WO2010125125A1

WO2010125125A1 - Cassettes

Info

Publication number: WO2010125125A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/055765
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kris Vandermeulen; Stefaan Van den Broecke; Jerry Roctus; Eddy Cams; Ward Adriaenssen; Yves Peeters
Original assignee: Dymo
Priority date: 2009-04-28
Filing date: 2010-04-28
Publication date: 2010-11-04
Also published as: GB0907281D0; GB0919126D0

Abstract

A cassette comprising a first part and a second part, said first and second parts being relatively movable, said cassette comprising at least one printing supply and control means, said control means being arranged when one of said first and second parts is moved relative to the other of said first and second parts to cause the cassette to change from one of a first condition and a second condition to the other of said first and second condition, said first condition being one in which rotation of at least one printing supply is prevented and said second condition being one in which rotation of at least one printing supply is permitted.

Description

CASSETTES

The present invention relates to a cassette and in particular but not exclusively to a cassette for use in a label printer.

Label printers are known. They are generally arranged to operate with a supply of image receiving medium arranged to receive an image. This image receiving medium may be in the form of a continuous tape. Optionally, an ink ribbon may be provided for transferring an image onto the image receiving medium. Alternatively, an image can be printed directly onto the image receiving medium using, for example a thermal print head.

In known label printers, a cassette is arranged to hold a supply of image receiving medium. A supply of image transfer ribbon or ink ribbon, if provided, may be in the same cassette as the image receiving medium or in a different cassette. The image receiving medium and the ink ribbon, where provided, are passed in overlap through a printing zone of a printer.

Label printers generally have various elements in the cassette receiving bay. These elements may include, for example a print head, a platen, switches for detecting the cassette, and various positioning elements. It can be difficult for the user to insert the cassette into the cassette receiving bay to make sure that the cassette is correctly oriented with respect to the elements. If the cassette is not correctly positioned with respect to the elements in the cassette receiving bay, then a label printer may not function or only poorly function. For example, location of the text on the label may be incorrect, the ink ribbon may become folded, and/or the cutting mechanism may be incorrectly operated.

Various aspects of embodiments of the invention can be seen from the appended claims. For a better understanding of the present invention and as to how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying Figures in which:

Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a first cassette embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 shows the cassette of Figure 1 , in an assembled position;

Figure 3 shows the cassette of Figure 1 , in assembled stated but showing the underside thereof;

Figure 4 shows a flexible member of the first cassette; Figure 5a shows the interaction of the intermediate member and the lid of the first cassette;

Figure 5b shows a perspective view of the other side of the intermediate member;

Figure 6 shows the base of the cassette of Figure 1 with the spools in position;

Figure 7 shows a view of the cassette of Figure 1 in a cassette receiving bay of a label printer;

Figure 8 shows a rib of the cassette receiving bay of Figure 7;

Figure 9 shows a cross section through the cassette receiving bay of Figure 7;

Figure 10 shows a second cassette embodying the present invention;

Figure 11 shows a first perspective view of the said of Figure 10; Figure 12 shows the printing supplies in position in the base of the cassette of Figure

10;

Figure 13 shows a projection of the cassette of Figure 10 when positioned in a channel of a cassette receiving bay;

Figure 14a shows a first alternative for the lid; Figure 14b shows a second alternative for the lid;

Figure 14c shows a third alternative for the lid;

Figure 15a shows a modified version of the cassette of Figure 1 with the lid removed;

Figure 15b shows the intermediate member of Figure 15a;

Figure 15c shows the flexible member of the embodiment of Figure 15a, in a first position with respect to the cassette (the lid being removed);

Figure 15d shows the flexible member of the embodiment of Figure 15a, in a second position with respect to the cassette (the lid being removed); Figure 15e shows the print supplies in position in the base of the cassette of the embodiment of Figure 15a;

Figures 16a to c respectively show three different sizes of cassette inserted into a cassette receiving bay; Figures 16d to f respectively show three different sizes of cassette inserted into a cassette receiving bay using a first method of alignment;

Figures 16g and h show a second method of alignment;

Figure 17 shows a view of the flexible member, when attached to the lid of the embodiment of Figure 10; Figure 18a shows a cassette receiving bay of a printer for use with the embodiment of Figure 10;

Figure 18b shows the elements in the cassette receiving bay of Figure 18a;

Figure 18c shows the cassette being inserted into the cassette receiving bay of

Figure 18a; Figure 19 shows a further embodiment with a contact being provided on the cassette;

Figure 20 shows a perspective view of a further cassette embodying the invention;

Figure 21 shows part of the cassette in more detail;

Figure 22 shows a perspective view of an unlocking mechanism in a label printer for unlocking a cover of the cassette;

Figure 23 shows a cross-sectional view of the unlocking mechanism of Figure 22, along line F-F of Figure 22;

Figure 24 shows a perspective view of a cassette receiving bay of the label printer;

Figure 25 shows a cross section of part of the label printer showing the unlocking mechanism before the cassette inserted into the cassette receiving bay;

Figure 26 shows a cross-section view of the part of the label printer shown in Figure

25 and the cassette, as the cassette is inserted;

Figure 27 shows a cross-section view of the part of the label printer shown in Figure

25 and the cassette, with the cover of the cassette in an unlocked configuration; Figure 28 shows a cross-section view of the part of the label printer shown in Figure

25 and the cassette, with the cover of the cassette in an open position; Figure 29 shows a perspective view of the cassette with the cover in an open position;

Figure 30 shows the underside of the part of the cover marked A in Figure 20;

Figure 31 shows schematically parts of a label printer; Figure 32 shows an exploded view of a cassette;

Figure 33 shows a platen lock member and the cover where the platen lock member is in a lock position where the platen roller is locked;

Figure 34 shows the platen lock member of Figure 33 in an unlock position such that the platen can move; Figure 35 shows a perspective view of the underside of the cassette receiving bay showing the platen lock member in the unlock position;

Figure 36 shows in detail the interaction between the platen lock member with the platen support member in the lock position;

Figure 37 shows a view of the underside of the cover of the cassette; Figure 38a shows an enlarged view of a the clamping member of the cassette in a clamped position; and

Figure 38b shows an enlarged view of the clamping member is in the undamped position.

In the described embodiment of the present invention, the cassette is arranged to house a supply of print material. The print material may comprise ink ribbon or may comprise an image receiving medium. In some embodiments of the present invention, the cassette may house both ink ribbon and an image receiving medium. The image receiving medium may comprise a continuous length of tape. Alternatively, the image receiving medium may comprise a supply of die-cut labels on a backing layer. Alternatively, the image receiving medium may comprise labels separated by lines of weakness such as perforations or the like.

The image receiving medium may comprise a liner layer. In some embodiments of the present invention, a take-up spool or the like may be provided for the liner layer. This may be provided in the cassette. In some embodiments of the present invention, the image receiving medium may have an adhesive provided on one side thereof for allowing the image receiving medium to be adhered to a surface.

Reference will now be made to Figure 1 to 9, which show a first cassette embodying the present invention. The cassette shown in Figures 1 to 9 is arranged to house an image receiving medium, an ink ribbon, and a liner take-up spool. Referring first to Figure 1 , the cassette 10 comprises a lid 1 , a base 6 and an intermediate member 2. The intermediate member is arranged to be connected on one side to the base member 6 and on the other side to the lid member 1. The cassette comprises an image receiving medium spool 4 and ink ribbon supply and take-up spools 5. Finally a take-up spool 3 for the liner is also provided.

The lid 1 comprises a handle portion 12. The top surface of the lid 1 has a first area 16 which is generally planer and which generally defines an outer ring. The handle portion 12 is contained in the same plane and extends between two regions of the outer ring 16. The handle portion 12 extends generally along a line which cuts the generally circular area of the lid 1 in half. On either side of the handle portion 12 are two generally semicircular areas 14a and 14b which are recessed with respect to the plane containing the outer ring and the handle portion. Walls 18a and 18b extend from the handle portion 12 down to the recess, and extend generally perpendicular to the handle portion 12. The generally straight part of each semicircular area 14a and 14b is defined by the respective walls 18a and 18b. Walls 17a and 17b are curved and extend down from the inner edge of the outer ring down to the curved edge of each semicircular area 14a and 14b. The recesses 14a and 14b are sized so that the user is able to grip walls 18a and 18b.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 9, the handle portion 12 is wider at the points where it contacts the outer ring 16 and narrower in the middle region thereof. In alternative embodiments, the long edges of the handle portion 12 may be parallel. Of course in further embodiments, the shape of the lid and the handle may be different to that shown. In alternative embodiments, the lid 1 may have a different shape as illustrated in Figures 14a, 14b and 14c. In Figure 14a, the handle 500 is in the shape of a brand of the cassette and so has a logo which in this case is in the form of a stylised y. In Figure 14b, the handle portion 502 is curved asymmetrically and follows a generally "S" shape. In Figure 14c, the handle portion 504 is a projection portion. In this embodiment the outer ring part of the lid is omitted. In some embodiments, the outer ring may be provided. In embodiments of the invention, different shaped handle portions can be provided which differ from the four described options. The handle portion is shaped so that the user can grip it with their fingers. The outer ring part (shown in figures 1 , 14a and 14b) may be omitted in some embodiments of the invention.

The walls 18a and 18b may be flat or as shown in the example of Figures 1 to 9, generally curved to follow the line of the edges of the handle portion 12. This is to facilitate gripping of the lid by the user.

Extending perpendicular to the outer edge of the outer ring 16 is a side wall 20. The side wall 20 is generally cylindrical. As can be seen from Figure 1 , first to third outward projections 22, 24 and 26 (not shown) are provided. The function of these projections will be described in more detail hereinafter. The projections have a "shark fin" shape. In other words the projection has a first edge 23 which extends in a direction generally perpendicular to the side wall and a second edge 25 which is generally curved and which extends between the side wall and the end of the first edge. The projections are generally planar and extend in a plane parallel to the lid, out from the side wall.

The lid 1 is also provided with a window 27 which is arranged to allow the user to determine the amount of image receiving medium contained in the cassette. The window 27 comprises an elongate slot shape which lies in a direction generally coincident with the longitudinal axis of the handle portion 12. The window 27 lies partly in the outer ring 16 and partly in the handle portion 12. In use, the lid 1 is arranged to be turned over the outer walls 28 of the intermediate member 2.

The intermediate member 2 will now be described in more detail. The intermediate member 2 comprises a first generally planar support 30. The outer walls 28 extend generally upwards and perpendicular to the planar support 30. The outer walls define a generally cylindrical shape.

The planar support 30 comprises a window 32. When the cassette is assembled, the window 32 is aligned with window 27 of the lid. The lid 1 may optionally comprise walls which extend downwardly from around window 27 to window 32.

The intermediate member 2 and its interaction with the lid 1 can be seen in more detail in Figure 5a. The outer walls 28 of the intermediate member 2 comprise recessed areas 34. The recessed areas 34 are generally spaced around the wall 28 at generally regular intervals. These recessed areas 34 guide the ribs 33 on the interior of the lid 1. In particular, the ribs 33 are guided by the recessed areas 34 into respective guide channels 35.

The upper edge of the guide channels 35 are defined by edge 35a of the intermediate member 2 and the lower edge of the guide channels are defined by edge 35b of the base 6. The end or stop of the channel is defined by edge 35c of the intermediate member. The edge 35c is perpendicular to the edge 35a and extends parallel to the longitudinal axes of the spools. The stop or end of the channel may alternatively be provided by the base 6.

The guide channels 35 define the path of movement when the lid 1 is moved with respect to the part of the cassette comprising the intermediate member 2 and the base 6. In this embodiment, four recessed areas 34 and corresponding ribs 33 are provided. This is by way of example only and more or less than four recesses/ribs may be provided. In one embodiment of the invention, the size of the ribs 33, recessed areas 34 and guide channels 35 are sized so as to reduce or minimise the contact area between the lid 1 and the intermediate member 2. In one embodiment, the recessed areas 34 may be defined by rib like members which reduce the contact area between the lid and the intermediate member 2. (This is described later).

It should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments of the invention, the ribs 33 may be on the intermediate member 2 and the recesses 34 and guide channels 35 on the lid 1. The guide channels 35 may be defined by two elements as shown, or may be defined solely by the intermediate member 2 or the base 6 in alternative embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments, there may be at least one rib 33 on each of the lid 1 and the intermediate member 2 and at least one corresponding recess/ guide channel on the other of the lid and intermediate member.

Finally, the outer wall 28 comprises a cut away portion 38. The cut away portion 38 is open at the top edge and extends generally down the outer wall 28, leaving relatively small portion extending from the planar support 30. The cut away portion 38 is provided to allow a support of a movable print head to move into the cut away portion when the print head is moved between an inoperative position and an operative position (print head and print head support not shown). In an alternative embodiment, this cut away portion 38 is not provided.

On the opposite side of the planar support 30 of the intermediate member 2 is a series of projecting wall portions. These wall portions are arranged to engage with the base 6. In the arrangement which is illustrated in Figure 1 , three portions 40, 42 and 44 are provided. These wall portions guide the engagement of the base 6 to the intermediate member 2. The first wall portion 40 defines a guide wall for the image receiving medium spool 4 and one of the ink ribbon spools. The second wall portion 42 defines a part of the support for the ink ribbon spools and the third wall portion 44 defines an area for the print head and comprises a wall which is used as a platen wall to cooperate with the print head. In this regard, reference is made to Figure 6 from which the underside of the intermediate member can be seen in more detail. This will be discussed in more detail later. The planar support 30 has a first circular cut out area 48 which is shaped so as to receive an end 50 of a central post 52 of the image receiving medium spool 4. A second cut out area 54 is provided in the planar support to receive an end 56 of the liner take-up spool 3.

The base 6 comprises a bottom surface 62 which comprises the underside of the cassette. Surrounding the bottom surface 62 is a generally cylindrically shaped side wall 64. It should be appreciated that wall 64 has a similar shape as the outer wall 28 of the intermediate member. The wall 64 is arranged to surround the wall portions 40, 42 and 44 of the intermediate member 2 when the cassette is assembled. Extending on the outside of the side wall 64 are three outwardly extending projections 66. Each of these projections 66 extends above the height of the wall 64. In an alternative embodiment, there may be more or less than three projections, and/or the projections may be sized equal or be less than the height of the wall 64. The projections 66 are sized and positioned so that the planar top surface 68 of each of the projections comes into contact with the corresponding underside of each of the projections 22 to 26 of the lid.

It should be appreciated that each of the projections 66 also includes an elongate guide slot 69 extending upwardly from the bottom of the cassette for engaging corresponding ribs provided in the cassette receiving bay. The mating of the top surfaces 68 with the underside of the respective projections 22 to 26 can be seen, for example from a consideration of Figures 2 and 3.

From the consideration of Figures 1 and 3, the underside of the bottom can be seen. The bottom comprises a number of openings.

The cassette base 6 comprises a first opening 70. This is arranged to receive a support post 372 (See figure 9) of the cassette receiving bay and allows the support post 372 to engage the other end (not shown) of the cylindrical part 52 of the image receiving medium supply spool 4. Holes 74 and 76 are arranged to receive support posts of the cassette receiving bay which engage the ink ribbon supply and take up spools 5. Hole 78 is arranged to receive a support post of the cassette receiving bay which is arranged to engage the take up spool 3 for the liner. The function of hole 72 will be described in more detail hereinafter.

The opening 80 defined by the bottom surface 62 (see Figure 3) is shaped so as to define the position of the print head.

The cassette also has a flexible member 300 which can clearly be seen from Figures 4 and 5. The flexible member 300 is arranged to be attached to the underside of the lid 1. In particular the flexible member 300 is fixed to the lid via screws. For this purpose, the flexible member 300 is provided with a first centrally located screw hole 302 and a second screw hole 304 spaced apart there from. Further, in order to ensure that the flexible member 300 is correctly located on the lid 1 , location pins 305 (only one shown) are provided. Location pinholes 306 and 308 are provided to cooperate with the location pins 305. The combination of the screws and location pins means that the flexible member is held in a fixed position relative to the lid 1.

In alternative embodiments the flexible member 300 can be attached to lid 1 via snap locks, heat staking, gluing, ultrasonic welding, press fitting, etc., or the flexible member 300 can be part of lid 1.

The flexible member 300 comprises four flexible arms 310, 312, 314 and 316. The first flexible arm 310 has an image receiving medium spool engagement end 318.

The engagement end 318 comprises a plurality of teeth provided in a generally arc shape. These teeth are arranged to engage with a correspondingly toothed part of the upper end 50 of the cylindrical part 52. As can be seen from a consideration of

Figures 1 and 4, the teeth at the upper end 50 of the cylindrical part 52 are on the cylindrical exterior of the cylindrical part 52 whilst the engagement end 318 has the teeth provided internally of the arc shape to permit engagement. The engagement of the flexible arm 310 with the cylindrical part 52 ensures that the cylindrical part 52 of the image receiving medium can not rotate so that the image receiving medium itself cannot unravel. The second and third flexible arms 312 and 314 are arranged to engage with the ink ribbon take-up and supply spools 5. The engagement end 320 and the engagement end 322 on the respective second and third flexible arms 312 and 314 are toothed so as to engage correspondingly toothed portions 53 of the respective ink ribbon take-up and supply spools.

The fourth flexible arm 316 has an engagement portion 324, which again is toothed to engage a correspondingly toothed portion of the liner take-up spool 3.

In alternative embodiments, the engagement between flexible arms 310, 312, 314 and 316, and cylindrical part 52, spools 5 and spool 3 respectively is not done via teeth, but a friction force between two surfaces is used. Alternatively a single projection interacts with a gear.

The arms are generally flexible in that they are made, for example of a plastics material and the size of the arm extensions is such that they are flexible with respect to the central located part of the flexible member 300.

It should be appreciated that the first and fourth flexible arms 310 and 316 may be more flexible than the second and third arms 312 and 314. The first and fourth arms both comprise a generally U-shaped configuration which makes them more flexible. This is just to ensure sufficient force. The spools of the image receiving medium and the liner are positioned closer to the centre of the flexible member and the U-shaped configuration permits the creation of a sufficient force.

These flexible arms are arranged to lock the spools in place. This is particularly the case when the cassette is not in place in the label printer and is being transported.

In an alternative embodiment, the flexible member 300 is arranged to be attached to the intermediate member 2 and the different flexible arms 310, 312, 314 and 316 are moved by the lid 1 when the lid is rotated, for example by projections arranged on the lid, such that the flexible arms are engaged and disengaged with the corresponding spools .

In still an alternative embodiment, at least one of the flexible arms is arranged to be attached to the lid, and at least one of the flexible arms is arranged to be attached to the intermediate member. The flexible arms are engaged and disengaged with the corresponding spools in the same way as described above.

The flexible member 300 further comprises a flexible lip 326. This lip comprises a generally square outer perimeter with a generally square opening in the middle thereof. This opening is arranged to interact with rib 328 which can be seen from Figure 5b.

When the lid 1 is moved relative to the body formed by the base 6 and the intermediate member 2, the flexible member 300 interacts with the intermediate member 2 to ensure that the lid 1 and hence the flexible arms are in a position in which the flexible arms are disengaged from the respective spools. In other words, the lid and hence the flexible member attached thereto have an inoperative position and an operative position. The inoperative position is adopted when the cassette is being transported. In the inoperative position, all of the spools contained within the cassette are prevented by the flexible member 300 from rotating.

When the lid 1 and the flexible member are in the operative position, each of the flexible arms is spaced apart from the respective spools so that the respective spools are able to rotate The lip 326 is arranged to maintain the cassette in the inoperative position until the cassette is inserted in the cassette receiving bay and the lid is rotated with respect to the base. In particular, when the cassette is moved from the top of the cassette receiving bay towards the bottom of the cassette receiving bay, a post in the cassette receiving bay is received by the cassette to move the lip 326 upwards such that the lip 326 is disengaged from rib 328 and the lid 1 can be rotated. Rotating the lid 1 with respect to the base 6 causes the flexible member (along with the lid) to move from a position in which the cassette is in the inoperative position to a position in which the cassette is an operative position.

When the lid 1 is moved from the operative position to the inoperative position, the lip 326 moves to the position where it interacts with rib 328. During movement the lip

326 interacts with a ramp surface on rib 328 such that the lip 326 is lifted over the rib

328 such that the lip 326 is in the position to engage with the rib 328 and rest on the post in the cassette receiving bay. Lifting the cassette from the bottom of the cassette receiving bay towards the top of the cassette receiving bay, causes that the lip 326 to move towards the base 6 resulting in an engagement between the lip 326 and the rib 328.

The lid is retained on the base by rib 58 of the intermediate member interacting with a projection (not shown on the lid). The projection is able to move over the rib when the lid is assembled onto the intermediate portion by rotation in a first direction but is prevented by the shape of the rib from being able to rotate the lid to such an extent in a direction opposite to the first direction that the projection moves over the rib. The rib and projection thus act as a limit to the amount of rotation possible in the direction opposite to the first direction. This prevents the lid and intermediate member from being separated.

Reference is made to Figure 6 which shows the relative positions of the spools in the base 6 of the cassette. As can be seen, the ink ribbon supply and take-up spools 5 are arranged adjacent to one another next to a periphery of the cassette. Adjacent to the ink ribbon supply and take-up spools 5 is the supply spool 4 for the image receiving medium. This is arranged off centre of the cassette and takes up a substantial portion of the cassette. Spaced adjacent to the image receiving medium spool is the liner take-up spool 3. This is provided in the region adjacent a periphery of the cassette. The distance between the axis of the liner take-up spool 3 and the axis of the image receiving medium spool is smaller than the sum of the maximum radius of the liner take-up supply wound with the maximum amount of liner and the maximum radius of the image receiving medium supply wound with the maximum amount of image receiving medium. This can be achieved because in a new (unused) cassette, the amount of image receiving medium on the image receiving medium spool is a maximum and the amount of liner on the liner take-up spool is a minimum. Therefore, as the amount of image receiving medium on the image receiving medium spool decreases when the image receiving medium is printed, the amount of liner on the liner take-up spool increases. By arranging these spools closer to each other than the sum of their maximum radii, the size of the cassette can be smaller. Capacity for a certain size of cassette is thus increased in the embodiment of Figure 1 by positioning the liner take-up spool such that the wound liner is taking the place of the unwound image receiving medium.

The ink ribbon take-up and supply spools are provided on one side of the opening defined by wall portion 44 for the print head with the take-up spool for the liner being provided on the other side of the opening.

The underside of the intermediate member 2 comprises a first and second ink ribbon guide walls 380 and 381. These two guide walls are member 42 of Figure 1. These guide walls are arranged adjacent one another ad define a generally v-shape. One of the guide walls 381 is arranged to guide the ink ribbon from the supply spool and the other of the guide walls 380 is arranged to guide the ink ribbon to the take up spool. Two further ink ribbon guide walls 383 and 385 are defined on the sides of the supply spool and take up spool generally opposite to the first and second ink ribbon guide walls. The guide walls may not be in contact with the ink ribbon but rather define the areas for the ink ribbon on the respective spools. Alternatively, the guide walls may be in contact with the ink ribbon. These two further guide walls 383 and 385 are part of wall portions 40 and 44 respectively of Figure 1.

Similarly first, second and third generally arc shaped image receiving medium guide walls 384, 386 and 387 are provided, which are generally equally spaced around a periphery of a circular perimeter surrounding the image receiving medium. The guide walls may or may not be in contact with the image receiving medium. Wall 387 is part of wall portion 40 of Figure 1. Similarly, first and second liner guide walls 388 and 389 are provided. These walls are generally arc shape and are arranged opposite one another. The walls may or may not be in contact with the liner.

The guide walls for the liner and the guide walls for the image receiving medium are arranged so the changes in size of the liner take up spool can be accommodated. It should be appreciated that the guide walls shown are by way of example only and in alternative embodiments of the invention, the guide walls may be provided by differently shaped walls, by alternative guiding members and in some embodiments of the invention, one or more of the guide walls may be omitted.

In some embodiments of the invention, the liner may have a smaller width than that of the image receiving medium. Accordingly, the intermediate member 2 may have a raised part 390 which supports the liner which has been taken up with it centre line aligned with that of the unused image receiving medium. In this embodiment, the raised part comprises at least one rib and/or part of a guide wall for the image receiving layer. The rib or ribs may extend radially outwardly from the central region of the spool. The guide wall will have a height appropriate to support the liner material in the correct position and accordingly will not extend the full height of the intermediate member 2.

The base 6 has a raised part 391 which is arranged to support the other end of the liner being taken up to ensure that the centre line of the liner is the coincident with the centre line of the image receiving medium supply. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments the liner may be the same width or larger than the image receiving medium and according the image receiving medium may be supported at the same level as the liner.

In alternative embodiments, some or all of the elements shown on the underside of the intermediate member maybe provided on the base member and vice versa. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the handle portion 12 is permitted to allow the lid 1 to rotate by about 25 degrees with respect to the base part of the cassette. However, it should be appreciated that this is by way of example only and alternative embodiments of the present invention may be able to rotate by more or less than this amount.

Reference is made to Figure 7 which shows the cassette in place in the cassette receiving bay. Figure 8 shows a larger view of a rib 350 which is provided in the cassette receiving bay for engaging the cassette. As can be seen from Figure 7, three engaging ribs 350 are provided. These engaging ribs are 350 equally spaced around the periphery of the cassette receiving bay. The shape of the base of cassette receiving bay generally corresponds to that of the cassette and so is generally circular. The flexible ribs 350 have a first part 352 which is used to retain the flexible rib 350 in the cassette receiving bay. In practice, the first part 352 may be in the casing, and the flexible ribs may be part of the cassette receiving bay. The second part 354 extends in a generally arc-like manner from the first part. The second part is generally moveable with respect to the first part and defines the flexible part of the rib 350. The movement of the second part 354 with respect to the first part 352 may be as a result of the dimensions of the second part with respect to the first part and/or the chosen material. The end of the second part 354 comprises an engagement portion 356. The engagement portion 356 is shaped so that the projections 22, 24 and 26 are able to slide there over. As shown in Figure 7, the cassette is arranged such that the lid 1 of the cassette can rotate in the direction of arrow B.

In the position shown in Figure 7, the cassette is in the operative position. That is, the cassette has been inserted into the cassette receiving bay and the lid 1 has been rotated by, for example 25 degrees with respect to the base of the cassette. Thus the cassette is inserted in the cassette receiving bay of the label printer by moving the cassette from the top of the cassette receiving bay to the bottom of the cassette receiving bay followed by rotating a part of the cassette (the lid) around an axis parallel with the direction of the first movement action. Accordingly, the projections 22, 24 and 26 will initially slide over the first angled surface 358 of the engagement portion 356 and come to rest against the second angled surface 360 of the engagement portion. The first angled surface and the second angled surface define a generally triangular shape extending in a direction into the cassette receiving bay.

In alternative embodiments the locking between the rotating lid and the cassette receiving bay is provided by any other snap-release mechanism.

The curved surface of the projections 22, 24 and 26 will slide over the angled surfaces. In some embodiments of the invention, the cassette receiving bay will comprise a plurality of stops 363 which interact with the surface 23 of the projections to prevent any further rotation of the lid with respect to the base.

Accordingly, as the user rotates the lid 1 past the pinnacle 362 of the engagement portion (where the two angle surfaces meet), the user will get a feeling that the lid has "clicked" into the right position. This may be augmented by the feeling which occurs when the stops engages the projection. This may also be accompanied by a noise caused by the movement of the projections with respect to the flexible ribs. This again may reinforce to the user that the lid has adopted the correct position.

As can be seen from Figure 7, the cassette receiving bay has respective areas 364 spaced around the cassette receiving bay. These areas 364 are sized so as to comfortably accommodate the projections 22, 24 and26 of the lid when the cassette is inserted into the cassette receiving bay, in its inoperative position. When the cassette is moved in the direction of arrow B, the projections 22, 24 and 26 adopt the operative position shown in Figure 7.

Alternatively or additionally, the movement may be facilitated by the use of materials which have relative low coefficients of friction. Additionally or alternatively, coating of low coefficients of friction may be used. Reference is now made to Figure 9 which shows parts of the tape printer. In particular, in the cross section shown in Figure 9, a cassette receiving bay 370 is shown. The cassette receiving bay 370 has the first post 372 which is arranged to support the tape supply spool as already discussed. This is arranged to be rotated. In particular, when the image receiving medium is pulled from the supply spool the post 372 is arranged to rotate.

As can be seen in Figure 9, there is a support pin 376. The support pin 376 is such that when the cassette is inserted into position, the support pin allows the cassette lid to move from the inoperative to the operative position. This support pin 376 is inserted through opening 72 and goes through the base and goes through an opening 327 adjacent the rib 328. The support pin then acts on the flexible lip 326 to lift the lip 326 out of engagement with the rib 328. This then permits the lid to move with respect to the base.

In an alternative embodiment the support pin 376 is combined with one of the posts supporting the image receiving medium, liner and ink ribbon supply and take-up spools. In this case the need for a separate support pin may be avoided.

Finally, a third post 378 and a fourth and fifth post (not shown) is provided for supporting the liner take-up spool 3 and the ink ribbon supply and take-up spools 5. Reference is now made to Figures 15a to f which disclose a modified version of the first embodiment. The same references are used for the same or similar features of the first embodiment.

Figure 15a shows the cassette with the lid removed such that the guide channels 35 can be seen. As with the first embodiment, the guide channel is defined by edges 35a and 35c of the intermediate element and edge 35b of the base. Figure 15b show the modified version of the intermediate member 2. In this alternative, the slots 34 are defined by ribs 349 which extend outwardly from the plane of the outer wall 28. The inner surface of the slot 34 is thus defined by the plane of the outer wall 28. This contrasts with the embodiment of Figure 1 where the slots extend inwardly of the plane of the outer wall. Additionally there is a projection P which extends up from the surface of the intermediate member. The function of this projection is to guide arm 312 which is positioned in a different plane than the other arms. The plane of arm 312 is above that of the other arms.

Reference is made to Figures 15c and d which show the flexible member 300 in an engaged position (Figure 15c) and a disengaged position (Figure 15d) with respect to the spools. This operates as described in relation to the first embodiment. As can be seen in Figure 15c, the lip 326 is engaged with the rib 328. In Figure 15d, the lip is disengaged with the rib 328.

Reference is now made to Figure 15e which shows the paths of the various media in the cassette. The image receiving media 510 is drawn from the supply spool 4 passed a print zone 516 in overlap with ink ribbon 512. The print zone 516 is defined by a wall of an open area 517 in the cassette which is arranged to accommodate a moving print head of the printer. The print head has an inoperative position which is adopted when the cassette is inserted and removed from the cassette. The print head has an operative position when the print head is arranged to print. In this operative position, the print head is in contact with ink ribbon and presses against the wall 516 defining the print zone. The print medium is between the ink ribbon 512 and the wall 516 defining the print zone. The print head is mounted so as to exert a sufficient pressure to print an image on the on the image receiving medium. The ink ribbon 512 passes from the print zone 516, around the external side of the wall defining the open area to the ink ribbon take up spool 5b. The liner 514 on the image receiving medium is taken up by the liner spool 3. The liner 514 is removed from the image receiving medium after the printing zone. The liner is pulled at an angle from the path of the image receiving medium. A corner 515 at right angles to the wall surface defining the print zone is used to direct the liner away from the image receiving medium. In one embodiment, the ink ribbon take up spool 5 and the liner take up spool 3 are driven. It should be appreciated, that some of the features described in relation to the embodiment of Figure 15 may also be present in the previous embodiment or similar features may be provided in the previous embodiment.

Reference is now made to Figures 10 to 13 which show a second cassette embodying the present invention. Those features which are similar to those of the first embodiment will not be described in further detail.

The cassette has a lid 101. The lid is constructed in a similar manner to lid 1 of the cassette shown in Figure 1. However, the shape of the projections 122 and 124 are differently shaped. Although only two projections are shown in Figure 10, in practice a third one is provided, similar to the first embodiment. The projections have two sides angled towards each other and joined by a straight edge in order to provide a truncated triangular shape. The straight edge may in an alternative embodiment be curved. The curve may be convex or concave. This truncated triangular shape is generally planar, extending out from the generally cylindrical side wall 120 and being generally planar. The projections are in a plane generally parallel to that of the lid.

In the arrangement shown in the second embodiment, a flexible member 102 is provided along with an intermediate member 103. Finally, a base 108 is provided.

The cassette is arranged to accommodate an image receiving medium 106 and an ink ribbon supply 104. The ink ribbon supply 104 has a supply holder or spool 105a and a take up holder or spool 105b. A supply support 107 is provided for the image receiving tape. In this embodiment of a cassette, there is no take up spool for the liner.

In use, the components 103-108 provide one half of the cassette whilst components 102 and 101 provide the other half of the cassette, in a similar manner to the first embodiment. The components 101 and 102 are arranged to rotate with respect to the other components. In particular, the lid 101 and flexible member 102 are connected together in a generally rigid manner in a similar manner as embodiments described with respect to Figure 1. The lid 101 and the flexible member 102 can be connected together by any suitable method or may alternatively be one part. As can be seen from Figure 10, the flexible member 102 is similar to that of the first embodiment. However, only two flexible arms are provided. These flexible arms 404 and 406 are arranged to engage with the ink ribbon supply and take-up spools 105a and 105b. These arms are as described in relation to the flexible member of the first embodiment and will therefore not be described in more detail. As with the flexible member of the first embodiment, a flexible lip 326 is provided having a similar construction.

Reference is now made to Figure 17 which shows the flexible member when attached to the lid. As can be seen from this figure, the flexible member has on the side which faces the intermediate member 103 a projection 650 to engage and disengage with the image receiving medium spool 107 when said lid 101 is respectively in the inoperative and operative position. The projection 650, when the lid 101 is in the inoperative position will engage the toothed part 652 at the upper end of the spool 107, thus preventing the spool from rotating. When the lid is in the operative position, the projection 650 will be spaced apart from the toothed part of the image receiving medium spool which is then able to rotate.

The flexible lip 326 operates generally in the same way as described in relation to the first embodiment and therefore will not be described in any further detail.

The flexible member 102 has a hollow post 202 which is engaged internally by elements 204 of the intermediate member. This allows the lid 101 to rotate with respect to the intermediate member 103.

The base 108 has an upstanding side wall 206. The side wall 206 defines a general tear drop or droplet shape. A tear drop shape is circular at one end and tapers generally to a point or apex at the opposite end. The tear drop shape of the base 108, determining the shape of the cassette, allows that the user can easily determine the correct orientation of the cassette with respect to the cassette receiving bay before inserting the cassette in the cassette receiving bay. A tear drop is one example of a possible shape but there are other examples of possible shapes such as egg shape. Alternative embodiments of the invention may have any other suitable shape which has a single possible orientation. The shape is such that the cassette can only be inserted into the cassette receiving bay in the correct orientation. In contrast, the lid is of a generally cylindrical shape. This can be seen clearly from Figure 11.

Internally, as shown in Figure 10, there is an image receiving medium wall 208 which is generally semicircular in shape and defines an area for the image receiving medium 106. Ribs are provided on the bottom surface of the base 108 to support the image receiving medium. A circular portion 210 is provided on the base. The circular portion 210 engages with the lower end 212 of the image receiving medium supply spool 107.

The base also defines regions for the ink ribbon supply spool 105a and take-up spool 105b. The base also defines an opening 214 which is arranged to accommodate the print head and/or platen.

The lid is retained to the base by means of projections 205 provided on the intermediate member which can be press fitted into a corresponding opening on the lid.

Figure 12 shows the arrangement of the tape supply and ink ribbon in the base 108 of the cassette. As can be seen, the supply 107 is arranged such that the image receiving tape and ink ribbon pass in overlap through the print zone. In the example shown, an area 407 is provided which is arranged to accommodate a platen 403 (shown in dotted lines). An area 409 is provided which is arranged to accommodate a print head 405 (shown in dotted lines). These areas are arranged on either side of a print zone 402 which is defined between the platen and the print head. One or more of the areas 407 and 409 is big enough to permit at least one of the platen 403 and the print head 405 to move from an inoperative position in which the print head and the platen are spaced apart to an operative position in which the print head and the platen are in cooperating to permit printing. Only one or both of the platen 403 and print head 405 may be movable. For example the print head 405 maybe movable and the platen 403 may be fixed. The inoperative position may be used when inserting and removing the cassette from the printer. .

Embodiments of the present invention may provide alignment features in the form of projections on the cassette which guides the user as to how to orient and insert the cassette in the right position. The guiding features, that is the projections, are positioned on the circumference of the cylindrical guide wall in such a manner that there is a single way to insert the cassette. These projections are guided down the channel defined in the cassette receiving bay. This can be seen from Figure 13.

The cassette is thus pre-guided into the cassette bay, where the cassette positioning is determined by the cassette bay. This pre-guiding ensures that the mating elements from the label printer are matched with the openings in the base of the cassette. This guiding allows the insertion of the cassettes without obstruction.

When the lid 101 is rotated, the projections 122, 124 and 126 move along guide channels of the cassette receiving bay in a similar way as the projections 22, 24 and 26 of the embodiments with respect to Figure 1. An example of such a channel is illustrated in Figure 13, wherein the first condition A is for a cassette positioned in the cassette receiving bay but the lid not rotated (i.e. the inoperative position) and the second condition B is when the lid is rotated (i.e. the operative position). In some embodiments, the channel narrows in size so that as the projection moves along the channel it reaches a point where the projection can no longer move along the channel. The user would then know that the lid has adopted the operative position. In other embodiments, the channel may be constant in size and the end of the channel defines the end of the rotation. It should be appreciated that the channel may additionally have a stop or that the stop is determined by interaction of two other elements on the first and second part of the cassette.

The guide channels may be formed in a similar manner to the previously described embodiments formed between an edge of the base 108 and an edge of the intermediate member 103.

The cassette has an anti-blocking system which prevents any relative movement of the cassette parts during when the cassette is outside the printer. When the cassette is inserted and the base 108 is in the correct position, the anti-blocking system is disengaged and this will allow the lid 101 to rotate relative to the bottom. In embodiments of the present invention, the insertion of the cassette requires a first operation, being vertical insertion into the cassette receiving bay and a second operation which is a rotation. In embodiments of the present invention, the rotation is to the right or clockwise. However, in alternative embodiments of the present invention, the rotation may be to the left or counter clockwise.

The vertical insertion may be defined by the centre line of the tape supply spool and the centre line of the platen roller. These both extend in the same direction, parallel to one another. The cassette may be inserted in this direction.

When the user rotates the lid 1 of the cassette, the user experiences a relatively high resistance which will give the user the feedback that the lid has been sufficiently rotated. In alternative embodiments the user may experience feedback if the lid is sufficiently rotated by an audible feedback (e.g. "click") or a visual feedback (e.g. LED or mechanical operated indicator), or any combination of these types of feedback.

In one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferred to have the outside surface of the cassette in the same plane as the outer surface of the printer. The cassette may therefore be positioned to one side of the print head and is therefore side aligned. One advantage of having the cassette side aligned is that the cassette can be positioned in the printer in the same way, no matter what the size of the cassette. Another advantage is that no dust can enter the printer independent of which size of cassette is positioned in the printer.

Reference is made to Figures 16a to 16h. Figures 16a to c show three different sizes of cassette inserted into the cassette receiving bay 608. The size of the cassette refers to the width or thickness of the cassette and is measured in the direction of the longitudinal axes of the spools. The width or thickness W of the cassette determines the size of image receiving medium which can be accommodated in the cassette. In Figure 16a, the smallest size W1 of cassette 600 is shown in the cassette receiving bay 608. In Figure 16b a cassette 602 which is larger (and hence accommodates a wider image receiving medium) of size W2 is shown in the cassette receiving bay 608. Finally in Figure 16c, a third cassette 604 is shown of width W3. W3 >W2>W1. Thus the third cassette accommodates the biggest width of image receiving medium of the three cassettes shown.

As can be seen from a comparison of the three figures, the upper surface 606 of each of the cassettes is aligned with the upper end 610 of the cassette receiving bay 608. In other words, regardless of the size of the cassette, the upper surface of the cassette (i.e. the lid) is arranged at the same location in the cassette receiving bay.

A gap 612 is provided between the lower surface 614 of the cassette and the bottom 616 of the cassette receiving bay 608. The gap 612a shown in Figure 16a is larger than the gap 612b shown in Figure 16b which is larger than the gap 612c shown in Figure 16c. Thus as the cassette get bigger, the gap gets smaller.

It should be appreciated that more or less than three different sizes of cassette may be provided. In one alternative embodiment, the size of the cassette provided may be the same but the size of image receiving medium may vary from cassette to cassette. It should be appreciated that a given size of cassette may be arranged to accommodate a range of differently size image receiving medium. Various of the embodiments described previously may be provided with side alignment.

In the embodiments described with respect to figure 1 , the side alignment is reached by a slot 69 in projections 66 of the base 6. This can be seen from a consideration of

Figures 16d, Figure 16e and Figure 16f. The slots 69 interact with reference guides

618 provided in the cassette receiving bay 608 such that the planar top surfaces 606 of the lid 101 are always on the same position in the cassette receiving bay when the cassette is inserted in the cassette receiving bay, independent on the size of the cassette.

As can be seen, the reference guides 618 are arranged to have angled sides 620 so that the reference guide has it widest point at the end of the reference guide at the bottom of the cassette receiving bay 608. The reference guides 618 are arranged to extend in a longitudinal direction (that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spools) down the side of the cassette receiving bay 608. The shape and size of the slots 69 are dimensioned such that the surface of the lid of the cassette will be flush with the surface of the cassette receiving bay. Thus in the embodiment shown in Figure 16d, the cassette may have no slot and sit on the upper surface of the reference guide 620. In the embodiment shown in Figure 16e

In the embodiments described with respect to figure 10, the side alignment is achieved by the projections 122, 124 and 126 (not shown). As shown in figure 13, the projections reach the end of an insertion guide channel. This surface of the insertion channel defines the reference surface for all sizes of the cassette. Reference is made to Figures 16g and h which show two different sized cassettes. The base part of the cassette will vary in size depending on the width of the cassette. In Figure 16g, a smaller width of cassette 622 is used as compared to Figure 16h where a larger width of cassette 624 is used. The projections of the cassette are shown engaged in respective channels 626. The projections are at the same height below the plane of the lid, regardless of the width of the cassette and accordingly, the plane of the cassette lid is always kept at the same level regardless of the width of the cassette.

In some embodiments of the invention, the upper plane of the cassette is co-planar - with the surface of the printer. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the upper plane of the cassette may be slightly below or slightly above the plane of the surface of the printer. The upper surface of the cassette may be curved and have an outer profile which conforms to a corresponding curvature of the printer.

In some embodiments of the invention, the top edge of the cassette receiving may be chamfered as indicated by reference numeral 630 in Figure 16a. This facilitates the insertion of the cassette into the cassette receiving bay. This can also be seen from Figure 18a.

As can be seen from figure 18a, the cassette receiving bay 608 has a tear drop shape, corresponding to the shape of the base of the cassette, which facilitates insertion of the cassette in the correct orientation.

However, it should be appreciated that alternative embodiments of the present invention may alternatively be centre aligned. This means that the centre of the tape is aligned with the centre of the print head.

It should be appreciated that in some embodiments of the present invention, the upper surface of the cassette may provide the cover to the cassette receiving bay. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, a lid may be separately provided to cover the cassette receiving bay.

Embodiments of the present invention which have side alignment of the upper surface of the cassette with the upper surface of the tape printer may require a mechanism in the label printer to ensure that the different cassettes of different size mate with the same reference surface inside the printer. This may be provided by, for example, a spring loaded arrangement. Alternatively the reference surface may be the base of the cassette receiving bay.

In the described embodiment, the flexible member comprises a gear type engagement between the spools and the flexible arms. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, a frictional arrangement may be provided between the flexible member and the spools inside the cassette.

The handle may be arranged such that the user is assisted in the correct insertion of the cassette into the cassette receiving bay. For example, the handle maybe provided extending generally along the line of the tear drop extending from the apex to the curved bottom of the tear. This line may lie across printer such that the line is parallel to for example a line of the display. An indication such as writing may appear across the handle to ensure that the cassette has the correct orientation when the user attempts to insert the cassette. This can for example be seen from a consideration of Figure 18a-c.

Embodiments of the invention may be arranged so that rotation of the cassette lid causes the print head to move from an inoperative position to an operative position. This may be instead of or as well as causing the cassette to change from an inoperative condition to an operative condition.

Reference is made to Figures 18a to 18c which show an arrangement in which insertion of the cassette causes the print head to move from an inoperative position to an operative position.

The cassette receiving bay supports a rotatable platen 407. The platen 407 is supported by post 632. In this embodiment of the present invention, the post 632 is fixed relative to the cassette receiving bay. The platen 407 is arranged to be rotatable about the post 632. The platen 407 alternatively may be fixed with respect to the post 632 but the post 632 is arranged to be rotatably driven. In the operative position which can be seen in Figures 18a and 18b, the print head 405 is arranged so as to be spaced apart from the platen 407. The print head is supported by a support member 634. Support member 634 has an interaction part 636 which extends vertically in the cassette receiving bay, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the platen 407. The interaction part 636 is arranged relatively close to the side wall of the cassette receiving bay. The interaction part 636 has a sloped edge 638 which is arranged to narrow to the upper end 640, remote from the floor of the cassette receiving bay. The narrow upper end 640 of the interaction part 636 is arranged initially to contact a projection 124 of the cassette. This will be described in more detail later.

The opposite end of the interaction part 636 is connected to a connection part 642 member which extends generally parallel to the base of the cassette receiving bay 608 and connects the interaction part to a print head support part 644. The connection part 642 has a cut-away portion 646 which is used to accommodate a post for supporting another element of the cassette.

The print head support member 634 is pivotally supported by post 648. Post 648 is arranged so to be coaxial with the print head support part 644.

As shown in Figure 18a, there is a gap between the print head 405 and the platen 407. This allows the insertion of the cassette, without the print head or platen interfering with the ink ribbon and/or image receiving medium. When the cassette is inserted, the projection 124 initially engages the interaction part 636 at the narrowed end 640. As the cassette is continued to be inserted, the projection moves along the sloped edge 638 which causes the interaction part 636 to rotate in the direction of arrow X. This rotation causes the print head support part 644 to rotate which rotates the print head 405 into its operative position in which it acts in conjunction with the platen 407.

In some embodiments of the invention, more than one interaction member may be provided, arranged to interact with respective ones of the projections. In some embodiments of the invention, there will be pre-guiding of the cassette by the cassette receiving bay before the cassette engages with any of the upstanding posts or the like provided in the cassette receiving bay. This is so as to reduce play between the cassette receiving bay and the cassette before the engagement with the posts. In one embodiment, the distance which is used for pre-guiding of the cassette may correspond generally to the depth of the lid. The dimensions may be selected as required. For example the diameter of the cassette may be generally equal to three times the height of the lid. It should be appreciated that alternative embodiments may have differing dimensions.

In alternative embodiments of the invention, the insertion of the cassette and the rotation or twisting of the lid of the cassette may alternatively or additionally control one or more aspects of the operation of the cassette. For example, in the arrangement shown schematically in Figure 20, the channel 650 of the cassette receiving bay in which the projection 122 of the cassette is received has a first contact which may be in the form of a pad 652 or the like. One of the surfaces of the projection of the cassette is provided with a second contact in the form of a pad 654 or the like. The first contact pad and the second contact pad are arranged so that when the cassette is inserted and the lid has been twisted, the pads are in electrical contact. The contact pads may be on the upper surface of the projection and the upper inner lateral surface of the channel and/or the lower surface of the projection and the lower inner lateral surface of the channel.

This contact between the contact pads may be provide a signal to circuitry 656 to provide an indication that the cassette is in position and/or that the cassette in correctly in position.

The contact between the first and second contact pads may complete a circuit. In this case the first contact pad is replaced by first and third contact pads in the channel which are spaced apart from one another. The circuit would be completed by the second contact pad of the projection. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the cassette may comprise a conductor which extends between two or more contact pads on different projections. The circuit is completed when the different projections are in contact with respective contact pads in the channels accommodating the respective different projections.

Alternatively or additionally, the rotation of the lid may cause the printer to carry out one or more functions such as activating one or more circuits of the printer. For example recognition of the type of cassette and/or the print media contained in the cassette may be performed. Alternatively or additionally, the printer may be turned on, parts of the printer such as the display may be turned on and/or the printer may carry out one more checks.

The determination that the cassette has been twisted may be determined electrically such as set out above and/or as the result of a mechanical interaction of for example a switch or mechanical interaction member.

Further embodiments of the invention can be seen from figures 20 to 38b.

Referring Figures 20 and 24, the cassette 2000 has a housing 4000. The housing 4000 is arranged to contain a supply of image receiving medium 6000 and an ink ribbon 8000. The ink ribbon 8000 is provided on an ink ribbon supply spool 1200 and is, when used, taken up by the ink ribbon take-up spool 1000. The image receiving medium 6000 and ink ribbon 8000 are arranged to pass in overlap past a print head 2200 which acts against a rotatable platen 2400. The print head 2200 and platen 2400 can be seen from Figure 24.

In this embodiment, the print head 2200 is fixed in position and the moveable platen 2400 is able not only to rotate about its axis but also to move between a non-printing position in which the platen is spaced apart from the print head and a printing position in which the platen 2400 acts against the print head 2200. It should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments of the present invention, the platen may be fixed into position, for example only able to rotate about its axis and the print head moves between the printing and non-printing positions. In a further alternative embodiment, both the print head 2200 and the platen 2400 may be arranged to be moved one towards the other so as to, for example move from a non-printing position to a printing position.

The print head 2200 is arranged, when the cassette is in the cassette receiving bay to be accommodated in a print area 1600 defined in the cassette. This print area can be seen in Figure 20. The print head 2200 is arranged to be accommodated in the print area 1600 with the image receiving medium 6000 and ink ribbon 8000 passing in overlap between the print head 2200 and the platen 2400. A print zone is thus provided between the print head 2200 and the platen 2400.

The ink ribbon 8000 is taken from the ink ribbon supply spool 1200 and after passing through the print zone is taken up by the ink ribbon take-up spool 1000. As can be seen from Figure 20, the housing of the cassette has a first opening 2000 aligned with the ink ribbon supply spool. This first opening is provided on the underside of the cassette and is arranged to receive a first member 2500 provided in the cassette receiving bay. The underside of the cassette has a second opening 1800 aligned with the ink ribbon take up spool 1000. This second opening 1800 is arranged to receive a second member 2600 provided in the cassette receiving bay. These first and second members 2500 and 2600 engage the ink ribbon supply spool 1200 and the ink ribbon take-up spool 1000. One or both of the engagement members 2500 and 2600 may be driven so as to be able to drive the ink ribbon 8000 forwards and/or in the reverse direction.

A cover 2800 is provided on a cover side 3000 of the cassette 2000. The cover side 3000 is one of the four sides which extend between an upper surface 3100 and a lower surface 2900. These four sides are parallel to the axes defined by the first and second members and the axis about which an image receiving medium supply 1040 and the ink ribbon supply 1200 rotate. The cover side 3000 is the side which has an opening 3300 through which the image receiving medium 6000 and the ink ribbon 8000 exits the cassette 2000. The cover side 3000 is the side which generally defines the print zone and which defines (with the cover 2800) an exit 3500 of the cassette. The cover 2800 is arranged to move along the plane of side 3000 between a closed position, which is shown in Figure 20 and an open position which is shown in Figure 29. The cover is thus arranged to move in the plane of side 3000, in the direction of arrow B. The cover 2800 is arranged to move back and forth along the length direction of the side 3000.

When cover 2800 is in the closed position, the image receiving medium 6000 and ink ribbon 8000 adjacent to the print area 1600 are covered and hence protected from the exposure to foreign matter. When the cover 2800 is open, as shown in Figure 29, the image receiving medium 6000 and ink ribbon 8000 are exposed so that the platen 2400 can contact the image receiving medium 6000, when acting against the print head 2200 and printing can be performed.

The movement of the cover 2800 will now be described in more detail. Reference is made to Figure 21 which shows part of the cassette 2000 in greater detail. The cover 30 has an opening 3200. The opening 3200 is arranged, when the cover 2800 is in the closed position to engage a locking projection 3400 of the cassette 2000. The projection 3400 engages, that is received in, the opening 3200 in the cover 2800 and thus prevents the cover 2800 from being opened when the cassette 2000 is outside the label printer. The projection may also engage step 3600 of cover 2800 when received in opening 3200.

The projection 300 is provided on a generally planar member 3800 which extends generally parallel to the cover side 3000. This member 3800 is made of a resilient material such that it is normally biased to the position shown in Figure 21. Alternatively or additionally the member 3800 itself maybe supported or mounted such that the projection 3400 is biased to the position shown in Figure 21. In this scenario, the member 3800 may be relatively rigid. Alternatively or additionally, the projection 3400 itself may be of a resilient material. The member 3800 is supported at one end 1010 at the end of the cover side 3000 remote from the cassette exit 3500. The member 3800 is arranged to also provide an image receiving medium clamping function. The member 3800, at the end 1000 which is opposite the supported end 1010, is arranged to press against a guide post 1020. The image receiving medium is drawn from the tape supply 1040 and passes between the end 1000 of the member 3800 and the guide post 1020, when no clamping of the image receiving medium 6000 is provided. This is shown in an enlarged view in Figure 38b. When the member 3800 provides a clamping force, the image receiving medium 6000 is clamped between the member 3800 and the guide post 1020. This is shown in the enlarged view in Figure 38a.

The member 3800 is thus arranged to have a first clamping mode and a second clamping mode. In the first clamping mode of Figure 38a, the member 3800 is arranged to press against the guide post 1020 to clamp the image receiving medium 6000 between the end 1000 of the member 3800 and the guide post 1020. In the second clamping mode of Figure 38b, the member 3800 still contacts the image receiving medium 6000 but the force, if any, applied by the member 3800 is reduced so that the image receiving medium 6000 can be drawn from the supply 1040. In the second clamping mode the member 3800 and the guide post 1020 provide a guiding function for the image receiving medium 6000 as the image receiving medium 6000 is drawn from the supply 1040.

In an alternative embodiment, in the second clamping mode there is no contact between the member 3800 and the image receiving medium 6000 or a limited contact.

Reference is now made to Figure 32 which shows an exploded view of a cassette 2000 embodying the present invention. The cassette 2000 comprises a first part 2020 and a second part 2040. The first part 2020 and the second 2040 define the housing 4000 of the cassette. The cassette 2000 is arranged to house the supply of image receiving medium 6000. As can be seen, the image receiving medium 6000 is provided on a spool 2120. The spool 2120 is arranged to spool engagement members 2160 provided in the first part 2020. Similar spool engagement members may be provided in the second part 2040. These spool engagement members 2160 are arranged to fit inside the spool 2120 to position the spool 2120 in the cassette 2000. The spool engagement members 2160 are positioned such that the image receiving medium spool 2120 is held in place but the spool 2120 is arranged to rotate about the spool engagement members 2160. In an alternative embodiment the image receiving medium is not provided on a spool but wound on his own.

The cassette 2000 is also provided with the cover 2800. The member 3800 has the first locking projection 3400 which is arranged to engage the opening 3200 of the cover 2008 to hold the cover in the closed position. The cassette 2000 also has an ink ribbon subassembly 2140 which supports the ink ribbon take up spool 1000 and the ink ribbon supply spool 1200.

Reference is now made to Figures 22, 23 and 24 which show parts of the label printer which are arranged to cause the unlocking of the cover member 2800. In particular, Figure 24 shows a cassette receiving bay 4000. On the side 4200 of the cassette receiving bay 4000 which faces the cover 2800 is an unlocking mechanism 5000 for unlocking the cover 2800. A perspective view of this mechanism is shown in Figure 22 whilst a cross-sectional view of this mechanism along line F-F is shown in Figure 23. The unlocking mechanism 5000 has a sliding part 5200 which is arranged to move with respect to a housing 6000. The sliding part 5200 is configured to move in the direction of arrow C. This direction is parallel to the longitudinal length of the cover 2800. The sliding part 5200 moves in the same back and forth directions as the cover 2800. The housing 6000 is fixed in position in the tape printer and does not move.

The sliding part 5200 has an opening 5300 through which an unlock member 5400 projects. When the unlocking mechanism 5000 is in the cassette receiving bay 4000, the unlock member 5400 projects through the opening and extends into the cassette receiving bay. This unlock member 5400 is arranged to control the unlocking of the cover 2800 in the cassette 2000. The unlock member 5400 is biased to the position in which the unlock member 5400 projects through the opening 5300. This biasing may be achieved as a result of the material which comprises the unlock member 5400 and/or as a result of the mounting of the unlock member 5400. The unlock member 5400 may be separate from a main body 5500 of the sliding part 5200. The unlock member 5400 is arranged to be mounted on the main body 5500 of the sliding part 5200! The unlock member 5400 may be of the same or different material to the main body 5500.

The interaction of the cover 2800 of the cassette 2000 and the cassette receiving bay 4000 of the label printer will now be described in more detail.

Reference is now made to Figure 25 which shows the unlocking mechanism 5000 and in particular the unlock member 5400 extending to the cassette receiving bay 4000. Figure 25 shows the cassette receiving bay 4000 before a cassette 2000 is inserted in the cassette receiving bay 4000. When inserting the cassette 2000, the unlock member 5400 deflects in the direction of arrow D that is so that it is no longer extending into the cassette receiving bay 4000. The area behind the unlocking mechanism 5000 of the label printer has an opening 5700. This opening 5700 is configured such that when the unlock member 5400 is moved in the direction of arrow D, at least a part of the unlock member 5400 can be accommodated in that opening 5700. The sliding part 5200 is in the initial position and the main body 5500 of the sliding part has not moved. The unlock member 5400 is such and /or is mounted so that the unlock member 5400 is sufficiently flexible so that it can move in the direction of arrow D.

Reference is now made to Figure 26. This shows that the cassette 2000 is being inserted into the cassette receiving bay 4000 but has not been completely received.

For example, the cassette 2000 may be two thirds of the way in. The unlock member 5400 is shown as having extended into the opening 5700 of the label printer. This insertion of the cassette 2000 moves the unlock member 5400 out of the cassette receiving bay 4000 so that the cassette 2000 can be inserted in the cassette receiving bay 4000. In contrast to the figure shown in Figure 25, the cassette is now partially shown.

Reference is now made to Figure 27, the cassette 2000 is now completely received in the cassette receiving bay 4000. The unlock member 5400 has moved back to the position in which the unlock member 5400 extends into the cassette receiving bay 4000. However, because the cassette in now in the cassette receiving bay 4000, the unlock member 5400 is aligned with the opening 3200 of the cover 2800. The unlock member 5400 is thus arranged to extend through the opening 3200 to move locking projection 3400 in a direction towards the inside of the cassette 2000 and away from the cover 2800. The locking projection 3400 no longer engages the opening of the cover 3200 and the cover 2800 can now be moved. However, the unlock member 5400 is now engaged with the cover 3200 such that if the sliding part 5200 is moved, the cover 2800 will move with the sliding part 5200.

It should be appreciated that at this point, the image receiving medium 6000 is still clamped . A cover 8000 of the cassette receiving bay 4000 is still completely open in Figure 27.

Before starting to pull with unlock member 5400 on the cover 2800 in opening 3200, it has to be ensured that unlock member 5400 does not move into the opening 5700. Therefore, the size of opening 3200 in the cover 2800 is such that the unlock member 5400 can move first over such a distance that the unlock member 5400 does not move into opening 5700 before it interacts with the side of the opening 3200 to pull on the cover 2800. This ensures that the unlock member 5400 does not move into opening 5700 when it starts to pull on the cover 2800.

Reference is made to Figure 30 which shows that the cover 2800 of the cassette 2000 is being moved towards the open position. The cover 2800 is not completely in the open configuration. The tape is still clamped as longitudinal ribs 1100 of the cover 2800 are still interacting with projection 11200 on member 3800. The unlock member 5400 is thus engaged with the opening 3200 of the cover. Accordingly, when the sliding part 5200 is moved in the direction of arrow E, the cover 2800 of the cassette 2000 is also moved in the direction of arrow E. This movement moves the cover 2800 along the plane of the side 3000, out of the cassette receiving bay 4000 into the body of the label printer. The cover 2800 is moved in the direction away from the print area of the cassette 2000 and accordingly when in the open position a portion of the cassette cover 2800 will be received inside the label printer, but outside the cassette receiving bay 4000.

It should be appreciated that the sliding part 5200 is guided by the housing 6000 which is sized to allow the sliding mechanism to move in the direction of arrow C. The housing 6000 defines a pair of guide rails 6200 which guide the movement of the sliding part 5200. The sliding part has correspondingly shaped stepped parts 6400 which engage the guide rails 6200 such that the sliding part 5200 is arranged to move in a defined path. Movement of the sliding part 5200 may be mechanically controlled or may be controlled by a motor.

In one embodiment, the movement of the sliding part 5200 is controlled by the cover 8000 of the cassette receiving bay 4000. As the cover 8000 of the cassette receiving bay 4000 closes, the sliding part 5200 moves in the direction of arrow C. In one embodiment, the sliding part 5200 is mechanically coupled to the cover of the cassette receiving bay 80000 so that when the cover of the cassette receiving bay

4000 is closed, the cover 2800 of the cassette 2000 is open. Likewise when the cover of the cassette receiving bay 8000 is open, the cover 2800 of the cassette

2000 is closed.

Alternatively or additionally the sliding part 5200 may moves against the force of a spring 6600 or other biasing member. The spring 6600 is located inside the label printer and is not in the cassette receiving bay 4000. In one embodiment, the spring 6600 is located in label printer behind the sliding part 5200 and the housing 6000. The spring 6600 is biased to urge the slider 5200 to the position shown in Figure 24 which corresponds to the cover 2800 of the cassette 2000 being in the closed position. Accordingly, when the cover 8000 of the cassette receiving bay 4000 is opened, the cover 2800 of the cassette 2000 will be urged to the closed position by the sliding part 5200, the sliding part 5200 being moved by the biasing spring 6600.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, movement of the cover 2800 may be caused by a motor. The motor can be controlled that when the printer is ready for printing, the sliding member 5200 is moved to the open position.

In Figure 30, the cover 8000 of the cassette receiving bay 4000 is being moved towards the closed position but has not yet reached the completely closed position. At this point, the image receiving medium 6000 is still being clamped between the end of the member 3800 and the guide post 1020. The inside of the cover 2800 which can be seen from Figure 37 of the cassette 2000 has a pair of guide surfaces 1100 provided by a pair of ribs 1110 extending along the part of the length of the cover 2800. The guide surfaces 1100 interact with a clamping projection 1120 of the member 3800. The clamping projection 1120 may be provided at any suitable location and in the arrangement shown in the Figures, the clamping projection 1120 is provided adjacent the locking projection 3400, on the side of the locking projection 3400 remote to the end 1010 of the member 3800. When the clamping projection 1120 acts against the guide surface 1100, the end 1000 of the member 3800 is pressed against the post 1020 with sufficient force such that the image receiving medium 6000 is clamped. As the cover 2800 of the cassette 2000 is moved from the open position to the almost completely closed position, the clamping projection 1120 acts against the guide surface 1110 to provide the clamping of the image receiving medium 6000.

Reference is now made to Figure 28 which shows the arrangement when the cover of the cassette receiving bay 8000 is completely closed and to Figure 38b which shows part of the cassette 2000 with the clamp in an undamped position. In one embodiment of the invention, the clamping of the image receiving medium 6000 is only removed when the cover 8000 of the cassette receiving bay 4000 is completely closed. In Figure 28 and 38b, the clamping of the image receiving medium 6000 has been removed. As can be seen from Figure 38b the clamping projection 1120 has moved down a ramp surface 1160 towards the cover 2800 of the cassette 2000 and away from image receiving medium supply 1040. This has the function of allowing the clamping projection 1120 to reduce the pressure applied by the end 1000 of the resilient member 3800 against the guide post 1020 such that the image receiving medium 6000 is no longer clamped and can be drawn from the supply 1040.

As can be seen from Figure 37, the underside of the cover includes a rib 1600 which defines the maximum distance that the cover 2800 can be moved in the direction of opening. This rib 1600 extends in the width direction of the cassette 2000. Once the locking projection 3400 is lifted out of opening 3200 and the cover 2800 is moved, the locking projection 3400 is biasing on the inside of the cover 2800. The rib 1600 on the inside of the cover 2800 interacts with the locking projection 3400 when the cover 2800 is in the maximum opened position, as can be seen from Figure 38b. The inside of the cover 2800 also has the pair of parallel longitudinal guide rails 1100 which guide the movement of the locking projection 3400 to thereby guide the movement of the cover 2800.

The movement of the cover 2800 is also arranged to control a platen roller lock 4000 as will be described with reference to Figures 33 to 36. The platen roller lock 4000 is arranged to have a first end 4020. The first end 4020 is arranged to be actuated by the cover 2800. When the cover 2800 is in the closed position, the first end 4020 of the platen roller lock 4000 is in a position which causes the platen roller lock 4000 to prevent the platen 2400 from being moved towards the print head 2200. The platen roller locking member 4000 is mounted to pivot about a pivot point 4040. The pivot point 4040 is between the first end 4020 and a second end 4060 of the platen roller locking member 4000.

Figure 33 shows the first end 4020 in the position such that the platen roller is prevented from moving by the second end 4060. The first end 4020 is arranged to extend into the part of the label printer which receives the cover 2800 when the cover 2800 is in the open position.

Initially, as shown in Figure 36 and Figure 33, the second end 4060 engages a stop 4050 of a platen roller support 4080. Because the second end 4060 engages against the stop 4050, the platen roller is prevented from moving towards the print head 2200.

Reference is made to Figure 34 and 35 which show the cover 2800 in the open position. As can be seen, the cover 2800 has moved the first end 4020 in the direction of arrow M, away from the space which accommodates the cover 2800 when in the open position. When the cover 2800 moves the first end 4020 in the direction of arrow M, the second end 4060 is moved in the direction of arrow N, that is in an opposite direction to arrow M, about the pivot point 4040.

When the cover has moved the first end 4020 in the direction of arrow M, the second end 4060 is moved to the position as shown in Figures 34 and 35. The second end 4060 is moved in the direction of arrow N out of contact with the stop 4050 of the platen roller support 4080. Accordingly, the platen 2400 is then able to move towards the print head 2200. Thus, as the cover 2800 is opened the platen 2400 can be moved towards the print head 2200. When the cover 2800 is closed or there is no cassette 2000 present, the platen roller support 4080 is prevented from moving by the stop 4050.

The platen locking member 4000 is biased to the position in which the platen roller support 4000 is prevented from moving.

Reference is made to Figure 31 which shows basic circuitry for controlling the label printer. There is a microprocessor chip 3000. In practice there may be more than one chip. This chip is shown diagrammatically as having read-only memory 3020, a processing part 3010, random access memory capacity indicated diagrammatically by RAM 3040 and an external memory 3300. However, this is by way of example and different memory and processing arrangements may be used in alternative embodiments. The microprocessor chip or chips are arranged to receive label data from a data input device such as a keyboard. Alternatively or additionally, the data input device may comprise a touch screen and/or a data port (e.g. a USB port) arranged to receive data from a PC or the like.

The microprocessor chip or chips 3000 are arranged to output data to drive a display 3100 via a display driver 3090. That display may display a label to be printed (or a part thereof) and/or a message for the user. This display may for example be a LCD display or a touch screen. The display driving capacity may be provided as part of the microprocessor chip or chips.

The microprocessor chip or chips are also arranged to output data to drive the print head 2200 so that label data is printed onto the image receiving medium 6000 to form a label.

The microprocessor chip or chips 3000 may also control a motor 3070 for driving the image receiving medium 6000.

Finally, the microprocessor chip or chips 3000 may also control a cutting mechanism 3580 to allow a length of tape to be cut off. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, a manual cutter may alternatively be provided.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the label printer is a stand-alone printer. This stand-alone printer may operate independently or may be connected to receive data from a PC. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the label printer may be a PC printer and as such, the keyboard and display may be omitted as the data may be input and displayed on the PC. The PC then acts as an input device for the printer.

Embodiments of the invention have been described in the context of projections being provided on the lid of the cassette engaging in slots or similar in the cassette receiving bay. It should be appreciated that the projections may instead be provided on the cassette receiving bay and the slots or the like may be provided in the cassette or the like.

It should be appreciated that one or more of the embodiments of the invention may have one or more of the following advantages: known cassettes may be such that the user may have some difficulty in ensuring that the cassette is correctly received in the printer so that the label printer works correctly. The generally round or tear drop shape of the cassette of some embodiments of the present invention may make it easier for the user to insert the cassette into the printer. With previous printers, the insertion may be difficult as some parts of the label printer mechanism may complicate the insertion. For example, the print head, the platen, the sprocket for rewinding the ribbon, tape switches for detection of the cassette, snap fit members which hold the cassette in place and location posts which locate the cassette in the right position with respect to the printer mechanism all have to be accommodated in the insertion process. With the previous arrangements, the user needed to take particular attention to make sure that the openings in the cassettes are matched with the component in the printer. With the previous arrangements, if the cassette is unable to be inserted correctly, the label printer may perform poorly or may even not print. This can lead to one or more of the following problems: text centring on the label may be incorrect; ink ribbon folding may result in printing defects; incomplete cutting or no cutting; no rewind of the ribbon, resulting from the fact that the ink ribbon is transported together with the image receiving medium towards the exit of the label printer is cut together with image receiving medium, leaving the user with an unusable cassette.

Some embodiments of the present invention are able to address one or more of these problems. For example, the generally circular shape may facilitate insertion of the cassette into the cassette receiving bay.

Another problem may be the vulnerability of the tape and ribbon in the cassette. These problems may occur when the cassette is outside the printer and/or may also occur during the insertion and functioning of the cassette. The print head and platen interacts with the tapes and ribbon. As a result, there is an area, in some prior art printers, where the ink receiving medium and tape are outside the cassette housing and exposed to the user. The user can touch, pull and push on the tape. This can lead to the problem that the image receiving medium and the ribbon may be distorted such that as a result, there is interference with the print head and/or the platen when the cassette is inserted. Furthermore, slack may be created in the ribbon. This may result in the ribbon being transported together with the image receiving medium towards the tape exit and if the rewind sprocket has not fully tightened the ribbon at the end of the printing, the ribbon may be cut with the tape.

Another disadvantage which embodiments of the present invention may be able to mitigate or overcome relates to the problem that, depending on the tape material, the tape may move inwards or outwardly of the cassette during transport or handling when the cassette is not used in the printer. If the image receiving medium is retracted inside the cassette, the cassette may become useless as the tape cannot be transported or printed on. There may also be a similar problem for the ribbon. The ribbon is fixed on both sides inside the cassette by means of the supply spool and the rewind spool. Nevertheless, the ink ribbon may become loose between the supply spool and the rewind spool due to, for example, vibrations during transport and handling. This may lead to poor transport of the ribbon resulting in poor print quality or the ribbon being cut from the tape.

Another disadvantage with which one or more embodiments of the present invention may address or at least mitigate relates to the problem that the image receiving medium may become stuck inside the cassette due to tensions between the outside of the image receiving medium supply and the inner walls of the cassette which surround the tape. This may be addressed by winding the image receiving medium on a spool.

In some known printers, a spring washer is provided for the ribbon supply spool.

The purpose of the spring is to create a back tension in the ribbon during transport to avoid folding or wrinkling of the ribbon. The requirement for the spring washer and the corresponding cassette components places relatively high tolerances on the cassette. Furthermore, the spring washer requires additional handling during assembly which makes the cassette more expensive. Some embodiments of the present invention are able to avoid the need for this spring washer.

It should be appreciated that various different embodiments have been described. These embodiments may be modified to include alternatives or additional features as described in relation to any other of the embodiments.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A cassette comprising a first part and a second part, said first and second parts being relatively movable, said cassette comprising at least one printing supply and control means, said control means being arranged when one of said first and second parts is moved relative to the other of said first and second parts to cause the cassette to change from one of a first condition and a second condition to the other of said first and second condition, said first condition being one in which rotation of at least one printing supply is prevented and said second condition being one in which rotation of at least one printing supply is permitted.

2. A cassette as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least one of said printing supplies is supported by a spool, said control means being arranged to interact with said spool.

3. A cassette as claimed in claim 2, wherein said control means is arranged to engage said spool when the cassette is in the first condition.

4. A cassette as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said spool comprises a toothed part.

5. A cassette as claimed in claim 4, wherein said control means comprises a corresponding toothed part for engagement with said toothed part of said spool.

6. A cassette as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein said control means comprises a projection for engaging said toothed part of said spool.

7. A cassette as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein said control means is flexible.

8. A cassette as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, wherein said control means is arranged to engage a plurality of printing supplies.

9. A cassette as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, wherein said control means comprises a central located part and at least one arm, an end of the or each arm being arranged to engage a respective printing supply.

10. A cassette as claimed in claim 9, wherein said at least one arm is flexible.

11. A cassette as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, wherein said first part is arranged to accommodate said at least one printing supply and the second part is arranged to comprises a support for said control means.

12. A cassette comprising a first part and a second part, at least one of said first and second parts being movable with respect to the other of said first and second parts, said first part comprising at least one printing supply, wherein when said one of said first and second parts is moved with respect to the other of said first and second parts, the printing supply is changed from being one of locked and unlocked to the other of locked and unlocked.

13. A cassette as claimed in claim 12, wherein said printing supply comprises an image receiving medium.

14. A cassette as claimed in claim 12 and 13, wherein said printing supply comprises an ink ribbon.

15. A cassette as claimed in any of claims 12 to 14, wherein said printing supply comprises a liner for an image receiving medium.

16. A cassette as claimed in any of claims 12 to 15, wherein said second part is arranged to be moved relative to the first part.

17. A cassette as claimed in any of claims 12 to 16, wherein locking means are provided for locking said printing supply.

18. A cassette comprising a first part and a second part, said first and second parts being relatively movable, one of said first and second parts having interaction means arranged to interact with a printer, wherein movement of said one of said first and second parts causes the said interaction means to interact with said printer.

19. A cassette as claimed in claim 18, wherein said interaction means comprises at least one projection.

20. A cassette as claimed in claim 19, wherein said at least one projection is arranged to extend outwardly from a side wall of said cassette.

21. A cassette as claimed in claim 20, wherein a plurality of projections are provided, spaced around the side wall of said cassette.

22. A cassette as claimed in claim 20 or 21 , wherein said side wall is cylindrical.

23. A cassette as claimed in any of claims 19 to 22, wherein said plurality of projections are contained in a common plane.

24. A cassette as claimed in any of claims 19 to 22, wherein said interaction means is configured to cause at least one of a print head and a platen to move.

25. A cassette as claimed in claim 24, wherein said interaction means is configured to cause at least one of said print head and platen to move between an operable and inoperable position

26. A cassette as claimed in claim 25, wherein said interaction means is configured to cause at least one of said print head and platen to move from an inoperable position to an operable position

27. A cassette as claimed in any of claims 18 to 26, wherein said interaction means is configured to cause said cassette to be locked in position in said printer.

28. A cassette as claimed in claim 27, wherein said interaction means are configured to provide an indication to a user that the cassette is locked in position.

29. A cassette as claimed in claim 28, wherein said indication comprises an audible indication.

30. A cassette as claimed in claim 28 or 29, wherein said indication comprises a visual indication.

31. A cassette as claimed in any of claims 18 to 30, wherein said interaction means are arranged to moved until said interaction means engages a stop of said printer.

32. A cassette as claimed in any of claims 18 to 31 , wherein said interaction means is configured to cause said printer to perform at least one procedure.

33. A cassette as claimed in claim 32, wherein said interaction means is configured to cause said printer to perform a cassette and/or printing supply recognition procedure.

34. A cassette comprising a first part and a second part, said first and second parts being relatively movable, wherein said cassette is arranged to receive an interaction portion of a tape printer, when said cassette is received in said printer, said cassette being configured such that said relative movement of said first and second parts is one of permitted and prevented when said interaction portion of said tape printer is interacting with said cassette.

35. A cassette as claimed in claim 34, wherein said cassette is configured to interact with a pin of said printer.

36. A cassette as claimed in claim 34 or 35, comprising an interaction means which is arranged to be moved from a first position to a second position by said interaction portion.

37. A cassette as claimed in claim 36, wherein said interaction means is coupled to means for causing a printing supply to be of locked and unlocked.

38. A cassette as claimed in claim 37, wherein said interaction means and said causing means are provided by a common part.

39. A cassette comprising a first part and a second part which are configured to be relatively movable, one of said first and second parts comprising a locking means, wherein said locking means has a first position in which no relative movement between said first and second part is possible and a second position in which relative movement between said first and second parts is permitted.

40. A cassette comprising a first part and a second part, one of said parts comprising a lid portion and one of said parts comprising a base portion, wherein one of said first and second parts is rotatable with respect to the other of said first and second parts.

41. A cassette as claimed in claim 40, wherein at least one of said first and second parts is generally cylindrical.

42. A cassette as claimed in claim 40 or 41 , wherein said lid is defined by one of said parts having a circular cross-section.

43. A cassette as claimed in claim 40, 41 or 42, wherein at least one of said first and second parts has a shape which uniquely defines the orientation of said cassette in a label printer

44. A cassette as claimed in claim 43, wherein said base portion is defined by said part having a shape which uniquely defines the orientation of the cassette in said label printer.

45. A cassette comprising a first generally cylindrical part and a second generally cylindrical part, one of said first and said second generally cylindrical parts being rotatable with respect to the other of said first and second generally cylindrical parts.

46. A cassette as claimed in claim 45, wherein first part is cylindrical, having a circular cross- section.

47. A cassette as claimed in claim 45 or 46, wherein said second part has a shape which uniquely defines the orientation of said cassette in a label printer.

48. A cassette as claimed in claim 43, 44 or 47, wherein said shape which uniquely defines the orientation of the cassette is a tear drop.

49. A cassette as claimed in any of claims 40 to 48, said cassette comprising at least one printing supply and control means, said control means being arranged when one of said first and second parts is moved relative to the other of said first and second parts to cause the cassette to change from one of a first condition and a second condition to the other of said first and second condition, said first condition being one in which rotation of at least one printing supply is prevented and said second condition being one in which rotation of at least one printing supply is permitted.

50. A cassette as claimed in claim 49, wherein at least one of said printing supplies is supported by a spool, said control means being arranged to interact with said spool.

51. A cassette as claimed in claim 50, wherein said control means is arranged to engage said spool when the cassette is in the first condition.

52. A cassette as claimed in claim 50 or 51 , wherein said spool comprises a toothed part.

53. A cassette as claimed in claim 52, wherein said control means comprises a corresponding toothed part for engagement with said toothed part of said spool.

54. A cassette as claimed in claim 52, wherein said control means comprises a projection for engaging said spool.

55. A cassette as claimed in any of claims 40 to 54, wherein one of said first and second parts comprises at least one printing supply, wherein when said one of said first and second parts is moved with respect to the other of said first and second parts, the printing supply is changed from being one of locked and unlocked to the other of locked and unlocked

56. A cassette as claimed in any of claims 40 to 45, wherein one of said first and second parts comprises a handle portion for permitting a user to move said one part relative to the other of said first and second parts.

57. A cassette as claimed in any of claims 40 to 56, wherein one of said first and second parts comprises a locking means, wherein said locking means has a first position in which no relative movement between said first and second part is possible and a second position in which relative movement between said first and second parts is permitted.

58. A cassette as claimed in any of claims 40 to 52, wherein said cassette is arranged to receive an interaction portion of a tape printer, when said cassette is received in said printer, said cassette being configured such that relative movement of said first and second parts is permitted when said interaction portion of said tape printer is interacting with said cassette.

59. A cassette as claimed in any of claims 40 to 58, wherein one of said first and second parts has interaction means arranged to interact with a printer, wherein said relative movement of said first and second parts causes said interaction means to interact with said printer.

60. A cassette comprising a first part and a second part, one of said first and second parts being movable with respect to the other of said first and second parts, said one of said first and second parts comprising a handle portion for permitting a user to move said one part relative to the other of said first and second parts.

61. A cassette as claimed in claim 60, wherein said handle portion extends across a central region of an upper surface of said one of said first and second parts.

62. A cassette as claimed in claim 60 or 61 , wherein said upper surface has a plane, said handle portion being arranged to be adjacent at least one region which lies on a plane at a different level below the upper surface.

63. A cassette as claimed in any of claims 60 to 62, wherein a periphery of an upper surface of said one of said first and second parts comprise a ring portion.

64. A cassette as claimed in claim 63, wherein said handle portion is arranged to extend from one side of said ring portion to another side of the ring portion

65. A cassette as claimed in any of claims 60 to 64, wherein said handle comprises a visual indication to assist the user to insert the cassette into a printer in a correct orientation.

66. A cassette for a label printer, said cassette comprising a base and a top portion, wherein at least one of said base and said top has a shape which uniquely defines the orientation of said cassette in said label printer.

67. A cassette as claimed in claim 66, wherein said shape comprises a tear drop shape.

68. A cassette as claimed in claim wherein said base comprises said unique shape.

69. A cassette for a label printer, comprising an image receiving medium and at least one wall, wherein said wall is arranged to support said image receiving medium during printing.

70. A cassette as claimed in claim 69, wherein said cassette comprises a recess to receive a print head of said label printer.

71. A cassette as claimed in claim 70, wherein said recess comprises said wall.

72. A cassette as claimed in claim 71 , wherein said recess is defined in a base part of said cassette.

73. A cassette as claimed in any of claims 69 to 72, wherein said cassette comprises a first part and a second parts which are relatively movable.

74. A cassette as claimed in claim 73, wherein said wall is provided by one of said first and second parts.

75. A cassette as claimed in claim 73 or 74, wherein said cassette comprises means for moving said print head to a printing position when said first and second parts are relatively moved.

76. A cassette as claimed in claim 73, 74 or 75, wherein said recess is provided only by one of said first and second parts.

77. A cassette for a label printer comprising a first recess for receiving a print head and a second recess for receiving a platen, said first and second recesses being separated by a printing supply extending therebetween.

78. A printer comprising a cassette receiving bay arranged to accommodate a plurality of different widths of cassette, said cassette bay comprising means to support said different widths of cassette such that that an upper surface of each of said different cassettes is supported in a common plane.

79. A printer as claimed in claim 78, wherein said common plane is co-planar with an upper surface of the cassette receiving bay.

80. A printer as claimed in claim 78 or 79, wherein said support means comprises at least one support channel to support at least one corresponding element on said respective different cassettes, said support channel being provided on a side of said cassette receiving bay perpendicular to said upper surface of said cassettes.