Patent ID: 7753372

Claim:
An apparatus for opening and depositing a signature onto a transporting device, said apparatus comprising: a continuously rotating gripper cylinder having a first shaft and carrying at least one signature; a first opening cylinder, wherein the first opening cylinder includes: a second shaft extending substantially parallel to the first shaft, a first peripheral section including a front end and a back end as seen in a direction of rotation of the first opening cylinder and including a first peripheral surface positioned between the front end and the back end, wherein the first peripheral section engages in a region of rotation of the gripper cylinder to grip the signature on a side to be opened such that the signature can be released again, the region of rotation including a zone within the circumference of the rotating gripper cylinder, and a guide element arranged to swivel on the second shaft, the guide element being housed in a recess in the back end; and a second opening cylinder, wherein the second opening cylinder includes: a third shaft extending substantially parallel to the first shaft, a second peripheral section with a second peripheral surface, wherein the first opening cylinder and the second opening cylinder are arranged below the gripper cylinder to open the signature carried by the rotating gripper cylinder and deposit the opened signature with the opened side facing downward onto the transporting device, wherein the guide element cooperates with the second peripheral surface to aid in conveying the signature when the signature is positioned between the first opening cylinder and the second opening cylinder.