Patent Description:
In a device that performs printing or other processes on a tape, cassettes housing a tape are mounted in and removed from a device body to interchange and supply the tape. One cassette known for use in such devices includes a reel about which the tape is wound, and a gear provided on the reel (refer to Patent Literature <NUM>). Patent Literature <NUM> discloses A tape cassette comprising: a cassette housing having a head recess; a tape wound on a tape spool supported within the housing for feeding tape to the head recess; a feed capstan downstream of the head recess for drawing the tape from the tape spool; a feed path along which the tape moves from the tape spool, across the head recess and to the feed capstan; a recess in the cassette housing adjacent the feed capstan and having a length extending in the feed path on opposite sides of the feed capstan, a first end of the recess being located upstream of the feed capstan and downstream of the head recess, a second end of the recess being located downstream of the feed capstan, the length of the recess between the first and second ends of the recess being larger than a diameter of the feed capstan; first and second tape regulating members extending from the cassette housing and across the tape, the first and second tape regulating members being respectively located near the first and second ends of the recess for positioning the tape in the recess between the feed capstan and the first and second tape regulating members; wherein the recess receives a drive roller for driving the tape in a nip between the feed capstan and the drive roller, the drive roller when received in the recess being located between the first and second tape regulating members so that the drive roller contacts the tape without contacting the first and second tape regulating members and the cassette housing. Patent Literature <NUM> discloses a label printer comprising a cassette-receiving bay, said cassette-receiving bay having a base, a top opening opposite the base, a locking mechanism, and an ejector mechanism extending from said base. The ejector mechanism has an ejector part having an upper surface for cooperation with a cassette, said ejector part being movable in a first direction towards said base and biased in a second direction towards said top opening such that a force on the ejector part directed towards said base causes the ejector part to move in the first direction and wherein said ejector part is biased to move in said second direction when the force is removed, said ejector mechanism being arranged whereby when a cassette is inserted into the cassette receiving bay, said ejector part extends through an opening in a base of the cassette. Patent Literature <NUM> discloses a tape cassette which requires a small operating space for the attachment and detachment thereof and suitable for use in a thin-type printing apparatus suitable for an integral association with various types of apparatuses. The tape cassette is mounted in a tape printing apparatus equipped with a printing head and a head driving mechanism for driving this printing head and includes a tape-type recording medium accommodated in a cassette body, wherein a cam surface is provided on the surface of the cassette body, the cam surface being adapted to drive the head driving mechanism of the tape printing apparatus when the tape cassette is attached to the tape printing apparatus.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A part of the output part is positioned outside the case. An entirety of the output part overlaps the case in the first direction.

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

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

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

A printing device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> includes a printing cassette <NUM>, and a device body <NUM>. The printing device <NUM> is a device configured to perform printing on a tape-like printing medium. In the present example, an axial direction of an output gear <NUM> will be defined as an up-down direction; a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and in which the output gear <NUM> and an input spool <NUM> are aligned with each other will be defined as a front-rear direction; and a direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the front-rear direction will be defined as a left-right direction.

The printing cassette <NUM> houses a print medium therein. The printing cassette <NUM> is detachably mountable in the device body <NUM>. Interchanging the printing cassettes <NUM> can result in replenishment of the printing medium and change in the type of print medium (such as color, material, and the like).

As illustrated in <FIG>, the printing cassette <NUM> includes a case <NUM> that houses a print tape, an ink ribbon described later, and the like. The printing cassette <NUM> has an outer shape (i.e., a shape of the case <NUM>) of a rectangular parallelepiped having sides that are parallel to each other in the up-down direction, sides that are parallel to each other in the front-rear direction, and sides that are parallel to each other in the left-right direction. The case <NUM> includes a first cover part <NUM>, a first frame part <NUM>, a second frame part <NUM>, and a second cover part <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the printing cassette <NUM> includes a first roll <NUM>, a first supply spool <NUM>, spacer films 13A and 13B, a second roll <NUM>, a second supply spool <NUM>, the input spool <NUM>, a clutch spring holder <NUM>, the output gear <NUM>, an input gear <NUM>, and an idle gear <NUM>.

The first roll <NUM> is configured by winding the print tape for printing over the first supply spool <NUM>. On a front surface of the print tape, printing is performed by a print head <NUM> provided in the device body <NUM> with the ink ribbon.

On both outer sides of the first roll <NUM> in the up-down direction, the two spacer films 13A and 13B are disposed so as to sandwich the first roll <NUM> therebetween. The spacer films 13A and 13B are disposed between the first roll <NUM> and first cover part <NUM>, and between the first roll <NUM> and first frame part <NUM>, respectively.

The first supply spool <NUM> is rotatable about a rotational axis. The first supply spool <NUM> is configured to rotate as a platen roller <NUM> described later of the device body <NUM> conveys the print tape, thereby supplying the print tape to the print head <NUM>.

The second roll <NUM> is configured by winding the ink ribbon to be used for printing over the second supply spool <NUM>.

The ink ribbon is overlaid on the print tape at a head opening 33B described later and subjected to printing by the print head <NUM>. The ink ribbon, which was used in the printing, is configured to be taken up by the input spool <NUM> described later. Further, a clutch spring retained in the clutch spring holder <NUM> applies a rotational resistance to the second roll <NUM>.

The second supply spool <NUM> is rotatable about a rotational axis. The rotational axis of the second supply spool <NUM> is parallel to the rotational axis of the first supply spool <NUM>, i.e., to the up-down direction.

The second supply spool <NUM> is configured to rotate as the input spool <NUM> takes up the ink ribbon, thereby supplying the ink ribbon to the print head <NUM>. Further, at least a part of the second supply spool <NUM> is arranged in a position overlapping with the first roll <NUM> in the up-down direction.

The input spool <NUM> is rotatable about a rotational axis. The rotational axis of the input spool <NUM> is parallel to the rotational axis of the second supply spool <NUM>. The input spool <NUM> is cylindrical and has a hollow part therein defined by an inner peripheral surface 16A thereof. On the inner peripheral surface 16A of the input spool <NUM>, splines 16B are formed. A drive shaft <NUM> described later of the device body <NUM> is configured to be coupled with the splines 16B. The input spool <NUM> is configured to take up the ink ribbon when rotated by the drive shaft <NUM>.

The output gear <NUM> is a gear for externally outputting a drive force for conveying the print tape. The output gear <NUM> is an output part configured to transmit the drive force to the platen roller <NUM> via a platen gear <NUM> described later of the device body <NUM>.

The output gear <NUM> has a disc rotatable about a rotational axis, and teeth formed on a surface of the disc parallel to the up-down direction. One surface of the disc perpendicular to the up-down direction (i.e., a top surface) faces a cover part 32B described later of the case <NUM> in the up-down direction. Another surface of the disc perpendicular to the up-down direction (i.e., a bottom surface) has a portion that does not face the case <NUM> in the up-down direction.

A part of the output gear <NUM> is exposed in the head opening 33B and is positioned outside the case <NUM>. In a state where the printing cassette <NUM> is mounted in the device body <NUM>, the output gear <NUM> engages the platen gear <NUM> at the head opening 33B.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the first roll <NUM>, output gear <NUM>, and second roll <NUM> (i.e., the second supply spool <NUM>) are juxtaposed in the up-down direction in the order of the first roll <NUM>, output gear <NUM>, and second roll <NUM>. That is, the output gear <NUM> is positioned between the first roll <NUM> and the second roll <NUM> in the up-down direction.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the input gear <NUM> is a gear that engages the output gear <NUM> indirectly via the idle gear <NUM> described later for transmitting the drive force to the output gear <NUM>. The drive force from a drive source in the device body <NUM> is configured to be inputted into the input gear <NUM>.

The input gear <NUM> has a gear 19A, and a cylindrical spool 19B fixed to a bottom surface of the gear 19A. Splines are formed on an inner peripheral surface of the spool 19B. The gear 19A is rotatable together with the spool 19B by the drive force inputted into the spool 19B.

The rotational axis of the input gear <NUM> (i.e., the rotational axis of the gear 19A and the spool 19B) is arranged coaxially with the rotational axis of the input spool <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the input spool <NUM>, input gear <NUM>, and first roll <NUM> are juxtaposed in the up-down direction in the order of the input spool <NUM>, input gear <NUM>, and first roll <NUM>.

That is, the input gear <NUM> is positioned between the input spool <NUM> and the first roll <NUM> in the up-down direction. Further, at least a part of the input gear <NUM> is disposed at a position overlapping with the first roll <NUM> in the up-down direction.

The rotational axis of the input gear <NUM> passes through the hollow part of the input spool <NUM>. That is, the drive shaft <NUM> is inserted simultaneously through the input spool <NUM> and the input gear <NUM>. As a result, the input gear <NUM> can be rotated by the drive source common to the input spool <NUM> (i.e., the drive shaft <NUM>), although the input gear <NUM> is not directly coupled to the input spool <NUM>.

The idle gear <NUM> is drivingly coupled to (i.e., engaged with) the input gear <NUM> and the output gear <NUM>. The idle gear <NUM> thus constitutes a transmission mechanism for transmitting the drive force inputted into the input gear <NUM> to the output gear <NUM>.

The idle gear <NUM> is a two-stage gear configured of a first gear 20A and a second gear 20B coaxially juxtaposed with each other. The first gear 20A is in engagement with the input gear <NUM>, and the second gear 20B is in engagement with the output gear <NUM>. The second gear 20B has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the first gear 20A. Further, the second gear 20B is arranged closer to the first roll <NUM> (i.e., upward) than the first gear 20A is to the first roll <NUM> in the up-down direction. The idle gear <NUM> constitutes a deceleration mechanism for decelerating the drive force inputted into the input gear <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the first cover part <NUM> constitutes a top portion of the printing cassette <NUM>. The first frame part <NUM> is disposed below the first cover part <NUM> and is connected to the first cover part <NUM> in the up-down direction. The second frame part <NUM> is disposed below the first frame part <NUM> and is connected to the first frame part <NUM> in the up-down direction. The second cover part <NUM> constitutes a bottom portion of the printing cassette <NUM>. The second cover part <NUM> is connected to the second frame part <NUM> in the up-down direction.

The first cover part <NUM> and the first frame part <NUM> together constitute a first case part <NUM> (see <FIG>) that accommodates the first roll <NUM> therein. In other words, the first roll <NUM> is disposed in a space enclosed by the first cover part <NUM> and the first frame part <NUM>.

The second cover part <NUM> and the second frame part <NUM> together constitute a second case part <NUM> (see <FIG>) that accommodates the second roll <NUM>, the second supply spool <NUM>, and the input spool <NUM>. In other words, the second roll <NUM>, the second supply spool <NUM>, and the input spool <NUM> are disposed in a space enclosed by the second cover part <NUM> and the second frame part <NUM>.

The first frame part <NUM> and the second frame part <NUM> together constitute a third case part <NUM> (see <FIG>) in which a part of the output gear <NUM>, the input gear <NUM> and the idle gear <NUM> are disposed. In other words, a part of the output gear <NUM>, the input gear <NUM>, and the idle gear <NUM> are disposed in a space enclosed by the first frame part <NUM> and the second frame part <NUM>. The third case part <NUM> is arranged between the first case part <NUM> and the second case part <NUM> in the up-down direction.

The first frame part <NUM> has a first side wall 32A, the cover part 32B, a first guide 32C, a first gear support part 32D, a second gear support part 32E, and a third gear support part 32F. The first side wall 32A constitutes a side surface of the first frame part <NUM> in parallel to the up-down direction of the printing cassette <NUM>. The cover part 32B is a portion having a surface perpendicular to the up-down direction.

The cover part 32B is disposed at a position overlapping with the output gear <NUM> in the up-down direction. In the present embodiment, the cover part 32B is continuous with a bottom edge of the first side wall 32A and is arranged in a right-front corner portion of the first frame part <NUM>.

The output gear <NUM>, the cover part 32B, and the first roll <NUM> are juxtaposed in the up-down direction in the order of the output gear <NUM>, the cover part 32B, and the first roll <NUM>. Further, as described above, an entire area on a top surface of the output gear <NUM> is covered by the cover part 32B.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the first guide 32C is a part over which a print tape 11A paid off the first roll <NUM> is wound. The first guide 32C has a plurality of plate-shaped ribs arranged at intervals along a circumferential direction of the first roll <NUM>. The ribs protrude each in a radial direction of the first roll <NUM>, and each rib has a protruding amount (i.e., a plate width) that becomes greater toward the bottom.

The first gear support part 32D illustrated in <FIG> rotatably supports the output gear <NUM>. The second gear support part 32E rotatably supports the input gear <NUM>. The third gear support part 32F rotatably supports the idle gear <NUM>.

The second frame part <NUM> has a second side wall 33A, the head opening 33B, a discharge opening 33C, a second guide 33D, a protruding part 33E, and a conveying path <NUM>. The second side wall 33A constitutes a side surface parallel to the up-down direction of the printing cassette <NUM>.

The head opening 33B is a notched part provided by cutting a portion of the second side wall 33A off therefrom. The head opening 33B is a space in which the print head <NUM> is inserted from below upon attachment of the printing cassette <NUM> to the device body <NUM>, such that the print head <NUM> is positioned inside the head opening 33B. The head opening 33B is open on the bottom of the printing cassette <NUM>.

The second guide 33D is a part over which the print tape 11A, which moved past the first guide 32C, is wound. As with the first guide 32C, the second guide 33D has a plurality of plate-shaped ribs arranged at intervals along a circumferential direction of the second roll <NUM>. The ribs protrude each in a radial direction of the second roll <NUM>, and each rib has a protruding amount (i.e., a plate width) that becomes smaller toward the bottom.

The protruding part 33E is arranged at a position overlapping with the output gear <NUM> in the up-down direction. The protruding part 33E has an endface 33F that is parallel to the up-down direction. The protruding part 33E is positioned below the output gear <NUM> (i.e., opposite the cover part 32B with respect to the output gear <NUM>).

The conveying path <NUM> is positioned upstream of the head opening 33B in a conveying direction of the print tape. The print tape and the ink ribbon are configured to be conveyed in parallel to each other along the conveying path <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the conveying direction of the print tape in the conveying path <NUM> is a direction from the left toward the right. In the conveying path <NUM>, the conveying direction is parallel to a straight line connecting a plurality of support points in contact with a back surface of the print tape opposite its printing surface.

A portion of the input gear <NUM> overlaps the output gear <NUM> in a direction orthogonal to both the conveying direction of the print tape 11A at the conveying path <NUM> (i.e., the left-right direction) and the up-down direction. That is, the said portion of the input gear <NUM> overlaps the output gear <NUM> in the front-rear direction.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the print tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A are arranged to extend in the left-right direction through the head opening 33B. After printing is performed, the print tape 11A is discharged out of the printing device <NUM> through the discharge opening 33C.

In a projection view where the output gear <NUM> and the case <NUM> are projected onto a datum plane perpendicular to the up-down direction, the output gear <NUM> is positioned inside an outer edge of the case <NUM>. Further, an entirety of the output gear <NUM> overlaps the case <NUM> in the up-down direction.

A part of the output gear <NUM> overlaps the head opening 33B in the up-down direction. In particular, a rotational axis O1 of the output gear <NUM> passes through the head opening 33B. Further, the endface 33F of the protruding part 33E is positioned between a dedendum circle of the output gear <NUM> and the rotational axis O1 of the output gear <NUM>.

A portion of the output gear <NUM> positioned outside the case <NUM> (i.e., a portion that does not overlap the protruding part 33E in the up-down direction) provides a circumferential length L along the dedendum circle of the entire output gear <NUM>. With respect to the dedendum circle, the circumferential length L is equal to or greater than <NUM>/<NUM> of the entire circumference, and also equal to or smaller than <NUM>/<NUM> of the entire circumference.

The case <NUM> further includes: a first upstream support part <NUM> and a first downstream support part <NUM> for supporting the print tape 11A; and a second upstream support part <NUM> and a second downstream support part <NUM> for supporting the ink ribbon 14A.

The first upstream support part <NUM> is disposed adjacent to and upstream of the head opening 33B in the conveying direction of the print tape 11A. The first downstream support part <NUM> is disposed adjacent to and downstream of the head opening 33B in the conveying direction of the print tape 11A. The first downstream support part <NUM> is positioned rightward and rearward of the first upstream support part <NUM>.

The second upstream support part <NUM> is disposed adjacent to and upstream of the head opening 33B in a conveying direction of the ink ribbon 14A. The second downstream support part <NUM> is disposed adjacent to and downstream of the head opening 33B in the conveying direction of the ink ribbon 14A. The second downstream support part <NUM> is positioned rightward and rearward of the second upstream support part <NUM>.

A datum straight line S2 connecting the second upstream support part <NUM> and the second downstream support part <NUM> overlaps the output gear <NUM> in the up-down direction. On the other hand, a datum straight line S1 connecting the first upstream support part <NUM> and first downstream support part <NUM> does not overlap the output gear <NUM> in the up-down direction. Accordingly, the print tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A are configured to be conveyed through the head opening 33B while being separated from each other in the front-rear direction. Further, the output gear <NUM> overlaps the second upstream support part <NUM> in the up-down direction.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a part of the output gear <NUM> overlaps a datum triangle S3 in the up-down direction, the datum triangle S3 connecting the first upstream support part <NUM>, the first downstream support part <NUM>, and a rotational axis O2 of the input gear <NUM>. In particular, the rotational axis O1 of the output gear <NUM> passes through the datum triangle S3 in the present embodiment.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the first guide 32C and the second guide 33D constitute a path for conveying the print tape 11A forming the first roll <NUM> from the first case part <NUM> to the second case part <NUM>.

Specifically, as illustrated in <FIG>, the print tape 11A paid out from the first roll <NUM> is conveyed downward and rearward in a spiral manner inside the first case part <NUM> while making contact with the first guide 32C from its outside with respect to the radial direction of the first roll <NUM>. The print tape 11A is then conveyed downward and leftward while passing the third case part <NUM> in the up-down direction, as illustrated in <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, after arriving at the second case part <NUM>, the print tape 11A is conveyed downward and frontward while making contact with the second guide 33D from its outside in the radial direction. When reaching the bottom of the printing cassette <NUM>, the print tape 11A passes through the head opening 33B and is then discharged through the discharge opening 33C, as illustrated in <FIG>.

Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, the output gear <NUM> is positioned between a first surface 35A and a second surface 35B of the case <NUM>. Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, the output gear <NUM> is positioned between a third surface 35C and a fourth surface 35D of the case <NUM>. The first surface 35A and the second surface 35B respectively constitute endfaces of the case <NUM> in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the first surface 35A is a frontmost surface, and the second surface 35B is ta rearmost surface. Further, the third surface 35C and fourth surface 35D respectively constitute endfaces of the case <NUM> in the left-right direction. Specifically, the third surface 35C is a leftmost surface, and the fourth surface 35D is a rightmost surface.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the device body <NUM> includes a cassette insertion section <NUM>, the print head <NUM>, the platen roller <NUM>, the platen gear <NUM>, and the drive shaft <NUM>.

The cassette insertion section <NUM> is a recessed part in which the printing cassette <NUM> is configured to be mounted. The cassette insertion section <NUM> functions to provide positioning of the printing cassette <NUM>.

The print head <NUM> is a device for printing on the print tape accommodated in the printing cassette <NUM>.

The print head <NUM> is disposed inside the cassette insertion section <NUM>. The print head <NUM> is disposed at a position in the head opening 33B overlapping with the print tape and the ink ribbon in the front-rear direction in a state where the printing cassette <NUM> is mounted in the device body <NUM>.

The print head <NUM> includes a plurality of heating elements whose heating control is configured to be performed individually. The print tape conveyed to the head opening 33B by the platen roller <NUM> described later is pressed against the print head <NUM> where the heating elements are heated through the ink ribbon. Part of the ink provided on the front surface of the ink ribbon is thus transferred onto the print tape, by which characters, symbols, and the like are printed on the print tape.

The platen roller <NUM> is a roller for conveying the print tape out of the printing cassette <NUM>. The platen roller <NUM> has a rotational axis parallel to the up-down direction.

The platen roller <NUM> is disposed near the print head <NUM> inside the cassette insertion section <NUM>. The platen roller <NUM> is configured to contact the print tape and presses the print tape against the print head <NUM> at the head opening 33B.

The platen gear <NUM> is connected to the platen roller <NUM> and is engaged with the output gear <NUM>. In the present embodiment, a rotational axis of the platen gear <NUM> is arranged coaxially with the rotational axis of the platen roller <NUM>.

The platen roller <NUM> and the platen gear <NUM> are pivotably movable between a position separated from the printing cassette <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, and a position where the platen gear <NUM> engages the output gear <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>.

The drive shaft <NUM> is a shaft which is inserted into the input spool <NUM> and engaged with the input gear <NUM> to rotate the input spool <NUM> and the input gear <NUM>.

The drive shaft <NUM> is disposed inside the cassette insertion section <NUM>. The drive shaft <NUM> has a rotational axis parallel to the up-down direction. The drive shaft <NUM> is configured to rotate about its rotational axis by a non-illustrated drive source (such as a motor).

As illustrated in <FIG>, the drive shaft <NUM> engages the input gear <NUM>, and the platen gear <NUM> engages the output gear <NUM> in the state where the printing cassette <NUM> is mounted in the device body <NUM>. Specifically, the drive shaft <NUM> is inserted in the input spool <NUM> and the input gear <NUM> of the printing cassette <NUM>, and the platen roller <NUM> and the platen gear <NUM> are pivotably moved toward the head opening 33B of the printing cassette <NUM>, by which operation the printing cassette <NUM> is mounted in the device body <NUM>.

The input gear <NUM> is rotated by the drive shaft <NUM> in the state where the printing cassette <NUM> is mounted, which in turn rotates the output gear <NUM>. The platen gear <NUM> rotates by the rotation of the output gear <NUM>, and the platen roller <NUM> rotates by the rotation of the platen gear <NUM>.

The following advantages can be obtained.

A printing device 1A illustrated in <FIG> includes a printing cassette 10A, and a device body 100A.

The printing cassette 10A further includes a third roll <NUM>, an additional spool <NUM>, an additional gear <NUM>, and a pinch roller <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, in addition to the printing cassette <NUM> according to the first embodiment. Further, in the printing cassette 10A, the input spool <NUM>, the first cover part <NUM>, the first frame part <NUM>, the second frame part <NUM>, and the second cover part <NUM> of the first example are replaced with an input spool <NUM>, a first cover part <NUM>, a first frame part <NUM>, a second frame part <NUM>, and a second cover part <NUM>, respectively.

The input spool <NUM> is identical to the input spool <NUM>, except that the input spool <NUM> does not have the splines 16B. The first cover part <NUM>, the first frame part <NUM>, the second frame part <NUM>, and the second cover part <NUM> respectively correspond to the first cover part <NUM>, the first frame part <NUM>, the second frame part <NUM>, and the second cover part <NUM> which are respectively elongated in the left-right direction. The remaining structure of the printing cassette 10A is identical to that in the printing cassette <NUM> of the first embodiment, except for the points described below and, hence, description therefor will be omitted.

The third roll <NUM> is configured by winding a laminate tape for protecting the print tape over the input spool <NUM>. The laminate tape has an adhesive surface to be bonded to the print tape after the print tape has been printed by the print head <NUM>.

The additional spool <NUM> is rotatable about a rotational axis. The rotational axis of the additional spool <NUM> is parallel to the rotational axis of the second supply spool <NUM> (i.e., the up-down direction). The additional spool <NUM> is a take-up spool configured to take up the ink ribbon by the rotation of the additional gear <NUM> described later.

The additional gear <NUM> is connected to the additional spool <NUM> and engaged with the idle gear <NUM>. The additional gear <NUM> is rotatable by the drive force inputted into the input gear <NUM>, thereby rotating the additional spool <NUM>.

The pinch roller <NUM> presses the laminate tape against the printed print tape, together with a pressure roller <NUM> described later. The pinch roller <NUM> is disposed downstream of the head opening 33B in the conveying direction of the print tape.

The device body 100A further includes the pressure roller <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, in addition to the device body <NUM> of the first example. The remaining structure of the device body 100A is identical to that of the device body <NUM> according to the first example, except for the points described below, and, hence, description therefor will be omitted.

The pressure roller <NUM> is pivotably movable together with the platen roller <NUM> and the platen gear <NUM>. That is, the pressure roller <NUM> is pivotable between a position separated from the printing cassette 10A as illustrated in <FIG>, and a position for pressing the print tape and the laminate tape against the pinch roller <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>.

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

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

For example, a printing cassette 10B illustrated in <FIG> includes a first roll <NUM> of thermal paper, and a second roll <NUM> of a laminate tape, in place of the first roll <NUM> and the second roll <NUM> in the printing cassette <NUM> according to the first embodiment, respectively. In the printing cassette 10B, the second roll <NUM> is wound over the input spool <NUM> of the second embodiment. The printing cassette 10B also includes the pinch roller <NUM> of the second embodiment, but does not include the second supply spool <NUM>.

For example, a printing cassette 10C illustrated in <FIG> has such a structure that the third roll <NUM> of the laminate tape is wound around the additional spool <NUM> in the printing cassette 10A according to the second example. The printing cassette 10C also includes the input spool <NUM> of the first example, in place of the input spool <NUM> of the second example. The input spool <NUM> is used as an ink ribbon take-up spool.

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

For example, in a printing cassette 10D illustrated in <FIG>, a portion of the output gear <NUM> does not overlap a case <NUM> in the up-down direction. That is, the case <NUM> has a notch where the portion of the output gear <NUM> does not overlap the case <NUM> in the up-down direction. Here, in the printing cassette 10D, the output gear <NUM> is positioned between a frontmost surface 40A and a rearmost surface 40B of the case <NUM>, and between a leftmost surface 40C and a rightmost surface 40D of the case <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A printing cassette (<NUM>, <NUM>, 10A-D) comprising:
a print tape (11A, <NUM>);
an input part (<NUM>) into which a drive force is configured to be inputted;
an output part (<NUM>) rotatable about a rotational axis parallel to a first direction and configured to output the drive force for conveying the print tape (11A, <NUM>) to an outside;
a transmission mechanism drivingly connected to the input part and the output part and configured to transmit the drive force inputted into the input part to the output part; and
a case (<NUM>, <NUM>) that houses therein at least a part (<NUM>-<NUM>, 32B, 32D-F, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>) of the print tape (11A, <NUM>), at least a part (<NUM>-<NUM>, 32B, 32D-F, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>) of the input part, at least a part (<NUM>-<NUM>, 32B, 32D-F, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>) of the output part, and at least part (<NUM>-<NUM>, 32B, 32D-F, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>) of the transmission mechanism,
wherein the case (<NUM>, <NUM>) has:
a first surface (35A) and a second surface (35B) constituting respective endfaces (33F) of the case (<NUM>, <NUM>) in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and
a third surface (35C) and a fourth surface (35D) constituting respective endfaces (33F) of the case (<NUM>, <NUM>) in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, and
wherein the output part (<NUM>) is positioned between the first surface (35A) and the second surface (35B) and between the third surface (35C) and the fourth surface (35D).