US 11,738,914 B2Granted

Container and latching system

AssigneeYETI Coolers, LLC

InventorsDustin R. Bullock, Colin Darling, Walter T. Blanchard

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Abstract

A container is disclosed that has a base and a lid that is rotatable about a hinge from a closed configuration to an open configuration. The lid may be secured to the base with a latch assembly. A latch assembly may have a locked position and an unlocked position, where the latch assembly includes: a latch body pivotally connected to the lid, a latch button slidably connected with the latch body, the latch button having a latch button-locking member, a latch-locking arm pivotally connected to the latch body, and a latch-locking arm biasing member that exerts a rotational force on the latch-locking arm. When the latch assembly is moved to the locked position, the latch-locking arm may engage the base and rotate against the rotational force from the latch-locking arm causing the latch button to move against the linear force until the latch button-locking member engages the arm-locking member.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A container comprising:

a base including:
a sidewall structure having at least a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the sidewall structure having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
a bottom portion connected to the first end of the sidewall structure and configured to support the container on a surface;
and
a base opening formed at the second end of the sidewall structure, the base opening being configured to allow access to an interior void of the container formed by the sidewall structure and the bottom portion;
a lid pivotally connected to the base, wherein the lid is configured to rotate between an open configuration that allows access to the base opening and a closed configuration that prevents access to the base opening;
and
a latch assembly having a locked position and an unlocked position, the latch assembly comprising:
a latch body pivotally connected to the lid;
a latch button slidably connected with the latch body, the latch button having a latch button-locking member;
a latch-locking arm pivotally connected to the latch body, the latch-locking arm having an arm-locking member;
a latch button biasing member that exerts a linear force on the latch button;
a latch-locking arm biasing member that exerts a rotational force on the latch-locking arm;
and
wherein when the latch assembly is moved to the locked position, the latch-locking arm engages the base and rotates against the rotational force and the latch button moves against the linear force until the latch button-locking member engages the arm-locking member.

12 more elements

A container comprising:

a base including:
a base sidewall structure having at least a first side and a second side opposite the first side, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end;
a bottom portion connected to the first end of the base sidewall structure and configured to support the container on a surface;
and
a base opening formed at the second end of the base sidewall structure, the base opening being configured to allow access to a base interior void of the base formed by the base sidewall structure and the bottom portion;
a lid pivotally connected to the base, the lid including:
a lid sidewall structure having at least a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end;
an upper portion connected to the second end of the lid sidewall structure;
a lid opening formed at the first end of the lid sidewall structure, the lid opening being configured to allow access to a lid interior void formed by the lid sidewall structure and the upper portion;
and
a divider pivotally connected to an interior portion of the lid that separates the base interior void and the lid interior void, wherein the divider includes a front side, a rear side, a first side that includes an integrated hinge, and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the integrated hinge is connected to a hinge receiver of the lid, wherein the second side of the divider includes a centrally located recess that extends through the front side and rear side to form a pair of tabs, wherein each tab of the pair of tabs includes an engagement receiver on the rear side of the divider that forms a friction fit with a lid engaging member that extends from an interior surface of the lid to prevent rotational movement of the divider;
and
wherein the lid is configured to rotate between an open configuration that allows access to the base opening and a closed configuration that prevents access to the base opening;
and
a latch assembly pivotally connected to the lid having a locked position and an unlocked position.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/530,053Filed 18 Nov 2021
Published: US 2023/0150732 A118 May 2023
Granted: 29 Aug 2023
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification27 codes

B65D 43/164
The container and the lid being made separately: and connected by interfitting hinge elements integrally with the container and the lid formed…
B65D 43/165
And connected by interfitting hinge elements integrally with the container and the lid formed respectively: these elements being assembled by a…
A45C 11/20
Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00: lunch or picnic boxes or the like
B65D 1/24
Boxes or like containers with side walls of substantial depth for enclosing contents: with moulded compartments or partitions