Printing device, and printing cassette including case that houses input part, output part, and transmission mechanism for transmitting drive force from input part to output part

A printing device includes a printing cassette, and a platen roller. The printing cassette includes: a print tape; an input part into which a drive force is to be inputted; an output part rotatable about a rotational axis extending in a first direction; a transmission mechanism for transmitting the drive force from the input part to the output part; and a case. The case houses therein at least a part of the print tape, at least a part of the input part, at least a part of the output part, and at least part of the transmission mechanism. At least a part of the output part is positioned outside the case. The output part is positioned inside an outer edge of the case in a projection view where the output part and the case are projected onto a plane perpendicular to the first direction.

BACKGROUND

In a device that performs printing or other processes on a tape, cassettes housing a tape are mounted in and removed from a device body to interchange and supply the tape. One cassette known for use in such devices includes a reel about which the tape is wound, and a gear provided on the reel.

SUMMARY

In a case where a drive force is outputted from the cassette via the gear in the cassette described above, both an output part (i.e., the gear) and an input part (i.e., a hole in the reel) are formed in the reel. Consequently, there are limitations to the arrangement of the input position toward the inside of the cassette and the output position toward the outside of the cassette.

In order to attain the above and other object, according to an aspect, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a printing device and a printing cassette that can enhance flexibility in the arrangement of an input position for inputting a drive force into the cassette and an output position for outputting the drive force from the cassette.

According to one aspect, the disclosure provides a printing device including: a printing cassette including a print tape; a platen roller configured to convey the print tape; and a drive source.

The printing cassette includes: an input part into which a drive force is configured to be inputted; an output part rotatable about a rotational axis parallel to a first direction and configured to transmit the drive force to the platen roller; a transmission mechanism drivingly connected to the input part and the output part and configured to transmit the drive force inputted into the input part to the output part; and a case that houses therein at least a part of the print tape, at least a part of the input part, at least a part of the output part, and at least part of the transmission mechanism.

At least a part of the output part is positioned outside the case. The output part is positioned inside an outer edge of the case in a projection view where the output part and the case are projected onto a plane perpendicular to the first direction.

According to another aspect, the disclosure provides a printing cassette including: a print tape; an input part into which a drive force is configured to be inputted; an output part rotatable about a rotational axis parallel to a first direction and configured to output the drive force for conveying the print tape to an outside; a transmission mechanism drivingly connected to the input part and the output part and configured to transmit the drive force inputted into the input part to the output part; and a case that houses therein at least a part of the print tape, at least a part of the input part, at least a part of the output part, and at least part of the transmission mechanism.

At least a part of the output part is positioned outside the case. The output part is positioned inside an outer edge of the case in a projection view where the output part and the case are projected onto a plane perpendicular to the first direction.

With this configuration, since the drive force can be transmitted from the input part to the output part by the transmission mechanism, the input part and the output part can be arranged respectively at arbitral locations. As a result, the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the input position fix inputting the drive force into the printing cassette and the output position for outputting the drive force from the printing cassette can be enhanced. Further, protection can be provided for the output part, since the output part is positioned inside the outer edge of the case in the projection view.

According to still another aspect, the disclosure provides a printing cassette including: a print tape; an input part into which a drive force is configured to be inputted; an output part rotatable about a rotational axis parallel to a first direction and configured to output the drive force for conveying the print tape to an outside; a transmission mechanism drivingly connected to the input part and the output part and configured to transmit the drive force inputted into the input part to the output part; and a case that houses therein at least a part of the print tape, at least a part of the input part, at least a part of the output part, and at least part of the transmission mechanism.

At least a part of the output part is positioned outside the case. An entirety of the output part overlaps the case in the first direction.

With this configuration, since the drive force can be transmitted from the input part to the output part by the transmission mechanism, the input part and the output part can be arranged respectively at arbitral locations. Further, protection can be provided for the output part, since an entirety of the output part overlaps the case in the first direction.

According to still another aspect, the disclosure provides a printing cassette including: a print tape; an input part into which a drive force is configured to be inputted; an output part rotatable about a rotational axis parallel to a first direction and configured to output the drive force for conveying the print tape to an outside; a transmission mechanism drivingly connected to the input part and the output part and configured to transmit the drive force inputted into the input part to the output part; and a case that houses therein at least a part of the print tape, at least a part of the input part, at least a part of the output part, and at least part of the transmission mechanism.

The case has: a first surface and a second surface constituting respective endfaces of the case in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a third surface and a fourth surface constituting respective endfaces of the case in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. The output part is positioned between the first surface and the second surface and between the third surface and the fourth surface.

With this configuration, since the drive force can be transmitted from the input part to the output part by the transmission mechanism, the input part and the output part can be arranged respectively at arbitral locations. Further, protection can be provided for the output part, since the output part is positioned between the first surface and the second surface and between the third surface and the fourth surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

1. First Embodiment

A printing device1illustrated inFIGS.1A,1B, and1Cincludes a printing cassette10, and a device body100. The printing device1is a device configured to perform printing on a tape-like printing medium.

In the present embodiment, an axial direction of an output gear18will be defined as an up-down direction; a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and in which the output gear18and an input spool16are aligned with each other will be defined as a front-rear direction; and a direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the front-rear direction will be defined as a left-right direction.

The printing cassette10houses a print medium therein. The printing cassette10is detachably mountable in the device body100. Interchanging the printing cassettes10can result in replenishment of the printing medium and change in the type of print medium (such as color, material, and the like).

As illustrated inFIGS.2A,2B, and2C, the printing cassette10includes a case35that houses a print tape11A, an ink ribbon14A described later, and the like. The printing cassette10has an outer shape (i.e., a shape of the case35) of a rectangular parallelepiped having sides that are parallel to each other in the up-down direction, sides that are parallel to each other in the front-rear direction, and sides that are parallel to each other in the left-right direction. The case35includes a first cover part31, a first frame part32, a second frame part33, and a second cover part34.

As illustrated inFIG.3, the printing cassette10includes a first roll11, a first supply spool12, spacer films13A and13B, a second roll14, a second supply spool15, the input spool16, a clutch spring holder17, the output gear18, an input gear19, and an idle gear20.

The first roll11is configured by winding the print tape11A for printing over the first supply spool12. On a front surface of the print tape11A, printing is performed by a print head102provided in the device body100with the ink ribbon14A.

On both outer sides of the first roll11in the up-down direction, the two spacer films13A and13B are disposed so as to sandwich the first roll11therebetween. The spacer films13A and13B are disposed between the first roll11and first cover part31, and between the first roll11and first frame part32, respectively.

The first supply spool12is rotatable about a rotational axis. The first supply spool12is configured to rotate as a platen roller103described later of the device body100conveys the print tape11A, thereby supplying the print tape11A to the print head102.

The second roll14is configured by winding the ink ribbon14A to be used for printing over the second supply spool15.

The ink ribbon14A is overlaid on the print tape11A at a head opening33B described later and subjected to printing by the print head102. The ink ribbon14A, which was used in the printing, is configured to be taken up by the input spool16described later. Farther, a clutch spring retained in the clutch spring holder17applies a rotational resistance to the second roll14.

The second supply spool15is rotatable about a rotational axis. The rotational axis of the second supply spool15is parallel to the rotational axis of the first supply spool12, i.e., to the up-down direction.

The second supply spool15is configured to rotate as the input spool16takes up the ink ribbon14A, thereby supplying the ink ribbon14A to the print head102. Further, at least a part of the second supply spool15is arranged in a position overlapping with the first roll11in the up-down direction.

The input spool16is rotatable about a rotational axis. The rotational axis of the input spool16is parallel to the rotational axis of the second supply spool15.

The input spool16is cylindrical and has a hollow part therein defined by an inner peripheral surface16A thereof. On the inner peripheral surface16A of the input spool16, splines16B are formed. A drive shaft105described later of the device body100is configured to be coupled with the splines16B. The input spool16is configured to take up the ink ribbon14A when rotated by the drive shaft105.

The output gear18is a gear for externally outputting a drive force for conveying the print tape11A. The output gear18is an output part configured to transmit the drive force to the platen roller103via a platen gear104described later of the device body100.

The output gear18has a disc rotatable about a rotational axis, and teeth formed on a surface of the disc parallel to the up-down direction. One surface of the disc perpendicular to the up-down direction (i.e., a top surface) faces a cover part32B described later of the case35in the up-down direction. Another surface of the disc perpendicular to the up-down direction (i.e., a bottom surface) has a portion that does not face the case35in the up-down direction.

A part of the output gear18is exposed in the head opening33B and is positioned outside the case35. In a state where the printing cassette10is mounted in the device body100, the output gear18engages the platen gear104at the head opening33B.

As illustrated inFIG.4, the first roll11, output gear18, and second roll14(i.e., the second supply spool15) are juxtaposed in the up-down direction in the order of the first roll11, output gear18, and second roll14. That is, the output gear18is positioned between the first roll11and the second roll14in the up-down direction.

As illustrated inFIG.3, the input gear19is a gear that engages the output gear18indirectly via the idle gear20described later for transmitting the drive force to the output gear18. The drive force from a drive source in the device body100is configured to be inputted into the input gear19.

The input gear19has a gear19A, and a cylindrical spool19B fixed to a bottom surface of the gear19A. Splines are formed on an inner peripheral surface of the spool19B. The gear19A is rotatable together with the spool19B by the drive force inputted into the spool19B.

The rotational axis of the input gear19(i.e., the rotational axis of the gear19A and the spool19B) is arranged coaxially with the rotational axis of the input spool16. As illustrated inFIG.4, the input spool16, input gear19, and first roll11are juxtaposed in the up-down direction in the order of the input spool16, input gear19, and first roll11.

That is, the input gear19is positioned between the input spool16and the first roll11in the up-down direction. Further, at least a part of the input gear19is disposed at a position overlapping with the first roll11in the up-down direction.

The rotational axis of the input gear19passes through the hollow part of the input spool16. That is, the drive shaft105is inserted simultaneously through the input spool16and the input gear19, As a result, the input gear19can be rotated by the drive source common to the input spool16(i.e., the drive shaft105), although the input gear19is not directly: coupled to the input spool16.

The idle gear20is drivingly coupled to (i.e., engaged with) the input gear19and the output gear18. The idle gear20thus constitutes a transmission mechanism for transmitting the drive force inputted into the input gear19to the output gear18.

The idle gear20is a two-stage gear configured of a first gear20A and a second gear20B coaxially juxtaposed with each other. The first gear20A is in engagement with the input gear19, and the second gear20B is in engagement with the output gear18. The second gear20B has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the first gear20A. Further, the second gear20B is arranged closer to the first roll11(i.e., upward) than the first gear20A is to the first roll11in the up-down direction. The idle gear20constitutes a deceleration mechanism for decelerating the drive force inputted into the input gear19.

As illustrated inFIG.3, the first cover part31constitutes a top portion of the printing cassette10. The first frame part32is disposed below the first cover part31and is connected to the first cover part31in the up-down direction. The second frame part33is disposed below the first frame part32and is connected to the first frame part32in the up-down direction. The second cover part34constitutes a bottom portion of the printing cassette10. The second cover part34is connected to the second frame part33in the up-down direction.

The first cover part31and the first frame part32together constitute a first case part41(seeFIG.4) that accommodates the first roll11therein. In other words, the first roll11is disposed in a space enclosed by the first cover part31and the first frame part32.

The second cover part34and the second frame part33together constitute a second case part42(seeFIG.4) that accommodates the second roll14, the second supply spool15, and the input spool16. In other words, the second roll14, the second supply spool15, and the input spool16are disposed in a space enclosed by the second cover part34and the second frame part33.

The first frame part32and the second frame part33together constitute a third ease part43(seeFIG.4) in which a part of the output gear18, the input gear19and the idle gear20are disposed. In other words, a part of the output gear18, the input gear19, and the idle gear20are disposed in a space enclosed by the first frame part32and the second frame part33. The third case part43is arranged between the first case part41and the second case part42in the up-down direction.

The first frame part32has a first side wall32A, the cover part32B, a first guide32C, a first gear support part32D, a second gear support part32E, and a third gear support part32F. The first side wall32A constitutes a peripheral surface of the first frame part32in parallel to the up-down direction of the printing cassette10. The cover part32B is a portion having a surface perpendicular to the up-down direction.

The cover part32B is disposed at a position overlapping with the output gear18in the up-down direction. In the present embodiment, the cover part32B is continuous with a bottom edge of the first side wall32A and is arranged in a right-front corner portion of the first frame part32.

The output gear18, the cover part32B, and the first roll11are juxtaposed in the up-down direction in the order of the output gear18, the cover part32B, and the first roll11, Further, as described above, an entire area on a top surface of the output gear18is covered by the cover part32B.

As illustrated inFIG.5, the first guide32C is a part over which the print tape11A paid off the first roll11is wound. The first guide32C has a plurality of plate-shaped ribs arranged at intervals along a circumferential direction of the first roll11. The ribs protrude each in a radial direction of the first roll11, and each rib has a protruding amount (i.e., a plate width) that becomes greater toward the bottom.

The first gear support part32D illustrated inFIG.3rotatably supports the output gear18. The second gear support part32E rotatably supports the input gear19. The third gear support part32F rotatably supports the idle gear20.

The second frame part33has a second side wall33A, the head opening33B, a discharge opening33C, a second guide33D, a protruding part33E, and a conveying path33G. The second side wall33A constitutes a peripheral surface parallel to the up-down direction of the printing cassette10.

The head opening33B is a notched part provided by cutting a portion of the second side wall33A off therefrom. The head opening33B is a space in which the print head102is inserted from below upon attachment of the printing cassette10to the device body100, such that the print head102is positioned inside the head opening33B. The head opening33B is open on the bottom of the printing cassette10.

The second guide33D is a part over which the print tape11A, which moved past the first guide32C, is wound. As with the first guide32C, the second guide33D has a plurality of plate-shaped ribs arranged at intervals along a circumferential direction of the second roll14. The ribs protrude each in a radial direction of the second roll14, and each rib has a protruding amount (i.e., a plate width) that becomes smaller toward the bottom.

The protruding part33E is arranged at a position overlapping with the output gear18in the up-down direction. The protruding part33E has an endface33F that is parallel to the up-down direction. The protruding part33E is positioned below the output gear18(i.e., opposite the cover part32B with respect to the output gear18).

The conveying path33G is positioned upstream of the head opening33B in a conveying direction of the print tape11A. The print tape11A and the ink ribbon14A are configured to be conveyed in parallel to each other along the conveying path33G. In the present embodiment, the conveying direction of the print tape11A in the conveying path33G is a direction from the left toward the right. In the conveying path33G, the conveying direction is parallel to a straight line connecting a plurality of support points in contact with a back surface of the print tape11A opposite its printing surface.

A portion of the input gear19overlaps the output gear18in a direction orthogonal to both the conveying direction of the print tape11A at the conveying path33G (i.e., the left-right direction) and the up-down direction. That is, the said portion of the input gear19overlaps the output gear18in the front-rear direction.

As illustrated inFIG.6, the print tape HA and the ink ribbon14A are arranged to extend in the left-right direction through the head opening33B. After printing is performed, the print tape11A is discharged out of the printing device1through the discharge opening33C.

In a projection view where the output gear18and the case35are projected onto a datum plane perpendicular to the up-down direction, the output gear18is positioned inside an outer edge of the case35. Further, an entirety of the output gear18overlaps the case35in the up-down direction.

A part of the output gear18overlaps the head opening33B in the up-down direction. In particular, a rotational axis O1of the output gear18passes through the head opening33B. Further, the endface33F of the protruding part33E is positioned between a dedendum circle of the output gear18and the rotational axis O1of the output gear18.

A portion of the output gear18positioned outside the case35(i.e., a portion that does not overlap the protruding part33E in the up-down direction) provides a circumferential length L along the dedendum circle of the entire output gear18. With respect to the dedendum circle, the circumferential length. L is equal to or greater than ⅛ of the entire circumference, and also equal to or smaller than ⅓ of the entire circumference.

The case35further includes: a first upstream support part331and a first downstream support part332for supporting the print tape11A; and a second upstream support part333and a second downstream support part334for supporting the ink ribbon14A.

The first upstream support part331is disposed adjacent to and upstream of the head opening33B in the conveying direction of the print tape11A. The first downstream support part332is disposed adjacent to and downstream of the head opening33B in the conveying direction of the print tape11A. The first downstream support part332is positioned rightward and rearward of the first upstream support part331.

The second upstream support part333is disposed adjacent to and upstream of the head opening33B in a conveying direction of the ink ribbon14A, The second downstream support part334is disposed adjacent to and downstream of the head opening33B in the conveying direction of the ink ribbon14A, The second downstream support part334is positioned rightward and rearward of the second upstream support part333.

A datum straight line S2connecting the second upstream support part333and the second downstream support part334overlaps the output gear18in the up-down direction. On the other hand, a datum straight line S1connecting the first upstream support part331and first downstream support part332does not overlap the output gear18in the up-down direction. Accordingly, the print tape11A and the ink ribbon14A are configured to be conveyed through the head opening33B while being separated from each other in the front-rear direction. Further, the output gear18overlaps the second upstream support part333in the up-down direction.

As illustrated inFIG.7, a part of the output gear18overlaps a datum triangle S3in the up-down direction, the datum triangle S3connecting the first upstream support part331, the first downstream support part332, and a rotational axis O2of the input gear19. In particular, the rotational axis O1of the output gear18passes through the datum triangle S3in the present embodiment.

As illustrated inFIGS.8A,8B,8C, and8D, the first guide32C and the second guide33D constitute a path for conveying the print tape11A forming the first roll11from the first case part41to the second case part42.

Specifically, as illustrated inFIG.8A, the print tape11A paid out from the first roll11is conveyed downward and rearward in a spiral manner inside the first case part41while making contact with the first guide32C from its outside with respect to the radial direction of the first roll11. The print tape11A is then conveyed downward and leftward while passing the third case part43in the up-down direction, as illustrated inFIG.8B.

As illustrated inFIG.8C, after arriving at the second case part42, the print tape11A is conveyed downward and frontward while making contact with the second guide33D from its outside in the radial direction. When reaching the bottom of the printing cassette10, the print tape11A passes through the head opening33B and is then discharged through the discharge opening33C, as illustrated inFIG.8D.

Further, as illustrated inFIG.8A, the output gear18is positioned between a first surface35A and a second surface35B of the case35. Further, as illustrated inFIG.8D, the output gear18is positioned between a third surface35C and a fourth surface35D of the case35.

The first surface35A and the second surface35B respectively constitute endfaces of the case35in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the first surface35A is a frontmost surface, and the second surface35B is to rearmost surface. Further, the third surface35C and fourth surface35D respectively constitute endfaces of the case35in the left-right direction, Specifically, the third surface35C is a leftmost surface, and the fourth surface35D is a rightmost surface.

As illustrated inFIG.1B, the device body100includes a cassette insertion section101, the print head102, the platen roller103, the platen gear104, and the drive shaft105.

The cassette insertion section101is a recessed part in which the printing cassette10is configured to be mounted. The cassette insertion section101functions to provide positioning of the printing cassette10.

The print head102is a device for printing on the print tape11A accommodated in the printing cassette10.

The print head102is disposed inside the cassette insertion section101. The print head102is disposed at a position in the head opening33B overlapping with the print tape11A and the ink ribbon14A in the front-rear direction in a state where the printing cassette10is mounted in the device body100.

The print head102includes a plurality of heating elements Whose heating control is configured to be performed individually. The print tape11A conveyed to the head opening33B by the platen roller103described later is pressed against the print head102where the heating elements are heated through the ink ribbon14A. Part of the ink provided on the front surface of the ink ribbon14A is thus transferred onto the print tape11A, by which characters, symbols, and the like are printed on the print tape11A.

The platen roller103is a roller for conveying the print tape11A out of the printing cassette10. The platen roller103has a rotational axis parallel to the up-down direction.

The platen roller103is disposed near the print head102inside the cassette insertion section101. The platen roller103is configured to contact the print tape11A and presses the print tape11A against the print head102at the head opening33B.

The platen gear104is connected to the platen roller103and is engaged with the output gear18, In the present embodiment, a rotational axis of the platen gear104is arranged coaxially with the rotational axis of the platen roller103.

The platen roller103and the platen gear104are pivotally movable between a position separated from the printing cassette10as illustrated inFIG.9, and a position where the platen gear104engages the output gear18as illustrated inFIG.7.

The drive shaft105is a shaft which is inserted into the input spool16and engaged with the input gear19to rotate the input spool16and the input gear19.

The drive shaft105is disposed inside the cassette insertion section101. The drive shaft105has a rotational axis parallel to the up-down direction. The drive shaft105is configured to rotate about its rotational axis by a non-illustrated drive source (such as a motor).

As illustrated inFIG.7, the drive shaft105engages the input gear19, and the platen gear104engages the output gear18in the state where the printing cassette10is mounted in the device body100. Specifically, the drive shaft105is inserted in the input spool16and the input gear19of the printing cassette10, and the platen roller103and the platen gear104are pivotably moved toward the head opening33B of the printing cassette10, by which operation the printing cassette10is mounted in the device body100.

The input gear19is rotated by the drive shaft105in the state where the printing cassette10is mounted, which in turn rotates the output gear18. The platen gear104rotates by the rotation of the output gear18, and the platen roller103rotates by the rotation of the platen gear104.

According to the present embodiment described above, the following advantages can be obtained.

(1a) Since the drive force can be transmitted from the input gear19to the output gear18by the idle gear20, the input gear19and output gear18can be arranged at arbitral locations. As a result, the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the input position for inputting the drive force into the printing cassette10and the output position for outputting the drive force from the printing cassette10can be enhanced. Further, protection can be provided for the output gear18, since the output gear18is positioned inside the outer edge of the ease35in the projection view in the up-down direction.

(1b) Since the first roll11, the output gear18, and the second roll14are juxtaposed in the up-down direction in the order of the first roll11, the output gear18, and second roll14, the output gear18is less likely to be damaged in a case where the printing cassette10is dropped and a surface of the printing cassette10perpendicular to the up-down direction collides on a floor or the like.

(1c) The portion of the output gear18positioned outside the case35provides the circumferential length L ranging from ⅛ to ⅓ of the entire circumference of the dedendum circle, and/or the endface33F of the protruding part33E is positioned between the dedendum circle of the output gear18and the rotational axis O1of the output gear18. With this structure, the output gear18can be protected while ensuring reliable engagement with the platen gear104.

(1d) The datum straight line S2connecting the second upstream support part333and the second downstream support part334overlaps the output gear18in the up-down direction. With this structure, interference between the platen roller103and the ink ribbon14A can be avoided during mounting of the printing cassette10.

(1e) A gap can be provided between the print tape11A and the ink ribbon14A in the head opening33B, With this structure, in a case where one of the print tape11A and ink ribbon14A meanders or skews, adverse effect attributed to the skewed one on the conveyance of the other can be mitigated.

(1f) Due to the arrangement where a portion of the input gear19overlaps the output gear18in the front-rear direction and/or a portion of the output gear18overlaps the datum triangle S3, a region occupied by the input gear19and the output gear18in the left-right direction can be reduced. Accordingly, the printing cassette10can be downsized with respect to the left-right direction.

2. Second Embodiment

A printing device1A illustrated inFIGS.10A and10Bincludes a printing cassette10A, and a device body100A.

The printing cassette10A further includes a third roll21, an additional spool22, an additional gear23, and a pinch roller24illustrated inFIG.11, in addition to the printing cassette10according to the first embodiment. Further, in the printing cassette10A, the input spool16, the first cover part31, the first frame part32, the second frame part33, and the second cover part34of the first embodiment are replaced with an input spool25, a first cover part36, a first frame part37, a second frame part38, and a second cover part39, respectively.

The input spool25is identical to the input spool16, except that the input spool25does not have the splines16B. The first cover part36, the first frame part37, the second frame part38, and the second cover part39respectively correspond to the first cover part31, the first frame part32, the second frame part33, and the second cover part34which are respectively elongated in the left-right direction. The remaining structure of the printing cassette10A is identical to that in the printing cassette10of the first embodiment, except for the points described below and, hence, description therefor will be omitted.

The third roll21is configured by winding a laminate tape for protecting the print tape11A over the input spool25. The laminate tape has an adhesive surface to be bonded to the print tape11A after the print tape11A has been printed by the print head102.

The additional spool22is rotatable about a rotational axis. The rotational axis of the additional spool22is parallel to the rotational axis of the second supply spool15(i.e., the up-down direction). The additional spool22is a take-up spool configured to take up the ink ribbon14A by the rotation of the additional gear23described later.

The additional gear23is connected to the additional spool22and engaged with the idle gear20. The additional gear23is rotatable by the drive force inputted into the input gear19, thereby rotating the additional spool22.

The pinch roller24presses the laminate tape against the printed print tape11A, together with a pressure roller106described later. The pinch roller24is disposed downstream of the head opening33B in the conveying direction of the print tape11A,

The device body100A further includes the pressure roller106illustrated inFIG.12, in addition to the device body100of the first embodiment. The remaining structure of the device body100A is identical to that of the device body100according to the first embodiment, except for the points described below, and, hence, description therefor will be omitted.

The pressure roller106is pivotally movable together with the platen roller103and the platen gear104. That is, the pressure roller106is pivotable between a position separated from the printing cassette10A as illustrated inFIG.12, and a position for pressing the print tape11A and the laminate tape against the pinch roller24as illustrated inFIG.13.

According to the embodiment described above, the following advantages can be obtained.

(2a) In addition to the same advantages obtained in the first embodiment, the printed content on the print tape11A can be provided by the laminate tape.

3. Other Embodiments

While the description has been made with reference to the embodiments, it would be apparent that the present disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments and many modifications and variations may be made thereto.

(3a) The printing device according to the depicted embodiments is not limited to a device which uses an ink ribbon for printing. The printing device may perform printing using a strip-like thermal paper as the print tape. For example, the printing device may use a laminate tape (i.e., a protective tape) in place of the ink ribbon. Further, the printing cassette may not include the second roll and the second supply spool.

For example, a printing cassette10B illustrated inFIG.14includes a first roll51of thermal paper, and a second roll52of a laminate tape, in place of the first roll11and the second roll14in the printing cassette10according to the first embodiment, respectively. In the printing cassette10B, the second roll52is wound over the input spool25of the second embodiment. The printing cassette10B also includes the pinch roller24of the second embodiment, but does not include the second supply spool15.

(3b) The printing cassette according to the depicted embodiments may include two or more of idle gears. Further, the transmission mechanism that engages the input gear and the output gear need not include a deceleration mechanism. In other words, the idle gear need not be a two-stage gear. Further, the printing cassette may include a transmission mechanism other than the gears.

(3c) In the printing cassette according to the embodiments described above, the output part for transmitting the drive force to the platen roller need not be a gear. For example, a roller or a spool may be employed as the output part. Similarly, the input part for inputting the drive force from the drive source need not be a gear. For example, a roller or a spool may be employed as the input part.

(3d) In the printing cassette according to the second embodiment, an additional spool may be used as a third supply spool around which a laminate tape is wound, and the input spool may be used as an ink ribbon take-up spool.

For example, a printing cassette10C illustrated inFIG.15has such a structure that the third roll21of the laminate tape is wound around the additional spool22in the printing cassette10A according to the second embodiment. The printing cassette10C also includes the input spool16of the first embodiment, in place of the input spool25of the second embodiment. The input spool16is used as an ink ribbon take-up spool.

(3e) In the printing cassette of the depicted embodiments, the output part may be positioned outside of the outer edge of the case in the projection view described above. Further, the entirety of the output part need not overlap with the case in the up-down direction.

For example, in a printing cassette10D illustrated inFIGS.16A,16B,16C, and16D, a portion of the output gear18does not overlap a case40in the up-down direction. That is, the case40has a notch where the portion of the output gear18does not overlap the case40in the up-down direction. Here, in the printing cassette10D, the output gear18is positioned between a frontmost surface40A and a rearmost surface40B of the case40, and between a leftmost surface40C and a rightmost surface401) of the case40.

(3f) The functions possessed by a single component in the described embodiments may be distributed among a plurality of components, and/or the functions possessed by a plurality of components may be integrated into a single component. Still further, part of the structures in the described embodiments may be omitted, Still further, at least part of the structures in the described embodiments may be added to or replaced with the structures in other embodiments. Incidentally, every aspect included in the technical concepts that can be identified by the recitations in the claims can be the embodiments of the present disclosure.