A tape drive comprises a spool support for supporting a tape spool, wherein the spool support comprises a support surface mounted to a tape drive base plate such that the support surface is fixed against rotation relative to the base plate, the support surface being configured such that, in use, as tape is removed from or wound onto the spool, the spool rotates relative to the spool support such that the spool rotates around the support surface.

A tape drive comprises a spool support for supporting a tape spool, wherein the spool support comprises a support surface mounted to a tape drive base plate such that the support surface is fixed against rotation relative to the base plate, the support surface being configured such that, in use, as tape is removed from or wound onto the spool, the spool rotates relative to the spool support such that the spool rotates around the support surface.

An opening/closing mechanism for an opening/closing cover includes the opening/closing cover, a cover protrusion, a protrusion engagement lever, an elastic member, and a cover opening section having an operation section, the cover opening section being configured to rotate the opening/closing cover in the closed position to a second position. The cover protrusion includes a second engaging portion configured to be pushed by the protrusion engagement member when the opening/closing cover is in the second position such that the opening/closing cover remains in the second position and includes a third engaging portion configured to be pushed by the protrusion engagement member when the opening/closing cover is in a third position between the second position and the open position such that the opening/closing cover rotates from the third position to the open position.

An opening/closing mechanism for an opening/closing cover includes the opening/closing cover, a cover protrusion, a protrusion engagement lever, an elastic member, and a cover opening section having an operation section, the cover opening section being configured to rotate the opening/closing cover in the closed position to a second position. The cover protrusion includes a second engaging portion configured to be pushed by the protrusion engagement member when the opening/closing cover is in the second position such that the opening/closing cover remains in the second position and includes a third engaging portion configured to be pushed by the protrusion engagement member when the opening/closing cover is in a third position between the second position and the open position such that the opening/closing cover rotates from the third position to the open position.

A described example includes a ribbon cartridge having a first spool housing to receive a first spool. The ribbon cartridge further having a second spool housing to receive a second spool. The ribbon cartridge further having at least one frame member extending between the first spool housing and the second spool housing and a spool lock, wherein the spool lock is configured to engage at least one of the first spool or the second spool in response to the ribbon cartridge not being received within a ribbon positioning assembly.

A described example includes a ribbon cartridge having a first spool housing to receive a first spool. The ribbon cartridge further having a second spool housing to receive a second spool. The ribbon cartridge further having at least one frame member extending between the first spool housing and the second spool housing and a spool lock, wherein the spool lock is configured to engage at least one of the first spool or the second spool in response to the ribbon cartridge not being received within a ribbon positioning assembly.

A cassette tape includes: a cassette case; a first tape roll and a second tape roll accommodated in the cassette case and rotatably supported thereby; and an RFID tag disposed at one of an upper wall and a lower wall of the cassette case. The first tape roll includes a first tape wound about a first winding axis extending in an axial direction. The second tape roll includes a second tape wound about an axis different from the first winding axis and extending in the axial direction. The second tape roll has a smaller diameter than the first tape roll. The RFID tag includes an antenna and a storage element for radiocommunication to read and write data. A part of the RFID tag is positioned to overlap with a part of the first tape roll in a predetermined direction parallel to the axial direction.

A cassette tape includes: a cassette case; a first tape roll and a second tape roll accommodated in the cassette case and rotatably supported thereby; and an RFID tag disposed at one of an upper wall and a lower wall of the cassette case. The first tape roll includes a first tape wound about a first winding axis extending in an axial direction. The second tape roll includes a second tape wound about an axis different from the first winding axis and extending in the axial direction. The second tape roll has a smaller diameter than the first tape roll. The RFID tag includes an antenna and a storage element for radiocommunication to read and write data. A part of the RFID tag is positioned to overlap with a part of the first tape roll in a predetermined direction parallel to the axial direction.

A cassette tape includes: a cassette case; a first tape roll and a second tape roll accommodated in the cassette case and rotatably supported thereby; and an RFID tag disposed at one of an upper wall and a lower wall of the cassette case. The first tape roll includes a first tape wound about a first winding axis extending in an axial direction. The second tape roll includes a second tape wound about an axis different from the first winding axis and extending in the axial direction. The second tape roll has a smaller diameter than the first tape roll. The RFID tag includes an antenna and a storage element for radiocommunication to read and write data. A part of the RFID tag is positioned to overlap with a part of the first tape roll in a predetermined direction parallel to the axial direction.

A cassette tape includes: a cassette case; a first tape roll and a second tape roll accommodated in the cassette case and rotatably supported thereby; and an RFID tag disposed at one of an upper wall and a lower wall of the cassette case. The first tape roll includes a first tape wound about a first winding axis extending in an axial direction. The second tape roll includes a second tape wound about an axis different from the first winding axis and extending in the axial direction. The second tape roll has a smaller diameter than the first tape roll. The RFID tag includes an antenna and a storage element for radiocommunication to read and write data. A part of the RFID tag is positioned to overlap with a part of the first tape roll in a predetermined direction parallel to the axial direction.