Container Types

The container types view in the Manage area presents a listing of all container types defined for the customer account.

The name, volume, sensor height (if defined), full height (if defined), and number of containers defined of that type is shown for each container type.

It is possible to search for a particular container type by any of the above criteria by typing the information to match in the search field at the top of the view.

Add a new container type

To add a new container type, select the "+ ADD CONTAINER TYPE" option in the top right corner of the container types listing view.

In the form presented, enter the name of the new container type. Container type names must be unique for the customer account.

Specify the shape of the new container type.

Specify the total usable volume, with appropriate unit of measure, for the container type. If the container has a larger physical volume than the total usable volume, such as a liquid container with a drop tube and a minimum air space requirement at top, where the container is never completely empty nor completely full insofar as the total physical volume is concerned, the usable volume from lowest usable "empty" level to maximum allowed full level should be specified.

If the container type utilizes a bag of any sort, click the "Has bag" option.

By default, it is assumed containers are fully serviced during each servicing event. If however a container type has only partial servicing, specify the servicing amount as "Partial".

Specify the sensor height, which is the distance from the level at which the container is considered empty to the lowermost point of the installed sensor. The diagram in the form illustrates the sensor height measurement in blue. This measurement is typically taken from the physical bottom of the container for solid waste containers or liquid containers without any sump, or from the bottom of the drop tube or location of a side mounted output valve for liquid containers with sumps.

Specify the full height, which is the height where the container is considered to be full, measured from the same lowermost point used to measure the sensor height. The full height may be equal to the sensor height, if the container can accommodate content all the way up to the sensor. In most cases, the full height will be less than the sensor height, such as for solid waste containers with domed lids or with access doors or flaps, or liquid containers which must maintain a certain minimum air space at the top.

If needed, any special details about the container type may be documented in the "DETAILS" tab.

If needed, an external ID can be associated with the container type.

Update the details of a container type

To edit an existing container type, open the container type form by selecting the container type from the container types listing.

The form for modifying an existing container type is the same as used for adding a new container type, except that its fields are pre-populated to reflect the current container type configuration. Modify the details of the container type as needed and click "Save". Note that once a container type has containers associated with it, only the name and external ID may be modified.

Criteria for defining container types

A distinct container type should be created for each group of containers which exactly share all of the following features: volume, shape, sensor height, full height (optional), use of a bag, total vs. partial servicing, same internal structure, and the same manner and location of the sensor installation. If any of these features differ from any previously defined container type, a new container type should be defined. It is important to consistently use the same container type for all containers which share these same features.

Container height variability

Some container types can vary in sensor and full height between individual containers even though being fully consistent for all other aspects. Such variation in heights can have a substantial affect on the consistency and accuracy of measurements, and therefore sensor and full height values cannot be defined for the container type itself; rather the height values must be defined for each individual container of that type.

To indicate to the service that the container type has height variability, the container type should be defined with no values specified for either sensor or full height. Omitting the values for sensor and full height will indicate to the service that these values must be defined for each individual container of that type.

Note that not all customer accounts will have support for container height variability and if not activated for the account both the sensor and full heights will always be required when defining a new container type.