Patent ID: 8770503

Claim:
A paper shredder, said shredder comprising: a hopper for receiving paper; a first stage shredder comprising offset blades driven by a first stage power drive and first speed feedback components; a second stage shredder operatively connected to said first stage shredder, said second stage shredder comprising offset blades driven by a second stage power drive and second speed feedback components; a third stage shredder operatively connected to said second stage shredder, said third stage shredder comprising offset blades driven by a third stage power drive and third speed feedback components; wherein the offset blades of the second stage shredder are smaller than the offset blades of the first stage shredder and larger than the offset blades of the third stage shredder; and a program logic controller adapted to control said paper shredder, wherein the program logic controller is configured to: automatically detect if at least one of the first, second and third stage shredders is slowing based on the first, second and third speed feedback components and cause the detected stage shredder to operate in reverse for a predetermined time and then return to forward operation; simultaneously stop any of the first or second stage shredders that precede the detected stage shredder while the detected stage shredder is reversing and then automatically start the stopped stage shredders once the detected shredder commences forward operation such that at least one of the first, second and third stage shredders remain in operation while at least one of the first, second and third stage shredders is stopped, and wherein the program logic controller is configured to hydraulically slidably remove at least one of said second or third stage shredders when at least one of said second or third stage shredders are not required based on user input.