Image forming system

Abstract

To solve the problem that an image forming system configured to perform in-line varnishing and other processing on an image forming device is susceptible to product quality deterioration, productivity deterioration due to poor conveyance, etc. depending on the content of the processing other than varnishing.SOLUTION: A novel connection configuration is provided for connecting a processing device to an image forming device and varnishing device depending on content of each processing other than varnishing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system that applies a varnish coating process to a sheet on which a toner image has been formed. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, electrophotographic image forming devices using toner have taken advantage of their short-run compatibility and variable printing capabilities to enter the production market, previously dominated by offset printing machines. In the production market, to increase the added value of printed materials, varnish coating is applied to printed materials printed with image forming devices to impart gloss, protect the surface, or decorate the sheet surface. Varnish is a paint primarily composed of resin and solvent, and each type, such as water-based varnish, oil-based varnish, and UV varnish, has different characteristics, such as curing method and durability.

[0003] In the production market, performing processes other than printing on printed materials on a transport path independent of the printing process is called offline, while performing processes other than printing on printed materials on a transport path continuous with the printing process is called inline. Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which varnishing processing is performed inline. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2018-69669 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in an inline image forming system, when performing varnish application processing and processing other than varnish application processing on a sheet after image formation, depending on the content of the processing other than varnish application processing, there is a risk of a decrease in the quality of the finished product or a decrease in productivity due to poor transport.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an image forming system that can suppress deterioration in the quality of the finished product and deterioration in productivity due to transportation problems, in an image forming system that performs varnish application processing and processing other than varnish application processing inline on sheets on which images have been formed by an image forming device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, an image forming system according to the present invention includes a sheet storage section, a transport unit that transports sheets stored in the sheet storage section, and an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet transported by the transport unit, a first communication section; and a first control unit that controls the image forming unit; an image forming apparatus having S Transport direction In the image forming apparatus, downstream side a varnish application unit for applying varnish to the sheet, a second communication unit; and a second control unit that controls the varnish application unit. a receiving roller that is provided between the image forming device and the varnish applying device in the sheet conveying direction and receives the sheet discharged from the image forming device; hair a first conveying path for conveying the inserted sheets to the varnish application device; a stacking tray on which the sheets are stacked; and a sheet stacked on the stacking tray for conveying the sheets to the first conveying path. a second conveying path, a third communication unit, and a third control unit that controls an insert process of inserting a sheet from the stacking tray into the first conveying path through the second conveying path; and an inserter having The first control unit, the second control unit, and the third control unit are capable of communicating with each other via the first communication unit, the second communication unit, and the third communication unit. When forming an image on a sheet and applying varnish, the first control unit, the second control unit, and the third control unit feed a sheet from the sheet storage unit, form an image on the sheet using the image forming unit, transport the sheet to the varnish application device via the inserter, and cause the varnish application unit to apply varnish to the sheet. When applying varnish without forming an image on the sheet, the second control unit and the third control unit insert a sheet from the stack tray of the inserter, transport the sheet to the varnish application device, and cause the varnish application unit to apply varnish to the sheet. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, in an image forming system that performs in-line varnish application processing and processing other than varnish application processing on sheets on which images have been formed by an image forming device, it is possible to suppress deterioration in the quality of the finished product and deterioration in productivity due to poor transport. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] Schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] Control block diagram in the first embodiment [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a control flow in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] Schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 5] Control block diagram in Example 2 [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a control flow in the second embodiment. [Figure 7] Schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 8] Control block diagram in the third embodiment [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a control flow in the third embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] Control block diagram in the fourth embodiment [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a control flow in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 13] 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] Control block diagram in the fifth embodiment [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a control flow in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 16] 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] Control block diagram in the sixth embodiment [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a control flow in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 19] 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming system according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] Control block diagram in the seventh embodiment [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a control flow in the seventh embodiment. [Figure 22] 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming system according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23] Control block diagram in embodiment 8 [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a control flow in the eighth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, unless otherwise specified, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative positions, etc. of the components described in the embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0018] First Embodiment As shown in Figure 1, the image forming system 1000 in this embodiment includes an image forming device 100 that forms an image on a sheet, a varnish application device 200 that applies varnish to the sheet on which the image has been formed, and an inserter 300 that inserts a sheet between the image forming device 100 and the varnish application device 200.

[0019] The image forming apparatus 100, the inserter 300, and the varnish application apparatus 200 are connected in series, and are capable of applying varnish to a sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus 100 or a sheet conveyed from the inserter 300. In other words, the sheet is subjected to a varnish application process from the time the sheet is fed by the image forming apparatus 100 or the inserter 300 until the sheet is discharged outside the image forming system 1000.

[0020] [Image forming device] The image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 is a tandem-type electrophotographic color printer. The image forming apparatus 100 has image forming units Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd that form yellow, magenta, cyan, and black images, respectively. The image forming apparatus 100 forms a toner image on a sheet S in response to a print signal from a document reading device (not shown) connected to the apparatus main body 100A or an external device 170 (FIG. 2) such as a personal computer that is communicatively connected to the image forming apparatus 100. The image forming apparatus 100 is equipped with an operation unit 95 having a touch panel. The image forming apparatus 100 is capable of receiving instructions (print signals) from a user via the external device 170 or the operation unit 95.

[0021] In this embodiment, the image forming units that form a toner image on the sheet S are made up of the image forming sections Pa to Pd, the primary transfer rollers 24a to 24d, the intermediate transfer belt 130, the plurality of rollers 13 to 15 that stretch the intermediate transfer belt 130, and the outer secondary transfer roller 11. The sheet S may be made of various types of sheet materials such as plain paper, cardboard, rough paper, textured paper, coated paper, plastic film, cloth, etc.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming units Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd are arranged in a line along the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 130. The intermediate transfer belt 130 is stretched around multiple rollers 13, 14, and 15 and configured to move in the direction of arrow R2. The intermediate transfer belt 130 carries and transports the toner image that has been primarily transferred. A secondary transfer outer roller 11 is arranged at a position opposite the inner secondary transfer roller 14 that stretches the intermediate transfer belt 130, sandwiching the intermediate transfer belt 130 therebetween, forming a secondary transfer unit T2 that transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 130 to the sheet S. A fixing device 8 is arranged downstream of the secondary transfer unit T2 in the sheet transport direction. Although not described in this embodiment, the transport path shown in the figure is provided with multiple pairs of transport rollers for transporting the sheet S.

[0023] A cassette 10 containing sheets S is disposed at the bottom of the image forming apparatus 100. Here, the cassette 10 is an example of a sheet storage unit. The sheets S are transported from the cassette 10 toward the registration rollers 12 by transport rollers 16. Thereafter, the registration rollers 12 start to rotate in synchronization with the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 130 as described below, and the sheets S are transported to the secondary transfer unit T2. Note that although only one cassette 10 is shown here, a plurality of cassettes 10 may be disposed so as to be able to store sheets S of different sizes and thicknesses. In this case, the sheets S are selectively transported from one of the plurality of cassettes 10. Furthermore, the sheets S are not limited to those stored in the cassette 10, and may be transported from a manual feed unit (not shown) or a paper feeder attached to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0024] The four image forming units Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd included in the image forming apparatus 100 have substantially the same configuration except for the different developing colors. Therefore, the yellow image forming unit Pa will be described here as a representative, and descriptions of the other image forming units Pb, Pc, and Pd will be omitted.

[0025] The image forming unit Pa is provided with a photosensitive drum 3a as a photosensitive member. The photosensitive drum 3a is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow R1. Around the photosensitive drum 3a, a charging device 2a, an exposure device La, a developing device 1a, a primary transfer roller 24a, and a drum cleaning device 4a are arranged.

[0026] The process of forming, for example, a full-color image using the image forming apparatus 100 will be described. First, when the image forming operation starts, the photosensitive drum 3a is uniformly charged by the charging device 2a. The charging device 2a is, for example, a corona charger that irradiates the photosensitive drum 3a with charged particles due to corona discharge, thereby charging the photosensitive drum 3a to a uniform negative dark potential. Next, the photosensitive drum 3a is exposed to laser light corresponding to an image signal emitted from the exposure device La. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image signal is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3a. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 3a is developed into a visible toner image using a developer containing toner and carrier contained in the developing device 1a. In this embodiment, the developing devices 1a to 1d each use a two-component developer containing non-magnetic toner and magnetic carrier.

[0027] The primary transfer roller 24a is disposed at a position facing the photosensitive drum 3a with the intermediate transfer belt 130 sandwiched therebetween. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 3a is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 130 at a primary transfer portion T1 formed between the primary transfer roller 24a and the intermediate transfer belt 130. At this time, a primary transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer roller 24a. Any toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 3a after the primary transfer is removed by a drum cleaning device 4a.

[0028] This operation is performed sequentially at each of the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black image forming units Pa to Pd, and the four color toner images are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 130. Thereafter, in synchronization with the formation of the toner images, the sheet S stored in the cassette 10 is transported to the secondary transfer unit T2. Then, by applying a secondary transfer bias to the outer secondary transfer roller 11, the toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 130 are secondarily transferred all at once onto the sheet S. Any toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 130 after the secondary transfer is removed by a belt cleaning device (not shown).

[0029] Next, the sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to a fixing device 8. The fixing device 8 has a fixing roller 40 that can rotate while contacting the surface of the sheet S on which the unfixed toner image has been formed, and a pressure roller 41 that presses against the fixing roller 40 to form a fixing nip T3. Note that while the fixing roller 40 and the pressure roller 41 have been given as examples here, the present invention is not limited to this, and one or both of the fixing roller 40 and the pressure roller 41 may be a rotatable endless belt (endless belt).

[0030] A heater (not shown) is provided inside the fixing roller 40. In the fixing device 8, the sheet S carrying the toner image is nipped and conveyed in the fixing nip T3, whereby the sheet S is heated and pressurized, and the toner is melted and fixed to the sheet S. In this way, a series of image forming processes is completed.

[0031] In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 is capable of double-sided printing. In the case of single-sided printing, the sheet S that has passed through the fixing device 8 passes through the discharge conveyance path 31 and is discharged from the image forming apparatus 100. On the other hand, in the case of double-sided printing, the sheet S that has passed through the fixing device 8 is conveyed to the conveyance path 32 and sent to the reversal path 33. The sheet S sent to the reversal path 33 is switched back and conveyed toward the double-sided conveyance path 34, whereby the front and back sides of the sheet S are swapped. The sheet S with its front and back sides swapped is conveyed through the double-sided conveyance path 34 toward the registration roller 12, and a toner image is formed on the other side through a process similar to that when a toner image is formed on one side. Then, the sheet S with the toner images fixed on both sides passes through the discharge conveyance path 31 and is discharged from the image forming apparatus 100.

[0032] The image forming apparatus 100 in this embodiment will be described as an electrophotographic tandem color printer that forms images on sheets using toner, but image forming apparatuses with different printing methods or configurations may also be used as long as they are capable of performing in-line varnish application processing on printed materials by connecting to the varnish application apparatus 200. For example, they may be image forming apparatuses that form images using ink.

[0033] [Inserter Unit] In the image forming system 1000 of this embodiment, as described above, the inserter unit 300 is connected downstream of the image forming apparatus 100. The inserter unit 300 includes a stacking tray 301. Sheets stacked on the stacking tray 301 are transported into the inserter unit 300 by a paper feed roller 302. Then, only one sheet separated by a separation roller 303 is transported to a transport path 304. The stacking tray 301 is provided with a paper presence sensor (not shown). The sheet transported to the transport path 304 is transported a predetermined distance by the separation roller 303 and transport rollers (not shown) from a position where the leading edge of the sheet is detected by a registration sensor 305. The leading edge of the sheet abuts against a registration roller 306 that is stationary, forming a loop and temporarily stopping. This corrects any skew of the sheet that occurred during the paper feed and transport operation.

[0034] Then, the leading edge of the sheet hits the registration roller 306 and stops for a predetermined time, after which the separation roller 303, the registration roller 306, and the conveying roller 307 are driven, and the sheet is conveyed through the junction of the conveying path 304 and the conveying path 308.

[0035] The inserter unit 300 is provided with receiving rollers 309 that receive sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus 100. Therefore, the inserter unit 300 is capable of transporting both sheets S on which images have been recorded by the image forming apparatus 100 and sheets stacked on the stacking tray 301.

[0036] A sheet fed from the image forming apparatus 100 or a sheet fed from the stack tray 301 passes through a conveying path 308 and is discharged from the inserter unit 300 by discharge rollers 310. These operations enable the inserter unit 300 to insert a sheet at any position in a series of sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus 100 and convey the sheet to a subsequent device.

[0037] [Varnish application device] The varnish application device 200 is connected downstream of the inserter unit 300 in the sheet conveying direction of the image forming system 1000. The varnish application device 200 applies varnish to the sheet fed from the inserter unit 300.

[0038] The sheet discharged by the discharge roller 310 of the inserter unit 300 is received by the receiving roller 230 of the varnish application device 200. The sheet conveyed by the receiving roller 310 is then transported by a conveyor belt 231. The conveyor belt 231 is tensioned by tension rollers 232a and 232b. When a driving force is transmitted to either of the tension rollers 232a and 232b, the conveyor belt 231 rotates counterclockwise in the drawing. The conveyor belt 231 is made of stainless steel, and conveys the sheet while being sucked onto the outer circumferential surface of the belt by a suction device (not shown) through suction holes (not shown) opened in the belt surface.

[0039] The sheet conveyed by the receiving roller 230 is then conveyed by a conveying belt 231 to a varnish application section 201, which is an example of a varnish application unit. In the varnish application section 201, varnish stored in a varnish storage section 211 is supplied to a varnish application roller 213 by a varnish supply roller 212. The varnish storage section 211, with varnish stored in a rectangular parallelepiped container, is connected to a varnish supply device (not shown), and the varnish is circulated and supplied. Furthermore, when applying varnish, the varnish storage section 211 opens a varnish supply port (not shown) to supply varnish to the varnish supply roller 212.

[0040] The varnish supply roller 212 and the varnish application roller 213 are in contact with each other, and at this contact point a constant thickness of varnish is supplied from the varnish supply roller 212 to the varnish application roller 213. In this embodiment, the varnish supply roller 212 is an anilox roller with a line count (roller cell spacing) of 100 lines per inch, but a different line count may be used depending on the viscosity of the varnish.

[0041] The varnish application roller 213 is a rubber roller and is disposed opposite the varnish drum 214. The varnish drum 214 is uniformly pressed in the direction of the rotation axis of the varnish drum 214 by a pressure means (not shown) so as to form a nip with the varnish application roller 213. The varnish drum 214 is a metal roller. The length of the varnish drum 214 in the direction of the rotation axis is equal to or greater than the maximum sheet width that can be handled by the image forming system 1000. In this embodiment, the length of the varnish drum 214 in the direction of the rotation axis is 350 mm.

[0042] The varnish application roller 213 comes into contact with the surface of the sheet being conveyed by the varnish drum 214, thereby applying varnish to the sheet. In this way, the varnish application unit 201 can apply varnish to the sheet.

[0043] The varnish application roller 213 and varnish drum 214 are driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow in Figure 1 so that the surface movement speed is 200 mm / s. The varnish supply roller 212 comes into contact with the varnish application roller 213 and rotates following the rotation of the varnish application roller 213. Each component is supported by support members (not shown) at both ends in the direction of the roller rotation axis.

[0044] The sheet with the varnish applied to its surface is coated with varnish by a varnish application roller 213 and a varnish drum 214, and is then sandwiched and conveyed to a varnish curing section 202, which is an example of a varnish curing unit.

[0045] The varnish curing section 202 hardens the varnish applied to the sheet surface in the varnish application section 201. The sheet, which has been sandwiched and transported between the varnish application roller 213 and the varnish drum 214, is handed over to the conveyor belt 233. The conveyor belt 233 is tensioned by tension rollers 234a and 234b. When a driving force is transmitted to either of the tension rollers 234a and 234b, the conveyor belt 233 rotates counterclockwise in the figure. The conveyor belt 233 is made of stainless steel, and conveys the sheet while being sucked onto the outer circumferential surface of the belt by a suction device (not shown) through suction holes (not shown) opened in the belt surface. As a result, the sheet passes through the varnish curing section 202 in a state of intimate contact with the outer circumferential surface of the belt.

[0046] A heater 221 and a UV irradiation unit 222 are provided vertically above the conveyor belt 233. In the varnish curing section 202, the varnish is cured while the sheet is conveyed by the conveyor belt 233. In the varnish curing section 202, the heater 221 heats the surface of the sheet on which the varnish has been applied, and a UV irradiation device 222 performs a process of curing the varnish.

[0047] The heater 221 is used to heat the varnish application area to increase the reaction speed of the varnish during UV irradiation. The heater 221 is supported by a support member (not shown) and uniformly heats the entire width direction, which is perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction. The heating temperature of the paper heated by the heater 221 is 30°C to 40°C. The UV irradiation device 222 has UV-LEDs arranged by a support member (not shown) at a height of 200 mm from the conveyor belt 233, and irradiates the entire lengthwise area of ​​the paper uniformly with, for example, an irradiation energy of 150 mW / cm^2.

[0048] The sheet conveyed by the conveyor belt 233 is discharged onto a discharge tray 236 by a discharge roller 235. In this way, the varnish coater 200 can apply varnish to sheets on which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 100 or sheets loaded on the loading tray 301 of the inserter 300. In other words, the image forming system 1000 of this embodiment can apply varnish to both sheets on which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 100 and sheets inserted from the inserter 300.

[0049] In this embodiment, an example of the varnish application unit 201 that applies varnish to the entire surface of the sheet using the varnish application roller 213 has been disclosed, but the varnish application unit 201 may also be one that can apply varnish to parts of the sheet using an injection-type varnish coater such as a spot varnish coater. Alternatively, a configuration may be provided in which a transport path does not pass through the varnish application unit 201 and the varnish curing unit 202. This configuration makes it possible to selectively apply varnish to sheets transported from the image forming apparatus 100 or the inserter 300.

[0050] [Image formation system control] Next, the operation and control of the image forming system 1000 in this embodiment will be described with reference to a control block diagram and a flowchart.

[0051] The image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 120, the varnish application device 200 includes a control unit 220, and the inserter unit 300 includes a control unit 320. The control units 120, 220, and 320 can communicate with each other via communication units 130, 230, and 330.

[0052] The operation unit 95 is a user interface that notifies the user and enables the user to input commands to execute operations of the image forming system 1000. The operation unit 95 has a touch panel that displays software keys and accepts touch operations. The operation unit 95 may be a combination of a display and operation buttons.

[0053] The control unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 100 is a unit that controls the entire image forming apparatus 100 and includes a CPU 121, a ROM 122, and a RAM 123. The ROM 122 stores various programs used by the CPU 121 to control the image forming apparatus 100. The RAM 123 is used as a primary storage area when the CPU 121 controls the various programs.

[0054] The control unit 120 can receive a print signal from an external device 170 such as a PC via the communication unit 130. The control unit 130 can also receive a print signal via the operation unit 95. The print signal is generated according to the process content set by the user, and includes whether or not to perform each process such as image formation process, insert process, and varnishing process, the number of sheets to be processed, the type of sheet to be processed, etc.

[0055] The overall control of the image forming apparatus 100 includes control of conveyance for feeding sheets and conveying them to the image forming units, control of image processing based on received print signals, and control of the image forming units Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd, the intermediate transfer belt 130, the fixing device 8, and the like when forming images on sheets. The control unit 120 performs conveyance control by controlling conveyance units such as the conveyance rollers 16 and the registration rollers 12 via a conveyance control unit 140. The control unit 120 also performs image processing control via an image processing unit 150. The control unit 120 also controls drive motors (not shown) and the like provided in the image forming apparatus 100 via a drive unit 160. The drive unit 160 controls the drive motors (not shown) to rotate the image forming units Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd, the intermediate transfer belt 130, the fixing device 8, and the like.

[0056] In this embodiment, one transport control unit 140, one image processing unit 150, and one drive unit 160 are provided, but each or any of them may be configured with multiple units. Also, the control unit 120 may be configured to directly control the driving of the image forming units Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd, the intermediate transfer belt 130, the fixing device 8, etc.

[0057] The control unit 220 of the varnish application device 200 includes a CPU 221, a ROM 222, and a RAM 223. The ROM 222 stores various programs used by the CPU 221 to control the varnish application device 200. The RAM 223 is used as a primary storage area when the CPU 221 controls the various programs. Control of the varnish application device 200 includes transport control, which controls each transport unit that transports sheets within the varnish application device 200, varnish application control, which applies varnish to the sheets, and varnish hardening control. The control unit 220 controls the receiving roller 230, tension rollers 232a, b, 234a, b, and discharge roller 235 via the transport control unit 240, thereby controlling sheet transport within the varnish application device 200. The control unit 220 also controls the amount of varnish supplied to the varnish application roller 213 by the varnish supply roller 212 via the varnish application control unit 250, thereby controlling the application of varnish to the sheets. Furthermore, the control unit 220 controls the output of the heater 221 and the irradiation power of the UV irradiation unit 222 and the like via the varnish curing control unit 260, thereby controlling the curing of the varnish on the sheet.

[0058] The varnish application device 200 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100 via the communication unit 230. When the control unit 120 receives a print signal, the image forming apparatus 100 transmits instructions such as whether or not to perform varnish application processing to the varnish application device 200 via the communication unit 130. In this way, the varnish application device 200 performs varnish application processing on the sheet based on the job received by the image forming apparatus 100.

[0059] The control unit 320 of the inserter 300 includes a CPU 321, a ROM 322, and a RAM 323. The ROM 322 stores various programs used by the CPU 321 to control the inserter 300. The RAM 323 is used as a primary storage area when the CPU 321 controls the various programs. The control of the inserter 300 includes transport control for transporting sheets stacked on the stacking tray 301, transport control for transporting sheets to the transport path 308, and sheet transport control by the registration rollers 306.

[0060] The control unit 320 of the inserter 300 controls the transport units, such as the feed roller 302, separation roller 303, transport roller 307, receiving roller 309, and discharge roller 310, via the transport control unit 340, and transports the sheet through the transport path 304 and the transport path 308. The control unit 320 also controls the registration roller 306 via the registration control unit 350 to correct skew of the sheet.

[0061] The inserter 300 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100 via a communication unit 330. When the image forming apparatus 100 receives a job from a user, the image forming apparatus 100 transmits instructions such as the timing of inserting a sheet from the stacking tray 301 to the inserter 300 via the communication unit 330. In this way, the inserter 300 performs an insert process to insert a sheet based on the print signal received by the image forming apparatus 100.

[0062] In this embodiment, the varnish application device 200 is connected to the communication unit 130 of the image forming apparatus 100 via the communication unit 330 of the inserter 300, but other configurations are also possible. For example, the communication unit 230 of the varnish application device 200 and the communication unit 130 of the image forming apparatus 100 may be directly connected.

[0063] As described above, the image forming apparatus 100, the inserter 300, and the varnish application apparatus 200 are connected via the communication units 130, 230, and 330. Therefore, when a print signal is input to the image forming system 1000, the image forming apparatus 100 transmits processing details corresponding to the print signal to the inserter 300 and the varnish application apparatus 200. Furthermore, if an abnormality occurs in the image forming apparatus 100, it is possible to transmit a stop signal to stop the operation of the varnish application apparatus 200 or the inserter 300. Furthermore, because the communication units 130, 230, and 330 are capable of bidirectional communication, if an abnormality occurs in the varnish application apparatus 200 or the inserter 300, information can be transmitted from the communication units 230 and 330, thereby stopping the operation of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0064] In this embodiment, the image forming system 1000 is entirely controlled by a control unit 120 provided inside the image forming apparatus 100, but this configuration is not limiting. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a control unit that performs overall control of the image forming system 1000 is provided outside the image forming apparatus 100 in a separate housing as a controller unit. In this case, the controller unit may be connected to the control unit 220 of the varnish application device 200 and the control unit 320 of the inserter 300 via the control unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 100. Alternatively, the controller unit may be directly connected to the control units 120, 220, and 320, respectively.

[0065] Next, a control flow will be described showing a series of operations in the image forming system 1000, including the image forming process by the image forming apparatus 100, the inserting process by the inserter 300, and the varnish application process by the varnish application apparatus 200. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the control flow of the image forming system 1000 of this embodiment.

[0066] The control flow shown in Figure 3 starts when a print signal is received in a standby state where the image forming system 1000 has completed its overall adjustments. Here, the standby state refers to a state in the image forming apparatus 100 where the temperature of the fixing device 8 has reached a predetermined temperature at which a toner image can be fixed, and where an image can be formed on a sheet immediately upon receiving a print signal. The standby state also refers to a state in the varnish application device 200 where varnish is being supplied to the varnish application roller 213, the heater 221 has reached a predetermined temperature, and the irradiation power of the UV irradiation unit 222 has reached a predetermined irradiation power, where varnish can be applied to a sheet and the applied varnish can be cured.

[0067] When the control unit 120 receives a print signal via the communication unit 130 or the operation unit 95 (Yes in S101), it acquires processing information regarding the image forming process, the insert process, and the varnishing process contained in the print signal (S102). When the control unit 120 has not received a print signal (No in S101), it waits until it receives a print signal, and maintains the standby state of the image forming system 1000.

[0068] Then, based on the processing information acquired in S102, the control unit 120 transmits processing information regarding whether or not an insert process has been performed to the inserter 300 via the communication units 130, 230, 330, and transmits processing information regarding whether or not a varnish application process has been performed to the varnish application device 200 (S103). Here, an example is shown in which processing information regarding whether or not an insert process and whether or not a varnish application process has been performed is transmitted, but a configuration may also be used in which each piece of processing information is transmitted to the inserter 300 or the varnish application device 200 only if an insert process and a varnish application process have been performed.

[0069] Next, the control unit 120 determines whether or not image forming processing is being performed by the image forming apparatus 100 based on the processing information acquired in S102 (S104). If image forming processing is being performed by the image forming apparatus 100 (S104 Yes), the control unit 120 controls the conveyance control unit 140, the image processing unit 150, and the drive unit 160 to perform image forming processing on the sheet fed from the cassette 10 (S105). In this embodiment, if image forming processing is not being performed (S104 No), this means that an insert process is being performed in which the inserter 300 feeds a sheet.

[0070] Therefore, if there is no image formation process (S104 No), the control unit 120 outputs a signal to the control unit 320 via the communication units 130 and 330, causing the control unit 320 to control the conveyance control unit 340 and the register drive unit 350, and feed the sheets stacked on the stacking tray 301 of the inserter 300 (S106).

[0071] Then, the control unit 120 determines whether or not to perform a varnish application process on the sheet on which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 100 in S105 or the sheet fed from the inserter 300 in S106 based on the processing information acquired in S102 (S107).

[0072] When the varnish application process is to be performed (S107 Yes), the control unit 120 outputs a signal to the control unit 220 via the communication units 130, 230, causing the control unit 220 to control the conveying control unit 240, the varnish application control unit 250 and the varnish hardening control unit 260, and causing the varnish application device 200 to perform the varnish application process (S108).

[0073] On the other hand, if the varnish application process is not to be performed (S106 No), the control unit 120 outputs a signal to the control unit 220 via the communication units 130 and 230, causing the control unit 220 to separate the varnish application roller 213 from the varnish drum 214 and allow the sheet to pass. At this time, the sheet is transported by the transport belts 231 and 233. Note that the configuration may further include a pair of transport rollers that sandwich and transport the sheet when the varnish application roller 213 separates from the varnish drum 214.

[0074] Thereafter, the control unit 120 determines whether all processes included in the print signal received in S101 have been completed (S109). If all processes have been completed (S109 Yes), the control unit 120 transitions the image forming system 1000 to a standby state. If all processes have not been completed (S109 No), the control unit 120 returns to S104 and executes each process for the next sheet.

[0075] In the present embodiment, the control units 220 and 320 operate based on signals from the control unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 100. However, the control unit 220 and 320 may each control the inserter 300 based on the timing of sheet transport or the like after transmitting the processing information in S103. That is, the control unit 120 may transmit processing information including the timing of insert processing to the control unit 320 of the inserter 300 in S103, and the control unit 320 may determine whether or not to perform the insert processing in S104, thereby controlling the inserter 300 in S105. Alternatively, the control unit 120 may transmit processing information including the timing of varnish application to the control unit 220 of the varnish application device 200 in S103, and the control unit 220 may determine whether or not to perform the varnish application in S107, thereby controlling the varnish application device 200 in S108.

[0076] In this way, in the image forming system 1000 in which the image forming apparatus 100, inserter 300, and varnish application device 200 are connected in-line, by disposing the inserter 300 between the image forming apparatus 100 and the varnish application device 200, it becomes possible to perform varnish application processing on sheets fed from the inserter unit 300. Therefore, according to the image forming system 1000 of this embodiment, it is possible to perform varnish application processing on sheets that do not pass through the image forming apparatus 100.

[0077] In an image forming system in which the inserter 300 is connected downstream of the varnishing device 200 in the sheet transport direction, the varnishing device 200 can only varnish sheets that have passed through the secondary transfer unit T2 and the fixing nip T3 of the image forming apparatus 100. In this case, it is difficult to varnish sheets that change when passing through the secondary transfer unit T2 and the fixing nip T3. Specifically, it is difficult to varnish sheet materials such as film that change when affected by the transfer bias of the secondary transfer unit T2 and the heat of the fixing nip T3. If such sheets are fed from the image forming apparatus 100 after passing through the secondary transfer unit T2 and the fixing nip T3, the changes in the sheets can result in changes in color and gloss after the varnishing process, potentially preventing users from achieving the desired results.

[0078] Furthermore, in a configuration in which the inserter 300 is connected downstream of the varnish application device 200, if a sheet that changes when passing through the secondary transfer unit T2 and the fixing nip T3 is fed from the image forming apparatus 100 and varnished by the varnish application device 200, a new configuration is required. For example, a mechanism for transporting the sheet while keeping the secondary transfer unit T2 and the fixing nip T3 spaced apart is required, which could result in an increased device size. Furthermore, to suppress the effects of the transfer bias of the secondary transfer unit T2 and the heat of the fixing nip T3 on the sheet, it is necessary to control the transfer bias and the temperature of the fixing device 8 to lower the temperature when the sheet is in a standby state where image formation processing is possible. When this control is performed, if the image forming apparatus 100 continuously transports a sheet that changes when passing through the secondary transfer unit T2 and the fixing nip T3 and a normal sheet, the image forming apparatus 100 cannot continuously process the sheets because of the control to lower the transfer bias and the temperature of the fixing device 8, which could reduce the productivity of the image forming system 1000.

[0079] In contrast, in this embodiment, the inserter 300 is connected downstream of the image forming apparatus 100 in the sheet transport direction and upstream of the varnish application device 200. This allows sheets that change when they pass through the secondary transfer portion T2 and the fixing nip portion T3 to be fed from the inserter 300, making it possible to perform the varnish application process without increasing the size of the device or reducing productivity. This allows the user to perform the varnish application process on sheets of the material they desire.

[0080] As described above, in this embodiment, in an image forming system that performs in-line varnishing processing and processing other than varnishing processing on sheets on which images have been formed by an image forming device, it is possible to suppress deterioration in the quality of the finished product and deterioration in productivity, and to provide the finished product that the user desires.

[0081] Second Embodiment Next, a different embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in Fig. 4, an image forming system 2000 in this embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 100 that forms an image on a sheet, a varnishing apparatus 200 that applies varnish to the sheet on which the image has been formed, and a stacker 400 that stacks sheets between the image forming apparatus 100 and the varnishing apparatus 200.

[0082] The image forming apparatus 100, stacker 400, and varnish application apparatus 200 are connected in series, making it possible to apply varnish to sheets transported from the image forming apparatus 100. In other words, the sheet is subjected to a varnish application process from the time the sheet is fed by the image forming apparatus 100 until the sheet is discharged outside the image forming system 1000.

[0083] In the image forming system 2000 of this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 and the varnish applying apparatus 200 have the same configuration as in the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0084] [Stacker] The stacker 400 has a transport path for transporting the sheets transported from the image forming apparatus 100 to the varnish application device 200, and a transport path for storing the sheets inside the stacker 400. The stacker 400 is controlled by a control unit 420, which will be described later, and transports the sheets to the varnish application device 200 or stores them inside the stacker 400 based on a print signal received by the image forming system 2000.

[0085] The receiving rollers 401 convey the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 through the discharge conveying path 31 into the stacker 400. The sheet conveyed into the stacker 400 by the receiving rollers 401 is conveyed to the conveying direction switching mechanism 404 by conveying rollers 402 and 403.

[0086] The conveying direction switching mechanism 404 conveys the sheet while wrapping it around itself, and can selectively convey the sheet to the first conveying path 405 or the second conveying path 406. For example, if the print signal received by the image forming system 2000 includes a varnishing process, the sheet is conveyed to the first conveying path 405, and if the received print signal does not include a varnishing process, the sheet is conveyed to the second conveying path 406.

[0087] The sheet conveyed to the first conveying path 405 is conveyed by conveying rollers 407, 408, and 409, and is conveyed to the outside of the stacker 400 by a discharge roller 410. The sheet discharged by the discharge roller 410 is then received by the receiving roller 230 into the varnish application device 200, where it is subjected to a varnish application process. The varnish application process by the varnish application device 200 is the same as in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0088] On the other hand, the sheets conveyed to the second conveying path 406 are conveyed sequentially by conveying rollers 411, 412, and 413, and are stacked and stored in a storage unit 414. In this embodiment, storing the sheets in the storage unit 414 is referred to as a stacking process.

[0089] In this embodiment, the stacker 400 is connected downstream of the image forming apparatus 100 in the sheet conveying direction and upstream of the varnish application apparatus 200. In this configuration, other processing apparatuses such as an inserter may be connected between the stacker 400 and the varnish application apparatus 200.

[0090] [Image formation system control] Next, the operation and control of the image forming system 2000 in this embodiment will be described. Fig. 5 is a control block diagram of the image forming system 2000, and Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the control flow of the image forming system 2000 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the configurations of the image forming apparatus 100 and the varnish application apparatus 200 are the same as in the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and the description will be omitted.

[0091] In the image forming system 2000, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 120, the varnish application apparatus 200 includes a control unit 220, and the stacker 400 includes a control unit 420. The control units 120, 220, and 420 can communicate with each other via communication units 130, 230, and 430.

[0092] The control unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 100 can receive a print signal from an external device 170 such as a PC via the communication unit 130. The control unit 130 can also receive a print signal via the operation unit 95. The print signal is generated according to the process content set by the user, and includes whether or not to perform each process such as image formation process, stack process, and varnishing process, the number of sheets to be processed, the type of sheet to be processed, etc.

[0093] The control unit 420 of the stacker 400 includes a CPU 421, a ROM 422, and a RAM 423. The ROM 422 stores various programs used by the CPU 421 to control the stacker 400. The RAM 423 is used as a primary storage area when the CPU 421 controls the various programs. The control of the stacker 400 includes transport control for transporting sheets transported into the stacker 400, transport control for changing the transport direction, and the like.

[0094] The control unit 420 of the stacker 400 controls the conveying units such as the receiving roller 401 and the conveying rollers 402, 403, 407 to 409, 422 to 413 via the conveying control unit 440, and controls the conveyance of the sheets in the first conveying path 405 and the second conveying path 406. The control unit 420 also controls the conveying direction switching mechanism 404 via the conveying direction control unit 450, and performs the stacking process of the sheets.

[0095] The stacker 400 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100 via a communication unit 430. When the image forming apparatus 100 accepts a job from a user, the image forming apparatus 100 transmits instructions to the stacker 400 via the communication unit 130, such as instructions regarding the timing for switching the conveying direction by the conveying direction switching mechanism 404. In this manner, the stacker 400 switches the conveying direction of the sheets based on the print signal accepted by the image forming apparatus 100, and executes stacking processing to store the sheets in the stacker 400. In this embodiment, a drum-shaped mechanism has been described as the conveying direction switching mechanism 404, but the conveying direction may also be switched by a flapper or the like.

[0096] In this embodiment, the varnish application device 200 is connected to the communication unit 130 of the image forming device 100 via the communication unit 430 of the stacker 400, but other configurations are also possible. For example, the communication unit 230 of the varnish application device 200 and the communication unit 130 of the image forming device 100 may be directly connected.

[0097] As described above, the image forming apparatus 100, stacker 400, and varnish application device 200 are connected via communication units 130, 230, and 430. Therefore, when a print signal is input to the image forming system 2000, the image forming apparatus 100 transmits processing content corresponding to the print signal to the stacker 400 and varnish application device 200. Furthermore, if an abnormality occurs in the image forming apparatus 100, it is possible to transmit a stop signal to stop the operation of the varnish application device 200 or stacker 400. Furthermore, since the communication units 130, 230, and 430 are capable of bidirectional communication, if an abnormality occurs in the varnish application device 200 or stacker 400, information can be transmitted from the communication units 230 and 430, thereby stopping the operation of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0098] In this embodiment, the image forming system 2000 is entirely controlled by the control unit 120 provided inside the image forming apparatus 100, but this configuration is not limiting. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a control unit that performs overall control of the image forming system 2000 is provided outside the image forming apparatus 100 in a separate housing as a controller unit. In this case, the controller unit may be connected to the control unit 220 of the varnish application device 200 and the control unit 420 of the stacker 400 via the control unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 100. Alternatively, the controller unit may be directly connected to the control units 120, 220, and 420, respectively.

[0099] Next, a control flow showing a series of operations in the image forming system 2000, including the image forming process by the image forming apparatus 100, the stacking process by the stacker 400, and the varnish application process by the varnish application apparatus 200, will be described.

[0100] The control flow shown in Figure 6 starts when a print signal is received in a standby state where the image forming system 2000 has been adjusted. The standby state refers to a state in the image forming apparatus 100 where the temperature of the fixing device 8 has reached a predetermined temperature at which a toner image can be fixed, and where an image can be formed on a sheet immediately upon receiving a print signal. The standby state also refers to a state in the varnish application device 200 where varnish is being supplied to the varnish application roller 213, the heater 221 has reached a predetermined temperature, and the UV irradiation unit 222 has a predetermined irradiation power, allowing the sheet to be varnished and the applied varnish to be cured.

[0101] When the control unit 120 receives a print signal via the communication unit 130 or the operation unit 95 (Yes in S201), it acquires processing information regarding the image forming process, stack process, and varnishing process contained in the print signal (S202). When the control unit 120 has not received a print signal (No in S201), it waits until it receives a print signal, and maintains the standby state of the image forming system 2000.

[0102] Then, based on the processing information acquired in S202, the control unit 120 transmits processing information regarding the presence or absence of stacking processing to the stacker 400 via the communication units 130, 230, 430, and transmits processing information regarding the presence or absence of varnishing processing to the varnish application device 200 (S203). Here, an example is shown in which processing information regarding the presence or absence of stacking processing and varnishing processing is transmitted, but the configuration may also be such that each piece of processing information is transmitted to the stacker 400 or the varnishing device 200 only if stacking processing and varnishing processing are present.

[0103] Next, the control unit 120 controls the conveyance control unit 140, the image processing unit 150, and the driving unit 160 based on the processing information acquired in S202, and executes image forming processing on the sheet fed from the cassette 10 (S204).

[0104] Then, the control unit 120 determines whether or not to execute stack processing based on the processing information acquired in S202 (S205).

[0105] If stacking processing is to be performed (S205 Yes), the control unit 120 outputs a signal to the control unit 420 via the communication units 130, 430, causing the control unit 420 to control the conveying control unit 440 and the conveying direction control unit 450 to perform stacking processing in the storage unit 414 (S206).

[0106] If the stacking process is not to be performed (S205 No), the control unit 120 outputs a signal to the control unit 220 via the communication units 130, 230, causing the control unit 220 to control the conveying control unit 240, the varnish application control unit 250 and the varnish hardening control unit 260, and cause the varnish application device 200 to perform the varnish application process (S207).

[0107] Thereafter, the control unit 120 determines whether all processes included in the print signal received in S201 have been completed (S208). If all processes have been completed (S208 Yes), the control unit 120 transitions the image forming system 1000 to a standby state. If all processes have not been completed (S208 No), the control unit 120 returns to S204 and executes each process for the next sheet.

[0108] In the present embodiment, the control units 220 and 420 operate based on signals from the control unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 100. However, the control unit 220 and 420 may each control the process after transmitting the process information in S203 based on the timing of sheet transport, etc. That is, the control unit 120 may transmit process information including the timing of executing the stacking process to the control unit 420 of the stacker 400 in S203, and the control unit 420 may determine whether or not to execute the stacking process in S205, and the control unit 420 may control the stacker 400 in S206. Alternatively, the control unit 120 may transmit process information including the timing of executing the varnish application process to the control unit 220 of the varnish application device 200 in S203, and the control unit 220 may control the varnish application device 200 in S207.

[0109] In this way, in the image forming system 2000 in which the image forming apparatus 100, stacker 400, and varnish applicator 200 are connected inline, by disposing the stacker 400 between the image forming apparatus 100 and the varnish applicator 200, even if the varnish applicator 200 is configured without a separation mechanism for the varnish applicator roller 213, sheets on which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 100 can be discharged from the image forming system 200 without being varnished. In other words, it is possible to provide an image forming system 2000 that can selectively perform varnishing on sheets on which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 100. Furthermore, by discharging sheets on which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 100 and having been varnished to the discharge tray 236 and discharging sheets on which no varnish has been processed to the storage section 414, it is possible to separate the discharge destinations depending on whether or not the sheets have been varnished.

[0110] As described above, in this embodiment, in an image forming system that performs in-line varnishing processing and processing other than varnishing processing on sheets on which images have been formed by an image forming device, it is possible to suppress deterioration in the quality of the finished product and deterioration in productivity, and to provide the finished product that the user desires.

[0111] <Third embodiment> Next, a different embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in Fig. 7, an image forming system 3000 in this embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 100 that forms an image on a sheet, a varnishing apparatus 200 that applies varnish to the sheet on which the image has been formed, and a decurling apparatus 500 that straightens out curls in the sheet between the image forming apparatus 100 and the varnishing apparatus 200.

[0112] The image forming apparatus 100, decurling apparatus 500, and varnishing apparatus 200 are connected in series, making it possible to apply varnish to a sheet transported from the image forming apparatus 100. In other words, from the time the sheet is fed by the image forming apparatus 100 until it is discharged outside the image forming system 3000, the sheet is subjected to a curl correction process and a varnishing process.

[0113] In the image forming system 3000 of this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 and the varnish applying apparatus 200 have the same configuration as in the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0114] [Decaler device] The decurler device 500 receives the sheet transported from the image forming device 100 and transports the sheet to the varnish application device 200 connected downstream. The decurler device 500 then straightens out any curls that may occur in the sheet on which an image has been formed by the image forming device 100, and transports the sheet after the straightening to the varnish application device 200.

[0115] Receiving rollers 501 transport the sheet discharged from image forming apparatus 100 through discharge conveying path 31 into the interior of decurling device 500. The sheet transported into decurling device 500 by receiving rollers 501 is transported to decurling units 510a and 510b via conveying rollers 502. Decurling units 510a and 510b are arranged upside down, and can correct curls in different directions.

[0116] The decurler unit 510a has a drive roller 511a and an adjustment roller 512a that has a larger diameter than the drive roller 511a and can adjust the pressure applied to the drive roller 511a. The pressure applied to the adjustment roller 512a is adjusted by a decurler cam 514a that rotates when driven by a motor 513a, which presses an arm mechanism 515a that rotatably supports the adjustment roller 512. The pressure applied by the adjustment roller 512a is changed based on the result of predicting the state of curl of the sheet from conditions such as the paper type and temperature and humidity detected by a sensor (not shown).

[0117] Furthermore, the position of the drive roller 511a is regulated when it is pressed against the adjustment roller 512a by contacting the backup roller 516a. The drive roller 511a is rotated by a motor (not shown).

[0118] The decurler unit 510a corrects curls formed on the sheet by sandwiching and conveying the sheet between a drive roller 511a and an adjustment roller 512a.

[0119] Note that decurler unit 510b has the same configuration as decurler unit 510a but is arranged upside down, and therefore the same reference numerals are used and a description thereof is omitted. By arranging decurler unit 510b inverted relative to decurler unit 510a in this way, the decurler device 500 can correct curls that occur in the sheet, regardless of whether the curl is an upward curl or a downward curl. By adjusting the pressure applied by adjustment rollers 512a and 512b, respectively, of decurler units 510a and 510b to be weaker than that during decurling, it is also possible to transport the sheet without decurling.

[0120] Furthermore, a sensor 503 for detecting the sheet is provided upstream of the decurler unit 510a in the sheet conveying direction. A control unit 520, which will be described later, predicts the timing at which the sheet will reach the decurler units 510a and 510b based on the detection result of the sensor 503, and drives motors 513a and 513b so that a predetermined pressure is applied to the sheet passing through the decurler units 510a and 510b.

[0121] In this embodiment, when an image is formed only on the first side (one side) of a sheet by image forming apparatus 100, if the sheet is conveyed by receiving rollers 501 with the first side facing vertically upward (face-up), the sheet is uncurled by decurler unit 510a on the upstream side in the sheet conveyance direction. Also, if the sheet is conveyed by receiving rollers 501 with the first side facing vertically downward (face-down), the sheet is uncurled by decurler unit 510b on the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction.

[0122] When images are formed on both sides of a sheet by image forming apparatus 100, whether decurler unit 510a or 510b performs curl correction is determined depending on whether the side on which the image is formed later, either the first or second side, faces up or down in the vertical direction. That is, when an image is formed on the second side after the first side, and the sheet is transported by receiving rollers 501 with the second side facing up in the vertical direction, the upstream decurler unit 510a performs curl correction on the sheet. When an image is formed on the second side after the first side, and the sheet is transported by receiving rollers 501 with the second side facing down in the vertical direction, the downstream decurler unit 510b performs curl correction on the sheet.

[0123] The sheet whose curls have been corrected by the decurler units 510a and 510b is transported by transport rollers 504 and then transported outside the decurler device 500 by discharge rollers 505. In this embodiment, the varnish application device 200 is connected downstream of the decurler device 500, so the sheet discharged by the discharge rollers 505 is handed over to the receiving rollers 230 of the varnish application device 200.

[0124] In this way, regardless of whether the sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus 100 is curled in the up or down direction, the sheet can be conveyed to the varnish application apparatus 200 with the curl corrected by the decurler units 510a and 510b.

[0125] In this embodiment, the decurling device 500 is connected downstream of the image forming apparatus 100 and upstream of the varnish application device 200 in the sheet conveying direction. In this configuration, another processing device such as an inserter may be connected between the decurling device 500 and the varnish application device 200. Also, another processing device such as a stacker may be connected between the image forming apparatus 100 and the decurling device 500.

[0126] [Image formation system control] Next, the operation and control of the image forming system 3000 in this embodiment will be described. Fig. 8 is a control block diagram of the image forming system 3000, and Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the control flow of the image forming system 3000 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the configurations of the image forming apparatus 100 and the varnish application apparatus 200 are the same as in the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and the description will be omitted.

[0127] In the image forming system 3000, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 120, the varnish application apparatus 200 includes a control unit 220, and the decurling apparatus 500 includes a control unit 520. The control units 120, 220, and 520 can communicate with each other via communication units 130, 230, and 530.

[0128] The control unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 100 can receive a print signal from an external device 170 such as a PC via the communication unit 130. The control unit 130 can also receive a print signal via the operation unit 95. The print signal is generated according to the process content set by the user, and includes whether or not to perform each process such as image formation process, decurling process, and varnishing process, the number of sheets to be processed, the type of sheet to be processed, etc.

[0129] The control unit 520 of the decurler device 500 includes a CPU 521, a ROM 522, and a RAM 523. The ROM 522 stores various programs used by the CPU 521 to control the decurler device 500. The RAM 523 is used as a primary storage area when the CPU 521 controls the various programs. Note that the control of the decurler device 500 includes transport control for transporting a sheet transported into the decurler device 500, and adjustment control of the pressure applied by adjustment rollers 512a and 512b.

[0130] The control unit 520 of the decurler device 500 controls the conveying units such as the receiving roller 501, the conveying rollers 502 and 504, and the discharge roller 505 via the conveying control unit 540, and controls the conveyance of the sheet within the decurler device 500. The control unit 520 also controls the adjustment of the pressure applied by the adjustment rollers 512a and 512b by driving the motors 513a and 513b via the motor driving unit 550.

[0131] The decurler device 500 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100 via the communication unit 530. When the image forming apparatus 100 receives a job from a user, it transmits instructions to the decurler device 500 via the communication unit 130 regarding which of the decurler units 510a and 510b should perform the decurling process, as well as instructions regarding the pressure of the adjustment rollers 512a and 512b. In this way, the decurler device 500 performs the decurling process based on the print signal received by the image forming apparatus 100.

[0132] In this embodiment, the varnish application device 200 is connected to the communication unit 130 of the image forming device 100 via the communication unit 530 of the decurler device 500, but other configurations are also possible. For example, the communication unit 230 of the varnish application device 200 and the communication unit 130 of the image forming device 100 may be directly connected.

[0133] As described above, the image forming apparatus 100, the decurler apparatus 500, and the varnish applicator 200 are connected via the communication units 130, 230, and 530. Therefore, when a print signal is input to the image forming system 3000, the image forming apparatus 100 transmits processing details corresponding to the print signal to the decurler apparatus 500 and the varnish applicator 200. Furthermore, if an abnormality occurs in the image forming apparatus 100, it is possible to transmit a stop signal to stop the operation of the varnish applicator 200 or the decurler apparatus 500. Furthermore, because the communication units 130, 230, and 430 are capable of bidirectional communication, if an abnormality occurs in the varnish applicator 200 or the decurler apparatus 500, information can be transmitted from the communication units 230 and 530, thereby stopping the operation of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0134] In this embodiment, the image forming system 3000 is entirely controlled by a control unit 120 provided inside the image forming apparatus 100, but this configuration is not limiting. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a control unit that performs overall control of the image forming system 3000 is provided outside the image forming apparatus 100 in a housing separate from the image forming apparatus 100 as a controller unit. In this case, the controller unit may be connected to the control unit 220 of the varnish application device 200 and the control unit 520 of the decurling device 500 via the control unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 100. Alternatively, the controller unit may be directly connected to the control units 120, 220, and 520, respectively.

[0135] Next, a control flow showing a series of operations of the image forming process by the image forming apparatus 100, the decurling process by the decurler apparatus 500, and the varnish application process by the varnish application apparatus 200 in the image forming system 3000 will be described.

[0136] The control flow shown in Figure 9 starts when a print signal is received in a standby state where the image forming system 3000 has been adjusted. The standby state refers to a state in which the temperature of the fixing device 8 in the image forming apparatus 100 has reached a predetermined temperature at which a toner image can be fixed, and an image can be formed on a sheet immediately upon receiving a print signal. The standby state also refers to a state in which the varnish application device 200 has supplied varnish to the varnish application roller 213, the heater 221 has reached a predetermined temperature, and the UV irradiation unit 222 has a predetermined irradiation power, allowing the sheet to be varnished and the applied varnish to be cured.

[0137] When the control unit 120 receives a print signal via the communication unit 130 or the operation unit 95 (Yes in S301), it acquires processing information regarding the image forming process, decurling process, and varnishing process contained in the print signal (S302). When the control unit 120 has not received a print signal (No in S301), it waits until it receives a print signal, and maintains the standby state of the image forming system 3000.

[0138] Then, based on the processing information acquired in S302, the control unit 120 transmits processing information regarding whether or not decal processing is performed to the decurler device 500 via the communication units 130, 230, 530, and transmits processing information regarding whether or not varnishing processing is performed to the varnish application device 200 (S303). Here, an example is shown in which processing information regarding whether or not decal processing and varnishing processing are performed is transmitted, but a configuration may also be used in which each piece of processing information is transmitted to the decurler device 500 or the varnishing device 200 only if decal processing and varnishing processing are performed.

[0139] Next, the control unit 120 controls the conveyance control unit 140, the image processing unit 150, and the drive unit 160 based on the processing information acquired in S302, and executes image forming processing on the sheet fed from the cassette 10 (S304).

[0140] Then, the control unit 120 determines whether or not to execute decurling processing on the sheet on which the image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 100 in S304, based on the processing information acquired in S302 (S305).

[0141] If decurling processing is to be performed (S305 Yes), the control unit 120 outputs a signal to the control unit 520 via the communication units 130, 530, causing the control unit 520 to control the conveying control unit 540 and the motor drive unit 550, and causing the decurling device 500 to perform decurling processing (S306).

[0142] On the other hand, if decurling processing is not to be performed (S305 No), the control unit 120 determines whether or not to perform varnish application processing on the sheet on which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 100 in S304 based on the processing information acquired in S302 (S307).

[0143] When the varnish application process is to be performed (S307 Yes), the control unit 120 outputs a signal to the control unit 220 via the communication units 130, 230, causing the control unit 220 to control the conveying control unit 240, the varnish application control unit 250, and the varnish hardening control unit 260, and causes the varnish application device 200 to perform the varnish application process (S308).

[0144] On the other hand, if the varnish application process is not to be performed (S307 No), the control unit 120 outputs a signal to the control unit 220 via the communication units 130 and 230, causing the control unit 220 to separate the varnish application roller 213 from the varnish drum 214 and allow the sheet to pass. At this time, the sheet is transported by the transport belts 231 and 233. Note that the configuration may further include a pair of transport rollers that sandwich and transport the sheet when the varnish application roller 213 separates from the varnish drum 214.

[0145] Thereafter, the control unit 120 determines whether all processes included in the print signal received in S301 have been completed (S309). If all processes have been completed (S309 Yes), the control unit 120 transitions the image forming system 3000 to a standby state. If all processes have not been completed (S309 No), the control unit 120 returns to S304 and executes each process for the next sheet.

[0146] In the present embodiment, the control units 220 and 520 operate based on signals from the control unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 100. However, the control unit 220 and 520 may each control the process after transmitting the process information in S303 based on the timing of sheet transport or the like. That is, the control unit 120 may transmit process information including the timing of decurling to the control unit 520 of the decurling device 500 in S303, and the control unit 520 may determine whether or not to perform decurling in S305, thereby controlling the control unit 520 in S306. Alternatively, the control unit 120 may transmit process information including the timing of performing varnishing to the control unit 220 of the varnish application device 200 in S303, and the control unit 220 may determine whether or not to perform varnishing in S307, thereby controlling the control unit 220 in S308.

[0147] In this way, in the image forming system 3000 in which the image forming apparatus 100, decurling apparatus 500, and varnish application apparatus 200 are connected in-line, by disposing the decurling apparatus 500 between the image forming apparatus 100 and the varnish application apparatus 200, it is possible to convey the sheet to the varnish application apparatus 200 with the curl of the sheet straightened. This reduces problems during the varnish application process caused by conveying a curled sheet to the varnish application apparatus 200. Specifically, by conveying a sheet to the varnish application apparatus 200 in a curled state with its leading or trailing edge raised, it is possible to reduce unevenness in the amount of varnish applied. It is also possible to reduce deviations in the varnish application start or end positions due to the curl of the sheet.

[0148] Furthermore, this embodiment can prevent jams and other transport problems within the varnish application device 200 caused by the transport of a curled sheet. Specifically, this prevents the leading edge of a curled sheet from entering the nip formed between the varnish application roller 213 and the varnish drum 214, resulting in transport problems. Even if a sheet can be inserted into the nip between the roller 213 and the varnish drum 214, the curl of the curled sheet is likely to increase as a result of the varnish application process. Therefore, there is a risk that the sheet will become jammed between the UV irradiation unit 222 and the conveyor belt 233 after being varnished, causing transport problems. In contrast, this embodiment prevents such transport problems by transporting a sheet whose curl has been removed in advance by the decurler device 500 to the varnish application device 200.

[0149] As described above, in this embodiment, in an image forming system that performs in-line varnish application processing and processing other than varnish application processing on sheets on which images have been formed by an image forming device, it is possible to suppress declines in productivity due to deterioration in the quality of the finished product or transport problems, and to provide the finished product that the user desires.

[0150] <Fourth embodiment> Next, a different embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in Figure 10, an image forming system 4000 in this embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 100 that forms an image on a sheet, a varnishing apparatus 200 that applies varnish to the sheet on which the image has been formed, and an inspection apparatus 600 that reads the image on the sheet between the image forming apparatus 100 and the varnishing apparatus 200. This inspection apparatus 600 judges and selects the image quality of printed materials discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 before they pass through the varnishing apparatus 200, and it is then possible to varnish only those products that meet a certain desired quality.

[0151] The image forming apparatus 100, the inspection apparatus 600, and the varnish application apparatus 200 are connected in series, and are capable of applying varnish to the sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus 100. In other words, from the time the sheet is fed by the image forming apparatus 100 until the sheet is discharged outside the image forming system 3000, the sheet is subjected to inspection processing and varnish application processing.

[0152] In the image forming system 4000 of this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 and the varnish applying apparatus 200 have the same configuration as in the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0153] [Inspection equipment] The inspection device 600 receives the sheet conveyed from the image forming device 100 and conveys it to the varnish application device 200 connected downstream. The inspection device 600 then reads the image formed on the sheet by the image forming device 100 to determine whether the resulting product meets a certain level of quality. The control unit 620 of the inspection device 600 or the control unit 620 of the image forming device 100 detects the difference between the image read by the inspection device 600 and a preset reference image, and determines whether there are any errors or stains. As a result of the determination, only deliverables that meet a preset threshold are conveyed to the varnish application device 200, and deliverables that do not meet the preset threshold are discharged to a discharge tray provided in the inspection device 600.

[0154] Receiving rollers 601 convey the sheet discharged from image forming apparatus 100 through discharge conveying path 31 into the interior of inspection device 500. The sheet conveyed into inspection device 600 by receiving rollers 601 is conveyed further downstream by conveying rollers 602 and then conveyed to a conveying belt 604 stretched around tension rollers 603a and 603b. A scanner unit 605 is provided vertically above conveying belt 604. As a result, the sheet discharged from image forming apparatus 100 has an image on it read by scanner unit 605, which is an example of a reading unit, while being conveyed by conveying belt 604.

[0155] The scanner unit 605 is an image scanner equipped with a light source for image reading and a line sensor or a spectral sensor, and scans the surface of the sheet conveyed by the conveyor belt 604 to read the image. The image read here is then inspected by the control unit 620 (described later) to determine whether or not there are any abnormal images. If there are no abnormal images, the image is judged as "OK" and if there are any abnormal images, the image is judged as "NG." An image judged as "NG" here is an image that has streaks or dots of missing images or stains superimposed on a preset reference image, or an image whose color difference ΔE00 does not fall within a specified tolerance range for the color gamut of the original. Generally, a ΔE00 of 2.0 or less is considered difficult for the human eye to detect differences, and in this embodiment, the tolerance range for ΔE00 is specified as 2.0 or less.

[0156] The sheet from which the image has been read by the scanner unit 605 is then conveyed further downstream in the conveying direction by the conveying belt 604 and conveyed to a conveying direction separator 609 via conveying rollers 606, 607, and 608.

[0157] Here, we will explain how the sheet is conveyed after the image is read by the scanner unit 605. The conveying direction separator 609 receives the result of the inspection process by the control unit 620 and selects the conveying destination of the sheet in accordance with the judgment of "OK" or "NG" by the control unit 620.

[0158] If the result of the inspection process is "OK", the conveying direction separator 609 switches the conveying direction so that the sheet is conveyed toward the conveying rollers 610. The sheet conveyed by the conveying rollers 610 is conveyed to the discharge rollers 613 by the conveying rollers 611 and 612. Then, the sheet whose result of the inspection process is "OK" is discharged from the inspection device 600 by the discharge rollers 613 and conveyed to the varnish application device 200.

[0159] If the result of the inspection process is "NG", the conveying direction separator 609 switches the conveying direction so that the sheet is conveyed toward conveying rollers 614. The sheet conveyed by conveying rollers 614 is stored in an ejection tray 616 provided in the inspection device 600 by conveying rollers 615. In this embodiment, the varnish application device 200 does not have any other conveying paths other than the sheet conveying path for applying varnish.

[0160] In this way, the inspection device 600 performs inspection processing based on the images read by the scanner unit 605, and as a result of the inspection processing as described above, conveys sheets that do not contain abnormal images to the downstream varnish application device 200, and stores sheets that contain abnormal images in the discharge tray 616. Therefore, it is possible to discharge sheets that contain abnormal images without applying varnish to the varnish application device 200.

[0161] In this embodiment, the conveying direction switching mechanism 609 is described as being a drum-shaped mechanism, but it may be configured to switch the conveying direction using a flapper or the like.

[0162] In this embodiment, the inspection device 600 is connected downstream of the image forming device 100 and upstream of the varnish application device 200 in the sheet conveying direction. In this configuration, another processing device such as an inserter may be connected between the image forming device 100 and the inspection device 600. In addition, another processing device such as a stacker may be connected between the inspection device 600 and the varnish application device 200.

[0163] [Image formation system control] Next, the operation and control of the image forming system 4000 in this embodiment will be described. Fig. 11 is a control block diagram of the image forming system 4000, and Fig. 12 is a diagram showing the control flow of the image forming system 4000 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the configurations of the image forming apparatus 100 and the varnish application apparatus 200 are the same as in the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and the description will be omitted.

[0164] In the image forming system 4000, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 120, the varnish application apparatus 200 includes a control unit 220, and the inspection apparatus 600 includes a control unit 620. The control units 120, 220, and 620 can communicate with each other via communication units 130, 230, and 630.

[0165] The control unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 100 can receive a print signal from an external device 170 such as a PC via the communication unit 130. The control unit 130 can also receive a print signal via the operation unit 95. The print signal is generated according to the process content set by the user, and includes whether or not to perform each process such as image formation process, inspection process, and varnishing process, the number of sheets to be processed, the type of sheet to be processed, etc.

[0166] The control unit 620 of the inspection device 600 includes a CPU 621, a ROM 622, and a RAM 623. The ROM 622 stores various programs used by the CPU 621 to control the inspection device 600. The RAM 623 is used as a primary storage area when the CPU 621 controls the various programs. The control of the inspection device 600 includes transport control for transporting sheets transported into the inspection device 600, reading control by the scanner unit 605, transport control for changing the transport direction, and the like.

[0167] The control unit 620 of the inspection device 600 controls conveyance units such as the receiving roller 601, tension rollers 601a and 601b, conveyance rollers 606 to 608, 610 to 612, discharge roller 613, and conveyance rollers 614 and 615 via a conveyance control unit 640, and controls sheet conveyance within the inspection device 600. The control unit 620 also controls a conveyance direction switching mechanism 609 via a conveyance direction control unit 650, and performs processing to switch the sheet conveyance direction. The control unit 620 also controls a scanner control unit 660, and executes reading processing by the scanner unit 605.

[0168] The inspection device 600 is connected to the image forming device 100 via a communication unit 630. When the control unit 120 of the image forming device 100 receives a print signal from a user, it transmits reference image data for inspection processing, abnormal image determination conditions, etc. to the inspection device 600 via the communication unit 130. The control unit 620 of the inspection device 600 executes inspection processing based on the reference image data, abnormal image determination conditions, etc. received from the control unit 120 of the image forming device 100 and the image data read by the scanner unit 605.

[0169] In the present embodiment, the control unit 620 of the inspection device 600 is configured to determine whether or not there is an abnormal image, but a different control unit may be configured to determine whether or not there is an abnormal image based on an image read by the scanner unit 605. For example, the image read by the scanner unit 605 of the inspection device 600 may be transmitted to the control unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 100 via the control unit 620, and the control unit 120 may compare the image with reference image data and determine whether or not there is an abnormal image.

[0170] In this embodiment, the varnish application device 200 is connected to the communication unit 130 of the image forming device 100 via the communication unit 630 of the inspection device 600, but other configurations are also possible. For example, the communication unit 230 of the varnish application device 200 and the communication unit 130 of the image forming device 100 may be directly connected.

[0171] As described above, the image forming apparatus 100, the inspection apparatus 600, and the varnish application apparatus 200 are connected via the communication units 130, 230, and 630. Therefore, when a print signal is input to the image forming system 4000, the image forming apparatus 100 transmits processing details corresponding to the print signal to the inspection apparatus 600 and the varnish application apparatus 200. Furthermore, if an abnormality occurs in the image forming apparatus 100, it is possible to transmit a stop signal to stop the operation of the varnish application apparatus 200 or the inspection apparatus 600. Furthermore, since the communication units 130, 230, and 630 are capable of bidirectional communication, if an abnormality occurs in the varnish application apparatus 200 or the inspection apparatus 600, the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 can be stopped by transmitting information from the communication units 230 and 630.

[0172] In this embodiment, the image forming system 4000 is entirely controlled by the control unit 120 provided inside the image forming apparatus 100, but this configuration is not limiting. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a control unit that performs overall control of the image forming system 4000 is provided outside the image forming apparatus 100 in a housing separate from the image forming apparatus 100 as a controller unit. In this case, the controller unit may be connected to the control unit 220 of the varnish application device 200 and the control unit 620 of the inspection device 600 via the control unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 100. Alternatively, the controller unit may be directly connected to the control units 120, 220, and 620, respectively.

[0173] Next, a control flow showing a series of operations of the image forming process by the image forming apparatus 100, the inspection process by the inspection apparatus 600, and the varnish application process by the varnish application apparatus 200 in the image forming system 4000 will be described.

[0174] The control flow shown in Figure 12 starts when a print signal is received in a standby state where the image forming system 4000 has been adjusted. The standby state refers to a state in which the temperature of the fixing device 8 in the image forming apparatus 100 has reached a predetermined temperature at which a toner image can be fixed, and an image can be formed on a sheet immediately upon receiving a print signal. The standby state also refers to a state in which the varnish application device 200 has supplied varnish to the varnish application roller 213, the heater 221 has reached a predetermined temperature, and the UV irradiation unit 222 has a predetermined irradiation power, allowing the sheet to be varnished and the applied varnish to be cured.

[0175] When the control unit 120 receives a print signal via the communication unit 130 or the operation unit 95 (Yes in S401), it acquires processing information regarding the image forming process, inspection process, and varnishing process contained in the print signal (S402). When the control unit 120 has not received a print signal (No in S401), it waits until it receives a print signal, and maintains the standby state of the image forming system 4000.

[0176] Then, based on the processing information acquired in S402, the control unit 120 transmits the reference image data required for the inspection process and processing information that serves as the criteria for determining abnormal images to the inspection device 600 via the communication units 130, 230, and 630, and transmits processing information regarding whether or not varnish application processing has been performed to the varnish application device 200 (S403).

[0177] Next, the control unit 120 controls the conveyance control unit 140, the image processing unit 150, and the drive unit 160 based on the processing information acquired in S402, and executes image forming processing on the sheet fed from the cassette 10 (S404).

[0178] Then, the control unit 120 outputs a signal to the control unit 620 via the communication units 130 and 630, causing the control unit 620 to control the transport control unit 650 and the scanner control unit 660, causing the scanner unit 605 to perform a reading process and perform an inspection process based on the reference image data acquired in S403 and the processing information that serves as the criteria for determining abnormal images (S405).

[0179] Thereafter, the control unit 120 determines whether or not there is an abnormal image as a result of the inspection process executed in S405 (S406).

[0180] If an abnormal image is included (S406 Yes), the control unit 120 outputs a signal to the control unit 620 via the communication units 130, 630, thereby causing the control unit 620 to control the conveying control unit 640 and the conveying direction control unit 650, and store the sheet including the abnormal image in the discharge tray 616 (S407).

[0181] If no abnormal images are included (S406 No), the control unit 120 outputs a signal to the control unit 220 via the communication units 130, 230, causing the control unit 220 to control the conveying control unit 240, the varnish application control unit 250 and the varnish hardening control unit 260, and cause the varnish application device 200 to perform the varnish application process (S408).

[0182] Thereafter, the control unit 120 determines whether all processes included in the print signal received in S401 have been completed (S409). If all processes have been completed (S409 Yes), the control unit 120 transitions the image forming system 4000 to a standby state. If all processes have not been completed (S409 No), the control unit 120 returns to S404 and executes each process for the next sheet.

[0183] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the control units 220 and 620 operate based on a signal from the control unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 100, but the control after sending the processing information in S403 may also be configured so that the control units 220 and 620 each control the sheet transport timing, etc. In other words, the control unit 120 may send processing information including the timing for executing the varnish application process to the control unit 420 of the varnish application device 200 in S403, and the control unit 220 may control the varnish application device 200 in S408.

[0184] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the inspection process is performed on all sheets on which images have been formed by the image forming apparatus 100, but the configuration may also be such that the inspection process is performed only when the user has set whether or not to perform the inspection process. If the inspection process is not to be performed, the inspection device 600 may simply transport the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 to the varnish application device 200 without reading the image thereon.

[0185] In this way, in the image forming system 4000 in which the image forming apparatus 100, inspection apparatus 600, and varnishing apparatus 200 are connected inline, by placing the inspection apparatus 600 between the image forming apparatus 100 and the varnishing apparatus 200, it is possible to perform image inspection processing before the sheet is transported to the varnishing apparatus 200. It is possible to judge and select the image quality of printed materials discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 before they pass through the varnishing apparatus 200, and then varnish only those products that meet a certain desired quality level. This makes it possible to prevent a shortage of varnish caused by performing varnishing processing on sheets containing abnormal images.

[0186] Furthermore, if the inspection device 600 were connected downstream of the varnish application device 200, the inspection process would be performed on sheets that have already been varnished. In this case, the varnish application process would cause the sheets to become glossy, which could prevent the inspection process from correctly identifying abnormal images. In contrast, in this embodiment, the inspection process is performed and the varnish application process is performed after correctly identifying abnormal images, allowing the inspection device 600 to correctly perform the inspection process.

[0187] As described above, in this embodiment, in an image forming system that performs in-line varnishing processing and processing other than varnishing processing on sheets on which images have been formed by an image forming device, it is possible to suppress deterioration in the quality of the finished product and to provide the finished product that the user desires.

[0188] Fifth Embodiment Next, a different embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in Fig. 13, an image forming system 5000 in this embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 100 that forms an image on a sheet, a varnish applying apparatus 200 that applies varnish to the sheet on which the image has been formed, and a binding processing apparatus 700 that binds a plurality of sheets.

[0189] The image forming apparatus 100, the varnishing apparatus 200, and the binding processing apparatus 700 are connected in series, and are capable of applying varnish to and binding sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus 100. In other words, the varnishing process and the binding process are performed on the sheets from the time the sheets are fed by the image forming apparatus 100 until the sheets are discharged outside the image forming system 5000.

[0190] In the image forming system 5000 of this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 and the varnish application apparatus 200 have the same configuration as in the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and the description will be omitted. Note that this embodiment differs from the first to fourth embodiments in that the varnish application apparatus 200 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100. Therefore, the receiving roller 201 of the varnish application apparatus 299 conveys the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 through the discharge conveying path 31 into the varnish application apparatus 200. In addition, the sheet discharged by the discharge roller 235 of the varnish application apparatus 200 is conveyed to the binding processing device 700.

[0191] [Binding processing device] The binding processing device 700 performs saddle stitching processing on a plurality of sheets. The sheets discharged by the discharge roller 235 of the varnish application device 200 are conveyed into the binding processing device 700 by the receiving roller 701 of the binding processing device 700.

[0192] When the print signal received by the image forming system 5000 does not include binding processing, the sheet conveyed by the receiving roller 701 is conveyed to a first conveying path 703 by a flapper 702, and is discharged to a discharge tray 770a provided in the binding processing device 700 via a conveying roller 704 and a discharge roller 705. In other words, the sheet is discharged to the outside of the image forming system 5000.

[0193] Furthermore, when the print signal received by the image forming apparatus 100 includes a binding process, the sheet is conveyed to a second conveying path 706 by a flapper 702 and then conveyed by conveying rollers 707 and 708. The sheet conveyed by the conveying roller 708 is conveyed until its leading edge in the conveying direction is placed on a saddle processing tray 709.

[0194] After all sheets required for binding processing have been stacked on the saddle processing tray 709, the saddle processing tray 709 is moved vertically upward to a position where saddle stitching processing can be performed by the stapler unit 710. The staple unit 710 moves to a position corresponding to the center of the sheets and performs binding processing on the sheets. Furthermore, the saddle processing tray 709 moves the sheets, and the paper guide plate 711 operates to push the center position of the sheets toward the folding rollers 712.

[0195] As a result, the sheet whose center has been folded along the position where it has been bound by the staple unit 710 is conveyed further downstream while a predetermined pressure is applied by the folding rollers 712. The sheet is then discharged as a saddle-stitched product by the discharge rollers 713 onto a discharge tray 770b provided in the binding processing device 700. Here, the staple unit 710 is an example of a binding processing unit, and the folding rollers 712 are an example of a folding processing unit. Note that, in this embodiment, saddle-stitching processing has been described as an example of processing by the binding processing device 700, but the binding processing device 700 may also be a device that performs other binding processes such as edge binding, corner binding, or stapleless binding.

[0196] In addition, in this embodiment, the binding device 700 is connected downstream of the varnish application device 200 in the sheet conveying direction. In this configuration, other processing devices such as an inserter, an inspection device, or a decurler device may be connected between the image forming device 100 and the varnish application device 200.

[0197] [Image formation system control] Next, the operation and control of the image forming system 5000 in this embodiment will be described. Fig. 14 is a control block diagram of the image forming system 5000, and Fig. 15 is a diagram showing the control flow of the image forming system 5000 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the configurations of the image forming apparatus 100 and the varnish application apparatus 200 are the same as in the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and the description will be omitted.

[0198] In the image forming system 5000, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 120, the varnish application apparatus 200 includes a control unit 220, and the binding processing apparatus 700 includes a control unit 720. The control units 120, 220, and 720 can communicate with each other via communication units 130, 230, and 730.

[0199] The control unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 100 can receive a print signal from an external device 170 such as a PC via the communication unit 130. The control unit 130 can also receive a print signal via the operation unit 95. The print signal is generated according to the process content set by the user, and includes whether or not to perform each process such as image formation process, binding process, and varnishing process, the number of sheets to be processed, the type of sheets to be processed, etc.

[0200] The control unit 720 of the binding processing device 700 includes a CPU 721, a ROM 722, and a RAM 723. The ROM 722 stores various programs used by the CPU 721 to control the binding processing device 700. The RAM 723 is used as a primary storage area when the CPU 721 controls the various programs. The control of the binding processing device 700 includes transport control for transporting sheets transported into the binding processing device 700, binding process control by the stapler unit 710, folding process control by the folding rollers 712, etc.

[0201] The control unit 720 of the binding processing device 700 controls the transport units, such as the receiving roller 701, transport rollers 704, 707, and 708, and discharge rollers 705 and 713, via the transport control unit 740, and controls the transport of sheets within the binding processing device 700. The control unit 720 also controls the stapler unit 710 via the binding process control unit 750, and performs binding processing on the sheets. The control unit 720 also controls the folding process control unit 760, and performs folding processing by the folding rollers 712.

[0202] The binding processing device 700 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100 via a communication unit 730. When the control unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 100 receives a print signal from a user, it transmits information for the binding process, such as the binding position and the number of sheets, to the binding processing device 700 via the communication unit 130. The control unit 720 of the binding processing device 700 executes the binding process on the sheets based on the information received from the control unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0203] In the present embodiment, the binding device 700 is connected to the communication unit 130 of the image forming device 100 via the communication unit 230 of the varnish application device 200, but other configurations are also possible. For example, the communication unit 730 of the binding device 700 and the communication unit 130 of the image forming device 100 may be directly connected.

[0204] As described above, the image forming apparatus 100, the binding device 700, and the varnish application device 200 are connected via the communication units 130, 230, and 730. Therefore, when a print signal is input to the image forming system 500, the image forming apparatus 100 transmits processing details corresponding to the print signal to the binding device 700 and the varnish application device 200. Furthermore, if an abnormality occurs in the image forming apparatus 100, it is possible to transmit a stop signal to stop the operation of the varnish application device 200 or the binding device 700. Furthermore, since the communication units 130, 230, and 730 are capable of bidirectional communication, if an abnormality occurs in the varnish application device 200 or the binding device 700, information can be transmitted from the communication units 230 and 730, thereby stopping the operation of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0205] In this embodiment, the image forming system 5000 is entirely controlled by the control unit 120 provided inside the image forming apparatus 100, but this configuration is not limiting. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a control unit that performs overall control of the image forming system 5000 is provided outside the image forming apparatus 100 in a housing separate from the image forming apparatus 100 as a controller unit. In this case, the controller unit may be connected to the control unit 220 of the varnish application device 200 and the control unit 720 of the binding device 700 via the control unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 100. Alternatively, the controller unit may be directly connected to the control units 120, 220, and 720, respectively.

[0206] Next, a control flow showing a series of operations of the image forming process by the image forming apparatus 100, the varnish application process by the varnish application apparatus 200, and the saddle stitching process by the binding processing apparatus 700 in the image forming system 5000 will be described.

[0207] The control flow shown in Figure 15 starts when a print signal is received in a standby state where the image forming system 5000 has been adjusted. The standby state refers to a state in which the temperature of the fixing device 8 in the image forming apparatus 100 has reached a predetermined temperature at which a toner image can be fixed, and an image can be formed on a sheet immediately upon receiving a print signal. The standby state also refers to a state in which the varnish application device 200 has supplied varnish to the varnish application roller 213, the heater 221 has reached a predetermined temperature, and the UV irradiation unit 222 has a predetermined irradiation power, allowing the sheet to be varnished and the applied varnish to be cured.

[0208] When the control unit 120 receives a print signal via the communication unit 130 or the operation unit 95 (Yes in S501), it acquires processing information regarding the image forming process, varnishing process, and saddle stitching process contained in the print signal (S502). When the control unit 120 has not received a print signal (No in S501), it waits until it receives a print signal, and maintains the standby state of the image forming system 5000.

[0209] Then, based on the processing information acquired in S502, the control unit 120 transmits processing information regarding the presence or absence of saddle stitching to the binding processing device 700 via the communication units 130, 230, 730, and transmits processing information regarding the presence or absence of varnishing processing to the varnishing device 200 (S503). Here, an example is shown in which processing information regarding the presence or absence of saddle stitching and varnishing processing is transmitted, but the configuration may also be such that each piece of processing information is transmitted to the binding processing device 700 or the varnishing device 200 only if saddle stitching and varnishing processing are present.

[0210] Next, the control unit 120 controls the conveyance control unit 140, the image processing unit 150, and the drive unit 160 based on the processing information acquired in S502, and executes image forming processing on the sheet fed from the cassette 10 (S504).

[0211] Then, the control unit 120 determines whether or not to perform a varnish application process on the sheet on which the image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 100 in S504, based on the processing information acquired in S502 (S505).

[0212] When the varnish application process is to be performed (S505 Yes), the control unit 120 outputs a signal to the control unit 220 via the communication units 130, 230, causing the control unit 220 to control the conveying control unit 240, the varnish application control unit 250 and the varnish hardening control unit 260, and causing the varnish application device 200 to perform the varnish application process (S506).

[0213] On the other hand, if the varnish application process is not to be performed (S505 No), the control unit 120 outputs a signal to the control unit 220 via the communication units 130 and 230, causing the control unit 220 to separate the varnish application roller 213 from the varnish drum 214 and allow the sheet to pass. At this time, the sheet is transported by the transport belts 231 and 233. Note that the configuration may further include a pair of transport rollers that sandwich and transport the sheet when the varnish application roller 213 separates from the varnish drum 214.

[0214] Next, the control unit 120 determines whether or not to execute saddle stitching processing by the binding processing device 700 based on the processing information acquired in S502 (S507).

[0215] When performing saddle stitching processing (S507 Yes), the control unit 120 outputs a signal to the control unit 720 via the communication units 130, 730, causing the control unit 720 to control the conveying control unit 740, the binding processing control unit 750, and the folding processing control unit 760, and causes the binding processing device 700 to perform saddle stitching processing (S508).

[0216] On the other hand, if saddle stitching is not to be performed (S507 No), the control unit 120 determines whether all processes included in the print signal received in S501 have been completed (S509). If all processes have been completed (S509 Yes), the control unit 120 transitions the image forming system 5000 to a standby state. If all processes have not been completed (S509 No), the control unit 120 returns to S504 and performs each process on the next sheet.

[0217] In the present embodiment, the control units 220 and 720 operate based on signals from the control unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 100. However, the control unit 220 and 720 may each control the processing after transmitting the processing information in S503 based on the timing of sheet transport, etc. That is, the control unit 120 may transmit processing information including the timing of executing the varnishing process to the control unit 220 of the varnishing device 200 in S503, and the control unit 220 may determine whether or not to execute the varnishing process in S505, which causes the control unit 220 to control the varnishing device 200 in S506. Alternatively, the control unit 120 may transmit processing information including the timing of executing the saddle stitching process to the control unit 720 of the binding device 700 in S503, and the control unit 720 may determine whether or not to execute the saddle stitching process in S507, which causes the control unit 720 to control the saddle stitching device 700 in S508.

[0218] In this way, in the image forming system 5000 in which the image forming device 100, the varnish application device 200, and the binding processing device 700 are connected inline, by arranging the binding processing device 700 downstream of the varnish application device 200, it is possible to perform saddle stitching processing even on sheets that have been varnished.

[0219] If the binding device 700 were connected between the image forming apparatus 100 and the varnishing device 200, the varnishing device 200 would only be able to varnish the topmost side of the saddle-stitched product. In contrast, in the image forming system 5000 of this embodiment, the binding device 700 is connected downstream of the varnishing device 200, making it possible to bind sheets that have already been varnished. Therefore, there is no restriction on the surface of the product that can be varnished, and it is possible to varnish sheets other than the cover when saddle-stitching.

[0220] As described above, in this embodiment, in an image forming system that performs in-line varnish application processing and processing other than varnish application processing on sheets on which images have been formed by an image forming device, it is possible to suppress deterioration in the quality of the finished product and to provide the finished product that the user desires.

[0221] Sixth Embodiment Next, a different embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in Fig. 13, an image forming system 5000 in this embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 100 that forms an image on a sheet, a varnish applying apparatus 200 that applies varnish to the sheet on which the image has been formed, and a punching processing apparatus 800 that performs a punching process to punch holes in the sheet.

[0222] The image forming apparatus 100, the varnish application apparatus 200, and the punching device 800 are connected in series, and are capable of applying varnish to and punching a sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus 100. In other words, the sheet is subjected to the varnish application process and punching process from the time the sheet is fed by the image forming apparatus 100 until the sheet is discharged outside the image forming system 6000.

[0223] In the image forming system 6000 of this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 and the varnish application apparatus 200 have the same configuration as in the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and the description will be omitted. Note that, like the fifth embodiment, this embodiment differs from the first to fourth embodiments in that the varnish application apparatus 200 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100. Therefore, the receiving roller 201 of the varnish application apparatus 299 conveys the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 through the discharge conveying path 31 into the varnish application apparatus 200. In addition, the sheet discharged by the discharge roller 235 of the varnish application apparatus 200 is conveyed to the punching processing device 800.

[0224] [Punch processing device] The punching device 800 performs a punching process to punch holes in the sheet. The sheet discharged by the discharge roller 235 of the varnish applying device 200 is conveyed into the punching device 800 by the receiving roller 801 of the punching device 800.

[0225] When the print signal received by the image forming system 6000 does not include punching, the sheet conveyed by the receiving roller 801 is conveyed to the first conveying path 803 by the flapper 802, and is conveyed along the first conveying path 803 by the conveying rollers 804, 805, and 806. The sheet conveyed by the conveying roller 806 is then guided to the discharge roller 808 by the flapper 807, and is discharged to a discharge tray 809 provided in the punching device 800 via the discharge roller 808. In other words, the sheet is discharged to the outside of the image forming system 6000.

[0226] Furthermore, when the print signal received by the image forming apparatus 100 includes a punching process, the sheet is conveyed to the second conveying path 810 by the flapper 802 and conveyed along the second conveying path 810 by the conveying rollers 811, 812, and 813.

[0227] The sheet conveyed by the conveying rollers 813 is conveyed between a punch unit 814 having a blade for punching and a punch die 815, where a correction roller 816 corrects the skew of the sheet.

[0228] A sensor 817 is provided downstream of the punch unit 814 in the sheet conveyance direction. The sensor 817 is capable of detecting the leading edge of a sheet. The position of the punching process by the punch unit 814 is determined based on the edge position of the sheet detected by the sensor 817. When punching is performed, the punch unit 814 may be moved based on the detection result of the sensor 817 to perform the punching process, or the punching process may be performed without moving the punch unit 814.

[0229] When punching is performed, the punch unit 814 moves vertically downward toward the punch die 815 while the conveyance by the correction roller 816 and the conveyance roller 813 is stopped, and the blade provided in the punch unit 814 punches out the sheet. Also, a collection box (not shown) is provided below the punch die 815, so that punched waste can be collected.

[0230] Thereafter, the conveyance of the punched sheet by the correction roller 816 and the conveyance roller 813 is resumed, and the sheet is conveyed downstream by the conveyance rollers 818 and 819. The sheet conveyed by the conveyance roller 819 is guided by the flapper 807 to the discharge roller 808, and is discharged onto the discharge tray 809 by the discharge roller 808.

[0231] In this embodiment, the punching device 800 is connected downstream of the varnish application device 200 in the sheet conveying direction. In this configuration, other processing devices such as an inserter, an inspection device, or a decurler device may be connected between the image forming device 100 and the varnish application device 200.

[0232] [Image formation system control] Next, the operation and control of the image forming system 6000 in this embodiment will be described. Fig. 17 is a control block diagram of the image forming system 6000, and Fig. 18 is a diagram showing the control flow of the image forming system 6000 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the configurations of the image forming apparatus 100 and the varnish application apparatus 200 are the same as in the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and the description will be omitted.

[0233] In the image forming system 6000, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 120, the varnish application apparatus 200 includes a control unit 220, and the punching device 800 includes a control unit 820. The control units 120, 220, and 820 can communicate with each other via communication units 130, 230, and 830.

[0234] The control unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 100 can receive a print signal from an external device 170 such as a PC via the communication unit 130. The control unit 130 can also receive a print signal via the operation unit 95. The print signal is generated according to the process content set by the user, and includes whether or not to perform each process such as image formation process, punching process, and varnishing process, the number of sheets to be processed, the type of sheet to be processed, etc.

[0235] The control unit 820 of the punching device 800 includes a CPU 821, a ROM 822, and a RAM 823. The ROM 822 stores various programs used by the CPU 821 to control the punching device 800. The RAM 823 is used as a primary storage area when the CPU 821 controls the various programs. The control of the punching device 800 includes transport control for transporting sheets transported into the punching device 800, punching control by the punch unit 814, etc.

[0236] A control unit 820 of the binding processing device 800 controls transport units such as a receiving roller 801, transport rollers 804 to 806, 811 to 813, 818, 819, a discharge roller 808, and a correction roller 816 via a transport control unit 840, and controls transport of sheets within the punching processing device 800. In addition, the control unit 820 controls a punching unit 814 via a punching processing control unit 750, and performs punching processing on sheets.

[0237] The punching device 800 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100 via a communication unit 830. When the control unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 100 receives a print signal from a user, it transmits information for punching, such as punch positions and the number of sheets, to the punching device 800 via the communication unit 130. The control unit 820 of the punching device 800 executes punching on the sheets based on the information received from the control unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0238] In this embodiment, the punching device 800 is connected to the communication unit 130 of the image forming device 100 via the communication unit 230 of the varnish application device 200, but other configurations are also possible. For example, the communication unit 830 of the punching device 800 and the communication unit 130 of the image forming device 100 may be directly connected.

[0239] As described above, the image forming apparatus 100, the punching device 800, and the varnish application device 200 are connected via the communication units 130, 230, and 830. Therefore, when a print signal is input to the image forming system 6000, the image forming apparatus 100 transmits processing details corresponding to the print signal to the punching device 800 and the varnish application device 200. Furthermore, if an abnormality occurs in the image forming apparatus 100, it is possible to transmit a stop signal to stop the operation of the varnish application device 200 or the punching device 800. Furthermore, since the communication units 130, 230, and 830 are capable of bidirectional communication, if an abnormality occurs in the varnish application device 200 or the punching device 800, information can be transmitted from the communication units 230 and 830, thereby stopping the operation of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0240] In this embodiment, the image forming system 6000 is entirely controlled by the control unit 120 provided inside the image forming apparatus 100, but this configuration is not limiting. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a control unit that performs overall control of the image forming system 6000 is provided outside the image forming apparatus 100 in a housing separate from the image forming apparatus 100 as a controller unit. In this case, the controller unit may be connected to the control unit 220 of the varnish application device 200 and the control unit 820 of the punching device 800 via the control unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 100. Alternatively, the controller unit may be directly connected to the control units 120, 220, and 820, respectively.

[0241] Next, a control flow showing a series of operations of the image forming process by the image forming apparatus 100, the varnish application process by the varnish application apparatus 200, and the punching process by the punching device 800 in the image forming system 6000 will be described.

[0242] The control flow shown in Figure 18 starts when a print signal is received in a standby state where the image forming system 6000 has been adjusted. The standby state refers to a state in which the temperature of the fixing device 8 in the image forming apparatus 100 has reached a predetermined temperature at which a toner image can be fixed, and an image can be formed on a sheet immediately upon receiving a print signal. The standby state also refers to a state in which the varnish application device 200 has supplied varnish to the varnish application roller 213, the heater 221 has reached a predetermined temperature, and the UV irradiation unit 222 has a predetermined irradiation power, allowing the sheet to be varnished and the applied varnish to be cured.

[0243] When the control unit 120 receives a print signal via the communication unit 130 or the operation unit 95 (Yes in S601), it acquires processing information regarding the image forming process, varnishing process, and punching process contained in the print signal (S602). When the control unit 120 has not received a print signal (No in S601), it waits until it receives a print signal, and maintains the standby state of the image forming system 6000.

[0244] Then, based on the processing information acquired in S602, the control unit 120 transmits processing information regarding the presence or absence of punching to the punching device 800 via the communication units 130, 230, 630, and transmits processing information regarding the presence or absence of varnishing to the varnish application device 200 (S603). Here, an example is shown in which processing information regarding the presence or absence of punching and varnishing is transmitted, but the configuration may also be such that each piece of processing information is transmitted to the punching device 800 or the varnishing device 200 only if punching and varnishing are present.

[0245] Next, the control unit 120 controls the conveyance control unit 140, the image processing unit 150, and the drive unit 160 based on the processing information acquired in S602, and executes image forming processing on the sheet fed from the cassette 10 (S604).

[0246] Then, the control unit 120 determines whether or not to perform a varnish application process on the sheet on which the image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 100 in S604, based on the processing information acquired in S602 (S605).

[0247] When the varnish application process is to be performed (S605 Yes), the control unit 120 outputs a signal to the control unit 220 via the communication units 130, 230, causing the control unit 220 to control the conveying control unit 240, the varnish application control unit 250, and the varnish hardening control unit 260, and causes the varnish application device 200 to perform the varnish application process (S606).

[0248] On the other hand, if the varnish application process is not to be performed (S605 No), the control unit 120 outputs a signal to the control unit 220 via the communication units 130 and 230, causing the control unit 220 to separate the varnish application roller 213 from the varnish drum 214 and allow the sheet to pass. At this time, the sheet is transported by the transport belts 231 and 233. Note that the configuration may further include a pair of transport rollers that sandwich and transport the sheet when the varnish application roller 213 separates from the varnish drum 214.

[0249] Next, the control unit 120 determines whether or not to execute punching by the punching device 800 based on the processing information acquired in S602 (S607).

[0250] If punching processing is to be performed (S607 Yes), the control unit 120 outputs a signal to the control unit 820 via the communication units 130, 830, thereby causing the control unit 820 to control the conveying control unit 840 and the punching processing control unit 850, and causing the punching processing device 800 to perform punching processing (S608).

[0251] On the other hand, if punching is not to be performed (S607 No), the control unit 120 determines whether all processes included in the print signal received in S601 have been completed (S609). If all processes have been completed (S609 Yes), the control unit 120 transitions the image forming system 6000 to a standby state. If all processes have not been completed (S609 No), the control unit 120 returns to S604 and performs each process on the next sheet.

[0252] In the present embodiment, the control units 220 and 820 operate based on signals from the control unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 100. However, the control unit 220 and 720 may each control the processing after transmitting the processing information in S603 based on the timing of sheet transport, etc. That is, the control unit 120 may transmit processing information including the timing of executing the varnishing process to the control unit 220 of the varnish application device 200 in S503, and the control unit 220 may determine whether or not to execute the varnishing process in S605, so that the control unit 220 controls the varnish application device 200 in S606. Alternatively, the control unit 120 may transmit processing information including the timing of executing the punching process to the control unit 820 of the punching device 800 in S603, and the control unit 820 may determine whether or not to execute the punching process in S607, so that the control unit 620 controls the punching device 800 in S608.

[0253] In this way, in an image forming system 6000 in which an image forming device 100, a varnish application device 200, and a punching processing device 600 are connected inline, by placing the punching processing device 800 downstream of the varnish application device 200, punching processing can be performed on sheets to which varnish has been applied.

[0254] If the punching device 800 is connected between the image forming apparatus 100 and the varnish application device 200, the varnish application device 200 will perform a varnish application process on the sheet that has been punched by the punching device 800.

[0255] Therefore, when the overcoat varnish applicator 200 is connected, there is a risk that the holes punched by the punching device 800 will be covered with varnish. This can result in a finished product in which the holes in the sheet are blocked despite the punching process. In contrast, the image forming system 6000 of this embodiment connects the punching device 800 downstream of the varnish applicator 200, making it possible to perform punching on a varnished sheet. This prevents the holes created by the punching process from being covered with varnish.

[0256] In this embodiment, the punching process for forming punch holes has been described as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to processing devices that perform processes such as perforation by forming cuts or holes in a sheet. The present invention can also be applied to processing devices that perform processes that change the planar shape of printed matter, such as die-cutting and trimming. Even in this case, by connecting the processing device downstream of the varnish application device 200, it is possible to prevent the perforations or holes formed by the processing device from being covered with varnish.

[0257] As described above, in this embodiment, in an image forming system that performs in-line varnish application processing and processing other than varnish application processing on sheets on which images have been formed by an image forming device, it is possible to suppress deterioration in the quality of the finished product and produce the finished product that the user desires.

[0258] Seventh Embodiment Next, a different embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in Fig. 19, an image forming system 7000 in this embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 100 that forms an image on a sheet, a varnish applying apparatus 200 that applies varnish to the sheet on which the image has been formed, and a slitter apparatus 900 that cuts the sheet.

[0259] The image forming apparatus 100, the varnishing apparatus 200, and the slitter apparatus 900 are connected in series, and are capable of applying varnish to and cutting the sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus 100. In other words, the sheet is subjected to the varnishing process and the cutting process from the time the sheet is fed by the image forming apparatus 100 until the sheet is discharged outside the image forming system 7000.

[0260] In the image forming system 7000 of this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 and the varnish application apparatus 200 have the same configuration as in the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and the description will be omitted. Note that, like the fifth embodiment, this embodiment differs from the first to fourth embodiments in that the varnish application apparatus 200 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100. Therefore, the receiving roller 201 of the varnish application apparatus 299 conveys the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 through the discharge conveying path 31 into the varnish application apparatus 200. In addition, the sheet discharged by the discharge roller 235 of the varnish application apparatus 200 is conveyed to the slitter device 900.

[0261] [Slitter device] The slitter device 900 performs a cutting process to cut the sheet. The sheet discharged by the discharge roller 235 of the varnish application device 200 is conveyed into the slitter device 900 by the receiving roller 901 of the slitter device 900.

[0262] When the print signal received by the image forming system 7000 includes a cutting process, the sheet conveyed by the receiving roller 901 is guided to the first conveying path 903 by the flapper 902 and conveyed toward the correction roller 904. Then, the skew of the sheet is corrected by the correction roller 904.

[0263] Thereafter, the sheet whose skew has been corrected by the correction roller 904 is cut by cutting rollers 905a and 905b in a direction parallel to the sheet conveyance direction. The sheets cut in a direction parallel to the sheet conveyance direction are then discharged to a discharge tray 907a by a discharge roller 906a. Here, the cutting rollers 905a and 905b are an example of a cutting unit. Note that, although the present embodiment shows an example in which cutting is performed in a direction parallel to the sheet conveyance direction, a configuration in which cutting is performed in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction may also be used.

[0264] Furthermore, if the print signal received by the image forming apparatus 100 does not include cutting processing, the sheet is conveyed to the second conveying path 908 by the flapper 902, and is conveyed on the second conveying path 908 by the conveying rollers 909 to 911.

[0265] Then, the sheet conveyed by the conveying rollers 911 is discharged onto a discharge tray 907b by a discharge roller 906b.

[0266] In this embodiment, the slitter device 900 is connected downstream of the varnish application device 200 in the sheet conveying direction. In this configuration, other processing devices such as an inserter, an inspection device, or a decurler device may be connected between the image forming device 100 and the varnish application device 200.

[0267] [Image formation system control] Next, the operation and control of the image forming system 7000 in this embodiment will be described. Fig. 20 is a control block diagram of the image forming system 7000, and Fig. 21 is a diagram showing the control flow of the image forming system 7000 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the configurations of the image forming apparatus 100 and the varnish application apparatus 200 are the same as in the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and the description will be omitted.

[0268] In the image forming system 7000, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 120, the varnish application apparatus 200 includes a control unit 220, and the slitter apparatus 900 includes a control unit 920. The control units 120, 220, and 920 can communicate with each other via communication units 130, 230, and 930.

[0269] The control unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 100 can receive a print signal from an external device 170 such as a PC via the communication unit 130. The control unit 130 can also receive a print signal via the operation unit 95. The print signal is generated according to the process content set by the user, and includes whether or not to perform each process such as image formation process, cutting process, and varnishing process, the number of sheets to be processed, the type of sheet to be processed, etc.

[0270] The control unit 920 of the slitter device 900 includes a CPU 921, a ROM 922, and a RAM 923. The ROM 922 stores various programs used by the CPU 921 to control the slitter device 900. The RAM 923 is used as a primary storage area when the CPU 921 controls the various programs. The control of the slitter device 900 includes transport control for transporting sheets transported into the slitter device 900, and cutting process control for controlling the pressure applied by cutting rollers 905a and 905b, the cutting position, etc.

[0271] A control unit 920 of the slitter device 900 controls conveying units such as a receiving roller 901, a correction roller 904, discharge rollers 906a and 906b, and conveying rollers 909 to 911 via a conveyance control unit 940, and controls conveyance of the sheet within the slitter device 900. The control unit 920 also controls cutting rollers 905a and 905b via a cutting process control unit 950, and performs cutting processing on the sheet.

[0272] The slitter device 900 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100 via a communication unit 930. When the control unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 100 receives a print signal from a user, it transmits information for the cutting process, such as the cutting position, number of sheets, and pressure, to the slitter device 900 via the communication unit 130. The control unit 920 of the slitter device 900 executes the cutting process on the sheets based on the information received from the control unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0273] In this embodiment, the slitter device 900 is connected to the communication unit 130 of the image forming device 100 via the communication unit 230 of the varnish application device 200, but other configurations are also possible. For example, the communication unit 930 of the slitter device 900 and the communication unit 130 of the image forming device 100 may be directly connected.

[0274] As described above, the image forming apparatus 100, the slitter apparatus 900, and the varnish application apparatus 200 are connected via the communication units 130, 230, and 930. Therefore, when a print signal is input to the image forming system 7000, the image forming apparatus 100 transmits processing details corresponding to the print signal to the slitter apparatus 900 and the varnish application apparatus 200. Furthermore, if an abnormality occurs in the image forming apparatus 100, it is possible to transmit a stop signal to stop the operation of the varnish application apparatus 200 or the slitter apparatus 900. Furthermore, because the communication units 130, 230, and 930 are capable of bidirectional communication, if an abnormality occurs in the varnish application apparatus 200 or the slitter apparatus 900, information can be transmitted from the communication units 230 and 930, thereby stopping the operation of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0275] In this embodiment, the image forming system 7000 is entirely controlled by the control unit 120 provided inside the image forming apparatus 100, but this configuration is not limiting. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a control unit that performs overall control of the image forming system 7000 is provided outside the image forming apparatus 100 in a housing separate from the image forming apparatus 100 as a controller unit. In this case, the controller unit may be connected to the control unit 220 of the varnish application device 200 and the control unit 920 of the slitter device 900 via the control unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 100. Alternatively, the controller unit may be directly connected to the control units 120, 220, and 920, respectively.

[0276] Next, a control flow showing a series of operations in the image forming system 7000, including the image forming process by the image forming apparatus 100, the varnish application process by the varnish application apparatus 200, and the cutting process by the slitter apparatus 900, will be described.

[0277] The control flow shown in Figure 21 starts when a print signal is received in a standby state where the image forming system 7000 has been adjusted. The standby state refers to a state in which the temperature of the fixing device 8 in the image forming apparatus 100 has reached a predetermined temperature at which a toner image can be fixed, and an image can be formed on a sheet immediately upon receiving a print signal. The standby state also refers to a state in which the varnish application device 200 has supplied varnish to the varnish application roller 213, the heater 221 has reached a predetermined temperature, and the UV irradiation unit 222 has a predetermined irradiation power, allowing the sheet to be varnished and the applied varnish to be cured.

[0278] When the control unit 120 receives a print signal via the communication unit 130 or the operation unit 95 (Yes in S701), it acquires processing information regarding the image forming process, varnishing process, and cutting process contained in the print signal (S702). When the control unit 120 has not received a print signal (No in S701), it waits until it receives a print signal, and maintains the standby state of the image forming system 7000.

[0279] Then, based on the processing information acquired in S702, the control unit 120 transmits processing information regarding whether cutting processing has been performed to the slitter device 900 via the communication units 130, 230, 930, and transmits processing information regarding whether varnishing processing has been performed to the varnishing device 200 (S703). Here, an example is shown in which processing information regarding whether cutting processing and varnishing processing have been performed is transmitted, but the configuration may also be such that each piece of processing information is transmitted to the slitter device 900 or the varnishing device 200 only if cutting processing and varnishing processing have been performed.

[0280] Next, the control unit 120 controls the conveyance control unit 140, the image processing unit 150, and the drive unit 160 based on the processing information acquired in S702, and executes image forming processing on the sheet fed from the cassette 10 (S704).

[0281] Then, the control unit 120 determines whether or not to execute a varnish application process on the sheet on which the image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 100 in S704, based on the processing information acquired in S602 (S705).

[0282] When the varnish application process is to be performed (S705 Yes), the control unit 120 outputs a signal to the control unit 220 via the communication units 130, 230, causing the control unit 220 to control the conveying control unit 240, the varnish application control unit 250, and the varnish hardening control unit 260, and causes the varnish application device 200 to perform the varnish application process (S706).

[0283] On the other hand, if the varnish application process is not to be performed (S705 No), the control unit 120 outputs a signal to the control unit 220 via the communication units 130, 230, causing the control unit 220 to separate the varnish application roller 213 from the varnish drum 214 and allow the sheet to pass. At this time, the sheet is transported by the transport belts 231 and 233. Note that the configuration may further include a pair of transport rollers that sandwich and transport the sheet when the varnish application roller 213 separates from the varnish drum 214.

[0284] Next, the control unit 120 determines whether or not to execute the cutting process by the slitter device 900 based on the process information acquired in S702 (S707).

[0285] If cutting processing is to be performed (S707 Yes), the control unit 120 outputs a signal to the control unit 920 via the communication units 130, 930, causing the control unit 920 to control the conveying control unit 940 and the cutting processing control unit 950, and causing the slitter device 900 to perform cutting processing (S708).

[0286] On the other hand, if cutting processing is not to be performed (S707 No), the control unit 120 determines whether all processing included in the print signal received in S701 has been completed (S709). If all processing has been completed (S709 Yes), the control unit 120 transitions the image forming system 7000 to a standby state. If all processing has not been completed (S709 No), the control unit 120 returns to S704 and performs each processing for the next sheet.

[0287] In the present embodiment, the control units 220 and 920 operate based on signals from the control unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 100. However, the control unit 220 and 920 may each control the process after transmitting the process information in S703 based on the timing of sheet transport, etc. That is, the control unit 120 may transmit process information including the timing of varnishing to the control unit 220 of the varnish application device 200 in S703, and the control unit 220 may determine whether or not to perform the varnish application in S705, causing the control unit 220 to control the varnish application device 200 in S706. Alternatively, the control unit 120 may transmit process information including the timing of cutting to the control unit 920 of the slitter device 900 in S703, and the control unit 920 may determine whether or not to perform the cutting in S707, causing the control unit 920 to control the slitter device 900 in S708.

[0288] In this way, in an image forming system 7000 in which an image forming apparatus 100, a varnish application apparatus 200, and a slitter apparatus 900 are connected inline, by arranging the slitter apparatus 900 downstream of the varnish application apparatus 200, cutting processing can be performed on sheets to which varnish has been applied.

[0289] If the slitter device 900 is connected between the image forming apparatus 100 and the varnish application device 200, the varnish application device 200 will apply varnish to the sheets that have been cut by the slitter device 900.

[0290] Therefore, when the overcoat varnish application device 200 is connected, there is a risk that the slit portion cut by the slitter device 900 will be covered with varnish. Also, there is a risk that the conveyance path will become dirty if the varnish is applied to the slit portion.

[0291] In contrast, in the image forming system 7000 of this embodiment, the slitter device 900 is connected downstream of the varnish application device 200, making it possible to perform cutting on sheets that have been varnished. This prevents the slits created by the cutting process from being covered with varnish. Furthermore, this prevents the conveyance path from becoming dirty due to the application of varnish to the slits, which can lead to sheet conveyance problems.

[0292] As described above, in this embodiment, in an image forming system that performs in-line varnishing processing and processing other than varnishing processing on sheets on which images have been formed by an image forming device, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the quality of the finished product and a decrease in productivity due to transport errors, and to produce the finished product that the user desires.

[0293] Eighth Embodiment Next, a different embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in Fig. 22, an image forming system 8000 in this embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 100 that forms an image on a sheet, a varnish applying apparatus 200 that applies varnish to the sheet on which the image has been formed, and an embossing apparatus 960 that embosses the sheet.

[0294] The image forming apparatus 100, the varnish application apparatus 200, and the embossing apparatus 960 are connected in series, and are capable of applying varnish to and embossing a sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus 100. In other words, the sheet is subjected to the varnish application process and the embossing process from the time the sheet is fed by the image forming apparatus 100 until the sheet is discharged outside the image forming system 8000.

[0295] In the image forming system 8000 of this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 and the varnish application apparatus 200 have the same configuration as in the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and the description will be omitted. Note that, like the fifth embodiment, this embodiment differs from the first to fourth embodiments in that the varnish application apparatus 200 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100. Therefore, the receiving roller 201 of the varnish application apparatus 299 conveys the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 through the discharge conveying path 31 into the varnish application apparatus 200. In addition, the sheet discharged by the discharge roller 235 of the varnish application apparatus 200 is conveyed to the embossing device 960.

[0296] [Embossing device] The embossing device 960 performs an embossing process to emboss the sheet. The sheet discharged by the discharge roller 235 of the varnish application device 200 is conveyed into the embossing device 960 by the receiving roller 961 of the embossing device 960.

[0297] When the print signal received by the image forming system 8000 does not include embossing, the sheet conveyed by the receiving rollers 961 is conveyed to a first conveying path 963 by a flapper 962, and is conveyed along the first conveying path 963 by conveying rollers 964, 965, and 966. The sheet conveyed by the conveying rollers 966 is then guided to a discharge roller 968 by a flapper 967, and is discharged to a discharge tray 969 provided in the embossing device 960 via the discharge roller 968. In other words, the sheet is discharged to the outside of the image forming system 8000.

[0298] Furthermore, when the print signal received by the image forming apparatus 100 includes an embossing process, the sheet is conveyed to the second conveying path 970 by the flapper 962 and conveyed along the second conveying path 970 by the conveying rollers 971, 972, and 973.

[0299] The sheet conveyed by the conveying roller 973 is then sandwiched and conveyed between an embossing roller 974 having an uneven surface and a receiving roller 975 disposed opposite the embossing roller 974. The receiving roller 975 is pressed against the embossing roller 974 by a pressure mechanism (not shown), and a nip portion for sandwiching and conveying the sheet is formed between the embossing roller 974 and the receiving roller 975. As the sheet is conveyed through the nip portion formed by the embossing roller 974 and the receiving roller 975, the sheet is deformed to conform to the unevenness of the embossing roller surface, forming an uneven shape on the sheet. In this embodiment, forming an uneven shape on the sheet in this manner is referred to as an embossing process. In this embodiment, the embossing roller 974 and the receiving roller 975 are an example of an embossing unit.

[0300] The sheet that has been embossed by the embossing roller 974 and the receiving roller 975 is conveyed downstream by conveying rollers 976, 977, and 978. The sheet conveyed by the conveying roller 978 is guided by a flapper 967 to a discharge roller 968, and is discharged onto a discharge tray 969 by the discharge roller 968.

[0301] In this embodiment, the embossing device 960 is connected downstream of the varnish application device 200 in the sheet conveying direction. In this configuration, other processing devices such as an inserter, an inspection device, or a decurler device may be connected between the image forming apparatus 100 and the varnish application device 200.

[0302] [Image formation system control] Next, the operation and control of the image forming system 8000 in this embodiment will be described. Fig. 23 is a control block diagram of the image forming system 8000, and Fig. 24 is a diagram showing the control flow of the image forming system 8000 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the configurations of the image forming apparatus 100 and the varnish application apparatus 200 are the same as in the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and the description will be omitted.

[0303] In the image forming system 8000, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 120, the varnish application apparatus 200 includes a control unit 220, and the embossing apparatus 960 includes a control unit 980. The control units 120, 220, and 980 can communicate with each other via communication units 130, 230, and 990.

[0304] The control unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 100 can receive a print signal from an external device 170 such as a PC via the communication unit 130. The control unit 130 can also receive a print signal via the operation unit 95. The print signal is generated according to the process content set by the user, and includes whether or not to perform each process such as image formation process, embossing process, and varnishing process, the number of sheets to be processed, the type of sheet to be processed, etc.

[0305] The control unit 980 of the embossing device 960 includes a CPU 981, a ROM 982, and a RAM 983. The ROM 982 stores various programs used by the CPU 981 to control the embossing device 960. The RAM 983 is used as a primary storage area when the CPU 981 controls the various programs. The control of the embossing device 960 includes transport control for transporting a sheet transported into the embossing device 960, and embossing control for controlling the pressure and processing position of the embossing roller 974 and the receiving roller 975.

[0306] A control unit 980 of the embossing device 960 controls transport units such as the receiving roller 961, transport rollers 964 to 944, 971 to 973, 976 to 978, and discharge roller 968 via a transport control unit 991, and controls transport of the sheet within the embossing device 960. The control unit 980 also controls an embossing roller 974 and a receiving roller 975 via an embossing process control unit 992, and performs embossing on the sheet.

[0307] The embossing device 960 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100 via a communication unit 990. When the control unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 100 receives a print signal from a user, it transmits information for the embossing process, such as the processing position, number of sheets, and pressure, to the embossing device 960 via the communication unit 130. The control unit 980 of the embossing device 960 embosses the sheet based on the information received from the control unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0308] In this embodiment, the embossing device 960 is connected to the communication unit 130 of the image forming apparatus 100 via the communication unit 230 of the varnish application device 200, but other configurations are also possible. For example, the communication unit 990 of the embossing device 960 and the communication unit 130 of the image forming apparatus 100 may be directly connected.

[0309] As described above, the image forming apparatus 100, the embossing apparatus 960, and the varnish application apparatus 200 are connected via the communication units 130, 230, and 990. Therefore, when a print signal is input to the image forming system 8000, the image forming apparatus 100 transmits processing details corresponding to the print signal to the embossing apparatus 960 and the varnish application apparatus 200. Furthermore, if an abnormality occurs in the image forming apparatus 100, it is possible to transmit a stop signal to stop the operation of the varnish application apparatus 200 or the embossing apparatus 960. Furthermore, since the communication units 130, 230, and 990 are capable of bidirectional communication, if an abnormality occurs in the varnish application apparatus 200 or the embossing apparatus 960, information can be transmitted from the communication units 230 and 990, thereby stopping the operation of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0310] In this embodiment, the image forming system 8000 is entirely controlled by the control unit 120 provided inside the image forming apparatus 100, but this configuration is not limiting. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a control unit that performs overall control of the image forming system 8000 is provided outside the image forming apparatus 100 in a housing separate from the image forming apparatus 100 as a controller unit. In this case, the controller unit may be connected to the control unit 220 of the varnish application device 200 and the control unit 990 of the embossing device 960 via the control unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 100. Alternatively, the controller unit may be directly connected to the control units 120, 220, and 980, respectively.

[0311] Next, a control flow showing a series of operations in the image forming system 8000, including the image forming process by the image forming apparatus 100, the varnish application process by the varnish application apparatus 200, and the embossing process by the embossing apparatus 960, will be described.

[0312] The control flow shown in Figure 24 starts when a print signal is received in a standby state where the image forming system 8000 has been adjusted. The standby state refers to a state in which the temperature of the fixing device 8 in the image forming apparatus 100 has reached a predetermined temperature at which a toner image can be fixed, and an image can be formed on a sheet immediately upon receiving a print signal. The standby state also refers to a state in which the varnish application device 200 has supplied varnish to the varnish application roller 213, the heater 221 has reached a predetermined temperature, and the UV irradiation unit 222 has a predetermined irradiation power, allowing the sheet to be varnished and the applied varnish to be cured.

[0313] When the control unit 120 receives a print signal via the communication unit 130 or the operation unit 95 (Yes in S801), it acquires processing information regarding the image forming process, varnishing process, and embossing process contained in the print signal (S802). When the control unit 120 has not received a print signal (No in S801), it waits until it receives a print signal, and maintains the standby state of the image forming system 8000.

[0314] Then, based on the processing information acquired in S802, the control unit 120 transmits processing information regarding whether or not embossing has been performed to the embossing device 960 via the communication units 130, 230, 990, and transmits processing information regarding whether or not varnishing has been performed to the varnish application device 200 (S803). Here, an example is shown in which processing information regarding whether or not embossing has been performed and whether or not varnishing has been performed is transmitted, but a configuration may also be used in which each piece of processing information is transmitted to the embossing device 960 or the varnish application device 200 only if embossing and varnishing have been performed.

[0315] Next, the control unit 120 controls the conveyance control unit 140, the image processing unit 150, and the drive unit 160 based on the processing information acquired in S802, and executes image forming processing on the sheet fed from the cassette 10 (S804).

[0316] Then, the control unit 120 determines whether or not to perform a varnish application process on the sheet on which the image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 100 in S804, based on the processing information acquired in S802 (S805).

[0317] When the varnish application process is to be performed (S805 Yes), the control unit 120 outputs a signal to the control unit 220 via the communication units 130, 230, causing the control unit 220 to control the conveying control unit 240, the varnish application control unit 250, and the varnish hardening control unit 260, and causes the varnish application device 200 to perform the varnish application process (S806).

[0318] On the other hand, if the varnish application process is not to be performed (S805 No), the control unit 120 outputs a signal to the control unit 220 via the communication units 130 and 230, causing the control unit 220 to separate the varnish application roller 213 from the varnish drum 214 and allow the sheet to pass. At this time, the sheet is transported by the transport belts 231 and 233. Note that the configuration may further include a pair of transport rollers that sandwich and transport the sheet when the varnish application roller 213 separates from the varnish drum 214.

[0319] Next, the control unit 120 determines whether or not to execute embossing processing by the embossing device 960 based on the processing information acquired in S802 (S807).

[0320] If the embossing process is to be performed (S807 Yes), the control unit 120 outputs a signal to the control unit 980 via the communication units 130, 990, thereby causing the control unit 980 to control the conveying control unit 991 and the embossing process control unit 992, and cause the embossing device 960 to perform the embossing process (S808).

[0321] On the other hand, if embossing processing is not to be performed (S807 No), the control unit 120 determines whether all processing included in the print signal received in S801 has been completed (S809). If all processing has been completed (S809 Yes), the control unit 120 transitions the image forming system 8000 to a standby state. If all processing has not been completed (S809 No), the control unit 120 returns to S804 and performs each processing on the next sheet.

[0322] In the present embodiment, the control units 220 and 980 operate based on signals from the control unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 100. However, the control unit 220 and 980 may each control the processing after transmitting the processing information in S803 based on the timing of sheet transport, etc. That is, the control unit 120 may transmit processing information including the timing of executing the varnishing process to the control unit 220 of the varnish application device 200 in S803, and the control unit 220 may determine whether or not to execute the varnishing process in S805, which causes the control unit 220 to control the varnish application device 200 in S806. Alternatively, the control unit 120 may transmit processing information including the timing of executing the embossing process to the control unit 980 of the embossing device 960 in S803, and the control unit 980 may determine whether or not to execute the embossing process in S807, which causes the control unit 980 to control the embossing device 960 in S808.

[0323] In this way, in the image forming system 8000 in which the image forming device 100, the varnish application device 200, and the embossing process control unit 992 are connected inline, by arranging the embossing process control unit 992 downstream of the varnish application device 200, it is possible to perform embossing on a sheet to which varnish has been applied.

[0324] If the embossing device 960 were connected between the image forming apparatus 100 and the varnish application device 200, the varnish application device 200 would apply varnish to the sheet that has been embossed by the embossing device 960. In this case, since the varnish application process is performed on a sheet on which an uneven shape has been formed, it becomes difficult to apply the varnish evenly, and there is a risk that the user will not be able to obtain the finished product that he or she desires.

[0325] In contrast, in the image forming system 8000 of this embodiment, the embossing device 960 is connected downstream of the varnish application device 200, so it is possible to perform embossing on a sheet that has already been varnished. Therefore, since the embossing can be performed on a sheet with a uniform coating of varnish, it is possible to provide the final product that the user desires.

[0326] Although the present embodiment shows an example in which the surface of a sheet is processed by embossing the sheet, the present embodiment may also be applied to a processing device that processes the surface of a sheet by creasing, such as scoring. Even in this case, the creasing can be performed on the sheet after the varnish has been uniformly applied, making it possible to provide the final product desired by the user.

[0327] As described above, in this embodiment, in an image forming system that performs in-line varnish application processing and processing other than varnish application processing on sheets on which images have been formed by an image forming device, it is possible to suppress deterioration in the quality of the finished product and produce the finished product that the user desires. [Explanation of symbols]

[0328] 100 Image forming device 95 Operation section 120 control section 130 Communications Department 200 Varnish application device 201 Varnish application section 202 Varnish hardening part 220 Control Unit 230 Communications Department 300 Inserter 301 Loading tray 320 Control Unit 330 Communications Department 400 stacker 404 Conveying direction switching mechanism 414 Storage Unit 420 Control Unit 430 Communications Department 500 Decala Device 510a, 510b Decal section 520 control section 530 Communications Department 600 Inspection equipment 605 Scanner 616 Output tray 620 Control Unit 630 Communications Department 700 Binding device 710 Stapler unit 712 Folding roller 720 Control Unit 730 Communications Department 800 punch device 814 Punch Unit 815 Punch Die 820 Control Unit 830 Communications Department 900 Slitting Machine 905a,b Cutting roller 920 Control Unit 930 Communications Department 960 Embossing Device 974 Embossing roller 975 Receiving roller 980 Control Unit 990 Communications Department

Claims

1. an image forming apparatus including a sheet storage section, a transport unit that transports sheets stored in the sheet storage section, an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet transported by the transport unit, a first communication section, and a first control unit that controls the image forming unit; a varnish application device provided downstream of the image forming device in a sheet conveying direction, the varnish application device including a varnish application unit that applies varnish to a sheet, a second communication unit, and a second control unit that controls the varnish application unit; an inserter provided between the image forming device and the varnish application device in the sheet transport direction, the inserter having a receiving roller for receiving a sheet discharged from the image forming device, a first transport path for transporting the sheet received by the receiving roller to the varnish application device, a stacking tray on which sheets are stacked, a second transport path for transporting the sheets stacked on the stacking tray to the first transport path, a third communication unit, and a third control unit for controlling an insert process for inserting a sheet from the stacking tray to the first transport path via the second transport path; Equipped with the first control unit, the second control unit, and the third control unit are capable of communicating with each other via the first communication unit, the second communication unit, and the third communication unit, When forming an image on a sheet and applying varnish, the first control unit, the second control unit, and the third control unit feed the sheet from the sheet storage unit, form an image on the sheet by the image forming unit, transport the sheet to the varnish application device via the inserter, and apply varnish to the sheet by the varnish application unit. When applying varnish to a sheet without forming an image on it, the second control unit and the third control unit insert the sheet from the loading tray of the inserter, transport the sheet to the varnish application device, and cause the varnish application unit to apply varnish to the sheet.This is an image forming system characterized by the above.

2. When an abnormality occurs in the varnish application device, the second control unit communicates information indicating that an abnormality has occurred to the first control unit, and the first control unit stops the operation of the image forming device, 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein, when an abnormality occurs in the inserter, the third control unit communicates information indicating the occurrence of the abnormality to the first control unit, and the first control unit stops operation of the image forming apparatus.

3. The inserter has a registration roller on the second conveying path, 3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the leading edge of the sheet conveyed from the stacking tray is abutted against the registration roller, thereby correcting skew of the sheet.

4. The varnish application unit has a varnish reservoir that stores varnish, and an application roller that applies the varnish supplied from the varnish reservoir to the entire surface of the sheet.

4. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a printer.

5. The varnish application unit has a varnish storage section that stores varnish, and an application section that sprays the varnish supplied from the varnish storage section onto the sheet to apply it.

4. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a printer.

6. The varnish application device has a curing unit that hardens the varnish applied by the varnish application unit.

6. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a printer.

Images