Trash can with auto lid locking mechanism

A trash can with auto lid locking mechanism, the trash can comprising:

• a can body with an opening for receiving trash;
• a lid connected to the can body by way of a hinge, the lid being movable about the hinge between a closed position and an open position with respect to the can body, wherein the lid is configured to seal the opening when in the closed position;
• a latch assembly configured to have a lock position and an unlock position;
• an actuation subsystem including
• (a) a pedal configured to cause activation of the actuation subsystem when an activation force is applied to the pedal,
• (b) an elongated link member in mechanical communication between the pedal and the hinge, the elongated link member being configured to receive a lifting force and thereby impart an opening force on the lid when the actuation subsystem is activated, and
• (c) a wire in mechanical communication between the pedal and the latch assembly;
• wherein
• (a) the latch assembly is configured to lock the lid in the closed position by engaging an inner surface of the can body proximate the opening when the lid is in the closed position and the latch assembly is in the lock position,
• (b) activation of the actuation subsystem results in
• (i) the latch assembly moving to the unlock position by way of the wire, and
• (ii) the lid moving to the open position by way of the elongated link member, and
• (c) removal of the activation force from the pedal is sufficient to cause the lid to move to the closed position and the latch assembly to move to the lock position.