Numbering unit with universal lower part for vertical and horizontal numbering units

1 . A numbering unit kit comprising:

a first upper part of a vertical numbering unit;

a second upper part of a horizontal numbering unit; and

a universal lower part configured to receive the first upper part in a first configuration and the second upper part in a second configuration,

wherein the universal lower part is configured to be arranged on a mounting ring of a numbering machine,

wherein the first upper part is configured to apply a first character string to a document that extends in a circumferential direction of the mounting ring, and

wherein the second upper part is configured to apply a second character string to a document that extends perpendicularly to the circumferential direction of the mounting ring.

2 . The numbering unit kit according to claim 1 , wherein the universal lower part is configured to be firmly but detachably fixed to the mounting ring of the numbering machine.

3 . The numbering unit kit according to claim 2 , wherein the universal lower part is configured to be clamped to the mounting ring of the numbering machine.

4 . The numbering unit kit according to claim 2 , wherein the universal lower part is configured to remain on the mounting ring of the numbering machine when the first upper part is replaced with the second upper part.

5 . The numbering unit kit according to claim 4 , wherein the universal lower part is configured to remain on the mounting ring of the numbering machine when the second upper part is replaced with the first upper part.

6 . The numbering unit kit according to claim 2 , wherein the universal lower part is configured to remain on the mounting ring in case of a change between the vertical numbering unit and the horizontal numbering unit.

7 . The numbering unit kit according to claim 1 , wherein the first or second upper part comprises a connection portion such that the connection portion fits on the universal lower part and such that the connection portion is fixed thereto.

8 . The numbering unit kit according to claim 1 , wherein the universal lower part comprises a connecting portion to connect to the first or second upper part such that the connecting portion is configured to receive the first upper part in the first configuration and the second upper part in the second configuration.

9 . The numbering unit kit according to claim 1 , wherein the universal lower part is configured to be fixed along a single orientation on the mounting ring of the numbering machine, and wherein the universal lower part is configured to receive the first upper part in the first configuration and the second upper part in the second configuration at the single orientation in order to provide the vertical numbering unit and the horizontal numbering unit, respectively.

10 . The numbering unit kit according to claim 1 , wherein each of the first or second upper part comprises a numbering mechanism.

11 . The numbering unit kit according to claim 1 , wherein each of the first or second upper part comprises type wheels.

12 . The numbering unit kit according to claim 11 , wherein the type wheels are arranged side by side as seen in the circumferential direction of the mounting ring of the numbering machine, or wherein the type wheels are arranged side by side as seen perpendicularly to the circumferential direction of the mounting ring of the numbering machine.

13 . The numbering unit kit according to claim 1 , wherein an underside of each of the first or second upper part is configured to engage with a lug in a central groove of the universal lower part.

14 . The numbering unit kit according to claim 1 , wherein the universal lower part is arrangeable on the mounting ring of the numbering machine, and wherein each of the first or second upper part is configured to be fixed to the universal lower part by establishing a clamping connection, and is configured to be removed from the universal lower part by releasing the clamping connection.

15 . The numbering unit kit according to claim 14 , wherein each of the first or second upper part comprises at least two tensioning levers.

16 . The numbering unit kit according to claim 15 , wherein each of the tensioning levers extends from the first or second upper part into a recess, an undercut, or a groove in the universal lower part, thereby securely fixing or clamping the first or second upper part on the universal lower part.

17 . A numbering unit kit comprising:

a first upper part of a vertical numbering unit;

a second upper part of a horizontal numbering unit; and

a universal lower part configured to receive the first upper part in a first configuration and the second upper part in a second configuration,

wherein the universal lower part is configured to remain on a mounting ring of a numbering machine when the first upper part is replaced with the second upper part or when the second upper part is replaced with the first upper part, and

wherein the universal lower part is configured to remain on the mounting ring in case of a change between the vertical numbering unit and the horizontal numbering unit.

18 . The numbering unit kit according to claim 17 , wherein the universal lower part is configured to be firmly but detachably fixed to the mounting ring of the numbering machine.

19 . A numbering unit kit comprising:

a first upper part of a vertical numbering unit;

a second upper part of a horizontal numbering unit; and

a universal lower part configured to receive the first upper part in a first configuration and the second upper part in a second configuration,

wherein the universal lower part comprises a connecting portion for the first or second upper part,

wherein the connecting portion is configured to receive the first upper part in the first configuration and the second upper part in the second configuration.