GB2613589A

GB2613589A - Combined shredding and compressing system

Info

Publication number: GB2613589A
Application number: GB2117656.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Guy Peter
Original assignee: Brightthing Brands Ltd
Current assignee: Brightthing Brands Ltd
Priority date: 2021-12-07
Filing date: 2021-12-07
Publication date: 2023-06-14
Also published as: GB202117656D0

Abstract

A shredding system comprising a paper shredder, a collection bin 1 comprising a base collection plate, a compressor 3 comprising two compression surfaces 4 each compression surface having a respective inner edge. The compressor is moveable between an open and closed configurations, in the open configuration the inner edges of the two compression surfaces define a slot to allow the passage of shredded paper, and in the closed configuration the inner edges of the two compression surfaces are too close together to allow the passage of shredded paper between the two compression surfaces. The system may be moveable between shredding and compression configurations via manual or electronic actuators. The base of the collection bin may be moveable. A shredder comprising inner and outer collection bins, the inner collection bin being slidably received within the outer collection bin is further disclosed.

Description

Combined Shredding and Compressing System Field of the invention [1] The invention relates to a shredding system. In particular, the invention relates to a combined paper shredding and compressing system.

Background of the invention.

[2] Shredders are commonly accompanied by a collection bin, which is used for storing shredded waste. Once the collection bin is full, it needs to be emptied in order to prevent the shredded waste from obstructing the cutting blades of the shredder.

[003] Due to the shredded paper falling loosely into the collection bin, there is typically significant empty space between the shredded paper once the collected shredded paper reaches the top of the collection bin. Thus, the collection bin fills up relatively quickly.

[4] Some shredders arc therefore accompanied by compressors arranged to compress the shredded paper within the collection bin in order to increase bin capacity and leave room for more shredded paper, thus decreasing the frequency of waste disposal. For example, US 2006/0157600 describes a paper shredder in which a manually operated pressing device pushes down on shredded paper in a collection bin to compress it, and US 7762486 also describes a shredder having a foot-operated compressor for compressing shredded paper downwards in the collection bin.

[5] Nevertheless, current compressors for shredded paper do not avoid the process of emptying the collection bin being difficult and time consuming for the user, as the user has to tip or dig into the collection bin in order to extract the 25 compressed shredded paper.

[0061 Therefore, there is a need for a compressor for shredded paper that enables the user to empty the collection bin easily once the compressed paper fills the collection bin.

Summary of the invention

[0071 A first aspect of the invention provides a shredding system comprising: a paper shredder; a collection bin comprising a base collection plate; a compressor, comprising two compression surfaces, each compression surface having a respective inner edge, the compressor being moveable between an open configuration and a closed configuration; wherein: in the open configuration, the inner edges of the two compression surfaces define a slot configured to allow the passage of shredded paper between the two compression surfaces; and in the closed configuration, the inner edges of the two compression surfaces come together to prevent the passage of shredded paper between the two compression surfaces.

[0081 Providing a compressor with a closable slot in this way allows the user to compress the shredded paper within the collection bin effectively and conveniently. A separate compressor is not required, and the paper shredder does not need to be removed, since paper shredded by the paper shredder can pass through the slot in the compressor, into the collection bin. Because the slot can be closed, all of the shredded paper in the collection bin can be compressed whenever the user desires it, without any of the shredded paper escaping the collection bin through the slot in the compressor.

[009] In some embodiments, the system is moveable between: a shredding configuration; and a compressing configuration; wherein, the compressor and the 25 base collection plate are closer together in the compressing configuration than in the shredding configuration.

[0101 Moving the compressor and the base collection plate closer together is a convenient way of compressing the paper in the collection bin, since the shredded paper is contained between the base collection plate, side walls of the collection bin, and the compressor and is thus forced closer together as the base collection plate and the compressor are moved closer together.

[11] In some such embodiments, the system is moveable from the shredding 5 configuration to the compressing configuration by means of a manual actuator.

[12] Using a manual actuator, such as a handle or a crank, provides the most cost effective and energy efficient means of moving the compressor and the base collection plate closer together to use the shredding system in the compressing configuration, and farther apart to use the shredding system in the shredding configuration.

[13] In some such embodiments, the system is resiliently biased towards the shredding configuration.

[14] Providing a resilient bias, for example using a spring, towards the shredding configuration in embodiments with a manual actuator is particularly convenient, since it means that the user needs only manually move the compressor and the base collection plate closer together to use the shredding system in the compressing configuration. The shredding system will then return to the shredding configuration without further actuation by the user. Since the shredding system will typically be used in the shredding configuration most of the time, this is far preferable to biasing the shredding system towards the compressthg configuration.

[15] In other embodiments, the system is moveable between the shredding configuration and the compressing configuration by means of an electrical actuator.

[016] 1h is is especially convenient in environments such as offices, in which the shredding system is likely to be used very frequently. Providing electronic actuation, such as by means of a motor, gear and linear track system, reduces the exertion required of a user to move the shredding system between the compressing configuration and the shredding configuration.

10171 In some embodiments, moving the system from the shredding configuration to the compressing configuration causes the compressor to move from the open configuration to the closed configuration, and moving the system from the compressing configuration to the shredding configuration causes the compressor to move from the closed configuration to the open configuration.

10181 Since it is desirable to have the compressor in the open configuration when the shredding system is in the shredding configuration, to allow the passage of shredded paper from the paper shredder to the collection bin, and since it is also desirable to have the compressor in the closed configuration when the shredding system is in the compressing configuration, to prevent the escape of shredded paper from the collection bin, it is especially convenient to automatically cause the compressor to change configuration when the shredding system changes configuration, thus reducing the number of operations the user has to control directly.

10191 In some embodiments, the collection bin further comprises an outer shell; the base collection plate is contained within the outer shell and is movable depth-wise within the outer shell; and moving the system from the shredding configuration to the compressing configuration comprises moving the base collection plate towards the compressor.

10201 By providing an inner structure to the collection bin, which is slidable within the collection bin, said inner structure including the base collection plate, it is possible to move from the shredding configuration to the compressing configuration by moving the base collection plate towards the compressor. There are numerous other advantages to providing a slidable inner structure to the collection bin, which will become apparent below.

[21] In some such embodiments, the base collection plate is a tray comprising a planar horizontal base encompassed by vertical side walls.

[22] Providing the slidable inner structure comprising the base collection plate with side walls means that it can contain a certain amount of shredded paper, especially compressed shredded paper, without the aid of the outer structure of the collection bin. '1'his is particularly useful when emptying the collection bin, since the inner structure, which is necessarily smaller than the outer structure in order to enable the sliding movement, can be removed from the outer structure and more easily transported to a waste disposal point.

[023] In some such embodiments, the base collection plate comprises at least one hole in its planar horizontal base, said hole being large enough for the insertion of a user's finger or thumb.

[24] When using the inner structure comprising the base collection plate for waste disposal as described above, it is convenient to be able to dislodge the shredded paper from the inner structure. This may be especially difficult when a user has injected binding fluid into the collection bin in order to more closely and permanently bind the compressed shredded paper together. Providing holes in the base collection plate enables the user to insert fingers and/or thumbs through the holes to push the compressed shredded paper out of the inner structure for disposal. Such holes are also useful by providing a drainage outlet for excess binding fluid. They may also reduce the cost of manufacturing the shredding system by reducing the amount of material required to form the inner structure.

[25] In some such embodiments, the outer shell comprises a horizontal base, with a hole through said horizontal base large enough for the insertion of a user's 25 hand and arm.

[26] Such a hole provides a drainage outlet for excess binding fluid from the outer structure, once it has drained from the inner structure as described above. Furthermore, by pushing an arm upwards through the hole, the user can push the inner structure up through and out of the outer structure in order to remove it for use in waste disposal. The hole in the base of the outer structure can also reduce the cost of manufacturing the shredding system by reducing the amount of material required to form the outer structure.

[027] In other embodiments, moving the system from the shredding configuration to the compressing configuration comprises moving the compressor toward the base collection plate.

[28] In such embodiments, an inner structure may not be necessary, since the compressor is movable towards the base collection plate. Thus, it is not necessary for the base collection plate to move with respect to the collection bin in order to move the shredding system between the shredding configuration and the compressing configuration. Nevertheless, it will be apparent that the other advantages of the slidable base collection plate, such as the more convenient removal and disposal of shredded paper, still apply in embodiments with a moving compressor, and therefore some embodiments of the shredding system provide both a movable compressor and a movable base collection plate.

[29] In some embodiments, a hole is formed through a surface of the collection bin for the injection of a liquid into the collection bin.

[30] In order to prevent the compressed shredded paper expanding again once the shredding system returns to the shredding configuration after entering the compressing configuration, a user may find it convenient to inject a binding fluid through a hole in the side of the collection bin, which will mix with the shredded paper and cause it to stick together. One suitable binding fluid is water. In embodiments comprising an inner structure having a base collection plate with side walls, the binding fluid hole should not overlap with the side walls of the inner structure when the inner structure is at rest at the bottom of the outer structure.

[031] A second aspect of the invention provides a shredding system comprising: a paper shredder; an outer collection bin comprising a base and side walls; and an inner collection bin comprising a base and side walls; wherein: the inner collection bin is slidably received within the outer collection bin; and the side walls of the inner collection bin are shorter than the side wall of the outer collection bin.

10321 A slidable inner structure comprising a base and side walls can contain a certain amount of shredded paper, especially compressed shredded paper, without the aid of the outer structure of the collection bin. This is particularly useful when emptying the collection bin, since the inner structure, which is necessarily smaller than the outer structure in order to enable the sliding movement, can be removed from the outer structure and more easily transported to a waste disposal point.

[033] Some embodiments comprise at least one hole through the base of the inner collection bin, large enough for the insertion of the finger or thumb of a user.

10341 When using the inner structure for waste disposal as described above, it is convenient to be able to dislodge the shredded paper from the inner structure. This may be especially difficult when a user has injected binding fluid into the collection bin in order to more closely and permanently bind the compressed shredded paper together. Providing holes in the base collection plate enables the user to insert fingers and/or thumbs through the holes to push the compressed shredded paper out of the inner structure for disposal. Such holes are also useful by providing a drainage outlet for excess binding fluid. They may also reduce the cost of manufacturing the shredding system by reducing the amount of material required to form the inner structure.

10351 Some such embodiments comprise at least one hole through the base of the outer collection bin, large enough for the insertion of the hand and arm of a user.

[036] Such a hole provides a drainage outlet for excess binding fluid from the outer structure, once it has drained from the inner structure as described above. Furthermore, by pushing an arm upwards through the hole, the user can push the inner structure up through and out of the outer structure in order to remove it for use in waste disposal. The hole in the base of the outer structure can also reduce the cost of manufacturing the shredding system by reducing the amount of material required to form the outer structure.

[037] Some embodiments comprise at least one hole through one of the side walls of the outer collection bin, large enough to receive the input of a fluid.

10381 In order to prevent the compressed shredded paper expanding again once the shredding system returns to the shredding configuration after entering the compressing configuration, a user may find it convenient to inject a binding fluid through a hole in the side of the collection bin, which will mix with the shredded paper and cause it to stick together. One suitable binding fluid is water. In embodiments comprising an inner structure having a base collection plate with side walls, the binding fluid hole should not overlap with the side walls of the inner structure when the inner structure is at rest at the bottom of the outer structure.

[039] In some embodiments, the inner collection bin further comprises an inner dividing wall, dividing the interior space of the inner collection bin into two halves.

[040] This will be especially useful when a binding fluid is used, since the result will be two smaller blocks of compressed and bound shredded paper, which can be removed separately for disposal. Two smaller blocks will fit more readily into more waste disposal receptacles than one larger block.

[41] Some such embodiments provide at least two holes through the base of the 20 inner collection bin, one on either side of the inner dividing wall, each hole being large enough for the insertion of the finger or thumb of a user.

[42] This facilitates the removal of the separate smaller blocks of compressed shredded paper, enabling a user to insert a finger or thumb through each hole to dislodge the respective block from the inner collection bin.

[043] In some such embodiments, the inner dividing wall is removable from the inner collection bin.

[44] By providing a removable inner wall for the inner collection bin, the user can choose whether or not the compressed shredded paper is divided into two blocks by the compressing action, thus increasing the versatility of the shredding system. Where at least one hole is provided through the side walls of the outer collection bin for the injection of binding fluid in embodiments with a dividing wall, the hole or holes should be positioned so that the binding fluid can be distributed on both sides of the dividing wall.

[45] A dividing wall in the inner collection bin may be provided to the base collection plate of some embodiments of the first aspect of the invention, for 10 example in some embodiments in which the base collection plate forms part of a base collection tray with side walls.

Brief description of drawings

[46] The invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to certain preferred embodiments and the following drawings. Where terms are used which assume relative positions or orientations of the features of the embodiments described, they are to be understood with reference to an in use orientation, as depicted in Figure 1.

[47] Figure 1 depicts an isometric, transparent view of an embodiment of the shredding system of the invention.

[048] Figure 2 depicts an isometric view of a compressor of the invention, with the handles removed.

[49] Figure 3 depicts a side view and a top view of the compressor depicted in Figure 2, with the handles attached.

[50] Figure 4 depicts an exploded view of an embodiment the inner and outer 25 collection bins of the invention, presented upside down.

Detailed description

[51] Figure 1 depicts an isometric, transparent view of an embodiment of the shredding system of the invention. The shredding system comprises an outer collection bin 1, an inner collection bin 2, a compressor 3, and a shredder (not 5 shown).

[52] The compressor 3, shown more clearly in Figures 2 and 3, comprises a pair of compressor plates 4, a compressor frame 5 surrounding the compressor plates 4, and to which the compressor plates 4 are pivotably attached, and a pair of handles 6. In the depicted embodiment, the handles 6 extend upwardly from the compressor 3, defining a space into which a shredder (not shown) can be placed.

[53] The handles 6 arc fixed to the compressor plates 4 and each other, at opposite ends of the compressor plates 4, by means of a pair of elongate rods 7 which pass through the frame 5 and the compressor plates 4. One elongate rod 7 passes through a first hollowed out passage through each respective one of the compressor plates 4.

[54] The compressor plates 4 are pivotably attached to the frame 5 by a pair of pivoting rods (not shown, but discernible in outline by contours 8 on the compressor plates 4). One pivoting rod passes through a second hollowed out passage through each respective one of the compressor plates 4.

[055] Tracks 9 are provided, in the form of vertical slots extend from the top of the outer collection bin 1 to a point in the lower half of the outer collection bin. The horizontal width of the tracks 9 is substantially equal to the horizontal width of the elongate rods 7.

[056] Resilient biasing means, such as springs (not shown) are provided in or 25 proximate the tracks 9. In use, the compressor 3 rests near the top of the outer collection bin 1, with he elongate rods 7 in the tracks 9, held close to the top of the tracks 9 by the resilient biasing means. The frame 5 has an outer profile smaller than the inner profile of the outer collection bin 1 so that it is slidablc within the outer collection bin I. The upper edge of the frame 5 is at rest level with or slightly below the upper edge of the outer collection bin 1, so that the shredder (not shown) can rest on the upper edge of the outer collection bin 1 above the frame 5.

[057] The elongate rods 7 are disposed closer to the outer edges of their respective compressor plates 4 than the pivoting rods. Vertical slots 10 are provided though the frame for the elongate rods 7 to pass through. The horizontal extension of the slots 10 is substantially equal to the horizontal cross-sectional width of the elongate rods 7. The vertical extension of the slots 10 is greater than the vertical cross-sectional height of the elongate rods 7, so that the elongate rods 7 are vertically slidablc within the slots 10. Thus, sliding the elongate rods 7 up and down within the slots 10 causes the compressor plates 4 to pivot about the pivoting rods.

[058] When the frame 5 is at rest at the top of the outer collection bin 1, elongate rods 7 are resiliently biased towards the top of the vertical slots 10. This may be by the same resilient biasing means which keeps the frame 5 at rest at the top of the outer collection bin 1, in cooperation with the weight of the frame and compressor plates 4. Alternatively, a separate resilient biasing means may be provided to keep the elongate slots 7 at rest towards the top of the vertical slots 10.

[59] The inner edges of the compressor plates 4 define a compressor slot 11 between them when the elongate rods 7 are at rest towards the top of the vertical slots 10. Lowering the elongate rods 7 towards the bottom of the vertical slots 10 causes the compressor plates 4 to pivot about the pivoting rods so that their inner edges meet in the centre of the frame, thus closing the compressor slot 11.

[60] In use, when a user wishes to compress shredded paper held in the inner and outer collection bins 1, 2, she pushes down on the handles 6, causing the elongate rods 7 to slide down the tracks 9, against the resilient bias which holds the frame 5 at rest near the top of the outer collection bin 1, until the elongate rods 7 reach the bottom of the tracks 9 and can slide no further.

10611 As can be most clearly seen in the upper image of Figure 3, in this embodiment the bottom edge of the frame 5 is lower than the bottom edges of the handles 6.

10621 As shown in Figure 1, the bottoms of the tracks 9 terminate at handle stops 12. These are ledges on the outside surface of the outer collection bin 1, which support the bottom edges of the handles 6 when the handles 6 are pushed down to the bottom of the tracks 9 in use. The upper edge of the inner collection bin 2 is at the same or a similar height to the bottom of the tracks 9 and the handle stops 12.

10631 When the user pushes down on the handles 6, causing the elongate rods 7 to slide down the tracks, the bottom edge of the frame 5 meets the upper edge of the inner collection bin 3 before the elongate rods 7 reach the bottom of the track 9 and the bottom edges of the handles 6 meet the handle stops 12. This means that the frame 5 does not move lower, while the handles 6 and the elongate rods 7 continue to move downwards. Thus, the vertical slots 10 are stationary while the elongate rods 7 continue to move downwards, and so the elongate rods 7 move to the bottom of the vertical slots 10. This in turn causes the compressor plates 4 to pivot about the pivoting rods and close the compressor slot 11. In this way, the user can cause the compressor plates 4 to move down to the level of the inner collection bin 2 for a compressing action, and close the compressor slot 11, in a single movement.

10641 The advantages of this system are clear. The compressor slot 11 is open when the shredding system is in a shredding mode, with the compressor plates towards the top of the outer collection bin 1, so that shredded paper can fall through the compressor slot 11 into the collection bins 1,2. The compressor slot 11 is closed when the shredding system is in a compressing mode, with the compressor plates 4 pushed down to the inner collection bin 2, so that shredded paper cannot escape through the compressor slot 11 during compression.

[65] Optionally, a series of catches or other temporary locking mechanisms are spaced vertically down the outer sides of the outer collection bin 1. These can be used to temporarily lock the handles 6 in place against the resilient bias. By these means, when a user is pushing down on the handles 6 to compress the paper, she can lock the handles 6 in place in a position farther down than the at-rest position, including at the bottom, when the compressor plates 4 are proximate the top of the inner collection bin 2. Thus, shredded paper can be compressed against the compressor plates 4 for a prolonged period, without the user having to continue to push against the resilient bias throughout that period. The structural resistance of the shredded paper to compression is thereby broken down more than it would be with a brief compression, and any binding fluid that has been injected will have longer to take effect, so that when the handles 6 are released from the catches, and the compressor plates 4 return to their at-rest position, it is more likely that the shredded paper will retain its compressed form.

[66] Figure 4 shows an isometric view of the inner collection bin 2 and the outer collection bin 1. Inner collection bin holes 13 are provided through the bottom of the inner collection bin 2, large enough so that a user can push a thumb through 20 each inner collection bin hole 13.

[67] An outer collection bin hole 14 is provided through the bottom of the outer collection bin 1, large enough for a user to insert a hand and/or arm though the outer collection bin hole 14.

[68] An optional fluid injection hole (not shown) may be provided through a side wall of the outer collection bin 1.

[0691 In use, a user will push paper through the shredder, causing the paper to be shredded. The shredded paper will fall through the compressor slot 11 and collect in the inner collection bin 2. As more shredded paper passes through the compressor slot, the level of the shredded paper will rise above the upper edge of the inner collection bin 2 and will eventually substantially fill the outer collection bin 1. The user will then (optional.) inject a binding fluid, such as water, through the fluid injection hole, wetting the shredded paper contained in the collection bins 1, 2. Next, the user will push down on the handles 6, causing the compressor plates 4 to move downwards towards the upper edge of the inner collection bin. This will force the pieces of shredded paper closer together, until they are contained within the inner collection bin. At the same time, the compressor plates 4 will pivot, causing the compressor slot 11 to close, preventing the escape of 10 pieces of shredded paper through the compressor slot 11.

10701 Once this compressing action has been completed, the user will release the handles 6. The resilient bias will then cause the compressor 3 to move upwards to its at-rest position near the top of the outer collection bin. The shredded paper will remain in a more compressed configuration than its pre-compression action configuration. If binding fluid is present, the shredded paper will stick together during the compressing action and will therefore retain its configuration from the compression action.

10711 When the user wishes to empty the shredding system, she lifts the shredder from the top of the outer collection bin 1 and sets it aside, and then lifts the compressor 3 from the top of the outer collection bin 1 and sets it aside. She then lifts the outer collection bin 1 and inserts a hand through the outer collection bin hole 14, sliding the inner collection bin 2 up to the top of the outer collection bin 1 so that it can easily be removed from the outer collection bin 1. The user then sets the outer collection bin 1 aside and carries the inner collection bin 2, filled with compressed shredded paper, to a waste disposal point, such as a paper recycling bin. She then inserts a thumb through one of the inner collection bin holes 13, to dislodge the compressed shredded paper, and empties it into the waste disposal point, before reassembling the shredding system and restarting the cycle.

[072] Although the invention has been described by means of a preferred embodiment, this embodiment is not limiting. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims.

Claims

Claims 1 A shredding system comprising: a paper shredder; a collection bin comprising a base collection plate; a compressor, comprising two compression surfaces, each compression surface having a respective inner edge, the compressor being moveable between an open configuration and a closed configuration; wherein: in the open configuration, the inner edges of the two compression surfaces define a slot configured to allow the passage of shredded paper between the two compression surfaces; and in the closed configuration, the inner edges of the two compression surfaces come together to prevent the passage of shredded paper between the two compression surfaces.
2. A shredding system according to claim 1 wherein-the system is moveable between: a shredding configuration; and a compressing configuration; wherein, the compressor and the base collection plate are closer together in the compressing configuration than in the shredding configuration.
3. A shredding system according to claim 2, wherein the system is moveable from the shredding configuration to the compressing configuration by means of a manual actuator.
4. A shredding system according to claim 3, wherein the system is resiliently biased towards the shredding configuration.
5. A shredding system according to claim 2, wherein the system is moveable between the shredding configuration and the compressing configuration by means of an electrical actuator.
6. A shredding system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein moving the system from the shredding configuration to the compressing configuration causes the compressor to move from the open configuration to the closed configuration, and moving the system from the compressing configuration to the shredding configuration causes the compressor to move from the closed configuration to the open configuration.
7. A shredding system according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein: the collection bin further comprises an outer shell; the base collection plate is contained within the outer shell and is movable depth-within the outer shell; and moving the system from the shredding configuration to the compressing configuration comprises moving the base collection plate towards the compressor.
8. A shredding system according to claim 7, wherein the base collection plate is a tray comprising a planar horizontal base encompassed by vertical side walls.
9. A shredding system according to claim 8, wherein the base collection plate comprises at least one hole in its planar horizontal base, said hole being large enough for the insertion of a user's finger or thumb.
10. A shredding system according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the outer she comprises a horizontal base, with a hole through said horizontal base large enough 20 for the insertion of a user's hand and arm.
11. A shredding system according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein moving the system from the shredding configuration to the compressing configuration comprises moving the compressor toward the base collection plate.
12. A shredding system according to any preceding claim wherein a hole is 25 formed through a surface of the collection bin for the injection of a liquid into the collection bin.
13. A shredding system comprising: a paper shredder; an outer collection bin comprising a base and side walls; and an inner collection bin comprising a base and side walls; wherein: the inner collection bin is slidably received within the outer collection bin; and the side walls of the inner collection bin are shorter than the side wall of the outer collection bin.
14. A shredding system according to claim 13, comprising at least one hole through the base of the inner collection bin, large enough for the insertion of the 10 finger or thumb of a user.
15. A shredding system according to claim 12 or claim 13, comprising at least one hole through the base of the outer collection bin, large enough for the insertion of the hand and arm of a user.
16. A shredding system according to any one of claims 13 to 15, comprising at 15 least one hole through one of the side walls of the outer collection bin, large enough to receive the input of a fluid.
17. A shredding system according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the inner collection bin further comprises an inner dividing wall, dividing the interior space of the inner collection bin into two halves.
18. A shredding system according to claim. 17 when dependent on claim 14, comprising at least two holes through the base of the inner collection bin, one on either side of the inner dividing wall, each hole being large enough for the insertion of the finger or thumb of a user.
19. A shredding system according to &inn 17 or claim 18, wherein the inner 25 dividing wall is removable from the inner collection bin.