Laminate system

Abstract

To provide a laminate system which can inhibit deterioration of productivity in laminate processing.SOLUTION: A laminate system (a system 1) includes: a laminate processing unit (a laminate unit 24) which laminates a film F supplied from a film supply unit 241 on a sheet; and sheet supply units (a sheet supply unit 41 and a sheet supply unit 15) which supply sheets to the laminate processing unit. A capacity of the film F is more than or equal to a capacity corresponding to a sheet capacity of the sheet supply unit. The capacity corresponding to the sheet capacity is such a distance that the film F is laminated on the sheets of the sheet capacity.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lamination system. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, laminating devices that laminate a laminate film (hereinafter referred to as a film) onto paper have been known (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-338039 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with conventional laminating devices, if the film runs out during the laminating process, the laminating device must be stopped to replace the film. Therefore, when the film runs out, the laminating device must be stopped midway through the laminating process. In particular, commercial printing jobs require laminating a large number of sheets of paper, so there is a high possibility that the film will run out midway through the laminating process and the film will need to be replaced. In this case, downtime occurs due to the work of replacing the film, which significantly reduces the productivity of the laminating device.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a lamination system that can suppress a decrease in productivity in lamination processing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The lamination system described in claim 1 is made to achieve the above object, a laminating unit that laminates the film supplied from the film supply unit onto the paper; a paper feed unit that supplies the paper to the lamination unit; Equipped with The capacity of the film is equal to or greater than the capacity of the paper feed unit.

[0007] The invention described in claim 2 is the lamination system described in claim 1, an image forming device for forming an image on the paper; The image forming apparatus includes the paper feed unit.

[0008] The invention described in claim 3 is the lamination system described in claim 1, The paper feed unit includes a tray capable of holding a plurality of sheets of paper.

[0009] The invention described in claim 4 is the laminating system described in claim 1, The paper includes roll paper.

[0010] The invention described in claim 5 is the laminating system described in claim 1, The capacity corresponding to the paper capacity is the distance over which the film is laminated onto the paper of the paper capacity.

[0011] The invention described in claim 6 is the lamination system described in claim 5, The lamination distance corresponds to the length in the transport direction of the plurality of sheets of paper loaded in the paper feed section.

[0012] The invention described in claim 7 is the laminating system described in claim 6, The distance corresponding to the length of the paper in the transport direction includes the distance between the papers when a plurality of the papers are transported continuously.

[0013] The invention described in claim 8 is the laminating system described in claim 6, The distance corresponding to the length of the paper in the transport direction is the distance corresponding to the length obtained by subtracting the overlap amount when the rear end of the preceding paper and the front end of the following paper are transported overlapping by a predetermined amount from the length of the paper in the transport direction.

[0014] The invention described in claim 9 is the lamination system described in claim 3, The paper capacity is the maximum stacking capacity of one of the trays.

[0015] The invention described in claim 10 is the laminating system described in claim 3, the paper feed unit includes a plurality of the trays, The paper capacity is the total capacity of the maximum stacking capacities of the plurality of trays.

[0016] The invention described in claim 11 is the lamination system described in claim 3, the paper feed unit includes a plurality of trays for loading paper sheets of a predetermined size; The paper capacity is the total capacity of the maximum stacking capacity of the trays that stack the paper of the predetermined size.

[0017] The invention described in claim 12 is the laminating system described in claim 1, The volume of the film is larger than the volume corresponding to the maximum stacking capacity of a discharge tray on which the sheets of paper are stacked after being laminated with the film.

[0018] The invention described in claim 13 is the laminating system described in claim 2, When the image forming apparatus interrupts the supply of the paper, it notifies the laminating device including the laminating unit of that effect.

[0019] The invention described in claim 14 is the lamination system described in claim 13, The film supply unit stops supplying the film based on the notification.

[0020] The invention described in claim 15 is the laminating system described in claim 1, The instruction to load the film is given so that the film capacity is equal to or greater than the capacity corresponding to the paper capacity.

[0021] The invention described in claim 16 is the laminating system described in claim 1, When the film having a capacity smaller than the capacity corresponding to the paper capacity is loaded, the fact is notified.

[0022] The invention described in claim 17 is the laminating system described in claim 1, When the paper volume is changed, the volume of the film required to laminate the paper is calculated. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress a decrease in productivity in lamination processing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a laminating system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the control structure of the laminating system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of a lamination control process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a laminating system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a lamination control process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a laminating system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a lamination control process according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0026] First Embodiment The laminating system according to this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as system 1) includes a paper feeder 40, an image forming apparatus 10, a laminating apparatus 20, and a cutting apparatus 30, as shown in FIGS.

[0027] The paper feeding device 40 includes a paper feeding section 41 and a transport section 42, and transports paper (cut paper) from one of the paper feeding trays 411 to 413 of the paper feeding section 41 to the image forming apparatus 10. The transport unit 42 includes a transport path 421 that connects the paper feed unit 41 to the image forming apparatus 10, and transports the paper. The paper feed unit 41 has paper feed trays 411 to 413 that store paper sheets according to predetermined paper types and / or sizes. Depending on the printing volume in the system 1, the type of paper used, etc., the system 1 may not be provided with a paper feeder 40, and paper may be transported only from a paper feed unit 15 (described later) of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0028] The image forming apparatus 10 forms a color image by electrophotography based on image data obtained by reading an image from an original or image data of a job received from an external device (not shown). The image forming apparatus 10 discharges the paper on which the image has been formed to the laminating device 20. The image forming apparatus 10 may include a paper feeding device 40 . As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the image forming device 10 includes an operation unit 11, a display unit 12, a document reading unit 13, an image forming unit 14, a paper feeding unit 15, an image forming control unit 16, a memory unit 17, a communication unit 18, and an image processing unit 19.

[0029] The operation unit 11 includes a touch panel formed to cover the display screen of the display unit 12, as well as various operation buttons such as numeric buttons and a start button. The operation unit 11 outputs an operation signal to the image formation control unit 16 based on a user's operation.

[0030] The display unit 12 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays various screens according to instructions of a display signal input from the image formation control unit 16.

[0031] The document reading unit 13 includes an ADF (Auto Document Feeder), a scanner, etc. The document reading unit 13 reads an image of the document and outputs the obtained image data to the image formation control unit 16.

[0032] The image forming unit 14 forms an image on a sheet of paper supplied from the paper supply unit 15 or the paper supply device 40 based on the image data that has been image processed by the image processing unit 19 . The image forming unit 14 includes photosensitive drums 141Y, 141M, 141C, and 141K corresponding to the colors yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), an intermediate transfer belt 142, a secondary transfer roller 143, a fixing unit 144, and the like.

[0033] The image forming unit 14 uniformly charges the photosensitive drum 141Y, and then scans and exposes the photosensitive drum 141Y with a laser beam based on yellow image data to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 141Y. Next, the image forming unit 14 deposits yellow toner onto the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 141Y to develop it. The photosensitive drums 141M, 141C, and 141K are similar to the photosensitive drum 141Y except for the colors they handle, and therefore, a description thereof will be omitted.

[0034] The image forming unit 14 sequentially transfers (primary transfer) the toner images of each color formed on the photosensitive drums 141Y, 141M, 141C, and 141K onto the rotating intermediate transfer belt 142. That is, the image forming unit 14 forms a color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 142 in which the toner images of four colors are superimposed. The image forming unit 14 transfers the color toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 142 onto a sheet of paper all at once by the secondary transfer roller 143 (secondary transfer).

[0035] The fixing unit 144 includes a heating roller that heats the paper onto which the color toner image has been transferred, and a pressure roller that presses the paper, and fixes the color toner image onto the paper by applying heat and pressure.

[0036] The paper feed unit 15 includes paper feed trays 151 to 153, and supplies paper to the image forming unit 14. Each of the paper feed trays 151 to 153 stores paper of a predetermined paper type and / or size.

[0037] The image forming control unit 16 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The CPU of the image forming control unit 16 reads out various processing programs stored in the ROM and loads them into the RAM, and comprehensively controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 in cooperation with the various programs loaded into the RAM. When laminating the output paper, the image formation control unit 16 instructs the laminating device 20 to perform a predetermined laminating process. When cutting the output paper, the image formation control unit 16 instructs the cutting device 30 to perform a predetermined cutting process.

[0038] The storage unit 17 is a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or semiconductor memory that stores various data such as programs and image data. The storage unit 17 stores data such as program data and various setting data in a manner that allows the image formation control unit 16 to read and write the data. The storage unit 17 stores information such as the type (paper grade) and size of the paper stored in the paper feed trays 411 to 413 of the paper feed device 40 and the paper feed trays 151 to 153 of the paper feed unit 15 for each paper feed tray. Storage unit 17 stores maximum stacking capacity information indicating the maximum stacking capacity of sheets stored in sheet feed trays 411-413 of sheet feed device 40 and sheet feed trays 151-153 of sheet feed unit 15 for each sheet feed tray.

[0039] The communication unit 18 includes a communication control card such as a LAN (Local Area Network) card, etc. The communication unit 18 transmits and receives various data to and from an external device (for example, a personal computer) connected to a communication network such as a LAN or a WAN (Wide Area Network).

[0040] The image processing unit 19 performs the necessary image processing on the image data stored in the storage unit 17, the image data obtained by reading an image from an original using the original reading unit 13, and the image data input from an external device. The image processing unit 19 sends the processed image data to the image forming unit 14. The image processing includes gradation processing, halftone processing, color conversion processing, etc. The gradation processing is a process of converting the gradation values ​​of each pixel of the image data into corrected gradation values ​​so that the density characteristics of the image formed on the paper match the target density characteristics. The halftone processing is an error diffusion process, a screen process using an ordered dithering method, etc. The color conversion processing is a process of converting each RGB gradation value into each CMYK gradation value.

[0041] The laminating device 20 is installed between the image forming device 10 and the cutting device 30 . The laminating device 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a conveying unit 23, a laminating unit 24, a cutting unit 25, and the like.

[0042] The control unit 21 includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc. The CPU of the control unit 21 reads out various processing programs stored in the ROM and loads them 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. The control unit 21 executes lamination processing on the paper in response to an instruction signal received from the image forming apparatus 10.

[0043] The storage unit 22 is a non-volatile storage device such as a HDD or semiconductor memory that stores various data such as programs, etc. The storage unit 22 stores data such as program data and various setting data in a manner that allows the control unit 21 to read and write data.

[0044] The conveying section 23 includes a conveying path 231 and a plurality of rollers, and conveys the paper conveyed from the image forming device 10 to the laminating section 24 and the cutting section 25 in that order, and conveys the paper that has been laminated to the cutting device 30.

[0045] The laminating unit 24 continuously attaches a film F to the surface (front side) of the paper on which an image has been formed by the image forming device 10. The laminating unit 24 includes a film supply unit 241, a bonding unit 242, a fixing unit 243, and the like.

[0046] A roll of film F formed in a roll shape is loaded in the film supply unit 241. The film F may be a film sheet divided into individual pieces. The film supply unit 241 supplies the film F, which is made up of a transparent synthetic resin film layer and an adhesive layer. An adhesive that can be adhered at room temperature is applied to one side of the film F (the side that comes into contact with the paper), forming the adhesive layer. The lamination method in this embodiment is a cold lamination method. The film F is transported from the film supply unit 241 to the nip portion of the laminating unit 242 and is adhered to the image surface of the paper.

[0047] The laminating unit 242 includes a pair of rollers, and sandwiches the paper and the film F in a nip formed by the pair of rollers. In this way, the laminating unit 242 adheres the adhesive layer of the film F to the surface of the paper. As a result, the paper and the film F are laminated together.

[0048] The fixing unit 243 includes a pressure roller that applies pressure to the paper sheet to which the film F is attached, and fixes the film F to the paper sheet by applying pressure.

[0049] The cutting unit 25 is provided downstream of the laminating unit 24 on the conveying path 231 . The cutting section 25 cuts the film F between the sheets being conveyed.

[0050] The cutting device 30 includes a conveying section 31, a cutting section 32, a paper discharge section 33, a wastebasket 34, and a paper discharge tray T1. The paper discharge tray T1 holds the paper discharged by the paper discharge section 33. The conveying section 31 conveys the paper conveyed from the laminating device 20 to the cutting section 32 , and conveys the paper that has been cut by the cutting section 32 to the paper discharge section 33 . The cutting unit 32 cuts the paper conveyed by the conveying unit 31 at a predetermined cutting position. The paper discharge unit 33 discharges the paper conveyed by the conveyance unit 31 to the outside of the apparatus (onto the paper discharge tray T1). The waste box 34 is provided below the cutting unit 32 and stores cutting waste generated when the paper is cut by the cutting unit 32.

[0051] Next, the operation of the system 1 according to this embodiment will be described. The system 1 executes a lamination control process shown in FIG.

[0052] (First embodiment lamination control process) The image formation control unit 16 acquires the job data including the lamination process by receiving the job data from an external device via the communication unit 18. Alternatively, the image formation control unit 16 acquires the job data including the lamination process by a user's input operation via the operation unit 11 (step A1). The job data includes image data of the job and setting information of the job. The job setting information includes the type and size of paper (target paper) used in the job, paper feed tray setting information, information indicating the number of copies to be printed, image formation conditions, etc. If the job includes lamination processing, the job setting information includes information regarding the lamination processing. The paper feed tray setting information is information for setting one or more paper feed trays among paper feed trays 411-413 of paper feed device 40 and / or paper feed trays 151-153 of paper feed unit 15 as paper feed trays to be used by a job. The paper feed tray to be used by a job is the paper feed tray in which the target paper is loaded.

[0053] Next, image formation control unit 16 acquires paper capacity information based on the job data acquired in step A1 (step A2). Specifically, image formation control unit 16 acquires, as paper capacity information, from storage unit 17, maximum stack capacity information of the paper feed tray set as the paper feed tray to be used by the job according to the paper feed tray setting information. When one paper feed tray is set as the paper feed tray to be used by the job, the image formation control unit 16 acquires the maximum stacking capacity information of the one paper feed tray as the paper capacity information. In other words, in this case, the paper capacity is the maximum stacking capacity of the one paper feed tray. When multiple paper feed trays are set as paper feed trays to be used by a job, the image formation control unit 16 acquires maximum stacking capacity information for each of the multiple paper feed trays. Next, the image formation control unit 16 acquires the combined maximum stacking capacity of the multiple paper feed trays as paper capacity information. In other words, in this case, the paper capacity is the combined maximum stacking capacity of the multiple paper feed trays. If the target paper is a paper of a predetermined size and there are multiple paper feed trays that can store paper of that predetermined size, the image formation control unit 16 acquires maximum loading capacity information for each of the multiple paper feed trays that can store paper of that predetermined size. Next, the image formation control unit 16 acquires the combined maximum loading capacity of the multiple paper feed trays that can store paper of the predetermined size as paper capacity information. In other words, in this case, the paper capacity is the combined maximum loading capacity of the paper feed trays that can store paper of the predetermined size.

[0054] In step A2, the image formation control unit 16 may execute the following process. Specifically, if multiple paper feed trays are set as paper feed trays to be used by the job, the image formation control unit 16 acquires maximum load capacity information for each of the multiple paper feed trays. Next, the image formation control unit 16 acquires maximum load capacity information, which is the largest capacity among the maximum load capacities of the multiple paper feed trays, as paper capacity information.

[0055] Next, the image formation control unit 16 determines whether the paper capacity indicated by the paper capacity information acquired in step A2 has been changed since the previous job was executed (step A3). If the paper capacity has changed since the previous job was executed (step A3; YES), the image formation control unit 16 calculates the length of film F consumed for one sheet of target paper (step A4). A case will be described in which multiple target sheets are transported successively to the laminating unit 24 with a predetermined interval between them. In this case, the image formation control unit 16 determines the length of the target sheets in the transport direction plus the predetermined distance between the sheets as the length of film F consumed for one target sheet. For example, if the length of the target sheets in the transport direction is 500 mm and the distance between the sheets is 10 mm, the length of film F consumed for one target sheet is 510 mm. Next, a case will be described in which the trailing edge of a preceding target sheet and the leading edge of a succeeding target sheet are overlapped by a predetermined overlap amount and then transported to the laminating unit 24. In this case, the image formation control unit 16 determines the length of the target sheet in the transport direction minus the overlap amount as the length of film F consumed for one sheet of target sheet. For example, if the length of the target sheet in the transport direction is 500 mm and the overlap amount is 10 mm, the length of film F consumed for one sheet of target sheet is 490 mm.

[0056] Next, the image formation control unit 16 notifies the laminating device 20 of the consumed length of the film F for one sheet of target paper calculated in step A4 by outputting the length (step A5). Next, the image formation control unit 16 calculates the length of film F to be consumed for the target paper sheet corresponding to the paper volume indicated by the paper volume information acquired in step A2 (step A6). That is, the image formation control unit 16 calculates the volume of film F required to laminate the target paper sheet when the paper volume is changed. For example, if the paper capacity is 3000 sheets and the length of film F consumed for one sheet of target paper is 510 mm, the length of film F consumed for the target paper for the paper capacity is 510 mm x 3000 sheets = 1530 m. On the other hand, if the paper capacity has not been changed since the previous job was executed (step A3; NO), the image formation control unit 16 moves the lamination control process to step A7.

[0057] Next, the image formation control unit 16 obtains the current remaining amount of film F loaded into the film supply unit 241 from the laminating device 20 (step A7). Specifically, the control unit 21 of the laminating device 20 calculates the current feed amount of film F based on the drive time or drive amount of the transport mechanism that transports film F after the film roll of film F was loaded into the film supply unit 241. Next, the control unit 21 calculates the current remaining amount of film F by subtracting the current feed amount of film F from the length of film F at the time the film roll of film F was loaded into the film supply unit 241. Next, the control unit 21 outputs the calculated current remaining amount of film F to the image forming device 10.

[0058] Next, the image formation control unit 16 determines whether the current remaining amount of film F acquired in step A7 is equal to or greater than the distance corresponding to the paper capacity (step A8). The distance corresponding to the paper capacity is the length of film F consumed for the target paper of the paper capacity, and is the distance over which film F is laminated onto the target paper of the paper capacity. The distance over which film F is laminated onto the target paper is the distance corresponding to the length of the target paper in the transport direction. When a plurality of target sheets are transported to the laminating unit 24 in succession with a predetermined interval therebetween, the distance corresponding to the length of the target sheets in the transport direction includes the distance between the sheets. When the rear end of the preceding target paper and the front end of the following target paper are overlapped by a predetermined overlap amount and transported to the laminating section 24, the distance corresponding to the length of the target paper in the transport direction is the distance corresponding to the length of the paper in the transport direction minus the overlap amount.

[0059] If the current remaining amount of film F is less than the distance corresponding to the paper capacity (step A8; NO), the image formation control unit 16 displays the following instruction on the display unit 12 (step A9) and moves the lamination control process to step A7. This instruction is to replace the film roll loaded in the film supply unit 241 with a film roll of film F whose distance is equal to or greater than the paper capacity. In other words, this instruction is to load, in the film supply unit 241, a film F whose capacity is equal to or greater than the capacity corresponding to the paper capacity. In step A9, the image formation control unit 16 may display on the display unit 12 that the current remaining amount of film F is less than the distance corresponding to the paper capacity.

[0060] On the other hand, if the current remaining amount of film F is equal to or greater than the distance corresponding to the paper capacity (step A8; YES), that is, if the capacity of film F is equal to or greater than the capacity corresponding to the paper capacity of the paper feeder. The capacity of film F is the length of film F in the paper transport direction, or a value corresponding to the length of film F in the paper transport direction. The capacity corresponding to the paper capacity of the paper feeder is the distance corresponding to the paper capacity. In this case, image formation control unit 16 controls image forming unit 14 to form an image on target paper supplied from paper feed unit 15 or paper feed device 40 based on image data that has been image processed by image processing unit 19. Next, image formation control unit 16 ejects the target paper on which the image has been formed and transports it to laminating device 20. Next, image formation control unit 16 performs laminating processing by attaching film F to the target paper on which the image has been formed by laminating device 20. That is, image formation control unit 16 starts image formation processing by image forming unit 14 and laminating processing by laminating device 20 (step A10). In this case, the laminating device 20 can continuously laminate the sheets of paper up to the maximum stack capacity of the paper feed tray used by the job without changing the film roll of the film F.

[0061] Next, the image formation control unit 16 determines whether or not to suspend the image formation process by the image forming unit 14 and the lamination process by the laminating device 20 (step A11). The following describes the case where the image forming process and laminating process are interrupted. The image formation control unit 16 performs the following process to maintain the quality of the image formed by the image forming unit 14. Specifically, the image formation control unit 16 interrupts the image formation process, for example, every several thousand sheets, and performs density correction based on the density of the color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 142. The image formation control unit 16 suspends the image formation process by the image forming unit 14 in order to correct color misregistration of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) in the image to be formed. When the image forming unit 14 runs out of toner, ink, or the like and needs to be replenished, the image forming control unit 16 suspends the image forming process by the image forming unit 14. When the image forming process by the image forming unit 14 is interrupted as described above, the image forming control unit 16 determines that the laminating process by the laminating device 20 is to be interrupted.

[0062] If the image forming process and laminating process are not to be interrupted (step A11; NO), the image forming control unit 16 determines whether the job is completed or not (step A12). If the job is completed (Step A12; YES), the image formation control unit 16 ends the lamination control process. On the other hand, if the job is not completed (step A12; NO), the image formation control section 16 shifts the lamination control process to step A11.

[0063] If it is determined that the image formation process and the lamination process should be interrupted (step A11; YES), image formation control unit 16 interrupts the image formation process by image forming unit 14. Furthermore, image formation control unit 16 outputs an instruction signal to laminating device 20 to interrupt the lamination process by laminating unit 24 (step A12). Upon receiving the instruction signal, control unit 21 of laminating device 20 controls film supply unit 241 to interrupt the supply of film F. This makes it possible to prevent film F from being wasted when the lamination process is interrupted due to the interruption of image formation process. Next, after the density correction, color misregistration correction, or replenishment of toner, ink, etc., the image formation control unit 16 resumes the image formation process and lamination process (step A14), and moves the lamination control process to step A11.

[0064] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. The following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 4, the system 1 in the second embodiment does not include the image forming apparatus 10. In the second embodiment, the paper feed device 40 conveys paper (cut paper) from paper feed trays 411 to 413 of one of the paper feed sections 41 to the laminating device 20. The paper feed trays 411 to 413 in the second embodiment store paper on which images have been formed.

[0066] The laminating device 20 in the second embodiment further includes an operation unit 261, a display unit 262, and a communication unit (not shown). The operation unit 261 has the same configuration as the operation unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 of the first embodiment. The display unit 262 has the same configuration as the display unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 10 of the first embodiment. The communication section of the laminating device 20 has the same configuration as the communication section 18 of the image forming device 10 of the first embodiment.

[0067] The storage unit 22 of the second embodiment stores information such as the type and size of paper sheets stored in the paper feed trays 411 to 413 of the paper feed device 40 for each paper feed tray. The storage unit 22 of the second embodiment stores maximum stacking capacity information indicating the maximum stacking capacity of sheets stored in the sheet feed trays 411 to 413 of the sheet feed device 40 for each sheet feed tray.

[0068] The control unit 21 of the laminating device 20 executes the laminating control process of the second embodiment shown in FIG.

[0069] (Second embodiment lamination control process) Control unit 21 acquires job data including lamination processing by receiving the job data from an external device via a communication unit of lamination device 20. Alternatively, control unit 21 acquires job data including lamination processing through an input operation by a user via operation unit 261 (step B1). The paper feed tray setting information in the second embodiment is information for setting one or more of paper feed trays 411 to 413 of paper feed device 40 as paper feed trays to be used by a job.

[0070] Next, the control unit 21 acquires paper capacity information based on the job data acquired in step B1 (step B2). Specifically, the control unit 21 acquires, from the storage unit 22, maximum stack capacity information of the paper feed tray set as the paper feed tray to be used by the job according to the paper feed tray setting information.

[0071] Next, the control unit 21 determines whether the paper capacity indicated by the paper capacity information acquired in step B2 has been changed since the previous job was executed (step B3). If the paper capacity has changed since the previous job was executed (step B3; YES), the control unit 21 calculates the length of film F consumed for one sheet of target paper (step B4). Next, the control unit 21 calculates the consumption length of the film F for the target paper sheet corresponding to the paper sheet capacity indicated by the paper sheet capacity information acquired in step B2 (step B5). On the other hand, if the paper capacity has not been changed since the previous job was executed (step B3; NO), the control unit 21 shifts the lamination control process to step B6.

[0072] Next, control unit 21 acquires the current remaining amount of film F loaded in film supply unit 241 (step B6). Next, the control unit 21 determines whether the current remaining amount of film F acquired in step B6 is equal to or greater than the distance corresponding to the paper capacity (step B7). If the current remaining amount of film F is less than the distance corresponding to the paper capacity, the control unit 21 displays the following instruction on the display unit 262 (step B8) and moves the lamination control process to step B6. This instruction is to replace the film roll loaded in the film supply unit 241 with a film roll of film F that is at least the distance corresponding to the paper capacity. In step B8, the control unit 21 may display on the display unit 262 that the current remaining amount of film F is less than the distance corresponding to the paper capacity.

[0073] On the other hand, if the current remaining amount of film F is equal to or greater than the distance corresponding to the paper capacity (step B7; YES), the control unit 21 causes the laminating unit 24 to attach film F to the target paper transported from the paper feed device 40 and perform the laminating process (step B9).

[0074] Next, the control unit 21 determines whether the job is completed or not (step B10). If the job is completed (step B10; YES), the control unit 21 ends the lamination control process. On the other hand, if the job is not completed (step B10; NO), the control unit 21 shifts the lamination control process to step B10.

[0075] <Third embodiment> Next, a third embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the second embodiment.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 6, the system 1 in the third embodiment includes a stacker device 50 instead of the cutting device 30. The stacker device 50 includes a transport path 51, a large-capacity paper discharge tray T2, a sub-tray T3, and the like. The large-capacity paper discharge tray T2 has a stage that moves up and down, and can accommodate a large amount of paper stacked on the stage. The sheets are discharged onto the sub-tray T3 in an exposed and visible state.

[0077] In response to an instruction signal received from the laminating device 20, the stacker device 50 executes a paper discharge process to discharge the laminated paper conveyed from the laminating device 20 onto the large-capacity paper discharge tray T2 or the sub-tray T3.

[0078] In the housing of the paper feeder 40 in the third embodiment, roll paper (roll paper) is wound around a support shaft and rotatably held, as shown in Fig. 6. The paper feeder 40 transports the paper to the laminating device 20 at a constant speed via multiple rollers.

[0079] The cutting section 25 of the laminating device 20 in the third embodiment cuts the paper sheet to which the film F has been attached by the laminating process together with the film F. The laminating device 20 in the third embodiment may include a paper cutting unit that cuts the paper to a predetermined length in the paper transport direction, upstream of the bonding unit 242. In this case, the cutting unit 25 cuts only the film F.

[0080] The storage unit 22 of the third embodiment stores maximum load capacity information that indicates the maximum load capacity of roll paper that can be held in the paper feeder 40. The storage unit 22 of the third embodiment stores maximum stacking capacity information indicating the maximum stacking capacity of the large-capacity discharge tray T2 of the stacker device 50.

[0081] The control unit 21 of the laminating device 20 executes a laminating control process of the third embodiment shown in FIG.

[0082] (Third embodiment lamination control process) The control unit 21 executes step C1, which is the same as step B1 in the second embodiment. The job setting information in the third embodiment does not include paper feed tray setting information. Next, the control unit 21 acquires information on the maximum load capacity of the roll paper held in the paper feeder 40 from the storage unit 22 as paper capacity information (step C2). Next, the control unit 21 calculates the consumption length of the film F for the target paper sheet corresponding to the paper sheet capacity indicated by the paper sheet capacity information acquired in step C2 (step C3). Next, the control unit 21 executes step C4, which is the same as step B6 in the second embodiment.

[0083] Next, the control unit 21 determines whether the current remaining amount of film F obtained in step C4 is equal to or greater than the distance corresponding to the paper capacity and the maximum stacking capacity of the large-capacity paper output tray T2 (step C5). The distance corresponding to the paper capacity is the consumed length of film F for the target paper of the paper capacity calculated in step C3. For example, if the maximum loading capacity of the large-capacity ejection tray T2 is 5000 sheets of paper with a length of 500 mm in the transport direction, the distance corresponding to the maximum loading capacity of the large-capacity ejection tray T2 is 500 mm x 5000 sheets = 2500 m.

[0084] If the current remaining amount of film F is less than the distance corresponding to the paper capacity or less than the distance corresponding to the maximum stacking capacity of large-capacity paper output tray T2 (step C5; NO), control unit 21 displays the following instruction on display unit 262 (step C6) and transitions the lamination control process to step C4. This instruction is to replace the film roll loaded in film supply unit 241 with a film roll of film F that is at least the distance corresponding to the paper capacity and at least the distance corresponding to the maximum stacking capacity of large-capacity paper output tray T2. In step C6, the control unit 21 may display on the display unit 262 that the current remaining amount of film F is less than the distance corresponding to the paper capacity or less than the distance corresponding to the maximum loading capacity of the large-capacity paper output tray T2.

[0085] On the other hand, if the current remaining amount of film F is greater than the distance corresponding to the paper capacity and greater than the distance corresponding to the maximum loading capacity of the large-capacity paper output tray T2 (step C5; YES), the control unit 21 causes the laminating unit 24 to attach film F to the target paper and perform the laminating process (step C7). If the current remaining amount of film F is greater than the distance corresponding to the maximum loading capacity of the large-capacity output tray T2, the capacity of film F is greater than the capacity corresponding to the maximum loading capacity of the output tray (large-capacity output tray T2) on which the paper is loaded after being laminated with film F. Next, the control unit 21 determines whether the job is completed or not (step C8). If the job is completed (Step C8; YES), the control section 21 ends the lamination control process. On the other hand, if the job is not completed (step C8; NO), the control unit 21 shifts the lamination control process to step C8.

[0086] In the third embodiment, the lamination process can be performed continuously without changing the film roll of the film F until the loading amount of the large-capacity discharge tray T2 of the stacker device 50 reaches the maximum loading capacity.

[0087] In the third embodiment, the system 1 may include a winding device instead of the stacker device 50. In this case, the cutting unit 25 does not cut the laminated paper, and the winding device winds up the laminated paper.

[0088] As described above, the laminating system (system 1) according to this embodiment includes a laminating processing unit (laminating unit 24) that laminates the film F supplied from the film supply unit 241 onto a sheet. The system 1 includes paper feed units 41 and 15 that supply paper to the lamination unit. The capacity of the film F is equal to or greater than the capacity corresponding to the paper capacity of the paper feed section. This allows the laminating device 20 to continuously laminate sheets up to the maximum stack capacity of the sheet feeder that supplies the target sheets without replacing the film roll of film F. This prevents a decrease in productivity in the laminating process.

[0089] The laminating system (system 1) according to this embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 10 that forms an image on a sheet of paper. The image forming apparatus 10 includes paper feed units 41 and 15. As a result, the laminating device 20 can continuously laminate image-formed sheets of paper up to the maximum stack capacity of the paper feed unit that supplies the target sheets, without changing the film roll of the film F.

[0090] In the laminating system (system 1) according to this embodiment, paper feed unit 41 includes trays (paper feed trays 411 to 413) capable of loading a plurality of sheets of paper. Paper feed unit 15 includes trays (paper feed trays 151 to 153) capable of loading a plurality of sheets of paper. This allows the laminating device 20 to continuously laminate the sheets of paper up to the maximum stack capacity of the paper feed tray used by the job without changing the film roll of the film F.

[0091] In the laminating system (system 1) according to this embodiment, the paper includes roll paper. This allows the laminating device 20 to continuously laminate the rolls of film F up to the maximum load capacity of the paper feeder 40 without changing the film roll.

[0092] In the laminating system (system 1) according to this embodiment, the capacity corresponding to the paper capacity is the distance over which the film F is laminated onto the paper of the paper capacity. This allows the laminating device 20 to continuously laminate sheets of paper up to the maximum stack capacity of the paper feed unit that supplies the target sheets without changing the film roll of the film F.

[0093] In the laminating system (system 1) according to this embodiment, the distance over which the film F is laminated corresponds to the length of the multiple sheets of paper loaded in the paper feed units 41 and 15 in the transport direction. This allows the laminating device 20 to continuously laminate sheets of paper up to the maximum stack capacity of the paper feed unit that supplies the target sheets without changing the film roll of the film F.

[0094] In the laminating system (system 1) according to this embodiment, the distance corresponding to the length of the paper in the transport direction includes the distance between the papers when multiple papers are transported continuously. As a result, even when a plurality of target papers are transported to the laminating section 24 successively at predetermined intervals, the maximum stack capacity of the paper feed section that supplies the target papers can be laminated successively without changing the film roll of film F.

[0095] In the laminating system (system 1) of this embodiment, the distance corresponding to the length of the paper in the transport direction is the distance corresponding to the length of the paper in the transport direction minus the amount of overlap when the rear end of the preceding paper and the front end of the following paper are transported overlapping by a predetermined amount. As a result, even when the rear end of the preceding target paper and the front end of the succeeding target paper are overlapped by a predetermined overlap amount and transported to the laminating section 24, the maximum stack capacity of the paper feed section that supplies the target paper can be continuously laminated without changing the film roll of film F.

[0096] In the laminating system (system 1) according to this embodiment, the paper capacity is the maximum stacking capacity of one tray (paper feed trays 411 to 413, 151 to 152). This allows the laminating device 20 to continuously laminate the sheets of paper up to the maximum stacking capacity of one tray without changing the film roll of the film F.

[0097] In the laminating system (system 1) according to this embodiment, the paper feed unit 41 includes a plurality of trays (paper feed trays 411 to 413), and the paper feed unit 15 includes a plurality of trays (paper feed trays 151 to 153). The paper capacity is the total capacity of the maximum stacking capacity of multiple trays. As a result, even when multiple paper feed trays are set as paper feed trays to be used by a job, the laminating device 20 can continuously laminate the amount of paper equal to the combined maximum loading capacity of the multiple paper feed trays without changing the film roll of film F.

[0098] In the laminating system (system 1) according to this embodiment, the paper feed unit 41 includes a plurality of trays (paper feed trays 411 to 413) for stacking sheets of paper of predetermined sizes. Alternatively, the paper feed unit 15 includes a plurality of trays (paper feed trays 151 to 153) for stacking sheets of predetermined sizes. The paper capacity is the total capacity of the trays that hold paper of a predetermined size. As a result, even if the target paper is of a predetermined size and there are multiple paper feed trays that can store paper of that predetermined size, the laminating device 20 can continuously laminate paper up to the combined maximum loading capacity of the multiple paper feed trays without changing the film roll of film F.

[0099] In the laminating system (system 1) according to this embodiment, the capacity of the film F is larger than the capacity corresponding to the maximum stacking capacity of the discharge tray (large capacity discharge tray T2) on which the sheets laminated with the film F are stacked. This allows the laminating device 20 to continuously perform laminating processing on the film F without changing the film roll until the loading amount of the large-capacity discharge tray T2 of the stacker device 50 reaches the maximum loading capacity.

[0100] In the laminating system (system 1) according to this embodiment, when the image forming apparatus 10 suspends the supply of paper, it notifies the laminating device 20, which includes a laminating processing section (laminating section 24), of this fact. The film supply unit 241 stops supplying the film F based on the notification. This makes it possible to prevent the film F from being wasted when the laminating process is interrupted due to an interruption of the image forming process.

[0101] In the laminating system (system 1) according to this embodiment, a notification is given to instruct the user to load film F so that the capacity of film F is equal to or greater than the capacity corresponding to the paper capacity. This allows the laminating device 20 to load the film F so that it can continuously laminate the sheets of paper up to the maximum stack capacity of the paper feed unit that supplies the target sheets without changing the film roll of the film F.

[0102] In the laminating system (system 1) according to this embodiment, when a film F with a capacity smaller than that corresponding to the paper capacity is loaded, a notification to that effect is given. This allows the user to easily recognize that the film F with a capacity smaller than the capacity corresponding to the paper capacity is loaded.

[0103] In the laminating system (system 1) according to this embodiment, when the paper capacity is changed, the volume of film F required to laminate the paper is calculated. This allows the amount of film F required to laminate the paper to be accurately set in the laminating device 20.

[0104] Although the present invention has been specifically described above based on the embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified within the scope of the present invention.

[0105] For example, in the above embodiment, the film F is laminated only on the front surface of the paper, but this is not limitative. The film may be laminated on both sides of the paper, not just one side. The lamination method in the above embodiment is a cold lamination method in which the fixing unit 243 presses the film F, which has an adhesive layer that can be adhered at room temperature, onto the paper to fix it, but this is not limited to this. The lamination method may also be a hot lamination method in which a heating unit provided in the fixing unit 243 melts the adhesive layer of the film F, and the melted adhesive layer is adhered to the paper and bonded by thermocompression.

[0106] In the above embodiment, the sheets of paper transported to the laminating unit 24 are overlapped by a predetermined overlap amount between the trailing edge of the preceding sheet and the leading edge of the succeeding sheet, but this is not limited to this. The overlap amount may be set to 0, that is, the sheets may be transported continuously so that the trailing edge of the preceding sheet and the leading edge of the succeeding sheet are in contact with each other.

[0107] In addition, the detailed configuration and operation of each device constituting the laminating system can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 1 System (Laminate System) 10 Image forming device 11 Control section 12 Display section 13 Document reading unit 14 Image forming unit 141Y, 141M, 141C, 141K photoconductor drum 142 Intermediate transfer belt 143 Secondary transfer roller 144 Fixing section 15 Paper feed section 151, 152, 153 paper trays 16 Image formation control unit 17 Memory section 18 Communications Department 20 Laminating equipment 21 Control section 22 Memory section 23 Conveyor 231 Transport Route 24 Laminating Department 241 Film supply unit 242 Bonding section 243 Fixing section 25 Cut section 261 Operation section 262 Display section 30 Cutting device 31 Conveyor 32 Cutting section 33 Paper output section 34 boxes 40 Paper feeder 41 Paper feed section 411,412,413 Paper tray 50 Stacker device 51 Transport Route F film (laminate film) T1 output tray T2 Large Capacity Output Tray T3 Sub-tray

Claims

1. a laminating unit that laminates the film supplied from the film supply unit onto the paper; a paper feed unit that supplies the paper to the lamination unit; Equipped with A lamination system, wherein the capacity of the film is equal to or greater than the capacity corresponding to the paper capacity of the paper feed unit.

2. an image forming device for forming an image on the paper; The laminating system according to claim 1 , wherein the image forming device includes the paper feed unit.

3. The laminating system according to claim 1 , wherein the paper feed unit includes a tray capable of holding a plurality of sheets of paper.

4. The laminating system of claim 1 , wherein the paper comprises roll paper.

5. The laminating system according to claim 1 , wherein the capacity corresponding to the paper capacity is a distance for laminating the film onto the paper of the paper capacity.

6. The laminating system according to claim 5 , wherein the laminating distance corresponds to a length in a transport direction of the plurality of sheets of paper loaded in the paper feed section.

7. The laminating system according to claim 6 , wherein the distance corresponding to the length of the paper in the transport direction includes a distance between the papers when a plurality of the papers are transported continuously.

8. The laminating system of claim 6, wherein the distance corresponding to the length of the paper in the transport direction is the distance corresponding to the length of the paper minus the amount of overlap when the rear end of the preceding paper and the front end of the following paper are transported overlapping by a predetermined amount from the length of the paper in the transport direction.

9. The laminating system according to claim 3 , wherein the paper capacity is a maximum loading capacity of one of the trays.

10. the paper feed unit includes a plurality of the trays, The laminating system according to claim 3 , wherein the paper capacity is a total capacity of the maximum stacking capacities of the plurality of trays.

11. the paper feed unit includes a plurality of trays for loading paper sheets of a predetermined size; The laminating system according to claim 3 , wherein the paper capacity is a total capacity of the maximum stacking capacities of trays that stack paper of the predetermined size.

12. The laminating system according to claim 1 , wherein the volume of the film is larger than the volume corresponding to the maximum stacking capacity of an ejection tray on which the sheets of paper are stacked after being laminated with the film.

13. 3. The laminating system according to claim 2, wherein when the image forming apparatus interrupts the supply of the paper, the image forming apparatus notifies the laminating apparatus including the laminating section of that fact.

14. The laminating system according to claim 13 , wherein the film supply unit interrupts supply of the film based on the notification.

15. The laminating system according to claim 1 , wherein the laminating system issues a notification instructing the user to load the film so that the film capacity is equal to or greater than the capacity corresponding to the paper capacity.

16. The laminating system according to claim 1 , wherein when the film having a capacity smaller than that corresponding to the paper capacity is loaded, a notification to that effect is given.

17. The laminating system according to claim 1 , wherein when the paper volume is changed, the volume of the film required to laminate the paper is calculated.

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