JP2015034849A - Image formation device system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation device system capable of improving the processing speed of one job.SOLUTION: An image formation device system including an image formation device which forms an image on a recording sheet and a plurality of processing devices each of which performs the same predetermined processing on the recording sheet discharged from the image formation device at a processing speed slower than the processing speed of the image formation device is configured to make the plurality of processing devices perform parallel processing on a plurality of recording sheets conveyed successively from the image formation device and also to convey the recording sheets having been processed by the plurality of processing devices in the conveyance order of the recording sheets conveyed from the image formation device.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus system including an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a multifunction peripheral, and a printer.

  In an image forming apparatus system including an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a multifunction peripheral, or a printer, a processing apparatus (for example, a post-processing apparatus) is provided on the downstream side of the image forming apparatus, and a recording sheet after an image is formed. The recording sheet may be subjected to processing such as punching or stapling (for example, post-processing).

  In such an image forming apparatus system, the processing speed of the processing apparatus is usually slower than the processing speed (the number of recording sheets processed per unit time) and the processing speed (processing performance) decreases. It is desired to improve the processing speed.

  In this regard, Patent Document 1 discloses that a plurality of processing apparatuses that perform the same predetermined processing on the recording sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus are provided on the downstream side of the image forming apparatus. A configuration is disclosed in which the processing destination of the recording sheet is switched according to the mode.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-349213

  However, the configuration described in Patent Document 1 improves the processing speed of a plurality of jobs, and does not improve the processing speed of one job.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus system capable of improving the processing speed in one job.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording sheet, and a process that is slower than the processing speed of the image forming apparatus with respect to the recording sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus system including a plurality of processing devices that perform the same predetermined processing at a speed, wherein parallel processing is performed on the plurality of recording sheets that are continuously conveyed from the image forming device. The recording sheets processed by the plurality of processing apparatuses are transported in the order in which the recording sheets transported from the image forming apparatus are transported by a plurality of processing apparatuses. An image forming apparatus system is provided.

  In the present invention, among the plurality of recording sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus, a preceding recording sheet that is the preceding recording sheet, and a subsequent recording sheet that is the recording sheet that immediately follows the preceding recording sheet Can be exemplified by a configuration in which different processing devices in the plurality of processing devices are configured.

  In the present invention, at least one of the plurality of processing devices includes a main transport path for transporting the recording sheet, and a sub-transport path that once branches from the main transport path and returns to the main transport path again. And a mode in which the predetermined process is performed in the sub-transport path.

  In the present invention, it is possible to exemplify an aspect in which at least two processing devices among the plurality of processing devices are arranged in series or in parallel.

  In the present invention, at least two of the plurality of processing devices are arranged in series, and the plurality of the processing devices conveyed from the image forming apparatus in the at least two processing devices arranged in series. Out of the recording sheets, the preceding recording sheet that is the preceding recording sheet is downstream of the processing devices in the plurality of processing devices that process the subsequent recording sheet that is the recording sheet that immediately follows the preceding recording sheet. A mode including a configuration for processing by the processing device can be exemplified.

  In the present invention, at least two of the plurality of processing devices are arranged in series, and the plurality of the processing devices conveyed from the image forming apparatus in the at least two processing devices arranged in series. Among the recording sheets, the preceding recording sheet that is the preceding recording sheet is upstream of the processing device in the plurality of processing devices that processes the subsequent recording sheet that is the recording sheet that immediately follows the preceding recording sheet. A mode including a configuration for processing by the processing device can be exemplified.

  In the present invention, at least one of the plurality of processing apparatuses includes a clear coat processing unit that performs a clear coat process for forming a film on the surface of the recording sheet, and the clear coat processing unit is conveyed. An example of performing the clear coat process on the recording sheet can be exemplified. Examples of the clear coat processing unit include a coating unit that deposits a transparent resin material on an image-formed recording sheet, and an ink-jet processing unit that deposits transparent toner on an image-formed recording sheet. .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the processing speed in one job.

It is a schematic front view mainly showing a plurality of processing unit portions in the image forming apparatus systems of the first embodiment and the second embodiment. 1 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus in an image forming apparatus system. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a coating part, Comprising: It is a front view which shows schematic structure of a coating part. 2 is a block diagram mainly showing a control system of the image forming apparatus system. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control operation by a control unit in the image forming apparatus system of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a state transition diagram illustrating a temporal change in a control example in the image forming apparatus system of the first embodiment, wherein (a) is a diagram illustrating a state before a plurality of recording sheets are coated; (b) FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a first recording sheet is processed by a downstream processing unit and a second recording sheet is processed by an upstream processing unit among a plurality of recording sheets. FIG. 3A is a state transition diagram illustrating a temporal change in a control example in the image forming apparatus system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5A illustrates a third recording sheet among a plurality of recording sheets by a downstream processing unit. It is a figure which shows the state which processed and processed the 4th recording sheet in the upstream processing unit, (b) is a figure which shows the state after coating the some recording sheet. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control operation by a control unit in the image forming apparatus system of the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a state transition diagram showing a temporal change of a control example in the image forming apparatus system of the second embodiment, and (a) is a diagram showing a state before coating a plurality of recording sheets, and (b). FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a first recording sheet is processed by an upstream processing unit and a second recording sheet is processed by a downstream processing unit among a plurality of recording sheets. FIG. 9A is a state transition diagram illustrating a temporal change in a control example in the image forming apparatus system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9A illustrates a third recording sheet among a plurality of recording sheets by an upstream processing unit. It is a figure which shows the state which processed and processed the 4th recording sheet in the downstream processing unit, (b) is a figure which shows the state after coating the some recording sheet. FIG. 3 is a schematic front view showing a state in which a punch unit, a staple unit, and a discharge unit are connected in the image forming apparatus system of the first embodiment and the second embodiment shown in FIG. 1. It is a schematic front view which mainly shows the several process unit part in the image forming apparatus system of 4th Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control operation by a control unit in an image forming apparatus system according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a state transition diagram illustrating a temporal change in a control example in the image forming apparatus system of the fourth embodiment, and (a) is a diagram illustrating a state before coating a plurality of recording sheets, and (b). FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a first recording sheet is processed by a lower processing unit and a second recording sheet is processed by an upper processing unit among a plurality of recording sheets. FIG. 10A is a state transition diagram illustrating a temporal change in a control example in the image forming apparatus system according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 9A illustrates a third recording sheet among a plurality of recording sheets by a lower processing unit. It is a figure which shows the state which processed and processed the 4th recording sheet by the upper processing unit, (b) is a figure which shows the state after coating the some recording sheet. FIG. 13 is a schematic front view illustrating a state in which a transport unit, a punch unit, a staple unit, and a discharge unit are connected in the image forming apparatus system of the fourth embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Image Forming Apparatus System of First Embodiment and Second Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic front view mainly showing a plurality of processing units 50 to 50 in the image forming apparatus system 100 of the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

  An image forming apparatus system 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes an image forming apparatus 1 and a plurality (here, two) of processing units (an example of a processing apparatus) 50 to 50 (50A and 50B in this example). Here, the image forming apparatus system 100 functions as a high-speed printing printer connected to an image processing apparatus 300 (see FIG. 4 described later) such as a personal computer or an image reading apparatus 2 (refer to FIG. 2 described later). It has become.

  In the image forming apparatus system 100, a plurality (two in this case) of processing units 50 to 50 (50A and 50B in this example) are mounted in series in the horizontal direction H on the image forming apparatus 1. A plurality (two in this case) of the processing units 50 to 50 are provided on the downstream side of the image forming apparatus 1 in the conveyance direction X of the recording sheet P (arrow X in FIG. 1). Reference sign V indicates a vertical direction orthogonal to the horizontal direction H.

  The image forming apparatus system 100 includes an image forming mode in which an image forming unit 3 (see FIG. 2) in the image forming apparatus 1 forms an image on a recording sheet P such as paper, and a recording sheet P on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 3. And a switching function for switching between coating modes for performing a coating process for forming a film.

  Hereinafter, after describing the configuration of the processing units 50 to 50 (50A and 50B in this example) in the image forming apparatus system 100, the coating unit 60 provided in the image forming apparatus 1 and the processing units 50 to 50 will be described in detail in order. .

(Processing unit)
Since the plurality (two in this case) of the processing units 50 to 50 (50A and 50B in this example) have the same configuration, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components in the processing units 50 to 50. It is attached. Hereinafter, in the case of a configuration common to the processing units 50 to 50, the processing unit 50 to 50 may be expressed only by the symbol “50”.

  The processing unit 50 (50A or 50B in this example) is detachable from the image forming apparatus 1 or the upstream processing unit 50 (50A in this example). The processing unit 50 includes a coating unit 60 that performs a coating process (an example of a predetermined process). In the present embodiment, the coating unit 60 is a pair of coating units 60 a and 60 b that respectively perform coating processing on both sides of the recording sheet P in one conveyance. That is, the first coating portion 60a performs a coating process on one surface (front surface) of the recording sheet P, and the second coating portion 60b coats the other surface (back surface) of the recording sheet P. Processing is to be performed.

  In the present embodiment, the processing unit 50 includes a transport unit 55 that transports the recording sheet P transported from the first coating unit 60a into the second coating unit 60b.

  In the image forming apparatus system 100, when the recording unit P is coated in the processing unit 50 (50A or 50B in this example), the first coating unit 60a performs the coating process on the recording sheet P. Then, after passing through the transport unit 55, the second coating unit 60b performs the coating process, and then transports it to the downstream processing unit 50 (50B in this example) or discharges it to the discharge unit 95. On the other hand, when the recording process is not performed on the recording sheet P, the recording sheet P from the image forming apparatus 1 or the upstream processing unit 50 (50A in this example) is directly used as the downstream processing unit 50 (50B in this example). ) Or is discharged to the discharge unit 95.

  Whether or not to perform the coating process on each image data in one job is determined by a display operation unit (for example, a personal computer (not shown)) connected to the image forming apparatus 1 by a selection operation or a setting operation by an operator such as a user. It is made by an instruction signal from a display screen on a display unit such as a display and an operation unit such as a keyboard and a pointing device by a printer driver installed in an image processing apparatus 300 (see FIG. 4) such as a computer. .

  Specifically, the processing unit 50 includes a main transport path 51, a first sub transport path 52, a second sub transport path 53, a third sub transport path 55a provided in the transport unit 55, a gate unit 54, And a frame 50 </ b> F that supports the constituent members of the processing unit 50. The first sub transport path 52, the second sub transport path 53, and the third sub transport path 55a constitute a sub transport path 59. The sub transport path 59 is configured to once branch on the main transport path 51 and return to the main transport path 51 again. Specifically, the sub-transport path 59 is once branched at the branch portion 51a on the main transport path 51, and returns to the junction 51b on the downstream side of the branch section 51a of the main transport path 51 in the transport direction X. It is said that.

  The main conveyance path 51 is a recording sheet P on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 3 (see FIG. 2) in the image forming apparatus 1 or a recording sheet discharged from the upstream processing unit 50 (50A in this example). It has the function of carrying P in the carrying direction X and carrying it out. Here, the image-formed recording sheet means a recording sheet that has been subjected to image forming processing by the image forming process in the image forming unit 3 regardless of whether an image is actually formed.

  Specifically, one end of the main conveyance path 51 is connected to the carry-in port 50a of the processing unit 50 main body, and the other end is connected to the carry-out port 50b that carries out the recording sheet P, and the carry-in port 50a and the carry-out port 50b. Are disposed along the horizontal direction H. The carry-in port 50a is carried into the carry-out port 1a of the image forming apparatus 1 at one end in the horizontal direction H of the main body of the processing unit 50 (in this example, 50A or 50B) or the upstream processing unit 50 (in this example, 50A). This is a carry-in entrance that is provided so as to face the exit 50b and carries the recording sheet P carried out from the carry-out exit 1a or the carry-out exit 50b.

  The first sub-transport path 52 is configured to branch on the main transport path 51 from the upstream side in the transport direction X toward the downstream side at the branch portion 51a. Specifically, one end of the first sub-transport path 52 faces the branch portion 51a, is bent in the vertical direction V at 90 ° or substantially 90 ° from the main transport path 51, and extends in the vertical direction V. Is connected to one end of the third sub-transport path 55a. A first coating part 60 a is provided at the downstream end of the first sub-transport path 52.

  The second sub conveyance path 53 is configured to merge with the main conveyance path 51 at a merging section 51b on the downstream side of the branch section 51a in the conveyance direction X. Specifically, the second sub transport path 53 has one end connected to the other end of the third sub transport path 55a, the other end facing the junction 51b, and a distance set in advance on the first sub transport path 52 side. It extends in the vertical direction V while making a detour, and is arranged so as to bend at 90 ° or substantially 90 ° toward the merging portion 51b. A second coating part 60 b is provided at the upstream end of the second sub-transport path 53.

  The third sub transport path 55a is configured to communicate with the first sub transport path 52 and the second sub transport path 53, and in the transport direction X, downstream of the first coating portion 60a and the second coating. It is provided on the upstream side of the portion 60b.

  Specifically, one end of the third sub transport path 55 a is connected to the carry-out port of the first coating unit 60 a main body at the other end of the first sub transport path 52, and the other end is the second sub transport path 53. Is connected to the carry-in port of the main body of the second coating portion 60b at one end of the sheet, and constitutes a U-shaped conveyance path that folds the recording sheet P conveyed in the conveyance direction X at the lowest point.

  The gate unit 54 is provided in the vicinity of the branching unit 51a, and transports the recording sheet P from the image forming apparatus 1 or the upstream processing unit 50 (50A in this example) to the main transport path 51 and the first sub-passage. It is set as the structure switched between conveyance to the conveyance path 52. FIG.

  Specifically, the gate portion 54 includes a branch claw 54a. The branching claw 54a is in a first posture (leading the recording sheet P from the carry-out port 1a of the image forming apparatus 1 or the carry-out port 50b of the upstream processing unit 50 (50A in this example) toward the main conveyance path 51). 1) and the recording sheet P from the unloading port 1a of the image forming apparatus 1 or the unloading port 50b of the upstream processing unit 50 (50A in this example). The second posture (see the posture shown on the left side of FIG. 1) is taken. The gate unit 54 is electrically connected to a control unit 200 (see FIG. 4), which will be described later, and can be switched between a first posture and a second posture by an instruction signal from the control unit 200.

  In the present embodiment, the processing unit 50 is provided with various conveyance roller pairs 58 to 58 for conveying the recording sheet P, and the various conveyance roller pairs 58 to 58 are driven by a sheet conveyance driving unit (not shown). It has become.

  Among the plurality of processing units 50 to 50 (50A and 50B in this example), the processing unit 50 (50B in this example) located on the most downstream side in the transport direction X receives the recording sheet P discharged to the outside. It has. The discharge unit 95 includes a discharge storage unit (specifically, a discharge tray 95a) that stores the recording sheet P discharged to the outside.

  The image forming apparatus system 100 described above operates as follows. Hereinafter, in each of the processing units 50 to 50 (in this example, 50A and 50B), the case where the recording sheet P is not coated and the case where the coating process is performed will be described separately.

(When not coated)
When the coating process is not performed on the recording sheet P, the branch claw 54a is switched to the first posture (see the posture shown on the right side in FIG. 1), and the outlet 1a of the image forming apparatus 1 or the upstream side The recording sheet P from the exit 50b of the processing unit 50 (50A in this example) is transported to the main transport path 51 and transported to the transport inlet 50a of the downstream processing unit 50 (50B in this example), or It discharges to the discharge tray 95a.

(When coating)
When the coating process is performed on the recording sheet P, the branch claw 54a is switched to the second posture (see the posture shown on the left side in FIG. 1), and the outlet 1a of the image forming apparatus 1 or the upstream processing is performed. The recording sheet P from the exit 50b of the unit 50 (50A in this example) is moved from the main transport path 51 to the first sub transport path 52 (first coating unit 60a) → the third sub transport path 55a → the second sub transport path. 53 (second coating part 60b) → the main transport path 51 is transported in this order and transported to the transport inlet 50a of the processing unit 50 on the downstream side (50B in this example) or discharged to the discharge tray 95a.

(Image forming device)
Next, details of the image forming apparatus 1 in the image forming apparatus system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described below.

  FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 in the image forming apparatus system 100.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is, for example, a multifunction machine having a scanner function, a facsimile function, and a printer function. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image reading device 2 that reads an image of a document, and an image forming unit 3 that forms an image on a recording sheet P.

  The image reading device 2 includes an image reading unit 20 and a document feeding device 30 attached to the image reading unit 20 so as to be openable and closable.

  The image reading unit 20 is configured to perform reading by the document fixing method and reading by the document moving method. The image reading unit 20 includes a document table glass 21, a document reading glass 22, a light source unit 23, a mirror unit 24, and an imaging unit 25.

  In the image reading unit 20, light is emitted from the light source 23a while moving the light source unit 23 and the mirror unit 24 in the transport direction Z1 at the time of reading by the document fixing method. At this time, the light emitted from the light source 23 a is applied to the document placed on the document table glass 21 through the document table glass 21. Then, the reflected light from the original is incident on the imaging unit 25 via the original table glass 21, the mirror 23b of the light source unit 23, and the mirror 24a and the mirror 24b of the mirror unit 24. As a result, the image reading unit 20 can read an image of a document fixedly placed on the document table glass 21.

  Further, in the image reading unit 20, light is emitted from the light source 23a in a state where the light source unit 23 is stopped at the reading position (position shown in FIG. 2) at the time of reading by the document moving method. At this time, the light emitted from the light source 23 a is applied to the document conveyed in the conveyance direction Z <b> 1 on the document reading glass 22 by the document feeding device 30 through the document reading glass 22. Then, the reflected light from the original is incident on the imaging unit 25 via the original reading glass 22, the mirror 23b of the light source unit 23, and the mirror 24a and the mirror 24b of the mirror unit 24. As a result, the image reading unit 20 can read an image of a document conveyed on the document reading glass 22 by the document feeding device 30.

  The image forming unit 3 includes photosensitive drums 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d, chargers 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5b, an exposure device 6, developing devices 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d, and cleaner devices 8a and 8b. , 8c, 8d, intermediate transfer belt device 9 having intermediate transfer rollers 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, secondary transfer device 10, fixing device 11, paper feed tray 12a acting as a sheet supply unit, and manual feeding A paper tray 12b, a discharge tray 13 acting as a sheet discharge unit, a sheet conveying device 14, and a relay conveying unit 15 are provided.

  The image forming unit 3 forms a color image using each color of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) and a monochrome image using a single color (for example, black). It is said that.

  Specifically, in the image forming unit 3, an image forming station for forming black is composed of a photosensitive drum 4a, a charger 5a, a developing device 7a, a cleaner device 8a, and an intermediate transfer roller 9a. Yes. In the image forming unit 3, an image forming station for forming cyan includes a photosensitive drum 4b, a charger 5b, a developing device 7b, a cleaner device 8b, and an intermediate transfer roller 9b. In the image forming section 3, an image forming station for forming magenta includes a photosensitive drum 4c, a charger 5c, a developing device 7c, a cleaner device 8c, and an intermediate transfer roller 9c. In the image forming section 3, an image forming station for forming yellow is constituted by a photosensitive drum 4d, a charger 5d, a developing device 7d, a cleaner device 8d, and an intermediate transfer roller 9d.

  The photosensitive drums 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d have a photosensitive layer on the surface. The chargers 5a, 5b, 5c, 5b apply a high voltage to uniformly charge the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d to a predetermined potential.

  The exposure device 6 is a laser scanning unit including, for example, a laser diode and a reflection mirror, and exposes the uniformly charged surfaces of the photosensitive drums 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d according to image data, and the surface thereof. Then, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data is formed.

  The developing devices 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d develop the electrostatic latent images formed on the photosensitive drums 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d with toners of K, C, M, and Y. The cleaners 8a, 8b, 8c, and 8d remove and collect toner remaining on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d after being transferred to the recording sheet P after development and image transfer.

  The intermediate transfer belt device 9 is disposed above the photosensitive drums 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d, and includes an endless belt-like intermediate transfer belt 9e, an intermediate transfer belt driving roller 9f, a driven roller 9g, and a tension roller. 9h and an intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 9i. The intermediate transfer rollers 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, the intermediate transfer belt driving roller 9f, the driven roller 9g, and the tension roller 9h stretch and support the intermediate transfer belt 9e, and move the intermediate transfer belt 9e in the circumferential direction C. . A color toner image (a toner image of each color) is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 9e by sequentially transferring the toner images on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d.

  Transfer of the toner image from the photosensitive drums 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d to the intermediate transfer belt 9e is performed by intermediate transfer rollers 9a, 9b, 9c, and 9d that are in pressure contact with the inner side (back surface) of the intermediate transfer belt 9e. . To the intermediate transfer rollers 9a, 9b, 9c, and 9d, a high-voltage transfer bias (a high voltage having a polarity (+) opposite to the toner charging polarity (one)) is applied to transfer the toner image.

  The secondary transfer device 10 includes a transfer roller 10a that contacts the intermediate transfer belt 9e. The transfer roller 10a is disposed outside the intermediate transfer belt 9e so as to be adjacent to the intermediate transfer belt drive roller 9f. The intermediate transfer belt 9e and the transfer roller 10a are pressed against each other to form a transfer nip region. Further, the transfer roller 10a of the secondary transfer device 10 has a voltage (for example, a polarity (+) opposite to the charging polarity (one) of the toner) for transferring the toner image of each color on the intermediate transfer belt 9e to the recording sheet P. )) Is applied.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, the toner images formed on the surfaces of the photoconductive drums 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d are stacked by the intermediate transfer belt 9e to form a color toner image corresponding to the image data. The toner images of the respective colors stacked in this way are conveyed together with the intermediate transfer belt 9e moved in the circumferential direction C, and transferred onto the recording sheet P by the secondary transfer device 10.

  In addition, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 9e may not be completely transferred onto the recording sheet P by the secondary transfer device 10, and the toner may remain on the intermediate transfer belt 9e. Cause color mixing. Therefore, the residual toner is removed and collected by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 9i.

  The fixing device 11 includes a heat roller 11a and a pressure roller 11b that sandwich and convey the recording sheet P. The temperature of the heat roller 11a is controlled to be a predetermined fixing temperature, and the recording sheet P is thermocompression bonded at the fixing nip portion together with the pressure roller 11b to melt, mix, and mix the toner image transferred to the recording sheet P. It has a function of being pressed and thermally fixed to the recording sheet P. The fixing device 11 is provided with an external heating belt 11c for heating the heat roller 11a from the outside.

  The paper feed tray 12a is a tray for storing recording sheets P, and the manual paper feed tray 12b is a tray on which the recording sheets P are placed. The discharge tray 13 is a tray on which the printed recording sheet P is placed face down when the relay conveyance unit 15 is removed. The relay conveyance unit 15 is detachable from the image forming apparatus 1. The relay conveyance unit 15 includes a plurality of conveyance rollers 15a, 15b, and 15c provided in order along the conveyance direction X, and the recording sheet P discharged from the discharge roller 14g is processed at the most upstream processing unit 50 ( In this example, the sheet is conveyed to 50A).

  The sheet conveying device 14 is provided so that the recording sheet P can be sent from the paper feed tray 12 a or the manual paper feed tray 12 b to the discharge tray 13 via the secondary transfer device 10 and the fixing device 11. In the sheet conveying device 14, along the sheet conveying path S from the sheet feeding tray 12a, a pickup roller 14a, a first separating roller 14b, a second separating roller 14c, a conveying roller 14d, a pre-registration roller pair 14e, a registration roller pair 14f, A discharge roller 14g is provided. A pickup roller 14i is provided in the vicinity of the manual paper feed tray 12b.

  The pickup roller 14a is provided in the vicinity of the paper feed tray 12a and is a drawing roller that supplies the recording sheets P from the paper feed tray 12a one by one to the sheet conveyance path S. The first separation roller 14b allows the recording sheet P to pass between the second separation roller 14c and separates the recording sheets P one by one and conveys them to the sheet conveyance path S.

  A pickup roller 14i is provided in the vicinity of the manual paper feed tray 12b. The pickup roller 14 i is a drawing roller that supplies the recording sheets P one by one from the manual sheet feeding tray 12 b to the sheet conveyance path S.

  The conveyance roller 14d and the pre-registration roller pair 14e are small rollers for promoting and assisting the conveyance of the recording sheet P. In FIG. 2, only one conveyance roller 14 d is shown for simplification, but actually, the conveyance rollers 14 d are provided at a plurality of locations along the sheet conveyance path S.

  The pre-registration roller pair 14e is provided at a position closest to the registration direction upstream of the registration roller pair 14f, and conveys the recording sheet P to the registration roller pair 14f. The registration roller pair 14f temporarily stops the recording sheet P conveyed from the pre-registration roller pair 14e, aligns the leading end of the recording sheet P, and performs intermediate transfer in the nip area between the intermediate transfer belt 9e and the transfer roller 10a. The recording sheet P is conveyed with good timing in accordance with the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 9e so that the color toner image on the belt 9e is transferred to the recording sheet P.

  The sheet conveying device 14 in the image forming apparatus 1 further includes a sheet conveying driving unit 150 (see FIG. 4 described later).

  The sheet conveyance drive unit 150 is a drive unit (specifically a drive motor) that drives various conveyance rollers such as a pickup roller 14i, a registration roller pair 14f, and a conveyance roller 14d. The sheet conveyance driving unit 150 is electrically connected to the control unit 200 (see FIG. 4), and rotates various conveyance rollers and conveys the recording sheet P according to an instruction signal from the control unit 200. Yes.

  In the sheet conveying device 14, an electromagnetic clutch (not shown) is provided in a drive transmission system (not shown) provided between the sheet conveying driving unit 150 and each pair of rollers driven by the sheet conveying driving unit 150. The operation of the electromagnetic clutch is controlled under the instruction of the control unit 200 (see FIG. 4) by input signals from various seat sensors and the like.

  The recording sheet P to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed while the toner image is fixed to the recording sheet P by the heat roller 11a and the pressure roller 11b. The recording sheet P on which the toner image of each color is fixed is discharged to the discharge tray 13 or the relay conveyance unit 15 by the discharge roller 14g. The recording sheet P discharged to the relay conveyance unit 15 is conveyed to the most upstream processing unit 50 (50A in this example) by the conveyance rollers 15a, 15b, and 15c.

  It is also possible to form a monochrome image using at least one of the four image forming stations and transfer the monochrome image to the intermediate transfer belt 9e of the intermediate transfer belt device 9. Similarly to the color image, this monochrome image is also transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 9e to the recording sheet P and fixed on the recording sheet P.

  In addition, when performing image formation on both sides as well as the surface of the recording sheet P, the image on the surface of the recording sheet P is fixed by the fixing device 11, and then the recording sheet P is conveyed by the discharge roller 14g in the sheet conveying path S. During the process, the discharge roller 14g is stopped and then reversely rotated, the recording sheet P is passed through the front / back reversing path Sr by the conveying roller 14h, the front / back of the recording sheet P is reversed, and the recording sheet P is again transferred to the registration roller. Similarly to the front surface of the recording sheet P, the toner image is transferred and fixed on the back surface of the recording sheet P, and the recording sheet P is discharged to the discharge tray 13 or the relay conveyance unit 15.

(About coating part)
Next, the coating part 60 (60a, 60b) for depositing the transparent resin material on the image-formed recording sheet P will be described below.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the coating unit 60 (60a, 60b), and is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the coating unit 60 (60a, 60b). Since the first coating unit 60a and the second coating unit 60b have substantially the same configuration except that the first coating unit 60a and the second coating unit 60b are inverted in the transport direction X (specifically, up and down), In FIG. 3, the configuration of the first coating portion 60a is shown as a representative.

  Here, the coating unit 60 (60a, 60b) is configured to perform a process of depositing a transparent resin material on the image-recorded recording sheet P, and deposits the transparent resin material on the recording sheet P. It is like that.

  The coating unit 60 (60a, 60b) is any processing speed (for example, 165 mm / s) slower than the processing speed (for example, 330 mm / s) of the image forming apparatus 1 for the recording sheet P discharged from the image forming apparatus 1. Is configured to perform the same coating process.

  In the coating unit 60 (60a, 60b), the recording sheet P transported to the first sub transport path 52 and the second sub transport path 53 by the coating transport roller pair 651 is superposed on the coating film F from the winding reel 65a. It is superposed by the member 652 and moves to the pressing member 641. At this time, in the head unit 63, the heater unit 631 is in a contact position where the head driving unit 64 contacts the image forming surface of the recording sheet P conveyed to the first sub conveyance path 52 and the second sub conveyance path 53. It is arranged and is in a heat generation state. The recording sheet P that has reached the head unit 63 is pressed against the pressing member 641 from the film base by the heater unit 631, and the coating film F between the pressing member 641 and the heater unit 631. The upper transparent resin material is deposited (transferred). The recording sheet P to which the transparent resin material is applied further moves to the crimping member 653, where the transparent resin material is in close contact with the recording sheet P. The heater section 631 is disposed at a retracted position separated from the contact position by the head driving section 64. On the other hand, when the coating process is not performed (when the coating unit 60 (60a, 60b) is not operated), the heater unit 631 is in the retracted position.

  The coating unit 60 (60a, 60b) is electrically connected to the control unit 200 (see FIG. 4), and coats the recording sheet P conveyed in the conveyance direction X by an instruction signal from the control unit 200. Processing is to be performed.

  In this embodiment, the transparent resin material is deposited on the recording sheet P. However, the transparent toner is deposited as a configuration of one image forming station of the image forming unit 3 shown in FIG. You may do it. Further, instead of the head unit 63, a configuration such as a conventionally known ink jet printer using transparent ink may be applied, or a heat roller and a heating unit such as the fixing device 11 provided in the image forming apparatus 1 may be applied. You may apply the structure provided with the pressure roller.

(About parallel processing control for processing units)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram mainly showing a control system of the image forming apparatus system 100.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus system 100 further includes a control unit 200. The control unit 200 includes a processing unit 201 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a storage unit 202 including a memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). Specifically, in the image forming apparatus system 100, the processing unit 201 of the control unit 200 loads a control program stored in advance in the ROM of the storage unit 202 onto the RAM of the storage unit 202 and executes it to execute various components. It comes to control.

  In the image forming apparatus system 100, at least two (here, two) processing units 50-50 (50A in this example) among a plurality (two in this case) of processing units 50-50 (50A, 50B in this example). , 50B) are connected in series in this example, but in the storage unit 202, the connection state (in this example, the serial connection state) of the processing units 50 to 50 (50A, 50B in this example) is mutually connected. Are stored in association with respective identification codes (for example, symbols and numbers) for identifying the processing units 50 to 50 (50A, 50B in this example). Thus, the processing unit 201 can recognize how the processing units 50 to 50 (50A and 50B in this example) are connected to the image forming apparatus 1.

  The processing unit 201 controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 so that the image processing apparatus 300 (see FIG. 4) and the image reading apparatus 2 (see FIG. 4) are used during a continuous image forming operation in which images are continuously formed in one job. 2), an image forming operation for forming an image on each of the plurality of recording sheets P to P is performed on the basis of the image data of the plurality of pages received from (2).

  The processing unit 201 has functions as the parallel processing unit 210 and the conveyance control unit 220.

  The parallel processing unit 210 performs a plurality of (two in this case) processing units for parallel processing on the plurality of recording sheets P to P that are formed by the image forming apparatus 1 and are continuously conveyed from the image forming apparatus 1. 50 to 50 (in this example, 50A, 50B). Here, the parallel processing is processing in which the coating processing performed on the plurality of recording sheets P to P is performed in parallel at a plurality of processing units 50 to 50 (50A and 50B in this example) at different start timings. is there. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and in the parallel processing, the coating processing performed on the plurality of recording sheets P to P is performed simultaneously at the same start timing in the plurality of processing units 50 to 50 (50A, 50B in this example). It may be a process performed automatically.

  Here, the number of the plurality of processing units 50 to 50 performing parallel processing is the speed ratio between the processing speed of the processing unit 50 (for example, 165 mm / s) and the processing speed of the image forming apparatus 1 (for example, 333 mm / s). The number of units (for example, two units) corresponding to (for example, 1: 2) is set. By doing so, the plurality of processing units 50 to 50 can be efficiently processed in parallel, and the control configuration can be simplified accordingly.

  Specifically, the parallel processing unit 210 includes the preceding recording sheet Pa (P) that is the preceding recording sheet P among the plurality of recording sheets P to P conveyed from the image forming apparatus 1 and immediately after the preceding recording sheet Pa. The subsequent recording sheet Pb (P), which is the recording sheet P that follows, is processed by different processing units in a plurality (here, two) of processing units 50 to 50 (50A, 50B in this example). ing.

  The conveyance control unit 220 records the recording sheets P to P processed by a plurality of (here, two) processing units 50 to 50 (50A and 50B in this example) from the image forming apparatus 1. It is set as the structure conveyed in order of conveyance of -P.

  The conveyance control unit 220 is configured to set an inter-sheet distance between adjacent recording sheets P and P by controlling the operation of electromagnetic clutches provided on various conveyance rollers according to input signals from various sheet sensors. Yes. Here, the inter-sheet distance is set to be a constant interval.

(Example of control in the image forming apparatus system of the first embodiment)
The conveyance control unit 220 includes a plurality of recording sheets P to P conveyed from the image forming apparatus 1 during the continuous image forming operation in the processing units 50 to 50 (50A and 50B in this example) arranged in series. The preceding recording sheet Pa (P) is downstream of the processing unit 50 (50A in this example) in the plurality of processing units 50 to 50 (50A and 50B in this example) that processes the subsequent recording sheet Pb (P). It has a downstream processing control configuration for processing by the processing unit 50 (50B in this example).

  Specifically, the operation of the downstream processing control configuration is performed in the processing units 50 to 50 (50A and 50B in this example) arranged in series from the most downstream processing unit 50 (50B in this example) to the upstream processing. The operation is sequentially performed toward the unit 50 (50A in this example). By doing so, parallel processing can be performed efficiently.

(Regarding the processing flow of the control operation of the first embodiment)
Next, the processing flow of the control operation by the control unit 200 in the image forming apparatus system 100 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the processing shown in FIG. 5, an example is shown in which a continuous image forming operation is performed on a plurality of (specifically, four) recording sheets P1, P2, P3, and P4 in one job to perform coating processing. I will explain to you. The same applies to the control example of the second embodiment and the control example of the fourth embodiment which will be described later.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control operation by the control unit 200 in the image forming apparatus system 100 according to the first embodiment. 6 and 7 are state transition diagrams showing temporal changes in control examples in the image forming apparatus system 100 of the first embodiment. FIG. 6A shows a state before coating a plurality of recording sheets P1, P2, P3, and P4. FIG. 6B shows that the first recording sheet P1 among the plurality of recording sheets P1, P2, P3, P4 is processed by the downstream processing unit 50 (50B in this example), and the second recording is performed. A state in which the sheet P2 is being processed by the upstream processing unit 50 (50A in this example) is shown. FIG. 7A shows that the third recording sheet P3 among the plurality of recording sheets P1, P2, P3, and P4 is processed by the downstream processing unit 50 (50B in this example), and the fourth recording is performed. A state in which the sheet P4 is being processed by the upstream processing unit 50 (50A in this example) is shown. FIG. 7B shows a state after coating a plurality of recording sheets P1, P2, P3, and P4.

  In the control operation of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5, when coating a plurality (four in this example) of recording sheets P1, P2, P3, and P4 formed with an image (see FIG. 6A), first, In step S11, the branch claw 54a of the gate portion 54 of the processing unit 50 on the most downstream side (50B in this example) is switched to the second posture (see the posture shown on the left side in FIG. 1), and the other processing units 50 are used. The branch claw 54a of the gate portion 54 (in this example, 50A) is switched to the first posture (see the posture shown on the right side of FIG. 1), and the first recording sheet P1 is transferred to the most downstream processing unit 50 (in this example). Then, it is transported to 50B) where it is coated (see FIG. 6B).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the coated recording sheet P is final (P4 in this example) (step S12). If it is not final (step S12: No), the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S13, the branch claw 54a of the gate portion 54 of the processing unit 50 (50A in this example) that is one upstream side of the processing unit 50 (50B in this example) on the most downstream side is in the second posture (left side in FIG. 1). The branch claw 54a of the gate portion 54 of the other processing unit 50 (50B in this example) is switched to the first posture (see the posture shown on the right side of FIG. 1), and the next recording sheet P (for example, P2) is transferred to the processing unit 50 (50A in this example) that is one upstream of the processing unit 50 (50B in this example) on the most downstream side, where coating processing is performed (FIG. 6B). )reference).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the coated recording sheet P is final (P4 in this example) (step S14). If it is not final (step S14: No), the processing unit 50 is further upstream. It is determined whether or not it exists (step S15).

  In step S15, when the processing unit 50 exists further upstream (step S15: Yes), the process proceeds to step S13, and when it does not exist (step S15: No), the process proceeds to step S11.

  In proceeding to step S11, the coating process of the most downstream processing unit 50 (50B in this example) is just finished. That is, in this state, the coating process is performed on all the processing units 50 to 50 from the most downstream processing unit 50 (50B in this example) to the most upstream processing unit 50 (50A in this example). However, in the control example of the first embodiment, the coating process (specifically, 50B in this example) on the most downstream side is performed at the latest (specifically, the first of the pair of coating parts 60a and 60b at the latest). The inter-sheet distance between the adjacent recording sheets P and P is set so that the coating process of the coating portion 60a) just ends.

  In step S11, the branch claw 54a of the gate portion 54 of the processing unit 50 on the most downstream side (50B in this example) is switched to the second posture (see the posture shown on the left side in FIG. 1), and the other processing units. 50 (50A in this example), the branch claw 54a of the gate portion 54 is switched to the first posture (see the posture shown on the right side of FIG. 1), and the next recording sheet P (for example, P3) is transferred to the most downstream processing unit 50. (In this example, 50B), that is, the next recording sheet P (for example, P3) overtakes the recording sheet P (for example, P2) in the previous conveyance order, and the most downstream processing unit 50 (in this example, 50B). ) (See FIG. 7A).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the coated recording sheet P is final (P4 in this example) (step S12). If it is not final (step S12: No), the process proceeds to step S13. Alternatively, in step S15, when the processing unit 50 exists further upstream (step S15: Yes), the process proceeds to step S13.

  In proceeding to step S13, the processing unit 50 that is one upstream side of the processing unit 50 (50B in this example) that has been most recently coated is just finished. That is, at this time, the control example of the first embodiment is that the coating process (specifically, the processing unit 50 (50A in this example) one upstream side of the processing unit 50 (50B in this example) most recently coated is applied. The distance between adjacent recording sheets P and P is set so that the coating process of the first coating part 60a at the latest of the pair of coating parts 60a and 60b is just completed.

  In step S13, the branch claw 54a of the gate portion 54 of the processing unit 50 (50A in this example) that is one upstream side of the processing unit 50 (50B in this example) that has been coated most recently is placed in the second posture (FIG. 1) (see the posture shown on the left side of FIG. 1), and the branch claw 54a of the gate portion 54 of the other processing unit 50 (50B in this example) is switched to the first posture (see the posture shown on the right side of FIG. 1). The recording sheet P (for example, P4) is conveyed to the processing unit 50 (50A in this example) that is one upstream of the processing unit 50 (50B in this example) that has been coated most recently, and is coated here ( FIG. 7 (a)).

  Thereafter, a series of operations are repeated in the same manner, and when the coated recording sheet P is final (P4 in this example) (step S12: Yes, S14: Yes), the processing ends (FIG. 7B). )reference).

  Here, in the control example of the first embodiment, when the processing unit 50 does not exist on the upstream side (step S15: No), the recording sheet P (for example, P3) in the subsequent conveyance order is recorded in the previous conveyance order. In this case, the sheet P (for example, P2) is overtaken. In this case, the processing unit 50 (in this example, 50B) for coating the recording sheet P (for example, P3) in the subsequent conveyance order is processed one upstream side. The coating process of the unit 50 (50A in this example) is finished first, and the recording sheet P (for example, P2) in the previous conveyance order passes through the downstream processing unit 50 (in this example, 50B), and the subsequent conveyance order. The recording sheet P (for example, P3) is overtaken and discharged. That is, in this state, the processing unit 50 (50A in this example) upstream of the processing unit 50 (50B in this example) that coats the recording sheet P (for example, P3) in the subsequent conveyance order is the previous one. Although the coating process is performed on the recording sheet P (for example, P2) in the conveyance order, the control example of the first embodiment is applied to the recording sheet P (for example, P3) in the subsequent conveyance order at this time. Before the coating process of the processing unit 50 to be processed (50B in this example) is completed, the coating process of the upstream processing unit 50 (50A in this example) is completed and the recording sheet P (for example, the previous conveyance order) P2) passes through the downstream processing unit 50 (50B in this example) during the coating process on the recording sheet P (for example, P3) in the subsequent conveyance order, Ri suit the recording sheet P, and set the sheet distance between P.

  In the control example of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the case where two processing units 50 </ b> A and 50 </ b> B are connected in series is illustrated, but three or more processing units 50 to 50 are connected in series. Even in this case, the same processing can be performed. The same applies to the control example of the second embodiment described later.

  In the control example of the first embodiment, the case where the coating process is performed by performing the continuous image forming operation on the four recording sheets P1 to P4 continuously in one job is illustrated. The same processing can be applied to one or five or more recording sheets P1 to Pn (n is an integer of 2 or more). Further, in the control example of the first embodiment, the sheet-to-sheet distance between the adjacent recording sheets P and P is set to a constant interval without waiting for the recording sheet P to be conveyed, but each processing unit is currently stored in the storage unit 202. A processing flag indicating whether processing is in progress is stored in association with the identification code of each processing unit, and when the processing unit is currently processing to determine the transport order, the recording sheet P is made to wait for transport. It may be. The same applies to the control example of the second embodiment and the control example of the fourth embodiment which will be described later.

(Control example in the image forming apparatus system of the second embodiment)
The conveyance control unit 220 includes a plurality of recording sheets P to P conveyed from the image forming apparatus 1 during the continuous image forming operation in the processing units 50 to 50 (50A and 50B in this example) arranged in series. The upstream recording sheet Pa (P) is upstream of the processing unit 50 (50B in this example) in the plurality of processing units 50 to 50 (50A and 50B in this example) that processes the subsequent recording sheet Pb (P). It has an upstream processing control configuration for processing by the processing unit 50 (50A in this example).

  Specifically, the operation of the upstream processing control configuration is performed in the processing units 50 to 50 (50A and 50B in this example) arranged in series from the processing unit 50 (50A in this example) on the downstream side. The operation is sequentially performed toward the unit 50 (50B in this example). By doing so, parallel processing can be performed efficiently.

(Regarding the processing flow of the control operation of the second embodiment)
Next, the processing flow of the control operation by the control unit 200 in the image forming apparatus system 100 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control operation performed by the control unit 200 in the image forming apparatus system 100 according to the second embodiment. 9 and 10 are state transition diagrams showing temporal changes in control examples in the image forming apparatus system 100 of the second embodiment. FIG. 9A shows a state before coating a plurality of recording sheets P1, P2, P3, and P4. In FIG. 9B, among the plurality of recording sheets P1, P2, P3 and P4, the first recording sheet P1 is processed by the upstream processing unit 50 (50A in this example), and the second recording is performed. A state in which the sheet P2 is being processed by the downstream processing unit 50 (50B in this example) is shown. FIG. 10A shows that the third recording sheet P3 among the plurality of recording sheets P1, P2, P3, and P4 is processed by the upstream processing unit 50 (50A in this example) and the fourth recording is performed. A state in which the sheet P4 is being processed by the downstream processing unit 50 (50B in this example) is shown. FIG. 10B shows a state after coating a plurality of recording sheets P1, P2, P3, and P4.

  In the control operation of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 8, when coating a plurality (four in this example) of recording sheets P1, P2, P3, and P4 formed with an image (see FIG. 9A), first, In step S21, the branch claw 54a of the gate portion 54 of the processing unit 50 on the most upstream side (50A in this example) is switched to the second posture (see the posture shown on the left side in FIG. 1), and the other processing units 50 are used. The branch claw 54a of the gate portion 54 (50B in this example) is switched to the first posture (see the posture shown on the right side of FIG. 1), and the first recording sheet P1 is transferred to the most upstream processing unit 50 (this example). Then, it is transported to 50A), where it is coated (see FIG. 9B).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the coated recording sheet P is final (P4 in this example) (step S22). If it is not final (step S22: No), the process proceeds to step S23.

  In step S23, the branching claw 54a of the gate portion 54 of the processing unit 50 (50B in this example) that is one downstream side of the processing unit 50 (50A in this example) on the most upstream side is in the second posture (left side in FIG. 1). The branch claw 54a of the gate portion 54 of the other processing unit 50 (50A in this example) is switched to the first posture (see the posture shown on the right side of FIG. 1), and the next recording sheet P (for example, P2) is conveyed to the processing unit 50 (in this example, 50B) that is one downstream of the most upstream processing unit 50 (in this example, 50A), that is, the next recording sheet P (for example, P2). ) Overtakes the recording sheet P (for example, P1) in the previous conveyance order, and coats the next recording sheet P (for example, P2) with one downstream processing unit 50 (50B in this example). (See FIG. 9 (b)).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the coated recording sheet P is final (P4 in this example) (step S24). If it is not final (step S24: No), the processing unit 50 is further downstream. It is determined whether or not it exists (step S25).

  In step S25, when the processing unit 50 exists further downstream (step S25: Yes), the process proceeds to step S23, and when it does not exist (step S25: No), the process proceeds to step S21.

  In proceeding to step S21, the coating process of the most upstream processing unit 50 (50A in this example) is just finished. That is, in this state, the coating process is performed on all the processing units 50 to 50 from the most upstream processing unit 50 (50A in this example) to the most downstream processing unit 50 (50B in this example). However, at this time, the control example of the second embodiment is that the coating process (specifically, 50A in this example) of the uppermost stream side processing unit (specifically, at least the first of the pair of coating parts 60a and 60b is the first). The inter-sheet distance between the adjacent recording sheets P and P is set so that the coating process of the coating portion 60a) just ends.

  In step S21, the branch claw 54a of the gate portion 54 of the processing unit 50 on the most upstream side (50A in this example) is switched to the second posture (see the posture shown on the left side in FIG. 1), and the other processing units. 50 (50B in this example), the branch claw 54a of the gate portion 54 is switched to the first posture (see the posture shown on the right side of FIG. 1), and the next recording sheet P (for example, P3) is transferred to the most upstream processing unit 50. (In this example, it is 50A), and coating treatment is performed here (see FIG. 10A).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the coated recording sheet P is final (P4 in this example) (step S22). If it is not final (step S22: No), the process proceeds to step S23. Alternatively, in step S25, when the processing unit 50 exists further downstream (step S25: Yes), the process proceeds to step S23.

  In proceeding to step S23, the coating processing of the processing unit 50 (50B in this example) that is one downstream side of the processing unit 50 (50A in this example) that has been coated most recently is just finished. That is, the control example of the second embodiment is that the coating process (specifically, the processing unit 50 (in this example, 50B) on the downstream side of the processing unit 50 (in this example, 50A) coated most recently at this time (specifically, The distance between adjacent recording sheets P and P is set so that the coating process of the first coating part 60a at the latest of the pair of coating parts 60a and 60b is just completed.

  In step S23, the branch claw 54a of the gate portion 54 of the processing unit 50 (50B in this example) that is one downstream side of the processing unit 50 (50A in this example) that has been coated most recently is placed in the second posture (FIG. 1) (see the posture shown on the left side of FIG. 1), and the branch claw 54a of the gate portion 54 of the other processing unit 50 (50A in this example) is switched to the first posture (see the posture shown on the right side of FIG. 1). The recording sheet P (for example, P4) is conveyed to the processing unit 50 (in this example, 50B) that is one downstream of the processing unit 50 (in this example, 50A) that has been coated recently, that is, the next recording sheet. P (for example, P4) overtakes the recording sheet P (for example, P3) in the previous conveyance order, and the next recording sheet P (for example, P4) is one downstream processing unit 50. In this example 50B) in which the coating process reference (FIG. 10 (a)).

  Thereafter, a series of operations are repeated in the same manner, and when the coated recording sheet P is final (P4 in this example) (step S22: Yes, S24: Yes), the processing ends (FIG. 10B). )reference).

  Here, in the control example of the second embodiment, when the processing unit 50 exists on the downstream side (step S25: Yes), the recording sheets P (for example, P2 and P4) in the subsequent conveyance order are in the previous conveyance order. In this case, the recording sheet P (for example, P1 and P3) is overtaken. In this case, the recording sheet P (for example, P2 and P4) in the subsequent conveying order is coated more than the processing unit 50 (in this example, 50B). The coating processing of the upstream processing unit 50 (50A in this example) is completed first, and the recording sheet P (for example, P1, P3) in the previous (first) conveyance order is the downstream processing unit 50 (in this example). 50B), overtakes the recording sheet P (for example, P2, P4) in the subsequent conveyance order, and is discharged. That is, in this state, the processing unit 50 (50A in this example) upstream from the processing unit 50 (50B in this example) that coats the recording sheet P (for example, P2 and P4) in the subsequent conveyance order. The coating process is performed on the recording sheet P (for example, P1, P3) in the previous conveyance order, but the control example of the second embodiment at this time is the recording sheet P (for example, P2, P2) in the subsequent conveyance order. P4) before the coating process of the processing unit 50 (50B in this example) for coating is completed, the coating process of the upstream processing unit 50 (50A in this example) is completed and the previous (first) The recording unit P (for example, P1, P3) in the conveyance order is a downstream processing unit 50 (the recording unit 50 during the coating process to the recording sheets P (for example, P2, P4) in the subsequent conveyance order. To pass through the 50B) in the example, the recording sheet P adjacent, have set sheet distance between P.

(Image Forming Apparatus System of Third Embodiment)
In addition to the processing unit 50, the image forming apparatus system 100 according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment performs another processing unit that performs processing different from the processing unit 50 (for example, a punch unit that performs punch processing or stapling processing). Staple unit) may be connected.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic front view showing a state in which the punch unit 400, the staple unit 500, and the discharge unit 600 are connected in the image forming apparatus system 100 of the first embodiment and the second embodiment shown in FIG.

  In the image forming apparatus system 100 of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the conveyance direction X of the processing unit 50 (50B in this example) is the same as in the image forming apparatus systems 100 of the first embodiment and the second embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The punch unit 400 that performs punch processing, the staple unit 500 that performs staple processing, and the discharge unit 600 that performs discharge processing are connected in series in this order on the downstream side.

  Note that the processing units 50 to 50 may be downstream of other processing units (in this example, the punch unit 400 or the staple unit 500).

(Image Forming Apparatus System of Fourth Embodiment)
FIG. 12 is a schematic front view mainly showing a plurality of processing units 50 and 50 in the image forming apparatus system 100A of the fourth embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus system 100A of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 12 is the same as the processing units 50 and 50 (50A and 50B in this example) in the image forming apparatus system 100 of the first embodiment and the second embodiment shown in FIG. Are modified so that they are connected in parallel. In FIG. 12, components that are substantially the same as those of the image forming apparatus system 100 according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment shown in FIG.

  In the image forming apparatus system 100A of the fourth embodiment, the two processing units 50 and 50 (50A and 50B in this example) are connected in parallel.

  Specifically, the processing units 50 and 50 (50A and 50B in this example) in the image forming apparatus system 100A of the fourth embodiment are the same as those in the processing units 50 and 50 (50A and 50B in this example) shown in FIG. The transport path from 50a to the first coating unit 60 (60a) and the transport path from the second coating unit 60 (60b) to the carry-out port 50b are shortened, and the processing unit 50 (in this example) located on the downstream side 50B) is inverted and left and right inverted, and placed on the upper part of the processing unit 50 (50A in this example) located upstream, and further, the lower processing unit 50 (50A in this example) The upper processing unit 50 (50B in this example) is configured to share the main transport path 51.

  Along with this modification, the image forming apparatus system 100A of the fourth embodiment further includes a transport unit 70.

  The transport unit 70 is configured to transport the recording sheet P from the image forming apparatus 1 to the processing units 50 and 50 (50A and 50B in this example) connected in parallel. , 50.

  Specifically, the transport unit 70 includes a transport path 71 and a frame body 70 </ b> F that supports the constituent members of the transport unit 70.

  The conveyance path 71 conveys the recording sheet P on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 3 (see FIG. 2) in the image forming apparatus 1 in the conveyance direction X, and the processing units 50 and 50 (50A and 50B in this example). It has the function to carry out toward the common carrying-in entrance 50a.

  Specifically, one end of the conveyance path 71 is connected to the carry-in port 70a of the main body of the conveyance unit 70, and the other end is connected to a carry-out port 70b that displaces below the carry-in port 70a and carries out the recording sheet P. It is arranged in a bent state between the carry-in port 70a and the carry-out port 70b. The carry-in port 70a is a carry-in port that is provided at one end of the conveyance unit 70 main body so as to face the carry-out port 1a of the image forming apparatus 1 and carries the recording sheet P carried out from the carry-out port 1a. The carry-out port 70b is provided at the other end of the conveyance unit 70 main body so as to face the carry-in port 50a of the processing units 50 and 50, and carries the recording sheet P carried in from the carry-in port 70a toward the carry-in port 50a. It is an exit.

  In the present embodiment, the processing units 50 and 50 (50A and 50B in this example) are provided with various conveyance roller pairs 72 to 72 for conveying the recording sheet P, and various types are performed by a sheet conveyance driving unit (not shown). The conveyance roller pairs 72 to 72 are driven.

(Example of Control in Image Forming Apparatus System of Fourth Embodiment)
The conveyance control unit 220 includes a plurality of recording sheets P to P conveyed from the image forming apparatus 1 during the continuous image forming operation in the processing units 50 and 50 (50A and 50B in this example) arranged in parallel. The lower processing unit 50 (50A in this example) and the upper processing unit 50 (50B in this example) have an alternate processing control configuration in which processing is performed alternately.

(Regarding the processing flow of the control operation of the fourth embodiment)
Next, a processing flow of a control operation by the control unit 200 in the image forming apparatus system 100A of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control operation by the control unit 200 in the image forming apparatus system 100A of the fourth embodiment. 14 and 15 are state transition diagrams showing temporal changes in control examples in the image forming apparatus system 100A of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 14A shows a state before coating a plurality of recording sheets P1, P2, P3, and P4. FIG. 14B shows that the first recording sheet P1 among the plurality of recording sheets P1, P2, P3, P4 is processed by the lower processing unit 50 (50A in this example), and the second recording is performed. A state in which the sheet P2 is being processed by the upper processing unit 50 (50B in this example) is shown. FIG. 15A shows that the third recording sheet P3 among the plurality of recording sheets P1, P2, P3, and P4 is processed by the lower processing unit 50 (50A in this example), and the fourth recording is performed. A state in which the sheet P4 is being processed by the upper processing unit 50 (50B in this example) is shown. FIG. 15B shows a state after coating a plurality of recording sheets P1, P2, P3, and P4.

  In the control operation of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 13, when coating a plurality (four in this example) of recording sheets P1, P2, P3, and P4 on which images have been formed (see FIG. 14A), In step S31, the branch claw 54a of the gate portion 54 of the lower processing unit 50 (50A in this example) is switched to the second posture (see the posture shown on the lower side in FIG. 12), and the upper processing unit 50 ( In this example, the branching claw 54a of the gate portion 54 of 50B) is switched to the first posture (see the posture shown in the upper side of FIG. 12), and the first recording sheet P1 is transferred to the lower processing unit 50 (50A in this example). ) And coating is performed here (see FIG. 14B).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the coated recording sheet P is final (P4 in this example) (step S32). If it is not final (step S32: No), the process proceeds to step S33.

  In step S33, the branch claw 54a of the gate portion 54 of the upper processing unit 50 (50B in this example) is switched to the second posture (see the posture shown on the lower side in FIG. 12), and the lower processing unit 50 (this In the example, the branch claw 54a of the gate portion 54 of 50A) is switched to the first posture (see the posture shown in the upper side of FIG. 12), and the next recording sheet P (for example, P2) is transferred to the upper processing unit 50 (50B in this example). ) And coating is performed here (see FIG. 14B).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the coated recording sheet P is final (P4 in this example) (step S34). If it is not final (step S34: No), the process proceeds to step S31.

  In proceeding to step S31, the coating process of the lower processing unit 50 (50A in this example) is just finished. That is, in this state, the coating process is performed on the lower processing unit 50 (50A in this example) and the upper processing unit 50 (50B in this example), but the control example of the fourth embodiment At this time, the coating process of the lower processing unit 50 (50A in this example) (specifically, the coating process of the first coating part 60a at the latest of the pair of coating parts 60a, 60b) is just finished. In addition, an inter-sheet distance between adjacent recording sheets P and P is set.

  In step S31, the branch claw 54a of the gate portion 54 of the lower processing unit 50 (50A in this example) is switched to the second posture (see the posture shown on the lower side in FIG. 12), and the lower processing unit. 50 (50B in this example) the branch claw 54a of the gate portion 54 is switched to the first posture (see the posture shown in the upper side of FIG. 12), and the next recording sheet P (for example, P3) is transferred to the lower processing unit 50 ( In this example, it is transported to 50A), where it is coated (see FIG. 16A).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the coated recording sheet P is final (P4 in this example) (step S32). If it is not final (step S32: No), the process proceeds to step S33.

  In proceeding to step S33, the coating process of the upper processing unit 50 (50B in this example) is just finished. That is, at this time, the control example of the fourth embodiment is the coating process of the upper processing unit 50 (50B in this example) (specifically, the first coating unit 60a of the pair of coating units 60a and 60b at the latest). The inter-sheet distance between the adjacent recording sheets P and P is set so that the coating process is just finished.

  In step S33, the branch claw 54a of the gate portion 54 of the upper processing unit 50 (50B in this example) is switched to the second posture (see the posture shown on the lower side in FIG. 12), and the lower processing unit 50 is used. The branch claw 54a of the gate portion 54 (50A in this example) is switched to the first posture (see the posture shown in the upper side of FIG. 12), and the next recording sheet P (for example, P4) is transferred to the upper processing unit 50 (this example). Then, it is transported to 50B) where it is coated (see FIG. 15A).

  Thereafter, a series of operations are repeated in the same manner, and when the coated recording sheet P is final (P4 in this example) (step S32: Yes, S34: Yes), the processing ends (FIG. 15B). )reference).

  In the control example of the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, the processing is started from the lower processing unit 50 (50A in this example), but the processing is started from the upper processing unit 50 (50B in this example). Needless to say, you can start.

(Image Forming Apparatus System of Fifth Embodiment)
In the image forming apparatus system 100A of the fourth embodiment, in addition to the processing unit 50, another processing unit that performs processing different from the processing unit 50 (for example, a punch unit that performs punch processing or a staple unit that performs staple processing) is connected. May be.

  FIG. 16 is a schematic front view showing a state in which the transport unit 80, the punch unit 400, the staple unit 500, and the discharge unit 600 are connected in the image forming apparatus system 100A of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG.

  In the image forming apparatus system 100A of the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 16, in the image forming apparatus system 100A of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the processing units 50 to 50 (50A and 50B in this example) in the transport direction X are used. On the downstream side, a transport unit 80, a punch unit 400 that performs punch processing, a staple unit 500 that performs staple processing, and a discharge unit 600 that performs discharge processing are connected in series in this order. Here, the conveyance unit 80 conveys the recording sheet P from the processing units 50 to 50 (50A and 50B in this example) to the punch unit 400. The conveyance unit 80 is configured such that the conveyance unit 70 is reversed left and right, and is provided between the processing units 50 to 50 and the punch unit 400.

  The processing units 50 to 50 (more specifically, the transport unit 70, the processing units 50 to 50, and the transport unit 80) are located downstream of other processing units (in this example, the punch unit 400 or the staple unit 500). May be.

(About this embodiment)
As described above, according to the present embodiment, a plurality of processing units 50 to 50 perform parallel processing on a plurality of recording sheets P to P continuously conveyed from the image forming apparatus 1 in one job. Can be done. As a result, the number of processed recording sheets P per unit time can be increased, and specifically, the distance between adjacent recording sheets P and P can be reduced in the image forming process by the image forming apparatus 1. Therefore, the processing speed in one job can be improved.

  Here, when the plurality of processing units 50 to 50 perform parallel processing on the plurality of recording sheets P to P that are continuously conveyed from the image forming apparatus 1, the processing is performed by the plurality of processing units 50 to 50. The order of the recording sheets P to P may be different from the order of transport of the recording sheets P to P that have been transported from the image forming apparatus 1, but in the present embodiment, the processing is performed by a plurality of processing units 50 to 50. Since the recording sheets P to P are conveyed in the order of conveyance of the recording sheets P to P conveyed from the image forming apparatus 1, the recording sheets P to P processed by the plurality of processing units 50 to 50 are used. In the order in which the recording sheets P to P conveyed from the image forming apparatus 1 are conveyed.

  In the present embodiment, among the plurality of recording sheets P to P conveyed from the image forming apparatus 1, the preceding recording sheet Pa and the subsequent recording sheet Pb are processed in different processing units in the plurality of processing units 50 to 50. The preceding recording sheet Pa and the succeeding recording sheet Pb can be processed by different processing units 50 in the plurality of processing units 50 to 50, whereby the preceding recording sheet can be processed. While Pa is processed by one processing unit 50 in the plurality of processing units 50 to 50, the subsequent recording sheet Pb can be processed by another processing unit 50 in the plurality of processing units 50 to 50. It becomes possible to improve the processing speed in one job.

  In the present embodiment, at least one of the plurality of processing units 50 to 50 (in this example, all the processing units 50A and 50B) includes a main transport path 51 that transports the recording sheet P, and a main transport. When a predetermined process is not performed by performing a predetermined process (in this example, a coating process) on the sub-transport path 59, which includes a sub-transport path 59 that once branches from the path 51 and returns to the main transport path 51 again. While the recording sheet P is conveyed as it is on the main conveying path 51, when performing a predetermined process, the recording sheet P conveyed on the main conveying path 51 is conveyed onto the sub conveying path 59, and the sub conveying path 59, the recording sheet P can be returned to the main conveyance path 51 after a predetermined process is performed on the recording sheet P conveyed on the surface 59. Accordingly, the recording sheet P that performs the predetermined processing in one processing unit 50 among the plurality of processing units 50 to 50 is subjected to the predetermined processing in the sub-transport path 59 while the recording sheet P that does not perform the predetermined processing. On the other hand, the recording sheet P can be conveyed to the outside (for example, another processing unit 50 in the plurality of processing units 50 to 50) via the main conveyance path 51 without performing predetermined processing.

  In the image forming apparatus system 100 according to the first to third embodiments, at least two processing units (all processing units 50A and 50B in this example) among the plurality of processing units 50 to 50 are arranged in series. As a result, a space in the parallel direction (vertical direction V) in which the processing units 50 to 50 are arranged in parallel can be secured, and compactness in the parallel direction (vertical direction V) can be realized. .

  In the image forming apparatus system 100A of the fourth and fifth embodiments, at least two processing units (all processing units 50A and 50B in this example) among the plurality of processing units 50 to 50 are arranged in parallel. As a result, a space in the series direction (horizontal direction H) in which the processing units in the plurality of processing units 50 to 50 are arranged in series can be secured, and compactness in the series direction (horizontal direction H) can be realized. .

  Further, in the control example in the image forming apparatus system 100 according to the first embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 has been transported from at least two processing units arranged in series (all the processing units 50A and 50B in this example). Among the plurality of recording sheets P to P, the preceding recording sheet Pa is processed downstream of the processing unit 50 (in this example, 50A) in the processing units 50 to 50 that process the subsequent recording sheet Pb (this example). In the example, the processing unit 50B) includes the processing unit 50B), so that the preceding recording sheet Pa is downstream of the processing units 50 (50A in this example) in the processing units 50 to 50 that process the subsequent recording sheet Pb. Can be processed by the processing unit (50B in this example). In the example, the predetermined recording process for the preceding recording sheet Pa can be performed without being overtaken by the succeeding recording sheet Pb before the coating process), whereby the preceding recording of the subsequent recording sheet Pb before the predetermined process is performed. The occurrence of a collision with the sheet Pa can be avoided.

  Further, in the control example in the image forming apparatus system 100 of the second embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 has been transported by at least two processing units arranged in series (in this example, all the processing units 50A and 50B). Among the plurality of recording sheets P to P, the preceding recording sheet Pa is processed upstream of the processing unit 50 (in this example, 50B) in the processing units 50 to 50 that process the subsequent recording sheet Pb (this example). In the example, the processing unit 50A) is included, so that the preceding recording sheet Pa is upstream of the processing unit 50 (50B in this example) in the plurality of processing units 50 to 50 that process the subsequent recording sheet Pb. The processing unit 50 (50A in this example) can perform processing, and accordingly, the processing unit on the side close to the image forming apparatus 1 is used. The processing frequency of a predetermined process (in this example, a coating process) can be increased in the base 50 (for example, 50A), so that the user consumes the processing unit 50 (for example, 50A) closer to the image forming apparatus 1. It is possible to increase the frequency of maintenance work such as product replacement work (for example, coating film F replacement work). Therefore, it is possible to improve the workability of maintenance work such as replacement work of consumables by the user when a plurality of processing units 50 to 50 are connected in series.

  In the present embodiment, at least one of the plurality of processing units 50 to 50 (in this example, all the processing units 50A and 50B) performs a clear coat process for forming a film on the surface of the recording sheet P. A clear coat processing unit (in this example, the coating unit 60) is provided, and the clear coat processing unit (in this example, the coating unit 60) performs the clear coat process on the transported recording sheet P, thereby clear coating. In executing the processing, the processing speed in one job can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the plurality of processing units 50 to 50 are two, but may be three or more.

  In the present embodiment, in the image forming apparatus system 100 according to the first to third embodiments, the plurality of processing units 50 to 50 are arranged in series, and the image formation according to the fourth and fifth embodiments is performed. In the apparatus system 100A, the plurality of processing units 50 to 50 are arranged in parallel, but parallel and serial may be combined.

  In the present embodiment, the predetermined process is the film coating process, but any process may be used as long as the process speed is lower than the process speed of the image forming apparatus 1. It may be post-processing such as stapling, ink-jet processing or fixing processing. That is, the processing unit 50 is provided with a film coating processing unit (in this example, the coating unit 60) for performing a film coating process for depositing a transparent resin material on the recording sheet P on which an image is formed. A punch processing unit for performing the stapling process, a stapling processing unit for performing the stapling process, an ink jet processing unit for performing the ink jet processing for depositing the transparent toner on the image-formed recording sheet P, and a fixing processing unit for performing the fixing process. It may be.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and can be implemented in various other forms. Therefore, such an embodiment is merely an example in all respects and should not be interpreted in a limited manner. The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of claims, and is not restricted by the text of the specification. Further, all modifications and changes belonging to the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

1 Image forming apparatus 50 (50A) Processing unit (an example of a processing apparatus)
50 (50B) processing unit (an example of a processing apparatus)
51 Main transport path 59 Sub transport path 60 (60a) Coating section (an example of a clear coat processing section)
60 (60b) coating part (an example of a clear coat processing part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image forming apparatus system 100A Image forming apparatus system 200 Control part 201 Processing part 202 Storage part 210 Parallel processing part 220 Conveyance control part P Recording sheet

Claims (7)

A plurality of image forming apparatuses that form an image on a recording sheet, and a plurality of the same predetermined processing performed on the recording sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus at a processing speed slower than the processing speed of the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus system comprising a processing device,
The plurality of processing devices are caused to perform parallel processing on the plurality of recording sheets continuously conveyed from the image forming apparatus, and the recording sheets processed by the plurality of processing devices are used as the image. An image forming apparatus system, wherein the recording sheet is conveyed in the order of conveyance of the recording sheets conveyed from the forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus system according to claim 1,
Of the plurality of recording sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus, a preceding recording sheet that is the preceding recording sheet, and a subsequent recording sheet that is the recording sheet that immediately follows the preceding recording sheet, An image forming apparatus system, wherein processing is performed by different processing devices in a plurality of processing devices. The image forming apparatus system according to claim 1 or 2,
At least one of the plurality of processing apparatuses includes a main conveyance path that conveys the recording sheet, and a sub conveyance path that once branches from the main conveyance path and returns to the main conveyance path. An image forming apparatus system that performs the predetermined processing in a conveyance path. The image forming apparatus system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
An image forming apparatus system, wherein at least two processing devices among the plurality of processing devices are arranged in series or in parallel. The image forming apparatus system according to claim 4,
At least two of the plurality of processing devices are arranged in series,
In the at least two processing devices arranged in series, the preceding recording sheet, which is the preceding recording sheet, of the plurality of recording sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus is followed immediately after the preceding recording sheet. An image forming apparatus system comprising: a processing apparatus that processes a subsequent recording sheet that is the recording sheet to be processed by a processing apparatus downstream of the processing apparatuses in the plurality of processing apparatuses. The image forming apparatus system according to claim 4,
At least two of the plurality of processing devices are arranged in series,
In the at least two processing devices arranged in series, the preceding recording sheet, which is the preceding recording sheet, of the plurality of recording sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus is followed immediately after the preceding recording sheet. An image forming apparatus system, comprising: a processing apparatus upstream of a processing apparatus in the plurality of processing apparatuses that processes a subsequent recording sheet that is the recording sheet to be processed. The image forming apparatus system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising:
At least one of the plurality of processing apparatuses includes a clear coat processing unit that performs a clear coat process for forming a film on the surface of the recording sheet, and the clear coat processing unit is provided on the recording sheet to be conveyed. An image forming apparatus system, wherein the clear coat process is performed on the image forming apparatus.

Images