A tape cartridge is detachably installed on a cartridge installation portion of a tape printing apparatus having a platen supporting shaft and a printing head. A base end of the platen supporting shaft is fixed to the cartridge installation portion at one end of the platen supporting shaft. The tape cartridge includes a platen roller, an upper bearing portion, a lower bearing portion, and a fitting portion. The platen roller includes an upper engagement portion and a lower engagement portion. The upper bearing portion rotatably supports the upper engagement portion and restricts movement of the upper engagement portion. The lower bearing portion rotatably supports the lower engagement portion and restricts movement of the lower engagement portion. A tip end of the platen supporting shaft passing through the platen roller fits in the fitting portion when the tape cartridge is installed on the cartridge installation portion.

A tape cartridge is detachably installed on a cartridge installation portion of a tape printing apparatus having a platen supporting shaft and a printing head. A base end of the platen supporting shaft is fixed to the cartridge installation portion at one end of the platen supporting shaft. The tape cartridge includes the platen roller, the upper bearing portion, the lower bearing portion, and the fitting portion. The platen roller includes an upper and lower engagement portion. The upper bearing portion rotatable supports the upper engagement portion and restricts movement of the upper engagement portion. The lower bearing portion rotatable supports the lower engagement portion and restricts movement of the lower engagement portion. The fitting portion in which a tip end of the platen supporting shaft passing through the platen roller fits when the tape cartridge is installed on the cartridge installation portion.

A tape cartridge is detachably installed on a cartridge installation portion of a tape printing apparatus having a platen supporting shaft and a printing head. A base end of the platen supporting shaft is fixed to the cartridge installation portion at one end of the platen supporting shaft. The tape cartridge includes the platen roller, the upper bearing portion, the lower bearing portion, and the fitting portion. The platen roller includes an upper and lower engagement portion. The upper bearing portion rotatable supports the upper engagement portion and restricts movement of the upper engagement portion. The lower bearing portion rotatable supports the lower engagement portion and restricts movement of the lower engagement portion. The fitting portion in which a tip end of the platen supporting shaft passing through the platen roller fits when the tape cartridge is installed on the cartridge installation portion.

A tape printing device includes a cartridge loading section where a tape cartridge having a platen roller and a portion to be guided is loaded in an unloadable manner; two recess portions in which fingers for gripping the tape cartridge are inserted; a platen support shaft inserted in the platen roller; and a guide pin inserted in the portion to be guided. The guide pin is situated on a side opposite to the platen support shaft across an imaginary line connecting the two recess portions and is arranged at a site where a distance from the recess portion at a position farther from the first insertion shaft, of the two recess portions, is shorter than a distance from the recess portion at a position closer to the platen support shaft.

A tape printing device includes a cartridge loading section where a tape cartridge having a platen roller and a portion to be guided is loaded in an unloadable manner; two recess portions in which fingers for gripping the tape cartridge are inserted; a platen support shaft inserted in the platen roller; and a guide pin inserted in the portion to be guided. The guide pin is situated on a side opposite to the platen support shaft across an imaginary line connecting the two recess portions and is arranged at a site where a distance from the recess portion at a position farther from the first insertion shaft, of the two recess portions, is shorter than a distance from the recess portion at a position closer to the platen support shaft.

Systems and methods related to adaptive ribbon speed control for a line matrix impact printer are provided. A ribbon cartridge includes a ribbon configured to be driven at a ribbon speed, and a ribbon gear configured to rotate with movement of the ribbon. The ribbon includes a ribbon joint patch detectable via a first sensor to determine a first ribbon speed of the ribbon. Rotation of the ribbon gear is detectable via a second sensor to determine a second ribbon speed of the ribbon. A target ribbon speed is determined based on at least one print job characteristic. A current ribbon speed is determined based on the first ribbon speed and the second ribbon speed. The ribbon speed is adjusted based on a difference between the current ribbon speed and the target ribbon speed. Associated systems and methods are also provided.

Systems and methods related to adaptive ribbon speed control for a line matrix impact printer are provided. A ribbon cartridge includes a ribbon configured to be driven at a ribbon speed, and a ribbon gear configured to rotate with movement of the ribbon. The ribbon includes a ribbon joint patch detectable via a first sensor to determine a first ribbon speed of the ribbon. Rotation of the ribbon gear is detectable via a second sensor to determine a second ribbon speed of the ribbon. A target ribbon speed is determined based on at least one print job characteristic. A current ribbon speed is determined based on the first ribbon speed and the second ribbon speed. The ribbon speed is adjusted based on a difference between the current ribbon speed and the target ribbon speed. Associated systems and methods are also provided.

A tape printing device includes a cartridge loading section where a tape cartridge having a platen roller and a portion to be guided is loaded in an unloadable manner; two recess portions in which fingers for gripping the tape cartridge are inserted; a platen support shaft inserted in the platen roller; and a guide pin inserted in the portion to be guided. The guide pin is situated on a side opposite to the platen support shaft across an imaginary line connecting the two recess portions and is arranged at a site where a distance from the recess portion at a position farther from the first insertion shaft, of the two recess portions, is shorter than a distance from the recess portion at a position closer to the platen support shaft.

A tape printing device includes a cartridge loading section where a tape cartridge having a platen roller and a portion to be guided is loaded in an unloadable manner; two recess portions in which fingers for gripping the tape cartridge are inserted; a platen support shaft inserted in the platen roller; and a guide pin inserted in the portion to be guided. The guide pin is situated on a side opposite to the platen support shaft across an imaginary line connecting the two recess portions and is arranged at a site where a distance from the recess portion at a position farther from the first insertion shaft, of the two recess portions, is shorter than a distance from the recess portion at a position closer to the platen support shaft.

An integrated cartridge and a printer using the same is provided, the integrated cartridge in which an ink ribbon and a printing medium are provided in one integrated cartridge and the cartridge is inserted through the side of the printer such that the convenience of installation and replacement for a user is improved.