Apparatus for opening and depositing a signature

Abstract

An apparatus for opening and depositing a signature onto a transporting device includes a continuously rotating gripper cylinder having a first shaft and carrying at least one signature. First and second opening cylinders 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. The first and second opening cylinders each have a second and third shafts, respectively, extending substantially parallel to the first shaft. The first and second opening cylinders each have a peripheral section with a peripheral surface, the peripheral section of the first opening cylinder engaging in a region of rotation of the gripper cylinder to grip a signature on the side to be opened such that the signature can be released again. The first opening cylinder includes a guide element that cooperates with the peripheral surface of the second opening cylinder to aid in conveying the signature when it is positioned between the first and second opening cylinders.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.