Image forming system

Abstract

To provide an image forming system that can produce an appropriate pressure-bonded printed matter in accordance with a set mode of a recording material, without making it necessary for a user to actually produce the pressure-bonded printed matter.SOLUTION: When there is an error in 'paper supply settings' inputted through a 'setting screen' by a user, a 'pressure-bonded printed matter selection screen' is displayed on a liquid crystal display part. When there is an error in the 'paper supply settings', a 'warning display' as well as a 'paper supply setting change' button are displayed on the 'pressure-bonded printed matter selection screen'. A change point for correcting the 'paper supply settings' is displayed on the 'paper supply setting change' button. Further a user can compare an image picture produced according to current paper supply settings through a 'change point display screen' with an image picture produced according to the changed paper supply settings, by operating the 'paper supply setting change' button, so as to confirm the change point for the 'paper supply setting'. Thus, when there is an error in the 'paper supply settings', the change point for the 'paper supply settings' is presented to the user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system that forms an image on a recording material, folds the recording material on which the image has been formed, and applies heat and pressure to the folded recording material to press the recording material, thereby producing a pressed print. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, an image forming system for producing a pressure-bonded printed matter with excellent information confidentiality has been proposed (Patent Document 1). Examples of pressure-bonded printed matter include pressure-bonded postcards in which surfaces on which personal information or the like is formed as an image are overlapped and pseudo-bonded, so that the personal information cannot be read until the pseudo-bonded surfaces are peeled off. The pseudo-bonding referred to here is a type of bonding that can be peeled off after bonding and is difficult to re-adhere after peeling. One method of pseudo-bonding is a glue method in which a pre-glued recording material to which a pressure-bonding glue has been applied in advance is used for pseudo-bonding. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-35454 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A laminated print is produced by forming a toner image on a recording material based on image data using an image forming device, and then folding the recording material on which the toner image has been formed using a lamination processing device and applying heat and pressure. In the image forming device, it is necessary to form an image relating to the information to be concealed (called an image of confidential information) on the adhesive surface to which the lamination adhesive has been applied. In order to obtain a laminated print on which an image of confidential information has been formed on the adhesive surface (also called the lamination surface), a user must set the recording material in a cassette or tray of the image forming device in a setting manner determined according to the specifications of the image forming device and the lamination processing device.

[0005] Therefore, in the past, when a user set the recording material in the wrong way, an image of non-confidential information was formed on the adhesive side, and a pressure-bonded postcard with an image of confidential information formed on the non-adhesive side was created. To avoid this, the user had to take the trouble of making a test print to check whether the recording material was set in the wrong way, which was time-consuming and troublesome. Therefore, in order to obtain a desired pressure-bonded printed product, a device that allows a user to correctly set a recording material in a cassette or tray without actually creating a pressure-bonded printed product has been desired, but such a device has not yet been proposed.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has an object to provide an image forming system that can create an appropriate laminated print in accordance with the setting state of the recording material, without the user having to actually create the laminated print. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An image forming system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an image forming device having a first setting section and a second setting section capable of setting a recording material having an adhesive region on the surface of which an adhesive is applied, an image forming unit section capable of forming an image on the recording material supplied from the first setting section in an inverted state and the recording material supplied from the second setting section without being inverted, and a fixing section that fixes the image formed on the recording material to the recording material, and a pressing device having a folding section that folds the recording material discharged from the image forming device in half and a pressing section that can pressurize the recording material folded by the folding section to pressurize it, and the image forming system controls the image forming device and the pressing device to print an image on the recording material. The device is characterized by comprising a control unit capable of executing a creation mode in which the formed recording material is folded and laminated to create a laminated printed matter; an input unit that enables a user to input either the first setting unit or the second setting unit, and an orientation of the recording material to be set in either the first setting unit or the second setting unit; and when the creation mode is executed, if the input orientation of the recording material differs from an orientation that can correctly create a laminated printed matter, a display unit that is capable of displaying a completed image representing the laminated printed matter that will be created when the recording material is set in the inputted orientation of the recording material, a warning display to the effect that the laminated printed matter will not be created correctly with the inputted orientation of the recording material, and a display for changing the orientation to correctly create a laminated printed matter.

[0008] An image forming system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an image forming device having a first setting section and a second setting section capable of setting a recording material having an adhesive region on the surface of which an adhesive is applied, an image forming unit section capable of forming an image on the recording material supplied from the first setting section in an inverted state and the recording material supplied from the second setting section without being inverted, and a fixing section that fixes the image formed on the recording material to the recording material, and a pressing device having a folding section that folds the recording material discharged from the image forming device into thirds and a pressing section that can pressurize the recording material folded by the folding section to pressurize it, and the image forming system controls the image forming device and the pressing device to perform a pressing process before an image is formed. The device is characterized by comprising a control unit capable of executing a creation mode in which a recording material is folded and laminated to create a laminated printed matter; an input unit that allows a user to input either the first setting unit or the second setting unit, and a transport orientation of the adhesive area of ​​the recording material to be set in either the first setting unit or the second setting unit; and when the creation mode is executed, if the input transport orientation of the adhesive area differs from a transport orientation that can correctly create a laminated printed matter, a display unit that is capable of displaying a completed image representing the laminated printed matter that will be created when the recording material is set in the input transport orientation of the adhesive area, a warning display to the effect that the laminated printed matter will not be correctly created with the input transport orientation of the adhesive area, and a change in the transport orientation to correctly create a laminated printed matter. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, a user can create an appropriate laminated print in accordance with the setting mode of the recording material without actually creating the laminated print. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an image forming system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram showing a control configuration of the image forming system. [Diagram 3] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a laminated postcard paper for folding in half, (a) one side and (b) two sides. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing how a pressure-bonded postcard for folding in half is set. [Diagram 5] 11A and 11B are diagrams showing examples of how to create a laminated postcard sheet for folding in half when it is set in an incorrect manner and when it is set in a correct manner. [Figure 6] 11 is a flowchart showing a process of producing a laminated print. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen. [Figure 8] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of the "Laminated Print Selection Screen" when folding in half, in which (a) the "Paper Feed Settings" are correct, and (b) the "Paper Feed Settings" are incorrect. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the "changes display screen" when the phone is folded in half. [Figure 10] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing adhesive postcard paper for folding in three, (a) one side and (b) two sides. [Figure 11] 10A to 10D are diagrams showing the state of a laminated postcard sheet during an outer third folding operation, (a) before the start of the folding operation, (b) the first folding operation, (c) the second folding operation, and (d) after the folding operation is completed. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing how a laminated postcard folded in three is set. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing examples of how to create a laminated postcard when the laminated postcard paper is set correctly and when it is set incorrectly, for a laminated postcard paper to be folded in three on the outside. [Figure 14] 13A and 13B show examples of the "Laminated Print Selection Screen" when folding in three on the outside, (a) when the "Paper Feed Settings" are correct, and (b) when the "Paper Feed Settings" are incorrect. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the “changes display screen” when the paper is folded in three. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] <Image forming system> The present embodiment will be described below. First, the image forming system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The image forming system 1X of the present embodiment has an image forming apparatus 100 that forms a toner image on a recording material S, and a pressure bonding apparatus 200 that performs pressure bonding on the recording material S on which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 100. The pressure bonding apparatus 200 is a post-process unit that can be attached to the image forming apparatus 100 for function expansion, and the image forming apparatus 100 and the pressure bonding apparatus 200 are detachably provided and are connected so that the recording material S can be transferred. This image forming system 1X can create a pressure-bonded printed matter such as a pressure-bonded postcard by conveying the recording material S on which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 100 to the pressure bonding apparatus 200 and folding and pressing the recording material S by the pressure bonding apparatus 200.

[0012] 1, the pressing device 200 is shown as an example equipped with a folding device 400 and a pressing device 600. The image forming device 100, the folding device 400, and the pressing device 600 are connected by a data input / output interface (not shown) capable of serial communication or parallel communication so that control signals, data, and the like can be transmitted and received between them.

[0013] <Image forming device> The image forming apparatus 100 will be described. The image forming apparatus 100 is a tandem-type full-color printer of an electrophotographic system. As shown in Fig. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 has image forming units Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd that form images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively. The image forming apparatus 100 forms a toner image on a recording material S based on image data sent from a document reading device (not shown) connected to the apparatus main body or an external device (not shown) such as a personal computer connected to the apparatus main body so as to be capable of inputting and outputting data.

[0014] The image formation data may include information on a method of folding the recording material S (for example, a folding position of an outer third according to the size of the recording material S) in addition to information on a plurality of toner images to be formed on the first side and the second side opposite the first side of the recording material S. The information on the toner images includes the image formation order in which the toner images are formed. The image formation data may also include information on the adhesive surface of the recording material S to which pressure-bonded adhesive is applied (also called the adhesive area or pressure-bonded surface).

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming units Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd are arranged in line along the moving direction of an intermediate transfer belt 130 inside the image forming apparatus body. The intermediate transfer belt 130 is stretched and rotated around a number of rollers (13, 14, and 15). The intermediate transfer belt 130 carries and transports a toner image to be primarily transferred as described below. A secondary transfer outer roller 11 is arranged at a position opposite to the secondary transfer inner roller 14, which stretches the intermediate transfer belt 130, with the intermediate transfer belt 130 sandwiched therebetween, forming a secondary transfer unit T2 that transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 130 to a recording material S. A fixing device 8 is arranged downstream of the secondary transfer unit T2 in the recording material transport direction.

[0016] The image forming apparatus 100 has a cassette 10 in which a recording material S is set. The recording material S is supplied from the cassette 10 by a conveying roller 16 and conveyed toward a registration roller 12. Thereafter, the registration roller 12 starts to rotate in synchronization with the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 130, so that the recording material S is conveyed to a secondary transfer portion T2. ​​A plurality of cassettes 10 may be arranged so that recording materials S of different sizes and thicknesses can be set therein. In this case, a recording material S selected by a user is supplied from one of the plurality of cassettes 10. In addition, in the case of this embodiment, the recording material S set in a manual feed tray 160 is supplied. Note that, as an option, a recording material supplying device (not shown) may be connected to the image forming apparatus 100, and the recording material S set in the recording material supplying device may be supplied to the image forming apparatus 100.

[0017] In the present embodiment, the recording material S set in the cassette 10 as the second setting unit is conveyed toward the registration rollers 12 with the front and back reversed. On the other hand, the recording material S set in the manual feed tray 160 as the first setting unit is conveyed toward the registration rollers 12 without being reversed. Note that the image forming apparatus 100 may have a specification in which the recording material S set in the cassette 10 is conveyed toward the registration rollers 12 without being reversed, and the recording material S set in the manual feed tray 160 is conveyed toward the registration rollers 12 with the front and back reversed. For example, this may be the case for an image forming apparatus of a vertical (vertical) conveyance type, rather than the image forming apparatus 100 of a horizontal (horizontal) conveyance type as in the present embodiment.

[0018] The four image forming units Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd of the image forming apparatus 100 have substantially the same configuration, except for the different developing colors. Therefore, the yellow image forming unit Pa will be described here as a representative, and descriptions of the other image forming units Pb, Pc, and Pd will be omitted.

[0019] The image forming unit Pa is provided with a cylindrical photosensitive drum 3a as a photosensitive member. The photosensitive drum 3a is rotated in a predetermined direction. A charging device 2a, an exposure device La, a developing device 1a, a primary transfer roller 24a, and a drum cleaning device 4a are arranged around the photosensitive drum 3a.

[0020] A process of forming, for example, a full-color image by the image forming apparatus 100 will be described. First, when the image forming operation is started, the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 3a is uniformly charged by the charging device 2a. The charging device 2a is, for example, a corona charger that irradiates charged particles associated with corona discharge to charge the photosensitive drum 3a to a uniform negative polarity dark potential. Next, the photosensitive drum 3a is scanned and exposed by a laser beam corresponding to an image signal emitted from the exposure device La. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image signal is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3a. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 3a is developed into a toner image, which is a visible image, by a developer containing toner and carrier contained in the developing device 1a.

[0021] In the present embodiment, the developing device 1a uses a two-component developer containing a non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier as a developer. The toner contains a binder resin, a colorant, and a release agent (wax). The binder resin may be a known one. For example, a vinyl copolymer such as a styrene-(meth)acrylic copolymer, a polyester resin, a hybrid resin in which a vinyl copolymer unit and a polyester unit are chemically bonded, an epoxy resin, a styrene-butadiene copolymer, or other resin may be used. Known colorants may be used for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively.

[0022] Examples of the release agent include aliphatic hydrocarbon waxes such as low molecular weight polyethylene, low molecular weight olefin copolymer wax, microcrystalline wax, Fischer-Tropsch wax, and paraffin wax, oxides of aliphatic hydrocarbon waxes such as oxidized polyethylene wax, and block copolymers thereof; waxes mainly composed of fatty acid esters such as carnauba wax and montan acid ester wax, ester waxes which are synthetic reaction products of higher fatty acids and higher alcohols such as behenyl behenate and behenyl stearate, and partially or completely deoxidized fatty acid esters such as deoxidized carnauba wax.

[0023] The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 3a is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 130 at a primary transfer section formed between the photosensitive drum 3a and a primary transfer roller 24a disposed with the intermediate transfer belt 130 sandwiched therebetween. At this time, a primary transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer roller 24a. Toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3a after the primary transfer is removed by a drum cleaning device 4a.

[0024] Such an operation is performed in sequence in each of the image forming sections Pa to Pd of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, and the four color toner images are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 130. Thereafter, the recording material S set in the cassette 10 is conveyed to the secondary transfer section T2 in accordance with the timing of the formation of the toner images. Then, by applying a secondary transfer bias to the secondary transfer outer roller 11, the full-color toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 130 are secondary-transferred all at once to the recording material S. The toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 130 after the secondary transfer is removed by the belt cleaning device 22. In this embodiment, the image forming sections Pa to Pd, the intermediate transfer belt 130, the rollers (13, 14, 15), the secondary transfer outer roller 11, and the like constitute an image forming unit section 150 capable of forming a toner image on the recording material S.

[0025] The recording material S on which the toner image has been formed is transported to a fixing device 8 serving as a fixing section. The fixing device 8 has a fixing roller and a pressure roller, and by nipping and transporting the recording material S on which the toner image has been formed in a fixing nip portion formed by these rollers, the recording material S is heated and pressurized, so that the toner image is fixed to the recording material S.

[0026] The image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment can execute a single-sided image forming mode in which an image is formed and fixed on the first side of the recording material S, and a double-sided image forming mode in which an image is formed and fixed on the first side and the second side opposite to the first side of the recording material S. In the single-sided image forming mode, the recording material S on one side of which a toner image is fixed by the fixing device 8 is discharged to the pressure bonding processing device 200. On the other hand, in the double-sided image forming mode, the recording material S on one side of which a toner image is fixed by the fixing device 8 is conveyed to the double-sided conveying section 190. In the double-sided conveying section 190, the recording material S is reversed while being conveyed, and the one-sided side and the two-sided side of the recording material S are swapped. The reversed recording material S is conveyed again through the double-sided conveying section 190 toward the registration roller 12. Then, the recording material S is conveyed toward the secondary transfer section T2 with the second side, which is not printed by the registration roller 12, facing the intermediate transfer belt 130 side. At the secondary transfer portion T2, the full-color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 130 is secondarily transferred collectively onto both sides of the recording material S. Thereafter, the toner images are fixed onto the recording material S by the fixing device 8, and the recording material S with the toner images formed on both sides is discharged to the pressure bonding device 200.

[0027] Moreover, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a main control unit 101. The main control unit 101 as a control unit can execute an image forming process of controlling the image forming apparatus 100 to form an image on a recording material S, and can also execute a pressure bonding process of folding and pressure bonding the recording material S by controlling the pressure bonding device 200. The control configuration of the image forming system 1X will be described later (see FIG. 2).

[0028] <Crimping processing equipment> Next, the pressure bonding device 200 will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, the pressure bonding device 200 has a folding device 400 and a pressure bonding device 600. The folding device 400 folds the recording material S, and the pressure bonding device 600 applies heat and pressure to the folded recording material S to bond it.

[0029] <Folding device> The folding device 400 is a device that performs folding processing by folding the recording material S that has undergone the image forming process by the image forming apparatus 100. In this embodiment, the folding device 400 is of a roller pressure contact type that can perform two-fold processing by folding a pressure-bonded postcard paper for folding in two as the pre-glued type recording material S once into a V shape, and an outer three-fold processing by folding a pressure-bonded postcard paper for folding in three twice into a Z shape. The folding device 400 has a folding control unit 430 and a folding unit 440 that folds the recording material S. The folding control unit 430 mainly controls the folding unit 440.

[0030] The operation of the folding section 440 will be described using a double folding process as an example. The recording material S conveyed from the image forming apparatus 100 is drawn into the folding device 400 by the entrance roller pair 401, and is distributed to different conveying paths by the branching flapper 402 depending on whether folding is required. That is, if folding is required, the recording material S is distributed to a folding path toward the conveying roller pair 403, and if folding is not required, the recording material S is distributed to a folding avoidance path toward the discharge roller pair 404. If distributed to the folding avoidance path, the recording material S is discharged to the pressing device 600 by the discharge roller pair 404 without being folded in half.

[0031] When the recording material S is distributed to the folding path, it is temporarily stopped at the position of the registration roller pair 405, and a registration correction is performed while forming a loop. The registration-corrected recording material S is conveyed again and drawn in by the first folding roller 407 and the second folding roller 408. When the trailing end of the recording material S abuts against the trailing end abutment stopper 411 after passing the folding position detection sensor 406, the recording material S is folded in two at the crease so that the one sides face each other. At this time, the drawn-in recording material S is guided by the leading end guide 412, which has been moved to a predetermined position in advance, and drawn in by the second folding roller 408 and the third folding roller 410. The recording material S drawn in by the second folding roller 408 and the third folding roller 410 is conveyed toward the discharge roller pair 404, and is discharged to the pressing device 600 by the discharge roller pair 404.

[0032] <Crimping device> The pressing device 600 is a device that performs pressing to press the recording material S that has been subjected to the folding process by the above-mentioned folding device 400. As an example, a roller pressing type pressing device 600 is shown that can press the recording material S by applying heat and pressure to the recording material S via a pair of pressing rollers that sandwich and transport the recording material S. The pressing device 600 has a pressing process control unit 630 and a pressing unit 640 that can press the recording material S. The pressing process control unit 630 mainly controls the pressing unit 640.

[0033] The pressing unit 640 will be described. The pressing unit 640 has a pair of pressing rollers 601 that rotate to sandwich and transport the recording material S, a heater 602 that heats the pair of pressing rollers 601, and a thermistor 603 that detects the temperature of the pair of pressing rollers 601. The pair of pressing rollers 601 has an upper roller 601a and a lower roller 601b, and the upper roller 601a and the lower roller 601b are each maintained at a desired temperature by the heater 602 according to the temperature detected by the thermistor 603. The pair of pressing rollers 601 applies heat and pressure to the recording material S while sandwiching and transporting the folded recording material S. As a result, the recording material S that has been folded with the adhesive side facing inward is pseudo-adhered so that the adhesive sides are pasted together by the pressure adhesive.

[0034] In the pressure bonding device 600, it is necessary to control the temperature and pressure of the recording material S during the pressure bonding process from the viewpoint of the adhesive strength and removability of the pressure-bonded printed matter. This is because when the temperature and pressure are low, the adhesive strength of the pressure bonding glue is weak, and if they are too low, there is a risk that the pseudo-adhesive state cannot be maintained. On the other hand, when the temperature and pressure are high, the adhesive strength of the pressure bonding glue is strong, and if they are too high, there is a risk that the removability will decrease, such as the recording material S being torn when re-peeled. Therefore, the temperature and pressure of the heat applied to the recording material S during the pressure bonding process must be appropriately set according to the type of recording material S. For example, the temperature of the pressure bonding roller pair 601 of the pressure bonding device 600 is set to "15°C to 80°C", more preferably "20 to 60°C", and the pressure of the pressure bonding roller pair 601 is set to several MPa or more, so that an appropriate adhesive strength of the pressure bonding glue can be obtained.

[0035] Although the pressure of the pressure roller pair 601 is "several MPa or more," the pressure applied to the recording material S by the fixing device 8 is about "0.1 to 0.5 MPa." As described above, the pressure adhesive exerts adhesive properties when the adhesive base material comes to the surface when high pressure (several MPa or more) is applied, so that in the fixing device 8, where the pressure is low, the recording material S reaches a high temperature of "100 to 200°C," but the adhesive base material does not come to the surface and adhesive properties are not exerted. Therefore, the recording material S that has passed through the fixing device 8 is folded without adhering to the folding device 400.

[0036] <Control configuration of image forming system> Next, the control of the image forming system 1X will be described using Fig. 2 while referring to Fig. 1. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the image forming apparatus 100 (more specifically, the main control unit 101) centrally manages operation commands for the pressure bonding apparatus 200 (folding apparatus 400, pressure bonding apparatus 600) and controls them. Note that various devices such as motors and power supplies are connected in addition to those shown in Fig. 2, but illustration and description of these are omitted here as they are not the main point of the invention.

[0037] 2, in the image forming system 1X of this embodiment, the folding control unit 430 and the crimping control unit 630 are connected to the main control unit 101 via a communication cable 500 so as to be able to communicate operation commands and various data. In accordance with an operation command from the main control unit 101, the folding control unit 430 operates the folding device 400, and the crimping control unit 630 operates the crimping device 600. That is, the main control unit 101 can control the entire image forming system 1X by transmitting operation commands to the crimping device 200 (the folding device 400 and the crimping device 600) while controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0038] The main control unit 101, the folding control unit 430, and the pressing control unit 630 may have the same configuration, and each of them has, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0039] The main control unit 101 has a CPU 102, a ROM 103, and a RAM 104. The ROM 103 and the RAM 104 store various programs and various data, such as a "press-bonded printed matter production process" (see FIG. 6) described later. The RAM 104 can also temporarily store the results of calculations and the like associated with the execution of the various programs.

[0040] The image forming apparatus 100 includes an operation unit 700 having, for example, a liquid crystal display unit 710 (see FIG. 1), and the operation unit 700 as an input unit is connected to the main control unit 101. The operation unit 700 can display various screens presenting various programs and various data on the liquid crystal display unit 710 as a display unit. The operation unit 700 is also a touch panel that allows user input, and accepts inputs for starting various programs and inputs of various data in response to user operations such as touch operations by the user.

[0041] A user can input the start of an image forming job from the operation unit 700. In response to this, the pressing device 200 (folding device 400, pressing device 600) can be operated together with the image forming device 100. In the case of this embodiment, when an image forming job is input, the CPU 102 executes a "pressed print creation process" stored in the ROM 103.

[0042] The folding control unit 430 includes a CPU 431, a ROM 432, and a RAM 433. The CPU 431 operates the folding device 400 based on a control program stored in the ROM 432.

[0043] The pressure bonding control unit 630 includes a CPU 631, a ROM 632, and a RAM 633. The CPU 631 operates the pressure bonding device 600 based on a control program stored in the ROM 632. The pressure bonding control unit 630 is connected to a motor 634 that rotates and drives the pressure bonding roller pair 601, a heater 602 that heats the pressure bonding roller pair 601, and a thermistor 603 that detects the temperature of the pressure bonding roller pair 601. The pressure bonding control unit 630 transmits the detection result (temperature data) of the thermistor 603 to the main control unit 101. The pressure bonding control unit 630 can change the temperature of the heater 602 by receiving the target temperature from the main control unit 101. The pressure bonding control unit 630 can change the number of rotations of the motor 634 by receiving the target speed of the recording material S to be conveyed from the main control unit 101. The pressure bonding control unit 630 can change the pressure of the pressure bonding roller pair 601 according to the control of the main control unit 101.

[0044] <Recording material> Next, the recording material S will be described. In this embodiment, a pre-glued recording material S having a substrate and an adhesive layer is used as the recording material S. The substrate may be any substrate capable of forming an adhesive layer on at least one side, and examples thereof include fine paper, medium-quality paper, and coated paper. From the viewpoint of confidentiality of information, it is preferable that the substrate is opaque to light so that a toner image formed on one side is difficult to see through on the other side.

[0045] The adhesive layer is formed by applying a pressure-sensitive adhesive or the like, and the pressure-sensitive adhesive includes an adhesive base material and an adhesion modifier. The adhesive base material is, for example, a composition containing natural rubber latex or its modified product, synthetic rubber latex, synthetic resin, etc., and exerts adhesion as a pressure-sensitive adhesive that pseudo-adheres when pressurized. The adhesion modifier is a known wax such as paraffin wax, or a particulate filler such as silica, titanium oxide, calcium carbonate, etc. All of these have low affinity with the adhesive base material and are used to adjust the adhesive strength of the adhesive base material.

[0046] The filler contained in the adhesive base material protrudes from the adhesive base material, forming an uneven shape on the surface of the adhesive layer. Due to this uneven shape, the adhesive base material is not exposed to the surface when no pressure is applied, and therefore no adhesiveness is exhibited. On the other hand, when surfaces coated with adhesive layers are overlapped and pressure is applied, the adhesive base material underneath the unevenness comes to the surface, and adhesiveness is exhibited when the adhesive base material comes into contact with the adhesive base material or adhesive strength modifier on the opposing surface. Considering that postage and other transportation costs are cheaper for pressure-bonded postcards than for envelopes, the basis weight of pre-glued recording material S is, for example, "64 g / m 2 ~209g / m 2 " It is preferable that

[0047] <Clamshell postcard paper for folding in half> 3(a) and 3(b) will be used to explain a pressure-bonded postcard sheet for folding in half as an example of the recording material S. Fig. 3(a) shows the first side of the pressure-bonded postcard sheet for folding in half, and Fig. 3(b) shows the second side of the pressure-bonded postcard sheet for folding in half.

[0048] The adhesive postcard paper for folding in half has a front and back configuration of an adhesive surface 810 to which adhesive glue is applied as shown in Fig. 3(a) and a non-adhesive surface 820 to which adhesive glue is not applied as shown in Fig. 3(b). More specifically, the back side of the first region 801 is the fourth region 804, and the back side of the second region 802 is the third region 803. The adhesive postcard paper is folded in half, for example, by a valley fold at the fold line Sa1 between the first region 801 and the second region 802 on the adhesive surface 810. In this case, an image of confidential information such as personal information must be formed on the adhesive surface 810 (first region 801, second region 802), and an image of non-confidential information such as an addressee must be formed on the non-adhesive surface 820 (third region 803, fourth region 804).

[0049] In the image forming apparatus 100, the pressure-bonded postcard paper is supplied from the cassette 10 or the manual feed tray 160 (see FIG. 1). Then, after an image is formed on the adhesive surface 810 of the pressure-bonded postcard paper, the pressure-bonded postcard paper is discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 to the pressure-bonding processing device 200. In the case of the present embodiment, the user needs to set the pressure-bonded postcard paper in the cassette 10 or the manual feed tray 160 in such a setting manner that the recording material S is discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 with the adhesive surface 810 facing outward so that the recording material S is valley-folded in the folding device 400 with the adhesive surface 810 on the inside.

[0050] In the case of this embodiment, when the adhesive side 810 is set in the cassette 10 with the adhesive side 810 facing up (upward) in the double-sided image forming mode, the sheet is discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 with the adhesive side 810 facing up, and is valley-folded with the adhesive side 810 facing inward in the folding apparatus 400. Alternatively, when the adhesive side 810 is set in the cassette 10 with the adhesive side 810 facing down (downward) in the single-sided image forming mode, the sheet is discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 with the adhesive side 810 facing up, and is valley-folded with the adhesive side 810 facing inward in the folding apparatus 400.

[0051] Furthermore, when the adhesive side 810 is set face down (facing down) on the manual feed tray 160 in the double-sided image forming mode, the sheet is discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 with the adhesive side 810 facing up, and is valley-folded with the adhesive side 810 facing inward in the folding device 400. Alternatively, when the adhesive side 810 is set face up (facing up) on the manual feed tray 160 in the single-sided image forming mode, the sheet is discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 with the adhesive side 810 facing up, and is valley-folded with the adhesive side 810 facing inward in the folding device 400.

[0052] Thus, in order to create an appropriate bonded postcard, the user must set the bonded postcard paper differently depending on whether it is set in the cassette 10 or the manual feed tray 160. However, although not shown, the folding device 400 can also be designed to fold the bonded postcard paper in half by mountain folding. In that case, the bonded postcard paper is discharged from the image forming device 100 with the adhesive side 810 facing down, and is mountain folded in the folding device 400 with the adhesive side 810 facing inward.

[0053] <Set mode> Next, the correct setting of the laminated postcard paper for folding in half will be described. Fig. 4 shows a combination of the setting of the laminated postcard paper for folding in half according to the specifications of the image forming apparatus 100 and the folding device 400. In Fig. 4, the "folding direction" of the folding device indicates whether the laminated postcard paper is folded in the folding device 400 in a valley fold or a mountain fold, and whether the adhesive side 810 is conveyed facing out when the laminated postcard paper is folded in a valley fold and whether the non-adhesive side 820 is conveyed facing out when the laminated postcard paper is conveyed in a mountain fold. The "conveying direction (fold position)" of the folding device indicates whether the fold Sa1 is at the leading end side (front) or the trailing end side (rear) of the conveying direction when the laminated postcard paper is conveyed from the folding device 400 to the pressing device 600.

[0054] The "discharge orientation" of the image forming apparatus is indicated as "FaceUP" when the surface of the recording material S set in the set location of the image forming apparatus 100 faces up, i.e., when it is discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 without being inverted, and as "FaceDown" when the surface of the recording material S set in the set location faces down, i.e., when it is inverted and discharged from the image forming apparatus 100. The "set orientation" of the image forming apparatus is the correct setting state of the press-bonded postcard paper in the set location (e.g., cassette 10 or manual feed tray 160) where the "discharge orientation" of the image forming apparatus 100 is "FaceUP" or "FaceDown" in any image forming mode.

[0055] "E1" indicates that when the specifications of the folding device 400 are "valley fold" and "conveyance direction is the forward conveyance direction" and the specifications of the image forming apparatus 100 are "face up", the laminated postcard paper is set with the "set orientation adhesive side up". "E2" indicates that when the specifications of the folding device 400 are "valley fold" and "conveyance direction is the rear conveyance direction" and the specifications of the image forming apparatus 100 are "face down", the laminated postcard paper is set with the "set orientation adhesive side down". "E3" indicates that when the specifications of the folding device 400 are "mountain fold" and "conveyance direction is the forward conveyance direction" and the specifications of the image forming apparatus 100 are "face up", the laminated postcard paper is set with the "set orientation adhesive side down". "E4" indicates that when the specifications of the folding device 400 are "fold direction is mountain fold" and "conveying direction is rearward of the conveying direction" and the specifications of the image forming device 100 are "discharge orientation is face-down," the laminated postcard paper is set with the "set orientation adhesive side up."

[0056] As described above, the setting state of the press-bonded postcard paper for folding in two at the setting location of the image forming apparatus 100 is determined according to the specifications of the image forming apparatus 100 and the specifications of the folding processing apparatus 400. Here, FIG. 5 shows an example of a press-bonded postcard paper for folding in two when the setting state is incorrect and an example of a press-bonded postcard paper for folding in two when the setting state is correct. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the "sun mark" and "face mark" are images of confidential information, and the "cloud mark" and "address side" are images of non-confidential information. The image data specifies data for forming each image in the image formation order of the "sun mark" and "face mark" on the first side, and the "cloud mark" and "address side" on the second side. In addition, the area surrounded by a dotted line frame in the figure represents the adhesive surface to which the pressure-bonded adhesive is applied.

[0057] As shown in the lower part of Fig. 5, for example, when the pressure-bonded postcard paper is set in the cassette 10 in the set orientation (E3) shown in Fig. 4 in the double-sided image forming mode, a pressure-bonded postcard is created in which an image of secret information is formed on the adhesive side (first side) and an image of non-secret information is formed on the non-adhesive side (second side). On the other hand, as shown in the upper part of Fig. 5, for example, when the pressure-bonded postcard paper is set in the cassette 10 in the set orientation (E4) shown in Fig. 4 in the double-sided image forming mode, a pressure-bonded postcard is created in which an image of secret information is formed on the non-adhesive side (first side) and an image of non-secret information is formed on the adhesive side (second side). That is, when the pressure-bonded postcard paper is set in the cassette 10 with the adhesive side 810 (first area 801, second area 802) facing up (up), the non-adhesive side 820 becomes the first side and an image of secret information is formed. Subsequently, the pressure-bonded postcard paper is inverted and the adhesive side 810 becomes the second side and an image of non-secret information is formed. Thereafter, the bonded postcard paper is discharged from image forming apparatus 100 to folding apparatus 400 with adhesive side 810 (second side) facing up. Then, in folding apparatus 400, the bonded postcard paper is folded in a mountain shape with adhesive side 810 facing outward. Therefore, adhesive side 810, to which adhesive is applied, faces the front side, and the bonded postcard paper is not bonded even when bonded by bonding apparatus 200, and the bonded postcard is not properly produced.

[0058] However, if a user makes a mistake in how the pressure-bonded postcard paper is set, a pressure-bonded postcard without an image of confidential information formed on the adhesive surface is produced, which is wasteful. Therefore, in the past, users had to take the trouble of carrying out a test print to check whether the pressure-bonded postcard paper was set in the wrong way, which was time-consuming and troublesome.

[0059] <Creating laminated printed matter> Therefore, in this embodiment, the user can set the laminated postcard paper correctly in the cassette 10 or the manual feed tray 160 without actually creating the laminated print. The "laminated print production process" of this embodiment to achieve this will be described using Figs. 6 to 9 with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. The "laminated print production process" of this embodiment is started by the main control unit 101 when, for example, a command to start an "image formation job" is input from the operation unit 700, and is ended when the "image formation job" is ended.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 6, the main control unit 101 judges whether the "image forming job" input from the operation unit 700 is a job for creating a laminated print (S1). Whether the job is for creating a laminated print is judged based on the type of recording material S input from the operation unit 700. For example, if the input type of recording material S is "laminated postcard", it is judged to be a job for creating a laminated print. Note that the operation unit 700 may input whether to create a laminated print in double-sided image formation mode or single-sided image formation mode. Alternatively, when creating a laminated print, the double-sided image formation mode may be automatically executed.

[0061] If the job is not for producing a pressure-bonded printed matter (NO in S1), the main control unit 101 controls the image forming apparatus 100 to form an image on the recording material S (S2). In this case, the main control unit 101 controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 100, but does not transmit an operation command for the pressure-bonding apparatus 200 to the folding control unit 430 and the pressure-bonding control unit 630. Therefore, an image is formed on the recording material S, but pressure-bonding of the recording material S is not performed, and the recording material S is simply produced with an image formed thereon, and a pressure-bonded printed matter is not produced. Note that, if the job is not for producing a pressure-bonded printed matter, the user inputs the setting location of the recording material S from the operation unit 700, and the recording material S is supplied from the input setting location (cassette 10 or manual feed tray 160).

[0062] If it is a job to create a laminated printed matter (YES in S1), the main control unit 101 executes a creation mode to create a laminated printed matter. When executing the creation mode, first, the main control unit 101 determines whether or not a "paper feed setting" for the recording material S for creating the laminated printed matter has been set (S3). The "paper feed setting" here refers to the setting location and setting manner of the recording material S. The setting location of the recording material S is, for example, the cassette 10 or the manual feed tray 160, and is input by the user from the operation unit 700.

[0063] If the "paper feed setting" has not been set (NO in S3), the main control unit 101 displays a "setting screen" on the liquid crystal display unit 710 and prompts the user to input the "paper feed setting" (S4). Then, when the "paper feed setting" is input from the setting screen, the main control unit 101 stores the input "paper feed setting" in the ROM 103 or RAM 104. This input of the "paper feed setting" is repeated until the operator operates, for example, the "OK" button on the setting screen.

[0064] An example of the "settings screen" is shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 7 shows an example in which pressure-sensitive adhesive postcard paper for folding in half is selected as the type of recording material S. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 7, the "settings screen" displays "folding type" as "folding in half" so that the user can understand.

[0065] The "setting screen" displays the "discharge orientation" of the image forming apparatus 100 so that the user can understand it. In this embodiment, the "discharge orientation" of the image forming apparatus 100 is determined by the set location of the recording material S and the double-sided or single-sided image formation mode input from the operation unit 700. For example, when the recording material S is set in the "manual feed tray 160" and the double-sided image formation mode is selected, the discharge orientation is determined to be "Face Down". When the recording material S is set in the "manual feed tray 160" and the single-sided image formation mode is selected, the discharge orientation is determined to be "Face Up". When the recording material S is set in the "cassette 10" and the double-sided image formation mode is selected, the discharge orientation is determined to be "Face Up". When the recording material S is set in the "cassette 10" and the single-sided image formation mode is selected, the discharge orientation is determined to be "Face Down".

[0066] Furthermore, the "setting screen" displays a selectable "setting orientation" of the image forming apparatus 100. In the case of "folding in two," the user can select and input either "adhesive side up" or "adhesive side down" as the "setting orientation," which indicates the orientation of the adhesive side. The selection items for the "setting orientation" of the image forming apparatus 100 conform to the specifications of the image forming apparatus 100 (see FIG. 4). Therefore, when a pressure-bonded postcard paper for folding in two is selected as the type of recording material S, the selection items for the "setting orientation" are "adhesive side up" and "adhesive side down." Furthermore, in this embodiment, the "setting screen" displays selectable "page positions" (P1 to P4) for forming the "address side" of the pressure-bonded postcard paper.

[0067] The "setting screen" displays the "conveying direction" and "folding direction" of the folding device 400. When the specifications of the compression processing device 200 are acquired from the compression processing device 200, the "conveying direction" and "folding direction" are displayed accordingly. If the specifications cannot be acquired from the folding device 400, the user may be allowed to select and input the "conveying direction" and "folding direction". When creating a compression printed material for folding in two, the user can select either "conveying direction forward" or "conveying direction rearward" as the "conveying direction" and either "valley fold" or "mountain fold" as the "folding direction", taking into consideration the specifications of the folding device 400.

[0068] Returning to the explanation of Figure 6, when the "paper feed setting" is set (YES in S3), the main control unit 101 creates an image of the finished laminated printed product based on the image data sent from the document reading device or external device, the set "paper feed setting", and the acquired or input specifications of the folding processing device 400, and displays a "laminated printed product selection screen" including the created finished image image on the LCD display unit 710 (S5).

[0069] Figures 8(a) and 8(b) show examples of the "Laminated Print Selection Screen." Figure 8(a) is the "Laminated Print Selection Screen" that is displayed when the "Paper Feed Setting" is correct, and Figure 8(b) is the "Laminated Print Selection Screen" that is displayed when there is an error in the "Paper Feed Setting."

[0070] When the main control unit 101 displays the "bonded print selection screen", it checks the two-fold table data based on the "paper feed setting" of the "setting screen" and the combination of the "transport direction" and "folding direction" of the folding device 400. The two-fold table data is data corresponding to the setting state of the bonded postcard paper for folding in two (see FIG. 5), and is stored in advance in the ROM 103 (see FIG. 2). If the two-fold table data is specified with data corresponding to the combination of the set "paper feed setting" and the acquired or input specifications of the folding device 400, it is determined that the "paper feed setting" is correct since the bonded postcard can be properly created, and the "bonded print selection screen" shown in FIG. 8(a) is displayed. On the other hand, if the two-fold table data is not specified with data corresponding to the set "paper feed setting" and the acquired or input specifications of the folding device 400, it is determined that the "paper feed setting" is incorrect since the bonded postcard cannot be properly created, and the "bonded print selection screen" shown in FIG. 8(b) is displayed.

[0071] As shown in Fig. 8(a) and Fig. 8(b), the "pressed print selection screen" displays a non-adhesive side image before folding including an image formed on the non-adhesive side based on image data, an adhesive side image before folding including an image formed on the pressure-bonded side (adhesive side) based on image data, and a completed image of the press-bonded print after folding. When the "paper feed setting" is correct, as shown in Fig. 8(a), the adhesive side is displayed with a "sun mark" and a "face mark" which are images of confidential information, and the non-adhesive side is displayed with a "cloud mark" and an "address side" which are images of non-confidential information. Then, by displaying "The press-bonded print can be created correctly", a normal display is performed to inform the user that the "paper feed setting" is correct. In addition, the "printing and processing execution" button and the "printing cancellation" button, which have the functions described later, are displayed. One of the non-adhesive side image image and the adhesive side image image corresponds to the first image image, and the other corresponds to the second image image.

[0072] On the other hand, if there is an error in the "paper feed setting", as shown in FIG. 8(b), the non-confidential information images "cloud mark" and "address side" are displayed on the adhesive side, and the confidential information images "sun mark" and "face mark" are displayed on the non-adhesive side. A warning message "The laminated print cannot be created correctly" is displayed to inform the user that the "paper feed setting" is incorrect. In addition, a "print / process execution" button, a "cancel print" button, and a "change paper feed setting" button, which have functions to be described later, are displayed. The "change paper feed setting" button displays the changes required to correct the "paper feed setting". Here, "change front / back" is displayed as the change display. This change display indicates the setting items that the user must change in the "paper feed setting" to obtain the correct "paper feed setting".

[0073] Returning to the description of FIG. 6, the main control unit 101 judges whether or not a "printing and processing execution" instruction has been given (S6). The user can give a "printing and processing execution" instruction by operating the "printing and processing execution" button on the "pressed printed matter selection screen". When the "printing and processing execution" instruction has been given (YES in S6), the main control unit 101 controls the image forming apparatus 100 to form an image on the recording material S (S9). In this case, the main control unit 101 transmits an operation command for the pressing processing apparatus 200 to the folding processing control unit 430 and the pressing processing control unit 630 while controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 100. That is, by operating the "printing and processing execution" button, the pressing processing of the recording material S by the pressing processing apparatus 200 is permitted. When the pressing processing of the recording material S by the pressing processing apparatus 200 is permitted, a series of processes from image formation to pressing on the recording material S are performed by the image forming apparatus 100 and the pressing processing apparatus 200, and a pressed printed matter is created. In this embodiment, even if the "paper feed settings" are incorrect, the user can still create a laminated printed product that does not have the desired image by operating the "Execute printing and processing" button.

[0074] If an instruction to "execute print processing" has not been given (NO in S6), the main control unit 101 judges whether an instruction to "cancel" the laminated print production job has been given (S7). For example, if the user feels that the completed image displayed on the "Laminated Print Selection Screen" is not the image they desire, the user can issue an instruction to "cancel" the laminated print production job by operating the "Cancel Print" button on the "Laminated Print Selection Screen". If an instruction to "cancel" has been given (YES in S7), the main control unit 101 ends the laminated print production job without forming an image on the recording material S or laminating the recording material S. In this case, the recording material S is not supplied from the set location in the image forming apparatus 100 in the first place.

[0075] If neither the "Execute print processing" instruction nor the "Cancel" instruction has been issued (NO in both S6 and S7), the main control unit 101 determines that the "Display changes / change paper feed settings" button on the "Laminated printed matter selection screen" has been operated, and changes the screen displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 710 from the "Laminated printed matter selection screen" to the "Changes display screen" (S8). Thereafter, the main control unit 101 changes the screen displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 710 from the "Changes display screen" to the "Settings screen" and prompts the user to input "Paper feed settings" (S4). Note that, although the "Changes display screen" is displayed here, this is not a limitation, and the main control unit 101 may change the screen displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 710 from the "Laminated printed matter selection screen" to the "Settings screen" without displaying the "Changes display screen".

[0076] FIG. 9 shows an example of the "changes display screen." In this embodiment, the "changes display screen" displays a completed image of the laminated print created according to the current paper feed settings, a change display "Please change the front and back orientation," and a completed image of the laminated print created according to the changed paper feed settings. Also, a first-side image of the first side including an image and a second-side image of the second side, which are created according to the current paper feed settings and the changed paper feed settings, are displayed. By comparing these image images and checking the change display, the user can reset the correct "paper feed settings" from the above-mentioned "setting screen" (see FIG. 7). After resetting the "paper feed settings," the main control unit 101 updates the "laminated print selection screen" (S5).

[0077] As described above, in this embodiment, if the "paper feed setting" input by the user from the "setting screen" (see FIG. 7) is incorrect, the "pressed print selection screen" shown in FIG. 8(b) is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 710. If the "paper feed setting" is incorrect, the "pressed print selection screen" displays a "change paper feed setting" button in addition to the "warning display". The "change paper feed setting" button displays the changes required to correct the "paper feed setting". In addition, by operating the "change paper feed setting" button, the user can compare the image created according to the current paper feed setting on the "change display screen" (see FIG. 9) with the image created according to the changed paper feed setting to confirm the changes in the "paper feed setting". In this way, in this embodiment, if the "paper feed setting" is incorrect, the changes in the "paper feed setting" are presented to the user. This makes it easy for the user to correct the "paper feed setting" of the recording material S even if the "paper feed setting" is incorrect. Therefore, the user does not have to take the trouble of making a test print to check whether the pressure-bonded postcard paper is set correctly as in the conventional method, and can efficiently create pressure-bonded printed matter without any trouble.

[0078] [Other embodiments] In the above embodiment, a case where a laminated postcard paper for folding in half is used as the laminated printed matter and folded in half is described as an example, but a case where a laminated postcard paper for folding in three is used and folded in three is also applicable. The case where a sheet is folded in three is described below using Figures 10(a) to 15 with reference to Figures 6 and 7. The same description as for the case where the sheet is folded in two is simplified or omitted.

[0079] First, the outer three-fold process by the folding section 440 of the folding device 400 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, when the recording material S is distributed to the folding path, it is temporarily stopped at the position of the registration roller pair 405, and a loop is formed and registration correction is performed. The registration-corrected recording material S is conveyed again, and at a predetermined timing after passing the folding position detection sensor 406, it is drawn in by the first folding roller 407 and the second folding roller 408 and simultaneously undergoes the first folding process. Then, when the drawn-in recording material S abuts against the folding abutment stopper 409, it is drawn in by the second folding roller 408 and the third folding roller 410 and simultaneously undergoes the second folding process. In this way, the first surface side of the recording material S is folded at the first fold so that the first surfaces face each other, and the second surface side opposite the first surface side is folded at the second fold so that the other surfaces face each other. Then, the recording material S that has been folded for the second time is conveyed toward the pair of discharge rollers 404, and is delivered by the pair of discharge rollers 404 to the subsequent pressing device 600. When the recording material S is diverted to the fold avoidance path, it is delivered by the pair of discharge rollers 404 to the subsequent pressing device 600 without being subjected to the above-mentioned outer three-folding.

[0080] <Clamshell postcard paper for folding in three> As an example of the recording material S, a pressure-bonded postcard for folding in three will be described with reference to Figures 10(a) and 10(b). Figure 10(a) shows the first side of the pressure-bonded postcard for folding in three, and Figure 10(b) shows the second side of the pressure-bonded postcard for folding in three. In the pressure-bonded postcard for folding in three, pressure-bonding glue is applied to the second area 902 and the third area 903 of the first side 830 and the fourth area 904 and the fifth area 905 of the second side 840, and pressure-bonding glue is not applied to the first area 901 of the first side 830 and the sixth area 906 of the second side 840.

[0081] The relationship between the front and back of the adhesive postcard paper for folding in three is such that the back side of the first region 901 is the fourth region 904, the back side of the second region 902 is the fifth region 905, and the back side of the third region 903 is the sixth region 906. In the adhesive postcard paper for folding in three, the adhesive glue is applied across the second region 902 and the third region 903 to form a first adhesive surface, and the adhesive glue is applied across the fourth region 904 and the fifth region 905 to form a second adhesive surface. Therefore, an image of confidential information such as personal information is formed on the first adhesive surface (902, 903) and the second adhesive surface (904, 905), and an image of non-confidential information such as the addressee must be formed on the non-adhesive surface 820 (first region 901, sixth region 906).

[0082] The pressure-bonded postcard paper for folding in three is mountain-folded at the fold line Sb1 between the first region 901 and the second region 902 (FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b)), and valley-folded at the fold line Sb2 between the second region 902 and the third region 903 (FIG. 11(c)), and then folded in three (FIG. 11(d)). That is, on the second side 840, the fold line Sc1 behind the fold line Sb1 is a valley fold, and the fold line Sc2 behind the fold line Sb2 is a mountain fold. The fold line Sc2 is located between the fourth region 904 and the fifth region 905. The fold line Sc1 is located between the fifth region 905 and the sixth region 906. In this embodiment, the laminated postcard paper set in the cassette 10 is discharged from the folding device 400 to the laminating device 600 in a discharge orientation in which the first area 901, which is the non-glue side of the first side 830, is the front side and the fold Sb2 side is the leading edge in the conveying direction, as shown in Figure 11 (d) (corresponding to F1 in Figure 12).

[0083] <Set mode> Even when using pressure-bonded postcard paper for folding in three on the outside, in order to obtain a suitable pressure-bonded postcard, the user must set the pressure-bonded postcard paper differently depending on whether it is set in cassette 10 or manual feed tray 160. Figure 12 shows combinations of setting modes of pressure-bonded postcard paper for folding in three on the outside according to the specifications of image forming apparatus 100 and folding device 400.

[0084] 12, the "folding direction" of the folding device indicates whether the bonded postcard paper is folded in a Z fold or a reverse Z fold in the folding device 400, and whether the first adhesive side (902, 903) or the second adhesive side (904, 905) is transported at the leading or trailing end when folding in a Z fold or a reverse Z fold. The "transport direction (fold position)" of the folding device indicates whether the fold Sb1 is at the leading end (front) or trailing end (rear) in the transport direction when the bonded postcard paper is discharged from the folding device 400 to the bonding device 600.

[0085] The "discharge orientation" of the image forming device is indicated as "FaceUP" when the surface (first side 830 or second side 840) of the recording material S set at the setting location of the image forming device 100 is facing up, i.e., when it is discharged from the image forming device 100 without being inverted, and as "FaceDown" when the surface (first side 830 or second side 840) of the recording material S set at the setting location is facing down, i.e., when it is inverted and discharged from the image forming device 100.

[0086] The "setting direction" of the image forming device is the correct setting state of the laminated postcard paper at the setting location (e.g., cassette 10 or manual feed tray 160) where the "discharge direction" of the image forming device is "Face Up" or "Face Down" and the "folding direction" of the folding device is "Front of the conveying direction" or "Rear of the conveying direction". In the image forming system 1X shown in FIG. 1, for example, in both the double-sided image forming mode and the single-sided image forming mode, when creating a Z-folded laminated postcard, the "setting direction" needs to be set to the "leading edge of the adhesive side" when setting the laminated postcard paper in the cassette 10, and the "setting direction" needs to be set to the "leading edge of the adhesive side" when setting the laminated postcard paper in the manual feed tray 160. When creating a reverse Z-folded laminated postcard, the "setting direction" needs to be set to the "rear edge of the adhesive side" when setting the laminated postcard paper in the cassette 10 or manual feed tray 160.

[0087] "F1" indicates that when the specifications of the folding device 400 are "Z-fold" and "the conveying direction is the rear of the conveying direction" and the specifications of the image forming apparatus 100 are "face-up", the laminated postcard paper is set with the "set orientation being the adhesive side leading edge". "F2" indicates that when the specifications of the folding device 400 are "Z-fold" and "the conveying direction is the rear of the conveying direction" and the specifications of the image forming apparatus 100 are "face-down", the laminated postcard paper is set with the "set orientation being the adhesive side leading edge". "F3" indicates that when the specifications of the folding device 400 are "reverse-Z-fold" and "the conveying direction is the front of the conveying direction" and the specifications of the image forming apparatus 100 are "face-up", the laminated postcard paper is set with the "set orientation being the adhesive side trailing edge". "F4" indicates that when the specifications of the folding device 400 are "reverse Z fold" and "conveying direction is the forward conveying direction" and the specifications of the image forming device 100 are "discharge orientation is face-down," the laminated postcard paper is set with the "setting orientation being the rear end of the adhesive side."

[0088] As described above, the setting mode of the pressure-bonded postcard paper for folding in three at the setting location of the image forming apparatus 100 is determined according to the specifications of the image forming apparatus 100 and the specifications of the folding processing apparatus 400. Here, FIG. 13 shows an example of a pressure-bonded postcard paper for folding in three when the setting mode is incorrect and an example of a pressure-bonded postcard paper for folding in three when the setting mode is correct. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the "sun mark", "face mark", "crescent moon mark", and "heart mark" are images of confidential information, and the "cloud mark" and "address side" are images of non-confidential information. The image data specifies data for forming each image in the order of image formation of the "face mark", "sun mark", and "cloud mark" on the first side, and the order of image formation of the "crescent moon mark", "heart mark", and "address side" on the second side. Note that the area surrounded by a dotted line frame in the figure represents the adhesive surface to which the pressure-bonded adhesive is applied.

[0089] As shown in the lower part of Fig. 13, for example, when the bonded postcard paper is set in the cassette 10 in the set orientation (F3) shown in Fig. 12 in the double-sided image forming mode, a bonded postcard is created in which an image of confidential information and an image of non-confidential information are correctly formed on each of the adhesive side (first side) and non-adhesive side (second side). On the other hand, as shown in the upper part of Fig. 13, for example, when the bonded postcard paper is set in the cassette 10 in the set orientation (E3) shown in Fig. 12 in the double-sided image forming mode, a bonded postcard is created in which an image of confidential information and an image of non-confidential information are not correctly formed on each of the adhesive side (first side) and non-adhesive side (second side).

[0090] However, if a user makes a mistake in the way the pressure-bonded postcard paper is set, it is a waste to create a pressure-bonded postcard on which the images of confidential information and non-confidential information are not correctly formed. Therefore, in the past, users had to take the trouble of carrying out a test print to check whether the pressure-bonded postcard paper was set in the wrong way, which was time-consuming and troublesome.

[0091] <Creating laminated printed matter> Therefore, in this embodiment, even when using a laminated postcard paper for folding in three, the user can set the laminated postcard paper in the cassette 10 or the manual feed tray 160 without making a mistake in the setting manner, even if the user does not actually create a laminated printout. In this embodiment, even when using a laminated postcard paper for folding in three, the above-mentioned "laminated printout creation process" (see FIG. 6) is executed in the same way as when using a laminated postcard paper for folding in two. The following mainly describes the points that are different from the above-mentioned case of a laminated postcard paper for folding in two.

[0092] When using a pressure-bonded postcard paper for folding in three, the user performs "paper feed setting" from the "setting screen" as shown in FIG. 7. The "setting screen" displays the "discharge direction" of the image forming device 100 so that the user can understand. When using a pressure-bonded postcard paper for folding in three, the user can select and input either "rear end of adhesive side" or "leading end of adhesive side" as the "setting direction" of the image forming device 100. The selection items for the "setting direction" of the image forming device 100 conform to the specifications of the image forming device 100 (see FIG. 12). Therefore, when a pressure-bonded postcard paper for folding in three is selected, the selection items for the "setting direction" are "rear end of adhesive side" and "leading end of adhesive side". In addition, in the case of this embodiment, the "setting screen" displays the "page position" (P1 to P6) for forming the "address side" of the pressure-bonded postcard paper so that it can be selected.

[0093] The "setting screen" also displays the "conveying direction" and "folding direction" of the folding device 400. Although not shown in the figure, if the specifications of the crimping device 200 are acquired from the crimping device 200, the "conveying direction" and "folding direction" are displayed accordingly. If the specifications cannot be acquired from the folding device 400, the user may be allowed to select and input the "conveying direction" and "folding direction." Although not shown in the figure, the "conveying direction" may be allowed to be selected from either "forward conveying direction" or "backward conveying direction," and the "folding direction" may be allowed to be selected from either "Z fold" or "reverse Z fold."

[0094] Next, we will explain the "Laminated Print Selection Screen" and "Changes Display Screen" that are displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 710 when using laminated postcard paper for folding in three. Figures 14(a) and 14(b) show an example of the "Laminated Print Selection Screen." Figure 14(a) is the "Laminated Print Selection Screen" that is displayed when the "Paper Feed Settings" are correct, and Figure 14(b) is the "Laminated Print Selection Screen" that is displayed when there is an error in the "Paper Feed Settings."

[0095] In this embodiment, when the main control unit 101 displays the "bonded print selection screen", it checks the table data for folding in three on the basis of the combination of the "paper feed setting" on the "setting screen" and the "conveying direction" and "folding direction" of the folding device 400. The table data for folding in three on the outside is data corresponding to the setting state of the bonded postcard paper for folding in three on the outside (see FIG. 12), and is stored in advance in the ROM 103 (see FIG. 2). If the data corresponding to the combination of the set "paper feed setting" and the acquired or input specifications of the folding device 400 is specified in the table data for folding in three on the outside, it is determined that the "paper feed setting" is correct since the bonded postcard can be properly created, and the "bonded print selection screen" shown in FIG. 14(a) is displayed. On the other hand, if the data corresponding to the combination of the set "paper feed setting" and the acquired or input specifications of the folding device 400 is not specified in the table data for the outer three-fold, it is determined that there is an error in the "paper feed setting" since it is not possible to properly create a laminated postcard, and the "Laminated Print Selection Screen" shown in Figure 14(b) is displayed.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 14(a) and FIG. 14(b), the "bonded print selection screen" displays a non-adhesive side image before folding including an image formed on the first side based on image data, an adhesive side image before folding including an image formed on the second side based on image data, and a completed image of the bonded print after folding. When the "paper feed setting" is correct, as shown in FIG. 14(a), the "cloud mark" and "address side" which are images of non-confidential information are displayed on the non-adhesive side of the first and second sides. In addition, the "face mark" and "sun mark" which are images of confidential information are displayed on the adhesive side of the first side, and the "crescent moon mark" and "heart mark" which are images of confidential information are displayed on the adhesive side of the second side. Then, by displaying "The bonded print can be created correctly", a normal display is performed to inform the user that the "paper feed setting" is correct. Furthermore, the above-mentioned "printing and processing execution" button and "cancel printing" button are displayed.

[0097] On the other hand, if there is an error in the "paper feed setting", as shown in FIG. 14(b), the "face mark" and "crescent moon mark", which are images of confidential information, are displayed on the non-paste side of the first and second sides. Also, the "sun mark", which is an image of confidential information, and the "cloud mark", which is an image of non-confidential information, are displayed on the paste side of the first side, and the "heart mark", which is an image of confidential information, and the "address side", which is non-confidential information, are displayed on the paste side of the second side. Then, a warning display is displayed to inform the user that the "paper feed setting" is incorrect by displaying "The laminated print cannot be created correctly". Also, the above-mentioned "print and process" button, "cancel print" button, and "change paper feed setting" button are displayed. And, the "change paper feed setting" button displays the changes to make the "paper feed setting" correct. Here, "change transport direction" is displayed as the change display. This change display indicates the setting item that the user changes in the "paper feed setting" to obtain the correct "paper feed setting".

[0098] In the "bonded print production process", even when bonded postcard paper for folding in three is used, when the "change paper feed settings" button on the "bonded print selection screen" is operated, the screen displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 710 is changed from the "bonded print selection screen" to the "changes display screen" (S8). After that, the "settings screen" is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 710, prompting the user to input the "paper feed settings" (S4).

[0099] FIG. 15 shows an example of the "changes display screen." In this embodiment, the "changes display screen" displays a completed image of the laminated print created according to the current paper feed settings, a change display "Please change the front and back orientation," and a completed image of the laminated print created according to the changed paper feed settings. Also, a first-side image of the first side and a second-side image of the second side, which include an image, created according to the current paper feed settings and the changed paper feed settings, are displayed. By comparing these image images and checking the change display, the user can reset the correct "paper feed settings" from the above-mentioned "setting screen" (see FIG. 7). After resetting the "paper feed settings," the main control unit 101 updates the "laminated print selection screen" (S5).

[0100] As described above, even when creating a laminated postcard folded in three, if there is an error in the "paper feed settings," the "Laminated Print Selection Screen" displays a "Warning Display" as well as a "Change Paper Feed Settings" button. The "Change Paper Feed Settings" button displays the changes required to correct the "paper feed settings." In addition, by operating the "Change Paper Feed Settings" button, the user can check the changes to the "paper feed settings" by comparing the image created according to the current paper feed settings with the image created according to the changed paper feed settings on the "Changes Display Screen" (see Figure 15). This eliminates the need for the user to take the trouble of making a test print to check whether the laminated postcard paper is set correctly, as was done in the past, and allows for efficient creation of laminated prints without the hassle of having to do so.

[0101] In the above embodiment, the image forming system 1X in which the pressure-bonding device 200 is connected as a separate housing outside the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 has been exemplified, but the pressure-bonding device 200 may be provided inside the main body (within the same housing) of the image forming apparatus 100. In this case, the main control unit 101 also operates as the above-mentioned folding control unit 430 and pressure-bonding control unit 630. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1X...image forming system, 8...fixing section (fixing device), 10...first setting section (manual feed tray), 100...image forming apparatus, 101...control section (main control section), 150...image forming unit section, 160...second setting section (cassette), 200...pressing device, 440...folding section, 640...pressing section, 700...input section (operation section), 710...display section, 801, 802 (902, 903, 904, 905)...adhesive area, S...recording material

Claims

1. an image forming apparatus including a loading section capable of loading a recording material having an adhesive area on its surface, an image forming unit that forms an image on the recording material, and a fixing section that fixes the image formed on the recording material; a pressing device including a folding unit that folds the recording material conveyed from the image forming device, and a pressing unit that can pressurize and press the recording material folded by the folding unit; An image forming system comprising: an input unit capable of inputting the front and back orientation of the recording material to be loaded on the loading unit; a display unit that displays a pressure-bonded printed matter to be produced by changing the front and back orientation of the recording material when the front and back orientation of the recording material input by the input unit differs from the front and back orientation that can correctly produce a pressure-bonded printed matter, An image forming system comprising:

2. The display unit displays a laminated print created with the front and back orientations of the recording material input by the input unit.

2. The image forming system according to claim 1.

3. The display unit displays a message indicating that a laminated print created with the front and back orientation of the recording material input by the input unit will not be created correctly.

2. The image forming system according to claim 1.

4. the display unit displays a first image formed on one side of the recording material and a second image formed on a second side opposite to the first side; 2. The image forming system according to claim 1.

5. The folding section folds the recording material in half.

2. The image forming system according to claim 1.

6. The folding unit folds the recording material into three folds.

2. The image forming system according to claim 1.

7. An image forming apparatus having a loading section capable of loading a recording material having an adhesive area on the surface of which an adhesive is applied, an image forming unit that forms an image on the recording material, and a fixing section that fixes the image formed on the recording material; a pressing device including a folding unit that folds the recording material conveyed from the image forming device, and a pressing unit that can pressurize and press the recording material folded by the folding unit; An image forming system comprising: an input unit capable of inputting the front and back orientation of the recording material to be loaded on the loading unit; a display unit that displays a first laminated print produced in the front-to-back orientation of the recording material input by the input unit, and a second laminated print produced by changing the front-to-back orientation of the recording material input by the input unit, An image forming system comprising:

8. The display unit displays a first image formed on one side of the recording material and a second image formed on a second side opposite to the first side.

8. The image forming system according to claim 7,

9. The folding section folds the recording material in half.

8. The image forming system according to claim 7,

10. The folding unit folds the recording material into three folds.

8. The image forming system according to claim 7,

11. An image forming apparatus having a first loading section capable of loading recording material having an adhesive area on its surface where an adhesive is applied, a second loading section capable of loading recording material having an adhesive area on its surface where an adhesive is applied, an image forming unit that forms an image on the recording material, and a fixing section that fixes the image formed on the recording material, wherein the recording material loaded on the first loading section is inverted from its loaded state and transported to the image forming unit, and the recording material loaded on the second loading section is transported to the image forming unit without being inverted from its loaded state; a pressing device including a folding unit that folds the recording material conveyed from the image forming device, and a pressing unit that can pressurize and press the recording material folded by the folding unit; An image forming system comprising: a control unit capable of executing a creation mode in which the image forming apparatus and the pressure bonding apparatus are controlled to fold and pressure bond a recording material on which an image has been formed, thereby creating a pressure-bonded printed matter; an input unit capable of inputting the front and back orientations of the recording materials to be loaded in the first stacking unit or the second stacking unit; a display unit that displays a pressure-bonded printed matter to be produced by changing the front and back orientation of the recording material when the front and back orientation of the recording material input by the input unit differs from the front and back orientation that can correctly produce a pressure-bonded printed matter, An image forming system comprising:

12. The display unit displays a laminated print created with the front and back orientations of the recording material input by the input unit.

12. The image forming system according to claim 11.

13. The display unit displays a message indicating that the laminated print created with the front and back orientation of the recording material input by the input unit will not be created correctly.

12. The image forming system according to claim 11.

14. The display unit displays a first image formed on one side of the recording material and a second image formed on a second side opposite to the first side.

12. The image forming system according to claim 11.

15. The folding section folds the recording material in half.

12. The image forming system according to claim 11.

16. The folding unit folds the recording material into three folds.

12. The image forming system according to claim 11.

Images