Sheet Processing Device Conveyance Paths for Lamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming systems face inefficiencies in laminating processes due to manual handling of adhesive films, requiring significant time and manpower, and the need for expensive dedicated laminator devices to automate the process.
Innovation Solution
An image forming system with a sheet processing device that includes separate conveyance paths for laminated sheets with and without post-processing, allowing for concurrent execution of print jobs with and without laminate processing, utilizing a control circuitry to manage the conveyance and processing of sheets efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual handling of adhesive films is used for lamination, then the process can be performed with simple equipment, but the productivity is low and significant time and manpower are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lamination process into distinct segments: a first conveyance path for sheets requiring lamination and a second conveyance path for sheets not requiring lamination. This segmentation allows the system to handle different types of sheets separately, improving productivity for laminated sheets while keeping the overall system relatively simple by only adding lamination capability where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The image forming apparatus is designed with multi-functionality to perform both lamination processing and regular printing/copying functions. The control circuitry manages multiple print jobs concurrently, allowing the same device to serve multiple purposes - thus improving productivity without requiring a completely separate dedicated lamination system.
2Productivity
If a dedicated laminator device is used to automate the lamination process, then productivity is improved, but the equipment cost increases significantly (hundreds of thousands to millions of yen)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lamination function with the existing image forming apparatus by integrating a lamination unit into the conveyance system. This combination allows the apparatus to perform both image forming and lamination in one device, avoiding the need for a separate expensive dedicated laminator while still achieving automated high-speed lamination processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The image forming apparatus is designed with multi-functionality to perform both lamination processing and regular printing/copying functions. The control circuitry manages multiple print jobs concurrently, allowing the same device to serve multiple purposes - thus improving productivity without requiring a completely separate dedicated lamination system.
3Manufacturing precision
If sheets are conveyed through the first conveyance path for lamination processing, then lamination quality is improved, but the processing time for each sheet increases (30 to 60 seconds per sheet)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous conveyance of sheets through the first conveyance path, where sheets are fed continuously into the lamination unit. The lamination unit processes sheets in sequence without stopping the conveyance, maintaining continuous useful action. This ensures consistent lamination quality while reducing the time loss between individual sheet processing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuitry prepares and positions sheets in advance for lamination processing. Sheets are conveyed through the first path and positioned ready for lamination before the actual bonding process begins, ensuring smooth continuous operation and preventing delays that would increase processing time per sheet.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus, a sheet processing device, and control circuitry. The image forming apparatus forms an image on a sheet. The sheet processing device performs post-processing on the sheet. The sheet processing device includes a first conveyance path through which the sheet is conveyed and subjected to the post-processing and a second conveyance path through which the sheet is conveyed without the post-processing. In response to an instruction of print jobs including both a print job of one or N copies subjected to the post-processing and a print job not subjected to the post-processing, the circuitry executes the job not subjected to the post-processing during execution of an M-th copy of the job subjected to the post-processing and causes the sheet to be conveyed through the second conveyance path, where N is two or greater and M satisfies 1≤M<N.