Refuse container locking apparatus and method

A method of sealing a refuse container comprising (i) a refuse container bin having a sidewall and an open end, and (ii) a container lid mountable to the open end of the refuse container bin, the container lid having an open position providing access to the open end of the bin and a closed position covering the open end of the bin, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) moving the container lid to the closed position;
• and
• b) after step (a) locking the lid in the closed position with a lid locking apparatus comprising (I) a locking hasp arm mounted to the container sidewall and having a bolt opening and (II) a locking bolt mounted on the container lid adjacent the locking hasp arm by:
• (i) linearly sliding the locking hasp arm from a first arm distal position spaced from the container lid to an interlocking position adjacent the container lid;
• and
• (ii) after step b) i), linearly sliding the locking bolt from a locking bolt distal position spaced from the container sidewall to a locking bolt interlocking position adjacent the container lid so that the locking bolt penetrates the bolt opening in the locking hasp arm.

A method of unlocking a refuse container comprising (i) a refuse container bin having a sidewall and an open end, and (ii) a container lid mountable to the open end of the refuse container bin, the container lid having an open position providing access to the open end of the bin and a closed position covering the open end of the bin, the container lid being in the closed position, the refuse container having a lid locking apparatus comprising (I) a first locking arm mounted to the container sidewall and (II) a second locking arm mounted on the container lid adjacent the locking first locking arm with the first and second locking arms in an interlocked position preventing the lid from being moved to the open position,

• the method comprising the steps of:
• (i) linearly sliding the first locking arm from the interlocking position to a first arm distal position spaced from the container lid;
• and
• (ii) linearly sliding the second locking arm from the interlocking position;
• and b) after step (a) moving the container lid to the open position.

A method of sealing a container comprising (i) a container having a sidewall and an open end, (ii) a container lid mountable to the open end of the container, the container lid having an open position providing access to the open end of the container and a closed position covering the open end of the container, and (iii) a lid locking apparatus comprising (I) a first slidable locking arm mounted to the container sidewall, the first slidable locking arm having a first arm distal position spaced from the container lid and a first arm interlocking position adjacent the container lid, the first locking arm being biased toward the first arm distal position, and (II) a second slidable locking arm mounted on the container lid, the second slidable locking arm having a second arm distal position spaced from the container sidewall and a second arm interlocking position, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) moving the container lid to the closed position;
• and
• b) after step (a) locking the lid in the closed position by
• (i) sliding the first locking arm against the bias from the first arm distal position to the first arm interlocking position, and
• (ii) sliding the second locking arm along the second channel from the second arm distal position to the second arm interlocking position,
• wherein the second locking arm interlocks with the first locking arm thereby locking the lid in the closed position.