Signals and indicators – Indicators – Rotary indicator with actuating means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-16
2001-10-02
Hirshfeld, Andrew H. (Department: 2859)
Signals and indicators
Indicators
Rotary indicator with actuating means
C116S215000, C220S908000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06295946
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a device for automatically signaling whether a particular container has been accessed, primarily for purposes of identifying containers which call for service subsequent to such access.
It is common practice in any of a variety of endeavors to station one or more containers at various locations for purposes of receiving and/or storing desired articles at each such location. For example, in conjunction with the collection of refuse, common practice is to station containers at each of a plurality of sites so that subscribers to the collecting service can deposit refuse in their respective containers for subsequent collection, usually according to a pre-established schedule. The collection service then takes appropriate steps, according to the established schedule, to empty the containers of its subscribers and to remove the contents for disposal.
A common practice for emptying the containers of their contents is to employ a service vehicle which includes a hopper for receiving the contents of the containers, and a lifting mechanism for engaging each of the several containers and for lifting the engaged container to the hopper. In the course of lifting the container to the hopper, steps are taken to invert the container so that its contents fall into the hopper under the influence of gravity. This is often facilitated by providing the lifting mechanism and the container with cooperating structures which enable the operator to perform the desired operations remotely, from the service vehicle.
Such a procedure can be quite efficient since the entire operation can be performed remotely, by a single operator driving the service vehicle. However, in the course of such operations, it is not uncommon for the operator to perform the scheduled operations on empty containers (e.g., on containers which have not been used since the last scheduled pick-up). This can tend to limit the overall efficiency of the operation, in turn contributing to unnecessary costs (e.g., labor costs, fuel costs, etc.).
It will be appreciated that other industries making use of containers for any of a variety of diverse purposes will tend to experience similar difficulties, as well as other problems which would benefit from an efficient device for indicating whether a container has been accessed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a device for signaling that a container has been accessed.
It is also the object of the present invention to provide a device for automatically signaling that a container has been accessed.
It is also the object of the present invention to provide a simple, reliable and low-cost device for automatically signaling that a container has been accessed.
These and other objects which will become apparent are achieved in accordance with the present invention by providing a signaling device which is mated with an otherwise conventional container to develop a change in state which is indicative of access to the container.
In conjunction with a refuse container having a body and a cover connected to the body of the container by a hinge, the signaling device preferably takes the form of a flag, one end of which is coupled with the hinge of the container. The hinged connection allows the flag to move between a lowered position in which the flag lies over the cover of the container, and a raised position in which the flag extends upwardly from the container.
Resulting from interaction between the flag and the cover, the flag is automatically moved from the lowered position to the raised position as the cover is opened, signaling that the container has been accessed. The flag is further automatically returned from the raised position to the lowered position when the container is emptied. For cases where the container is emptied by lifting the container to the hopper of a service vehicle, inversion of the container operates to return the flag to the lowered position after the container has been emptied.
The signaling device of the present invention can similarly be adapted to other types of containers, having uses other than refuse collection, for providing a positive indication that the particular container has been accessed.
In each case, this then allows an operator to empty only those containers having a signaling device which indicates that the particular container has been accessed, requiring the operator to empty only those containers likely to have contents and allowing the operator to bypass those containers showing no sign of having been accessed since the container was last emptied. This, in turn, allows the operator to proceed at a more rapid and efficient overall pace.
For further detail regarding a preferred implementation of the present invention, reference is made to the detailed description which is provided below, taken in conjunction with the following illustrations.
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Cardinal Automation, Inc.
Cohen Gary M.
Hirshfeld Andrew H.
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