# US 2009/0014565 A1 · Shredder auto feed system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2009/0014565 A1 - Document ID: US20090014565A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 11/777,827 - Filed: 2007-07-13 - Published: 2009-01-15 - Earliest claimed: 2007-07-13 - Assignees: Fellowes, Inc. - Inventors: Tai Hoon MATLIN; Dipan Pravin Surati; Dennis Gruber; Jim Waring - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090014565A1 ## CPC - B02C 18/0007: {specially adapted for disintegrating documents} - B02C 18/2241: {of conveyor belt type (B02C18/225 takes precedence)} - B02C 18/2283: {using rollers (B02C18/225 takes precedence)} - B65H 3/0684: {on moving support, e.g. pivoting, for bringing the roller or like rotary separator into contact with the pile} - B02C 2018/003: {Removing clips, pins or staples before disintegrating} - B65H 2405/1114: with surface portions curved in lengthwise direction - B02C: CRUSHING, PULVERISING, OR DISINTEGRATING IN GENERAL; MILLING GRAIN ({household tools and machines for pulverising foodstuffs, e.g. coffee and spice mills A47J42/00; pharmaceutical mortars A61J3/02; mechanical processing of refuse and garbage B03B9/06; dressing mould materials by grinding B22C5/04}; obtaining metallic powder by crushing, grinding or milling B22F9/04; {recovery of plastics by disintegrating B29B17/00; crushing raw materials in starch making C08B30/02; beaters for papermaking D21D1/02; crushing devices specially for transport in mines E21F13/002; slag crushing devices F23J1/00; fuel milling devices in combustion apparatus F23K1/00; household devices for crushing coal F24B15/02; ice disintegrating devices F25C5/02}) - B65H: HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES ## Abstract The present invention is generally related to an apparatus having cutter elements for destroying articles such as paper sheets and a mechanism for advancing at least a top sheet from a stack of paper in a tray into the cutter elements for shredding. In one embodiment, the apparatus uses a rotatable feed roller to feed paper atop the stack to the cutter elements. The feed roller moves in an alternating manner between a lowered and raised position to engage and disengage the stack when advancing the paper therethrough. Alternatively, a rotatable cam may be used. In an embodiment, the apparatus uses a rotatable drum or rotatable belt with an internal vacuum to lift paper from the stack and feed into the shredder mechanism. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A shredder comprising: a housing; a paper shredder mechanism received in the housing and including a motor and cutter elements, the motor rotating the cutter elements in an interleaving relationship for shredding paper sheets fed therein; a tray for holding a stack of paper sheets to be fed into the cutter elements; a moveable paper feed mechanism positioned above the tray, the moveable paper feed mechanism being movable between a lowered position for engaging the stack and a raised position for disengaging from the stack, and a feed driver system constructed to (a) drive the feed mechanism in a feeding direction to feed paper atop the stack to the cutter elements, and (b) move the feed mechanism in an alternating manner between the lowered and raised position such that the feed mechanism alternates between engaging the stack to feed paper and disengaging from the stack to allow the cutter elements to advance the paper therethrough. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A shredder according to claim 1, wherein the moveable paper feed mechanism comprises a rotatable feed roller. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A shredder according to claim 2, further comprising an arm connected to the rotatable feed roller for moving the feed roller between the lowered and raised positions. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A shredder according to claim 3, wherein the arm is pivoted between the lowered and raised positions. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) A shredder according to claim 3, wherein the driver system comprises a driver for moving the arm between the lowered and raised positions and a rotary driver mounted to the arm for rotating the feed roller. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) A shredder according to claim 2, wherein the rotatable feed roller is eccentrically mounted to an axle, the feed driver system comprising a rotary driver for rotating the axle so that the rotation of the feed roller feeds the paper atop the stack and also moves the feed roller in the alternating manner between the lowered and raised positions by the eccentric mounting. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A shredder according to claim 1, wherein the driver system comprises a timer for controlling at least a time to start operation of the feed driver system. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A shredder according to claim 1, wherein the moveable feed mechanism comprises a rotatable cam mechanism. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A shredder according to claim 8, further comprising a vacuum generator, wherein the rotatable cam mechanism has at least one opening that is at least in part air permeable, and wherein the vacuum generator is constructed and arranged to apply a vacuum to an interior of the rotatable cam mechanism to draw air through the least one opening, thereby lifting at least an edge of at least one sheet atop the stack. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A shredder according to claim 9, further comprising a fan mechanism constructed and arranged to provide air to lift at least an edge of at least one sheet atop the stack. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A shredder according to claim 10, wherein the fan mechanism is the vacuum generator. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) A shredder according to claim 9, wherein the driver system comprises a timer for controlling at least a time to start operation of the feed driver system and the vacuum generator. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) A shredder according to claim 8, wherein the rotatable cam mechanism is mounted on an axle, and the feed driver system comprises a rotary driver for rotating the axle so that the rotation of the cam mechanism feeds the paper atop the stack to the cutter elements. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A shredder according to claim 1, wherein the movement of the feed mechanism is activated using a device selected from the group consisting of an optical sensor, electromechanical sensor, and switch. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A shredder according to claim 1, wherein the tray includes a sloped feed bed. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A shredder according to claim 1, further comprising a pivotable lid for covering the tray. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A shredder according to claim 16, further comprising a safety switch for detecting if the lid is pivoted to an open position, the safety switch being coupled to the shredder mechanism and constructed and arranged to prevent operation of the cutter elements when the lid is in the open position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) A shredder according to claim 1, further comprising a lid for covering the tray, the lid comprising an opening for allowing insertion of paper sheets into the tray. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) A shredder according to claim 1, wherein the shredder further comprises a device for stripping paper sheets that are stapled together in the stack as the paper sheets are fed to the cutter elements. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) A shredder according to claim 1, wherein the shredder further comprises a waste bin for receiving paper shreds from the cutter elements. ### Claim 21 A shredder comprising: a housing; a paper shredder mechanism received in the housing and including a motor and cutter elements, the motor rotating the cutter elements in an interleaving relationship for shredding paper sheets fed therein; a tray for holding a stack of paper sheets to be fed into the cutter elements; a moveable paper feed mechanism positioned above the tray, the moveable paper feed mechanism having an exterior paper engaging surface that is at least in part air permeable; a vacuum generator for applying a vacuum to an interior of the moveable paper feed mechanism to draw air through the exterior paper engaging surface, thereby lifting one or more top sheets from atop the stack, and a feed driver system constructed to drive the feed mechanism to feed paper to the cutter elements. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) A shredder according to claim 21, wherein the moveable paper feed mechanism comprises a rotatable drum. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) A shredder according to claim 21, further comprising a fan mechanism constructed and arranged to provide air to lift at least an edge of at least the top sheet of the stack. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) A shredder according to claim 23, wherein the fan mechanism is the vacuum generator. ### Claim 25 (depends on 22) A shredder according to claim 22, wherein the rotatable drum is mounted on an axle, and the feed driver system comprises a rotary driver for rotating the axle so that the rotation of the drum feeds the paper atop the stack to the cutter elements. ### Claim 26 (depends on 22) A shredder according to claim 22, wherein the rotatable drum further comprises an inner cylinder for applying the vacuum and an outer cylinder having the exterior paper engaging surface, the outer cylinder comprising at least one opening for applying the vacuum, wherein, during rotation, the opening of the outer cylinder provides a concentrated vacuum toward the sheets of the stack. ### Claim 27 (depends on 21) A shredder according to claim 21, wherein the moveable feed mechanism comprises a belt. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) A shredder according to claim 27, wherein the belt is mounted on two parallel axles, and the feed driver system comprises a rotary driver for rotating the axles so that the rotation of the belt feeds the paper atop the stack to the cutter elements. ### Claim 29 (depends on 21) A shredder according to claim 21, wherein the tray includes a sloped feed bed. ### Claim 30 (depends on 21) A shredder according to claim 21, wherein the rotation of the feed mechanism is activated using a device selected from the group consisting of an optical sensor, electromechanical sensor, and switch. ### Claim 31 (depends on 21) A shredder according to claim 21, wherein the driver system comprises a timer for controlling at least a time to start operation of the feed driver system and the vacuum generator. ### Claim 32 (depends on 21) A shredder according to claim 21, further comprising a pivotable lid for covering the tray. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) A shredder according to claim 32, further comprising a safety switch for detecting if the lid is pivoted to an open position, the safety switch being coupled to the shredder mechanism and constructed and arranged to prevent operation of the cutter elements when the lid is in the open position. ### Claim 34 (depends on 21) A shredder according to claim 21, further comprising a lid for covering the tray, the lid comprising an opening for allowing insertion of paper sheets into the tray. ### Claim 35 (depends on 21) A shredder according to claim 21, wherein the shredder further comprises a device for stripping paper sheets that are stapled together in the stack as the paper sheets are fed to the cutter elements. ### Claim 36 (depends on 21) A shredder according to claim 21, wherein the shredder further comprises a waste bin for receiving paper shreds from the cutter elements. ### Claim 37 (depends on 21) A shredder according to claim 21, further comprising a paper removal device between the feed driver system and the shredder mechanism for ensuring removal of paper from the exterior paper engaging surface of the feed mechanism. ### Claim 38 A method for advancing paper sheets into cutter elements for shredding comprising: providing a tray for holding a stack of paper sheets; providing a moveable paper feed mechanism to advance paper sheets into the cutter elements; rotating cutter elements in an interleaving relationship for shredding paper sheets fed therein; driving the feed mechanism in a feeding direction to feed paper to the cutter elements from atop the stack of paper sheets in the tray, and moving the feed mechanism in an alternating manner between a lowered and raised position such that the feed roller alternates between engaging the stack to feed paper and disengaging from the stack to allow the cutter elements to advance and shred the paper therethrough. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) A method according to claim 38, wherein the moveable paper feed mechanism comprises a rotatable feed roller. ### Claim 40 (depends on 39) A method according to claim 39, further comprising moving the feed roller between the lowered and raised positions using an arm connected to the rotatable feed roller. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) A method according to claim 40, wherein the arm is pivoted between the lowered and raised positions. ### Claim 42 (depends on 40) A method according to claim 40, further comprising moving the arm between the lowered and raised positions using a driver and rotating the feed roller using a rotary driver mounted to the arm. ### Claim 43 (depends on 39) A method according to claim 39, further comprising mounting the rotatable feed roller on an eccentric axle and rotating the axle so that the rotation of the feed roller feeds the paper atop the stack and moves the feed roller in the alternating manner between the lowered and raised positions using the eccentric mounting. ### Claim 44 (depends on 38) A method according to claim 38, wherein the moveable paper feed roller comprises a rotatable cam mechanism. ### Claim 45 (depends on 44) A method according to claim 44, further comprising moving the cam mechanism using a driver system with a rotary driver. ### Claim 46 (depends on 44) A method according to claim 44, further comprising applying a vacuum to an interior of the rotatable cam mechanism to draw air through at least one opening of the cam mechanism thereby lifting one or more sheets from the stack. ### Claim 47 (depends on 38) A method according to claim 38, further comprising controlling at least a time to start operation of the feed mechanism using a timer. ### Claim 48 (depends on 38) A method according to claim 38, further comprising detecting if a lid of the tray is in an open position, and preventing operation of the cutter elements if the lid is in the open position. ### Claim 49 (depends on 38) A method according to claim 38, further comprising activating the movement of the feed mechanism using a device selected from the group consisting of an optical sensor, electromechanical sensor, and switch. ### Claim 50 A method for advancing paper sheets into cutter elements for shredding comprising: providing a tray for holding a stack of paper sheets; providing a moveable paper feed mechanism positioned above the tray, the moveable paper feed mechanism having an exterior paper engaging surface that is at least in part air permeable; applying a vacuum to an interior of the moveable paper feed mechanism to draw air through the exterior paper engaging surface, thereby lifting one or more sheets from atop the stack to the exterior paper engaging surface of the drum; rotating cutter elements in an interleaving relationship for shredding paper sheets fed therein; and driving the feed mechanism to feed the one or more lifted sheets to the cutter elements. ### Claim 51 (depends on 50) A method according to claim 50, wherein the moveable paper feed mechanism comprises a rotatable drum. ### Claim 52 (depends on 51) A method according to claim 51, further comprising mounting the rotatable drum on an axle and rotating the axle so that the rotation of the drum assists in feeding the paper atop the stack to the cutter elements. ### Claim 53 (depends on 50) A method according to claim 50, wherein the moveable paper feed mechanism comprises a rotatable belt. ### Claim 54 (depends on 53) A method according to claim 53, further comprising mounting the rotatable belt on two parallel axles and rotating the axles so that the rotation of the belt assists in feeding the paper atop the stack to the cutter elements. ### Claim 55 (depends on 50) A method according to claim 50, farther comprising rotating a fan mechanism to supply air to lift at least an edge of paper atop the stack. ### Claim 56 (depends on 50) A method according to claim 50, further comprising activating the rotation of the moveable paper feed mechanism using a device selected from the group consisting of an optical sensor, electromechanical sensor, and switch. ### Claim 57 (depends on 50) A method according to claim 50, further comprising controlling at least a start time for operating the vacuum generator and driving the feed mechanism using a timer. ### Claim 58 (depends on 50) A method according to claim 50, further comprising detecting if a lid of the tray is pivoted to an open position, and preventing operation of the cutter elements if the lid is in the open position. ### Claim 59 (depends on 50) A method according to claim 50, further comprising removing paper from the feed mechanism using a paper removal device between the feed driver system and the shredder mechanism.