Document abrading device

Abstract

The present invention provides a shredding device that has an elongated body that houses a motor. A brush may be rotatably secured to the body, at least partly outside of the body, and driven by the motor and configured to remove by abrasion at least a layer of a substrate having markings thereon. The shredding device may include a vacuum system for collecting particulate matter formed by abrading the substrate.

1 . A method for removing markings from a substrate comprising:
 manually grasping a body having a rotatable brush;   rotatably driving the brush with a motor mounted to the body;   contacting the substrate having markings thereon with the rotating brush;   removing at least a superficial layer of the substrate, the markings being removed along with the superficial layer, wherein the markings are selected from the group consisting of ink, toner, alphanumeric text, and graphical indicia, and the substrate is selected from the group consisting of a fiber-based material and plastic.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the brush is formed of thin metal wires. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a cap removably attached at a brush end. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the brush has threads at a supported end thereof and the shredding device further comprises a brush support member having threads, the threads of the brush being removably received by the threads of the brush support member. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising supplying a power supply, the power supply comprising batteries. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the body receives power from an outside electrical source during operation. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising disposing a light element on the body, in proximity to the brush, configured to cast light onto the surface. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the body has a storage compartment in an end of the body, the storage compartment being covered by a removable cap. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising mounting a vacuum system and a dust container to the body, the vacuum system configured to collect dust, shavings, or particles of the surface created by the rotating brush and to deposit the dust, shavings, or particles into the dust container. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein a low pressure zone is induced by a fan that is driven by the motor. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein a low pressure zone is induced by an impeller that is off-axis from a spindle driven by the motor. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a writing implement at an end of the body. 
   
   
       13 . A document abrading device comprising:
 a body;   a motor located within the body;   a brush rotatably secured to the body and at least partly outside the body, and   a vacuum system and a dust container mounted to the body,   wherein the brush is driven by the motor and is configured to remove by abrasion at least a layer of a substrate having markings thereon and wherein the vacuum system is configured to collect dust, shavings, or other particulate matter created by abrading the substrate and to deposit the dust, shavings, or other particulate matter into the dust container.   
   
   
       14 . The document abrading device of  claim 13 , wherein a low pressure zone is induced by a fan that is driven by the motor. 
   
   
       15 . The document abrading device of  claim 13 , wherein a low pressure zone is induced by an impeller that is off-axis from a spindle driven by the motor. 
   
   
       16 . The document abrading device of  claim 13 , wherein the brush is formed of thin metal wires. 
   
   
       17 . The document abrading device of  claim 13 , further comprising a cap removably attached to the shredding device at a brush end. 
   
   
       18 . The document abrading device of  claim 13 , wherein the brush has threads at a supported end thereof and the shredding device further comprises a brush support member having threads, the threads of the brush being removably received by the threads of the brush support member. 
   
   
       19 . The document abrading device of  claim 13 , wherein the motor is powered by rechargeable batteries and the shredding device further comprises a charger to charge the rechargeable batteries. 
   
   
       20 . The document abrading device of  claim 13 , wherein the motor is powered by an external electrical source during operation. 
   
   
       21 . The document abrading device of  claim 13 , further comprising a light element disposed on the body, in proximity to the brush, configured to cast light onto the substrate. 
   
   
       22 . The document abrading device of  claim 13 , further comprising a storage compartment in an end of the body, the storage compartment being covered by a removable cap. 
   
   
       23 . The document abrading device of  claim 13 , further comprising a writing implement at an end of the body. 
   
   
       24 . The document abrading device of  claim 13 , wherein the body is elongated and the brush is provided at one longitudinal end of the body. 
   
   
       25 . The document abrading device of  claim 24 , wherein the body is generally cylindrical.