HK1139623A - Tape printing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Tape printing apparatus

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a tape printing apparatus.

Background

Tape printing devices are known, for example, from EP-A-322918(Brother Kogyo KabushikiKaishｃA) and EP-A-267890 (Varitronics). These known tape printing devices include a cassette receiving bay for receiving a cassette or tape holding housing. In EP- ｃA-267890 ｃA tape holding case contains an ink ribbon and ｃA base tape comprising an upper image receiving layer secured to ｃA backing layer by an adhesive. In EP- ｃA-322918, the tape holding case houses an ink ribbon, ｃA transparent image receiving tape and ｃA double-sided adhesive tape which is secured to the image tape on one adhesive coated side thereof after printing and which has ｃA backing layer which is peelable from the other adhesive coated side of the double-sided adhesive tape. With such a tape printing apparatus, the image transfer medium (ink ribbon) and the image receiving tape (substrate) are in the same cassette.

The applicant has also proposed to incorporate the ink ribbon and the substrate tape in ｃA separate cassette, for example in EP- ｃA-578372.

In all of these examples, the image receiving tape passes overlapping the ink ribbon to a print zone constituted by a print head and platen which cooperate to cause an image to be transferred from the ink ribbon to the image receiving tape. There are a number of ways to accomplish this, including dry lettering or dry film embossing, but the most common method at present is by thermal printing, in which a print head is heated, the heat causing the ink to transfer from the ink ribbon to the image receiving tape.

It is also known to omit the ink ribbon and print the image directly onto the image receiving tape by heating the print head. This process is called direct thermal printing.

Generally, the tape housed in the cassette is continuous, and therefore, the known tape printer includes a cutter for cutting the tape. With known arrangements, an image is printed on the tape by the print head and then, downstream of the printing position, the tape is cut. The cut tape may then be removed from the exit slot of the tape printer. The image printed on the tape has a blank portion, i.e., a margin. The size of the margin is determined by the configuration of the tape printer. In general, when avoiding a tape reverse feed, the margin cannot be less than the distance between the cutter and the print head. Secondly, the margin is such that the minimum label size is generally greater than the distance between the cutter and the exit slot of the tape printer so that the label can be removed. To reduce this second distance, so-called spitter mechanisms have been proposed in which labels are fed out of a tape printer. Such a spitter mechanism, while effective, requires additional components to implement.

Known tape printers are typically battery powered. Such tape printers have been proposed to be powered by a plurality of individual batteries housed in a battery compartment. It has also been proposed to use battery packs as an alternative to these individual batteries. Such a battery pack typically includes its own cover for easy insertion into and removal from the tape printer. However, when a user normally uses a battery pack, but sometimes wants to use a separate battery, the user may find that he has lost the lid of the battery compartment. This may cause inconvenience to the user.

Some known tape printing devices are typically designed to be portable so that they can be used in environments other than a desktop. For example, some tape printers are used by electricians, plumbers, and the like. It is therefore known that the tape printing apparatus will fall or be hit. It has been proposed to protect the tape printing apparatus portion with a removable rubber cover. Some known forms of protective rubber covers are removable or are glued or screwed to the housing. In the case of removable covers, they may be difficult to attach and detach over time, and the elasticity of the cover may deteriorate, resulting in deterioration of the protection performance. When the cover is glued to the housing, the complexity of the manufacturing process will increase.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an aim of one or more embodiments of the present invention to address or at least mitigate one or more of the above-mentioned problems.

According to one aspect, there is provided a tape printing apparatus comprising: a tape receiving area for receiving a supply of image receiving tape; cutting the structure; an outlet arranged adjacent the cutting structure, the outlet having a first portion downstream of the cutting structure sized to enable a user to access an area adjacent the cutting structure, the tape receiving area being arranged to receive the supply of image receiving tape in a cassette, the outlet being sized to enable a user to contact a surface of the cassette through the outlet.

According to one aspect, there is provided a tape printing apparatus comprising: a tape receiving area for receiving a supply of image receiving tape; cutting the structure; an outlet disposed adjacent the cutting structure, the outlet having a first portion downstream of the cutting structure sized to enable a user to access an area adjacent the cutting structure.

According to one aspect, there is provided a tape printing apparatus comprising: a tape receiving area for receiving a supply of image receiving tape; cutting the structure; an outlet disposed adjacent to the cutting structure, the outlet comprising at least one curved wall.

According to one aspect, there is provided a tape printing apparatus comprising: a housing; a cassette receiving bay and associated lid; a battery compartment and associated lid; wherein each of the housing, the cartridge receiving bay cover, and the battery compartment cover is at least partially covered by a protective material.

According to one aspect, there is provided a tape printing apparatus comprising: a housing at least partially covered by a protective material and a plurality of legs provided by the protective material.

According to one aspect, there is provided a tape printing apparatus comprising: a housing; a cassette receiving bay and associated lid; a battery compartment and associated lid; wherein each of the housing and the cartridge receiving bay cover is at least partially covered by a protective material, and the battery compartment cover is free of protective material.

According to one aspect, there is provided a battery structure for a tape printing apparatus, the battery structure comprising a battery pack and a support, the battery pack being detachably mounted on the support.

Drawings

For a better understanding of the present invention and how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a tape printing apparatus of the present invention from above;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the tape printing apparatus of FIG. 1 from the rear;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the tape printing apparatus of FIG. 1 with the cassette receiving bay and the cover of the battery compartment removed;

FIG. 4a shows a battery pack for use in the tape printing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4b shows a lid for a battery compartment of the tape printing apparatus of FIG. 1;

fig. 4c shows a surface portion of the battery pack which is covered by the cover in use;

fig. 5 shows the battery pack and cell compartment cover of fig. 4a and 4b in an assembled state;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a control circuit for the tape printing apparatus of FIG. 1; and

fig. 7 shows a plan view of the cassette receiving bay of fig. 2, with a cassette held in place.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows the front of a tape printing apparatus 2. The printing apparatus has a display 4. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the display 4 is a liquid crystal display. The tape printing apparatus has a keyboard 6. The keyboard 6 has a plurality of (in this example 4) cursor control keys 8. A plurality of keys 10 for selecting characters and a plurality of keys 12 for selecting numbers are also provided. The keypad 6 also has two sets of function keys 14. It should be appreciated that the number of keys and the functions provided by the keys may vary depending on the use of the printer. For example, in one embodiment, the individual keys for the numbers may be omitted, and the number keys may be selected by character keys. Another variation is that a single key for each character is not required. Alternatively, the function may be selected by using, for example, a toggle key.

Thus, the keypad 6 enables a user to input images including characters, numbers and/or symbols. The function key enables selection of attributes of the tag. In this way, the function keys 14 enable different functions and can control the operating mode of the tape printing apparatus.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the keyboard may be replaced by a touch pad, a touch screen or any other input device.

Referring to fig. 7, a cassette receiving bay is shown as indicated by dashed line 30. The cartridge bay 30 includes a thermal print head 32 and a rotatable platen 34 that cooperate to define a print zone 36. The cassette-receiving bay can also be seen in fig. 2 (where the cassette-receiving bay is covered by the lid 118) and fig. 3 (where the cassette-receiving bay is uncovered). The cassette receiving bay is accessed through a rear side of the printing device.

The thermal print head 32 includes a column of printing elements. The height of the print head 32 is typically large enough to print over the maximum width of the tape. The printhead 32 has one printing element in each row of the column. Each print element has a separate address and is driven according to the image desired to be printed. The image may be printed such that the width of the characters extends along the tape, or in a so-called vertical printing mode such that the height of the characters extends along the length of the tape.

The printhead arm 33, which holds the printhead holder and the printhead 32 itself, can pivot about a pivot point 38 to enable the cartridge to be removed and replaced from the cartridge bay. A cassette inserted into the cassette bay 30 is generally indicated by reference numeral 40. The cassette 40 holds a supply spool 42 of image receiving tape 44. The image receiving tape 44 is guided by a guide mechanism (not shown) through the cassette 40, out of the cassette 40 through an exit 46 and through the print zone 36 to a cutting station 48.

The same cartridge 40 has an ink ribbon supply spool 50 and an ink ribbon take-up spool 52. The ink ribbon 54 is guided from the ribbon supply spool 50 through the print zone 36 and wound onto the ribbon take-up spool 52. Thus, the image receiving tape 44 passes through the print zone 36 overlapping the ink ribbon 54, with its image receiving layer in contact with the ink ribbon 54.

The cartridge 44 has a recess 80 for receiving the printhead 32. A guide portion (not shown) may also be provided for guiding the thermal transfer belt 54 through the printing area 36. The print head 32 is movable between an operative position in which it contacts the platen 34 and holds the thermal transfer ribbon 54 and image receiving tape 44 in overlap between the print head 32 and platen 34, and an inoperative position in which it is moved away from the platen 34 to release the ink ribbon 54 and image receiving tape 44. In the operative position, the platen 34 is rotated to drive the image receiving tape 44 past the print head 32, and the print head is controlled to print an image on the image receiving tape 44 by thermally transferring ink from the ink ribbon 54.

As shown schematically in fig. 6, the platen roller is driven by a motor 58. The motor is rotated to drive the image receiving tape continuously through the print zone 36 during printing. The belt may also be driven in a step-wise manner by a stepper motor.

The image is printed on tape fed from the print zone 36 to a cutting station 48 in a wall portion of the cassette 40 adjacent the print zone 36. The wall portion of the cartridge 40 defining the cutting location 48 is designated by reference numeral 60. A slot 62 is defined in the wall portion 60 of the cassette and the image receiving tape 44 is fed past the print zone 36 to the cutting position 48 where it is supported by opposed portions on each of the two sides of the slot 62.

A cutting mechanism 64 including a cutting blade 66 is also provided. The cutting blade 66 cuts the image receiving tape 44 and then enters the slot 62.

Alternatively, the cassette has a substantially flat wall portion at the cutting position 48, and the cutting blade 66 cuts the image receiving tape against the wall portion of the cassette.

The basic circuitry for controlling the tape printing apparatus is shown in figure 6. There is a microprocessor chip 70 having a persistent memory 72, a microprocessor 74 and a random access memory RMA capacitor (schematically represented by RAM 76). The microprocessor chip 70 is connected to receive label data input from a data input device, such as a keypad 6.

The microprocessor chip 70 outputs data through the display driver chip 78 to drive the display 4 to display the label (or a portion thereof) to be printed and/or other information, such as a user's message. Alternatively, the display driver may form part of a microprocessor chip. In addition, the microprocessor chip 70 also outputs data to drive the print head 32 so that the label data is printed on the image receiving tape to form a label. Finally, the microprocessor chip also controls the motor 58 for driving the platen 34. The microprocessor chip may also control the cutting mechanism 64 so that a length of tape can be cut. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of the cutting mechanism may be manually operated.

As shown in fig. 3, the cassette receiving bay 30 and the battery receiving compartment 82 are on the rear side of the tape printing apparatus 2. The battery receiving compartment is capable of receiving ordinary non-rechargeable batteries, such as AA or AAA batteries. In one embodiment, an alkaline cell may be used. In one embodiment, 6 batteries may be received in the battery receiving compartment 82. It should be appreciated that different numbers and/or types of batteries may be used in alternative embodiments of the present invention. When the batteries are in the battery receiving compartment, as shown in fig. 2, the battery receiving compartment may be covered by a cover 84. The cover 84 can be clearly seen in fig. 4 b. Thus, each battery is inserted into the battery compartment 82 and the cover 84 is used to close the compartment 82, thereby preventing the batteries from falling out and maintaining them in the correct position relative to the electrical contacts in the battery compartment.

As will be described below with reference to fig. 4a, 4b and 5, the tape printing apparatus may use a so-called battery pack. The battery pack is shown in fig. 4a and includes a sealed unit housing a plurality of rechargeable batteries or a single battery cell. The rechargeable battery may take any suitable form and may be, for example, a nickel cadmium battery, a nickel metal hydride battery or a lithium ion battery. In some embodiments of the invention, lithium ion batteries may be preferred. These are merely examples and any suitable rechargeable battery may be included in the battery pack. The battery pack 86 includes any suitable number of rechargeable batteries that may be contained in the battery compartment 82. It will be appreciated, however, that the rechargeable batteries are held in place by the housing 86 which houses them so that the rechargeable batteries cannot be removed from the housing. In one embodiment of the invention, the housing may be such that the rechargeable battery can be removed and replaced. In this variation, a mechanism is provided for holding the battery in place. For example, the housing may be a two-part housing with a fastening mechanism for holding the two parts of the housing together. The fastening mechanism may be such that it is operable to enable the two parts to be separated.

A portion 86 containing a rechargeable battery may be secured to the cover 84. The lid has 4 projections 88 which extend from the inner surface of the lid 84 to extend into the battery compartment. The projection is thus perpendicular to the plane of the lid. The projection 88 has a length L that is greater than the width W of the projection. The length L corresponds to a surface in contact with the battery pack (when the battery pack is arranged). The height h of the projections is in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the cover, so that each projection 88 can engage with each projection 89 on the battery pack. W is perpendicular to the height h and length l.

Each projection 88 of the cover is arranged to have a sloping surface 91 at the end remote from the cover. The surface slopes downwardly away from the convex surface from a region near the convex end.

The corresponding protrusion 89 on the battery pack has a surface 95 that extends at right angles to the surface of the battery pack on which the protrusion 89 is disposed. An inwardly sloping surface 93 is also provided, the inwardly sloping surface 93 extending from the end of the surface 95 towards the surface of the battery pack on which the projections 89 are provided. This means that when the battery pack is disposed between the four protrusions 88 of the cover, the raised ramped surfaces 93 on the battery pack slide over the raised ramped surfaces on the cover. The ends of the projections on the cover then engage the surface 95 to retain the battery pack 86 on the cover 84. The projections 89 are arranged to be slightly flexible so that they can be moved into engagement with the respective projections on the lid.

Removing the battery pack from the lid would require the user to pull the battery pack from the lid with sufficient force to bend the protrusion 89 on the battery pack (thereby disengaging the protrusions on the lid and battery pack from each other).

The projection 88 on the cover is surrounded by guide members 97 on either side in the direction of the length l. The guide member 97 can ensure that the battery pack is properly positioned on the cover.

It will be appreciated that the mechanism described above is a push-fit mechanism. Any other suitable push-fit mechanism may alternatively be used. In alternate embodiments, any other suitable mechanism may be provided to mount the battery pack on the cover.

As shown in fig. 5 (fig. 5 shows the battery pack 86 secured to the cover 84), the battery pack is received between each pair of projections 88. These protrusions 88 thus assist in positioning the battery pack 86 on the cover 84.

To insert the battery pack into the battery compartment, two tabs 90 on one end of the cover are inserted into a corresponding pair of notches 92 disposed at one end of the battery compartment. The lid is then rotated about the axis defined by the projections 90 received in the respective recesses to bring the outer surface 94 (see fig. 2) of the lid so that it is in the closed position. Thus, the battery pack 86 is housed inside the battery compartment 82 and covers the lid 84.

The cover has a V-shaped member 96 on its side opposite to the side on which the projections 90 are provided. The V-shaped protrusion may spring up. When the cap is inserted, the projections are forced into a compressed state by the wall 98. This means that the V-shaped member 96 is in compression and its force acts in the direction of arrow a on the one hand to retain the projection 90 in the corresponding recess 92 and on the other hand to force the sides 100 of the V-shaped member 96 nearest the wall 98 and into contact with the wall 98 to retain the lid in position. This is indicated by arrow B.

One feature is a rib 83 at a location offset from the snap-fit rib (i.e., the protrusion 88), which rib 83 holds the alkaline cell in place (when the battery pack is not in use). The ribs are parallel to the guide members 97 and spaced inwardly relative to the guide members. Without the ribs 83, the same cell cover cannot be used for alkaline cells. The guide members 97 adjacent the snap-fit ribs cannot hold the alkaline cell because there is no alkaline cell below this position, but a cell contact spring.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention there is also a rib or any other suitable structure that can be grasped by the user and provided on the battery pack itself for easy removal of the battery pack from the battery bay with the battery pack retained in the battery bay after removal of the battery cover. This is illustrated in fig. 4c, which shows that the ribs 85 protruding from the surface 87 of the battery pack in use are covered by a cover. Ribs or the like may project from the surface. Alternatively, one or more indented portions may be disposed on the surface 87 of the battery pack so that the ribs, etc. may be grasped by the user. One or more such ribs may be provided.

The rechargeable battery pack may be recharged when the battery pack is installed in the tape printing apparatus and the tape printing apparatus is plugged into a main power supply.

A variation of the structure of fig. 4 and 5 will be described. In one variation, a separate battery pack is provided. The battery pack is inserted into the battery compartment and then the battery compartment cover is used to close the battery compartment.

In the latter structure, the battery pack may be based on the structures shown in fig. 4 and 5. However, the elements 89, 93 and 95 of the battery pack may be omitted and the cover for covering the compartment may be devoid of the element 91. In general, these elements of the battery pack and the cover for engaging the battery pack and the cover with each other may be omitted. In this embodiment, the cover may be considered as a support for the battery pack.

Referring now in particular to fig. 2 and 3, as shown in fig. 2, an exit slot 110 is provided from which the label exits. The outlet is formed such that the user can insert their finger a certain distance into the slot. In particular, the user can insert their finger in order to remove the label. However, the slot is sized so that the user cannot insert their finger into the path of the cutting blade during cutting. In particular, the distance between the opposing walls defining the tape outlet 115 at a location adjacent the cutting blade is X, which is typically relatively small, and may be on the order of a few millimeters, for example. This size is much smaller than a finger.

However, in some embodiments of the invention, the tape exit is designed to create an area where a user can lift the cartridge with their finger when the tape is jammed and when the cartridge cannot be lifted by an ejector or similar mechanism. When the blade cuts into the box, the user is not threatened to cut his fingers (in particular the cutting mechanism is not operable when there is no box or when the lid is open), and in that case the distance between the opposing walls defining the tape outlet may be greater. In one embodiment, the distance between the walls may be between 15 and 25mm, and in some embodiments about 18 to 22 mm.

The parallel walls on each side of the cutting zone may define a zone of between 10 and 20mm in length, for example between 13 and 19 mm. The walls may be of different lengths. In one embodiment, one wall may be about 18-19mm, while the other wall may be about 13 to 14mm, with the longer wall being on the side that receives the cutter.

Just beyond the cutting location 48, the walls of the exit slot diverge to form a generally V-shaped configuration. The advantage of this V-shaped configuration is that the box and/or cut label can be accessed when desired, while providing a degree of protection to the area adjacent the cutting area to prevent accidental insertion of items into that area. In addition, some protection against impact may be provided. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the outlet wall beyond the belt cutting position is generally curved. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the curved wall is substantially convex in shape. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the degree of curvature provided by the walls varies. Thus, one wall 111 may be a substantially continuous wall, defining an outlet slot 112 adjacent the cutter, but with only rounded edges or corners, while the other wall 113 may have a relatively large angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the outlet slot at the location of the cut. The walls may have a maximum separation distance of between 60 and 70mm, for example in the range 63 to 65 mm.

The advantage of the curved wall is that the label remains curled on the supply reel. The label will follow the curved wall, making it easier for the user to remove the label. In one embodiment, the label will be disposed along the curve of the wall 113. The length of such a wall is in the range of 40 mm. However, in an alternative embodiment, the label would follow the curve of the wall 111. The length of the wall is in the range of 13 to 15 mm. Depending on the position of the supply spool and how it is directed out of the tape printing apparatus.

In alternative embodiments of the invention, the walls are straight, concavely curved, or have a different shape. The walls may be symmetrical or asymmetrical to each other.

The user is able to remove the label as soon as it is cut, which means that the length of the label can be provided irrespective of the limit on the distance between the cutting position and the exit slot. Thus, the length of the label is limited only in that it needs to be slightly larger than the distance between the print head and the cutting structure. This means that relatively short labels can be provided.

Alternatively or additionally, the cartridge can be removed from the cartridge receiving bay by enabling a user to insert their finger into the exit slot to contact and thereby act on the cartridge. In this case, the cover may be opened. This is advantageous when the cartridge sticks (due to tape jamming and/or because the cartridge ejector mechanism is not working properly). It should be appreciated that one reason the ejector mechanism does not work properly is that the belt jams.

In fig. 1 and 2, the protective bumper is represented by cross-sectional hatching 112. Cross-sectional hatching 112 is a rubber material. The protective bumper is arranged to surround an edge of a top surface containing the keyboard. In one embodiment, no protection is provided on the area adjacent the display 4 (near the top of the tape printer). It should be appreciated that in an alternative embodiment, the area may also be provided with a protection buffer 112. The buffer 112 is arranged to cover the left and right sides of the printer. The left and right sides may each include a plurality of indented portions. These indented portions are arranged to assist the user in holding the tape printer so that it does not slip out of their hand. It will be appreciated that the same functionality may be provided by raised portions or any other suitable pattern as an alternative to having indented portions.

The front side surface is provided with a hook 116 by means of which hook 116 the label printing device can be mounted on a string or the like, so that the label printing device can be worn around the neck of a user, for example. The opposite side surface may only partially include a protective bumper. However, in an alternative embodiment of the invention, the entire surface except for the tape outlet slot may be provided with the bumper material. This can be seen more clearly in figure 2.

As shown in fig. 2, a rubber bumper is disposed on a portion of the rear surface of the label printer. The rubber material may be at least partially disposed on the cassette bay cover 118. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, there may be no protective material on the cover or on the entire cover.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 2, there is no protective material on the battery compartment cover 84. It should be appreciated, however, that in alternative embodiments, the battery compartment cover may be at least partially covered in a protective material. Accordingly, the protective bumper is typically disposed around the edge of the rear surface. A portion adjacent to the slotted strap 110 may be free of the bumper material 112. However, in alternative embodiments, the area may also be covered by a protection buffer.

As shown in fig. 2, there are also feet 117 arranged on the underside of the label printing apparatus, on which feet the label printing apparatus rests when the label printing apparatus is lowered. At least some (and preferably all) of the feet comprise a rubber material. While four such legs are provided in alternative embodiments, more or less than four legs may be provided. Two of the legs may be disposed on the battery compartment cover and two of the legs may be disposed on the cassette bay cover. However, this is merely an example and the feet may be arranged at any other suitable location on the label printing apparatus. For example, one or more feet may be disposed on the housing. There may be no feet on the cassette bay cover and/or the battery compartment cover. Only some of the legs (and not all of the legs) may be of the protective material.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rubber material is provided by an injection moulding step. Thus, the plastic housing is first formed and then the rubber material is injection molded as part of the injection molding process to provide the bumper. Alternatively, the bumper may be formed in a first injection molding step, and then the other portions of the housing or cover are formed of plastic material in a second or further injection molding process.

It should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments of the present invention, the rubber bumper may be formed separately and welded, glued or otherwise attached to the plastic housing in any suitable manner.

The bumper is preferably a rubber material, but may be formed of any other suitable resilient material in alternative embodiments. Preferably, the housing is formed from plastic, but may be made from any other suitable material in alternative embodiments of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rubber material used is a material having the following characteristics:

specific gravity: 1.09

Hardness: 60(Shore A)

Tensile strength: 94kg/cm²

Elongation percentage: 500 percent

100% flexural modulus: 54kg/cm²

Tear strength: 43kg/cm

The above-described characteristics of preferred materials are within +/-20% of the given values, more preferably within +/-10% of the given values.

Preferably, the rubber material has a wide working temperature range, for example between-40 ℃ and 95 ℃.

Embodiments of the present invention have been described as using a cartridge containing an ink ribbon and an image receiving tape. It should be appreciated that alternative embodiments of the present invention may use direct thermal materials. This means that an ink ribbon may not be required. In a further embodiment of the invention, a two cassette system may be used in which the ink ribbon is contained in one cassette and the image receiving tape is contained in a different cassette.

In a further alternative embodiment of the invention the image receiving tape may simply be arranged on a spool without any cassette.

The preferred embodiment of the invention has been described as a continuous image receiving tape. It should be understood that alternative embodiments of the present invention may be used with die cut labels that are discrete labels that are adhered to a continuous backing layer.

Alternative embodiments of the present invention may use a further laminating tape for protecting the printed image. A number of different techniques for obtaining laminates are also known.

Preferably, the embodiment of the present invention is a hand-held tape printing apparatus. However, alternative embodiments of the present invention may be arranged to interface with a PC. Some embodiments of the present invention may be used as a stand-alone printer or alternatively as a PC connection device.

When the tape printing apparatus is used only as a PC connection apparatus, the keyboard may be at least partially or entirely omitted. Also, the display may be at least partially or completely omitted.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described as printers using direct thermal transfer printing technology or thermal transfer technology through an ink ribbon. It should be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention are not limited to these techniques and that any other suitable printing technique, such as ink jet printing or laser printing, may be used.

Claims (37)

1. A tape printing apparatus includes:

a tape receiving area for receiving a supply of image receiving tape;

cutting the structure;

an outlet disposed adjacent the cutting structure, the outlet having a first portion downstream of the cutting structure sized to enable a user to access an area adjacent the cutting structure, the tape receiving area being arranged to receive the supply of image receiving tape in a cassette, the outlet being sized to enable a user to contact a surface of the cassette through the outlet.

2. A tape printing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the outlet has a second portion upstream of the first portion, the second portion being sized to inhibit access to the cutting structure by a user.

3. A tape printing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein: the dimensions enable a user to access the cut portion of the image receiving tape.

4. A tape printing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein: the outlet includes a second portion upstream of the first portion.

5. A tape printing apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein: the second portion comprises first and second parallel wall portions defining a passageway for the image receiving tape.

6. A tape printing apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or 6, wherein: the length of the second portion is between 10 and 20 mm.

7. A tape printing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein: the first portion includes first and second walls, at least one of which diverges from the other.

8. A tape printing apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein: at least one of the first and second walls of the first portion is curved.

9. A tape printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein: the at least one of the first and second walls of the first portion is convexly curved.

10. A tape printing apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein: the at least one wall of the first portion is convexly curved, and the image receiving tape is curved along one of the at least one wall.

11. A tape printing apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, when dependent on claim 4, wherein: one wall of the first portion is continuous with a wall of the second portion.

12. A tape printing apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein: at least one wall of the first portion is flat.

13. A tape printing apparatus (when dependent on claim 5) as claimed in any of claims 7 to 12, wherein: the first and second walls of the first portion are asymmetric with respect to the second portion.

14. A tape printing apparatus comprising:

a tape receiving area for receiving a supply of image receiving tape;

cutting the structure;

an outlet disposed adjacent the cutting structure, the outlet having a first portion downstream of the cutting structure sized to enable a user to access an area adjacent the cutting structure.

15. A tape printing apparatus includes:

a tape receiving area for receiving a supply of image receiving tape;

cutting the structure;

an outlet disposed adjacent to the cutting structure, the outlet comprising at least one curved wall.

16. A tape printing apparatus includes:

a housing;

a cassette receiving bay and associated lid;

a battery compartment and associated lid;

wherein each of the housing, the cartridge receiving bay cover, and the battery compartment cover is at least partially covered by a protective material.

17. A tape printing apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein: the protective material comprises rubber.

18. A tape printing apparatus as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein: the protective material is injection molded with at least one of the housing, the cartridge receiving bay cover, and the battery compartment cover.

19. A tape printing apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein: at least one of the housing, the cartridge receiving bay cover, and the battery compartment cover comprises plastic.

20. A tape printing apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein: the housing includes a belt exit, the belt exit region being substantially free of the protective material.

21. A tape printing apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein: the housing includes a hook provided with the protective material.

22. A tape printing apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 21, wherein: a plurality of legs is provided, the plurality of legs comprising the protective material.

23. A tape printing apparatus includes:

a housing at least partially covered by a protective material and a plurality of legs provided by the protective material.

24. A tape printing apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein: four legs are provided.

25. A tape printing apparatus includes:

a housing;

a cassette receiving bay and associated lid;

a battery compartment and associated lid;

wherein each of the housing and the cartridge receiving bay cover is at least partially covered by a protective material, the battery compartment cover being free of protective material.

26. A battery structure for a tape printing apparatus, the battery structure comprising a battery pack and a support, the battery pack being removably mounted on the support.

27. The battery structure of claim 26, wherein: the battery pack includes a lithium ion battery pack.

28. The battery structure of claim 26 or 27, wherein: the battery pack is mounted on the support by a snap-fit structure.

29. The battery structure of any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein: the support comprises positioning means for ensuring correct positioning of the battery pack with respect to the support.

30. The battery structure of any one of claims 26 to 29, wherein: the battery pack includes a grip portion at a side of the battery pack mounted on the support.

31. The battery structure of any one of claims 26 to 30, wherein: the support includes a cover for a battery compartment of the tape printing apparatus.

32. The battery structure of claim 31, wherein: the cover comprises at least one projection arranged such that: the protrusion causes the at least one battery to remain in place in the battery compartment when the cover covers the battery compartment of the tape printing apparatus in which the at least one battery is housed.

33. A tape printing apparatus in combination with a battery pack as claimed in any of claims 26 to 31, wherein the tape printing apparatus comprises a battery compartment for receiving the battery pack.

34. The combination of claim 33, wherein: the battery compartment is covered by a lid.

35. The combination of claim 34, wherein: the support includes the cover.

36. The combination of claim 34 or 35, wherein: the battery compartments are arranged in different patterns to accommodate a plurality of batteries, which are covered by the lid when the battery pack is removed from the battery compartment.

37. The combination of any one of claims 33 to 36, further comprising: means for charging said battery pack when said battery pack is in said battery compartment, said tape printing apparatus comprising means for connecting said tape printing apparatus to a power supply for charging said battery pack.