HIPAA News

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Grants Patent to The Self-Service Shredder

(May 30, 2007)--The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted a patent for The Self-Service Shredder, built and marketed by Colorado Springs-based RealTime Shredding.

Patent No. 7,213,777, granted for the "public access information destruction system performing pay-per-use shredding," was issued to the product's inventor, Colorado Springs-based JRP Enterprises, LLC. The company's principal, Johnny R. Podrovitz, serves as vice president of business services of RealTime Shredding, which owns exclusive rights to build, distribute and market The Self-Service Shredder.

The patent is the culmination of several years of work and technical innovation, according to Podrovitz. The Self-Service Shredder incorporates a 2.5-horsepower motor, LCD display, and use of standard electrical power (120v, 20A). Payment mechanisms allow acceptance of cash and/or access codes. Anti-jam software makes the unit the first public-access shredder on the market to prevent -- and reverse -- jamming. Imbedded software allows users with a wireless Internet connection to monitor use, obtain reports and change functions.

The first kiosk of its type, The Self-Service Shredder cross-cut shreds paper, cardboard, credit cards, paper clips, staples, and even CDs, DVDs and floppy disks. The industrial-strength shredder, featuring multiple control points for maximum safety, can shred up to 200 sheets of paper a minute.

Current installations of The Self-Service Shredder include banks, small business offices, malls, military bases, schools and business centers nationwide. The kiosks are proving popular as concerns about identity theft continue to rise, says Amanda Verrie, president of RealTime Shredding. "Word-of-mouth is fueling the kiosks' use," she explains. "Once people learn about The Self-Service Shredder's availability and ease of use, they want to try it out."

Businesses appreciate the ease of shredding with The Self-Service Shredder to help them comply with HIPAA and FACTA document destruction requirements, adds Verrie. "It's easy, fast, safe and makes sense." Ability to see the material shredded in real time eliminates worries about personal information being lost or stolen.

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