Patent ID: 8418869

Claim:
A trash can, comprising: a body comprising: an outer sidewall defining an interior space and an open top, a base portion defining a lower cavity and a sidewall, and a lid hinged at the open top, the lid being pivotal between an open position and a closed position; a pivot mechanism partially housed in the lower cavity of the base portion for operating the lid, the pivot mechanism comprising: an exterior pedal disposed along the base portion, capable of pivoting the lid between the closed position and the open position, the exterior pedal having a first distal end and a second distal end; a first pivoting joint connected to the first distal end of the exterior pedal, extending through the sidewall of the base portion and connected to a first end of a first interior lever a second pivoting joint connected to the second distal end of the exterior pedal, extending through the sidewall of the base portion, and connected to a first end of a second interior lever a first rod extending between a second end of the first interior lever and the lid; a second rod extending between a second end of the second interior lever and the lid; a first motion damper near the second end of the first interior lever; and a second motion damper near the second end of the second interior lever, wherein the first and second dampers are configured to dampen motion of the first and second rods, respectively.