Abstract: A shredding machine is disclosed which is particularly suitable for domestic or office use in shredding papers or the like. The machine comprises a feed aperture arranged above an electric cutting mechanism, the feed aperture preferably taking the form of a feed slot. The machine is characterised by the provision of an actuating element which is moveable, preferably in a pivotal manner, between a first position in which the actuating element permits energisation of the cutting mechanism, and a second position in which the actuating element prevents energisation of the cutting mechanism.

Abstract: A shredder arrangement comprising a housing defining a feed slot for receiving sheet material inserted by a user; a cutting mechanism for shredding the sheet material inserted through the feed slot, and a protective guard for positioning across the feed slot to prevent relatively rigid sheet material from striking the user during shredding of such sheet material, the guard defining an aperture allowing said sheet material to be inserted through the guard and into the feed slot; wherein the protective guard is moveable between a first configuration and a second configuration to symmetrically adjust the size of the aperture.

Abstract: A binder is described which is operable to bind together pages of a document using a comb, the binder including a punch mechanism operable to punch a line of holes close to one edge of the pages of the document, and a comb opening mechanism to enable the punched pages to be placed on the comb, the comb opening mechanism having a user operable control. The binder further includes a user operable control for selection of the comb size to be used to bind the document which automatically determines at least two settings of the binder.

Abstract: A shredder arrangement comprising a housing defining a feed slot for receiving sheet material inserted by a user; a cutting mechanism for shredding the sheet material inserted through the feed slot, and a protective guard for positioning across the feed slot to prevent relatively rigid sheet material from striking the user during shredding of such sheet material, the guard defining an aperture allowing said sheet material to be inserted through the guard and into the feed slot; wherein the protective guard is moveable between a first configuration and a second configuration to symmetrically adjust the size of the aperture.

Abstract: A shredding machine is disclosed which is particularly suitable for domestic or office use in shredding papers or the like. The machine comprises a feed aperture arranged above an electric cutting mechanism, the feed aperture preferably taking the form of a feed slot. The machine is characterised by the provision of an actuating element which is moveable, preferably in a pivotal manner, between a first position in which the actuating element permits energisation of the cutting mechanism, and a second position in which the actuating element prevents energisation of the cutting mechanism.

Abstract: A shredding machine includes a housing which defines a passageway through which a sheet of material to be shredded may pass, a punching mechanism comprising a plurality of punch members, a mechanism to move the punch members from a retracted position in which the punch members are spaced from the passageway to an advanced position in which the punch members extend through the passageway, and a feeding mechanism for feeding the sheet of material through the punching mechanism so that repeated movement of the punch members between the retracted and the advanced positions effects shredding of the material. A method of shredding sheet material comprises feeding a sheet of material to be shredded past a punching mechanism and repeatedly punching the sheet material so as to shred the entire sheet.

Abstract: A shredding machine comprises a housing, a shredding mechanism, a motor for operation of the shredding mechanism, a slot through which documentary material is fed for shredding by the mechanism, and an operating member movable from an operative position in which it extends across the slot, to an inoperative position retracted from the slot, in consequence of the feeding of the material into the slot, and returning, in the absence of the material in the slot, to its operative position under the action of a spring. A motor controller includes a microswitch having a plunger which is spring-urged into a projecting position, in which it is open circuit. The spring urges the operating member into its operative position. Thus, when material enters the slot, moving the operating member to its inoperative position, the plunger is depressed to start or permit operation of the shredding mechanism.