Patent ID: 8651004

Claim:
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.