Mounting bracket system for hazardous waste container with integrated agitation

Abstract

A mounting bracket system for a hazardous waste container comprises an anchor adapted to movably support the hazardous waste container and at least one agitator adapted to agitate the hazardous waste container and thereby settle contents thereof. A carrier may be movably coupled to the anchor to releasably receive the hazardous waste container, and the agitator(s) may agitate the carrier relative to the anchor. At least one fullness sensor may be provided, wherein each fullness sensor is configured to detect a respective fullness parameter for the hazardous waste container and is communicatively coupled to the agitator(s) to cause activation of the agitator(s) in response to an indication from the fullness sensor(s) that a respective threshold for the respective fullness parameter is met. A fullness signal indicating the fullness of the hazardous waste container may be transmitted based on the indication from the fullness sensor(s).

Description

MOUNTING BRACKET SYSTEM FOR HAZARDOUS WASTE CONTAINER WITH INTEGRATED AGITATIONTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to hazardous waste containers, including sharps containers.BACKGROUND

[0002] Management of hazardous waste presents a significant challenge. As used herein the term “hazardous waste” means medical waste, pharmaceutical waste, biohazardous waste, biomedical waste, and cytotoxic waste, but does not include ordinary household, commercial, restaurant, retail or industrial waste. The term “hazardous waste container” means a container that is specifically configured for the safe storage and confinement of hazardous waste. Various containers have been developed to contain and isolate the hazardous waste, such as in a hospital or medical clinic setting.

[0003] One example of hazardous waste is medical sharps, such as used hypodermic needles, and thus a particular type of hazardous waste container is a sharps container, which is a container that is specifically configured to receive and safely contain medical sharps to inhibit needlestick and similar injuries. Needlestick injuries are a serious occupational hazard for healthcare, veterinary and animal care workers. Although the wound from a needlestick is small and the wound itself is easily treated, needlestick injuries carry a high risk of infection and potential exposure to bloodborne diseases, cytotoxic or other pathogenic materials.

[0004] Hazardous waste containers must either be emptied at the site or, more preferably, collected (with the hazardous waste safely secured within the container) and transferred to a specialized facility to be processed. While regular collection can be scheduled, this runs the dilemmic risk of collecting well before the container is full, or of allowing a container to overfill before collection. Ideally, a container should only be collected and replaced if it is truly full, that is. if it cannot safely accommodate additional hazardous waste.

[0005] Management of hazardous waste containers represents a workflow challenge for healthcare, research, and veterinary facilities. Such receptacles become full or overfilledirregularly (without a regular schedule or predictability) and asynchronously with other hazardous waste containers in their general area. Thus, facilities must regularly monitor and manage all such receptacles to ensure none become overfilled, and to service them promptly when they become full.

[0006] A number of techniques have been developed in which sensors are used to monitor how full a waste container is, and collection is arranged when the container is full, or nearly full. This approach, however, is dependent on the accuracy of the sensors in detecting the “true” level of fullness. If the sensors indicate that the container is full when it can still accommodate considerably more waste, then resources will be squandered in collecting and replacing it.SUMMARY

[0007] In one aspect, a mounting bracket system for a hazardous waste container is provided. The mounting bracket system comprises an anchor adapted to movably support the hazardous waste container; and at least one agitator adapted to agitate the hazardous waste container relative to the anchor, whereby agitation of the hazardous waste container by the at least one agitator thereby settles contents of the hazardous waste container.

[0008] In some embodiments, the anchor is adapted to movably support the hazardous waste container by way of a carrier movably coupled to the anchor, the carrier being adapted to releasably receive the hazardous waste container and the agitator being adapted to agitate the carrier relative to the anchor. In some embodiments, the agitator is interposed between the anchor and the carrier.

[0009] In preferred embodiments, the mounting bracket system further comprises at least one fullness sensor, wherein each fullness sensor is configured to detect a respective fullness parameter for the hazardous waste container, and wherein the fullness sensor(s) are communicatively coupled to the agitator(s) to cause activation of the agitator(s) in response to an indication from the fullness sensor(s) indicating that a respective threshold for the respective fullness parameter is met.

[0010] In particularly preferred embodiments, the fullness sensor(s) are communicatively coupled to the agitator(s) via a controller by way of the fullness sensor(s) being communicatively coupled to the controller and the controller being communicatively coupled to the agitator(s).

[0011] In an even more particularly preferred embodiment, the controller is communicatively coupled to at least one transmitting element and configured to use the transmitting element(s) to transmit a fullness signal indicating a fullness of the hazardous waste container based on the indication from the fullness sensor(s).

[0012] In some embodiments, the agitator is responsive to an indication from at least one fullness sensor configured to detect a respective fullness parameter for the hazardous waste container, wherein the indication indicates that a respective threshold for the respective fullness parameter is met. In particular embodiments, the agitator is responsive to the indication from the fullness sensor(s) via a controller that is communicatively coupled to the agitator(s), wherein the controller is configured to receive the indication from the at least one fullness sensor. The controller may be communicatively coupled to at least one transmitting element and configured to use the transmitting element(s) to transmit a fullness signal indicating a fullness of the hazardous waste container based on the indication from the fullness sensor(s).

[0013] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to use the transmitting element(s) to transmit the fullness signal substantially immediately in response to the indication from the at least one fullness sensor.

[0014] In other embodiments, the controller is configured to cause activation of the agitator(s) in response to the indication from the at least one fullness sensor, and use the transmitting element(s) to transmit the fullness signal only responsive to the indication from the fullness sensor(s) persisting beyond completion of the activation of the agitator(s).

[0015] In some embodiments, the fullness sensor(s) may comprise a weight sensor for which the respective fullness parameter is a weight of the contents of the hazardous waste container.

[0016] In some embodiments, the fullness sensor(s) may comprise at least one height sensor for which the respective fullness parameter reflects a height of contents of the hazardous waste container relative to a floor of the hazardous waste container.

[0017] In some embodiments, the fullness sensor(s) may comprise at least one indicator position sensor configured to detect movement of a mechanical full container indicator of the hazardous waste container from a first configuration to a second configuration, wherein the firstconfiguration is one that is maintained when a height of contents in the hazardous waste container is below a predetermined level, and the second configuration is one that results from the height of the contents of the hazardous waste container reaching the predetermined level, wherein the respective fullness parameter for the indicator position sensor(s) is the position of the full container indicator and the respective fullness threshold is met by the full container indicator being in the second configuration. In some embodiments, the indicator position sensor is configured to detect movement of the mechanical full container indicator of the hazardous waste container from the first configuration toward the second configuration and provide an indication before the mechanical full container indicator of the hazardous waste container reaches the second position.

[0018] In some embodiments, the fullness sensor(s) may comprise at least one height sensor and at least one indicator position sensor. For the height sensor(s), the respective fullness parameter reflects a height of contents of the hazardous waste container relative to a floor of the hazardous waste container and the respective fullness threshold is met by a predetermined level of the contents of the hazardous waste container. The indicator position sensor(s) are configured to detect movement of a mechanical full container indicator of the hazardous waste container from a first configuration to a second configuration, wherein the first configuration is one that is maintained when a volume of contents in the hazardous waste container is below a predetermined level, and the second configuration is one that results from the height of the contents of the hazardous waste container reaching the predetermined level, wherein the respective fullness parameter for the indicator position sensor(s) is the position of the full container indicator and the respective fullness threshold is met by the full container indicator being in the second configuration. The indication from the at least one fullness sensor indicating that the respective threshold for the respective fullness parameter is met is satisfaction of both an indication from the at least one height sensor that the predetermined level of the contents of the hazardous waste container is satisfied, and an indication from the at least one indicator position sensor that the full container indicator is in the second configuration.

[0019] In preferred embodiments, the hazardous waste container is a sharps container. A combination may comprise a mounting bracket system as described above, and may further comprise the sharps container received by the earner.

[0020] In some embodiments, the agitator(s) are periodically activated by a timer.

[0021] In some embodiments, the agitator(s) may comprise a scotch yoke.

[0022] In some embodiments, the agitator(s) may comprise a Whitworth mechanism.

[0023] In some embodiments, the agitator(s) may comprise a rack-and-pinion assembly.

[0024] In some embodiments, the carrier comprises a hanger.

[0025] In some embodiments, the carrier comprises a bucket.

[0026] In some embodiments, the carrier comprises a cage.

[0027] In some embodiments, the carrier comprises a clamp.

[0028] In a second aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method for managing a hazardous waste container. The method comprises movably supporting the hazardous waste container and automatically controlling at least one agitator to agitate the hazardous waste container, whereby the agitation of the hazardous waste container by the at least one agitator thereby settles contents of the hazardous waste container.

[0029] In some embodiments, automatically controlling the agitator(s) comprises activating the agitator in response to an indication from at least one fullness sensor.

[0030] In some embodiments, the method further comprises transmitting a fullness signal indicating a fullness of the hazardous waste container based on the indication from the at least one fullness sensor. In some particular embodiments, transmitting the fullness signal occurs in response to the indication from the fullness sensor. In other particular embodiments, automatically controlling the agitator(s) comprises causing activation of the agitator(s) in response to the indication from the at least one fullness sensor, and transmitting the fullness signal occurs only responsive to the indication from the at least one fullness sensor persisting beyond completion of the activation of the agitator.

[0031] In some embodiments, the indication from the fullness sensor(s) reflects a weight of the contents of the hazardous waste container.

[0032] In some embodiments, the indication from the fullness sensor(s) reflects a height of contents of the hazardous waste container relative to a floor of the hazardous waste container.

[0033] In some embodiments, the indication from the fullness sensor(s) reflects detecting movement of a mechanical full container indicator of the hazardous waste container from a first configuration to a second configuration, wherein the first configuration is one that is maintained when a height of contents in the hazardous waste container is below a predetermined level, and the second configuration is one that results from the height of the contents of the hazardous waste container reaching the predetermined level, wherein the indication from the at least one fullness sensor.

[0034] In a further aspect, a mounting bracket system for a hazardous waste container is provided. The mounting bracket system comprises an anchor, and a carrier movably coupled to the anchor, the carrier being adapted to releasably receive the hazardous waste container. The mounting bracket system further comprises at least one agitator interposed between the anchor and the earner and adapted to agitate the carrier relative to the anchor, whereby agitation of the carrier when the hazardous waste container is received thereby settles contents of the hazardous waste container.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] These and other features will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings wherein:FIGURE 1 is a top perspective view of a first illustrative embodiment of a mounting bracket system for a hazardous waste container, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;FIGURE 2 is an exploded top perspective view of the mounting bracket system of Figure 1 ;FIGURE 3 is a top perspective view showing how a sharps container can be mounted on the mounting bracket system of Figure 1;FIGURE 4 is a front elevation view showing the sharps container of Figure 3 mounted on the mounting bracket system of Figure 1, with a single illustrative fullness sensor mounted on the sharps container;FIGURE 4A is a front elevation view showing the sharps container of Figure 3 mounted on a second embodiment of a mounting bracket system for a hazardous waste container, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, with two illustrative fullness sensors mounted on the sharps container;FIGURES 5 A through 5D are front elevation views showing the sharps container of Figure 3 being agitated by the mounting bracket system of Figure 1 ;FIGURES 6A and 6B are front elevation views showing agitation of the sharps container of Figure 3 by the mounting bracket system of Figure 1 to settle contents of the sharps container;FIGURE 7 is a side elevation view of the sharps container of Figure 3 mounted on the mounting bracket system of Figure 1, with the fullness sensor of Figure 4 mounted on the sharps container;FIGURE 7A is a side elevation view of the sharps container of Figure 3 mounted on the mounting bracket system of Figure 4A, with the fullness sensors of Figure 4A mounted on the sharps container;FIGURE 8A is a top perspective view of a third illustrative embodiment of a mounting bracket system for a hazardous waste container, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;FIGURE 8B is a top perspective view of a fourth illustrative embodiment of a mounting bracket system for a hazardous waste container, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;FIGURE 8C is a top perspective view of a fifth illustrative embodiment of a mounting bracket system for a hazardous waste container, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;FIGURE 9 shows that a mounting bracket system for a hazardous waste container according to an aspect of the present disclosure may be adapted for a range of different types of hazardous waste containers;FIGURE 10 shows a perspective view of a sixth illustrative embodiment of a mounting bracket system for a hazardous waste container, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;FIGURE 11 shows a front view of a seventh illustrative embodiment of a mounting bracket system for a hazardous waste container, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;FIGURE 12 shows a perspective view of an eighth illustrative embodiment of a mounting bracket system for a hazardous waste container, according to an aspect of the present disclosure; andFIGURE 13 is a flow chart illustrating a method for managing a hazardous waste container.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Broadly speaking, the present disclosure describes a mounting bracket system for a hazardous waste container which is adapted to automatically agitate the hazardous waste container to settle its contents. Importantly, the terms “agitate”, “agitating” and “agitation” as used herein do not include the application of compressive force directly to the contents of the hazardous waste container, but rather to movement of the hazardous waste container, which causes relatively more loosely packed contents to settle under the influence of gravity into a relatively more densely packed condition.

[0037] Reference will be made in the present disclosure to sharps containers as an illustrative example of a category of hazardous waste containers, as sharps containers represent a particularly preferred application of the present technology. Nonetheless, the present technology can be applied to a wide range of hazardous waste containers.

[0038] Figures 1 and 2 show a first illustrative embodiment of a mounting bracket system 100 for a hazardous waste container according to an aspect of the present disclosure. As best seen in Figure 2, the mounting bracket system comprises an anchor 102, a carrier 104, and an agitator 106 interposed between the anchor 102 and the carrier 104. While a single horizontal agitator 106 is shown in the illustrated embodiments, other embodiments may have more than one agitator, for example a vertical agitator and a horizontal agitator, or two horizontal agitators, or a rotary agitator.

[0039] The anchor 102 is adapted to be secured to a support. In the illustrated embodiment, the anchor 102 is adapted to be secured to a wall and comprises a baseplate 108 having mounting holes 110 therethrough. The mounting holes 110 are countersunk and are adapted to receive threaded fasteners 112 (e.g. screws) to affix the baseplate 108 to the wall. The baseplate 108 may be constructed from any suitable material, including for example high density polyethylene (HDPE), ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW), aluminum or stainless steel. The illustrated baseplate 108 is merely one non-limiting, illustrative embodiment of an anchor, and other types of anchors are also contemplated. By way of non-limiting example, the anchor may be, be part of, or be affixed to another object such as a medical cart (“med-cart”) or a stand, or may be affixed to a floor or a ceiling, rather than a wall.

[0040] The carrier 104 is adapted to releasably receive a hazardous waste container. In the illustrated embodiment, the carrier 104 comprises a hanger in the form of two spaced-apart T-sections 114 that are adapted to be slidably received within a T-slot mounting fixture on a sharps container, as described further below. This is merely a non-limiting illustrative example of one type of hanger; any type of hanger could be used, and other illustrative types of carriers are described further below.

[0041] The carrier 104 is movably coupled to the anchor 102, and the agitator 106 is interposed between the anchor 102 and the carrier 104. The agitator 106 is adapted to agitate the carrier 104 relative to the anchor 102. In the illustrative embodiment, the agitator 106 comprises a scotch yoke mechanism including a yoke 120, a crank 122 and a motor 124. Broadly speaking, the scotch yoke mechanism converts rotary motion of the shaft of the motor 124 into side-to-side oscillatory motion of the carrier 104.

[0042] The yoke 120 comprises a central slider 126 having a longitudinally extending slider slot 128, with two container support arms 130 extending outwardly on either side of the central slider 126. On the side of the yoke 120 facing away from the baseplate 108, the T-sections 114 are mounted on the container support arms 130. On the side of the yoke 120 facing toward the baseplate 108, a respective guide rod 132 is mounted to each container support arm 130 by way of a respective spacer 134. The guide rods 132 are parallel to one another. The yoke 120, apart from the guide rods 132, may be constructed from any suitable material, including for example HDPE, UHMW, aluminum or stainless steel. The guide rods 132 may be constructed from stainless steel or carbon steel, or in some embodiments from HDPE or UHMW, or another suitable material. A pair of spaced-apart yoke guides 136 extend from the baseplate 108 toward the yoke 120. Each of the yoke guides 136 has a respective guide aperture 138 formed therethrough, with the guide apertures 138 being parallel to one another and in registration with one another. Each of the guide rods 132 is slidably received in a respective one of the guide apertures 138, enabling the yoke 120 to longitudinally reciprocate relative to the baseplate 108. The motor 124 is securely coupled to the baseplate 108, and the motor shaft is coupled to a driven end 140 of the crank 122 to rotate the crank 122. The drive end 142 of the crank 122 is spaced from the driven end 140 by a crank arm 144, and is coupled to a slider follower bearing 146, which may comprise, for example, a needle roller and cage assembly or other suitable bearing. The slider follower bearing 146 is received in the slider slot 128. In other embodiments the slider follower bearing may be omitted and the drive end 142 of the crank 122 may be longer and may be received directly in the slider slot 128. The crank 122 may be constructed of any suitable material, includingHDPE, UHMW, nylon, brass, or stainless steel, and in some embodiments a liner of the same material as the crank 122 may be disposed in the slider slot 128.

[0043] A controller 148 is carried by the baseplate 108. The controller 148 may comprise, for example and without limitation, a microprocessor, a programmable logic controller (PLC), a pure hardware circuit, a programmable circuit (e.g. an Arduino circuit board), or any other suitable device or combination of devices. In a preferred embodiment, the controller 148 includes, or is coupled to, a wireless module 150 (see Figures 7 and 7A) to at least receive, and preferably both transmit and receive, wireless communication signals, for example using the Wi-Fi protocol and / or the Bluetooth® protocol, cellular data (including without limitation 3G, 4G, LTE and 5G), or any other suitable wireless communication technology now extant or hereafter developed. The wireless module 150 may communicate across multiple wireless communication protocols, or there may be multiple wireless modules. The baseplate 108 also includes a battery recess 152 at a lower end thereof which accommodates a battery 156 to provide power to the motor 124 and the controller 148. Alternatively, or additionally, the controller 148 may have its own battery. Other embodiments contemplate an AC power supply, or electrical power may be drawn from an associated appliance.

[0044] A housing 162 fits over the baseplate 108, and acts as a shroud to protect the components of the agitator 106, as well as the controller 148 and the battery 156. The housing 162 may be made from any suitable material, including for example HDPE or UHMW. The housing 162 includes an agitator slot 164, and the T-sections 114 project through the agitator slot 164, as shown in Figure 1. One of the T-sections 114 includes a stop 160 at a distal end thereof, that is, the end that is distal from the slider 126. The other one of the T-sections 114 includes a retainer aperture 166 at its distal end.

[0045] Preferably, the housing 162 and the baseplate 108, or at least the electronic components contained therein, are provided with water resistance sufficient to withstand routine cleaning and spills (e.g. medication or bodily fluids), for example to the IPX4 standard.

[0046] Figure 3 shows how a sharps container 300 can be mounted on the carrier 104 of the mounting bracket system 100.

[0047] In the illustrated embodiment, the sharps container 300 comprises a receptacle 302 defining an interior volume 304 (see Figures 6A and 6B), and a cover 306 that cooperates with thereceptacle 302 to selectively enclose the interior volume 304. When the cover 306 is closed, the cover 306 obstructs access to the interior volume 304. The cover 306 is coupled to protective sidewalls 308 that extend into the interior volume 304 and limit access to the interior volume 304 when the cover 306 is open. The sharps container 300 also includes a safety tray 310 that is configured to move between a retracted (permissive) position (see also Figure 6B) and an extended (obstructing) position (see Figure 6A) when the cover 306 is open, depending on the contents of the receptacle 302. When the cover 306 is open and the safety tray 310 is in the retracted position, an opening 312 is formed between the cover 306 and the safety tray 310, permitting medical sharps such as used needles to be deposited onto the safety tray 310 and fall into the interior volume 304. A certain height level of medical sharps in the receptacle 302 will mechanically move the safety tray 310 into the extended position, where the safety tray 310 extends across and obstructs the opening 312 to provide overfill protection (see Figure 6A). The receptacle 302 carries a T-slot mounting fixture 314 on a rear side thereof, and the T-sections 114 on the yoke 120 are adapted to be slidably received within the T-slot mounting fixture 314. The model S 14, S22, S32 and S64 sharps containers offered by Daniels Sharpsmart, Inc. having an address at 111 W Jackson Boulevard, Suite 1900 Chicago, IL 60604 include such a T-slot mounting fixture. These are merely non-limiting, illustrative examples of sharps containers.

[0048] The sharps container 300 may be mounted on the carrier 104 by fitting the T-section 114 whose distal end includes the retainer aperture 166 into the slot 316 of the T-slot mounting fixture 314 on the receptacle 302, and then sliding the receptacle 302 along the T-sections 114 until the T-slot mounting fixture 314 abuts the stop 160 at the distal end of the other T-section. Figure 4 shows the sharps container 300 on the carrier 104. The sharps container 300 may then be secured by placing a retainer through the retainer aperture 166 to inhibit the sharps container from sliding off the end of the T-section 114. The retainer may be, for example, any suitable retainer pin or, for added security, a padlock or other locking device, including mechanical, electromechanical and electronic locking devices. In the case of an electromechanical or electronic locking device, the locking device may be operable through interaction with another electronic device, such as a tablet or smartphone running a suitable application, or a proximity module such as an NFC / RFID-enabled key fob, access card or smartphone, either directly or via the controller, which may be communicatively coupled to the locking device. In other embodiments, a locking device may be integrated into the mounting bracket system 100.

[0049] With the sharps container 300 disposed on the carrier 104, the sharps container is coupled to the yoke 120 by way of the T-sections 114. Activation of the agitator 106 will cause the yoke 120, and hence the sharps container 300, to reciprocate from side to side, as shown in Figures 5A to 5D. In describing Figures 5A to 5D, directional references are relative to the page, and although referenced, the crank 122, including the crank arm 144 and the drive end 142, are not shown in Figures 5A to 5D.

[0050] In Figure 5A, the crank arm 144 (Figure 1) extends to the right of the drive end 142 (Figure 1) of the crank 122 (Figure 1), with the slider follower bearing 146 centrally disposed in the slider slot 128 so that the slider follower bearing 146 is in the “3:00” position relative to the motor axis 500. This places the yoke 120, and therefore the sharps container 300, in a far-right position relative to the anchor 102. As the crank 122 rotates anticlockwise, the slider follower bearing 146 rides upwardly in the slider slot 128 to the top of the slider slot 128. as shown in Figure 5B, where the crank arm 122 extends vertically upward so that the slider follower bearing 146 is in the 12:00 position relative to the motor axis 500. This has the effect of moving the yoke 120, and therefore the sharps container 300. to the left so that it is substantially centered relative to the anchor 102. Continued anticlockwise rotation of the crank 122 moves the crank arm 144 into a position extending to the left of the drive end 142 of the crank 122. This moves the slider follower bearing 146 back down the slider slot 128 to the center of the slider slot 128 at the 9:00 position relative to the motor axis 500, as shown in Figure 5C. This in turn moves the yoke 120, and therefore the sharps container 300, further to the left into a far- left position relative to the anchor 102. As the crank 122 continues to rotate anticlockwise, the crank arm 144 moves into a position extending vertically downwardly from the drive end 142 of the crank 122. This movement drives the slider follower bearing 146 further downwardly to the bottom of the slider slot 128, in the 6:00 position relative to the motor axis 500, as shown in Figure 5D, which moves the yoke 120 and the sharps container 300 back into a substantially centered position relative to the anchor. Continued anticlockwise rotation of the crank 122 returns the mechanism to the position shown in Figure 5A. For the avoidance of doubt, the terms “far-right” and “far-left” refer to physical positions only and have no political connotations whatsoever. While the Figures show anticlockwise rotation for purposes of illustration, clockwise rotation is also contemplated.

[0051] While the agitator 106 in the first illustrative mounting bracket system 100 comprises a scotch yoke mechanism, this is merely a non-limiting illustrative example, and a widerange of agitation mechanisms are contemplated as equivalent. Other suitable agitation mechanisms include, but are not limited to, a Whitworth mechanism (also known as a “quick return mechanism”), a rack-and-pinion assembly with a reversible motor, and a cam / cam follower assembly.

[0052] Figures 6A and 6B show how, when the sharps container 300 is received by the carrier 104, agitation of the carrier 104 relative to the anchor 102 to thereby agitate the sharps container 300 will settle the contents of the sharps container 300. As shown in Figure 6A, a plurality of needles 602 are disposed inside the interior volume 304 of the sharps container 300. The term “needle”, as used herein, includes an injection apparatus, that is, a syringe with a needle attached thereto by a needle hub, as well as a needle / needle hub assembly alone, without a syringe. As it is more typical (and safer) to dispose of the entire injection apparatus (syringe and needle together), each of the needles 602 is shown as an injection apparatus in Figures 6A and 6B. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment shown in Figures 6 A and 6B, the contents of the sharps container 300 are needles 602, in particular injection apparatus. This is merely illustrative, as the sharps container 300 may accommodate other types of sharps. In addition, as noted above the sharps container 300 is merely one illustrative type of hazardous waste container, and a mounting bracket system according to aspects of the present disclosure may be used with any suitable hazardous waste container and associated hazardous waste.

[0053] As can be seen in Figure 6A, before agitation of the sharps container 300, the needles 602 are jumbled and dispersed, forming a sparse pile 604A that includes many large voids 606, with the needles 602 being loosely packed or scattered. The sparse pile 604A reaches a first height 608A within the receptacle 302 of the sharps container 300, which is sufficient to move the safety tray 310 into the obstructing position, inhibiting further use of the sharps container 300. As the sharps container 300 is agitated (by agitation of the carrier 104 relative to the anchor 102), the sparse pile 604A will collapse downwardly as the needles 602 are shaken and fall into the large voids 606. After a certain number of agitation cycles, for example between 5 and 25 cycles (this is merely a non-limiting example), the needles 602 will form a compacted pile 604B, as shown in Figure 6B in which the needles 602 are more densely packed than in the sparse pile 604A. The compacted pile 604B reaches a second height 608B within the receptacle 302 of the sharps container 300, which is lower than the first height 608A. If the first height 608A was sufficient to move the safety tray 310 into the obstructing position, the secondheight 608B may be sufficiently below the first height 608A to allow the safety tray 310 to move from the extended position back into the retracted position, enabling continued use of the sharps container 300.

[0054] In one embodiment, the agitator 106 is periodically activated by a timer, for example once per hour, or once per two hours, or any other suitable period. In particular embodiments, the agitator 106 may be activated solely by the timer, without input from any other sensor. For example, the controller 148 may be, or may comprise, timer circuitry or may execute timer programming. In some embodiments, the frequency with which the agitator 106 is activated may depend upon the time of day. For example, in a commercial facility or clinic that operates only during specified hours, the timer may be configured so that the agitator 106 is not activated outside of the operating hours. In other embodiments, fullness sensor input may be used in addition to. or as an alternative to. a timer. For example, in one embodiment the controller 148 may use the wireless module 150 to communicate fullness parameter(s) from fullness sensor(s) periodically to a coordinating computer system. The fullness parameter(s) may be communicated on the same timed schedule as the agitation, for example substantially immediately after completion of the agitation cycle, or on a different schedule.

[0055] Depending on the type of fullness sensor(s), the type of hazardous waste container (e.g. sharps container) and / or the sensor configuration, the fullness sensor(s) may be carried by any one or more of the anchor 102, the carrier 104, the housing 162 and / or the hazardous waste container (which is carried by the mounting bracket system 100).

[0056] The agitator 106 is responsive to an indication from the fullness sensor(s), which are configured to detect a respective fullness parameter for the hazardous waste container. The indication from the fullness sensor(s) indicates that a respective threshold for the respective fullness parameter is met. In preferred embodiments, the agitator 106 is responsive to the indication from the fullness sensor(s) via the controller 148, which is configured to receive the indication(s) from the fullness sensor(s).

[0057] The fullness sensor(s) may be configured to detect a respective fullness parameter for the hazardous waste container, and be communicatively coupled to the agitator 106, in particular the motor 124, to cause activation of the agitator 106 in response to an indication from the fullness sensor(s) indicating that a threshold for the respective fullness parameter is met. It iscontemplated that in some embodiments, the fullness sensor(s) may be communicatively coupled to the agitator 106 by being communicatively coupled directly to the motor 124, with the fullness sensor(s) functioning effectively as a switch to control the motor 124. In such an embodiment, the controller may be omitted. More preferably, however, the fullness sensor(s) are communicatively coupled to the agitator 106 via the controller 148, with the fullness sensor(s) being communicatively coupled to the controller 148. which in turn is communicatively coupled to the motor 124 and therefore to the agitator 106. In such embodiments, the fullness sensor(s) may be communicatively coupled to the controller 148 by wired connection. More preferably, however, the controller 148 comprises the wireless module 150 and the fullness sensor(s) communicate wirelessly with the controller 148 via the wireless module 150, for example using Bluetooth® (including Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)), Near Field Communications (NFC) or other suitable wireless communications.

[0058] Reference is now made to Figure 7. In a preferred embodiment, the wireless module 150 comprises both a receiving element and a transmitting element, which may be combined in a transceiver 158 (i.e. the transceiver incorporates and subsumes both the receiving element and the transmitting element). The controller 148 is communicatively coupled to the transceiver 158 (and hence to the transmitting element). A fullness sensor in the form of a height sensor 702 (also shown in Figure 4) is mounted on the lip 318 of the receptacle 302 of the sharps container 300. In the illustrated embodiment, the respective fullness parameter detected by the height sensor 702 reflects the height of the contents (e.g. needles 602) of the receptacle 302 of the sharps container 300 relative to the floor 320 of the receptacle 302. In the illustrated embodiment, the height sensor 702 is an ultrasonic sensor which provides a distance reading, although this is merely an illustrative example. In this embodiment, the fullness parameter is the height of the contents of the receptacle 302 so the fullness threshold for the fullness parameter would be set as a height threshold indicating that the sharps container 300 is full or nearly full. This is merely a non-limiting example and other types of sensors for determining the height of the contents of the receptacle 302 are also contemplated, including, without limitation, a time-of-flight sensor (e.g. ultrasonic) or a break-beam sensor (e.g. infrared). Moreover, a plurality of sensors may be provided, for example a plurality of break-beam sensors to detect different heights (e.g. “half full”, “nearly full”, or other variations. While the illustrated height sensor 702 looks downwardly into the interior volume 304, this is merely illustrative. Depending on the type of height sensor(s), theheight sensor(s) may be placed at any suitable location on the sharps container 300 (or other hazardous waste container). In other embodiments, the height sensor 702 may be a binary sensor, which provides a signal based on whether or not the height of the contents of the receptacle 302 has reached a predetermined height. Different types of fullness sensors besides height sensors may be used, as different types of fullness sensors may be particularly suited to different types of hazardous waste container.

[0059] In preferred embodiments, the controller 148 is configured to use the transceiver 158 to transmit a fullness signal indicating a fullness of the sharps container 300 based on the indication from the fullness sensor(s). Depending on the type of fullness sensor(s), a “fullness signal” may be an indication that the fullness threshold for the respective fullness parameter is met (e.g. that the sharps container 300 is full or nearly full), or may be an indication of the value of the fullness parameter (e.g. how full the sharps container 300 is). In one embodiment, the controller 148 is configured to use the transceiver 158 to transmit a fullness signal only where the fullness parameter satisfies a single predetermined fullness threshold. In the illustrated embodiment, because the height sensor 702 provides a binary signal based on whether the height of the contents of the receptacle 302 has reached a predetermined height, the controller 148 would use the transceiver 158 to transmit a fullness signal indicating that the sharps container 300 is full or nearly full when the controller 148 receives the corresponding signal from the height sensor 702. Using “nearly full” rather than “full” as the fullness threshold is preferred for a single-sensor embodiment because it provides time to service the sharps container before it becomes full and therefore unsafe to use. In other embodiments, the fullness signal may indicate that the fullness parameter satisfies one of a plurality of discrete predetermined levels, e.g. “half full”, “nearly full”, and “full”, or “10% full”, “20% full”, ... “90% full”, “100% full” (these are merely non-limiting examples). In still other embodiments, the controller 148 is configured to use the transceiver 158 to periodically transmit a fullness signal indicating the value of the fullness parameter (e.g. the detected height of the contents of the receptacle 302). In these latter embodiments, the fullness signal embodies data from which a computer system can determine whether the fullness parameter of the corresponding hazardous waste container satisfies a predetermined fullness threshold.

[0060] Having the controller 148 be configured to use the transceiver 158 to transmit one or more fullness signals enables a method for monitoring a plurality of hazardous waste containers, for example a plurality of the sharps containers 300, or a plurality of biohazard bins. The methodwould typically be administered by a coordinating computer system (which may comprise a single computer, or a plurality of computers networked together, either in a single physical location or across a plurality of physical locations. The method comprises monitoring for telemetry from respective fullness sensors, wherein each fullness sensor is uniquely associated with a respective one of the hazardous waste containers. While wired telemetry is contemplated, wireless telemetry is preferred. There may be only a single fullness sensor for each one of the hazardous waste containers or there may be more than one fullness sensor for each one of the hazardous waste containers, so long as each one of the fullness sensors is uniquely associated with only one of the hazardous waste containers. While it is contemplated that the fullness sensor(s) may transmit the telemetry directly to the coordinating computer system, preferably a controller that is uniquely associated with the respective hazardous waste container receives the signal(s) from the fullness sensor(s) and then transmits the relevant telemetry. For example, in the illustrated embodiment the height sensor 702 is communicatively coupled to the controller 148, which is configured to use the transceiver 158 to transmit one or more fullness signals as the telemetry for the sharps container 300.

[0061] The telemetry indicates whether a particular one of the hazardous waste containers satisfies a fullness threshold (e.g. “nearly full” or “full”, or “XX% full”. There may be a specific indication in the contents of the telemetry that the fullness threshold is satisfied (e.g. the telemetry encodes data indicating “full”). In this embodiment, a signal is transmitted only where the fullness parameter of the corresponding hazardous waste container satisfies the predetermined fullness threshold, whereby transmission of the signal indicates that a particular one of the hazardous waste containers corresponding to that fullness sensor is full. Alternatively, the telemetry may encode data that enables the coordinating computer system to determine that the fullness threshold is satisfied (e.g. the telemetry encodes “80% full” and the coordinating computer system stores 80% full as the value of the fullness threshold). The latter configuration enables the fullness threshold to be adjusted at the coordinating computer system, either globally or for individual hazardous waste containers depending on their circumstances. In the further alternative, the telemetry may inherently indicate whether the fullness threshold is satisfied (e.g. the telemetry for a particular hazardous waste container may be sent only if the fullness threshold for that hazardous waste container is satisfied).

[0062] Responsive to detecting the telemetry indicating that a particular one of the hazardous waste containers is full, the method causes that particular one of the hazardous waste containers to be serviced. The term “service”, as used in this context, includes emptying a full hazardous waste container, and also includes replacing a full hazardous waste container with an empty hazardous waste container. For example, the cover 306 of the full sharps container 300 may be closed and secured, and then the full sharps container 300 may be dismounted from the carrier 104 and replaced with an empty sharps container 300. The method may cause a particular one of the hazardous waste containers to be serviced by directing maintenance personnel to service that particular hazardous waste container and / or directing a robot to service that particular hazardous waste container.

[0063] In a preferred embodiment, the method associates the locations of the hazardous waste containers with the respective corresponding fullness sensors. Where a controller receives the signal(s) from the fullness sensor(s) and then transmits the relevant telemetry, the locations of the hazardous waste containers can be associated with the respective controllers and thereby associated indirectly with the respective fullness sensors. Alternatively, the respective fullness sensors may have unique identifiers which may be included in the telemetry transmitted by the respective controllers.

[0064] Where the coordinating computer system tracks the locations of the hazardous waste containers by associating their locations with the respective corresponding fullness sensors, this may assist in coordinating servicing of the hazardous waste containers. For example, maintenance personnel can be equipped with an electronic device, such as a smartphone or tablet, and the coordinating computer system may cause a display screen of the electronic device to display locations of the hazardous waste containers along with an indication of whether particular ones of the hazardous waste containers are to be serviced. This could be, for example, a map display, or a list. Alternatively, the locations can be used to direct robots to the hazardous waste containers that require service. In such embodiments, the coordinating computer system may plan a route to service those particular hazardous waste containers that are to be serviced. Alternatively, if the coordinating computer system tracks the locations of the hazardous waste containers, the coordinating computer system may simply notify the maintenance personnel or (autonomous) robots as to which hazardous waste containers require service, and leave them to do so on their own recognizance.

[0065] As shown in Figure 7, in the illustrated embodiment, the height sensor 702 is communicatively coupled to the agitator 106 via the controller 148, which is in turn communicatively coupled to the motor 124 to cause activation of the agitator 106 in response to an indication from the height sensor 702 that the height of the contents of the receptacle 302 has reached a predetermined level.

[0066] In one embodiment, the controller 148 and the height sensor 702 are configured to use the transceiver 158 to transmit the fullness signal substantially immediately in response to the indication from the height sensor 702. As used herein, the term “substantially immediately” does not preclude a modest delay, but is sufficiently immediate to preclude significant accumulation of additional sharps 602 between the indication from the height sensor 702 (or other sensor(s) as the case may be) and transmission of the fullness signal. In this embodiment, the first indication from the height sensor 702 that the height of the contents of the receptacle 302 has reached a predetermined level (“full” or “nearly full”) will cause agitation of the sharps container 300 and will also cause transmission of the fullness signal indicating that service of the sharps container 300 is required. Since agitation of the sharps container 300 is expected to settle the contents thereof, the agitation may “buy time” for service of the sharps container 300 to take place by allowing the sharps container 300 to accommodate more contents than it could without such agitation.

[0067] In another embodiment, the controller 148 and the height sensor 702 are configured to cause activation of the agitator 106 substantially immediately in response to the indication from the height sensor 702, but to use the transceiver 158 to transmit the fullness signal only responsive to the indication from the height sensor 702 persisting beyond completion of the activation of the agitator 106. The terms “persist” and “persisting”, as used in this context, include both a continuous sensor signal and discrete sensor signals. In the case of a continuous sensor signal, the indication will “persist” if the continuous sensor signal indicates that the fullness threshold for the respective fullness parameter is met both before agitation commences and after agitation concludes. In the case of discrete sensor signals (e.g. where the height sensor 702 takes periodic rather than continuous readings), the indication will “persist” if a first sensor signal before agitation commences indicates that the fullness threshold for the respective fullness parameter is met and a second sensor signal after agitation concludes also indicates that the fullness threshold for the respective fullness parameter is met. This embodiment will agitate the sharps container 300 thefirst time the height sensor 702 indicates that the height of the contents of the receptacle 302 has reached a predetermined level (“full” or “nearly full”) but will not transmit the fullness signal indicating that service of the sharps container 300 is required unless the height sensor 702 also indicates that the height of the contents of the receptacle 302 remains at or above the predetermined level after agitation has concluded. Thus, an embodiment is contemplated wherein, where the fullness sensor(s) initially indicates that the fullness threshold for the respective fullness parameter is met, the mounting bracket system 100 will agitate the hazardous waste container to determine whether this will sufficiently settle the contents to delay the need for service. Only if the fullness sensor(s) indicate that the contents have not settled enough, the mounting bracket system 100 will send the fullness signal to call for service.

[0068] Certain types of hazardous waste containers, and in particular sharps containers, may include a mechanical “full container” indicator. For example, the model S14, S22, S32 and S64 sharps containers offered by Daniels Sharpsmart, Inc. (address above) include a gravitysensitive safety tray which also functions as a mechanical “full container” indicator. Typically, a full container indicator will, when activated, obstruct further deposit of waste into the hazardous waste container. For example, as described above, a certain level of medical sharps in the receptacle 302 will mechanically move the safety tray 310 from the retracted position shown in Figures 3, 4 and 6B into the extended position shown in Figure 6A, where the safety tray 310 obstructs the opening 312 to provide overfill protection. As can be seen, when the safety tray 310 is in the extended position, it indicates that the sharps container 300 is “full”. Similarly, the model S- 17130 sharps container offered by Uline, Inc. having an address at 12575 Uline Drive, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158 has a lid including a movable safety flap which moves from a retracted (permissive or open) position into an extended (obstructing or closed) position when the container is full. Thus, a sharps container (e.g. the sharps container 300) may comprise a mechanical full container indicator, such as the safety tray in the Daniels Sharpsmart, Inc. sharps containers or the safety flap in the Uline container. The mechanical full container indicator has a first configuration that is maintained when a volume of contents in the sharps container 300 is below a predetermined level, indicating that the sharps container 300 still has room to accommodate additional sharps. The mechanical full container indicator moves from the first configuration to a second configuration when a volume of contents within the interior volume reaches a predetermined level. In preferred embodiments, the first configuration permits insertion of sharps into the sharpscontainer and the second configuration obstructs insertion of sharps into the sharps container. Other types of full container indicators that do not obstruct further deposit of waste are also contemplated, for example a movable flag.

[0069] A fullness sensor may be configured to detect movement of a full container indicator from the first configuration to the second configuration. Thus, in such an embodiment, the position of the full container indicator is a fullness parameter, and detection of movement of the full container indicator from the first configuration to the second position indicates that the fullness parameter for that fullness sensor is met. A mounting bracket system according to an aspect of the present disclosure may comprise, or communicate with, one or more fullness sensors in the form of indicator position sensors configured to detect movement of the full container indicator from the first configuration to the second configuration. A wide range of sensors may be used as indicator position sensor(s). Examples include, but are not limited to, a passive transponder with an interrogator (e.g. NFC or Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)), a Hall effect sensor, a tilt sensor, a light sensor (to detect changes in induced or ambient light from movement of the full container indicator), a positional encoder, an ultrasonic or infrared sensor, a mechanical switch (including a tilt switch), and a magnetic switch. Care should be taken to ensure that the sensor arrangement does not interfere with operation of the full container indicator. For example, an NFC / RFID sticker may be light enough to be adhered to a safety tray or safety flap without materially affecting its operation, and may be used in conjunction with a detector mounted elsewhere to detect a change in the position of the full container indicator.

[0070] In some embodiments, the position of the full container indicator may be the only fullness parameter, e.g. the height sensor 702 may be replaced by one or more indicator position sensors. In such embodiments, the indicator position sensor(s) will be configured to cause activation of the agitator 106 substantially immediately in response to the indication from the indicator position sensor(s). In some such embodiments, the controller 148 and the indicator position sensor(s) may also be configured to use the transceiver 158 to transmit the fullness signal substantially immediately in response to the indication from the indicator position sensor(s). In other such embodiments, the controller 148 and the indicator position sensor(s) may be configured to cause activation of the agitator 106 substantially immediately in response to the indication from the indicator position sensor(s), but to use the transceiver 158 to transmit the fullness signal onlyresponsive to the indication from the indicator position sensor(s) persisting beyond completion of the activation of the agitator 106.

[0071] In other embodiments, one or more height sensors may be used in combination with one or more indicator position sensors. Figures 4A and 7A show an alternate embodiment of the mounting bracket system 100 as shown in Figures 4 and 7, with like reference numerals denoting like features. In addition to the height sensor 702, the mounting bracket system 100 as shown in Figures 4A and 7A also comprises an indicator position sensor 704. In particular, the indicator position sensor 704 is mounted on the safety tray 310, which serves as a mechanical full container indicator. The indicator position sensor 704 can detect the position of the safety tray 310, e.g. the retracted position (see e.g. the first configuration shown in Figures 3 and 6B) and the extended position (see e.g. the second configuration shown in Figure 6A) as a fullness parameter, for which the respective fullness threshold is met by the safety tray 310 being in the extended position. Of note, the size of the indicator position sensor 704 is exaggerated in the Figures for purposes of illustration; in practice the indicator position sensor 704 would be much smaller to avoid interference with operation of the safety tray 310. In some embodiments, the indicator position sensor may be a two-part sensor, with a first small and lightweight part being positioned on the safety tray 310 and a second, larger and heavier part being positioned elsewhere, optionally even within a housing of the height sensor 702. The indicator position sensor 704 is communicatively coupled to the agitator 106 via the controller 148, which is in turn communicatively coupled to the motor 124. More particularly, in the illustrative embodiment, the indicator position sensor 704 is in wireless communication with the transceiver 158.

[0072] In a preferred embodiment, the controller 148, the height sensor 702 and the indicator position sensor 704 are configured to cause activation of the agitator 106 substantially immediately in response to either an indication from the height sensor 702 that the predetermined height of the contents of the hazardous waste container is satisfied, or an indication from the indicator position sensor 704 that the full container indicator (e.g. safety tray 310) is in the second configuration (e.g. extended position), or both signals together. As with the embodiment having only the height sensor 702, the controller 148, the height sensor 702 and the indicator position sensor 704 may be configured to use the transceiver 158 transmit the fullness signal substantially immediately in response to consistent indications from the height sensor 702 and the indicator position sensor 704, or may be configured to use the transceiver 158 to transmit the fullness signalonly responsive to consistent indications from the height sensor 702 and the indicator position sensor 704 persisting beyond completion of the activation of the agitator 106. If the indications from the height sensor 702 and the indicator position sensor 704 are not consistent with one another (e.g. if one indication is that the sharps container 300 is full while the other indication is that the sharps container 300 is not full), the controller 148 may use the transceiver 158 to transmit an error signal, for example to indicate that the sharps container 300 may be jammed. Optionally, one or more agitation cycles may be executed to see if the inconsistency resolves before sending the error signal.

[0073] In a simplified embodiment using both height sensor(s) and indicator position sensor(s), in particular embodiments where both such sensors are binary sensors, the controller may be omitted and replaced with one or more hardware AND gates.

[0074] Of note, while it is preferred to use both height sensor(s) and indicator position sensor(s). other embodiments contemplate that height sensor(s) may be used in isolation, without any indicator position sensor(s), and conversely that indicator position sensor(s) may be used in isolation, without any height sensor(s).

[0075] Another type of fullness sensor that may be used is a weight sensor for which the respective fullness parameter is a weight of the contents of the hazardous waste container. For example, with respect to the mounting bracket system 100 shown in Figures 1 to 7A, a suitable sensor assembly such as one or more capacitive load cells or strain gauges may be embedded in the T-sections 114, with a suitable ramp member provided to guide the edge of the T-slot mounting fixture 314 over the embedded load cell(s) or strain gauge(s). Alternatively, one or more load cells or strain gauges may be interposed between the T-sections 114 and the container support arms 130. Another embodiment of a weight sensor is one that measures the current load on the motor 124 during agitation, with higher current indicating greater weight. Yet another embodiment may use a customized hazardous waste container having an inbuilt weight sensor that communicates with the controller 148. Calculation of the weight may be performed by the weight sensor(s), by the controller 148. by cooperation between the weight sensor(s) and the controller 148, or by a coordinating computer system.

[0076] In one embodiment, the weight sensor(s) may be used as the sole fullness sensor(s). In such an embodiment, the controller and the weight sensor(s) may be configured to causeactivation of the agitator in response to one or more indications that one or more respective thresholds for the weight are met, with the weight being used as a proxy for the height of the contents of the hazardous waste container. The thresholds may be determined by analysis or experiment. By way of non-limiting example, it may be determined that:• at a first weight threshold “X”, the contents are at the height tolerance of the hazardous waste container but can be settled by agitation to about one half of the height tolerance;• at a second weight threshold “Y” (higher than the first weight threshold “X”) the contents are at the height tolerance of the hazardous waste container but can be settled by further agitation to about three quarters of the height tolerance; and• at a third weight threshold “Z” (higher than the second weight threshold “Y”) the contents have reached the height tolerance of the hazardous waste container and cannot be meaningfully settled by further agitation.In this example, the controller and the weight sensor(s) may be configured to cause activation of the agitator 106 in response to an indication from the weight sensor(s) that the first weight threshold “X” is met and in response to an indication from the weight sensor(s) that the second weight threshold “Y” is met. The controller 148 and the weight sensor(s) may be further configured to cause the fullness signal to be transmitted in response to indication from the weight sensor(s) that the third weight threshold “Z” is met.

[0077] In other embodiments, one or more weight sensors may be used in combination with height sensor(s) and / or indicator position sensor(s), and the principles described above in respect of the use of height sensor(s) and indicator position sensor(s) together may be applied, mutatis mutandis, to such arrangements.

[0078] Figure 8 A shows a third embodiment of the mounting bracket system 100 in which the hanger formed by the two spaced-apart T-sections 114 is replaced by a bucket 814A configured to contain the sharps container 300 and thereby serve as a earner 104. The bucket 814A may be removably mounted so that different sizes and shapes of buckets can be used to accommodate different sizes and shapes of hazardous waste containers. One or more weight sensors may be disposed at the bottom of the bucket 814A.

[0079] Figure 8B shows a fourth embodiment of the mounting bracket system 100 which is similar to the third embodiment shown in Figure 8A, except that instead of a bucket, the hanger formed by the two spaced-apart T-sections 114 is replaced by a cage 814B configured to contain the sharps container 300 and thereby serve as a carrier 104. As with the bucket 814A, the cage 814B may be removably mounted so that different sizes and shapes of buckets can be used to accommodate different sizes and shapes of hazardous waste containers, or a cage may be of adjustable size. One or more weight sensors may be disposed at the bottom of the cage 814B.

[0080] Figure 8C shows a fifth embodiment of the mounting bracket system 100 in which the hanger formed by the two spaced-apart T-sections 114 is replaced by an adjustable clamp 814C configured to contain the sharps container 300, or another hazardous waste container, and thereby serve as a carrier 104. The illustrative clamp 814C comprises two horizontally adjustable L-shaped clamp arms 880 with one slidably received upon the other, and a single vertically adjustable clamp arm 882. The clamp arms 880, 882 may be spring-loaded. The clamp 814C shown in Figure 8C is merely illustrative and not limiting. In alternate embodiments, the clamp may be lockable to prevent unauthorized removal of the hazardous waste container.

[0081] As shown in Figure 9, a mounting bracket system 100 can be configured to accommodate a range of different types of sharps containers 300, 300A, 300B. For example, while the sharps container 300 includes a T-slot mounting fixture 314 on a rear side thereof (see Figure 3) other sharps containers 300A, 300B may have a T-slot mounting fixture added, for example by suitable adhesive. Alternatively, the mounting bracket system 100 may be adapted to accommodate the mounting fixture for a particular type of sharps container (or other hazardous waste container).

[0082] Reference is now made to Figure 10, which shows another illustrative mounting bracket system, indicated generally at reference 1000. The mounting bracket system 1000 comprises an anchor 1002 adapted to movably support a hazardous waste container in the form of a sharps container 10300. In the embodiment shown in Figure 10, the anchor 1002 comprises a baseplate 1008 and a carrier movably coupled to the anchor 1002 so that the earner that can reciprocate laterally within a slot 1028 formed in the anchor 1002. The carrier may be provided with T-sections, a stop and a retainer aperture similarly to the carrier 104 of the first embodiment 100 (see e.g. Figure 2) so as to releasably receive and support the sharpscontainer 10300. In the embodiment of the mounting bracket system 1000 shown in Figure 10, the anchor 1002, in particular the baseplate 1008 thereof, is affixed to a wall 1070.

[0083] The mounting bracket system 1000 further comprises an agitator 1006 adapted to agitate the hazardous waste container 10300 relative to the anchor 1002. In the embodiment of the mounting bracket system 1000 shown in Figure 10, the agitator 1006 comprises a main drive module 1072 with an agitation arm 1074 extending therefrom. The agitation arm 1074 terminates in a contact pad 1076 that engages the receptacle 10302 of the sharps container 10300 when the sharps container 10300 is received on the carrier. The main drive module 1072 is fixed to the wall 1070, and includes a motor coupled to the agitation arm 1074 and configured to drive the agitation arm 1074. The motor may be, for example, a vibration motor similar to that of a massage gun, although this is merely an illustrative example and is not limiting. Movement of the agitation arm 1074 is transmitted through the contact pad 1076 to the receptacle 10302 of the sharps container 10300 to agitate the sharps container 300. Agitation of the hazardous waste container 10300 by the agitator 1006 settles contents of the hazardous waste container 10300 in a manner analogous to that described above.

[0084] In some embodiments, the motor of the agitator 1006 may be driven by a timer circuit disposed within the main drive module 1072.

[0085] In the illustrative embodiment shown in Figure 10, the agitator 1006 is responsive to an indicator position sensor 1704. In the illustrated embodiment, the indicator position sensor 1704 is a proximity sensor (e.g. photoelectric sensor) carried by a support arm 1706 that positions the indicator position sensor 1704 adjacent to the safety tray 10310 of the sharps container 10300, which serves as a mechanical full container indicator. The indicator position sensor 1704 can detect when the safety tray 10310 moves from the retracted position (see e.g. the first configuration shown in Figure 6B) and the extended position (see e.g. the second configuration shown in Figure 6A) as a fullness parameter, for which the respective fullness threshold is met by the safety tray 10310 being in the extended position. The indicator position sensor 1704 is communicatively coupled to the agitator 1006. For example, a controller may be included within the main drive module 1072, or within the housing of the indicator position sensor 1704, or may be a separate element. Such communication may use either wired or wireless (e.g. Bluetooth®) communication, or a combination. Where a controller is used, the controllermay be coupled to a wireless module and may transmit fullness signals in the manner described above. In the illustrated embodiment, a single battery 1056 is used to power both the main drive module 1072 and the indicator position sensor 1704 (wiring for such connections is omitted from the drawing for clarity of illustration); in other embodiments each component may have its own power source. In some embodiments, additional sensors such as height sensors and / or weight sensors may be used in addition to. or as altemative(s) to, the indicator position sensor 1704.

[0086] Reference is now made to Figure 11, which shows another illustrative mounting bracket system, indicated generally at reference 1100. The mounting bracket system 1100 comprises an anchor in the form of a freestanding wheeled cart 1102 adapted to movably support a hazardous waste container in the form of a sharps container 1180.

[0087] The mounting bracket system 1100 further comprises an agitator 1106 carried by the wheeled cart 1102 and adapted to agitate the sharps container 1180 relative to the wheeled cart 1102. The agitator 1106 shown in Figure 11 may be similar to the agitator 1006 shown in Figure 10. Agitation of the sharps container 1180 by the agitator 1106 settles contents of the sharps container 1180 in a manner analogous to that described above. In some embodiments, the agitator 1106 may be driven by a timer circuit.

[0088] In the illustrative embodiment shown in Figure 11, the agitator 1106 is responsive to a height sensor 1702, which is similar to the height sensor 702 described above in the context of Figures 7 and 7A. The height sensor 1702 is communicatively coupled to the agitator 1106, preferably via a controller. Where a controller is used, the controller may be coupled to a wireless module and may transmit fullness signals in the manner described above. In a preferred embodiment, the height sensor 1702 is used in combination with a weight sensor. Depending on the type of hazardous waste container, an indicator position sensor may also be used.

[0089] In the illustrated embodiment, the wheeled cart 1102 can also support one or more smaller hazardous waste containers 1182, which may have their own dedicated fullness sensors 1184 (e.g. height sensors), but for which a separate agitator is not provided.

[0090] Figure 12 shows yet another illustrative embodiment of a mounting bracket system for a hazardous waste container, indicated generally at reference 1200. The mounting bracket system 1200 comprises an anchor in the form of a shallow, open-topped basket 1202 adapted to movably support a relatively larger hazardous waste container 1280. The basket 1202 may befixed to a floor or other surface, or may be freestanding relative to the surface on which it is disposed. The mounting bracket system 1200 further comprises an agitator 1206 adapted to agitate the hazardous waste container 1280 relative to the basket 1202, so that the agitation of the hazardous waste container 1280 by the agitator 1206 settles the contents of the hazardous waste container 1280. In the illustrated embodiment, a carrier in the form of a plate 1204 is supported within the basket 1202 and configured to receive the hazardous waste container 1280. The agitator 1206 (e.g. a vibrator assembly) is interposed between the basket 1202 and the plate 1204 to agitate the plate 1204 and thereby agitate the hazardous waste container 1280 resting on the plate 1204. In some embodiments, the agitator 1206 may be driven by a timer circuit, either alone or in combination with one or more other sensors. In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of weight sensors 1286 are disposed between the plate 1204 and the base of the basket 1202, and the agitator 1206 is responsive to the weight sensor, preferably via a controller. Where a controller is used, the controller may be coupled to a wireless module and may transmit fullness signals in the manner described above. A height sensor may be used in addition to or as an alternative to the weight sensors.

[0091] Reference is now made to Figure 13, which is a flow chart illustrating a method 1300 for managing a hazardous waste container, for example a sharps container. The method 1300 may be implemented, without limitation, using any of the mounting bracket systems described above.

[0092] At step 1302, the hazardous waste container is movably supported, for example on the anchor of one of the mounting bracket systems described above. At step 1304, the method 1300 automatically controls at least one agitator configured to agitate the hazardous waste container. As a result, at step 1306 the contents of the hazardous waste container settle from the agitation.

[0093] Control of the agitator(s) may be provided by a timer and / or one or more fullness sensors. In preferred embodiments, the automatic control of the agitator(s) at step 1304 comprises activating the agitator(s) in response to an indication from at least one fullness sensor, which may reflect one or more of a weight of the contents of the hazardous waste container, a height of the contents of the hazardous waste container and / or detecting movement of a mechanical full container indicator of the hazardous waste container from a first configuration toward a secondconfiguration. Tn the latter case, the first configuration is one that is maintained when a height of contents in the hazardous waste container is below a predetermined level, and the second configuration is one that results from the height of the contents of the hazardous waste container reaching the predetermined level.

[0094] Where the automatic control of the agitator(s) at step 1304 comprises activating the agitator(s) in response to an indication from at least one fullness sensor, the method 1300 preferably comprises additional optional step 1308 of transmitting a fullness signal indicating a fullness of the hazardous waste container based on the indication from the fullness sensor(s). Although shown as occurring after step 1304, step 1308 may also occur before step 1304 or substantially simultaneously with step 1304.

[0095] In some embodiments including optional step 1308 of transmitting a fullness signal, step 1308 occurs in response to the indication from the fullness sensor(s). In other embodiments including step 1308, the controlling step 1304 causes activation of the agitator(s) in response to the indication from the fullness sensor(s), and optional step 1308 of transmitting the fullness signal occurs only responsive to the indication from the at least one fullness sensor persisting beyond completion of the activation of the agitator.

[0096] Various embodiments of the mounting bracket system according to aspects of the present disclosure may comprise a manual actuator coupled to the agitator(s) to enable a user to manually activate the agitator(s). The manual actuator may comprise any suitable user interface, including mechanical, no-contact or other interfaces. Similarly, various embodiments of the mounting bracket system according to aspects of the present disclosure may comprise a manual control configured to indicate to, for example, software implemented by a coordinating computer system, or by a related computer system, a notification triggering collection of hazardous waste containers that are identified as full (e.g. to maintenance personnel).

[0097] As noted above, various embodiments of mounting bracket systems according to aspects of the present disclosure can be configured to transmit one or more fullness signals, and optionally error signals (e.g. “jammed”) which enables a method for monitoring a plurality of hazardous waste containers, which method may be administered, for example, by a coordinating computer system.

[0098] Mounting bracket systems according to aspects of the present disclosure may comprise part of a system that monitors various metrics of sharps containers or other hazardous waste containers, and which communicates this information to software executing on a coordinating computer system. This software may monitor the status of many hazardous waste containers across a given site, notify users (e.g. maintenance personnel) whenever hazardous waste containers become full or jammed, sort and prioritize service of the hazardous waste containers by urgency, the frequency at which they become full, the rate of fill, or other preset conditions, and may record an inventory of hazardous waste containers that have become full to mark these for replacement.

[0099] Sharps containers, biohazard bins and other hazardous waste containers come in different sizes, shapes and volumes for use in association with different tasks and locations, and may produce different waste-streams, and areas. Software implemented by a coordinating computer system, or by a related computer system, may allow for a running inventory of all such hazardous waste containers, to maintain enough of each hazardous waste container in the ‘empty’ state to replace ‘full’ containers, without exceeding storage space constraints.

[0100] Software implemented by a coordinating computer system, or by a related computer system, may provide for automatic notification of users (e.g. maintenance personnel), triggering collection of hazardous waste containers that are identified as full (e.g. based on fullness signals).

[0101] Software implemented by a coordinating computer system, or by a related computer system, may be provided by, or coordinate with, a disposal agent (e.g. a hazardous waste disposal company), which allows for automatic notification of the disposal provider to trigger pickup of the collected hazardous waste containers for disposal. For example, the disposal provider may be notified when the number or volume of the collected hazardous waste containers reaches a ‘set point’, which may be, or be close to, the optimal pickup volume to fill a single truck or other vehicle, thus optimizing the number of pickup trips a disposal agent must make. In some embodiments, the software may also allow for automatic billing by a disposal agent on a “bycontainer” basis, using the up-to-date inventory function.

[0102] Software implemented by a coordinating computer system, or by a related computer system, may integrate and monitor metrics for hazardous waste containers, including fullness jam status, weight, and location and, where suitable locking devices are used, may automatically lockand unlock mounting bracket systems for designated users, for example, via wireless communication. In some embodiments, disengagement and re-engagement of a locking device may be used to generate reports about when the associated hazardous waste container was serviced.

[0103] Software implemented by a coordinating computer system, or by a related computer system, may use fullness signals to determine the frequency at which particular hazardous waste containers require service, and the rate at which hazardous waste containers typically fill, to make personnel recommendations (e.g. number of staff). Software implemented by a coordinating computer system may also collect data on the contents of hazardous waste containers at regular or irregular intervals, or on demand.

[0104] The coordinating computer system may include, or be coupled to, one or more communication networks, e.g. Local Area Network, Wide Area Network, and / or the Internet, and can transfer data to a local or remote data repository at regular or irregular intervals, or on demand. Other computer systems may be able to access the data repository, and may be able to extract and process data from the data repository. The coordinating computer system and / or data repository and / or related computer systems may communicate with portable computing devices (e.g. laptops, tablets, smartphones) or stationary computing devices (e.g. desktop computers, servers), which computing devices can provide data, such as the location and other information for a newly installed mounting bracket system according to aspects of the present disclosure. Mounting bracket systems according to aspects of the present disclosure may include a GPS module, a beacon or other locating device, and may transmit location information.

[0105] Software implemented by a coordinating computer system, or by a related computer system, may record and analyze downtime and servicing of hazardous waste containers for use as indicators to project future costs and inventory needs, or to estimate when a hazardous waste container is expected to be filled and suggest that hazardous waste container be serviced at a suggested time. Locations of hazardous waste containers, service rates, fill rates, downtime rates, status (e.g. how full), priority and proximity may be applied on a map for optimal route mapping for immediate servicing and projected future servicing and each may be refined with time and use for each unique environment. Projections may be made to predict weekly and yearly volume of containers needed.

[0106] The following list of reference numerals is provided for convenience only and no limitation is implied. The list of reference numerals may not be complete:100 Mounting bracket system (generally)102 Anchor104 Carrier106 Agitator108 Baseplate110 Mounting holes through baseplate112 Threaded fasteners114 T-sections120 Yoke (generally)122 Crank (generally)124 Motor126 Central slider of yoke128 Slider slot130 Container support aims132 Guide rods134 Spacers (between container support arms and guide rods)136 Yoke guides (on baseplate)138 Guide apertures (in yoke guides)140 Driven end of crank142 Drive end of crank144 Crank arm146 Slider follower bearing148 Controller150 Wireless module152 Battery recess in baseplate156 Battery158 Transceiver in wireless module160 Stop at distal end of T-section162 Housing164 Agitator slot in housing166 Retainer aperture300 Sharps container300A First different type of sharps container00B Second different type of sharps container 02 Receptacle of sharps container 04 Interior volume of receptacle 06 Cover of sharps container 08 Protective sidewalls 10 Safety tray 12 Opening of sharps container 14 T-slot mounting fixture of sharps container 16 Slot of T-slot mounting fixture 18 Lip of receptacle 20 Floor of receptacle 00 Motor axis 02 Needles 04A Sparse pile of needles 04B Compacted pile of needles 06 Large voids in sparse pile of needles 08A First height (of sparse pile of needles) 08B Second height (of compacted pile of needles) 02 Height sensor 04 Indicator position sensor 814A Bucket 814B Cage 814C Clamp 880 Horizontally adjustable L-shaped clamp arms 882 Vertically adjustable L-shaped clamp arm 1000 Mounting bracket system (generally) 1002 Anchor 1004 Carrier 1006 Agitator 1008 Baseplate 1028 Slot 1056 Battery 1070 Wall 1072 Main drive module 1074 Agitation arm 1076 Contact pad1704 Indicator position sensor1706 Support arm10300 Sharps container10302 Receptacle of sharps container10310 Safety tray of sharps container1100 Mounting bracket system (generally)1102 Wheeled cart1106 Agitator1702 Height sensor1180 Sharps container1182 Smaller hazardous waste container1184 Dedicated fullness sensor (for smaller hazardous waste container)1200 Mounting bracket system (generally)1202 Open-topped basket1204 Plate1206 Agitator1280 Hazardous waste container1286 Weight sensors1300 Method1302 Step: movably support hazardous waste container1304 Step: automatically control agitator(s) to agitate hazardous waste container1306 Step: contents of hazardous waste container settle from agitation1308 Step: automatically transmit fullness signal based on indication from fullness sensor(s)

[0107] One or more currently preferred embodiments have been described by way of example. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

Claims

WHAT TS CLAIMED IS:

1. A mounting bracket system for a hazardous waste container, the mounting bracket system comprising: an anchor adapted to movably support the hazardous waste container; and at least one agitator adapted to agitate the hazardous waste container relative to the anchor; whereby agitation of the hazardous waste container by the at least one agitator thereby settles contents of the hazardous waste container.

2. The mounting bracket system of claim 1, wherein: the anchor is adapted to movably support the hazardous waste container by way of a carrier movably coupled to the anchor, the carrier being adapted to releasably receive the hazardous waste container and the at least one agitator being adapted to agitate the carrier relative to the anchor.

3. The mounting bracket system of claim 2, wherein the at least one agitator is interposed between the anchor and the carrier.

4. The mounting bracket system of any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, further comprising: at least one fullness sensor, wherein each of the at least one fullness sensor is configured to detect a respective fullness parameter for the hazardous waste container; wherein the at least one fullness sensor is communicatively coupled to the at least one agitator to cause activation of the at least one agitator in response to an indication from the at least one fullness sensor indicating that a respective threshold for the respective fullness parameter is met.

5. The mounting bracket system of claim 4, wherein: the at least one fullness sensor is communicatively coupled to the at least one agitator via a controller by way of the at least one fullness sensor being communicatively coupled to the controller and the controller being communicatively coupled to the at least one agitator.

6. The mounting bracket system of claim 5, wherein: the controller is communicatively coupled to at least one transmitting element and configured to use the at least one transmitting element to transmit a fullness signal indicating afullness of the hazardous waste container based on the indication from the at least one fullness sensor.

7. The mounting bracket system of claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to use the at least one transmitting element to transmit the fullness signal substantially immediately in response to the indication from the at least one fullness sensor.

8. The mounting bracket system of claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to: cause activation of the at least one agitator in response to the indication from the at least one fullness sensor; and use the at least one transmitting element to transmit the fullness signal only responsive to the indication from the at least one fullness sensor persisting beyond completion of the activation of the agitator.

9. The mounting bracket system of any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the at least one fullness sensor comprises a weight sensor for which the respective fullness parameter is a weight of the contents of the hazardous waste container.

10. The mounting bracket system of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one fullness sensor comprises at least one height sensor for which the respective fullness parameter reflects a height of contents of the hazardous waste container relative to a floor of the hazardous waste container.

11. The mounting bracket system of any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the at least one fullness sensor comprises at least one indicator position sensor configured to detect movement of a mechanical full container indicator of the hazardous waste container from a first configuration to a second configuration, wherein the first configuration is one that is maintained when a height of contents in the hazardous waste container is below a predetermined level, and the second configuration is one that results from the height of the contents of the hazardous waste container reaching the predetermined level, wherein the respective fullness parameter for the at least one indicator position sensor is a position of the full container indicator and the respective fullness threshold is met by the full container indicator being in the second configuration.

12. The mounting bracket system of any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein: the at least one fullness sensor comprises: at least one height sensor for which the respective fullness parameter reflects a height of contents of the hazardous waste container relative to a floor of the hazardous waste container and the respective fullness threshold is met by a predetermined level of the contents of the hazardous waste container; at least one indicator position sensor configured to detect movement of a mechanical full container indicator of the hazardous waste container from a first configuration to a second configuration, wherein the first configuration is one that is maintained when the height of the contents in the hazardous waste container is below a predetermined level, and the second configuration is one that results from the height of the contents of the hazardous waste container reaching the predetermined level, wherein the respective fullness parameter for the at least one indicator position sensor is a position of the full container indicator and the respective fullness threshold is met by the full container indicator being in the second configuration; wherein the indication from the at least one fullness sensor indicating that the respective threshold for the respective fullness parameter is met is satisfaction of both: an indication from the at least one height sensor that the predetermined level of the contents of the hazardous waste container is satisfied; and an indication from the at least one indicator position sensor that the full container indicator is in the second configuration.

13. The mounting bracket system of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the hazardous waste container is a sharps container.

14. A combination comprising the mounting bracket system of claim 13 and further comprising the sharps container supported by the anchor.

15. The mounting bracket system of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the at least one agitator is periodically activated by a timer.

16. The mounting bracket system of any one of claims 3 to 13 or claim 15, wherein the at least one agitator comprises a scotch yoke.

17. The mounting bracket system of any one of claims 3 to 13 or 15, wherein the at least one agitator comprises a Whitworth mechanism.

18. The mounting bracket system of any one of claims 3 to 13 or 15, wherein the at least one agitator comprises a rack-and-pinion assembly.

19. The mounting bracket system of any one of claims 3 to 13 or 15 to 18, wherein the carrier comprises a hanger.

20. The mounting bracket system of any one of claims 3 to 13 or 15 to 18, wherein the carrier comprises a bucket.

21. The mounting bracket system of any one of claims 3 to 13 or 15 to 18, wherein the carrier comprises a cage.

22. The mounting bracket system of any one of claims 3 to 13 or 15 to 18, wherein the carrier comprises a clamp.

23. The mounting bracket system of claim 1 , wherein the agitator is responsive to an indication from at least one fullness sensor configured to detect a respective fullness parameter for the hazardous waste container, wherein the indication indicates that a respective threshold for the respective fullness parameter is met.

24. The mounting bracket system of claim 23, wherein the agitator is responsive to the indication from the at least one fullness sensor via a controller that is communicatively coupled to the at least one agitator, wherein the controller is configured to receive the indication from the at least one fullness sensor.

25. The mounting bracket system of claim 24, wherein: the controller is communicatively coupled to at least one transmitting element and configured to use the at least one transmitting element to transmit a fullness signal indicating afullness of the hazardous waste container based on the indication from the at least one fullness sensor.

26. The mounting bracket system of claim 25, wherein the controller is configured to use the at least one transmitting element to transmit the fullness signal substantially immediately in response to the indication from the at least one fullness sensor.

27. The mounting bracket system of claim 25. wherein the controller is configured to: cause activation of the at least one agitator in response to the indication from the at least one fullness sensor; and use the at least one transmitting element to transmit the fullness signal only responsive to the indication from the at least one fullness sensor persisting beyond completion of the activation of the agitator.

28. The mounting bracket system of any one of claims 23 to 27, further comprising the at least one fullness sensor.

29. The mounting bracket system of claim 28, wherein the at least one fullness sensor comprises a weight sensor for which the respective fullness parameter is a weight of the contents of the hazardous waste container.

30. The mounting bracket system of claim 28, wherein the at least one fullness sensor comprises at least one height sensor for which the respective fullness parameter reflects a height of contents of the hazardous waste container relative to a floor of the hazardous waste container.

31. The mounting bracket system of claim 28, wherein the at least one fullness sensor comprises at least one indicator position sensor configured to detect movement of a mechanical full container indicator of the hazardous waste container from a first configuration to a second configuration, wherein the first configuration is one that is maintained when a height of contents in the hazardous waste container is below a predetermined level, and the second configuration is one that results from the height of the contents of the hazardous waste container reaching the predetermined level, wherein the respective fullness parameter for the at least one indicatorposition sensor is a position of the full container indicator and the respective fullness threshold is met by the full container indicator being in the second configuration.

32. The mounting bracket system of claim 28, wherein: the at least one fullness sensor comprises: at least one height sensor for which the respective fullness parameter reflects a height of contents of the hazardous waste container relative to a floor of the hazardous waste container and the respective fullness threshold is met by a predetermined level of the contents of the hazardous waste container; at least one indicator position sensor configured to detect movement of a mechanical full container indicator of the hazardous waste container from a first configuration to a second configuration, wherein the first configuration is one that is maintained when the height of the contents in the hazardous waste container is below a predetermined level, and the second configuration is one that results from the height of the contents of the hazardous waste container reaching the predetermined level, wherein the respective fullness parameter for the at least one indicator position sensor is a position of the full container indicator and the respective fullness threshold is met by the full container indicator being in the second configuration; wherein the indication from the at least one fullness sensor indicating that the respective threshold for the respective fullness parameter is met is satisfaction of both: an indication from the at least one height sensor that the predetermined level of the contents of the hazardous waste container is satisfied; and an indication from the at least one indicator position sensor that the full container indicator is in the second configuration.

33. The mounting bracket system of any one of claims 23 to 27, wherein the hazardous waste container is a sharps container.

34. A combination comprising the mounting bracket system of claim 33 and further comprising the sharps container supported by the anchor.

35. The mounting bracket system of any one of claims 23 to 27 or 33, wherein the at least one agitator is periodically activated by a timer.

36. The mounting bracket system of any one of claims 23 to 33 or 35, wherein the at least one agitator comprises a scotch yoke.

37. The mounting bracket system of any one of claims 23 to 33 or 35, wherein the at least one agitator comprises a Whitworth mechanism.

38. The mounting bracket system of any one of claims 23 to 33 or 35, wherein the at least one agitator comprises a rack-and-pinion assembly.

39. The mounting bracket system of any one of claims 23 to 33 or 35 to 38, wherein the carrier comprises a hanger.

40. The mounting bracket system of any one of claims 23 to 33 or 35 to 38, wherein the earner comprises a bucket.

41. The mounting bracket system of any one of claims 23 to 33 or 35 to 38, wherein the carrier comprises a cage.

42. The mounting bracket system of any one of claims 23 to 33 or 35 to 38, wherein the carrier comprises a clamp.

43. A method for managing a hazardous waste container, comprising: movably supporting the hazardous waste container; and automatically controlling at least one agitator to agitate the hazardous waste container; whereby agitation of the hazardous waste container by the at least one agitator thereby settles contents of the hazardous waste container.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein: automatically controlling at least one agitator comprises activating the at least one agitator in response to an indication from at least one fullness sensor.

45. The method of claim 44, further comprising: automatically transmitting a fullness signal indicating a fullness of the hazardous waste container based on the indication from the at least one fullness sensor.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein transmitting the fullness signal occurs in response to the indication from the at least one fullness sensor.

47. The method of claim 45, further comprising: automatically controlling at least one agitator comprises causing activation of the at least one agitator in response to the indication from the at least one fullness sensor; and wherein transmitting the fullness signal occurs only responsive to the indication from the at least one fullness sensor persisting beyond completion of the activation of the agitator.

48. The method of any one of claims 43 to 47, wherein the indication from the at least one fullness sensor reflects a weight of the contents of the hazardous waste container.

49. The method of any one of claims 43 to 47, wherein the indication from the at least one fullness sensor reflects a height of contents of the hazardous waste container relative to a floor of the hazardous waste container.

50. The method of any one of claims 43 to 47, wherein the indication from the at least one fullness sensor reflects detecting movement of a mechanical full container indicator of the hazardous waste container from a first configuration to a second configuration, wherein the first configuration is one that is maintained when a height of contents in the hazardous waste container is below a predetermined level, and the second configuration is one that results from the height of the contents of the hazardous waste container reaching the predetermined level, wherein the indication from the at least one fullness sensor reflects movement of the mechanical full container indicator from the first configuration toward the second configuration.

51. Anything as herein shown or described.

Images