Kokuyo S&T released the "Harinacs Press" stapler, a stapler that can staple five sheets of paper together without punching holes, on October 22nd.

The company already sells the Harinacs series of staple-free staplers, which punch holes in documents before folding them. I was curious to see if this new stapler could even punch holes, so I immediately got one and tried it out.


◆Just squeeze it tightly and the paper will stick!

The device comes in four pop colors: blue, green, pink, and white. The manufacturer's suggested retail price is 1,188 yen (tax included).


Its shape is not much different from a regular stapler, and although it fits in an adult's hand, it is quite heavy.


The recommended number of sheets to use is about five, so I tried binding four company documents first. I inserted the paper all the way in and lowered the lever, and felt a slight click. It doesn't require much force, so you can use it while holding it in one hand.


The binding area is uneven like a zipper, but it's barely noticeable on white paper. It's very slim and the thickness remains the same as before binding. It stays firmly attached even when you turn the pages normally. The pressure is strong enough as long as you don't try to peel it off.




By the way, when you want to peel it off, just smooth the binding part with the back of a pen or something and it will come off nicely. The marks are not very noticeable, so it will come off cleanly even when scanned or copied. For office workers, the fact that it can be shredded as is is a big plus.


◆Why do they stick together?

But how is it possible to bind without using needles? According to the developer, the Harinacs Press uses a "press lock" system, which uses metal teeth to create unevenness in the paper and press it together. The wavy teeth stretch the paper fibers to prevent them from tearing, and then the pressure hardens them again, allowing the sheets of paper to stick together.

The technology itself has been around for a long time, but in developing it as a personal product, it seems that a lot of trial and error was involved, such as creating over 200 prototype teeth and pursuing a structure that would efficiently utilize the principle of leverage.

◆How else can it be used?

At the product launch event held on the day of release, entertainer Nana Suzuki appeared wearing a "paper dress" made from the product. It moved around energetically but didn't come off, and the pressure-sensitive adhesive was evident. Depending on the quality of the paper, it could also be used for crafts.

This item could be called a revolution in the world of stationery. If it becomes widespread, you may one day receive a secret memo bound with a Harinacs Press. If that happens, don't panic, just rub it open.