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(11) | EP 3 714 980 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | ENERGY-SAVING AUTO FEED SHREDDER |
| (57) An energy-saving auto feed shredder which includes an openable cover as configured
in a conventional auto feed shredder, with a pressing device configured on the cover.
Once the cover is open, other components are exposed, such as a feeder base or compartment
to place the stack of paper, a feeder slot in the middle of the feeder base or compartment,
feeding mechanisms on both sides of the feeder slot, and a shredder mechanism below
the feeder slot; when the cover is closed, the pressing device applies a pressure
on the stack of paper inside the feeder base, and the feeding mechanisms in relative
motion on both sides of the feeder slot captures and pulls the sheet at the bottom
of the stack of paper under pressure, and force it to fold toward the feeder slot,
and be delivered to the shredder mechanism. Repeatedly, new sheet of paper is captured,
pulled, folded and delivered by the feeding mechanism, until the whole stack of paper
is shredded. Wherein, the feeder slot is in nearly parallel orientation with the folding
line of the shorter side of the stack of paper placed inside the feeder base, so that
the shorter side of the stack of paper can be captured, pulled, folded and delivered
to the shredder mechanism by the feeding mechanism.
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FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a paper shredder, and more particularly to an energy-saving auto feed shredder.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] As known to all, in a paper shredder to shred paper, there are multiple cutting blades and spacers installed on two parallel rotary shafts in relative motion. The rotary shafts are driven by a motor and gear box to slice the paper fed into the shredder. To prevent failure of the motor of the paper shredder due to overload, there is a preset limit for sheet capacity. That is to say, when a lot of paper needs to be destroyed, the amount of paper put into the shredder each time by the user must be lower than the maximum sheet capacity. Batch-by-batch manual feeding of the paper into the shredder is boring and time-wasting. Therefore, auto feed shredders with the function of automatic paper feeding are developed to meet the demand for large-quantity paper shredding.
[0003] For example, in the U.S. No. 9,884,323 Patent disclosed in Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B, when the openable cover 14 of the auto feed shredder is opened, there can be seen a feeder base or compartment 34, to hold stack of standard sized paper, and in the middle of the bottom of the feeder base or compartment 34, there is a feeder slot 28. Once there is paper passing by the feeder slot 28, the shredder mechanism 36 below the feeder slot will be activated to cut the paper into debris, which then falls into the waste bin. The bottom of the cover 14 is configured with pressure plates 32, when the cover 14 is closed, the pressure plates 32 will apply a pressure on the stack of paper placed inside the feeder base or compartment. On both sides of the feeder slot 28, there are feeding mechanisms 30 in relative rotary motion. The feeding mechanisms can be a plurality of symmetrically arranged rubber rollers, or a roller-belt assembly. When touching the bottom of the stack of paper inside the feeder base or compartment 34, the feeding mechanisms 30 in relative rotary motion will capture and pull the paper sheets at the bottom of the stack and fold them above the feeder slot 28, and then deliver them to the shredder mechanism 36 below the slot. Repeatedly, new paper sheets at the bottom of the stack are captured, pulled, folded and delivered by the feeding mechanism, until all the paper is shredded.
[0004] Auto feed shredders having similar functions as described above are also disclosed in Fig. 2, U.S. Patent No. 7,387,268; Fig. 3, U.S. Patent No. 7,658,342; Fig. 4, U.S. Patent No. 8,336,794.
[0005] Referring to Fig. 5, said conventional auto feed shredders share the same characteristic that the feeder slot 28 in the middle of the feeder base or compartment 34 is in nearly parallel orientation with the folding line Py of the longer side L of the stack of paper P placed inside the feeder base or compartment 34. With such a design, the longer side L of the stack of paper P can be captured, pulled, folded and delivered by the feeding mechanism. That is to say, when passing through the shredder mechanism (not shown in the drawing), the motion range of the paper sheets captured from the bottom of the stack of paper P to be shredded is half of the longer side (1/2L) of the paper to be shredded. Taking the longer side (29.7cm) of an A4 sheet for example, the length is 14 cm or so after folding. Therefore, the time to shred an A4 paper sheet is the time for the shredder mechanism to cut 1/2L, i.e., 14cm.
[0006] It can be concluded that, the time for the shredder mechanism to cut the paper sheets to be shredded has a direct proportional relationship with the motion range of the paper sheets to be shredded when passing through the shredder mechanism after folding. In another word, the shorter motion range of the folded paper sheets to be shredded passing through the shredder mechanism, the shorter time is needed to shred the paper. The accumulated results will dramatically reduce the operation time of the motor and save considerable energy.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The main object of the present invention is to provide an energy-saving auto feed shredder, wherein, the feeder slot is in nearly parallel orientation with the folding line of the shorter side of the stack of paper placed inside the feeder base or compartment, so that the shorter side of the stack of paper can be captured, pulled, folded and delivered to the shredder mechanism by the feeding mechanism.
[0008] To accomplish the above object, the present invention provides an energy-saving auto feed shredder, which includes an openable cover as configured in a conventional auto feed shredder with a pressing device configured on the cover. Once the cover is open, other components of the present invention are exposed, such as a feeder base or compartment to place the stack of paper, a feeder slot in the middle of the feeder base or compartment, feeding mechanisms on both sides of the feeder slot, and a shredder mechanism below the feeder slot; when the cover is closed, the pressing device applies a pressure on the stack of paper inside the feeder base, and the feeding mechanisms in relative motion on both sides of the feeder slot captures and pulls the sheets at the bottom of the stack of paper under pressure, and force them to fold toward the feeder slot, and be delivered to the shredder mechanism. Repeatedly, new sheets of paper are captured, pulled, folded and delivered by the feeding mechanism, until the whole stack of paper is shredded. Wherein, the feeder slot is in nearly parallel orientation with the folding line of the shorter side of the stack of paper inside the feeder base, so that the shorter side of the stack of paper can be captured, pulled, folded and delivered to the shredder mechanism by the feeding mechanism.
[0009] As the feeder slot is intentionally designed to be in nearly parallel orientation with the folding line of the shorter side of the stack of paper placed inside the feeder base or compartment, the shorter side of the stack of paper will be captured, pulled, folded and delivered to the shredder mechanism by the feeding mechanism; Taking the shorter side (21cm) of an A4 paper sheet as an example, the length becomes 10.5cm after folding. Therefore, the time for shredding an A4 paper sheet is the time used by the shredder mechanism to cut the length of 1/2 W (namely 10.5cm).
[0010] In a conventional auto feed shredder, the feeder slot is in nearly parallel orientation with the folding line of the longer side of the stack of paper, so that the longer side of the stack of paper is captured, pulled, folded and delivered by the feeding mechanism; In comparison, in the present invention, the feeder slot is intentionally designed to be in nearly parallel orientation with the folding line of the shorter side of the stack of paper placed inside the feeder base or compartment, so that the shorter side of the stack of paper will be captured, pulled, folded and delivered to the shredder mechanism by the feeding mechanism; Taking an A4 paper sheet for example, the cutting range of a conventional auto feed shredder is 14cm, while the present invention has an obviously much shorter cutting range (10.5cm). Therefore, to shred an A4 paper sheet, the present invention will save about 25% of the time.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011]
Fig. 1A, Fig. 1B are structural views of U.S. Patent No. 9,884,323;
Fig. 2 is a structural view of U.S. Patent No.7,387,268;
Fig. 3 is a structural view of U.S. Patent No.7,658,342;
Fig. 4 is a structural view of U.S. Patent No. 8,336,794;
Fig. 5 is a schematic view showing the folding line of the longer side of the paper sheet is in nearly parallel orientation with the feeder slot when a stack of paper is placed inside the feeder base or compartment of a conventional auto feed shredder;
Fig. 6 is a schematic view showing the folding line of the shorter side of the paper sheet is in nearly parallel orientation with the feeder slot when a stack of paper is placed inside the feeder base or compartment of the first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 7 is a schematic view showing the relative positions of the stack of paper and the feeder base or compartment in the first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 8 is a schematic view showing the relative positions of the folding line of the shorter side of the stack of paper and the feeder slot in the first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 9A is a schematic view showing the relative positions of the folding line of the shorter side of the stack of paper and the feeder slot in the second embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 9B is a schematic view showing the relative positions of the folding line of the shorter side of the stack of paper and the feeder slot in the third embodiment of the present invention; and
Fig. 9C is a schematic view showing the relative positions of the folding line of the shorter side of the stack of paper and the feeder slot in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] The features of the present invention can be readily understood by referring to the drawings and detailed descriptions of preferred embodiments of the present invention.
[0013] The present invention is an energy-saving auto feed shredder, which includes an openable cover 14 as configured in a conventional auto feed shredder (see Fig. 1 to Fig. 5) with a pressing device 32 configured on the cover. Once the cover 14 is open, other components of the present invention are exposed, such as a feeder base or compartment 34 to place the stack of paper, a feeder slot 28 in the middle of the feeder base or compartment 34, feeding mechanisms 30 on both sides of the feeder slot 28, and a shredder mechanism 36 below the feeder slot 28. When the cover 14 is closed, the pressing device 32 applies a pressure on the stack of paper inside the feeder base or compartment 34, and the feeding mechanisms 30 in relative motion on both sides of the feeder slot 28 captures and pulls the sheet at the bottom of the stack of paper under pressure, and force it to fold toward the feeder slot 28, and be delivered to the shredder mechanism 36. Repeatedly, new sheet of paper are captured, pulled, folded and delivered by the feeding mechanism, until the whole stack of paper is shredded.
[0014] Referring to Figs. 6-8, the feeder slot 28 is in nearly parallel orientation with the folding line Px of the shorter side W of the stack of paper P inside the feeder base or compartment 34, so that the shorter side W of the stack of paper P can be captured, folded and delivered to the shredder mechanism by the feeding mechanism.
[0015] In the present invention, the folding line Px of the shorter side W of the stack of paper P is made to be in nearly parallel orientation with the feeder slot 28, so that the shorter side W of the stack of paper P will be captured, pulled, folded and delivered to the shredder mechanism by the feeding mechanism. Taking the shorter side (21cm) of an A4 paper sheet as an example, the length becomes 10.5cm after folding. Therefore, the time for shredding an A4 paper sheet is the time used by the shredder mechanism to cut the length of 1/2 W (namely 10.5cm).
[0016] In comparison, referring to Fig. 5, in a conventional auto feed shredder, the longer side L of the stack of paper P is in nearly parallel orientation with the feeder slot 28, so that the longer side L of the stack of paper P is captured, pulled, folded and delivered by the feeding mechanism. Taking the longer side (29.7cm) of an A4 paper sheet as an example, the length becomes 14cm or so after folding. Therefore, the time for shredding an A4 paper sheet is the time used by the shredder mechanism to cut the length of 1/2L (namely 14cm or so).
[0017] In the case of an A4 paper sheet, the cutting range of a conventional auto feed shredder is 14cm or so, while the present invention has an obviously much shorter cutting range (10.5cm). Therefore, to shred an A4 paper sheet, the present invention will save about 25% of the time comparing to a conventional auto feed shredder.
[0018] Based on the above concept and principle, slight alterations can be made to the present invention. In Figs. 6-8, the feeder slot 28 is configured in the middle of the feeder base or compartment 34. In the second embodiment and the third embodiment disclosed in Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B, the feeder slot 28 is configured at the position with a deviation from the middle of the feeder base or compartment 34. Although the feeder base or compartment 34 has an offset distance D1, D2 from the folding line Px of the shorter side of the stack of paper, the feeder slot 28 is still in nearly parallel orientation with the folding line Px of the shorter side of the stack of paper P placed inside the feeder base or compartment 34;
[0019] Fig. 9C discloses a fourth embodiment of the present invention, wherein, the feeder slot 28 is configured with an offset angle from the middle of the feeder base or compartment 34, so that the feeder slot 28 forms an offset angle 0 with the folding line Px of the shorter side of the pressed stack of paper P placed inside the feeder base or compartment 34.
[0020] The foregoing description of the invention includes preferred embodiments thereof. Modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention. To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.
1. An energy-saving auto feed shredder, including an openable cover as configured in
a conventional auto feed shredder, with a pressing device configured on the cover;
once the cover is open, other components are exposed, such as a feeder base or compartment
to place the stack of paper, a feeder slot in the middle of the feeder base or compartment,
feeding mechanisms on both sides of the feeder slot, and a shredder mechanism below
the feeder slot; when the cover is closed, the pressing device applies a pressure
on the stack of paper inside the feeder base, and the feeding mechanisms in relative
motion on both sides of the feeder slot captures and pulls the sheet at the bottom
of the stack of paper under pressure, and force it to fold toward the feeder slot,
and be delivered to the shredder mechanism; repeatedly, new sheet of paper is captured,
pulled, folded and delivered by the feeding mechanism, until the whole stack of paper
is shredded; wherein, said feeder slot is in nearly parallel orientation with the
folding line of the shorter side of the stack of paper placed inside the feeder base,
so that the shorter side of the stack of paper can be captured, pulled, folded and
delivered to the shredder mechanism by the feeding mechanism.
2. An energy-saving auto feed shredder, including an openable cover as configured in
a conventional auto feed shredder, with a pressing device configured on the cover;
once the cover is open, other components are exposed, such as a feeder base or compartment
to place the stack of paper, a feeder slot in the middle of the feeder base or compartment,
feeding mechanisms on both sides of the feeder slot, and a shredder mechanism below
the feeder slot; when the cover is closed, the pressing device applies a pressure
on the stack of paper inside the feeder base, and the feeding mechanisms in relative
motion on both sides of the feeder slot captures and pulls the sheet at the bottom
of the stack of paper under pressure, and force it to fold toward the feeder slot,
and be delivered to the shredder mechanism; repeatedly, new sheet of paper is captured,
pulled, folded and delivered by the feeding mechanism, until the whole stack of paper
is shredded; wherein, said feeder slot forms an offset angle with the shorter side
of the pressed stack of paper inside the feeder base, so that the shorter side of
the stack of paper can be captured, pulled, folded and delivered to the shredder mechanism
by the feeding mechanism.
Amended claims in accordance with Rule 137(2) EPC.
1. An energy-saving auto feed shredder, including an openable cover (14) as configured
in a conventional auto feed shredder, with a pressing device (32) configured on the
cover (14); once the cover (14) is open, other components are exposed, such as a feeder
base or compartment (34) to place the stack of paper (P), a feeder slot (28) in the
middle of the feeder base or compartment (34), feeding mechanisms (30) on both sides
of the feeder slot (28), and a shredder mechanism (36) below the feeder slot (28);
when the cover (14) is closed, the pressing device (32) applies a pressure on the
stack of paper (P) inside the feeder base (34), and the feeding mechanisms (30) in
relative motion on both sides of the feeder slot (28) captures and pulls the sheet
at the bottom of the stack of paper (P) under pressure, and force it to fold toward
the feeder slot (28), and be delivered to the shredder mechanism (36); repeatedly,
new sheet of paper is captured, pulled, folded and delivered by the feeding mechanism
(30), until the whole stack of paper (P) is shredded; wherein, said feeder slot (28)
is in nearly parallel orientation with the folding line (Px) of the shorter side (W)
of the stack of paper (P) placed inside the feeder base (34), so that the shorter
side (W) of the stack of paper (P) can be captured, pulled, folded and delivered to
the shredder mechanism (36) by the feeding mechanism (30).
2. An energy-saving auto feed shredder, including an openable cover (14) as configured
in a conventional auto feed shredder, with a pressing device (32) configured on the
cover (14); once the cover (14) is open, other components are exposed, such as a feeder
base or compartment (34) to place the stack of paper (P), a feeder slot (28) in the
middle of the feeder base or compartment (34), feeding mechanisms (30) on both sides
of the feeder slot (28), and a shredder mechanism (36) below the feeder slot (28);
when the cover (14) is closed, the pressing device (32) applies a pressure on the
stack of paper (P) inside the feeder base (34), and the feeding mechanisms (30) in
relative motion on both sides of the feeder slot (28) captures and pulls the sheet
at the bottom of the stack of paper (P) under pressure, and force it to fold toward
the feeder slot (28), and be delivered to the shredder mechanism (36); repeatedly,
new sheet of paper is captured, pulled, folded and delivered by the feeding mechanism
(30), until the whole stack of paper (P) is shredded; wherein, said feeder slot (28)
forms an offset angle (θ) with the shorter side (W) of the pressed stack of paper
(P) inside the feeder base (34), so that the shorter side (W) of the stack of paper
(P) can be captured, pulled, folded and delivered to the shredder mechanism (36) by
the feeding mechanism (30).
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description