Shredder, and control method of shredder

Abstract

To provide a shredder displaying an environment contribution value, and a control method of a shredder.SOLUTION: A shredder includes: a shredding unit 20 for shredding paper into pieces C of paper; a tank 11 for storing the pieces C of paper; a weight sensor 50 which is provided below the tank 11 and measures the weight of the pieces of paper in the tank 11; a processor of a control part 40 for calculating an environment contribution value, based on the weight of the pieces of paper measured by the weight sensor 50; and a display 6 for displaying the environment contribution value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a shredder and a method for controlling the shredder.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a shredder for shredding printed copy paper and the like that has become unnecessary has been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a shredder provided with a waste container for storing shredded waste.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the shredder described in Patent Document 1, when the shredded paper is reused, the degree of contribution to the environment is unclear. These days, with increasing emphasis on environmental considerations, motivation for environmental conservation has become important. Conventionally, users of shredders have had no way of knowing to what extent shredded documents contribute to environmental conservation when they are reused. The following invention was devised to solve such problems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The shredder of the present invention includes a shredding unit that shreds paper into pieces, a tank that stores the pieces, a weight sensor provided below the tank that measures the weight of the pieces in the tank, a processor that calculates an environmental contribution value based on the weight of the pieces measured by the weight sensor, and a display that displays the environmental contribution value.

[0006] In the control method of the shredder of the present invention, the shredder includes a shredding unit that shreds paper into pieces, a tank that stores the shredded pieces, a weight sensor that measures the weight of the shredded pieces in the tank, a processor, and a display. The control method includes a first step of measuring the weight of the shredded pieces by the weight sensor, a second step of calculating an environmental contribution value by the processor based on the weight of the shredded pieces measured by the weight sensor, and a third step of displaying the environmental contribution value on the display.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] In the following embodiments, a shredder 1 that shreds paper such as printed and used waste paper and a control method of the shredder 1 will be exemplified and described with reference to the drawings. In the following figures, XYZ axes, which are coordinate axes orthogonal to each other as necessary, are attached, the direction indicated by each arrow is taken as the + direction, and the direction opposite to the + direction is taken as the - direction. When the shredder 1 is installed on a horizontal plane, the Z axis is a virtual axis along the vertical direction. The +Z direction is upward and the -Z direction is downward.

[0009] As shown in FIG. 1, the shredder 1 according to this embodiment is substantially a rectangular parallelepiped. The shredder 1 has a housing composed of an upper surface 5 and a bottom surface 2e facing each other in the vertical direction, and four side surfaces 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d. The side surfaces 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d are each rectangles with long sides along the Z-axis.

[0010] Each component of the shredder 1 described later is housed in the above housing. The user of the shredder 1 performs operations such as shredding paper facing the side surface 2a facing the -X direction. In the following description, the user of the shredder 1 is simply referred to as the user.

[0011] The shredder 1 is provided with a display 6. The display 6 is arranged in the +X direction of the upper surface 5. The display 6 displays various information such as the operating status and operation instructions regarding the shredder 1. In particular, the display 6 displays the environmental contribution value described later.

[0012] The display 6 may also serve as an operation unit for receiving various instructions from the user for the shredder 1. The display 6 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device with a touch panel method. Note that the display 6 is not limited to a configuration that also serves as an operation unit. The operation unit may be installed separately from the display 6.

[0013] An insertion port 7 is arranged in the -X direction of the upper surface 5. The insertion port 7 is an opening for inserting the paper to be shredded. The paper inserted from the insertion port 7 moves to a shredding unit described later in the housing.

[0014] A door portion 9 that forms a part of the side surface 2a is arranged on the side surface 2a. The door portion 9 is substantially rectangular when viewed from the -X direction, and the long side is along the Z-axis. The door portion 9 is a substantially plate-shaped member. The door portion 9 can be opened with the long side in the +Y direction as a fulcrum.

[0015] A handle portion 4 is provided on the long side in the -Y direction of the door portion 9. By grasping the handle portion 4 with the hand and pulling the door portion 9 in the substantially -X direction, the door portion 9 can be opened.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the shredder 1 includes a shredding unit 20, a tank 11, a weight sensor 50, and a control unit 40 (to be described later) inside the housing.

[0017] The shredding unit 20 shreds paper into paper pieces C. The shredding unit 20 is disposed above the inside of the housing of the shredder 1. The paper pieces C fall from the shredding unit 20 to the tank 11 by gravity.

[0018] The tank 11 stores the paper pieces C. The tank 11 is disposed in the internal space of the housing below the shredding unit 20. The tank 11 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box with an open top. The tank 11 is made of, for example, resin.

[0019] The tank 11 is detachable from the shredder 1. When the door portion 9 is opened, the tank 11 can be taken out. The user can open the door portion 9, take out the tank 11 from the shredder 1, and collect the paper pieces C from the tank 11.

[0020] The weight sensor 50 places the tank 11 thereon and measures the weight of the paper pieces in the tank 11. The weight sensor 50 is provided directly above the bottom surface 2e and below the tank 11.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the shredding unit 20 has a first slope portion 21, a first vertical blade 22, a second vertical blade 23, a horizontal blade 24, a second slope portion 26, a top plate 27, and a stirring portion 28.

[0022] Among the shredding unit 20, the first slope portion 21, the first vertical blade 22, the second vertical blade 23, the horizontal blade 24, and the second slope portion 26 are arranged in the above order above the top plate 27. The paper to be shredded moves sequentially from the inlet 7 to the first slope portion 21, the first vertical blade 22, the second vertical blade 23, the horizontal blade 24, the second slope portion 26, and then to the stirring portion 28.

[0023] The top plate 27 is disposed above the tank 11. The stirring portion 28 is disposed between the tank 11 and the top plate 27. The control unit 40 is disposed directly above the shredding unit 20 and directly below the upper surface 5.

[0024] The insertion port 7 is an elongated rectangle along the Y-axis. The dimension of the insertion port 7 along the Y-axis corresponds to, for example, the width dimension of the paper to be shredded. The paper to be shredded enters the shredder 1 from the insertion port 7 and slides down along the first slope portion 21 by gravity and moves to the shredding unit 20.

[0025] A paper detection sensor (not shown) is arranged on the first slope portion 21. The paper detection sensor detects the presence of the paper inserted from the insertion port 7. The paper detection sensor is electrically connected to the control unit 40 and transmits the detection result to the control unit 40.

[0026] The first slope portion 21 extends from the insertion port 7 toward the first vertical blade 22 and the second vertical blade 23. The first vertical blade 22 and the second vertical blade 23 are arranged at the tip of the first slope portion 21. The paper to be shredded reaches between the first vertical blade 22 and the second vertical blade 23 through the first slope portion 21.

[0027] The first vertical blade 22 and the second vertical blade 23 form a pair, and each is substantially columnar with the height direction of the column along the Y-axis. The first vertical blade 22 and the second vertical blade 23 rotate about an axis along the Y-axis by the drive of a drive motor (not shown). Each of the first vertical blade 22 and the second vertical blade 23 includes a plurality of blades arranged in the direction along the Y-axis. The paper is shredded along the moving direction by the first vertical blade 22 and the second vertical blade 23 and becomes elongated strip-shaped paper pieces. The paper pieces advance to the cross blade 24.

[0028] The cross blade 24 is substantially columnar with the height direction of the column along the Y-axis. The cross blade 24 rotates about an axis along the Y-axis by the drive of a drive motor (not shown). The cross blade 24 shreds the strip-shaped paper pieces in a direction intersecting the moving direction to form paper pieces C. When the paper to be shredded is a confidential document, it is preferable that the paper pieces C are shredded to a state where confidential information management is unnecessary by the first vertical blade 22, the second vertical blade 23, and the cross blade 24.

[0029] A second slope section 26 is disposed below the side blade 24. The pieces of paper C fall by gravity and are guided by the second slope section 26 to proceed to the agitation section 28.

[0030] The agitator 28 disperses the pieces of paper C that have slid down the second slope section 26 into the air and drops them into the tank 11. The agitator 28 is a propeller-shaped member. The agitator 28 rotates about an axis along the Z-axis by being driven by a drive motor (not shown). The pieces of paper C are caught up in the rotation of the agitator 28 and dispersed into the air above the tank 11. As a result, the pieces of paper C are scattered and piled up in the tank 11 without being concentrated in one area, such as directly below the second slope section 26.

[0031] The weight sensor 50 has a pedestal member 51, a load cell 53, a circuit board 55, and a base member 57. In the weight sensor 50, the pedestal member 51, the load cell 53, the circuit board 55, and the base member 57 are arranged in this order from top to bottom.

[0032] The base member 51 is a substantially flat plate-shaped member on which the tank 11 is placed. The base member 51 is supported at its lower side by a load cell 53 and is in a state of being suspended from other components such as the base member 57. The load of the tank 11 and the piece of paper C placed on the base member 51 is applied only to the load cell 53.

[0033] The load cell 53 is supported at its lower part by the base member 57, and the pedestal member 51 is placed above it. The load cell 53 is disposed at the center of the base member 57 in the direction along the X-axis. The load cell 53 measures the weight of the pieces of paper C in the tank 11 from the distortion caused by the load applied from above. A known type of load cell can be used for the load cell 53. In the shredder 1, a beam type load cell is used as the load cell 53.

[0034] The weight measurement mechanism of the weight sensor 50 is not limited to the load cell 53. Examples of weight measurement mechanisms other than the load cell 53 include a spring scale and an electromagnetic scale.

[0035] The circuit board 55 is electrically connected to the control unit 40 and the load cell 53. The circuit board 55 is disposed in the +X direction of the load cell 53 and is attached to the base member 57 below. The circuit board 55 transmits the measured data of the paper weight to the control unit 40 as an electrical signal.

[0036] The base member 57 is supported by a structural member of the shredder 1 (not shown) below and supports the load cell 53 and the circuit board 55 above. The base member 57 extends along the X-axis. The base member 57 is, for example, a sheet metal processed metal plate.

[0037] The control unit 40 is electrically connected to the above configuration of the shredding unit 20, the display 6, the weight sensor 50, and the like. The control unit 40 integrally controls the operation of these configurations.

[0038] The control unit 40 includes a storage unit including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. Various programs for controlling the shredder 1 are stored in the storage unit. The control unit 40 may include dedicated hardware (application specific integrated circuit: ASIC) for executing at least a part of various processes.

[0039] The control unit 40 includes one or more processors that operate according to a computer program (software). The processor calculates an environmental contribution value based on the paper weight measured by the weight sensor 50.

[0040] The processor includes a CPU and a memory such as a RAM and a ROM. The memory stores program codes or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute processing. The memory, that is, the computer-readable medium, includes anything accessible by a general-purpose or dedicated computer. The processor controls the operation of each configuration of the shredder 1 via a controller or the like.

[0041] In addition, the shredder 1 may be provided with an optical sensor for detecting the volume of the shredded paper C accumulated in the tank 11.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, the control method of the shredder 1 includes steps S11 to S20. Steps S11 to S20 relate to the measurement of the shredded paper weight and the calculation and display of the environmental contribution value. In addition to steps S11 to S20, a known control method may be applied to the shredder 1. In the following description, reference will be made to FIG. 3 in addition to FIG. 4.

[0043] In step S11, the power button is turned on by the user. The power button may be included in the display 6 or may be installed independently of the display 6. Then, the process proceeds to step S12.

[0044] In step S12, the shredding start button is pressed by the user. Similar to the power button, the shredding start button is disposed on the display 6 or the like. The user inserts the paper to be shredded into the shredder 1 from the insertion port 7 before and after giving an instruction to start shredding. Then, the process proceeds to step S13.

[0045] In step S13, the control unit 40 determines whether there is paper inserted from the insertion port 7. When the paper detection sensor detects the paper, the control unit 40 determines that there is paper to be shredded and advances the process to step S14.

[0046] In step S14, the paper shredding process is performed. The paper is made into shredded paper C, dispersed by the stirring unit 28, and deposited in the tank 11. Step S14 continues until the paper detection sensor no longer detects the paper, that is, until there is no more paper to be shredded. Then, the process proceeds to step S15.

[0047] In step S15, the weight of the shredded paper in the tank 11 is measured by the weight sensor 50. Step S15 corresponds to the first step of the shredder control method of the present invention. The weight of the shredded paper is measured, for example, in units of 0.01 kg. The data of the weight of the shredded paper is transmitted from the weight sensor 50 to the control unit 40. Then, the process proceeds to step S16.

[0048] In step S16, the control unit 40 stores the weight of the shredded paper measured and received in step 15. Then, the process proceeds to step S17.

[0049] In step S17, it is determined whether the shredded paper C in the tank 11 is full. Specifically, the control unit 40 determines whether the weight of the shredded paper has reached a predetermined threshold value based on the data of the weight of the shredded paper transmitted from the weight sensor 50.

[0050] When the control unit 40 determines that the tank 11 is full, it adds the weight of the shredded paper to the cumulative value of the weight of the shredded paper, and prompts the user to collect the shredded paper C in the tank 11 via the display 6 or the like. When the control unit 40 determines that the tank 11 is not full, it advances the process to step S18.

[0051] In step S18, the control unit 40 calculates the cumulative value of the weight of the shredded paper. The cumulative value of the weight of the shredded paper here refers to the weight of all the shredded paper shredded since the start of use of the shredder 1. Specifically, the cumulative value of the weight of the shredded paper is the sum of the total weight of the shredded paper stored each time the shredded paper C in the tank 11 is collected and the weight of the shredded paper until the tank 11 becomes full most recently. The weight of the shredded paper from when the shredded paper C in the tank 11 is collected until it becomes full is updated each time the weight of the shredded paper is measured and stored in the control unit 40. Then, the process proceeds to step S19.

[0052] In step S19, the processor of the control unit 40 calculates the cumulative value of the weight of the shredded paper from the weight of the shredded paper measured by the weight sensor 50 and the above total value. Based on the calculated cumulative value, an environmental contribution value is calculated. Steps S18 and 19 correspond to the second step of the shredder control method of the present invention.

[0053] The environmental contribution value refers to the number of paper sheets produced and the number of trees equivalent. The environmental contribution value is not limited to the above, and may be, for example, the reduction amount of carbon dioxide emissions or the reduction amount of water consumption.

[0054] The number of paper sheets produced is the predicted number of sheets that can be manufactured when recycling paper using paper piece C. The size of the paper to be manufactured is, for example, A4 size. Specifically, the number of paper sheets produced is calculated by the formula described below.

[0055] Let the total value of the weights of the paper pieces C stored each time the paper pieces C in the tank 11 are collected be A [kg]. Let the weight of the paper pieces until the tank 11 is full, that is, the weight of the paper pieces measured most recently, be B [kg]. A + B is the above-mentioned total value, and is the cumulative value of the weights of the paper pieces calculated in step S18.

[0056] In a paper manufacturing apparatus that uses paper piece C for recycling, let the weight per sheet of the paper to be manufactured be a [kg], and let the utilization efficiency of paper piece C be b [%]. The utilization efficiency b is calculated by subtracting coloring materials, impurities, etc. that are unnecessary for recycling in paper piece C.

[0057] The number of paper sheets produced [sheets] is calculated by the formula (A + B) * b * 0.01 / a.

[0058] The number of trees equivalent is an index indicating how many trees the cumulative value of the paper piece weight corresponds to when recycling paper using paper piece C. It can also be said that the number of trees equivalent is the number of trees that can be spared from logging by reusing paper piece C.

[0059] Let the waste paper usage rate be d [%]. The waste paper usage rate d is cited from the waste paper handbook issued by the Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Waste Paper Recycling Promotion Center. Let the number of paper sheets that can be manufactured per tree be e. The number of paper sheets that can be manufactured e is cited from the materials issued by the Japan Paper Federation.

[0060] The number of trees equivalent [trees] is calculated by the formula (A + B) * b / {e * a * (100 + d)}.

[0061] Specifically, for example, when the cumulative value of the paper piece weight A + B is 50 kg, the number of paper sheets produced is approximately 7000 sheets, and the number of trees in terms of conversion is approximately 0.6 trees. Then, it proceeds to step S20.

[0062] In step S20, the control unit 40 causes the display 6 to display the environmental contribution value. Step S20 corresponds to the third step of the shredder control method of the present invention. An example of the display of the environmental contribution value on the display 6 is shown in FIG. 5.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 5, on the display 6, when displaying the environmental contribution value, each value is displayed in areas 61, 63, and 65. In area 61, the cumulative value of the paper piece weight A + B [kg] is displayed. In area 63, the number of paper sheets produced [sheets] among the environmental contribution values is displayed. In area 65, the number of trees in terms of conversion [trees] of the environmental contribution value is displayed. Thereby, the user can visually recognize the environmental contribution value.

[0064] Returning to FIG. 4, steps S18 and 19 which are the second step and step S20 which is the third step are executed after the paper is shredded by the shredding unit 20 in step S14. The user can know the environmental contribution value after the shredding operation. As described above, through steps S11 to S20, the paper is shredded and the environmental contribution value is displayed.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 6, the shredder 1 may be operated in combination with a paper manufacturing apparatus 100. As the first stage P1, waste paper OP such as unwanted copy paper is shredded by the shredder 1 into paper pieces C. Next, as the second stage P2, the paper pieces C are accumulated back to the paper manufacturing apparatus 100. Next, as the third stage P3, the paper manufacturing apparatus 100 manufactures recycled sheets NP using the paper pieces C.

[0066] A known paper manufacturing machine can be applied to the paper manufacturing apparatus 100. For example, when shredding unnecessary confidential documents or the like into waste paper OP using a shredder 1 installed in an office, the paper manufacturing apparatus 100 is installed on the same floor as the office or within the same building. According to this, in addition to reducing the labor such as transportation associated with the accumulation of paper pieces C, the recycled sheet NP can be utilized in the office.

[0067] A relatively small paper manufacturing machine is more suitable for the paper manufacturing apparatus 100 than an industrial paper manufacturing machine. Examples of the small paper manufacturing machine include the dry office paper making machine PaperLab (registered trademark) of Seiko Epson Corporation.

[0068] According to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0069] The user can know the degree of contribution to the environment. Since the effect of reusing shredded paper is visualized, the contribution to the environment can be felt, which also serves as a motivation for environmental conservation.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0070] 1... Shredder, 6... Display, 11... Tank, 20... Shredding unit, 40... Control unit, 50... Weight sensor, C... Paper piece, S15... Step as the first step, S18 and S19... Steps as the second step, S20... Step as the third step.

Claims

1. A shredding unit that shreds paper into pieces; A tank for storing the shredded paper pieces; A weight sensor provided below the tank for measuring the weight of the shredded paper pieces in the tank; A processor that calculates an environmental contribution value based on the weight of the shredded paper pieces measured by the weight sensor; A shredder comprising a display for displaying the environmental contribution value.

2. A control method for a shredder, wherein the shredder comprises a shredding unit that shreds paper into pieces; a tank for storing the shredded paper pieces; a weight sensor for measuring the weight of the shredded paper pieces in the tank; a processor; and a display, and the control method comprises a first step of measuring the weight of the shredded paper pieces by the weight sensor; a second step of calculating an environmental contribution value by the processor based on the weight of the shredded paper pieces measured by the weight sensor; and a third step of displaying the environmental contribution value on the display.

3. The control method of the shredder according to claim 2, wherein the second step and the third step are executed after shredding by the shredding unit.

4. The control method of the shredder according to claim 2, wherein in the second step, a cumulative value of the measured weight of the shredded paper pieces is calculated, and the environmental contribution value is calculated based on the calculated cumulative value.

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