A device for separating infusion capsules comprises a base unit and a plunger, the base unit having a face with an aperture for receiving a body part of the capsule, the plunger comprising a projection sized to fit within the aperture having a tip for contacting the infusion capsules which is concave. A capsule can be placed, rim side down, on the base unit over the aperture, and the plunger used to urge the capsule down into the aperture. The result is that the capsule inverts, rupturing the foil layer and emptying the coffee or other infusion into the base unit below the aperture. The coffee (etc) and the capsule can then be removed for separate recycling.

A device for separating infusion capsules comprises a base unit and a plunger, the base unit having a face with an aperture for receiving a body part of the capsule, the plunger comprising a projection sized to fit within the aperture, and a stop to limit how far the plunger can be pressed down onto the base unit, wherein the height of the projection beyond the stop is approximately the same as but no greater than the height of the infusion capsule, thereby to fully invert the capsule. A capsule can be placed, rim side down, on the base unit over the aperture, and the plunger used to urge the capsule down into the aperture. The result is that the capsule inverts, rupturing the foil layer and emptying the coffee or other infusion into the base unit below the aperture. The coffee (etc) and the capsule can then be removed for separate recycling. The length of the plunger substantially completely inverts the capsule when pressed, ejecting as much of the content of the infusion capsule as possible instead of allowing some to be trapped in creases in the capsule material.

A plastic bottle storage apparatus for a garage door (PBSA) that is used in combination with an empty plastic bottle panel or strip which maintains empty plastic bottles prior to recycling. The PBSA has an upper section with an upper horizontal member, and a lower section with a lower horizontal member. An empty plastic bottle panel or strip with empty plastic bottles attached is secured to a hook clip or peg on the upper opening on the panel's or strip's upper end, and to a hook, clip or peg on an upper end of the opening on the panel's or strip's lower end. Once panels or strips with empty bottles are secured, the panels or strips with bottles can be maintained on the garage door indefinitely. The PBSA is able to compensates for the variations in length that occur as a sectional garage door opens and closes.

A waste management system includes a waste management device, a monitoring unit, and a communication unit. The waste management device includes a collection unit, a classification unit, a segregation unit, a plurality of sensors, a power unit, and a plurality of waste bins. The collection unit collects one or more waste articles. The classification unit utilizes a machine-learning model and identifies a waste category of the one or more waste articles. The segregation unit transports the one or more waste articles to a particular waste bin corresponding to the identified waste category. The power unit supplies power to the waste management device. The monitoring unit monitors the waste management device and controls a resultant action. The communication unit communicates one or more data between a control station and the waste management device using a plurality of IoT devices.

A waste management system includes a waste management device, a monitoring unit, and a communication unit. The waste management device includes a collection unit, a classification unit, a segregation unit, a plurality of sensors, a power unit, and a plurality of waste bins. The collection unit collects one or more waste articles. The classification unit utilizes a machine-learning model and identifies a waste category of the one or more waste articles. The segregation unit transports the one or more waste articles to a particular waste bin corresponding to the identified waste category. The power unit supplies power to the waste management device. The monitoring unit monitors the waste management device and controls a resultant action. The communication unit communicates one or more data between a control station and the waste management device using a plurality of IoT devices.

A system for connecting adjacent waste or recycling containers to each other is disclosed. The system includes a bracket and at least one locking member associated with the containers. The bracket is slidable in a first direction to slidably engage the at least one locking member until the bracket reaches a locking position. In the locking position, contact between co-operating surfaces of the at least one locking member and the bracket prevents movement of the bracket in at least a second direction opposite the first direction. A bracket and a locking member for use in a system for connecting two adjacent waste or recycling containers is also disclosed.

A trash receptacle for separating liquids and solids is disclosed. An example embodiment includes: a lid unit including a sink area for receiving waste liquids and a chute area for receiving waste solids; a reservoir tank for retaining the waste liquids, the sink area including a connecting tube coupling the sink area to the reservoir tank and enabling the waste liquids to flow from the sink area into the reservoir tank; and the lid unit being configured to fit over the reservoir tank and an opening of a trash container.

A computer-implemented method for analyzing refuse includes operations of receiving sensor data indicating an operational state of a vehicle body component of a refuse collection vehicle (RCV); analyzing the sensor data to detect a presence of a triggering condition based at least partly on a particular operational state of the vehicle body component, as indicated by the sensor data; in response to detecting the triggering condition, accessing image data indicating a physical state of refuse collected by the RCV; providing the image data as input to at least one contaminant detection model trained, using at least one machine learning (ML) algorithm, to output a classification of the image data, the classification indicating a degree of contamination of the refuse; and storing, in a machine-readable medium, the classification of the image data.

A self-contained and portable/mobile waste liquid collection and storage unit is disclosed. An example embodiment includes: a waste liquid reservoir within the unit, the reservoir being defined by a void within the unit and interior wall surfaces of the unit; and an integrated sink with a drain, the sink being molded into a top surface of the unit and fabricated using a same type of material as the top surface of the unit, the drain including a coupling to transfer waste liquid from the sink to the waste liquid reservoir.

This invention is directed towards a waste enclosure device (device) comprising a waste enclosure employing operational functions including collection and monitoring capacity wherein said device includes one or more programmable logic controllers. Operational functions are performed by electrical components including sensors to determine waste deposits characteristics and contents. Said device operational functions are further adapted to send and receive data, optionally wirelessly, and configured and adapted to utilize solar derived electrical power and, optionally, electric power from other sources.