A tape cartridge is detachably installed on a cartridge installation portion of a tape printing apparatus. A first shaft and a second shaft are disposed on the cartridge installation portion. The tape cartridge includes a printing tape that is wound on a tape core, a platen roller in which a first shaft is inserted when the tape cartridge is installed in the cartridge installation portion, and a guided portion which is guided by the second shaft when the tape cartridge is installed in the cartridge installation portion. When seen from an attaching direction of the tape cartridge, the guided portion is disposed at an opposite side of the tape core with respect to the platen roller and the guided portion is recessed on an outer peripheral surface of a cartridge casing that forms an outer shell of the tape cartridge.

A tape cartridge is detachably installed on a cartridge installation portion of a tape printing apparatus. A first shaft and a second shaft are disposed on the cartridge installation portion. The tape cartridge includes a printing tape that is wound on a tape core, a platen roller in which a first shaft is inserted when the tape cartridge is installed in the cartridge installation portion, and a guided portion which is guided by the second shaft when the tape cartridge is installed in the cartridge installation portion. When seen from an attaching direction of the tape cartridge, the guided portion is disposed at an opposite side of the tape core with respect to the platen roller and the guided portion is recessed on an outer peripheral surface of a cartridge casing that forms an outer shell of the tape cartridge.

A tape cartridge is detachably installed in a tape printing apparatus on a cartridge installation portion that has a platen driving shaft. The tape cartridge includes a platen roller in which the platen driving shaft is inserted, an outer peripheral surface which is provided parallel with a cartridge installing direction and on an outer shell of the tape cartridge, a pair of projections formed on opposite sides of the outer peripheral surface, and a recessed portion provided on the outer peripheral surface. When seen from the attaching direction of the tape cartridge, the recessed portion is disposed on an opposite side with respect to the platen roller over an imaginary line connecting the pair of projections and disposed at a position to which one of the pair of projections farther from the platen roller is closer than the other of the pair of projections.

A tape cartridge is detachably installed in a tape printing apparatus on a cartridge installation portion that has a platen driving shaft. The tape cartridge includes a platen roller in which the platen driving shaft is inserted, an outer peripheral surface which is provided parallel with a cartridge installing direction and on an outer shell of the tape cartridge, a pair of projections formed on opposite sides of the outer peripheral surface, and a recessed portion provided on the outer peripheral surface. When seen from the attaching direction of the tape cartridge, the recessed portion is disposed on an opposite side with respect to the platen roller over an imaginary line connecting the pair of projections and disposed at a position to which one of the pair of projections farther from the platen roller is closer than the other of the pair of projections.

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.

A print section sensor for detecting registration marks on a transfer ribbon in a ribbon feed path includes a reflective sensor configured to detect the registration marks and a transmissive sensor configured to detect the registration marks. The reflective sensor is located upstream of the transmissive sensor relative to a feed direction of the transfer ribbon.

A print section sensor for detecting registration marks on a transfer ribbon in a ribbon feed path includes a reflective sensor configured to detect the registration marks and a transmissive sensor configured to detect the registration marks. The reflective sensor is located upstream of the transmissive sensor relative to a feed direction of the transfer ribbon.

A tape cartridge detachably installed on a cartridge installation portion of a tape printing apparatus having a first shaft and a second shaft on the cartridge installation portion. The tape cartridge includes a tape accommodation area in which a printing tape and a tape core are accommodated. A platen has a first reception portion in which the first shaft is inserted when the tape cartridge is installed, and a second reception portion into which the second shaft is inserted when the tape cartridge is installed in the cartridge installation portion. When seen from an attaching direction of the tape cartridge, the tape cartridge has an appearance that is formed in an L-shape and of which a base end at a right side surface slightly projects. The first reception portion and the second reception portion are arranged each other from opposite side of the tape accommodation portion.

A tape cartridge detachably installed on a cartridge installation portion of a tape printing apparatus having a first shaft and a second shaft on the cartridge installation portion. The tape cartridge includes a tape accommodation area in which a printing tape and a tape core are accommodated. A platen has a first reception portion in which the first shaft is inserted when the tape cartridge is installed, and a second reception portion into which the second shaft is inserted when the tape cartridge is installed in the cartridge installation portion. When seen from an attaching direction of the tape cartridge, the tape cartridge has an appearance that is formed in an L-shape and of which a base end at a right side surface slightly projects. The first reception portion and the second reception portion are arranged each other from opposite side of the tape accommodation portion.

Provided herein are devices, systems, methods and various means, including those related to printer systems and, more particularly, relate to methods, apparatuses, systems and other means for monitoring a printer ribbon. Some embodiments use a multi-element detector, which is configured to detect a particular type of light emitted from a light emitter. The multi-state detector can include two sensors, one of which includes a polarizer filter that blocks polarized light. Embodiments can be used to determine, among other things, whether or not a printer ribbon is installed in a printer without the use of a snap plate.