JP2011194636A - Tape cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tape cartridge suppressing intrusion of dust from an opening of the tape cartridge to inside of the tape cartridge.SOLUTION: The tape cartridge 20 is fitted to a cartridge fitting part 5 of a tape printing device 1 and includes a cartridge case 23 comprising an upper case 21 and a lower case 22. The tape cartridge 20 further includes: a tape storing part 30 storing a printing tape T on which printing is performed by using a thermal head 10 provided on the tape printing device 1 side; and a ribbon storing part 40 storing an ink ribbon R used for printing on the printing tape T by using the thermal head 10. An openable/closable shutter 50 is provided on an opening 24a which the thermal head 10 faces in the tap cartridge 20 including a through opening 24 which a head cover 9 is made to enter.

Description

  The present invention relates to a tape cartridge.

  Conventionally, as this type of tape cartridge, for example, the one described in Registered Utility Model No. 3041381 (Patent Document 1) is known. This tape cartridge is mounted on a mounting portion of a tape printer, a tape core wound with a printing tape on which printing is performed by a print head on the printing device side, a storage portion for storing a ribbon core wound with an ink ribbon, And an opening through which the print head enters.

Registered Utility Model No. 3041381

In such a conventional tape cartridge, there is a risk that dust may enter the inside of the tape cartridge from the opening into which the print head enters. Therefore, when the tape cartridge is transported, it is individually packed to prevent the dust from entering. However, since the opening is always exposed after the user unpacks it, there is a problem such as poor printing due to dust adhering to the print tape or ink ribbon when dust enters the tape cartridge. It was.
An object of the present invention is to provide a tape cartridge and a tape printing apparatus that prevent intrusion of dust from the opening of the tape cartridge and prevent printing failure, and can be realized as the following forms or application examples. It is.

[Application Example 1] A tape cartridge according to this application example is mounted on a mounting portion of a tape printer and has a cartridge case composed of an upper case and a lower case. The cartridge case is provided on the tape printer side. A tape storage unit that stores a printing tape to be printed by the thermal head, a ribbon storage unit that stores an ink ribbon for printing on the printing tape by the thermal head, and an opening through which the print head enters Are provided with a shutter structure that can be opened and closed at the opening.
According to this structure, the shutter structure which can be opened and closed was provided in the opening part which a print head approachs. By adopting such a structure, it is possible to prevent dust from entering the tape cartridge. Thereby, it is possible to prevent printing defects caused by dust.

Application Example 2 In the tape cartridge described in the above application example, the shutter structure of the tape cartridge is characterized in that the opening / closing operation is performed by sliding the case rail provided in the upper case and the lower case of the cartridge case. And
According to this configuration, since the case rails provided in the upper case and the lower case are slid, the opening / closing operation is performed smoothly, and dust can be prevented from entering from the opening. Thereby, it is possible to prevent printing defects caused by dust.

Application Example 3 In the tape cartridge according to the application example described above, the shutter structure of the tape cartridge further includes an opening / closing protrusion, and the opening / closing operation is performed by moving the opening / closing protrusion.
According to this configuration, by moving the opening / closing protrusion, the opening / closing operation is further smoothly performed, and dust can be prevented from entering from the opening. Thereby, it is possible to prevent printing defects caused by dust.

Application Example 4 In the tape cartridge described in the above application example, the opening of the tape cartridge shutter structure is open at least during printing, and the opening of the shutter structure of the tape cartridge of the present invention is closed at times other than printing. An opening / closing operation to be in a state is performed.
According to this configuration, since the opening is opened only at least during printing, it is possible to further prevent dust from entering. Thereby, it is possible to prevent printing defects caused by dust.

Application Example 5 In the tape cartridge described in the application example, the shutter structure of the tape cartridge is characterized in that the opening / closing operation is performed in conjunction with the head release mechanism of the tape printer.
According to this configuration, by interlocking with the head release mechanism of the tape printing apparatus, there is no need for the user to operate, the opening is surely opened during printing, and the opening is opened when removed from the tape printing apparatus. Since the portion is in the closed state, it is possible to prevent dust from entering even when the tape cartridge is carried alone. Thereby, it is possible to prevent printing defects caused by dust.

FIG. 2 is an external view of a tape printer with a lid opened. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a closed state of a shutter in the tape cartridge of the first embodiment. The conceptual diagram of the state which the shutter in the tape cartridge of 1st Embodiment opened. The conceptual diagram of the case rail of an upper case and a lower case. The conceptual diagram of an opening-and-closing lid and head operation. The conceptual diagram of the state which the shutter of 2nd Embodiment opened. The conceptual diagram of the state which closed the shutter of 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a tape cartridge and a tape printer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This tape printing apparatus feeds out a printing tape and an ink ribbon from a mounted tape cartridge, and performs printing by a printing means while running in a tensioned state, cutting a printed portion of the printing tape, and printing a label (tape Piece).

  FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a tape printer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The tape printer 1 includes an apparatus main body 2 that performs a printing process on the print tape T, and a tape cartridge 20 that accommodates the print tape T and the ink ribbon R and is detachably attached to the apparatus main body.

  The apparatus main body 2 of the tape printer 1 has an outer shell formed by an apparatus case 3, and a keyboard 14 having various keys is disposed on the upper surface of the front half of the apparatus case 3. An opening / closing lid 4 is widely provided on the upper left surface of the rear half of the apparatus case 3, and a cartridge mounting portion 5 for mounting the tape cartridge 20 is provided inside the opening / closing lid 4. On the upper surface of the opening / closing lid 4, a viewing window 6 for visually confirming the mounting / non-mounting of the tape cartridge 20 is formed, and a lid opening button 7 for opening the opening / closing lid 4 is provided on the front side of the opening / closing lid 4. Yes. A display 8 that displays an input result from the keyboard 14, a print image, and the like is disposed on the upper right shape of the rear half of the device case 3.

  The cartridge mounting portion 5 includes a thermal head 10 covered with a head cover 9, a platen drive shaft 11 that sends the print tape T against the thermal head 10, a take-up drive shaft 12 that winds up the ink ribbon R, and a tape core Positioning protrusions 13 for positioning 31 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) are provided upright. Although not shown in the drawings, a tape feed mechanism constituted by a feed motor, a gear train, and the like for synchronously rotating the platen drive shaft 11 and the take-up drive shaft 12 is incorporated in the lower space of the bottom plate of the cartridge mounting portion 5. ing.

  When the tape cartridge 20 is mounted and the open / close lid 4 is closed, the thermal head 10 comes into contact with a platen roller 33 (see FIG. 2) provided on the tape cartridge 20 with the printing tape T and the ink ribbon R interposed therebetween, and print standby. It becomes a state. When a print command is issued by inputting characters or the like from the keyboard 14 or the like and operating a predetermined key, the print tape T and the ink ribbon R are fed together by the tape feeding mechanism and printed. Printing processing (thermal transfer of ink from the ink ribbon R to the printing tape T) is performed on the tape T.

  A tape discharge port 15 is formed on the left side of the device case 3 to communicate the cartridge mounting portion 5 with the outside of the device. The print tape T on which the printing process has been performed is discharged from the tape discharge port 15. . In addition, a cutter unit (not shown) that is driven by a cutter motor is built in the device case 3 facing the tape discharge port 15. Thereby, the printed part of the printing tape T sent out from the tape discharge port 15 is cut | disconnected in the tape width direction, and a tape piece is created.

  A power supply port for supplying power and a connector for connecting to an external device such as a personal computer (not shown) are formed on the right side of the device case 3 (none of which are shown). For this reason, the tape printer 1 can also print a print image created by a personal computer or the like on the print tape T in addition to a print image created based on input data from its own keyboard 14. In addition, a circuit board constituting a control unit that performs overall control of the apparatus main body 2 is mounted inside the apparatus case 3 (not shown).

  Next, the structure of the tape cartridge 20 and the opening / closing mechanism of the shutter 50 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which the shutter 50 in the tape cartridge 20 of the present embodiment is closed, and FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which the shutter 50 in the tape cartridge 20 of the present embodiment is opened. The tape cartridge 20 has a cartridge case 23 (see FIG. 1) composed of an upper case 21 and a lower case 22. Inside the cartridge case 23, a ribbon storage unit 30 that stores a printing tape T, an ink ribbon R, a feeding core 41 that feeds out the ink ribbon R, and a winding core 42 that winds up the ink ribbon R are housed therein. Part 40.

The tape storage unit 30 stores a tape assembly 32 including a printing tape T and a tape core 31 around which the printing tape T is wound.
The ribbon container 40 accommodates a ribbon assembly 43 including an ink ribbon R, a feeding core 41 for feeding out the ink ribbon R, and a take-up core 42 for winding up the ink ribbon R. A hollow cylindrical platen roller 33 is accommodated. The tape core 31, the feeding core 41, the take-up core 42 and the platen roller 33 are rotatably supported by shaft protrusions and fitting holes formed in the upper case 21 and the lower case 22.

  A through-opening 24 is formed in the cartridge case 23 in the vicinity of the platen roller 33 and penetrates the cartridge case 23 up and down. When the tape cartridge 20 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 5, The head cover 9 is inserted, and an opening 24 a is provided at a position where the thermal head 10 in the head cover 9 faces the platen roller 33. At this time, the positioning projection 13 is engaged with the tape core 31, the platen drive shaft 11 is engaged with the platen roller, and the take-up drive shaft 12 is engaged with the take-up core 42. That is, the platen roller 33 and the winding core 42 function as a driving core, and the tape core 31 and the feeding core 41 function as a driven core.

  The printing tape T fed out from the tape core 31 is guided by the tape guide pin 25 to reach the platen roller 33, and after being printed at this portion, is sent out from the tape delivery port 26 formed on the side surface of the cartridge case 23. On the other hand, the ink ribbon R fed out from the feeding core 41 reaches the platen roller 33 while tension is applied. At this time, the ink ribbon R is guided by the ribbon guide pin 27 and the opening wall 28 that forms the through opening 24, makes a U-turn, and is taken up by the take-up core 42. In this case, since the driving side platen roller 33 and the winding core 42 rotate synchronously, the printing tape T and the ink ribbon R run simultaneously, and printing is performed on the printing tape T.

  A slidable shutter 50 is provided inside the ink ribbon path between the ribbon guide pin 27 and the opening wall 28. The shutter 50 is provided with slide protrusions 51 on both end surfaces, and slides on an upper case rail 52 provided on the upper case 21 and a lower case rail 53 provided on the lower case 22, respectively (see FIG. 4). Further, the shutter 50 is provided with an opening / closing projection 54. When the user operates the projection 54 for opening and closing, the shutter 50 slides while being guided by the upper case rail 52 and the lower case rail 53, and the shutter 50 is opened and closed.

  Such a tape cartridge 20 of the present embodiment is not exposed by closing the opening 24 a of the through opening 24 penetrating the cartridge case 23 up and down by the shutter 50. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent dust from entering the tape cartridge from the opening 24a at least during a printing operation.

  Further, when the tape cartridge 20 is transported, the shutter 50 is closed to prevent the intrusion of dust from the opening 24a through which the thermal head of the through-opening 24 penetrating the cartridge case 23 enters. Therefore, the individual packaging necessary for transporting the tape cartridge 20 having no shutter structure is not necessary, which is more environmentally friendly.

  Further, when the printing operation is performed, the thermal head 10 can be pressed against the ink ribbon R by operating the opening / closing protrusion 54 to open the shutter 50. For this reason, even when the tape printer 1 is mounted, the print head T and the ink ribbon R are not sandwiched between the thermal head 10 and the platen roller 33 in the print standby state. 10, the thermal head 10 does not always press the platen roller 33, so that the deformation of the platen roller 33 can be prevented.

  FIG. 4 illustrates a case rail for guiding opening and closing of the shutter 50 of the present embodiment. 4A is a diagram showing the upper case rail 52 provided in the upper case 21, and FIG. 4B is a diagram showing the lower case rail 53 provided in the lower case 22. The upper case rail 52 and the lower case rail 53 pass through the lower side of the ribbon guide pin 27 from the substantially intermediate position between the feeding core 41 and the take-up core 42 and face the opening 24a along the path of the ink ribbon R. It is arranged like this. Then, as the shutter 50 slides along the upper case rail 52 and the lower case rail 53, the opening 24a is opened and closed.

  In this embodiment, the shutter 50 can be arbitrarily opened and closed by the user operating the opening and closing protrusion 54. However, for example, the shutter 50 can be opened and closed in conjunction with a series of printing operations.

  Next, a shutter structure that can be opened and closed in conjunction with a series of printing operations, which is a second embodiment of the present application, will be described. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a head release mechanism that is interlocked with the opening / closing of the opening / closing lid 4. The shutter structure of the second embodiment of the present application performs the shutter opening / closing operation in conjunction with the head release mechanism, and the operation of the head release mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5A is a conceptual diagram showing the position of the thermal head 10 when the opening / closing lid 4 is opened, and FIG. 5B shows the position of the thermal head 10 when the opening / closing lid 4 is closed. It is a conceptual diagram. In FIG. 5B, the opening / closing lid 4 is not shown for easy understanding. The thermal head 10 is attached to one end of a head rotating frame 61, and the head rotating frame 61 is rotationally connected around a head rotating frame pin 62 as a rotation center. The other end of the head rotating frame 61 is connected to a head pressure spring 63 and a head release spring 65, the other end of the head pressure spring 63 is a release lever 60, and the other end of the head release spring 65 is a device. The case 3 or the cartridge mounting portion 5 is connected. The release lever 60 is rotationally connected to the apparatus case 3 or the cartridge mounting portion 5 at a head release lever rotation center 64.

  Normally, when printing is performed, the opening / closing lid 4 of the printing apparatus is opened, the tape cartridge 20 is inserted, the opening / closing lid 4 is closed, the contents of printing are input, and printing is performed. By closing the open / close lid 4, the open / close lid protrusion 4 a of the open / close lid 4 comes into contact with the release lever 60, and the release lever 60 rotates about the head release lever rotation center 64. When the release lever 60 rotates, the head pressurizing spring 63 is extended, and the head rotating frame 61 rotates around the head rotating frame pin 62, so that the thermal head 10 attached to one end is moved to the platen roller 33. Pressed to enter the print standby state. Conversely, when opening the opening / closing lid 4, the thermal head 10 is separated from the platen roller 33 by the force of the head release spring 65 attached to the head rotating frame 61.

  A shutter structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a view showing a state in which the shutter is opened in the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a view showing a state where the shutter is closed in the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, a shutter opening / closing gear 66 is provided at the rotation center of the head rotating frame pin 62, and a shutter opening / closing rack gear 67 is provided on the shutter 50 so as to engage with the shutter opening / closing gear 66.

  Thus, when the tape cartridge 20 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 5 of the tape printer 1 and the opening / closing lid 4 is closed, the opening / closing lid protrusion 4a of the opening / closing lid 4 contacts the release lever 60, and the release lever 60 is the head release lever. It rotates around the rotation center 64. As the release lever 60 rotates, the head pressure spring 63 is extended, and the head rotating frame 61 rotates around the head rotating frame pin 62. As the head rotation frame pin 62 rotates, the shutter opening / closing gear 66 rotates. Then, the shutter opening / closing rack gear 67 engaged with the shutter opening / closing gear 66 is driven by the rotation of the shutter opening / closing gear 66 to open the shutter 50.

  When the opening / closing lid 4 is opened, the head rotation frame pin 62 rotates reversely by the force of the head release spring 65 attached to the head rotation frame 61, so that the shutter opening / closing gear 66 rotates reversely. Then, the shutter opening / closing rack gear 67 engaged with the shutter opening / closing gear 66 is driven by the rotation of the shutter opening / closing gear 66 to close the shutter 50. By having such a structure, the shutter 50 can be opened and closed without the user being aware of it. Furthermore, the shutter 50 starts to open when the shutter opening / closing gear 66 starts to move. Therefore, since the shutter opening / closing gear 66 starts moving from the middle of closing the opening / closing lid 4, the opening 24a is exposed rather than the structure in which the user arbitrarily opens and closes the shutter 50 shown in FIGS. Since the time to do this is small, it is possible to more reliably prevent dust from entering the inside of the tape cartridge.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, the arrangement structure of each part of the said tape cartridge 20 is an example, and this invention is not limited to this. For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to the tape printer 1 as an example of the tape cartridge 20 has been described. However, as a tape cartridge, a tape that is used for recording is accommodated in a cartridge case. For example, it can be applied to a cassette tape, a video tape, a DAT, and the like.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tape printer, 3 apparatus case, 4 opening / closing lid, 4a opening / closing lid protrusion, 5 cartridge mounting part, 9 head cover, 10 thermal head, 20 tape cartridge, 23 cartridge case, 24 through-opening, 24a opening, 50 shutter, 52 Upper case rail, 53 Lower case rail, 54 Opening / closing protrusion, 66 Shutter opening / closing gear, 67 Shutter opening / closing rack gear, T printing tape, R ink ribbon.

Claims (5)

It is attached to the attachment part of the tape printer,
Has a cartridge case consisting of an upper case and a lower case,
In the cartridge case,
A tape storage unit for storing a printing tape on which printing is performed by a thermal head provided on the tape printer side;
A ribbon storage portion for storing an ink ribbon for printing on the printing tape by the thermal head;
An opening into which the print head enters, and a tape cartridge comprising:
A tape cartridge comprising a shutter structure that can be opened and closed at the opening.   The tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the shutter structure is opened and closed by sliding a case rail provided in the upper case and the lower case of the cartridge case. The shutter structure is further provided with an opening / closing projection,
3. The tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing operation is performed by moving the opening / closing protrusion.   4. The shutter structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an opening / closing operation is performed in which the opening is in an open state at least during printing and the opening is in a closed state except during printing. The tape cartridge as described.   The tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the shutter structure is opened and closed in conjunction with a head release mechanism of the tape printer.

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