JP7073659B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

Patent Document 1 describes an image holder that holds a toner image, a transfer roller that forms a transfer nip for transferring the toner image of the image holder to a recording paper, a toner image holding surface of the image holder, and a recording paper. An image forming apparatus including an inserter member interposed between both ends of the image forming apparatus is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-133565

In the image forming apparatus, image formation may be performed on a recording material having an adhesive layer, and in this case, when the adhesive of the adhesive layer adheres to the image forming means, due to this adhesive, It may result in poor quality of the formed image.
An object of the present invention is to suppress deterioration of image quality due to the adhesive of the recording material as compared with the case where the structure for preventing the adhesive of the recording material from adhering to the image forming means is not provided.

The invention according to claim 1 is an image forming means capable of transferring an image on an image holder to a recording material to form an image on the recording material and forming an image on the recording material having an adhesive layer. The image forming means is provided with a layer forming means for forming a layer covering a part of the image holding body on the image holding body and suppressing the adhesive of the recording material from adhering to the image holding body. The means has a plurality of image forming portions for forming an image on the image holder, and the layer forming means supplies a developer onto the image holder from the image forming portion to cover the layer. Compared to the case where the developer is supplied onto the image holder from two or more image-forming portions and the developer is supplied onto the image-bearing body from a single image-forming portion. It is an image forming apparatus that thickens the covering layer.
The invention according to claim 2 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the layer forming means forms the covering layer at a portion of the image holder where the adhesive layer comes into contact.
The invention according to claim 3 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the layer forming means forms the covering layer by using the developing agent used by the image forming means.
In the invention according to claim 4 , the image forming means has a plurality of image forming portions for forming an image on the image holder, and the layer forming means is said to be from two or more image forming portions. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein a developer is supplied onto the image holder to form the covering layer.
The invention according to claim 5 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the covering layer is yellow or colorless and transparent.
The invention according to claim 6 is the recording material having the adhesive layer, which has a mount, and a part of the recording material is peeled off from the mount by the user and the other part remains on the mount side. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the covering layer is formed on the image holder so as to adhere to the other portion of the recording material remaining on the mount side.
In the invention according to claim 7 , the image forming means forms an image in a predetermined image forming region of the recording material, and the covering layer is outside the image forming region of the recording material. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, which is formed on the image holder so as to adhere to the image holder.
The invention according to claim 8 further includes a recording material transporting means for transporting the recording material to the image holder, and the recording material transporting means conveys the recording material having the adhesive layer to the image holder. In this case, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transport speed is reduced as compared with the case where the recording material having no adhesive layer is transported.
The invention according to claim 9 is an image forming means capable of transferring an image on an image holder to a recording material to form an image on the recording material and forming an image on the recording material having an adhesive layer. A layer forming means for forming a layer covering a part of the image holder on the image holder and suppressing the adhesive of the recording material from adhering to the image holder, and a side surface of the recording material. A recording material transporting means for transporting the recording material to the image holder and bringing a part of the side surface into contact with the image holder before the other portion of the side side is provided. The layer forming means is an image forming apparatus that forms the covering layer at a portion of the image holder where the portion contacts, and does not form the covering layer at a portion where the other portion contacts.
The invention according to claim 10 is the invention according to claim 9 , wherein the recording material transporting means brings the central portion of the side surface in the longitudinal direction into contact with the image holder before both end portions of the side surface. It is an image forming apparatus.
The invention according to claim 11 further comprises a cleaning means for removing the developer remaining in the image holder after the image is transferred from the image holder to the recording material, and the covering layer is cleaned. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, which is removed from the image holder by means.
The invention according to claim 12 is an image forming means capable of transferring an image on an image holder to a recording material to form an image on the recording material and forming an image on the recording material having an adhesive layer. The image holder is provided with a layer forming means for forming a layer covering a part of the image holder and suppressing the adhesive of the recording material from adhering to the image holder. The means changes the thickness of the covering layer according to the thickness of the recording material having the adhesive layer, or omits the formation of the covering layer when the thickness of the recording material is smaller than the predetermined thickness. It is an image forming apparatus.
According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the layer forming means, when the thickness of the recording material having the adhesive layer is larger than the predetermined thickness, as compared with the case where the thickness is smaller than the predetermined thickness. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the thickness of the covering layer is increased.
The invention according to claim 14 is an image forming means capable of transferring an image on an image holder to a recording material to form an image on the recording material and forming an image on the recording material having an adhesive layer. , The recording material transporting means for transporting the recording material to the image holder, and the layer forming means for forming a layer covering the contacting portion at the portion of the image holder where the tip of the recording material in the transport direction contacts. The image-forming means has a plurality of image-forming portions for forming an image on the image-retaining body, and the layer-forming means has a developer on the image-retaining body from the image-forming unit. To form the covering layer, and to supply the developer onto the image holder from two or more image-forming portions, and to supply the developer onto the image-bearing body from a single image-forming portion. It is an image forming apparatus that thickens the covering layer as compared with the case where the image is formed.
According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the layer forming means forms a layer having a width in the transport direction of the recording material and a width in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the recording material as the covering layer. Item 14 is the image forming apparatus.
The invention according to claim 16 is an image forming means capable of transferring an image on an image holder to a recording material to form an image on the recording material and forming an image on the recording material having an adhesive layer. , The recording material transporting means for transporting the recording material to the image holder, and the layer forming means for forming a layer covering the contacting portion at the portion of the image holder where the tip of the recording material in the transport direction contacts. The recording material transporting means brings a part of the tip in the transport direction into contact with the image holder before the other portion of the tip in the transport direction, and the layer forming means is the image holder of the image holder. It is an image forming apparatus that forms the covering layer at a portion of the contact with the portion thereof and does not form the covering layer at a portion of contact with the other portion.
The invention according to claim 17 is an image forming means capable of transferring an image on an image holder to a recording material to form an image on the recording material and forming an image on the recording material having an adhesive layer. , The recording material transporting means for transporting the recording material to the image holder, and the layer forming means for forming a layer covering the contacting portion at the portion of the image holder where the tip of the recording material in the transport direction contacts. The layer forming means changes the thickness of the covering layer according to the thickness of the recording material having the adhesive layer, or the thickness of the recording material is smaller than a predetermined thickness. , An image forming apparatus that omits the formation of the covering layer.
The invention according to claim 18 includes an image holder that holds an image transferred to a recording material, and a plurality of image forming portions that form an image on the image holder, and is based on data provided by a user. A user image, which is an image, is formed on the image holder, and when an image is formed on a recording material having an adhesive layer, an image other than the user image is further formed on the image holder. The image forming means includes an image forming means, and when the image forming means is performed on a recording material having an adhesive layer, the image forming unit supplies a developer onto the image holder from the image forming portion to supply the user image. When the developer is supplied onto the image holder from two or more image-forming portions while forming the image other than the above, and the developer is supplied onto the image-bearing body from a single image-forming portion. This is an image forming apparatus that thickens the image other than the user image.
The invention according to claim 19 , wherein the image forming means forms an image other than the user image for suppressing the adhesive of the adhesive layer from directly touching the image holder. Item 18 is the image forming apparatus.
The invention according to claim 20 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the image forming means forms the image other than the user image at a place where the image forming means does not overlap with the user image.
According to a twenty -first aspect of the present invention, the image-forming means forms the user image in a predetermined image-forming region, and forms the image other than the user image outside the image-forming region. Item 18 is the image forming apparatus.
The invention according to claim 22 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the image other than the user image is yellow or colorless and transparent.
The invention according to claim 23 forms an image holder that holds an image transferred to a recording material and a user image that is an image based on data provided by the user on the image holder, and also has an adhesive. When image formation is performed on a recording material having a layer, an image forming means for further forming an image other than the user image on the image holder and the recording material starting from the side side of the recording material are used. The image-forming means includes a recording material transporting means for transporting a part of the side surface to the image-bearing body and bringing a part of the side surface into contact with the image-bearing body before the other portion of the side surface. It is an image forming apparatus that forms the image other than the user image at a portion of the holder where the portion contacts, and does not form the image other than the user image at a location where the other portion contacts.
The invention according to claim 24 forms an image holder that holds an image transferred to a recording material and a user image that is an image based on data provided by the user on the image holder, and also has an adhesive. When image formation is performed on a recording material having a layer, the image forming means comprises an image forming means for further forming an image other than the user image on the image holder, and the image forming means is the adhesive layer. The thickness of the image other than the user image is changed according to the thickness of the recording material having the above, or when the thickness of the recording material is smaller than the predetermined thickness, the image other than the user image is formed. It is an image forming apparatus to be omitted.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, deterioration of image quality due to the adhesive of the recording material can be suppressed as compared with the case where the structure for preventing the adhesive of the recording material from adhering to the image forming means is not provided.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the adhesive of the adhesive layer is more reliably suppressed from adhering to the image holder as compared with the case of forming the covering layer without considering the contact points of the adhesive layer. be able to.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the covering layer can be formed without preparing a dedicated material for forming the covering layer.
According to the invention of claim 4 , the covering layer can be made thicker than the case where the developer is supplied from only one image forming portion.
According to the invention of claim 5 , when the covering layer adheres to the recording material, the covering layer can be made inconspicuous.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the portion to be peeled off from the mount from being contaminated by the layer covering, as compared with the case where the layer to be peeled off from the mount is attached to the portion to be peeled off from the mount.
According to the invention of claim 7 , it is possible to suppress the adhesion of the covering layer to the image formed on the recording material as compared with the case where the covering layer adheres to the image forming region.
According to the invention of claim 8 , the adhesive of the adhesive layer is less likely to adhere to the image holder as compared with the case where the transport speed is not reduced.
According to the invention of claim 9 , the material used for forming the covering layer can be reduced as compared with the case of forming the covering layer over the entire area where the side sides of the recording material come into contact with each other.
According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, wrinkles of the recording material can be made less likely to occur as compared with the case where both end portions of the side sides are brought into contact with the image holder before the central portion.
According to the invention of claim 11 , the covering layer can be removed without providing a dedicated mechanism for removing the covering layer.
According to the invention of claim 12 , the thickness of the covering layer can be changed according to the thickness of the recording material, or the formation of the covering layer can be omitted when the thickness of the recording material is small.
According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of the adhesive to the image holder as compared with the case where the thickness of the covering layer is not increased.
According to the invention of claim 14 , deterioration of image quality due to the adhesive of the recording material can be suppressed as compared with the case where the structure for preventing the adhesive of the recording material from adhering to the image forming means is not provided.
According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the covering layer reliably covers the tip of the recording material in the transport direction as compared with the case where the covering layer does not have a width in the transport direction of the recording material and the direction intersecting the transport direction. Can be contacted.
According to the invention of claim 16 , the material used for forming the covering layer can be reduced as compared with the case of forming the covering layer over the entire area where the tip in the transport direction comes into contact with the image holder.
According to the invention of claim 17 , the thickness of the covering layer can be changed according to the thickness of the recording material, or the formation of the covering layer can be omitted when the thickness of the recording material is small.
According to the invention of claim 18 , deterioration of image quality due to the adhesive of the recording material can be suppressed as compared with the case where the structure for preventing the adhesive of the recording material from adhering to the image forming means is not provided.
According to the invention of claim 19 , the adhesive of the recording material suppresses the contact with the image holder as compared with the case where the adhesive of the adhesive layer does not form an image for suppressing the direct contact with the image holder. can do.
According to the invention of claim 20 , it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the quality of the user image due to the image other than the user image as compared with the case where the image other than the user image is formed at the position overlapping with the user image.
According to the invention of claim 21 , it is possible to suppress that the quality of the user image is deteriorated by the image other than the user image as compared with the case where the image other than the user image is formed in the image forming region.
According to the invention of claim 22 , when an image other than the user image adheres to the recording material, the image other than the user image can be made inconspicuous.
According to the invention of claim 23 , the material used for forming the image other than the user image is reduced as compared with the case where the image other than the user image is formed in the entire area where the side surfaces of the image holder are in contact with each other. can.
According to the invention of claim 24 , the thickness of the image other than the user image can be changed according to the thickness of the recording material, or the formation of the image other than the user image can be omitted when the thickness of the recording material is small. ..

It is an overall block diagram of an image forming apparatus. (A) and (B) are diagrams for explaining paper with an adhesive layer. It is a figure which showed the state when the paper with an adhesive layer is supplied to a secondary transfer part (intermediate transfer belt). It is a perspective view when the intermediate transfer belt, the paper with an adhesive layer, etc. are viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow IV of FIG. (A) and (B) are views showing the guide member having a function of bending a paper. It is a figure which showed the state when the curved side side touches an intermediate transfer belt.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 1. More specifically, FIG. 1 is a view when the image forming apparatus 1 is viewed from the front side.
The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming unit 10 as an example of the image forming means. The image forming unit 10 forms an image on paper P, which is an example of a recording material, based on the image data of each color.

Further, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a control unit 30 and an image processing unit 35.
The control unit 30 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a ROM (Read Only Memory). In the present embodiment, the CPU reads a program stored in a ROM or the like, and executes the program using the RAM as a work area. As a result, each functional unit of the image forming apparatus 1 is controlled.
The image processing unit 35 performs image processing on image data from a personal computer (PC) 3, an image reading device 4, or the like.

In the image forming unit 10, six image forming units 11T, 11P, 11Y, 11M, 11C, 11K (hereinafter, simply referred to as "image forming unit 11") arranged in parallel at regular intervals may be used. There is).
Each of the image forming units 11 functions as an image forming unit, and produces a toner image corresponding to the image data provided by the user (image data provided by the user through a personal computer (PC) 3, an image reading device 4, or the like). Form.

Each of the image forming units 11T, 11P, 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K has the same configuration except for the toner (developer) stored in the developer 15 (described later).
Each of the image forming units 11T, 11P, 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K is a special color, transparent (clear), yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner image. Form (image). Here, the spot color refers to a color other than yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), black (K), and transparent, such as a corporate color.

Each of the image forming units 11 is provided with a photoconductor drum 12, a charger 200 for charging the photoconductor drum 12, and an LED print head (LPH) 300 for exposing the photoconductor drum 12.
The photoconductor drum 12 is charged by the charger 200. Further, the photoconductor drum 12 is exposed by the LPH 300, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 12.

Further, each image forming unit 11 is provided with a developer 15. The developer 15 adheres toner as an example of a developer to the surface of the photoconductor drum 12 to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 12.
Further, each of the image forming units 11 is provided with a cleaner (not shown) for cleaning the surface of the photoconductor drum 12.

Further, the image forming unit 10 is provided with an intermediate transfer belt 20 as an example of the image holder.
The toner image formed on each surface of the photoconductor drum 12 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 20. Then, the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 20 is transferred to the conveyed paper P by the secondary transfer unit T.

Inside the intermediate transfer belt 20, a first support roll 31, a second support roll 32, and a third support roll 33, which are rotatably provided and support the intermediate transfer belt 20 from the inside, are provided.
The first support roll 31 is arranged on the downstream side of the image forming unit 11K and on the upstream side of the secondary transfer unit T in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 20.

Further, the second support roll 32 is arranged at a position facing the secondary transfer roll 22 with the intermediate transfer belt 20 interposed therebetween.
The third support roll 33 is arranged on the upstream side of the image forming unit 11T and on the downstream side of the secondary transfer unit T in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 20.

Further, the image forming unit 10 is provided with a primary transfer roll 21 for transferring (primary transfer) the toner image formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 12 to the intermediate transfer belt 20.
Further, the image forming unit 10 is provided with a secondary transfer roll 22 that collectively transfers (secondary transfer) the toner image transferred on the intermediate transfer belt 20 to the paper P.

Further, in the transport direction of the paper P, a fixing device 40 for fixing the toner image transferred to the paper P to the paper P is provided on the downstream side of the secondary transfer unit T.
The fixing device 40 is provided with a fixing belt module 41 provided with a heating source (not shown) and a fixing belt 411, and a pressure roll 46.
Further, in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 20, a cleaning device 50 as an example of cleaning means for cleaning the intermediate transfer belt 20 is provided on the downstream side of the secondary transfer unit T.

The cleaning device 50 remains on the intermediate transfer belt 20 after the toner image is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 20 to the paper P (in contact with the portion of the intermediate transfer belt 20 located downstream of the secondary transfer portion T). Remove the toner etc.
The cleaning device 50 includes a blade 51 contact-arranged on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 20, scrapes off toner and the like on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 20, and removes toner and the like from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 20.

In the image forming apparatus 1, the image processing unit 35 performs image processing on the image data from the PC 3 and the image reading device 4, and the image data subjected to the image processing is supplied to each image forming unit 11.
Then, for example, in the black (K) color image forming unit 11K, the photoconductor drum 12 is charged by the charger 200 while rotating in the direction of arrow A, and emits light based on the image data transmitted from the image processing unit 35. It is exposed by the LPH300.

As a result, an electrostatic latent image relating to the black (K) color image is formed on the photoconductor drum 12. Then, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor drum 12 is developed by the developer 15, and a black (K) color toner image is formed on the photoconductor drum 12.
Similarly, in the image forming units 11Y, 11M, 11C, each color toner image of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) is formed. Further, if necessary, the image forming unit 11T forms a special color toner image, and the image forming unit 11P forms a transparent toner image.

Each color toner image formed by each image forming unit 11 is sequentially electrostatically attracted by the primary transfer roll 21 onto the intermediate transfer belt 20 moving in the direction of arrow B, and each color toner is placed on the intermediate transfer belt 20. A superposed toner image is formed.
The toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 20 is conveyed to a location (secondary transfer unit T) where the secondary transfer roll 22 is located as the intermediate transfer belt 20 moves.

Then, the paper P is supplied from the paper accommodating unit 1B to the secondary transfer unit T (intermediate transfer belt 20) at the timing when the toner image is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit T.
Specifically, the paper is transferred from the paper storage unit 1B to the secondary transfer unit T (intermediate transfer belt 20) by the paper transfer mechanism 600 arranged on the paper transfer path R1 from the paper storage unit 1B to the secondary transfer unit T. P is supplied.

Here, in the paper transport mechanism 600, the paper feeding roll 610 for feeding the paper P from the paper accommodating portion 1B, the handling roll 620 for handling the paper P from the sending roll 610 and further feeding out, and the downstream side of the handling roll 620. The arranged cash register roll 630 is provided.
Receipt 630 as an example of the recording material transfer means starts rotating at the timing when the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 20 is transferred to the secondary transfer unit T, and the toner image is transferred to the secondary transfer unit T. Paper P is supplied to the secondary transfer unit T at the same timing.

In the secondary transfer unit T, the toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 20 are collectively electrostatically transferred to the conveyed paper P by the transfer electric field formed by the secondary transfer roll 22.
After that, the paper P on which the toner image is electrostatically transferred is peeled off from the intermediate transfer belt 20 and conveyed to the fixing device 40.

In the fixing device 40, the paper P is sandwiched between the fixing belt module 41 and the pressure roll 46. Specifically, the paper P is sandwiched between the fixing belt 411 circulating in the counterclockwise direction and the pressure roll 46 rotating in the clockwise direction.
As a result, the paper P is pressurized and heated, and the toner image on the paper P is fixed on the paper P. Then, the paper P after the fixing is completed is conveyed to the paper loading unit 1E by the discharge roll 500.

The image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a paper transport path (not shown) for reversing the paper P after the fixing is completed and feeding the paper P back to the secondary transfer unit T. ..
When an image is formed on both sides of the paper P, the paper P (paper P for which the image has been formed on the first side) after the fixing is completed is passed through the paper transport path and the cash register roll 630. It is sent to the secondary transfer unit T. As a result, the image is also formed on the second surface of the paper P.

Here, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to form an image not only on the normal paper P but also on the paper P having an adhesive layer.
Specifically, in the present embodiment, by accommodating the paper P having the adhesive layer in the paper accommodating portion 1B, the paper P can be supplied to the secondary transfer unit T, and the paper having the adhesive layer can be supplied. Image formation on P can be performed. Hereinafter, in the present specification, the paper P having an adhesive layer is referred to as "paper P with an adhesive layer".

2A and 2B are views for explaining the paper P with an adhesive layer. 2 (A) is a perspective view of the paper P with an adhesive layer, and FIG. 2 (B) is a cross-sectional view of the paper P with an adhesive layer in the line IIB-IIB of FIG. 2 (A).
As shown in FIG. 2A, the paper P with an adhesive layer has a rectangular mount 91. Further, a rectangular sealing base material 92 attached to the mount 91 is provided. Further, an adhesive layer 93 is provided between the seal base material 92 and the mount 91.
The adhesive layer 93 is attached to the seal base material 92 side, and as will be described later, when the seal is peeled off from the mount 91, the adhesive layer 93 is attached to the seal.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2 (B), the seal base material 92 and the adhesive layer 93 are cut, and the seal base material 92 and the adhesive layer 93 are shown in FIG. 2 (A). ), A plurality of annular slits SL (hereinafter referred to as “annular slit SL”) are formed.
As shown in FIG. 2A, a plurality of the annular slits SL are provided and arranged in the row direction and the column direction. In other words, a plurality of annular slits SL are provided and arranged in a grid pattern.

In the present embodiment, the inner portion of the annular slit SL of the seal base material 92 and the adhesive layer 93 is a so-called seal (a sticker to be affixed to the affixed body), and the inner portion thereof is a so-called seal. It is peeled off from the mount 91. On the other hand, of the seal base material 92 and the adhesive layer 93, the other portion (the outer portion of the annular slit SL) that is not peeled off from the mount 91 remains on the mount 91 side.
Hereinafter, the portion of the seal base material 92 and the adhesive layer 93 located inside the annular slit SL is referred to as a seal portion 71 (see FIG. 2 (A)), and among the seal base material 92 and the adhesive layer 93, the portion is referred to as a seal portion 71. The portion located outside the annular slit SL is referred to as a residual portion 72.

Further, in the present embodiment, when forming an image on the paper P (including the paper P with an adhesive layer), the image is formed on the inside of a predetermined image forming region in the paper P.
More specifically, in the present embodiment, an image forming region on which the toner image can be placed is predetermined. For example, in the paper P with an adhesive layer shown in FIG. 2A, reference numeral 2A The inside of the rectangular region shown by the above is an image forming region 78, and the image forming unit 10 of the present embodiment forms an image on the image forming region 78.
In addition, in the present embodiment, the user can form an image desired by himself / herself on the rectangular image forming region 78 of the paper P.

In other words, the image forming region 78 is an region in which an image (hereinafter referred to as “user image”) based on the image data provided by the user to the image forming apparatus 1 is formed.
In the present embodiment, in image formation, first, the user provides image data to the image forming apparatus 1. Then, the image forming unit 10 forms a user image, which is an image based on the image data, on the intermediate transfer belt 20, and transfers the formed user image to the image forming region 78 of the paper P. As a result, in the present embodiment, the user image is formed in the image forming region 78.
Here, the paper P with an adhesive layer shown in FIG. 2 (A) is a paper P with an adhesive layer for forming a sticker on which an address is printed (a sticker to be attached to an envelope or the like). In the form, an image including address information is formed in the image forming region 78 of the paper P with an adhesive layer.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which the paper P with an adhesive layer is supplied to the secondary transfer unit T (intermediate transfer belt 20).
In the present embodiment, when the paper P with an adhesive layer is supplied to the secondary transfer unit T, as shown in FIG. 3, the paper P with an adhesive layer has its own side side 58 as a head. It is supplied to the secondary transfer unit T.
More specifically, the paper P with an adhesive layer is formed in a rectangular shape as shown in FIG. 2A and has four side sides 58, but any one of the four side sides 58 is one. The side side 58 is the head and is supplied to the secondary transfer unit T.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, a guide member 550 that contacts the paper P and guides the paper P is provided on the upstream side of the intermediate transfer belt 20 in the transport direction of the paper P. There is. When the paper P is supplied to the secondary transfer unit T, the paper P is guided by the guide member 550 and heads for the secondary transfer unit T.

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, when the paper P is supplied to the secondary transfer unit T, the paper P first faces the intermediate transfer belt 20 and is the first of the intermediate transfer belts 20. It abuts against a portion located between the 1 support roll 31 and the 2nd support roll 32.
After that, the paper P goes to the secondary transfer unit T together with the intermediate transfer belt 20 while being guided by the intermediate transfer belt 20.

In the present embodiment, when the paper P with the adhesive layer is supplied to the secondary transfer unit T, the side side 58 (the side side 58 located at the head) of the paper P with the adhesive layer abuts on the intermediate transfer belt 20. It will be like.
Then, when the paper P with the adhesive layer abuts on the intermediate transfer belt 20, the adhesive layer 93 (see FIG. 2A) of the paper P with the adhesive layer comes into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 20, and the adhesive is intermediate. It may adhere to the transfer belt 20.

Specifically, when the side side 58 of the paper P with the adhesive layer abuts on the intermediate transfer belt 20, the seal base material 92 is formed from the mount 91 (see FIG. 2A) at the side side 58. It is partially peeled off (the sealing base material 92 is partially rolled up from the mount 91), and the adhesive layer 93 is exposed. Then, the adhesive of the exposed adhesive layer 93 may adhere to the intermediate transfer belt 20.
In addition, the adhesive of the adhesive layer 93 may squeeze out from the edge of the paper P with the adhesive layer, and in this case, the squeezed out adhesive may adhere to the intermediate transfer belt 20. ..

When the adhesive adheres to the intermediate transfer belt 20, the adhesive may reach the image forming unit 11 (see FIG. 1) as the intermediate transfer belt 20 moves, resulting in deterioration of the quality of the formed image. be.
Further, when the adhesive adhering to the intermediate transfer belt 20 reaches the cleaning device 50, the intermediate transfer belt 20 may be poorly cleaned, which may also cause deterioration of the quality of the formed image.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the paper P with the adhesive layer is conveyed (when the image is formed on the paper P with the adhesive layer), as shown in FIG. 3, the intermediate transfer belt 20 A layer 95 covering a part of the intermediate transfer belt 20 is formed on the surface.
As a result, the adhesive of the paper P with the adhesive layer is suppressed from adhering to the intermediate transfer belt 20.

More specifically, when the paper P with the adhesive layer is transported, the tip of the intermediate transfer belt 20 where the adhesive layer 93 comes into contact (the tip of the paper P with the adhesive layer in the transport direction) is located. A layer 95 that partially covers the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 20 is formed (at the point of contact). This prevents the adhesive from adhering to the intermediate transfer belt 20.
In other words, in the present embodiment, a layer for preventing the adhesive of the paper P with the adhesive layer from directly touching the intermediate transfer belt 20 is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 20.
In this embodiment, if the paper P on which the image is formed is not the paper P with the adhesive layer, the covering layer 95 is not formed.

Here, the covering layer 95 is formed by using the developer used by the image forming unit 11. More specifically, it is formed by adhering a developer (toner) on the intermediate transfer belt 20 from any of the six image forming units 11. In other words, the covering layer 95 is formed by the developer.
More specifically, in the present embodiment, a clear image forming unit 11P or a yellow image forming unit 11Y is used, and a colorless and transparent developer or a yellow developer is adhered onto the intermediate transfer belt 20 to cover the above. Form layer 95.

Here, the clear image forming unit 11P, the yellow image forming unit 11Y, and the control unit 30 (see FIG. 1) that controls these image forming units 11 function as layer forming means, and the image forming unit is used. The covering layer 95 is formed by the 11P, the image forming unit 11Y, the control unit 30, and the like.
The control unit 30 controls each part of the image forming apparatus 1 so that when the tip of the paper P with the adhesive layer reaches the intermediate transfer belt 20, the layer 95 covering the tip faces the intermediate transfer belt 20.

Here, when the clear image forming unit 11P or the yellow image forming unit 11Y is used, the color of the covering layer 95 becomes colorless and transparent or yellow. In this case, even if the covering layer 95 adheres to the paper P with the adhesive layer, the covering layer 95 becomes inconspicuous.
In forming the covering layer 95, a developer is supplied to the intermediate transfer belt 20 from two or more image forming units 11 such as using both a clear image forming unit 11P and a yellow image forming unit 11Y. The covering layer 95 may be formed.
As described above, when the developer is supplied from the plurality of image forming units 11, the thickness of the covering layer 95 can be increased as compared with the case where the developer is supplied from a single image forming unit 11.

The covering layer 95 (covering layer 95 after passing through the secondary transfer unit T) remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 20 is removed from the intermediate transfer belt 20 by the cleaning device 50.
In the present embodiment, the covering layer 95 is removed by the cleaning device 50 for removing the residual toner and the like, not by the dedicated device for removing the covering layer 95. In other words, since the covering layer 95 is formed of toner, when removing the covering layer 95, a cleaning device 50 for removing residual toner is used instead of a special device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view when the intermediate transfer belt 20, the paper P with the adhesive layer, and the like are viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow IV in FIG.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, and as described above, the side side 58 of the paper P with the adhesive layer (the side side 58 located at the tip in the paper transport direction) of the intermediate transfer belt 20. ) Contact the contact point, a layer 95 covering the contact point is formed.

The covering layer 95 is formed in a rectangular shape and has a width in the transport direction of the paper P with an adhesive layer, and also has a width in a direction intersecting (orthogonal) with the transport direction of the paper P with an adhesive layer.
Further, in the present embodiment, the covering layer 95 having an area larger than the area of the contact area when the side side 58 of the paper P with the adhesive layer comes into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 20 is formed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the covering layer 95 is placed on the intermediate transfer belt 20 so as to adhere to the remaining portion 72 (see FIG. 2A) remaining on the mount 91 side of the paper P with the adhesive layer. It is formed.
In the present embodiment, the sealing portion 71 (see FIG. 2A) is not provided at the tip of the paper P with the adhesive layer, and even if the layer 95 covering the tip of the paper P adheres. The covering layer 95 adheres to the remaining portion 72. In this case, the layer 95 covered by the seal portion 71 is prevented from being soiled.

Further, in the present embodiment, the covering layer 95 is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 20 so as to adhere to the outside of the image forming region 78. More specifically, the covering layer 95 is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 20 so as to adhere to the outside of the rectangular image forming region 78 shown in FIG. 2 (A).
Thereby, in the present embodiment, even when the covering layer 95 formed on the intermediate transfer belt 20 is transferred to the paper P with the adhesive layer, the covering layer 95 is outside the image forming region 78. Adhere to. As a result, it is possible to prevent the user image (user image formed in the image forming region 78) formed on the paper P with the adhesive layer from being soiled by the covering layer 95.

In addition, in the present embodiment, when the layer 95 covering the intermediate transfer belt 20 is formed, the layer 95 covering the intermediate transfer belt 20 is formed at a position not overlapping with the user image.
In other words, in the present embodiment, a user image is formed in a predetermined image forming region 78, and a covering layer 95, which is an image other than the user image, is formed outside the image forming region 78.

In the present embodiment, the image forming unit 11 functioning as an image forming means forms a user image, which is an image based on image data provided by the user, on the intermediate transfer belt 20. Further, when the image forming unit 11 forms an image on the paper P having an adhesive layer, an image other than the user image (an image for suppressing the adhesion of the adhesive) is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 20. Further form.
As a result, the adhesion of the adhesive to the intermediate transfer belt 20 is suppressed as compared with the case where an image other than the user image is not formed (compared to the case where only the user image is formed).

[Other processing]
Receipt 630 (see FIG. 1) as an example of the recording material transporting means is a paper having no adhesive layer 93 when the paper P with an adhesive layer is transported to the secondary transfer unit T (intermediate transfer belt 20). The transport speed of the paper P with the adhesive layer is reduced as compared with the case of transporting P.
As a result, when the paper P with the adhesive layer abuts on the intermediate transfer belt 20, the contact pressure between the intermediate transfer belt 20 and the paper P with the adhesive layer decreases, and the adhesive does not easily adhere to the intermediate transfer belt 20. Become.

Further, the thickness of the covering layer 95 may be changed according to the thickness of the paper P with the adhesive layer. More specifically, for example, when the thickness of the paper P with the adhesive layer is larger than the predetermined thickness, the thickness of the covering layer 95 is increased as compared with the case where the thickness is smaller than the predetermined thickness. May be good.
Further, when the thickness of the paper P with the adhesive layer is smaller than the predetermined thickness, the formation of the covering layer 95 may be omitted.

Here, in order to increase the thickness of the covering layer 95, for example, using two or more image forming units 11 and increasing the amount of toner attached to the intermediate transfer belt 20 as described above.
In addition, for example, when one image forming unit 11 is used, the toner density per unit area is increased (by increasing the image density) to increase the amount of toner attached to the intermediate transfer belt 20. ..

When the thickness of the paper P with the adhesive layer increases, the rigidity of the paper P with the adhesive layer increases, and the contact pressure when the paper P with the adhesive layer comes into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 20 tends to increase. In this case, the adhesive is more likely to adhere to the intermediate transfer belt 20 than when the contact pressure is small.
As described above, the thickness of the covering layer 95 is changed according to the thickness of the paper P with the adhesive layer, and when the thickness of the paper P with the adhesive layer is larger than the predetermined thickness, the thickness of the covering layer 95 is changed. When the thickness is increased, the adhesive is less likely to adhere to the intermediate transfer belt 20 as compared with the case where the thickness is not increased.

Further, when the thickness of the paper P with the adhesive layer is smaller than the predetermined thickness, the rigidity of the paper P with the adhesive layer decreases, and when the paper P with the adhesive layer comes into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 20. Contact pressure tends to decrease.
In this case, since the adhesive is less likely to adhere, the formation of the covering layer 95 may be omitted. By omitting the formation of the covering layer 95, the amount of toner used can be reduced.

Information about the thickness of the paper P with the adhesive layer is input by the user, for example, via an operation receiving unit (operation receiving unit such as an operation panel) provided in the image forming apparatus 1. Then, the control unit 30 receives the information about this thickness and determines the thickness of the covering layer 95 and the presence / absence of the covering layer 95 based on the information about this thickness.

Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the paper P with the adhesive layer is conveyed to the intermediate transfer belt 20 with the side side 58 of the paper P with the adhesive layer as the head.
In this transfer, a part of the side side 58 may be brought into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 20 before the other part of the side side 58.

Further, in this case, when forming the covering layer 95, the covering layer 95 is formed at the portion of the intermediate transfer belt 20 where the above portion contacts, and the covering layer 95 is not formed at the portion where the other portion contacts. You may do so.
When this treatment is performed, the amount of toner used can be reduced as compared with the case where the layer 95 covering the entire area where the side side 58 hits is formed.

In order to bring a part of the side side 58 into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 20 before the other part, for example, the guide member 550 (see FIG. 3) is used to bend the paper P with the adhesive layer, and the bent state. Paper P with an adhesive layer is supplied to the intermediate transfer belt 20.
5 (A) and 5 (B) are views showing a guide member 550 having a function of bending the paper P. More specifically, FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a modified example of the guide member 550 shown in FIG. 3, from the direction indicated by the arrow 3E in FIG. 3 and on the rear side of the image forming apparatus 1. It is a figure when the guide member 550 is seen from. Further, FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a state of the paper P with the adhesive layer guided by the guide member 550 and the guide member 550.

In the guide member 550 shown in FIG. 5A, a plurality of plate-shaped members 551 are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the paper P. In other words, a plurality of plate-shaped members 551 are arranged in the width direction of the paper P to be conveyed.
Further, among the plurality of plate-shaped members 551, the plate-shaped members 551 located at both ends in the arrangement direction are provided with protruding portions 552 protruding toward the transport path side of the paper P.

When the guide member 550 is used, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the paper P passes through the guide member 550, both ends of the paper P in the width direction are pressed by the protrusions 552, and the tip of the paper P is pressed. The side side 58 located at is curved so as to be convex toward the guide member 550 side.
Then, in this case, as shown in FIG. 6 (a diagram showing a state when the curved side side 58 contacts the intermediate transfer belt 20), the curved side side 58 contacts the intermediate transfer belt 20. Will come to do.

When the paper P with the adhesive layer comes into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 20 in a state where the side side 58 is curved, as shown in FIG. 6, the central portion 58C in the longitudinal direction of the side side 58 is the both end portions of the side side 58. It contacts the intermediate transfer belt 20 before 58E.
Then, in the present embodiment, the layer 95 that covers the entire area where the side sides 58 come into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 20 is not formed, and the central portion 58C of the intermediate transfer belt 20 in the longitudinal direction of the side sides 58 is formed. A layer 95 is formed to cover the contact points.

Here, in the intermediate transfer belt 20, at the portion where the central portion 58C in the longitudinal direction of the side side 58 contacts, the contact pressure between the intermediate transfer belt 20 and the paper P with the adhesive layer tends to increase, and the adhesive is in the middle. It easily adheres to the transfer belt 20.
On the other hand, the contact pressure between both end portions 58E of the side side 58 and the intermediate transfer belt 20 tends to be smaller than the contact pressure between the central portion 58C of the side side 58 and the intermediate transfer belt 20. .. Then, in this case, the adhesive is less likely to adhere to the portion of the intermediate transfer belt 20 where both end portions 58E of the side side 58 come into contact with each other.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the layer 95 that covers the entire area where the side sides 58 come into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 20 is not formed, and the central portion 58C of the intermediate transfer belt 20 in the longitudinal direction of the side sides 58 is not formed. Form a layer 95 to cover the contact points.
In this case, the amount of toner used can be reduced while suppressing the adhesion of the adhesive to the intermediate transfer belt 20.

In the present embodiment, the case where the central portion 58C in the longitudinal direction of the side side 58 is first brought into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 20 has been described, but both end portions 58E in the longitudinal direction of the side side 58 are attached to the intermediate transfer belt 20. The contact may be made first (first) and then the central portion 58C in the longitudinal direction of the side side 58 may be brought into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 20.

Further, in the above, the layer 95 covering the intermediate transfer belt 20 is formed to suppress the adhesion of the adhesive to the intermediate transfer belt 20, but the intermediate transfer belt 20 is not provided and the photoconductor drum 12 is not provided. There is also a configuration in which the toner image is directly transferred from the paper P to the paper P.
In this case, the photoconductor drum 12 functions as an image holder, forms a layer 95 covering the surface of the photoconductor drum 12, and suppresses adhesion of the adhesive to the photoconductor drum 12.

Further, in the above, the layer 95 is formed in the intermediate transfer belt 20 where the tip of the paper P with the adhesive layer comes into contact, but even if the layer 95 is formed in the place where the tip other than the tip comes into contact, the layer 95 is formed. good. For example, a layer 95 may be formed in the intermediate transfer belt 20 at a position where the annular slit SL (see FIG. 2A) comes into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 20.
It is also conceivable that the adhesive touches the intermediate transfer belt 20 even in the portion of the annular slit SL, and by forming a layer 95 that covers the portion where the annular slit SL contacts, the adhesive to the intermediate transfer belt 20 is also formed in this case. Adhesion is suppressed.

1 ... Image forming device, 10 ... Image forming unit, 11P ... Image forming unit, 11Y ... Image forming unit, 20 ... Intermediate transfer belt, 30 ... Control unit, 50 ... Cleaning device, 58 ... Side side, 58C ... Central part, 58E ... Both ends, 72 ... Remaining part, 78 ... Image forming area, 91 ... Mount, 93 ... Adhesive layer, 95 ... Covering layer, 630 ... Receipt, P ... Paper

Claims (24)

An image forming means capable of transferring an image on an image holder to a recording material to form an image on the recording material and forming an image on the recording material having an adhesive layer.
A layer forming means for forming a layer covering a part of the image holder on the image holder and suppressing the adhesive of the recording material from adhering to the image holder.
Equipped with
The image forming means has a plurality of image forming portions for forming an image on the image holder.
The layer forming means supplies the developer onto the image holder from the image forming portion to form the covering layer, and supplies the developer onto the image holder from two or more image forming portions. An image forming apparatus that thickens the covering layer as compared with the case where a developer is supplied onto the image holder from a single image forming portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the layer forming means forms the covering layer at a portion of the image holder where the adhesive layer comes into contact. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the layer forming means uses the developer used by the image forming means to form the covering layer. The image forming means has a plurality of image forming portions for forming an image on the image holder.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the layer forming means supplies a developer onto the image holder from two or more image forming portions to form the covering layer. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the covering layer is yellow or colorless and transparent. The recording material having the adhesive layer is a recording material having a mount, and a part thereof is peeled off from the mount by the user and the other part remains on the mount side.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the covering layer is formed on the image holder so as to adhere to the other portion of the recording material remaining on the mount side. The image forming means forms an image in a predetermined image forming region of the recording material, and forms an image.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the covering layer is formed on the image holder so as to adhere to the outside of the image forming region in the recording material. A recording material transporting means for transporting the recording material to the image holder is further provided.
According to claim 1, the recording material transporting means reduces the transport speed when transporting the recording material having the adhesive layer to the image holder as compared with the case of transporting the recording material without the adhesive layer. The image forming apparatus according to the description. An image forming means capable of transferring an image on an image holder to a recording material to form an image on the recording material and forming an image on the recording material having an adhesive layer.
A layer forming means for forming a layer covering a part of the image holder on the image holder and suppressing the adhesive of the recording material from adhering to the image holder.
A recording material transporting means for transporting the recording material to the image holder with the side side of the recording material at the head, and bringing a part of the side side into contact with the image holder before other parts of the side side. When,
Equipped with
The layer forming means is an image forming apparatus that forms the covering layer at a portion of the image holder where the portion contacts, and does not form the covering layer at a portion where the other portion contacts. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the recording material transporting means brings a central portion of the side surface in the longitudinal direction into contact with the image holder before both end portions of the side surface. A cleaning means for removing the developer remaining on the image holder after the image is transferred from the image holder to the recording material is further provided.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the covering layer is removed from the image holder by the cleaning means. An image forming means capable of transferring an image on an image holder to a recording material to form an image on the recording material and forming an image on the recording material having an adhesive layer.
A layer forming means for forming a layer covering a part of the image holder on the image holder and suppressing the adhesive of the recording material from adhering to the image holder.
Equipped with
The layer forming means changes the thickness of the covering layer according to the thickness of the recording material having the adhesive layer, or when the thickness of the recording material is smaller than a predetermined thickness, the covering layer of the covering layer. An image forming apparatus that omits formation. The layer forming means claims that when the thickness of the recording material having the adhesive layer is larger than the predetermined thickness, the thickness of the covering layer is increased as compared with the case where the thickness is smaller than the predetermined thickness. Item 12. The image forming apparatus according to item 12. An image forming means capable of transferring an image on an image holder to a recording material to form an image on the recording material and forming an image on the recording material having an adhesive layer.
A recording material transporting means for transporting the recording material to the image holder,
A layer forming means for forming a layer covering the contacted portion of the image holder at the portion where the tip of the recording material in the transport direction contacts.
Equipped with
The image forming means has a plurality of image forming portions for forming an image on the image holder.
The layer forming means supplies the developer onto the image holder from the image forming portion to form the covering layer, and supplies the developer onto the image holder from two or more image forming portions. An image forming apparatus that thickens the covering layer as compared with the case where a developer is supplied onto the image holder from a single image forming portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the layer forming means forms a layer having a width in the transport direction of the recording material and having a width in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the recording material as the covering layer. An image forming means capable of transferring an image on an image holder to a recording material to form an image on the recording material and forming an image on the recording material having an adhesive layer.
A recording material transporting means for transporting the recording material to the image holder,
A layer forming means for forming a layer covering the contacted portion of the image holder at the portion where the tip of the recording material in the transport direction contacts.
Equipped with
The recording material transporting means brings a part of the tip in the transport direction into contact with the image holder before the other portion of the tip in the transport direction.
The layer forming means is an image forming apparatus that forms the covering layer at a portion of the image holder where the portion contacts, and does not form the covering layer at a portion where the other portion contacts. An image forming means capable of transferring an image on an image holder to a recording material to form an image on the recording material and forming an image on the recording material having an adhesive layer.
A recording material transporting means for transporting the recording material to the image holder,
A layer forming means for forming a layer covering the contacted portion of the image holder at the portion where the tip of the recording material in the transport direction contacts.
Equipped with
The layer forming means changes the thickness of the covering layer according to the thickness of the recording material having the adhesive layer, or when the thickness of the recording material is smaller than a predetermined thickness, the covering layer of the covering layer. An image forming apparatus that omits formation. An image holder that holds the image transferred to the recording material,
A recording material having a plurality of image forming portions for forming an image on the image holder, forming a user image which is an image based on data provided by the user on the image holder, and having an adhesive layer. When the image formation of the above is performed, an image forming means for further forming an image other than the user image on the image holder and an image forming means.
Equipped with
When image formation is performed on a recording material having an adhesive layer, the image forming means supplies a developer onto the image holder from the image forming portion to form the image other than the user image. , Other than the user image, as compared with the case where the developer is supplied onto the image holder from two or more image forming portions and the developer is supplied onto the image holder from a single image forming portion. An image forming apparatus that thickens the image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the image forming means forms an image other than the user image for preventing the adhesive of the adhesive layer from directly touching the image holder. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the image forming means forms the image other than the user image at a position that does not overlap with the user image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the image forming means forms the user image in a predetermined image forming region, and forms the image other than the user image outside the image forming region. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the image other than the user image is yellow or colorless and transparent. An image holder that holds the image transferred to the recording material,
When a user image, which is an image based on data provided by the user, is formed on the image holder and an image is formed on a recording material having an adhesive layer, an image other than the user image is formed. Image-forming means further formed on the image-bearing body,
A recording material transporting means for transporting the recording material to the image holder with the side side of the recording material at the head, and bringing a part of the side side into contact with the image holder before other parts of the side side. When,
Equipped with
The image forming means forms the image other than the user image at a position where the part of the image holder contacts, and forms the image other than the user image at a position where the other part contacts. Not an image forming device. An image holder that holds the image transferred to the recording material,
When a user image, which is an image based on data provided by the user, is formed on the image holder and an image is formed on a recording material having an adhesive layer, an image other than the user image is formed. Image-forming means further formed on the image-bearing body,
Equipped with
The image forming means changes the thickness of the image other than the user image according to the thickness of the recording material having the adhesive layer, or when the thickness of the recording material is smaller than a predetermined thickness. An image forming apparatus that omits the formation of an image other than the user image.

Images