Printing system and control method of printing system

Abstract

To solve the problem that a paper bundle is sometimes contaminated with ink adhering to a device that center-folds the paper bundle.SOLUTION: A printing system is provided with: a printing device that performs printing on a medium using liquid; a post-processing device having a folding-processing part that performs folding-processing on a medium bundle having a plurality of media bound as one bundle; and a control device. The printing device conveys the plurality of media to the post-processing device in printing order. The post-processing device includes a post-processing part that performs post-processing different from the folding-processing, on the media. The folding-processing part includes: a tray for forming the medium bundle; and a folding mechanism that performs folding-processing on the medium bundle by contacting the medium lastly conveyed to the tray. The control device brings the printing order of the medium to be conveyed last to the tray, forward from the last and makes the printing device execute printing on the medium whose printing order is brought forward, then makes the last medium stand-by at the post-processing part and thereafter makes the printing part convey the last medium to the tray lastly.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing system and a control method for a printing system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a device that folds a stack of paper, which is an example of a stack of media, in the middle by clamping the stack of paper between a pair of rollers. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-138290 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the device described in Patent Document 1, it is conceivable that ink may adhere to the roller pair via the stack of paper on which ink has been printed. The ink adhering to the roller pair may cause the following stack of paper to be soiled. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The printing system includes a printing device having a printing unit that prints on a medium with a liquid by ejecting the liquid, a post-processing device having a folding processing unit that performs a folding process on a media bundle that is a bundle of a plurality of the media printed by the printing device, and a control device that controls the printing device and the post-processing device, wherein the printing device further includes a first transport unit that transports the plurality of media that constitute the media bundle to the post-processing device in printing order, and the post-processing device further includes a second transport unit that transports the media received from the printing device in printing order, and a post-processing unit that performs a post-processing process on the media different from the folding process. The folding processing section includes a tray that forms the media bundle by stacking the multiple media in the order in which they are transported by the second transport section, and a folding mechanism that performs the folding process on the media bundle by abutting against a last medium among the multiple media that constitute the formed media bundle, which is the medium that was last transported by the second transport section, and the control device advances the printing order of the last medium to an earlier position than the last and causes the printing section to print on the last medium, and then causes the last medium to wait in the post-processing section before being transported to the tray by the second transport section.

[0006] The control method for a printing system includes a printing device having a printing unit that prints on a medium with a liquid by ejecting the liquid, and a post-processing device having a folding processing unit that performs a folding process on a medium bundle that is a bundle of multiple media printed by the printing device, the printing device further including a first transport unit that transports the multiple media that constitute the medium bundle to the post-processing device in printing order, the post-processing device further including a second transport unit that transports the media received from the printing device in printing order, and a post-processing unit that performs a post-processing different from the folding process on the media, and the folding processing unit is configured to transport the multiple media to the post-processing device in printing order, a tray that forms the media stack by stacking the media in the order in which they are transported by the second transport unit, and a folding mechanism that performs the folding process on the media stack by abutting against a last medium, which is the medium that was last transported by the second transport unit among the multiple media that constitute the formed media stack, and the control method for a printing system includes moving the printing order of the last medium forward from the last to having the printing unit print on the last medium, and then having the last medium wait in the post-processing unit before transporting it to the tray by the second transport unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a first example of a printing system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a second example of a printing system. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a third example of a printing system. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a fourth example of a printing system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 1 of the first example includes a printing device 2 and a post-processing device 3. The printing device 2 prints on paper P with ink. Ink is an example of a liquid. Paper P is an example of a medium. In this embodiment, paper P is a cut sheet of a standard size. Cut sheets are also called cut sheets. The post-processing device 3 is a device that performs a stapling process in which multiple sheets P are stapled together with staples, and a folding process in which multiple sheets P are bundled and then folded in the middle.

[0009] In the printing system 1, the printing device 2 and the post-processing device 3 are connected to each other. In the printing system 1, the paper P is transported from the printing device 2 to the post-processing device 3. The connection between the printing device 2 and the post-processing device 3 may be such that there is a gap between the printing device 2 and the post-processing device 3 as long as the paper P is transported from the printing device 2 to the post-processing device 3. In addition, another device that relays the paper P from the printing device 2 to the post-processing device 3 may be interposed between the printing device 2 and the post-processing device 3.

[0010] The printing device 2 includes a print transport unit 5, a print head 6, and a control circuit 7. The print transport unit 5 transports the paper P along a print transport path 9 inside the printing device 2. The print transport unit 5 is an example of a first transport unit. The print head 6 prints on the paper P by ejecting ink toward the paper P transported by the print transport unit 5. The print head 6 is an example of a printing unit. An inkjet head can be used as the print head 6. The inkjet head has multiple nozzle holes formed therein that eject ink. Printing is performed on the paper P by the ink ejected from the nozzle holes.

[0011] The control circuit 7 controls the operation of the printing system 1. In other words, the control circuit 7 comprehensively controls the operation of the printing device 2 and the operation of the post-processing device 3. The control circuit 7 is an example of a control device. In this embodiment, the printing device 2 is equipped with the control circuit 7. However, the control circuit 7 may be separate from the printing device 2. The control circuit 7 may be a device independent of each of the printing device 2 and the post-processing device 3. The post-processing device 3 may be configured to be equipped with the control circuit 7. Both the printing device 2 and the post-processing device 3 may be configured to be equipped with the control circuit 7. The control circuit 7 may be divided into multiple circuits, and the multiple circuits may be assigned to the printing device 2 and the post-processing device 3.

[0012] The printing transport unit 5 has a plurality of transport roller pairs 11. The plurality of transport roller pairs 11 are arranged along a printing transport path 9. In FIG. 1, the printing transport path 9 is illustrated by a two-dot chain line. In FIG. 1, one of the plurality of transport roller pairs 11 is illustrated, and the other transport roller pairs 11 are not illustrated.

[0013] The transport roller pair 11 is arranged to be rotatable with the two rollers in contact with each other at their outer circumferences. The transport roller pair 11 is driven by applying a rotational force to one of the two rollers. In the print transport section 5, the transport roller pair 11 is driven with the paper P sandwiched between the two rollers of the transport roller pair 11, thereby transporting the paper P along the print transport path 9. The printer 2 is formed with an outlet 12. The outlet 12 is formed in the housing of the printer 2. The paper P is delivered to the post-processing device 3 by the transport roller pair 11 through the outlet 12. The print transport path 9 includes a paper feed path 9A, a print processing path 9B, a reversal path 9C, and a paper discharge path 9D.

[0014] The print head 6 faces the print processing path 9B of the print transport path 9. The area of ​​the print processing path 9B facing the print head 6 is called the printing area. The paper feed path 9A of the print transport path 9 is a path that leads the paper P to the print area. The paper feed path 9A includes a path that leads the paper P placed on the manual feed tray 13 to the print area, and a path that leads the paper P from a cassette 14 that contains multiple papers P to the print area. The paper feed path 9A is continuous with the print processing path 9B. In other words, the paper P is transported continuously from the paper feed path 9A to the print processing path 9B. The paper feed path 9A of the print transport path 9 is located upstream of the print processing path 9B in the transport direction of the paper P.

[0015] The portion of the printing transport path 9 that is located upstream of the printing area in the transport direction of the paper P is the paper feed path 9A. The printing process path 9B ends at the discharge outlet 12. In other words, the printing process path 9B of the printing transport path 9 is the section from the printing area facing the print head 6 to the discharge outlet 12. The reversing path 9C branches off from the printing process path 9B. The reversing path 9C is a path for reversing the front and back of the paper P. The reversing path 9C makes it possible to perform double-sided printing on the paper P. The reversing path 9C branches off from the printing process path 9B downstream of the printing area in the transport direction of the paper P.

[0016] The reversing path 9C includes a retracting path 9E. The paper P that branches off from the printing process path 9B to the reversing path 9C is guided to the retracting path 9E. The paper P that has been retracted into the retracting path 9E switches back in its travel direction and is returned to the reversing path 9C. The reversing path 9C bypasses the print head 6 on the opposite side to the printing process path 9B before merging with the paper feed path 9A. The paper P that switches back from the retracting path 9E and is returned to the reversing path 9C is transported from the paper feed path 9A to the printing process path 9B. At this time, the paper P is transported to the printing process path 9B in an inverted state from before branching off into the reversing path 9C.

[0017] The paper discharge path 9D branches off from the print processing path 9B. It branches off from the print processing path 9B downstream of the branch point between the print processing path 9B and the reversal path 9C. The paper discharge path 9D is a path for discharging the paper P to the first stacker 16. The first stacker 16 is a tray that accumulates the paper P printed by the print head 6. The paper discharge path 9D allows the paper P to be discharged from inside the printing device 2 to the outside of the printing device 2. The paper discharge path 9D allows the paper P to be discharged to the outside of the printing device 2 without passing through the post-processing device 3. A user who does not wish to have the paper P post-processed can receive the paper P from the first stacker 16.

[0018] The post-processing device 3 is located downstream of the print processing path 9B of the printing device 2. The post-processing device 3 includes a post-processing conveying section 21, a folding processing section 22, and a post-processing section 23. The post-processing conveying section 21 conveys the paper P along the post-processing conveying path 25 inside the post-processing device 3. The post-processing conveying section 21 is an example of a second conveying section. The folding processing section 22 is a device that performs a folding process to fold the paper P in the middle. As the type of center folding, various folding methods such as folding in two, folding in three, folding in four, and folding on one side can be applied. The post-processing section 23 performs a post-processing different from the folding process on the paper P. The post-processing section 23 includes a staple processing section 27 and an ejection processing section 28. The staple processing section 27 performs a staple process to staple multiple sheets of paper P with staples. The ejection processing section 28 ejects the paper P out of the post-processing device 3.

[0019] The post-processing conveying section 21 has a plurality of conveying roller pairs 31. The plurality of conveying roller pairs 31 are arranged along the post-processing conveying path 25. In the example shown in FIG. 1, four pairs of conveying roller pairs 31 are illustrated. However, the number of conveying roller pairs 31 is not limited to four pairs. The conveying roller pair 31 is arranged so that two rollers are rotatably arranged with their outer circumferences in contact with each other. The conveying roller pair 31 is driven by applying a rotational force to one of the two rollers. In the post-processing conveying section 21, the conveying roller pair 31 is driven in a state in which the paper P is sandwiched between the two rollers of the conveying roller pair 31, thereby conveying the paper P along the post-processing conveying path 25.

[0020] The post-processing device 3 is formed with an inlet 32. The inlet 32 ​​is an example of a receiving section. The inlet 32 ​​is formed in the housing of the post-processing device 3. The paper P is delivered from the printing device 2 through the inlet 32 ​​by the conveying roller pair 31. The post-processing conveying path 25 includes an inlet path 25A, a folding path 25B, a stapling path 25C, and a paper discharge path 25D. The inlet path 25A is a path that receives the paper P delivered from the printing device 2 to the post-processing device 3 from the inlet 32 ​​into the inside of the post-processing device 3. The inlet path 25A and the fold path 25B are examples of a first conveying path. The stapling path 25C is an example of a second conveying path.

[0021] The receiving path 25A branches into a folding path 25B and a staple path 25C downstream of the receiving opening 32 in the conveying direction of the paper P. A first switch 34 is provided at a first branching point 33 between the folding path 25B and the staple path 25C. The first switch 34 switches the conveying of the paper P between the folding path 25B and the staple path 25C. The folding path 25B guides the paper P to the folding processing section 22. The staple path 25C guides the paper P to the staple processing section 27. The paper discharge path 25D branches off from the staple path 25C. The paper discharge path 25D guides the paper P to the discharge processing section 28.

[0022] The discharge path 25D branches off from the staple path 25C downstream of the first branch point 33 in the conveying direction of the paper P. The discharge path 25D branches off from the staple path 25C between the first branch point 33 and the staple processing unit 27. A second branch point 35 between the staple path 25C and the discharge path 25D is located downstream of the first branch point 33 in the conveying direction of the paper P. A second switch 36 is provided at the second branch point 35. The second switch 36 switches the conveying of the paper P between the staple path 25C and the discharge path 25D. In the example of the post-processing conveying path 25 shown in FIG. 1, the folding process path 25B and the staple path 25C branch off at the first branch point 33, and the staple path 25C and the discharge path 25D branch off at the second branch point 35. From another point of view, the post-processing conveying path 25 can be considered as a path where the folding process path 25B and the paper discharge path 25D branch off at the first branch point 33, and where the paper discharge path 25D and the staple path 25C branch off at the second branch point 35.

[0023] The post-processing conveying path 25 may be configured such that the staple path 25C and the paper discharge path 25D branch off at a first branch point 33, and the staple path 25C and the folding path 25B branch off at a second branch point 35. Furthermore, the post-processing conveying path 25 may be configured such that the staple path 25C and the paper discharge path 25D branch off at a first branch point 33, and the paper discharge path 25D and the folding path 25B branch off at a second branch point 35.

[0024] The folding processing section 22 can fold a paper stack B, which is a bundle of multiple sheets P. The paper stack B is an assembly in which multiple sheets P are stacked. The folding processing section 22 can fold the multiple sheets P in the middle while the sheets are in the paper stack B state. The folding processing section 22 includes a stacking tray 41, a pair of folding rollers 42, and a blade 43. The stacking tray 41 is an example of a tray. The stacking tray 41 forms a paper stack B of multiple sheets P by stacking multiple sheets P. The sheets P transported through the folding processing path 25B are accumulated in the stacking tray 41. The sheets P transported through the folding processing path 25B are accumulated in the stacking tray 41 in the order in which they are transported through the folding processing path 25B.

[0025] The folding roller pair 42 includes a first roller 42A and a second roller 42B. The folding roller pair 42 is arranged so that the first roller 42A and the second roller 42B are rotatably arranged with their outer circumferences in contact with each other. The folding roller pair 42 is driven by applying a rotational force to one of the first roller 42A and the second roller 42B. The folding roller pair 42 is provided at a position facing the stacking tray 41. The folding roller pair 42 faces the surface of the stacking tray 41 on which the paper stack B is placed. The rotation axes of the first roller 42A and the second roller 42B are aligned with the crease when the paper P is folded in the middle. The folding roller pair 42 folds the paper P by sandwiching the crease when the paper P is folded in the middle between the first roller 42A and the second roller 42B. The folding roller pair 42 is an example of a folding mechanism.

[0026] The blade 43 is provided at a position facing the pair of folding rollers 42 with the stacking tray 41 in between. The blade 43 is located on the opposite side of the stacking tray 41 from the pair of folding rollers 42. The blade 43 is configured to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the stacking tray 41. A through hole is formed in the stacking tray 41. When the stacking tray 41 is viewed from the pair of folding rollers 42 toward the blade 43, the through hole of the stacking tray 41 overlaps with the blade 43. The blade 43 is switchable between a protruding position where it protrudes from the stacking tray 41 toward the pair of folding rollers 42 through the through hole of the stacking tray 41, and a retracted position where it retracts to the opposite side of the pair of folding rollers 42 of the stacking tray 41.

[0027] When the folding roller pair 42 is viewed from the blade 43 toward the folding roller pair 42, the blade 43 overlaps with the nip portion where the outer peripheries of the first roller 42A and the second roller 42B come into contact with each other. When the blade 43 is displaced from the retracted position to the protruding position, the stack of paper-sheets B is bent by the blade 43. The fold of the bent stack of paper-sheets B is pressed by the blade 43 into the nip portion of the first roller 42A and the second roller 42B. With the folding roller pair 42 being driven to rotate, the fold of the stack of paper-sheets B is sandwiched in the nip portion of the first roller 42A and the second roller 42B, whereby the stack of paper-sheets B is folded in the middle. As a result, the folding process is performed on the stack of paper-sheets B.

[0028] As described above, the multiple sheets P transported through the folding path 25B are stacked in the stacking tray 41 in the order in which they are transported through the folding path 25B. Therefore, the sheet P that is transported first through the folding path 25B among the multiple sheets P that make up the sheet bundle B faces the blade 43 through the through hole of the stacking tray 41. Therefore, when folding the sheet bundle B, the sheet P that is transported first through the folding path 25B among the multiple sheets P that make up the sheet bundle B abuts against the blade 43. Also, the sheet P that is transported last through the folding path 25B among the multiple sheets P that make up the sheet bundle B faces the folding roller pair 42. Therefore, when folding the sheet bundle B, the sheet P that is transported last through the folding path 25B among the multiple sheets P that make up the sheet bundle B abuts against the folding roller pair 42.

[0029] The stapling processing section 27 includes a transport roller pair 31, a staple tray 45, and a staple device 46. Hereinafter, the transport roller pair 31 of the stapling processing section 27 is also referred to as a transport roller pair 31A. The staple tray 45 accumulates a plurality of sheets P. The staple device 46 staples the plurality of sheets P accumulated in the staple tray 45 with staples. The sheets P are transported to the staple tray 45 by the transport roller pair 31A.

[0030] The discharge processing section 28 includes a transport roller pair 31 and a second stacker 48. Hereinafter, the transport roller pair 31 of the discharge processing section 28 will also be referred to as a transport roller pair 31B. The second stacker 48 is a tray that accumulates the paper P printed by the printing device 2. The paper P guided to the discharge processing section 28 via the paper discharge path 25D is discharged to the second stacker 48 by the transport roller pair 31B. The discharge processing section 28 allows the paper P to be discharged from inside the post-processing device 3 to the outside of the post-processing device 3. A user who does not wish to have the paper P post-processed can receive the paper P from the second stacker 48.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, the control circuit 7 includes a calculation unit 51 and a memory 52. ​​The control circuit 7 is a controller that controls the printing system 1. The calculation unit 51 is an example of a control unit. As an example, the calculation unit 51 is a processor having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control circuit 7 controls the operation of the printing system 1 by executing a control program stored in the memory 52. ​​The memory 52 is composed of a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. The RAM functions as a work area for the calculation unit 51. The RAM is used for temporarily storing various control programs, various data, and the like. The ROM stores the control program for controlling the operation of the printing system 1, various setting information, and the like.

[0032] The calculation unit 51 functions as various functional units by executing a control program stored in the memory 52. ​​The calculation unit 51 includes, as functional units, a print transport control unit 54, a print control unit 55, a post-processing transport control unit 61, a staple control unit 62, and a folding process control unit 63. The calculation unit 51 functions as the print transport control unit 54, the print control unit 55, the post-processing transport control unit 61, the staple control unit 62, and the folding process control unit 63 by executing the control program.

[0033] The printing device 2 further includes a printing transport motor 71. The printing transport motor 71 generates power for driving the multiple transport roller pairs 11 of the printing transport section 5. The post-processing device 3 further includes a receiving path motor 81, a folding process path motor 82, a staple path motor 83, a paper discharge path motor 84, a folding roller motor 85, and a blade motor 86.

[0034] The receiving path motor 81 generates power for driving the conveying roller pair 31 of the receiving path 25A of the post-processing conveying path 25. The folding process path motor 82 generates power for driving the conveying roller pair 31 of the folding process path 25B of the post-processing conveying path 25. The staple path motor 83 generates power for driving the conveying roller pair 31A of the staple path 25C of the post-processing conveying path 25. The discharge path motor 84 generates power for driving the conveying roller pair 31B of the discharge path 25D of the post-processing conveying path 25. The folding roller motor 85 generates power for driving the folding roller pair 42. The blade motor 86 generates power for driving the blade 43. The power source for driving the blade 43 is not limited to the blade motor 86, and an electromagnetic solenoid or the like can also be applied.

[0035] The print conveyance control unit 54 controls the rotation of the plurality of conveyance roller pairs 11 of the print conveyance unit 5 by controlling the drive of the print conveyance motor 71. The print control unit 55 controls the ejection of ink from the print head 6 by controlling the drive of the print head 6. The post-processing conveyance control unit 61 individually controls the drive of the receiving path motor 81, the folding path motor 82, the staple path motor 83, and the paper discharge path motor 84. The post-processing conveyance control unit 61 controls the conveyance of the paper P in each of the receiving path 25A, the folding path 25B, the staple path 25C, and the paper discharge path 25D. The staple control unit 62 controls the drive of the staple device 46 to control the staple process on the paper P. The folding process control unit 63 individually controls the drive of the folding roller motor 85 and the blade motor 86. The folding process control unit 63 controls the folding process of the paper P and the paper stack B.

[0036] In the printing system 1 having the above configuration, printing is performed on paper P based on a print job specified by the user. A print job is a collection of data for causing the printing system 1 to perform one printing operation. A print job is a print command specified by the user. A print job includes print data that specifies the characters, images, etc. to be printed on the paper P. The print job also includes setting data that specifies the type and size of the paper P, the area in which the print data should be printed, etc. Furthermore, the print job includes post-processing data that specifies the content of the post-processing to be performed on the paper P. When the printing system 1 accepts a print job, the calculation unit 51 executes a control program based on the print job, thereby performing printing processing on the paper P.

[0037] When the printing system 1 accepts a print job, the calculation unit 51 controls the driving of the print transport motor 71 and the print head 6 based on the print data. The print transport control unit 54 controls the print transport motor 71, so that the paper P is supplied from the paper feed path 9A shown in FIG. 1 to the print processing path 9B. The print control unit 55 controls the print head 6, so that printing is performed on the paper P transported along the print processing path 9B. If the print job includes an instruction for double-sided printing, the paper P is inverted through the inversion path 9C and the retraction path 9E and then transported to the print processing path 9B. If the print job includes an instruction not to perform post-processing, the paper P is discharged from the paper discharge path 9D to the first stacker 16. On the other hand, if the print job includes an instruction to perform post-processing, the paper P is delivered to the post-processing device 3 through the discharge port 12.

[0038] The post-processing conveyance control unit 61 drives the conveyance roller pair 31 of the receiving path 25A by controlling the receiving path motor 81. The paper P delivered from the printing device 2 to the post-processing device 3 is received inside the post-processing device 3 via the receiving path 25A. If the post-processing data included in the print job indicates folding processing, the conveyance path of the paper P is switched from the receiving path 25A to the folding processing path 25B. The folding processing control unit 63 drives the folding roller pair 42 and the blade 43 by controlling the folding roller motor 85 and the blade motor 86. As a result, the folding processing of the paper P or the paper stack B is performed.

[0039] If the post-processing data included in the print job indicates stapling, the transport path of the paper P is switched from the receiving path 25A to the stapling path 25C. Then, the post-processing transport control unit 61 controls the staple path motor 83 to drive the transport roller pair 31A of the stapling path 25C. The paper P is placed on the staple tray 45 from the stapling path 25C by the transport roller pair 31A. Then, the staple control unit 62 controls the drive of the staple device 46 to perform stapling on the paper P.

[0040] When the post-processing data included in the print job indicates discharge processing, the transport path of the paper P is switched from the staple path 25C to the paper discharge path 25D. Next, the post-processing transport control unit 61 drives the transport roller pair 31B of the paper discharge path 25D by controlling the paper discharge path motor 84. The paper P is placed on the second stacker 48 from the paper discharge path 25D by the transport roller pair 31B.

[0041] When the post-processing data included in the print job instructs folding processing of the bundle of sheets B, the print data for the multiple sheets P that make up the bundle of sheets B is specified by the print job. In the folding processing of the bundle of sheets B, the arrangement order of the multiple sheets P in the bundle of sheets B is also specified by the print data. In other words, in the folding processing of the bundle of sheets B, the arrangement order of the pages in the bundle of sheets B that has been folded is specified by the print data. Therefore, the arrangement order of the multiple sheets P in the bundle of sheets B can be determined based on the print job.

[0042] In this embodiment, when folding the paper stack B, the printing order of the multiple sheets P in the paper stack B can be made different from the arrangement order of the multiple sheets P in the paper stack B. Specifically, when folding the paper stack B, the last sheet P transported from the folding process path 25B to the stacking tray 41 is set as the last sheet PE, and the printing order of the last sheet PE is moved up from the last sheet P.

[0043] When folding the stack of sheets B, the sheet P that comes into contact with the folding roller pair 42 is the last sheet PE. The multiple sheets P transported from the printing device 2 to the post-processing device 3 are transported from the printing device 2 to the post-processing device 3 in the order in which they are printed in the printing device 2. If printing is performed on the last sheet PE in the order in which they are arranged in the stack of sheets B, it is possible that the ink on the last sheet PE will come into contact with the folding roller pair 42 before it dries. As a result, it is possible that the ink on the last sheet PE will be transferred to the folding roller pair 42, thereby soiling the sheet P to be folded next.

[0044] To alleviate this, in this embodiment, the printing order of the last sheet PE is moved up to a position earlier than the last. The range of the number of positions that can be moved up differs depending on the number of sheets P that make up the paper stack B. For example, if the paper stack B is made up of two sheets P, the printing order can be moved up by one position. Also, if the paper stack B is made up of three sheets P, the printing order can be moved up by one or two positions. In this way, the range of the number of positions that can be moved up differs depending on the number of sheets P that make up the paper stack B. Any number within the range that can be moved up can be applied as the number of positions to be moved up in the printing order. The printing order of the last sheet PE may be moved up to the beginning.

[0045] For example, a case will be described where the paper stack B is composed of two sheets of paper P. Based on the print job, the print transport control unit 54 controls the print transport motor 71 to supply the paper P from the paper feed path 9A shown in FIG. 1 to the print processing path 9B. The print control unit 55 controls the print head 6 to print on the last paper PE of the paper stack B. After printing on the last paper PE is completed, the print transport control unit 54 controls the print transport motor 71 to cause the print transport unit 5 to transport the last paper PE to the post-processing device 3.

[0046] The post-processing transport control unit 61 controls the receiving path motor 81 to cause the post-processing transport unit 21 to take in the last sheet of paper PE from the receiving port 32 into the post-processing device 3. At this time, the transport path of the sheet of paper P is switched from the receiving path 25A to the staple path 25C. Next, the post-processing transport control unit 61 controls the staple path motor 83 to stop driving the transport roller pair 31A of the staple path 25C. As a result, the last sheet of paper PE remains in the staple path 25C while being nipped by the transport roller pair 31A. In other words, the post-processing transport control unit 61 causes the last sheet of paper PE to wait in the staple processing unit 27.

[0047] During this time, the print transport control unit 54 controls the print transport motor 71 to supply the next paper P from the paper feed path 9A to the print processing path 9B. After printing on the last paper PE, the print control unit 55 controls the print head 6 to print on the next paper P. After printing on the next paper P is completed, the print transport control unit 54 controls the print transport motor 71 to cause the print transport unit 5 to transport the next paper P to the post-processing device 3.

[0048] The post-processing conveyance control unit 61 controls the receiving path motor 81 to cause the post-processing conveyance unit 21 to take in the next sheet P from the receiving opening 32 into the post-processing device 3. At this time, the conveyance path of the sheet P is switched from the receiving path 25A to the folding path 25B. Next, the post-processing conveyance control unit 61 controls the folding path motor 82 to drive the conveyance roller pair 31 of the folding path 25B. As a result, the next sheet P is placed on the stacking tray 41.

[0049] Next, the post-processing transport control unit 61 controls the staple path motor 83 to reverse the drive of the transport roller pair 31A of the staple path 25C. As a result, the last sheet of paper PE waiting in the staple processing unit 27 is sent back from the staple path 25C to the receiving path 25A. Next, the post-processing transport control unit 61 controls the receiving path motor 81 to switch the last sheet of paper PE back to the receiving path 25A.

[0050] Next, the transport path of the paper P is switched from the receiving path 25A to the folding path 25B. Next, the post-processing transport control unit 61 controls the folding path motor 82 to drive the transport roller pair 31 of the folding path 25B. As a result, the last paper PE is placed on the stacking tray 41. Next, the folding process control unit 63 controls the folding roller motor 85 and the blade motor 86 to drive the folding roller pair 42 and the blade 43. As a result, the folding process of the paper stack B is performed.

[0051] In the above explanation, in order to facilitate understanding, a case where paper stack B is composed of two sheets of paper P has been explained. When paper stack B is composed of three sheets of paper P or more than three sheets of paper, the flow is similar, except that the printing order of the last sheet of paper PE is moved up to an arbitrary order. Also, in the above explanation, an example has been explained in which the last sheet of paper PE is made to wait at the staple processing unit 27. However, the place where the last sheet of paper PE is made to wait is not limited to the staple processing unit 27. The discharge processing unit 28 can also be used as a place where the last sheet of paper PE is made to wait.

[0052] The post-processing unit 23 is not limited to the staple processing unit 27 and the discharge processing unit 28. The post-processing unit 23 may be either the staple processing unit 27 or the discharge processing unit 28. A punch processing unit, a shift processing unit, or the like may also be applied as the post-processing unit 23. The punch processing is a process of making holes in the paper P. The shift processing is a process of shifting the positions of a plurality of paper sheets P from each other and placing them. A configuration in which the post-processing unit 23 includes at least one of the staple processing unit 27, the discharge processing unit 28, the punch processing unit, and the shift processing unit may also be applied. Furthermore, the post-processing unit 23 may include four of the staple processing unit 27, the discharge processing unit 28, the punch processing unit, and the shift processing unit. A staple device may also be added to the folding unit 22. By adding a staple device to the folding unit 22, the center-folded paper stack B can be stapled. Stapling the center-folded paper stack B is also called bookbinding or saddle stitching.

[0053] According to the printing system 1, the folding processing unit 22 performs folding processing on the sheet bundle B by contacting the last sheet PE, which is the sheet P of the sheet bundle B transported last by the post-processing transport unit 21. The control circuit 7 controls the print head 6 to move the printing order of the last sheet PE forward from the last sheet to perform printing on the last sheet PE. As a result, printing on the last sheet PE is moved forward from the last sheet in the arrangement order of the multiple sheets P in the sheet bundle B. The control circuit 7 controls the post-processing transport unit 21 to make the last sheet PE wait in the post-processing unit 23 and then transport it to the stacking tray 41 last. As a result, it is possible to advance the drying of the ink attached to the last sheet PE compared to the case where the printing order of the last sheet PE is made last. Therefore, it is easy to prevent ink from adhering to the folding roller pair 42.

[0054] In addition, in the printing system 1, the length of the transport path between the staple processing unit 27 and the folding processing unit 22 is shorter than the length of the transport path between the discharge processing unit 28 and the folding processing unit 22. That is, in the printing system 1, the staple processing unit 27 is closer to the stacking tray 41 of the folding processing unit 22 than the staple processing unit 27. Therefore, in the printing system 1, the time required to transport the last sheet of paper PE from the staple processing unit 27 to the stacking tray 41 is shorter than the time required to transport the last sheet of paper PE from the discharge processing unit 28 to the stacking tray 41. Therefore, according to the printing system 1, the time required to transport the last sheet of paper PE from the post-processing unit 23 to the stacking tray 41 can be shortened compared to the case where the last sheet of paper PE is made to wait at the discharge processing unit 28. Note that, in a configuration in which the discharge processing unit 28 is closer to the stacking tray 41 than the staple processing unit 27, the last sheet of paper PE may be made to wait at the discharge processing unit 28.

[0055] The control method of the printing system 1 described above also includes moving the printing order of the last sheet PE forward from the last sheet to perform printing on the last sheet PE. As a result, printing on the last sheet PE is moved forward from the last sheet in the arrangement order of the multiple sheets P in the paper stack B. The control method of the printing system 1 also includes, after performing printing on the last sheet PE, making the last sheet PE wait in the post-processing unit 23 and then transporting it to the stacking tray 41 last. As a result, it is possible to promote drying of the ink adhering to the last sheet PE compared to when the last sheet PE is printed last. This makes it easier to prevent ink from adhering to the folding roller pair 42.

[0056] 3, in the printing system 1 of the second example, a relay unit 91 is added to the printing device 2. Except for this, the printing system 1 of the second example has a similar configuration to the printing system 1 of the first example. Therefore, the same components of the printing system 1 of the second example as those of the printing system 1 of the first example are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the printing system 1 of the first example, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0057] The relay unit 91 is disposed in the first stacker 16 of the printing device 2. The relay unit 91 extends the paper discharge path 9D of the printing device 2. The relay unit 91 is a device that connects the paper discharge path 9D of the printing device 2 to the receiving path 25A of the post-processing device 3. In the printing system 1 of the second example, the paper P printed by the print head 6 is transported from the paper discharge path 9D to the receiving path 25A of the post-processing device 3 via the relay unit 91. The configuration of the post-processing device 3, the contents of the processing, and the operation of each processing are the same as those of the first example. In the printing system 1 of the second example, the discharge port 12 of the printing device 2 is provided in the relay unit 91. Accordingly, the position of the receiving port 32 of the post-processing device 3 is different from that of the first example. The printing system 1 of the second example also has the same effect as the printing system 1 of the first example.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 4, in the printing system 1 of the third example, the position and posture of the print head 6 of the printing device 2 differ from those of the second example. Except for this, the printing system 1 of the third example has a similar configuration to the printing system 1 of the second example. Therefore, the same components of the printing system 1 of the third example as those of the printing system 1 of the second example are given the same reference numerals as those of the printing system 1 of the second example, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. In the printing system 1 of the third example, as in the second example, a relay unit 91 is added to the printing device 2. In the printing system 1 of the third example, the same effects as those of the printing system 1 of the first example can be obtained.

[0059] 5, in the printing system 1 of the fourth example, a shortcut path 25E is added to the post-processing device 3. Except for this, the printing system 1 of the fourth example has a similar configuration to the printing system 1 of the first example. Therefore, the same components of the printing system 1 of the fourth example as those of the printing system 1 of the first example are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the printing system 1 of the first example, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The shortcut path 25E is an example of a third transport path.

[0060] The shortcut path 25E is included in the post-processing transport path 25. The shortcut path 25E is a path from the post-processing section 23 to the stacking tray 41. The shortcut path 25E leads from the post-processing section 23 to the stacking tray 41 without passing through the first branch point 33. The first branch point 33 is an example of a branch point. According to the printing system 1 having the shortcut path 25E, the last sheet PE can be transported from the post-processing section 23 to the stacking tray 41 without passing through the first branch point 33. This makes it possible to reduce the time required for folding the stack of sheets B.

[0061] When the paper P is transported to the folding processing section 22 via the shortcut path 25E, the front and back of the paper P are reversed compared to when the paper P is transported from the staple path 25C via the first branch point 33 to the folding processing path 25B. For this reason, transport via the shortcut path 25E is preferably applied when double-sided printing is performed on the last paper PE. If the printing order of the front and back is switched when double-sided printing is performed on the last paper PE, the paper can be finally reversed by reversing the front and back during transport via the shortcut path 25E. The shortcut path 25E in the fourth example can also be applied to the second and third examples.

[0062] In the printing system 1 and the control method for the printing system 1 described above, the number of sheets of paper PE to be moved up in the printing order may be determined according to the amount of ink ejected onto the sheet of paper PE. The amount of ink ejected onto the sheet of paper PE can be determined based on the print data. For example, a method of moving the printing order of the last sheet of paper PE forward according to the amount of ink ejected from the print head 6 onto the last sheet of paper PE is preferable. With this method, the waiting time of the last sheet of paper PE can be lengthened according to the amount of ink ejected onto the last sheet of paper PE. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1...printing system, 2...printing device, 3...post-processing device, 5...printing transport section, 6...print head, 7...control circuit, 9...printing transport path, 9A...paper feed path, 9B...printing processing path, 9C...reversal path, 9D...paper discharge path, 9E...retraction path, 11...transport roller pair, 12...discharge outlet, 13...manual feed tray, 14...cassette, 16...first stacker, 21...post-processing transport section, 22...folding processing section, 23...post-processing section, 25...post-processing transport path, 25A...receiving path, 25B...folding processing path, 25C...stapling path, 25D...paper discharge path, 25E...shortcut path, 27...stapling processing section, 28...discharge processing section, 31...transport roller pair, 31A...transport roller pair, 31B...transport roller pair, 32...receiving outlet, 33...first 1 branch point, 34...first switch, 35...second branch point, 36...second switch, 41...stacking tray, 42...pair of folding rollers, 42A...first roller, 42B...second roller, 43...blade, 45...stapling tray, 46...stapling device, 48...second stacker, 51...calculation unit, 52...memory, 54...printing transport control unit, 55...printing control unit, 61...post-processing transport control unit, 62...stapling control unit, 63...folding process control unit, 71...printing transport motor, 81...receiving path motor, 82...folding process path motor, 83...stapling path motor, 84...paper discharge path motor, 85...folding roller motor, 86...blade motor, 91...relay unit, B...paper stack, P...paper, PE...last paper.

Claims

1. A printing device having a printing unit that ejects a liquid to print on a medium with the liquid; a post-processing device having a folding processing unit that performs a folding process on a bundle of the media printed by the printing device; a control device that controls the printing device and the post-processing device, the printing device further includes a first transport unit that transports the plurality of media constituting the media bundle to the post-processing device in a printing order; the post-processing device further includes a second transport unit that transports the medium received from the printing device in a printing order, and a post-processing unit that performs a post-processing on the medium different from the folding process, the folding processing section includes a tray that forms the media bundle by stacking the plurality of media in the order in which they are transported by the second transport section, and a folding mechanism that performs the folding process on the media bundle by contacting a last medium, which is the medium transported last by the second transport section, among the plurality of media that constitute the formed media bundle; the control device advances the printing order of the last medium to an earlier position than the last medium, causes the printing unit to print on the last medium, and then causes the last medium to wait in the post-processing unit and then causes the second transport unit to transport the last medium to the tray. Printing system.

2. the post-processing section includes a stapling section, the control device causes the last medium to wait in the staple processing section of the post-processing section. The printing system of claim 1 .

3. the post-processing section includes a discharge processing section that discharges the medium; the control device causes the last medium to wait in the discharge processing unit of the post-processing unit. The printing system of claim 1 .

4. the post-processing section includes a stapling section and a discharge processing section that discharges the medium; the control device causes the last medium to wait in either the staple processing section or the discharge processing section, whichever is closer to the tray; The printing system of claim 1 .

5. the post-processing device has a receiving section that receives the medium transported by the first transport section, the second transport section has a first transport path that guides the medium from the receiving section to the tray, a second transport path that branches off from the first transport path between the receiving section and the tray to reach the post-processing section, and a third transport path that leads from the post-processing section to the tray, the third transport path does not pass through a branch point between the first transport path and the second transport path; The printing system of claim 1 .

6. A printing device having a printing unit that ejects a liquid to print on a medium with the liquid; a post-processing device having a folding processing unit that performs a folding process on a bundle of the media printed by the printing device; the printing device further includes a first transport unit that transports the plurality of media constituting the media bundle to the post-processing device in a printing order; the post-processing device further includes a second transport unit that transports the medium received from the printing device in a printing order, and a post-processing unit that performs a post-processing on the medium different from the folding process, a control method for a printing system including: a tray in which the folding processing section forms the media bundle by stacking the plurality of media in the order in which they are transported by the second transport section; and a folding mechanism that performs the folding process on the media bundle by contacting a last medium, which is the medium transported last by the second transport section, among the plurality of media constituting the formed media bundle, moving the printing order of the last medium forward from the last medium, causing the printing unit to print on the last medium, and then having the last medium wait in the post-processing unit and then transporting the last medium to the tray by the second transport unit. A method for controlling a printing system.

7. and advancing the printing order of the last medium in accordance with the amount of the liquid ejected from the printing unit onto the last medium. The method for controlling a printing system according to claim 6.

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