Recall: General Binding Corp. Recall of Pouch Laminators

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 9, 2004 Release # 05-040

GBC Recall Hotline: (800) 541-0094 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908 GBC Media Contact: Tony Giuliano:(847) 291-5451

CPSC, General Binding Corp. Announce Recall of Pouch Laminators

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces the following recall in voluntary cooperation with the firms below. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of product: HeatSeal™ Pouch Laminators.

Units: About 34,600

Distributor: General Binding Corp., ("GBC") of Northbrook, Ill.

Hazard: Improper wiring at the heating coil could cause the pouch laminators to overheat and become a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recall includes the H300 and H200 model HeatSeal™: Pouch Laminators. They are used to laminate documents and photos. The recalled H300 Pouch Laminators have serial numbers starting with "PI," "PJ," "PK," "PL," "QA," "QB," "QC" or "QD." The recalled H200 Pouch Laminators have serial numbers starting with "PI" or "PJ". The H300 and H200 model numbers are found on the top of the Pouch Laminators, and on the rating plate on the bottom of the Pouch Laminators. The serial numbers are found on the rating plate on the bottom of the Pouch Laminators.

Sold at: Office supplies stores nationwide from September 2003 through September 2004 for between $200 and $260.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the Pouch Laminators included in this recall immediately, and contact GBC a free replacement or refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact GBC at (800) 541-0094 between 8 a.m. through 5:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the company's Web site at www.gbcoffice.com