JP2007125819A - Image forming apparatus and post-processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To sustain the quality of an image formed in good state while miniaturizing the apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is arranged such that a recording material P is cut by means of a cutting device 50 while touching the recording material P to a fixing belt 620. Since the recording material P is touched to the fixing belt 620, space for the recording material P can be reduced between a second fixing device 60 and the cutting device 50 and since spacing of the second fixing device 60 and the cutting device 50 can be narrowed, the apparatus can be miniaturized. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a post-processing device including a fixing unit that fixes a toner image on a recording material, and a post-processing unit that performs post-processing such as cutting on the recording material on which the toner image is fixed.

  With the rapid spread of digital still cameras (hereinafter referred to as “digital cameras”) and the like, there is an increasing demand to easily print out images taken with digital cameras at convenience stores and photo shops in towns. Therefore, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus having a photo print function in addition to a normal copying function and printer function has been devised (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

  Further, a cutting device for cutting the created photographic print is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 3). By using such a cutting device, after forming multiple images on a large-size recording material, you can cut each image and create multiple photo prints in a single image formation process. Can be raised. For example, after four images are formed on a recording material of A4 size (210 mm × 297 mm), a photographic print of L size (89 mm × 127 mm) can be obtained by dividing the image into four.

Regardless of the digital camera photo, in general, a photo without a margin with no margin is preferred. For example, when four images are formed on an A4 size recording material, the image is formed to be larger than the L size, and the four corners of each image are cut by a cutting device at a position slightly within the image. No digital camera photos are obtained. In addition, when printing L-size paper one by one, an image is formed on a recording material larger than the L size and an image is made larger than the L size, and the four sides of the recording material are cut. L-sized digital camera photos can be obtained.
JP 05-158364 A JP 2003-005545 A JP 2001-219610 A

  In this way, after a toner image is formed on a recording material, the toner image is fixed on the recording material by a fixing device, and then the recording material is cut to form a photographic print. When cutting the recording material along the direction orthogonal to the direction, it is necessary to temporarily stop the conveyance of the recording material. Therefore, the trailing edge of the recording material when the recording material is temporarily stopped at the time of cutting must be in a position where it is peeled off from the belt provided in the fixing device, and the maximum distance between the cutting device and the fixing device can be printed. More than the size of the recording material in the transport direction is required, and the apparatus has become large. Especially in convenience stores and photo shops, the installation area is limited, and downsizing of the apparatus is strongly desired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to maintain a good image quality of an image to be formed and to reduce the size of the apparatus.

  An image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a fixing unit that heats and pressurizes a recording material on which a toner image is formed on a recording surface, and fixes the toner image on the recording surface of the recording material; And a cooling means for cooling the recording material on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing means, and a post-processing for the recording material arranged downstream of the cooling means and cooled by the cooling means. Post-processing means, and conveying means that is disposed between the fixing means and the post-processing means, contacts the recording surface of the recording material cooled by the cooling means, and conveys the recording material to the post-processing means. The post-processing means performs post-processing in a state where the recording surface of the recording material is in contact with the transport means.

  According to this configuration, the recording material on which the toner image is formed on the recording surface is heated and pressed by the fixing unit, and the toner image is fixed on the recording surface of the recording material. The recording material on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit is cooled by a cooling unit. The recording material cooled by the cooling means comes into contact with the recording surface and conveys the recording material to the post-processing means. The recording material cooled by the cooling means is post-processed by the post-processing means.

  In this configuration, the post-processing means performs the post-processing in a state where the recording surface of the recording material is in contact with the conveying means.

  In a state where the recording surface of the recording material is not in contact with the conveying means, that is, in a state where the recording material is separated from the conveying means, when the post-processing means performs post-processing on the recording material, the fixing means and the post-processing means In the meantime, a space for the recording material is required in addition to the space for disposing the conveying unit, and the interval between the fixing unit and the post-processing unit must be widened. On the other hand, in the configuration of claim 1, since the post-processing is performed in a state where the recording surface of the recording material is in contact with the conveying means, the space for the recording material can be reduced, and the fixing means and the post-processing means , And the size of the apparatus can be reduced.

  This is because the recording material is cooled when the recording material is peeled off from the conveying means, so that the toner image is solidified and post-processing is performed in a state where the recording surface of the recording material is in contact with the conveying means. In addition, for example, even if the conveying unit is temporarily stopped or the conveying speed is lowered, the gloss of the image surface does not change, which is possible.

  Note that if the recording material is peeled off from the conveying means when the toner image is not solidified, the toner image surface is pulled by the conveying means to cause minute irregularities, and the toner changes when the conveying speed changes or temporarily stops conveying. The uneven state of the surface of the image changes, resulting in uneven gloss. For this reason, when the recording material is peeled off from the conveying means, it is necessary to keep the conveying means constant. To stop the recording material temporarily by the post-processing means, the conveying means is performed after the trailing edge of the recording material has passed. There is a need.

  Further, when post-processing is performed by the post-processing means, since the conveying means is in contact with the recording surface of the recording material, the recording surface is protected and the image quality of the formed image is maintained in a good state.

An image forming apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the conveying unit is a conveying belt that temporarily stops the recording material or temporarily reduces the conveying speed of the recording material,
The post-processing means performs post-processing when the recording material is temporarily stopped or the recording material conveyance speed is temporarily reduced.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the timing at which the conveying belt temporarily stops the recording material or temporarily reduces the conveying speed of the recording material is the post-processing means. And controlling based on a signal from a sensor for detecting an end of the recording material.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the second or third aspect, wherein the conveyance belt temporarily stops the recording material or temporarily reduces the conveyance speed of the recording material. The rear end of the recording material is located downstream from the fixing unit.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the fourth aspect, the rear end position of the recording material is such that the temperature of the recording material is such that no image quality defect occurs on the recording surface of the recording material. The position is as follows.

  An image forming apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the post-processing means is a cutting device that cuts the recording material into an arbitrary size. And

  The post-processing apparatus according to claim 7 of the present invention includes a fixing unit that heats and pressurizes a recording material on which a toner image is formed on a recording surface, and fixes the toner image on the recording surface of the recording material; And a cooling means for cooling the recording material on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing means, and a post-processing for the recording material arranged downstream of the cooling means and cooled by the cooling means. Post-processing means, and conveying means that is disposed between the fixing means and the post-processing means, contacts the recording surface of the recording material cooled by the cooling means, and conveys the recording material to the post-processing means. The post-processing means performs post-processing in a state where the recording surface of the recording material is in contact with the transport means.

  According to this configuration, similarly to the configuration of the first aspect, the recording material on which the toner image is formed on the recording surface is heated and pressurized by the fixing unit, and the toner image is fixed on the recording surface of the recording material. . The recording material on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit is cooled by a cooling unit. The recording material cooled by the cooling means comes into contact with the recording surface and conveys the recording material to the post-processing means. The recording material cooled by the cooling means is post-processed by the post-processing means.

  Here, in the configuration of the seventh aspect, as in the configuration of the first aspect, the post-processing means performs the post-processing in a state where the recording surface of the recording material is in contact with the conveying means.

  In a state where the recording surface of the recording material is not in contact with the conveying means, that is, in a state where the recording material is separated from the conveying means, when the post-processing means performs post-processing on the recording material, the fixing means and the post-processing means In the meantime, a space for the recording material is required in addition to the space for disposing the conveying unit, and the interval between the fixing unit and the post-processing unit must be widened. On the other hand, in the configuration of claim 7, since the post-processing is performed in a state where the recording surface of the recording material is in contact with the conveying means, the space for the recording material can be reduced, and the fixing means and the post-processing means , And the size of the apparatus can be reduced.

  Further, when post-processing is performed by the post-processing means, since the conveying means is in contact with the recording surface of the recording material, the recording surface is protected and the image quality of the formed image is maintained in a good state.

  The post-processing apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the post-processing apparatus according to the seventh aspect, wherein the conveying means is a conveying belt that temporarily stops the recording material or temporarily reduces the conveying speed of the recording material, The post-processing means performs post-processing when the recording material is temporarily stopped or the recording material conveyance speed is temporarily reduced.

  A post-processing apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the post-processing device according to the eighth aspect, wherein the timing at which the conveyance belt temporarily stops the recording material or temporarily reduces the conveyance speed of the recording material is the post-processing means. And controlling based on a signal from a sensor for detecting an end of the recording material.

  In the post-processing device according to claim 10 of the present invention, in the configuration of claim 8 or claim 9, the timing at which the conveyance belt temporarily stops the recording material or temporarily decreases the conveyance speed of the recording material, The rear end of the recording material is located downstream from the fixing unit.

  The post-processing apparatus according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the post-processing device according to the tenth aspect, wherein the position of the rear end of the recording material is such that the temperature of the recording material is such that no image quality defect occurs on the recording surface of the recording material. The position is as follows.

  A post-processing apparatus according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the post-processing apparatus according to any one of the seventh to eleventh aspects, wherein the post-processing means is a cutting apparatus that cuts the recording material into an arbitrary size. And

  Since the present invention has the above-described configuration, the image quality of the formed image can be maintained in a good state and the apparatus can be downsized.

  Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment according to an image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an image forming unit 10, a paper feeding unit 20, a first fixing device 30, a conveyance switching unit 40, a cutting device 50 as a post-processing unit, 2 includes a fixing device 60 and an operation unit (not shown).

  The image forming unit 10 rotates in the direction of an arrow A in the figure, and photoreceptors 101Y and 101M on which toner images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) colors are formed. , 101C, 101K, chargers 102Y, 102M, 102C, 102K for uniformly charging the photoconductors 101Y, 101M, 101C, 101K, and exposure light modulated based on image data of each color of YMCK were charged. Exposure units 103Y, 103M, 103C, and 103K that form electrostatic latent images of each color of YMCK by irradiating the photosensitive members 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K, and electrostatics formed on the photosensitive members 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K By developing the latent image with toner, toner images are formed on the photoreceptors 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K. Imagers 104Y, 104M, 104C, and 104K, toner boxes 105Y, 105M, 105C, and 105K that supply toner of each color to developing units 104Y, 104M, 104C, and 104K, and photoreceptors 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K after transfer Photoreceptor cleaning units 112Y, 112M, 112C, and 112K that collect toner remaining on the surface, and neutralization devices 113Y, 113M, 113C, and 113K that neutralize the photoconductors 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K after transfer are provided. ing.

  Further, the image forming unit 10 is stretched around a backup roll 109 and a drive roll 110, and an intermediate transfer belt 106 that circulates and moves in the direction of arrow B in the figure while contacting the photoconductors 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K. A nip region is formed with the photoconductors 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K across the transfer belt 106, and the toner images on the peripheral surfaces of the photoconductors 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt by pressure and electrostatic force in the nip region. A nip region is formed between the primary transfer rolls 107Y, 107M, 107C, and 107K to be transferred to 106 and the backup roll 109 with the intermediate transfer belt 106 interposed therebetween, and the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 106 is secondarily transferred to the recording material P. Residual on the secondary transfer roll 108 and the intermediate transfer belt 106 And a belt cleaning unit 111 for collecting scraping the toner.

  In the present embodiment, toner having a melting temperature of about 110 ° C. (viscosity: 104 Pa) mainly composed of styrene acrylic is used, but other toners can of course be used.

  The paper supply unit 20 stores various recording materials P in a plurality of paper supply trays 201 and 202, and supplies the recording materials P according to the image to be formed. The recording material P stored in the paper feed trays 201 and 202 is sent out from the paper feed trays 201 and 202 by the pickup roll 205.

  The recording material P sent out from the paper feed trays 201 and 202 is conveyed by a plurality of conveyance roll pairs 210 and registration roll pairs 220, and a toner image is transferred in a nip region formed by the secondary transfer roll 108 and the backup roll 109. Is done.

  In the present embodiment, the paper supply unit 20 includes a paper supply tray 201 that stores plain paper and a paper supply tray 202 that stores a recording material P for high gloss. In FIG. 1, only one paper feed tray 201 and one paper feed tray 202 are shown. However, the paper feed tray 201 and the paper feed tray 202 are separated to accommodate recording materials P of different sizes. There may be a plurality of each.

  Here, the recording material will be described. Even when the recording material P for high gloss printing is plain paper, a high gloss print can be obtained, but the recording material P capable of making the entire print surface high gloss is desirable.

  FIG. 2A is a diagram showing the configuration of the recording material P for high gloss. As shown in FIG. 2A, the recording material P is formed by laminating a moisture-proof layer L2 on both surfaces of a base material layer L1, and further, an image receiving layer L3 on the recording surface. The moisture-proof layer L2 is made of a resin having no air permeability such as polyethylene, and is effective when the thickness is about several μm.

  The image receiving layer L3 is mainly composed of a thermoplastic resin such as polyester having a melting temperature of about 130 ° C., and is formed with a layer thickness of about 5 to 20 μm, preferably about 10 μm. The base material layer L1 has a composition containing cellulose as a main component. This composition is the same as that of plain paper, but it is of course possible to use a dedicated base material layer having a different composition.

  Thus, by providing the moisture-proof layer L2 on both surfaces of the base material layer L1, the air permeability is lost, and the base material layer L1 absorbs moisture in a high humidity environment, so that the recording material P is stretched and curled. The recording surface can be prevented from being stretched and cracked.

  Further, on plain paper with only the base material layer L1 mainly composed of cellulose, even if the toner image is fixed on the recording surface by the second fixing device 60, the toner image appears as a step on the recording surface ( (See FIG. 2B). On the other hand, in the recording material P for high gloss, by providing an image receiving layer L3 such as polyester on the recording surface, the toner image is melted together with the image receiving layer L3 by the second fixing device 60, as will be described later. As a result, the toner image is embedded in the image receiving layer L3, and a smooth print surface is obtained (see FIG. 2C).

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the first fixing device 30 in detail. As shown in FIG. 3, the first fixing device 30 includes a fixing roll 300, a pressure belt 310, and a pressure pad 320.

  The fixing roll 300 has, for example, an elastic body layer 302 made of silicone rubber having a rubber hardness (JIS-A) of about 33 ° on the surface of a core 301 made of aluminum having a thickness of 1.5 mm, an outer diameter of 25 mm, and a length of 380 mm. Cover the surface of the elastic layer 302 with a thickness of 0.5 mm and a length of 320 mm, and further cover the surface of the elastic layer 302 with a release layer 303 made of a 30 μm thick PFA (tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkoxyethylene copolymer resin) tube. Is formed.

  Inside the fixing roll 300, a heat source 304 such as a 650 W halogen lamp is provided as a heat source, and the surface temperature of the fixing roll 300 depends on a predetermined temperature (depending on the melting temperature of the toner. Is heated from the inside to be 140 to 190 ° C. The pressure belt 310 has a release layer made of a PFA tube having a thickness of 30 μm on the surface of a polyimide belt having a thickness of 75 μm, an outer diameter of 30 mm, and a length of 330 mm. A pressure pad 320 that presses the pressure belt 310 against the fixing roll 300 to form a nip is disposed inside the pressure belt 310. The pressing load of the pressure pad 320 is, for example, 330 N, and the nip width is 6.5 mm.

  Here, referring to FIG. 1 again, the description of the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 is continued.

  The conveyance switching unit 40 includes a switching member 400 and conveyance roll pairs 401 and 402. The switching member 400 is rotatably provided on the upper part of the first fixing device 30, and switches the conveyance direction of the recording material P discharged from the first fixing device 30 to either the path C or D in the drawing. . The recording material P conveyed to the path C is discharged to the paper discharge tray T1 by the conveyance roll 401, and the recording material P conveyed to the path D is conveyed to the second fixing device 60 by the conveyance roll 402.

  The second fixing device 60 is for making the recording surface of the recording material P highly glossy. Hereinafter, a specific configuration for the second fixing device 60 to make the recording surface of the recording material P highly glossy will be described. explain.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the second fixing device 60 in detail. As shown in FIG. 4, the second fixing device 60 includes a fixing roll 600, a pressure roll 610, a fixing belt (conveying belt) 620, a cooler 630, a peeling roll 640, and a steering roll 650. And a transport roll pair 660.

  The fixing roll 600 is a member in which a release layer 603 made of a PFA tube or the like is formed around a metal core 602 with high thermal conductivity. A heat source 601 such as a halogen lamp is provided inside the core 602, and the surface of the fixing roll 600 depends on a predetermined temperature (depending on the melting temperature of the toner and the image receiving layer L3, but in the present embodiment, 140 to 190). The recording surface of the recording material P being conveyed is heated in the nip region. Further, the fixing roll 600 is rotated in the direction of arrow E in the drawing by the drive control device (not shown) around the center.

  The pressure roll 610 is coated with an elastic body layer 613 made of silicone rubber or the like having a rubber hardness (JIS-A) of about 40 ° around a metal core 612 with high thermal conductivity, A release layer 614 similar to the release layer 603 of the fixing roll 600 is formed. In addition, a heat source 611 such as a halogen lamp is provided inside the core 612, and the surface of the pressure roll 610 is heated to a predetermined temperature. The pressure roll 610 heats the conveyed recording material P from the back surface in the nip region while rotating in the direction of arrow F in the drawing, and presses the recording material P toward the fixing roll 600 with a predetermined pressure.

  The fixing belt 620 is a member in which a coating layer having high smoothness made of fluorine rubber, silicone rubber, or the like is formed on the surface of an endless film made of thermosetting polyimide, for example, a fixing roll 600, a peeling roll 640, a steering roll. It is wound around 650 and stretched, and is circulated and moved in the direction of arrow G in the figure following the fixing roll 600 rotated by a drive control device (not shown). The coating layer is desirably about 35 μm, and the polyimide base material is desirably 75 μm or more. On the recording material P heated in the nip region, the toner and the image receiving layer L3 are in a molten state, and in this state, the recording surface of the recording material P is finished smoothly by contacting (contacting) the fixing belt 620. Further, the drive control device of the fixing roll 600 controls the driving of the fixing roll 600, whereby the fixing belt 620 can be intermittently driven or the conveyance speed of the fixing belt 620 can be reduced.

  The cooler 630 contacts the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt 620 between the fixing roll 600 and the peeling roll 640 and absorbs heat of the fixing belt 620, thereby cooling the recording material P heated in the nip region. The heat transmitted to the cooler 630 is radiated into the air by passing air through the inside. Although the cooling temperature of the cooler 630 varies depending on the type of toner and recording material P used, the recording surface of the recording material P is approximately 60 to 80 ° C., which is lower than the softening temperature of the toner resin and the image receiving layer resin of the recording material. It is desirable to cool so that By cooling the recording material P in this way, the toner on the surface of the recording material and the image receiving layer L3 are solidified while maintaining smoothness, and the recording material P can be easily peeled from the fixing belt 620.

  The steering roll 650 is provided to correct a deviation (a phenomenon in which the fixing belt 620 moves toward one end of the steering roll 650) generated when the fixing belt 620 is continuously circulated. . The steering roll 650 has one end of its central axis fixed (hereinafter referred to as “fixed end”), and the other end is movable in the directions of arrows S1 and S2 in the drawing with respect to the fixing roll ( Hereinafter, this is referred to as a “moving end”). For example, when the fixing belt 620 gradually deviates toward the fixed end, the deviation is corrected by moving the moving end in the direction of the arrow S1, and conversely. When the fixing belt 620 gradually deviates toward the moving end, the deviation is corrected by moving the moving end in the arrow S2 direction.

  The peeling roll 640 rotates following the movement of the fixing belt 620. By changing the moving direction of the fixing belt 620 by stretching the fixing roll 620 while winding the fixing belt 620, the recording material P is naturally peeled at this position by the rigidity of the recording material itself. The outer diameter of the peeling roll 640 and the winding angle θ of the fixing belt 620 are determined according to the rigidity of the recording material P and the adhesive force between the recording material P and the fixing belt 620. The recording material P peeled off from the fixing belt 620 is transported by the transport roll 660 and discharged to the paper discharge tray T2.

  FIG. 20 is a graph showing the relationship between the surface temperature of the recording material and the glossiness at the time of peeling. When peeling from the fixing belt 620 at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting temperature of the toner resin or the image receiving layer resin of the recording material P, the gloss of the recording surface varies depending on the peeling speed and the temperature at the time of peeling, as shown in FIG. In addition, when peeling is performed at a temperature at which the toner viscosity is 10 6 Pa or less, the gloss does not change depending on the peeling speed and the temperature at the time of peeling, and a uniform and good gloss can be obtained.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the cutting device 50 includes a slitter 500 for cutting the recording material P along the transport direction, and a reciprocating cutter 510 for cutting the recording material P along the direction orthogonal to the transport direction. 520 and a plurality of conveyance roll pairs 530 for nipping and conveying the recording material P.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration when the slitter 500 is viewed from the conveyance direction of FIG. The slitter 500 is provided with a necessary number for cutting in the axial direction, and cuts the recording material P in the feeding direction while conveying the recording material P.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the slitter 500 includes a shaft 505, and disk-shaped rotary blades 501 are attached to the axial center and both ends of the shaft 505 by fixing members 509. A plurality of transport rolls 504 are attached between the rotary blade 501 at the axial center of the shaft 505 and the rotary blades 501 at both axial ends of the shaft 505. The shaft 505 is rotated in the direction of arrow R2 in the drawing by a drive control device (not shown).

  On the other hand, a plurality of disc-shaped rotary blades 502 are rotatably provided around the shaft 506 at the axial center and both ends of the shaft 506. These rotary blades 502 are urged against the rotary blades 501 facing each other by a pressure spring 503. As shown in FIG. 6, the rotary blades 501 and 502 overlap each other with a lapping margin of about 1 mm in width. Since the distance between the shafts 505 and 506 is adjusted as described above, as shown in FIG. 5, the rotary blade 502 as the inner blade is stopped at a position in contact with the inner side of the rotary blade 501 as the outer blade. The contact pressure between the rotary blades 501 and 502 is 3 to 10 N depending on the blade edge angle and the lapping amount of the rotary blade, and the blade edge angle is preferably 45 to 60 degrees although it is in balance with durability.

  A plurality of transport rolls 508 are attached between the rotary blade 502 at the axial center of the shaft 506 and the rotary blades 506 at both axial ends of the shaft 506. As the shaft 505 rotates, the transport roll 504 also rotates, and the transport roll 508 is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow R1 in the drawing. As shown in FIG. 7, the recording material P is conveyed in a state sandwiched between these conveyance rolls 504 and 508, and the central portion of the recording material P is arranged along the conveyance direction by the rotary blade 501 and the rotary blade 502 as shown in FIG. These two places and both ends are cut.

  As described above, when the conveyance rolls 504 and 508 are provided coaxially with the rotary blades 501 and 502, the conveyance stability at the time of cutting is improved. If the recording material P has a basis weight exceeding 100 gsm, the recording material P has high rigidity even without the transporting rolls 504 and 508, so that the recording material P can be stably transported. In this configuration diagram, a plurality of two pairs of rotary blades are provided on the shaft, so that one print can be divided into a plurality of prints.

  On the other hand, after the reciprocating cutters 510 and 520 convey the recording material P to a predetermined position, the reciprocating cutters 510 and 520 temporarily stop the conveyance and cut the recording material P along a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the recording material P. The distance between the reciprocating cutters 510 and 520 is set to the print size after cutting. When four recordings are applied to one recording material P, the conveyance of the recording material P is stopped twice, and the reciprocating cutter 510 is stopped. The 520 is operated almost simultaneously twice to cut the four prints before and after the conveyance direction. The number of slitters 500 in the axial direction is set by the print size to be cut and the imposition. Either one of the reciprocating cutters 510 and 520 can cope by increasing the number of conveyance stops.

  It is also possible to cut the recording material P with the reciprocating cutters 510 and 520 by reducing the conveying speed at which the fixing belt 620 conveys the recording material P. In this case, the conveyance of the leading end portion of the recording material P is temporarily stopped, but the fixing belt 620 is conveyed without decreasing the conveying speed of the trailing end portion of the recording material P, and recording is performed for a time required for cutting. This can be achieved by slacking the material P between the fixing belt 620 and the cutting device 50. At this time, the speed at which the fixing belt 620 conveys the recording material P is such that when the recording material P slacks during cutting, the recording material P buckles or sags so that the recording surface touches members around the conveyance path and damages. It is necessary to set the speed so that it will not be affected.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the reciprocating cutter 520. As shown in FIG. 8, the reciprocating cutter 520 includes a fixed blade 521, a movable blade 522, and a recording material detection sensor 525. The fixed blade 521 is a plate-like member whose both ends are fixed, on which the recording material P is conveyed. The movable blade 522 is a plate-like member that moves up and down by a driving device (not shown), and is provided so as to mesh with the fixed blade 521 when positioned at the lowermost portion. With such a configuration, the reciprocating cutter 520 cuts the conveyed recording material P so as to push out one end in the length direction of the recording material P along a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction. At the same time, the reciprocating cutter 510 is cut so as to push the other end of the recording material P in the length direction.

  The recording material detection sensor 525 detects the end of the recording material P (the front end in the present embodiment), and the detection signal is a drive control device for the fixing roll 600 around which the fixing belt 620 is wound and the shaft of the slitter 500. 505 is transmitted to the drive control device. The drive control device for the shaft 505 controls the drive of the transport roll 504 attached to the shaft 505 and stops it at a position suitable for cutting the recording material P, and the drive control device for the fixing roll 600 follows the operation of the fixing belt 620. Is controlled so that the rear end of the recording material P is temporarily stopped or the conveyance speed is decreased.

  Since the reciprocating cutter 510 has the same configuration as the reciprocating cutter 520, the description thereof is omitted. Even if one of the reciprocating cutters 510 and 520 is used, it can be cut at any end portion of the recording material P formed along the direction orthogonal to the transport direction by increasing the number of times of cutting. By combining two pairs as described above, the cutting time can be shortened, and the cutting dimensions are determined by the dimensions arranged by the reciprocating cutter, so that the dimensional accuracy of the cutting can be increased. As described above, the print cut from the predetermined portion of the recording material P is discharged to the discharge tray T2.

  Here, in the image forming apparatus 100 of the present invention, the recording material P on which four images of L size are formed on A4 size is fixed by the second fixing device 60 and then divided into four L size prints by the cutting device 50. The positional relationship between the second fixing device 60 and the cutting device 50 will be described.

  In this embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, a point X1 12 mm from the tip, a point X2 from X1 to 127 mm, a point X3 from X2 to 18 mm, and a point X4 from X3 to 127 mm by a reciprocating cutter 510, 520, The recording material P is cut along the direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and the slitter 500 transports points Y1 and Y4 8 mm from both ends, a point Y2 from Y1 to 89 mm, and a point Y3 from Y4 to 89 mm. The recording material P is cut along the direction and divided into four L-size prints.

  In the reciprocating cutters 510 and 520, the reciprocating cutter 510 cuts X1 and the reciprocating cutter 520 cuts X2 in the first operation, and transports the recording material P further downstream. In the second operation, the reciprocating cutter 510 receives X3. The reciprocating cutter 520 is configured to cut X4. The dotted line portion in FIG. 9 indicates an image forming area, which is larger than the line to be cut and an image is formed.

  The fixing belt 620 of the second fixing device 60 is used when the recording material P is cut by the cutting device 50, that is, when the reciprocating cutter 510 cuts X1 and the reciprocating cutter 520 cuts X2. The rear end portion is configured to stop in contact with the fixing belt 620.

  When the recording material P stops, the rear end of the recording material P is located downstream of the fixing nip N of the second fixing device 60 and is not affected by the heat of the fixing roll 600 and the pressure roll 610. That is, it is necessary that the recording material P be located at a temperature lower than the temperature at which no image quality defect occurs on the recording surface.

  This is because, when the recording material P is stopped in a high temperature state, as shown in FIG. 12, a gas is generated from the cellulose inside the base material of the recording material P and the surface resin is destroyed (hereinafter referred to as a blister). This is because image defects such as the occurrence of image defects occur. FIG. 12 is an image diagram of the recording material P in which blisters are generated. Note that blisters appear remarkably when the temperature exceeds 100 ° C. (1 atmosphere) even with a heating time of about 1 second. Therefore, it is necessary to stop at the position where the temperature of the rear end of the recording material P is 100 ° C. or less at worst. Further, the rear end of the recording material P is desirably stopped at a position away from the fixing nip N, for example, 15 mm to 20 mm (20 mm in the present embodiment), and further stopped at a position on the cooler 630. It is desirable.

  The recording material P may not be completely stopped, but may be configured to reduce the conveyance speed of the recording material P. The position of the rear end of the recording material P that starts the decrease in the conveyance speed of the recording material P is As with the above, it is desirable to carry out.

  In this manner, the recording material P is cut in a state where the rear end portion of the recording material P is in contact with the fixing belt 620, so that the recording material P is in contact with the fixing belt 620, thereby the second fixing device. The distance between the cutting device 50 and the cutting device 50 can be reduced. In this embodiment, the total length along the transport direction from the second fixing device 60 to the cutting device 50 is, for example, 370 mm.

On the other hand, FIG. 11 shows a configuration in which the recording material P is cut by the cutting device 50 in a state where the recording material P is not in contact with the fixing belt 620 of the second fixing device 60.
In addition to the space for disposing the fixing belt 620 between the second fixing device 60 and the cutting device 50, a space for the recording material P is required, and the interval between the second fixing device 60 and the cutting device 50 is required. In this configuration, for example, the total length along the transport direction from the second fixing device 60 to the cutting device 50 is, for example, 530 mm.

  In this way, the configuration in which the recording material P is stopped and cut while being in contact with the fixing belt 620 is compared with the configuration in which the recording material P is stopped and cut without being in contact with the fixing belt 620. Can be shortened by 160 mm. In addition, when the total length along the transport direction from the second fixing device 60 to the cutting device 50 is increased, it is necessary to increase the transport rolls for transporting the recording material P, and the number of parts increases.

  FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus having a conventional configuration in which the fixing belt of the second fixing device 60 is not stopped at the time of cutting.

  In the image forming apparatus 700 having the conventional configuration, the interval between the second fixing device 60 and the cutting device 50 must be widened, and the discharge tray T2 protrudes outside the apparatus, resulting in a large apparatus. Although depending on the configuration of the second fixing device 60 and the cutting device 50, there is a clear difference in size between the conventional configuration and the configuration of the present invention.

  An example of the configuration of the second fixing device when the A4 size is divided into four L size prints is shown below.

[Configuration of Second Fixing Unit] (When A4 size is divided into four L size prints)
Fixing roll width 320mm
Fixing roll outer diameter: φ50mm
Fixing roll temperature: 150 ° C
Pressure roll width: 320mm
Pressure roll outer diameter: φ50mm
Pressure roll temperature: 130 ° C
Fixing belt width: 330mm
Fixing belt circumference: 550mm
Fixing load: 3000N
Fixing speed: 50 mm / s
Cooling device: Heat sink conveyance direction length 80mm
Next, as a modified example of the cutting device 50, a second fixing in the case of using a cutting device that forms an image on a postcard-sized recording material and then cuts the edges of four sides to print an L-size digital camera photo. The positional relationship between the device 60 and the cutting device will be described.

  In the configuration in which the A4 size is divided into four to create four L size prints, the two reciprocating cutters 510 and 520 are used. However, the four sides of the postcard size recording material are cut to cut the L size print. In the configuration for creating a print, one reciprocating cutter 910 is used. A slitter 900 and a transport roll 930 are provided in this order on the downstream side of the reciprocating cutter 910 in the transport direction.

  When one image is formed on a postcard-sized recording material and the edges of four sides are cut to print an L-size digital camera photo, as shown in FIG. 14, the points X5 and X5 to 127 mm are 10 mm from the leading edge. The reciprocating cutter 910 cuts the recording material P along the direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and cuts the points Y5 and Y6 5.5 mm from both ends along the transport direction by the slitter 900. The recording material P is cut to form an L size print. 14 indicates an image forming area, which is larger than the line to be cut, and an image is formed.

  The fixing belt 620 of the second fixing device 60 is such that when the leading end portion of the recording material P is cut by the cutting device 50, that is, when the reciprocating cutter 910 cuts X5, the rear end portion of the recording material P is the fixing belt. It is configured to stop while in contact with 620.

  When the recording material P stops, the rear end of the recording material P is located downstream of the fixing nip N of the second fixing device 60 and is not affected by the heat of the fixing roll 600 and the pressure roll 610. That is, it is necessary that the recording material P be located at a temperature lower than the temperature at which no image quality defect occurs on the recording surface.

  This is because, when the recording material P is stopped in a high temperature state, as shown in FIG. 12, a gas is generated from the cellulose inside the base material of the recording material P and the surface resin is destroyed (hereinafter referred to as a blister). This is because image defects such as the occurrence of image defects occur. FIG. 12 is an image diagram of the recording material P in which blisters are generated. Note that blisters appear remarkably when the temperature exceeds 100 ° C. (1 atmosphere) even with a heating time of about 1 second. Therefore, it is necessary to stop at the position where the temperature of the rear end of the recording material P is 100 ° C. or less at worst. Further, the rear end of the recording material P is desirably stopped at a position away from the fixing nip N, for example, 15 mm to 20 mm (20 mm in the present embodiment), and further stopped at a position on the cooler 630. It is desirable.

  The recording material P may not be completely stopped, but may be configured to reduce the conveyance speed of the recording material P. The position of the rear end of the recording material P that starts the decrease in the conveyance speed of the recording material P is As with the above, it is desirable to carry out.

  In this manner, the recording material P is cut in a state where the rear end portion of the recording material P is in contact with the fixing belt 620, so that the recording material P is in contact with the fixing belt 620, thereby the second fixing device. The distance between the cutting device 50 and the cutting device 50 can be reduced. In this embodiment, the total length along the transport direction from the second fixing device 60 to the cutting device 50 is, for example, 340 mm.

  On the other hand, FIG. 16 shows a configuration in which the recording material P is cut by the cutting device 50 in a state where the recording material P is not brought into contact with the fixing belt 620 of the second fixing device 60.

  In addition to the space for disposing the fixing belt 620 between the second fixing device 60 and the cutting device 50, a space for the recording material P is required, and the interval between the second fixing device 60 and the cutting device 50 is required. In this configuration, for example, the total length along the transport direction from the second fixing device 60 to the cutting device 50 is 420 mm, for example.

  In this way, the configuration in which the recording material P is stopped and cut while being in contact with the fixing belt 620 is compared with the configuration in which the recording material P is stopped and cut without being in contact with the fixing belt 620. Can be shortened by 80 mm. In addition, when the total length along the transport direction from the second fixing device 60 to the cutting device 50 is increased, it is necessary to increase the transport rolls for transporting the recording material P, and the number of parts increases.

In this way, even in the configuration in which the four sides of the postcard size recording material are cut to create an L size print, the A4 size is divided into four to create four L size prints. The total length along the transport direction from the second fixing device 60 to the cutting device 50 can be shortened. It should be noted that the configuration in which the A4 size is divided into four to create four L size prints is more than the configuration in which the four sides of the postcard size recording material are cut to create an L size print. Since the material P is large, the contact portion between the fixing belt 620 and the recording material P can be enlarged, so that the effect of downsizing the apparatus is great.
The configuration of the second fixing unit when the postcard size is cut into an L size print is shown below.

[Configuration of Second Fixing Device] (when cutting postcard size into L size print)
Fixing roll width 140mm
Fixing roll outer diameter: φ50mm
Fixing roll temperature: 150 ° C
Pressure roll width: 140mm
Pressure roll outer diameter: φ50mm
Pressure roll temperature: 130 ° C
Fixing belt width: 150mm
Fixing belt circumference: 550mm
Fixing load: 1200N
Fixing speed: 50mm / S
Cooling device: Heat sink conveyance direction length 80mm
Note that the outer diameter of each roll, the fixing belt circumference, and the cooling device dimensions are the same as in the case of fixing the A4-sized recording material P as long as the fixing speed does not change.

  The operation unit includes a display unit (not shown) and various buttons, and accepts various input instructions from the user. The image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment has two different types of image forming modes, “plain paper print mode” and “high gloss print mode”. The “plain paper print mode” is an image formation mode for forming a general low gloss image using plain paper, and the “high gloss print mode” is an image receiving layer formed on the recording surface. This is an image forming mode for forming a high-gloss edgeless image using the recording material P. The image forming mode can be input using the operation unit, and the image forming apparatus 100 operates each unit of the apparatus based on the input from the user. With the above configuration, the image forming apparatus 100 can selectively obtain a plain paper print and a high-gloss borderless print.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment will be described.

  The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment has two image forming modes of “plain paper print mode” and “high gloss print mode”, and image formation is performed according to the selected image forming mode. Therefore, the operations in the two image forming modes will be described below.

  First, the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 in the “plain paper print mode” will be described.

  First, when image data is input from a scanner, personal computer, or the like (not shown), and an instruction to perform image formation in the “plain paper print mode” is input to the operation unit by the user, based on the input image data The image forming unit 10 forms a toner image. A toner image is formed and conveyed by the intermediate transfer belt 106, and at the same time, plain paper is supplied from the paper feed tray 201 as the recording material P and conveyed by the conveyance roll 210.

  Subsequently, in the nip region formed by the secondary transfer roll 108 and the backup roll 109, the recording material P is transferred with the toner image. At this time, the registration roll 220 adjusts the conveyance speed in order to align the toner image formed on the recording material P.

  Thereafter, the recording material P to which the toner image has been transferred is fixed by the first fixing device 30. When discharged from the first fixing device 30, the toner image on the recording surface of the recording material P has a slight unevenness, and therefore the image has low gloss.

  In the transport switching unit 40, since the image forming mode is set to “plain paper print mode”, the recording material P advances to the path C by the switching member 400, and is moved to the paper discharge tray T1 by the transport roll 401. Discharged. The above is the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 in the “plain paper print mode”.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 in the “high gloss print mode” will be described.

  First, when image data is input from a scanner or personal computer (not shown) and an instruction to perform image formation in the “high gloss print mode” is input to the operation unit, image formation is performed based on the input image data. In part 10, a toner image is formed. The operation from here until the recording material P passes through the first fixing device 30 is that the recording material P supplied from the paper supply unit 20 is a high-gloss recording material (for example, coated paper). Except for this, it is the same as the “plain paper print mode”, so the description of this part is omitted.

  The recording material P discharged from the first fixing device 30 advances to the path D by the conveyance switching unit 40 and reaches the second fixing device 60. In the second fixing device 60, first, the recording material P is heated and pressed in a nip region formed by the fixing roll 600 and the pressure roll 610. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2C, the toner image fixed on the recording material P is melted and embedded in the image receiving layer L3, and the recording surface of the recording material P is It becomes a smooth state without unevenness.

  Then, the recording material P reaches the position of the cooler 630 while being conveyed on the fixing belt 620, and is gradually cooled here to solidify the toner image and the image receiving layer L3 on the recording material P in a smooth state. To do. Then, the leading end of the recording material P that has been peeled off by the peeling roll 640 due to the rigidity of the recording material P itself and peeled off by the transport roll 660 reaches the cutting device 50.

  The recording material P that has entered the cutting device 50 is cut at a predetermined position in the axial direction in the transport direction by the slitter 500 while being transported by the transport roll 530. Then, when the leading edge of the recording material P is detected by the recording material detection sensor 525 and a detection signal is transmitted to a drive control device (not shown), the rotation of the transport roll 530 is adjusted so that the drive control device reaches a predetermined cutting position. Stop. Due to this detection signal, the driving of the fixing belt 620 of the second fixing device 60 is also stopped almost simultaneously, or the conveyance speed is lowered, and a predetermined position in the conveyance direction is cut in the axial direction by the reciprocating cutters 510 and 520 and a print of a predetermined size is made. It becomes.

  At this time, the rear end of the recording material P is cut so that the rear end of the recording material P exits the fixing nip formed by the fixing roll 600 and the pressure roll 610 and is conveyed until the recording material P reaches a predetermined temperature or less. The position of the reciprocating cutters 510 and 520 of the apparatus 50 is set. In the case of a recording material P such as general double-side coated paper, it is necessary to set the temperature to 100 ° C. or lower in order to prevent the generation of bubbles (blisters) due to water vapor generated from cellulose in the recording material. In the case of four chamfering from one recording material P, four sheets are printed by stopping and cutting the conveyance twice.

  Although it is possible to cut the recording material P by stopping the conveyance of the recording material P based on a predetermined operation sequence without using the recording material detection sensor 525, the cutting position is controlled by detecting the leading edge passing timing of the recording material P. Accuracy is increased. The cut print is discharged to the discharge tray T2 by the transport roll 530.

  In a state where the recording surface of the recording material P is not in contact with the fixing belt 620, that is, in a state where the recording material P is separated from the fixing belt 620, when the cutting device 50 cuts the recording material P, the second fixing device 60. In addition to the space for disposing the fixing belt 620 between the cutting device 50 and the cutting device 50, a space for the recording material P is required, and the interval between the second fixing device 60 and the cutting device 50 must be widened. (See FIGS. 11 and 16). On the other hand, in the configuration of the present embodiment, since the cutting is performed while the recording surface of the recording material P is in contact with the fixing belt 620, the space for the recording material P can be reduced. The space | interval with the cutting apparatus 50 can be narrowed, and size reduction of an apparatus can be achieved (refer FIG. 10, FIG. 15).

  Further, when the recording material P is cut by the cutting device 50, the recording surface of the recording material P is in contact with the fixing belt 620, so that the recording surface is protected and the image quality of the formed image is maintained in a good state. To do.

  The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes the second fixing device 60 and the cutting device 50. However, the second fixing device 60 and the cutting device 50 are separated from the image forming device 100 and become independent. The second fixing device 60 and the cutting device 50 may be detachable from the image forming apparatus 100 as a post-processing device.

  According to this configuration, the post-processing device including the second fixing device 60 and the cutting device 50 can be used for a general office printer that does not include the second fixing unit cutting unit, and the cost can be reduced.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment has two different image forming modes of “plain paper print mode” and “high gloss print mode”. It may be configured only in a high gloss print mode in which an unfixed image is fixed with high gloss at the fixing unit. However, when the unfixed image is transported to the second fixing unit, it is necessary to consider that the unfixed image is not rubbed to disturb the image.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is a so-called tandem system including independent image forming units for each color of YMCK, but the present invention is not limited to the image forming apparatus of this system. The present invention can also be applied to a so-called cycle type (or rotary development type) image forming apparatus.

  Further, the arrangement and shape of the other parts are not limited to those shown in FIG. Here, as an example, a cycle type image forming apparatus 800 will be described with reference to FIG. In the image forming apparatus 800 shown in FIG. 17, parts having the same functions as those of the image forming apparatus 100 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 17, in the image forming apparatus 800, the cutting device 50 and the second fixing device 60 form a single unit as the post-processing device 802. This unit 802 is configured to be detachable from the main body 801. Further, the apparatus main body 801 is not provided with a fixing device. After an image is formed on the recording material P, an unfixed image is conveyed to the second fixing device 60, and after fixing, a predetermined size or , Do borderless cutting.

  In the cutting device 50 according to the present embodiment, a reciprocating cutter is used as a cutter for cutting the recording material P along a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, but the invention is not limited to this.

  As shown in FIG. 18, as an alternative to the reciprocating cutter 510, a circular cutter may be used. As shown in FIG. 18, the circular cutter 810 includes a fixed blade 811 and a movable blade 812. The movable blade 812 is a disc-shaped cutter, and is supported by a support member 813 so as to be rotatable about its center. The support member 813 is fixed to an endless belt 816 that is wound around the pulley 814 and the pulley 815.

  When the motor 817 connected to the pulley 815 rotates forward and backward, the movable blade 812 supported by the support member 813 reciprocates in the arrow H direction. The circular cutter 810 cuts the recording material P on the fixed blade 811 by the movement of the movable blade 812 as shown in FIG.

  The cutting device 50 is not limited to the function of cutting the recording material P into four sheets. For example, it is possible to print an L-size image on a postcard-sized recording material P (100 mm × 150 mm) and cut the four sides by the cutting device 50 to finish the print without borders. In this way, by combining the printing of four images on the A4 size recording material P and the printing of each image on the arbitrary number of postcard size recording materials P, an arbitrary number of sheets can be obtained. L-size digital camera photos can be obtained. By making the width direction position of the slitting tooth of the slitter variable, it is possible to cut into various sizes such as four cuts, six cuts, and eight cuts.

  In this embodiment, the fixing belt 620 is wound around the fixing roll 600. However, a tension roll for stretching the fixing belt 620 is separately provided on the downstream side of the fixing roll 600. It may be configured to be wound around a rack roll and stretched.

  In the present embodiment, the cutting apparatus has been described as the post-processing unit of the present invention. However, the post-processing unit of the present invention is not limited to this, and, for example, a punching device that drills holes in the recording material P, a sewing machine, and the like. An apparatus that needs to temporarily stop or decelerate the conveyance of the recording material P, such as a perforation creating device that forms eyes on the recording material P, may be used. When such a device and a fixing device are combined, the size of the device can be reduced by adopting the same configuration as that of the present embodiment. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications, changes, and improvements can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of plain paper and high gloss recording material (coated paper) in the recording material according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing in detail the configuration of the first fixing device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing in detail the configuration of the second fixing device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a view of the slitter according to the present embodiment as viewed from the conveyance direction. FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the lapping margin of the rotary blade of the slitter according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is an image view during cutting of the slitter according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the reciprocating cutter according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a position where four L-size prints are cut from an A4-size recording material in the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between the fixing device and the cutting device in a configuration in which the recording material is cut in a state where the A4 size recording material is in contact with the fixing belt according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between the fixing device and the cutting device in a configuration in which the recording material is cut in a state in which the A4 size recording material is not in contact with the fixing belt according to the present embodiment. FIG. 12 is an image diagram of a recording material in which blisters are generated. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an image forming apparatus using the fixing device having the configuration shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a position for cutting an L size print from a postcard size recording material in the present embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between the fixing device and the cutting device in a configuration in which the recording material is cut in a state where the post-size recording material is in contact with the fixing belt according to the present embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between the fixing device and the cutting device in a configuration in which the recording material is cut in a state where the post-size recording material is not in contact with the fixing belt according to the present embodiment. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a circular cutter as a modified example of the reciprocating cutter according to the present embodiment. FIG. 19 is a view showing a state of cutting in a configuration using a circular cutter as a modification of the reciprocating cutter according to the present embodiment. FIG. 20 is a graph showing the relationship between the recording material temperature and the glossiness at the time of peeling.

Explanation of symbols

50 Cutting device (post-processing means)
600 Fixing roll (fixing means)
610 Pressure roll (fixing means)
620 Fixing belt (conveying means, conveying belt)
630 Cooler P Recording material

Claims (12)

Fixing means for heating and pressurizing a recording material on which a toner image is formed on the recording surface to fix the toner image on the recording surface of the recording material;
A cooling unit disposed downstream of the fixing unit and configured to cool the recording material on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit;
A post-processing unit that is disposed downstream of the cooling unit and performs post-processing on the recording material cooled by the cooling unit;
A conveying unit that is disposed between the fixing unit and the post-processing unit, contacts the recording surface of the recording material cooled by the cooling unit, and conveys the recording material to the post-processing unit;
With
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the post-processing unit performs post-processing in a state where a recording surface of the recording material is in contact with the transport unit. The transport means is a transport belt that temporarily stops the recording material or temporarily decreases the transport speed of the recording material,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the post-processing unit performs post-processing when the recording material is temporarily stopped or the recording material conveyance speed is temporarily reduced.   The timing at which the conveying belt temporarily stops the recording material or temporarily reduces the recording material conveying speed is controlled based on a signal from a sensor provided in the post-processing means for detecting an end of the recording material. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.   The timing at which the conveying belt temporarily stops the recording material or temporarily reduces the recording material conveying speed is when the rear end of the recording material is located downstream of the fixing unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the position of the trailing edge of the recording material is a position where the temperature of the recording material is equal to or lower than a temperature at which no image quality defect occurs on the recording surface of the recording material. .   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the post-processing unit is a cutting device that cuts the recording material into an arbitrary size. Fixing means for heating and pressurizing a recording material on which a toner image is formed on the recording surface to fix the toner image on the recording surface of the recording material;
A cooling unit disposed downstream of the fixing unit and configured to cool the recording material on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit;
A post-processing unit that is disposed downstream of the cooling unit and performs post-processing on the recording material cooled by the cooling unit;
A conveying unit that is disposed between the fixing unit and the post-processing unit, contacts the recording surface of the recording material cooled by the cooling unit, and conveys the recording material to the post-processing unit;
With
The post-processing apparatus is characterized in that the post-processing means performs post-processing in a state where the recording surface of the recording material is in contact with the transport means. The transport means is a transport belt that temporarily stops the recording material or temporarily decreases the transport speed of the recording material,
8. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the post-processing unit performs post-processing when the recording material is temporarily stopped or the conveyance speed of the recording material is temporarily reduced.   The timing at which the conveying belt temporarily stops the recording material or temporarily reduces the recording material conveying speed is controlled based on a signal from a sensor provided in the post-processing means for detecting an end of the recording material. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 8.   The timing at which the conveying belt temporarily stops the recording material or temporarily reduces the recording material conveying speed is when the rear end of the recording material is located downstream of the fixing unit. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 8 or 9.   The post-processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the position of the rear end of the recording material is a position where the temperature of the recording material is equal to or lower than a temperature at which no image quality defect occurs on the recording surface of the recording material. .   The post-processing device according to claim 7, wherein the post-processing unit is a cutting device that cuts the recording material into an arbitrary size.

Images