BINDING ELEMENTS FOR BINDING A WIDE RANGE OF THICKNESSES OF STACKS OF SHEETS

摘要

A binding element that may be readily molded, and utilized to bind in a range of sizes and thicknesses of stacks of sheets. The elements are molded in flat sheets with elongated fingers extending from an elongated spine either as individual binding elements, or as an extended length that is then cut to size during an automated assembly process. The elongated fingers are inserted into the prepunched openings in the stack of sheets. The free ends of the fingers are then coupled to the spine, shortening the closed finger loop to an appropriate length for the thickness of the stack of sheets. The excess finger is cut from the finding element and discarded. The actual process steps may be performed in various orders, either sequentially or simultaneously.