Abstract:
A printing fluid input system (30) for use in a keyless lithographic printing press wherein a metering roller (20) has at least first and second ends mounted for rotation about an axis and has an oleophilic and hydrophobic surface (40) intermediate the first and second ends (32,34) which retains a natural quantity of printing fluid. A housing (42) has an open first side (46) which mates with at least a portion of the surface (40) of the metering roller (20) to define a closed chamber (44) containing the printing fluid under a predetermined pressure. End seal assemblies (48, 50) are mounted on opposed ends of the housing (42), each of the end seal assemblies (48,50) having at least a first surface (56) for mating with respective end sections (58,60) of the metering roller (20). A reverse angle doctor blade (62) on the housing (42) has an edge (66) for contacting the surface (40) of the metering roller (20) for removing excess printing fluid adhering to the surface (40) as the metering roller (20) rotates. A sealing member (68) on the housing (42), has a surface area (72) for substantially sealing the chamber (44), the surface area (72) of the sealing member (68) being substantially adjacent the surface (40) of the metering roller (20).