Wire Comb Applier Patents (Class 412/39)
  • Patent number: 6312204
    Abstract: A binding machine and method for spirally binding a sheaf of papers into a book uses an adjustable speed drive to rotate a flexible plastic spiral element into respective holes in the book. The book has a plurality of holes in a row adjacent one edge of the book to receive the leading edge of the spiral bonding elements. A cylindrically shaped mandrel is spaced apart from a glidable block. The plastic pre-formed spiral binding element is fed onto the mandrel from the distal end thereof, with the leading edge of the binding element facing and spaced apart from the book. A pair of leading edge spreaders, one of which has a guidance groove, engages the plastic spiral to spread its coils just enough to permit it to enter the successive holes of a sheaf to be bound. A trailing spreader at the opposite end insures that the last hole is accommodated with a portion of the spiral coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Inventors: Norton Spiel, Robert Dorishook
  • Publication number: 20010012479
    Abstract: A punch unit, in particular for making a punch for the binding comb of a ring binding is set-up of a circular shaped blade 1 and a counter die 19. The circular blade 1 is rotatably beard concerning an axis of rotation 27. At the circumference of the blade 1 cutting elements 2 are arranged. This cutting elements 2 raise over a fictive rolling circle 21. The surface of the counter die 19 is arranged perpendicular at the distance of the rolling circle radius rW to the axis of rotation 27 of the circular blade 1 and show one or several opening in which in each case intervenes at least one cutting element 2 of the circular blade 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Inventor: Axel Lewandowski
  • Patent number: 6210092
    Abstract: A punch and binding machine including a punching mechanism and a binding mechanism for punching and binding a stack of sheets by spreading the curled fingers of an elastic binder. The binding mechanism has a longitudinal extension in parallel to the edge of the sheets and a binding handle. The punching handle for operating the punching system has the binding handle mounted to it so the binding handle can be rotated with respect to the punching handle. The binding mechanism may be a separate unit unattached to the punching mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventor: Friedrich von Rohrscheidt
  • Patent number: 6079924
    Abstract: A hole-punching and binding apparatus for papers includes a hole-punching device drivable to move along a vertical direction. The hole-punching device includes a cutter seat carrying thereon a number of cutters that are equidistantly spaced in a row to punch a row of holes in a stack of papers. Each cutter being freely movable in a row of compartments in the cutter seat so as to optionally follow a hole-punching travel of the cutter seat under control of a slidable shield. A lever-like resilient load-on plate is used to press and thus close open ends of helical coils and to help the user extend the helical coils through a stack of punched papers. The coil-closing device is drivable to move along a horizontal direction. The coil-closing device cooperates with a fixed plate to turn the open ended helical coils into closed ended helical coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Inventor: Jou-Chen Chiang
  • Patent number: 6074152
    Abstract: A binding machine, particularly for index-books, notebooks and the like, comprising a section for binding sheets by means of a plurality of mutually aligned disks having a double-T cross-section; means suitable to arrange a plurality of sheets stacked with an edge portion at the binding section; and presser means which are suitable to act on the edge portion of the sheets in order to insert the disks in seats formed in the sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: PRIMA S.r.l.
    Inventor: Marcello Vecchi
  • Patent number: 6062792
    Abstract: An elongate binding member 10 is initially open. A series of loops extend along the open edges and these are suspended from a row of holding teeth 12. The other loops are exposed and pages 9 are threader over the exposed loops to be suspended downwardly from the binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Heights Design Production Limited
    Inventor: David Francis Garrity
  • Patent number: 6059504
    Abstract: A binding device for binding a stack of sheets with a bind member in which parallel legs extend perpendicularly from a straight portion, the binding device comprises: a driver plate which drives the straight portion of the bind member toward the legs; curved shaping guide grooves which are formed to respectively correspond to the legs; and a fulcrum member which is disposed in the vicinity of and inside one end of each of the shaping guide grooves, and which constitutes shaping fulcrums, the shaping fulcrums respectively engaging with side faces of the legs of the bind member which is driven out toward the one end of each of the shaping guide grooves, thereby bendingly shaping the legs, and, during a period after the bind member is driven out and before the legs are formed into ring-like shapes by the fulcrum member and the shaping guide grooves, the legs are passed through punched holes formed in an edge portion of each of sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Max Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiya Ishida, Toru Yoshie, Kazuaki Baba
  • Patent number: 6059505
    Abstract: A device for forming a loose-leaf holder of the loose0leaf notebook is composed of a cutting tool seat, a press seat, a locating seat, a position confining seat, a support arm, a sliding seat, a fastening seat, two rotating rods, a linking rod, and five cams. The device is capable of forming a loose-leaf holder which has two curved ends pointing towards each other such that the curved ends are prevented from making contact with a person's skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Inventor: Sheng-Tan Wang
  • Patent number: 6056495
    Abstract: An automatic spiral binding apparatus for edge binding a book of sheets with a spiral coil includes a book supporting table that is indexable between loading, coil insertion, coil crimping and book discharge stations. The apparatus can accommodate a wide range of book thicknesses, coil diameters and coil pitches. Positioning hooks in the loading station are selected to correspond to the coil diameter and are mounted at an incline to match the coil pitch in a manner which pre-orients the book edge to both the proper curvature and proper pitch to facilitate subsequent threading of the spiral coil into the holes in the edge of the book at the following insertion station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Inventors: Thomas J. Doyle, Gerald E. Blaha
  • Patent number: 6045285
    Abstract: A reusable refillable binder for use with papers having marginal perforations. The binder including a spiral coil having tapered ends, each of the ends of the coil having an area width for receipt of a removable locking element. A removable locking element for securement to binding element about the area of reduced width to prevent the unintentional unbinding of the binder when secured to the coil and to allow the user to unbind the binder when the locking element is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Inventor: Michael N. Friedman
  • Patent number: 6042320
    Abstract: An automatic feeding station (10) for receiving a plurality of binding elements (70), packaged in a continuous bandolier strip (74), and feeding same into an inserter station (12), for the automatic edge binding of a stack of sheets. The feeding station (12) comprises a housing consisting of a pair of vertically oriented end walls (14,16), and a pair of downwardly extending, angularly disposed walls (18, 20) converging at the bottom of the housing. A first such angular wall (18) defines the feed path for the bandolier strip (74) consisting of a pair of continuous plastic films (76, 78) joined at spaced apart intervals to define plural, laterally oriented pockets or cavities (80) to receive the binding elements (70) in a spaced apart, parallel relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Unicoil, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. McHenry, Jr., Philip M. FitzSimons
  • Patent number: 6036423
    Abstract: A compact and portable coil inserting machine for binding stacks of sheets having a plurality of perforations along a first side edge. The machine includes a frame having a support surface configured to support a stack of sheets thereon. A power roller is rotatably mounted to the frame, and extends along at least a portion of the support surface to drive a helical coil through the perforations in the stacked sheets. The coil-inserting machine further includes at least one guide that is movably mounted to the frame, and shifts between first and second positions. The guide includes a first concave guide surface that abuts an opposite side edge of the stacked sheets when the guide is in the first position, such that the perforations in the stacked sheets form a curved passageway corresponding to the curvature of a first coil size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventors: Michael A. Westra, Todd M. Huizingh, John E. Melton, Christopher C. Toll, Jeffrey A. Swaim
  • Patent number: 6033171
    Abstract: An automatic cutting and crimping apparatus for a spiral coil binding a book of sheets includes a pair of trim heads slidably attached to a slide bar mounted on a trim station that is part of a larger spiral binding apparatus. The trim heads include a pair of stationary crimping jaws which engage and hold the lead and trailing ends of the spiral coil while a rotating cutting jaw cuts the ends of the coil as they are held against a stationary cutting jaw. The rotating cutting jaw continues to rotate so that the ends of the coil are crimped inwardly and upwardly toward the book of sheets to provide offset ends which serve to inhibit unintentional withdrawal of the coil from the holes along the edge of the book. After the coil has been cut and crimped, the spiral bound book is indexed to a discharge station for discharge from the spiral binding machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Spiraflex, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Doyle, Gerald E. Blaha
  • Patent number: 6000897
    Abstract: This invention relates to a machine for insertion of plastic helical bookbinding coils in the aligned holes at the edge of a book for binding the book. The machine comprises a platen for receiving the collated book; a coil engagement roller for engaging the coil at the edge of the platen and a coil drive roller for rotating the helical coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Inventor: Matthew G. DesJarlais
  • Patent number: 6000895
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for opening a binding element for receiving perforated sheets, the binding element comprising a spine and a plurality of relatively spaced ring elements arranged side by side, with the free ends of the ring elements resiliently engaging the binder spine when closed. A low-cost device for opening a binding element is provided. The device includes a front section, a rear section having at least the same length as the binding element and being dimensioned such that, when the device is inserted into the binding element, the ring elements successively come into contact with the outer areas of the rear section, and that the free ends of the ring elements are spaced at least up to a specified distance from the spine, and a curved surface area provided at least in the rear section and being partly engaged by the inner surfaces of the ring elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Esselte N.V.
    Inventor: Dirk Maes
  • Patent number: 6000896
    Abstract: A binding machine for spirally binding a sheaf of papers into a book uses an adjustable speed drive to rotate a flexible plastic spiral element into respective holes in the book. The book has a plurality of holes in a row adjacent one edge of the book to receive the leading edge of the spiral bonding elements. A cylindrically shaped mandrel is spaced apart from a glidable block. The plastic pre-formed spiral binding element is fed onto the mandrel from the distal end thereof, with the leading edge of the binding element facing and spaced apart from the book. A spring is mounted on the slidable block for engaging and adjustably press the spiral binding element on the mandrel so that the upper portion of the binding element is spaced from the top of the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Inventors: Norton Spiel, Robert Dorishook
  • Patent number: 5971689
    Abstract: A binding machine is operable to hyper-deflect the rings of a binding element against non-planar surfaces to achieve an advantageously forward presentation of free ends of the rings for ergonomic and convenient insertion of a perforated stack of sheets. An embodiment of the binding machine has a base, a plurality of stationary hooks fixed to the base, and a comb member which is pivotally mounted to the base. The comb member may be fixed to a shroud which is mounted to effect the pivotal movement of the comb member. Additionally, this shroud may be axially shifted. When the binding element is supported against the comb member, the axial and pivotal motions of shroud respectively cause (1) engaging of rings of the binding element with the stationary hooks and (2) uncurling deflection of the rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: General Binding Corp.
    Inventors: Roger R. Scharer, Thomas T. Battisti, John Geisert
  • Patent number: 5941289
    Abstract: An apparatus for converting a length of metallic or other wire into a series of successive helical wire binders and for threading successive binders into rows of holes in the spines of successive stacks of sheets at a binding station includes an elongated guide defining an at least substantially continuous path for the wire from a wire inserting station to the binding station. The guide includes a rotary convoluting tool at the inserting station and a stationary cylindrical worm coaxial with the tool and extending from the latter to the binding station. Successive foremost binders are threaded into the rows of holes in successive stacks at the binding station and are severed from the respective following binders by a set of knives when the threading steps are completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Womako Maschinenkonstruktionen GmbH
    Inventor: Ferdinand Fuchs
  • Patent number: 5931623
    Abstract: An apparatus for spiral binding a stack of papers together as a unit. The apparatus includes a coil feeder for feeding a spiral coil into the holes in the stack of papers, a pin extension and retraction mechanism, a coil cutter mechanism, and a paper thickness measuring and sizing mechanism. The spiral binding unit includes an aperture through which a spiral coil is inserted between a feed shaft and a rotatably mounted roller. The roller may be rotated in a pulsed manner. As the coil is inserted, the roller pushes the spiral coil into contact with the feed shaft. As the roller rotates, the coil is guided around a plurality of spiral guides that cause the coil to spiral into the holes in the stack of paper. The guides and any other surfaces which the end of the coil contacts along its path may have chamfered edges. The pin extension and retraction mechanism includes a plurality of curved locator pins that are movable between an extended and a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Unicoil, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Hastings, Randy C. Peterson, Kevin L. Engelbert, John H. Mar
  • Patent number: 5890862
    Abstract: A binding machine for spirally binding a sheaf of papers into a book uses an adjustable speed drive to rotate a flexible plastic spiral element into respective holes in the book. The book has a plurality of holes in a row adjacent one edge of the book to receive the leading edge of the spiral bonding elements. A cylindrically shaped mandrel is spaced apart from a glidable block. The plastic pre-formed spiral binding element is fed onto the mandrel from the distal end thereof, with the leading edge of the binding element facing and spaced apart from the book. A spring is mounted on the slidable block for engaging and adjustably press the spiral binding element on the mandrel so that the upper portion of the binding element is spaced from the top of the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Inventors: Norton Spiel, Robert Dorishook
  • Patent number: 5855464
    Abstract: A binding apparatus for binding pads of perforated sheets with wire binding elements is described. The apparatus has means for supplying a predetermined length of binding element to an insertion station, means for conveying a perforated pad having the binding element inserted through the perforations to a binding station and a binding device at the binding station for closing the binding element to bind the pad. The insertion station includes upper and lower vertically spaced retainer members and a front stop for holding the binding element in a horizontal orientation with the mouth facing upwards. The binding element is supported at the binding station in the same orientation by two horizontally spaced, vertically extending plates with the pad handing down between the plates. Two closing members are provided, one comprising a drive member and a pressure member which is replaceable with other differently sized pressure members to accommodate differently sized binding elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: James Burn International Limited
    Inventor: John Peter Bennett
  • Patent number: 5837344
    Abstract: A system for holding a spiral coil binding assembly formed from a coiled filament and having a plurality of coils with a predetermined pitch. The system comprises a carrier sheet, a plurality of rows of cut-outs on the carrier sheet. The cut-outs in the carrier sheet, or at least some of them, are holding openings which will receive the filament of a spiral coil binding assembly in order to hold the spiral coil binding assembly in place on the carrier sheet. The system also includes mechanism for removing each of the spiral coil binding assemblies from the carrier sheet and directing them to a binding machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Gunther Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl G. Braun
  • Patent number: 5785479
    Abstract: A machine is disclosed for withdrawing a spiral coil from a prepacked cartridge set of coils and spirally feeding that coil to a coil guide. A stack of sheets having prepunched holes along a side edge thereof is located so that its prepunched holes are aligned with the coil guide. A rotatable drive roller, proximate the coil guide, engages the withdrawn coil and spirally feeds the coil through the coil guide, such that the spirals of the coil sequentially pass through the prepunched holes. After the lead end of the coil has passed through the prepunched holes of the stack of sheets, it is crimped. The drive roller then reverses direction to spirally feed the coil backwards through the coil guide, whereupon the tail end of the coil is crimped. The movements in the machine are designed to vary dependent upon size of the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: General Binding Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Battisti, Adam Horwitz, Robert E. Slater
  • Patent number: 5707195
    Abstract: Apparatus for transferring successive wire comb binders from a first station, at which the binders arrive by moving lengthwise, to a second station, to which successive binders are advanced by moving sideways, has a pusher which advances successive binders along a path wherein the binders slide relative to one or more guide rails. The pusher cooperates with a braking device to change the orientation of successive binders during advancement toward the second station. The braking device can employ one or more magnets if the binders contain a magnetizable material, and/or one or more friction generating units which slow down or arrest the adjacent portions of successive binders. A mobile abutment at the second station determines the extent to which the orientation of successive binders can be changed and positions successive reoriented binders for removal of successive binders from the second station by a reciprocable plunger or another suitable conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Womako Maschinenkonstruktionen GmbH
    Inventor: Jurgen Scholz
  • Patent number: 5707194
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a binding strip includes the step of providing a length of metal strip from a supply thereof. The length of metal strip is folded about a first fold line parallel to a longitudinal axis thereof to form two portions angularly disposed to each other about the first fold line. The invention extends to a method of binding a calendar which includes the step of providing a length of metal strip from a supply thereof. The metal strip is folded about a first fold line parallel to a longitudinal axis thereof to form two portions angularly disposed to each other about the first fold line. An end of the calendar is located in a region between the portions and secured between the two portions. The invention extends further to an apparatus for manufacturing a binding strip and to an apparatus for binding a calendar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Press Engineering (Proprietary Limited)
    Inventors: Murray Basil Blumberg, William M. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 5695308
    Abstract: An apparatus for spiral binding a stack of papers together as a unit. The apparatus includes a spiral binding unit for feeding a spiral coil into the holes in the stack of papers, a pin extension and retraction mechanism, a coil cutter mechanism, and a paper thickness measuring and sizing mechanism. The spiral binding unit includes an aperture through which a spiral coil is inserted between a feed shaft and a rotatably mounted roller. As the coil is inserted, the roller pushes the spiral coil into contact with the feed shaft. As the roller rotates, the coil is guided around a plurality of spiral guides that cause the coil to spiral into the holes in the stack of paper. The pin extension and retraction mechanism includes a plurality of locator pins that are movable between an extended and a retracted position. In the extended position, the pins extend up through the holes in the stack of papers. The locator pins are mounted on pivotally mourned levers. The levers are in turn rotated by a cam shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Unicoil, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Hastings, Randy C. Peterson, Kevin L. Engelbert, John H. Mar
  • Patent number: 5584632
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for spiral binding a stack of papers (24) together as a unit. The apparatus includes a punch (12) for punching a plurality of holes (23) along one edge of the stack of papers and a spiral binding unit (14) for feeding a spiral coil (36) into the holes. The spiral binding unit (14) includes an aperture (44) through which a coil is inserted between a shoe (74) and a rotatably mounted roller (72). As the coil (36) is inserted, the shoe (74) pushes the coil into contact with the roller (72). As the roller (72) rotates, the coil (36) is guided through a series of slots (86) which cause the coil to spiral into the holes in the stack of paper. The punch (12) includes a ramp (186) that presses a series of punch pins (188) through the stack of papers. The ramp (186) includes a plurality of steps (222) that incline upwardly on either side of a center step (224). The punch first punches holes in the center of the stack of papers and then punches holes outward from either side of the center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Unicoil, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Stiles, Sean M. MacLeod, Michael D. Nelson, Mark E. Hastings, David A. Herrin
  • Patent number: 5549433
    Abstract: Apparatus for binding a plurality of sheets having aligned holes with a binding wire includes two bending elements which are pivotably connected to one another, one of the bending elements having a recess for partially accommodating the binding wire, the other of the bending elements having a projection such that upon placing the binding wire in the recess with the binding wire passing through the holes in the sheets and effecting pivotal movement between the two bending elements, the projection engages and bends the binding wire to thereby effect binding of the plurality of sheets by the binding wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Inventor: Rodger J. Byrne
  • Patent number: 5497811
    Abstract: A device for bending the ends (17) which result from cutting to size a metallic binding spiral (9) includes a contrasting member (4) provided at the front with two pairs (12, 12') of flat lugs, mutually parallel and orthogonal to the axis of the spiral (9), suitable to securely retain the roots (16) of the two prongs (14) of the spiral (9) between which the cut has been performed, and a pushing member (7) provided at the front with a central tooth (13) radiused to the body of the pusher (7) and also orthogonal to the axis of the spiral (9), suitable to bend the ends (17) parallelly to the prongs (14) by interacting with said contrast (4). The contrast (4) and the pusher (7) move along substantially orthogonal axes under the action of double-acting pneumatic jacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Rilecart S.R.L.
    Inventor: Daniele P. Pigna
  • Patent number: 5454679
    Abstract: A combination work station for open wire element bindery operations is provided with a base plate having a planar work surface with a die punch for perforating pages resting upon a first work station on the work surface, and the bindery press for pressing closed open wire binding elements at a second work station on the common work surface. The bindery press is manually operated and is provided with a moving platen sliding upon inserted guide posts extending normally up from the work surface. Adjustment means incorporating adjustment screws interfitting through threaded traveler blocks attached to the platen are provided. Compressive coil springs circumvolving the adjustment screws provide compressive force for returning the press from its closed to open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Inventor: Marvin E. Whiteman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5452980
    Abstract: An electrically operated binder press for pressing closed open wire loop binding wire elements which is provided with a pair of pitman arms assemblies for translating unidirectional drive shaft rotation into reciprocal pressing platen movement. A pressing platen is held in adjustable, extended, parallel orientation to the pressing bar by means of a pair of traveler adjustment screws threadably engaged through traveler blocks fixed to the ends of the press bar, and provide an adjustment means for changing the distance to which the press will compress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Inventor: Marvin E. Whiteman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5370489
    Abstract: A machine for binding sets of sheets with a wire binding element of the kind having a series of curved prongs with points and roots. The machine comprises a holding mechanism for holding the binding element in a predetermined position. A selectively movable guide plate is located adjacent to and at a constant preset distance from the binding element points. The guide plate is also located to receive perforated edges of the sheets thereagainst so that the sheets' perforations can be aligned with the points in order to aid in guiding the perforated sheets into assembly with said binding element. A first adjustment mechanism is provided for moving the guide plate relative to the binding element points. The first adjustment mechanism permits the position of said guide plate to be adjusted relative to the points so as to maintain the constant pre-set distance between said guide plate and the points for any sized binding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: James Burn International Limited
    Inventor: Frank Bagrosky
  • Patent number: 5324154
    Abstract: A jaw for use in a machine for closing a wire binding element (8) comprises a longitudinal member (30) having a curved cylindrical working surface (32) and a grooved strip (36) located in a slot (34) formed in the working surface (32) so that the grooved edge of the strip (36) projects inwardly from the working surface (36), the space between adjacent grooves being equal to the pitch of the wire binding element (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: James Burn International Limited
    Inventors: Leonard W. N. Jones, Paul Metcalfe
  • Patent number: 5197842
    Abstract: A closing device for the bending closure of binding combs having generally C-shaped perforating members for the comb binding of single sheets or the like has a bending tool provided with two opposing bending punches or dies. The two bending punches or dies are provided with batten-like contact elements or components which at least approximately form point- or line-shaped supports for the perforating members of the binding comb. The two upper contact elements or components are designed so that they produce a greater static friction on the binding comb. The distances of the contact elements or components are in each case adjustable with respect to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Chr. Renz GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Gert Bross
  • Patent number: 5059078
    Abstract: An apparatus for the combing-in and binding of punched single sheets into a prefabricated wire comb having a multiplicity of teeth bent into circles and connected to one another, which are inserted into punched-out holes in the sheets, where the apparatus includes a closing device having a movable closing beam with a counter-pressure plate for bending the prefabricated wire comb into a circular shape. Retaining elements are arranged on the counter-pressure plate or a part connected to the counter-pressure plate, which position at least a part of the teeth of the wire comb. The counter-pressure plate is slidable under the closing beam with the retaining elements positioned such that the single sheets are inserted into the wire comb for binding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Chr. Renz GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Dagobert Schmid
  • Patent number: 5042343
    Abstract: A device for automatic separation of wire binding portions of random length and shape. From a delivery spool a wire strand is fed into a feed mechanism behind which is arranged a cutting mechanism. A sensor measures the length of the wire binding portion and consequently initiates the cutting process via a processor. A further sensor establishes the discharge of the separated wire binding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Inventor: Hratch Boyadjian
  • Patent number: 5009537
    Abstract: This is a booklet binding system which includes an elongated closure unit specifically constructed and arranged to be removably inserted between the two rows of opposed spaced apart loops of a wire loop binding unit, wherein the closure unit defines a pair of spaced apart loop receiving grooves specifically oriented and arranged to receive the two rows of loops to interlock therewith and provide the desired closure therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Assignee: Creative Binding Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip B. Stengel
  • Patent number: 4934890
    Abstract: Apparatus for closing wire binding elements of the type formed from a length of wire which is bent to form a series of curved hairpin shaped prongs, the curvature of the prongs being such that the element has the appearance of an open sided cylinder with a substantially C-shaped cross section, the apparatus comprises two opposed `closing` jaws, each having a working surface which is a segment of a cylinder, the diameter of which corresponds to the diameter of a desired binding element, when closed, the jaws being arranged to rotate in opposite directions about a fixed horizontal axis or pivot center, the arrangement being such that as the jaws pivot a force is applied by their working surfaces to a binding element located therebetween to cause the element to close to a position in which the closed ends or points are brought into the vicinity of the open ends or roots, the closing jaws being set so that that edge of the working surface which, in use, is located adjacent a bundle of sheets to be bound exactly c
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: James Burn International Limited
    Inventor: Wayne L. Flatt
  • Patent number: 4874279
    Abstract: A semi-automatic binder is disclosed which incorporates a conveyor for transporting a preformed length of double wire binder to a loading station. The loading station incorporates a unique support arrangement whereby the free ends of the double wire binder are presented for quick and easy manual assembly thereto of sheets to be bound. The thus assembled sheets and binder are then moved to a closing station employing an adjustable pressure bar operative to close the double wire binder. Both the support arrangement and pressure bar are readily adjustable to enable the binder of the present invention to accommodate a wide variety of sizes of double wire binders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignee: Sickinger Company
    Inventor: Ernst Pfaffle
  • Patent number: 4832370
    Abstract: A binding element for perforated sheets of the type comprising a length of wire bent so as to form curved prongs on which the sheets may be impaled, the wire being in the shape of a flat comb, the prongs of which are closed at their tips and opened at their bases or roots which are connected to their neighbors by aligned lengths of wire forming the stock or the spine of the comb, the strip being designed to be converted to a slotted tube by suitable bending of the prongs. In accordance with the invention the concave surface with part of each prong which is midway between its tip and root is formed with an indentation, which indentation assists the closing of the binding element very effectively and without any visible sign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: James Burn International Limited
    Inventor: Leonard W. N. Jones
  • Patent number: 4773787
    Abstract: A binding device for holding loose-leaf papers comprises a binder folded by a flexible material to form of a plurality of openings each constructed by two circumferential hooks, an engageable strip and two ended envelopes. The binder passes through a number of holes punched on each loose-leaf paper and the openings are faced outwardly. The longitudinal strip has two parallel longitudinal slots for corresponding to the hooks of the binder so that the binder can be engaged with the engageable strip. After that, the ended envelopes envelop on either end of the strip to prevent the strip from sliding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Inventor: Sun L. Chang
  • Patent number: 4758125
    Abstract: An apparatus for closing binding combs to bind stacks of sheet material together possesses a lower working ram having a bending pressing surface formed as a sliding face for perforating prongs of the binding comb, this sliding face being formed by two adjacent, cylindrical rollers, so that the perforating prongs are supported by exclusively rolling on the ram during the closing operation of the binding comb. As a consequence, such a small reaction force is imparted to the perforating prongs against the rolling movement that the binding comb cannot under any circumstances rotate in an undesired manner relative to a counter-ram, so that a squeezing of the binding comb in the region of an arm of the comb opposite the perforating prongs is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Assignee: Bielomatik Leuze GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Karl Wahl
  • Patent number: 4729708
    Abstract: The rear cover sheets of successively bound exercise pads and similar stationary products, wherein the sheets are pivotably held together by a spiral or comb-like binder, are located in front of the front cover sheets immediately following completion of the binding operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1988
    Assignee: Womako Maschinenkonstruktionen GmbH
    Inventor: Paul Fabrig
  • Patent number: 4611741
    Abstract: Booklets are produced from sets of sheets fed seriatim to finishing apparatus from a copier/duplicator or the like either by adhesively binding the sheets together or by stapling them together. The finishing apparatus has first and second adhesive binders used for securing sets of sheets together with adhesive, and first and second stapler/finishers for securing sets of sheets together with one or more staples. The sets of sheets are directed alternately either to the first adhesive binder and to the second adhesive binder or to the first stapler/finisher and the second stapler/finisher. The finished booklets from the binders or the stapler/finishers are collected in a collection station. By providing two adhesive binders and two stapler/finishers booklets can be finished on an "on-line" basis at full machine speed and without interrupting the flow of sheets of a second booklet until the first booklet has been completely finished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1986
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: William C. Wilson
  • Patent number: 4610590
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1986
    Assignee: Rilecart S.p.A.
    Inventor: Daniele P. Pigna
  • Patent number: 4558981
    Abstract: Stacks of marginally perforated paper sheets are assembled with prefabricated C-shaped binding strips at timely spaced intervals by moving two or more stacks simultaneously to a binding station so that the perforations of their sheets form a row, moving at the same intervals a strand of coherent strips lengthwise and cutting groups of discrete strips from the leader of the strand at a severing station which is remote from the binding station, transferring successive groups from the severing station to the binding station including moving the strips of each group sideways at least once and spreading the strips of each group by moving at least some strips of the group axially and away from the neighboring strips, and inserting the strips of a group into and closing the strips of such group in the perforations of stacks of sheets at the binding station. The apparatus can make stationery articles with one-piece binders or with so-called skip binders consisting of two or more spaced-apart coaxial binders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1985
    Assignee: Womako Maschinenkonstruktionen GmbH
    Inventor: Paul Fabrig
  • Patent number: 4537545
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: bielomatik Leuze GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Otto Kunzmann
  • Patent number: 4525117
    Abstract: A wire binding machine for accepting and closing together wire binding elements of the Wire-O type to bind a stack of sheets, the machine being controlled to present two or more elements to the closing or binding station with the option of a gap between the elements so that if required a calendar hanger can be fed between the elements prior to the closing operation, the elements being spaceable by means of a first or feed conveyor feeding up to a parallel section of a second or spacing conveyor and pushing the elements from the first to the second conveyor with an interval representing the desired gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Assignee: James Burn Bindings Limited
    Inventor: Leonard W. N. Jones
  • Patent number: 4487538
    Abstract: In a binding machine for binding packets of perforated sheets together by means of pronged wire binding elements, the elements being fed as an open pronged binding strip from a toothed wheel to a toothed feed chain along a path, the strip being guided between the wheel and chain by a guide having guide surfaces which converge so that the open prongs of the strip are guided without deformation of the strip between the wheel and chain no matter what size of strip is being fed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1984
    Assignee: James Burn Bindings Limited
    Inventors: Leonard W. N. Jones, Ross Doughty
  • Patent number: 4482279
    Abstract: A binding machine for binding packets of perforated sheets together by means of binding elements, the elements being formed with prongs which are bent together by jaws into the perforations to bind the sheets, a carrier bar part of which is magnetized holds each element between the jaws while stops project from the bar to engage with the back of each packet to assist in accurately locating perforations in the packets with the prongs of the elements as they are bent together by the jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1984
    Assignee: James Burn Bindings Limited
    Inventors: Leonard W. N. Jones, Samuel D. Kandlekar, Derek J. Archer