WO2003080350A1

WO2003080350A1 - Cassette

Info

Publication number: WO2003080350A1
Application number: PCT/JP2003/003767
Authority: WO
Inventors: Takashi Horiuchi; Yoshihito Nonomura; Tsutomu Kato; Toshio Takahashi
Original assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
Priority date: 2002-03-27
Filing date: 2003-03-26
Publication date: 2003-10-02
Also published as: AU2003227234A1; JP2003285522A

Abstract

A cassette formed so that a recording medium is discharged from an outlet (18) formed in a body frame through a specified carrying route in the assembly of the body frame and a cover frame, comprising the body frame (2) for storing the tape-like recording medium (4) and the cover frame (3) attachable to and detachable from the open surface of the body frame, the body frame further comprising a guide member (19) formed near the carrying route and wider than the width of the recording medium, wherein restricting pieces (50, 51) for laterally positioning the recording medium by the contact with the side edge of the recording medium are provided at the free end part of the guide member and near the base end part thereof, whereby the position of the tape-like recording medium extracted from the cassette can be prevented from varying in the lateral direction of the recording medium.

Description

Cassette technical field

The present invention relates to a cassette for holding a tape, and more particularly to a cassette that is mounted to supply a tape to an apparatus that prints on the tape. Background art

The applicant of the present application has previously disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. Hei 6-227073 and Hei 6-227101 a printing tape producing apparatus for producing labels and the like, and a printing tape producing apparatus for producing labels and the like. A cassette containing a printing tape to be used has been disclosed. The disclosed printing tape producing apparatus includes a cassette storage section in which a cassette storing a printing tape as a recording medium and an ink ribbon can be removably mounted. The cassette housing section is provided with a printing section provided with a thermal head, a roller-shaped platen which comes into contact with and separates from the printing section, a winding means for the ink ribbon, and the like. The printing tape making device prints an image such as a character string on the tape based on the previously input data while pulling out the printing tape from the cassette mounted in the cassette storage section, and then prints. The used tape is cut to a predetermined length. Disclosure of the invention

In the printing tape producing apparatus as described above, printing is performed on the printing tape near the opening of the cassette from which the printing tape is pulled out. For this reason, if the position of the printing tape pulled out from the cassette opening is shifted in the width direction of the printing tape, there is a problem that the position where characters and the like are printed on the printing tape also shifts. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a cassette or a casing for holding a tape so that the tape can be pulled out, and to provide a force set in which the position of the drawn tape is less likely to be shifted in the width direction of the tape.

In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a main body frame for accommodating a tape-shaped recording medium, and a cover frame detachable from an open surface of the main body frame. Further, there is provided a cassette configured to discharge the recording medium from a discharge port formed in the main body frame through a predetermined conveyance path in the assembly of the main body frame and the cover frame. In this cassette, the main body frame has a guide member wider than the width of the recording medium formed near the transport path. In the vicinity of the base end of the guide member that is connected to the main body frame and the free end opposite to the base end, there is a restriction for positioning the recording medium in the width direction by contacting the side edge of the recording medium. A piece is provided. Therefore, the position of the recording medium pulled out of the cassette does not shift in the width direction of the recording medium. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a casing for holding a roll of tape so that the tape can be pulled out. This casing includes a vertically long opening for drawing out the tape, a plate-like member arranged substantially in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the opening, and a longitudinally spaced distance from one surface of the plate-like member. And the first and second protrusions formed in the above. The tape is pulled out of the opening while being in contact with one surface of the plate member between the first and second protrusions. In the casing configured as described above, the position of the tape to be pulled out is limited to a certain range by the first and second protrusions, so that there is no large displacement in the longitudinal direction of the opening. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

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

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

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

FIG. 3A is a bottom view of the main body frame.

FIG. 3B is a top view of the cover frame.

FIG. 4A is a plan view of a cover frame that covers the nose portion.

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view along the line 1 ¥ ₁₎ -IV _b in FIG.

FIG. 5A is an enlarged view of a nose portion of the main body frame.

The 5B, 5 C and 5 D view, respectively, first line of Figure 5A V _b - is a sectional view of V _d, nose portion along the - V _b, the line V _c - V _c, and the line V _d.

FIG. 6A is an enlarged view of a nose portion where a guide member having a structure different from that of the guide member shown in FIG. 5A is formed.

The 6B, 6 C and 6 D view, respectively, sixth lines of A Figure VI _b - is a cross-sectional view of the nose portion 16 along the VI _d - VI _b, the line VI _C -VI _c, and line VI _d ₍ FIGS. 7A and 7B are views of the cassette as viewed from the direction indicated by arrows Va—Va in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 7C is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the cassette along the line VIIC-VIIC of FIG. 7B.

FIG. 7D is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the cassette of FIG. 7C along the line VIId—VIId.

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

9A and 9B are views showing the portal frame engaged with the arm portion. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a support base to which a cassette is attached for removing a cover frame from a main body frame.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating a method of removing a hook portion of an arm portion that is engaged with a second locking hole provided in a side wall of a main body frame. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, a force set for storing a printing tape (recording medium) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The cassette of the present embodiment accommodates a laminate type printing tape in which a mirror image of characters, symbols, etc. is printed on one side of a transparent printing tape, and then a double-sided adhesive tape is attached to the printed surface. It is a cassette.

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

As shown in FIG. 1, the cassette 1 has a main body frame 2 having an open upper surface, and a cover frame 3 having an open lower surface. The main body frame 2 and the cover frame 3 are manufactured by, for example, injection molding of a synthetic resin.

As shown in FIG. 2A, a printing tape 4, an ink tape 5, and a double-sided adhesive tape 6 are detachably accommodated in the main body frame 2. The printing tape 4 is housed in the main body frame 2 while being wound on a spool 4a. The ink tape 5 is a tape in which a thermal transfer ink is applied to a base tape. Yes, and is housed in the main body frame 2 while being wound on the spool 5a. The double-sided adhesive tape 6 has a release tape affixed to one side, and is housed in the main body frame 2 in a state of being wound on a spool 6a so that the release tape is positioned on the outer peripheral side.

As shown in FIG. 1, the main body frame 2 has a bottom plate 2a, and a side wall 2b formed integrally with the bottom plate 2a around the bottom plate 2a. The bottom plate 2a has shafts 7 and 8 for detachably and rotatably supporting the spool 4a of the printing tape 4, the spool 5a of the ink tape 5, and the spool 6a of the double-sided adhesive tape 6, respectively. 9 are formed.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the main body frame 2 is provided with a take-up spool 10 for taking up the used ink tape 5. The take-up spool 10 has upper and lower ends rotatably held in bearing holes 10 a and 10 b (see FIG. 1) formed in the main body frame 2 and the cover frame 3.

The print tape producing device (not shown) to which the cassette 1 is attached has an ink tape take-up mechanism (not shown) for rotating the take-up spool 10. The ink tape take-up mechanism has a drive shaft inserted into the take-up spool 10 and engaged with the take-up spool 10. The take-up spool 10 is driven to rotate by the drive shaft of the ink tape take-up mechanism, and takes up the used ink tape 5.

As shown in FIG. 2A, a partition wall 11 and a partition wall 12 are formed on the bottom plate 2 a of the main body frame 2. The partition wall 1 1 defines a space where the printing tape 4 wound on the spool 4 a is to be stored, and the partition wall 1 2 stores the double-sided adhesive tape 6 wound on the spool 6 a. It delimits the space to be done.

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

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

In the main body frame 2, the printing tape 4 is passed between the pair of sensor holding frames 13a and 13b, and is passed near the ink tape 5 wound around the spool 5a. It is passed through the nozzle 16 and drawn out through the outlet 18. A cylindrical guide 17 is provided in the middle of the path through which the printing tape 4 passes to guide the printing tape 4 so that the printing tape 4 does not contact the ink tape 5 wound around the spool 5a. .

A plate-like guide member 19 is provided in the tip part 16. The guide member 19 is provided in parallel with the side wall 2b of the main body frame, and the printing tape 4 is passed between the guide member 19 and the side wall 2b. On the other hand, the ink tape 5 wound on the spool 5a is passed through the rear side of the guide member 19, that is, after passing through the side opposite to the side through which the printing tape 4 is passed, and then the discharge port 18 Drawn from.

Printing tape 4 and ink tape drawn out from outlet 18 as described above 5 are nearly parallel and close to each other. However, inside the cassette 1, the guide member 19 is disposed between the path through which the printing tape 4 passes and the path through which the ink tape 5 passes, so that the vicinity of the discharge port 18 is provided. The printing tape 4 and the ink tape 5 do not overlap before reaching. For this reason, when the printing tape 4 and the ink tape 5 are inserted into the main body frame 2 or when two tapes are pulled out from the cassette 1 in the printing tape making device, the two tapes in the main body frame 2 are removed. There is no intertwining.

FIG. 5A is an enlarged view of the nose portion 16 of the main body frame 2. Also, fifth B, 5 C and 5 D view, respectively, a fifth line of A Figure V _b - V _b, the line V _c - V _c, and the line V _d - V _d nose portion 1 6 along, FIG.

The guide member 19 is a plate-like member as described above, and is formed integrally with the bottom plate 2a in the vicinity of the discharge port 18. The surface of the guide member 19 facing the printing tape 4 is substantially parallel to the side wall 2b, and is also substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the discharge port 18. In addition, a plurality of protrusions 50 are formed at the upper end of the above-mentioned surface of the guide member 19 along the transport direction of the printing tape 4 at intervals. Also, a plurality of protruding portions 51 are formed at the lower end of the above-mentioned surface of the guide portion 19 along the conveying direction of the printing tape at intervals. Hereinafter, the protrusion 50 provided at the upper end of the guide member is referred to as an upper regulating piece 50, and the protrusion 51 provided at the lower end is referred to as a lower regulating piece 51.

As shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, the plurality of upper regulating pieces 50 are printed from the plurality of lower regulating pieces 51 in the width direction of the printing tape 4 (in the longitudinal direction of the discharge port). It is formed at a position having an interval W1 substantially equal to the width of the application tape 4. The printing tape 4 passed through the nose portion 16 is disposed between the upper regulating piece 50 and the lower regulating piece 51. As a result, the position of the printing tape 4 is regulated by the upper regulating piece 50 and the lower regulating piece 51, and the printing tape pulled out from the discharge port 18. The position of the loop 4 does not shift in the width direction. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the guide member 19 is disposed near the outlet 19, displacement of the printing tape 4 drawn out from the outlet 18 in the width direction thereof is effectively prevented. It is. Further, since a plurality of upper regulating pieces 50 and lower regulating pieces 51 are provided along the carrying direction of the printing tape 4, printing guided by the upper regulating pieces 50 and the lower regulating pieces 51 is provided. The transport direction of the tape 4 does not change.

The guide member 19, the upper regulating piece 50 and the lower regulating piece 51 are formed integrally with the main body frame 2 by injection molding. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 5D, a plurality of holes 52 into which a slide die for forming the upper regulating piece 50 is inserted at the time of injection molding are formed in the bottom plate 2a of the main body frame 2. ing. The holes 52 are provided at positions facing the upper regulation pieces 50, respectively. For this reason, the lower regulating piece 51 is formed at a position different from the position where the hole 52 is provided. As a result, the upper regulating piece 50 and the lower regulating piece 51 It is formed at a position slightly shifted in the direction.

As shown in FIGS. 3B, 4A, and 4B, the top plate 3a of the cover frame 3 has an elongated hole 53 at a position corresponding to the nose portion 16. The free end (upper end) of the guide member 19 fits into the elongated hole 53 when the cover frame 3 is attached to the main frame 2. As a result, the position of the free end of the guide member 19 is fixed, and the guide member 19 does not bend. Therefore, the position of the printing tape 4 does not change due to the bending of the guide member 19, and as a result, the positions of characters and the like printed on the printing tape do not shift.

As shown in FIG. 2A, a curved portion 2 d protruding inside the main body frame 2 is formed on the side wall 2 b of the main body frame 2 on the side where the nose portion 16 is formed. Is formed. The curved portion 2 d presses the printing tape toward the inside of the main body frame 2 so that the printing tape 4 surely contacts the guide member 19 <In the cassette 1 configured as described above, First, the printing tape 4 wound around the spool 4a is attached to a predetermined storage section of the main body frame 2. Next, one end of the printing tape 4 is pulled out, passed between a pair of guide frames 13a, 13b, and hung on the cylindrical guide 17 so as to contact the peripheral surfaces of the plurality of cylindrical guides 17. Can be Further, the printing tape 4 is passed through the front side of the guide member 19, that is, between the guide member 19 and the side wall 2b so as to be located between the upper regulation piece 50 and the lower regulation piece 51. The nozzle 16 is drawn out from an outlet 18 formed at the tip of the nozzle 16.

When the printing tape 4 is passed in front of the guide member 19, the printing tape 4 is held between the upper regulating piece 50 and the lower regulating piece 51 so that the position in the width direction does not shift. When the printing tape 4 is attached to the main body frame 2, the printing tape 4 can be easily pulled out from the discharge port 18, and as a result, the work of refilling the printing tape 4 becomes easy. Further, even if the cover frame 3 is not tightly attached to the main frame 2 after the refilling of the printing tape 4, the printing tape 4 does not shift in the width direction. In other words, when the force set 1 is mounted on the printing tape making device and printing is performed on the printing tape 4 drawn out of the cassette 1, the position in the width direction of the printing tape 4 drawn out from the outlet 18 The position of characters and the like printed on the printing tape 4 and the position of the double-sided adhesive tape 6 attached to the printing tape 4 after printing do not shift. In addition, since the printing tape 4 is pressed toward the guide member 19 by the curved portion 2d, the printing tape may easily slip off from between the upper regulating piece 50 and the lower regulating piece 51. Absent.

FIG. 6A shows a guide member having a different structure from the guide member 19 shown in FIG. 5A. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a tip portion 16 where 1 19 is formed. Further, the sixth B, 6 C and 6 D view, respectively, sixth lines of A Figure VI _b - VI _b, the line VI _C - VI _C, and a line VI _d _ VI along _d nose ¾5 1 6 of It is sectional drawing. In FIGS. 6A to 6D, substantially the same members as those shown in FIGS. 5A to 5D are denoted by the same reference numerals.

5A in that the guide member 1 19 is arranged such that the upper regulating piece 50 and the corresponding lower regulating piece 51 face each other in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the printing tape 4. This is different from the guide member 19 shown in FIG. Otherwise, the guide member 119 is identical to the guide member 19 shown in FIG. 5A.

Such a guide member 119 is provided with a set of first slide dies (a set of first slide dies that can be taken in and out along the conveying direction of the printing tape 4) in a mold for forming the main body frame 2 during injection molding. (Not shown) between the upper and lower regulation pieces 50 and 51 from the upstream and downstream sides in the transport direction, and in the width direction of the printing tape 4. It can be formed by arranging a second slide type (not shown) that can be taken in and out along the space where the guide member 119 is to be formed.

Although FIGS. 5A and 6A show an example in which the guide member is formed with a plurality of upper regulating pieces 50 and lower regulating pieces 51, the upper regulating piece 50 or the lower regulating piece 5 is formed. Either one of them may be formed alone. For example, when only one lower regulating piece 51 (or upper regulating piece 50) is formed, the lower regulating piece 51 (or lower regulating piece 51) is located at a position corresponding to the middle of the two upper regulating pieces 50 (or lower regulating piece 51). The lower regulating piece 51 (or the upper regulating piece 50) may be formed. As shown in FIG. 2A, the body frame 2 has a rib 21 provided with an inlet 20 for the ink tape 5 at a position facing the outlet 18 of the nose 16. I do. The ink tape 5 entering the intake port 20 passes through the area of the main body frame 2 on the opposite side of the nozzle section 16 across the space 15 and proceeds to the take-up spool 10 where it is wound. It is wound on take-up spool 10.

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

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

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

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

The printing tape producing device (or tape printer) includes a data producing unit having a keypad, a display unit such as a liquid crystal display, and the like. However, the printing tape producing device is connected to an external device such as a personal computer via a wireless communication line such as a connection cord or an infrared line, and character data created in the external device or stored in the external device, that is, Data such as letters, symbols, and figures may be received and printed on tape.

The cassette 1 is configured so that the cover frame 3 can be attached to and detached from the main frame 2 so that the printing tape 4, the ink tape 5, and the double-sided adhesive tape 6 can be used again by replacing them with new ones. I have. As shown in FIG. 2A, a plurality of bosses 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d, 30 e, are provided on the bottom plate 2 a and the side wall 2 b of the main body frame 2 at predetermined intervals. 3 Of is provided. As shown in FIG. 4, the cover frame 3 is bossed through holes provided at positions corresponding to the pos portions (30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f). (30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d, 30 e, 30 f) and screw (31 a, 31 b, 31 c, 31 d, 31 e, 31 f) into the body frame 2 by screwing. It is attached.

7A and 7B are views of cassette 1 as viewed from the direction indicated by arrows Va-Va in FIG. 2A. In FIG. 7A, the power frame 3 is removed from the main body frame 2, and in FIG. 7B, the cover frame 3 is attached to the main body frame 2. FIG. 7C is a cross-sectional view of a part of the cassette 1 along the line VIIc-VIIc in FIG. 7B, and FIG. FIG. 7C is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the cassette 1 taken along line VIId-VIId of 7C.

As shown in FIGS. 7A-7D and FIGS. 2A and 2B, the side walls 2b of the body frame except for the side where the nose portion 16 is formed are spaced apart from each other. A plurality of rectangular first locking holes 34 are provided. The cover frame 3 has a plurality of arms 35 projecting downward (toward the body frame 2) from the top plate 3a. At the tip of each arm 35, an engagement claw 36 is formed to be detachably engaged with the locking hole 34. A slit 3c is formed between each arm 35 and the side wall 3b of the cover frame 3 so that the arm portion 35 is easily bent.

Each arm 35 has a covering 43. The covering portion 43 is formed so that when the engaging claw 36 engages with the locking hole 34, the covering claw 36 covers the gap between the locking hole 34 and the engaging claw 36. Around it, it is formed integrally with a plate-like arm 35. For example, when the opening of the locking hole 34 is a square having a dimension L1, the covering portion 43 is formed such that both the vertical dimension L2 and the horizontal dimension L3 are larger than L1 ( L2> L1, L3> L1).

On the side wall 2b, a step portion 44 having a width L1 extending from the locking hole 34 to the bottom plate 2a is formed. This is a groove formed by disposing a punching die for forming the locking hole 34 in the die of the main body frame 2 when the main body frame 2 is manufactured by injection molding. Since there is such a step portion 44, the lower end 43a of the covering portion 43 is formed in a step shape so as to cover the lower end of the locking hole 34 as well.

When the cover frame 3 is mounted on the main body frame 2 so as to cover the open surface of the main body frame 2, the arm portions 35 of the cover frame 3 are arranged inside the side walls 2b of the main body frame 2, and the engagement claws are provided. 36 engages with the locking hole 34. The area of the locking hole 34 is generally larger than the area of the engaging claw 36. For this reason, the engaging claw 3 6 There is a gap between and the locking hole 34. However, since the covering portion 43 is larger than the locking hole 34 and is formed around the engaging claw 36, the locking hole 34 is completely formed by the engaging claw 36 and the covering portion 43. Is closed. Therefore, dust and dirt do not enter the inside of the cassette 1 through the locking holes 34.

The main body frame 2 may be provided with a guide part 45 for guiding the arm part 35 to the locking hole 34 when the cover frame 3 is mounted on the main body frame 2. As the guide portion 45, for example, as shown in FIGS. 7C and 7D, a vertically long protrusion provided inside the side wall 2b near the locking hole 34 can be used. it can. When such a guide portion 45 is formed on the main body frame 2, it is easy to engage the engaging claw 36 with the locking hole 34.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 3A, a second locking hole 37 is formed in the side wall 2 b and the side wall 2 c of the main body frame 2 on the side where the notch 16 is formed. It is formed. In the vicinity of each second locking hole 37, a gate-shaped frame 40 is formed. The portal frame 40 is arranged substantially parallel to the side wall 2b (or the side wall 2c). The portal frame 40 is provided so as to have a gap (D 4) between the side wall 2 b (or the side wall 2 c). This is so that an arm 42 with a hook 41 described later can be inserted between the side wall 2 b (or the side wall 2 c) and the portal frame 40.

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

9A and 9B are views showing the portal frame 40 engaged with the arm portion 42. FIG. FIG. 9A shows a cross section taken along the line IXa_IXa of FIG. 9B, and FIG. 9B shows a cross section taken along the line IXb—IXb of FIG. 9A. ing. . As seen in FIG. 9B, the lower surface of the cross beam 40a is positioned so as to face the upper end of the second locking hole 37 at substantially the same height. Hereinafter, the lower surface of the cross beam 40a is referred to as an auxiliary locking portion 39.

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

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

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

As shown in Fig. 9B, cover frame 3 is attached to body frame 2. Then, the arm portion 42 is inserted from above from between the side wall 2 b (side wall 2 c) and the portal frame 40, and the engaging claw portion 41 a normally has the second locking hole 3. Lock to 7. As a result, the cover frame 3 does not come off the body frame 2.

As described above, the cover frame 3 is manufactured by injection molding. For this reason, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 9B, the arm portion 42 may be formed in a state inclined toward the inside of the cover frame 3. When the cover frame 3 is detached from the main body frame 2 for reuse of the cassette 1, the arm 4 is detached so that the engaging claw 41a is detached from the second locking hole 37. 2 must be bent inward. At this time, the arm portion 42 may be plastically deformed and may be inclined away from the second locking hole 37 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 9B. When the arm portion 42 is tilted in this way, the engaging claw portion 41a does not engage with the second locking mosquito 37.

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

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

When the printing tape 4, the ink tape 5, and the double-sided adhesive tape 6 are all consumed in the cassette 1 of the present embodiment, the user can use the tape at a predetermined store. Bring in cassette 1 that is no longer possible. The user will, at a reasonable cost, request that tapes 4, 5, and 6 in Cassette 1 be refilled with new ones. At a factory that refills tapes, a new tape can be refilled into the cassette 1 by removing the cover frame 3 from the main frame 2. The cover frame 3 can be removed from the main frame 2 in the following procedure.

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

On each of the four sides of the support base 100, one recess 102 is formed in a cylinder corresponding to the first locking hole 34 or the second locking hole 37 of the cassette 1. In each of the recesses 102, an auxiliary table 103 is detachably mounted. The first pressing member 104 is attached to the auxiliary base 103 so as to be slidable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the side wall 2 b of the main frame 2.

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

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

FIGS. 11A and 11B show a method of removing the hook portion 41 of the arm portion 42 engaged with the second locking hole 37 provided in the side wall 2 b of the main body frame 2. FIG. FIG. 11A shows a cross section along line XIa—XIa of FIG. 11B, and FIG. 11B shows a cross section along line XIb—XIb of FIG. 11A. It shows a cross section.

To remove the hook portion 41 engaged with the side wall 2 b of the main body frame 2, insert the second pressing tool 105 into the operation hole 106. The second pressing tool 105 inserted into the operation hole 106 passes through the through hole 46 and abuts on the inclined portion 47 of the portal frame 40 (two points in FIG. 11A). (See dashed line) When the second pressing member 105 is further pushed up, the second pressing member 105 presses the inclined portion 47 to deflect the portal frame 40 away from the side wall 2b (FIG. 11B See).

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

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

When removing the hook portion 41 engaged with the second locking hole 37 provided in the side wall 2 c of the main body frame 2, the second pressing tool 105 should be used in the same manner as described above. It is inserted into the operation hole 106 and the through hole 46, and the portal frame 40 is thereby inserted. After bending, a hook-shaped tool (not shown) is inserted into the second locking hole 37 from the space 15 and the hook portion 41 is inserted into the second locking hole 37 of the side wall 2c. Remove from After removing the arm portions 35 and the arm portions 42 of the cover frame 3 from the body frame 2 as described above, the screws 31 a to 31 f are removed, and the cover frame 3 is removed from the body frame 2. Next, a new tape (4, 5, 6) is supplied to the main frame 2. After the new tape is supplied to the main frame, the cover frame 3 is inserted so that the arms 35 and 42 engage the first locking holes 34 and the second locking holes 37 respectively. Is attached to the body frame 2, and the screws 31a to 31f are screwed again. This allows the cassette 1 to be reused.

The embodiment of the cassette according to the present invention has been described above. However, the configuration of the cassette according to the present invention is not limited to the above, and can be variously modified. For example, the arm portion 42 may be provided on the main body frame 2 side, and the portal frame 40 and the second locking hole 37 may be provided on the cover frame 3 side. Similarly, the arm portion 35 may be provided on the main body frame 2 instead of the cover frame 3. In this case, the first locking hole 34 is provided on the cover frame 3 side.

Further, the arm sound 5 may be provided on the cover frame 3 so that when the cover frame 3 is attached to the main body frame 2, the arm sound 5 is disposed outside the side wall of the main body frame 2 instead of inside.

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

According to the present invention, a normal image is printed on the surface of a transparent printing tape (therefore, a separate double-sided adhesive tape is not used). It can also be applied to

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

According to the present invention, there is provided a cassette for accommodating a tape-shaped recording medium so as to be able to be pulled out. In this cassette, the recording medium is held by a guide member, and the guide member is provided with a regulating piece for positioning the recording medium in the width direction by contacting a side edge of the recording medium. The position of the recording medium pulled out of the cassette does not shift in the width direction of the recording medium.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. A main body frame for accommodating a tape-shaped recording medium, and a cover frame detachable on an opening surface of the main body frame, wherein the recording medium is provided in an assembly of the main body frame and the cover frame. A cassette configured to be discharged from a discharge port formed in the main body frame through a predetermined transport path,

The main body frame has a guide member wider than the width of the recording medium formed in the vicinity of the transport path, and a base end of the guide member connected to the main body frame and an opposite side of the base end. A cassette which is provided near a free end of the recording medium so as to be positioned in the width direction of the recording medium by contacting a side edge of the recording medium.

2. The cassette according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the restriction pieces are provided along at least one of a free end portion and a base end portion of the guide member along a side edge of the recording medium. .

3. The cassette according to claim 1, wherein the guide member is provided near the discharge port.

4. The cassette according to claim 1, wherein the cover frame has guide member fixing means for fixing a position of a free end of the guide member.

5. The main body frame accommodates an ink tape which is drawn out from the discharge port in a state of being substantially overlapped with the recording medium, and the guide member is configured such that the recording medium and the ink tape are connected to the discharge port. 2. The cassette according to claim 1, wherein the cassette is disposed between the recording medium extending toward the discharge port and the ink tape so as not to contact each other before reaching the vicinity.

6. Either the body frame or the cover frame has the force 2. The cassette according to claim 1, wherein a side wall serving as a side surface of the set is formed, and the guide member is provided substantially parallel to the side wall.

7. A casing for holding the mouth of the tape so that the tape can be pulled out,

A vertically long opening for pulling out the tape,

A plate-like member arranged substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the opening,

First and second protrusions formed on one surface of the plate-like member at intervals in the longitudinal direction,

The casing, wherein the tape is drawn out of the opening while being in contact with one surface of the plate-like member between the first and second protrusions.

8. The casing according to claim 7, wherein the plate-like member is arranged near the opening.

9. The casing according to claim 7, wherein a distance between the first and second protrusions in the longitudinal direction of the opening is substantially equal to a width of the tape.

10. The casing according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the first and second protrusions is formed at least two along a side edge of the tape.

11. A plurality of the first protrusions and a plurality of the second protrusions are formed on one surface of the plate-like member, and the second protrusion is a side edge of the tape. 8. The casing according to claim 7, wherein the casing is formed at a position different from the two first protrusions in a direction along the axis.

12. On one surface of the plate-like member, two of the first protrusions and one of the second protrusions are formed, and the second protrusion is formed on a side of the tape. In a direction along the edge, located at an intermediate position between the two first protrusions 8. The casing according to claim 7, wherein the casing is provided.

1 3. Top and bottom surfaces parallel to each other;

A side surface surrounding the outer periphery of the top surface and the bottom surface

Further comprising

8. The casing according to claim 7, wherein a tape pressing portion that presses the tape is formed on the side surface so that the tape contacts one surface of the plate-shaped member.

1 4. a mainframe for accommodating the tape roll;

A cover frame removably attached to the main frame so that the roll of tape can be mounted on the main frame;

The casing according to claim 7, comprising: