Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses that a first printing is performed after text is inputted and after a number of print colors, a print color order, and their print ranges are set. A message urging the user to remove the ribbon cassette in order to perform a second printing is displayed. When the user opens the cassette cover, removes the ribbon cassette, and inputs using an optional or predetermined key, then a message warning the user not to mount a ribbon cassette is displayed and rewind of the tape is started. When the front edge of the tape is detected by a tape detection sensor, then rewind of the tape is stopped.

<CIT> 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, said ejector mechanism having 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.

In an apparatus that performs processing such as printing on a tape, the tape is replaced and supplied by attaching and detaching a cassette storing the tape to and from a main body. As a cassette used in such an apparatus, a cassette in which a gear is provided on a reel around which a tape is wound is known (refer to Patent Literature <NUM>).

[Patent Literature <NUM>] <CIT> (published unexamined patent application).

In the above-described cassette, the gear is disposed in the vicinity of a surface of the case perpendicular to an axial direction of the reel. Therefore, when the cassette is dropped and the surface collides with something like a floor surface, the gear is susceptible to damage.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a printing apparatus and a print cassette capable of preventing damage to a gear that outputs a driving force to outside the cassette.

The object is achieved by a print cassette according to claim <NUM> and a printing apparatus according to claim <NUM>.

According to the configurations defined by the claims, since the input spool, the output gear, and the roll are disposed in order of the input spool, the output gear, and the roll in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the supply spool, damage to the output gear is reduced when the print cassette is dropped and a surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation axis of the supply spool collides with something like a floor surface.

According to thee configurations defined by the claims, since the exit, the output gear, and the roll are disposed in order of the exit, the output gear, and the roll in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the output gear, damage to the output gear is reduced when the print cassette is dropped and a surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation axis of the supply spool collides with something like a floor surface.

A printing apparatus <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> includes a print cassette <NUM> and a printing apparatus main body <NUM>. The printing apparatus <NUM> is an apparatus that performs printing on a tape print medium.

In the present embodiment, an axial direction of an output gear <NUM> is an up-down direction, a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction in which the output gear <NUM> and an input spool <NUM> are aligned is a front-rear direction, and a direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the front-rear direction is a left-right direction.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the printing apparatus main body <NUM> includes a cassette insertion portion <NUM>, a print head <NUM>, a platen roller <NUM>, a platen gear <NUM>, and a drive shaft <NUM>.

The cassette insertion portion <NUM> is a recessed portion to which the print cassette <NUM> is attached. The cassette insertion portion <NUM> has a function of positioning the print cassette <NUM>.

The print head <NUM> is disposed in an interior of the cassette insertion portion <NUM>. The print head <NUM> has a plurality of heating elements whose heat generation is to be individually controlled.

A rotation axis L1 of the platen roller <NUM> is parallel to the up-down direction. The platen roller <NUM> is disposed near the print head <NUM> in the interior of the cassette insertion portion <NUM>. The platen roller <NUM> is swingable in a direction toward or away from the print head <NUM>.

The platen gear <NUM> is coupled to the platen roller <NUM>. In the present embodiment, a rotation axis L2 of the platen gear <NUM> is located collinearly with the rotation axis L1 of the platen roller <NUM>. The platen gear <NUM> is swingable together with the platen roller <NUM>.

The drive shaft <NUM> is inserted into the input spool <NUM>. The drive shaft <NUM> rotates the input spool <NUM>.

The drive shaft <NUM> is disposed in the interior of the cassette insertion portion <NUM>. A rotation axis L3 of the drive shaft <NUM> is parallel to the up-down direction. The drive shaft <NUM> is rotated about the rotation axis L3 by a drive source (for example, a motor), which is not illustrated.

The print cassette <NUM> houses a print medium. The print cassette <NUM> is attachable to and detachable from the printing apparatus main body <NUM>. By replacing the print cassette <NUM>, a print medium can be supplied and the type (for example, color, material, etc.) of print medium can be changed.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the print cassette <NUM> includes a case <NUM> that houses a first tape 11A, an ink ribbon (an example of a second tape) 14A, and the like. The outer shape of the print cassette <NUM> (i.e., the shape of the case <NUM>) is a rectangular parallelepiped having sides parallel to the up-down direction, sides parallel to the front-rear direction, and sides parallel to the left-right direction. The case <NUM> has a first lid portion <NUM>, a first frame portion <NUM>, a second frame portion <NUM>, and a second lid portion <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the print 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>, an output gear <NUM>, an input gear <NUM>, and an idle gear <NUM>.

In the first roll <NUM>, a first tape 11A on which printing is to be performed is wound around the first supply spool <NUM>. Printing is performed on the first tape 11A by the print head <NUM> of the printing apparatus main body <NUM> and the ink ribbon 14A.

Two spacer films 13A and 13B are disposed on outer sides of the first roll <NUM> in the up-down direction in such a manner as to sandwich the first roll <NUM>. The spacer film 13A is disposed between the first roll <NUM> and the first lid portion <NUM> and the spacer film 13B is disposed between the first roll <NUM> and the first frame portion <NUM>.

The first supply spool <NUM> is rotatable about a rotation axis L4. The first supply spool <NUM> rotates along with the platen roller <NUM> of the printing apparatus main body <NUM> conveying the first tape 11A, thereby supplying the first tape 11A to the print head <NUM>.

In the second roll <NUM>, the ink ribbon 14A used for printing on the first tape 11A is wound around the second supply spool <NUM>.

The ink ribbon 14A is superimposed on the first tape 11A in the head opening 33B and is supplied for printing by the print head <NUM>. The ink ribbon 14A used for printing is taken up by the input spool <NUM>. The second roll <NUM> is subjected to rotation pressure applied by a clutch spring held by a clutch spring holder <NUM>. At least a portion of the second roll <NUM> is disposed at a position overlapping the first roll <NUM> in the up-down direction.

The second supply spool <NUM> is rotatable about a rotation axis L5. The rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool <NUM> is parallel to the rotation axis L4 of the first supply spool <NUM>, that is, parallel to the up-down direction.

The second supply spool <NUM> rotates along with the input spool <NUM> taking up the ink ribbon 14A, thereby supplying the ink ribbon 14A to the print head <NUM>.

The input spool <NUM> is rotatable about a rotation axis L6. The rotation axis L6 of the input spool <NUM> is parallel to the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool <NUM>.

The input spool <NUM> is cylindrical and has an inner peripheral surface 16A defining a hollow portion. The inner peripheral surface 16A of the input spool <NUM> is provided with spline teeth 16B. A drive shaft <NUM> of the printing apparatus main body <NUM> is coupled to the spline teeth 16B. The input spool <NUM> is rotated by the drive shaft <NUM>.

The output gear <NUM> is a gear for outputting a driving force for conveying the first tape 11A to the outside. Specifically, the output gear <NUM> outputs a driving force to the platen gear <NUM> of the printing apparatus main body <NUM>.

The output gear <NUM> is a single gear having a first side surface and a second side surface perpendicular to a rotation axis L7. The rotation axis L7 of the output gear <NUM> is parallel to the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool <NUM>. Further, in an axial direction of the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool <NUM> (i.e., the up-down direction), the first side surface is located at a position closer to the first roll <NUM> than the second side surface is. The entire region of the first side surface overlaps a cover portion 32B in the up-down direction.

The output gear <NUM> is partially exposed to the head opening 33B. The output gear <NUM> engages the platen gear <NUM> at the head opening 33B in a state in which the print cassette <NUM> is attached to the printing apparatus main body <NUM>.

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

As illustrated in <FIG>, the input gear <NUM> is a gear that indirectly engages the output gear <NUM> via an idle gear <NUM> to transmit a driving force to the output gear <NUM>.

The input gear <NUM> includes a gear 19A and a cylindrical spool 19B fixed to one side surface of the gear 19A and having spline teeth on an inner peripheral surface thereof. The gear 19A is rotated integrally with the spool 19B by the driving force input to the spool 19B.

A rotation axis L8 of the input gear <NUM> (i.e., a rotational axis of the gear 19A and a rotation axis of the spool 19B) is located collinearly with the rotation axis L6 of the input spool <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the input spool <NUM>, the input gear <NUM>, and the first roll <NUM> are disposed in order of the input spool <NUM>, the input gear <NUM>, and the first roll <NUM> in the up-down direction.

That is, the input gear <NUM> is positioned between the input spool <NUM> and the first roll <NUM> in the up-down direction. At least a portion of the input gear <NUM> is located at a position overlapping the first roll <NUM> in the up-down direction.

The rotation axis L8 of the input gear <NUM> overlaps the hollow portion of the input spool <NUM> in the up-down direction. The drive shaft <NUM> is thus simultaneously inserted through the input spool <NUM> and the input gear <NUM>. As a result, although not directly coupled to the input spool <NUM>, the input gear <NUM> is rotated by a common drive source (i.e., the drive shaft <NUM>) with the input spool <NUM>.

The idle gear <NUM> engages the input gear <NUM> and the output gear <NUM>. The idle gear <NUM> constitutes a transmission mechanism to transmit the driving force input to the input gear <NUM> to the output gear <NUM>.

The idle gear <NUM> is a stepped gear in which a first gear 20A engaged with the input gear <NUM> and a second gear 20B engaged with the output gear <NUM> are disposed coaxially. The second gear 20B has a smaller diameter than the first gear 20A has. Further, the second gear 20B is disposed at a position closer to the first roll <NUM> than the first gear 20A is in the up-down direction (i.e., at a position upper than the first gear 20A). The idle gear <NUM> constitutes a speed reduction mechanism that reduces the rotational speed of the driving force input to the input gear <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the first lid portion <NUM> constitutes an upper end portion of the print cassette <NUM>. The first frame portion <NUM> is disposed below the first lid portion <NUM> and connected to the first lid portion <NUM> in the up-down direction. The second frame portion <NUM> is disposed below the first frame portion <NUM> and connected to the first frame portion <NUM> in the up-down direction. The second lid portion <NUM> constitutes a lower end portion of the print cassette <NUM>. The second lid portion <NUM> is connected to the second frame portion <NUM> in the up-down direction.

The first lid portion <NUM> and the first frame portion <NUM> constitute a first case portion <NUM> that houses the first roll <NUM>. That is, the first roll <NUM> is disposed in a space surrounded by the first lid portion <NUM> and the first frame portion <NUM>.

The second lid portion <NUM> and the second frame portion <NUM> constitute a second case portion <NUM> that houses the second roll <NUM>, the second supply spool <NUM>, and the input spool <NUM>. That is, the second roll <NUM>, the second supply spool <NUM>, and the input spool <NUM> are disposed in a space surrounded by the second lid portion <NUM> and the second frame portion <NUM>.

The first frame portion <NUM> and the second frame portion <NUM> constitute a third case portion <NUM> in which a portion of the output gear <NUM>, the input gear <NUM>, and the idle gear <NUM> are disposed. That is, a portion of the output gear <NUM>, the input gear <NUM>, and the idle gear <NUM> are disposed in a space surrounded by the first frame portion <NUM> and the second frame portion <NUM>. The third case portion <NUM> is disposed between the first case portion <NUM> and the second case portion <NUM> in the up-down direction.

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

The cover portion 32B is disposed at a position overlapping the output gear <NUM> in the up-down direction. In the present embodiment, the cover portion 32B is provided continuously with a lower end portion of the first sidewall 32A and is disposed at a right front corner portion of the first frame portion <NUM>.

The output gear <NUM>, the cover portion 32B, and the first roll <NUM> are disposed in order of the output gear <NUM>, the cover portion 32B, and the first roll <NUM> in the up-down direction. As described above, the entire region of the first side surface (i.e., the upper side surface) of the output gear <NUM> overlaps the cover portion 32B in the up-down direction.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the first guide 32C is a portion around which the first tape 11A pulled out from the first roll <NUM> is wound. The first guide 32C has a plurality of plate-shaped ribs spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the first roll <NUM>. Each of the ribs protrudes in a radial direction of the first roll <NUM>, and a protrusion amount (i.e., a plate width) increases downward.

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

The second frame portion <NUM> has a second sidewall 33A, the head opening 33B, a discharge port 33C, a second guide 33D, and an exit 33E. The second sidewall 33A constitutes a side surface parallel to the up-down direction of the print cassette <NUM>.

The head opening 33B is a portion missing from the second sidewall 33A. In a state in which the print cassette <NUM> is attached to the printing apparatus main body <NUM>, the head opening 33B is a space in which the print head <NUM> inserted from below is disposed. The head opening 33B is open downward in the print cassette <NUM>.

The second guide 33D is a portion around which the first tape 11A having passed through the first guide 32C is wound. Similarly to the first guide 32C, the second guide 33D has a plurality of plate-shaped ribs spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the second roll <NUM>. Each of the ribs protrudes in a radial direction of the first roll <NUM>, and a protrusion amount (i.e., a plate width) increases downward.

The exit 33E is a portion where the first tape 11A pulled out from the first roll <NUM> is discharged to the head opening 33B. That is, the exit 33E communicates with the head opening 33B. In addition, the exit 33E, the output gear <NUM>, and the first roll <NUM> are disposed in order of the exit 33E, the output gear <NUM>, and the first roll <NUM> in the up-down direction.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the first tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A are laid across the head opening 33B in the left-right direction. The printed first tape 11A is discharged from the discharge port 33C outside the printing apparatus <NUM>.

The head opening 33B and the discharge port 33C are part of the second case portion <NUM>. A portion of the output gear <NUM> is located in the head opening 33B. The cover portion 32B is exposed in the head opening 33B.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the first guide 32C and the second guide 33D constitute a passage through which the first tape 11A constituting the first roll <NUM> is fed from the first case portion <NUM> to the second case portion <NUM>.

Specifically, as illustrated in <FIG>, the first tape 11A pulled out from the first roll <NUM> is conveyed in a spiral downward to the rear in the first case portion <NUM> while coming into contact with the first guide 32C from the outside of the first roll <NUM> in the radial direction. As illustrated in <FIG>, the first tape 11A is further conveyed downward to the left across the third case portion <NUM> in the up-down direction.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the first tape 11A that has reached the second case portion <NUM> is conveyed downward to the front while coming into contact with the second guide 33D from the radially outer side. As illustrated in <FIG>, the first tape 11A that has reached the lower end portion of the print cassette <NUM> passes through the head opening 33B and is discharged from the discharge port 33C.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the output gear <NUM> is located in a first region A1 of the case <NUM> in a first direction (i.e., the front-rear direction) orthogonal to the up-down direction. In contrast, the first tape 11A is diagonally laid in a second region A2 of the case <NUM> different from the first region A1 in a direction intersecting with a second direction (i.e., the left-right direction) orthogonal to the up-down direction and the first direction. The first region A1 of the present embodiment is a region in front of the second region A2.

Further, the first tape 11A is conveyed in the second direction toward the discharge port 33C in a region of the first region A1 across the output gear <NUM> from the first roll <NUM> in the up-down direction.

The print head <NUM> performs printing on the first tape 11A held by the print cassette <NUM>.

In a state in which the print cassette <NUM> is attached to the printing apparatus main body <NUM>, the print head <NUM> is disposed at a position overlapping the first tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A in the front-rear direction in the head opening 33B (refer to <FIG>).

The first tape 11A conveyed to the head opening 33B by the platen roller <NUM> is pressed via the ink ribbon 14A against the print head <NUM> in which the heating elements generate heat. As a result, a portion of ink disposed on the front face of the ink ribbon 14A is transferred to the first tape 11A, and characters, symbols, and the like are printed on the first tape 11A.

The platen roller <NUM> conveys the first tape 11A from inside the print cassette <NUM> to outside. The platen roller <NUM> abuts against the first tape 11A in the head opening 33B and presses the first tape 11A against the print head <NUM>.

The platen gear <NUM> is coupled to the platen roller <NUM> and engages the output gear <NUM>. The platen roller <NUM> and the platen gear <NUM> are swingable between a position illustrated in <FIG> where they are separated from the print cassette <NUM> and a position illustrated in <FIG> where the platen gear <NUM> engages the output gear <NUM>.

The drive shaft <NUM> is inserted into the input spool <NUM> and engages the input gear <NUM> to rotate the input spool <NUM> and the input gear <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in a state where the print cassette <NUM> is attached to the printing apparatus main body <NUM>, the drive shaft <NUM> engages the input gear <NUM>, and the platen gear <NUM> engages the output gear <NUM>. Specifically, the drive shaft <NUM> is inserted into the input spool <NUM> and the input gear <NUM> of the print cassette <NUM>. Thereafter, the platen roller <NUM> and the platen gear <NUM> are swung toward the head opening 33B of the print cassette <NUM>.

When the drive shaft <NUM> rotates the input gear <NUM> in a state where the print cassette <NUM> is attached, the output gear <NUM> is rotated, the platen gear <NUM> rotates with the rotation of the output gear <NUM>, and the platen roller <NUM> rotates with the rotation of the platen gear <NUM>.

According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects are obtained.

(1a) The second supply spool <NUM>, the output gear <NUM>, and the first roll <NUM> are disposed in order of the second supply spool <NUM>, the output gear <NUM>, and the first roll <NUM> in the axial direction of the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool <NUM>.

The print cassette <NUM> of the present embodiment is assumed to be relatively frequently replaced, in the printing apparatus <NUM>, with one of various types of print cassettes <NUM> each storing a different type of tape having a different color, shape, or the like. For this reason, a print cassette <NUM> may be dropped when replaced.

In contrast, even when the print cassette <NUM> is dropped and collides with something like a floor surface, due to the arrangement of the second supply spool <NUM>, the output gear <NUM>, and the first roll <NUM> described above, a portion of the print cassette <NUM> in the up-down direction closer to the second supply spool <NUM> or the first roll <NUM> may be highly likely to collide with the floor surface earlier than the output gear <NUM>. Therefore, the probability of the output gear <NUM> colliding with the floor surface can be reduced. As a result, damage to the output gear <NUM> is reduced when a surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool <NUM> collides with something like a floor surface.

(1b) The above-described arrangement facilitates alignment of the output gear <NUM> in the axial direction of the rotational axis L5 of the second supply spool <NUM> when the print cassette <NUM> is attached to the printing apparatus main body <NUM>. This reduces a failure in engaging the output gear <NUM> and the platen gear <NUM>.

(1c) With the above-described arrangement, the first tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A can be spaced from each other inside the print cassette <NUM>. This reduces interference between components of the first tape 11A and components of the ink ribbon 14A.

(1d) In the above-described arrangement, since the rotation axis L7 of the output gear <NUM> and the rotation axis L8 of the input gear <NUM> are misaligned with each other, the design flexibility of the print cassette <NUM> increases.

(1e) With the above-described arrangement, interference between the output gear <NUM> and the conveyance passage of the first tape 11A in the head opening 33B can be avoided. This increases the design flexibility of the print cassette <NUM>.

(1f) With the above-described arrangement, the output gear <NUM> is disposed more inward than the second supply spool <NUM> in the axial direction of the rotation axis L5, and thus the strength of the support portion (i.e., the first frame portion <NUM>) of the output gear <NUM> can be increased.

(<NUM>) Since the input spool <NUM>, the input gear <NUM>, and the first roll <NUM> are disposed in order of the input spool <NUM>, the input gear <NUM>, and the first roll <NUM> in the axial direction of the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool <NUM>, when the print cassette <NUM> is dropped and a surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool <NUM> collides with something like a floor surface, damage to the input gear <NUM> is reduced.

(<NUM>) The output gear <NUM>, the cover portion 32B, and the first roll <NUM> are disposed in order of the output gear <NUM>, the cover portion 32B, and the first roll <NUM> in the axial direction of the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool <NUM>. As described above, in the present embodiment, the print cassette <NUM> may be dropped, for example, when the print cassette <NUM> is replaced.

In contrast, even when the print cassette <NUM> falls, as the cover portion 32B is provided, the probability that the cover portion 32B, not the output gear <NUM>, collides with something like a floor surface is increased. The output gear <NUM> is thus protected by the cover portion 32B, and damage to the output gear <NUM> is further reduced.

(1i) The idle gear <NUM> can reduce the rotation speed of the driving force of the drive shaft <NUM> to a rotation speed suitable for conveying the first tape 11A. Therefore, conveyance of the first tape 11A and supply of the ink ribbon 14A can be performed using a common drive source.

(1j) The first tape 11A is diagonally laid in the second region A2 in a direction intersecting the second direction, and is conveyed toward the discharge port 33C in a region of the first region A1 across the output gear <NUM> from the first roll <NUM> in the axial direction of the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool <NUM>. Thus, the print cassette <NUM> can be downsized.

A printing apparatus 1A illustrated in <FIG> includes a print cassette 10A and a printing apparatus main body 100A.

In the print cassette 10A, a third roll <NUM>, a take-up spool <NUM>, a take-up gear <NUM>, and a pinch roller <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> are added to the print cassette <NUM> of the first embodiment, and the input spool <NUM>, the first lid portion <NUM>, the first frame portion <NUM>, the second frame portion <NUM>, and the second lid portion <NUM> of the first embodiment are replaced with an input spool <NUM>, a first lid portion <NUM>, a first frame portion <NUM>, a second frame portion <NUM>, and a second lid portion <NUM>.

The input spool <NUM> is similar to the input spool <NUM> except that it does not have spline teeth 16B. The first lid portion <NUM>, the first frame portion <NUM>, the second frame portion <NUM>, and the second lid portion <NUM> are extended in the left-right direction more than the first lid portion <NUM>, the first frame portion <NUM>, the second frame portion <NUM>, and the second lid portion <NUM>, respectively. Other configurations of the print cassette 10A are similar to those of the print cassette <NUM> of the first embodiment except for the points described below, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

In the third roll <NUM>, a laminate tape used for protecting the first tape 11A is wound around the input spool <NUM>. The laminate tape has an adhesive surface to be bonded to the first tape 11A on which printing has been performed by the print head <NUM>.

The take-up spool <NUM> is rotatable about a rotation axis L9. The rotation axis L9 of the take-up spool <NUM> is parallel to the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool <NUM>, that is, parallel to the up-down direction. The take-up spool <NUM> takes up the ink ribbon 14A by rotation of the take-up gear <NUM>.

The take-up gear <NUM> is coupled to the take-up spool <NUM> and engaged with the idle gear <NUM>. The take-up gear <NUM> is rotated by the driving force input to the input gear <NUM> to rotate the take-up spool <NUM>.

The pinch roller <NUM> presses the laminate tape against the printed first tape 11A together with the pressing roller <NUM>. The pinch roller <NUM> is disposed downstream of the head opening 33B in the conveyance direction of the first tape 11A.

In the printing apparatus main body 100A, a pressing roller <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is added to the printing apparatus main body <NUM> of the first embodiment. Other configurations of the printing apparatus main body100A are similar to those of the printing apparatus main body <NUM> of the first embodiment except for the points described below, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

The pressing roller <NUM> is configured to be swingable together with the platen roller <NUM> and the platen gear <NUM>. The pressing roller <NUM> is swingable between a position illustrated in <FIG> where it is separated from the print cassette 10A and a position illustrated in <FIG> where it presses the first tape 11A and the laminate tape together with the pinch roller <NUM>.

(2a) The printed content on the first tape 11A can be protected by the laminate tape while having the same advantages as those of the first embodiment.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it is needless to say that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can take various forms.

(3a) The printing apparatus of each embodiment described above is not limited to an apparatus that performs printing using an ink ribbon as a second tape. The printing apparatus may use a band-shaped thermal paper instead of the first tape in the first embodiment, and may use a laminate tape (i.e., a protective tape) instead of the ink ribbon.

In addition, the printing apparatus may use, as the first tape, a stencil tape on which a printing pattern is perforated by a thermal head, and may use, as the second tape, a band-shaped slip sheet that protects and supports the stencil tape. In this case, in the head opening, the first tape may be superimposed on the second tape at a position closer to the print head than the second tape (i.e., as an upper layer), or the first tape may be superimposed on the second tape at a position farther from the print head than the second tape (i.e., as a lower layer).

(3b) The print cassette according to each embodiment described above may have two or more idle gears. Further, the transmission mechanism that engages the input gear and the output gear does not necessarily include a speed reduction mechanism. That is, the idle gear does not necessarily have to be a stepped gear and may be a single spur gear. Further, the print cassette may have a transmission mechanism other than a gear. Further, the print cassette may not have the transmission mechanism itself, and the output gear may directly engage the input gear.

(3c) In the print cassette of each embodiment described above, the conveyance passage of the first tape is an example. Therefore, the first tape does not necessarily need to be diagonally laid in the second region in a direction intersecting the second direction. The direction in which the first tape is discharged may be other than the second direction.

(3d) The print cassette according to the second embodiment may include a third supply spool around which a laminate tape is wound, instead of the take-up spool. In the print cassette according to the second embodiment, the input spool may be used as a take-up spool for an ink ribbon.

Claim 1:
A print cassette (<NUM>, 10A), comprising:
a roll (<NUM>) of a first tape (11A);
a supply spool (<NUM>) rotatable about a rotation axis (L5);
a second tape (14A) wound around the supply spool (<NUM>) and used for printing or protecting of the first tape (11A), characterized in that
the print cassette further comprises an output gear (<NUM>) to output a driving force outside, and
the supply spool (<NUM>), the output gear (<NUM>), and the roll (<NUM>) are disposed in order of the supply spool (<NUM>), the output gear (<NUM>), and the roll (<NUM>) in an axial direction of the rotation axis (L5) of the supply spool (<NUM>).