WO2003080349A1

WO2003080349A1 - Cassette, and method and tool device for disassembling the cassette

Info

Publication number: WO2003080349A1
Application number: PCT/JP2003/003765
Authority: WO
Inventors: Takashi Horiuchi; Yoshihito Nonomura; Tsutomu Kato; Toshio Takahashi
Original assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
Priority date: 2002-03-27
Filing date: 2003-03-26
Publication date: 2003-10-02
Also published as: JP3952162B2; JP2003276951A; AU2003227232A1

Abstract

A cassette (1) and a method for disassembling the cassette, the cassette (1) comprising a body frame (2) having one open face for storing a recording medium and a cover frame (3) detachably installed on the body frame so as to close the open face, either of the body frame and the cover frame further comprising side wall (2b, 2c) having a lock hole (37) and a gantry frame (40) formed apart a distance from the side wall, the other of the body frame and the cover frame further comprising an arm part (42) inserted between the side wall and the gantry frame when the cover frame is installed on the body frame, the arm part further comprising a hook part (41) having a portion (41a) engageable with the lock holes and a portion (41b) engageable with an auxiliary frame; the method for removing the cover frame from the body frame comprising the steps of disposing the cassette on a support table (100), inserting a pressing device (105) into the cassette to deflect the auxiliary frame in the direction apart from the side wall, and inserting an other pressing device (104) into the lock hole to remove the arm part from the lock hole.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a cassette, a disassembling method thereof, and a disassembling jig device.

The present invention relates to a cassette for holding a tape, a disassembling method thereof, and a jig device for disassembling, and in particular, a cassette mounted for supplying a tape to a device for printing a tape, a disassembling method thereof, and a disassembling method. The present invention relates to a jig device. Background art

The applicant of the present application has disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. Hei 7-68814 and Hei 8-25753 that a printing tape making apparatus for making labels and the like and a printing used therefor are disclosed. A cassette storing a tape for use has been disclosed. The disclosed printing tape making device includes a cassette storage section in which a cassette storing a printing tape as a recording medium and an ink lip can be removably mounted. The cassette storage section is provided with a printing section having a thermal head, a roller-shaped platen that comes into contact with and separates from the printing section, and a winding means for the ink clipon. The printing tape producing device prints an image such as a character string on the tape based on the data input in advance while pulling out the printing tape from the cassette mounted in the cassette storage unit. Cut the printed tape to the specified length. In the past, when all the tapes in the cassette were consumed, the synthetic resin cassette was discarded as garbage and incinerated. However, recently, from the viewpoint of global environmental protection, it is desired that cassettes be re-used with new tapes without discarding them. Disclosure of the invention

To load a new tape into a cassette, the cassette must be configured to be openable and closable. Moreover, while the cassette can be opened with a simple operation, it must be constructed so that after the tape is inserted into the cassette, the user does not inadvertently open it while handling the cassette. However, as the number of times cassettes are reused increases and the number of times the cassette is opened and closed to insert a new tape increases, the cassette opening / closing mechanism may be deformed and the cassette may not be able to be closed securely. .

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a force set that can be opened and closed so that a new tape can be inserted, and can be securely closed even if it is opened and closed many times, a method for opening and closing such a cassette, and The purpose is to provide a tool set.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cassette for holding a tape-shaped recording medium so as to be able to be pulled out, the main body frame having an open surface so that the recording medium can be stored, and the opening surface being closed. Provided with a cover frame removably attached to the main body frame as described above. In the above cassette, one of the main body frame and the cover frame has a side wall provided with a locking hole and an auxiliary frame formed with a gap from the side wall. The other of the main frame and the cover frame has an arm inserted between the side wall and the auxiliary frame when the cover frame is attached to the main frame. The arm portion is provided with an engaging portion having a portion engageable with the locking hole and a portion engageable with the catching frame. Therefore, even if the arm portion is deformed and cannot be engaged with one of the locking hole and the auxiliary frame, the arm portion is engaged with the other of the locking hole and the auxiliary frame, so that the cover frame is attached to the main body frame. Can be attached. In the cassette configured as described above, the auxiliary frame is bent in a direction away from the side wall until the engagement portion of the arm can no longer be engaged with the auxiliary frame, and the engagement between the locking portion of the side wall and the arm portion. By disengaging the cover frame, the cover frame can be easily removed from the body frame.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tool set used when removing the cover frame of the cassette configured as described above from the main body frame. The tool set is supported by the support table that supports the cassette, an auxiliary frame pressing tool that is inserted into the cassette while being guided by the support table, and presses the auxiliary frame to bend away from the wall. And an arm pressing device for removing the arm portion from the locking hole while being inserted into the cassette. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a main body frame and a cover frame of a cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a plan view showing a main body frame containing a printing tape, an ink tape, and a double-sided adhesive tape.

FIG. 2B is a plan view showing a surface of the cover frame facing the main body frame.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the lower surface of the main body frame.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the upper surface of the cover frame.

The 5 A diagram and a 5 B diagram cassette arrow V _a of the 2 A view - is a view from the direction indicated by V _a.

FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the cassette 1 along the line V _c -V _c in FIG. 5B. ■

FIG. 5D is a cross-sectional view of a portion of cassette 1 taken along line V _d —V _{d of} FIG. 5C. is there.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the arm portion engaged with the locking hole.

FIG. 7A shows a modified example of the arm portion.

The 7 B diagram line VII _b of the 7 A view - is a sectional view taken along a VII _b.

FIG. _7C is a cross-sectional view along the line VII _C -VII _c of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a part of the arm portion and a portal frame.

9A and 9B are views showing the portal frame engaged with the arm portion.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a support base used when removing the cover frame from the main body frame.

FIGS. 11A to 11C are diagrams for explaining a method of removing a hook portion of an arm portion engaged with a second locking hole provided in a side wall of a main body frame. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a main body frame 2 and a force bar frame 3 of a cassette 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a plan view showing the main body frame 2 containing the printing tape 4, the ink tape 5, and the double-sided adhesive tape 6, and FIG. 2B is a cover frame 3 facing the main body frame 2. It is a top view which shows the surface. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the lower surface of the main body frame 2, and FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the upper surface of the cover frame 3.

The cassette 1 according to the present embodiment prints a mirror image of characters, symbols, etc. on one side of a transparent printing tape 4 and then applies a double-sided adhesive tape 6 on the printing surface to form a laminate type printing tape. This is a cassette that is installed to supply the printing tape (recording medium) 4 to the tape making device. As shown in FIG. 1, the cassette 1 has a main body frame 2 having an open upper surface and a cover frame 3 having an open lower surface. The body frame 2 and the cover frame 3 are each manufactured by, for example, injection molding of a synthetic resin material. As shown in FIG. 2A, the main body frame 2 has a printing tape 4 wound around a spool 4a, an ink tape 5 wound around a spool 5a, and a spool 6a wound around a spool 6a. A double-sided adhesive tape 6 is stored. The double-sided adhesive tape 6 has a release tape attached to one side, and is wound around a spool 6a such that the release tape is located on the outer peripheral side.

The main body frame 2 has a bottom plate 2a and side walls 2b integrally formed around the bottom plate 2a. Shafts 7, 8, and 9 are formed on the bottom plate 2a. The spool 4 a of the printing tape 4, the spool 5 a of the ink tape 5, and the spool 6 a of the double-sided adhesive tape 6 are detachably and rotatably mounted on the shafts 7, 8 and 9, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 1, bearing holes 10a and 10b are formed in the bottom surface 2a of the main body frame 2 and the top plate 3a of the cover frame 3, respectively. The bearing holes 10a and 10b are holes for rotatably supporting the upper and lower ends of a take-up spool 10 (see FIG. 2A) for taking up a used portion of the ink tape 5.

The printing tape producing device (shown in the drawing) to which the cassette 1 is attached has an ink tape winding mechanism for rotating and driving the winding spool 10. The ink tape take-up mechanism has a drive shaft inserted into the take-up spool 10 and engaged with the take-up spool 10 '. The take-up spool 10 is driven to rotate by the drive shaft of the ink tape take-up mechanism, and takes up the used ink tape 5.

As shown in Fig. 2A, the bottom plate 2a of the body frame 2 has a partition wall 11 and a partition wall 12 are formed. The partition wall 11 defines a space where the printing tape 4 wound on the spool 4a is to be stored, and the partition wall 12 is a double-sided adhesive tape 6 wound on the spool 6a. Space to be defined.

A pair of sensor holding frames 13 a and 13 b is provided at a location adjacent to the partition wall 11. The sensor holding frames 13a and 13b hold sensors (not shown) for optically detecting whether the printing tape 4 passes between the sensor holding frames 13a and 13b. are doing. These sensors can be used to check whether unused printing tape 4 is still in cassette 1.

The printing tape making device to which the cassette 1 is attached prints on the printing tape 4 using a thermal head. One of the two long side surfaces of the main body frame 2 is deformed so that a space 15 is formed. Space 15 is where thermal head 14 is located when force set 1 is installed in the print tape maker. A nose portion 16 for guiding the printing tape 4 to the thermal head 14 is formed on the side surface of the main body frame 2 so as to surround a part of the space 15. At the tip of the nose portion 16, an outlet 18 is formed, which is an elongated opening from which the printing tape 4 is drawn out.

In the main body frame 2, the printing tape 4 is passed between the pair of sensor holding frames 13a and 13b, and is passed near the ink tape 5 wound around the spool 5a. It is passed through the nose part 16 and is drawn out from the outlet 18. In the middle of the path where the printing tape 4 passes, a plurality of cylindrical guides 1 7 guide the printing tape so that the printing tape 4 does not contact the ink tape 5 wound on the spool 5 a. Is provided on the bottom plate 2a. In the nose portion 16, a plate-like partition wall 19 is provided in parallel with the side wall 2b of the main body frame. The printing tape 4 is located in front of the partition wall 19, that is, the partition wall 1 Passed between 9 and side wall 2b. On the other hand, the ink tape 5 wound on the spool 5a passes through the rear side of the guide member 19, that is, the side opposite to the side on which the printing tape 4 is passed, and then from the outlet 18 Have been withdrawn. The ink tape 5 drawn out from the outlet 18 is close to and almost parallel to the printing tape 4.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the main body frame 2 has a rib portion 21 provided with an inlet 20 for the ink tape 5 at a position facing the outlet 18 of the nose portion 16. The ink tape 5 entering the inlet 20 passes through the area of the main body frame 2 on the opposite side of the nozzle portion 16 across the space 15 and proceeds to the take-up spool 10, where it is wound. It is wound on take-up spool 10.

A tape feed roller 22 is rotatably mounted near the rib 21 of the main body frame 2. The double-sided adhesive tape 6 pulled out from the spool 6a is guided out of the cassette 1 by the tape feeder 22.

The cassette 1 of the present embodiment is mounted, for example, on a print tape producing device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-227703 so that the main body frame 2 faces downward. When the cassette 1 is mounted on the printing tape producing device, the take-up spool 10 and the tape feed roller 22 are respectively driven by a winding drive shaft (not shown) and a transport drive shaft (not shown) of the tape printing device. And are splined and driven by them.

During the printing operation, the printing tape 4 and the ink tape 5 are sandwiched between the platen roller 23 of the printing tape producing device and the heating element of the thermal head 14, and the thermal head 14 is printed. A mirror image of characters and the like is printed on the printing tape 4 based on the evening. After printing is performed, the ink tape 5 is separated from the printing tape 4 at the inlet 20. Next, the printing tape 4 is passed between the tape feed roller 22 and the pinch roller 24 together with the double-sided adhesive tape 6. This At this time, since the release tape of the double-sided adhesive tape 6 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tape feed roller 22, the double-sided adhesive tape 6 does not adhere to the tape feed roller 22. Further, by passing through the tape feed roller 22 and the pinch roller 24, the double-sided adhesive tape 6 is adhered to the printing surface of the printing tape 4. Thereafter, the printing tape 4 is transported out of the printing tape producing device.

In one corner of the body frame 2, the ink color of the ink tape 6 mounted on it, the type of printing tape (a receptor type that prints a normal image on the tape surface and a laminate type that prints a mirror image) or A plurality (four in the present embodiment) of the detected parts 25 whose arrangement is determined by the width dimension or the like of the printing tape 4 can be detected by a detecting part (not shown) provided in the printing tape producing apparatus. It is provided in.

The printing tape creating device (or tape printer) includes a data creating unit having a keyboard, a display unit such as a liquid crystal display, and the like. However, the printing tape creation device is connected to an external device such as a personal computer via a wireless communication line such as a connection cord or an infrared line, and is configured to store character data created in the external device or stored in the external device. That is, it is also possible to receive data of characters, symbols, figures, etc., and print them on a tape.

The cassette 1 is configured so that the cover frame 3 can be attached to and detached from the main body frame 2 so that the printing tape 4, the ink tape 5, and the double-sided adhesive tape 6 can be replaced with new ones. As shown in FIG. 2A, a plurality of bosses 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d are provided at predetermined intervals on the bottom plate 2a and the side wall 2b of the main body frame 2. , 30 e, and 30 f. As shown in FIG. 4, the cover frame 3 has holes (30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 3Of) provided at positions corresponding to the boss portions (30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e). (Not shown) and screws (31a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f) 3 1 b, 31 c, 31 d, 31 e, 3 If) can be attached to the body frame 2 by screwing.

The 5 A diagram and a 5 B diagram cassette 1 arrow V _a of the 2 A view - is a view from the direction indicated Te V _a Niyotsu. In FIG. 5A, the cover frame 3 is removed from the body frame 2, and in FIG. 5B, the cover frame 3 is attached to the body frame 2. Also, the 5 C diagram, V _c of Figure 5B - a partial cross-sectional view of the cassette 1 along the V _c line, the 5D figure, along the V _d _ V _d-line of the FIG. 5C FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the cassette 1.

As shown in FIGS. 5A-5D and FIGS. 2A and 2B, the side walls 2b of the main body frame except for the side where the nose portion 16 is formed are spaced apart from each other by a plurality of A rectangular first locking hole 34 is provided. The cover frame 3 is formed with a plurality of arms 35 projecting downward (in the direction of the body frame 2) from near the side edge of the top plate 3a. The arm 35 is a long and thin plate-shaped member. At the tip of each arm 35, an engagement claw 36 is formed, which is detachably engaged with the locking hole 34. At the position where the arm portion 35 is provided, a slit 3c is formed in the wall 3b of the cover frame. For this reason, the arm 35 is not connected to the side wall 3b, but is connected to the cover frame 3 only at one end in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the arm portion 35 is easily bent inward of the force set 1.

Each arm 35 has a covering 43. The covering portion 43 is provided around the engaging claw 36 so as to cover a gap between the locking hole 34 and the engaging claw 36 when the engaging claw 36 is engaged with the locking hole 34. And are formed integrally. For example, when the opening of the locking hole 34 is a square having a dimension L1, the covering portion 43 is formed such that its longitudinal dimension L2 and lateral dimension L3 are both larger than L1 ( L2> L1, L3> L1). On the side wall 2b, a step portion 44 having a width L1 extending from the locking hole 34 to the bottom plate 2a is formed. This is a groove formed by placing a punching die for forming the locking hole 34 in the die of the main body frame 2 when the main body frame 2 is manufactured by injection molding. Due to such a step portion 44, the lower end 4 3a of the covering portion 43 is formed in a step shape so as to cover the lower end of the locking hole 34 as well (see FIG. 5C). reference).

When the cover frame 3 is attached to the main body frame 2 so as to cover the opening surface of the main body frame 2, the arm portions 35 of the cover frame 3 are arranged along the inside of the side wall 2b of the main body frame 2, and The dowel 36 engages with the locking hole 34.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the arm portion 35 engaged with the locking hole 34. FIG. The area of the locking hole 34 is generally larger than the area of the engaging claw 36. Therefore, there is a gap between the engaging claw 36 and the locking hole 34. However, since the covering portion 43 is formed to be larger than the engaging hole 34 around the engaging claw 36, the engaging hole 34 is completely closed by the engaging claw 36 and the covering portion 43. It is. Therefore, dust and dirt do not enter the inside of the cassette 1 through the locking holes 34.

Further, since the arm portion 35 is arranged along the inner surface of the side wall of the main body frame 2, when the operator handles the cassette 1, the operator's finger touches the arm portion 35, and as a result, The arm portion 35 is not broken, and the engaging claw 36 does not come off the locking hole 34. The locking hole 34 is formed smaller than a human finger. Therefore, even if the operator presses his / her finger outside the locking hole 34, the engaging claw 36 is not pushed out of the locking hole 34.

The arm 35 is provided on the cover frame 3 and the locking hole 34 is provided on the body frame 2. The locking hole 34 is provided on the cover frame 3 and the arm 35 is provided on the body frame 2. It is good. In addition, the arm portion 35 of the cover frame 3 and the main body frame 2 (If the arm 35 is provided on the body frame 2, it may be arranged along the outer surface of the side wall of the cover frame 3).

The main body frame 2 is provided with a guide portion 45 for guiding the arm portion 35 to the locking hole 34 when the cover frame 3 is mounted on the main body frame 2. As the guide portion 45, for example, as shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D, a set of vertically long protrusions provided near the both sides of the locking hole 34 inside the side wall 2b is used. Can be used. When such a guide portion 45 is formed on the main body frame 2, it becomes easy to engage the engaging claw 36 with the locking hole 34.

FIG. 7A shows an arm 135 which is a modification of the arm section 35. Also, the 7 B diagram line VII _b of the 7 A view - a cross-sectional view taken along a VII _b, the 7 C diagram, the line VII _C of the 7 A view - cross-sectional view along the VII c It is. In FIGS. 7A-7C, elements that are substantially the same as the elements already described are given the same reference numerals.

The arm portion 135 shown in FIG. 7A is formed such that the width L2 is substantially equal to the lateral dimension L1 of the locking hole 34. Further, the covering portion 144 is formed integrally with the arm portion 135 below the engaging claw 36. Except for the above, the arm portion 135 is configured substantially the same as the arm portion 35 shown in FIG. 5A.

Even when the arm portion 135 is formed as shown in FIG. 7A, the covering portion 144 can cover the opening surface of the locking hole 34, thereby forming the locking hole 34. It is possible to prevent dust and dirt from entering the inside of the cassette 1 through the cassette 1.

■ As shown in FIGS. 2A and 3, the side wall 2b and the side wall 2c of the main body frame 2 on the side where the tip 16 is formed have the second locking holes 37. Are formed. Also, on the bottom surface 2 a of the main body frame 2, near the second locking holes 37. In addition, a portal frame (auxiliary frame) 40 is formed. The portal frame 40 is provided so as to be substantially parallel to the side wall 2b (or the side wall 2c) and to have a predetermined gap (D4). This is so that an arm portion 42 with a hook portion 41 described later can be inserted between the side wall 2 b (or the side wall 2 c) and the portal frame 40. Since the portal frame 40 is formed on the bottom surface 2a, the strength and rigidity of the portal frame 40 can be set independently of the strength and rigidity of the side walls 2b and 2c.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a part of the arm portion 42 and the portal frame 40. FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the portal frame 40 has left and right columns 40b, 40b separated by a distance L4, and a cross beam 40a connecting the upper ends thereof.

9A and 9B show the portal frame 40 engaged with the arm portion 42. FIG. The 9 A diagram, IX _a of the 9 B Figure - shows a section along the IX _a line, FIG. 9B is, IX _b of the 9 A view - shows a cross-section along IX _b line . As shown in FIG. 9B, the lower surface of the cross beam 40a is located at substantially the same height as the upper end of the second locking hole 37. Hereinafter, the lower surface of the cross beam 40a is referred to as an auxiliary locking portion 39.

Returning to FIG. 8, inclined portions 47, 47 are formed on the side surfaces of the left and right support portions 40b, 4Ob of the portal frame 40 facing the side wall 2b (or the side wall 2c). The inclined portions 47, 47 are formed such that the distance from the side wall 2b (or the side wall 2c) decreases as going upward (as the distance from the bottom plate 2a of the main body frame 2 increases). The inclined and inclined portions 47 are used when the hook portion 41 is detached from the auxiliary locking portion 39 as described later.

A through hole 46 is formed in the bottom plate 2 a of the main body frame 2 between the base ends of the left and right columns 4 O b and 40 b and the side wall 2 b. As will be described later, when the cover frame 3 is removed from the main body frame 2, A tool that comes into contact with the 0 inclined portion 47 is passed.

As can be seen in FIG. 9A, the arm 42 extends downward (toward the main frame 2) from the side edge of the top plate 3a of the cover frame 3. The arm part 42 is formed integrally with the cover frame 3. A hook portion 41 is formed at the tip of the arm portion 42. The hook 41 has a cross-section in the shape of an arrow so that it can be engaged with both the second locking hole 37 and the auxiliary locking portion 39. In other words, as shown in FIG. 8, the hook portion 41 has an engaging claw portion 41 a projecting to one side so as to be able to be locked in the second locking hole 37, It has an engagement claw portion 41b projecting to the other side so as to be able to engage with the locking portion 39.

The maximum width of the hook part 41 (distance between the tip of the engaging claw part 41a and the engaging claw part 41b) D1 is the cross beam 40a of the portal frame 40 and the side wall 2b (or the side wall) It is set to be slightly larger than the gap (D 4) between 2 c). As shown in FIG. 9A, the width L 5 of the arm portion 42 and the hook portion 41 in the direction parallel to the portal frame 40 is equal to the width L 5 of the left and right columns 4 of the portal frame 40. 0 b, the interval between 40 b is smaller than L 4.

As shown in FIG. 9B, when the cover frame 3 is attached to the main frame 2, the arm portion 42 moves upward between the side wall 2 b (side wall 2 c) and the portal frame 40. The engaging claw 41 a is normally locked in the second locking hole 37. This prevents the cover frame 3 from coming off the main body frame 2.

As described above, the cover frame 3 is manufactured by injection molding. For this reason, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 9B, the arm portion 42 may be formed in a state inclined toward the inside of the cover frame 3. Also, when removing the cover frame 3 from the main frame 2 to reuse the cassette 1, set the arm section 42 inside to remove the engaging claw section 41 a from the second locking hole 37. To Must be bent. At this time, the arm portion 42 may be plastically deformed, and may be tilted away from the second locking member 37 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 9B. When the arm portion 42 is tilted in this manner, the engaging claw portion 4 la does not engage with the second locking hole 37.

However, in the cassette 1 of the present embodiment, when the arm portion 42 is inclined in a direction away from the side wall 2 b (side wall 2 c) as described above, the other locking portion 4 of the hook portion 4 1 Since 1b is engaged with the auxiliary locking portion 39 of the portal frame 40, the cover frame 3 is securely fixed to the main body frame 2.

The gate-shaped frame 40 is disposed, for example, at a position where the gap between the passage path of the printing tape 4 or the ink tape 5 and the side wall 2b or the side wall 2c is small in the main body frame 2. By arranging the portal frame 40 in such a location, the printing tape 4 or the ink tape 5 can be prevented from approaching the side wall 2b or the side wall 2c. In addition, when the cassette 1 is assembled, an accidental event such as the arm portion 42 or the hook portion 41 coming into contact with the printing tape 4 or the ink tape 5 and breaking the printing tape 4 or the ink tape 5 can be prevented.

When the printing tape 4, the ink tape 5, and the double-sided adhesive tape 6 are all consumed in the cassette 1 of the present embodiment, the user brings the unusable cassette 1 to a predetermined store. The user will, at a reasonable cost, request that tapes 4, 5, and 6 in Cassette 1 be refilled with new ones. At a factory that refills tapes, a new tape can be refilled into the cassette 1 by removing the cover frame 3 from the main frame 2. Cover frame 3 can be removed from body frame 2 by the following procedure.

First, the used cassette 1 is placed on a support 100 as shown in FIG. The support 100 has a plurality of positioning protrusions 101. You. The cassette 1 is arranged between the plurality of positioning projections 101. Thus, the cassette 1 is held by the positioning projections 101 so as not to move on the support base 100.

On each of the four sides of the support base 100, one recess 102 is formed at a position corresponding to the first locking hole 34 or the second locking hole 37 of the cassette 1. I have. An auxiliary table 103 is detachably mounted in each recess 102. The recess 102 is provided with two pins 102a. On the other hand, two grooves 103a are formed at one end of the auxiliary table 103. The auxiliary table 103 is mounted on the support table 100 by inserting its end into the recess 102 such that the groove 103a engages with the pin 102a. Further, a first pressing member 104 is attached to the auxiliary base 103 so as to be slidable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the side wall 2 b of the main body frame 2.

When removing the engaging claw 36 engaged with the first locking hole 34, the first pressing tool of the auxiliary base 103 mounted in front of the first locking hole 34 Slide 104, and press the tip of the first pressing tool 104 to the engaging claw 36 engaged with the first locking hole 34. As a result, the arm portion 35 is elastically deformed toward the inside of the cassette 1, and the engaging claw 36 is disengaged from the first locking hole 34.

The support stand 100 is formed with two operation holes 106 penetrating the support stand. Each operation hole 106 is formed at a position corresponding to the position of the arm portion 42 in the cassette 1 attached to the support base 100. Further, through holes 46 are formed in the bottom plate 2a of the main body frame 2 at positions corresponding to the operation holes 106 (see FIG. 8).

FIGS. 11A and 11B show a method of removing the hook portion 41 of the arm portion 42 engaged with the second locking hole 37 provided in the side wall 2 b of the main body frame 2. FIG. The 1 1 A diagram taken along the XI _{_a} _ XI _a line of the 1 1 B Figure sectional Shows a plane, the 1 1 B diagram, XI _b of the 1 1 A view - shows a section along the XI _b line.

To remove the hook portion 41 engaged with the side wall 2 b of the main body frame 2, insert the second pressing tool 105 having a fork-shaped tip into the operation hole 106. The second pressing tool 105 inserted into the operation hole 106 passes through the through hole 46 and abuts on the inclined portion 47 of the portal frame 40 (the two-dot chain line in FIG. 11A). reference). When the second pressing member 105 is further pushed up, the second pressing member 105 presses the inclined portion 47, and deflects the portal frame 40 away from the side wall 2b (FIG. 11B reference).

Next, the tip of the first pressing tool 104 is inserted into the second locking hole 37, and the locking claw 41a of the hook portion 41 is pushed out from the second locking hole 37. At this time, since the portal frame 40 is bent away from the side wall 2 b, the engaging claw 41 b on the opposite side of the hook 41 engages with the auxiliary locking part 39. There is no. Therefore, the hook portion 41 can be pulled out from between the side wall 2b and the portal frame 40.

When the engaging claw portion 41b of the hook portion 41 is locked to the auxiliary locking portion 39 from the beginning, the portal frame 40 is moved by using the second pressing tool 105. The hook portion 41 can be removed from the auxiliary locking portion 39 simply by bending the hook portion 41 away from the side wall 2b.

FIG. 11C is a view for explaining a method of removing the hook portion 41 of the arm portion 42 engaged with the second locking hole 37 provided in the side wall 2 c of the main body frame 2. . Since the second locking hole 37 provided in the side wall 2c has the nose portion 16, the first pressing tool 105 cannot be inserted. For this reason, when removing the hook portion 41 engaged with the side wall 2 c and the second locking hole 37, the second pressing tool 105 is connected to the corresponding operation hole 10 6 and through hole 4 6 After bending the gate-shaped frame 40, a hook-shaped tool 108 is inserted into the second locking hole 37 from the space 15, and the hook portion 41 is inserted into the side wall 2 c. From the second locking hole 37.

After removing the arm portions 35 and 42 of the cover frame 3 from the main body frame 2 as described above, the screws 31 a to 31 f are removed, and the cover frame 3 is removed from the main body frame 2. Next, a new tape (4, 5, 6) is supplied to the main body frame 2. After supplying the new tape to the main frame, the cover frame 3 is set so that the arms 35 and 42 engage with the first locking holes 34 and the second locking holes 37 respectively. It is attached to the body frame 2, and the screws 31a to 31f are screwed again. This allows the cassette 1 to be reused.

The embodiment of the cassette according to the present invention has been described above. However, the configuration of the cassette according to the present invention is not limited to the above, and can be variously modified. For example, the arm portion 42 may be provided on the main body frame 2, and the second locking hole 37 and the gate-shaped frame 40 may be provided on the cover frame 3.

Also, without using the screws 31a to 31f, the first locking hole 34 and the second locking hole 37, the arm portion 35 with the engagement claw 36, and the hook portion 4 1 The cover frame 2 may be attached to the main body frame 2 with the arm portions 42 attached.

The present invention can also be applied to a cassette holding a receptor type tape in which a normal image is printed on the surface of a transparent printing tape (hence, no separate double-sided adhesive tape is used).

The present invention can also be applied to a cassette of a type that holds a heat-sensitive tape and therefore does not hold the ink tape 5.

The auxiliary frame has various forms other than the portal frame 40. For example, a frame from which one of the right and left support portions 40b and 40b has been removed can be used. Industrial availability

The cassette according to the present invention can be used to supply a tape to a device that prints on the tape. The cassette can be opened and closed, so if all the tapes in the cassette are used, the cassette can be reused by opening the cassette and inserting a new tape.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. A cassette for holding a tape-shaped recording medium so that it can be pulled out, a main body frame having an opening on one side so that the recording medium can be stored, and a detachable main frame so as to close the opening side. Cover frame attached to

With

One of the main body frame and the cover frame has a side wall provided with a locking hole, and an auxiliary frame formed with a gap from the side wall,

The other of the main body frame and the cover frame has an arm portion inserted between the side wall and the auxiliary frame when the cover frame is attached to the main body frame,

The arm portion is provided with an engaging portion having a portion engageable with the locking hole and a portion engageable with the auxiliary frame.

A cassette characterized in that:

2. The engagement portion is a pair of engagement claws provided to project from the arm portion toward the side wall and the auxiliary frame, respectively.

2. The cassette according to claim 1, wherein the cassette is characterized in that:

3. The arm portion is formed on the other of the main body frame and the cover frame so as to preferentially engage with the locking hole.

The cassette according to claim 1, wherein:

4. The arm portion is formed to extend along the side wall when the cover frame is attached to the main body frame.

The cassette according to claim 3, wherein:

5. The auxiliary frame is tilted in a direction in which the arm portion is separated from the side wall. Is formed so as to engage with the arm portion

The cassette according to claim 1, wherein:

6. The side wall and the auxiliary frame are integrally formed on one of a bottom plate and a top plate of the cassette.

The cassette according to claim 1, wherein:

7. The auxiliary frame is formed to connect two pillars formed at an interval from each other so that the arm can be inserted therebetween, and to connect the tips of the two pillars, and between the two pillars. A cross beam that engages with the engaging portion of the arm portion when the arm portion is inserted

The cassette according to claim 1, wherein:

8. An inclined portion used to bend the auxiliary frame in a direction away from the side wall to release the engagement between the arm portion and the auxiliary frame is formed in the auxiliary frame.

The cassette according to claim 1, wherein:

9. The auxiliary frame is provided with an inclined portion having a thickness that increases from a base of the auxiliary frame toward a front end on a side facing the side wall,

A through hole is formed in one of the main body frame and the cover frame to allow insertion of an inclined part pressing tool that presses the inclined part to bend the auxiliary frame away from the side wall.

The cassette according to claim 1, wherein:

10. The locking hole is a through hole provided in the side wall,

When the arm is engaged with the locking hole, the arm is removed from the locking hole by inserting an arm pressing tool into the locking hole from the opposite side of the side wall. Can

The cassette according to claim 1, wherein:

1 1. The method for removing a cover frame of a cassette according to claim 1 from a main body frame.

Bending the auxiliary frame away from the side wall until the engagement portion of the arm can no longer be engaged with the auxiliary frame; and

Disengaging the locking portion of the side wall from the engaging portion of the arm portion.

12. The locking hole is a through hole provided in the side wall,

The engagement between the locking hole and the arm portion is performed by inserting an arm pressing tool into the locking hole from the opposite side of the side wall.

The method of claim 11, wherein:

13. On the side facing the side wall, the auxiliary frame is formed with an inclined portion whose thickness increases from the base of the auxiliary frame toward the front end,

The auxiliary frame is bent in a direction away from the side wall by pressing the inclined portion using an inclined portion pressing tool inserted through a through hole provided in one of the main body frame and the cover frame.

The method of claim 11, wherein:

14. A tool set used for removing the cover frame of the cassette according to claim 1 from the main body frame,

A support for supporting the cassette,

An auxiliary frame pressing tool that is inserted into the cassette while being guided by the support table and presses the auxiliary frame so as to bend in a direction away from the wall portion; and An arm pressing tool for releasing the arm portion from the locking hole;

A tool set comprising:

15. The cassette presses the auxiliary frame near the auxiliary frame. It has a tool insertion hole for inserting tools,

The support base has a through hole through which the auxiliary frame pressing tool passes, and the tool insertion hole and the through hole are arranged at the same position when the cassette is placed in the support base shape. A plurality of positioning protrusions for positioning the cassette as described above.

The tool set according to 14, wherein the tool set is characterized in that:

16. An auxiliary tool for slidably supporting the arm pressing tool, wherein the locking hole is a through hole provided in the side wall,

The support base supports the auxiliary tool such that the arm pressing tool is inserted into the locking hole from outside the side wall.

The tool set according to 14, wherein the tool set is characterized in that: