Waste storage devices are provided. The waste storage device is capable of sharing information concerning the health of a user. The waste storage device includes a sampling area in the interior of the container configured to detect the presence of one or more volatile organic compounds. The waste storage device is in communication with a server system capable of generating and delivering a notification to a user. Methods for communicating a health state of a user are also provided.

The present invention relates to a novel automated trash can device. The device is an improved trash can comprised of a base component with a battery component, a GPS, and a garage door opener. The device is wirelessly paired to a mobile application. The trash can device may be stored in a charging dock or station when being filled with trash and/or charging. In use, the trash can device will open the garage door, then proceed to the destination near the curb or end of the driveway. The route is optimized via GPS, ensuring the receptacle moves back and forth from the garage to the curb/driveway correctly. After being emptied, the trash can device then returns to the charging dock or station and closes the garage door.

Methods and apparatuses are provided for use in monitoring product placement within a shopping facility. Some embodiments provide an apparatus configured to determine product placement conditions within a shopping facility, comprising: a transceiver configured to wirelessly receive communications; a product monitoring control circuit coupled with the transceiver; a memory coupled with the control circuit and storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to: obtain a composite three-dimensional (3D) scan mapping corresponding to at least a select area of the shopping facility and based on a series of 3D scan data; evaluate the 3D scan mapping to identify multiple product depth distances; and identify, from the evaluation of the 3D scan mapping, when one or more of the multiple product depth distances is greater than a predefined depth distance threshold from the reference offset distance of the product support structure.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide an organic matter processing apparatus and method for the use thereof to convert organic matter into a ground and desiccated product. The organic matter processing apparatus includes a lid assembly that is positioned at the top or head of the processing apparatus and an air treatment system. The lid assembly is operative to open to allow a user to deposit organic matter into the processing apparatus or to remove a removable bucket contained therein. The lid assembly is operative to close and provide an odor containing seal that prevents or substantially mitigates escape of odor. The air treatment system uniformly distributes untreated air through an air treatment chamber to convert the untreated air to treated air, which is exhausted out of the processing apparatus.

A refuse vehicle includes a chassis, tractive elements, a lift apparatus, and a reach assembly. The tractive elements couple with the chassis and support the refuse vehicle. The lift apparatus includes a track and a grabber assembly. The track includes a straight portion and a curved portion. The grabber assembly releasably grasps a refuse container and ascends or descends the track to lift and empty refuse into a body of the refuse vehicle. The reach assembly includes an outer member, a first extendable member, and a second extendable member. The first extendable member is received within an inner volume of the outer member and translates relative to the outer member. The second extendable member is received within an inner volume of the first extendable member and translates relative to the first extendable member. The lift apparatus is fixedly coupled at an outer end of the second extendable member.

A refuse vehicle comprising a chassis, a body assembly coupled to the chassis, the body assembly defining a refuse compartment, and a thermal event monitoring system including an air sampling line configured to capture air from the refuse compartment of the refuse vehicle and transport the air to a sensor positioned outside of the refuse compartment and a processing circuit operatively coupled to the sensor and configured to detect a thermal event indicating at least one of a fire or an overheating component based on a signal from the sensor.

A trash compactor may include a frame, a cavity, a trash receptacle, a platen movable to compress trash collected in the trash receptacle, a set of linkages and a drive mechanism configured to drive said platen up and down, the drive mechanism further configured as one of the link elements, and a platen guide mechanism configured to restrict the motion of the platen in an up and down manner.

A recycling system for recycling reusable objects comprises one or more separating and receiving apparatuses and at least one recyclable object. The separating and receiving apparatus for separating reusable objects and residual waste comprises: a first receiving container for receiving residual waste; a second receiving container for receiving labeled objects; and a sorting device. The sorting device is designed to detect labeled objects, transfer detected objects to the second receiving container, and transfer other objects to the first receiving container.

Self-opening bins are described. The bin includes a base unit defining a foot well and a sensor configured to detect whether an object is within the foot well. The bin also has a receptacle and a lid configured to close the receptacle. A lid motor configured to mechanically open the lid is also included in the bin. The lid motor is configured to open the lid in response to detection of an object within the foot well. Methods for operating the self-opening bins are also described.

A vacuuming refuse container assembly includes a refuse container for receiving refuse for disposal. A lid is removably positioned on the refuse container and the lid has a refuse opening extending therethrough to receive the refuse. A control circuit is coupled to the refuse container and a vacuum unit is positioned within the refuse container. The vacuum unit is electrically coupled to the control circuit and the vacuum unit is in fluid communication with the refuse opening in the lid. The vacuum unit urges air inwardly through the refuse opening when the vacuum unit is turned on. Thus, refuse placed in the refuse opening is drawn downwardly into the refuse container. A motion sensor is coupled to the refuse container. The vacuum unit is turned on when the motion sensor senses motion of the refuse being placed in the refuse opening.