Patent ID: 6676314
Filing Date: 2004-01-13
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A tape printing apparatus that is capable of producing a tape strip having a desired tape length by printing on a tape while feeding the tape and then cutting the tape at a trailing end of a printed portion thereof,the tape printing apparatus comprising: tape feed means for feeding the tape; printing means for printing on the tape; print data input means for inputting print data to be printed by said printing means; tape length-calculating means for calculating a calculation tape length tp (tp>0) based on the print data input via said print data input means; tape length-setting means for setting a tape length t based on the calculation tape length tp calculated by said tape length-calculating means; cutter means for cutting the tape to the tape length t set by said tape length-setting means; and determining means for determining whether the calculation tape length tp is smaller than a length (a+x) obtained by adding a predetermined length x (x&gE;0) to a length a (a&gE;0) between a cutting position at which the tape is cut through by said cutter means and a position of an exit via which a cut-off strip of the tape is discharged out of the tape printing apparatus, wherein if said determining means has determined that the calculation tape length tp is smaller than the length (a+x), said tape length-setting means sets the tape length t such that the tape length t becomes equal to or larger than the length (a+x), whereas if said determining means has determined that the tape length t is not smaller than the length (a+x), said tape length-setting means sets the tape length t to the calculation tape length tp.