Patent Description:
An apparatus that creates a pressure-seal printed matter excellent in information confidentiality has been proposed hitherto (<CIT>). Examples of the pressure-seal printed matter include a pressure-seal postcard in which personal information cannot be read until a pseudo-bonded surface is peeled off by superimposing and pseudo-bonding a surface on which personal information or the like is formed as an image. The pseudo bonding mentioned herein is an aspect of bonding that can be peeled off after bonding and is difficult to re-bonded after peeling.

Examples of a method for performing the pseudo bonding include a paste method, a varnish method, and a film method. The paste method is a method for bonding a recording material by applying a heat-sensitive paste to the recording material and applying pressure to the recording material. The varnish method is a method for bonding a recording material by applying an ultraviolet-curable varnish to the recording material, irradiating the recording material with ultraviolet rays, and applying pressure to the recording material. The film method is a method for bonding a recording material by inserting a heat-sensitive bonding film between superimposed surfaces and then applying heat and pressure to the recording material.

As described above, in order to create the pressure-seal printed matter, it is necessary to pressure-seal the recording material by applying pressure or heat and pressure to the recording material. In this case, a bonding force is easily affected by the magnitude of the heat or pressure applied to the recording material. In a case where the bonding force is weak, unintended peeling may occur. On the other hand, in a case where the bonding force is strong, a layer other than the bonded surface is peeled off at the time of peeling, and thus, there is a concern that the image is transferred from one surface to the other surface. Thus, in order to perform the pseudo bonding with an appropriate bonding force, the magnitude (for example, a temperature of the heater, a pressurizing force of a pressure sealing roller, and the like) of the heat or pressure applied to the recording material is changed in accordance with a type of the recording material or the like hitherto.

Incidentally, in recent years, there has been proposed an image forming system that realizes so-called on-demand printing by connecting a post-process apparatus to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material and continuously performing processes from image formation on the recording material to a post-process without interruption. Thus, as the post-process apparatus, it is considered to connect an apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as a pressure sealing processing apparatus) that creates the pressure-bonded printed matter described above. In the image forming apparatus in such an image forming system, images can be generally formed on various types of recording materials. However, the recording material on which the image can be formed by the image forming apparatus is not necessarily a recording material that can be pressure-seal by the pressure sealing processing apparatus. In a case where a recording material that cannot be pressure-seal by the pressure sealing processing apparatus is conveyed, there is a possibility that an error, a pressure sealing failure, or the like occurs in the pressure sealing processing apparatus and the entire system including the image forming apparatus is stopped. Accordingly, even though the pressure sealing processing apparatus is connected to the image forming apparatus, since a user needs to manually set recording materials separately, it takes time and effort, and it is troublesome hitherto. Thus, the improvement of work efficiency for creating the pressure-seal printed matter cannot be expected.

Further background is disclosed in <CIT> "Pressure-Bonding Printed Matter Creation.

Device and Pressure-Bonding Printed Matter Creation Method", <CIT> "Paper Processing Device and Image Forming System", <CIT> "Printer, and Control Method and Program of Printer" and <CIT> "Sheet Processing Apparatus and Image Forming System".

In view of the above problems, the present invention provides an image forming system in which a user can easily perform a series of processes from image formation to pressure sealing with a configuration in which a pressure sealing processing apparatus that applies pressure to a recording material and pressure-seals the recording material is connected to an image forming apparatus.

The present invention in its first aspect provides an image forming system as specified in claims <NUM> to <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

The present invention in its first aspect provides an image forming system as specified in claims <NUM> to <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described. First, an image forming system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>. An image forming system 1X according to the present embodiment includes an image forming apparatus <NUM> capable of executing an image forming mode for forming toner images on a recording material S, and a pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> capable of executing a pressure sealing mode for performing pressure sealing on the recording material S on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus <NUM>. The pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> is a post-process unit that can be retrofitted to the image forming apparatus <NUM> for function expansion, and the image forming apparatus <NUM> and the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> are coupled so as to be able to transfer the recording material S. The image forming system 1X conveys the recording material S on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus <NUM> to the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM>, and causes the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> to pressure-seal the recording material S in a folded state. Thus, it is possible to create a pressure-seal printed matter such as a pressure-seal postcard.

In <FIG>, as the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM>, an apparatus including an adhesive application device <NUM>, a folding processing device <NUM>, and a pressure sealing device <NUM> is illustrated as an example. The image forming apparatus <NUM>, the adhesive application device <NUM>, the folding processing device <NUM>, and the pressure sealing device <NUM> are connected by a data input and output interface (not illustrated) capable of performing serial communication and parallel communication such that control signals, data, and the like can be transmitted and received therebetween.

The image forming apparatus <NUM> will be described. The image forming apparatus <NUM> is a tandem full-color printer of an electrophotographic system. As illustrated in <FIG>, the image forming apparatus <NUM> includes image forming units Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd that form yellow, magenta, cyan, and black images, respectively. The image forming apparatus <NUM> forms the toner images on the recording material S in accordance with image signals from a document reading apparatus (not illustrated) connected to the apparatus body or an external device <NUM> such as a personal computer or an external controller connected to the apparatus body so as to be able to input and output data. As the recording material S, for example, a sheet material such as an uncoated sheet, a coated sheet, or a synthetic sheet that can be folded is used. The coated sheet is a recording material having high smoothness and formed by coating with a coating agent such as resin or clay, and the uncoated sheet is a recording material called a plain sheet or the like of which a surface is not coated.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the image forming units Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd are arranged side by side along a moving direction of an intermediate transfer belt <NUM> in the apparatus body. The intermediate transfer belt <NUM> is stretched around a plurality of rollers (<NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) and rotated. The intermediate transfer belt <NUM> carries and conveys the toner images to be primarily transferred as will be described later. A secondary transfer outer roller <NUM> is disposed at a position facing a secondary transfer inner roller <NUM> stretching the intermediate transfer belt <NUM> with the intermediate transfer belt <NUM> interposed therebetween, and forms a secondary transfer portion for transferring the toner images on the intermediate transfer belt <NUM> to the recording material S. A fixing unit <NUM> is disposed downstream of the secondary transfer portion in a conveyance direction of the recording material.

A cassette <NUM> that houses the recording material S is disposed below the image forming apparatus <NUM>. The recording material S is conveyed from the cassette <NUM> toward a registration roller <NUM> by a conveying roller <NUM>. Thereafter, the registration roller <NUM> starts to rotate in synchronization with the toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt <NUM>, and thus, the recording material S is conveyed to the secondary transfer portion. A plurality of cassettes <NUM> is arranged so as to be able to house recording materials S having different sizes and thicknesses, and the recording material S selected by a user from among the plurality of cassettes <NUM> is conveyed. Not only the recording material S housed in the cassette <NUM> but also the recording material S placed on a manual feed tray <NUM> may be conveyed. As an option, the recording material S housed in a sheet feeding apparatus (not illustrated) connected as a casing different from the image forming apparatus <NUM> may be conveyed to the image forming apparatus <NUM>.

The four image forming units Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd included in the image forming apparatus <NUM> have substantially the same configuration except that the developed colors are different. Thus, the yellow image forming unit Pa will be described as a representative, and the illustration and description of the other image forming units Pb, Pc, and Pd will be omitted.

In the image forming unit Pa, a cylindrical photosensitive drum 3a is disposed as a photosensitive member. The photosensitive drum 3a is rotationally driven in a predetermined direction. A charging unit 2a, an exposing unit La, a developing unit 1a, a primary transfer roller 24a, and a drum cleaning unit 4a are disposed around the photosensitive drum 3a.

For example, a process of forming a full-color image by the image forming apparatus <NUM> will be described. First, in a case where an image forming operation is started, a surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 3a is uniformly charged by the charging unit 2a. The charging unit 2a is, for example, a corona charger that irradiates charged particles associated with a corona discharge to charge the photosensitive drum 3a to a uniform negative dark portion potential. Subsequently, the photosensitive drum 3a is scanned and exposed by a laser beam corresponding to image signals emitted from the exposing unit La. Accordingly, electrostatic latent images corresponding to the image signal are formed on the photosensitive drum 3a. The electrostatic latent images formed on the photosensitive drum 3a is developed into toner images that are visible images by a developer containing toner and a carrier housed in the developing unit 1a. In the present embodiment, the developing unit 1a uses, as a developer, a two-component developer containing a nonmagnetic toner and a magnetic carrier.

The toner images formed on the photosensitive drum 3a are primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt <NUM> at a primary transfer portion formed between the photoconductive drum and the primary transfer roller 24a disposed with the intermediate transfer belt <NUM> interposed therebetween. At this time, a primary transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer roller 24a. The toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3a after the primary transfer is removed by a drum cleaning unit 4a.

Such an operation is sequentially performed in the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black image forming units Pa to Pd, and toner images of four colors are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt <NUM>. Thereafter, the recording material S housed in the cassette <NUM> is conveyed to the secondary transfer portion in accordance with a forming timing of the toner image. The full-color toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt <NUM> are secondarily transferred collectively to the recording material S by applying a secondary transfer bias to the secondary transfer outer roller <NUM>. The toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt <NUM> after the secondary transfer is removed by a belt cleaning unit <NUM>.

The recording material S on which the toner images are formed is conveyed to the fixing unit <NUM>. The fixing unit <NUM> heats and pressurizes the recording material S by nipping and conveying the recording material S on which the toner images are formed at a fixing nip portion formed by a pair of rollers, and fixes the toner images on the recording material S. Thereafter, the recording material S on which the toner images are fixed is conveyed to the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM>. Alternatively, the recording material is discharged to a sheet discharge tray <NUM> as will be described later.

The image forming apparatus <NUM> includes a main controller <NUM>. In the case of the present embodiment, the main controller <NUM> can execute, as a control unit, an image forming process of controlling the image forming apparatus <NUM> to form the images on the recording material S, and can execute a pressure sealing processing process of controlling the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> to fold and pressure-seal the recording material S. A control configuration of such an image forming system 1X will be described later (see <FIG>).

Next, the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> will be described. As illustrated in <FIG>, the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> according to the present embodiment includes the adhesive application device <NUM> as an application unit, the folding processing device <NUM> as a folding unit, and the pressure sealing device <NUM> as a pressure sealing unit. The adhesive application device <NUM> applies a liquid adhesive to the surface of the recording material S on which the images are formed by the image forming apparatus <NUM>. The folding processing device <NUM> folds the recording material S in a state in which the surface to which the liquid adhesive is applied faces The pressure sealing device <NUM> applies heat and pressure to the folded recording material S. Hereinafter, the adhesive application device <NUM>, the folding processing device <NUM>, and the pressure sealing device <NUM> will be described.

First, the adhesive application device <NUM> will be described. In the present embodiment, an ultraviolet curable varnish (UV varnish) is adopted as a heat-sensitive liquid adhesive used for pseudo bonding of the recording material S in the adhesive application device <NUM>. As long as the adhesive application device <NUM> can adjust the amount of the varnish to be applied to the recording material S, a method for applying the varnish to the recording material S may be an appropriate method such as a roller application method for applying the varnish by an application roller or an inkjet method for discharging the varnish from a nozzle and applying the varnish. In the present embodiment, a roller application method (also referred to as a roll coater type) is used.

The adhesive application device <NUM> includes a varnish processing controller <NUM> and a varnish application unit <NUM> that applies the varnish to the recording material S and dries the recording material S. The varnish processing controller <NUM> mainly controls the varnish application unit <NUM>. The varnish application unit <NUM> includes an application roller pair <NUM> for applying the varnish, a supply roller <NUM> for supplying the varnish to the application roller pair <NUM>, a varnish storage unit <NUM> for storing the varnish, a drying unit <NUM> for drying the varnish, and a conveyor belt <NUM> for conveying the recording material S.

The application roller pair <NUM> applies the varnish to one surface (referred to as a varnish-applied surface for the sake of convenience) of the recording material S while nipping and conveying the recording material S conveyed from the image forming apparatus <NUM>. The varnish applied by the application roller pair <NUM> is supplied to one roller 302a of the application roller pair <NUM> by the supply roller <NUM>. The supply roller <NUM> is movably provided at an abutment position at which the supply roller abuts on an outer peripheral surface of the roller 302a and supplies the varnish and a separated position where the supply roller is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the roller 302a and does not supply the varnish. The varnish storage unit <NUM> is a storage case for storing the varnish therein, and has an opening portion formed at a position higher than a liquid level. Since a part of the supply roller <NUM> enters the inside from the opening portion of the varnish storage unit <NUM> and is immersed in the varnish, the supply roller <NUM> can supply the varnish to the roller 302a while receiving the replenishment of the varnish from the varnish storage unit <NUM> by rotating. The varnish applied to the recording material S is dried by the drying unit <NUM>. In the case of the present embodiment, the drying unit <NUM> irradiates the surface of the recording material S on which the varnish is applied with ultraviolet rays.

Note that the adhesive application device <NUM> includes, as a conveyance path of the recording material S, an application path <NUM> that applies the varnish to the recording material S and delivers the varnish to the subsequent folding processing device <NUM>, and an application avoidance path <NUM> that delivers the recording material S to the subsequent folding processing device <NUM> without applying the varnish. Switching between the application path <NUM> and the application avoidance path <NUM> is performed by a flapper (not illustrated).

Next, the folding processing device <NUM> will be described. The folding processing device <NUM> is a device that performs folding processing of folding the recording material S on which the image forming process is performed by the image forming apparatus <NUM> or the recording material S on which the image forming process and an adhesive application process by the adhesive application device <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the folding processing device <NUM> of a roller pressure contact type capable of performing three-folding processing and two-folding processing has been described as an example. The folding processing device <NUM> includes a folding processing controller <NUM> and a folding unit <NUM> that folds the recording material S. The folding processing controller <NUM> mainly controls the folding unit <NUM>.

The folding unit <NUM> will be described using the three-folding processing as an example. The recording material S conveyed from the adhesive application device <NUM> is drawn into a folder by an inlet roller pair <NUM>, and is distributed to different conveyance paths by a branching flapper <NUM> in accordance with the necessity of the folding processing. That is, in a case where the folding processing is performed, the folding processing is distributed to a folding processing path toward a conveyance roller pair <NUM>, and in a case where the folding processing is not performed, the folding processing is distributed to a folding avoidance path toward a sheet discharge roller pair <NUM>.

In a case where the recording material S is distributed to the folding processing path, the recording material S is temporarily stopped at a position of a registration roller pair <NUM>, and registration correction is performed by forming a loop. The recording material S on which the registration correction is performed is conveyed again, and first folding processing is performed on the recording material simultaneously when the recording material is drawn by a first folding roller <NUM> and a second folding roller <NUM> at a predetermined timing after passing through a folding position detection sensor <NUM>. In a case where the drawn recording material S abuts against a folding abutment stopper <NUM>, second folding processing is performed on the recording material simultaneously when the recording material is drawn by the second folding roller <NUM> and a third folding roller <NUM>. The recording material S on which the second folding processing is performed is conveyed toward the sheet discharge roller pair <NUM> and is delivered to the subsequent pressure sealing device <NUM> by the sheet discharge roller pair <NUM>. In a case where the recording material S is distributed to the folding avoidance path, the recording material is delivered to the subsequent pressure sealing device <NUM> by the sheet discharge roller pair <NUM> without performing the above-described three-folding processing.

The folding unit <NUM> will be described using the two-folding processing as an example. In a case where the recording material S is distributed to the folding processing path, the registration correction is performed on the recording material S similarly to the case of the above-described three-folding processing, and is conveyed again. The first folding processing is performed simultaneously when the recording material is drawn by the first folding roller <NUM> and the second folding roller <NUM>. In the case of the two-folding processing, in a case where a trailing edge of the recording material S abuts against a trailing edge abutment stopper <NUM> after passing through the folding position detection sensor <NUM>, the folding processing is performed simultaneously when the recording material is drawn by the first folding roller <NUM> and the second folding roller <NUM>. At this time, the drawn recording material S is drawn by the second folding roller <NUM> and the third folding roller <NUM> by being guided by a leading edge guide <NUM> moved to a predetermined position in advance. The recording material S drawn into the second folding roller <NUM> and the third folding roller <NUM> is conveyed toward the sheet discharge roller pair <NUM> and is delivered to the subsequent pressure sealing device <NUM> by the sheet discharge roller pair <NUM>. In a case where the recording material S is distributed to the folding avoidance path, the recording material is delivered to the subsequent pressure sealing device <NUM> by the sheet discharge roller pair <NUM> without performing the above-described two-folding processing.

Next, the pressure sealing device <NUM> will be described. The pressure sealing device <NUM> is a device that performs pressure sealing of pressure-sealing the recording material S on which the adhesive application process by the adhesive application device <NUM> and the folding processing process by the folding processing device <NUM> described above are performed. In the present embodiment, as an example, the pressure sealing device <NUM> of the roller pressure contact type capable of performing the pressure sealing of the recording material S by applying heat and pressure to the recording material S via a pressure sealing roller pair that nips and conveys the recording material S has been illustrated. The pressure sealing device <NUM> includes a pressure sealing processing controller <NUM> and a pressure sealing unit <NUM> that pressure-seals the recording material S. The pressure sealing processing controller <NUM> mainly controls the pressure sealing unit <NUM>.

The pressure sealing unit <NUM> will be described. The pressure sealing unit <NUM> includes a pressure sealing roller pair <NUM> that rotates to nip and convey the recording material S, a heater <NUM> that heats the pressure sealing roller pair <NUM>, and a thermistor <NUM> that detects a temperature of the pressure sealing roller pair <NUM>. The pressure sealing roller pair <NUM> includes an upper roller 601a and a lower roller 601b, and the upper roller 601a and the lower roller 601b are maintained at a desired temperature by the heater <NUM> in accordance with to the temperature detected by the thermistor <NUM>. The pressure sealing roller pair <NUM> can apply heat and pressure to the recording material S while nipping and conveying the recording material S in the folded state. Accordingly, the recording material S folded in a state in which the varnish-applied surface on which the varnish is applied faces inward is pseudo-bonded such that the varnish-applied surface is bonded by the varnish. Although an example in which the pressure sealing roller pair <NUM> according to the present embodiment performs temperature control so as to maintain a predetermined temperature, the pressure sealing roller pair may perform pseudo bonding by bonding the varnish-applied surface with the varnish only by pressure.

Next, control of an image forming system 1X will be described with reference to <FIG> while referring to <FIG>. In the present embodiment, a case where the image forming apparatus <NUM> (specifically, the main controller <NUM>) integrally manages operation commands for the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> (the adhesive application device <NUM>, the folding processing device <NUM>, and the pressure sealing device <NUM>) and controls these devices will be described as an example. Although various devices such as a motor and a power supply are connected in addition to those illustrated in <FIG>, the illustration and description thereof are omitted here since these devices are not the gist of the invention.

In the image forming system 1X according to the present embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, the varnish processing controller <NUM>, the folding processing controller <NUM>, and the pressure sealing processing controller <NUM> are connected to the main controller <NUM> via a communication cable <NUM> so as to be able to communicate operation commands, various kinds of data, and the like. In accordance with the operation commands from the main controller <NUM>, the varnish processing controller <NUM> operates the adhesive application device <NUM>, the folding processing controller <NUM> operates the folding processing device <NUM>, and the pressure sealing processing controller <NUM> operates the pressure sealing device <NUM>. That is, the main controller <NUM> can control the entire image forming system 1X by transmitting the operation commands to the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> (the adhesive application device <NUM>, the folding processing device <NUM>, and the pressure sealing device <NUM>) while controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus <NUM>.

The main controller <NUM>, the varnish processing controller <NUM>, the folding processing controller <NUM>, and the pressure sealing processing controller <NUM> may have the same configuration. For example, each controller includes a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), and a random access memory (RAM).

The main controller <NUM> includes a CPU <NUM>, a ROM <NUM>, and a RAM <NUM>. The ROM <NUM> and the RAM <NUM> store various programs such as an image forming process (not illustrated) and a pressure-seal printed matter creating process (see <FIG> and <FIG>) to be described later, and various kinds of data such as a pressure sealing processing table (see Tables <NUM> and <NUM>). The RAM <NUM> can also temporarily store arithmetic operation processing results and the like accompanying the execution of various programs.

The image forming apparatus <NUM> includes, for example, an operation unit <NUM> having a liquid crystal display unit (see <FIG>), and the operation unit <NUM> is connected to the main controller <NUM>. The operation unit <NUM> as an input unit is a touch panel capable of displaying various screens presenting various programs, various kinds of data, and the like on a liquid crystal display unit and accepting start inputs of various programs, various data inputs, and the like in accordance with a screen touch operation by the user.

The user can input the start of "pressure-seal printed matter creation job" from the operation unit <NUM>. In a case where "pressure-seal printed matter creation job" is input, the CPU <NUM> executes a pressure-seal printed matter creating process (program) stored in the ROM <NUM>. Accordingly, the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> (the adhesive application device <NUM>, the folding processing device <NUM>, and the pressure sealing device <NUM>) can be operated together with the image forming apparatus <NUM>. The user can also input the start of "image forming job" from the operation unit <NUM>, and in this case, the CPU <NUM> executes an image forming process (program) stored in the ROM <NUM>. However, in this case, the image forming apparatus <NUM> forms the images on the recording material S, but the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> does not perform the pressure sealing of the recording material S.

The varnish processing controller <NUM> includes a CPU <NUM>, a ROM <NUM>, and a RAM <NUM>. The CPU <NUM> operates the adhesive application device <NUM> based on a control program stored in the ROM <NUM>. The folding processing controller <NUM> includes a CPU <NUM>, a ROM <NUM>, and a RAM <NUM>. The CPU <NUM> operates the folding processing device <NUM> based on a control program stored in the ROM <NUM>.

The pressure sealing processing controller <NUM> includes a CPU <NUM>, a ROM <NUM>, and a RAM <NUM>. The CPU <NUM> operates the pressure sealing device <NUM> based on a control program stored in the ROM <NUM>. A motor <NUM> that rotationally drives the pressure sealing roller pair <NUM>, the heater <NUM> that heats the pressure sealing roller pair <NUM>, and the thermistor <NUM> that detects the temperature of the pressure sealing roller pair <NUM> are connected to the pressure sealing processing controller <NUM>. The pressure sealing processing controller <NUM> transmits a detection result (temperature data) of the thermistor <NUM> to the main controller <NUM>. The pressure sealing processing controller <NUM> can change a temperature of the heater <NUM> by receiving a target temperature (data) from the main controller <NUM>. The pressure sealing processing controller <NUM> can change a rotational speed of the motor <NUM> by receiving a target speed (data) of the recording material S conveyed from the main controller <NUM>. Such target temperature and target speed vary depending on a type (the uncoated sheet, the coated sheet, or the like) of the recording material S, a grammage of the recording material S, and the like.

As described above, the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> connected to the image forming apparatus <NUM> operates under the control of the main controller <NUM>. However, even the recording material S that can be handled by the image forming apparatus <NUM> may be a recording material S that is not handled by the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM>. For example, the recording material S in which the varnish applied to the surface easily permeates cannot secure a desired bonding force due to the varnish even though the image can be formed. Since there is a problem that the recording material S cannot be pressure-seal or is easily peeled off even though the recording material S can be pressure-seal, the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> does not cope with this problem. Examples of the recording material S into which the varnish easily permeates include a recording material S (uncoated sheet) of which a surface is not coated. Even in the case of the recording material S on which the image can be formed, in a case where the recording material S has a relatively large grammage and has a relatively large thickness, since heating by the pressure sealing roller pair <NUM> is not sufficient, it is not possible to secure a desired bonding force by the varnish, and thus, the same problem may occur. Thus, in the present embodiment, in a case where the pressure-seal printed matter is created, the main controller <NUM> can decide whether to execute the pressure sealing of the recording material S in accordance with the type and grammage of the recording material S, and can control the operation of the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> in accordance with the determination. This point will be described below.

The pressure-seal printed matter creating process according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG> while referring to <FIG>. The pressure-seal printed matter creating process according to the present embodiment is a procedure of which execution is started by the main controller <NUM> in accordance with the activation of the image forming system 1X.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the main controller <NUM> determines whether the start input of any one of "image forming job" and "pressure-seal printed matter creation job" is performed from the operation unit <NUM> (S101). The main controller <NUM> puts the system in a waiting state until the start input of any one of "image forming job" and "pressure-seal printed matter creation job" is performed from the operation unit <NUM>. In a case where the start input of "image forming job" is performed (NO in S101), the main controller <NUM> displays "recording material input screen" illustrated in <FIG> on the operation unit <NUM> and waits until the user performs a selection input of the recording material S (NO in S <NUM>).

In a case where the start input of "image forming job" is performed, that is, in a case where the pressure sealing processing of the recording material S is not performed, as illustrated in <FIG>, the recording material S that is housed in the cassette <NUM>, a sheet feeding apparatus (not illustrated), or the like and can be handled by the image forming apparatus <NUM> is displayed to be selectable on "recording material input screen". Here, a plurality of software keys indicating "plain sheet" (uncoated sheet), "thick sheets <NUM> to <NUM>" (uncoated sheets) having different grammages, and "coated sheets <NUM> to <NUM>" (coated sheets) having different grammages is displayed as the recording material S that can be handled by the image forming apparatus <NUM>. The user can touch and select any one of the software keys indicating the recording material S displayed on "recording material input screen", and the selected recording material S is input as an image forming target by the image forming apparatus <NUM>. Here, a case where "coated sheet <NUM>" is selected is illustrated as an example, and in order to indicate to the user that "coated sheet <NUM>" is selected, a display mode of "coated sheet <NUM>" is different from that of other unselected recording materials S as illustrated in the drawing.

Referring back to the description of <FIG>, in a case where the recording material S is selected on "recording material input screen" illustrated in <FIG> (YES in S102), the main controller <NUM> controls the image forming apparatus <NUM> to form the image on the selected recording material S (S <NUM>). In this case, the main controller <NUM> does not transmit the operation command to the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> while controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus <NUM>. Thus, the image is formed on the recording material S, but the pressure sealing processing of the recording material S is not performed. That is, the recording material S on which the image is formed is simply output, and the pressure-seal printed matter is not created.

On the other hand, in a case where the start input of "pressure-seal printed matter creation job" is performed (YES in S101), the main controller <NUM> refers to the pressure sealing processing table (Table <NUM>) stored in the ROM <NUM> (S104), and displays "recording material input screen" illustrated in <FIG> on the operation unit <NUM> (S105). The main controller <NUM> waits until the user performs the selection input of the recording material S (NO in S106).

As represented in Table <NUM>, in the pressure sealing processing table (data), whether the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> can handle or cannot handle each recording material S is defined. In Table <NUM>, the recording material S that can be handled is represented by "circle", and the non-handled recording material S that cannot be handled is represented by "cross". Accordingly, in this example, "plain sheet", "thick sheet" (uncoated sheet), and "coated sheet <NUM>" are the recording materials S that cannot be handled by the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM>, and "coated sheets <NUM> to <NUM>" having grammages smaller than that of "coated sheet <NUM>" are the recording materials S that can be handled by the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM>. Specifically, "plain sheet" and "thick sheet" which are uncoated sheets of which surfaces are not coated are the recording materials S that cannot be handled by the adhesive application device <NUM> that applies the varnish since the varnish easily permeates. Since heat is not sufficiently transmitted at the time of heating by the pressure sealing roller pair <NUM> due to a thickness of the coated sheet and a desired bonding force by the varnish cannot be secured, "coated sheet <NUM>" is the recording material S that cannot be handled by the pressure sealing device <NUM>.

The adhesive application device <NUM>, the folding processing device <NUM>, and the pressure sealing device <NUM> may store, as data, the recording material S that can be handled by each device in the ROM <NUM>, the ROM <NUM>, and the ROM <NUM>, respectively. In that case, the main controller <NUM> can obtain each data from the adhesive application device <NUM>, the folding processing device <NUM>, and the pressure sealing device <NUM>, create the pressure sealing processing table as described above, store the table in the ROM <NUM> or the RAM <NUM>, and use the table. This is advantageous because the pressure sealing processing table is automatically updated, for example, in a case where the adhesive application device <NUM>, the folding processing device <NUM>, and the pressure sealing device <NUM> are replaced with a new model with higher performance.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the recording material S that can be handled by the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> is displayed to be selectable on "recording material input screen" displayed in a case where the start input of "pressure-seal printed matter creation job" is performed, that is, in a case where the pressure sealing processing of the recording material S is performed, in accordance with the pressure sealing processing table. Here, "coated sheets <NUM> to <NUM>" are displayed to be selectable as the recording material S that can be handled by the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> in accordance with the pressure sealing processing table of Table <NUM>. In the case of the present embodiment, a display mode of a selectable recording material S and a display mode of a non-selectable recording material S are different. The user can touch and select any one of "coated sheets <NUM> to <NUM>", but cannot touch and select any one of "plain sheet", "thick sheet", and "coated sheet <NUM>". Here, a case where "coated sheet <NUM>" is selected is illustrated as an example, and in order to indicate to the user that "coated sheet <NUM>" is selected, a display mode such as a color of "coated sheet <NUM>" is different from a display mode of a software key indicating another recording material S that is not selected as illustrated in the drawing.

Referring back to the description of <FIG>, in a case where the recording material S is selected on "recording material input screen" illustrated in <FIG> (YES in S106), the main controller <NUM> controls the image forming apparatus <NUM> to form the image on the selected recording material S (S107). The main controller <NUM> transmits the operation command to the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> (S108). That is, in the present embodiment, the selectable recording material S is selected on "recording material input screen" illustrated in <FIG> by a touch operation, and thus, the execution of the pressure sealing processing of the recording material S by the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> is permitted. In a case where the execution of the pressure sealing processing of the recording material S by the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> is permitted, a series of processes from image formation to pressure sealing on the recording material S is performed by the image forming apparatus <NUM> and the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM>, and the pressure-seal printed matter is created.

Conversely, even though the touch operation is performed on the non-selectable recording material S on "recording material input screen" illustrated in <FIG>, the execution of the pressure sealing processing of the recording material S by the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> is not permitted. In other words, in the case of the recording material S for which the execution of the pressure sealing processing by the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> is not permitted, the input of the recording material S is accepted and the execution is not permitted by setting the recording material S to be non-selectable on "recording material input screen" illustrated in <FIG>.

In a case where the execution of the pressure sealing processing of the recording material S by the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> is permitted, the main controller <NUM> changes the target temperature of the heater <NUM> and the target speed of the recording material S (the rotational speed of the motor <NUM>) to values corresponding to the recording material S in accordance with the pressure sealing processing table of Table <NUM>. For example, in the case of "coated sheet <NUM>" of which a grammage is a first grammage (<NUM> to <NUM>/cm<NUM>), the temperature of the upper roller 601a is set to a first temperature (<NUM>). In the case of "coated sheet <NUM>" of which a grammage is a second grammage (<NUM> to <NUM>/cm<NUM>) larger than the first grammage, the temperature of the upper roller 601a is set to a second temperature (<NUM>) higher than the first temperature. In the case of "coated sheet <NUM>" of which a grammage is the first grammage (<NUM> to <NUM>/cm<NUM>), a conveyance speed of the recording material S is set to a first speed (<NUM>/s). In the case of "coated sheet <NUM>" of which a grammage is the second grammage (<NUM> to <NUM>/cm<NUM>) larger than the first grammage, the conveyance speed of the recording material S is set to a second speed (<NUM>/s) slower than the first speed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in the case of the configuration in which the pressure-seal printed matter by pressure-sealing the recording material S after the image is formed, whether to execute the pressure sealing processing is decided in accordance with the type and grammage of the recording material S, and the operation of the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> can be controlled. Accordingly, the non-handled recording material S that can cause an error, a pressure sealing failure, or the like in the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> is not conveyed to the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM>. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the image forming system 1X in which the user can easily perform the series of processes from the image formation to the pressure sealing with the configuration in which the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> is connected to the image forming apparatus <NUM>, and thus, it is possible to improve work efficiency for creating the pressure-seal printed matter.

Next, a pressure-seal printed matter creating process according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG> while referring to <FIG> and <FIG>. The pressure-seal printed matter creating process according to the present embodiment is a procedure of which execution is started by the main controller <NUM> as the image forming system 1X is powered on.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the main controller <NUM> determines whether the start input of any one of "image forming job" and "pressure-seal printed matter creation job" is performed from the operation unit <NUM> (S201). In the case of the present embodiment, the recording material S is selected from "recording material input screen" illustrated in <FIG> regardless of whether the start input of any one of "image forming job" and "pressure-seal printed matter creation job" is performed. The main controller <NUM> puts the system in the waiting state until the selection of the recording material S from the operation unit <NUM> and the start input of any one of "image forming job" and "pressure-seal printed matter creation job" is performed.

In a case where the start input of the "image formingjob" is performed (NO in S201), the main controller <NUM> controls the image forming apparatus <NUM> to form the image on the recording material S selected together with the start input of "image forming job" (S202). In this case, the main controller <NUM> does not transmit the operation command to the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> while controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus <NUM>. Thus, the image is formed on the recording material S, but the pressure sealing processing of the recording material S is not performed. That is, the recording material S on which the image is formed is simply output, and the pressure-seal printed matter is not created.

In a case where the start input of "pressure-seal printed matter creation job" is performed (YES in S201), the main controller <NUM> collates the pressure sealing processing table (Table <NUM>) stored in the ROM <NUM> with the recording material S selected together with the start input of "pressure-seal printed matter creation job" (S203). The main controller <NUM> determines whether the selected recording material S is the recording material S that can be handled by the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> (S204).

In a case where the selected recording material S is the recording material S that can be handled by the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> (YES in S204), the main controller <NUM> controls the image forming apparatus <NUM> to form the image on the selected recording material S (S205). The main controller <NUM> transmits the operation command to the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> (S206). Thus, in the present embodiment, it is automatically determined whether the selected recording material S is the recording material S that can be handled by the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM>, and the execution of the pressure sealing processing of the recording material S by the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> is permitted in accordance with the determination result. In a case where the execution of the pressure sealing processing of the recording material S by the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> is permitted, a series of processes from image formation to pressure sealing on the recording material S is performed by the image forming apparatus <NUM> and the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM>, and the pressure-seal printed matter is created.

On the other hand, in a case where the selected recording material S is not the recording material S that can be handled by the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> (NO in S204), the main controller <NUM> displays "warning screen" illustrated in <FIG> on the operation unit <NUM> and waits (S207). As illustrated in <FIG>, "warning screen" is a screen that displays that the selected recording material S is not the recording material S that can be handled by the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> and that allows the user to select a process for the selected recording material S. As the process for the recording material S, the user can select any one of a "printing and processing execution" process, a "printing only execution" process, and a "canceling" process. The "printing and processing execution" process is a process of forcibly performing the pressure sealing processing of the recording material S even though the recording material S is not the recording material S that can be handled by the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM>. The "printing only execution" process is a process of performing only the image formation by the image forming apparatus <NUM> since the recording material S is not handled by the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM>. The "canceling" process is a process of forcibly ending (stopping) the input "pressure-seal printed matter creation job" and performing neither the image formation nor the pressure sealing processing. The main controller <NUM> executes a process selected by the user according to "warning screen" displayed on the operation unit <NUM>.

In a case where the user selects the "printing and processing execution" process (YES in S208), the main controller <NUM> controls the image forming apparatus <NUM> to form the image on the selected recording material S (S205). The main controller <NUM> transmits the operation command to the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> (S206). In this case, since the execution of the pressure sealing processing of the recording material S by the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> is permitted, the pressure-seal printed matter can be created by performing the series of processes from the image formation to the pressure sealing on the recording material S. However, since the selected recording material S is not the recording material S that can be handled by the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM>, there is a concern that an error, a pressure sealing failure, or the like occurs in the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> in some cases. However, since there is a case where it is desired to create only one pressure-seal printed matter on a trial basis, the pressure-seal printed matter can be selected in such a case.

In a case where the user selects the "printing only execution" process (NO in S208 and YES in S209), the main controller <NUM> controls the image forming apparatus <NUM> to form the image on the selected recording material S (S210). The main controller <NUM> displays "print execution screen" illustrated in <FIG> on the operation unit <NUM>. In this case, the main controller <NUM> does not transmit the operation command to the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> while controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus <NUM>. Thus, the image is formed on the recording material S, but the pressure sealing processing of the recording material S is not performed. That is, the recording material S on which the image is formed is simply output, and the pressure-seal printed matter is not created. Since the selected recording material S is not the recording material S that can be handled by the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> on "print execution screen" illustrated in <FIG>, the fact that the pressure sealing processing is not performed on the recording material S and the image formation is performed is displayed.

In a case where the user selects the "printing only execution" process, the recording material S on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus <NUM> may be sent to the sheet discharge tray <NUM> (escape tray) provided in the image forming apparatus <NUM> without being sent to the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM>. In such a case, the fact that the recording material S on which "printing only execution" is performed is discharged to the sheet discharge tray <NUM> may be displayed on "print execution screen".

In a case where the user selects the "canceling" process (NO in S208 and NO in S209), the main controller <NUM> forcibly ends "pressure-seal printed matter creation job" and does not perform the image formation nor the pressure sealing processing (S211). The main controller <NUM> displays "forced ending screen" illustrated in <FIG> on the operation unit <NUM>. Since the selected recording material S is not the recording material S that can be handled by the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> on "forced ending screen" illustrated in <FIG>, the fact that "pressure-seal printed matter creation job" is forcibly ended without performing the pressure sealing processing or the image formation on the recording material S is displayed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, it is also possible to provide the image forming system 1X in which the user can easily perform the series of processes from the image formation to the pressure sealing, and it is also possible to obtain the same effect as that of the above-described first embodiment that the work efficiency for creating the pressure-seal printed matter can be improved.

In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the adhesive application device <NUM> (varnish machine) using the ultraviolet curable varnish (UV varnish) is adopted in order to perform pseudo bonding of the recording material S has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a film supply device (film machine) using a bonding film may be adopted. <FIG> illustrates an image forming system 1XA adopting the film supply device <NUM>. In <FIG>, the same components as those of the image forming system 1X illustrated in <FIG> are denoted by the same reference signs, and the description thereof will be simplified or omitted.

As illustrated in <FIG>, unlike the above-described image forming system 1X (see <FIG>), the image forming system 1XA includes a pressure sealing processing apparatus 200A that includes the folding processing device <NUM>, a film supply device <NUM>, and the pressure sealing device <NUM>. That is, the pressure sealing processing apparatus 200A includes the folding processing device <NUM> that folds the recording material S on which the image is formed, the film supply device <NUM> that supplies a heat-sensitive bonding film F to the inside of the folded recording material S, and the pressure sealing device <NUM> that applies heat and pressure to the folded recording material S. The adhesive application device <NUM> (see <FIG>) delivers the recording material S from the image forming apparatus <NUM> and conveys the recording material to the folding processing device <NUM>, but the film supply device <NUM> delivers the recording material S from the folding processing device <NUM> and conveys the recording material to the pressure sealing device <NUM>.

The film supply device <NUM> as a supply unit includes a film supply controller <NUM>, film rolls 801a and 801b around which the bonding film F is wound, and a film supply unit <NUM> that supplies the bonding film F to the recording material S. The film supply controller <NUM> mainly controls the film supply unit <NUM>. The bonding film F is, for example, a film on which an adhesive layer that causes a bonding force by applying heat and pressure to front and back surfaces of two transparent films bonded together is formed.

The long bonding film F wound around the film rolls 801a and 801b is sequentially supplied along predetermined film supply paths 802a and 802b. In a case where the recording material S folded in three reaches intersection regions 804a and 804b between the conveyance path <NUM> and the film supply paths 802a and 802b, the bonding film F is supplied so as to be sandwiched by the recording material S. Thereafter, the bonding film F is cut into a desired size by a cutting member <NUM>. On the other hand, in a case where the recording material S folded in two reaches an intersection region 804a between the conveyance path <NUM> and the film supply path 802a, the bonding film F is supplied so as to be sandwiched by the recording material S. Thereafter, the bonding film F is cut into a desired size by the cutting member <NUM>.

In the case of such an image forming system 1XA, the main controller <NUM> can perform the above-described pressure-seal printed matter creating process (see <FIG>). However, the recording material S that can be handled by the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> of the image forming system 1X is different from the recording material S that can be handled by the pressure sealing processing apparatus 200Aofthe image forming system 1XA. Thus, in the case of the image forming system 1XA, the main controller <NUM> can perform processing such as displaying "recording material input screen" illustrated in <FIG> on the operation unit <NUM> in accordance with Table <NUM> to be represented below instead of Table <NUM> (see S105 in <FIG>).

As illustrated in Table <NUM>, in the pressure sealing processing table (data), whether the pressure sealing processing apparatus 200A can handle or cannot handle each recording material S is defined. In Table <NUM>, the recording material S that can be handled is represented by "circle", and the non-handled recording material S that cannot be handled is represented by "cross". In this case, in a case where the grammage of the recording material S is equal to or more than a predetermined value (here, <NUM>/cm<NUM>), the main controller <NUM> determines that the recording material S is not the recording material S that can be handled by the pressure sealing processing apparatus 200Aregardless of whether the recording material S is the uncoated sheet such as "plain sheet" or "thick sheet" or "coated sheets <NUM> to <NUM>". In the case of the recording material S having a grammage of a predetermined value or more, since heat is not sufficiently transmitted at the time of heating by the pressure sealing roller pair <NUM> due to the thickness thereof and a desired bonding force by the bonding film cannot be secured, the recording material S cannot be handled by the pressure sealing device <NUM>. In the case of such a recording material S, the main controller <NUM> does not permit execution of the pressure sealing processing of the recording material S by the pressure sealing processing apparatus 200A.

In a case where the execution of the pressure sealing processing of the recording material S by the pressure sealing processing apparatus 200A is permitted, the main controller <NUM> changes the target temperature of the heater <NUM> and the target speed of the recording material S (the rotational speed of the motor <NUM>) to values corresponding to the recording material S in accordance with the pressure sealing processing table of Table <NUM>.

In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the above-described pressure-seal printed matter creating process (<FIG> and <FIG>) is executed by the main controller <NUM> has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and any one of the controllers included in the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> (200A) may execute the process. Alternatively, in the case of the image forming system 1X including an external controller as the external device <NUM>, the external controller may control the main controller <NUM>, the varnish processing controller <NUM> (or the film supply controller <NUM>), the folding processing controller <NUM>, and the pressure sealing processing controller <NUM>. In this case, the external controller controls all the image forming apparatus <NUM>, the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM>, the adhesive application device <NUM> (film supply device <NUM>), the folding processing device <NUM>, and the pressure sealing device <NUM> via the controllers, and executes the above-described pressure-seal printed matter creating process (<FIG> and <FIG>).

The controller that controls the image forming system 1X may be provided in any casing as long as the above-described pressure-seal printed matter creating process is executed. For example, the controller that controls the entire image forming system 1X may be the main controller <NUM> or the external controller described above or may be provided inside any device of the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM>, and may be configured to execute the above-described pressure-seal printed matter creating process (<FIG> and <FIG>).

In the above-described embodiment, although the image forming system 1X in which the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> is connected as a different casing to the outside of the apparatus body of the image forming apparatus <NUM> has been described as an example, the pressure sealing processing apparatus <NUM> may be provided in the apparatus body (in the same casing) of the image forming apparatus <NUM>. In this case, the main controller <NUM> also operates as the varnish processing controller <NUM> (or the film supply controller <NUM>), the folding processing controller <NUM>, and the pressure sealing processing controller <NUM> described above.

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to easily and continuously perform the processes from the image formation to the pressure sealing on the recording material without interruption, and thus, it is possible to improve the work efficiency for creating the pressure-seal printed matter.

Claim 1:
An image forming system comprising:
an image forming apparatus (<NUM>) configured to form an image on a recording material;
a pressure sealing processing apparatus (<NUM>) configured to execute a pressure sealing processing process of pressure-sealing the recording material by folding the recording material on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus (<NUM>) and applying pressure to the folded recording material; and
a control unit (<NUM>) configured to control the image forming apparatus (<NUM>) and the pressure sealing processing apparatus (<NUM>),
characterized in that
the control unit (<NUM>) is configured to permit execution of the pressure sealing processing process by the pressure sealing processing apparatus (<NUM>) on a recording material of which a grammage is smaller than a predetermined grammage, and is configured not to permit execution of the pressure sealing processing process by the pressure sealing processing apparatus (<NUM>) on a recording material of which a grammage is equal to or more than the predetermined grammage.