JP2015174399A - Cutting device, image formation system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cutting device capable of suppressing a part of a continuous paper used as an invalid sheet to the minimum.SOLUTION: A cutting device has a cutting part 20 which can cut a continuous paper fed to cut out a desired valid sheet, a paper feeding part 10 which can feed the continuous paper to the cutting part 20 and can form a wind-habit to one part of the continuous paper in stoppage of paper feeding, and a cutting control part 90 which controls feeding by the paper feeding part 10 and cutting by the cutting part 20 so as to divide and cut out a part of the continuous paper from a tip to a wind-habit region formed with the wind-habit into a valid sheet not including the wind-habit region and an invalid sheet including the wind-habit region.

Description

  The present invention relates to a cutting apparatus, an image forming system, and a program.

  There is a cutting device that cuts out a sheet of a desired size (hereinafter referred to as an effective sheet) from continuous paper (not only paper but also a resin film). For example, a continuous paper cutting device used for industrial purposes cuts out valid paper from continuous paper according to the number of pages and the size specified in the cutting request (job). The cutting device waits while holding the continuous paper in preparation for the next cutting until a cutting request is input.

  In the cutting apparatus, a plurality of transport rollers for transporting continuous paper are arranged. Usually, the plurality of transport rollers are not necessarily arranged linearly. For this reason, while the cutting device is waiting, the continuous paper is not necessarily held straight, and is partially held along the conveyance roller. The continuous paper may be curled at the curved portion.

  When the effective paper is cut out from the continuous paper with the curl, the effective paper with the curl is produced. When effective paper with curling is used as a printing paper in a subsequent process, for example, it is wrapped around a transfer drum or a fixing roller of a printing apparatus, which may cause a paper jam.

  Therefore, in order to prevent the occurrence of a paper jam or the like in post-processing, an invention has been disclosed in which a portion from a leading end to a portion having a curl (hereinafter referred to as a curl region) is cut from continuous paper ( For example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-279856 A

  However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, all the continuous paper from the leading edge to the curl area is discarded as paper that is not used in the subsequent process (hereinafter referred to as invalid paper). In this case, there are many portions of continuous paper that are not used as invalid paper, leading to an increase in cost.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a cutting device, an image forming system, and a program capable of minimizing the portion of continuous paper used as invalid paper even if the continuous paper is curled. The purpose is to provide.

  (1) In order to cut out a desired effective paper, a cutting unit capable of cutting the fed continuous paper, and the continuous paper can be fed to the cutting unit. A paper feeding unit capable of attaching a curl to the part, a portion of the continuous paper from the leading end to the curl area with the curl, the effective paper not including the curl area, and the curl area A cutting apparatus having a cutting control unit that controls sheet feeding by the sheet feeding unit and cutting by the cutting unit so as to be cut into invalid paper.

  (2) The cutting control unit determines whether or not the continuous paper is curled based on a leaving time in which the paper feeding unit is left without feeding the continuous paper. ) Cutting apparatus.

  (3) The cutting control unit determines the number of cut sheets of the valid paper and the cut length of the invalid paper based on the length from the leading edge of the continuous paper to the curl area and the paper size designated as a job. The cutting apparatus according to the above (1) or (2).

  (4) In order to cut out a desired effective paper, a cutting unit capable of cutting the fed continuous paper, and the continuous paper can be fed to the cutting unit. A paper supply unit capable of forming a curl on the part, an image forming unit capable of forming an image on the effective paper, and a portion of the continuous paper from the leading end to the curl region having the curl An image forming system comprising: a control unit configured to control sheet feeding by the sheet feeding unit and cutting by the cutting unit so as to be divided into the effective sheet not including the paper and the invalid sheet including the curl area.

  (5) The control unit determines whether or not the continuous paper is curled based on a leaving time in which the paper feeding unit is left without feeding the continuous paper. The image forming system described in 1.

  (6) The control unit determines the number of cut sheets of the valid paper and the cut length of the invalid paper based on the length from the leading edge of the continuous paper to the curl area and the paper size designated as a print job. The image forming system according to (4) or (5).

  (7) The image forming system according to any one of (4) to (6), further including a sorting unit that sorts the invalid paper toward a dedicated paper discharge tray.

  (8) When the sorting unit is located upstream of the image forming unit, the control unit may extract the maximum number of valid sheets that can be cut out in a length from the leading edge of the continuous paper to the front of the curl area. The image forming system according to (7), wherein the sheet feeding unit and the cutting unit are controlled so as to be cut out.

  (9) When the sorting unit is not located upstream of the image forming unit, the control unit may extract the maximum number of valid sheets that can be cut out in a length from the leading edge of the continuous paper to the front of the curl area. When the leading edge position of the invalid paper at the time of cutting is calculated, and the distance between the calculated leading edge position and the curl area is equal to or less than a predetermined length, from the leading edge of the continuous paper to the front of the curl area The number of sheets of effective paper to be cut out in the length of 1 is reduced by one, and the cut-out position of the invalid paper is determined so that the leading edge position is further away from the curl area by the amount reduced by one. system.

  (10) In order to cut out a desired effective sheet, the continuous sheet that has been fed can be cut, and the continuous sheet can be fed to the cutting unit. A program for controlling an image forming system having a paper feed unit capable of attaching a curl to a portion and an image forming unit capable of forming an image on the effective paper, wherein the curl has the curl from the tip. Paper feeding by the paper feeding unit and the cutting unit so as to cut out the portion of the continuous paper up to the wrinkle region into the effective paper not including the curl wrinkle region and the invalid paper including the curl wrinkle region A program that causes a computer to execute a cutting step for controlling cutting by a computer.

  (11) before the cutting step, a step of determining whether or not the continuous paper is curled based on a leaving time in which the paper feeding unit is left without feeding the continuous paper. The program according to (10), further including:

  (12) Before the cutting step, based on the length from the leading edge of the continuous paper to the curl area and the paper size designated as a print job, The program according to (10) or (11), further including a determination step for determining a cutout length.

  (13) The image forming system further includes a sorting unit that is provided upstream of the image forming unit and sorts the invalid paper toward a dedicated paper discharge tray. In the determining step, the leading edge of the continuous paper The program according to (12), wherein the maximum number of sheets that can be cut out in a length from before to the curl area is determined as the number of cut sheets of the effective paper.

  (14) The image forming system further includes a sorting unit that is provided downstream of the image forming unit and sorts the invalid paper toward a dedicated paper discharge tray. In the determining step, the leading edge of the continuous paper The leading edge position of the invalid paper when cutting the maximum number of valid sheets that can be cut out in a length from to the front of the curl area is calculated, and the calculated distance between the leading edge position and the curl area is predetermined. Is less than the length of the continuous paper, the number of sheets of effective paper to be cut out in the length from the leading edge of the continuous paper to the front of the curl area is reduced by one, and the leading edge position is further from the curl area by the amount reduced by one. The program according to (12), wherein the cutout position of the invalid paper is determined so as to be separated.

  According to the cutting device, the image forming system, and the program according to the present invention, since the valid paper is cut out from the continuous paper portion from the leading edge to the curl area, the continuous paper is used as invalid paper even if the curl is attached to the continuous paper. Can be minimized. Therefore, wasteful paper can be reduced and the cost is reduced.

It is a figure which shows the schematic structural example of the cutting apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware structural example of a cutting control part. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an example of the curl which can be attached to continuous paper. It is an operation | movement flowchart of the cutting apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a cutting information calculation process. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an example of the calculation method of cutting information. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating another example of the calculation method of cutting information. It is a figure which shows an example of a residual curl area | region. It is a figure which shows the example which can attach two curl to a continuous paper. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the calculation method of cutting information in the example of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of schematic structure of the image forming system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. 10 is an operation flowchart of the image forming system according to the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the calculation method of cutting information. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement image of an image forming system in the example of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of schematic structure of the image forming system which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. 14 is an operation flowchart of the image forming system according to the third embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a cutting information calculation process. It is a figure which shows an example of the calculation method of cutting information. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement image of an image forming system in the example of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. In addition, the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of explanation, and may differ from the actual ratios.

[First embodiment]
<Configuration of cutting device>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of a cutting apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  The cutting apparatus 1 includes a paper feeding unit 10, a cutting unit 20, and a cutting control unit 90. The sheet feeding unit 10 and the cutting unit 20 are connected along a conveyance direction indicated by an arrow, and operate according to an instruction from the cutting control unit 90.

  The paper feeding unit 10 feeds the continuous paper RP to the cutting unit 20 in order to cut out a desired valid paper. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the paper feeding unit 10 includes an unwinding unit 11, a guide unit 12, a conveyance adjusting unit 13, and a paper feeding roller 14.

  The unwinding unit 11 supplies the continuous paper RP. In the unwinding unit 11, for example, a roll-shaped continuous paper RP is wound around a support shaft and held rotatably. However, in the unwinding unit 11, the continuous paper RP does not necessarily need to be held in a roll shape, and may be folded and held. The unwinding unit 11 also includes a plurality of support shafts for holding the continuous paper RP. When the continuous paper RP on one support shaft is exhausted, the unwinding unit 11 automatically switches to the other support shaft and continuously supplies the continuous paper RP. By doing so, the shortage of the continuous paper RP can be avoided.

  The guide unit 12 guides the continuous paper RP. The guide part 12 is comprised from the some guide roller arrange | positioned in a different position, for example, as shown in FIG. The plurality of guide rollers can suppress slippage and meandering of the continuous paper RP during conveyance by applying tension to the continuous paper RP and keeping the tension of the continuous paper RP constant. Further, by combining a guide roller having a different rotation direction for conveying the continuous paper RP, wrinkles, curling, etc. on the upstream continuous paper RP can be alleviated.

  The conveyance adjusting unit 13 conveys the continuous paper RP conveyed from the guide unit 12 to the paper feeding roller 14. However, in order to absorb the speed difference between the transport speed of the continuous paper RP at the guide section 12 and the transport speed of the continuous paper RP at the paper feed roller 14, the transport adjustment section 13 is continuous as shown in FIG. The paper RP is slackened and held, and the conveyance of the continuous paper RP to the paper feed roller 14 is adjusted.

  The paper feed roller 14 feeds the continuous paper RP held by the transport adjustment unit 13 to the cutting unit 20. The paper feed roller 14 includes, for example, a pair of paper feed rollers 14A and 14B. The paper feed rollers 14A and 14B are opposed to each other with the continuous paper RP interposed therebetween, and the rotation speed is controlled by the cutting control unit 90.

  The cutting unit 20 cuts the continuous paper RP fed by the paper feeding unit 10. The cutting unit 20 is, for example, a laser irradiation device, and continuously at the cutting position M with the leading end A of the continuous paper RP passing through the cutting position M and temporarily stopped as shown in FIG. The paper RP can be cut. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the cutting unit 20 may include cutter teeth and cut the continuous paper RP in synchronization with the conveyance of the continuous paper RP. The paper CP cut out by the cutting unit 20 is conveyed downstream by a conveyance mechanism such as a belt conveyor.

  The cutting control unit 90 communicates with the sheet feeding unit 10 and the cutting unit 20 to control operations of these units. The detailed operation of the cutting control unit 90 will be described later.

<Hardware configuration of cutting control unit>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the cutting control unit 90.

  The cutting control unit 90 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 91, a memory 92, a storage 93, a network interface I / F 94, and an input / output device interface I / F 95, as shown in FIG. These are connected to each other via a bus for exchanging signals.

  The CPU 91 is a control circuit configured by a multi-core processor or the like that executes control of the above-described units and various arithmetic processes according to a program. Each function of the cutting control unit 90 is exhibited when the CPU 91 executes a corresponding program.

  The memory 92 is a high-speed accessible main storage device that temporarily stores programs and data as a work area. As the memory 92, for example, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Access Memory), an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), or the like is employed.

  The storage 93 is a large-capacity auxiliary storage device that stores various programs including an operating system and various data. As the storage 93, for example, a flash memory, a solid state drive, a hard disk, a ROM (Read Only Memory), or the like is employed.

  The network I / F 94 is an interface for communicating with another external apparatus (for example, an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image on a sheet) via a computer network. Standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), Wi-Fi, FDDI, and token ring are used for communication.

  The input / output device I / F 95 is an interface for communicating with an input device such as a touch-type operation panel, a numeric keypad, a keyboard, and a mouse, and a recording device such as an external hard disk and a flash memory.

<A roll that can be attached to continuous paper>
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the curl that can be attached to the continuous paper.

  In the cutting apparatus 1, the continuous paper RP always circumscribes the paper feed roller 14B regardless of whether it is being fed or stopped, and the portion between the circumscribed positions B and C is bent along the paper feed roller 14B. . Note that pressure acts between the continuous paper RP portion between the circumscribing positions B and C and the paper feed roller 14B. For example, the portion of the continuous paper RP between the circumscribing positions B and C applies a certain pressure to the paper feed roller 14B by the weight of the continuous paper RP held by the conveyance adjusting unit 13, while the paper feed roller 14B Receives reaction force of the pressure.

  While the continuous paper RP is being fed, the continuous paper RP held by the conveyance adjusting unit 13 is fed one after another by the paper feed roller 14 toward the cutting unit 20, so that the same local portion of the continuous paper RP is present. It is not left for a long time between the circumscribing positions B and C. On the other hand, when the continuous paper RP is stopped, the paper supply unit 10 stands by and holds the continuous paper RP, so that the same local portion of the continuous paper RP remains bent between the circumscribed positions B and C. Retained.

  For this reason, when the leaving time in which the paper feeding unit 10 is left without feeding the continuous paper RP becomes long, the paper feeding roller 14B is held in a bent state between the circumscribed positions B and C. Pressure can be continuously applied to the portion of the continuous paper RP to curl the portion. Therefore, when the feeding of the continuous paper RP by the paper feeding unit 10 is resumed, the continuous paper RP is fed to the cutting unit 20 in a state including the curl area BC.

<Operation of the cutting device>
FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart of the cutting apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the cutting information calculation process (S104).

  First, the operation procedure of the cutting apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The cutting apparatus 1 starts the process shown in FIG. 4 when the power is turned on, for example. However, the timing at which the cutting apparatus 1 starts the process is not limited to this, and the process may be started when an instruction for starting the cutting process is input to the operation panel.

<Step S101>
The cutting control unit 90 measures the leaving time. For example, after the cutting process corresponding to the previous cutting request is finished, the cutting control unit 90 accepts a new cutting request and starts the cutting process, leaving the sheet feeding unit 10 without feeding continuous paper. Measure the standing time.

<Step S102>
The cutting control unit 90 determines whether there is a cutting request. The cutting control unit 90 determines that there is a cutting request, for example, when a job including a desired number of valid paper pages and size is received from an external device (for example, a host device) via the network I / F 94. To do. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the cutting control unit 90 requests the cutting when, for example, the user directly performs an operation for instructing cutting by designating a desired number and size of valid sheets on the operation panel. It may be determined that there is. On the other hand, the cutting control unit 90 determines that there is no cutting request when a job is not received or when there is no cutting instruction.

  When there is no cutting request (step S102: NO), the cutting control unit 90 repeats the process shown in step S101 until there is a cutting request. On the other hand, when there is a cutting request (step S102: YES), the cutting control unit 90 advances the processing to step S103.

<Step S103>
The cutting control unit 90 determines whether or not the continuous paper is curled. For example, the cutting control unit 90 determines that the continuous paper is curled when the leaving time measured in step S101 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. On the other hand, when the measured value of the standing time is smaller than the predetermined value, the cutting control unit 90 determines that the continuous paper is not curled.

  The cutting control unit 90 advances the process to step S104 when the continuous paper is curled (step S103: YES). On the other hand, the cutting control unit 90 advances the process to step S105 when the continuous paper is not curled (step S103: NO).

<Step S104>
The cutting control unit 90 calculates cutting information. The cutting control unit 90, for example, determines the length from the leading edge of the continuous paper to the curl area based on the length from the leading edge of the continuous paper to the curl area and the number and size of valid papers specified for cutting in the job. The number of valid papers to be cut out and the length of invalid paper to be cut out are calculated. Details of the cutting information calculation process will be described later.

<Step S105>
The cutting control unit 90 determines whether or not the next paper to be cut out is invalid paper. For example, the cutting control unit 90 counts up the number of times of cutting every time the cutting unit 20 cuts continuous paper, and the count value of the number of times of cutting coincides with the number of cut sheets of valid paper calculated in the process of step S104. Then, it is determined that the next paper to be cut out is invalid paper. On the other hand, when the count value of the number of times of cutting does not match the number of cut sheets of valid paper, the cutting control unit 90 determines that the next paper to be cut out is not invalid paper.

  When the next sheet to be cut out is an invalid sheet (step S105: YES), the cutting control unit 90 advances the process to step S106. On the other hand, when the next sheet to be cut out is not invalid paper (step S105: NO), the cutting control unit 90 advances the process to step S107.

<Step S106>
The cutting control unit 90 instructs the paper feeding unit 10 and the cutting unit 20 to cut out invalid paper from continuous paper. For example, the cutting control unit 90 supplies the continuous paper to the paper feeding unit 10 such that the length of the continuous paper portion from the leading end to the cutting position of the cutting unit 20 becomes the cut-out length of the invalid paper calculated in the process of step S104. Specify the paper feed amount. Then, the cutting control unit 90 instructs the cutting unit 20 to cut out invalid paper from the fed continuous paper.

<Step S107>
The cutting control unit 90 instructs the sheet feeding unit 10 and the cutting unit 20 to cut out a desired effective sheet from the continuous sheet. For example, the cutting control unit 90 instructs the paper supply unit 10 to supply the amount of continuous paper so that the length of the continuous paper portion from the leading end to the cutting position of the cutting unit 20 becomes a desired effective paper length. To do. Here, when the length of the continuous paper portion from the leading end before cutting to the cutting position is longer than the desired length of the effective paper, the cutting control unit reversely conveys the continuous paper by the length. The sheet feeding unit 10 can be instructed. The portion of the continuous paper that has been reversely conveyed can be held by the conveyance adjusting unit 13. The cutting control unit 90 also instructs the cutting unit 20 to cut out a desired valid sheet from the fed continuous sheet. The cutting control unit 60 also counts the number of pages of desired valid paper cut out by the cutting unit 20.

<Step S108>
The cutting control unit 90 determines whether or not to end the cutting process. For example, the cutting control unit 90 determines that the continuous sheet cutting process is to be ended when the desired number of valid paper pages specified in the job has been cut out. On the other hand, the cutting control unit 90 determines that the continuous sheet cutting process is not finished when the requested number of pages of valid paper is not cut out.

  When the cutting control unit 60 determines to end the continuous sheet cutting process (step S108: YES), the process proceeds to step S109. On the other hand, when the cutting control unit 90 determines not to end the continuous sheet cutting process (step S108: NO), the process returns to step S105.

<Step S109>
The cutting control unit 90 instructs the paper feeding unit 10 and the cutting unit 20 to wait. The cutting control unit 90 can instruct the paper feeding unit 10 to stop the leading edge of the continuous paper at a predetermined position when, for example, all the desired valid paper pages have been cut out. The predetermined position may be a position downstream of the cutting position of the cutting unit 20 in the transport direction, or may overlap the cutting position. In other words, the cutting control unit 90 can control the distance from the leading edge of the continuous paper that has stopped feeding to the cutting position of the cutting unit 20. Further, the cutting control unit 90 instructs the paper feeding unit 10 and the cutting unit 20 to wait until a new cutting request is received.

<Cutting information calculation process (S104)>
Hereinafter, the cutting information calculation process (S104) will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 6 and 7 are explanatory diagrams for explaining an example of a cutting information calculation method.

<Step S201>
The cutting control unit 90 acquires the length of the continuous paper from the leading edge to the curl area. For example, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 7A, the cutting control unit 90 acquires the lengths from the leading edge A to the starting edge position B and the ending edge position C of the curl area BC in the continuous paper RP. To do. Here, the distance from the leading edge A of the continuous paper RP to the cutting position M of the cutting unit 20 is controlled by the cutting control unit 90 as described in the process of step S109. In the cutting apparatus 1, the physical position between the paper feed unit 10 (for example, the paper feed roller 14 </ b> B) that can curl the continuous paper RP and the cutting unit 20 is fixed in advance. The distance to the starting position B and the terminal position C of the curl area BC is a fixed value.

<Step S202>
The cutting control unit 90 assigns page numbers to continuous sheets based on the desired size of valid sheets. The page number corresponds to the number of sheets to be cut out from the continuous sheet by the cutting unit 20. The dotted line positions in FIGS. 6A and 7A indicate the desired effective paper to be cut out by the cutting unit 20 in step S107 when it is determined in step S103 that the continuous paper RP is not wrinkled. Indicates the boundary. For example, as shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 7 (a), the trimming control unit 90 applies page numbers 1 to the continuous paper RP in order from the leading edge A in units of the desired effective paper length DL.・ Allocate n. Here, n is, for example, the number of pages of desired valid paper designated as a job.

<Step S203>
The cutting control unit 90 determines the number of effective sheets to be cut out before the curl area. Specifically, the cutting control unit 90 determines the number of effective sheets that can be cut out to the maximum in the length from the leading edge of the continuous sheet to the front of the curl area. Here, the cutting control unit 90 determines on which page the start position of the curl area is allocated in the process of step S202. For example, as shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 7A, when the start position B of the curl area BC is located within the paper range of the page number x, the cutting control unit 90 moves to the curl area. The number of valid sheets cut out is determined to be x-1. In the examples of FIGS. 6A and 7A, the page number of the sheet range where the end position C of the curl area BC is different between x and x + 1. However, regardless of the end position C, the cutting control unit 90 determines a page including the start end position B of the curl area as an invalid paper page, and determines all pages having a smaller page number as valid paper. .

<Step S204>
The cutting control unit 90 determines the cutting length of invalid paper. Specifically, the cutting control unit 90 cuts out the invalid paper by subtracting the length corresponding to the number of cut sheets of the effective paper determined in step S203 from the length from the leading edge of the continuous paper to the curl area. Determine as length. For example, as shown in FIGS. 6B and 7B, the cutting control unit 90 determines the cutting length CL of the invalid paper as CL = AC− (x−1) * DL. Here, AC indicates the distance from the leading edge A of the continuous paper RP to the terminal position C of the curl area BC.

  As described above, according to the cutting device 1 according to the first embodiment, the continuous paper portion from the leading end to the curl area is divided into valid paper that does not include the curl area and invalid paper that includes the curl area. Cut out. Since the desired effective paper is cut out from the continuous paper portion from the leading edge to the curl-up area, the continuous paper portion used as the invalid paper can be minimized even if the continuous paper is curled up. Therefore, wasteful paper can be reduced and the cost is reduced.

  In the first embodiment, the cutting control unit 90 assigns page numbers to continuous paper, assuming that the sizes of all pages of desired valid paper are the same (S202), and calculates the cutting length of invalid paper. (S204). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the size of each page of desired effective paper may be different from each other. In this case, in the process of step S202, the cutting control unit 90, for example, sequentially assigns page numbers 1,..., N to the continuous paper RP from the leading edge A according to the length DL of each page. In step S204, the cutting control unit 90 determines the cut-out length CL of invalid paper as a value obtained by sequentially subtracting the length DL of each page from the length from the leading edge A to the terminal position C.

  In the first embodiment, when the length of the continuous paper from the leading end before cutting to the cutting position is longer than the desired length of the effective paper, the cutting control unit 90 removes the continuous paper by the long length. Reverse conveyance is performed (S107). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the continuous paper portion downstream from the cutting position may be cut once, and the user may take out the once cut portion. In this case, in the process of step S105, the cutting control unit 90 may calculate the number of valid paper cuts and the length of invalid paper cuts based on the length of continuous paper from the cutting position to the curl area.

[Modification 1]
The said 1st Embodiment intends to illustrate the summary, and does not limit the application range of the technical idea. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

  In the first embodiment, the case has been described in which the number of effective sheets specified by a job is larger than the number of effective sheets to be extracted before the curl area. However, depending on the position of the transport roller that generates the curl area and the number of sheets of valid paper specified by the job, the necessary number of valid sheets may be cut out before the curl area. In this case, the curl area remains, and the sheet is cut out before and after the curl area when the next and subsequent jobs are executed.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a remaining curl area. The example shown in FIG. 8 shows a state in which the curl area BC remains on the continuous paper RP even after cutting out n sheets of valid paper designated for the job. In such a case, when processing the job, the cutting control unit 90 first acquires the length from the leading edge of the continuous paper RP to the curl area in step S201 described above. Then, in step S202, the cutting control unit 90 assigns page numbers to the continuous sheets as shown in FIG. Here, since it can be determined that all the necessary number n of valid sheets can be cut out before the curl area BC, the cutting control unit 90 stores the position information of the curl area BC in the storage 93 as the remaining curl area BC. Let

  As described above, according to the first modification, even when the continuous paper includes the remaining curl area, the position of the remaining curl area is stored in the storage, so that the residual curl area is not overlooked. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the effective paper with curl from being mixed into the effective paper cut out from the continuous paper.

[Modification 2]
In the first embodiment, the case where one curl area is formed on the continuous paper has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to the case where two or more curl areas are formed on the continuous paper.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example in which two rolls can be attached to the continuous paper. In the cutting device 1 shown in FIG. 1, the guide unit 12 includes a pair of guide rollers 12 </ b> A and 12 </ b> B that are arranged to face each other. Similar to the case shown in FIG. 3, the guide roller 12 </ b> B can also curl the continuous paper RP portion between the circumscribed positions D and E. The curl attached to the continuous paper RP by the guide roller 12B may not be relieved even if it is subsequently transported and passes through the paper feed roller 14. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the same surface of the continuous paper RP is in contact with the guide roller 12B and the paper feed roller 14B, and the rotation directions of the guide roller 12B and the paper feed roller 14B during conveyance are the same. If this is the case, it is highly possible that the curl will not be alleviated.

  In the second modification, when the continuous paper includes a plurality of curl areas, the continuous paper portion between adjacent curl areas is also converted into valid paper that does not include the curl area and invalid paper that includes the curl area. Cut it out separately.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a cutting information calculation method when the continuous paper RP shown in FIG. 9 includes the curl area BC and the curl area DE. In FIG. 10, it is assumed that the curl area BC and the curl area DE are positioned in the paper range with page numbers x and y, respectively.

  In this case, in the process of step S201 in FIG. 5, the cutting control unit 90 also acquires the lengths from the end position C of the curl area BC to the start position D and end position E of the curl area DE. In the process of step S203, the cutting control unit 90 further determines the number of valid sheets y−x− that can be cut out to the maximum in the length from the terminal position C of the curl area BC to the front of the curl area DE. 1 is determined.

Subsequently, in the process of step S204, the cutting control unit 90 determines the cut length CL _BC of invalid paper including the curl area BC, and sets the cut length CL DE of invalid paper including the curl area _DE to CL. _DE = CE− (y−x−1) * DL is determined. Here, CE indicates the distance from the end position C of the curl area to the end position E of the curl area DE.

  As described above, according to the second modification, even when two or more curl areas are included in the continuous paper, the number of valid papers to be cut and the length of invalid paper are determined in consideration of all curl areas. it can. Therefore, regardless of the number of curl areas, it is possible to cut out effective paper without wasting paper.

[Second Embodiment]
In the said 1st Embodiment and the modification 1, 2, when a curl is attached to continuous paper, the cutting apparatus which can suppress the part of the continuous paper used as invalid paper to the minimum is provided. The second embodiment provides an image forming system capable of minimizing the portion of continuous paper used as invalid paper while taking into consideration the occurrence of a paper jam in a subsequent process when the continuous paper is curled.

<Configuration of image forming system>
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of an image forming system according to the second embodiment. The image forming system 2 includes a paper feeding unit 110, a cutting unit 120, a detection unit 130, a sorting unit 140, an image forming unit 150, a first paper discharge tray 160, a second paper discharge tray 170, and a control unit 190. The paper feeding unit 110 and the cutting unit 120 cut out valid paper and invalid paper from the continuous paper, and the detection unit 130, the sorting unit 140, and the image forming unit 150 identify the valid paper and invalid paper cut out from the continuous paper. An image is formed only on effective paper. The first paper discharge tray 160 and the second paper discharge tray 170 accommodate valid paper and invalid paper separately.

  The sheet feeding unit 110 includes, for example, an unwinding unit 111, a guide unit 112, a conveyance adjusting unit 113, and a sheet feeding roller 114. The unwinding unit 111, the guide unit 112, the conveyance adjusting unit 113, the paper feeding roller 114, and the cutting unit 120 can be the same as those in the cutting apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, and operate according to instructions from the control unit 190. . That is, the control unit 190 can realize the function of the cutting control unit 90 of the cutting apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment.

  The detection unit 130 detects the paper CP. As shown in FIG. 11, the detection unit 130 detects the passage of the paper CP cut by the cutting unit 120 and fed by a transport mechanism such as a conveyor. The detection unit 130 may be, for example, a reflective or transmissive proximity optical sensor, and detects the paper CP based on a change in the amount of reflected or transmitted light received each time the paper CP passes.

  The sorting unit 140 sorts the paper CP detected by the detection unit 130 into valid paper and invalid paper, and transports the paper CP to different transport paths. As indicated by the white arrow in FIG. 11, the sorting unit 140, for example, transports valid paper to the first transport path L1 and transports invalid paper to the second transport path L2. As a default setting of the sorting unit 140, the sheet may be transported to the first transport path L1.

  The image forming unit 150 forms an image on effective paper. The image forming unit 150 is disposed on the downstream side of the sorting unit 140 in the first transport path L1. The image forming unit 150 includes, as an image carrier, a photosensitive drum (Y, M, C, K) and an intermediate transfer belt B, and a pair of opposingly arranged fixing rollers R1 and pressure rollers R2. The toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drums (Y, M, C, K) are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt B, and the toner images (Y, M, C, K) layers superimposed on each other (Y, M, C, K). Color image) is formed on the intermediate transfer belt B. The image forming unit 50 transfers the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt B onto a sheet by applying a bias having a polarity opposite to that of the toner to the transfer roller T. The toner image transferred to the paper is melted and fixed on the paper by pressing a fixing roller R1 as a heating source against the pressure roller R2. The intermediate transfer belt B and the transfer roller T, and the fixing roller R1 and the pressure roller R2 both transfer and fix the toner image while sandwiching the paper. Therefore, if the paper is wrinkled, the paper There is a risk of paper jams due to the inability to enter in between.

  The first paper discharge tray 160 is disposed at an end portion of the first transport path L1 and accommodates effective paper on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 150. The first paper discharge tray 160 may be a processed paper discharge tray of a normal image forming apparatus or the like, and may include a plurality of trays (all not shown).

  The second paper discharge tray 170 is disposed at the end of the second transport path L2 and accommodates invalid paper on which an image is not formed by the image forming unit 150. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the second paper discharge tray 170 surrounds the end of the second transport path L2 and has a box shape with an opening at the top, so that the stored invalid paper can be taken out. Installed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the second paper discharge tray 170 may have other shapes.

  The control unit 190 communicates with the paper feeding unit 110, the cutting unit 120, the detection unit 130, the sorting unit 140, the image forming unit 150, the first paper discharge tray 160, and the second paper discharge tray 170, and each of these units. Control the behavior. The control unit 190 can be integrated with the image forming unit 150 to configure an MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) having a copy function, a scan function, a facsimile function, and the like in addition to the image forming function. The control unit 190 has the same hardware configuration as the cutting control unit 90 shown in FIG. Here, the control unit 190 performs a continuous paper cutting process by the paper feeding unit 110 and the cutting unit 120 and an image forming process by the detection unit 130, the sorting unit 140, and the image forming unit 150 at the same time. You may have two CPUs. Details of other functions of the control unit 190 will be described later.

  Note that the image forming system 2 can have an operation panel (not shown) including, for example, a touch panel, a numeric keypad, a start button, a stop button, and the like that can be used for displaying various types of information and inputting various instructions.

<Operation of image forming system>
FIG. 12 is an operation flowchart of the image forming system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cutting information calculation method, and FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation image of an image forming system that performs post-processing on a sheet cut out from the continuous sheet illustrated in FIG. is there.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming system 2 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14 and the operation flowchart of FIG.

  Similar to the cutting apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the image forming system 2 starts its operation when, for example, power is turned on to the main body or when an operation for starting image formation is performed on the operation panel. To do.

  The processing of S301 to S304 of the second embodiment differs from the processing of S101 to S104 of the first embodiment, except that the job is not a cutting request but an image formation request, and the invalid paper cutting length is different. The contents of the processing are basically the same.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the control unit 190 further increases the length to the invalid paper cutting length CL (see FIGS. 6 and 7) calculated in step S <b> 204 of the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5. α is added to determine the cutting length of invalid paper. For example, the length α may be a fixed value based on the shortest length of paper that can be conveyed in the image forming unit 150 or the like, and may be stored in the storage in advance. In addition, when it is difficult for the cutting unit 120 to cut the continuous pitch paper at the end position of the curl area, it is possible to more reliably ensure that the curl is included immediately after the curl by providing a certain length α. Can be prevented.

  Further, the processing contents of the processing of S305 of the second embodiment and the processing of S105 to S109 of the first embodiment are basically the same.

  Therefore, hereinafter, only processing different from the first embodiment will be described.

<Step S306>
The control unit 190 determines whether the fed paper is valid paper. For example, the control unit 190 counts up the number of pages of the paper detected by the detection unit 130, and determines whether or not it matches the page number (x, y) of the invalid paper calculated in step S304. If the page number of the invalid paper does not match, it is determined that the fed paper is valid paper.

  When the control unit 190 determines that the fed paper is valid paper (step S306: YES), the control unit 190 advances the process to step S307. On the other hand, when the control unit 190 determines that the fed paper is not valid paper (step S306: NO), the process proceeds to step S308.

<Step S307>
The control unit 190 instructs image formation on valid paper. For example, when the effective sheet passes through the image forming unit 150, the control unit 190 instructs the image forming unit 150 to transfer the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt B to the effective sheet and melt and fix it. The effective paper after the image formation is accommodated in the first paper discharge tray 160 installed at the end of the first transport path L1. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the effective sheet _CP 1, · · ·, _{CP x-1} and _{CP x + 1, ···, CP} n , after the image has been formed by the image forming unit 150, the first transport path L1 is conveyed to L1 and stored in the first paper discharge tray 160.

<Step 308>
The control unit 190 instructs the sorting unit 140 to temporarily change the transport path from the first transport path to the second transport path. Accordingly, the invalid paper is accommodated in the second paper discharge tray 170 installed at the end of the second transport path L2 without forming an image. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the invalid paper CP _x is not formed by the image forming unit 150 but is transported to the second transport path L2 and is stored in the second paper discharge tray 170.

<Step S309>
The control unit 190 determines whether to end image formation. For example, when the image formation for the requested number of pages is completed, the control unit 190 determines to end the image formation. On the other hand, the control unit 190 determines that the image formation is not finished when the image formation for the requested number of pages is not finished.

  When determining that the image formation is to be ended (step S309: YES), the control unit 190 returns the process to step S301. On the other hand, when determining that the image formation is not finished (step S309: NO), the control unit 190 returns the process to step S306.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the same functions as those of the cutting device according to the first embodiment and the first and second modifications can be realized, and the same functions can be realized. This can also be achieved in the system 2.

  Further, according to the image forming system 2 according to the second embodiment, the invalid paper including the curl area is discharged to the second transport path different from the path toward the image forming unit 150. Therefore, the invalid paper including the curl area does not pass through the image forming unit 150, so that the occurrence of a paper jam in the image forming unit 150 can be avoided.

  In the second embodiment, the cutting process and the image forming process are executed by the single control unit 190. However, the second embodiment is not limited to this, and the image forming system includes a cutting device having a paper feeding unit 110 and a cutting unit 120, a sorting unit 140, an image forming unit 150, a first paper discharge tray 160, and a second discharge tray. An image forming apparatus having a paper tray 170 may be used. In this case, the cutting apparatus and the image forming apparatus may each include a control unit, and the above-described processing may be realized by mutual communication between the control units.

[Third embodiment]
In the image forming system according to the second embodiment, the sorting unit located upstream from the image forming unit conveys the invalid paper including the curl area to the second conveyance path that does not pass through the image forming unit, thereby generating an image. Occurrence of paper jams at the forming section is avoided. In the third embodiment, there is provided an image forming system in which the sorting unit is not positioned upstream of the image forming unit, and invalid paper is allowed to pass through the image forming unit, while the occurrence of a paper jam in the image forming unit can be avoided. .

<Configuration of image forming system>
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of an image forming system according to the third embodiment. The image forming system 3 includes a paper feeding unit 210, a cutting unit 220, a detection unit 230, a sorting unit 240, an image forming unit 250, a first paper discharge tray 260, a second paper discharge tray 270, and a control unit 290.

  The paper feed unit 210, the cutting unit 220, and the detection unit 230 can be the same as those in the image forming system 2 according to the second embodiment, and may be arranged in the same positional relationship. The sorting unit 240 and the image forming unit 250 have substantially the same configuration as the image forming system 2 according to the second embodiment, but the sorting unit 240 is disposed downstream of the image forming unit 250 and the positional relationship is reversed. ing. As a default setting, the sorting unit 240 transports the sheet to the first transport path L1, and selectively transports the sheet to the second transport path L2. A first paper discharge tray 260 is disposed at the end of the first transport path L1, and a second paper discharge tray 270 is disposed at the end of the second transport path L2.

  The control unit 290 can be the same as the control unit 190 of the image forming system 2 according to the second embodiment.

<Operation of image forming system>
FIG. 16 is an operation flowchart of the image forming system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of cutting information calculation processing (S404) in the third embodiment, and FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cutting information calculation method. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation image of the image forming system that performs post-processing on a sheet cut out from the continuous sheet of FIG.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming system 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 16 to 19.

  The processes of steps S401 to S403, S405 to S407, and S409 to S410 are the same as the processes of steps S301 to S303, S305 to S307, and S308 to S309 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. Therefore, description of these steps is omitted.

  Further, the processes of steps S501 to S503 and S506 are the same as the processes of S201 to S204 shown in FIG. 5 in the first embodiment. Therefore, description of these steps is also omitted.

  Hereinafter, only the processes of steps S504, S505, and S408 different from those of the second embodiment will be described in detail.

<Step S504>
The control unit 290 determines whether it is necessary to correct the number of cut out valid sheets. For example, the control unit 290 calculates the leading edge position of the invalid paper when the maximum number of valid papers that can be cut out in the length from the leading edge of the continuous paper to the front of the curl area is cut out. Then, when the calculated distance between the tip position and the curl area is equal to or less than a predetermined length, the control unit 290 determines that the number of cut sheets of valid paper needs to be corrected (S504: YES). On the other hand, when the calculated distance between the leading end position and the curl area is larger than a predetermined length, the control unit 290 determines that there is no need to correct the number of cut out valid sheets (S504: NO).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 18A, when the distance between the leading edge position P of the invalid paper and the curl area is a predetermined length, for example, (1/3) * DL or less, the invalid paper is When passing through the image forming unit 250, a paper jam may occur. That is, the invalid paper having the curl area on the leading end side cannot enter well between the intermediate transfer belt B and the transfer roller T of the image forming unit 50 and between the fixing roller R1 and the pressure roller R2. Paper jams can occur in these areas.

  If the control unit 290 determines that it is necessary to correct the number of cut out valid sheets (step S504: YES), the control unit 290 advances the process to step S505. On the other hand, when the control unit 290 determines that it is not necessary to correct the number of cut out valid sheets (step S504: NO), the process proceeds to step S506.

<Step S505>
The control unit 290 reduces the number of effective sheets to be cut out until the curl area. Specifically, the control unit 290 determines a number obtained by subtracting one sheet from the number of valid sheets determined in step S503 as a new number of valid sheets.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 18B, the control unit 290 corrects the cut number x−2 by reducing the number x−1 of the valid paper determined in step S <b> 503 by one. In this case, in the process of step S506, the control unit 290 increases the cutout length of the invalid paper by the length of the reduced one effective paper. For this reason, the position of the leading edge of the invalid paper is separated from the curling wrinkle area by the amount by which the number of cut out effective papers is reduced by one from the leading edge to the curling hull area. Accordingly, the curl area is not positioned on the leading end side of the invalid paper, and no paper jam occurs even if the invalid paper passes through the image forming unit 250.

<Step S408>
The control unit 290 instructs the image forming unit 250 to temporarily change the image forming process conditions. For example, when the invalid paper passes through the image forming unit 250, the control unit 290 applies a bias having the same polarity as that of the toner to the transfer roller T disposed to face the intermediate transfer belt B, and the fixing roller R1 serving as a heating source. Is separated from the pressure roller R2. As a result, the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt B is not transferred to the invalid paper and passes between the fixing roller R1 and the pressure roller R2. Therefore, wasteful use of toner can be prevented.

As shown in FIG. 19, in the image forming system 3, the valid sheets CP _x−1 and CP _{x + 1} are accommodated in the first sheet discharge tray 260 and the invalid sheet CP _x are accommodated in the second sheet discharge tray 270. .

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, since the same function as that of the cutting device according to the first embodiment and the first and second modifications can be realized and the same function can be realized, the same effects as these can be achieved. .

  Further, according to the image forming system 3 according to the third embodiment, since the curl area is not located on the leading edge side of the invalid paper, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of a paper jam even after passing through the image forming unit 250.

  In the third embodiment, a separation fan can be further provided immediately after the image forming unit 250. When the invalid paper passes through the image forming unit 250, the control unit 290 can reliably prevent the invalid paper from being wound around the roller by reliably operating the separation fan.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the operations of the cutting apparatus and the image forming system are executed by software has been described. However, all processing may not be realized by software, but a part may be realized by a dedicated hardware circuit, or may be executed by a plurality of hardware.

  The program for operating the cutting apparatus and the image forming system may be provided by a computer-readable recording medium such as a USB memory, a flexible disk, or a CD-ROM, or provided online via a network such as the Internet. May be. In this case, the program recorded on the computer-readable recording medium is normally transferred and stored in the memory 92, the storage 93, and the like. Further, this program may be provided as, for example, a single application software, or may be incorporated into the software as a function of the cutting apparatus and the image forming system.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but these are examples for explaining the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited to these embodiments. The present invention can be implemented in various modes different from the above embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

1 Cutting device,
2, 3 image forming system,
10, 110, 210 paper feed unit,
11, 111, 211 unwinding part,
12, 112, 212 guide part,
13, 113, 213 transport adjustment unit,
14, 114, 214 Paper feed rollers,
20, 120, 220 cutting part,
130, 230 detector,
140, 240 sorting section,
150, 250 Image forming unit,
160, 260 first discharge tray,
170, 270 second discharge tray,
90 Cutting control unit,
190, 290 control unit,
RP continuous paper,
CP paper (valid paper, invalid paper),
DL effective paper length,
CL Cutting length of invalid paper,
A The leading edge of continuous paper,
B, C, D, E circumscribed position,
L1, L2 first and second transport paths,
M Cutting position.

Claims (14)

A cutting unit capable of cutting the fed continuous paper in order to cut out the desired effective paper;
A paper feeding unit capable of feeding the continuous paper to the cutting unit, and capable of attaching a curl to a part of the continuous paper while paper feeding is stopped;
The continuous paper portion from the leading end to the curl area with the curl is cut into the effective paper that does not include the curl area and the invalid paper that includes the curl area and is cut out. A cutting control unit for controlling paper feeding by the paper unit and cutting by the cutting unit;
Cutting device having.   2. The cutting control unit according to claim 1, wherein the cutting control unit determines whether or not the continuous paper is curled based on a leaving time in which the paper feeding unit is left without feeding the continuous paper. Cutting device.   The cutting control unit determines the number of cut sheets of the valid paper and the cut length of the invalid paper based on a length from the leading edge of the continuous paper to the curl area and a paper size designated as a job. The cutting device according to claim 1 or 2. A cutting unit capable of cutting the fed continuous paper in order to cut out the desired effective paper;
A paper feeding unit capable of feeding the continuous paper to the cutting unit, and capable of attaching a curl to a part of the continuous paper while paper feeding is stopped;
An image forming unit capable of forming an image on the effective paper;
The continuous paper portion from the leading end to the curl area with the curl is cut into the effective paper that does not include the curl area and the invalid paper that includes the curl area and is cut out. A control unit for controlling paper feeding by the paper unit and cutting by the cutting unit;
An image forming system.   5. The image according to claim 4, wherein the control unit determines whether or not the continuous paper is wrinkled based on a leaving time in which the paper feeding unit is left without feeding the continuous paper. Forming system.   The control unit determines the number of cut sheets of the valid paper and the cut length of the invalid paper based on a length from the leading edge of the continuous paper to the curl area and a paper size designated as a print job. The image forming system according to claim 4 or 5.   The image forming system according to claim 4, further comprising a sorting unit that sorts the invalid paper toward a dedicated paper discharge tray.   When the sorting unit is located upstream of the image forming unit, the control unit cuts out the maximum number of valid sheets that can be cut out in a length from the leading edge of the continuous paper to the front of the curl area. The image forming system according to claim 7, wherein the sheet feeding unit and the cutting unit are controlled. The controller is
When the sorting unit is not positioned upstream of the image forming unit, the invalid sheet when the maximum number of valid sheets that can be cut out in the length from the leading edge of the continuous sheet to the front of the curl area is cut out. Calculate the tip position,
If the calculated distance between the leading edge position and the curl area is equal to or less than a predetermined length, the number of effective paper cut out in the length from the leading edge of the continuous paper to the front of the curl area is reduced by one, The image forming system according to claim 7, wherein the cutting position of the invalid paper is determined so that the leading end position is further away from the curl area by the amount reduced by one sheet. A cutting unit capable of cutting the fed continuous paper in order to cut out the desired effective paper;
A paper feeding unit capable of feeding the continuous paper to the cutting unit, and capable of attaching a curl to a part of the continuous paper while paper feeding is stopped;
A program for controlling an image forming system having an image forming unit capable of forming an image on the effective paper,
The continuous paper portion from the leading end to the curl area with the curl is cut into the effective paper that does not include the curl area and the invalid paper that includes the curl area and is cut out. A program for causing a computer to execute a cutting step for controlling paper feeding by a paper portion and cutting by the cutting portion.   Before the cutting step, the method further includes a step of determining whether or not the continuous paper is curled based on a leaving time in which the paper feeding unit is left without feeding the continuous paper. The program according to claim 10.   Before the cutting step, based on the length from the leading edge of the continuous paper to the curl area and the paper size designated as the print job, the number of cut out valid papers, the cut out length of the invalid papers, The program according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising a determining step for determining. The image forming system further includes a sorting unit that is provided upstream of the image forming unit and sorts the invalid paper toward a dedicated paper discharge tray.
The program according to claim 12, wherein in the determining step, the maximum number of sheets that can be cut out in a length from the leading edge of the continuous paper to the front of the curl area is determined as the number of cut out sheets of the effective paper. The image forming system further includes a sorting unit that is provided downstream of the image forming unit and sorts the invalid paper toward a dedicated paper discharge tray.
In the determining step,
Calculating the leading edge position of the invalid paper when cutting the maximum number of valid papers that can be cut out in a length from the leading edge of the continuous paper to the front of the curl area;
If the calculated distance between the leading edge position and the curl area is equal to or less than a predetermined length, the number of effective paper cut out in the length from the leading edge of the continuous paper to the front of the curl area is reduced by one, The program according to claim 12, wherein the cutting position of the invalid paper is determined so that the leading end position is further away from the curl area by the amount reduced by one sheet.