A mobile cart that holds a bag for receiving solid waste generated during a medical or surgical procedure. The cart includes a sensor that monitors whether or not an object containing metal is placed in the bag. A processor monitors the signal output by the sensor. If the sensor signal indicates that an object with a minimal amount of metal is placed in the bag, the processor momentarily asserts an audible alarm and continuously asserts a light alarm. The light alarm remains asserted until turned off. If, while the light alarm is on, the sensor signal indicates a second object with the minimal amount of waste is placed in the container, the processor again momentarily asserts the audible alarm. This provides notice that it may be necessary to investigate the contents of the bag to determine if not one but two or more objects were inadvertently discarded.

A system for detecting disposal of metallic objects into an opening of a medical waste container, including: an indicator for indicating passage of metallic objects through the opening, a pair of receive coils and a transmit coil spaced therebetween shaped for receiving waste therethrough adjacent to the opening, and a controller in electrical communication with the coils. The controller generates and communicates a transmit signal to the transmit coil, which generates a magnetic field that induces voltage in each of the receive coils, which each generate a receive signal. The controller generates a waveform based on the receive signals with a baseline corresponding to absence of metallic objects, and analyzes the waveform with respect to opposite first and second thresholds. The controller activates the indicator in response to metallic objects passing through the coils when the waveform first exceeds the first threshold and then subsequently exceeds the second threshold.

A waste cart includes a base housing; a center upright having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is secured to the base housing; a top housing secured to the distal end of the center upright, wherein the top housing has two or more disposal openings for two or more separate disposal portions including, a first waste portion which has a first metal detector and an indicator for providing a notification when a metal item passes through the opening; and a second waste portion which includes a second metal detector and an indicator for providing a notification when a metal item passes through the opening; an electronics module which operates each metal detector independently; and an alarm indicator operationally associated with the electronics module which is activated when the electronics module detects the passage of a metal item through an opening into a waste portion.

A waste cart includes a base housing; a center upright having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is secured to the base housing; a top housing secured to the distal end of the center upright, wherein the top housing has two or more disposal openings for two or more separate disposal portions including, a first waste portion which has a first metal detector and an indicator for providing a notification when a metal item passes through the opening; and a second waste portion which includes a second metal detector and an indicator for providing a notification when a metal item passes through the opening; an electronics module which operates each metal detector independently; and an alarm indicator operationally associated with the electronics module which is activated when the electronics module detects the passage of a metal item through an opening into a waste portion.

A system for detecting disposal of metallic objects into an opening of a medical waste container, including: an indicator for indicating passage of metallic objects through the opening, a pair of receive coils and a transmit coil spaced therebetween shaped for receiving waste therethrough adjacent to the opening, and a controller in electrical communication with the coils. The controller generates and communicates a transmit signal to the transmit coil, which generates a magnetic field that induces voltage in each of the receive coils, which each generate a receive signal. The controller generates a waveform based on the receive signals with a baseline corresponding to absence of metallic objects, and analyzes the waveform with respect to opposite first and second thresholds. The controller activates the indicator in response to metallic objects passing through the coils when the waveform first exceeds the first threshold and then subsequently exceeds the second threshold.

A waste cart includes a base housing; a center upright having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is secured to the base housing; a top housing secured to the distal end of the center upright, wherein the top housing has two or more disposal openings for two or more separate disposal portions including, a first waste portion which has a first metal detector and an indicator for providing a notification when a metal item passes through the opening; and a second waste portion which includes a second metal detector and an indicator for providing a notification when a metal item passes through the opening; an electronics module which operates each metal detector independently; and an alarm indicator operationally associated with the electronics module which is activated when the electronics module detects the passage of a metal item through an opening into a waste portion.

A system includes a metal detector, a structure to hold the metal detector, and a processing unit which processes the measured signal from the metal detector. The measured signals of known objects are recorded with the metal detector. The signals are processed into sets of variables. When an unknown object is detected by the metal detector, the measured signal is processed into the same variables. The variables from the measured signal are compared against the variables in the database. If a match is found, the unknown object is determined.

A system for detecting disposal of metallic objects into an opening of a medical waste container, including: an indicator for indicating passage of metallic objects through the opening, a pair of receive coils and a transmit coil spaced therebetween shaped for receiving waste therethrough adjacent to the opening, and a controller in electrical communication with the coils. The controller generates and communicates a transmit signal to the transmit coil, which generates a magnetic field that induces voltage in each of the receive coils, which each generate a receive signal. The controller generates a waveform based on the receive signals with a baseline corresponding to absence of metallic objects, and analyzes the waveform with respect to opposite first and second thresholds. The controller activates the indicator in response to metallic objects passing through the coils when the waveform first exceeds the first threshold and then subsequently exceeds the second threshold.

A waste sorting system uses various sensors to automatically determine a type of a piece of waste, and dispense the waste into an appropriate waste bin, such as a recyclable waste bin, or a landfill waste bin. If the system determines that the piece of waste is of a type that is recyclable, it will first determine whether the waste satisfies a recyclability threshold before it deposits the waste into a recyclable waste bin. If the waste does not satisfy the recyclability threshold, the system will direct the piece of waste to a non-recyclable waste bin even if it is of a type that would otherwise be recyclable if it had met the recyclability threshold.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for controlling electrically-powered trash receptacles and monitoring fullness levels. The system can include a storage enclosure and a bin contained inside the storage enclosure, the bin configured to receive and store items deposited in the storage enclosure, wherein an inside portion of the bin is at least partially covered by a bag placed inside the bin to hold the items deposited in the storage enclosure. The system can also include a sensor configured to sense a content fullness state of the bin and a processor configured to control operations performed by the sensor. In addition, the system can include a sleeve configured to be installed over an inside portion of the bin and the bag, the sleeve at least partially restricting a movement of the bag.