WASTE RECEPTACLE
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.
1 - 20 . (canceled)
21 . A waste cart, comprising:
(a) a top housing in which two disposal openings extend;
(b) a base housing comprising a plurality of wheels for moving the waste cart across a floor of a room;
(c) a support extending between the base housing and the top housing and supporting the top housing above the base housing at a height accommodating retention of two waste bags such that waste passing through a said disposal opening is received within a respective one of the two waste bags;
(d) a coil arrangement contained within the top housing and including (i) a transmitter coil comprising a wire loop that extends around and encircles a perimeter of the top housing, and (ii) two receiver coils each comprising wire loops, a first one of which receiver coils extends around and encircles a perimeter of a first one of the disposal openings and a second one of which receiver coils extends around and encircles a perimeter of a second one of the disposal openings;
(e) an electronics module connected to and operationally associated with the coil arrangement and configured to detect passage of a metal item through either of the disposal opening; and
(f) an indicator system connected the electronics module, by which an indication is provided of such a detection of passage of a metal item.
22 . The waste cart of claim 21 , wherein the electronics module is located within the base housing.
23 . The waste cart of claim 22 , wherein the support contains electrical connections extending between the base housing and the top housing for connecting the electronics module and coil arrangement.
24 . The waste cart of claim 21 , wherein the receiver coils of the coil arrangement are arranged generally horizontally, and wherein the coil arrangement further comprises two additional receiver coils arranged generally vertically and located between the first and second disposal openings.
25 . The waste cart of claim 21 , further comprising a kick switch located on the base housing and configured to turn on and off by foot detection of a metal item that passes through either of the disposal openings by the electronics module and coil arrangement.
26 . The waste cart of claim 21 , further comprising a battery located within the base housing for powering detection of a metal item that passes through either of the disposal openings by the electronics module and coil arrangement.
27 . A waste cart, comprising:
(a) an upper section comprising a top housing in which first and second disposal openings extend, the upper section being configured to retain first and second bags for receiving waste therein that passes through the first and second disposal openings, waste passing through the first disposal opening being received within a first bag and waste passing through the second disposal opening being received within a second bag;
(b) a lower section comprising a plurality of wheels for moving the waste cart across a floor of a room;
(c) a middle section extending from the lower section and structurally supporting the upper section above the lower section at a height accommodating bag retention from the upper section for filling with waste;
(d) a coil arrangement contained within the top housing and including (i) a transmitter coil comprising a wire loop that extends around and encircles a perimeter of the top housing, and (ii) a pair of receiver coils each comprising wire loops, a first one of which receiver coils extends around and encircles a perimeter of the first disposal opening and a second one of which receiver coils extends around and encircles a perimeter of the second disposal opening;
(e) an electronics module connected to and operationally associated with the coil arrangement and configured to detect passage of a metal item through either of the disposal openings; and
(f) an indicator system connected the electronics module, by which an indication is provided of a detection of such passage.
28 . The waste cart of claim 27 , wherein pulse induction is used in the electronics module and coil arrangement to detect passage of a metal item through either of the disposal openings.
29 . The waste cart of claim 27 , wherein the pair of receiver coils of the coil arrangement are arranged generally horizontally, and wherein the coil arrangement further comprises a second pair of receiver coils arranged generally vertically and located between the first and second disposal openings.
30 . The waste cart of claim 27 , wherein the middle section is configured to be secured to the top section, and wherein the top section is configured to be secured to the middle section.
31 . The waste cart of claim 27 , wherein the lower section further comprises a base housing that contains the electronics module.
32 . The waste cart of claim 31 , wherein the middle section contains electrical connections that extend between the top housing and base housing and connect the electronics module and the coil arrangement.
33 . The waste cart of claim 27 , wherein the indicator system comprises a visual alarm indicator.
34 . The waste cart of claim 33 , wherein the visual alarm indicator is located on the top housing.
35 . The waste cart of claim 27 , wherein the indicator system comprises a speaker that provides an auditory indication of a detection of passage of a metal item through either of the disposal openings.
36 . The waste cart of claim 27 , wherein the lower section further comprises a kick switch for turning on and off by foot detection of a metal item that passes through either of the disposal openings by the electronics module and coil arrangement.
37 . The waste cart of claim 27 , further comprising a battery for powering detection of a metal item that passes through either of the disposal openings by the electronics module and coil arrangement.
38 . The waste cart of claim 27 , further comprising means for powering the waste cart.
39 . The waste cart of claim 27 , further comprising means for disabling the indication of a detection of passage of a metal item through either of the disposal openings while the cart is being moved.
40 . A waste cart, comprising:
(a) a top housing in which first and second disposal openings extend;
(b) a base housing comprising a plurality of wheels for moving the waste cart across a floor of a room;
(c) a support extending between the base housing and the top housing and supporting the top housing above the base housing at a height accommodating retention of two waste bags such that waste passing through a said disposal opening is received within a respective one of the two waste bags;
(d) a coil arrangement contained within the top housing and including (i) a transmitter coil comprising a wire loop that extends around and encircles a perimeter of the top housing, and (ii) two receiver coils each comprising wire loops, one of which receiver coils extends around and encircles a perimeter of said first disposal opening;
(e) an electronics module connected to and operationally associated with the coil arrangement and configured to detect passage of a metal item through the first disposal opening; and
(f) an indicator system connected the electronics module, by which an indication is provided of such a detection of passage of a metal item.