Abstract: Paint or varnish is applied to the exterior of elongate elements such as pencils, by passing the pencils(3) through a receptacle(12) containing the paint or varnish(13), causing the pencils(3) to leave the receptacle(12) through a washer(17) which permits the pencils to leave the receptacle with a coating of paint or varnish on the exterior thereof, and subsequently passing the pencils through a light box(23) adapted to apply light to each point on the exterior of each pencil(3), the paint or varnish(13) comprising a resin which has the property that curing of the resin is initiated in response to the application of the light.

Abstract: A punching device comprises a housing carrying a main punch body in the form of a plate mounted for rectilinear sliding movement, the punch body comprising a driving rack extending downwardly along each side, and a plurality of integral punch members projecting downwardly in a staggered array, the punch members being waisted. The device comprises an operating handle pivotally mounted on the housing carrying drive pinions engageable with the racks, so that by movement of the handle, the punch body may be raised and lowered. The punch body additionally carries auxiliary punch members, each being mounted on the punch body for longitudinal sliding movement relative thereto.

Abstract: A binding machine is described for use in uncoiling the fingers of a binding comb (50), preparatory to an insertion of the fingers (54) of the comb into the apertures (48) provided in a packet or stack of sheets (46) to be bound together. The machine comprises a housing (6) supported for rectilinear reciprocal movement a drive plate (8), said drive plate being provided adjacent opposite side edges with a series of aperture (10), affording a rack, engageable by respective pinions (12) of the machine. The housing (6) is provided with a plurality of fixed abutment elements (28), a clamping member (16) being mounted on the housing for movement between a retracted position and an advanced position, in which advanced position clamping elements (18) of the clamping member are disposed closely adjacent to fixed abutment elements (28), to clamp the spine (52) of a binding comb therebetween.

Abstract: A stapling machine is provided which has markings on part of a constant tension spring visible from the exterior of the machine to provide an indication when the supply of staples within the machine is exhausted. The constant tension spring moves the pusher, and markings are present on part of the constant tension spring which becomes visible in a window provided for that purpose.

Abstract: In a stapling machine, an ejector blade can be moved to eject a staple through a staple ejection slot towards an anvil adapted to clinch the ends of the arms of the staple. The staple ejector blade is moved by an actuator element. A toggle is provided which maintains the actuator element in a first position until a predetermined force has been applied to the actuator element. The toggle then releases the actuator element permitting the actuator element to move the ejector blade to eject a staple through the staple ejection slot towards the anvil.