Abstract: The invention pertains to a device for forming the spine region and/or the adjacent joint areas of a book case prior to casing-in the book block by means of a forming component that lifts the spine region out of the extended starting position relative to rails that hold down the case boards or the joint areas, wherein the forming geometry of the forming component can be varied by means of motor-driven adjustments, and wherein a separate adjusting drive is assigned to each of the elements that can be adjusted relative to the base element and form the book case.

Abstract: A device for centrally splitting book blocks (1) in bookbinding machines, wherein the book blocks (1) being transported forward of a conveyor (2) are split by being pushed against a splitting element (3). In order to also ensure the functionally reliable splitting of book blocks (1) that consist of thick cardboard sheets or panels, a blunt wedge (10) in the form of a gable roof acts upon the front edge cut (1a) of the book block upstream of the splitting element (3) and produces a gap that begins in the leading book block edge and extends into the head edge cut or the foot edge cut (1b) and into the front edge cut (1a). The splitting tool (4) penetrates into the book block (1) through the gap. In one preferred embodiment, a spring-loaded, rotatable wedge roller (10) is used that has a rounded point and a wedge angle (a) of 130°.

Abstract: A book pressing machine (1) comprises a pressing station for pressing the book cover (2b) on to the book block (2a), which pressing station includes a pressing table (4) and a pressing plate (5) movable perpendicularly to the pressing table (4) for all-over pressing of the book (2) with the book (2) lying flat, and comprises means (15a,b) for aligning the book (2) in the pressing station and an endless conveyor belt (6) which conveys the book (2) in and out, the upper belt section of which rests on the upper face of the pressing table (4) as a support for the book (2).