Electrically-powered programmable waste enclosure

• US 9,352,887 B2
• Filed: 07/21/2011
• Issued: 05/31/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BigBelly Solar LLC
• Original Assignee: Big Belly Solar, Inc.
• Inventors: Poss, James Andrew, Satwicz, Jeffrey T., Skocypec, David J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Deberadinis, Robert
• Application Number:
  US13/812,173
• Publication Number:
  US 20130278067A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,776 Days
• Field of Search: 307/18
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 55/00 Accessories for container closures not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/0033 specially adapted for segregated refuse collecting, e.g. receptacles with several compartments; Combination of receptacles B65F1/0093 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/1426 Housings, cabinets or enclosures for refuse receptacles B65F1/006, B65F1/1452 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/1468 Means for facilitating the transport of the receptacle, e.g. wheels, rolls hand-operated refuse vehicles B65F3/005
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/1473 Receptacles having wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/108 Authorization means
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/1121 Apertures
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/1128 Text
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/128 Data transmitting means
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/1443 Electrical
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/148 Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/16 Music playing devices
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/168 Sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/172 Solar cells
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2220/104 Bomb resistant
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 3/08 Use of electric radiation detectors
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00302 Overcharge protection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00306 Overdischarge protection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/00 Circuit arrangements for emergency or stand-by power supply, e.g. for emergency lighting
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/38 : Energy storage means, e.g. batteries, structurally associated with PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 : Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 : Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 30/10 : Waste collection, transportation, transfer or storage, e.g. segregated refuse collecting, electric or hybrid propulsion

Abstract

This invention is directed towards a waste enclosure device (“device”) comprising a waste enclosure employing operational functions including collection and monitoring capacity wherein said device includes one or more programmable logic controllers. Operational functions are performed by electrical components including sensors to determine waste deposits characteristics and contents. Said device operational functions are further adapted to send and receive data, optionally wirelessly, and configured and adapted to utilize solar derived electric power and, optionally, electric power from other sources.

Claims

1. A storage container comprising:

an enclosure;

a battery;

ancillary electrical components, the components powered by the battery, wherein at least one of the components is a contents sensor configured to sense contents within the enclosure; and

a controller electrically coupled with the ancillary electrical components and the battery, the controller configured to control operational functions performed by the ancillary electrical components, the operational functions comprising a sensing function performed by the contents sensor to sense the contents within the enclosure, wherein the controller is configured to disengage the contents sensor based on a triggering criteria.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the ancillary components are configured to gather, store, transmit and receive data to the controller.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein an additional electrical component is a solar panel positionable to be exposed to sunlight, said solar panel electrically connected to said battery.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to engage a wireless transmitter to send a warning message when the controller senses that battery is below a predetermined threshold.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to engage a wireless receiver to receive operating instructions.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the controller engages the receiver at predetermined intervals.

7. The device of claim 5 wherein configured to display a message when said wireless receiver receives display operational instructions.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said photovoltaic panel is electrically-connected to said enclosure by means of an electrical cable.

9. The device of claim 1 further comprising electrical connection to at least one additional source of electrical power, wherein the controller is configured to select said storage battery as a source of energy when it is over a predetermined threshold voltage.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein said electrical components further include a voice recognition system.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein said electrical components further include a camera.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein the animal resistant cover for at least one of the front panel Insertion Openings is equipped with a lock.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein said electrical components further include an audio speaker.

14. The device of claim 1 wherein said electrical components further include a user sensor.

15. The device of claim 1 wherein said electrical components further include at least one display.

16. The storage container in claim 1, further comprising a camera coupled to the enclosure and facing an inside of the enclosure, the camera being configured to capture a filling level of the enclosure.

17. A storage container comprising:

an enclosure;

a photovoltaic panel, said photovoltaic panel positionable to be exposed to sunlight,

a storage battery within said enclosure and electrically connected to said photovoltaic panel;

a PLC, electrically connected to said storage battery, to monitor and control sensors and a transmitter/receiver, wherein said PLC is further configured to skip functions when a low battery condition is met by a predetermined standards;

electrical components connected to said PLC, said electrical components comprising sensors to detect items introduced into or present in said enclosure, said PLC further configured to actuate said transmitter to report information about materials in said enclosure.

18. The device in claim 17 wherein said PLC is configured to skip programmed functions based on predetermined priority of functions when said battery is below a predetermined threshold.