WO2005097329A1

WO2005097329A1 - Integrated paper shredder and waste collection apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2005097329A1
Application number: PCT/US2005/010812
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul R. Holbrook; Tony J. Abfall; Sigurd A. Nelson Ii; David M. Waskin; Stephen J. Kohler; Richard Mazursky
Original assignee: Digital Innovations, Llc
Priority date: 2004-03-30
Filing date: 2005-03-30
Publication date: 2005-10-20

Abstract

An integrated shredder and waste collecting apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a waste receptacle (44) integrated with a shredder (70). A waste bin may be included within the receptacle to collect waste products. The shredder includes an inlet for materials to be fed into the shredder and an outlet through which shredded material is dispensed. The shredded material is dispensed into the receptacle or the waste bin. The waste bin may be removable from the receptacle to dispose of shredded material and other waste therein. The apparatus may include a cover pivotally connected to the receptacle and operable to selectively cover and uncover the receptacle and the waste bin. The waste-receiving opening may be defined in the cover.

Description

INTEGRATED PAPER SHREDDER AND WASTE COLLECTION APPARATUS

RELATED APPLICATION [0001] The present application claims the benefit of co-pending, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/557,827, filed March 30, 2004, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND [0002] Waste bins are well known for disposing trash and the like. Often waste bins are used in conjunction with paper shredders for catching and retaining shredded documents and other papers. The shredder is typically set atop the waste bin and is removable to allow for emptying of the shredded items. However, the combination of a paper shredder and waste bin is somewhat disadvantageous since the shredder substantially blocks the bin opening, thereby precluding the use of the waste bin for easy disposal of waste. Additionally, since the shredder is designed to accept and slired paper items only, the shredder must be removed from the waste bin to dispose of wet or dry foodstuffs or other items to prevent contamination of the shredder. Moreover, the shredder must be removed from the bin to empty the bin's contents. Therefore, individuals often resort to purchasing and utilizing separate paper shredders and waste bins, which is disadvantageous from cost and space-utilization standpoints.

[0003] In view of the foregoing, there is a need for an integrated paper shredder and waste collection apparatus, which should be easy to use, safe, preclude the need to remove the shredder to dispose of the collected waste, and facilitate insertion of non-paper products into the apparatus.

BRIEF SUMMARY [0004] In some aspects, an integral shredder and waste collection apparatus is provided and includes a receptacle for receiving waste and a shredder integral with the receptacle, the shredder including an inlet for materials to be fed into the shredder to be shredded to form shredded material and an outlet through which shredded material is dispensed, wherein the shredded material is dispensed into the receptacle. [0005] In other aspects, the waste receptacle may include a waste bin removably supported therein for receiving the waste inserted into the waste bin. The integral shredder includes an inlet for materials to be fed into the shredder to be shredded to form shredded material and an outlet through which shredded material is dispensed into the waste bin, which is removable from the receptacle in order to dispose of any shredded material and waste within the waste bin. The waste bin may include a handle for convenient removal. A plastic bag or trash can liner may be substituted for, or used in conjunction with, the waste bin to facilitate collection and disposal of waste.

[0006] In yet other aspects, the integral shredder and waste collection apparatus is provided with a cover pivotally connected to the waste receptacle to selectively close the opening in the receptacle through which waste is inserted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0008] Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of an integrated paper shredder and waste bin apparatus.

[0009] Fig. 2 is a side view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, with the top cover open to show the general arrangement of interior parts.

[0010] Fig. 3 is a front perspective view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, shown with a top cover in a raised position.

[0011] Fig. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 , shown with a bin removed.

[0012] Before at least one embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0013] Referring now to the figures and particularly Fig. 1 , an integrated paper shredder and waste collection apparatus 10 is shown. The apparatus 10 includes a housing 20 constructed of any suitable material known in the art. One such material is molded or formed plastic. The housing 20 may be constructed of one or more pieces to facilitate manufacturing and/or assembly. As illustrated, the housing 20 is sized and shaped similar to a typical waste can or bin for home or office use and includes a top cover 30 and an actuator or foot pedal 40. The housing 20 and top cover 30 may include an external smooth finish that facilitates cleaning spills or the like.

[0014] As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the housing 20 includes a receptacle 44 into which a removable bin 60 is insertable and removable. As shown, the bin 60 may include a handle 62 for facilitating removal of the bin 60 from the housing 20, carrying, and emptying of the bin 60 into another container such as a garbage bag. In the illustrated construction, the housing 20 includes a lip 58 for supporting a portion of the bin in the receptacle 44. Alternatively, the housing 20 can support the bin 60 in a variety of other manners, such as, for example by a bottom surface of the bin 60 or by a press-fit between sides of the receptacle 44 and sides of the bin 60. Also, a plastic bag or other suitable trash can liner could be used to collect the refuse introduced into the apparatus 10 instead of the waste bin 60 or in conjunction with such bin 60. In another embodiment, the waste bin 60 or trash can liner could be eliminated so that the waste is collected directly in the housing 20.

[0015] Referring to Figs. 1-4, the housing 20 also includes a paper shredding device 70. As known in the art, the shredding device 70 may be a strip, cross-cut or other shredding device for destroying documents and other paper product. Also as known in the art, the shredding device 70 may include a powering means such as an electrical cord and plug 71 for energizing the device 70. Additionally, the apparatus 10 and/or the device 70 may include a multi-position switch (not shown) as is common, such as, for example an on/off/reverse switch where the reverse switch is used to remove jammed paper in the device 70. The shredding device 70 is integral with and disposed within the housing 20 behind and slightly elevated above the bin 60. A paper inlet 72 allows paper to be fed into the shredding device 70 and a paper outlet 74 allows shredded paper to be ejected from the shredding device 70. As shown, the paper outlet 74 is positioned above the bin 60 such that ejected shredded paper may fall unobstructed forward and downward via gravity into the bin 60. Additionally, the illustrated position of the shredding device 70 with respect to the bin 60 helps to inhibit the accidental disposal of non-paper waste in the shredding device 70.

[0016] Referring now to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the top cover 30 is described in further detail. The cover 30 may be latchable or otherwise coupled to the housing 20 to inhibit accidental or unwanted opening. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the top cover 30 is pivotally coupled to the housing 20 proximate the top and rear portion of the apparatus 10. By raising the cover 30 upward, an individual may gain access to the shredding device 70 for maintenance, and gain access to the bin 60 for emptying the paper and waste contents. The cover 30 includes an opening 50 for waste disposal and a bin door 52 positioned in the opening 50 and pivotally coupled to the cover 30. As illustrated and mentioned previously, the apparatus 10 includes a foot pedal 40 that is operative to open and close the door 52. In this way, the pedal 40 obviates the need to touch or handle the door 52, and promotes sanitation. A mechanical linkage assembly or mechanism known in the art may couple the pedal 40 to the door 52. The door 52 may be biased in an upward position to be flush with the top cover 30. As illustrated, the door 52 opens generally downward and inward when the pedal 40 is actuated to allow disposal of an item into the bin 60. Advantageously, when the door 52 is open in its downward and inward position, the door 52 acts as a shield to inhibit disposed items from contaminating the shredding device 70 by way of the paper outlet 74. Moreover, when the door 52 is open in its downward and inward position, the door 52 promotes safety of operation by preventing individuals from accessing the underside of the shredding device 70 through the paper outlet 74, such as the paper cutting/shredding mechanism.

[0017] Various safety mechanisms may be included in the apparatus, such as a safety interlock device that inhibits shredding device 70 operation if the cover 30 is not in a closed position. An additional safety mechanism, which may be included, is a movable protective cover. The movable protective cover may be biased in a barrier position over the paper inlet 72, and lifted or otherwise moved to gain access to the shredding device 70 to slired paper products. Such a movable protective cover would also effectively eliminate any possibility of accidental injury and/or non-paper waste entering and contaminating the shredding device 70. [0018] In other embodiments, the apparatus 10 may include a segmented bin, or alternatively, more than one bin to facilitate separation and obviate co-mingling of various different waste products. Since some individuals are very interested and diligent in recycling, two bins may be provided such that shredded paper products are retained in one bin separately from waste. For example, shredded paper may fall into a rear bin for recycling, and waste may be disposed of into a front bin for disposal. In this way, paper products may effectively be kept out of the solid waste stream. Additionally, embodiments may include various indicating means for signaling to the user when the bin is full and needs to be emptied. Alternatively, the door 52 and/or the cover 30 may be transparent or translucent such that the user may visually inspect the level of waste in the bin 60 and the operation of the shredding device 70.

[0019] The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims

CLAIMS We claim: 1. An integral shredder and waste collection apparatus comprising: a receptacle having an opening through which waste may be introduced; and a shredder integral with the receptacle, the shredder including an inlet for materials to be fed into the shredder to be shredded to form shredded material, and an outlet through which shredded material is dispensed; wherein the shredded material is dispensed into the receptacle.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus facilitates simultaneous shredding of materials and insertion of waste through the opening in the waste receptacle.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the opening is defined in a top surface of the receptacle.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a cover pivotally connected to the receptacle to selectively cover and uncover the opening in the receptacle.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a removable waste bin is disposed within the receptacle for collecting waste introduced therein.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a cover is pivotally connected to the receptacle for covering the waste-receiving opening therein and the removable waste bin, the cover being adapted to be pivoted upwardly to uncover the removable waste bin so that the waste bin can be removed from the receptacle.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a door connected to the cover, the door being movable between a closed position, in which the door is positioned in the opening and closes off the opening, and an open position, in which the door is not fully positioned in the opening and allows waste to be inserted through the opening.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising an actuator coupled to the door to move the door between the open and closed positions.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the actuator is a foot pedal. j

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the door covers the outlet of the shredder when in the open position in order to prevent contamination of the outlet when waste is inserted through the opening and into the waste bin.

11. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the inlet of the shredder is adjacent a top of the receptacle and the outlet is positioned within the receptacle and substantially above the waste bin, wherein shredded material dispensed from the outlet falls into the waste bin.

12. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the waste bin is removably supported within the receptacle and is removable to dispose of any waste or shredded material therein.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the waste bin includes a handle to facilitate its removal from the receptacle.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the waste bin is removable from the receptacle without removing the shredder from the receptacle.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein waste is removable from the receptacle without removing the receptacle.

16. An integral shredder and waste collection apparatus comprising: a receptacle having an opening; a waste bin removably supported in the receptacle, wherein waste is insertable through the opening and into the waste bin; and a shredder integral with the receptacle and including an inlet for materials to be fed into the shredder to be shredded to form shredded material, and an outlet through which shredded material is dispensed, the shredded material being dispensed into the waste bin; wherein the waste bin is removable from the receptacle in order to dispose of any shredded material and waste within the waste bin.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a cover pivotally connected to the receptacle, the cover being pivotal to selectively cover and uncover the receptacle and the waste bin, the opening being defined in the cover.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the cover is adapted to be pivoted upwardly to uncover the waste bin so that the waste bin can be removed from the receptacle.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a door connected to the cover, the door being movable between a closed position, in which the door is positioned in the opening and closes off the opening, and an open position, in which the door is not fully positioned in the opening and allows waste to be inserted through the opening.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising an actuator coupled to the door to move the door between the open and closed positions.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the actuator is a foot pedal.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the door is pivotable between the open position and the closed position.

23. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the door covers the outlet of the shredder when in the open position in order to prevent contamination of the outlet when waste is inserted through the opening and into the waste bin.

24. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the waste bin is removable from the receptacel without removing the shredder.

25. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the apparatus facilitates simultaneous shredding of materials and insertion of waste through the opening and into the waste bin.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the waste bin includes a handle for facilitating its removal from the receptacle.

27. An integral shredder and waste collection apparatus comprising: a receptacle; a waste bin removably positionable in the receptacle; a cover pivotally connected to the receptacle and being pivotal to selectively cover and uncover the receptacle and the waste bin, the cover defining an opening and waste being introduced through the opening and into the waste bin; a shredder integral with the receptacle and including an inlet for materials to be fed into the shredder to be shredded to form shredded material, and an outlet through which shredded material is dispensed, the shredded material being dispensed into the waste bin; wherein the waste bin is removable from the receptacle without removing the shredder.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising a door connected to the cover, the door being movable between a closed position, in which the door is positioned in the opening and closes off the opening, and an open position, in which the door is not fully positioned in the opening and allows waste to be introduced through the opening.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the door covers the outlet of the shredder when in the open position in order to prevent contamination of the outlet when waste is inserted through the opening and into the waste bin.

30. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the cover is pivoted upwardly to uncover the waste bin so that the waste bin can be removed from the receptacle.

31. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the apparatus facilitates simultaneous shredding of materials and insertion of waste through the opening and into the waste bin.