Patent Publication Number: US-8113449-B2

Title: Shredder with rotatable device for moving shredded materials adjacent the outlet

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/314,182, filed Dec. 5, 2008, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention is generally related to shredders for destroying articles, such as documents, CDs, etc. More specifically, the present invention is related to shredders including a rotatable device for moving shredded materials in a shredder. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     During operation of a shredder, paper or other articles are fed through the input opening or throat of the shredder to be destroyed. As shown in  FIG. 1 , when paper is fed through a throat  101  of shredder  100 , the paper travels into a cutting assembly  102  where it is shredded into smaller particles. The particles then exit through an outlet  104  of housing  105 , and accumulate inside waste bin  103 . However, problems may develop at or near the outlet  104  of the shredder  100 , which may affect proper operation of the shredder. 
     One problem which may develop during shredding of articles includes when shredded particles adhere to or near the cutting assembly  102  or outlet  104  of the shredder  100 . Such a phenomenon of accumulated particles known as “bird nesting,” as indicated by element  120 . The shredded particles may accumulate due to physical or electrostatic means, for example. Over time, bird nesting particles  120  that accumulate near outlet  104  can become lodged inside the cutting assembly  102  or outlet  104  and reduce the sheet capacity (i.e., the amount of articles to be received and shredded in the cutting assembly) of the machine. Thus, extra strain may be placed on the gears, bearings, and motor (not shown) associated with the cutting assembly, and may even damage the cutting assembly  102 . It is therefore desirable to reduce bird nesting particles  120  in order to extend the life and efficiency of a shredder  100  and maintain proper operation. This problem occurs more often in cross-cutting shredders, because the small chips formed by cross-cutting are more likely to accumulate. 
     Additionally, after articles have been shredded and particles descend from the housing  105 , a second problem may develop. As shredded particles collect inside the waste bin  103 , the shredded particles tend to accumulate in a shape similar to a peak or mountain, sometimes also referred to as “crowning,” as indicated by element  130 . An accumulation of crowing particles  130  is inefficient since the particles will quickly build up. The crowning particles  130  may then perhaps start pushing against the cutting assembly  102 , possibly contributing to the accumulation of bird nesting particles  120 . The crowning particles  130  may also falsely or prematurely trigger a bin full detection system before the waste bin  103  is completely full. User assistance may then be required to either empty the waste bin  103 , remove shreds that have accumulated near the output opening or cutting assembly, or to even out the pile of particles by hand before continuing to shred. Such assistance may not only be time consuming, but also dangerous. It is therefore desirable for a shredder to have particles which accumulate evenly in the waste bin  103 , particularly in shredders that utilize a bin full detection system. 
     Some prior art methods have attempted to develop devices to curb such problems. For example, U.S. Patent Application 2008/0041988 A1 describes a brush-off device that slides reciprocally along shafts of a cutter assembly in an axial direction. However, the prior art fails to provide a feature for cleaning an underside of the cutting assembly or outlet. Rather, the prior art functions below the shredder housing. 
     To prevent crowning, the prior art, such as U.S. Patent Applications 2007/029542 A1 and 2007/0295736 A1, describes shredders having containers or bins that are rocked to prevent build up of particles. U.S. Pat. No. 7,150,422 B2 provides a manual device for pressing paper downwardly in the bin. However, none of the prior art devices are designed to operate inside or with the shredder housing to clear particles caught in the cutter elements of the cutter assembly, as well as assist in preventing crowning in the bin. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect of the invention provides a shredder including a bin for receiving shredded materials and a shredder housing having a shredder mechanism mounted therein. The shredder housing is provided on the bin and includes an input opening for receiving materials and an output opening for depositing shredded material into the bin. The shredder mechanism includes a motor and a cutter assembly; the motor rotates the cutter assembly about an axis to shred materials fed therein. The shredder also includes a rotatable device positioned adjacent the output opening. The rotatable device has a shaft with a plurality of fingers extending at least partially radially from the shaft. The shaft is configured to rotate about a parallel axis adjacent the axis of the cutter elements to move shredded materials adjacent the output opening. 
     In an embodiment, the fingers of the rotatable device extend into the cutter assembly so as to move shredded materials caught in or around the cutter assembly adjacent the output opening. In an embodiment, the fingers of the rotatable device extend at least partially into the bin to move an accumulation of shredded materials in the bin. Thus, the shredded materials adjacent the output opening could be either or both the materials in the cutter assembly or the materials in the bin. 
     Another aspect of the invention provides a method for moving shredded materials in a shredder. The method includes: feeding material to be shredded into an input opening in a shredder housing of the shredder, the shredder housing being provided on a bin for receiving shredded materials; and shredding the material with a shredder mechanism mounted in the shredder housing. The shredder mechanism includes a motor and a cutter assembly, and the motor rotates the cutter assembly about an axis to shred materials fed therein. The method also includes depositing the shredded material via an output opening in the shredder housing into the bin; and rotating a shaft of a rotatable device about a parallel axis that is adjacent the axis of the cutter elements. The shaft of the rotatable device has a plurality of fingers extending at least partially radially from the shaft to move shredded material adjacent the output opening. The rotatable device is positioned adjacent the output opening. In an embodiment, the fingers of the rotatable device extend into the cutter assembly so as to move shredded materials caught in or around the cutter assembly adjacent the output opening. In an embodiment, the fingers of the rotatable device extend at least partially into the bin to move an accumulation of shredded materials in the bin. Also, in an embodiment, the method includes detecting a presence of shredded materials in relation to the rotatable device and activating the rotation of the shaft of the rotatable device upon the detection of the presence of shredded materials. 
     Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a shredder of the prior art; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a shredder having a rotatable device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a lower side of a shredder housing of the shredder of  FIG. 2  illustrating the rotatable device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a flow chart diagram illustrating a method for moving shredded materials in a shredder in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of an outlet opening on a lower side of a shredder housing of a shredder illustrate a rotatable device in an open position accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view of the rotatable device of  FIG. 5  in a closed position accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 7 and 8  show cross-sectional side views of an inside of a shredder housing of a shredder having the rotatable device of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , respectively. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
     The described devices herein are designed to resolve or alleviate one or more of the above-noted problems found in conventional paper shredders; specifically, where particles accumulate unevenly in the waste bin, where shredded materials or paper particles become stuck to a bottom of the shredder housing and cutting assembly, and/or when bin full detection systems inaccurately detect a full bin due to accumulation or piling of shredded materials or the materials attached to the shredder housing. 
     Referring now more particularly to the drawings,  FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a shredder  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The shredder  10  is designed to destroy or shred articles such as paper and/or disks (e.g., CDs). In an embodiment, the shredder  10  may comprise wheels (not shown) to assist in moving the shredder  10 . The shredder  10  comprises a shredder housing  12  that sits on top of a container or bin  14 , for example. The shredder housing  12  comprises at least one input opening  20  on an upper side  24  (or upper wall or top side or top wall) of the housing  12  for receiving materials to be shredded. The input opening  20  may generally extend in a lateral direction, and is also often referred to as a throat. The input opening  20  or throat may extend generally parallel to and above a shredder mechanism  16  (described below). The input opening or throat  20  may be relatively narrow, so as to prevent overly thick items, such as large stacks of documents, from being fed therein. However, throat  20  may have any configuration. In an embodiment, an additional or second input opening (not shown) may be provided in shredder housing  12 . For example, throat  20  may be provided to receive paper, paper products, and other items, while second input opening (not shown) may be provided to receive objects such as CDs and DVDs. 
     Shredder housing  12  also comprises an output opening  22  or outlet on a lower side  26  (or bottom side or bottom wall or underside or bin side). In an embodiment, shredder housing  12  may include a bottom receptacle  25  to receive shredder mechanism  16  therein. Bottom receptacle  25  may include output opening or outlet  22  in its lower side  26  through which shredded material is deposited into the bin  14 . The bottom receptacle  25  and/or outlet  22  may reside within the opening of the bin  14  so as to direct shredded particles into the bin. Generally speaking, the shredder  10  may have any suitable construction or configuration and the illustrated embodiments provided herein are not intended to be limiting in any way. 
     As noted, the shredder  10  also comprises a shredder mechanism  16  in the housing  12 . When articles are inserted into the at least one input opening or throat  20 , they are directed toward and into shredder mechanism  16 . “Shredder mechanism” is a generic structural term to denote a device that destroys articles using at least one cutter element. Destroying may be done in any particular way. Shredder mechanism  20  includes a drive system with at least one motor  23 , such as an electrically powered motor, and a cutter assembly comprising a plurality of cutter elements  18 . The cutter elements  18  of cutter assembly are mounted on a pair of parallel mounting shafts  17 . Typically, the cutter elements will be designed for cross-cutting (i.e., for shredding the article into small chips). See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,260,780 to Kroger et al., the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     The motor  23  operates using electrical power to rotatably drive the mounting shafts  17  of the shredder mechanism  16  and their corresponding cutter elements  18  through a conventional transmission (not shown) so that the cutter elements  18  shred or destroy articles fed therein, and, subsequently, deposit the shredded materials into bin  14  via the outlet  22 . The shafts  17  are mounted in relation to the throat and may be provided on lateral axes A 1  and A 2 , respectively. The shafts  17  are configured to rotate about axes A 1  and A 2  so as to rotate the cutter elements  18  of the cutter assembly for shredding. In an embodiment, the shredder mechanism  16  may also include a sub-frame for mounting the shafts, motor, and transmission. The drive system may have any number of motors and may include one or more transmissions. Also, the plurality of cutter elements  18  are mounted on the rotatable mounting shafts  17  in any suitable manner. For example, in an embodiment, cutter elements  18  are rotated about axes A 1  and A 2  in an interleaving relationship for shredded paper sheets or other articles fed therein. In an embodiment, the cutter elements  18  may be provided in a stacked relationship. The operation and construction of such a shredder mechanism  16  is well known and need not be discussed herein in detail. As such, the at least one input opening or throat  20  is configured to receive materials inserted therein to feed such materials through the shredder mechanism  16  and to deposit or eject the shredded materials through output opening or outlet  22 . 
     The bin  14  receives shredded materials or articles from the shredder mechanism  16  of the shredder  10 . The bin  14  comprises a bottom wall, four side walls, and a top, for example. Generally, the shredder housing  12  is configured to be seated above or upon the container  18 . Shredder housing  12  may comprise a detachable paper shredder mechanism, as shown in  FIG. 2 . That is, in an embodiment, the shredder housing may be moved or removed in relation to the container or bin  14  to ease or assist in emptying the bin  14  of shredded materials. In an embodiment, shredder housing  12  comprises a lip  15  or other structural arrangement that corresponds in size and shape with a top edge  19  or opening of bin  14 . After inserting materials into throat  20  for shredding by cutter elements  18 , the shredded materials are deposited from output opening or outlet  22  on the lower side  26  of the housing  12  into the opening of the bin  14 . The bin  14  may be a waste bin, for example. In some embodiments, the bin  14  may be positioned in a frame or secondary housing beneath the shredder housing  12 . For example, the frame may be used to support the shredder housing  12  as well as comprise a container receiving space so that the container or bin  14  may be removed therefrom. Generally the terms “container,” “waste bin,” and “bin” are defined as devices for receiving shredded materials discharged from the output opening  22  of the shredder, and such terms are used interchangeably through this specification. However, such terms should not be limiting. Bin  14  may have any suitable construction or configuration. 
     Though not shown, a power supply to the shredder may be in the form of a standard power cord with a plug on its ends that plugs into a standard AC outlet. Generally, the use of a control panel is known in the art. For example, the upper side  24  of housing  12  may also include a power switch or plurality of switches and/or switch recess or an on/off switch. Any number of switches may be provided. A switch may be moved so as to move a switch module between states (e.g., ON, OFF), for example. For example, the switch module may communicate with a controller and a motor  23  to send (or stop) transmission of electrical signals for rotating the cutter elements  18  of the shredder mechanism  16  in a shredding direction. The switch module may also communicate so as to operate the motor  23  in a reversing manner to move the cutter elements  18  in a reversing direction, such as when there is a need to clear jams, for example. Generally, the construction and operation of switches and controllers for controlling the motor are well known and any construction for these may be used. For example, a touch screen switch, membrane switch, or toggle switch are types of switches that may be used. Also, the switch may have any number of states or signals (e.g., lights, display screen) associated therewith. 
     As shredder  10  is used, shredded materials (e.g., paper) are deposited/directed into bin  14 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , as shredded materials fill the bin  14 , they may form a pile  28 . Also, shredded materials may accumulate near or adjacent the outlet  22  or the lower side  26  of the shredder housing  12 . Shredder  10  comprises a rotatable device  30  to assist in reducing such issues. More specifically, a rotatable device  30  is provided or mounted on the lower side  26  of the shredder housing  12  to assist in moving shredded materials caught in or around the cutting assembly. Rotatable device  30  is positioned adjacent the output opening or outlet  22 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The rotatable device  30  is configured to move shredded materials positioned adjacent the output opening  22 , as will be further described below. In some embodiments, the rotatable device  30  extends at least partially into the bin  14 , so as to move shredded materials which accumulate into a pile  28  in the bin  14 . 
     The rotatable device  30  comprises an auxiliary shaft  32  configured to rotate about a parallel, lateral axis A adjacent the axes A 1  and A 2  of the cutter elements  18  of the cutter assembly. In some embodiments, the rotating shaft  32  of the rotatable device  30  may be positioned below the shredder mechanism  16 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In some embodiments, the shaft  32  is mounted within the shredder housing  12  or, alternatively, within the shredder mechanism  16 . The shaft  32  may be rotated in any direction, e.g., in a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction. In some embodiments, the shaft  32  of the rotatable device  30  is driven by the motor  23  rotating the cutter elements  18  of the cutting assembly. In some embodiments, the shaft  32  of the rotatable device  30  is rotated by a separate motor (not shown). 
     As shown in greater detail in  FIG. 3 , the rotatable device may comprise a plurality of fingers  34  projecting from a surface  33  of shaft  32  in a perpendicular direction in relation to the parallel axis A (i.e., in a radial direction). “Fingers” as provided herein are defined elongated structures that generally extend or stand radially in relation to the shaft  32 . The fingers  34  are provided to assist in moving shredded materials adjacent the outlet  22 , such as shredded materials that may nest near walls of or lower side  26  of the outlet  22 , or even near or between cutter elements  18 . In some embodiments, the fingers  34  are structures that are flexible or resilient. For example, a single bendable or resilient finger may be provided. Here, a plurality of fingers  34  are provided on rotatable device  30 . The fingers  34  are fixed in position on the shaft so as to rotate with the shaft  32 . Thus, when the shaft  32  is activated or rotated about axis A, the fingers  34  rotate about axis A. 
     The terms “radial” or “perpendicular” when used with respect to the fingers are not to be taken as requiring a perfect or true radial or perpendicular direction. Instead, having a perpendicular or radial extent or vector sufficient to project the fingers from the shaft for performing their function is within the meanings of these terms. Likewise, the fingers need not be straight and may have curved or other shapes. 
     Generally, the fingers  34  comprise an elongate shape that is capable of at least partially extending into the bin  14  as well as into the shredder mechanism  16  or the cutter elements  18 . In some embodiments, the fingers  34  are provided about the shaft  32  such that they extend in a number of different directions or angles. In some embodiments, the fingers may be formed or added to the shaft  32  in a helical manner. In some embodiments, the plurality of fingers  34  comprises bristles which are fixed in position on the shaft so as to rotate with the shaft. In some cases, a plurality of fingers may be referred to as bristles or a brush, and therefore the term “fingers” should not be limiting. Fingers  34  may be made from any number of resilient materials, such as elastic or rubber, for example. In some embodiments, the fingers  34  or bristles may be made from a synthetic nylon or similar material. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , it is envisioned in some embodiments that the rotatable device  30  may include larger or wider devices such as fins  34   a  or paddles, for example, in place of alternating fingers or bristles, acting as a brush or device for moving shredded particles adjacent the outlet  22 . Fins  34   a  have a generally curved or rounded shape; however, the shape of the fins  34   a  should not be limiting. For example, fins  34   a  may comprise an elongate shape that extends at least partially along the axis A of the shaft  32  of the rotatable device  30 . In some embodiments, two or more fins  34   a  may be provided to rotate about the shaft  32 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , two fins  34   a  are attached or formed along axis A of the rotatable device  30  and extend from the shaft  32 . The fins  34   a  may comprise a width that is substantially similar to a length of the shaft (e.g., a length along the axis). The fins  34   a  may also comprise a length that is substantially similar to an inside dimension of the outlet  22  or bottom receptacle  25 . In some cases, the length of the fins  34   s  allows it to extend such that it is still able to rotate into at least a part of the outlet  22  and extend at least partially into the bin  14 . In any case, the fins  34   a  are designed such that they are able to move shredded particles adjacent the outlet  22 . 
     In an embodiment, fins  34   a  may comprise additional devices or vanes  37 , which may be formed during manufacture and/or provide additional stability to the rotatable device  30 . Fins  34   a  may also be made from any number of materials. For example, fins  34   a  may be formed from an elastic or rubber material, or from a substantially rigid material, such as plastic. Should the fins  34   a  have some flexibility or resiliency, vanes  37  may assist in providing some structural stability about its length and width. 
     Besides assisting in moving shredded material adjacent the outlet  22 , fins  34   a  also assist in reducing shredded materials from falling out of the outlet  22  during emptying. More specifically, the fins  34   a  of the rotatable device may be oriented in a closed position to substantially prevent shredded materials from being discharged from the outlet by “closing” the outlet  22  when the shredder housing  12  and bin  14  are moved out of an operative position relative to each other. When waste bins  14  or containers are typically emptied, the cutting elements  18  of shredder mechanism  16  may have shredded materials (e.g., particles of waste or trash) caught therein (e.g., which may cause bird nesting). Thus, when the bin  14  is moved, the shredder mechanism  16  may be agitated and the particles originally stuck in the cutting elements  18  may become dislodged and fall into a housing of an outer frame and/or the area surrounding the shredder  10  (e.g., the floor). Users or consumers using shredders having a pull out waste bin in particular do not expect this type of mess and difficulty when emptying the bin. In particular, users do not want waste particles falling when the bin is not in a position to catch them (i.e., when the bin  14  is not under the shredder housing  12 ). However, the fins  34   a  may address this type of annoying waste particle mess problem by preventing the shredded materials (waste) in or adjacent the shredder mechanism  16  from being discharged from the outlet  22  during a waste bin emptying process. 
     Specifically, the fins  34   a  of the rotatable device  30  may be positioned in relation to the outlet  22  such that they are in an open position or a closed position.  FIGS. 7 and 8  show cross-sectional side views of an inside of a shredder housing of a shredder having a rotatable device  30  with fins  34  in open and closed positions, respectively. An open position is defined as a first position wherein the fins  34   a  are positioned in the outlet  22  or bottom receptacle  25  without substantially blocking shredded materials from being discharged therefrom, i.e., allowing shredded materials to be deposited into the container or waste bin, such as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 . A closed position is defined as a second position wherein the fins  34   a  are positioned such that they are substantially covering the outlet  22  of the shredder housing  12  to prevent shredded materials from being discharged therefrom, such as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8  (e.g., across the outlet). As an option, the fins may extend for the entire or substantially the entire length of the outlet so that particles do not escape between individual fingers. Additional description regarding activation and positioning of the rotatable device  30  is provided below. 
     Also, by moving the fins  34   a  into a closed position in the outlet  22  as shown in  FIG. 8 , damage to the fins  34   a  (e.g., from the user hitting the fins  34   a  with an edge of the bin  14 ) is also prevented. Further, it should be noted that, for illustrative purposes only, the fins  34   a  of the device  30  as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  do not extend between the cutter elements  18 . However, it is envisioned that the width of the fins  34   a  may be formed such that at least an edge or a series of individual projections of the fin  34   a  substantially contacts or intrudes between the cutter elements  18  in an embodiment. 
     The rotation of the rotatable device  30  may be activated in any number of ways. In some embodiments, the rotation may be activated manually. For example, a switch may be provided which triggers a motor to start rotation of the rotatable device  30 . In some embodiments, the rotation of the rotatable device  30  may be activated automatically. In this case, “automatically” activating rotation refers turning or rotating the shaft  32  of the device  30  at the time or detection of a predetermined event or occurrence. For example, the rotation may be associated with the activation of the shredder mechanism  16 . The rotatable device  30  may also be activated to rotate concurrently with the cutter elements  18  of the cutting assembly (e.g., such as when motor  23  is used to rotate both the shredder mechanism  16  and the rotatable device  30 ). In some embodiments, the rotation of the rotatable device  30  is associated with a power switch for turning on the shredder  10 . As an option, a positional sensor, such as a Hall sensor, may be used to detect and control the rotational position of the device  30 . 
     In some embodiments, the rotation of the rotatable device  30  may be associated with one or more sensing devices  36  of the shredder  10 , such as “bin full” sensors. The shredder  10  may comprise at least one sensor  36  to detect a presence of shredded materials in relation to the rotatable device  30 , or in relation to the shredder housing  12  and/or mechanism  16 . The sensor(s)  36  may be provided on the lower side  26  of the shredder housing  12  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Additionally or alternatively, the sensor(s) may be provided on a side of the bin  14  or in a manner so as to detect an accumulation of shredded materials or particles within the walls of the bin  14 . In some embodiments, one or more sensor(s)  36  may be provided to activate the rotation of the shaft  32  of the rotatable device  30  upon the detection of the presence of shredded materials. In some embodiments, one or more sensor(s)  36  may communicate with a controller to activate the rotatable device  30  upon reaching or exceeding a predetermined threshold. For example, one such threshold may be upon detection of a level of the shredded materials, e.g., when the bin  14  is detected as full, or detects the accumulation of shredded particles in a pile  28 . The rotatable device  30  may be activated when shredded materials or particles have accumulated to a predetermined capacity (e.g., of 90 percent full), or when the shredded materials appear to be within a predetermined distance below the lower side  26  of the housing  12  (e.g., 2 to 3 inches from the housing  12 ). 
     In some embodiments, the rotatable device  30  may also be implemented in conjunction with a plurality of bin full detectors such as sensors  36  to rotate in a specific direction based on the level of shredded material detected in the waste bin  14 . In such an implementation, the plurality of sensors  36  may be positioned on the lower side  26  of the shredder housing  12  so as to detect characteristics associated with the pile  28  of shredded materials. For example, the sensors  36  may assist in determining a slope of the pile  28  or its highest position of accumulation. The device  30  may then be activated to rotate in such a way so as to move the shreds from the peak of the pile  28 , to either toward a front or back or left or right side(s) of the bin  14  of the shredder  10 , depending on the accumulation characteristics in the bin  14 . Thus, the rotatable device  30  may more efficiently distribute the shredded material inside the bin  14 . 
       FIG. 4  provides a flow chart diagram illustrating a method  40  for moving shredded materials in a shredder  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Step  42  provides feeding material into an input opening or throat  22  of the shredder housing  12 . The material is then shredded using the shredder mechanism  16 , indicated at step  44 . As the shredded material is deposited via the output opening or outlet  22  and into bin  14 , as indicated at step  46 , the rotatable device is rotated, at step  48 , to move shredded material positioned within and adjacent the output opening  22 . Material positioned within and adjacent the output opening or outlet  22  may be material near the opening  22 , such as bird nested particles  120 , or material that has accumulated in a pile  28  in bin  14 , for example. Material positioned within and adjacent the output opening  22  may also include shredded or partially shredded materials or particles that are in the shredder mechanism  16  or cutter elements  18 . 
       FIG. 4  provides a flow chart diagram illustrating a method  40  for moving shredded materials in a shredder  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Step  42  provides feeding material into an input opening or throat  22  of the shredder housing  12 . The material is then shredded using the shredder mechanism  16 , indicated at step  44 . As the shredded material is deposited via the output opening or outlet  22  and into bin  14 , as indicated at step  46 , the rotatable device is rotated, at step  48 , to move shredded material positioned within and adjacent the output opening  22 . Material positioned within and adjacent the output opening or outlet  22  may be material near the opening  22 , such as bird nested particles  120 , or material that has accumulated in a pile  28  in bin  14 , for example. Material positioned within and adjacent the output opening  22  may also include shredded or partially shredded materials or particles that are in the shredder mechanism  16  or cutter elements  18 . 
     The rotatable device  30  is designed to alleviate both bird-nesting  120  and crowning  130  problems in shredders, as discussed with reference to  FIG. 1  above. As the fingers  34  of the rotatable device  30  are rotated below the shredder mechanism  16 , they perform multiple functions. For example, the resiliency or flexibility of the fingers  34  enables them to enter between cutter elements  18  (see  FIG. 2 ) and dislodge any shredded material (e.g., paper particles) caught in or around the cutting assembly. This effectively dislodges any bird-nesting particles from between the cutter elements  18  and around the shredder mechanism  16  and outlet  22  to increase smooth shredding operation. It also assists in reducing or eliminating false bin full alerts detected by one or more sensors. 
     In addition, as the fingers  34  are rotated they also engage and disperse shredded materials entering or accumulating in the bin  14 . Thus, the rotating device may act as a raking device, so that a pile  28  may be leveled and a more even pile may be formed in the bin  14 . This allows the bin  14  to more effectively fill to capacity, as well as reduce premature bin full alerts detected by sensors, that may require user attention. 
     It should be noted that the position of the rotatable device  30  (or its rotating shaft  32 ) below the shredder mechanism  16  contributes to providing the above-noted benefits. The rotatable device  30  is able to perform two functions using a single device. Additionally, the rotatable device  30  as described herein rotates in a circular motion, rather than a reciprocal motion as provided in the prior art. This is advantageous because the rotatable device  30  is able to assist in cleaning shredded materials from the underside of the shredder mechanism  16  and/or cutting assembly, as well as near the lower side  26  of the shredder housing  12  (e.g., such as in the bin  14 ). Moreover, the rotating shaft design improves upon reciprocal or sliding shaft designs because it reduces the risk of device or its bristles from becoming jammed by stray particles, and possibly malfunctioning. 
     Also, the positioning of the fingers  34  from the surface  33  of the shaft  32  should not be limited. In some embodiments, the fingers  34  may be designed to extend from the shaft  32  in a diagonal or angled relationship with respect to axis A. The design or shape of the fingers  34  also should not be limiting. For example, the fingers or bristles may be designed in any manner such that they are able to at least partially extend into the bin as well as into the shredder mechanism  16 . The fingers may have a rounded, angled, polygonal, or elongate shape. Also, the fingers  34  may be added to shaft  32  or manufactured with shaft  32  so as to form a uniform assembly. Alternatively, as previously noted, other shaped devices, such as paddles or elongated shapes, and other configurations, such as extending along or around the shaft  32 , may be used and are not beyond the scope of this disclosure. 
     While the principles of the invention have been made clear in the illustrative embodiments set forth above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the structure, arrangement, proportion, elements, materials, and components used in the practice of the invention. 
     It will thus be seen that the objects of this invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. It will be realized, however, that the foregoing preferred specific embodiments have been shown and described for the purpose of illustrating the functional and structural principles of this invention and are subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.