Lamination system and program

Abstract

To prevent repeated defects in a lamination process.SOLUTION: A lamination system 1 includes: an image forming unit 13 for forming an image on a sheet; a laminating unit 23 that is provided downstream of the image forming unit 13 and laminates a film F onto the sheet; and a control unit 11 that performs a test lamination process in which the sheet on which no image is formed or the sheet on which a test image different from the image of a job is formed by the mage forming unit 13 is laminated by the laminating unit 23 before an execution of the job.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a laminating system and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a laminating apparatus for coating a printed matter with a transparent resin film has been used. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a laminating apparatus that is connected to an image forming apparatus and laminates a film having an adhesive layer on a sheet sequentially conveyed from the upstream side.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the laminating process of a conventional laminating apparatus, defects may occur due to wrinkles generated in the film or air bubbles mixed between the sheet and the film. Furthermore, when the cause of the defect in the laminating process is the state of the paper after image formation (paper characteristics, etc.), the state of the film used in the laminating process, the environment where the laminating apparatus is installed, etc., there is a possibility that the defect may occur continuously.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems in the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a laminating system and a program capable of preventing continuous occurrence of defects in the laminating process.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the laminating system according to claim 1 is An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; A laminating unit provided downstream of the image forming unit, for laminating a film onto the sheet; A control unit that executes a test laminating process of laminating, by the laminating unit, a sheet on which no image is formed or a sheet on which a test image different from the image of the job is formed by the image forming unit, before execution of the job; and comprising.

[0007] The invention according to claim 2 is the laminating system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes a printing rate in the image formed by the image forming unit in the test laminating process.

[0008] The invention according to claim 3 is the laminating system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit forms an image on the sheet by the image forming unit at at least one of a maximum printing rate and a minimum printing rate in the image of the job in the test laminating process.

[0009] The invention according to claim 4 is the laminating system according to claim 1, wherein the test image includes a pattern image for performing color tone adjustment.

[0010] The invention according to claim 5 is the laminating system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit executes the test laminating process when the job includes the laminating process.

[0011] The invention according to claim 6 is the laminating system according to claim 1, wherein it comprises a sheet feeding unit that feeds a sheet to the image forming unit, and the control unit executes the test laminating process when a sheet of a type or characteristic different from the sheet used in the previously executed job is stored in the sheet feeding unit.

[0012] The invention according to claim 7 is the laminating system according to claim 6, wherein it includes a media detection unit that detects the characteristics of the paper stored in the paper feeding unit, when the characteristics of the paper detected by the media detection unit are different from the characteristics of the paper on which no defect occurred in the test laminating process, or when the type of paper determined based on the characteristics of the paper detected by the media detection unit is different from the type of paper on which no defect occurred in the test laminating process, the control unit executes the test laminating process.

[0013] The invention according to claim 8 is the laminating system according to claim 6, wherein when the paper stored in the paper feeding unit has been replaced after the previous job execution, the control unit executes the test laminating process.

[0014] The invention according to claim 9 is the laminating system according to claim 1, wherein when a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous laminating process by the laminating unit, the control unit executes the test laminating process.

[0015] The invention according to claim 10 is the laminating system according to claim 1, wherein the laminating unit includes a film detection unit that detects that a film is attached to the laminating unit, when the attachment of the film is detected by the film detection unit after the previous job execution, the control unit executes the test laminating process.

[0016] The invention according to claim 11 is the laminating system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit includes a fixing unit that fixes the toner image on the paper, the paper on which no image is formed includes the paper that has undergone the fixing operation by the fixing unit without forming the toner image.

[0017] The invention according to claim 12 is in the laminating system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit includes a fixing unit that fixes the toner image on the paper, and the control unit sets the fixing temperature in the fixing unit according to the setting information of the job in the test laminating process.

[0018] The invention according to claim 13 is in the laminating system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit includes a fixing unit that fixes the toner image on the paper, and the control unit sets the fixing temperature in the fixing unit according to the number of printed sheets of the job in the test laminating process.

[0019] The invention according to claim 14 is in the laminating system according to claim 1, after completion of the test laminating process, the control unit displays on the display unit means for instructing execution of the job.

[0020] The program according to claim 15 is an image forming unit that forms an image on paper, a laminating unit provided downstream of the image forming unit that laminates a film on the paper, and causes a computer of the laminating system including the above to function as a control unit that executes a test laminating process of laminating, by the laminating unit, paper on which no image is formed or paper on which a test image different from the image of the job is formed by the image forming unit, before execution of the job.

Advantages of the Invention

[0021] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent continuous occurrence of defects in the laminating process.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the laminating system and program 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.

[0024] 〔1. Configuration of the Laminating System〕 FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the laminating system 1 in the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the laminating system 1. The laminating system 1 includes an image forming apparatus 10 and a laminating apparatus 20.

[0025] The image forming apparatus 10 forms an image on a sheet. The image forming apparatus 10 is connected to the laminating apparatus 20. The image forming apparatus 10 continuously delivers a plurality of sheets to the laminating apparatus 20. The laminating apparatus 20 is provided downstream of the image forming apparatus 10 and performs a laminating process on the sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus 10.

[0026] 〔1-1. Configuration of the Image Forming Apparatus〕 As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a control unit 11, a document reading unit 12, an image forming unit 13, a storage unit 14, an operation panel 15, a conveyance 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.

[0027] The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The CPU reads out various programs stored in the storage unit 14 according to the operation signals input from the operation unit 152 and the instruction signals received by the communication unit 18 or the IF unit 19. The CPU expands the read various programs in the RAM, and comprehensively controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 in cooperation with the various programs expanded in the RAM.

[0028] The original document reading unit 12 outputs the image data obtained by reading the image of the original document placed on the original document table or the automatic document feeder (ADF: Auto Document Feeder) to the control unit 11.

[0029] The image forming unit 13 forms an image on the paper supplied from the paper feeding unit 17 by an electrophotographic method. The image forming unit 13 forms an image based on the image data read by the original document reading unit 12 or the image data received from an external device.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming unit 13 includes photosensitive drums 131Y, 131M, 131C, 131K corresponding to yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, an intermediate transfer belt 132, a secondary transfer roller 133, a fixing unit 134, etc.

[0031] After uniformly charging the photosensitive drum 131Y, the image forming unit 13 performs scanning exposure on the photosensitive drum 131Y with a laser beam based on the yellow image data to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 131Y. Next, the image forming unit 13 attaches yellow toner to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 131Y and develops the image. Since the photosensitive drums 131M, 131C, 131K are the same as the photosensitive drum 131Y except that the colors to be handled are different, the description thereof is omitted.

[0032] The image forming unit 13 sequentially transfers the toner images of each color formed on the photoreceptor drums 131Y, 131M, 131C, and 131K onto the intermediate transfer belt 132 (primary transfer). That is, the image forming unit 13 forms a color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 132, in which the four-color toner images are superimposed. The image forming unit 13 collectively transfers the color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 132 onto the paper by the secondary transfer roller 133 (secondary transfer). The image forming unit 13 heats and presses the paper onto which the color toner image is transferred by the fixing unit 134 to fix the color toner image on the paper.

[0033] The storage unit 14 is a non-volatile storage device including an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), etc. The storage unit 14 stores various programs, various data, and the like.

[0034] The storage unit 14 stores data of a color adjustment pattern image used for color adjustment processing for adjusting the color tone in the image formed by the image forming unit 13. In the color adjustment process, the control unit 11 forms and outputs a color adjustment pattern image on the paper by the image forming unit 13. Next, the control unit 11 reads the color adjustment pattern image on the paper by the document reading unit 12, and adjusts the color tone in the image formed by the image forming unit 13 based on the read image.

[0035] The storage unit 14 stores test termination information. The test termination information includes the type of paper and the printing rate of the image formed on the paper, in which no defect occurred in the test termination process described later. Or, the test termination information includes the characteristics of the paper and the printing rate of the image formed on the paper, in which no defect occurred in the test termination process described later.

[0036] The operation panel 15 includes a display unit 151 that displays various information to the user, and an operation unit 152 that receives operation inputs by the user. The display unit 151 includes a color liquid crystal display or the like. The display unit 151 displays various screens according to the display control signal input from the control unit 11. The operation unit 152 includes a touch panel provided on the screen of the display unit 151 and various hard keys arranged around the screen of the display unit 151. The operation unit 152 outputs an operation signal based on the user's operation to the control unit 11.

[0037] The conveyance unit 16 has a plurality of roller pairs. The conveyance unit 16 conveys the paper supplied from the paper feeding unit 17 to the image forming unit 13. The conveyance unit 16 conveys the paper on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 13 to the laminating device 20.

[0038] The paper feeding unit 17 includes paper feeding trays T1, T2, T3 and media detection units 171, 172, 173. The paper feeding unit 17 supplies paper from the paper feeding trays T1, T2, T3 to the image forming unit 13. Each paper feeding tray T1, T2, T3 stores papers of a predetermined paper type, size, etc. for each paper feeding tray T1, T2, T3.

[0039] After the user replaces the paper stored in any of the paper feeding trays T1, T2, T3, the user changes the tray setting information of the corresponding paper feeding tray. The tray setting information includes, for example, the size of the paper, the type of the paper, the name of the paper, the basis weight of the paper, etc. When the tray setting information is changed by the user, the control unit 11 stores the changed tray setting information in the storage unit 14 as the tray setting information change history together with the changed time.

[0040] The media detection unit 171 detects the characteristics of the paper stored in the paper feeding tray T1 and outputs the detection result to the control unit 11. The media detection unit 172 detects the characteristics of the paper stored in the paper feeding tray T2 and outputs the detection result to the control unit 11. The media detection unit 173 detects the characteristics of the paper stored in the paper feeding tray T3 and outputs the detection result to the control unit 11. The characteristics of the paper are the size of the paper, the paper thickness, the basis weight, the moisture content, the stiffness, the surface property, the electrical resistance, etc.

[0041] The communication unit 18 is an interface for connecting the image forming apparatus 10 to a communication network. The communication unit 18 transmits and receives various data with external devices connected to the communication network.

[0042] The IF unit 19 is an interface for transmitting and receiving data between the image forming apparatus 10 and the laminating apparatus 20.

[0043] 〔1-2. Configuration of the Laminating Apparatus〕 As shown in FIG. 2, the laminating apparatus 20 includes a control unit 21, a superimposing unit 22, a laminating unit 23, a separating unit 24, a storage unit 25, a conveying unit 26, an IF unit 27, and the like.

[0044] The control unit 21 includes a CPU, a RAM, etc. The CPU reads out various programs stored in the storage unit 25 in accordance with an instruction signal received from the image forming apparatus 10 by the IF unit 27. The CPU expands the read-out various programs in the RAM, and comprehensively controls the operation of the laminating apparatus 20 in cooperation with the various programs expanded in the RAM.

[0045] The superimposing unit 22 is provided upstream of the laminating unit 23 in the paper conveyance path. The superimposing unit 22 superimposes the leading and trailing edges of consecutive sheets (single sheets) conveyed from the image forming apparatus 10. Specifically, the superimposing unit 22 superimposes the trailing edge of the preceding sheet by a predetermined amount on the upper part of the leading edge of the subsequent sheet, and conveys the continuously connected sheets in a strip shape. The superimposing unit 22 conveys a plurality of sheets to the laminating unit 23 in a state where the leading and trailing edges of the sheets are superimposed.

[0046] For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the overlapping portion 22 conveys the sheets P1 and P2 such that the rear end of the sheet P1 conveyed along the sheet conveyance direction Y slightly (by a predetermined amount) overlaps the upper part of the front end of the sheet P2. Similarly, the overlapping portion 22 conveys the sheets P2 and P3 such that the rear end of the sheet P2 slightly overlaps the upper part of the front end of the sheet P3. The overlapping portion 22 conveys each of the sheets P1 to P3 toward the laminating portion 23.

[0047] The laminating portion 23 overlays a film F (laminating film) having an adhesive layer on the plurality of conveyed sheets. The laminating portion 23 laminates each sheet with the film F. The laminating portion 23 continuously attaches the film F to the surface of the sheets overlapped by the overlapping portion 22.

[0048] The laminating portion 23 includes a film roll 231, a bonding portion 232, a laminating fixing portion 233, a film detection portion 234, and the like.

[0049] The film roll 231 is a roll around which the film F is wound in a roll shape. The film F has a transparent resin film layer and an adhesive layer. An adhesive that thermally melts is applied to one side of the film F to form the adhesive layer. The film F is conveyed from the film roll 231 to the nip portion of the bonding portion 232. The film detection portion 234 detects that the film roll 231 is attached to the laminating device 20 and outputs the detection result to the control portion 21. The control portion 21 outputs the detection result to the image forming device 10 via the IF portion 27. The control portion 11 of the image forming device 10 stores the detection result received from the laminating device 20 in the storage portion 14 as the attachment detection history of the film roll 231 together with the time when the detection result was received.

[0050] The bonding portion 232 is provided with a pair of rollers. The bonding portion 232 sandwiches the paper and the film F at the nip portion formed by the pair of rollers, thereby bonding the adhesive layer of the film F to the surface of the paper. As a result, the paper and the film F are bonded together. By overlapping the leading and trailing edges of the papers with each other by the overlapping portion 22, it is possible to prevent the adhesive applied to the film F from coming into contact with anything other than the paper in the path after the bonding portion 232.

[0051] The laminating fixing portion 233 fixes the film F to the paper by applying heat and pressure to the paper and the film F bonded by the bonding portion 232. The laminating fixing portion 233 melts the adhesive layer of the film F, bonds the melted adhesive layer to the surface of the paper, and performs thermocompression bonding.

[0052] The separating portion 24 is provided downstream of the laminating portion 23 in the paper conveyance path. The separating portion 24 cuts the film F between the papers that are continuously conveyed with the film F laminated, and separates the papers from each other.

[0053] Fig. 4 shows a schematic configuration of the separating portion 24. As shown in Fig. 4, the leading paper P11 and the trailing paper P12 are being conveyed in a state where the trailing edge of the leading paper P11 overlaps the leading edge of the trailing paper P12 in the paper conveyance direction Y.

[0054] The separating portion 24 includes a guide member 241, a cutter 242, and a moving mechanism (not shown). The guide member 241 is a member that extends in the width direction X orthogonal to the paper conveyance direction Y. The moving mechanism moves the cutter 242 along the guide member 241. Actually, the guide member 241 is provided along a direction A that forms a predetermined angle θ with the width direction X of the paper.

[0055] The separating unit 24 inserts the cutter 242 between the leading sheet P11 and the subsequent sheet P12. The separating unit 24 moves the cutter 242 in the width direction X (actually direction A) of the sheet, and cuts the film F along the edge at the rear end of the leading sheet P11. That is, the separating unit 24 cuts the film F between the sheets for each sheet connected by adhering to the film F, and returns it to individual sheets.

[0056] The storage unit 25 is a non-volatile storage device including an HDD, an SSD, etc. The storage unit 25 stores various programs, various data, etc.

[0057] The conveying unit 26 has a plurality of roller pairs. The conveying unit 26 conveys the sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus 10 within the laminating apparatus 20.

[0058] The IF unit 27 is an interface for transmitting and receiving data between the laminating apparatus 20 and the image forming apparatus 10.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 1, the laminating apparatus 20 includes a paper discharge tray T11. The laminating apparatus 20 discharges the sheet that has passed through the laminating apparatus 20 to the paper discharge tray T11.

[0060] [2. Operation of the Laminating System] Next, the operation of the laminating system 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing pre-job control processing executed in the laminating system 1. The pre-job control processing is realized by software processing through the cooperation of the CPU of the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 and the program stored in the storage unit 14.

[0061] By the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 executing the pre-job control processing, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of consecutive defects in the laminating process in the laminating system 1. Defects in the laminating process are, for example, the occurrence of wrinkles in the laminating film, the inclusion of air bubbles between the sheet and the laminating film, etc. Defects in the lamination process occur, for example, due to changes in the characteristics of the paper by heating and pressing the paper in the fixing unit 134. Defects in the lamination process occur, for example, due to changes in the characteristics of the paper by a change in the printing rate of the image formed on the paper. Defects in the lamination process occur, for example, due to changes in the characteristics of the paper by changing the type of paper. Defects in the lamination process occur, for example, due to deterioration of the lamination film over time.

[0062] The control unit 11 executes pre-job control processing triggered by acquiring the data of the job. The control unit 11 may receive the data of the job from an external device via the communication unit 18, or may acquire it based on an operation instruction from the operation unit 152. The data of the job includes the image data of the job and the setting information of the job. The setting information of the job includes the type and size of the paper used in the job, information indicating the number of printed sheets, image formation conditions, etc. When the job includes a lamination process, the setting information of the job includes information related to the lamination process.

[0063] At the start of the pre-job control processing, at least one of the paper feed trays T1, T2, and T3 stores the paper used for the job. And a film roll 231 of the film F used for the job is attached to the lamination unit 23.

[0064] (Pre-job control processing) The control unit 11 determines whether the job includes a lamination process based on the acquired job data (step S1). The case where the job includes a lamination process (step S1; YES) will be described. In this case, the control unit 11 refers to the tray setting information change history stored in the storage unit 14, and determines whether the paper stored in at least one of the paper feed trays T1, T2, and T3 has been replaced by the user after the previous job execution (step S2). If, after the previous job execution, the paper stored in any paper feed tray has been replaced by the user (step S2; YES), the control unit 11 proceeds to the pre-job control process at step S7.

[0065] On the other hand, the case where the paper has not been replaced by the user since the previous job execution (step S2; NO) will be described. In this case, the control unit 11 refers to the mounting detection history of the film roll 231 stored in the storage unit 14 and determines whether the mounting of the film roll 231 has been detected after the previous job execution (step S3). If the mounting of the film roll 231 has been detected after the previous job execution (step S3; YES), the control unit 11 proceeds to the pre-job control process at step S7. The case where the mounting of the film roll 231 has been detected means, for example, that the film roll 231 has been replaced by the user.

[0066] On the other hand, the case where the mounting of the film roll 231 has not been detected since the previous job execution (step S3; NO) will be described. In this case, the control unit 11 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the execution of the previous lamination process by the laminating apparatus 20 (step S4). The predetermined time varies depending on the type of the film F, and is the time during which the film F may deteriorate over time when left in a state where it is not laminated. If a predetermined time has elapsed since the execution of the previous lamination process (step S4; YES), the control unit 11 proceeds to the pre-job control process at step S7.

[0067] First, a case where a predetermined time has not elapsed since the execution of the previous lamination process (step S4; NO) will be described. In this case, the control unit 11 detects the characteristics of the sheets stored in the paper feed trays T1, T2, and T3 by the media detection units 171, 172, and 173. Next, the control unit 11 determines whether the detected characteristics of the sheets are included in the test lamination information stored in the storage unit 14. Alternatively, the control unit 11 determines the type of the sheet based on the detected characteristics of the sheet, and determines whether the determined type of the sheet is included in the test lamination information stored in the storage unit 14 (step S5). If the characteristics of the sheet or the type of the sheet stored in any of the paper feed trays T1, T2, and T3 are not included in the test lamination information (step S5; NO), the control unit 11 proceeds to step S7 for pre-job control processing.

[0068] When the sheets stored in any of the paper feed trays have been replaced by the user after the execution of the previous job (step S2; YES), or when the characteristics of the sheets or the type of the sheet stored in any of the paper feed trays are not included in the test lamination information (step S5; NO), it means that sheets of a different type or characteristics from the sheets used in the previous job are stored in any of the paper feed trays.

[0069] Next, a case where the characteristics of the sheets or the type of the sheet stored in the paper feed trays T1, T2, and T3 are included in the test lamination information (step S5; YES) will be described. In this case, the control unit 11 determines whether the printing rate of the job image is included in the test lamination information stored in the storage unit 14 based on the acquired job data (step S6). If the printing rate of the job image is not included in the test lamination information (step S6; NO), the control unit 11 proceeds to step S7 for pre-job control processing.

[0070] After steps S2, S3, S4, S5, and S6, the control unit 11 executes the test lamination process shown in FIG. 6 (step S7).

[0071] (Test Lamination Process) The control unit 11 causes the conveyance unit 16 to convey the sheets stored in the paper feed trays T1, T2, and T3 to the image forming unit 13, respectively (step A1). If the sheets stored in any of the paper feed trays are replaced by the user after the previous job execution (step S2; YES), in step A1, the control unit 11 conveys the sheets only from the paper feed tray where the sheets have been replaced.

[0072] Next, the control unit 11 causes the image forming unit 13 to form a toner image of the color adjustment pattern image on the sheets supplied from the paper feed trays T1, T2, and T3 (step A2). In step A2, the control unit 11 changes the printing rate in the image formed by the image forming unit 13. Specifically, the control unit 11 forms a toner image of the color adjustment pattern image at the maximum printing rate and the minimum printing rate in the job image based on the acquired job data. In step A2, the control unit 11 may form a toner image of the color adjustment pattern image at at least one of the maximum printing rate and the minimum printing rate in the job image. In step A2, the control unit 11 may change the printing rate in the image formed by the image forming unit 13 for each sheet, or may change the printing rate in the image formed by the image forming unit 13 on a single sheet.

[0073] Next, the control unit 11 causes the fixing unit 134 of the image forming unit 13 to fix the toner image formed in step A2 onto the sheet (step A3). In step A3, the control unit 11 performs a fixing operation at a fixing temperature corresponding to the number of printed sheets based on the acquired job setting information. When continuous printing is performed by the image forming unit 13, the temperature of the fixing unit 134 decreases. Therefore, the control unit 11 performs the fixing operation for each sheet based on the fixing temperature at the time of printing at least the first sheet and the fixing temperature when the temperature of the fixing unit 134 drops when continuously printing the maximum number of printed sheets included in the job setting information.

[0074] Next, the control unit 11 controls the control unit 21 to laminate the film F on the paper on which the image has been formed, and outputs the laminated paper (output) to the paper discharge tray T11 (step A4).

[0075] The user checks whether there are any defects in the output output to the paper discharge tray T11, such as wrinkles in the film or bubbles mixed between the paper and the film. If no defects are found, the user instructs, via the operation unit 152, to save the type or characteristics of the paper used for the test lamination process and the printing rate of the image formed on the paper. Based on the user's instruction operation, the control unit 11 stores, in the storage unit 14, as test lamination information, the type or characteristics of the paper for which no defects have occurred and the printing rate of the image formed on the paper (step A5), and ends the test lamination process.

[0076] Returning to FIG. 5, the control unit 11 displays a job execution button, which is a means for instructing the execution of a job, on the display unit 151 (step S8), and ends the pre-job control process.

[0077] If the job does not include a lamination process (step S1; NO), or if the printing rate of the job image is included in the test lamination information (step S6; YES), the control unit 11 proceeds to step S8 in the pre-job control process. That is, in this case, the test lamination process is not executed.

[0078] In the above test lamination process, the control unit 11 may omit step A2. In this case, in step A3, the control unit 11 performs a fixing operation on the paper on which the toner image has not been formed by the fixing unit 134. In step A2 of the above test lamination process, the control unit 11 may form a toner image other than the color tone adjustment pattern image on the paper by the image forming unit 13.

[0079] [3. Effects] As described above, the laminating system 1 of the present embodiment includes an image forming unit 13 that forms an image on a sheet. The laminating system 1 of the present embodiment includes a laminating unit 23 that is provided downstream of the image forming unit 13 and laminates a film F on a sheet. The laminating system 1 of the present embodiment includes a control unit 11 that executes a test laminating process of laminating, by the laminating unit 23, a sheet on which no image is formed or a sheet on which a test image different from the job image is formed by the image forming unit 13 before the execution of the job. Thereby, the user can confirm whether or not a defect occurs in the laminating process before executing the job. Therefore, it is possible to prevent continuous occurrence of defects in the laminating process.

[0080] In the laminating system 1 of the present embodiment, the control unit 11 changes the printing rate in the image formed by the image forming unit 13 in the test laminating process. When the printing rate of the image formed on the sheet changes, the characteristics of the sheet also change. Therefore, thereby, the user can confirm whether or not a defect occurs in the laminating process when the printing rate changes before executing the job.

[0081] In the laminating system 1 of the present embodiment, the control unit 11 forms an image on a sheet by the image forming unit 13 at at least one of the maximum printing rate and the minimum printing rate in the job image in the test laminating process. Thereby, the user can confirm whether or not a defect occurs when the sheet on which the job image is formed is laminated before executing the job.

[0082] In the laminating system 1 of the present embodiment, the test image includes a pattern image for performing color tone adjustment. Thereby, the test laminating process and the color tone adjustment process can be executed simultaneously.

[0083] In the laminating system 1 of the present embodiment, when the job includes a laminating process, the control unit 11 executes a test laminating process. Thereby, the user can confirm before executing the job whether a defect occurs in the laminating process included in the job.

[0084] The laminating system 1 of the present embodiment includes a paper feeding unit 17 that feeds paper to the image forming unit 13. In the laminating system 1 of the present embodiment, when paper of a type or characteristic different from the paper used in the previously executed job is stored in the paper feeding unit 17, the control unit 11 executes a test laminating process. Thereby, the user can confirm before executing the job whether a defect occurs in the laminating process using paper of a type or characteristic different from the paper used in the previously executed job.

[0085] The laminating system 1 of the present embodiment includes media detection units 171, 172, 173 that detect the characteristics of the paper stored in the paper feeding unit 17. In the laminating system 1 of the present embodiment, when the characteristics of the paper detected by the media detection units 171, 172, 173 are different from the characteristics of the paper in which no defect occurred in the test laminating process, or when the type of paper determined based on the characteristics of the paper detected by the media detection units 171, 172, 173 is different from the type of paper in which no defect occurred in the test laminating process, the control unit 11 executes a test laminating process. Thereby, the user can confirm before executing the job whether a defect occurs in the laminating process using paper other than the paper confirmed not to have a defect in the past test laminating process.

[0086] In the laminating system 1 of the present embodiment, when the paper stored in the paper feeding unit 17 is replaced after the previous job execution, the control unit 11 executes a test laminating process. As a result, the user can check before executing the job whether or not defects occur in the lamination process using the replaced paper.

[0087] In the lamination system 1 of the present embodiment, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous lamination process by the lamination unit 23, the control unit 11 executes a test lamination process. As a result, the user can check before executing the job whether or not defects occur in the lamination process due to deterioration of the lamination film over time.

[0088] The lamination unit 23 of the lamination system 1 of the present embodiment includes a film detection unit 234 that detects that a film is attached to the lamination unit 23. In the lamination system 1 of the present embodiment, when the film detection unit 234 detects the attachment of the film F after the previous job execution, the control unit 11 executes a test lamination process. As a result, the user can check before executing the job whether or not defects occur in the lamination process using the replaced lamination film.

[0089] The image forming unit 13 of the lamination system 1 of the present embodiment includes a fixing unit 134 that fixes the toner image on the paper. In the lamination system 1 of the present embodiment, the paper on which no image is formed includes the paper on which the fixing operation by the fixing unit 134 is performed without forming a toner image. As a result, the user can check before executing the job whether or not defects occur in the lamination process using the paper whose characteristics have changed due to heating and pressurization by the fixing unit 134.

[0090] The image forming unit 13 of the lamination system 1 of the present embodiment includes a fixing unit 134 that fixes the toner image on the paper. In the lamination system 1 of the present embodiment, in the test lamination process, the control unit 11 sets the fixing temperature in the fixing unit 134 according to the setting information of the job. As a result, before executing the job, the user can check whether or not defects occur in the lamination process using the paper whose characteristics have changed after being heated at the fixing temperature corresponding to the job setting information.

[0091] The image forming unit 13 of the lamination system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a fixing unit 134 that fixes the toner image on the paper. In the lamination system 1 according to the present embodiment, the control unit 11 sets the fixing temperature in the fixing unit 134 according to the number of printed sheets of the job in the test lamination process. As a result, before executing the job, the user can check whether or not defects occur in the lamination process using the paper whose characteristics have changed after being heated at the fixing temperature corresponding to the number of printed sheets of the job.

[0092] In the lamination system 1 according to the present embodiment, after the test lamination process is completed, the control unit 11 displays means for instructing the execution of the job on the display unit 151. As a result, after checking whether or not defects occur in the lamination process, the user can instruct the execution of the job.

[0093] Note that the description in the above embodiment is an example of the lamination system and program according to the present invention, and is not limited thereto. The detailed configuration and detailed operation of each device constituting the system can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0094] In the above embodiment, it is assumed that the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 executes the pre-job control process, but the control unit 21 of the lamination apparatus 20 may execute the pre-job control process. In the above embodiment, in the lamination system 1, the control unit 11 that controls the image forming apparatus 10 and the control unit 21 that controls the lamination apparatus 20 are provided separately, but the present invention is not limited to this. The lamination system 1 may include a control unit that controls both the image forming apparatus 10 and the lamination apparatus 20. In this case, the control unit that controls the lamination system 1 executes the pre-job control process.

[0095] The laminating device 20 may include an image reading unit that reads the paper after being separated by the separation unit 24 downstream of the separation unit 24. In this case, the control unit that controls the laminating system 1 may determine whether the paper after being separated by the separation unit 24 is a good product or a defective product based on the read image by the image reading unit.

[0096] The computer-readable medium storing the program for executing each process is not limited to the above example. As the computer-readable medium for storing the program, a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM may be applied. Also, a carrier wave may be applied as the medium for providing the program data via a communication line.

Explanation of Signs

[0097] 1 Laminating system 10 Image forming apparatus 11 Control unit 13 Image forming unit 14 Storage unit 16 Conveying unit 17 Paper feeding unit 171, 172, 173 Media detection unit 18 Communication unit 19 IF unit 20 Laminating device 21 Control unit 22 Overlay unit 23 Laminating unit 231 Film roll 232 Bonding unit 233 Laminating fixing unit 234 Film detection unit 24 Separation unit 25 Storage unit 26 Conveying unit 27 IF unit F Film T1, T2, T3 Paper feeding tray T11 Discharge tray

Claims

1. An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; A laminating unit provided downstream of the image forming unit for laminating a film on the sheet; A control unit that executes a test lamination process of laminating, by the laminating unit, a sheet on which no image is formed or a sheet on which a test image different from the image of the job is formed by the image forming unit before executing the job; A laminating system comprising the above.

2. The laminating system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes a printing rate in the image formed by the image forming unit in the test lamination process.

3. The laminating system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit forms an image on the sheet by the image forming unit at at least one of a maximum printing rate and a minimum printing rate in the image of the job in the test lamination process.

4. The laminating system according to claim 1, wherein the test image includes a pattern image for performing color tone adjustment.

5. The laminating system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit executes the test lamination process when the job includes the laminating process.

6. Comprising a paper feeding unit that feeds a sheet to the image forming unit, The laminating system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit executes the test lamination process when a sheet of a different type or characteristic from the sheet used in the previously executed job is stored in the paper feeding unit.

7. Comprising a media detection unit that detects the characteristics of the sheet stored in the paper feeding unit, The laminating system according to claim 6, wherein the control unit executes the test lamination process when the characteristics of the sheet detected by the media detection unit are different from the characteristics of the sheet on which no defect occurred in the test lamination process, or when the type of the sheet determined based on the characteristics of the sheet detected by the media detection unit is different from the type of the sheet on which no defect occurred in the test lamination process.

8. The laminating system according to claim 6, wherein the control unit executes the test lamination process when the sheet stored in the paper feeding unit is replaced after the previous job execution.

9. The laminating system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit executes the test laminating process when a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous laminating process by the laminating unit.

10. The laminating unit includes a film detection unit that detects that a film is attached to the laminating unit. The laminating system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit executes the test laminating process when the film detection unit detects that a film is attached after the execution of the previous job.

11. The image forming unit includes a fixing unit that fixes the toner image on the paper. The laminating system according to claim 1, wherein the paper on which no image is formed includes the paper that has undergone the fixing operation by the fixing unit without forming the toner image.

12. The image forming unit includes a fixing unit that fixes the toner image on the paper. The laminating system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sets the fixing temperature in the fixing unit according to the setting information of the job in the test laminating process.

13. The image forming unit includes a fixing unit that fixes the toner image on the paper. The laminating system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sets the fixing temperature in the fixing unit according to the number of printed sheets of the job in the test laminating process.

14. The laminating system according to claim 1, wherein after completion of the test laminating process, the control unit displays on the display unit means for instructing execution of the job.

15. An image forming unit that forms an image on paper, A laminating unit provided downstream of the image forming unit that laminates a film on the paper, A program that causes a computer of the laminating system including Before the execution of a job, to function as a control unit that executes a test laminating process of laminating, by the laminating unit, paper on which no image is formed or paper on which a test image different from the image of the job is formed by the image forming unit.

Images