Patents Assigned to General Binding Corporation
  • Patent number: 8272422
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: General Binding Corporation
    Inventors: Ervin Gaines, Michael J. Ksiazek, Roger Hamblen, Shih-Huang Lee
  • Patent number: 8123448
    Abstract: The present invention includes an automated binding machine configured for binding a stack of perforated sheets with a binding element. The automated binding machine includes a support member supporting the stack of perforated sheets, a binding element feeder, a plurality of binding elements supported by the binding element feeder, a receiving member configured to receive a first binding element from the plurality of binding elements and to insert at least a portion of the first binding element through the stack of perforated sheets, and a binding mechanism configured to engage the inserted portion and couple the inserted portion to a non-inserted portion of the first binding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: General Binding Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Todaro, Peter Hotkowski, James T. Russo, Thomas T. Battisti
  • Patent number: 7837405
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: General Binding Corporation
    Inventor: Samuel P. Amdahl
  • Patent number: 7708513
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: General Binding Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Fisher, Peter Hotkowski, Marc Kullberg, Samuel Amdahl, Frank Todaro
  • Patent number: 7661918
    Abstract: A machine for binding a sheath of punched sheets together by means of a spine binder includes a closing assembly for closing the spine binder over the sheath of punched sheets. The closing assembly includes a rail and a closing tool carried by and movable along the rail, and adapted to engage the spine binder for closing the spine binder over the sheath as the closing tool is moved along the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: General Binding Corporation
    Inventor: Colin Knight
  • Patent number: 7632103
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: General Binding Corporation
    Inventors: Theodore G. Williams, Thomas Dunlap, Jr., Steven J. Beno
  • Publication number: 20070218263
    Abstract: An improved thermal laminating film includes a tackified resin. The film can be manufactured by extruding the tackified resin onto a base layer of the film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Applicant: General Binding Corporation
    Inventors: Yu-Bo Huang, Samuel Amdahl
  • Publication number: 20070193691
    Abstract: A laminating machine configured to apply a film to a media. The laminating machine includes a pair of first rollers that define an in-feed nip, and a pair of second rollers that define an out-feed nip. The laminating machine further includes a threading member movable from the in-feed nip toward the out-feed nip, and wherein the threading member is configured to engage the film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2006
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Applicant: General Binding Corporation
    Inventors: Amer Arafat, Frank Wadzinski, Jay Yang
  • Publication number: 20070193692
    Abstract: A laminating machine configured to apply a film to a media. The laminating machine includes a first roller and a second roller. The first and second rollers together define an in-feed nip point where the first and second rollers contact each other. An in-feed location is defined as a point on the first roller where coupled media and film first contacts the first roller. An in-feed angle is defined as the angle between a line that extends from the center of the first roller to the in-feed location and a line that extends from the center of the first roller to the in-feed nip point, and the in-feed angle is greater than about 10 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2006
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Applicant: General Binding Corporation
    Inventors: Amer Arafat, Frank Wadzinski, Jay Yang
  • Patent number: 7147196
    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
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: General Binding Corporation
    Inventors: Colin Knight, Tom Dunlap
  • Publication number: 20060183101
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Publication date: August 17, 2006
    Applicant: General Binding Corporation
    Inventors: Theodore Williams, Thomas Dunlap, Steven Beno
  • Publication number: 20060162513
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Publication date: July 27, 2006
    Applicant: General Binding Corporation
    Inventors: Colin Knight, Janne Hansen
  • Patent number: D540865
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: General Binding Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Beno, Mikael Bäckström
  • Patent number: D544508
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: General Binding Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Beno, Mikael Bäckström
  • Patent number: D544525
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: General Binding Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Beno, Mikael Bäckström
  • Patent number: D544904
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: General Binding Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Beno, Mikael Bäckström
  • Patent number: D546853
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: General Binding Corporation
    Inventors: Ervin Gaines, Chang-chih Wu
  • Patent number: D550759
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: General Binding Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Beno, Mikael Bäckström
  • Patent number: D550760
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: General Binding Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Beno, Mikael Bäckström
  • Patent number: D620977
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: General Binding Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Fisher, Peter Hotkowski, Marc Kullberg, Samuel Amdahl, Frank Todaro