Paper collection system and device

A shredding/recycling paper collection system and device, wherein a cabinet-style housing with a self-locking door is adapted with a paper guard member to prevent unauthorized reach-in access and assist with directional feed, and wherein the door-mounted paper guard member and the uniquely supported collection bag hangers facilitate easy authorized access to collection bag contents, while also providing secure positioning for weighty materials within the housing.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to paper collection devices and, more specifically, to a paper collection system and device for accumulating and securing waste paper, such as for subsequent shredding and/or recycling, wherein a cabinet-style housing with a self-locking door is adapted with a paper guard to prevent unauthorized “reach-in” access to sensitive papers, wherein the swing away door mount of the paper guard and uniquely supported collection bag hangers facilitate easy access to collection bag contents, and wherein the collection bag hangers provide secure positioning for weighty materials within the housing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Environmental consciousness has increased over time, with improved public education regarding limitations in natural resources, and with increased visibly of the potential and actual impact of unchecked global pollution. Such awareness has led to vast recycling efforts, especially for glass, certain plastics, and for paper. Many communities have embraced individual consumer recycling programs, thereby attempting to limit the amount of waste deposited in ever-growing landfills while also enabling the reclaiming of some items, thereby conserving resources, for example, saving trees by recycling paper. Other communities have turned to massive incinerators in order to reduce vast waste piles, formerly held to decompose on land. Either option, recycling or incinerating, is a viable alternative, but each typically requires at least some sorting of waste by consumers. As a result, trash sorting receptacles have been described, in order to facilitate the collection and disposal process, wherein, for example, paper is collected separately from other recyclable and non-recyclable refuse.

In addition to pollution and conservation, another recently widespread concern related to trash, and particularly to discarded papers, is that of identity theft. Such crimes often occur following the unauthorized examination of paper garbage bearing personal data and information. As a result, large percentages of homes are now equipped with personal shredders, wherein private papers are mutilated prior to placement into recycling or other garbage bins.

Certain businesses and operations, however, have long undertaken to maintain the privacy of information reflected on discarded papers. In particular, attorneys and physicians, both charged with maintaining confidentiality, must be particularly vigilant. Governmental and military facilities, too, must undertake special precautions to ensure the continued security of classified materials. In order to assist these professionals, and others, with the routine disposal of potentially large volumes of sensitive papers, professional shredding services have been designed, wherein sensitive papers are collected on-site, and removed by bonded service providers for shredding, recycling and/or incinerating. Such services allow quick disposal, even of important papers, by placement into a dedicated waste receptacle, whereby the need for the depositor to spend the time necessary to run the materials through an office shredder is eliminated. This convenience ensures and encourages proper disposal of confidential papers, irrespective of volume.

However, security of the discarded papers within such a collection container can be a relevant concern. As such, locks have been designed; however, in view of the present invention, each is disadvantageous. That is, keyed locks are routinely utilized, wherein only authorized individuals possess the ability to open the lock, such as during collection of the bulk paper materials. Unfortunately, in order for the collection bin to be re-secured following access, such locks must be proactively re-engaged. Thus, if an individual should be interrupted during the process, or should otherwise forget, a traditional paper collection cabinet would remain unlocked, and thus unprotected.

Moreover, whether locked or unlocked, the possibility of unauthorized “reach-in” access may remain. Some presently available collection receptacles incorporate a cross bar to prevent an individual from being able to reach therein. However, because such bars are fixed within the cabinet in a position intended to block access to the waste receptacle therein, they disadvantageously continue to inhibit free access to the receptacle during the emptying process.

Further, with respect to the collection bag, the weight thereof from the collected paper can cause failure of the bag mounts, wherein repeated bag transfer, with potential pulling by the authorized collector, can result in weakening or bending of a traditional hook or hanging rod, or can result in a disadvantageous expansion of its mounting aperture.

Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a need for a shredding/recycling paper collection system and device, wherein a self-locking door safely protects contents while facilitating authorized access, wherein a door-mounted paper guard prevent unauthorized access to collected papers, without inhibiting access for emptying, and wherein a unique bag mounting system soundly supports the collection bag, yet facilitates safe and easy access to and replacement thereof, thus preventing the above-discussed disadvantages.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly described, in the preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a device by providing a paper collection system and device for receiving and securing waste papers for subsequent shredding, recycling, or the like, wherein a cabinet-style housing with a self-locking door is adapted with a paper guard member to prevent unauthorized reach-in access, without inhibiting authorized access to collection bag contents, and wherein uniquely supported collection bag hangers also facilitate easy access to collection bag contents, while also providing secure positioning for weighty materials within the housing.

According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the present invention is a generally rectangular cabinet with a flexible collection vessel removably positioned therein, wherein the collection vessel is held in position via a system of reinforced support components, wherein access to the cabinet is continuously and automatically limited via a self-locking closure mechanism and a door-mounted structural access guard.

More specifically, the present invention is a paper collection system and device, wherein a generally rectangular cabinet includes a hinged front access panel with a self-locking mechanism to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive paper documents prior to destruction of same. The self-locking mechanism necessitates use of a key, or other type of controlled access mechanism, in order to open the cabinet door. Subsequently, however, the lock remains in a ready state after opening. That is, reengagement of the lock via the key is unnecessary to secure the cabinet, because closure of the door automatically reactivates the lock, consistently preventing reopening of the cabinet in the absence of the key.

The cabinet door also includes a deposit way, in the form of a generally rectangular-shaped opening proximate the upper edge of the door, through which documents and other papers are deposited for collection. A document, or paper guard for inhibiting reach-in access into the collection compartment is provided on the interior surface of the cabinet door, just below the deposit way, wherein the surface of the document guard is angled down and out, extending partially over a removable paper collection vessel.

The collection vessel is a reusable bag, generally defining an elongated parallelepiped shape in order to adaptively fit and fill the cabinet. The bag includes hanger ports, opposingly positioned in pairs, proximate the upper edge of the bag, and handles extending from the base in order to facilitate removal from the cabinet when full.

Preferably, the interior sidewalls of the cabinet are adapted to support the bag via the hanger ports, wherein specialized support hooks are mounted inside the cabinet walls. The hooks are operatively designed to effectively support the heavy weight of a collection bag full of discarded paper, wherein placement of the hook mount is positioned to enable the transfer of a portion of the force from the weight of the bag away from the hook to the cabinet itself, transferring the force generated by the momentum of the weight toward the cabinet wall, thereby avoiding undesirable bending or failure of the hook. Via a fulcrum-like action, the downward gravitational pull of the bag contents coincidentally serves to further insert the hook mount into the cabinet wall, unlike previously described mounts. Another support mechanism is alternately envisioned, wherein the reusable collection bag is adapted with male bracket members and is slidably hung thereby via rails or troughs mounted or otherwise defined within the cabinet interior.

The base corners of the exterior cabinet are fitted with a cover that provides protection from damage, and that functions as a floor glide to ease in repositioning of the device. Further, each side of the cabinet is equipped with a handle to further facilitate ease of cabinet movement. Where the handle is formed as an aperture through the cabinet, a shield is provided therewith in order to ensure security of the cabinet contents against unauthorized reach-in access.

Therefore, a feature and advantage of the present invention is the ability of such a system and device to facilitate and encourage the collection of waste paper, for shredding, recycling, or other disposal.

Another feature and advantage of the present invention is the ability of such a system and device to direct paper feed.

Another feature and advantage of the present invention is the ability of such a system and device to prevent unauthorized reach-in access via a protective document guard, yet to also facilitate authorized access to collection bag contents by mounting the guard in a swing-away manner to enable entirely unimpeded retrieval of the collection bag.

Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is the ability of such a system and device to provide secure positioning for weighty materials within a protected housing.

Still another feature and advantage of the present invention is the ability of such a system and device to maintain the privacy of information reflected on discarded papers.

Still yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is the ability of such a system and device to ensure and encourage proper disposal of confidential papers, essentially irrespective of volume.

Still another feature and advantage of the present invention is the ability of such a system and device to self-lock, thereby safely protecting contents while facilitating authorized access.

Yet still another feature and advantage of the present invention is the ability of such a system and device to inhibit unauthorized reach-in access, thereby safely protecting contents while facilitating authorized access.

Yet still another feature and advantage of the present invention is the ability of such a system and device to continuously and automatically limit access to contents.

Even still another feature and advantage of the present invention is the ability of such a system and device to prevent damage to exposed corners by effectively shielding same.

Yet further still another feature and advantage of the present invention is the ability of such a system and device to enhance ease of movement by incorporating handles for enabling grasping of the cabinet, and by incorporating floor glides for enabling slidable movement of the cabinet.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description and claims when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS

In describing the preferred and alternate embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in the figures and/or described herein, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish similar functions.

Referring now toFIGS. 1-4,10A-10C, the present invention in the preferred embodiment is paper collection system and device10, comprising cabinet-style housing20with preferably self-locking door30, document guard50to assist with security of paper contents, and collection bag hangers70to facilitate easy access to contents of collection bag100and to provide secure positioning for weighty materials within housing20. One skilled in the art would readily recognize that although the word document is conveniently utilized throughout to reference the paper disposed of within paper collection system and device10, any type of paper or similar waste could be similarly deposited.

Preferably, cabinet-style housing20is generally rectangular, with hinged front access panel32, preferably self-locking door30, wherein preferred self-locking mechanism34prevents unauthorized access to sensitive paper documents prior to destruction of same. Front access panel32is preferably hingedly secured via piano hinges48, wherein the preferred hinges48inhibit unauthorized removal of front access panel32from cabinet-style housing20. One skilled in the art could employ other suitable hinges, however, piano hinges48are preferred.

Referring now toFIGS. 8-9, and10A, preferably, self-locking mechanism34is spring bolt rim lock36, configured to require use of a key via keyhole38in order to open door30. Preferably, spring bolt rim lock36remains in a ready state after opening via keyhole38, wherein subsequent closure of door30secures closure of cabinet20, preferably automatically reactivating self-locking mechanism34. Preferably, strikeplate33is securely mounted to cabinet sidewall21such that latchbolt35engages therewith upon closure of door30, preventing subsequent opening thereof without use of a key.

Although spring bolt rim lock36is preferred, other types of self-locking mechanisms34could be utilized in order to accomplish the desired feature of consistently preventing reopening of the cabinet in the absence of the key by eliminate the need for proactive locking following authorized access. Further, although keyhole38is preferred for controlling access via a key, other types of access controls could be utilized, such as a mechanical and/or electronic keypad or remote. Further, cabinet30could also and/or alternately include an alarm mechanism to indicate a reminder signal to an authorized user that hinged panel30remains unsecured. In such case, hinged panel30could be adapted to require proactive locking following authorized access thereto.

Cabinet housing20is preferably adapted with plurality of corner guards25, whereby protection from inadvertent damage to cabinet corners is provided, and whereby slidable movement of cabinet housing20across a surface is facilitated. In the preferred embodiment, each corner guard25is a molded synthetic member that is dimensioned to essentially surround each base corner of cabinet housing20. Of course, any suitable material or shape could be utilized for corner guards26, wherein the preferred functionality may be supported, including protective qualities as well as slidable qualities. Further, it is preferred that each corner guard25is fastened to cabinet housing20with a threaded fastener, or the like; however, it should be recognized that adhesive attachment and/or even integral formation with the exterior surface of the cabinet could also be a possibility.

Handles27, representatively depicted inFIGS. 10B-10C, further assist in slidable movement for repositioning of paper collection system and device10. Preferably, each handle27is defined through each respective sidewall21, generally as a rectangular-shaped aperture. Frame29is preferably installed within and generally surrounding the handle aperture in order to enhance aesthetics and to provide a comfortable gripping surface during cabinet movement. Preferably, each handle27includes a shield component that functions to prevent reach-through access to the interior of cabinet20. In one embodiment, the shield component may be integral with handle27, wherein no actual aperture remains defined between the interior and the exterior of cabinet20relative to handle27, but in such an embodiment, handle27would essentially be solid, with an inner-cabinet disposed finger-access region. One skilled in the art should recognize that other handle variations could be provided without departing from the intended scope of the present invention. That is, although handle27is preferred as described, handles that are exterior mount style could alternately be utilized and installed on exterior surfaces of cabinet20. Further, cabinet20could be manufactured and utilized without incorporation of handles27or any other handle.

Preferably, door30includes deposit way40, preferably generally rectangular-shaped opening41proximate upper edge42of door30, preferably defined with generally rounded interior corners44through which documents and other papers are safely deposited for collection. Preferably, document guard50is provided proximate deposit way40for facilitating proper directional feeding of papers into collection bag100, wherein document guard50is preferably affixed on interior surface46of cabinet door30, just below deposit way40.

Referring now toFIGS. 6A-6D, document guard50preferably defines a generally triangular profile, wherein upper surface52is preferably angled down from attachment wall54to end wall56, and wherein upper surface52is preferably smooth, thereby facilitating movement of papers there along, exiting into collection bag100proximate end wall56, while functionally blocking reach-in access, via deposit way40, into collection bag100. Preferably, document guard50is formed from plastic, as an injection or blow-molded integrally formed unit, with plurality of attachmentways58provided to facilitate secure attachment of document guard50to door30. Preferably, plurality of attachmentways58includes upper edge fastening ports60and side edge fastening ports62, wherein each port60,62, is preferably dimensioned to facilitate passage of a threaded fastener, screw or other attachment device therethrough, and to provided access for installation of same, via a screwdriver, hex key, or other suitable tool. One skilled in the art would readily recognize that other arrangements, other supportive fasteners, and/or other types of attachmentways could be utilized to support document guard50on door30. The unique door-mounted installation of document guard50facilitates unimpeded access to collection bag100for emptying, as depicted inFIG. 10B, wherein document guard50swings away from cabinet20upon opening of door30.

Referring now toFIG. 4, preferably, collection bag100is flexible and reusable, generally defining an elongated parallelepiped shape, adapted fit and fill cabinet housing20. Preferably, bag100includes plurality of hanger ports102, preferably opposingly positioned on sidewalls104aand104b, proximate preferably reinforced upper edge106of bag100. In the preferred embodiment, collection bag100is nylon, or other suitable material capable of supporting heavy loads and frequent handling. Base handles108are preferably provided to facilitate removal of bag100from cabinet housing20, and, also preferably, drawstring110is provided proximate reinforced upper edge106, in order to enable closure during movement or transport of bag100, if desired.

Referring now toFIGS. 1,5A,8and10C, plurality of collection bag hangers70preferably provide secure positioning for collection bag100within cabinet housing20. Preferred support hanger72preferably defines a U-type shape via angled base73, outer extension arm74and rear support arm75. Preferably, support hanger72further includes attachment head76adapted for snug locking within a mount aperture (not shown), preferably defined within interior sidewalls22aand22bof cabinet housing20. The preferred, specialized U-type, angled base shape of support hanger72is operatively designed to effectively support the heavy weight of collection bag100, when full of discarded paper, wherein forces delivered via hanger port102of collection bag100, proximate angled base73, are effectively transferred to rear support arm75, and ultimately preferably partially borne by inner sidewalls22aand22bvia said transfer. Such transfer of force minimizes pulling strain, thereby avoiding bending of support hanger72, and further, the unique design of rear support arm75, in concert with the preferred U-type, angled base shape support of support hanger72inhibits downward and/or outward movement of attachment head76from hanger port102, by transferring a portion of the force from the weight of bag100away from support hanger72to cabinet20itself, transferring the force generated by the momentum of the weight toward the cabinet wall, thereby avoiding undesirable failure of the support hanger72.

Similarly, yet alternately, plurality of collection bag hangers70could be configured as depicted inFIG. 5B, wherein support hanger77could define an S-type shape within mount aperture76. The specialized S-type shape of support hanger77is operatively designed to effectively support the heavy weight of collection bag100, when full of discarded paper, wherein forces delivered via hanger port102of collection bag100, proximate support base78, are partially borne by inner sidewalls22aand22bvia transfer at support arc80. Such transfer of force minimizes pulling strain at attachment head76of support hanger77, and further, the unique shape of support arc80inhibits downward and/or outward movement of attachment head76from hanger port102.

Also alternately, plurality of collection bag hangers70could be configured as depicted inFIG. 5C, wherein attachment base82could extend from support arc80. Inner sidewalls22aand22bof cabinet housing20could be adapted with receiving ports84therefore, thereby further transferring pulling forces from collection bag100to cabinet housing20, and further inhibiting and/or preventing downward and/or outward movement of attachment head74from hanger port102. Also similarly, yet again alternately, plurality of collection bag hangers70could be configured as depicted inFIG. 5D, wherein reinforcement member86could extend from support arc80, providing additional strength at the force transfer/bearing point along support arc80. One skilled in the art would readily recognize that reinforcement member86and/or attachment base82could extend from preferred U-shaped support hanger70.

Referring now toFIGS. 5E-5F, plurality of collection bag hangers70could be retained within plurality of installation ports90, wherein plurality of collection bag hangers70, as depicted inFIG. 5C, wherein each attachment base82could extend from support arc80and could be supported by plurality of installation ports90. Each installation port90could be defined within inner sidewalls22aand22bof cabinet housing20, wherein plug94could be inserted therein. Plug94could be formed from plastic, metal, or other suitable material, and could define a general circular diameter with central receiving port95and ring support93defined therein. As each collection bag hanger70is screwed into cabinet housing20at central receiving port95, attachment base82could rotate within ring support93, wherein upper region91of ring support93facilitates passage of attachment base82, and wherein lower region92of ring support93effectively defines receiving port84for final reception of attachment base82in a manner capable of providing easy installation and strengthened support for collection bag100, via the extended diameter of plug94, while avoiding failure of collection bag hangers70. It is noted that a similar configuration could also be utilized without plug94, wherein installation port90could receive a collection bag hanger70directly therein.

In the preferred configuration, receiving ports84are defined in sidewalls22aand22bof cabinet housing20in an angular fashion, wherein rear receiving ports85aare defined closer to top edge41of cabinet housing20than front receiving ports85b, thereby defining an angle therebetween that is opposing to the preferred downward angle defined by document guard50. Secure mounting of plurality of collection bag hangers70within front and rear receiving ports85band85a, respectively, thus enables collection bag100to be presented toward deposit way40for ease of filling. While such configuration and the benefits attendant thereto are recognized, it is recognized that collection bag100could be hung in an essentially level formation, or even opposingly angled, although collection of papers could be effected thereby.

In an alternate embodiment, paper collection system and device10could comprise an alternately configured collection bag support system, wherein generally horizontally-positioned support rails could be mounted along inner sidewalls22aand22bof cabinet housing20, or troughs or elongated wells could be defined within inner sidewalls22aand22bto slidably retain and support the collection bag therein. For such an embodiment, the collection bag, proximate reinforced upper edge106, could be adapted with a pair of opposingly positioned bracket-like members, with a male-type configuration, wherein the male bracket members could be sewn, glued, or otherwise supportively held by the collection bag in a manner capable of bearing the weight of a full load of discarded paper. The male bracket members could define an extending, sturdy arm member positioned essentially parallel with the upper edge of the collection bag, wherein the arm member could defines an “L” or “T” shaped cross-section, and each support rail or trough within the cabinet housing could define a female well with a compatible cross-section in order to enable slidable reception of the bag brackets and support thereof.

In another alternate embodiment, paper guard50could be formed with a plastic top section, and could be secured via plastic support brackets. Further, paper guard50could be formed with a plastic top, and could be secured with metal support brackets. Alternately, paper guard50could be formed with a plastic top, and wood support brackets or wedges could be utilized to secure paper guard50to front access panel32.

In another alternate embodiment, paper guard50could be formed with a metal top section, and could be secured via plastic support brackets. Further, paper guard50could be formed with a metal top, and could be secured with metal support brackets Alternately, paper guard50could be formed with a metal top, and wood support brackets or wedges could be utilized to secure paper guard50to front access panel32.

In yet another alternate embodiment, paper guard50could be formed with a wood top section, and could be secured via plastic support brackets. Further, paper guard50could be formed with a wood top, and could be secured with metal support brackets. Alternately, paper guard50could be formed with a wood top, and wood support brackets or wedges could be utilized to secure paper guard50to front access panel32.

In still another alternate embodiment, paper collection system and device10could be constructed and utilized without document guard50.

In another alternate embodiment, cabinet-style housing20could be alternately shaped, such as, for exemplary purposes only, cylindrical or trapezoidal, as could collection bag100, and document guard50could be suitably arced.

In another alternate embodiment, hinged access to cabinet-style housing20could be provided via a sidewall or rearwall, in lieu of front access panel32.

In still another alternate embodiment, hinged access to cabinet-style housing20could be provided via a lid, in lieu of, or in addition to, front access panel32.

In another alternate embodiment, deposit way40could be adapted with an electronic feeding mechanism, with a mechanical roll-feed mechanism, or with a protective flap or hinged coverplate.

In yet another alternate embodiment, deposit way40could be defined in a sidewall, rearwall, or lid of cabinet-style housing20, wherein if deposit way40is defined in the lid, document guard50could be formed in a manner to extend across a larger area, in order to block unauthorized reach-in access from above, yet to enable receipt of papers and/or documents into collection bag100. Alternately, also, document guard50could be fastened to the lid.

In still another alternate embodiment, document guard50could be essentially flat, or rectangularly shaped, wherein an angular mounting could impart the angular upper surface for facilitating movement of papers, while still preventing unauthorized reach-in access.

In use, cabinet housing20is preferably assembled via cam-locks, with self-locking, hinged front access panel30in an open position. Collection bag100is preferably hung, via plurality of hanger ports102, onto plurality of collection bag hangers70therewithin. Access panel30is closed, preferably automatically locking, and paper is received into collection bag100within secure cabinet housing20. A key is preferably utilized to unlock and open door30of cabinet housing20, wherein document guard50swings away from its position proximate collection bag100, whereupon collection bag100is removed and the collected paper transported for shredding, incineration, recycling, or other desirable process. Once emptied, collection bag100is returned to cabinet housing20and door30is closed, automatically repositioning document guard50and reactivating the locking mechanism and securing the contents until the next collection.