Abstract: A first tape cassette or a second tape cassette is assembled in a tape cassette holding portion of a printing device, and a print key is operated. If a normal character image print mode is set based on a value of a print mode flag, the normal character image is printed on a printing tape. If a reflected character image print mode is set, a reflected character image is printed on the printing tape. Moreover, when a third tape cassette is assembled in the tape cassette holding portion of the printing device, the set print mode is disregarded, and the reflected character image is only printed on a base tape.

Abstract: A tape cassette has a prohibiting member which prevents the tape cassette from being loaded into a tape printing device without a mode appropriate for the tape cassette. When an operator tries to load the tape cassette into a printing device without a mode for the tape cassette, a prohibiting member provided on the main body of the tape cassette abuts an installation member of the tape printing device thus preventing improper loading. The prohibiting member also has a function as a reinforcement member and a positioning member for reinforcing the cassette case and ensuring proper loading in the device.

Abstract: In a tape alignment mechanism for overlapping two or more tapes with an alignment operation in a width direction, the tape alignment mechanism comprises an alignment member.For example, when a tape is fed through a roller member having a pair of flange portion of which interval of length is designed to be substantially similar to a width of the tape, the tape is aligned in a width direction.Further, an another tape to be overlapped with the tape is fed through the roller member, and thus, the two tapes are acculately overlapped.

Abstract: In a tape alignment mechanism for overlapping two or more tapes with an alignment operation in a width direction, the tape alignment mechanism comprises an alignment member. For example, when a tape is fed through a roller member having a pair of flange portion of which interval of length is designed to be substantially similar to a width of the tape, the tape is aligned in a width direction. Further, an another tape to be overlapped with the tape is fed through the roller member, and thus, the two tapes are acculately overlapped.

Abstract: A tape printer for use with a detachably loaded tape cassette including a thermal printing head secured to a frame, and a platen roller mounted together with a tape feed roller in a platen holder rotatably mounted on the frame. When the tape cassette is loaded in the tape printer, an image source tape in the cassette is biased by a spring member outwardly of a head insertion recess. In a subsequent printing operation preparation, the spring member is engaged with a spring pushing piece on the platen holder to release the biasing to the image source tape and permit contact thereof with the printing head.

Abstract: A tape cassette is disclosed, in the housing of which are provided accommodation sections accommodating an ink ribbon, an image receiving tape and an adhesive tape, respectively. The tape cassette is set in a tape printer, and printing is done in a mirror image transfer mode on the printing surface of the tape from the printing head via the ink ribbon. After the printing, the tape is fed out together with the adhesive tape applied to the printing surface.The cassette housing can be used for a label tape cassette and also for an instant lettering tape cassette, and the image transfer mode of the tape printer is never changed irrespectively of the types of tape cassettes used with the tape printer.

Abstract: A printer wherein printing is effected while a print head and a recording medium are moved relative to each other with the print head in pressed contact with the medium. The printer includes a print-head support member for supporting the print head movably between a printing position and a release position. The printer further includes a support member and a displaceable member which are connected by an elastic member, so that the print head is moved from the release position to the printing position, and the print head in the printing position is pressed against the medium. The displacement of the displaceable member consists of a first movement for moving the print head to the printing position, and a second movement for enabling the elastic member to produce a biasing force for pressing the print head against the medium. An amount of displacement of the displaceable member per unit angle of rotation of the rotatable member is greater in the first movement than in the second movement.

Abstract: A thermal printer having a take-up spool for taking up a print ribbon, an elongate normally stationary member disposed parallel to a direction of movement of a carriage along a platen, and a power transmitting mechanism supported on the carriage, for engagement with the normally stationary member, to rotate the take-up spool when the carriage is moved relative to the normally stationary member. The normally stationary member is held stationary by a frictional resistance applied thereto, but is movable in its longitudinal direction when a load applied to the take-up spool exceeds a predetermined limit. The normally stationary member and the power transmitting mechanism may be replaced by an immovably disposed stationary member, and a rotatable member rotatably supported on the carriage for engagement with the take-up spool for rotation of the spool. In this case, the rotatable member is rotated due to frictional engagement with the stationary member when the carriage is moved relative to the stationary member.

Abstract: A thermal printer using a thermal transfer-printing ribbon including a thermal head movable between an operative position in which it is held in pressing engagement with a printing sheet and an inoperative position in which it is released from pressing engagement with the printing sheet. After lapse of a predetermined time following completion of a printing operation or interruption thereof, the thermal head is automatically moved from the operative position in which it has performed a printing operation to the inoperative position in which it is away from the printing sheet and performs no printing operation.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a driving gear on a carriage rotated in accordance with the movement of the carriage, a spool shaft rotatable only in one direction for rotating a ribbon spool of a ribbon cassette, and a rotation transmitting mechanism having first and second releasing members provided between the driving gear and the spool shaft for operatively interlinking the driving gear to the spool shaft to rotate the spool shaft in the one direction in accordance with the movement of the carriage in the forward direction. The first releasing member is driven by a print head and releases an operational interlink between the driving gear and the spool shaft when the print head is disposed at a non-printing position. The second releasing member releases the operational interlink in accordance with the movement of the carriage in the reverse direction.

Abstract: A thermal printer including a thermal head automatically moved between an operative position in which it is held in pressing engagement with a printing sheet and an inoperative position in which it is released from pressing engagement with the printing sheet. The thermal printer also includes a capacitor serving as a battery device for storing an electric charge when a power source is turned on and releases the stored electric charge when the power source is turned off, to thereby move the thermal head to the inoperative position in which it is released from pressing engagement with the printing sheet.

Abstract: The ink ribbon feed mechanism comprises a pair of spool shafts adapted for carrying ribbon spools, a pair of feed pawls selectively engaged with one of the ratchet wheels on said spool shafts for imparting intermittent rotation to the spool shafts, and a reverse mechanism for changing the engaging state of the feed pawls relative to the ratchet wheels. The reverse mechanism includes a first member movable from one to the other direction through a connecting member which is adapted to rotate in unison with the ratchet wheel in dependence upon an operation of a sensor for indicating that reversal of the ribbon take-up direction is required, a second member movable from one to the other position after travel of the first member through a predetermined distance, for changing the engaging state of the feed pawl, and first and second detent members being provided for positioning the members in their two positions.

Abstract: A printer using a ribbon having an ink layer thermally transferable to a sheet of paper. The printer comprises a thermal print head having plural heat generating elements, and a carriage carrying the print head. The carriage is pivotable between its printing position at which the print head is in contact with the paper, and its release position at which the print head is spaced from the paper. The printer further comprises a ribbon cassette removably mounted on the carriage and accommodating a supply and a take-up spool. The ribbon from the supply spool is fed in contact with the sheet of paper relative to the ribbon cassette while the carriage is moved relative to the sheet of paper. The printer includes a stationary rack extending along the printing line, and a pinion rotatably supported on the carriage. The pinion which is connected to the take-up spool is engageable with the rack while the carriage is in the printing position.