| A
three hole punch is a spring-loaded device which mechanically
punches out holes in paper documents. These holes align perfectly
with the corresponding loops of a three-hole binder. It's
all about organization and neatness, my friends.
A three hole punch performs only one vital
office function, but this function would be ten times more
difficult without it. Standard ring binders for permanent
storage of documents or organized presentation have three
loops which are pulled open to receive pages.
A three hole punch can hold several sheets
of paper at a time, and each receives the same precisely located
holes. Trying to accomplish this same task with a handheld
hole punch would be time consuming and frustrating.
There's a practical reason for the standard
1-inch margin on most office documents. A three hole punch
is calibrated to provide three holes within that margin space,
allowing the text to be read without damage.
Some three hole punch models can adjust hole
placement vertically, but rarely horizontally. This prevents
vital text from being accidentally punched out. If a document
has no margins, a clear plastic sleeve with three holes may
be used instead of a three hole punch.
Documents which have been processed by a
three hole punch may have to be reinforced with adhesive paper
rings before insertion into the binder. The holes in the paper
can create small tears over time, causing unprotected pages
to eventually fall out of the binder.
Office supply stores sell sheets of paper
reinforcement rings. After processing the individual pages
with a three hole punch, office workers often spend additional
time affixing these adhesive rings around the holes for extra
reinforcement.
Some three hole punch models can be converted
to accommodate a two hole binder system. The punch itself
may contain a total of five punching elements- three set permanently
for three hole binders and two set for two hole binders.
A mechanical switch is used to select the
desired configuration. Other three hole punch models have
sliding punchers and a built-in ruler so that holes can be
punched anywhere along the vertical track.
If nothing else, the bits of paper collected
in the bottom of a three hole punch make excellent confetti
for office parties.
Hole
punch | What
is a Three Hole Punch? |
