JP2019055847A - Cassette and printer - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a cassette and printer adapted to regulate the rotation of a printed medium and cancel the regulation thereof while suppressing size increase of the cassette.SOLUTION: A cassette 30 to be received in a printer comprises a core part 31, a case 32 and an elastic body 40. The core part 31 is wrapped with a long printed medium M in a roll form and rotates together with the printed medium M. The case 32 has a case body (tape housing part 32a and cover 32b) that houses the core part 31 and the printed medium M and a center shaft part 32c that rotatably supports the core part 31 within the core part 31. The elastic body 40 has a protrusion (second part 40b) that projects toward the core part 31 in a manner contacting an inner peripheral surface of the core part 31 in the case of not being received in the printer and a pressed part (second part 40b) that the protrusion is pressed in a manner separating from the core part 31 in the case of being received in the printer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7A

Description

  The present invention relates to a cassette for storing a long print medium wound in a roll shape, and a printing apparatus for detachably storing the cassette.

  Conventionally, after a desired drawing design including arbitrary characters, pictures, etc. is printed on a long tape (printed medium) previously wound in a roll shape (spiral shape), the long tape is cut. Thus, a printing apparatus such as a label printer that can easily create a tape piece (printed material) is used. In addition, cassettes for storing long tapes wound in the above-described roll shape used for label printers are manufactured and sold.

  As a printing method in the printing apparatus, an ink jet method using an ink jet head and a thermal transfer method using a thermal head (for example, see Patent Document 1) are known. In the inkjet method, printing is performed on the surface of a long tape by ejecting ink from an inkjet head. On the other hand, in the thermal transfer method, a long tape is set together with an ink ribbon in the gap between the thermal head and the head-up platen roller, and the portion of the ink ribbon heated by the thermal head is a long drawing as a drawing pattern. Printing is performed by thermal transfer onto the surface of the tape.

JP2011-197228A

  By the way, the cassette includes a core portion in which a long print medium is wound in a roll shape, and rotates integrally with the print medium, and a case that accommodates the core portion and the print medium. In addition, the case includes a case main body that accommodates the core part and the printing medium, and a central shaft part that rotatably supports the core part inside the core part.

  Since the core part and the printing medium rotate as described above, they are not fixed to the case. For this reason, when the cassette printing apparatus is not installed, the printing medium rotates due to vibration or the like, and the leading edge of the printing medium enters the case body, or the user carelessly covers the printing medium. There are cases where the print medium is pulled out or the print medium is pushed into the case body.

  Therefore, it is conceivable to restrict the rotation of the print medium by arranging a disc spring washer or the like between the core portion and the case body. However, if the rotation of the printing medium is restricted, it becomes resistance of the printing medium to be fed at the time of printing, so that the feeding becomes difficult and the printing medium is used for cueing the printing start position of the printing medium. It is difficult to adopt a configuration for pulling back into the cassette.

  For this reason, it is desirable to restrict the rotation of the printing medium when the cassette is not attached to the printing apparatus, and to release the restriction of the rotation of the printing medium when the cassette is attached to the printing apparatus. However, when the cassette is increased in size by adopting the configuration for restricting the rotation of the printing medium and releasing the limitation in this manner, the cassette storage unit on the printing apparatus side is also increased in size.

  In one aspect, an object of the present invention is to provide a cassette and a printing apparatus capable of restricting rotation of a printing medium and releasing the restriction while suppressing an increase in size of the cassette.

  In one aspect, the cassette is a cassette housed in a printing apparatus, and includes a core portion, a case, and an elastic body. The core portion has a long print medium wound in a roll shape and rotates together with the print medium. The case includes a case main body that accommodates the core part and the printing medium, and a central shaft part that rotatably supports the core part inside the core part. When the elastic body is not accommodated in the printing apparatus, a protruding portion that protrudes toward the core portion so as to contact the inner peripheral surface of the core portion; and when the elastic body is accommodated in the printing device, the protruding portion. And a pressed part that is pressed so as to be separated from the core part.

  In another aspect, the cassette is a cassette housed in a printing apparatus, and includes a core portion, a case, and an elastic body. The core portion has a long print medium wound in a roll shape and rotates together with the print medium. The case includes a case main body that accommodates the core part and the printing medium, and a central shaft part that rotatably supports the core part inside the core part. The elastic body includes a contact portion that contacts the core portion so as to suppress rotation of the core portion, and a pressed portion that is pressed so that the contact portion is separated from the core portion. The elastic body is a leaf spring, and the leaf spring further includes a fixed portion provided on one end side and fixed to the case body, and the pressed portion is provided on the other end side of the leaf spring. And a bifurcated portion branched with the central shaft portion therebetween.

  In another aspect, the printing apparatus includes: a cassette storage unit that detachably stores any of the cassettes described above; a pressing portion that presses the pressed portion; and the printing medium that is fed from the cassette. A printing unit that performs printing.

  According to the above aspect, it is possible to restrict the rotation of the printing medium and release the restriction while suppressing the enlargement of the cassette.

1 is a perspective view showing a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the cassette which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the cassette storage part of the printing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the cassette storage part of the printing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. FIG. 3 is a control block diagram illustrating the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows a partial structure of the cassette which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the mounting | wearing operation | movement of the cassette concerning 1st Embodiment (at the time of cassette non-mounting). It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the mounting operation | movement of the cassette which concerns on 1st Embodiment (at the time of cassette mounting). It is the A section enlarged view of Drawing 7B. It is a perspective view for explaining the mounting operation of the cassette according to the second embodiment (when the cassette is not mounted). It is sectional drawing for demonstrating mounting | wearing operation | movement of the cassette which concerns on 2nd Embodiment (at the time of cassette non-mounting). It is an expanded sectional view for explaining the mounting operation of the cassette according to the second embodiment (when the cassette is not mounted). It is a perspective view for explaining the mounting operation of the cassette according to the second embodiment (at the time of mounting the cassette). It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the mounting operation | movement of the cassette which concerns on 2nd Embodiment (at the time of cassette mounting). It is an expanded sectional view for the mounting operation of the cassette concerning a 2nd embodiment (at the time of cassette mounting). It is a perspective view for demonstrating the mounting | wearing operation | movement of the cassette which concerns on 3rd Embodiment (at the time of cassette non-mounting). It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the mounting | wearing operation | movement of the cassette which concerns on 3rd Embodiment (at the time of cassette non-mounting). It is an expanded sectional view for explaining the mounting operation of the cassette according to the third embodiment (when the cassette is not mounted). It is a perspective view for explaining the mounting operation of the cassette according to the third embodiment (at the time of mounting the cassette). It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the mounting operation | movement of the cassette which concerns on 3rd Embodiment (at the time of cassette mounting). It is an expanded sectional view for the mounting operation | movement of the cassette concerning 3rd Embodiment (at the time of cassette mounting).

Hereinafter, cassettes and printing apparatuses according to first to third embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<First Embodiment>

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment.
The printing apparatus 1 is, for example, a label printer that performs printing on a long print medium M by a single pass method. Hereinafter, a thermal transfer type label printer using an ink ribbon will be described as an example. However, the printing method is not particularly limited, and a printing method for printing on thermal paper or an ink jet method may be used. As shown in FIG. 2, the print medium M is, for example, a tape member having a base material Ma having an adhesive layer and a release paper Mb that is detachably attached to the base material Ma so as to cover the adhesive layer. . The printing medium M may be composed of only a single member (for example, the base material Ma) without release paper.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 1 includes an apparatus housing 2, an input unit 3, a display unit 4, an opening / closing lid 18, and a cassette storage unit 19. An input unit 3, a display unit 4, and an opening / closing lid 18 are disposed on the upper surface of the apparatus housing 2. Although not shown, the apparatus housing 2 is provided with a power cord connection terminal, an external device connection terminal, a storage medium insertion port, and the like.

  The input unit 3 includes various keys such as an input key, a cross key, a conversion key, and a determination key. The display unit 4 is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel, and displays a selection menu for various settings, messages related to various processes, and the like corresponding to characters input from the input unit 3. Further, during printing, contents such as characters and graphics instructed to be printed on the printing medium M (hereinafter referred to as print contents) may be displayed, and the progress of the printing process may be displayed. The display unit 4 may be provided with a touch panel unit. In that case, the display unit 4 may be regarded as a part of the input unit 3.

  The opening / closing lid 18 is provided on the upper part of the cassette housing part 19 and covers the cassette housing part 19 so that it can be opened and closed. The opening / closing lid 18 is opened by pressing the button 18a. The opening / closing lid 18 is formed with a window 18b so that it can be visually confirmed whether or not the cassette 30 (see FIG. 2) is housed in the cassette housing portion 19 even when the opening / closing lid 18 is closed. Yes. A discharge port 2 a is formed on the side surface of the apparatus housing 2. The printing medium M on which printing has been performed in the printing apparatus 1 is discharged out of the apparatus from the discharge port 2a.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the cassette 30 housed in the printing apparatus 1.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the cassette storage unit 19 of the printing apparatus 1.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the cassette storage unit 19 of the printing apparatus 1.

  The cassette 30 shown in FIG. 2 accommodates the printing medium M and is detachably accommodated in the cassette accommodating portion 19 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the cassette 30 is stored in the cassette storage unit 19. As shown in FIG. 2, the cassette 30 has a case 32 in which a thermal head inserted portion 36 and an engaging portion 37 are formed. The case 32 accommodates the core portion 31, the printing medium M, and the ink ribbon R.

  Further, the case 32 is provided with an ink ribbon supply core 34 and an ink ribbon winding core 35. The printing medium M is wound in a roll shape around the core portion 31 that is rotatably supported inside the case 32, and rotates together with the core portion 31. In addition, the thermal transfer ink ribbon R is wound around the ink ribbon supply core 34 inside the case 32 in a roll shape with its leading end wound around the ink ribbon winding core 35.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the cassette housing part 19 of the apparatus housing 2 is provided with a plurality of cassette receiving parts 20 for supporting the cassette 30 at a predetermined position. Further, the cassette receiving unit 20 is provided with a tape width detection switch 24 which is an example of a width detection unit that detects the width of the printing medium M. Since the cassette storage unit 19 can selectively store a plurality of types of cassettes 30 having different widths of the printing medium M, the tape width detection switch 24 has the shape of the cassette 30 (the shape of the unevenness provided on the cassette 30). ), The width of the printing medium M is detected, and a sensor signal indicating the detected width of the printing medium M is output.

  The cassette housing unit 19 further includes a thermal head 10 that prints an image of a plurality of print lines on the print medium M based on data indicating print contents to be formed on the print medium M (hereinafter referred to as print data). A platen roller 21 that conveys the printing medium M, a core engagement shaft 22, and an ink ribbon winding drive shaft 23. Further, a thermistor 13 is embedded in the thermal head 10. The thermal head 10 is an example of a printing unit that performs printing on the printing medium M fed out from the cassette 30. The platen roller 21 is an example of a transport unit that transports the print medium M in the longitudinal direction of the print medium M (sub-scanning direction, transport direction D shown in FIG. 4). The thermistor 13 is an example of a head temperature measuring unit that measures the temperature of the thermal head 10.

  In the state in which the cassette 30 is stored in the cassette storage unit 19, as shown in FIG. 4, the engaging unit 37 provided in the case 32 is supported by the cassette receiving unit 20 provided in the cassette storage unit 19, and thermal The head 10 is inserted into a thermal head insertion portion 36 formed in the case 32. Further, the core portion 31 of the cassette 30 is engaged with the core engagement shaft 22, and the ink ribbon winding core 35 is engaged with the ink ribbon winding drive shaft 23.

  When a printing instruction is input to the printing apparatus 1, the printing medium M is fed out from the core unit 31 by the rotation of the platen roller 21. At this time, the ink ribbon winding drive shaft 23 rotates in synchronization with the platen roller 21, whereby the ink ribbon R is fed out from the ink ribbon supply core 34 together with the printing medium M. As a result, the printing medium M and the ink ribbon R are conveyed in an overlapping state. When the ink ribbon R is heated by the thermal head 10 when passing between the thermal head 10 and the platen roller 21, the ink is transferred to the printing medium M, and an image is printed based on the print data. Done. In addition, in order to cue the print start position of the printing medium M, a configuration in which the printing medium M can be conveyed in the reverse direction so as to be pulled back into the cassette 30 may be employed.

  The used ink ribbon R that has passed between the thermal head 10 and the platen roller 21 is wound around the ink ribbon winding core 35. On the other hand, the printed medium M that has passed between the thermal head 10 and the platen roller 21 is cut by a full-cut mechanism 16 and a half-cut mechanism 17 described later, and is discharged from the discharge port 2a.

FIG. 5 is a control block diagram showing the printing apparatus 1.
In addition to the above-described input unit 3, display unit 4, thermal head 10, full cut mechanism 16, half cut mechanism 17, platen roller 21, and tape width detection switch 24, the printing apparatus 1 includes a control unit 5, ROM (Read Only Memory (RAM) 6, RAM (Random Access Memory) 7, display drive circuit 8, head drive circuit 9, transport motor drive circuit 11, stepping motor 12, cutter motor drive circuit 14, cutter motor 15, and temperature sensor 25 Prepare. Note that the control device 5, the ROM 6, and the RAM 7 are examples of the computer of the printing device 1.

  The control device 5 includes a processor 5a such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control device 5 controls the operation of each unit of the printing device 1 by expanding and executing the program stored in the ROM 6 on the RAM 7.

  The control device 5 generates, for example, a strobe signal that is a control signal and print line data, and supplies the print line data to the head drive circuit 9. Thereby, the control device 5 controls the energization of the plurality of heating elements 10 a included in the thermal head 10 via the head drive circuit 9. Further, the control device 5 controls the platen roller 21 via the conveyance motor drive circuit 11 and the stepping motor 12. Furthermore, the control device 5 controls the full cut mechanism 16 and the half cut mechanism 17 via the cutter motor drive circuit 14 and the cutter motor 15.

  The ROM 6 stores a printing program for printing on the printing medium M and various data (for example, fonts) necessary for executing the printing program. The ROM 6 also functions as a storage medium in which a program that can be read by the control device 5 is stored.

The RAM 7 stores print data and a print mode. The RAM 7 functions as a data memory that stores information about printing and display data on the display unit 4.
The display unit drive circuit 8 controls the display unit 4 based on the display data stored in the RAM 7. The display unit 4 may display the print contents under a control of the display unit drive circuit 8, for example, in a manner in which the progress status of the printing process can be recognized.

  The head drive circuit 9 drives the thermal head 10 based on the strobe signal and print line data supplied from the control device 5. More specifically, the head drive circuit 9 energizes or de-energizes the current to be supplied to the plurality of heating elements 10a of the thermal head 10 during the period when the strobe signal is on.

  The thermal head 10 includes a plurality of heating elements 10 a arranged in the main scanning direction, which is the width direction of the printing medium M. During the energization control period of the strobe signal supplied from the control device 5, the head driving circuit 9 selectively energizes the current supplied to the heating element 10a according to the print data, so that the heating element 10a generates heat. The ink ribbon R is heated. As a result, the thermal head 10 performs printing on the print medium M one print line at a time by thermal transfer.

  The conveyance motor drive circuit 11 drives the stepping motor 12. The stepping motor 12 is an example of a driving unit for transporting the printing medium M, and drives the platen roller 21.

  The cutter motor drive circuit 14 drives the cutter motor 15. The full cut mechanism 16 and the half cut mechanism 17 are operated by the power of the cutter motor 15 and half-cut or full-cut the printing medium M. The full cut is an operation of cutting the base material Ma (see FIG. 2) of the printing medium M along the width direction together with the release paper Mb, and the half cut is only the base material Ma along the width direction. It is the action of cutting.

The temperature sensor 25 is an example of an environmental temperature measurement unit that measures the environmental temperature around the printing apparatus 1.
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a partial structure of the cassette 30.
As shown in FIG. 6, the case 32 described above includes a tape housing portion 32a, a cover 32b, and a central shaft portion 32c. The tape accommodating portion 32a and the cover 32b are an example of a case main body that accommodates the core portion 31 and the printing medium M. The central shaft portion 31 c supports the core portion 31 rotatably inside the core portion 31.

  7A and 7B are cross-sectional views for explaining the mounting operation of the cassette 30, and FIG. 7C is an enlarged view of a portion A in FIG. 7B. FIG. 7A shows a state in which the cassette is not mounted, and FIG. 7B shows a state in which the cassette is mounted.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the central shaft portion 32c has a through hole 32c-1 provided on the outer peripheral surface. The through hole 32c-1 is provided, for example, in a part of the central shaft part 32c in the axial direction and in a part of the circumferential direction. The central shaft portion 32c has a cylindrical shape, the opening portion on one end side is covered with the cover 32b, and the opening portion on the other end side is open.

  The elastic body 40 is a leaf spring, for example. The elastic body 40 includes, for example, a flat first portion 40a accommodated in the central shaft portion 32c, and a curved second portion 40b formed by folding back from the first portion 40a. Have

  The first portion 40a is opposite to the folded portion between the first portion 40a and the second portion 40b by the protrusion 32c-2 protruding inward of the central shaft portion 32c from the open opening portion of the central shaft portion 32c. One end of the side is supported. The protrusion 32c-2 prevents the elastic body 40 from falling off from the central shaft portion 32c.

  The second portion 40 b protrudes from the through hole 32 c-1 of the central shaft portion 32 c and is curved so as to contact the inner peripheral surface of the core portion 31. In the example of FIGS. 7A to 7C, the second portion 40b is housed inside the central shaft portion 32c in the same manner as the first portion 40a except for the protruding portion (contact portion) to the core portion 31. For example, the tip of the second portion 40b opposite to the folded portion between the first portion 40a may extend to the outside of the central shaft portion 32c. When such an extended portion is pressed by the bottom surface of the cassette housing portion 19, the bottom surface of the cassette housing portion 19 functions as a pressing portion of the printing apparatus 1. Further, the second portion 40b may be bent so as to protrude from the through hole 32c-1 of the central shaft portion 32c toward the core portion 31 instead of being curved.

  As shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, when the cassette 30 is stored in the cassette storage portion 19, the second portion 40 b is pressed by the core engaging shaft 22 described above. Thus, the core engaging shaft 22 functions as an example of a pressing portion that presses the second portion 40b. As shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C, the core engaging shaft 22 is provided with an inclined surface 22a at the tip, and presses the second portion 40b on the inclined surface 22a. As described above, it is desirable that the core engaging shaft 22 presses the second portion 40b at a portion along the curved shape or the bent shape at the pressed portion of the second portion 40b. The pressing portion of the printing apparatus 1 is not limited to the core engaging shaft 22 (inclined surface 22a), but is provided on another member provided in the cassette housing portion 19, the opening / closing lid 18 shown in FIG. It may be a member, the cassette housing portion 19 itself, the opening / closing lid 18 itself, or any shape as long as it can function as a pressing portion.

  As shown in FIG. 7C, the second portion 40b-1 not attached to the cassette shown in FIG. 7C is pressed when the second portion 40b is pressed as described above. 2) is separated from the core portion 31.

  As described above, the second portion 40 b includes the protruding portion (contact portion) that contacts the core portion 31 so as to suppress the rotation of the core portion 31 and the core engagement so that the protruding portion is separated from the core portion 31. And a pressed part pressed by the shaft 22. The pressed portion of the second portion 40b is located on the opposite side of the folded portion from the first portion 40a across the protruding portion (contact portion) with the core portion 31 of the second portion 40b. To do. However, when the folded portion of the first portion 40a and the second portion 40b of the elastic body 40 is located on the bottom surface side of the cassette housing portion 19 (the shape in which the elastic body 40 is inverted up and down with respect to the directions of FIGS. 7A to 7C) 2), the pressed portion of the second portion 40b is closer to the folded portion from the first portion 40a than the protruding portion (contact portion) of the second portion 40b with the core portion 31. Will be located.

  In the first embodiment described above, the cassette 30 includes the core portion 31, the case 32, and the elastic body 40. In the core portion 31, a long print medium M is wound in a roll shape and rotates together with the print medium M. The case 32 includes a case main body (tape accommodating portion 32a and cover 32b) that accommodates the core portion 31 and the printing medium M, and a central shaft portion 32c that rotatably supports the core portion 31 inside the core portion 31. Have. The elastic body 40 has a protruding portion (contact portion) (second portion 40 b) that contacts the core portion 31 so as to suppress rotation of the core portion 31, and the protruding portion (contact portion) is separated from the core portion 31. A pressed portion (second portion 40b) that is pressed in this manner. The central shaft portion 32c has a through hole 32c-1 provided on the outer peripheral surface, and at least a part of the elastic body 40 is accommodated in the central shaft portion 32c, and a protruding portion (contact portion) (second portion) The portion 40 b) protrudes from the through hole 32 c-1 toward the core portion 31 and contacts the inner peripheral surface of the core portion 31.

  The printing apparatus 1 also includes a cassette storage unit 19 that detachably stores the cassette 30, a core engagement shaft 22 that is an example of a pressing portion that presses the pressed portion (second portion 40b), a cassette And a thermal head 10 which is an example of a printing unit that performs printing on the printing medium M fed out from 30.

  Thereby, when the cassette 30 is not attached to the printing apparatus 1, the second portion 40 b of the elastic body 40 is in contact with the core portion 31 to restrict the rotation of the printing medium M. When the printing medium M rotates, the leading edge of the printing medium M enters the case body, or the user carelessly pulls out the printing medium M or pushes it into the case body. It can be prevented that it gets stuck. When the cassette 30 is mounted on the printing apparatus 1, the core engaging shaft 22 presses the second portion 40b, so that the second portion 40b is separated from the core portion 31 and the restriction on rotation is released. Therefore, it is possible to prevent resistance from being applied to the feeding of the printing medium M during printing, and to pull the printing medium M back into the cassette 30 in order to cue the printing start position of the printing medium M. Thus, the structure which can be conveyed also to a reverse direction is employable. Furthermore, in the elastic body 40, the first portion 40a is accommodated inside the central shaft portion 32c, and the second portion 40b protrudes from the through hole 32c-1 of the central shaft portion 32c toward the core portion 31 and the core portion 31. Therefore, the cassette 30 can be prevented from being enlarged by disposing at least a part of the elastic body 40 inside the central shaft portion 32. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to restrict the rotation of the printing medium M and release the restriction while suppressing the enlargement of the cassette 30.

  In the first embodiment, the elastic body 40 is a leaf spring, and includes a first portion 40a housed inside the central shaft portion 32c, a second portion including a protruding portion (contact portion) and a pressed portion. Part 40b. The second portion 40b is formed by being folded back from the first portion 40a, and is curved or bent so that the protruding portion (contact portion) protrudes from the through hole toward the core portion. Therefore, with a simple configuration, it is possible to restrict the rotation of the printing medium M and release this restriction while suppressing an increase in the size of the cassette 30.

Second Embodiment
8A, 8B, and 8C are a perspective view, a cross-sectional view, and an enlarged cross-sectional view for explaining the mounting operation of the cassette 50 according to the second embodiment, and show a state where the cassette is not mounted.

9A, 9B, and 9C are a perspective view, a cross-sectional view, and an enlarged cross-sectional view for explaining the mounting operation of the cassette 50 according to the second embodiment, and show a state when the cassette is mounted.
In the second embodiment, the cassette 50 is not in the axial direction of the central shaft portion 52b of the case 52 (see FIG. 7A of the first embodiment described above), but in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the central shaft portion 52b. It is inserted into the storage part 72. Since the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the insertion direction of the cassette 50 into the cassette housing portion 72 and the configuration corresponding thereto, the same configuration as the first embodiment is described in detail. Is omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C, the cassette 50 includes a core portion 51 and a case 52.
In the core unit 51, a long print medium M is wound in a roll shape, and rotates together with the print medium M. The case 52 includes a case main body 52 a that accommodates the core portion 51 and the printing medium M, and a central shaft portion 52 b that rotatably supports the core portion 51 inside the core portion 51. In the second embodiment, only the case main body (see the tape housing portion 32a in FIGS. 7A to 7C) is shown as the case 52, and the illustration of the cover (see the cover 32b in FIGS. 7A to 7C) is omitted. This cover has a through-hole penetrated by the central shaft part 52b, for example.

  The central shaft portion 52b has a through hole 52b-1 provided on the outer peripheral surface. The through hole 52b-1 is provided, for example, in a part in the axial direction of the central shaft part 52b and in a part in the circumferential direction. The through hole 52b-1 is provided across one end of the central shaft portion 52b in the axial direction. The central shaft portion 52b has a cylindrical shape, and the opening portions at both ends are open. The central shaft portion 52b is placed on the apparatus housing 71 by being formed longer than the cassette housing portion 72 in the axial direction. It should be noted that the elastic body 60 may be prevented from falling off by providing the central shaft portion 52b with the protrusion 32c-2 shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C of the first embodiment described above.

  The elastic body 60 is a leaf spring, for example. The elastic body 60 includes a first portion 60a housed inside the central shaft portion 52b, and a second portion 60b formed by folding back from the first portion 60a. The second portion 60b includes a portion bent from the first portion 60a so as to be away from the first portion 60a, and a portion bent from this portion so as to be parallel to the first portion 60a (contact portion 60b- 1) and a portion (pressed portion 60b-2) that is bent away from the first portion 60a from this portion. Further, the first portion 60a and the second portion 60b are arranged to face each other.

  The contact portion 60 b-1 protrudes from the through hole 52 b-1 of the central shaft portion 52 b and contacts the inner peripheral surface of the core portion 51. The pressed portion 60b-2 is located on the opposite side to the folded portion from the first portion 60a across the contact portion 60b-1 in the second portion 60b. Further, the pressed portion 60b-2 extends to the outside of the core portion 51 and the central shaft portion 52b.

  The device casing 71 is formed with a notch flange portion 71a and a notch 71b that support both ends of the central shaft portion 52b around the cassette housing portion 72 that houses the cassette 50. The notch flange portion 71a protrudes on the opposite side to the notch 71b in the axial direction of the central shaft portion 52b. The notched flange portion 71a and the notched portion 71b are notched in a semicircular shape so as to accommodate a part (half) of the central shaft portion 52b.

  As shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C, when the cassette 50 is stored in the cassette storage portion 72, the pressed portion 60b-2 is pressed by the notched flange portion 71a. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9C, the contact portion 60b-1 is separated from the core portion 51 when the cassette is mounted. The notched flange portion 71a functions as an example of a pressing portion that presses the pressed portion 60b-2.

  Thus, the contact part 60b-1 contacts the core part 51 so as to suppress the rotation of the core part 51, and the pressed part 60b-2 is separated from the core part 51 by the contact part 60b-1. It is pressed by the notched flange portion 71a.

  Also in the second embodiment described above, the same effects as those in the first embodiment described above, for example, the enlargement of the cassette 50 is suppressed by disposing at least a part of the elastic body 60 inside the central shaft portion 52b. However, it is possible to obtain the effect that the rotation of the printing medium M can be restricted and the restriction can be released.

<Third Embodiment>
10A, 10B, and 10C are a perspective view, a cross-sectional view, and an enlarged cross-sectional view for explaining the mounting operation of the cassette 80 according to the third embodiment, and show a state where the cassette is not mounted.

11A, 11B, and 11C are a perspective view, a cross-sectional view, and an enlarged cross-sectional view for explaining the mounting operation of the cassette 80 according to the third embodiment, and show a state when the cassette is mounted.
In the third embodiment, the elastic body 90 is not an aspect (see the first and second embodiments described above) housed inside the central shaft portion 82b, but the central shaft portion 82b and the central shaft portion 82b outside the central shaft portion 82b. The bifurcated portions 90c and 90d branch across the central shaft portion 82b so as to avoid the interference. As described above, the third embodiment is different from the above-described second embodiment in the elastic body 90 and the configuration corresponding to the elastic body 90. Therefore, the same configuration as the other second embodiment is described in detail. Is omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 10A to 10C, the cassette 80 includes a core portion 81 and a case 82.
In the core portion 81, a long print medium M is wound in a roll shape and rotates together with the print medium M. The case 82 includes a case main body 82 a that accommodates the core portion 81 and the printing medium M, and a central shaft portion 82 b that rotatably supports the core portion 81 inside the core portion 81. In the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment described above, only the case body (see the tape housing portion 32a in FIGS. 7A to 7C) is shown as the case 82, and the cover (FIGS. 7A to 7C) is shown. The illustration of the cover 32b) is omitted.

Since the elastic body 90 is not accommodated in the central shaft portion 82b as described above, the through hole (see the through hole 52b-1 in FIGS. 8A to 9C) is not provided on the outer peripheral surface.
The elastic body 90 is a leaf spring. The elastic body 90 includes a fixed portion 90a provided on one end side of the elastic body 90 and fixed to the case body 82a, a connecting portion 90b bent at a right angle from the fixed portion 90a, and the other end of the elastic body 90. And bifurcated portions 90c and 90d branched across the central shaft portion 82b so as to avoid interference with the central shaft portion 82b.

  The bifurcated portions 90 c and 90 d are curved so as to come into contact with the side surface of the core portion 81 and so that the tip ends away from the core portion 81. Note that the connecting portion 90 b may contact the side surface of the core portion 81 instead of the bifurcated portions 90 c and 90 d. The fixed portion 90a may be fixed not by being fixed to the outer surface of the case main body 82a but by being inserted so as not to fall out into a groove provided in the case main body 82a.

  The apparatus housing 101 is formed with notches 101a and 101b for supporting both ends of the central shaft portion 82b around the cassette housing portion 102 for housing the cassette 80. In addition, protrusions 101c and 101d, which are examples of pressing portions that press the bifurcated portions 90c and 90d, are provided at both ends of one notch 101a. The flange portions 101a and 101b are cut out in a semicircular shape so as to accommodate a part (half) of the central shaft portion 82b.

  As shown in FIGS. 11A to 11C, when the cassette 80 is stored in the cassette storage portion 102, the forked portions 90c and 90d are pressed by the protrusions 101c and 101d. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 11C, the forked portions 90c and 90d are separated from the core portion 81 when the cassette is mounted.

  As described above, the bifurcated portions 90 c and 90 d function as contact portions that contact the core portion 81 so as to suppress the rotation of the core portion 81, and the protrusions 101 c and 101 d so that the contact portion is separated from the core portion 81. It functions as a pressed part pressed by.

  In the third embodiment described above, the cassette 80 includes the core portion 81, the case 82, and the elastic body 90. In the core portion 81, a long print medium M is wound in a roll shape and rotates together with the print medium M. The case 82 includes a case main body 82 a that accommodates the core portion 81 and the printing medium M, and a central shaft portion 82 b that rotatably supports the core portion 81 inside the core portion 81. The elastic body 90 includes a contact portion (bifurcated portions 90 c and 90 d) that contacts the core portion 81 so as to suppress the rotation of the core portion 81, and a pressed portion that is pressed so that the contact portion is separated from the core portion 81. (Bifurcated portions 90c, 90d). The elastic body 90 is a leaf spring. The elastic body 90 further includes a fixed portion 90a provided on one end side and fixed to the case main body 82a. The pressed portions (bifurcated portions 90c and 90d) are provided on the other end side of the leaf spring 90 and have a central axis. These are bifurcated portions 90c and 90d that are branched across the portion 82b.

  Thus, when the cassette 80 is not attached to the printing apparatus 1, the bifurcated portions 90c and 90d of the elastic body 90 come into contact with the core portion 81 to restrict the rotation of the printing medium M. When the printing medium M rotates, the leading end of the printing medium M enters the case main body 82a, or the user carelessly pulls out the printing medium M or pushes it into the case main body 82a. It can be prevented from being trapped. Further, when the cassette 80 is mounted on the printing apparatus 1, the protrusions 101c and 101d press the forked portions 90c and 90d, so that the forked portions 90c and 90d are separated from the core portion 81 and the restriction on rotation is released. Therefore, resistance can be prevented from being applied to the feeding of the printing medium M during printing, and the printing medium M is pulled back into the cassette 80 for cueing the printing start position of the printing medium M. Thus, the structure which can be conveyed also to a reverse direction is employable. Further, since the pressed parts pressed by the protrusions 101c and 101d are the two-forked portions 90c and 90d that are branched across the case 82b so as to avoid the interference with the central shaft part 82b, the interference with the central shaft part 82b. The rotation of the printing medium M can be regulated by contacting the core portion 81 while avoiding the above. Therefore, the enlargement of the cassette 80 can be suppressed. Therefore, according to the third embodiment, it is possible to restrict the rotation of the printing medium M and release the restriction while suppressing the increase in size of the cassette 80.

  As mentioned above, although 1st-3rd embodiment of this invention was described, this invention includes the invention described in the claim, and its equivalent range. The invention described in the scope of claims at the beginning of the filing of the present application will be appended.

[Appendix 1]
A cassette housed in a printing device,
A core part in which a long print medium is wound in a roll shape and rotates together with the print medium;
A case having a case main body that accommodates the core part and the printing medium, and a central shaft part that rotatably supports the core part inside the core part;
When not housed in the printing device, a protruding portion that protrudes toward the core portion so as to come into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the core portion; An elastic body having a pressed portion that is pressed so as to be separated from each other,
A cassette characterized by that.

[Appendix 2]
The elastic body is a leaf spring,
The leaf spring includes a first portion housed in the center shaft portion and a second portion including the protruding portion and the pressed portion.
The second part is formed by being folded from the first part, and the protruding part is curved or bent so as to protrude toward the core part side,
The cassette according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein

[Appendix 3]
A cassette housed in a printing device,
A core portion in which a long print medium is wound in a roll shape and rotates together with the print medium;
A case having a case main body that accommodates the core part and the printing medium, and a central shaft part that rotatably supports the core part inside the core part;
An elastic body having a contact portion that contacts the core portion so as to suppress rotation of the core portion, and a pressed portion that is pressed so that the contact portion is separated from the core portion,
The elastic body is a leaf spring,
The leaf spring further has a fixed portion provided on one end side and fixed to the case body,
The pressed portion is a bifurcated portion that is provided on the other end side of the leaf spring and is branched across the central shaft portion.
A cassette characterized by that.

[Appendix 4]
A cassette storage section for detachably storing the cassette according to any one of appendices 1 to 3,
A pressing portion for pressing the pressed portion; and
A printing unit that performs printing on the print medium fed from the cassette;
A printing apparatus comprising:

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printing apparatus, 2 ... Apparatus housing, 10 ... Thermal head, 12 ... Stepping motor, 19 ... Cassette storage part, 22 ... Core engaging shaft, 22a ... Inclined surface, 30 ... cassette, 31 ... core portion, 32 ... case, 32a ... tape accommodating portion, 32b ... cover, 32c ... center shaft portion, 32c-1 ... Through hole, 32c-2 ... projection, 40 ... elastic body, 40a ... first part, 40b ... second part, 50 ... cassette, 51 ... core part, 52 ... Case, 52a ... Case body, 52b ... Center shaft, 52b-1 ... Through hole, 60 ... Elastic body, 60a ... First part, 60b ... No. 2 part, 60b-1 ... contact part, 60b-2 ... pressed part, 71 ... device housing, 71 Notched flange portion, 71b ... Notch, 72 ... Cassette housing portion, 80 ... Cassette, 81 ... Core portion, 82 ... Case, 82a ... Case body, 82b ... Central shaft portion, 90 ... elastic body, 90a ... fixed portion, 90b ... coupling portion, 90c, 90d ... bifurcated portion, 101 ... device housing, 101a notch, 101b ... · Notches, 101c ··· projections, 101d ··· projections, 102 ··· cassette housing, M · · · print medium

Claims (4)

A cassette housed in a printing device,
A core part in which a long print medium is wound in a roll shape and rotates together with the print medium;
A case having a case main body that accommodates the core part and the printing medium, and a central shaft part that rotatably supports the core part inside the core part;
When not housed in the printing device, a protruding portion that protrudes toward the core portion so as to contact the inner peripheral surface of the core portion; and when housed in the printing device, the protruding portion is separated from the core portion. An elastic body having a pressed portion that is pressed so as to be separated from each other,
A cassette characterized by that. The elastic body is a leaf spring,
The leaf spring includes a first portion housed in the center shaft portion and a second portion including the protruding portion and the pressed portion.
The second part is formed by being folded from the first part, and the protruding part is curved or bent so as to protrude toward the core part side,
The cassette according to claim 1. A cassette housed in a printing device,
A core portion in which a long print medium is wound in a roll shape and rotates together with the print medium;
A case having a case main body that accommodates the core part and the printing medium, and a central shaft part that rotatably supports the core part inside the core part;
An elastic body having a contact portion that contacts the core portion so as to suppress rotation of the core portion, and a pressed portion that is pressed so that the contact portion is separated from the core portion,
The elastic body is a leaf spring,
The leaf spring further has a fixed portion provided on one end side and fixed to the case body,
The pressed portion is a bifurcated portion that is provided on the other end side of the leaf spring and is branched across the central shaft portion.
A cassette characterized by that. A cassette storage section for detachably storing the cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A pressing portion for pressing the pressed portion; and
A printing unit that performs printing on the print medium fed from the cassette;
A printing apparatus comprising: