Method and device for removing at least one book block from and/or supplying at least one book block to a conveying section of a book production line

A book production line, in particular for producing small book editions, wherein the books include at least one book block and a book case that protects the book block, the book production line comprising:

• a first conveying section that successively moves a plurality of book blocks positioned on the first conveying section in a main transporting direction;
• a first lateral transport device that intervenes in the first conveying section and is operative to selectively remove or supply at least one book block from or to the first conveying section in a direction lateral to the main transporting direction;
• a first conveying element that is connected to the first lateral transport device and is arranged parallel to the first conveying section, wherein the first conveying element extends counter to the main transporting direction of the first conveying section;
• a second conveying section for supplying a stack of book cases to the book production line;
• a machine control connected to the first conveying section, the first lateral transport device and the second conveying section;
• and
• scanners arranged to identify a marking on each of the book blocks and the book cases and to transmit the identified markings to the machine control, wherein the machine control is responsive to the identified markings for controlling the lateral transport to transport book blocks between the first conveying section and the first conveying element.