Animal resistant latching system

An animal resistant latching system for use with a container to inhibit access to the interior of the container by animals, the latching system comprising:

• an access panel having a first and a second side and an opening formed between the first and second sides wherein the access panel is adapted to be moved between an open and a closed position with respect to the container;
• at least one latching member that is movable between a latched position and an unlatched position wherein the at least one latching member is coupled to the access panel at a location wherein the at least one latching member inhibits movement of the access panel to thereby inhibit access to the container in the latched position and wherein the at least one latching member permits movement of the access panel to thereby allow access to the container in the unlatched position;
• a cam assembly having a lever wherein the cam assembly is mounted to a first side of the access panel and wherein the cam assembly is coupled to the at least one latching member such that movement of the cam assembly results in movement of the at least one latching member between the latched and unlatched positions and wherein the lever is positioned adjacent the opening in the access panel and is accessible so as to allow a person to move the cam assembly so as to urge the at least one latching member from the latched position to an unlatched position;
• a cover that is mounted on the second side of the access panel so as to cover the opening in the access panel wherein the cover has side walls that extends outward from the plane of the second side of the access panel and an outer surface that interconnects the side walls so as to define a space positioned above the opening in the access panel wherein the cover defines a cover opening having a first height above the plane of the second side of the access panel that permits access into the space defined by the cover and also to the lever of the cam assembly to permit movement of the cam assembly via the opening in the access panel wherein the cover opening is dimensioned so as to allow access to the lever in the access panel to manipulate the at least one latching member from the latched position to the unlatched position;
• and
• a bracket positioned on the second side of the access panel adjacent the cover opening wherein the bracket extends outward from pane of the second surface of the panel a distance substantially equal to the first height of the cover opening and wherein the bracket is spaced from the cover opening.