Patent ID: 6980767
Filing Date: 2005-12-27
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A method for printing and joining at least two sheets of print media in an image forming apparatus, said method comprising: (a) providing an image forming apparatus having a print media input device, a print engine that applies and affixes image-forming material to said print media at an image-forming station and at an image-fixing station, a first output pathway that re-directs said print media back to said print engine, and a second output pathway that directs said print media to an output area; (b) moving a first sheet of said print media from said print media input device to said print engine, and, according to user print data, applying said image-forming material to a first surface of said first sheet at said image-forming station, including to at least one predetermined affixing area of said first surface of the first sheet; (c) moving said first sheet through said first output pathway, and back to said print engine; (d) moving a second sheet of said print media from said print media input device to said print engine in a manner such that said second sheet overlaps at least a portion of said first sheet, said portion including said at least one predetermined affixing area, wherein said first surface of the first sheet is facing toward said second sheet; (e) at said image-fixing station, joining both said first sheet and said second sheet to said image-forming material at said at least one predetermined affixing area, thereby joining said first and second sheets together as combined sheets of print media; and (f) thereafter, moving said combined sheets of print media through said second output pathway to said output area.