Lamination processing device, image formation system, and lamination processing method

Abstract

To provide a lamination processing device, an image formation system, and a lamination processing method, capable of suppressing or preventing occurrence of lamination defects.SOLUTION: A lamination processing device comprises a lamination processing unit for covering a recording material with a lamination sheet, and a control unit. The control unit acquires a detection result of a physical property information detection device for detecting physical property information that changes at least with environment, in physical property information corresponding to the physical properties of the recording material, and sets a processing condition for the lamination processing unit on the basis of the detection result of the physical property information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lamination device, an image forming system, and a lamination method. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a known technique for protecting a recording material after an image is formed thereon by laminating the recording material. In the laminating process, for example, the recording material and a laminate sheet are superimposed on each other, and pressure and heat are applied by a pair of pressure rollers. As a result, the recording material and the laminate sheet are pressure-bonded together.

[0003] However, the appropriate pressure and heat amount during lamination differs for each type of recording material to be laminated. Therefore, if pressure and heat are always applied at the same settings regardless of the type of recording material, some laminated products may have lamination defects such as air bubbles, surface irregularities, whitening, curling, etc. Technology for suppressing lamination defects is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1.

[0004] The recording medium coating device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a size detection sensor and a medium surface detection sensor provided on the paper feed tray. The size detection sensor detects the size of the paper, and the medium surface detection sensor detects the paper surface property (glossiness) information. The recording medium coating device adjusts one or more values ​​of the heating temperature, the pressing force, and the transport speed of the paper and the laminate sheet so as to supply an appropriate amount of heat according to the paper size and the paper surface property (glossiness) information.

[0005] The size and surface properties of the recording material are predetermined standards. The recording medium coating device disclosed in Patent Document 1 adjusts the control parameters of the lamination process taking into account the difference in the standards of the recording material. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-142532 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] It has been found that the quality of lamination is affected by the physical properties of the recording material, such as its moisture content, stiffness, and curl amount, which are easily affected by the environment, in addition to the predetermined standards such as the size and surface properties of the recording material. For example, when laminating a recording material whose moisture content has increased due to the storage environment, the moisture may boil when heated and push up the laminate sheet. In this case, lamination defects such as surface unevenness may occur.

[0008] However, the recording medium coating device disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not take into account the physical properties of the recording material that change depending on the environment, so lamination processing may not be performed under appropriate lamination conditions, which may result in poor lamination.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a lamination apparatus, an image forming system, and a lamination method that can suppress or prevent the occurrence of lamination defects. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve at least one of the above-mentioned objects, a lamination processing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a lamination processing section that covers a recording material with a lamination sheet, and a control section. The control section obtains detection results from a physical property information detection device that detects at least physical property information that varies depending on the environment among physical property information corresponding to the physical properties of the recording material, and sets processing conditions for the lamination processing section based on the detection results of the physical property information.

[0011] An image forming system reflecting one aspect of the present invention includes an image forming device that forms an image on a recording material, a physical property information detection device that detects physical property information corresponding to the physical properties of the recording material, and the above-mentioned lamination processing device that applies a lamination process to the recording material on which an image has been formed by the image forming device.

[0012] In a lamination method according to one aspect of the present invention, a control unit obtains from a physical property information detection device a detection result of at least physical property information that varies depending on an environment among physical property information corresponding to physical properties of a recording material, and sets processing conditions for the lamination process based on the detection result of the physical property information. Then, a lamination processing unit executes the lamination process according to the processing conditions, and covers the recording material with a lamination sheet. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, the occurrence of lamination defects can be suppressed or prevented. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a lamination processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a stiffness detection unit in the physical property information detection device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a curl amount detection unit in the physical property information detection device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a moisture content detection unit in the physical property information detection device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control system of the lamination processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the timing of detection of physical property information and lamination processing. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a table showing types of lamination defects, their causes, and countermeasures according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a table that defines the relationship between the stiffness of the recording material and the heating temperature in the lamination process. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a table that defines the relationship between the stiffness of the recording material and the conveying speed in the lamination process. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a table that defines the relationship between the moisture content of the recording material and the heating temperature in the lamination process. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a table that defines the relationship between the moisture content of the recording material and the conveying speed in the lamination process. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a table that defines the relationship between the curl amount of the recording material and the heating temperature in the lamination process. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a table that defines the relationship between the curl amount of the recording material and the conveying speed in the lamination process. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the lamination process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of an error display according to the first embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control system of an image forming system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the lamination process according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this specification and the drawings, substantially the same components are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

[0016] 1. First embodiment [Configuration of lamination processing device] First, the configuration of a lamination device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a lamination apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0017] The lamination device 1 shown in Fig. 1 performs lamination processing to cover a recording material on which an image has been formed with a lamination sheet L. As a result, a laminated product P is produced. As shown in Fig. 1, the lamination device 1 includes a supply tray 11, an operation display unit 12, a lamination sheet transport unit 13, a recording material transport unit 14, a physical property information detection device 15, a lamination processing unit 16, a cutting unit 17, and a discharge tray 18.

[0018] The supply tray is formed in a plate shape on which one or more recording materials S can be placed. The supply tray supplies the recording material S to the recording material conveying section 14 of the lamination processing device 1. An image is formed on the recording material S by an image forming processing device (not shown). The lamination processing device according to the present invention may be one in which the recording material S is directly supplied from the image forming device. In this case, the lamination processing device does not need to be equipped with a supply tray.

[0019] The operation display unit 12 includes an operation unit and a display unit. The display unit is, for example, a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The display unit displays various screens according to a display control signal input from a control unit 31 (see FIG. 5) of the lamination processing device 1, which will be described later. The operation unit includes a touch panel formed to cover the display screen of the display unit, and various operation buttons such as numeric buttons and a start button. The operation unit accepts operation instructions from a user. The operation unit outputs an operation signal based on the user's operation to the control unit 31, which will be described later. The operation display unit 12 corresponds to a notification unit according to the present invention.

[0020] Laminate sheet rolls 21A and 21B, on which laminate sheet L is wound in a roll, are disposed inside the lamination processing device 1. The laminate sheet L is formed into a sheet shape from a transparent or semi-transparent resin such as polyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene terephthalate. The laminate sheet conveying section 13 has a pull-out roller (not shown), a plurality of conveying rollers (not shown), and tension rollers 22A and 22B.

[0021] The pull-out rollers of the laminate sheet transport section 13 pull out the laminate sheet L from the laminate sheet rolls 21A and 21B. The multiple transport rollers of the laminate sheet transport section 13 transport the laminate sheet L pulled out by the pull-out rollers to the lamination processing section 16. The multiple transport rollers of the laminate sheet transport section 13 also send the laminated product P, which is the recording material S laminated by the lamination processing section 16, to the discharge tray 18.

[0022] The tension rollers 22A and 22B are disposed upstream of the lamination processing section 16. The laminate sheet L pulled out from the laminate sheet roll 21A is wound around the tension roller 22A. The laminate sheet L pulled out from the laminate sheet roll 21A faces one recording side of the recording material S in the lamination processing section 16. The laminate sheet L pulled out from the laminate sheet roll 21B is wound around the tension roller 22B. The laminate sheet L pulled out from the laminate sheet roll 21B faces the other recording side of the recording material S in the lamination processing section 16.

[0023] The rotation shafts of tension rollers 22A, 22B are held by roller movement mechanisms 23, 23B (see FIG. 5). Roller movement mechanisms 23A, 23B move the positions of the rotation shafts of tension rollers 22A, 22B. This causes tension rollers 22A, 22B to approach and move away from lamination processing section 16. As a result, tension rollers 22A, 22B can change the tension (tension) of laminate sheet L transported to lamination processing section 16.

[0024] The recording material conveying section 14 has a plurality of conveying rollers. The plurality of conveying rollers of the recording material conveying section 14 convey the recording material S supplied from the supply tray 11 to the lamination processing section 16.

[0025] The physical property information detection device 15 is disposed between the supply tray 11 and the lamination processing section 16. The physical property information detection device 15 detects physical property information (physical property values) corresponding to each physical property of the recording material S while it is being transported to the lamination processing section 16 by the recording material transport section 14. Examples of the physical properties of the recording material S include the stiffness, moisture content, curl amount, etc. of the recording material S. The stiffness, moisture content, curl amount, etc. of the recording material S are physical properties that are easily changed depending on the environment. The configuration of the physical property information detection device 15 will be described later.

[0026] The lamination processing section 16 has a heating roller 24, a pressure roller 25, a pressure section 26 (see FIG. 5), and a heating section 27 (see FIG. 5). The heating roller 24 is rotationally driven in a processing transport direction in which the recording material S and the laminate sheet L are transported together. The processing transport direction is a direction approaching the cutting section 17. The pressure roller 25 is in contact with the heating roller 24 under pressure. The pressure roller 25 rotates following the rotation of the heating roller 24.

[0027] The pressure unit 26 presses the pressure roller 25 towards the heating roller 24. The pressure unit 26 has a holding mechanism that holds both ends of the rotation shaft of the pressure roller 25, and a biasing mechanism that biases the holding mechanism in a direction to move it away from the heating roller 24. The holding mechanism moves the pressure roller 25 towards and away from the heating roller 24. The heating unit 27 heats the heating roller 24. The heating unit 27 has a heater arranged on the rotation shaft of the heating roller 24.

[0028] The heating roller 24 and pressure roller 25 of the lamination processing section 16 heat and press the laminate sheet L while conveying the recording material S and the laminate sheet L. This causes the laminate sheet L superimposed on both sides of the recording material S to be pressure-bonded. As a result, the recording material S is covered with the laminate L.

[0029] The cutting unit 17 is disposed downstream of the lamination processing unit 16. The cutting unit 17 cuts the edge of the laminate sheet L covering the recording material S. This produces a laminated product P, which is the recording material S that has been laminated. The laminated product P is sent to the discharge tray 18 by a plurality of conveying rollers of the laminate sheet conveying unit 13. The discharge tray 18 is formed in a plate shape on which one or a plurality of laminated products P can be placed.

[0030] [Physical property information detection device] Next, the configuration of the physical property information detection device 15 will be described with reference to Figs. 2 to 4. The physical property information detection device 15 has a stiffness detection section 151, a curl amount detection section 152, and a moisture content detection section 153. The stiffness, curl amount, and moisture content are physical property information that change depending on the environment. The stiffness detection section 151, the curl amount detection section 152, and the moisture content detection section 153 are arranged along the conveying path of the recording material conveying section 14. The positions and order in which the stiffness detection section 151, the curl amount detection section 152, and the moisture content detection section 153 are arranged can be set appropriately.

[0031] (Rigidity detection unit) FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the stiffness detection unit 151. As shown in FIG. The stiffness detection unit 151 detects the stiffness of the recording material S. The stiffness of the recording material S is an index that indicates the resistance when the recording material S is bent. The stiffness detection unit 151 includes a pair of holding rollers 161, a pair of holding rollers 162, a push-up unit 163, a pressing force detection sensor 164, and a lifting mechanism 165.

[0032] The pair of holding rollers 161 and the pair of holding rollers 162 hold the recording material S. The pair of holding rollers 161 and the pair of holding rollers 162 are arranged at a predetermined distance in the horizontal direction. The plane of the recording material S held by the pair of holding rollers 161 and the pair of holding rollers 162 faces the vertical direction. A predetermined amount of tension is applied to the recording material S. It is preferable that the pair of holding rollers 161 and the pair of holding rollers 162 also function as conveying rollers.

[0033] The push-up portion 163 is disposed between a pair of holding rollers 161 and a pair of holding rollers 162. The push-up portion 163 presses the downward surface of the recording material S held by the pair of holding rollers 161 and the pair of holding rollers 162. The direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording material S and the vertical direction (up-down direction) is defined as the width direction of the recording material S. The push-up portion 163 comes into contact with the entire width of the recording material S (full width).

[0034] The pressing force detection sensor 164 is connected to one end of the push-up part 163 that contacts the recording material S and the opposite end. The pressing force detection sensor 164 detects the pressing force when the push-up part 163 is pressed in the vertical direction. In other words, the pressing force detection sensor 164 detects the pressing force when the push-up part 163 presses and bends the recording material S. As the pressing force detection sensor 164, for example, a load cell (strain gauge) can be used.

[0035] The lifting mechanism 165 lifts and lowers the pressing force detection sensor 164 in the vertical direction. The lifting mechanism 165 is composed of a worm gear connected to the pressing force detection sensor 164, a motor 166, and a gear train that transmits the rotation of the motor 166 to the worm gear. The motor 166 can be, for example, a stepping motor.

[0036] (Curl amount detection unit) FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the curl amount detection unit 152. As shown in FIG. The curl amount detection section 152 detects the amount of curl of the recording material S. The curl amount detection section 152 includes a pair of holding rollers 171, a pair of holding rollers 172, a first distance measuring sensor 173, and a second distance measuring sensor 174.

[0037] The pair of holding rollers 171 and the pair of holding rollers 172 hold the recording material S. The pair of holding rollers 171 and the pair of holding rollers 172 are arranged at a predetermined distance in the horizontal direction. The plane of the recording material S held by the pair of holding rollers 171 and the pair of holding rollers 172 faces the vertical direction. It is preferable that the pair of holding rollers 171 and the pair of holding rollers 172 also serve as conveying rollers.

[0038] The first distance measuring sensor 173 and the second distance measuring sensor 174 are disposed between a pair of holding rollers 171 and a pair of holding rollers 172. The first distance measuring sensor 173 and the second distance measuring sensor 174 are disposed at positions facing each other in the vertical direction. The first distance measuring sensor 173 faces the surface of the recording material S facing upward. The second distance measuring sensor 174 faces the surface of the recording material S facing downward.

[0039] The first distance measuring sensor 173 and the second distance measuring sensor 174 are, for example, reflective optical sensors. The first distance measuring sensor 173 measures the distance to the upward surface of the recording material S. The second distance measuring sensor 174 measures the distance to the upward surface of the recording material S.

[0040] When the recording material S is not curled, the distance measured by the first distance measuring sensor 173 is equal to the distance measured by the second distance measuring sensor 174. The curl amount detection unit 152 detects the curl amount and curl direction of the recording material S from the difference between the distance measured by the first distance measuring sensor 173 and the distance measured by the second distance measuring sensor 174.

[0041] (Moisture content detector) FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the moisture content detection unit 153. As shown in FIG. The moisture content detection unit 153 detects the moisture content of the recording material S. The moisture content detection unit 153 includes a light emitting element 181 and a light receiving element 182.

[0042] The light emitting element 181 irradiates the recording material S with light of a reference wavelength that does not absorb moisture and light of a measurement wavelength that absorbs moisture. The recording material S reflects the light of the reference wavelength and the measurement wavelength. The light receiving element 182 measures the reflected light of the reference wavelength and the measurement wavelength. The moisture content detection unit 153 calculates the absorbance of the recording material S from the measurement result of the light receiving element 182, and calculates the moisture content of the recording material S based on the calculated absorbance.

[0043] [Example of control system configuration for lamination processing device] Next, an example of the configuration of a control system of the lamination processing device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control system of the lamination processing device 1. As shown in FIG.

[0044] 5, the lamination processing device 1 includes a control unit 31. The control unit 31 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 32, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 33, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 34. The CPU 32 reads out various processing programs stored in the ROM 33 and loads them in the RAM 34. The CPU 32 then controls the operation of each unit of the lamination processing device 1 according to the loaded programs.

[0045] The ROM 33 stores various processing programs for controlling each part of the lamination processing device 1, parameters and table data necessary for executing the programs, various files, etc. The ROM 33 stores, for example, a lamination control table that associates the physical property information of the recording material S with the control amount (control parameter) of each part of the lamination processing device 1. The CPU 32 determines the control amount of each part of the lamination processing unit 16, such as the pressure unit 26, the heating unit 27, etc., based on the lamination control table and the physical property information of the recording material S detected by the physical property information detection device 15.

[0046] The RAM 34 is configured, for example, by a volatile semiconductor memory. The RAM 34 forms a work area for temporarily storing various processing programs, input data, output data, parameters, etc., read from the ROM 33 during various processes executed by the CPU 32.

[0047] The control unit 31 is electrically connected to the stiffness detection unit 151 , curl amount detection unit 152 , moisture content detection unit 153 , and error detection unit 154 of the physical property information detection device 15 .

[0048] The stiffness detection unit 151 detects the stiffness of the recording material S and transmits the detection result to the control unit 31. The curl amount detection unit 152 detects the curl amount of the recording material S and transmits the detection result to the control unit 31. The moisture content detection unit 153 detects the moisture content of the recording material S and transmits the detection result to the control unit 31.

[0049] The error detection unit 154 detects whether or not an error has occurred in the recording material S from the physical property values ​​detected by each of the detection units 151 to 153. An appropriate range is defined for each physical property value of the recording material S. The error detection unit 154 detects that an error has occurred in the recording material S when the physical property values ​​detected by each of the detection units 151 to 153 are outside the respective appropriate ranges.

[0050] When the error detection unit 154 detects that an error has occurred in the recording material S, it transmits error information to the control unit 31. The error information includes the physical property value that was outside the appropriate range and its type. Note that the control unit 31 may detect that an error has occurred in the recording material S.

[0051] The control unit 31 is electrically connected to the operation display unit 12, the roller movement mechanism 23, the pressure unit 26, the heating unit 27, the roller drive unit 28, and the cutting unit 17. The control unit 31 is also electrically connected to the drive units of the multiple transport rollers of the laminate sheet transport unit 13 and the recording material transport unit 14 (omitted in FIG. 5).

[0052] The operation display unit 12 displays various screens in accordance with a display control signal supplied from the control unit 31. When the control unit 31 receives error information transmitted from the error detection unit 154, it causes the display unit of the operation display unit 12 to display an error notification (see FIG. 15). This allows the user to recognize that an error has occurred in the recording material S.

[0053] The roller movement mechanism 23 changes the positions of the tension rollers 22A and 22B (see FIG. 1) in accordance with a drive signal supplied from the control unit 31. The pressure unit 26 moves the pressure roller 25 closer to and away from the heating roller 24 in accordance with a drive signal supplied from the control unit 31. This changes the pressure applied to the laminate sheet L passing between the pressure roller 25 and the heating roller 24.

[0054] Heating unit 27 adjusts the heater output according to a drive signal supplied from control unit 31. This changes the temperature of heating roller 24, and the amount of heat applied to laminate sheet L passing between pressure roller 25 and heating roller 24 changes. Roller drive unit 28 adjusts the rotation speed of heating roller 24 according to a drive signal supplied from control unit 31. This changes the conveying speed of laminate sheet L and recording material S in lamination processing unit 16 (see FIG. 1). Cutting unit 17 cuts the edge of laminate sheet L covering recording material S according to a drive signal supplied from control unit 31.

[0055] [Timing of detection of physical property information and lamination processing] Next, the detection of the physical property information of the recording material S by the physical property information detection device 15 and the timing of the lamination process by the lamination section 16 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the detection of the physical property information of the recording material S and the timing of the lamination process.

[0056] 6, the physical property information detection device 15 is located upstream of the lamination processing unit 16 in the conveying direction of the recording material S. The recording material S supplied to the lamination processing device 1 passes through the physical property information detection device 15 one by one, and the physical property information is detected. Then, the recording material S whose physical property information has been detected is conveyed to the lamination processing unit 16 one by one.

[0057] Before the lamination processing unit 16 performs lamination processing on the recording material S, the control unit 31 (see FIG. 5) determines control parameters for each unit of the lamination processing unit 16, such as the pressure unit 26 and the heating unit 27, based on the physical property information of the recording material S. The pressure unit 26, the heating unit 27, etc. of the lamination processing unit 16 perform lamination processing according to the control parameters sent from the control unit 31.

[0058] In this way, the lamination device 1 detects the physical property information of each recording material S, and determines the control parameters according to the physical property information of each recording material S. This makes it possible to perform lamination processing appropriate for each recording material S, and suppress or prevent the occurrence of lamination defects.

[0059] [Causes of lamination defects and how to deal with them] Next, the cause of and countermeasure against poor lamination will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a table showing types of lamination defects, their causes, and how to deal with them.

[0060] As shown in Figure 7, lamination defects include, for example, "whitening," "curling," "unevenness," and "air bubbles."

[0061] The lamination defect "whitening" occurs when the heating temperature is low when laminating recording material S, which has low stiffness (low thermal conductivity). In this case, heat is not transferred sufficiently to the lamination sheet L, and the lamination sheet L does not melt completely and turns white. The method of improving the lamination defect "whitening" is to increase the heating temperature or slow down the conveying speed. This allows sufficient heat to be transferred to the lamination sheet L, and the occurrence of "whitening" can be prevented or suppressed.

[0062] The lamination defect "curl" occurs when the heating temperature is high when laminating recording material S with a large amount of curl. In this case, the curl of the recording material S is increased, and the laminated product P also curls. A method for improving the lamination defect "curl" is to lower the heating temperature and the conveying speed. This makes it possible to suppress the curl of the recording material by lowering the heating temperature, and to ensure the amount of heat transferred to the lamination sheet L by lowering the conveying speed. As a result, the occurrence of the lamination defect "curl" can be prevented or suppressed, and the lamination sheet L can be reliably pressure-bonded.

[0063] The "unevenness" of defective lamination occurs when the heating temperature is high when laminating recording material S, which has high stiffness (high thermal conductivity). In this case, the lamination sheet L melts excessively, causing unevenness in the laminated product P. A way to improve the "unevenness" of defective lamination is to lower the heating temperature. This allows the lamination sheet L to melt appropriately, preventing or suppressing the occurrence of unevenness in the laminated product P.

[0064] The "air bubbles" that cause lamination defects occur when recording material S with a high moisture content is laminated. In this case, the moisture in the recording material S evaporates when heated by the heating roller 24, and the steam pushes up the laminate sheet L. The "air bubbles" that cause lamination defects also occur when the heating temperature is raised too high when laminating recording material S with low stiffness (low thermal conductivity). In this case, the high heating temperature causes the moisture in the recording material S to evaporate, and the steam pushes up the laminate sheet L.

[0065] A method for improving the "bubbles" of lamination defects is to lower the heating temperature and the conveying speed. This reduces the heating temperature and suppresses the curl of the recording material, while slowing the conveying speed ensures the amount of heat transferred to the laminate sheet L. As a result, it is possible to prevent or suppress the occurrence of the "curl" of lamination defects, and to ensure that the laminate sheet L is pressure-bonded.

[0066] [Lamination control table] Next, the lamination control table stored in the ROM 33 (see FIG. 5) will be described with reference to FIGS. The lamination control table associates the physical property information of the recording material S with the control amount (control parameter) of each part of the lamination processing unit 16. The control unit 31 refers to the lamination control table and determines the control amount (control parameter) of each part of the lamination processing unit 16 based on the physical property information of the recording material S.

[0067] The stiffness of the recording material S changes depending on whether an image is formed, the area of ​​image formation, and the storage environment. Therefore, the parameters of the heating temperature and the conveying speed related to the lamination process, which are preset according to the type of the recording material S, may become inappropriate. Therefore, in this embodiment, the stiffness of the recording material S is detected immediately before the lamination process is performed, and the parameters of the heating temperature and the conveying speed are set according to the detected stiffness.

[0068] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a lamination control table that defines the relationship between the stiffness of the recording material S and the heating temperature in the lamination process.

[0069] The lamination control table shown in FIG. 8 specifies the heating temperature according to the thickness of the lamination sheet L and the stiffness of the recording material S. The horizontal axis in FIG. 8 indicates the stiffness of the recording material S. The vertical axis in FIG. 8 indicates the heating temperature of the lamination processing unit 16. As shown in FIG. 8, the lower the stiffness (lower the thermal conductivity) of the recording material S, the higher the heating temperature of the lamination processing unit 16 is set. Also, the thicker the lamination sheet L, the higher the heating temperature of the lamination processing unit 16 is set.

[0070] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a lamination control table that defines the relationship between the stiffness of the recording material S and the conveying speed in the lamination process.

[0071] The lamination control table shown in FIG. 9 specifies the transport speed according to the thickness of the laminate sheet L and the stiffness of the recording material S. The horizontal axis in FIG. 9 indicates the stiffness of the recording material S. The vertical axis in FIG. 9 indicates the transport speed of the lamination processing unit 16. As shown in FIG. 9, the lower the stiffness of the recording material S (the lower the thermal conductivity), the lower the transport speed of the lamination processing unit 16 is set. Also, the thicker the laminate sheet L, the lower the transport temperature of the lamination processing unit 16 is set.

[0072] In the case of a hot laminator such as the lamination processing unit 16 (see FIG. 1), the appropriate moisture content of the recording material S is set to, for example, 15% or less. If the moisture content of the recording material S becomes higher than the appropriate value, the moisture in the recording material S evaporates when heated in the lamination process, and the steam pushes up the laminate sheet L, which may cause lamination defects such as the above-mentioned "air bubbles" and "unevenness." Therefore, in this embodiment, the moisture content of the recording material S is detected immediately before the lamination process is performed, and the parameters of the heating temperature and the conveying speed are set according to the detected moisture content.

[0073] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a lamination control table that defines the relationship between the moisture content of the recording material S and the heating temperature in the lamination process.

[0074] The lamination control table shown in Fig. 10 specifies the heating temperature according to the thickness of the lamination sheet L and the moisture content of the recording material S. The horizontal axis in Fig. 10 indicates the moisture content of the recording material S. The vertical axis in Fig. 10 indicates the heating temperature of the lamination processing unit 16. As shown in Fig. 10, the higher the moisture content of the recording material S, the lower the heating temperature of the lamination processing unit 16 is set. Also, the thicker the lamination sheet L, the higher the heating temperature of the lamination processing unit 16 is set.

[0075] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a lamination control table that defines the relationship between the moisture content of the recording material S and the conveying speed in the lamination process.

[0076] The lamination control table shown in FIG. 11 specifies the transport speed according to the thickness of the laminate sheet L and the moisture content of the recording material S. The horizontal axis in FIG. 11 indicates the moisture content of the recording material S. The vertical axis in FIG. 11 indicates the transport speed of the lamination processing unit 16. As shown in FIG. 11, the higher the moisture content of the recording material S, the lower the transport speed of the lamination processing unit 16 is set. Also, the thicker the laminate sheet L, the lower the transport temperature of the lamination processing unit 16 is set.

[0077] When the recording material S is supplied to the lamination processing unit 16, if the recording material S has a large curl amount, the higher the heating temperature during lamination processing, the greater the curl amount of the recording material S. As a result, curl may also occur in the laminated product P after lamination processing. Therefore, in this embodiment, the curl amount of the recording material S is detected immediately before lamination processing, and the parameters of the heating temperature and the conveying speed are set according to the detected curl amount.

[0078] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a lamination control table that defines the relationship between the curl amount of the recording material S and the heating temperature in the lamination process.

[0079] The lamination control table shown in Fig. 12 specifies the heating temperature according to the thickness of the lamination sheet L and the amount of curl of the recording material S. The horizontal axis in Fig. 12 indicates the amount of curl of the recording material S. The vertical axis in Fig. 12 indicates the heating temperature of the lamination processing unit 16. As shown in Fig. 12, the greater the amount of curl of the recording material S, the lower the heating temperature of the lamination processing unit 16 is set. Also, the thicker the lamination sheet L, the higher the heating temperature of the lamination processing unit 16 is set.

[0080] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a lamination control table that defines the relationship between the curl amount of the recording material S and the conveying speed in the lamination process.

[0081] The lamination control table shown in Fig. 13 specifies the transport speed according to the thickness of the laminate sheet L and the curl amount of the recording material S. The horizontal axis in Fig. 13 indicates the curl amount of the recording material S. The vertical axis in Fig. 13 indicates the transport speed of the lamination processing unit 16. As shown in Fig. 13, the greater the curl amount of the recording material S, the lower the transport speed of the lamination processing unit 16 is set. Also, the thicker the laminate sheet L, the lower the transport temperature of the lamination processing unit 16 is set.

[0082] [Lamination processing] Next, the lamination process performed by the lamination device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the lamination process executed by the lamination device 1. As shown in FIG.

[0083] First, the control unit 31 determines whether or not the recording material S has reached the physical property information detection device 15 (S1). In step S1, when the control unit 31 determines that the recording material S has not reached the physical property information detection device 15 (NO determination in S1), the control unit 31 repeats step S1 until the recording material S reaches the physical property information detection device 15.

[0084] On the other hand, in step S1, when the control unit 31 determines that the recording material S has not reached the physical property information detection device 15 (YES determination in S1), the control unit 31 acquires the physical property values ​​of the recording material S from the physical property information detection device 15 (S2). The physical property values ​​according to this embodiment are the moisture content, stiffness, and curl amount. Note that the physical property information detection device according to the present invention may detect other physical property values ​​such as basis weight and resistance value.

[0085] Next, the control unit 31 determines whether or not any of the physical property values ​​detected by the physical property information detection device 15 are outside the appropriate range (S3). That is, the control unit 31 determines whether or not error information has been received from the error detection unit 154. If error information has been received, any of the physical property values ​​are outside the appropriate range. If no error information has been received, all of the physical property values ​​are within the appropriate range.

[0086] In step S3, when the control unit 31 determines that any of the physical property values ​​detected by the physical property information detection device 15 is outside the appropriate range (YES determination in S3), it causes the operation display unit 12 to display an error (S4). After the end of step S4, the control unit 31 proceeds to the process of step S8.

[0087] Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of an error display when a moisture content outside the appropriate range is detected. As shown in Fig. 15, the error display shows the current status, a message informing the user that a physical property value outside the appropriate range, and a method of resolving the problem. When a physical property value outside the appropriate range is detected, the status displayed in the error display shows that lamination processing has been stopped.

[0088] When the moisture content is outside the appropriate range, the message may say, for example, "The moisture content of the recording material is high and lamination defects may occur." The recommended action to take may be, for example, "Dehumidify or replace the recording material." By displaying such an error, the user can check the current status. Also, the user can easily recognize the action to take to resolve the error.

[0089] In step S3, when the control unit 31 determines that all of the physical property values ​​detected by the physical property information detection device 15 are within the appropriate range (NO judgment in S3), it refers to the lamination control tables shown in Figures 8 to 13 and determines the control parameters of the lamination processing unit 16 (S5).

[0090] Next, the lamination unit 16 performs lamination processing based on the control parameters determined by the control unit 31 (S6). Next, the control unit 31 determines whether or not there is a next recording material S to be laminated (S7). That is, the control unit 31 determines whether or not the next recording material S is placed on the supply tray 11 (see FIG. 1). If the next recording material S is placed on the supply tray 11, the control unit 31 determines that there is a next recording material S to be laminated.

[0091] In step S7, when the control unit 31 determines that there is a next recording material S to be laminated (YES in S7), the control unit 31 returns the process to step S3. In step S7, when the control unit 31 determines that there is no next recording material S to be laminated (NO in S7), or after step S4 is completed, the control unit 31 performs a process to stop the lamination unit 16 (S8). After step S8 is completed, the control unit 31 ends the lamination process.

[0092] 2. Second embodiment [Image formation system configuration] Next, the configuration of an image forming system according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming system according to the second embodiment.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 16, the image forming system 10 includes a recording material supplying device 100, an image forming device 200, a physical property information detecting device 250, a laminating device 300, a discharging device 400, and a communication unit (not shown).

[0094] The communication unit is composed of a NIC (Network Interface Card), a modem, etc. The communication unit connects the recording material supplying device 100, the image forming device 200, the physical property information detecting device 250, the laminating device 300, and the discharging device 400 to a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). The communication unit transmits and receives various data between each device and an external information device (e.g., a client device).

[0095] When an image is formed on a recording material in the image forming system 10, first, the recording material is supplied from the recording material supplying device 100 to the image forming device 200. The image forming device 200 forms an image on the supplied recording material. Then, the image forming device 200 sends the recording material on which the image has been formed to the physical property information detecting device 250. The physical property information detecting device 250 detects physical property information (physical property values) corresponding to each physical property of the recording material S.

[0096] The lamination device 300 performs lamination processing to cover the recording material on which the image has been formed with a laminate sheet L. As a result, a laminated product P is produced. At this time, the lamination device 300 determines control parameters for the lamination processing according to the physical property information of the recording material S detected by the physical property information detection device 250. The lamination device 300 sends the laminated product P to the discharge device 400. The discharge device 400 neutralizes the charge on the laminated product P and discharges the neutralized laminated product P.

[0097] [Recording material supply device] The recording material supplying device 100 stores a recording material S for image formation. When the recording material supplying device 100 receives an image formation job from a control unit (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 200, the recording material supplying device 100 supplies the recording material S corresponding to the image formation job to the image forming apparatus 200.

[0098] The recording material supplying device 100 includes a recording material storage section 110 and a conveying section. Recording materials S of different types and sizes are individually stored in the recording material storage section 110. In this embodiment, the recording material S is a recording medium on which an image is formed, such as paper.

[0099] The conveying section includes a plurality of take-out rollers and a plurality of conveying rollers that take out the recording material S from the recording material storage section 110. The plurality of conveying rollers are provided along a predetermined recording material conveying path. The plurality of conveying rollers convey the recording material S taken out of the recording material storage section 110 to the image forming device 200 one sheet at a time.

[0100] [Image forming equipment] The image forming apparatus 200 includes an operation display unit 210 , an image forming unit 220 , a fixing unit 230 , and a conveying unit 240 .

[0101] The operation display unit 210 includes an operation unit and a display unit. The display unit is, for example, configured with a display device such as an LCD. The display unit displays various screens in accordance with instructions of a display signal input from the control unit of the image forming apparatus 200. The operation unit includes a touch panel formed to cover the display screen of the display unit, and various operation buttons such as numeric buttons and a start button. The operation unit accepts operation instructions from a user. The operation unit transmits an operation signal based on the user's operation to the image forming apparatus control unit 201 (see FIG. 17) of the image forming apparatus 200.

[0102] The image forming unit 220 forms an image on the recording material S based on image data. The image forming unit 220 includes photoconductor drums, charging units, exposure units, developing units, and primary transfer rollers corresponding to the respective colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). The image forming unit 220 also includes an intermediate transfer belt and secondary transfer rollers. The photoconductor drums, charging units, exposure units, developing units, primary transfer rollers, intermediate transfer belt, and secondary transfer rollers are conventionally used, and therefore detailed explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0103] The fixing section 230 includes a fixing roller 231 and a pressure roller 232. The fixing roller 231 has a built-in heater. The pressure roller 232 is pressed against the fixing roller 231. As a result, the fixing roller 231 and the pressure roller 232 are pressed against each other, and a fixing nip portion is formed at this pressed portion. The recording material S is heated and pressurized when passing through the fixing nip portion. As a result, the toner image transferred to the recording material S is fixed.

[0104] The conveying section 240 includes a plurality of conveying rollers for conveying the recording material S along a predetermined conveying path. The conveying section 240 conveys the recording material S supplied from the recording material supplying device 100 to the image forming section 220 and the fixing section 230. In addition, the conveying section 240 conveys the recording material S after the image formation to the physical property information detection device 250.

[0105] [Physical property information detection device] The physical property information detection device 250 has a stiffness detection unit 251, a curl amount detection unit 252, a moisture content detection unit 253, and a conveying unit 254. The conveying unit 254 conveys the recording material S supplied from the image forming device 200, and sends it out to the lamination processing device 300. The conveying unit 254 has a plurality of conveying rollers for conveying the recording material S along a predetermined conveying path.

[0106] The stiffness detection unit 251, the curl amount detection unit 252, and the moisture content detection unit 253 are arranged along the conveying path of the conveying unit 254. The stiffness detection unit 251, the curl amount detection unit 252, and the moisture content detection unit 253 respectively detect the stiffness, curl amount, and moisture content of the recording material S being conveyed to the lamination processing device 300 by the conveying unit 254. The configurations of the stiffness detection unit 251, the curl amount detection unit 252, and the moisture content detection unit 253 are the same as those of the stiffness detection unit 151, the curl amount detection unit 152, and the moisture content detection unit 153 according to the first embodiment.

[0107] The positions and order of the stiffness detection unit 251, the curl amount detection unit 252, and the moisture content detection unit 253 can be set appropriately. The physical property information detection device 250 may detect the thickness, resistance value, basis weight, surface roughness, etc. of the recording material S.

[0108] [Lamination processing equipment] The lamination processing device 300 is supplied with a recording material S on which an image has been formed in the image forming apparatus 200. The lamination processing device 300 includes an operation display unit 312, a laminate sheet transport unit 313, a recording material transport unit 314, a lamination processing unit 316, and a cutting unit 317. The operation display unit 312, the laminate sheet transport unit 313, the recording material transport unit 314, the lamination processing unit 316, and the cutting unit 317 are the same as the operation display unit 12, the laminate sheet transport unit 13, the recording material transport unit 14, the lamination processing unit 16, and the cutting unit 17 according to the first embodiment.

[0109] [Discharge device] The discharge device 400 is supplied with the laminated object P from the lamination device 300. The discharge device 400 includes a transport section 410, a static electricity removing section 420, and a discharge tray 430.

[0110] The conveying section 410 has a plurality of conveying rollers. The plurality of conveying rollers of the conveying section 410 convey the laminated workpiece P supplied from the image forming apparatus 200 to the static elimination section 420. The plurality of conveying rollers of the conveying section 410 also discharge the laminated workpiece P that has passed through the static elimination section 420 from the discharge section. The laminated workpiece P discharged from the discharge section is placed on the discharge tray 430.

[0111] The charge removing section 420 removes charge from the laminated workpiece P. The charge removing section 420 has a pair of charge removing rollers 421, 422. The pair of charge removing rollers 421, 422 face each other in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the laminated workpiece P. The pair of charge removing rollers 421, 422 have a roller nip portion that sandwiches the laminated workpiece P. The roller nip portion is formed of, for example, a conductive resin.

[0112] A static elimination power supply is electrically connected to the pair of static elimination rollers 421, 422. The negative pole of the static elimination power supply is connected, for example, to the static elimination roller 421. The positive pole of the static elimination power supply is connected, for example, to the static elimination roller 422 and ground (GND). The static elimination power supply applies a static elimination voltage to the pair of static elimination rollers 421, 422. This causes the laminate workpiece P sandwiched in the roller nip portion to be neutralized. This makes it possible to suppress electrostatic adsorption of the laminate workpiece P when it is loaded.

[0113] [Example of control system configuration for image forming system] Next, an example of the configuration of a control system of the image forming system 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control system of the image forming system 10. As shown in FIG.

[0114] 17, the image forming system 10 includes an image forming apparatus control unit 201, a physical property information detection apparatus control unit 261, and a lamination processing apparatus control unit 301. The image forming apparatus control unit 201, the physical property information detection apparatus control unit 261, and the lamination processing apparatus control unit 301 are capable of communicating with each other via a communication interface unit (IF).

[0115] The image forming apparatus control unit 201 is composed of, for example, a CPU 202, a ROM 203, a RAM 204, etc. The CPU 202 reads out various processing programs stored in the ROM 203 and loads them in the RAM 204. Then, the CPU 202 controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 200 according to the loaded programs.

[0116] ROM 203 stores various processing programs for controlling each unit of image forming apparatus 200, parameters and table data necessary for executing the programs, various files, etc. ROM 203 is used as an example of a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium storing the programs executed by CPU 202. Therefore, the programs are permanently stored in ROM 203.

[0117] The RAM 204 is, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory. The RAM 204 forms a work area for temporarily storing various processing programs read from the ROM 203, input or output data, parameters, and the like, during various processes executed and controlled by the CPU 202.

[0118] An operation display unit 210, an image forming unit 220, a fixing unit 230, and a conveying unit 240 are electrically connected to the image forming apparatus control unit 201.

[0119] The image forming apparatus control unit 201 outputs a display control signal to the operation display unit 210. The display unit of the operation display unit 210 displays various screens in accordance with the display control signal supplied from the image forming apparatus control unit 201. The operation unit of the operation display unit 210 accepts various input operations by a user, and outputs operation signals corresponding to the various input operations to the image forming apparatus control unit 201.

[0120] The image forming apparatus control unit 201 outputs control parameters related to image formation to the image forming unit 220. Specific examples of the control parameters related to image formation include a charging potential by a charging unit, and a transfer current supplied to a primary transfer roller and a secondary transfer roller. The image forming apparatus control unit 201 also outputs control parameters related to a fixing process to the fixing unit 230. Specific examples of the control parameters related to the fixing process include a fixing temperature and a fixing pressure in the fixing unit.

[0121] The image forming apparatus control unit 201 outputs a drive signal to the conveying unit 240 when forming images on a plurality of recording materials S in accordance with an image forming job. The conveying unit 240 is driven according to the drive signal supplied from the image forming apparatus control unit 201, and conveys the recording materials S one by one to the image forming unit 220 and the fixing unit 230. The conveying unit 240 also sends the recording materials S on which the images have been formed to the physical property information detection device 250.

[0122] The physical property information detection device control unit 261 is composed of, for example, a CPU 262, a ROM 263, a RAM 264, etc. The CPU 262 reads out various processing programs stored in the ROM 263 and loads them in the RAM 264. Then, the CPU 262 controls the operation of each part of the physical property information detection device 250 according to the loaded programs.

[0123] The ROM 263 stores various processing programs for controlling each part of the physical property information detection device 250, parameters and table data necessary for executing the programs, various files, and the like. The ROM 263 is used as an example of a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium storing the programs executed by the CPU 262. For this reason, the programs are permanently stored in the ROM 263.

[0124] The RAM 264 is, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory. The RAM 264 forms a work area for temporarily storing various processing programs read from the ROM 263, input or output data, parameters, and the like, during various processes executed and controlled by the CPU 262.

[0125] The physical property information detection device control unit 261 is electrically connected to a stiffness detection unit 251 , a curl amount detection unit 252 , a moisture content detection unit 253 , and a transport unit 254 .

[0126] The physical property information detection device control unit 261 outputs control parameters related to the detection of physical property information (physical property values) to the stiffness detection unit 251, the curl amount detection unit 252, and the moisture content detection unit 253. Specific examples of the control parameters related to the detection of physical property information include a drive current supplied to the pair of holding rollers 161, 162 of the stiffness detection unit 251, a drive current supplied to the motor 166 of the lifting mechanism 165, a drive current supplied to the pair of holding rollers 171, 172 of the curl amount detection unit 152, and the like.

[0127] The physical property information detection device control unit 261 acquires each physical property value from the stiffness detection unit 251, the curl amount detection unit 252, and the moisture content detection unit 253. The physical property information detection device control unit 261 transmits each acquired physical property value to the lamination processing device control unit 301 via the communication interface unit (IF).

[0128] The physical property information detection device control unit 261 outputs a drive signal to the conveying unit 254 when detecting the physical property information of the multiple recording materials S on which images are formed in accordance with an image formation job. The conveying unit 254 is driven in accordance with the drive signal supplied from the physical property information detection device control unit 261, and conveys the recording materials S one by one to the stiffness detection unit 251, the curl amount detection unit 252, and the moisture content detection unit 253. In addition, the conveying unit 254 sends the recording materials S after the physical property information has been detected to the lamination processing device 300.

[0129] The lamination processing device control unit 301 is composed of, for example, a CPU 302, a ROM 303, a RAM 304, etc. The CPU 302 reads out various processing programs stored in the ROM 303 and loads them in the RAM 304. The CPU 302 then controls the operation of each unit of the lamination processing device 300 according to the loaded programs.

[0130] The ROM 303 stores various processing programs for controlling each part of the lamination processing device 300, parameters and table data necessary for executing the programs, various files, etc. The ROM 303 is used as an example of a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium that stores the programs executed by the CPU 302. Therefore, the programs are permanently stored in the ROM 303.

[0131] The RAM 304 is, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory. The RAM 304 forms a work area for temporarily storing various processing programs read from the ROM 303, input or output data, parameters, and the like, during various processes executed and controlled by the CPU 302.

[0132] The lamination processing device control unit 301 is electrically connected to an operation display unit 312, a roller moving mechanism 23, a pressure unit 26, a heating unit 27, a roller driving unit 28, and a cutting unit 317. The lamination processing device control unit 301 is also electrically connected to driving units of a plurality of conveying rollers of a lamination sheet conveying unit 313 and a recording material conveying unit 314 (not shown in FIG. 17).

[0133] The lamination processing device control unit 301 outputs a display control signal to the operation display unit 312. The display unit of the operation display unit 312 displays various screens in accordance with the display control signal supplied from the lamination processing device control unit 301. The operation unit of the operation display unit 312 accepts various input operations by the user and outputs operation signals corresponding to the various input operations to the lamination processing device control unit 301.

[0134] Before the lamination processing unit 316 (see FIG. 16) performs lamination processing on the recording material S, the lamination processing device control unit 301 determines control parameters for each unit of the lamination processing unit 316, such as the pressure unit 26 and the heating unit 27, based on the physical property information of the recording material S. The pressure unit 26, the heating unit 27, etc. of the lamination processing unit 316 perform lamination processing according to the control parameters sent from the control unit 31.

[0135] In this way, the lamination device 300 determines the control parameters in accordance with the physical property information of each recording material S. This makes it possible to perform lamination processing appropriate for each recording material S, and suppress or prevent the occurrence of lamination defects.

[0136] Furthermore, the lamination processing device control unit 301 detects that an error has occurred in the recording material S when the physical property values ​​detected by the physical property information detection device 250 are outside their respective appropriate ranges. When the lamination processing device control unit 301 detects that an error has occurred in the physical property value detection unit, it causes the display unit of the operation display unit 312 to display an error notification (see FIG. 15). This allows the user to recognize that the physical property values ​​of the recording material S are outside the appropriate range.

[0137] The lamination processing device control unit 301 outputs a drive signal to the cutting unit 317. The cutting unit 317 cuts the edge of the laminate sheet L covering the recording material S in accordance with the drive signal supplied from the lamination processing device control unit 301. This forms a laminated product P. The laminated product P is sent to the discharge device 400.

[0138] [Lamination processing] Next, the lamination process executed by the image forming system 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the lamination process.

[0139] First, the physical property information detection device control unit 261 determines whether or not the job is a lamination job (S21). The lamination job specifies the type of lamination sheet L to be used, the type of recording material S to be used, the number of laminated products P to be created, and the like. The lamination job is input, for example, by a user who operates the operation display unit 210 of the image forming apparatus 200. The image forming apparatus 200 transmits the input lamination job to the physical property information detection device control unit 261 and the lamination processing device control unit 301. The lamination job may be input from an external device that can communicate with the image forming apparatus 200, the physical property information detection device 250, and the lamination processing device 300 via a network.

[0140] In step S21, when the physical property information detection device control unit 261 determines that the job is not a lamination job (NO in S21), it repeats step S21. On the other hand, when the physical property information detection device control unit 261 determines that the job is a lamination job (YES in S21), it determines whether the recording material S has reached the physical property information detection device 250 (S22).

[0141] In step S22, when the physical property information detection device control section 261 determines that the recording material S has not reached the physical property information detection device 250 (NO determination in S22), it repeats step S22.

[0142] In step S22, when the physical property information detection device control unit 261 determines that the recording material S has reached the physical property information detection device 250 (YES determination in S22), it detects the physical property values ​​of the recording material S that has reached the physical property information detection device 250 (S23). That is, the physical property information detection device control unit 261 controls the stiffness detection unit 251, the curl amount detection unit 252, and the moisture content detection unit 253 to detect the stiffness, curl amount, and moisture content of the recording material S. Then, the physical property information detection device control unit 261 transmits the detected physical property values ​​to the lamination processing device control unit 301.

[0143] Next, the lamination processing device control unit 301 judges whether any of the physical property values ​​acquired from the physical property information detection device control unit 261 is outside the appropriate range (S24). In step S24, when the lamination processing device control unit 301 judges that any of the physical property values ​​is outside the appropriate range (YES judgment in S24), it causes the operation display unit 12 to display an error (see FIG. 15) (S25). After the end of step S25, the lamination processing device control unit 301 proceeds to the process of step S29.

[0144] In step S24, when the lamination processing device control unit 301 determines that all of the physical property values ​​are within the appropriate range (NO judgment in S24), it refers to the lamination control tables shown in Figures 8 to 13 and determines the control parameters of the lamination processing unit 316 (S26).

[0145] Next, the lamination processing unit 316 performs lamination processing based on the control parameters determined by the lamination processing device control unit 301 (S27). Next, the lamination processing device control unit 301 refers to the lamination job and determines whether or not there is a next recording material S to be laminated (S28). In step S28, when the lamination processing device control unit 301 determines that there is a next recording material S to be laminated (YES determination in S28), the process returns to step S22.

[0146] In step S28, when it is determined that there is no next recording material S to be laminated (NO in S28), or after step S25 is completed, the lamination processing device control unit 301 performs a process of stopping the lamination processing unit 316 (S29). After step S29 is completed, the lamination processing device control unit 301 ends the lamination process.

[0147] The above describes the embodiments of the lamination device, image forming system, and lamination method of the present invention, including their effects. However, the lamination device, image forming system, and lamination method of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims.

[0148] For example, in the image forming system 10 of the above embodiment, the physical property information detection device 250 is disposed between the image forming apparatus 200 and the lamination processing device 300. However, the physical property information detection device according to the present invention may be disposed upstream of the lamination processing device 300, for example, between the recording material supply device 100 and the image forming apparatus 200. In the case of K, the physical property values ​​of the recording material S that change after image formation cannot be detected, but the physical property values ​​of the recording material S that change depending on the environment can be detected. Therefore, lamination processing according to each recording material S can be performed, and the occurrence of lamination defects can be suppressed or prevented. [Explanation of symbols]

[0149] 1,300...lamination processing device, 10...image forming system, 11...supply tray, 12,312...operation display unit, 13,313...lamination sheet transport unit, 14,314...recording material transport unit, 15...physical property information detection device, 16,316...lamination processing unit, 17,317...cutting unit, 18...discharge tray, 21A, 21B...lamination sheet roll, 22A, 22B...tension roller, 23A, 23B...roller movement mechanism, 24...heating roller, 25...pressure roller, 26...pressure unit, 27...heating unit, 28...roller drive unit, 31...control unit, 100...recording material supply device, 151,251...stiffness detection unit, 152,252...curl amount detection unit, 153, 253... moisture content detection unit, 154... error detection unit, 200... image forming device, 201... image forming device control unit, 250... physical property information detection device, 261... physical property information detection device control unit, 300... lamination processing device, 301... lamination processing device control unit, 400... discharge device

Claims

1. a lamination processing section for covering the recording material with a lamination sheet; a control unit that acquires a detection result from a physical property information detection device that detects at least physical property information that changes depending on an environment among physical property information corresponding to the physical properties of the recording material, and sets processing conditions of the lamination processing unit based on the detection result of the physical property information. Lamination processing equipment.

2. The physical property information includes at least one of the moisture content, curl state, and stiffness of the recording material. The lamination processing apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. The processing conditions include at least one of the heating temperature, the pressure, and the conveying speed in the lamination process. The lamination processing apparatus according to claim 1 .

4. the lamination processing section heats and presses the lamination sheet and the recording material while transporting them; The control unit determines at least one of a heating temperature and a conveying speed as the processing conditions in accordance with a moisture content of the recording material included in the physical property information. The lamination processing apparatus according to claim 2 .

5. When the control unit determines a heating temperature as the processing condition, the control unit lowers the heating temperature as the moisture content of the recording material increases, and when the control unit determines a conveying speed as the processing condition, the control unit lowers the conveying speed as the moisture content of the recording material increases. The lamination processing apparatus according to claim 4.

6. the lamination processing section heats and presses the lamination sheet and the recording material while transporting them; The control unit determines at least one of a heating temperature and a conveying speed as the processing conditions in accordance with the stiffness of the recording material included in the physical property information. The lamination processing apparatus according to claim 2 .

7. When the control unit determines a heating temperature as the processing condition, the control unit increases the heating temperature as the stiffness of the recording material decreases, and when the control unit determines a conveying speed as the processing condition, the control unit decreases the conveying speed as the stiffness of the recording material decreases. The lamination processing apparatus according to claim 6 .

8. the lamination processing section heats and presses the lamination sheet and the recording material while transporting them; The control unit determines at least one of a heating temperature, a conveying speed, and a pressing force as the processing conditions in accordance with an amount of curl of the recording material included in the physical property information. The lamination processing apparatus according to claim 2 .

9. When the control unit determines a heating temperature as the processing condition, the control unit lowers the heating temperature as the curl amount of the recording material increases, and when the control unit determines a conveying speed as the processing condition, the control unit lowers the conveying speed as the curl amount of the recording material increases. The lamination processing apparatus according to claim 8.

10. The laminate processing unit further includes the physical property information detection device disposed upstream of the laminate processing unit. The lamination processing apparatus according to claim 1 .

11. the physical property information detection device detects physical property information of each recording material; The control unit sets the processing conditions for each recording material. The lamination processing apparatus according to claim 10.

12. When the physical property information detected by the physical property information detection device is outside a predetermined range, the control unit stops the lamination processing unit. The lamination processing apparatus according to claim 1 .

13. The physical property information detecting device further includes a notification unit that notifies a user of the fact that a physical property value of the physical property information detected by the physical property information detecting device is outside a predetermined range. The lamination processing apparatus according to claim 12.

14. an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material; a physical property information detection device for detecting at least physical property information that changes depending on an environment among physical property information corresponding to the physical properties of the recording material; a lamination processing device that performs lamination processing on the recording material on which the image is formed by the image forming device, The lamination processing device includes: a lamination processing section for covering the recording material with a lamination sheet; a control unit that acquires a detection result of the physical property information detection device and sets processing conditions of the lamination processing unit; Image forming system.

15. The physical property information detection device detects the physical property information of the recording material after the image is formed by the image forming apparatus. The imaging system of claim 14.

16. a control unit that acquires from a physical property information detection device a detection result of at least physical property information that changes depending on an environment among physical property information corresponding to the physical properties of the recording material, and sets processing conditions for the lamination processing based on the detection result of the physical property information; A lamination processing section performs lamination processing according to the processing conditions, and covers the recording material with a laminate sheet. Lamination processing method.

Images