Typewriting machines – Means auxiliary to typewriting function – Frame – casing – or support for typewriter
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-29
2002-12-10
Hirshfeld, Andrew H. (Department: 2854)
Typewriting machines
Means auxiliary to typewriting function
Frame, casing, or support for typewriter
C400S691000, C400S692000, C400S693100, C242S335000, C242S347000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06491461
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a tape cartridge removably mounted in a tape printing apparatus, a tape cartridge containing a printing tape and a laminating tape to be laminated on the printing tape, and a tape printing apparatus having the tape cartridge mounted therein, as well as a tape printing apparatus (printer) which carries out printing by an ink jet printing method.
2. Prior Art
Conventionally, a tape cartridge incorporating a printing tape and a laminating tape to be laminated on a printing surface of the printing tape was proposed by Japanese Utility Model Publication (Kokoku) No. 7-2203. The tape cartridge has a cartridge casing integrally formed therewith for containing the printing tape, the laminating tape, and an ink ribbon.
This type of tape cartridge suffers from a problem that if the tape cartridge is constructed such that it can contain tapes with an extremely large width, it needs a cartridge casing which is large in width, which inevitably increases the size of the tape cartridge itself. A large tape cartridge is bulky, so that it is not only difficult or troublesome to carry the tape cartridge, but also it takes much space for storing the same.
In the above-mentioned tape cartridge, the printing tape and the laminating tape are contained in the cartridge casing, as described above, and after printing is effected on the printing tape, the laminating tape is laminated on the printed portion of the printing tape, and then the laminated portion of the two tapes is sent out of the tape cartridge.
When the printing tape and the laminating tape are used up, the tape cartridge including the cartridge casing is discarded. This not only goes against the saving of resources but also pollutes the environment. This problem can be solved to some extent by providing a roll of printing tape and a roll of laminating which are not contained in a cartridge casing, for replacement of tapes. However, another problem arises that if lamination of the printing tape with the laminating tape is started without aligning leading portions of the two tapes one upon the other with accuracy, displacement between the two tapes increases according to an angle formed therebetween in the course of the lamination. Therefore, it is required to provide a printing tape and a laminating tape in a state in which the leading portions thereof are affixed to each other accurately without any displacement.
However, to provide the printing tape and laminating tape maintained in the above state, it is required to carry or transport the two tapes for replacement and mount the same in a cartridge casing without loosening the rolls thereof. Therefore, the carrying or transport and mounting of the tapes is expected to be troublesome.
Another tape cartridge of the above-mentioned kind was proposed e.g. by Japanese Laid Open Publication (Kokai) No. 3-166977. In the tape cartridge, a printing tape and a laminating tape laminated on an adhesive double coated tape are contained in a cartridge casing. The leading portions of the printing tape and the laminating tape are fed out of the casing in advance in a state affixed to each other, and the tape cartridge is mounted in a cartridge compartment of an apparatus body in this state. When the tape cartridge is mounted in the cartridge compartment, the laminated leading portion of the two tapes is brought to a cutter arranged in the apparatus body.
However, in the conventional tape cartridge, if the leading portion to be fed out of the cartridge casing is formed to have a small length, when a free end of the leading portion is erroneously brought into contact with anything during transport or storage, the leading portion can be pushed back into the cartridge casing, making tape feed impossible. On the other hand, if the leading portion is formed to have a large length, when the tape cartridge is being mounted in the apparatus body, the leading portion can be caught in component parts or the like in the apparatus body. In this case, the mounting itself is difficult, and the tapes can be mounted in the apparatus body with the leading portion folded.
A general type of printer (ink jet printer) which effects printing on paper by an ink jet printing method has paper feed rollers arranged therein at respective upstream and downstream locations in a direction of feeding of paper with respect to a print head. In this type of printer, at the start of paper feed, the paper fed by the feed roller on the upstream side is caught by the feed roller on the downstream side and further fed by the same. Accordingly, the upstream feed roller is rotated in synchronism with drive of the print head, and at the same time, the downstream feed roller is rotated in a slipping manner, whereby the paper is tensioned for printing.
However, there exist no types of a so-called tape printer (tape printing apparatus) which carry out printing on a tape by the ink jet printing method.
If the conventional ink jet printer is applied to a tape printing apparatus, it is assumed that a printed portion of a tape will be rubbed by a peripheral surface of the downstream feed roller when the roller performs slipping rotation, so that it would be impossible to prevent degradation of printing without using a special kind of tape which is excellent in ink-absorbing property.
Further, in a tape printing apparatus in which a printed portion of a printing tape is laminated with a laminating tape, it is assumed that displacement of the laminating tape with respect to the printing tape will occur when the downstream feed roller performs slipping rotation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a first object of the invention to provide a tape cartridge which can be changed into a compact shape when it is transported or stored, and a tape printing device including the same.
It is second object of the invention to provide a tape cartridge which is capable of holding an unrolled portion extending over a relatively long distance in a proper attitude, and a tape cutting device including the tape cartridge.
It is a third object of the invention to provide a tape cartridge which makes a printing tape and a laminating tape replaceable, and at the same time facilitating the handing of them, including replacement of them, and a tape printing apparatus including the same.
It is a fourth object of the invention to provide a tape printing apparatus having a structure making itself free from spoiling the print quality.
To attain the first object, according to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a tape cartridge including a casing accommodating at least one roll of tape such that the at least one roll of tape can be unrolled therefrom,
wherein the casing comprises a hinge mechanism arranged at a longitudinally intermediate portion thereof, for allowing the tape cartridge to be folded.
According to this tap cartridge, it is possible to fold a tape cartridge having a large length extending in one direction, into a compact shape which is suitable for storage and transport.
Preferably, the at least one roll of tape comprises a first roll of tape and a second roll of tape, the first roll of tape and the second roll of tape being unrolled, and sent out from the casing in a state positioned one upon another, the tape cartridge including a first tape-accommodating block for accommodating the first roll of tape, a second tape-accommodating block for accommodating the second roll of tape, and a connecting block for connecting the first tape-accommodating block and the second tape-accommodating block, wherein the hinge mechanism is incorporated in the connecting block, for permitting the first tape-accommodating and the second tape-accommodating block to be folded to each other.
According to this preferred embodiment, the first tape-accommodating block and the second tape-accommodating block are constructed to be capable of being folded via the hinge mechanism incorporated in the connecting block. Therefore, when the first tape-accommodating block and the second tape-accommodating bloc
Nakajima Kenichi
Nakazawa Shinobu
Ozawa Takaaki
Chau Minh H.
Hirshfeld Andrew H.
Hogan & Hartson LLP
Seiko Epson Corporation
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