JP2000043336A - Tape cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To promote recycling by facilitating replacement of a tape and the like stored in a cassette. SOLUTION: A tape cassette TC comprises a lower cassette T1 for storing a tape to be used in a tape-setting apparatus and an upper cassette T2 for covering the lower cassette T1. Moreover, the tape cassette TC is provided with an engagement member T3 for locking the upper cassette T2 and lower cassette T1 to prevent disengagement. A display part T4 for displaying a type of the tape or the like is set to the engagement member T3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tape cassette having a lower cassette for storing a tape used in a tape printer and an upper cassette for covering the lower cassette, and more particularly to a tape and the like stored in the tape cassette. The present invention relates to a tape cassette capable of facilitating refilling and promoting recycling.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, regarding a tape cassette used in a tape printing apparatus, a tape having a plurality of types of tape widths, tape colors, and the like is considered in consideration of the purpose of use of a tape with a character created by the apparatus. Since a printing ribbon is required, a plurality of types of tape cassettes are prepared, and each of the tape cassettes stores a tape having a different tape width, tape color, and the like, and a printing ribbon of a different color. Therefore, display papers indicating the tape width, the tape color, the color of the printing ribbon, and the like are attached to the tape cassette so that a user or the like can easily identify the tape. In such a conventional tape cassette, when the tape is used up, no consideration is given to refilling a new tape into the tape cassette.Therefore, when the tape in the tape cassette is used up, there are parts that can be recycled. In spite of the fact that tape cassettes are still available, tape cassettes are no longer useful and are currently discarded.

[0003]

In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for recycling due to the problem of dust, and for tape cassettes, tapes and printing ribbons have been newly refilled.
It is desirable to recycle. By the way, when recycling a tape cassette, it is highly likely that the type of newly stored tape and printing ribbon will be changed and used, so the tape width, tape color, printing ribbon color, etc. It is necessary to newly replace the indicated display paper. Therefore, the indication paper attached to the tape cassette is
It was necessary to remove it neatly.

However, even if the display paper is peeled off, glue and adhesive remain on the surface of the tape cassette, and it is necessary to remove the glue and the like in order to stick new display paper. Is a very time-consuming task, and has been an obstacle to promoting recycling.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a tape cassette which facilitates refilling of a tape or the like stored in a tape cassette and can promote recycling. And Another object is to provide a tape cassette from which the upper cassette and the lower cassette can be easily removed.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lower cassette for accommodating a tape used in a tape printer, and a lower cassette for accommodating the tape. In a tape cassette including an upper cassette that covers the upper cassette, a locking member that locks the upper cassette and the lower cassette so as not to come off is provided, and a display unit that displays the type of the tape and the like is provided on the locking member. It is characterized by having been provided. Since the locking member locks the upper cassette and the lower cassette in this manner, if the user removes the locking member and separates the upper cassette and the lower cassette from each other, a tape or the like is newly added to the lower cassette. Can be refilled. Thus, if the upper cassette is attached to the lower cassette again, it can be reused as a tape cassette, which facilitates recycling. The locking member is provided with a display unit for displaying the type of tape and the like. When the tape cassette is recycled, the locking member is replaced together with the display unit without recycling the locking member. This eliminates the need for peeling off the display paper and removing the glue and adhesive adhering to the surface of the tape cassette as in a conventional tape cassette. However, since the display portion is provided on the locking member, the previous display portion can be removed with the locking member removed from the tape cassette. Therefore, the locking member and the display portion can be recycled as necessary. There is no problem at all.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, an upper cassette engaging portion for fixing the lower cassette to one side of the upper cassette,
A lower cassette engaging portion for locking the upper cassette engaging portion is provided on one side of the lower cassette, and further, detachably mounted on the opposite side of the lower cassette and the opposite side of the upper cassette. The locking member to be engaged is provided. Thereby, the lower cassette engaging portion is locked to the upper cassette engaging portion, and the locking member is detachably engaged to the opposite side of the upper cassette and the lower cassette. Take off, refill the lower cassette with new tape and attach the upper cassette,
The tape cassette can be reused, making recycling extremely easy.

Further, according to the tape cassette according to the third aspect, in the invention according to the first or second aspect,
The locking member has a locking portion such that the lower cassette and the upper cassette do not come off when unused tapes and other consumables remain in the lower cassette. It is characterized by being. Specifically, the locking member is made of a member having a substantially U-shaped cross section having elasticity, and the user can separate from the lower cassette from the upper cassette by pressing and shrinking the U-shaped space. Unused tape and other consumables are located in the space of the U-shape. While the unused tape and other consumables remain, the U-shaped space cannot be compressed The cassette and the upper cassette cannot be removed.

Further, as another specific example, the locking member is formed of a member having a substantially U-shaped cross section. It is possible to remove the hook part locked in the opening etc. using a jig or the like, and because the unused tape and other consumables are located in the U-shaped space, the unused tape and While other consumables remain, the jig or the like cannot be inserted, and the upper cassette cannot be removed from the lower cassette. Therefore, if such a locking member is used, when unused tapes and other consumables remain in the lower cassette, the upper cassette does not come off from the lower cassette, so that the tape cassette is not used. There is no problem.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a tape cassette according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the tape printing apparatus according to the embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged exploded view of a tape cassette used in the tape printing apparatus, showing a state where a locking member with a display unit is removed. It is a perspective view. FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional side view showing a part of the tape cassette shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view showing the lower cassette with the upper cassette removed from the tape cassette.

The tape printer 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a character input key 2 for creating text composed of document data, a print key 3 for instructing text printing, and a line feed command and execution and selection of various processes. A keyboard 6 provided with a return key R for commanding, a cursor key C for moving a cursor up and down, left and right on a liquid crystal display 7 for displaying characters such as characters over a plurality of lines, and a cassette for accommodating a tape cassette TC. A storage section 8 is provided. The cassette housing section 8 includes a thermal head 9 as a recording head, a platen roller 10 facing the thermal head 9, a tape feed roller 11 downstream of the platen roller 10, and a tape feed roller 11 And a ribbon feed spool 13 for feeding an ink ribbon stored in the tape cassette TC, and the like. For details of the tape printer 1, refer to, for example, JP-A-8-25756 filed by the present applicant.

As shown in FIG. 2, the tape cassette TC includes a lower cassette T1 for storing a tape D1 made of a double-sided adhesive tape having a release paper adhered to one surface thereof, and the like.
An upper cassette T2 that covers the lower cassette T1, and a lower cassette T1 using a locking member T3 described later.
, The upper cassette T2 can be detachably detached. As shown in FIG. 4, the lower cassette T1 stores, for example, a tape D1, an unused ink ribbon IR for printing, and a cover tape YT for lamination wound around reels TC1, TC2, TC3, respectively. And
Further, an ink ribbon take-up reel TC4 for winding the used ink ribbon IR and a tape feed reel TC5 are provided.

In this case, when the tape cassette TC is stored in the cassette storage section 8, the tape feed spool 12 is inserted into the tape feed reel TC5, and the ribbon feed spool 13 is moved to the ink ribbon take-up reel TC4.
Is inserted into. The unused ink ribbon IR wound on the reel TC2 is pulled out from the reel TC2, overlaps with the cover tape YT, and then opens the opening TC.
Enter 6. Then, in a state where the ink ribbon IR and the cover tape YT located in the opening TC6 are sandwiched between the recording head 9 and the platen 10 (see FIG. 1), the cover tape YT is moved from the ink ribbon IR side by the recording head 9.
After the recording transfer (mirror image printing) to the side, the ink ribbon IR is separated from the cover tape YT and the ink ribbon I
It is wound by the R take-up reel TC4. On the other hand, the cover tape YT on which the recording transfer has been performed is transferred to the outside of the tape cassette TC by the tape feed roller 11 and the tape feed spool 12 as a single unit with the transfer surface adhered to the adhesive surface of the tape D1. You.

On one side of such an upper cassette T2,
As shown in FIG. 3, a bent piece portion T2a as an upper cassette engaging portion is fixed to the lower cassette T1.
Is provided. On one side of the lower cassette T1, an opening T1a is provided as a lower cassette engaging portion for locking the bent piece T2a. By inserting the bent piece T2a into the opening T1a of the lower cassette T1, one side of the upper cassette T2 (left side in FIG. 3) is fixed to one side of the lower cassette T1 (left side in FIG. 3). Can be.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lower cassette T
An opening K1 is provided on the opposite side of the first cassette 1 and on the opposite side of the upper cassette T2 for fitting the locking member T3, and the locking member T3 is detachably attached to the opening K1. Can be. In this case, as shown in FIG.
The upper cassette T2 has a concave upper engaging portion T2b formed on the lower surface thereof, and the lower cassette T1 has a concave lower engaging portion T2 formed on the upper surface thereof.
1b. The locking member T3 is made of a member having a substantially U-shaped section having elasticity, and has a key-shaped upper hook portion T3a for locking with the upper engaging portion T2b of the upper cassette T2; Lower engaging portion T1b of T1
And a key-shaped lower hook portion T3b for locking.

Thus, the user presses the locking member T3 from above and below, and the upper hook portion T3a and the lower hook portion T3b are pressed.
The upper hook T3a and the lower hook T3b are inserted into the opposite sides of the lower cassette T1 and the upper cassette T2 in a state where the distance (distance L1 (see FIG. 3)) between the upper cassette T1 and the lower cassette T2 is reduced, and the pressing force is loosened. For example, the upper engaging portion T2b and the upper hook portion T3a are locked by the elastic force of the locking member T3, and the lower engaging portion T1b and the lower hook portion T3b are locked. T3 locks the opposite sides of the lower cassette T1 and the upper cassette T2.

Conversely to this operation, the user presses the locking member T3 from above and below with the locking member T3 locked on the opposite side of the lower cassette T1 and the upper cassette T2, and the upper hook portion T3a If the distance (the distance L1) from the lower hook portion T3b is reduced, the upper hook portion T3a separates from the upper engaging portion T2b and the lower hook portion T3b separates from the lower engaging portion T1b. The locking member T3 can be easily removed from the opposite side of the lower cassette T1 and the upper cassette T2.

Thereafter, if the user pulls out the bent piece T2a of the upper cassette T2 from the opening T1a of the lower cassette T1 and separates the upper cassette T2 from the lower cassette T1, the tape D1 is attached to the lower cassette T1. Ink ribbon I
R, the cover tape for lamination YT can be newly refilled. When the upper cassette T2 is attached to the lower cassette T1 again, the tape cassette TC can be reused, thereby facilitating recycling. By the way, when the unused tape D1 remains in the tape cassette TC, as shown in FIG. 3, even if the user tries to press the locking member T3 from above and below, the unused tape D1 is As an obstacle, the distance (distance L1) between the upper hook portion T3a and the lower hook portion T3b cannot be reduced.

Therefore, the upper engaging portion T2b and the upper hook portion T3a cannot be separated from each other, and the lower engaging portion T1b and the lower hook portion T3b cannot be separated from each other.
The locking member T3 cannot be removed from the lower cassette T1 and the upper cassette T2 during the remaining time. Therefore, there is no possibility that the upper cassette T2 comes off from the lower cassette T1 during use and the tape cassette TC cannot be used.
Therefore, in the upper hook portion T3a and the lower hook portion T3b of the locking member T3, the unused tape D1, the ink ribbon IR, and the lamination cover tape YT (other consumables) remain in the lower cassette T1. In this case, the lower cassette T1 and the upper cassette T2 are configured so as not to come off.

Further, since the display portion T4 for displaying the type of the tape or the like is provided on the locking member T3, the locking member T3 may be replaced together with the display portion T4 as necessary at the time of recycling. The reason for this is that, in order to recycle the tape cassette TC, there is a high possibility that the tape D1 and the ink ribbon IR are changed and used, so that the display section T4 attached to the tape cassette TC is also used as needed. In the case where the display paper is stuck to the tape cassette TC as in the conventional case,
Since it is extremely time-consuming to remove the adhesive cleanly, the locking member T3 is exchanged together with the display portion T4 to promote recycling. The display unit T4
In addition to displaying the tape width, the tape color of the tape D1, and the color of the ink ribbon IR for printing, it is desirable to display, for example, a reorder number as necessary. As described above, the upper cassette T2 has the upper engaging portion T2b formed on the lower surface thereof, and the lower cassette T1 has the lower engaging portion T1b formed on the upper surface thereof. The locking member T3 is made of an elastic member having a substantially U-shaped cross section, and includes an upper hook portion T3a for locking with the upper engaging portion T2b of the upper cassette T2, and a lower engaging portion of the lower cassette T1. By having the lower hook portion T3b that locks with the T1b, the locking member T3 can removably lock the upper cassette T2 and the lower cassette T1.

According to the invention of this embodiment, the tape cassette TC including the lower cassette T1 for storing the tape D1 used in the tape printer 1 and the upper cassette T2 for covering the lower cassette T1. Since a locking member T3 for locking the upper cassette T2 and the lower cassette T1 so as not to come off is provided, and the locking member T3 is provided with a display portion T4 for displaying the type and the like of the tape D1. The user removes the locking member T3 and removes the upper cassette T2.
The lower cassette T1 and the lower cassette T1 are detached from each other.
If the tape cassette 2 is attached, the tape cassette TC can be reused, and recycling is promoted. Since the display portion T4 for displaying the type of tape and the like is provided on the locking member T3, if the locking member T3 is replaced together with the display portion T4 at the time of recycling, the display paper can be replaced like a conventional tape cassette. There is no need to peel off and remove the glue and adhesive adhering to the surface of the tape cassette.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the locking member T5 includes a lower portion T5a.
And a member having a substantially U-shaped cross section provided with
The lower portion T5a has a lower opening T5a for inserting the jig J1.
1 (see FIG. 6 (b)) and a lower hook portion T5a2 (see FIG. 6 (a)) adjacent thereto.
5b is an upper opening T5b1 for inserting the jig J2 (FIG. 6).
(A)) and the upper hook portion T5b2 adjacent thereto.
(See FIG. 6B).

The upper cassette T2 is partly different from the above-described embodiment, and the upper hook T
5b2 can be fitted therein, and the upper engaging portion Q having an opening.
1, the lower cassette T1 can fit the lower hook portion T5a2 of the locking member T5.
An opening-side lower engaging portion Q2 is provided. Thereby, the upper hook portion T5b2 of the locking member T5 is fitted into the upper engaging portion Q1 with the opening, and the lower hook portion T5 of the locking member T5 is fitted.
By fitting a2 into the lower engaging portion Q2 with an opening,
The locking member T5 includes the upper cassette T2 and the lower cassette T1.
Can be mutually locked.

As shown in FIG. 5, since the upper opening T5b1 and the lower hook T5a2 are aligned with each other, when the jig J2 is inserted from above through the upper opening T5b1, The lower hook portion T5a2 can be urged downward from the lower engaging portion Q2 with an opening. On the other hand, the lower opening T5a1 and the upper hook T5
Since b2 and b2 are aligned with each other, if jig J1 is inserted from below so as to pass through lower opening T5a1,
The upper hook portion T5b2 can be urged upward from the upper engagement portion Q1 with an opening. As a result, FIG.
As shown in (a) and (b), the engagement between the lower engaging portion Q2 with the opening and the lower hook portion T5a2 is released by the jig J2, and the upper engaging portion Q1 with the opening is released. By releasing the engagement with the upper hook portion T5b2 using the jig J1, the upper cassette T2 and the lower cassette T1 are released.
The upper cassette T2 is released from the lower cassette T1.

As described above, the upper cassette T2 has the upper engaging portion Q1 with an opening, the lower cassette T1 has the lower engaging portion Q2 with an opening, and the locking member T5 has a substantially U-shaped cross section. An upper hook portion T5b2 and an upper opening portion T5b1 which are made of a member having a shape and are engaged with the upper engaging portion Q1 having an opening of the upper cassette T2, and are arranged adjacent to the upper portion T5b;
The lower hook portion T5a2 and the lower opening portion T5a1 that are engaged with the lower engaging portion Q2 having the opening of the lower cassette T1 are connected to the lower T portion.
Since it is arranged adjacent to 5a, the locking member T5 can lock the lower cassette T1 and the upper cassette T2, and can release the locking by the jigs J1 and J2.
Since the tape D1 is located in the U-shaped space in the locking member T5, the jigs J1 and J2 are held while the tape D1 remains.
2 cannot be inserted, and the upper cassette T2 does not come off from the lower cassette T1.
There is no problem in using C.

The tape accommodated in the tape cassette is, for example, a non-lamination type for transferring the ink of the ink ribbon onto the surface of a printing tape with an adhesive layer, or a direct thermal type using a thermosensitive coloring tape with an adhesive layer. There is no problem using the type. Further, as a method of locking the upper cassette T2 and the lower cassette T1, it goes without saying that a locking member (not shown) may be separately provided as necessary.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a tape printer in which a storage cover of a tape cassette storage unit is opened.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the tape cassette used in the tape printing apparatus according to the embodiment, showing a state in which a locking member with a display unit is removed.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional side view showing a part of the tape cassette shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view showing a lower cassette in a state where an upper cassette of the tape cassette is removed.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a locking member with a display unit according to another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side sectional view showing a part of a state where the locking member shown in FIG. 5 is attached to a tape cassette,
(A) shows the state seen from the cut surface of the II line,
(B) shows the state viewed from the cross section taken along the line II-II.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tape printing device 8 Cassette storage part TC Tape cassette T1 Lower cassette T2 Upper cassette T3, T5 Locking member T4 Display part D1 Tape IR Ink ribbon T1a Opening T1b Lower engaging part T2a Folding piece part T2b Upper engaging part T3b, T5a2 Lower hook portion T3a, T5b2 Upper hook portion Q1 Upper engaging portion with opening Q2 Lower engaging portion with opening J1, J2 Jig

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Okuchi 15-1, Naeshiro-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya-shi Inside Brother Industries, Ltd. (72) Inventor Sadato Nonomura 15-1 Naeshiro-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya-shi In-house (72) Inventor Naoya Yamagishi 15-1 Naeshiro-machi, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya F-term in Brother Industries, Ltd. (reference) 2C055 CC00 CC01 CC05 2C060 BA00 BA04 BA05 BA09 2C068 AA01 AA06 AA15 EE03 EE27 EE60 EE98

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A tape cassette comprising a lower cassette for storing a tape used in a tape printing apparatus and an upper cassette covering the lower cassette, wherein the upper cassette and the lower cassette are not separated. A tape cassette, comprising: a locking member for locking; and a display unit for displaying a type or the like of the tape on the locking member. 2. The tape cassette according to claim 1, wherein an upper cassette engaging portion for fixing to the lower cassette is provided on one side of the upper cassette, and the upper cassette engaging portion is provided on one side of the lower cassette. A lower cassette engaging portion for locking the joint portion; and the locking member detachably engaging the opposite side of the lower cassette and the opposite side of the upper cassette. Tape cassette characterized by the following. 3. The tape cassette according to claim 1, wherein the locking member is provided when the unused tape and other consumables remain in the lower cassette. A tape cassette having a hook portion for preventing the side cassette and the upper cassette from coming off.