CONTAINER ASSEMBLY

• US 20110127264A1
• Filed: 11/30/2009
• Published: 06/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Plano Molding Company (The Carlyle Group LP (Corporate Private Equity))
• Original Assignee: Plano Molding Company (The Carlyle Group LP (Corporate Private Equity))
• Inventors: WHALEN, John H.
• Application Number:
  US12/627,511
• Publication Number:
  US 20110127264A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 220/203.01
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/1084 of the latch-and-catch type
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 5/03 Suitcases

Abstract

A container assembly includes a cover and a base that form a cavity in a closed configuration. The container assembly comprises a latch assembly that secures the cover to the base in a substantially closed configuration, and an opening that equalizes pressure between the cavity and outside the container assembly, wherein the opening is provided in the base, and wherein the cover comprises a latch catch that receives a portion of the latch assembly.

Claims

1. A container assembly, comprising:

a cover that includes a cover perimeter,

a base that includes a base perimeter, which is configured to mate with the cover perimeter to form a cavity;

a front latch assembly that secures a first portion of the cover to a first portion of the base;

a left latch assembly that secures a second portion of the cover to a second portion of the base;

a right latch assembly that secures a third portion of the cover to a third portion of the base;

a first valve assembly that equalizes pressure between the cavity and outside the base;

a second valve assembly that equalizes pressure between the cavity and outside the base; and

a hinge assembly that pivotally couples the cover to the base.

2. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the base comprises an opening that equalizes pressure between the cavity and outside the base.

3. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a channel.

4. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover perimeter comprises a channel that is configured to receive a seal.

5. The container assembly of claim 4, further comprising a seal.

6. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the front latch assembly, left latch assembly and right latch assembly are substantially the same.

7. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the front latch assembly comprises:

an upper latch portion that engages the first portion of the cover; and

a lower latch portion that moves to engage or disengage the upper latch portion.

8. The container assembly of claim 7, further comprising:

a third valve assembly that equalizes pressure between the cavity and outside the base,

wherein the lower latch portion comprises the third valve assembly.

9. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover and base comprise a polycarbonate material.

10. The container assembly of claim 1, further comprising an insert.

11. A container assembly having a cavity formed by a cover and a base, comprising:

a latch assembly that secures the cover to the base in a substantially closed configuration; and

a valve assembly that equalizes pressure between the cavity and outside the container assembly,

wherein the latch assembly comprises an upper latch grip, and

wherein the cover comprises a latch catch that is configured to receive the upper latch grip.

12. The container assembly of claim 11, wherein the latch assembly further comprises:

an upper latch portion that engages the first portion of the cover; and

a lower latch portion that moves to engage or disengage the upper latch portion,

wherein the upper latch portion is configured to pivot about a first axis, and

wherein the lower latch portion is configured to pivot about a second axis.

13. The container assembly of claim 12, further comprising:

a second valve assembly that equalizes pressure between the cavity and outside the base.

14. The container assembly of claim 13, further comprising:

a third valve assembly that equalizes pressure between the cavity and outside the base.

15. The container assembly of claim 11, wherein the base comprises an opening that equalizes pressure between the cavity and outside the base.

16. The container assembly of claim 11, wherein the cover comprises a channel.

17. The container assembly of claim 11, wherein the cover perimeter comprises a channel that is configured to receive a seal.

18. The container assembly of claim 17, further comprising a seal.

19. The container assembly of claim 11, wherein the first axis and second axis are substantially parallel.

20. The container assembly of claim 11, wherein the latch assembly comprises:

an upper latch portion that engages the first portion of the cover; and

a lower latch portion that moves to engage or disengage the upper latch portion.

21. The container assembly of claim 20, wherein the lower latch portion comprises a second valve assembly that equalizes pressure between the cavity and outside the base.

22. The container assembly of claim 11, wherein the cover and base comprise a polycarbonate material.

23. The container assembly of claim 11, further comprising an insert.

24. The container assembly of claim 21, wherein the valve assembly is integrally formed with the latch assembly.

25. The container assembly of claim 11, wherein the latch assembly comprises:

a rib; and

a reinforcement section.

26. A container assembly having a cover and a base that form a cavity in a closed configuration, the container assembly comprising:

a latch assembly that secures the cover to the base in a substantially closed configuration; and

an opening that equalizes pressure between the cavity and outside the container assembly,

wherein the opening is provided in the base, and

wherein the cover comprises a latch catch that receives a portion of the latch assembly.