Image forming apparatus and control method

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus and a control method capable of applying an adhesive in an appropriate position according to an image to be printed on a medium.SOLUTION: The present invention comprises an image forming unit that forms an image on a medium based on image information, an adhesive applying unit that applies adhesive to the medium on which the image has been formed, and a determination unit that determines a position to apply the adhesive based on the image information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a control method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes that a mark (such as a star) is applied to the position where the adhesive is applied to serve as a marker for the position where the adhesive is applied. Patent Document 1 also describes that the user can select whether to apply the adhesive to the entire surface or to a part of the surface. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose any determination of the position, range, conditions, etc. for applying the adhesive in accordance with image data.

[0004] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and has an object to provide an image forming apparatus and a control method that can apply adhesive in an appropriate position according to an image to be printed on a medium. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present invention comprises an image forming unit that forms an image on a medium based on image information, an adhesive applying unit that applies adhesive to the medium on which the image has been formed, and a determination unit that determines the position to apply the adhesive based on the image information. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an effect that the adhesive can be applied in an appropriate position according to the image to be printed on the medium. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a schematic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus which is an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of a carriage of the ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of an example of an ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a rear view showing an example of a schematic configuration of a sheet cutting device provided in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a side view and a top view showing a partial cross section of an example of a sheet cutting device provided in an ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a state in which the cutter housing of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment has returned to the roll paper cutting operation area. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a state of the cutter housing of the ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment when moving in the return direction. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing a state during a return movement of the cutter housing of the ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a rear view showing the movement areas of the carriage and the cutter unit of the ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state during the return movement of the cutter housing of the ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the cutter housing of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment for returning from the return path to the home position. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the cutter housing of the ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment has returned to the roll paper cutting operation area. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing a state of the gluing device of the ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment when moving in the homeward direction. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a rear view showing a schematic configuration of a gluing device provided in the ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing how the adhesive is applied by the adhesive application device of the ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing how the adhesive is applied by the adhesive application device of the ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing how the adhesive is applied by the adhesive application device of the ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram of the configuration of a control unit included in the ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram of another configuration of the control unit of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of control processing in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a print pattern by the ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of print image data by the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Figure 23A] FIG. 23A is a diagram showing an example of a glue application position pattern by the ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 23B] FIG. 23B is a diagram showing an example of a glue application position pattern by the ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 23C]FIG. 23C is a diagram showing an example of a glue application position pattern by the ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation display unit of the ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment. [Diagram 25] FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining an example of the adjustment process of the glue application position by the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a diagram for explaining an example of the adjustment process of the glue application position by the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus and a control method thereof will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0009] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a schematic configuration of an inkjet recording device, which is an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. Fig. 2 is a schematic top view of a carriage of the inkjet recording device according to the present embodiment, seen from above. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the inkjet recording device 1 as an image forming apparatus is a so-called serial type inkjet recording device that forms an image while scanning an inkjet head in the width direction of a recording medium (sheet), and transports the sheet after one or more scans are completed, and forms the next recording line.

[0010] The inkjet recording device 1 includes an image forming section 2, a sheet conveying section 3 (see FIG. 3), a roll paper storage section 4, a sheet cutting device 5, and a control section 100 (see FIG. 18), and each of these sections is disposed inside the device main body 1a.

[0011] Image forming unit 2 is an example of an image forming unit that forms an image on a medium (recording medium) such as roll paper 30 based on image information. In the present embodiment, it is described that image forming unit 2 forms an image on paper such as roll paper 30, but the present invention is not limited to this as long as the medium is one on which an image can be formed by image forming unit 2, and can also be applied to, for example, film, textiles, etc. Image forming unit 2 has guide rods 13 and guide rails 16 suspended between both side plates, and carriage unit 15 is held by guide rods 13 and guide rails 16 so as to be slidable in the direction of arrow A.

[0012] Here, sliding refers to the carriage unit 15 moving in the direction of arrow A on the guide rod 13 and the guide rail 16 while in contact with these guide rods 13 and guide rails 16.

[0013] The carriage unit 15 is equipped with recording heads 15a (see FIG. 2) that eject ink droplets of the colors black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C). Each recording head 15a is integrally provided with a sub-tank that supplies ink to the recording head 15a.

[0014] The carriage unit 15 is moved and scanned by the main scanning mechanism 10 in a reciprocating manner in the main scanning direction, i.e., the sheet width direction (the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 1). That is, the carriage unit 15 is an example of a carriage that holds and moves a recording head 15a (an example of a liquid ejection head) that ejects liquid such as ink droplets. Specifically, outside the area of ​​the maximum sheet width of the roll paper 30 on which an image can be recorded, a carriage home position (a position indicated by a solid line on the right side in FIG. 2) and an idle ejection position (a position indicated by a dashed line on the left side in FIG. 2) are provided at a distance from each other in the sheet width direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage unit 15 is configured to be movable in the sheet width direction between the carriage home position and the idle ejection position.

[0015] The carriage unit 15 is equipped with a reading sensor 300 that detects the ends (sheet ends) and image position in the sheet width direction of the rolled paper 30. Examples of the reading sensor 300 include an optical sensor that detects the light reflection intensity on the surface of the rolled paper 30 at a position facing the carriage unit 15, and an optical camera that captures an image of the rolled paper 30. The reading sensor 300 moves over the rolled paper 30 as the carriage unit 15 moves, and by capturing the reflection intensity and image of the surface of the rolled paper 30, it detects the position of the image on the rolled paper 30 and the end positions of the rolled paper 30 in the sheet width direction.

[0016] Hereinafter, the movement area of ​​the carriage unit 15 in the sheet width direction is referred to as the carriage movement area. The idling position and the carriage home position are provided at both ends of the carriage movement area, at positions where contact with a cutter unit 40 (see FIG. 4) described later can be avoided. The idling position and the carriage home position are each located at a position retracted outside the cutter movement area described later.

[0017] In the recording area of ​​the main scanning area of ​​this carriage unit 15, a roll of paper 30 as a sheet is intermittently transported by the sheet transport section 3 in a direction perpendicular to the sheet width direction, i.e., in the sheet transport direction (the direction indicated by arrow B in Figures 1 and 2).

[0018] In addition, outside the carriage movement area in the sheet width direction, or in the end area on the left front side of the main scanning area, main cartridges 18 containing ink of each color to be supplied to the sub-tanks of the recording head 15a are removably mounted on the device main body 1a.

[0019] 3 is a schematic side view of an example of an inkjet recording device according to the present embodiment. The roll paper storage section 4 is a paper feed means, and is configured to hold roll paper 30 as a sheet for image recording. Roll paper of different sizes in the sheet width direction can be set in this roll paper storage section 4.

[0020] Roll paper 30 is stored in roll paper storage section 4 by attaching flanges 31 (see FIG. 1) to both sides of the paper shaft and placing these flanges 31 on flange receivers 32. Support rollers are provided inside flange receivers 32, and when the support rollers come into contact with the outer periphery of flange 31, flange 31 rotates and roll paper 30 is sent out to the sheet transport path.

[0021] 3, the sheet transport section 3 includes a paper feed roller pair 33, a registration roller 34, a registration pressure roller 35, and a paper suction transport mechanism 36. The sheet transport section 3 also includes a drive section 38 (see FIG. 18) including a drive motor and the like that drives the paper feed roller pair 33, the registration roller 34, and the registration pressure roller 35. The paper feed roller pair 33 is configured to feed the roll paper 30 from the roll paper storage section 4 to the sheet transport path.

[0022] The registration roller 34 and the registration pressure roller 35 are provided on the upstream side of the image forming unit 2 in the sheet transport direction, and transport the fed roll paper 30 to the sheet cutting device 5 through below the image forming unit 2 .

[0023] The paper suction transport mechanism 36 is disposed below the image forming unit 2 across the sheet transport path, and performs a suction operation to suck the roll paper 30 onto a platen board disposed on the upper surface of the paper suction transport mechanism 36. This allows the roll paper 30 transported below the image forming unit 2 to maintain its flatness by conforming to the platen board.

[0024] The roll paper 30 sent out from the roll paper storage section 4 is transported by the sheet transport section 3 from the rear (right side in Figure 3) to the front (left side in Figure 3) of the device main body 1a to a designated recording area located below the image forming section 2.

[0025] When the roll paper 30 is transported to the recording area, the carriage unit 15 moves back and forth in the sheet width direction, and ink droplets are ejected by the recording head according to the image information. Furthermore, while the roll paper 30 is transported intermittently, the carriage unit 15 moves back and forth and the recording head 15a (see FIG. 2) ejects ink droplets repeatedly, thereby continuously forming images on the roll paper. Finally, a desired image according to the image information is formed on the roll paper 30.

[0026] After the image is formed, the roll paper 30 is cut to a predetermined length by the sheet cutting device 5 and is discharged via a paper discharge roller onto a paper discharge tray disposed at the front side of the device main body 1a.

[0027] Next, the sheet cutting device 5 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 4 to 8. Fig. 4 is a rear view showing an example of a schematic configuration of the sheet cutting device included in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. Fig. 4 is a view of the sheet cutting device 5 as seen from the rear side of the apparatus main body 1a (see Fig. 1).

[0028] Fig. 5(a) is a side view showing a partial cross section of an example of a sheet cutting device included in an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. In Fig. 5(a), a cutter housing 51 drawn in solid lines indicates a position in which the cutter unit 40 performs cutting (when moving forward), and a cutter housing 51 drawn in broken lines indicates a position in which the cutter unit 40 is retracted (when moving backward). Fig. 5(b) is a top view showing a partial cross section of an example of a sheet cutting device included in an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment.

[0029] Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a state in which the cutter housing of the inkjet recording device according to this embodiment has returned to the roll paper cutting operation area. Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a state of the cutter housing of the inkjet recording device according to this embodiment when moving in the return direction. Fig. 8 is a partially sectional side view showing a state of the cutter housing of the inkjet recording device according to this embodiment when moving in the return direction. Fig. 9 is a rear view showing the movement area of ​​the carriage unit 15 and cutter unit 40 of the inkjet recording device according to this embodiment.

[0030] As shown in Figures 4, 5(a), and 5(b), the sheet cutting device 5 is disposed downstream of the image forming unit 2 in the sheet conveying direction (see Figure 3), and is configured to include a cutter 50, a cutter unit 40, a guide member 41, and a wire 42.

[0031] The cutter unit 40 includes a cutter housing 51 that houses the cutter 50, a moving member 52, and a rotating shaft 53 serving as a connecting member.

[0032] Cutter 50 is made up of circular blades 50a, 50b with blade portions arranged opposite each other across roll paper 30, and is rotatably held and housed in cutter housing 51. Circular blades 50a, 50b rotate by receiving a driving force in response to movement of cutter housing 51 in the sheet width direction (the direction shown by arrow A in FIG. 4). Cutter 50 cuts roll paper 30 transported along the sheet transport path to a predetermined length.

[0033] The cutter housing 51 is configured to be capable of reciprocating in the sheet width direction within a movement area in the sheet width direction (hereinafter referred to as a cutter movement area) shown in Fig. 9. A first retracted position (left side in Fig. 9) and a second retracted position (right side in Fig. 9) are provided at both ends of the cutter movement area shown in Fig. 9.

[0034] Here, the second retracted position is located at one of the ends of the cutter movement area opposite to the first retracted position. At the first and second retracted positions, the cutter housing 51 is retracted from the sheet transport path in the sheet thickness direction, i.e., downward in the vertical direction.

[0035] Therefore, when the cutter housing 51 is in the first and second retracted positions, it does not interfere with the carriage unit 15. In this embodiment, the first retracted position is the home position of the cutter housing 51 (cutter home position).

[0036] The cutter housing 51 is connected to the moving member 52 via a rotating shaft 53. The cutter housing 51 is configured to be rotatable in the sheet thickness direction relative to the moving member 52 around the rotating shaft 53 described later, that is, to be capable of circular motion in forward and reverse directions within a predetermined angle range.

[0037] The cutter housing 51 is configured to cut the roll paper 30 with the cutter 50 on the outward path moving from the right side of the front of the device main body 1a (see FIG. 1) to the left side of the front of the device. That is, when cutting the roll paper 30, the cutter housing 51 moves from the cutter home position (first retracted position) to the second retracted position.

[0038] On the other hand, on the return path in which the cutter housing 51 moves from the left side of the front surface of the device main body 1a (see Figure 1) to the right side of the front surface of the device, the cutter housing 51 moves to the second retracted position by rotating downward relative to the moving member 52, and then moves to the cutter home position.

[0039] That is, the cutter housing 51 is configured to be movable in the sheet width direction while being retracted downward in the sheet thickness direction with respect to the sheet transport path after cutting the roll paper 30. Furthermore, the cutter housing 51 is configured to rotate upward with respect to the moving member 52 when returning from the return path (first retracted position) to the outgoing path.

[0040] A first detection unit 101 and a second detection unit 102, which are configured with, for example, a transmission type sensor and a microswitch, are provided at both ends of the cutter movement area. The first detection unit 101 and the second detection unit 102 detect that the cutter housing 51 is located at the first and second retracted positions, respectively.

[0041] The position of the cutter housing 51 is detected by a first detection unit 101 and a second detection unit 102, and the movement of the cutter housing 51 is controlled by a control unit 100 serving as a control means.

[0042] 5(a) and 5(b), the moving member 52 is provided spaced apart from the cutter housing 51 in the sheet conveying direction, and includes a main body 54 and a driving roller 55. The moving member 52 is movable in the sheet width direction within a moving area of ​​the device main body 1a (see FIG. 1) that extends in the sheet width direction.

[0043] 4, 5(a), and 5(b), the driving roller 55 is made of a rubber roller and is fixed to the rotating shaft 53 so as to be integrally rotatable therewith. Therefore, the driving roller 55 is rotatably held by the main body 54 via the rotating shaft 53.

[0044] When switching between the forward path and the return path, the cutter housing 51 rotates vertically about the rotation shaft 53 of the drive roller 55. This allows the cutter housing 51 to switch between a position in which the roll paper 30 is cut on the forward path and a position in which the cutter housing 51 is retracted from the sheet transport path on the return path.

[0045] 5(a), the driving roller 55 and the driven roller 51a are arranged to be shifted from each other in the sheet conveying direction (the direction indicated by the arrow B in the figure). Specifically, the driven roller 51a is arranged upstream of the driving roller 55 in the sheet conveying direction.

[0046] Therefore, while the driving roller 55 is maintained on the upper guide rail 61, the driven roller 51a can be moved between the upper guide rail 61 and the lower guide rail 62, thereby realizing the above-mentioned rotation of the cutter housing 51. Note that the dashed line extending in the direction of the arrow B in Fig. 5(a) indicates the sheet transport path.

[0047] In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5(a), the cutter housing 51 is configured to be positioned within the width of the carriage unit 15 in the sheet transport direction, but this is not limited to the above, and the cutter housing 51 may be configured, for example, to be positioned at a position spaced apart from the carriage unit 15 on the upstream or downstream side in the sheet transport direction.

[0048] 4, the cutter housing 51 has an inclined surface portion 51c that is inclined at a predetermined angle in the vertical direction with respect to the sheet transport path. The inclination angle of the inclined surface portion 51c is set to an angle at which the cutter housing 51 is parallel to the sheet transport path when it moves in the return path.

[0049] As shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), the rotating shaft 53 has a function of connecting the cutter housing 51 and the moving member 52. In addition, the rotating shaft 53 rotates the cutter housing 51 relative to the moving member 52 in the sheet thickness direction around the central axis of the rotating shaft 53. As shown in Figure 5(a), the guide member 41 has an upper guide plate 63 above the upper guide rail 61. The upper guide plate 63 is disposed above the moving member 52. The guide member 41 forms an outgoing path for the cutter housing 51 on the upper guide rail 61, and forms a return path for the cutter housing 51 on the lower guide rail 62.

[0050] Therefore, the driven roller 51a of the cutter housing 51 moves on the upper guide rail 61 in the forward movement when the sheet is cut, and moves on the lower guide rail 62 in the return movement after the sheet is cut.

[0051] 5(a) and 5(b), the upper guide rail 61 has a drive roller guide region 61a and a driven roller guide region 61b arranged in parallel in the sheet conveying direction. The drive roller guide region 61a is a region that guides the drive roller 55 in the sheet width direction. The driven roller guide region 61b is a region that guides the driven roller 51a so that the cutter housing 51 moves in the forward direction.

[0052] A first communication passage 61c for switching the path of the cutter housing 51 from the forward path to the return path is formed on the left side of the driven roller guide area 61b on the front side of the device in the sheet width direction. The first communication passage 61c is formed in the upper guide rail 61 so as to communicate the forward path on the upper guide rail 61 with the return path on the lower guide rail 62, as shown in FIG.

[0053] Specifically, the upper guide rail 61 is cut out at a predetermined location on the left side of the front of the device in the sheet width direction, and the cut out end is bent downward at a predetermined angle to form the first communication passage 61c.

[0054] This allows the driven roller 51a to move from the upper guide rail 61 to the lower guide rail 62 after the roll paper is cut. Also, a lower end 61d of the upper guide rail 61 adjacent to the first communication passage 61c is bent upward to avoid contact with the driven roller 51a moving on the return path.

[0055] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 6, a movement mechanism 70 is provided on the right side of the driven roller guide area 61b at the front side of the device in the sheet width direction. The movement mechanism 70 moves the driven roller 51a from the lower guide rail 62 to the upper guide rail 61 when the cutter housing 51 moves from the home position (first retracted position) shown by a solid line on the far left side in Fig. 9 to the right side in Fig. 9 (towards the second retracted position), which is the left side at the front side of the device in the sheet width direction. In other words, the movement mechanism 70 is a mechanism for returning the cutter housing 51 to the roll paper cutting operation area.

[0056] The moving mechanism 70 has a second communication passage 61e that connects the return path on the lower guide rail 62 with the outward path on the upper guide rail 61, and a switching claw 71 provided on the upper guide rail 61 adjacent to the second communication passage 61e.

[0057] The second communication passage 61e is formed by cutting out a predetermined portion of the upper guide rail 61 on the right side of the front face of the device (see FIG. 5(b)).

[0058] The switching claw 71 is provided so as to be rotatable between the return path and the second communication path 61e, i.e., so as to be capable of circular motion in the forward and reverse directions within a predetermined angular range. A force is constantly applied to the switching claw 71 downward by the elastic force of an elastic member such as a coil spring so that the tip of the switching claw 71 comes into contact with the lower guide rail 62.

[0059] Therefore, as shown in Figure 11 described later, when the cutter housing 51 moves on the return path to the right side of the front surface of the device in the sheet width direction (corresponding to the left side of the rear views of the device in Figures 4, 6, 7, and 9 to 12), the switching claw 71 comes into contact with the driven roller 51a, and rotates upward against the elastic force of the elastic member, as shown by the dashed line in the figure.

[0060] When the driven roller 51a moves further from this state to the right side of the front of the device in the sheet width direction (corresponding to the left side of the rear views of the device in Figures 4, 6, 7, and 9 to 12), the switching claw 71 is released from contact with the driven roller 51a and returns to its original position, i.e., the position shown by the solid line in the figure, due to the elastic force of the elastic member.

[0061] Next, the operation of the sheet cutting device 5 will be described with reference to Figs. 6 to 12. Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of the cutter housing of the inkjet recording device according to this embodiment when it moves in the return path. Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the cutter housing of the inkjet recording device according to this embodiment for returning from the return path to the cutter home position (first retracted position). Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of the cutter housing of the inkjet recording device according to this embodiment when it returns to the roll paper cutting operation area.

[0062] First, as shown in Fig. 12, before the roll paper 30 is cut, the cutter housing 51 is located at the cutter home position (position indicated by the solid line in Fig. 12) on the front right side of the device in the sheet width direction. At this time, the first detector 101 is turned ON, detecting that the cutter housing 51 is located at the cutter home position.

[0063] Next, when the control unit 100 receives an instruction to cut the sheet, the drive roller 55 of the cutter housing 51 is driven to rotate via the wire 42 (see FIG. 4). As a result, the cutter housing 51 executes a cutting preparation operation in which it rotates from the cutter home position to the roll paper cutting operation area (the position shown by the dashed line in FIG. 12) and the first detection unit 101 is turned OFF. The cutter housing 51 then moves on the outgoing path to the left side of the front of the device in the sheet width direction (the right side in FIG. 12). At this time, the cutter 50 cuts the roll paper 30 in accordance with the movement of the cutter housing 51.

[0064] Then, the cutter housing 51 moves to the left side of the front of the device in the sheet width direction (corresponding to the right side of the rear views of the device in Figures 4, 6, 7, and 9 to 12; corresponding to the second retracted position), and rotates vertically downward under its own weight, with the rotation shaft 53 of the drive roller 55 (see Figure 5(a)) as a fulcrum, in order to switch its movement path from the forward path to the return path (corresponding to rotation from the position of the cutter housing 51 shown by the solid line in Figure 7 to the position of the cutter housing shown by the dashed line).

[0065] Thereafter, the drive of the wire 42 (see FIG. 4) is reversed, and the rotational drive of the drive roller 55 is reversed from that in the outward movement. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the cutter housing 51 moves in the return movement in a posture retreated from the sheet transport path toward the right side of the front of the device in the sheet width direction (the side where the cutter home position (first retreat position) is located on the left side of the rear views of the device in FIGS. 4, 6, 7, and 9 to 12).

[0066] At this time, when the cutter housing 51 starts to move, the second detection unit 102 (FIGS. 7 and 9) is turned off. In addition, on the return path, the inclined surface portion 51c is parallel to the sheet transport path, and unlike on the outward path, the cutter housing 51 is retracted downward from the sheet transport path.

[0067] Therefore, even when the cutter housing 51 is moving in the return path, the roll paper 30 can be transported via the sheet transport path, so that the next image formation can be started, thereby improving productivity.

[0068] 11, when the cutter housing 51 moves to the right side of the front surface of the device in the sheet width direction (the left side in FIG. 11) and comes close to the moving mechanism 70, the driven roller 51a comes into contact with the switching claw 71. Then, in response to the movement of the cutter housing 51, the driven roller 51a pushes up the switching claw 71 as shown by the dashed line in the figure, and moves from the return side (the right side of the switching claw 71 in FIG. 11) to the right side of the front surface of the device in the sheet width direction, i.e., the second communication path 61e side (the left side of the switching claw 71 in FIG. 11).

[0069] When the driven roller 51a moves to the second communication passage 61e side, the switching claw 71 is released from contact with the driven roller 51a and returns to its original position, that is, the position shown by the solid line in Fig. 11, due to the elastic force of the elastic member. At this time, the first detection unit 101 is turned ON, so that it is detected that the cutter housing 51 is located at the cutter home position.

[0070] This completes the series of reciprocating movements in the sheet width direction of the cutter housing 51. If there is subsequent roll paper 30, the series of reciprocating movements described above is repeated.

[0071] Next, the gluing processing device 200 will be described with reference to Fig. 13 and Fig. 14. Fig. 13 is a partially sectional side view showing a state of the gluing processing device of the inkjet recording apparatus according to this embodiment when moving in the return direction. Fig. 14 is a rear view showing a schematic configuration of the gluing processing device of the inkjet recording apparatus according to this embodiment.

[0072] The gluing device 200 is an example of an adhesive applying section that applies (e.g., adheres) adhesive 204 to the roll paper 30 on which an image has been formed. Specifically, the gluing device 200 is inside the sheet cutting device 5, and is disposed behind the cutter 50 (upstream in the conveying direction B of the roll paper 30) when viewed from the front. The gluing device 200 is configured to include a peeling roller 202, an adhesive cutter 203, an attachment roller 201, and an adhesive 204.

[0073] The gluing processing device 200 is located inside the sheet cutting device 5, but is arranged so as not to interfere with the cutter unit 40. The cutter unit 40 functions as an example of a cutting section that cuts the roll paper 30 to which the adhesive 204 has been applied. In this embodiment, the gluing processing device 200 may include the cutter unit 40 therein. Also, in this embodiment, the gluing processing device 200 may be provided detachably with respect to the inkjet recording device 1.

[0074] Fig. 15 is a schematic diagram showing how the gluing processing device of the inkjet recording device according to this embodiment applies adhesive. Specifically, Fig. 15 is a rear view of the gluing processing device 200 when moving in the return direction. The gluing processing device 200 passes under the sheet feed path when the cutter unit 40 is in the retreated position (when moving in the return direction). When the gluing processing device 200 reaches the gluing position, the peeling roller 202 rotates and pulls out the adhesive 204. When the gluing processing device 200 approaches the gluing position range while moving in the return direction, the attaching roller 201 protrudes upward and presses the tip of the adhesive 204 against the back surface of the roll paper 30 to adhere it.

[0075] Fig. 16 is a schematic diagram showing how the gluing processing device of the inkjet recording device according to this embodiment applies adhesive. Specifically, Fig. 16 is a rear view of the gluing processing device 200 when moving in the return direction. While the application roller 201 presses the adhesive 204 against the back surface of the roll paper 30, the peel roller 202 rotates and pulls out the adhesive 204. At the same time, the cutter unit 40 moves in the return direction, so that the adhesive 204 sticks within the gluing position range.

[0076] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing how the gluing processing device of the inkjet recording device according to this embodiment applies adhesive. Specifically, FIG. 17 is a rear view of the gluing processing device 200 in a state of moving in the return direction. Just before the pasting roller 201 exceeds the gluing position range, the adhesive cutter 203 protrudes perpendicularly to the adhesive 204 to cut the adhesive 204. At the same time, the peeling roller 202 stops rotating. These are operated by the cutter unit drive motor 59 (see FIG. 18) and the control unit 100 (see FIG. 18). Since the gluing process can only be performed in the return direction, it is necessary to move back and forth with the cutter unit 40 in a retreated state (below the sheet carry-in path).

[0077] However, since it operates below the sheet carry-in path, it does not interfere with the scanning of the carriage unit 15. Specifically, the gluing device 200 applies the adhesive 204 by moving on the opposite side to the carriage unit 15 side with respect to the roll paper 30, and the cutter unit 40 cuts the roll paper 30 by moving toward the carriage unit 15 side with respect to the roll paper 30. Furthermore, since the carriage unit 15 and the cutter unit 40 are configured to be moved in an overlapping manner, as long as the back side is not glued without leaving any gaps, the gluing device 200 can apply the adhesive 204 to the roll paper 30 while the carriage unit 15 is moving. After the gluing process, the cutter unit 40 is always in the home position, so it can immediately move to the sheet cutting process.

[0078] During the gluing process, there is a possibility that the sheet may lift up due to the application roller 201 pressing against the backside of the roll paper 30, but this can be avoided by increasing the suction power of the paper suction transport mechanism 36 or by providing a roll paper storage section for the winding means in addition to the roll paper storage section 4 of the paper feeding means, thereby applying tension by pulling the roll paper 30 from the front and back. The adhesive 204 is assumed to be a double-sided tape with release paper, but basically any tape shape can be used. The cutter unit 40 can be removed, so the adhesive 204 can be replaced.

[0079] Next, the configuration of the control unit 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 18. Fig. 18 is a schematic block diagram of the configuration of the control unit included in the ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 18, the control unit 100 is connected to the first detection unit 101, the second detection unit 102, the encoder sensor 103, the recording head 15a, the cap lifting means 19c, the suction means 19d, the drive unit 38, the cutter unit drive motor 59, the gluing unit drive motor 60, the operation display unit 105, the external device 150 and the carriage drive motor 21 described above.

[0081] The operation display unit 105 is disposed at a predetermined position on the device main body 1a (see FIG. 1), and receives operation request instructions from the user and whether or not to continue printing operation when the cutter unit has an abnormality, and displays messages (including error messages) to the user.

[0082] The control unit 100 generates data for recording an image on the roll paper 30 based on image information transferred from an external device 150 connected to the outside, outputs this data to the recording head 15a, and controls the driving of the recording head 15a. The control unit 100 also controls the carriage drive motor 21 and the drive unit 38 in addition to controlling the driving of the recording head 15a. In this way, the control unit 100 controls the recording head 15a, the carriage drive motor 21, and the drive unit 38 to eject ink droplets at a predetermined timing and record an image in the recording area of ​​the roll paper 30.

[0083] At this time, the control unit 100 controls the drive unit 38 so that the roll paper 30 can be transported downstream in the sheet transport direction at the same time as the cutter housing 51 moves in the return direction. Therefore, while the cutter housing 51 moves in the return direction, it is possible to transport the roll paper 30 for image recording, for example. Furthermore, the control unit 100 is configured to be able to move the carriage unit 15 and the cutter unit 40 in an overlapping manner when the sheet cutting position of the roll paper 30 (see FIG. 3) reaches the cutter position on the movement path of the cutter 50.

[0084] The control unit 100 is an example of a determination unit that determines the position on the roll paper 30 where the adhesive is applied based on the image information. Here, the image information includes image data, image size, information related to the thickness of the medium (e.g., thickness, type, size, and model number of the medium), information related to the conditions under which the image forming unit 2 forms an image (e.g., setting information such as print mode, resolution, print speed, "clean" and "fast"), and information instructing the application of adhesive to the medium (information instructing the gluing process). This allows the inkjet recording device 1, which applies adhesive to the roll paper 30 on which an image is printed, to apply the adhesive 204 in an appropriate position according to the image to be printed. Furthermore, since the user does not need to apply the adhesive 204, the work efficiency of the process of applying the adhesive 204 to the roll paper 30 is improved, and the work time of the process of applying the adhesive 204 can be shortened.

[0085] The control unit 100 also functions as an example of a position information acquisition unit that acquires position information related to the position at which the adhesive 204 is to be applied to the roll paper 30 from the user via the operation display unit 105, etc. The control unit 100 may then determine the position on the roll paper 30 at which the adhesive is to be applied based on the acquired position information.

[0086] The gluing device 200 may apply adhesive 204 to the back side of the rolled paper 30 on which an image is formed, during at least a portion of the time period during which the image forming unit 2 forms an image on the rolled paper 30. In other words, the gluing device 200 applies adhesive 204 to the rolled paper 30 while the image forming unit 2 is performing a printing (image formation) operation. In other words, the gluing device 200 performs the printing operation by the image forming unit 2 and applies adhesive 204 in parallel.

[0087] Fig. 19 is a schematic block diagram of another configuration of the control unit of the ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the cutter unit drive motor 59 and the glueing unit drive motor 60 can be integrated by a glueing process drive motor 60a (see Fig. 19).

[0088] Fig. 20 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of control processing in the inkjet recording device according to the present embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 20 is a process flow diagram showing control when a user issues an instruction to request an operation of adhering (gluing) an adhesive to the back side of a printed surface. Fig. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a printed pattern by the inkjet recording device according to the present embodiment. Fig. 22 is a diagram showing an example of printed image data by the inkjet recording device according to the present embodiment. Figs. 23A to 23C are diagrams showing an example of a gluing position pattern by the inkjet recording device according to the present embodiment. Fig. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display on an operation display unit by the inkjet recording device according to the present embodiment.

[0089] When the image data to be printed is read, the control unit 100 allows the user to input and display various information from the operation display unit 105 in steps S1 to S6. For example, the control unit 100 acquires the paper size, paper type, etc. (step S1). The control unit 100 also selects the print mode (step S2). The control unit 100 also acquires the print position (step S3). The control unit 100 also determines whether or not gluing is required (step S4). Here, the user may select "glue processing" or "no gluing processing" from the operation display unit 105.

[0090] If gluing is not required (step S4: No), the control unit 100 executes printing of the image data (step S5) and ends the scanning of the carriage unit 15 (step S6). Furthermore, the control unit 100 conveys the sheet (rolled paper 30) so that the cutting position on the sheet coincides with the cutting position of the cutter unit 40 (step S7), and cuts the rolled paper 30.

[0091] On the other hand, if it is determined that the gluing process is necessary (step S4: Yes), that is, if the user selects "Perform gluing process", the control unit 100 selects a print (printing) pattern (for example, full-surface printing, divided printing, die-cut printing as shown in FIG. 21) and a gluing position pattern (for example, the four corners as shown in FIG. 23A, the top and bottom as shown in FIG. 23B, and the entire surface as shown in FIG. 23C) (step S8). Next, the control unit 100 calculates the print position (print image range) based on the print pattern and gluing position conditions (gluing position pattern) set by the user and the print image data, and automatically determines the optimal gluing range and position for gluing (step S9). Therefore, once the user sets the print pattern and the gluing position conditions, the print pattern of the read print image data does not change, and the gluing position can be automatically determined even if the shape and size of the gluing target area change, unless the user makes any changes or fine adjustments.

[0092] Next, the control unit 100 displays the calculated gluing range and position on the operation display unit 105 (step S10). Then, the control unit 100 judges whether or not the gluing range and position need to be changed (step S11). If the gluing range and position need to be changed (step S11: Yes), the control unit 100 changes and corrects the gluing range and position (step S12) and returns to step S8.

[0093] On the other hand, if no change is required to the gluing range and position (step S11: No), the control unit 100 transports the sheet (rolled paper 30) and scans the carriage unit 15 (executes printing) (step S13). Next, the control unit 100 determines whether the gluing range and position of the rolled paper 30 have reached the gluing processing device 200 (step S14). If the gluing range and position of the rolled paper 30 have not reached the gluing processing device 200 (step S14: No), the control unit 100 returns to step S13.

[0094] On the other hand, if the gluing range and position of the roll paper 30 have reached the gluing device 200 (step S14: Yes), the control unit 100 executes the gluing process on the roll paper 30 (step S15).The control unit 100 then proceeds to step S6, where it stops the scanning of the carriage unit 15.

[0095] For example, the process of determining the gluing position when the user selects "perform gluing process" after reading each print image data as shown in Fig. 21 will be described. When the print image data b (image not including white margins) shown in Fig. 22 is read, the control unit 100 automatically assigns the print pattern to die-cut printing, and specifies the glue position pattern (top and bottom) shown in Fig. 23B (step S8). The control unit 100 also displays a die-cut-like figure on the display of the operation display unit 105 as shown in Fig. 24 (step S10).

[0096] Furthermore, when print image data a (image including white margins) shown in Fig. 22 is read, the control unit 100 automatically assigns the print pattern to full-surface printing and specifies the glue position pattern (top and bottom) shown in Fig. 23B. The control unit 100 also displays an image like a full surface on the display of the operation and display unit 105 as shown in Fig. 24. Furthermore, when the print pattern is set to die-cut printing, the control unit 100 displays an image like a die-cut on the display of the operation and display unit 105 as shown in Fig. 24.

[0097] In this way, the glue area can be selected to target either the entire print image data a shown in Fig. 22 or the image. The above is just one example, and the print pattern and glue position pattern are not limited to these, but can be changed and set by the user, and can also be customized as desired depending on the usage situation.

[0098] The control unit 100 also visually displays the final print image and the gluing positions on the display of the operation display unit 105 (step S10). The control unit 100 also changes and fine-tunes the gluing position pattern using the operation display unit 105 (step S12). As shown in FIG. 24, the user can adjust the length and position of the gluing position in millimeters by inputting a value through fine adjustment of the gluing position. Furthermore, when adding a gluing position, a position addition icon for the gluing position can be created at the position touched on the display screen of the operation display unit 105.

[0099] Fig. 23A is a diagram showing the arrangement (adhesive application positions) for applying adhesive 204 when four corners are selected as the glue application position pattern. As shown in full-page printing and divided printing in Fig. 23A, when the area in which an image is formed is rectangular with sides parallel to the transport direction B of the roll paper 30, the control unit 100 determines the adhesive application positions to be positions corresponding to the four corners of the image data. In this case, the control unit 100 determines the adhesive application positions to be an area a predetermined distance inward from the outline of the image.

[0100] Here, the "predetermined distance" may be an amount that is determined in advance based on the positional accuracy at which the adhesive 204 is applied, etc. The control unit 100 may set the length at which the adhesive 204 is applied in the sheet width direction of the roll paper 30 (direction perpendicular to the transport direction B) to a predetermined length, or may set the length according to the size of the printed image. For example, the length that is 10% of the width of the image in the sheet width direction may be compared with a preset shortest length (e.g., 20 mm), and the longer of the two lengths may be adopted.

[0101] The die-cut printing in Fig. 23A shows a case where the shape of the image (the outer shape of the area to which adhesive 204 is applied) is not rectangular. When the shape of the image is not rectangular and four corners are selected as the glue application position pattern, the control unit 100 may calculate the adhesive application positions according to the outer shape of the image. The perimeter of the outer shape of the image is evenly divided by the number of predetermined adhesive application positions (eight positions in the example of die-cut printing in Fig. 23A) so that the adhesive application positions are evenly distributed with respect to the perimeter of the outer shape.

[0102] The adhesive application position is determined to be a predetermined length inward from the outer shape. Here, the predetermined length is a length determined in advance based on the positional accuracy of applying the adhesive 204, etc. In this way, when the glue application position pattern is set to the four corners, an appropriate adhesive application position may be calculated from the perimeter of the image even for an image shape other than a rectangle.

[0103] FIG. 23B is a diagram showing the adhesive application arrangement when the top and bottom are selected as the gluing pattern. In the case of full-surface printing and division printing in FIG. 23B, the control unit 100 determines the adhesive application positions for two locations on the upstream side and downstream side of the conveying direction B in the image, a predetermined length inward from the outer shape. The control unit 100 similarly determines the adhesive application arrangement in the sheet width direction (direction perpendicular to the conveying direction B) so that it is a predetermined length inward from the outer shape. When the top and bottom are selected as the gluing pattern, the inkjet recording device 1 applies the adhesive 204 continuously in the image along the sheet width direction. That is, the gluing processing device 200 can apply the adhesive 204 continuously in the image. Therefore, the adhesive 204 can be applied in a short time without cutting the adhesive 204 in the image. In addition, since the positions to which the adhesive 204 is applied are only two per image, the time to apply the adhesive 204 is short, and the inkjet recording device 1 can perform printing and gluing in a short time.

[0104] In the case where the shape is not rectangular, such as the die-cut printing in FIG. 23B, the control unit 100 determines the adhesive application position according to the outer shape of the image. The control unit 100 determines the adhesive application position to be a position that is a predetermined distance inside the end positions of the image on the upstream and downstream sides of the conveying direction B. Here, the predetermined distance is set to a value larger than that when the image is rectangular when the image is not rectangular. This makes it possible to determine the adhesive application position even for an image with a curved outer shape. In addition, in the case where the adhesive application position on the downstream side of the conveying direction B is divided by the outer shape of the image, such as the die-cut printing in FIG. 23B, the control unit 100 determines the adhesive application position to a plurality of positions so as to fit within the image. In this way, the control unit 100 may determine the adhesive application arrangement based on different criteria (the above-mentioned predetermined distance) when the outer shape of the image is rectangular and when it is not rectangular.

[0105] 23C is a diagram showing the adhesive application arrangement when the entire surface is selected as the glue application position pattern. The control unit 100 determines the adhesive application arrangement so that it is a predetermined distance inward from the outer shape of the image. Here, the predetermined distance may be set individually depending on whether the outer shape of the image is rectangular or not. The predetermined distance is a distance determined in advance based on the accuracy of the position where the adhesive 204 is applied, etc.

[0106] Moreover, the entire surface of the glue application position pattern does not mean that the adhesive 204 is filled without any gaps, but that the adhesive 204 is disposed generally uniformly in the transport direction B. Therefore, it also includes a state in which the adhesive 204 is disposed at a predetermined interval determined according to the positional accuracy at which the adhesive 204 is applied, the transport pitch of the roll paper 30, etc.

[0107] Next, an example of automatically adjusting the gluing position according to the thickness of the paper will be described with reference to Fig. 25. Fig. 25 is a diagram for explaining an example of the adjustment process of the gluing position by the inkjet recording device according to this embodiment. If the image information includes thickness information related to the thickness of the roll paper 30, the control unit 100 may determine the gluing position to which the adhesive 204 is applied based on the thickness information.

[0108] In this embodiment, the control unit 100 can also automatically optimize the gluing position according to the paper type, the shading of the image, and the thickness of the roll paper 30 acquired in step S1 of FIG. 29. In the case of thin paper, the control unit 100 may have a function to detect the high density part of the printed image with the reading sensor 300 or calculate it from the printed image data, detect the area of ​​high image density closest to the gluing position x specified by the user, and automatically adjust the gluing position y within that area. This makes it possible to prevent the adhesive material attached to the back surface from being seen through the surface. If the density value of the area to be detected is set, the gluing position can be adjusted even for images with gradation.

[0109] Next, a case where the pasting position is automatically adjusted according to the print mode will be described with reference to Fig. 26. Fig. 26 is a diagram for explaining an example of the adjustment process of the gluing position by the inkjet recording device according to this embodiment. When the image information includes image formation information related to the conditions under which the image forming unit 2 forms an image, the control unit 100 may determine the gluing position to which the adhesive 204 is applied based on the image formation information.

[0110] For example, when the print mode is set to the high-speed mode (mode in which the number of scans of the carriage unit 15 is small) and the entire surface (number of scans of the gluing unit) is selected (see FIG. 23C), there will be a moment when the transport operation is stopped due to the scanning of the gluing unit. Therefore, the control unit 100 can glue the entire area without reducing productivity by thinning out the gluing positions z. The method of thinning out the gluing positions may be calculated automatically by referring to the print mode in step S2 when calculating the gluing positions in step S4.

[0111] The carriage unit 15 is equipped with a reading sensor 300 that detects the edge of the roll paper 30 (sheet edge). In this embodiment, the reading sensor 300 detects the print position on the sheet. The reading sensor 300 may be one that detects by reflection density or one that processes images using an optical camera. Therefore, it is also possible to detect the outline of the printed image in step S4. These are processed by the control unit 100.

[0112] Since the range and outline of the print image, as well as the print position on the sheet, can be obtained, the control unit 100 determines the optimal gluing position based on the read data. When the gluing device 200 (see Figs. 13 and 14) integrated with the cutter unit 40 reaches the determined gluing position, it performs the gluing process.

[0113] In the embodiment, an inkjet printer in which the image forming unit 2 is moved by the carriage unit 15 is described, but the present invention is not limited to inkjet printers. In addition, the present invention may be an inkjet printer or a printer in which the head is fixed. However, the present embodiment is an invention that is particularly effective in a wide-format machine in which the carriage unit 15 moves. This is because the application of adhesive can be performed in parallel with printing.

[0114] In this way, according to the inkjet recording device 1 of this embodiment, by applying the adhesive 204 according to the image to be printed, the work efficiency of the process of applying the adhesive 204 to the roll paper 30 is improved and the work time for the process of applying the adhesive 204 can be shortened.

[0115] In the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus of the present invention can be applied to a multifunction device having at least two of the functions of a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function, but it can be applied to any image forming apparatus such as a copier, printer, scanner device, or facsimile device.

[0116] For example, aspects of the present invention are as follows. <1> an image forming unit that forms an image on a medium based on image information; an adhesive applying section that applies an adhesive to the medium on which the image is formed; a determination unit that determines a position to apply the adhesive based on the image information; An image forming apparatus comprising: <2> a position information acquiring means for acquiring, from a user, position information relating to a position where the adhesive is to be applied to the medium; The determination unit determines a position to which the adhesive is to be applied based on the position information. <1> 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 . <3> the image information includes thickness information relating to a thickness of the medium; The determination unit determines a position to apply the adhesive based on the thickness information. <1> or <2> 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 . <4> the image information includes image formation information related to conditions under which the image forming unit forms the image, The determination unit determines a position to which the adhesive is to be applied based on the image formation information. <1> from <3> 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, <5> the adhesive applying unit applies the adhesive to a surface of the medium opposite to a surface on which the image is to be formed during at least a portion of a period during which the image forming unit forms the image on the medium; <1> from <4> 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, <6> A cutting unit that cuts the medium to which the adhesive is applied is provided. <1> 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 . <7> The adhesive applying unit includes a cutting unit that cuts the medium to which the adhesive has been applied. <1> from <6> 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, <8> the image forming unit includes a carriage that holds and moves a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid; the adhesive applying unit applies the adhesive by moving on an opposite side to the carriage side with respect to the medium; the cutting unit cuts the medium by moving toward the carriage with respect to the medium. <7> 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 . <9> the adhesive applying unit applies the adhesive to the medium while the carriage is moving; <8> 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 . <10> the adhesive applying unit is provided detachably with respect to the image forming apparatus, <1> from <10> 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, <11> A method for controlling an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit that forms an image on a medium and an adhesive applying unit that applies an adhesive to the medium, comprising: an image information acquiring step of acquiring image information relating to the image to be formed on the medium; forming an image on the medium based on the image information; determining a position on the medium where the adhesive is to be applied based on the image information; applying the adhesive to the position determined in the determining step; A control method comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0117] 1 Inkjet recording device 2 Image forming section 15 Carriage unit 15a Recording head 30 rolls of paper 40 Cutter unit 100 Control section 200 Gluing processing device 204 Adhesive [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0118] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-063016 A

Claims

1. an image forming unit that forms an image on a medium based on image information; an adhesive applying section that applies an adhesive to the medium on which the image is formed; a determination unit that determines a position to apply the adhesive based on the image information; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. a position information acquiring means for acquiring, from a user, position information relating to a position where the adhesive is to be applied to the medium; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the determining unit determines the position to which the adhesive is to be applied based on the position information.

3. the image information includes thickness information relating to a thickness of the medium; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the determining unit determines a position where the adhesive is to be applied based on the thickness information.

4. the image information includes image formation information related to conditions under which the image forming unit forms the image, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the determination unit determines the position where the adhesive is to be applied based on the image formation information.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the adhesive applying section applies the adhesive to a surface of the medium opposite to the surface on which the image is to be formed during at least a portion of a period during which the image forming section forms the image on the medium.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a cutting unit configured to cut the medium to which the adhesive has been applied.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the adhesive applying section includes a cutting section that cuts the medium to which the adhesive has been applied.

8. the image forming unit includes a carriage that holds and moves a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid; the adhesive applying unit applies the adhesive by moving on an opposite side to the carriage side with respect to the medium; The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the cutting section cuts the medium by moving toward the carriage with the medium as a reference.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the adhesive applying section applies the adhesive to the medium while the carriage is moving.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the adhesive applying section is detachably provided to the image forming apparatus.

11. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit that forms an image on a medium and an adhesive applying unit that applies an adhesive to the medium, comprising: an image information acquiring step of acquiring image information relating to the image to be formed on the medium; forming an image on the medium based on the image information; determining a position on the medium where the adhesive is to be applied based on the image information; applying the adhesive to the position determined in the determining step; A control method comprising:

Images