JP2003136787A - Tape printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate the work for stripping a strip sheet entirely from a tape base body without providing any extra member for stripping the strip sheet. SOLUTION: An air gap 23 substantially equal to the thickness of a label tape 7 and communicating with the outside is provided between the protrusion 22 of a body container 2 and the recess 21 of a cover 3. One end part of a specified length of a printed label tape 7 is inserted into the air gap 23, a part of the label tape 7 not inserted into a tape printer is turned down along the outer wall of the body container 2 with the forward end part 22a of the protrusion 22 as a fulcrum, and then the label tape 7 inserted into the tape printer is pulled out while applying a resistance to the forward end part 22a of the protrusion 22. Consequently, the strip sheet 6 is stripped from the print tape 5 in the vicinity of the end part of the label tape 7 inserted into the tape printer.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tape printer for printing on a tape base of a tape body which comprises a tape base having an adhesive layer and a release paper attached to the adhesive layer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A desired character or symbol is printed on a tape base of a tape body composed of a tape base having an adhesive layer and a release paper attached to the adhesive layer by type impact, embossing or thermal transfer. After that, a tape printer is known that cuts to a predetermined length and creates a printed piece of adhesive tape with release paper. A tape piece produced by such a tape printer is used by being attached to an object with the release paper peeled off to expose the adhesive layer.

Here, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-294734, a printing tape is produced by inserting the label tape into a slot formed in a lettering pen and rotating the lettering pen to sandwich the lettering pen. A method of peeling the release paper from the printing tape by bending the right end and the left end of the label tape so as to face each other and moving the lettering pen in the direction away from the one end by holding one end of the label tape is disclosed. ing.

[0004]

However, in the recording apparatus described in the above-mentioned publication, the lettering pen is separately provided as a member having a function of peeling the release paper from the printing tape. Can be lost and at an extra cost.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a tape printer capable of easily peeling the entire release paper from the tape base without separately providing a member for peeling the release paper.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a tape printer according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a tape body comprising a tape base having an adhesive layer and a release paper attached to the adhesive layer. A tape printer for printing on a tape substrate, comprising at least two housing parts,
At least a part between the two housing parts is provided with a space that is separated from the tape body to the same extent as the thickness of the tape body and communicates with the outside.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the tape body is inserted from the inlet of the gap formed between the two housing parts included in the tape printer, and the portion of the tape body exposed from the gap intersects the insertion direction of the gap. By pulling out in the same direction, a bending force in the same direction is applied to the entire area of the insertion portion of the tape body. Therefore, by pulling the tape body while applying a bending force, it is possible to peel the release paper from the tape base near the insertion tip of the tape body due to the difference in bending behavior caused by the difference in material between the tape base and the release paper. You can This makes it possible to easily perform the work of peeling the entire release paper from the tape substrate. In addition, since a space formed in the tape printer main body is used for peeling the release paper without providing a separate member (common name: peeler) for peeling the release paper, It is possible to prevent the member from being lost and to prevent an extra cost. Further, since the space provided between the two housing parts is used as a peeler for the tape body, the manufacturing process is simpler than the case where a space having the same thickness as the tape body is provided in one part. And is advantageous in terms of manufacturing cost.

Further, in the tape printer according to a second aspect of the present invention, a gap forming portion is provided in one of the two housing parts so as to form the gap by being arranged so as to cover the other. It is characterized by.

According to the second aspect, the gap is formed along the surfaces of the two housing parts, so that the vicinity of one end of the two housing parts is covered with each other without covering the other. It is possible to secure a wider range in the direction in which the tape body is pulled out, as compared with the case where the gap is formed by arranging the tape body to face each other. Therefore, the work of peeling the entire release paper from the tape base can be performed more reliably.

Further, in the tape printer according to a third aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that a tip end portion of a space forming portion provided in one of the two housing components and a side facing the other housing component is formed at an acute angle. It is a feature. According to the third aspect, the bending force applied to the tape body when the tape body is pulled out becomes large, and the release paper can be more effectively peeled from the tape base near the end of the tape body.

The tape printer according to a fourth aspect of the invention is characterized in that one of the two housing parts is provided with a stopper portion with which the tape body inserted from the entrance of the gap abuts. Is. According to the fourth aspect, when the tape body having a predetermined length is inserted from the entrance of the gap, the tape body comes into contact with the stopper portion, which serves as a guide when the operator inserts the tape body. Therefore, the operation of the operator becomes easy to understand.

The tape printer according to a fifth aspect of the invention is characterized in that the distance from the entrance of the gap to the stopper portion is less than the shortest tape length of the tape body discharged after printing. . According to the fifth aspect, even if the operator mistakenly releases the tape body that is being inserted into the space, the rear end of the tape body protrudes (is exposed) from the entrance of the space, so that the tape body is housed. It is possible to prevent a situation in which it gets into the body and cannot be taken out easily.

The tape printer according to a sixth aspect of the invention is characterized in that the stopper portion is a step portion formed on an inner wall of one of the two housing parts. Claim 6
According to this, the stopper portion can be easily formed only by forming the step portion on the inner wall of one of the two housing components.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, the tape printer is characterized in that the two housing parts are fixed to each other by engagement. According to the seventh aspect, even when the tape body enters the housing, the tape body can be easily taken out by releasing the engagement between the two housing components.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a tape printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration in which the tape cassette is attached to the main body container. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the tape printer of FIG. FIG. 4 is a partial side view of the tape printer of FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a partial schematic configuration in the vicinity of the protrusion and the recess. Figure 6
It is a figure for demonstrating the procedure at the time of peeling a release paper from a printing tape.

The tape printer 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a main body container 2 molded separately as an outer housing.
And a cover 3 and a cassette cover 4 (see FIG. 4). An electronic board (not shown) for performing various controls of the tape printer 1 is housed in the main body container 2, and a cover 3 is fixed by screws so as to cover the upper part thereof. In addition, at the lower end of the main body container 2,
The cassette cover 4 is fixed by engagement. Therefore, it is possible to easily attach the cassette cover 4 to the main body container 2 by engaging the both, or to easily remove the cassette cover 4 from the main body container 2 by releasing the engagement of the both. Has become.

On the upper surface of the cover 3, a power switch 10 of the tape printer 1, a large number of character button groups 11 for inputting characters to be printed on the label tape 7 (see FIG. 2), and input. Liquid crystal display (hereinafter, LCD (Liquid Crystal Disp
12), function button groups 13a and 13b for performing various controls of the tape printer 1, and the label tape 7
And a print button 14 for performing printing on the.

When the cassette cover 4 is removed from the main body container 2, the tape cassette 8 can be detachably attached to the main body container 2 on the back surface of the main body container 2, as shown in FIG. A battery 9 for supplying necessary electric power to the tape printer 1 is loaded. Further, on the side surface of the main body container 2, there is formed a discharge port 2a for discharging the printed label tape 7 which is pulled out from the tape cassette 8.

A label tape spool 7a, around which the label tape 7 is wound, is rotatably arranged in the tape cassette 8. The label tape 7 is composed of a printing tape 5 having an adhesive layer on one side thereof, and a release paper 6 arranged so as to be laminated on the adhesive layer side of the printing tape 5, and has a label tape spool 7a. The release paper 6 is wound on the outside. Then, the label tape 7 in the tape cassette 8 is pulled out at its tip end so as to be nipped by the plurality of driven roller pairs 8b and to be opened 8 in the tape cassette 8.
It is designed to be discharged from a.

Further, on the back surface of the main body container 2, the label tape 7 ejected from the opening 8a of the tape cassette 8.
A thermal head 30, a platen 31, and a cutter mechanism 35 are arranged in the vicinity of the transport path of.

The thermal head 30 is a tape cassette 8
A large number of heating elements (not shown) are arranged so as to face the printing tape 5 side of the label tape 7 discharged from the label tape 7 and are arranged along the width direction of the label tape 7.
have. The thermal head 30 can perform desired printing based on the input print data on the printing tape 5 by selectively heating a large number of heating elements.

The platen 31 is a cylindrical member penetrating the rotating shaft 31a and is arranged so as to face the thermal head 30 with the label tape 7 interposed therebetween. Here, as described later, the platen 31 has a function of pressing the label tape 7 against the thermal head 30 when the cassette cover 4 is attached to the main body container 2. Further, the platen 31 is rotationally driven by a drive mechanism (not shown) connected to the rotary shaft 31a, and the label tape 7 is sandwiched between the platen 31 and the thermal head 30.
Has the function of pulling out.

The rotary shaft 31a penetrating the platen 31 is
It is rotatably held by one end of a holding member 33 that is rotatable around a shaft member 32 fixed to the main body container 2. Here, a spring member (not shown) is arranged between the holding member 33 and the shaft member 32, and the holding member 33 is biased in the direction in which the platen 31 is separated from the thermal head 30. Therefore, the cassette cover 4 is attached to the main container 2
When removed from the holding member 33, the holding member 33 rotates so as to position the platen 31 at a position (position shown in FIG. 2) that separates the platen 31 from the thermal head 30 by a predetermined distance. Also,
A spring member (not shown) is arranged between the rotary shaft 31a penetrating the platen 31 and the holding member 33,
The platen 31 is biased toward the thermal head 30.

A chamfered portion 33a formed by chamfering the corner is formed at the upper end of the side surface of the holding member 33 on the side opposite to the thermal head 30. A pressing member (not shown) is provided on the inner surface of the cassette cover 4 at a position corresponding to the chamfered portion 33a of the holding member 33.
Is fixed. Therefore, when the cassette cover 4 is attached to the main body container 2, the pressing member fixed to the cassette cover 4 comes into contact with the chamfered portion 33a of the holding member 33 and moves while pressing and holding the holding member 3
3 rotates toward the thermal head 30 side against the biasing force of the spring member arranged between it and the shaft member 32. Along with this movement, the platen 31 supported by the holding member 33.
Moves from the standby position separated from the thermal head 30 in the direction approaching the thermal head 30 (counterclockwise in FIG. 2) and is placed in the use position. When the cassette cover 4 is removed from the main body container 2, as described above, the holding member 33 causes the platen 31 to move away from the thermal head 30 (clockwise in FIG. 2).
Being biased, the platen 31 returns to the original standby position.

That is, when the cassette cover 4 is attached to the main body container 2 by the interaction between the chamfered portion 33a of the holding member 33 and the pressing member of the cassette cover 4, the platen 31 moves toward the thermal head 30,
On the other hand, when the cassette cover 4 is removed from the main body container 2, the platen 31 moves in a direction away from the thermal head 30.

Here, the configuration for switching the platen 31 to the standby position and the use position with respect to the thermal head 30 is not limited to the above-described configuration, and various configurations can be adopted. For example, it is possible to provide the main body container 2 with a switching lever and manually operate the switching lever to move the holding member 33. In short, a switching arrangement means for switching the platen 31 between the standby position and the use position with respect to the thermal head 30 may be provided.

The cutter mechanism 35 includes the thermal head 30.
And a discharge position 2 formed on the main body container 2 facing the printing position
a cutter blade 36 arranged so as to face the label tape 7 conveyed between a and a, and a cutting end of which is protruded from a side surface of the main body container 2 and is rotatably arranged around the shaft member 37. And a lever 38. Here, the cutter blade 36 and the cutting lever 38 are connected to each other, and the cutter blade 36 is moved along with the rotation of the cutting lever 38 so that the cutting position across the conveyance path of the label tape 7 and the label tape 7 are cut. It is possible to move between a standby position separated from the transport path. The shaft member 37 and the cutting lever 3
Since a spring member (not shown) is arranged between the cutting lever 38 and 8, the cutting lever 38 is urged in a direction in which its tip portion projects from the side surface of the main body container 2.

That is, the tip of the cutting lever 38 resists the urging of the spring member arranged between the cutting lever 38 and the shaft member 37 so that the cutting lever 38 hardly projects from the side surface of the body container 2 with respect to the body container 2. When pushed (rotated clockwise in FIG. 2), the cutter blade 36 moves to the cutting position, while the cutting lever 38 is no longer pushed into the main body container 2 (force applied to the cutting lever 38 from the outside). Is no longer acting), the cutting lever 38 is urged in the direction in which the tip portion thereof projects from the side surface of the main body container 2 (counterclockwise in FIG. 2), so that the cutter blade 36 moves to the original standby position. Return to.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
A rectangular recess 21 having a predetermined width is formed on the side surface of the cover 3, and a predetermined width is provided on the side surface of the main body container 2 so as to project upward at a position corresponding to the recess 21 of the cover 3. A rectangular protrusion 22 is formed.
The width of the protrusion 22 is slightly smaller than the width of the recess 21.

As shown in FIG. 5, the protrusion 22 has a recess 2
It is formed so as to cover 1 and the projection 2
A space 23 is formed between the inner side surface of the label tape 2 and the surface of the recess 21 so as to be separated from the inner surface of the label tape 7 by about the same thickness as the label tape 7 and to communicate with the outside.
Is provided. Therefore, the end of the label tape 7 can be inserted into the space 23 from the outside of the tape printer 1. Here, the gap of the void 23 in the present embodiment, that is, the distance between the inner surface of the protrusion 22 and the surface of the recess 21 (distance X in FIG. 5) is 0.2 to 0.4 mm.
The length of the gap 23 in the insertion direction of the label tape 7 (distance Y in FIG. 5) is 5 mm. The gap 23 can be changed according to the thickness of the label tape 7 used in the tape printer 1, and the length of the gap 23 in the insertion direction of the label tape 7 is the same as that of the present embodiment. Then, the release paper 6 can be arbitrarily changed as long as the release paper 6 can be removed from the printing tape 5 in the vicinity of the end of the label tape 7. That is, the length of the gap 23 in the insertion direction of the label tape 7 is
When pulling out in the direction that intersects the insertion direction,
The length may be set so that the bending force can be applied to the entire area of the label tape 7 passing through 3. In addition, the protrusion 22
The edge of the tip portion 22a on the side facing the concave portion 21 in the tape width direction is formed at an acute angle, and the concave portion 21 of the protruding portion 22 is formed.
The front end portion 22a on the side not facing to is R-shaped.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a step portion 25 is formed on the inner wall of the main body container 2. Step 2
When the label tape 7 is inserted into the space 23 from the outside of the tape printer 1, the label tape 5 comes into contact with the leading end of the label tape 7 so that the label tape 7 is inserted into the tape printer 1. It is for controlling the length. Here, in the step portion 25, the distance from the entrance of the void 23 to the step portion 25 (distance Z in FIG. 5) is less than the shortest tape length of the label tape 7 discharged after printing in the tape printer 1. It is provided in.

Next, an operation procedure in the tape printer 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

First, the operator mounts the tape cassette 8 on the tape printer 1 and attaches the cassette cover 4 to the main body container 2.
Then, the power button 10 is pushed to turn on the power of the tape printer 1. Then, by operating the character button group 11 and the function button groups 13a and 13b, desired characters and the like are input as print data. Then, the operator presses the print button 14 after confirming that the characters which are the print data displayed on the LCD 12 are correct.

Then, in the tape printer 1, the label tape 7 is conveyed at a predetermined speed by the platen 31 that is rotationally driven, and the thermal head 30 is energized and controlled based on the input print data.
The heating element of the thermal head 30 generates heat. As a result, the characters and the like input on the printing tape 5 of the label tape 7 are printed. When the printing on the printing tape 5 is completed, the label tape 7 is continuously conveyed by a predetermined distance and stopped in a state where the printing is stopped. At this time, the printed label tape 7 is
The tape is sequentially ejected from the tip end thereof to the outside of the tape printer 1 through the opening 2a formed in the main body container 2.

When the feeding of the label tape 7 is stopped, the operator pushes the cutting lever 38 against the main body container 2 so that it hardly projects from the side surface of the main body container 2, moves the cutter blade 36, and prints the printed tape. The label tape 7 is cut. Thus, the label tape 7 having a predetermined length on which desired characters and the like are printed, that is, the printing tape 5 having a predetermined length on which desired characters are printed and the release paper having a predetermined length laminated on the tape 5. 6 is created. Therefore, the operator can peel off the release paper 6 from the printing tape 5 on which desired characters are printed and then attach the printed printing tape 5 to any attachment target.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), one end of the printed label tape 7 having a predetermined length has the release paper 6 side outside and the projection 22 of the main body container 2 and the cover. It is inserted by the operator into the space 23 formed between the concave portion 21 and the concave portion 21.

At this time, the label tape 7 is changed to the one shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), the leading end of the label tape 7 inserted into the space 23 is inserted until it contacts the step 25 of the main body container 2. In other words, the label tape 7 is inserted at a portion having a length substantially equal to the distance Z from the tip of the label tape 7 to the step 25 from the entrance of the space 23.

Then, the operator grips a portion (exposed portion) of the printed label tape 7 which is not inserted into the tape printer 1 and, as shown in FIG.
The tip 22a of the above is folded back along the outer wall of the main body container 2 as a fulcrum. That is, the tape is folded back in a direction intersecting the tape insertion direction. The position indicated by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 6C indicates the position of the label tape 7 in FIG. 6B. Here, the portion of the label tape 7 that is not inserted into the tape printer 1 does not necessarily have to be folded back along the outer wall of the main body container 2, and the label tape 7 that has been inserted into the tape printer 1 will be described later. If it can be pulled out while giving bending resistance (bending force) to the tip portion 22a of the protrusion 22, the label tape 7 is placed between the portion inserted into the tape printer 1 and the portion not inserted into the tape printer 1. The formed angle can be arbitrarily changed.

Subsequently, with the portion of the label tape 7 that is not inserted into the tape printer 1 folded back along the outer wall of the main body container 2, as shown in FIG. Pulled out along. At this time, a large bending resistance (bending force) is applied to the label tape 7 pulled out from the space 23 from the tip 22 a of the protrusion 22. That is, the bending force in the same direction is applied to the entire portion of the label tape 7 inserted into the space 23.

When all of the label tapes 7 inserted in the tape printer 1 are pulled out from the tape printer 1 as shown in FIG. 6 (e), the above-mentioned application of the bending force is released. Therefore, the release paper 6 is peeled off from the printing tape 5 in the vicinity of the insertion tip of the label tape 7 inserted in the tape printer 1. Therefore,
The operator can easily peel the entire release paper 6 from the printing tape 5 by holding the end of the release paper 6 peeled from the printing tape 5.

In this embodiment, the printing tape 5 is used.
Corresponds to the tape base body, the label tape 7 corresponds to the tape body, the main body container 2 and the cover 3 correspond to the casing parts, the protruding portion 22 of the main body container 2 corresponds to the void forming portion, and the step portion 25. Corresponds to the stopper.

As described above, in the tape printer 1 of this embodiment, one end of the printed label tape 7 is placed between the protrusion 22 of the main body container 2 of the tape printer 1 and the recess 21 of the cover 3. Since the label tape 7 is inserted into the formed space 23 and pulled out while giving a bending resistance (bending force) to the label tape 7, the bending tape is different due to the difference in material between the printing tape 5 and the release paper 6. In addition, the release paper 6 can be peeled off from the printing tape 5 in the vicinity of the insertion tip of the label tape 7. This makes it possible to easily perform the work of peeling the entire release paper 6 from the printing tape 5. In addition, a space formed between the protrusion 22 of the main body container 2 of the tape printer 1 and the recess 21 of the cover 3 for peeling the release paper 6 without separately providing a member for peeling the release paper 6. 23 is used, the release paper 6
It is possible to prevent the member for peeling off from being lost and to prevent extra cost.
Further, since the space 23 formed between the protrusion 22 of the main body container 2 of the tape printer 1 and the recess 21 of the cover 3 is used as a peeler for the label tape 7, the thickness of the label tape 7 is the same as that of the label tape 7. Compared to the case where a certain amount of void is provided in one component, the manufacturing process is simplified and it is advantageous in terms of manufacturing cost.

Further, the protrusion 22 of the main body container 2 of the tape printer 1 is formed so as to cover the recess 21 of the cover 3, and the space 23 forms the protrusion 2 of the main body container 2.
Since it is formed along the inner surface of the cover 2 and the surface of the recess 21 of the cover 3, the vicinity of the end of the main body container 2 is arranged so as to abut against each other without covering the cover 3. To secure a wider range in which the label tape 7 inserted into the gap 23 can be pulled out while giving bending resistance (bending force) to the tip 22a of the protrusion 22 than in the case where the gap is formed. You can Therefore, the operation of peeling the entire release paper 6 from the printing tape 5 can be performed more reliably.

In addition, the concave portion 21 of the protrusion 22 of the main body container 2
Since the edge in the tape width direction of the tip portion 22a on the side opposite to the tape tape is formed at an acute angle, the bending force applied to the label tape 7 when the label tape 7 is pulled out becomes large, and the label tape 7 The release paper 6 can be more effectively peeled off from the printing tape 5 in the vicinity of the end portion of.

Further, a step portion 25 is formed on the inner wall of the main body container 2, and when the label tape 7 having a predetermined length is inserted from the entrance of the space 23, the tip end portion of the label tape 7 is stepped. Since it comes into contact with 25, it serves as a guide when the operator inserts the label tape 7, and the operator's operation becomes easy to understand. At this time, the step portion 25 can be easily formed on the inner wall of the main body container 2.

On the inner wall of the main body container 2, the step portion 2
5 is provided so that the distance from the entrance of the gap 23 to the step 25 is less than the shortest tape length of the label tape 7 discharged after printing in the tape printer 1, and therefore the operator mistakenly makes the gap. Even if you release your hand from the label tape 7 which is being inserted into the label tape 23, the rear end of the label tape 7 will stick out from the entrance of the space 23, so that the label tape 7 can easily enter the tape printer 1. It is possible to prevent a situation in which it cannot be taken out.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various design changes are possible within the scope of the claims. Is. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the protrusion 22 of the main body container 2 is the recess 2 of the cover 3.
The gap 23 is formed by covering it while being separated from 1
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and at least a part between the main body container 2 and the cover 3 has a space that is separated by the same extent as the thickness of the label tape 7 and communicates with the outside. Any configuration may be used as long as it is provided. Therefore, the concave portion does not necessarily have to be formed at the position corresponding to the protruding portion 22 of the main body container 2.

It is not always necessary to form a gap by disposing the main body container 2 so that the vicinity of the end portion of the main body container 2 covers the cover 3, and for example, the vicinity of the end portion of the main body container 2 is covered by the cover 3. The voids may be formed by being arranged so as to face each other without being covered with each other. Also, the vicinity of the end of the cover 3 is the main body container
The void may be formed by being arranged so as to cover with respect to.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the main body container 2
Although the description has been given of the case where the tip 22a of the protrusion 22 on the side facing the recess 21 is formed at an acute angle, the tip 22 of the protrusion 22 on the side facing the recess 21 is not necessarily required.
It is not necessary for a to be formed at an acute angle. Also, the protrusion 2
The tip 22a on the side not facing the second recess 21 may also be formed at an acute angle.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the main body container 2
The case where the step portion 25 is formed so that the leading end portion of the label tape 7 inserted from the inlet of the gap 23 contacts the inner wall of the gap 23 is not limited to this.
It is not necessary to provide the stopper portion with which the leading end portion of the label tape 7 inserted from the inlet of the above contacts. Even when this is provided, the step portion 25 does not necessarily have to be formed on the inner wall of the main body container 2, and any stopper portion having the same function as the step portion 25 of the present embodiment can be used. It may have any configuration.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the main body container 2
In the case where the step portion 25 is provided on the inner wall of No. 2 such that the distance from the entrance of the void 23 to the step portion 25 is less than the shortest tape length of the label tape 7 discharged after printing in the tape printer 1. Although described, the distance from the entrance of the void 23 to the step 25 is not limited to this, and can be arbitrarily changed. However, the length of the gap 23 itself from the entrance is required to be such that the release paper 6 can be peeled off from the printing tape 5 near the end of the label tape 7.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the main body container 2
The cover 3 and the cover 3 are fixed by screwing, but the main body container 2 and the cover 3 may be fixed to each other by engagement. In this case, even if the label tape 7 enters the tape printer 1, the label tape 7 can be easily released by releasing the engagement between the main body container 2 and the cover 3.
Can be taken out.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the main body container 2
Although the case where the gap 23 is provided between the cover 3 and the cover 3 has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the gap may be provided between the main body container 2 and the cassette cover 4. Also in this case, a gap may be formed by disposing the vicinity of the end of the main body container 2 so as to abut against each other without covering the cassette cover 4, or the vicinity of the end of the main body container 2 may be formed. The space may be formed by covering the cassette cover 4 and the space may be formed by covering the main body container 2 in the vicinity of the end of the cassette cover 4. May be done.

In the above-described embodiment, when the space is provided between the main body container 2 and the cassette cover 4, the space 23 provided between the main body container 2 and the cover 3 is peeled off. Unlike the case where the label tape 7 is inserted into the tape printer 1, it does not require complicated work such as turning a screw with a screwdriver in order to remove the cassette cover 4 from the main body container 2. However, the label tape 7 can be easily taken out by removing the cassette cover 4 from the main body container 2.

[0055]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the tape body is inserted from the inlet of the gap formed between the two housing parts included in the tape printer, and exposed from the gap of the tape body. By pulling out in a direction intersecting the insertion direction of the gap, a bending force in the same direction is applied to the entire area of the insertion portion of the tape body. Therefore, by pulling the tape body while applying a bending force, it is possible to peel the release paper from the tape base near the insertion tip of the tape body due to the difference in bending behavior caused by the difference in material between the tape base and the release paper. You can This makes it possible to easily perform the work of peeling the entire release paper from the tape substrate. Also,
Since a space formed in the tape printer main body is used for peeling the release paper without providing a separate member for peeling the release paper (common name: peeler), a member for peeling the release paper is used. It can be prevented from being lost, and it is possible to suppress an extra cost.
Further, since the space provided between the two housing parts is used as a peeler for the tape body, the manufacturing process is simpler than the case where a space having the same thickness as the tape body is provided in one part. And is advantageous in terms of manufacturing cost.

According to the second aspect, the gap is formed along the surfaces of the two housing parts, so that the vicinity of one end of the two housing parts does not cover each other without covering the other. It is possible to secure a wider range in the direction in which the tape body is pulled out, as compared with the case where the gap is formed by arranging the tape body to face each other. Therefore, the work of peeling the entire release paper from the tape base can be performed more reliably.

According to the third aspect, the bending force applied to the tape body when the tape body is pulled out becomes large, so that the release paper can be more effectively peeled off from the tape base body in the vicinity of the end portion of the tape body. Become. According to the fourth aspect, when the tape body having a predetermined length is inserted from the entrance of the gap, the tape body comes into contact with the stopper portion, which serves as a guide when the operator inserts the tape body. Therefore, the operation of the operator becomes easy to understand.

According to the fifth aspect, even if the operator mistakenly releases the tape body which is being inserted into the space, the rear end of the tape body will be protruded (exposed) from the entrance of the space. It is possible to prevent a situation in which the body enters the housing and cannot be easily taken out. According to the sixth aspect, the stopper portion can be easily formed only by forming the step portion on the inner wall of one of the two housing components. According to the seventh aspect, even when the tape body enters the housing, the tape body can be easily taken out by releasing the engagement between the two housing components.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a tape printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration in which a tape cassette is attached to a main body container.

3 is a cross-sectional view of the tape printer of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a partial side view of the tape printer of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a partial schematic configuration in the vicinity of a protrusion and a recess.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a procedure for peeling the release paper from the printing tape.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 tape printer 2 Body container (case component) 3 Cover (case parts) 4 Cassette cover (case component) 5 Printing tape (tape base) 6 Release paper 7 Label tape (tape body) 21 recess 22 Projection (gap forming part) 23 void 25 steps (stopper)

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Shinichi Hirata             15-1 Naedai-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi Prefecture             Within Lazer Industry Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2C055 CC00 CC01 CC03 CC05                 2C061 AP05 AQ04 AS06 CD09                 3F108 JA04

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A tape printer for printing on a tape base of a tape body comprising a tape base having an adhesive layer and a release paper attached to the adhesive layer, comprising at least two housing parts. However, the tape printer is characterized in that at least a part between the two housing parts is provided with a space that is separated to the same extent as the thickness of the tape body and communicates with the outside. 2. The void forming portion for forming the void by being disposed so as to cover the other of the two housing parts, the void forming portion being provided. The listed tape printer. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the gap forming portion provided on one of the two housing components has a tip portion on the side opposite to the other housing component and formed at an acute angle. Tape printer. 4. The tape according to claim 2, wherein one of the two housing parts is provided with a stopper portion with which the tape body inserted from the entrance of the gap abuts. Printer. 5. The tape printer according to claim 4, wherein the distance from the entrance of the gap to the stopper is less than the shortest tape length of the tape body discharged after printing. 6. The tape printer according to claim 4, wherein the stopper portion is a step portion formed on an inner wall of one of the two housing parts. 7. The tape printer according to claim 1, wherein the two housing parts are fixed to each other by engagement.