Receptacle for secure collection of waste
First Claim
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1. A waste collection receptacle, comprising:
- a housing defining a waste-collection chamber, the housing comprising;
an access port, including a door, through which waste can be deposited; and
a chute leading from the access port to the waste-collection chamber;
a fill sensor configured to measure a fill level of a waste-collection container positioned within the waste-collection chamber;
a lock configured to secure the door of the access port against opening; and
a controller in communication with the fill sensor and the lock and configured to;
receive a fill level signal from the fill sensor; and
send a lock command to the lock responsive to the fill level signal, wherein the lock command causes the lock to engage such that the door of the access port is secured against opening.
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Abstract
A waste collection receptacle, for example a receptacle in compliance with Drug Enforcement Agency (“DEA”) regulations concerning the disposal of controlled substances, includes a housing and a waste-collection container therein. A chute directs waste deposited through an aperture in the housing into the waste-collection container. A fill sensor monitors the fill level of the waste-collection container. When the waste-collection container reaches a fill threshold, a controller sends a signal that electronically locks the aperture, thereby preventing additional waste from being deposited into the receptacle.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A waste collection receptacle, comprising:
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a housing defining a waste-collection chamber, the housing comprising; an access port, including a door, through which waste can be deposited; and a chute leading from the access port to the waste-collection chamber; a fill sensor configured to measure a fill level of a waste-collection container positioned within the waste-collection chamber; a lock configured to secure the door of the access port against opening; and a controller in communication with the fill sensor and the lock and configured to; receive a fill level signal from the fill sensor; and send a lock command to the lock responsive to the fill level signal, wherein the lock command causes the lock to engage such that the door of the access port is secured against opening. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A waste collection receptacle, comprising:
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a housing defining a waste-collection chamber, the housing comprising; a chute door on an exterior of the housing; and a chute leading from the chute door to the waste-collection chamber; a chute door switch operable to detect opening and closing of the chute door; a fill sensor within the housing and oriented to measure a fill level of a waste-collection container positioned within the waste-collection chamber; a lock configured to secure the chute door against opening; and a controller in communication with the chute door switch, the fill sensor, and the lock, wherein the controller is configured; to receive a signal from the chute door switch when the chute door switch detects that the chute door has opened and closed; upon receiving the signal from the chute door switch, to command the fill sensor to measure the fill level of the waste-collection container and to receive the measured fill level from the fill sensor; to compare the received measured fill level to at least one preset fill level threshold; and to set a state of the waste collection receptacle based upon the comparison of the received measured fill level to the at least one preset fill level threshold. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of securely collecting waste using a waste collection receptacle including a locking waste collection door, comprising:
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electronically measuring a fill level of a waste-collection container within the waste collection receptacle; comparing the fill level of the waste-collection container to a preset full threshold; and electronically locking the waste collection door when the fill level of the waste-collection container exceeds the preset full threshold. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification