A trashcan assembly can include a body portion, a lid portion pivotably coupled with the body portion, and a sensor assembly configured to generate a signal when an object is detected within a sensing region. The sensor assembly can include a plurality of transmitters having a first subset of transmitters and a second subset of transmitters. A transmission axis of at least one transmitter in the first subset of transmitters can be different from a transmission axis of at least one of the transmitters in the second subset of transmitters. An electronic processor can generate an electronic signal to a power-operated drive mechanism for moving the lid portion from a closed position to an open position, such as in response to the sensor assembly detecting the object.

A subpanel for a bag stand includes: a first side panel and a second side panel, each of the first side panel and the second side panel including a top end, a bottom end, two side ends, an inner surface, an outer surface, and a thickness defined from the inner surface to the outer surface. The first side panel additionally includes a connection finger, the connection finger connected to a first side end of the two side ends of the first side panel, the connection finger including a clearance portion and a clasp portion. The second side panel is at least indirectly connected to the first side panel and defines a connection recess in a first side end of the two side ends of the second side panel distal from the first side panel, the connection recess including a clearance portion and a lock portion.

A trashcan assembly can include a body portion, a lid portion pivotably coupled with the body portion, and a sensor assembly configured to generate a signal when an object is detected within a sensing region. The sensor assembly can include a plurality of transmitters having a first subset of transmitters and a second subset of transmitters. A transmission axis of at least one transmitter in the first subset of transmitters can be different from a transmission axis of at least one of the transmitters in the second subset of transmitters. An electronic processor can generate an electronic signal to a power-operated drive mechanism for moving the lid portion from a closed position to an open position, such as in response to the sensor assembly detecting the object.

A trashcan assembly can include a body portion, a lid portion pivotably coupled with the body portion, and a sensor assembly configured to generate a signal when an object is detected within a sensing region. The sensor assembly can include a plurality of transmitters having a first subset of transmitters and a second subset of transmitters. A transmission axis of at least one transmitter in the first subset of transmitters can be different from a transmission axis of at least one of the transmitters in the second subset of transmitters. An electronic processor can generate an electronic signal to a power-operated drive mechanism for moving the lid portion from a closed position to an open position, such as in response to the sensor assembly detecting the object.

A method of forming a bag stand including the steps of: bending a first subpanel along a hinge from a flattened arrangement, the first subpanel including a plurality of side panels and a connection mechanism, each of the plurality of side panels including a left end and a right end, the hinge positioned between a first side panel of the plurality of side panels and an adjacent second side panel of the plurality of side panels; and connecting the first subpanel to a second subpanel by the connection mechanism.

A system for holding food waste includes a first housing forming a chamber to hold the food waste, the chamber comprising at least a first port, and a second housing comprising at least a second port configured to couple with at least the first port, and a fan to provide airflow into the chamber through at least the second port, the first housing removably coupled with the second housing such that removal of the first housing from the second housing decouples at least the first port from at least the second port.

An apparatus for providing airflow over food waste includes a first housing coupled with a second housing, the first housing having a chamber to hold food waste, the second housing comprising a fan, the first housing and the second housing being coupled to form one or more input channels for the fan to cause air to flow from the second housing through the first housing into the chamber, and the first housing and the second housing forming one or more output channels for the air to flow from the chamber through the first housing and the second housing and out of a vent of the second housing, wherein none of the one or more input channels intersect with any of the one or more output channels.

A trashcan assembly can include a body portion, a lid portion pivotably coupled with the body portion, and a sensor assembly configured to generate a signal when an object is detected within a sensing region. The sensor assembly can include a plurality of transmitters having a first subset of transmitters and a second subset of transmitters. A transmission axis of at least one transmitter in the first subset of transmitters can be different from a transmission axis of at least one of the transmitters in the second subset of transmitters. An electronic processor can generate an electronic signal to a power-operated drive mechanism for moving the lid portion from a closed position to an open position, such as in response to the sensor assembly detecting the object.

A docking station has an openable dirt collection region which, during an evacuation operation of the docking station, receives dirt that is transferred from a surface cleaning apparatus; and a lock having a locked position in which the dirt collection region is secured in a closed position, and an unlocked position in which the dirt collection region is openable. During the evacuation operation, the lock is inhibited from moving to the unlocked position.

Kit of parts for fitting a waste bin with a waste basket, comprising: a hinge element, the hinge element being arranged for being attached to the waste bin, a waste basket, the waste basket comprising a waste receptacle for retaining waste, the waste receptacle having apertures extending through a wall of the waste receptacle to allow for air to circulate between the inside and the outside of the waste receptacle, wherein the hinge element and the waste basket are arranged so that the waste basket can be releasably rotatably supported by the hinge element.