STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments relate generally to storage devices and apparatus and, more specifically, relate to foot-activated infrared (IR) sensor lid opening waste bins.

This section is intended to provide a background or context. The description may include concepts that may be pursued, but have not necessarily been previously conceived or pursued. Unless indicated otherwise, what is described in this section is not deemed prior art to the description and claims and is not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

Waste bins exist which can open based on the detection of a user's hand being waved in front of it. However, such receptacles are inconvenient when the user's hands are full. Additionally, it may be difficult for users to determine the optimal location to wave their hands causing them to waste time waving in various places.

Other waste bins have pedal which can be stepped on in order to cause the lid to open. Yet these pedals must be continuously pressed to keep the lid open restricting the user's movement.

What is needed is a true hands-free operating waste bin.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The below summary is merely representative and non-limiting.

The above problems are overcome, and other advantages may be realized, by the use of the embodiments.

In a first aspect, an embodiment provides a self-opening bin. The bin includes a base unit defining a foot well and a sensor configured to detect whether an object is within the foot well. The bin also has a receptacle and a lid configured to close the receptacle. A lid motor configured to mechanically open the lid is also included in the bin. The lid motor is configured to open the lid in response to detection of an object within the foot well.

In another aspect, an embodiment provides a method for operating a lid opening motor of a bin. The method includes a step of, in response to detection of an object within a foot well of the bin, causing the lid opening motor to open the lid. The method also includes a step of setting the lid opening motor to keep the lid open for at least a first predetermined length of time in response to the object being within the foot well for a first elapsed length of time.

