Abstract: A metal detector is used with a receptacle to receive refuse. The metal detector includes a body defining an opening, a controller, and a coil wound around the opening. The controller detects changes to a magnetic field generated by the coil when an object comprised of a metallic material that is located proximate the coil interacts with the magnetic field and induces a voltage within the coil. A capacitive sensor is mounted to the body and communicates with the controller. The controller is configured to detect the object located within the opening based on a proximity signal produced by the capacitive sensor when the object interacts with an electrical field of the capacitive sensor. When the controller determines that the object is comprised of a metallic material and disposed within the opening based on the induced voltage and the proximity signal, the metal detector correspondingly produces an alarm.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 17, 2023
Date of Patent:
February 25, 2025
Assignee:
NonObvious LLC
Inventors:
Kelvin Yaw Agyapong Boateng, Joseph Stephen Labdik, IV