Tape cassette

The tape cassette includes a housing, a tape spool, a tape, a first guide, a second guide, and a plurality of pins. The housing has an outlet. The tape spool is held inside the housing. The tape is wound around the tape spool. The first guide is configured to guide the tape toward a detection position where tape information of the tape is detected by a sensor of a printer. The second guide is configured to guide the tape that has been conveyed through the detection position toward the outlet. The plurality of pins is disposed at positions away from a straight line connecting the tape spool with the first guide. The pins are configured to cause a conveyance path of the tape from the tape spool to the first guide to be curved, and guide the tape to the first guide along the conveyance path.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-194171 filed on Nov. 30, 2021. The entire content of the priority application is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND ART

Present disclosure relates to a tape cassette.

A tape cassette is provided with a tape roll, a first rotation body, a second rotation body, a discharge port, and an opening. A tape is wound around the tape roll. The first rotation body is provided upstream of the opening in a conveyance path of the tape. The second rotation body is provided downstream of the opening in the conveyance path of the tape. The first rotation body guides the tape fed out from the tape roll toward the second rotation body. The second rotation body guides the tape conveyed by the first rotation body toward the discharge port. A sensor of a printer is inserted into the opening. The sensor detects tape information of the tape being conveyed between the first rotation body and the second rotation body.

DESCRIPTION

In the above-described tape cassette, the conveyance path of the tape from the tape roll to the first rotation body is a straight line, and a distance between the tape roll and the first rotation body is long. The rigidity of the tape changes depending on the difference of the type, such as the thickness and width, the material, and the like, and thus, depending on the type of the tape, in the tape cassette, the conveyance of the tape becomes unstable.

Various embodiments of the general principles described herein provide a tape cassette capable of conveying a tape in a stable manner.

Embodiments herein provide a tape cassette configured to be mounted in a printer. The tape cassette includes a housing, a tape spool, a tape, a first guide, a second guide, and a plurality of pins. The housing has an outlet. The tape spool is held inside the housing. The tape is wound around the tape spool. The first guide is configured to guide the tape toward a detection position where tape information of the tape is detected by a sensor of the printer. The second guide is configured to guide the tape that has been conveyed through the detection position toward the outlet. The plurality of pins is disposed at positions away from a straight line connecting the tape spool with the first guide. The pins are configured to cause a conveyance path from the tape spool to the first guide to be curved, and guide the tape to the first guide along the conveyance path.

The tape cassette causes the conveyance path of the tape to be curved, using the plurality of pins. In this way, the tape fed out from the tape roll is conveyed to the detection position via the plurality of pins. Thus, the tape cassette can convey the tape in a stable manner. Further, using the plurality of pins, the tape cassette can configure a plurality of mutually difference conveyance paths. Thus, when the tape having different characteristics is housed, the tape cassette can convey the tape using the conveyance path suited to those characteristics. In this way, in the tape cassette, a pulling out force of the tape when the tape is conveyed is stable.

A printer1and a tape cassette30according to the present embodiment will be described. In the following description, the lower left direction, the upper right direction, the lower right direction, the upper left direction, the upper direction, and the lower direction inFIG.1are, respectively, the front direction, the rear direction, the right direction, the left direction, the upper direction, and the lower direction of the printer1. The lower right direction, the upper left direction, the upper right direction, the lower left direction, the upper direction, and the lower direction inFIG.2are, respectively, the front direction, the rear direction, the right direction, the left direction, the upper direction, and the lower direction of the tape cassette30.

Hereinafter, various tapes housed in the tape cassette30(a print tape and a half-cut tape57to be described later, for example) will be generically referred to as a tape. A type of the tape housed in the tape cassette30(a tape width, a print format, a tape color, character color, and the like) will be generically referred to as a tape type.

The printer1will be described with reference toFIG.1toFIG.3. The printer1is a general-purpose tape printer that can use, as the single printer, various types of tape cassettes, such as a thermal type, a receptor type, a laminate type, a half-cut type, and the like. The thermal type tape cassette is provided with a heat-sensitive tape. The receptor type tape cassette is provided with a print tape and an ink ribbon. The laminate type tape cassette is provided with a double-sided adhesive tape, a film tape and an ink ribbon. The half-cut type tape cassette is provided with a half-cut tape and an ink ribbon.

As shown inFIG.1, the printer1is provided with a substantially cuboid-shaped main body cover2. A keyboard3, which includes character keys and function keys is disposed at the front of the upper surface of the main body cover2. A display5, which can display characters (letters, numerals, graphics) and the like input using the keyboard3is provided to the rear of the keyboard3. A cassette cover6, which is opened and closed when the tape cassette30(refer toFIG.2) is replaced, is provided to the rear of the display5.

The cassette cover6is a lid that has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view. The cassette cover6is axially supported at both left and right ends at an upper portion of the back surface of the main body cover2, and can rotate between a closed position (not shown in the drawings) and an open position shown inFIG.1. A cassette housing8is provided inside the main body cover2. The tape cassette30can be mounted in and removed from the cassette housing8.

A discharge slit111is provided at the rear of the left side surface of the main body cover2. The discharge slit111discharges the printed tape from the cassette housing8. A discharge window112is provided at the left side surface of the cassette cover6. When the cassette cover6is at the closed position, the discharge window112exposes the discharge slit111to the outside.

An internal structure of the main body cover2will be described with reference toFIG.2andFIG.3. As shown inFIG.2, the cassette housing8includes a cavity811and corner supports812. The cavity811is a recess including a planar bottom surface. The recess of the cavity811corresponds to a shape of a bottom surface302of a cassette case31. The corner supports812are planar portions that extend horizontally from outer edges of the cavity811. When the tape cassette30is mounted in the cassette housing8, the corner supports812support a lower surface of a peripheral edge of the tape cassette30.

As shown inFIG.3, a sensor20is provided at the right of the cassette housing8. The sensor20includes sensors201and202. The sensors201and202are disposed facing each other at the left and the right. The sensor201is positioned to the left of the sensor202. One of the sensors201and202is a light-emitting portion and the other is a light-receiving portion. The light-emitting portion emits light. The light-receiving portion receives the light emitted from the light-emitting portion.

When the tape cassette30is mounted in the cassette housing8, the sensors201and202are respectively disposed on the inside of openings801and802to be described later. The sensor20detects a pattern provided at a predetermined range from an end of the tape conveyed between the sensor201and the sensor202. The printer1detects a remaining amount of the tape, from among tape information, on the basis of the detected pattern. Hereinafter, a position of the tape conveyed between the sensor201and the sensor202will be referred to as a “detection position P.” Of a conveyance path59of the tape, a position in the vicinity of the sensor20upstream of the detection position P will be referred to as an entrance to the detection position P, and a position in the vicinity of the sensor20downstream of the detection position P will be referred to as an exit from the detection position P.

As shown inFIG.2, a head holder74is provided at the front of the cassette housing8. A thermal head10is mounted in the head holder74. A tape feed motor23is provided to the right of and above the cassette housing8. The tape feed motor23is a stepping motor, for example. A gear91is affixed to the lower end of a drive shaft of the tape feed motor23. The gear91meshes with a gear93through an opening. The gear93meshes with a gear94. The gear94meshes with a gear97. The gear97meshes with a gear98. The gear98meshes with a gear101.

A ribbon winding shaft95is provided in a vertical orientation on the upper surface of the gear94. The ribbon winding shaft95is a shaft to which a ribbon winding spool44can be removably mounted. The ribbon winding shaft95is a shaft body that extends in the up-down direction. A tape drive shaft100is provided in a vertical orientation on the upper surface of the gear101. The tape drive shaft100is a shaft body which can be removably mounted in a hole461of a tape drive roller46.

When the tape feed motor23rotationally drives the gear91in the counterclockwise direction, the ribbon winding shaft95is rotationally driven in the counterclockwise direction via the gear93and the gear94. The rotation of the gear94is transmitted to the tape drive shaft100via the gear97, the gear98, and the gear101. In this way, the tape drive shaft100is rotationally driven in the clockwise direction.

An arm-shaped platen holder12is provided to the front of the head holder74. The platen holder12is axially supported such that the platen holder12can rotate around a shaft support121. A platen roller15and a movable feed roller14are axially supported at a leading end of the platen holder12so as to be rotatable. The platen roller15is able to come into contact with and separate from the thermal head10. The movable feed roller14is able to come into contact with and separate from the tape drive roller46.

When the half-cut type tape cassette30is mounted in the cassette housing8, the platen roller15presses the thermal head10via the half-cut tape57and an ink ribbon60. At the same time, the movable feed roller14presses the tape drive roller46via the half-cut tape57. In this case, the printer1can perform printing on the half-cut tape57.

A cutting mechanism17that cuts a printed tape50at a predetermined position is provided to the right of the discharge slit111(refer toFIG.1). The cutting mechanism17includes a fixed blade18and a moving blade19. The moving blade19is able to move in the front-rear direction with respect to the fixed blade18.

An external appearance of the tape cassette30will be described with reference toFIG.2. The tape cassette30can change the type of the tape housed internally as appropriate. For example, the half-cut tape and the like can be mounted in the tape cassette30. In the following description, the tape cassette30will be described in which the half-cut tape57is mounted, for example.

The tape cassette30is provided with the cassette case31that is a housing. The cassette case31has a rectangular shape and includes corners that are rounded in a plan view. The cassette case31includes a top case311and a bottom case312. The bottom case312includes a bottom plate306that includes the bottom surface302of the cassette case31. The top case311is affixed to the upper portion of the bottom case312. The top case311includes a top plate305. The top plate305includes a top surface301of the cassette case31.

In the cassette case31, side surfaces are formed by the top plate305and the bottom plate306. The side surfaces of the cassette case31include four corners321to324. When the tape cassette30is mounted in the cassette housing8, bottom surfaces of the corners321to324are supported by the corner supports812. A discharge guide portion49is provided at the corner324.

Three support holes65,67, and68are provided in the cassette case31. Holes provided at the rear left and the front right of the cassette case31will be respectively referred to as the first tape support hole65and the ribbon support hole67. A hole that is provided between the first tape support hole65and the ribbon support hole67in a plan view will be referred to as the winding spool support hole68.

The first tape support hole65supports a tape spool40(refer toFIG.3) such that the tape spool40can rotate. The ribbon support hole67supports a ribbon spool42(refer toFIG.3) such that the ribbon spool42can rotate. The winding spool support hole68supports the ribbon winding spool44(refer toFIG.3) such that the ribbon winding spool44can rotate.

An opening80is provided at the right end of the cassette case31and at the center of the cassette case31in the front-rear direction. The opening80includes a pair of openings801and802. The openings801and802are aligned so as to be separated from each other to the left and right. The opening802is positioned to the right of the opening801. The openings801and802have a rectangular shape that is long in the front-rear direction in a plan view. The openings801and802are openings passing through the bottom plate306and the top plate305in the up-down direction. Note that the openings801and802are respectively defined by a first regulating portion75and a second regulating portion76.

A front surface wall32, an arm front surface wall35, and an arm rear surface wall37are provided at the front end of the cassette case31. The front surface wall32is provided on the right at the front end of the cassette case31. The arm front surface wall35is provided on the left of the front surface wall32. The arm rear surface wall37is provided at a position separated, to the rear, from the arm front surface wall35.

An arm34is defined by the arm front surface wall35, the arm rear surface wall37, and the like. The arm34extends to the left from the front right of the tape cassette30. The arm34includes a discharge outlet341, at the left end of the arm34. The discharge outlet341is a gap that extends in the up-down direction between the left end of the arm front surface wall35and the left end of the arm rear surface wall37.

A head insertion portion39is disposed to the rear of and adjacent to the arm34. The head insertion portion39is defined by the arm rear surface wall37, a head peripheral wall36, and the like. The head peripheral wall36extends to the rear from the right end of the arm rear surface wall37, and extends in parallel to the arm rear surface wall37. The head insertion portion39passes through the tape cassette30in the up-down direction. The head insertion portion39is a space that has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view.

The head insertion portion39is connected to the outside at a front surface of the tape cassette30, via an exposure portion77. When the tape cassette30is mounted in the cassette housing8, the head holder74supporting the thermal head10is inserted into the head insertion portion39. A separator portion61and the discharge guide portion49will be described later.

The interior of the cassette case31will be described with reference toFIG.3andFIG.4. As shown inFIG.3, a tape area400and a pin arrangement area410are provided inside the cassette case31. The tape area400is an area adjacent to the corner321at the rear left of the cassette case31. The tape area400has a substantially circular shape in a plan view and occupies roughly the left half of the cassette case31. The pin arrangement area410is an area adjacent to the corner322at the rear right of the cassette case31. The pin arrangement area410is an area occupying the upper right of the interior of the cassette case31.

A tape roll571around which the half-cut tape57is wound is housed in the tape area400. A plurality of pins21is provided in the pin arrangement area410. An adjustment pin16is provided between the tape area400and the pin arrangement area410. In the front-rear direction, the adjustment pin16is disposed at the position of the rear end of the tape spool40. In the left-right direction, the adjustment pin16is disposed at the position of the left end of the ribbon winding shaft95. The adjustment pin16extends upward from the bottom plate306. The length of the adjustment pin16in the up-down direction is longer than the length of the half-cut tape57in the up-down direction.

As shown inFIG.4, the plurality of pins21is provided to the right of the tape spool40. The plurality of pins21is disposed at positions away, to the rear and to the right, from a straight line L1. The straight line L1is a line connecting the rear end of the tape spool40with the rear end of the first rotation body71.

An N number of the plurality of pins21is provided. In the present embodiment, for example, four of the plurality of pins21is provided. The plurality of pins21is positioned away from each other and extends upward from the bottom plate306. In the up-down direction, the lengths of the plurality of pins21is longer than the length of the half-cut tape57. The shape of each of the plurality of pins21is the same.

The plurality of pins21includes a first pin21A, a second pin21B, a third pin21C, and a fourth pin21D. In the front-rear direction, the first pin21A is disposed at the position of the rear end of the tape spool40. In the left-right direction, the first pin21A is disposed at a center portion of the ribbon winding shaft95. The first pin21A is disposed to the right of the adjustment pin16. In other words, the first pin21A and the adjustment pin16are disposed so as to be aligned in the left-right direction. Among the plurality of pins21, the first pin21A is the closest pin to the tape spool40.

The second pin21B is disposed to the right of the first pin21A. In other words, the first pin21A and the second pin21B are disposed so as to be aligned in the left-right direction. Among the plurality of pins21, the second pin21B is the second closest pin to the tape spool40. A line connecting the tape spool40with the second pin21B will be referred to as a straight line L3. Here, the first pin21A is disposed at a position in tangent with the straight line L3.

The third pin21C is disposed to the right and to the front of the second pin21B. In the front-rear direction, the third pin21C is disposed between the front end of the tape spool40and a center portion of the tape spool40. In the left-right direction, the third pin21C is disposed at the position of the left end of the opening801. Among the four pins, the third pin21C is the second closest pin to the first rotation body71.

The fourth pin21D is disposed to the right and to the front of the third pin21C. In the front-rear direction, the fourth pin21D is disposed at the position of a winding center572of the tape spool40. In the left-right direction, the fourth pin21D is provided at the position of a center portion of the opening801. Among the four pins21A to21D, the fourth pin21D is disposed at a position closest to the first rotation body71. The fourth pin21D is disposed at a position in tangent with a straight line L2connecting the third pin21C with the first rotation body71.

As shown inFIG.4, the first rotation body71is provided further to the right and to the front than a winding center572of the tape roll571. The first rotation body71, which is the entrance to the detection position P, is disposed to the rear of the opening801. The first rotation body71faces the opening801in the front-rear direction. In the front-rear direction, a distance between the first rotation body71and the opening801is shorter than a diameter of the first rotation body71.

The first rotation body71has a circular cylindrical shape. The first rotation body71is provided with a support shaft712and a through hole711(refer toFIG.3). The through hole711extends in the up-down direction. The support shaft712is inserted into the through hole711. The length in the up-down direction of the first rotation body71is longer than an length in the up-down direction of the half-cut tape57. A material of the first rotation body71is ABS resin, for example.

The first rotation body71forms the conveyance path59of the half-cut tape57pulled out from the tape roll571. The first rotation body71can be driven to rotate in the clockwise direction in a plan view, in accordance with the conveyance of the half-cut tape57. The first rotation body71guides the tape fed out from the tape roll571toward a second rotation body82to be described later, via the detection position P.

The first regulating portion75is provided to the front of the first rotation body71. The first regulating portion75includes walls751,752,753, and78, and an extension wall85. The wall751is disposed to the front of the first rotation body71. In the front-rear direction, the wall751is disposed at a central portion of the ribbon winding spool44. In the left-right direction, the wall751is disposed at a position of the first rotation body71. The wall751extends in the left-right direction.

The wall752extends to the rear from the right end of the wall751. The rear end of the wall752is further to the front than the center, in the front-rear direction, of the opening801. The wall752is disposed to a left surface side of the tape at the detection position P, and extends along a tape conveyance direction.

The wall753extends upward from the left end of the wall751. The upper end of the wall753is substantially at the same position, in the front-rear direction, as the position of the front end of the first rotation body71. The wall78extends to the right from the rear end of the wall753. The length of the wall78in the left-right direction is substantially half the length of the wall751in the left-right direction. The extension wall85extends to the rear from the right end of the wall78. In this case, the extension wall85extends along the first rotation body71at the left of the first rotation body71. In other words, the extension wall85is curved along the first rotation body71. The first rotation body71is supported by the extension wall85.

A first opening87is defined by the first regulating portion75and the first rotation body71. The first opening87opens toward the left surface of the tape conveyed through the detection position P. Further, the opening801is defined by the first regulating portion75and the first rotation body71.

The second regulating portion76is provided to the right of the first regulating portion75, via the conveyance path59of the tape. The second regulating portion76faces the first regulating portion75in the left-right direction. The second regulating portion76includes walls761,762,763, and79, and an extension wall86. The wall761is disposed at the same position as the position of the wall78in the front-rear direction. The wall761extends in the left-right direction.

The wall762extends to the front from the left end of the wall761. The front end of the wall762is disposed further to the rear than the center, in the front-rear direction, of the opening802. The wall762is disposed to the right surface side of the tape at the detection position P, and extends along the tape conveyance direction.

The wall763extends to the front from the right end of the wall761. The length of the wall763in the front-rear direction is the same as the length of the wall753in the front-rear direction. The wall79extends to the left from the front end of the wall763. The length of the wall79in the left-right direction is substantially half the length of the wall761in the left-right direction. The extension wall86extends to the front from the left end of the wall79. In this case, the extension wall86extends along the second rotation body82at the right of the second rotation body82to be described later. The extension wall86is curved along the second rotation body82.

A second opening88is configured by the second regulating portion76and the second rotation body82. The second opening88opens toward the right surface of the tape that is opposite to the left surface of the tape. Further, the opening802is defined by the second regulating portion76and the second rotation body82.

The second rotation body82is disposed to the front of the opening802, and to the left of the extension wall86, which is a position adjacent to the exit from the detection position P. The second rotation body82is supported by the extension wall86at the left of the extension wall86. The second rotation body82has a circular cylindrical shape. The second rotation body82is provided with a support shaft822and a through hole821. The through hole821extends in the up-down direction. The support shaft822is inserted into the through hole821. The length of the second rotation body82in the up-down direction is longer than the length of the half-cut tape57in the up-down direction. The diameter of the second rotation body82is the same as the diameter of the first rotation body71. A material of the second rotation body82is ABS resin, for example.

The second rotation body82forms the conveyance path59of the half-cut tape57pulled out from the tape roll571. The second rotation body82is in contact with the half-cut tape57from the right. The second rotation body82can be driven to rotate in the counter-clockwise direction in a plan view in accordance with the conveyance of the half-cut tape57. In this way, the second rotation body82causes the conveyance path59of the tape to be curved, and guides the tape to a third rotation body81.

The third rotation body81is disposed to the front of the opening802and to the left of the extension wall86. The third rotation body81is disposed at a position of the rear end of the ribbon spool42in the front-rear direction. The third rotation body81is disposed at the position of the opening802in the left-right direction. In other words, in the tape conveyance direction, the third rotation body81is disposed downstream of the second rotation body82and upstream of a fourth rotation body72. The third rotation body81has a circular cylindrical shape.

The third rotation body81is provided with a support shaft813and a through hole814. The through hole814extends in the up-down direction. The support shaft813is inserted into the through hole814. The length in the up-down direction of the third rotation body81is shorter than the length of the half-cut tape57in the up-down direction. The diameter of the third rotation body81is larger than the diameters of the first rotation body71and the second rotation body82. A material of the third rotation body81is ABS resin, for example.

The third rotation body81forms the conveyance path59of the half-cut tape57pulled out from the tape roll571. The third rotation body81is contact, from the left, with the tape that has been conveyed through the detection position P. The third rotation body81can be driven to rotate in the clockwise direction in a plan view in accordance with the conveyance of the half-cut tape57. In this way, the third rotation body81causes the conveyance path59of the tape to be curved, and guides the tape to the fourth rotation body72.

The fourth rotation body72is disposed to the left of the third rotation body81and to the rear of the front surface wall32. The fourth rotation body72has a circular cylindrical shape. The fourth rotation body72is provided with a support shaft722and a through hole721. The through hole721extends in the up-down direction. The support shaft722is inserted into the through hole721. The length of the fourth rotation body72in the up-down direction is shorter than the length of the half-cut tape57in the up-down direction. The diameter of the fourth rotation body72is the same as the diameter of the third rotation body81. A material of the fourth rotation body72is ABS resin, for example.

The fourth rotation body72forms the conveyance path59of the half-cut tape57pulled out from the tape roll571. The fourth rotation body72is contact with the half-cut tape57from the rear left. The fourth rotation body72can be driven to rotate in the clockwise direction in a plan view in accordance with the conveyance of the half-cut tape57. In this way, the fourth rotation body72causes the conveyance path59of the tape to be curved, and guides the half-cut tape57to the arm34.

A guide portion33is provided at a left end of the arm34. The guide portion33extends in the up-down direction. Protrusions331that protrude to the front are provided at ends of the guide portion33in the up-down direction. The half-cut tape57is disposed between the upper and lower protrusions331. The half-cut tape57comes into contact with the guide portion33and is guided. The guide portion33guides the half-cut tape57to the discharge outlet341.

The ribbon spool42is positioned to the right of the head insertion portion39. The ink ribbon60is wound around the ribbon spool42. The unused ink ribbon60is wound around the ribbon spool42. The ink ribbon60is used for printing on the half-cut tape57. The ink ribbon60faces the opening801in the front-rear direction.

The ribbon winding spool44is provided further to the rear and to the left than the ribbon spool42. The ribbon winding spool44is provided between the tape area400and the ribbon spool42. The ribbon winding spool44winds the ink ribbon60after the ink ribbon60has been used for the printing.

The separator portion61is provided to the left of the head insertion portion39. The separator portion61separates the half-cut tape57and the ink ribbon60used for the printing at a position downstream of the exposure portion77in the tape conveyance direction. The separator portion61includes regulating members361and362(refer toFIG.2), a ribbon guide wall38, and the like.

The tape drive roller46is axially supported so as to be able to rotate (refer toFIG.2) at the left of the separator portion61. The front surface of the tape drive roller46is exposed to the outside of the cassette case31, and is in contact with the half-cut tape57.

The discharge guide portion49is provided downstream of the tape drive roller46in the conveyance direction. The discharge guide portion49is provided slightly separated, to the front, from the front end of the left surface of the tape cassette30. The discharge guide portion49is a plate-shaped member extending between the top surface301and the bottom surface302of the cassette case31. The discharge guide portion49discharges the printed tape50conveyed via the tape drive roller46, to the outside of the tape cassette30.

The conveyance path59will be described with reference toFIG.3andFIG.4. The conveyance path59is configured by a conveyance path591, a conveyance path599, and conveyance paths592to595. Note that the conveyance path59is an ideal path through which the undeflected half-cut tape57is conveyed. Further, in the conveyance from the tape roll571to the plurality of pins21, the tape is conveyed via the adjustment pin16.

The conveyance path591is a path from the tape roll571to the adjustment pin16. The conveyance path599is a path from the adjustment pin16to the first rotation body71. The conveyance path599will be described later. The conveyance path592is a path from the first rotation body71to the second rotation body82. The conveyance path593is a path from the second rotation body82to the third rotation body81. The conveyance path594is a path from the third rotation body81to the fourth rotation body72. The conveyance path595is a path from the fourth rotation body72to the guide portion33.

A plurality of the conveyance paths599passing via the plurality of pins21will be described with reference toFIG.5. As shown inFIG.5A, the conveyance path599is a path that passes via the first pin21A to the fourth pin21D. The conveyance path599is configured by paths A1to A5. The path A1is a path between a front end E16of the adjustment pin16and an end E1of the first pin21A. The path A2is a path between the end E1of the first pin21A and an end E2of the second pin21B. The path A3is a path between the end E2of the second pin21B and an end E3of the third pin21C. The path A4is a path between the end E3of the third pin21C and an end E4of the fourth pin21D. The path A5is a path between the end E4of the fourth pin21D and a rear right end E71of the first rotation body71.

As shown inFIG.5B, the conveyance path599is the path that passes via the first pin21A to the fourth pin21D. The conveyance path599is configured by paths B1to B5. The path B1is a path between the front end E16of the adjustment pin16and the end E1of the first pin21A. The path B2is a path between the end E1of the first pin21A and the end E2of the second pin21B. The path B3is a path between the end E2of the second pin21B and the end E3of the third pin21C. The path B4is a path between the end E3of the third pin21C and the end E4of the fourth pin21D. The path B5is a path between the end E4of the fourth pin21D and the rear right end E71of the first rotation body71.

As shown inFIG.5C, the conveyance path599is the path that passes via the first pin21A to the fourth pin21D. The conveyance path599is configured by paths C1to C5. The path C1is a path between the front end E16of the adjustment pin16and the end E1of the first pin21A. The path C2is a path between the end E1of the first pin21A and the end E2of the second pin21B. The path C3is a path between the end E2of the second pin21B and the end E3of the third pin21C. The path C4is a path between the end E3of the third pin21C and the end E4of the fourth pin21D. The path C5is a path between the end E4of the fourth pin21D and the rear right end E71of the first rotation body71.

As shown inFIG.5D, the conveyance path599is the path that passes via the first pin21A to the fourth pin21D. The conveyance path599is configured by paths D1to D5. The path D1is a path between the front end E16of the adjustment pin16and the end E1of the first pin21A. The path D2is a path between the end E1of the first pin21A and the end E2of the second pin21B. The path D3is a path between the end E2of the second pin21B and the end E3of the third pin21C. The path D4is a path between the end E3of the third pin21C and the end E4of the fourth pin21D. The path D5is a path between the end E4of the fourth pin21D and the rear right end E71of the first rotation body71. The paths D1to D5are straight lines.

In the paths shown inFIG.5AtoFIG.5D, the half-cut tape57can come into contact, in order, with the first pin21A, the second pin21B, the third pin21C, and the fourth pin21D, from the tape roll571toward the first rotation body71. Here, a straight line connecting the adjustment pin16with the first pin21A will be referred to as a straight line L11. A straight line connecting the first pin21A with the second pin21B will be referred to as a straight line L12. A straight line connecting the second pin21B with the third pin21C will be referred to as a straight line L13. A straight line connecting the third pin21C with the fourth pin21D will be referred to as a straight line L14. A straight line connecting the fourth pin21D with the first rotation body71will be referred to as a straight line L15.

In this case, an angle θ1between the straight line L11and the straight line L12is greater than 105 degrees. An angle θ2between the straight line L12and the straight line L13is greater than 105 degrees. An angle θ3between the straight line L13and the straight line L14is greater than 105 degrees. An angle θ4between the straight line L14and the straight line L15is greater than 105 degrees.

A manufacturer selects the path, which differs depending on the type of the tape, on the basis of the thickness of the medium of the half-cut tape57, the rigidity of the half-cut tape57, and the like. For example, the manufacturer selects the conveyance path599shown inFIG.5Aand mounts the half-cut tape57in the interior of the tape cassette30.

A case will be described in which the printing is performed on the half-cut tape57by the printer1. As shown inFIG.2toFIG.4, the half-cut type tape cassette30is mounted in the cassette housing8. In this case, the sensors201and202are disposed on the inside of the openings801and802. The tape drive roller46mounted to the tape drive shaft100is rotationally driven by the rotation of the tape drive shaft100of the printer1. The half-cut tape57is pulled out from the tape roll571by the tape drive roller46and the movable feed roller14moving in concert with each other. In accordance with the pulling out of the half-cut tape57, the tape roll571rotates in the clockwise direction in a plan view.

The half-cut tape57pulled out from the tape roll571is conveyed toward the adjustment pin16via the conveyance path591. In this case, the adjustment pin16comes into contact with the half-cut tape57regardless of a storage amount of the tape roll571in the tape area400. The half-cut tape57is conveyed toward the plurality of pins21via the adjustment pin16. The half-cut tape57is conveyed toward the first rotation body71via the plurality of pins21. For example, the tape is conveyed by the conveyance path599shown inFIG.5A. The half-cut tape57is conveyed along the conveyance path592and is conveyed toward the second rotation body82. The half-cut tape57is conveyed along the conveyance path593and is conveyed toward the third rotation body81. The half-cut tape57is conveyed along the conveyance path594and is conveyed toward the fourth rotation body72. The half-cut tape57is conveyed along the conveyance path595and is conveyed toward the arm34.

On the other hand, the ribbon winding shaft95of the printer1rotationally drives the ribbon winding spool44mounted to the ribbon winding shaft95. The ribbon winding spool44rotates in the counter-clockwise direction in a plan view in accordance with the driving of the ribbon winding shaft95, and pulls out the ink ribbon60from the ribbon spool42. The ribbon spool42rotates in the counter-clockwise direction in a plan view in accordance with the pulling out of the ink ribbon60. The ink ribbon60pulled out from the ribbon spool42is conveyed toward the arm34.

In the arm34, the half-cut tape57is conveyed along the conveyance path595that extends substantially in parallel with the arm front surface wall35. The half-cut tape57is bent diagonally to the left and to the rear by the guide portion33, and is discharged to the exposure portion77from the discharge outlet341. The ink ribbon60is conveyed further to the rear than a circular pillar333, a wall332, and the guide portion33in the arm34, and is discharged to the exposure portion77from the discharge outlet341while being overlaid with the half-cut tape57.

At the exposure portion77, a release paper of the half-cut tape57discharged from the discharge outlet341is exposed to the front, and a print surface of the half-cut tape57faces the thermal head10. The thermal head10performs the printing on the half-cut tape57positioned at the exposure portion77, using the ink ribbon60.

The ink ribbon60after the printing has been performed is separated from the half-cut tape57by the separator portion61, moves along the ribbon guide wall38, and is wound by the ribbon winding spool44. The half-cut tape57after the printing has been performed, namely, the printed tape50, is guided downstream in the tape conveyance direction by the regulating members361and362, and is conveyed toward the discharge guide portion49after being conveyed between the tape drive roller46and the movable feed roller14. The printed tape50is discharged to the outside from the discharge guide portion49. In this way, the printer1creates the printed tape50.

As described above, the plurality of pins21is disposed at the positions away from the straight line L1connecting the tape spool40with the first rotation body71. The pins21cause the conveyance path59from the tape roll571to the first rotation body71to be curved, and guide the tape to the first rotation body71along the conveyance path.

The tape cassette30causes the conveyance path59of the tape to be curved, using the plurality of pins21. In this way, the tape fed out from the tape roll571is conveyed to the detection position P via the plurality of pins21. Thus, the tape cassette30can convey the tape in a stable manner. Furthermore, the tape cassette30can perform detection of the tape information by the sensor20in a stable manner. Further, using the plurality of pins21, the tape cassette30can configure the plurality of mutually different conveyance paths599. Thus, when the tapes having different characteristics are housed, the tape cassette30can convey the tape using the conveyance path599suited to those characteristics. In this way, in the tape cassette30, a pulling out force of the tape when the tape is conveyed is stable.

InFIG.5AtoFIG.5D, the angle θ1to the angle θ4are greater than 105 degrees. In this case, in the tape cassette30, the angles θ1to θ4are the obtuse angles greater than 105 degrees. In this way, the tape cassette30can reduce a pulling load for pulling the tape when the tape is conveyed.

The fourth pin21D is disposed at the position closest to the first rotation body71, and is disposed at the position in tangent with the straight line L2connecting the third pin21C with the first rotation body71. In this case, the tape cassette30can convey the tape to the first rotation body71in the stable manner.

The first pin21A is the closest pin to the tape spool40. The second pin21B is the second closest pin to the tape spool40. The first pin21A is disposed at the position in tangent with the straight line L3connecting the tape spool40with the second pin21B. In this case, using the first pin21A, the tape cassette30can cause the conveyance path59of the tape from the tape roll571to the second pin21B to be curved. In this way, the tape cassette30can convey the tape in the stable manner.

The first pin21A is aligned with the second pin21B. In this case, the tape cassette30can configure the plurality of conveyance paths599using a simple pin arrangement.

The number of the plurality of pins21is four. The tape cassette30can configure the plurality of conveyance paths599using the four pins.

A tape cassette30A according to a first modified example will be described with reference toFIG.6andFIG.7. In the description of the first modified example, the same reference sign will be assigned to a configuration having the same function as that of the above-described embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted or simplified. The tape cassette30A according to the first modified example differs from the above-described embodiment in being provided with a plurality of pins211in place of the plurality of pins21. Note that a number of the pins is three (N=3). A plurality of conveyance paths599A are configured using the plurality of pins211.

As shown inFIG.6, the plurality of pins211includes the first pin21A, a fifth pin21E, and a sixth pin21F. The first pin21A is the same as that of the above-described embodiment. The fifth pin21E is disposed between the first pin21A and the first rotation body71. The fifth pin21E is disposed at a position between the winding center572of the tape spool40and the rear end of the tape spool40in the front-rear direction. The fifth pin21E is disposed at the position of the right end of the ribbon winding spool44in the left-right direction.

The sixth pin21F is disposed at a position between the fifth pin21E and the first rotation body71. In the front-rear direction, the sixth pin21F is disposed at a position between the winding center572of the tape spool40and the front end of the tape spool40. In the left-right direction, the sixth pin21F is disposed at the position of a winding center of the ink ribbon60.

As shown inFIG.7A, the conveyance path599A is configured by paths F1to F4. The path F1is a path from the adjustment pin16to the first pin21A. The path F2is a path from the first pin21A to the fifth pin21E. The path F3is a path from the fifth pin21E to the sixth pin21F. The path F4is a path from the sixth pin21F to the first rotation body71. In this way, the manufacturer can select the path passing through all the pins, among the plurality of pins211.

As shown inFIG.7B, the conveyance path599A is configured by paths G1to G3. The path G1is a path from the adjustment pin16to the fifth pin21E. The path G2is a path from the fifth pin21E to the sixth pin21F. The path G3is a path from the sixth pin21F to the first rotation body71. In this way, the manufacturer can select the path not using the first pin21A, among the plurality of pins211.

As shown inFIG.7C, the conveyance path599A is configured by paths H1and H2. The path H1is a path from the adjustment pin16to the sixth pin21F. The path H2is a path from the sixth pin21F to the first rotation body71. In this way, the manufacturer can select the path not using the first pin21A and the fifth pin21E, among the plurality of pins211.

Note that the tape cassette30A according to the first modified example can also convey the tape using paths other than the paths described above. It is sufficient that the manufacturer select the pins to be used as appropriate, among the plurality of pins211.

A tape cassette30B according to a second modified example will be described with reference toFIG.8andFIG.9. In the description of the second modified example, the same reference sign will be assigned to a configuration having the same function as that of the above-described embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted or simplified. The tape cassette30B according to the second modified example differs from the above-described embodiment in being provided with a plurality of pins212in place of the plurality of pins21. Note that a number of the pins is five (N=5). A plurality of conveyance paths599B is configured using the plurality of pins212.

As shown inFIG.8, the plurality of pins212includes the first pin21A, the second pin21B, a seventh pin21G, an eighth pin21H, and a ninth pin21J. The first pin21A and the second pin21B are the same as those of the above-described embodiment. The seventh pin21G is disposed at a position between the first pin21A and the first rotation body71. In the front-rear direction, the seventh pin21G is disposed at a position between the winding center572of the tape spool40and the rear end of the tape spool40. In the left-right direction, the seventh pin21G is disposed at the position of the right end of the ribbon winding spool44.

The eighth pin21H is disposed to the right of the seventh pin21G. The eighth pin21H is aligned with the seventh pin21G to the left and the right. The ninth pin21J is disposed to the right and to the front of the eighth pin21H. The ninth pin21J is disposed between the eighth pin21H and the first rotation body71. In the front-rear direction, the ninth pin21J is disposed at the position of the winding center572of the tape spool40. In the left-right direction, the ninth pin21J is disposed at the position of the center portion of the opening801.

As shown inFIG.9A, the conveyance path599B is configured by paths I1to I6. The path I1is a path from the adjustment pin16to the first pin21A. The path I2is a path from the first pin21A to the second pin21B. The path I3is a path from the second pin21B to the seventh pin21G. The path I4is a path from the seventh pin21G to the eighth pin21H. The path I5is a path from the eighth pin21H to the ninth pin21J. The path I6is a path from the ninth pin21J to the first rotation body71. In this way, the manufacturer can select the path passing through all the pins, among the plurality of pins212.

As shown inFIG.9B, the conveyance path599B is configured by paths J1to J5. The path J1is a path from the adjustment pin16to the first pin21A. The path J2is a path from the first pin21A to the seventh pin21G. The path J3is a path from the seventh pin21G to the eighth pin21H. The path J4is a path from the eighth pin21H to the ninth pin21J. The path J5is a path from the ninth pin21J to the first rotation body71. In this way, the manufacturer can select the path not using the second pin21B, among the plurality of pins212.

As shown inFIG.9C, the conveyance path599B is configured by paths K1to K4. The path K1is a path from the adjustment pin16to the first pin21A. The path K2is a path from the first pin21A to the seventh pin21G. The path K3is a path from the seventh pin21G to the ninth pin21J. The path K4is a path from the ninth pin21J to the first rotation body71. In this way, the manufacturer can select the path not using the second pin21B and the eighth pin21H, among the plurality of pins212.

Note that the tape cassette30B according to the second modified example can also convey the tape using paths other than the paths described above. It is sufficient that the manufacturer select the pins to be used as appropriate, among the plurality of pins212.

Various changes can be further made to the above-described embodiment, as described below. In the tape cassette30of the above-described embodiment, the half-cut tape57is conveyed, but the tape cassette30is not limited to this configuration. The tape cassette30may be a thermal type cassette or the like. For example, the tape may have a tube shape. In this case, the tape may be contracted using heat.

In the above-described embodiment, the tape is conveyed by the conveyance path59, but the configuration is not limited to this example. For example, the half-cut tape57may be conveyed without being conveyed through the second rotation body82and the third rotation body81of the conveyance path59.

In the above-described embodiment, the tape is conveyed via the adjustment pin16but the configuration is not limited to this example. For example, the adjustment pin16may be omitted. In this case, the tape cassette30may be configured to be able to convey the tape from the tape roll571to the plurality of pins21.

In the above-described embodiment, the conveyance path599is configured by the conveyance paths599shown inFIG.5AtoFIG.5D, but the configuration is not limited to these examples. For example, the manufacturer may change the path as appropriate. For example, a path may be configured that passes through at least one of the plurality of pins21. The manufacturer may select the pin as appropriate from among the plurality of pins21.

In the above-described embodiment, an example is described in which N=4, but the configuration is not limited to this example. For example, N may be an integer of three or less, or may be an integer of five or more. For example, when a number of the plurality of pins21is N (where N is an integer equal to or greater than three), the tape may be conveyed from the tape roll571toward the first rotation body71while being able to come into contact with the first pin21A, . . . an (N−1)th pin, and an Nth pin in order.

An angle between an (n−1)th straight line and a nth straight line may be greater than 105 degrees, where, n is an integer from 2 to N−1, the (n−1)th straight line connects an (n−1)th pin with an nth pin, and an nth straight line connects the nth pin with an (n+1)th pin.

In the above-described embodiment, the fourth pin21D is disposed at a position in tangent with the straight line L2, but the configuration is not limited to this example. For example, a center portion of the fourth pin21D may be disposed at a position away from the straight line L2connecting the eighth pin21H with the first rotation body71. In this case, the tape cassette30can convey the tape to the first rotation body71in the stable manner.

In the above-described embodiment, the plurality of pins21is disposed at the positions shown inFIG.2toFIG.5, but the configuration is not limited to these examples. The arrangement of the plurality of pins21may be changed as appropriate.

In the above-described embodiment, the shape of each of the plurality of pins21is the same, but the configuration is not limited to this example. For example, the plurality of pins21may have different shapes, respectively. The length in the up-down direction of the plurality of pins21is longer than the length of the half-cut tape57in the up-down direction, but the configuration is not limited to this example. For example, the length of the plurality of pins21in the up-down direction may be the same as or shorter than the length of the half-cut tape57in the up-down direction.

In the above-described embodiment, the first rotation body71, the second rotation body82, the third rotation body81, and the fourth rotation body72are able to rotate, but the configuration is not limited to this example. For example, at least one of the first rotation body71, the second rotation body82, the third rotation body81, and the fourth rotation body72may be a pin.

In the above-described embodiment, the lengths in the up-down direction of the first rotation body71and the second rotation body82are longer than the length of the half-cut tape57in the up-down direction, but the configuration is not limited to this example. For example, the lengths in the up-down direction of the first rotation body71and the second rotation body82may be the same as, or shorter than the length of the half-cut tape57in the up-down direction.

The lengths in the up-down direction of the third rotation body81and the fourth rotation body72are shorter than the length of the half-cut tape57in the up-down direction, but the configuration is not limited to this example. For example, the lengths in the up-down direction of the third rotation body81and the fourth rotation body72may be the same as, or longer than the length of the half-cut tape57in the up-down direction.

In the above-described embodiment, the angles θ1to θ4are set to be equal to or greater than 105 degrees, but may be an angle other than this. For example, the angles θ1to θ4may be set to be equal to or less than 105 degrees.