WAY off-topic question

[MountaineerTom]

If you've ever noticed, regular sized office staplers have a plate on the base part that has the little indentions in it that cause the tips of the staples to bend.  On most of them, that plate rotates so you have a choice of the tips bending inwards or outward.

 

Why is there an option to have the tips to bend outwards?  Why is there a need for two different directions for the tips of the staple to go?  ???

 

[pacodiablo]

no, there is not, i hate it so much when people move the little plate!

[sincityZ71]

You know Tom, I have always wondered that same question myself forever.  I don't get it either?  Maybe someone will be able to tell us why?

[silverado man]

no, there is not, i hate it so much when people move the little plate!

And Im one of those people  

[Stepside Z]

Where does the white go when the snow melts?  

[gmonkey]

I think it has an option to staple outwards to accomodate larger stacks of paper.

[NewbieZ71]

It's only found on military staplers.  Stapler manufacturers came up with it as a "national defense option" costing an additional $400.00 per $12.00 stapler.  The military, of course, went for it.

[gandolphxx]

Maybe it is one of those Euro things, like the wrong [other] side of the road :baa:

[mikeb]

From the Swingline.com web site

 

What is a flat clinch stapler?  

 

A flat clinch is when the staple legs are formed flat on the bottom of your paper. A standard clinch is when the staple legs on the bottom of the paper are curled.  

 

What is the advantage of a flat clinch?  

 

Papers stapled in this fashion stack better and the paper capacity of the stapler is increased.  

 

What is the largest staple made for the heavy duty manual staplers?  

 

We produce a 15/16" heavy-duty staple, item number 35320. This staple only fits the 90002 heavy-duty manual stapler.

[MountaineerTom]

Maybe it is one of those Euro things, like the wrong [other] side of the road :baa:

:baa:  That's exactly what I said.  The metric version of stapleing paper.  

 

I don't really understand how the paper capacity is increased, since the staple is the same size, just the ends pointed in different directions.  ???   Thanks though.

[siume99]

I thought it was so people could prick their fingers easier while sorting papers.  

[pipermaru9]

The only thing I can think of is the thickness of the staple after it has been stapled. When it is done outwards, it doesn't fold over itself and therefore isn't as thick.  ???

[patrick]

The wire lies flatter when you use the flat clinch- it removes the staple eye.

[gandolphxx]

I thought that was what hammering the stapled item with a thick rock did