Patent ID: 7234396

Claim:
In combination with a transfer roll having a cylindrical surface, an ink applicator comprising: at least one generally stationary mounting part; a first elongated bar mounted on the mounting part; an elongated applicator blade carried on the first bar and having an edge riding on the transfer-roll cylindrical surface; a second movable elongated bar mounted on the mounting part, extending parallel to the first bar, and defining an elongated ink-holding compartment with the first bar; an elongated applicator blade carried on the second bar, extending parallel to the first-bar blade, and having an edge riding on the cylindrical transfer-roll surface; and guide means supporting the movable bar on the mounting part for movement along an arcuate path having the same radius of curvature as the cylindrical transfer-roll surface between an outer position with the movable-bar blade spaced transversely from the first-bar blade and defining a gap through which ink can flow transversely out of the compartment, and an inner position with the blades engaging one another and closing the gap so that no ink can flow out of the compartment, the movable-bar blade edge remaining in contact with the cylindrical transfer-roll surface at all times.