An image forming apparatus includes a sheet separation device, a first sheet feeder, a second sheet feeder, an image forming device, a heat source, and a circuitry. The sheet separation device is configured to separate a two-ply sheet in which two sheets are overlapped and bonded together at one end as a bonding portion of the two-ply sheet. The first sheet feeder is configured to feed the two-ply sheet. The second sheet feeder is configured to feed an inner sheet to be inserted between the two sheets. The image forming device is configured to form an image on the inner sheet fed from the second sheet feeder. The heat source is disposed upstream from the sheet separation device in the sheet conveyance direction. The circuitry is configured to cause the two-ply sheet fed from the first sheet feeder, to detour the heat source to the sheet separation device.

A post-processing apparatus includes a binding device, a closing device, a driver, and a changeover switch. The binding device binds a sheet bundle. The closing device closes an entrance to a binding position at which the binding device binds the sheet bundle. The driver moves the closing device to a closing position to close the entrance. The switch performs switching to implement a state in which the binding device is able to bind the sheet bundle when the closing device moves to the closing position. The closing device includes an avoidance operation portion to move to the closing position to operate the switch, and a drive coupler coupled to the avoidance operation portion to move the avoidance operation portion to the closing position. A coupling state between the avoidance operation portion and the drive coupler is released when movement of the avoidance operation portion to the closing position is prevented.

An image forming apparatus includes a processing tray, a post-processing controller, and a detection sensor. The processing tray is configured to support a sheet or a sheet bundle on which a post-processing is to be executed. The post-processing controller is configured to execute the post-processing on the sheet positioned on the processing tray. The detection sensor is configured to detect an object in a predetermined detection range including a space above the processing tray. The post-processing controller stops execution of the post-processing when the detection sensor detects the object at a determination timing other than a timing at which passage of the sheet or the sheet bundle through the detection range is estimated.

An image forming apparatus includes a processing tray, a post-processing controller, and a detection sensor. The processing tray is configured to support a sheet or a sheet bundle on which a post-processing is to be executed. The post-processing controller is configured to execute the post-processing on the sheet positioned on the processing tray. The detection sensor is configured to detect an object in a predetermined detection range including a space above the processing tray. The post-processing controller stops execution of the post-processing when the detection sensor detects the object at a determination timing other than a timing at which passage of the sheet or the sheet bundle through the detection range is estimated.

A binding apparatus to bind sheets includes a binding device, a non-volatile memory, and control circuitry. The binding device is configured to bind a plurality of stacked sheets with a binding member. The non-volatile memory is configured to store a quantity of binding members in the binding device. The control circuitry is configured to control operation of the binding device. The control circuitry outputs an alert when the quantity of binding members stored in the non-volatile memory is equal to or less than a first predetermined value and cancels the alert when the quantity of binding members is equal to or less than a second predetermined value.

A control device, to control a system having an image forming apparatus to form an image on a sheet based on an image forming job and a sheet discharge apparatus having stacking trays for the sheet, includes a storage storing stacking state information for each stacking tray, a generator, a display controller, and an input portion. The generator generates a system configuration image, and a sheet bundle image representing a sheet bundle stacked on each stacking tray based on the stored stacking state information. The display controller displays a screen in which the sheet bundle image is combined at a position of each stacking tray in the system configuration image. The input portion inputs designation of an image forming job corresponding to sheets to be taken out. The display controller displays an order of taking out the sheets corresponding to the image forming job designated through the input portion.

A post-processing apparatus includes a post-processing unit configured to receive sheets from an image forming apparatus, perform processing on the received sheets, and then discharge the processed sheets through a discharge port. A sensor is configured to detect a presence of an object at the discharge port. The sensor includes a first light emitter on a first side of the discharge port that is positioned to emit a light across a width of the discharge port, a reflector on a second side of the discharge port opposite the first side in a first direction, and a first light receiver positioned to receive light of the first light emitter from the reflector. A controller is configured to terminate the processing on the received sheets by the post-processing unit when the sensor detects the presence of the object at the discharge port.

A layer transfer device configured to transfer at least one layer of a multilayer film onto a toner image includes: a sheet conveying unit; a supply reel; a wind-up reel; a film transfer unit; and a peeling roller disposed between the film transfer unit and the wind-up reel in a conveyance path and configured to peel off the multilayer film from a sheet, and the film transfer unit includes: a first roller provided to contact the sheet; and a second roller provided to contact the multilayer film, and a tangent line of the second roller at a downstream end of a nip part passes between a center of the second roller and a center of the peeling roller, and an angle formed by the tangent line and a film tension portion of the multilayer film tensed between the nip part and the peeling roller is 15 to 37 degrees.

An image forming apparatus includes a processing tray, a post-processing controller, and a detection sensor. The processing tray is configured to support a sheet or a sheet bundle on which a post-processing is to be executed. The post-processing controller is configured to execute the post-processing on the sheet positioned on the processing tray. The detection sensor is configured to detect an object in a predetermined detection range including a space above the processing tray. The post-processing controller stops execution of the post-processing when the detection sensor detects the object at a determination timing other than a timing at which passage of the sheet or the sheet bundle through the detection range is estimated.

A binding apparatus to bind sheets includes a binding device, a non-volatile memory, and control circuitry. The binding device is configured to bind a plurality of stacked sheets with a binding member. The non-volatile memory is configured to store a quantity of binding members in the binding device. The control circuitry is configured to control operation of the binding device. The control circuitry outputs an alert when the quantity of binding members stored in the non-volatile memory is equal to or less than a first predetermined value and cancels the alert when the quantity of binding members is equal to or less than a second predetermined value.