Apparatus for loading binder strips into a binding machine
AssigneePowis Parker Inc.
InventorsKevin P. Parker, Thomas M. Young
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus for loading heat-activated adhesive binder strips into a binding machine where the loaded binder strip is utilized to bind a stack of sheets. A support arm with an attached thermal head is temporarily secured to the adhesive of a binder strip located external to the binding machine. The attached strip is transported into the binding machine and the released so that the strip can be used to carry out a binding operation. The thermal head temperature is controlled to levels above and below the adhesive melting point to accomplish securing and releasing the strip.
Claims19
A binding machine comprising an apparatus for loading adhesive binder strips into the binding machine, said apparatus comprising:
- a thermal head;
- a thermal head controller configured to alter a temperature of the thermal head;
- a support arm which supports the thermal head;
- a support arm positioner configured to move the support arm between a binder strip contacting position wherein the thermal head can contact a binder strip to be loaded into the binding machine and a binder strip transport position wherein a binder strip carried by the support arm can be inserted at least partially into the binding machine where the inserted binder strip can then be applied to the binding end of a stack to be bound.
Apparatus for loading adhesive binder strips into a binding machine, wherein the binding machine includes an abrading head positioner, said apparatus comprising:
- a thermal head;
- a thermal head controller configured to alter a temperature of the thermal head;
- a support arm which supports the thermal head;
- a support arm positioner configured to move the support arm between a binder strip contacting position wherein the thermal head can contact a binder strip to be loaded into the binding machine and binder strip transport position wherein a binder strip carried by the support arm can be loaded into the binding machine where the loaded binder strip can then be applied to the binding end of a stack to be bound and wherein the support arm positioner utilizes at least part of the abrading head positioner when the support arm is in the transport position.
A binding machine comprising an apparatus for loading adhesive binder strips having a temperature-activated adhesive into a binding machine, said apparatus comprising:
- a thermal head;
- a thermal head controller configured to alter a temperature of the thermal head to an elevated temperature above a melting point of the binder strip adhesive and a reduced temperature below the melting point of the binder strip adhesive;
- a support arm which supports the thermal head;
- a support arm positioner configured to move the support arm between a binder strip contacting position wherein the thermal head can contact a binder strip to be loaded into the binding machine and binder strip transport position wherein a binder strip carried by the support arm can be inserted at least partially into the binding machine where the binder strip can then be applied to the binding end of a stack of sheets to be bound and wherein the thermal head controller functions to set the thermal head to the elevated temperature and then to the reduced temperature while the support arm is in the binder strip contacting position so as to form an adhesive bond between the support arm and the contacted binder strip and to then set the thermal head to the elevated temperature to break the adhesive bond when the support arm is at least partially inserted into the binding machine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.