Abstract: A cutting system for a printing device comprises a cutting blade (58) which has a cutting surface wherein there is defined a notch (58a). The cutting system also has an anvil (60) on which a printing medium such as heat shrink material is supported during cutting. The cutting surface of the blade (58) cuts through the printing medium leaving an uncut area at the notch (58a).

Abstract: A printing device has a simple mechanism for ensuring that a cassette having tape of a proper width is inserted into it for printing and for advising a microprocessor of the width of the tape. This is achieved by providing a switch with an actuating part which can be accommodated by a cassette of one type but not by a cassette of a different type.

Abstract: A tape cutting apparatus is described for cutting off a portion of tape (4) comprising first and second layers (4a,4c) secured one to another by an adhesive layer (4b). The apparatus comprises an anvil (40) and a cutter support member (31) carrying a blade (30), the cutter support member and the anvil being mounted for relative movement to bring the blade into contact with a facing surface of the anvil. The facing surface has a stepped portion (40) over which the tape is bent during cutting such that when the tape is released the first and second layers tend to separate from one another at the cut edge.

Abstract: A blade protection device is described for protecting a cutting blade in a printing device which is actuatable so that a blade protection member is movable by insertion of a cassette into the printing device. A printing device has a cassette receiving bay for receiving a cassette of tape and a cutting blade for receiving a cassette of tape and a cutting blade for cutting the tape after printing. The printing device incorporates a blade protection device such as described above. Cassettes are also described which are adapted to actuate the blade protection device described above when inserted into a printing device. One cassette has an aperture which receives an upstanding part of the blade protection member. Another cassette has a depending part which locates a surface of the blade protection member to actuate the blade protection device when the cassette is inserted into a printing device.

Abstract: A cutting mechanism for printing tape is described wherein the tape is bent over an arcuate surface during cutting so that when the tape is cut layers of the tape secured to one another by an adhesive layer tend to separate.

Abstract: A tape printing device is described which has cutting means capable of providing a tab cut and a multiple strip of labels. The printing device also enables label lengths to be controlled and to control the cutting process in response to these label lengths.

Abstract: A printing device comprises a zone for receiving tape for printing so that said tape passes along a predetermined path in the printing device; and an optical sensing arrangement comprising first and second optical sensing assemblies which enable an end of tape state to be detected and also allow discrimination between tapes of different widths.

Abstract: There is described a printing apparatus, particularly a label printer, which includes a switching mechanism operable in response to movement of the lid to permit operation of the printing apparatus only when the lid is closed. This can be combined with detection of the presence or absence of a cassette in a cassette receiving bay of the apparatus so that operation of the printing apparatus is permitted only in the presence of a cassette and with the lid in the closed position.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is described which enables a cassette to be removed more easily. This is done by tightening the tape within the cassette automatically in response to movement of a printing mechanism from its operative to its inoperative position.

Abstract: A printer comprises a cassette bay (8) having a lid (16), a printing mechanism comprising a thermal print head (26) and a platen (32) and a linkage (38,50) coupled between the lid and the printing mechanism. On opening the lid, the linkage causes the print head to adopt an inoperative position in which a cassette can be loaded into or removed from the cassette receiving portion and, on closing the lid, the linkage causes the print head to take up its operative position reading for printing. The invention also provides a cassette for the printer.

Abstract: A cassette comprises a base part and a closure member (202). The base part and closure member each have mating guide members which, when they mate, form and enclosed guide for tape housed in the cassette. In this way, construction of the cassette is simplified.

Abstract: A printer comprises a cassette bay (8) having a lid (16), a printing mechanism comprising a thermal print head (26) and a platen (32) and a mechanism (38, 50) for moving the theremal print head between an inoperative and an operative position. The mechanism is also responsible for simultaneously moving a drive roller of the printer between an inoperative and operative position. In the operative position, the drive roller cooperates with an output roller of a cassette inserted into the printer to provide an outlet nip.