Patent Publication Number: US-2023150732-A1

Title: Container and latching system

Description:
FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to portable container with latching systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Various types of containers and latching systems exist. Containers may be used for food, beverages, and other materials or items. Latching systems exist to lock the containers in a closed configuration. However, conventional containers and latching systems are often not very durable and may not be easy to use. For instance, containers may not be strong enough to hold certain items and may not be strong enough to hold items on top of the container. Additionally, some latching systems may engage when a user does not want the system engaged and in other cases may not provide a sufficient lock between for the container. In such arrangements these and other deficiencies may render the container and/or latching system virtually useless. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. The Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     One aspect of the disclosure may relate to a container comprising: (a) a base that includes (1) 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; (2) a bottom portion connected to the first end of the sidewall structure and configured to support the container on a surface; and (3) a base opening formed at the second end of the sidewall structure, where the base opening is configured to allow access to an interior void of the container formed by the sidewall structure and the bottom portion; and (b) a lid pivotally connected to the base and having a shape corresponding to a shape of the base, where 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 (c) a latch assembly having a locked position and an unlocked position. The latch assembly may comprise: (a) a latch body pivotally connected to the lid; (b) a latch button slidably connected with the latch body, the latch button having a latch button-locking member; (c) a latch-locking arm pivotally connected to the latch body, where the latch-locking arm has an latch arm-locking member; (d) a latch button biasing member that exerts a linear force on the latch button; and (e) a latch-locking arm biasing member that exerts a rotational force on the latch-locking arm. To move the latch assembly to a locked position, the latch-locking arm engages the base and rotates against the rotational force of the latch-locking arm biasing member, and the latch button moves against the linear force of the latch button biasing member until the latch button-locking member engages the arm-locking member. Additionally, the latch button-locking member may engage the arm-locking member when the latch-locking arm is in a substantially vertical position. In the exemplary embodiment, the latch-locking arm biasing member is a torsional spring. The latch arm-locking member may include a first locking surface and a curved upper surface extending from an upper edge of the first locking surface, where the latch arm-locking member may be substantially centered along the latch-locking arm. The latch-locking arm may have a pair of engaging members arranged on each side of the arm-locking member, and each engaging member of the pair of engaging members may be spaced from the arm-locking member. In addition, each engaging member of the pair of engaging members of the latch-locking arm may have an end with a curved surface that engages a receiver positioned under a lip that extends along the first side of the base. The latch assembly may also include an interlocking pawl that is rotatably attached to the latch body and located closer to an upper edge of the latch body than a lower edge of the latch body. The interlocking pawl may include a central member with an aperture extending through the base, a first protrusion extending outward from the central member, and a second protrusion extending outward from the central member opposite the first protrusion. The first protrusion of the interlocking pawl may contact the latch button when the latch assembly is in the unlocked position to prevent the latch button from moving upwards. And the second protrusion of the interlocking pawl may have a curved outer surface that contacts the lid when the latch assembly is in the unlocked position to prevent the latch assembly from locking before the lid is in the closed configuration. The latch assembly may also include a third biasing member that exerts a second rotational force on the interlocking pawl. In some examples, the container may include a divider that extends across a lid opening of the lid, where the divider is pivotally connected to the lid. The divider may be connected to the lid with a hinge and be selectively secured to the lid on a side opposite the hinge to prevent rotational movement of the divider. The divider may also be releasably secured to the lid with a snap fit. The divider may include a plurality of elongated openings. 
     Other aspects of the disclosure may relate to a container comprising: (a) a base that includes: (1) a base sidewall structure having at least a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a first end, and a second end, (2) a bottom portion connected to the first end of the base sidewall structure that is configured to support the container on a surface, and (3) a base opening formed at the second end of the base sidewall structure, where 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; and (b) a lid pivotally connected to the base, where the lid includes: (1) a lid sidewall structure that has at least a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, (2) an upper portion connected to the second end of the lid sidewall structure, (3) 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 (4) a divider pivotally connected to an interior portion of the lid that separates the base interior void and the lid interior void; and (c) a latch assembly pivotally connected to the lid having a locked position and an unlocked position. The divider may include a front side, a rear side, a first side that includes an integrated hinge, and a second side opposite the first side, where the integrated hinge is connected to a hinge receiver of the lid. The lid may be 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. The second side of the divider may include a centrally located recess that forms a pair of tabs, where each tab of the pair of tabs includes an engagement receiver that form a friction fit with a lid engaging member that extends from an interior surface of the lid to prevent rotational movement of the divider. 
     In some examples, the divider may also include a plurality of elongated openings that extend across a portion of the front side of the divider in a direction oriented from the first side of the divider to the second side of the divider. The latch assembly of the container may comprise: (a) a latch body pivotally connected to the lid; (b) a latch button slidably connected with the latch body, where the latch button has a latch button-locking member; (c) a latch-locking arm that is pivotally connected to the latch body, where the latch-locking arm has an arm-locking member; (d) a latch button biasing member that exerts a linear force on the latch button; and (e) 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, and the latch button may move against the linear force until the latch button-locking member engages the arm-locking member. 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. The Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limited in the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements and in which: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a top perspective view of a container in a closed configuration according to one or more aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a bottom perspective view of the container of  FIG.  1    in a closed configuration according to one or more aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a top perspective view of the container of  FIG.  1    in an open configuration according to one or more aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  4    illustrates an exploded top perspective view of the container of  FIG.  1    in an open configuration according to one or more aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a top perspective view of the container of  FIG.  1    in an open configuration with some components removed for clarity according to one or more aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a top view of the container of  FIG.  1    in a closed configuration with some components removed for clarity according to one or more aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a front view of the container of  FIG.  1    in a closed configuration with some components removed for clarity according to one or more aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  8    illustrates a bottom view of the container of  FIG.  1    in a closed configuration with some components removed for clarity according to one or more aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  9    illustrates a rear view of the container of  FIG.  1    in a closed configuration with some components removed for clarity according to one or more aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  10    illustrates a right side view of the container of  FIG.  1    in a closed configuration with some components removed for clarity according to one or more aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  11    illustrates a left side view of the container of  FIG.  1    in a closed configuration with some components removed for clarity according to one or more aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  12    illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the container of  FIG.  1    along line  12 - 12  according to one or more aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  13    illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the container of  FIG.  1    along line  13 - 13  according to one or more aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  14    illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the container of  FIG.  1    along line  14 - 14  according to one or more aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  15    illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the lid and divider of the container of  FIG.  1    along line  15 - 15  according to one or more aspects described herein. 
         FIGS.  16 A- 16 D  illustrate partial cross-sectional views of a latch assembly of the container of  FIG.  1    moving from an unlocked configuration to a locked configuration according to one or more aspects described herein. 
         FIGS.  17 A- 17 C  illustrate partial cross-sectional views of a latch assembly of the container of  FIG.  1    moving from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration according to one or more aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  18    illustrates a rear perspective view of a latch assembly of the container of  FIG.  1    according to one or more aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  19    illustrates a rear perspective view of the latch assembly of  FIG.  18    with components removed according to one or more aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  20    illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the latch assembly of  FIG.  18    according to one or more aspects described herein. 
     
    
    
     Further, it is to be understood that the drawings may represent the scale of different components of one single embodiment; however, the disclosed embodiments are not limited to that particular scale. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description of various example structures according to the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example devices, systems, and environments in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts, example devices, systems, and environments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, while the terms “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “side,” “rear,” and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements of the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures or the orientation during typical use. Additionally, the term “plurality,” as used herein, indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three dimensional orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of this invention. Also, the reader is advised that the attached drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
     In general, aspects of this invention relate to a containers and latching assemblies for containers. According to various aspects and embodiments, the containers and latching assemblies described herein may be formed of one or more of a variety of materials, such as metals (including metal alloys), polymers, and composites, and may be formed in one of a variety of configurations, without departing from the scope of the invention. It is understood that the containers and latching assemblies may contain components made of several different materials. Additionally, the components may be formed by various forming methods. For example, metal components, may be formed by forging, molding, casting, stamping, machining, and/or other known techniques. Additionally, polymer components, such as elastomers, can be manufactured by polymer processing techniques, such as various molding and casting techniques and/or other known techniques. 
     The various figures in this application illustrate examples of containers and latching assemblies according to this invention. When the same reference number appears in more than one drawing, that reference number is used consistently in this specification and the drawings refer to the same or similar parts throughout. 
       FIGS.  1 - 15    depict different views of a container  100 . The container  100  may include a base  110  and a lid  150  that, in some examples, may be coupled, or in some examples may be non-destructively, removably coupled, thereto. The base  110  may be a structure forming a void for containing articles, as will be discussed more fully herein. In some examples, the base  110  may be cuboidal or substantially cuboidal in shape. In other examples, the base  110  may be prismoidal or substantially prismoidal (e.g., a rectangular prism, a pentagonal prism, hexagonal prism, heptagonal prism, or the like) in shape. In still other examples, the base  110  may be substantially cylindrical in shape or may have a substantially trapezoidal cross section. Various other shapes may be used without departing from the invention. 
     The base  110  may include a base sidewall structure  112  having a first side  114 , a second side  116  opposite the first side  114 , a third side  118  extending between an edge of the first side  114  and an edge of the second side  116 , and a fourth side  120  opposite the third side  118 . The base sidewall structure  112  may also include a first end  122  and a second end  124  with a bottom portion  126  connected to the first end  122  of the base sidewall structure  112 . The bottom portion  126  may be configured to support the container  100  on a surface such as a table, the ground, or the like. In some embodiments, the bottom portion  126  may also and/or include a support member  128  that may be attached to the bottom portion  126  to help provide a slip resistant surface for the container  100 . The support member  128  may be a single member that may be integrally formed with the base  110  or may be attached after the base  110  has been formed. The support member  128  may have a size that encompasses at least 50 percent of the surface area of the bottom portion  126 . While not shown, in some examples, the support member  128  may comprise a plurality of feet that are arranged on the bottom portion  126 . 
     The base  110  may include a base opening  130  at the second end  124  of the base sidewall structure  112  (shown in  FIGS.  3 - 5   ). The base opening  130  is configured to allow access to a base interior void  132  formed by the base sidewall structure  112  and the bottom portion  126 . 
     The container  100  may include a lid  150 . The lid  150  may be pivotally connected to the base  110  and be configured to rotate between an open configuration and a closed configuration, where the open configuration allows access to the base opening  130  and the base interior void  132  and the closed configuration prevents access to the base opening  130  and the base interior void  132 . In some examples, rotating the lid  150  from the closed configuration to the open configuration includes rotating the lid about 90° from the closed configuration, or about 180° from the closed configuration, or about 270° from the closed configuration. As shown in  FIG.  1   , the base opening  130  may be covered by lid  150 , when the container  100  is in a closed configuration. In some arrangements, the lid  150  may connect to the base  110  in a closed configuration using a press fit. Additionally, or alternatively, other securing systems or devices may be used to secure the lid  150  to the base  110 , as will be discussed more fully herein. 
     In some examples, the lid  150  may be hinged such that it is connected to (either removably or permanently) the base  110  at a hinge  142  and may be rotated about the hinge  142 . The hinge  142  may be one of various types of hinges, including a continuous piano hinge, double hinge, ball joint hinge, living hinge, and the like. These and various other hinge arrangements may be discussed more fully herein. The hinge  142  may permit the lid  150  to be opened and rotated away from the base  110 , to allow access to the base interior void  132  defined by the base  110  (e.g., via base opening  130 ). That is, the hinge  142  may facilitate rotation of the lid  150  from a closed configuration of the container  100  (e.g., when the lid  150  is in place covering the base interior void  132  formed by the base  110 , as shown in  FIG.  1   ) to an open configuration (e.g., when the lid  150  is not covering the base interior void  132  formed by the base  110 , as shown in  FIGS.  3 - 5   ), and vice versa. 
     The lid  150  may include an lid sidewall structure  152  having a first side  154 , a second side  156  opposite the first side  154 , a third side  158  extending between an edge of the first side  154  and an edge of the second side  156 , and a fourth side  160  opposite the third side  158 . The lid sidewall structure  152  may also include a first end  162  and a second end  164  with an upper portion  166  connected to the second end  164  of the lid sidewall structure  152 . The upper portion  166  may be configured to act as a cover for the container  100  that could support items placed on top of the container  100 . In some examples, the upper portion  166  may have a centrally located recess  168  along the upper portion to allow a second container to be placed on top of the upper portion  166 . The lid  150  may further include a lid opening  170  at the first end  162  of the lid sidewall structure  152 . The lid opening  170  is configured to allow access to a lid interior void  172  formed by the lid sidewall structure  152  and the upper portion  166  at the second end  164  of the lid sidewall structure  152 . In most examples, a height of the lid sidewall structure  152  may be less than a height of the base sidewall structure  112 . Thus, the volume of the base interior void  132  may be larger than the volume of the lid interior void  172 . 
     In some arrangements, the container  100  may include a gasket  199  or other sealing device. The gasket  199  may be arranged in either the lid  150  or the base  110  and may aid in sealing the lid  150  and base  110  when the lid  150  is in a closed configuration. For example, in one example, the container  100  may be manufactured such that it is dust tight when tested for 8 hours and/or waterproof when tested for 30 minutes under 1 meter of water. In some embodiments, the container  100  may be capable of achieving an IP68 (as set forth by International Electrotechnical Commission) rating which specifies that there is no ingress of dust or complete protection from dust when tested for 8 hours and ingress of water in harmful quantities is not possible when the enclosure is immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure and time (at 1 meter of submersion). The IP68 dust test is 8 hours long and the enclosure is tested in a vacuum. The IP68 water test is 30 minutes long and the enclosure is tested with the lowest point of the enclosure 1 meter deep water. 
     In some examples, (and as best shown in  FIGS.  12 - 14   ) the gasket  199  may be seated in a recess  174  formed in the lid  150  that extends around a perimeter of the lid  150 . Additionally, in some examples, the container  100  may include a ridge  134  in the base  110  extending around a perimeter of the base  110 . The gasket  199  may be placed between the recess  174  and the ridge  134 . When the lid  150  is in a closed configuration, the ridge  134  having a shape corresponding to recess  174  may contact the gasket  199  and compress the gasket  199  and aid in sealing the lid  150  and the base  110  in the closed configuration as shown in  FIGS.  12 - 14   . In some examples, the gasket  199  may be a traditional gasket having a substantially circular cross section. In other arrangements, the gasket  199  may include strategically placed cut-outs that may reduce or eliminate a need for a vent (e.g., a vent to prevent lid lock). The gasket  199  may aid in maintaining a seal between the interior of the container  100  and the outside environment, and in some examples, the gasket  199  may aid in maintaining the temperature of the articles contained within the container  100 . Alternatively, the gasket  199  may be arranged in a recess or channel formed in the base  110 . 
     The container  100  may include additional features, such as a lanyard  198 , shown in  FIG.  2   , to allow a user to carry the container  100  or attach the container  100  to other objects. The lanyard  198  may connect to the base on the third side  118  to the fourth side  120  and extends along the bottom portion  126 . As shown in the illustrated example, the support member  128  may have a groove  136  (or pair of grooves) that receives and guide the lanyard  198  along the bottom portion  126 . In addition, the third side  118  and fourth side  120  of the base sidewall structure  112  may include guide rails  138  to engage and guide the lanyard  198  along the third and fourth sides  118 ,  120 . The base sidewall structure  112  may also include connecting members  140  adjacent the guide rails  138  to secure the lanyard  198  to the base  110  of container  100 . The guide rails  138  and connecting members may be integrally formed with the base  110 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  3 ,  4 ,  5 , and  12 - 15   , the lid  150  may include a divider  178  that is pivotally connected to an interior portion of the lid  150  to separate any items that may be stored in a lid interior void  172  from the base interior void  132 . The divider  178  may extend across the lid opening  170  separating the base interior void  132  from the lid interior void  172 . The divider  178  may have a front side  179  and a rear side  180  and an integrated hinge  181  formed along a first side  182  that is pivotally connected to the lid  150  at a hinge receiver  175  of the lid  150 . The integrated hinge  181  may include a plurality of apertures spaced from the edge of the first side  182 . In addition, the integrated hinge  181  may be located on an angle to the front side  179  and may be snap-fit into a hinge receiver  175  of the lid  150  to secure the divider  178  to the lid  150 . As such, the divider  178  is releasably secured to the lid  150 . The divider  178  may include a plurality of elongated openings  184 . The elongated openings  184  may extend across a portion of the divider  178  in a direction generally oriented from the first side  182  to a second side  183  opposite the first side  182 . Each elongated opening  184  may have a length, L, extends at least 50 percent of the width, W, of the divider  178 , or between a range of 55 percent and 80 percent of the width, where the width, W, is the distance from the first side  182  to the second side  183 . Alternatively, the divider  178  may be a continuous surface without openings. 
     When the divider  178  is installed, the second side  183  of the divider  178  may be selectively secured to the lid  150  to prevent rotational movement of the divider  178  as best illustrated in  FIG.  15   . The divider  178  may include a central recess  185  along the second side  183  forming a pair of tabs  186 . Each tab  186  may have an engagement receiver  187  that forms a friction or snap fit with a lid engaging member  177  that extends from an interior surface of the lid  150 . The lid engaging member  177  may fit into a groove formed by the engagement receiver  187  of the divider  178 . 
     The container  100  may also include a removable tray  188 . The tray  188  may allow another level for a user to store items in the container  100 . The tray  188  rests along a shelf  148  that extends along an inner perimeter of the base interior void  132 . The tray  188  may include an upper ledge  190  with a perimeter wall  192  that extends from an inner edge  194  of the upper ledge  190  to a bottom wall  196  forming the bottom portion of the tray  188 . The volume formed by the perimeter wall  192  and the bottom wall  196  of the tray may form an upper storage region of the base interior void  132 . The tray  188  may have a tray depth that is less than a depth of the base sidewall structure  112  of the base  110  such that the bottom wall  196  of the tray  188  is spaced from the bottom portion  126  of the base  110 , which allows for a secondary storage region within the base interior void  132  underneath the bottom wall  196  of the tray  188 . As noted, since the tray  188  is removable, with the tray  188  removed, the base interior void  132  may form a single storage region within the base  110 . 
     The upper ledge  190  may be continuous along the perimeter wall  192  to form a solid upper ledge  190 . Similarly, the perimeter wall  192  and the bottom wall  196  may be continuous such that no holes or apertures are present in the tray  188 . Alternatively, the perimeter wall  192  and/or the bottom wall  196  may include apertures. In some examples, the shelf  148  may be continuous along the inner perimeter of the base interior void  132 , while in other examples, the shelf  148  may be interrupted or a plurality of mounts (not shown) may be positioned along an interior surface of the base sidewall structure  112  such that the mounts form a planar surface to support the tray  188 . 
     The divider  178  and the tray  188  may have an elastomeric material coating to provide a soft touch and feel and for storing delicate objects. This divider  178  and/or the tray  188  may be overmolded onto a more rigid base, or in some cases, the divider  178  and/or the tray  188  may be formed from an elastomeric material. The elastomeric materials used to form, or partially form, an exemplary divider  178  and/or tray  188  may materials such as or including natural and synthetic rubbers, thermoplastic urethanes (TPU), thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), or other similar materials. 
     In some arrangements, the container  100  may also include a latch assembly  200 . As best illustrated in  FIGS.  16 A- 20   , the latch assembly  200  may have a locked position and an unlocked position, where the latch assembly  200  is configured to lock the lid  150  when the lid  150  is in a closed configuration. The latch assembly  200  may include a latch body  210  that is pivotally connected to the lid  150 , a latch button  230  that is slidably connected to the latch body  210 , and a latch-locking arm  250  pivotally connected to the latch body  210  around a latch pin  270  that is connected to the latch body  210 . The latch assembly  200  may also include a latch button biasing member  280  that exerts a vertically oriented force onto the latch button  230 , and a locking arm biasing member  282  that exerts a rotational force on the latch-locking arm  250 . The latch button  230  may have a latch button-locking member  232 , and the latch-locking arm  250  may have an arm-locking member  252 . In some examples, the latch assembly  200  may further comprise an interlocking pawl  288  that is rotatably attached to the latch body  210  via a pin connection where the interlocking pawl  288  is located closer to an upper edge  212  of the latch body  210  than a lower edge  214  of the latch body  210 . As will be described in more detail below, when the latch assembly  200  is moved to the locked position, the latch-locking arm  250  engages the base  110  and rotates against the rotational force of the locking arm biasing member  282  and the latch button  230  moves against the vertically oriented force of the latch button biasing member  280  until the latch button-locking member  232  engages the arm-locking member  252  as shown in  FIGS.  16 A- 16 D . 
       FIGS.  16 A- 16 D  illustrates the movement of the latch assembly  200  from an unlocked position to a locked position. As shown in  FIG.  16 A , the latch assembly  200  is in an unlocked position with the latch-locking arm  250  extending away from the latch body  210  toward the base  110 . The interlocking pawl  288  may prevent the latch-locking arm  250  from inadvertently engaging the latch button  230  into its locked position when the container  100  is in an open configuration (e.g., the base  110  and the lid  150  are separated from each other on at least one side). The interlocking pawl  288  may include a central member  290  with an aperture  292  extending through the central member  290 , a first protrusion  294  extending outward from the central member  290 , and a second protrusion  296  extending outward from the central member  290  opposite the first protrusion  294 . The first protrusion  294  may contact the latch button  230  when the latch assembly  200  is in an unlocked position to prevent the latch button  230  from moving upward toward an upper edge  212  of the latch body  210 . The second protrusion  296  of the interlocking pawl  288  may have a curved outer surface that may contact the lid  150  when the latch assembly  200  is in an unlocked position to prevent the latch-locking arm  250  from locking before the lid  150  is in the closed configuration. In addition, a pawl biasing member  298  may exert a rotational force on the interlocking pawl  288  to keep the interlocking pawl  288  in contact with the latch button  230  when the container  100  is in an open configuration. Since the latch button  230  cannot slide, the latch-locking arm  250  cannot rotate to inadvertently engage the latch button  230  prior to the lid  150  being closed onto the base  110 . For example, the pawl biasing member  298  may be a torsion spring that exerts a rotational force to bias the first protrusion  294  toward the latch body  210  (i.e., a clockwise direction as shown in  FIG.  16 A ). The rotary motion of the interlocking pawl  288  may be controlled by a cam-like interaction between the outer surface of the second protrusion  296  of the pawl  288  and the lid  150 . In some examples, the corresponding engagement region  176  with a corresponding curved surface to engage the curved outer surface of the second protrusion  296 . 
       FIGS.  16 B and  16 C  illustrate the latch assembly  200  engaging the base  110  causing the latch assembly  200  to begin to move from an unlocked position to a locked position. As a locking arm engaging member  254  of the latch-locking arm  250  engages a receiver  144  positioned under a lip  146  that extends outward along a first side  114  of the sidewall structure (as best shown in  FIG.  13   ), the latch-locking arm  250  begins to rotate towards the latch body  210  (i.e., the latch-locking arm  250  rotates in a counterclockwise direction as shown in  FIG.  16 B ). In some examples, the lip  146  may extend outward along an entire perimeter of the base  110 . The receiver  144  may have a concave cross-sectional shape, and the locking arm engaging member  254  may have a convex shape cross-sectional shape. As the latch-locking arm  250  contacts the base  110 , the latch-locking arm  250  begins to move underneath the base  110 . The rotational movement of the latch-locking arm  250  may cause the latch button-locking member  232  to contact and ride up along an outer surface  258  of the arm-locking member  252 . As the latch button-locking member  232  moves along the outer surface  258 , the latch button  230  may translate upward in a sliding motion toward an upper edge  212  of the latch body  210 . As the latch-locking arm  250  rotates, the entire latch assembly  200  rotates towards a vertical orientation. 
       FIG.  16 D  illustrates the latch assembly  200  in a locked position. In the locked position, the latch button-locking member  232  engages the arm-locking member  252 , where the latch-locking arm  250  is in a substantially vertical orientation. Each locking member  232 ,  252  may include a locking surface  234 ,  256  respectively that confront each other when the latch assembly  200  is in a locked position. Further, when in a locked position each locking surface  234 ,  256  may be substantially vertically oriented. As the latch button-locking member  232  moves the curved outer surface  258  of the arm-locking member  252 , the latch button-locking member  232  eventually reaches an upper edge  260  of the curved outer surface  258 . The upper edge  260  may also be the upper edge of the locking surface  256  such that once the latch button-locking member  232  passes the upper edge  260  of outer surface  258 , the latch button-locking member  232  drops such that the locking surface  234  moves downward to confront the locking surface  256  of the arm-locking member  252 . 
     To move the latch assembly  200  from a locked position to an unlocked position, the above described process is reversed as shown in  FIGS.  17 A- 17 C . A user may push the latch button  230  upward where locking surface  234  disengages from locking surface  256 . The locking arm biasing member  282  may then cause the latch-locking arm  250  to rotate towards the base  110  causing the latch button-locking member  232  to slide down the outer surface  258  of the arm-locking member  252 . In addition, the latch button biasing member  280  exerts a downward force on the latch button  230  to help pull the latch button  230  and assist the latch button-locking member  232  to slide down the outer surface  258  of the arm-locking member  252 . In some examples, the latch assembly  200  may operate without the interlocking pawl  288 . 
       FIGS.  18 - 20    illustrate the latch assembly  200  disconnected from the lid  150 . As discussed above, the latch assembly  200  may include a latch body  210 , a latch button  230  that is slidably connected to the latch body  210 , and a latch-locking arm  250  pivotally connected to the latch body  210  around a latch pin  270  that is connected to the latch body  210 . 
     The latch body  210  may include an upper edge  212 , a lower edge  214 , and an outward facing surface  216  extending between the upper and lower edges  212 ,  214 . On the inward side  217  opposite the outward facing surface  216 , the latch body  210  may further comprise a pair of hinge members  223 , a latch pin receiver  218 , a pair of latch button guides  220 , and a button biasing member receiver  222 . The hinge members  223  may be configured to receive a lid latch pin  272  to connect the latch assembly  200  to the lid  150 . A latch pin receiver  218  may include an aperture  228  arranged on a side surface  226  of the latch body  210  and also include a pin support  221  that receives the latch pin  270  on at least two sides. In addition, each latch button guide  220  may be a protrusion arranged on either side of the latch button  230  to keep the latch button  230  moving in a linear orientation. The button biasing member receiver  222  may comprise a recess or pair of recesses in the latch body  210  that are configured to hold a portion of the latch button biasing member  280 . The latch button biasing member  280  may be a compression spring or pair of compression springs to exert a linear force toward the lower edge  214  onto the latch button  230 . This linear force helps to keep the latch button-locking member  232  engaged with the arm-locking member  252 . In an exemplary latch assembly  200  that includes an interlocking pawl  288 , the latch body  210  may further include a pawl receiver  224  that receives a pin and a pawl biasing member  298 . 
     The latch button  230  may include a latch button-locking member  232  that extends outward from a rear surface  236 , while the front surface  238  may be configured to confront and slidably move along an interior surface of the inward side  217  of the latch body  210 . The latch button  230  may further include a bottom surface  240  to provide an interface for a user to exert an upward force to disengage and/or engage the latch assembly  200 . A latch button pin receiver  242  may be positioned above the bottom surface  240 . The latch button pin receiver  242  may comprise an aperture that receives the latch pin  270 . The latch button pin receiver  242  may have a height that is larger than a diameter of the latch pin  270  to enable the latch button  230  to slide along the latch body  210 , while the latch pin  270  remains fixed to the latch body  210 . For example, a height of the latch button pin receiver  242  may be two times greater than a diameter of the latch pin  270 . In some examples, the height of the latch button pin receiver  242  may be within a range of 1.5 to 3 times greater than a diameter of the latch pin  270 . As another feature, the front surface  238  may include a recess substantially aligns with the button biasing member receiver  222  in the latch body  210  that are configured to hold a portion of the latch button biasing member  280 . 
     The latch button-locking member  232  may be centrally located on the latch button  230  and may include a locking surface  234  that extends substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface  240 . The latch button-locking member  232  may include a slide surface  244  adjacent to a lower edge of the locking surface  234 , where the slide surface  244  may be configured to slide along the outer surface  258  of the arm-locking member  252 . The slide surface  244  may be arranged at an acute angle (i.e., within a range of 1 degree and 89 degrees) to the locking surface  234 . In some examples, a stop  245  may extend from an upper surface  246  of the latch button  230 , where the stop is configured to contact the interlocking pawl  288  to prevent the latch button  230  from inadvertently moving when the latch assembly  200  is in an unlocked position. 
     The latch-locking arm  250  may have a front side  268  that faces the latch body  210  and a rear side  269  that faces the base  110 . The latch-locking arm  250  may include an arm-locking member  252  that is substantially centered along the latch-locking arm  250 , a pair of locking arm engaging members  254  arranged on each side of the arm-locking member  252 , and where each engaging member  254  may be spaced from the arm-locking member  252 . Further, each engaging member  254  may have a free end  262  with a curved or convex cross-sectional shape that engages the receiver  144  on the base  110  and a fixed end  264  that receives the latch pin  270 . As The locking arm biasing member  282  may be a torsional spring or a pair of torsional springs that is (are) connected to the latch pin  270  and exert a rotational force(s) on the engaging members  254 . In addition, as shown in  FIG.  14   , the free end  262  of each engaging member  254  may include a locking surface  266  that may confront and contact a locking member  149  positioned in the receiver  144  of the base  110 . The locking surface  266  may be substantially parallel to the locking surface  256  of the arm-locking member  252  and may be spaced forward (toward the latch body  210 ) from the locking surface  256 . 
     The present disclosure is disclosed above and in the accompanying drawings with reference to a variety of examples. The purpose served by the disclosure, however, is to provide examples of the various features and concepts related to the disclosure, not to limit the scope of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the examples described above without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.