JP2011201221A - Cartridge for tape printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cartridge for tape printer consisting of a plurality of cartridges in which optimal combination of cartridges is ensured.SOLUTION: Only when an optimal combination of a tape cartridge 60 and a ribbon cartridge 70 is selected, for example, as a combination of first and second cartridges, the tape cartridge 60 and the ribbon cartridge 70 can be set in the tape printer 10 because the first outer shape portion, i.e. a recess 60a, and the second outer shape portion, i.e. a protrusion 70a, have a corresponding positional relationship of formation. Thus, print operation can be carried out in the optimal state of combination of cartridges.

Description

  The present invention relates to a cartridge for a tape printer constituted by a plurality of cartridges.

  As an example of a conventional tape printer in which a plurality of cartridges are combined and loaded, a tape cartridge that stores a tape-like member to be printed and a ribbon cartridge that stores an ink ribbon are detachably loaded. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 10-183

  When a plurality of cartridges are used, there are cases where the combination thereof is correct and when the combination is not correct. For example, the tape-shaped member of the tape cartridge includes various materials such as paper and resin, and there are a plurality of types. Since it is necessary to use ink ribbons corresponding to a plurality of types of tape cartridges, there are a plurality of types of ribbon cartridges. Therefore, if the combination of the tape cartridge and ribbon cartridge is improper and the cartridge combination is improperly loaded into the tape printing device, printing cannot be performed or printing is poor even if printing is possible. There is a possibility of becoming.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a tape printer cartridge that is optimally combined with a cartridge for a tape printer constituted by combining a plurality of cartridges.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a cartridge for a tape printer according to the present invention is for a tape printer comprising a first cartridge having a first outer shape portion and a second cartridge having a second outer shape portion. The cartridge is characterized in that the first cartridge and the second cartridge can be set in the printing apparatus only when the first outer shape portion and the second outer shape portion are combined in a predetermined correspondence relationship. And

  According to the tape printer cartridge, when the first outer shape portion and the second outer shape portion are combined in a predetermined correspondence relationship, the first cartridge and the second cartridge can be set in the printing device. When the first outer shape portion and the second outer shape portion do not correspond to each other, the first cartridge and the second cartridge cannot be set in the printing apparatus. Therefore, the printing operation is always performed with the optimum combination of cartridges. It can be performed.

  In a specific aspect of the present invention, the first outer shape portion and the second outer shape portion have a fitting structure. In this case, the first cartridge and the second cartridge can be attached in a predetermined positional relationship and set in the printing apparatus. The fitting structure in this case is not limited to a state in which the fitting structure is fitted without a gap, but also includes a state in which the fitting structure is fitted with a certain amount of play.

  In another aspect of the present invention, the first outer shape portion has a concave shape, and the second outer shape portion has a convex shape. In this case, the combined shape can be made appropriate by fitting the concave shape and the convex shape, and the first cartridge and the second cartridge can be set in the printing apparatus.

  In still another aspect of the present invention, the first cartridge and the second cartridge can be set by correspondence between the formation position of the first outer shape portion and the formation position of the second outer shape portion. And In this case, it is possible to determine whether or not the combination of the cartridges is appropriate depending on the positions where the first and second outer shape portions are formed, and it is possible to give diversity to the appropriate combination.

  In still another aspect of the present invention, the first cartridge and the second cartridge can be set according to the correspondence between the shape of the first outer shape portion and the shape of the second outer shape portion. . In this case, it is possible to determine whether or not the combination of the cartridges is appropriate depending on the shapes of the first and second outer shape portions, and it is possible to give diversity to the appropriate combination.

  In still another aspect of the present invention, the first cartridge and the second cartridge have a concave depth formed as the first outer shape portion and a convex height formed as the second outer shape portion. It is possible to set by correspondence. In this case, it is possible to determine whether or not the combination of the cartridges is appropriate based on the difference in height between the concave and convex shapes of the first and second outer shape portions, and it is possible to give diversity to the appropriate combination.

  In still another aspect of the present invention, one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge is a tape cartridge that stores a tape-like member, and the other is a ribbon cartridge that stores an ink ribbon. In this case, for example, with respect to a tape cartridge that stores a plurality of types of tapes made of different materials and sizes, the first cartridge is selected only when a ribbon cartridge that stores ink ribbons corresponding to the materials and sizes is selected. And the second cartridge can be set in the printing apparatus.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, the first cartridge and the second cartridge are stacked in the depth direction with respect to the cartridge insertion port in the printing apparatus. In this case, the selection of the first cartridge and the second cartridge can always be in the optimum state.

It is an external appearance perspective view of a tape printer. (A) is an external appearance perspective view which shows the open state of a tape printer, (B) is an external perspective view which shows the cartridge which concerns on 1st Embodiment with which a tape printer is loaded. (A)-(D) are the schematic diagrams for demonstrating the combination of the 1st cartridge and 2nd cartridge from which a kind differs. It is a schematic diagram which shows the cartridge of an improper combination. (A), (B) is a schematic diagram which shows the cartridge which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, (C), (D) is a schematic diagram which shows the cartridge of a modification. (A), (B) is a schematic diagram which shows the cartridge which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. (A) and (B) are schematic diagrams showing cartridges of appropriate combinations, and (C) and (D) are schematic diagrams showing cartridges of inappropriate combinations.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a tape printing apparatus in which a cartridge for a tape printing apparatus according to the first embodiment is loaded will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 (A), this tape printing apparatus 10 has an outer shell formed by a device case 20 divided into upper and lower parts, an upper case 21 serving as an opening / closing lid, and a mechanism unit such as a pocket 41. The lower case 22 is provided.

  On the upper surface of the upper case 21, a keyboard 33 is disposed on the front side thereof, and a display 34 is disposed on the right rear side thereof, and is used in a closed state except when the composite cartridge C is detached.

  The keyboard 33 is for inputting information such as data and commands to a microcomputer chip or the like which is a control system built in the lower case 22.

  The display 34 has a display screen that can display an arbitrary character string and the like, and can display processing results, commands, and the like by a microcomputer chip that is a control system built in the lower case 22.

  A composite cartridge C that is a cartridge for a tape printing apparatus according to this embodiment shown in FIG. 2B is configured by combining a tape cartridge 60 that is a first cartridge and a ribbon cartridge 70 that is a second cartridge, It is loaded in the pocket 41 of FIG.

  The composite cartridge C is detachably loaded into the pocket 41 with the upper case (open / close lid) 21 opened. In the composite cartridge C, a tape cartridge 60 that accommodates a tape T having a constant width inside and a ribbon cartridge 70 that accommodates an ink ribbon R (see FIG. 3A, etc.) having a constant width therein are fitted. Thus, it functions as a cartridge for the tape printer of the tape printer 10. In this case, it is assumed that the tape cartridge 60 and the ribbon cartridge 70 constituting the composite cartridge C are set in a state in which the pocket 41 is aligned in a plane.

  As shown in FIG. 3 (A), the tape T of the tape cartridge 60 is an object to be printed and is a long belt-like, for example, paper-like tape-like member, and its end portion is attached to the core portion CR. It is wound around part CR. Moreover, the adhesive surface is formed in the back surface of the tape T, and it has the structure covered with the release paper. The tape T is pulled out in the direction of the arrow D1 from the tip portion TP side. The ink ribbon R of the ribbon cartridge 70 is composed of ink corresponding to the material of the tape T. The ink ribbon R has a leading end portion attached to the take-up core portion CC1 and is wound around the take-up core portion CC1, and a root portion is attached to the draw-out core portion CC2 and around the draw-out core portion CC2. It is wound. The ink ribbon R moves in the direction of the arrow D2 by the rotation operation of the winding core portion CC1, and moves inside the ribbon cartridge 70. 3A and the like are schematic views illustrating the appearance of the tape cartridge 60, the ribbon cartridge 70, and the like in plan view, and therefore detailed illustrations of the state of the tape T and the ink ribbon R during printing are omitted. However, the tape T and the ink ribbon R are aligned in the directions indicated by the arrows D1 and D2 at the time of printing and run while being overlapped with each other, and printing is performed as shown in FIG. Only the printed tape T is discharged to the outside.

  A general method of using the tape printer 10 configured as described above is that the user uses the keyboard 33 while confirming the input / editing result on the display 34 after loading the composite cartridge C in the pocket 41. Input printing information such as characters and symbols and instruct printing. In response to this instruction, the tape T is fed out from the composite cartridge C, and after a desired print is performed on the tape T by a print head (not shown), the printed portion is sent out from the tape discharge port 44 to the outside at any time. When printing is completed, the tape is fed to the position of the tape length including the margin, and the label is created by cutting the tape T at a predetermined position.

  Hereinafter, the combination of the tape cartridge 60 and the ribbon cartridge 70 constituting the composite cartridge C will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 (A) to 3 (D) and FIG.

  As described above, FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram illustrating a combination of the tape cartridge 60 that is the first cartridge and the ribbon cartridge 70 that is the second cartridge conforming to the tape cartridge 60. On the other hand, FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram illustrating a combination of a tape cartridge 160 which is a first cartridge having a different structure and a ribbon cartridge 170 which is a second cartridge adapted thereto. FIG. 3C shows a composite cartridge C in which the tape cartridge 60 and the ribbon cartridge 70 shown in FIG. 3A are combined. FIG. 3D shows the tape shown in FIG. A composite cartridge C1 in which the cartridge 160 and the ribbon cartridge 170 are combined is shown. The tape cartridge 60 and the ribbon cartridge 70 are set in a state where they are arranged in a plane with respect to the pocket 41 shown in FIG. For this reason, for example, as shown in FIG. 3C, the composite cartridge that can be set in the tape printer 10 by connecting the tape cartridge 60 and the ribbon cartridge 70 without shifting when viewed in a plan view. Configured as C. The same applies to the tape cartridge 160 and the ribbon cartridge 170 shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, specific structures of the tape cartridge 60 and the ribbon cartridge 70 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3A, the tape cartridge 60 includes a case portion 61. The case portion 61 accommodates the tape T inside, and a concave concave portion serving as a first outer shape portion on a part of a flat mounting surface 61a that comes into contact with the ribbon cartridge 70 among the outer surfaces. 60a is formed. The ribbon cartridge 70 includes a case portion 71. The case portion 71 accommodates the ink ribbon R therein, and a convex portion 70a having a convex shape as a second outer shape portion on a part of the flat mounting surface 71a that contacts the mounting surface 61a among the outer surfaces. Is forming. Here, the attachment surface 61a and the attachment surface 71a have a rectangular shape with the same width in the vertical and horizontal directions. Furthermore, the formation position of the concave portion 60a on the attachment surface 61a and the formation position of the convex portion 70a on the attachment surface 71a have a corresponding positional relationship, and as shown in FIG. The protrusion 70a is fitted so that the attachment surface 61a and the attachment surface 71a are in contact with each other without being displaced. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 3C, the tape cartridge 60 and the ribbon cartridge 70 are combined and integrated in an accurate positional relationship, so that the pocket 41 of the tape printing apparatus 10 is integrated. It has an appropriate united shape that can be loaded.

  Similarly, in FIG. 3B, the tape cartridge 160 with another structure forms a convex portion 160a on the mounting surface 161a of the case portion 161, and the ribbon cartridge 170 with another structure has the mounting surface 171a of the case portion 171. A recess 170a is formed on the surface. Since the convex portion 160a and the concave portion 170a have a pair of corresponding fitting structures, the tape cartridge 160 and the ribbon cartridge 170 are combined and integrated as shown in FIG. Are combined and formed. The composite cartridge C1 has a congruent shape with the composite cartridge C shown in FIG. 3C, and has a suitable combined shape that can be loaded into the tape printer 10 in the same manner as the composite cartridge C. .

  As shown in FIG. 4A, when the user selects an incorrect cartridge combination, the composite cartridges C and C1 cannot be configured in the correct shape and cannot be loaded into the pocket 41 of the tape printer 10. For example, even if the tape cartridge 60 is to be combined with the ribbon cartridge 170, the formation positions of the concave portion 60a and the convex portion 170a do not match, so that they cannot be fitted. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4B, even when the concave portion 60a and the convex portion 170a are fitted, the positions of the tape cartridge 60 and the ribbon cartridge 170 are shifted. In any case, when the combination of the tape cartridge and the ribbon cartridge is limited and any other combination is selected, it is not possible to obtain an appropriate combined shape as an inappropriate combination, and the tape cartridge is set in the tape printer 10. It is something that cannot be done.

  In the case of the present embodiment, as described above, for example, the tape cartridge 60 that stores the paper tape T is selected as the tape-shaped member, and the ink ribbon R1 that is made of ink corresponding to the resin tape-shaped member is stored. Even if the ribbon cartridge 170 to be selected is selected, the composite cartridge C cannot be set in the tape printer 10. This also applies to the case where the tape cartridge 160 and the ribbon cartridge 70 are selected.

  As described above, in the composite cartridges C and C1 according to this embodiment, the first and second cartridges are combined only when the appropriate combination such as the tape cartridge 60 and the ribbon cartridge 70 is selected. The concave portion 60a, which is the outer shape portion, and the convex portion 70a, which is the second outer shape portion, are combined with each other so that the tape cartridge 60 and the ribbon cartridge 70 are combined in the tape printer 10. It can be set. When the combination of the tape cartridge and the ribbon cartridge is wrong, these cannot be set in the tape printer 10. As a result, the printing operation can be performed with the optimum combination of cartridges.

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the cartridge for the tape printer according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The cartridge for the tape printer according to the present embodiment is a modification of the cartridge for the tape printer of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3A and the like, and the tape printer and the like are not specifically described. This is the same as in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 5A shows a tape cartridge 260 and a ribbon cartridge 270 that constitute a composite cartridge C2 that is a cartridge for a tape printer according to this embodiment. FIG. 5B shows a tape cartridge 360 and a ribbon cartridge 370 having different structures constituting another composite cartridge C3.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the tape cartridges 260 and 360 constituting the composite cartridges C2 and C3 respectively include case portions 261 and 361, respectively. The case portion 261 accommodates a paper tape T therein, and a recess 260a is formed in a part of the flat mounting surface 261a. The case portion 361 houses the resin tape T1 therein, and has a recess 360a formed in a part of the flat mounting surface 361a. Further, the ribbon cartridges 270 and 370 include case portions 271 and 371, respectively, which accommodate the ink ribbons R and R1 corresponding to the tapes T and T1, respectively, and protrude from a part of the flat mounting surfaces 271a and 371a. Portions 270a and 370a are formed, respectively. In FIG. 5A, the shape of the concave portion 260a and the shape of the convex portion 270a are both M-shaped and correspond to each other. Thus, the composite cartridge C3 can be configured by combining the tape cartridge 260 and the ribbon cartridge 270. In FIG. 5B, the shape of the concave portion 360a and the shape of the convex portion 370a are both Λ-shaped and correspond to each other. Thus, the composite cartridge C4 can be configured by the tape cartridge 360 and the ribbon cartridge 370.

  As described above, in the composite cartridges C2 and C3 according to the present embodiment, the concave portion 260a that is the first outer shape portion and the convex portion 270a that is the second outer shape portion have a corresponding shape. Thus, the tape cartridge 260 and the ribbon cartridge 270 can be set in the tape printer 10. As a result, the printing operation can be performed with the optimum combination of cartridges.

  Further, in the above description, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the case where there is a difference in the shape when the convex portion and the concave portion are viewed from the side has been described. As shown in FIG. 5C and FIG. 5D, the shape of the recess 260a when the tape cartridge 260 is viewed from the front of the mounting surface 261a, and the shape of the tape cartridge 360 when viewed from the front of the mounting surface 361a. The combination that can be set in the tape printer 10 may be limited because the shape of the concave portion 260a is different.

[Third Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a tape printer cartridge according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The cartridge for the tape printer according to the present embodiment is a modification of the cartridge for the tape printer of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3A and the like, and the tape printer and the like are not specifically described. This is the same as in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 6A shows a tape cartridge 460 and a ribbon cartridge 470 constituting a composite cartridge C4 that is a cartridge for a tape printer according to this embodiment. FIG. 6B shows a tape cartridge 560 and a ribbon cartridge 570 having different structures constituting another composite cartridge C5.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the tape cartridges 460 and 560 constituting the composite cartridges C4 and C5, respectively, are a case portion 461 for accommodating a paper tape T inside, and a resin inside. And a case portion 561 for storing the tape T1.

  In the case portion 461 of the tape cartridge 460 shown in FIG. 6A, two concave portions 460a and 460b having different depths are formed on a part of the flat mounting surface 461a. The recess 460a is deeper than the recess 460b. On the other hand, in the case portion 561 of the tape cartridge 560 shown in FIG. 6B, two concave portions 560a and 560b having different depths are formed in a part of the flat mounting surface 561a. The recess 560a is shallower than the recess 560b.

  Ribbon cartridges 470 and 570 constituting the composite cartridges C4 and C5 respectively include case portions 471 and 571 for storing ink ribbons R and R1 corresponding to the tapes T and T1, respectively.

  In the case portion 471 of the ribbon cartridge 470 shown in FIG. 6A, convex portions 470a and 470b having heights respectively corresponding to the concave portion 460a and the concave portion 460b are formed on a part of the flat mounting surface 471a. . In the case portion 571 of the ribbon cartridge 570 shown in FIG. 6B, convex portions 570a and 570b having heights respectively corresponding to the concave portion 560a and the concave portion 560b are formed on a part of the flat mounting surface 571a. .

  In FIG. 6A, the concave portion 460a and the concave portion 460b correspond to the convex portion 470a and the convex portion 470b with respect to the formation position, depth, and height, respectively, and as shown in FIG. The cartridge 460 and the ribbon cartridge 470 can be combined. That is, it is possible to combine the composite cartridge C4. Similarly, in FIG. 5B, the concave portion 460a and the concave portion 460b correspond to the convex portion 470a and the convex portion 470b, respectively, with respect to the formation position, depth, and height, as shown in FIG. In addition, the tape cartridge 560 and the ribbon cartridge 570 can be connected. That is, it is possible to combine the composite cartridge C5.

  On the other hand, for example, as shown in FIG. 7C, the concave portions 460a and 460b and the convex portions 570a and 570b do not fit even when the tape cartridge 460 and the ribbon cartridge 570 are combined. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 7D, when the tape cartridge 560 and the ribbon cartridge 470 are combined, the concave portions 560a and 560b and the convex portions 470a and 470b are not fitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 (A) and 7 (B), when an appropriate combination of a tape cartridge and a ribbon cartridge is used, the total length of the configured composite cartridge C4 in the direction RA becomes the length H0. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 7C and 7D, when the combination of the tape cartridge and the ribbon cartridge is not appropriate, the total length in the direction RA becomes a length H1 longer than the length H0. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not the tape printer 10 shown in FIG. 1 can be set using this difference in length.

  In the tape printer 10 shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the tape cartridge 60 and the ribbon cartridge 70 constituting the composite cartridge C are set in a state of being arranged in a plane. On the other hand, for example, when the composite cartridge C4 is loaded into the tape printer 10 shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the tape cartridge 460 and the ribbon cartridge 470 are stacked with respect to the pocket 41 along the depth direction, that is, the vertical direction. It is good also as an aspect arrange | positioned. That is, the direction that is the depth direction with respect to the pocket 41 may be a direction RA shown in FIG. In such a case, when an inappropriate combination is selected as shown in FIGS. 7C and 7D, the combined shape length H1 becomes higher than the appropriate combined shape length H0. . Thereby, even if it tries to load in the tape printer 10, the upper case 21 which is an opening / closing lid shown in FIG.

  As described above, in the composite cartridges C4 and C5 according to the present embodiment, the depths corresponding to the concave portions 460a and 460b that are the first outer shape portions and the convex portions 470a and 470b that are the second outer shape portions. The tape cartridge 460 and the ribbon cartridge 470 can be set in the tape printer 10 because of the relationship of having a height, that is, a height difference. As a result, the printing operation can be performed with the optimum combination of cartridges.

[Other modifications]
Although the present invention has been described based on the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. Such modifications are also possible.

  First, in each of the above-described embodiments, the tape cartridge and the ribbon cartridge are combined with a fitting structure including a concave portion and a convex portion provided in a part of the flat mounting portion, but the mounting surface is uneven. It is good also as what fits by a slide structure without having. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which only combines by making a flat attachment surface contact | abut, without depending on a fitting structure. In such a case, for example, the mounting surface to be contacted is inclined, and the inclination angle is different for each type of tape, etc., so that the tape cartridge and the ribbon cartridge can be used only when the inclination angle of the mounting surface corresponds. Can be set in the tape printer 10. Further, the fitting between the concave and convex portions is not limited to fitting with a tight gap, and may be loosely fitting to some extent within a range that can be set in the tape printer 10.

  In the present embodiment, only the case where there are two types of tape-like members, paper and resin, is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various materials can be used. Can be used as In addition, the corresponding ink can be various according to this.

  In this embodiment, the combination of the material of the tape-like member and the ink agent of the ink ribbon has been described. However, the combination of the color of the tape-like member and the ink color of the ink ribbon significantly reduces the print quality. You may make it avoid. For example, a black ink ribbon on a black tape causes a problem that printed characters cannot be visually recognized.

  In the above embodiment, the tape cartridge and the ribbon cartridge are associated with each other. However, the correspondence may be other than this, and one composite cartridge may be formed by combining three or more types of cartridges. It may be configured. Further, although a ribbon cartridge having an ink ribbon is used on the ink side, for example, an ink jet cartridge may be used instead of the ribbon cartridge.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Tape printer, 33 ... Keyboard, 34 ... Display, 41 ... Pocket, C, C1 ... Composite cartridge, 60 ... Tape cartridge, 70 ... Ribbon cartridge, R ... Ink ribbon, T ... Tape, 60a ... Recess, 70a ... Convex

Claims (8)

A first cartridge having a first outer shape portion;
A second cartridge having a second outer shape portion;
A cartridge for a tape printer comprising:
The first cartridge and the second cartridge can be set in a printing apparatus only when the first outer shape portion and the second outer shape portion are combined in a predetermined correspondence relationship. A cartridge for a tape printer.   The cartridge for a tape printer according to claim 1, wherein the first outer shape portion and the second outer shape portion have a fitting structure.   The cartridge for a tape printer according to claim 2, wherein the first outer shape portion has a concave shape, and the second outer shape portion has a convex shape.   3. The first cartridge and the second cartridge can be set according to a correspondence between a formation position of the first outer shape portion and a formation position of the second outer shape portion. And a cartridge for a tape printer according to claim 3.   The first cartridge and the second cartridge can be set according to the correspondence between the shape of the first outer shape portion and the shape of the second outer shape portion. Item 5. The cartridge for a tape printer according to any one of items 1 to 4.   The first cartridge and the second cartridge can be set according to the correspondence between the depth of the concave shape formed as the first outer shape portion and the height of the convex shape formed as the second outer shape portion. The cartridge for a tape printer according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the cartridge is a cartridge for a tape printer.   7. One of the first cartridge and the second cartridge is a tape cartridge that stores a tape-like member, and the other is a ribbon cartridge that stores an ink ribbon. The cartridge for tape printers as described in any one of these.   The first cartridge and the second cartridge are arranged so as to be stacked along a depth direction with respect to an insertion port of the cartridge in the printing apparatus. A cartridge for a tape printer according to the item.

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