Abstract:
A case having a ventilation system for ventilating a heat generation source disposed in the case, includes: a first sub-case and a second sub-case which is joined to the first sub-case; a first gap provided in a surface of a joining section between the first sub-case and the second sub-case; and at least one ventilation section to discharge air in the case to the outside provided in the first gap.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of Invention 
   The present invention relates to a case ventilation system and a print apparatus provided with the case ventilation system, and more particularly to a case ventilation system having a ventilation section to discharge air in the case to the outside, and a print apparatus provided within the case ventilation system. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-62251 discloses a tape print apparatus which prints characters or symbols on a tape pulled out from a tape cassette incorporating a long tape wound around a reel and cuts that tape to produce a label. This tape print apparatus accommodates components that generate heat, such as a thermal head for printing on the tape, a motor for driving a tape feeding roller for carrying the tape and the like, in its case. Therefore, the inside of the case is filled with heat from the thermal head or motor due to the driving of the tape print apparatus so that the temperature in the case rises. Thus, some tape print apparatus have a ventilation section in a side face of the case or the like in order to discharge air in the case to the outside. Further, in a laser printer, a fan may be provided on the side face of its case to execute forced ventilation of air from the case. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   However, if the ventilation section is provided on the side face of the case, its location is restricted from viewpoints of design, and there is a further problem that the ventilation section needs to be provided with a screening member. There is another problem that the ventilation section cannot be provided at a place which compromises the design of the case even if it is a functionally favorable position. Additionally, the configuration and location of the ventilation section should be such that the ventilation system is not visible from the outside of the case. Such goals are often restricted by the relation of components contained in the case, or the structure of a mold die for forming the case. 
   It is one object of the present invention to provide a ventilation system for an apparatus having heat generating sources inside its case, and more particularly, a ventilation system for the case, and a print apparatus having such a case ventilation system, in which a ventilation section to discharge air in the case to the outside is provided, without compromising the design of the case, and without any restriction with respect to the internal structure of the case. 
   To achieve the above and/or other objects, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ventilation system for a case incorporating a heat generation source. The case has at least a first sub-case and a second sub-case which is joined to the first sub-case; a first gap is provided in a joining section between the first sub-case and the second sub-case; and a ventilation section is provided in the first gap to discharge air in the case to the outside of the case. 
   With this ventilation system for the case, ventilation within the case is enabled by the ventilation section provided in the first gap formed in the joining section between the first sub-case and the second sub-case constituting the case, so that air in the case warmed by the heat generating source can be discharged to the outside of the case. 
   In one exemplary embodiment, the first sub-case has a plurality of first engaging members, the second sub-case has a plurality of second engaging members which engage the first engaging members, and ventilation sections are provided between respective engaging sections in which the first engaging members engage the second engaging members. 
   In this exemplary embodiment, the first sub-case and the second sub-case are joined to each other by engagement between the first engaging member and the second engaging member, so that ventilation is carried out through the ventilation section provided between respective engaging sections in which the first engaging member engages the second engaging member. Further, preferably the ventilation section is formed from a space between respective engaging sections in which the first engaging members engage the second engaging members. 
   In this exemplary embodiment, ventilation is carried out through a space between the first engaging member and the second engaging member. 
   Preferably, the second sub-case is joined to a side face of the first sub-case, a second gap is formed between the side face of the first sub-case and a rear face of the second sub-case, and the second gap communicates with the ventilation section. 
   In this exemplary embodiment, warmed air is introduced to the ventilation section through the second gap formed between the side face of the first sub-case and the rear face of the second sub-case, and this air is ventilated to the outside. 
   In this exemplary embodiment, the ventilation section is a ventilation opening made in the side face of the first sub-case opposing the first gap. 
   According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print apparatus incorporating at least a print device to print on a print object medium and a transfer motor which drives a carrying device to carry the print object medium in a case thereof The print device and the transfer motor are heat generating sources. The apparatus has at least a first sub-case and a second sub-case joined to the first sub-case, wherein a first gap is provided in a joining section between the first sub-case and the second sub-case, and a ventilation section is provided in the first gap to discharge air in the case to the outside of the case. 
   In a print apparatus having such a case ventilation system, ventilation within the case is enabled through the ventilation section provided in the first gap formed in the joining section between the first sub-case and second sub-case so that warmed air in the case caused by the print device and the transfer motor, which are heat generating sources, can be discharged to the outside. 
   In one exemplary embodiment, the first sub-case has a plurality of first engaging members, and the second sub-case has a plurality of second engaging members, each engaging first engaging members. The ventilation section is provided between respective engaging sections in which each first engaging member engages a second engaging member. 
   In this exemplary embodiment, the first engaging members and the second engaging members engage each other so that the first sub-case and the second sub-case are joined. Then, ventilation is carried out through the ventilation section provided between respective engaging sections in which the first engaging members engage the second engaging members. 
   As discussed above, the ventilation section is comprised of a space between the respective engaging sections in which the first engaging members engage the second engaging members across the first gap. 
   In this case, ventilation is carried out through the space between the respective engaging sections in which the first engaging members engage the second engaging members. 
   In another exemplary embodiment, the second sub-case is joined to the side face of the first sub-case, a second gap is formed between the side face of the first sub-case and the rear face of the second sub-case and the second gap communicates with the ventilation section. 
   In this case, warmed air is introduced to an introduction section through the second gap formed between the side face of the first sub-case and the rear face of the second sub-case, and this air is ventilated to the outside. 
   In one exemplary embodiment, the ventilation section is a ventilation opening made in the side face of the first sub-case opposing the first gap. 
   In this exemplary embodiment, warmed air is ventilated through the ventilation opening made in the side face of the first sub-case opposing the first gap. 
   Further, in this exemplary embodiment, the first sub-case accommodates at least the print device and the transfer motor and the second sub-case is joined to the side face of the first sub-case. 
   In this exemplary embodiment, air warmed by at least heat generated from the print device and the transfer motor accommodated in the first sub-case is discharged through the ventilation section provided between the side face of the first sub-case and the second sub-case joined thereto. 
   In another exemplary embodiment, a third sub-case is provided and is joined to the bottom section of the second sub-case and located under the print device and the transfer motor. An introduction section to introduce air from the outside is provided in a joining section between the second sub-case and the third sub-case, and the first gap and the ventilation section provided in the joining section between the first sub-case and second sub-case are disposed above the print device and the transfer motor. 
   In this exemplary embodiment, outside air is introduced through the introduction section provided in the joining section between the second sub-case and the third sub-case, and air warmed by the print device and transfer motor is discharged to the outside through the ventilation section in the first gap provided in the joining section between the first sub-case and second sub-case. 
   Further, in an exemplary embodiment the print object medium is a long tape and the print device is a thermal head, and the print apparatus may further have, as well as the transfer motor, a first cutter motor to drive a first cutter which cuts a tape after printing, a second cutter motor to drive a second cutter which incises a section other than a separation sheet adhering to the rear face of the tape after printing, and a discharge motor to drive a discharge roller which discharges a print object medium cut by the first cutter, the first cutter motor, the second cutter motor and the discharge motor being located above the introduction section in the first sub-case and below the first gap and the ventilation section. 
   In this case, air warmed by heat generated by the thermal head, transfer motor, first cutter motor, second cutter motor and discharge motor is discharged through the ventilation section. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a tape print apparatus  1  of an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of the tape print apparatus  1  of an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a plan view of the tape print apparatus  1  of an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a rear view of a tape print apparatus  1  of an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a right side view of a tape print apparatus  1  of an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a left side view of a tape print apparatus  1  of an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a bottom view of a tape print apparatus  1  of an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an intermediate cover  2 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the intermediate cover  2 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a plan view of a state in which the top case of a tape cassette  30  is removed; 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view when the side cover  7  is seen from the front side; 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view when the side cover  7  is seen from the rear side; 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view when the side cover  8  is seen from the front side; 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view when the side cover  8  is seen from the rear side; 
       FIG. 15  is a sectional view taken along the plane A-A of the tape print apparatus  1  shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 16  is a sectional view taken along the plane B-B of the tape print apparatus shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 17  is a sectional view taken along the plane C-C of the tape print apparatus shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 18  is an enlarged view of a section J in  FIG. 15 ; 
       FIG. 19  is an enlarged view of a section K in  FIG. 15 ; 
       FIG. 20  is an enlarged view of a section L in  FIG. 16 ; 
       FIG. 21  is an enlarged view of a section M in  FIG. 16 ; 
       FIG. 22  is an enlarged view of the vicinity of an open button  6  of the tape print apparatus  1 ; 
       FIG. 23  is a sectional view taken along the plane D-D of the tape print apparatus  1  shown in  FIG. 22 ; 
       FIG. 24  is an enlarged view of the vicinity of a leg section  10 D of a bottom cover  10  of the tape print apparatus  1 ; 
       FIG. 25  is a sectional view taken along the plane E-E of the tape print apparatus  1  shown in  FIG. 24 ; 
       FIG. 26  is a sectional view taken along the plane F-F of the tape print apparatus  1  shown in  FIG. 22 ; 
       FIG. 27  is a sectional view taken along the plane G-G of the tape print apparatus  1  shown in  FIG. 24 ; and 
       FIG. 28  is a perspective view of a modification of the intermediate cover  2 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
   Hereinafter, a tape print apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, the structure of the tape print apparatus  1  of this embodiment will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1-7 . 
   The tape print apparatus  1  of this embodiment may be connected to a personal computer (not shown) or similar device that provides printing data and prints a desired character, graphic symbol or the like on tape to create a label according to a print instruction from the personal computer. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the case of this tape print apparatus  1  is substantially rectangular. The case may be made from any suitable material such as synthetic resin. The case has an intermediate cover  2  (first sub-case) acting as a frame, a cassette cover  3 , journaled by the intermediate cover  2 , and capable of opening/closing and covering the cassette accommodating section. A front cover  4  is provided on an upper section of a front face of the case and a tray cover  5  is provided below the front cover  4 . Also provided are an open button  6  to open the cassette cover  3 , a side cover  7  (second sub-case) and side cover  8  (second sub-case) to cover the right and left side faces of the case, a back cover  9  to cover the rear side of the case and a bottom cover  10  (third sub-case) to cover the bottom face of the case. 
   Next, the cassette cover  3  will be described. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the cassette cover  3  is provided to cover the top face and an upper section of the front face of the tape print apparatus  1  and is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view and in substantially L shape in side view. A rear end section of the cassette cover  3  is journaled by a top face of a rear end section of the intermediate cover  2  so that it is capable of opening/closing. A substantially rectangular check window  3 A to check the remainder of a tape inside is provided to the left side in the center of the cassette cover  3 . The cassette cover  3  is locked by a lock mechanism (not shown) provided on the intermediate cover  2  in a closed state and if the open button  6  is pressed, the lock is released so that the cassette cover can be opened/closed. A tape cassette accommodating section  20  is provided under this cassette cover  3  as described later. 
   Next, the front cover  4  and the tray cover  5  will be described. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the front cover  4  is provided on a front face of the tape print apparatus  1 , forms the front wall of the case and is joined to the intermediate cover  2 . Six rows of grooves may be formed laterally in an upper section of the front cover  4  for decoration. Further, a vertically long, substantially rectangular tape discharge port  11  to discharge a printed tape T (see  FIG. 10 ) is provided to the right in the center of the upper section of the front cover  4 . 
   Next, the open button  6  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 3 . The open button  6  is provided at a front end section near the front cover  4  of the intermediate cover  2  and may be substantially rectangular. A slippage preventing rib may be formed on the top face of the open button  6 . The open button  6  is provided with an urging member (not shown) to urge itself upward from the inside and a top of the open button  6  remains level with the top face of the intermediate cover  2  and can be pressed downward. If the open button  6  is pressed, a lock mechanism (not shown) to lock the cassette cover  3  and provided inside the intermediate cover  2  is released, so that the cassette cover  3  can be opened upward. 
   Next, the back cover  9  will be described with reference to  FIG. 4 . The back cover  9  may be formed integrally with the bottom cover  10  so that a substantially L shape in vertical section is formed in cooperation with the bottom cover  10 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the back cover  9  is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in its front view and may be joined to the intermediate cover  2  so that the rear face of the tape print apparatus  1  is covered. A connector connecting section  9 A is provided on a lower half section of the back cover  9 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . A power switch  12 , a serial connector section  13 , a USB connector section  14 , a USB-ID changeover switch  15  and a robbery preventing hole  16 , for example, may be provided on the connector connecting section  9 A, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , a modified hexagonal side cover  7  having a sloped portion, whose side view is substantially rectangular with longer lateral sides, is joined to the right side face (right side in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ) of the tape print apparatus  1 . Further, a modified hexagonal side cover  8  having a sloped portion, whose side view is substantially rectangular with longer lateral sides, is joined to the left side face of the tape print apparatus  1  (left side in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). The detailed structure of the side covers  7 ,  8  will be described later. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a gap  70  is formed in the joining section on the outer periphery of the tape print apparatus  1  between the intermediate cover  2  and the side cover  7 . A gap  71  also is formed in the joining section on the outer periphery of the tape print apparatus  1  between the intermediate cover  2  and the side cover  8 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , ventilation sections  72 - 76  to discharge air from the case of the tape print apparatus  1  to the outside are formed between engaging protrusions  7 A- 7 E and engaging protrusions  23 A- 23 E, which will be described later, in the gap  70 . Further, ventilation sections  77 - 81  to discharge air from the case of the tape print apparatus  1  to the outside are provided between engaging protrusions  8 A- 8 E and engaging protrusions  26 A- 26 E in the gap  71 . 
   Next, the bottom cover  10  formed integrally with the back cover  9  will be described with reference to  FIG. 7 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the bottom cover  10  is provided to cover the bottom face of the tape print apparatus  1  and is formed in a modified hexagonal shape having a slope on a portion of the rectangle. Low, circular convex leg portions  10 A- 10 D may be formed at four corners of that rectangle. Vent sections  86 - 89  to introduce air into the case from the outside are provided at joining sections between the bottom cover  10  and side cover  7 . Further, vent sections  82 - 85  to introduce air into the case from the outside are provided in joining sections between the bottom cover  10  and side cover  8 . 
   Next, the structure of the intermediate cover  2  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9 .  FIGS. 8 and 9  are perspective views of the intermediate cover  2 . The intermediate cover  2  may be formed of synthetic resin. A tape cassette accommodating section  20  to accommodate a tape cassette  30 , which will be described later, is formed as a large depressed portion substantially in the center of the intermediate cover  2 . A narrow rectangular top face section  21  is formed on a right side of the intermediate cover as shown in  FIG. 8 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , an upper side face  22  having a predetermined width (as an example, thickness of about 2 mm) extends downward from a right side of the top face section  21 . A right side wall  24  forms the right side face of the intermediate cover  2 . A horizontal section  23  (slightly inclined from rear to front of the intermediate cover  2 ) is formed horizontally from the top section of the right side wall  24  toward the center of the intermediate cover  2 . Thus, the upper side face  22  and the horizontal section  23  intersect with each other at a right angle. 
   As shown in  FIG. 8 , engaging protrusions  23 A- 23 E, which engage engaging protrusions provided on the side cover  7 , which will be described later, are provided on the horizontal section  23  to protrude upward at intervals. Of these, engaging protrusion  23 C is formed wider than the others. 
   As shown in  FIG. 9 , an upper side face  25  having a predetermined width (for example, a thickness of about 2 mm) extends downward from a top end section of a left side wall  27  of the intermediate cover  2  and a horizontal section  26  (slightly inclined from rear to front of the intermediate cover) is formed from a bottom end section of the upper side face  25 . Therefore, the upper side face  25  and horizontal section  26  intersect each other. As shown in  FIG. 9 , engaging protrusions  26 A- 26 E, which engage engaging protrusions provided on the side cover  8 , which will be described later, protrude upward from the horizontal section  26  at intervals. Of these, engaging protrusion  26 C is formed wider than the others. 
   Next, the structure of a tape cassette  30  that is accommodated in the tape cassette accommodating section  20  will be described.  FIG. 10  is a plan view of a state when an upper case of the tape cassette  30  has been removed. In the tape cassette  30 , as shown in  FIG. 10 , components which will be described later, are incorporated in a lower case  34  which is formed in a flat, substantially rectangular, box-like configuration. In the lower case  34 , a tape spool  36  on which a transparent film tape  35  is wound, a ribbon spool  38  on which a thermal ink ribbon  37  is wound, and an adhesive tape spool  40  on which a double-sided adhesive tape  39  with separation sheet is wound with the separation sheet facing outside, are disposed. These respective spools  36 ,  38 ,  40  are supported rotatably in cooperation with a supporting section provided on a bottom face of a upper case (not shown). 
   Further, a ribbon winding spool  31  is supported rotatably among the respective spools  36 ,  38 ,  40  and used to wind the thermal ink ribbon  37  which is used for print. 
   A thermal head  45  is disposed in a concave section  32  provided in the lower case  34 . A platen roller  41  is supported rotatably by a roller holder  46  and disposed at a position allowing it to be in firm contact with the thermal head  45 . The thermal head  45  has a plurality of heat generating elements and is able to print characters or the like, on a film tape  35  through a thermal ink ribbon  37 . 
   A tape pressing roller  43  is supported rotatably in the vicinity of a tape discharge section  44  (down to the left in  FIG. 3 ) of the lower case  34 . A tape feed roller  42  to feed a completed tape T in the direction indicated by an arrow in  FIG. 10  and supported rotatably by the roller holder  46 , is disposed at a position so as to make firm contact with the tape T so that it is urged toward the tape pressing roller  43 . 
   Next the structure of the side cover  7  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 11 and 12 .  FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the side cover  7  from the front side.  FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the side cover  7  from the rear side. As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the side cover  7  is rectangular with longer lateral sides and may be made of synthetic resin and formed into a modified hexagonal configuration having a sloped portion. Engaging protrusions  7 A- 7 E, which engage the engaging protrusions  23 A- 23 E (see  FIG. 8 ) provided on the top section of the right side wall  24  of the intermediate cover  2 , are provided on top end sections of the rear face of the side cover  7  so that they project downward, as shown in  FIG. 12 . Further, engaging protrusions  7 F- 7 Q, which engage the bottom cover  10 , protrude from the bottom end section of the rear face of the side cover  7 . 
   Next, the structure of the side cover  8  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 13 and 14 .  FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the side cover  8  from the front side and  FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the side cover  8  from the rear side. As shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the side cover  8  is rectangular with longer lateral sides and may be made of synthetic resin and formed into a modified hexagonal configuration having a sloped portion. Engaging protrusions  8 A- 8 E, which engage the engaging protrusions  26 A- 26 E provided on the top section of the left side wall  27  of the intermediate cover  2 , are provided on top end sections of the rear face of the side cover  8  so that they project downward, as shown in  FIG. 13 . Further, engaging protrusions  8 F- 8 Q, which engage the bottom cover  10 , protrude from the bottom end section of the rear face of the side cover  8 . 
   Next, the internal structure of the tape print apparatus  1  will be described with reference to  FIG. 15 .  FIG. 15  is a sectional view taken along the plane A-A of the tape print apparatus  1  shown in  FIG. 3 . A print circuit board  50 , in which an electronic circuit is formed, is fixed substantially horizontally with an appropriate fixing device inside the respective covers above the bottom cover  10  of the tape print apparatus  1 , as shown in  FIG. 15 . A tape feeding motor  51  to generate a driving force for feeding the tape T inside the tape cassette  30  is provided under the bottom face of the tape cassette accommodating section  20  and a thermal head  45  and a heat sink  55  are provided on the right side face of the tape cassette accommodating section  20  in  FIG. 15 . A full cutter motor  53  is provided to drive a full cutter (not shown) which cuts a printed tape T. A half cutter motor  54  is provided to drive a half cutter, (not shown) which incises a section other than the separation sheet in the tape T, after a print and a tape discharge motor  52  to drive a tape discharge roller (not shown) which discharges the tape T, after cutting from the tape discharge port  11 . The full cutter motor  53 , half cutter motor  54  and the tape discharge motor  52  are provided between the tape cassette accommodating section  20  and the print circuit board  50 . The tape feeding motor  51 , tape discharge motor  52 , full cutter motor  53  and half cutter motor  54  are held on an inner frame (not shown). 
   Because the thermal head  45 , tape feeding motor  51 , tape discharge motor  52 , full cutter motor  53  and half cutter motor  54  are heat sources which generate heat during their operations, the case of the tape print apparatus  1  becomes filled with heat generated from these heat sources. 
   Next, the ventilation system for air warmed by heat generated from the above mentioned heat sources will be described with reference to  FIGS. 3 ,  7  and  15 - 28 . 
   The gap  70  is formed in the surface of the joining section between the side face of the intermediate cover  2  and the top section of the side cover  7 . Respective engaging sections having the engaging protrusions  7 A- 7 E and the engaging protrusions  23 A- 23 E exist in the gap  70  and the ventilation sections  72 - 76  to discharge air in the case to the outside are formed between the respective engaging sections. Further, the gap  71  is formed in the surface of the joining section between the side face of the intermediate cover  2  and the top section of the side cover  8 . Respective engaging sections having the engaging protrusions  8 A- 8 E and the engaging protrusions  26 A- 26 E exist in the gap  71  and the ventilation sections  77 - 81  to discharge air in the case to the outside are formed between the respective engaging sections. 
   As shown in  FIG. 7 , introduction sections  86 - 89  to introduce air into the case from the outside are formed in the joining section between the bottom cover  10  and the side cover  7  off the engaging sections in which the engaging protrusions  7 F- 7 Q of the side cover engage the bottom cover  10 . Introduction sections  82 - 85  to introduce air into the case from the outside are formed in the joining section between the bottom cover  10  and the side cover  8  of the engaging sections in which the engaging protrusions  8 F- 8 Q of the side cover  8  engage the bottom cover  10 . 
   Further, as shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , a gap  60 , which functions as an exhaust duct to introduce air warmed in the case to the ventilation sections  72 - 76 , is formed between the right side wall  24  of the intermediate cover  2  and the rear face of the side cover  7 . A gap  62 , which functions as an exhaust duct to introduce air warmed in the case to the ventilation sections  72 - 76 , is formed between the left side wall  27  of the intermediate cover  2  and the rear face of the side cover  8 . 
   As indicated by the partial sectional view of  FIG. 18 , a section in which an engaging protrusion  7 D of the side cover  7  engages an engaging protrusion  23 D of the intermediate cover  2  serves as an engaging section so that there exists no ventilation section. As indicated by  FIG. 23 , a section in which an engaging protrusion  7 C of the side cover  7  engages an engaging protrusion  23 C of the intermediate cover  2  serves as an engaging section so that there exists no ventilation section. That is, there exists no ventilation section in the engaging section in which the engaging protrusion of the side cover  7  engages the engaging protrusion of the intermediate cover  2 . The gap  71  in the joining section between the intermediate cover  22  and the side cover  8  has the same structure. 
   As shown in  FIG. 19 , there exists no air introduction section in the engaging section in which the bottom cover  10  is joined to the side cover  7 . Further, as shown in  FIG. 25 , there exists no air introduction section in the engaging section between the engaging protrusion  10 E of the bottom cover  10  and the engaging protrusion  7 F of the side cover  7 . A section in which the bottom cover  10  is joined to the side cover  8  has the same structure. 
   However, as shown in  FIG. 20 , a ventilation section  75  is formed in a section having no engaging protrusion in the gap  70  in the joining section between the side cover  7  and the intermediate cover  2 . As shown in  FIG. 26 , a ventilation section  74  is formed in a section having no engaging protrusion in the gap  70  in the joining section between the side cover  7  and the intermediate cover  2 . Ventilation sections  72 ,  73 ,  76  are provided in a section having no engaging protrusion in the gap  70  in the other joining section between the side cover  7  and the intermediate cover  2 . Thus, the sections other than the engaging section between the side cover  7  and the intermediate cover  2 , serve as the ventilation section. The gap  71  in the joining section between the side cover  8  and intermediate cover  2  has the same structure. 
   As shown in  FIG. 21 , an air introduction section  87  is formed in a section having no engaging protrusion in the joining section between the bottom cover  10  and side cover  7 . As shown in  FIG. 27 , an air introduction section  86  is formed in a section having no engaging protrusion in the joining section between the bottom cover  10  and side cover  7 . Further, air introduction sections  88 ,  89  also are provided in sections having no engaging protrusion in the other joining section between the bottom cover  10  and side cover  7 . The joining section between the bottom cover  10  and side cover  8  has the same structure. 
   Therefore, air warmed by heat generating sources, such as the thermal head  45 , tape feeding motor  51 , tape discharge motor  52 , full cutter motor  53 , half cutter motor  54  and the like that are provided in the case of the tape print apparatus  1  rises, passes through the gaps  60 ,  62  and is discharged through the ventilation sections  72 - 81  to the outside. In this case, because rising air current is generated by air warmed within the case, outside air is naturally introduced through the respective introduction sections  86 - 89 ,  82 - 85  on the bottom. Thus, heat does not build up within the case. 
   Further because no special ventilation hole needs to be provided in the surface (an easily visible section) of the tape print apparatus  1 , the design of the case of the tape print apparatus  1  is never compromised (i.e., weakened by having vent holes or slots formed in it). The ventilation sections  72 - 81  can be provided at a location requiring the most ventilation, regardless of the internal structure, by changing positions of the respective engaging sections between the engaging protrusion  7 A- 7 E and the engaging protrusion  23 A- 23 E and positions of the respective engaging sections between the engaging protrusion  8 A- 8 E and engaging protrusion  26 A- 26 E. 
   The present invention is not restricted to the above described embodiments but may be modified in various ways. For example, it is permissible to provide ventilation holes  91 - 93  in the upper side face  22  of the right side wall  24  of the intermediate cover  2 , and discharge air inside the intermediate cover through the ventilation section from the ventilation holes  91 - 93  without allowing air to pass through the gap  60  between the right side wall  24  of the intermediate cover  2  and the rear face of the side cover  7 . The present invention is not restricted to such an apparatus in which the side covers  7 ,  8  are joined to the side faces of the intermediate cover  2 , but if the case is constituted of two or more components, the ventilation section or introduction section of the present invention can be provided on match sections between those respective components. 
   The present invention can be applied to not only the above-described tape print apparatus but also various kinds of print apparatus such as ink jet printer, laser printer and various kinds of electronic apparatus such as TV, personal computer if a heat generating source is contained inside. Additionally, the present invention can be applied to not only such electronic apparatus but also to the cases of various kinds of machines each accommodating a heat generating source inside such as sewing machine, machine tool. 
   While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments or constructions. While the various elements of the exemplary embodiments are shown in various combinations and configurations, which are exemplary, other combinations and configurations, including more, less or only a single element, are also within the spirit and scope of the invention.