Abstract: A film loading arrangement simplifies the film loading process for a user and prevents the improper loading of a laminate film roll into a laminating machine. The laminating machine includes a female support unit configured to receive a first end of the laminate film roll to properly position the roll in the laminating machine, and a male support unit configured to be received in the second end of the laminate film roll to properly position the roll in the laminating machine. A male coupling structure of the roll is received in the female support unit and a female coupling structure of the roll receives the male support unit. The laminating machine further includes a tensioning mechanism for adjusting the force required to unroll laminating film from the supported roll.

Abstract: A plurality of binding elements, each of a substantially uniform thickness, the fingers being looped over and coupled to the spine such that the inner surface of the fingers is disposed against the inner surface of the spine by an adhesive when assembled. In an embodiment, at least a portion of the outer surface of the binding element is resistant to a more permanent attachment to the adhesive such that the plurality may be stacked together, and successively decoupled or removed for insertion into a stack. The binding elements may include score lines or bends in the fingers to provide a rounded closed loop structure; optional gussets in the bends inhibit straightening of the fingers. The fingers optionally include variations in cross-section along the length to relieve certain stresses to inhibit the looped finger. The binding elements optionally include structure for facilitating interaction with an automating binding process.

Abstract: A film loading arrangement simplifies the film loading process for a user and prevents the improper loading of a laminate film roll into a laminator. The components allow the laminate roll of film to be loaded in the correct orientation by providing differing connection structures on each end of the laminate film roll. The differing connection structures are received by respective receiving structures on the laminator. Each connection structure is compatible with only one of the receiving structures such that when the connection structures are attached to the roll, the film can be loaded in only one direction, i.e., correctly. Therefore, the user can properly load a laminate film roll and avoid damaging the laminator as a result of improper film loading. A tensioning mechanism can be provided for adjusting the force required to unroll laminating film from the supported roll.

Abstract: Devices for hanging a display board frame wherein a first bracket is mounted on a wall and has a hook on one end supportingly engaging a channel on a corresponding first edge of a display board frame and a second cooperating bracket having a slotted portion is slidingly mounted on the wall in a position corresponding to a second edge of the display board frame spaced apart and opposed to the first display board edge and the second bracket has a hook on its end in alignment with a channel on the second edge of the display board frame; and the display board is releasably secured on the wall when the upper bracket is slid against the display board frame until its hook engages the channel on the second edge of the display board frame, The invention also includes a method for hanging a display board frame including the steps of securing the first bracket on the wall with its hook engaging the channel on one edge of the frame, securing the second slotted bracket on the wall with its hook spaced away from the second

Abstract: The invention provides a modular board arrangement that may be easily transported and assembled. The board arrangement comprises a plurality of boards and individual frame members that can be assembled in a variety of ways to provide a desired arrangement. The board arrangement may additionally comprise side frame members and/or a tray. The board arrangement is expandable to a desired length by adjacently adding additional board and frame units. Multiple board and frame units may be connected to one another by a transition piece. A connector may be provided for attaching an object such as the tray to the board arrangement. A removable faceplate may also be provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a cutting apparatus for cutting sheet material comprising a base with an upper surface having an edge, a non-circular cutting blade, and a light emitting device. The cutting blade is pivotably coupled to the base portion. The blade may be lowered to cut a sheet material disposed at least partially on the upper surface and extending at least partially off of the upper surface along the edge. The light emitting device is preferably a laser disposed above the base portion. When the sheet material is placed on the upper surface of the base, the light emitting device projects the line of light onto the top surface of the sheet material to provide a visual indication of the location of the sheet material relative to the edge prior to cutting the sheet material with the blade. A method for cutting sheet material utilizing the device is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides an unitary spine binder which comprises an elongated dorsal hinge bearing pairs of opposing and complementary male and female ring elements having known male fastener and female fastener, respectively. Each pair of ring elements also comprise a concave distal end on one element, and a complementary convex distal end on the other element. When the distal ends of the ring elements are moved towards each other, the male and female fasteners reversibly engage with each other so that each pair of ring elements, in cooperation with the dorsal hinge, forms substantially a ring to secure sheet paper by occupying a pre-punched hole in the paper. At the same time, the concave and convex distal ends also engage, so that the sidewalls of the concave distal end engages the convex distal end to protect the fasteners against disengagement by torsional and lateral forces.

Abstract: Provided is a multilayer pushpin board for retaining and displaying messages that is capable of accommodating both pushpins and magnets. The multilayer message board includes a support substrate preferably made from an elastically recoverable elastomeric material that can be pierced by and releasably retain the spike of a pushpin. A composite sheet made from magnetic attractable particles dispersed into a binder material is secured to the support substrate. The composite sheet is thin and soft enough to allow the spike of a pushpin to penetrate therethrough. Preferably, a cover sheet is laid over and secured to the composite sheet, the cover sheet preferably being made of elastically recoverable elastomeric material. The cover sheet is thin enough to avoid interfering with the magnetic attraction associated with the composite sheet.

Abstract: A folder, comprising two sheets of plastic joined along an elongated length by a securement, retains a small stack of sheets inserted therein without the need for additional binding mean, retaining force, or an additional sealed edge or auxiliary maintaining surface. The stack of sheets is easily inserted and removed from the folder because three of the four edges of the folder are unsealed. When the stack of sheets is inserted into the folder, so that a securing edge of the stack is disposed proximal to the securement of the folder, the stack is retained in place, due to the force produced by the firmness of the sheets coupled with the tightness of the securement.

Abstract: The invention includes a combination of coupling clip structure and a plurality of binding elements for binding stacks of perforated sheets for delivery to an automated machine. The combination comprises at least two binding elements, and at least one coupling clip discrete from said at least two binding elements. At least one of the coupling clip or the binding element(s) comprises at least one recess, at least a portion of at least one said binding element being disposed in said recess in the coupling clip and/or at least a portion of the coupling clip being disposed in said recess in the binding element, the coupling clip coupling the at least two binding elements together in a predetermined adjacent spatial relationship. The coupling clip may be separated from the binding elements by the automated machine. The invention further includes a method of coupling a plurality of binding elements together with at least one coupling clip for delivery to an automated machine.

Abstract: A universal sled for adapting an existing sheet processing station for use with a sheet handling system, a sheet handling system including an existing sheet processing station, and a method of performing the same. The sled is supported on and moveable relative to a platform of the existing sheet processing station. The sled includes a plurality of parallel support surfaces that collectively form a sheet support surface that may be intermeshed with a plurality of parallel support surfaces that form a sheet support surface of a cart, the sheet support surfaces of the cart being intermeshable with the support surfaces of other modules of the system.

Abstract: The invention provides a rotary punch assembly for punching successive sheets of paper, the assembly comprising a first punch pin roller and a second roller which form a nip therebetween. The first punch pin roller has a plurality of punch pins protruding therefrom and is driven, while the second roller has a resilient surface and is freely rotating. As a sheet is passed through the nip between the rollers, the punch pins penetrate the paper as the pins work against the resilient surface of the second roller to pierce the holes.

Abstract: An automated punching arrangement for punching successive sheets or lifts from an input stack of sheets, and arranging those sheets in an output stack. The automated punching arrangement receives the stack at an input platform that automatically advances the stack into the machine where a picker picks a sheet or successive lifts from the stack and delivers them along an input path into direct registration in a die set. Punched sheets are advanced out of the punch at a 90° angle from the input path along an output path, and inverted by an inverter to the output stack on an output platform. The punched stack of sheets is then advanced out of the machine. The machine includes automated set up including reading of dedicated identifying markers on die sets and resulting adjustment of the die set position within the machine and of the back plate within the die set.

Abstract: Tackable and markable dry erase display boards which have no frame and which may be die cut from moldable foam material capable of receiving and holding mounting pins and substantially closing after a pin is withdrawn. Such boards are light weight and can be mounted on substantially any desired surface without hardware or tools, and can be fabricated in substantially any desired color. The boards may have convenient means for holding accessories such as an eraser or marking implement.

Abstract: A punching station that utilizes low cost, interchangeable, linearly operating die sets, and may be disposed in line with a printer to punch individual sheets as they proceed through the printer. Sheets exiting a printer or other machine are rapidly accelerated along a circuitous path in the punching station, and then into position between the die plates of a linearly actuated die. The sheet is stopped and punched, and then rapidly accelerated out of the punch to exit the punching station. Each sheet is accelerated to a speed that is typically greater than the speed of the sheet as it exits the printer. Die sets having different pin sizes and configurations are interchangeable within the punching station in order to permit rapid die changes, and the die pins are preferably made of powdered metal to yield low cost die sets.

Abstract: Tackable and markable dry erase display boards which have no frame and which may be die cut from moldable foam material capable of receiving and holding mounting pins and substantially closing after a pin is withdrawn. Such boards are light weight and can be mounted on substantially any desired surface without hardware or tools, and can be fabricated in substantially any desired color. The boards may have convenient means for holding accessories such as an eraser or marking implement.

Abstract: The present invention provides an indicator system for an appliance to notify an appliance operator that an operable temperature is reached by an element of the appliance. The indicator system comprises a light source that provides light to a linear light enhancer. The linear light enhancer transmits light from the light source along the length of the linear light enhancer, to increase the ability of an appliance operator to observe the light from the light source. The light enhancer is an optical fiber or a light tube. The invention is also directed to the incorporation of such indicator systems in appliances that require a heating period, such as for example, laminators.

Abstract: A binding apparatus facilitates a convenient, one-stage load-and-close binding system. The apparatus has a base and a pivotable former door movable between open and closed positions. A series of hooks are provided to hold an open binder relative to the base for loading sheets onto the open binder ringlets. The apparatus has three former surfaces or bars, including parallel, opposed first and second former bars, as well as an adjacently-positioned third former bar oriented generally perpendicularly to the first and second former bars. Generally, the binding apparatus operates to squeeze a wire binder between the opposed first and second forming bars to close the wire ringlets. The free ends of the wire ringlets are maintained in proper alignment against the third former bar.