JP7625890B2 - Image forming system, image forming apparatus, and sheet processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, and a sheet processing apparatus.

A technique known as lamination is known in which two sheets are stacked and joined (connected) at one side to form a two-ply sheet (laminate sheet or laminate film), and then an inner layer (paper, photo, etc.) is inserted between the two sheets, and the two sheets are bonded together by applying heat and pressure.

In conventional laminating machines, the inner sheets (paper, photos, etc.) to be sandwiched between the film must be sandwiched by hand one by one, but because the film has a layer of adhesive on the inside, it is difficult to peel off by hand, and after peeling it off, it is also troublesome to sandwich the sheets to be sandwiched in the correct position. In addition, when one sheet is prepared and set in the processing machine (laminator), it takes 30 to 60 seconds to laminate, so it is necessary to wait until the next processing. As a result, even if only a few dozen sheets are laminated, the person cannot leave the laminating processing device for a long time, and the user must repeat the work of sandwiching the sheets, setting it, laminating, sandwiching the sheets while waiting, etc., which requires time and manpower. In addition, if you try to avoid this, you need a dedicated laminating device that uses roll film, which is very expensive (hundreds of thousands to millions of yen).

Patent document 1 discloses a laminating device that peels apart laminated sheets that are connected on one side and inserts an inner sheet between them.

However, when this laminating device is configured to be connectable to an image forming device, if there is output that does not require lamination, the discharge path (paper discharge path) used during normal printing is not provided, so when an attempt is made to discharge a sheet from the laminating device, the sheet passes through a sheet processing path that includes a peeling path and a heat fixing section. In this case, heat is applied to the sheet, which can result in a deterioration in image quality if an image is printed on the sheet.

In addition, even if the image forming device issues an output command that does not require lamination while the laminating device is peeling off the sheets and inserting the inner paper, the sheet processing path in which the lamination is being performed still feeds and peels the sheets, inserts the inner paper, and transports the sheets to the thermal fixing unit after processing. As a result, outputs that do not require lamination must wait until each operation in the lamination process is completed, resulting in a decrease in the productivity of that output.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system that can perform copying, printing, etc. that do not require lamination processing without causing a decrease in image quality and productivity, even while the sheet is being laminated on the first transport path.

This problem is solved by an image forming system including an image forming device that forms an image on a sheet, and a sheet processing device that performs lamination processing on the sheet, the sheet being a first sheet formed by overlapping two sheets and joining a portion of the first sheet with a second sheet on which an image has been formed by the image forming device arranged upstream of the sheet processing device, the sheet processing device including a lamination processing section, a first stacking means for stacking the first sheet, a sheet processing path as a first transport path for transporting the sheet and performing lamination processing, which is a first transport path for peeling off the first sheet and sandwiching the second sheet therebetween, and a lamination processing section for laminating the first sheet with the second sheet. The problem is solved by an image forming system which is provided with a second transport path for transporting the sheet without laminating it, and a paper discharge path as a second transport path capable of discharging the second sheet by bypassing the lamination processing section , and when a plurality of print jobs are instructed including both a print job of 1 or N copies (N≧2) in which lamination processing is performed by the sheet processing device, and a print job in which lamination processing is not performed by the sheet processing device, the print job in which lamination processing is not performed is executed while any M copies (1≦M<N) of the print job in which lamination processing is performed is being executed, and the sheet is transported on the second transport path.

Even during lamination of the sheet on the first transport path, copying, printing, and the like that do not require lamination can be performed without causing a decrease in image quality and productivity.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram (part 1) showing a main part of the sheet processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a second configuration diagram showing the main parts of the sheet processing apparatus; FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram (part 3) showing the main parts of the sheet processing apparatus; FIG. 4 is a fourth diagram showing the configuration of the main part of the sheet processing apparatus; FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration diagram (part 5) of a main part of the sheet processing apparatus; FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a main part of the sheet processing apparatus; FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a main part of the sheet processing apparatus; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus including the sheet processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing a main part of the sheet processing apparatus; FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing a main part of the sheet processing apparatus; FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a main part of the sheet processing apparatus; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an operation panel 10 installed in the sheet processing apparatus 100. 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another state of the sheet processing apparatus 100 in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another state of the sheet processing apparatus 100 in FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a sheet processing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a sheet processing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a sheet discharge unit of the sheet processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 17 . 2 is a schematic side view showing a lifting unit for lifting and lowering the paper discharge tray 104. FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a sheet processing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a sheet sorting mechanism that sorts sheets when they are discharged onto a paper discharge tray. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of sheets sorted by a sheet sorting mechanism. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus 300, a relay apparatus 310, a sheet processing apparatus 100, and a post-processing apparatus 400. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a part of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a part of the image forming system. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a part of the image forming system. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a part of the image forming system. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a part of the image forming system. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a part of the image forming system. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of executing another job in the image forming system. 31 is a diagram showing an example of executing the same job as in FIG. 30 in an image forming system according to another embodiment. 28 is a modified example of the embodiment of the image forming system shown in FIG. 27. 33 is a modified example of the embodiment of the image forming system shown in FIG. 32. 34 is a modified example of the embodiment of the image forming system shown in FIG. 33. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an image forming system according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an operation panel 10. FIG. 4 is another diagram showing the operation panel 10. 30 is a flowchart showing a series of operations in the image forming system shown in FIGS. 25 to 29. 6 is a flowchart showing a series of operations from a start instruction for each sheet feeding to a sheet discharge.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a sheet processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The sheet processing device 100 of this embodiment separates two stacked sheets (hereinafter referred to as sheets S) from each other, and inserts and clamps a sheet-like medium (hereinafter referred to as inner paper P) between the separated sheets S.

Here, sheet S refers to a two-ply sheet (first sheet) in which two sheets are stacked and a portion (or one side) of the two sheets is joined. For example, a two-ply sheet may have a transparent sheet such as a transparent polyester sheet on one side and a transparent or opaque sheet on the other side, joined together at one side. A laminate film is also included as a two-ply sheet.

The inner paper P is an example of a sheet-like medium that is inserted between these two overlapping sheets. In addition to plain paper, sheet-like media includes cardboard, postcards, envelopes, thin paper, coated paper (coated paper, art paper, etc.), tracing paper, and overhead projector sheets.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet processing apparatus 100 includes a sheet tray 102, which is a first stacking means for stacking sheets S, a pickup roller 105 for feeding sheets S from the sheet tray 102, and a pair of transport rollers 107. The inner sheets P are configured so that they can be fed from a paper feed section 301 of the image forming apparatus 300, which will be described later, and any image can be printed on the inner sheets P to be inserted between the sheets S using a copy or printer of the image forming apparatus 300, and the inner sheets P can be inserted inline.

A transport sensor C1 is provided downstream of the transport roller pair 107 in the transport direction to detect the transport position of the sheet S. In addition, the inner sheet P fed from the image forming device 300 (see FIG. 9) arranged upstream of the sheet processing device 100 is delivered to the inside of the sheet processing device 100 by the inner sheet delivery guide 117 of the sheet processing device 100. The inner sheet delivery guide 117 is provided with a transport sensor C2 that detects the transport position of the inner sheet P.

The sheet processing apparatus 100 further includes, downstream of the conveying roller pair 107, an entrance roller pair 108 as a first conveying means, a winding roller 109 as a rotating member, an exit roller pair 113 as a second conveying means, and a discharge tray 104 as a discharge means for stacking the discharged sheet S. Between the winding roller 109 and the exit roller pair 113, a peeling claw 116 is provided so as to be movable in the width direction of the sheet S.

Downstream of the entrance roller pair 108 in the conveying direction is a conveying sensor C3 that detects the conveying position of the sheet S and the inner paper P, and downstream of the winding roller 109 in the conveying direction is an abnormality detection sensor C4 that detects the state of the sheet S. Downstream of the exit roller pair 113 in the conveying direction is a conveying sensor C5 that detects the conveying position of the sheet S. Also, below the conveying sensor C3 is a peeling sensor C6 that detects the lower part of the peeled sheet S, and above the exit roller pair 113 is a peeling sensor C7 that detects the upper part of the peeled sheet S.

Here, the conveying path provided with the entrance roller pair 108, the winding roller 109, the peeling claw 116, and the exit roller pair 113 forms a sheet processing path 99 for processing sheets. Specifically, the sheet processing path 99 is for peeling off the sheet S as a first sheet, and sandwiching therein an inner sheet P as a second sheet on which an image is formed by an image forming unit 305 disposed upstream of the sheet processing device 100.
The sheet processing path 99 may include a heat and pressure roller 120 that is a heat and pressure member capable of applying heat and pressure to the sheet S. This enables the sheet processing device to perform lamination processing including heating, and the productivity of the entire system can be improved by performing another job using the paper discharge path during the heating process.

The sheet processing device 100 has a branch claw 118 provided downstream in the transport direction of the sheet processing path 99, and a heat pressurized transport path 128 formed downstream in the transport direction. The heat pressurized transport path 128 includes a heat pressurized roller 120 and an ejection roller 121 provided downstream of the heat pressurized roller 120 and near the paper ejection outlet.

The heat pressurizing roller 120, which is a heat pressurizing member, applies heat and pressure to the sheet S that sandwiches the inner paper P, which is a sheet-like medium. The sheet is discharged from the paper discharge port by the discharge roller 121 and is discharged and stacked on the paper discharge tray 104.

The sheet processing device 100 also has a paper discharge path 124 that can discharge the second sheet, paper or inner pages P, to the paper discharge tray 104 without passing through the sheet processing path 99, and a branch claw 119 upstream of the sheet processing path 99 that is a switching means that can switch the transport destination of the paper or inner pages P to the paper discharge path 124 or the sheet processing path 99 depending on the information on the paper or inner pages P. The paper discharge path 124 is provided with transport rollers 125, 127, and 129 that transport the paper or inner pages P, and a discharge roller 123 provided near the paper discharge outlet. The paper or inner pages P discharged from the paper discharge outlet by the discharge roller 123 is discharged and stacked on the paper discharge tray 104.

In this way, the sheet processing device 100 has a paper discharge path 124 that can discharge paper without passing through the sheet processing path 99, and a branch claw 119 that is a switching means that can guide paper or inner pages P to the paper discharge path 124 upstream of the sheet processing path 99. This allows inner pages P that require lamination to be guided to the sheet processing path 99, and paper that does not require lamination such as copying or printing to be guided to the paper discharge path 124 and discharged. Therefore, even during sheet processing such as during the feeding and peeling operation of the sheet S in the sheet processing path 99, or during insertion of the inner pages P and transport to the heat and pressure roller 120 after sheet processing, normal printing (printing jobs using a copy or printer, etc.) in which paper is discharged without lamination can be performed, and the productivity of printing that does not require lamination increases.

The sheet processing device 100 is also characterized by having a branch claw 119, which is a switching means for guiding a sheet to the sheet processing path 99 or the paper discharge path 124, upstream of the junction of the transport paths of the first sheet, sheet S, and the second sheet, inner sheet P. This makes it possible to guide copy or print paper that does not require lamination to the paper discharge path 124 by the branch claw 119 and discharge it to the paper discharge tray 104, even while the sheet S is being fed in the sheet processing path 99.

The exterior of the sheet processing device 100 is provided with an operation panel 10, which is a display and operation means for displaying information on the sheet processing device 100 and accepting operation inputs. The operation panel 10 also serves as a notification means for issuing a sensory signal to the user. Alternatively, the sheet processing device 100 may be configured to have a separate notification means other than the operation panel 10.

The entrance roller pair 108 and the exit roller pair 113 are, for example, two pairs of rollers each, and are driven to rotate by a driving means (such as a motor). The entrance roller pair 108 is driven to rotate in one direction, and the exit roller pair 113 is driven to rotate in the forward and reverse directions, thereby sandwiching and transporting the sheet S and the inner paper P.

The entrance roller pair 108 transports the sheet S and the inner paper P toward the exit roller pair 113. This transport direction is called the forward transport direction (the direction of the arrow A: see Figure 2).

On the other hand, the pair of exit rollers 113 can switch their rotation between forward and reverse directions. They can transport the clamped sheet S toward the discharge tray 104 (see FIG. 1), which is the forward transport direction, and can also transport the sheet S toward the winding roller 109, which is the reverse direction (pull-back direction). This direction of transport toward the winding roller 109 (the opposite direction to the forward transport direction) is called the reverse transport direction (the direction of arrow B: see FIG. 3).

The sheet processing device 100 also includes a winding roller 109 and a peeling claw 116, which are rotating members, between the pair of entrance rollers 108 and the pair of exit rollers 113. The winding roller 109 is driven to rotate in the forward and reverse directions by a driving means (such as a motor), and its rotation can be switched between two directions (clockwise/counterclockwise).

The winding roller 109 has a roller member 111 and a movable gripping means 110 that is provided on the roller member 111 and grips the sheet S. The movable gripping means 110 is characterized by gripping the leading edge of the sheet S together with the roller member 111. The gripping means 110 may be molded integrally with the outer periphery of the roller member 111, or may be configured as a separate part.

Next, a series of operations of the sheet processing device 100, from peeling off the sheet S to inserting the inner paper P, will be described using Figures 1 to 12.

In FIG. 1, the sheets S on the sheet tray 102 are stacked so that a portion of the joined two sheets is located downstream of the pickup roller 105 in the feed direction (conveyance direction). The sheet processing device 100 then picks up the sheet S on the sheet tray 102 with the pickup roller 105 and conveys it toward the entrance roller pair 108 by the conveyance roller pair 107.

Next, the inlet roller pair 108 transports the sheet S toward the winding roller 109. Here, the sheet processing device 100 transports the sheet S with the side where the end, which is one of the four sides of the sheet S, is joined as the downstream side in the forward transport direction (the direction of the arrow A).

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram (part 1) showing the main part of the sheet processing apparatus shown in FIG.
2, the sheet processing apparatus 100 temporarily stops the conveyance of the sheet S when the rear end of the sheet S in the forward conveyance direction passes the winding roller 109. Note that these operations are triggered by detection of the leading end of the sheet S by the conveyance sensor C3, and are performed by conveying the sheet S by a specified amount from the conveyance sensor C3.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the sheet processing device 100 opens the gripping means 110, reverses the rotation direction of the exit roller pair 113, and transports the sheet S in the reverse transport direction (the direction of the arrow B) toward the opening of the gripping means 110.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the sheet processing apparatus 100 stops conveying the sheet S when the end of the sheet S is inserted into the open gripping means 110, and closes the gripping means 110 to grip the end of the sheet S. Specifically, the gripping means 110 is configured to pinch and grip the sheet S between itself and the receiving portion 115 of the winding roller 109 in a direction perpendicular to the end of the sheet S. The receiving portion 115 is formed so that it can face the gripping means 110. These operations are performed by conveying the sheet S a specified amount.

In this embodiment, at least one of the gripping means 110 and the receiving portion 115 is formed from an elastic material such as rubber, a spring, or a leaf spring. This increases the gripping force on the sheet S and makes it less likely that the surface of the sheet S will be scratched, compared to when both the gripping means 110 and the receiving portion 115 are formed from a rigid body such as a metal or resin material. In particular, when both the gripping means 110 and the receiving portion 115 are formed from an elastic material, this effect is more easily achieved.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the sheet processing apparatus 100 rotates the winding roller 109 counterclockwise to wind the sheet S around the winding roller 109. Here, the sheet S is wound around the winding roller 109 from the side of the two sheets that is not joined.

The winding roller 109 is configured to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions around the rotating shaft 112 by the drive motor controlled by the control unit.

6A is a side view showing a state in which the peeling claw is inserted into the sheet S, and FIG. 6B is a perspective view showing a state in which the peeling claw is inserted into the sheet S. As shown in FIG.
6A and 6B, when the sheet S is wound around the winding roller 109, the difference in winding circumference (difference in winding amount) of the two overlapping sheets causes excess sheet on the inner circumference side, and slack occurs toward the joined end of the sheet S. As a result, a space is created between the two sheets. By inserting the peeling claws 116 into this created space from both sides of the sheet S, it is possible to reliably maintain the space between the two sheets. Note that these operations are triggered by detection of the leading edge of the sheet S by the transport sensor C5, and are performed by transporting the sheet S by a specified amount from the transport sensor C5.

With the peeling claw 116 inserted into the space created in the sheet S (see FIG. 6), the sheet processing device 100 rotates the winding roller 109 clockwise, and moves the peeled space in the sheet S to the rear end of the sheet S in the forward transport direction (arrow A direction) as shown in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b). Then, when the specified amount of movement has been reached, the gripping means 110 is released, and the rear end of the sheet S is separated into upper and lower parts.

In this state, the sheet processing device 100 temporarily stops transporting the sheet S, and then moves the peeling claw 116 further in the sheet width direction to peel off the entire rear end of the sheet S. Note that these operations are triggered by the detection of the leading edge of the sheet S by the transport sensor C5, and are performed by transporting the sheet S a specified amount from the transport sensor C5.

Figure 7 (b) is a perspective view showing the state of the peeling claw 116 and the sheet S in the state shown in Figure 7 (a). The peeling claw 116 also has the shape (function) of a bifurcating claw that guides the peeled sheets S in different directions, so that the two sheets of the sheet S are in a position that allows them to be transported along different paths.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the sheet processing apparatus 100 rotates the pair of exit rollers 113 counterclockwise from the state in which the entire rear end of the sheet S has been peeled off, and transports the sheet S in the reverse transport direction (the direction of the arrow B). That is, the two peeled sheets of the sheet S are guided in the vertical direction by the peeling claws 116, and the two sheets are entirely peeled off from each other.

Then, the sheet processing apparatus 100 temporarily stops conveying the sheet S, and the joint of the sheet S is gripped (nipped) by the pair of exit rollers 113. Therefore, the sheet S opens widely with the jointed side as the end. The series of operations up to this point is the peeling operation.

These operations are triggered by the detection of the leading edge of sheet S by transport sensor C5, and are performed by transporting a specified amount from transport sensor C5.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus including the sheet processing apparatus shown in FIG.
The image forming apparatus 300 has a paper feed section 301 arranged at the bottom of the apparatus for storing and feeding the inner sheets P, a paper feed means 303 for feeding the inner sheets P from the paper feed section 301, an image forming section 305 arranged above the paper feed section 301 and capable of forming an image on the inner sheets P, and a paper discharge path 307 for discharging the inner sheets P with the image formed thereon. The inner sheets P conveyed through the image forming apparatus 300 are delivered into the sheet processing apparatus 100 by an inner sheet delivery guide 117 of the sheet processing apparatus 100 arranged downstream.

After the peeling operation in FIG. 8 is completed, the inner paper P is fed from the image forming device 300 as shown in FIG. 9. The inner paper P is fed from the paper feed section 301 of the image forming device 300, and is delivered to the inner paper delivery guide 117 of the sheet processing device 100 via the paper discharge path 307. At this time, an image may be formed on the inner paper P by the image forming section 305.

In addition, a main body paper discharge path and a main body paper discharge tray may be provided above the paper discharge path 307 of the image forming device shown in FIG. 9. This makes it possible to discharge paper from the image forming device 300 even if lamination processing is not performed. By configuring it in this way, when output that does not require lamination processing is performed from the image forming device in the setting shown in FIG. 13, paper can be discharged without passing through the lamination processing unit, so it can be discharged without losing the output speed of the image forming device main body.

As shown in FIG. 1, by configuring at least the sheet processing path 99 to be detachable from the image forming device 300, it is possible to configure the sheet processing device 100 so that it can peel off and laminate the laminate film even without the image forming device 300.

Next, as shown in FIG. 10, the sheet processing device 100 rotates the pair of entrance rollers 108 to transport the inner sheet P transported from the paper feed tray 103 (see FIG. 1) in the forward transport direction (the direction of arrow A) toward the pair of exit rollers 113.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the sheet processing device 100 rotates the pair of exit rollers 113 to merge the sheet S and the inner paper P, and inserts the inner paper P into the opened sheet S.

Next, as shown in FIG. 12, the sheet processing device 100 transports the sheet S with the inner paper P inserted in the forward transport direction (arrow direction) by the pair of exit rollers 113, thereby stacking the two sheets of the sheet S again and closing the opening. Then, the sheet S with the inner paper P sandwiched therebetween is transported to the heat pressurizing transport path 128 leading to the heat pressurizing device by the pair of exit rollers 113, the branch claw 118, and rollers arranged thereafter. The states shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 12 are the basic sheet S feeding and peeling operations, the inner paper insertion operation, and the transport operation of the sheet S with the inner paper P inserted to the heat pressurizing transport path 128.

In this way, the sheet processing device 100 of this embodiment can open the sheet S widely and insert and clamp the inner paper P therein. Therefore, it has a simpler configuration than the laminating device of Patent Document 1, which uses a vacuum device, for example, and the entire device can be simplified and made smaller.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an operation panel 10 installed in the sheet processing apparatus 100. As shown in FIG.
A user can use the operation panel 10 to select whether to laminate the sheet and then discharge it (lamination mode) or to perform normal printing without laminating the sheet and then discharge it (copy/print mode). When the copy/print mode is selected, the sheet is transported through the paper discharge path 124 and discharged. By providing the sheet processing apparatus 100 with such a user interface, the user can select the normal printing mode or the lamination mode, and when the normal printing mode is selected, the sheet can be discharged to the paper discharge tray 104 without passing through the sheet processing path 99.

Here, by setting sheet information for each sheet as to whether or not to perform lamination processing before starting a print job, the sheet processing apparatus 100 can determine whether or not to perform lamination processing based on the sheet received when the sheet is received.

In this embodiment, the operation panel 10 is used as an example, but the lamination processing mode and the copy/print mode may also be switched using a printer driver, a switch, etc.

Therefore, the sheet processing device 100 switches the branch claw 119 depending on the sheet information passed from the image forming device 300 to the sheet processing device 100, specifically, depending on whether lamination processing (sheet processing) is to be performed, whether the sheet is an inner sheet P to be sandwiched between peeled sheets S, whether a copy/print mode is to be performed, or whether the sheet is a paper that is not to be sandwiched between sheets S.

<Sheet to be laminated>
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing another state of the sheet processing apparatus 100 of FIG.
13 to perform lamination processing (sheet processing), or when the sheet is an inner sheet P to be sandwiched between the peeled sheets S, the sheet processing apparatus 100 switches the branching claw 119 to the lower position as shown in FIG. 14, and guides the inner sheet P to be inserted between the sheets S to the sheet processing path 99. Next, the sheet S with the inner sheet P inserted therein is transported to the heat and pressure rollers 120, where it is subjected to lamination processing, and is transported by the discharge rollers 121 and discharged to the paper discharge tray 104.

<Unlaminated sheet>
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing another state of the sheet processing apparatus 100 of FIG.
13 and lamination processing (sheet processing) is not performed or the sheet is not to be sandwiched between the sheets S, the sheet processing apparatus 100 switches the branch claw 119 to the upper position as shown in FIG. 15 to guide the sheet delivered from the image forming apparatus 300 to the sheet discharge path 124. Next, the sheet is transported through the sheet discharge path 124 by transport rollers 125, 127, 129 and discharge roller 123, and is discharged to the same discharge tray 104 as the sheet S transported through the sheet processing path 99 and the heat and pressure transport path 128.

As described above, by providing a paper discharge path 124 that does not pass through the sheet processing path 99, it is possible to discharge paper or inner sheets P that are not to be laminated even during the sheet processing operation of the sheet processing device 100.

When there is an output that does not require lamination during the basic peeling operation of the sheet S (other than the feeding operation of the inner sheet P from the image forming device 300 after the peeling operation is completed) and during the transport operation to the heat and pressure roller 120, the branch claw 119 can be switched to guide the paper to the paper discharge path 124, and the paper can be discharged to the paper discharge tray 104 by the discharge roller 123.

In addition, if an instruction is given to form an image on a sheet that is not to be sandwiched between sheets S while the sheet S is being processed on the sheet processing path 99, the sheet processing device 100 forms an image on the sheet that is not to be sandwiched between sheets S before forming an image on the inner sheet P that is to be sandwiched between sheets S, and guides the sheet on which the image has been formed to the paper discharge path 124. As a result, even during lamination processing of the sheet S on the sheet processing path 99, an output that does not require lamination, such as a copy or print, can be printed and output from the sheet processing device 100 before a print instruction is given for the inner sheet P in the lamination processing.

In addition, if an instruction is given to form an image on a sheet that is not to be sandwiched between sheets S during processing of sheets S and inner sheets P sandwiched between sheets S in the sheet processing path 99, the sheet processing device 100 forms an image on the sheet that is not to be sandwiched between sheets S, and guides the sheet on which the image has been formed to the paper discharge path 124. As a result, if an instruction is given to insert inner sheets P into sheets S in the sheet processing path 99 and to perform normal printing (copying, printing, etc.) during the paper discharge operation, the paper printed in accordance with the normal printing instruction is guided to the paper discharge path 124, thereby improving the productivity of normal printing.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a sheet processing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
This sheet processing apparatus 100 has a paper discharge path 124 that can discharge paper to a paper discharge tray 104 without passing through the sheet processing path 99, and a branch claw 119, located upstream of the sheet processing path 99, that is a switching unit that can switch the transport destination of paper or inner pages P to the paper discharge path 124 or the sheet processing path 99. Transport rollers 125, 127, and 129 that transport paper are arranged on the paper discharge path 124. The transport path downstream of the branch claw 119 branches into a path including the sheet processing path 99 and the paper discharge path 124, but these paths merge again upstream of the discharge roller 121.

Therefore, the sheet (inner sheet P) transported through the sheet processing path 99 and the sheet (paper) transported through the paper discharge path 124 are discharged to a common paper discharge tray 104 by the discharge rollers 121. This allows the sheet processing device 100 to be made smaller and more space-saving.

In the configuration of the sheet processing device 100 shown in FIG. 14, when sheets are discharged from a transport path formed above the device, the distance to the discharge tray 104 is large, so there is a possibility that the sheets S stacked on the discharge tray 104 may become disarrayed. However, with the configuration of the sheet processing device 100 shown in FIG. 16, stable stacking can be ensured regardless of which transport path the sheets are discharged from.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a sheet processing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
1, 14, and 15, the sheet transport path branches into a fixing path and a non-fixing path at a location where a branching claw 119 is arranged, and the sheet is discharged directly to the sheet discharge tray 104, but the sheet discharge tray 104 is configured to be able to move up and down. As a result, regardless of which transport path the sheet is discharged from, the distance to the sheet discharge tray 104 does not become large, and stable stacking can be ensured.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the sheet discharge unit of the sheet processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 18(a), when the paper is transported through the paper discharge path 124, the paper discharge tray 104 moves to a lower position to receive the paper, and as shown in FIG. 18(b), when the sheet S is transported through a path including the sheet processing path 99, the paper discharge tray 104 moves to an upper position to receive the sheet S that has been subjected to the heat and pressure treatment.

FIG. 19 is a schematic side view showing a lifting means for lifting and lowering the paper discharge tray 104. As shown in FIG.
18, if the discharge tray 104 is raised and lowered, the discharge rollers 121, 123 will interfere with the discharge tray 104. Therefore, the sheet processing apparatus 100 has a lifting means for raising and lowering the discharge tray 104, and the discharge tray 104 is raised and lowered by the lifting means in accordance with the transport path along which the sheets S or paper/paper P are transported. As a result, the sheets S or paper/paper P discharged from either transport path are stacked in the same way, and the stacking quality is stabilized.

As shown in FIG. 19, the lifting means for lifting and lowering the discharge tray 104 includes a guide rail 140 that guides the discharge tray 104 up, down, left, and right, and a towing member 160 made of a belt, wire, or the like that is connected to the discharge tray 104 and pulls the discharge tray 104. The guide rail 140 has a main body that extends vertically and a tip portion that extends obliquely from the main body. This guide rail 140 allows the discharge tray 104 to move not only vertically but also in the sheet conveying direction, so that the discharge rollers 121 and 123 can be avoided when the discharge tray 104 is raised and lowered. In the figure, the discharge tray 104a is engaged with the upper tip portion of the guide rail 140 and is in the upper position (discharge outlet of the lamination processing path), the discharge tray 104c is engaged with the lower tip portion of the guide rail 140 and is in the lower position (discharge outlet of the paper discharge path), and the discharge tray 104b is in the main body of the guide rail 140 and is between the upper position and the lower position. The upper position of the paper output tray 104a is detected by sensor 141a, and the lower position of the paper output tray 104c is detected by sensor 141b.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a sheet processing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
This sheet processing apparatus 100 has a paper discharge tray 104 which is a first stacking means for stacking sheets S transported through the sheet processing path 99 and the heat and pressure transport path 128, and a paper discharge tray 131 which is a second stacking means for stacking paper transported through the paper discharge path 124 without passing through the sheet processing path 99 and the heat and pressure transport path 128. By discharging sheets to be laminated and paper to be normally printed (copied, printed, etc.) without laminating to separate paper discharge trays, the various output products are not mixed together, improving the visibility of sheets and paper and the ease of removal.
The other configurations are similar to those of the sheet processing apparatus 100 of the above-described embodiment.

In addition, in the configuration of the sheet processing device 100 shown in FIG. 14, when sheets are discharged from a transport path formed above the device, the distance to the discharge tray 104 is large, so there is a possibility that the sheets S stacked on the discharge tray 104 may become disorganized. However, with the configuration of the sheet processing device 100 shown in FIG. 20, stable stacking can be ensured regardless of which transport path the sheets are discharged from.

FIG. 21 is a schematic plan view showing a sheet sorting mechanism that sorts sheets when they are discharged onto a paper discharge tray.
The sheet processing device 100 has a sheet sorting mechanism 130 that can change the stacking position of the sheets S on the discharge tray 104 in a direction perpendicular to the sheet transport direction, and the sheets S and paper/inner pages P discharged to the discharge tray 104 are sorted on the discharge tray 104 by the sheet sorting mechanism 130. By shifting, sorting, and discharging the sheets to be laminated and the papers that are not laminated but are normally printed (copied or printed, etc.), the various output items are not mixed together, improving the visibility of the sheets/paper and the ease of removal.

For example, one or both of the discharge rollers 121 and 123 can be changed to shift rollers that can move in a direction perpendicular to the sheet transport direction (left and right direction in the drawing) as shown in FIG. 21.

Specifically, the sheet sorting mechanism 130 as shown in the figure is installed on, for example, the discharge roller 121. The sheet sorting mechanism 130 has a shift cam 132, a shift link 134, a shift cam stud 136, and a shift HP sensor 138. When the shift cam 132 rotates, the shift link 134 follows the movement of the shift cam stud 136, so that the discharge roller 121 moves in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction, and the sheets S are shifted to sort the sheets on the discharge tray. As viewed from the home position of the sheet sorting mechanism 130 shown in FIG. 21(a), the discharge roller 121 moves to the right in FIG. 21(b) and discharges the sheets S further to the right, and in FIG. 21(c) the discharge roller 121 moves to the left and discharges the sheets S further to the left.

FIG. 22 is a schematic perspective view of the sheets sorted by the sheet sorting mechanism.
The sheets S discharged while being shifted by the sheet sorting mechanism 130 shown in FIG. 21 are stacked separately on the discharge tray 104 as shown in FIG. 22, making it easy to distinguish between sheets that have been heat-pressurized and laminated and sheets that have been output by normal printing.

In addition, the sheet sorting mechanism may be configured so that the discharge tray 104 can move in a direction perpendicular to the sheet transport direction, or may be equipped with a mechanism for moving the sheet S toward the discharge outlet.

The lamination processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention also includes the sheet processing device 100 described above, and a heat pressurizing roller 120, which is a heat pressurizing member capable of heating and pressurizing the sheet S, downstream of the sheet processing path 99.

The image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the sheet processing apparatus 100 described above and an image forming unit 305 arranged upstream of the sheet processing apparatus. The sheet processing apparatus 100 may be built into the image forming apparatus.

The image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention also includes a sheet processing device 100 provided inside the image forming device 300, and a post-processing device provided downstream in the conveying direction of the sheet processing device 100. The post-processing device can, for example, staple printed sheets.

23 is a schematic diagram showing an image forming system including an image forming apparatus 300, a relay apparatus 310, a sheet processing apparatus 100, and a post-processing apparatus 400. In the following description, parts having the same functions as those of the above-mentioned apparatuses are given the same reference numerals. The image forming apparatus 300 has an operation panel 10.
This image forming system is configured to be able to feed the inner pages P from the image forming apparatus 300 via the relay device 310, and any image can be inserted in-line using a method that utilizes a copier or printer. Therefore, a series of operations from feeding the sheets S to peeling, inserting the inner pages, and laminating by heat and pressure can be performed without the need for human labor, which improves convenience compared to the conventional technology.

In the case of a print job that involves lamination, the sheet processing apparatus 100 feeds the sheet S from the sheet tray 102, where the sheets S are stacked, using the pickup roller 105 and the pair of conveying rollers 107. The peeled sheet S is then held by the pair of exit rollers 113, and the inner sheet P fed from the image forming apparatus 300 is received by the entrance rollers 146, merged with the sheet S by the pair of entrance rollers 108, and laminated by heating with the heat and pressure roller 120. The laminated sheet and the inner sheet SG are loaded onto the discharge tray 104 by the discharge rollers 121.

Therefore, lamination requires time to peel off the sheet S and time to apply the necessary heat to the sheet S with the inner paper P inserted. As described above, in the past, other jobs could not be executed during a lamination job, which resulted in a problem of reduced productivity of the system as a whole. According to the present invention, as described below, while a certain part of a print job that requires time per sheet processing is being executed, another job can be executed using a paper ejection path (through transport path) that does not pass through the processing path, thereby improving productivity of the entire system.

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram showing a part of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In the case of a print job that does not include lamination, a sheet medium (hereinafter referred to as sheet material N) fed from the image forming apparatus 300 is received by an inlet roller 146 of the sheet processing apparatus 100, and is transported to a post-processing apparatus 400 located downstream of the sheet processing apparatus 100 by a paper discharge roller 147 located downstream in the transport direction of the inlet roller 146. In the post-processing apparatus 400, post-processing such as stapling can be performed on the sheet material N that has not been subjected to lamination.

As shown in Figures 23 and 24, the sheet processing apparatus 100 has a sheet processing path, which is a first transport path for transporting a sheet for post-processing (lamination processing), and a paper discharge path, which is a second transport path for discharging the sheet downstream without lamination processing. In the figures, the sheet processing path, which is the first transport path, is formed below the branch point of the first transport path and the second transport path, and the paper discharge path, which is the second transport path, is formed to the left of the branch point. In addition to these paths, by having a system control that allows a print job that does not perform lamination processing to be executed during a print job that performs lamination processing, it is possible to effectively utilize the time for lamination processing and improve the productivity of the entire system.
In addition, a plurality of sensors C10 for detecting the size of the sheets S are arranged on the sheet tray 102.

Figures 25 to 29 show an example of executing job 1 with lamination and job 2 without lamination in an image forming system with such system control. In this example, job 1 is to laminate two copies of sheets S and inner pages P, and job 2 is to perform a job (e.g., printing) without lamination on 100 copies of sheet material N.

First, in the sheet processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 25, sheet S-1, the first copy of job 1, is fed from the sheet tray 102. In the image forming apparatus 300, job 2 is executed before sheet S-1 is completely peeled off, and the first sheet material N-1 is transported. In other words, job 2 is controlled so that it can interrupt one copy of job 1.

Next, in FIG. 26, while the sheet processing device 100 is performing the peeling operation of sheet S-1, the second sheet N-2 and the third sheet N-3 of job 2 and onwards are transported one after another in accordance with the productivity of the image forming device 300. In FIG. 26, sheet N-1 is stacked in the paper output tray 150 of the post-processing device 400, sheet N-2 is being transported along the paper output path, and sheet N-3 is being transported within the image forming device 300.

Next, in FIG. 27, when the sheet processing device 100 has completed peeling off sheet S-1, inner sheet P-1 of the first copy of job 1 is transported from the image forming device 300. In other words, the continuation of the copy of job 1 is controlled to be resumed in the middle of job 2. In FIG. 27, sheets N-1, N-2, and N-3 are stacked on the discharge tray 150, and inner sheet P-1 is being transported from the image forming device 300 into the sheet processing device 100.

Next, in FIG. 28, while the sheet processing device 100 is performing the processes of sandwiching the inner sheet P-1 between the sheet S-1, aligning the sheet S-1 with the inner sheet P-1, and laminating the inner sheet P-1 and the sheet S-1 by heating with the heat and pressure roller 120, job 2 is continued again and sheet material N is transported from the image forming device 300. In other words, job 2 is controlled so that it can interrupt while the first part of job 1 is being executed. In FIG. 28, sheet materials N-1, N-2, and N-3 are stacked in the paper output tray 150, sheet material N-4 is being transported along the paper output path, and sheet material N-5 is being transported within the image forming device 300.

Next, in FIG. 29, in the sheet processing device 100, when the rear ends of the laminated sheet S-1 and the inner sheet P-1 pass the transport sensor C5 and are transported a specified distance, the second copy of job 1, sheet S-2, is fed. In other words, the system is controlled so that the continuation of the copy of job 1 is resumed in the middle of job 2. In FIG. 29, ten sheets of sheet material N-1, N-2, ... N-10 are stacked on the paper output tray 150.

Thereafter, the processes shown in FIGS. 26 to 29 are repeated until job 1 including lamination processing is completed.
With the above control, a job without lamination can be executed during a job with lamination, thereby improving the productivity of the entire system.

As described above, according to the image forming system of this embodiment, when multiple print jobs are instructed, including both a print job of 1 or N copies (N≧2) that undergoes post-processing by the sheet processing device 100 and a print job that does not undergo post-processing by the sheet processing device 100, the print job that does not undergo post-processing is executed while any Mth copy (1≦M<N) of the print job that undergoes post-processing is being executed, and the sheet is transported on the second transport path.

In addition, while any Mth copy (1≦M<N) of a print job that involves post-processing is being executed, a print job that does not involve post-processing can be executed, and the M+1th copy of the print job that involves post-processing can be started before the print job that does not involve post-processing is completed. This makes it possible to execute another print job without post-processing during a print job with post-processing, and then resume the print job with post-processing in the middle of that other print job.

As also shown in FIG. 9, the image forming apparatus 300 has an image forming section that forms an image on a sheet, and a sheet processing apparatus 100 that performs post-processing on the sheet on which the image has been formed. The sheet processing apparatus 100 has a first transport path for transporting the sheet to perform post-processing, and a second transport path for transporting the sheet downstream without performing post-processing. When multiple print jobs are instructed, including both a print job of 1 or N copies (N≧2) that performs post-processing by the sheet processing apparatus 100, and a print job that does not perform post-processing by the sheet processing apparatus 100, the print job that does not perform post-processing is executed while any Mth copy (1≦M<N) of the print job that performs post-processing is being executed, and the sheet is transported on the second transport path.

As also shown in FIG. 1, the sheet processing apparatus 100 that performs post-processing on sheets includes a first transport path for transporting sheets to perform post-processing, and a second transport path for transporting sheets downstream without performing post-processing. When multiple print jobs are specified, including both a print job of 1 or N copies (N≧2) that requires post-processing and a print job that does not require post-processing, the print job that does not require post-processing is executed during execution of any Mth copy (1≦M<N) of the print job that requires post-processing, and the sheet is transported on the second transport path.

FIG. 30 shows an example of executing another job in the image forming system.
In this example, when the number of sheets in job 2 without lamination is less than the number of sheets without lamination that can be processed during job 1 with lamination, job 3 and subsequent jobs are controlled to be able to interrupt in the middle of a copy of job 1. Note that job 1 laminates two copies of sheets S and inner sheets P, job 2 performs a job (e.g., printing) without lamination on two copies of sheet material N, job 3 performs a job (e.g., printing) without lamination on one copy of sheet material N, and job 4 performs a job (e.g., printing) without lamination on 30 copies of sheet material N.

In FIG. 30, jobs 2, 3, and 4 are interrupted during the execution of the first copy of job 1, and as a result, seven sheets, namely sheets N-1 and N-2 of job 2, sheet N-1 of job 3, and sheets N-1 to N-7 of job 4, are stacked in the paper output tray 150. Then, in the same way as in FIG. 29, when the rear ends of sheet S-1 and inner sheet P-1 laminated in job 1 pass the transport sensor C5 and are transported a specified distance in the sheet processing device 100, sheet S-2 of the second copy of job 1 is fed.

Fig. 31 shows an example of executing the same job as in Fig. 30 in an image forming system according to another embodiment. This image forming system has an image forming apparatus 300, a relay apparatus 310, and a sheet processing apparatus 100, and the sheet processing apparatus 100 has a paper discharge tray 151 in addition to the above-mentioned components.
As shown in FIG. 31, the sheet processing apparatus 100 accepts sheet material N that is not to be laminated using its inlet rollers 146, and stacks it in the sheet output tray 151 of the sheet processing apparatus 100 itself using output rollers 147 located downstream of the inlet rollers 146 in the conveying direction.

FIG. 32 shows a modified example of the embodiment of the image forming system shown in FIG.
In this example, sheets S and inner pages P are stacked alternately in a sheet tray 102 for stacking sheets S. Then, as in FIG. 27, when the sheet processing apparatus 100 has completed peeling of the first sheet S-1 of job 1, the sheet tray 102 supplies the inner pages P-1 that were stacked below the sheet S-1. Thereafter, the inner pages P-1 are sandwiched and the sheet S-1 and the inner pages P-1 are laminated by heating, and job 1 and job 2 are executed while job 2 is inserted into job 1. By using the same sheet tray for the inner pages P and sheets S, the printing time can be reduced and productivity can be improved. In addition, offline use is possible.

FIG. 33 shows a modification of the embodiment of the image forming system shown in FIG.
As shown in Fig. 33, the image forming system includes an image forming apparatus 300, a relay apparatus 310, a sheet processing apparatus 100, and a post-processing apparatus 400. The sheet processing apparatus 100 of this example includes a second sheet tray 152, which is a second stacking means for stacking the inner sheets P, above a sheet tray 102 for stacking the sheets S. Providing a paper feed tray dedicated to the inner sheets makes it easy to set the inner sheets P in the sheet processing apparatus 100. The second sheet tray 152 is provided with a plurality of sensors C11 for detecting the size of the inner sheets P. The sheet processing apparatus 100 also includes a pickup roller 153 for feeding the inner sheets P from the second sheet tray 152, a pair of conveying rollers 154, and a conveying sensor C8 for detecting the conveying position of the inner sheets P downstream in the conveying direction of the pair of conveying rollers 107.

As in FIG. 27, when the sheet processing device 100 has finished peeling off the first sheet S-1 of job 1, it supplies the inner sheet P-1 to be sandwiched between the sheet S-1 from the second sheet tray 152. This reduces the printing time and improves the productivity of the entire system. After that, the inner sheet P-1 is sandwiched and the sheet S-1 and the inner sheet P-1 are laminated by heating, and job 1 and job 2 are executed while job 2 is inserted into job 1.

FIG. 34 shows a modification of the embodiment of the image forming system shown in FIG.
This image forming system includes an image forming apparatus 300, a relay apparatus 310, and a sheet processing apparatus 100. The sheet processing apparatus 100 includes a discharge tray 151 in addition to the configuration shown in FIG.
34, the sheet processing apparatus 100 receives sheet material N that is not to be laminated by its inlet rollers 146, and stacks the sheet material N on its own discharge tray 151 by discharge rollers 147 located downstream in the conveying direction of the inlet rollers 146. Here, sheet materials N-1, N-2, and N-3 are stacked on the discharge tray 151.

In the case of the image forming system shown in Figures 32 to 34, the sheet processing device 100 can also be used as an offline lamination processing machine.

FIG. 35 shows an image forming system according to another embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in the figure, this image forming system has an image forming apparatus 300, a relay apparatus 310, a sheet processing apparatus 100, and a post-processing apparatus 400, and the sheet processing apparatus 100 is installed in a space inside the body of the image forming apparatus 300. The sheet processing apparatus 100 has a sheet tray 102 for stacking sheets S, a second sheet tray 152 arranged above it for stacking inner sheets P, and a discharge tray 104 which is a stacking means for stacking discharged sheets S and the like. This makes it possible for the sheet processing apparatus 100 to supply the inner sheets P to the peeled sheets S.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing the operation panel 10. As shown in FIG.
As shown in Figures 32 to 35, when the sheet processing device 100 has an inner paper feeding function, the user can select from the "inner paper feeding setting" screen of the operation panel 10 whether the source of supply of the inner paper P is to be the image forming device 300 (Figure 36(a)), the film feed tray (sheet tray 102) of the sheet processing device 100 (Figure 36(b)), or the inner paper feed tray (second sheet tray 152) of the sheet processing device 100 (Figure 36(c)).

FIG. 37 is another diagram showing the operation panel 10. As shown in FIG.
From the "Transporting other jobs during lamination processing" screen on the operation panel 10, the user can select whether to allow jobs that do not involve lamination processing to be carried out between the above-mentioned lamination processing jobs (Figure 37(a)) or not to allow them to be carried out (Figure 37(b)).

Specifically, the user can select whether or not the sheet material transported from the image forming device 300 can be transported along the second transport path of the sheet processing device 100 during post-processing of the Mth copy (1≦M≦N) of a print job of 1 copy or N copies (N≧2). This allows the user to select whether or not to process another job during a print job that requires time for post-processing per copy.

Referring to FIG. 23, the sheet processing apparatus 100 also has a discharge tray 104, which is a discharge means for stacking the post-processed sheets without passing through the second transport path. As a result, the post-processed sheets SG are stacked on a dedicated tray, allowing the user to easily access the sheets.

FIG. 38 is a flow chart showing a series of operations in the image forming system shown in FIGS.
When a job with lamination (job 1) starts, the sheet processing apparatus 100 starts feeding the sheet S in step S71, and determines whether the leading edge of the sheet reaches the transport sensor C5 in step S72. When the leading edge of the sheet reaches the transport sensor C5 (S72, Yes), the sheet processing apparatus 100 determines whether the sheet has been transported a specified amount from the transport sensor C5 in step S73. When the sheet has been transported a specified amount from the transport sensor C5 (S73, Yes), the sheet processing apparatus 100 determines whether a job without lamination has been input in step S74. When there is a job without lamination (job 2) (S74, Yes), the sheet processing apparatus 100 starts transporting the sheet material N from the image forming apparatus in step S75 (see FIG. 25). Next, the sheet processing apparatus 100 determines whether the sheet S can accept the inner sheet P in step S76. On the other hand, if there is no job without lamination processing in step S74 (S74, No), the sheet processing apparatus 100 determines whether the sheet S can accept the inner page P in step S76.

If the sheet S is not yet capable of accepting the inner paper P (S76, No), the image forming device 300 executes job 2 and transports the sheet material N. On the other hand, if the sheet S is capable of accepting the inner paper P (S76, Yes), the sheet processing device 100 determines in step S77 whether to feed the inner paper P from the image forming device. If the inner paper P is to be fed from the image forming device (S77, Yes), the image forming device 300 transports the inner paper P in step S78, and the sheet processing device 100 starts inserting it into the sheet S (see FIG. 27).

On the other hand, if the inner sheet P is not fed from the image forming device (S77, Yes), the sheet processing device 100 determines in step S80 whether to feed the inner sheet P from the film tray (sheet tray 102). If Yes, proceed to step S78. If No, the sheet processing device 100 feeds the inner sheet P from the inner sheet tray (second sheet tray 152) in step S81 and proceeds to step S78.

Next, the sheet processing apparatus 100 determines whether the inner sheet P is sandwiched between the sheets S in step S79. If the inner sheet P is sandwiched between the sheets S (S79, Yes), the sheet processing apparatus 100 starts conveying the sheet S in step S82, and determines whether the front end of the inner sheet P has passed the conveying sensor C3 in step S83. If the front end of the inner sheet P has passed the conveying sensor C3 (S83, Yes), the sheet processing apparatus 100 determines whether the sheet has been conveyed a specified amount from the conveying sensor C3 in step S84. If the sheet has been conveyed a specified amount from the conveying sensor C3 (S84, Yes), the sheet processing apparatus 100 determines whether a job without lamination processing has been input in step S85. If there is a job without lamination processing (job 2) (S85, Yes), the sheet processing apparatus 100 starts conveying the sheet material N from the image forming apparatus in step S86 (see FIG. 28). Next, in step S87, the sheet processing apparatus 100 determines whether the rear end of the sheet S has reached the transport sensor C5. On the other hand, if there is no job without lamination processing in step S85 (S85, No), the sheet processing apparatus 100 determines in step S87 whether the rear end of the sheet S has reached the transport sensor C5.

Next, in step S88, the sheet processing apparatus 100 determines whether the sheet has been transported a specified amount by the transport sensor C5. When the sheet has been transported a specified amount by the transport sensor C5 (S88, Yes), the sheet processing apparatus 100 determines in step S89 whether a job with lamination processing has been input. If a job with lamination processing is present (S89, Yes), the process returns to the start of the job with lamination processing (see FIG. 29) and this flow is repeated. On the other hand, if there is no job with lamination processing (S89, No), the print job ends.

According to this embodiment, when processing some sheets takes a long time, the productivity of the entire system can be improved. Therefore, in addition to the lamination process described above, the same effect can be obtained for processes such as cutting and enclosing and sealing.

FIG. 39 is a flow chart showing a series of operations from an instruction to start feeding each sheet to discharging the sheet.
After the user issues an instruction to start the operation by the operation starting means, in step S11, the sheet processing apparatus 100 determines whether the lamination processing setting shown in Fig. 13 is the "lamination processing mode". If the lamination processing mode is not set (S11, No), the sheet processing apparatus 100 starts a paper discharge operation without lamination processing.

In step S12, the sheet processing device 100 determines whether the inner page feed/insertion operation of the "lamination processing mode" is in progress. As a start condition for a paper discharge operation that does not involve lamination processing, if the inner page feed/insertion operation of the "lamination processing mode" is not in progress (S12, No), the sheet processing device 100 can start an interrupt operation for copying/printing at any time, and conversely, if the inner page feed/insertion operation of the "lamination processing mode" is in progress (S12, Yes), the sheet processing device 100 waits until all of those operations are completed before starting the operation (S13, Yes).

When the "copy/print mode" is started, in step S14, the sheet processing device 100 causes the image forming device to start a paper feed operation, and the process proceeds to step S15, where an image is formed on the paper. Next, the process proceeds to step S16, where the sheet processing device 100 switches the position of the branch claw 119 to guide the paper to the paper discharge path 124 (see FIG. 15).

Next, the process proceeds to step S17, where the sheet processing apparatus 100 determines whether the laminate sheet ejection operation in the "lamination processing mode" is in progress. If the ejection operation is in progress (S17, Yes), the process proceeds to step S18, where the sheet processing apparatus waits until the laminate sheet ejection operation is completed.

When the paper discharge operation is completed (S18, Yes) or if the paper discharge operation is not in progress (S17, No), the sheet processing apparatus 100 proceeds to the paper discharge operation. That is, the sheet processing apparatus 100 starts the paper discharge operation in step S19, and determines whether the sheet sorting mechanism 130 is provided in step S20. If the sheet sorting mechanism 130 is provided (S20, Yes), the sheet processing apparatus 100 moves the sheet sorting mechanism 130 to the non-laminated sheet stacking position in step S21 (see FIG. 21), and if a lifting means for the paper discharge tray 104 is provided in step S22 (S22, Yes), the sheet processing apparatus 100 moves the paper discharge tray 104 to the paper discharge outlet of the paper discharge path 124 in step S23 (see FIG. 19), and discharges the paper to the paper discharge tray 104 in step S24 (see FIG. 18). On the other hand, if the sheet sorting mechanism 130 is not provided in step S20 (S20, No), the process proceeds to step S22, and if the lifting means for the discharge tray 104 is not provided in step S22 (S22, No), the process proceeds to step S24.

On the other hand, after the user issues an instruction to start the operation via the operation start means, if the lamination processing setting shown in FIG. 13 is in the "lamination processing mode" (S11, Yes), the sheet processing apparatus 100 starts the lamination processing operation.

That is, in step S25, the sheet processing apparatus 100 starts feeding the sheet S (see FIG. 1). Next, in step S26, it is determined whether the leading edge of the sheet S has reached the transport sensor C3 (see FIG. 1). In step S27, when the sheet processing apparatus 100 determines that the sheet S has been transported a specified amount from the transport sensor C3, it temporarily suspends the transport (see FIG. 2). Next, in step S28, it opens the gripping means 110, and in step S29, it transports the sheet S in the reverse transport direction (see FIG. 3).

In step S30, when the sheet processing apparatus 100 determines that the sheet S has been transported the specified amount, it temporarily stops transporting the sheet S in step S31. Then, in step S32, it closes the gripping means 110 to grip the edge of the sheet S (see FIG. 4).

Next, in step S33, the sheet processing apparatus 100 rotates the winding roller 109 counterclockwise to wind the sheet S around the winding roller 109 (see FIG. 5). Then, in step S34, it is determined whether the leading edge of the sheet S has reached the transport sensor C5. In step S35, when the sheet processing apparatus 100 determines from the transport sensor C5 that the sheet S has been transported a specified amount, in step S36, it detects the state of the sheet S using the abnormal state detection sensor C4.

This abnormal state detection sensor C4 is an abnormality detection means that detects whether the dimension of the space generated between two sheets of sheet S exceeds a predetermined threshold. In step S37, if the sheet processing apparatus 100 determines from the detection result of the abnormal state detection sensor C4 that the state of sheet S is normal (the dimension of the space is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold), it proceeds to step S38a.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S37 that the condition of the sheet S is abnormal (the spatial dimensions are below a predetermined threshold), the process proceeds to step S38b, in which the sheet processing apparatus 100 notifies the abnormality and stops sheet processing.

When proceeding to step S38a, the sheet processing device 100 inserts the peeling claws 116 into the resulting space from both sides of the sheet S (see FIG. 6). Next, in step S39, with the peeling claws 116 inserted from both sides of the sheet S, the sheet processing device 100 rotates the winding roller 109 clockwise this time, and transports the sheet S in the forward transport direction.

Next, in step S40, it is determined whether the leading edge of the sheet S has reached the transport sensor C5. In step S41, when the sheet processing device 100 determines that the sheet S has been transported a specified amount from the transport sensor C5, it opens the gripping means 110 in step S42.

Next, in step S43, the sheet processing apparatus 100 temporarily stops the transport of the sheet S, and in step S44, the peeling claw 116 is moved further in the sheet width direction (see FIG. 7). This separates the rear end of the sheet S into upper and lower parts.

In step S45, the sheet processing apparatus 100 transports the sheet S in the reverse transport direction. Then, in step S46, it is determined whether the leading edge of the sheet S has reached the transport sensor C5. In step S47, the sheet processing apparatus 100 determines that the sheet S has been transported a specified amount from the transport sensor C5, and then in step S48, it temporarily suspends the transport (see FIG. 8). This completes the peeling of the sheet S.

In step S49, the sheet processing apparatus 100 determines whether or not it is currently guiding the paper to the paper feed/paper discharge path in the "copy/print mode". As a condition for starting feeding the inner sheet P after the sheet is peeled off, if it is not currently guiding the paper to the paper feed/paper discharge path in the "copy/print mode" (S49, No), the sheet processing apparatus 100 can start the interrupt operation of feeding the inner sheet P and inserting it into the sheet S at any time, and if it is currently guiding the paper to the paper feed/paper discharge path in the "copy/print mode" (S49, Yes), the sheet processing apparatus 100 waits until all of these operations are completed before starting the operation (S50, Yes).

Next, the operation proceeds to feeding the inner paper P and inserting it into the sheet S. In step S51, the sheet processing device 100 feeds the inner paper P from the image forming device (see FIG. 9), in step S52, an image is formed on the inner paper P, and in step S53, the position of the branching claw 119 is switched to guide the sheet to the sheet processing path 99 (see FIG. 14). Next, in step S54, the sheet processing device 100 transports the inner paper P and inserts it between the sheets S (see FIGS. 10 and 11), and when it is determined in step S55 that the sheet S has been transported a specified amount by the transport sensor C2, the branching claw 119 is switched to guide the sheet S to the heat and pressure roller 120 (see FIG. 12).

Next, the sheet processing apparatus 100 fixes the sheet S using the thermal fixing Md in step S57, and completes fixing of the laminate sheet in step S58. Next, when the sheet processing apparatus 100 determines in step S59 that the paper ejection operation in the "copy/print mode" is in progress (S59, Yes), it waits in step S60 until the paper ejection operation is completed.

Next, when the paper discharge operation is completed (S60, Yes) or when the paper discharge operation is not in progress (S59, No), the operation proceeds to the discharge operation of the laminate sheet. That is, the sheet processing apparatus 100 starts the discharge operation of the laminate sheet in step S61, and determines whether the sheet sorting mechanism 130 is provided in step S62. If the sheet sorting mechanism 130 is provided (S62, Yes), the sheet processing apparatus 100 moves the sheet sorting mechanism 130 to a stacking position of the laminate sheet in step S63 (see FIG. 21), and if a lifting means for the discharge tray 104 is provided in step S64 (S64, Yes), the sheet processing apparatus 100 moves the discharge tray 104 to the discharge outlet of the lamination processing path in step S65 (see FIG. 19), and discharges the laminate sheet to the discharge tray 104 in step S66 (see FIG. 18).
This completes the sheet ejection.

The sheet is guided to the sheet processing path 99 and the paper discharge path 124 by operating the branch claw 119 located upstream of the sheet processing path 99, and is conveyed to each path. Therefore, during the inner sheet feeding and insertion operation in the "lamination processing mode" when the branch claw 119 is operating (see Figure 14), and during the paper feeding and paper discharge path guiding operation (see Figure 15), the system waits until each operation is completed.

This eliminates interference between sheets during lamination and when feeding paper for paper ejection, enables interrupt operations, and improves productivity.

The determination of whether the inner paper feed/insertion operation and the operation of guiding the paper to the paper feed/paper discharge path are completed is triggered by a change in the transport sensor C2, and the completion of each sheet process can be determined based on the amount of transport or the elapsed time after the inner paper P or the rear end of the paper is detected as having passed.

After the sheet peeling is complete (S48), the image forming device is notified of the start of the print job, and the inner paper P is printed and transported. In this case, the winding roller 109, which is the peeling device, is stopped until the inner paper P is printed, transported, and reaches the transport sensor C3. Therefore, in order to improve productivity, it is also possible to notify the image forming device of the start of the print job after the peeling claw operation shown in FIG. 7 is completed (S44), for example, taking into account the inner paper transport time.

As described above, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the sheet processing apparatus 100 has a paper discharge path 124 that allows paper to be discharged without passing through the sheet processing path 99, and a branch claw 119 that is a switching means that can guide paper to the paper discharge path 124 upstream of the sheet processing path 99. This allows copying, printing, and the like that do not require lamination to be performed without causing a decrease in image quality and productivity, even while the sheet S is being processed on the sheet processing path 99.

99 Sheet processing path 100 Sheet processing device 119 Switching claw (switching means)
124 Paper ejection path P sheet (second sheet)
S seat (first seat)

JP 2006-160429 A

Claims (18)

An image forming system including an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, and a sheet processing apparatus that performs lamination processing on the sheet,
the sheet is a first sheet in which two sheets are overlapped and partially joined together, and a second sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming device disposed upstream of the sheet processing device,
the sheet processing device includes a lamination processing section, a first stacking means for stacking the first sheet, a sheet processing path as a first transport path for transporting the sheet and performing lamination processing, the first sheet being peeled off and the second sheet being sandwiched therebetween, and a paper discharge path as a second transport path for transporting the sheet without performing lamination processing, the second sheet being able to be discharged by bypassing the lamination processing section;
An image forming system characterized in that, when multiple print jobs are instructed, including both a print job of 1 or N copies (N≧2) in which lamination processing is performed by the sheet processing device, and a print job in which lamination processing is not performed by the sheet processing device, the print job in which lamination processing is not performed is executed while any Mth copy (1≦M<N) of the print job in which lamination processing is performed is being executed, and the sheet is transported on the second transport path. The image forming system according to claim 1, characterized in that while any Mth copy (1≦M<N) of a print job that performs the lamination process is being executed, a print job that does not perform the lamination process is executed, and the M+1th copy of the print job that performs the lamination process can be started before the completion of the print job that does not perform the lamination process. The image forming system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a user can select whether or not a sheet conveyed from the image forming device can be conveyed along the second conveying path of the sheet processing device during execution of lamination processing of the Mth copy (1≦M≦N) of the 1 copy or N copies (N≧2) print job. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the sheet processing device has a paper discharge means for stacking the laminated sheets without passing through the second transport path. The image forming system according to claim 1, characterized in that the sheet processing device is capable of loading the second sheet to be sandwiched between the first sheet on the first loading means and supplying the second sheet from the first loading means. The image forming system according to claim 1, characterized in that the sheet processing device has a second stacking means for stacking the second sheet, and supplies the second sheet to be sandwiched between the first sheet when the first sheet is in a peeled state from the second stacking means. The image forming system according to claim 5, characterized in that the user can select whether the second sheet is to be supplied from the image forming device or from the first stacking means. The image forming system according to claim 6, characterized in that the user can select whether the second sheet is to be supplied from the image forming device or from the second stacking means. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the sheet processing device has a switching means, upstream of the sheet processing path, that can switch the destination of the second sheet to the paper discharge path or the sheet processing path according to information about the second sheet. the information on the second sheet is a sheet to be sandwiched between the peeled first sheet or a sheet not to be sandwiched between the first sheet,
10. The image forming system according to claim 9, wherein a sheet to be sandwiched between the first sheet is guided to the sheet processing path by the switching means, and a sheet not to be sandwiched between the first sheet is guided to the paper discharge path by the switching means. the information on the second sheet is instruction information for copying, printing or sheet processing,
11. An image forming system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein a user can select a copy/print mode or a sheet processing mode, and when the copy/print mode is selected, sheets that are not sandwiched between the first sheet are guided to the paper discharge path. The image forming system according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, when image formation on a sheet that is not to be sandwiched between the first sheets is instructed during processing of the first sheet on the sheet processing path, an image is formed on the sheet that is not to be sandwiched between the first sheets before image formation on the sheet that is to be sandwiched between the first sheets, and the sheet on which the image has been formed is guided to the paper discharge path. The image forming system according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, when image formation on a sheet that is not to be sandwiched between the first sheet is instructed during processing of the first sheet and a sheet to be sandwiched between the first sheet in the sheet processing path, an image is formed on the sheet that is not to be sandwiched between the first sheet, and the sheet on which the image has been formed is guided to the paper discharge path. the sheet processing apparatus has a lifting means for lifting the sheet discharging means ,
5. The image forming system according to claim 4 , wherein said paper ejection means is raised and lowered by said lifting means in accordance with a transport path along which said sheet is transported. the sheet processing device has a sheet sorting mechanism capable of changing a stacking position of the sheets on the sheet discharge means in a direction perpendicular to a conveying direction,
5. The image forming system according to claim 4 , wherein the sheets discharged to said paper discharge means are sorted on said paper discharge means by said sheet sorting mechanism. 16. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the sheet processing path of the sheet processing apparatus has a heat pressurizing member capable of applying heat and pressure to the sheet. An image forming apparatus having an image forming section that forms an image on a sheet and a sheet processing apparatus that performs lamination processing on the sheet,
the sheet is a first sheet in which two sheets are stacked and partially joined together, and a second sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit disposed upstream of the sheet processing device,
the sheet processing device includes a lamination processing section, a first stacking means for stacking the first sheet, a sheet processing path as a first transport path for transporting the sheet and performing lamination processing, the first sheet being peeled off and the second sheet being sandwiched therebetween, and a paper discharge path as a second transport path for transporting the sheet downstream without performing lamination processing, the second sheet being able to be discharged by bypassing the lamination processing section;
An image forming apparatus characterized in that, when multiple print jobs are instructed, including both a print job of 1 or N copies (N≧2) in which lamination processing is performed by the sheet processing device, and a print job in which lamination processing is not performed by the sheet processing device, the print job in which lamination processing is not performed is executed while any Mth copy (1≦M<N) of the print job in which lamination processing is performed is being executed, and the sheet is transported on the second transport path. A sheet processing apparatus for performing a lamination process on a sheet,
the sheet is a first sheet in which two sheets are stacked and partially joined together, and a second sheet on which an image is formed by an image forming device disposed upstream of the sheet processing device,
the lamination processing section; a first stacking means for stacking the first sheet; a sheet processing path as a first transport path for transporting the sheet and performing lamination processing, the first sheet being peeled off and the second sheet being sandwiched therebetween; and a paper discharge path as a second transport path for transporting the sheet downstream without performing lamination processing, the second sheet being able to be discharged by bypassing the lamination processing section;
This sheet processing device is characterized in that, when multiple print jobs are instructed, including both a print job of 1 or N copies (N≧2) that should be laminated by the sheet processing device, and a print job that does not perform lamination processing by the sheet processing device, while the sheet processing device is executing any M copies (1≦M<N) of the print job that performs lamination processing, the print job that does not perform lamination processing is executed by the sheet processing device, and the sheet is transported on the second transport path.

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