Patent ID: 8096542

Claim:
A method for producing perfect-bound book blocks for books or similar printed products, comprising: driving successively arranged clamps to circulate along an endless path of a perfect binding apparatus, wherein the clamps are spaced apart at a first distance; conveying loose book blocks in a conveying direction along a conveying device, wherein the loose book blocks are composed of gathered printed sheets and are positioned inside conveying units of the conveying device, wherein the conveying direction of the conveying device and the endless path of the perfect binding apparatus overlap in a transfer region, and wherein the conveying units are arranged spaced apart at a uniform second distance in the transfer region and extend transverse to the conveying direction of the conveying device; positioning the book blocks beneath the endless path of the perfect binding apparatus in the transfer region; inserting the book blocks into the clamps of the perfect binding apparatus; clamping the book blocks in the clamps with spines facing downwards; transporting the clamped book blocks in an upright position for further processing in the perfect binding apparatus; and pivoting the clamps by approximately 90° around an axis perpendicular to the conveying direction to orient the clamped book blocks for the further processing.