and an annular member 225.

The roller shaft 221 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and is made of, for example, resin. When the tape cassette 101 is mounted on the cassette mounting section 7, the platen shaft 17 is inserted into the roller shaft 221, and the roller shaft 221 engages with the platen shaft 17.

The roller shaft 221 includes a roller mounting portion 227, a small diameter portion 229, a first shaft engaging portion 231, and a second shaft engaging portion 233.

The roller mounting portion 227 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. A roller main body 223 is mounted radially outward of the roller mounting portion 227.

The small diameter portion 229 is provided in the + Z direction with respect to the roller mounting portion 227. That is, the small diameter portion 229 is provided between the roller main body 223 and the first base wall portion 173. The small diameter portion 229 is formed in a substantially short cylindrical shape having a smaller outer diameter than the roller main body 223. An annular member 225 is attached to the radially outer side of the small diameter portion 229.

The first shaft engaging portion 231 is provided in the + Z direction with respect to the small diameter portion 229. The first shaft engaging portion 231 is formed in a substantially short cylindrical shape having a smaller outer diameter than the small diameter portion 229. The first shaft engaging portion 231 engages with the first pressed engaging hole 179.

The second shaft engaging portion 233 is provided in the-Z direction with respect to the roller mounting portion 227. The second shaft engaging portion 233 is formed in a substantially short cylindrical shape having a smaller outer diameter than the roller mounting portion 227. The second shaft engaging portion 233 engages with the second platen engaging hole 153.

The roller main body 223 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and is made of an elastic material such as rubber. The roller main body 223 contacts the belt main body 129 in the base paper belt 127. The roller main body 223 is mounted on the radially outer side of the roller mounting portion 227. The roller body 223 is attached to the roller attachment portion 227 so that the roller attachment portion 227 is press-fitted into the roller body 223. Therefore, the roller body 223 can rotate integrally with the roller shaft 221. The roller dimension L4, which is the dimension of the roller main body 223 in the Z direction, is substantially equal to the second belt dimension L2, which is the dimension of the belt main body 129 in the Z direction, and is 50mm, for example.

The annular member 225 is formed in a substantially short cylindrical shape and is made of, for example, resin. The annular member 225 is provided at a position corresponding to the detection protrusion 131 in the base tape 127 in the Z direction (see fig. 12). Although details will be described later, the annular member 225 prevents the detection protrusion 131 from entering between the roller main body 223 and the first pedestal wall 173. The annular member 225 is attached to the radially outer side of the small diameter portion 229 between the roller main body 223 and the first base wall portion 173 (see fig. 10). Annular member 225 is attached to small diameter portion 229 such that small diameter portion 229 is press-fitted into annular member 225. Therefore, the annular member 225 can rotate integrally with the roller shaft 221. The annular dimension L5, which is the dimension of the annular member 225 in the Z direction, is substantially equal to the third belt dimension L3, which is the dimension of the detection protrusion 131 in the Z direction, and is, for example, 4 mm.

The roller end 235, which is an end of the annular member 225 in the + Z direction, is located at a position closer to the + Z direction than the detection tip 137, which is an end of the detection protrusion 131 in the + Z direction (see fig. 11). The end of the thermal head 13 in the + Z direction is located between the end of the annular member 225 in the-Z direction and the roller end 235, which is the end of the annular member 225 in the + Z direction.

As shown in fig. 10, the belt-like member 113 is bent in a substantially "S" shape between the belt reel 115 and the cartridge-side belt discharge port 121 when viewed from the + Z direction. That is, the belt-like member 113 is curved so that the second belt surface 113b is convex along the circumferential surface of the guide portion 197. The belt-like member 113 is curved such that the first belt surface 113a is convex along the circumferential surface of the platen roller 103.

Here, the contact portion 189 contacts the detection tip portion 137 at a position where the belt-like member 113 is bent along the circumferential surface of the platen roller 103 (see fig. 12). That is, the detection convex portion 131 is bent along the circumferential surface of the platen roller 103 when passing through the platen roller 103, and the detection distal end portion 137 as the distal end portion thereof is brought into contact with the contact portion 189.

Unlike the present embodiment, in the configuration in which the annular member 225 is not provided on the radially outer side of the small diameter portion 229, when the detection tip portion 137 comes into contact with the contact portion 189, a load in the width direction of the belt-like member 113 is applied to the detection convex portion 131. Therefore, the detection convex portion 131 that is curved along the circumferential surface of the platen roller 103 may be bent so as to enter between the roller main body 223 and the first base wall portion 173, which is the small diameter portion 229 that tends to be the inner side of the curve. When the detection projection 131 is bent, a problem occurs in that the bent detection projection 131 is caught at the edge of the cartridge-side tape ejection opening 121, and the tape-like member 113 cannot be ejected from the cartridge-side tape ejection opening 121.

In contrast, in the present embodiment, the annular member 225 is provided on the radially outer side of the small diameter portion 229 located between the roller main body 223 and the first base wall portion 173, so that when the detection tip portion 137 comes into contact with the contact portion 189, the detection convex portion 131 is prevented from being bent so as to approach the small diameter portion 229, that is, so as to enter between the roller main body 223 and the first base wall portion 173. That is, the annular member 225 provided on the radially outer side of the small diameter portion 229 prevents the detection convex portion 131 from being bent so as to enter between the roller main body 223 and the first pedestal wall portion 173. Therefore, the detection projection 131 can be prevented from catching on the edge of the cartridge-side tape ejection opening 121.

The annular member 225 has an outer diameter smaller than that of the roller body 223. That is, when the outer diameter of the roller main body 223 is set to the roller outer diameter D and the outer diameter of the annular member 225 is set to the ring outer diameter D, the ring outer diameter D is smaller than the roller outer diameter D. More specifically, it is preferable that the difference (D-D) between the roll outer diameter D and the ring outer diameter D is 0.8mm to 1.5 mm. By setting the diameter difference (D-D) to 0.8mm or more, when the thermal head 13 presses the belt-like member 113 with the roller main body 223 as a receiver, even if the roller main body 223 is elastically deformed, the thermal head 13 can be effectively prevented from coming into contact with the annular member 225. Therefore, the decrease in the pressing force of the thermal head 13 against the belt-shaped member 113 can be suppressed, and as a result, the decrease in the print density of the print image printed on the label portion 125 can be suppressed. Further, by setting the diameter difference (D-D) to 1.5mm or less, it is possible to effectively suppress the detection convex portion 131 from being bent so as to enter between the roller main body 223 and the first base wall portion 173.

A gap is provided between the roller main body 223 and the annular member 225 (see fig. 9). That is, the roller body 223 and the annular member 225 do not contact each other. Therefore, when the thermal head 13 presses the belt-like member 113 with the roller body 223 as a receiver, the roller body 223 can be elastically deformed in the + Z direction. That is, the annular member 225 provided in the + Z direction with respect to the roller main body 223 can be prevented from interfering with elastic deformation of the roller main body 223 in the + Z direction. Thus, the thermal head 13 can appropriately press the belt-like member 113 with the roller main body 223 as a receiving member.

As described above, the annular member 225 can rotate together with the roller body 223 integrally with the roller shaft 221. That is, the annular member 225 can rotate integrally with the roller body 223. Thus, even if the detection convex portion 131 comes into contact with the annular member 225 when the belt member 113 is conveyed, that is, when the roller main body 223 rotates, the annular member 225 rotates, and thus, the detection convex portion 131 can be prevented from being bent by the contact.

As described above, according to the tape cassette 101 of the present embodiment, the annular member 225 is provided radially outward of the small diameter portion 229 between the roller main body 223 and the first base wall portion 173, whereby the detection protrusion 131 can be prevented from being bent so as to enter between the roller main body 223 and the first base wall portion 173.

Other modifications

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various configurations can be adopted without departing from the scope of the utility model. For example, the above embodiment can be modified to the following embodiments in addition to the above. Further, the embodiment and the modification may be combined.

The annular member 225 is not limited to a structure formed separately from the roller main body 223, and may be formed integrally with the roller main body 223.

The annular member 225 is not limited to a structure that can rotate integrally with the roller main body 223. That is, the annular member 225 may not rotate when the roller body 223 rotates.

The tape cassette 101 is not limited to a configuration for storing the ink ribbon 117. For example, the ink ribbon 117 may be housed in an ink ribbon cassette different from the tape cassette 101. The tape cassette 101 may be configured such that printing can be performed on the tape-shaped member 113 without using the ink ribbon 117 by using, for example, thermal paper as the tape-shaped member 113.

Supplementary note

Hereinafter, reference will be made to the tape cassette.

The tape cassette is mounted on a tape printing apparatus having a thermal head and a detection unit, and includes: a belt-shaped member having a belt body and a detection protrusion protruding in the belt body in a first direction from a first side portion located in the first direction, which is one of the width directions of the belt body, and being detectable by a detection portion; a platen roller that sandwiches the belt-like member with the thermal head; a cartridge case that houses the belt-like member and the platen roller, the cartridge case having a contact portion that contacts a detection tip portion that is an end portion of the detection convex portion in the first direction at a position where the belt-like member is bent along a circumferential surface of the platen roller, the platen roller including: a roller body in contact with the belt body; a roller shaft including a small diameter portion provided in the first direction with respect to the roller main body and having a smaller outer diameter than the roller main body, and a shaft engaging portion provided in the first direction with respect to the small diameter portion and engaged with the cartridge case; and an annular member provided radially outside the small diameter portion.

According to this configuration, by providing the annular member on the radially outer side of the small diameter portion located between the roller main body and the cartridge case, it is possible to suppress the detection convex portion from being bent so as to enter between the roller main body and the cartridge case.

In this case, it is preferable that the outer diameter of the annular member is smaller than the outer diameter of the roller main body.

According to this configuration, when the thermal head presses the belt-like member with the roller body as the receiver, the thermal head can be prevented from coming into contact with the annular member. This can suppress a decrease in the pressing force of the thermal head against the belt-shaped member, and as a result, a decrease in the print density of the print image printed on the belt-shaped member can be suppressed.

In this case, it is preferable that the diameter difference, which is the difference obtained by subtracting the diameter of the annular member from the diameter of the roller main body, is 0.8mm or more and 1.5mm or less.

According to this configuration, by setting the diameter difference to 0.8mm or more, when the thermal head presses the belt-like member with the roller main body as the receiver, the thermal head can be effectively prevented from coming into contact with the annular member. Further, by setting the diameter difference to 1.5mm or less, it is possible to effectively suppress the detection convex portion from being bent so as to enter between the roller main body and the cartridge case.

In this case, it is preferable that a gap is provided between the roller main body and the annular member.

According to this configuration, when the thermal head presses the belt-like member with the roller body as the receiver, the roller body can be deformed in the first direction. Thus, the thermal head can appropriately press the belt-like member with the roller body as a receiving member.

In this case, it is preferable that the annular member be rotatable integrally with the roller main body.

According to this configuration, even if the detection convex portion comes into contact with the annular member when the belt-like member is conveyed, that is, when the roller main body rotates, the annular member rotates, and therefore, the detection convex portion can be prevented from being bent by the contact.

Description of the symbols

1 … tape printing device; 11 … a detection unit; 13 … thermal head; 101 … a tape cassette; 103 … embossing rollers; 111 … cartridge case; 113 … a strap member; 129 … a belt body; 131 … detecting the protrusion; 137 … detecting the tip portion; 189 … contact part; 221 … roller shaft; 223 … roller body; 225 …, annular ring-shaped member; 229 … a small diameter section; 231 … first shaft engaging part; d … roll outside diameter; d … outside diameter of the ring.

Claims (5)

1. A tape cassette to be mounted on a tape printing apparatus including a thermal head and a detection portion, the tape cassette comprising:

a belt-shaped member having a belt body and a detection protrusion protruding in the belt body in a first direction from a first side portion located in the first direction, which is one of the width directions of the belt body, and being detectable by the detection portion;

a platen roller that sandwiches the belt-like member with the thermal head;

a cartridge case that houses the belt-like member and the platen roller,

the cartridge case has a contact portion that contacts a detection tip portion that is an end portion of the detection convex portion in the first direction at a position where the belt-shaped member is bent along a circumferential surface of the platen roller,

the platen roller has:

a roller body in contact with the belt body;

a roller shaft including a small diameter portion provided in the first direction with respect to the roller main body and having a smaller outer diameter than the roller main body, and a shaft engaging portion provided in the first direction with respect to the small diameter portion and engaged with the cartridge case;

and an annular member provided radially outside the small diameter portion.

2. The cartridge of claim 1,

the outer diameter of the annular member is smaller than the outer diameter of the roller main body.

3. The cartridge of claim 2,

the diameter difference is a difference obtained by subtracting the diameter of the annular member from the diameter of the roller main body, and is 0.8mm to 1.5 mm.

4. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

a gap is provided between the roller main body and the annular member.

5. The cartridge of claim 1,

the annular member is rotatable integrally with the roller main body.

Images