Galvanized or nickel-plated paper clips, which is better? Who invented the paper clip? Types of paper clips and how to choose the right one. Raw materials for paper clips

A paperclip is a stationery item for fastening sheets of paper. It is a specially bent piece of wire about 10-12 cm long. In addition to its direct purpose, it can be used as a screwdriver, poker chip, toothpick, master key, material for making fishing hooks, traumatic weapons, and also as a tool for farming or gardening.

Paper clips are mainly made from various metal alloys: galvanized, steel, nickel-plated and copper-plated. But today, paper clips are also made of plastic, in various colors and sizes.

Story

In the 13th century, original “binders” appeared for fastening sheets: cuts were made in the upper left corner, and a cloth tape was threaded through them. The first step towards mass production was sewing pins, invented in 1835 by the American doctor John Howie. New York secretaries quickly discovered that pins could be used to fasten up to a dozen sheets of paper. The pins resisted: they pricked and left unsightly holes and bloody stains on the paper.

In the 1890s, offices began using wire springs (introduced in 1867 by Samuel Fay for a completely different purpose - attaching tags to clothing). In 1899, the Norwegian engineer Johan Voler, experimenting with pieces of spring wire, came up with several successful designs for paper clips and received a patent for his invention. But Wohler did not pay attention to this project, and in 1900, the American inventor Cornelius Brosnan patented a paper clip, which was named Konaclip. However modern look this office supplies acquired through the efforts of the British company Gem Manufacturing, which in the same year released the Gem paperclip in the form of a classic double oval.

Production and quality requirements

In Russia, many companies produce or are trying to produce paper clips. Because of the apparent simplicity of production, they are even tried to be made in artisanal conditions. However, making a good product is not so easy.

Colored paper clips can be made from steel wire coated with a colored polymer or special synthetic turf. In addition to being protective, the coating mainly has a decorative function.

Traditional machines for the production of the most familiar and most common double-oval “classic” Gem-type paper clips consist of kinematically interconnected mechanisms: a wire feed mechanism, a cutting and bending mechanism. Depending on the level of paperclip machines, their productivity can vary from 80 to 1000 pieces per minute.

Typically, low-carbon, heat-treated steel wire with a diameter of 0.8 - 1 mm from the unwinding drum is fed through a straightening device into work area, where in one stroke of the slide the workpiece is cut off, the paper clip is bent in a special channel and dumped into a receiving container.

The paper clip must be made from metal of the required quality and processing. An important indicator is the elasticity of the paper clip. It depends on the amount of carbon in the metal: high-carbon steel makes a paper clip that is too brittle. If a paperclip breaks after being used twice, then it is a bad paperclip, if after ten times, then it is too soft, unreliable. The optimal indicator of the elasticity of a paper clip is to bend it at an angle of 90 degrees at least five times.

One more important indicator The quality of a paper clip is determined by the diameter of the wire from which it is made. Thin wire paper clips are less practical to use, although they are more economical to produce in terms of metal consumption.

Much attention should be paid to the quality of the surface of the wire from which the paper clip is made. The surface of the wire must be clean, without marks or burrs, and without residues of technological lubricant. The paperclip should not stain the paper. Various technologies are used to clean the surface. Russian production Often they release a dirty paperclip, leaving stains on the paper and hands.

A paperclip without treating the surface of the wire will damage the paper and may rust within six months. Good paper clips are made from steel wire with various protective and decorative coatings (nickel, zinc, chrome, brass, polymers, etc.).

Paper clips are usually packaged in blisters, polyethylene bags, plastic containers. The number of paper clips in a package varies from fifty to two hundred.

Clip- a universal attribute in office work, intended for fastening papers. In addition, it can be used without any problems as a toothpick, as a poker chip, a screwdriver, etc. Structurally, it is a bent wire piece 10 to 12 centimeters long. The length of the unbent paper clip is approximately 140 mm.

History of the paperclip

A paper clip, like other office supplies, is an indispensable item for every business person. This universal device was invented in 1899 by the Norwegian mathematician Juhano Valer, who is also known as an electronics scientist. Then he created only a sketch of the “paleoclip”. And only in 1901 Juhano Valer received a patent for it. Before him, people invented objects similar to a paper clip, but people did not have a great need for it at that time. Stacks of papers were tied with ribbons or stitched with thread. To do this, a special slot was made on each sheet for the tape, but, as time has shown, this type of binding turned out to be inconvenient, since it took a lot of time to find the right sheet. large number time.
In the 19th century, a simpler option for fastening papers was invented - they began to be cut off with special tailor's pins along the edges. In practice, this option also turned out to be unsuccessful, since the pins left a mark on the documents. Later, this invention was improved - documents began to be fastened with a tin plate, but this idea also did not give the desired result, so a convenient option was urgently needed that would allow documents to be securely fastened without causing any harm to them. In 1887, Ethelbert Middleton invented steel wire for fastening papers, which is still used in the office today.
The idea of inventing a modern type of paperclip came to three people at once - Johan Wohler, William Middlebrook and Cornelius Brosnan. But Johann Waler's paperclip turned out to be the most convenient and compact. It differed from the current paper clip only in the number of bends in the wire.

Types of paper clips
Today, the following types of paper clips are distinguished:

Non-Skid;
Owl (Owl);
ideal;

By shape: oval, pentagonal, triangular, large, small.
In the production of paper clips, both non-ferrous and ferrous metals can be used. Externally, paper clips can be coated with various chemicals: brass, nickel, chromium, zinc. There are options with corrugated coating. They allow you to not only hold a certain amount paper, but do not cause any harm to it. Also, the cover of the paper clip can be plastic.

Requirements for a paper clip.

How to tell what a paper clip has good quality? This can be done based on certain criteria: maximum density and elasticity of the paper clip. If a paper clip breaks after the first few uses, it is obvious that it is of poor quality.
To make sure that the paper clip is of high quality, you need to check its elasticity. If it can be bent 90 degrees at least 5 times, then it can be considered a quality product. It is also important that the paper clip does not leave any traces of oil or rust on the paper. For example, paper clips with a thin layer of nickel on the surface do not stain paper and do not rust for a very long time. The end of the paper clip must be perfectly straight and without any burrs. Otherwise, the paper will be torn and scratched.
Packaging is important. Paper clips are usually packaged in blisters, polyethylene bags, and plastic containers. The number of paper clips in a package varies from fifty to two hundred.
We invite you to familiarize yourself with the assortment of our online store and buy paper clips at a surprisingly attractive price.

In offices and at home, a stationery stapler is used to connect several sheets of paper together. The same construction tool, which in professional jargon is called a taker, can be seen at a construction site. There are several other types of similar devices that perform fastening in different conditions And different materials. But there is something that unites these devices, regardless of professional affiliation. These are staples for a stapler.

A little history

A device for fastening sheet materials is called a stationery stapler. Stitching occurs using a thin wire that pierces several pieces at once. The owner of the first such device was French king Louis 15 in the 18th century. It was rarely used as a tool; it was more used as a toy.

A century later, when the rapid development of science and industry began, and with it the office, through the efforts of John McGill, who improved this mechanism, the stapler came into use among all bureaucrats in the world.

Types of staplers

Devices that perform the functions of fastening sheet materials are usually divided into construction, furniture and office. However, the difference between the first two is only symbolic. Therefore, the classification can be taken as follows:

Device for office needs.
Construction stapler (tacker).
Special device for baguettes, corrugated cardboard boxes, etc.

A stationery stapler not only pierces sheets, but also bends staples from inside. This is the only difference in the operating principle. Therefore, it makes sense to get acquainted with the device using a construction sample as an example.

Fastening tools for construction

The principle of operation of a construction stapler is similar to the process of driving nails. With its help, the staple passes through the top layer or more than one (the total thickness should not be longer staple legs). In the extreme material with reverse side The ends of the wires remain sticking out, like the point of a nail that has come out. Using friction, the sheets stick to the last layer.

A richer classification among methods of driving a device. In this category they are:

Mechanical hammer and lever.
Pneumatic.
Network electrical.
Rechargeable.

The most popular devices are mechanical lever ones. Hammers have not become so widespread because of their operating principle - with a blow. Therefore, with their help it is not always possible to accurately drive the bracket into place. And it needs a lot of space to spread out.

In terms of impact force, both mechanical options are inferior to the electric one, which, in turn, is inferior to the pneumatic one. Battery device has an undeniable advantage in application - autonomy. However, the price and considerable weight, which quickly tires your hands, offset this advantage.

Types of staples

For fastening various materials All kinds of staples are used. The most popular are staples in the shape of the letter P. There are also staples in the shape of a T and inverted semicircular U-shaped ones. For fastening pipeline cables, semicircular types are used, the sizes of staplers are for staplers. They come in two types of markings:

In the form of a semicircle with a diameter of 4.5 millimeters, a leg height of 9-11 millimeters and a standard thickness of 1.25 mm. This is a type S or number 28 paperclip.
Fasteners type L or number 36 have a slightly larger diameter (6 mm). Legs 9-10 millimeters high standard height

The most commonly used devices are staplers using U-shaped staples. They are distinguished by the following indicators:

Diameter.
Leg length.
Length and thickness of the back.

The length of the leg determines how reliable the connection will be and the overall thickness of the fastened part. For thick connections you need a more powerful tool; a weak one may not penetrate the entire foot and the fastening will fall apart.

Thin back paper clips are needed for invisible fastening. Most often they are used in professional instruments.

The stronger the material, the less thickness of the leg is needed: 0.75-0.8 mm. For thin paper, choose thicker paper clips: 1.25 or 1.65 mm.

Raw materials for paper clips

The different purposes of the staples also determine the different materials for the production of these consumables. They must meet various requirements: rigidity, corrosion resistance, etc. Therefore, all brackets are metal.

Aluminum fasteners

These are the cheapest, but at the same time acceptable quality, paper clips. That is why tools using such fasteners are the best-selling. In addition, they do not rust. But other qualities make their use limited in comparison with analogues from other materials.

Their main drawback is their low strength. This makes it impossible to use them in particularly critical structures associated with heavy loads and stress. But they are very suitable for joining cardboard, paper and similar materials.

Copper staples

Compared to aluminum, their strength is higher. Like the previous ones, they withstand corrosion and when used, the aesthetic side of the fastener will not suffer: they do not leave rusty marks. However, due to their high cost compared to aluminum ones, they are not as popular.

Steel products

They come in two types: hardened and unhardened. Products of the first type are more expensive, which is compensated by their high reliability and durability. Both types of products suffer from oxidation and corrosion.

Stainless and galvanized paper clips are the most reliable and durable. All companies producing such products produce the majority of their products from such raw materials.

Staples made of any metal can be sharpened or unsharpened. It is clear that sharpened paper clips will fit into any surface more easily. For work hand tools this is very important, since you will have to spend less effort to score. For large volume For work, it is better to choose sharp paper clips.

The most popular types and sizes of staples for construction staplers are 53 and 140 numbers. The first has the following values:

The height of the leg is 4-14 millimeters.
The back is 0.7 mm thick.
Width 11.3 mm.

For 140 paper clips, respectively, height 6-14 mm, width 10.6 mm, thickness 1.25 mm. There are staples for office staplers, the types and sizes of which are determined by the number of sheets punched in one cycle. The most common type of paper clip is 10. For other series it will be fractional number, where the first digit is its number, the second is the height of the leg. Therefore, when purchasing these products, you need to know which products are suitable for this particular stapler model.

The tenth series has a leg length of 9 millimeters, and the smallest one, the 21st, has 7 mm. Maximum size staples are 24 with a leg of 8 or 6 millimeters.

In our country, the size of the stapler is regulated. GOST 28161–89 contains all the data on fastening for papers in a special table.

Experienced users do not have problems installing brackets. For everyone else, there is a description in the instructions for the device, and a video on the Internet. In short, the process will look like this:

Remove the spring pusher from the housing.
Place in clip required quantity paper clips with the tips facing down.
Insert the clamp back.
Close the lid.

For fruitful work, the amount of fasteners should be purchased with a reserve, so as not to go to the store for additional paper clips.

When purchasing a device for fastening with staples, the first thing you pay attention to is the quality of workmanship and the safety of working with it. It is better to pay attention to the products of well-known manufacturers who value their reputation. The basis of safety is the impossibility of spontaneous operation of the stapler. In branded instruments it is present in almost one hundred percent of products.

It's good to have a control window. Thanks to it, it is possible to control the presence of staples in the holder.

A comfortable, ergonomic handle has long become an integral part of a high-quality device.

Some manufacturers supply devices with adjustable impact force. This allows you to avoid damaging the surface during operation.

It is also important to remember the standard size of paper clips suitable for this model.

Aluminum clips are best suited for fastening vapor barriers. For lining - made of stainless steel.

The question often arises as to why a furniture stapler bends staples. It is likely that they were of poor quality. Or the furniture covering does not penetrate due to a malfunction of the stapler or hard covering.

With reliable and quality tool Each operation will be performed quickly and comfortably. Therefore, you should not save on purchasing such a device, so as not to waste effort and money working with second-rate devices.

Briefly, the point. I want to establish a process for restoring old chrome-plated parts of retro equipment (motorcycles, cars). Namely, take over the entire mechanical part of preparing parts, i.e. grinding, polishing, etc. The galvanizing shop is only required to remove the coating (preferably gentle), copper plating, nickel plating, chrome plating. I am ready to pay for each stage separately (in cash). Also, coatings are periodically required - zinc, chemical oxidation, etc.

Hello! I am looking for a “way out” to a galvanizing shop for mutually beneficial cooperation in St. Petersburg.
Briefly, the point. I want to establish a process for restoring old chrome-plated parts of retro equipment (motorcycles, cars). Namely, take over the entire mechanical part of preparing parts, i.e. grinding, polishing, etc. The galvanizing shop is only required to remove the coating (preferably gentle), copper plating, nickel plating, chrome plating. I am ready to pay for each stage separately (in cash). Also, coatings are periodically required - zinc, chemical oxidation, etc.
Send me a private message with suggestions.

Good afternoon, experts.
The workshop assumes that the bath is contaminated with organic impurities. IN various literature offer different ways cleaning baths from oils and other “charms”. Tell me, will treating the electrolyte with charcoal (pre-soaked in 0.1 N HCL) help remove organic matter? And in what cases is “heavy artillery” needed - hydrogen peroxide, for example.
We have a matte nickel plating bath: there are no shine-forming, wetting or leveling additives. However, previously the workshop foreman added glittering agents to this bath, if the task was to make parts with shiny finish. When in last time the master chemist, history is silent. He says "a long time ago."

Traditionally, paper clips are used to hold sheets of paper together in the office. A paper clip is an invariable attribute on an office worker's desk, but few people know how it appeared and changed over time.

Who invented the paper clip

The history of this element, necessary for the preparation of office documentation, began back in the 13th century. It was then on the territory European countries paper appeared and spread widely throughout the continent. Along with it came the need to hold the sheets together with something so that they would not fly apart in the wind. This is how the first prototypes of paper clips appeared - a cloth tape was threaded through cuts in paper. The reliability of the fastening left much to be desired, but the process had begun.

It is believed that those who invented paper clip, is an American physician John Howe. In 1835, he invented thin sewing pins, and they began to be used everywhere. True, the question soon arose of how to make the pin more secure - secretaries and clerks of enterprises noticed that the pin made too many holes in the paper and caused bloody stains to appear on the finished documents. While filing documents, the secretary easily pricked her finger with a pin stuck into them, and drops of blood stained everything.

The second person who can be called the one who invented paper clips can be called Samuel Fay. It was he who noticed that it was convenient to fasten papers with wire springs, with the help of which tags were previously attached to finished clothes. In offices, such options have found their use, but the official owner of the patent for metal paper clips is the Norwegian engineer Johan Voler. Inventors proposed several more types of paper clips, but the option proposed by the Norwegian turned out to be the most successful, and in 1901 he received a patent for the paper clips we are familiar with.

But the work on the appearance and design of the well-known stationery did not end there. Since 1904, the modern type of paper clip has been in the hands of workers from the UK company - Gem Manufacturing. It is to them that we owe what modern paper clips look like.

What modern paper clips look like

Subsequent metamorphoses affected only appearance office fastenings. From the very beginning, the material of the paper clips and their shape are changed. You can now find paper clips on sale:

made of light or yellow metal;

plastic;

made of metal, on top of which a layer of plastic is applied;

in the form of birds and animals;

unusual design - "owls" and "butterflies". These types of paper clips allow you to grab in one go larger quantities sheets of paper, which simplifies archiving documents.

They are sold in packages containing several dozen pieces. One such package is not enough for a week with active use, so they buy them in large packs and give several packages to each employee of the company.

What are modern paper clips made of?

The types of materials used to make paper clips include metal, metal alloy, and plastic. Depending on which material was used, the quality of the stationery varies. Fasteners made of pure metal or uncoated alloy are simpler in appearance, but will last longer. The only drawback is the oxidation of the metal under the influence of oxygen. If the mount is kept on the papers for years, there is a chance that it will rust and the rust will transfer to the documents. From old age, metal fasteners can turn into dust and break when touching long-archived papers. In order not to disturb the order, it is worth updating the fastenings at least once every few years.

To ensure that no traces are left on the papers in the archive, it is worth choosing what metal the paper clips used at the time of archiving are made of. Especially for such purposes, plastic options or metal fasteners are used, coated on the outside with a thin layer of plastic.

Before purchasing supplies, determine what size paper clips you need to archive documents. The more papers need to be stapled together, the larger the fastening capacity should be.

Norwegians are proud that it was their compatriot who made such a popular office accessory. There is no need to explain to them what a paper clip is - they know perfectly well what it looks like. Since 1990, in the capital of Norway, Oslo, a sculpture in the form of a paperclip 5 meters high has been installed. The designer of the statue was Jar Eris Paulson. This monument can be called one of the most amazing creations of mankind, but the mount is worthy of being immortalized.

Plastic fasteners are not as durable and spacious, but they are safer and do not leave any marks on the surface of documents.