Animal resistant insert for a trash container

Abstract

An animal resistant insert for a trash container is disclosed. The insert comprises a platform portion bounded by an edge and a flange portion extending from the edge of the platform portion at an angle. The flange portion terminates at a terminal circumference, the terminal circumference being approximately equal to the inner circumference of the trash container. The insert further comprises at least one handle extending from the platform portion. The insert may also comprise a rim of resilient material attached to the terminal circumference of the flange portion and at least one ventilation hole disposed on the platform portion. The invention may further comprise a replaceable cover for sealing and uncovering the ventilation holes

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An animal resistant insert for a trash container, the trash container having an inner circumference, comprising: 
 a platform portion having a continuous edge;    a flange portion extending from the edge of the platform portion at an angle;    the flange portion terminating at a terminal circumference, the terminal circumference being approximately equal to the inner circumference of the trash container; and    at least one handle extending from the platform portion.    
     
     
         2 . The animal resistant insert of  claim 1 , further comprising a rim attached to the terminal circumference of the flange portion.  
     
     
         3 . The animal resistant insert of  claim 2 , wherein the rim comprises a strip of resilient material.  
     
     
         4 . The animal resistant insert of  claim 3 , wherein the resilient material is chosen from a group including rubber, plastic, vinyl and flexible polymeric material.  
     
     
         5 . The animal resistant insert of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one ventilation hole disposed on the platform portion.  
     
     
         6 . The animal resistant insert of  claim 5 , further comprising a replaceable cover for sealing and uncovering the ventilation holes.  
     
     
         7 . The animal resistant insert of  claim 1 , wherein the edge of the platform portion and the terminal circumference of the flange portion are rectangular in shape.  
     
     
         8 . The animal resistant insert of  claim 7 , wherein the edge of the platform portion and the terminal circumference of the flange portion have rounded corners.  
     
     
         9 . The animal resistant insert of  claim 1 , wherein the edge of the platform portion and the terminal circumference of the flange portion are circular in shape.  
     
     
         10 . An animal resistant insert for a trash container, the trash container having an inner circumference, comprising: 
 a platform portion having a continuous edge;    a flange portion extending from the edge of the platform portion at an angle;    the flange portion terminating at a terminal circumference, the terminal circumference being approximately equal to the inner circumference of the trash container;    at least one handle extending from the platform portion; and    a rim attached to the terminal circumference of the flange portion.    
     
     
         11 . The animal resistant insert of  claim 10 , wherein the rim comprises a strip of resilient material.  
     
     
         12 . The animal resistant insert of  claim 11 , wherein the resilient material is chosen from a group including rubber, plastic, vinyl and flexible polymeric material.  
     
     
         13 . The animal resistant insert of  claim 10 , further comprising at least one ventilation hole disposed on the platform portion.  
     
     
         14 . The animal resistant insert of  claim 13 , further comprising a replaceable cover for sealing and uncovering the ventilation holes.  
     
     
         15 . The animal resistant insert of  claim 10 , wherein the edge of the platform portion and the terminal circumference of the flange portion are rectangular in shape.  
     
     
         16 . The animal resistant insert of  claim 15 , wherein the edge of the platform portion and the terminal circumference of the flange portion have rounded corners.  
     
     
         17 . The animal resistant insert of  claim 10 , wherein the edge of the platform portion and the terminal circumference of the flange portion are circular in shape.  
     
     
         18 . An animal resistant insert for a trash container, the trash container having an inner circumference, comprising: 
 a platform portion having a continuous edge;    a flange portion extending from the edge of the platform portion at an angle;    the flange portion terminating at a terminal circumference, the terminal circumference being approximately equal to the inner circumference of the trash container;    at least one handle extending from the platform portion;    a rim attached to the terminal circumference of the flange portion; and    at least one ventilation hole disposed on the platform portion.    
     
     
         19 . The animal resistant insert of  claim 18 , wherein the rim comprises a strip of resilient material.  
     
     
         20 . The animal resistant insert of  claim 19 , wherein the resilient material is chosen from a group including rubber, plastic, vinyl and flexible polymeric material.  
     
     
         21 . The animal resistant insert of  claim 18 , further comprising a replaceable cover for sealing and uncovering the ventilation holes.  
     
     
         22 . The animal resistant insert of  claim 18 , wherein the edge of the platform portion and the terminal circumference of the flange portion are rectangular in shape.  
     
     
         23 . The animal resistant insert of  claim 22 , wherein the edge of the platform portion and the terminal circumference of the flange portion have rounded corners.  
     
     
         24 . The animal resistant insert of  claim 18 , wherein the edge of the platform portion and the terminal circumference of the flange portion are circular in shape.