Binding sheet media using imaging material

A method of sealing a printed document, comprising:

• providing first and second sheets;
• applying imaging material in a pattern of a desired print image on the first sheet;
• applying imaging material to a binding region on at least one of the sheets, the binding region surrounding the print image when the sheets are assembled for binding;
• activating the imaging material;
• arranging the first and second sheets for binding;
• and
• re-activating the imaging material in the binding region to bind the arranged sheets and form a sealed perimeter around the print image.

A method for printing and binding a booklet in which each sheet of paper or other print media is folded and bound along a line so that sides of each sheet on opposing sides of the folding line form the pages of the booklet, the method comprising:

• applying imaging material to the sheets in a pattern of desired print images on pages formed on the sides of each sheet opposite the fold line;
• applying imaging material to a binding region along the fold line of each sheet;
• activating the imaging material;
• assembling two or more sheets for binding along the fold line;
• and
• re-activating imaging material in the binding region to bind the assembled sheets.

A method of binding sheet media, comprising:

• applying imaging material in a pattern of a desired print image on at least one sheet;
• designing a binding pattern sized and shaped to fit in a corner of a sheet, the binding pattern having rounded corners to spread binding stresses;
• applying imaging material in the binding pattern near one corner on the sheet;
• activating the imaging material;
• assembling two or more sheets for binding;
• and
• re-activating imaging material in the binding region to bind the assembled sheets.

A method of binding sheet media, comprising:

• applying imaging material in a pattern of a desired print image on at least one sheet;
• designing a binding pattern sized and shaped to fit in a corner of a sheet, the binding pattern having a pointed aspect to concentrate separation stresses;
• applying imaging material in the binding pattern near one corner on the sheet;
• activating the imaging material;
• assembling two or more sheets for binding;
• and
• re-activating imaging material in the binding region to bind the assembled sheets.

A method of forming an enclosed document from a single sheet, comprising:

• applying imaging material in a pattern of a desired print image on the sheet;
• applying imaging material as a binder at select areas along the periphery of the sheet;
• activating the imaging material;
• folding the sheet into two or more sections;
• and
• re-activating the imaging material at the select areas of the periphery of the sheet.

A device for printing and binding a document using imaging material as the binder, the device comprising:

• an applying device operative to apply imaging material in a pattern of a desired print image on each sheet in the document and to apply imaging material to a binding region on each sheet, the binding region aligned with and facing a binding region on an adjacent sheet when the sheets are assembled for binding;
• a first activating device operatively coupled to the applying device, the first activating device operative to activate the imaging material in the print pattern and in the binding region;
• and
• a second activating device operatively coupled to the first activating device, the second activating device operative to re-activating the imaging material in the binding regions to bind the sheets.

A device for printing and binding a document using imaging material as the binder, the device comprising:

• an applying device operative to apply imaging material in a pattern of a desired print image on each sheet in the document and to apply imaging material to a binding region on each sheet, the binding region surrounding the print image when the sheets are assembled for binding;
• a first activating device operatively coupled to the applying device, the first activating device operative to activate the imaging material in the print pattern and in the binding region;
• and
• a second activating device operatively coupled to the first activating device, the second activating device operative to re-activating the imaging material in the binding regions to bind the sheets.

A device for printing and binding a booklet in which each sheet of print media is folded and bound along a line so that sides of each sheet on opposing sides of the folding line form the pages of the booklet, the device comprising:

• an applying device operative to apply imaging material to the sheets in a pattern of a desired print image on pages formed on each sheet opposite the fold line and to apply imaging material to a binding region along the fold line of each sheet;
• a first activating device operatively coupled to the applying device, the first activating device operative to activate the imaging material in the print pattern and in the binding region;
• a folding device receiving sheets operatively coupled to the first activating device, the folder operative to fold the sheets along the fold line;
• and
• a second activating device operatively coupled to the folding device, the second activating device operative to re-activating the imaging material in the binding regions to bind the folded sheets.