JP2001054963A - Tape unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a tape unit which can be set in a tape cassette while being combined correctly with a tape discrimination member and utilizing a cassette case effectively. SOLUTION: The tape unit U is replaceable with respect to a tape cassette 31 and a tape discrimination member 65 indicative of the width of an wound print tape T is attached to the tape unit U. The tape unit U is arranged to be replaced integrally with the tape discrimination member 65.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tape unit which is housed interchangeably in a tape cassette used in a tape printer for producing a tape with characters and has a printing tape wound thereon. A tape discriminating member for discriminating the type of tape corresponding to the tape width of the printing tape of the unit in cooperation with a sensor provided in the tape printer is attached to the tape unit, and the tape discriminating member is used together with the tape unit when replacing the tape unit. The present invention relates to a tape unit that can be disposed in a tape cassette without changing the combination of the tape unit and the tape discriminating member by replacing the tape unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for a tape cassette used in a tape printing apparatus, a tape having a plurality of types of tape widths is necessary in consideration of the purpose of use of a tape with a character created by the tape printing apparatus. Therefore, a plurality of types of tape cassettes are prepared corresponding to each tape having a plurality of types of tape width. In such conventional tape cassettes, no consideration is given to refilling a new tape into the cassette case when the tape is used up, and when the tape stored in the cassette case is used up, However, the cassette case itself has no use value and is currently disposable.

In a conventional tape printer,
In order to determine the type of tape width of various tapes contained in each tape cassette, a tape width determining member is attached to the outside of the cassette case, and the tape width determining member is detected by a sensor provided on the main body of the tape printing apparatus. Thus, the tape width of the tape built in each tape cassette is detected.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional tape cassette, even when the tape built in the tape cassette is used up, the cassette case itself can still be used. Discarding the cassette case just because the tape in the cassette has been used up is very wasteful, and also increases the running cost in producing the tape. Furthermore, in recent years in which environmental protection is called for, considering that the cassette case is usually made of a resin material such as plastic, discarding the cassette case every time the tape is used up is against the environmental protection. There is a great deal of possibility that results will occur, and it is not in line with the trends of the times.

In the conventional tape printing apparatus, when determining the type of tape width of the tape incorporated in the tape cassette, a tape width determining member attached to the outside of the cassette case is provided on the main body of the tape printing apparatus. The tape width of the tape built into each tape cassette is detected by detecting the tape width, but the tape width determination member is attached to the outside of the cassette case separately from the tape manually. However, there is a possibility that a tape width discriminating member different from the tape width of the tape is erroneously attached to the cassette case. As described above, when the tape width of the tape incorporated in the tape cassette and the tape width determining member attached to the cassette case do not match each other, it is impossible to perform proper printing by the tape printer. There is.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and makes it possible to replace a tape unit housed in a tape cassette, and to replace a tape unit with a tape discriminating member when replacing a tape unit. It is an object of the present invention to provide a tape unit which can be disposed in a tape cassette without replacing a combination of a tape unit and a tape discriminating member by effectively replacing the cassette case by replacing the tape case.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a tape unit comprising a tape cassette for a tape printer, the tape unit being exchangeably housed and a printing tape wound thereon. A tape discriminating member formed with a tape specifying unit for specifying a type of a printing tape of the tape unit in cooperation with a sensor unit provided in the tape printing apparatus is attached,
The tape discriminating member is configured to be exchanged together with the tape unit when exchanging the tape unit.

[0008] The tape discriminating member may be provided with a contact portion that contacts a movement restricting member that restricts the movement of the tape specifying portion when the tape unit is housed in the tape cassette. .

[0009] The tape discriminating member may be provided with a tape information display section for displaying information on the printing tape of the tape unit.

[0010]

In the present invention having the above construction, when the printing tape of the tape unit stored in the tape cassette is used up, the tape unit is replaced with a tape unit formed by winding a new printing tape in place of the tape unit. Thus, when the printing tape stored in the tape cassette is used up, the tape unit may be replaced, and the cassette case body can be effectively used. When replacing the tape unit, the tape discriminating member provided with the tape specifying portion for specifying the type of the printing tape of the tape unit in cooperation with the sensor means provided in the tape printer is replaced together with the tape unit. You. As a result, the tape unit and the tape discriminating member are always exchanged integrally, and the tape unit and the tape discriminating member can be arranged in the cassette case body without mistakenly combining the tape unit and the tape discriminating member.

Further, the tape discriminating member is provided with a contact portion which comes into contact with a movement restricting member which restricts the movement of the tape specifying portion when the tape unit is stored in the tape cassette. Is restricted, and the tape identification unit can be prevented from being lifted up from the tape detector provided in the tape printer and erroneously detected.

The tape discriminating member is provided with a tape information display section for displaying information on the printing tape of the tape unit, so that the information on the stored printing tape can be visually confirmed.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. First, a tape printing apparatus to which the tape cassette according to the present embodiment is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a plan view of the tape printing apparatus shown with a storage cover of a tape cassette storage section opened, and FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the tape printing apparatus.

In FIG. 1, a character input key 2 for inputting a character such as a character over a plurality of lines to create a text composed of document data (code data), and instructing a tape printing device 1 to print the text. Print key 3,
A keyboard 6 provided with a cursor key C for moving a cursor up, down, left and right on the liquid crystal display 7, a return key R for instructing execution of various line feeds and various processes, and commands for selection, characters input from the keyboard 6, etc. And a tape cassette 31 described later.
Is provided in the cassette storage unit 8 for storing therein.

A ribbon take-up shaft 9 which is rotatably driven from a tape feed motor 30 to be described later via an appropriate drive mechanism is provided upright in the cassette housing portion 8. The ribbon winding shaft 9 has a built-in ink ribbon, and is used for winding an ink ribbon in a conventional tape cassette used when printing characters and the like on a film tape via the ink ribbon. Since the tape cassette 31 according to the present embodiment uses a printing tape T capable of printing characters and the like without using an ink ribbon as described later, the ribbon winding shaft 9 is used for feeding the printing tape T. Does not participate. As described later, a sound canceling spool 48 rotatably arranged in the tape cassette 31 is engaged with the ribbon winding shaft 9.

An obliquely forward portion (keyboard 6 side) of the ink ribbon take-up shaft 9 is driven to rotate by a tape feed motor 30 to be described later via an appropriate transmission mechanism to rotate a tape feed roller 42 to be described later. Tape feed roller shaft 1
0 is erected. Further, a thermal head 11 for printing characters and the like on the print tape T is fixedly provided in front of the cassette storage section 8. A tape width detector 4 having four photosensors S is provided behind the cassette storage unit 8 (left side in FIG. 1), and the tape width detection unit 4 is provided in a tape cassette 31 described later. It detects the tape width of the printing tape T stored in the tape cassette 31 in cooperation with the tape specifying section 66 of the tape discriminating member 65. Here, each photo sensor S
Is a known photocoupler having a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element as a pair, detects whether or not a later-described shielding plate 67 has entered each photosensor S, and, based on a combination of on / off signals thereof, print tape T. This is to detect the tape width. The tape width detector 4 may use a mechanical sensor such as a microswitch, a magnetic sensor, or the like, in addition to the photosensor S.

The cassette storage section 8 is opened and closed by a storage cover 12 pivotally supported at the rear of the tape printer 1, and exchange of the tape cassette 31 is performed in an open state.

Next, a control system of the tape printer 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. The tape printer 1 is configured with a control device 20 as a core.
The control device 20 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a CGROM 2
3 and a RAM 24, which are mutually connected via a bus 25 and also connected to an input / output interface 26.

Here, the ROM 22 stores various programs, and stores various programs necessary for controlling the tape printer 1 such as a print control program. The CPU 21 performs various calculations based on various programs stored in the ROM 22. The ROM 22 also stores outline data (outline data) that defines the outline of each character, such as a large number of characters.
Are classified for each typeface (Gothic typeface, Mincho typeface, etc.) and are stored corresponding to the code data. The dot pattern data is developed on the image buffer based on the outline data.

The CGROM 23 stores dot pattern data corresponding to each character input from the keyboard 6 and stores the dot pattern data in the CGR.
The dot pattern is read from the OM 23 and a dot pattern is displayed on the liquid crystal display 7 based on the dot pattern data.

The RAM 24 is for temporarily storing various calculation results calculated by the CPU 21. The RAM 24 is provided with various memories such as a text memory, an image buffer, and a print buffer. ing.

Returning to FIG. 2, the description of the control block diagram will be continued. The keyboard 6 and the tape width detector 4 for detecting the width of the printing tape T are connected via the input / output interface 26. The liquid crystal display 7 and the display controller 27 serve as the input / output interface 2
6 are connected to the control device 20 via the character input keys 2 of the keyboard 6. When characters or the like are input, the document data is sequentially stored in the text memory and the dot pattern generation control is performed. A dot pattern corresponding to characters and the like input via the keyboard 6 based on the program and the display control program is displayed on the liquid crystal display 7.

The thermal head 11 has a drive circuit 28
, And prints dot pattern data transferred from the image buffer to the print buffer. In synchronization with this, the tape feed motor 30 controls the feed of the print tape T via the drive circuit 29. .

Next, the configuration of the tape cassette 31 housed in the cassette housing section 8 of the tape printing apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the tape cassette 31.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of FIG.
And a cassette lid 33 which can be attached to and detached from the cassette. The tape cassette main body 32 is formed of a rectangular case having an open upper side.
A pair of locking holes 34 are formed at both sides of the rear wall 32A. In each of these locking holes 34, a locking projection 51 of a cassette lid 33 described later is locked. Also, at the right side of the front wall 32B in the tape cassette body 32,
A pair of protrusions 35 are formed, and each of these protrusions 35 forms a locking groove 36 therebetween. This locking groove 3
An elastic locking member 55 provided on the cassette lid 33 to be described later is locked to 6. Further, a tape guide piece 37 is provided integrally and continuously on the left side of the front wall 32B, and a thermal head guide member 38 is provided behind the tape guide piece 37. The thermal head guide member 38 is formed in a “U” shape in plan view, and the thermal head 11 is disposed in the “U” shaped concave portion 39 as described later. A long locking hole 40 is formed in the rear wall of the concave portion 39, and a locking piece 56 formed on the cassette lid 33 described later is locked in the long locking hole 40. Further, a tape feed roller is provided between the thermal head guide member 38 and the left side wall of the tape cassette main body 32 from the bottom wall of the cassette accommodating portion 8 of the tape printer 1 and is driven to rotate by the tape feed motor 30. A tape feed roller 42 engageable with the shaft 10 is disposed.

In the tape cassette body 32,
A tape unit storage portion 63 (see FIG. 4) for storing the tape unit U is provided at the left rear position. The tape unit U is rotatably stored in the tape unit storage portion 63. In order to guide the print tape T wound around the tape spool 64 (see FIG. 4) of the tape unit U stored in the tape unit storage section 63 to the thermal head guide member 38, the bottom of the tape cassette body 32 4 tape guides 4 from the wall
3, 44, 45 and 46 (see FIG. 4 for the tape guides 45 and 46). Thus, the print tape T pulled out from the tape spool 64 of the tape unit U is smoothly sent to the thermal head 11 via the tape guides 43, 44, 45, 46. Here, the printing tape T has a configuration in which a thermosensitive coloring layer is formed on one surface of a base tape, and a release paper is adhered to the other surface via an adhesive layer. In addition, printing tape T
Is wound around the tape spool 64 with its heat-sensitive coloring layer inside. Thereby, discoloration or the like of the thermosensitive coloring layer can be prevented.

Further, one end of a tape discriminating member 65 is rotatably attached to the tape spool 64, and the other end of the tape discriminating member 65 has a print tape T wound around the tape spool 64. The tape width specifying section 66 for specifying the tape width of the tape is formed. A shielding plate 67 that selectively shields each photosensor S in the tape width detector 4 is provided vertically from the lower surface of the tape width specifying unit 66. The detailed configuration of each of the tape discriminating members 65 and the tape width specifying unit 66 will be described later.

In the vicinity of the tape guide 44, the ribbon drive shaft 9 erected from the bottom wall of the cassette accommodating section 8 of the tape printer 1 is accommodated in a conventional tape cassette as described above. Although it is used as a winding shaft for the thermal ribbon, the tape cassette 31 according to the present embodiment does not participate in the feeding operation of the printing tape T, and is not driven by the driving mechanism with the rotation of the ribbon driving shaft 9. A noise canceling spool 48 is fitted to reduce the generated driving noise.

In the tape cassette body 32,
A tape discharge unit 49 is provided near the tape feed roller 42. The tape discharge unit 49 is provided with a guide piece 50 extending from the front end of the left side wall of the tape cassette body 32 and the left side wall of the tape cassette body 32. And a gap formed between them. Thus, the print tape T pulled out from the tape spool 64 is guided to the thermal head 11 by the tape guides 43 to 46, and characters and the like are colored and printed on the thermosensitive coloring layer of the print tape T via the thermal head 11. After that, the tape is discharged from the tape discharge section 49 to the outside of the tape cassette 31.

Next, the cassette lid 33 that can be attached to and detached from the tape cassette main body 32 will be described. Cassette lid 3
Reference numeral 3 denotes a cover for covering the open surface of the tape cassette main body 32 from above, and a pair of locking projections which are fitted in respective locking holes 34 formed in the tape cassette main body 32 at the rear end thereof. 51 are formed. Also, the cassette lid 33
A concave portion 52 is formed at the right side of the front portion of the cassette lid 33. The concave portion 52 has a bent portion 53 extending downward from the bottom surface of the cassette lid 33 and a knob connected horizontally from the bent portion 53. An elastic locking member 55 including the portion 54 is provided. The elastic locking member 55 is elastically locked in a locking groove 36 formed between the projections 35. Further, the cassette cover 3 is located on the left side of the front of the cassette cover 33.
A locking piece 56 is vertically suspended from the bottom surface of the thermal head guide member 38 and is elastically locked in a locking long hole 40 formed in a rear wall of the thermal head guide member 38.

When the cassette cover 33 is attached to the tape cassette main body 32, the tape guide piece 57 suspended from the front end left position of the cassette lid 33 cooperates with the tape guide piece 37 of the tape cassette main body 32. The guide piece 58, which is vertically provided at the left corner of the cassette lid 33, is also provided when the cassette lid 33 is attached to the tape cassette body 32. The tape discharge unit 49 is configured in cooperation with the guide piece 50 formed on the tape 32.

Further, as shown in FIG.
At the rear left position, 3
Three ribs 59 extend. When the cassette lid 33 is attached to the tape cassette main body 32, the rib 59 abuts on the upper surface of the tape width specifying section 66 to restrict the upward movement of the tape width specifying section 66 as shown in FIG. I do. This prevents the tape width specifying unit 66 from being lifted up from the tape width detector 4 and being erroneously detected.

In order to assemble the tape cassette 31 by attaching the cassette lid 33 to the tape cassette main body 32 configured as described above, first, the respective locking projections 51 of the cassette lid 33 are fixed to the respective locks of the tape cassette main body 32. Hole 34
Insert inside. Thereafter, the cassette lid 33 is fixed to each locking hole 34.
Is turned downward around the bent portion 53 of the elastic locking member 55.
Are elastically fitted in the locking grooves 36 and the locking pieces 56
Is elastically locked in the locking long hole 40. Thereby, the cassette lid 33 is fitted to the tape cassette main body 32 with a click feeling, and the tape cassette 31 is assembled.

On the other hand, to remove the cassette lid 33 from the tape cassette 31, the elastic locking member 5
5 is gripped with the finger, and pulled upward. By this lifting operation, the bent portion 53 and the locking groove 3
6 and the engagement between the locking piece 56 and the locking elongated hole 40 are released, and the cassette lid 33 is attached to the tape cassette body 32.
With respect to each locking hole 34.
Thereafter, when the knob 54 is further pulled upward, the cassette lid 33 is rotated upward around each of the locking holes 34, and the locking projections 51 are detached from the locking holes 34 at appropriate positions. For example, the cassette lid 33 is removed from the tape cassette main body 32.

Next, a state where the tape cassette 31 configured as described above is stored in the cassette storage section 8 of the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows the tape cassette 3 in the cassette storage section 8 of the tape printer 1.
1 is a plan view showing a state in which a cassette lid 33 is stored, with a cassette lid 33 omitted.

In FIG. 4, when the tape cassette 31 is stored in the cassette storage section 8 of the tape printer 1, the thermal head 11 fixed to the cassette storage section 8 is disposed in the recess 39 of the thermal head guide member 38. You. Here, the thermal head 11 is disposed inside the tape cassette 31, and the plurality of heating elements provided on the thermal head 11 allow the printing tape T to surround the tape spool 64 as described above. Since the thermosensitive coloring layer is wound inward, it is opposed to the thermosensitive coloring layer of the printing tape T.

In the cassette storage section 8, a roller holder (not shown) is rotatably arranged so as to face the thermal head 11 and the tape feed roller 42. A platen roller 61 is rotatably supported on the roller holder so as to face the thermal head 11.
And rotatably supported. When the tape printer 1 is operating, the platen roller 61 is in contact with the thermal head 11, and the tape feed auxiliary roller 62 is in contact with the tape feed roller 42. As a result, the print tape T pulled out from the tape spool 64 of the tape unit U stored in the tape unit storage section 63 of the tape cassette body 32 cooperates with the tape feed roller 42 and the tape feed auxiliary roller 62.
While being smoothly guided through the tape guides 43 to 46, the concave portion 39 of the thermal head guide member 38 is provided.
The printing of characters and the like is performed on the thermosensitive coloring layer of the printing tape T by the cooperation of the thermal head 11 and the platen roller 61. Thereafter, the print tape T on which characters and the like are printed is discharged from the tape discharge unit 49 to the outside of the tape printer 1 by the cooperation of the tape feed roller 42 and the tape feed auxiliary roller 62.

Next, the respective photosensors S provided in the tape width detector 4 of the cassette storage section 8 of the tape printer 1 and the shielding plate 67 of the tape width specifying section 66 of the tape discriminating member 65 are used. , Tape spool 6
A detection mechanism for detecting the tape width of the print tape T wound around 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of the tape cassette 31, and FIG. 6 is a side view schematically showing a relationship between the tape unit U and the tape discriminating member 65.

In each of these figures, a boss 68 is formed from the bottom wall of the tape cassette body 32, and a tape spool 64 is loosely fitted to the boss 68 while leaving a predetermined gap. Further, a cylindrical portion 69 extends downward from the lower surface of one end of the tape discriminating member 65, and the cylindrical portion 69 is inserted into a gap formed between the boss 68 and the tape spool 64. Thus, the tape discriminating member 65 is rotatably attached to the tape spool 64. When the tape cassette 31 is stored in the tape storage unit 8, the shielding plate 67 vertically provided on the lower surface of the tape width specifying unit 66 of the tape discriminating member 65 becomes
Each photo sensor S of the tape width detector 4 is selectively shielded, and the tape width of the printing tape T wound on the tape spool 64 is detected based on an on / off signal output from each photo sensor S. Things. At this time, since the upward movement of the tape width specifying portion 66 is regulated by the rib 59 extending from the bottom surface of the cassette lid 33, the shielding plate 67 reliably shields each photosensor S, False detection is prevented. Here, only one shield plate 67 is provided, but by providing a maximum of four shield plates 67 for each of the four photosensors S, a 4-bit on / off signal is applied to the print tape T. 16
The type of tape width can be detected.

When characters or the like are printed on the heat-sensitive coloring layer of the printing tape T to form a character-attached tape as described above, if the printing tape T wound around the tape spool 64 is lost, Instead of the spool 64, it is replaced with a tape unit U in which a new unused printing tape T is wound. In this case, first, the tape cassette 31
Is taken out of the cassette housing portion 8, and the cassette lid 33 is removed from the tape cassette main body 32 according to the procedure described above. Thereafter, the tape spool 64 in which the print tape T has been used up is taken out of the tape unit storage section 63, and a new replacement tape unit U formed by winding an unused print tape T is stored in the tape unit storage section 63. At this time, the tape discriminating member 65 is rotatably attached to the tape spool 64 so that when the tape unit U is replaced, the tape discriminating member 65 is also replaced together with the tape unit U. The Rukoto. Thus, it is possible to reliably prevent the tape unit U and the tape discriminating member 65 from being erroneously arranged in the tape cassette 31, and the printing tape wound on the tape spool 64 of the tape unit U. T
And the tape discriminating member 65 can always match each other.

Then, the printing tape T is connected to each tape guide 4
It is guided from 3 to 46 to the tape feed roller 42 via the recess 39. Thus, the setting of the replacement tape unit U to the tape cassette main body 32 is completed. Thereafter, the cassette lid 33 is attached to the tape cassette main body 32 according to the above-described procedure, whereby the tape cassette 31 is assembled. Then, the tape cassette 31 is inserted into the cassette storage section 8 of the tape printer 1.
, It is possible to print characters and the like on the print tape T again via the thermal head 11. When a tape with characters is formed by the printing tape T, the printing tape in the tape unit U housed in the tape cassette 31 is formed by the photosensors S of the tape width detector 4 and the shielding plate 67 of the tape discriminating member 65. The tape width of T is detected, and the tape printer 1
Under the control of the PU 21, printing control and the like are performed in accordance with the printing tape T having the detected tape width.

Next, another example of the tape discriminating member 65 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the tape cassette provided with another tape discriminating member provided. FIG. 8 is a side sectional view schematically showing the tape cassette body of FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a cap member and a tape. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the relationship between a unit and a tape discriminating member. Incidentally, here, the tape cassette provided with the tape discriminating member according to this another example,
The tape cassette 31 has basically the same configuration as that of the tape cassette 31, and therefore, the same members and the like as those in the tape cassette 31 are given the same numbers,
In the following description, the description will focus on the points different from the tape cassette 31. Further, the tape discriminating members are different from each other in that the tape discriminating member 65 is disposed over the upper surface of the tape unit U, but is disposed over the lower surface of the tape unit U. Are different.

In FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, a cap member 70 is fitted over the tape spool 64 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) of the tape unit U. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9,
Four elastic locking pieces 70B are provided downwardly from a projecting portion 70A formed on the lower surface thereof, and locking projections 70C are formed at the lower ends of the elastic locking pieces 70B. . Each locking projection 70C is elastically engaged with each locking groove 75 formed in the rotation support portion 74 of the tape determining member 71 described later, so that the cap member 70 and the tape determining member The connection with 71 is made. Also, as shown in FIG. 7, on the upper surface of the cap member 70, colors such as characters that can be colored through the heat-sensitive coloring layer of the print tape T wound around the tape spool 64;
In addition, information on the tape width of the print tape T is displayed.

A tape discriminating member 71 is provided below the tape spool 64 and on the bottom wall of the tape cassette main body 32. Such a tape discriminating member 71
As shown in FIG. 9, a horizontal portion 71A placed on the bottom wall of the tape cassette body 32, a rising portion 71B raised from one end of the horizontal portion 71A, and a horizontal portion 71A from the other end of the horizontal portion 71A. The rotation support portion 74 erected upward is integrally formed. The start-up section 71B has a tape width specifying section 7
6 is formed, and a shielding plate 72 is vertically provided from the lower surface of the tape width specifying portion 76. Such a shielding plate 72
Is a photosensor S of the tape width detector 4 disposed at the tape width detector 32A (located at the left position in FIG. 8) provided on the bottom wall of the tape cassette main body 32 (similar to FIG. 5). (Not shown because of having a configuration). Further, a positioning portion 73 for positioning the shielding plate 72 is formed in the tape width detecting portion 32A, and the shielding plate 72 is positioned via the positioning portion 73 so that each photo sensor S of the tape width detecting portion 4 can be positioned. Is surely shielded.

The tape width of the print tape T wound on the tape spool 64 based on the on / off signal output from each photo sensor S in the tape width detector 4 is described above. This is the same as in the determination member 65. The lower ends of the three ribs 59 suspended from the cassette lid 33 are in contact with the upper surface of the tape identifying section 76 in the rising section 71B as described above (see FIG. 8). The upward movement of the tape width detector 4 is regulated by the ribs 59.
The erroneous detection caused by floating from the surface is surely prevented. Further, the rotation support portion 74 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and four locking grooves 75 are provided at four locations around the rotation support portion 74 in the vertical direction. As described above, the locking projections 70C of the elastic locking pieces 70B formed on the cap member 70 are provided in the respective locking grooves 75.
Are elastically locked. Here, the elastic locking pieces 70B and the rotation support portions 74 are loosely fitted in the tape spools 64, whereby the tape spool 64 is rotatably supported mainly via the rotation support portions 74. is there. Further, the tape spool 64 is integrally formed with each other via the cap member 70 and the rotation support portion 74, whereby the tape discriminating member 71 and the tape spool 64 are always integrally handled. . Furthermore,
A support shaft 77 erected upward from the bottom wall of the tape cassette main body 32 is provided on the rotation support portion 74 configured as described above.
Are inserted (see FIG. 8).

When characters or the like are printed on the heat-sensitive coloring layer of the printing tape T to form a character-attached tape as described above, when the printing tape T wound around the tape spool 64 is lost, Instead of the spool 64, it is replaced with a tape unit U in which a new unused printing tape T is wound. In this case, first, the tape cassette 31
Is taken out of the cassette housing portion 8, and the cassette lid 33 is removed from the tape cassette main body 32 according to the procedure described above. Thereafter, the tape spool 64 in which the print tape T has been used up is taken out of the tape unit storage section 63, and a new replacement tape unit U formed by winding an unused print tape T is stored in the tape unit storage section 63. At this time, the tape discriminating member 71 is rotatably and integrally attached to the tape spool 64. Therefore, when exchanging the tape unit U, the tape discriminating member 71 is exchanged simultaneously with the tape unit U. The Rukoto. Thus, it is possible to reliably prevent the tape unit U and the tape discriminating member 71 from being erroneously disposed in the tape cassette 31. The printing tape wound on the tape spool 64 of the tape unit U can be reliably prevented. T
And the tape discriminating member 71 can always match each other.

Then, the printing tape T is connected to each of the tape guides 4.
It is guided from 3 to 46 to the tape feed roller 42 via the recess 39. Thus, the setting of the replacement tape unit U to the tape cassette main body 32 is completed. Thereafter, the cassette lid 33 is attached to the tape cassette main body 32 according to the above-described procedure, whereby the tape cassette 31 is assembled. Then, the tape cassette 31 is inserted into the cassette storage section 8 of the tape printer 1.
, It is possible to print characters and the like on the print tape T again via the thermal head 11. When a tape with a character is created by the printing tape T, the printing tape in the tape unit U housed in the tape cassette 31 is formed by the photosensors S of the tape width detector 4 and the shielding plate 72 of the tape discriminating member 71. The tape width of T is detected, and the tape printer 1
Under the control of the PU 21, printing control and the like are performed in accordance with the printing tape T having the detected tape width.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0048]

As described above, according to the present invention, the tape unit accommodated in the tape cassette can be exchanged, and the tape unit and the tape discriminating member can be exchanged at the same time when exchanging the tape unit. It is possible to provide a tape unit which can be disposed in a tape cassette without erroneous combination of the tape unit and the tape discriminating member, while effectively utilizing the tape unit, and the industrial effect is great.

[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 a control block diagram of the tape printer.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the tape cassette in which the tape cassette is exploded.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state in which a tape cassette is stored in a cassette storage section of the tape printing apparatus, omitting a cassette cover;

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of the tape cassette.

FIG. 6 is a side view schematically showing a relationship between a tape unit and a tape discriminating member.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the tape cassette in which another tape discriminating member is provided;

8 is a side sectional view schematically showing the tape cassette body of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the relationship among a cap member, a tape unit, and a tape discriminating member.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tape printing device 4 Tape width detection part 31 Tape cassette 32 Tape cassette main body 33 Cassette lid 63 Tape cassette storage part 64 Tape spool 65, 71 Tape discriminating member 66, 76 Tape width specifying part 67, 72 Shielding plate S Photosensor T Printing Tape U Tape unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A tape unit comprising a printing tape wound around a tape cassette which is exchangeably housed in a tape cassette for a tape printing device, wherein the tape unit is provided in cooperation with a sensor means provided in the tape printing device. A tape discriminating member provided with a tape specifying unit for specifying the type of the printing tape of the tape unit is installed, and the tape discriminating member is replaced together with the tape unit when replacing the tape unit. A tape unit characterized in that: 2. The tape discriminating member is provided with a contact portion that contacts a movement restricting member that restricts the movement of the tape specifying unit when the tape unit is housed in the tape cassette. The tape unit according to claim 1. 3. The tape unit according to claim 1, wherein the tape discriminating member is provided with a tape information display section for displaying information on a print tape of the tape unit.