Patent ID: 12194765

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be explained below with reference to the figures. The configurations of the apparatus, the flowcharts of various processing and the like shown in the drawings are merely exemplary and do not intend to limit the present invention.

A tape printer1and a tape cassette30according to the present embodiment will be explained hereinafter with reference toFIG.1toFIG.27. In the explanation of the present embodiment, the lower left side, the upper right side, the lower right side, and the upper left side inFIG.1are respectively defined as the front side, the rear side, the right side, and the left side of the tape printer1. In addition, the lower right side, the upper left side, the upper right side, and the lower left side inFIG.2are respectively defined as the front side, the rear side, the right side, and the left side of the tape cassette30.

Note that, in actuality, a group of gears, including gears91,93,94,97,98and101shown inFIG.2, is covered and hidden by the bottom surface of a cavity8A. However, for explanation purposes, the bottom surface of the cavity8A is not shown inFIG.2. Furthermore, inFIG.2toFIG.6, side walls that form a periphery around a cassette housing portion8are shown schematically, but this is simply a schematic diagram, and the side walls shown inFIG.2, for example, are depicted as thicker than they are in actuality. Moreover, inFIG.3toFIG.6, for ease of understanding, the states in which various types of the tape cassette30are installed in the cassette housing portion8are shown with a top case31A removed.

First, an outline configuration of the tape printer1according to the present embodiment will be explained. Hereinafter, the tape printer1configured as a general purpose device will be explained as an example. As the general purpose device, the tape printer1may commonly use a plurality of types of tape cassettes30with various types of tapes. The types of the tape cassettes30may include a thermal type tape cassette30that includes only a heat-sensitive paper tape, a receptor type tape cassette30that includes a print tape and an ink ribbon, and a laminated type tape cassette30that includes a double-sided adhesive tape, a film tape and an ink ribbon.

As shown inFIG.1, the tape printer1is provided with a main unit cover2that has a rectangular shape in a plan view. A keyboard3is provided on the front side of the main unit cover2. The keyboard3includes character keys for characters (letters, symbols, numerals, and so on), a variety of function keys, and so on. A display5is provided on the rear side of the keyboard3. The display5displays input characters. A cassette cover6is provided on the rear side of the display5. The cassette cover6may be opened and closed when the tape cassette30is replaced. Further, although not shown in the figures, a discharge slit is provided to the rear of the left side of the main unit cover2, from which the printed tape is discharged to the outside. Also, a discharge window is formed on the left side of the cassette cover6, such that, when the cassette cover6is in a closed state, the discharge slit is exposed to the outside.

Next, an internal configuration within the main unit cover2below the cassette cover6will be explained with reference toFIG.2toFIG.8. As shown inFIG.2, the cassette housing portion8is provided in the interior of the main unit cover2below the cassette cover6. The cassette housing portion8is an area in which the tape cassette30can be installed or removed. The cassette housing portion8includes a cavity8A and a cassette support portion8B. The cavity8A is formed as a depression that has a flat bottom surface, and the shape of the cavity8A generally corresponds to the shape of a bottom surface30B of a cassette case31(to be described later) when the tape cassette30is installed. The cassette support portion8B is a flat portion extending horizontally from the outer edge of the cavity8A.

As shown inFIG.2, two positioning pins102and103are provided at two positions on the cassette support portion8B. More specifically, the positioning pin102is provided on the left side of the cavity8A and the positioning pin103is provided on the right side of the cavity8A. The positioning pins102and103(refer toFIG.11) are provided at the positions that respectively oppose pin holes62and63, when the tape cassette30is installed in the cassette housing portion8. The pin holes62and63are two indentations formed in the bottom surface of the common portion32of the tape cassette30. When the tape cassette30is installed in the cassette housing portion8, the positioning pins102and103are respectively inserted into the pin holes62and63to support the tape cassette30from underneath at the left and right positions of the peripheral portion of the tape cassette30.

The cassette housing portion8is equipped with a feed mechanism, a print mechanism, and the like. The feed mechanism pulls out the tape from the tape cassette30and feeds the tape. The print mechanism prints characters on a surface of the tape. As shown inFIG.2, a head holder74is fixed in the front part of the cassette housing portion8, and a thermal head10that includes a heating element (not shown in the figures) is mounted on the head holder74. Further, as shown inFIG.3toFIG.6, an upstream support portion74A and a downstream support portion74B (hereinafter collectively referred to as head support portions74A and74B) are provided on both the right and left ends of the head holder74. The head support portions74A and74B support the tape cassette30from underneath when the tape cassette30is installed in the tape printer1. A cassette hook75is provided on the rear side of the head holder74. The cassette hook75engages with the tape cassette30when the tape cassette30is installed in the cassette housing portion8.

A tape feed motor23that is a stepping motor is provided outside of the cassette housing portion8(the upper right side inFIG.2). A drive gear91is anchored to the lower end of a drive shaft of the tape feed motor23. The drive gear91is meshed with a gear93through an opening, and the gear93is meshed with a gear94. A ribbon take-up shaft95is standing upward on the upper surface of the gear94. The ribbon take-up shaft95drives the rotation of a ribbon take-up spool44, which will be described later. In addition, the gear94is meshed with a gear97, the gear97is meshed with a gear98, and the gear98is meshed with a gear101. A tape drive shaft100is standing upward on the upper surface of the gear101. The tape drive shaft100drives the rotation of a tape drive roller46, which will be described later.

If the tape feed motor23is driven to rotate in the counterclockwise direction in a state where the tape cassette30is installed in the cassette housing portion8, the ribbon take-up shaft95is driven to rotate in the counterclockwise direction via the drive gear91, the gear93and the gear94. The ribbon take-up shaft95causes the ribbon take-up spool44, which is fitted with the ribbon take-up shaft95, to rotate. Furthermore, the rotation of the gear94is transmitted to the tape drive shaft100via the gear97, the gear98and the gear101, to thereby drive the tape drive shaft100to rotate in the clockwise direction. The tape drive shaft100causes the tape drive roller46, which is fitted with the tape drive shaft100by insertion, to rotate.

As shown inFIG.3toFIG.6, on the front side of the head holder74, an arm shaped platen holder12is pivotably supported around a support shaft12A. A platen roller15and a movable feed roller14are both rotatably supported on the leading end of the platen holder12. The platen roller15faces the thermal head10, and may be moved close to and apart from the thermal head10. The movable feed roller14faces the tape drive roller46that may be fitted with the tape drive shaft100, and may be moved close to and apart from the tape drive roller46.

A release lever (not shown in the figures), which moves in the right-and-left direction in response to the opening and closing of the cassette cover6, is coupled to the platen holder12. When the cassette cover6is opened, the release lever moves in the right direction, and the platen holder12moves toward the stand-by position shown inFIG.3. At the stand-by position shown inFIG.3, the platen holder12has moved away from the cassette housing portion8. Therefore, the tape cassette30can be installed into or detached from the cassette housing portion8when the platen holder12is at the stand-by position. The platen holder12is constantly elastically urged to remain in the stand-by position by a spiral spring that is not shown in the figures.

On the other hand, when the cassette cover6is closed, the release lever moves in the left direction and the platen holder12moves toward the print position shown inFIG.4toFIG.6. At the print position shown inFIG.4toFIG.6, the platen holder12has moved close to the cassette housing portion8. At the print position, as shown inFIG.3andFIG.4, when the laminated type tape cassette30is installed in the cassette housing portion8, the platen roller15presses the thermal head10via a film tape59and an ink ribbon60. At the same time, the movable feed roller14presses the tape drive roller46via a double-sided adhesive tape58and the film tape59.

In a similar way, as shown inFIG.5, when the receptor type tape cassette30is installed in the cassette housing portion8, the platen roller15presses the thermal head10via a print tape57and the ink ribbon60, while the movable feed roller14presses the tape drive roller46via the print tape57. Further, as shown inFIG.6, when the thermal type tape cassette30is installed in the cassette housing portion8, the platen roller15presses the thermal head10via a heat-sensitive paper tape55, while the movable feed roller14presses the tape drive roller46via the heat-sensitive paper tape55.

As described above, at the print position shown inFIG.4toFIG.6, printing can be performed using the tape cassette30installed in the cassette housing portion8. The heat-sensitive paper tape55, the print tape57, the double-sided adhesive tape58, the film tape59and the ink ribbon60will be explained in more detail later.

As shown inFIG.3, a feed path along which a printed tape50is fed extends from a tape discharge portion49of the tape cassette30to a discharge slit (not shown in the figures) of the tape printer1. A cutting mechanism17that cuts the printed tape50at a predetermined position is provided on the feed path. Note that the cutting mechanism17is not shown inFIG.4toFIG.6. The cutting mechanism17includes a fixed blade18and a movable blade19that opposes the fixed blade18and that is supported such that it can move in the back-and-forth direction (in the up-and-down direction inFIG.3toFIG.6). The movable blade19is moved in the back-and-forth direction by a cutter motor24(refer toFIG.9).

As shown inFIG.3toFIG.6, a protruding piece225is provided on the rear side surface of the platen holder12, namely, a surface on the side that opposes the thermal head10(hereinafter referred to as a cassette-facing surface12B). The protruding piece225is a plate-like protrusion that extends in the right-and-left direction. The protruding piece225protrudes from the cassette-facing surface12B in a generally horizontal manner toward the cassette housing portion8. When the tape cassette30is installed in the cassette housing portion8at a proper position, the protruding piece225is positioned at a height facing an opposing portion820provided in an arm front surface35, which will be described later, of the tape cassette30.

The arrangement and structure of the protruding piece225on the platen holder12will be explained with reference toFIG.7andFIG.8. As shown inFIG.7, the protruding piece225is provided on the cassette-facing surface12B of the platen holder12and is positioned above the arm detecting switches210B and210D in the upper row, and extends rightwards (the left side inFIG.7) from a position in the right-and-left direction between the arm detecting switch210D and the arm detecting switch210E.

As shown inFIG.8, the protruding piece225is integrally formed with the platen holder12such that the protruding piece225protrudes from the cassette-facing surface12B of the platen holder12in the rearward direction (the left side inFIG.8). A length of protrusion of the protruding piece225from the cassette-facing surface12B is set to be a distance between the cassette-facing surface12B and the arm front surface35when the tape cassette30is installed in the cassette housing portion8and the platen holder12is at the print position. Therefore, the protruding piece225opposes the arm front surface35of the tape cassette30installed in the cassette housing portion8, and the leading end of the protruding piece225opposes the opposing portion820. Furthermore, an inclined portion226, which is a horizontally inclined part of a lower surface of the protruding piece225, is formed on the protruding piece225such that the thickness of the protruding piece225becomes smaller toward the leading end (the left side inFIG.8).

With the platen holder shown as an example inFIG.9, the protruding piece225contacts with the arm front surface35(more specifically, the opposing portion820) as shown inFIG.4toFIG.6. The protruding piece225, however, may not need to contact with the opposing portion820. In other words, the length of protrusion of the protruding piece225from the cassette-facing surface12B may be slightly shorter than the distance between the cassette-facing surface12B and the arm front surface35when the tape cassette30is installed in the cassette housing portion8and the platen holder12is at the print position.

As shown inFIG.3toFIG.6, an arm detection portion200is provided on the cassette-facing surface of the platen holder12. The arm detection portion200is provided slightly to the right of a center position in the longitudinal direction of the cassette-facing surface12B. The arm detection portion200includes a plurality of arm detecting switches210. Switch terminals222of the arm detecting switches210(refer toFIG.8) respectively protrude from the cassette-facing surface12B toward the cassette housing portion8in a generally horizontal manner. In other words, the arm detecting switches210protrude in a direction that is generally perpendicular to a direction of insertion and removal (the up-and-down direction inFIG.2) of the tape cassette30with respect to the cassette housing portion8, such that the arm detecting switches210oppose the front surface (more specifically, the arm front surface35) of the tape cassette30installed in the cassette housing portion8.

When the tape cassette30is installed in the cassette housing portion8at a proper position, the arm detecting switches210are respectively positioned at a height facing an arm indicator portion800, which will be described later.

The arrangement and structure of the arm detecting switches210in the platen holder12will be explained in more detail with reference toFIG.7andFIG.8. As shown inFIG.7, five through-holes12C are formed in three rows in the vertical direction in the cassette-facing surface12B of the platen holder12. More specifically, the through-holes12C are arranged such that two holes are arranged in an upper row, two holes are arranged in a middle row, and one hole is arranged in a lower row.

Positions of the through-holes12C are different from each other in the right-and-left direction. Specifically, the five through-holes12C are arranged in a zigzag pattern from the left side of the cassette-facing surface12B (the right side inFIG.7), in the following order: the left side of the middle row, the left side of the upper row, the right side of the middle row, the right side of the upper row, and then the lower row. The five arm detecting switches210are provided from the left side of the cassette-facing surface12B in the order of210A,210B,210C,210D, and210E, at positions corresponding to the five through-holes12C.

As shown inFIG.8, each of the arm detecting switches210includes a generally cylindrically shaped main unit221and a switch terminal222. The main unit221is positioned inside the platen holder12. The bar-shaped switch terminal222can extend and retract in the direction of an axis line from one end of the main unit221. The other end of the main unit221of the arm detecting switch210is attached to a switch support plate220and positioned inside the platen holder12.

In addition, on the one end of the main units221, the switch terminals222can extend and retract through the through-holes12C formed in the cassette-facing surface12B of the platen holder12. Each of the switch terminals222is constantly maintained in a state in which the switch terminal222extends from the main unit221due to a spring member provided inside the main unit221(not shown in the figures). When the switch terminal222is not pressed, the switch terminal222remains extended from the main unit221to be in an off state. On the other hand, when the switch terminal222is pressed, the switch terminal222is pushed back into the main unit221to be in an on state.

A length of protrusion of the switch terminal225from the cassette-facing surface12B is generally equal to or slightly shorter than the length of protrusion of the protruding piece225, namely, the distance between the cassette-facing surface12B and the arm front surface35when the tape cassette30is installed in the cassette housing portion8and the platen holder12is at the print position.

If the platen holder12moves toward the stand-by position (refer toFIG.3) in a state where the tape cassette30is installed in the cassette housing portion8, the arm detecting switches210are separated from the tape cassette30. Consequently, all the arm detecting switches210are therefore in the off state. On the other hand, if the platen holder12moves toward the print position (refer toFIG.4toFIG.6), the arm detecting switches210oppose the front surface of the tape cassette30, more specifically, the arm indicator portion800provided in the arm front surface35.

When the arm detecting switches210oppose the arm front surface35, there may be a small gap between the leading end of the extended switch terminals222and the arm front surface35. In the arm indicator portion800, a pressing portion(s)802, which is a protrusion, is arranged in a predetermined pattern. Therefore, the arm detecting switches210are selectively pressed by the arm indicator portion800. The tape type is detected based on a combination of the on and off states of the arm detecting switches210, as will be described in more detail later.

Next, the electrical configuration of the tape printer1will be explained with reference toFIG.9. As shown inFIG.9, the tape printer1includes a control circuit400formed on a control board. The control circuit400includes a CPU401that controls each instrument, a ROM402, a CGROM403, a RAM404, and an input/output interface411, all of which are connected to the CPU401via a data bus410.

ROM402stores various programs to control the tape printer1, including a display drive control program, a print drive control program, a pulse number determination program, a cutting drive control program, and so on. The display drive control program controls a liquid crystal drive circuit (LCDC)405in association with code data of characters, such as letters, symbols, numerals and so on input from the keyboard3. The print drive control program drives the thermal head10and the tape feed motor23. The pulse number determination program determines the number of pulses to be applied corresponding to the amount of formation energy for each print dot. The cutting drive control program drives the cutting motor24to cut the printed tape50at the predetermined cutting position. The CPU401performs a variety of computations in accordance with each type of program.

The ROM402also stores various tables that are used to identify the tape type of the tape cassette30installed in the tape printer1. The tables will be explained in more detail later.

The CGROM403stores print dot pattern data to be used to print various characters. The print dot pattern data is associated with corresponding code data for the characters. The print dot pattern data is categorized by font (Gothic, Mincho, and so on), and the stored data for each font includes six print character sizes (dot sizes of 16, 24, 32, 48, 64 and 96, for example).

The RAM404includes a plurality of storage areas, including a text memory, a print buffer and so on. The text memory stores text data input from the keyboard3. The print buffer stores dot pattern data, including the printing dot patterns for characters and the number of pulses to be applied that is the amount of formation energy for each dot, and so on. The thermal head10performs dot printing in accordance with the dot pattern data stored in the print buffer. Other storage areas store data obtained in various computations and so on.

The input/output interface411is connected, respectively, to the arm detecting switches210A to210E, the keyboard3, the liquid crystal drive circuit (LCDC)405that has a video RAM (not shown in the figures) to output display data to the display (LCD)5, a drive circuit406that drives the thermal head10, a drive circuit407that drives the tape feed motor23, a drive circuit408that drives the cutter motor24, and so on.

The configuration of the tape cassette30according to the present embodiment will be explained below with reference toFIG.2toFIG.6andFIG.10toFIG.18. Hereinafter, the tape cassette30configured as a general purpose cassette will be explained as an example. As the general purpose cassette, the tape cassette30may be assembled as the thermal type, the receptor type and the laminated type that have been explained above, by changing, as appropriate, the type of the tape to be mounted in the tape cassette30and by changing the presence or absence of the ink ribbon, and so on.

FIG.2andFIG.10toFIG.15are figures relating to the tape cassette30in which a width of the tape (hereinafter referred to as a tape width) is equal to or greater than a predetermined width (18 mm, for example) (hereinafter referred to as a wide-width tape cassette30). More specifically, the wide-width tape cassette30represented inFIG.2andFIG.10toFIG.15is assembled as the laminated type cassette (refer toFIG.3andFIG.4) including the ink ribbon60with an ink color other than black (red, for example), and the width of the tape is 36 mm. On the other hand,FIG.16toFIG.18are figures relating to the tape cassette30in which the tape width is less than the predetermined width (hereinafter referred to as the narrow-width tape cassette30). More specifically, the narrow-width tape cassette30represented inFIG.16toFIG.18is assembled as the receptor type cassette (refer toFIG.5) including the ink ribbon60with a black ink color, and the width of the tape is 12 mm.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the tape cassette30will be explained, mainly using the wide-width tape cassette30(refer toFIG.2, andFIG.10toFIG.15) as an example. However, the configuration of the narrow-width tape cassette30(refer toFIG.16toFIG.18) is basically the same as that of the wide-width tape cassette30.

As shown inFIG.2andFIG.10, the tape cassette30includes a cassette case31that is a housing having a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape (box-like shape), with rounded corner portions in a plan view. The cassette case31includes a bottom case31B that includes the bottom surface30B of the cassette case31and the top case31A that includes a top surface30A of the cassette case31. The top case31A is fixed to an upper portion of the bottom case31B.

When the top case31A and the bottom case31B are joined, a side surface30C of a predetermined height is formed. The side surface30C extends between the top surface30A and the bottom surface30B along the peripheries of the top surface30A and the bottom surface30B. In other words, the cassette case31is a box-shaped case that has the top surface30A and the bottom surface30B, which are a pair of rectangular flat surfaces opposing each other in a vertical direction, and the side surface30C (in the present embodiment, formed by four surfaces of a front surface, a rear surface, a left side surface and a right side surface) that has a predetermined height and extends along the peripheries of the top surface30A and the bottom surface30B.

In the cassette case31, the peripheries of the top surface30A and the bottom surface30B may not have to be completely surrounded by the side surface30C. A part of the side surface30C (the rear surface, for example) may include an aperture that exposes the interior of the cassette case31to the outside. Further, a boss that connects the top surface30A and the bottom surface30B may be provided in a position facing the aperture. In the explanation below, the distance from the bottom surface30B to the top surface30A (the length in the vertical direction) is referred to as the height of the tape cassette30or the height of the cassette case31. In the present embodiment, the vertical direction of the cassette case31(namely, the direction in which the top surface30A and the bottom surface30B oppose each other) generally corresponds to the direction of insertion and removal of the tape cassette30.

The cassette case31has the corner portions32A that have the same width (the same length in the vertical direction), regardless of the type of the tape cassette30. The corner portions32A each protrude in an outward direction to form a right angle when seen in a plan view. However, the lower left corner portion32A does not form a right angle in the plan view, as the tape discharge portion49is provided in the corner. When the tape cassette30is installed in the cassette housing portion8, the lower surface of the corner portions32A opposes the above-described cassette support portion8B inside the cassette housing portion8.

The cassette case31includes a portion that is called the common portion32. The common portion32includes the corner portions32A and encircles the cassette case31along the side surface30C at the same position as the corner portions32A in the vertical (height) direction of the cassette case31and also has the same width as the corner portions32A. More specifically, the common portion32is a portion that has a symmetrical shape in the vertical direction with respect to a center line in the vertical (height) direction of the cassette case31.

The height of the tape cassette30differs depending on the width of the tape (the heat-sensitive paper tape55, the print tape57, the double-sided adhesive tape58, the film tape59and so on) mounted in the cassette case31. The height of the common portion32(a width T), however, is set to be the same, regardless of the width of the tape of the tape cassette30.

For example, when the width T of the common portion32is 12 mm, as the width of the tape of the tape cassette30is larger (18 mm, 24 mm, 36 mm, for example), the height of the cassette case31becomes accordingly larger, but the width T of the common portion32remains constant. If the width of the tape of the tape cassette30is equal to or less than the width T of the common portion32(6 mm, 12 mm, for example), the height of the cassette case31is the width T of the common portion32(12 mm) plus a predetermined width. The height of the cassette case31is at its smallest in this case.

As shown inFIG.2,FIG.10andFIG.11, the top case31A and the bottom case31B respectively have support holes65A,66A and67A and support holes65B,66B and67B (refer toFIG.12) that rotatably support a first tape spool40, a second tape spool41and the ribbon take-up spool44, respectively, which will be explained later.

In the case of the laminated type tape cassette30shown inFIG.3andFIG.4, three types of tape rolls are mounted in the cassette case31, namely, the double-sided adhesive tape58wound on the first tape spool40, the film tape59wound on the second tape spool41and the ink ribbon60wound on a ribbon spool42. The first tape spool40, on which the double-sided adhesive tape58is wound with its release paper facing outward, is rotatably supported by the support holes65A and65B. The second tape spool41, on which the film tape59is wound, is rotatably supported by the support holes66A and66B. In addition, the ink ribbon60that is wound on the ribbon spool42is rotatably positioned in the cassette case31.

Between the first tape spool40and the ribbon spool42in the cassette case31, the ribbon take-up spool44is rotatably supported by the support holes67A and67B. The ribbon take-up spool44pulls out the ink ribbon60from the ribbon spool42and takes up the ink ribbon60that has been used to print characters. A clutch spring (not shown in the figures) is attached to a lower portion of the ribbon take-up spool44to prevent loosening of the taken up ink ribbon60due to reverse rotation of the ribbon take-up spool44.

In the case of the receptor type tape cassette30shown inFIG.5, two types of tape roll are mounted in the cassette case31, namely, the print tape57wound on the first tape spool40and the ink ribbon60wound on the ribbon spool42. The receptor type tape cassette30does not include the second tape spool41.

In the case of the thermal type tape cassette30shown inFIG.6, a single type of tape roll is mounted in the cassette case31, namely, the heat-sensitive paper tape55wound on the first tape spool40. The thermal type tape cassette30does not include the second tape spool41and the ribbon spool42.

As shown inFIG.2, a semi-circular groove34K that has a semi-circular shape in a plan view is provided in the front surface of the cassette case31, and extends over the height of the cassette case31(in other words, extends from the top surface30A to the bottom surface30B). The semi-circular groove34K is a recess that serves to prevent an interference between the shaft support12A and the cassette case31when the tape cassette30is installed in the cassette housing portion8. The shaft support12A is the center of rotation of the platen holder12.

Of the front surface of the cassette case31, a section that stretches leftwards from the semi-circular groove34K (more specifically, an external wall34B to be described later) is referred to as the arm front surface35. Another section of the front surface of the cassette case31that stretches rightwards from the semi-circular groove34K is referred to as a right front surface35A. As shown inFIG.3toFIG.6, the arm front surface35is positioned slightly in the backward direction of the right front surface35A, and extends parallel to the right front surface35A. A part that is defined by the arm front surface35and an arm rear surface37and that extends leftwards from the right front portion of the tape cassette30is referred to as an arm portion34. The arm rear surface37is separately provided at the rear of the arm front surface35and extends over the height of the cassette case31.

The structure that guides a tape as a print medium (the heat-sensitive paper tape55, the print tape57, the film tape59, for example) and the ink ribbon60in the arm portion34will be explained with reference toFIG.12. A part of the bottom case31B that forms the arm portion34includes the external wall34B, an internal wall34C, and a separating wall34D. The external wall34B forms a part of the arm front surface35of the bottom case31B. The internal wall34C is higher than the external wall34B and has approximately the same height as a width of the ink ribbon60(hereinafter referred to as a ribbon width). The internal wall34C forms a part of the arm rear surface37of the bottom case31B. The separating wall34D stands between the external wall34B and the internal wall34C, and has the same height as the internal wall34C.

A pair of guide regulating pieces34E are formed on the lower edges of both sides of the separating wall34D. A guide pin34G is provided at the upstream side (the right side inFIG.12) of the separating wall34D in the arm portion34of the bottom case31B. A guide regulating piece34F is provided on the lower edge of the guide pin34G. A matching pair of guide regulating pieces34H are provided in a part of the top case31A that forms the arm portion34, respectively corresponding to the pair of guide regulating pieces34E provided on the lower edges of both sides of the separating wall34D. The leading end of the arm front surface35is bent rearwards, and an exit34A that extends in the vertical direction is formed at the left end of the arm front surface35and the arm rear surface37.

When the top case31A and the bottom case31B are joined to form the cassette case31, a tape feed path and a ribbon feed path are formed inside the arm portion34. The tape feed path guides the tape that is the print medium (inFIG.12, the film tape59) with the external wall34B, the separating wall34D, and the guide pin34G. The ribbon feed path guides the ink ribbon60with the internal wall34C and the separating wall34D.

While the lower edge of the film tape59is regulated by the guide regulating piece34F, the direction of the film tape59is changed by the guide pin34G. The film tape59is fed further while regulated in the tape width direction by each of the guide regulating pieces34E on the lower edges of the separating wall34D working in concert with each of the guide regulating pieces34H of the top case31A. In such a way, the film tape59is guided and fed between the external wall34B and the separating wall34D inside the arm portion34.

The ink ribbon60is guided by the separating wall34D and the internal wall34C that have approximately the same height as the ribbon width, and is thus guided and fed between the internal wall34C and the separating wall34D inside the arm portion34. In the arm portion34, the ink ribbon60is regulated by the bottom surface of the top case31A and the top surface of the bottom case31B in the ribbon width direction. Then, after the film tape59and the ink ribbon60are guided along each of the feed paths, the film tape59and the ink ribbon60are joined together at the exit34A and discharged to a head insertion portion39(more specifically, an opening77, which will be described later).

With the structure described above, the tape feed path and the ribbon feed path are formed as different feed paths separated by the separating wall34D inside the arm portion34. Therefore, the film tape59and the ink ribbon60may be reliably and independently guided within each of the feed paths that correspond to the respective tape width and ribbon width.

AlthoughFIG.12shows an example of the laminated type tape cassette30(refer toFIG.3andFIG.4), the arm portion34of the other types of tape cassettes30is similar. Specifically, in the receptor type tape cassette30(refer toFIG.5), the print tape57is guided and fed along the tape feed path, while the ink ribbon60is guided and fed along the ribbon feed path. In the thermal type tape cassette30(refer toFIG.6), the heat-sensitive paper tape55is guided and fed along the tape feed path, while the ribbon feed path is not used.

Further, as shown inFIG.12, an arm indicator portion800and the opposing portion820are provided on the arm front surface35. The arm indicator portion800is a portion that makes it possible for a person to identify the tape type included in the tape cassette30. In addition, the arm indicator portion800allows the tape printer1to detect the tape type, by selectively pressing the arm detecting switches210(refer toFIG.3toFIG.5) provided on the platen holder12of the tape printer1. The opposing portion820is a portion that opposes the protruding piece225provided on the platen holder12. The arm front surface35that includes the arm indicator portion800and the opposing portion820will be described later in detail.

A through-hole850with an upright rectangular shape in a front view is provided in the arm front surface35of the bottom case31B, to the left side of the arm indicator portion800. The through-hole850is provided as a relief hole for a die to be used in a molding process of the cassette case31, and does not have any particular function.

As shown inFIG.3toFIG.6, a space that is surrounded by the arm rear surface37and a peripheral wall surface that extends continuously from the arm rear surface37is the head insertion portion39. The head insertion portion39has a generally rectangular shape in a plan view and penetrates through the tape cassette30in the vertical direction. The head insertion portion39is situated to the front of the cassette case31. The head insertion portion39is connected to the outside also at the front surface side of the tape cassette30, through the opening77formed in the front surface of the tape cassette30. The head holder74that supports the thermal head10of the tape printer1may be inserted into the head insertion portion39. The tape that is discharged from the exit34A of the arm portion34(one of the heat-sensitive paper tape55, the print tape57and the film tape59) is exposed to the outside of the cassette case31at the opening77, where printing is performed by the thermal head10.

Support reception portions are provided at positions facing the head insertion portion39of the cassette case31. The support reception portions are used to determine the position of the tape cassette30in the vertical direction when the tape cassette30is installed in the tape printer1. In the present embodiment, an upstream reception portion39A is provided on the upstream side of the insertion position of the thermal head10(more specifically, the print position) in the feed direction of the tape that is the print medium (the heat-sensitive paper tape55, the print tape57, or the film tape59), and a downstream reception portion39B is provided on the downstream side. The support reception portions39A and39B are hereinafter collectively referred to as the head reception portions39A and39B.

When the tape cassette30is installed in the cassette housing portion8, the head reception portions39A and39B respectively contact with the head support portions74A and74B (refer toFIG.2) provided on the head holder74to be supported from underneath by the head support portions74A and74B. In addition, in the bottom case31B, a latch portion38is provided at a position between the upstream reception portion39A and the downstream reception portion39B, facing the head insertion portion39. The latch portion38is an indentation with a generally rectangular shape in a bottom view (refer toFIG.11). When the tape cassette30is installed in the cassette housing portion8, the latch portion38serves as a portion with which the cassette hook75is engaged.

When the user inserts the tape cassette30into the cassette housing portion8and pushes the tape cassette30downwards, the upstream reception portion39A of the tape cassette30comes into contact with the upstream support portion74A provided on the head holder74, and the movement of the upstream reception portion39A beyond that point in the downward direction is restricted. Further, the downstream reception portion39B of the tape cassette30comes into contact with the downstream support portion74B provided on the head holder74, and the movement of the downstream reception portion39B beyond that point in the downward direction is restricted. Then, the tape cassette30is held in a state in which the head reception portions39A and39B are supported from underneath by the head support portions74A and74

Accordingly, positioning of the tape cassette30in the vertical direction may be accurately performed at a position in the vicinity of the thermal head10that performs printing on the tape as the print medium (the heat-sensitive paper tape55, the print tape57, or the film tape59). Then, the center position of printing by the thermal head10in the vertical direction may be accurately matched with the center position of the tape in the tape width direction. In particular, in the feed direction of the tape as the print medium, the tape cassette30is supported on both the upstream and downstream sides with respect to the insertion position of the thermal head10, more specifically, with respect to the print position. As a consequence, the positioning in the vertical direction may be particularly accurately performed. Thus, the center position of printing by the thermal head10in the vertical direction and the center position in the tape width direction may be particularly accurately matched with each other.

In addition, the upstream reception portion39A and the downstream reception portion39B of the tape cassette30according to the present embodiment face the head insertion portion39from mutually orthogonally intersecting directions. Both the head reception portions39A and39B, which are indented portions, are supported by the head support portions74A and74B that extend in the mutually orthogonally intersecting directions. Consequently, the movement of the tape cassette30is restricted not only in the vertical direction, but also in the right-and-left direction and the back-and-forth direction. As a result, a proper positional relationship can be maintained between the thermal head10and the head insertion portion39.

In addition, as shown inFIG.3toFIG.6, when the tape cassette30is installed into the cassette housing portion8, the cassette hook75engages with the latch portion38. Consequently, after the tape cassette30is installed in the tape printer1, any rising movement of the tape cassette30, namely, a movement of the tape cassette30in the upward direction may be restricted, and tape feeding and printing may be stably performed.

Furthermore, as shown inFIG.11, the pin holes62and63are provided at two positions on the lower surface of the corner portions32A, corresponding to the above-described positioning pins102and103of the tape printer1. More specifically, the pin hole62, into which the positioning pin102is inserted, is an indentation provided in the lower surface of the corner portion32A to the rear of a support hole64that is provided in the left front portion of the cassette case31(the lower right side inFIG.11). Note that the tape drive roller46and some other components are not shown inFIG.11. The pin hole63, into which the positioning pin103is inserted, is an indentation provided in the lower surface of the corner portion32A in the vicinity of a central portion of the right end of the cassette case31(the left side inFIG.11).

A distance in the vertical (height) direction of the tape cassette30between the position of the pin holes62and63and a center position in the vertical direction of the film tape59that is the print medium housed in the cassette case31is constant, regardless of the tape type (the tape width, for example) of the tape cassette30. In other words, the distance remains constant even when the height of the tape cassette30is different.

As shown inFIG.2toFIG.6, a pair of regulating members36that match in the vertical direction are provided on the downstream side of the head insertion portion39in the tape feed direction. The base portions of the regulating members36regulate the printed film tape59in the vertical direction (in the tape width direction), and guide the printed film tape59toward the tape discharge portion49on the downstream side of the thermal head10. At the same time, the regulating members36bond the film tape59and the double-sided adhesive tape58together appropriately without making any positional displacement.

A guide wall47is standing in the vicinity of the regulating members36. The guide wall47separates the used ink ribbon60that has been fed via the head insertion portion39from the film tape59, and guides the used ink ribbon60toward the ribbon take-up spool44. A separating wall48is standing between the guide wall47and the ribbon take-up spool44. The separating wall48prevents mutual contact between the used ink ribbon60that is guided along the guide wall47and the double-sided adhesive tape58that is wound on and supported by the first tape spool40.

The support holes64(refer toFIG.11) are provided on the downstream side of the regulating members36in the tape feed direction, and the tape drive roller46is rotatably supported inside the support holes64. In a case where the laminated type tape cassette30shown inFIG.3andFIG.4is installed in the cassette housing portion8, the tape drive roller46, by moving in concert with the opposing movable feed roller14, pulls out the film tape59from the second tape spool41. At the same time, the tape drive roller46pulls out the double-sided adhesive tape58from the first tape spool40, then guides the double-sided adhesive tape58to the print surface of the film tape59to bond them together, and then feeds them toward the tape discharge portion49as the printed tape50.

In a case where the receptor type tape cassette30shown inFIG.5is installed in the cassette housing portion8, the print tape57is pulled out from the first tape spool40by the tape drive roller46moving in concert with the movable feed roller14. On the downstream side of the thermal head10, the printed print tape57, namely, the printed tape50, is regulated in the vertical direction (in the tape width direction) by the base portions of the regulating members36, and is guided toward the tape discharge portion49. In addition, the used ink ribbon60that has been fed via the head insertion portion39is separated from the print tape57by the guide wall47and guided toward the ribbon take-up spool44.

In a case where the thermal type tape cassette30shown inFIG.6is installed, the heat-sensitive paper tape55is pulled out from the first tape spool40by the tape drive roller46moving in concert with the movable feed roller14. On the downstream side of the thermal head10, the printed heat-sensitive paper tape55, namely, the printed tape50, is regulated in the vertical direction (in the tape width direction) by the base portions of the regulating members36, and guided toward the tape discharge portion49.

The tape discharge portion49is a plate-shaped member that extends between the top surface30A and the bottom surface30B and is slightly separated from a front end of the left side surface of the cassette case31. The tape discharge portion49guides the printed tape50, which has been fed via the regulating members36and the tape drive roller46, into a passage formed between the tape discharge portion49and the front end of the left side surface of the bottom case31B, and discharges the printed tape50from a tape discharge aperture at a downstream end of the passage.

The structure and the function of the arm front surface35that includes the arm indicator portion800and the opposing portion820will be described below in detail, with reference toFIG.12toFIG.18.

As described above, the tape cassette30according to the present embodiment is structured such that when a person looks at the tape cassette30alone in a state in which the tape cassette30is not installed in the tape printer1, the person can identify the type of the tape mounted in the tape cassette30by visually checking the arm indicator portion800. In addition, the tape cassette30is structured such that when the tape cassette30is installed in the cassette housing portion8of the tape printer1, the tape printer1can identify the type of the tape by detecting information indicated by the arm indicator portion800using the arm detection portion200. First, areas included in the arm front surface35and the structure in these areas will be described.

As shown inFIG.13, the arm front surface35includes a specified area R0. The specified area R0is adjacent to the exit34A and situated on an upstream side of the exit34A in the tape feed direction. The exit34A is a portion where the tape as the print medium (one of the heat-sensitive paper tape55, the print tape57, and the film tape59) is discharged from the arm portion34.

The length of the specified area R0in the right-and-left direction is defined to be equal to or less than a distance L0between the exit34A of the arm portion34and the tape discharge portion49. Between the exit34A and the tape discharge portion49, the tape discharged from the exit34A is fed toward the tape discharge portion49with a surface of the tape being exposed to the front side. Accordingly, the distance L0is equivalent to a tape exposure length that is the length of the exposed tape. In the present embodiment, the entire arm front surface35extending from the exit34A to the left end of the semi-circular groove34K is the specified area R0.

The specified area R0includes a first area R1that functions as the opposing portion820, and a second area R2that is an area other than the first area R1and includes the arm indicator portion800. Each of the areas will be described below in the order of the second area R2and the first area R1.

As shown inFIG.14, the second area R2includes a plurality of vertical information sections X and a plurality of lateral information sections Y. The plurality of vertical information sections X is formed as a plurality of strip-shaped sections extending along a direction orthogonal to the tape feed direction (the up-and-down direction inFIG.14). The plurality of lateral information sections Y is formed as a plurality of strip-shaped sections extending in parallel with the tape feed direction (the right-and-left direction inFIG.14).

The vertical information sections X according to the present embodiment that are exemplified inFIG.14include five vertical information sections X1to X5. The vertical information sections X1to X5are arranged at an interval from the exit34A of the arm portion34, and also arranged at equal intervals from the left side to the right side in a front view. Among the vertical information sections X1to X5, the vertical information section X1is positioned on the most downstream side (namely, the leftmost side) in the tape feed direction. The vertical information sections X2, X3, X4and X5are arranged in this order from the vertical information section X1toward the upstream side (namely, the right side) in the tape feed direction. The widths (namely, the lengths in the right-and-left direction) of the vertical information sections X1to X5are approximately the same, and adjacent vertical information sections of the vertical information sections X1to X5are adjacent to each other at equal intervals.

The lateral information sections Y according to the present embodiment that are exemplified inFIG.14include three lateral information sections Y1to Y3. The lateral information sections Y1to Y3are arranged in rows from the upper side toward the lower side in a front view. Among the lateral information sections Y1to Y3, the lateral information section Y1is positioned on the uppermost side. The center of the lateral information section Y1in the vertical direction is positioned at an approximately center position of the height of the arm front surface35. The lateral information sections Y2and Y3are arranged in this order from the lateral information section Y1toward the lower side. The widths (namely, the lengths in the vertical direction) of the lateral information sections Y1to Y3are approximately the same, and adjacent lateral information sections of the lateral information sections Y1to Y3are adjacent to each other at approximately equal intervals.

Further, as shown inFIG.15andFIG.18, among the lateral information sections Y1to Y3according to the present embodiment, the lateral information sections Y1and Y2on the upper side are provided within a range of a predetermined height (hereinafter referred to as the predetermined height) T1of the arm front surface35. In the description below, an area within the range of the predetermined height T1of the arm front surface35is referred to as a common indicator portion831. Preferably, the common indicator portion831is an area that is symmetrical in the vertical direction with respect to a center line N of the cassette case31in the vertical direction. Meanwhile, areas that are outside the common indicator portion831and that are within a range of a predetermined height T2(T2>T1) of the arm front surface35are referred to as extension portions832.

The predetermined height T1of the common indicator portion831is the height of the tape cassette30for which the height of the cassette case31is smallest among the plurality of tape cassettes30with different tape widths.

In the wide-width tape cassette30shown inFIG.15, the lateral information section Y3, which is on the lowest side among the lateral information sections Y1to Y3, is provided astride the common indicator portion831and the extension portion832positioned below the common indicator portion831. In the narrow-width tape cassette30shown inFIG.18, the extension portion832is not present because the height of the tape cassette30is equal to the predetermined height T1of the common indicator portion831. Therefore, in the narrow-width tape cassette30, the lateral information section Y3is arranged along the lower edge of the common indicator portion831, namely, a lower edge of the arm front surface35, and has a width that is approximately one third of the width of the lateral information sections Y1and Y2.

The second area R2is an area that opposes the arm detecting switches210of the tape printer1when the tape cassette30is installed in the cassette housing portion8, and includes the arm indicator portion800that indicates the tape type. A protrusion is formed in at least one of the vertical information sections X1to X5. Which of the vertical information sections X1to X5includes a protrusion is determined in advance, according to the tape type. The arm indicator portion800is a portion that includes the plurality of vertical information sections X1to X5and that indicates the tape type by a combination of whether a protrusion is formed in each of the vertical information sections X1to X5. A person can identify the tape type by visually checking the protrusion(s) formed in the vertical information sections X1to X5of the arm indicator portion800. In a case where the vertical information sections X1to X5are arranged at equal intervals, as in the present embodiment, even if there is a vertical information section in which a protrusion is not formed among the vertical information sections X1to X5, a person can easily identify which of the vertical information sections X1to X5is the vertical information section without a protrusion. In other words, the person can visually identify in which of the vertical information sections X1to X5a protrusion is formed, without a mistake.

The vertical positions of the protrusion(s) formed in the vertical information sections X1to X5may be fixed for each of the vertical information sections X1to X5. For example, among a plurality of areas where the vertical information sections X1to X5and the lateral information sections Y1to Y3intersect and overlap with each other (hereinafter referred to as overlapping areas), one overlapping area in each of the vertical information sections X1to X5may be fixed as an indicator. In such a case, the tape type may be identified based on a combination of whether the protrusion is formed in each of the indicators. If positions corresponding to the arm detecting switches210(refer toFIG.7) of the tape printer1are determined as the indicators, the tape type can be identified not only by human visual check but also by the tape printer1.

Given this, in the present embodiment, five overlapping areas that respectively oppose the five arm detecting switches210A to210E shown inFIG.7when the tape cassette30is installed in the cassette housing portion8are fixed as indicators800A to800E. More specifically, as shown inFIG.14, the area in which the vertical information section X1and the lateral information section Y2intersect and overlap with each other functions as the indicator800A that opposes the arm detecting switch210A. The area in which the vertical information section X2and the lateral information section Y1intersect and overlap with each other functions as the indicator800B that opposes the arm detecting switch210B. The area in which the vertical information section X3and the lateral information section Y2intersect and overlap with each other functions as the indicator800C that opposes the arm detecting switch210C. The area in which the vertical information section X4and the lateral information section Y1intersect and overlap with each other functions as the indicator800D that opposes the arm detecting switch210D. The area in which the vertical information section X5and the lateral information section Y3intersect and overlap with each other functions as the indicator800E that opposes the arm detecting switch210E.

In this way, one indicator is arranged in each of the vertical information sections X1to X5in the present embodiment. Further, the indicators of adjacent vertical information sections are not lined up with each other in the right-and-left direction. In other words, the indicators800A to800E are arranged in a zigzag pattern. When this arrangement is adopted, even if all the indicators of adjacent vertical information sections are formed as the protrusions, the indicator of a vertical information section can more easily be distinguished from the indicator of an adjacent vertical information section. In addition, by touching the arm indicator portion800, a person can identify a position at which each protrusion is formed. Consequently, the person can identify the tape type not only by visually checking, but also by tactually checking the arm indicator portion800.

In the example shown inFIG.14, the protrusions are formed in the indicators800B and800E. On the other hand, the indicators800A,800C, and800D are surface portions that are in the same plane as the arm front surface35, and no protrusion is formed therein. In such a manner, each of the indicators800A to800C is formed as either a protrusion or a surface portion. The protrusion and the surface portion can be identified by human visual check. In addition, when the protrusion and the surface portion oppose the arm detecting switches210, the protrusion and the surface portion respectively function as a pressing portion802and a non-pressing portion801. The pressing portion802presses the arm detecting switch210(refer toFIG.12) and the non-pressing portion801does not press the arm detecting switch210. Thus, the pressing portion802and the non-pressing portion801cause the tape printer1to identify the tape type. The relationship between the indicators800A to800E and the arm detecting switches210will be described later in detail.

The first area R1is an area that opposes the protruding piece225(refer toFIG.7) provided on the platen holder12when the tape cassette30is installed in the cassette housing portion8and the platen holder12moves to the print position as shown inFIG.4toFIG.6. As shown inFIG.15andFIG.18, the first area R1is provided within the common indicator portion831of the arm front surface35. The protruding piece225opposes an area that includes the first area R1. Therefore, the first area R1is an area that corresponds to the shape of the protruding piece225in a rear view, and no protrusion is formed in the first area R1.

The first area R1is arranged at an interval from the exit34A of the arm portion34, and a right end of the first area R1is positioned on an upstream side (namely, the right side) of at least the vertical information section X1in the tape feed direction. In the example shown inFIG.14, a right end of the vertical information section X5, which is positioned on the most upstream side in the tape feed direction among the vertical information sections X1to X5, is positioned approximately on the center line in the right-and-left direction of the first area R1. Therefore, a right end of the opposing portion820is positioned on the upstream side (namely, on the right side) of all the vertical information sections X1to X5in the tape feed direction. Further, the first area R1is provided adjacent to and above the lateral information section Y1that is positioned on the uppermost side among the lateral information sections Y1to Y3. In other words, an upper end of the opposing portion820is positioned above all the lateral information sections Y1to Y3.

In the example shown inFIG.14, the length of the first area R1in the right-and-left direction is approximately twice the width of each of the vertical information sections X1to X5, and the length of the first area R1in the vertical direction is about two thirds of the width of each of the lateral information sections Y1to Y3.

The opposing portion820is a surface portion that opposes the protruding piece225when the tape cassette30is installed in the cassette housing portion8at the proper position and the platen holder12moves to the print position (refer toFIG.4toFIG.6).

Next, the positional relationship between various elements in the arm front surface35will be described. As shown inFIG.13, when the tape cassette30according to the present embodiment is viewed from the front, the length of the specified area R0in the right-and-left direction is defined to be equal to or less than the distance (the tape exposure length) L0between the exit34A of the arm portion34and the tape discharge portion49.

Further, a distance L1from a center line C to a first reference line C1is defined to be within a range of 18% to 24% of the tape exposure length L0in the right hand direction, i.e., toward the upstream side in the tape feed direction. The center line C is a center line of the cassette case31in the right-and-left direction. The first reference line C1is a virtual line that specifies the position in the right-and-left direction at which the opposing portion820is provided. A line on which the opposing portion820is always positioned may be employed as the first reference line C1. For example, the center line of the first area R1in the right-and-left direction may be used as the first reference line C1. Further, a second reference line C2is within the common indicator portion831. The second reference line C2is a virtual line that specifies the position in the vertical direction at which the opposing portion820is provided. For example, the center line of the first area R1in the vertical direction may be used as the second reference line C2.

In a case where the center line C of the cassette case31is used as a reference, the position of the vertical information section X1is defined such that at least a part of the vertical information section X1is within a range of 14% to 20% of the tape exposure length L0from the center line C toward the downstream side in the tape feed direction. Further, when the position of the exit34A is used as a reference, the position of the vertical information section X1is defined such that at least a part of the vertical information section X1is within a range of 30% to 36% of the tape exposure length L0from the exit34A of the arm portion34toward the upstream side in the tape feed direction.

Furthermore, the positions of the vertical information sections X1to X5in the right-and-left direction are defined such that the interval between the center lines of adjacent vertical information sections in the right-and-left direction is within a range of 7% to 10% of the tape exposure length L0.

The positional relationship between the various elements in the arm front surface35is defined as described above, due to the following reasons.

First, it is preferable that the distance L1between the center line C and the first reference line C1is within a range of 18% to 24% of the distance (the tape exposure length) L0between the exit34A of the arm portion34and the tape discharge portion49in the right hand direction, i.e., toward the upstream side in the tape feed direction. For example, there may be a case in which a person desires to identify the print medium to be mounted in the cassette case31, using the bottom case31B alone. The distance L0between the exit34A of the arm portion34and the tape discharge portion49can easily be confirmed by a visual check even when the tape is not mounted.

Further, the position of the center line C of the tape cassette in the right-and-left direction can be identified by visually checking the bottom case31B. In addition, if the length of the specified area R0in the right-and-left direction is set to be equal to or less than the distance between the exit34A of the arm portion34and the tape discharge portion49, the range of the specified area R0can easily be identified.

In a case where the opposing portion820is positioned to be closer toward the upstream side in the tape feed direction in the specified area R0within the above range, if the distance L1between the center line C and the first reference line C1exceeds the rage of 18% to 24% of the tape exposure length L0and the opposing portion820is positioned far from the center line C, there may be a possibility that the opposing portion820will be out of the range of the specified area R0. Conversely, if the opposing portion820is positioned too close to the center line C, the range of the specified area R0in the right-and-left direction may become too short, and it may be impossible for the vertical information sections made up of, for example, five rows to be formed.

Second, it is preferable that at least a part of the vertical information section X1is arranged to be within a range W1that is 14% to 20% of the tape exposure length L0from the center line C toward the downstream side in the tape feed direction. This is because, if the vertical information section X1is positioned too close to the exit34A of the arm portion34, the exit34A and the vertical information section X1may be connected. Even if the exit34A and the vertical information section X1are not connected, if the distance therebetween is short, a defect such as a short shot may occur when the bottom case31B is molded. In addition, if the position of the vertical information section X1provided on the most downstream side (namely, the left side end) of the specified area R0in the tape feed direction is identified, there is an effect that visual check of only a certain limited range may be sufficient when identifying the tape type.

Third, when the position of the exit34A is used as the reference, it is preferable that at least a part of the vertical information section X1is within a range W2that is 30% to 36% of the tape exposure length L0from the exit34A of the arm portion34toward the upstream side in the tape feed direction. Similar to the above-described range W1, this defines the position of the vertical information section X1within the specified area R0. The exit34A of the arm portion34can be clearly identified by a visual check. Therefore, if the position of the vertical information section X1is defined at a position that can be easily determined by the visual check, namely, if the distance from the exit34A is defined to be 30% to 36% of the tape exposure length L0, there is an effect that the position of the vertical information section X1can more easily be identified.

Fourth, it is preferable that the vertical information sections X1to X5are arranged in the right-and-left direction such that the interval between the center lines of adjacent vertical information sections in the right-and-left direction is within a range of 7% to 10% of the tape exposure length L0. This is because, if the interval between the center lines of adjacent vertical information sections in the right-and-left direction is shorter than this, it may be difficult to form a boundary therebetween, or if a protrusion is provided in a vertical information section, the size of the hole in the right-and-left direction may become too small to be visually recognized. Conversely, if the interval between the center lines of adjacent vertical information sections in the right-and-left direction is longer than this, it may be impossible for the vertical information section made up of, for example, five rows to be formed within the range of the specified area R0. Consequently, there may be cases where the tape type cannot be identified when the identification is desired.

If the positional relationship of the various elements in the arm front surface35is defined in the way described above, a person may easily identify the positions of the vertical information sections X1to X5and the indicators800A to800E by a visual check. The reason will be described below.

If a person knows in advance all the positions in the right-and-left direction where the vertical information sections X1to X5are arranged in the arm front surface35, the person can identify the tape type by only visually checking whether a protrusion is formed in each of the vertical information sections X1to X5. If the person does not know all the positions, the person may be able to identify the positions using the following method.

The position of the vertical information section X1may be identified in the following manner. First, the vertical information sections X1to X5are arranged at an interval from the exit34A of the arm portion34. Therefore, if a person knows the distance between the exit34A and the vertical information section X1in advance, the person can visually identify the position of the vertical information section X1in the right-and-left direction, using the exit34A as a reference. Second, at least a part of the vertical information section X1is within the range W1that is 14% to 20% of the tape exposure length L0from the center line C of the cassette case31in the right-and-left direction toward the downstream side in the tape feed direction. Third, at least a part of the vertical information section X1is within the range W2that is 30% to 36% of the tape exposure length L0from the exit34A of the arm portion34toward the upstream side in the tape feed direction. Thus, the person can identify the position of the vertical information section X1in the right-and-left direction, using as a reference the exit34A of the arm portion34or the center line C of the cassette case31, each being a portion that can be easily identified by a visual check.

The vertical information sections X1to X5are arranged at equal intervals from the left side to the right side on the arm front surface35. Accordingly, if a person knows the interval of adjacent vertical information sections among the vertical information sections X1to X5, or the fact that the interval between the center lines of adjacent vertical information sections in the right-and-left direction is within the range of 7% to 10% of the tape exposure length L0, the person can identify the positions of the other vertical information sections X2to X4in the right-and-left direction, using the vertical information section X1as a reference.

Further, as in the example ofFIG.14, among the plurality of overlapping areas formed by the vertical information sections X1to X5and the lateral information sections Y1to Y3, if one overlapping area in each of the vertical information sections X1to X5functions as each of the indicators800A to800E, and if the tape type is identified based on whether a protrusion is formed in each of the indicators800A to800E, a person may need to identify the positions of the indicators800A to800E. If the person knows in advance all the vertical positions of the lateral information sections Y1to Y3on the arm front surface35, the person can identify the vertical positions of the indicators800A to800E in the vertical information sections X1to X5, respectively, using the lateral information sections Y1to Y3as a reference. In other words, a person can visually identify the fixed positions (the positions in the right-and-left direction and the positions in the vertical direction) of the indicators800A to800E that are provided in the overlapping areas formed by the vertical information sections X1to X5and the lateral information sections Y1to Y3.

Even if a person does not know the vertical positions of the lateral information sections Y1to Y3, the person can identify them in the following manner. It is defined that the lateral information sections Y1and Y2are in the common indicator portion831that has the predetermined height T1and is centered on the center line N of the cassette case31in the vertical direction. The predetermined height T1is a value that is slightly larger than the width T of the common portion32. Further, in the wide-width tape cassette30(refer toFIG.15), the lateral information section Y3extends in the right-and-left direction, astride the common indicator portion831and the extension portion832below the common indicator portion831. In the narrow-width tape cassette30(refer toFIG.18), the lateral information section Y3extends along the lower edge of the arm front surface35and the width thereof is smaller than that of the lateral information sections Y1and Y2. Consequently, the person can easily identify the position of the lateral information section Y3.

Further, the lateral information sections Y1to Y3are arranged at approximately equal intervals in the vertical direction in the second area R2. Therefore, even if a person does not know all the positions of the lateral information sections Y1to Y3in the vertical direction, the person can identify the positions of the lateral information sections Y1and Y2, using as a reference the center line N of the cassette case31in the vertical direction or the common portion32, which can be identified easily by a visual check.

In this way, the tape cassette30according to the present embodiment is structured such that a person can identify the defined positions of the vertical information sections X1to X5and the indicators800A to800E of the arm indicator portion800by visually checking the arm front surface35.

Next, identification of the tape type based on a combination of whether a protrusion is formed in each of the vertical information sections X1to X5of the arm indicator portion800or in each of the indicators800A to800E will be described. The tape type includes various elements (hereinafter referred to as tape type elements). In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which, among the various tape type elements, three elements, namely, the tape width, a print mode and a character color are identified.

The tape type element that each of the vertical information sections X1to X5indicates is determined in advance. In the present embodiment, the vertical information sections X1, X2and X5are determined as sections that indicate information for identifying the tape width. The vertical information section X3is determined as a section that indicates information for identifying the print mode. The vertical information section X4is determined as a section that indicates information for identifying the character color. In such a manner, the tape cassette30is structured such that a corresponding tape type element can be identified based on each of indicator portions alone, regardless of the structure of the other indicator portions.

Further, as shown inFIG.14, in a case where a specific overlapping area in each of the vertical information sections X1to X5functions as each of the indicators800A to800E, the tape type element that each of the indicators800A to800E indicates is determined in accordance with which of the vertical information sections X1to X5includes each of the indicators800A to800E. Accordingly, the indicators800A,800B and800E are indicators for identifying the tape width, the indicator800C is an indicator for identifying the print mode, and the indicator800D is an indicator for identifying the character color. Hereinafter, the indicators800A,800B and800E are collectively referred to as a tape width indicator portion, the indicator800C is referred to as a print mode indicator portion, and the indicator800D is referred to as a character color indicator portion. A method for identifying the tape type based on the indicators800A to800E will be described below as an example.

The tape width, the print mode and the character color indicated by each of the above indicator portions of the tape type elements will be described with reference to Table 1 to Table 3. For explanatory purpose, in the Tables, a case where each of the indicators800A to800E is a surface portion and no protrusion is formed therein is denoted by a value zero (0), and a case where a protrusion is formed in each of the indicators800A to800E is denoted by a value one (1). Note that, in a case where the tape type is identified based on whether a protrusion is formed in each of the vertical information sections X1to X5, the method for identifying the tape type described below may be used, with reference to similar tables in which the indicators800A to800E shown in Table 1 to Table 3 are respectively replaced with the vertical information sections X1to X5.

TABLE 1800A800B800ETape Width(X1)(X2)(X5)3.5mm1106mm0009mm10012mm01018mm00124mm10136mm011

TABLE 2800CPrint Mode(X3)Receptor (normal image printing mode)1Laminated (mirror image printing mode)0

TABLE 3800DCharacter Color(X4)Black1Others0

As shown in Table 1, corresponding to combinations of whether each of the indicators800A,800B and800E, which constitute the tape width indicator portion, is formed as a protrusion or as a surface portion without a protrusion, seven types of tape width from 3.5 mm to 36 mm indicated by the combinations are defined. Therefore, a person can identify the tape width of the tape cassette30by visually checking only the indicators800A,800B and800E respectively included in the vertical information sections X1, X2and X5, within the arm indicator portion800. Note that the total number of the combinations of the protrusion or the surface portion of the three indicators800A,800B and800E is eight. However, in the present embodiment, because at least one surface portion is included in the tape width indicators, a tape width corresponding to a case where all of the indicators800A,800B and800E are protrusions (the combination of “1, 1, 1”) is not defined.

As shown in Table 1, it is defined that, of the tape width indicator portion, when the tape width is equal to or more than a predetermined width (18 mm), the indicator800E is a protrusion, and when the tape width is less than the predetermined width, the indicator800E is a surface portion without a protrusion. Accordingly, as described above, a person can identify whether the tape width is equal to or more than the predetermined width (18 mm) by only visually identifying the position of the indicator800E in the arm front surface35and checking whether a protrusion is provided at the position.

In addition, based on a combination of whether a protrusion is provided in each of the indicators800A and800B, a size relationship of the tape width can be identified in a first range where the tape width is equal to or more than the predetermined width (18 mm) or in a second range where the tape width is less than the predetermined width. More specifically, if the indicator800A is a surface portion and the indicator800B is a protrusion (the combination of “0, 1” in Table 1), it indicates the maximum tape width in the first range or in the second range (that is, 36 mm or 12 mm in Table 1). If the indicator800A is a protrusion and the indicator800B is a surface portion (the combination of “1, 0” in Table 1), it indicates the second largest tape width in the first range or in the second range (that is, 24 mm or 9 mm in Table 1).

If both the indicators800A and800B are surface portions (the combination of “0, 0” in Table 1), it indicates the third largest tape width in the first range or in the second range (that is, 6 mm or 18 mm in Table 1). If both the indicators800A and800B are not surface portions but protrusions (the combination of “1, 1” in Table 1), it indicates the minimum tape width (that is, 3.5 mm in Table 1) among all the tape widths.

First, a person can visually identify the positions of the indicators800A,800B and800E on the arm front surface35as described above. Then, the person can check whether a protrusion is formed in the indicator800E, and determine whether the tape width is equal to or more than the predetermined width or the tape width is less than the predetermined width. Subsequently, by checking whether a protrusion is formed in each of the indicators800A and800B, the person can easily identify the tape width in more detail.

For example, in the wide-width tape cassette30shown inFIG.15, the indicator800E is a protrusion, the indicator800A is a surface portion, and the indicator800B is a protrusion. As a result, using the above-described method, a person can identify that the tape width is 36 mm that is the maximum width in the first range where the tape width is equal to or more than the predetermined width (18 mm). In the narrow-width tape cassette30shown inFIG.18, the indicator800E is a surface portion, the indicator800A is a surface portion, and the indicator800B is a protrusion. As a result, using the above-described method, a person can identify that the tape width is 12 mm that is the maximum width in the second range where the tape width is less than the predetermined width (18 mm).

If a person knows in advance the specific value of the predetermined width, the person may be able to determine whether the tape width of the tape cassette30is less than the predetermined width, simply by visually checking the entire tape cassette30. Therefore, the indicator800E that indicates whether the tape width is equal to or more than the predetermined width may not need to be included in the tape width indicators. That is, the vertical information section X5may not need to be defined in the arm indicator portion800. In such a case, as the vertical information sections X1and X2are closest to the exit34A of the arm portion34, a person can visually check the vertical information sections X1and X2together with the width of the exposed tape that has been discharged from the exit34A at a close interval with each other. Therefore, the person can easily and unfailingly compare the width of the tape housed in the cassette case31and the tape width indicated by the vertical information sections X1and X2, that is, the tape width indicator portion. In a case where the tape width indicator portion further includes the vertical information section X5, as in the present embodiment, by using the vertical information section X5to indicate whether or not the tape width is less than the predetermined width, the person can easily and unfailingly check whether or not the tape width is less than the predetermined width. More specifically, in the present embodiment, whether the vertical information section X5includes a protrusion or a surface portion changes at the predetermined width. Further, the vertical information section X5can be distinguished more easily by the visual check, because the vertical information section X5is separated from the vertical information sections X1and X2. Thus, the person can easily recognize whether or not the tape width is less than the predetermined width.

In other words, it may be sufficient that at least the vertical information sections X1and X2are defined in the arm indicator portion800and at least the two indicators800A and800B are present as the tape width indicator portions. In a case where the indicators800A and800B that are closest to the exit34A of the arm portion34from which the tape is discharged are used as the tape width indicator portions, a person can visually check the indicators800A and800B together with the exposed tape that has been discharged, and thereby can identify the tape width more easily.

As shown in Table 2, corresponding to whether or not the indicator800C, which is the print mode indicator portion, is formed as a protrusion, the print mode is defined as a mirror image printing mode (laminated) or a normal image printing mode (receptor). More specifically, it is defined that, if the indicator800C is a surface portion (“0” in Table 2), it indicates that mirror image printing is to be performed, and if the indicator800C is a protrusion (“1” in Table 2), it indicates that normal image printing is to be performed.

Therefore, simply by visually identifying the position of the indicator800C on the arm front surface35as described above, and checking whether or not a protrusion is formed there, a person can easily determine whether the print mode is laminated (mirror image printing mode) or receptor (normal image printing mode). For example, in the wide-width tape cassette30shown inFIG.15, the indicator800C is a surface portion. Therefore, the person can identify the print mode as the “mirror image printing mode (laminated)”. In the narrow-width tape cassette30shown inFIG.18, the indicator800C is a protrusion. Therefore, the person can identify the print mode as the “normal image printing mode (receptor)”.

The print mode “receptor (normal image printing mode)” includes all types of printing except for mirror image printing, such as a type of printing in which the ink from the ink ribbon is transferred to the tape as the print medium, and a type of printing in which a heat-sensitive tape is color developed without use of an ink ribbon. Therefore, identification of the print mode makes it possible to identify whether the tape cassette30houses a laminated type print medium or a receptor type print medium. In the manufacturing process of the tape cassette30, identification of the print mode makes it possible to identify whether the cassette case31is prepared for the laminated type or the receptor type.

As shown in Table 3, corresponding to whether or not the indicator800D, which is the character color indicator portion, is formed as a protrusion, the character color is defined as black or other than black. More specifically, it is defined that, if the indicator800D is a protrusion (“1” in Table 3), it indicates that the character color is black, and if the indicator800D is a surface portion (“0” in Table 3), it indicates that the character color is other than black.

Therefore, simply by visually identifying the position of the indicator800D on the arm front surface35as described above, and checking whether or not a protrusion is formed there, a person can easily determine whether the character color is black or other than black. For example, in the wide-width tape cassette30shown inFIG.15, the indicator800D is a surface portion. Therefore, the person can identify the character color as other than black. In the narrow-width tape cassette30shown inFIG.18, the indicator800D is a protrusion. Therefore, the person can identify the character color as black.

The tape width and the print mode may be essential information for the tape printer1to perform correct printing. On the other hand, the character color may not be essential for the tape printer1to perform correct printing. Therefore, the indicator800D, which is the character color indicator portion, is not always necessary. In other words, the vertical information section X4may not need to be defined in the arm indicator portion800. Further, the indicator800D may be used to indicate not the character color but another element of the tape type, such as the color of a tape base material or the like.

Additionally, the contents of the tape width, the print mode and the character color indicated by each of the indicator portions are not limited to those shown in Table 1 to Table 3, and can be modified as necessary. Note that the total number of combinations of the tape width, the print mode and the character color defined in Table 1 to Table 3 is twenty eight. However, all of the combinations may not need to be used. For example, in a case where detection of an improper installed state by the tape printer1is made possible (which will be described later), a combination corresponding to the improper installed state detected by the tape printer1is not used.

The structure for the arm indicator portion800to indicate the tape type, and the method for identifying the tape type by a person visually checking the arm indicator portion800are described above. Hereinafter, the structure of the arm indicator portion800in relation to the arm detecting switches210of the tape printer1, and tape type identification by the arm detecting switches210will be described with reference toFIG.12toFIG.25.

First, the structure of the arm indicator portion800in relation to the arm detecting switches210of the tape printer1will be described. As described above, in the tape printer1of the present embodiment, the five detecting switches210A to210E are provided on the cassette-facing surface12B of the platen holder12(refer toFIG.7). In the tape cassette30, the overlapping areas that respectively face the arm detecting switches210A to210E when the tape cassette30is installed in the cassette housing portion8as shown inFIG.14function as the indicators800A to800E. In the example shown inFIG.14, the indicators800A,800C, and800D are surface portions, and the indicators800B and800E are protrusions.

The surface portion is a part of the arm front surface35and opposes the arm detecting switch210with a small gap from the leading end of the switch terminal222of the arm detecting switch210when the tape cassette30is installed in the cassette housing portion8and the platen holder12moves to the print position (refer toFIG.4toFIG.6). Therefore, the surface portion functions as the non-pressing portion801that does not press the switch terminal222. The arm detecting switch210that opposes the non-pressing portion801remains in an off state, as the switch terminal222is not pressed.

The protrusion functions as the pressing portion802that presses the switch terminal222when the protrusion opposes the arm detecting switch210. The arm detecting switch210that opposes the pressing portion802is changed to an on state, as the switch terminal222contacts with the pressing portion802. As shown inFIG.12, the pressing portion802may be formed as a parallelepiped protrusion that has an upright rectangular shape in a front view and matches the shape of the indicator (overlapping area). Thus, the pressing portion802protrudes forward from the arm front surface35. In the example of the wide-width tape cassette30shown inFIG.15, the indicators800A,800C and800D are the non-pressing portions801, and the indicators800B and800E are the pressing portions802.

The vertical position of the indicator800E on the arm front surface35is located in the lateral information section Y3that is positioned lowest among the lateral information sections Y1to Y3. As described above, in the wide-width tape cassette30with the tape width equal to or more than the predetermined width (18 mm) shown inFIG.15, the lateral information section Y3is provided astride the common indicator portion831and the extension portion832below the common indicator portion831. On the other hand, in the narrow-width tape cassette30with the tape width less than the predetermined width shown inFIG.18, the lateral information section Y3extends along the lower edge of the arm front surface35and has the width approximately one third of the width of the lateral information sections Y1and Y2. Accordingly, in the narrow-width tape cassette30shown inFIG.18, the size of the indicator800E in the vertical direction is approximately one third of the size of the indicator800E of the wide-width tape cassette30shown inFIG.15.

As described above, it is defined in the present embodiment that, in the wide-width tape cassette30(refer toFIG.15) with the tape width equal to or more than the predetermined width (18 mm), the indicator800E is a protrusion, namely, the pressing portion802. It is also defined that, in the narrow-width tape cassette30(refer toFIG.18) with the tape width less than the predetermined width, the indicator800E is a surface portion, namely, the non-pressing portion801.

This is due to the following reasons. In a case where the tape printer1is a dedicated device that only uses the narrow-width tape cassette30, the arm detecting switch210E may not be provided at the position that opposes the indicator800E. On the other hand, in a case where the tape printer1is a general purpose device that can use both the narrow-width tape cassette30and the wide-width tape cassette30, the arm detecting switch210E that opposes the indicator800E is provided. Accordingly, the indicator800E that is formed as a surface portion (non-pressing portion801) in the narrow-width tape cassette30functions as an escape portion corresponding to the arm detecting switch210E.

As described above with reference to Table 1 to Table 3, each of the indicators800A to800E of the arm indicator portion800is associated with a tape type element that each of the indicators800A to800E indicates. Either a surface portion (the non-pressing portion801) or a protrusion (the pressing portion802) is formed in each of the indicators800A to800E, in accordance with a prescribed pattern that corresponds to the tape type. Accordingly, the tape printer1can identify the tape type based on the combination of the on and off states of the arm detecting switches210that are selectively pressed by the arm indicator portion800.

More specifically, the prescribed pattern (the combination of the protrusion(s) and the surface portion(s)) that is defined in advance for the indicators800A to800E as described above can be converted to a detection pattern (the combination of the on and off states) of the corresponding arm detecting switches210A to210E. Then, the tape printer1can identify the tape type with reference to a table in which each detection pattern is associated with the tape type.

A tape type table510shown inFIG.22is an example of a table used in the tape printer1to identify the tape type, and is stored in the ROM402of the tape printer1. The tape types of the tape cassette30are defined in the tape type table510in accordance with the combinations of the on and off states of the five arm detecting switches210A to210E. In the tape type table510shown inFIG.22, the arm detecting switches210A to210E respectively correspond to switches SW1to SW5, and the off state (OFF) and the on state (ON) of each of the arm detecting switches210correspond to the values zero (0) and one (1) respectively.

In a case where the total of the five arm detecting switches210A to210E are used, a maximum of thirty-two tape types can be identified, corresponding to a maximum of thirty-two detection patterns that are the total number of combinations of the on and off states. However, in the tape type table510shown inFIG.22, of the maximum of thirty-two detection patterns, tape types corresponding to twenty-four detection patterns are set. Of the remaining eight detection patterns, “ERROR” is shown for one pattern for which the tape printer1can detect that the tape cassette30is not installed at a proper position in the cassette housing portion8. “SPARE” is shown for the other seven detection patterns, indicating a blank field. The installed state of the tape cassette30when an error is detected will be described later.

The table that can be used in the tape printer1is not limited to the tape type table510shown inFIG.22. For example, a table may be used in which any selected tape type is newly added in the detection pattern corresponding to “SPARE” in the tape type table510. In addition, a table may be used in which a tape type that is recorded in the tape type table510is deleted, the correspondence between each detection pattern and the tape type is changed, and the content of the tape type corresponding to each detection pattern is changed. In such a case, the above-described prescribed pattern determined for identification of the tape type by a visual check may also be changed as necessary.

Additionally, as described above, the indicator800E included in the tape width indicator portion, and the indicator800D as the character color indicator portion may be omitted. When the indicators800E and800D are not provided, the corresponding arm detecting switches210E (SW5) and210D (SW4) are not used. In such a case, therefore, a table in which only the tape types corresponding to the arm detecting switches210A to210C (SW1to SW3) are defined may be used.

Next, modes of detecting the tape type of the tape cassette30by the tape printer1will be explained with reference toFIG.3toFIG.6,FIG.19andFIG.20.FIG.19shows a state in which the tape type is detected of the wide-width tape cassette30with the tape width of 36 mm shown inFIG.2, andFIG.10toFIG.15.FIG.20shows a state in which the tape type is detected of the narrow-width tape cassette30with the tape width of 12 mm shown inFIG.16toFIG.18.

When the tape cassette30is installed at a proper position in the cassette housing portion8by the user and the cassette cover6is closed, the platen holder12moves from the stand-by position (refer toFIG.3) to the print position (refer toFIG.4toFIG.6). Then, the arm detection portion200and the protruding piece225provided on the cassette-facing surface12B of the platen holder12move to the positions that respectively oppose the arm indicator portion800and the opposing portion820provided on the arm front surface35of the tape cassette30.

In a case where the tape cassette30is installed in the cassette housing portion8at the proper position, the protruding piece225opposes the opposing portion820. In the meantime, the switch terminals222of the arm detecting switches210that protrude from the cassette-facing surface12B (refer toFIG.8) oppose the indicators800A to800E (the non-pressing portions801and the pressing portion802) that are provided at the corresponding positions in the arm indicator portion800, and are selectively pressed. More specifically, as shown inFIG.19andFIG.20, the arm detecting switch210opposing the non-pressing portion801, namely, a surface portion, remains in the off state, as the leading end of its switch terminal222is slightly separated from the arm front surface35and thus is not pressed. The arm detecting switch210opposing the pressing portion802is changed to the on state, as its switch terminal222is pressed by the pressing portion802, namely, a protrusion that protrudes forward from the arm front surface35.

In a case where the wide-width tape cassette30shown inFIG.10toFIG.15is installed at the proper position in the cassette housing portion8, the arm detecting switches210A,210C and210D are in the off state because they oppose the indicators800A,800C and800D that are the non-pressing portions801, as shown inFIG.19. On the other hand, the arm detecting switches210B and210E are in the on state because they oppose the indicators800B and800E that are the pressing portions802. More specifically, the values that indicate the on and off states of the switches SW1to SW5corresponding to the arm detecting switches210A to210E are identified as 0, 1, 0, 0 and 1, respectively. Therefore, with reference to the tape type table510, the tape type is identified as “tape width 36 mm, mirror image printing mode (laminated), and the character color is other than black,” in the same manner as the identification result by a visual check that is described above.

In a case where the narrow-width tape cassette30shown inFIG.16toFIG.18is installed at the proper position in the cassette housing portion8, the arm detecting switches210A and210E are in the off state because they oppose the indicators800A and800E that are the non-pressing portions801, as shown inFIG.20. On the other hand, the arm detecting switches210B,210C and210D are in the on state because they oppose the indicators800B,800C and800D that are the pressing portions802. More specifically, the values that indicate the on and off states of the switches SW1to SW5corresponding to the arm detecting switches210A to210E are identified as 0, 1, 1, 1 and 0, respectively. Therefore, with reference to the tape type table510, the tape type is identified as “tape width 12 mm, normal image printing mode (receptor), and the character color is black” in the same manner as the identification result by a visual check that is described above.

As shown inFIG.23, in a case where the tape cassette30is not sufficiently pushed in in the downward direction, for example, the arm detecting switches210do not oppose the indicators800A to800E, which are supposed to oppose the detecting arm switches210oppose when the tape cassette30is properly installed. As described above with reference toFIG.14, in the present embodiment, each of the indicators800A to800E is arranged in each of the vertical information sections X1to X5, and arranged in a zigzag pattern in a front view, and thus none of the indicators800A to800E is aligned on the same line in the vertical direction. In addition, the pressing portion802is formed as a protrusion that has the same shape as the overlapping portion in a front view.

Consequently, in a case where the tape cassette30is misaligned in the upward direction relative to the proper position in the cassette housing portion8as shown inFIG.23, the pressing portion(s)802does not press the detecting switch(es)210that is not supposed to oppose the pressing portion(s)802. Therefore, none of the switch terminals222contacts with the arm front surface35(including the arm indicator portion800). In other words, all of the arm detecting switches210A to210E are maintained in the off states, and the values that indicate the on and off states of the switches SW1to SW5that correspond to the arm detecting switches210A to210E are identified as 0, 0, 0, 0 and 0, respectively. As a result, in the case of this installed state, with reference to the tape type table510, “ERROR” is identified in the tape printer1.

As described above, the combination pattern of the pressing portion(s)802(protrusion(s)) and the non-pressing portion(s)801(surface portion(s)) that corresponds to “ERROR” is not adopted in the arm indicator portion800in the present embodiment. More specifically, in the present embodiment, a pattern in which all the indicators800A to800E are the non-pressing portions801(surface portions) is not adopted. Thus, the tape cassette30not only enables identification of the tape type by human visual check and by the arm detecting switches210of the tape printer1, but also enables detection of the installed state of the tape cassette30by the tape printer1.

As described above, the arm portion34is a portion that guides the film tape59pulled out from the second tape spool41and the ink ribbon60pulled out from the ribbon spool42, causes the film tape59and the ink ribbon60to be joined at the exit34A and then discharges them towards the head insertion portion39(more specifically, the opening77). Therefore, if the tape cassette30is not properly installed in the cassette housing portion8, an error may occur in the positional relationship with the thermal head10, and printing may be performed at a misaligned position relative to the tape width direction (the height direction) of the film tape59. This also applies to the print tape57and the heat-sensitive paper tape55.

Considering this situation, in the present embodiment, the arm indicator portion800is provided on the arm front surface35of the arm portion34, which is in the vicinity of the head insertion portion39into which the thermal head10is inserted. Thus, the arm portion34(more specifically, the arm front surface35) forms the basis for easy detection of an error in the positional relationship with the thermal head10, and, printing accuracy may be improved by determining whether or not the tape cassette30is installed in the cassette housing portion8at the proper position.

Next, processing relating to printing performed in the tape printer1according to the present embodiment will be explained with reference toFIG.21. The processing relating to printing shown inFIG.21is performed by the CPU401based on programs stored in the ROM402when the power source of the tape printer1is switched on.

As shown inFIG.21, in the processing relating to printing, first, system initialization of the tape printer1is performed (step S1). For example, in the system initialization performed at step S1, the text memory in the RAM404is cleared, a counter is initialized to a default value, and so on.

Next, the tape type of the tape cassette30is identified based on the detection pattern of the arm detection portion200(namely, based on the combination of the on and off states of the arm detecting switches210A to210E) (step S3). At step S3, as described above, with reference to the tape type table510stored in the ROM402, the tape type corresponding to the combination of the on and off states of the arm detecting switches210A to210E is identified.

Next, it is determined whether the tape type identified at step S3is “ERROR” (step S5). If the identified tape type is “ERROR” (yes at step S5), the tape cassette30is not properly installed in the cassette housing portion8, as described above with reference toFIG.23. Therefore, a message is displayed on the display5to notify that printing cannot be started (step S7). At step S7, a text message is displayed on the display5that reads, for example, “The tape cassette is not properly installed.”

After step S7is performed, the processing returns to step S3. Note that, even when the tape cassette30is properly installed in the cassette housing portion8, if the cassette cover6is open, the platen holder12is at the stand-by position (refer toFIG.3) and therefore, a message is displayed on the display5indicating that printing cannot be started (step S7).

If the identified tape type is not “ERROR” (no at step S5), the content of the tape type identified at step S3is displayed on the display5as text information (step S9). In a case where the above-described wide-width tape cassette30shown inFIG.15is properly installed, the display5displays a message that reads, for example, “A 36 mm laminated-type tape cassette has been installed. The character color is other than black.” In a case where the above-described narrow-width tape cassette30shown inFIG.18is properly installed, the display5displays a message that reads, for example, “A 12 mm receptor-type tape cassette has been installed. The character color is black.”

Next, it is determined whether there is any input from the keyboard3(step S11). If there is an input from the keyboard3(yes at step S11), the CPU401receives the characters input from the keyboard3as print data, and stores the print data (text data) in the text memory of the RAM404(step S13). If there is no input from the keyboard3(no at step S11), the processing returns to step S11and the CPU402the CPU401waits for an input from the keyboard3.

Then, if there is an instruction to start printing from the keyboard3, for example, the print data stored in the text memory is processed in accordance with the tape type identified at step S3(step S15). For example, at step S15, the print data is processed such that a print range and a print size corresponding to the tape width identified at step S3, and a print position corresponding to the print mode (the mirror image printing mode or the normal image printing mode) identified at step S3are incorporated. Based on the print data processed at step S15, a print processing is performed on the tape that is the print medium (step S17). After the print processing is performed, the processing relating to printing (refer toFIG.21) ends.

The above-described print processing (step S17) will be explained below more specifically. In a case where the laminated type tape cassette30shown inFIG.3andFIG.4is installed, the tape drive roller46, which is driven to rotate via the tape drive shaft100, pulls out the film tape59from the second tape spool41by moving in concert with the movable feed roller14. Further, the ribbon take-up spool44, which is driven to rotate via the ribbon take-up shaft95, pulls out the unused ink ribbon60from the ribbon spool42in synchronization with the print speed. The film tape59that has been pulled out from the second tape spool41passes the outer edge of the ribbon spool42and is fed along the feed path within the arm portion34.

Then, the film tape59is discharged from the exit34A toward the head insertion portion39in a state in which the ink ribbon60is joined to the surface of the film tape59. The film tape59is then fed between the thermal head10and the platen roller15of the tape printer1. The characters are printed onto the print surface of the film tape59by the thermal head10. Following that, the used ink ribbon60is separated from the printed film tape59at the guide wall47and wound onto the ribbon take-up spool44.

Meanwhile, the double-sided adhesive tape58is pulled out from the first tape spool40by the tape drive roller46moving in concert with the movable feed roller14. While being guided and caught between the tape drive roller46and the movable feed roller14, the double-sided adhesive tape58is layered onto and affixed to the print surface of the printed film tape59. The printed film tape59to which the double-sided adhesive tape58has been affixed (namely, the printed tape50) is then fed toward the tape discharge portion49, and is discharged from the discharge aperture. After that, the printed tape50is cut by the cutting mechanism17.

In a case where the receptor type tape cassette30shown inFIG.5is installed, the tape drive roller46, which is driven to rotate via the tape drive shaft100, pulls out the print tape57from the first tape spool40by moving in concert with the movable feed roller14. Further, the ribbon take-up spool44, which is driven to rotate via the ribbon take-up shaft95, pulls out the unused ink ribbon60from the ribbon spool42in synchronization with the print speed. The print tape57that has been pulled out from the first tape spool40is bent in the leftward direction in the right front portion of the cassette case31, and fed along the feed path within the arm portion34.

Then, the print tape57is discharged from the exit34A toward the head insertion portion39in a state in which the ink ribbon60is joined to the surface of the print tape57. The print tape57is then fed between the thermal head10and the platen roller15of the tape printer1. Then, characters are printed onto the print surface of the print tape57by the thermal head10. Following that, the used ink ribbon60is separated from the printed print tape57at the guide wall47and wound onto the ribbon take-up spool44. Meanwhile, the printed print tape57(in other words, the printed tape50) is then fed toward the tape discharge portion49and is discharged from the discharge aperture. After that, the printed tape50is cut by the cutting mechanism17.

In a case where the thermal type tape cassette30shown inFIG.6is installed, the tape drive roller46, which is driven to rotate via the tape drive shaft100, pulls out the heat-sensitive paper tape55from the first tape spool40by moving in concert with the movable feed roller14. The heat-sensitive paper tape55that has been pulled out from the first tape spool40is bent in the leftward direction in the right front portion of the cassette case31, and is fed along the feed path within the arm portion34.

Then, the heat-sensitive paper tape55is discharged from the exit34A of the arm portion34toward the aperture77and is then fed between the thermal head10and the platen roller15. Then, characters are printed onto the print surface of the heat-sensitive paper tape55by the thermal head10. Following that, the printed heat-sensitive paper tape55(namely, the printed tape50) is further fed toward the tape discharge portion49by the tape drive roller46moving in concert with the movable feed roller14, and is discharged from the discharge aperture. After that, the printed tape50is cut by the cutting mechanism17.

When printing is being performed with thermal type printing, the ribbon take-up spool44is also driven to rotate via the ribbon take-up shaft95. However, there is no ribbon spool housed in the thermal type tape cassette30. For that reason, the ribbon take-up spool44does not pull out the unused ink ribbon60, nor does it wind the used ink ribbon60. In other words, even when the thermal type tape cassette30is used in the tape printer1that is equipped with the ribbon take-up shaft95, the rotation drive of the ribbon take-up shaft95does not have an influence on the printing operation of the heat-sensitive paper tape55and printing can be correctly performed. In the thermal type tape cassette30, the ribbon take-up spool44may not be provided, and the ribbon take-up shaft95may perform idle running inside the support holes67A and67B in a similar way.

In the above-described print processing (step S17), in a case where the laminated type tape cassette30is installed, mirror image printing is performed. In mirror image printing, the ink of the ink ribbon60is transferred onto the film tape59such that the characters are shown as a mirror image. In a case where the receptor type tape cassette30is installed, normal image printing is performed. In normal image printing, the ink of the ink ribbon60is transferred onto the print tape57such that the characters are shown as a normal image. In a case where the thermal type tape cassette30is installed, thermal type normal image printing is performed on the heat-sensitive paper tape55such that the characters are shown as a normal image.

In the present embodiment, the print mode “laminated” is applied to the tape cassette30with which mirror image printing is performed, while the print mode “receptor” is applied to the tape cassette30with which normal image printing is performed. For that reason, the print mode “receptor” is applied not only to the receptor type tape cassette30shown inFIG.5, but also to the thermal type tape cassette30shown inFIG.6.

Through the above-described processing relating to printing (refer toFIG.21), the tape type of the tape cassette30installed in the cassette housing portion8is identified by the tape printer1based on the detection patterns of the arm detection portion200. More specifically, the arm detecting switches210A to210E on the arm detection portion200are selectively pressed by the arm indicator portion800provided on the arm front surface35of the tape cassette30, and the tape type of the tape cassette30is thus identified.

As described above, the tape cassette30according to the present embodiment is structured such that when a person looks at the tape cassette30alone, the person can identify the type of the tape included in the tape cassette30by visually checking the arm front surface35. In addition, the tape cassette30is structured such that when the tape cassette30is installed in the cassette housing portion8of the tape printer1, the tape printer1can identify the tape type with the arm detection portion200detecting information indicated by the arm indicator portion800. Of the foregoing structures, as a result of structuring the tape cassette30such that a person can recognize the tape type in the tape cassette30by visually checking the arm indicator portion800, the following effects may be particularly exhibited.

In a conventional manufacturing method for tape cassettes, it is a general practice to house a tape as a print medium in a cassette case having the height (so-called case size) corresponding to the print tape. In contrast to this, a tape cassette manufacturing method is proposed in which the tapes with differing tape widths are respectively housed in cassette cases with the same height (the same case size). With this type of tape cassette manufacturing method that uses a common case size, the following benefits may be expected.

First, conventionally, when transporting cassette cases of different case sizes corresponding to different tape widths from a parts manufacturing plant to an assembly plant, the cassette cases are transported in different transportation containers each prepared for each of the case sizes. In contrast, by using a common case size, common transportation containers can be used when transporting the cassette cases from the parts manufacturing plant to the assembly plant. Consequently, transportation costs for the cassette cases may be reduced.

Second, if the case size is different for each tape width, when products are shipped from the assembly plant, it is necessary to use different package boxes each prepared for each case size. In contrast, by using a common case size, common package boxes can be used and a common packaging format can also be used when shipping the products. Consequently, packaging cost may also be reduced.

Third, if an ink ribbon with the same width is used for a tape with a narrow tape width, the width of the ink ribbon itself (the ribbon width) is narrow. In such a case, the ink ribbon may get cut during the printing operation. In contrast, by using a common case size that can maintain a ribbon width with an adequate strength, even if the width of the tape is narrow, the ink ribbon may be prevented from getting cut during the printing operation.

On the other hand, in the manufacture of the tape cassettes, if tapes with different tape widths are respectively mounted in the common size cassette cases, a tape with a wrong tape width may be housed in the cassette case. For example, a worker may mistakenly mount a tape with a 6 mm or a 9 mm width in the cassette case intended to house a 12 mm tape. This may happen because the common size cassette case capable of housing the 12 mm tape has a rib height that allows housing a tape with a less than 12 mm width.

Furthermore, as described above, the print modes of the tape cassette include the so-called receptor type, with which normal image printing is performed directly onto the print tape, and the laminated type, with which, after mirror image printing is performed on a transparent tape, a double-sided adhesive tape is affixed to the print surface. The common size cassette cases have the same external appearance, and therefore, a wrong tape may be mounted in the cassette case in the wrong print mode. For example, a worker may mount a wrong tape in the cassette case to assemble the receptor type tape cassette, when the cassette case is intended for the laminated type tape cassette.

With the tape cassette30according to the present embodiment, however, a person can identify the tape type of the tape cassette30simply by visually checking the arm indicator portion800. In other words, the worker can ascertain the tape width of the tape that should be mounted in the cassette case31, and the print mode that is intended for the cassette case31. As a consequence, in the manufacturing process of the tape cassette30, the worker can work while confirming the contents to be housed in the cassette case31, and thus errors in the manufacture of the tape cassette30may be reduced.

Furthermore, when the tape cassette30is shipped from the plant, an inspector can verify whether the contents housed in the cassette case31are correct by simply visually checking the arm indicator portion800, and therefore product inspection can be performed on the tape cassette30. More specifically, the inspector can verify whether the tape exposed at the opening77of the manufactured tape cassette30matches the tape type that can be identified from the arm indicator portion800.

In particular, the arm indicator portion800according to the present embodiment is provided on the arm front surface35that is in the vicinity of the opening77at which the tape is exposed. Moreover, the arm front surface35is a portion that can be seen from the same direction as the tape that is exposed at the opening77(more specifically, from the front of the tape cassette30). In other words, the arm indicator portion800and the tape are in adjacent positions and can be seen from the same direction, and thus the inspector can inspect the tape while verifying the arm indicator portion800. As a consequence, working efficiency in the product inspection of the tape cassette30may be improved.

In addition, the arm indicator portion800indicates the tape type using a simple structure formed of a combination of a presence and an absence of a protrusion (namely, a combination of the non-pressing portions801and the pressing portions802) in each of the vertical information sections X1to X5(or in each of the indicators800A to800E). Therefore, the arm indicator portion800may be formed easily on the cassette case31in advance. For that reason, at the time of manufacture of the cassette case31, there may be no need to print the contents to be housed in the cassette case31, nor to affix labels to indicate the contents, and therefore errors in the manufacture of the tape cassette30can be reduced at a low cost.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, the laminated type tape cassette30formed from the general purpose cassette is used in the general purpose tape printer1. Therefore, a single tape printer1can be used with each type of the tape cassette30, such as the thermal type, the receptor type, and the laminated type etc., and it may not be necessary to use the different tape printer1for each type. Furthermore, the tape cassette30is normally formed by injecting plastic into a plurality of combined dies. In the case of the tape cassette30that corresponds to the same tape width, common dies can be used, except for the die including the portion that forms the arm indicator portion800. Thus, costs may be significantly reduced.

In the example described above, the specified area R0of the arm front surface35includes the first area R1and the second area R2. The first area R1is formed as a surface portion that functions as the opposing portion820. The second area R2includes overlapping areas that function as the indicators800A to800E, each of which includes either a surface portion (namely, the non-pressing portion801) or a protrusion (namely, the pressing portion802). In such a case, in the specified area R0, a protrusion and a surface portion may be formed freely as long as the functions of the opposing portion820or the indicators800A to800E are maintained.

More specifically, with the above-described wide-width tape cassette30shown inFIG.2andFIG.10toFIG.15, all the areas that do not function as the opposing portion820(the first area R1) or as the indicators800A to800E are surface portions that are in the same plane as the non-pressing portions801. Therefore, the protrusions (the opposing portion820) provided in the specified area R0are formed separately from each other. However, it may not be necessary that the protrusions are all separated from each other.

For example, one protrusion that has a size and shape that includes at least two of the pressing portions802(hereinafter referred to as a continuous protrusion) may be formed in the specified area R0. In a case where such a continuous protrusion is formed, the continuous protrusion should not include the opposing portion820that opposes the protruding piece225and a portion that functions as the non-pressing portion(s)801.

FIG.24andFIG.25show an example of the wide-width tape cassette30in which the pressing portions802provided in the indicators800B and800D are made continuous to form the continuous protrusion804.FIG.26shows an example of the wide-width tape cassette30in which the pressing portions802provided in the indicators800B,800C,800D, and800E are made continuous to form the continuous protrusion804. Also with the wide-width tape cassettes30shown inFIG.24toFIG.26, in the same manner as with the above-described wide-width tape cassette30shown inFIG.2andFIG.10toFIG.15, the tape type can be identified by either detection of the arm detecting switches210or human visual check.

Further, with the above-described narrow-width tape cassette30shown inFIG.16toFIG.18, all the areas of the specified area R0that do not function as the opposing portion820(the first area R1) or the indicators800A to800E are surface portions that are in the same plane as the non-pressing portions801. Therefore, the protrusions (the pressing portions802) provided in the specified area R0are formed separately from each other. However, it may not be necessary that the protrusions are all separated from each other.

Specifically, as in the case of the wide-width tape cassette30described above, one continuous protrusion804that includes at least two of the pressing portions802may be formed in the specified area R0.FIG.27shows an example of the narrow-width tape cassette30in which the pressing portions802provided in the indicators800A,800B, and800D are made continuous to form the continuous protrusion804. Also with the narrow-width tape cassette30shown inFIG.27, in the same manner as with the above-described narrow-width tape cassette30shown inFIG.16toFIG.18, the tape type can be identified by either detection of the arm detecting switches210or human visual check.

The tape cassette30and the tape printer1of the present invention are not limited to those in the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and alterations may of course be made insofar as they are within the scope of the present invention.

The shape, size, number and arrangement pattern of the non-pressing portion(s)801and the pressing portion(s)802of the arm indicator portion800are not limited to the examples represented in the above-described embodiment, but can be modified. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the pressing portion802(protrusion) of the arm indicator portion800is a parallelepiped protrusion that has an upright rectangular shape in a front view that is the same as the shape of each of the overlapping areas functioning as the indicators800A to800E. However, the pressing portion802can be modified in a range of size and shape as long as the pressing portion802is capable of pressing the switch terminal222to make the detecting switch210to be in the on state. For example, the pressing portion802may be a hemispherical projection that has a circular shape and includes the overlapping area in a plan view, or the pressing portion802may have any other different shape. In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the tape cassette30that has the semi-circular groove34K is shown as an example. However, the tape cassette30may not need to have the semi-circular groove34K.

The apparatus and methods described above with reference to the various embodiments are merely examples. It goes without saying that they are not confined to the depicted embodiments. While various features have been described in conjunction with the examples outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, and/or improvements of those features and/or examples may be possible. Accordingly, the examples, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative. Various changes may be made without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the underlying principles.