Lamination device, program, and lamination system

Abstract

To reduce a workload and downtime that can occur when gaps occur between sheets supplied to a lamination device.SOLUTION: A lamination device 20 includes: a continuous conveying part 22 that conveys a plurality of papers (sheets) with no gaps between the papers; and a lamination part 23 that attaches a belt-like film F having an adhesive layer to one side of the plurality of papers conveyed by the continuous conveying part 22. When a gap of a predetermined amount or more occurs between a plurality of regular papers (first sheets) supplied to the continuous conveying part 22, the lamination device 20 supplies a waste paper (second sheet) to the continuous conveying part 22 following the regular paper immediately preceding the gap among the plurality of regular papers, and wraps the waste paper to which the film F has been attached by the lamination part 23 around a rotating member 30 provided on a side of the waste paper opposite the film F.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lamination device, a program, and a lamination system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a laminating device is used that laminates a strip-shaped film onto continuously transported sheets of paper (see Patent Document 1). This laminating device continuously transports sheets of paper so that the trailing edge of the preceding sheet of paper is overlapped by a predetermined amount on top of the leading edge of the succeeding sheet of paper. The laminating device then separates the sheets of paper by cutting the film between the laminated preceding and succeeding sheets of paper. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-72116 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, upstream of the laminating section where the film is bonded to the sheet (paper), gaps may appear between sheets or jams may occur. In a single-sided laminating device, if the supply of sheets is delayed, the adhesive applied to the laminating film may come into direct contact with the conveying member that conveys the sheets. This can lead to problems such as the conveying member becoming soiled with adhesive or the film sticking to the conveying member. In such cases, a lot of work is required and downtime is required before the device can be restored.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems in the conventional technology described above, and has an objective of reducing the workload and downtime that can occur when gaps occur between sheets fed to a laminator. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the invention described in claim 1 is a laminating device comprising: a continuous conveying unit that conveys multiple sheets without any gaps between the sheets; a laminating unit that attaches a strip-shaped film having an adhesive layer to one side of the multiple sheets conveyed by the continuous conveying unit; and a control unit that, when a gap of a predetermined amount or more occurs between multiple first sheets supplied to the continuous conveying unit, supplies a second sheet to the continuous conveying unit following the first sheet of the multiple first sheets that is immediately before the gap, and wraps the second sheet to which the film has been attached by the laminating unit around a rotating member provided on the side of the second sheet opposite the film.

[0007] In a second aspect of the present invention, in the laminating apparatus of the first aspect, the control section supplies the second sheets to the continuous conveying section in a number required for the second sheets to make one revolution around the rotating member.

[0008] The invention described in claim 3 is the laminating apparatus described in claim 1, wherein the control unit supplies the second sheet to the continuous conveying unit from a standby unit provided upstream of the continuous conveying unit on the sheet conveying path.

[0009] The invention described in claim 4 is the laminating device described in claim 3, wherein the control unit causes the second sheet to merge with the continuous conveying unit via a path different from the path along which the multiple first sheets are supplied.

[0010] The invention described in claim 5 is a laminating device described in claim 3, wherein the control unit keeps a predetermined number of the second sheets in a waiting state in the waiting section before the laminating section starts the process of attaching the film to the multiple first sheets.

[0011] The invention described in claim 6 is a laminating device described in claim 1, further comprising a path switching unit downstream of the laminating unit in the sheet transport path, which switches between a first path along which the multiple first sheets are transported and a second path for wrapping the second sheet around the rotating member, and when a gap occurs between the multiple first sheets supplied to the continuous transport unit, the control unit controls the path switching unit to guide the second sheet to the second path.

[0012] A seventh aspect of the present invention provides the laminating apparatus of the sixth aspect, wherein the control unit guides the second sheet to the second path with the film attached thereto.

[0013] The invention described in claim 8 is a laminating apparatus described in claim 6, wherein the second path guides the second sheet so that it again comes into contact with the film located upstream of the portion of the film attached to the second sheet.

[0014] The invention described in claim 9 is a laminating device described in claim 6, further comprising a cutting section upstream of the path switching section in the sheet transport path and downstream of the upstream end of the rotating member, which cuts the film or the sheet after the film has been attached to the sheet by the laminating section, and the control section causes the cutting section to cut the second sheet and the film wrapped around the rotating member, and discharges the cut second sheet and the film to a predetermined discharge section.

[0015] The invention described in claim 10 is a laminating device described in any one of claims 1 to 9, which is provided with a laminating fixing unit that adheres the film and the sheet by applying heat and pressure to the sheet to which the film has been attached by the laminating unit.

[0016] The invention described in claim 11 is a program for causing a computer of a laminating device having a continuous conveying unit that conveys multiple sheets without any gaps between the sheets, and a laminating unit that attaches a strip-shaped film having an adhesive layer to one side of the multiple sheets conveyed by the continuous conveying unit to function as a control unit that, when a gap of a predetermined amount or more occurs between multiple first sheets supplied to the continuous conveying unit, supplies a second sheet to the continuous conveying unit immediately following the first sheet among the multiple first sheets that is immediately before the gap, and wraps the second sheet to which the film has been attached by the laminating unit around a rotating member provided on the side of the second sheet opposite the film.

[0017] The invention described in claim 12 is a lamination system comprising an image forming unit that forms an image on a plurality of sheets; a continuous conveying unit that conveys the plurality of sheets without any gaps between the sheets; a laminating unit that attaches a strip-shaped film having an adhesive layer to one side of the plurality of sheets conveyed by the continuous conveying unit; and a control unit that, when a gap of a predetermined amount or more occurs between a plurality of first sheets supplied to the continuous conveying unit, supplies a second sheet to the continuous conveying unit following the first sheet among the plurality of first sheets that is immediately before the gap, and wraps the second sheet to which the film has been attached by the laminating unit around a rotating member provided on the side of the second sheet opposite the film. Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the workload and downtime that can occur when gaps occur between sheets fed to a laminator. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the image forming system. [Diagram 3]FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion constituting the laminating device. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing a printing operation process. [Diagram 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a printing operation process. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing processing performed when a paper gap is increased. [Figure 7] 13 is a diagram showing a state in which the first sheet of waste paper is supplied following regular paper. FIG. [Figure 8] 13 is a diagram showing a state in which waste paper is wound around a rotating member together with a film. FIG. [Figure 9] 13 is a diagram showing a state in which only a film is laminated on top of the waste paper and film wound around a rotating member. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which waste paper for resuming printing has been supplied. [Figure 11] 13 is a diagram showing a state in which the leading edge of the waste paper for resuming printing has reached the cutting section, and rotation of the rotating member and supply of the film have been stopped. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the state immediately after the waste paper and film are cut. [Figure 13] 13 is a diagram showing a state in which the nip between the fixing roller pair is released and the waste paper for resuming printing is pulled out from the nip. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which waste paper with a film is being purged. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Hereinafter, a laminating device, a program, and a laminating system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

[0021] [Configuration of Image Forming System] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming system 1 as a laminating system in the present embodiment. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the image forming system 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion constituting a laminating device 20. The image forming system 1 includes the image forming device 10 and the laminating device 20.

[0022] The image forming apparatus 10 forms an image on a paper sheet. The image forming apparatus 10 is connected to a laminating device 20. The image forming apparatus 10 delivers a plurality of papers having images formed thereon to the laminating device 20 in succession. The laminating device 20 performs lamination processing on the paper on which an image has been formed by the image forming device 10. The laminating device 20 overlaps the film F having an adhesive layer on one side with the paper and applies heat and pressure. As a result, the laminating device 20 melts the adhesive of the film F and bonds and fixes the paper and the film F together.

[0023] The image forming apparatus 10 includes a control unit 11, an image reading unit 12, an image forming unit 13, a storage unit 14, an operation panel 15, a conveying unit 16, a paper feeding unit 17, a communication unit 18, an IF (Interface) unit 19, etc. The operation panel 15 includes a display unit 151 and an operation unit 152.

[0024] The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The CPU reads out various programs stored in the ROM in response to an operation signal input from an operation unit 152 or an instruction signal received by the communication unit 18 or the IF unit 19. The CPU loads the various programs that have been read out into the RAM, and performs overall control of the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 in cooperation with the various programs loaded into the RAM.

[0025] The image reading unit 12 reads an original document and generates image data. The image reading unit 12 scans and exposes the image of an original document placed on an original table or an automatic document feeder (ADF) using the optical system of a scanning exposure device. The image reading unit 12 obtains an image signal by reading reflected light from the image of the original document using a line image sensor. This image signal is subjected to A / D conversion, shading correction, compression, and other processes, and then input to the control unit 11 as image data.

[0026] The image forming unit 13 forms an image on paper by electrophotography based on the image data generated by the image reading unit 12 or image data received from an external device. The image forming unit 13 forms an image made up of four colors, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K), on the paper according to the pixel values ​​of the four colors of each pixel of the image data.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming unit 13 includes photoconductor drums 131Y, 131M, 131C, and 131K corresponding to Y, M, C, and K, respectively, an intermediate transfer belt 132, a secondary transfer roller 133, a fixing unit 134, and the like.

[0028] After being uniformly charged, the photoconductor drum 131Y is scanned and exposed by a laser beam based on yellow image data to form an electrostatic latent image, and then yellow toner is attached to the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor drum 131Y to develop it. The photoconductor drums 131M, 131C, and 131K are similar to the photoconductor drum 131Y except for the colors they handle, and therefore descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0029] The toner images of each color formed on the photoconductor drums 131Y, 131M, 131C, and 131K are successively transferred (primary transfer) onto the intermediate transfer belt 132. As a result, an image made of each color (color toner image) is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 132. The color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 132 is transferred all at once onto a sheet of paper by a secondary transfer roller 133 (secondary transfer).

[0030] The fixing unit 134 applies heat and pressure to the paper onto which the color toner image has been transferred, thereby fixing the image to the paper. When forming images on both sides of the paper in the image forming unit 13, the control unit 11 conveys the paper to a reversing path to invert the paper surface, and then supplies the paper to the position of the secondary transfer roller 133 again.

[0031] The storage unit 14 is a non-volatile storage means configured by a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), etc. The storage unit 14 stores various programs, various setting data, etc. in a manner that allows the control unit 11 to read and write the data.

[0032] The display unit 151 is configured with a color liquid crystal display, etc. The display unit 151 displays an operation screen in accordance with a display control signal input from the control unit 11. The operation screen includes various setting screens, various buttons, etc.

[0033] Operation unit 152 accepts operation input by a user. Operation unit 152 includes a touch panel and various hard keys. The touch panel is provided on the screen of display unit 151. When a button displayed on the screen is pressed with a finger, a touch pen, or the like, operation unit 152 detects the coordinates of the pressed position as a voltage value, and outputs an operation signal associated with the detected position to control unit 11. Furthermore, when a hard key is pressed, operation unit 152 outputs an operation signal associated with the pressed key to control unit 11.

[0034] The conveying section 16 is composed of a plurality of roller pairs. The conveying section 16 conveys the paper supplied from the paper feed section 17 to the image forming section 13. The conveying section 16 conveys the paper on which the image has been formed by the image forming section 13 to the laminating device 20.

[0035] The paper feed unit 17 includes a paper feed tray T1. The paper feed unit 17 supplies paper from the paper feed tray T1 to the image forming unit 13. Each paper feed tray T1 stores paper of a predetermined paper type and size.

[0036] The communication unit 18 is an interface that connects the image forming apparatus 10 to a communication network. The communication unit 18 transmits and receives various information to and from external devices connected to the communication network using a predetermined communication protocol under the control of the control unit 11. The communication unit 18 can also input and output various information via a Universal Serial Bus (USB).

[0037] The IF unit 19 is an interface for transmitting and receiving data between the image forming apparatus 10 and the laminating apparatus 20.

[0038] The laminating device 20 includes a control unit 21, a continuous conveying unit 22, a laminating unit 23, a laminating fixing unit 24, a cutting unit 25, a stacking unit 26, a memory unit 27, a conveying unit 28, an IF unit 29, a rotating member 30, and the like.

[0039] The control unit 21 is configured to include a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, etc. The CPU reads out various programs stored in the ROM in response to instruction signals received from the image forming apparatus 10 by the IF unit 29. The CPU loads the various programs that have been read out into the RAM, and performs overall control of the operation of the laminating device 20 in cooperation with the various programs loaded into the RAM.

[0040] The continuous transport section 22 is provided upstream of the laminating section 23 on the paper transport path. The continuous conveying unit 22 conveys a plurality of papers (sheets) without any gap between two consecutive papers. Specifically, the continuous conveying unit 22 conveys a plurality of papers in a band shape by overlapping the trailing end of a preceding paper by a predetermined amount on top of the leading end of a succeeding paper.

[0041] The film F is transported from the film roll 230 to the laminating unit 23. The film roll 230 is a roll of the film F, which is made of a transparent resin film layer and an adhesive layer. A heat-melting adhesive is applied to one side of the film F (the side that comes into contact with the paper) to form an adhesive layer.

[0042] The laminating unit 23 attaches a strip-shaped film F having an adhesive layer to one side of the plurality of sheets of paper conveyed by the continuous conveying unit 22. The laminating unit 23 overlaps the film F with the plurality of sheets of paper being continuously conveyed.

[0043] 3 shows sheets P1 to P4 continuously fed from continuous conveyance unit 22 with no gaps between sheets. That is, sheets P1 to P4 are fed into lamination unit 23 by continuous conveyance unit 22 with the trailing edge of a preceding sheet overlapping the leading edge of a succeeding sheet by a predetermined amount.

[0044] The laminating section 23 includes a film supply roller 231 and a roller pair 232 . The film supply roller 231 changes the transport direction of the film F transported from the film roll 230 , and sends the film F to the pair of rollers 232 . The roller pair 232 adheres the adhesive layer of the film F to the surface of the paper by sandwiching the paper and the film F in a nip formed by the roller pair 232. This bonds the paper and the film F together. The roller pair 232 includes a roller 232A on the adhesive surface side of the film F, and a roller 232B facing the roller 232A.

[0045] The laminating and fixing unit 24 applies at least one of heat and pressure to the paper to which the film F has been attached by the laminating unit 23, thereby bonding the film F and the paper. The laminating and fixing unit 24 melts the adhesive layer of the film F, and adheres the melted adhesive layer to the surface of the paper, thereby thermocompression bonding the paper. The laminating and fixing section 24 includes a pair of fixing rollers 241. The pair of fixing rollers 241 includes a roller 241A on the adhesive surface side of the film F, and a roller 241B facing the roller 241A. For example, roller 241B is a heating roller, and roller 241A is a pressure roller. The heating roller includes a halogen heater or the like, and heats the film F and the paper in a superimposed state. The pressure roller is pressed against the heating roller by being biased toward the heating roller by a biasing member (not shown) such as a spring.

[0046] The cutting unit 25 is provided downstream of the laminating unit 23 and the laminating fixing unit 24 on the paper transport path. The cutting unit 25 includes a cutter. The cutting unit 25 moves the cutter in the width direction of the paper to cut the film F and / or the paper after the film F has been attached to the paper. Normally, the cutting unit 25 only cuts the film F between sheets of paper that are continuously transported in a stacked state. The cutting unit 25 inserts a cutter between the rear end of the preceding sheet and the front end of the succeeding sheet. The cutting unit 25 cuts the film F along the edge of the rear end of the preceding sheet to separate the preceding sheet from the succeeding sheet. In other words, the cutting unit 25 cuts the film F between the sheets of paper that are connected by being adhered to the film F, thereby returning the sheets to sheets. When the paper interval is increased, the cutting unit 25 cuts only the film F wound around the rotating member 30, or cuts the paper wrapped around the rotating member 30 together with the film F. When the paper interval is increased, the interval between the papers transported from the image forming device 10 is increased.

[0047] The stack unit 26 is a standby unit for preparing waste paper as the second sheet to be used when the paper interval is expanded.

[0048] The storage unit 27 is a non-volatile storage means configured by an HDD, an SSD, etc. The storage unit 27 stores various programs, various setting data, etc. in a manner that allows the control unit 21 to read and write the data.

[0049] The conveying section 28 is configured with a plurality of roller pairs. The conveying section 28 conveys the paper conveyed from the image forming device 10 within the laminating device 20. When the sheet is to be laminated, the conveying unit 28 conveys the sheet via a conveying path 282 (see FIG. 1) to the continuous conveying unit 22, the laminating unit 23, the laminating fixing unit 24, and the cutting unit 25 in that order. The conveying unit 28 ejects the laminated sheet to the outside via a normal path 283 (see FIG. 1). When the sheet is not to be laminated, the conveying section 28 conveys the sheet via a conveying path 281 (see FIG. 1). When waste paper is placed on standby in the stack unit 26, the transport unit 28 transports the paper (waste paper) to the stack unit 26 via a transport path 285 (see FIG. 1). When using waste paper stored in the stack unit 26, the conveying unit 28 conveys the waste paper to the continuous conveying unit 22 via a conveying path 286 (see FIG. 1).

[0050] The IF unit 29 is an interface for transmitting and receiving data between the laminating device 20 and the image forming device 10.

[0051] 3, a transport roller pair 31 is provided downstream of the cutting unit 25 in the paper transport path. The transport roller pair 31 includes a roller 31A on the adhesive surface side of the film F and a roller 31B facing the roller 31A. The transport roller pair 31 transports the paper and film F at the same speed as the fixing roller pair 241.

[0052] Rotating member 30 is provided on the side of the paper to which film F is attached by laminating unit 23, opposite film F. The outer periphery of rotating member 30 has an oval shape consisting of two semicircles and two parallel lines connecting the two semicircles in a cross section including the direction of rotation. Rotating member 30 includes roller 241A, roller 31A, guide plate G1, guide plates G2 and G3, and guide plate G4. The roller 241A is part of the fixing roller pair 241 of the laminate fixing unit 24. The roller 31A is part of the transport roller pair 31.

[0053] Guide plate G1 is provided on the outer side of roller 31A so as to follow the rotation of roller 31A. Guide plate G1 is provided from the branching portion where the paper transport path branches off by switching gate 40 (the branching point between normal path 283 and winding path 284) to the lower part of roller 31A. Guide plates G2 and G3 are two guide plates that have horizontal surfaces and are installed at a distance in the vertical direction. Guide plates G2 and G3 are provided so that paper (waste paper) and film F pass between guide plate G2 and guide plate G3 from the lower end of roller 31A to the lower end of roller 241A. Guide plate G4 is provided on the outer side of roller 241A so as to follow the rotation of roller 241A. Guide plate G4 is provided from the lower part of roller 241A to just before the junction with the paper transport path (the nip part of the fixing roller pair 241). As roller 241A and roller 31A rotate, the paper (waste paper) guided to winding path 284 is wound around rotating member 30. The waste paper forms a belt-like loop that is stretched across roller 241A and roller 31A.

[0054] The illustrated configuration of the rotating member 30 is merely an example. As long as the waste paper and the film F can be wound around the rotating member 30, any configuration may be used.

[0055] The control unit 21 judges whether or not a gap of a predetermined amount or more occurs between the regular sheets of paper as the multiple first sheets supplied to the continuous conveying unit 22. The first sheets (regular sheets of paper) are sheets to be output as output products (deliverables) related to the print job. When a gap of a predetermined amount or more occurs between multiple regular papers supplied to the continuous conveying unit 22, the control unit 21 supplies waste paper as a second sheet to the continuous conveying unit 22 following the regular paper immediately preceding the gap among the multiple regular papers. The second sheet (waste paper) is not a sheet that is output as an output product related to a print job, but is a sheet that is scheduled to be discarded. The control unit 21 supplies the number of waste papers required to make one revolution of the rotating member 30 to the continuous conveying unit 22. The control unit 21 winds the waste paper to which the film F has been attached by the laminating unit 23 around a rotating member 30 provided on the side of the waste paper opposite to the side on which the film F is attached.

[0056] When the interval between sheets of paper conveyed from the image forming device 10 exceeds the range that can be adjusted by changing the conveying speed or the print cycle time, the control unit 21 temporarily suspends the lamination process related to the print job. Then, the control unit 21 sends the waste paper from the stack unit 26 to the continuous conveying unit 22 and causes the rotating member 30 to wind the waste paper.

[0057] The waste paper to be used in the winding process is stored in the stack section 26 in advance. Before the laminating unit 23 starts the process of bonding the film F to a plurality of regular papers, the control unit 21 keeps a predetermined number of waste papers in a standby state in the stack unit 26 (standby unit). Here, the predetermined number is, for example, the number of waste sheets required for the rotating member 30 to make one revolution plus one sheet to be used as waste paper when printing is resumed. The control unit 21 calculates the number of waste sheets to be stored in the stack unit 26 .

[0058] The stack unit 26 needs to store a total number of waste papers, including the number of waste papers to be used in the winding process and the number of waste papers to be used when resuming printing. The minimum number of waste papers Nmin [sheets] required for the stack unit 26 is calculated by the following formula (1). Here, the length required for one rotation of the rotating member 30 is L [mm], and the length in the transport direction of the paper stored in the stack unit 26 is Ls [mm]. The paper stored in the stack unit 26 is paper stored in the paper feed tray T1 specified by the user. Nmin=L / Ls+1 …Equation (1) For L / Ls, use the value rounded up to the nearest integer.

[0059] The length Ls [mm] of the paper stored in the stack unit 26 in the transport direction must satisfy the following formula (2): Here, the length of the stack tray of the stack unit 26 is Lt [mm]. Ls≦Lt…Formula (2)

[0060] Additionally, the width Ws [mm] of the paper stored in the stack section 26 must satisfy the following formula (3). Here, the width of the film F is Wf [mm]. The width Ws of the paper is the length of the paper in a direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction and parallel to the paper surface. Ws≧Wf…Formula (3)

[0061] Before starting a print job, the control unit 21 and / or the control unit 11 feeds paper from the paper feed tray T1 designated by the user to the stack unit 26. The paper feed tray T1 designated by the user may be the paper feed tray T1 in which the paper designated in the print job is stored, or may be the paper feed tray T1 designated for the winding process.

[0062] The control unit 21 and / or the control unit 11 judges, based on the print job information and the paper information set in each paper feed tray T1, whether or not the waste paper can be stored in the stack unit 26. If it is judged that the waste paper cannot be stored, the control unit 21 or the control unit 11 notifies the user of an instruction to change the paper, changes to an appropriate paper, and stores the changed paper in the stack unit 26.

[0063] The control unit 21 supplies waste paper (second sheet) to the continuous conveyance unit 22 from a stack unit 26 (standby unit) provided upstream of the continuous conveyance unit 22 on the paper conveyance path. The control unit 21 causes the waste paper (second sheet) to merge with the continuous conveying unit 22 via a path (conveying path 286) different from the path (conveying path 282) along which the plurality of regular papers (first sheets) are supplied.

[0064] The switching gate 40 as a path switching unit is provided downstream of the laminating unit 23 and the rotating member 30 in the paper transport path. The switching gate 40 switches between a normal path (first path) 283 along which multiple normal papers are transported and a winding path (second path) 284 for winding waste paper around the rotating member 30 when the paper spacing is expanded.

[0065] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the switching gate 40 can be in a gate position 40A and a gate position 40B. During normal discharge, the control unit 21 sets the switching gate 40 to gate position 40A. That is, the control unit 21 moves the leading edge of the switching gate 40 below the nip point of the transport roller pair 31 and closes it to roller 31A. The leading edge of the paper that has passed through the nip point of the transport roller pair 31 separates from the rollers 31A and 31B due to the curvature of the rollers 31A and 31B, and is sent out in the tangential direction of the outer periphery of the rollers 31A and 31B. By positioning the switching gate 40 at a position (gate position 40A) that scoops up the underside of the paper, the paper is guided to the normal path 283.

[0066] When winding the waste paper, the control unit 21 sets the switching gate 40 to the gate position 40B. That is, the control unit 21 moves the tip of the switching gate 40 above the nip point of the transport roller pair 31 and closes it to the roller 31B. By disposing the switching gate 40 at the gate position 40B, the waste paper that has passed the nip point of the transport roller pair 31 is guided to the winding path 284. The guide plate G1 and the switching gate 40 are configured to alternately enter in a comb-tooth shape in the width direction. Therefore, the waste paper is guided to the winding path 284 without getting caught by the switching gate 40 and the guide plate G1.

[0067] When a gap of a predetermined amount or more occurs between a plurality of regular sheets of paper supplied to the continuous conveying unit 22, the control unit 21 controls the switching gate 40 to guide the waste paper to the winding path 284. The control unit 21 guides the waste paper to the winding path 284 with the film F attached thereto. The winding path 284 branches off from the normal path 283 downstream of the transport roller pair 31 and connects to the upstream of the fixing roller pair 241. In other words, the winding path 284 guides the waste paper so that it again comes into contact with the film F located upstream of the portion of the film F attached to the waste paper.

[0068] The cutting unit 25 is provided upstream of the switching gate 40 in the paper transport path and downstream of the upstream end (the fixing roller pair 241) of the rotating member 30. The cutting unit 25 cuts the film F or the paper after the film F has been attached to the paper by the laminating unit 23. The control unit 21 causes the cutting unit 25 to cut the waste paper and film F wound around the rotating member 30, and causes the cutting unit 25 to discharge the cut waste paper and film F to a predetermined discharge unit. For example, as the predetermined discharge unit, a paper discharge tray T12 that is different from the paper discharge tray T11 to which normal output objects are discharged is used (see FIG. 1).

[0069] [Operation of the Image Forming System] Next, the operation of the image forming system 1 will be described. 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing the printing operation process executed in the image forming system 1. FIG. When the image forming system 1 is powered on, the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 starts warming up each unit of the image forming apparatus 10. In addition, the control unit 21 of the laminating apparatus 20 starts warming up each unit of the laminating apparatus 20.

[0070] The control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 checks the contents of the print job (step S1). The job data may be received from an external device via the communication unit 18, or may be generated based on an operation instruction from the operation unit 152.

[0071] Next, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the print job includes a lamination process (step S2). If the print job does not include lamination processing (step S2; NO), the control unit 11 transmits to the laminating device 20 via the IF unit 19 information indicating that the print job does not include lamination processing. Control unit 21 of laminating device 20 receives information indicating that lamination processing is not included from image forming apparatus 10 via IF unit 29. Control unit 21 turns off the heater of laminating fixing unit 24 (step S3). Then, the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 executes a normal printing process that does not include a lamination process (step S4).

[0072] In step S2, if the print job includes lamination processing (step S2; YES), the control unit 11 transmits to the laminating device 20 via the IF unit 19 information indicating that the print job includes lamination processing. The control unit 21 of the laminating device 20 receives information indicating that the laminating process is included from the image forming device 10 via the IF unit 29. The control unit 21 checks the state of the laminating device 20 (step S5). Specifically, the control unit 21 performs processes such as steps S6, S8, and S11.

[0073] The control unit 21 determines whether or not there is a predetermined number of waste sheets in the stack unit 26 (step S6). The control unit 21 calculates the minimum number of waste sheets Nmin [sheets] required for the stack unit 26 as the predetermined number according to the above formula (1). If the predetermined number of waste papers is not present in the stack unit 26 (step S6; NO), the control unit 21 supplies the missing amount of waste papers to the stack unit 26 (step S7). If the stack unit 26 is short of papers, the control unit 21 supplies the necessary number of papers that meet the predetermined conditions (formulas (2) and (3), etc.) from the image forming device 10.

[0074] Specifically, the control unit 21 transmits information indicating a request for the missing amount of paper to the image forming apparatus 10 via the IF unit 29. The control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 receives information indicating a request for the missing amount of paper from the laminating device 20 via the IF unit 19. The control unit 11 controls the conveying unit 16 to convey the paper from the paper supply unit 17 (paper supply tray T1) to the laminating device 20. The control unit 21 of the laminating device 20 controls the transport unit 28 to store the paper transported from the image forming device 10 in the stack unit 26 via the transport path 285. After step S7, the process returns to step S6.

[0075] In step S6, if there is a predetermined number of waste sheets in stack section 26 (step S6; YES), control section 21 determines whether film F is in a standby state during use (step S8). The first sheet of paper in the lamination process must be waste paper. "Film F is in standby during use" means that film F has been aligned with waste paper, which is transported ahead of normal paper during lamination.

[0076] If the film F is not in a standby state during use (step S8; NO), the control unit 21 supplies the paper to the laminating device 20 (step S9). Specifically, control unit 21 transmits information indicating a paper request to image forming apparatus 10 via IF unit 29. The control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 receives information indicating a request for paper from the laminating device 20 via the IF unit 19. The control unit 11 controls the conveying unit 16 to convey the paper from the paper feeding unit 17 to the laminating device 20. The control unit 21 of the laminating device 20 controls the conveying unit 28 to convey the paper conveyed from the image forming device 10 to the laminating unit 23. This paper becomes the paper conveyed immediately before the output (delivery product).

[0077] If excess waste paper is stored in the stack unit 26, the control unit 21 may supply the waste paper from the stack unit 26 to the laminating device 20 in step S9.

[0078] The control unit 21 performs a positioning operation on the paper (waste paper) supplied in step S9 (step S10). The positioning operation is to position the paper so that when the next normal paper is conveyed, the continuous conveying unit 22 can appropriately process the continuous waste paper and normal paper. The positioning operation includes aligning the leading edges of the film F and the paper. After step S10, the process returns to step S8.

[0079] In step S8, if film F is in a standby state during use (step S8; YES), control unit 21 determines whether or not warm-up of laminating device 20 has been completed (step S11). If the warm-up of the laminating device 20 is not completed (step S11; NO), the process returns to step S11.

[0080] In step S11, when the warm-up of the laminating device 20 is completed (step S11; YES), the process proceeds to FIG.

[0081] The image forming system 1 performs lamination printing (step S12). The control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 causes the image forming unit 13 to form an image on a sheet (normal paper), and passes the sheet on which the image has been formed to the laminating device 20. The control unit 21 of the laminating device 20 causes the paper sheet acquired from the image forming device 10 to be processed by the continuous conveying unit 22 , the laminating unit 23 , the laminating and fixing unit 24 , and the cutting unit 25 .

[0082] Specifically, the control unit 21 controls the continuous conveying unit 22 to convey the continuous sheets in a band shape by overlapping the trailing edge of the preceding sheet and the leading edge of the succeeding sheet. Next, the control unit 21 controls the laminating unit 23 to attach the film F to the paper being conveyed. The control unit 21 controls the laminating fixing unit 24 to bond the film F to the paper. Next, the control unit 21 controls the cutting unit 25 to cut the film F between the sheets of paper to which the film F is attached, thereby separating the sheets of paper from each other. A series of operations including overlapping the sheets of paper, attaching the film F, fixing the film F, and cutting the film F (cutting out each sheet of paper) is called a "cycle operation."

[0083] The control unit 21 checks the continuity of the paper conveyed from the image forming apparatus 10, and determines whether the cycle operation can be performed continuously (step S13). If the cyclic operation can be executed continuously (step S13; YES), the process returns to step S12.

[0084] In step S13, if the cycle operation cannot be performed continuously (step S13; NO), the control unit 21 judges whether a paper interval wait occurs (step S14). The paper interval wait is a waiting state until the next paper is transported from the image forming device 10. Specifically, the control unit 21 judges whether a paper interval wait occurs based on information acquired from the image forming device 10. That is, the control unit 21 judges whether a gap occurs between the papers transported from the image forming device 10. "When a gap occurs between the papers" includes, for example, when a jam occurs. In addition, "When a gap occurs between the papers" includes when a defect (color, stain, bent corner, wrinkles, etc.) is detected on the paper and the paper is discharged before being sent to the lamination device 20. In addition, in the image forming device 10, a color tone correction operation using an internal pattern, a temperature adjustment of the fixing unit 134, etc. are performed, and thus a gap may occur between the papers.

[0085] If a paper interval wait occurs (step S14; YES), the control unit 21 judges whether or not the paper interval can be adjusted by controlling the internal transport speed or the like (step S15). "The paper interval can be adjusted" corresponds to the gap between the papers transported from the image forming device 10 being less than a predetermined amount. "Adjusting the paper interval" here includes adjusting the paper transport speed and / or adjusting the print cycle. Adjusting the paper transport speed includes slightly lowering the paper transport speed in the laminating unit 23, or slightly increasing the paper transport speed from the fixing unit 134 to the continuous transport unit 22 of the image forming device 10. Adjusting the print cycle includes temporarily making the print cycle on the image forming device 10 a little shorter. When the distance between images becomes smaller due to the adjustment of the print cycle, the paper interval becomes smaller. If the paper gap can be adjusted by controlling the internal transport speed or the like (step S15; YES), the control unit 21 adjusts the paper gap by adjusting the internal transport speed or the like (step S16). If the paper gap is to be adjusted by control on the image forming device 10 side, the control unit 21 transmits an instruction to adjust the paper gap to the image forming device 10 via the IF unit 29. After step S16, the process returns to step S12.

[0086] In step S15, if the paper gap cannot be adjusted by controlling the internal conveying speed or the like (step S15; NO), the control unit 21 performs paper gap enlargement processing (step S17). If the result is "NO" in step S15, this corresponds to a case where a gap of a predetermined amount or more occurs between multiple normal papers supplied to the continuous conveying unit 22. The paper gap enlargement processing will be described later.

[0087] In step S14, if no sheet-to-sheet wait occurs (step S14; NO), the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 determines whether or not printing is completed in the image forming unit 13 (step S18). When printing is completed (step S18; YES), the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 judges whether or not there is a job that can be continuously passed under the same conditions as the job that has been completed (step S19). When there is a job that can be continuously passed under the same conditions (step S19; YES), the control unit 11 sets the job as the next job to be executed, and proceeds to step S12.

[0088] In step S19, if there is no job that can be continuously passed under the same conditions (step S19; NO), the process proceeds to step S17. When there is no paper to be transported from the image forming device 10 to the laminating device 20, this corresponds to the widest paper interval.

[0089] In step S18, if printing is not completed (step S18; NO), the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 performs an abnormality stop process (step S20). The control unit 11 causes the display unit 151 to display a message indicating that printing has been stopped due to the occurrence of an abnormality. After step S4, step S17 or step S20, the printing operation process ends.

[0090] Next, the process at the time of increased paper gap in step S17 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The process at the time of increased paper gap is executed when the paper gap increases to an extent that it cannot be adjusted by conveying speed control or the like during continuous paper passing. In other words, the process at the time of increased paper gap is executed when a gap of a predetermined amount or more occurs between a plurality of normal sheets of paper supplied to the continuous conveying unit 22. The increase in the paper gap also includes the case where the machine is stopped until the next normal sheet of paper is conveyed.

[0091] The control unit 21 of the laminating device 20 controls the conveying unit 28 to supply waste paper from the stack unit 26 to the continuous conveying unit 22 following the last sheet of paper on which a normal image is formed (the last normal sheet) in the currently in-progress job (step S21). The last normal sheet is the normal sheet immediately preceding a gap of a predetermined amount or more that occurs between the normal sheets, among the multiple normal sheets of paper supplied to the continuous conveying unit 22. The waste paper is supplied from the stack unit 26 via the conveying path 286 and is used for the winding process.

[0092] Next, the control unit 21 controls the continuous conveying unit 22 to overlap the leading end of the waste paper sent out onto the trailing end of the preceding normal final paper (step S22). The control unit 21 controls the laminating unit 23 to attach the film F to the normal final paper and the waste paper being continuously conveyed.

[0093] 7 shows a state in which the first waste paper Q1 is supplied following the regular papers P11 to P13. In FIG. 7, the leading edge of the first waste paper Q1 has reached the roller pair 232 of the laminating unit . In addition, in FIG. 7 and subsequent figures, the guide plates G1 to G4 shown in FIG. 3 are omitted.

[0094] Next, the control unit 21 controls the cutting unit 25 to cut the film F between the final normal sheet and the waste sheet that have passed through the laminating and fixing unit 24, and separate the final normal sheet from the waste sheet. Then, the control unit 21 controls the conveying unit 28 to discharge the final normal sheet via the normal path 283 (step S23).

[0095] Next, when the leading edge of the first waste paper reaches the transport roller pair 31, the control unit 21 switches the switching gate 40 to the winding path 284 (gate position 40B shown in FIG. 3) (step S24). Then, the control unit 21 performs a waste paper winding operation to wind the waste paper around the rotating member 30 (steps S25 to S27).

[0096] The control unit 21 controls the transport unit 28 to guide the waste paper with the film F attached thereto to the winding path 284 (step S25). After this, even if the boundary between the waste papers from the winding process reaches the cutting unit 25, the cutting unit 25 does not cut the film F and the waste paper until one or more sheets of waste paper make one revolution around the rotating member 30 and form a loop.

[0097] The control unit 21 controls the conveying unit 28 to cause the waste paper to rejoin the upstream of the laminating fixing unit 24, and overlap with the following waste paper as necessary. The control unit 21 forms a ring of waste paper that goes around the periphery of the rotating member 30 (step S26). The control unit 21 controls the conveying unit 28 to stop the supply of waste paper from the stacking unit 26 when the conveying unit 28 has supplied enough sheets of waste paper to make one revolution around the rotating member 30.

[0098] Each time the waste paper makes one revolution around the rotating member 30, the control unit 21 causes the cutting unit 25 to cut the film F at the same position on the wheel of the waste paper while winding the film F around the rotating member 30 (step S27). The position on the wheel of the waste paper where the film F is cut is referred to as the "film cutting position."

[0099] FIG. 8 shows a state in which a first waste paper Q1 and a second waste paper Q2 are wound around a rotating member 30 together with a film F.

[0100] FIG. 9 shows a state in which the waste papers Q1, Q2 and the film F are wound around the rotary member 30, and further, only the film F is laminated thereon.

[0101] In addition, in a situation where no paper is supplied and only the film F is supplied, the roller 232A of the roller pair 232 in the laminating section 23 on the adhesive surface side of the film F needs to be spaced from the adhesive surface or not depending on the lamination method. In the case of hot lamination, the adhesive layer of the film F is not melted before heating, so the adhesive does not adhere to the roller 232A on the adhesive surface side even if there is no paper to which the film F is attached. Therefore, the control unit 21 does not need to separate the roller 232A on the adhesive surface side from the opposing roller 232B. In the case of cold lamination, since the adhesive is exposed, if there is no paper to which the film F is attached, the adhesive will adhere to the roller 232A on the adhesive surface side. Therefore, the control unit 21 separates the roller 232A on the adhesive surface side from the opposing roller 232B. Figures 8 and 9 show the state in which the roller 232A is separated from the roller 232B. Note that in the case of cold lamination, the application of heat and pressure by the lamination fixing unit 24 is not necessary.

[0102] The control unit 21 continues to wind the film F around the rotating member 30 while continuing to transport the waste paper and the film F in the winding path 284, and repeatedly cuts the film F. The control unit 21 continues the winding process until the machine configuration or system configuration, including the paper transport and image forming operations, are temporarily stopped. The control unit 21 determines whether the apparatus is ready to be stopped based on a notification from a program that manages print jobs incorporated in the image forming system 1.

[0103] Specifically, the control unit 21 ends the winding process when it is ready to stop the laminating and fixing unit 24. The control unit 21 determines the timing to end the winding process based on the time until the fixing roller pair 241 stops, or the time until the heating system transitions to a stopped state, or the like. Furthermore, when the control unit 21 is ready to stop the mechanism for feeding the film F, it ends the winding process. If the film roll 230 is large, the inertia is large and it is not possible to suddenly stop the mechanism for feeding the film F. Therefore, it is necessary to gradually slow down the transport of the film F while adjusting the tension so as not to cause slack in the film F.

[0104] Before the apparatus is stopped, the control unit 21 controls the conveying unit 28 to supply waste paper for resuming printing from the stack unit 26 via the conveying path 286 (step S28).

[0105] FIG. 10 shows the state in which waste paper Q3 for resuming printing has been supplied. Here, when roller 232A of laminating unit 23 is separated from roller 232B, after the leading edge of waste paper Q3 passes through the nip portion of roller pair 232, control unit 21 presses roller 232A against roller 232B.

[0106] Next, when the leading edge of the waste paper for restarting printing reaches the cutting section 25, the control section 21 stops the transport of the waste paper and the supply of the film F (step S29).

[0107] Next, the control unit 21 changes the protruding amount of the cutter of the cutting unit 25 and controls the cutting unit 25 to cut the ring of waste paper at the film cutting position (step S30). In this way, a sheet-like mass in which the waste paper and the film F are stacked is generated.

[0108] 11 shows a state in which the leading edge of waste paper Q3 for resuming printing has reached cutting unit 25, and rotation of rotating member 30 and supply of film F in laminating unit 23 have been stopped. Stopping rotation of rotating member 30 means stopping rotation of roller 241A and roller 31A. Stopping supply of film F means stopping rotation of film supply roller 231 and roller 232B.

[0109] In this state, the cutting unit 25 cuts the waste paper and the film F. FIG. 12 shows the state immediately after the waste paper and film F are cut by the cutting unit 25.

[0110] Next, the control unit 21 releases the nip of the fixing roller pair 241 of the laminating and fixing unit 24. The control unit 21 also reverses the rotation of the film supply roller 231 and the roller 232B to move the waste paper for restarting printing slightly upstream (step S31). This causes the leading edge of the waste paper for restarting printing, which had entered partway downstream of the nip of the fixing roller pair 241, to be pulled out. Since the leading edge of the waste paper for restarting printing has passed through the laminating and fixing unit 24 once, the film F is fixed thereto.

[0111] FIG. 13 shows a state in which the nip between the fixing roller pair 241 has been released and the waste paper Q3 for resuming printing has been pulled out from the nip between the fixing roller pair 241.

[0112] Next, the control unit 21 switches the switching gate 40 to the normal path 283 (gate position 40A shown in FIG. 3) before the portion corresponding to the leading edge of the separated wrapped waste paper reaches the switching gate 40 (step S32).

[0113] Next, the control unit 21 presses the nip of the fixing roller pair 241 of the laminating fixing unit 24, and discharges the waste paper with the film F from the purge path to the outside of the machine (step S33). The waste paper with the film F is a single sheet formed by cutting the ring of the waste paper. The control unit 21 controls the conveying unit 28 to discharge the waste paper with the film F to the outside (for example, the discharge tray T12) via the normal path 283.

[0114] FIG. 14 shows the state in which the waste paper with film F attached is in the middle of being purged. The control unit 21 presses the roller 241A of the pair of fixing rollers 241 against the roller 241B, and rotates the roller 241A and the roller 31A. The control unit 21 performs a positioning operation for the waste paper Q3 for restarting printing. The control unit 21 stops the rotation of the film supply roller 231 and the roller 232B at the position where the positioning operation for the waste paper Q3 for restarting printing has been completed.

[0115] Thereafter, the control unit 21 causes the laminating device 20 to return to an idle state, and causes the pair of fixing rollers 241 to start warming up. This completes the process when the paper gap is enlarged.

[0116] As described above, according to this embodiment, when a gap of a predetermined amount or more occurs between a plurality of regular papers supplied to the continuous conveying unit 22, the control unit 21 of the laminating device 20 supplies waste paper to the continuous conveying unit 22 following the regular paper immediately before the gap. Then, the control unit 21 wraps the waste paper to which the film F is attached by the laminating unit 23 around the rotating member 30. This allows the control unit 21 to prevent the adhesive layer of the film F from adhering to rollers or the like on the paper conveying path, and to avoid a situation in which the laminating device 20 stops. Therefore, the control unit 21 can reduce the workload and downtime that may occur when a gap occurs between the papers supplied to the laminating device 20. The control unit 21 can prevent a decrease in productivity in the laminating device 20. In addition, the control unit 21 can automatically respond to a situation in which the paper supply interval is not constant, regardless of the operator's skill.

[0117] Furthermore, the control unit 21 supplies the number of waste papers necessary for one revolution of the rotating member 30 to the continuous conveying unit 22, and wraps the waste papers around the rotating member 30. This allows the control unit 21 to prevent the film F from adhering to the conveying member, etc., with only one revolution of the waste papers. Therefore, the control unit 21 does not need to continue supplying waste papers.

[0118] The control unit 21 supplies waste paper from a stack unit 26 provided upstream of the continuous transport unit 22 on the paper transport path to the continuous transport unit 22. This allows the control unit 21 to immediately supply waste paper when it becomes necessary.

[0119] The control unit 21 causes the waste paper to merge with the continuous conveyance unit 22 via a conveyance path 286 that is different from the conveyance path 282 to which the plurality of regular papers are supplied. This allows the control unit 21 to supply the waste paper without interfering with the conveyance of the regular papers.

[0120] Before starting the lamination process, the control unit 21 keeps a predetermined number of waste papers in a standby state in the stack unit 26. This allows the control unit 21 to immediately supply waste papers when they become necessary.

[0121] When a gap of a predetermined amount or more occurs between multiple regular papers supplied to the continuous conveying unit 22, the control unit 21 controls the switching gate 40 to guide the waste paper to the winding path 284. This enables the control unit 21 to smoothly wind the waste paper around the rotating member 30.

[0122] The winding path 284 guides the waste paper so that it again comes into contact with the film F located upstream of the portion of film F attached to the waste paper. This allows the control unit 21 to efficiently wind the film F around the rotating member 30.

[0123] The control unit 21 causes the cutting unit 25 to cut the waste paper and film F wound around the rotating member 30, and causes the cut waste paper and film F to be discharged to a predetermined discharge unit (such as the discharge tray T12). In this way, the control unit 21 can automatically discharge unnecessary waste paper and film F wound around the rotating member 30.

[0124] Furthermore, by applying the present invention to a laminating device 20 (hot laminator) equipped with a laminating fixing section 24, the adhesive layer of the film F can be prevented from coming into direct contact with the laminating fixing section 24.

[0125] The above description of the embodiment is an example of the laminating device, the program, and the laminating system according to the present invention, and is not limited thereto. The detailed configuration and detailed operation of each part constituting the system can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0126] For example, in the above embodiment, the continuous conveying unit 22 has been described as overlapping the trailing edge of a preceding sheet of paper with the leading edge of a succeeding sheet of paper that is being continuously conveyed. Alternatively, the continuous conveying unit 22 may convey a plurality of sheets of paper so as to reduce the gap between the plurality of sheets of paper that are being continuously conveyed. The gap between the sheets of paper may be zero, or may be such that the adhesive layer of the film F is not exposed on the opposite side of the sheets of paper.

[0127] In the above embodiment, a description has been given of a case in which waste paper to be used in the winding process and waste paper for resuming printing are kept waiting in stack unit 26. Alternatively, during the winding process, conveying unit 16 or conveying unit 28 may convey waste paper from paper feed unit 17 of image forming device 10 via a bypass route that is different from the paper conveying route during normal image formation.

[0128] Furthermore, the control unit 21 may determine whether or not the state is reversible based on the number of times the film F is layered in the winding process. For example, when the control unit 21 determines that the layered state of the waste paper and film F wound around the rotating member 30 makes it difficult to discharge the waste paper and film F by transport along the purge path, it cuts the paper, stops the machine, and handles it in the same way as jam processing. In other words, the control unit 21 transmits an instruction to the image forming device 10 to display a message to remove the waste paper and film F from the rotating member 30. The control unit 11 of the image forming device 10 then displays the message on the display unit 151, and prompts the user to remove the waste paper and film F.

[0129] Also, in step S27 of the paper gap expansion process (see FIG. 6), instead of cutting the film F every time the waste paper makes one revolution around the rotating member 30, perforations may be made in the film F at the same position on the ring of waste paper. The purpose of the process in step S27 is to make it easier to finally cut the ring of waste paper in step S30.

[0130] Furthermore, the control unit 21 does not have to temporarily stop the laminating device 20 during the process when the paper gap has been increased. If the control unit 21 waits a certain amount of time, and if the paper after the paper gap has been increased is fed into the laminating device 20, the control unit 21 may continue the process of winding the film F around the rotating member 30. Then, the control unit 21 may insert waste paper for resuming printing from the stack unit 26 immediately before the paper after the paper gap is fed from the image forming device 10.

[0131] In the above embodiment, the image forming system 1 is configured such that the control unit 11 that controls the image forming device 10 and the control unit 21 that controls the laminating device 20 are provided separately. Alternatively, the control unit that controls the entire image forming system 1 may execute each process.

[0132] In the above description, an example has been disclosed in which a ROM is used as a computer-readable medium storing a program for executing each process, but the present invention is not limited to this example. As other computer-readable media, non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, and portable recording media such as a CD-ROM may be used. In addition, a carrier wave may be used as a medium for providing program data via a communication line. [Explanation of symbols]

[0133] 1. Image forming system 10 Image forming device 11 Control section 13 Image forming section 14 Storage section 15 Operation Panel 16 Conveyor section 17 Paper feed section 19 IF Section 20 Laminating equipment 21 Control section 22 Continuous conveying section 23 Lamination Department 24 Lamination fixing section 25 Cut section 26 Stack Section 27 Memory section 28 Conveyor 29 IF Section 30 Rotating member 40 Switching Gate 230 Film Roll F Film G1~G4 Guide plate

Claims

1. a continuous conveying unit that conveys a plurality of sheets without any gaps between the sheets; a laminating unit that attaches a strip-shaped film having an adhesive layer to one side of the plurality of sheets transported by the continuous transport unit; a control unit that, when a gap of a predetermined amount or more occurs between a plurality of first sheets supplied to the continuous conveying unit, supplies a second sheet to the continuous conveying unit following a first sheet of the plurality of first sheets immediately preceding the gap, and wraps the second sheet to which the film has been attached by the laminating unit around a rotating member provided on a surface of the second sheet opposite to the film; A lamination device comprising:

2. The laminating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control section supplies the second sheets to the continuous conveying section in a number required for the second sheets to make one revolution around the rotating member.

3. The laminating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit supplies the second sheet to the continuous transport unit from a standby unit provided upstream of the continuous transport unit in a sheet transport path.

4. The laminating apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the control unit causes the second sheet to merge with the continuous conveying unit via a path different from a path along which the plurality of first sheets are supplied.

5. The laminating apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the control unit keeps a predetermined number of the second sheets in a standby state in the standby unit before the laminating unit starts a process of attaching the film to the plurality of first sheets.

6. a path switching unit that switches between a first path along which the plurality of first sheets are transported and a second path for winding the second sheet around the rotating member, the path switching unit being disposed downstream of the laminating unit in the sheet transport path; The lamination apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls the path switching unit to guide the second sheet to the second path when a gap occurs between the multiple first sheets supplied to the continuous conveying unit.

7. The laminating apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the control unit guides the second sheet to the second path with the film attached thereto.

8. The laminating apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the second path guides the second sheet so as to again come into contact with the film located upstream of the portion of the film attached to the second sheet.

9. a cutting unit configured to cut the film or the sheet after the film is attached to the sheet by the laminating unit, the cutting unit being located upstream of the path switching unit in the sheet conveying path and downstream of the upstream end of the rotating member; The laminating apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the control unit causes the cutting unit to cut the second sheet and the film wound around the rotating member, and discharges the cut second sheet and the film to a predetermined discharge unit.

10. The laminating apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a laminating fixing section that applies heat and pressure to the sheet to which the film has been attached by the laminating section, thereby bonding the film and the sheet together.

11. A computer for a laminating device including a continuous conveying unit that conveys a plurality of sheets with no gaps between the sheets, and a laminating unit that attaches a strip-shaped film having an adhesive layer to one side of the plurality of sheets conveyed by the continuous conveying unit, A program for functioning as a control unit that, when a gap of a predetermined amount or more occurs between multiple first sheets supplied to the continuous conveying unit, supplies a second sheet to the continuous conveying unit following the first sheet of the multiple first sheets that is immediately before the gap, and wraps the second sheet to which the film has been attached by the laminating unit around a rotating member provided on the side of the second sheet opposite the film.

12. an image forming unit for forming images on a plurality of sheets; a continuous conveying unit that conveys the plurality of sheets without any gaps between the sheets; a laminating unit that attaches a strip-shaped film having an adhesive layer to one side of the plurality of sheets transported by the continuous transport unit; a control unit that, when a gap of a predetermined amount or more occurs between a plurality of first sheets supplied to the continuous conveying unit, supplies a second sheet to the continuous conveying unit following a first sheet of the plurality of first sheets immediately preceding the gap, and wraps the second sheet to which the film has been attached by the laminating unit around a rotating member provided on a surface of the second sheet opposite to the film; A lamination system comprising:

Images