Abstract: A device is disclosed for use with an image-forming apparatus, and includes a binder receiving portion for receiving a binder having papers and an adhesive therein, and a heating member for causing heating and melting of the adhesive in the binder when the binder is fully inserted in the binder receiving portion in order to adhere the papers in the binder. The heating member includes a contact element mounted in a bottom portion of the binder receiving portion and adapted to be contacted against by a contact portion of the binder. A power supply is provided to operate the heating member. A paper supply table is mounted to the binder receiving portion for use in feeding paper into the image-forming apparatus, and the paper supply table includes paper regulating guides which are adjustable in their relative positions to guide different sized papers into the image-forming apparatus.

Abstract: A binding unit binds sheets with a binder having an electric heater and electrodes for supplying electric current to the electric heater. The binding unit includes a container and an inner lid. The container has an insertion opening at one end through which the binder is inserted, and electrode terminals at the opposite end which come into contact with the electrodes of the binder. The inner lid is openable and provided in the container between the insertion opening and the electrode terminals. It assumes a closed position covering the electrode terminals when no binder is loaded in the container, and an open position allowing the electrodes of the binder to come into contact with the electrode terminals and at the same time supporting one side of the binder when loaded in the container.

Abstract: A binding apparatus for binding sheet materials with a covering material having a heat-adhesive agent at its bottom portion by bonding the bottom portion of the covering member and edges of the sheet materials includes a holder for holding the covering material and the sheet materials sandwiched by the covering material; a heater for heating the adhesive agent; a switch for switching power supply to the heater; a detector for detecting setting of the covering material in the holder; and a temperature controller. The temperature controller supplies power to provide a first temperature when the covering material is not set in the holder, supplies power to the heater to provide a second temperature higher than the first temperature when the covering material is set in the supporting member, and supplies the power to the heater to provide the first temperature after the covering member is taken out from the holding member.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus is provided with a bookbinding device having a binder receiving portion. The binder receiving portion is provided with a heat source for heating an adhesive or with an electrode for electrifying the electric heating member on a bottom portion thereof so that a plurality of papers disposed in a binder can be adhered to the inner surface of the back cover of the binder by heating and melting the adhesive with the heat source or the electric heating member. The heat source or electrode is swingably mounted in the binder receiving portion for movement between a bookbinding position and a retracted position. An operating mechanism is provided for moving the heat source or electrode from the retracted position to the bookbinding position upon insertion of the binder into the binder receiving portion.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus is provided with a bookbinding device having a binder receiving portion. The binder receiving portion is provided with a heat source for heating an adhesive or with an electrode for electrifying the electric heating member on a bottom portion thereof so that a plurality of papers disposed in a binder can be adhered to the inner surface of the back cover of the binder by heating and melting the adhesive with the heat source or the electric heating member. The binder receiving portion is provided with a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the heat source or electrode, and an operating mechanism for causing the cleaning mechanism to clean the heat source or electrode either when the binder receiving portion is pivoted from a non-use position to a use position or when a binder is inserted into the binder receiving portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for binding page edges with heat includes a cover portion which has the approximate shape of a truncated pyramid and which has a longitudinal opening which is at least partially closed by a pivotably mounted wall is provided. The apparatus includes a longitudinal heat-conducting element of a length generally corresponding to the length of the page edges to be bound. The apparatus further includes an actuator or starting signal to activate an electrical switch when the edges to be bound are contacted with the heating element, indicating that the heating process has started and continues to heat depending on the thickness of the leaves to be bound. The electrical switch is then disconnected, thereby generating a signal indicating the completion of the heating and binding process.

Abstract: A sheet binder includes a frame having first and second spaced parallel support walls for receiving therebetween a plurality of sheet to be bound. The walls each have a first end for defining therebetween an opening into which the sheets are inserted, and a second end defining therebetween a binding zone. A heating plate and deposition base are operably associated with the second ends for applying an adhesive strip to associated edges of the sheets for binding the sheets together. The plate and base are displaceably supported within the frame for being linearly and alternatingly moved into and out of the binding zone.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus is provided with a bookbinding device having a binder receiving portion. The binder receiving portion is provided with a heat source for heating an adhesive or with an electrode for electrifying the electric heating member on a bottom portion thereof so that a plurality of papers disposed in a binder can be adhered to the inner surface of the back cover of the binder by heating and melting the adhesive with the heat source or the electric heating member. A binder-insertion hole of the binder receiving portion is provided with a cover to prevent foreign matter from entering the binder receiving portion.

Abstract: A bound document is made by placing one or more sheets of paper to be bound inside a binder having a hot-melt adhesive and then exposing the binder to microwave energy for a sufficient period of time to cause the hot-melt adhesive to melt bond onto an edge of the sheets of paper. In one embodiment of the invention, the hot-melt adhesive is microwave activatable. In another embodiment of the invention, the hot-melt adhesive is not necessarily microwave activatable and the binder includes a strip of susceptor material which converts incident microwave radiation to heat. In still another embodiment of the invention, the hot-melt adhesive is not necessarily microwave activatable and a quantity of microwave responsive material is incorporated into the hot-melt adhesive. In still yet another embodiment, the hot-melt adhesive is not necessarily microwave activatable, and a microwave susceptor is incorporated into a stand on which the binder may be placed during exposure to the microwave radiation.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing booklets, each booklet comprising a cover made up of two cover sheets, a spine therebetween, and a binding agent attached to the inside of the spine, as well as a sheaf of paper inserted between the two cover sheets, one side edge of the sheaf being connected to the inside of the spine by means of the binding agent, which is activated by an activation device such that the side edge of the sheaf of paper inserted in the cover will adhere to the binding agent, characterized in that the cover (1) is parted from the activation device (9), or vice versa, by a first poweroperated transport means (44, 46, 47) so that the binding agent (5) is brought to solidify.The invention also relates to a machine for manufacturing booklets according to the above method.

Abstract: Universal binding element for binding loose documents in a file, characterized in that it principally consists of an inner cover formed of a first part (2) that is intended for forming a front sheet; a second part (3) that is intended for forming a back sheet; and a third part (4) that is intended for forming a spine, which includes adhesive means (5) which are formed of glue (9, 10, 23) meltable under the influence of heat and which, when heated and subsequently cooled can provide for an adhesive connection on both the inside (6) and the outside (7) of the formed spine.

Abstract: A device for simultaneously or sequentially edge binding a sheaf of papers and separately laminating single sheets. A heat applying assembly includes a body of heat conducting material having a generally horizontal elongated slot extending through the body and two pairs of rollers, one at an input end of the slot and the other at an output end thereof for feeding a document between two thermoplastic sheets through the slot. Upper and lower imbedded heating coils apply heat above and below the slot for fusing the thermoplastic sheets to effect lamination of the document. The body of heat conducting material provides an upper surface slanted at an acute angle with respect to the horizontal. A rigid guide surface oriented by an equal angle with respect to the vertical provides for gravity retention of a sheaf of paper to be edge bound against the aforementioned upper surface, a heat setting adhesive being introduced along the common end of tyhe sheaf of papers thereby binding the papers along a spine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for binding sheaves of papers into covers such as to form booklets, each booklet comprising a cover made up of two cover sheets, a spine therebetween, and a binding agent attached to the inside of the spine, as well as a sheaf of papers inserted in the cover, one side edge of the sheaf being connected to the inside of the spine. The binding takes place by means of the binding agent being activated by an activation device such that the edge of the sheaf of papers will be connected to the inside of the spine via the binding agent. Each cover acts on a sensing means, which senses the presence or non-presence of indication means connected to the cover and which actuates means for influencing the further course of the method. The invention also relates to a cover provided with indication means sensed in the above described manner.

Abstract: An apparatus for binding page edges with heat, wherein adhesive is attached to at least one such page edge is provided. The apparatus includes an elongated heat-conducting bar of a length generally corresponding to the length of the page edges to be bound and has a longitudinal slot below for receiving a PTC resistance heating element connected to a power source disposed between two electrically conductive fillets.

Abstract: Binding element for binding loose sheets in a file, characterised in that it principally consists of a sheet (2) of relatively stiff material, that preferably shows the same dimensions as those of the documents to be bound; and a strip of glue (3), which extends past the sheet (2), installed over the whole length or over almost the whole length on the side of the sheet (2) which is destined to be placed next to the edge (6) of the bundle (5) to be bound.

Abstract: In an apparatus for making a booklet or album formed of a plurality of photographs bound by a cover sheet, many photographs are inserted between a pair of nipping plates in an insertable situation and are held loosely in an upright state on a photograph receiving member. In the insertable situation, the receiving member is vibrated and the photographs are straightened at lower ends and one side edges. The straightened photographs are nipped by a pair of nipping plates from both sides and moved to a bonding position above an adhesive layer on the cover sheet. Thereafter, a pressure roller is rolled in the longitudinal direction of the adhesive layer to press the cover sheet upwardly in order to attach the lower ends of the phographs to the adhesive layer. This cover sheet is bent in a channel shape by a V-shaped groove formed on a bending block along a rim on each side of the photographs.

Abstract: An apparatus which adhesively binds a set of sheets by applying a strip having an adhesive on one surface thereof to the spine of the set. The strip is supported on a heated platen which softens the adhesive. The spine of the set of copy sheets is pressed into the adhesive on the strip. The depth of penetration of the spine into the adhesive is controlled so as to form a layer of adhesive between the spine and the strip having a predetermined thickness. As the spine of the set of copy sheets is moved into contact with the adhesive on the strip, it is damped to absorb a substantial portion of the kinetic energy of the set of sheets to reduce the deflection and distortion of the set of sheets.

Abstract: A heating apparatus for use in binding, which apparatus includes a base and a cover member hingedly connected to each other. The cover member includes a binding-receiving compartment positioned above a portion of the base. A pair of spaced electrical contacts are positioned in the base below the binder-receiving compartment for receiving and connecting to the binder-receiving contact. The base includes an electric circuit compartment for housing an electric circuit adapted to apply a current to said conductors upon contact with the book for a predetermined length of time.

Abstract: Universal paper file with inside glued back for bundling documents, of the type consisting of a front cover, a back cover and a back, the inside of the back containing a glue layer including a thermosetting glue, wherein both the glue of said glue layer and the back of the paper file are made of materials that upon thermal activation, enter into a chemical reaction to form a mutual permanent bond therebetween.

Abstract: A method for the production of books or bound documents from a material web (4) which comprises folding lines (6,7) or perforation lines arranged at a distance from one another and whose one side possesses a thin coating of an adhesive capable of being activated, includes printing the web (4) with the desired text and subsequently folding the web together in a folding pattern. After folding together of the web (4) the adhesive is activated so that layers with adhesive facing one another are joined together to form book-pages which can be bound together in a cover (15).

Abstract: An apparatus which adhesively binds a set of sheets by applying a strip having an adhesive on one surface thereof to the spine of the set. The strip is supported on a heated platen which softens the adhesive. The spine of the set of copy sheets is pressed into the adhesive on the strip. The depth of penetration of the spine into the adhesive is controlled so as to form a layer of adhesive between the spine and the strip having a predetermined thickness.

Abstract: A binder strip for home or office use in binding document pages includes a binder sheet having a full back cover section and a narrow front cover attaching flange section with a spine section interposed between the two. The spine section is provided with a number of closely adjacent beads of hot melt glue and the attaching flange section has a strip of peel-off pressure sensitive adhesive affixed to a free edge thereof. A front cover for the binder is totally separate from the binder and initially may not even be a part of the binder. The front cover is processed by any suitable home or office copier, embossing, foil stamping, color printing or like machine capable of custom processing a single sheet of ordinary document size. The processed cover is then attached to the attaching flange by means of the pressure sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: A sheet binding apparatus, for attaching loose sheets to one or more folders, has a completely automatic binding process after insertion of the folder(s). This is carried out by a heating assembly, the current supply to which is controlled by a micro-processor having inputs received from a starter device of light detector type, a temperature detector device of thermistor type and a timer device. The timer device is activated by the micro-processor when the temperature detector device indicates working temperature at the heating assembly. In one aspect of the binding process it is also related to the thickness of the folder(s) to be bound. This is carried out by a current control device acting on the supply circuit for the heating assembly in such a way that the thicker the folders inserted, the more current is allowed to the heating assembly.

Abstract: Binding equipment is disclosed which binds loose sheets in covers which have thermoplastic adhesive at their backs to bind the sheets when such adhesive is heated. The equipment has two mutually spaced and parallel support walls to support the loose sheets within the covers. One of the walls is fixed and the other is movable within the frame supporting the walls. A support for the back of the cover is provided underneath the movable wall. This support is provided with a heater to activate the thermoplastic adhesive. The carriage mounting the movable wall moves along a displacement plane which slants upwards towards the fixed support wall.

Abstract: A bindable sheet which includes a recessed marginal edge portion in which a heat-responsive glue is applied, said recessed portion including a plurality of spaced-apart openings therethrough to expose the glue on the opposite side of the sheet from the recess, the thickness of the glue being no greater than the depth of the indentation of the sheet to produce a substantially uniform sheet thickness throughout its entire surface area. The method of binding a plurality of sheets together which includes the steps of indenting the marginal edge of a sheet, applying a ribbon of heat-responsive glue in the indented portion, the thickness of which does not exceed the depth of the indentation recess positioning two sheets together with the glue edges in registration and applying heat and pressure to the glue edges to seal the same together without increasing the thickness of the bound-together sheets.

Abstract: A method of producing a book cover and the like from a blank, the book cover including at least one cover, a spine connected to the cover by at least one crease line, and a bonding agent for adhering pages and the like inserted in the book cover to the inside of the spine, comprising the steps of forming said bonding agent by depositing it as a liquid in a gutter means; cooling said liquid to semi-solid or solid state; aligning said blank to a predetermined position relative to the gutter means; and pressing the blank, the gutter means and the bonding agent in semi-solid state against each other by means of press means to attach the bonding agent to the inside of the spine by adhesion.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for folding a sheet (1) into a folder provided with a spine and at least one cover. In the portion of the sheet forming the spine of the folder after folding, there is applied a bead (2) of binder for binding sheets of paper, inserted in the ready folder, to the inside of the spine. The sheet is advanced with the bead parallel to the advancing direction via a rail (14) guiding the bead to folding and back-up means implemented as rollers (15, 16, 19, 20), for folding the cover side against the inside of the spine along a line situated closely adjacent and parallel to the bead.

Abstract: A prefabricated bindable sheet having heat-responsive glue applied along one edge and a method for binding such sheets together which includes the steps of providing sheets of paper having segments of heat-responsive glue applied along one edge thereof, producing the desired information on said sheets, assembling said sheets with the glue edges in registration, pressing the registered glue edges of the assembled sheets together while applying heat to the edge thereof and alternatively, a method wherein at least certain of said sheets are double size to provide pairs of sheets connected by a fold line wherein the glue is applied to the outside of said pair of sheets along said fold line; and apparatus for attaching sheets together which includes means for clamping a plurality of sheets together which have heat-responsive glue applied along the attachment edges thereof and heating means for applying heat to the glue edges to positively connect said sheets together.

Abstract: A binding system is disclosed wherein a relatively narrow strip of heavy paper or the like is provided with a section having a heat sealing adhesive. Papers to be bound are placed against the heat sealable adhesive which is heated to activate the adhesive and is cooled. Various embodiments include side mounted, top mounted, hanging, and computer print out binders.

Abstract: The present invention provides a low mass, flexible heat transfer member which is made of a suitable material to transfer heat, as well as a plurality of independent heat generating members to provide zoned heat along a portion of the length of said heat transfer member. The heat generating members are encased in an electrical insulation material which is secured to the heat transfer member. The consolidated structure, i.e. the heat transfer member and heat generating members constitute a flexible strip. The ends of said flexible strip are actually sections of the heat transfer member and these ends are respectively looped around two pins, or studs, and over the respective loops there is positioned an associated slotted hollow tube. The slotted hollow tube is formed to be located in a base of a machine with which the flexible heating means is used.

Abstract: A heater unit is provided for activating a heat sensitive adhesive binder system. The unit has simplified control and indicator means.