Transport device for stacking partial book blocks

A separating element for operating a transport device,

• wherein the transport device is for stacking a plurality of partial book blocks along a transport path formed of transfer paths,
• wherein a finished stacked book block product is feedible to a processing machine,
• wherein the transport device comprises:
• a first transfer path of the transfer paths which is arranged at a start of the transport device;
• at least a first separating element which is downstream of the first transfer path and is upstream of at least a second transfer path of the transfer paths;
• a second separating element which is downstream of the second transfer path and is upstream of the processing machine that is operatively connected to the transport device;
• and
• a transition path which is arranged either upstream or downstream of the second separating element and within which a book block product that is to be introduced therein is transferable from a transport position where it is lying flat into a transport position where it is guided standing up;
• and
• wherein at least one of the transfer paths is equipped with at least one sheet stack feed unit and/or at least one collator-feeder,
• the separating element comprising at least the first separating element arranged inside the transport device as a connection between a transfer path arranged in front thereof and a downstream transfer path, and
• wherein the separating element is configured to be operated using at least one drive and is configured to:
• receive a partial book block that is fed from the preceding transfer path lying flat;
• transport the partial book block further, lying flat, via a conveying path formed by the first separating element;
• and
• then hand the partial book block over to the downstream transfer path lying flat and in a cycle-compliant manner.

A transport device for stacking a plurality of partial book blocks along a transport path formed of transfer paths, wherein a finished stacked book block product is feedible to a processing machine, the transport device comprising:

• a first transfer path of the transfer paths which is arranged at a start of the transport device;
• at least a first separating element which is downstream of the first transfer path and is upstream of at least a second transfer path of the transfer paths;
• a second separating element which is downstream of the second transfer path and is upstream of the processing machine that is operatively connected to the transport device;
• and
• a transition path which is arranged either upstream or downstream of the second separating element and within which a book block product that is to be introduced therein is transferable from a transport position where it is lying flat into a transport position where it is guided standing up;
• wherein at least one of the transfer paths is equipped with at least one sheet stack feed unit and/or at least one collator-feeder,
• wherein the respective partial book block to be stacked is feedible from at least one sheet stack feed unit and/or one collator-feeder vertically and/or laterally with respect to a production direction of the transport device that is formed by the transfer paths, and
• wherein the respective partial book block to be stacked is fed laterally according to control profiles, an adapted adjustment being continuously carried out, when necessary, between a preset height of a partial book block located in the transfer path and a handover height of an additional partial book block which is guided by a height-adjustable sheet stack feed table of the sheet stack feed unit in each case.