Container assemblies with bag engaging member

Abstract

An insert for placement in an opening of a trashcan assembly includes a plurality of resilient, flexible fingers that define a passageway and that are configured to receive and retain a portion of a pliable liner that is extended through the passageway. The insert may be round or elliptical. The fingers define an open space there between in the shape of an “X”. Furthermore, each finger may include a portion thereof that extends in a first direction and then curves back to extend in a generally opposite direction. In this regard, each finger may be “L” shaped, “J” shaped, or “T” shaped. The insert further may include a circumferentially extending channel that fully encircles a circumferential periphery of the insert. Each finger is resilient and flexible and returns to an initial position after being deflected when a portion of a liner is inserted through the passageway.

1 - 96 . (canceled) 
   
   
       97 . An insert for placement in an opening of a trashcan assembly, the insert comprising a plurality of resilient, flexible fingers that define a passageway and that are configured to receive and retain a portion of a pliable liner that is extended through the passageway. 
   
   
       98 . The insert of  claim 97 , wherein the insert is round. 
   
   
       99 . The insert of  claim 97 , wherein the insert is elliptical. 
   
   
       100 . The insert of  claim 97 , wherein the fingers define an open space therebetween in the shape of an “X”. 
   
   
       101 . The insert of  claim 97 , wherein each finger includes a portion thereof that extends in a first direction and then curves back to extend in a generally opposite direction. 
   
   
       102 . The insert of  claim 97 , wherein the insert includes a circumferentially extending channel. 
   
   
       103 . The insert of  claim 102 , wherein the channel fully encircles a circumferential periphery of the insert. 
   
   
       104 . The insert of  claim 97 , wherein the insert comprises four fingers and wherein the four fingers do not include pointed ends all converging at a common point. 
   
   
       105 . The insert of  claim 104 , wherein the ends of the fingers point generally toward the interior space of the container. 
   
   
       106 . The insert of  claim 97 , wherein each finger is “L” shaped, “J” shaped, or “T” shaped. 
   
   
       107 . The insert of  claim 97 , wherein each finger is resilient and flexible and returns to an initial position after being deflected when a portion of a liner is inserted through the passageway. 
   
   
       108 . The insert of  claim 107 , wherein the insert defines a central opening having dimensions sufficient to receive therein a person's finger without deflection of the fingers. 
   
   
       109 . The insert of  claim 97 , wherein the fingers, in extending toward a center of the insert, protract in a first axial direction away from the center of the insert and then curve back to extend generally toward the center of the insert. 
   
   
       110 . The insert of  claim 97 , wherein the insert is injection molded. 
   
   
       111 . The insert of  claim 110 , wherein the insert consists of a single injection molded piece. 
   
   
       112 . The insert of  claim 111 , wherein each finger includes a portion thereof that extends away from a wall of the attachment member on an exterior of the attachment member and a portion thereof that extends toward the interior space of the container. 
   
   
       113 . The insert of  claim 111 , wherein the insert includes a circumferentially extending channel within which a portion of a wall of the attachment member is received such that the insert is secured to the attachment member. 
   
   
       114 . The insert of  claim 113 , wherein the channel fully encircles a circumferential periphery of the insert. 
   
   
       115 . The insert of  claim 111 , wherein the insert comprises four fingers and wherein the four fingers do not include pointed ends all converging at a common point. 
   
   
       116 . The insert of  claim 111 , wherein each finger is “L” shaped, “J” shaped, or “T” shaped.