Shredder with proximity sensing system

• US 7,311,276 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2004
• Issued: 12/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fellowes Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Fellowes Incorporated
• Inventors: Gach, Eric, Matlin, Taihoon K
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller; Bena
• Application Number:
  US10/937,304
• Publication Number:
  US 20060054724A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,201 Days
• Field of Search: 241/37.5, 241/236
• US Class Current: 241/37.5
• CPC Class Codes: B02C 18/0007 specially adapted for disintegrating documents
• CPC Class Codes: B02C 2018/0015 for disintegrating CDs, DVDs and/or credit cards
• CPC Class Codes: B02C 2018/0023 Switching devices
• CPC Class Codes: B02C 2018/0046 Shape or construction of frames, housings or casings
• CPC Class Codes: B02C 2018/168 User safety devices or measures in shredders

Abstract

The present invention relates to a shredder that includes a proximity sensing system to sense the presence of a person, animal, or object near cutting elements of the shredder.

Claims

1. A document shredder for shredding one or more data bearing documents selected from the group consisting of paper, optical discs, and floppy disks, comprising:

a housing;

a document shredder mechanism received in the housing and including an electrically powered motor and cutter elements, the document shredder mechanism enabling one or more data bearing documents selected from the group consisting of paper, optical discs, and floppy disks to be fed into the cutter elements and the motor being operable to drive the cutter elements so that the cutter elements shred the one or more documents fed therein;

the housing having an opening enabling the one or more data bearing documents to be fed therethrough into the cutter elements of the document shredder mechanism for shredding;

a waste bin disposed beneath the document shredder mechanism, the waste bin being configured to receive shredded documents from the document shredder mechanism, the waste bin being manually removable from beneath the document shredder mechanism for emptying of the shredded documents therein;

a discriminating proximity sensor comprising an electroconductive sensor element at least in part adjacent the opening, the proximity sensor being configured to indicate a presence of a person or animal, but not a presence of the one or more data bearing documents, in proximity to the opening based on the detection via the sensor element of an inherent electrical characteristic of the person or animal; and

a controller operable to disable the cutter elements responsive to the indicated presence of the person or animal.

2. A shredder according to claim 1, wherein the cutter elements are disabled by disabling power to the motor responsive to the indicated presence of the person or animal.

3. A shredder according to claim 1, wherein the controller is also operable to illuminate an indicator responsive to the indicated presence of the person or animal.

4. A shredder according to claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a microcontroller.

5. A shredder according to claim 1, wherein the proximity sensor is a capacitive sensor for detecting a capacitance between the sensor element and the person or animal.

6. A shredder according to claim 5, wherein:

the proximity sensor further comprises circuitry to sense a state of the electroconductive sensor element.

7. A shredder according to claim 6, wherein the electroconductive element is a thin metal member extending along a portion of the housing adjacent the opening.

8. A shredder according to claim 7, wherein the metal member is provided on an interior surface of the housing.

9. A shredder according to claim 8, wherein the metal member is provided only on an interior surface of the housing, and not on an exterior surface.

10. A shredder according to claim 8, wherein the metal member is also provided on an exterior surface of the housing.

11. A shredder according to claim 10, wherein the portion of the housing on which the metal member is provided has an edge that defines part of the opening, and wherein the metal member extends from the interior surface of the housing to the exterior surface over the edge.

12. A shredder according to claim 7, wherein the shredder mechanism is embedded within the housing.

13. A shredder according to claim 7, wherein the metal member is at least in part adhered to the portion of the housing adjacent the opening.

14. A shredder according to claim 13, wherein the metal member comprises metal tape.

15. A shredder according to claim 7, wherein the metal member is at least in part covered by a non-conductive member.

16. A shredder according to claim 15, wherein the non-conductive member is at least in part covered by a conductive member.

17. A shredder according to claim 6, wherein the electroconductive element at least in part comprises metal paint applied to a portion of the housing or to a member associated with the housing.

18. A shredder according to claim 6, wherein the electroconductive element includes at least two metal members each extending along a portion of the housing adjacent the opening.

19. A shredder according to claim 1, wherein the controller at least in part comprises a microprocessor.

20. A shredder according to claim 1, wherein the controller at least in part comprises discrete circuit components.

21. A shredder according to claim 1, wherein the controller at least in part comprises an analog circuit.

22. A shredder according to claim 5, wherein the opening is an elongated, narrow opening.

23. A shredder according to claim 22, wherein the elongated, narrow opening is defined by a pair of opposing walls, and wherein the sensor element of the proximity sensor is attached to at least one of the walls.

24. A shredder according to claim 23, wherein the sensor element of the proximity sensor extends along the at least one of the walls for essentially an entire length of the opening.

25. A shredder according to claim 23, wherein the sensor element extends along both of the walls.

26. A shredder according to claim 25, wherein the sensor element extends along the walls for essentially an entire length of the opening.

27. A shredder according to claim 23, wherein the sensor element is provided on an external surface of the at least one of the walls and thereby defines the opening at least in part.

28. A shredder according to claim 24, wherein the sensor element is provided on an external surface of the at least one of the walls and thereby defines the opening at least in part.

29. A shredder according to claim 25, wherein the sensor element is provided on an external surface of both the walls and thereby defines the opening at least in part.

30. A shredder according to claim 26, wherein the sensor element is provided on an external surface of both the walls and thereby defines the opening at least in part.

31. A shredder according to claim 1, wherein:

wherein the proximity sensor further comprises circuitry to sense a state of the electroconductive sensor element.

32. A shredder according to claim 22, wherein:

wherein the proximity sensor further comprises circuitry to sense a state of the electroconductive sensor element.

33. A shredder according to claim 23, wherein:

the proximity sensor further comprises circuitry to sense a state of the electroconductive sensor element.

34. A shredder according to claim 24, wherein:

wherein the proximity sensor further comprises circuitry to sense a state of the electroconductive sensor element.

35. A shredder according to claim 25, wherein:

the proximity sensor further comprises circuitry to sense a state of the electroconductive sensor element.

36. A shredder according to claim 26, wherein:

the proximity sensor further comprises circuitry to sense a state of the electroconductive sensor element.

37. A shredder according to claim 27, wherein:

the proximity sensor further comprises circuitry to sense a state of the electroconductive sensor element.

38. A shredder according to claim 28, wherein:

the proximity sensor further comprises circuitry to sense a state of the electroconductive sensor element.

39. A shredder according to claim 29, wherein:

the proximity sensor further comprises circuitry to sense a state of the electroconductive sensor element.

40. A shredder according to claim 30, wherein:

the proximity sensor further comprises circuitry to sense a state of the electroconductive sensor element.

41. A shedder according to claim 1, wherein the proximity sensor is configured to indicate the presence of the person or the animal in proximity to the opening without requiring contact with the sensor element.

42. A shredder according to claim 22, wherein the proximity sensor is configured to indicate the presence of the person or the animal in proximity to the opening without requiring contact with the sensor element.

43. A shredder according to claim 23, wherein the proximity sensor is configured to indicate the presence of the person or the animal in proximity to the opening without requiring contact with the sensor element.

44. A shredder according to claim 24, wherein the proximity sensor is configured to indicate the presence of the person or the animal in proximity to the opening without requiring contact with the sensor element.

45. A shredder according to claim 25, wherein the proximity sensor is configured to indicate the presence of the person or the animal in proximity to the opening without requiring contact with the sensor element.

46. A shredder according to claim 26, wherein the proximity sensor is configured to indicate the presence of the person or the animal in proximity to the opening without requiring contact with the sensor element.

47. A shredder according to claim 27, wherein the proximity sensor is configured to indicate the presence of the person or the animal in proximity to the opening without requiring contact with the sensor element.

48. A shredder according to claim 28, wherein the proximity sensor is configured to indicate the presence of the person or the animal in proximity to the opening without requiring contact with the sensor element.

49. A shredder according to claim 29, wherein the proximity sensor is configured to indicate the presence of the person or the animal in proximity to the opening without requiring contact with the sensor element.

50. A shredder according to claim 30, wherein the proximity sensor is configured to indicate the presence of the person or the animal in proximity to the opening without requiring contact with the sensor element.

51. A shredder according to claim 41, wherein:

the proximity sensor further comprises circuitry to sense a state of the electroconductive sensor element.

52. A shredder according to claim 42, wherein:

the proximity sensor further comprises circuitry to sense a state of the electroconductive sensor element.

53. A shredder according to claim 43, wherein:

the proximity sensor further comprises circuitry to sense a state of the electroconductive sensor element.

54. A shredder according to claim 44, wherein:

the proximity sensor further comprises circuitry to sense a state of the electroconductive sensor element.

55. A shredder according to claim 45, wherein:

the proximity sensor further comprises circuitry to sense a state of the electroconductive sensor element.

56. A shredder according to claim 46, wherein:

the proximity sensor further comprises circuitry to sense a state of the electroconductive sensor element.

57. A shredder according to claim 47, wherein:

the proximity sensor further comprises circuitry to sense a state of the electroconductive sensor element.

58. A shredder according to claim 48, wherein:

the proximity sensor further comprises circuitry to sense a state of the electroconductive sensor element.

59. A shredder according to claim 49, wherein:

the proximity sensor further comprises circuitry to sense a state of the electroconductive sensor element.

60. A shredder according to claim 50, wherein:

the proximity sensor further comprises circuitry to sense a state of the electroconductive sensor element.

61. A shredder according to claim 6, wherein the cutter elements are disabled by disabling power to the motor responsive to the indicated presence of the person or animal.

62. A shredder according to claim 22, wherein the cutter elements are disabled by disabling power to the motor responsive to the indicated presence of the person or animal.

63. A shredder according to claim 23, wherein the cutter elements are disabled by disabling power to the motor responsive to the indicated presence of the person or animal.

64. A shredder according to claim 24, wherein the cutter elements are disabled by disabling power to the motor responsive to the indicated presence of the person or animal.

65. A shredder according to claim 25, wherein the cutter elements are disabled by disabling power to the motor responsive to the indicated presence of the person or animal.

66. A shredder according to claim 26, wherein the cutter elements are disabled by disabling power to the motor responsive to the indicated presence of the person or animal.

67. A shredder according to claim 31, wherein the cutter elements are disabled by disabling power to the motor responsive to the indicated presence of the person or animal.

68. A shredder according to claim 32, wherein the cutter elements are disabled by disabling power to the motor responsive to the indicated presence of the person or animal.

69. A shredder according to claim 33, wherein the cutter elements are disabled by disabling power to the motor responsive to the indicated presence of the person or animal.

70. A shredder according to claim 34, wherein the cutter elements are disabled by disabling power to the motor responsive to the indicated presence of the person or animal.

71. A shredder according to claim 35, wherein the cutter elements are disabled by disabling power to the motor responsive to the indicated presence of the person or animal.

72. A shredder according to claim 36, wherein the cutter elements are disabled by disabling power to the motor responsive to the indicated presence of the person or animal.

73. A shredder according to claim 41, wherein the cutter elements are disabled by disabling power to the motor responsive to the indicated presence of the person or animal.

74. A shredder according to claim 42, wherein the cutter elements are disabled by disabling power to the motor responsive to the indicated presence of the person or animal.

75. A shredder according to claim 43, wherein the cutter elements are disabled by disabling power to the motor responsive to the indicated presence of the person or animal.

76. A shredder according to claim 44, wherein the cutter elements are disabled by disabling power to the motor responsive to the indicated presence of the person or animal.

77. A shredder according to claim 45, wherein the cutter elements are disabled by disabling power to the motor responsive to the indicated presence of the person or animal.

78. A shredder according to claim 46, wherein the cutter elements are disabled by disabling power to the motor responsive to the indicated presence of the person or animal.

79. A shredder according to claim 5, wherein the opening is an elongated opening.

80. A shredder according to claim 79, wherein the elongated opening is defined by a pair of opposing walls, and wherein the sensor element of the proximity sensor is attached to at least one of the walls.

81. A shredder according to claim 80, wherein the sensor element of the proximity sensor extends along the at least one of the walls for essentially an entire length of the opening.

82. A shredder according to claim 80, wherein the sensor element extends along both of the walls.

83. A shredder according to claim 82, wherein the sensor element extends along the walls for essentially an entire length of the opening.

84. A shredder according to claim 80, wherein the sensor element is provided on an external surface of the at least one of the walls and thereby defines the opening at least in part.

85. A shredder according to claim 81, wherein the sensor element is provided on an external surface of the at least one of the walls and thereby defines the opening at least in part.

86. A shredder according to claim 82, wherein the sensor element is provided on an external surface of both the walls and thereby defines the opening at least in part.

87. A shredder according to claim 83, wherein the sensor element is provided on an external surface of both the walls and thereby defines the opening at least in part.

88. A shredder according to claim 79, wherein:

the proximity sensor further comprises circuitry to sense a state of the electroconductive sensor element.

89. A shredder according to claim 80, wherein:

the proximity sensor further comprises circuitry to sense a state of the electroconductive sensor element.

90. A shredder according to claim 81, wherein:

the proximity sensor further comprises circuitry to sense a state of the electroconductive sensor element.

91. A shredder according to claim 82, wherein:

the proximity sensor further comprises circuitry to sense a state of the electroconductive sensor element.

92. A shredder according to claim 83, wherein:

the proximity sensor further comprises circuitry to sense a state of the electroconductive sensor element.

93. A shredder according to claim 84, wherein:

the proximity sensor further comprises circuitry to sense a state of the electroconductive sensor element.

94. A shredder according to claim 85, wherein:

the proximity sensor further comprises circuitry to sense a state of the electroconductive sensor element.

95. A shredder according to claim 86, wherein:

the proximity sensor further comprises circuitry to sense a state of the electroconductive sensor element.

96. A shredder according to claim 87, wherein:

the proximity sensor further comprises circuitry to sense a state of the electroconductive sensor element.

97. A shredder according to claim 1, wherein the opening is an elongated, narrow opening.

98. A shredder according to claim 97, wherein the elongated, narrow opening is defined by a pair of opposing walls, and wherein the sensor element of the proximity sensor is attached to at least one of the walls.

99. A shredder according to claim 98, wherein the sensor element of the proximity sensor extends along the at least one of the walls for essentially an entire length of the opening.

100. A shredder according to claim 98, wherein the sensor element extends along both of the walls.

101. A shredder according to claim 100, wherein the sensor element extends along the walls for essentially an entire length of the opening.

102. A shredder according to claim 98, wherein the sensor element is provided on an external surface of the at least one of the walls and thereby defines the opening at least in part.

103. A shredder according to claim 99, wherein the sensor element is provided on an external surface of the at least one of the walls and thereby defines the opening at least in part.

104. A shredder according to claim 100, wherein the sensor element is provided on an external surface of both the walls and thereby defines the opening at least in part.

105. A shredder according to claim 101, wherein the sensor element is provided on an external surface of both the walls and thereby defines the opening at least in part.

106. A shredder according to claim 1, wherein the opening is an elongated opening.

107. A shredder according to claim 106, wherein the elongated opening is defined by a pair of opposing walls, and wherein the sensor element of the proximity sensor is attached to at least one of the walls.

108. A shredder according to claim 107, wherein the sensor element of the proximity sensor extends along the at least one of the walls for essentially an entire length of the opening.

109. A shredder according to claim 107, wherein the sensor element extends along both of the walls.

110. A shredder according to claim 109, wherein the sensor element extends along the walls for essentially an entire length of the opening.

111. A shredder according to claim 107, wherein the sensor element is provided on an external surface of the at least one of the walls and thereby defines the opening at least in part.

112. A shredder according to claim 108, wherein the sensor element is provided on an external surface of the at least one of the walls and thereby defines the opening at least in part.

113. A shredder according to claim 109, wherein the sensor element is provided on an external surface of both the walls and thereby defines the opening at least in part.

114. A shredder according to claim 110, wherein the sensor element is provided on an external surface of both the walls and thereby defines the opening at least in part.