DELIVERY OF AGENTS TO THE CUTTING MECHANISM OF PAPER SHREDDERS

• US 20070087942A1
• Filed: 11/27/2006
• Published: 04/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ButterCup Legacy
• Original Assignee: ButterCup Legacy
• Inventors: Allen, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 7,902,129 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 508/100
• CPC Class Codes: B02C 18/0007 specially adapted for disintegrating documents
• CPC Class Codes: B02C 18/16 Details
• CPC Class Codes: B02C 2018/166 Lubricating the knives of the cutting mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 7/088 by cleaning or lubricating sterilizing B26D1/00

Abstract

Lubrication substrates are disclosed that have been treated with or that carry a lubricant for maintaining a paper shredder. The lubrication substrate is fed through the shredding mechanism of a paper shredder. Rather than requiring disassembly of the paper shredder, maintenance and lubrication can be performed by passing the lubrication substrate through the shredding mechanism. The lubrication substrates can take any of a variety of forms, and can be substantially rigid and/or stiff The lubrication substrates can also include scented lubricants and decomposing agents. Paper shredders are also disclosed for use with the lubrication substrates. The paper shredders can have various means for identifying when lubrication is needed and/or when the cutting mechanism of the paper shredder is lubricated by a lubrication sheet. Paper shredders having a reservoir of lubricant for delivery to the cutting mechanism of the paper shredder are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A sheet for delivery of an agent to a shredding mechanism of a paper shredder comprising:

a substrate that is configured to be passed through the shredding mechanism of the paper shredder;

an agent carried by the substrate; and

one or more shell layers adjacent to the substrate, wherein the one or more shell layers provide mechanical stiffness or rigidity to the sheet.

2. A sheet according to claim 1, wherein the stiffness or rigidity of the sheet facilitates cleaning of the paper shredder.

3. A sheet according to claim 1, wherein the agent includes a lubrication agent, a decomposition agent, and/or a scented agent.

4. A sheet for delivering an agent to a shredding mechanism of a paper shredder, comprising:

a substantially rigid and/or stiff substrate that is configured to be passed through the shredding mechanism of the paper shredder; and

an agent carried by the substrate.

5. A sheet according to claim 4, further comprising one or more shell layers adjacent to the substrate, wherein the substrate provides mechanical stiffness and/or rigidity to the sheet.

6. A sheet according to claim 5, wherein the one or more shell layers provide mechanical stiffness and/or rigidity to the sheet.

7. A sheet according to claim 5, wherein the one or more shell layers are impervious to the agent.

8. A sheet according to claim 4, wherein the agent includes a lubrication agent, a decomposition agent, and/or a scented agent.

9. A sheet for delivering an agent to a shredding mechanism of a paper shredder, comprising:

a substrate that is configured to be passed through the shredding mechanism of the paper shredder;

an agent carried by the substrate; and

means for retaining an even distribution of a measured amount of the agent across a length of the substrate.

10. A sheet according to claim 9, further comprising means for retaining an even distribution of a measured amount of the agent across a width of the substrate.

11. A sheet according to claim 9, further comprising one or more shell layers adjacent to the substrate.

12. A sheet according to claim 9, wherein the one or more shell layers provide mechanical stiffness to the sheet.

13. A sheet according to claim 9, wherein the one or more shell layers provide mechanical rigidity to the sheet.

14. A sheet according to claim 9, wherein the agent includes a lubrication agent, a decomposition agent, and/or a scented agent.

15. A sheet for dispersing a scented agent, comprising:

a substrate that is configured to be passed through the shredding mechanism of the paper shredder; and

a scented agent carried by the substrate, the scented agent being capable of releasing a fragrance.

16. A sheet according to claim 15, wherein the fragrance is released only after the sheet is passed through the shredding mechanism.

17. A sheet according to claim 15, wherein the substrate carries a lubrication agent and/or a decomposition agent.

18. A sheet according to claim 15, further comprising a tab, wherein the tab is releasably attached to the substrate so as to allow selective release of the fragrance upon at least partial removal of the tab.

19. A sheet according to claim 15, further comprising a second substrate separated by a barrier from the substrate carrying the scented agent, wherein the second substrate carries a lubrication and/or decomposition agent.

20. A paper shredder comprising:

a shredding mechanism with at least one blade capable of shredding paper;

a delivery mechanism configured to deliver an agent to the at least one blade; and

a reservoir in communication with the delivery mechanism, the delivery mechanism selectively drawing the agent from the reservoir for delivering the agent to the at least one blade of the shredding mechanism or directly to material shredded by the shredding mechanism.

21. A paper shredder according to claim 20, wherein the agent includes a lubrication agent, a decomposition agent, and/or a scented agent.

22. A reservoir configured to be compatible with the paper shredder according to claim 20, wherein the reservoir is configured to be selectively removable.

23. A paper shredder comprising:

a shredding mechanism with at least one blade capable of shredding paper; and

a sensor configured to identify a sheet carrying an agent when the sheet carrying the agent is fed into the paper shredder.

24. A paper shredder according to claim 23, further comprising:

an indicator that indicates a need for lubrication, wherein the indicator is configured to deactivate when the sensor identifies a sheet carrying a lubrication agent fed into the paper shredder.

25. A paper shredder according to claim 24, further comprising a mechanism that tracks the quantity of material passed through the shredder and/or the time since the last sheet carrying a lubrication agent was fed into the paper shredder.

26. A paper shredder according to claim 24, further comprising a locking mechanism that prevents use of the paper shredder until a sheet carrying a lubrication agent is fed into the paper shredder.

27. A paper shredder according to claim 26, wherein the locking mechanism prevents movement of the at least one blade.

28. A paper shredder according to claim 23, further comprising a control apparatus, wherein the control apparatus is configured to perform an associated shredding procedure when the sensor identifies the sheet carrying the agent.

29. A paper shredder according to claim 28, wherein the associated shredding procedure includes reversing the shredding mechanism for a predetermined time period after the sheet carrying the agent has been shredded.

30. A sheet for use with the paper shredder of claim 23, the sheet comprising:

a substrate that is configured to be passed through a shredding mechanism of the paper shredder;

an agent carried by the lubrication substrate for delivery to the shredding mechanism; and

a notification structure or mechanism that is sensed by the sensor.

31. A lubrication sheet according to claim 30, wherein the notification structure or mechanism generates a signal, includes optical indicia, includes an electrical charge, and/or includes a structure that is sensed by the sensor.

32. A lubrication sheet according to claim 31, wherein the notification structure or mechanism includes a magnetic strip.

33. A method for preventing disclosure of information printed on a document, the method comprising the following acts:

applying a decomposition agent to a cutting mechanism of a paper shredder; and

shredding the document using the cutting mechanism of the paper shredder, wherein the decomposition agent is selected to decompose the material of the document and/or ink printed on the document.

34. A method according to claim 33, further comprising an act of shredding a lubrication sheet comprising the decomposition agent, wherein the decomposition agent is applied to the cutting mechanism as the lubrication sheet is shredded.

35. A method according to claim 33, further comprising an act of delivering the decomposition agent to the cutting mechanism from a reservoir within the paper shredder.

36. A method according to claim 35, wherein the decomposition agent is delivered using a pump located within the paper shredder or capillary action.

37. A sheet for delivery of an agent to a shredding mechanism of a paper shredder comprising:

a substrate that is configured to be passed through the shredding mechanism of the paper shredder;

an agent carried by the substrate; and

one or more shell layers adjacent to the substrate, wherein the substrate and/or the one or more shell layers is flexible yet substantially brittle with sheer strength and stiffness characteristics that promotes rupture.