Patent Publication Number: US-11643236-B2

Title: Tape and tape cassette

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/130,209, filed on Sep. 13, 2018, which claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-181703, which was filed on Sep. 21, 2017, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The following disclosure relates to a tape and a tape cassette for printing of a character. 
     There is conventionally known a technique of providing a marker on a tape for printing of a character. The marker is an indicator indicating a predetermined position, for example. For example, there is known a roll sheet on which a ticket identification mark having predetermined light reflectivity and a near-end identification mark having light reflectivity different from that of the ticket identification mark are provided. The ticket identification mark is an indicator indicating a position of a corresponding ticket. The near-end identification mark is an indicator indicating a near-end position of the roll sheet. A ticket printer detects the ticket identification mark and the near-end identification mark based on a result of detection using (i) light emitted to and reflected from the roll sheet and (ii) a plurality of threshold values different from each other. That is, since the reflectivity of the ticket identification mark and the reflectivity of the near-end identification mark are different from each other, the ticket printer can discriminate between these marks with one optical sensor. 
     SUMMARY 
     The above-described ticket printer discriminates between the ticket identification mark and the near-end identification mark based on a rate of decrease of the reflected light with respect to the roll sheet. In this case, in order to accurately discriminate the marks, the reflectivity of the roll sheet is required to be sufficiently higher than the reflectivity of each mark, in other words, a difference in brightness between the ground color of the roll sheet and the mark to be detected is required to be sufficiently large. Since a color and a material of a substrate for formation of each mark need to be those satisfying the above-described requirement, there is a possibility that substrates usable for formation of the marks are limited, unfortunately. 
     Accordingly, an aspect of the disclosure relates to a tape and a tape cassette having improved flexibility of a substrate usable for forming markers. 
     In one aspect of the disclosure, a tape has a strip shape extending in a lengthwise direction and a widthwise direction orthogonal to the lengthwise direction and includes: a subject surface located on the tape and exposed in a thickness direction orthogonal to each of the lengthwise direction and the widthwise direction; a first marker provided on the subject surface and being greater than the subject surface in reflectivity to light with a particular wavelength; and a second marker provided on the subject surface and being less than the subject surface in the reflectivity. At least a portion of the first marker and at least a portion of the second marker are identical to each other in position in the widthwise direction. At least a portion of one of the first marker and the second marker and at least a portion of another of the first marker and the second marker are different from each other in position in the lengthwise direction. 
     In another aspect of the disclosure, a tape cassette includes: a tape roll that is a roll of a tape having a strip shape extending in a lengthwise direction and a widthwise direction orthogonal to the lengthwise direction, the tape including (i) a subject surface located on the tape and exposed in a thickness direction orthogonal to each of the lengthwise direction and the widthwise direction; (ii) a first marker provided on the subject surface and being greater than the subject surface in reflectivity to light with a particular wavelength; and (iii) a second marker provided on the subject surface and being less than the subject surface in the reflectivity, wherein at least a portion of the first marker and at least a portion of the second marker are identical to each other in position in the widthwise direction, and wherein at least a portion of one of the first marker and the second marker and at least a portion of another of the first marker and the second marker are different from each other in position in the lengthwise direction; and a cassette casing which accommodates the tape roll and in which the tape drawn from the tape roll is conveyed along a particular direction. The first marker nearest to a downstream end portion of the tape roll in the particular direction is provided downstream, in the particular direction, of the second marker nearest to the downstream end portion of the tape roll in the particular direction. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The objects, features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of the present disclosure will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of the embodiments, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of a printer  1 , with a cover omitted; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of an internal unit  8 ; 
         FIG.  3    is a plan view of the internal unit  8 ; 
         FIG.  4    is a cross-sectional view of the internal unit  8 ; 
         FIG.  5    is a plan view of the internal unit  8 ; 
         FIG.  6    is a right side view of a tape cassette  100 ; 
         FIG.  7    is a plan view of a sensor unit  50  and components around the sensor unit  50 ; 
         FIG.  8    is a view for explaining a tape  10 A; 
         FIG.  9    is a view for explaining a tape  10 B; 
         FIG.  10    is a view for explaining a tape  10 C; 
         FIG.  11    is a view for explaining a tape  10 D; 
         FIG.  12    is a view for explaining a tape  10 E; and 
         FIGS.  13 A through  13 C  are views for explaining tapes  10 F- 10 H, respectively. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT 
     Hereinafter, there will be described one embodiment by reference to the drawings. The drawings are for explanation of technical features employable in the present disclosure. It is to be understood that the configuration illustrated in the drawings does not limit the present disclosure and is only one example. 
     There will be described a printer  1  and a tape cassette  100  according to the present embodiment with reference to  FIGS.  1 - 7   . The upper left side, the lower right side, the upper right side, the lower left side, the upper side, and the lower side in  FIG.  1    are defined respectively as the front side, the rear side, the left side, the right side, the upper side, and the lower side of the printer  1  and the tape cassette  100 . As illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 5   , the printer  1  according to the present embodiment is capable of selectively performing printing on a tape  10  and printing on a tube, not illustrated. The printer  1  at least needs to be capable of performing printing on the tape  10 . The following description is given only for a mechanism of the printer  1  which relates to printing on the tape  10 . The printer  1  may use various types of the tape cartridge  100  such as a thermal type, a receptor type, and a laminate type. The tape cassette  100  is of the receptor type in the present embodiment. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the printer  1  includes: a main body  2  shaped like a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box; and a cover, not illustrated, capable of closing an opening formed in an upper portion of the main body  2 . A cartridge holder  4  is provided at a right portion of an upper surface of the main body  2 . The cartridge holder  4  is a recess in which the tape cartridge  100  is removably mountable. An output opening  6  is formed in a right portion of a front surface of the main body  2 . The tape  10  having been printed is discharged from the cartridge holder  4  to the outside of the printer  1  through the output opening  6 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  2 - 4   , an internal unit  8  is provided at a right portion of the main body  2 . The internal unit  8  includes a bottom plate  4 A that constitutes a bottom surface of the cartridge holder  4 . A head holder  20  is provided upright at a right portion of a substantially central portion of the cartridge holder  4  in the front and rear direction. A thermal head  22  including heating elements, not illustrated, is provided on a right surface of the head holder  20 . The thermal head  22  performs printing on the tape  10  conveyed along a predetermined conveyance path by, e.g., a platen roller  32  which will be described below. A ribbon take-up shaft  25  is provided upright on the cartridge holder  4  at a position located to the left of the head holder  20 . A conveying-roller drive shaft  24  is provided upright on the cartridge holder  4  at a position located in front of the head holder  20 . When the tape cassette  100  is mounted on the cartridge holder  4 , the ribbon take-up shaft  25  is inserted and fitted in a ribbon take-up roller  104  which will be described below, and the conveying-roller drive shaft  24  is inserted and fitted in a conveying roller  102  which will be described below. 
     A drive motor, not illustrated, as a stepping motor is provided in the main body  2  at a position located outside the cartridge holder  4 . The ribbon take-up shaft  25 , the conveying-roller drive shaft  24 , and the platen roller  32  which will be described below are connected to a drive motor via a plurality of gears, not illustrated, and rotated by power generated by the drive motor. As a result, the ribbon take-up shaft  25  fitted in the ribbon take-up roller  104  rotates the ribbon take-up roller  104 . The conveying-roller drive shaft  24  fitted in the conveying roller  102  rotates the conveying roller  102 . The platen roller  32  conveys the tape  10  and an ink ribbon  118  as will be described below. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  2  and  4   , the tape cassette  100  according to the present embodiment includes a cassette casing  101  having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The cassette casing  101  includes an upper first casing portion  101 A and a lower second casing portion  101 B. The casing portions  101 A,  101 B are fixed to each other as one unit. A roll storatge  120  provided in the cassette casing  101  stores: a tape roll  122  that is a roll of the tape  10 ; and a ribbon roll  124  that is a roll of the ink ribbon  118 . The tape roll  122  is rotatably supported in a support hole  130  at a front left portion of the roll storage  120 . The ribbon roll  124  is rotatably supported in a support hole  132  at a rear right portion of the roll storage  120 . The ribbon take-up roller  104  is rotatably supported by a shaft between the tape roll  122  and the ribbon roll  124  in the cassette casing  101 . The ribbon take-up roller  104  is rotated by the ribbon take-up shaft  25  to draw the ink ribbon  118  from the ribbon roll  124  and take up the used ink ribbon  118 . The ink ribbon  118  has black ink, for example. Specifically, the ink ribbon  118  has an ink layer and a substrate. The substrate is formed of resin such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The ink layer contains a color component and a binder component such as wax and/or resin. In the case where the ink ribbon  118  has black ink, the color component contained in the ink layer is carbon, for example. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  3 - 6   , the cassette casing  101  includes an arm  160  extending frontward from a rear right portion of the roll storage  120 . The arm  160  includes: a first arm  160 A located near the first casing portion  101 A; and a second arm  160 B located near the second casing portion  101 B. An unused tape  10  drawn from the tape roll  122  and an unused ink ribbon  118  drawn from the ribbon roll  124  are guided in the arm  160 . The tape  10  is guided in the arm  160  in a state in which the widthwise direction of the tape  10  is parallel with the up and down direction, a fourth surface  12 B of a printing sheet  12  (see  FIGS.  8 - 12   ) which will be described below faces leftward, and a first surface  11 A of a separation sheet  11  (see  FIGS.  8 - 12   ) which will be described below faces rightward. The ink ribbon  118  is guided in the arm  160  at a position located to the left of the tape  10  in a state in which the widthwise direction of the tape  10  is parallel with the up and down direction. After guided frontward in the arm  160 , the tape  10  and the ink ribbon  118  are arranged on one another in an opening  161  formed in the front end of the arm  160  and are discharged frontward from the arm  160 . 
     The conveying roller  102  is rotatably supported by a shaft in the cassette casing  101  at a position located in front of the arm  160 . An output guide  140  is provided at a front right corner of the cassette casing  101 . A pressing roller  34 , which will be described below, is opposed to the conveying roller  102 . When rotated by the conveying-roller drive shaft  24 , the conveying roller  102  is cooperated with the pressing roller  34  to draw the tape  10  from the tape roll  122  and convey the printed tape  10  toward the output opening  6  via the output guide  140 . It is noted that the ink ribbon  118  is guided toward the ribbon take-up roller  104  at a position located upstream of the conveying roller  102  in the conveying direction. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the first casing portion  101 A includes a right wall  103  of the first arm  160 A. The right wall  103  has a detection hole  150  extending through the right wall  103  and having a substantially rectangular shape. The detection hole  150  is formed at a position opposed to a path of movement of various kinds of labels (see  FIGS.  8 - 12   ), which will be described below, disposed on the tape  10  conveyed in the arm  160 . The detection hole  150  is used for an optical sensor  56  (see  FIG.  7   ), which will be described below, to optically detect the various kinds of labels which will be described below. A detailed configuration of this will be described below. 
     The second casing portion  101 B includes a right wall  105  of the second arm  160 B which is located under the right wall  103  of the first arm  160 A. The right wall  105  has: an indicator portion  158  indicating information relating to the tape  10 ; and an insertion hole  154  having a substantially rectangular shape. The indicator portion  158  defines the information relating to the tape  10 , such as the width of the tape  10 , in accordance with combinations of insertion holes  156  or surface portions  157  respectively corresponding to sensor protrusions  66  which will be described below. The insertion hole  154  is a hole into which a guide protrusion  58  (see  FIG.  7   ) which will be described below is inserted. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  2 - 5   , a pivotably supporting portion  38  having a three-sided rectangular shape extending in the front and rear direction is provided to the right of the head holder  20  in the cartridge holder  4 . The pivotably supporting portion  38  supports holder arms  36 A,  36 B each extending in the front and rear direction, such that the holder arms  36 A.  36 B are interposed between opposed portions of the pivotably supporting portion  38 . Each of the holder arms  36 A,  36 B is pivotable about an axis AX 1  by a support shaft  40  extending in the up and down direction. The first holder arm  36 A is disposed in a lower portion of an inner space of the pivotably supporting portion  38 . The second holder arm  36 B is disposed in an upper portion of the inner space of the pivotably supporting portion  38 , that is, the second holder arm  36 B is disposed above the first holder arm  36 A. 
     A roller holder  28  is supported by the holder arms  36 A,  36 B so as to be pivotable about the axis AX 1  with the holder arms  36 A,  36 B. The platen roller  32  and the pressing roller  34  are rotatably provided on the roller holder  28 . The platen roller  32  is opposed to the thermal head  22  such that a roller surface of the platen roller  32  is exposed leftward. The pressing roller  34  is opposed to the conveying-roller drive shaft  24  such that a roller surface of the pressing roller  34  is exposed leftward. 
     A torsion spring, not illustrated, is mounted on a lower end portion of the support shaft  40 . The torsion spring resiliently urges the holder arms  36 A,  36 B and the roller holder  28  rightward (away from the thermal head  22 ) about the axis AX 1 . In a state in which each of the holder arms  36 A.  36 B and the roller holder  28  is not pressed leftward (toward the thermal head  22 ), each of the holder arms  36 A,  36 B and the roller holder  28  is kept at a release position (illustrated in  FIG.  5   ) by an urging force of the torsion spring. In the case where each of the holder arms  36 A,  36 B and the roller holder  28  is located at the release position, the platen roller  32  and the pressing roller  34  are separated respectively from the thermal head  22  and the conveying roller  102 . 
     When pressed rightward against the urging force of the torsion spring, each of the holder arms  36 A,  36 B and the roller holder  28  pivots rightward from the release position to a printing position (illustrated in  FIGS.  3  and  4   ). In the case where each of the holder arms  36 A,  36 B and the roller holder  28  is located at the printing position, the platen roller  32  and the pressing roller  34  presses the tape  10  located on the conveyance path, respectively against the thermal head  22  and the conveying roller  102 . When the platen roller  32 , the pressing roller  34 , and the conveying-roller drive shaft  24  (the conveying roller  102 ) are rotated in the state in which the tape cassette  100  is mounted on the cartridge holder  4 , and each of the holder arms  36 A,  36 B and the roller holder  28  is located at the printing position, the tape  10  contained in the tape cassette  100  is conveyed along the predetermined conveyance path. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  3 - 5   , a release rod  70  and a release motor  71  are provided on the main body  2 . The release rod  70  is disposed to the right of the holder arms  36 A,  36 B so as to extend in the front and rear direction. A left portion of the release rod  70  includes a first engaging portion  70 A and a second engaging portion  70 B. The first engaging portion  70 A extends on a front right side of the second engaging portion  70 B. The release motor  71  is mechanically coupled to the release rod  70  and driven to move the release rod  70  in the front and rear direction. 
     A pressing portion  74  shaped like a roller is provided at a front end portion of the release rod  70 . When the release rod  70  is moved frontward by the release motor  71 , the pressing portion  74  is also moved frontward and brought into contact with the roller holder  28 . With this operation, each of the holder arms  36 A,  36 B and the roller holder  28  is rotated rightward about the axis AX 1  and thereby moved from the release position to the printing position. When the release rod  70  is moved rearward by the release motor  71 , the pressing portion  74  is moved rearward and thereby separated from the roller holder  28 . This separation causes each of the holder arms  36 A,  36 B and the roller holder  28  to be rotated leftward about the axis AX 1  and thereby moved from the printing position to the release position. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  4   , a sensor  29  is provided on a rear portion of the cartridge holder  4  at a substantially center of the cartridge holder  4  in the right and left direction. The sensor  29  optically detects a terminal-end mark, not illustrated, provided on the tape  10  of the tape cassette  100  mounted on the cartridge holder  4 . The terminal-end mark will be described later. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  7   , a sensor unit  50  movable with respect to the tape cassette  100  mounted on the cartridge holder  4  is provided to the left of the release rod  70  in the main body  2 . The sensor unit  50  includes a mechanical sensor  54  and the optical sensor  56  as one unit. The sensor unit  50  is inserted in a space  37  (see  FIG.  2   ) formed between the holder arms  36 A,  36 B. The space  37  is located upstream of the thermal head  22  in the conveying direction. The sensor unit  50  includes a circuit board  60  shaped like a plate and a unit body  51  shaped like a box. The circuit board  60  is located to the right of the unit body  51 . The circuit board  60  is connected to a control circuit, not illustrated, of the printer  1  via a cable, not illustrated, connected to a connector, not illustrated, provided on the circuit board  60 . 
     The mechanical sensor  54  includes a plurality of the sensor protrusions  66  (five sensor protrusions  66  in this example) provided at a substantially quadrangle portion  53  of a left surface of the circuit board  60 . Each of the sensor protrusions  66  protrudes through an opening formed in the unit body  51 , to a position located to the left of a left surface of the unit body  51 . When the tape cassette  100  is mounted on the cartridge holder  4 , and the sensor unit  50  is moved to a detecting position which will be described later, the indicator portion  158  (see  FIG.  6   ) of the arm  160  is opposed to one or ones of the sensor protrusions  66 . The sensor protrusions  66  opposed to the insertion holes  156  (see  FIG.  6   ) are inserted in the insertion holes  156  and set at OFF. The sensor protrusions  66  opposed to the surface portions  157  (see  FIG.  6   ) are pressed by the surface portions  157  and set at ON. The control circuit, not illustrated, of the printer  1  detects information about the width of the tape  10  based on combination of ON and OFF of the sensor protrusions  66 . 
     The optical sensor  56  is provided on a substantially triangle portion  52  of the left surface of the circuit board  60 . The optical sensor  56  is a reflective optical sensor capable of optically detecting an object through the opening formed in the unit body  51 . The optical sensor  56  includes a light emitting element  56 A and a light receiving element  56 B arranged in the up and down direction. The light emitting element  56 A is a light-emitting diode (LED) configured to emit near-infrared light (0.8 μm to 1.0 μm), for example. The light receiving element  56 B is a photodiode having sensitivity to the near-infrared light, for example. When the tape cassette  100  is mounted on the cartridge holder  4 , and the sensor unit  50  is moved to the detecting position which will be described later, the detection hole  150  formed in the arm  160  (see  FIG.  6   ) is opposed to the optical sensor  56 . When light emitted from the light emitting element  56 A into the detection hole  150 , the light illuminates a portion of the tape  10  which is opposed to the detection hole  150 . The light receiving element  56 B receives light reflected from the tape  10  via the detection hole  150 . The control circuit, not illustrated, of the printer  1  is capable of detecting various kinds of information relating to the tape  10  based on a result of detection of the optical sensor  56 , but the detail of which will be described later. It is noted that the optical sensor  56  may be of a transmission type. 
     The guide protrusion  58  is provided at an upper rear portion of the substantially quadrangle portion  53  of the unit body  51 . When the tape cassette  100  is mounted on the cartridge holder  4 , and the sensor unit  50  is moved to the detecting position which will be described later, the insertion hole  154  (see  FIG.  6   ) formed in the arm  160  is opposed to the guide protrusion  58 , and the guide protrusion  58  is inserted in the insertion hole  154 . 
     A cylindrical portion  62  (see  FIG.  3   ) is provided at the substantially quadrangle portion  53  of the unit body  51  so as to extend to a position located to the right of a right surface of the circuit board  60 , via the through hole formed in the circuit board  60 . A coil spring  64  (see  FIG.  3   ) is provided in the cylindrical portion  62 . The coil spring  64  resiliently urges the sensor unit  50  leftward. A guide portion, not illustrated, extending downward is provided near a right end portion of the cylindrical portion  62 . The guide portion of the cylindrical portion  62  is engaged with the first engaging portion  70 A or the second engaging portion  70 B (see  FIG.  3   ) of the release rod  70 . Leftward movement of the sensor unit  50  by the urging force of the coil spring  64  is inhibited by the engagement between the guide portion and the first engaging portion  70 A or the second engaging portion  70 B. 
     When the release rod  70  is moved frontward by the release motor  71 , the guide portion of the cylindrical portion  62  is moved from the first engaging portion  70 A to the second engaging portion  70 B with leftward movement of the sensor unit  50 . When the guide portion of the cylindrical portion  62  is engaged with the second engaging portion  70 B, the sensor unit  50  is kept at the detecting position (illustrated in  FIGS.  3  and  4   ). When the sensor unit  50  is located at the detecting position, the sensor protrusions  66  of the mechanical sensor  54  are opposed to the indicator portion  158 , the guide protrusion  58  is inserted in the insertion hole  154 , and the optical sensor  56  is opposed to the detection hole  150 . 
     When the release rod  70  is moved rearward by the release motor  71 , the guide portion is moved from the second engaging portion  70 B to the first engaging portion  70 A with rightward movement of the sensor unit  50 . When the guide portion of the cylindrical portion  62  is engaged with the first engaging portion  70 A, the sensor unit  50  is kept at the release position (illustrated in  FIG.  5   ). When the sensor unit  50  is located at the release position, the sensor protrusions  66  of the mechanical sensor  54  are separated from the indicator portion  158 , the guide protrusion  58  is separated from the insertion hole  154 , and the optical sensor  56  is separated from the detection hole  150 . 
     There will be next described a configuration of the tape  10  with reference to  FIGS.  8 - 12   . A tape  10 A illustrated in  FIG.  8    is a first example of the tape  10 . A tape  10 B illustrated in  FIG.  9    is a second example of the tape  10 . A tape  10 C illustrated in  FIG.  10    is a third example of the tape  10 . A tape  10 D illustrated in  FIG.  11    is a fourth example of the tape  10 . A tape  10 E illustrated in  FIG.  12    is a fifth example of the tape  10 . As illustrated in  FIGS.  8 - 12   , the tape  10  is shaped like a strip extending in its lengthwise direction and its widthwise direction. The lengthwise direction coincides with a direction in which the tape  10  of the tape roll  122  (see  FIG.  4   ) is drawn and conveyed by the printer  1  (see  FIG.  1   ). The widthwise direction coincides with a direction orthogonal to the lengthwise direction and corresponds to the widthwise direction of the tape  10 . The direction of the tape  10  which is orthogonal to each of the lengthwise direction and the widthwise direction is a thickness direction. 
     The tape  10  includes the separation sheet  11  and the printing sheet  12 . The separation sheet  11  has opposite surfaces in the thickness direction, namely, the first surface  11 A and a second surface  11 B. In the present example, the separation sheet  11  is release paper (such as glassine, high-quality paper, or kraft paper) covered with a release agent formed of a silicon-based material, for example. The separation sheet  11  may be formed of a material other than the release paper. For example, the separation sheet  11  may be a release film formed of a resin film. In the present example, the ground color of the separation sheet  11  is a color (gray) between white and black. Thus the color of each of the first surface  11 A and the second surface  11 B is gray corresponding to the ground color of the separation sheet  11 . The printing sheet  12  has a printing layer  18  and an adhesive layer  19  stacked on each other in the thickness direction. The printing layer  18  has opposite surfaces in the thickness direction, namely, a third surface  12 A and the fourth surface  12 B. The printing layer  18  is a film formed of resin such as PET, PVC, PP, PE, PS, and ABS. The adhesive layer  19  is a transparent layer formed of adhesive and disposed on the third surface  12 A. The adhesive layer  19  contains acrylic adhesive, for example. In the present example, the ground color of the printing layer  18  is white. The color of each of the third surface  12 A and the fourth surface  12 B is white corresponding to the ground color of the printing layer  18 . The printing sheet  12  is peelably stuck to the second surface  11 B, with the adhesive layer  19  interposed therebetween. The thermal head  22  (see  FIG.  4   ) forms an image on the fourth surface  12 B by thermal transfer of the ink ribbon  118 . 
     To form the tape roll  122  (see  FIG.  4   ), the tape  10  according to the present embodiment is rolled in a state in which the printing sheet  12  is located on an inner circumferential side, and the separation sheet  11  is located on an outer circumferential side. Tough not illustrated, the terminal-end mark having a grid pattern is printed on a trailing end portion of the first surface  11 A in the conveying direction. The printer  1  uses the sensor  29  (see  FIG.  4   ) to detect the terminal-end mark to determine that a remaining amount of the tape  10  of the tape roll  122  is small. 
     The printer  1  cuts the printed tape  10  into the predetermined length to create a label piece. The user can peel the printing sheet  12  of the created label piece from the separation sheet  11  and stick the printing sheet  12  to an object such as a cable. The printer  1  according to the present embodiment may use the tape  10  of a die-cut label type and the tape  10  of a normal label type. Half cut is formed in the tape  10  of the die-cut label type to divide the printing sheet  12  into a label portion and a non-label portion. No half cut is formed in the printing sheet  12  of the tape  10  of the normal label type. 
     There will be next described the tape  10 A illustrated in  FIG.  8    in detail. The tape  10 A is of the die-cut label type for creating the label piece having the fixed length. The printing sheet  12  has a plurality of half cuts  14  formed by half cut. In other words, each of the half cuts  14  extends through the printing sheet  12  but not through the separation sheet  11 . Each of the half cuts  14  has a closed outline. Portions of the printing sheet  12  which are enclosed by the respective half cuts  14  serve as label portions  15 . That is, the printing sheet  12  has the label portions  15  corresponding to the respective half cuts  14 . 
     The label portions  15  include labels  15 A and labels  15 B. Each of the labels  15 A and each of the labels  15 B are different in shape from each other. Each of the labels  15 A has a rectangular shape elongated in the lengthwise direction of the tape  10 A. Each of the labels  15 B has a round shape. In the present example, the labels  15 A and the labels  15 B are arranged in the lengthwise direction at a central region of the tape  10 A in the widthwise direction. The labels  15 A,  15 B are alternately arranged at predetermined intervals. A portion of the printing sheet  12  which is different from the label portions  15  is a non-label portion  16 . In the present example, the tape  10 A has the non-label portion  16  as a portion of the printing sheet  12  but may not have the non-label portion  16  such that a portion of the separation sheet  11  which corresponds to the non-label portion  16  is exposed. 
     Label markers  42 ,  43  are provided on the first surface  11 A of the separation sheet  11 . Each of the label markers  42  is a white region printed with ink containing white pigment. The white pigment is well-known inorganic white pigment, examples of which include: sulfate and carbonate as alkaline-earth-metal compounds; silicas such as powdered silica and synthetic silicate; calcium silicate; alumina, alumina hydrate; titanium oxide; zinc oxide; talc; and clay. Each of the label markers  43  is a black region printed with ink containing black pigment. 
     In the present example, the label markers  42  and the label markers  43  having the same quadrangle shape are provided at one end portion (i.e., an upper end portion) of the first surface  11 A in the widthwise direction. The label markers  42  and the label markers  43  are alternately arranged in the lengthwise direction at predetermined intervals. A plurality of regions on the first surface  11 A, each of which is adjacent to at least one of the label markers  42 ,  43  in the lengthwise direction, are a plurality of ground-color markers  41 . The ground-color markers  41  each having the ground color (gray) of the first surface  11 A correspond to the respective label portions  15 . 
     The label markers  42  are provided corresponding to the respective labels  15 A. Each of the label markers  42  is located downstream of a corresponding one of the labels  15 A and upstream of a first downstream label in the conveying direction in which the tape  10 A is conveyed. The first downstream label is one of the labels  15 B which is located downstream of and adjacent to the corresponding one of the labels  15 A in the conveying direction. Specifically, an upstream end portion of each of the label markers  42  is located downstream of a downstream end portion of the corresponding one of the labels  15 A in the conveying direction. A downstream end portion of each of the label markers  42  is located upstream of an upstream end portion of the corresponding first downstream label in the conveying direction. In the present example, the position of the downstream end portion of each of the label markers  42  is the same as a cut position C of an upstream end portion of a label piece  202  which will be described below. 
     The label markers  43  are provided corresponding to the respective labels  15 B. Each of the label markers  43  is located downstream of a corresponding one of the labels  15 B and upstream of a second downstream label in the conveying direction. The second downstream label is one of the labels  15 A which is located downstream of and adjacent to the corresponding one of the labels  15 B in the conveying direction. Specifically, an upstream end portion of each of the label markers  43  is located downstream of a downstream end portion of the corresponding one of the labels  15 B in the conveying direction. A downstream end portion of each of the label markers  43  is located upstream of an upstream end portion of the corresponding second downstream label in the conveying direction. In the present example, the position of the downstream end portion of each of the label markers  43  is the same as a cut position C of an upstream end portion of a label piece  201  which will be described below. 
     Each of the ground-color markers  41 , each of the label markers  42 , and each of the label markers  43  are opposed to the detection hole  150  (see  FIG.  6   ) in the thickness direction when the tape  10 A is conveyed. Light L emitted from the optical sensor  56  (see  FIG.  7   ) impinges on the label marker  42 , the ground-color marker  41 , the label markers  43 , the ground-color marker  41 , the label marker  42 , the ground-color marker  41 , the label markers  43 , and so on in this order during conveyance of the tape  10 A. In the present example, each of the ground-color markers  41  (i.e., the gray region) has reflectivity TH to light with a particular wavelength. The reflectivity TH is not particular reflectivity but is reflectivity of a particular width which has reflectivity close to the particular reflectivity. The light with the particular wavelength is the light L emitted from the light emitting element  56 A of the optical sensor  56 . It is noted that the particular wavelength may have a certain degree of range. For example, the particular wavelength is a wavelength range with sensitivity to light reception of the light receiving element  56 B of the optical sensor  56 . 
     Since each of the label markers  42  is a white region brighter than the gray region, the reflectivity of the label markers  42  to the light with the particular wavelength is greater than the reflectivity TH. That is, the reflectivity of the label markers  42  to the light with the particular wavelength is greater than that of the ground-color markers  41  to the light with the particular wavelength. Since each of the label markers  43  is a black region darker than the gray region, the reflectivity of the label markers  43  to the light with the particular wavelength is less than the reflectivity TH. That is, the reflectivity of the label markers  43  to the light with the particular wavelength is less than that of the ground-color markers  41  to the light with the particular wavelength. 
     In the tape  10 A, the label markers  42  and the label markers  43  are the same as each other in position in the widthwise direction. The label markers  42  and the label markers  43  are the same as each other in position in the lengthwise direction. It is noted that an upstream end portion of the white marker (the label marker  42 ) nearest to a downstream end of the tape roll  122  in the conveying direction is located downstream, in the conveying direction, of a downstream end portion of the black marker (the label marker  43 ) nearest to the downstream end of the tape roll  122  in the conveying direction. In the present example,  FIG.  6    illustrates an unused tape cassette  100  (e.g., at the point of sale) containing the tape  10 A as the tape  10 . In the unused tape cassette  100 , as illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the most-downstream label marker  42  in the conveying direction is opposed to the detection hole  150  (see  FIG.  6   ) in the thickness direction and exposed to the outside of the cassette casing  101  through the detection hole  150 . There will be described one example of image printing and label creation using the tape  10 A. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  4  and  8   , the printer  1  draws the tape  10 A from the tape roll  122  contained in the tape cassette  100  mounted on the cartridge holder  4  and conveys the tape  10 A. The control circuit, not illustrated, of the printer  1  prestores a particular intensity of the light L to be emitted. The optical sensor  56  emits the emitted light L of the particular intensity through the detection hole  150  to the first surface  11 A of the tape  10 A conveyed in the arm  160  and receives the light reflected from the first surface  11 A. The printer  1  detects, as reflectivity, the intensity of the received reflected light. The printer  1  detects reflectivity T 1  when the light L is emitted to the label marker  42 , detects the reflectivity TH when the light L is emitted to the ground-color marker  41 , and detects reflectivity T 2  when the light L is emitted to the label marker  43  (see  FIG.  8   ). The reflectivity T 1  is greater than the reflectivity TH. The reflectivity T 2  is less than the reflectivity TH. The reflectivity may be a ratio of the intensity of the reflected light to the intensity of the emitted light L. In this case, each of the reflectivity T 1  and the reflectivity T 2  may be a value determined in advance at a predetermined ratio with respect to the reflectivity TH as a reference. 
     In the present example, the control circuit, not illustrated, of the printer  1  stores label information relating to each of the labels  15 A, in association with the reflectivity T 1  and stores label information relating to each of the labels  15 B, in association with the reflectivity T 2 . The label information relating to each of the labels  15 A indicates the length of the label piece  201  including the label  15 A, and the position, the shape, and the size of the label  15 A in the label piece  201 , for example. The label information relating to each of the labels  15 B indicates the length of the label piece  202  including the label  15 B, and the position, the shape, and the size of the label  15 B in the label piece  202 , for example. 
     When the reflectivity T 1  is detected, the printer  1  prints an image on the label  15 A of the conveyed tape  10 A based on the label information relating to the label  15 A. The printer  1  cuts the conveyed tape  10 A at the cut position C located upstream of the printed label  15 A. The printer  1  thereby creates the label piece  201  having an appropriate length with the image printed at an appropriate position on the label  15 A. Likewise, when the reflectivity T 2  is detected, the printer  1  can, based on the label information relating to each of the labels  15 B, create the label piece  202  having an appropriate length with an image printed at an appropriate position in the label  15 B. 
     The user only needs to visually check the first surface  11 A of the created label piece to identify whether the created label piece is the label piece  201  or  202 . For example, in the case where the label marker  42  is provided on the first surface  11 A, the user need not visually check the fourth surface  12 B to identify that the created label piece is the label piece  201  including the label  15 A. In the case where the label marker  43  is provided on the first surface  11 A, the user need not visually check the fourth surface  12 B to identify that the created label piece is the label piece  202  including the label  15 B. 
     There will be next described the tape  10 B illustrated in  FIG.  9    in detail. Since the tape  10 B is of the normal label type for creating a label piece having a variable length, the half cuts  14  and the label portions  15  (see  FIG.  8   ) are not provided on the tape  10 B. It is noted that the tape  10 B may be of the normal label type for creating the label piece having the fixed length. It is noted that the same reference numerals as used for the tape  10 A (see  FIG.  8   ) are used to designate the corresponding elements of the tape  10 B, and an explanation of which is dispensed with. 
     A plurality of remaining-amount markers  44  are provided on the first surface  11 A of the separation sheet  11  so as to be arranged in the lengthwise direction at predetermined intervals. Each of the remaining-amount markers  44  is constituted by one white marker  44 A and one black marker  44 B. Each of the white markers  44 A is a white region like the label markers  42  (see  FIG.  8   ). Each of the black markers  44 B is a black region like the label markers  43  (see  FIG.  8   ). A portion of the first surface  11 A which is different from the remaining-amount markers  44  is the ground-color markers  41 . 
     The white marker  44 A has a rectangular shape extending across the tape  10 B in the widthwise direction and extending in the lengthwise direction with a particular width. The black marker  44 B has a rectangular shape extending across the tape  10 B in the widthwise direction and extending in the lengthwise direction with a width less than that of the white marker  44 A. The black marker  44 B is stacked on a portion of the white marker  44 A in the thickness direction. Specifically, since the white marker  44 A is formed on the first surface  11 A, the white marker  44 A is in direct contact with the first surface  11 A. Since the black marker  44 B is formed on the white marker  44 A, the black marker  44 B is located on an opposite side of the white marker  44 A from the first surface  11 A in the thickness direction. On each of the remaining-amount markers  44 , one of the black markers  44 B and two of the white markers  44 A disposed on opposite sides of the black marker  44 B in the lengthwise direction may be formed without no space therebetween (noted that this applies to remaining-amount markers  46 ,  47  which will be described below). 
     Each of the remaining-amount markers  44  indicates a remaining amount of the tape  10 B as an amount of a portion of the tape  10 B which is located upstream of the remaining-amount marker  44  in the conveying direction in the tape roll  122  (see  FIG.  4   ). The remaining-amount marker  44  indicates a remaining amount of the tape  10 B based on the position of the black marker  44 B relative to the white marker  44 A. The remaining-amount marker  44  indicates a large remaining amount of the tape  10 B when the position of the black marker  44 B is close to a downstream end portion of the white marker  44 A in the conveying direction. The remaining-amount marker  44  indicates a small remaining amount of the tape  10 B when the position of the black marker  44 B is close to an upstream end portion of the white marker  44 A in the conveying direction. One of the remaining-amount markers  44  is selectively opposed to the detection hole  150  (see  FIG.  6   ) in the thickness direction when the tape  10 B is conveyed. The light L emitted from the optical sensor  56  (see  FIG.  7   ) impinges on the remaining-amount marker  44  (the white marker  44 A and the black marker  44 B), the ground-color marker  41 , the remaining-amount marker  44 , the ground-color marker  41 , and so on during conveyance of the tape  10 B. 
     In each of the remaining-amount markers  44 , the white marker  44 A and the black marker  44 B are the same as each other in position in the widthwise direction. A portion of the white marker  44 A and the black marker  44 B are different from each other in position in the lengthwise direction. There will be described one example of image printing and label creation using the tape  10 B. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  4  and  9   , the printer  1  conveys the tape  10 B as in the manner described above. The optical sensor  56  emits the light L and receives the light reflected from the first surface  11 A through the detection hole  150  (see  FIG.  9   ). In the present example, the control circuit, not illustrated, of the printer  1  stores a remaining amount of the tape  10 B which is related to a conveyance distance for specifying the remaining amount. The conveyance distance for specifying the remaining amount is a distance conveyed by the tape  10 B from the time point when detected reflectivity changes from the reflectivity TH to the reflectivity T 1 , to the time point when the detected reflectivity changes from the reflectivity T 1  to the reflectivity T 2 . The detected reflectivity is reflectivity detected by the printer  1  based on the reflected light detected by the optical sensor  56  as described above. 
     The detected reflectivity changes from the reflectivity TH to the reflectivity T 1  at a first time point when a position to which the light L is emitted changes from the ground-color marker  41  to the white marker  44 A. The detected reflectivity changes from the reflectivity T 1  to the reflectivity T 2  at a second time point when the position to which the light L is emitted changes from the white marker  44 A to the black marker  44 B. The printer  1  can identify the remaining amount of the tape  10 B based on the distance conveyed by the tape  10 B from the first time point to the second time point (i.e., the conveyance distance for specifying the remaining amount). For example, the printer  1  may make notification about the identified remaining amount of the tape  10 B at the start or the end of printing on the tape OB, for example. The printer  1  may make an alert in the case where the identified remaining amount of the tape  10 B is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value. 
     The printer  1  creates a label piece  203  having a variable length by cutting the printed tape  10 B at the cut position C related to a designated label size or a size of an image to be printed. The user only needs to visually check the first surface  11 A of the created label piece  203  to identify the remaining amount of the tape  10 B. That is, in the case where the remaining-amount marker  44  is provided on the first surface  11 A, the user can identify the remaining amount of the tape  10 B based on the position of the black marker  44 B relative to the white marker  44 A as described above. 
     There will be next described the tape  10 C illustrated in  FIG.  10    in detail. Similar to the tape  10 A (see  FIG.  8   ), the tape  10 C is of the die-cut label type for creating the label piece having the fixed length. The label portions  15  corresponding to the respective half cuts  14  are formed in the printing sheet  12  of the tape  10 C. In the present example, the label portions  15  are labels  15 C each having a rectangular shape elongated in the lengthwise direction. The labels  15 C are provided on a central region of the tape  10 C in the widthwise direction so as to be arranged in the lengthwise direction at predetermined intervals. It is noted that the same reference numerals as used for the tape  10 A are used to designate the corresponding elements of the tape  10 C, and an explanation of which is dispensed with. 
     Similar to the label markers  42  of the tape  10 A (see  FIG.  8   ), the label markers  42  are provided on the first surface  11 A of the separation sheet  11  so as to correspond to the respective labels  15 C. Each of the label markers  42  is located downstream of a corresponding one of the labels  15 C and upstream of a third downstream label in the conveying direction in which the tape  10 C is conveyed. The third downstream label is one of the labels  15 C which is located downstream of and adjacent to the corresponding one of the labels  15 C in the conveying direction. Specifically, an upstream end portion of each of the label markers  42  is located downstream of a downstream end portion of the corresponding one of the labels  15 C in the conveying direction. A downstream end portion of each of the label markers  42  is located upstream of an upstream end portion of the corresponding third downstream label in the conveying direction. In the present example, each of the label markers  42  extends in the lengthwise direction so as to extend over the cut position C located at an upstream end of a corresponding one of label pieces  204  which will be described below. 
     A plurality of remaining-amount markers  45  are provided on the first surface  11 A of the separation sheet  11 . The remaining-amount markers  45  are provided corresponding to the respective labels  15 C so as to be arranged in the lengthwise direction at predetermined intervals. In each of the labels  15 C, the remaining-amount marker  45  is located upstream of the label marker  42  in the conveying direction with a small space therebetween. In the present example, however, the label marker  42  is provided on but the remaining-amount marker  45  is not provided on the most upstream label  15 C in the conveying direction (i.e., the trailing-end label  15 C). 
     Each of the remaining-amount markers  45  is constituted by at least one black marker  45 A. In the case where the remaining-amount marker  45  includes a plurality of the black markers  45 A, the black markers  45 A are arranged in the lengthwise direction at predetermined intervals. Each of the black markers  45 A has a rectangular shape extending across the tape  10 C in the widthwise direction and extending in the lengthwise direction with a particular width. That is, the black markers  45 A are longer than the label markers  42  in the widthwise direction. At least a portion of each of the black markers  45 A overlaps a corresponding one of the labels  15 C in the thickness direction. 
     Each of the remaining-amount markers  45  indicates a remaining amount of the tape  10 C as an amount of a portion of the tape  10 C which is located upstream of the remaining-amount markers  45  in the conveying direction in the tape roll  122  (see  FIG.  4   ). Each of the remaining-amount markers  45 , specifically, the number of the black markers  45 A contained in the remaining-amount marker  45 , indicates the remaining number of the labels  15 C, i.e., the number of the labels  15 C located upstream of the remaining-amount marker  45  in the conveying direction. The remaining-amount markers  45  are opposed to the detection hole  150  (see  FIG.  6   ) in the thickness direction when the tape  10 C is conveyed. When the tape  10 C is conveyed, the light L emitted from the optical sensor  56  (see  FIG.  7   ) impinges on the label marker  42 , the remaining-amount marker  45  (at least one black marker  45 A), and the ground-color marker  41 . 
     On the tape  10 C, the label markers  42  and a portion of each of at least one black marker  45 A are the same as each other in position in the widthwise direction. The label markers  42  and all the black markers  45 A are different from each other in position in the lengthwise direction. It is noted that an upstream end portion of the most-downstream white marker (i.e., the most-downstream label marker  42 ) on the tape roll  122  in the conveying direction is provided downstream, in the conveying direction, of a downstream end portion of the most-downstream black marker (i.e., the most-downstream black marker  45 A) on the tape roll  122  in the conveying direction. In the present example, the most-downstream label marker  42  in the conveying direction is exposed to the outside of the cassette casing  101  through the detection hole  150  in the unused tape cassette  100  (e.g., at the point of sale) as described above. There will be described one example of image printing and label creation using the tape  10 C. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  4  and  10   , the printer  1  conveys the tape  10 C as in the manner described above. The optical sensor  56  receives, through the detection hole  150 , the light L reflected from the first surface  11 A (see  FIG.  10   ). In the present example, the control circuit, not illustrated, of the printer  1  stores the remaining number of the labels  15 C which is related to the number of detected marks. The number of detected marks is the number of detections of the reflectivity T 2  in a period extending from the time point when the detected reflectivity changes from the reflectivity T 1  to the reflectivity TH, to the time point when the detected reflectivity changes from the reflectivity TH to the reflectivity T 1 . 
     The detected reflectivity changes from the reflectivity T 1  to the reflectivity TH at a third time point when the position to which the light L is emitted changes from the label marker  42  to the ground-color marker  41 . The detected reflectivity changes from the reflectivity TH to the reflectivity T 1  at a fourth time point when the position to which the light L is emitted changes from the ground-color marker  41  to the label marker  42 . In the period extending from the third time point to the fourth time point, the printer  1  detects the reflectivity T 2  the number of times which is the same as the number of the black markers  45 A contained in the remaining-amount marker  45 . The printer  1  can identify the remaining number of the labels  15 C based on the number of detections of the reflectivity T 2  in the period from the third time point to the fourth time point (i.e., the number of detected marks). The printer  1  may alert or make notification about the remaining number of the labels  15 C as described above. 
     Based on the label information about the label  15 C which is stored in the control circuit, not illustrated, the printer  1  can create the label piece  204  having an appropriate length on which an image is formed at an appropriate position on the label  15 C. The user only needs to visually check the first surface  11 A of the created label piece  204  to identify the remaining number of the labels  15 C. That is, the user can visually check the remaining-amount marker  45  on the first surface  11 A to recognize the remaining number of the labels  15 C based on the number of the black markers  45 A. 
     There will be next described the tape  10 D illustrated in  FIG.  11    in detail. Like the tape  10 C (see  FIG.  10   ), the tape  10 D is of the die-cut label type for creating the label piece having the fixed length. The label portions  15  corresponding to the respective half cuts  14  are formed in the printing sheet  12 . In the present example, the label portions  15  are the labels  15 C each having a rectangular shape elongated in the lengthwise direction. The label markers  42  corresponding to the respective labels  15 C are provided on the first surface  11 A of the separation sheet  11 . It is noted that the same reference numerals as used for the tape  10 C are used to designate the corresponding elements of the tape  10 D, and an explanation of which is dispensed with. 
     The remaining-amount markers  46  are provided on the tape  10 D instead of the remaining-amount markers  45  (see  FIG.  10   ). Each of the remaining-amount markers  46  is similar in configuration to each of the remaining-amount markers  44  (see  FIG.  9   ) and is constituted by one white marker  46 A and one black marker  46 B. The length of each of the remaining-amount markers  46  in the widthwise direction is less than that of a corresponding one of the labels  15 C in the widthwise direction. The length of each of the remaining-amount markers  46  in the lengthwise direction is less than that of the corresponding label  15 C in the lengthwise direction. That is, the size of each of the remaining-amount markers  46  is less than that of the corresponding label  15 C. Each of the remaining-amount markers  46  is disposed at a central portion of the corresponding label  15 C in the lengthwise direction and the widthwise direction. Thus, the entire portion of each of the remaining-amount markers  46  overlaps the corresponding label  15 C in the thickness direction. 
     The position of the remaining-amount markers  46  in the widthwise direction is different from the position of the label markers  42  in the widthwise direction. That is, the remaining-amount markers  46  and the label markers  42  are different from each other in position in the widthwise direction. Specifically, lower ends of the label markers  42  are separated from upper ends of the respective remaining-amount markers  46  in the up and down direction in  FIG.  11   . When the tape  10 D is conveyed, the light L emitted from the optical sensor  56  (see  FIG.  7   ) impinges on the label markers  42  but does not impinge on the remaining-amount markers  46 . 
     In each of the remaining-amount markers  46 , the white marker  46 A and the black marker  46 B are the same as each other in position in the widthwise direction. A portion of the white marker  46 A and the black marker  46 B are different from each other in position in the lengthwise direction. In the tape  10 D, each of a plurality of the white markers  46 A and each of a plurality of the black markers  46 B are provided within a corresponding one of the labels  15 C in the lengthwise direction. It is noted that an upstream end portion of the most-downstream white marker (i.e., the most-downstream label marker  42 ) on the tape roll  122  in the conveying direction is provided downstream, in the conveying direction, of a downstream end portion of the most-downstream black marker (i.e., the most-downstream black marker  46 B) on the tape roll  122  in the conveying direction. In the unused tape cassette  100 , as described above, the most-downstream label marker  42  in the conveying direction is exposed to the outside of the cassette casing  101  through the detection hole  150 . 
     As in the case where the tape  10 C (see  FIG.  10   ) is used, the printer  1  performs image printing and label creation using the tape  10 D. Based on label information about the label  15 C, the printer  1  can create a label piece  205  having an appropriate length on which an image is formed at an appropriate position on the label  15 C. The user can visually check the first surface  11 A of the created label piece  205  to recognize the remaining number of the labels  15 C based on the position of the black marker  46 B relative to the white marker  46 A. 
     There will be next described the tape  10 E illustrated in  FIG.  12    in detail. Similar to the tape  10 A (see  FIG.  8   ), the tape  10 E is of the die-cut label type for creating the label piece having the fixed length. The label portions  15  corresponding to the respective half cuts  14  are formed in the printing sheet  12 . The label markers  42 ,  43  corresponding to the respective label portions  15  are provided on the first surface  11 A of the separation sheet  11 . It is noted that the same reference numerals as used for the tape  10 A are used to designate the corresponding elements of the tape  10 E, and an explanation of which is dispensed with. 
     The label portions  15  include labels  15 D and labels  15 E. Each of the labels  15 D and each of the labels  15 E are different in shape from each other. Each of the labels  15 D has a rectangular shape elongated in the lengthwise direction of the tape  10 E. Each of the labels  15 E has an oval shape elongated in the lengthwise direction of the tape  10 E. In the present example, the labels  15 D and the labels  15 E are provided near the other end portion of the tape  10 E in the widthwise direction (i.e., a lower end portion of the fourth surface  12 B). The labels  15 D and the labels  15 E are alternately arranged in the lengthwise direction at predetermined intervals. 
     In the present example, the printing sheet  12  is constituted by a gray substrate like the separation sheet  11 . Thus, the color of each of the third surface  12 A and the fourth surface  12 B is gray corresponding to the ground color of the printing sheet  12 . The remaining-amount markers  47  are provided on the fourth surface  12 B of the printing sheet  12 . The remaining-amount markers  47  are provided corresponding to the respective labels  15 D,  15 E so as to be arranged in the lengthwise direction at predetermined intervals. Each of the remaining-amount markers  47  is similar in configuration to each of the remaining-amount markers  45  (see  FIG.  11   ) and is constituted by one white marker  47 A and one black marker  47 B. A portion of the fourth surface  12 B which is different from the remaining-amount markers  47  is a ground-color portion  48  having the ground color of the fourth surface  12 B (i.e., gray). 
     The length of each of the remaining-amount markers  47  in the widthwise direction is less than that of a corresponding one of the labels  15 D and the labels  15 E in the widthwise direction. The length of each of the remaining-amount markers  47  in the lengthwise direction is less than the corresponding one of the labels  15 D and the labels  15 E in the lengthwise direction. That is, the size of each of the remaining-amount markers  47  is less than that of the corresponding one of the labels  15 D and the labels  15 E. Each of the remaining-amount markers  47  is disposed between (i) the corresponding one of the labels  15 D and the labels  15 E and (ii) one end portion of the tape  10 E in the widthwise direction (i.e., an upper end portion of the fourth surface  12 B). Thus, each of the remaining-amount markers  47  is located next to the corresponding one of the labels  15 D and the labels  15 E in the widthwise direction. 
     As on the tape  10 A (see  FIG.  8   ), the label markers  42 ,  43  are provided on the first surface  11 A of the separation sheet  11 . In the present example, the label markers  42  are provided corresponding to the respective labels  15 D. The label markers  43  are provided corresponding to the respective labels  15 E. When the tape  10 E is conveyed, the light L emitted from the optical sensor  56  (see  FIG.  7   ) impinges on the label markers  42 ,  43  but does not impinge on the remaining-amount markers  47  provided on the fourth surface  12 B. 
     In each of the remaining-amount markers  47 , the white marker  47 A and the black marker  47 B are the same as each other in position in the widthwise direction. A portion of the white marker  47 A and the black marker  47 B are different from each other in position in the lengthwise direction. In the tape  10 E, each of a plurality of the white markers  47 A and each of a plurality of the black markers  47 B are provided within the corresponding one of the labels  15 D and the labels  15 E in the lengthwise direction. It is noted that the upstream end portion of the most-downstream white marker (i.e., the most-downstream label marker  42 ) on the tape roll  122  in the conveying direction is provided downstream, in the conveying direction, of a downstream end portion of the most-downstream black marker (i.e., the most-downstream black marker  47 B) on the tape roll  122  in the conveying direction. In the present example, the most-downstream label marker  42  in the conveying direction is exposed to the outside of the cassette casing  101  through the detection hole  150  in the unused tape cassette  100  (e.g., at the point of sale) as described above. 
     As in the case where the tape  10 A (see  FIG.  8   ) is used, the printer  1  performs image printing and label creation using the tape  10 E. Based on label information about the label  15 D which is stored in the control circuit, not illustrated, the printer  1  can create a label piece  206  having an appropriate length on which an image is formed at an appropriate position on the label  15 D. Based on label information about the label  15 E which is stored in the control circuit, not illustrated, the printer  1  can create a label piece  207  having an appropriate length on which an image is formed at an appropriate position on the label  15 E. 
     In the case where the label marker  42  is provided on the first surface  11 A, the user need not visually check the fourth surface  12 B to identify that the created label piece is the label piece  206  including the label  15 D. In the case where the label marker  43  is provided on the first surface  11 A, the user need not visually check the fourth surface  12 B to identify that the created label piece is the label piece  207  including the label  15 E. The user can visually check the fourth surface  12 B of the created label pieces  206  or  207  to recognize the remaining number of the labels  15 D,  15 E based on the position of the black marker  47 B relative to the white marker  47 A. 
     As described above, the tape  10  according to the present embodiment (the tapes  10 A- 10 E) has a strip shape extending in the lengthwise direction and the widthwise direction orthogonal to the lengthwise direction. The tape  10  has a subject surface (i.e., a gray one of the first surface  11 A and the fourth surface  12 B) located on the tape  10  and exposed in the thickness direction orthogonal to each of the lengthwise direction and the widthwise direction. A first marker (corresponding to the label markers  42  and the white markers  44 A,  46 A,  47 A) is provided on the subject surface and is greater than the subject surface in reflectivity to the light with the particular wavelength. A second marker (corresponding to the label markers  43  and the black markers  44 B,  45 A,  46 B,  47 B) is provided on the subject surface and is less than the subject surface in the reflectivity. At least a portion of the first marker and at least a portion of the second marker are the same as each other in position in the widthwise direction. At least a portion of one of the first marker and the second marker and the other of the first marker and the second marker are different from each other in position in the lengthwise direction. 
     In the conventional technique, in the case where two markers different from each other in reflectivity are provided on the subject surface of the tape  10 , for example, it is assumed that two markers (e.g., a gray marker and a black marker) different from each other in reflectivity and less than the subject surface in reflectivity are provided. In this case, the subject surface is required to be white or a color close to white in order to set a difference in brightness between the ground color of the subject surface and each marker, to a sufficiently large value. Thus, the substrate of the tape  10  is limited to a substrate that satisfies the requirement. 
     In the tape  10  according to the present embodiment, the first marker greater than the subject surface in reflectivity and the second marker less than the subject surface in reflectivity are provided. The reflectivity of the substrate of the tape  10  needs to be a value between the reflectivity of the first marker and the reflectivity of the second marker. Accordingly, when compared with the conventional tape, the tape  10  has improved flexibility of the substrate usable for forming the markers. On the tape  10 , at least a portion of the first marker and at least a portion of the second marker are spaced apart from each other and arranged on the same straight line extending in the lengthwise direction. This configuration makes it easy for the user to visually check the first marker and the second marker and for the printer  1  to optically detect the first marker and the second marker. 
     The tape  10  (the tapes  10 C- 10 E) has the separation sheet  11  (as one example of a first sheet) and the printing sheet  12  (as one example of a second sheet). The printing sheet  12  has the printing layer  18  and the adhesive layer  19  provided on the printing layer  18 , and the printing sheet  12  is peelably stuck to the separation sheet  11  with the adhesive layer  19  interposed therebetween. The printing sheet  12  includes a plurality of die-cut labels (i.e., the labels  15 C- 15 E) arranged in the lengthwise direction. The subject surface is provided on at least one of the separation sheet  11  and the printing sheet  12 . A plurality of the markers (i.e., the white markers  46 A or the white markers  47 A, and the black markers  45 A, the black markers  46 B, or the black markers  47 B) including at least ones of the first markers or the second markers are provided on the subject surface. At least a portion of each of the markers is provided, in the lengthwise direction, within an area on which a corresponding one of the die-cut labels is formed. 
     With this configuration, at least a portion of each of the markers and a corresponding one of the die-cut labels are arranged on the same straight line extending in the widthwise direction. This configuration makes it easy for the user to identify the marker by visually checking it with reference to the die-cut label. The printer  1  can detect the marker near the die-cut label. 
     The markers include the first markers (the white markers  46 A or the white markers  47 A) and the second markers (the black markers  46 B or the black markers  47 B). Each of the first markers is provided, in the lengthwise direction, within an area on which a corresponding one of the die-cut labels (the labels  15 C- 15 E) is formed. Each of the second markers is provided, in the lengthwise direction, within an area on which a corresponding one of the die-cut labels (the labels  15 C- 15 E) is formed. 
     With this configuration, each of the first markers and the second markers and a corresponding one of the die-cut labels are arranged on the same straight line extending in the widthwise direction. This configuration makes it easy for the user to identify the first marker and the second marker by visually checking them with reference to the die-cut label. The printer  1  can detect each of the first markers and the second markers near the corresponding die-cut label. 
     An upstream end portion of the most-downstream first marker (the most-downstream label marker  42 ) on the tape roll  122  in the conveying direction is provided downstream, in the conveying direction, of a downstream end portion of the most-downstream second marker (the most-downstream label markers  43  or the most-downstream black marker  45 A,  46 B, or  47 B) on the tape roll  122  in the conveying direction. With this configuration, when the printer  1  starts printing, the optical sensor  56  detects the first marker before detecting the second marker. The printer  1  can perform calibration of the optical sensor  56  (e.g., setting of an upper limit value of light sensitivity) with reference to the first marker (i.e., the brightest marker) greater than the second marker in reflectivity. 
     The cassette casing  101  has the detection hole  150  through which a portion of the tape  10  contained in the cassette casing  101  is exposed to the outside of the cassette casing  101 . At least a portion of the first marker (the label markers  42 ) is opposed to the detection hole  150  in the thickness direction. This configuration enables the printer  1  to detect the first marker through the detection hole  150 . The user can visually check the first marker through the detection hole  150 . In the case where the most-downstream first marker in the conveying direction is opposed to the detection hole  150  in the thickness direction in the unused tape cassette  100  (e.g., at the point of sale), when the tape cassette  100  is mounted on the printer  1 , the optical sensor  56  is opposed to the first marker through the detection hole  150 . With this configuration, before conveying the tape  10 , the optical sensor  56  detects the brightest first marker, whereby the printer  1  can perform calibration of the optical sensor  56  before printing. 
     While the embodiment has been described above, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the details of the illustrated embodiment, but may be embodied with various changes and modifications, which may occur to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. The tape  10  is not limited to the tape for label creation and may be a tape constituted by a single-layer substrate without an adhesive layer (e.g., a single-layer tape for thermal printing). The printer  1  may use the sensor  29  (see  FIG.  4   ) to detect the first markers and the second markers formed on the first surface  11 A of the separation sheet  11 . The printer  1  may include an optical sensor capable of optically detecting the first markers and the second markers formed on the fourth surface  12 B of the printing sheet  12  (e.g., the remaining-amount markers  47  illustrated in  FIG.  12   ). The printer  1  may include an optical sensor capable of optically detecting markers not detected by the optical sensor  56  (e.g., the remaining-amount markers  46  in  FIG.  11    and the remaining-amount markers  47  in  FIG.  12   ). 
     The first marker is not limited to the white marker. The first marker only needs to be greater than the subject surface in reflectivity to the light with the particular wavelength. Alternatively, the first marker may be formed with a metal leaf, such as a leaf of aluminum, stuck thereto to make the first marker greater than white in reflectivity to the light with the particular wavelength. The second marker is not limited to the black marker. The second marker only needs to be less than the subject surface in reflectivity to the light with the particular wavelength. The particular wavelength is not limited to the wavelength of the light L emitted from the optical sensor  56  and may be any of other wavelengths. A color (i.e., reflectivity) appropriate for the particular wavelength may be used for the color of each of the subject surface, the first marker, and the second marker. The first markers and the second markers may be changed in position, size, shape, the number, and so on without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. For example, in the case where the tape  10  is of the die-cut label type, at least one of each first marker and each second marker may be provided on a portion of the second surface  11 B of the separation sheet  11  which is opposed to the non-label portion  16  (i.e., a portion of the second surface  11 B which is not opposed to the label portion  15 ). 
     There will be next described tapes  10 F- 10 H according to modifications of the tape  10  with reference to  FIGS.  13 A- 13 C . Like the tape  10 D (see  FIG.  11   ), each of the tapes  10 F- 10 H is of the die-cut label type for creating the label piece having the fixed length. Each of the tapes  10 F- 10 H is configured such that the label portions  15  corresponding to the respective half cuts  14  are formed in the printing sheet  12 . It is noted that the same reference numerals as used for the tape  10 D are used to designate the corresponding elements of the tapes  10 F- 10 H, and an explanation of which is dispensed with. 
     There will be next described the tape  10 F illustrated in  FIG.  13 A  in detail. Each of the label portions  15  includes the label  15 C and a label  15 F different in shape from each other. Each of the labels  15 F has an oval shape in the lengthwise direction of the tape  10 F. The labels  15 C and the labels  15 F are provided on a central region of the tape  10 F in the widthwise direction and alternately arranged in the lengthwise direction at predetermined intervals. The label markers  42 ,  43  are provided on an upper end portion of the first surface  11 A of the separation sheet  11  so as to be arranged in the lengthwise direction. In the present example, the label markers  42  are provided corresponding to the respective labels  15 C. The entire portion of each of the label markers  42  is located, in the lengthwise direction, between opposite end portions of a corresponding one of the labels  15 C in the lengthwise direction. The label markers  43  are provided corresponding to the respective labels  15 F. The entire portion of each of the label markers  43  is located, in the lengthwise direction, between opposite end portions of a corresponding one of the labels  15 F in the lengthwise direction. 
     In the present example, the remaining-amount markers  46  are arranged in the lengthwise direction at the upper end portion of the first surface  11 A. Each of the remaining-amount markers  46  is located upstream of a corresponding one of the label markers  42  and the label markers  43  in the conveying direction. Since the label markers  42 , the label markers  43 , and the remaining-amount markers  46  are different from each other in position in the lengthwise direction, these markers are not arranged in the widthwise direction. The entire portion of each of the remaining-amount markers  46  is located, in the lengthwise direction, between opposite end portions of a corresponding one of the labels  15 C and the labels  15 F in the lengthwise direction. When the tape  10 F is conveyed, the light L emitted from the optical sensor  56  (see  FIG.  7   ) impinges on the label markers  42 ,  43  and the remaining-amount markers  46 . 
     As in the above-described embodiment, the printer  1  configured to perform printing using the tape  10 F detects the label marker  42  and creates a label piece  208  based on label information about the label  15 C. Also, the printer  1  detects the label marker  43  and creates a label piece  209  based on label information about the label  15 F. The printer  1  can identify the remaining number of the labels  15 C,  15 F based on a result of detection of the remaining-amount marker  46 . The user can recognize whether the created label piece is the label piece  208  or  209 , based on any of the label markers  42 ,  43  located on the first surface  11 A of the label piece. The user can visually check the remaining-amount marker  46  to recognize the remaining number of the labels  15 C,  15 F. 
     There will be next described the tape  10 G illustrated in  FIG.  13 B  in detail. The tape  10 G is different from the tape  10 F (see  FIG.  13 A ) only in that the entire portion of each of the remaining-amount markers  46  overlaps a corresponding one of the labels  15 C.  15 F in the thickness direction. It is noted that, since the label markers  42 , the label markers  43 , and the remaining-amount markers  46  are different from each other in position in the lengthwise direction, these markers are not arranged in the widthwise direction. When the tape  10 G is conveyed, the light L emitted from the optical sensor  56  (see  FIG.  7   ) impinges on the label markers  42 ,  43 . As in the above-described modification, the printer  1  configured to perform printing using the tape  10 G can create the label pieces  208 ,  209 . This configuration enables the user to recognize whether the created label piece is the label piece  208  or  209  and to recognize the remaining number of the labels  15 C,  15 F. 
     There will be next described the tape  10 H illustrated in  FIG.  13 C  in detail. The tape  10 H is different from the tape  10 G (see  FIG.  13 B ) in that the entire portion of each of the remaining-amount markers  46  overlaps a corresponding one of the labels  15 C,  15 F in the thickness direction and that the entire portion of each of the label markers  42 ,  43  overlaps a corresponding one of the labels  15 C,  15 F in the thickness direction. Since the label markers  42 , the label markers  43 , and the remaining-amount markers  46  are different from each other in position in the lengthwise direction, these markers are not arranged in the widthwise direction. In the present example, when the tape  10 H is conveyed, the light L emitted from the optical sensor  56  (see  FIG.  7   ) does not impinge on any of the label markers  42 , the label markers  43 , and the remaining-amount markers  46 . This configuration, as in the above-described modification, enables the user to recognize whether the created label piece is the label piece  208  or  209  and to recognize the remaining number of the labels  15 C,  15 F. 
     In the tape  10  according to each of the present modifications (the tapes  10 G- 10 H), the printing sheet  12  includes the die-cut labels (the labels  15 C,  15 F) arranged in the lengthwise direction. The first markers (the label markers  42  and the white marker  46 A) and the second markers (the label markers  43  and the black markers  46 B) are provided on the subject surface (the first surface  11 A). Each of the first markers includes a first separation marker (the label marker  42 ) and a first stacked marker (the white marker  46 A). The first separation marker is one of the first markers, and the entire first separation marker is separated from the second markers. The first stacked marker is another of the first markers, and at least a portion of the first stacked marker overlaps at least a portion of the second markers in the thickness direction. 
     Each of the second markers includes a second separation marker (the label markers  43 ) and a second stacked marker (the black marker  46 B). The second separation marker is one of the second markers, and the entire second separation marker is separated from the first markers. The second stacked marker is another of the second markers, and at least a portion of the second stacked marker overlaps at least a portion of the first markers in the thickness direction. At least a portion of each of the first separation marker, the first stacked marker, the second separation marker, and the second stacked marker is provided, in the lengthwise direction, within an area on which a corresponding one of the die-cut labels (i.e., the label  15 C or the label  15 F) is formed. 
     With this configuration, each of the first separation marker, the second separation marker, the first stacked marker, and the second stacked marker, and a corresponding one of the die-cut labels are arranged on the same straight line extending in the widthwise direction. This configuration makes it easy for the user to identify the first separation marker, the second separation marker, the first stacked marker, and the second stacked marker by visually checking them with reference to the die-cut label. The printer  1  can detect each of the first separation markers, the second separation markers, the first stacked markers, and the second stacked markers near the corresponding die-cut label.