Printing apparatus

A printing apparatus includes: a conveying unit; a printing unit; a disposing stand provided on a downstream side of the printing unit in a first direction, the disposing stand having a disposing section where a printing medium is disposed; a cutting blade that cuts the printing medium disposed in the disposing section; and a supporting member that supports the cutting blade movably from a non-cutting position, via a partial cut position, to a full cut position. The non-cutting position is a position where a blade edge is separated from the printing medium disposed in the disposing section. The partial cut position is a position where the cutting blade cuts a part of the printing medium in a second direction. The full cut position is a position where a blade edge passes beyond the disposing section to fully cut the printing medium in the second direction.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-068443, filed on Mar. 30, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus.

Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, there is known a printing apparatus that executes a cutting operation on a printing medium by means of a disposing stand where the printing medium is disposed and a blade facing the disposing stand. The cutting operation includes a partial cut and a full cut. The partial cut is an operation of the printing apparatus that partially cuts the printing medium in a thickness direction thereof in a state that the printing medium is sandwiched between the blade and the disposing stand. The full cut is an operation of the printing apparatus that fully cuts the printing medium in the thickness direction in the state that the printing medium is sandwiched between the blade and the disposing stand. For example, a conventional printing apparatus includes a printing head, a disposing stand, and a cutting blade. The printing head executes printing on a tube which is an example of the printing medium. The disposing stand and the cutting blade are both provided on a downstream side of the printing head in a conveyance direction of the tube. The cutting operation is executed in a state where the tube is sandwiched between the disposing stand and the cutting blade. The disposing stand moves between a first facing position and a second facing position along the conveyance direction of the tube. When the disposing stand is in the first facing position, the tube sandwiched between the cutting blade and the disposing stand undergoes the partial cut. When the disposing stand is in the second facing position, the tube sandwiched between the cutting blade and the disposing stand undergoes the full cut.

SUMMARY

However, the above-described conventional printing apparatus needs to secure a space for the disposing stand to move in the conveyance direction. Therefore, a position where the tube is cut is separated from the printing head, and an end portion of the tube, that will be a margin without being printed on, lengthens. Thus, there has been a possibility that it becomes difficult to print on the tube without waste of the tube.

An object of the present teaching is to provide a printing apparatus which is capable of cutting a printing medium and which can shorten a margin of the printing medium.

According to an aspect of the present teaching, there is provided a printing apparatus including: a conveying unit configured to convey a printing medium in a first direction; a printing unit configured to execute printing on the printing medium conveyed by the conveying unit; a disposing stand provided on a downstream side of the printing unit in the first direction, the disposing stand having a disposing section where the printing medium is disposed; a cutting blade configured to cut the printing medium disposed in the disposing section, wherein the disposing stand is movable between a first position and a second position different from the first position, in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and orthogonal to a second direction, the second direction being a thickness direction of the printing medium that is disposed in the disposing section. The printing apparatus according to the aspect of the present teaching may further include a supporting member configured to support the cutting blade movably from a non-cutting position, via a partial cut position, to a full cut position, the non-cutting position being a position at which a blade edge is separated from the printing medium disposed in the disposing section, the partial cut position being a position at which the cutting blade cuts a part of the printing medium in the second direction, the full cut position being a position at which a blade edge passes beyond the disposing section to fully cut the printing medium in the second direction.

Due to the above-described configuration, since a movement direction of the disposing stand is orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, a margin of the printing medium disposed between the printing unit and the disposing stand shortens. There is hence achieved a printing apparatus which is capable of cutting a printing medium and which can shorten a margin of the printing medium.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

A printing apparatus1which is an example of an embodiment of the present teaching will be described with reference to the drawings. Hereafter, description will be made assuming that left-right, front-rear, and up-down depicted by arrows in the drawings are left-right, front-rear, and up-down of the printing apparatus1.

The printing apparatus1depicted inFIG. 1is an apparatus that prints on a printing medium a character such as a letter, a graphic, a symbol, etc. The printing apparatus1is an apparatus connected to a data creating apparatus2via a connecting member4. The data creating apparatus2operates according to operation of a user. The data creating apparatus2creates character data which is data depicting a character and sends the created character data to the printing apparatus1. Furthermore, the data creating apparatus2sends to the printing apparatus1a printing instruction to print the character on the printing medium and a cutting instruction to cut the printing-completed printing medium. Cutting of the printing medium in the present embodiment includes a partial cut and a full cut. The partial cut is where part in a thickness direction of the printing medium is cut. The full cut is where all in the thickness direction of the printing medium is cut. Although details thereof will be mentioned later, the printing medium of the present embodiment is a laminated tape24that includes a surface layer tape8and a double-sided adhesive tape13(refer toFIG. 2).

An internal structure of the printing apparatus1will be described with reference toFIG. 2. The printing apparatus1includes a case5. A storage section17into/from which a tape cassette7can be inserted/removed along a left-right direction, is provided on an inside of the case5. A tape spool, a ribbon supply spool11, a take-up spool12, a base material supply spool15, and a joining roller16are provided on an inside of the tape cassette7. The surface layer tape8which is transparent and of the likes of a PET film, is wound around the tape spool. An ink ribbon10is wound around the ribbon supply spool11. The take-up spool12takes up the ink ribbon10. The double-sided adhesive tape13is wound around the base material supply spool15. The double-sided adhesive tape13includes: an adhesive tape having an adhesive agent layer on both sides thereof; and a peel-off tape affixed to an outer side of the double-sided adhesive tape. The joining roller16is provided rotatably.

A thermal head18and a roller holder20are provided in the storage section17. The thermal head18includes a plurality of heating elements and is plate-like. A platen roller21and a feeding roller22are provided rotatably in the roller holder20. The platen roller21sandwiches the ink ribbon10and the surface layer tape8between itself and the thermal head18. The feeding roller22sandwiches the surface layer tape8and the double-sided adhesive tape13between itself and the joining roller16. The sandwiched surface layer tape8and double-sided adhesive tape13(hereafter, called the laminated tape24) are able to pass through a discharge port27provided in the case5. The take-up spool12, the feeding roller22, and the joining roller16are coupled to a drive motor25provided on the inside of the case5. Therefore, the feeding roller22cooperating with the joining roller16can convey the laminated tape24. Hereafter, an orientation that the laminated tape24is conveyed between the feeding roller22and the discharge port27will be called a conveyance direction (an exemplary “first direction” of the present teaching). The conveyance direction of the present embodiment substantially matches a front-rear direction. A thickness direction of the laminated tape24conveyed between the feeding roller22and the discharge port27matches an up-down direction, and a width direction of the laminated tape24matches the left-right direction.

A cutting apparatus100will be described with reference toFIGS. 3 and 4. The cutting apparatus100is an apparatus that makes a partial cut or a full cut of the laminated tape24. The cutting apparatus100is provided at a position between the feeding roller22and the discharge port27, in the conveyance direction (refer toFIG. 2). In other words, the cutting apparatus100is provided on a downstream side of the thermal head18in the conveyance direction. The cutting apparatus100includes a disposing mechanism70and a movable mechanism80.

The disposing mechanism70is a mechanism by which the laminated tape24is disposed. The laminated tape24is disposed in a posture that its thickness direction will be the up-down direction. The disposing mechanism70includes a disposing stand32, a rotating body71, and a disposing stand motor75. The disposing stand32includes a supporting section33, a disposing section34, a groove39, a first contact part37, and a second contact part38. The supporting section33is provided movably in the left-right direction. In more detail, the supporting section33is supported movably in the left-right direction by means of a rail35extending in the left-right direction fixed to the inside of the case5(refer toFIG. 2). A long hole31which is long in the up-down direction is provided in the supporting section33. The disposing section34of the present embodiment is a plane surface forming part of an upper end surface of the supporting section33. A peel-off paper of the double-sided adhesive tape13forming the laminated tape24is disposed on the disposing section34. The disposing section34and the peel-off paper face each other in the up-down direction. The groove39is provided on an upper end surface of the disposing section34and recesses downwardly. The groove39extends linearly in the left-right direction. A dimension in the conveyance direction of the groove39is a groove width and corresponds to dimension W1(refer toFIG. 4). The first contact part37forms the upper end surface of the supporting section33more to a left side than the disposing section34. As an example, a position in the up-down direction of the first contact part37is the same as that of the disposing section34. The second contact part38is a plane surface forming the upper end surface of the supporting section33more to a left side than the first contact part37, and is formed more downwardly than the first contact part37. A distance in the up-down direction between the first contact part37and the second contact part38(corresponding to dimension D ofFIG. 3) is longer than a thickness of the double-sided adhesive tape13forming the laminated tape24(refer toFIG. 4).

The rotating body71is provided rotatably with the conveyance direction as its axial direction. The rotating body71has a pin74that lies along the conveyance direction. The pin74is inserted in the long hole31. The pin74rotatably supports a roller77. The roller77fits slidably in the long hole31. The rotating body71is coupled to the disposing stand motor75via a gear72. The disposing stand motor75is a motor capable of forward and reverse rotation. When the rotating body71rotates due to drive of the disposing stand motor75, the pin74moves the disposing stand32in the left-right direction via the roller77. The disposing stand32moves in the left-right direction (an exemplary “third direction” of the present teaching) between a first position (refer toFIGS. 3 and 5) and a second position (refer toFIG. 7). When the cutting apparatus100executes the partial cut, the disposing stand32is positioned at the first position. When the cutting apparatus100executes the full cut, the disposing stand32is positioned at the second position.

The movable mechanism80depicted inFIG. 3is a mechanism that cooperates with the disposing mechanism70to make the partial cut or the full cut of the laminated tape24. The movable mechanism80includes a shaft section47, a supporting member49, a cutting blade46, a projecting section58, and a power transmission section52. The shaft section47is fixed to the inside of the case5(refer toFIG. 2) in a posture that its axial direction will be the conveyance direction. The shaft section47is a rotation center of the supporting member49and rotatably supports the supporting member49. A long hole45is provided in the supporting member49. The supporting member49supports the cutting blade46. The cutting blade46is formed by a metal material and is plate-like, as an example. The cutting blade46has a blade edge41which is a region that has undergone blade edging. In the blade edge41of the present embodiment, only a front end, of the front end and a rear end of the cutting blade46undergoes blade edging (refer toFIG. 4). The blade edge41extends linearly facing the disposing section34and is capable of entering the groove39. The projecting section58is part of the supporting member49. The projecting section58projects more toward a disposing section34side than the blade edge41, along a direction circumferential with reference to the shaft section47. A projection amount with respect to the blade edge41of the projecting section58(corresponding to dimension E) is greater than zero and less than or equal to a thickness of the double-sided adhesive tape13. The projecting section58selectively contacts the first contact part37and the second contact part38depending on movement of the disposing stand32in the left-right direction.

The power transmission section52includes a rotating body53and a cutting motor51. The rotating body53is rotatable with the conveyance direction as its axial direction. A pin44that lies along the front-rear direction is provided in the rotating body53, and the pin44fits slidably in the long hole45of the supporting member49. The cutting motor51is a motor capable of forward and reverse rotation that is coupled to the rotating body53via a gear train56. Therefore, when the rotating body53rotates with drive of the cutting motor51, the pin44pivots the cutting blade46via the supporting member49. The cutting blade46is pivotable between a non-cutting position (refer toFIG. 3) and a full cut position (refer toFIGS. 7 and 8), via a partial cut position (refer toFIGS. 5 and 6). When the cutting blade46is positioned in the non-cutting position, the blade edge41is separated on an opposite side to the disposing section34, from the laminated tape24disposed in the disposing section34. When the cutting blade46is positioned in the full cut position, the blade edge41enters the groove39. When the cutting blade46is positioned in the full cut position, all of the blade edge41facing the laminated tape24is disposed more downwardly than the disposing section34, with a minute gap from the disposing section34. In other words, in the full cut position, a direction that the blade edge41extends is not orthogonal to the thickness direction of the laminated tape24disposed in the disposing section34(an exemplary “second direction” of the present teaching). Magnitude of the minute gap depends on the projection amount with respect to the blade edge41of the projecting section58(refer to dimension E ofFIG. 3).

A relationship between the groove width of the groove39(dimension W1) and a blade width of the cutting blade46(dimension W2) will be described with reference toFIG. 4. The blade width of the cutting blade46is a maximum length in the conveyance direction of the blade edge41entering the groove39. The groove width of the groove39is shorter than five times the blade width, is preferably shorter than two times the blade width, and is even more preferably shorter than 1.5 times the blade width. The groove width of the groove39in the present embodiment is shorter than 1.5 times the blade width. The groove39has a depth such that a bottom surface of the groove39will be more downward than the blade edge41of the cutting blade46in the full cut position.

An outline of a printing operation due to the printing apparatus1will be described with reference toFIG. 2. The drive motor25rotates, whereby the take-up spool12, the feeding roller22, and the joining roller16rotate synchronously with each other. At the same time, the thermal head18selectively electrically drives the plurality of heating elements to heat the heating elements. Ink included in the ink ribbon10is transferred to the surface layer tape8by generated heat of the heating elements, whereby printing is executed. The surface layer tape8on which printing has been executed is conveyed by rotation of the feeding roller22and the joining roller16and by following rotation of the platen roller21. The surface layer tape8on which printing has been executed is laminated on the double-sided adhesive tape13between the feeding roller22and the joining roller16, thereby generating the printing-completed laminated tape24. Subsequently, the laminated tape24is conveyed toward the cutting apparatus100.

An operation in which the cutting apparatus100executes the partial cut will be described with reference toFIGS. 3 to 6. The cutting blade46is in the non-cutting position, and the disposing stand32is in the first position (refer toFIG. 3). In this case, the projecting section58faces the first contact part37along a pivoting direction of the cutting blade46. The rotating body53rotates with drive of the cutting motor51, whereby the cutting blade46that had been in the non-cutting position pivots toward the disposing stand32around the shaft section47(arrow H ofFIG. 3). A region adjacent to the shaft section47of the blade edge41precedes a region separated from the shaft section47of the blade edge41to sandwich the laminated tape24between itself and the disposing section34. A cut begins to be made in a region on a shaft section47side of the surface layer tape8configuring the laminated tape24. The cutting blade46further pivots, whereby the blade edge41makes a cut in the surface layer tape8configuring the laminated tape24over a radial direction centered on the shaft section47. Subsequently, the projecting section58contacts the first contact part37, whereby the cutting blade46is held (positioned) (refer toFIGS. 5 and 6). The cutting motor51stops drive. At this time, the blade edge41extends linearly in the left-right direction at the same height position as a shaft center of the shaft section47, and is positioned more upwardly than the disposing section34. In the partial cut position, the direction that the blade edge41extends (left-right direction) is orthogonal to the thickness direction of the laminated tape24disposed in the disposing section34(up-down direction). The blade edge41, while cutting the surface layer tape8, does not cut the double-sided adhesive tape13. As a result, the laminated tape24undergoes the partial cut.

An operation in which the cutting apparatus100executes the full cut will be described with reference toFIGS. 3, 7, and 8. The cutting blade46is in the non-cutting position, and the disposing stand32is in the first position (refer toFIG. 3). As depicted inFIG. 3, the disposing stand motor75is driven, whereby the rotating body71rotates clockwise in front view (arrow A) and the roller77undergoes displacement to a right side while sliding along the long hole31. As a result, the disposing stand32that had been in the first position moves rightwards (arrow B) and reaches the second position (refer toFIG. 7). The cutting motor51is driven similarly to during the partial cut, whereby the cutting blade46pivots toward the disposing section34(arrow H ofFIG. 3). The blade edge41begins to make a cut in order from a region on the shaft section47side of the laminated tape24. The first contact part37allows the cutting blade46to move as far as the full cut position, without the first contact part37contacting either the supporting member49or the cutting blade46. When the projecting section58has contacted the second contact part38, the cutting blade46reaches the full cut position. At this time, the cutting blade46severs the laminated tape24with the blade edge41as a boundary. All of the double-sided adhesive tape13is cut. All of the blade edge41that had been facing the laminated tape24passes through the disposing section34to enter into the groove39. As depicted inFIG. 7, the blade edge41extends linearly inclined from an upper right side to a lower left side, more to an upper side than the bottom surface of the groove39. The cutting motor51stops drive, and the cutting apparatus100finishes a full cut operation.

As described above, the cutting apparatus100makes the partial cut or the full cut of the laminated tape24. At a start time of the printing operation of the printing apparatus1, a region of the laminated tape24disposed between the thermal head18and the disposing stand32is a margin not printed with a character. In the present embodiment, the disposing stand32moves in the left-right direction according to whether the cutting apparatus100makes the partial cut or makes the full cut. That is, a movement direction of the disposing stand32is a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the laminated tape24and the conveyance direction. A distance along the conveyance direction between the thermal head18and the disposing stand32(corresponding to dimension Z ofFIG. 2) shortens proportionately to the disposing stand32not moving along the conveyance direction. Therefore, the margin of the laminated tape24shortens. As a result, the printing apparatus1can execute printing of little waste on the laminated tape24. There is hence achieved the printing apparatus1which is capable of cutting the laminated tape24and which can shorten the margin of the laminated tape24.

When the disposing stand32is in the second position, the first contact part37allows the cutting blade46to be positioned in the full cut position, without the first contact part37contacting either the supporting member49or the cutting blade46. Since movement of the cutting blade46during the full cut is not hindered, the printing apparatus1can stabilize the full cut operation.

When the disposing stand32is in the second position, the second contact part38contacts the projecting section58, whereby the cutting blade46is held (positioned) in the full cut position. As a result, even when the cutting apparatus100executes the full cut operation over a plurality of times, it is difficult for the full cut position of the cutting blade46to vary. Hence, the cutting apparatus100can stabilize the full cut operation.

The projecting section58that projects more to a disposing section34side than the blade edge41contacts the first contact part37. As a result, since it becomes difficult for the blade edge41to contact the disposing section34, life of the cutting blade46can be lengthened. When the cutting apparatus100executes the full cut, the blade edge41enters into the groove39. Hence, the printing apparatus1can reliably make the full cut of the laminated tape24. The groove width of the groove39is shorter than five times the blade width of the cutting blade46. The narrower the groove width is with respect to the blade width, the more difficult it is for the laminated tape24to enter the groove39during execution of the full cut or the partial cut. In other words, during execution of the full cut or the partial cut, it is difficult for the laminated tape24to deform downwardly which is a direction of separation of the laminated tape24from the blade edge41. Hence, cutting of the laminated tape24can be stabilized.

The cutting blade46pivots around the shaft section47. As a result, the cutting blade46executing the partial cut or the full cut makes a cut from the region adjacent to the shaft section47of the laminated tape24. Since the blade edge41never contacts the laminated tape24substantially simultaneously throughout an extension direction of the blade edge41, a shearing force that the blade edge41applies to the laminated tape24can be increased. Hence, the cutting apparatus100can stabilize the cutting operation. Moreover, a load applied to the cutting motor51decreases as compared to when the blade edge41contacts the laminated tape24substantially simultaneously throughout the extension direction of the blade edge41.

In the above description, the laminated tape24is an example of the “printing medium” of the present teaching. The thermal head18is an example of a “printing unit” of the present teaching. The platen roller21and feeding roller22are an example of a “conveying unit” of the present teaching.

The present teaching is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The printing medium may be a tube, instead of being the laminated tape24. In this case, a direction orthogonal to the planar disposing section34will be a thickness direction of the tube. Even in this case, a margin of the tube shortens. The disposing section34need only be capable of having the laminated tape24disposed on it, and is not limited to being planar. For example, the disposing section34may be a curved surface, or may be an uneven surface.

The cutting blade46may be capable of linear movement along the up-down direction, for example, instead of being rotatable around the shaft section47. In this case, when the cutting apparatus100executes the full cut or the partial cut, the blade edge41may contact the laminated tape24substantially simultaneously throughout the extension direction of the blade edge41. Moreover, the blade edge41may be a region where both front end and rear end of the cutting blade46have undergone blade edging.

A cutting apparatus200which is a first modified example of the cutting apparatus100(refer toFIG. 3) will be described with reference toFIG. 9. Hereafter, configurations that are the same as in the cutting apparatus100will be assigned with the same reference symbols in the drawings as those assigned to the cutting apparatus100, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. The cutting apparatus200includes a disposing mechanism170in place of the disposing mechanism70. The disposing mechanism170includes a disposing section134in place of the disposing section34. The disposing section134includes a member137which is softer than the blade edge41. The member137is fixed embedded in the disposing section34, as an example. An upper end surface of the member137is substantially flush with an upper end surface of the disposing section134. The member137deforms more easily compared to the blade edge41. Whichever position of the first position (refer toFIG. 3) and the second position (refer toFIG. 7) the disposing stand32is in, the member137faces the blade edge41along the pivoting direction of the cutting blade46. The member137is formed by urethane, as an example.

When the cutting motor51is driven in a state where the disposing stand32is in the first position, the supporting member49pivots to a position that the projecting section58and the first contact part37contact. The blade edge41of the cutting blade46stops upwards of the member137and makes the partial cut of the laminated tape24(refer toFIG. 6). When the partial cut is performed, the member137deforms slightly so as to contract.

When the cutting motor51is driven in a state where the disposing stand32is in the second position, the supporting member49pivots to a position that the projecting section58and the second contact part38contact. The blade edge41severs the laminated tape24in two, and stops by contacting the member137. At this time, the member137deforms more greatly than during the partial cut, and the blade edge41passes beyond the disposing section134. In the present embodiment, when the cutting blade46makes the partial cut or the full cut of the laminated tape24, the deforming member137receives the blade edge41, so a reaction force transmitted to the blade edge41can be reduced. Hence, life of the cutting blade46can be lengthened.

The projecting section58(refer toFIG. 3) need not be provided in the supporting member49(refer toFIG. 3). A cutting apparatus300which is a second modified example of the cutting apparatus100(refer toFIG. 3) will be described below with reference toFIG. 10. Note that configurations that are the same as in the cutting apparatus100will be assigned with the same reference symbols in the drawings as those assigned to the cutting apparatus100, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The cutting apparatus300includes a supporting member349in place of the supporting member49(refer toFIG. 3) and includes a cutting blade346in place of the cutting blade46(refer toFIG. 3). In the cutting apparatus300, a projecting section358is provided in the cutting blade346, instead of the projecting section58being provided in the supporting member49. A projection amount with respect to the blade edge41of the projecting section358(dimension F) is the same as the projection amount with respect to the blade edge41of the projecting section58(dimension E ofFIG. 3). When the disposing stand32is in the first position (refer toFIG. 10), the projecting section358contacts the first contact part37, whereby the cutting blade346is held in the partial cut position. On the other hand, when the disposing stand32is in the second position (illustration of which is omitted), the projecting section358contacts the second contact part38, whereby the cutting blade346is held in the full cut position.

The first contact part37(refer toFIG. 3) need not be formed at the same position as the disposing section34in relation to the up-down direction, and the cutting apparatus100(refer toFIG. 3) need not include the projecting section58. A cutting apparatus400which is a third modified example of the cutting apparatus100(refer toFIG. 3) will be described below with reference toFIG. 11. Note that configurations that are the same as in the cutting apparatus100will be assigned with the same reference symbols in the drawings as those assigned to the cutting apparatus100, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The cutting apparatus400includes a disposing stand432in place of the disposing stand32(refer toFIG. 3). The disposing stand432is movable in the left-right direction. The disposing stand432includes a first contact part437and a second contact part438. The first contact part437is positioned more upwardly than the disposing section34of the disposing stand432. The second contact part438is positioned at substantially the same height as the disposing section34. The cutting apparatus400includes a supporting member449in place of the supporting member49(refer toFIG. 3). The supporting member449includes an abutting section458in place of the projecting section58(refer toFIG. 3). The abutting section458is positioned more in a direction of clockwise rotation around the shaft section47in front view, than the blade edge41. When the disposing stand432is in the first position (refer toFIG. 11), the first contact part437faces the abutting section458in the up-down direction. The abutting section458contacts the first contact part437, whereby the cutting blade46is held in the partial cut position. On the other hand, when the disposing stand432is in the second position (illustration of which is omitted), the second contact part438faces the abutting section458in the up-down direction. The abutting section458contacts the second contact part438, whereby the cutting blade46is held in the full cut position.

Note that the second contact part438, similarly to the first contact part437, may be positioned more upwardly than the disposing section34. In this case, the abutting section458is positioned even more in the direction of clockwise rotation around the shaft section47in front view than the position depicted inFIG. 11, and the first contact part437is disposed even more upwardly than the position depicted inFIG. 11.

The tape cassette7may be capable of being inserted/removed into/from the storage section17(refer toFIG. 2) along the up-down direction, for example. In this case, the thickness direction of the laminated tape24conveyed between the feeding roller22and the discharge port27is the left-right direction, and the width direction of the laminated tape24will be the up-down direction. A cutting apparatus500which is a fourth modified example of the cutting apparatus100(refer toFIG. 3) will be described below with reference toFIG. 12. Note that configurations that are the same as in the cutting apparatus100will be assigned with the same reference symbols in the drawings as those assigned to the cutting apparatus100, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. A thickness direction of the laminated tape24cut by the cutting apparatus500matches the left-right direction, and a width direction of the laminated tape24matches the up-down direction.

The cutting apparatus500includes a supporting member549in place of the supporting member49. The supporting member549is supported movably in the left-right direction, by means of a rail598extending in the left-right direction fixed to the inside of the case5(refer toFIG. 2). The blade edge41of the cutting blade46supported by the supporting member549forms a left end of the cutting blade46and extends in the up-down direction. Part of the supporting member549is the projecting section58. The projecting section58projects more leftwards than the blade edge41.

The cutting apparatus500includes a disposing stand532in place of the disposing stand32(refer toFIG. 3). The disposing stand532is supported movably in the up-down direction, by means of a rail539fixed on the inside of the case5(refer toFIG. 2). The disposing section34of the disposing stand532contacts the peel-off tape of the laminated tape24from the left. The disposing stand532includes the first contact part37and the second contact part38. The first contact part37is positioned on an upper side of the disposing section34and at the same position as the disposing section34in relation to the left-right direction. The second contact part38is positioned upwards and leftwards with respect to the first contact part37. The disposing stand532is movable in the up-down direction between the first position (refer toFIG. 12) and the second position (illustration of which is omitted). When the disposing stand532is in the first position, the first contact part37faces the projecting section58in the left-right direction. When the disposing stand532is in the second position, the second contact part38faces the projecting section58in the left-right direction. The second position is a position more downward than the first position.

When the disposing stand532is in the first position (refer toFIG. 12), the projecting section58contacts the first contact part37, whereby the cutting blade46is held in the partial cut position. On the other hand, when the disposing stand532is in the second position (illustration of which is omitted), the projecting section58contacts the second contact part38, whereby the cutting blade46is held in the full cut position.