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 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 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 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 waste compression device with a fee calculation function is provided for shaking and compressing wastes and calculating the quantity of the wastes. The waste compression device includes a casing. The casing has therein: a storage cart; a compression unit for compressing the wastes in the storage cart; a vibration unit for shaking the storage cart; a quantity sensor; a storage level sensor; an interface unit; and a control unit. The control unit controls the compression and vibration. The interface unit determines the best time to shake and compress the wastes according to the wastes level, and instructs a ticketing unit to dispense a coupon for joining a points reward scheme or receiving a cash discount or a gift according to the wastes quantity. The waste compression device calculates the quantity of the wastes, reduces the volume of the wastes, and encourages consumers to take the initiative in recycling wastes.

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 waste sorting device is characterized in that it is equipped with a waste collection tank coupled to a press (1), a set of sensors (4) submitting information to a controller system (2) which starts an initiated process of crushing with the press (1), during which the set of sensors (4) examines the object in terms of physical properties, and on the basis of signals form a position sensor (5), it opens a trapdoor (6) of the container for waste segregation. Below the collection tank and the press (1), it has a rotatable container for waste segregation, controlled by the controller (2), and rotated for segregation by means of a drive (3). The controller (2) starts the crushing process, and the set of sensors (4) analyzes the hardness, on the basis of resistance to compression, electrical conductivity, magnetic permeability, and then the controller (2) specifies the material from which the segregated waste is made.

A metal detector is used with a receptacle to receive refuse. The metal detector includes a body defining an opening, a controller, and a coil wound around the opening. The controller detects changes to a magnetic field generated by the coil when an object comprised of a metallic material that is located proximate the coil interacts with the magnetic field and induces a voltage within the coil. A capacitive sensor is mounted to the body and communicates with the controller. The controller is configured to detect the object located within the opening based on a proximity signal produced by the capacitive sensor when the object interacts with an electrical field of the capacitive sensor. When the controller determines that the object is comprised of a metallic material and disposed within the opening based on the induced voltage and the proximity signal, the metal detector correspondingly produces an alarm.