Abstract: A tape cassette includes a cassette case, a tape roll, an ink ribbon, an arm portion, a long hole, and a ribbon take-up spool. A first distance, which is a length of the long hole in a left-right direction, is larger than a second distance, which is a length from a right side surface of the cassette case to a right side end portion of the long hole. A center of gravity of the tape cassette is located in a specific area, which is an area whose both end positions in the left-right direction are the same as both left and right side end portions of the long hole, and which extends in a front-rear direction of the cassette case. The right side end portion of the long hole is located further to the right than a center of the ribbon take-up spool.

Abstract: In one example, an integrated circuit device for a replaceable printer component to communicate information about the component to a printer controller when a component with the integrated circuit device is installed in a printer. The integrated circuit device includes a controller, a memory operatively connected to the controller to store and/or generate information about the component, a single pair of conductors to supply power to the controller and to carry data signals to and from the controller, a detector to detect incoming data signals with a signal property associated with the component, and two electrical contacts each connected to one of the conductors to connect the integrated circuit device to a printer controller when a component with the integrated circuit device is installed in a printer.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses an adhesive tape cartridge including an adhesive tape roll. The adhesive roll winds an adhesive tape around a predetermined axis in a housing. The adhesive tape includes a base layer, a first particle-containing adhesive layer, and a second particle-containing adhesive layer. The first particle-containing adhesive layer is disposed on a first side of the base layer in a thickness direction and comprises an adhesive to which particles are added. The second particle-containing adhesive layer is disposed in contact with a surface on the first side of the first particle-containing adhesive layer in the thickness direction and comprises an adhesive to which particles of the same material as the particles are added.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a ribbon holding shaft winds an ink ribbon before printing. A ribbon winding shaft winds the ink ribbon after printing to collect the ink ribbon. A feed motor rotationally drives the ribbon holding shaft. A winding motor rotationally drives the ribbon winding shaft. A detection module detects slackness of the ink ribbon stretched between the ribbon holding shaft and the ribbon winding shaft. A ribbon feed control module forward rotates the winding motor to draw out the ink ribbon from the ribbon holding shaft to the printing section and further controls the ribbon winding shaft to wind the ink ribbon. A reverse rotation control module reversely rotates the feed motor to stretch the ink ribbon between the ribbon holding shaft and the ribbon winding shaft if the detection module detects the slackness of the ink ribbon.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure, a printing apparatus includes: a housing including at least one removable portion, a pair of spool supports which are rotatably drivable by at least one motor, a supply spool, a take-up spool, each spool being receivable on a respective spool support, such that, in use, a ribbon extends along a ribbon path between the supply spool and the take-up spool, a ribbon identification system comprising: a tag for storing information concerning a property of the ribbon, a reader, wherein the tag is attached to one of the supply and take-up spools and the reader is attached to the removable portion or one of the removable portions, and wherein a signal emitted by the tag and received by the reader allows the reader to identify a property of the ribbon.

Abstract: A tape cartridge is detachably installed on a cartridge installation portion of a tape printing apparatus having the cartridge installation portion and a press switch. The cartridge installation portion has an installation base portion and an installation peripheral wall portion surrounding the installation base portion and allows the tape cartridge to be installed on the cartridge installation portion. The press switch has a stem projecting in a direction crossing an installation direction of the tape cartridge and provided on the installation peripheral wall portion. The tape cartridge includes a detected portion that is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the tape cartridge and corresponds to the stem when the tape cartridge is installed on the cartridge installation portion. The detected portion has an installation guide slant surface that presses the stem when the tape cartridge is installed on the cartridge installation portion.

Abstract: A method of operating a transfer printer (1), the transfer printer comprising first and second spool supports each being configured to support a spool (3,4) of ribbon (2), a ribbon drive configured to cause movement of ribbon (2) from the first spool support to the second spool support along a predetermined ribbon path, and a printhead (7), the printhead being configured to selectively transfer ink from the ribbon to a substrate as the substrate is moved relative to the printhead in a direction of substrate movement. The method comprises driving the ribbon in a direction parallel to the direction of substrate movement, printing a first plurality of images onto a first respective plurality of substrates, driving the ribbon in a direction opposite to the direction of substrate movement, driving the ribbon in the direction parallel to the direction of substrate movement, and printing a second plurality of images onto a second respective plurality of substrates.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses an adhesive tape cartridge including an adhesive tape roll that is disposed in a housing and winds a double-faced adhesive tape. The double-faced adhesive tape comprises a base material layer, a first adhesive layer, a second adhesive layer, and a separation material layer. The first adhesive layer is disposed on one side of the base material layer in a thickness direction and comprises an adhesive with a first pigment. The second adhesive layer is disposed on the other side of the base material layer and comprises an adhesive with a second pigment. The separation material layer is disposed on the other side of the second adhesive layer. An average particle diameter of the first pigment in the first adhesive layer and an average particle diameter of the second pigment in the second adhesive layer is different from each other.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette includes a case, an ink ribbon, a first spool, a second spool, a rotating member, a clutch spring, and an engaging part. The ink ribbon has one end portion wound over the first spool and another end portion connected to the second spool. The rotating member is engaged with a first inner surface of the first spool. The clutch spring includes a coil like annular part attached to the rotating member, and an extension part extending from the annular part. The engaging part is positioned on a locus of rotation of the extension part. The first spool has a protrusion provided at a second inner surface of the first spool. The case-hole is in communication with an interior of the first spool, and has a portion overlapped with an entire circular region surrounded by a path of rotation of the tip end of the protrusion.

Abstract: A tape cartridge includes a cartridge case in which a printing tape is accommodated. The cartridge case includes a first member having a plurality of joining pins and a second member having a plurality of joining holes to which the joining pins are joined. The second member includes a based end face to which a type reading seal is attachable and that is formed in parallel with a mounting direction of the tape cartridge to the tape printing device, and an engaging portion that is engaged with an engaged portion provided with the tape printing device. The base end face includes a cutout communicating with the engaging portion.

Abstract: A printer includes a housing, a cover, and a movable unit. The housing has a space and an opening. The space accommodates a transportation path section that is at least part of a transportation path for transporting a paper sheet. The opening allows the space to communicate with the outside of the housing. The cover is in any one of positions relative to the opening including a closed position where the cover covers the opening and an open position where the cover uncovers the opening. The movable unit has the transportation path section and is movable between a storage position where the transportation path section is stored in the space and a pulled-out position where the transportation path section is pulled out of the space. The movable unit in the pulled-out position is restrained from moving toward the storage position when the cover is in the open position.

Abstract: A printer includes a conveying roller, a print head, a tension applying section and a guide roller. The conveying roller conveys a print medium. The print head conveys an ink ribbon tape, and performs printing on the print medium. The tension applying section is provided at an upstream side of the print head with respect to a conveyance direction of the ink ribbon tape, and allows tension applied to a center region along a width direction of the ink ribbon tape to be higher than tension applied to both end regions of the ink ribbon tape. The guide roller is provided between the print head and the tension applying section at the upstream side of the print head with respect to the conveyance direction of the ink ribbon tape, and applies tensile force to the ink ribbon tape outward along the width direction.

Abstract: A high speed tabletop and industrial printer is disclosed with integrated high speed RFID encoding and verification at the same time. The industrial printer simultaneously prints on and electronically encodes/verifies RFID labels, tags, and/or stickers attached to a continuous web. The industrial printer comprises a lighted sensor array for indexing the printing to the RFID tags; and a cutter powered from the industrial printer for cutting the web that the RFID tags are disposed on. The industrial printer comprises two RFID reader/writers that are individually controlled. Specifically, one of the RFID reader/writers comprises the ability to electronically encode the RFID tags while the web is moving; and the second RFID reader/writer uses an additional RFID module and antenna on the printer for verifying the data encoded to the RFID tags. Further, the printer utilizes adaptive RFID power settings to prevent misreads and other errors when encoding tags.

Abstract: A thermal head includes: a substrate; a heat generating portion disposed on the substrate; a first electrode electrically connected to the heat generating portion; a driving IC which controls actuation of the heat generating portion; a first cover member which covers the driving IC; a connection member which is disposed on the substrate and has a connecting section electrically connected to a second electrode; and a second cover member which covers the connecting section and extends toward the first cover member. The second cover member includes a first portion and a second portion which is thinner than the first portion. The first portion is disposed next to the connection member. The second portion lies farther away from the connection member than the first portion, and includes an overlying part which overlies the first cover member.

Abstract: A tape cassette includes a cassette case, a tape containment area, a first wall portion, a guide portion, a second wall portion, a third wall portion, and a fourth wall portion. The cassette case includes a top face, a bottom face, a front face, and a pair of side faces. The tape containment area is an area in which a tape roll is accommodated. The first wall portion is provided along a portion of an outer perimeter of the tape containment area. The guide portion is provided downstream from the first wall portion on a feed path. The second wall portion is provided between the first wall portion and the guide portion. The third wall portion is provided on an opposite side of a tape from the second wall portion. The fourth wall portion is provided between the second wall portion and the guide portion.

Abstract: A tape cartridge that is to be mounted on a tape printing device including a detecting portion for reading various types of information of the tape cartridge from a detected portion of the tape cartridge by applying detection light to the detected portion and capable of being attached to and detached from the tape printing device along a mounting direction, includes the detected portion disposed on a first wall which is formed along the mounting direction, and an engaging portion disposed on a second wall which is formed at a deep side of the mounting direction. The engaging portion is engaged with an engaged portion provided in a holder in which the detecting portion is disposed and performs positioning between the detecting portion and the detected portion via the holder.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for a portable printer are provided. An example disclosed printer includes a housing defining a ribbon receiving area, wherein the ribbon receiving area is configured to receive a ribbon cartridge comprising a cartridge frame structured to support a supply spool, a take-up spool, and a ribbon extending between the supply spool and the take-up spool; and a printhead support extending from the housing for receiving a printhead, wherein the printhead support defines first and second channels disposed on opposite sides of the printhead, and wherein each of the first and second channels is structured to receive at least part of the cartridge frame.

Abstract: To provide a transfer apparatus in which a transferred image is not displaced during image transfer and further, finish is excellent on the rear end side of a recording medium subjected to transfer, in a transfer apparatus for nipping a transfer film 96 and recording medium K with a transfer roller 33 and transfer platen 31 to form an image on the recording medium, the transfer film 46 on the upstream side from the card rear end is sagged during transfer processing, and the sag of the transfer film 46 is eliminated by controlling rotation of a carry roller 49 for a period during which the transfer processing is finished and the card rear end arrives at a peeling pin 34b.

Abstract: A lower level tray has a pair of protruding sections on both end sides in a width direction at tip ends in an insertion direction. Arrangement spaces are provided on both sides which interpose the lower level tray, which is in a mounting position in an apparatus body, in the width direction. A holding mechanism of a supply mechanism configured to be operated by engaging with a first protruding section while the lower level tray is mounted and be released from operating due to terminating the engaging with the first protruding section while the lower level tray is taken out, is arranged in one of the arrangement spaces. A circuit board connected through a wiring with a second sensor which is configured to detect mounting and taking out of the lower level tray using the second protruding section as the target for identification is arranged in the other arrangement space.

Abstract: A bracket includes a support strut configured to carry the fluid ejection module and an alignment strut coupled to the support strut. The alignment strut is configured to affix to the frame so as to orient the support strut with respect to the frame in each of three orthogonal linear directions and three orthogonal angular directions. The alignment strut includes three alignment mechanisms. Each of the first and second alignment features is held mechanically fixed on the alignment strut in a respective aligned position, and the third alignment mechanism is movable on the alignment strut.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cassette includes a supply bobbin around which an ink ribbon is wound, a take-up bobbin around which the ink ribbon fed from the supply bobbin is wound, and a case in which the supply bobbin and the take-up bobbin are rotatably held. The case includes a contact portion that bends a path along which the ink ribbon is transported by coming into contact with the ink ribbon. The contact portion that has come into contact with the ink ribbon is movable as a result of receiving a tension in the ink ribbon.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses a printer including a housing, a cartridge holder, a display device, a color detecting portion, and a control portion. The cartridge holder removably mounts a tape cartridge including a print-receiving tape roll and an ink ribbon roll. The display device displays desired content in monochrome. The color detection portion detects first color information representing a color of a print-receiving tape and second color information representing a color of an ink ribbon, in the tape cartridge mounted in the cartridge holder. The control portion controls the display device at appropriate timing with an opening and closing cover closed, to display in text the first color information and the second color information detected by the color detection portion.

Abstract: This disclosure discloses a medium cartridge that comprises a first record medium roll that winds a record medium in a manner that enables feed-out. The medium cartridge is configured to be mounted to a printer. In the printer, a print mechanism configured to perform print on the record medium is provided movably along a medium-width direction of the record medium with respect to an opening/closing cover capable of opening and closing at least an area above a part of an apparatus housing. The medium cartridge comprises a positioning contacting part. The positioning contacting part is configured to separate from a contacted part provided on the print mechanism with the opening/closing cover open. Further, the positioning contacting part is configured to contact the contacted part of the print mechanism and position the print mechanism in the medium-width direction with the opening/closing cover closed.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses a medium cartridge includes a first record medium roll, a second record medium roll, and a connecting arm. The first record medium roll is stored in a first storage part. The second record medium roll is stored in a second storage part. The connecting arm connects the first record medium roll and the second record medium roll, and comprises first bracket parts and second bracket parts. The first bracket parts sandwich the first record medium roll to hold the first record medium roll. The pair of second bracket parts sandwich the second record medium roll to hold the second record medium roll. The first bracket parts comprises a substantially oval-shaped first guide part capable of entering a first lead-in groove. The second bracket parts comprises a substantially circular-shaped second guide part capable of entering a second lead-in.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cassette includes an elastic engaging portion configured to engage with a rotation regulating portion of a supply bobbin or a rotation regulating portion of a winding bobbin to regulate rotation of the supply bobbin or the winding bobbin. The elastic engaging portion is elastically deformable in a direction of rotation axes of the supply bobbin and the winding bobbin.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a feeding roller and a power transmission mechanism for transmitting a driving force to the feeding roller. The power transmission mechanism includes a one-way compound gear mechanism that integrally includes a first one-way gear mechanism which is engaged with a first gear rotating forwardly or reversely by receiving the driving force from the driving source, rotates together with the first gear in a forward direction by receiving the driving force from the first gear at the time of the forward rotation and rotates idly with respect to the first gear at the time of the reverse rotation, and a second one-way gear mechanism which rotates idly with respect to the first gear at the time of the forward rotation and rotates with the first gear in a reverse direction by receiving the driving force from the first gear during the reverse rotation.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cassette includes a supply bobbin around which an ink ribbon is wound, a take-up bobbin around which the ink ribbon fed from the supply bobbin is wound, and a case in which the supply bobbin and the take-up bobbin are rotatably held. The case includes a contact portion that bends a path along which the ink ribbon is transported by coming into contact with the ink ribbon. The contact portion that has come into contact with the ink ribbon is movable as a result of receiving a tension in the ink ribbon.

Abstract: A printing system and printing apparatus are provided with improvements in the image quality of an image formed on a printing medium, a peel off region (PO) wherein a transfer layer of a transfer film is not transferred is set corresponding to a card, modified printing data is generated by modifying a gray-scale value of printing data inside a region that is larger than the PO region by predetermined dimensions and including the PO region in the printing data of Y, M, C and Bk into a gray-scale value of 0, an image is formed on the transfer film by heating a thermal head for an image formation panel of an ink ribbon according to the modified printing data. The transfer layer is peeled off by heating the thermal head for a peel off panel of the ink ribbon according to position information of the PO region.

Abstract: A tape cartridge 2 includes a tape core 21b rotatably supported in a cartridge case 25 and houses a print tape 21a wound around the tape core 21b such that the print tape 21a can be unwound. The tape core 21b includes a core body 26 with the print tape 21a wound around an outer peripheral surface of the core body 26, a disk-like rib 27 provided at a middle portion in an axial direction of an inner peripheral surface of the core body 26, and a shaft hole 28 formed at an axis center of the rib 27. The cartridge case 25 includes a shaft support 41 that is inserted into the shaft hole 28 and rotatably supports the tape core 21b, and a rotation guide 42 that slides on the inner peripheral surface of the core body 26.

Abstract: Provided is a medicine packaging device. The medicine packaging device includes: a reader-writer that reads information from an IC tag installed at a supply core of an ink ribbon roll detachably installed to an ink ribbon cassette as well as writes information to the IC tag; a motor control unit that controls a winding motor for rotating a winding core, based on a used length of the ink ribbon which is information read from the IC tag, so that the ink ribbon of the ink ribbon roll runs in a winding direction at a higher speed than a feeding speed of a continuous sheet for packaging; and a written information output unit that outputs information showing the used length of the ink ribbon which has been changed due to use of the ink ribbon, to the reader/writer as information written on the IC tag.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for a portable printer are provided. Personnel utilize features of the printer to manage products, store information on labels, and aid in shipping. A low battery shut-off feature shuts down the printer at a set battery power percentage; a battery charge control feature controls battery charging to stay within a set range of state of charge values to ensure longer battery life; a ribbon cartridge insertion feature allows for easy replacement of the ribbon cartridge; ribbon cartridge locating features lock the ribbon cartridge into place for printing; a ribbon guiding feature adjusts the ribbon during printing to reduce wrinkles; an RFID coupler mounting feature mounts and shields an RFID coupler inside the printer; a media guide locking feature fixes the media position to prevent misalignment; and a media alignment feature allows the user to properly align the media with the printhead during installation.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cassette includes an elastic engaging portion configured to engage with a rotation regulating portion of a supply bobbin or a rotation regulating portion of a winding bobbin to regulate rotation of the supply bobbin or the winding bobbin. The elastic engaging portion is elastically deformable in a direction of rotation axes of the supply bobbin and the winding bobbin.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses a tape printer that includes a cartridge holder, a cartridge sensor, a feeding device, a printing device, a communication device, and a controller. The controller is configured to detect attribute information of a tape cartridge, identify a model of the mounted tape cartridge, and acquire corresponding current model information, acquire latest model information of the tape cartridge, from an information providing device related to the tape cartridge, generate purchase support information based on the acquired current model information and the acquired latest model information, when the tape cartridge of a model indicated by the current model information or the latest model information is newly purchased, and control the printing device so that the generated purchase support information is formed into print on a print-receiving tape.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cartridge includes an ink ribbon onto which decolorizable ink is applied, a transfer unit configured to thermally transfer the decolorizable ink on the ink ribbon to a recording medium such that an image is formed on the recording medium as the ink ribbon is conveyed, and a heating unit configured to heat a portion of the ink ribbon that has passed the transfer unit when the image was formed on the recording medium, at a temperature at which the decolorizable ink is decolorized.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling tension in a ribbon spooling assembly are provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a ribbon tension control assembly for maintaining substantially constant tension in a ribbon, the assembly including a payout core having a cylindrical shape, a first ribbon spool mounted on the payout core and attached thereto, a second ribbon spool mounted on the payout core, the second ribbon spool configured to move independent from the payout core, a takeup core configured to receive a ribbon from each of the first ribbon spool and second ribbon spool, and a load applicator configured to limit movement of the second ribbon spool.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cassette and printing apparatus capable of stably conveying an ink ribbon includes a supply shaft around which an ink ribbon is wound, a rewinding shaft around which the ink ribbon from the supply shaft is to be rewound, a guide shaft configured to abut the ink ribbon on a conveying path of the ink ribbon from the supply shaft to the rewinding shaft, and a regulation portion configured to abut the guide shaft according to a force applied to the guide shaft by the ink ribbon, thereby deforming the guide shaft to protrude toward the ink ribbon.

Abstract: There is provided a double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape which includes a first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer formed by using any of different types of adhesive samples. Thereby the first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is adjusted so as to satisfy conditions that, slow peel strength when a printing tape made of a PET film is peeled off from the substrate film of the double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape by 5 mm at peel rate of 0.5 mm/minute is 0.45 N/20 mm or higher and storage modulus of the adhesive layer is in a range from 90.7 kPa to 435 kPa. By improving adhesiveness to the printing tape under environmental temperature from a low temperature to a normal temperature, the double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive layer renders the printing tape less apt to peel off.

Abstract: A tape cassette includes a cassette case, a tape containment area, a first wall portion, a guide portion, a second wall portion, a third wall portion, and a fourth wall portion. The cassette case includes a top face, a bottom face, a front face, and a pair of side faces. The tape containment area is an area in which a tape roll is accommodated. The first wall portion is provided along a portion of an outer perimeter of the tape containment area. The guide portion is provided downstream from the first wall portion on a feed path. The second wall portion is provided between the first wall portion and the guide portion. The third wall portion is provided on an opposite side of a tape from the second wall portion. The fourth wall portion is provided between the second wall portion and the guide portion.

Abstract: To provide a printing apparatus with high printing quality that reduces a transport amount of an ink ribbon except printing operation and that suppresses skew of the ink ribbon, diameters of spools 43, 44 are calculated from rotation amounts of the supply spool 43 and wind-up spool 44 corresponding to a printing length in a sub-scanning direction of the printing data during driving of a thermal head 40, a value of the calculated diameter is compared with a value of a beforehand set diameter, it is thereby determined whether or not an ink ribbon 41 is near empty, and when the ink ribbon is not near empty, the ribbon 41 is wound around the spool 44 up to a printing end position in which a rear end of a used portion of the ribbon 41 passes through a peeling member 28, while when the ink ribbon is near empty, the ribbon 41 is wound around the spool 44 until an empty mark EMP_M arrives at a position detectable by a sensor Se2, and then is rewound around the spool 43 until a front end of an unused portion of the ri

Abstract: A method of operating a tape drive which includes a pair of tape spool supports, upon one of which a supply spool is mountable and upon a second one of which a take up spool is mountable, each tape spool support being driveable by a respective motor to transfer tape between the spools, the tape drive further including a controller to control each of the motors, wherein the method includes reducing tension in tape extending between the two spools during a period when the tape is substantially stationary.

Abstract: A printing apparatus including a tape drive for transferring a tape carrying a marking medium, and a printhead which is operable to transfer marking medium from such a tape to print an image, the tape drive including a pair of tape spool supports, upon one of which a supply spool is mountable and upon a second one of which a take up spool is mountable, each tape spool support being drivable by a respective motor, the tape drive further including a controller to control each of the motors, wherein the tape drive is operable to position a tape adjacent the printhead such that a spacing between adjacent portions of tape from which ink is removed in successive printing operations is less than 0.5 mm.

Abstract: A method of controlling tension in a tape, wherein the tape is transferable between a first spool and a second spool by a tape drive, the tape drive having a motor control system which includes two DC motors and a controller for controlling the operation of the motors, the tape drive also having two spool supports, each of which is suitable for supporting a spool of tape, and each of which is driven by a respective one of the motors, the method including only one tension setting step during a printing operation.

Abstract: A media cartridge is disclosed for insertion into a cartridge receptacle of a printer. The media cartridge includes a cartridge, housing having one or more shifting ribs on the cartridge housing. At a position of initial insertion of the media cartridge into the cartridge receptacle, the shifting ribs are configured to center a length of media and an ink ribbon of the media cartridge between a print head and a platen roller in the cartridge receptacle. As the insertion of the media cartridge into the cartridge receptacle continues, the shifting ribs shift the length of media and the ink ribbon toward one of the print head and the platen roller.

Abstract: There is provided a double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape which includes a first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer formed by using any of different types of adhesive samples. Thereby the first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is adjusted so as to satisfy conditions that, slow peel strength when a printing tape made of a PET film is peeled off from the substrate film of the double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape by 5 mm at peel rate of 0.5 mm/minute is 0.45 N/20 mm or higher and storage modulus of the adhesive layer is in a range from 90.7 kPa to 435 kPa. By improving adhesiveness to the printing tape under environmental temperature from a low temperature to a normal temperature, the double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive layer renders the printing tape less apt to peel off.

Abstract: A ribbon guide for a ribbon printing system includes a body that is elongated along a longitudinal axis from a base end an opposite end and having a tapered shape from the base end to the opposite end. The body is configured to be coupled with a cassette plate of the ribbon printing system along a path taken by a print ribbon in the ribbon printing system such that the body deflects the print ribbon to travel away from the cassette plate when the print ribbon is pulled from an unwind spindle to a windup spindle in the ribbon printing system.

Abstract: This is disclosed a portable printer that is easy to load with an ink ribbon cartridge and record members web supplies, that is simple, has relatively few parts, is lightweight and has a small footprint.

Abstract: The tape cassette used in a tape printing apparatus incorporates an ink ribbon including a thermal printing layer including a coloring layer containing wax and pigment coated on a base film and an adhesive layer coated on the coloring layer, and a congealing point of the thermal printing layer is controlled to be 89 degrees Celsius or higher and difference between a glass transition point of the thermal printing layer and a melting point of the thermal printing layer is controlled to be 23 degrees Celsius or smaller.

Abstract: A tape printer includes a tape cassette, a cassette housing portion, a feeding device, a printing device, a table storage device, detecting switches, and a tape type identifying device. The tape cassette includes a housing, a tape mounted within the housing, a tape guide, and an indicator of the tape type formed in the front wall of the housing and includes at least one aperture. The detecting switches protrude toward the front wall of the housing, and a part of the detecting switches that opposes a surface portion other than the at least one aperture in the indicator is pressed to thereby detect information indicating a pressing or non-pressing state of each of the detecting switches as identification information. The tape type identifying device identifies, with reference to a tape type table, the tape type associated with the detected identification as the tape type of the tape.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: A tape cassette that includes a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface and a pair of side surfaces, a tape that is a print medium housed in the housing, a tape exit that discharges, from the housing, the tape guided in the housing along a predetermined feed path, at least a part of the feed path extending parallel to the front surface, and a type indicator portion provided adjacent to the tape exit and in a specified area of the front surface on an upstream side of the tape exit in a feed direction of the tape, the type indicator portion indicating a type of the tape and including vertical information sections and an aperture formed in at least one of the vertical information sections, the vertical information sections being strip-shaped sections extending along a direction orthogonal to the feed direction.