Insulating container and latching mechanism

• US 8,910,819 B2
• Filed: 11/28/2011
• Issued: 12/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: YETI Coolers LLC (YETI Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: YETI Coolers LLC (YETI Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Seiders, Roy Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Yu, Mickey
• Assistant Examiner(s): ELOSHWAY, NIKI MARINA
• Application Number:
  US13/304,739
• Publication Number:
  US 20120132657A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,114 Days
• Field of Search: 220/324, 220/833, 220/834, 220/592.2, 220/835
• US Class Current: 220/326
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/16 hinged for upward or downward movement cigar or cigarette receptacles A24F15/00; suitcases, ètuis A45C; casings for cosmetic substances with hinged covers A45D40/22; toolboxes B25H3/02; hinges of door or similar type E05D ; boxes for switchboards with hinged covers H02B1/066
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/22 Devices for holding in closed position, e.g. clips
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 45/00 Clamping or other pressure-applying devices for securing or retaining closure members screw-threaded or bayonet connections between stoppers or caps and containers B65D39/08, B65D41/04, B65D41/34; expansible stoppers B65D39/12; for pressure vessels in general F16J13/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 45/20 pivoted
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3813 rigid container being in the form of a box, tray or like container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3816 formed of foam material
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 1/0053 Handles or handle attachments facilitating operation, e.g. by children or burdened persons foot-operation E05B53/001
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 15/1635 of plastics materials springs E05B15/04
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2015/165 for bolts
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2015/1678 for handle bearings
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/52 Other locks for chests, boxes, trunks, baskets, travelling bags, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/5276 parallel to the wing edge
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 3/048 parallel to the wing edge
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/08 Bolts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1043 Swinging

Abstract

According to an aspect of the invention, a latching mechanism/device is provided, as well as a method of maintaining a closed position between opposing first and second portions of a container. The latching mechanism includes a latch attached to the first portion and a latch keeper integrally molded to the second portion. The latch keeper includes an elongated keeper slot and a recessed pocket formed in the keeper slot, such that when at least a portion of the latch is received within the recessed pocket, the container is closed and/or sealed.

Claims

1. A latching mechanism for maintaining a closed position between opposing first and second portions of a container, comprising:

a latch pivotally attached to the first portion, the latch comprising a base portion, a body portion extending from the base portion, an engaging portion extending from the body portion, and a grasping portion extending from the engaging portion;

wherein the latch comprises a flexible, stretchable, resilient, molded material, wherein the base portion of the latch is configured to be received within a recessed latch slot integrally molded within the first portion, and a retaining mechanism configured for releasable engagement positioned within the recessed latch slot;

a lip integrally molded within the first portion at an upper edge of the first portion, wherein the lip is adjacent the recessed latch slot and the base portion of the latch abuts the lip and wherein the lip is configured to limit the range of motion that the latch can pivot away from the recessed latch slot; and

a latch keeper integrally molded within the second portion, the latch keeper comprising a vertically elongated keeper slot and a recessed pocket formed in the base of the keeper slot, the recessed pocket configured for receiving the engaging portion of the latch, and the keeper slot configured for receiving the body portion of the latch;

wherein the engaging portion of the latch comprises an engaging surface having a partially spherical geometric shape and the recessed pocket comprises a receiving surface having a correspondingly partially spherical geometric shape, wherein the receiving surface of the recessed pocket is configured to receive the engaging surface of the engaging portion, and wherein the receiving surface of the recessed pocket is configured to provide at least a partial surface-to-surface contact with the engaging surface of the engaging portion when the latch is engaged;

wherein when the engaging portion of the latch is engaged with the recessed pocket, at least a portion of the body of the latch is within the elongated keeper slot such that the portion of the body of the latch does not protrude beyond the elongated keeper slot.

2. The latching mechanism of claim 1, further comprising:

the grasping portion of the latch forming one of a t-shape, y-shape or tab-shape.

3. The latching mechanism of claim 1, further comprising:

the first and second portions of the container formed from plastic using a roto-molding process.

4. The latching mechanism of claim 1, wherein the body portion of the latch further comprises a triangular shape and the keeper slot further comprises a triangular shape complimentary to the body portion of the latch, and wherein the latch triangularly shaped body portion fits in the keeper slot triangular shape.

5. The latching mechanism of claim 1, further comprising:

the engaging portion of the latch formed in a partially spherical ball-shape and the recessed pocket of the latch keeper configured as a complimentary-shaped partially spherical socket to receive the partially spherical ball-shaped engaging portion.

6. The latching mechanism of claim 1, further comprising:

a cavity formed in the first portion configured to receive a retaining mechanism for attaching the base portion of the latch to the first portion; and

a lip integrally molded into the first portion, the lip configured to conceal at least a portion of the base portion of the latch.

7. The latching mechanism of claim 1, wherein the lip is configured to limit the range of motion that the latch can pivot away from the recessed latch slot by an angle of about 90 degrees to about 120 degrees.

8. The latching mechanism of claim 1, wherein the latch forms a friction fit within the keeper slot.

9. The latching mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first portion comprises a first outer shell enclosing a first insulating portion within a first interior of the first outer shell;

wherein the second portion comprises a second outer shall enclosing a second insulating portion within a second interior of the second outer shell;

the recessed latch slot integrally molded in the first outer shell, wherein the recessed latch slot comprises a first recess defined in the first outer shell such that the first recess is recessed toward the first interior and wherein the recessed latch slot is configured for receiving the body portion of the latch; and

the base portion of the latch is positioned within the recessed latch slot and is attached to the first portion.

10. The latching mechanism of claim 1 wherein the recessed pocket comprises a pair of opposing recesses defined in opposing sides of the keeper slot at the base of the keeper slot.

11. The latching mechanism of claim 1 wherein the engaging portion of the comprises a front portion and a rear portion, and wherein the second portion comprises a vertical face of the container, the vertical front face extending from the base of the keeper slot to a bottom base of the container, and wherein the rear portion of the engaging portion does not contact the vertical face of the container when the latch is engaged.

12. The latching mechanism of claim 11 wherein the front portion and the rear portion of the engaging portion have a spherical geometric shape.

13. An insulating container, comprising:

a top portion, a bottom portion opposing the top portion, and a latch configured for maintaining a closed position between the top and bottom portions of the container, wherein when in the closed position, the top and bottom portions enclose an interior chamber for storing contents at a temperature other than an exterior temperature;

the top portion comprising a first outer shell enclosing a first insulating portion within a first interior of the first outer shell;

the bottom portion comprising a second outer shell enclosing a second insulating portion within a second interior of the second outer shell;

a recessed latch slot integrally molded in the first outer shell, wherein the recessed latch slot comprises a first recess defined in the first outer shell of the top portion, wherein the first recess is recessed toward the first interior and wherein the recessed latch slot is configured for receiving the body portion of the latch;

the base portion of the latch is positioned within the recessed latch slot and is attached to the top portion;

the latch pivotally attached to the top portion, the latch comprising a base portion, a body portion extending from the base portion, an engaging portion extending from the body portion, and a grasping portion extending from the engaging portion;

a latch keeper integrally molded within the bottom portion, the latch keeper comprising a vertically elongated keeper slot and a recessed pocket formed in the keeper slot, the recessed pocket configured for receiving the engaging portion of the latch, and the keeper slot configured for receiving the body portion of the latch;

wherein the engaging portion has a geometric shape and the recessed pocket is shaped to receive the geometric shape and to provide at least a partial surface-to-surface contact with the geometric shape of the engaging portion when engaged; and

a lip extending from an upper edge of the top portion of the container, the lip configured to conceal at least a portion of the base portion of the latch.

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

the latch comprises a flexible, stretchable, resilient, one-piece molded material.

15. The insulating container of claim 13, further comprising:

the grasping portion of the latch forming one of a t-shape, y-shape or tab-shape.

16. The insulating container of claim 13, further comprising:

the top and bottom portions of the container each formed from plastic using a roto-molding process.

17. The insulating container of claim 13,

wherein the latch further comprises a triangularly shaped body portion and the keeper slot further comprises a triangular shape complimentary to the body portion of the latch, and wherein the latch triangularly shaped body portion fits in the keeper slot triangular shape.

18. The insulating container of claim 13, further comprising:

the engaging portion of the latch formed in a partially spherical ball-shape and the recessed pocket of the latch keeper configured as a complimentary partially spherical ball-shaped socket to receive the partially spherical ball-shaped engaging portion.

19. The insulating container of claim 13, further comprising:

a sealing portion configured for compression to maintain the closed position and to seal the top portion to the bottom portion of the container when in the closed position and when the latch is engaged within the latch keeper.

20. The insulating container of claim 13, further comprising:

a cavity formed in the top portion configured to receive a retaining mechanism for seating at least a portion of the base portion of the latch within the recessed latch slot.

21. The insulating container of claim 13, wherein the engaging portion of the latch comprises an engaging surface having a partially spherical geometric shape and the recessed pocket comprises a receiving surface having a correspondingly partially spherical geometric shape, wherein the receiving surface of the recessed pocket is configured to receive the engaging surface of the engaging portion, and wherein the receiving surface of the recessed pocket is configured to provide at least a partial surface-to-surface contact with the engaging surface of the engaging portion when the latch is engaged.

22. The insulating container of claim 13 wherein, when the engaging portion of the latch is engaged with the recessed pocket, at least a portion of the body of the latch is within the recessed latch slot such that the portion of the body of the latch does not protrude beyond the recessed latch slot.

23. The insulating container of claim 13, wherein the lip is integrally molded in the top portion at an upper edge of the top portion, wherein the lip is adjacent the recessed latch slot and the base portion of the latch abuts the lip.

24. The insulating container of claim 13 wherein the latch keeper comprises a second recess defined in the second outer shell of the bottom portion, wherein the second recess is recessed toward the second interior.

25. The insulating container of claim 24, wherein, when the engaging portion of the latch is engaged with the recessed pocket, at least a portion of the body of the latch is within the elongated keeper slot such that the portion of the body of the latch does not protrude beyond the elongated keeper slot.

26. The insulating container of claim 13, wherein the lip is configured to limit the range of motion that the latch can pivot away from the recessed latch slot by an angle of about 90 degrees to about 120 degrees.

27. The insulating container of claim 13 wherein the recessed pocket comprises a pair of opposing recesses defined in opposing sides of the keeper slot at the base of the keeper slot.

28. The insulating container of claim 13 wherein the engaging portion of the comprises a front portion and a rear portion, and wherein the bottom portion comprises a vertical front face of the container, the vertical front face extending from a base of the keeper slot to a bottom base of the container, and wherein the rear portion of the engaging portion does not contact the vertical front face of the container when the latch is engaged.

29. The insulating container of claim 28 wherein the front portion and the rear portion of the engaging portion have a spherical geometric shape.

30. An insulating container, comprising:

a top portion, a bottom portion opposing the top portion, and a latching mechanism configured for maintaining a closed position between the top and bottom portions of the container, wherein when in the closed position, the top and bottom portions thereby enclosing enclose an interior chamber for storing contents at a temperature other than an exterior temperature;

the top portion comprising a first outer shell enclosing a first insulating portion within a first interior of the first outer shell;

the bottom portion comprising a second outer shell enclosing a second insulating portion within a second interior of the second outer shell;

a recessed latch slot integrally molded in the first outer shell, wherein the recessed latch slot comprises a first recess defined in the first outer shell of the top portion, wherein the first recess is recessed toward the first interior and wherein the recessed latch slot is configured for receiving the body portion of the latch;

the base portion of the latch is positioned within the recessed latch slot and is attached to the top portion;

the latch pivotally attached to the top portion, the latch comprising a base portion, a body portion extending from the base portion, an engaging portion extending from the body portion, and a grasping portion extending from the engaging portion;

a latch bore formed in the base portion of the latch, wherein the latch bore is configured to align with a bore formed in the top portion, and wherein the latch bore and the bore are configured to receive a latch pin configured to attach the base portion of the latch to the top portion;

a latch keeper integrally molded within the bottom portion, the latch keeper comprising a vertically elongated keeper slot and a recessed pocket formed in the keeper slot, the recessed pocket configured for receiving the engaging portion of the latch, and the keeper slot configured for receiving the body portion of the latch;

wherein the engaging portion has a geometric shape and the recessed pocket is shaped to receive the geometric shape and to provide at least a partial surface-to-surface contact with the geometric shape of the engaging portion when engaged; and

a lip extending from an upper edge of the top portion of the container, the rip configured to conceal at least a portion of the base portion of the latch.

31. The insulating container of claim 30 wherein the recessed pocket comprises a pair of opposing recesses defined in opposing sides of the keeper slot at the base of the keeper slot.

32. The insulating container of claim 30 wherein the engaging portion of the comprises a front portion and a rear portion, and wherein the bottom portion comprises a vertical front face of the container, the vertical front face extending from a base of the keeper slot to a bottom base of the container, and wherein the rear portion of the engaging portion does not contact the vertical front face of the container when the latch is engaged.

33. The insulating container of claim 32 wherein the front portion and the rear portion of the engaging portion have a spherical geometric shape.