Binding apparatus

A closing device for closing a wire binding element positioned in a plurality of perforations of a pad of perforated sheets to bind the pad, the device comprising first and second support members for the element and first and second closing members, positionable together around the element, with the first and second support members in contact with the element and the first and second closing members positioned on either side of the element, wherein one of said support members is adjustable to accommodate differently sized binding elements and wherein one of said closing members is movable relative to the other to close the element, the movable closing member comprising a reciprocating drive member and a pressure member secured to and movable with the driving member, the pressure member being replaceable whereby to accommodate binding elements of different sizes.

Apparatus for binding pads of perforated sheets with wire binding elements comprising means for supplying a predetermined length of binding element to an insertion station, means for conveying a pad of perforated sheets having a binding element inserted through the perforations from the insertion station to a binding station and a binding device at the binding station for closing the binding element thereby binding the pad wherein the insertion station comprises means for holding the binding element in a generally horizontal orientation with the mouth facing upwards and the points exposed, the holding means comprising upper and lower vertically spaced retainer members and a front stop, the upper retainer member and front stop being positioned respectively above and at the ends of the roots and providing transverse generally planar upper and front supporting surfaces for the roots to prevent rotation of the element as the pad is moved to a position in which the points pass through the perforations and the lower retainer member being positioned to support at least a portion of the wall of the binding element.