Abstract: A printing unit for providing ink imprints includes a printing member and an inking assembly supplying ink to the printing member. The inking assembly comprises an ink reservoir; an endless flexible ink carrying element; a support for positioning the element such that a first part of the element extends into the ink reservoir and a second part of the element is situated externally of the ink reservoir; a drive for circulating the element, whereby the element carries ink out of the reservoir; and an element-contacting roller having a cylindrical surface positioned to be in contact with the second part of the element for receiving ink therefrom.

Abstract: In an imprinting device including a pressure cylinder and a movable counterpressure cylinder, the counterpressure cylinder is disposed opposite the pressure cylinder and is elastically attached to a rocker which is pivotal about a point. The device includes at least one electro-dynamic actuator so as to vary the axial distance between the pressure cylinder and the counterpressure cylinder in that the actuators move the rocker about its pivot point.

Abstract: In an apparatus for forwarding flat items individually from a stack, a withdrawing mechanism forwards the items in succession into the gripping zone of a feed mechanism for further conveyance. Between the withdrawing mechanism and the feed mechanism there is situated a sensor which is connected to a control circuit controlling the operation of the withdrawing mechanism. The location of the sensor determines a standby position for each item. The control circuit causes operation of the withdrawing mechanism only when either the sensor senses no item present or the sensor senses the presence of an item and there is applied a call signal to the control circuit. Each item is first forwarded by the withdrawing mechanism from the stack to the standby position and is advanced by the withdrawing mechanism from the standby position into the gripping zone of the feed mechanism only when the call signal is applied to the control circuit.