Patent Publication Number: US-8540472-B2

Title: Binding machine

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     (1) Field of the Invention 
     The present invention concerns a machine for binding a packet of perforated sheets and a method of binding a packet of perforated sheets implemented in such a binding machine. 
     (2) Prior Art 
     In the field of machines for binding packets of perforated sheets, some of them use particular binding elements.  FIG. 10  shows an example of these binding elements  206 . These binding elements  206  are in the form of a metal wire curved so as to form a series of fingers curved in the form of a hairpin. Each binding element  206  has a closed end  604 , also referred to as the “point”, an open end  602 , also referred to as the “base”, and an intermediate zone  606  that is designed to deform when the said binding element  206  is closed. The perforated sheets are engaged on the points  604  and each finger is deformed in an annular form by approaching the point  604  close to the bases  602 . 
     The binding machine bearing the reference Wir-O® Bind 3500 uses such binding elements  206 . This binding machine comprises amongst other things:
         a station for supplying binding elements,   a station for cutting the binding elements,   a device for transferring the binding elements,   a station for assembling the packet of perforated sheets on the binding elements,   a station for closing the binding elements thus assembled with the packet of sheets, and   a station for discharging the bound assembly.       

     The transfer device is in the form of a transfer belt forming a loop, which is magnetic so that the binding elements are fixed thereto. The transfer device receives cut binding elements at the discharge from the cutting station and transfers them successively through the assembly station, the closure station and the discharge station. 
     This binding machine has the disadvantage that assembling the sheets on the binding elements takes place manually, that is to say a technician must engage each point in the appropriate hole in the packet of sheets. This is because, since the points are not fixed, it is necessary, before closing the binding elements, to ensure that the packet of perforated sheets is correctly positioned. 
     In addition, this step is often lengthy, giving rise to a drop in the bound-assembly production rates. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One object of the present invention is to propose a binding machine that does not have the drawbacks of the prior art and which in particular affords better holding of the binding elements and an increase in the bound-assembly production rates. 
     To this end, there is proposed a machine for binding a packet of perforated sheets using metal binding elements formed by a series of curved fingers and comprising a first series of ends forming points, a second series of ends forming bases and intermediate zones connecting the first ends to the second ends, the binding machine comprising:
         a transfer belt mounted on a transfer assembly and designed to magnetically fix the binding elements at their intermediate zones, the transfer assembly comprising movement means designed for moving it between a disengagement position in which the transfer belt receives the binding elements and an engagement position in which the transfer belt is positioned in a closure zone,   closure means disposed upstream of the transfer belt and designed, in the closure zone, to close the binding elements by crushing,   a magnetic binding table disposed upstream of the closure means, the binding table comprising a fixing zone designed to magnetically hold one of the two series of ends, and   a magnetic top guide disposed upstream of the closure means and above the binding table, the top guide comprising a fixing zone designed to magnetically hold the other series of ends, the packet of perforated sheets being inserted between the binding table and the top guide in the closure zone.       

     Advantageously, the binding machine comprises a plurality of stops disposed upstream of the transfer belt and downstream of the binding table and top guide. 
     Advantageously, each stop is able to move individually between an activation position in which it enters the closure zone and an idle position in which it is retracted out of the closure zone. 
     Advantageously, the means of moving the transfer assembly are designed to move the said transfer assembly horizontally. 
     Advantageously, the transfer belt comprises first means for generating a magnetic field, the binding table comprises second means for generating a magnetic field, the top guide comprises third means for generating a magnetic field, and, in the closure zone, the resulting magnetic field, generated by the second means and the third means on the binding elements, is greater than the magnetic field generated by the first means. 
     Advantageously, each of the means for generating a magnetic field is an array of magnets that runs along the transfer belt, the binding table and the top guide. 
     Advantageously, the array of magnets is disposed in the vicinity of the bottom part of the transfer belt. 
     Advantageously, the closure means comprise a bottom closure jaw disposed downstream of the binding table and a top closure jaw disposed above said bottom closure jaw. 
     Advantageously, the binding machine comprises adjustment means designed to vertically adjust the position of the bottom closure jaw. 
     Advantageously, the binding machine comprises adjustment means designed to vertically adjust the position of the top guide. 
     Advantageously, the fixing zone of the binding table and the fixing zone of the top guide comprise bevels. 
     The invention also proposes a method of binding a packet of perforated sheets by means of metal binding elements formed by a series of curved fingers and comprising a first series of ends forming points, a second series of ends forming bases and intermediate zones connecting the first ends to the second ends, the binding method being executed by a binding machine and comprising the steps of:
         supplying binding elements on a magnetic transfer belt disposed in a disengagement position,   running the transfer belt with the said binding elements thus supplied so as to position them with respect to the positions of the perforations of the said sheets,   moving the transfer belt to an engagement position in a closure zone,   inserting the packet of perforated sheets in the closure zone between a magnetic binding table and a magnetic top guide, the binding table and the top guide being disposed upstream of the said transfer belt,   moving the transfer belt to the disengagement position,   closing the binding elements by closure means disposed upstream of the transfer belt and downstream of the binding table and the magnetic top guide,   moving the whole of the transfer belt to the engagement position,   running the transfer belt so as to eject the bound assembly from the binding machine,   moving the transfer belt to the disengagement position, and   looping back onto the step of supplying binding elements.       

     Advantageously, the binding element comprises, between the step of moving the transfer belt to the engagement position and the step of inserting the packet of perforated sheets, a step of moving a plurality of stops, disposed upstream of the transfer belt and downstream of the binding table and top guide, to an activation position in which the said stops enter the closure zone, in that it comprises, between the step of inserting the packet of perforated sheets and the step of closing the binding elements, a step of moving the said plurality of stops from the activation position to an idle position in which the stops are retracted out of the closure zone. 
     Advantageously, the steps of moving the transfer belt consist of horizontal translation steps. 
     Advantageously, the step of closing the binding elements consists of a step of crushing the said binding elements between a bottom closure jaw disposed downstream of the binding table and a top closure jaw disposed above the said bottom closure jaw, by vertical movement of the said top closure jaw. 
     Advantageously, the binding method comprises, prior to the step of supplying binding elements, a step of adjusting the vertical position of the bottom closure jaw. 
     Advantageously, the binding method comprises, prior to the step of supplying binding elements, a step of adjusting the vertical position of the top guide. 
     Advantageously, the binding method comprises, prior to the step of supplying binding elements, a step of adjusting the angular position of the transfer belt. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features of the invention mentioned above, as well as others, will emerge more clearly from a reading of the following description of an example embodiment, said description being given in relation to the accompanying drawings, among which: 
         FIG. 1  is an overall view of a binding machine according to the invention, 
         FIG. 2  is a view of the binding module of the binding machine of  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 3  is a section along the line in  FIG. 1 , of the binding module, 
         FIGS. 4 to 9  show the various steps for obtaining a bound assembly, 
         FIG. 10  shows the binding elements used in the binding machine according to the invention, and 
         FIG. 11  is an enlargement of the detail XI in  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
     In the remainder of the description, the terms relating to a direction or to a position should be understood with respect to a binding machine in the operating position. In particular, the front of the binding machine is situated on the side where the packets of perforated sheets are inserted. 
       FIG. 1  shows a binding machine  100  according to the invention. The binding machine  100  comprises a main module  112  in which a binding module  104  is disposed. In the embodiment of the invention presented, the binding machine  100  comprises an alignment table  106  on which alignment rules  110  are disposed. A packet of perforated sheets is presented on the alignment table  106  and is pushed inside the main module  112  and in particular inside the binding module  104  so that the latter inserts binding elements in the perforations in the sheets and closes the said binding elements so as to produce a bound assembly. 
     The binding machine  100  is controlled by a central unit that is programmable by means of an interface that here takes the form of a control panel  108 . 
     The binding machine  100  can also comprise, upstream of the alignment table  106 , an automatic supply station  102  designed to automatically supply the binding module  104  with packets of perforated sheets. 
     The binding machine  100  is particularly adapted to be used with binding elements  206 , an example of which is shown in  FIG. 10  and is in conformity with the binding elements that were described in the case of a binding machine of the prior art. The binding elements  206  are metal and formed by a series of curved fingers and comprising a first series of closed ends  604  forming “points”, a second series of open ends  602  forming “bases”, and intermediate zones  606  connecting the first ends  604  to the second ends  602 . 
     The binding machine  100  preferably comprises a module supplying a binding element strip and a module for cutting the strip into binding elements  206 . The binding elements  206  are in the form of a long strip, preferably packaged in the form of a reel. The strip is unwound at the supply station and enters the cutting station, where it is cut into a series of binding elements  206 . The length of each series of binding elements  206  is determined according to the dimensions of the packet of perforated sheets to be bound. According to the type of packet of perforated sheets to be bound, it is possible that a single series of binding elements  206  may be sufficient, but it is also possible that several series may be necessary. 
       FIG. 2  shows the binding module  104  that has been isolated from the binding machine  100 . 
     The binding machine  104  comprises a frame consisting here of two parallel plates  202  and  203  on which the various elements constituting the binding module  104  are fixed. 
     In the embodiment of the invention presented in  FIG. 2 , the plate  203  has a passage  222  through which the binding elements  206  coming from the cutting module are brought. Each series of binding elements  206  is presented at the passage  222  in the position shown in  FIG. 10 . That is to say the points  604  are disposed at the top with respect to the bases  602 , which are disposed at the bottom, and the opening between the points  604  and the bases  604  is oriented towards the front of the binding machine  100 . 
     The binding elements  206  are received at the exit from the passage  222  by a transfer assembly comprising a transfer belt  208 . The transfer assembly comprises movement means that make it movable between a disengagement position and an engagement position. In the engagement position, the transfer belt  208  is disposed in a closure zone in order to position the binding elements  206 . In the disengagement position, the transfer belt  208  is disposed so as to receive the binding elements  206  at the exit from the passage  222  and to be disengaged from the closure zone. The belt  208  takes the form of a closed loop that is driven in a horizontal plane by two wheels with a vertical axis. The transfer belt  208  thus comprises two rectilinear sections and two curved sections. The transfer belt  208  is designed to magnetically fix the binding elements  206  at their intermediate zones  606 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the means of moving the transfer assembly are designed to move the said transfer assembly, and therefore the transfer belt  208 , in translation in a horizontal plane. 
     The closure zone is disposed at the front of the binding module and upstream of the transfer belt  208 , at closure means that consist here of a bottom closure jaw  218  and a top closure jaw  214  disposed above the bottom closure jaw  218 . Bringing the top closure jaw  214  close to the bottom closure jaw  218  causes the crushing of the binding elements  206 , which close in an annular shape by bringing the points  604  close to the bases  602 . 
     Upstream of the closure zone and therefore of the closure means, there is disposed a guidance assembly designed to guide the packet of perforated sheets  204  when it is inserted in the binding module  104 . The guidance assembly comprises a binding table  216  on which there rests the packet of perforated sheets  204  and a top guide  210  disposed above the binding table  216 . The packet of perforated sheets  204  is inserted between the binding table  216  and the top guide  210 . 
     As explained below, the binding table  216  and the top guide  210  each have a fixing zone, one of the fixing zones being designed to hold one of the series of ends of the binding elements  206  and the other fixing zone being designed to hold the other series of ends of the binding elements  206 . 
     Each fixing zone is magnetised. For this purpose, in the embodiment of the invention presented here, the binding table  216  and the top guide  210  carry an array of magnets  212 . 
     Fitting a magnetised top guide  210  and binding table  216  makes it possible to hold the binding elements  206  whatever the diameter thereof. The binding elements  206  being thus held, the binding elements  206  can then be closed easily and rapidly since there is no risk of the binding elements  206  and in particular the ends thereof moving during the placing of the packet of perforated sheets  204  and the closure thereof. It is therefore not necessary to introduce the points  604  into the perforations, this introduction taking place automatically when the binding elements  206  are crushed. 
     Holding the bases  602  and the points  604  by the top guide  210  and the binding table  216  also makes it possible to have a single top closure jaw  214 , whatever the diameter of the binding elements  206 . This is because the jaws  218  and  214  play no role in the holding of the binding elements  206  and it is therefore not necessary to adapt their forms to those of the binding elements  206 . 
     The positioning of the packet of perforated sheets  204  with respect to depth in the binding module  104 , that is to say the distance of advancement thereof inside the closure zone, is adjusted, in the embodiment of the invention presented in the figures, by a stop assembly  220 , each stop  220  being disposed upstream of the transfer belt  208  and downstream of the binding table  216  and of the top guide  210 . Each stop  220  takes here the form of a vertical needle that is able to move vertically between an idle position and an activation position. In the activation position, the stops  220  enter the closure zone and serve as a stop for the packet of perforated sheets  204  when it is introduced so that it is correctly positioned with respect to the binding elements  206 . In the idle position, the stops  220  are retracted and are therefore not present in the closure zone. According to the type of packet of perforated sheets  204  to be bound and the binding elements  206  used, it is possible that only some stops  220  may be necessary. For this purpose, each stop  220  is able to move individually and can therefore be actuated independently of the other stops  220 . For example, each stop  220  is actuated by an independent pneumatic actuator and each actuator is activated by the central unit that manages the various electronic components of the binding machine  100 . For example, it is possible to deactivate the central stops  220  where a hook of the calender hook type is provided. 
     As explained below, the top closure jaw  214  is able to move vertically and, for this purpose, actuation means, here a motor  224 , are provided to raise and lower the top closure jaw  214  through appropriate kinematics. 
     In the same way, the bottom closure jaw  218  is able to move vertically and, for this purpose, the binding machine  100  comprises adjustment means designed to vertically adjust the position of the bottom closure jaw  218 . Here the adjustment means consist of a motor  226  and appropriate kinematics. 
       FIG. 3  shows a section of the binding module  104  through a vertical plane. 
     The binding table  216  and the top guide  210  are preferably produced from metal plates inside which arrays of magnets are disposed, referenced respectively  212  and  304 . 
     In the same way, the transfer belt  208  slides in front of a metal wall  306 , which is made magnetic by the fitting of an array of magnets  302  at the rear of the said metal wall  306 . 
     Each array of magnets  212 ,  304 ,  302  runs over the length of the metal plate  210 ,  216 ,  306  that carries it, that is to say perpendicular to the direction of introduction of the packet of perforated sheets  204 . 
       FIGS. 4 to 9  show enlargements of the closure zone and steps that are implemented to bind the packet of perforated sheets  204 . 
     In  FIG. 4 , the transfer assembly is in the disengagement position, that is to say the transfer belt  208  is withdrawn from the closure zone. The transfer assembly moves towards the rear of the binding machine  100 . The transfer belt  208  is positioned facing the passage  222  so as to be able to receive the binding elements  206  that emerge from the said passage  222 . The transfer belt  208  receives, at the exit from the passage  222 , at the same time that it is driven by the wheels, the binding elements  206  that are fixed to the transfer belt  208  by reaction to the magnetic field created by the array of magnets  302 . The transfer belt  208  is driven by the wheels as long as is necessary to bring the binding elements  206  facing the positions that they are to occupy in order to be able to be inserted subsequently in the perforations in the sheets of the packet  204  to be bound. 
     In order to hold the binding elements  206 , the transfer belt  208  comprises vertical ribs distant from one another. The distance between the ribs is such that a rib comes to be inserted in a free space between two successive points  604 . The positions of the ribs are such that all types of binding element  206  can thus be held. 
     So that the transfer belt  208  can hold the binding elements  206  of all diameters, the array of magnets  302  is disposed in the vicinity of the bottom part of the transfer belt  208 . Thus the positioning of the binding elements  206  is governed by the position of the array of magnets  302  and by the bottom closure jaw  218  on which the binding elements  206  rest. 
     In  FIG. 5 , the transfer assembly is in the engagement position, that is to say the rectilinear section of the transfer belt  208  that carries the binding elements  206  is engaged in the closure zone. The transfer assembly has thus moved horizontally in a direction perpendicular to the rectilinear part of the transfer belt  208 . The binding elements  206  then occupy the appropriate positions for being able to be inserted subsequently in the perforations in the sheets of the packet  204  to be bound. 
     The stops  220  are in the idle position, that is to say they are retracted so as not to enter the closure zone and not to interfere with the progression of the binding elements  206  when they move towards the engagement position. 
     The bottom closure jaw  218  here consists of a horizontal plate and is disposed in the vicinity of the transfer belt  208 , so that the binding elements  206  that are held by the transfer belt  208  rest on the bottom closure jaw  218  by means of rounded areas carrying the bases  602 . The bottom closure jaw  218  is positioned so that the ends of the binding elements  206  that carry the bases  602  are positioned slightly below the plane of the binding table  216 , thus preventing, when the packet of perforated sheets  204  is positioned, interaction between the edge of the packet  204  and the said ends. 
     In  FIG. 6 , the transfer assembly is still in the engagement position but the transfer belt  208  is immobile in the closure zone. The stops  220  are in the activation position, that is to say they pass through the closure zone. 
     The position of the stops  220  is adapted so that, on passing to the activation position, they do not strike the binding elements  206  but pass through them in the areas between the fingers. 
     In  FIG. 7 , the packet of perforated sheets  204  is introduced between the binding table  216  and the top guide  210 . The edge of the packet  204  that is perforated is brought against the stops  220 . The placing of the packet of perforated sheets  204  is guided by the alignment rules  110  against which they slide, and by the binding table  216  on which it bears. 
     In  FIG. 8 , the transfer assembly is brought into the disengagement position. At the same time, the stops  220  are retracted and fall into the idle position. Despite the withdrawal of the transfer assembly the binding elements  206  are held in position by the array of magnets  212  of the top guide  210  and the array of magnets  304  of the binding table  216 . These two arrays of magnets  210  and  212  are such that they create, on the binding elements  206 , a magnetic attraction force greater than the magnetic attraction force created by the array of magnets  302  of the transfer belt  208 . 
     In general terms, the transfer belt  208  comprises first means  302  for generating a magnetic field, the binding table  216  comprises second means  304  for generating a magnetic field and the top guide  210  comprises third means  212  for generating a magnetic field. In the closure zone, the resulting magnetic field generated by the second means  304  and the third means  212  on the binding elements  206  is greater than the magnetic field generated by the first means  302 . 
     After the withdrawals of the transfer belt  208  and the stops  220 , the top closure jaw  214  is lowered so as to come into contact with the binding elements  206  and in particular with the rounded areas carrying the points  604 . The lowering of the top closure jaw  214  is effected by a vertical downward movement. The top closure jaw  214  then continues its descent so as to close the binding elements  206  by crushing them and giving them an annular shape by moving the points  604  close to the bases  602 . 
     In  FIG. 9 , the top closure jaw  214  has been raised to leave the closure zone, and then the transfer assembly has been placed in the engagement position by bringing the transfer belt  208  so as to mesh with the binding elements  206 . The transfer belt  208  is then driven and the rectilinear part that meshes with the binding elements  206  moves towards the side opposite to the cutting module, that is to say in the direction of the arrow  240  in  FIG. 2 . When a binding element  206  comes level with the wheel that drives the transfer belt  208 , it becomes disconnected from the said belt  208  and thus the bound assembly is ejected from the binding module  104  towards a subsequent processing station. During this movement, the top guide  210  and the binding table  216  constitute guides for the binding elements  206 , thus preventing the bound assembly going aslant and jamming. 
     After this ejection, the transfer assembly returns to its disengagement position and a new cycle recommences with  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 11  shows an enlargement of the closure zone with the binding elements  206 . As already explained above, the bottom closure jaw  218  is positioned so that the ends of the binding elements  206  that carry the bases  602  are positioned slightly below the plane of the binding table  216 . In the same way, the top guide  210  is positioned so that the ends of the binding elements  206  that carry the points  604  are positioned slightly above the top guide  210 . 
     For this purpose, the binding machine comprises adjustment means designed to vertically adjust the position of the top guide  210 . 
     The fixing zone of the top guide  210  and the fixing zone of the binding table  216 , at which the ends of the binding elements  206  are fixed, each have a bevel  502 ,  504  of substantially 45° over 1.5 mm. These bevels  502  and  504  make it possible to orient the ends of the binding elements  206  when they are closed by the top closure jaw  214 , which makes it possible to obtain an annular shape, the profile of which is practically circular. The bevels  502  and  504  prevent, when the binding elements  206  are closed, the ends  206  and  604  of the latter from abutting against the vertical flanks of the top guide  210  and the binding table  216  and twist without closing. 
     By means of the control table  108 , a technician can program the binding machine  100 , which can then function automatically. 
     A binding method used in a binding machine  100  according to the invention comprises:
         a step of supplying cut binding elements  206  from the cutting module and through the passage  222  to the binding module  104  and more particularly on the transfer belt  208 ,   a step of running the transfer belt  208  with the said binding elements  206  thus supplied so as to position them with respect to the positions of the perforations in the sheets that will subsequently be inserted.   a step of moving the transfer assembly and therefore the transfer belt  208  to the engagement position in the closure zone,   a step of inserting the packet of perforated sheets  204  in the closure zone, between the binding table  216  and the top guide  210 ,   a step of moving the transfer assembly and therefore the transfer belt  208  to a disengagement position outside the closure zone,   a step of closing the binding elements  206  by the closure means  214 ,  218  by crushing in order to close them and produce the bound assembly,   a step of moving the transfer assembly and therefore the transfer belt  208  to the engagement position in the closure zone,   a step of running the transfer belt  208  so as to reject the bound assembly from the binding module  104  to the subsequent processing station,   a step of moving the transfer assembly and therefore the transfer belt  208  to the disengagement position outside the closure zone, and   a step of looping back onto the step of supplying binding elements  206 .       

     When stops  220  equip the binding machine  100 , the binding method comprises, between the step of moving the transfer belt  208  to the engagement position and the step of inserting the packet of perforated sheets  204 , a step of moving the selected stops  220  to the activation position and, between the step of inserting the packet of perforated sheets  204  and the step of closing the binding elements  206 , a step of moving the stops  220  from the activation position to the idle position. 
     The packet of perforated sheets  204  then comes into abutment against the stops  220 . The stops  220  pass from the idle position to the activation position by means of a vertical movement. 
     In the embodiment of the invention presented here, the steps of moving the transfer belt  208  consist of horizontal translation steps. 
     Where the closure elements consist of the bottom closure jaw  218  and the top closure jaw  214 , the step of closing the binding elements  206  consists of a step of crushing the binding elements  206  between the said jaws  214  and  218  by vertical movement of the top closure jaw  214 . 
     This crushing step is followed by a step of raising the top closure jaw  214  out of the closure zone prior to the implementation of the step of moving the transfer belt  208  to the following disengagement position. 
     The step of lowering the top closure jaw  214  is preferably triggered by the technician in order to ensure that it is not triggered when the packet of perforated sheets  204  is correctly positioned. 
     The binding method also comprises an initialisation phase that is performed prior to the first step of supplying binding elements  206 . The technician enters, for example, the diameter, the number and the distribution of the binding elements  206  and the central unit demands the implantation of the initialisation phase during which the various components of the binding machine  100  are adjusted according to these characteristics. 
     The initialisation phase comprises amongst other things:
         a step of adjusting the vertical position of the bottom closure jaw  218  according to the diameter of the binding elements  206  by actuation of the motor  226 , in order to guarantee the vertical distance between the plane of the binding table  216  and the plane of the bottom closure jaw  218 ,   a step of adjusting and storing the engagement position of the transfer assembly and more particularly of the transfer belt  208  in order to be used subsequently during the binding process,   a step of adjusting the angular position of the transfer belt  208  in order to position the vertical ribs according to the binding elements  206  used,   a step of adjusting and storing the vertical position that the top closure jaw  214  must have when it closes the binding elements  206 ,   a step of adjusting the vertical position of the top guide  210  and consequently of the array of magnets  212  according to the diameter of the binding elements  206  by actuation of an actuator, and   a step of evaluating and storing the number and choice of the stops  220  to be activated.       

     Adjustment of the binding machine  100  is therefore automatic and does not require the intervention of the technician on the binding machine  100 , which gives rise to a saving in time during use and great ease of use. 
     The step of inserting the packet of perforated sheets  204  is preferably performed by the technician, who is guided along the alignment rules  110  that were manually adjusted in advance, during the initialisation phase. 
     However, these two steps can also be automated by installing the automatic feed station  102 . 
     In the same way, the adjustment of the alignment rules  110  can be performed automatically during the initialisation phase. 
     Naturally the present invention is not limited to the examples and embodiments described and shown but is capable of numerous variants accessible to persons skilled in the art. 
     For example, it is possible to provide that, instead of moving the bottom closure jaw vertically, it is the binding table that moves vertically.