A thermoplastic film which exhibits elastic-like behavior along at least one axis when stretched or elongated and then released. The thermoplastic film comprises a plurality of raised rib-like elements extending in a direction perpendicular to a main surface of the thermoplastic film. The thermoplastic film further includes a plurality of web areas positioned about the plurality of raised rib-like elements. The plurality of raised rib-like elements and plurality of web areas are arranged in a complex pattern. The complex pattern provides visual and tactile cues as the films are stretched or elongated. The complex pattern can cause the thermoplastic film to have a complex stretch profile.

A binding apparatus includes: a first toothed part including teeth arranged in one direction; and a second toothed part that includes teeth arranged in the one direction and is configured to mesh with the first toothed part and to press a bundle of sheets, wherein at least one first groove is formed between adjacent teeth of the first toothed part, the first groove has cross-sectional areas at central and end portions in a direction orthogonal to the one direction and a direction in which the first and second toothed parts mesh with each other, the one direction and the orthogonal direction are normal to the cross-sectional areas, and the cross-sectional area at the end portion is larger than the cross-sectional area at the central portion.

An image forming apparatus includes: a needleless binding device configured to form a recessed or raised impression as a needleless binding part by performing needleless binding on a bundle of sheets; an environment sensor; and a controller configured to perform, based on a value detected by the environment sensor, control to display a confirmation image requesting a user to make confirmation on the needleless binding prior to execution of the needleless binding.

A method for producing pigments comprises the steps of creating a first layer on a substrate, structuring the first layer and detaching the pigments from the substrate. In the present case, the first layer is a crack-forming layer, so that the first layer is structured by the arising of cracks. Prior to detaching the pigments, a pigment layer is applied onto the first layer structured by the cracks.

A thermoplastic film which exhibits elastic-like behavior along at least one axis when stretched or elongated and then released. The thermoplastic film comprises a plurality of raised rib-like elements extending in a direction perpendicular to a main surface of the thermoplastic film. The thermoplastic film further includes a plurality of web areas positioned about the plurality of raised rib-like elements. The plurality of raised rib-like elements and plurality of web areas are arranged in a complex pattern. The complex pattern provides visual and tactile cues as the films are stretched or elongated. The complex pattern can cause the thermoplastic film to have a low force extension.

A method for producing pigments having a specified contour, comprises the steps of creating a pigment layer on a starting substrate; detaching from the starting substrate; and structuring the pigment layer into a plurality of the pigments; characterized by bringing into contact the pigment layer with an intermediate substrate, wherein the pigment layer adheres at least in sections to the intermediate substrate; and separating intermediate substrate and starting substrate.

A multiple-ply thermoplastic film which exhibits elastic-like behavior along at least one axis when stretched or elongated and then released. The thermoplastic film comprises a plurality of raised rib-like elements extending in a direction perpendicular to a main surface of the thermoplastic film. The thermoplastic film further includes a plurality of web areas positioned about the plurality of raised rib-like elements. The plurality of raised rib-like elements and plurality of web areas are arranged in a complex pattern. The complex pattern, when stretched or elongated and then released, can cause areas of billowing and delamination between plies of the multiple-ply thermoplastic film. The resulting billowed and delaminated areas form billow pockets for capturing liquids that can capture liquids when one of the plies is punctured.

An image forming apparatus includes: a needleless binding device configured to form a recessed or raised impression as a needleless binding part by performing needleless binding on a bundle of sheets; an environment sensor; and a controller configured to perform, based on a value detected by the environment sensor, control to display a confirmation image requesting a user to make confirmation on the needleless binding prior to execution of the needleless binding.

An image forming apparatus includes: a needleless binding device configured to form a recessed or raised impression as a needleless binding part by performing needleless binding on a bundle of sheets; an environment sensor; and a controller configured to perform, based on a value detected by the environment sensor, control to display a confirmation image requesting a user to make confirmation on the needleless binding prior to execution of the needleless binding.

The present invention is in the technical field of packages, specifically surfaces of materials used for packages, and the manufacture thereof. According to the present invention, a micropattern is created on at least surface of a substrate, to obtain a material suitable for manufacturing packages.