Abstract: A binding device for hole-punched paper and other items can be made from a sheet of material without necessarily requiring metal or plastic parts. The device can include a tie and an arrangement of openings cut in a sheet of material to secure the tie in place and withstand the load of bonded hole-punched paper or other items. Some devices can exhibit flexible thickness, adjusting automatically to the thickness of items being bonded.

Abstract: A plastic leaching chamber is provided and includes a chamber substrate constructed from a PET material and having opposing side base flanges which lie in a horizontal plane and extend lengthwise along the chamber substrate. The chamber substrate includes opposing sidewalls extending upwardly from each of the opposing side base flanges to a top of the chamber substrate and includes a lengthwise center plane which is perpendicular to the horizontal plane. The opposing sidewalls define a plurality of leaching openings having at least one tab slot opening located proximate thereto, and a plurality of louver articles constructed from at least one of a PE and a PP material. Each of the louver articles include a tab which is configured to engage a tab slot opening to securely associate the plurality of louver articles with the chamber substrate to cover the at least one leach opening.

Abstract: A portable spectrometer device includes an illumination source for directing at a sample, and a tapered light pipe (TLP) for capturing light interacting with the sample at a first focal ratio and for delivering the light at a second focal ratio lower than the first focal ratio. A linearly variable filter (LVF) separates the captured light into a spectrum of constituent wavelength signals; and a detector array, including a plurality of pixels, each of the plurality of pixels disposed to receive at least a portion of a plurality of the constituent wavelength signals provides a power reading for each constituent wavelength. Preferably, the TLP is lensed at one end, and recessed in a protective boot with stepped inner walls. The gap between the TLP and LVF is minimized to further enhance resolution and robustness.

Abstract: A binding mechanism assembly for binding a sheet item, the binding mechanism assembly including a backing member having an upper surface, and a binding member directly or indirectly coupled to the backing member. The binding member includes a protrusion shaped and located to protrude through a hole of a sheet item to be bound thereto. The binding member further includes a generally flexible flange that is manually movable into engagement with the protrusion to form a generally closed loop and thereby bind the sheet item thereto. The loop is rotatable relative to the backing member from a first position in which the loop is generally located above the upper surface to a second position wherein at least part of the loop is located below the upper surface. A release mechanism is provided for opening the loop.

Abstract: A cover (10) is disclosed for holding objects such as papers and reports. The cover (10) is formed of a member (12) having a front cover (14), a spine (16) and a back cover (18), a ring binder (22) and a paper surround (24). The paper surround (24) encapsulates the ring binder (22) and secures it to the member (12). The cover can be either a top bound or side bound cover.

Abstract: A binding mechanism assembly for binding a sheet item, the binding mechanism assembly including a backing member having an upper surface, and a binding member directly or indirectly coupled to the backing member. The binding member includes a protrusion shaped and located to protrude through a hole of a sheet item to be bound thereto. The binding member further includes a generally flexible flange that is manually movable into engagement with the protrusion to form a generally closed loop and thereby bind the sheet item thereto. The loop is rotatable relative to the backing member from a first position in which the loop is generally located above the upper surface to a second position wherein at least part of the loop is located below the upper surface. The loop is fixedly and not slidably coupled to the backing member.

Abstract: In binding a cover sheet together with a sheet bundle, ever-accurate spine-creasing irrespective of bundle thickness is made possible. A sheet stacker stacks sheets into bundles, an adhesive applicator applies adhesive to a spine part of the sheet bundles, and a cover-sheet binder binds cover sheets together with the spine parts. The cover-sheet binder is constituted from a left-and-right pair of spine-creasing press members arranged free to shift between standby and spine-creasing positions; a shifter that reciprocates the spine-creasing press members between the standby and spine-creasing positions; and a controller. The controller functions to vary, in accordance with sheet bundle thickness, any of: (1) the standby position of the press members; (2) the start time of an operation whereby the press members are shifted from the standby to the spine-creasing position; or (3) the traveling speed of the press members in shifting from the standby to the spine-creasing position.

Abstract: A binding mechanism assembly for binding a sheet item, the binding mechanism assembly including a backing member having an upper surface, and a binding member directly or indirectly coupled to the backing member. The binding member includes a protrusion shaped and located to protrude through a hole of a sheet item to be bound thereto. The binding member further includes a generally flexible flange that is manually movable into engagement with the protrusion to form a generally closed loop and thereby bind the sheet item thereto. The loop is rotatable relative to the backing member from a first position in which the loop is generally located above the upper surface to a second position wherein at least part of the loop is located below the upper surface. The loop is fixedly and not slidably coupled to the backing member.

Abstract: A binder for filing tools which binds sheets having a plurality of sheet hole parts aligned in the center includes a locking bar which corresponds to a front cover wherein two front cover parts formed from flat boards of which one side of each is respectively connected to a back cover part and integrated. The back cover part includes a plurality of key-shaped locking parts erected on the front surface thereof, the key-shaped locking part is penetrated through the sheet hole parts in the sheet, a plurality of tying parts are provided in the locking bar in positions corresponding to the positions of the key-shaped locking parts, and the sheets are held between the locking bar and front cover by each tying part being locked to the key-shaped locking part.

Abstract: Of the type of those which incorporate a portfolio (1), with its front wall (2), its rear wall (3) and its spine (4), to which is coupled a plurality of sheets or documents (9) provided with holes (10) next to one of their edges, it incorporates a narrow plate (5) joined to the internal face of its rear wall (3), next to its spine (4), from which plate (5) emerges a plurality of narrow toothed strips (6) of which are complementary respective headers (8) joined in turn to a second strip (7), physically independent of the portfolio (1), so that after coupling the sheets or documents (9) to the toothed strips (6), by passing these through the holes of the former, said toothed strips (6) are finally coupled to the headers (8) of the moveable plate (7), whereby the sheets (9) are definitively fastened and it is possible to proceed to the cutting of the surplus segment of said toothed strips (6).

Abstract: The present invention provides improvements in paper fastening to enable a user to remove a desired portion of papers from a fastened stack of papers without having to unnecessarily detach unwanted papers in the stack from the prongs of the fastener. The improved paper fastening arrangement is for use with a fastener having a base including two ends each having a leg extended therefrom, the leg foldable relative to the base. The arrangement comprises a sheath including an extension shaped to slideably engage one of the legs, the extension including an opening that defines a cavity to receive the leg, wherein the extension at least partially covers the leg and is operative to engage through sheet materials. At least one guide tab depends from the extension downward from the opening, the guide tab being foldable.

Abstract: An open ring-like device for holding articles such as plastic cards and keys is formed so that its ends are opposed to one another and includes tips at the ends. The distance between the tips is less than the thickness of an article. Articles can be inserted into the device by pushing the edge of an article against the tips to spread the tips apart. The article is slid in between the tips to fit a tip through a hole in the article to hold the article on the device. The device allows for the insertion or extraction of articles without a separate step of opening or closing the device.

Abstract: A system for binding books includes a flexible binding material in the form of a stud having top and bottom caps. The stud is inserted into signature staples that protrude from the body of the signature to form stud holes. The binding material can be any material that is extremely flexible, including silicone, metals, etc., as long as it allows the signatures to open in a lay-flat manner either at the signature interfaces or in the body of any signature. The flexible binding material can also be used to temporarily bind pre-punched pages of a book by inserting the flexible binding material into the pre-punched holes to facilitate lay-flat opening of the book.

Abstract: A book with improved binding includes a front cover page having at least one binding hole extending therethrough, a rear cover page having at least one binding hole extending therethrough and at least one center page having at least one binding hole extending therethrough which is positioned between the front and rear cover pages. Each of the front, rear and center pages are constructed of foam material and the invention includes at least one binding cord which extends through each of the binding holes of the front cover page, rear cover page and center pages for binding the pages to one another in book format.

Abstract: A loop-type binder comprises tongues (4) attached on its back cover for holding document sheets, and these tongues (4) constantly increase in thickness from their base (6) to their tip (9), thus comprising a deflection resistant tip and an elastic staff at their base. The radius of the joining area (15) from the tongue to the base is by several times smaller on the side facing the back cover than the radius of the joining area (14) on the side that faces the front cover. The stopper (13) that retains the tongue when the binder is open is integrated into the tongue by a slope (12). This tongue design facilitates convenient and gentle handling and storage of documents (FIG. 2).

Abstract: What is provided is a folio having at least one set of interleaved attachment tabs hingedly formed at the folio spine, comprising a first tab and a second nested tab, where both tabs share the same spine axis, and where each tab provides a means for attaching a leaf thereto, whether by providing a surface for fixedly attaching a leaf to or by providing a structural support for attaching a leaf thereto.

Abstract: The pliable, readily flattenable loop binder for retaining loose-leaf sheets has a mounting strip with an elongated spine, an adhesive on the back of the spine, and a removable liner over the adhesive. Paired transversely aligned loop-forming elements project outward from opposing longitudinal edges of the spine. Off one edge are pliable and readily bendable straps. Off the other edge are strap receivers. The strap of a pair is threaded through a punched hole of punched paper and drawn over the spine and then threaded through its receiver so that the back surface of the strap faces the back surface of the receiver. Each loop formed by a pair of loop-forming elements is teardrop in contour and is flattenable toward the front surface of the spine with a single folded bend in said strap. Locking structures on straps engage the receivers to resist shifting of straps in their receivers.

Abstract: A paper ring (10) comprising a generally double toroidal shaped flexible loop (12) having abutting ends (14), (16) which can be moved apart to fit within aligned punched holes (18) in a stack of loose-leaf pages (20), so as to temporarily hold the loose-leaf pages (20) together and allow a person to turn the loose-leaf pages (20) fully around, making it easier to grasp and rear information (22) on all of the loose-leaf pages (20).

Abstract: A ring binder having an upper and a lower cover blank joined by a flexible rear blank. The binder has at least two aligning tongues extending from the lower cover blank to the upper cover blank for retaining perforated paper. Each aligning tongue is formed as a leaf spring and has a root section, a center section and a tip section, wherein the sides of the center section being narrower than the root. The binder has U-shaped brackets on the upper cover blank for receiving the aligning tongues. A tie section of U-shaped cross section is attached substantially perpendicular to the root section. The tie section has legs having flanges extending outwardly from the free end of the legs. The aligning tongues are configured to be integral with one of the flanges via a reduced cross section in the lower portion of the aligning tongues.

Abstract: An improved sheet binding device for fastening together a plurality of sheets having prepunched, spaced apart openings, comprises a plurality of locking members for each pre-punched hole, either with an individual restraining element or connected with a backing member extending between them, each comprising a connecting portion for insertion through the openings and a series of interlocking elements or teeth extending along the length of the locking member and a receiving member with an opening to receive the length of the locking member and a series of compatible interlocking elements or teeth, shaped to receive the interlocking elements of the locking member, so that when the locking element is in the (1) locked position, the interlocking elements or teeth are engaged and immovable relative to each other and when the locking element is in the (2) unlocked position, the interlocking elements or teeth are disengaged to allow removal of the receiving element and insertion of sheets of paper.

Abstract: A filing strip is of a bendable material. The filing strip has a central elongate anchor strip and a prong extending from each end of the strip. Each prong has a tip portion and an intermediate portion. Each tip portion is narrower than its adjacent intermediate portion. The invention extends to a filing accessory for use with the filing strip, The accessory includes a pair of elongate members. A socket defining element is arranged on an end of each member. Each socket has internal dimensions complementary to the tip portion of the prong and external dimensions which are substantially equal to external dimensions of the intermediate portion of the prong. The invention also extends to a filing accessory for use with a filing strip having a pair of opposed prongs. With this accessory a free end of each socket defining element is chamfered.

Abstract: A system for retaining stacks of loose-leaf papers in a file folder providing random access to any one sheet is disclosed. The system includes flexible retainer strips sized to fit through perforated holes in the paper and whose ends are configured to releasably couple to form enclosure rings. The ends are securely engaged by relative twisting and inserting of one into the other. A series of adjustment apertures along the length of the retainer allows the formation of varying sizes of enclosure rings. Loops secured to the file folder receive the retainer strips thus holding the paper stack to the folder. The loops are positioned proximate an edge of the folder and pivotally mounted with a rotational axis aligned with the edge so as to rotate from one side of the folder to the other. The front or back side of any sheet in the stack may thus be displayed flat for photocopying or other purpose without removal from the retainer system.

Abstract: A hybrid binder-folder utilizing a foldable ring system for holding pages, which affords the advantage of easy page manipulation of ring binders with the advantage of flat folding of folders. The binder-folder has two side members which are mutually foldable along the centerline therebetween. Two, three or more foldable rings of flat, thin cross-section and of substantially semicircular shape are connected with the side members adjacent with and transverse to the centerline. When the two side members are mutually folded closed, the foldable rings fold along three folds: adjacent each connection with the two side members and at the ring apex. As a result of this foldability feature, the foldable rings are able to flatly fold, thereby permitting the binder-folder to be substantially flat when closed.

Abstract: A hybrid binder-folder utilizing a foldable ring system for holding pages, which affords the advantage of easy page manipulation of ring binders with the advantage of flat folding of folders. The binder-folder has two side members which are mutually foldable along the centerline therebetween. Two, three or more foldable rings of flat, thin cross-section and of substantially semicircular shape are connected with the side members adjacent with and transverse to the centerline. When the two side members are mutually folded closed, the foldable rings fold along three folds: adjacent each connection with the two side members and at the ring apex. As a result of this foldability feature, the foldable rings are able to flatly fold, thereby permitting the binder-folder to be substantially flat when closed.

Abstract: A ring binder (1) comprises a sheet of polypropylene material divided by score line (2, 3) into front and rear panels (4, 6) joined by a spine (5). The binder includes a pair of binder strips (7), each of which has a partly circular head (8). The strips (7) and heads (8) are cut from the sheet material so that the strips (7) extend from the spine (5) at a position adjacent the score line (3). The strips (7) are associated with apertures (11) formed in spine (5). The heads (8) can pass through apertures (11) without deformation.

Abstract: A single piece file clasp, molded from a resin material, includes a main body portion and two prong portions extending from opposite ends of the main body portion. A series of equally spaced holes are molded in one of the prong portions and at least one post is molded in the other prong portion. The post is molded with a knob at its end which is dimensioned to provide a snap-fit engagement with any one of the holes to secure the prong portions together at varying amounts of overlap between them.

Abstract: A binding folder is provided which includes a foldable plastic cover having a bottom part for anchoring fastening strips which extend through perforations in paper sheets to be held. The top part of the cover forms a counterholder with two pairs of slots for respective ends of the fastening strips. The slots are spaced a predetermined distance from one another and are configured to permit sliding movement of the fastening strips during folding movement of the top and bottom parts so that the paper sheets can be manipulated without requiring removal of same. In certain embodiments the counterholder is provided in a separate folding piece.

Abstract: A combined sheet compressor and transfer device for attachment to spaced prongs of a file folder fastener including a plate-like cross member for receiving the prongs of the file folder fastener and bearing against a stack of sheets to thereby act as a compressor, a pair of substantially parallel flexible elongated legs of substantially rectangular cross section extending from the plate-like cross member, and flexible tubular members at the outer ends of the legs of a slightly smaller internal diameter than the width of the prongs so as to be distorted at their outer ends when mounted on the prongs to thus provide a relatively smooth junction therewith at their outer ends to facilitate the transfer of sheets from the prongs onto the legs when functioning as a transfer device, diametrically opposed reinforcement bosses on opposite sides of the tubular members for overlying the edges of the prongs to thereby prevent the edges of the prongs from cutting the tubular members, and a tapered portion between the junc

Abstract: In a sheet binder (1), which consists of a rear cover (2) and a front cover (3) connected with each other by means of a folded spline strip (4), in the area between the rear cover (2) and the front cover (3), a strap (10) is provided in the area of the fold (5), this strap being connected with the binder (1). Prongs (13, 14) extending essentially parallel to the fold (5) are punched from the rear cover (2). The prongs (13, 14) are inserted for the binding of the sheets (15) into holes (16) provided in the strap (10) and then passed with their free ends downward through further holes (17) provided spaced apart from the holes (16) in the strap (10). To simplify the insertion of the prongs (13, 14) in the strap (10), the holes (16) have open through connections (16') toward the free end of the strap ( 10).

Abstract: A filing device produced as a continuous one-piece body from a sheet or foil by a punching - stamping process has sequencing tongues supported as bending-elastic compression members moving easily with the folding movements of the file covers in insert strips and which are provided with locking members for easily detachable locking in their fastening position. This avoids bending of the sequencing tongues when closing the file covers and the sheets of the fastened sheet layers can be easily turned over and back along the sequencing tongues without the latter accidentally sliding out of the insert strips.

Abstract: A stability unit used in combination with a three ring binder of the type having front and back covers hingedly mounted between a spine. A binder assembly including arcuate rings halves is mounted to either the spine or cover. The stability unit is mounted to either a spine, cover or both. The stability unit includes recesses adjacent each ring halve and is constructed and arranged such that a ring halve may be inserted therewithin past a resilient projection which provides a locking function. When locked, the binder may be positioned in an upright attitude.

Abstract: Individual fasteners are provided for each of several pre-determined holes along a margin of pages of a document for securing the pages together at the holes, each fastener including: a relatively rigid cylindrical insert having a head at one end, the diameter of the insert cylinder being less than the diameter of the holes in the page and the diameter of the head being greater than the diameter of the holes; an elastic member such as a rubber elastic extending from the insert to a bar and attached to the center of the bar, the length of the insert cylinder being less than the minimum thickness of pages to be bound by the fastener and the length of the cylinder plus the length of the bar being greater than the maximum thickness of pages to be bound by the fastener.

Abstract: The invention refers to a loose-leaf binder for a stack of paper sheets, comprising a cord or twine adapted to be passed through a perforation in a stack of sheets and comprising a clamping means for the cord or twine formed by a plate member having a first slot extending from the edge of the plate member in an approximately perpendicular direction relative to said edge to approximately the center of the plate member and adapted to receive the cord or twine, and a second slot extending from the edge of the plate member located opposite the mouth of the first slot at an acute angle relative to a tangent line to said edge at that location to form an acute-angled portion delimited by the second slot and the edge of the plate member, the acute-angled portion obliquely upwardly bent to one side of the surface of the plate member.

Abstract: The invention is a holder for cheques and similar items, the holder being of unitary plastic construction with a pair of prong-like members being cut from a backing. The prong-like members of the holder in one form of the invention each have a stem portion and an enlarged outer end, the enlarged outer ends being adapted to pass through apertures in a series of sheets to hold those sheets on the backing. In a second form, the holder is formed from a plastic sufficiently resilient that the prong-like members attempt to return to the plane of the backing after being extended out of that plane. In this form of the invention, the pair of prong-like members are cut from the backing such that they are both directed generally toward each other. The pair of prong-like members can be extended through a pair of apertures in a series of sheets when the backing is flexed. After such flexing, the prong-like members attempt to return to the plane of the backing and in so doing act to hold the sheets against the backing.

Abstract: A ring binder comprising a pair of covers connected by a flexible back portion consisting of a flexible back strip which separates the inner edges of the cover and strip portions which overlap portions of the covers near the inner edges. The overlapping portions of the covers are provided with pairs of holes for receiving flexible binder prong means having a free end which extends through an eye at another end to form a loop.

Abstract: An adjustable looseleaf binder is provided for the accumulation of sheets of hole punched paper and the like. This binder has an elongated base plate to which are attached one end of a plurality of flexible binding posts. The second ends of the binding posts are releasably held in the base plate by various clamping mechanisms thereby providing an adjustable loop of any desired size. This loop threads through the hole, or selected holes, of material to be held in the binder. A foldable sheet provides for the top, edge and bottom cover of the binder. This sheet has prescored lines therein to permit folding to achieve the desired dimensions of the binder and holes to accept the binding posts. As the contents of the binder are changed, the cover may be folded at other prescored lines to accommodate this change. The components of the binder may be readily shipped in a compact manner and assembled by the user to achieve a binder of desired size.

Abstract: A novel hanger binder for binding and storing perforated edge paper in conventional suspension filing systems. The hanger binders which are used in pairs have two side members with hooks to engage conventional suspension filing apparatus. Perforated edge paper is bound between the side members on a binding post and thereby supported without continuous support along the length of the paper.Two types of hanger binders are included. One made of wire with a rigid binding post. The other has a flexible binding post and greater variability of spacing to bind and store larger numbers of sheets.

Abstract: A device is provided for binding together sheets of paper formed with two or more spaced holes and attaching the same to a folder or the like. The binder preferably is injection molded of a semi-flexible material and is formed with a flat backing plate and at least a pair of stems which initially are parallel to one another and perpendicular to the backing plate. The stems are spaced apart by a distance equal to the spacing between the holes in the paper and are formed with co-operating male and female elements along the length thereof which allow the stems to be folded one against the other in locking engagement. Each stem is provided with a hinged stop at the free end thereof, which stop folds in against the stem while papers are being inserted or removed and swings out perpendicular to the length of the stem to prevent accidental separation of papers from the stem. Extension pieces are connectable to the ends of the stems and are provided with stop means at the ends thereof.

Abstract: A one-piece binder blank is die cut from plastic sheet stock and formed with integral straps and strap keepers to fasten loose leaves in the binder. The blank is scored to form one or more fold lines defining a spine between front and back covers. At spaced positions along the spine, the back cover is cut out to form a plurality of binder straps integrally connected at their bases with the cover and having barbed heads at their free ends. At corresponding opposite locations, the front cover is cut to form two spaced slits and the strips of material between the slits are stretched and displaced to form low arched keepers through which the barbed ends are passed to secure the straps to the front cover. The straps are longer than the distance between the strap bases and the keepers when the binder is open flat, and stand arched across the spine so as to allow loose leaves thereon to swing freely from flat against one cover to flat against the other.

Abstract: Loose leaf folder having back and front cover panels and ring binder forming strips integral therewith for releasably fastening loose leaf sheets within the folder. The binder forming strips are struck from the back cover panel and include barbed tips. Retaining cutouts are provided in the front cover opposite the binder strips to register therewith. The barbed end of each strip is engageable with the cutouts to hold said strips in ring-like configuration for fastening hole punched loose leaf sheets within the folder.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus is capable of uniting a cover with a sheaf of pages having through holes at purely optional locations. A flexible stem binds the pages and has its ends engaged by separate runners positioned adjacent the sheaf. The cover is connected to the runners at a position opposite the sheath so that the stem ends need not pass through the cover. The elastic flexibility of the stem permits the cover to open without bending.

Abstract: A binder is provided manufactured in a single step operation from a single sheet of material and comprises front and back covers, a backing intermediate the two, and fastening means manufactured in one of the back covers and slot arrangements disposed adjacent to, or in, the backing to lock the fastening means. The binder is thus very inexpensive to manufacture and is easily used by industry in large quantities.

Abstract: A tamper-proof page assembly utilizes a ribbon to string the assembly together by passing the ribbon through holes in the pages of the assembly. The ends of the ribbon are sealed to a cover page thereof with a thermosetting plastic slug. Removal of the slug leaves tell-tale marks on, or destroys the integrity of, the surface of the cover page to which it is adhered. The ribbon material is chosen such that it melts or disintegrates immediately above the chosen curing or setting temperature of the slug. Attempting to tamper with the seal by heating the slug above the curing temperature destroys the ribbon and additionally causes an increase in the mechanical hardness of the slug. Additional tamper detecting apparatuses include sequential numbers on pages, soluble indicia patterns on the pages for use with an ink pen containing an appropriate solvent, laminated pages, and pages having polished surfaces. The page assembly can be clipped into a ring binder when the pages are loosely strung together by the ribbon.