Patent ID: 7802740

Claim:
A shredding apparatus for use in shredding materials in retail pharmacies, comprising: first and second loading sections, said first loading section including a cover movable between a closed position and an open position for selectively loading bulky materials, said second loading section including an elongate orifice for loading sheet materials; a cutting section in fluid communication with said first loading section via a first pathway and said second loading section via a second pathway, said cutting section including first and second counter-rotating cutting shafts mounted to receive bulky and sheet materials from said first and second loading sections, respectively, whereby said bulky and sheet materials pass between said first and second cutting shafts from said first and second loading sections for shredding; and a collection/filtration system positioned below said cutting section to receive materials from said first and second loading sections through said cutting section, said collection/filtration system including a collection section housing, a filtration bag for collecting shredded materials, a filter, and a vacuum, wherein said filtration bag, said filter and said vacuum are enclosed within said collection section housing, said vacuum creating a negative pressure gradient when said cover is in a closed position to define an air flow path from the exterior of said shredding apparatus through said second loading section orifice to said cutting section via said second pathway and then through said filtration bag and said filter to the exterior of the shredding apparatus through an opening in said collection section housing to create a region of negative pressure at said first and second loading sections, said first pathway intersecting said second pathway in the air flow path upstream of said first and second cutting shafts, and said vacuum being positioned in the air flow path between said filter and the exterior of said shredding apparatus.