SPIRAL BINDING METHOD AND APPARATUS

摘要

An apparatus (10) for spiral binding a stack of papers (24) together as a unit. The apparatus includes a punch (12) for punching a plurality of holes (23) along one edge of the stack of papers and a spiral binding unit (14) for feeding a spiral coil (36) into the holes. The spiral binding unit (14) includes an aperture (44) through which a coil is inserted between a shoe (74) and a rotatably mounted roller (72). As the coil (36) is inserted, the shoe (74) pushes the coil into contact with the roller (72). As the roller (72) rotates, the coil (36) is guided through a series of slots (86) which cause the coil to spiral into the holes in the stack of paper. The punch (12) includes a ramp (186) that presses a series of punch pins (188) through the stack of papers. The ramp (186) includes a plurality of steps (222) that incline upwarldy on either side of a center step (224). The punch first punches holes in the center of the stack of papers and then punches holes outward from either side of the center. The apparatus includes indicators (38) that provide an operator with an indication of appropriate size of spiral coil to use, and an indication of when a wastebasket (52) holding the wastepaper requires emptying.