CA2108332A1 - Tape cartridge and printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present invention provides a novel structure of a tape cartridge accommodating a printing tape and an ink ribbon used for printing, which prevents the printing tape from being stuck in a cartridge case or the ink ribbon from being slackened. The tape cartridge of the invention has a mechanism for preventing an end of the tape from being reversely moved back into the cartridge case. A typical structure of the mechanism includes an anti-inversion system which prevents a tape core having a tape wound thereon from rotating in a reverse direction, that is, a direction opposite to a normal rotating direction for printing. The anti-inversion effects are removed when the tape cartridge is set in a printing device such as a tape writer to ensure smooth feeding of the tape for printing. When the tape is forcibly pressed back into the cartridge case, a movable platen clamps the tape between the platen and a fixed wall to prevent reverse movement of the tape. The tape cartridge of the invention also includes an anti-slack mechanism for preventing slack of the ink ribbon through engagement of a ribbon winding core with an anti-rotational engagement piece.
Engagement of this anti-slack mechanism is also released when the tape cartridge is set in the printing device.

Description

2i~8332 SPECIFICATIO~
TITI~E~ OF T~1}3 I~V}~NTION
TAPE cARrRIDGE AND PRINTING DEVICE
., E~AC~GRO~D OF TEI~ TION
5 ~ielt~ o~ t~e Invention The present invention relates to a tape cartrid~e for , accommodating a long printing tape on which a clesirable ~ series of characters are printecl, a ribbon cartridge for ,.~
`l accommodating an ink ribbon used for printing on the printing tape, and a printing device for detachably receiving the tape cartridge and the rib~on cartridga and printing the desirable series of characters on the printing tape.
.,' De~cri~tio~ o~ the Related ~rt A printing tape generally acc~mmodated in a tape cartridge is detachably and replaceably set in a printing device for printing a desirable series of letters and characters on ~he printing ~ape. Such a tape cartridge generally includes a mecha~ism ~or holding a long tape on a cylindrical tape core and feeding a required amount of the tape out of the tape core so as to efficiently accommodate the long tape and smoothly feed the tape to the printing .
device.

The prin~ing device used with such a tape cartridge has ~,~ a cu~ting mechanism for cutting the long tape to be desirable length. The cut~ing mechanism is typically arranged near a tape outlet to allow the long tape to be cut any desirable 21~332 ;
; position through op~ration of a lever or the like.
An ink ribbon consumed Eor printing a desirable series `~ oE characters on a sheet or tape is also accommodated in an ink ribbon cartridge, which is detachably and replaceably ~ 5 set in the printing device. Such an ink ribbon cartridge 3, generally includes a mechanism for holding a long ink ri~bon ~l on a cylindrical ir~ ribbon core and winding a used ink ribbon on a ribbon winding core so as to compactly accommodate ..;
~ the long ink ribbon and smoothly feed the ink ribbon to the .
3 1 0 printing device. soth the ink ribbon rore and the ribbon winding core are ~ormed to be rotatable via a driving mechanism formed in the printing device for driving and .".;~ .
rotating the ink ribbon core and the ribbon winding core.

This, the car~ridge is not equipped the driving mechanism, ,s, ~
'~ 15 effectively reduices the manufacturing cost of each expendable ink ribbon cartridge.

Under such a condition that the tape cartridge is not set in a printing device, the tape core unintentionally ~ ~^3 ~ starts rotation due to some vibration or shock to press an ~3 end of the tape into a cartridge case. The end of the tape incidentally entering the cartridge case is not easily removed.

s~ Although the cartridge case i8 to be opened for removal o~ the tape stuck in the cartridge case, ~orcible opaning of :s~3 ~ 25 the cartridge case generally accommodating both the tape and i i~
~3 the ink ribbo~ may slacken the ink ri~bon or e3ven move ~he :i j .,i ~ 2-!~ ' '3 ,~
`~

~;1 : ^~"2,lns332 inlc ribbon from a predetermined poæition to damage the ~hole cartridge.
When the tape cartridge having one end of the tape pressed into the cartridge case is accidentally set in a printing device, the tape held and fed between a platen and a printing head is stuck in the tape cartridge to damage the printing device.
.j Another problem arises in the printing device; that is, when the user tries to use a cutting mechanism during ., .
printing operation, the tape is not smoothly fed but may be stuck in the printing device.
here is also a problem in the ink ribbon cartridge.
The ink ribbon core is rotated through engagement with a driving shaft of a driving element formed in the printing ,,,.~ , device a~ mentioned above. The ink ribbon core not ~eing set in the printing device is thus easily rotatable due to vibration or shock so as to slacken the ink ribbon. Slack of the ink ribbon damages an ink ribbon drivins mechanism of ,~
the printing device or lower the printing quality.
, ~oA protective sheet or element for interfering with .~
i rotation of the ink ribbon core is separately inserted in the ink ribbon core before delivery. Alternatively, a ,~' special casing for preventing slack of the ink ribbon is used during delivery and storage of the cartridge. These ., m~thodæ, however, have ~he following probl~s.

In the former method, manufacturing and management :

~` 2 l~833~
process of the cartriage is rather complicated, ana the user should remove the protective sheet hefore use o~ the cartridge.
,~ When the user sets the cartridge in the printing device without removing the protective sheet, it may cause damage of the ink ribbon driving mechanism of the printing device.
In the latter method, for example, one or a plurality of engagement pawls are ~ormed in an inner face of a special case for ribbon car~ridgeu ~he engagement pawls engage with "~, the ink ribbon core and interfere with rotation of the ink ribbon core. This requires an addition~l manufacturing and management process to raise the cost oE the expendable cartridge.
In such a cartridge, the ink ribbon and the tape are ~3 hel~ between the platen and the printing head. When the ~7 ~,7~ 15 user forcibly pulls out the tape under non-printing conditions, _7 the ink ribbon joints the tape to be pulled out of the cartridge according to the forcible movemen~ of the tape.

S~M~ARY OF ~ o~

One object of the invention is to prevent a tape from ~ 20 being pressed into and stuck in a cartridge case of a tape '5~ cartridge, thus making a printing device ~ree from ~roubles ;~ ~ue to the stuck tape.

Another object of the invention is to efficiently and ,.~
:i securely pre~ent slack of an ink ri~bon due to unintentional i 25 rotation of an ink ribbon core in an ink ribbon cartridge.
.
,~ Still another object of the in~ention is to prevent an `.'f i'`''i `1 ; ~4-, ~ 't --` 2~1a 8332 ,`:
;.
ink ribbon Erom being pulled out of a cartridge according to ,.~, ~ a forcible movement of a tape.
.
,, ~`~The above and other object~ are realizecl by a tape ,;,cartridge including a cartridge case for accommodating a .5 long printing tape freely fed out of the cartridge case for ~,printing in response to operation of a printing device, and " . ., a mechanism for preventing an encl o~ the printing tape from ~being reversely moved back into the cartri~ge case.
,~
The tape cartridge of the invention ~urther includes a j1o tape core on which the long printing tape is wound. The tape core includes, as the reverse movement preventing ,.i,,,!
mechanism, an anti-inver~ion mechani~m for preventing rotation of the tape core in a reverse direction opposite to a feeding direction of the long printing tape for printing.
In an alternative structure, the tape core has a flange ~( element with an adhesive .inner surface to be in contact wi~h at least one of upper and lower sides of the long printing tape.
The anti-inversion mechanism for preventing reverse movement of the printing ~ape back into the cartridge case include~ an engaging element uprightly formed on an outer face of a flange element of the tape core and an engagement element formed on the cartridge case to be located opposite to the engaging elPmen~ of the tape core. In another ~: ~

,j~5 structure, the anti-inver~ion mechani~m includes an engagement '~jmember mounte~ on the cartridye case and an engaging element ,~
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formed on the tape core to be located opposite to ~he engagement me~er of the cartridge case.
Engagement of the engagement member of the cartridge ~, case with the engaging element of the tape core in the anti-inversion mechanism is released when the tape cartridge i8 set in the printing device~ In a pre~erable structure, i the anti-inversion mechanism allows xotation o~ the tape ~1 , core in a normal direction idlentical with the feeding ~, direction of the long printing tape for printing.

;,~ 10 In another application of the invention, a tape ',:1 ii cartridge includes a cartridge case for accommodating a long 1 printing tape held between a platen and a printing head.
I,'~,j ~j The platen is initalled in the cartridge case, which has a ~ 3 ~ substantially elliptic aperture for movably receiving a - `
1s shaft of the platen, and a fixed wall formed in a moving ;3, direction of the platen movably fitted in the aperture for holding ~he printing tape be~ween the platen and ~he fixed wall. In this structure, a longitudlnal axls of the . I . . .
-~ elliptic aperture is located across a feedlng dlrectlon of the printing tape. When the printiny tape is moved to be back into the cartridge case, the platen moves to prevent the printing tape held between the platen and the fixed wall from being moved back into ~he cartridge case.

~. ! 'j , Th~ cartridge case preferably includes a predetermined -i,25 leng~h of a guide el~ment arranged near an outlet o~ the .,;
-~printing tape formed on the cartridg~ case and along a ~: i i,~
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feeding ~ath oE the printing tape.
In still another application of the invention, a cartxidge includes a cartridge ca~e for accom~lodating a long ~;`i printing tape and a long ink ribbon used for printing on the printing tape in a printing device. The cartridge includes a cylindrical ink ribbon core for holding the long ink -.~
ribbon thereon and a cylindrical ribbon winding core for holding a used ink ribbon wound thereon after printing in the printing device. The cartri~ge i5 detachably set in the ".
, 10 printing device. The ink ri~bon core has an engaging `; element on a portion exposed under such a condition that the,i"~, ~` ink ribbon is wound on the ink ribbon core. The cartridge case rotatably supporting the ink ribbon core has an enyageme.nt piece to engage with the engaging element of the ink ribbon core to pre~ent rotation of the ink ribbon core.

A printing de~ice according to the invention includes a ~.','.,!
artridge holder unit for detachably receiving a cartridge wîth a printing tape accommodated ~herein. The printing tape accommodated in the cartridge is fed with an ink ribbon ~,J 20 for printing. The printing device further includes a platen .~ ~
driving shaft engaging with a platen mounted on the cartridge and rotating the platen to feed the printing tape according to rotation of the platen driving shaft, a cutting mechanism for cutting the printing tape fed out of khe cartridge ~ 25 according to the rotation of the platen driving shaft at a ;3 ~ desirable position, a detection unit for detecting a movement ,~,., ,::
'.i~
. ~:
, ,: '`, 21l0~332 :"` ' ~-3 of the cutting mechanism during the rotation of the platen driving shaEt, and a stop mechanism for interrupting the ~-i rotation of the platen dri~ing shaft when the movement of the cutting mechanism is detected by the detection unit.
.~3 5 In another application, a printing device includes a cartridge holder unit for detachably receiving a cartridge ,.. .~
~dl accommodating a printing tape and an ink ribbon core with an : I ~
~ ink ribbon wound thereon and fed out of the cartridge for .'¢' :,1 ~`3~ printing. The ink ri~bon core has an engaginy element !,~',s formed on a portlon exposed under such a condltion that the ~`~ ink ribbon is wound on the ink ribbon core. The cartridge has an enga~ement piece to engage with the engaging element ;~ ~
of the ink ribbon core. The cartridge holder unit of the ~; printing de~ice includes an upright contact projection for being in contact with the engagement piece formed in the cartridge to move the engagement piece in a release direction ~J~:
for releasing the engagement of the engagement piece with the engaging element of the in~ ribbon core when the cartridge is mounted on the cartridge holder unit.
In still another application of the invention, a printing device includes a cartridge holder unit for detachably receiving a car~ridgP accommodating a printing tape and a ,~
~` ribbon winding core with a used ink ribbon wound thereon j..;s ~ after printing. The ribbon winding core has a second . . ~ .
engaglng element formed on a portion exposed under such a condition that the used ink ribbon is wound on the ribbon .~ A

','`' ' .~,,. --~3--~`;"', `.' ~ . i ' '~:' j ,: j r~' :'~'' ` : ' '' ,~. ` , ' ' ` : -:

:
- 21~1~332 ;~ winding core. The cartridge has a seconcl engagement piece to engage wi~h the second engaging eleme.nt of the ri~bon winding core. The cartridge holder unit of the printing device includes a second upright contact projection for 5 being in contact with the second engagement piece formed in 9 the cartridge to move the sacond engagement piece in a release direction for releasing the engagement of the second i' engagement piece with the secon~ engaging element of the ribbon winding core when the cartridge is mounted on the 10 cartridge holder unit.
.:1 'i In another preferable struc~ure of the in~ention, a ~ printing device includes a cartridge holder unit for detachably .....
receiving a cartridge accommo~ating a cylindrical ink ribbon core with a long ink ribbon wound thereon, a cylindrical ribbon winding core with the long ink ribbon wound ~hereon ~ after being used for printing in the printing device, and a ,`'3 long printing tape on which a desirable series of characters "1 - re printed by ~n ink of the ink ribbon. The printing ., ;j device further includes a printing head for adhesively "~
~ o holding the printing tape and the ink ribbon between a ;:i `~ platen and the printing head, a driving uni~ for feeding the i printing tape and rotating the ribbon winding core sy~chronously :., with the feed of the printing tape, and a ribbon winding ig core driving unit for rotating the ri~bon windin~ core ~9 25 according to a pull-out movement of the printing tape under ij non-printing conditions.
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~3 . `1 21~33~
The driving unit of the printing device preferably includes a stepping motor functioning as a driving source, a i first transmission mechanism for transmitting rotation of `;~the stepping motor to the platen, and a second transmission mechanism diversified at a predetenmined point from the ~ifirst transmission mechanism for transmitting the rotation of the stepping motor to the ribbon winding core. The ribbon winding core driving unit prefera~ly includes a ,, ' :, one-way clutch arranged betwaen the stepping motor and the '~- 10 predetermined point of the first transmission mechanism ~or interfering with transmission of rotation frorn the platen.

These and other objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent : 'i from the following detailed description of the preferred 15 embodiments with the accompanying drawings.
lBRIlSF DE~SCRIPTION O:IF TE1~3 lDRAWIll~GS
~ Fig. 1 is a plan view illustrating a tape printing ;~i,device 1 as a first embodiment according to the invention;
, .
Fig. 2 is a right side view showing the tape printing " ~, -~20 device 1 of Fig. l;

.Fig. 3 is a plan view showing assembly of a tape ; ~
j`~cartridge 10 in the first embodiment;

,r"~,,,, , Fig. 4 is a bottom view showing the tape cartridge 10 -,of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an end view illustrating the tape cartridge 10 taken on the line V-V of Fig. 3;
, .

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. -~ 210~33~
.
Fig. 6 is an en~ view showing an internal structure oE
~' the tape cartridge lO with a 6 mm wide tape;
Fig. 7 is an end view showing an internal structure of the tape cartridge 10 wi~h a 24 mm wide tape;
.j ~
5Fig. 8 shows a relationship between the width of a tape ., T accommodated in the tape cartridge 10 and the depth of three detection holes 18K;
i~i Fig. 9 is an end view illustrating the tape printing , device 1 taken on the :Line IX IX of Fig. l;
10Fig. 10 is a plan view showing a typical structure o~ a tape cartridge holder unit 5OA;
Fig. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a gear train and a mechanism for shifting a printing hea~ 60 between a retreated position and a printing position;
Fig. 12 is an end view showing the mech~nism ~or .
-~ shif~ing the printing head 60 taken on the line XII-XII of ., ,~ Fig. 10;
Fig. 13 is an end view showing a cutting mechanism taken on the line XIII-XIII of Fig. 10;
0Fig. 14 is a block diagram showing an circuitry structure of tape printing device 1;
:i3 Fig. 15 shows a kypical example of a key arrangement on .',5, 1 an input unit 50C;
Fig. 16 shows a structure of a display unit ~OD;
.'~1 ,""?325Fig. 17 iS a perspective view illustrating another ~ mechanism of pre~enting rotations of the tape core 20;
.~
.: ~
` 3 - 1 1 -. ~108332 Fig. 18 is a cro~s sectional view ~howing a cartridge 210 of a second embodiment according to the invention;
~ Fig. lg is a cross sectional view illustrating the i. cartridge 210 set in the tape writer 1;
~ 5 Fig. 20 is a decomposed perspective view of the 3~ cartridge 210;
Fig. 21 iS a perspective view illustrating an essential part of a tape core 202 in the second embodiment;
Fig. 22 schema~ically shows a clutch mechanism having a lo plurality of wedge-shaped grooves in another tape cartridge;
; Fig. 23 shows still another tape cartridge having a ~ coil spring; and :' Fig. 24 shows another tape cartridge having a clutch ': pawl.
.l 1 5 D1~SCRIPTION OP TE~ 2RE~P~ D :3~BODI~3~T
Structures and func~ions of the present invention will become more apparent through description of the following ~ preferred embodiments of the invention.
:~ ~ig. 1 i5 a plan view illustrating a tape printing ''! 20 device 1 embodying the in~ention, and ~ig. 2 is a right side view of the ~ape printing device 1. In the description ~: below, the r~lati~e position of each cons~ituent, for example, , right, left, upper, or lower, corresponds to the drawing of Fig. 1.

2 5 AB shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the ~ape prin~ing device 1 includes a casing 50H for accommoda~ing a variety of .~

; ``` 2:l0~332 constituents, an input unit 50C having sixty-three key~, a freely openable cover 50K, a display ~mit 50D arranged ~, visibly through a window 50M of the cover 50K for displaying a series of characters or other required inforr~tion, and a tape cartridge hol~er unit 50A (see Fig. l0) disposed on a ~i left upper portion of the device l, which a tape cartridge .~
~ 10 is detachably attached to. A window for checking ~ :"
~ attachment o~ the tape cartridge l0 is provided on the cover , .~
50K. Both wiudows 50L and 50M are covered with transparent plastic plates.

~ Operation of the tape printing de~ice l thus -~ constructed is described briefly. In a first step, an .;:, .
-~, operator opens the cover 50K and attaches the tape cartridge, .1 , l0 to the tape cartrid~e holder unit 50A. After closing the cover 50K, the operator turns on a power switch 50J externally mounted on a right side wall of a main body of the device 1 , '.1 'i~! as shown in Fig. 2. The device 1 subse~uently executes an ~;i initial processing to ready for an input of letters or . ~
~ charactersO The operator then inputs a desirable series of ~, .
-~20 letters or characters with the keys on the input unit 50C.
~ ',ri r~J~ Although input of letters is implemented directly through . :, .
key operation of the input unit 50C, an additional process such as conversion from the input letters into Chinese characters may be required in certain linguistic areas using ~i25 two-bite characters like Chinese characters. When ~he operator ins~ructs printing through a key operation, ~he ~ r'r :~,, i '..' , ,..
~f :

; ~ :

~ ` 21 1~332 ; device 1 drives a thermal transfer printer unit 50B to start printing on a tape T fed from the tape cartridge lO. The tape T with the letters or characters printed thereon is fed out of a tape outlet lOA ~isposed on a left side wall of the '5 ~ape printing device l.
The tape T used in the embodiment has a printing surface specifically processed fo:r preferable ink spread by ~,thermal transfer and an adhesive rear ~ace which a peel tape ~, is applied on. After the printed ~ape T is cut by a ~,~10 desirable length to a label with a built-in blade cutter and the peel ~ape is peeled off, the label with characters and , .
symbols printed thereon is applied onto any deslrable place.

Structure and functions of the tape cartridge lO are described mainly based on the plan view of Fig. 3, the ,:
,`!,', 15 bottom view o~ FigO 4, and the cross sectional view of Fig.
, A j 5 taken on the line V-V of Fig. 3. Each tape cartridge 10 having a similar structure can hold a tape of a predetermined width. Five types of tape cartridges for tapes of 6 mm, 9 mm, 12 mm, 18 mm, and 24 mm in width are prepared in the embodiment. Fig. 6 is a ~artly broken cross sectional view showing an intern~l structure of the tape cartridge 10, which includes a 6 mm wide tape T running through centers of an ink ribbon core 22, a ribbon winding core 24, and a platen 12. Fig. 7 is also a cross sec~ional view showing the same with a 24 mm wide tape T. Numbers or symbols ?,~'~ representing respective constituents are omit~ed in Fig. 7 ~-14-.~

2~ 332 for clarity of th~ drawing. In Figs. 6 and 7, part of a printing head 60 is drawn together with the cross section of the tape cartridge 10 to show attachment oE the tape T in the tape printing device 1.
.li S The platen 12 is a hollow cylindrical member covered Ai with a pla~en rubber 1~ of a predetermined width corresponding ~ to the width of the tape T. The platen rubber 14 improves : contact of the tape T to an ink ribbon R and the printing head 60 for desirable printing. In the embodiment, two 1o type~ of the platen rubber 14 are used, a 12 mm wide platen rubber for 6 mm, 9 mm, and 12 mm tapes (see Fig. 6), and a 18 mm wide platen ru~ber for 18 mm an~ 24 mm tapes (see Fig.
! 7).
The platen 12 has a smaller-diametral upper end and a smaller-diametral lower end. ~he platen 12 is freely , ~, rotatable since the smaller-di~metral upper end and the smaller-di~metral lower end are rotatably fit ~n apertures 16A and 18A of a top wall 16 and a bottom wall 18 of the :~ tape cartridge 10, respectively. The apertures 16A and 18A
., '~'? 20 are formed in substantially elliptic shape as seen in Fig.

. The hollow platen 12 accommodated in the tape cartridye 10 is attached to and detached from a platen driving shaft (described later) disposed in the tape printing device 1 ,i~j j :
;i~ according to attachment and detachment of ~he tape cartri~ge 3 10. The platen 12 has six engagement grooves 12A arranged at the equal intervals on an inner surfac~ thereo~ along a ..1 ', ~
.~

: `.' -``` ` 2~0~32 rotationa~ axis of the platen 12 a~ ~hown in Fig~. 4 and 6.

The engagement grooves 12A e~gage with the platen driving ~ :.
;i shaft to transmit a driving force of the driving shaft.
The tape cartridge 10 is also provided with a tape core 20 which a long tape T is wound on, the ink ribbon core 22, and the ribbon winding core 24. The tape cartridge 10 further includes a printing head receiving hole 32 which the ;~
printing head 60 enters and goes in. The printing head receiving hole 32 is defined by a guide wall 34.

' 10The tape core 20 is a hollow, large-diametral ':' cylindrical reel for placing a long tape T wound on a relatively large-diametral bobbin in the tape cartridge 10.
.,j ~' Since a total thickness of the wound tape T on the tape core ~;20 is small as compared with the diametral of the tape core 20, a rotational angular velocity of the tape core 20 for pulling an outer-most wind of the ~ape T (shown as ~ in Fig.
~-3) out of the tape core 20 at a certain rate is approximately same as a ro~ational angular velocity of the tape core 20 for pulling an inner-most wind of the tape (shown as ~ in Fig. 3) a~ the s~ne rate. A sufficiently large ra~ius of curvature of tape core 20 allows even a tape T having poor resistance to a bending stress to be wound on the tape core 20 without difficulty.

.~ S!.
As shown in Fig. 3, the tape core 20 has a shaft hole 20B on a center thereof, which rotatably receives a shaft member lgB uprightly projecting from the bo~tom wall 18 of . 1 `'" 1 , : J
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, . .

!12 :1 0 ~ 3 3 2 the tapa cartridge 10 as clearly seen in Fig. 5. The tape ,core 20 is provided with a pair of circular thin films 20A
respectively applied on axial upper and lower ends o~ ~he tape core 20. The thin film 20A has an adhesive layer.
.5 Since the film 20A functioning as a flange with respect to the tape T has the adhesive layer facing the tape T, side edges of the tape T lightly adhere to the film 20A. This keeps the roll of the tape T wound when rotation of the platen 12 pulls the tape T out and makes the tape core 20 drivingly rotate.
`,As shown in Fig. 3, the tape T wound and accommo~ated ~in the tape core 20 runs to the platen 12 via a tape guide ;,pin 26 uprightly projecting from the bottom wall 18 of the tape cartridge 10 and goes out of the tape outlet lOA of the i15 ~ape cartridge 10. The tape outlet lOA has a guide element ;lOB of a predetermined length formed along a feeding direction of the tape T. While the tape cartridge 10 is set in the tape cartridge holder unit 50~, the printing head 60 is placed in the printin~ head receiving hole 32. Under such conditions, the tape T is held between the printing head 60 and the platen 12 and fed according to rotation of the platen 12.
The ap~rtures 16A and 18A receiving the upper and lower ~,...
ends of the platen 12 are formed in elliptic shap~ as mentioned above, and the platen 12 is movable along longitudinal axes of the aper~ures 16A and 18A when the tape cartridge 10 ..~

^-3 ','~

2 ~ 3 ~ 2 ~iis not set in the tape printin~ device 1. When the tape T
.
.~outside the tape cartridge 10 is being pressed into the tape ~:cartridge 10, the platen 12 moves along a feeding direction .of the tape T. Movement of the pla~en 12 causes the platen rubber 14 on the pla~en 12 to be in contact with a circumference of the tape guide pin 26 and securely holds the tape T between the platen rubber 14 and the tape guide ~-~;pin 26. This interferes with further movement of the tape " ., ,.T~ Such a structure eEEectively prevents from the tape T

being mistakenly ~ressed into the tape cartridge 10.
:, ~Winding procedure of the ink ri~bon R is now described.
,~.., The ink ribbon core 22 includes a hollow, small-diametral cylindrical member having smaller-diametral upper and lower e~ds as clearly seen in Figs. 6 and 7. The smaller-diametral ~;~15 lower end has six engagemen~ grooves formed as first engaging elements 22A arranged at the equal intervals as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The smaller-diametral lower end of the ink ribbon core 22 is loosely fitted in a circular first fitting aperture 18C formed on the bottom wall 18 of the tape cartridge 10. The upper hollow end of the ink ribbon core 22 is loosely fitted in a cylindrical guide projection 16C
protruded from the top wall 16 of the tape cartridge 10.
The i~k ribbon core 22 is accordingly held to be drivingly rota~able according to pull-out of the ink ribbon R.
~:~ 25 As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, a substantially L-shaped first engagament piece 18D is formed on the bottom wall 18 ,~
f,.,~

~ -18-. .~
'` 3 ;:i '; ' .
` ` 2~L~8~32 of the tape cartridge 10 to be positioned in the vicinity of ' the lower ends of the ink ribbon core 22 and the ribbon ; winding core 24 (described later). The first engagemen~
piece 18D iS formed by cutting part of the bottom wall 18 of , 5 the tape cartridge 10 (hatched portion designated as X in `~, Fig. 3). Resilience of ths matexial of the bottom wall 18 ~, allows a free end oE the first engagemen~ piece 18D to be j '' movable around a base portion 18E integrally formed with the ~;
bottom wall 18 along the plane of the bottom wall 18. When , 10 no force is applied onto the first engage,ment piece 18D, the free end of the first engagement piece 18D is positioned inside the circumference of the first fitting aperture 18C
;~
and engages with one of the six engaging el~ments 22A formed ~, on the lower end of the ink ribbon core 22 loosely fitted in the fitting aperture 18C. This effectively pr~vents the ink ~, ribbon core 22 from being unintentionally rotated and the ink rib~on R from being slack.
The ink ribbon R wound and accommodated in the ink ribbon core 22 is pulled out via a ribbon guide roller 30 and runs along the guide wall 34 to the ribbon winding core i"l .
24. In the middle of the ribbon pa~h, the ink ribbon R
reaches a position facing the platen 12 to be overlapped with the tape T. In Fig. 3, y and ~ respectively show the -,~ runnins conditions of the ink ribbon R when the tape car~ridge 10 is still unused and new, that is, when only a starting end of the ink ribbon R is on the ribbon winding ;, ?
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,, -19-,,,J
i j .,:j --- 2:108332 core 2~, and when the whole ink ribbol~ R iS wound on the ribbon winding core 24.
The ribbon winding core 2~ includes a hollow cylindrical member of substantially the same shape as the ink ribbon core 22 as shown in F.igs. 3 and 4. The hollow cylindrical member has smaller-d.iametral upper and lower . ends in the same manner as the ink ribbon core 22. The `, lower end has six engagement {Jrooves formed as second engaging elements 24A arranged at the equal intervals. As is the platen 12, the ribbon winding core 24 rotates through :., engagement with a ribbon winding core driving sha~t (described .~ later) disposed in the tape printing device l. The ribbon winding core 24 thus has six engagement grooves 24B arranged at the egual in~ervals on an inner surface of the hollow cylindrical member along a rotational axi~ of the ribbon winding core 24. m e smaller-diametral upper and lower ends of the ribbon winding core 24 are loosely and rotatable fitted in a top circular fitting aperture 16G and a bottom circular fi~ting aperture 18G fo~med on the top wall 16 and the bottom wall 18 of the tape cartridge lO, respectively.
:~ ~
:In the same manner as the ink ribbon core 22, a ubstantially L-shaped second engagement piece 18H is fonmed on the bo~tom wall 18 of the tape cartridge 10 to prevent unintentional rota~ion of the ribbon winding core 24. The ~: 25 second engagement piece 18H is formed by cutting part of the :,3; ~ bottom wall 18 o~ the tape cartridge lO (hatched portion ;1,~

' :i ~, . ., .. . , . ... .. ,.. , ,,, ~,, . , ~ ,, , . .... , . , , ",, ,", , , ~ 2108332 de~ignated as Y in Fig. 3). When the tape cartridge 10 is ; not set in the tape printing device 1, a free en~ of the ~:j second engagement piece 18H is positioned inside the , circumference of the bottom fitting aperture 18G and en~ages : ~ with one of the six second engaging elements 24A formed on j the lower end of the ribbon winding core 2~. The ribbon .~ winding core 24 is thereby not rota-ted in such a direction ,.. ~; as to slacken the ink ribbon R woun~ thereon. The free ends '~........... of the first enyagement piece 18D and the second engagement i ,, ^~( 10 piece 18H are respectively positioned not to be perpendicular ' but to be inclined to the ~irst and second engaging elements ~, 22A and 24A. This prevents the ink ribbon core 22 and the ~:~ ribbon winding core 24 from rotating in undesirable directions ::. as described above. The ribbon winding core 24 readily rotates in a normal winding direction of the ink ribbon R.

Engagement of the first engaging element 22A of the ink ~.~
ribbon core 22 with the first engagement piece 18D and that ~; of the ~econd en~aging element 24A of the rib~on winding core 24 with the second engagemen~ piece 18H effectively prevent the ink rib~on R from undesir~bly slackening while the tape cartridge 10 is not set in -~he tape printing device ~ 1. The engagement is released when the tape car~ridge 10 is ., set in the tape cartridge holder unit 50A. The releasing procedure is described later with a typical structure of the tape cartridge holder unit 50A.

~-~ The ink ri~bon R wound on the ribbon winding core 24 is .~ .,.~
' 'i,1¦
~:.,.J
'-'!
:~ -21-.:''.
' ~'' ,~

~, ~," ~ ,, ",,, ,,~, "",~ ,",.............

2~0~32 ., a thermal transEer ribbon having a predetermined width corresponding to the width of the tape T used for printing.
In the embodiment, a 12 mm wide ink ribbon R is used for 6 mm, 9 mm, and 12 mm wide tapes T clS shown in Fig. 6, a 18 mm .-~
wide ink ribbon R for a 18 mm wide tape T (not shown), and a 24 mm wide ink ribbon ~ for a 24 mm wide tape T as sho~n in Fig. 7.
i ., , When the width of the ink ribbon R is e~ual to the height of the tape cartri~ge 10 (see Fig. 7), the ~op wall 16 and the bottom wall 18 of the tape cartridge 10 guide the ink ribbon R. No additional flange is thus required on the circumference of the ribbon winding core 24 for controlling and adjusting a winding position of the ink ribbon R. When the width of the ink ribbon R is smaller than the height of the tape cartridge 10, on the other hand, a flange 24C is formed on the circumference of the ribbon winding core 24 to guide the ink ribbon R to go through a printing position of the platen 12. The flange 24C is fonmed in a certain size corresponding to the width of the ink ribbon R.
~- 20 In the embodiment, ~here are ta~e cartridges 10 of five different sizes correaponding to the width of the tape T as ~; described above. Since a printc~ble area of the tape T
'~ differs according to the width of the ta~e T, a varie~y of , i~,l~ j condition setting procedures are re~uired. The tape printing device 1 detects the size of ~he tape cartrid~ic~ 10 and automatically executes required setting, thus making the ~. ~
i;.
. ,:
; -22-. .". ~

'`~i ` 2:110~33~
user free from troublesome setting. Th~ tape cartridge 10 of the embodiment has first through third detection holes 18Ka, 18Kb, ancl18Kc formed on the bottom wall 18 corresponding to the size of the tape T as shown in Fig. 4. Namely, depths of the three detection holes 18Ra, 18Kb, and 18Kc are changed according to the width of the tape T accommodated in the tape cartridge 10.
i1 Fig. 8 shows a relationship between the width o~ the ,i..~
;'-i, tape T accommodated in the tape cartrid~e 10 and the depths lo of the three detection holes 18Ka, 18Kb, and 18Kc. As shown 1 in Fig. 8, the fixst detection hole 18Ka is formed shallow ;i and the second and third detection holes 18Kb, 18Kc of the ~ ape cartridge 10 are ~ormed deep for a 6 mm wide tape. The r;
'1~ first and third detection holes 18Ka, 18Kc are foxmed deep il~ 15 for a 9 mm wide tape; only the third detection hole 18Kc is deep for a 12 mm wide tape; a~d the first and second '~ detection holes 18Ka, 18Kb are deep for a 18 mm wide tape.
,;
Only second detection hole 18kb is formed deep for a 2~ mm ~`~; wide tape. Since the size of ~he tape cartridge 10 is ' ~o designated as a combination of the depths of the three detection holes 18Ka through 18Kc, the user can also check :,~
~' the tape cartridge 10 with eyes.
:,~
, The tape cartridge 10 thus constructed is set in ~he tape cartridge holder unit 50A of the tape printing device 1. The tape printing device 1 includes an extension unit 50E ~or connecting various packi~ optionally supplied as ~,j , . .' ~il ~..
....

:

~ 21 ~1~332 ~i external memory elements, the input ~mit 50C, and a control circuit unit 50F fo~ controlling the display unit 50D and ~1 the printer unit 50B as shown in the cross sectional view of Fig. 9 taken on the line IX-IX of Fig. l.
5The tape printing device 1 is also provided on a bottom face thereof with a battery holder unit 50I for receiving 5iX SUM- 3 cells working as a power source of the whole device l. The power switch 50J is mounted on the right side wall of the ~ape printing device 1 (see Fig. 2). Power may be supplied from a plug 50N (see Fig. 2) formed on the right side wall of the device l to be connectable with an AC
adapter (not shown).
Mechanical constituants of the tape printing device l are described hereinafter. Fig. lO is a plan view showing a typical structure of the tape cartridge holder unit 50A, and Fig. ll is a perspective view illustrating an essential iU,~ struc~ure of a driving mechanism SOP for driving the platen ~ ~ 12 and the other elements by means of power of a stepping !Z ' motor 80.
20The tape cartridge holder unit 50A is ~isposed in a :. "i' lef~ upper position of a main body of the tape printing device l and defines an attachment space corresponding to ~i ;~ the shape of the tape car~ridge lO as shown in Fig. lO. ~he platen driving shaft and the ribbon winding core driving shaf~ respectively engaging with ~he hollow members of the platen 12 and ~he ribbon winding core 24 as well as the . ij .
~,~

il -24-2:~.0~332 printing head 60 are uprightly ~isposed in the attachment space of the tape cartridge holder unit 50A as shown in Fig.

'11. The tape cartridge holder uni~ 50A is also provided on ,!a lower portion thereof with the driving mechanism 50P for ~5 transmitting rotation of the stepping motor 80 to the platen 'Z12 and other elements. The driving mechanism 50P disposed ;,below the tape cartridge holder unit 50A is not observable '`,1/! even when the cover 50k is open. Fig. 11 shows the driving ,;jmechanism 50P when the inner case of the tape cartridge iJ,10 holder unit 50A is eliminated. The attachment space of the tape cartridge holder unit 50A is covered with the cover 50K
while the ~ape printing device 1 is in service.
~IThe tape cartridge 10 i~ attached to or replaced in the ,jtape cartridge holder unit 50A while the cover 50K is open.
i~
Z 15 When a slide button 51 (see Figs. 1 ana 10) disposed before ,~ the tape cartridge holder unit 50A is slid rightward (in the . ,~
drawing), engagement of the co~er 50K with the main body of the device 1 is released, so that the cover 50K rotates ':;
around a cover hinge 54 mounted on a rear portion of the main body o~ the device 1 to be opened. A spring arm 52A
integrally formed with the slide button 52 engages with an engaging element of the main body of the device 1 to continuously apply a leftward (in the drawing) pressing force ~o the slide button 52.
~i 25 When the cover 50K is opened through operation of the slide button 52, the printing head 60 for printing the tape .~
~,o~

: ` " 2~.0~332 ~ T of the tape cartridge 10 is retreated to allow the tape ,,, cartridge 10 to be attached or detached. The printing head 60 is rotatably mounted on a head rotating shaft 6~ projected from a base board 61 as clearly seen in Fig. 11. The pxinting head 60 includes a head body 65 having a plurality of heating dot elements, a radiator plate 65b holding the head body 65 via an insulator 65a, a frame element 67 for ~:'f~
supporting the radiator plate 65b through a connection plate 67a, a coil spring 66 pres~ing the printing head 60 in an initial direction, and a flexible cable constituting an electric wiring to the head body 65.
i~ ' :The printing head 60 is only roughly aligned with the platen 12 in the tape cartridge 10 through attac~ment of the ~,tape cartridge 10 in the tape printing device 1. Namely, r',15 the printing head 60 is not always in contact with the platen rubber la along the height of the platen 12 uniformly when the tape cartridge 10 is set in the device 1. In the ``.~1 ,tape prin~ing device 1 of the embodiment, the connection .. ~ plate 67a is fixed to the frame element 67 via a pin 67b in~erted into an opening of the connection plate 67a, and the radiator plate 65b holding the head body 65 is thus . ,~.,J
.:~rotat~ble around the pin 67b. This allows the head body 65 . ,~

~to hold the tape T between the platen 12 and ~he head body ... .
65 and to be uniformly in contact with the height of the platen 12 irrespecti~e of the attachment conditions of the ~tape cartridge 10 with respect to the tape cartridge holder :', ,..~:~
~ 26-~ $
:~!
,~

2~ 332 unit 50A when the printing head 60 is pressed towards the platen 12.
. ~ .
A lower end oE the frame element 67 is extended to form .dla link plate 62. The link plate 62 is positioned in a gear train shown in Fig. 11, and has a free end positioned in the !,..., vicinity of a boundary of the display unit 50D (see Fig.
~:,10). The free end of the link p:Late 62 holds one end of a i coil spring 69 to connect a driving me~ber 63 with the link plate 62. The driving member 63 having a substantially lo triangular shape has a first end 63a holding the other end .`of the coil spring 69 and a second end 63b placed opposite . .
~to the cover 50K as shown in Fig. 11. ~1 operation arm 50S
;:
~:is extended from the cover 50K to be positioned opposite to :.,the second end 63b of ~he driving member 63, and presses ~he second end 63b when the cover 50R is closed.
;:1 .-~'Fig. 12 is a cross sectional view schematically showing iisuch a movement described abo~e, taken on the line XII-XII
,l;of Fig. 10. When the cover 50K is pressed downward, the '~''!'operation armi 50S presses the second end 63b of ~he driving .-.`i~20 member 63 downward, and the link plate 62 rotatingly moves ^1rightward (in ~ig. 11) via the coil spring 69, accordingly.
,Such a rotating movement of the link plate 62 ro~ates the ~;lprinting head 60 against the pressing force of the coil ~;
spring 66. The printing head 60 thereby moves from its retreated position to a printing position facing the platen 12 of the tape cartridge 10 set in the tape printing device ,1 :i ~ -27-~. i '~, ~3 ` `` 2~332 1. When the cover 50~C is closed, the printing head 60 is , accordingly shifted to the printing position. When the cover 50K is opened, on the contrary, the printing head 60 is shifted to the retreated position to allow the tape cartridge 10 to be detached or attached. The printing head 60 once retreated is kept in the retreated position by means 7 of the coil spring 66 while the cover 50K is open, and goes back to the printing position to press against the platen 12 when the cover 50K is closed.
lo As described previously, the first en~agement piece 18D
~i and the second engagement piece 18H are formed on the bottom ., ~ wall 18 of the tape cartridge 10 to engage with the first ,, engaging elemen~i 22A and ~he second engaging element 24A so as to prevent unintentional rotation of the ink ribbon core ~, 15 22 and the ribbon winding core 24 (see Figs. 3 and 4). ~he first engagement piece 18D and the second engagement piece . ., 18H are formed respecti~ely by cutting the parts of the ~'` bottom wall 1~ (hatched portions designated as X and Y in Fig. 3). The tape cartridge holder unit 50A has two ~'20 cone-shaped contact projections 7OA and 7OB at a position substantially in the middle of the hatched portions X and Y
i!~as shown in Fig. 10. When the tape cartridge 10 is set in the tape cartridge holder unit 50A, the contact projections 7OA and 7OB are fitted in the hatched portions X and Y of ~"25 ~he bottam wall !8 of the tape cartridge 10 to press the first and the second engagement pieces 18D and 18H in a ~, ~1 -28-..

~` "` 211~8332 : ;
~i~ direction away from th~ ~irst en~aging element 22A of the i ink ribbon core 22 and the second engaging element 24A of ,. -, ~' the ribbon winding core 24. This pressing movement releases ., engagement of the first and the second engagement pieces 18D
~,5 and 18H with the ink ribbon core 22 and the ribbon winding ;, ~core 24, thus allowing the ink ribbon core 22 and the ri~bon -winding core 24 to rotate without a~ly additional load.
A transmission mechanism for transmitting rotation of the stepping motor 80 to a platen driving shaft 72 of the ~;10 platen 12 is described in detail. As shown in Fig. 11, a ~first gear 81 is attached to a rotational shaft 80A of the -`^stepping motor 80, and a clutch a~m 80B en~ages with the ,,rotational shaft 80A with predetermined frictio~. The ~,clutch arm 80B, together with a second gear 82 and a third ~ .,,,li ~15 gear 83, constitutes a one-way clutch. When th~ stepping .:, .
;,~;motor 80 is rotated in a direc~ion shown by the arrow C in ~Fig. 11, the friction between the rotational shaft 80A and . .;1 ~,the clutch arm 80B rotates the clutch arm 80B with the '.'~''~D second gear 82 in the directions shown by the arrow C to ...,~
~20 engage with the third gear 83. Rotation of the stepping ~"
motor 80 is thus transmitted to ~he third gear 83. Functions of the one-way clutch will be further described later.
Rotation of the third gear 83 is then transmi~ted ~o a .... .
fi~th gear 85 an~ a sixth gear 86 via a fourth gear ~4 through repeated gear-down operation. A rotational shaft oE
the fifth gear 85 is connected to a ribbon winding core i~
i,~
:~ -29-.~ .

"~,.,.
!,",~
. ~
: '"i ~ 108332 driving shaft 74 to wind the ink ribbon R according to rotation of the stepping motor 80. A rim 74A actually driving the ribbon winding core 24 is attache~ to the ribbon winding core driving shaft 74 with a predetermined friction.
Under normal operating conditions, the rim 74A rotates with ~; the ribbon winding core driving shaft 74 rotated by the stepping motor 80. When the ribbon winding core 24 is made unrotatable, for example, due to completion of winding of the ink ribbon R, on the other hand, the rim 74A ~lips ~:~; 10 against rotation of the ribbon winding core driving shaft 74.
otation of the sixth gear 86 is further transmitted to ~ 5~:
a seventh gear 87 to rotate the platen driving shaft 72.
The platen dri~ing shaft 72 has a rim 72A which engages with 15 the lnner surface of the platen 12 to rotate the platen 12.
~;Rotation of the stepping motor 80 transmitted to the third gear 83 by means~ of the one-way clutch finally rotates the platen driving shaft 72 and the ribbon winding core driving shaft 74, accordingly. The tape T held between the platen rubber 14 on the~circwmference of the platen 12 and the head body~65 of the prin~ing head 60 is thus continuously fed with progress of;~printing, and the ink ribbon R is wound on the ribbon winding core 24 synchronously with ~eeding of the ~ tape T.
;~ 25~rrhe platen driving shaft 72 has, on an outer surface }~ ; thereof, three enga~ement projections 72B which are formed ,-~
:~
'`:

~s ~ 21~332 at the equal intervals to engage with the engagement grooves 12A formed on the inner sur~ace of the platen 12. The ribbon winding core driving shaft 74 also has three engagement projections 74B which are formed at the equal intervals on $~ 5 an outer surface thereof to engage with the engagement grooves 24B formed on the i~ler surface of the ribbon ,~ winding core 24. When the platen driving shaf-t 72 and the '",`s1 ribbon winding core driving shaft 74 are rotated at a predetermined rate by the stepping motor 80, the ta~e T and the ink ribbon R are respec~ively pulled by a predetermined i~ amount out of the tape core 20 and the ink ribbon core 22 to be overlapped with each other and go through the platen . rubber 14 and the printing head 60. In the meanwhile, power ."
supplied to the printing head 60 controls heating of the dot .; : 15 elements on the printing head 60 to melt ink of the ink ribbon R corresponding to the heated dot elements. The -.~, melted ink is then thermally transferred to the tape T to . ~A
-.: ~ complete printing on the tape T. After printing, the tape T
.; with the print is fed out from the tape cartri~ge 10 while r;~ 20 the ink ribbon R used or printing is wound on the rihbon ;
winding core 24.
The tape T conveyed with progress of printing is finally fed out of the tape outlet lOA disposed on the left ' side wall of the main body o~ the tape printing device 1.
~' The tape ~ with the pri~t is normally cu~ with a cutting mechanism (described later). There is, however, a possibility ~,:
~ -31-.:~

...
. 5 :.' `

1 ` 2~08332 .
that the user forcibly pulls out the tape T prior to cutting. Since the printing head 60 presses the tape T
against the platen rubber 14 o~ the platen 12 while the cover 50K is closed, the forcib:Le pull-out of the tape T

;~
makes the platen driving shaft '72 rotate. The gear-down operation and a certain amount of retaining tor~ue of the , j~
stepping motor 80, however, prevent rotation of the platen dri~ing shaft 72 and the ribbon winding core driving shaft 7~ in a con~entional driving mechanism. The forcible pull-out o~ the tape leads to unintentional pull-out of the ink ribbon R, accordingly. When the tape T is cut with the cutting mechanism under such circumstances, the ink ribbon R
is also cut undesirably. This makes the tape cartridge 10 unusable any more.
In the embodiment, the one-way clutch including the clu~ch arm 80B, the second gear 82, and the third gear 83 solves such a problem. When the user forcibly pulls out the tape T, the platen dri~ing shaft 72 rotates with the platen 12 in the structure of the embodiment. Rotation of the .~
platen driving sha~t 72 is transmitted to the third gear 83 via the gear train to rotate the third gear 83 clockwise.
~'.,"1 Rotation of the third gear 83 makes the second gear 82 rotate. However, since the rotatisnal shaft 80A of the stepping motor 80 is not rotated, a rotational force oE the ~hird gear 83 presses the clutch arm 80B supporting the ~, second gear 82 to release engagement of the third gear 83 c,.~

~ -32-~.~ i', -` ~10~332 with the second gear 82. This re~ults in separati~g the third through seventh gears 83 ~hrough 87 from the stepping motor 80 to allow ~he ribbon winding core driving sha~t 74 to rotate with rotation of the platen driving shaft 72 due to pull-out movement of the tape T. The rotation of the ribbon winding core driving shaft 74 makes the ink rib~on R
wound on the ribbon winding core 24 with pull-out of the tape T, thus effectively preventing unintentional pull-out of the ink ribbon R with the tape T. When the stepping ~l 10 motor 80 starts rotating, the clutch arm 80B is shifted again towards the third gear 83 to engage the second gear ~2 with the third gear 83. Since a free end of the clutch arm 80B is fitted in an opening 80C formed on a base 61 as shown in Fig. 11, the movement of the clutch arm 80B iS defined in a relatively small range. l~is moving range is, however, sufficient to make the clutch arm 80B function as the one-way clutch.
The tape T with the print fed leftward out of the tape cartridge 10 is readily cut with the cutting mechanism, which is shown in detail in Figs. 10 and 13. Fig. 13 is a cross sectional view mainly showing the cut~ing mechanism, taken on the line XIII-XIII of Fig. 10. A cutter support shaft 92 protruded from a bottom face of the tape cartridge 3;.
,r^j holder unit 50A holds a substantially L-shaped, pivo~ably movable tape cutter 90 and a spring ~4. A resilient force ~: of the spring 94 keeps the tape cutter 90 under such a ~S
-!3 i".~
~ -33-. :~

,,:,~1 .,;,,~

.'.' :'i~

`"2~08332 :~ condition that a clockwi~e rotational force is applied onto ~ the tape cutter 90 as shown by the solid line in FigO 13.
-~ With this clockwise rotational Eorce, a left end 90A of the tape cutter 90 presses a cutter button 96 upward. The left . ,, S end 90A of the tape cutter 90 is formed in a fork shape to receive a pin 96A mounted on a rear face of the cutter ;~ button 96. When the cutter button 96 is pressed downward, . the left end 90A of the tape outter 90 shifts downward, accordi~gly.
~ , !
loA right end 90B of the tape cutter 90 has a movable blade 98 for cutting the tape T, which is arranged at a predetermined angle apart from a ~ixed blade 91 attached to a side face of the tape cartridge holder unit 50A. A
shoul~er 93A of a tape support finger 93 (see Fig. 10) is in ~:15 contact with a rear face of the xight end 90B of the tape cutter 90. qhe tape support finger 93 is pressed against a ~x ~feeding path of the ~ape T by a spring 95 as shown in Fig.
10. When the tape cutter 90 rotates to shift the movable blade 98 t~wards the fixed blade 91, the ~ape support finger .. .":
i~:20 93 move~ towards the feeding path of the tape T. A fixed ~:wall 97 is disposed opposite to the tape support finger 93 , .,, ~
';i:across the feeding path of the tape T. The tape T is fixed ~-between the tape support finger 93 and the fixed wall 97 c,....
prior to cutting of the tape T by the mov~ble blade 98 and 2s the fixed blade 91. MovYment of the tape support finger 93 is detec~ed by a detection switch 99, which preven~s printiny :~
:'.'- 1 ~:, . ~
.:' .1 during the cutting operation of the tape T as de~cribed later.
,.3The ~ape T is ~ut ~y pressing the cutter button 96 downward a~ainst the resilient force of the spring 94.

When the cutter button 96 is pre~sed downward to rotate the tape cutter 90 counterclockwise (in Fig . 13 ), the movable ~-3 .. `, blade 98 fonmed on the right end 90B of the tape cutter 90 `.~also rotates counterclockwise. The tape support finger 93 .;~
and the fixed wall 97 securely hold the tape T therebetweQn, .~10 and the movable blade 98 is gradually overlapped with the .~
ixed blade 91 to cut the tape T.

Details of the input unit 50C, the display unit 50D, " .
and the printer unit 50B incorporated in the tape printing de~ice 1 are described below after brief description of an electrical structure of the various units including the control circuit unit 50F. The control circuit unit 50F
constituted as a printed circuit board is installed with the ~, printer unit 50B immediately below the cover 50K. Fig. 1~

i8 a block diagram schematically ~howing the general electric :::
structure of the various units. The control circuit unit 50F of the tape printing device 1 includes a one-chip :: .
microcomputer 110 (hereinafter referred to as CPU) havlng a ROM, a RAM, and input and output ports integrally incorporated therein, a mask ROM 118, and a variety of circuits functioning 2s as lnterface~ between the CPU 110 and the lnput unl~ 50C, the di~play unit 50D, and the printer unit 50B~ The CPU 110 ~"1 ~,' ~ " 2~332 connects with the in~ut unit 50C, the display unit 50D, and ~he printer unit 50B directly or the inter~ace circuits to ;~ control these units.
The input unit 50C has forty-eight character keys and 5 fifteen functions keys, sixty-three keys in total, as ~hown in Fig. 15. The character keys form a so-called ~ull-key structure according to a JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) arrangement. ~ike a conventional word processor, the input unit 50C has a commonly known shift key to avoid undesirahle 10 increa~e in the number oE keys. The functions keys enhance Jthe ability o~ the tape printing device 1 by realizing quick execution of various functions for character input, editing, and printing.
These character keys and the function keys are 15 allocated to an 8x8 matrix. As shown in Fig. lf~ ~ six~een input ports PAl through PA8 and PCl through PC8 of the CPU
110 are divided into groups, and the sixty-three keys of the ~input unit 50C are arranged at the respective intersections 7of the input ports. The power switch 50J is formed 20 independently of the matrix keys and connects with a non-maskable interrupt NMI of the CPU 110. When the power switch 50J is operated, the CPU 110 starts non-maskable interruption to 8upply or shut off the power.
A~ output from an opening/closing de~ection swi~ch 55 25 for detecting opening and closing of the cover 50K is input to a port PB5, so tha~ the CP~ 110 interrupts to monitor the ., ;1 1~ -3~-..
, ., 2 ~ 8 ~ 3 2 opening and closing conditions of the cover 50K. The ! ~
opening/closing detection switch 55 detects the movement of ~j the cover 50K according to a movement of an opening/closing :..
~; detection switch engagement projection 55L (see Fig. 12) ~;
disposed on an end of the cover 50K~ When the opening/closiny detection switch 55 detects opening of the cover 50K while the printing head 60 is driven, the CPU 110 displays a ':'. !
~ predetermined error command on a main display element 50Da ,:j (see Fig. 16) of the display unit 50D and cuts the power supply to the prin~er unit 50B.

Ports PH, PM, and PL of the CPU 110 are connected with -~ a head rank detection element 112 which adjusts a varied ,~ resistance of the printing head 60 by means oE a software.
~;i!
The resistance of the printing head 60 significantly varies according to the manufacture process, which changes a power-.;ii supply time re~uired for printing of a predetermined density.

The head rar~ detection el~ment 112 measures the resistance ,,~,;~
of the printing head 60 to determine a rank of the printing head 60 and set three jumper elements 112A, 112B, and 112C
of the head ra~k detection element 112 based on the measurement ~-, results. The CPU 110 then reads the conditions of the head ! rank de~ection element 112 to corrsct a driving time or heating amount of the printing head 60, thus efEectively preventing the varied density of printing.
Since the printer unit 50B im~lemen~s thermal ~rans~er printing, tha density of printing varies with a temperature 2'' ,''i `.' .`~'`~, !
. .
,~ `, ` ` ``` 2~0~3~
and a driving voltage as well as the power-supply time of the thermal printing head 60. A ternperature detection ; .
circuit 60A and a voltage detection circuit 60B respectively detect the temperature and the driving voltage. These circuits 60A and 60B are integrally incorporated in the printing head 60 and connect with two-channel analog-digital con~ersion input ports ADl and AD2 oE the CPU 110. The CPU
110 reads voltages input and converted to digital signals ~ through the input ports ~Dl and AD2 to correct the power-supply ,1 10 time of the printing head 60.
A discriminating switch 102 disposed on a right lower ,- corner of the tape cartridge holder unit 50A (see Fig. 10~
., is connected with ports PBl through PB3 of the CPU 110. The :~1 discriminating switch 102 includes three cartridge ,: 15 discriminating swi~ch elements 102A, 102B, and 102C
respec~ively inserted into the three detection holes 13Ka, 18Kb, and 18Kc fonmed on the tape cartridge 10. Pro~ections of the cartridge discriminating switch elements 102A, 102B, and 102C are designed according to the depths of the ~ 20 detection holes 18K formed on the bottom wall 18 of the ~ape "r, cartridge 10. When the cartridge discriminatin~ switch el~ment 102 i~ inserted in a shallow detection hole 18K, ~he cartridge discrimina~ing switch element 102 is in contac~
' with and pressed by the detec~ion hole 18K to be turned ON.
.; 2~ When the cartridge discriminating switch element 102 is inser~ed in a deep de~ection hole 18K, on the o~her hand, , ,j , ~ -38-.~

., 210~332 the cartridgfff discriminatincg switch element 102 is loosely fitted in the detection hole l,'ffK to be kept OFF. The CPU
i, 110 determines the type of the tape cartri~ge 10 set in the .~ tape cartridge holder unit 50A, that is, the width of the :, 5 tap~ T accommodated in the tape cartridge 10 according to conditions of the three cartridge discriminating switch elements 102A, 102B, and 102C of the discriminating switch 102. Tape width information representing the width of the tape T is used for determining a printed character size and ~:' 10 controlling the printer unit 50B (described later).
.~.' A port PB7 of the CPU 110 receives a signal from a ,:' 3 contact of the plug 50N. ~hile the plug 50N receives direct ,,' current from an ~ff'_' af~apter 113 through insertion of a jack 115, power supply from a battery BT to a power unit 11~", is cu~ b~ means of a braking contact to avoid power consumption ~:; of the battery BT. In the meantime, a signal output from ~,~ the contact on the plug 50N is input to the port PB7 of the . ., :' CPU 110. The CPU 110 reads the signal to determine whether ~.~ power is ~fupplied from the AC adapter 113 or the battery BT
~i, 20 and execute ref~uirfrfd controls. In the fi~mbodiment, when .,, ~ power is supplied from the AC adapter 113, a printing speed ,fj o~ the printer unit 50B i8 set at a maximum value. When power is supplied from the battery BT, on the other hand, the printing speed of the printer unit SOB iS slowed down ~o 25 reduce an electric current peak supplied ~o the printi~g i1~
- head 60 and save power of the bat~ery sT.
., ~-i ,~, ` - 21~833~
~;~
The twenty four mega-bit ma~k ROM 11~ connected to an address bus and data bus of the CPU 110 stores four ``! different fonts of 16x16 dots, 24x24 dots, 32x32 dots, and .
~8x48 dots. The mask ROM 118 stores alphabetical types such as elite, pica, and courier as well as Chinese characters and other specific characters and symbols required in the respective countries. A 24 bit address bus AD, an 8 bit ~, data bus DA, a chip selecting siqnal CS, an output enabling signal OE of the mask ROM lle are co~nected with ports PD0 ~}~ 10 through PD33 of the CPU 110. These signals are also input r I
to an external input/output connector 50Ea to allow the ~ .
extension unit 50E attached to the external input/output connector 50Ea to be accessible in a similar manner to the ~; mask ROM 1180 The extension unit 50E directly co~nectable with the control circuit unit 50F receives a ROM pack or RAM pack optionally supplied a~ an external memory element. The ~,~
control circuit uni~ 50F is electrically connected with the external input/output connector 50~a through insertion of the ~OM pack or RAM pack into a slot of the extension unit ~ '.!, ~
50~, so that information is transmittable between the CPU

110 and the ~OM pack or RAM pack. The ROM pack inserted in ~he extension unit 50E may s~ore specific characters and , ,, ~ symbols for drawings, m~ps, chemi~try, and mathematics as . ~., .

well as linguiistic fonts other than English or Japanese, and character fonts such as Gothic and hand-writing type faces ;~

-, i -40-:, .~i .~
: i 21 0~332 .
so as to allow edi.ting of a desirable series of characters.
;The battery backed-up RAM pack which information is freely Iwritten in may alternatively be inserted in the extension Ullit 50E. The RAM pack stores a greater amount of information ::'5 than a memory capacity of an internal RAM area o~ the tape printing device to create a library of printing characters or to be used for information exchange with another tape printing device 1.

Character dot data read out of the mask ROM 118 or the 10extension unit 50E are input to an LCD controller 116A of a display control circuit 116 as well as the CPU 110.
,~, .~ The display unit 50D controlled by the CPU 110 via the ."
~ display control circuit 116 is laid under a transparent .~
portion of the cover 50K. The user can thus see the display unit 50D through the cover 50K. The display unit 50D has ,`:
.. j two different electrode patterns on a li~uid-crystal panel;

-~that is, a dot matrix pattern of 32(height~ x 96(width) dots ~4and twenty eight pentagonal electrode patterns surrounding ~the ~ot matrix pattern, as shown in Fig. 160 An area of the `'20 dot matrix pattern is designated as a main display element 50Da for displaying a printing image while an area of the pentagonal electrode patterns is referre~ to as an indicator element 50D~.

The main display element 50Da is a liguid crystal ~isplay panel allowing a display of 32 dots in height x 96 ~;
.,dot~ in width. In the embodimen~, since a character font of `' ,~
~ 41-,,~ j ---` 2~0~332 ', 16 dots in height x 16 dots in wi~th is used for character,~
~, input and editing, a display on the main display element ,,~
50Da includes six characters x two lines. Alternatively, the main display element 50~a may include four lines of letters when only an alphabetical font is use~. Each character is shown as a positive displa~, a negative display, , or a flickering display according to the editing process.
The display on the dot-matrix main display element 50Da ~ is controlled according to the requirement. For example, a ?: 10 layout of a printing image may be displ~yed after a certain '2, key input operation. When the user instructs display of a layout, as shown in Fig. 17, a tape width is shown as a negative display and a series of printing characters are displayed in white, where each dot of the main display ~;15 element 50Da corresponds to 4x4 dots in printing. A whole length of the tape is displayed numerically as supplem~ntary ~1 information of the printing image. When the layout of the printing image is larger than the area of the main display ~'ielement 50Da, the whole layout may be o~served and checked through vertical or horizontal scroll with cursor keys operation.

~i~The indicator element 50Db surroundin~ the main display :,., element 50Da displays a variety of functions executed by the tape printing device 1. Display elements t each corresponding ~!25 to a p~n~agonal electrode pattern of the indicator element ,:
~;50Db represent a variety of functions and conditions printed . :":, .

~ -42-i ~
;a ` 2 1(1!8332 around the pentagonal pat~ern~ oE the display unit SOD.
These functions and conditions include a character input mode such as ~romaji' (Japanese in Roman charac~ers) or ^1 ~small letter', a printing and editing style such as 'line number' and 'keyline boxl, and a print format like justification' or 'left-weight'. When a function or a .~
condition is executed or selected, the ~isplay element corresponding to the function or condition lights up to inform the user.

~i lo The printer unit 50B o~ the tape printing device 1 , ~., includee the printing head 60 and ~h~ stepping motor 80 as mechanical constituents, and a printer controller 120 for controlling the mechanical constituents and a motor driver 122 as electrical constituents. The printing head 60 is a thermal head having ninety-six heating points arranged in a i colum~ at a pitch of 1/180 inch, and internally provided ,- with the temperature detection circuit 60A for detecting the ~-~ tempera~ure and the voltage detection circuit 6CB for detecting the supply voltage as described previously. The st~pping ~, 20 motor 80 regulates a rotational angle by controlling a phase , --,~ of a ~our-phase driving signal. A tape feeding amount of ;~;
each step by the stepping motor 80 is set equal to 1/360 inch according to the structure of the gear train ~unctioning ;~, as a reduction gear mechanism. The stepping motor 80 ~, 25 receive~ a two-step rotation signal synchronously with each ~.~.,~
~ dot printing executed by the printing head 60. The print~r ,.,~

~ -43-2~L~8332 unit 50B therehy has a printing pitch oE 180 ~ots/inch in the ].ongitudinal direction of the tape as well as the direction of the tape width.
A detection switch 99 for detecting operation of the cutting mechanism is connected to a common line of connecting signal lines between the printer controller 120, the motor ~river 122, and the CPU 110 as shown in Fig. 14. When the cutting mechanism is driven durin~ printing operation, the ~ detection switch 99 detec~s operation o~ the cutting mechanism 'is, 10 and inactivates the printer unit 50B. Since signals are ~ continuously sent from the CPU 110 to the printer controller 120 and the motor driver 122, printing may, however, be continued after the user interrupts to use ~he cutting ,:, . mechanism .

.~. 15Actuation of the cut~ing mechanism during a printing -~ process interferes with normal feeding of the tape T . The detection switch 99 of the embodiment is thus direc~ly connected with the common line of the motor driver 122 to .1 forcibly cut the power off so as to immediately stop the ,t, 20 printing process or more specifically the tape feeding. In i '~ an alternative structure, an output of the detection switch ,~
99 may be input to the CPU 110, and the printer unit 50B is inactivated according to a software as i~ the case of untimely opening of ~he cover 50K. The detection switch 99 may be replaced by a mechanical structure which presses the clutch anm 80B according to the movement of the movable ..~

:; .

~:

~8332 ~`~blade ga to pr~ven~ rotation of the stepping motor 80 from ~ .~
being transmitted to the platen driving shaft 72.

~SlThe tape printing device 1 is further provide~ with a power unit 114, which receives a stable back-up or logic circuit 5V power from the battery BT by an RCC method using ~,an IC and a transformer. The CE'U 110 includes a port PB4 ,~for regulating the ~oltage.

~-Under such a condition that the tape cartridge 10 thus i . ..
constructed i~ not set in the tape ~rinting device 1, the ~o tape core 20 i3 pressed against the bottom wall 18 via a washer 23 (see Fig. 3) to be not rotatable. Non-rotatable structure of the tape core 20 effectively prevents looseness .:
;or slack of the tape T. The ~air of circular films 20A
adhering to the upper and lower sides of the tape core 20 `~~5 have adhesive layers facing the tape T. Upper and lower sides of the tape T are thereby securely stuck to the films . "
- 2OA.

':As described above, the platen 12 is mo~ably fitted in ~the elliptic apertures 16A and 18A of the top wall 16 and .~
the bottom wall 18. When the user tries to press back the tape T pulled ou~side ~he tape car~ridge 10 into the tape car~ridge 10, ~he platen 12 moves towards the tape guide pin 26 to clamp the tape T between the platen 12 and ~he tape guide pin 26 (see Fig. 3). This interferes with a further ,,~ "-, movement of the tape T and effecti~ely prevents the tape T
from being forcibly pressed inside the ta~e cartridge 10.

~,'l ,~, r~

The guide element lO~ arranged near the tape outlet lOA of ~'l the tape cartridge lO ensures smooth Eeeding of the tape T
`l held between the printing head 60 and the platen l2 even i~ when a lon~itudinal end o~ the tape T erlters a little inside s the tape outlet lOA.

When the user tries to use the tape cutter 90 during ~, printing operation, the detection switch 99 detects the ~' movement of the tape cutter 90 ]before cutting the tape to ; stop rotation of the stepping motor 80 and power supply to the head body 65 immediately. The tape cutter 90 is thereby ., i not used during feed of the tape T for printing. This ef~ectively prevents the tape T Erom beiny stuck in the tape , cartridge lO, thus improving usability of the tape printing . .i .
device 1 and reducing labor required ~ior maintenance.

`~ 15 In this embodiment, the washer 23 presses the tape core 20 against the bottom wall l~ to preven~ rotation of the - tape core 20. Another structure may, however, be applied to ~ prevent rotation of the tape core 20. For ex~mple, as shown I
`~ in FigO 17, the f ilm 20A adhering to the upper end of the ,','Jj ~ 20 tape core 20 has a plurality of clicks 20C, which engage with a plurality of projections 16D formed on an inner face :i ., of the top wall 16 of the tape cartridge lO only when the '~tape core 20 rotates in such a direction as to normally feed the tape T. ~his structure also effec~ively prevents the tape core 20 from being rotated in a wrong direction to loose the tape T. Such a click element or another anti-rotation ~, .;

;1 ~108332 ~tructure may be Eormed on the lower enc~ of the tape core 20 instead of the upper end shown in Fig~ 17.

The tape cartridge 10 may accommo~a~e a folded long .
tape T in place of the tape T wound on the tape core 20 as ` 5 described above.
-/ Under such a condition that the tape cartridge 10 is not set in the tape printing device 1, the first engagement i elements 22A of the ink ribbon core 22 engage with the ~irst - engagement piece 18D formed on the bottom wall 18 of the tape cartridge 10 to prevent rotation of the ink ribbon core 22 (see Figs. 3 and 4). In the same manner, the second engagement elements 24A of the ribbon winding core 24 enga~e ., with the ~econd engagement piece 18H formed on the bottom wall 18 to prevent rotation of the ribbon winding core 24.
This structure efficiently prevents slack of the ink ribbon R during delivery o~ the tape cartridge 10 without any protective i3heet or el~ment or any special casing for the . tape cartridge 10. No use o~ protective elements makes the tape cartridge 10 free from faults or troubles due to non-removal of these elements. Engagement of the fir~t engagement elements 22A with the first engagement piece 18D
~' and that of ~he second engagement elements 24A with the second engagement piece 18X are automatically released by functions o~ the cone-shaped contac~ projectioni 70A and 70B
2~ (see Fig. 4~ when the ~ape cartridge 10 is ~et in thQ tape printing dQvice 1.

,l - d 7 -, i '-1 : i ~

~.` ` 2 ~ 3 2 ,:, Each edg~ of the first engagement piece 18D and the second engagement piece 18H obliquely faces the first engagement elements 22A and the second engagement elemen~s 24A to allow . rotation of the ink ribbon R in a normal direction, that is, a direction not to slacken the ink ribbon R, while the tape ~ cartridge 10 is not set in the ta~e printing device 1. Even `~' when engagement of the first engagement elements 22~ with the first engagement piece 18~ or that of the second engagement elements 24A with the second engagement piece 18D
./ 10 is not completely released due to a worn-out or broken :!
:'~ contact projection 7OA or 7OB or inappropriate setting of :~ .
~i the tape cartridge 10 in the tape printing device 1, winding . .
1, of the ink ribbon R for printing is normally implemented `i according to the above structure.
:"~
;-~ 15 When the tape cartridge 10 once u~ed for printing is detached from the tape cartridge holder unit 50A, the first engagemen~ piece 18D and the second engagement piece 18H
;~. respec~ively re-engage with the first engagement elements 22A of the ink ribbon core 22 and the second engagement elements 24A of the ribbon winding core 24 to prevent ~; rotation of ~he ink ribbon core 22 and the ribbon winding core 24, thus preventing undesirable slack o~ the ink ribbon ~, R. Since a tape cartridge 10 which has been used for printing ~ut is still u~able is often removed from the tape printing device 1 to be replaced with another ~ape cartridge ,.,:
~, ; having a different tape width, this an~i-slack structure of .-., `?
. .~

~ :~,'"3 ~

-^-- 2 lO~332 the ink ribbon core 22 and the ribbon windiny core 2~ is siynificantly useEul.
As described previously, each edge of the first engagement piece 18D and the second engagement piece 18~
obliquely faces the first engageInent elements 22A and the second engagement elem~nts 24A to allow rotation of the ink ribbon coxe 22 and the ribbon winding core 24 in such a .~ direction as to reduce slack of the ink ribbon R even after the tape cartridge 10 is detached from the tape cartridge holder unit 50~. This allows the user to rotate the ribbon winding core 24 with a screwdriver to remove slack of the ; ink ribbon R.
; In the tape printing device 1 of the embodiment, when J ~ the user forcibly pulls out the tape T, the clutch arm 80B
rotates counterclockwise in the drawing of Fig. 11 to relea~e an engagement of the second gear ~2 with the third ~3~ gear 83. This makes the platen 12 free ~rom the force of the ~tepping motor 80. The platen driving shaft 72 of the platen 12 and the ribbon winding core drivin~ shaft 74 of the ribbon winding core 24 thus rotate according to pull-out movement of the tape T so as to prevent the ink ribbon R
from being slackened or pulled out of ~he tape cartridge 10 ,~ due to forcible movement of the tape T.
~: ~lthough the tape cartridge 10 of the embodiment accommodates both the ink ribbon R and the tape T, a tape cartridge accommoda~ing only ~he tape T and a~ ink ribbon ,.~

~ -4g ;:~

` 2~8332 cartridge acco~nodating only the ink ribbon R n~y be manufactured separately.
The structure of the invention is applicable to a wi~e range of printing devices with ink ribbon, for example, to an ink ribbon cartridge accommodating a thermal transfer ink ribbon and a word processor using the ink ribbon cartridge, or to a dot-impact printer and an ink ribbon used therein.
A second embodiment of the invention is de~cribed hereina~ter. A cartridge 210 of the second embodiment is , schematically illustrated in Figs. 18 through 21. l`hii cartridge 210 is detachably set in the printing device 1 of , the fir~t embodiment.
As shown in Figs. 18 through 21, the cartxidge 210 has .j a cartridge case 2Ql consisting of an upper case 201a and a lower case 201b, which receives a variety of elements including a tape core 202 and an ink ribbon core 207 therein~ Ihe tape core 202 has a tape 203 wound thereon and is set around a projection 201c in the lower caBe 201b.
A bearing hole 202b o~ the tape core 202 receives an 20 anti-inversion spring 20~, which has one and 204a ex~ending to be fitted in a slit 201d of ~he projection 201c of the ~ lower case 201b. The cartridge 210 further accommodates a ,f,'~ platen 205 receiving a driving force of a printing device ~ (not shown) to feed the tape 203 out and receiving a ,,~
-~ 25 pres~ure of a printing head (not shown) during printing operation, and a ribbon winding core 207 for winding an ink : i.
. -50-i~

.3 ~ .

2:10~3~2 ribbon 206 used for printing. I~e cartridge 210 i~ mounted on a cartridge holder unit 208 of a printin~ device or a tape writer (not shown). The position of the cartridge 210 is determined by the projection 201c of the lower case 201b and a positioning projection 208a formed on the cartridge holder unit 208.
The cartri~ge 210 of the second emkodiment has a structure below for preventing a longitudinal end of the tape 203 from being reversely moved back into the cartridge `` 1o case 201. A~ clearly seen in Fig. 21, the ~ape core 202 has a ratchet groove 202a around th~ bearing hole 202b. The one ~i,' end 204a of the anti-inversion epring 204 engages with the ~, ratchet groove 202a to interfexe with rotation of the tape core 202 in a direction shown by the arrow B. The ratchet ~ 15 groove 202a has a plurality of teeth formed in one direction ¦ as shown in Fig. 21 allows the tape core 202 to press up the ¦~ spring 204a and freely rotate in a direction shown by the arrow A. This ratchet mechanism of the tape core 202 engaging with the one end 204a of the anti-inversion spring 204 allows rotation of ~he tape core 202 only in the direction A, thus preventing the end of the ~ape 203 from being reversely moved back into the cartridge case 201.
~i Engagement of the one end 204a of the anti-inversion spring 204 with the slit 201d of the projection 201c formed in the lower case 201b of ~he cartridge 210 effec~ively prevents -`~ the anti-inversion spring 20~, from rota~ing integrally with`.~

~ -51-, . . ~
`'l ....

--" 2~8~32 the tape core 202.
The cartridge 210 of the second embodiment further includes a supplementary structure to ensure anti-inversion of the tape core 202.
The cartridge holder unit 208 has ~he positioning i projection 208a as clearly seen in Figs. 18 and 19. When the cartridge 210 i5 set on the cartridge holder unit 208, the positioning projection 208a functions ~o lift the anti-inversion spring 204 up and release the engagement of the one end 204a of the anti-inversion spring 204 with ~he ratchet groove 202a, thus allowing free rotation of the tape core 202. Undesirable reverse movement of the tape 203 occurs when the cartridge 210 is not se~ in a tape printiny device 200, for example, during delivery or accidental fall ~; 15 of the cartridge 210. Release of the engagement of the spring 204 with the ratchet groove 202a in the cartridge 210 set on ~he cartridge holder unit 208 pre erably decreases a force reguired for tape feeding and reduces a torgue load ~; applied on a platen driving motor (not shown).
~3~ 20 Although a coiled spring is used as ~he anti-inversion spring 204 in the second embodiment, another spring such as a leaf spring or ano~her element having similar e$fects may . be used instead of the coiled spring.
.~ , ~ A third embodiment of the invention is described .. .
-,25 according to E'ig. 22. The structure of the third embodiment ~includes a plurality of clutch membexs 269 formed be~ween a . ~

~¦ -52-tape core 262 and a tape core guida face of an upright sha~t member 261 fonmed on a cartridge case. An upright ~haft i `. member 261 has three grooves 261a forme~ on an outer face of the shaft member 261 and extending along the sha~t member 261. When the tape core 262 is set around the shaft member 261, the three clutch members 269 are located in spaces defined by the three grooves 261a and an inner surface o~
the tape core 262. The space formed by each groove 261a of the shaft member 261 has a wedge-like shape in a circumferential ,:
direction of the tape core 262 as clearly seen in Fig. 22.
When the tape core 262 is rotated in a direction shown by the arrow A, the clutch members 269 do not enter the wedge-æhaped spaces to allow free rotation of the ~ape core 262. When the tape core 262 is rotated in a direction shown by the arr~w B, on the other hand, the clutch membPrs 269 ~;~ are fitted in the wedge-shaped spaces to interfere with rota~ion of the tape core 262.
A fourth embodiment of the invention is described according to Fig. 23. The structure of the fo~rth e~bodiment includes another clutch mechanism for allowing rotation of a ~: tape core 272 only in one direction, As shown in Fig. 23, ,. ...
~1~ the tape core 272 having a coil ~ipring 279 therein is s~t :.i around an upright shaft 271 formed in a cartridge case. One ,~ Pnd 279a of the coil spring 279 engages with a groove 272a ~ 2s of the tape core 272. Tha coil sprin~ 279 has an inner .,, ;i diameter a little ~reatar than an outer diameter of the `., 1., `.,.
. .

~"1 ,.;
",!j ':':'1 ~` ` 2:~08~32 shaft 271 and is thereby set aroun~ the shaft 271 with a predetenmined clearance. When the tape core 272 is rotated in a direction shown by the arrow A, the inner diameter of the coil spring 279 is expanded to allow free rotation of the tape core 272. When the tape core 272 is rotated in an opposite direction, on the other hand, the inner diameter of the coil spring 279 is contracted to clamp the shaft 271 so ~., ,i as to interfere with rotation of t:he tape core 272.

A fifth embodiment of the invention is described accoxding to Fig. 24. The structure of the fifth embodiment includes a pair of locking pawls 281a fonmed on a bottom ~r; surface of a cartridge case 281 to engage with a pair of ., .
grooves 282a of a tape core 282. Ei~her or both of the locking pawls 281a and the grooves 282a have surfaces inclined in a predetenmined direction to ~orm a ratchet mechanism allowing rotation of the tape core 282 only in one direction. In the example of Fig. 24, each locking pawl 281a has an inclined surface.
i~3~ The structure of the tape cartridge in each of the above embodi~ents effectively prevents a tape from being reversely mo~ed back into a cartridge case. This allows simple handling and storage of the tape cartridge which is detachably set in a printing device.
There may be many other changes, modifications, and alterations without depanting from the scope or spirit of essential characteristics of the invention, and it is thereby ., .
. -54-~i ,;,1 ~'~ 0833~
clearly understood that the above embodiments are only illustrative and not restrictive in any sense. The spirit and scope of the present invention is only limited by the ~! terms of the appended claims.

.. i .

'J~

,t~, ~ .
.1~ .

~ -55-~, .lj

Claims (23)

1. A tape cartridge comprising a cartridge case for accommodating a long printing tape used for printing in a printing device, said long printing tape being fed out of said cartridge case in response to operation of said printing device, said tape cartridge further comprising means for preventing an end of said printing tape from being reversely moved back into said cartridge case.

2. A tape cartridge in accordance with claim 1, said tape cartridge further comprising a tape core on which said long printing tape is wound, wherein said tape core comprises, as said prevention means, an anti-inversion mechanism for preventing rotation of said tape core in a reverse direction opposite to a feeding direction of said long printing tape for printing.

3. A tape cartridge in accordance with claim 1, said tape cartridge further comprising a tape core on which said long printing tape is wound, said tape core having a flange element with an adhesive inner surface to be in contact with at least one of upper and lower sides of said long printing tape.

4. A tape cartridge in accordance with claim 2, wherein said tape core has a flange element to be in contact with at least one of upper and lower sides of said long printing tape, and said anti-inversion mechanism comprises an engaging element uprightly formed on an outer face of said flange element of said tape core and an engagement element formed on said cartridge case to be located opposite to said engaging element of said tape core.

5. A tape cartridge in accordance with claim 2, wherein said anti-inversion mechanism comprises an engagement member mounted on said cartridge case and an engaging element formed on said tape core to be located opposite to said engagement member of said cartridge case.

6. A tape cartridge in accordance with claim 5, wherein engagement of said engagement member of said cartridge case with said engaging element of said tape core in said anti-inversion mechanism is released when said tape cartridge is set in said printing device.

7. A tape cartridge in accordance with claim 2, wherein said anti-inversion mechanism allows rotation of said tape core in a normal direction identical with said feeding direction of said long printing tape for printing.

8. A tape cartridge in accordance with claim 2, wherein said anti-inversion mechanism comprises a clutch member formed between opposing faces of said tape core and said cartridge case, said clutch member having a wedge-like function to prevent rotation of said tape core in said reverse direction but allow free rotation of said tape core in a normal direction identical with said feeding direction of said printing tape.

9. A tape cartridge in accordance with claim 2, wherein said anti-inversion mechanism comprises a coil spring having one end supported at a predetermined position of said tape core and a coil element engaging with said cartridge case via a predetermined clearance.

10. A tape cartridge in accordance with claim 2, wherein said anti-inversion mechanism comprises a locking pawl formed on said cartridge case, and a groove formed on said tape core to engage with said locking pawl.

11. A tape cartridge comprising a cartridge case for accommodating a long printing tape used for printing in a printing device, said long printing tape being held between a printing head and a platen and fed out of said cartridge case, said tape cartridge further comprising means for preventing an end of said long tape from being reversely moved back into said cartridge case.

12. A tape cartridge in accordance with claim 11, wherein said platen holding said printing tape in cooperation with said printing head is installed in said cartridge case, said cartridge case having a substantially elliptic aperture for movably receiving a shaft of said platen, and a fixed wall, formed in a moving direction of said platen movably fitted in said aperture, for holding said printing tape between said platen and said fixed wall, a longitudinal axis of said elliptic aperture being located across a feeding direction of said printing tape.

13. A tape cartridge in accordance with claim 12, wherein said cartridge case comprises a predetermined length of a guide element arranged near an outlet of said printing tape formed on said cartridge case and along a feeding path of said printing tape.

14. A cartridge comprising a cartridge case for accommodating a long printing tape and a long ink ribbon used for printing on said printing tape in a printing device, said cartridge comprising a cylindrical ink ribbon core for holding said long ink ribbon thereon and a cylindrical ribbon winding core for holding a used ink ribbon wound thereon after printing in said printing device, said cartridge being detachably set in said printing device:
wherein said ink ribbon core comprises an engaging element on a portion exposed under such a condition that said ink ribbon is wound on said ink ribbon core; and said cartridge case rotatably supporting said ink ribbon core comprises an engagement piece to engage with said engaging element of said ink ribbon core to prevent rotation of said ink ribbon core.

15. A cartridge in accordance with claim 14, wherein said engagement piece forms a predetermined small clearance on a bottom wall of said cartridge case and comprises a tongue element, at least one end of said tongue element being movable by elasticity of said bottom wall of said cartridge case.

16. A cartridge in accordance with claim 14, wherein said ribbon winding core comprises a second engaging element, and said cartridge case comprises a second engagement piece to engage with said second engaging element.

17. A cartridge in accordance with claim 16, wherein said second engagement piece engaging with said second engaging element formed on said ribbon winding core forms a predetermined small clearance on a bottom wall of said cartridge case and comprises a tongue element, at least an edge of said tongue element being movable by elasticity of said bottom wall of said cartridge case.

18. A printing device comprising a cartridge holder unit for detachably receiving a cartridge with a printing tape accommodated therein, said printing tape accommodated in said cartridge being fed with an ink ribbon for printing, said printing device comprising:
a platen driving shaft engaging with a platen mounted on said cartridge and rotating said platen to feed said printing tape according to rotation of said platen driving shaft;
a cutting mechanism for cutting said printing tape fed out of said cartridge according to said rotation of said platen driving shaft at a desirable position;
detection means for detecting a movement of said cutting mechanism during said rotation of said platen driving shaft; and stop means for interrupting said rotation of said platen driving shaft when said movement of said cutting mechanism is detected by said detection means.

19. A printing device in accordance with claim 18, wherein said cutting mechanism comprises a tape support member for holding said printing tape before operation of said cutting mechanism, and said detection means comprises a detection switch for detecting said movement of said cutting mechanism based on a movement of said tape support member.

20. A printing device comprising a cartridge holder unit for detachably receiving a cartridge accommodating a printing tape and an ink ribbon core with an ink ribbon wound thereon and fed out of said cartridge for printing;
wherein said ink ribbon core comprises an engaging element formed on a portion exposed under such a condition that said ink ribbon is wound on said ink ribbon core, and said cartridge comprises an engagement piece to engage with said engaging element of said ink ribbon core; and said cartridge holder unit of said printing device comprising an upright contact protection for being in contact with said engagement piece formed in said cartridge to move said engagement piece in a release direction for releasing said engagement of said engagement piece with said engaging element of said ink ribbon core when said cartridge is mounted on said cartridge holder unit.

21. A printing device comprising a cartridge holder unit for detachably receiving a cartridge accommodating a printing tape and a ribbon winding core with a used ink ribbon wound thereon after printing;
wherein said ribbon winding core comprises a second engaging element formed on a portion exposed under such a condition that said used ink ribbon is wound on said ribbon winding core, and said cartridge comprises a second engagement piece to engage with said second engaging element of said ribbon winding core; and said cartridge holder unit of said printing device comprising a second upright contact projection for being in contact with said second engagement piece formed in said cartridge to move said second engagement piece in a release direction for releasing said engagement of said second engagement piece with said second engaging element of said ribbon winding core when said cartridge is mounted on said cartridge holder unit.

22. A printing device comprising a cartridge holder unit for detachably receiving a cartridge accommodating a cylindrical ink ribbon core with a long ink ribbon wound thereon, a cylindrical ribbon winding core with said long ink ribbon wound thereon after being used for printing in said printing device, and a long printing tape on which a desirable series of characters are printed via an ink of said ink ribbon, said printing device comprising:

a printing head for adhesively holding said printing tape and said ink ribbon between a platen and said printing head;
driving means for feeding said printing tape and rotating said ribbon winding core synchronously with said feed of said printing tape; and ribbon winding core driving means for rotating said ribbon winding core according to a pull-out movement of said printing tape under non-printing conditions.

23. A printing device in accordance with claim 22, wherein said driving means further comprises:
a stepping motor functioning as a driving source;
a first transmission mechanism for transmitting rotation of said stepping motor to said platen; and a second transmission mechanism, diversified at a predetermined point from said first transmission mechanism, for transmitting said rotation of said stepping motor to said ribbon winding core;
and said ribbon winding core driving means comprising a one-way clutch arranged between said stepping motor and said predetermined point of said first transmission mechanism for interfering with transmission of rotation from said platen.