Patent ID: 9044989
Filing Date: 2015-06-02
Classification: B42B

Abstract:
1. A method for binding a stack of media substrates, comprising: inserting a plurality of binding element strips, one each in a plurality of binding holes in media substrates for binding a stack of the media substrates; applying heat to bending portions of the plurality of binding element strips to facilitate bending of the binding element strips at the bending portions; bending the bending portions of the plurality on binding element strips while applying the heat to the bending portions; squeezing free ends of the bent binding element strips together; and securing the free ends of the bent binding element strips to each other to form the bent binding element strips into finished binding loops to bind the stack of media substrates, wherein the heat is applied to the bending portions using a heatable appliance that applies the heat to the binding element strips in a manner that controls a bend radius formed of the bending portions, the heatable appliance including a heated rod component that is brought into contact with an inner surface of the bending portions, and a heated bending unit having a variable width between opposing heated surfaces, the opposing heated surfaces being brought into contact with an outer surface of the bending portions.