Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates to a cartridge that can be mounted on a tape printer.

In the related art, as disclosed in <CIT>, there is known a tape cartridge in which a printing tape and an ink ribbon are accommodated in a cartridge case having a first case and a second case that can be disassembled from each other. In this tape cartridge, the cartridge case is disassembled into the first case and the second case using a cartridge disassembling device, so that the printing tape and the ink ribbon can be refilled after the printing tape and the ink ribbon are exhausted.

In addition, as disclosed in <CIT>, there is known a label tape cartridge that includes a cartridge main body and a lid body and accommodates a label tape and an ink ribbon. In this label tape cartridge, by fixing the cartridge main body and the lid body with a fixing screw, the lid body can be easily removed from the cartridge main body, and after the label tape and the ink ribbon are exhausted, the lid body and the cartridge main body can be separately recovered and recycled or reused.

The tape cartridge in the related art accommodates the tape roll and the ribbon roll in advance, but in recent years, there is a demand for post-inserting an original tape roll. In order to meet such demand, it is conceivable to provide a cartridge that can accommodate a ribbon roll and post-insert a tape roll. However, in the tape cartridge in the related art, since the ribbon roll is accommodated between the cartridge main body and the lid body, when the purchaser of the tape cartridge removes the lid body from the cartridge main body in order to post-insert the original tape roll, there is a problem that the ribbon roll is separated.

<CIT> discloses a housing case and tape ribbon set in which the housing case includes a tape roll housing section configured to house a tape roll of a tape to be fed to a tape printing device, a tape discharge side removal portion removably provided in a first wall section, and a cartridge housing section configured to house a ribbon cartridge having an ink ribbon, the ribbon cartridge to be mounted into the tape printing device and being configured to hold the tape fed from the tape roll.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cartridge configured to be mounted on a tape printer, the cartridge including a ribbon roll around which an ink ribbon is wound, and a cartridge case configured to accommodate a tape roll around which a tape is wound and that accommodates the ribbon roll, in which the cartridge case includes a third case portion, a first case portion that constitutes a tape roll accommodating portion accommodating the tape roll between the first case portion and the third case portion, and a second case portion that is separated from the first case portion and accommodates the ribbon roll between the second case portion and the third case portion, and the first case portion is configured to open and close the tape roll accommodating portion.

Hereinafter, a cartridge <NUM>, which is an embodiment of the cartridge, will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, directions based on the XYZ orthogonal coordinate system illustrated in each drawing are used for description, but these directions are for convenience of description only and do not limit the following embodiments in any way. In addition, the number of each component is merely an example, and does not limit the following embodiments in any way.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the cartridge <NUM> is provided with a platen roller <NUM>, a ribbon roll <NUM>, a winding core <NUM>, and a cartridge case <NUM> accommodating these components. The ribbon roll <NUM> is obtained by winding an ink ribbon <NUM> around a paying-out core <NUM>. The ink ribbon <NUM> fed out from the paying-out core <NUM> is wound around the winding core <NUM>. A head insertion hole <NUM> is provided through the cartridge case <NUM> in the Z direction. In addition, a tape feed port <NUM> extending in the Z direction is provided on a surface of the cartridge case <NUM> in the - X direction.

The cartridge <NUM> can accommodate the tape roll <NUM>. Therefore, an operator can post-insert an original tape roll <NUM> into the cartridge <NUM>. The operator means a person who performs work such as post-insertion of the tape roll <NUM>, for example, the purchaser of the cartridge <NUM>. The tape roll <NUM> is obtained by winding a tape <NUM> as a print medium around a tape core <NUM>. The tape <NUM> fed out from the tape roll <NUM> is fed out of the cartridge case <NUM> from the tape feed port <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the cartridge <NUM> that does not accommodate the tape roll <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) is simply referred to as a "cartridge <NUM>", and the cartridge <NUM> that accommodates the tape roll <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) is simply referred to as a "tape cartridge 1T". The tape cartridge 1T is mounted on the tape printer <NUM>, and printing is performed on the tape <NUM> fed out from the mounted tape cartridge 1T.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the tape printer <NUM> is provided with a device case <NUM> and a mounting portion cover <NUM>. A keyboard <NUM>, a display <NUM>, and a cartridge mounting portion <NUM> are provided on a surface of the device case <NUM> in the + Z direction.

The keyboard <NUM> receives an input operation from the user. The display <NUM> displays input results from the keyboard <NUM> and various information.

The cartridge mounting portion <NUM> is formed in a recessed shape that is opened in the + Z direction, and the tape cartridge 1T is attachably/detachably mounted thereon. Since the cartridge <NUM> is configured in the same manner as the tape cartridge 1T except that the tape roll <NUM> is not accommodated therein, the cartridge <NUM> can also be mounted on the cartridge mounting portion <NUM>. However, since the cartridge <NUM> does not accommodate the tape roll <NUM> as the print medium, the tape cartridge 1T is normally mounted on the cartridge mounting portion <NUM>.

The mounting portion cover <NUM> is rotatably attached to an end portion of the device case <NUM> in the + Y direction, and opens and closes the cartridge mounting portion <NUM>.

A platen shaft <NUM> and a winding shaft <NUM> protrude in the + Z direction from a bottom surface of the cartridge mounting portion <NUM>. When the tape cartridge 1T is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion <NUM>, the platen shaft <NUM> is inserted into the platen roller <NUM>, and the platen roller <NUM> and the platen shaft <NUM> are engaged with each other. As a result, rotation of a motor (not illustrated) can be transmitted to the platen roller <NUM> via the platen shaft <NUM>. Similarly, when the tape cartridge 1T is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion <NUM>, the winding shaft <NUM> is inserted into the winding core <NUM>, and the winding core <NUM> and the winding shaft <NUM> are engaged with each other. As a result, the rotation of the motor can be transmitted to the winding core <NUM> via the winding shaft <NUM>.

The cartridge mounting portion <NUM> is provided with a thermal head <NUM> and a head cover <NUM>. The thermal head <NUM> is provided with heating elements (not illustrated) and prints on the tape <NUM>. The head cover <NUM> partially covers the thermal head <NUM>.

When the tape cartridge 1T is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion <NUM>, the thermal head <NUM> and the head cover <NUM> are inserted through the head insertion hole <NUM>. Subsequently, when the mounting portion cover <NUM> is closed, the thermal head <NUM> is moved toward the platen roller <NUM> by a head moving mechanism (not illustrated). As a result, the tape <NUM> and the ink ribbon <NUM> are pinched between the thermal head <NUM> and the platen roller <NUM>. When the platen roller <NUM> rotates in this state, the tape <NUM> and the ink ribbon <NUM> are fed. At this time, the thermal head <NUM> generates heat to transfer the ink of the ink ribbon <NUM> to the tape <NUM>, and the print image based on the input result from the keyboard <NUM> is printed on the tape <NUM>.

A tape discharge port <NUM> is provided on a surface of the device case <NUM> in the - X direction. The printed tape <NUM> is discharged from the tape discharge port <NUM>. A cutter <NUM> is provided between the cartridge mounting portion <NUM> and the tape discharge port <NUM>. The cutter <NUM> cuts the tape <NUM>. As a result, the printed portion of the tape <NUM> is cut away. Cartridge Case.

As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the cartridge case <NUM> is provided with a first case portion <NUM>, a second case portion <NUM>, a third case portion <NUM>, and a fourth case portion <NUM>. The first case portion <NUM>, the second case portion <NUM>, and the fourth case portion <NUM> are positioned in the + Z direction in the cartridge case <NUM>, and the third case portion <NUM> is positioned in the - Z direction in the cartridge case <NUM>. The tape cartridge 1T is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion <NUM> so that the third case portion <NUM> faces the bottom surface of the cartridge mounting portion <NUM>. The tape cartridge 1T may be mounted on the cartridge mounting portion <NUM> so that the first case portion <NUM>, the second case portion <NUM>, and the fourth case portion <NUM> face the bottom surface of the cartridge mounting portion <NUM>.

The first case portion <NUM>, the second case portion <NUM>, the third case portion <NUM>, and the fourth case portion <NUM> are separated from each other. The first case portion <NUM>, the second case portion <NUM>, and the fourth case portion <NUM> are resin moldings having translucency, and the third case portion <NUM> is a resin molding having no translucency. However, the materials and manufacturing methods of the first case portion <NUM>, the second case portion <NUM>, the third case portion <NUM> and the fourth case portion <NUM> are not limited to these materials and manufacturing methods.

The first case portion <NUM> can accommodate the tape roll <NUM> between the first case portion <NUM> and the third case portion <NUM>. That is, the first case portion <NUM> and the third case portion <NUM> constitute an outer shell of the tape roll accommodating portion <NUM>. The tape roll <NUM> can be accommodated in the tape roll accommodating portion <NUM>. By attaching the first case portion <NUM> to the third case portion <NUM>, the tape roll accommodating portion <NUM> can be closed, and by removing the first case portion <NUM> from the third case portion <NUM>, the tape roll accommodating portion <NUM> can be opened. The closing here means covering the tape roll accommodating portion <NUM>, and within an allowable range, for example, a gap may be generated between the first case portion <NUM> and the third case portion <NUM>.

The second case portion <NUM> is provided in the - Y direction with respect to the first case portion <NUM>. The second case portion <NUM> accommodates the ink ribbon <NUM> between the second case portion <NUM> and the third case portion <NUM>. That is, the second case portion <NUM> and the third case portion <NUM> constitute an outer shell of the ink ribbon accommodating portion <NUM>. The ribbon roll <NUM> and the winding core <NUM> are accommodated in the ink ribbon accommodating portion <NUM>.

The fourth case portion <NUM> is provided between the first case portion <NUM> and the second case portion <NUM> at an end portion of the cartridge case <NUM> in the - X direction. The fourth case portion <NUM> accommodates the platen roller <NUM> between the fourth case portion <NUM> and the third case portion <NUM>. That is, the third case portion <NUM> and the fourth case portion <NUM> constitute an outer shell of the platen roller accommodating portion <NUM>. The platen roller <NUM> is accommodated in the platen roller accommodating portion <NUM>.

The second case portion <NUM> is combined with the third case portion <NUM> by press-fitting a second engagement pin <NUM> described later (refer to <FIG>) into a third A engagement hole <NUM> described later (refer to <FIG>), so that it is difficult to manually remove the second case portion <NUM> from the third case portion <NUM>. It is possible to remove the second case portion <NUM> from the third case portion <NUM> using a predetermined cartridge disassembling device. Similarly, the fourth case portion <NUM> is combined with the third case portion <NUM> by press-fitting a fourth engagement pin <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) (described later) into a third B engagement hole <NUM> (refer to <FIG>), so that it is difficult to manually remove the fourth case portion <NUM> from the third case portion <NUM>. It is possible to remove the fourth case portion <NUM> from the third case portion <NUM> using the predetermined cartridge disassembling device.

On the other hand, as will be described later, the first case portion <NUM> is mounted by engaging a first A engagement projected portion 117a, a first B engagement projected portion 117b, and a first C engagement projected portion 117c provided in the first case portion <NUM> with a third A engagement receiving portion 333a, a third B engagement receiving portion 333b, and a third C engagement receiving portion 333c provided in the third case portion <NUM>, respectively (refer to <FIG>). Therefore, it is easy to manually remove the first case portion <NUM> from the third case portion <NUM> (refer to <FIG>). Therefore, the operator manually removes the first case portion <NUM> from the third case portion <NUM>, accommodates the original tape roll <NUM> in the cartridge case <NUM> from which the first case portion <NUM> is removed (refer to <FIG>), and then mounts the first case portion <NUM> on the third case portion <NUM> again. Therefore, the operator can create the tape cartridge 1T in which the original tape roll <NUM> is accommodated.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the third case portion <NUM> is provided with a third base wall portion <NUM> and a third side wall portion <NUM> protruding in the + Z direction from a peripheral edge portion of the third base wall portion <NUM>.

The third base wall portion <NUM> is positioned in the - Z direction in the cartridge case <NUM>. A third core protrusion <NUM>, an A ribbon guide <NUM>, a B ribbon guide <NUM>, and an insertion guide <NUM> protrude from the third base wall portion <NUM> in the + Z direction. In addition, the third base wall portion <NUM> is provided with a third head opening <NUM>, a platen opening <NUM>, a paying-out opening <NUM>, a third winding opening <NUM>, and a tape guide engagement hole <NUM>.

The third core protrusion <NUM> is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The third core protrusion <NUM> is inserted into the tape core <NUM> of the tape roll <NUM> from the - Z direction. That is, the third core protrusion <NUM> serves as the rotation shaft of the tape roll <NUM> together with a first core protrusion <NUM> described later.

The A ribbon guide <NUM> is provided in the - X direction with respect to the paying-out opening <NUM>. The A ribbon guide <NUM> guides the feed of the ink ribbon <NUM> between the paying-out core <NUM> and the B ribbon guide <NUM>. A ribbon guide engagement projected portion <NUM> is provided at an end portion of the A ribbon guide <NUM> in the + Z direction. The ribbon guide engagement projected portion <NUM> is engaged with a ribbon guide engagement hole <NUM> provided in the second base wall portion <NUM> of the second case portion <NUM> (refer to <FIG>). Therefore, the A ribbon guide <NUM> is supported on both sides by the third base wall portion <NUM> and the second base wall portion <NUM>.

The B ribbon guide <NUM> is formed in a substantially square tubular shape at a peripheral edge portion of the third head opening <NUM>. The B ribbon guide <NUM> constitutes a peripheral wall of the head insertion hole <NUM>. The B ribbon guide <NUM> guides the feed of the ink ribbon <NUM> between the A ribbon guide <NUM> and the winding core <NUM> so that the ink ribbon <NUM> revolves around the head insertion hole <NUM>. The B ribbon guide <NUM> has a part of the surface in the + Y direction that is opened, and an opening portion thereof is referred to as a guide opening portion <NUM>. When the tape cartridge 1T is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion <NUM>, the thermal head <NUM> pinches the tape <NUM> and the ink ribbon <NUM> with the platen roller <NUM> via the guide opening portion <NUM>.

The insertion guide <NUM> is positioned between the third core protrusion <NUM> and the platen opening <NUM> and provided near the platen opening <NUM>. The insertion guide <NUM> guides the insertion of the tape <NUM> when the tape <NUM> pulled out from the tape roll <NUM> is inserted from a tape insertion port <NUM> described later (refer to <FIG>) when the tape roll <NUM> is accommodated in the cartridge case <NUM>. An insertion guide chamfered portion <NUM> is provided at an end portion of the insertion guide <NUM> in the + Z direction. As a result, when the tape <NUM> pulled out from the tape roll <NUM> is inserted from the tape insertion port <NUM>, the tape <NUM> can be prevented from being caught by the insertion guide <NUM>.

The third head opening <NUM> is formed in a substantially rectangular shape and provided at the corners of the third base wall portion <NUM> in the - X direction and the - Y direction. The third head opening <NUM> constitutes an end portion of the head insertion hole <NUM> in the - Z direction.

The platen opening <NUM> is formed in a substantially circular shape. An end portion of the platen opening <NUM> in the - Y direction is coupled to the third head opening <NUM>. The platen opening <NUM> is engaged with an end portion of the platen roller <NUM> in the - Z direction. A third case-side roller engagement portion <NUM> is provided in a peripheral edge portion of the platen opening <NUM> so as to protrude in the + Z direction. The third case-side roller engagement portion <NUM> is formed in a substantially arc shape and is engaged with the end portion of the platen roller <NUM> in the - Z direction.

The paying-out opening <NUM> is formed in a substantially circular shape and is provided in the + X direction with respect to the third head opening <NUM>. The paying-out opening <NUM> is engaged with an end portion of the paying-out core <NUM> in the - Z direction. The third winding opening <NUM> has a substantially circular shape and is provided between the third head opening <NUM> and the paying-out core <NUM>. The third winding opening <NUM> is engaged with an end portion of the winding core <NUM> in the - Z direction.

The tape guide engagement hole <NUM> is provided in the + Y direction with respect to the third head opening <NUM>. The tape guide engagement hole <NUM> is engaged with a tape guide engagement projected portion <NUM> provided in the tape guide <NUM>.

The third side wall portion <NUM> protrudes in the + Z direction from the peripheral edge portion of the third base wall portion <NUM>. Among the third side wall portions <NUM>, a side wall portion in the - X direction is referred to as a third A side wall portion 305a, a side wall portion in the + X direction is referred to as a third B side wall portion 305b, a side wall portion in the + Y direction is referred to as a third C side wall portion 305c, and a side wall portion in the - Y direction is referred to as a third D side wall portion 305d. That is, in the third case portion <NUM>, the third A side wall portion 305a and the third B side wall portion 305b are positioned opposite to each other, and the third C side wall portion 305c and the third D side wall portion 305d are positioned opposite to each other.

The third case portion <NUM> is provided with three third engagement receiving portions <NUM>, five third A engagement holes <NUM>, and four third B engagement holes <NUM>.

The three third engagement receiving portions <NUM>, that is, a third A engagement receiving portion 333a, a third B engagement receiving portion 333b, and a third C engagement receiving portion 333c, are engaged with the three first engagement projected portions <NUM> provided in the first case portion <NUM>, that is, a first A engagement projected portion 117a, a first B engagement projected portion 117b, and a first C engagement projected portion 117c, respectively (refer to <FIG>). As a result, the first case portion <NUM> is attachably/detachably mounted on the third case portion <NUM>.

The five third A engagement holes <NUM> are provided corresponding to the positions where the second case portion <NUM> is mounted on the third case portion <NUM>. Among the five third A engagement holes <NUM>, four third A engagement holes <NUM> extend in the - Z direction from an end surface of the third side wall portion <NUM> in the + Z direction, and one third A engagement hole <NUM> extends in the - Z direction from an end surface of the B ribbon guide <NUM> in the + Z direction. The five second engagement pins <NUM> provided in the second case portion <NUM> are press-fitted into the five third A engagement holes <NUM> from the + Z direction. As a result, the second case portion <NUM> is combined with the third case portion <NUM>.

The four third B engagement holes <NUM> are provided corresponding to the positions where the fourth case portion <NUM> is mounted on the third case portion <NUM>. Among the four third B engagement holes <NUM>, three third B engagement holes <NUM> are provided in the third side wall portion <NUM> and one third B engagement hole <NUM> is provided in the insertion guide <NUM>. The four third B engagement holes <NUM> extend in the Z direction. Four fourth engagement pins <NUM> provided in the fourth case portion <NUM> are press-fitted into the four third B engagement holes <NUM> from the + Z direction. As a result, the fourth case portion <NUM> is combined with the third case portion <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first case portion <NUM> is provided with a first base wall portion <NUM> and a first side wall portion <NUM> protruding in the - Z direction from a peripheral edge portion of the first base wall portion <NUM>.

The first base wall portion <NUM> is positioned in the + Z direction in the cartridge case <NUM>. The first core protrusion <NUM> protrudes in the - Z direction from the first base wall portion <NUM>. The first core protrusion <NUM> is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The first core protrusion <NUM> is inserted into the tape core <NUM> of the tape roll <NUM> from the + Z direction. That is, the first core protrusion <NUM> serves as the rotation shaft of the tape roll <NUM> together with the third core protrusion <NUM> described above.

A tape elastic portion <NUM> is provided at a base end portion of the first core protrusion <NUM>, that is, an end portion in the + Z direction. As the tape elastic portion <NUM>, for example, a disc spring, a compression coil spring, or the like can be used. The tape elastic portion <NUM> applies a load to the tape core <NUM> of the tape roll <NUM> accommodated in the cartridge case <NUM> in the width direction of the tape <NUM>, that is, in the - Z direction. As a result, the tape core <NUM> is prevented from rattling when the tape <NUM> is fed, and the feeding of the tape <NUM> can be stabilized.

Four fixing portions <NUM> are provided at the base end portion of the first core protrusion <NUM>. The four fixing portions <NUM> are provided at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the first core protrusion <NUM> and protrude radially from the outer peripheral surface of the first core protrusion <NUM>. The tape elastic portion <NUM> is fixed to the base end portion of the first core protrusion <NUM> by four fixing portions <NUM>. As a result, when the first case portion <NUM> is removed from the third case portion <NUM>, the tape elastic portion <NUM> can be prevented from being removed from the first core protrusion <NUM>, and the trouble of again attaching the tape elastic portion <NUM> to the first core protrusion <NUM> can be saved. The number of fixing portions <NUM> is not limited to four, and may be three or fewer, or five or more. In addition, a unit for fixing the tape elastic portion <NUM> to the base end portion of the first core protrusion <NUM> is not limited to providing the fixing portion <NUM>. For example, a female thread is provided in the inner peripheral portion of the disc spring-like tape elastic portion <NUM>, a male thread is provided in the outer peripheral portion of the first core protrusion <NUM>, and the tape elastic portion <NUM> may be attached to the base end portion of the first core protrusion <NUM> by screwing. In addition, the tape elastic portion <NUM> may be fitted into, that is, fitted with the base end portion of the first core protrusion <NUM>. In addition, the tape elastic portion <NUM> may be attached to the base end portion of the first core protrusion <NUM> using an adhesive. In addition, the fixing portion <NUM> is not limited to being provided at the base end portion of the first core protrusion <NUM>. For example, the fixing portion <NUM> may be provided in the first base wall portion <NUM> and the tape elastic portion <NUM> may be fixed to the first base wall portion <NUM>. In addition, similarly to the above, the tape elastic portion <NUM> may be attached to the first base wall portion <NUM> using screwing or adhesive.

An overlap portion <NUM> is provided at an edge portion of the first base wall portion <NUM> in the - Y direction. The overlap portion <NUM> is a portion that overlaps the outside of the second base wall portion <NUM> of the second case portion <NUM>, that is, in the + Z direction when the first case portion <NUM> is mounted on the third case portion <NUM> (refer to <FIG>). Since the overlap portion <NUM> is provided in the first base wall portion <NUM>, even when a force is applied to the first base wall portion <NUM> from the outside, the first base wall portion <NUM> is prevented from bending inward, that is, in the - Z direction, and the tape roll <NUM> is prevented from being pushed by the first base wall portion <NUM> inward bent and being crushed in the width direction of the tape <NUM>, that is, in the Z direction.

The first side wall portion <NUM> protrudes in the - Z direction from the peripheral edge portion of the first base wall portion <NUM>. Among the first side wall portions <NUM>, a side wall portion in the - X direction is referred to as a first A side wall portion 105a, a side wall portion in the + X direction is referred to as a first B side wall portion 105b, and a side wall portion in the + Y direction is referred to as a first C side wall portion 105c. That is, in the first case portion <NUM>, the first A side wall portion 105a and the first B side wall portion 105b are positioned opposite to each other.

The surface of the first case portion <NUM> opposite to the first base wall portion <NUM>, that is, the surface of the first case portion <NUM> in the - Z direction is opened. That is, in the first case portion <NUM>, a first opening portion <NUM> is provided in the direction from the first case portion <NUM> to the third case portion <NUM>, that is, in the - Z direction. Since the first case portion <NUM> is provided with the first opening portion <NUM>, when the first case portion <NUM> is mounted on the third case portion <NUM> after the tape roll <NUM> is accommodated in the cartridge case <NUM>, it is possible to prevent from interfering between the first case portion <NUM> and the tape roll <NUM>.

In addition, in the first case portion <NUM>, the surface opposite to the first C side wall portion 105c, that is, the surface of the first case portion <NUM> in the - Y direction is opened. That is, in the first case portion <NUM>, a second opening portion <NUM> is provided in the direction from the first case portion <NUM> to the second case portion <NUM>, that is, in the - Y direction. Since the first case portion <NUM> is provided with the second opening portion <NUM>, it is possible to prevent the tape <NUM> fed from the tape roll <NUM> to the tape feed port <NUM> from interfering with the first case portion <NUM>.

The first case portion <NUM> is provided with three first engagement projected portions <NUM>, that is, a first A engagement projected portion 117a, a first B engagement projected portion 117b, and a first C engagement projected portion 117c. The first A engagement projected portion 117a, the first B engagement projected portion 117b, and the first C engagement projected portion 117c are engaged with the third A engagement receiving portion 333a, the third B engagement receiving portion 333b, and the third C engagement receiving portion 333c provided in the third case portion <NUM>, respectively. As a result, the first case portion <NUM> is attachably/detachably mounted on the third case portion <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the second case portion <NUM> is provided with a second base wall portion <NUM> and a second side wall portion <NUM> protruding in the - Z direction from a peripheral edge portion of the second base wall portion <NUM>.

The second base wall portion <NUM> is positioned in the + Z direction in the cartridge case <NUM>. A second core protrusion <NUM> and a tape guide <NUM> protrude from the second base wall portion <NUM> in the - Z direction. In addition, the second base wall portion <NUM> is provided with a second head opening <NUM>, a second winding opening <NUM>, and a ribbon guide engagement hole <NUM>.

The second core protrusion <NUM> is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The second core protrusion <NUM> is inserted into the paying-out core <NUM> from the + Z direction. That is, the second core protrusion <NUM> serves as the rotation shaft of the paying-out core <NUM>. The second core protrusion <NUM> is provided with a ribbon elastic portion (not illustrated). As the ribbon elastic portion, for example, a disc spring, a compression coil spring, or the like can be used. The ribbon elastic portion applies a load in the width direction of the ink ribbon <NUM>, that is, in the - Z direction, to the paying-out core <NUM>. As a result, when the ink ribbon <NUM> is fed, the paying-out core <NUM> is prevented from rattling, and the feed of the ink ribbon <NUM> can be stabilized. Unlike the first case portion <NUM>, since the second case portion <NUM> is normally not removed from the third case portion <NUM> except after the tape <NUM> and the ink ribbon <NUM> are exhausted, the second core protrusion <NUM> is not provided with a fixing portion for fixing the ribbon elastic portion.

The tape guide <NUM> guides the feed of the tape <NUM> between the tape roll <NUM> and the platen roller <NUM>. The tape guide <NUM> faces the insertion guide <NUM> (refer to <FIG>), and the tape <NUM> inserted from the tape insertion port <NUM> is inserted between the tape guide <NUM> and the insertion guide <NUM>. That is, the tape guide <NUM> is positioned in the - Z direction with respect to the tape insertion port <NUM>. The tape guide engagement projected portion <NUM> is provided at the end portion of the tape guide <NUM> in the - Z direction. The tape guide engagement projected portion <NUM> is engaged with a tape guide engagement hole <NUM> provided in the third base wall portion <NUM> of the third case portion <NUM> (refer to <FIG>). Therefore, the tape guide <NUM> is supported on both sides by the second base wall portion <NUM> and the third base wall portion <NUM>.

The second head opening <NUM> is formed in a substantially rectangular shape and provided at the corners of the second base wall portion <NUM> in the - X direction and the - Y direction. The third head opening <NUM> constitutes an end portion of the head insertion hole <NUM> in the + Z direction.

The second winding opening <NUM> is formed in a substantially circular shape and is provided in the + X direction with respect to the third head opening <NUM>. The second winding opening <NUM> is engaged with the end portion of the winding core <NUM> in the + Z direction.

The ribbon guide engagement hole <NUM> is provided in the - X direction with respect to the second core protrusion <NUM>. The ribbon guide engagement hole <NUM> is engaged with the ribbon guide engagement projected portion <NUM> provided in the A ribbon guide <NUM>.

The second case portion <NUM> is provided with five second engagement pins <NUM>. Among the five second engagement pins <NUM>, four second engagement pins <NUM> protrude in the - Z direction from an end surface of the second side wall portion <NUM> in the - Z direction, and one second engagement pin <NUM> is positioned near the second head opening <NUM> and protrudes from the second base wall portion <NUM> in the - Z direction. The five second engagement pins <NUM> are press-fitted into the five third A engagement holes <NUM> provided in the third case portion <NUM> from the + Z direction. As a result, the second case portion <NUM> is combined with the third case portion <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the fourth case portion <NUM> is provided with a fourth base wall portion <NUM> and a fourth side wall portion <NUM> protruding in the - Z direction from an edge portion of the fourth base wall portion <NUM> in the - X direction.

The fourth base wall portion <NUM> is positioned in the + Z direction in the cartridge case <NUM>. The fourth base wall portion <NUM> is provided with a fourth case-side roller engagement portion <NUM>. The fourth case-side roller engagement portion <NUM> is a recessed portion recessed in the + Z direction on the inner surface of the fourth base wall portion <NUM>, that is, the surface in the - Z direction, and is formed in an oval shape elongated in the Y direction. The fourth case-side roller engagement portion <NUM> is engaged with the end portion of the platen roller <NUM> in the + Z direction. The fourth case-side roller engagement portion <NUM> is provided with a platen shaft insertion hole <NUM>. A platen shaft <NUM> is inserted through the platen shaft insertion hole <NUM> when the tape cartridge 1T is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion <NUM>.

Four fourth engagement pins <NUM> protrude from the fourth base wall portion <NUM> in the - Z direction. Among the four fourth engagement pins <NUM>, three fourth engagement pins <NUM> protrude in the - Z direction from an end surface of the fourth side wall portion <NUM> in the - Z direction, and one fourth engagement pin <NUM> protrudes in the - Z direction from the fourth base wall portion <NUM>. The four fourth engagement pins <NUM> are press-fitted into the four third B engagement holes <NUM> provided in the third case portion <NUM> from the + Z direction. As a result, the fourth case portion <NUM> is combined with the third case portion <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the first case portion <NUM> is provided with the first A engagement projected portion 117a, the first B engagement projected portion 117b, and the first C engagement projected portion 117c as described above. The first A engagement projected portion 117a protrudes in the - Z direction from the first A side wall portion 105a. The first B engagement projected portion 117b protrudes in the - Z direction from the first B side wall portion 105b. The first C engagement projected portion 117c protrudes in the - Z direction from the first C side wall portion 105c.

The first A engagement projected portion 117a has a hook-shaped tip end portion, and is engaged with the third A engagement receiving portion 333a of the third case portion <NUM> from the inside of the third case portion <NUM>, that is, from the + X direction to - X direction. The first B engagement projected portion 117b has a hook-shaped tip end portion, and is engaged with the third B engagement receiving portion 333b of the third case portion <NUM> from the inside of the third case portion <NUM>, that is, from the - X direction to + X direction. The first C engagement projected portion 117c has a hook-shaped tip end portion, and is engaged with the third C engagement receiving portion 333c of the third case portion <NUM> from the inside of the third case portion <NUM>, that is, from the - Y direction to + Y direction.

The first A engagement projected portion 117a, the first B engagement projected portion 117b, and the first C engagement projected portion 117c are engaging with the third A engagement receiving portion 333a, the third B engagement receiving portion 333b, and the third C engagement receiving portion 333c, respectively. Therefore, the first case portion <NUM> is attachably/detachably mounted on the third case portion <NUM>.

When the first case portion <NUM> is removed from the third case portion <NUM>, the operator bends the first A side wall portion 105a and the first B side wall portion 105b inward by manually pinching the first case portion <NUM> in the X direction. As a result, the first A engagement projected portion 117a provided in the first A side wall portion 105a is removed from the third A engagement receiving portion 333a provided in the third case portion <NUM>, and the first B engagement projected portion 117b provided in the first B side wall portion 105b is removed from the third B engagement receiving portion 333b provided in the third case portion <NUM>. In this state, the operator rotates the first case portion <NUM> in the + Z direction, for example, using the end portion of the first C side wall portion 105c in the - Z direction as a fulcrum. As a result, the first C engagement projected portion 117c provided in the first C side wall portion <NUM> c is removed from the third C engagement receiving portion 333c provided in the third case portion <NUM>.

In this manner, the operator can remove only the first case portion <NUM> from the third case portion <NUM> among the first case portion <NUM> and the second case portion <NUM>. That is, even when the first case portion <NUM> is removed from the third case portion <NUM>, the second case portion <NUM> is attached to the third case portion <NUM>, so the ribbon roll <NUM> remains accommodated between the second case portion <NUM> and the third case portion <NUM>. Therefore, the operator can post-insert the tape roll <NUM> into the cartridge case <NUM> without unraveling the ribbon roll <NUM>.

In addition, since the first A side wall portion 105a and the first B side wall portion 105b are provided on sides of the first case portion <NUM> opposite to each other, the operator can easily perform an operation to bend the first A side wall portion 105a and the first B side wall portion 105b inward. Therefore, the operator can easily remove the first A engagement projected portion 117a provided in the first A side wall portion 105a and the first B engagement projected portion 117b provided in the first B side wall portion 105b from the third A engagement receiving portion 333a and the third B engagement receiving portion 333b, respectively.

In addition, when the first case portion <NUM> is mounted on the third case portion <NUM>, the operator bends the first A side wall portion 105a and the first B side wall portion 105b inward by manually pinching the first case portion <NUM> in the X direction. In this state, the operator matches the first side wall portion <NUM> of the first case portion <NUM> and the third side wall portion <NUM> of the third case portion <NUM>, and engages the first C engagement projected portion 117c with the third C engagement receiving portion 333c from the inside of the third case portion <NUM>. Thereafter, the operator loosens the force that pinches the first case portion <NUM>. As a result, the first A engagement projected portion 117a provided in the first A side wall portion 105a engages with the third A engagement receiving portion 333a from the inside of the third case portion <NUM>, and the first B engagement projected portion 117b provided in the first B side wall portion 105b is engaged with the third B engagement receiving portion 333b from the inside of the third case portion <NUM>.

In this manner, the first A side wall portion 105a provided with the first A engagement projected portion 117a and the first B side wall portion 105b provided with the first B engagement projected portion 117b are provided on the sides of the first case portion <NUM> opposite to each other. As a result, the operator can easily perform an operation to bend the first A side wall portion 105a and the first B side wall portion 105b inward in order to remove the first A engagement projected portion 117a and the first B engagement projected portion 117b from the third A engagement receiving portion 333a and the third B engagement receiving portion 333b, respectively.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a tape insertion port <NUM> is provided on a surface of the cartridge case <NUM> in the + Z direction. The tape insertion port <NUM> is provided between the second case portion <NUM> and the fourth case portion <NUM>. The end portion of the tape insertion port <NUM> in the - X direction is coupled to the tape feed port <NUM> via a tape introduction path <NUM> described later (refer to <FIG>).

When post-inserting the original tape roll <NUM> into the cartridge case <NUM>, for example, the operator holds the tape roll <NUM> with one hand and pulls out the tape <NUM> from the tape roll <NUM> with the other hand so that the leading edge of the tape <NUM> comes out of the cartridge case <NUM> from the tape feed port <NUM>. Subsequently, the operator places the tape roll <NUM> on the third base wall portion <NUM> so that the third core protrusion <NUM> is inserted into the tape core <NUM> of the tape roll <NUM>, and inserts the tape <NUM> pulled out from the tape roll <NUM> into the tape insertion port <NUM> in the - Z direction from one end portion of the tape <NUM> in the width direction, that is, the end portion in the - Z direction. The tape <NUM> inserted from the tape insertion port <NUM> is inserted between the ink ribbon <NUM> and the platen roller <NUM>.

In this manner, the operator can accommodate the tape roll <NUM> in the cartridge case <NUM> in a state where the leading edge of the tape <NUM> came out of the cartridge case <NUM> from the tape feed port <NUM>, without the troublesome task of manually rotating the tape roll <NUM> to feed the tape <NUM> to the tape feed port <NUM>.

An edge portion of the tape insertion port <NUM> in the - Y direction is referred to as a second insertion edge portion <NUM>, and an edge portion of the tape insertion port <NUM> in the + Y direction is referred to as a fourth insertion edge portion <NUM>. The second insertion edge portion <NUM> is configured to include the second base wall portion <NUM> of the second case portion <NUM>. The fourth insertion edge portion <NUM> is configured to include the fourth base wall portion <NUM> of the fourth case portion <NUM>.

The second insertion edge portion <NUM> is formed in an arc shape that projects on a side opposite to the platen roller <NUM> with respect to the second insertion edge portion <NUM>, that is, an arc shape that projects on in the - Y direction. Therefore, the shape of the tape <NUM> inserted from the tape insertion port <NUM> can be formed into a shape curved in accordance with the outer peripheral surface of the platen roller <NUM> which is projected in the - Y direction. As a result, it is possible to prevent the tape <NUM> from being caught on the platen roller <NUM> when the tape <NUM> is inserted from the tape insertion port <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a tape feed port <NUM> and a tape introduction path <NUM> are provided on a surface of the cartridge case <NUM> in the - X direction.

The tape <NUM> fed out from the tape roll <NUM> is fed out of the cartridge case <NUM> from the tape feed port <NUM>. The tape feed port <NUM> is formed in a substantially rectangular shape elongated in the Z direction. Approximately half of the tape feed port <NUM> in the + Z direction is provided between the second case portion <NUM> and the fourth case portion <NUM>, and approximately half of the tape feed port <NUM> in the - Z direction is provided between the second case portion <NUM> and the third case portion <NUM>.

An edge portion of the tape feed port <NUM> in the - Y direction is referred to as a second feed edge portion <NUM>. The second feed edge portion <NUM> is formed by the second side wall portion <NUM> of the second case portion <NUM>. The second feed edge portion <NUM> extends in the Z direction. A feed projected portion <NUM> is provided at an end portion of the second feed edge portion <NUM> in the + Z direction.

The feed projected portion <NUM> protrudes from the second feed edge portion <NUM> toward a facing edge portion <NUM> described later, that is, in the + Y direction. The feed projected portion <NUM> blocks the + Z direction of the tape feed port <NUM>. The feed projected portion <NUM> can prevent the tape <NUM> from coming out of the tape feed port <NUM> in the + Z direction. In addition, when the tape <NUM> is fed, the feed projected portion <NUM> can prevent the tape <NUM> from meandering or skewing in the + Z direction.

Among the edge portions of the tape feed port <NUM> in the + Y direction, a portion formed by the third side wall portion <NUM> of the third case portion <NUM> is referred to as a third feed edge portion <NUM>, and a portion formed by the fourth side wall portion <NUM> of the fourth case portion <NUM> is referred to as a fourth feed edge portion <NUM>. The third feed edge portion <NUM> extends in the Z direction. The fourth feed edge portion <NUM> is provided in the + Z direction with respect to the third feed edge portion <NUM>. The fourth feed edge portion <NUM> extends in the Z direction.

The tape introduction path <NUM> introduces the tape <NUM> inserted from the tape insertion port <NUM> to the tape feed port <NUM>. The tape introduction path <NUM> couples an end portion of the tape insertion port <NUM> in the - X direction and the + Y direction side of an end portion of the tape feed port <NUM> in the + Z direction. That is, the end portion of the tape introduction path <NUM> in the + Z direction is coupled to the end portion of the tape insertion port <NUM> in the - X direction, and the end portion of the tape introduction path <NUM> in the - Y direction is coupled to the + Y direction side of the end portion of the tape feed port <NUM> in the + Z direction.

A facing edge portion <NUM> and an inclined edge portion <NUM> are provided at the edge portion of the tape introduction path <NUM> in the + Y direction. The facing edge portion <NUM> and the inclined edge portion <NUM> are formed by the fourth side wall portion <NUM> of the fourth case portion <NUM>. The facing edge portion <NUM> extends in the Z direction and faces the feed projected portion <NUM>. When the tape <NUM> is inserted from the tape insertion port <NUM>, the tape <NUM> is inserted from between the feed projected portion <NUM> and the facing edge portion <NUM> in the tape introduction path <NUM>.

The inclined edge portion <NUM> is provided between the facing edge portion <NUM> and the fourth feed edge portion <NUM>. The inclined edge portion <NUM> is inclined with respect to the facing edge portion <NUM> so as to introduce the tape <NUM> inserted from between the feed projected portion <NUM> and the facing edge portion <NUM> to the tape feed port <NUM>. That is, an end portion of the inclined edge portion <NUM> in the - Z direction is positioned in the - Y direction with respect to an end portion of the inclined edge portion <NUM> in the + Z direction. When the tape <NUM> is inserted from between the feed projected portion <NUM> and the facing edge portion <NUM>, the end portion of the tape <NUM> in the - Z direction hits the inclined edge portion <NUM>. The tape <NUM> that hits the inclined edge portion <NUM> is introduced from the tape introduction path <NUM> to the tape feed port <NUM> by the inclined edge portion <NUM> inclined with respect to the facing edge portion <NUM>. Therefore, the operator can easily insert the tape <NUM> pulled out from the tape roll <NUM> into the tape feed port <NUM> from the tape insertion port <NUM>.

The width of the tape introduction path <NUM>, that is, an interval between the feed projected portion <NUM> and the facing edge portion <NUM>, is wider than the width of the tape feed port <NUM>, that is, an interval between the second feed edge portion <NUM> and the fourth feed edge portion <NUM>. Therefore, when the tape <NUM> is inserted from the tape insertion port <NUM>, even when the tape <NUM> is thicker than a normal tape <NUM>, the tape <NUM> can be easily inserted between the feed projected portion <NUM> and the facing edge portion <NUM>.

In addition, when the tape <NUM> pulled out from the tape roll <NUM> accommodated in the cartridge case <NUM> is taken out from the tape insertion port <NUM> for replacement of the tape roll <NUM> or the like, one end portion of the tape <NUM> in the + Z direction, which is one end portion in the width direction, is passed between the feed projected portion <NUM> and the facing edge portion <NUM>. In the present embodiment, since the inclined edge portion <NUM> is inclined with respect to the facing edge portion <NUM>, the end portion of the tape <NUM> in the + Z direction is slightly bent, so that the end portion of the tape <NUM> in the + Z direction can be passed between the feed projected portion <NUM> and the facing edge portion <NUM>. Therefore, the operator can easily take out the tape <NUM> pulled out from the tape roll <NUM> accommodated in the cartridge case <NUM> from the tape insertion port <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the platen roller <NUM> has a roller main body <NUM> and a roller shaft <NUM>. The roller main body <NUM> is made of an elastic material such as rubber, and is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The roller main body <NUM> is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the roller shaft <NUM>.

The roller shaft <NUM> is made of resin, for example, and is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The roller shaft <NUM> is provided with a first roller-side engagement portion <NUM> and a second roller-side engagement portion <NUM>. The first roller-side engagement portion <NUM> is provided near the end portion of the roller shaft <NUM> in the - Z direction, and the second roller-side engagement portion <NUM> is provided at the end portion of the roller shaft <NUM> in the + Z direction. A portion of the roller shaft <NUM> between the first roller-side engagement portion <NUM> and the second roller-side engagement portion <NUM> is referred to as a roller mounting portion <NUM>. The roller main body <NUM> is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the roller mounting portion <NUM>. In addition, a portion of the roller shaft <NUM> positioned in the - Z direction with respect to the first roller-side engagement portion <NUM> is referred to as an opening insertion portion <NUM>. The opening insertion portion <NUM> is inserted into the platen opening <NUM>.

The first roller-side engagement portion <NUM> is formed to have a larger diameter than that of the roller mounting portion <NUM> or the opening insertion portion <NUM>. The first roller-side engagement portion <NUM> is engaged with the third case-side roller engagement portion <NUM>. A surface of the first roller-side engagement portion <NUM> in the - Z direction is referred to as a first roller-side contact surface <NUM>. The first roller-side contact surface <NUM> is in contact with a surface of the third case-side roller engagement portion <NUM> in the + Z direction.

The second roller-side engagement portion <NUM> is formed to have a larger diameter than that of the roller mounting portion <NUM>. The second roller-side engagement portion <NUM> is engaged with the fourth case-side roller engagement portion <NUM>. As described above, the fourth case-side roller engagement portion <NUM> is formed in an oval shape elongated in the Y direction. Therefore, the platen roller <NUM> can take an upright first posture (refer to <FIG>) and a second posture inclined with respect to the first posture (refer to <FIG>), so that the end portion of the platen roller <NUM> in the + Z direction is farther from the ink ribbon <NUM> in the + Y direction than the end portion of the platen roller <NUM> in the - Z direction. The first posture in which the platen roller <NUM> stands upright means a posture in which the axial direction of the platen roller <NUM> is substantially parallel to the width direction of the ink ribbon <NUM>, that is, the Z direction.

When the platen roller <NUM> stands upright and is in the first posture, and the cartridge <NUM> is viewed from the + Z direction, an end surface 37a of the roller main body <NUM> in the + Z direction can be seen via the tape insertion port <NUM> (refer to <FIG>). On the other hand, when the platen roller <NUM> is inclined and is in the second posture, and the cartridge <NUM> is viewed from the + Z direction, not only the end surface 37a of the roller main body <NUM> in the + Z direction but also the outer peripheral surface 37b of the roller main body <NUM> can be seen via the tape insertion port <NUM>, and the second roller-side engagement portion <NUM> can be seen via the platen shaft insertion hole <NUM> (refer to <FIG>).

A first contact surface <NUM> and a second contact surface <NUM> are provided on a surface of the third case-side roller engagement portion <NUM> in the + Z direction. The first contact surface <NUM> is formed in an arc shape having a central angle larger than that of a semicircle when viewed from the + Z direction (refer to <FIG>). The first contact surface <NUM> is inclined to the XY plane. That is, an end portion of the first contact surface <NUM> in the + Y direction is positioned in the - Z direction from an end portion of the first contact surface <NUM> in the - Y direction. The second contact surface <NUM> is provided in the - Y direction with respect to the first contact surface <NUM>, and is formed in two arc shapes having a smaller central angle than that of the first contact surface <NUM> when viewed from the + Z direction (refer to <FIG>). The second contact surface <NUM> is parallel to the XY plane.

When the cartridge <NUM> is placed on a substantially horizontal surface such as a desk in a posture in which the surface of the cartridge <NUM> in the - Z direction faces downward, that is, in a posture in which the first roller-side engagement portion <NUM> out of the first roller-side engagement portion <NUM> and the second roller-side engagement portion <NUM> faces downward, the first roller-side engagement portion <NUM> is supported by the third case-side roller engagement portion <NUM>. At this time, since the first contact surface <NUM> is larger than the second contact surface <NUM>, the platen roller <NUM> is inclined so that the first roller-side contact surface <NUM> comes into contact with the first contact surface <NUM> out of the first contact surface <NUM> and the second contact surface <NUM>, and the platen roller <NUM> is in the second posture.

When the platen roller <NUM> is in the second posture, the end portion of the platen roller <NUM> in the + Z direction is farther from the ink ribbon <NUM> in the + Y direction than the end portion of the platen roller <NUM> in the - Z direction, as described above (refer to <FIG>). That is, when the platen roller <NUM> is in the first posture, the platen roller <NUM> is substantially in contact with the ink ribbon <NUM> (refer to <FIG>), but when the platen roller <NUM> is in the second posture, there is a gap between the platen roller <NUM> and the ink ribbon <NUM> (refer to <FIG>). Therefore, when the tape <NUM> is inserted between the ink ribbon <NUM> and the platen roller <NUM> from the tape insertion port <NUM>, the tape <NUM> can be prevented from being caught on the platen roller <NUM>.

When the tape cartridge 1T is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion <NUM>, the platen roller <NUM> is in the first posture (refer to <FIG>) by inserting the platen shaft <NUM> extending in the Z direction in the cartridge mounting portion <NUM> into the roller shaft <NUM> of the platen roller <NUM>. At this time, the first roller-side contact surface <NUM> comes into contact with the second contact surface <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) out of the surfaces of the third case-side roller engagement portion <NUM> in the + Z direction, and the platen roller <NUM> is supported by the second contact surface <NUM>. Therefore, when the platen roller <NUM> rotates, the platen roller <NUM> can be prevented from inclining with respect to the platen shaft <NUM>, and the platen roller <NUM> can appropriately feed the tape <NUM> and the ink ribbon <NUM>. By the platen roller <NUM> being in the first posture, since the tape <NUM> is pushed in the - Y direction by the platen roller <NUM>, and the end portion of the tape <NUM> in the + Z direction is farther from the tape introduction path <NUM> in the - Y direction and is pushed by the feed projected portion <NUM>, the tape <NUM> can be prevented from coming out of the tape introduction path <NUM> in the + Z direction.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the tape guide <NUM> is provided with a guide base portion <NUM> and nine protruding portions <NUM>. Since the tape guide <NUM> is provided with a plurality of protruding portions <NUM>, the tape guide <NUM> can appropriately guide the tape <NUM> over the entire width direction of the tape <NUM>.

The guide base portion <NUM> is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape elongated in the Z direction. The protruding portion <NUM> protrudes from the guide base portion <NUM> in the + Y direction. The protruding portion <NUM> is formed in a substantially semicircular plate shape, and comes into contact with the tape <NUM> on the contact surface, which is the peripheral surface thereof. That is, the contact surface of the protruding portion <NUM> is formed in an arc shape and comes into contact with the printed surface of the tape <NUM> fed to the tape feed port <NUM>. Since the protruding portion <NUM> is formed in a plate shape, the contact area between the protruding portion <NUM> and the tape <NUM> can be reduced. In addition, since the contact surface of the protruding portion <NUM> that comes into contact with the tape <NUM> is formed in an arc shape, the contact area between the protruding portion <NUM> and the tape <NUM> can be reduced.

The nine protruding portions <NUM> distribute in the width direction of the tape <NUM>, that is, in the - Z direction. The nine protruding portions <NUM> constitute three protruding groups <NUM>. The interval between the protruding groups <NUM> is wider than the interval between the protruding portions <NUM> included in the same protruding group <NUM>. Therefore, between the protruding group <NUM> and the protruding group <NUM>, the width of the non-contact area of the tape <NUM> that does not come into contact with the protruding portions <NUM> is wider than that in the configuration in which the nine protruding portions <NUM> are provided at equal intervals. Therefore, the feeding load of the tape <NUM> due to friction with the tape guide <NUM> can be reduced.

The interval between the protruding groups <NUM> means the interval between the n-th protruding group <NUM> and the (n+<NUM>)-th protruding group <NUM> counted from the + Z direction, that is, the interval between the protruding portion <NUM> positioned closest to the - Z direction in the n-th protruding group <NUM> and the protruding portion <NUM> positioned closest to the + Z direction in the (n+<NUM>)-th protruding group <NUM>. n is an integer greater than or equal to <NUM>. In addition, the interval between the protruding portions <NUM> included in the same protruding group <NUM> means the interval between the m-th protruding portion <NUM> and the (m+<NUM>)-th protruding portion <NUM> counted from the + Z direction in any protruding group <NUM>. m is an integer greater than or equal to <NUM>.

A tape guide chamfered portion <NUM> is provided at the end portion of each protruding portion <NUM> in the + Z direction. Unlike the present embodiment, in the configuration in which the tape guide chamfered portion <NUM> is not provided at an end portion of each protruding portion <NUM> in the + Z direction, when the tape <NUM> is inserted from the tape insertion port <NUM>, the inserted tape <NUM> may get caught on the protruding portion <NUM> provided in the tape guide <NUM>. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the tape guide chamfered portion <NUM> is provided at the end portion of each protruding portion <NUM> in the + Z direction, when the tape <NUM> is inserted from the tape insertion port <NUM>, the tape <NUM> can be prevented from being caught on the protruding portion <NUM>.

As described above, the cartridge <NUM> of the present embodiment is a cartridge <NUM> that can be mounted on the tape printer <NUM> and is provided with the ribbon roll <NUM> and the cartridge case <NUM>. The cartridge case <NUM> can accommodate the tape roll <NUM> and accommodates the ribbon roll <NUM>. The cartridge case <NUM> is provided with the third case portion <NUM>, the first case portion <NUM>, and the second case portion <NUM>. The first case portion <NUM> can accommodate the tape roll <NUM> between the first case portion <NUM> and the third case portion <NUM>. The second case portion <NUM> is separated from the first case portion <NUM> and accommodates the ribbon roll <NUM> between the second case portion <NUM> and the third case portion <NUM>. The first case portion <NUM> can be attached to and detached from the third case portion <NUM>.

According to this configuration, the operator can remove only the first case portion <NUM> from the third case portion <NUM> out of the first case portion <NUM> and the second case portion <NUM>. As a result, the operator can post-insert the tape roll <NUM> into the cartridge case <NUM> without unraveling the ribbon roll <NUM>.

In addition, the cartridge <NUM> of the present embodiment is a cartridge <NUM> that can be mounted on the tape printer <NUM> and is provided with the cartridge case <NUM> that can accommodate the tape roll <NUM>. The cartridge case <NUM> is provided with the third case portion <NUM>, the first case portion <NUM>, the second case portion <NUM>, and the fourth case portion <NUM>. The first case portion <NUM> can accommodate the tape roll <NUM> between the first case portion <NUM> and the third case portion <NUM> and can be attached to and detached from the third case portion <NUM>. The second case portion <NUM> is separated from the first case portion <NUM>. The fourth case portion <NUM> is separated from the first case portion <NUM>. The tape feed port <NUM> and the tape insertion port <NUM> are provided between the second case portion <NUM> and the fourth case portion <NUM>. The tape <NUM> fed out from the tape roll <NUM> is fed out of the cartridge case <NUM> from the tape feed port <NUM>. When the tape roll <NUM> is accommodated in the cartridge case <NUM>, the tape <NUM> pulled out from the tape roll <NUM> can be inserted into the tape insertion port <NUM> in the - Z direction from one end portion in the -Z direction, which is one of the width directions of the tape <NUM>, so that the leading edge of the tape <NUM> comes out of the cartridge case <NUM> from the tape feed port <NUM>.

According to this configuration, the operator can accommodate the tape roll <NUM> in the cartridge case <NUM> in a state where the leading edge of the tape <NUM> came out of the cartridge case <NUM> from the tape feed port <NUM>, without the troublesome task of manually rotating the tape roll <NUM> to feed the tape <NUM> to the tape feed port <NUM>.

In addition, the cartridge <NUM> of the present embodiment is a cartridge <NUM> that can be mounted on the tape printer <NUM> and is provided with the cartridge case <NUM> that can accommodate the tape roll <NUM>. The cartridge case <NUM> is provided with the tape feed port <NUM>, the tape insertion port <NUM>, and the tape guide <NUM>. The tape <NUM> fed out from the tape roll <NUM> is fed out of the cartridge case <NUM> from the tape feed port <NUM>. When the tape roll <NUM> is accommodated in the cartridge case <NUM>, the tape <NUM> pulled out from the tape roll <NUM> can be inserted into the tape insertion port <NUM> in the - Z direction from one end portion in the -Z direction, which is one of the width directions of the tape <NUM>, so that the leading edge of the tape <NUM> comes out of the cartridge case <NUM> from the tape feed port <NUM>. The tape guide <NUM> is positioned in the - Z direction with respect to the tape insertion port <NUM> and guides the feed of the tape <NUM> by the tape printer <NUM>. The tape guide <NUM> is provided with the protruding portion <NUM> that comes into contact with the tape <NUM>. The tape guide chamfered portion <NUM> is provided at the end portion of the protruding portion <NUM> in the + Z direction.

According to this configuration, since the tape guide chamfered portion <NUM> is provided at the end portion of each protruding portion <NUM> in the + Z direction, when the tape <NUM> is inserted from the tape insertion port <NUM>, the tape <NUM> can be prevented from being caught on the protruding portion <NUM>.

A cartridge 1A, which is a second embodiment of the cartridge, will be described with reference to <FIG>. The cartridge 1A of the second embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the cartridge <NUM> of the first embodiment, but differs in that the first case portion <NUM> and the second case portion <NUM> are engaged with each other, and the first case portion <NUM> and the fourth case portion <NUM> are engaged with each other.

The first case portion <NUM> is provided with the first A engagement portion <NUM> and the first B engagement portion <NUM>. The first A engagement portion <NUM> and the first B engagement portion <NUM> protrude from the first base wall portion <NUM> in the - Z direction. The first A engagement portion <NUM> is provided in the overlap portion <NUM>, but the position thereof is not particularly limited. The first A engagement portion <NUM> engages with a second engagement recessed portion <NUM> provided in the second base wall portion <NUM> of the second case portion <NUM>. The first B engagement portion <NUM> engages with a fourth engagement recessed portion <NUM> provided in the fourth base wall portion <NUM> of the fourth case portion <NUM>.

The first A engagement portion <NUM> is not press-fitted into the second engagement recessed portion <NUM> unlike the second engagement pin <NUM> described above is press-fitted into the third A engagement hole <NUM>. Therefore, even when the first A engagement portion <NUM> and the second engagement recessed portion <NUM> are engaged with each other, the first case portion <NUM> can be easily removed from the third case portion <NUM> by hand. The same applies to the first B engagement portion <NUM>.

Since the first A engagement portion <NUM> and the second engagement recessed portion <NUM> are engaged with each other, the first case portion <NUM> and the second case portion <NUM> can be prevented from swinging in the X direction or the Y direction. Therefore, the rigidity of the entire cartridge case <NUM> can be improved. Similarly, since the first B engagement portion <NUM> and the fourth engagement recessed portion <NUM> are engaged with each other, the first case portion <NUM> and the fourth case portion <NUM> can be prevented from swinging in the X direction or the Y direction. Therefore, the rigidity of the entire cartridge case <NUM> can be improved.

The configuration is not limited to the configuration in which the first case portion <NUM> is provided with the first A engagement portion <NUM> and the second case portion <NUM> is provided with the second engagement recessed portion <NUM>, and a configuration in which the first case portion <NUM> is provided with an engagement recessed portion and the second case portion <NUM> is provided with an engagement portion may be employed. Furthermore, a configuration in which the first case portion <NUM> is provided with an engagement portion and an engagement recessed portion, and the second case portion <NUM> is provided with an engagement recessed portion that engages with the engagement portion provided in the first case portion <NUM> and an engagement portion that engages with the engagement recessed portion provided in the first case portion <NUM> may be employed. The same applies to the first case portion <NUM> and the fourth case portion <NUM>.

In addition, the engagement portion is not limited to those protruding from the first base wall portion <NUM> such as the first A engagement portion <NUM> and the first B engagement portion <NUM>, and for example, the entire overlap portion <NUM> may function as the first A engagement portion <NUM>. That is, a configuration in which the second case portion <NUM> is provided with an engagement recessed portion that engages with the overlap portion <NUM> may be employed.

A cartridge 1B, which is a third embodiment of the cartridge, will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. The cartridge 1B of the third embodiment is provided with a hinge portion <NUM> provided between the first case portion <NUM> and the third case portion <NUM>. The hinge portion <NUM> has a rotation axis parallel to the X axis direction, and couples the end portions of the first case portion <NUM> in the + Y direction and the - Z direction and the end portions of the third case portion <NUM> in the + Y direction and the - Z direction so that the first case portion <NUM> can rotate with respect to the third case portion <NUM>. In addition, in <FIG> and <FIG>, the second case portion <NUM> is not illustrated.

In the cartridge 1B, the user can rotate the first case portion <NUM> with respect to the third case portion <NUM> around the hinge portion <NUM> to open and close the tape roll accommodating portion <NUM>. In the cartridge 1B, it is not necessary to provide the first C engagement projected portion 117c and the third C engagement receiving portion 333c.

It goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and that various configurations can be adopted without departing from the embodiments. For example, the above embodiment can be modified into the following aspects in addition to those described above. In addition, a configuration in which the embodiments and modification examples are respectively combined may be used.

The first case portion <NUM>, the second case portion <NUM>, the third case portion <NUM>, and the fourth case portion <NUM> are not limited to a configuration separated from each other, and other configurations may be used when the first case portion <NUM> is separated from any of the second case portion <NUM>, the third case portion <NUM>, and the fourth case portion <NUM>. For example, the second case portion <NUM> and the third case portion <NUM> may be integrated with each other, the second case portion <NUM> and the fourth case portion <NUM> may be integrated with each other, and the third case portion <NUM> and the fourth case portion <NUM> may be integrated with each other. Furthermore, the second case portion <NUM>, the third case portion <NUM>, and the fourth case portion <NUM> may be integrated with one another.

In addition, when the second case portion <NUM> and the fourth case portion <NUM> are integrated with each other, the tape insertion port <NUM>, the inclined edge portion <NUM>, and the first contact surface <NUM> for setting the platen roller <NUM> in the second posture may not be provided. When post-inserting the original tape roll <NUM> into the cartridge case <NUM>, for example, the operator pulls out the tape <NUM> from the tape roll <NUM> so that the leading edge of the tape <NUM> comes out of the cartridge case <NUM> through the tape feed port <NUM>. Subsequently, the operator places the tape roll <NUM> on the third base wall portion <NUM> so that the third core protrusion <NUM> is inserted into the tape core <NUM> of the tape roll <NUM>, and inserts the leading edge of the tape <NUM> pulled out from the tape roll <NUM> into the gap between the tape guide <NUM> and the insertion guide <NUM> from the + X direction to the - X direction. The tape insertion port <NUM>, the inclined edge portion <NUM>, and the first contact surface <NUM> may not be provided even when the second case portion <NUM> and the fourth case portion <NUM> are configured separately.

The configuration is not limited to the configuration in which the first case portion <NUM> is provided with the first engagement projected portion <NUM> and the third case portion <NUM> is provided with the third engagement receiving portion <NUM>, and a configuration in which the first case portion <NUM> is provided with an engagement receiving portion, and the third case portion <NUM> is provided with an engagement projected portion may be employed.

A description of the cartridge is added.

A cartridge configured to be mounted on a tape printer, the cartridge includes a ribbon roll around which an ink ribbon is wound, and a cartridge case configured to accommodate a tape roll around which a tape is wound and that accommodates the ribbon roll, in which the cartridge case includes a third case portion, a first case portion that constitutes a tape roll accommodating portion accommodating the tape roll between the first case portion and the third case portion, and a second case portion that is separated from the first case portion and accommodates the ribbon roll between the second case portion and the third case portion, and the first case portion is configured to open and close the tape roll accommodating portion.

According to this configuration, the operator can remove only the first case portion from the third case portion out of the first case portion and the second case portion. As a result, the operator can post-insert the tape roll into the cartridge case without unraveling the ribbon roll.

In this case, it is preferable that one of the third case portion and the first case portion is provided with an engagement projected portion, the other of the third case portion and the first case portion is provided with an engagement receiving portion, the engagement projected portion engages with the engagement receiving portion from an inside of a case portion provided with the engagement receiving portion out of the third case portion and the first case portion, and the engagement projected portion is removed from the engagement receiving portion by bending inward a case portion provided with the engagement projected portion out of the third case portion and the first case portion.

According to this configuration, the first case portion can be removed from the third case portion by a simple operation of bending the case portion provided with the engagement projected portion.

The first engagement projected portion <NUM> is an example of an "engagement projected portion". The third engagement receiving portion <NUM> is an example of an "engagement receiving portion".

In this case, it is preferable that the engagement projected portion includes an A engagement projected portion and a B engagement projected portion, the A engagement projected portion is provided in an A engagement side wall portion positioned in a first direction in a case portion provided with the A engagement projected portion and the B engagement projected portion out of the third case portion and the first case portion, the B engagement projected portion is provided in a B engagement side wall portion positioned in a second direction opposite to the first direction in the case portion provided with the A engagement projected portion and the B engagement projected portion out of the third case portion and the first case portion, the engagement receiving portion includes an A engagement receiving portion that engages with the A engagement projected portion and a B engagement receiving portion that engages with the B engagement projected portion, the A engagement receiving portion is provided in an A receiving side wall portion positioned in the first direction in a case portion provided with the A engagement receiving portion and the B engagement receiving portion out of the third case portion and the first case portion, and the B engagement receiving portion is provided in a B receiving side wall portion positioned in the second direction in the case portion provided with the A engagement receiving portion and the B engagement receiving portion out of the third case portion and the first case portion.

According to this configuration, since the A side wall portion provided with the A engagement projected portion and the B side wall portion provided with the B engagement projected portion are provided on sides opposite to each other in the first case portion or the third case portion, the operator can easily perform an operation to bend the A engagement side wall portion and the B engagement side wall portion inward.

The first A side wall portion 105a is an example of an "A engagement side wall portion". The first B side wall portion 105b is an example of a "B engagement side wall portion". The third A side wall portion 305a is an example of an "A receiving side wall portion". The third B side wall portion 305b is an example of a "B receiving side wall portion". The - X direction is an example of the "first direction". The + X direction is an example of the "second direction".

In this case, it is preferable that the cartridge further includes a platen roller that feeds the tape and the ink ribbon between the platen roller and a thermal head provided in the tape printer when the cartridge is mounted on the tape printer, in which the cartridge case includes a fourth case portion that is separated from the first case portion and accommodates the platen roller between the fourth case portion and the third case portion.

According to this configuration, the operator can remove only the first case portion from the third case portion out of the first case portion and the fourth case portion. As a result, the operator can post-insert the tape roll into the cartridge case without removing the platen roller from the cartridge case.

In this case, it is preferable that a first opening portion is provided in the first case portion in a direction from the first case portion toward the third case portion, and a second opening portion is provided in the first case portion in a direction from the first case portion toward the second case portion.

According to this configuration, since the first case portion is provided with the first opening portion, when the first case portion is mounted on the third case portion after the tape roll is accommodated in the cartridge case, it is possible to prevent from interfering between the first case portion and the tape roll. In addition, since the first case portion is provided with the second opening portion, it is possible to prevent the tape fed from the tape roll to the tape feed port from interfering with the first case portion.

In this case, it is preferable that the first case portion is provided with an overlap portion that overlaps an outside of the second case portion, when the first case portion is mounted on the third case portion.

According to this configuration, even when a force is applied to the first case portion from the outside, the first case portion is prevented from bending inward, and the tape roll is prevented from being pushed by the first case portion inward bent and being crushed in the width direction of the tape.

In this case, it is preferable that the cartridge further includes a tape elastic portion that applies a load to a tape core of the tape roll, in which the tape elastic portion is fixed to the first case portion.

According to this configuration, when the first case portion is removed from the third case portion, the tape elastic portion can be prevented from being removed from the first case portion, and the trouble of again attaching the tape elastic portion to the first case portion can be saved.

In this case, it is preferable that one of the first case portion and the second case portion is provided with an engagement portion, and the other of the first case portion and the second case portion is provided with an engagement recessed portion that engages with the engagement portion.

According to this configuration, since the engagement portion and the engagement recessed portion are engaged with each other, the first case portion and the second case portion can be prevented from swinging. Therefore, the rigidity of the entire cartridge case can be improved.

The first A engagement portion <NUM> is an example of an "engagement portion". The second engagement recessed portion <NUM> is an example of an "engagement recessed portion".

In this case, it is preferable that the cartridge further includes a hinge portion provided between the first case portion and the third case portion, in which the tape roll accommodating portion is opened and closed by rotating the first case portion around the hinge portion.

Claim 1:
A cartridge (<NUM>) configured to be mounted on a tape printer (<NUM>), the cartridge comprising:
a ribbon roll (<NUM>) around which an ink ribbon (<NUM>) is wound; and
a cartridge case (<NUM>) configured to accommodate a tape roll (<NUM>) around which a tape (<NUM>) is wound and that accommodates the ribbon roll (<NUM>), characterised in that
the cartridge case includes
a third case portion (<NUM>),
a first case portion (<NUM>) that constitutes a tape roll accommodating portion (<NUM>) accommodating the tape roll (<NUM>) between the first case portion (<NUM>) and the third case portion (<NUM>), and
a second case portion (<NUM>) that is separated from the first case portion (<NUM>) and accommodates the ribbon roll (<NUM>) between the second case portion (<NUM>) and the third case portion (<NUM>), wherein
the first case portion (<NUM>) is configured to open and close the tape roll accommodating portion (<NUM>).