Chip cartridge for sheet punch
View Patent ↗A punch includes a base and a chip cartridge that is movably coupled to the base. The chip cartridge is movable between a first position and a second position relative to the base and defines a chamber that is configured to receive and hold chips produced during a punching operation. The chip cartridge includes a chip receiving portion that is configured to receive chips created during the punching operation and to permit entry of the chips into the chamber while the chip cartridge is in the first position. When the chip cartridge is in the second position, the chip receiving portion provides communication between the chamber and outside the chamber via an area less than or equal to about 200 percent of a surface area of the chip produced by the punch.
1. A punch comprising:
a base; and
a chip cartridge movably coupled to the base and movable between a first position and a second position relative to the base, the chip cartridge defining a chamber configured to receive and hold chips produced during a punching operation, the chip cartridge including a chip receiving portion having an aperture configured to receive chips created during the punching operation and permit entry of the chips into the chamber while the chip cartridge is in the first position, and when the chip cartridge is in the second position, the chip receiving portion provides communication between the chamber and outside the chamber via an area less than or equal to about 200 percent of a surface area of the chip produced by the punch;
wherein the chip receiving portion includes a movable member configured to move to a closed position to substantially cover the aperture and inhibit chips from leaving the chamber through the aperture, the movable member being biased toward the closed position by a biasing element mounted on the chip cartridge.
2. The punch of claim 1 , wherein the movable member is a movable panel.
3. The punch of claim 2 , wherein the movable panel is biased by a spring.
4. The punch of claim 2 , wherein when the chip cartridge is in the first position, the movable panel is moved to an open position wherein chips may enter the chamber through the aperture.
5. The punch of claim 2 , wherein the movable panel slides relative to the aperture.
6. The punch of claim 2 , wherein the movable panel pivots relative to the aperture.
7. The punch of claim 1 , wherein the chip cartridge further includes a chip disposal door configured to selectively allow and inhibit removal of chips from the chamber.
8. The punch of claim 1 , wherein the chip receiving portion provides communication between the chamber and outside the chamber via an area less than or equal to about 120 percent of a surface area of the chip produced by the punch while the chip cartridge is in the second position.
9. The punch of claim 1 , wherein the biasing element is positioned below the movable member when the chip cartridge is in the first position.
10. The punch of claim 1 , wherein the biasing element is positioned within the chip cartridge.
11. The punch of claim 1 , wherein the biasing element is mounted within a recess of the chip cartridge.
12. The punch of claim 4 , wherein the biasing element is operable to repeatedly bias the movable panel from the open position to the closed position.
13. A punch comprising:
a base; and
a chip cartridge movably coupled to the base and movable between a first position and a second position relative to the base, the chip cartridge defining a chamber configured to receive and hold chips produced during a punching operation, the chip cartridge having an aperture and a movable member;
wherein, when the chip cartridge is in the first position, the movable member has an open position permitting entry of chips into the chamber through the aperture during the punching operation;
wherein, when the chip cartridge is in the second position, the movable member is biased by a biasing element mounted on the chip cartridge into a closed position substantially covering the aperture and substantially inhibiting chips from leaving the chamber through the aperture; and
wherein the biasing element is mounted within a recess of the chip cartridge.
14. The punch of claim 13 , wherein when the chip cartridge is in the first position, the movable member is automatically moved to the open position.
15. The punch of claim 13 , wherein the recess does not communicate with the chamber.
16. The punch of claim 13 , wherein the movable member is a movable panel.
17. The punch of claim 16 , wherein the movable panel is biased by a spring.
18. The punch of claim 16 , wherein the movable panel slides relative to the aperture.
19. The punch of claim 16 , wherein the movable panel pivots relative to the aperture.
20. The punch of claim 13 , wherein the chip cartridge further includes a chip disposal door configured to selectively allow and inhibit removal of chips from the chamber.
21. The punch of claim 13 , wherein the punch includes an engagement member operable to move the movable member to the open position when the chip cartridge is in the first position.
22. The punch of claim 13 , wherein the chip cartridge further includes a locking mechanism operable to secure the cartridge in the first position relative to the base.
23. The punch of claim 13 , wherein the chip cartridge is coupled to the base when in the first position, and is not coupled to the base when in the second position.
24. The punch of claim 13 , wherein the biasing element is positioned below the movable member when the chip cartridge is in the first position.
25. The punch of claim 13 , wherein the biasing element is positioned within the chip cartridge.
26. The punch of claim 13 , wherein the biasing element is operable to repeatedly bias the movable member from the open position to the closed position.