Punching and binding system and elements thereof

A binding apparatus for binding a stack of papers having a plurality of holes together with a binding element having a plurality of fingers insertable in the holes, the apparatus comprising:

• a paper holder for holding the stack of papers;
• and
• a binding element applicator for securing the binding element to the stack of papers so as to bind the stack of papers together;
• the binding element applicator comprising a wall with a plurality of slots constructed to enable the binding element to be received in the binding element applicator with the fingers extending through the slots;
• the binding element applicator being constructed to open the fingers of the binding element for allowing tips thereof to be received in the holes in the stack of paper, and
• the binding element applicator comprising a binding element pusher constructed to push the binding element in the applicator against the wall prior to being opened and secured to the stack of papers wherein the binding element applicator comprising a plurality of finger pullers, the finger pullers being constructed to engage the fingers of the binding element when received in the binding element applicator and being movable relative to the wall to open the engaged fingers for enabling the edge of the stack of paper to be received in the opened binding element for insertion of the fingers into the holes in the stack.