JP7600556B2 - Lamination processing device, image forming device, and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a lamination processing device that performs lamination processing on a polymerized sheet into which an inner sheet has been inserted, and an image forming device, such as a copier, printer, facsimile, or a multifunction machine or printing machine that includes the lamination processing device, and an image forming system.

Conventionally, there has been known a lamination processing device in which a polymerized sheet made of two sheets superimposed and joined at one end is peeled off, an inner sheet is inserted, and then a lamination process is performed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
More specifically, the lamination processing device in Patent Document 1 separates (peels off) two sheets of a laminate sheet (polymerized sheet) with one side joined at one end, and inserts a protective sheet (middle sheet) between them.Then, the laminate sheet with the protective sheet inserted is transported to a portion where a heater is installed (lamination processing portion) and heated to perform lamination processing.

In conventional lamination processing devices, even if the size difference between the polymerized sheet and the inner sheet is not normal, for example because the operator set a polymerized sheet or inner sheet that is different from the specified size, the lamination process is performed with the inner sheet inserted into the polymerized sheet. This causes problems such as sheets being wasted or the lamination process being performed in an unattractive way.

This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a lamination processing device, image forming device, and image forming system that are less likely to cause the problem of laminating with the middle sheet inserted into the polymerized sheet when the size difference between the polymerized sheet and the middle sheet is not normal.

The lamination processing device of the present invention comprises a sheet peeling unit that performs a peeling process to peel off the non-jointed portion of a polymerized sheet having two sheets superimposed and joined at one end as a joint, and an insertion process to insert a middle sheet between the two sheets in a peeled state, a lamination processing unit that applies a lamination process to the polymerized sheet after the peeling and insertion processes have been performed by the sheet peeling unit, and a detection means that detects the size difference between the polymerized sheet and the middle sheet at least before the lamination process is performed, and when the detection means detects a state in which the size of the middle sheet is smaller than the size of the polymerized sheet and the size difference exceeds a predetermined threshold, it determines that an abnormality has occurred and discontinues the lamination process .

The present invention provides a lamination processing device, an image forming device, and an image forming system that are less likely to cause problems when the size difference between the polymerized sheet and the middle sheet is not normal and the middle sheet is inserted into the polymerized sheet while the lamination process is being performed.

1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a lamination processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1A is a side view showing a state in which the gripping member has been moved to a gripping position, and FIG. 1B is a side view showing a state in which the gripping member has been moved to a retracted position. 1A is a perspective view showing a state in which the gripping member has been moved to a gripping position, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing a state in which the gripping member has been moved to a retracted position. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the operation of a lamination processing device. 5 is a diagram showing the operation of the lamination processing device subsequent to FIG. 4 . FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the operation of the lamination processing device subsequent to FIG. 5 . FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the operation of the lamination processing device subsequent to FIG. 6 . FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the operation of the lamination processing device subsequent to that shown in FIG. 7; 9A and 9B are diagrams showing the operation of the lamination processing apparatus under normal conditions, continued from FIG. 8, and the operation of the lamination processing apparatus under abnormal conditions. 13 is a view showing a state in which a peeling claw is inserted into a polymerized sheet in the width direction. FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the operation of the peeling claw. 4 is a flowchart showing control performed in the lamination processing device. 13 is a flowchart showing the control following FIG. 12 . FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a moving mechanism of a peeling claw. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen on an operation display panel. 13 is a flowchart showing control performed in a lamination processing device according to a first modified example. 13 is a table showing the relationship between the size difference between the overlay sheet and the inner sheet and whether or not lamination processing can be performed. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing control performed in a lamination processing device according to a second modified example. 13 is a flowchart showing control performed in a lamination processing device according to a third modified example. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a sensor for detecting the size of a sheet as a fourth modified example. FIG. 13 is an overall configuration diagram showing a lamination processing device as a modified example 5. 22A and 22B are diagrams showing operations performed in the lamination processing device of FIG. 21 under normal conditions and under abnormal conditions, respectively. 22 is a diagram showing another type of abnormality occurrence operation performed in the lamination processing device of FIG. 21. FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a sixth modified example. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an image forming system according to a seventh modified example.

The following describes in detail the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Note that in each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are given the same reference numerals, and the repeated explanations will be appropriately simplified or omitted.

First, the overall configuration and operation of a lamination processing device 50 will be described with reference to FIG.
The lamination apparatus 50 is provided with a sheet peeling section 1, a lamination processing section 51, a discharge tray 13, a second discharge tray 55 as a discharge section, and the like.
The sheet peeling section 1 is also provided with first and second feed trays 11, 12, first and second feed rollers 2, 3, first to third conveying roller pairs 4-6, first to eighth sensors 41-48, a winding roller 20, a moving mechanism 30, and a peeling claw 16 as a peeling member (see Figures 6, 11, etc.).

The sheet peeling unit 1 is a mechanism that performs a peeling process to peel off the non-jointed portion of a polymerized sheet PJ (see Figure 11, etc.) in which two sheets P1, P2 are stacked and joined at one end as joint portion A, and then performs an insertion process to insert an inner sheet PM (internal paper) between the two sheets P1, P2 in the peeled state.
In particular, in this embodiment, the polymerization sheet PJ is made by stacking two sheets P1 and P2 and joining one of the four sides as a joint A. That is, the polymerization sheet PJ (two sheets P1 and P2) is connected by heat welding or the like at only one side (joint A), and the other parts are not joined. In addition, a transparent laminate film can be used as the two sheets P1 and P2 constituting the polymerization sheet PJ.
Then, the sheet peeling section 1 peels off the two sheets P1, P2 that make up the polymerized sheet PJ (separating the other end sides of the two sheets P1, P2 opposite the joint A while maintaining the joint A), and inserts an inner sheet PM (at least one sheet of plain paper, a photograph, etc.) between the two peeled sheets P1, P2.

The laminating section 51 is a mechanism that performs laminating processing on the polymerized sheet PJ after the peeling and inserting processes have been performed by the sheet peeling section 1 .
More specifically, the lamination processing section 51 is a mechanism for laminating the polymerized sheet PJ in a state in which the middle sheet PM is inserted between the two sheets P1 and P2 (the two sheets constituting the polymerized sheet PJ) peeled off by the sheet peeling section 1 (a process for joining the non-joined portions by applying heat and pressure), and is installed downstream (downstream in the forward direction, on the left side in FIG. 1) of the sheet peeling section 1. The lamination processing section 51 has a plurality of pairs of heat and pressure rollers arranged in parallel in the conveying direction for applying heat and pressure to the polymerized sheet PJ in a state in which the middle sheet PM is inserted while conveying the polymerized sheet PJ in the forward direction. In addition, a fourth conveying path K6 is provided between the third conveying roller pair 6 and the lamination processing section 51.

The discharge tray 13 (first discharge tray) is for placing the laminated laminated sheet PJ (and the intermediate sheet PJ) discharged from the lamination device 50 .
The second discharge tray 55 is for placing sheets that are not to be laminated. Note that, when the size of the overlay sheet PJ or the intermediate sheet PM is defective, the second discharge tray 55 also functions as a discharge section for discharging the sheets to the outside of the apparatus without laminating them, which will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 9 etc.

Further, the lamination processing device 50 is formed with a plurality of transport paths, such as a first transport path K1, a second transport path K2, a third transport path K3, a first branched transport path K4, a second branched transport path K5, and a fourth transport path K6. Each of these transport paths K1 to K6 is for guiding the transport of a sheet (such as the overlay sheet PJ or the middle sheet PM), and is formed by two opposing transport guide members (guide plates).
In particular, in this embodiment, the first branched transport path K4 and the second branched transport path K5 branch off in different directions with the third transport path K3 in between between the winding roller 20 and the third transport path K3.
The fourth transport path K6 is a transport path that extends from the sheet peeling unit 1 (the third transport roller pair 6) to the lamination processing unit 51. The fourth transport path K6 and the transport path that extends to the second discharge tray 55 branch off in different directions downstream of the third transport roller pair 6 (on the left side in FIG. 1 ).

1 and other drawings, the polymerization sheets PJ are stacked on the first feed tray 11. The uppermost polymerization sheet PJ on the first feed tray 11 is fed by the first feed roller 2 and is then transported by the first transport roller pair 4 along the first transport path K1.
In this manner, the first feeding tray 11, the first feeding roller 2, etc. function as a first feeding unit that feeds the polymerized sheet PJ. The first feeding unit feeds the polymerized sheet PJ from the first feeding tray 11 by rotating the first feeding roller 2 under the control of the control unit (control unit).
Further, middle sheets PM are stacked on the second feeding tray 12. The uppermost middle sheet PM on the second feeding tray 12 is fed by the second feeding roller 3.
In this way, the second feeding tray 12, the second feeding roller 3, etc. function as a second feeding means for feeding the middle sheet PM (a sheet inserted between the two sheets P1, P2 of the polymerized sheet PJ from which the non-jointed portion has been peeled off). The second feeding means rotates the second feeding roller 3 under the control of the control unit (control means) to feed the middle sheet PM from the second feeding tray 12.

In the present embodiment, the lamination processing device 50 controls the second feeding means 3, 12 to start feeding the middle sheet PM after the polymeric sheet PJ has been fed by the first feeding means 2, 11 and before the operation of peeling off the non-jointed portion of the polymeric sheet PJ is completed.
That is, in this embodiment, feeding of the polymerization sheet PJ and feeding of the middle sheet PM are not performed by separate operations (operations of the operation display panel 49 by the user), but can be performed by a single operation. Specifically, when the user presses a button on the operation display panel 49 once to start the processing operation, based on that single command, the peeling process in which the polymerization sheet PJ is fed, the insertion process in which the middle sheet PM is inserted between the peeled polymerization sheets PJ, and the lamination process are automatically performed all at once.

Here, the first to third conveying roller pairs 4 to 6 and the discharge roller pair 7 are each composed of a drive roller and a driven roller, and convey the sheet sandwiched between them. In the third conveying path K3, from the upstream side, the second conveying roller pair 5, the wrapping roller 20, and the third conveying roller pair 6 are installed. In particular, the wrapping roller 20 and the third conveying roller pair 6 can rotate forward and backward, and the third conveying roller pair 6 is configured to be able to convey the sheet in both the forward direction (left direction in FIG. 1) and the reverse direction (right direction in FIG. 1). The third conveying roller pair 6 also functions as a conveying roller pair that conveys the sheet toward the lamination processing unit 51 or the second discharge tray 55. The discharge roller pair 7 is a conveying roller pair that discharges the laminated polymerized sheet PJ (and the middle sheet PM) toward the discharge tray 13 after the lamination process.

In addition, a switching claw 17 (switching means) is provided on the forward downstream side of the third conveying roller pair 6 (left side in Figure 1) to switch between conveying the sheet P toward the lamination processing unit 51 and conveying it toward the second discharge tray 55.
In other words, the switching claw 17 functions as a switching means that switches between a first state (the state in Figure 9 (A)) in which the fourth transport path K6 is opened and the transport path leading to the second discharge tray 55 is closed, and a second state (the state in Figure 9 (B)) in which the fourth transport path K6 is closed and the transport path leading to the second discharge tray 55 is opened.
Depending on the mode selected by the user, or when a size abnormality is detected, the switching claw 17 is controlled to appropriately switch the conveyance destination (discharge destination) of the sheet P.
The operation of the switching claw 17 as the switching means will be described in detail later with reference to FIG.

1, the first to fifth sensors 41 to 45 and the seventh and eighth sensors 47 and 48 as sheet detection sensors are all reflective photosensors that optically detect whether or not a sheet is present at that position. The first sensor 41 is disposed near the downstream side of the first conveying roller pair 4, the second sensor 42 is disposed near the downstream side of the second feeding roller 3, the third sensor 43 is disposed near the downstream side of the second conveying roller pair 5, the fourth sensor 44 is disposed near the downstream side of the winding roller 20 (the left side of the winding roller 20 in FIG. 1) and upstream of the third conveying roller pair 6 (the right side of the third conveying roller pair 6 in FIG. 1), and the fifth sensor 45 is disposed on the fourth conveying path K6 (the left side (downstream side) of the third conveying roller pair 6 in FIG. 1) that runs from the sheet peeling section 1 to the lamination processing section 51. The seventh sensor 47 is disposed on the first branch conveying path K4, and the eighth sensor 48 is disposed on the second branch conveying path K5.
The first sensor 41 and the second sensor 42 also function as detection means for detecting the size difference between the superimposed sheet PJ and the intermediate sheet PM, which will be described in detail later.
The sixth sensor 46 also functions as an abnormality detection means for detecting an abnormal state during the peeling operation, which will be described in detail later.

2, 3, 5(B) to (D), 6(A), etc., the winding roller 20 is a roller member that rotates in a predetermined rotation direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 5) at a winding start position W (see FIG. 5(B)) with the other end side (opposite the side where the joint A is formed) of the polymerization sheet PJ as a gripped portion B and gripping the gripped portion B with a gripping member 32 (gripping portion) to wrap the polymerization sheet PJ. The winding roller 20 is configured to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions about a rotation shaft 20a by the drive of a drive motor controlled by a control unit.
Specifically, the polymerized sheet PJ is conveyed from the first feed tray via the first conveying path K1, and then conveyed in the forward direction along the third conveying path K3 by the second conveying roller pair 5, passes through the winding start position W of the winding roller 20, and is conveyed to the position of the third conveying roller pair 6 (a position just before the rear end of the polymerized sheet PJ passes the fourth sensor 44 and passes the third conveying roller pair 6). The polymerized sheet PJ is then conveyed in the reverse direction by the reversed third conveying roller pair 6 to the position of the winding roller 20 (winding start position W), where it is gripped by the gripping member 32. The polymerized sheet PJ is then further conveyed in this gripped state, and is wound around the winding roller 20, which rotates in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1.

Then, referring to FIG. 5(C') and the like, when the polymerized sheet PJ is wound by the winding roller 20, the winding length is proportional to the roller diameter, so the winding length of the first sheet P1 on the inner peripheral surface side of the roller becomes shorter than the winding length of the second sheet P2 on the outer peripheral surface side of the roller. Therefore, a shift occurs in the part where the first sheet P1 and the second sheet P2 are in close contact (attached part) other than the joint part A and the gripped part B, and the first sheet P1 is deflected (loosened) relative to the second sheet P2 due to the shift, and as shown in FIG. 5(D), FIG. 6(A), and the like, a gap C (the gap C formed by the upper first sheet P1 being deflected upward) is formed between the two sheets P1 and P2 on the side (one end side) of the joint part A of the polymerized sheet PJ. In this way, the two sheets P1 and P2 go from a state where they are in close contact with each other without a gap to a state where they are peeled off (separated).
In particular, in this embodiment, in order to significantly form the gap C as described above (to increase the difference in the winding lengths of the sheets P1 and P2), the polymerization sheet PJ is wound around the winding roller 20 at least one revolution.
In this manner, in this embodiment, by providing the winding roller 20 around which the polymerized sheet PJ is wound, it is possible to peel off the polymerized sheet PJ without increasing the size and cost of the lamination processing device 50 significantly.

Here, in this embodiment, the gripping member 32 is configured to grip the gripped portion B without contacting the end face of the other end side (the side of the gripped portion B) of the polymerization sheet PJ, as shown in Figure 5 (B').
In detail, the gripping member 32 is configured to pinch and grip the gripped portion B between itself and the receiving portion 20b of the winding roller 20, without contacting the other end face of the polymerization sheet PJ with any member. The receiving portion 20b is formed on the outer periphery of the winding roller 20 so as to be exposed to the outside and to be able to face the gripping member 32.
Specifically, the polymerized sheet PJ is not held between the gripping member 32 and the receiving portion 20b with the other end face (tip face) abutting a specific member (for example, the gripping member 32 itself), but rather is held between the outer gripping member 32 and the inner receiving portion 20b without the other end face (tip face) abutting any member.
Therefore, compared to the case where the leading end surface is butted, the problem of the polymerization sheet PJ (particularly the leading end portion) being damaged can be reduced. In particular, if the leading end surface of the polymerization sheet P is damaged, it becomes difficult to laminate that portion, so the configuration of the present invention is useful.
In this embodiment, the polymerization sheet PJ wound around the winding roller 20 has a joint A formed on one end side opposite to the other end side that becomes the gripped portion B.

In this embodiment, at least one of the gripping member 32 (grip portion) and the receiving portion 20b is formed of an elastic material such as rubber.
This makes it possible to increase the gripping force on the polymerization sheet PJ and to prevent damage to the surface of the polymerization sheet PJ, as compared with a case in which both the gripping member 32 and the receiving portion 20b are made of a rigid body such as a metal material or a resin material. In particular, when both the gripping member 32 and the receiving portion 20b are made of an elastic material, such an effect is significantly obtained.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the moving mechanism 30 moves the gripping member 32 between a gripping position (the position shown in Figures 2(A) and 3(A)) where the gripping member 32 can grip the polymerization sheet PJ and a retracted position (the position shown in Figures 2(B) and 3(B)) where the gripping member 32 is retracted from the gripping position.
In detail, the moving mechanism 30 is made up of an arm member 31, a compression spring 33 as a biasing member, a cam 34, a motor (not shown) that drives the cam 34 to rotate in forward and reverse directions, and the like.
The arm member 31 holds the gripping member 32 and is held by the winding roller 20 so as to be rotatable together with the gripping member 32 around the support shaft 31a. In this embodiment, the gripping member 32 is integrally formed (held) at the tip of the arm member 31. Alternatively, the gripping member 32 may be a separate member from the arm member 31, and the gripping member 32 may be installed (held) on the arm member 31. In either case, the arm member 31 holding the gripping member 32 rotates together with the winding roller 20 around the rotation shaft 20a.
The compression spring 33 functions as a biasing member that biases the arm member 31 so that the gripping member 32 moves from the retracted position shown in Fig. 2(B) to the gripping position shown in Fig. 2(A). Specifically, the compression spring 33 has one end connected to a fixed position near the rotating shaft 20a, and the other end connected to one end side of the arm member 31 (the side opposite to the side where the gripping member 32 is provided across the support shaft 31a).
The cam 34 pushes the arm member 31 against the bias of a compression spring 33 (biasing member) so that the gripping member 32 moves from the gripping position shown in Fig. 2(A) to the retracted position shown in Fig. 2(B). The cam 34 is driven to rotate in the forward and reverse directions at a desired rotation angle by a motor controlled by the control unit. The cam 34 is held by the device housing so as to be rotatable about a cam shaft 34a, independently of the winding roller 20.

2A and 3A, when the cam 34 is not in contact with the arm member 31, the arm member 31 is biased by the compression spring 33, and the gripping member 32 is in pressure contact with the receiving portion 20b (closed state). In this closed state, the polymerization sheet PJ can be gripped.
2B and 3B, when the cam 34 presses the arm member 31, the arm member 31 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 2B about the support shaft 31a against the bias of the compression spring 33, and the gripping member 32 is separated from the receiving portion 20b (open state). This open state is a state in which the polymerized sheet PJ cannot be gripped (gripped state).

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the roller portion of the winding roller 20 is divided into multiple parts (seven parts) in the axial direction, and the cam 34 is also divided into multiple parts in the axial direction to match the division positions.
In this way, by dividing the position at which the polymerized sheet PJ is gripped in the axial direction rather than over the entire axial area, it is possible to distribute the load required to grip the polymerized sheet PJ. This configuration is useful when the required gripping force is large.

1, 4(D), 5(A), etc., the lamination device 50 in this embodiment is provided with a fourth sensor 44 (sheet detection sensor) that detects the polymerized sheet PJ transported between the winding roller 20 and the third transport roller pair 6. The movement mechanism 30 is controlled based on the detection result of the fourth sensor 44 that detects the leading edge of the polymerized sheet PJ transported by the third transport roller pair 6 toward the winding roller 20.
Specifically, the fourth sensor 44 is disposed on the conveying path between the winding roller 20 and the third conveying roller pair 6. Then, as shown in FIG. 4D, FIG. 5A, etc., when the polymerized sheet PJ is conveyed in the reverse direction toward the position of the winding roller 20 by the third conveying roller pair 6 with the gripped portion B at the front, the fourth sensor 44 detects the leading edge (the leading edge during reverse conveying). Then, the timing of detection is used as a trigger to adjust and control the timing of stopping the polymerized sheet PJ at the gripping position and the timing of gripping the gripped portion B by the gripping member 32. Specifically, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the leading edge of the polymerized sheet PJ was detected by the fourth sensor 44, the reverse conveying of the polymerized sheet PJ by the third conveying roller pair 6 is stopped, and the cam 34 is rotated to rotate the arm member 31 (moving mechanism 30) so that the gripping member 32 moves from the retracted position shown in FIG. 2B to the gripping position shown in FIG. 2A.
By carrying out such control, the operation of sandwiching the end face of the polymerized sheet PJ between the gripping member 32 and the receiving portion 20b can be carried out with high precision without the end face hitting any member.

As described above, the third conveying roller pair 6 is a conveying roller pair that conveys the polymerized sheet PJ with the other end side (the side of the gripped portion B) leading toward the winding roller 20 (winding start position W) on the third conveying path K3 (conveying path) formed between the winding roller 20 and the third conveying roller pair 6.

Also, referring to Figures 6(A) to (C), 10, 11(A) to (E), 14, etc., the peeling claw 16 as a peeling member is a claw-shaped member which is moved from a standby position shown in Figure 11(A) and inserted into a gap C formed between two sheets P1, P2 at a predetermined position with respect to the polymerization sheet PJ.
More specifically, the peeling claw 16 is inserted from a standby position at the widthwise end into the gap C formed between the two sheets P1, P2 between the winding roller 20 and the third conveying roller pair 6, with the polymerized sheet PJ being wrapped around the other end side (the side of the gripped portion B) by the winding roller 20 and having one end side (the side of the joint A) clamped by the third conveying roller pair 6 (conveying roller pair).

More specifically, in this embodiment, the peeling claws 16 are a pair of peeling claws arranged at both ends in the width direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of Fig. 6, and the left-right direction in Figs. 10 and 14). As shown in Fig. 11, the peeling claws 16 are formed so that their length in the up-down direction (the thickness direction of the polymerized sheet PJ) gradually increases from their leading end on the widthwise center side to their trailing end on the widthwise outer side. Furthermore, the peeling claws 16 are configured to be movable in the width direction by a moving mechanism 76 (see Fig. 14) controlled by the control unit.
The peeling claw 16 thus configured normally waits at a standby position (a position on the outer side in the width direction of the sheet P as shown in FIG. 11A) where it does not interfere with the transport of sheets such as the polymerized sheet PJ in the third transport path K3. When separating the polymerized sheet PJ (two sheets P1, P2), the peeling claw 16 enters the gap C in the polymerized sheet PJ to secure the gap C as shown in FIGS. 10, 11B, etc.

As shown in Fig. 14, a moving mechanism 76 for moving each of the pair of peeling claws 16 in the width direction is composed of a motor 77, a gear pulley 78, a pulley 79, a timing belt 80, etc. The gear pulley 78 is formed in a stepped shape with a gear that meshes with a motor gear installed on the motor shaft of the motor 77 and a pulley that stretches and supports the timing belt 80 together with the pulley 79. Of the pair of peeling claws 16, the fixed portion 16a of one peeling claw 16 is fixed to a part of one belt surface of the timing belt 80 (the upper belt surface in Fig. 14), and the fixed portion 16a of the other peeling claw 16 is fixed to a part of the other belt surface of the timing belt 80 (the lower belt surface in Fig. 14).
When the motor shaft of the motor 77 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 14 (clockwise direction) by the moving mechanism 76 configured in this way, the gear pulley 78 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the timing belt 80 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, and the pair of peeling claws 16 moves from the outer side in the width direction toward the center in the width direction (the pair of peeling claws 16 move in the direction toward each other). On the other hand, when the motor shaft of the motor 77 is rotated in the opposite direction to the direction of the arrow in Fig. 14, the pair of peeling claws 16 moves from the center side in the width direction toward the outer side in the width direction (the pair of peeling claws 16 move in the direction away from each other).

This peeling claw 16 is inserted into the gap C with respect to the polymerized sheet PJ and moves relatively from one end side (the side of the joint A) to the other end side B (the side of the gripped portion B), and then moves in the width direction between the two sheets P1 and P2 at the end side of the other end of the polymerized sheet PJ.
In detail, by controlling the moving mechanism 76 (see FIG. 14) by the control unit, the pair of peeling claws 16, while inserted into both widthwise ends of the gap C with respect to the polymerized sheet PJ, move relatively toward the other end until the other end side ends pass 16a as shown in FIG. 11(B) and (C), and then move from both widthwise ends to the widthwise center between the two sheets P1, P2 at the other end side ends of the polymerized sheet PJ as shown in FIG. 11(D). To enable such operation of the pair of peeling claws 16, the moving mechanism 76 is configured to allow the pair of peeling claws 16 to move from a standby position to a position close to each other.

The mechanism for peeling off the polymerized sheet PJ by winding the polymerized sheet PJ with the winding roller 20 and inserting the peeling claw 16 can be made smaller than a mechanism for peeling off the polymerized sheet PJ using a large-scale device such as a vacuum. In other words, the two sheets P1 and P2 constituting the polymerized sheet PJ can be satisfactorily peeled off without increasing the size of the lamination device 50.
In particular, in this embodiment, the peeling claw 16 moves over almost the entire width at the other end (rear end) of the polymerized sheet PJ, so that the other end of the two sheets P1 and P2 constituting the polymerized sheet PJ on the opposite side of the joint A can be sufficiently peeled off (separated). Therefore, the other end of the opposite side of the joint A is not sufficiently peeled off, and the middle sheet PM (see FIG. 11E) cannot be inserted from the other end of the polymerized sheet PJ. Furthermore, the function of the peeling claw 16 as a switching member (the function of separately guiding the two sheets P1 and P2 to the two branched transport paths K4 and K5) described below is easily achieved.

Here, in this embodiment, the peeling claw 16 as a peeling member also functions as a switching member that separately guides the two sheets P1, P2 peeled off by the peeling claw 16 to two branched conveying paths K4, K5 that branch off in different directions.
7C and other figures, the two branched transport paths K4 and K5 branch off in different directions across the third transport path K3 between the peeling claw 16 (peeling member) and the winding roller 20. Specifically, the first branched transport path K4 is formed so as to branch off upward from the third transport path K3, and the second branched transport path K5 is formed so as to branch off downward from the third transport path K3.
Then, as shown in Fig. 7A to 7C, after the peeling claw 16 is inserted into the gap C, the third conveying roller pair 6 conveys the polymerized sheet PJ to one end side (the left side in Fig. 7) so that the other end side of the polymerized sheet PJ is released from the winding roller 20 (see Fig. 11A to 11C). After that, as shown in Fig. 11D, the peeling claw 16 is moved to the center in the width direction, and the third conveying roller pair 6 conveys the polymerized sheet PJ again to the other end side (the right side in Fig. 7), while maintaining that state. The two sheets P1 and P2 peeled off by the peeling claw 16 are guided separately to the two branched conveying paths K4 and K5 by the peeling claw 16. That is, the first sheet P1 is guided to the first branched conveying path K4, and the second sheet P2 is guided to the second branched conveying path K5. Then, as shown in Figures 8 (A) to (C) and 11 (E), the peeling claw 16 is moved to a standby position, and the middle sheet PM is transported toward one end of the third transport path K3 so that the middle sheet PM is inserted between the two sheets P1, P2 in the peeled state.

In this manner, the peeling claw 16 in this embodiment functions as a peeling member that peels (separates) the non-jointed portions of the two sheets P1, P2 that make up the polymerized sheet PJ, and also functions as a switching member that separately guides the two peeled sheets P1, P2 to the two branched transport paths K4, K5. Therefore, the lamination processing device 50 can be made smaller and less expensive than when a peeling member and a switching member are provided separately. In other words, the two sheets P1, P2 that make up the polymerized sheet JP can be efficiently and satisfactorily peeled off.
The seventh sensor 47 optically detects whether the peeled first sheet P1 has been normally transported to the first branched transport path K4, and the eighth sensor 48 optically detects whether the peeled second sheet P2 has been normally transported to the second branched transport path K5.
In this embodiment, the peeling claw 16 is configured to function as a peeling member and also as a switching member, but a member that functions as a switching member may be provided separately from the peeling claw 16 that functions as a peeling member.

Here, referring to Figures 6 (A), (C), etc., the first guide member 25 functions as a limiting member that limits the amount of slack (warping) of the first sheet P1, of the two sheets P1 and P2 of the polymerization sheet PJ, which is wound on the inside by the winding roller 20, between the peeling claw 16 and the winding roller 20 in the third transport path K3.
In detail, the first guide member 25 as a restricting member is a transport guide member arranged on the side where the winding roller 20 is arranged (above the imaginary plane S1) with respect to the imaginary plane S1 (a virtual plane passing through the winding start position W of the winding roller 20 and the nip of the third transport roller pair 6, see FIG. 6A) in the third transport path. The first guide member 25 is formed in a substantially triangular prism shape so as to cover a part of the outer periphery of the winding roller 20 at a predetermined interval along the outer periphery of the winding roller 20, and also functions as a transport guide member between the third transport path K3 and the first branch transport path K4. That is, the first guide member 25 guides the sheet transported on the third transport path K3, the sheet transported on the first branch transport path K4, and the sheet wound around the winding roller 20.
In particular, in the third transport path K3, the upward bending of the polymerized sheet PJ (particularly, the upward bending of the first sheet P1) is limited by the first guide member 25 between the winding roller 20 and the third transport roller pair 6, so that a gap C of the polymerized sheet PJ (particularly, the upward bending of the first sheet P1) is formed in a concentrated manner between the first guide member 25 and the third transport roller pair 6. Therefore, the spacing of the gap C can be increased without increasing the amount of winding of the polymerized sheet PJ around the winding roller 20, and the operation of inserting the peeling claw 16 into the gap C to peel off the polymerized sheet PJ can be performed without any problems.

Also, referring to Figures 6 (A), (C), etc., the second guide member 26 functions as a guide member that guides the second sheet P2, of the two sheets P1 and P2 of the polymerization sheet PJ, which is wrapped around the outside by the winding roller 20, between the peeling claw 16 and the winding roller 20 in the third transport path K3.
More specifically, the second guide member 26 as a guide member is a transport guide member arranged on the side of the third transport path where the winding roller 20 is not arranged with respect to the imaginary surface S1 (see FIG. 6A ) (below the imaginary surface S1). The second guide member 26 is arranged to face the lower surface of the sheet from the vicinity of the upstream side of the second transport roller pair 5 to the vicinity of the downstream side of the third transport roller pair 6. That is, the second guide member 26 guides the sheet transported on the third transport path K3.
In particular, in the third transport path K3, the distance between the first guide member 25 and the second guide member 26 between the winding roller 20 and the third transport roller pair 6 is set to a value that allows a sheet of the maximum sheet thickness to be transported, and the distance between the sheets P1 and P2 of the polymerized sheet PJ between the first guide member 25 and the second guide member 26 is restricted so as not to become large, so that a gap C (particularly, an upward bending of the first sheet P1) of the polymerized sheet PJ is formed in a concentrated manner. Therefore, the operation of inserting the peeling claw 16 into the gap C to peel off the polymerized sheet PJ can be performed without any problems.

6 etc., the sixth sensor 46 (abnormality detection sensor) functions as an abnormality detection means for detecting an abnormal state in which a gap C exceeding a predetermined distance is not formed between the two sheets P1, P2 at a predetermined position (between the third conveying roller pair 6 and the winding roller 20) before the peeling claw 16 moves from the standby position (movement from the standby position shown in FIG. 14 to the peeling position shown in FIGS. 10 and 11(A)). In other words, the sixth sensor 46 as an abnormality detection means detects an abnormal state in which a gap C exceeding a predetermined distance is not formed between the two sheets P1, P2 at a predetermined position before the peeling claw 16 is inserted into the gap C.
In other words, the sixth sensor 46 as an abnormality detection means detects, as an abnormal state, a state in which no gap C is formed at all or a state in which a sufficient gap C is not formed at the timing when a gap C should be formed between the two sheets P1 and P2, as shown in Figures 5 (D) and 6 (A).
In this embodiment, when the sixth sensor 46 (abnormality detection means) detects an abnormal state, the lamination processing device 50 notifies the user that an abnormal state has occurred. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, an operation display panel 49 (operation display unit) is provided on the exterior of the lamination processing device 50 to display various information about the lamination processing device 50 and input various commands. When the sixth sensor 46 detects that the gap C is not formed in the polymerization sheet PJ with a sufficient gap, the operation display panel 49 displays that an abnormality has been detected. Such a display may be, for example, "Because an abnormality has occurred, the process of inserting the middle sheet will be stopped. Please check the setting direction of the polymerization sheet in the feed tray. Also, if the setting direction is correct and the same abnormality is repeated, please contact a serviceman."
Such a sixth sensor 46 (abnormality detection means) can be a lever-type sensor that contacts the polymer sheet PJ (the upper first sheet P1) in which a gap C exceeding a predetermined distance is formed.

Here, the laminating apparatus 50 in this embodiment is provided with first and second sensors 41 and 42 as detection means for detecting the size difference between the laminated sheet PJ and the intermediate sheet PM at least before the laminating process is performed.
The first sensor 41 detects the leading and trailing ends (passing time) of the polymerized sheet PJ passing that position. The control unit then determines the size L1 of the polymerized sheet PJ in the transport direction from the passing time and the transport speed of the polymerized sheet PJ (which is a predetermined time). Similarly, the second sensor 42 detects the leading and trailing ends (passing time) of the middle sheet PM passing that position. The control unit then determines the size L2 of the middle sheet PM in the transport direction from the passing time and the transport speed of the middle sheet PM (which is a predetermined time). The size difference (L1-L2) between the size L1 of the polymerized sheet PJ and the size L2 of the middle sheet PM is then determined.

In this embodiment, when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred based on the detection results of the first and second sensors 41, 42 (detection means) under preset conditions, the lamination process is stopped.
Specifically, when the first and second sensors 41, 42 (detection means) detect a state in which the size L2 of the intermediate sheet PM is larger than the size L1 of the overlapping sheet PJ (L1<L2), it is determined that an abnormality has occurred.
Then, when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred based on the detection results of the first and second sensors 41, 42 (detection means), the polymerized sheet PJ and the middle sheet PM are not passed through the lamination processing section 51, but are discharged to a second discharge tray 55 as a discharge section, as shown in Figure 9 (B).

Specifically, when the middle sheet PM is smaller than the polymer sheet PJ (when the relationship L1 ≧ L2 exists), this is considered to be the normal size relationship, and as shown in FIG. 9 (A), the polymer sheet PJ after the insertion process (with the middle sheet PM inserted) is guided to the fourth transport path K6 by the switching claw 17, and is subjected to lamination processing in the lamination processing unit 51.
On the other hand, if the middle sheet PM is larger than the polymerized sheet PJ (if the relationship is L1<L2), the middle sheet PM inserted into the polymerized sheet PJ will protrude from the polymerized sheet PM, resulting in a defective product. If such a defective product is subjected to lamination processing, the middle sheet PM inserted into the polymerized sheet PJ cannot be separated and reused, and must be discarded as is, resulting in a waste of the sheets (polymerized sheet PJ, middle sheet PM). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9B, the polymerized sheet PJ (with the middle sheet PM inserted) after the insertion processing is discharged to the second discharge tray 55 by the switching claw 17 so that it is not transported to the lamination processing unit 51.
This makes it possible to prevent a problem in which, when the size difference between the polymerized sheet PJ and the intermediate sheet PM is not normal, the lamination process is performed with the intermediate sheet PM inserted in the polymerized sheet PJ as it is.

In addition, this type of problem, in which the size difference between the overlay sheet PJ and the middle sheet PM becomes abnormal, occurs when a user or other operator sets a overlay sheet PJ or middle sheet PM of a different size than the specified size in the first and second feed trays 11 and 12, respectively.
Usually, an operator opens the display screen of the operation display panel 49 as shown in Fig. 15 and sets the size of the polymerization sheet PJ (laminating film) and the size of the inner sheet PM (internal paper). At this time, if the size setting is made such that the inner sheet PM is larger than the polymerization sheet PJ, a message will be displayed indicating that the lamination process cannot be executed. However, if the operator accidentally loads the polymerization sheet PJ and the inner sheet PM of different sizes from the set size and presses the execution button for the lamination process, the above-mentioned size difference abnormality may occur.
In this embodiment, even if such an abnormality in size difference occurs, the combination of the polymerized sheet PJ and the middle sheet PM is discharged to the second discharge tray 55 without being subjected to lamination processing, thereby avoiding sheet waste.

In this embodiment, when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred based on the detection results of the first and second sensors 41, 42 (detection means), a notification to that effect is given.
Specifically, when the first and second sensors 41, 42 detect an abnormality in the size difference between the polymerized sheet PJ and the middle sheet PM, a message to that effect is displayed on the operation display panel 49 (see FIG. 1). For example, such a message may be, "Because an abnormality in the size of the polymerized sheet and the middle sheet has been detected, the lamination process will be stopped and the sheets will be discharged to the second discharge tray. Please check the sizes of the polymerized sheet and the middle sheet in the feed tray. Also, please remove the polymerized sheet and the middle sheet from the second discharge tray. These sheets can be reused."
By providing such a notification, the operator's work efficiency is improved.

The operation of the lamination device 50 will be described below with reference to FIGS.
In the description of the operation, the operation of the peeling claw 16 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11 as appropriate, and the control flow will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
First, the polymerized sheet PJ is fed from the first feed tray by the first feed roller 2 and the first conveying roller pair 4 (FIG. 12: step S1), and then, as shown in FIG. 4 (A), in the third conveying path K3, the polymerized sheet PJ is conveyed in the forward direction (from right to left in FIG. 4) by the second conveying roller pair 5 with the joint A at the front.
At this time, the moving mechanism 30 is controlled so that the gripping member 32 is located at the gripping position. That is, the cam 34 is moved to a rotational position where it does not press the arm member 31. When the gripping member 32 is located at the gripping position in this manner, the gripping member 32 does not interfere with the transport of the sheet in the third transport path K3. The peeling claw 16 is waiting at a standby position (the position in FIG. 11A) where it does not interfere with the transport of the sheet in the third transport path K3. The size of the overlay sheet PJ is detected by the first sensor 41.
Then, as shown in FIG. 4B, the timing at which the joint A (forward leading edge, one end side) of the polymerized sheet PJ is detected by the third sensor 43 is used as a trigger to transport the polymerized sheet PJ a predetermined amount X1 by the third conveying roller pair 6 until the gripped portion B (forward trailing edge, the other end side) of the polymerized sheet PJ passes the position of the winding roller 20 (FIG. 12: steps S2 and S3).
4C, in this state, the conveyance of the polymerization sheet PJ by the third conveyor roller pair 6 is temporarily stopped, and the gripping member 32 is moved from the gripping position to the retreated position (FIG. 12: step S4). That is, the cam 34 is moved to a rotation position where it presses the arm member 31. In this state, the gripped portion B of the polymerization sheet PJ can be received between the gripping member 32 and the receiving portion 20b.
4D, the third conveyor roller pair 6 is rotated in the reverse direction to start conveying the polymerized sheet PJ in the reverse direction (FIG. 12: step S5). At this time, the fourth sensor 44 detects the gripped portion B (the leading edge in the reverse direction, the other end side) of the polymerized sheet PJ.

Then, as shown in FIG. 5 (A), the timing at which the gripped portion B of the polymerized sheet PJ is detected by the fourth sensor 44 is used as a trigger to transport the polymerized sheet PJ a predetermined amount X2 by the third conveying roller pair 6 until the gripped portion B of the polymerized sheet PJ reaches the position of the winding roller 20 (winding start position W), and then the third conveying roller pair 6 stops (FIG. 12: steps S6 and S7).
Then, as shown in Fig. 5(B), in this state, the gripping member 32 is moved from the retracted position to the gripping position (Fig. 12: step S8). That is, the cam 34 is moved to a rotational position where it does not press the arm member 31. In this state, as shown in Fig. 5(B'), the other end face of the polymerization sheet PJ does not abut against any member, and the gripped portion B is gripped between the gripping member 32 and the receiving portion 20b.
Then, as shown in Fig. 5C, the winding roller 20 rotates in the reverse direction (counterclockwise direction) while the gripping member 32 grips the polymerization sheet PJ, and the third conveyor roller pair 6 rotates in the reverse direction again. At this time, as the rotation of the winding roller 20 continues, a gap C is formed between the two sheets P1, P2 of the polymerization sheet PJ between the winding roller 20 and the third conveyor roller pair 6, as shown in Fig. 5D. At this time, the deflection of the polymerization sheet PJ is limited by the first and second guide members 25, 26 in the vicinity of the winding roller 20. Therefore, the gap C of the polymerization sheet PJ is formed in a concentrated manner at a position close to the third conveyor roller pair 6.

In this way, the fourth sensor 44, which is arranged downstream in the reverse direction from the third conveying roller pair 6, detects the reverse leading edge of the polymerized sheet PJ, and that timing is used as a trigger to determine the timing for gripping the polymerized sheet PJ by the gripping member 32.Therefore, regardless of variations in sheet length relative to the required sheet conveying amount X2 (this is an error that exists even for sheets of the same size), the gripped portion B of the polymerized sheet PJ can be transported with high precision to the desired gripping position.
In addition, since the fourth sensor 44 detects the leading edge of the polymerized sheet PJ in the reverse direction, the required sheet transport amount X2 can be shortened regardless of the sheet length, thereby suppressing variation in the transport amount X2 and enabling the gripped portion B of the polymerized sheet PJ to be transported to the desired gripping position with high precision.
For this reason, it is preferable that the fourth sensor 44 be disposed in a position close to the winding roller 20 .

Also, the mechanism by which a gap C is generated in the polymerized sheet PJ between the winding roller 20 and the third conveying roller pair 6 by winding the polymerized sheet PJ around the winding roller 20 has been described above with reference to FIG.
The mechanism will be further explained below.
The polymerized sheet PJ wound around the winding roller 20 is gripped by the gripping member 32 and is in a state where sheet misalignment is regulated, so that slippage occurs by the circumferential difference on the winding roller 20, and the conveyance amount of the inner sheet P1 becomes smaller than the conveyance amount of the outer sheet P2. As a result, bending (slack) occurs in the inner sheet P1 between the nip between the third conveyor roller pair 6 and the winding roller 20. At this time, by winding the polymerized sheet PJ around the winding roller 20 one or more times, a difference in circumferential length occurs between the inner and outer circumferences by the thickness of the sheet thereafter, and bending (slack) occurs in the same manner.
Specifically, if the thickness of the inner sheet P1 is ΔR and the distance from the rotation shaft 20a (shaft center) of the winding roller 20 to the inner sheet P1 is R, then the distance from the rotation shaft 20a (shaft center) of the winding roller 20 to the outer sheet P2 is R + ΔR. Since the radius differs by the thickness ΔR of the inner sheet P1, when the polymerization sheet PJ is wound around the winding roller 20 once, a difference in circumferential length of 2×ΔR×π occurs between the inner sheet P1 and the outer sheet P2. Therefore, if the number of times the polymerization sheet PJ is wound around the winding roller 20 is M, slack will occur in the inner sheet P1 by 2×ΔR×π×M.
Then, eventually, deflection (slack) accumulates between the third conveying roller pair 6 and the winding roller 20, and a gap C equivalent to 2×ΔR×π×M is formed between the two sheets P1, P2.

6A, when the amount of transport by the third transport roller pair 6 reaches a predetermined amount X3 after the winding of the polymerization sheet PJ by the winding roller 20 starts, transport by the third transport roller pair 6 is stopped and winding of the polymerization sheet PJ by the winding roller 20 is stopped (FIG. 12: step S9). In this state, the polymerization sheet PJ is wound around the winding roller 20 one or more times, and normally, the gap C of the polymerization sheet PJ (the distance between sheets P1 and P2) is sufficiently widened.
At this time, it is determined whether the sixth sensor 46 has detected that a gap C of equal to or greater than the predetermined gap F has been formed in the superimposed sheet PJ (FIG. 12: step S29).
As a result, if it is determined that a sufficient gap C is formed that is equal to or larger than the predetermined gap F, it is determined that there will be no problem if the peeling claws 16 are subsequently used for peeling, and the peeling claws 16 are inserted into the gap C in the sufficiently spread polymerized sheet PJ as shown in Fig. 6(B) (Fig. 12: step S10). That is, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11(A), the pair of peeling claws 16 are each moved from the standby position to the peeling position.
Then, as shown in Fig. 6C, with the peeling claw 16 inserted into the gap C, the third conveyor roller pair 6 starts rotating in the forward direction, and the winding roller 20 starts rotating in the forward direction (clockwise direction) (Fig. 12: step S11). That is, as shown in Figs. 11A to 11C, the peeling claw 16 inserted into the gap C moves relatively to the polymerized sheet PJ from one end side A to the other end side B. Note that in this embodiment, such relative movement is achieved by the polymerized sheet PJ itself moving in the direction of the arrow shown in Figs. 11A to 11C, without changing the position of the peeling claw 16 in the conveying direction.

If it is determined in step S29 of FIG. 12 that an abnormality has been detected by the sixth sensor 46, that is, if a sufficient gap C that is equal to or greater than the predetermined gap F has not been formed in the polymerized sheet PJ, the peeling claw 16 is not moved from the standby position to the peeling position, since various problems may arise if the peeling claw 16 is subsequently used to perform the peeling operation. At this time, the operation display panel 49 (see FIG. 1) is notified that the peeling operation and the insertion operation of the middle sheet PM have been stopped due to the occurrence of an abnormality (FIG. 12: step S30).

Then, as shown in Fig. 7A, after the third conveying roller pair 6 has conveyed the polymerized sheet PJ a predetermined distance X4 by forward rotation, the forward rotation of the third conveying roller pair 6 and the forward rotation of the winding roller 20 are stopped (Fig. 12: step S12). At this time, the gripped portion B of the polymerized sheet PJ is positioned on the third conveying path K3 (the winding start position W shown in Fig. 5B) (it is in a state where it can be released from gripping). Also, as shown in Fig. 11C, the peeling claw 16 is inserted into the gap C with respect to the polymerized sheet PJ and moves relatively toward the other end side B, and then stops at the other end side.
In this state, the gripping member 32 is moved from the gripping position to the retracted position ( FIG. 12 : step S13). That is, the cam 34 is moved to a rotation position where it does not press the arm member 31. In this state, the gripping of the polymerized sheet PJ by the gripping member 32 is released. Note that in this embodiment, the cam 34 (moving mechanism 30) is moved to release the gripping by the gripping member 32, but if the pulling force caused by the conveyance of the third conveying roller pair 6 is greater than the gripping force by the gripping member 32, the gripping by the gripping member 32 can also be released by the pulling force caused by the conveyance of the third conveying roller pair 6 without moving the cam 34 (moving mechanism 30).
After that, as shown in FIG. 7B, the third conveying roller pair 6 is rotated forward again to start conveying the polymerized sheet PJ in the forward direction (FIG. 12: step S14). After the gripped portion B (forward rear end, one end side) of the polymerized sheet PJ passes through the branching portion of the third conveying path K3 and the branch conveying paths K4 and K5, the gripping member 32 is moved from the retreated position to the gripping position. At this time, the gripped portion B (forward rear end, other end side) of the polymerized sheet PJ is detected by the fourth sensor 44. Then, the timing at which the forward rear end of the polymerized sheet PJ is detected by the fourth sensor 44 is used as a trigger to convey the polymerized sheet PJ by a predetermined amount X5 by the third conveying roller pair 6 and stop it, and then the peeling claw 16 is moved in the width direction as shown in FIG. 11D (FIG. 12: steps S15, S31). As a result, as shown in Fig. 7B, the forward direction rear ends of the two sheets P1 and P2 of the polymerized sheet PJ are largely separated and opened (see Fig. 11D). At this time, peeling (separation) of the polymerized sheet PJ begins.
Then, as shown in FIG. 7C, the third conveying roller pair 6 is rotated in the reverse direction to start conveying the polymerized sheet PJ in the reverse direction (FIG. 12: step S16). At this time, the peeling claw 16 is located at a switching position (position shown in FIG. 11D) that blocks the entry of the polymerized sheet PJ into the third conveying path K3, so that the two sheets P1 and P2 in the peeled state are guided to the two branched conveying paths K4 and K5, respectively, as shown in FIG. 7C. At this time, the fifth sensor 45 (see FIG. 1) detects the joint A (reverse rear end, one end side) of the polymerized sheet PJ. Then, the timing at which the reverse rear end of the polymerized sheet PJ is detected by the fifth sensor 45 (see FIG. 1) is used as a trigger to start feeding the middle sheet PM from the second feed tray 12 by the second feed roller 3 (FIG. 12: steps S17 and S18). At this time, the size of the middle sheet PM is detected by the second sensor 42.
The timing for starting the feeding of the middle sheet PM is not limited to this, and is preferably set so as to shorten the time required for the peeling process and the insertion process.

Then, as shown in Fig. 8A, the timing at which the rear end of the polymerized sheet PJ in the reverse direction is detected by the fifth sensor 45 (see Fig. 1) is used as a trigger to transport the polymerized sheet PJ a predetermined amount X6 by the third transport roller pair 6 and then stop (Fig. 12: step S19). At this time, the joint A of the polymerized sheet PJ is at the nip position of the third transport roller pair 6 or in a position slightly to the left of the nip. In other words, one end side of the polymerized sheet PJ is sandwiched between the third transport roller pair 6. This is the state in which the peeling operation of the polymerized sheet PJ is completed.
Moreover, before the peeling operation of the overlay sheet PJ is completed, the middle sheet PM has already started to be fed from the second feeding tray 12. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 8A, when the peeling operation of the overlay sheet PJ is completed, the leading edge (leading edge in the forward direction, one end side) of the middle sheet PM is close to the insertion position between the overlay sheets PJ.
On the other hand, the leading edge (leading edge in the forward direction, one end side) of the middle sheet PM is detected by the third sensor 43. Then, the detection timing is used as a trigger to move the peeling claw 16 to the standby position at a timing that does not interfere with the middle sheet PM, as shown in FIG.
8C and 11E, the timing at which the forward leading edge of the middle sheet PM is detected by the third sensor 43 is used as a trigger to transport the middle sheet PM a predetermined amount X7 by the second transport roller pair 5, and then transport of the overlapping sheet PJ in the forward direction by the third transport roller pair 6 is resumed (FIG. 12: steps S20 and S21). At this time, the middle sheet PM is precisely sandwiched at a desired position between the two sheets P1 and P2.
In this manner, the process of inserting the intermediate sheet PM between the two sheets P1 and P2 of the laminated sheet PJ (insertion process) is completed (FIG. 12: step S22).

At this time, it is determined whether the size of the overlay sheet PJ detected in step S2 is smaller than the size of the middle sheet PM detected in step S18 (FIG. 13: step S32). As a result, if the overlay sheet PJ is not smaller than the middle sheet PM, it is considered to be normal, and as shown in FIG. 9A, the fourth transport path K6 is opened by the switching claw 17, and the overlay sheet PJ (with the middle sheet PM inserted after peeling) is transported to the lamination processing unit 51 and laminated (FIG. 13: step S33). That is, while the overlay sheet PJ is transported in the lamination processing unit 51, the entire area is bonded with the middle sheet PM inserted inside. After that, the overlay sheet PJ (and the middle sheet PM) that has been subjected to the laminated process is discharged out of the device by the discharge roller pair 7 and placed on the discharge tray 13.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S32 that the overlay sheet PJ is smaller than the middle sheet PM, this is deemed to be an abnormality, and as shown in Fig. 9B, the fourth transport path K6 is closed by the switching claw 17, and the overlay sheet PJ (in which the middle sheet PM has been inserted after peeling) is discharged to the second discharge tray 55 (Fig. 13: step S34). That is, the overlay sheet PJ and the middle sheet PM are discharged to the second discharge tray 55 in a reusable state without being subjected to lamination processing. Thereafter, a message indicating that a size abnormality has occurred is displayed on the operation display panel 49 (Fig. 13: step S35).

<Modification 1>
FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the control performed in the lamination apparatus 50 according to the first modified example, and shows the control following that in FIG.
In the first modified example, when the first and second sensors 41, 42 (detection means) detect a state in which the size L2 of the middle sheet PM is smaller than the size L1 of the polymeric sheet PJ and the size difference exceeds a predetermined threshold value A (L1-L2>A), it is determined that there is an abnormality.
This is because if the intermediate sheet PM is too small compared to the polymerized sheet PJ, the intermediate sheet PM will not protrude from the polymerized sheet PJ, but the margins will be large, resulting in a poor appearance.
Specifically, after the insertion process in step S22 in Fig. 12 is completed, it is determined whether the above-mentioned relationship L1-L2>A exists (Fig. 16: step S36). If the relationship L1-L2>A does not exist, it is determined that the finish is normal and has a good appearance, and the fourth transport path K6 is opened by the switching claw 17, and the laminated sheet PJ (with the middle sheet PM inserted after peeling) is transported to the lamination processing unit 51 for lamination processing (Fig. 16: step S33), as shown in Fig. 9(A). After that, the laminated laminated sheet PJ (and the middle sheet PM) is discharged out of the apparatus by the discharge roller pair 7 and placed on the discharge tray 13.
On the other hand, if the relationship L1-L2>A is satisfied in step S36, it is determined that this is abnormal (resulting in a poor-looking finish), and as shown in Fig. 9B, the fourth transport path K6 is closed by the switching claw 17, and the overlay sheet PJ (with the middle sheet PM inserted after peeling) is discharged to the second discharge tray 55 (Fig. 16: step S34). Thereafter, a message indicating that a size abnormality has occurred is displayed on the operation display panel 49 (Fig. 16: step S35).
The determination in step S36 and the determination in step S32 in FIG. 13 may be performed together.

Here, in the first modification, the threshold value A in step S36 may be made changeable by an operation by the operator.
In other words, when the middle sheet PM is smaller than the polymerized sheet PJ, the middle sheet PM does not protrude from the polymerized sheet PJ, and lamination processing itself is possible, so that the operator can arbitrarily set an allowable range for the margin portion. Such a change in the threshold value A is performed by operating the operation display panel 49.
Further, FIG. 17 is a table showing the relationship between the size difference between the polymerization sheet PJ (laminating film) and the middle sheet PM (inner sheet) and whether or not lamination processing can be performed. In FIG. 17, the sizes increase in the order of "A5-SEF", "A5-LEF", "A4-SEF", "A4-LEF", and "A3-SEF". In FIG. 17, "◯" means that there is no size difference and lamination processing can be performed, "×" means that the middle sheet PM is larger than the polymerization sheet PJ and lamination processing is defective, and "△" means that the middle sheet PM is smaller than the polymerization sheet PJ and lamination processing can be performed, but the finished product has a margin. Therefore, specifically, the above-mentioned change of the threshold A allows the operator to freely set whether or not lamination processing can be performed based on the size combination that results in "△" in FIG. 17.

<Modification 2>
FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing the control performed in the lamination apparatus 50 according to the second modified example, and shows the control following that in FIG.
In variant example 2, if it is determined that there is an abnormality based on the detection results of the first and second sensors 41, 42 (detection means), the transport of the polymerized sheet PJ and the middle sheet PM is stopped before the polymerized sheet PJ and the middle sheet PM reach the lamination processing section 51.
Specifically, after the insertion process of step S22 in Fig. 12 is completed, it is determined whether the middle sheet PM is larger than the overlay sheet PJ (Fig. 18: step S32). If the middle sheet PM is not larger than the overlay sheet PJ, it is determined that the overlay sheet PJ is normal, and the fourth transport path K6 is opened by the switching claw 17 as shown in Fig. 9A, and the overlay sheet PJ (in which the middle sheet PM has been inserted after peeling) is transported to the lamination processing unit 51 for lamination (Fig. 18: step S33). After that, the overlay sheet PJ (and the middle sheet PM) that has been subjected to the lamination process is discharged out of the device by the discharge roller pair 7 and placed on the discharge tray 13.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S32 that the middle sheet PM is larger than the overlay sheet PJ, this is deemed to be an abnormality, and as shown in Fig. 9B, the fourth transport path K6 is closed by the switching claw 17, and the overlay sheet PJ (in which the middle sheet PM has been inserted after peeling) is discharged to the second discharge tray 55 (Fig. 18: step S34). Thereafter, a message indicating that a size abnormality has occurred is displayed on the operation display panel 49 (Fig. 18: step S35).
It should be noted that the determination in step S32 and the determination in step S36 in FIG. 16 may be performed together.

<Modification 3>
FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing the control performed in the lamination apparatus 50 according to the third modified example, and shows the control following that in FIG.
In the third modification, the conditions for determining whether the size difference between the superimposed sheet PJ and the intermediate sheet PM is abnormal and the processing conditions for the abnormal sheet can be changed by the operator.
Specifically, after the insertion process in step S22 in Fig. 12 is completed, it is determined whether the size difference between the overlapping sheet PJ and the intermediate sheet PM is within a preset condition (Fig. 19: step S38). At this time, the condition that can be set includes the condition (L1>L2) described in step S32 in Fig. 13 and the condition (L1-L2>A: threshold value A is changeable) described in step S36 in Fig. 16.
As a result, if the size difference is within the preset condition, it is determined to be normal, and as shown in Fig. 9A, the fourth transport path K6 is opened by the switching claw 17, and the superimposed sheet PJ (with the middle sheet PM inserted after peeling) is transported to the lamination processing unit 51 for lamination (Fig. 18: step S33). After that, the superimposed sheet PJ (and the middle sheet PM) that has been subjected to the laminate process is discharged outside the device by the discharge roller pair 7 and placed on the discharge tray 13.
On the other hand, if the size difference is not within the preset condition in step S38, it is determined that there is an abnormality, and the lamination process is stopped and processing is performed under the preset condition (FIG. 19: step S39). After that, a message indicating that there is a size abnormality is displayed on the operation display panel 49 (FIG. 19: step S35). The processing conditions that can be set in step S39 include the process of discharging to the second discharge tray 55 described in FIG. 9B, the process of stopping the transport described in step S37 of FIG. 18, etc.
In this way, by configuring the conditions for stopping the lamination process to be changeable, the user can select the conditions that meet his/her needs. The above-mentioned conditions can be changed by the operator through the operation display panel 49.

<Modification 4>
As shown in Figure 20, in variant example 4, a line sensor (CIS) that detects the sizes of the overlapping sheet PJ and the middle sheet PM in the conveying direction and width direction is used as the first and second sensors 41, 42 (detection means) that detect the size difference between the overlapping sheet PJ and the middle sheet PM.
As shown in Fig. 20, the first and second sensors 41 and 42 each have a plurality of photosensors arranged in the width direction (the direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction indicated by the white arrow, which is the left-right direction in Fig. 20). The width direction size of the overlay sheet PJ and the middle sheet PM is detected by grasping the area where the output of the plurality of photosensors is on and the area where the output of the photosensors is off. The conveying direction size of the overlay sheet PJ and the middle sheet PM is calculated from the passing time of the overlay sheet PJ and the middle sheet PM passing the positions of the first and second sensors 41 and 42 and the conveying speed of the overlay sheet PJ and the middle sheet PM (predetermined time). The presence or absence of an abnormality is determined based on the size difference between the conveying direction and the width direction of the overlay sheet PJ and the middle sheet PM.
Specifically, when determining whether or not there is an abnormality under the conditions described in step S32 of Fig. 13 or the conditions described in step S36 of Fig. 16, if the size difference in either the conveying direction or the width direction is abnormal, it is determined that there is an abnormality. This allows for more accurate abnormality determination.
In addition, if the detection means for detecting the size difference detects at least one of the sizes in the conveying direction and the width direction of the polymerized sheet PJ and the middle sheet PM, this will have the effect of reducing the inconvenience of lamination processing being performed with the middle sheet PM inserted into the polymerized sheet PJ when the size difference between the polymerized sheet PJ and the middle sheet PM is not normal.

<Modification 5>
As shown in FIG. 21, the lamination apparatus 50 in the fifth modified example is provided with an evacuation transport path K7 for discharging the sheet onto the discharge tray 13 (first discharge tray) without passing through the lamination processing section 51.
In variant example 5, in addition to the second discharge tray 55, the discharge tray 13 also functions as a discharge section for discharging the polymerized sheet PJ or the intermediate sheet PM outside the apparatus without passing through the lamination processing section 51 when it is determined that there is an abnormality in the size difference.
In detail, the retreat transport path K7 is formed so as to branch off from the fourth transport path K6 upstream of the lamination processing section 51, pass above the lamination processing section 51, and reach a discharge port (where the second discharge roller pair 8 is provided) formed above the discharge tray 13. In addition, at the branching point between the fourth transport path K6 and the retreat transport path K7, a switching claw 18 (second switching means) is provided for switching between a state in which the fourth transport path K6 is opened and the retreat transport path K7 is closed (the state in FIG. 22A) and a state in which the fourth transport path K6 is closed and the retreat transport path K7 is opened (the state in FIG. 22B).
Then, when it is determined that there is an abnormality in the size difference based on the detection results of the first and second sensors 41, 42 (detection means), at least the insertion process out of the peeling process and the insertion process is not performed, and the polymerized sheet PJ and the middle sheet PM are not passed through the lamination processing section 51, and the polymerized sheet PJ is discharged into one of the two discharge trays 13, 55 (discharge sections) and the middle sheet PM is discharged into the other.

Specifically, in variant example 5, when it is determined that the size relationship between the overlay sheet PJ and the middle sheet PM is normal, as shown in Figure 22 (A), the overlay sheet PJ after the insertion process (with the middle sheet PM inserted) is guided to the fourth transport path K6 by the switching claws 17, 18, and is subjected to lamination processing in the lamination processing unit 51.
In contrast, if it is determined that the size relationship between the overlapping sheet PJ and the middle sheet PM is abnormal, as shown in Figure 22 (B), the preceding overlapping sheet PJ before the insertion process is guided to the evacuation transport path K7 by the switching claws 17, 18 and discharged onto the discharge tray 13 (first discharge tray) without being subjected to lamination processing, and the following middle sheet PM before the insertion process is discharged to the second discharge tray 55 by the switching claw 17.
When controlled in this manner, the superimposed sheet PJ and the intermediate sheet PM are discharged separately in the event of an abnormality, and therefore, when reused thereafter, there is no need to separate the superimposed sheet PJ from the intermediate sheet PM.
In addition, in the fifth variant, in the event of an abnormality, the overlapping sheet PJ and the middle sheet PM are discharged to separate discharge trays 13, 55. However, as shown in FIG. 23, in the event of an abnormality, the overlapping sheet PJ and the middle sheet PM can also be discharged to the discharge tray 13 (first discharge tray) via the evacuation transport path K7.
Furthermore, in the fifth modification, even if no abnormality occurs, the user can operate the operation display panel 49 to set the polymerized sheet PJ with the middle sheet PM inserted (where the peeling and insertion processes have been completed) to be discharged to the discharge tray 13 via the exit transport path K7 without laminating. Such a setting is used when the user wants to get an idea of the final product with the middle sheet PM inserted into the polymerized sheet PJ without laminating. With such a setting, the polymerized sheet PJ and the middle sheet PM are not laminated, so they can be reused after checking the image (no sheets are wasted).

<Modification 6>
24, an image forming apparatus 100 as a sixth modified example has the lamination processing device 50 shown in FIG. 1 installed in an image forming apparatus main body that forms an image on a sheet P. However, in this image forming apparatus 100, a sheet P fed and transported by a feed roller 197 from a feed device 112 installed in the image forming apparatus main body 100 is transported to the lamination processing device 50 as a middle sheet PM.
24, in image forming apparatus 100, first, document D is transported (fed) from the document table in the direction of the arrow in the figure by a transport roller of document transport device 110, and passes over document reading device 102. At this time, document reading device 102 optically reads image information of document D passing above.
The optical image information read by the document reading device 102 is converted into an electrical signal and then transmitted to the writing device 103. Then, the writing device 103 emits laser light based on the image information of the electrical signal toward each of the photoconductor drums 105Y, 105M, 105C, and 105K for each color, and an exposure process is performed.
Then, a charging process, an exposure process, and a development process are performed on the photoconductor drums 105Y, 105M, 105C, and 105K of the image forming units 104Y, 104M, 104C, and 104K, respectively, to form desired images on the photoconductor drums 105Y, 105M, 105C, and 105K, respectively.
Thereafter, the images formed on the photoconductor drums 105Y, 105M, 105C, and 105K are transferred as a color image onto the intermediate transfer belt 178 in a superimposed state. Furthermore, the color image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 178 is transferred to a position facing the secondary transfer roller 189 onto a sheet P (which will become the middle sheet PM) fed and conveyed by a feed roller 197 from the feed device 112 as a second feeding means.
Thereafter, the sheet P (middle sheet PM) onto which the color image has been transferred is conveyed to the position of the fixing device 120. Then, the color image transferred onto the front surface is fixed onto the sheet P.
Thereafter, the sheet P is discharged from the image forming apparatus main body 100 by the discharge roller pair 131, and is fed as the middle sheet PM into the lamination processing device 50. At this time, in the lamination processing device 50, the process previously described with reference to Figures 4 to 7 (the peeling process for peeling off the polymerized sheet PJ) has been completed, and the process described with reference to Figure 8 (the process for inserting the middle sheet PM into the polymerized sheet PJ) is performed after the middle sheet PM is inserted into the lamination processing device 50. Furthermore, after the lamination process is performed in the lamination processing unit 51 on the polymerized sheet PM with the middle sheet PM inserted, the polymerized sheet PJ is discharged out of the apparatus by the discharge roller pair 8 and placed on the discharge tray 13.
In this way, a series of image forming processes (printing operations) in the image forming apparatus 1 and a series of sheet peeling and laminating processes using the intermediate sheet PM on which an image has been formed are completed.
Also in the sixth modified example, when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred based on the detection results of the first and second sensors 41, 42 (detection means), the lamination process is stopped.
The image forming apparatus 100 is provided with an operation display panel 49. When it is determined that an abnormality has been detected by the sixth sensor 46 (abnormality detection sensor), a message is displayed on the operation display panel 49 indicating that the peeling operation or the insertion operation of the middle sheet PM has been stopped due to the occurrence of the abnormality.
In addition, in the sixth modification, the present invention is applied to a color image forming apparatus 100, but it is of course possible to apply the present invention to a monochrome image forming apparatus. In addition, in the sixth modification, the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus 100, but the application of the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied to other types of image forming apparatus (for example, an inkjet type image forming apparatus, a stencil printer, etc.).

<Modification 7>
25, in an image forming system 200 as modified example 7, a lamination processing device 50 including a sheet peeling unit 1 and a lamination processing unit 51 is detachably installed in an image forming apparatus main body 100 including an image forming unit 101. Also in modified example 7, a sheet P fed and transported by a feeding roller 197 from a feeding device 112 installed in the image forming apparatus main body 100 is transported to the lamination processing device 50 as a middle sheet PM.
25, in the image forming system 200, the sheet P (which is the middle sheet PM on which the desired image has been formed) discharged from the discharge roller pair 131 of the image forming apparatus 100 after passing through the image forming process previously described with reference to Fig. 24 is fed into the laminating device 50 and then inserted into the polymerized sheet PJ in the same manner, and then laminated, and is discharged by the discharge roller pair 7 and placed on the discharge tray 13. Also in the seventh modification, when it is determined that there is an abnormality based on the detection results of the first and second sensors 41, 42 (detection means) when laminating is to be performed, the laminating process is stopped.
On the other hand, if lamination processing is not selected from the beginning and lamination processing is not performed, in the image forming system 200, the sheet P on which an image has been formed through the image formation process is discharged outside the apparatus from the second discharge roller pair 132 of the image forming apparatus 100 and placed on the second discharge tray 150.
Here, the lamination processing device 50 is detachably installed in the image forming apparatus main body 100, and when the lamination processing device 50 is not needed, it can be removed from the image forming apparatus 100. When the lamination processing device 50 is removed in this manner, the placement surface 149 on which the lamination processing device 50 was placed functions as a discharge tray, on which the sheet P (the sheet P on which the desired image is formed) discharged from the discharge roller pair 131 to the outside of the apparatus is placed.

As described above, the lamination device 50 in this embodiment is provided with a sheet peeling section 1 that performs a peeling process to peel off the non-jointed portion of the polymerized sheet PJ, which is made up of two sheets P1 and P2 superimposed on each other and joined at one end as a joint A, and performs an insertion process to insert the middle sheet PM between the two sheets P1 and P2 in the peeled state. Also provided is a lamination processing section 51 that performs a lamination process on the polymerized sheet PJ after the peeling process and the insertion process are performed by the sheet peeling section 1. Furthermore, at least before the lamination process, first and second sensors 41 and 42 (detection means) are provided to detect the size difference between the polymerized sheet PJ and the middle sheet PM. Then, when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred based on the detection results of the first and second sensors 41 and 42 (detection means) under preset conditions, the lamination process is stopped.
This makes it possible to reduce the inconvenience of laminating the polymerized sheet PJ with the intermediate sheet PM inserted in the polymerized sheet PJ when the size difference between the polymerized sheet PJ and the intermediate sheet PM is not normal.

In this embodiment, the two branched transport paths K4 and K5 are configured to branch off in different directions with the third transport path K3 (transport path) sandwiched between the peeling claw 16 (peeling member) and the winding roller 20. Alternatively, the two branched transport paths K4 and K5 can be configured to branch off in different directions with the third transport path K3 (transport path) sandwiched between them at the position of the peeling claw 16 (peeling member).
In addition, in this embodiment, the two branched conveying paths K4, K5 are formed in an approximately U-shape so as to spread out from the branching portion to the right in Figure 2, but the shape of the two branched conveying paths K4, K5 is not limited to this. For example, the two branched conveying paths K4, K5 can be formed in an approximately U-shape so as to spread out from the branching portion to the left in Figure 2, or the two branched conveying paths K4, K5 (see Figure 21) can be formed in an approximately S-shape so as to spread out in different directions to the left and right from the branching portion.
In addition, in this embodiment, the first and second sensors 41, 42 are used as detection means for detecting the size difference between the polymer sheet PJ and the middle sheet PM at least before the lamination process is performed, but the detection means is not limited to these as long as it can detect the size difference before the lamination process is performed.
Even in such cases, the same effects as those of this embodiment can be obtained.

It is clear that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and that within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention, this embodiment may be modified as appropriate in ways other than those suggested in this embodiment. Furthermore, the number, position, shape, etc. of the components are not limited to this embodiment, and may be any number, position, shape, etc. that is suitable for implementing the present invention.

In this specification, the "end face" of a polymerized sheet is defined as the face (side face) in the thickness direction that connects the front and back surfaces of the polymerized sheet. Therefore, a rectangular polymerized sheet has four end faces, front, back, left and right.

1 sheet peeling portion,
6 third conveying roller pair (conveying roller pair),
11 first feeding tray,
12 second feed tray,
13 discharge tray,
16 peeling claw (peeling member, switching member),
20 Winding roller,
41 first sensor (detection means),
42 second sensor (detection means),
50 Lamination processing device,
51 Lamination processing section (fixing section),
55 Second discharge tray (discharge section),
100 Image forming apparatus (image forming apparatus main body),
200 Image forming system,
PJ: Polymerized sheet (laminate film), A: Joint,
PM inner sheet (inner paper),
K4, K5: Branch transport path,
K6: fourth transport path (transport path), K7: evacuation transport path.

JP 2006-160429 A

Claims (14)

a sheet peeling unit that performs a peeling process to peel off a non-jointed portion of a polymerized sheet having two sheets superposed and joined at one end as a joint, and then performs an insertion process to insert a middle sheet between the two sheets in the peeled state;
a lamination processing unit that performs a lamination process on the polymerized sheet after the peeling process and the insertion process are performed by the sheet peeling unit;
a detection means for detecting a size difference between the polymerized sheet and the intermediate sheet at least before lamination processing is performed;
Equipped with
This lamination processing device is characterized in that when the detection means detects a state in which the size of the intermediate sheet is smaller than the size of the polymerized sheet and the size difference exceeds a predetermined threshold, it determines that an abnormality has occurred and stops the lamination process. a sheet peeling unit that performs a peeling process to peel off a non-jointed portion of a polymerized sheet having two sheets superposed and joined at one end as a joint, and then performs an insertion process to insert a middle sheet between the two sheets in the peeled state;
a lamination processing unit that performs a lamination process on the polymerized sheet after the peeling process and the insertion process are performed by the sheet peeling unit;
a detection means for detecting a size difference between the polymerized sheet and the intermediate sheet at least before lamination processing is performed;
Equipped with
A lamination processing device characterized in that, when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred based on the detection results of the detection means, the polymerized sheet and the intermediate sheet are discharged to a discharge section without passing through the lamination processing section. a sheet peeling unit that performs a peeling process to peel off a non-jointed portion of a polymerized sheet having two sheets superposed and joined at one end as a joint, and then performs an insertion process to insert a middle sheet between the two sheets in the peeled state;
a lamination processing unit that performs a lamination process on the polymerized sheet after the peeling process and the insertion process are performed by the sheet peeling unit;
a detection means for detecting a size difference between the polymerized sheet and the intermediate sheet at least before lamination processing is performed;
Equipped with
When it is determined that an abnormality has occurred based on the detection result of the detection means under a preset condition, the lamination process is stopped,
The lamination processing apparatus is characterized in that the conditions can be changed by an operator's operation. a sheet peeling unit that performs a peeling process to peel off a non-jointed portion of a polymerized sheet having two sheets superposed and joined at one end as a joint, and then performs an insertion process to insert a middle sheet between the two sheets in the peeled state;
a lamination processing unit that performs a lamination process on the polymerized sheet after the peeling process and the insertion process are performed by the sheet peeling unit;
a detection means for detecting a size difference between the polymerized sheet and the intermediate sheet at least before lamination processing is performed;
Equipped with
The sheet peeling unit is
a winding roller that rotates in a predetermined direction to wind the polymerized sheet;
a pair of conveying rollers that convey the polymerized sheet toward the winding roller in a conveying path formed between the pair of conveying rollers and the winding roller, with the other end side of the polymerized sheet opposite to the one end side of the polymerized sheet leading the way;
a peeling member that is inserted into a gap formed between the two sheets between the winding roller and the pair of conveying rollers with respect to the polymerized sheet in a state in which the polymerized sheet is wound from the other end side by the winding roller and the one end side is sandwiched between the pair of conveying rollers;
a switching member that guides the two sheets peeled off by the peeling member to two branched conveying paths that branch off in different directions;
Equipped with
A lamination processing apparatus characterized in that, when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred based on the detection result of said detection means under preset conditions, the lamination processing is stopped. 5. The lamination processing device according to claim 1, further comprising: a detecting means for detecting a state in which the size of the intermediate sheet is larger than the size of the polymerized sheet, and determining that an abnormality has occurred. A lamination processing device as described in any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that when the detection means detects a state in which the size of the intermediate sheet is smaller than the size of the polymerized sheet and the size difference exceeds a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred. 7. The lamination processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the threshold value is changeable by an operator. A lamination processing device as described in any one of claims 1, 3 to 7, characterized in that when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred based on the detection results of the detection means, the polymerized sheet and the intermediate sheet are discharged to a discharge section without passing through the lamination processing section. The apparatus includes two of the discharge sections,
A lamination processing device as described in claim 2 or claim 8, characterized in that when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred based on the detection results of the detection means, at least the insertion process of the peeling process and the insertion process is not performed, and the polymerized sheet and the intermediate sheet are not passed through the lamination processing section, but the polymerized sheet is discharged to one of the two discharge sections and the intermediate sheet is discharged to the other. A lamination processing device as described in any one of claims 1, 3 to 7, characterized in that when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred based on the detection results of the detection means, the transport of the polymerized sheet and the intermediate sheet is stopped before the polymerized sheet and the intermediate sheet reach the lamination processing unit. 11. The lamination processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred based on the detection result of said detection means, a notification to that effect is given. 12. The lamination processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection means detects the size of the polymerized sheet and the intermediate sheet in at least one of the conveying direction and the width direction. A lamination processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
an image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A lamination processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet;
An image forming system comprising:

Images