System and method for automatic waste container
OwnerTristan S Billerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for a waste container with a lid that opens automatically for a user but senses when a pet such as a dog or cat tries to open it by standing up and leaning against the waste container, whereby the automatic waste container has a series of pressure plate sensors on the front of the waste container as well as on the areas surrounding the sensor such that when the pressure plate sensors are engaged the sensor on the waste container turns off so the dog or cat can't open the waste container by putting their paw or face over it.
Claims13
A waste container, the waste container having a body with an opening, the waste container having a lid for covering the opening, the waste container also comprising:
- a control system;
- a drive system, wherein the control system is connected to the drive system, wherein the drive system is 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 receive waste, and then back to said closed position;
- a proximity sensor, wherein the control system is connected to the proximity sensor wherein when the proximity sensor detects movement of an entity within a predetermined distance of the waste container, the control system sends an opening signal to the drive system to orient the lid in the open position;
- one or more pressure plate sensors, wherein the control system is connected to the one or more pressure plate sensors, wherein the one or more pressure plate sensors are separate from the proximity sensor and positioned on an exterior surface of the body of the waste container, wherein the one or more pressure plates sense when sustained pressure resulting from direct physical contact with the body of the waste container is detected on the one or more pressure plate sensors indicating a pet is leaning against and using the waste container as leverage, wherein when the sustained pressure is sensed by the one or more pressure plate sensors, the control system sends a lock signal that overrides the opening signal and prevents the lid from moving from the closed position to the open position even when the movement of the entity is detected by the proximity sensor, wherein the lock signal remains active for a predetermined period of time after each sense of the sustained pressure, whereby upon expiration of the predetermined period of time the lid is again openable via the proximity sensor.
A waste container, the waste container having a lid and a body with an opening, wherein the lid is configured to cover the opening when closed and provide access to an interior of the body when opened, the waste container comprising:
- a control system;
- a proximity sensor for detecting motion near the waste container and provide access to contents of the waste container when the motion is detected;
- one or more pressure plate sensors positioned on a front wall of the body or on areas surrounding the proximity sensor for sensing pressure when a pet places their paw or other body part against the body of the waste container to use as leverage while attempting to trigger the proximity sensor to open the lid, wherein when the pressure is sensed, the control system prevents the lid from moving from a closed position to an open position for a period of time even while the pet waves their limb over the proximity sensor on the waste container, wherein the pressure needed to prevent the lid from moving from the closed position to the open position is customizable on a user interface.
A waste container, the waste container having a body with an opening, the waste container having a lid for covering the opening, the waste container also comprising:
- a control system;
- a drive system, wherein the control system is connected to the drive system, wherein the drive system is 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 receive waste, and then back to said closed position;
- a proximity sensor, wherein the control system is connected to the proximity sensor wherein when the proximity sensor detects movement of an entity within a predetermined distance of the waste container, the control system sends an opening signal to the drive system to orient the lid in the open position;
- one or more pressure plate sensors, wherein the control system is connected to the one or more pressure plate sensors, wherein the one or more pressure plate sensors are separate from the proximity sensor and positioned on an exterior surface of the waste container, wherein the one or more pressure plates sense when sustained pressure is detected on the one or more pressure plate sensors indicating a pet is using the waste container as leverage, wherein when the sustained pressure is sensed by the one or more pressure plate sensors, the control system sends a lock signal that prevents the lid from moving from the closed position to the open position even when the movement of the entity is detected by the proximity sensor, wherein the control system provides customizable amounts of pressure needed to send the lock signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.