Lamination processing device, image forming device and image forming system

Abstract

To provide a laminate processing device that can heat-fuse sheets (two stacked sheets) at a constant transport speed without increasing a size of the device.SOLUTION: A laminate processing device includes: a sheet processing unit in which two sheets are stacked and a sheet-like medium is sandwiched between two stacked sheets that are partially joined together; and a thermal fusing unit that performs heating and pressurization while conveying the two stacked sheets. The sheet processing unit has an exit roller that conveys the two stacked sheets to the thermal fusing unit, and changes a conveyance force of the exit roller when the exit roller passes the two stacked sheets to the thermal fusing section. A lamination quality can be improved because the two stacked sheets can be heat-fused at a constant conveying speed in the heat fusing unit. Further, there is no need to extend a conveying distance from the exit roller to the thermal fusing unit, and a size of the device is not increased.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] A technology known as lamination involves inserting an inner layer (paper, photographs, etc.) between two sheets that have been stacked and joined (connected) at one side (laminating sheet or laminating film), and then applying heat and pressure to bond the two sheets together.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a laminating device in which a laminating film having a connected front end is separated by a separating and releasing means (upper and lower vacuums) and then a protective paper sheet is inserted.

[0004] Moreover, Patent Document 2 discloses an image forming apparatus capable of performing a desired lamination process by controlling the operation of a fixing unit in accordance with the thickness of a laminate sheet.

[0005] Furthermore, Patent Document 3 discloses a sheet peeling device that wraps two overlapping sheets around a rotating member and peels off the two sheets of the two overlapping sheets by creating a difference in winding circumferential length between the inner sheet and the outer sheet based on a geometric relationship. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Generally, lamination (processing) using a thermal fixing device is performed by conveying a sheet to be laminated by a thermal fixing roller at a constant conveying speed and applying heat uniformly to the entire sheet.

[0007] When manually feeding a sheet to the thermal fixing device, the sheet to be laminated is first held in the hand and struck against the nip of the thermal fixing rollers, and released when the rollers begin to grip and convey the sheet.Then, the thermal fixing rollers convey the sheet at a constant speed, and the entire sheet is bonded.

[0008] On the other hand, when inserting the inner paper into the sheet and laminating the sheet in a fully automated manner, the sheet processing device that inserts the inner paper into the sheet is connected to the thermal fixing device, and the sheet from the sheet processing device is transported to the thermal fixing device. However, the sheet processing device and the thermal fixing device are prone to differences in transport speed due to mechanical factors such as variations in the roller diameters and temperature differences. As a result, the sheet transport speed during thermal fixing fluctuates, which can cause uneven adhesion.

[0009] To avoid this, it is possible to extend the transport path from the exit roller of the sheet processing device to the thermal fixing roller of the thermal fixing device, and transport the sheet only by the thermal fixing roller during thermal fixing. However, this is not preferable because it increases the size of the device.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE ... In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a lamination processing apparatus capable of thermally fixing sheets (two-ply sheets) at a constant conveying speed without increasing the size of the apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The above problem is solved by a lamination processing device that includes a sheet processing unit that sandwiches a sheet-like medium between two sheets that are overlapped and partially joined together, and a thermal fixing unit that applies heat and pressure to the two-ply sheet while conveying the two-ply sheet. And, The sheet processing section has an exit roller that conveys the two-ply sheet to the thermal fixing section, and changes a conveying force of the exit roller when the exit roller delivers the two-ply sheet to the thermal fixing section. The lamination processing apparatus further comprises a sheet deflection detection means for detecting deflection of the two-ply sheet between the exit roller and the thermal fixing unit, and the conveying force of the exit roller is changed based on the detection result. This problem is solved by the lamination processing device. Effect of the Invention

[0012] In the lamination processing device of the present invention, the conveying force of the exit roller is changed when the exit roller delivers the two-ply sheet to the thermal fixing section, so that the two-ply sheet can be thermally fixed at a constant conveying speed in the thermal fixing section, improving the lamination quality. In addition, there is no need to extend the conveying distance from the exit roller to the thermal fixing section, so the size of the device is not increased. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a lamination processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram (part 1) showing the main parts of the lamination processing device shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram (part 2) showing the main parts of the lamination processing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a block diagram (part 3) showing the main parts of the lamination processing device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the main parts of the lamination processing device. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the main parts of the lamination processing device. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the main parts of the lamination processing device. [Figure 8] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the main parts of the lamination processing device. [Figure 9] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the main parts of the lamination processing device. [Figure 10] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the main parts of the lamination processing device. [Figure 11] This is a configuration diagram (part 10) showing the main parts of the lamination processing device. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram (part 1) showing the linking portion between an exit roller pair and a thermal fixing roller in a lamination processing device. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a second structural diagram showing the linkage between the exit roller pair and the thermal fixing roller in the lamination processing device. [Figure 14]FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram (part 3) showing the interlocking portion between the exit roller pair and the thermal fixing roller in the lamination processing device. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram (part 1) showing an embodiment in which the conveying force of the pair of outlet rollers is changed. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram (part 2) showing an embodiment in which the conveying force of the pair of outlet rollers is changed. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram (part 1) of a lamination processing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a second overall configuration diagram of a lamination processing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing a linking portion between a pair of outlet rollers and a thermal fixing roller according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 11 is an overall configuration diagram of a lamination processing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] 11 is a flowchart illustrating a series of operations from sheet feeding, inserting an inner sheet, to completing a lamination process. [Figure 22] 13 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating a series of operations from sheet feeding, inserting the inner paper, to completing the lamination process. [Figure 23] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an example of an image forming apparatus equipped with the lamination processing apparatus of FIG. [Figure 24] 1. FIG. 4 is an overall configuration diagram showing a modified example of an image forming apparatus including the lamination processing apparatus of FIG. [Diagram 25] FIG. 2 is a general configuration diagram showing an example of an image forming apparatus equipped with the lamination device of FIG. 1 on the outside. [Figure 26] FIG. 18 is an overall configuration diagram showing a modified example of an image forming apparatus having the lamination device of FIG. 17 on the outside. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a lamination device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The lamination device 200 of this embodiment peels two overlapping sheets (hereinafter referred to as sheets S) from each other, inserts a sheet-like medium (hereinafter referred to as an inner sheet P) between the peeled sheets S, sandwiches them, and applies heat and pressure to bond the sheets S.

[0015] Here, the sheet S is a two-ply sheet in which two sheets are stacked and a part (or one side) of the two sheets are joined together. For example, a two-ply sheet may be one in which one side is a transparent sheet such as a transparent polyester sheet and the other side is a transparent or opaque sheet, and the two sheets are joined together at one side. A laminate film is also included as a two-ply sheet.

[0016] The inner page P is an example of a sheet-like medium that is inserted between these two stacked sheets. In addition to plain paper, sheet-like media includes cardboard, postcards, envelopes, thin paper, coated paper (coated paper, art paper, etc.), tracing paper, and OHP sheets.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the lamination processing device 200 is divided into a sheet processing section 100 that sandwiches an inner sheet P between sheets S, and a thermal fixing section 130 that can apply heat and pressure to the sheets S.

[0018] The sheet processing unit 100 includes a sheet tray 102 as a first stacking unit for stacking sheets S, a pickup roller 105 for feeding sheets S from the sheet tray 102, and a conveying roller pair 107. The sheet processing unit 100 also includes a paper feed tray 103 as a second stacking unit for stacking inner sheets P, and a pickup roller 106 for feeding inner sheets P from the paper feed tray 103.

[0019] A transport sensor C1 for detecting the transport position of the sheet S is provided downstream of the transport roller pair 107 in the transport direction, and a transport sensor C2 for detecting the transport position of the inner sheet P is provided downstream of the pickup roller 106 in the transport direction.

[0020] The lamination device 200 also includes an entrance roller pair 108 as a first conveying means, a winding roller 109 as a rotating member, and an exit roller pair 113 as a second conveying means, downstream of the conveying roller pair 107 and the pickup roller 106. The lamination device 200 also includes a peeling claw 116 as a peeling member provided between the winding roller 109 and the exit roller pair 113 so as to be movable in the width direction of the sheet S.

[0021] A transport sensor C3 that detects the transport positions of the sheet S and the inner paper P is provided downstream of the entrance roller pair 108 in the transport direction, and an abnormality detection sensor C4 that detects the state of the sheet S is provided downstream of the winding roller 109 in the transport direction. And a transport sensor C5 that detects the transport position of the sheet S is provided downstream of the exit roller pair 113 in the transport direction.

[0022] The pickup roller 105, the pair of conveying rollers 107, the pair of entrance rollers 108, and the winding roller 109 are an example of a first feeding means, and the pickup roller 106, the pair of entrance rollers 108, and the winding roller 109 are an example of a second feeding means.

[0023] Downstream of the pair of exit rollers 113, the sheet is separated into upper and lower parts by a branching claw 118, and this is the thermal fixing section 130. The thermal fixing section 130 includes, on its upper side, a thermal fixing roller 120 which is a thermal pressure member capable of applying heat and pressure to the sheet S. In addition, downstream of the thermal fixing roller 120, a discharge roller 121 and a paper discharge tray 104 are provided.

[0024] The lamination device 200 of this embodiment stacks the sheets S and the inner pages P on separate trays, and while transporting the sheets S, separates and opens the two sheets, and inserts the inner pages P into the opening. The sheets S with the inner pages P inserted are then heated and pressurized to bond the sheets S (laminate processing), and then discharged and stacked on the discharge tray 104.

[0025] Fig. 2 is a configuration diagram (part 1) showing the main parts of the lamination processing device shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the entrance roller pair 108 and the exit roller pair 113 are, for example, two rollers in pairs, each of which is rotationally driven by a driving means (such as a motor). The entrance roller pair 108 is rotationally driven in one direction, and the exit roller pair 113 is rotationally driven in forward and reverse directions, thereby sandwiching and transporting the sheet S and the inner page P.

[0026] The entrance roller pair 108 transports the sheet S and the inner page P toward the exit roller pair 113. This transport direction is called the forward transport direction (the direction of the arrow A).

[0027] Meanwhile, the pair of exit rollers 113 can switch their rotation between forward and reverse directions. The sandwiched sheet S can be transported toward the discharge tray 104 (see FIG. 1) in the forward transport direction, and can also be transported toward the winding roller 109 in the reverse direction (pull-back direction). This direction of transport toward the winding roller 109 (the opposite direction to the forward transport direction) is called the reverse transport direction (the direction of arrow B).

[0028] The lamination processing device 200 also includes a winding roller 109 and a peeling claw 116, which are rotating members, between the pair of entrance rollers 108 and the pair of exit rollers 113. The winding roller 109 is driven to rotate in forward and reverse directions by a driving means (such as a motor), and its rotation can be switched between two directions (clockwise / counterclockwise).

[0029] The winding roller 109 has a roller member 111 and a movable gripping means 110 that is provided on the roller member 111 and grips the sheet S. The movable gripping means 110 is characterized by gripping the leading edge of the sheet S together with the roller member 111. The gripping means 110 may be integrally formed on the outer periphery of the roller member 111, or may be configured as a separate part.

[0030] Next, the peeling operation of the sheet S of the lamination processing device 200 (sheet processing section 100) will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. In Figures 3 to 8, the same components as those in Figures 1 and 2 are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0031] 1, the sheets S on the sheet tray 102 are stacked so that a portion of the joined two sheets is located downstream in the feed direction (conveying direction) of the pickup roller 105. Then, the lamination processing device 200 picks up the sheet S on the sheet tray 102 with the pickup roller 105, and conveys it toward the entrance roller pair 108 by the conveying roller pair 107.

[0032] 2, the sheet S is conveyed by the inlet roller pair 108 toward the winding roller 109. Here, the lamination processing device 200 conveys the sheet S with the side where an end portion, which is one of the four sides of the sheet S, joined being the downstream side in the forward conveying direction (the direction of the arrow A).

[0033] Then, the lamination processing device 200 temporarily stops the conveyance of the sheet S when the rear end of the sheet S in the forward conveyance direction passes the winding roller 109. Note that these operations are triggered by detection of the leading end of the sheet S by the conveyance sensor C3, and are performed by conveying the sheet S by a specified amount from the conveyance sensor C3.

[0034] Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the lamination device 200 opens the gripping means 110, reverses the rotation direction of the exit roller pair 113, and conveys the sheet S toward the opening of the gripping means 110 in the reverse conveying direction (the direction of the arrow B).

[0035] 4, the lamination device 200 stops conveying the sheet S when the end of the sheet S is inserted into the open gripping means 110, and closes the gripping means 110 to grip the end of the sheet S. These operations are performed by conveying the sheet S a specified amount.

[0036] 5, the lamination apparatus 200 rotates the winding roller 109 counterclockwise to wind the sheet S around the winding roller 109. Here, the sheet S is wound around the winding roller 109 from the side of the two sheets that is not joined together.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 6(a), when the sheet S is wound around the winding roller 109, the difference in winding circumferential length (difference in winding amount) of the two overlapping sheets causes excess sheet on the inner circumference side, and slack occurs toward the joined end of the sheet S. As a result, a space is created between the two sheets. Then, as shown in FIG. 6(b), by inserting the peeling claws 116 into this created space from both sides of the sheet S, it is possible to reliably maintain the space between the two sheets. Note that these operations are triggered by detection of the leading edge of the sheet S by the transport sensor C5, and are performed by transporting the sheet S a specified amount from the transport sensor C5.

[0038] The lamination device 200 rotates the winding roller 109 clockwise with the peeling claw 116 inserted into the space created in the sheet S (see FIG. 6). Then, as shown in FIG. 7(a), the peeled space of the sheet S is moved to the rear end of the sheet S in the forward conveying direction (the direction of the arrow A). Then, when the designated amount of movement has been reached, the gripping means 110 is released, and the rear end of the sheet S is separated into upper and lower parts (see FIG. 7(b)).

[0039] In this state, the lamination processing device 200 temporarily stops the conveyance of the sheet S, and then moves the peeling claw 116 further in the sheet width direction to peel off the entire rear end of the sheet S. Note that these operations are triggered by detection of the leading edge of the sheet S by the conveyance sensor C5, and are performed by conveying the sheet S by a specified amount from the conveyance sensor C5.

[0040] 8, the lamination device 200 rotates the pair of exit rollers 113 counterclockwise from the state in which the entire rear end of the sheet S has been peeled off, and conveys the sheet S in the reverse conveying direction (the direction of the arrow B). That is, the two peeled sheets of the sheet S are guided in the vertical direction by the peeling claws 116, respectively, and the two sheets are entirely peeled off from each other.

[0041] Then, the lamination device 200 temporarily stops conveying the sheet S, and the joint portion of the sheet S is gripped (nipped) by the pair of exit rollers 113. Therefore, the sheet S is opened widely from the jointed side as an end.

[0042] These operations are triggered by detection of the leading edge of the sheet S by the transport sensor C5, and are performed by transporting the sheet S by a designated amount from the transport sensor C5. A series of operations starting from the transport of the sheet S to this point is called a "peeling operation."

[0043] Next, the operation of inserting the inner sheet P into the peeled sheet S by the lamination device 200 (sheet processing unit 100) will be described with reference to Figures 9 to 11. In Figures 9 to 11, the same components as those in Figures 1 to 8 are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0044] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the lamination processing device 200 rotates the entrance roller pair 108 to transport the inner sheet P transported from the paper feed tray 103 (see FIG. 1) in the forward transport direction (direction of arrow A) toward the exit roller pair 113.

[0045] 10 and 11, the lamination device 200 rotates the pair of exit rollers 113 to merge the sheet S and the inner sheet P, and inserts the inner sheet P into the opened sheet S. This series of operations starting with the transport of the inner sheet P is called the "insertion operation."

[0046] The sheet S with the inner paper P sandwiched therebetween is conveyed further downstream by the pair of outlet rollers 113, and is sent to the thermal fixing rollers 120 for lamination processing by switching the branching claw 118. It is also possible to discharge the sheet S without lamination processing.

[0047] Next, the characteristic features of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0048] 12 to 14 are enlarged configuration diagrams showing the linking portion between the pair of outlet rollers and the thermal fixing roller.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 12, the sheet S into which the intermediate paper P is inserted is conveyed by the exit roller pair 113 to the heat fixing roller 120. Even when the sheet S reaches the nip position of the heat fixing roller 120, the remaining portion is conveyed by the exit roller pair 113, so that the sheet S is conveyed by both the heat fixing roller 120 and the exit roller pair 113.

[0050] Here, when the sheet conveyance speed (V1) of the exit roller pair 113 is faster than the sheet conveyance speed (V2) of the heat fixing roller 120 (V1 > V2), a deflection D occurs in the sheet S between the exit roller pair 113 and the heat fixing roller 120. Therefore, it is necessary to separately provide a space for releasing this deflection D in the conveyance path, which is not preferable.

[0051] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13, when the sheet conveyance speed (V1) of the exit roller pair 113 is slower than the sheet conveyance speed (V2) of the heat fixing roller 120 (V1 < V2), the exit roller pair 113 pulls the sheet S from the heat fixing roller 120. Therefore, the sheet conveyance speed fluctuates during heat fixing, and there is a possibility of quality defects such as uneven adhesion.

[0052] Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, after the heat fixing roller 120 bites (clamps) and conveys the sheet S by a certain amount, the conveying force F of the exit roller pair 113 is reduced, and the exit roller pair 113 is made to follow the sheet conveyance of the heat fixing roller 120. That is, the exit roller pair 113 is in a driven state (V1 ≒ V2) with respect to the sheet S.

[0053] The conveying force F of the exit roller pair 113 is the force generated between the nip portion of the exit roller pair 113 and the sheet S. It is mainly determined by the contact area between the nip portion of the exit roller pair 113 and the sheet S, the coefficient of kinetic friction between the contacting surfaces, and the pressing force between the pair of rollers of the exit roller pair 113.

[0054] Furthermore, whether the thermal fixing roller 120 is transporting the sheet S can be determined by using a transport sensor C5 located upstream of the thermal fixing roller 120. That is, after the detection of the sheet S by the transport sensor C5, it can be determined that the sheet S is being transported by the thermal fixing roller 120 when a predetermined time has elapsed (or when the sheet S has been transported a predetermined distance L). The transport sensor C5 is an example of a sheet detection unit that detects the presence or absence of the sheet S.

[0055] With the above-described configuration, the lamination device 200 of this embodiment can transport the sheet S at a constant transport speed by the thermal fixing roller 120. Therefore, heat can be applied uniformly to the entire sheet, improving the lamination quality.

[0056] As a configuration for changing the conveying force F of the pair of outlet rollers 113, the following embodiments can be given.

[0057] (Example 1) An encoder that detects the number of rotations of the exit roller pair 113 is provided, and the conveying speed of the exit roller pair 113 is controlled (feedback controlled) based on the detected number of rotations. By making the conveying speed of the exit roller pair 113 equal to the conveying speed of the thermal fixing roller 120, the sheet conveying speed during thermal fixing can be made constant. The encoder is an example of a rotation number detection means that detects the number of rotations.

[0058] (Example 2) 15, the conveying force F of the exit roller pair 113 is eliminated (F=0) by separating the pair of rollers of the exit roller pair 113. This can be achieved by providing the exit roller pair 113 with a roller separating mechanism that separates the rollers from each other.

[0059] (Example 3) 16, an electromagnetic clutch mechanism is provided in the pair of exit rollers 113, and the pair of exit rollers 113 is rotated idly to reduce the conveying force F of the pair of exit rollers 113. The timing to operate the electromagnetic clutch mechanism can be determined (judged) using the conveying sensor C5 located upstream of the thermal fixing roller 120, as described above.

[0060] Moreover, the pair of exit rollers 113 may be rotated idly by turning off the excitation of a drive mechanism (such as a motor) that rotates and drives the pair of exit rollers 113. Even in this configuration, the conveying force F of the pair of exit rollers 113 can be changed to a small value.

[0061] By using these examples, the lamination processing apparatus 200 of this embodiment can change the conveying force of the exit roller pair 113.

[0062] 17 and 18 are diagrams showing the overall configuration of a lamination processing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 17 and Fig. 18, the same components as those in Fig. 1 are given the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0063] The lamination processing device 200a of this embodiment includes a slack detection sensor C6 that detects slack of the sheet S between the exit roller pair 113 and the thermal fixing roller 120. As shown in Fig. 18, this slack detection sensor C6 can detect slack D of the sheet S that occurs between the thermal fixing roller 120 and the exit roller pair 113. The slack detection sensor C6 is an example of a sheet slack detection means.

[0064] The specific operation of the lamination device 200a of this embodiment will be described.

[0065] First, the sheet conveying speed (V1) of the exit roller pair 113 of the lamination processing device 200a (sheet processing device 100a) is made faster than the sheet conveying speed (V2) of the thermal fixing roller 120 of the thermal fixing device 130a (V1>V2). When the thermal fixing roller 120 starts to convey the sheet S together with the exit roller pair 113, the sheet S is deflected between the two rollers due to the speed difference between the exit roller pair 113 and the thermal fixing roller 120 (FIG. 18).

[0066] Next, the lamination processing device 200a (sheet processing device 100a) determines that sheet conveyance by the thermal fixing roller 120 has started at the time when the flexure detection sensor C6 detects a predetermined flexure. Then, the conveying force F of the exit roller pair 113 is reduced to follow the sheet conveyance by the thermal fixing roller 120. This allows the thermal fixing roller 120 to perform thermal fixing at a constant conveying speed.

[0067] As a configuration for changing the conveying force F of the pair of outlet rollers 113, the above-mentioned first to third embodiments can be used.

[0068] In addition, when the sheet S is conveyed to the thermal fixing device 130a, the flexure detection sensor C6 may not detect the predetermined flexure even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the conveyance sensor C5 detected the sheet S. In this case, the lamination processing device 200a (sheet processing device 100a) determines that the sheet S is not conveyed to the thermal fixing device 130a, and stops the sheet conveyance of the exit roller pair 113.

[0069] In this embodiment, even if the required sheet transport time (or sheet transport distance) from the exit roller pair 113 to the thermal fixing roller 120 is unknown, the sheet transport by the thermal fixing roller 120 can be determined. Therefore, the lamination processing device 200a of this embodiment can be configured such that the sheet processing device 100a having the deflection detection sensor C6 and the thermal fixing device 130a are separate devices, and they can be connected / separated according to the application.

[0070] This allows the combination of sheet processing devices and thermal fixing devices according to the application (specifications) and also allows connection to commercially available (existing) thermal fixing devices, thereby improving productivity and convenience.

[0071] Fig. 19 is a configuration diagram showing the linking portion of the pair of outlet rollers and the thermal fixing roller according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 19, the same parts as those in Fig. 12 are given the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0072] The thermal fixing unit 130b of this embodiment includes a thermal fixing entrance roller 125, which is located upstream of the thermal fixing roller 120 and has the same sheet conveying speed as the thermal fixing roller 120. The thermal fixing entrance roller 125 preferably has the same roller diameter as the thermal fixing roller 120.

[0073] The thermal fixing inlet roller 125 receives the sheet S from the exit roller pair 113 and transports the sheet S at the same sheet transport speed as the thermal fixing roller 120. In addition, the exit roller pair 113 is in a driven state with respect to the sheet transport of the thermal fixing inlet roller 125 after the thermal fixing inlet roller 125 holds the sheet S and transports it a certain amount.

[0074] Incidentally, the fact that the thermal fixing inlet rollers 125 are transporting the sheet S can be determined by using a transport sensor C5 located upstream of the thermal fixing inlet rollers 125.

[0075] In this embodiment, since the sheet S is already transported at a constant transport speed before the thermal fixing roller 120 starts transporting the sheet, the sheet S can be thermally fixed more smoothly. Therefore, the lamination quality can be further improved.

[0076] 20 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a lamination processing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. A lamination processing device 200b of this embodiment is configured by connecting a thermal fixing device 130c (a separate device having a thermal fixing section 130b) to a sheet processing device 100a having a flexure detection sensor C6.

[0077] With this configuration, the sheet S can be smoothly transported between the sheet processing apparatus 100a and the thermal fixing apparatus 130c, and the sheet processing apparatus or the thermal fixing apparatus can be changed according to the application (specification).

[0078] 21 is a flowchart for explaining a series of operations from sheet feeding, inserting the inner sheet, to completing the lamination process. The explanation will be given while indicating the numbers of the drawings corresponding to the flowchart.

[0079] First, in step S11, the lamination processing device 200 starts feeding the sheet S (see FIG. 1). Next, in step S12, it is determined whether the leading edge of the sheet S has arrived at the transport sensor C3 (see FIG. 2). In step S13, when the lamination processing device 200 determines that the sheet S has been transported a designated amount from the transport sensor C3, it temporarily stops the transport (see FIG. 2). Next, in step S14, the gripping means 110 is opened, and in step S15, the sheet S is transported in the reverse transport direction (see FIG. 3).

[0080] In step S16, when the lamination device 200 determines that the sheet S has been conveyed a designated amount, in step S17, it temporarily stops conveying the sheet S. Then, in step S18, the gripping means 110 is closed to grip the edge of the sheet S (see FIG. 4).

[0081] Subsequently, in step S19, the lamination device 200 rotates the winding roller 109 counterclockwise to wind the sheet S around the winding roller 109 (see FIG. 5). Next, in step S20, it is determined whether the leading edge of the sheet S has reached the conveyance sensor C5.

[0082] In step S21, when the lamination processing device 200 determines that the sheet S has been conveyed a designated amount by the conveyance sensor C5, in step S22, the peeling claws 116 are inserted into the resulting space from both sides of the sheet S (see FIG. 6).

[0083] Next, in step S23, the lamination apparatus 200 rotates the winding roller 109 clockwise in a state in which the peeling claws 116 are inserted from both sides of the sheet S, and transports the sheet S in the forward transport direction.

[0084] Next, in step S24, it is determined whether the leading edge of the sheet S has arrived at the transport sensor C5. When it is determined in step S25 that the sheet S has been transported a designated amount by the transport sensor C5, the lamination device 200 opens the gripping means 110 in step S26.

[0085] Next, in step S27, the lamination device 200 temporarily stops the conveyance of the sheet S, and in step S28, the peeling claw 116 is further moved in the sheet width direction (see FIG. 7). As a result, the rear end of the sheet S is separated into upper and lower parts.

[0086] In step S29, the lamination processing device 200 conveys the sheet S in the reverse conveying direction. Next, in step S30, it is determined whether the leading edge of the sheet S has arrived at the conveying sensor C5. In step S31, when the lamination processing device 200 determines that the sheet S has been conveyed a designated amount from the conveying sensor C5, it temporarily stops the conveying in step S32 (see FIG. 8). This completes the peeling of the sheet S.

[0087] Next, in step S33, the lamination device 200 conveys the inner sheet P in the forward conveyance direction, and inserts the inner sheet P into the opened sheet S (see FIGS. 9 and 10).

[0088] Next, in step S34, the path is switched by the branch claw 118 (see FIG. 11). In step S35, after the sheet S with the inserted inner page is transported a specified amount, the pair of exit rollers 113 is put into a driven state (see FIG. 14). Here, the transport amount of the sheet S with the inserted inner page is calculated by using detection of the leading edge of the sheet S by the transport sensor C5 as a trigger.

[0089] Next, in step S36, the conveying speed of the pair of exit rollers 113 is calculated from the detection result of the encoder. In step S37, the lamination device 200 drives the pair of exit rollers 113 at the calculated conveying speed. Thus, the sheet S is thermally fixed at a constant conveying speed.

[0090] Then, in step S 38 , the lamination device 200 discharges and stacks the laminated sheet S onto the discharge tray 104 .

[0091] FIG. 22 is a flowchart (part 2) for explaining a series of operations from sheet feeding, inserting the inner sheet, to completing the lamination process.

[0092] 21 in that the deflection detection sensor C6 is used to determine that the thermal fixing roller 120 is conveying a sheet. Therefore, the description of steps S11 to S34 will be omitted, and only step S35 and thereafter will be described.

[0093] In step S35, the lamination processing device 200 detects whether sagging has occurred using the sagging detection sensor C6 after conveying the sheet S with the inner paper inserted by a specified amount. If it is determined from the detection result that the sheet S is being conveyed by the thermal fixing roller 120, the process proceeds to step S36a.

[0094] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S35 that the slack is not detected and the sheet S is not being conveyed by the thermal fixing roller 120, the process proceeds to step S36b, where the lamination device 200 reports an abnormality and stops the lamination process.

[0095] When the process proceeds to step S36a, the sheet S with the inserted inner page is conveyed a designated amount, and then the pair of exit rollers 113 is put into a driven state. Here, the conveyance amount of the sheet S with the inserted inner page is calculated by using the detection of the leading edge of the sheet S by the conveyance sensor C5 as a trigger.

[0096] Next, in step S37, the conveying speed of the pair of exit rollers 113 is calculated from the detection result of the encoder. In step S38, the lamination device 200 drives the pair of exit rollers 113 at the calculated conveying speed. Thus, the sheet S is thermally fixed at a constant conveying speed.

[0097] Then, in step S39, the lamination device 200 discharges and stacks the laminated sheet S onto the discharge tray 104.

[0098] Next, an image forming apparatus and an image forming system including the lamination processing device according to the present invention will be described.

[0099] 23 is a general configuration diagram showing an example of an image forming apparatus equipped with a lamination device according to the present invention. This image forming apparatus 300 is equipped with a lamination device 200 therein as a lamination device section.

[0100] Here, the lamination processing device 200 is equipped with a sheet tray 102 for stacking the sheets S or the inner pages P, and is configured to be able to feed the sheets S and / or the inner pages P from the image forming device 300. Therefore, an image can be inserted in-line into the sheets S or the inner pages P by the image forming device 300 (e.g., a printer, a copier, etc.).

[0101] The configuration of the image forming apparatus main body 300 will be specifically described. As shown in Fig. 23, an intermediate transfer device 150 is provided inside the image forming apparatus main body 300. The intermediate transfer device 150 stretches an endless intermediate transfer belt 152 substantially horizontally around a plurality of rollers, and travels counterclockwise.

[0102] Below the intermediate transfer device 150, cyan, magenta, yellow and black imaging devices 154c, 154m, 154y and 154k are arranged in four-part tandem along the stretching direction of the intermediate transfer belt 152. Each imaging device 154 is configured by installing a charging device, a developing device, a transfer device, a cleaning device and the like around a drum-shaped image carrier that rotates clockwise in the figure. Below each imaging device 154, an exposure device 156 is provided.

[0103] A paper feed device 158 is provided below the exposure device 156. The paper feed device 158 includes a first paper feed cassette 160 that stores sheets S, and a second paper feed cassette 162 that stores inner sheets P. The first paper feed cassette 160 is an example of a third stacking means that stacks two-ply sheets, and the second paper feed cassette 162 is an example of a fourth stacking means that stacks sheet-like media.

[0104] A first paper feed roller 166 is provided at the upper right of the first paper feed cassette 160 to feed the sheets S in the first paper feed cassette 160 one by one into the paper transport path 164. Also, a second paper feed roller 168 is provided at the upper right of the second paper feed cassette 162 to feed the inner sheets P in the paper feed cassette one by one into the paper transport path 164.

[0105] The paper transport path 164 is formed from the bottom to the top on the right side inside the image forming apparatus main body 300, and leads to the lamination device 200 inside the image forming apparatus main body 300. On the paper transport path 164, a transport roller 170, a secondary transfer device 174 facing the intermediate transfer belt 152, a fixing device 176, a paper discharge device 178 consisting of a pair of paper discharge rollers, and the like are provided in this order.

[0106] The first paper feed roller 166, the transport roller 170, and the paper transport path 164 are an example of a third feeding means that feeds two-ply sheets from the first paper feed cassette 160 (third stacking means). The second paper feed roller 168, the transport roller 170, and the paper transport path 164 are an example of a fourth feeding means that feeds a sheet-like medium from the second paper feed cassette 162 (fourth stacking means). Furthermore, the intermediate transfer device 150, the fixing device 176, and the like are an example of an image forming section that forms an image on a two-ply sheet or a sheet-like medium.

[0107] Next, the operation of performing lamination processing after forming an image on the sheet S in the image forming apparatus 300 of this embodiment will be described.

[0108] When forming an image on the sheet S, first, an original image is read by the image reading device 188, and written by the exposure device 156. Next, a toner image of each color is formed on the image carrier of each of the image forming devices 154c, 154m, 154y, and 154k, and the toner images are transferred in sequence by primary transfer devices 180c, 180m, 180y, and 180k to form a color image on the intermediate transfer belt 152.

[0109] Meanwhile, the image forming apparatus 300 rotates the first paper feed roller 166 to feed the sheet S and place it in the paper transport path 164. Then, the sheet S is transported by the transport roller 170 through the paper transport path 164 and sent to the secondary transfer position at the appropriate timing, and the color image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 152 as described above is transferred to the sheet S by the secondary transfer device 174.

[0110] After the image is transferred to the sheet S, the image is fixed by a fixing device 176 and then the sheet S is sent to a lamination processing device 200 by a paper ejection device 178 .

[0111] Further, the image forming apparatus 300 rotates the second paper feed roller 168 to feed the inner sheet P and place it in the paper transport path 164 , and sends it to the lamination processing apparatus 200 by the paper discharge device 178 .

[0112] In this manner, the lamination process is carried out by sending the sheet S on which the image is formed and the inner page P to the lamination device 200. Details of the lamination process are omitted since they have been described above.

[0113] Since the image forming apparatus 300 of the present embodiment has the above-mentioned configuration, after the image is formed on the inner paper P, the lamination processing device 200 can perform the lamination processing. Also, after the image is formed on the inner paper P and the sheet S, the lamination processing can be performed.

[0114] Next, a modified example of an image forming apparatus including a sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention and an image forming system will be described.

[0115] Fig. 24 is a general configuration diagram showing a modified example of an image forming apparatus equipped with a lamination device according to the present invention. This image forming apparatus 400 differs from the image forming apparatus 300 in Fig. 23 in that it is equipped with a main body discharge roller 122 and a main body paper discharge tray 123 on the image forming apparatus main body side.

[0116] When the image forming apparatus 400 does not perform lamination processing, the recording medium on which an image has been formed can be discharged to the main body discharge tray 123 using the main body discharge rollers 122. Therefore, when the image forming apparatus 400 does not perform lamination processing, the output speed of the image formation is not reduced.

[0117] The image forming apparatus 400 may be configured to include the lamination device 200 removably therein. That is, the lamination device 200 may be removed from the image forming apparatus 400 when lamination is not required.

[0118] In addition, the removed lamination processing device 200 may be equipped with a paper feed tray 103 for loading the inner sheets P and a pickup roller 106 for feeding the inner sheets P from the paper feed tray 103, and may be used as a standalone lamination processing device similar to that shown in FIG. 1.

[0119] The image forming apparatus 300 shown in Fig. 23 and the image forming apparatus 400 shown in Fig. 24 may be configured to include a sheet processing apparatus instead of the laminating machine. Also, the image forming apparatus 400 shown in Fig. 24 may be configured to have a detachable sheet processing apparatus.

[0120] The image forming system may also be a system including an image forming apparatus, and a sheet processing apparatus 100a detachably connected to the image forming apparatus, or a lamination processing apparatus 200. Furthermore, a system including a paper feeder (stacker) and / or a case binding apparatus may also be configured. When the sheet S passes through the fixing device 176, the sheet S is not adhered at the fixing temperature, but is adhered by applying heat at a higher temperature than the fixing temperature.

[0121] Furthermore, the image forming devices 300 and 400 use an electrophotographic method for forming images on the sheet S and the inner paper, but this is not limited to this, and known image forming methods such as an inkjet method or a stencil printing method may also be used.

[0122] 25 and 26 are overall configuration diagrams showing an image forming apparatus equipped with a lamination device according to the present invention on the outside. In Figs. 25 and 26, the same components as those in Figs. 23 and 24 are given the same reference numerals and detailed explanations thereof are omitted.

[0123] An image forming apparatus 500 in FIG. 25 includes a lamination device 200 on the outside of the image forming apparatus main body, and an image forming apparatus 600 in FIG. 26 includes a lamination device 200a on the outside of the image forming apparatus main body.

[0124] The lamination processing device 200, 200a includes a sheet tray 102 for stacking the sheets S, and is configured to be capable of feeding the inner pages P from the image forming device 500, 600. Therefore, any image can be inserted in-line into the inner pages P using a copier or printer (image forming device 500, 600).

[0125] Since the lamination processing devices 200 and 200a are located outside the image forming devices 500 and 600, respectively, they can be easily connected / detached, improving convenience.

[0126] The present invention has been described in detail above using the embodiments. These embodiments are merely examples, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the embodiments and modifications can be combined with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0127] 100 Sheet processing section 100a Sheet processing device 102 Sheet Tray 103 Paper feed tray 104 Output tray 105, 106 Pickup roller 107 Transport roller pair 108 Inlet roller pair 109 Winding roller 110 Gripping means 111 Roller member 113 Exit roller pair 116 Peeling Claw 118 Branch Claw 120 Heat fixing roller 121 Discharge roller 122 Main body ejection roller 123 Main unit paper output tray 125 Heat fixing entrance roller 130, 130b Heat fixing unit 130a, 130c heat fixing device 150 Intermediate transfer device 152 Intermediate transfer belt 154c, 154k, 154m, 154y imaging device 156 Exposure Equipment 158 Paper feeder 160 First paper feed cassette 162 Second paper feed cassette 164 Paper transport path 166 1st feed roller 168 2nd feed roller 170 Transport roller 174 Secondary transfer device 176 Fixing device 178 Paper ejection device 180c, 180k, 180m, 180y Primary transfer device 188 Image reader 200, 200a, 200b Lamination processing device 300, 400, 500, 600 Image forming device C1, C2, C3, C5 Transport Sensor C4 Abnormal condition detection sensor C6 Deflection detection sensor S sheet (2-ply sheet) P Inner paper (sheet media) [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0128] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-160429 A [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 09-164593 [Patent Document 3] JP 2020-121868 A

Claims

1. a sheet processing unit that sandwiches a sheet-like medium between two sheets that are overlapped and partially joined together; a thermal fixing section for applying heat and pressure to the two-ply sheet while conveying the two-ply sheet; A lamination processing apparatus comprising: the sheet processing section has an exit roller that conveys the two-ply sheet to the thermal fixing section, In a lamination processing apparatus, a conveying force of the exit roller is changed when the exit roller delivers the two-ply sheet to the thermal fixing unit, a sheet deflection detection means for detecting deflection of the two-ply sheet between the exit roller and the thermal fixing unit; A lamination processing apparatus, characterized in that the conveying force of the outlet roller is changed based on the detection result.

2. 2 . The lamination processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the outlet roller is in a driven state with respect to the two-ply sheet transported by the thermal fixing unit after the change in the transport force.

3. A rotation speed detection means for detecting the rotation speed of the outlet roller is provided.

3. The lamination processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet transport speed of the outlet roller is made equal to the sheet transport speed of the thermal fixing unit based on the detected number of rotations.

4. The outlet rollers are composed of a pair of rollers, a roller spacing mechanism capable of spacing the pair of rollers apart from each other; The lamination processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the conveying force is changed by moving the pair of rollers away from each other.

5. an electromagnetic clutch mechanism that allows the outlet roller to rotate idly; 4. The lamination processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveying force is changed by rotating the outlet rollers idly.

6. A motor is provided to rotate the outlet roller.

4. The lamination processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveying force is changed by de-energizing the motor.

7. a sheet detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the double-ply sheet downstream of the exit roller; 7. The lamination processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveying force of the outlet roller is changed based on a result of the detection.

8. A lamination processing device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the sheet conveying speed of the exit roller is made faster than the sheet conveying speed of the thermal fixing section, thereby generating a deflection of the two-ply sheet.

9. the thermal fixing unit includes a thermal fixing roller that conveys the two-ply sheet and applies heat and pressure to the two-ply sheet, 9. The lamination processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a conveying force of the outlet roller is changed when the thermal fixing roller and the outlet roller both convey the two-ply sheet.

10. the thermal fixing unit includes a thermal fixing roller that conveys the two-ply sheet and is capable of applying heat and pressure to the two-ply sheet, and a thermal fixing inlet roller that is disposed upstream of the thermal fixing roller; 9. The lamination processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a conveying force of the outlet roller is changed when the thermal fixing inlet roller and the outlet roller both convey the two-ply sheet.

11. 11. The lamination processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the sheet transport speed of the thermal fixing inlet roller is equal to the sheet transport speed of the thermal fixing roller.

12. 12. The lamination processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a roller diameter of the thermal fixing inlet roller is equal to a roller diameter of the thermal fixing roller.

13. The lamination processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the sheet processing unit is configured as a sheet processing device having the exit roller therein, and the thermal fixing unit is configured as a thermal fixing device, each of which is individually configured and can be connected and separated from each other.

14. an image forming unit that forms an image; The lamination processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, An image forming apparatus comprising:

15. An image forming apparatus; The lamination processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, An image forming system comprising:

16. An image forming system, characterized in that the lamination processing device described in any one of claims 1 to 13 is configured to be detachably attached to the image forming device.

Images