Image-forming device
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CANON KK
- Filing Date
- 2023-05-22
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-01
Smart Images
Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile, or a multifunction machine, that utilizes electrophotographic technology. [Background technology]
[0002] Conventionally, an image forming system capable of producing a pressure-bonded printed matter with excellent information confidentiality has been proposed (Patent Document 1). Examples of pressure-bonded printed matters 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. Pressure-bonded printed matters are formed by forming an image (called a secret image) related to information desired by a user to be kept secret on the adhesive surface of a recording material to which glue is applied, and then folding the recording material and applying heat and pressure to the recording material to pseudo-bond it. 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.
[0003] Incidentally, an image such as an address can be separately formed on the front or back surface of the bonded print by an image forming device. In an image forming device using electrophotography, a toner image is formed on the bonded print by using toner, and then the toner image is fixed to the bonded print by applying heat and pressure to the bonded print. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-35454 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0005] However, in the past, when the confidential image is a toner image formed by toner instead of ink, there was a risk of the confidential image (toner image) peeling off when a pressure-bonded printed matter with a toner image formed on the front or back side is opened. This is because a part of the toner in the confidential image melts due to heat applied to fix the toner image on the front or back side of the pressure-bonded printed matter, and the melted toner transfers from one side to the other side when the pressure-bonded printed matter is opened. If the confidential image peels off, the pressure-bonded printed matter becomes wasteful. Therefore, there has been a demand for an image forming device that can suppress the generation of a wasteful pressure-bonded printed matter when a toner image is formed on the front or back side of the pressure-bonded printed matter, but such a device has not yet been provided.
[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has an object to provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing the generation of wasted pressure-bonded printed matter when forming a toner image on the front and back surfaces of a pressure-bonded printed matter. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] An image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an image forming unit capable of forming a toner image on a recording material, a fixing unit that applies heat and pressure to the recording material on which the toner image has been formed by the image forming unit to fix the toner image, an operation unit capable of displaying information and operable by a user, and a control unit capable of executing a mode in which a toner image is formed on a second surface of a recording material on which an image has been formed on a first surface and the first surface has been folded and adhered, wherein, when executing the mode, the control unit causes the operation unit to display a first screen on which the user can select whether the image formed on the first surface is formed with toner or ink, and causes the operation unit to display a second screen on which the user can select whether the adhesive area of the first surface is the entire surface of the first surface or only the edges of the first surface, and when it is selected on the first screen that the image is formed with toner and when it is selected on the second screen that the adhesive area of the first surface is only the edges of the first surface, the control unit displays information on the operation unit that indicates that an abnormality will occur when opening the first surface of a recording material on which a toner image has been formed on the second surface by executing the mode.
[0008] An image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an image forming unit capable of forming a toner image on a recording material, a fixing unit that applies heat and pressure to the recording material on which the toner image has been formed by the image forming unit to fix the toner image, an output unit capable of outputting information, and a control unit capable of executing a mode in which an image is formed on a first side and a toner image is formed on a second side of a recording material to which the first side has been folded and adhered, wherein, when executing the mode, the control unit causes the output unit to output a first screen allowing the user to select whether the image formed on the first side is formed with toner or ink, and causes the output unit to output a second screen allowing the user to select whether the adhesive area of the first side is the entire surface of the first side or only the edges of the first side, and when it is selected on the first screen that the image is formed with toner and on the second screen that the adhesive area of the first side is only the edges of the first side, the control unit causes the output unit to output information indicating that an abnormality will occur when opening the first side of a recording material having a toner image formed on its second side by executing the mode. Effect of the Invention
[0009] According to the present invention, when a toner image is formed on the front or back surface of a pressure-bonded printed material, the generation of a wasteful pressure-bonded printed material can be suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram showing a control configuration of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 shows adhesive paper for folding in half, (a) full-surface glue type, (b) edge-glued type. [Diagram 5]FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the process of producing a laminated postcard, showing (a) a state in which a concealed image has been formed on the laminated paper, (b) a state in which the laminated paper has been folded, (c) a cross-section of the laminated postcard, and (d) a state in which a non-concealed image has been formed on the laminated postcard. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing an image forming process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 shows a "set location selection screen." [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a "recording material type selection screen." [Figure 9] 1A is a diagram showing the "pressed postcard setting screen," and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the "help screen." [Figure 10] 1A is a diagram showing a “glue side printing method selection screen” and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a “glue application area selection screen.” [Figure 11] A diagram showing a "warning screen." [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing an image forming process according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a “processing option selection screen”; FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a “fixing temperature change screen.” [Figure 14] 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the fixing mode and the fixing temperature. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0011] [First embodiment] <Image forming device> The present embodiment will be described below. First, an image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment 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 stations 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 900 such as a personal computer connected to the apparatus main body so as to be capable of inputting and outputting data.
[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming stations 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 rotated while being tensioned 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 tensions the intermediate transfer belt 130, with the intermediate transfer belt 130 sandwiched therebetween, forming a secondary transfer portion 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 portion T2 in the recording material transport direction.
[0013] 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.
[0014] The four image forming stations 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 station Pa will be described here as a representative, and descriptions of the other image forming stations Pb, Pc, and Pd will be omitted.
[0015] A cylindrical photosensitive drum 3a is disposed in the image forming station Pa. 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 disposed around the photosensitive drum 3a.
[0016] 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.
[0017] 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.
[0018] 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.
[0019] 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 voltage 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.
[0020] Such an operation is performed in sequence at each of the image forming stations Pa to Pd for 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, a secondary transfer voltage is applied to the secondary transfer outer roller 11, so that 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 stations 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 section 150 capable of forming a toner image on the recording material S.
[0021] The recording material S on which the toner image has been formed is conveyed to a fixing device 8 as a fixing section. The fixing device 8 has a fixing roller 81 as a first rotating body and a pressure roller 82 as a second rotating body. The pressure roller 82 contacts the fixing roller 81 to sandwich and convey the recording material S, and forms a fixing nip N where the toner image is fixed by applying heat and pressure. A heater 80 for heating the fixing roller 81 is disposed inside the fixing roller 81, and a temperature sensor 90 for detecting the temperature of the fixing roller 81 is disposed outside the fixing roller 81. The fixing roller 81 is provided so as to be pressurized by the pressure roller 82, and in this embodiment, when the fixing roller 81 is driven by a rotation motor 810 (see FIG. 2) as a rotation drive section, the pressure roller 82 is rotated at the same speed as the fixing roller 81.
[0022] In the fixing device 8, heat and pressure are applied to the recording material S as it is nipped and conveyed in a fixing nip portion N formed by pressing the fixing roller 81 against the pressure roller 82, and the toner image is fixed to the recording material S. The recording material S with the fixed toner image is discharged outside the image forming apparatus 100 after single-sided printing or double-sided printing. Note that, although the fixing device 8 using the fixing roller 81 and pressure roller 82 is shown here as an example, the fixing device is not limited to this, and may be a fixing device using an endless belt-like fixing belt or a pressure belt.
[0023] Next, a pressure mechanism for pressing the fixing roller 81 against the pressure roller 82 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the fixing roller 81 is pressed against the pressure roller 82 by a pressure mechanism 500 serving as a pressure unit. A pair of identical pressure mechanisms 500 are provided on both ends of the fixing roller 81, and the pressure mechanisms 500 have a pressure spring 501 and an eccentric cam 502. The eccentric cam 502 is rotated by a pressure motor 820 serving as a pressure drive unit, and is stopped at a predetermined rotation angle.
[0024] The fixing roller 81 is rotatably supported on bearings 81a at both ends of the rotation shaft. In this embodiment, the bearings 81a are urged toward the pressure roller 82 by the pressure spring 501, so that the fixing roller 81 is pressed against the pressure roller 82. The pressure spring 501 can expand and contract by being pressed with an amount of pressure corresponding to the rotation angle of the eccentric cam 502. Therefore, by controlling the pressure motor 820, the fixing roller 81 can be pressed against the pressure roller 82 with a desired pressure.
[0025] <Control Unit> The image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 101, which controls the image forming apparatus 100 to form a toner image on a recording material S. The control configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described using Fig. 3 with reference to Fig. 1. Note that various devices such as sensors and power sources may be connected to the control unit 101 in addition to those shown in Fig. 3, but illustration and description of these devices are omitted here as they are not the main focus of the invention.
[0026] The control unit 101 has a CPU 102 (Central Processing Unit), a ROM 103 (Read Only Memory), and a RAM 104 (Random Access Memory). The ROM 103 and the RAM 104 store various programs and various data, such as the "image forming process" (see FIG. 6) described later. The RAM 104 can also temporarily store the results of calculation processing associated with the execution of various programs. In the case of this embodiment, as described later, the control unit 101 can execute a mode in the "image forming process" in which an image is formed on the adhesive surface (first surface) and a toner image is formed on the front and back surfaces (second surfaces) of a pressure-bonded postcard to which the adhesive surface has been folded and adhered.
[0027] The image forming apparatus 100 includes an operation unit 700 having, for example, a liquid crystal display unit 710, and the operation unit 700 is connected to the control unit 101. The operation unit 700 can display various programs, various data, or various screens described below on the liquid crystal display unit 710. The operation unit 700 may be, for example, a touch panel that can be operated by the user, and accepts inputs for starting various programs such as an "image forming job" and inputs of various data in response to a user's touch operation.
[0028] In this embodiment, an output unit 910 is provided to input the start of various programs such as an "image forming job" and input and output various data such as image data and print settings between the control unit 101 and the external device 900. The output unit 910 can display various screens (described later) on a display unit of the external device 900. That is, the image forming apparatus 100 can transmit and receive data to and from the external device 900 connected wirelessly or via a wire to perform image formation processing.
[0029] In addition to the operation unit 700 and the output unit 910, the image forming unit 150, the heater 80, the temperature sensor 90, the rotation motor 810, and the pressure motor 820 are connected to the control unit 101, and the control unit 101 controls these devices. For example, when a command to start an "image forming job" is input from the operation unit 700 or the external device 900, the CPU 102 executes an image forming process (program) stored in the ROM 103. Accordingly, the image forming unit 150 is operated, and a toner image is formed on the recording material S.
[0030] The control unit 101 can control the temperature of the fixing roller 81 to a predetermined target temperature by the heater 80 based on the temperature of the fixing roller 81 detected by the temperature sensor 90. This changes the temperature applied to the recording material S when it passes through the fixing nip N, which is one of the fixing conditions for fixing a toner image. The control unit 101 can execute a first fixing mode in which the heater 80 controls the temperature of the fixing roller 81 to a first temperature, and a second fixing mode in which the heater 80 controls the temperature of the fixing roller 81 to a second temperature lower than the first temperature.
[0031] Furthermore, the control unit 101 can adjust the speed of the fixing roller 81 (as well as the pressure roller 82) by controlling the rotation motor 810. This changes the conveying speed of the recording material S when passing through the fixing nip N, which is one of the fixing conditions for fixing a toner image. The control unit 101 can execute a first fixing mode in which the rotation speed of the rotation motor 810 is controlled to a first speed, and a second fixing mode in which the rotation speed of the rotation motor 810 is controlled to a second speed faster than the first speed.
[0032] Furthermore, the control unit 101 can control the pressure motor 820 to adjust the amount of pressure applied by the fixing roller 81 to the pressure roller 82. This changes the pressure on the recording material S when it passes through the fixing nip N, which is one of the fixing conditions for fixing a toner image. The control unit 101 can execute a first fixing mode in which the pressure applied by the pressure motor 820 is controlled to a first pressure force, and a second fixing mode in which the pressure applied by the pressure motor 820 is controlled to a second pressure force smaller than the first pressure force.
[0033] <About adhesive postcards> Next, the pressure-bonded postcard will be described. In this embodiment, as described later, a pressure-bonded postcard is used as the recording material S on which an image is to be formed. The pressure-bonded postcard is created by folding the recording material S and performing pseudo-adhesion. Examples of methods for performing pseudo-adhesion include a glue method, a varnish method, and a film method. The glue method is a method in which a pressure-sensitive adhesive is applied to the recording material S and heat and pressure are applied to the recording material S to perform pseudo-adhesion. The varnish method is a method in which an ultraviolet-curable varnish is applied to the recording material S, and ultraviolet rays are irradiated and heat and pressure are applied to the recording material S to perform pseudo-adhesion. The film method is a method in which a heat-sensitive adhesive film is inserted between the overlapping surfaces and heat and pressure are applied to the recording material S to perform pseudo-adhesion. In the following, in order to make the explanation easier to understand, an example will be described in which a pressure-bonded postcard is created as a pressure-bonded printed matter using pre-glued pressure-bonded paper to which glue has already been applied.
[0034] First, the adhesive paper used to create the adhesive postcards will be described with reference to Figures 4(a) and 4(b). Figure 4(a) shows adhesive paper for V-folding (folding in two) with full adhesive, and Figure 4(b) shows adhesive paper for V-folding (folding in two) with edge adhesive. In Figures 4(a) and 4(b), the upper row shows the first side of the adhesive paper, and the lower row shows the second side of the adhesive paper. The symbol X in each figure indicates the adhesive area on the adhesive paper, that is, the area where the glue is applied.
[0035] As shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b), the adhesive-pre-adhesive type pressure-sensitive adhesive paper has an adhesive layer (adhesive area) formed on a substrate. The substrate may be any paper capable of forming an adhesive layer on at least one side, such as fine paper, medium-quality paper, coated paper, etc. From the viewpoint of confidentiality of information, it is desirable that the substrate is opaque to light and that a confidential image (an image related to information desired by the user to be confidential) formed on the first side is difficult to see through from the second side.
[0036] The adhesive layer is a pressure-sensitive adhesive that adheres pseudo-by application of pressure, 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 adhesive strength. 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 filled to adjust the adhesive strength as a pressure-sensitive adhesive.
[0037] The particulate 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 an adhesive layer 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 adhesion 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 the recording material S, which is the combination of the base material and adhesive layer, is, for example, "64 g / m2. 2 ~209g / m 2 " is preferable.
[0038] <About the glue application area> As shown in Figure 4(a), in full-glue type pressure-sensitive paper, glue is applied to almost the entire surface of recording material S. In full-glue type pressure-sensitive paper, one side is almost entirely covered with an adhesive layer. In contrast, as shown in Figure 4(b), in edge-glue type pressure-sensitive paper, glue is applied to the edges of recording material S. In edge-glue type pressure-sensitive paper, glue is applied along the edges of one side, and no glue is applied anywhere else.
[0039] The pressure-bonded paper for folding in half has a front and back configuration with a glued surface (801, 802) on which glue is applied as shown in the upper row and a non-glued surface (803, 804) on which glue is not applied as shown in the lower row. The pressure-bonded paper is folded in half, for example, by a valley fold at the fold line Sa1 between the first area 801 and the second area 802 on the glued surface. In this case, a concealed image that the user wants to conceal, such as personal information, is formed on the glued surface (first area 801, second area 802), and a non-concealed image that the user does not need to conceal, such as an addressee, is formed on the non-glued surface (third area 803, fourth area 804).
[0040] Next, the process of creating a sealed postcard using edge-glued adhesive paper will be described. Figures 5(a) and 5(b) are diagrams for explaining the process of creating a sealed postcard. Figure 5(a) shows the state where a secret image is formed on the adhesive paper, Figure 5(b) shows the state where the adhesive paper is folded, Figure 5(c) shows a cross section of the adhesive postcard, and Figure 5(d) shows the state where a non-secret image is formed on the adhesive postcard.
[0041] First, as shown in FIG. 5(a), toner images of a "sun mark" and a "face mark" are formed on the adhesive surface (801, 802) of the pressure-bonded paper. Next, the pressure-bonded paper is valley-folded and folded in two at the fold line Sa1 between the first region 801 and the second region 802, as shown in FIG. 5(b). Then, as shown in FIG. 5(c), the folded pressure-bonded paper is pressure-bonded to create a pressure-bonded postcard with the "sun mark" and "face mark" formed on the adhesive surface (801, 802) as the secret image. On the pressure-bonded postcard, the "sun mark" and the "face mark" of the secret image are in contact with each other. After that, the user sets the created pressure-bonded postcard in the cassette 10 or the manual feed tray 160 (see FIG. 1) and forms a non-secret image on the front and back of the pressure-bonded postcard. Here, as a non-confidential image, a toner image of "address" is formed on the non-adhesive surface (803) as shown in FIG. 5(d).
[0042] Incidentally, in order to fix the toner image of the "addressee" on the non-adhesive side (803) of the bonded postcard, heat and pressure are applied to the bonded postcard by the fixing device 8 after the toner image of the "addressee" is formed. At this time, the "sun mark" and the "face mark" formed on the adhesive side (801, 802) of the bonded postcard are again applied with heat and pressure while in contact with each other. Then, some of the toner in the "sun mark" and the "face mark" melts due to the heat, and the "sun mark" and the "face mark" stick to each other, and when the bonded postcard is peeled off, some of the toner transfers from one side to the other side. In particular, when a toner image such as the addressee is formed as a non-confidential image on a bonded postcard created using edge-glued adhesive paper, there is a risk that the confidential image will peel off. Therefore, when forming a toner image of an addressee or the like on a bonded postcard on which a confidential toner image has already been formed, it is necessary to prevent the toner image from peeling off when the bonded postcard is opened. The present embodiment for achieving this is described below.
[0043] <Image formation process> The "image forming process" of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6 to Fig. 11(b) and Fig. 3. The "image forming process" of the present embodiment is started by the control unit 101, for example, when the image forming apparatus 100 is turned on or when the image forming apparatus 100 returns from a sleep state.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 101 allows the user to select the recording material S to be used for image formation (S1). At this time, the control unit 101 causes the liquid crystal display unit 710 to display a screen for allowing the user to select the recording material S to be used for image formation. In this embodiment, a "setting location selection screen" (see FIG. 7) for allowing the user to select the setting location where the recording material S is set, and a "recording material type selection screen" (see FIG. 8) for allowing the user to select the type of recording material S to be set in the selected setting location are displayed. In the "setting location selection screen" shown in FIG. 7, the user can select, for example, "manual feed", "cassette 1", or "cassette 2" as the setting location from the paper feed setting. Then, when the user operates the "setting" button, the screen transitions to the "recording material type selection screen" shown in FIG. 8.
[0045] In the "recording material type selection screen" shown in FIG. 8, the user can select "plain paper," "heavyweight paper," "postcard," or the like, of fine paper, medium-quality paper, or coated paper, as the "recording material type." When forming a toner image (non-confidential image) on the front or back of a bonded postcard on which a confidential image has already been formed, the user selects "postcard" as the "recording material type" and then operates the "ON" button for "bonded postcard setting." This selects "bonded postcard" as the recording material S on which the image is to be formed. Note that the default setting for "bonded postcard setting" is "Off," and if the "ON" button is not operated, non-bonded recording material S is selected.
[0046] The control unit 101 judges whether or not the user has selected "bonded postcard" (S2). If the "bonded postcard" has not been selected (NO in S2), the control unit 101 starts forming a toner image on the non-bonded recording material S set in the selected setting location (S8). On the other hand, if the "bonded postcard" has been selected (YES in S2), the control unit 101 judges whether or not the "adhesive side printing method" is "toner" (S3) and whether or not the "glue application area" is "edge glue" (S4). Whether or not the "adhesive side printing method" is "toner" and whether or not the "glue application area" is "edge glue" are selectively set by the user from the "bonded postcard setting screen" shown in FIG. 9(a).
[0047] The "bonded postcard setting screen" shown in FIG. 9(a) is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 710 when the "ON" button for "bonded postcard setting" is operated on the "recording material type selection screen" shown in FIG. 8 to select "bonded postcard." As shown in FIG. 9(a), on the "bonded postcard setting screen," the user can selectively set "adhesive side printing method" and "glue application area" as "details of bonding processing." When the user operates the screen in the "processing details" column corresponding to each item of the "details of bonding processing," the pull-down buttons shown in FIG. 10(a) and FIG. 10(b) are popped up on the liquid crystal display unit 710, and the user can operate the pull-down button to select each processing content.
[0048] FIG. 10(a) is a selection screen (first screen) for the processing details of the "glue side printing method," and two items can be selected: "toner" when the confidential image is formed with toner, and "ink" when the confidential image is formed with ink. In the example shown in FIG. 10(a), "toner" is selected. FIG. 10(b) is a selection screen (second screen) for the processing details of the "glue application area," and two items can be selected: whether the glue application area on the pressure-bonded postcard is "full-surface glue" or "edge glue." In the example shown in FIG. 10(b), "edge glue" is selected.
[0049] In addition, items other than the above-mentioned "adhesive side printing method" and "glue application area" may be displayed in the "details of bonding processing". However, in the case of this embodiment, it is necessary to allow the user to select a combination in which the "adhesive side printing method" is "toner" and the "glue application area" is "edge glue". In addition, a "help" button may be displayed on the "bonded postcard setting screen" shown in FIG. 9(a) in preparation for the case in which the user does not know how to set the processing method for the "bonded postcard". When the "help" button is operated by the user, the control unit 101 displays the "help screen" shown in FIG. 9(b) on the liquid crystal display unit 710. In the "help screen", images showing "full-surface glue" and "edge glue" for the "glue application area" of the bonded postcard, an image showing a cross section of the folded bonded postcard, and an image of the bonded postcard on which a non-confidential image is formed are displayed. In addition, in the "Compression Postcard Setting Screen" shown in FIG. 9(a), the "Glue Side Printing Method" and "Glue Application Area" are confirmed by the user operating the "OK" button.
[0050] Returning to the explanation of FIG. 6, if the "adhesive side printing method" is not "toner" (No in S3), or if the "adhesive side printing method" is "toner" but the "glue application area" is "all-surface glue" (Yes in S3 and No in S4), the control unit 101 starts image formation of a toner image on the bonded postcard set in the selected setting location (S8). At this time, the bonded postcard to be image-formed is either a bonded postcard in which the confidential image is an image formed by ink rather than a toner image formed by toner (No in S3), or a bonded postcard in which the confidential image is a toner image but the adhesive application area is all-surface glue (No in S4). In the case of such a bonded postcard in which the confidential image is formed by ink or the adhesive application area is all-surface glue, even if a toner image is formed on the front or back of the bonded postcard, there is no risk of the confidential image peeling off when the bonded postcard is opened. Therefore, in the case of such a pressure-bonded postcard, image formation of a toner image on the front and back surfaces of the pressure-bonded postcard is started.
[0051] On the other hand, if the "adhesive side printing method" is "toner" (YES in S3) and the "glue application area" is "edge glue" (YES in S4), the control unit 101 displays a "warning screen" (see FIG. 11) on the liquid crystal display unit 710 (S5). Then, the control unit 101 determines whether or not to form a toner image of an addressee or the like as a non-confidential image on a bonded postcard created using edge glue type pressure-sensitive adhesive paper according to the user's selection from the "warning screen" (S6). If an image is to be formed (YES in S6), the control unit 101 starts forming a toner image on the bonded postcard (S7). If an image is not to be formed (NO in S6), the control unit 101 ends the process without starting to form a toner image on the bonded postcard.
[0052] An example of the "warning screen" is shown in Fig. 11. As shown in Fig. 11, the "warning screen" displays a warning that the concealed image may peel off when opened, as information that an abnormality will occur when opening a bonded postcard with a toner image formed on the front or back side. This is because, as described above, in the case of a bonded postcard in which the concealed image is a toner image and the adhesive application area is edge adhesive, if a toner image is formed on the front or back side of the bonded postcard, there is a risk that the concealed image may peel off when the bonded postcard is opened.
[0053] In addition, the "warning screen" displays the above warning and also displays a "Print" button and a "Cancel" button as a screen (third screen) that allows the user to select whether or not to perform image formation. After checking the warning display, the user can operate the "Print" button if they want to continue with image formation on the bonded postcard, or operate the "Cancel" button if they want to stop image formation on the bonded postcard.
[0054] As described above, in this embodiment, when the secret image is a toner image formed with toner and the adhesive application area is "edge adhesive" and the image is formed on the front or back of the pressure-bonded postcard, a warning screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 710 before the image formation is performed. Then, the warning displayed on the warning screen makes the user aware that "peeling may occur in the secret image" and allows the user to select whether or not to perform image formation on the pressure-bonded postcard. In this way, by displaying a warning that "peeling may occur in the secret image", the user can select not to perform image formation on the pressure-bonded postcard. Then, the user can perform image formation on the pressure-bonded postcard after recognizing that "peeling may occur in the secret image". As a result, in this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the generation of unnecessary pressure-bonded postcards.
[0055] Second Embodiment In the first embodiment described above, the user can select to form an image on a bonded postcard after recognizing that "there is a possibility that peeling of the confidential image may occur," so there remains a high possibility that peeling of the confidential image will occur on the bonded postcard after image formation when the bonded postcard is opened. Therefore, when image formation on a bonded postcard is selected and a toner image (non-confidential image) is formed on the front and back surfaces of the bonded postcard, it is preferable to form the image on the bonded postcard so that peeling of the confidential image will not occur when the postcard is opened.
[0056] Therefore, the "image forming process" of the second embodiment for realizing this will be described using Figures 12 to 14 with reference to Figure 3. Note that the same processes as the "image forming process" of the first embodiment described above are given the same step numbers, and the description will be simplified or omitted.
[0057] As shown in Fig. 12, the control unit 101 causes the user to select the recording material S on which an image is to be formed (S1). At this time, the control unit 101 causes the liquid crystal display unit 710 to display a "setting position selection screen" (see Fig. 7) for allowing the user to select the setting position where the recording material S is set, and a "recording material type selection screen" (see Fig. 8) for allowing the user to select the type of recording material S set in the selected setting position. The control unit 101 determines whether or not the user has selected "pressed postcard" (S2). If "pressed postcard" has not been selected (No in S2), the control unit 101 starts image formation of a toner image on the non-pressed recording material S set in the selected setting position (S8).
[0058] On the other hand, if "bonded postcard" is selected (Yes in S2), the control unit 101 determines whether the "adhesive side printing method" is "toner" (S3) and whether the "glue application area" is "edge glue" (S4). Whether the "adhesive side printing method" is "toner" and whether the "glue application area" is "edge glue" are selectively set by the user from the "bonded postcard setting screen" shown in Fig. 9(a).
[0059] If the "adhesive side printing method" is not "toner" (No in S3), or if the "adhesive side printing method" is "toner" but the "adhesive application area" is "full adhesive" (Yes in S3 and No in S4), the control unit 101 starts forming a toner image on the bonded postcard set in the selected setting location (S8). In this case, even if a toner image is formed on the front or back of the bonded postcard, there is no risk of the confidential image peeling off when the bonded postcard is opened. On the other hand, if the "adhesive side printing method" is "toner" (Yes in S3) and the "adhesive application area" is "edge adhesive" (Yes in S4), the control unit 101 causes the liquid crystal display unit 710 to display a "warning screen" (S5).
[0060] As shown in FIG. 11, the "warning screen" displays a warning that the confidential image may peel off when opened, as information that an abnormality may occur when opening a pressure-bonded postcard with a toner image formed on the front or back side. The "warning screen" also displays a "Print" button and a "Cancel" button. Furthermore, in the case of the second embodiment, the "warning screen" displays a "processing options" button. When the "processing options" button is operated by the user, the screen of the liquid crystal display unit 710 transitions to the "processing options selection screen" shown in FIG. 13(a). In other words, the "processing options" button is an example of a selection screen that allows the user to select whether or not to transition the screen of the liquid crystal display unit 710 from the "warning screen" to the "processing options selection screen".
[0061] The "processing option selection screen" is a change screen that allows the user to change the fixing conditions for fixing a toner image when forming an image on a pressure-bonded postcard, and the user can select "Lower fixing temperature" as the fixing condition. When the user selects "Lower fixing temperature", the "fixing temperature change screen" shown in FIG. 13(b) pops up on the liquid crystal display unit 710. The "fixing temperature change screen" displays the "Standard: Pressure-bonded postcard" mode, "Reduction 1: Postcard" mode, and "Reduction 2: Plain paper" mode as selectable fixing modes. The "standard setting" on the "processing option selection screen" is the fixing condition that is predetermined for forming an image on a pressure-bonded postcard.
[0062] Fig. 14 is a graph showing specific examples of the temperature of the fixing roller 81 in the "Standard: Pressure-bonded postcard" mode, the "Reduced 1: Postcard" mode, and the "Reduced 2: Plain paper" mode. As shown in Fig. 14, in this embodiment, the temperature of the fixing roller 81 is "200°C" by default in the "Standard: Pressure-bonded postcard" mode, and when the "Reduced 1: Postcard" mode is selected, the temperature of the fixing roller 81 is set to "180°C," and when the "Reduced 2: Plain paper" mode is selected, the temperature of the fixing roller 81 is set to "160°C."
[0063] Returning to the explanation of FIG. 12, as described above, in the second embodiment, the control unit 101 causes the liquid crystal display unit 710 to display a "warning screen" including a "processing option" button (S5). When the user operates the "processing option" button, the control unit 101 determines that a transition from the "warning screen" to the screen of the liquid crystal display unit 710 has been selected, and causes the liquid crystal display unit 710 to display a "processing option selection screen" (see FIG. 13(a)). Then, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the user has selected "Lower fixing temperature" on the "processing option selection screen" (S21).
[0064] If "Reduce Fixing Temperature" is not selected on the "Processing Option Selection Screen" (Yes in S21), the control unit 101 proceeds to the process of step S6. In this case, the control unit 101 does not lower the temperature of the fixing roller 81 from the "Standard: Pressure-bonded Postcard" mode.
[0065] On the other hand, if "Lower Fixing Temperature" is selected on the "Processing Option Selection Screen" (Yes in S21), the control unit 101 pops up a "Fixing Temperature Change Screen" shown in FIG. 13(b) on the liquid crystal display unit 710 to prompt the user to set a processing option (S22). Then, the control unit 101 changes the temperature of the fixing roller 81 as a fixing condition in response to the user's selection of either the "Reduction 1: Postcard" mode or the "Reduction 2: Plain Paper" mode as the processing option setting (S23), and proceeds to the processing of step S6. In this case, the control unit 101 lowers the temperature of the fixing roller 81 from the "Standard: Pressure-bonded Postcard" mode.
[0066] Then, the control unit 101 judges whether or not to form a toner image such as an addressee as a non-confidential image on a bonded postcard created using edge-glued pressure-sensitive paper according to a user selection on the "Warning screen" (see FIG. 11) (S6). When the "Print" button is operated and an image is to be formed (Yes in S6), the control unit 101 starts forming a toner image on the bonded postcard (S7). At this time, the control unit 101 can suppress melting of a part of the toner of the confidential image by lowering the fixing temperature. In this way, the fixing conditions are changed to such that peeling of the confidential image is unlikely to occur, and image formation on the bonded postcard is performed. Note that when the "Cancel" button is operated and image formation is not to be performed (No in S6), the control unit 101 ends the process without starting to form a toner image on the bonded postcard.
[0067] As described above, in the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment described above, when the secret image is a toner image formed with toner and the image is formed on the front or back of a bonded postcard with a glue application area of "edge glue", a warning screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 710 before image formation is performed. Then, the user is made aware that "there is a possibility that peeling of the secret image may occur", and is then allowed to perform image formation on the bonded postcard. However, in the second embodiment, the fixing temperature is lowered as a fixing condition, and image formation on the bonded postcard can be performed. By changing the fixing condition, it is possible to suppress melting of a part of the toner of the secret image (toner image) on the bonded postcard during image formation, so that peeling of the secret image is less likely to occur when the bonded postcard is opened. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the generation of unnecessary bonded postcards.
[0068] In the case of the second embodiment described above, in the "processing option selection screen" (see FIG. 13(a)), the user can select "increase conveying speed" and "decrease fixing pressure" as fixing conditions in addition to "decrease fixing temperature". When the user selects "increase conveying speed", a "conveying speed change screen" is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 710, in which three selectable items, "standard: pressure-bonded postcard" mode, "reduced 1: postcard" mode, and "reduced 2: plain paper" mode, are displayed (not shown). In the case of this embodiment, in the "standard: pressure-bonded postcard" mode, the rotation speed of the rotation motor 810 is set to "low speed" by default, and when the "reduced 1: postcard" mode is selected, the rotation speed of the rotation motor 810 is set to "medium speed", and when the "reduced 2: plain paper" mode is selected, the rotation speed of the rotation motor 810 is set to "high speed".
[0069] Furthermore, if the user selects "Reduce fixing pressure", a "Fixing Pressure Change Screen" (not shown) is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 710, which displays three selectable modes: "Standard: Pressure-bonded postcard" mode, "Reduced 1: Postcard" mode, and "Reduced 2: Plain paper" mode. In this embodiment, in the "Standard: Pressure-bonded postcard" mode, the pressure of the pressure motor 820 is set to "High" by default, and when the "Reduced 1: Postcard" mode is selected, the pressure of the pressure motor 820 is set to "Medium", and when the "Reduced 2: Plain paper" mode is selected, the pressure of the pressure motor 820 is set to "Low".
[0070] In addition, the "processing option selection screen" may be configured so that the user can select a combination of "lower fixing temperature," "increase conveying speed," and "lower fixing pressure." In other words, it is preferable to be able to change a combination of multiple fixing conditions, since this makes it more difficult for peeling to occur in the confidential image.
[0071] The above-described first and second embodiments are not limited to application to V-folded (double-folded) pressure-bonded postcards, but can also be applied to Z-folded or reverse Z-folded pressure-bonded printed matter, for example. [Explanation of symbols]
[0072] 8...fixing section (fixing device), 80...heater, 81...first rotating body (fixing roller), 82...second rotating body (pressure roller), 90...temperature sensor, 100...image forming apparatus, 101...control section, 150...image forming section, 500...pressure section (pressure mechanism), 700...operation section (touch panel), 810...rotation drive section (rotation motor), 820...pressure drive section (pressure motor), 910...output section, S...recording material
Claims
1. An image forming unit that forms an image on the recording material, A fixing unit for fixing the image formed on the recording material by the image forming unit, The fixing unit controls the fixing temperature for fixing the image onto the recording material, An input unit for inputting the type of the pressure-sensitive printed material, which is the recording material on which an image is formed on the surface and which is folded and pressure-sealed on the surface, A display unit that displays messages, When an image is formed on the pressure-sensitive printed material by the image forming unit, if the type of pressure-sensitive printed material input by the input unit is a first type in which adhesive is applied to a first region of the surface and adhesive is not applied to a second region inside the first region, the display control unit causes the display unit to display a message before the image is formed on the pressure-sensitive printed material. The display control unit causes the display unit to display a screen for setting the fixing temperature when an image is formed on the first type of pressure-sensitive printed material. The display control unit causes the display unit to display a screen indicating that when the type of the pressure-pressed printed material is the first type, the fixing temperature can be set to the first temperature, and when the type of the pressure-pressed printed material is the second type in which adhesive is applied to both the first and second regions of the surface, the fixing temperature can be set to the second temperature. The first temperature is lower than the second temperature. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features.
2. When the image to be formed on the surface of the pressure-sensitive printed material input to the input unit is toner, the display control unit causes the display unit to display the message before the image is formed on the pressure-sensitive printed material. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.
3. When the type of the pressure-sensitive printed material input to the input unit is a second type in which adhesive is applied to the first region of the surface and adhesive is also applied to the second region, the image forming unit performs the formation of an image on the pressure-sensitive printed material. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.
4. When the formation of an image on the pressure-sensitive printed material is performed, the display control unit causes the display unit to display a message indicating that there is a possibility that a defect may occur in the image formed on the surface when the pressure-sensitive printed material is opened. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.
5. The display control unit causes the display unit to display the message and allows the user to choose whether or not to perform the formation of an image on the pressure-sensitive printed material. The image forming apparatus according to feature 4.
6. The fixing control unit is capable of controlling the transport speed when the pressure-pressed printed material is fixed, The display control unit causes the display unit to display a screen indicating that when the type of the pressure-sensitive printed material is the first type, the transport speed can be set to a first speed, and when the type of the pressure-sensitive printed material is the second type in which adhesive is applied to both the first and second regions of the surface, the transport speed can be set to a second speed. The first speed is slower than the second speed. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.
7. The fixing control unit is capable of controlling the fixing pressure when the pressure-pressed printed material is fixed, The display control unit causes the display unit to display a screen indicating that when the type of the pressure-sensitive printed material is the first type, the fixing pressure can be set to a first pressure, and when the type of the pressure-sensitive printed material is the second type in which adhesive is applied to both the first and second regions of the surface, the fixing pressure can be set to a second pressure. The first pressure is lower than the second pressure. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.
8. An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material, A fixing unit for fixing the image formed on the recording material by the image forming unit, The fixing unit controls the fixing temperature for fixing the image onto the recording material, An input unit for inputting the type of image formed on the pressure-sensitive printed material, which is a recording material on which an image is formed on the surface and which is folded and pressure-sealed on the surface, A display unit that displays messages, When an image is formed on the pressure-sensitive printed material by the image forming unit, and the type of image to be formed on the pressure-sensitive printed material input by the input unit is toner, the display control unit causes a message to be displayed on the display unit before the image is formed on the pressure-sensitive printed material. The display control unit causes the display unit to display a screen for setting the fixing temperature when an image is formed on the pressure-pressed print with the toner. The display control unit causes the display unit to display a screen in which the fixing temperature can be set to a first temperature when an image is formed on the pressure-sensitive printed material in which an image is formed with the toner, and in which the fixing temperature can be set to a second temperature when an image is formed on the pressure-sensitive printed material in which an image is formed with ink. The first temperature is lower than the second temperature. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features.
9. When the formation of an image on the pressure-sensitive printed material is performed, the display control unit causes the display unit to display a message indicating that there is a possibility that a defect may occur in the image formed on the surface when the pressure-sensitive printed material is opened. The image forming apparatus according to feature 8.
10. The display control unit causes the display unit to display the message and allows the user to choose whether or not to perform the formation of an image on the pressure-sensitive printed material. The image forming apparatus according to feature 8.
11. The fixing control unit is capable of controlling the transport speed when the pressure-pressed printed material is fixed, The display control unit causes the display unit to display a screen in which the transport speed can be set to a first speed when an image is formed on the pressure-sensitive printed material with the toner, and the transport speed can be set to a second speed when an image is formed on the pressure-sensitive printed material with the ink. The first speed is slower than the second speed. The image forming apparatus according to feature 8.
12. The fixing control unit is capable of controlling the fixing pressure when the pressure-pressed printed material is fixed, The display control unit causes the display unit to display a screen in which the fixing pressure can be set to a first pressure when an image is formed on the pressure-printed material with the toner, and the fixing pressure can be set to a second pressure when an image is formed on the pressure-printed material with the ink. The first pressure is lower than the second pressure. The image forming apparatus according to feature 8.