Abstract: An apparatus and method for maintaining a minimum amount of ink in an ink fountain (10) of a printing press includes an ink fountain level sensor (28) and ink dispenser (26) mounted on a carriage (30) for lateral movement on a track (32) across the ink fountain. The carriage traverses the ink fountain. When the ink in the fountain develops a spot below a preset minimum level, a preset amount of ink is immediately dispensed upon detection of the low spot by the sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for maintaining a minimum amount of ink in an ink fountain (10) of a printing press includes an ink fountain level sensor (28) and ink dispenser (26) mounted on a carriage (30) for lateral movement on a track (32) across the ink fountain. The carriage traverses the ink fountain. When the ink in the fountain develops a spot below a preset minimum level, a preset amount of ink is immediately dispensed upon detection of the low spot by the sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for maintaining a minimum amount of ink in an ink fountain (10) of a printing press includes an ink fountain level sensor (28) and ink dispenser (26) mounted on a carriage (30) for lateral movement on a track (32) across the ink fountain. The carriage traverses the ink fountain. When the ink in the fountain develops a spot below a preset minimum level, a preset amount of ink is immediately dispensed upon detection of the low spot by the sensor.

Abstract: An ink management system for an offset printing press includes a cartridge of offset printing press ink, wherein the cartridge has an exit opening in one end through which ink is dispensed and an open end opposite said exit opening. A movable member is disposed within said ink cartridge for dispensing ink from said ink cartridge. Movement of the movable member dispenses ink into an ink fountain through the exit opening. The displacement of the movable member is determined in order to track an amount of ink dispensed during, for example, a printing run.