Abstract: An ink package comprising a disposable container is provided for supplying ink to an ink fountain of a lithographic duplicating machine and includes a self-contained, sealed package provided with specially configured nozzle means for dispensing ink from the container directly into an ink fountain. The ink used in the container is designed to be within the higher ranges of flowability for lithographic ink, and hence, due to special design of the nozzle aperture or apertures, is able to flow sluggishly from the container by gravity, whenever the nozzle means is exposed to the atmosphere, to spread longitudinally of the fountain roller, and to form an elongate bead of ink which increases in size until it blocks exposure of the nozzle means to the atmosphere and thereby shuts off flow from the nozzle means. Thus, a substantially constant volume of ink is maintained in the ink fountain as long as any ink remains in the container.

Abstract: A novel ink fountain comprises a fountain roller radially approached by an ink supporting doctor blade. In order to retain low viscosity inks in the fountain, the blade must approach very closely to the fountain roller surface without touching it. To accommodate the potentially irregular surface of fountain rollers, the blade is rendered transversely deflectable in segments by means of cut-outs, and vernier adjustment means acting on the segments may be used to conform the blade closely to the roller surface condition.

Abstract: A duplicator system and method are provided for preparing a lithographic master and for producing duplicated copies from the master in a fully automated system. An ink and moisture system is provided for supplying ink and moisture to a master on a master cylinder. During a pre-inking phase, an ink ductor roller is operative for a predetermined duration within variable ranges, as determined by the number of duplicated copies to be reproduced, and a moisture roller is operative to transmit moisture to the inking system. An early moisture circuit is also provided for conditioning the system by supplying moisture prior to a pre-inking phase in those instances wherein there has been a significant delay between the processing of two consecutive masters. Control means including a sensing device is provided for sensing the ambient temperature at an ink fountain and providing an indication thereof at predetermined temperature values.