Abstract: A cartridge box serves as supply container for a plurality of spiral coil elements and is thus suitable for use in a system for automated repetitive spiral binding of sheet stacks. The cartridge box contains the individual coil elements in a series of parallel rows. One elongated opening is formed in the cartridge box top or bottom surface to expose intermediate portions of the coil elements to a driven feed roller. Another elongated opening is formed along a sidewall of the cartridge box for extraction of coil elements therethrough in endwise fashion under the influence of the feed roller.

Abstract: A card punch of the type having a rectangular hole punching unit driven by an operating handle through a transmission shaft to punch rectangular holes on loose leaves, the improvement comprising two driven gears meshed with two drive gears at two opposite ends of the transmission shaft, a sliding bar driven by the driven gears to force circular punching elements into holes on locating frames, which are fixed to a guide plate between two upright end plates of the base of the card punch, to punch holes on paper being inserted into the locating frames.

Abstract: An improved perforating and binding machine includes a transmission device provided between a motor and a transmission shaft of a perforating mechanism. The transmission device consists of a swivel arm and a rocker. The swivel arm has one end thereof vertically and fixedly connected to an output shaft of the motor, with the other end thereof vertically projecting to form a slide lever. The rocker has one end thereof vertically and fixedly connected onto the transmission shaft and a slide groove in the middle thereof for insertion of the slide groove therethrough, so that the rocker may reciprocate to cause the perforating mechanism to displace linearly to achieve automatic perforation.

Abstract: Embodiments of a coil insertion guide, for use with a coil inserter machine, are shown and described. Each embodiment has a plate member with a guide surface for contacting the outer surface of a coil to urge or guide the coil end into the holes of paper or other material being spiral-bound. The guide surface acts as a barrier or limiting wall to hold the coil in an even and consistent path and may also slightly deflect the coil end as it rotates, so that the coil end consistently enters the holes punched in a stack of papers without hanging-up and sticking on the paper around the holes. The preferred embodiment includes a transparent plate, which is pivotally connected to a front table on the machine, and which swings over the paper edge or spine, and over the coil, in order to rest at an angle on the coil. Resting the plate on the coil and designing the plate to have an appropriate weight results in the coil end rotating in a proper path to spiral smoothly through the holes.

Abstract: For a punch mechanism, a selector rail which by shifting can change the punch hole pattern by activating or deactivating select punches along the rail. In a preferred embodiment, the punch can be quickly changed from a three hole standard punch to a two hole standard punch by activating and deactivating two select punches. The selector rail locks to the selected punch for both driving and retraction of the punch by force of an electric motor and gear train.

Abstract: A spreading device is provided for a spreading and binding machine, to which several fixed spreading fingers are arranged at the side. These spreading fingers cooperate with corresponding spreading hooks of a movable plate, in order to move the spreading hooks from the spreading fingers in a spreading direction by moving the plate. The plate is connected through two pivotable and movable arms with an intermediate bar connected so that the arms and bar can move in both a spreading direction and in a direction perpendicular to the spreading direction in parallel movement. The bar is pivotally connected at each end with the two arms.

Abstract: For convenient packaging of plastic bookbinding strips, cassettes which may be securely stacked one upon the other are provided. The end edges of each strip are received in channels formed in opposed side rails. The rails are attached to transverse spacer bars which are preferably detachably connected to the side rails and are interchangeable to accommodate strips of different lengths-e.g., 81/2 inches, 11 inches, etc. Cassettes may be securely stacked one upon the other by means of mating stacking struts extending upward and downward from the side rails. Very short stacking struts may be used when packaging flat female binding strips in the cassette. A detent is provided in the ends of the rails preventing removal of strips until the detent is bent out of position. The cassette is especially useful in equipment which mechanically assembles punched sheets and strips preparatory to binding a book in a binding machine.

Abstract: A binding apparatus having a base portion and a binding mechanism is disclosed which binds a stack of punched paper sheets with a plastic binding element having an elongated linear spine and integral spaced resilient curled fingers extending from the spine. The binding mechanism includes a fixed binding comb and a series of push fingers. The binding comb has a series of upstanding fixed spaced pickets having sufficient clearance between each other to allow the binding element curled fingers to be manually shifted laterally relative to the fixed pickets such that each of the curled fingers surrounds a portion of the push fingers. The binding mechanism also has a device for moving the push fingers outwardly from the pickets to uncurl the curled fingers so that a stack of punched paper sheets can be placed on the uncurled fingers.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus enable automated assembly of loose-leaf books, preferably photo albums from snap-ring binders of the slant D configuration and pages with peel-back overlays on mounting sheets. The apparatus comprises: a binder conveyor adapted to position a binder at an assembly station such that an upstanding segment of each ring in open position extends upward and has a vertical projection smaller than that of the holes in the pages; a page support positioned above the binder conveyor and having openings therein adapted for alignment with the holes in the pages; and a binder lift mechanism adapted to vertically lift a binder such that a segment of each ring is moved through the openings in the page support and the holes in the pages supported thereby. The process is automated and employs two linearly moving conveyors which intersect to enable positioning the binder with open ring elements at the assembly station.

Abstract: A releasable fastener, a method of fastening together a number of pieces of paper, and a dispenser carrying a supply of releasable fasteners are disclosed. In a first embodiment, a releasable fastener is disclosed which includes a first portion having front and back oppositely-facing sides which are substantially covered with an adhesive, and a second portion having front and back oppositely-facing sides which ar free of adhesive. A releasable fastener dispenser carrying a supply of releasable fasteners is also disclosed which includes a strip of carrier material, and a plurality of releasable fasteners releasably adhered to the strip of carrier material.

Abstract: A dual paper binding and multiple punch apparatus (10) includes a punch lever (17) operating bending blades (58) for bending flexible studs (63) of one binding strip (60) into grooves (62) on a second apertured binding strip (61) through which the studs pass after being passed through holes of a stack of apertured paper sheets. Racks (64, 69a, 69b and 69c) and gears (66a, 66b and 70) link the punch lever (17) to a pair of shuttles (68, 72) mounting the bending blades (58). The strips (60, 61) and paper stack (6) are first compressed by a rotory pressure bar (42) containing tangential fingers (36) cam operated by a slide bar (51) by manual movement. A cover (16) encloses the compression and stud bending mechanisms when not in use and is extendible to form an additional platen (23a) to support the paper stack (6) being bound.

Abstract: A paper punch and binding apparatus has two punch mechanisms, one for punching round holes in a paper sheets stack and one for punching rectangular holes in another paper sheet stack. A single layer or crank simultaneously operates and drives a series of round end punches to shear the round holes and a punch plate with integral rectangular punch elements shear rectangular holes. A four-bar linkage connects the lever to the punch plate and the series of the punches in a manner that both the plate and punches are driven in a vertical straight line and with a greater mechanical advantage at the start and over the first increments of the punching operation. In a preferred embodiment, a binding station is provided in an apparatus base portion particularly for binding with a Douvry-type plastic resilient loops binding element. The binding station has an operating knob which operates a simple gear interconnect train for uncurling the resilient loops and allowing the punched hole stack to be inserted thereon.

Abstract: A binding system, employing a first plastic elongated strip with spaced integral studs and a second plastic elongated strip having similarly spaced apertures and recesses, is provided which resists impact forces caused by dropping a bound book. A first fixed spacing of studs is provided along a mid-span portion of the first strip and a second fixed smaller spacing of studs provided at both end portions of the first strip which reinforces the end portions against stud breakage or extrusion caused by impact forces. In the preferred embodiment, the three end studs at each end of the strip are spaced at a second fixed spacing distance stud center-to-center of only one-half the first fixed spacing at the long mid-span portion of the strip. In another embodiment, a generally second fixed spacing of one-third the mid-span spacing with the at least two of the end portion studs being staggered from the center longitudinal axis of the strip is shown.

Abstract: One type of bookbinding strip consists of a male strip with plural flexible studs projecting therefrom and a female strip with complementary holes and grooves in the outer surface thereof extending from each hole. The studs are inserted through holes in the punched paper, then through the holes in the female strip. The present invention compresses the strips toward each other with the paper therebetween and then, upon manual actuation of a lever, causes blocks carrying rollers to bend 90.degree. the portion of the studs projecting beyond the female strip, causing these portions to snap into the grooves. Since the grooves on each end of the strip extend toward the middle of the strip, two blocks are used, each moving inward toward the center upon actuation of the lever.

Abstract: An apparatus and cartridge for use in binding prepunched sheets into a booklet using curled-finger ring-type edge binders. The binders include an opening tool which is drawn through the binder for spreading curled binder finger from the binder spine to form a document receiving gap. Binder/tool combinations are carried in the cartridge which includes a binding position or slot. The cartridge is to be positioned in an apparatus having a recessed base for receiving the cartridge and a cover which includes a paper receiving slot. The base defines a slot for alignment with the cartridge binding position slot. In the opened position, the terminus of the cover slot is aligned with the base slot. When the cartridge is in position and the cover opened, a booklet can be formed at the binding position by a binder being opened, apertured paper deposited in the cover slot and binder, and removal of the opening tool to permit the binder to close on the apertured paper.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an apparatus and method for binding prepunched and apertured materials together with a curled-finger ring-type edge binder using an elongated tool. The tool includes leading, intermediate and trailing sections. The leading section is longer than the binder, but not as wide. The intermediate section which uncurls the fingers taperingly joins the leading and trailing sections. The trailing section is longer and wider than the binder, holds the fingers open, aligns the prepunched paper relative to the fingers and can form an upwardly-facing paper receiving gap. The back end of the trailing section is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tool for releasing the fingers so as to allow each finger to release its potential energy, extent or snap through the aperture and thus bind the paper together.

Abstract: For convenient packaging of plastic bookbinding strips, cassettes are provided. The end edges of each strip are received in channels formed in opposed side rails. The rails engage adjacent either end the depending legs of transverse spacer bars. The spacer bars have plural sockets to engage projections on the upper ends of the legs so that the spacing between side rails may be varied to accommodate strips of different lengths--e.g., 81/2 inches, 11 inches, etc. Different length legs may be used to accommodate different length studs formed on the strips. By eliminating the legs entirely, flat female binding strips may be packaged in the cassette. A detent is provided in the ends of the rails preventing removal of strips until the detent is bent out of position. The cassette is especially useful in equipment which mechanically assembles punched sheets and strips preparatory to binding a book in a binding machine.

Abstract: A two-part binding system includes one or more bifurcated posts integrally extending from a clamping strip or member. The posts are inserted into one or more apertures in a stack of punched paper or other material and a second clamping strip having one or more integral or separate latching buttons inserted over and around the posts. Each button includes one or a pair of toothed pawls integrally hinged to a cross bar extending across a button aperture. The posts contain a series of transverse ratchets facing each other. As the second strip and its integral or snap-in latching button is manually pressed over the posts toward the first clamping strip, the teeth of the pawl teeth ratchet successively into the posts toward the base of the posts until the stack of paper is firmly grasped and the teeth mesh with a final transverse ratchet. At this position, the strips are bowed putting the edges of the stacked sheets in compression.

Abstract: A male bookbinding member comprises a relatively thin, narrow strip having studs projecting therefrom at intervals. The ends of the studs are formed as male paper punches. A female paper punch comprises a female bookbinding strip having holes at the same intervals as the studs. Individual or small batches of paper (or other sheet material) are brought into position overlying the female punch. The male member advances toward the sheets punching them in cooperation with the female strip. The paper remains on the studs. The operation is repeated until all the sheets of the book are on the studs. The strips are forced together, excess stud lengths cut off and heads formed on the ends of the studs to rivet the book together or the strips are held together by other means. Alternatively, a hardened female punch die is used and the female binding strip brought into contact with the studs after the sheets are assembled thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding a web of plastic film at predetermined locations and in a Z-shaped manner. The apparatus, by use of a mechanism for supplying the web material, has a pair of film feeding arms supplying the web material to the folded end portions in such a manner that the web material is pressed from front and rear surfaces different from each other, guided and supplied to the folded end portions, the web material is alternately guided around folded end holding members linearly movable at least from one side in the widthwise direction of the web material out of and into the respective folded end portions.

Abstract: An automatic machine for perforating and comb binding blocks of loose sheets. The control of the movements of the punching and binding mechanisms is centralized. The machine is capable of making perforations and thus bindings which are either continuous or in the form of portions separated in a manner which can be preset as desired. Feed of the sheets to be perforated and bound is effected by chains provided with fixed brackets with corresponding movable tabs which can withdraw into or project out of the conveying surface. The movement of the tabs is coordinated with that of the chains and of the punching mechanism. The feed of the comb binding to the coupling station is effected by two independent brake-friction units, controlled separately by presettable digital controls.

Abstract: For aligning the binding perforations of a pile of sheets, straight prongs are inserted in the perforations and, during their withdrawal, are moved in non-positive manner in the direction of a curved shaped surface, so that the tip area of the prongs presses the back of the pile against the shaped surface and consequently the desired curved shape of the perforation is obtained.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting straight or inclined holes along one edge face of a stack of leaves into arcuate passages for convenient threading of the leader of a spiral wire binder has a locating device which holds the stack in a given position. Two rows of pivotable and retractible straight mandrels are adjacent to opposite sides of the stack in the locating means, and such mandrels are introduced into the registering holes of the stack prior to movement of the convex surface of a shaping member against the edge face of the stack. The convex surface shifts the leaves of the stack relative to each other and causes the leaves to pivot the mandrels to mutually inclined positions. At the same time, the leaves convert the holes into arcuate passages whose curvature conforms to that of the convex surface on the shaping member. The stack is thereupon clamped during withdrawal of mandrels from the arcuate passages.

Abstract: A bookbinding is provided by plastic studs which fit through holes vicinal one margin of each sheet and strips which are fixed to the ends of the studs. The studs may be formed integrally with one or, in alternating arrangement, with both strips and complementary holes formed in the matching strip or strips to receive the stud ends. Excess stud lengths are sheared and headed to lock the strips and interposed sheets in position. Both strips may be apertured and the studs inserted through the holes in the strips and interposed sheets, both ends of the studs being headed. To facilitate handling, strips may be assembled in cartridges or coils, and studs in rods or coils. For thicker books, strips are formed with flanges fitting behind the page margins. Spine concealing tapes and caps fit over or around the spine edges of the sheets.