Post-processing system, image forming system, and post-processing method

Abstract

To provide a post-processing system that can prevent processing failure of post-processing and mechanical failure of a post-processing device.SOLUTION: A post-processing system includes: a laminating device that processes recording media by laminating; a post-processing device that is provided downstream of the laminating device in a conveyance direction of the recording media and performs post-processing on the recording media; and a control device that controls the post-processing of the recording media performed in the post-processing device in accordance with the laminating processing in the laminating device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a post-processing system, an image forming system, and a post-processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] A post-processing device is a device that performs post-processing such as folding and stapling on recording media on which an image has been formed in an image forming device. One technology related to such post-processing devices is disclosed in the following Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 states, with regard to post-processing of laminated recording media, that "on the outside of the edge of the sheet after bonding, a portion where the laminate films are bonded together is formed, and the sheet processing device performs post-processing such as punching and stapling on this portion as the post-processing margin." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-96797 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, post-processing devices have an upper limit on the number of recording media that can be processed at one time, depending on the type of post-processing, regardless of whether the recording media are laminated or not. However, laminated recording media are thicker due to the amount of laminating film that is layered on top of the recording media. For this reason, in post-processing systems that apply the upper limit set for non-laminated recording media to laminated recording media, this can lead to processing defects during post-processing and even mechanical failure of the post-processing device.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a post-processing system, an image forming system, and a post-processing method that are capable of preventing processing defects during post-processing and mechanical failures of the post-processing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve this objective, the present invention provides a post-processing system comprising a laminating device that laminates recording media, a post-processing device that is located downstream of the laminating device in the transport direction of the recording media and performs post-processing on the recording media, and a control device that controls the post-processing of the recording media performed in the post-processing device in accordance with the laminating process in the laminating device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The present invention can provide a post-processing system, an image forming system, and a post-processing method that can prevent processing defects during post-processing and mechanical failures of the post-processing device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the image forming system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a recording medium processed by a laminating device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of the display unit of the image forming system according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a database held in the storage unit of the image forming system according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a post-processing method according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display on the display unit based on the post-processing program according to the embodiment. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the post-processing method according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display on the display unit based on the post-processing program according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a post-processing system, an image forming system, and a post-processing method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] <Image forming system> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image forming system 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the image forming system 1 according to an embodiment. The image forming system 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a post-processing system for post-processing recording media after image formation. This image forming system 1 is configured to include, in this order, a paper feeder 10, an image forming device 20, a laminating device 30, a post-processing device 40, a paper discharge device 50, and a control device 60 along the conveyance direction x of the recording media 100. Each of these devices is as follows:

[0011] <Paper feeder 10> The paper feeder 10 can store a large amount of sheet-like recording media 100, and sequentially supplies the stored recording media S to the image forming device 20. The paper feeder 10 can store a plurality of different types of recording media 100, and supplies the type of recording media 100 selected based on instructions from the control device 60, which will be described later, to the image forming device 20.

[0012] <Image forming device 20> The image forming device 20 forms an image on the recording medium 100 supplied from the paper feed device 10 based on instructions from a control device 60, which will be described later. As an example, the image forming device 20 is assumed to be an electrophotographic image forming device that forms a toner image, but is not limited to this and may be a device of another type, such as an inkjet type.

[0013] <Laminating device 30> The laminating device 30 constitutes a post-processing system and performs laminating processing to bond a laminate film to the recording medium 100 on which an image has been formed by the image forming device 20.

[0014] The laminating device 30 bonds a laminate film to one or both sides of the recording medium 100 based on instructions from the control device 60, which will be described later. The laminating device 30 also sends the processed medium 100, which has been laminated with the recording medium 100, to the post-processing device 40. Note that the laminating device 30 may also send the recording medium 100 itself to the post-processing device 40 based on instructions from the control device 60, without bonding a laminate film to the recording medium 100.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram showing a recording medium 100 laminated by a laminating device 30 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Based on instructions from a control device 60, the laminating device 30 processes a recording medium 100 by laminating a laminate film 101 on both sides of the recording medium 100 to produce a processed medium 102. In this case, the edges of the two laminated films 101 are bonded together. Based on instructions from the control device 60, the laminating device 30 processes a recording medium 102' by laminating a laminate film 101 on only one side of the recording medium 100. In this case, the laminate film 101 is, for example, slightly larger than the recording medium 100, and the edge of the laminate film 101 is positioned outside the recording medium 100. These processing media 102, 102' have, in plan view, a medium-present area [a1] where the recording medium 100 and the laminate film 101 are superimposed, and a medium-absent area [a2] where only the laminate film 101 is present. Note that the laminating device 30 may also place the outer periphery of the recording medium 100 outside the laminate film 101 based on instructions from the control device 60.

[0016] <Post-processing device 40> Returning to FIG. 1, the post-processing device 40 constitutes a post-processing system. The post-processing device 40 performs post-processing on the recording medium 100 sent from the laminating device 30. Here, the recording medium 100 sent from the laminating device 30 is either a laminated recording medium 100 (i.e., the processed medium 102, 102') or the unlaminated recording medium 100 itself. If lamination is not performed in the laminating device 30, the recording medium 100 is transported to the post-processing device 40 without being laminated, for example, by transporting the recording medium 100 bypassing the laminating unit in the laminating device 30.

[0017] The post-processing device 40 also includes multiple post-processing units, each of which performs a selected post-processing operation based on instructions from a control device 60 (described later). The post-processing units included in the post-processing device 40 include, for example, a folding unit 401, a binding unit 402, a punching unit 403, a cutting unit 404, a binding unit 405, a decurling unit 406, and a creasing unit 407. Of these post-processing units, the folding unit 401, the binding unit 402, and the punching unit 403 are particularly effective in performing post-processing operations on multiple stacked recording media 100 at once. The folding unit 401 creases the multiple stacked recording media 100 into a predetermined shape. The binding unit 402 staples the multiple stacked recording media 100 together. The punching unit 403 punches holes in the multiple stacked recording media 100. The other post-processing units described above are post-processing units that perform post-processing on the recording medium 100 fed from the laminating device 30 one by one. The cutting unit 404 cuts the recording medium 100 one by one.

[0018] In addition to the post-processing section described above, the post-processing device 40 also has an inspection section for inspecting the recording medium 100 that has been post-processed, and a large-capacity stacking section for stacking and holding multiple recording media 100 that have been post-processed.

[0019] <Paper output device 50> The paper discharge device 50 sequentially discharges the recording media 100 conveyed from the post-processing device 40 onto a tray 501. If there are multiple trays, the recording media 100 are distributed among the trays and discharged. The recording media 100 discharged from the paper discharge device 50 are discharged as a finished product 100' that has undergone at least one of lamination and post-processing, or that has undergone neither.

[0020] <Control device 60> The control device 60 constitutes a post-processing system and controls the operation of each device included in the image forming system 1. The control device 60 includes an input unit 601 and a display unit 602 as a user interface, and also includes a storage unit 603 and a processing unit 604 as a computer. The computer is hardware used as a so-called computer. The computer includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The computer also includes non-volatile storage and a network interface.

[0021] [Input unit 601 and display unit 602] The input unit 601 and the display unit 602 are units that allow the user to set the operation of each device included in the image forming system 1. The display unit 602 also functions as a notification unit that notifies the user of information about the image forming system 1. The display unit 602 may be a touch panel type that also functions as the input unit 601.

[0022] 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display on a display unit 602 of an image forming system according to an embodiment, and shows a setting screen for lamination processing by the laminating device 30 and post-processing processing by the post-processing device 40 (see FIG. 1). The display unit 602 is a touch panel type that also serves as the input unit 601, and displays a lamination processing setting unit 602a, a processing position setting unit 602b, a processing type setting unit 602c, a notification unit 602d, and a start button 602e.

[0023] Of these, the lamination setting section 602a is a section for setting lamination processing for the recording medium 100 (see FIG. 3), and the user can select one of "single-sided", "double-sided", and "(lamination) none".

[0024] The processing position setting section 602b is a section for setting the position for post-processing of the recording medium 100 (see FIG. 3), and the user can select either a "media presence section" or a "media absence section." As shown in FIG. 3, the media presence section [a1] is a section where the recording medium 100 and the laminating film 101 are laminated, and the media absence section [a2] is a section where only the laminating film 101 exists.

[0025] 4 is a section for setting the type of post-processing to be performed on the recording medium 100, and allows the user to select multiple post-processing units included in the post-processing device 40. When changing from the state before setting (1) in FIG. 4 to the state after setting (2), the display unit 602 notifies the user 2 of the setting by, for example, changing the display color of the processing type selected by the user 2.

[0026] Furthermore, the notification section 602d is a section for notifying the user of information regarding post-processing settings, and the start button 602e is a section for allowing the user to complete post-processing settings.

[0027] The display unit 602 performs display based on an instruction from the processing unit 604 or a signal received from an external device such as a personal computer connected to the image forming system 1. In addition to the above, the display unit 602 also displays a setting screen related to image formation in the image forming apparatus 20.

[0028] [Storage section 603] 1 and 2, the storage unit 603 is a part that stores information necessary for operating each device of the image forming system 1. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a database stored in the storage unit of the image forming system according to the embodiment, and shows a database 603d of the upper limit number of sheets that can be post-processed by the post-processing device 40 (see Fig. 1). Here, the upper limit number shown in the database 603d in Fig. 5 is the number of recording media 100 that can be post-processed at one time in the type of post-processing (folding / binding / punching) that processes multiple recording media 100 at once while they are stacked.

[0029] Here, the recording medium 100 laminated by the laminating device 30 is sent to the post-processing device 40 (see FIG. 1) that performs the post-processing. Therefore, this database 603d stores the upper limit number of sheets for each type of laminating film 101 (see FIG. 3). The type of laminating film 101 refers to the material and characteristics of the laminating film 101. The characteristics refer to the thickness and stiffness of the laminating film 101, and in FIG. 5, these are shown as a combination of thickness and stiffness.

[0030] Furthermore, the laminating device 30 bonds a laminate film 101 to one or both sides of the recording medium 100. The post-processing device 40 performs post-processing on either the media-present section [a1] or the media-absent section [a2] (see FIG. 3). Therefore, the database 603d stores, as an example, the maximum number of sheets that can be processed when post-processing is performed on the media-absent section [a2] of a single-sided processing medium 102' in which the laminate film 101 is bonded to only one side of the recording medium 100. In other words, the database 603d stores the maximum number of sheets that can be processed when post-processing is performed on multiple laminated recording media 100. The database 603d can also include the maximum number of sheets for each post-processing without lamination. For processing in the media-absent section [a2], a similar database can be used separately. The upper limit number of sheets stored in the storage unit 603 is the maximum number of sheets that is set in advance through experiments so that no processing defects occur in each post-processing step and the occurrence of mechanical failures is suppressed.

[0031] [Processing section 604] 1 and 2, processing unit 604 performs processing for controlling the operation of each unit of the image forming system in accordance with input from input unit 601 or signals received from an external device such as a personal computer connected to image forming system 1. This processing unit 604 performs characteristic processing for implementing a post-processing method described below. The post-processing procedures performed by processing unit 604 are procedures performed when a job is executed by image forming system 1, and are loaded and saved as a post-processing program into the ROM of processing unit 604 or into RAM from an external device.

[0032] <Post-processing method> Next, an embodiment of a post-processing method implemented in the image forming system 1 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the post-processing method according to the embodiment. The post-processing method shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is a setting procedure for laminating by the laminating device 30 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and post-processing processing by the post-processing device 40, and is a procedure that includes laminating as post-processing. This post-processing method is realized by the CPU constituting the processing unit 604 in the image forming system 1 executing processing based on a post-processing program stored in ROM or RAM. The post-processing method according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6 and the above-mentioned FIGS. 1 to 5 and other figures as needed.

[0033] [Step S101] In step S101, the user inputs settings for lamination and post-processing. At this time, the processing unit 604 displays a post-processing setting screen on the display unit 602 when setting a job including image formation and post-processing by the image forming system 1. The post-processing setting screen is the setting screen described with reference to FIG. 4. Using this setting screen, the user 2 selects and inputs settings for lamination by the laminating device 30 and post-processing by the post-processing device 40.

[0034] [Step S102] In step S102, the processing unit 604 determines whether or not lamination is selected in the lamination setting in step S101. At this time, if "single-sided" or "double-sided" is selected in the lamination setting section 602a of the setting screen shown in Fig. 4, the processing unit 604 determines that lamination is selected (YES) and proceeds to step S103. On the other hand, if "(lamination) no" is selected in the lamination setting section 602a of the setting screen, the processing unit 604 determines that lamination is not selected (NO) and proceeds to step S109.

[0035] [Step S103] In step S103, if "folding," "binding," or "punching" was set as the type of post-processing in step S101, the processing unit 604 extracts the upper limit number of sheets for the set processing type from the database 603d (see FIG. 5) in the storage unit 603. Note that information regarding the material and characteristics of the laminate film is assumed to have been set when the laminate film was set in the laminating device 30 (see FIG. 1). The processing unit 604 extracts the upper limit number of sheets for each post-processing set in step S101 from the upper limit numbers associated with the set material and characteristics of the laminate film. As an example, if the laminate film has material A and characteristic 1 and "folding" and "binding" were set as the types of post-processing in step S101, the processing unit 604 extracts 200 sheets as the upper limit number of sheets for folding and 150 sheets as the upper limit number of sheets for binding.

[0036] In step S101, there may be cases where the type of post-processing, such as "folding," "binding," or "punching," is not selected as the type of post-processing that applies post-processing to multiple stacked recording media 100 at once. In this case, the process may proceed to step S109 before step S103.

[0037] [Step S104] In step S104, the processing unit 604 determines whether double-sided lamination was selected in the lamination setting in step S101. At this time, if "double-sided" is selected in the lamination setting section 602a of the setting screen shown in Fig. 4, the processing unit 604 determines that lamination is double-sided (YES) and proceeds to step S105. On the other hand, if "single-sided" is selected in the lamination setting section 602a of the setting screen, the processing unit 604 determines that lamination is not double-sided (NO) and proceeds to step S106.

[0038] [Step S105] In step S105, the processing unit 604 performs a process of reducing each upper limit number extracted in step S103 by the amount of two laminate films stacked. Therefore, here, the processing unit 604 performs a process of halving each upper limit number extracted in step S103, and sets each number after the process as the new upper limit number. Note that in this step S105, instead of the calculation process of halving each upper limit number, it is also possible to perform a calculation process of multiplying each upper limit number by a predetermined coefficient A (A = less than 1.0).

[0039] [Step S106] In step S106, the processing unit 604 determines whether the processing position is the medium presence area [a1] (see FIG. 3) in the lamination processing settings in step S101. At this time, if "medium presence area" is selected in the processing position setting area 602b on the setting screen shown in FIG. 4, the processing unit 604 determines that the processing position is the medium presence area (YES) and proceeds to step S107. On the other hand, if "no medium area" is selected in the processing position setting area 602b on the setting screen, the processing unit 604 determines that the processing position is not the medium presence area (NO) and proceeds to step S108.

[0040] [Step S107] In step S107, the processing unit 604 performs a process of subtracting the number of stacked recording media from each upper limit number extracted in step S103 or each new upper limit number set in step S105. Here, as an example, the processing of halving each upper limit number is performed, and each number after the processing is set as the new upper limit number. Note that in step S107, instead of the calculation process of halving each upper limit number, a calculation process of multiplying each upper limit number by a predetermined coefficient B (B = less than 1.0) according to the type of recording medium may be performed. This makes it possible to calculate an accurate upper limit number.

[0041] [Step S108] In step S108, the processing unit 604 determines whether the number of sheets to be processed is equal to or less than each upper limit number. Here, the number of sheets to be processed is the number of sheets to be post-processed at one time for each set when a job is executed by the image forming system 1. For example, it may be the number of pages of a document per set input in a job, or the number of sheets set by the user as one set of a document.

[0042] The processing unit 604 compares this number of sheets to each upper limit number obtained for each post-processing type. If the comparison result shows that all upper limits are equal to or less than the number of sheets to be processed, the processing unit 604 determines that the number of sheets to be processed is equal to or less than each upper limit number (YES) and proceeds to step S109; otherwise, the processing unit 604 proceeds to step S110.

[0043] [Step S109] In step S109, the processing unit 604 permits the setting input in step S101. As a result, the processing unit 604 enables the start button 602e (see FIG. 4) on the display unit 602, and when the user 2 selects the start button 602e, the image forming system 1 can execute the job.

[0044] If it is determined in step S102 that lamination is not required (NO) and the process proceeds to step S109, then when the job is executed, the recording medium 100 without lamination is post-processed in the post-processing device 40. In this case, the post-processing device 40 performs post-processing on the recording medium 100 without lamination, with the number of sheets not exceeding the upper limit number originally set.

[0045] [Step S110] Meanwhile, in step S110, the processing unit 604 causes the notification unit 602d of the display unit 602 to display a setting change notification. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a display on the display unit 602 based on a post-processing program according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 7, the processing unit 604 causes the notification unit 602d of the display unit 602 to display a message that the number of processed sheets exceeds the upper limit, and to display a change in the settings for lamination and post-processing. The processing unit 604 also notifies the user of the processing type for which the number of processed sheets exceeds the upper limit by, for example, flashing the processing type or changing the display color.

[0046] After step S110, the processing unit 604 enables the lamination process and post-processing settings on the display unit 602 to be changed, and then ends the process.

[0047] Effect of the embodiment According to the embodiment described above, an upper limit on the number of sheets that can be processed at one time in a post-processing unit that processes a stack of multiple recording media 100 is set according to the lamination process settings. This prevents excessive strain on these post-processing units during processing, making it possible to prevent processing defects during post-processing and mechanical breakdowns in the post-processing units of post-processing device 40.

[0048] Furthermore, the storage unit 603 is configured to store each upper limit number of sheets when post-processing is performed on the no-medium section [a2] of the processing medium 102' (see FIG. 3) in which the laminate film 101 is bonded to only one side of the recording medium 100. However, the storage unit 603 may also store each upper limit number of sheets when post-processing is performed on the no-medium section [a2] of the processing medium 102 in which the laminate film 101 is bonded to both sides of the recording medium 100. In this case, in step S104 of FIG. 6, it is determined whether the lamination is single-sided, and in step S105, the process of doubling the upper limit number extracted from the storage unit 603 is performed.

[0049] <<Modification of post-processing method>> Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the post-processing method according to the embodiment, and is executed by the processing unit 604 in the image forming system 1 shown in Fig. 2. Below, the modified post-processing method will be described along the flowchart in Fig. 8, with reference to Figs. 1 to 5 and other figures as needed.

[0050] [Step S201] In step S201, the user inputs settings for lamination processing. At this time, the processing unit 604 displays a post-processing setting screen on the display unit 602 when setting the image formation job by the image forming system 1. The lamination processing setting screen may be, for example, the setting screen described with reference to FIG. 4. Using this setting screen, the user 2 selects and inputs settings for lamination processing by the laminating device 30 (see FIG. 1).

[0051] [Step S202] In step S202, the processing unit 604 determines whether or not lamination has been selected when lamination settings were made in step S201. This determination is made in the same manner as in step S102, and if it is determined that lamination is to be performed (YES), the process proceeds to step S203, and if it is determined that lamination is not to be performed (NO), the process proceeds to step S208.

[0052] [Step S203] In step S203, the user inputs settings for the post-processing position following the lamination setting in step S201. The post-processing setting screen may be the setting screen described with reference to Figure 4. In the processing position setting section 602b of this setting screen, User 2 selects the post-processing position as "media presence area" or "media absence area."

[0053] [Step S204] In step S204, the processing unit 604 extracts the upper limit number of sheets for each type of post-processing from the database 603d (see FIG. 5) in the storage unit 603. It is assumed that information regarding the material and characteristics of the laminate film has already been set when the laminate film is set in the laminating device 30 (see FIG. 1). The processing unit 604 extracts the upper limit number of sheets for all types of processing that are stored in association with the set material and characteristics of the laminate film. As an example, for laminate film material A and characteristic 1, the upper limit number of sheets extracted is 200 for folding, 150 for binding, and 100 for punching. Note that step S204 only needs to be performed when it is determined in step S202 that lamination is required (YES), and may be performed between steps S202 and S203.

[0054] [Step S205] In step S205, the processing unit 604 performs a calculation process for each upper limit number of sheets. At this time, the processing unit 604 processes each upper limit number of sheets extracted in step S204 based on the settings in steps S201 and S203, and calculates a new upper limit number for each. The calculation of each new upper limit value is performed in the procedure of steps S104 to S107. As a result, a new upper limit number for each of folding, binding, and punching is calculated. Note that if lamination is single-sided and the processing position of post-processing is the no-medium section [a2], the upper limit number of sheets extracted in step S204 becomes the upper limit number as is.

[0055] [Step S206] In step S206, the processing unit 604 performs processing to disable the setting of the processing type based on each upper limit number calculated in step S205. At this time, the processing unit 604 individually determines whether the number of sheets to be processed is equal to or less than each upper limit number calculated in step S205. This number of sheets to be processed is the same as the number of sheets to be processed described in step S108.

[0056] The processing unit 604 compares the upper limit numbers for each of the folding, binding, and punching processes calculated in step S205 with the number of sheets to be processed. Then, on the display unit 602, processing types whose upper limit numbers are lower than the number of sheets to be processed are displayed in a different color from the other processing types or are flashed, thereby disabling their setting. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the display of the display unit 602 based on the post-processing program according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, for example, if the upper limit number for punching is lower than the number of sheets to be processed, the processing unit 604 changes the display of "Punching" in the processing type setting section 602c of the display unit 602 to make it unselectable. Note that, for all processing types, if the upper limit numbers calculated in step S205 are equal to or greater than the number of sheets to be processed, the processing unit 604 may enable setting of all processing types in the processing type setting section 602c of the display unit 602.

[0057] [Step S207] In step S207, the user inputs settings for the type of post-processing using the setting screen of display unit 602 shown in Fig. 9. User 2 selects and inputs settings for post-processing to be performed by post-processing device 40 (see Fig. 1) using this setting screen.

[0058] [Step S208] In step S208, the processing unit 604 permits the setting input in steps S201, S203, and S207. As a result, the processing unit 604 enables the start button 602e (see FIG. 9) on the display unit 602, and when the user 2 selects the start button 602e, the image forming system 1 is allowed to execute the image forming job.

[0059] <Effects of transformation> Even in the modified example described above, an upper limit on the number of sheets that can be processed at one time in a post-processing unit that processes a plurality of stacked recording media 100 is set according to the lamination process settings. Therefore, as in the embodiment, it is possible to prevent processing defects during post-processing by post-processing device 40 and mechanical failures of each post-processing unit of post-processing device 40.

[0060] In the above embodiment, some types of post-processing are restricted as unselectable depending on the number of sheets set in the lamination setting and the upper limit number of sheets corresponding to the type of post-processing, but some types of post-processing may be made unselectable regardless of the number of sheets to be processed in the lamination setting. For example, depending on the type of lamination film (material, thickness, etc.) and the lamination surface (single-sided, double-sided), the paper and film may be separated during folding. In such cases, the selection of folding (combination of lamination and folding) in the lamination setting may be made unselectable regardless of the number of sheets to be processed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1...Image forming system 20...Image forming device 30...Laminating device 40...After-treatment device 60...Control device 100...Recording media 101...Laminating film 401...folding section 402...Binding section 403...Punch section 404...Cutting section 601...input section 602...Display section 603...Storage section 604...Processing section

Claims

1. a laminating device for laminating a recording medium; a post-processing device that is provided downstream of the laminating device in a conveying direction of the recording medium and that performs post-processing on the recording medium; a control device that controls post-processing of the recording medium performed in the post-processing device in accordance with lamination processing in the laminating device. Aftertreatment system.

2. The control device controls the post-processing based on at least one of information on whether or not the recording medium is laminated in the laminating device and information on the extent to which the laminated recording medium is covered with a laminating film. The aftertreatment system of claim 1 .

3. The control device controls the post-processing process depending on the type of laminating film used in the laminating process. The aftertreatment system of claim 1 .

4. The type of the laminate film is at least one of material, thickness, and stiffness. The aftertreatment system of claim 3 .

5. The post-processing device includes a plurality of different post-processing units, The control device controls post-processing by at least one of a folding unit, a binding unit, a punching unit, and a cutting unit among the plurality of post-processing units included in the post-processing device in accordance with the lamination process. The aftertreatment system of claim 1 .

6. The control device controls the number of recording media that can be post-processed at one time in the post-processing device to an upper limit number according to the lamination process. The aftertreatment system of claim 1 .

7. The control device disables post-processing by the post-processing device when the number of sheets of the recording medium that has been set for the post-processing device exceeds the upper limit number. The aftertreatment system of claim 6 .

8. The control device sets the upper limit number depending on whether the area of ​​the laminated recording medium covered with the laminating film is on both sides or one side of the recording medium. The aftertreatment system of claim 6 .

9. The control device sets the upper limit number of sheets depending on a processing position of the post-processing on the laminated recording medium. The aftertreatment system of claim 6 .

10. The control device sets the upper limit number depending on the type of the recording medium. The aftertreatment system of claim 6 .

11. The control device an input unit for inputting various settings for the lamination process and the post-processing; a storage unit that stores the upper limit number of sheets for each type of laminating film used in the laminating process; a processing unit that calculates a new upper limit number according to the lamination process by processing the upper limit number stored in the storage unit based on an input from the input unit, and determines whether the number of sheets of the recording medium to be processed set for the post-processing device exceeds the calculated upper limit number. The aftertreatment system of claim 6 .

12. The post-processing device includes a plurality of different post-processing units, The storage unit stores the upper limit number of sheets for each post-processing unit, The processing unit performs the determination for each of the post-processing units. The aftertreatment system of claim 11 .

13. The control device A display unit for displaying the determination result in the processing unit The aftertreatment system of claim 11 .

14. The display unit displays the determination result after the input of the various settings from the input unit is completed.

14. The aftertreatment system of claim 13.

15. The display unit displays the determination result when the processing unit determines that the number of processed sheets exceeds the calculated upper limit number.

14. The aftertreatment system of claim 13.

16. The display unit displays, among the various settings input from the input unit, a setting that is a factor causing the upper limit number to exceed the number of processed sheets.

14. The aftertreatment system of claim 13.

17. The control device limits the selection of the post-processing process according to the setting of the lamination process. The aftertreatment system of claim 1 .

18. the control device limits the types of post-processing that can be selected depending on the setting of the lamination process. The aftertreatment system of claim 1 .

19. A post-treatment system according to any one of claims 1 to 18; an image forming device that is provided upstream of the laminating device in the conveying direction of the recording medium and that forms an image on the recording medium; Imaging system.

20. A post-processing method in a post-processing system including a laminating device that laminates a recording medium, and a post-processing device that is provided downstream of the laminating device in a conveying direction of the recording medium and performs post-processing on the recording medium, comprising: A control device controls post-processing of the recording medium performed by the post-processing device in accordance with the lamination process performed by the laminating device. Post-processing methods.

Images