Image forming apparatus and booklet producing method

An image forming apparatus at least comprising:

• first image forming means for forming a first adhesive layer of a first toner on a sheet;
• second image forming means for forming a second adhesive layer of a second toner on the first adhesive layer;
• and
• third image forming means for forming a third adhesive layer of a third toner on the second adhesive layer,
• wherein adhesive image patterns are formed from the first adhesive layer, the second adhesive layer, and the third adhesive layer,
• wherein the image forming apparatus further comprising booklet bonding means for stacking a plurality of sheets to form a sheet bundle, and applying heat and pressure to the sheet bundle so that the sheets are bonded to each other with the adhesive image patterns interposed therebetween, to form a booklet,
• wherein both the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer are formed on one of a first sheet and a second sheet that face each other in the sheet bundle,
• wherein at least the third adhesive layer is formed on the other of the first sheet and the second sheet,
• wherein G1>G2 and G3>G2 are satisfied, where G1 denotes a storage elastic modulus of the first toner forming the first adhesive layer, and G2 denotes a storage elastic modulus of the second toner forming the second adhesive layer, and G3 denotes a storage elastic modulus of the third toner forming the third adhesive layer, and
• wherein a temperature at which G1, G2 and G3 are measured is a peak temperature of the adhesive image patterns during operation of the booklet bonding means.

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• first image forming means for forming a first adhesive layer of a first toner on a sheet;
• second image forming means for forming a second adhesive layer of a second toner on the first adhesive layer;
• third image forming means for forming a third adhesive layer of a third toner on the second adhesive layer;
• and
• fourth image forming means for forming a fourth adhesive layer of a fourth toner on the third adhesive layer,
• wherein adhesive image patterns are formed from at least three adhesive layers of the first adhesive layer, the second adhesive layer, the third adhesive layer, and the fourth adhesive layer,
• wherein the image forming apparatus further comprising booklet bonding means for stacking a plurality of sheets to form a sheet bundle, and applying heat and pressure to the sheet bundle so that the sheets are bonded to each other with the adhesive image patterns interposed therebetween, to form a booklet,
• wherein all of the adhesive image patterns are formed on one of a first sheet and a second sheet that face each other in the sheet bundle, and
• wherein GA>GB is satisfied, where GA denotes a storage elastic modulus of a toner forming an adhesive layer A that is in contact with a sheet, from among the at least three adhesive layers forming the adhesive image patterns in the sheet bundle, and GB denotes a storage elastic modulus of a toner forming an adhesive layer B other than the adhesive layer A.

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• image forming means for forming adhesive image patterns that include adhesive layers of toner on sheets;
• and
• booklet bonding means for stacking a plurality of sheets on which the adhesive image patterns are formed to form a sheet bundle and bonding the sheets to each other with the adhesive image patterns interposed therebetween by applying heat and pressure to the sheet bundle, to form a booklet,
• wherein the adhesive image patterns include at least three adhesive layers of toner,
• wherein the at least three adhesive layers are each formed of a different toner, and
• wherein GA>GB is satisfied, where GA denotes a storage elastic modulus of a toner forming an adhesive layer A that is in contact with a sheet, from among the at least three adhesive layers forming the adhesive image patterns in the sheet bundle, and GB denotes a storage elastic modulus of a toner forming an adhesive layer B other than the adhesive layer A.

A booklet producing method comprising:

• forming adhesive image patterns that include adhesive layers of toner on sheets by using image forming means;
• and
• stacking the plurality of sheets on which the adhesive image patterns are formed to form a sheet bundle and bonding the sheets to each other with the adhesive image patterns interposed therebetween by applying heat and pressure to the sheet bundle, to form a booklet,
• wherein, in the adhesive image patterns, at least three adhesive layers of toner are formed,
• wherein the at least three adhesive layers are each formed of a different toner, and
• wherein GA>GB is satisfied, where GA denotes a storage elastic modulus of a toner forming an adhesive layer A that is in contact with a sheet, from among the at least three adhesive layers forming the adhesive image patterns in the sheet bundle, and GB denotes a storage elastic modulus of a toner forming an adhesive layer B other than the adhesive layer A.