Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in supplying ink to a printing press includes a motor which drives a pump assembly. A control system varies the rate of operation of the motor to drive the pump assembly through an operating cycle which includes an intake portion or stroke of relatively short duration and a discharge portion or stroke of relatively long duration. A control system varies the rate of operation of the motor in such a manner as to maintain the rate of flow of ink from the pump assembly constant during the discharge portion of the operating cycle. The short duration of the intake portion of the operating cycle is maintained constant with variations in the operating speed of the printing press supplied with ink by the pump assembly. However, the duration of the relatively long discharge portion of the operating cycle of the pump assembly varies with changes in the operating speed of the printing press.

Abstract: During a printing operation, an ink pump assembly is driven in a forward direction by a reversible electric motor to pump ink from a source of ink to an inker apparatus. When the printing operation has been almost completed, the direction of operation of the ink pump assembly is reversed to pump reusable ink back to the source of ink. When most of the reusable ink has been pumped back to the source of ink, a valve is actuated to direct the output from the reverse operating ink pump assembly to a waste material receiver. Once the ink has been pumped from the inker apparatus, a valve is actuated to connect the ink pump assembly in fluid communication with a source of clean-up fluid. The clean-up fluid is then pumped from the source to the inker apparatus by forward operation of the ink pump assembly. Once sufficient clean-up fluid has been conducted to the inker apparatus, the ink pump assembly is again connected with the waste material receiver.

Abstract: An auxiliary apparatus is provided to supply ink to a printing press upon failure of a main ink pump assembly in the printing press. The auxiliary apparatus includes a portable auxiliary ink pump assembly which is maintained separate from the printing press during normal operation of the main ink pump assembly. Upon failure of the main ink pump assembly to properly supply ink, the auxiliary ink pump assembly is moved to a location adjacent to the failed main ink pump assembly. The failed main ink pump assembly is disconnected from the ink rail of the printing press. The auxiliary ink pump assembly is connected in fluid communication with the ink rail. A motor connected with the auxiliary ink pump assembly then drives the auxiliary ink pump assembly to supply ink to the ink rail.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for use in exposing of photosensitive material to ultraviolet radiation includes a carrier which is a film strip having a photoconductive layer. The film strip is indexed along a path which extends through a linear array of stations. At a charging station an electrostatic charge is applied to the photoconductive layer on the film strip. At an exposing station, the photoconductive layer on the film strip is exposed to a light pattern which forms a reduced size image of an original to thereby render areas of the photoconductive layer conducting. At a developing station, toner particles are electrically attracted to the conducting areas of the photoconductive layer on the film strip. The toner particles are fused to each other and the material of the film strip to form a permanent visible image. The film strip is then indexed to an exposing station where ultraviolet radiation is directed through the film strip to protect an enlarged image onto photosensitive material.