EP1807217A2

EP1807217A2 - Lubricating system for shredders

Info

Publication number: EP1807217A2
Application number: EP05788911A
Authority: EP
Inventors: David A. Pierce; Edward Urquhart
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: SEANET DEVELOPMENT Inc
Priority date: 2004-09-27
Filing date: 2005-08-19
Publication date: 2007-07-18
Also published as: WO2006036370A2; JP2008516744A; WO2006036370A3

Abstract

In one embodiment, a cleaning/lubricating system is provided that applies a lubricating material and/or a cleaning solution to a paper shredder. The cleaning/lubricating system can include a substantially flexible, generally planar envelope that contains a cleaning solution or lubricant. The planar envelope is passed through the shredder, and as the envelope is being shredded, the cleaning solution and/or lubricant is automatically delivered to the shredding mechanism in the shredder.

Description

LUBRICATING SYSTEM FOR SHREDDERS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/613,750 entitled LUBRICATING SHEET FOR SHREDDERS, filed September 27, 2004, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/686,490 entitled LUBRICATING SYSTEM FOR SHREDDERS, filed May 31 , 2005 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/688,285 entitled LUBRICATING SYSTEM FOR SHREDDERS, filed June 7, 2005, each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention is related to lubricating systems, and more particularly to cleaning and/or lubricating systems for shredders, such as paper shredders.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is well known that mechanical apparatus employing moving parts that contact each other often require external lubrication and cleaning. For many such apparatus, specialized fittings or lubrication and cleaning conduit designs can be employed to facilitate periodic lubrication. However, certain apparatus or components thereof are difficult to lubricate or clean through specialized fittings or conduits, and require user intervention in combination with dexterity to accomplish critical lubrication or cleaning actions. For example, paper shredders frequently employ cutting elements that require periodic lubrication lest the apparatus fail through extended use without sufficient lubrication. Additionally, since these shedders are used to shred the gummed adhesive of labels and closures attached or part of paper envelopes, CDs or credit cards, etc. Cleaning of the resulting build up of adhesives and other residue is required in order to achieve the optimum lubrication. Current lubrication and cleaning regimens for conventional paper shredders require a user to carefully apply liquid lubricant or cleaner from an applicator to selected portions oτ tne apparatus. This task is both tedious and inefficient.

[0004] There is, therefore, a need for a convenient and effective means for providing suitable cleaning and lubrication of apparatus such as a paper shredder that does not require significant user actions, and yet achieve desired levels of apparatus cleaning and lubrication.

[0005] Additionally, many such machines or shedders employ an electric eye sensor to start the blades in motion so that the items can be pulled through the shedder as the item is shredded. It is also optimum to the cleaning and lubrication process that these blades be in motion during cleaning and lubrication to more uniformly spread the lubricant or cleaning solution and achieve more complete coverage and best results.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention overcomes drawbacks experienced in the prior art and provides additional benefits. One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for applying a cleaning solution and/or a lubricant to a mechanical apparatus, such as a paper shredder. A brief summary of some embodiments and aspects of the invention are presented. Thereafter, a detailed description of the illustrated embodiments is presented, which will permit one skilled in the relevant art to understand, make, and use aspects of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art can obtain a full appreciation of aspects of the invention from the subsequent detailed description, read together with the figures, and from the claims, which follow the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a lubricating assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment showing a fluid impregnated carrier between two exterior lubricant impervious sheets. [0009] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an illustration representing another embodiment with lubricant filled micro-channels and no exterior sheets.

[0010] Figure 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 5 is a schematic view of another embodiment having air release portions or channels.

[0012] Figure 6 is a schematic view of other embodiments with portions for triggering an electric eye mechanism of a shredder.

[0013] Figure 7 is a schematic view of another embodiment having a cleanser portion and a lubricating portion.

[0014] Figure 8 is a schematic view of another embodiment having a cleanser portion, a cleaning pause portion, and a lubricating portion.

[0015] Figure 9 is a schematic view of another embodiment having a cleanser portion, an intermediate portion and a lubricating portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] A system for cleaning and/or lubricating shredders, and related methods, are described in detail herein in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In the following description, numerous specific details are discussed to provide a thorough and enabling description for embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art, however, will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details. In other instances, well- known structures or operations are not shown or are not described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention. In general, alternatives and alternate embodiments described herein are substantially similar to the previously described embodiments, and common elements are identified by the same reference numbers.

[0017] In one embodiment of the invention, a cleaning/lubricating system is provided that applies a lubricating material and/or a cleaning solution to a paper shredder. The cleaning/lubricating system can include a substantially flexible, generally planar envelope that contains a cleaning solution or lubricant. The planar envelope is passed through the shredder, and as the envelope is being shredded, the cleaning solution and/or lubricant is automatically delivered to the shredding mechanism in the shredder.

[0018] Under one aspect of the present invention, an embodiment includes a disposable, generally flexible and planar assembly 10 having at least one envelope 12, with an interior compartment 14, containing a cleaning solution and/or lubricant 16 (or other material to be delivered to the shredder or other mechanism). In one embodiment shown in Fig. 1 , the envelope 12 has two exterior sheets 18 sealably joined together to form the interior compartment. In the illustrated embodiment, the cleaning solution and/or lubricant 16 is contained within a plurality of small pockets 20 that can be formed in a carrier sheet 30 contained in the compartment, or the pockets can be integrally formed in the two exterior sheets 18.

[0019] In another embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the envelope 12 includes a carrier sheet 30 with micro-channels 32 that contain the cleaning solution and/or lubricant 16. In another embodiment, the micro-channels 32 containing the cleaning solution and/or lubricant 16 are integrally formed in the exterior sheets 18.

[0020] In another embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the assembly 10 is configured with two compartments 14 in the same envelope 12. One compartment 14 contains a cleaning solution and the other compartment contains a lubricant. As the envelope 12 is passed through the shredder, the assembly 10 will deliver the cleaning solution and the lubricant separately and sequentially. In other embodiments, more than two compartments 14 can be formed in the envelope 12, and lubricants, cleaning solutions, or other materials can be contained in the compartments and isolated from each other.

[0021] If the cleaning solution or lubricant is in liquid form, then the material forming the envelope 12 (e.g. the exterior sheets 18) is substantially fluid impervious. In one embodiment, the lubricant can be a biodegradable soy-based or other 'vegetable based lubricant or can be a petroleum, graphite, Teflon or silicone based lubricant. The cleaning solution can be a citrus based, petroleum or other synthetic degreasing or de-gumming cleaner, wax remover and/ or adhesive remover. In other embodiments, the lubricant can be dry carbon, graphite, Teflon, paraffin, camauba wax or other slip coefficient increasing products or materials, in sheeted form, particulate, or pieces. The cleaning solution can be dry super fine abrasive or abrasive carried in a paste , liquid or semi liquid form, sheeted cleaning solvent or solvent and or cleaning material impregnated cloth, cellulose or other carrier. Same can be degreaser, or bleach or ammonia based product with or without scent added. In some embodiments, the lubricant is isolated (e.g. not mixed) with the cleaning solution when contained in the envelope 12. In other embodiments, the lubricant is combined with (e.g. mixed) with the cleaning solution. In other embodiments, the envelope 12 can contain only the lubricant or only the cleaning solution. In other embodiments, the envelope 12 contains a solution that is both a cleaner and lubricant (e.g., a single solution that is a de-greaser, cleaner, and lubricant).

[0022] In other embodiments, the cleaning solution and/or lubricant 16 can include a fragrance that will be released when the envelope 12 containing the cleaning solution and/or lubricant is being shredded. The fragrance can be, as an example, oil-based compositions that provide the lubricating oil with a pleasant fragrance, such as sandalwood, lavender, lemongrass, peppermint, orange, peach, apricot, eucalyptus, spearmint, or other material that provides a desirable scent.

[0023] When the envelope 12 is placed into a paper shredder, the shredding mechanism will not start to shred unless an electric eye (or other mechanism) is activated, such as by interrupting an optical beam or the like. In the embodiment having a liquid in the envelope 12 with or without a carrier sheet, the envelope has several ways of triggering the electric eye on a shredder. The envelope 12 can be substantially opaque, partially opaque, and/or reflective in order to activate the electric eye on most machines. This can be achieved through coating or coloring the envelope 12 material, metalizing, strategic printing one or both surfaces and/or pattern(s) on the surface(s) to match the locations needed to interrupt an optical signal or activate the electric eye. For example, the exterior sheets can have an opaque strip 45 printed thereon and positioned to activate the electric eye.

[0024] If the cleaning solution or lubricant 16 is in solid form (such as a dry cleaner or lubricant or one that is carried in an encapsulated form), then the envelope 12 need only be capable of retaining such solid cleaning solution and/or lubricant prior to dispersal in the apparatus. In the embodiments with the lubricant or cleaning solution 16 and without a carrier sheet 30 in the compartment, the system will have a more effective delivery system for commonly owned shredders, as there can be more cleaner or lubricant available to accomplish the task.

[0025] Another embodiment comprises a disposable, generally flexible and planar carrier sheet 30 impregnated with or carrying a liquid or solid cleaner or lubricant. The planar carrier sheet 30 can be fully contained in the envelope 12. For example, the carrier sheet, such as a paper material similar to a paper towel, can be impregnated with a liquid oil that would be very messy to handle by itself. Accordingly, this liquid impregnated carrier sheet 30 could be sealed in an envelope 12. Alternatively, the carrier sheet 30 could be impregnated with a dry material. Accordingly, this dry carrier sheet could be used without the envelope 12. The dry carrier could, however, be enclosed in the envelope 12 for other reasons.

[0026] When the envelope 12 or the carrier sheet 30 are fed into an activated shredder, the shredding mechanism cuts or otherwise breaks apart the envelope 12 (or carrier) and releases the cleaning solution and/or lubricant. The cleaning solution and/or lubricant is transferred to the mechanical components of the apparatus, thus achieving the objective of component cleaning and/or lubrication. With respect to embodiments using an envelope 12, the shredder must be capable of breaching the envelope 12 to expose the cleaner or lubricant.

[0027] In the illustrated embodiments, at least one cleaner or lubricant-filled envelope 12 is created to carry a defined quantity of cleaner or lubricant to the target apparatus components. If the cleaner or lubricant is in a fluid phase, the envelope 12 may be constructed from any suitable paper or film such as liquid lubricant impervious foil, plastic, rubber, cellulose, PLA, synthetic dextrose, fabric (synthetic or natural), Mylar® or laminates of the above (i.e. our PLA coated paper sheets made into pouches to deliver cleaner or lubricant) to achieve a fluid impervious envelope 12.

[0028] It is desirable for the effective distribution on and coverage of the gears and shredding mechanisms to have the material forming the envelope 12 be of a somewhat brittle nature, and thereby shred or "break", rather that simply tear or puncture in the process. This characteristic (which is demonstrated by the embodiment using PLA as the envelope material) dramatically increases the dispersal of the cleaner or lubricant to the shredding mechanisms. The use of a

rςfw?-«nn9-wnnnnn/ςι iwim i«ς nnn -6- brittle material causes more liquid to be freed from envelope 12 because the carrier is disintegrating more fully and not merely being punctured. The selection of suitable envelope 12 material depends in part upon the apparatus and the final disposition of the envelope 12 (e.g., for paper shredder applications, paper-recycling guidelines may prevent the inclusion of the envelope 12 as a byproduct unless the same and the lubricant are biodegradable). In one embodiment the PLA materials and PLA coated paper are recyclable, biodegradable and compostable. These same materials or others may be used to create a suitable envelope 12 for carrying a solid phase lubricant. Moreover, the envelope 12 may carry special indicia printed on the exposed surface(s) thereof to differentiate the envelope 12 from other items that may be subject to processing by the apparatus. The envelope 12 may also carry special branding or advertising indicia, or other select markings.

[0029] A suitable envelope 12 may be constructed from sheets of the aforementioned materials that are combined through heat sealing, adhesives, mechanical fasteners or interlocks (such as slide fasteners, e.g., Ziploc®). While at least one envelope 12 containing a cleaning solution or lubricant can be used for operation of some embodiments regardless of the cleaner or lubricant phase, a plurality of envelopes 12 may be created within a single application material to assist in lubricant dispersal or manufacturing steps. The plurality of envelopes 12 may be established concurrently with or after creation of a single envelope 12, or may be independently created to form a plurality of lubricant filled compartments. Moreover, the plurality of envelopes or compartments, which may be within the primary envelope boundaries, may or may not be in fluid communication with each other, depending upon dispersal and manufacturing objectives. The plurality of envelopes 12 or compartments 14 may have a regular orientation or may be generally randomly oriented. Moreover, the envelopes 12 or compartments 14 may be of any geometric shape; the envelopes or compartments may be homogeneous or heterogeneous with respect to each other.

[0030] In another embodiment, the carrier sheet 30 impregnated with or containing a cleaner or lubricant. The cleaner or lubricant may be in liquid or solid phase, which will also affect the selection of a suitable carrier for the cleaner or lubricant. Particularly if the cleaner or lubricant is in liquid form, it is desirable to surround the carrier with cleaner or lubricant impervious material. In one r58323-8002-WO0000/SL052310 165 DOCl -7- emDoαiment, the carrier sheet impregnated or containing the cleaning solution and/or lubricant is contained in a sealed envelope 12. The envelope 12 with the carrier sheet 30 can be placed into the shredder. Accordingly, envelope 12 may be used to isolate the carrier sheet 30 from exposure to the environment prior to engagement with the shredder and its components.

[0031] In the embodiment with the carrier sheet in the envelope's compartment, the carrier is necessarily smaller than the inside dimensions of the envelope 12. The resultant difference when added to the dimension from the extreme outside of the envelope 12 to the seal, plus the thickness of the seal, can easily add up to a width that keeps the interior carrier from contact with the electric eye. Dispensing with the carrier in embodiments provides more consistent results, and it has less material costs to produce.

[0032] In use, an envelope 12 in accordance with the embodiments discussed above is introduced into the shredder. As the shredding mechanisms are activated, the mechanisms breach the envelope(s), thus exposing the components to the lubricant, or directly interacts with the carrier sheet 30 after its exposure to the carrier sheet. The envelope 12 (and carrier sheet if in the envelope) is fully shredded and the cleaning solution and/or lubricant is automatically delivered to the shredding mechanism, and then automatically shredded and disposed of with the other shredded material.

[0033] In other embodiments (Fig. 7), an envelope 12 is provided with two or more separate compartments 14 for the lubricant and the cleaning solution. The compartments 14 are sealed and arranged so that, as the envelope 12 is shredded, the envelope will first deliver cleaner to the shredder and then will deliver the required lubrication to the shredder. In another embodiment shown in Fig 8 and Fig 9 the envelope 12 has two or more separate compartments spaced apart from each other by a gap 40. In the illustrated embodiment, a cleaning solution is contained in the first compartment, and the lubricant is contained in the second compartment. When the envelope 12 is fed into the shredder, the cleaning solution will be dispensed first, and then the portion forming the gap 40 will move through the shredder before the shredder reaches the compartment 14 with the lubricant. Accordingly, the gap 40 will cause a pause before dispensing the lubricant, thereby giving the cleaning solution extra time to work. The amount of the delay is defined by the size of the gap 40 (and the speed of the shredder). Different embodiments can have different sized compartments and/or gaps 40.

[0034] In another embodiment, a time delay or "gap" 40 can be created by providing a break in a portion of the envelope 12 that activates the electric eye of the shredder. As an example, the envelope 12 can have an opaque strip 45 positioned to activate the electric eye, and the opaque strip 45 can have a break so that the shredder will temporarily turn off when the break in the strip gets to the electric eye. As the shredder shuts off, a pause occurs before the shredder reaches the next compartment in the envelope 12. In one embodiment, the break may be sized so that the shredder will remain off until a user re-feeds the rest of the envelope 12 through the shredder. Other breaks can be used from other timing purposes to control the shredder. In another embodiment shown in Figure 9, the space in the envelope 12 between the compartments with the fluids is occupied by a sheet of material 55 (paper, cellulose, spun plastic, cloth or PLA ingeo® fabric, which can either be in a separate (dry if required) compartment of the envelope 12. This sheet of material can provide a wiping of loosed adhesive particulate as well as a drying function before the following application of lubricant. Such wiping may be desirable to allow the lubricant to attain more uniform coverage with a reduced presence of the solvent or surfactant residue of the cleaning fluid. In another embodiment, the sheet of material may be contained in the same compartment as the cleaning fluid to achieve a "wet scrub" action through the first cleaning fluid cycle. The same space or gap discussed above could be provided in a desired position (and size) to allow for a pause in shredding for air drying before lubrication.

[0035] The compartment(s) in the envelope 12 are sealed so the material (e.g. fluid or solid) is fully contained until the compartment 14 is breached. In one embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the envelope 12 includes an optional air channel 50 for use when the appropriate amount of air cannot be removed from the compartments during manufacture. This air channel 50 provides an area for excess air in the cavity to go as the envelope 12 is being squeezed as it is fed into the shredder. Accordingly, the air channel 50 helps avoid a "pop" or explosion at an upper part of the envelope 12, which could result in an unwanted splatter of liquid lubricant or cleaning solution which occurs when an air bubble containing liquid is ("squeegeed") compressed and then pops under pressure as the last inches (or fractions thereof) f58323-80Q2-WO0000/SL052310 165 DOCl -9- of the envelope 12 are fed through the narrow shredder opening and even narrower gaps between the shredder gears.

[0036] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.

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Claims

CLAIMSI/We claim:

1. A cleaning and/or lubricating or cleaning system for a shredder substantially as described above and illustrated in figures.

2. A method of cleaning and/or lubricating a shredder as described above.

3. A lubrication sheet for lubricating a paper shredder, comprising: a lubrication substrate that is configured to be passed through a shredding mechanism of a paper shredder; and a lubricant carried by the lubrication substrate.

4. The lubrication sheet of claim 1 , wherein the lubrication substrate comprises a substrate that is impregnated with the lubricant.

5. The lubrication sheet of claim 2, wherein the lubrication substrate is formed from a fluoropolymer resin.

6. The lubrication sheet of claim 2, further comprising one or more shell layers adjacent to the lubrication substrate.

7. The lubrication sheet of claim 4, wherein the one or more shell layers comprise two shell layers, one on either side of the lubrication substrate, the two shell layers forming a shell that is substantially impermeable to the lubricant.

8. The lubrication sheet of claim 4, wherein the lubrication substrate comprises a corrugated tissue paper.

9. The lubrication sheet of claim 4, wherein the one or more shell layers are formed from cellophane.

[58323-8002-WO0000/SLQ52310.165.DOC1 -1 1-

10. The lubrication sheet of claim 4, wherein the one or more shell layers are formed from a polymeric material.

1 1. The lubrication sheet of claim 1 , further comprising a decomposition agent that is carried by the lubrication substrate and is capable of facilitating the decomposition of paper that has been shredded by the paper shredder.

12. A method for lubricating a shredding mechanism of a paper shredder, comprising: obtaining a lubrication sheet that includes: a lubrication substrate that is configured to be passed through a shredding mechanism of a paper shredder; and a lubricant carried by the lubrication substrate; and passing the lubrication sheet through the shredding mechanism of the paper shredder such that the lubrication sheet is shredded and the lubricant is applied to the shredding mechanism.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the lubrication substrate comprises a substrate that is impregnated with the lubricant.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the lubrication sheet further comprises one or more shell layers adjacent to the lubrication substrate.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the lubrication substrate further carries a decomposition agent that is released when the lubrication sheet is passed through the shredding mechanism, such that the decomposition agent facilitates the decomposition of paper that has been shredded by the paper shredder.