Method and apparatus for lubricating a shredding device

Abstract

A lubricant carrier is thin and sheet-like and comprises a body with at least one associated lubricant containing container. In one embodiment the body is defined by a pair of sheets and a the container is located between the sheets. The container extends across a width of the body from side-to-side. In use, the carrier is fed into a cutting element of a shredding device. The container is cut, releasing lubricant into direct contact with the cutting element. The remaining portion of the body when fed through the cutting element absorbs excess lubricant.

1 . A lubricant carrier for use in lubricating the cutting element of a shredding device comprising: 
 a sheet-like body, said body having a front face, an opposing rear face and a peripheral edge defining a first end, an opposing second end and a pair of opposing sides of said body; and    at least one lubricant containing container, said at least one container connected to said body.    
     
     
         2 . The lubricant carrier in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said at least one container comprises a closed wall defining an interior space in which said lubricant is located, said container located within said body.  
     
     
         3 . The lubricant carrier in accordance with  claim 2  wherein said body comprises a first sheet of material and a second sheet of material connected to one another, said at least one container located between said first and second sheets of material.  
     
     
         4 . The lubricant carrier in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said at least one container extends across substantially a width of said body between said sides of said body.  
     
     
         5 . The lubricant carrier in accordance with  claim 1  wherein a plurality of containers are located on said front face of said body.  
     
     
         6 . The lubricant carrier in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said body comprises a first paper sheet and a second paper sheet connected to one another and said at least one container comprises a single polymer bag defining an interior space in which said lubricant is located, said container located between said first and second paper sheets of said body.  
     
     
         7 . The lubricant carrier in accordance with  claim 6  wherein said body is elongate between its first and second ends and said container extends generally transverse across said body from side to side and said container is located towards one of said ends of said body.  
     
     
         8 . The lubricant carrier in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said container is not more than about ¼″ in thickness.  
     
     
         9 . The lubricant carrier in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said body and container are defined by a readily shreddable material.  
     
     
         10 . A method of lubricating a cutting element of a shredding device comprising: 
 providing a generally planar lubricant carrier, said carrier comprising a body having a front face, an opposing rear face, a top, a bottom and a pair of opposing sides and at least one lubricant containing carrier mounted to said body;    feeding one of said ends of said lubricant carrier into said cutting element of said shredding device;    causing said cutting element to cut said at least one lubricant containing carrier, releasing lubricant into contact with said carrier; and    feeding a remaining portion of said at least one lubricant carrier into said cutting element to absorb excess lubricant.    
     
     
         11 . The method in accordance with  claim 10  wherein said at least one container comprises a thin-walled polymer bag.  
     
     
         12 . The method in accordance with  claim 10  wherein said at least one container extends across a width of said body between said sides thereof.