Tape supply system for a thermal printing device or the like

Claim 1

A tape supply system for a thermal printing device or the like of the type having a device housing (21) and a print sta­tion comprising a printhead (10) and a platen (11) for forming a selected image onto a tape (13), said tape supply system comprising: a tape supply cartridge (16) having a supply (51) of tape (13); a tape cartridge receiving tray (15) connected to said device housing (21), said cartridge receiving tray (15) in­cluding a cartridge receiving cavity for receiving said tape supply cartridge (16), each of said tape supply cartridge (16) and said receiving tray (15) including an opening to receive said printhead (10) and platen (11); means for moving said cartridge (16) after insertion of said cartridge (16) into said receiving tray (15), in a for­ward direction into a print alignment position relative to said print station (10, 11), said means including a receiving tray cover (146) pivotally secured to a portion (142) of said receiving tray (15) and pivotable between an open and a closed position and a cam means (151, 153) associated with said cover (146) and engaging said cartridge (16) whereby said cartridge (16) is moved into print alignment as a result of pivoting said cover (146) to a closed position; and means (158) for retaining said cartridge (16) in said print alignment position.

Claim 5

The system of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said cart­ridge receiving tray (15) is connected with said device hous­ing (21) in a fixed position.

Claim 8

The system of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said means for retaining said cartridge (16) in said print alignment position includes a retaining tab opening (160) in the bottom 59) of said cartridge (16) and a retaining tab member (158) connected with the base (145) of said cartridge receiving tray (15) whereby said retaining tab member (158) extends through said retaining tab opening (160).

Claim 10

The system of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said supply of tape includes a hub (69) and wherein the bottom (59) of said cartridge (16) includes a first tape sensing opening (83) and said cartridge receiving tray (15) includes a tape sensing switch (49), said switch (49) extending through said first tape sensing opening (83) for engagement with said hub (69) for the purpose of detecting the width of tape (13) within said cartridge (16).

Claim 11

The system of any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the bottom (59) of said cartridge (16) includes a second tape sensing opening (79) and said cartridge receiving tray (15) includes a tape sensing means (80), said tape sensing means (80) ex­tending through said second tape sensing opening (79) for the purpose of sensing the existence or absence of tape (13) in said cartridge (16).