Abstract: A tape cartridge which stores the non-lamination type printing tape and another tape cartridge which stores the lamination type printing tape are both commonly assembleable to an accommodation portion of a printing device. In accordance with the kind of the assembled tape cartridge, normal or reversed character image is printed on the tape.

Abstract: A printing device for selectively printing a normal posture character image or reverse posture character image on a tape like image receiving member by using a thermal head. In the normal posture character image printing, a non-lamination type printing tape is used in which an imaging surface is exposed to an atmosphere, and in the reverse posture character image printing, a lamination type printing tape is used in which the imaging surface is protected by a transparent tape. A tape cartridge which stores the non-lamination type printing tape and another tape cartridge which stores the lamination type printing tape are both commonly assembleable to an accommodation portion of the printing device. In accordance with the kind of the assembled tape cartridge, normal or reversed character image is printed on the tape.

Abstract: A printing device for selectively printing a normal posture character image or reverse posture character image on a tape like image receiving member by using a thermal head. In the normal posture character image printing, a non-lamination type printing tape is used in which an imaging surface is exposed to an atmosphere, and in the reverse posture character image printing, a lamination type printing tape is used in which the imaging surface is protected by a transparent tape. A tape cartridge which stores the non-lamination type printing tape and another tape cartridge which stores the lamination type printing tape are both commonly assembleable to an accommodation portion of the printing device. In accordance with the kind of the assembled tape cartridge, normal or reversed character image is printed on the tape.

Abstract: An end separating device for a sheet having a backing paper, which can easily separate a film of the sheet from the backing paper without requiring half cutting of the sheet. A fixing and separating member is fixed to a movable blade of a cutter for cutting a tape, and another fixing and separating member is fixed to a fixed blade of the cutter. These fixing and separating members and cooperate to bend and fix a cut end portion of the tape. Accordingly, the cut end portion of the tape is bent. After the tape is released from the fixing and separating members, a film tape is elastically returned to an original condition owing to its relatively large stiffness, but a backing paper is plastically deformed at the bent portion. As a result, the film tape can be separated from the backing paper. In other embodiments of an end separating device, a separating member is passed along end surfaces of free end portions of the sheet.

Abstract: There is provided a printing apparatus for printing characters/symbols on a tape member. In the printing apparatus, a margin setting mode can be set. If the margin setting mode is set, the apparatus becomes operable in the margin setting mode in which the tape member is automatically cut with a predetermined margin remained ahead of the printed portion of the tape member. The apparatus includes feeding mechanism for feeding the tape member at a predetermined feeding speed, the feeding mechanism having a motor for generating a feeding force, the motor being neutrally actuated at a first rotational speed.

Abstract: A thermal head control device for a thermal printer counts the number of printing operations and spacing operations. The energization period for the printer heat elements is controlled in accordance with the counts obtained.

Abstract: A printer having a print head adapted to be pressed against or released from a print paper mounted on a platen, wherein a print operation or an erase operation is performed by moving the print head in press contact with the print paper through an ink ribbon. The improvement comprises control means for relasing the print head from the print paper after a predetermined amount of printing or erasing is successively performed with the print head being held in press contact with the print paper, thus preventing defective winding and meandering of the ink ribbon.