Abstract: A pump for a printing press includes a plunger within a cylinder to be rotatable and reciprocatable and having a cutaway portion at its distal end, and a constant-speed motor for rotating and reciprocating the plunger. The plunger and the output shaft of the motor are radially offset relative to each other and inclined with respect to each other. The output shaft of the motor is coupled to the plunger via a transmission mechanism which includes an arm and a connection member. The arm is connected to, for example, the plunger, and the connection member is connected to, for example, the output shaft of the motor. The arm and the connection member are connected with each other at an eccentric position in such a manner that the arm and the connection member can displace relative to each other in the radial direction and can change the intersecting angle therebetween.

Abstract: A printing device for printing on wrapping paper according to the present invention comprises a cartridge holder (40) having an ink nozzle (18) on the outside thereof and adapted to house an ink cartridge (50); an ink supply passage (79) connecting the ink cartridge (50) and the ink nozzle (18); and a linear actuator (80) supported at the cartridge holder (40) and adapted to push a plunger (52) in the ink cartridge (50) more into the ink cartridge (50).

Abstract: An integrated ink rail assembly includes at least one page pack mounted directly to a manifold, an ink rail mounted to the manifold, and an orifice rail mounted to the ink rail. An ink source is connected to the page pack. The page pack, manifold, ink rail, and orifice rail define a plurality of ink passages to deliver ink from the ink source to a drum. The ink passage may be directed towards the middle of the assembly such that a web smaller than the page pack can be printed.

Abstract: An inking unit in a printing machine includes a screen roller and an ink metering system subdivided into inking zones and assigned to the screen roller for performing zonal ink metering on the screen roller, the ink metering system having metering elements disposed so as to be movable relative to one another.

Abstract: An ink bar is provided with a control device for bringing back printing ink into the ink duct (20) of a printing machine when required. The aim of the invention is to arrange all the essential function pieces in a space-saving manner, whereby said pieces are used for adjusting the ink level. The ink bar (1) is made from a hollow rod prifile having an undercut groove (4) on the lateral outer wall. Said groove serves for receiving cables (5). Discharge valves (8) and the supply device of an ink valve are arranged in the inner chamber of the rod profile. The ink valve is coupled to a sensor (9) and said valves are connected by means of the cable (5).

Abstract: This ink pump control apparatus has a mechanism for controlling the operation of ink pumps by inputting data corresponding to the printing image ratio of an area to which ink is fed, detecting the printing speed of the printing press and outputting a printing speed signal corresponding to the printing speed, judging changes in printing speed based on the printing speed signal, storing in a memory section first correction coefficients determined by printing image ratios and third correction coefficients determined by acceleration and deceleration of printing speed, fetching from the memory section coefficients determined based on the printing image ratios and speed change judgement result, calculating an ink feed correction coefficient from these coefficients and the printing speed, and outputting a signal to operate the ink pumps so that an amount of ink corrected by the ink feed correction coefficient can be fed.

Abstract: A device is designed to sealingly close an end of a chambered doctor blade (K). The chambered doctor blade (K,) has an elongate frame (K1) and two elongate doctor blades (K6, K7), which are arranged on the frame (K1) and define, together with the latter, an elongate chamber (K10), which is adapted to hold, for instance, ink. The chambered doctor blade (K) has an elongate opening (K11) for abutment, in an operative position of the chambered doctor blade (K), against a rotatable cylinder (V) included in a printing unit. The end sealing device comprises first and second sealing sheets (20, 30) which are mountable to at least partially overlap each other and sealingly close an opening (K11) in one end of said chamber (K10).

Abstract: A pumping system, such as for supplying ink in a printing machine, is disclosed in which the duration of the pump discharge is substantially longer than the duration of the intake to the pump.

Abstract: A printer for printing a viscous material at predetermined positions forming a pattern on a substrate. The printer includes a frame, a device, mounted to the frame, having a number of perforations arranged to form the pattern, a support apparatus, coupled to the frame, that supports the substrate in a printing position beneath the device, and a material dispenser. The material dispenser has a chamber to contain the viscous material to be printed on the substrate. The chamber has an opening through which the viscous material is dispensed. The material dispenser is coupled to the frame, positioned over the device, and constructed and arranged to dispense the viscous material through the perforations in the device and onto the substrate. The material dispenser has a retraction device that prevents leakage of the viscous material from the opening after dispensing is complete.

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 inking device for feeding ink that is fed to an ink rail to a printing plate on a plate cylinder via a group of rollers that are sequentially in contact with each other, comprising a first roller part of the outer periphery of which faces an ink feeding surface of the ink rail, a second roller that is disposed downstream of the first roller in the ink feeding process and in contact with the outer periphery of the first roller on the downstream side in the rotating direction from the position at which the first roller faces the ink feeding surface of the ink rail, a third roller that is in contact with the first roller on the downstream side in the rotating direction from the position at which the second roller comes in contact with the outer periphery of the first roller, and a fourth roller that is in contact with the outer peripheries of the second and third rollers and blocks the front side in the rotating direction of the first and second rollers at the position where the first and second rollers are i

Abstract: An ink cartridge for an ink management system includes a piston having a stepped back surface for improved reflection of ultrasonic acoustic waves through presentation of flat surfaces normal to the incident waves, thus permitting the piston to possess a preferred cone shape and structural rigidity. Heights of steps are preferably separated by even multiples of one-quarter wavelength of incident acoustic waves to avoid destructive interference from multiple reflections. Improved reflectivity overcomes problems with using an acoustic range finder to measure the position of the piston.

Abstract: A color ink supply device for an ink ductor in a rotary printing press achieves an even color distribution on the ink ductor. A plurality of ink supply devices are arranged axially along the ink ductor. Each ink supply device includes a main chamber and may also include a pre-chamber. A doctor blade device may also be utilized.

Abstract: Apparatus for the metered coating of a printing machine roller with a liquid application medium, in particular for the metered coating of an ink applicator roller with printing ink, containing at least one doctor roller placed with its working surface onto the printing machine roller and carried by a doctor roller bed. The doctor roller is slide-mounted on its working surface by means of at least one sliding surface formed on the doctor roller bed. The application medium can be fed to or discharged from the surface of the printing machine roller by rotation of the doctor roller, through a clearance between the sliding surface and the working surface of the doctor roller. A pressure-regulatable valve for regulating the pressure prevailing in the clearance is arranged between a pressure source for the application medium and the clearance.

Abstract: A press dampening system which applies dampening fluid to a roll or cylinder using high-density straight streams of fluid flow. The term straight stream encompasses a stream of fluid which is primarily laminar, and which produces a minimal amount of spray or droplets. The flow of fluid is not, or is minimally, broken up into droplets. The straight streams, which include a high density of water or dampening fluid, impact against the roll or cylinder and thereafter the straight stream spreads out across the surface of the roll or cylinder in a puddle-like fashion. Each straight stream is created by an orifice—preferably a micro-orifice—which, at an appropriate back pressure upstream of the orifice, causes the water or dampening fluid to emerge from the orifice in a straight stream of relatively laminar flow.

Abstract: A cardboard sheet printing apparatus including: a rotating body that freely rotates inside an ink circulation passage through which ink flows, and a rotation-imparting assembly which is magnetically coupled with the rotating body outside the ink circulation passage and imparts rotation to the rotating body. When the rotating body is caused to rotate by the rotation-imparting assembly, the variation in the load current value that occurs upon changes in the viscosity of the ink that contacts the rotating body is detected; and this variation is compared with load current values that correspond to respective changes in the ink viscosity value stored in memory beforehand and is converted into an ink viscosity value and then displayed, so that the viscosity of the ink is adjusted based upon the calculated results.

Abstract: A device for quickly and reliably establishing a production-run state in a printing group of a rotary printing machine after the printing cycle has been interrupted. A plurality of freely programmable memory devices having various different printing control programs stored therein may be manually or automatically connected to a control computer that determines which of the preprogrammed control programs are necessary to return the printing machine to a production-run state. The computer then controls the inking unit and, as applicable, the dampening unit in such way that its inking profile for production-run printing is quickly established.

Abstract: Detachable inking device for a flexographic printing machine, its embodiment, cleaning and use in such a machine. This device comprises a chambered doctor blade (9) mounted on two lever-supports (13, 14) crossed by duct joining pieces (15, 16) respectively. The lever-supports are rigidly attached to a shaft (11) about which they are pivotable and which is held between the frames (34) of said flexographic printing: machine. Said chambered doctor blade (9) consists of a body (25) made of light metal material, crossed at one of its ends by a tube (26) emgerging from the bottom (28) of said body (25), and at the other end by a tube (40) having its opening part (29) at level with the bottom (28) of the body (25). The latter rests on seals (38, 39) secured to the lever-supports (13, 14) to which are attached centering and fixing means (17, 18) allowing a quick loosening of the chambered doctor blade (9) without the help of any tool.

Abstract: A rotary printing machine having two doctor blades, a gravity fed ink dispensing mechanism, and a drum cleaning spray system is provided. Ink is applied in excess to one of the doctor blades and excess ink is removed by the other. One of the ink dispensing mechanisms can be removed and replaced while printing is taking place using ink from the other ink dispensing mechanisms.

Abstract: An inking unit for a printing machine includes one or more distributor drums, ink transfer rollers, ink application rollers, an ink reservoir for printing ink and an ink metering device having at least one electrically controllable valve for metering the printing ink. In accordance with the invention, there are provided a high-pressure pumping device for supplying the ink metering device with printing ink at a predetermined high pressure from the ink reservoir, and a heating device for heating the printing ink to a predetermined temperature above room temperature. Moreover, the at least one valve of the ink metering device has a short reaction time and a flow rate with a low dependence upon viscosity. The invention also relates to a method for supplying printing ink to a printing machine.

Abstract: An inking system for alternately supplying ink in two overall widths to a web press. The system includes ink pumps, a series of outlet passages for the ink pumps, a set of intermediate passages connected to the ink pumps, two outlet passages for each of its intermediate passages and first and second supply passages for an inking roller. There is an ink flow control that selects either a first or a second array of supply passages, thereby supplying ink in a wider width or a narrower width. One ink flow control, preferably, consists of two flat apertured plates and the other ink flow control comprises a piston and cylinder arrangement in a block having plural passages.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ink pump (14) for a pump inking unit (1) of a rotary printing press. A two-piece coupling is provided between a pump drive (23) which is situated in a traversing component and a transportable ink discharge unit (3) which is situated on the traversing component. Each piece of the coupling consists of a permanent magnet (28, 33) which is connected to the pump drive or the ink pump respectively. The permanent magnets engage in a non-positive fit. A robust coupling is thus provided.

Abstract: A pump inker unit is used to supply inks of different color to an inking unit of a rotary printing press. An ink supply unit is supported for movement with respect to the inking unit of the press. Several pump inker units, each with their own color of ink can be quickly interchanged so that the ink ductor roller of the inking unit will receive different colors of ink from different movably mounted ink supply units.

Abstract: An ink-supply device of a printing-machine inking unit, having a pressure discharge device, and a lid provided in the pressure discharge device for closing one of a cartridge holder for accepting a cartridge, and a cartridge received directly in the pressure discharge device, respectively, an internal space being formed in one of the pressure discharge device and in a region located between the cartridge and the lid, respectively, the internal space being subjectible to an application of compressed air via a flow path provided with a valve, includes a setting device for actuating the valve when one of the cartridge holder and the cartridge, respectively, is closed by the lid; and a printing machine including the ink-supply device.

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.

Abstract: A chambered doctor blade apparatus provides an automatic system for cleanup and replacement of coating substance, as well as operating a hydraulic head loading system that includes hydrostatic compensation, and integrates the head loading mechanism into the automated cleaning, flushing and replacement cycle. A programmable logic controller (PLC) is connected to a touch screen display that presents an interactive graphical user interface for control purposes. The PLC is programmed to carry out sequentially the required steps for cleaning, refilling, and running the chambered doctor blade assembly, and to alternate water-based and non-water-based coatings without necessitating removal of the doctor blade head from the transfer roller. Each coating run begins with a purge step in which a new coating material is pumped through the system to waste to remove any residual material from the previous coating run.

Abstract: A pumping unit (1) for supplying printing ink to a printing unit (2) is described. In order to achieve as effective a utilization of the printing unit (2) as possible and the shortest possible time for exchanging different printing ink colors, the described pumping unit (1) is arranged with a printing ink tank (27) and a cleaning liquid tank (28). The pipe (33, 34) for sucking up or return pumping of the cleaning liquid/printing ink may be slided from a position in one or the other tank (27, 28). Process steps of inking as well as of cleaning are controlled by a central control unit (44) so that the only intervention of the operator that is necessary, is exchange of the printing ink tank (22) when a new printing ink color is to be applied in the printing unit (2).

Abstract: In a pump intermittently rotated and controlled by a motor, the motor, etc. rise in temperature and ink supply is unstable when an operation of the pump is stopped in a magnetizing state.

Abstract: An improved ink cartridge dispensing valve system for use with a printing press ink cartridge is provided. The valve system works on the same principle as a ball valve to automatically dispense ink when subjected to pressure. The valve system includes an attachment post and an attachable nozzle. The attachment post is an integral part of the dispensing end of the ink cartridge and is recessed so that the cartridge can be easily shipped without damaging the attachment post. The attachable nozzle fits over the attachment post and opens or closes depending on whether pressure is placed on it by the ink in the cartridge.

Abstract: A printer for printing a viscous material at predetermined positions forming a pattern on a substrate. The printer includes a frame, a device, mounted to the frame, having a number of perforations arranged to form the pattern, a support apparatus, coupled to the frame, that supports the substrate in a printing position beneath the device, and a material dispenser. The material dispenser has a chamber to contain the viscous material to be printed on the substrate. The chamber has an opening through which the viscous material is dispensed. The material dispenser is coupled to the frame, positioned over the device, and constructed and arranged to dispense the viscous material through the perforations in the device and onto the substrate. The material dispenser has a retraction device that prevents leakage of the viscous material from the opening after dispensing is complete.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supplying emulsion ink to a printing plate on a printing press is disclosed. The apparatus includes an ink feed and recirculation system and associated control system to quickly and reliably form a high quality emulsion ink. The control system utilizes both feedback and feedforward control strategies. The recirculation of the emulsion ink ensures that the emulsion ink remains stable and makes it possible to reformulate the emulsion ink, if necessary, without waiting for the exhaustion of all of the emulsion ink that is in need of reformulation.

Abstract: A method for providing indications for conditioning ink flow valves of at least one inking unit of a printing press. The printing area of the inking unit is divided into a multiplicity of inking zones each supplied by one ink flow valve in order to prescribe a predetermined rate of ink flow for each ink zone in said at least one inking unit. The method includes determining by calculating, from a digital image being processed for printing, a representative ink density value for each ink zone and for each color separation and furnishing the ink flow valves respectively with the values for regulating the flow in the ink zones.

Abstract: A flexographic printer ink unit has an elongated body with an elongated ink chamber recessed into one side of the body. The chamber is defined in part by a pair of elongated walls. An elongated blade, doctor or containment, is positioned on each of the opposite elongated walls. An elongated clamping bar is coupled with a separate one of the wall to rotate about a pivot axis defined by a set of T bars mounted along each wall. One longitudinal edge of each clamping bar holds the blade against a proximal edge of the proximal elongated wall to form an edge of the ink chamber. One or more plungers are movably coupled with the ink unit body and pressed against the clamping bar on a side of the bar pivot axis opposite the one longitudinal edge of the bar so as to pivot the one longitudinal edge of the bar against the proximal edge of the wall to secure the blade there between. The plunger is carried in a conventional toggle clamp.

Abstract: A running strip of cigarette paper or the like is provided with printed matter by the profiled peripheral surface of a printing roller which receives ink from one of several rollers including a pair of transfer rollers defining a nip which receives ink from an adjustable nozzle. The latter is movable back and forth longitudinally of the nip by an electric or other suitable motor receiving signals from a programmed control unit by way of an amplifier. The control unit regulates the speed of the nozzle and hence the distribution on, and the rate of delivery of printing ink to, the peripheral surface of the printing roller.

Abstract: This invention is an improved apparatus and method for distributing ink in a printing press. In preferred embodiments, ink on an anilox roll is uniformly distributed on the roll by the scraping action of doctor blades against the roll surface. The blades are held in continuous engagement against the anilox roll by an adjustment mechanism which exerts a constant force against the doctor blades. The preferred adjustment mechanism is a cam or cams under the control of an actuator. The actuator causes each cam to rotate against a moveable support on which the doctor blades are mounted urging the doctor blades against the anilox roll. The actuator provides a constant force to each cam thereby causing the blades to be constantly urged against the anilox roll surface even as the blades are worn away by operation of the printing press.

Abstract: An ink rail 1 for a printing press has an ink rail body 5 having an ink supplying surface 53 constucted by a concave curved surface able to be opposed to the outer circumferential surface of the fountain roller F at a suitable distance C; an inclination member 4 arranged on a lower face of the ink rail body 5 and having an angle of inclination a between upper and lower faces of the inclination member and an inclining direction set to a transversal direction of the ink rail body 5; a pedestal 3 for supporting the inclination member 4; a supporting member 2 for supporting the pedestal 3; first adjusting means 6 capable of moving the ink supplying surface 53 in a thickness direction of the inclination member 4 with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the fountain roller F; and second adjusting means 7 capable of moving the ink supplying surface 53 in a direction perpendicular to a moving direction provided by the first adjusting means with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the fountain

Abstract: An ink feeding system for feeding ink to an ink fountain of a printing, duplicating or like machine includes a can holder for holding a can of printing ink. A support arm suspends the can holder and can above the ink fountain. A piston-and-cylinder device feeds ink from the suspended can through a hole in the closed bottom end of the can and into the ink fountain. A disposable gasket is placed on top of the ink in the can for engagement by a piston head of the piston-and-cylinder device.

Abstract: An enclosed pressure gravure roll coating applicator, particularly designed for applying pressure sensitive films to web types substrates, and method of operating such coater. A downstream blade and an arcuately spaced upstream blade are positioned with respect to a roll to be coated. An intermediate gap-forming body between the blades forms a running gap with the surface of the roll to be coated. Substantially air free liquid coating is applied under pressure to an offrunning chamber adjacent the offrunning blade with excess coating flowing through the gap to an onrunning chamber adjacent the upstream blade. The pressure in the onrunning chamber is regulated at a relatively constant positive value sufficient to prevent air from entering the onrunning chamber past the upstream blade.

Abstract: An improved cartridge for dispensing highly viscous fluids in which the nozzle is recessed for ease of packaging, shipping and storing. The cartridge comprises a hollow cylindrical body, a plunger and a dispensing fitment. The cylindrical body holds a supply of extrudable fluid contents such as lithographic ink. The plunger serves as a pneumatically activated piston within the cylindrical body to extrude the contents of the cartridge. The nozzle has an open and a closed position. In the closed position the nozzle does not protrude beyond the top of the dispensing fitment. The dispenser may also include a detachable nozzle extension which, when attached to the nozzle, extends beyond the top of the fitment.

Abstract: A cassette for holding and dispensing a viscous material for use in an apparatus for depositing the viscous material onto a substrate through openings formed in a stencil positioned over substrate. The cassette includes a body having a base and interior defined by first and second side walls and first and second end walls substantially orthoganol to the base. The base has a plurality of apertures formed therein, and a cover plate adapted to slide within the interior of the body. The cover plate having a plurality of protruding members wherein each of the protruding members corresponds to and is aligned with a corresponding one of the apertures of the base.

Abstract: A pair of doctor blade assemblies extend from upper and lower ends of a housing. Seal assemblies having compressible seals, seal spacers and retaining plates are disposed at opposite ends of the housing and extend between the upper and lower doctor blade assemblies. The doctor blade assemblies, the seal assemblies, the inner surface of the housing and the outer surface of the transfer roll define a fully encapsulated applicator chamber. The upper blade assembly includes a doctor blade positioned as a trailing edge blade, a blade support for clamping the blade and for securing the blade to the housing, a blade seal positioned for sealing the ink chamber and a pneumatic assembly for adjusting the pressure of the trailing doctor blade against the transfer roll. The lower blade assembly includes a doctor blade positioned as a trailing edge blade and a blade support for clamping the blade and for securing the blade to the lower end of the housing.

Abstract: A device for filling depressions in a cylinder of a printing machine with a fluid, e.g., an ink, which permits a quick change to a different fluid, includes at least two doctor blade devices arranged on the cylinder which doctor blade devices can be selectively moved individually into effective connection with the cylinder.

Abstract: System for applying a pumpable substance (printing liquid) to running material webs, comprising a chambered doctor blade casing provided with a space for pumpable substance; an inlet and an outlet for pumpable substance; and at least two doctor blades detachably mounted on the chambered doctor blade casing, which blades bound an opening which, in operation, faces the outer circumference of a roller and which extends over the length of the chambered doctor blade casing, and the chambered doctor blade casing being sealed at its end faces by detachable seals.

Abstract: An ink fountain with an ink-duct roller in the inking mechanism of printing presses, with a device for filling printing ink into the ink fountain, is described. The device for filling ink is mounted on a sled so that it can be moved back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the ink fountain. A sensor is fastened to the sled, and when the ink level is too low, the sensor controls the ink feed. Thereby, a precise regulation of the amount of ink added can be achieved by means of a downstream dosing device.

Abstract: An ink metering device and method. Ink is fed at a pressure to an orifice. Pressure may be achieved by either an ink pump or a gravity feed. The size of the orifice may be varied according the conditions existing in the printing press. The pressure at which the ink is fed may also be varied. Ink exiting the orifice is fed onto the surface of an ink applicator roll. At a location downstream of the orifice, a control blade is positioned adjacent the outer surface of the ink applicator roll. The distance between the tip of the control blade and the outer surface of the ink applicator roll may be varied using a control blade positioning mechanism. The distance between the tip of the control blade and the outer surface of the ink applicator roll controls the smoothness and/or the thickness of an ink film which is created on the surface of the ink applicator roll. This film is transferred directly to the image or plate cylinder, which is in contact with the outer surface of the ink applicator roll.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing ink to an ink fountain of a printing press. A flexible bag of ink is utilized and is compressed for forcing the ink into the fountain, and a sensor determines the level of ink in the fountain and thus controls the force on the bag, that is, the compressor on the bag. The flexible bag of ink is subjected to a compressor, which can be a flexible air-filled bladder which forces against the ink bag to compress the ink therefrom and into an ink fountain.

Abstract: For moistening a water roller in contact with a planographic printing plate on a plate cylinder in an offset printing press, a sprayer produces a more or less flat spray of dampening water. Baffles are positioned in front of the sprayer to define an aperture through which the spray travels before hitting the water roller. The aperture has a width shorter than the longer dimension of the cross section of the spray as measured in a plane containing the aperture, and longer than the shorter dimension of the cross section of the spray in the same plane. Thus the rate at which the dampening water is supplied to the water roller is infinitely variable by changing the angular position of the spray relative to the aperture between a minimum dampening position where the spray has the opposite longitudinal end portions of its cross section interrupted to the utmost by the baffle means and a maximum dampening position where the spray is allowed wholly through the aperture.

Abstract: A peristaltic type pump for pumping ink to a printing section of a corrugated paperboard finishing machine capable of both pumping ink to the printing section and pumping excess ink from the printing section back to an ink supply as well as pumping a cleaning fluid to the printing section and pumping excess cleaning fluid back to a sump. The pump includes at least one pumping element for pumping the ink or cleaning fluid to the printing section and at least one but preferably two pumping elements for pumping the excess ink or excess cleaning fluid back to the ink supply or sump respectively. Each pumping element includes a rotor having at least two but preferably three or more lobes for compressing two portions of a semicircular portion of a flexible tube surrounding the rotor to confine a finite quantity of ink or cleaning fluid in the tube between two of the lobes in sucession during rotation of the rotor to force the ink or cleaning fluid from an inlet to an outlet of the pump.

Abstract: A method of controlling a level of printing ink in an ink fountain, including, by the use of an ink metering device, topping off printing ink along an ink fountain roller that dips into the printing ink; by a level sensor, determining signals relating to the actual level along the ink fountain roller, feeding the signals relating to the actual level to a control device; in the control device, comparing the signals fed thereto with signals relating to a desired level; forming actuating signals from the derived comparative signals, for an actuating element in the ink metering device, so that printing ink is topped off along the ink fountain roller in accordance with ink acceptance from the ink fountain; from a container with a limited supply of printing ink, dispensing the printing ink for topping off and, if necessary or desirable, renewing the supply of ink in accordance with ink demand, which further includes, for each measurement location of the level sensor, determining the change in the actual level per u