Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for managing (e.g. sorting, orienting, arranging, and stacking, etc.) one or more utensils; the utensils having a first and second end that define a longitudinal axis. The utensil sorting apparatus comprises of a plurality of arms to which a mechanism for locating a utensil, one or mechanisms for identifying a utensil, a device for orienting a utensil, and a device for grasping a utensil are attached. The grasping mechanism is used to transport a utensil to various steps used in a sorting process with a final step being to place the utensil in a designated bin, or compartment. The utensils placed in a compartment are oriented such that the first end of each utensil is at the same end of a wall of the compartment. The apparatus can also be used to arrange and stack utensils in preparation for secondary operations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for managing (e.g. sorting, orienting, arranging, and stacking, etc.) one or more utensils; the utensils having a first and second end that define a longitudinal axis. The utensil sorting apparatus comprises of a plurality of arms to which a mechanism for locating a utensil, one or mechanisms for identifying a utensil, a device for orienting a utensil, and a device for grasping a utensil are attached. The grasping mechanism is used to transport a utensil to various steps used in a sorting process with a final step being to place the utensil in a designated bin, or compartment. The utensils placed in a compartment are oriented such that the first end of each utensil is at the same end of a wall of the compartment. The apparatus can also be used to arrange and stack utensils in preparation for secondary operations.

Abstract: There is provided a receptacle system for detecting at least one metallic object entering therein and alerting a user in response to the detection. The system of the preferred embodiment comprises a receptacle body forming an interior cavity. Moreover, a cover may be engaged to the receptacle body, in which the cover may define an opening for providing access to the interior cavity. A metal detector may be attached to the cover to detect the at least one metallic object entering through the opening of the cover. Thereafter, the metal detector may alert the user in response to the detection of the at least one metallic object.

Abstract: A device that easily fits on a refuse container and will sound an audible alarm when silverware that has been magnetized and likely hidden within other refuse falls through a sensing cavity on its way to the refuse container. This device will not trigger on any other metallic or non-metallic material due to its sensing of only passing magnetic fields. Silverware material conducive to magnetization can be easily magnetized and will retain such characteristics for a long period of time making it a practical way to differentiate silverware from other metallic refuse. The device also uses a sensing switch that activates the same audible alarm when an attempt is made to bypass the unit by removing it from the refuse container. A key switch provides security that enables alarm reset only by authorized personnel. A low battery indicator is provided by the pulsing of the audible alarm. The unit is portable, low maintenance, and requires no adjustments.

Abstract: A garbage disposal protection device prevents the entry of ferro-magnetic objects into the disposal unit while maintaining an unobstructed path for items intended for the disposal to freely pass through the entry of the disposal. The device is an annular magnetic ring which fits into the drain at the bottom of a standard household sink and captures the ferro-magnetic objects before they enter the disposal unit. An alternative embodiment utilizes a magnetic ring that is made up of multiple magnetic elements contained in a retaining member.

Abstract: Colander apparatus for straining and rinsing including a first rim portion and a second rim portion hingedly movable about an axis between a generally coplanar position and a collapsed or folded position wherein the rim portions are generally parallel or oriented at a small acute angle one to the other, the first and second rim portions when in the generally coplanar position defining a bowl opening. The colander apparatus further includes a bowl portion integrally formed with, attached to or otherwise supported by the first and second rim portions around the bowl opening in spanning relation thereto, the bowl portion including a plurality of openings therethrough.

Abstract: A utensil sorting apparatus simultaneously sorts and/or orients a plurality of utensils, such as spoons, forks, and knives. A movable conveyor is movably disposed over a template having a plurality of first aperture sized to receive therethrough only the spoons. The conveyor sequentially moves the utensils through locations, including a receiving location, and a sorting location.

Abstract: A garbage disposal protection device prevents the entry of ferro-magnetic objects into the disposal unit while maintaining an unobstructed path for items intended for the disposal to freely pass through the entry of the disposal. The device is an annular magnetic ring which fits into the drain at the bottom of a standard household sink and captures the ferro-magnetic objects before they enter the disposal unit. An alternative embodiment utilizes a magnetic ring that is made up of multiple magnetic elements contained in a retaining member.

Abstract: A system for removing ferrous materials from a flow of non-ferrous materials, the flow being defined by a duct having sides to confine the flow of non ferrous materials along a flow path axis. The system includes an enclosure having sides, at least one side of the enclosure being adapted for mounting against the sides of the duct. At least two magnets are mounted within the enclosure, the magnets being retained within the enclosure and spaced apart from one another within the enclosure, and a piece of ferrous material extending between the magnets to provide a flow path for the magnetic flux between the magnets, so that the magnetic flux is focused along an axis extending between the magnets. An attachment mechanism for supporting the enclosure together with the magnets against the sides of the duct is also provided, so that the axis of focus of magnetic flux extends at an angle to the flow of non-ferrous material when the enclosure is supported against the side of the duct.

Abstract: A utensil sorting apparatus simultaneously sorts and/or orients a plurality of utensils, such as spoons, forks, and knives. A movable conveyor is movably disposed over a template having a plurality of first aperture sized to receive therethrough only the spoons. The conveyor sequentially moves the utensils through locations, including a receiving location, and a sorting location.

Abstract: A trash container lid facilitates easy disposal of food scraps while inhibiting inadvertent disposal of tableware. The trash container lid includes a cover configured to cover at least a portion of an opening in a trash container. A chute is formed in the cover and is configured to receive food scraps and to direct the food scraps into the trash container. At least one magnet is disposed proximate the chute to catch tableware inadvertently introduced thereinto. A scraper blade is formed to the cover proximate the chute such that food scraps scraped from plates and the like with the scraper fall through the chute and into the trash container.

Abstract: A flatware sorting machine including a feed bin for holding unsorted flatware, a sorting system for sorting the flatware, and a flatware pick-up and transport system for retrieving the flatware from the feed bin and transporting them to the sorting system.

Abstract: Flatware that can be quickly and easily sorted when placed in a liquid solution, the flatware encompasses three classes, spoons, forks and knives. The spoons have a generally uniform buoyancy so as to float at a first level in the liquid solution, the forks have a generally uniform buoyancy so as to float at a second level in the liquid solution, and the knives have a generally uniform buoyancy so as to float at a third level in the liquid solution. The flatware floats at different levels in the liquid solution which provides the separation of the spoons, forks and knives in the liquid solution and enables the retrieval of the separated flatware in a sorted fashion. An additional method of sorting and removing the flatware from the liquid solution includes mixing in a prescribed amount of salt solution to the liquid solution and/or raising the temperature of the liquid solution a predetermined amount.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle console has a hinged lid covering a storage compartment formed within a hollow housing, a pair of cup holders disposed forwardly of and rearwardly of the storage compartment, and a sunglass holder cavity at a forward portion of the console. Each cup holder is of integral, one-piece construction and is rotatably mounted within the hollow interior of the housing. The cup holder is rotatable between a closed position in which a door attached to the cup holder is generally continuous with the outer surface of the housing and an open position in which a side-by-side pair of rigid, continuously fully-opened cup receptacles are positioned for use. Each cup receptacle comprises a stepped opening of circular configuration in which a slot in a circumferential portion of the upper edge thereof accommodates the handle of a cup placed therein.

Abstract: A device for trapping flatware in food waste prior to entry into a trash container includes a housing positioned onto the trash container having a downwardly sloping chute, an electronic metal detector disposed in the housing, and a mechanically-operated pivoting door that guards the lower opening of the chute. A spring-loaded mechanical linkage closes the door upon being released by an actuator, that is signaled by the metal detector as to when flatware is present. The use of a spring-loaded mechanism to operate the pivoting door minimizes power requirements and is lightweight, as compared to a drive motor or other machines of the prior art.

Abstract: Flatware that can be quickly and easily sorted when placed in a liquid solution, the flatware includes spoons, forks and knives. The spoons have a generally uniform buoyancy so as to float at a first level in the liquid solution, the forks have a generally uniform buoyancy so as to float at a second level in the liquid solution, and the knives have a generally uniform buoyancy so as to float at a third level in the liquid solution. The flatware floats at different levels in the liquid solution which provides the separation of the spoons, forks and knives in the liquid solution and enables the retrieval of the separated flatware in a sorted fashion.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating cutlery from food waste, such as for use in a restaurant, includes a glacis which is angled toward the opening of a waste container. Extending from an end of the glacis are a set of flaps having a closed position whereby they guide the food waste into the waste container, and having an open position whereby they separate and expose a receptacle for receiving cutlery. A detector is disposed relative to the glacis for detecting a cutlery item inadvertently mixed with the food waste on the glacis. If a cutlery item is sensed by the detector, the flaps are caused to open and the cutlery item falls into the cutlery receptacle, thereby the cutlery is separated from the food waste.

Abstract: Apparatus for receiving and sorting a plurality of pieces of flatware for delivery of the flatware to a holding or storage mechanism, the apparatus comprising a tube mechanism comprising a wall forming a tube having an open end for slidable delivery of the flatware pieces to a holding mechanism, the tube mechanism having a selected length, a selected internal volume and a slot extending lengthwise in the wall for receiving pieces of flatware lengthwise through the slot, the flatware pieces having a selected length and depth. The tube mechanism is pivotably mounted on a support structure at a selected point along the length of the tube mechanism such that the slot is disposed upwardly for receiving the pieces of flatware downwardly through the slot and into the internal volume of the tube mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating articles from materials to be trashed, usable in separating food utensils from soiled or used paper products in restaurants, comprising a bin mounted on a frame adapted to seat on a trash barrel or the like, means for collecting the trash mounted in the bin for sliding movement thereoutof, and an upright member mounted in the bin against direction of movement of the collecting means. Such means takes the form of a flat plate which is perforated with a plurality of holes to function as a sieve. As the plate is withdrawn to an extended position outside the bin, the trash drops into its barrel while the utensils, having been previously removed from the bin and put into a compartment formed by the upright member and plate, are not lost in the trashing step. Means are provided to guide the plate in its movement and to prevent it from disengaging from the apparatus.

Abstract: A flatware separating apparatus comprising a track having a top surface for receiving and delivering different items of flatware along a selected path; a mechanism for contacting selected items of the flatware at a selected point along the path of the track and pushing the selected items off the surface of the track and allowing other selected items of the flatware to remain on the surface; and a mechanism for further separating the selected items of flatware pushed off the surface of the track.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of sorting cutlery, comprising opto-electronic dynamic recognition and identification of the cutlery. The pieces of cutlery are brought forward in a longitudinal direction one by one behind each other on a moving conveyor belt (12). The movement of the belt is precision linked to a pulsator (13), which emits pulses with a frequency that is directly proportional to the speed of the belt. The pieces of cutlery are brought by the conveyor belt to pass one by one through an optical read-off unit (14) between a light source (32) and a bar (40) of photo-transistors (33) or light-conductors (38) which transmit light to photo-transistors. The bar extends at right angles to the direction of movement of the belt, so that it is partially shaded by the cutlery when this passes, whereupon the photo-transistors in the parts of the bar shaded at any moment are inactivated.

Abstract: A machine for sorting rod-shaped articles 3-6 of magnetic material in accordance with their respective lengths, such as knives, forks, and spoons, includes a transporting arrangement 1 which comprises magnetic collecting rods 2 which attract magnetically the ends of respective items and carry them past a plurality of underlying magnetic delivery rods 11-14 with the items hanging vertically. The delivery rods are spaced at a progressively diminishing distance from the movement path of the collecting rods so that the lower ends of the longest items 3 come into contact with the first delivery rod 11 and are drawn loose from a collecting rod 2 thereby, this procedure being repeated at each classifying station until the shortest item 6 comes into contact with the last, commensurately spaced delivery rod 14 and is drawn loose thereby.

Abstract: A device for preventing magnetically attractable flatware and other objects from falling into a food disposer. Round tubes containing magnets are arranged parallel to one another across a collar at the mouth of the disposer. Each tube contains an assembly of cylindrical magnets, separated by spacers, which are magnetized and oriented to provide a strong attractive force around the tube.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating cutlery from restaurant waste. A hopper (1) forms a chute and is adapted to be placed above the opening of a waste container. In the hopper there is a sloping surface (2) on which the waste is tipped, there being an opening (3) at the lower portion of the surface. A flap (16) arranged in the hopper is pivotable between two positions, namely a first position (18) for closing off the opening (3) and a second position (19) for uncovering the opening. An electrical switching signal from an inductive type probe (4) controls a drive member (17) for pivoting the flap between the first and second positions. The probe (4) is placed on the underside of the sloping surface (2).

Abstract: The invention is a motor driven device designed for the purpose of separating and sorting flatware, fed to the unit in random fashion. A hopper receives the pieces, and the speed of a concaved separating disc is employed to separate the flatware and move it handle first between the sorting disc and guides. The pieces are measured by the relation of the guides to the circumference of the disc and dropped into individual collection boxes. A threaded stud may be employed for the adjustment of the machine to a variety of patterns of flatware.

Abstract: A substantially cylindrically shaped rubber food scraper is mounted on a steel dish cleaning table over a refuse container located below the table. The interior of the scraper is substantially hourglass shaped and includes a plurality of magnets embedded in the interior wall thereof adjacent the reduced diameter portion. Food and waste paper scraped from dishes pass through the scraper to the container below but stainless steel flatware is attracted to and held by the magnets.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for containing, washing, rinsing and drying presorted flatware by category, after which the flatware is automatically discharged from the apparatus by category into separate receiving receptacles. Alternate types of conveyors, containers and methods of discharging flatware from containers are included, and certain embodiments provide simultaneous washing of other tableware within the same apparatus.