Abstract: Plastic binding strips, one strip having studs which fit through holes in sheets to be bound, the other strip having holes to receive the studs are bound in a machine which compresses the strips toward each other, then cuts of excess stud length and forms rivet heads on the stud ends to bind the strips together. The present improvement over such machines uses a motor to drive linkages previously manually actuated. The binding motor drives linkages on either side of the machine which cause a transverse pressure bar to apply a pre-selected compressive force on the strips, then to initiate the movement of the knives which cut off the studs and form heads thereon and finally release the compressive force. The cutting and head forming functions are performed by springs which pull a transverse rod rearward of the machine to push rearward a support for the knives. A second motor drives a linkage which returns the pressure bar to its upward position as the binding cycle is completed.

Abstract: Male and female book binding strips are packaged in cassettes and the respective cassettes are stacked in male and female hopper stations. Punched sheets are deposited in a staging station. The components of the book are then assembled in an assembly station. Thus the stack of sheets is fed onto one jaw and one male strip is fed onto that jaw while a female strip is fed onto the opposite jaw superimposed above the first-mentioned jaw. The two jaws are moved toward each other until the stack is loosely held therebetween. Thereupon the jaws are pivoted to vertical position, the stack resting on a base plate attached to one jaw. The stack is jogged so that the holes in the sheets are aligned with each other and with the holes in the female strip. The male strip is pushed inward toward the stack, the studs fitting through the holes in the sheets and through the female strip.

Abstract: For convenient packaging of plastic bookbinding strips, cassettes are provided. The end edges of each strip are received in channels formed in opposed side rails. The rails engage adjacent either end the depending legs of transverse spacer bars. The spacer bars have plural sockets to engage projections on the upper ends of the legs so that the spacing between side rails may be varied to accommodate strips of different lengths--e.g., 81/2 inches, 11 inches, etc. Different length legs may be used to accommodate different length studs formed on the strips. By eliminating the legs entirely, flat female binding strips may be packaged in the cassette. A detent is provided in the ends of the rails preventing removal of strips until the detent is bent out of position. The cassette is especially useful in equipment which mechanically assembles punched sheets and strips preparatory to binding a book in a binding machine.

Abstract: To resist tampering with the contents of containers, a plastic cap is provided with a foil liner. When the cap is seated on the container neck, the foil is caused to be sealed across the neck. To inhibit the foil from coming loose from the cap before closure a circumferential groove is formed in the inside of the skirt wall immediately below the cap top disc. The outer edge of the foil snaps into the groove but does not remain in the groove when the cap is removed for dispensing contents. A tab is formed extending out from the edge of the foil to be gripped by the consumer to remove the foil. This tab is folded over when the tab and cap are intact.

Abstract: Punches for paper and the like have a metal pin having a male punch element formed on one end and a pressure application area on the opposite end. To withdraw the punch pin an enlargement is formed at or near the opposite end, the enlargement cooperating with a gripper or a spring in the punch to cause the pin to retract when the pressure applicator retracts. In accordance with the present invention a circumferential groove is formed in the punch pin and a collar of plastic material is formed around the pin protruding into said groove and functioning as the enlargement.

Abstract: A first plastic strip has longitudinally spaced studs each of which can be bent over at a 90.degree. angle. A second strip has holes through which the studs fit and grooves which receive and secure the bent over studs. Several stud shapes and bent stud retaining grooves are described. Paper punched to receive the studs is clamped between the two strips. The studs are then bent over into grooves in the second strip and held in bent position. The paper is thus securely bound. A channel may be slipped over the outside of the second strip to conceal the bent studs and further secure them in place.

Abstract: A first plastic strip has longitudinally spaced studs each of which can be bent over at a 90.degree. angle. A second strip has holes through which the studs fit and grooves which receive and secure the bent over studs. Paper punched to receive the studs is clamped between the two strips. The studs are then bent over into grooves in the second strip and held in bent position. The grooves have overhanging lips which detachably retain the studs in place. The paper in thus securely bound. To prevent cracking the studs, the abruptness of the 90.degree. bend may be relieved by forming an annular depression around the base of each stud.

Abstract: A first plastic strip has longitudinally spaced studs each of which can be bent over at a 90.degree. angle, the studs being serrated. A second strip has holes through which the studs fit and grooves which receive and secure the bent over studs, the grooves being serrated. Paper punched to receive the studs is clamped between the two strips. The studs are then bent over into grooves in the second strip and held in bent position in part by said teeth intermeshing. The paper is thus securely bound.

Abstract: Heretofore, there have been two common systems of strip binding. One uses paper punched with rectangular holes and curled plastic combs having fingers passing through the holes. The other uses round holes in the paper and male and female strips, the studs of the male strips fitting through the holes in the paper and in the female strips. Excess stud length is cut off and rivet heads formed to make a permanent bind. The present invention uses rectangular punched paper similar to the first systems and strips generally similar to the second system. At least two studs and female strip holes are offset to prevent lateral displacement of the paper.

Abstract: Cases (covers) for binding books are made in a series of sizes which differ from each other in the width of the spine and each size accommodates a range of book cores. The gauge of the present invention indicates which size case is proper and further measures the precise thickness of the core. Simultaneously, the gauge moves an edge guide of a positioning guide so that the core is located accurately centered relative to the spine area of the case and the case is also located relative to the guide.

Abstract: An improvement on commercial machines which bind documents using plastic strips. The punch mechanism may be automatically actuated when the paper sheets are properly aligned on a punch platen or actuated manually at the user's discretion. Distance of the holes from the edges of the sheets may be indexed.

Abstract: A bookbinding is provided by plastic studs which fit through holes vicinal one margin of each sheet and strips which are fixed to the ends of the studs. The studs may be formed integrally with one or, in alternating arrangement, with both strips and complementary holes formed in the matching strip or strips to receive the stud ends. Excess stud lengths are sheared and headed to lock the strips and interposed sheets in position. Both strips may be apertured and the studs inserted through the holes in the strips and interposed sheets, both ends of the studs being headed. To facilitate handling, strips may be assembled in cartridges or coils, and studs in rods or coils. For thicker books, strips are formed with flanges fitting behind the page margins. Spine concealing tapes and caps fit over or around the spine edges of the sheets.

Abstract: For accurate correlation of the punch pins and edge guide for a paper punch or the like, a gage sheet of predetermined length is formed with accurately located holes corresponding to the desired location of the holes or slots to be punched in paper of similar length (e.g., end holes equidistant from top and bottom of the sheets). Such gage sheet may be pre-punched and of a permanent character, or may be prepared by trial and error by adjusting the edge guide until the end holes are equidistant from the edges of the sheet. The punch pins are lined up with the gage holes and then the edge guide is moved snugly against the edge of the gage. The gage is then removed. The edge guide is mounted on a transversely movable slide visible through a window in the platen on which the paper is to rest. Markings for different paper lengths may be permanently displayed on the platen at an edge of the window. Markings on the platen may be affixed by applying thereto a decal having paper length markings thereon.

Abstract: An improvement on commerical machines which bind documents using plastic strips. The punch mechanism may be automatically actuated when the paper sheets are properly aligned on a punch platen or actuated manually at the user's discretion. Distance of the holes from the edges of the sheets may be indexed.

Abstract: An improvement on commercial machines which bind documents using plastic strips. The punch mechanism may be automatically actuated when the paper sheets are properly aligned on a punch platen or actuated manually at the user's discretion. Distance of the holes from the edges of the sheets may be indexed.

Abstract: An improvement on commercial machines which bind documents using plastic strips. The punch mechanism may be automatically actuated when the paper sheets are properly aligned on a punch platen or actuated manually at the user's discretion. Distance of the holes from the edges of the sheets may be indexed.

Abstract: An improvement on commercial machines which bind documents using plastic strips. The punch mechanism may be automatically actuated when the paper sheets are properly aligned on a punch platen or actuated manually at the user's discretion. Distance of the holes from the edges of the sheets may be indexed.

Abstract: Apparatus for use with a pair of thermoplastic strips of the type illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,608,117 wherein one strip is formed with studs longitudinally spaced at intervals and a second strip apertured and counterbored at the same intervals is used to bind sheets apertured at the same intervals at locations spaced inward from one marginal edge is described. A pressure bar is first manually moved to operative position and a handle compresses the strips together by exerting a controlled force on the pressure bar. The handle then initiates movement of a support for a knife consisting of a length of metallic ribbon material having spaced horizontal stretches in horizontal alignment with excess stud lengths of the first strip projecting through the second strip, the ribbon being under tension to hold such stretches taut. As the support moves toward the studs a current is passed through the ribbon, heating it so that the ribbon functions to cut off the excess stud length slightly below the second strip.