Abstract: A sheet stacking device includes a vacuum system that delivers an individual sheet toward a binder element, a sheet deflector element that presses an end of the individual sheet onto the binder element, and a sheet kick-down element that presses the individual sheet away from the vacuum system.

Abstract: A sheet stacking device includes a vacuum system that delivers an individual sheet toward a binder element, a sheet deflector element that presses an end of the individual sheet onto the binder element, and a sheet kick-down element that presses the individual sheet away from the vacuum system.

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.

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: 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.

Abstract: A punch assembly for punching a plurality of consecutive sheets each having a first edge and a second edge generally opposite the first edge includes a punch and a transport assembly having a feeding path for feeding the first edge of a sheet in a feeding direction relative to the punch for punching thereof, and a removal path different from the feeding path for removing the sheet from the punch in a removal direction generally opposite to the feeding direction relative to the punch such that the second edge becomes a leading edge.

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: 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: A sheet or sheet stack handling system for performing at least one operation on successive sheets or stacks of sheets, and interface for the same, wherein the document handling system includes at least two modules selected from a group consisting of an elevator transfer station, a modular transfer station, a storage station, a transportation cart, and a modular processing station. When more than one modular processing station are coupled to form the document handling system, the system may be utilized to perform a series of operations on successive sheets or stacks of sheets. Alternately, the individual processing stations or a group of the processing stations may be utilized to perform only certain functions on the sheets. The modules each contain a plurality of parallel, spaced, elongated support surfaces that form a sheet support surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for installing binder elements onto a stack of pre-punched paper including a platform for holding the paper, reciprocating guide fingers for inserting through the pre-punched holes to engage free ends of curled fingers of the binder element whereas the spine part of the binder element is restrained by a holder which moves laterally to spread apart the curled fingers. The spread apart curled fingers then are flattened and driven upwardly through the holes as the guide fingers retreat upwardly and thereafter separate from the curled fingers to complete the binding of the pages.

Abstract: Plastic binding strips used with this invention comprise a female strip consisting of a narrow, thin plastic strip formed with spaced apertures and grooves communicating with the apertures and a male strip comprising a narrow plastic strip having bendable studs projecting at fight angles therefrom spaced to fit through holes in the pages to be bound and the apertures in the female strip. Such strips are packaged in cassettes. The hopper for the female strips receives a stack of cassettes. Strips are fed from the lowermost cassette by a horizontally reciprocating finger onto a transverse ways and then feed along the ways to an assembly station. When the lowermost cassette is empty, its support is removed and the next cassette is moved into place. The male hopper is similar to the female except that the studs require greater spacing between cassettes and provision is made in the feed structures for the upward projection of the studs.

Abstract: Apparatus is used with two binding strips, the first having at least four studs projecting therefrom which are flexible and the second having holes complementary to the studs and for each hole a groove extending therefrom toward the center of the second strip. The apparatus moves to a position aligned with holes in a stack of sheets. The second strip is deposited on top of the stack with the holes thereof aligned with the holes in the sheets. The first strip is then raised so that the studs pass through the holes in the sheets and the second strip and pressure is applied forcing the strips toward each other. Blocks then move transversely, bending down the portions of the studs projecting beyond the second strip and snapping these portions into the grooves. The steps are performed sequentially using a single pneumatic cylinder for all but the first-mentioned step.

Abstract: The apparatus is the justifying station of an automatic bookbinding machine which stages collection of the sheets of the book, justifies the side and end edges of the sheets, feeds male and female plastic bookbinding strips one at a time from cassettes, assembles the sheets and strips and then binds the book. In the sheet justifying apparatus the sheets are deposited on an originally horizontal movable jaw. The latter is then raised toward a stationary jaw until the sheets are loosely clamped. Thereupon the jaws with sheets therebetween are pivotted to vertical position. A first side guide is caused to reciprocate rapidly against one side edge of the stack of shets, justifying the opposite edge against a stationary guide on the opposite side edge. Simultaneously, a front edge of the stack, justifying the rear edge against a stationary base plate.

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 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: 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.