APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATICALLY BINDING A STACK OF SHEETS WITH A NONSPIRAL BINDING ELEMENT

摘要

The present invention includes an automated binding machine (50) configured for binding a stack of perforated sheets (81) with a binding element (112) . The automated binding machine (50) includes a support member (72) supporting the stack (81) of perforated sheets, a binding element feeder, a plurality o binding elements supported by the binding element feeder (110) , a receiving member (212) configured to receive a first binding element (130) from the plurality of binding elements (112) and to insert at least a portion of the first binding element through the stack (81) of perforated sheets, and a binding mechanism (240) configured to engage the inserted portion and couple the inserted portion to a non-inserted portion of the first binding element (130) .