Stapling device

A method of attaching sheet-like materials, comprising providing a stapler comprising:

• (a) a mechanism producing an actuation signal;
• (b) an actuation signal transmission system;
• (c) a staple cartridge having
• (i) a staple advancing system for applying an advancing force to a plurality of "U" shaped staples;
• (ii) a guide, for maintaining said plurality of "U" shaped staples parallel to each other along a feed axis, said guide having a channel cross section including a horizontal top portion, substantially perpendicular to said feed axis, and two semi-vertical portions below said horizontal top portion, each having a plane oriented downwardly inward at such an angle which does not cause plastic deformation of said "U" shaped staples inserted in said guide, said guide having an open end wherein said semivertical portions merge with walls having vertical portions which are substantially aligned with a vertical axis;
• (iii) a lower aperture, aligned with respect to said feed axis with said vertically aligned walls;
• and
• (iv) a displaceable staple ejector, for displacing one of said "U" shaped staples proximate to said open end through said lower aperture, without displacing an adjacent "U" shaped staple;
• placing the sheets to be attached along the vertical axis of the staple ejector, between the staple and the former;
• (d) a displaceable former, for plastically deforming staple ends, said former being displaceable between a first position in which the former is substantially displaced along said vertical axis from said lower aperture and a second position in which the former is substantially proximate to said lower aperture along said vertical axis;
• and
• (e) control means for displacing said former from the first position to said second position and for displacing said staple ejector;
• displacing said former from the first position to said second position;
• and
• displacing said staple ejector.