Method and apparatus for binding materials with a curled-finger ring-type binder

An apparatus for use in forming a bound booklet by applying a curled-finger ring-type edge binder to prepunched sheets comprising:

• a base for receiving a binder holding and delivering cartridge;
• a cover hingedly associated with the base and defining a sheet aligning and delivering slot;
• and
• means defining a binding position cooperatively associated with one of said base or cover and at which a binder is adapted to be positioned for binding to said prepunched sheets.

An apparatus for use in forming a bound booklet by applying a curled-finger ring-type edge binder to prepunched sheets comprising:

• a base for receiving at least one binder/tool combination;
• a cover hingedly associated with the base and defining a sheet aligning and delivering slot;
• and
• means defining a binding position cooperatively associated with one of said base or cover and at which a binder is adapted to be positioned for binding to said prepunched sheets.

A method of forming a bound booklet having a plurality of apertured sheets and a curled-finger ring-type binder joining said sheets in a booklet using a device constructed to carry at least one binder/opening tool combination, said device defining a binding position slot, wherein said method comprises the steps of:

• urging a binder/tool combination in said device toward said binding position slot;
• drawing the tool of binder/tool combination through the binder to spread binder fingers from said binder spine so as to form a document receiving gap;
• depositing apertured sheets in said binder gap with said apertures generally aligned with the free ends of said fingers;
• and
• completely withdrawing the tool from the binder so as to permit the uncurled fingers to return to an initial closed position by passing through said apertures so as to bind said sheets together.