JP2007178967A - Image forming system, apparatus, and method, and sheet feeding method for image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming system of high productivity by solving a problem of productivity retardation caused by main-sheet processing. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming system including: the image forming apparatus having a sheet feeding and conveying means for feeding main sheets and cover sheets; and a binding apparatus for binding based on the main sheets and the cover sheets outputted from the image forming apparatus, includes a control means for controlling the sheet feeding and conveying means so as to feed the cover sheets after feeding the main sheets. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, a paper feeding method of the image forming apparatus, and an image forming method.

An image forming system including an image forming apparatus and a bookbinding apparatus is known. For example, in Patent Document 1, a body (sheet bundle) on which an image is formed is formed into a U-shape with one cover sheet. Wrapping is performed, and case binding is performed by gluing the back part of the main body to a cover sheet.
JP 2004-209869 A

  However, in the above-described image forming system, it takes time for the bookbinding processing (body processing) for the main body in the bookbinding apparatus, which is a factor that hinders the productivity of the image forming system.

  For example, in the system of Patent Document 1, glue has to be applied to the back of the main body in order to glue the back of the main body to a cover sheet, and this glue application takes time.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, a paper feeding method for the image forming apparatus, and an image forming method that enable bookbinding with high productivity.

  An image forming system according to the present invention includes an image forming apparatus having a sheet feeding and conveying means for feeding body paper and cover paper, and a bookbinding apparatus that performs bookbinding based on the body paper and cover paper output from the image forming apparatus. The image forming system includes a control unit that controls the sheet feeding and conveying unit so as to feed a cover sheet after feeding a main sheet.

  An image forming system according to the present invention is an image forming system including an image forming unit that performs image formation, and a bookbinding unit that performs bookbinding based on a cover sheet and a main body sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit. In the case of forming an image on the cover sheet, the image forming unit includes a control unit that controls the image forming unit to form an image on the cover sheet after forming the image on the main body sheet.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image forming apparatus to which a bookbinding apparatus that performs bookbinding based on a body sheet and a cover sheet can be connected, a sheet feeding and conveying unit that feeds the body sheet and the cover sheet, and the body sheet. Control means for controlling the paper feed / conveyance means so as to feed the cover paper after the paper is fed.

  A sheet feeding method for an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a body sheet feeding process for feeding a body sheet in the sheet feeding method for an image forming apparatus for feeding a body sheet and a cover sheet for bookbinding, And a cover sheet feeding process for feeding a cover sheet after the body sheet feeding process.

  The image forming method of the present invention is an image forming method for forming an image on a body sheet and a cover sheet for bookbinding, a body sheet image forming process for forming an image on the body sheet, and a cover sheet after the body sheet image forming process. And a cover sheet image forming process for forming an image on the sheet.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, a paper feeding method for the image forming apparatus, and an image forming method that enable bookbinding with high productivity.

(First embodiment)
The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, but the description in this section is not limited to the technical scope of the claims and the meaning of terms. For convenience, the term “paper” includes OHP sheets, sheets made of materials other than paper, and paper. Further, the back surface of the cover sheet refers to the surface on which the sheet bundle is adhered, and the front surface refers to the opposite surface. In addition, the width direction refers to the direction from the bonding surface side edge to the edge edge side in the paper, and refers to the direction from one edge edge side to the back edge to the other edge side edge in the cover sheet. The main body refers to a sheet bundle covered with a cover sheet.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a booklet subjected to case binding.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a case-bound booklet, which is a U-shaped cover sheet 2 and a back portion 4a (glue application surface 6) of a sheet bundle 4 in which a plurality of sheets 3 (sometimes referred to as body sheets) are bundled. ) Are bonded by an adhesive 5.
2A is the front cover of the booklet, 2B is the back cover of the booklet, 2C is the back of the booklet, 2D is the front of the front / back cover, 2E is the back of the front / back cover Pointing.

  Here, the back surface refers to the surface that is bonded to the sheet bundle when the cover sheet is in the form of a booklet, and the front surface is the opposite surface, that is, the outer surface of the booklet in the form of a booklet. pointing.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram when a post-processing device is connected to the image forming apparatus.

  2 and 1, the image forming apparatus A has an image forming apparatus main body B that forms an image on a recording material, and a post-processing device FS is connected when post-processing is performed on the paper 3.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus body B and a post-processing apparatus FS are referred to as an image forming apparatus. However, the image forming apparatus body B is referred to as an image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus and the post-processing apparatus FS are referred to. What is configured may be referred to as an image forming system.

  An automatic document feeder DF that feeds a document to the image reading unit B1 may be connected to the upper part of the image forming apparatus main body B.

[Image forming device body]
In this column, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention that does not perform image formation on the sheet bundle bonding portion of the cover sheet when case binding is selected will be described.

  The illustrated image forming apparatus main body B includes an image reading unit B1, an image processing unit B2, an image writing unit B3, an image forming unit B4, a paper feeding / conveying unit B5, a fixing unit B6, an operation display unit B7, and an image data generating unit B8. And control means CB for controlling them.

  The image forming unit B4 includes a photosensitive drum 4A, a charging unit 4B, a developing unit 4C, a transfer unit 4D, a separating unit 4E, a cleaning unit 4F, and the like. The sheet feeding / conveying unit B5 includes a sheet feeding cassette 5A and a sheet feeding cassette 5B. , Paper feed cassette 5C, first paper feed means 5D, second paper feed means 5E, third paper feed means 5F, registration roller 5G, transport means 5H, paper discharge means 5I, automatic duplex copy paper feed means (ADU) 5J have.

  The operation display means B7 is located on the upper front surface of the image forming apparatus main body B, and has various operation switches such as a start switch, a touch panel that can display various information and input various information, and the like. Display screen for displaying device status and warnings, instruction screen for prompting the operator to operate, setting or selection of various image forming conditions for case binding, setting or selection of used paper and cover paper, post-processing for case binding An input screen for inputting setting or selection of conditions is displayed, and operation contents set and selected based on the displayed screen are input to the control means CB.

  An automatic document feeder DF is mounted on the upper part of the image forming apparatus main body B.

  A post-processing device FS is connected to the paper discharge means 5I side (downstream side) on the left side of the image forming apparatus main body B shown in the figure.

  The original placed on the original table of the automatic document feeder DF is read on one or both sides of the original by the optical system of the image reading means B1, and the analog signal of the photoelectrically converted original image is the image processing means. In B2, analog processing, A / D conversion, shading correction, image compression processing, and the like are performed to obtain digital image data. The digital image data is processed and generated by the image data generation means B8 and processed by the operator. The digital image data thus sent is sent to the image writing means B3.

  In the image writing means B3, the output light from the semiconductor laser is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 4A of the image forming means B4 to form a latent image.

  Here, image data or the like may be received from the external information terminal PC via the communication means CP1 and communication means CB2, and processed and generated by the image data generation means B8.

  In the image forming unit B4, the charging unit 4B, the developing unit 4C, and the like uniformly charge the photosensitive drum 4A and develop the latent image to form a toner image on the photosensitive drum 4A, and transfer unit 4D and separating unit Processing such as transfer of the toner image onto the paper 3 fed from the paper feeding / conveying means B5, separation of the paper 3 and cleaning of the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 4A are performed by the cleaning means 4F and 4E.

  The image of the paper 3 fed from the paper feeding / conveying means B5 is transferred to the paper 3 by the transfer means 4D. The sheet 3 carrying the image is fixed with the toner image by the fixing unit B6, and is fed from the paper discharge unit 5I to the downstream post-processing device FS.

  In the case of forming images on both sides, the sheet 3 on which the first (front) image has been fixed sent to the automatic double-sided copy paper feeding means 5J is again formed on the second side (back) image by the image forming means B4. After fixing, the paper is discharged by the paper discharge means 5I and fed to the downstream post-processing device FS.

  The communication means CB1 connected to the control means CB arranged in the image forming apparatus main body B and the communication means CF1 connected to the control means CF of the post-processing apparatus arranged in the post-processing apparatus FS are communication lines. 9 is used to transmit / receive various data and control signals related to image formation.

  A communication unit CB2 connected to the control unit CB is connected to a communication unit CP1 of an external information terminal PC (for example, a personal computer) via the Internet or a LAN, and controls various data including image data and image formation. Send and receive information.

  A post-processing apparatus that can be suitably connected to the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described below by taking a glued case binding apparatus as an example thereof as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the gluing case binding apparatus is a booklet that is formed by bundling a plurality of sheets into a bundle, applying an adhesive to the edge of the bundle of sheets, and wrapping the cover sheet in a U-shape. Refers to a post-processing device characterized in that

[Glued case binding device]
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the glued case binding apparatus FSN.

  3 and 1, the glued case binding apparatus FSN, which is a kind of FS of the post-processing apparatus, is a sheet transport unit 10 that transports the sheet 3 and the cover sheet 2 or the sheet 3, and the sheet 3 is fixedly discharged. The sheet discharge means 20 for discharging to the table 24, the cover sheet supply means 30 for supplying the cover sheet 2, the sheet bundle storage means 40 for storing a plurality of conveyed sheets 3 and forming a sheet bundle, and the sheet for holding the sheet bundle A bundle gripping means 50, an adhesive application means 60 for applying glue to the edge of the sheet bundle, a cover sheet applying means 70 for attaching a cover sheet to the sheet bundle to which glue has been applied, and a display sheet attached to the sheet bundle. A cover folding means 80 that folds along the line, a booklet discharge means 90 for discharging the completed booklet, a control means CF that performs control related to glued case binding, and a communication means CF1 that communicates with the image forming apparatus. ing.

  Each of the sheet conveying means 10 to the booklet discharging means 90 is arranged in a vertical line in the gluing case binding apparatus main body.

<Paper conveying means 10>
The sheet 3 introduced into the sheet conveying unit 10 is nipped between the entrance rollers 11 and 12 and conveyed, and is branched into the sheet discharging unit 20 and the sheet bundle accommodating unit 40 by the conveying path switching unit G1.

<Discharge means 20>
When the paper discharge is set, the conveyance path switching unit G1 blocks the conveyance path in the direction of the sheet bundle storage unit 40, opens the conveyance path in the direction of the sheet discharge unit 20, and discharges the sheet 3 to the sheet discharge unit 20. Transport to.

  The sheet 3 passing through the conveyance path to the sheet discharge unit 20 is nipped by the conveyance rollers 21 and 22 and conveyed upward, and is discharged onto a fixed sheet discharge tray (sub-tray) 24 at the top of the apparatus by the sheet discharge roller 23. Be contained. On the fixed paper discharge tray 24, the paper 3 discharged from the image forming apparatus main body B is directly received, and a maximum of about 200 sheets can be stacked.

<Cover Supply Unit 30>
A cover sheet (hereinafter referred to as a cover) 2 accommodated in a sheet feed tray 31 of the cover sheet supply means 30 is separated and fed by a sheet feed means 32, and is sandwiched between conveyance rollers 33, and is conveyed by a conveyance path switching means G2. Guided downward, sandwiched between transport rollers 34, 35, 36 and transported to cover sheet pasting means 70.

  In the case of using a cover sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus main body B, the cover sheet fed from the image forming apparatus main body B is used as the entrance rollers 11 and 12, the transport path switching means G1, the transport path switching means G2, The paper is once transported to the sheet bundle housing means 40 side through the transport roller 45, and then the transport roller 45 is reversed to transport the cover sheet to the cover sheet supply means 30 through the transport path switching means G3, the transport roller 33, and the paper feed means 32. Housed in a paper tray 31. And it conveys to the cover sticking means 70 as mentioned above at the time of sticking a cover.

<Paper bundle accommodating means 40>
The sheets 3 conveyed to the sheet bundle accommodation means 40 side downstream in the sheet conveyance direction by the conveyance path switching means G1 and G2 are sandwiched by the conveyance rollers 41 and accommodated at predetermined positions of the sheet bundle accommodation means 40 and sequentially stacked. A sheet bundle 4 composed of a predetermined number of sheets 3 is formed.

  The sheet bundle accommodating means 40 includes a sheet placing table 42 that is inclined, a swingable sheet rear end positioning member 43, a sheet width aligning member 44 that positions the sheet width direction, and the like.

  When a sheet bundle 4 is present in a sheet bundle gripping unit 50 to be described later, it has a function of stocking sheets successively conveyed from the image forming apparatus main body B.

<Paper bundle gripping means 50>
The sheet bundle 4 stacked on the sheet placing table 42 of the sheet bundle accommodating means 40 is conveyed obliquely downward by an unillustrated pushing means. Thereafter, the sheet bundle 4 is grasped by the grasping means 51 of the sheet bundle grasping means 50, and is rotated so that the surface of the sheet bundle 4 on which the glue application process is performed is held downward while the sheet bundle 4 is grasped. To be stopped.

<Glue application means 60>
The glue applying means 60 includes a glue applying member (also referred to as an application roller) 61, a rotating means 62 for the application roller 61, a glue container 63 for storing glue, a moving body 64, and a moving means for reciprocating the moving body 64. , And. The moving body 64 supports the application roller 61, the rotating means 62, and the glue container 63, and is movable along the small edge 4 b of the sheet bundle 4 (front and back direction in the drawing).

  The glue application member 61 is not limited to the application roller, and a glue application nozzle, a double-sided adhesive tape, and the like are also applicable.

<Covering means 70>
The cover sticking means 70 receives and transports the cover sheet 2 supplied from the cover supply means 30, and stops it at a predetermined position where, for example, the approximate center of the cover sheet in the width direction coincides with the central portion of the edge of the sheet bundle 4. Conveying belts 71, 72, a pressure member 73 that presses the cover sheet 2 against the glue application surface 6 of the sheet bundle 4, a moving casing 74 that supports the conveying belts 71, 72 and the pressing member 73, and a moving casing Elevating means 75 is provided for enabling 74 to move vertically.

  The lifting / lowering means 75 is supported by a support base 751, is rotatably supported by a support shaft 752, and is supported by two arms 753 and 754 that intersect the X shape, and a long groove portion 755 of the support base 751 connected to a drive source. , And a movable shaft 756 that can move horizontally along with the roller 757 that supports the movable housing 74.

  By moving the movable shaft 756, the upper ends of the two arms 753 and 754 are raised, and the movable casing 74 is moved to the upper position. At the raised position (the position indicated by the broken line in FIG. 3), the center portion of the cover sheet 2 placed on the pressure member 73 is pressed and bonded to the glue application surface 6 of the sheet bundle 4a.

<Cover sheet cutting means 76>
A cover sheet cutting means 76 arranged on the right side of the movable casing 74 in the drawing cuts the length in the transport direction of the cover sheet 2 to a predetermined length by a cutter (not shown) as necessary.

<Cover folding means 80>
A cover folding means 80 is provided above the cover sticking means 70. The cover bending means 80 includes a pair of symmetrical bending members 81. The bending member 81 can move in the thickness direction of the sheet bundle 4 and can move in the vertical direction.
The folding member 8 bends the cover sheet 2 along the side edge of the glue application surface 6 of the sheet bundle 4 and superimposes the cover sheet 2 on the front and back surfaces of the sheet bundle 4 to form a front cover and a back cover.

<Booklet cutting means>
A booklet cutting means (not shown) for cutting the small edge 4b side of the booklet 1 is disposed upstream of the two discharge belts 91 and 92 (right side in the drawing).

  The booklet 1 in which the cover sheet 2 is pasted on the back part 4a of the sheet bundle 4 to which the glue is applied and the front cover and the back cover are formed is conveyed with the front end facing the booklet cutting means, and the cutting position is the booklet cutting. It stops when it reaches the cutter of the means, and the booklet 1 is cut along the scheduled cutting position by the cutter to form a booklet of a predetermined size.

<Booklet discharge method>
The booklet 1 in which the cover sheet 2 is pasted on the back of the sheet bundle 4 to which glue has been applied to form the front cover and the back cover is discharged from the discharge opening 93 by the two discharge belts 91 and 92 of the booklet discharge means 90. The paper is discharged out of the apparatus, placed on the lifting / lowering tray 94, and sequentially stacked. When the booklet 1 is discharged and stacked on the lifting / lowering tray 94, the lifting / lowering tray 94 is sequentially lowered.

It should be noted that folding means for folding the cover into two, three, etc. is provided downstream of the cover supply means 30 of the case binding apparatus FSN, and the portion corresponding to the front cover or back cover of the cover is folded into two as required. It may be tri-folded.
As described above, the glue case binding has been described. However, the glue application means 60 and the cover sheet attaching means 70 may be replaced with a staple means for wrapping and stapling a sheet bundle with cover sheets to perform staple case packaging.

  In the following, image formation is described, in which image formation is not performed on the sheet bundle adhesion portion of the back cover surface (sheet bundle adhesion surface) when selecting glued case binding.

  FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of the image forming apparatus main body.

  The image forming apparatus main body B includes an image reading unit B1, an image processing unit B2, an image writing unit B3, an image forming unit B4, a paper feeding / conveying unit B5, a fixing unit B6, and an automatic document feeder DF. Control means CB for controlling via I / O, operation display means B7 for inputting various operation information input from the operator to the control means CB, and displaying based on various display information output from the control means CB, and Communication means CB1 for communicating with the communication means CF1 connected to the control means CF of the glued case binding apparatus FSN, which is a processing apparatus, via the communication line 9, and communication means connected to the control means CP of the external information terminal PC A communication unit CB2 that communicates with CP1 via the Internet or a LAN, and the above-described image reading unit B1 to automatic document feeder DF of the image forming apparatus main body B. ROM / M1 preliminarily storing a control program to control and a method for transmitting and receiving information relating to glue case binding with an external information terminal PC between the glue case and book binding device FSN and various information are temporarily stored. It has a battery-backed RAM M2.

  The ROM M1 stores in advance a sheet thickness table for various sheet types, which will be described later, and image information for various screens, which will be described later, as various sheet thickness information.

  The contents of the sheet thickness table with respect to the sheet type, that is, the sheet thickness information with respect to the sheet type, can be additionally changed by setting the sheet thickness addition / change mode or replacing the ROM in the operation display means B7. .

  The RAM M2 stores selected execution function information, applied function information, various image data, and various calculation results, which will be described later.

  Further, the contents of the paper thickness / dimension table for each paper feed cassette, that is, the paper type, thickness, and size information for the paper feed cassette can be added or changed by the operation display means B7 by setting the cassette paper addition / change mode. It is possible.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart according to glued case binding of the image forming apparatus main body.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram of a cassette / paper input screen displayed on the operation display means.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram of a basic screen displayed on the operation display means.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram of an application function selection screen displayed on the operation display means.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram of a post-processing function selection screen displayed on the operation display means.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram of a paper selection screen used for the cover page displayed on the operation display means.

  The program described in the following flow chart is stored in the ROM · M1, stored in the RAM · M2, and executed by the control means CB.

  preparation work. For example, when the sheet is stored in a sheet cassette, the operator inputs the type and size of the sheet stored in each sheet cassette and stores the input contents.

  The operator displays on the operation display means B7 a paper cassette / paper input screen B71 (FIG. 6) for inputting the type and size of paper stored in each of the paper cassettes 5A to 5C, and is stored in each paper cassette. The type and size of the current paper (cover paper) are input, and the contents are stored in the RAM M2.

  Specifically, the paper cassette to be set is selected in the paper cassette designation area B71a, the paper size is selected in the size designation area B71b according to the paper stored in the selected paper cassette, and the paper type designation is then performed. The paper type is selected in the area B71c. The paper size and paper type information corresponding to the selected paper feed cassette are stored in the RAM M2.

  Note that, for example, A3 Nobi paper refers to paper having at least the width dimension of the paper slightly longer than A3 on the premise that the front edge is cut when the booklet is A4 paper.

  In the drawing, it is shown that the first paper feed unit is selected by the operator, and then A4 size plain paper is selected as the paper of the first paper feed unit.

  Hereinafter, A4 size plain paper is selected as the first paper feed cassette, and A3 size plain paper is selected as the third paper feed cassette, that is, A4 size plain paper is stored in the first paper feed cassette. In the following description, it is assumed that the third paper feed cassette contains plain paper of A3 size.

Function selection process. A basic screen is displayed on the operation display means to prompt selection of a function to be executed. (Step S101)
Specifically, the screen data of the basic screen B72 (FIG. 7) stored in advance in the ROM M1 is read, the basic screen B72 including the function setting screen B72a is displayed on the operation display means B7, and the function executed by the operator. Encourage selection.

  Then, the selected function to be executed is stored in the RAM M2.

  The following description assumes that the applied function (B72b) is selected from the function setting portion B72a.

Application function selection process. An application function selection screen is displayed on the operation display means to prompt selection of an application function to be executed. (Step S102)
Specifically, in accordance with the application function selected in step S101, the screen data of the application function menu screen B73 (FIG. 8) stored in advance in the ROM M1 is read, and the application function menu is displayed in the operation display means B7. A screen B73 is displayed to prompt the operator to select an application function to be executed.

  Then, the selected application function is stored in the RAM M2.

  The following description assumes that the post-processing function (B73a) is selected from the application function menu screen B73.

  Note that the process may start directly from step S102.

Post-processing function selection process. A post-processing function selection screen is displayed on the operation display means to prompt selection of a post-processing function to be executed. (Step S103)
Specifically, in accordance with the post-processing function selected in step S102, the screen data of the post-processing function menu screen B74 (FIG. 9) stored in advance in the ROM M1 is read, and the post-processing function is displayed in the operation display means B7. Menu screen B74 is displayed to prompt the operator to select a post-processing function to be executed.

  Then, the selected post-processing function is stored in the RAM M2.

  The following description will be made assuming that the gluing case processing (B74a) is selected from the menu screen B74 of the post-processing function.

Selection process of used paper and used cover. A sheet and cover selection screen is displayed on the operation display means to prompt the user to select a sheet and cover to be used. (Step S104)
Specifically, in accordance with the selected gluing case processing function, the screen data of the paper and cover used paper cassette selection screen B75 (FIG. 10) pre-stored in the ROM M1 is read and displayed on the operation display means B7. The paper and cover used paper feed cassette selection screen B75 is displayed to prompt the operator to select a paper feed cassette to be used as paper and cover paper.

  Then, the selected sheet and cover sheet feeding cassette are stored in the RAM M2.

  In the figure, the sheet is fed from the first sheet cassette and the cover is selected to feed from the third sheet cassette.

  In the following description, it is assumed that the first paper cassette, that is, A4 size plain paper is selected from the paper and cover used paper feed cassette selection screen B75, and the third paper cassette, that is, A3 novi size plain paper is selected as the cover paper. .

  Here, for example, the fact that the first paper feed unit is A4 and plain paper is displayed by reading out the type and size information of the paper stored in each paper feed cassette stored in the RAM M2 in the preparatory work. be able to.

Paper image formation process. Image information to be printed is acquired from the information terminal PC or from the image reading unit B1, and the acquired image information is sequentially formed on a sheet. Then, the number of sheets on which images are formed is counted. (Step S105)
Specifically, when acquiring image information (including images such as characters and pictures) from the information terminal PC, (1) the control means CB to the control means CP via the communication means CB1, the Internet, the communication means CP1, etc. (2) Receive image information transmitted from the control means CP via the communication means CP1, the Internet, the communication means CB1, etc. in response to the transmission request, and (3) receive the image information to be printed. The image information is temporarily stored in the RAM M2, and (4) the stored image information is read to form a latent image, the latent image is developed, and the use related to the sheet selected in step S104 and stored in the RAM M2 An image is formed by transferring and fixing to a sheet fed based on sheet cassette information.

  Further, when acquiring image information to be printed from the image reading unit B1, (1) sequentially transport the original, sequentially read the image on the transported paper by the image reading unit B1, and form an image in the same manner.

  In either method, the number of sheets on which image formation has been performed is counted by a counter (not shown). Further, it may be counted by a counter (not shown) that counts the number of sheets fed.

The following description will be made assuming that the count value of the counter is n ₁ sheets.

Sheet bundle thickness calculation process. Calculate the thickness of the stack of paper. (Step S106)
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a paper thickness table for paper types and a paper dimension table for paper sizes.

  Specifically, the paper corresponding to the paper type stored in the RAM M2 in step S104 and the paper cassette information (paper type information) supplied as the cover paper and the paper type stored in advance in the ROM M1 The image data of the thickness table B76 (FIG. 11) is read out, and the paper thickness corresponding to the paper cassette information (paper type information) is acquired.

Since plain paper is selected in step S103, the thickness d ₄ mm corresponding to the plain paper is read from the paper thickness table B76 for the paper type, and the number n of sheets obtained in step S104 is obtained as the paper thickness. _A calculation for calculating the product of ₁ is performed to calculate the thickness D of the sheet bundle, and the calculation result is stored in the RAM M2.

D = d ₄ × n ₁ (mm)
Acquisition process of print image data on the cover. The image data of the front surface and the back surface to be printed on the cover is obtained from the information terminal or the like via the communication means. (Step S107)
The image data of the front surface and the back surface and the image data of the back surface are acquired from the information terminal PC or the like via the communication unit CB1, the communication unit CP1, and the like.

  Specifically, in the same manner as the method for acquiring the image to be printed on the paper in step S105, the image data to be printed on the front surface and the back surface of the cover is transmitted from the external information terminal PC or the like to the communication means CP1, communication. Transmit via means CB2. The received image data is stored in the RAM M2.

Print image generation process for cover paper. Print image data is generated from the image data of the front surface and the back surface acquired in step S107 by the image data generation means. (Step S108)
This process is performed after the thickness of the sheet bundle is ascertained, that is, at least after the number of sheets on which images are formed. For this reason, it is performed after image formation on all sheets.

  The image data of the front surface and the back surface acquired in step S107 and stored in the RAM M2 is obtained in step S107 so that the image is positioned at an appropriate position on the cover sheet according to the thickness of the sheet bundle. The image data on the front surface and the back surface are shifted.

Cover sheet image forming process. Image formation is performed on the front and back surfaces of the cover sheet. (Step S109)
Specifically, the front surface print image data generated in step S108 is read and sent to the image writing means B3, a latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 4A, development is performed, and the cover sheet stored in step S104 is stored. Transfer is performed on a cover sheet fed from a sheet feeding cassette (for example, a third sheet feeding cassette) that feeds the sheet, fixing is performed, and image formation is performed on the front surface.

  Next, in accordance with the setting, the back side print image data stored in the RAM M2 is read in step S107, sent to the image writing means B3, a latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 4A, and developed by the image forming means B4. Then, the image is formed on the back side of the paper that has been fed upside down.

  Then, the cover sheet on which the image is formed on the front side is fed to the post-processing device.

  For the printing of the cover sheet, the front side printing and the back side image forming may be performed by the same method as described above (step S109) using an offline independent image forming apparatus.

  In this case, when post-processing (gluing case binding) described later is performed, the cover sheet that has been printed is manually fed to the cover supply means 30 of the post-processing apparatus by the operator.

  In the following, a process related to glued case binding of the post-processing apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart relating to gluing case binding of the post-processing apparatus.

Paper feeding process to the paper post-processing device. The sheet on which the image is formed in step S105 is fed to the post-processing apparatus as it is. (Step S201)
Specifically, the sheet formed by the image forming apparatus in step S105 is loaded on the sheet placing table 42 of the sheet bundle accommodating unit 40 through the entrance rollers 11 and 12, the conveying roller 45, and the conveying roller 41. The sheet is stored and a sheet bundle is formed.

Feeding process to the cover sheet post-processing device. The cover sheet on which the front side and the back side are printed (excluding the back) is fed to the post-processing device. (Step S202)
Specifically, the post-processing device receives information indicating that the cover sheet on which image formation has been completed in step S109 is fed and the sheet fed with the cover sheet is the cover sheet via the communication unit CB1, the communication line 9, and the communication unit CF1. To the control means CF.

  As a result, the post-processing apparatus determines that the fed sheet is the cover sheet, and the cover sheet is temporarily stored in the sheet bundle via the entrance rollers 11 and 12, the conveyance path switching means G1, the conveyance path switching means G2, and the conveyance roller 45. Then, the sheet is conveyed to the means 40 side, and then the conveyance roller 45 is reversed to convey the cover sheet to the cover sheet supply means 30 via the conveyance path switching means G 3, the conveyance roller 33 and the sheet feeding means 32, and accommodated in the sheet feeding tray 31.

  When the cover sheet is printed by an off-line independent image forming apparatus, the cover sheet on which image formation has been completed is manually fed into the sheet feeding tray 31 of the cover sheet supply means 30 of the post-processing apparatus.

The process of transporting the stack of sheets and cover sheet to the glue application position. The sheet bundle and the cover sheet are conveyed to the glue application unit. (Step S203)
A sheet bundle 4 composed of a predetermined number of sheets stacked on the sheet placing table 42 of the sheet bundle accommodating means 40 and aligned by the sheet rear end positioning member 43 and the sheet width aligning member 44 is grasped by the grasping means 51. The sheet rear end positioning member 43 is swung by a driving unit (not shown) and retracts below the sheet placing table 42. The gripping means 51 that grips the sheet bundle 4 moves obliquely downward in the figure and then turns so that the sheet bundle 4 becomes vertical with the surface of the sheet bundle 4 subjected to the glue application process on the lower side. (Hereinafter also referred to as an upright state), and stops at a predetermined position.

  On the other hand, the cover sheet 2 accommodated in the sheet feeding tray 31 of the cover sheet supply means 30 is fed by the sheet feeding means 32, sandwiched between the conveyance rollers 33, guided downward by the conveyance path switching means G2, and conveyed by the conveyance rollers. 34, 35, and 36, and are further conveyed by the conveyor belts 71 and 72 of the cover sticking means 70 and stopped at a predetermined position.

  A cutting unit 76 arranged on the right side of the conveyance belt 71 cuts the length of the cover sheet 2 in the conveyance direction to a predetermined length. That is, since the length of the cover sheet 2 in the conveyance direction varies depending on the thickness of the sheet bundle 4, the length of the cover sheet 2 can be obtained by inputting or detecting the number of sheets 3 and the thickness of the sheet 3 in advance. Is calculated. Prior to attaching the cover sheet, the cover sheet 2 is positioned by advancing and retreating by the conveying belts 71 and 72, and an excess portion of the cover sheet 2 is cut to an optimum length by the cutting means 76. The cutting length of the cover sheet 2 is a length obtained by adding the thickness of the back portion of the sheet bundle 4 to the length of two sheets in the traveling direction of the sheet 3.

The glue application process to the paper bundle. Glue is applied to the edge of the sheet bundle 4. (Step S204)
Specifically, the moving body 64 of the glue applying unit 60 is moved by a driving unit (not shown) in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the lower surface of the sheet bundle 4 held upright by the holding unit 51.

  The moving body 64 starts to move from the initial position on the back side of the glue-wrapping bookbinding apparatus FSN, for example, outside the area in the glue application direction of the maximum size paper, and is moved along the guide member (not shown). After stopping at a predetermined position on the front side of the bookbinding apparatus FSN, for example, the bookbinding apparatus FSN is reversely driven to return to the initial position.

  The application roller 61 immersed in the paste container 63 is rotated by the motor M1 and the rotating means 62. The application roller 61 applies glue in the longitudinal direction of the lower surface of the sheet bundle 4 held in an upright state by the forward or backward movement of the moving body 64.

Bonding process between a stack of sheets and a cover sheet. The cover sheet is pressed and bonded to the bundle of sheets coated with glue. (Step S205)
Specifically, after the glue application process to the sheet bundle 4 is completed, the movable shaft 756 of the elevating means 75 is horizontally moved along the long groove portion 755 by a driving means (not shown), thereby allowing the two arms 753 and 754 to move. The upper end roller 757 is raised, and the movable casing 74 is moved to the upper position. At this raised position, the center portion of the cover sheet 2 placed on the pressure member 73 is pressed against and adhered to the glue application surface 6 of the sheet bundle 4.

  Prior to the ascent of the cover sheet pasting means 70, the discharge belt 91 is rotated and retracted to prevent interference with the sheet bundle 4 held in an upright state.

  After bonding the cover sheet 2 to the sheet bundle 4, the pair of bending members 81 are driven by a driving unit (not shown) in the ascending state of the cover pasting means 70, and are raised above the extended surface on the upper surface of the pressure member 73. By the upward movement of the pair of bending members 81, the cover sheet 2 is pushed up by the upper surfaces of the pair of bending members 81 and is bent from the side edge of the glue application surface 6 of the sheet bundle 4.

  Thereafter, the pair of bending members 81 moves in the horizontal direction toward the glue application surface side of the sheet bundle 4 and presses and shapes both side surfaces of the sheet bundle 4 to form the booklet 1.

  After the folding process of the cover sheet 2 is completed, the pair of folding members 81 are retracted from the bent portion of the cover sheet 2, and the pressure member 73 is retracted downward by the link mechanism 77.

Booklet discharge process. The booklet for which glued case binding has been completed is discharged. (Step S206)
It is sectional drawing of the gluing bookbinding apparatus FSN which shows the discharge process of the booklet 1 which consists of the paper bundle 4 and the cover paper 2. FIG.

  After the folding process of the cover sheet 2, the cover sticking means 70 is lowered and retracted by the lowering drive of the lifting and lowering means 75, and then the discharge belt 91 is swung and stopped at the lower position of the booklet 1. Thereafter, when the gripping by the gripping means 51 is released, the booklet 1 is lowered and stops at a position where the lower back portion of the booklet 1 contacts the upper surface of the discharge belt 91.

  When rotation of the discharge belts 91 and 92 is started by a driving means (not shown), the booklet 1 is mounted on the discharge belts 91 and 92 and conveyed, discharged from the discharge opening 93 to the outside of the apparatus, and the lift discharge tray 94. Placed on top.

  Note that the glued case binding apparatus FSN of the present invention is configured as an independent apparatus without being connected to the image forming apparatus, and the sheets processed by the other image forming apparatuses are loaded on the sheet placing table 42 of the sheet bundle accommodating means 40. It is also possible to load the cover sheet 2 into the cover sheet supply means 30 and perform the glue binding process offline by the glue applying means 60, the cover sticking means 70, and the cover folding means 80.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the cover sheet printing process is positioned after the sheet image forming process, so that the cover sheet is supplied in parallel while the glue is applied to the back of the body. It is possible to improve productivity. Also, by positioning the cover sheet printing process after the sheet image forming process, it is possible to print the image on the cover sheet after accurately grasping the thickness of the sheet bundle. Can be printed, and a high-quality booklet can be manufactured.

(Second Embodiment)
[System configuration]
The system configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the configuration of the gluing case binding device FSN is different.

  FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of the glued case binding apparatus FSN according to the second embodiment. The same members as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG. The configuration is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment except that the paper feeding / conveying means 100 is provided.

  The paper feeding / conveying means 100 includes a paper feeding cassette 101, a paper feeding means 102, and the like. A cover sheet is stored in the sheet cassette 101. By driving the paper feeding means 102, the cover paper in the paper feeding cassette 101 is supplied and conveyed toward the cover sticking means 70.

[Control configuration]
FIG. 14 is a control block diagram of the image forming system according to the second embodiment. The same elements as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  It comprises an image forming apparatus main body B, a glued case binding apparatus FSN, and an information terminal PC. The image forming apparatus main body B forms an image on a sheet based on the image data transmitted from the information terminal PC or the image reading means B1 of the image forming apparatus main body B.

  The image forming apparatus main body B has ROM / M1, RAM / M2, image reading means B1, image forming means B4, supply by a bus BB, centering on a control means CB for executing various controls of the image forming apparatus main body B according to a program. The paper transport unit B5, the operation display unit B7, and the communication unit CB1 are connected to each other.

  The ROM M1 stores various programs and data, and the control unit CB executes control of the image forming apparatus main body B using these programs and data.

  The RAM M2 is used as a work area by the control means CB, and temporarily stores programs and data required when the control means CB executes control.

  The image reading unit B1 reads the original and generates image data. The generated image data is processed by the control means CB and output to the image forming means B4.

  The image forming unit B4 forms an image on a sheet based on image data input from the image reading unit B1 or the information terminal PC.

  The sheet feeding / conveying means B5 conveys the body sheet or cover sheet stored in the sheet feeding cassettes 5A, 5B, 5C toward the image forming means B4.

  The operation display means B7 is composed of a touch panel or the like, displays various operation screens, setting screens, etc., and inputs various mode selections, image formation instructions, and the like.

  The communication means CB1 is connected to the glued case binding apparatus FSN, and transmits / receives various data to / from the glued case binding apparatus FSN.

  The communication means CB2 is connected to the information terminal PC and receives image data transmitted from the information terminal PC.

  The gluing case binding apparatus FSN is composed of a control unit CF that executes various controls of the gluing case binding apparatus FSN in accordance with a program, and a ROM / M3, a RAM / M4, a sheet feeding / conveying unit 100, and a communication unit CF1 via a bus FB. Are connected to each other.

  The ROM M3 stores various programs and data, and the control means CF executes control of the gluing case binding apparatus FSN using these programs and data.

  The RAM M4 is used as a work area by the control means CF, and temporarily stores programs and data required when the control means CF executes control.

  The sheet feeding / conveying means 100 conveys the cover sheet stored in the sheet feeding cassette 101 toward the cover sheet pasting means 70.

  The communication unit CF1 is connected to the image forming apparatus main body B and transmits / receives various data to / from the image forming apparatus main body B.

  The information terminal PC has a ROM P5, a ROM M6, a hard disk M7, an operation unit P1, a display unit P2, and a communication unit CP1 through a bus PB, with the control unit CP executing the control of the information terminal PC according to a program. Are connected to each other.

  The ROM M5 stores various programs and data, and the control means CP executes control of the information terminal PC using these programs and data.

  The ROM M6 is used as a work area by the control means CP, and temporarily stores programs and data necessary for the control means CP to execute control.

  The hard disk M7 stores an application program for creating image data, a printer driver, and the like.

  The operation means P1 is operated by the user, and various inputs are performed on the application program screen, the printer driver screen, and the like.

  The display means P2 displays an application program screen, a printer driver screen, and the like.

  The communication unit CP1 is connected to the image forming apparatus main body B and transmits image data to the image forming apparatus main body B.

[Control Overview]
FIG. 15 shows a sequence of document reading and print output according to the second embodiment. As an example, a case where a cover sheet is fed from a sheet feeding cassette of the image forming apparatus main body B will be described. The page images are read in the order of the front cover, the body 1 to N (the first page to the Nth page of the body), and the back cover.

  As shown in the figure, when printing is performed by feeding from the body paper, the body processing, for example, while applying glue on the back of the body or performing alignment processing of the body bundle During this time, cover sheets can be supplied in parallel, and the productivity of case binding can be improved. This effect is achieved regardless of the input order of page image data. It is also achieved when no image is formed on the cover sheet.

  In the case of outputting a plurality of copies, the sheet bundle storage means 40 is provided, so that, for example, even when the first copy of the body paper is present in the sheet bundle gripping means 50 and the second copy is being performed. The printed body paper can be temporarily stored in the paper bundle accommodating means 40. For this reason, it is not necessary to interrupt the printing of the second copy of the body paper for the case binding process of the first copy, so that the productivity of print output is improved and the productivity of case binding is improved. This effect is achieved regardless of the input order of page image data. It is also achieved when no image is formed on the cover sheet.

  When the page images are read in the order of the front cover, the body 1 to N, and the back cover, if the paper is fed from the body paper before the cover paper and printed, for example, the image of the body 1 is displayed. At the time of reading, printing of the body paper 1 (the first body paper) can be started, and it is not necessary to wait until the final page image is read. Thereby, the productivity of print output is improved, and the productivity of case binding is improved.

  When the cover sheet is fed from the sheet feeding cassette 101 of the gluing case binding apparatus FSN, the sheet feeding path is independent of the main body conveyance path, and therefore, the sheet should be fed simultaneously with the start of the job. For the second and subsequent copies, for example, a sensor may detect that the first copy of the booklet has been discharged from the cover sticking means 70 and feed the next cover. Further, when the gluing case binding apparatus FSN includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a cover sheet (for example, provided in a path from the sheet feeding / conveying unit 100 to the cover sheet pasting unit 70), It is preferable that the cover image is formed at an appropriate position on the cover sheet by forming the cover image on the cover sheet by the image forming unit after forming the image and calculating the thickness of the main sheet bundle.

[Paper Feed Control Flow of Image Forming Apparatus Main Body B]
FIG. 16 is a control flowchart of print start processing and paper feed processing of the image forming apparatus main body B according to the second embodiment. This control is performed by the control means CB executing processing based on a program stored in the ROM M1.

  As an example, a control flow when a cover sheet is fed from a sheet feeding cassette of the image forming apparatus main body B will be described. It is assumed that the cover sheet is fed from the sheet feeding cassette 5C and the body sheet is fed from the sheet feeding cassette 5A. In addition, it is assumed that image data is input via the image reading unit B1 of the image forming apparatus main body B.

  First, the control unit CB determines whether or not a job start instruction is input from the operation display unit B7 (step S301). If it is determined that a job start instruction has been input (step S301; Yes), the control unit CB requests the image reading unit B1 to start reading an image (step S302). Thus, if the original document is set in the order of the front cover, the body 1 to N, and the back cover on the automatic document feeder DF, the image is read by the image reading means B1 in the order of the front cover, the body 1 to N, and the back cover. Read. If it is determined that no job start instruction has been input (step S301; No), the process waits until a job start instruction is input.

  Next, the control means CB determines whether there is a body image that has not been output (step S303). If it is determined that there is a body image that has not been output (step S303; Yes), the control unit CB determines whether or not the body paper can be fed (the previous paper feed is completed) (step S304). If it is determined that there is no unoutput body image (step S303; No), the process proceeds to step S306.

  If it is determined in step S304 that the main sheet can be fed (step S304; Yes), the control unit CB feeds the main sheet by driving the first sheet feeding unit 5D to the sheet feeding and conveying unit B5. Request (step S305), and the process returns to step S303. The supplied body sheet is conveyed to the image forming unit B4, and a body image is formed. If it is determined that the real paper cannot be fed (step S304; No), the control unit CB waits until the real paper can be fed.

  In step S306, the control means CB determines whether or not reading of the last page image (back cover image) has been completed. If it is determined that the reading of the last page image has been completed (step S306; Yes), the control means CB determines whether or not the cover sheet can be fed (previous sheet feeding completed) (step S307). . If it is determined that the cover sheet can be fed (step S307; Yes), the control unit CB requests the sheet feeding / conveying unit B5 to drive the third sheet feeding unit 5F to feed the cover sheet (step S307; Yes). Step S308). The fed cover sheet is conveyed to the image forming unit B4, and a front cover image and a back cover image are formed. If it is determined that the cover sheet cannot be fed (step S307; No), the control means CB waits until the cover sheet can be fed.

  Next, the control means CB determines whether or not there is a next part (step S309). If it is determined that there is a next part (step S309; Yes), the process returns to step S303. If it is determined that there is no next part (step S307; No), job end processing is performed (step S310).

[Paper Conveyance Control Flow of Gluing Case Binding Device FSN]
FIG. 17 is a control flowchart of the sheet transport process of the glued case binding apparatus FSN according to the second embodiment. This control is performed by the control means CF executing a process based on a program stored in the ROM M3.

  First, the control means CF determines whether or not a job start signal has been received from the image forming apparatus main body B (step S401). The job start signal is issued based on an input from the operation display unit B7 of the image forming apparatus main body B. If it is determined that the job start signal has been received (step S401; Yes), the control means CF receives the cover mode signal from the image forming apparatus main body B, and the cover mode feeds the cover sheet from the gluing case binding apparatus FSN. In step S402, it is determined whether or not the cover blank mode is selected. The cover page mode is input by the operation display unit B7 of the image forming apparatus main body B. The cover blank mode is a mode in which no image is formed on the cover sheet. If it is determined that the job start signal has not been received (step S401; No), the control means CF waits until the job start signal is input.

  If it is determined in step S402 that the cover mode is the cover blank mode when the cover sheet is fed from the gluing case binding apparatus FSN (step S402; Yes), the control means CF transfers the cover sheet to the cover sticking means 70. It is determined whether or not loading is possible (step S403). If it is determined that the cover mode is not the cover blank mode when the cover sheet is fed from the glue case binding apparatus FSN (step S402; No), the process proceeds to step S405.

  If it is determined in step S403 that the cover sheet can be carried into the cover pasting means 70 (step S403; Yes), the control means CF drives the sheet feeding means 102 to the sheet feeding and conveying means 100 to supply the cover sheet. A request is made to make paper, and the cover paper is carried into the cover sticking means 70 (step S404). If it is determined that the cover sheet cannot be carried into the cover sticking means 70 (step S403; No), the control means CF waits until it is determined that the cover sheet can be carried into the cover sticking means 70.

  In step S405, the control means CF determines whether or not a paper discharge signal transmitted at the time of paper discharge from the image forming apparatus main body B has been received. The paper discharge signal includes paper information of the paper to be discharged. If it is determined that the paper discharge signal has been received (step S405; Yes), the control means CF determines whether or not the discharge paper is a genuine paper from the paper information included in the paper discharge signal (step S406). If it is determined that the paper discharge signal has not been received (step S405; No), the control means CF stands by until a paper discharge signal is received.

  In step S406, when it is determined from the sheet information included in the sheet discharge signal that the discharged sheet is a body sheet (step S406; Yes), the control means CF determines whether or not the previous part is in bookbinding ( Step S407). If it is determined from the paper information included in the paper discharge signal that the discharged paper is not a body paper (step S406; No), the control means CF conveys the discharged paper to the cover sticking means (step S410). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S411.

  If it is determined in step S407 that the front part is in bookbinding (step S407; Yes), the control means CF sets the paper trailing edge positioning member 43 of the paper bundle housing means 40 at a position protruding from the paper placement table. By doing so, the body sheets are stored in the sheet bundle storage means 40 (step S408). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S411. If it is determined that the front part is not in bookbinding (step S407; No), the control means CF sets the paper trailing edge positioning member 43 of the paper bundle accommodating means 40 to a position retracted from the paper placing table 42, thereby making the paper The body sheets conveyed to the bundle storage unit 40 are conveyed to the sheet bundle gripping unit 50 as they are, and the body sheets are accumulated in the sheet bundle holding unit 50 (step S409). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S411.

  In step S411, the control means CF determines whether or not it is the final sheet of the set. If it is determined that the sheet is the final sheet (step S411; Yes), the control means CF transmits a bookbinding start request (step S412). If it is determined that the sheet is not the final sheet (step S411; No), the process returns to step S405.

  Next, the control means CF determines whether or not the job is finished (step S413). If it is determined that the job is finished (step S413; Yes), the flow is finished. If it is determined that the job has not ended (step S413; Yes), the process returns to step S402.

[Control flow of image input processing when inputting image from information terminal PC]
In the second embodiment, image data is input via the image reading unit B1 of the image forming apparatus main body B, but it is of course possible to input an image from the information terminal PC. The control flow of the image data input process in this case is shown in FIG.

  First, in the information terminal PC, when an operation program P1 is instructed by the operation means P1, the control means CP activates the application program, loads the application program from the hard disk M7 to the RAM M6, and displays the application screen. Displayed on P2 (step S501). Next, the control means CP generates the page image data shown in FIG. 15 based on the input from the operation means P1 to the application program screen (step S502).

  Next, when the print menu is selected on the application screen by the operation means P1 (step S503), the control means CP activates the printer driver, loads the printer driver from the hard disk M7 to the RAM M6, and the printer driver screen. Is displayed on the display means P2 (step S504).

  Next, print condition settings such as case binding setting, cover mode setting, cover paper cassette setting, body paper cassette setting, number of copies setting, etc. are performed on the printer driver screen by the operation means P1, and input to the control means CP. (Step S505).

  Next, when a printing execution instruction is given by the operation unit P1 (step S506), the control unit CP sends the page image data created in step S502 and the print condition setting input in step S505 to the communication unit CP1. Then, the image data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus main body B (step S507).

It is explanatory drawing of the booklet which performed the case binding. 3 is an explanatory diagram when a post-processing device is connected to the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is sectional drawing explaining the gluing case binding apparatus FSN. FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the image forming apparatus main body. FIG. 6 is a flowchart according to glued case binding of the image forming apparatus main body. It is a figure of the cassette / paper input screen displayed on an operation display means. It is a figure of the basic screen displayed on the operation display means. It is a figure of the application function selection screen displayed on the operation display means. It is a figure of the post-processing function selection screen displayed on the operation display means. It is a figure of the used paper cassette selection screen of the paper and cover which are displayed on the operation display means. It is explanatory drawing of the paper thickness table with respect to the paper type, and the paper size table with respect to the paper size. It is a flowchart which concerns on the gluing case binding of a post-processing apparatus. It is a block diagram of the gluing case binding apparatus FSN which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 6 is a control block diagram of an image forming system according to a second embodiment. 6 shows a sequence of document reading and print output according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a control flowchart of print start processing and paper feed processing of the image forming apparatus main body B according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a control flow diagram of paper conveyance processing of the glued case binding apparatus FSN according to the second embodiment. It is a control flowchart of the image input process in the case of inputting an image from the information terminal PC.

Explanation of symbols

2 Cover paper 3 Paper (body paper)
40 Paper bundle storage means 100 Paper feeding and conveying means A Image forming apparatus B1 Image reading means (image input means)
B4 Image forming means B5 Paper feeding / conveying means CB Control means CB2 Communication means (image input means)
CF control means FSN Glue case binding device PC information terminal

Claims (14)

In an image forming system comprising an image forming apparatus having a sheet feeding and conveying means for feeding a body sheet and a cover sheet, and a bookbinding apparatus that performs bookbinding based on the body sheet and the cover sheet output from the image forming apparatus,
Control means for controlling the paper feeding and conveying means so as to feed cover paper after feeding the body paper;
An image forming system comprising: The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the bookbinding apparatus includes a sheet bundle storage unit that can store subsequent body sheets during the bookbinding process. The image forming apparatus includes image input means for inputting body image data that is image data for body and cover image data that is image data for a cover,
3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the cover image data is input to the image input unit after the main body image data is input. Having image forming means for forming an image;
The control means controls the paper feeding / conveying means so that the cover paper is supplied to the image forming means after the body paper is supplied to the image forming means. 4. The image forming system according to any one of items 3. The bookbinding apparatus has a sheet feeding and conveying means for feeding a cover sheet;
When the cover sheet is fed from the sheet feeding / conveying unit of the bookbinding apparatus, the control unit is not restricted by the sheet feeding operation of the body sheet from the sheet feeding / conveying unit of the image forming apparatus. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein a cover sheet is fed from a sheet feeding / conveying unit of the apparatus. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the bookbinding unit performs bookbinding by covering the bundle of body sheets in a U-shape with the cover sheet. The image forming system according to claim 6, wherein the bookbinding unit includes a unit that bonds a back portion of the bundle of body sheets and the cover sheet with an adhesive. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms an image, and an image formation control unit that controls image formation by the image forming unit.
When forming an image on the cover sheet, the image formation control unit controls the image forming unit to form an image on the cover sheet after forming an image on the body sheet. The image forming system according to claim 1. In an image forming system comprising: an image forming unit that performs image formation; and a bookbinding unit that performs bookbinding based on a cover sheet and a body sheet imaged by the image forming unit.
An image forming system comprising: a control unit that controls the image forming unit to form an image on the cover sheet after forming an image on the body sheet when an image is formed on the cover sheet. . A sheet bundle thickness calculating unit that calculates a value corresponding to the thickness of a bundle of body sheets imaged by the image forming unit;
The image forming system according to claim 9, wherein the control unit controls the image forming unit to form an image on a cover sheet based on a calculation result of the sheet bundle thickness calculating unit. In an image forming apparatus to which a bookbinding apparatus that performs bookbinding based on body paper and cover paper can be connected,
A sheet feeding and conveying means for feeding the body sheet and the cover sheet;
Control means for controlling the paper feed transport means to feed the cover paper after feeding the body paper;
An image forming apparatus comprising: In a paper feeding method of an image forming apparatus that feeds body paper and cover paper for bookbinding,
A body paper feeding process for feeding body paper;
A cover sheet feeding process for feeding a cover sheet after the body sheet feeding process;
A sheet feeding method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: In an image forming method for forming an image on a body sheet and a cover sheet that are bound,
A body paper image forming process for forming an image on the body paper;
A cover sheet image forming step of forming an image on a cover sheet after the body sheet image forming step;
An image forming method comprising: A sheet bundle thickness calculating step for calculating the thickness of a bundle of body sheets on which image formation has been performed;
Have
The image forming method according to claim 13, wherein the cover sheet image forming step forms an image on a cover sheet based on a calculation result of the sheet bundle thickness calculating step.

Images