| CPC B65F 1/1484 (2013.01) [B65F 1/1607 (2013.01); G01V 3/10 (2013.01); B65F 2210/128 (2013.01); B65F 2210/1525 (2013.01); B65F 2210/168 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
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1. A metal detector for use with a receptacle to receive refuse, the metal detector comprising:
a body defining an opening for receiving the refuse therethrough;
a controller;
a coil mounted to the body, wound around the opening, and in communication with the controller, wherein the controller is configured to detect 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; and
a capacitive sensor mounted to the body, facing into the opening, and in communication with the controller, wherein the controller is further 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 emitted into the opening by the capacitive sensor to change a capacitance of the capacitive sensor,
wherein 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.
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