JP4984793B2 - Bookbinding apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a bookbinding apparatus and an image forming system for stacking a plurality of sheets to generate a sheet bundle, and binding the sheet bundle and a cover sheet with an adhesive.

  2. Description of the Related Art A bookbinding apparatus and an image forming system for simply bookbinding a plurality of sheets on which images are formed by a copying machine or a printer are known. An outline of a general bookbinding process in a bookbinding apparatus or the like will be described. First, a plurality of sheets on which images are formed are accumulated and aligned to generate a sheet bundle. Next, an adhesive such as glue is applied to one side of the sheet bundle. Then, the cover sheet is conveyed and stopped at a predetermined position, and the cover sheet is bonded to the adhesive-coated surface of the sheet bundle. In such a procedure, a plurality of sheets and a cover are integrated to form a book.

  By the way, most of the adhesives for joining the sheet bundle and the cover are adhesives (hot melt adhesives) in which a solid adhesive is melted with a heater. In order to perform the bookbinding process using such an adhesive, it is necessary to heat and quickly melt the solid adhesive so as not to deteriorate.

The technique described in Patent Document 1 is a technique of automatically setting the heating temperature of the heater for melting the adhesive as a value inversely proportional to the air temperature. According to this technique, in consideration of the environment, the solid adhesive can be appropriately heated and rapidly melted so as not to deteriorate.
JP 61-43597 A

  If the bookbinding process is performed many times, so much adhesive is required. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, a mechanism is conceivable in which a certain amount of adhesive 2000 is accommodated in the bookbinding apparatus and the adhesive is applied to one side of the sheet bundle by the application roller 3000. The mechanism shown in FIG. 12 will be described in detail. A predetermined amount of the adhesive 2000 is stored in the adhesive storage unit 1000. A first heater 4000 is installed in the lower part of the adhesive container 1000, and a second heater 3001 is installed inside the application roller 3000. The adhesive 2000 is heated from above and below by two heaters, and the adhesive 2000 is melted. The application roller 3000 to which the adhesive 2000 is attached moves along one side of a sheet bundle (not shown), and the adhesive is applied to one side of the sheet bundle.

  The adhesive 2000 in the adhesive storage unit 1000 has a temperature lowering when the power source of the bookbinding apparatus is turned off and the two heaters are also turned off, and is in a state different from an appropriate molten state. Therefore, when the power of the bookbinding apparatus is turned on, it is necessary to quickly heat the adhesive 2000 from the two heaters and bring the adhesive 2000 into an appropriate molten state so that the bookbinding process can be performed.

  It can be considered that the temperature of the adhesive 2000 is detected to determine whether or not the adhesive 2000 is in an appropriate molten state. However, since the temperature of the adhesive varies depending on the position in the adhesive accommodating portion in the adhesive accommodating portion 1000 that accommodates a certain amount of the adhesive 2000, the temperature sensor is installed at any position to detect the temperature of the adhesive and adhere The problem is whether to determine that the agent is in an appropriate molten state as a whole.

  When a temperature sensor is installed in the α region around the first heater 4000 to detect the temperature of the adhesive, even if the temperature of the adhesive in the α region is an appropriate temperature, β at the upper part of the adhesive container 1000 The temperature of the adhesive in the region is not always an appropriate temperature. Accordingly, when the application roller 3000 is rotated in this state to start the adhesive application operation, an adhesive that is not melted with respect to the rotation of the application roller 3000 becomes a load, and the rotation of the application roller 3000 may be stopped. . In some cases, the drive motor of the application roller 3000 or the like is broken.

  On the other hand, when a temperature sensor is installed in the β region, which is the upper part of the adhesive container 1000, and the temperature of the adhesive is detected, the adhesive in the α region becomes the first when the adhesive in the β region reaches an appropriate temperature. There is a possibility that the adhesive is deteriorated by being excessively heated by one heater 4000.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a bookbinding apparatus and an image forming system for appropriately determining the melted state of the adhesive and starting the operation of applying the adhesive to the sheet bundle even when a certain amount of adhesive is accommodated. Is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, a bookbinding apparatus according to the present invention is a bookbinding apparatus that stacks a plurality of sheets to generate a sheet bundle, and binds the sheet bundle and a cover sheet with an adhesive to perform binding. An adhesive container that accommodates the adhesive, a container heater that is installed below the adhesive container, and that heats the adhesive contained in the adhesive container, and is disposed above the container heater. And applying means for applying the adhesive contained in the adhesive accommodating portion to one end of the sheet bundle, and applying means for heating the adhesive disposed in the applying means and accommodated in the adhesive accommodating portion A heater, an adhesive temperature sensor that is installed in the middle between the housing heater and the application means heater in the vertical direction and detects the temperature of the adhesive housed in the adhesive housing portion, and the adhesive temperature sensor Detected contact When the temperature of the adhesive does not reach the predetermined temperature, the adhesive application operation by the application means is prohibited, and when the temperature of the adhesive detected by the adhesive temperature sensor reaches the predetermined temperature, the adhesive by the application means Control means for controlling the application means to permit the application operation, an accommodating part temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the accommodating part heater, an applying means temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the applying means heater, and the accommodating part temperature Heater control means for controlling the operation of the housing heater based on the temperature detected by the sensor and for controlling the operation of the application means heater based on the temperature detected by the application means temperature sensor. It is what.

In addition, an image forming system according to the present invention generates an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, and a plurality of sheets formed by the image forming unit to generate a sheet bundle, and the sheet bundle and a cover sheet An image forming system comprising: a bookbinding unit that binds and binds with an adhesive; and an adhesive storage unit that stores a molten adhesive; and an adhesive storage unit that is installed at a lower portion of the adhesive storage unit. A container heater that heats the adhesive contained in the unit, and an application unit that is installed above the container heater and that applies the adhesive contained in the adhesive container to one end side of the sheet bundle; An application means heater installed in the application means and for heating the adhesive contained in the adhesive accommodation section; and installed in the middle between the accommodation section heater and the application means heater in the vertical direction; In An adhesive temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the contained adhesive, and when the temperature of the adhesive detected by the adhesive temperature sensor has not reached a predetermined temperature, the adhesive application operation by the application means is prohibited, When the temperature of the adhesive detected by the adhesive temperature sensor reaches a predetermined temperature, the temperature of the control unit for controlling the coating unit to permit the adhesive coating operation by the coating unit and the temperature of the housing heater are detected. A storage unit temperature sensor, a coating unit temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the coating unit heater, and an operation of the storage unit heater based on the temperature detected by the storage unit temperature sensor and detected by the coating unit temperature sensor Heater control means for controlling the operation of the application means heater based on the measured temperature .

  According to the bookbinding apparatus and the image forming system according to the present invention, even when a certain amount of adhesive is accommodated, the molten state of the adhesive is properly determined and the operation of applying the adhesive to the sheet bundle is started. I can do it.

  FIG. 1 is a central sectional view of the image forming system.

  The image forming system according to the present invention includes an image forming apparatus A and a bookbinding apparatus B.

  The image forming apparatus A forms an image on a sheet by an electrophotographic method, and includes an image forming unit A1, a document conveying device A2, an image reading unit A3, and a communication unit A4. In the image forming unit A1, a charging device 2, an exposure device 3, a developing device 4, a transfer device 5A, a separating device 5B, and a cleaning device 6 are arranged around the drum-shaped photoreceptor 1, and charging, exposure, development, and the like. Each process of transfer is executed, and a toner image is formed on the sheet S1. The sheet S1 is stored in three paper feed trays 7A, and the sheets S1 are discharged one by one from the paper feed tray 7A and conveyed to the image forming unit A1. The sheet S1 to which the toner image is transferred passes through the fixing device 8 and is fixed. The fixed sheet S1 is discharged out of the image forming apparatus A from the paper discharge roller 7B or conveyed to the refeed path 7C.

  The image forming apparatus A in this embodiment forms a monochrome image on a sheet by an electrophotographic method, but the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and a color image forming apparatus. Of course, the image forming method may be any image forming method other than the electrophotographic method.

  The bookbinding apparatus (bookbinding section) B forms a book by bundling a plurality of sheets fed from the image forming apparatus A into a sheet bundle, joining the cover sheet to the sheet bundle, and covering the sheet bundle in a U-shape with the cover sheet. It is a device to do. The bookbinding apparatus B includes a sheet reversing unit 40, a stacking unit 50, a coating unit 60, and a joining unit 70 that joins a cover to a sheet bundle. Have The sheet S1 conveyed from the image forming apparatus A to the bookbinding apparatus B is discharged to the sheet discharge tray 20 through the discharge path 12 or conveyed to the sheet reversing unit 40 by the switching gate 11 provided in the conveyance unit 10. Is done. When the bookbinding apparatus B does not perform bookbinding, the sheet S1 is discharged to the paper discharge tray 20. When the bookbinding operation is performed in the bookbinding apparatus B, the sheet S1 is conveyed to the sheet reversing unit 40 through the conveyance path 13, and after being switched back in the sheet reversing unit 40, is conveyed to the stacking unit 50. A set number of sheets S1 are stacked in the stacking unit 50, and when the set number of sheets S1 reaches the stacking unit 50, the stack of sheets S1 is held in a substantially vertical state. Then, an adhesive is applied to the lower surface, which is the back of the bundle of sheets S1, by the application unit 60, and the cover sheet S2 comes into contact with and adheres to the bundle of sheets S1 at the joint 70. The book S3 created by bonding the cover sheet S2 to the bundle of sheets S1 is discharged to the book discharge unit 90.

  FIG. 2 is a front sectional view of the bookbinding apparatus B.

  The sheet S <b> 1 conveyed in the conveyance path 13 is temporarily discharged to the reversing guide 402 through the paper discharge roller 14 and the conveyance roller 401. The sheet S1 discharged onto the reversing guide 402 is aligned in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction by the alignment member 403, and is temporarily accumulated by the operation of the stopper 404. The stopper 404 is operable between a solid line position and a dotted line position. When the number of sheets S1 temporarily accumulated on the reversing guide 402 reaches a predetermined number, the stopper 404 is released, and the bundle of sheets S1 drops onto the accumulation unit 50. The stacking unit 50 includes a support plate 502 and a receiving plate 506, and the sheet S1 is supported in an inclined state by the support plate 502 and the receiving plate 506. The sheet S <b> 1 supported in the inclined state is suppressed from being lifted by the pressing member 504 and aligned by the alignment plate 505. Then, the holding plate 503 operates to hold the bundle of sheets S1, and the stacking unit 50 rotates about the shaft 501 while holding the bundle of sheets S1, so that the bundle of sheets S1 changes from the inclined state to the vertical state. Become.

  FIG. 3 shows a step of applying an adhesive to the bundle of sheets S1.

  When the holding plate 503 is moved toward the sheet S1 by the motor M4 and the holding plate 503 presses the sheet S1 with a constant pressure, an increase in driving torque of the motor M4 is detected by a driving torque detection sensor (not shown). The movement of the holding plate 503 stops. With such a configuration, the bundle of sheets S1 is firmly held between the support plate 502 and the holding plate 503. The amount of movement of the holding plate 503 is measured by the encoder 509 and stored in storage means such as a RAM.

  At the stage where the bundle of sheets S1 is sandwiched between the support plate 502 and the holding plate 503, the receiving plate 506 is rotated 90 ° by a drive mechanism (not shown) and retracted as shown in FIG. When the receiving plate 506 is retracted, the lower surface SA of the bundle of sheets S1 and the application roller 62 functioning as application means are not in contact (see FIG. 3C).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3D, the application unit 60 in which the adhesive 63 is accommodated rises so that the application roller 62 comes into contact with the lower surface SA that is the back of the bundle of sheets S1, and the application unit 60 becomes the sheet. By moving along the lower surface SA of the bundle of S1, the adhesive 63 is applied to the lower surface SA of the bundle of sheets S1.

  As described above, here, a roller is used as the application means for applying the adhesive, but a belt, a brush, or the like can be used as long as it does not impair the gist of the present invention. As a member to be applied, it is advantageous in that the molten adhesive is supplied to the sheet edge without any unevenness from the viewpoint of easy application of the adhesive or heat transfer so that the adhesive immediately before application is sufficiently melted. Therefore, a roller is preferable.

  The application | coating operation | movement of the adhesive agent 63 by the application part 60 is demonstrated using FIG.

  The application unit 60 includes an application roller 62 that applies the adhesive 63 to the sheet bundle, an adhesive 63, an adhesive storage unit 64 that stores the adhesive 63, and a heater (not shown) that melts the solid adhesive. )have. The adhesive 63 is contained in the adhesive container 66 in a solid state, and when the application unit 60 detects that the remaining amount of the adhesive 63 is low, the movable member 65 moves and is supplied to the application unit 60 in the solid state. And it is heated by the heater (not shown) in the application part 60, and the solid adhesive melts in the application part 60.

  At the start of the bookbinding operation, the application unit 60 is at the right end position, which is the initial position, as shown in FIG. This right end position is the back side of the bookbinding apparatus B, that is, the back side of the sheet of FIG. A position detection sensor 68 including a light emitting element 68A and a light receiving element 68B is provided at the right end position. When the position detection sensor 68 detects that a part of the application part 60 is interposed between the light emitting element 68A and the light receiving element 68B, it is determined that the application part 60 exists at the initial position. When the bookbinding operation is started, the application unit 60 moves from the right end position to the left end position (front direction of the bookbinding apparatus B). This movement is performed by driving a belt 67 driven by a motor M3. While the application unit 60 moves to the left end position, the application roller 62 is separated from the lower surface SA of the bundle of sheets S1. Then, at the stage of FIG. 4B in which the application unit 60 moves from the left end position toward the right end position, the application roller 62 is raised by the drive of the motor M2 and comes into contact with the lower surface SA of the bundle of sheets S1 to form an adhesive. 63 is applied. The application roller 62 moves along a locus as shown by the broken lines in FIGS. 4A and 4B, and the application roller 62 is rotated on the lower surface SA of the sheet bundle while being rotated by a motor M1 functioning as a driving unit. Apply adhesive.

  FIG. 5 shows the joining process of the cover sheet S2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the cover sheet S <b> 2 is stored in a paper feed tray 801 of a cover sheet storage unit 80 provided at the lower part of the bookbinding apparatus B, and is discharged by a feed roller 802. The discharged cover sheet S2 is cut into an appropriate length as a cover sheet by the cutter 81 and placed on the cover sheet support means 701 in a horizontal state. A cover sheet support unit 701 indicated by a chain line in FIG. 5 includes a plurality of members such as pressing members 71 and 72 and cams 73 and 74 that drive the pressing members 71 and 72. The cutter 81 cuts the cover sheet S2 with a predetermined length based on the size information of the sheet S1 and the information on the thickness of the bundle of sheets S1.

  FIG. 5A shows a state where the application of the adhesive 63 is completed. In the state of FIG. 5A, the cover sheet support means 701 supports the cover sheet S2 at a lower position away from the lower surface of the bundle of sheets S1, as shown in FIG.

  Next, the cover sheet supporting means 701 is driven and lifted by belts 79A and 79B (see FIG. 2) to be in the state shown in FIG. 5B, where the cover sheet S2 is the lower surface SA of the bundle of sheets S1, that is, the adhesive application surface. To touch. The cover pressing members 75, 76, and 77 are raised and lowered together with the cover supporting means 701. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the cover supporting means 701 is raised, the cover pressing members 75, 76, 77 hold the cover S2 from above, and hold the cover S2 in a flat state.

  The cover sheet support means 701 further rises several mm from the position shown in FIG. The position raised several mm is the position shown in FIG. The pressing members 71 and 72 press the front cover S2 from the left and right sides, add corners to the boundary between the back cover and the front cover, and the boundary between the back cover and the back cover, and attach the cover S2 to the sheet S1, thereby forming a book. The

  FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the adhesive accommodating portion that accommodates the adhesive.

  As described above, the adhesive containing portion 64 is supplied with the solid adhesive, and the adhesive 63 is in a molten state in the adhesive containing portion. That is, the adhesive 63 is a hot melt adhesive. Since a predetermined amount of the adhesive 63 is stored in the adhesive storage section 64, the image forming system can perform a plurality of bookbinding operations continuously.

  An application roller 62 is installed on the upper part of the adhesive container 64, and the adhesive 63 is applied to one side of the sheet bundle by the application roller 62.

  A container heater 61 is installed below the adhesive container 64, and a roller heater 621 that functions as a coating means heater is installed inside the application roller 62 above the container heater 61. By heating the adhesive 63 from above and below by these two heaters, a certain amount of the adhesive 63 can be quickly heated while keeping the output value of the heater in a proper molten state. By installing one of a plurality of heaters on the application roller 62 as application means, at least the application roller itself can be quickly heated, and at least sufficient heat is applied to the adhesive near the application roller, A state where the adhesive is melted can be created at an early stage. In addition, since the application roller itself can be heated, it is possible to prevent the adhesive from being hardened on the application roller in the process of applying the adhesive, and the adhesive can be reliably provided to the sheet edge, and the adhesive surface is beautiful. Bookbinding becomes possible. The heater for the application means is installed, for example, so as to come into contact with the surface used for application of the application roller from the outside, or in the vicinity of the application roller so as not to contact the surface used for application of the application roller. Or can be installed inside the application roller as shown in FIG.

  The container heater 61 is provided with a container temperature sensor 611, and the roller heater 621 is provided with a roller temperature sensor 622 that functions as an application means temperature sensor. The operation of the container heater 61 is controlled based on the temperature detected by the container temperature sensor 611, and the operation of the roller heater 621 is controlled based on the temperature detected by the roller temperature sensor 622. Thereby, both heaters can be controlled at an appropriate temperature.

  By the way, the temperature of the adhesive 63 in the adhesive accommodating portion 64 is lowered when the power of the bookbinding apparatus B is turned off and the two heaters are also turned off, and the adhesive 63 is in a state different from an appropriate molten state. Therefore, when the power of the bookbinding apparatus is turned on, it is necessary to quickly heat the adhesive 63 from the two heaters and bring the adhesive 63 into an appropriate molten state so that the bookbinding process can be performed.

  It can be considered that the temperature of the adhesive 63 is detected to determine whether or not the adhesive 63 is in an appropriate molten state. Therefore, an adhesive temperature sensor 631 for detecting the temperature of the adhesive 63 is installed between the accommodating portion heater 61 and the roller heater 621 in the vertical direction. If the temperature of the adhesive in the middle of the accommodating portion heater 61 and the roller heater 621 has reached an appropriate temperature, the adhesive at other positions in the adhesive accommodating portion is also adjusted to an appropriate temperature by the accommodating portion heater 61 and the roller heater 621. Can be determined. Therefore, if the adhesive temperature sensor 631 is installed between the accommodating portion heater 61 and the roller heater 621, the molten state of the entire adhesive can be properly determined. As used herein, “intermediate” means an X / 3 region located in the center of X divided into three equal parts, where X is the shortest distance between the housing heater 61 and the roller heater 621 in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. I mean. For example, if the shortest distance between the housing heater 61 and the roller heater 621 in the vertical direction is 60 mm, 20 mm located in the center corresponds to “middle”. As shown in FIG. 6, the adhesive temperature sensor 631 is installed in an X / 3 region located in the center. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, even when the roller heater 621 is not installed directly above the housing portion heater 61, the shortest distance X is divided into three equal parts within the X / 3 region located in the center as in FIG. An adhesive temperature sensor 631 is installed. In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, it is sufficient that a part of the adhesive temperature sensor 631 is included in the X / 3 region located in the center.

  Further, when the application roller 62 is rotated until the adhesive 63 reaches an appropriate temperature and the adhesive application operation is started, the adhesive that is not melted with respect to the rotation of the application roller 62 becomes a load, and the application roller 62 May stop rotating. In some cases, the motor M1 or the like that rotates the application roller 62 breaks down. Therefore, the application operation is controlled based on the detection result of the adhesive temperature sensor 631. This point will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a control system in the image forming system, and only a representative one is shown here.

  The image forming apparatus A is connected to a PC, which is a terminal such as a personal computer, and a bookbinding apparatus B.

  The CPU 101 controls the operation of the entire image forming apparatus A, and is connected to a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, and the like. The CPU 101 reads out various control programs stored in the ROM 102, develops them in the RAM 103, and controls the operation of each unit. In addition, the CPU 101 executes various processes according to the program expanded in the RAM 103 and stores the processing results in the RAM 103. Then, the processing result stored in the RAM 103 is stored in a predetermined storage destination.

  Image data generated by the image reading unit A3 and image data transmitted from a PC connected to the image forming apparatus A are subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 104. The image forming unit A1 receives the image data processed by the image processing unit 104, and forms an image on the sheet.

  A CPU 201 (control means, heater control means) in the bookbinding apparatus B controls the overall operation of the bookbinding apparatus B, and executes a bookbinding operation at a predetermined timing based on a signal transmitted from the image forming apparatus A. The CPU 201 reads various control programs stored in the ROM 202 and develops them in the RAM 203 to control the operation of each unit. The results detected by the storage unit temperature sensor 611, the roller temperature sensor 622, and the adhesive temperature sensor 631 are sent to the CPU 201, and the CPU 201 controls the operations of the storage unit heater 61 and the roller heater 621 based on the detection results.

  FIG. 9 shows the characteristics of the hot melt adhesive, and the ON / OFF operation of the housing heater 61 and the like is controlled in consideration of the characteristics of the hot melt adhesive.

  As shown in the “state” column of FIG. 9, the hot melt adhesive is solid at 70 to 80 ° C. and is semi-liquid at 90 ° C. Therefore, the hot melt adhesive is not in an appropriate molten state within the range of 70 to 90 ° C.

  “Adhesive strength” in FIG. 9 indicates the adhesive strength of the hot melt adhesive. In the column of adhesive strength, “◯” means that the adhesive force is sufficient and good, “Δ” means that the adhesive force is slightly poor, and “x” means that the adhesive force is poor. When this inventor examined the adhesive force of the adhesive agent by changing temperature, it turned out that it has favorable adhesive force if the temperature of an adhesive agent exists in the range of 150-200 degreeC.

  “Evaporation” in FIG. 9 indicates whether or not the hot melt adhesive evaporates. “O” in both columns means that it hardly evaporates, “Δ” means that it evaporates slightly, and “X” means that it evaporates considerably. The inventor examined the presence or absence of evaporation by varying the temperature, and found that there was no problem with evaporation if the temperature of the adhesive was 200 ° C. or lower.

  “Discoloration” in FIG. 9 indicates whether or not the color changes when the adhesive is left at that temperature for 10 hours. In the discoloration, “◯” indicates no discoloration, “Δ” indicates a slight discoloration, and “x” indicates discoloration. The inventor examined the presence or absence of discoloration by varying the temperature, and found that there was no problem with discoloration if the temperature of the adhesive was 180 ° C. or lower.

  Since the adhesive strength of the adhesive is important for the bookbinding process, the appropriate temperature (predetermined temperature) of the adhesive is preferably in the range of 150 to 200 ° C. In consideration of discoloration of the adhesive, it is preferably in the range of 150 to 180 ° C.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart relating to the control operation during warm-up.

  First, when the bookbinding apparatus is powered on (step S1), it is determined whether or not the temperature of the adhesive is lower than T3 (step S2). The temperature of T3 is, for example, 160 ° C. based on the result examined in FIG. The temperature of T3 is detected by the adhesive temperature sensor 631, and based on the detection result, the CPU 201 determines whether it is less than T3.

  When the temperature of the adhesive is lower than T3 (step S2; Yes), the temperature of the adhesive is lowered, and it can be determined that the molten state is not appropriate. S3). As a result, failure of the motor M1 that rotates the application roller 62 can be prevented. On the other hand, when the temperature of the adhesive reaches T3 (step S2; No), it is determined that the adhesive is properly melted, and the application roller 62 is allowed to rotate (step S4).

  Thereafter, the temperature of the housing heater is controlled by T1. In consideration of the results examined in FIG. 9, T1 is preferably in the range of 150 to 200 ° C. In this embodiment, T1 is set to 180 ° C. If the temperature of the housing heater is lower than T1 (step S5; Yes), the housing heater is turned on (step S6). If the temperature of the housing heater is T1 or higher (step S5; No), the housing heater is turned off. (Step S7).

  The temperature of the roller heater is controlled by T2. In consideration of the results examined in FIG. 9, T2 is preferably in the range of 150 to 200 ° C. In this embodiment, T2 is set to 160 ° C. If the temperature of the roller heater is lower than T2 (step S8; Yes), the roller heater is turned on (step S9). If the temperature of the roller heater is equal to or higher than T2 (step S8; No), the roller heater is turned off (step S10). The operation of steps S5 to S10 is continued in a state where the power is on, and the temperature of the adhesive 63 in the adhesive accommodating portion 64 is maintained at an appropriate temperature.

  Since the lower housing heater 61 efficiently controls the overall temperature of the adhesive, it is preferable to set the temperature of the housing heater 61 higher than the adhesive temperature to be controlled. The heat capacity of 61 is preferably larger. Since the upper roller heater 621 is close to the coating portion, it is preferable to control the roller heater 621 at a temperature in the vicinity of the adhesive temperature that is actually desired to be applied. In order to reduce the overshoot of the adhesive temperature, the heat capacity of the roller heater 621 should be smaller. preferable. Therefore, it is preferable that the temperature of the lower housing heater> the temperature of the upper roller heater, and the heat amount of the lower housing heater> the heat amount of the upper roller heater.

  FIG. 11 shows a flowchart relating to a control operation different from FIG.

  In FIG. 10, the rotation of the coating roller is permitted / prohibited, but in FIG. 11, the coating operation by the coating roller is permitted / prohibited.

  When the temperature of the adhesive is lower than T3 (step S12; Yes), the application operation by the application roller 62 is prohibited (step S13), and when the temperature of the adhesive reaches T3 (step S12; No), The application operation by the application roller 62 is permitted (step S14). By controlling in this way, the coating operation is started with the adhesive in an appropriate molten state.

  As described above with reference to the drawings, by installing the adhesive temperature sensor 631 between the accommodating portion heater 61 and the roller heater 621, it is possible to appropriately determine the molten state of the entire adhesive. Further, based on the detection result of the adhesive temperature sensor 631 installed between the container heater 61 and the roller heater 621, it is possible to prevent a motor failure or the like by determining whether the application operation is permitted or prohibited or whether the application roller rotation is permitted or prohibited. In addition, the coating operation can be performed well. That is, even when a certain amount of adhesive is accommodated, it is possible to appropriately determine the melted state of the adhesive and start the operation of applying the adhesive to the sheet bundle.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, Even if there exists a change and addition in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention, it is contained in this invention.

  The image forming system shown in FIG. 1 is an aspect in which the image forming apparatus A and the bookbinding apparatus B are connected. For example, the image forming apparatus A and the bookbinding apparatus B are integrated to form an image as one apparatus. Even a forming system has the same effect.

1 is a central sectional view of an image forming system. 3 is a front sectional view of bookbinding apparatus B. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process of apply | coating an adhesive agent to the bundle | flux of sheet | seat S1. It is explanatory drawing which shows the application | coating operation | movement of the adhesive agent 63 by the application part 60. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the joining process of cover S2. It is an enlarged view of the adhesive agent accommodating part which accommodates an adhesive agent. It is an enlarged view of the adhesive agent accommodating part of the aspect different from FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system in the image forming system. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the characteristic of an adhesive agent. It is a flowchart figure regarding the control action at the time of warm-up. It is a flowchart figure regarding the control action at the time of warming-up different from FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the conventional adhesive agent accommodating part.

Explanation of symbols

A Image forming apparatus B Bookbinding apparatus 61 Storage section heater 62 Application roller 63 Adhesive 64 Adhesive storage section 101, 201 CPU
611 Housing temperature sensor 621 Roller heater 622 Roller temperature sensor 631 Adhesive temperature sensor

Claims (6)

A bookbinding apparatus that stacks a plurality of sheets to generate a sheet bundle, and binds the sheet bundle and a cover sheet with an adhesive,
An adhesive container for containing the molten adhesive;
A housing heater installed at a lower portion of the adhesive housing portion and heating the adhesive housed in the adhesive housing portion;
An application unit that is installed above the storage unit heater and applies the adhesive stored in the adhesive storage unit to one end side of the sheet bundle;
An application means heater that is installed in the application means and heats the adhesive contained in the adhesive accommodating portion;
An adhesive temperature sensor that is installed in the middle between the housing heater and the application means heater in the vertical direction and detects the temperature of the adhesive housed in the adhesive housing portion;
When the temperature of the adhesive detected by the adhesive temperature sensor does not reach the predetermined temperature, the adhesive application operation by the application unit is prohibited, and the temperature of the adhesive detected by the adhesive temperature sensor reaches the predetermined temperature. If so, a control means for controlling the application means to permit the adhesive application operation by the application means,
A container temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the container heater;
An application means temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the application means heater;
Heater control means for controlling the operation of the container heater based on the temperature detected by the container temperature sensor and for controlling the operation of the application means heater based on the temperature detected by the application means temperature sensor;
A bookbinding apparatus comprising: The application means is an application roller;
The application roller is rotated by a driving unit,
When the temperature of the adhesive detected by the adhesive temperature sensor does not reach a predetermined temperature, the control means prohibits an adhesive application operation by the application roller or rotation of the application roller, and uses the adhesive temperature sensor. 2. The application roller or the drive unit is controlled to permit an adhesive application operation by the application roller or rotation of the application roller when the detected temperature of the adhesive reaches a predetermined temperature. The bookbinding apparatus described in 1. The bookbinding apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the predetermined temperature is set within a range of 150 to 200 ° C. An image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet;
A bookbinding unit that stacks a plurality of sheets imaged by the image forming unit to generate a sheet bundle, and binds the sheet bundle and a cover with an adhesive;
An image forming system comprising:
An adhesive container for containing the molten adhesive;
A housing heater installed at a lower portion of the adhesive housing portion and heating the adhesive housed in the adhesive housing portion;
An application unit that is installed above the storage unit heater and applies the adhesive stored in the adhesive storage unit to one end side of the sheet bundle;
An application means heater that is installed in the application means and heats the adhesive contained in the adhesive accommodating portion;
An adhesive temperature sensor that is installed in the middle between the housing heater and the application means heater in the vertical direction and detects the temperature of the adhesive housed in the adhesive housing portion;
When the temperature of the adhesive detected by the adhesive temperature sensor does not reach the predetermined temperature, the adhesive application operation by the application unit is prohibited, and the temperature of the adhesive detected by the adhesive temperature sensor reaches the predetermined temperature. If so, a control means for controlling the application means to permit the adhesive application operation by the application means,
A container temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the container heater;
An application means temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the application means heater;
Heater control means for controlling the operation of the container heater based on the temperature detected by the container temperature sensor and for controlling the operation of the application means heater based on the temperature detected by the application means temperature sensor;
An image forming system comprising: The application means is an application roller;
The application roller is rotated by a driving unit,
When the temperature of the adhesive detected by the adhesive temperature sensor does not reach a predetermined temperature, the control means prohibits an adhesive application operation by the application roller or rotation of the application roller, and uses the adhesive temperature sensor. when the temperature of the sensing adhesive has reached a predetermined temperature, claim 4, wherein the controller controls the application roller or the driving unit so as to allow rotation of the adhesive applying operation or the application roller by the application roller The image forming system described in 1. The image forming system according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined temperature is set within a range of 150 to 200 ° C.

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