Patent Application
20180234567
The present application in general relates to a printing/scanning device, and more specifically, to a multi-purpose device which may scan and store a document and shred the original document that was scanned.
As technology progresses, more individuals and companies are moving away from paper documents/records and towards electronic documents. However, care must be taken when disposing of important and confidential paper documents to protect oneself, employees, as well as customers of the company. Carelessly discarded documents may be used by criminals for the purposes of identity theft. Additionally, privacy laws might require the safe disposal of certain types of documents, such as client files or health and insurance records.
Many individuals and companies may scan old paper documents in order to move towards electronic documents (i.e., e-documents). However, once the paper documents are scanned, many individuals do not know how to properly dispose of them. Even when a shredding unit may be located near the scanning unit, many individuals may not use the shredding unit due to the time needed to wait for the scan job to be processed through the scanning unit and then the time it may take to feed the scanned papers to the shredding unit. Thus, many individuals throw the old paper documents into a pile for disposing/shredding at a later time once the paper documents have been scanned. Alternatively, some may throw the old paper documents into a container and call for a disposal company to properly dispose of the old paper documents once these documents have been scanned.
Presently, there is not a device that may allow a user to scan a paper document, store the electronic copy of the scanned paper document on a permanent drive and pass the original paper document to a shredding unit so that the shredding unit may destroy the original paper document so that only the electronic copy remains. Currently, scanning and disposing of paper documents is a two step process. Individuals generally have to scan the paper document using a scanning device and then take the paper document to a shredding unit after the paper document has been scanned.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a system and method that overcomes the above.
In accordance with one embodiment, an image forming apparatus is disclosed. The image forming apparatus has a scanning apparatus. The scanning apparatus has a control panel to enter operating instructions to the image funning apparatus to scan and store a document or scan, store and shred the document. The scanning apparatus has a feeding mechanism. A scanning mechanism is coupled to the feeding mechanism scanning and storing the document placed within the feeding mechanism. A shredding apparatus is coupled to the scanning apparatus. The shredding apparatus has a housing. A shredding feed mechanism is coupled to the scanning apparatus feeding the document from the scanning apparatus into the shredding apparatus when scan, store and shred is selected on the control panel. A cutting mechanism is in communication with the shredding feed mechanism shredding the document when scan, store and shred is selected on the control panel.
In accordance with one embodiment, an image forming apparatus is disclosed. The image forming apparatus has a scanning apparatus. The scanning apparatus has a control panel to enter operating instructions to the image forming apparatus by a user. The control panel allows the user to scan and store a document or scan, store and shred the document. The scanning apparatus has a document feeding mechanism. A scanning mechanism is coupled to the document feeding mechanism. The scanning mechanism is used for scanning and storing the document placed within the feeding mechanism. A storage area is provided for holding the document after the document is scanned when scan and store is selected on the control panel. A shredding apparatus is coupled to the scanning apparatus. The shredding apparatus has a housing. A shredding feed mechanism is coupled to the scanning apparatus feeding the document into the shredding apparatus when scan, store and shred is selected on the control panel. A cutting mechanism is in communication with the shredding feed mechanism shredding the document when scan, store and shred is selected on the control panel. An external feed mechanism is coupled to the housing and in communication with the cutting mechanism sending extraneous documents directly to the shredding apparatus. A cover is hingely coupled to the housing allowing access to an interior of the shredding apparatus. A storage area is coupled to the housing and below the cutting mechanism storing the document that has been shredded.
In accordance with one embodiment, an image forming apparatus is disclosed. The image forming apparatus has a scanning apparatus. The scanning apparatus comprises: a control panel to enter operating instructions to the image forming apparatus by a user to scan and store a document or scan, store and shred the document; a document feeding mechanism; a scanning mechanism coupled to the document feeding mechanism, the scanning mechanism scanning and storing the document placed within the feeding mechanism; a print mechanism to print the document scanned by the scanning mechanism when a print command is entered in the control panel; and a storage area coupled to the second output port holding the document when scan and store is selected on the control panel. A shredding apparatus is coupled to the scanning apparatus. The shredding apparatus comprises: a housing; a shredding feed mechanism coupled to the scanning apparatus feeding the document from the scanning apparatus into the shredding apparatus when scan, store and shred is selected on the control panel; a cutting mechanism in communication with the shredding feed mechanism shredding the document when scan, store and shred is selected on the control panel, wherein the cutting mechanism comprises at least one shredding track comprising: a drive mechanism rotating the shredding track; a pair of guide wheels, wherein one of the pair of guide wheels is coupled to the drive mechanism; a belt coupled to and rotatable around the pair of guide wheels; a plurality of cutting platforms coupled to the belt, rotation of the belt causing the plurality of cutting platforms to move drawing the document through the cutting mechanism and shredding the document; and guide rails directing the plurality of cutting platforms along the belt. An external feed mechanism is coupled to the housing and in communication with the cutting mechanism sending extraneous documents directly to the shredding apparatus. A cover hingely is coupled to the housing allowing access to an interior of the shredding apparatus. A storage area is coupled to the housing and below the cutting mechanism storing the document that has been shredded.
The present application is further detailed with respect to the following drawings. These figures are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention but rather illustrate certain attributes thereof.
The description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the disclosure and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present disclosure can be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the disclosure in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences can be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of this disclosure.
Embodiments of the exemplary system and method disclose a multi-function device that may scan a document and shred the document after the document has been scanned. The user may feed the document to a scanning mechanism of the multi-function device. The multi-function device scans the document and stores a scanned electronic copy of the document on a storage device. The multi-function device may pass the document that was scanned to a shredding pipeline. A shredding mechanism may destroy the document so that only the scanned electronic copy remains. The multi-function device may transfer the scanned electronic copy to a server and then delete the local scanned electronic file from the multi-function device. In case of failure to transfer the scanned electronic document to the server, the user may have an option to print a hard copy of the scanned document and the delete the scanned electronic copy from the multi-function device.
Referring now to
The multi-function device 14 may be any type of device having multiple capabilities including a scanner and one or more of functions of a copier, a facsimile device, a printer and/or other types of rendering devices. The image forming device 14 may be used for scanning a document and shredding the document as described below.
The multi-function device 14 may have a scanning unit 16. The scanning unit 16 may be used to scan a document 18 and convert the document from a paper form into digital data file. The digital data file may be saved in a memory unit 20 of the multi-function device 14.
The multi-function device 14 may have a document feeding mechanism 22. The document feeding mechanism 22 may allow a user of the multi-function device 14 to place the document 18 into the document feeding mechanism 22 and have the document feeding mechanism 22 feed individual pages 18A of the document 18 into the multi-function device 14. This may allow a user of the system 10 to scan the document 18 without having to manually input each page 18A of the document 18.
The multi-function device 14 may have a printing unit 24. The printing unit 24 may be used in conjunction with the scanning unit 16 to allow the multi-function device 14 to function as a copier. In accordance with one embodiment, the printing unit 24 may be used to print a hard copy of the document 18 that was scanned into the multi-function device 14 as will be described below.
The multi-function device 14 may have one or more communication modules 26. The communication modules 26 may allow the multi-function device 14 to communicate and transfer the scanned electronic copy of the document to the storage server 12. The communication modules may allow for a direct transfer of the scanned electronic copy to the storage server 12 or via one or more networks such as a local area network (LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), wireless local area network (WLAN) and/or a public network.
The multi-function device 14 may have an operation panel 27. The operation panel 27 may include a display unit and an input unit for facilitating human interaction with the multi-function device 14. The display unit may be any electronic video display, such as a LCD display, LED display and similar display types. The input unit may include any combination of devices that allow users to input information into the operation panel 27, such as buttons, a keyboard, switches, and/or dials. In addition, the input unit may include a touch-screen digitizer overlaid onto the display unit that can sense touch and interact with the display unit. The operation panel 27 may be used to control the operation of the multi-function device 14. For example, the operation panel 27 may be used to scan the document 18, scan the document 18 and shred the scanned document 18B, scan the document 18 and store an electronic file of the scanned document 18B in a memory unit 20 and or server 12 prior to shredding the scanned document 18B, print a copy of the scanned document 18B, make a copy of the original document 18, and the like. The above listing is given as examples and should not be seen in a limiting manner.
The multi-function device may pass the document that was scanned to a shredding pipeline. A shredding mechanism may destroy the document so that only the scanned electronic copy remains. The multi-function device may transfer the scanned electronic copy to a server and then delete the local scanned electronic file from the multi-function device. In case of failure to transfer the scanned electronic document to the server, the user may have an option to print a hard copy of the scanned document and the delete the scanned electronic copy from the multi-function device.
The multi-function device 14 may have one or more sensors 29. Each sensor 29 may be used to monitor certain operating conditions of the multi-function device 14. Sensors 29 may be used to indicate a location of a paper jam, document miss-feed, toner level, as well as other operating conditions. The above is given as examples and should not be seen in a limiting manner. Each sensor 29 may be coupled to a processor 31. When a sensor 29 detects an operational issue, the sensor 29 may send a signal to the processor 31. The processor 31 may generate an error alert associated with the operational issue.
The multi-function device 14 may have a shredding feed unit 28. The shredding feed unit 28 may receive the document 18 once it has been scanned by the scanning unit 16. The shredding feed unit 28 may then feed the scanned document 18B to a shredding unit 30 coupled to the multi-function device 14. In accordance with one embodiment, shredding feed unit 28 may send the scanned document 18B once the entire document 18 has been scanned. The shredding feed unit 28 may be configured to send individual pages of the scanned document 18B, a set amount of pages of the scanned document 18B, the entire scanned document 18B or the like. Alternatively, once a page of the document 18 has been scanned, the shredding feed unit 28 may send the page of the scanned document 18A directly to the shredding unit 30. One or more sensors 29 may be used to monitor when the document 18 has been scanned and when the shredding feed unit 28 should feed the scanned document 18B to the shredding unit 30.
As may be seen in
Once the shredding mechanism 32 has shredded the scanned document 18B, the shredded document 18C may be disposed in a collection unit 34 coupled to a bottom section of the shredding unit 30.
The shredding unit 30 may have one or more sensors 36. The sensors 36 may be used to indicate different operating conditions of the shredding unit 30. For example, sensors 36 may be used to indicate if the shredding unit 30 is activated, speed of the document 18 being scanned, if there is a paper jam within the shredding mechanism 32, when the collection unit 34 is full, as well as other operating conditions. The above is given as examples and should not be seen in a limiting manner. The sensors 36 may allow shredding unit 30 to adjust to different operating conditions. For example, sensors 36 may be provided to monitor the scanning speed of the scanning unit 16. Based on the scanning speed, the speed of the shredding unit 30 may be automatically adjusted. Thus, the multi-function device 14 may automatically adjust to different scanning speeds of the multi-function device 14 thereby allowing application on a range of high and low speed models, as well as scanning modes. This allows optimizing the energy consumption by the shredding unit 30. However, by design, the shredding speed does not have to match the scanning speed. The scanning unit 16 may operate at two or more times the shredding speed. This embodiment may lessen cost as for certain sensors 36 and controls may not be necessary. The above is given as an example and should not be seen in a limiting manner.
The shredding unit 30 may have an exterior feed tray 38 coupled to the housing 40 and in communication with the shredding mechanism 32. The exterior feed tray 38 may be used to feed an external document 18D directly to the shredding unit 30. The exterior feed tray 38 may allow a user to bypass having to scan the external document 18D prior to shredding it. The external document 18D may be any document that does not need to be scanned but the user wishes to dispose of such as recyclable papers, crumbled papers, bulk papers, as well as non paper items such as compact discs (CDs), credit cards, and the like.
The shredding unit 30 may have a cover 42 coupled to the housing 40. The cover 42 may be hinged to the housing 40. The cover 42 may allow access to the interior of the shredding unit 30. This may allow users to unblock paper jams and/or service the shredding unit 30.
Referring to
In accordance with one embodiment, the feeding unit 46 may be used to move the scanned document 18C form the storage area 44 to the shredding unit 30 and into the shredding mechanism 32. The feeding unit 46 may be comprised of a pair of feed rollers 48. The feed rollers 48 may be coupled to the housing 40. The feed rollers 48 may be in communication with the storage area 44 such that the feed rollers 48 engage and pull the scanned document 18B into the housing 40. A guiding device 50 may be coupled to the housing 40. The guiding device 50 may be used to direct the scanned document 18B fed from the feed rollers 48 into the shredding mechanism 32. In accordance with the embodiment shown in
As the scanned document 18B is fed into the shredding mechanism 32, a pressing device 52 may be used to press the scanned document 18B against the shredding mechanism 32. By pressing the scanned document 18B against the shredding mechanism 32, the shredding mechanism 32 may be able to shred the scanned document 18B. In the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment shown in
The shredding unit 30 may have a motor 60. The motor 60 may be used for rotating either directly or indirectly at least one feed roller 48, the guide roller 50A, the roller press 52A, and one or more belt rollers 58. One or more drive belts 62 may be coupled to the motor 60 and to the feed rollers 48, the guide roller 50A, the roller press 52A, and one or more belt rollers 58. The drive belts 62 may be used to rotate the feed rollers 48, the guide roller 50A, the roller press 52A, and one or more belt rollers 58. As may be seen in the embodiment shown in
Referring to
The cutting block 54 may be formed in different configurations. In the present embodiment the cutting block 54 may be quadrilateral in shape. The cutting block 54 may be configured such that a front end 54F is elevated above the back end 54B. However, as previously stated, the cutting block 54 may come in other configurations. A top surface 54T of the cutting block 54 may be planer in nature. In the present embodiment, the top surface 54T may be planer and may slope down towards the back end 54B.
The top surface 54T may have a plurality of cutting teeth 64. The cutting teeth 64 may extend up from and sloped down towards the top surface 54T of the cutting block 54. A plurality of perforated openings 66 may be formed through the top surface 54T. Thus, the top surface 54T may be configured similar to a grater wherein the openings 66 may allow portions of the scanned document 18B being shredded by the cutting teeth 64 to flow through the top surface 54T.
A front panel 54F of the cutting block 54 may have a plurality of cutting blades 68 formed thereon. In the present embodiment, the cutting blades 68 may extend from the top surface 54T towards a bottom area of the cutting block 54. The cutting blades 68 may have a bend/curve as shown in
A plurality of rolling devices 70 may be coupled to the cutting block 54. The rolling devices 70 may be wheels, rollers, or similar devices. In accordance with one embodiment, a rolling device 70 may be rotatably coupled to each of four corners on a bottom area of the cutting block 54. The rolling devices 70 may be rotatably coupled to the cutting block 54 through an axle assembly 70A or by other rotating means.
As stated above, the cutting blocks 54 may be mounted to the rotating a belt 56. In accordance with one embodiment, the belt 56 may be a chain 56A. The cutting blocks 54 may be mounted such that one or more of the rolling devices 70 may be attached to the rotating chain 56A. In accordance with one embodiment, the shredding unit 30 may have a pair of chains 56A. Each rolling device 70 mounted on the bottom area of the back end 54B of the cutting block 54 may be attached to a separate chain 56A of the pair of chains 56A.
The cutting blocks 54 may ride within guide rails 72. The guide rails 72 may be used to direction and movement of the shredding track 32A. The guide rails 72 may be configured such that as the cutting blocks 54 rotate around, the top surface 54T of adjoining cutting blocks 54 may remain approximately level as shown in
Referring to
Referring to
The shredding unit 30 may have a motor 60. The motor 60 may be used for rotating one or more belt rollers 58. One or more drive belts 62 may be coupled to the motor 60 and to one or more belt rollers 58. The drive belts 62 may be used to rotate the one or more belt rollers 58.
In the present embodiment, the pressing device 52 may be a press cover 52B. The press cover 52B may be configured to funnel the scanned document 18B towards a bottom section of the shredding track 32A where the scanned document 18B is pressed against the shredding track 32A. By pressing the scanned document 18B against the shredding track 32A, the shredding track 32A may be able to shred the scanned document 18B.
The press cover 52B may be coupled to a bottom section of the base unit 80. The press cover 52B may extend up and away from the base unit 80 thereby forming a funnel to direct the scanned document 18B towards a bottom section of the shredding track 32A.
A tensioning device 82 may be coupled to the press cover 52B and the base unit 80. The tensioning device 82 may be used to adjust an amount of pressure the press cover 52B may apply between the scanned document 18B towards a bottom section of the shredding track 32A. The tension device 82 may be coupled to one or more of the sensors 36 (
Referring to
Both of the shredding tracks 32A may be formed of a plurality of cutting blocks 54. The cutting blocks 54 may be coupled together such that individual cutting blocks 54 are adjacent to one another. The cutting blocks 54 may be mounted to a rotating a belt 56. In accordance with one embodiment, the belt 56 may be a chain. The belt 56 may be mounted on a pair of belt rollers 58. Rotation of the belt rollers 58 causes the scanned document 18B to be pressed between the pair of shredding track 32A allowing the cutting blocks 54 to shred the scanned document 18B. A motor may be used for rotating one or more belt rollers 58. One or more drive belts may be coupled to the motor and to one or more belt rollers 58. The drive belts may be used to rotate the one or more belt rollers 58.
Referring now to
The foregoing description is illustrative of particular embodiments of the invention, but is not meant to be a limitation upon the practice thereof. The following claims, including all equivalents thereof, are intended to define the scope of the invention.
