Device for the destruction of microfilm and similar data carriers

A shredding device adapted for the destruction of microfilm and similar information carriers with microimage impressions, the device comprising in combination:

• a main frame;
• a shredding cutter with a power drive, the cutter being rotatably supported by the main frame and having the general shape of a milling cutter with a plurality of angularly spaced longitudinal cutting edges arranged on its periphery;
• a first stationary cutting edge supported by the main frame so as to cooperate with the rotating cutting edges of the shredding cutter to define a first cutting position therewith;
• and
• a strip feeding unit operable to feed and guide information carrier material to said first cutting position, the strip feeding unit being supported by the main frame and comprising:
• a stationary guide plate having a guide surface oriented substantially radially with respect to the shredding cutter and leading to said first cutting position, where the guide plate carries said first stationary cutting edge;
• means for forcibly advancing strip material along the stationary guide plate, towards the first cutting position, said strip advancing means including a plurality of rotating strip advancing members and a drive therefor, at least some of said members being arranged side-by-side and spaced apart in a direction transverse to the direction of strip advance, and each of said members forming a strip feed gap with the guide plate;
• and
• a feeding unit frame supporting the strip advancing means, including means operable to retract the strip advancing members in a direction away from the guide plate, for access to the strip feeding gaps.