Weight Monitoring System For Scrap And Recycled Materials

• US 20090201369A1
• Filed: 11/30/2007
• Published: 08/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MJK Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: MJK Holdings LLC
• Inventors: Megdal, Robert J., Jones, David H., Kunnel, Douglas A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,194,129 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/143
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling

Abstract

A scrap metal recycling monitoring system, wherein a container, identified and of a known tare weight is associated with a scale while scrap metal is placed therein. The scale continuously monitors the weight of the container, and can be polled, or automatically produces an auditable data stream revealing the change in weight of the container over time as it is associated with the scale. A camera records the container while it is on the scale and also produces auditable image data. As containers near capacity, a notice is automatically generated to coordinate dispatch activities of persons transporting containers.

Claims

1. An improved scrap metal, recycling, and waste monitoring system comprising;

a. at least one containing means of a known weight when empty;

b. at least one weighing means designed to accommodate the at least one containing means; and

c. at least one data transmission means connected to the at least one weighing means for transmitting data generated by the weighing means to a remote location, wherein data is transmitted at a predetermined time, including when a weighing means registers a predetermined quantitative change in the weight of a containing means, and upon request.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein a containing means is individually identifiable and distinguishable from other containing means, and comprises a known tare weight.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the data transmitted includes the identity of the containing means, the weight change of the containing means, and the time of the weight change.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the data generated by a weighing means is transmitted to predetermined recipients, including recipients performing auditing functions on the data.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the data is transmitted and stored by an electronic means including email.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the data is stored on a computer system under conditional access.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the data is documented on a printed report.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one weighing means further comprises a computer control, including a housing to provide protected access and communication to the weighing and recording functions of the weighing means.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the computer control comprises a security means to prevent unauthorized access to the functions of the weighing means.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the weighing means is incorporated into the containing means.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the data transmission means is configured to transmit data in advance of the at least one containing means reaching capacity.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the data is transmitted continuously, to enable constant monitoring of individual or multiple containing means.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein individual or multiple weighing means and containing means can be remotely polled enabling a receiving party to obtain containing means data at any time

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the weighing means is capable of locking a containing means to prevent access to, including removal of the containing means.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein a personalized security means, including a key or card, releases the locks of the at least one weighing means, and a data transmission means transmits a record of the event.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the containing means can be covered or otherwise enclose material.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the containing means is capable of locking to prevent access to, including removal of contents from the containing means.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein a recording means records an image, including a moving image, of the at least one containing means any time the means is accessed including any time the weighing means detects a weight change.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein recordings captured by the system are transmitted to designated parties, including to the company generating the weighed material and the owner of the at least one containing means.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein a recording means transmits a continuous video image via a permanent data link of the at least one containing means.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein a recording means can be polled by the recipient of the video image of the at least one containing means, to permit a real-time view of the means at any time.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein an invoice based on a predetermined pricing schedule is generated and delivered to the appropriate party when a predetermined weight change, including any weight change, is detected;

including when a container is removed or reduced to its tare weight.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein all data collected can be assembled and accessed to create an audit trail viewable by predetermined individuals.

24. The system of claim 10, wherein the system monitors the collection of aluminum cans delivered to the collecting means by the public.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the data is transmitted to the dispatch operations of a trucking company to coordinate the collection and delivery of at least one containing means.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein an alarm is automatically triggered when the weighing means detects a reduction in the weight of a container.