Automatic lid opening and closing system for a waste container

• US 7,256,694 B2
• Filed: 05/01/2003
• Issued: 08/14/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trina Holdings Inc.
• Original Assignee: Biochem Environmental Solutions Inc.
• Inventors: Stefan, Leonardo, Papari, Joanne, Rusu, Chris
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HUNG T
• Application Number:
  US10/427,122
• Publication Number:
  US 20030205979A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,566 Days
• Field of Search: 340/565, 340/566, 340/567, 340/568.1, 340/539.19, 340/539.21, 340/539.23, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 318/16, 318/280, 318/286, 318/466, 318/480
• US Class Current: 340/565
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/1607 with filling openings
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/1638 Electromechanically operated lids

Abstract

A lid opening and closing system for a waste container having an opening and a lid for covering the opening, the system including a proximity sensor, which may be a capacitive proximity sensor, for sensing the presence of a user'"'"'s hand or body near the waste container and for sending a control signal. A drive system is connected to the lid for causing the lid to move from a closed position, where the lid covers the opening, to an open position, where the waste container is positioned to accept waste, and then back to the closed position in response to the control signal. The proximity sensor being more sensitive to the user'"'"'s hand or body approaching from the top of the waste container rather than from the front, sides or back of the waste container.

Claims

1. A lid opening and closing system for a waste container, the waste container having an opening and a lid for covering the opening, comprising:

a capacitive proximity sensor for sensing the presence of a user'"'"'s hand or body near the container and for sending a control signal when said user'"'"'s hand or body approaches to within a predetermined distance of the container, said proximity sensor being more sensitive to said user'"'"'s hand or body approaching in a vertically downward direction towards a top of the container than horizontally from a front, sides or a back of the container; and

a drive system connected to the lid for causing the lid to move from a closed position, wherein the lid covers the opening, to an open position, wherein the waste container is positioned to accept waste, and then back to said closed position in response to said control signal.

2. The lid opening and closing system of claim 1, wherein said proximity sensor includes at least one sensing plate oriented horizontally.

3. The lid opening and closing system of claim 1, wherein the waste container comprises:

an open-topped receptacle; and

a top cover for covering said open top, and wherein the opening is a substantially horizontal opening in said top cover.

4. The lid opening and closing system of claim 1, wherein the waste container comprises:

an open-topped receptacle defining an interior space; and

a top cover for covering said open top, and wherein said drive system is located outside of said interior space.

5. The lid opening and closing system of claim 1, wherein said drive system comprises:

a motor having an output shaft; and

a drive reduction system connected between said output shaft and the lid, wherein rotation of said output shaft in one direction causes the lid to move from said closed position toward said open position, and rotation of said output shaft in an opposite direction causes the lid to move from said open position back toward said closed position.

6. The lid opening and closing system of claim 5, wherein said drive reduction system comprises;

a plurality of wheels, at least one of said wheels being fixed to said output shaft;

at least one drive belt connecting said wheels;

at least one drive gear fixed to one of said wheels; and

a driven gear connected to the lid, said driven gear rotatably engaged with said at least one drive gear.

7. The lid opening and closing system of claim 6, wherein said at least one drive belt is made from a flexible material.

8. The lid opening and closing system of claim 1, wherein the power to operate said sensor and said drive system is obtained from a portable power supply.

9. The lid opening and closing system of claim 8, wherein said portable power supply is attached to the waste container.

10. The lid opening and closing system of claim 1, wherein the sensitivity of said proximity sensor is variable.

11. The lid opening and closing system of claim 1, wherein the lid is pivotally mounted to said waste container and is caused to pivot alternatively between said closed and said open positions by said drive system.

12. The lid opening and closing system of claim 1, wherein the lid comprises top and bottom panels defining a wedge-shaped scoop, the lid being attached to the waste container such that the lid is pivotable within the opening between said open position wherein the bottom panel covers the opening and said scoop is positioned to receive waste material, and said closed position wherein the top panel covers the opening and said scoop is positioned to deposit waste material into the waste container.