Quality inspection apparatus for double-sided printing machine

A quality inspection apparatus for a double-sided printing machine having a printing unit and a delivery pile provided downstream of the printing unit, comprising:

• transport means, provided between the printing unit and the delivery pile, for transporting a sheet-like material from the printing unit to the delivery pile, said transport means including,
• a first delivery chain passing through a lower side of said printing unit,
• a second delivery chain provided above the delivery pile, wherein the second delivery chain is located in relatively close proximity to a site directly above the delivery pile and extends in a straight line along its entire length so as to be parallel to a floor surface on which the printing machine is installed;
• and
• a first transport cylinder and a second transport cylinder provided at a position higher than the first delivery chain and lower than the second delivery chain and adapted to transport the sheet-like material from the first delivery chain to the second delivery chain,
• wherein the first transport cylinder and the second transport cylinder are located below a position where the sheet-like material transported by the second delivery chain is then released from the second delivery chain and delivered to the delivery pile,
• the first transport cylinder and the second transport cylinder being arranged in zigzag fashion with respect to a generally vertical direction, and
• wherein a first space is formed above the first transport cylinder, and a second space is formed below the second transport cylinder;
• first detection means, provided in the first space, for detecting a status of printing on one face of said sheet-like material when said sheet-like material is transported by said first transport cylinder;
• and
• second detection means, provided in the second space, for detecting a status of printing on the other face of said sheet-like material when said sheet-like material is transported by said second transport cylinder.

A double-sided printing machine, comprising:

• a printing unit for printing opposite faces of a sheet-like material;
• ink supply means for supplying ink to said printing unit, said ink supply means being supported to be brought into contact with and separated from said printing unit;
• a delivery pile provided downstream of the printing unit;
• transport means for transporting said sheet-like material from said printing unit to the delivery pile while holding said sheet-like material, said transport means including,
• a first delivery chain passing through a lower side of said ink supply means,
• a second delivery chain provided above the delivery pile, wherein the second delivery chain is located in relatively close proximity to a site directly above the delivery pile and extends in a straight line along its entire length so as to be parallel to a floor surface on which the printing machine is installed;
• and
• a plurality of transport cylinders, arranged in a zigzag fashion, provided at a position higher than the first delivery chain and lower than the second delivery chain, for transporting said sheet-like material from said first delivery chain to said second delivery chain,
• said plurality of transport cylinders including at least a first transport cylinder and a second transport cylinder, and;
• wherein the first transport cylinder and the second transport cylinder are located below a position where the sheet-like material transported by the second delivery chain is then released from the second delivery chain and delivered to the delivery pile,
• first detection means for detecting a status of printing on one face of said sheet-like material when said sheet-like material is transported by said first transport cylinder;
• and
• second detection means for detecting a status of printing on the other face of said sheet-like material when said sheet-like material is transported by said second transport cylinder;
• first drying means provided on the upstream side, with respect to the transport direction, of a detection position at which said first detection means detects said sheet-like material held by said first transport cylinder;
• and
• second drying means provided on the upstream side, with respect to the transport direction, of a detection position at which said second detection means detects said sheet-like material held by said second transport cylinder.