Electrically-powered programmable waste enclosure

• US 9,902,539 B2
• Filed: 05/26/2016
• Issued: 02/27/2018
• 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 L
• Application Number:
  US15/165,820
• Publication Number:
  US 20160355308A1
• Time in Patent Office: 642 Days
• Field of Search: 307 18, 307 29
• 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 electrical power and, optionally, electric power from other sources.

Claims

1. A storage container comprising:

an enclosure;

a contents sensor configured to sense contents within the enclosure; and

a controller electrically coupled with the contents sensor, the controller configured to control 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 storage container of claim 1, further comprising a battery coupled to the controller and the contents sensor.

3. The storage container of claim 1, wherein the contents sensor is configured to gather, store, transmit and receive data to the controller.

4. The storage container of claim 2, wherein an additional electrical component is a solar panel positionable to be exposed to sunlight, the solar panel electrically connected to the battery.

5. The storage container of claim 2, 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.

6. The storage container of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to engage a wireless receiver to receive operating instructions.

7. The storage container of claim 6, wherein the controller engages the wireless receiver at predetermined intervals.

8. The storage container of claim 6, wherein the enclosure is configured to display a message when the wireless receiver receives display operational instructions.

9. The storage container of claim 1, wherein a photovoltaic panel is electrically-connected to the enclosure by means of an electrical cable.

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

11. The storage container of claim 1, further comprising at least one of a voice recognition system, a camera, an audio speaker, a user sensor, and a display.

12. The storage container in claim 11, further comprising the camera coupled to the enclosure and facing an inside of the enclosure, the camera being configured to capture a filling level of the enclosure.

13. A storage container comprising:

an enclosure;

a controller to monitor and control sensors and a transmitter/receiver, wherein the controller is further configured to skip functions when a low battery condition is met by a predetermined standard; and

electrical components connected to the controller, the electrical components comprising sensors to detect items introduced into or present in the enclosure, the controller further configured to actuate a transmitter/receiver to report information about materials in the enclosure.

14. The storage container of claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to skip programmed functions based on predetermined priority of functions when a storage battery is below a predetermined threshold.

15. The storage container of claim 13, further comprising:

a photovoltaic panel, the photovoltaic panel positionable to be exposed to sunlight and electrically connected to a storage battery.

16. A method comprising:

in a storage container comprising an enclosure and a contents sensor configured to sense contents within the enclosure;

sensing contents within the enclosure using the contents sensor; and

disengaging the contents sensor based on a triggering criteria.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising, gathering, storing, transmitting and receiving data associated with the contents.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the triggering criteria comprises one of a full enclosure, a blocked contents sensor and a damaged contents sensor.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein a camera is coupled to the enclosure and faces an inside of the enclosure, the camera being configured to capture a filling level of the enclosure.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the storage container comprises an electrical connection to at least one source of electrical power, wherein a controller is configured to select a storage battery as a source of energy when it is over a predetermined threshold voltage.