Abstract: In a delivery unit for bookbinding machines, book blocks released by the transport grippers of an adhesive-binding apparatus are transported by a conveyor along a downward-inclined linear path segment which is followed immediately by a horizontal path segment. The conveyor comprises an endless chain drive, routed around reversing sprockets, which transport carrier plates are positioned on the chain at regular intervals. The carrier plates are comprised of individual plate links which are pivotally interconnected but which support each other so that they cannot sag in the loading direction. The leading side of each carrier plate is pivotally coupled to the chain drive, while its trailing side is coupled to the chain drive via a slide-guide.