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 a disposal opening extends;
(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 a waste bag such that waste passes through the disposal opening is received within the waste bag;
(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, only one of which receiver coils extends around and encircles a perimeter of the 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 disposal opening; and
(f) an indicator system connected the electronics module, by which an indication is provided of a detection of passage of a metal item through the disposal opening.
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 on a side of the disposal opening.
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 the disposal opening 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 the disposal opening by the electronics module and coil arrangement.
27 . A waste cart, comprising:
(a) an upper section comprising a top housing in which a disposal opening extends, the upper section being configured to retain a bag for receiving waste therein that passes through the disposal opening;
(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 retention of the bag from the upper section for filling of the bag 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, only one of which receiver coils extends around and encircles a perimeter of the 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 disposal opening; and
(f) an indicator system connected the electronics module, by which an indication is provided of a detection of passage of a metal item through the disposal opening.
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 the disposal opening.
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 on a side of the disposal opening.
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 the disposal opening.
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 the disposal opening 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 the disposal opening 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 the disposal opening while the cart is being moved.
40 . 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 a waste bag on opposite sides of the cart such that waste passing through a said disposal opening is received within a respective one of the 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.