Abstract: A method for binding a plurality of paper sheets to form a book, grooves being formed in both surfaces of each sheet adjacent the sheet spine. The sheets lay flat when the book is opened.

Abstract: Sheets for use in a binding apparatus, the sheets being conditioned by removing the outer layer of the sheet on one or both surfaces along the sheet edge that will be bound.

Abstract: A press specially adapted to compress a stack which includes one or more pressure sensitive based fastening layers which are actuated by application of substantial pressure. A lower press plate includes a receiving surface upon which the stack is positioned and first and second guide members, with the receiving surface being tilted with respect to a level plane such that the stack tends to move on the receiving surface towards the two guide members. An upper press plate is provided which includes a compressing surface which is substantially parallel with respect to the receiving surface when the press is in a first operating mode. A drive mechanism is provided for driving the lower and upper press plates towards one another so as to applying a compressing force to the stack.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of increasing adhesion of thermal binder strips to coated papers by conditioning an edge of the sheet by splitting the edge which results in an expansion of the edge followed by compressing the edge so as to reduce or eliminate the expansion. In the case of a stack of sheets, the edge of the stack is conditioned by piercing the edge of the stack and in the case of an individual sheet, the conditioning is carried out by splitting at least a portion of the edge of the sheet.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for conditioning an edge of a sheet to be bound so that the edge is conducive to accepting heat activated adhesives used in conventional binding. The sheet is first bent in one direction to form a folding line, with the fold line being a short distance from the edge of the sheet to be conditioned and with that distance being determined primarily by the thickness of the sheet. The bend in the sheet is typically 90 degrees, with the radii of curvature of the opposite sheet surfaces at the fold line being unequal so that a shear force is applied near the sheet end thereby tending to tear or fracture in interior of the sheet near the end. Typically the sheet is then bent in an opposite direction along the folding line so as to produce an opposite shear force that reinforces the creation of tears and fractured in the sheet.

Abstract: Apparatus for conditioning an edge of a stack of sheets to be bound so that sheets having coated surfaces and the like can be reliably bound. The apparatus includes a stack clamping mechanism configured to secure the stack of sheets and a piercing member configured to produce a piercing action substantially in a piercing plane. Also provided is a positioning mechanism configured to control relative movement of the stack clamping mechanism and the piercing mechanism so that the sheets of the stack pass through the piercing plane, with the drive mechanism being configured to drive the piercing member into the edge of the stack at least once for each sheet of the stack passing through the piercing plane.

Abstract: A carrier assembly for use in binding a plurality of display sheets such as photographs and including a first and second carrier sheet arrangements, with each arrangement including a pair of carrier sheets separated by a fold, with the carrier sheets each having generally the same dimensions as the display sheets to be bound. The interior surfaces of the four sheets are covered by a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive, with each layer of adhesive being covered by a release liner and with an exterior surface of the two carrier sheet arrangements being secured together form a basic unitary structure that can be expanded upon. Four display sheets to be bound can then be positioned within the arrangements and over the respective release liners so that the liners can then be successively removed for accurate display sheet positioning.

Abstract: A bound book for displaying photographs and the like including a carrier sheet arrangement folded at least once to provide two carrier sheets separated by a fold and having respective dimensions similar a pair of display sheets, such as photographs, to be displayed. The display sheets are mounted on the respective carrier sheets by respective fastening layers. In one embodiment, the fastening layers include pressure sensitive adhesive and an associated support structure to prevent the pressure sensitive adhesive for adhering during assembly of the book when the display sheets are initially positioned over the fastening layers. The carrier sheet arrangement, display sheets and fastening layers are positioned within a cover assembly, with pressure then being applied to the cover assembly so as to activate the pressure sensitive adhesive and thereby secure the respective display sheets to the respective carrier sheets.

Abstract: A press specially adapted to compress a stack which includes one or more pressure sensitive based fastening layers which are actuated by application of substantial pressure. A lower press plate includes a receiving surface upon which the stack is positioned and first and second guide members, with the receiving surface being tilted with respect to a level plane such that the stack tends to move on the receiving surface towards the two guide members. With the stack positioned so that first and second edges of the stack are resting against the respective first and second guide members, a user can assemble and manipulate the stack with the guide members maintaining the stack components in a proper alignment relative to one another.

Abstract: A method for binding together a plurality of paper sheets. The binding process comprises providing a book binding sheet coated on one side with hot-melt adhesive, orienting and securing sheets of paper that will comprise the book to be bound relative to the binding sheet, securing the leading edge of the binding sheet to the front of the book to be bound, severing the secured portion from the remaining binding sheet material, wrapping the binding severed strip around the spine and rear cover and heating the adhesive to produce a permanent bond with the edges of the spine and covers.

Abstract: A simplified desktop book binder method and apparatus wherein the sheets to be bound are accurately aligned by the binder tape itself. In particular, the conventional binder tape is formed into an L-shape. Alignment is achieved since the inside corner of the L and the edge of the bundle of sheets of paper are in contact. The tape is dropped into a correspondingly shaped slot in the binder apparatus and the paper bundle is placed on top of the tape, the edge of the bundle being automatically aligned against the corner of the tape. The free end of the long leg is wrapped tightly around the paper bundle. In an alternative arrangement, a form is substituted for the bundle of paper, the form being covered with Teflon tape. Since the glue will not adhere to the Teflon, the form may be removed after binding leaving the covers and binding tape with glue inside the spine, thus allowing the user to make folders as desired.

Abstract: A method for binding together a plurality of paper sheets. The binding process comprises providing a book binding sheet coated on one side with hot-melt adhesive, orienting and securing sheets of paper that will comprise the book to be bound relative to the binding sheet, securing the leading edge of the binding sheet to the front of the book to be bound, severing the secured portion from the remaining binding sheet material, wrapping the binding severed strip around the spine and rear cover and heating the adhesive to produce a permanent bond with the edges of the spine and covers.

Abstract: A simplified desktop book binder method and apparatus wherein the sheets to be bound are accurately aligned by the binder tape itself. In particular, the conventional binder tape is formed into an L-shape. Alignment is achieved since the inside corner of the L and the edge of the bundle of sheets of paper are in contact. The tape is dropped into a correspondingly shaped slot in the binder apparatus and the paper bundle is placed on top of the tape, the edge of the bundle being automatically aligned against the corner of the tape. The free end of the long leg is wrapped tightly around the paper bundle. In an alternative arrangement, a form is substituted for the bundle of paper, the form being covered with Teflon tape. Since the glue will not adhere to the Teflon, the form may be removed after binding leaving the covers and binding tape with glue inside the spine, thus allowing the user to make folders as desired.

Abstract: A simplified desktop book binder method and apparatus wherein the sheets to be bound are accurately aligned by the binder tape itself. In particular, the conventional binder tape is formed into an L-shape. Alignment is achieved since the inside corner of the L and the edge of the bundle of sheets of paper are in contact. The tape is dropped into a correspondingly shaped slot in the binder apparatus and the paper bundle is placed on top of the tape, the edge of the bundle being automatically aligned against the corner of the tape. The free end of the long leg is wrapped tightly around the paper bundle. In an alternative arrangement, a form is substituted for the bundle of paper, the form being covered with non-stick tape. Since the glue will not adhere to the tape, the form may be removed after binding leaving the covers and binding tape with glue inside the spine, thus allowing the user to make folders as desired.