FOUNTAIN SOLUTION SYSTEM AND APPARATUS THEREFOR

1,154,771. Dampening apparatus for rotary litho offset presses. BALDWIN-GEGENHEIMER CORP. 17 Feb., 1967 [11 July, 1966], No. 7760/67. Heading B6C. A method of supplying dampening solution having a predetermined proportion of alcohol to a fountain pan 2 of a rotary lithographic offset printing press comprises the steps of: (a) feeding a solution of water, etch, gum and alcohol from a source 6 to the fountain pan 2, (b) returning unused solution from the pan to the source, (c) automatically determining by hygrometric apparatus 12 when the proportion of alcohol in said solution has fallen below a predetermined level, (d) automatically supplying from a tank 16 and through valve means alcohol to the source when the proportion thereof has fallen below the predetermined level, and (e) automatically stopping the supply of alcohol to the source 6 when the proportion thereof reaches said predetermined level.