Signaling device for use with a container

A method for signaling that a container has been accessed, wherein the container includes a body for receiving contents through an opening formed in the container, a cover for enclosing the opening in the body of the container, a hinged connection for joining the body and the cover, and structure for engagement by means for lifting the container to a collection area, wherein a signaling apparatus includes an attachment assembly which is coupled with the hinged connection of the container, for engaging portions of the hinged connection so that the attachment assembly can rotate relative to the hinged connection and so that the signaling apparatus can rotate relative to the body and the cover, a flag extending from the attachment assembly and having a configuration capable of extending over the cover, and a stop extending from the attachment assembly and having a configuration capable of engaging the body of the container, and wherein the method comprises the steps of:

• slidingly coupling the signaling apparatus with the hinged connection so that the flag and the stop are rotatable relative to the cover and the hinged connection, between a lowered position in which the flag is positioned over the cover and the stop is spaced from the body of the container, and a raised position in which the flag is placed in a generally vertical orientation and the stop is in contact with the body of the container;
• raising the cover of the container, engaging the flag and rotating the attachment assembly about the hinged connection so that the flag in the lowered position is engaged by the cover;
• automatically rotating the flag, the stop and the attachment assembly relative to the hinged connection, moving the flag from the lowered position to the raised position responsive to movement of the cover, while simultaneously rotating the stop and the attachment assembly relative to the hinged connection, bringing the stop into engagement with the body of the container;
• and
• lowering the cover to enclose the opening of the container, while leaving the flag in the raised position, and while leaving the stop in contact with the body of the container, wherein when the container is inverted and subsequently returned to an upright position by the lifting means, gravity will move the flag and the stop from the raised position to the lowered position.

A method for signaling that any one of a plurality of subscriber's containers has been accessed and that the accessed container is ready to be emptied, wherein the accessed container includes a body for receiving contents through an opening formed in the accessed container, a cover for enclosing the opening in the body of the accessed container, a hinged connection for joining the body and the cover, and structure for engaging means for lifting the accessed container to a collection area, wherein a signaling apparatus includes an attachment assembly coupled with the hinged connection of the accessed container, for engaging portions of the hinged connection so that the signaling apparatus can rotate about the hinged connection and relative to the body and the cover, a flag extending from the attachment assembly and having a configuration capable of extending over the cover, and a stop extending from the attachment assembly and having a configuration capable of engaging the body of the accessed container, and wherein the method comprises the steps of:

• coupling the flag with the hinged connection so that the flag is movable between a lowered position in which the flag is positioned over the cover and the stop is spaced from the body of the accessed container, and a raised position in which the flag is placed in a generally vertical orientation and the stop is in contact with the body of the accessed container;
• raising the cover of the accessed container so that the flag in the lowered position is engaged by the cover, automatically moving the flag from the lowered position to the raised position responsive to movement of the cover;
• lowering the cover to enclose the opening of the accessed container, while leaving the flag in the raised position;
• and
• engaging only the subscriber's containers having a flag in the raised position, wherein when the accessed container is inverted and subsequently returned to an upright position by the lifting means, gravity will move the flag and the stop from the raised position to the lowered position.