Ink supply unit for keyless printing press

An ink supply unit of a keyless printing press, adapted for use with a relatively high viscosity ink, the ink supply unit having an opening in an upper portion and a front portion thereof, and having side plates, a base and a fountain roller located in said front portion, the fountain roller having a peripheral surface, the fountain roller rotating while displacing the peripheral surface in a downward direction with respect to the ink, the ink supply unit comprising:

• a movable base interposed between said side plates and being in integral form, said movable base being inclined and descending toward a tip end side thereof, said movable base being supported on said first mentioned base for movement toward and away from said peripheral surface of said fountain roller;
• driving means for driving said movable base between a first position where the tip end of said movable base contacts said peripheral surface of said fountain roller to prevent release of ink to the peripheral surface of the fountain roller and a predetermined second position where said tip end of said movable base is distally located with respect to said peripheral surface of said fountain roller to permit release of ink to the peripheral surface of the fountain roller;
• guide means coupled to said movable base, said guide means guiding said movable base so that said tip end of said movable base moves with respect to said peripheral surface of said fountain roller while maintaining a predetermined attitude;
• and
• a tip end blade which includes a plurality of members divided in an alignment direction of the both side plates, said tip end blade being mounted on said movable base by placing the tip ends of respective members in opposition to said peripheral surface of said fountain roller, and said tip ends of said respective members being independently adjustable of a contacting condition between the tip ends thereof and said peripheral surface of said fountain roller.