Placing printing elements and mark sensor at proper positions with respect to the cutter member

A tape printer, wherein when a label tape (36) is fed to a tape cutting position after the label (39) of the label tape (36) is printed out, the heating elements (R1 to Rn) of a thermal head (9) are disposed so as to be opposed to the position of a next printed label (39) slightly on the upstream side of a label head position on the downstream side of thereof in the feeding direction and to be opposed to the position of the next printed label (39) on the downstream side of the printing start position thereof (so that a<b can be established in FIG. 7), and a mark detection sensor (12)is disposed on the upstream side of the heating elements (R1 to Rn) so as to be opposed to the position slightly on the downstream side of the position opposed to a position detection mark (39B) (so that c<e can be established in FIG. 7).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a tape printing device configured to have the function of printing letters, etc. on a long tape while feeding the tape and thereafter cutting off the printed tape by a cutter member, and a tape cassette which is detachably loaded in the tape printing device. In particular, the present invention relates to the composition of a tape printing device and a tape cassette for using a label tape in which a plurality of labels are temporarily stuck on the front side of a long strippable sheet being aligned along the length of the strippable sheet and position indication marks for the detection of the positions of the labels are formed at prescribed positions on the back side of the strippable sheet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tape printing devices for printing letters, etc. on a label tape (having a plurality of labels temporarily stuck on the front side of a long strippable sheet being aligned along its length) are well known today. In regard to such tape printing devices, a variety of configurations, for detecting marks (position indication marks) formed on the back side of the label tape by use of a mark sensor and carrying out feeding control of the label tape based on the detection of the position indication marks, have been proposed (e.g. Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 2000-168181).

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

However, in the aforementioned conventional printing devices capable of printing on label tapes, if the mark sensor is placed far from a thermal head, restarting the tape printing device after shutting off the power might result in feeding the first label without printing and starting the printing from the second label in cases where the space (interval) between adjacent labels is short.

The present invention has been made for resolving the above problem and it is therefore the primary object of the present invention to provide a tape printing device capable of reliably printing letters, etc. up to the last label of a label tape (in which position indication marks for the detection of the positions of the labels are formed at prescribed positions on the back side of the strippable sheet) as well as surely printing from the first label even on the restart of the tape printing device, by placing printing elements and the mark sensor at proper positions with respect to the cutter member.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tape cassette to be detachably loaded in the tape printing device, including a tape spool around which a label tape is rolled up.

To achieve the above objects, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, in a tape printing device comprising tape feed means for feeding a long tape, printing means for printing on the tape, and a cutter member being placed on the downstream side of the printing means for cutting the tape, the tape is formed of a label tape in which a plurality of labels are temporarily stuck on a front side of a long strippable sheet being aligned along the length of the strippable sheet. The tape printing device further comprises a mark sensor which detects position indication marks formed at prescribed positions (in a tape feeding direction) on a back side of the strippable sheet opposed to (i.e. facing via the strippable sheet) corresponding labels respectively and control means which controls the tape feed means based on an output signal outputted by the mark sensor. The printing means includes a plurality of printing elements. The printing elements are situated on the downstream side of a print start position of a next label (which will be printed on next) at a point when the label tape after the printing on a label has been fed to a tape cutting position to be cut by the cutter member. The mark sensor is situated on the downstream side of a position indication mark opposed to the next label and on the upstream side of the printing elements at the point when the label tape after the printing on a label has been fed to the tape cutting position to be cut by the cutter member.

According to the tape printing device configured as above, letters, etc. are printed on each label by the printing means while the label tape (in which a plurality of labels are temporarily stuck on a front side of a long strippable sheet being aligned along the length of the strippable sheet) is fed by the tape feed means. The position indication marks are formed at prescribed positions in the tape feeding direction on the back side of the strippable sheet of the label tape opposed to corresponding labels respectively. The tape feed means is controlled based on the output signal outputted by the mark sensor detecting the position indication marks. The cutter member for cutting the tape is placed on the downstream side of the printing means. At the point when the label tape after the printing on a label has been fed to a tape cutting position to be cut by the cutter member, the printing elements of the printing means are situated on the downstream side of a print start position of a next label which will be printed on next, and the mark sensor is situated on the downstream side of a position indication mark opposed to the next label and on the upstream side of the printing elements.

To achieve the aforementioned objects, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tape printing device for printing on a long tape. The long tape is a label tape including a plurality of labels temporarily stuck on a front side of a long strippable sheet being aligned along the length of the strippable sheet and a plurality of position indication marks formed on a back side of the strippable sheet along its length to be opposed to (i.e. to face via the strippable sheet) corresponding labels respectively for enabling detection of each label on the front side. Each position indication mark corresponding to each label on the front side is formed at a position on the back side of the strippable sheet that corresponds to a prescribed position on the corresponding label in a tape feeding direction. The tape printing device comprises a tape feed unit for feeding the long tape, a printing unit for printing on the tape, a cutter member being placed on the downstream side of the printing unit in the tape feeding direction for cutting the tape, a mark sensor which successively detects the position indication marks formed on the long tape when the tape is fed, and a control unit which carries out printing by controlling the printing unit while controlling the tape feed unit based on an output signal outputted by the mark sensor. The printing unit is placed so that the printing unit, at a point when the label tape after the printing on a label has been fed by the control unit to a tape cutting position to be cut by the cutter member, will be situated on the downstream side in the feeding direction of a print start position of a label nearest to the tape cutting position. The mark sensor is placed so that the mark sensor, at the point when the label tape after the printing on a label has been fed by the control unit to the tape cutting position to be cut by the cutter member, will be situated on the downstream side in the feeding direction of a position indication mark corresponding to the label nearest to the tape cutting position and on the upstream side in the feeding direction of the printing unit.

According to the tape printing device configured as above, letters, etc. are printed on each label by the printing unit while the label tape (in which a plurality of labels are temporarily stuck on a front side of a long strippable sheet being aligned along the length of the strippable sheet) is fed by the tape feed unit. The position indication marks are formed at positions on the back side of the strippable sheet that correspond to prescribed positions on the corresponding labels in the tape feeding direction. The tape feed unit is controlled based on the output signal outputted by the mark sensor detecting the position indication marks. The cutter member for cutting the tape is placed on the downstream side of the printing unit. The printing unit is situated on the downstream side of the print start position of the next label which will be printed on next (the label nearest to the tape cutting position) at the point when the label tape after the printing on a label has been fed to the tape cutting position to be cut by the cutter member. The mark sensor is situated on the downstream side of the position indication mark corresponding to the next label and on the upstream side of the printing unit at the point when the label tape after the printing on a label has been fed to the tape cutting position of the cutter member.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION,

Referring now to the drawings, a description will be given in detail of an embodiment of a tape printing device and a tape cassette in accordance with the present invention. First, a brief outline of the composition of the tape printing device of the embodiment will be described referring toFIGS. 1 through 4.

FIG. 1is a schematic top view of the tape printing device in accordance with the embodiment with its storage cover removed.FIG. 2is a cross-sectional view of the tape printing device of the embodiment taken along the line A—A shown inFIG. 1.FIG. 3is a schematic diagram showing a brief outline of the composition of a thermal head of the tape printing device of the embodiment, in which (A) is a plan view and (B) is a front view.FIG. 4is a block diagram showing the composition of a control system of the tape printing device of the embodiment.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the tape printing device1includes a keyboard6on which various key boards are arranged and a cassette storage part8for storing a tape cassette35which will be explained later (seeFIG. 5). The cassette storage part8is covered with an unshown storage cover. On the keyboard6are arranged a character input keys2used for generating document data (text), a print key3used for ordering the printing of the text, a return key4used for ordering a line feed, various processes, selections, etc., cursor keys C, and so forth. By operating the cursor keys C, a cursor can be moved vertically and horizontally on a liquid crystal display7(hereinafter referred to as an “LCD 7”) which displays characters such as letters across a plurality of lines.

Under the keyboard6, an unshown control circuit board, on which a control circuit unit20which will be explained later is formed, is placed. On the left side wall of the cassette storage part8, a label outlet hole16for ejecting the tape after being printed on (printed tape) is formed. On the right side wall of the cassette storage part8, an adapter slot, to which a power adapter is attached, is formed.

In the cassette storage part8, a thermal head9which will be explained later (see FIG.3), a platen roller10facing the thermal head9, a tape feed roller11on the downstream side of the platen roller10, and a tape drive roller spindle14facing the tape feed roller11are arranged. Also arranged in the cassette storage part8are a ribbon roll-up spindle15for feeding an ink ribbon stored in the tape cassette35, etc. The ribbon roll-up spindle15is driven and rotated by a tape feed motor30(implemented by a stepping motor, for example) which will be explained later (seeFIG. 4) via an unshown proper driving mechanism. The ribbon roll-up spindle15is inserted into an unshown ink ribbon roll-up reel (which rolls up the ink ribbon after printing) and thereby drives and rotates the ink ribbon roll-up reel in sync with the printing speed. The tape drive roller spindle14is driven and rotated by the tape feed motor30via an unshown proper transmission mechanism and thereby drives and rotates a tape drive roller53which will be explained later (seeFIG. 5).

At a position facing a mark detection opening42(explained later, seeFIGS. 5 and 6) on a side face of the tape cassette35(explained later) when the tape cassette35is loaded in the cassette storage part8, a mark sensor12(implemented by a reflective photosensor, for example) is provided. The reflective photosensor forming the mark sensor12includes a light emitting element and a photoreceptor element mounted on the same circuit board. The light emitting element irradiates the back side of a strippable sheet (facing the mark sensor12) with light, and reflected light from the back side of the strippable sheet is received by the photoreceptor element, by which whether a position indication mark39B being colored black (explained later, seeFIG. 6) is facing the mark sensor12or not is detected. The detection of the position indication mark39B is implemented by use of an ON/OFF signal outputted by the mark sensor12.

In a part to the left of the tape drive roller spindle14and in the rear of the entrance to the label outlet hole16, a fixed blade13A is set up. Meanwhile, in a part (facing the fixed blade13A) in front of the entrance to the label outlet hole16, a movable blade13B is supported to be movable back and forth. The movable blade13B is driven backward and forward by a cutter motor32(implemented by a DC motor, for example) which will be explained later (seeFIG. 4) via a proper driving mechanism. The movable blade13B cuts a tape (label tape36, etc.) which has been fed to a tape cutting position by the tape drive roller53and the tape feed roller11after the printing, in cooperation with the fixed blade13A.

In the cassette storage part8, tape type sensors S1, S2, S3, S4and S5implemented by push microswitches, etc. are provided. These sensors S1–S5are provided to a part of the cassette storage part8that will face a tape identification part40of the tape cassette35(for identifying the type of the tape stored in the tape cassette35, seeFIG. 5) when the tape cassette35(explained later) is loaded in the cassette storage part8. Each tape type sensor S1–S5is implemented by a well-known mechanical switch including a plunger, microswitch, etc. Each tape type sensor S1–S5detects whether or not the tape identification part40has a through hole that has been formed corresponding to the sensor. Thus, the type of the tape stored in the tape cassette35can be detected based on ON/OFF signals outputted by the sensors S1–S5.

In this embodiment, the plunger of each tape type sensor S1–S5constantly protrudes from the bottom of the cassette storage part8and the microswitch stays OFF. When a through hole (explained later) of the tape identification part40is situated at a position facing a tape type sensor S1–S5, the plunger is not pressed down and the microswitch remains OFF, by which an OFF signal is outputted by the sensor. On the other hand, when no through hole (explained later) of the tape identification part40is situated at the position facing the tape type sensor S1–S5, the plunger is pressed down and the microswitch turns ON, by which an ON signal is outputted by the sensor.

The cassette storage part8can be opened and closed by opening/closing a storage cover which is rotatably supported by a rear part of the tape printing device1. The tape cassette35is replaced when the cassette storage part8is in the open state.

The type of the tape is identified by “tape type”, “tape width”, etc. The tape types include “receptor tape” (in which the surface of the printed tape is covered with no protective film), “laminate tape” (in which the surface of the printed tape is covered with a protective film), “label tape” (in which a plurality of labels are temporarily stuck on the surface (front side) of the strippable sheet along its lengthwise direction), etc. The tape widths include “6 mm”, “9 mm”, “12 mm”, “1118 mm”, “24 mm”, etc.

In this embodiment, when the “tape type” is “label tape” and the “tape width” is “24 mm”, the signals outputted by the tape type sensors S1–S5(the presence/absence of a sensor hole (through hole) corresponding to each tape type sensor S1–S5) are as follows (seeFIG. 5): “S1” is “OFF signal, i.e., a sensor hole exists”, “S2” is “OFF signal, i.e., a sensor hole exists”, “S3” is “ON signal, i.e., no sensor hole”, “S4” is “ON signal, i.e., no sensor hole”, “S5” is “OFF signal, i.e., a sensor hole exists”.

Also for other tape types, the relationship between the ON/OFF signal outputted by each tape type sensor S1–S5and the presence/absence of the corresponding through hole formed in the tape identification part40is the same (ON signal when there is no sensor hole, OFF signal when there is a sensor hole) and thus repeated explanation thereof is omitted.

As shown inFIG. 3, along a left edge part of the front face of the thermal head9in a flat and vertical rectangular shape, a prescribed number (128in this embodiment) of heating elements R1–Rn (n: prescribed number) are arranged in a line. To a right edge part of the front face of the thermal head9, an end of a flexible cable F (which is connected to a connector (unshown) formed on the unshown control circuit board) is electrically connected by soldering, etc.

The thermal head9is fixed by adhesives, etc. on a left edge part of the front face of a radiator plate9A (plated steel plate, stainless steel plate, etc.) substantially in a rectangular shape so that the alignment direction of the heating elements R1–Rn will be in parallel with the left edge of the radiator plate9A. The upper right corner of the flexible cable F is fixed on the front face of the radiator plate9A with a double-faced adhesive tape, etc. The other end of the flexible cable F is inserted into a through hole9D (substantially in the shape of a long rectangle stretching horizontally, formed in a bottom part of the radiator plate9A) and is led to the rear of the radiator plate9A.

At the bottom of the radiator plate9A, an extension part9B substantially in a rectangular shape is formed to extend forward from the radiator plate9A by a prescribed width. The extension part9B is provided with two through holes9C and9C. The radiator plate9A is attached on the bottom of the cassette storage part8by screws, etc. via the through holes9C and9C so that the alignment direction of the heating elements R1–Rn will be substantially orthogonal to the feeding direction of the label tape36(seeFIG. 5) at an opening part52(seeFIG. 5) of the tape cassette35.

As shown inFIG. 4, the control system of the tape printing device1is built up around the control circuit unit20which is formed on the unshown control circuit board as the core. The control circuit unit20includes a CPU21which controls each component, an I/O (input-output) interface23, a CGROM24, ROMs25and26, and a RAM27, which are connected to the CPU21via a data bus22. Incidentally, a timer21A is provided in the CPU21.

In the CGROM24, dot patterns of a lot of characters are stored, being associated with corresponding code data.

In the ROM25(dot pattern data memory), print dot pattern data to be used for printing characters (alphabetical letters, symbols, etc.) are stored, being associated with corresponding code data of characters. The print dot pattern data associated with the code data are classified by font (Gothic font, Mincho font, etc.), and the print dot pattern data of each font includes data for six print character sizes (16, 24, 32, 48, 64 and 96 dots). The ROM25also stores graphic pattern data to be used for printing graphic images including gradation.

In the ROM26, a variety of programs listed below are stored.(1) display drive control program for controlling an LCDC28according to code data of characters (letters, numbers, etc.) inputted through the keyboard6(2) print drive control program for reading data from a print buffer27B and thereby controlling the thermal head9and the tape feed motor30(3) pulse number determination program for determining a pulse number corresponding to the amount of formation energy of each print dot(4) label tape feed control program for detecting the position indication mark formed on the back of the label tape36by the mark sensor12and thereby driving the tape feed motor30up to a print start position of each label (seeFIG. 8)(5) cutting drive control program for feeding the label tape36to a cutting position by driving the tape feed motor30and cutting the label tape36by driving the cutter motor32when printing is finished (seeFIG. 8)(6) various other programs necessary for the control of the tape printing device1

The CPU21executes various calculations according to the programs stored in the ROM26.

In the RAM27, storage areas such as a text memory27A, the print buffer27B, a counter27C, a total print dot number counter27D and a parameter storage area27E are formed. The text memory27A stores document data inputted through the keyboard6. The print buffer27B stores print dot patterns of a plurality of letters, symbols, etc. and print pulse numbers (indicating the formation energy of each dot) as dot pattern data. The printing by the thermal head9is carried out according to the dot pattern data stored in the print buffer27B. The counter27C stores a count N of dots that have been printed by the thermal head9for a line (128 dots in this embodiment). The total print dot number counter27D stores the total number of dots printed by the thermal head9since the startup. The parameter storage area27E stores various calculation data.

Connected to the I/O interface23are the keyboard6, the mark sensor12, the tape type sensors S1–S5, the display controller28(LCDC28) including a video RAM28A for outputting display data to the liquid crystal display (LCD)7, a drive circuit29for driving the thermal head9, a drive circuit31for driving the tape feed motor30, and a drive circuit33for driving the cutter motor32.

By the above configuration, when letters, etc. are inputted through letter keys of the keyboard6, the inputted text (document data) is successively stored in the text memory27A, and a dot pattern corresponding to the letters, etc. inputted through the keyboard6is displayed on the LCD7by a dot pattern generation control program and the display drive control program. The CPU21drives the thermal head9through the drive circuit29, by which the printing of the dot pattern data stored in the print buffer27B is carried out. In sync with the printing operation, the tape feed motor30is driven by the drive circuit31and thereby the tape feed control is executed. The heating elements R1–Rn of the thermal head9(corresponding to a line of print dots) are selectively driven and heated by the drive circuit29, by which the letters, etc. are printed on the tape.

In the following, a brief outline of the composition of the tape cassette35which is loaded in the tape printing device1of this embodiment will be described referring toFIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 5is a plan view of the tape cassette35to be loaded in the tape printing device1of this embodiment, with its cover removed.FIG. 6is a side view of the tape cassette35, showing a state in which the label tape36has been pulled out and the position indication mark for the second label is facing the mark detection opening42.

As shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, the tape cassette35of this embodiment includes a cover37covering the top of the tape cassette35, a cassette body38, and the label tape36.

The label tape36includes a long strippable sheet36A and a plurality of labels39(substantially in horizontal rectangular shapes) which are temporarily stuck on the surface of the strippable sheet36A at preset intervals along the length of the strippable sheet36A. On the back side of the strippable sheet36A, a plurality of marks39A are formed at positions substantially corresponding to the centers of the labels39in regard to the feeding direction. Each mark39A is colored black substantially in a vertical rectangular shape stretching from almost the top of the back side of the strippable sheet36A to a central part of the strippable sheet36A in its width direction. Meanwhile, a plurality of position indication marks39B are also formed on the back side of the strippable sheet36A. Each position indication mark39B for each label39is formed at a position substantially corresponding to the midpoint between the center of the label39in the feeding direction and an upstream edge of the label39. Each position indication mark39B is colored black substantially in a vertical rectangular shape stretching from almost the bottom of the back side of the strippable sheet36A to a central part of the strippable sheet36A in its width direction. The width of the position indication mark39B measured in the feeding direction is substantially the same as the width of the mark sensor12measured in the feeding direction (horizontal direction inFIG. 2). The label tape36is rolled up around a tape spool45with the back side of the strippable sheet36A, facing outward and is stored in the tape cassette35. Each label39(including a base tape, a thermosensitive coloring layer formed on a side of the base tape, and an adhesive layer formed on the other side of the base tape) is stuck on the surface of the strippable sheet36A via the adhesive layer.

Through a lateral part of the tape cassette35facing the mark sensor12when the tape cassette35is loaded in the cassette storage part8, the mark detection opening42is formed substantially in a vertical rectangular shape with a height (in the vertical direction) almost the same as that of the tape cassette35and a width (in the feeding direction) slightly larger than that of the position indication mark39B. By this configuration, when the tape cassette35is loaded in the cassette storage part8, the position indication marks39B formed on the back side of the label tape36can be detected by the mark sensor12through the mark detection. opening42while the label tape36is fed in the feeding direction.

As shown inFIG. 5, the tape spool45is stored in the cassette body38, being rotatably engaged with a cassette boss48which is vertically formed on the bottom of the cassette body38. To the right of the cassette boss48, a guide spool49substantially in a cylindrical shape is rotatably engaged with a cassette boss50which is vertically formed on the bottom of the cassette body38. On the downstream side of the cassette boss50, a reel55substantially in a cylindrical shape is rotatably engaged with a reel boss56which is vertically formed on the bottom of the cassette body38. Through a bottom part of the cassette body38facing the ink ribbon roll-up spindle15when the tape cassette35is loaded in the cassette storage part8, a through hole57having a diameter larger than that of the ink ribbon roll-up spindle15is formed.

The label tape36pulled out from the tape spool45is guided to the opening part52to which the thermal head9is inserted, via the guide spool49, the reel55and guide members58and59vertically formed on the bottom of the cassette body38. Thereafter, the label tape36passes between the thermal head9and the platen roller10. In a downstream part of the cassette body38(lower left part inFIG. 5), the tape drive roller53is provided so as to be driven and rotated by the tape drive roller spindle14. After passing between the tape drive roller53and the tape feed roller11(facing the roller53), the label tape36is fed to the outside of the tape cassette35and then reaches the label outlet hole16of the tape printing device1. The label tape36which has been fed to the cutting position is cut by the fixed blade13A and the movable blade13B and is ejected through the label outlet hole16.

In a corner part of the bottom of the cassette body38(upper right part inFIG. 5) facing the tape type sensors S1–S5when the tape cassette35is loaded in the cassette storage part8, the tape identification part40having through holes41A,41B and41C is provided. The through holes41A,41B and41C are formed at positions facing the tape type sensors S1, S2and S5, respectively. By this configuration, OFF signals are outputted by the tape type sensors S1, S2and S5while ON signals are outputted by the tape type sensors S3and S4, by which the type of the print tape stored in the tape cassette35is identified as a prescribed label tape36having a tape width of 24 mm.

In the following, positional relationship between a next label39(which will be printed on next) and each part of the tape printing device1, at the point when printing on a label39of the label tape36has been finished and the label tape36has been fed to the tape cutting position to be cut by the fixed blade13A and the movable blade13B, will be explained referring toFIG. 7. Specifically,FIG. 7depicts positional relationships among the next label39, a position indication mark39B opposed to (i.e. facing via the strippable sheet) the next label39, the heating elements R1–Rn, and the mark sensor12.

InFIG. 7, P0denotes the position of the heating elements R1–Rn of the thermal head9at the point when printing on a label39of the label tape36has been finished and the label tape36has been fed to the tape cutting position P2to be cut by the fixed blade13A and the movable blade13B. The position P0is slightly on the upstream side of a label front end position P1of the next label39(an end on the downstream side in the feeding direction) and on the downstream side of a print start position P3of the next label39(that is, a<b inFIG. 7).

P10inFIG. 7denotes the position of the mark sensor12. The mark sensor12is situated on the upstream side of the heating elements R1–Rn and slightly on the downstream side of the position P4of the position indication mark39B (that is, c<e inFIG. 7).

The distance from the position P0of the heating elements (at the point when printing on a label39of the label tape36has been finished and the label tape36has been fed to the tape cutting position to be cut by the fixed blade13A and the movable blade13B) to the print start position P3of the next label39measured in the feeding direction is assumed to be L1(L1=b−a inFIG. 7), and the distance from the position P10of the mark sensor12to the position P4of the position indication mark39B measured in the feeding direction is assumed to be L2(L2=e−c inFIG. 7). In this case, the heating elements R1–Rn and the mark sensor12are situated so that L1≧L2will be satisfied.

By this configuration, after detecting a position indication mark39B on the label tape36by the mark sensor12, the print start position of the label39corresponding to the position indication mark39B can surely be conveyed to the position facing the heating elements R1–Rn.

In the following, a print control process executed by the tape printing device1configured as above will be described referring toFIG. 8.

FIG. 8is a flow chart showing the print control process carried out by the tape printing device1in accordance with this embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 8, in step (hereinafter abbreviated as “S”)1, the CPU21executes a judgment process for judging whether a tape stored in a tape cassette loaded in the cassette storage part8is a label tape or not by use of tape type sensors S1–S5.

If the tape cassette loaded in the cassette storage part8is judged to be a tape cassette35storing a label tape36(S1: YES), the CPU21carries out S2. In S2, when the print key3on the keyboard6is pressed, the CPU21feeds the label tape36(by rotating the tape drive roller53and the tape feed roller11by driving the tape feed motor30) until a position indication mark39B is detected by the mark sensor12.

Subsequently, in S3, the CPU21feeds the label tape36to the print start position of the label39based on print data which has been inputted through the character input keys2and stored in the print buffer27B of the RAM27. This feeding is carried out by rotating the tape drive roller53and the tape feed roller11by further driving the tape feed motor30.

In S4, with the heating elements R1–Rn of the thermal head9facing the print start position of the label39, the CPU21lets the heating elements R1–Rn print part of the letters, etc. stored in the print buffer27B for a line (corresponding to a line of heating elements R1–Rn) on the label39.

Subsequently, in S5, the CPU21executes a judgment process for judging whether or not all the letters, etc. for one label stored in the print buffer27B have already been printed out.

If the printing of all the letters, etc. for one label stored in the print buffer27B of the RAM27has not been completed yet (S5: NO), the CPU21lets the heating elements R1–Rn print part of the letters, etc. for the next line on the label39while feeding the label tape36by the tape drive roller53.

On the other hand, if all the letters, etc. stored in the print buffer27B of the RAM27have already been printed out (S5: YES), the CPU21in S6feeds the label tape36to the tape cutting position by properly rotating the tape drive roller53by driving and rotating the tape feed motor30by a prescribed angle.

Subsequently, in S7, the CPU21moves the movable blade13B forward by driving the cutter motor32, by which the label tape36is cut by the movable blade13B and the fixed blade13A.

Thereafter, in S8, the CPU21executes a judgment process for judging whether or not print data of letters, etc. to be printed on the next label39have been stored in the print buffer27B. If the print data of letters, etc. for the next label have been stored in the print buffer27B (S8: YES), the CPU21carries out the process from S1again.

On the other hand, if the print buffer27B has not stored the print data of letters, etc. to be printed on the next label (S8: NO), the CPU21ends the process.

By the above process, the letters, etc. stored in the print buffer27B can be printed on each label39of the label tape36.

In S1, if the tape cassette loaded in the cassette storage part8is judged not to be a tape cassette35storing a label tape36but to be an ordinary print tape (S1: NO), the CPU21carries out the process from S4.

By the process, the letters, etc. stored in the print buffer27B can be printed on an ordinary print tape that is not a label tape36.

As explained above in detail, in the tape printing device1in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, at the point when the printing on a label39of the label tape36has been finished and the label tape36has been fed to the tape cutting position, the position (P0) of the heating elements R1–Rn is slightly on the upstream side of the label front end position (P1) of the next label39(an end on the downstream side in the feeding direction) and on the downstream side of the print start position (P3) of the next label39(that is, a<b inFIG. 7). Meanwhile, the mark sensor12is situated on the upstream side of the heating elements R1–Rn and slightly on the downstream side of the position (P4) of the position indication mark39B (that is, c<e inFIG. 7). At the point when the printing on the label39of the label tape36has been finished and the label tape36has been fed to the tape cutting position to be cut by the fixed blade13A and the movable blade13B, the heating elements R1–Rn and the mark sensor12are situated so that the distance L1from the position (P0) of the heating elements to the print start position (P3) of the next label39measured in the feeding direction (L1=b−a inFIG. 7) will be longer than or equal to the distance L2from the position (P10) of the mark sensor12to the position (P4) of the position indication mark39B measured in the feeding direction (L2=e−c inFIG. 7), that is, L1≧L2.

In the case where the tape stored in the tape cassette35is identified by the tape type sensors S1–S5as a prescribed label tape36, the label tape36is fed forward by driving the tape feed motor30and the position indication mark39B formed on the back side of the label tape36is detected by the mark sensor12(S1–S2). Subsequently, the print start position of the label39is placed to face the heating elements R1–Rn of the thermal head9by driving the tape feed motor30by a prescribed number of steps and then the letters, etc. stored in the print buffer27B are printed on the label39while driving the tape feed motor30in sync with the printing (S3-S5: NO). When the printing on the label39is finished, the CPU21feeds the label tape36to the tape cutting position by driving and rotating the tape feed motor30by a prescribed angle and then cuts the label tape36by the movable blade13B by driving the cutter motor32, by which part of the label tape36which has been cut off is ejected from the label outlet hole16(S5: YES—S8: NO).

Since the heating elements R1–Rn of the thermal head9are placed at the position on the downstream side of the print start position of the next label39at the point when the label tape36after the printing on the previous label39has been fed to the tape cutting position to be cut by the fixed blade13A and the movable blade13B, even when the next label39is the last label39of the label tape36, the printing can be carried out by the heating elements R1–Rn surely from the print start position of the label39. Further, at the point when the label tape36after the printing on the previous label39has been fed to the tape cutting position of the fixed blade13A and the movable blade13B, the mark sensor12is situated at the position on the downstream side of the position indication mark39B opposed to the next label39and on the upstream side of the heating elements R1–Rn. Therefore, even if the power is shut down after the cutting of the label tape36, the position indication mark39B of the first label39can surely be detected by the mark sensor12on the restart of the tape printing device1and the label tape36can correctly be fed to the print start position of the first label39based on the output signal of the mark sensor12.

Since the position indication mark39B can be placed as close as possible to a position facing the mark sensor12at the point when the label tape36after the printing on a label39has been fed to the tape cutting position, feeding distance of the label tape36necessary for the detection of the position indication mark39B can be set short and the space (interval) between adjacent labels39can be reduced.

Since each label tape36has been rolled up in a tape cassette35which is detachably loaded in the tape printing device1, the loading, replacement, etc. of the label tape36can be done with ease.

Since the label tape36is surely fed to the print start position of each label39in the case where the tape cassette35is identified by the tape type sensors S1–S5to contain the label tape36, the printing on the labels39can be carried out correctly even when a variety of tape cassettes are used. Incidentally, in the case where a tape cassette storing a tape that is not a label tape36is loaded in the tape printing device1, the tape feeding is carried out not based on the output signal of the mark sensor12, therefore, the letters, etc. can certainly be printed on the intended tape.

By loading the tape cassette35in the tape printing device1, the printing on each label39can be carried out by the heating elements R1–Rn while feeding the label tape36in the opening part52, as well as surely feeding the label tape36to the print start position of each label39by the detection of the position indication mark39B of each label39by the mark sensor12through the mark detection opening42.

Further, in cases where a printable front end position of the label39is a downstream edge part of the label39(an edge part of the label39on its downstream side) in regard to the feeding direction, feeding distance of the label tape36to the print start position of the label39after the detection of the position indication mark39B by the mark sensor12can be set short and the space (interval) between adjacent labels39can be reduced.

In the above embodiment, each position indication mark39B is formed at a position on the downstream side (in the feeding direction) of a position on the back side of the strippable sheet opposed to a rear end position of each label. Therefore, the position indication mark39B can be placed as close as possible to the position facing the mark sensor12at the point when the label tape after the printing on a label has been fed to the tape cutting position to be cut by the cutter member, by which the feeding distance of the label tape necessary for the detection of the position indication mark39B can be set short and the space (interval) between adjacent labels can be reduced further.

In the tape cassette35described in the above embodiment, by configuring the tape cassette35so that the printable front end position of the label will be exposed to the opening part52when the position indication mark39B is situated at the mark detection opening42, the label tape can correctly be fed to the print start position of the label by the detection of the position indication mark39B by the mark sensor12.

Incidentally, it is to be appreciated that the present invention is not to be restricted by the particular illustrative embodiment described above and a variety of improvements, modifications, etc. are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, the following configurations are also possible.

(a) While the position indication marks39B are detected by a mark sensor12in the above embodiment, it is also possible to arrange two mark sensors12vertically and let the upper mark sensor12detect the marks39A while letting the lower mark sensor12detect the position indication marks39B. By this configuration, the feeding control of the label tape36can be executed based on both output signals regarding the marks39A and the position indication marks39B in cases of successive printing on a plurality of labels39.

(b) While each position indication mark39B in the above embodiment is formed as a black mark substantially in a vertical rectangular shape, it is also possible to configure the position indication mark39B as a magnetic mark substantially in a vertical rectangular shape and implement the mark sensor12by a magnetic sensor. By this configuration, the mark sensor12can be miniaturized.

(c) While the heating elements R1–Rn in the above embodiment are placed so that they will be situated slightly on the print-start-position side of the front end position of the next label39(which will be printed on next) at the point when the label tape36has been fed to the tape cutting position, the heating elements R1–Rn may also be placed so that they will be situated at a position substantially corresponding to the front end position of the next label39or at a position in the vicinity of the front end position on the upstream side or downstream side of the front end position in the feeding direction. By this configuration, after the position indication mark39B is detected by the mark sensor12, the print start position of the label39(opposed to the position indication mark39B) can be fed by the feeding control to the position facing the heating elements R1–Rn more correctly.

Incidentally, the above embodiments have been described as illustrations and thus the present invention is not to be restricted by the contents of the embodiments but to be understood according to the contents of the appended claims.