CN107962875B - Printing equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

The printing apparatus includes: a cartridge storage area in which a space for storing a cassette containing a medium to be printed is formed; and a cover member set in an open state so that the cassette storage area is exposed to the outside. The cartridge storage area has a first space for inserting a first finger supporting the first side end region of the cartridge so as to store the cartridge from the cartridge in a state supported by three fingers of one hand. Take out the area, or store it in the above-mentioned box storage area; the opening area forms a space for inserting the second finger that supports the state of the second side end area; and the second space is used for inserting and supporting the third side of the above-mentioned box The third finger of the state of the end area.

Description

printing device

The application number of the corresponding Japanese application: 2016-205536, the filing date: October 19, 2016.

technical field

The present invention relates to a printing device, and more particularly to a printing device that accommodates a cartridge.

Background technique

Conventionally, there is known a label printer that prints letters, graphics, etc. on a tape member that is a long-shaped medium to be printed to produce a label.

For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-194853, a label printer of a thermal transfer method is described. By controlling the energization of the heating element provided on the thermal head, the ink applied to the ink ribbon is transferred to the ribbon member. Printing by transfer printing.

In the label printer of the thermal transfer method, the printing process is carried out in a state in which a tape cassette with a built-in tape member is accommodated.

Then, the tape cassette is exchanged when the width of the tape member is changed, when a tape break occurs, or the like. Therefore, an operation in which the user takes out the tape cassette from the label printer occurs relatively frequently.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printing device 100 that is a conventional label printer that accommodates a tape cassette 200 . FIG. 1 shows a state in which a cover 102 provided on an apparatus housing 101 of a printing apparatus 100 is opened, and a tape cassette 200 accommodated in a cassette storage area 110 is exposed to the outside.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the state where the tape cassette 200 is stored in the cassette storage area 110, the shaft-shaped structure (for example, the thermal head 103, the ink ribbon winding drive shaft 104) installed on the printing device 100 and the tape The box 200 snaps together.

Therefore, when taking out the tape cassette 200 , it is desirable to lift the tape cassette 200 in a direction parallel to the axial direction so that the shaft-shaped structure does not interfere with the tape cassette 200 .

However, in the conventional printing apparatus 100 , there is not enough space provided between the tape cassette 200 and the cassette storage area 110 . Specifically, in the cassette storage area 110 , only the recessed portion 111 is provided in a diagonal direction with respect to the notch portion 201 of the tape cassette 200 .

Therefore, when the user takes out the tape cassette 200 from the printing apparatus 100, as shown in FIG. In the state of the end, the tape cassette 200 is taken out.

When the tape cassette 200 is lifted up by supporting two points on the diagonal line of the tape cassette 200 with the fingertips in this way, the tape cassette 200 is easily rotated and tilted.

When the tape cassette 200 is tilted, the shaft-shaped structure interferes with the tape cassette 200 , so it becomes difficult to take out the tape cassette 200 .

In light of the above circumstances, an object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus having a structure in which a tape cassette can be easily taken out.

Contents of the invention

The present invention provides a printing device, comprising: a cartridge containing area, having a first side end area including a first side surface, a second side end area including a second side surface opposite to the first side surface, and including one end and the above-mentioned The third side end area of the third side where the first side end area is connected and the other end is connected to the above-mentioned second side end area, the box accommodation area forms a space for accommodating a box with a built-in printed medium; It is set to an open state in which the above-mentioned box accommodating area is exposed to the outside, or a closed state in which the above-mentioned box accommodating area is not exposed to the outside, in order to be supported by the first finger of one hand on the above-mentioned first side end area of the above-mentioned box, In a state where the second side end region is supported by a second finger of the hand different from the first finger, and the third side end region is supported by a third finger of the hand different from the first and second fingers, The cartridge is taken out from or stored in the cartridge storage area, and the cartridge storage area has a first space at least in the first side end area in the state where the cartridge is stored in the cartridge storage area. Between a part and the inner wall of the above-mentioned box accommodating area, the first finger supporting the state of the first side end area can be inserted; the second space is on the third side in the state where the above-mentioned box is accommodated in the above-mentioned box accommodating area Between at least a part of the end area and the inner wall of the above-mentioned box storage area, the third finger supporting the state of the third side end area can be inserted; When the open state is set, at least a part of the second side end region of the case is exposed to the outside to form a space into which a second finger supporting the second side end region can be inserted.

According to the present embodiment, there is provided a printing device having a structure in which the tape cassette can be easily taken out.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional printing device housing a tape cassette.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which a tape cassette is taken out from a conventional printing apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a printing device according to one embodiment.

4A and 4B are perspective views of the tape cassette.

Fig. 5 is a side view of the printing device in a state where the cover member is opened.

6 is a perspective view of the printing apparatus in a state where the cover member is opened and the tape cassette is not stored in the cassette storage area.

7 is a perspective view of the printing apparatus in a state where the cover member is opened and the tape cassette is stored in the cassette storage area.

8 is a plan view of the printing apparatus in a state where the cover member is opened and the tape cassette is not stored in the cassette storage area.

9 is a plan view of the printing apparatus in a state where the cover member is opened and the tape cassette is stored in the cassette storage area.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the tape cassette is taken out from the printing device.

Fig. 11 is another diagram showing a state in which the tape cassette is taken out from the printing device.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the printing apparatus when the cover member is opened and a tape cassette with a width of 6 mm is stored in the cassette storage area.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the printing apparatus when the cover member is opened and a tape cassette with a width of 24 mm is stored in the cassette storage area.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the printing apparatus when the cover member is opened and a tape cassette with a width of 46 mm is stored in the cassette storage area.

Fig. 15 is a control block diagram of the printing device.

Detailed ways

Hereinafter, a printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a printing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The printing device 1 is a printing device including a thermal head that prints on a to-be-printed medium, and is, for example, a label printer that prints on a long to-be-printed medium M in a single pass.

Hereinafter, a label printer of a thermal transfer method using an ink ribbon will be described as an example, but the printing method is not particularly limited. For example, a thermal method using thermal paper may also be used.

The to-be-printed medium M is, for example, a belt member including: a substrate coated with an adhesive on one surface; and a release paper releasably attached to one surface of the substrate via the adhesive. In addition, the to-be-printed medium M may be a tape member to which no adhesive is applied and no release paper is attached.

In the printing device 1, as shown in FIG. 3 , on the upper surface of a cubic device frame 20, a cover member 10 and a plurality of buttons (button 21, button 22a, button 22b, button 22c, button 22d) are provided. ).

The button 21 is an opening and closing button of the cover member 10 . The buttons 22a to 22d are a power button, a wireless communication button, a supply button, and a cut button, respectively.

Although not shown, the device housing 20 is provided with a power line connection terminal, an external device connection terminal, and the like.

The cover member 10 is configured to be openable and closable.

The cover member 10 is opened when the button 21 is pressed, and the opening of the cover member 10 exposes the cartridge storage area 30 (see FIGS. 5 to 7 ) to the outside.

A window 11 is formed on the cover member 10 so that it can be confirmed visually whether or not a tape cassette (cassette) 40 is accommodated in the cassette storage area 30 even when the cover member 10 is closed (see FIGS. 4A and 4B ). .

A discharge port 20 a is formed on a side surface of the device housing 20 .

The to-be-printed medium M printed in the printing device 1 is discharged from the discharge port 20a to the outside of the device.

Further, the discharge port 20 a discharges the to-be-printed medium M in such a direction that the surface direction of the printing surface of the to-be-printed medium M is substantially perpendicular to the surface on which the printing device 1 is placed.

4A and 4B are perspective views of a tape cassette (cassette) 40 .

The tape cassette 40 is housed in the cassette storage area 30 of the printing apparatus 1 in a replaceable manner.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B , the tape cassette 40 has a cassette case 41 for accommodating the medium M to be printed and the ink ribbon R, and a thermal head inserted portion 45 , a support portion 46 , and a cutout portion 47 are formed on the cassette case 41 . , and the concave portion 48 .

A tape core 42 , an ink ribbon supply core 43 , and an ink ribbon winding core 44 are provided on the cassette case 41 .

The to-be-printed medium M is wound around the tape core 42 inside the cassette case 41 in a roll shape.

The ink ribbon R for thermal transfer is wound around the ribbon supply core 43 inside the cartridge case 41 in a roll shape with the leading end wound around the ribbon winding core 44 .

Also, a release switch 49 is provided in the recess 48 of the cartridge case 41 .

By pressing the release switch 49 , the lock mechanism preventing the conveyance of the to-be-printed medium M is released, and the to-be-printed medium M can be conveyed.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the printing device 1 in a state where the cover member 10 is opened.

6 and 7 are perspective views of the printing device 1 in a state where the cover member 10 is opened.

8 and 9 are plan views of the printing device 1 in a state where the cover member 10 is opened.

6 and 8 show a state where the tape cassette 40 is not stored in the cassette storage area 30 .

7 and 9 show a state in which the tape cassette 40 is stored in the cassette storage area 30 .

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 9 , the printing apparatus 1 includes a cassette storage area 30 for storing a tape cassette 40 containing a medium M to be printed.

The cartridge storage area 30 is exposed to the outside by the opening of the cover member 10 .

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the lid member 10 includes a convex portion 12 , a pressing portion 13 , and a pin 14 in addition to the window 11 described above.

The cover member 10 is pivotally supported by a support shaft 23 provided on the device housing 20 . The support shaft 23 extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the medium M to be printed.

When the lock mechanism is released by pressing the button 21 , the lid member 10 rotates around the spindle 23 . Thereby, the discharge port 20a side of the cover member 10 moves toward the upper side of the support shaft 23, the cover member 10 stands up, and becomes an open state as shown in FIG.6 and FIG.7.

The convex portion 12 has a shape corresponding to the opening area 32 provided in the cartridge housing area 30 . The opening area 32 will be described later.

The convex portion 12 is formed in a shape that faces the opening area 32 when the lid member 10 is closed, and closes the opening area 32 .

The pressing portion 13 is a member that presses the upper surface of the tape cassette 40 accommodated in the cassette storage area 30 when the cover member 10 is closed.

The pressing portion 13 includes an elastic member whose pressing force is adjusted so as not to apply excessive pressure to the tape cassette 40 having various thicknesses.

When the cover member 10 is opened, the pressing portion 13 also functions to lift the cover member 10 by the elastic force of the contracted elastic member.

The pin 14 is provided at a position where it engages with the opening/closing detection unit 24 provided on the device housing 20 when the cover member 10 is closed.

The opening/closing detection unit 24 electrically detects the closed state of the lid member 10 when the pin 14 is engaged with the opening/closing detection unit 24 . On the other hand, the opening/closing detection unit 24 electrically detects the open state of the lid member 10 when the pin 14 is not engaged with the opening/closing detection unit 24 .

The printing apparatus 1 operates to electrically press the thermal head 25 against the platen roller 26 when the power is turned on and the opening/closing detection unit 24 detects the closed state of the cover member 10 . On the other hand, the printing apparatus 1 does not perform the operation of pressing the thermal head 25 against the platen roller 26 when the opening/closing detection unit 24 detects the open state of the cover member 10 .

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 , a thermal head 25 and a pressure roller 26 are provided in the cartridge storage area 30 .

The thermal head 25 is a printing head for printing on the to-be-printed medium M, and has a plurality of heat generating elements 25a (see FIG. 15 ) whose heat generation states are independently controlled by voltage application.

A thermistor 50 is embedded in the thermal head 25 (see FIG. 15 ).

The thermistor 50 functions as a measurement unit for measuring the temperature of the thermal head 25 .

The pressure roller 26 is a conveyance roller that conveys the to-be-printed medium M while sandwiching the to-be-printed medium M and the ink ribbon R with the thermal head 25 .

The pressure roller 26 conveys the to-be-printed medium M toward the discharge port 20a along the conveyance direction.

The thermal head 25 and the pressure roller 26 are arranged side by side in a first direction described later.

As shown in FIG. 8, an ink ribbon winding drive shaft 27, a tape core engagement shaft 28, a plurality of receiving parts 29, a plurality of bandwidth detection switches 29a, and a first space forming area 31 are also provided in the cassette storage area 30. , an opening area 32 , a step 33 , a protrusion 34 , a rib 35 , and a second space forming area 36 .

The tape cassette 40 is accommodated inside the area defined by the step 33 in the cassette storage area 30 .

The bottom surface inside the area divided by the step 33 in the cartridge storage area 30 constitutes the lower section, and the bottom surface of the area outside the area divided by the step 33 and includes the first space forming area 31 and the second space forming area 36 forms the upper section. . Here, the bottom surface of the upper stage is provided at a position about 1 to 2 cm higher than the bottom surface of the lower stage.

When the tape cassette 40 is accommodated in the cassette storage area 30 , the supporting portion 46 of the tape cassette 40 is supported by the receiving portion 29 , and the thermal head 25 is inserted into the thermal head inserted portion 45 of the tape cassette 40 .

The tape core 42 of the tape cassette 40 is engaged with the tape core engagement shaft 28 , and the ink ribbon winding core 44 is engaged with the ink ribbon winding drive shaft 27 .

The receiving portion 29 is formed standing up from the upper stage of the step 33 .

Therefore, the tape cassette 40 is stored in the space above the upper stage of the step 33 in the cassette storage area 30 , except for a relatively large tape cassette having a wide band.

In addition, the case where the tape cassette reaches below the upper stage of the step 33 is, for example, the case where the tape cassette has a width of 36 mm or more.

The release switch 49 provided on the recess 48 of the tape cassette 40 is pressed by the protrusion 34, and the lock mechanism is released.

In addition, looseness of the tape cassette 40 in the area defined by the step 33 is suppressed by the rib 35 .

The plurality of width detection switches 29 a is a detection unit that detects the width of the medium to be printed M based on the shape of the tape cassette 40 .

The bandwidth detection switch 29 a is provided on the upper surface of any one of the plurality of receiving parts 29 . The plurality of tape cassettes 40 having different bandwidths are configured such that the plurality of bandwidth detection switches 29a are pressed in different combinations.

The printing apparatus 1 specifies the type of the tape cassette 40 and detects the width (tape) of the medium M to be printed based on the combination of the pressed tape detection switches 29a.

The first space forming area 31 , the opening area 32 , and the second space forming area 36 provided in the cassette storage area 30 are configured to easily take out the tape cassette 40 from the printing device 1 , and are used to place the cassette in the cassette storage area 30 . A space for hooking fingers to the tape cassette 40 is ensured inside.

Described in more detail, when the cover member 10 is opened, the first finger, the second finger, and the first finger, the second finger, and the second finger are respectively positioned at the first side end area, the second side end area, and the third side end area of the tape cassette 40, which will be described later. When the tape cassette 40 is taken out from the cassette storage area 30 while supported by three fingers, the first space forming area 31 , the opening area 32 , and the second space forming area 36 are configured to function as follows.

In addition, each side end area of the tape cassette 40 includes not only the side faces of the tape cassette but also the edge of the tape cassette. For example, the support portion 46 , the notch portion 47 , the concave portion 48 and the like shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B are also included in the side end region.

The first space forming area 31 is configured such that a first spacer in a state supporting the first side end area of the tape cassette 40 can be inserted between at least a part of the first side end area of the tape cassette 40 and the cassette housing area 30 . The first space 31a for the fingers.

More specifically, for example, as shown in FIGS. A first space 31a is formed between the first side 40a of the box and the first inner wall of the box receiving area 30 .

Here, the first inner wall of the cassette accommodating area 30 refers to the inner surface of the cassette accommodating area 30 that faces the first side 40a of the tape cassette 40 when the tape cassette 40 is accommodated in the cassette accommodating area 30, and constitutes a cassette. The first space of the accommodation area 30 forms an area 31 .

The first side surface 40 a is a first side end region of the tape cassette 40 , and is a side surface on the first direction side of the tape cassette 40 when the tape cassette 40 is accommodated in the cassette storage area 30 .

The first direction is a direction in which the thermal head 25 presses the to-be-printed medium M and the ink ribbon R against the pressure roller 26 .

The thermal head 25 and the pressure roller 26 are arranged along the first direction.

The first space 31a formed between at least a part of the first side surface 40a and the first inner wall of the cassette accommodating area 30 is for inserting at least a part of fingers in order to hook the fingers on the tape cassette 40 when the tape cassette 40 is taken out. space.

The width of the first space, that is, the distance along the first direction between the first side 40a and the box accommodating area 30, preferably has the following length: a fingertip of a standard adult's finger can be inserted into the first space at least. The bottom surface of 31a, that is, the space where the upper part of the cartridge storage area 30 contacts, preferably has a length of at least about 2 cm or more. As an example, the width of the first space is 2.5 cm.

The first space 31a is preferably provided so as to be continuous with the second space 36a described later, and the first space 31a and the second space 36a form an L-shaped space.

The opening area 32 is an area that is opened so that a second finger can be inserted in a state where at least a part of the second side end area of the tape cassette 40 accommodated in the cassette storage area 30 is directed toward the printing surface. The outside of the device 1 is exposed, so that the exposed second side end region can be supported.

More specifically, for example, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 , the opening area 32 is such that at least a part of the second side surface 40b of the tape cassette 40 accommodated in the cassette housing area 30 faces outward when the cover member 10 is opened. exposed.

Here, the second side surface 40b is a second side end region of the tape cassette 40, and is a direction different from the first direction of the tape cassette 40 when the tape cassette 40 is accommodated in the cassette housing area 30 (hereinafter referred to as The second direction.) side of the side.

The second direction is preferably a direction facing opposite to the first direction.

The opening area 32 is an open space that is connected to the outside of the device on the side of the tape cassette 40 in the second direction when the cover member 10 is opened.

Like the first space, this open space is also a space for inserting at least a part of a finger for hooking a finger on the tape cassette 40 when taking out the tape cassette 40 .

As an example, as shown in FIG. 5 , the opening region 32 has a depth DP of about 2 to 4 cm except for the oblique portion. Then, the flat lower surface FP of the opening area 32 has a height of about 1 to 2 cm from the lower stage of the cartridge storage area 30 .

When a tape cassette 40 having a relatively narrow width (for example, a width of 9 mm or less) is accommodated in the cassette housing area 30 , the lower surface FP of the opening area 32 is located lower than the lower surface of the tape cassette 40 .

Therefore, the tape cassette 40 can be supported by hooking a finger inserted from the opening area 32 on the lower surface of the tape cassette 40 or the edge portion between the lower surface and the second side surface 40b.

Even when the tape cassette 40 with the widest tape width (for example, 46 mm width) is accommodated, the lower surface FP of the opening area 32 is located below the center of the tape cassette 40 in the thickness direction. Therefore, the tape cassette 40 can be stably supported by the finger which contacts the lower side of the tape cassette 40 than the center in the thickness direction.

The second space forming area 36 is configured to form a second space 36a into which a third finger supporting the third side end area can be inserted between at least a part of the third side end area and the cartridge housing area 30 .

More specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. Contains 40 cassettes.

That is, structures for positioning the tape cassette 40 (thermal head 25 , ribbon winding drive shaft 27 , receiving portion 29 , etc.) are provided in the cassette housing area 30 to form the second space 36 a.

Here, the second inner wall of the cassette storage area 30 refers to the surface of the cassette storage area 30 that faces the third side surface 40c of the tape cassette 40 when the tape cassette 40 is stored in the cassette storage area 30, and constitutes the cassette storage area. The second space of 30 forms a region 36 .

The third side surface 40c is a third side end area of the tape cassette 40, and is a direction of the tape cassette 40 that is different from both the first direction and the second direction ( Hereinafter, it is referred to as the side surface of the third direction.) side.

The third direction is preferably a direction opposite to the conveyance direction of the to-be-printed medium M, and more preferably a direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

That is, the discharge port 20a preferably discharges the medium M to be printed to the outside of the printing apparatus 1 laterally from the fourth side end area different from the first side end area, the second side end area, and the third side end area of the tape cassette 40 .

The second space formed between the third side surface 40c and the cassette storage area 30 is a space for inserting at least a part of a finger for hooking a finger on the tape cassette 40 when taking out the tape cassette 40 .

The width of the second space, that is, the distance along the third direction between the third side 40c and the box accommodating area 30, preferably has at least a bottom surface formed to insert the fingertip of a standard adult's finger into the second space 36a, That is, the length of the space until the upper stage of the cartridge storage area 30 touches preferably has a length of at least about 1 cm or more. As an example, the width of the second space is 1.5 cm.

In this case, the L-shaped space formed by the first space with a width of 2 cm and the second space with a width of 1.5 cm has a width slightly smaller than about 3 cm at the corner portion.

10 and 11 are diagrams showing a state in which the tape cassette 40 is taken out from the printing apparatus 1 .

In the printing apparatus 1 , spaces are formed in three directions around the tape cassette 40 in the cassette storage area 30 .

Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 , when the user of the printing apparatus 1 takes out the tape cassette 40 , he can hook his finger on the tape cassette 40 from three directions.

Thereby, the tape cassette 40 can be easily lifted without tilting. Therefore, when the tape cassette 40 is to be taken out, interference of the tape cassette 40 with the ribbon winding drive shaft 27 and the tape core engaging shaft 28 can be suppressed, and the tape cassette 40 can be easily taken out from the printing apparatus 1 .

In the printing device 1 , a first space forming region 31 and an opening region 32 are provided such that the first direction and the second direction are opposite directions. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 , the user of the printing apparatus 1 can hang his fingers on the two side surfaces (the first side surface 40 a and the second side surface 40 b ) of the tape cassette 40 facing in opposite directions to securely hold the tape cassette 40 . Hold the cassette 40 securely. Thereby, the tape cassette 40 can be lifted up stably, and thus the tape cassette 40 can be easily taken out from the printing apparatus 1 .

In the printing apparatus 1 , as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 , the first space 31 a is provided to form an L-shaped space continuous with the second space 36 a. In other words, the first space 31 a and the second space 36 a have spaces extending in directions intersecting with each other, and are adjacent to each other in space and are continuous.

Therefore, the user who puts the thumb into the space formed by the opening area 32 and hooks the thumb on the tape cassette 40 can freely arrange the remaining fingers in the space L formed by the first space 31a and the second space 36a. The continuous space of fonts.

Such a high degree of freedom in the arrangement of fingers has the advantage that the convenience of use does not change according to the size of the hand. For many users, it is possible to provide a structure that is easy to lift and take out the tape cassette 40. .

In particular, by hooking one or more fingers to each space constituting the continuous space, the tape cassette 40 can be supported from three or more different directions by a total of three or more fingers. Therefore, the tape cassette 40 can be taken out in a stable posture.

In the printing apparatus 1 , a support shaft 23 is provided at a position in the third direction from the cartridge storage area 30 .

When the first direction and the second direction are mutually opposite directions, as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. One side of the second side 40b in the second direction hooks the middle finger or the ring finger on the other side to clamp the tape cassette 40, and hooks the index finger on the third side 40c facing the third direction to lift the tape cassette 40. .

Therefore, when taking out the tape cassette 40, it is assumed that the user of the printing apparatus 1 is located in a direction opposite to the third direction. With the fulcrum 23 located in the third direction, the lid member 10 thus opened stands up on the fulcrum 23 . With such a positional relationship between the user and the cover member 10 , since the cover member 10 does not become an obstacle when taking out the tape cassette 40 , it is possible to more easily take out the tape cassette 40 from the printing apparatus 1 .

Further, in the printing apparatus 1 , the third direction is the direction opposite to the conveyance direction, and a space for putting fingers in the opposite direction to the conveyance direction is provided when viewed from the tape cassette 40 . Generally, a specific structure such as a cutting mechanism for the to-be-printed medium M is disposed on the conveying direction side of the tape cassette 40 , whereas the space on the opposite conveying direction side can be relatively freely used. Therefore, by making the third direction the direction opposite to the conveyance direction, it is possible to avoid reduction of space for arranging a specific structure, increase of the device housing 20 , and the like.

Further, in the printing device 1, the convex portion 12 of the cover member 10 has a shape corresponding to the opening area 32, and is formed in a shape that faces the opening area 32 when the cover member 10 is closed to close the opening area 32. .

Therefore, the space occupied by the convex portion 12 when the cover member 10 is closed can be used as a space for exposing the second side surface 40 b of the tape cassette 40 . Accordingly, it is possible to provide a space for hooking fingers when taking out the tape cassette 40 without increasing the size of the printing apparatus 1 .

Then, when the cover member 10 is closed, the second side surface 40b of the tape cassette 40 is not exposed, so that impurities and the like can be prevented from entering the printing apparatus 1 during printing.

Furthermore, in the printing apparatus 1, the tape cassette is accommodated so that the center in the thickness direction of the tape cassette becomes a constant position regardless of its type. The center in the thickness direction of the tape cassette is substantially at the same position as the center in the width direction of the medium M to be printed. Therefore, by setting the height of the opening area 32 at or below the predetermined position, the printing apparatus 1 can expose the side surface of the tape cassette stored in the cassette storage area 30 regardless of the type of tape cassette.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the printing apparatus 1 in a state where a tape cassette 60 having a width of 6 mm is accommodated in the cassette storage area 30 .

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the printing apparatus 1 in a state where a tape cassette 70 having a width of 24 mm is accommodated in the cassette storage area 30 .

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the printing apparatus 1 in a state where a tape cassette 80 having a width of 46 mm is accommodated in the cassette storage area 30 .

In general, in a printing device capable of handling from narrower tapes with a tape width of about 6mm to wider tapes with a tape width of about 46mm, it is required to transfer the tape cassette containing the narrow tape to the cassette. When inserting into the storage area, or when taking it out from the cassette storage area, insert a finger into a deep position inside the printing device.

In the printing device 1, as shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, the side surfaces of the tape cassette (side 60b, side 70b, and side 80b) are exposed from the opening area 32 regardless of the type of the tape cassette, so it can be used according to the type of tape cassette. The tape cassette can be easily removed from the printing unit 1 independently of the other.

The above description focuses on the ease of removal of the tape cassette 40 . However, according to the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the tape cassette 40 can also be easily accommodated in the cassette accommodation area 30 .

In the printing apparatus 1 , the tape cassette 40 can be moved to a relatively deep position in the cassette storage area 30 without changing the posture of the tape cassette 40 while the tape cassette 40 is supported by fingers.

Therefore, the tape cassette 40 can be continuously held until the tape cassette 40 is fully supported by the receiving portion 29 provided in the cassette storage area 30 . Therefore, the user can easily and reliably store the tape cassette 40 in the cassette storage area 30 .

FIG. 15 is a control block diagram of the printing apparatus 1 .

In addition to the above configuration, the printing device 1 further includes a control device 2, a communication interface (communication I/F) 3, a ROM (ReadOnly Memory) 4, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 5, a head drive circuit 51, and a transport motor drive circuit 52. , stepper motor 53, cutter motor driving circuit 54, cutter motor 55, full-cut mechanism 56 and half-cut mechanism 57. In addition, the control device 2 , the ROM 4 , and the RAM 5 constitute a computer of the printing device 1 .

The control device 2 includes, for example, a processor 2a such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

The control device 2 controls the operation of each part of the printing device 1 by developing and executing the program stored in the ROM 4 in the RAM 5 .

The communication interface 3 communicates with external devices via wire or wirelessly, and receives print data from the external devices.

The ROM 4 stores a printing program for printing on the printing medium M and various data (for example, fonts, etc.) necessary for execution of the printing program. In addition, the ROM 4 also functions as a storage medium that stores programs that can be read by the control device 2 .

The RAM 5 functions as an input data memory for storing printing-related information (hereinafter referred to as printing information).

The RAM 5 also functions as a print data memory that stores pattern data (hereinafter referred to as print data) generated based on print information and representing print contents to be formed on a print medium.

The head drive circuit 51 applies or does not apply a voltage to the heating element 25 a based on the print data and the gate pulse signal. The thermal head 25 is a printing head having a plurality of heat generating elements 25a arranged in the main scanning direction. The thermal head 25 selectively applies a voltage to the heating element 25 a through the head driving circuit 51 according to print data while the gate pulse signal sent from the control device 2 is ON (that is, the energization period). The thermal head 25 heats the ink ribbon R by the heating element 25a to which a voltage is applied, and prints on the to-be-printed medium M one line at a time by thermal transfer.

The motor drive circuit 52 for conveyance drives the stepping motor 53 .

The stepping motor 53 drives the pressure roller 26 .

The pressure roller 26 is rotated by the power of the stepping motor 53 and conveys the to-be-printed medium M along the conveyance direction.

The cutter motor drive circuit 54 drives the cutter motor 55 .

The full-cut mechanism 56 and the half-cut mechanism 57 are operated by the power of the cutter motor 55 to perform full-cut or half-cut on the to-be-printed medium M.

The full cut refers to the operation of cutting the base material of the medium to be printed M along the width direction together with the release paper, and the half cut refers to the operation of cutting only the base material along the width direction.

The cutter motor driving circuit 54 may also drive the cutter motor 55 so that the full-cut mechanism 56 performs full-cutting on the to-be-printed medium M, for example, when the button 22d is pressed.

The above-mentioned embodiments are specific examples shown to facilitate understanding of the invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments.

Various modifications and changes can be made to the printing device within the scope not departing from the scope of claims.

In the said embodiment, the example in which the 3rd direction is the direction opposite to a conveyance direction was shown. However, the third direction may be a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction, and the first direction or the second direction may be the same direction as the conveyance direction.

In the above-described embodiments, the printing device 1 receives print data from an external device and performs printing. However, the printing device 1 may also have a configuration including an input unit for inputting print data and a display unit, and input the print data through the input unit.

Claims (14)

1. a kind of printing equipment, has:

Box receiving area, forms the space of the box for accommodating built-in printed medium, and above-mentioned box has including first side First side end region, include the second side opposed with above-mentioned first side the second side end region and including one end with it is upper State the third side end region for the third side that the first side end region is connected, the other end is connected with above-mentioned second side end region；And

Cover is set to the open state for exposing above-mentioned box receiving area to outside or makes above-mentioned box receiving area not The closed state exposed to outside,

In order to be supported in above-mentioned first side end region of above-mentioned box by the first finger of a hand, in above-mentioned second side end region State different from the above-mentioned first finger second fingers supports of hand, above-mentioned third side end region by above-mentioned hand with above-mentioned first with And in the state of the different third finger support of second finger, above-mentioned box is taken out from above-mentioned box receiving area or to above-mentioned The receiving of box receiving area,

Above-mentioned box receiving area includes

First space, in the state that above-mentioned box receiving area contains above-mentioned box, at least the one of above-mentioned first side end region Between part and the inner wall of above-mentioned box receiving area, it is inserted into support the first-hand of the state of above-mentioned first side end region Refer to；

Second space, in the state that above-mentioned box receiving area contains above-mentioned box, at least the one of above-mentioned third side end region Between part and the inner wall of above-mentioned box receiving area, it is inserted into support the third hand of the state of above-mentioned third side end region Refer to；And

Open area contains above-mentioned box in above-mentioned box receiving area and the case where above-mentioned cover is set to above-mentioned open state Under, expose at least part of above-mentioned second side end region of above-mentioned box to outside, formation supports above-mentioned second side petiolarea The space that the second finger of the state in domain is inserted into.

2. printing equipment as described in claim 1, wherein

Above-mentioned open area is formed as, and makes the area in the center of the thickness direction of the above-mentioned box of above-mentioned second side end region of above-mentioned box Reveal to the region of upside to outside in the region from above-mentioned center of the above-mentioned thickness direction of domain and above-mentioned second side end region Shape out.

3. printing equipment as described in claim 1, wherein

Any one of the above-mentioned box of the mutually different multiple types of the thickness that above-mentioned box receiving area can accommodate above-mentioned box,

Any one of the above-mentioned box of above-mentioned multiple types is all received as the thickness side of above-mentioned box in above-mentioned box receiving area To center become certain position.

4. printing equipment as described in claim 1, wherein

Above-mentioned first space has and can insert above-mentioned first finger to the direction of insertion of above-mentioned box receiving area along above-mentioned box Enter size until with the contact of the bottom surface of above-mentioned box receiving area,

Above-mentioned second space have can by above-mentioned third finger along above-mentioned direction of insertion be inserted into until with above-mentioned box accommodating area Size until the bottom surface contact in domain.

5. printing equipment as claimed in claim 4, wherein

Above-mentioned first side in above-mentioned first space and between the inner wall of above-mentioned box receiving area, along with above-mentioned first side The distance in the orthogonal direction in the face direction in face has 2cm or the length greater than 2cm,

Above-mentioned third side in above-mentioned second space and between the inner wall of above-mentioned box receiving area, along with above-mentioned third side The distance in the orthogonal direction in the face direction in face has 1cm or the length greater than 1cm.

6. printing equipment as described in claim 1, wherein

Above-mentioned box has in the state of being contained in above-mentioned box receiving area as the upper surface of upside and as under downside Face,

In the case where the above-mentioned box for being contained in above-mentioned box receiving area takes out from above-mentioned box receiving area,

Above-mentioned first space is formed as following size: above-mentioned first finger by being inserted into above-mentioned first space can support At least one party of a part of above-mentioned following a part and above-mentioned first side end region of above-mentioned box,

Above-mentioned second space is formed as following size: the above-mentioned third finger by being inserted into above-mentioned second space can support At least one party of a part of above-mentioned following a part and above-mentioned third side end region of above-mentioned box,

Above-mentioned open area is formed as following size: by above-mentioned second finger can support above-mentioned box it is above-mentioned below one Point and above-mentioned exposing above-mentioned second side end region a part at least one party.

7. printing equipment as described in claim 1, wherein

Above-mentioned box has and becomes the upper surface of upside in the state of being contained in above-mentioned box receiving area,

Above-mentioned open area is formed as following shape: it is contained in above-mentioned box receiving area in above-mentioned box, and from along above-mentioned box When the direction in the face direction above above-mentioned is from above-mentioned second side end region of the above-mentioned box of external observation, having makes the above-mentioned of above-mentioned box The recess portion that the region of a part in the center of the thickness direction including above-mentioned box in the second side end region is exposed to outside.

8. printing equipment as claimed in claim 7, wherein

Above-mentioned cover has the protrusion for the shape for being formed as opposed with the above-mentioned recess portion of above-mentioned open area,

Above-mentioned cover is the above-mentioned recess portion of raised part and above-mentioned open area in the case where being set to above-mentioned closed state It is chimeric, above-mentioned open area is closed.

9. printing equipment as described in claim 1, wherein

Above-mentioned first space is formed as, empty with above-mentioned second from the direction for accommodating above-mentioned box to above-mentioned box receiving area Between it is continuous, the space of L-shaped is formed by above-mentioned first and second space.

10. printing equipment as described in claim 1, is also equipped with:

Print head prints above-mentioned printed medium；

Transport roller, while sandwiching above-mentioned printed medium between above-mentioned print head, by above-mentioned printed medium to along It carries in the direction of above-mentioned first side；And

The above-mentioned printed medium that above-mentioned printing has been carried out by above-mentioned print head is discharged outlet to outside.

11. printing equipment as claimed in claim 10, wherein

The above-mentioned second space of above-mentioned box receiving area, be arranged at above-mentioned printing equipment be provided with the one of above-mentioned outlet The position of side opposite side.

12. printing equipment as claimed in claim 11, wherein

Above-mentioned cover is, by being rotated via the support shaft for being set to above-mentioned printing equipment, thus becomes above-mentioned and opens shape State or above-mentioned closed state,

Above-mentioned support shaft is set to the position of the above-mentioned second space of ratio of above-mentioned printing equipment in the outer part.

13. printing equipment as claimed in claim 10, wherein

Above-mentioned outlet is, with the face direction for the printing surface of above-mentioned printed medium printed by above-mentioned print head at For the direction in the direction orthogonal with the face of the above-mentioned printing equipment of placing, above-mentioned printed medium is discharged.

14. printing equipment as described in claim 1, wherein

Above-mentioned cover has press section, which is, in the case where above-mentioned box receiving area contains above-mentioned box, upper It states and the upper surface of the above-mentioned box for being contained in above-mentioned box receiving area is pressed under closed state.