I've noticed that when several bundles of paper are secured using paper clips, and then stacked, the top left hand corner gets much higher. The maximum height is restricted by the papers sliding off the top.
Since I use my desk as a horizontal filing cabinet, I could get higher piles if the papers were fastened without making the papers thicker.

So I think that one way to do this is to punch a hole in the corner, through all the sheets, and then fill the hole with hot melt glue.

A small device to do this would consist of two small parallel plates. The distance between the plates is controlled by a handle which can also be used to press the plates together. The plates act as a heat sink, to cool the hot melt glue.

A small gun squirts the glue through a small aperture into the area between the plates.

With some jiggery pokery, I suppose the hole punch, gun, and parallel plates could be incorporated into one unit.
-- Ling, Oct 26 2005

The Un-tippy Pile Inspired by [Ling]'s desk [Worldgineer, Oct 26 2005]

You're getting into binding territory here, rather than just stapling (paperclips, after all, are readily removable, and staples moderately so), but there certainly is a ready market for this in our far-from-paperless offices.
-- DrCurry, Oct 26 2005


is it a legal requirement in your part of the world to paperclip wads of paper in the top left hand corner? by varying the position of the paperclip, your problem would be solved.

or better still, turn the wads through 90 degrees each time you add one.
-- po, Oct 26 2005


po, that is just too...simple
Actually, turning 90 degrees takes up more space?
-- Ling, Oct 26 2005


This is genius - the "Paper Rivet" would be at the top of every department's supply order within weeks. All you would have to do is send out a dynamic team of stationery salespersons to demonstrate the ease of use of the product. I do think it needs to smear a bit of glue on the outside of each page, otherwise you'll keep loosing your front and bottom sheets.

I envision a single-hole, geared or levered hole-punch, filled with a magazine of glue bullets. The hole is punched, the glue bullet fitted, and some super piezo-electric charge is zapped through the glue, melting it instantly. Finally, in the last movement of the precision equipment, plates smear the glue on the top and bottom surfaces, creating a thin rivet 'head' to stop page loss.

Anyway, a massive [+] I'll order a big shiny red one please.
-- zen_tom, Oct 26 2005


//Actually, turning 90 degrees takes up more space?// how so, Ling? pretty sure I've done this.
-- po, Oct 26 2005


I like [zen's] suggestion of a top and botton rivet but I imagine it will still have some thickness like the paperclips.

I thought you [Ling]were inventing a gun for a huge stack of paper, like a book. I think a proper nail gun with glue nails would do this, too.
-- dentworth, Oct 26 2005


po, turning 90 degrees means making a cross shape out of A4. So the pile is wider.

zen_tom, I like your name better: "Paper Rivet"
-- Ling, Oct 26 2005


<taps foot>
-- reensure, Oct 26 2005


you sure got a little desk, Ling, if you're that short of space.
-- po, Oct 26 2005


I was hoping this was a stapler and hole punch, where the hole is used to throw your stapled paper onto a tall desk-mounted rod, keeping your stack from falling over. Of course, accessing the bottom of the stack would be difficult.
-- Worldgineer, Oct 26 2005


reensure, why the foot tapping?
po, I've got three already! I suppose I should get another one...
-- Ling, Oct 27 2005


Guess he's listening to his iPod.
-- DrCurry, Oct 27 2005



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