Patents by Inventor Dennis William Gruber

Dennis William Gruber has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11229914
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally related to an apparatus having cutter elements for destroying articles such as paper sheets and a mechanism for separating at least a sheet from a stack in a tray. The separation mechanism can be activated by rotation of the cutter elements. In one embodiment, the separation mechanism is provided in the form of a helical mechanism configured for insertion into the stack and to receive separated sheets from the stack in between its space(s) as it is rotated. The separated sheets can fall via gravity into the shredder mechanism. Optionally, a paper feed mechanism can feed separated paper to the cutter elements. The tray can include an edge to assist in directing separated paper towards the cutter elements. One or more staple picking support mechanisms can also be provided to assist in separating sheets from a stapled set of pages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: FELLOWES, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Carson, Tai Hoon K. Matlin, Shawn Michael Applegate, Dennis William Gruber, Dipan Pravin Surati
  • Publication number: 20190358642
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally related to an apparatus having cutter elements for destroying articles such as paper sheets and a mechanism for separating at least a sheet from a stack in a tray. The separation mechanism can be activated by rotation of the cutter elements. In one embodiment, the separation mechanism is provided in the form of a helical mechanism configured for insertion into the stack and to receive separated sheets from the stack in between its space(s) as it is rotated. The separated sheets can fall via gravity into the shredder mechanism. Optionally, a paper feed mechanism can feed separated paper to the cutter elements. The tray can include an edge to assist in directing separated paper towards the cutter elements. One or more staple picking support mechanisms can also be provided to assist in separating sheets from a stapled set of pages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Steven CARSON, Tai Hoon K. MATLIN, Shawn Michael APPLEGATE, Dennis William GRUBER, Dipan Pravin SURATI
  • Patent number: 10413909
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally related to an apparatus having cutter elements for destroying articles such as paper sheets and a mechanism for separating at least a sheet from a stack in a tray. The separation mechanism can be activated by rotation of the cutter elements. In one embodiment, the separation mechanism is provided in the form of a helical mechanism, such as a coil, configured for insertion into the stack and to receive separated sheets from the stack in between its space(s) as it is rotated. The separated sheets can fall via gravity into the shredder mechanism. Optionally, a paper feed mechanism can feed separated paper to the cutter elements. The tray can include an edge to assist in directing separated paper towards the cutter elements. One or more staple picking support mechanisms can also be provided to assist in separating sheets from a stapled set of pages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: FELLOWES, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Carson, Tai Hoon K. Matlin, Shawn Michael Applegate, Dennis William Gruber, Dipan Pravin Surati
  • Patent number: 10391502
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally related to an apparatus having cutter elements for destroying articles such as paper sheets and a mechanism for separating at least a sheet from a stack in a tray. The separation mechanism can be activated by rotation of the cutter elements. In one embodiment, the separation mechanism is provided in the form of a helical mechanism configured for insertion into the stack and to receive separated sheets from the stack in between its space(s) as it is rotated. The separated sheets can fall via gravity into the shredder mechanism. Optionally, a paper feed mechanism can feed separated paper to the cutter elements. The tray can include an edge to assist in directing separated paper towards the cutter elements. One or more staple picking support mechanisms can also be provided to assist in separating sheets from a stapled set of pages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: FELLOWES, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Carson, Tai Hoon K. Matlin, Shawn Michael Applegate, Dennis William Gruber, Dipan Pravin Surati
  • Patent number: 9669411
    Abstract: A shredder has cutter elements for destroying articles (paper) and a feed mechanism for advancing paper from a stack in a tray into cutters for shredding. The feed mechanism has a feed member provided adjacent to the tray with an elastic arm for engaging and disengaging the stack. The feed member rotates in a feeding direction about an axle, with the elastic arm elastically deforming to apply pressure to feed paper atop the stack to the cutters. The elastic arm can include a protruding tip that is inserted into the stack. The tray includes a curved feed bed to assist in feeding paper into the cutters and deforming the elastic arm. A pivot arm can also move the feed member relative to the tray (e.g., vertically). A disengagement mechanism can hold the feed mechanism in an inoperable feeding position when a drawer or tray is moved into an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: FELLOWES, INC.
    Inventors: Tai Hoon K. Matlin, Dipan Pravin Surati, Dennis William Gruber
  • Publication number: 20170001199
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally related to an apparatus having cutter elements for destroying articles such as paper sheets and a mechanism for separating at least a sheet from a stack in a tray. The separation mechanism can be activated by rotation of the cutter elements. In one embodiment, the separation mechanism is provided in the form of a helical mechanism configured for insertion into the stack and to receive separated sheets from the stack in between its space(s) as it is rotated. The separated sheets can fall via gravity into the shredder mechanism. Optionally, a paper feed mechanism can feed separated paper to the cutter elements. The tray can include an edge to assist in directing separated paper towards the cutter elements. One or more staple picking support mechanisms can also be provided to assist in separating sheets from a stapled set of pages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Steven CARSON, Tai Hoon K. MATLIN, Shawn Michael APPLEGATE, Dennis William GRUBER, Dipan Pravin SURATI
  • Publication number: 20160339444
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally related to an apparatus having cutter elements for destroying articles such as paper sheets and a mechanism for separating at least a sheet from a stack in a tray. The separation mechanism can be activated by rotation of the cutter elements. In one embodiment, the separation mechanism is provided in the form of a helical mechanism, such as a coil, configured for insertion into the stack and to receive separated sheets from the stack in between its space(s) as it is rotated. The separated sheets can fall via gravity into the shredder mechanism. Optionally, a paper feed mechanism can feed separated paper to the cutter elements. The tray can include an edge to assist in directing separated paper towards the cutter elements. One or more staple picking support mechanisms can also be provided to assist in separating sheets from a stapled set of pages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Steven CARSON, Tai Hoon K. Matlin, Shawn Michael Applegate, Dennis William Gruber, Dipan Pravin Surati
  • Patent number: 9409182
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally related to an apparatus having cutter elements for destroying articles such as paper sheets and a mechanism for separating at least a sheet from a stack in a tray. The separation mechanism can be activated by rotation of the cutter elements. In one embodiment, the separation mechanism is provided in the form of a helical mechanism, such as a coil, configured for insertion into the stack and to receive separated sheets from the stack in between its spaces as it is rotated. The separated sheets can fall via gravity into the shredder mechanism. Optionally, a paper feed mechanism can feed separated paper to the cutter elements. The tray can include an edge to assist in directing separated paper towards the cutter elements. One or more staple picking support mechanisms can also be provided to assist in separating sheets from a stapled set of pages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: FELLOWES, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Carson, Tai Hoon K. Matlin, Shawn Michael Applegate, Dennis William Gruber, Dipan Pravin Surati
  • Patent number: 9346059
    Abstract: A shredder includes a shredding mechanism and a vibration sensor configured to detect vibrations generated by the shredding mechanism. The shredder includes a controller configured to regulate operation of the shredder's motor in response to the detected vibrations. The controller may regulate operation of the shredder so as to keep the detected vibrations below a predetermined vibration level during operation of the shredder. The controller may modify operation of the shredder (e.g., turn the shredder off, conduct an autocorrect sequence, increase or decrease the shredder's speed, display an error message) in response to the detected vibrations having a predetermined characteristic (e.g., frequency and/or amplitude within a predetermined range, a characteristic that indicates a material/paper jam or misfeed).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: FELLOWES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Dale Jensen, Dennis William Gruber, Daniel Namie, Dipan Surati
  • Publication number: 20150090818
    Abstract: A shredder has cutter elements for destroying articles (paper) and a feed mechanism for advancing paper from a stack in a tray into cutters for shredding. The feed mechanism has a feed member provided adjacent to the tray with an elastic arm for engaging and disengaging the stack. The feed member rotates in a feeding direction about an axle, with the elastic arm elastically deforming to apply pressure to feed paper atop the stack to the cutters. The elastic arm can include a protruding tip that is inserted into the stack. The tray includes a curved feed bed to assist in feeding paper into the cutters and deforming the elastic arm. A pivot arm can also move the feed member relative to the tray (e.g., vertically). A disengagement mechanism can hold the feed mechanism in an inoperable feeding position when a drawer or tray is moved into an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: FELLOWES, INC.
    Inventors: Tai Hoon K. MATLIN, Dipan Pravin SURATI, Dennis William GRUBER
  • Publication number: 20150083836
    Abstract: A shredder includes a shredding mechanism and a vibration sensor configured to detect vibrations generated by the shredding mechanism. The shredder includes a controller configured to regulate operation of the shredder's motor in response to the detected vibrations. The controller may regulate operation of the shredder so as to keep the detected vibrations below a predetermined vibration level during operation of the shredder. The controller may modify operation of the shredder (e.g., turn the shredder off, conduct an autocorrect sequence, increase or decrease the shredder's speed, display an error message) in response to the detected vibrations having a predetermined characteristic (e.g., frequency and/or amplitude within a predetermined range, a characteristic that indicates a material/paper jam or misfeed).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Dale Jensen, Dennis William Gruber, Daniel Namie, Dipen Surati
  • Patent number: 8931721
    Abstract: A shredder includes a shredding mechanism and a vibration sensor configured to detect vibrations generated by the shredding mechanism. The shredder includes a controller configured to regulate operation of the shredder's motor in response to the detected vibrations. The controller may regulate operation of the shredder so as to keep the detected vibrations below a predetermined vibration level during operation of the shredder. The controller may modify operation of the shredder (e.g., turn the shredder off, conduct an autocorrect sequence, increase or decrease the shredder's speed, display an error message) in response to the detected vibrations having a predetermined characteristic (e.g., frequency and/or amplitude within a predetermined range, a characteristic that indicates a material/paper jam or misfeed).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Fellowes, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Dale Jensen, Dennis William Gruber, Daniel Namie, Dipen Surati
  • Publication number: 20140263774
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally related to an apparatus having cutter elements for destroying articles such as paper sheets and a mechanism for separating at least a sheet from a stack in a tray. The separation mechanism can be activated by rotation of the cutter elements. In one embodiment, the separation mechanism is provided in the form of a helical mechanism, such as a coil, configured for insertion into the stack and to receive separated sheets from the stack in between its spaces as it is rotated. The separated sheets can fall via gravity into the shredder mechanism. Optionally, a paper feed mechanism can feed separated paper to the cutter elements. The tray can include an edge to assist in directing separated paper towards the cutter elements. One or more staple picking support mechanisms can also be provided to assist in separating sheets from a stapled set of pages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Fellowes, Inc.
    Inventors: Tai Hoon K. MATLIN, Shawn Michael APPLEGATE, Steven CARSON, Dennis William GRUBER, Dipan Pravin SURATI
  • Publication number: 20120111979
    Abstract: A shredder includes a shredding mechanism and a vibration sensor configured to detect vibrations generated by the shredding mechanism. The shredder includes a controller configured to regulate operation of the shredder's motor in response to the detected vibrations. The controller may regulate operation of the shredder so as to keep the detected vibrations below a predetermined vibration level during operation of the shredder. The controller may modify operation of the shredder (e.g., turn the shredder off, conduct an autocorrect sequence, increase or decrease the shredder's speed, display an error message) in response to the detected vibrations having a predetermined characteristic (e.g., frequency and/or amplitude within a predetermined range, a characteristic that indicates a material/paper jam or misfeed).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: Fellowes, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Dale Jensen, Dennis William Gruber, Daniel Namie, Dipin Surati