Image forming system

Abstract

To provide an image forming system that can prevent a reduction in productivity of the image forming system when a varnish application device fails.SOLUTION: Even if a varnish application device fails (YES in S1), an image forming system permits execution of a second image forming job not to perform application of varnish (S6). In that case, the image forming system uses a second conveying unit to convey a recording material (S5). By doing so, the recording material is conveyed by the second conveying unit on a varnish bypass route and does not pass through the varnish application unit. That is, since the recording material does not pass through the failed varnish application unit, the recording material on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus is allowed to pass even if the varnish application unit fails. By conveying the recording material using the non-failed second conveying unit in this way, a user can perform image forming processing with the image forming apparatus even if the varnish application unit fails, and prevent a reduction in productivity of the image forming system.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system including an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material, and a varnish application apparatus that applies varnish to the recording material on which the image has been formed. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, an image forming system has been proposed that includes an image forming device that forms an image on a recording material and a varnish application device that applies varnish to the recording material on which the image has been formed (Patent Document 1).The image forming system described in Patent Document 1 is an inline system that can consistently process image formation and varnish application on the recording material when an image formation job is input by automatically transporting the recording material on which the image has been formed from the image forming device to the varnish application device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-69669 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional image forming systems, if either the image forming device or the varnishing device malfunctions, the user is notified of the malfunction by displaying a message on the LCD monitor or sounding an alarm, and the job is not executed even if an image formation job is input. If the varnishing device malfunctions, not only is the varnishing device not allowed to apply varnish to recording materials, but image formation on recording materials by image forming devices that are not malfunctioning is also not allowed. In other words, conventionally, users were unable to use the image forming system until the varnishing device was repaired, which could result in a decrease in the productivity of the image forming system.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide an image forming system that can suppress a decrease in productivity of the image forming system when a varnish application device breaks down. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An image forming system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an image forming device that forms an image on a recording material, a varnish application device that applies varnish to the recording material on which an image has been formed by the image forming device, and a control means that is capable of executing a first image forming job in which varnish is applied by the varnish application device to the recording material on which an image has been formed by the image forming device, and a second image forming job in which varnish is not applied by the varnish application device to the recording material on which an image has been formed by the image forming device, wherein the varnish application device comprises a varnish application unit that applies varnish to the recording material, a first transport unit that transports the recording material in a first transport path that passes through the varnish application unit, and a second transport unit that transports the recording material in a second transport path that does not pass through the varnish application unit. a first detection means for detecting a failure of the varnish application unit; and a second detection means for detecting a failure of the second conveying unit. and the control means comprises: by the first detection means The varnish application unit To Broken down and the second detection means detects that the The second transport unit is not malfunctioning. It was detected that case When the second image forming job is acquired, Execution of the second image forming job is permitted, and the recording material is conveyed by the second conveying unit in the varnish applying device. By doing so, the image is formed on the recording material but the application of varnish is not performed, and when the first image forming job is acquired, the execution of the first image forming job is not permitted and the image formation by the image forming device in the first image forming job is stopped, so that the image is not formed on the recording material and the application of varnish is not performed. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress a decrease in productivity of an image forming system when a varnish application device breaks down. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 3 is a control block diagram illustrating a control unit. [Figure 3]4 is a flowchart showing a process to be performed when a varnish coater malfunctions in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10A is a diagram showing a varnish coater failure and job cancellation screen, and FIG. 10B is a diagram showing a varnish coater failure screen. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a process to be performed when a varnish coater malfunctions in the second embodiment. [Figure 6] 10A is a diagram showing a screen for indicating a failure of the second conveying unit, and FIG. 10B is a diagram showing a screen for indicating a failure of the second conveying unit and a job cancellation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] [First embodiment] <Image forming device> First, the image forming system of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. In the image forming system 1X of this embodiment, an image forming apparatus 100 forms a toner image (image) on a recording material S, and a varnish application device (called a varnish coater) 200 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100. The varnish application device applies varnish to the recording material S on which the toner image has been fixed by the image forming apparatus 100, thereby performing surface processing. The image forming system 1X is equipped with a main power switch (not shown), and when the main power switch is turned on, the image forming apparatus 100 and the varnish coater 200 are each started from a stopped state by power supplied from an external power source or an internal power source.

[0011] Image forming apparatus 100 is a tandem-type electrophotographic full-color printer. Image forming apparatus 100 has image forming units Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd that form yellow, magenta, cyan, and black images, respectively. Image forming apparatus 100 forms a toner image on recording material S in response to an image signal from an original reading device (not shown) connected to apparatus main body 100A or an external device 91 such as a personal computer connected to apparatus main body 100A so as to be able to communicate with it.

[0012] In this embodiment, the image forming sections Pa to Pd, primary transfer rollers 24a to 24d, intermediate transfer belt 130, multiple rollers 13 to 15, and outer secondary transfer roller 11 constitute an image forming unit 300 (image forming means) that forms a toner image on recording material S. Examples of recording material S include various types of sheet materials such as plain paper, cardboard, rough paper, textured paper, coated paper, plastic film, cloth, etc.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, image forming stations Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd are arranged in line within the apparatus main body 100A along the direction of movement of an intermediate transfer belt 130. The intermediate transfer belt 130 is stretched around multiple rollers (13, 14, and 15) and configured to run in the direction of arrow R2. The intermediate transfer belt 130 carries and transports the toner image that has been primarily transferred. An outer secondary transfer roller 11 is arranged at a position opposite to the inner secondary transfer roller 14 that stretches the intermediate transfer belt 130, with the intermediate transfer belt 130 sandwiched therebetween, forming a secondary transfer station T2 that transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 130 to a recording material S. A fixing device 8 is arranged downstream of the secondary transfer station T2 in the recording material transport direction.

[0014] A cassette 10 containing a recording material S is disposed at the bottom of the image forming apparatus 100. The recording material S is transported from the cassette 10 toward a registration roller 12 by a transport roller 16. Thereafter, the registration roller 12 starts to rotate in synchronization with the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 130 as described below, and the recording material S is 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 contain recording materials S of different sizes and thicknesses. In this case, the recording material S is selectively transported from one of the plurality of cassettes 10. Furthermore, the recording material S is not limited to that contained in the cassette 10, and recording material S placed on a manual feed unit (not shown) may also be transported.

[0015] 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.

[0016] The image forming unit Pa is provided with a cylindrical 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.

[0017] 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 begins, the surface of the rotating 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 scanned and 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. The toner used has a low melting point and contains a binder resin, a colorant, and a release agent (wax).

[0018] The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 3a is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 130 at a primary transfer section T1 formed between the photosensitive drum 3a and a primary transfer roller 24a disposed across the intermediate transfer belt 130. At this time, a primary transfer voltage is applied to the primary transfer roller 24a. Any toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3a after the primary transfer is removed by a drum cleaning device 4a.

[0019] This operation is performed sequentially at each of the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black image forming stations 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 recording material S stored in the cassette 10 is conveyed to the secondary transfer station T2. ​​Then, by applying a secondary transfer voltage to the outer secondary transfer roller 11, the full-color toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 130 are secondarily transferred all at once onto the recording material S. Any toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 130 after the secondary transfer is removed by a belt cleaning device 22.

[0020] Next, the recording material S onto which the toner image has been transferred is transported to the fixing device 8. In the fixing device 8, the recording material S carrying the toner image is nipped and transported in a fixing nip T3 formed by a fixing roller 40 and a pressure roller 41, and heat and pressure are applied to the recording material S. By this heating and pressure, the toner of the toner image carried on the recording material S is melted and mixed, and is fixed to the recording material S as a full-color image. In this way, a series of image formation processes is completed.

[0021] <Varnish Coater> In the image forming system 1X of this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 and the varnish coater 200 are connected so that the image forming process of forming a toner image on the recording material S by the image forming apparatus 100 and the varnish application process of applying varnish by the varnish coater 200 can be carried out continuously. In other words, the image forming system 1X is an inline system that automatically transports the recording material S on which the toner image has been formed from the image forming apparatus 100 to the varnish coater 200, and can consistently carry out the image forming process and the varnish application process on the recording material S in response to the input of an image formation job.

[0022] The varnish coater 200 is configured to be freely connectable to the image forming apparatus 100 as one of the peripheral devices (also called an optional unit) that can be added later to expand the functions of the image forming apparatus 100. The varnish coater 200 is capable of applying varnish to the surface of the recording material S discharged from the apparatus main body 100A to perform surface treatment, for example, to impart gloss or protect the surface in order to increase the added value of the recording material S. The varnish coater 200 may, for example, have a maximum paper size of 330 mm x 482 mm, a varnish thickness that can be applied (coating thickness) of 6 to 14 μm, and a maximum recording material S transport speed of 35 m / min.

[0023] The varnish coater 200 will now be described. Here, an example will be described in which an ultraviolet-curable UV varnish that cures with ultraviolet light is used. As shown in FIG. 1, the varnish coater 200 includes a varnish storage tank 208 that stores varnish liquid, a heater 209 that heats the varnish liquid in the varnish storage tank 208, and a varnish application unit 210 that receives varnish from the varnish storage tank 208 and applies the varnish to the recording material S. The varnish application unit 210 includes a varnish application roller 201 and an opposing roller 202 as application units that form a varnish application nip T4 where varnish is applied to the recording material S, and an ultraviolet lamp 203 as an irradiation unit that cures the varnish applied to the recording material S. Although not shown, the varnish application unit 210 also includes a pressure mechanism that presses the varnish application roller 201 and the opposing roller 202 against each other, and a supply mechanism that supplies varnish from the varnish storage tank 208 to the varnish application roller 201.

[0024] The varnish application roller 201 is formed in a size that allows it to apply the varnish supplied from the varnish storage tank 208 over almost the entire area in the width direction, which is perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording material S. The ultraviolet lamp 203 irradiates the varnish applied to the recording material S by the varnish application roller 201 with UV light of a wavelength corresponding to the varnish, thereby curing the varnish. Like the varnish application roller 201, the ultraviolet lamp 203 is provided so as to be able to irradiate ultraviolet light (UV light) over almost the entire area in the width direction of the recording material S.

[0025] The varnish coater 200 also has a first conveying unit 220 and a second conveying unit 230 that convey the recording material S. The interior of the varnish coater 200 is divided into a varnish application route 205 (first conveying path), along which the recording material S is conveyed through the varnish application unit 210, and a varnish bypass route 204 (second conveying path), along which the recording material S is conveyed without passing through the varnish application unit 210. A flapper 206 is provided to switch the conveying path of the recording material S between the varnish application route 205 and the varnish bypass route 204. That is, when the flapper 206 switches to the varnish application route 205, the first conveying unit 220 conveys the recording material S to the varnish application unit 210, so that the recording material S is coated with varnish before being discharged. On the other hand, when the flapper 206 switches to the varnish bypass route 204, the second conveying unit 230 does not convey the recording material S to the varnish application unit 210, so that the recording material S is discharged without being coated with varnish.

[0026] The application unit that applies the varnish to the recording material S is not limited to a roller system using a varnish application roller 201 and an opposing roller 202, but may also be an inkjet system using a line head, for example. When a line head is used, it is possible to form varnish images such as letters and figures at any position on the recording material S. Although UV varnish has been used as an example of the varnish, this is not limiting, and oil-based varnish, water-based varnish, etc. may also be used. However, in the case of oil-based or water-based varnish, it is preferable to use an IR (infrared) lamp as a drying unit that dries the varnish rather than using the ultraviolet lamp 203. The varnish may also be dried using hot air, or an IR lamp and hot air may be used in combination.

[0027] <Control unit> As shown in Fig. 1, image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 80. The control unit 80 will be described using Fig. 2 while referring to Fig. 1. However, in addition to those shown in the figure, various devices such as motors and power supplies that operate image forming apparatus 100 are connected to the control unit 80, but as this is not the main focus of the invention, illustration and description of these devices will be omitted here.

[0028] The control unit 80, which serves as a control means, performs various controls of the image forming apparatus 100, such as image formation operations. The control unit 80 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 81, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 82, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 83. The ROM 83 stores various programs and data, such as image formation jobs and the "processing in the event of a varnish coater malfunction" (see FIG. 3), which will be described later. The CPU 81 executes the various programs stored in the ROM 83, and is capable of controlling the image forming apparatus 100 and the varnish coater 200 as the image forming system 1X. The RAM 82 stores working data and input data. The RAM 82 can also temporarily store the results of calculations performed in conjunction with the execution of the various programs.

[0029] In addition to RAM 82 and ROM 83, the CPU 81 is connected via a bus 84 to an input / output interface unit (I / F unit) 85, a varnish coater control unit 86, an input reception unit 87, a temperature detection unit 88, a motor control unit 90, and the like. An operation unit 95 is connected to the input / output interface unit (I / F unit) 85. The operation unit 95 has an input unit 93 and a display unit 94. The input unit 93 is, for example, an operation panel that receives instructions from the user to execute various programs such as image formation jobs, and various data inputs. The display unit 94, which serves as display means, is, for example, an LCD monitor or the like that can appropriately display various screens, such as various notification screens described below and menu screens that present various executable programs.

[0030] In this embodiment, the user can input information such as whether to print in color or monochrome and the type of recording material S, as well as instructions to start a first image formation job in which varnishing is performed after image formation and a second image formation job in which varnishing is not performed after image formation. Virtual controls simulating the switches of the operation unit 95 may be displayed on the display unit 94, and these virtual controls may be used to accept user operations such as executing various programs and inputting various data. In other words, the operation unit 95 may be a so-called touch panel. Alternatively, the operation unit 95 may also function as the display device of an external device 91, such as a personal computer, connected via a wired or wireless communication network.

[0031] The CPU 81 can acquire image data and various other data from an external device 91 such as a personal computer via the input receiving unit 87. In this embodiment, the CPU 81 can acquire from the external device 91 instructions to start a first image forming job in which varnishing is performed after image formation, and a second image forming job in which varnishing is not performed after image formation.

[0032] The temperature detection unit 88 detects the temperatures of the fixing roller 40 and the pressure roller 41 based on the detection results of the thermistors 42a and 42b. The CPU 81 controls the heater control unit 89 based on the temperatures detected by the temperature detection unit 88. The heater control unit 89 controls the heater 40a that heats the fixing roller 40 and the heater 41a that heats the pressure roller 41 so that the temperatures of the fixing roller 40 and the pressure roller 41 reach target temperatures. In this embodiment, the CPU 81 controls the heater 40a via the heater control unit 89 so that the surface temperature of the fixing roller 40 reaches a desired temperature within a range of, for example, 140 to 190°C, which is the target temperature at which a toner image can be fixed to the recording material S. The target temperature of the fixing roller 40 is set to a temperature determined in advance according to the basis weight of the recording material S in order to achieve both the fixability of the toner to the recording material S and the gloss of the fixed toner image. On the other hand, the CPU 81 can control the heater 41a via the heater control unit 89 so that the surface temperature of the pressure roller 41 is maintained at, for example, "100°C."

[0033] The motor control unit 90 controls the rotation of the motor 92. The CPU 81 controls the rotation speed of the fixing roller 40 via the motor control unit 90, thereby adjusting the conveying speed of the recording material S in the fixing device 8 when the toner image is fixed.

[0034] The varnish coater control unit 86 controls the varnish coater 200 connected to the image forming apparatus 100. For example, it controls the varnish application unit 210, the first conveying unit 220, and the second conveying unit 230. The CPU 81 controls the varnish coater 200 by sending and receiving electrical signals via the bus 84. Therefore, if electrical signals cannot be sent and received between the image forming apparatus 100 and the varnish coater 200 via the bus 84, the CPU 81 determines that the image forming apparatus 100 and the varnish coater 200 are not connected.

[0035] <Troubleshooting> Next, the "processing when the varnish coater breaks down" of the first embodiment will be described using Figures 3 to 4(b) with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The "processing when the varnish coater breaks down" shown here is started by the control unit 80 in response to input of an image formation job.

[0036] 3, the control unit 80 determines whether the varnish application unit 210 has malfunctioned (S1). A malfunction of the varnish application unit 210 refers to a state in which the varnish application process cannot be performed correctly, for example, due to damage to the varnish application roller 201, the heater 209 not heating the varnish properly, or the UV lamp 203 burning out, causing these elements to not function properly. Whether the varnish application unit 210 has malfunctioned can be determined by, for example, detecting the amount of rotation of the varnish application roller 201, the temperature of the varnish in the varnish storage tank 208, and the light intensity of the UV lamp 203 using various sensors (not shown), and determining whether the desired values ​​are obtained.

[0037] If the varnish application unit 210 is not malfunctioning (NO in S1), the control unit 80 ends the process. In this case, although not shown, when a second image formation job is input, the control unit 80 executes the image formation process by the image forming apparatus 100, simply forming a toner image on the recording material S without applying varnish. In other words, the control unit 80 permits the execution of the second image formation job. At this time, the control unit 80 causes the varnish coater 200 to transport the recording material S via the varnish bypass route 204 with the second transport unit 230, without applying varnish. On the other hand, when a first image formation job is input, the control unit 80 executes the image formation process by the image forming apparatus 100 and the varnish application process by the varnish coater 200, forming a toner image on the recording material S and applying varnish. In other words, the control unit 80 permits the execution of the first image formation job. At this time, the control unit 80 causes the varnish coater 200 to transport the recording material S via the varnish application route 205 with the first transport unit 220, thereby applying varnish.

[0038] If the varnish application unit 210 is malfunctioning (YES in S1), the control unit 80 determines whether the image formation job is a first image formation job in which varnish application is performed after image formation (S2). If it is a first image formation job (YES in S2), the control unit 80 does not permit the execution of the first image formation job, and does not execute both the image formation process by the image forming apparatus 100 and the varnish application process by the varnish coater 200 (S3). In other words, if it is a first image formation job in which varnish application is performed, the image formation process by the image forming apparatus 100, which is the preceding process, is not executed, so that the recording material S is not conveyed from the image forming apparatus 100 to the malfunctioning varnish coater 200. The control unit 80 then notifies the user by displaying a "Varnish Coater Malfunction and Job Cancellation Screen" (see FIG. 4(a)) on the display unit 94 (S4).

[0039] On the other hand, if the second image forming job does not involve varnishing after image formation (NO in S2), the control unit 80 switches to the varnish bypass route 204 using the flapper 206 (S5). Then, the control unit 80 permits execution of the second image forming job and executes image formation processing by the image forming apparatus 100 (S6). In this case, the recording material S on which the toner image has been formed is transported from the image forming apparatus 100 to the varnish coater 200, where it is transported via the varnish bypass route 204 by the second transport unit 230. That is, in the case of the second image forming job that does not involve varnishing, even if the recording material S is transported from the image forming apparatus 100 to the varnish coater 200, the recording material S is transported via the varnish bypass route 204, which does not pass through the varnish application unit 210. Therefore, in the case of the second image forming job, image formation processing by the image forming apparatus 100 is executed even if the varnish application unit 210 is out of order. Then, the control unit 80 notifies the user by displaying a "varnish coater malfunction screen" (see FIG. 4(b)) on the display unit 94 (S7).

[0040] Fig. 4(a) shows the "Varnish Coater Failure and Job Cancellation Screen." As shown in Fig. 4(a), the "Varnish Coater Failure and Job Cancellation Screen" displays a message that the varnish coater 200 has failed and that the first image formation job has been canceled as a result. In other words, the "Varnish Coater Failure and Job Cancellation Screen" is displayed on the display unit 94 to notify the user that the first image formation job will not be executed due to a failure of the varnish coater 200 and to prompt the user to repair the varnish coater 20.

[0041] FIG. 4(b) shows the "varnish coater failure screen." As shown in FIG. 4(b), the "varnish coater failure screen" displays that the varnish coater 200 has failed and that varnish cannot be applied due to the failure of the varnish coater 200. As described above, in the present embodiment, the second image forming job is executed even if the varnish coater 200 has failed, so the user can obtain the recording material S on which the desired toner image has been formed. Therefore, the "varnish coater failure screen" displays that the second conveying unit 230 is not malfunctioning (for example, an OK display), and notifies the user that the second image forming job, which forms a toner image on the recording material S but does not apply varnish, can be executed.

[0042] Furthermore, because the second image forming job is executed even if the varnish coater 200 breaks down, if the user is not notified of the failure of the varnish coater 200, there is a risk that the user will only find out that the varnish coater 200 has broken down when they subsequently attempt to execute the first image forming job. If this were to happen, the first image forming job would not be executed until the varnish coater 200 was repaired, and the user would not be able to obtain varnished recording material S, reducing the operational efficiency of the image forming system 1X. Therefore, even if the second image forming job is executed and the user is able to obtain the desired recording material S, the system 1X encourages the user to have the varnish coater 200 repaired by notifying the user that the varnish coater 200 has broken down.

[0043] As described above, in this embodiment, even if the varnish application unit 210 is malfunctioning, if the second conveying unit 230 is not malfunctioning, the second image formation job is permitted to be executed. For a second image formation job that does not involve varnishing, the varnish coater 200 transports the recording material S transported from the image forming apparatus 100 using the second conveying unit 230. That is, the second conveying unit 230 transports the recording material S along the varnish bypass route 204 and does not pass through the varnish application unit 210. In other words, because the recording material S does not pass through the malfunctioning varnish application unit 210, the recording material S on which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 100 can pass through even if the varnish application unit 210 is malfunctioning. In this way, by transporting the recording material S using the malfunctioning second conveying unit 230, the user can perform image formation processing using the image forming apparatus 100 even if the varnish application unit 210 is malfunctioning, thereby improving the operational efficiency of the image forming system.

[0044] [Second embodiment] Next, the "processing in the event of a varnish coater malfunction" of the second embodiment will be described using Figures 5 to 6(b) with reference to Figures 1 and 2. As shown in Figure 5, the control unit 80 determines whether or not the second conveying unit 230 has malfunctioned (S11). Whether or not the second conveying unit 230 has malfunctioned can be determined, for example, by detecting the amount of rotation of the rollers of the second conveying unit 230 or the operating state of the motor using various sensors, although not shown.

[0045] If the second conveying unit 230 is not malfunctioning (NO in S11), the control unit 80 ends the process. In this case, similar to the first embodiment described above, when a second image formation job is input, the control unit 80 executes image formation processing by the image forming apparatus 100. When a first image formation job is input, the control unit 80 executes image formation processing by the image forming apparatus 100 and varnish application processing by the varnish coater 200.

[0046] If the second conveying unit 230 is out of order (YES in S11), the control unit 80 determines whether the image forming job is a first image forming job in which varnishing is performed after image formation (S12). If it is a first image forming job (YES in S12), the control unit 80 switches to the varnish application route 205 using the flapper 206 (S13). Then, the control unit 80 permits execution of the first image forming job, and executes image formation processing by the image forming apparatus 100 and varnish application processing by the varnish coater 20 (S14). In this case, the recording material S on which the toner image has been formed is transported from the image forming apparatus 100 to the varnish coater 200, and in the varnish coater 200, it is transported along the varnish application route 205 by the first conveying unit 220. In other words, if it is a first image forming job in which varnishing is performed, the recording material S is transported by the first conveying unit 220, not by the second conveying unit 230. Therefore, even if the second transport unit 230 is out of order, the recording material S can be transported by the first transport unit 220, which is not out of order, and passed through the varnish coater 200. Therefore, in the case of the first image formation job, even if the second transport unit 230 is out of order, the image forming process by the image forming apparatus 100 and the varnish application process by the varnish coater 20 can be performed. Then, the control unit 80 notifies the user by displaying a "second transport unit failure screen" (see FIG. 6(a)) on the display unit 94 (S15).

[0047] On the other hand, if the second image forming job is one in which varnishing is not performed (NO in S12), the control unit 80 does not permit the execution of the second image forming job, and does not perform either the image forming process by the image forming apparatus 100 or the varnishing process by the varnish coater 200 (S16). That is, if the second image forming job is one in which varnishing is not performed, the recording material S is transported by the second transport unit 230 in the varnish coater 200. Therefore, if the second transport unit 230 is out of order, the recording material S cannot be transported, and therefore the execution of the second image forming job using the second transport unit 230 is not permitted. In contrast, if the first image forming job is one in which varnishing is performed, the recording material S is transported by the first transport unit 220 in the varnish coater 200, and the second transport unit 230 is not used. Therefore, even if the second transport unit 230 is out of order, the recording material S can be transported by the first transport unit 220, and therefore the execution of the first image forming job using the first transport unit 220 is permitted. In this case, the control unit 80 notifies the user by displaying a "Second transport unit failure and job cancellation screen" (see FIG. 6(b)) on the display unit 94 (S17).

[0048] FIG. 6(a) shows a "Second Conveying Unit Failure Screen," and FIG. 6(b) shows a "Second Conveying Unit Failure and Job Cancellation Screen." As shown in FIG. 6(a), the "Second Conveying Unit Failure Screen" displays a message indicating that the second conveying unit 230 has failed. As described above, in this embodiment, even if the second conveying unit 230 has failed, the first image formation job is executed, allowing the user to obtain the desired recording material S with the desired toner image formed and varnished. However, if the failure of the second conveying unit 230 is not notified at that time, the user may only find out that the second conveying unit 230 has failed when entering the second image formation job, which would reduce the operational efficiency of the image forming system 1X. Therefore, even if the user is able to obtain the desired recording material S, the system notifies the user that the second conveying unit 230 has failed and prompts the user to take appropriate action.

[0049] 6(b), the "second conveying unit failure and job cancellation screen" displays the fact that the second conveying unit 230 has failed and that the second image formation job has been cancelled as a result. That is, the "second conveying unit 230 and job cancellation screen" is displayed on the display unit 94 to notify the user that the second image formation job is not being executed due to the failure of the second conveying unit 230.

[0050] As described above, in this embodiment, if the second conveying unit 230 is broken, the first image forming job is permitted to be executed. That is, in the case of a second image forming job that does not involve varnishing, the recording material S is transported using the second conveying unit 230, and the broken second conveying unit 230 cannot transport the recording material S, so the second image forming job is not permitted to be executed. In contrast, in the case of a first image forming job that involves varnishing, the recording material S is transported using the first conveying unit 220, and the broken second conveying unit 230 cannot transport the recording material S. Therefore, in the case of the first image forming job, the recording material S can be transported using the working first conveying unit 220, so that varnishing can be performed by the varnish coater 200, so the job is permitted to be executed. This improves the operational efficiency of the image forming system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1X...image forming system, 80...control means (control unit), 94...display means (display unit), 100...image forming apparatus, 200...varnish application device (varnish coater), 201...application section (varnish application roller), 202...application section (opposing roller), 203...irradiation section (ultraviolet lamp), 204...second conveying path (varnish bypass route), 205...first conveying path (varnish application route), 210...varnish application unit, 220...first conveying unit, 230...second conveying unit, S...recording material

Claims

1. an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material; a varnish application device that applies varnish to a recording material on which an image has been formed by the image forming device; a control means capable of executing a first image forming job in which the varnish application device applies varnish to a recording material on which an image has been formed by the image forming device, and a second image forming job in which the varnish application device does not apply varnish to a recording material on which an image has been formed by the image forming device, The varnish application device is a varnish application unit that applies varnish to the recording material; a first conveying unit that conveys the recording material in a first conveying path that passes through the varnish application unit; a second conveying unit that conveys the recording material in a second conveying path that does not pass through the varnish application unit; a first detection means for detecting a failure of the varnish application unit; a second detection means for detecting a failure of the second transport unit, When the first detection means detects that the varnish application unit is out of order and the second detection means detects that the second transport unit is not out of order, the control means When the second image forming job is acquired, execution of the second image forming job is permitted, and the varnish application device is controlled so that an image is formed on the recording material by transporting the recording material by the second transport unit, but the varnish is not applied; When the first image forming job is acquired, execution of the first image forming job is not permitted, and image formation by the image forming device in the first image forming job is stopped, thereby controlling so that image formation on the recording material is not performed and varnish application is not performed. An image forming system comprising:

2. Equipped with a display means, When at least one of the varnish application unit and the second transport unit is out of order, the control unit displays on the display unit a message indicating that at least one of the varnish application unit and the second transport unit is out of order.

2. The image forming system according to claim 1.

3. Equipped with a display means, The control means determining whether a failure has occurred in the varnish application unit, and if it is determined that a failure has occurred in the varnish application unit, determining whether the first image formation job or the second image formation job has been received; when the first image forming job is received, the image forming apparatus is not caused to form an image on a recording material, and an error message indicating that a failure has occurred in the varnish application unit is displayed on the display means; when the second image forming job is received, the image forming device is caused to form an image on a recording material, and then the recording material is conveyed by the second conveying unit, and an error message indicating that a failure has occurred in the varnish applying unit is displayed on the display means.

2. The image forming system according to claim 1.

4. The varnish is an ultraviolet-curing varnish, The varnish application unit has an application section that applies varnish to the recording material and an irradiation section that irradiates ultraviolet light onto the varnish applied to the recording material, The failure of the varnish application unit occurs when at least one of the application unit and the irradiation unit does not operate.

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

5. The image formed on the recording material by the image forming device is a toner image, the image forming apparatus, an image forming unit that forms a toner image on a recording material; a fixing unit that applies heat and pressure to the recording material to fix the toner image, 5. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a printer.

Images