Tape printer

A tape printer includes a cassette mounting portion, a cutting mechanism, a discharge outlet, a guide surface, a first projecting portion, and a second projecting portion. The cutting mechanism is a hinged type of cutting mechanism, and the hinge of the cutting mechanism is positioned in a side of the tape in a width direction. The guide surface guides the label toward the discharge outlet. The first projecting portion is provided in an area covered by a first projected image that is an image of a minimum width tape projected onto the guide surface, being projected in a position to which the minimum width tape has been conveyed toward the discharge outlet by a minimum length of the label. The second projecting portion is provided within the guide surface to the outside of the first projected image and on the opposite side of the first projected image from the hinge.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This Application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-113354, filed on May 29, 2013, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a tape printer that is provided with a function that performs printing on a tape that is a printing medium.

A tape printer is known that performs printing on a tape that is a printing medium. The tape printer includes, for example, an automatic cutter, a paper guide surface, and a projecting portion. The automatic cutter cuts to a desired length a recording paper on which information has been printed, making a cut piece of the paper. The paper guide surface is positioned on the downstream side of a paper conveyance path of the automatic cutter and is set at a lower level than an area through which the recording paper passes in a horizontal direction, such that the paper guide surface defines the bottom of the cut piece of the paper. The projecting portion is provided on the top face of the paper guide surface and projects toward the cut piece of the paper in an area that is not in a central portion of the width direction of the cut piece of the paper. The cut piece of the paper is held by the paper guide surface and the projecting portion such that the cut face on the upstream end of the paper covers a portion of the area through which the recording paper is conveyed.

SUMMARY

In the tape printer that is described above, the distance that a conveyance path of the paper guide surface extends is comparatively short. Therefore, in a case where the distance is comparatively long in the direction in which the conveyance path of the paper guide surface extends, the cut piece of the paper may not be discharged smoothly, even if the projecting portion that meets the conditions described above is provided.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a tape printer that is provided with a function that performs printing on tapes that have a plurality of widths, the tape printer being capable of reliably discharging a cut tape even in a case where the distance to the discharge outlet from a position where the tape is cut is comparatively long.

A tape printer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cassette mounting portion, a cutting mechanism, a discharge outlet, a guide surface, a first projecting portion, and a second projecting portion. The cassette mounting portion is configured to be provided with a tape cassette containing a tape that is a printing medium. The cutting mechanism is a hinged type of cutting mechanism and that includes a hinge positioned in a side of the tape in a width direction. The cutting mechanism is configured to cut the tape, which is supplied from the tape cassette that is provided in the cassette mounting portion and is conveyed along a specified conveyance path. The discharge outlet is provided on a downstream side of the cutting mechanism in a conveyance direction of the conveyance path along which the tape is conveyed. The discharge outlet discharges a label that is the tape that has been cut by the cutting mechanism. The guide surface is provided between the cutting mechanism and the discharge outlet and that guides the label toward the discharge outlet. The first projecting portion is provided in an area that is covered by a first projected image. The first projected image is an image of a minimum width tape that is projected onto the guide surface from a direction that is orthogonal to the conveyance path, and is projected in a position to which the minimum width tape has been conveyed from the cutting mechanism toward the discharge outlet by a minimum length of the label. The minimum width tape is a tape whose width is the smallest of any tape that is supplied from the tape cassette that is provided in the cassette mounting portion. The second projecting portion is provided within the guide surface to an outside of the first projected image and on an opposite side of the first projected image from the hinge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment that implements the present disclosure will be explained with reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings are used for explaining technological features that the present disclosure can utilize and do not serve to restrict the content of the present disclosure. In the explanation of the present embodiment, the lower right side, the upper left side, the lower left side, the upper right side, the top side, and the bottom side inFIG. 1respectively correspond to the right side, the left side, the front side, the rear side, the top side, and the bottom side of a tape printer1. InFIG. 2, the lower right side, the upper left side, the lower left side, the upper right side, the top side, and the bottom side respectively correspond to the top side, the bottom side, the front side, the rear side, the left side, and the right side of the tape printer1and a tape cassette30. With respect to a conveyance path C along which a tape57that is supplied from the tape cassette30is conveyed and a discharge path along which the tape57is discharged, the side where the tape cassette30is located is called the upstream side, and the side where a discharge outlet20is located is called the downstream side.

The tape printer1will be explained with reference toFIGS. 1 to 11. The tape printer1is a general-purpose tape printer that can be electrically connected to a computer (for example, a personal computer). Based on data that are transmitted from the computer and that describe characters (text characters, numerals, figures, and the like), the tape printer1performs the printing of the characters on a tape that is a printing medium that is supplied from the tape cassette30. The tape printer1is able to use various types of the tape cassette30, such as a thermal type, a receptor type, a laminated type, a tube type, and the like. The type of the tape varies according to the type of the tape cassette30. The types of tape include, for example, a thermal paper tape, a printing tape, a double-sided adhesive tape, a tube tape, and a film tape. The thermal type tape cassette is provided with the thermal paper tape. The receptor type tape cassette is provided with the printing tape and an ink ribbon. The laminated type tape cassette is provided with the double-sided adhesive tape, the film tape, and an ink ribbon. The tube type tape cassette is provided with a heat-shrinkable tube tape and an ink ribbon. In the explanation that follows, where the type of tape that is contained in the tape cassette30is called by a general name, as well as in a case where the type of the tape is not specified, it will simply be called the tape. Attributes of the tape that is contained in the tape cassette30(for example, the tape width, the form of printing, the tape color, the printing color, and the like) will collectively be called the tape attributes.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the tape printer1is provided with a body cover2whose shape is approximately a three-dimensional rectangle. The body cover2includes a body11, a left cover12, a right cover13, and a top cover14. InFIG. 1, the left side, the right side, and the top side of the body11are respectively covered by the left cover12, the right cover13, and the top cover14. A cassette mounting portion8, a printing mechanism70, a cutting mechanism80, a discharge portion99, and a battery compartment (not shown in the drawings) are provided in the body11. The cassette mounting portion8is an element into and from which the tape cassette30can be mounted and removed. The printing mechanism70is configured such that it performs printing on the tape57that is supplied from the tape cassette30. The cutting mechanism80is provided on the downstream side of the printing mechanism70and is configured such that it cuts the printed tape57to a specified length. The discharge portion99is an element that discharges a label to the outside of the tape printer1, the label being the tape that has been cut by the cutting mechanism80. The cassette mounting portion8, the printing mechanism70, the cutting mechanism80, and the discharge portion99are each provided on the left side of the body11. The battery compartment is provided on the right side of the body11and is capable of accommodating a battery that supplies electric power to the tape printer1. The cassette mounting portion8, the printing mechanism70, the cutting mechanism80, and the discharge portion99will be described later.

The left cover12is rectangular in a left side view. The left cover12is axially supported in the front-rear direction in the lower left part of the body11and can pivot between a closed position that is shown inFIG. 1and an open position that is shown inFIGS. 2 and 3. In a case where the left cover12is in the closed position that is shown inFIG. 1, the left cover12covers the left side of the body11. The left cover12is moved to the open position when the tape cassette30is mounted or removed, for example. The right cover13is rectangular in a right side view and can be mounted on and removed from the body11. In a case where the right cover13has been mounted on the body11, the right cover13covers the right side of the body11. The right cover13is operated when the battery is mounted in or removed from the battery compartment (not shown in the drawings), for example. The top cover14can be mounted on and removed from the body11. An operation portion3is provided on the top face of the top cover14. The operation portion3is operated when various types of commands are input, such as switching the power supply on and off.

The tape cassette30, which can be mounted in the cassette mounting portion8, will be explained with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3. As shown inFIG. 2, the tape cassette30is provided with a cassette case31whose overall shape is a three-dimensional rectangle (a box shape) with rounded corners. Except for a first indicator portion800and a second indicator portion (not shown in the drawings), which will be described later, the shape of the cassette case31is the same regardless of the type of the tape cassette30or the tape attributes.

The cassette case31is provided with three support holes64,65, and68that pass through the cassette case31in the left-right direction. As shown inFIG. 3, the support hole64supports a roller46such that the roller46can rotate. The roller46, together with a movable feed roller79that will be described later, feeds the tape that is supplied from the cassette case31along the specified conveyance path C (refer toFIG. 5). Each one of the support holes65and68supports a spool that is mounted in the interior of the cassette case31, such that the spool can rotate. The support hole65supports a spool40, around which a tape is wound, such that the spool40can rotate. The support hole68supports a spool44for winding up a tape that is supplied from a spool42, such that the spool44can rotate. The cassette case31is also provided with support holes66and67, which are provided such that they extend in the left-right direction. The support hole66supports a spool41, around which a tape is wound, such that the spool41can rotate. The support hole67supports the spool42, around which a tape is wound, such that the spool42can rotate. The cassette case31is also provided with a hole63that passes through the cassette case31in the left-right direction in the lower rear part of the cassette case31. The types of the tapes that are wound around the spools40to42are set in accordance with the type of the tape cassette30.

As shown inFIG. 2, the cassette case31is provided with the first indicator portion800, which indicates a portion of the tape attributes of the tape cassette30on its top face. The first indicator portion800includes at least one hole801that is provided in a pattern that is prescribed in accordance with a portion of the tape attributes of the tape cassette30. Each one of the at least one hole801is provided in a position that corresponds to one of five detection switches (not shown in the drawings) that are provided in a first detection portion850(refer toFIG. 3) that is provided in the tape printer1. Accordingly, when the tape cassette30is mounted in the tape printer1, the detection switches are selectively depressed by the first indicator portion800. In the tape printer1, a portion of the tape attributes of the tape cassette30are detected based on a combination of on states and off states of the detection switches of the first detection portion850. A tape attribute that the first indicator portion800indicates may be the tape width, for example. The tape width is the size of the tape in a direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the tape, the direction being shown as a width direction W inFIG. 2. The minimum tape width Wmin of the tape cassette30that can be mounted in the tape printer1of the present embodiment is 6 millimeters, and the maximum tape width Wmax is 24 millimeters.

The second indicator portion (not shown in the drawings) is similarly provided in the lower portion of the right wall of the cassette case31. The second indicator portion includes at least one hole that is provided in a pattern that is prescribed in accordance with a tape attribute (for example, the tape color) that is different from the tape attributes that are indicated by the first indicator portion800. Each one of the at least one hole that is provided in the second indicator portion is provided in a position that corresponds to one of five detection switches701that are provided in a second detection portion700that is provided in the tape printer1that is shown inFIG. 2. Accordingly, when the tape cassette30is mounted in the tape printer1, the detection switches701are selectively depressed by the second indicator portion. In the tape printer1, the tape attribute of the tape cassette30is detected based on a combination of on states and off states of the detection switches701at that time. A discharge guide portion49that guides the tape57toward the cutting mechanism80is provided in the upper front portion of the cassette case31.

The cassette mounting portion8will be explained with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3. As shown inFIG. 2, the tape cassette30can be mounted in and removed from the cassette mounting portion8in a left-right direction. The cassette mounting portion8is recessed in such a way that its shape corresponds substantially to the shape of the right side face of the cassette case31. The second detection portion700is provided in the lower right portion of the cassette mounting portion8. In the second detection portion700, the five detection switches701project to the left. As explained previously, when the tape cassette30is mounted in the cassette mounting portion8, the detection switches701are positioned opposite the second indicator portion (not shown in the drawings), which is provided on the right side of the tape cassette30.

The cassette mounting portion8is provided with shafts95,100,110, and120, which extend from the right to the left. The shaft95is provided on the upper side of the cassette mounting portion8, in a central portion in the front-rear direction. As shown inFIG. 3, the shaft95can be inserted into the spool44of the tape cassette30. The shaft100is provided toward the front from the shaft95. The shaft100can be inserted into a shaft hole in the roller46of the tape cassette30. The shaft110is provided below and to the rear of the shaft100. The shaft110can be inserted into the support hole65of the tape cassette30. The shaft120is provided in the lower rear portion of the cassette mounting portion8. The shaft120can be inserted into the hole63of the tape cassette30.

The printing mechanism70will be explained with reference toFIG. 3. The printing mechanism70is configured such that it performs printing on the tape that is supplied from the cassette mounting portion8, based on the data that are transmitted from the computer (not shown in the drawings). The printing mechanism70is provided with a head holder74. The head holder74is provided in the upper portion of the cassette mounting portion8. The head holder74is formed from a single plate member that extends in the front-rear direction. A thermal head10that is provided with a heating element (not shown in the drawings) is provided on the top face of the head holder74.

The printing mechanism70is provided with an arm-shaped platen holder122that extends in the front-rear direction above the head holder74. The platen holder122is axially supported such that it is swingable around an axial support portion121of the body11. A platen roller78and the movable feed roller79are axially supported in the front portion of the platen holder122such that they can rotate. The platen roller78is opposite the thermal head10and is able to come into contact with and move away from the thermal head10. The movable feed roller79is opposite the roller46of the tape cassette30and is able to come into contact with and move away from the roller46of the tape cassette30. A tape drive motor (not shown in the drawings) that is a stepping motor is disposed behind (on the right side of) the cassette mounting portion8. The shaft95and the roller46are respectively connected to the tape drive motor through pluralities of gears (not shown in the drawings) and are configured such that they rotate in conjunction with the operating of the tape drive motor.

When the left cover12is in the closed position, the platen holder122moves toward a printing position. In the printing position, the platen holder122is close to the cassette mounting portion8. Specifically, in a case where the receptor type of the tape cassette30has been mounted in the cassette mounting portion8, the platen roller78presses the printing tape and the ink ribbon (not shown in the drawings) against the thermal head10. At the same time, the movable feed roller79presses the tape57against the roller46. Within the tape cassette30, the printing tape and the ink ribbon are conveyed along the conveyance path C in conjunction with the rotating of the shaft95, the roller46, the platen roller78, and the movable feed roller79. The thermal head10uses the ink ribbon to perform printing on the printing tape.

The cutting mechanism80will be explained with reference toFIGS. 3 and 4. The cutting mechanism80is a known hinged type of mechanism that is configured such that it makes a label by cutting the printed tape57to a specified length. The specified length may be prescribed by data that are transmitted from the computer, for example. The cutting mechanism80is provided between the cassette mounting portion8and the discharge portion99in the front-rear direction. As shown inFIG. 4, the cutting mechanism80is provided with a fixed blade81, a movable blade82, a hinge83, a support plate84, and a motor90. The fixed blade81extends in the left-right direction and has a cutting edge85on its upper side. The movable blade82forms a V shape in a front view and is provided with a cutting edge86, a shank portion87, a curved portion88, and a transmitting portion89. The cutting edge86is formed on the lower side of the shank portion87and is opposite the cutting edge85of the fixed blade81. The curved portion88is a curved element that connects the shank portion87and the transmitting portion89. The hinge83is provided in the curved portion88. The movable blade82is supported by the support plate84such that the movable blade82can pivot around the hinge83. The motor90is affixed to the front face of the support plate84and operates such that it can pivot the movable blade82. The driving force of the motor90is transmitted to the transmitting portion89of the movable blade82through a gear (not shown in the drawings) that is provided on the rear face of the support plate84, and it drives the pivoting of the movable blade82. The tape57that is pinched between the cutting edge85and the cutting edge86is cut by the pivoting of the movable blade82.

The discharge portion99will be explained with reference toFIG. 3andFIGS. 5 to 7. The discharge portion99is an element that is provided with the discharge outlet20and is located between the discharge outlet20and the cutting mechanism80. From discharge outlet20, the discharge portion99discharges the label that has been created by the cutting mechanism80to the outside of the tape printer1. As shown inFIGS. 3 and 5, the discharge outlet20has a rectangular shape whose long axis extends in the left-right direction in a front view, and it is positioned on a conveyance direction D of the conveyance path C of the tape57. As shown inFIG. 6, the discharge portion99is provided with surfaces21to26. The surfaces21to26are respectively provided on the bottom side, the left side, the right side, the top side, the lower right side, and the upper right side of the discharge portion99. As shown inFIG. 7, the angles of inclination of at least the surface21and the surface24in relation to the horizontal plane vary according to the position in the front-rear direction. In a range R1 that is closest to the cutting mechanism80in the front-rear direction, the surface21is inclined upward toward the front. In a range R2 that is continuous with the range R1 in the front-rear direction, the surface21is substantially parallel to the horizontal plane. In a range R3 that is continuous with the range R2 in the front-rear direction, the surface21is inclined downward toward the front. Similarly, the surface24is inclined downward toward the front in the range R1 and the range R2 in the front-rear direction. The surface24is inclined upward toward the front in the range R3 in the front-rear direction. Within the surface21, the surface that is inclined downward toward the front in the range R3 is called a guide surface27, and the surface that is substantially horizontal in the range R2 is called a horizontal surface28. A first projecting portion130and a second projecting portion140are provided on the guide surface27, and a third projecting portion150that is provided with top faces151to153is provided on the horizontal surface28. The third projecting portion150reduces friction between the tape and the surface21while the tape is being conveyed. The guide surface27is provided between the cutting mechanism80and the discharge outlet20such that it is inclined in relation to the horizontal surface28, and it uses gravity to guide the label to the discharge outlet20. A length LF of the guide surface27in a longitudinal direction toward the discharge outlet20is greater than a minimum length Lmin of the tape57. Each one of the first projecting portion130, the second projecting portion140, and the third projecting portion150is a projecting portion that projects upward.

The first projecting portion130and the second projecting portion140that are provided on the guide surface27will be explained with reference toFIGS. 5 to 11. As shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, the first projecting portion130projects upward from the guide surface27that is provided in a position that is within a first projected image171. The first projected image171is an image of a first reference tape that is projected onto the guide surface27from a direction that is orthogonal to the conveyance path C. The first reference tape is the tape in a case where a minimum width tape, whose width is the smallest of any tape that is supplied from the tape cassette30that is mounted in the cassette mounting portion8, is conveyed along the conveyance direction D of the conveyance path C by the minimum length Lmin that is shown inFIG. 7. In the present embodiment, the minimum tape width Wmin is 6 millimeters, and the minimum length Lmin is 24.5 millimeters. The value of the minimum length Lmin is determined by a head-to-cutter distance Lhc (not shown in the drawings), which is the distance between the thermal head10and the cutting mechanism80. Ordinarily, the value of the minimum length Lmin is greater than the distance Lhc by the length of a trailing margin. The length of the trailing margin is the length of the margin that is provided on the trailing end of the tape, along the conveyance direction D. In the present embodiment, the tape that is supplied from the tape cassette30is conveyed such that the center of the tape is always in the same position in the width direction of the tape, regardless of the tape width. The first projected image171in the present embodiment is projected in a central portion of the guide surface27in the left-right direction. The area that is covered by the first projected image171is the area that is shown as shaded by slanting lines inFIG. 6. Within the area that is covered by the first projected image171, the first projecting portion130in the present embodiment is positioned on a center line M of the first projected image171(refer toFIG. 11) in the width direction W, close to the boundary between the guide surface27and the horizontal surface28.

The second projecting portion140is provided within the guide surface27to the outside of the first projected image171and on the opposite side of the first projected image171from the hinge83of the cutting mechanism80. As shown inFIG. 6, in the tape printer1of the present embodiment, the hinge83of the cutting mechanism80is provided on the right side of the guide surface27. Therefore, the second projecting portion140is provided within the guide surface27to the outside of the first projected image171and in an area that is to the left of the first projected image171.

In the present embodiment, in addition to being subject to the conditions described above, the second projecting portion140, in particular, is provided in an area that is covered by a second projected image172. The second projected image172is an image of a second reference tape that is projected onto the guide surface27from a direction that is orthogonal to the conveyance path C. The second reference tape is the tape in a case where a maximum width tape, whose width is the greatest of any tape that is supplied from the tape cassette30that is mounted in the cassette mounting portion8, is conveyed along the conveyance direction D of the conveyance path C by the minimum length Lmin that is shown inFIG. 7. In the present embodiment, the maximum tape width Wmax is 24 millimeters. The area in which the second projecting portion140that satisfies the conditions described above is provided is the area that is shaded by cross-hatching inFIG. 6.

The position in which the second projecting portion140is provided, as described above, is determined by taking two factors into consideration. The first factor is that, in the tape printer1, a label that is created by cutting the maximum width tape is affected comparatively little by the force that bears on it from the cutting mechanism80, even in a case where the length of the tape is the minimum length. Hereinafter, a label that is created by cutting the maximum width tape to the minimum length Lmin will be called a maximum width/minimum length label. A label that is created by cutting the minimum width tape to the minimum length Lmin will be called a minimum width/minimum length label. In the tape printer1in which the second projecting portion140is provided within the area that is shaded by cross-hatching inFIG. 6, the maximum width/minimum length label is conveyed toward the discharge outlet20in a state in which it is supported by the first projecting portion130, the second projecting portion140, and the guide surface27. In the tape printer1, the friction between the guide surface27and the maximum width/minimum length label is less than in a case where the label is supported only by the guide surface27. Therefore, in the tape printer1, the maximum width/minimum length label is discharged more easily than in a case where the label is supported only by the guide surface27.

The second factor is that the minimum width/minimum length label is discharged more smoothly by keeping the interval between the first projecting portion130and the second projecting portion140from becoming too wide. In other words, by setting the position of the second projecting portion140within the area that is shaded by cross-hatching inFIG. 6, as described above, the second projecting portion140can be disposed in a position that is suitable for correcting the direction of movement of the minimum width/minimum length label.

In the tape printer1of the present embodiment, the length of the guide surface27along the conveyance direction D is longer than the minimum length Lmin. In the present embodiment, the first projecting portion130and the second projecting portion140are each formed by taking into consideration the friction force between the label and the guide surface27, as hereinafter described, in order to make it easier to discharge the label from the discharge outlet20.

As shown inFIG. 9, a length L1 of the first projecting portion130along the conveyance direction D of the conveyance path C is shorter than a length L2 of the second projecting portion140along the conveyance direction D of the conveyance path C. A projection height H1 of the first projecting portion130in relation to the guide surface27is lower than a projection height H2 of the second projecting portion140in relation to the guide surface27. Neither the highest point on the first projecting portion130nor the highest point on the second projecting portion140is higher than the position in the up-down direction of the conveyance path C of the tape57. The tape printer1can reliably cause the minimum width/minimum length label to come into contact with the second projecting portion140. In a case where the maximum width/minimum length label is supported by the first projecting portion130, the second projecting portion140, and the guide surface27, the maximum width/minimum length label is tilted toward the hinge83, such that the height of the maximum width/minimum length label in relation to the guide surface27is lower on the side toward the hinge83(the right side in the present embodiment). In that case, a force acts on the maximum width/minimum length label in the direction of the right side. Therefore, the tape printer1is able to reduce the effect of the force that bears on the maximum width/minimum length label from the cutting mechanism80. The tape printer1is able to discharge the label from the discharge outlet20more smoothly than in a case where the length L1 is longer than the length L2 or a case where the projection height H1 is higher than the projection height H2.

The first projecting portion130is formed from two top faces131,132, such that the first projecting portion130has an inverted V shape in a left side view. The top face131is positioned in front of the top face132. The top face132, toward the rear of the first projecting portion130, is substantially horizontal. The top face131, toward the front of the first projecting portion130, is inclined in relation to an extension plane F of the conveyance path C. In the present embodiment, the extension plane F of the conveyance path C is substantially parallel to the horizontal. Similarly, the second projecting portion140is formed from two top faces141,142, such that the second projecting portion140has an inverted V shape in a left side view. The top face141is positioned in front of the top face142. The top face142, toward the rear of the second projecting portion140, is substantially horizontal. The top face141, toward the front of the second projecting portion140, is inclined in relation to the extension plane F of the conveyance path C. An inclination angle A1 of the first projecting portion130in relation to the extension plane F of the conveyance path C along the conveyance direction D is smaller than an inclination angle A2 of the second projecting portion140in relation to the extension plane F of the conveyance path C along the conveyance direction D.

Here, the inclination angle A1 is the angle of the top face131with respect to the extension plane F, and the inclination angle A2 is the angle of the top face141with respect to the extension plane F. The reason for determining the shapes of the first projecting portion130and the second projecting portion140as described above will now be explained. Specifically, in the process by which the label is guided to the discharge outlet20, of the top faces of the first projecting portion130and the top faces of the second projecting portion140, the top face that is the closest to the discharge outlet20has the strongest effect on the inclination angle, with respect to the extension plane F, of the label that is in contact with the first projecting portion130and the second projecting portion140. In the tape printer1, setting the inclination angles A1 and A2 as described above makes it possible to correct the rotational force that bears on the tape when it is cut, in a case where the maximum width/minimum length label is supported by the first projecting portion130, the second projecting portion140, and the guide surface27. Therefore, the tape printer1is able to discharge the label from the discharge outlet20more smoothly than in a case where the inclination angle A1 is not smaller than the inclination angle A2.

As shown inFIG. 8, the second projecting portion140includes an inclined surface143whose projection height in relation to the guide surface27becomes lower toward the side where the hinge83is located in the width direction W. In a case where the maximum width/minimum length label is supported by the first projecting portion130, the second projecting portion140, and the guide surface27, the shape of the inclined surface143causes the maximum width/minimum length label to tilt toward the side where the hinge83is located, such that the height of the maximum width/minimum length label in relation to the guide surface27is lower on the side toward the hinge83in the width direction (the right side in the present embodiment). Being configured in this way makes it possible for the tape printer1to reduce the effect of the force that bears on the maximum width/minimum length label from the cutting mechanism80in a case where the maximum width/minimum length label is supported by the first projecting portion130, the second projecting portion140, and the guide surface27. Therefore, the tape printer1is able to discharge the label from the discharge outlet20more smoothly than in a case where the inclined surface143that is described above is not provided.

The operation of the tape printer1when printing is performed will be explained briefly with reference toFIGS. 3,10, and11, using as an example a case in which the laminated type of the tape cassette30is mounted in the cassette mounting portion8and the minimum width/minimum length label is created. The roller46, which is driven through the shaft100, operates in coordination with the movable feed roller79to pull out the film tape (not shown in the drawings) that is wound around the spool41. The spool44, which is rotationally driven through the shaft95, pulls the unused ink ribbon out from the spool42in synchronization with printing speed. The film tape that has been pulled out from the spool41is conveyed along the conveyance path C and passes to the outer side of the spool42. The film tape is then conveyed between the thermal head10and the platen roller78with the ink ribbon overlaid on its surface. At this time, the thermal head10uses the ink ribbon to print characters on the printing surface of the film tape.

Thereafter, the used ink ribbon is peeled away from the printed film tape and wound up by the spool44. At the same time, the double-sided adhesive tape (not shown in the drawings) is pulled out from the spool40by the coordinated operation of the roller46and the movable feed roller79. The double-sided adhesive tape is guided between and wound around the roller46and the movable feed roller79, where it is overlaid on and affixed to the printing surface of the printed film tape. The film tape (that is, the tape57) to which the double-sided adhesive tape has been affixed is conveyed by a specified distance toward the discharge outlet20and is cut by the cutting mechanism80.

As shown schematically inFIG. 11, a force in the direction of an arrow97acts on a minimum width/minimum length label98that has been cut by the cutting mechanism80. Therefore, the minimum width/minimum length label98rotates clockwise in a plan view. The first projecting portion130is formed on the center line M in the left-right direction of the first projected image171in an area that is comparatively close to the boundary between the guide surface27and the horizontal surface28. Therefore, as shown inFIG. 11, the minimum width/minimum length label98reliably comes into contact with the first projecting portion130, even in a state in which a force from the cutting mechanism80bears on the minimum width/minimum length label98in the direction of the arrow97, such that the minimum width/minimum length label98has rotated in the direction of the arrow97around a corner point P that is on the opposite side of the minimum width/minimum length label98from the hinge83in the width direction W. In other words, the first projecting portion130is in an area, within the area that is covered by the first projected image171, that overlaps the image of the first reference tape that is projected onto the guide surface27from a direction that is orthogonal to the conveyance path C, the first reference tape having been rotated in the direction of the arrow97around the corner point P until the first reference tape abuts the second projecting portion140.

As shown inFIG. 10, an inclination angle A4 of a label that is in contact with the top face of the first projecting portion130, in relation to the extension plane F of the conveyance path C, is larger than an inclination angle A3 of the guide surface27in relation to the extension plane F of the conveyance path C. Therefore, the force that acts on the minimum width/minimum length label98in the direction of the discharge outlet20becomes greater, making it easier for the minimum width/minimum length label98to be conveyed to the discharge outlet20. As shown inFIG. 11, the direction of movement of the minimum width/minimum length label98that is in contact with the second projecting portion140is corrected, such that the minimum width/minimum length label98moves in the direction that is indicated by an arrow96. Therefore, even in a case where the length LF of the guide surface27is longer than the length Lmin, the minimum width/minimum length label98does not cling to the guide surface27, but passes through the discharge outlet20and is discharged from the tape printer1.

In the tape printer1, the label that is made by the cutting of the tape is supported by at least the first projecting portion130and the guide surface27. The friction between the label and the guide surface27of the tape printer1is less than in a case where the label is supported only by the guide surface27. Therefore, in the tape printer1, the label is discharged more easily than in a case where the label is supported only by the guide surface27.

In that type of the tape printer1that is provided with the hinged type of cutting mechanism80, the label that is made by the cutting of the tape57is subject to a force from the cutting mechanism80that rotates the label in the direction of the discharge outlet20, with a corner point of the tape that is on the opposite side of the tape from the side where the hinge83is located in the width direction W serving as a base point. In other words, the label that is made by the cutting of the tape57is not conveyed toward the discharge outlet20. With regard to the effect of the force that bears on the label from the cutting mechanism80, the effect of the force that bears on a narrow label is greater than the effect of the force that bears on a wide label. Furthermore, the effect of the force that bears on a short label is greater than the effect of the force that bears on a long label. In other words, the label on which the effect of the force from the cutting mechanism80is greatest is the minimum width/minimum length label. In the tape printer1, the minimum width/minimum length label moves smoothly toward the second projecting portion140and comes into contact with the second projecting portion140in a state in which the label is supported by the first projecting portion130and the guide surface27. The movement direction of the minimum width/minimum length label is corrected by the label's coming into contact with the second projecting portion140, and the minimum width/minimum length label is conveyed smoothly toward the discharge outlet20. In a case where the distance to the discharge outlet20from the position where the tape57is cut, that is, the position of the blades of the cutting mechanism80, is comparatively long, the label is discharged smoothly from the discharge outlet20even if conditions exist that maximize the effect of the force from the cutting mechanism80.

The tape printer of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment that is described above, and various types of modifications can be made within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, any of the modifications from (A) to (D) below may be made as desired.

(A) The types of tape cassette that can be mounted in the tape printer, the types of tape that can be contained in the tape cassette, and the structure of the tape cassette may be modified as desired. For example, the minimum value and the maximum value for the tape width may each be modified as desired. The structure of the cassette mounting portion of the tape printer may be modified as desired in accordance with the structure of the tape cassette. The minimum length Lmin of the tape may be modified as desired.

(B) The hinge of the cutting mechanism of the tape printer may be disposed on either the right side or the left side of the first projecting portion and the second projecting portion, as long as it is positioned at one of the right edge and the left edge of the tape. The positioning of the second projecting portion may be modified as desired, in accordance with the positioning of the hinge.

(C) The first projecting portion may be disposed anywhere within the area that is covered by the first projected image. An area where, when the label is created, it is highly probable that the minimum width/minimum length label will come into contact with the first projecting portion is determined based on experiments or simulation results, taking into account the force that bears on the minimum width/minimum length label from the cutting mechanism. The first projecting portion may then be provided within the area that is determined. The shape of the first projecting portion130, including the values for the projection height H1 of the first projecting portion130in relation to the guide surface27, the length L1 of the first projecting portion130along the conveyance direction D, and the inclination angle A1 in relation to the extension plane F, may be modified as desired. In the embodiment that is described above, the first projecting portion130and the third projecting portion150may also be provided separately from one another.

(D) It is sufficient for the second projecting portion to be provided to the outside of the first projected image and on the opposite side of the first projected image from the hinge of the cutting mechanism. As long as those conditions are satisfied, the second projecting portion may also be provided to the outside of the second projected image. An additional second projecting portion140and an additional second projecting portion160may also be provided outside of the first projected image171and on the opposite side of the first projected image171from the hinge of the cutting mechanism, as in a discharge portion199in a modified example that is shown inFIG. 12. InFIG. 12, the same reference numerals are assigned to the members that are the same as in the tape printer1of the embodiment that is described above that is shown inFIG. 6, and explanations of those members will be omitted. The shape of the second projecting portion160inFIG. 12may be set as desired, taking into account the shapes of the first projecting portion130and the second projecting portion140, the size of the label, and the like. The shape of the second projecting portion140, including the values for the projection height H2 of the second projecting portion140in relation to the guide surface27, the length L2 of the second projecting portion140along the conveyance direction D, the inclination angle A2 in relation to the extension plane F, and the shape of the inclined surface143, may be modified as desired. Therefore, the length L1 of the first projecting portion130along the conveyance direction D of the conveyance path C may be shorter than or not shorter than the length L2 of the second projecting portion140along the conveyance direction D, for example. Similarly, the projection height H1 of the first projecting portion130in relation to the guide surface27may be greater than or not greater than the projection height H2 of the second projecting portion140in relation to the guide surface27.