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An apparatus includes: a disposal unit; a control unit configured to stop operation of the disposal unit; and a metal detector coil and associated circuitry, the metal detector coil located such that waste passing into the disposal unit for shredding passes through the metal detector coil. The contr

An apparatus includes: a disposal unit; a control unit configured to stop operation of the disposal unit; and a metal detector coil and associated circuitry, the metal detector coil located such that waste passing into the disposal unit for shredding passes through the metal detector coil. The control unit is triggered to stop operation of the disposal unit upon the detection of metal passing through the metal detector coil.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An under-sink disposal system, comprising (a) a sink;(b) a disposal located under the sink and comprising a shredding mechanism for shredding waste received from the sink that enters into a shredding area of the disposal;(c) a fluid passageway extending downwardly from a drain of the sink for pas

1. An under-sink disposal system, comprising (a) a sink;(b) a disposal located under the sink and comprising a shredding mechanism for shredding waste received from the sink that enters into a shredding area of the disposal;(c) a fluid passageway extending downwardly from a drain of the sink for passing of waste to the shredding area of the disposal;(d) a switch assembly operatively connected to the disposal and configured to inhibit shredding operation of the disposal; and(e) a metal sensor and associated circuitry, the metal sensor being located adjacent the fluid passageway such that a metallic object passing through the fluid passageway toward the shredding area of the disposal is detected by the metal sensor;(f) wherein the switch assembly is operatively connected to the circuitry associated with the metal sensor such that the switch assembly inhibits shredding operation of the disposal upon the detection of a metallic object passing through the fluid passageway toward the shredding area of the disposal, including, (i) stopping shredding operation of the disposal when running upon the detection of a metallic object passing through the fluid passageway toward the shredding area of the disposal, and(ii) preventing shredding operation of the disposal from starting after the detection of a metallic object passing through the fluid passageway toward the shredding area of the disposal. 2. The under-sink disposal system of claim 1, wherein the switch assembly comprises a magnetic coupling switch. 3. The under-sink disposal system of claim 1, wherein the switch assembly turns off power to the disposal. 4. The under-sink disposal system of claim 1, wherein the metal sensor and associated circuitry comprise a metal detector. 5. The under-sink disposal system of claim 1, wherein the metal sensor and associated circuitry comprise a metal detector coil. 6. The under-sink disposal system of claim 5, wherein the metal detector coil is located adjacent the fluid passageway such that a metallic object passing through the fluid passageway toward the shredding area of the disposal passes through the metal detector coil. 7. The under-sink disposal system of claim 6, wherein the metal detector coil is contained within a sleeve that extends between the sink and the disposal. 8. The under-sink disposal system of claim 6, wherein the metal detector coil is located at a neck of the disposal. 9. The under-sink disposal system of claim 1, further comprising an indicator configured to alert a user when the switch assembly is inhibiting shredding operation of the disposal, wherein the indicator comprises a light, an audible alarm, or both. 10. A method for safely operating an under-sink disposal so as to accommodate the accidental entry of a metallic object into the disposal, comprising the steps of: (a) using a metal sensor and associated circuitry, monitoring for a metallic object passing through a fluid passageway extending from a sink toward a shredding area of the disposal, the metal sensor being located adjacent the fluid passageway; and(b) upon detecting the passing of a metallic object through the fluid passageway from the sink toward the shredding area of the disposal, inhibiting shredding operation of the disposal by, (i) stopping shredding operation of the disposal, if running, upon the detection of the passing of the metallic object through the fluid passageway toward the shredding area of the disposal, and(ii) preventing shredding operation of the disposal from starting upon the detection of the passing of the metallic object through the fluid passageway toward the shredding area of the disposal. 11. The method for safely operating an under-sink disposal of claim 10, wherein a magnetic coupling switch is used to inhibit shredding operation of the disposal. 12. The method for safely operating an under-sink disposal of claim 10, wherein the shredding operation of the disposal is inhibited by turning off power to the disposal. 13. The method for safely operating an under-sink disposal of claim 10, wherein the metal sensor and associated circuitry comprise a metal detector. 14. The method for safely operating an under-sink disposal of claim 10, wherein the metal sensor and associated circuitry comprise a metal detector coil. 15. The method for safely operating an under-sink disposal of claim 14, wherein the metal detector coil is located adjacent the fluid passageway such that a metallic object passing through the fluid passageway toward the shredding area of the disposal passes through the metal detector coil. 16. The method for safely operating an under-sink disposal of claim 14, wherein the metal detector coil is contained within a sleeve that extends between the sink and the disposal. 17. The method for safely operating an under-sink disposal of claim 14, wherein the metal detector coil is located at a neck of the disposal. 18. The method for safely operating an under-sink disposal of claim 10, further comprising using an indicator to alert a user that the shredding operation of the disposal is inhibited, wherein the indicator comprises a light, an audible alarm, or both. 19. A method for accommodating the accidental entry of a metallic object into a disposal, comprising the steps of: (a) monitoring for entry of a metallic object into a disposal located under a sink using a metal sensor located adjacent a fluid passageway extending from a drain of the sink toward a shredding area of the disposal; and(b) upon detection by the metal sensor of the passing of a metallic object through the fluid passageway toward the shredding area of the disposal, inhibiting shredding operation of the disposal by (i) stopping shredding operation of the disposal, if running, and(ii) preventing shredding operation of the disposal from starting until a reset is performed by a user. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the method is performed by circuitry operatively connected to a switch.