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.

A printing device includes a housing, a mounting compartment, a printing unit, and a cover attachable to the housing. A tape cassette accommodating a printing tape is mountable in the mounting compartment in a mounting direction. A platen gear of the printing unit and an output gear of the tape cassette are helical gears configured such that a thrust load is applied to the output gear in the mounting direction at a mesh point therebetween while rotating. The cover has a restriction part configured to contact the mounted tape cassette while the cover is closed to restrict the tape cassette from rotating by the thrust load about an axis passing through first and second support parts provided at the mounting compartment. The restriction part is positioned in a region on an opposite side of the axis from the mesh point when viewed in the mounting direction.

A printing device includes a housing, a mounting compartment, a printing unit, and a cover attachable to the housing. A tape cassette accommodating a printing tape is mountable in the mounting compartment in a mounting direction. A platen gear of the printing unit and an output gear of the tape cassette are helical gears configured such that a thrust load is applied to the output gear in the mounting direction at a mesh point therebetween while rotating. The cover has a restriction part configured to contact the mounted tape cassette while the cover is closed to restrict the tape cassette from rotating by the thrust load about an axis passing through first and second support parts provided at the mounting compartment. The restriction part is positioned in a region on an opposite side of the axis from the mesh point when viewed in the mounting direction.

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.

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 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 printing device includes a housing, a printing head, and an input unit. The housing includes a cassette accommodating portion to which a tape cassette accommodating a roll of a printing tape is detachably attachable. The cassette accommodating portion has an insertion opening through which the tape cassette can be inserted in an insertion direction. The printing head includes heat-generating elements arrayed in a scanning direction crossing an imaginary plane perpendicular to the insertion direction. The housing has: a principal surface at which the input unit is provided; a side surface crossing the principal surface and the imaginary plane; and a discharge opening formed in the side surface. The insertion opening is positioned above the input unit. At the discharge opening, a normal direction of a printed surface of the printing tape and a normal direction of the principal surface define an interior angle of less than 45 degrees therebetween.