Binding element and associated method for binding
OwnerMartin H. Bloomberginventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A binding structure for binding a bundle of sheets and that includes a base and a pair of opposed position legs that are integrally formed with and extend from respective sides of the base. The pair of legs and base together defines a retention area in which the bundle of sheets is held. The pair of legs is constructed and arranged with a resilient bias toward each other, but separable to enable the bundle of sheets to be held therebetween under a biasing force. The legs each have at least one inwardly directed rib arranged for contact with opposed sides of the bundle of sheets, and a thermal adhesive layer is disposed on the base and upon which the bundle of sheets rests, to be later formed in a thermal binding machine.
Claims20
A binding structure for binding a bundle of sheets and comprised of an element that includes a base, a pair of opposed position legs that are integrally formed with and extend from respective sides of the base, said pair of legs and base together defining a retention area in which the bundle of sheets is held, said pair of legs constructed and arranged with a resilient bias toward each other, but separable to enable the bundle of sheets to be held therebetween under a biasing force, said legs each having at least one inwardly directed rib arranged for contact with opposed sides of the bundle of sheets.
A binding structure for binding a bundle of sheets having opposed covers and comprised of an element that includes a base, a pair of opposed position leg members that are integrally formed with and extend from respective sides of the base, said pair of leg members and base together defining a retention area in which the bundle of sheets is held, said pair of leg members constructed and arranged with each formed by a set of inner and outer legs that are disposed substantially in parallel defining a channel therebetween for receiving respective opposed covers, said inner legs each having at least one inwardly directed rib arranged for contact with respective sides of the bundle of sheets.
A method of processing a binding element for retaining sheets, comprising the steps of:
- providing a binding element that includes a base, a pair of opposed position legs that are integrally formed with and extend from respective sides of the base, said pair of legs and base together defining a retention area in which the bundle of sheets is held, said pair of legs constructed and arranged with a resilient bias toward each other, but separable to enable the bundle of sheets to be held therebetween under a biasing force;
- providing a thermal adhesive layer disposed on the base and upon which the bundle of sheets rests;
- constructing the binding element of an engineered plastic that can withstand temperatures in a range of at least 400 F to 600 F without deforming or weakening the binding element;
- transferring the binding element to a thermal binding machine to subject the binding element to temperatures in a range of 250 F to 375 F in order to adhere the binding element and sheets.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.