Abstract: A ring binder mechanism having at least one pair of half-ring members that are movable between a first position, wherein the half-ring members are closed, and a second position, wherein the half-ring members are open, and at least one generally tubular member to facilitate alignment and securement of the at least one pair of half ring members when moved from the second, open position to the first, closed position.

Abstract: A locking device for installation in a loose leaf binder that includes a base member secured to a middle section panel or back cover of the binder at a first location of manufacture and a separate ring mechanism for installation in the loose leaf binder at a second geographical location distanced remotely from the initial point of manufacture. The assembly of the ring mechanism to the base member is achieved by structure formed on the base member operable and adaptable to receive complementary shaped members in a permanent and locked relationship therebetween. Separate assembly of component parts permits bulky binders to be shipped in compact stacks that result in great savings of freight and costs of transportation in moving goods between global locations remote from each other.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing binder mechanisms (12) from binders (10), the apparatus comprising: a transport mechanism for transporting binders in series through the apparatus; an alignment mechanism (16) configured to align the binder mechanisms with a predetermined datum relative to the apparatus; a rivet releasing mechanism (24) positioned relative to the predetermined datum for releasing at least one rivet holding each binder mechanism to its respective binder; a binder mechanism removal mechanism (75) for removing each binder mechanism from its respective binder once the at least one rivet has been released by the rivet releasing mechanism; and an indexing mechanism (18) for indexing transport of binders through the apparatus in synchronism with operation of the rivet releasing mechanism.