Patent Publication Number: US-9834342-B2

Title: Insulating container and latching mechanism

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/806,841, filed Jul. 23, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/538,552, filed Nov. 11, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,187,232, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/304,739 filed Nov. 28, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,910,819, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/458,603 filed Nov. 29, 2010, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention generally relates to a latching mechanism/device for maintaining a closed position, particularly useful for maintaining a closed position for an insulating container. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Mechanisms for maintaining a closed position useful for containers, chests, closets, doors, windows, coolers and the like are well known in the art. There are problems associated with such mechanisms, however, in the form of components that are breakable by virtue of their positioning and/or their composition. 
     One such prior latch is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,804,215 to Bisbing which describes a locking member made from a flexible, resilient material, but wherein both the locking member and the keeper are attached to and extend from a surface of a panel. Such mechanisms are easily bumped and broken away from the panel. Further, the keeper is made of stamped metal construction. Such materials are known to exhibit wear and corrode over time, particularly if subjected to harsh environmental conditions as found in a maritime environment. 
     An example of such an arrangement of latch and keeper is found, for instance in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , wherein both a latch and latch keeper are each riveted, screwed, bolted or otherwise attached to a container via a metallic mounting bracket that is bolted to the container. Such brackets are easily broken and fail over time because of both the materials of construction (typically metal), as well as the arrangement of the brackets on the container. These mounting brackets protrude from the surface of the container and are thus easily broken off when a force of sufficient strength strikes or otherwise adversely engages the bracket. 
     Closing mechanisms used in insulating containers, such as those found on portable containers useful for maintaining a certain temperature, be it cold and/or hot temperatures, of items, goods or contents stored therein are particularly troublesome due to the typically rough handling, as well as the harsh environmental conditions, these containers are subjected to. Not only are such containers, generally known as “coolers”, used in extremely hot and/or cold environments, but are also used on beaches and boats where salt and sand provide a beating to both the container and the latching device. The containers may also be routinely jostled, buffeted about and otherwise abused. Without the ability to maintain closure, such containers cannot effectively achieve their purpose and quickly become obsolete and unusable. 
     In view of the disadvantages associated with currently available methods and devices for providing a closing mechanism to a container such as a cooler, there is a need for a device and method that overcomes these and other deficiencies. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The above mentioned need is met by the invention which provides a latching mechanism/device, 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. 
     The invention and its advantages over the prior art will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the invention, including the best mode thereof, to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, including reference to the accompanying figures wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an insulating container according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view of a prior latching mechanism. 
         FIG. 3  is a right side elevation view of the latching mechanism shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a partial perspective view of a mounting mechanism according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of the latching mechanism with a cut-away of an engaging portion according to one aspect of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial perspective view of the latching mechanism according to one aspect of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional right side view taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a partial perspective view of the latching mechanism according to one aspect of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a partial perspective view of the mounting mechanism according to one aspect of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and is not meant as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used on or in conjunction with other embodiments to yield yet a further embodiment. It is intended that the invention include such modifications and variations. Reference characters denote like elements throughout the figures and text. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, a latching device or mechanism and a method for maintaining a closed and/or sealed position between first and second portions is provided. Such portions include opposing surfaces such as those found for instance in containers, chests, closets, doors, windows, coolers and the like, hereinafter collectively referred to as “container.” Referring to the drawings wherein identical reference numerals denote the same or equivalent elements throughout the various views,  FIGS. 1 and 4-7  depict a container  10  configured for receiving and storing contents, items, goods, (hereinafter collectively referred to as “contents”), within an interior chamber  13  ( FIG. 7 ). 
     The insulating container  10 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , includes a latching mechanism  20 , and as shown herein, there are two latching mechanisms. With reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a latching mechanism  20  is configured to maintain a closed and/or sealed position between opposing first or top portion  11  and second or bottom portion  12 , thereby enclosing the interior chamber  13  for storing goods at a temperature other than an exterior ambient temperature. The latching mechanism  20  includes a latch  22  and a latch keeper  40 . 
     In an embodiment, the top portion  11  is selectively removable from the bottom portion  12  of the container  10 , preferably hinged on one side using a hinging mechanism (not shown), while providing a latching mechanism  20  opposite the hinging mechanism for securing the top portion  11  to the bottom portion  12 , thereby enclosing the contents in the interior chamber  13  that desirably are maintained and stored at hot or cool temperatures, and maintaining a certain temperature within the container  10  for a certain period of time. In a typical arrangement, each of the top and bottom portions are hinged on one side and at least one latching mechanism(s) secure the portions together at another side, preferably opposite to the hinge. 
     The interior chamber  13  of the container  10  is configured to receive contents to be kept at the desired temperature. In other words, the contents are stored and maintained within the container at temperatures that are hotter or colder than ambient temperatures found outside of the container. In an embodiment, the container  10  is configured for storing contents that need to be kept at a cool temperature, maybe even freezing temperatures. 
     The container  10  includes the first or top portion  11 , which may be configured as a lid, and the second or bottom portion  12 , which is typically configured to receive the contents to be stored and cooled/heated in the interior chamber  13  formed therein. The container  10  may generally take the shape of a box, but is not limited thereby. In an embodiment, the container  10  is an insulated container, such as a cooler, ice chest, ice cooler, and the like. In another embodiment, the first or top portion  11  opposes second or bottom portion  12  and are generally configured to abut each other when positioned in a “closed position.” 
     In an embodiment as depicted in  FIG. 7 , the top portion  11  and bottom portion  12  are formed to include an outer shell  17  surrounding and enclosing an insulating portion  18 . The shell  17  is typically formed from a plastic material, such as polyethylene, that is molded to form both the top and bottom portions. In an embodiment, the insulating portion  18  is typically polyurethane foam. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second portions are formed using a roto-molded process as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art (not shown). 
     The insulated container, as well as the latching mechanism as described in more detail below, is thus easily and efficiently manufactured into a durable and reliable construction capable of withstanding harsh environments and rough handling as described hereinabove. 
     In an embodiment according to one aspect of the invention and as best viewed in  FIG. 7 , the container is configured such that a sealing portion  14  is situated between the first portion  11  and the second portion  12 . The sealing portion  14  is configured for compression to maintain the closed position and to seal the top portion  11  to the bottom portion  12  of the container  10  when in the closed position and when the latch  22  is situated within the latch keeper  40  as described in more detail below. 
     The latch  22  is attached to either the upper portion  11  ( FIG. 6 ), or the lower portion  12  ( FIG. 9 ), while the latch keeper  40  is integrally molded to the lower portion  12  ( FIG. 6 ) or the upper portion  11  ( FIG. 9 ). In other words, the latch  22  and the latch keeper  40  are interchangeably positionable on either of the opposing portions, and the terminology first/top/upper and second/bottom/lower is not intended to limit the disclosure or represent anything other than a way to describe the positional relationship of the portions. 
     With reference again to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the latch  22  is configured to be releasably engageable with the latch keeper  40  such that when the latch  22  is in an engaged relationship with the keeper  40 , the opposing first portion  11  and second portion  12  are maintained in the closed and/or sealed position. In an embodiment, the latch  22  includes a base portion  30 , a body portion  26  extending from the base portion  30 , an engaging portion  28  extending from the body portion  26  and a grasping portion  24  extending from the engaging portion  28 . In other words, the base portion  30  of the latch  22  is arranged on one end of the latch, while the grasping portion  24  is arranged on the opposite distal end of the latch  22 . The engaging portion  28  is configured for locking, mating relationship with a recessed pocket or notched area  42  of the latch keeper  40  as will be discussed in more detail below. 
     As shown for instance in  FIG. 7 , an upper edge of the first portion  11  forms a lip  15 , and below the lip is a recess or latch slot  16 , that is typically integrally formed into the surface of the first portion  11 . The latch slot  16  is configured for receiving the latch  22 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the base portion  30  of the latch  22  abuts the lip  15 , and at least a portion of the body portion  26  of the latch  22  is received within the latch slot  16  when the latch  22  is engaged with the latch keeper  40 . The base portion  30  is typically configured for pivoting within the latch slot  16 . 
     According to one aspect of the invention, the latch  22  is made of a flexible, stretchable, resilient, one-piece molded material that is typically pivotally attached to the first portion  11  of the container  10  and received within a recessed, elongated latch slot  16  which is typically integrally molded to the container  10 . The latch  22  is typically molded in a single-piece construction from rubbery materials as would be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. The latch  22  may be formed of a material that is formed or made from a plastics material or another suitable material which can be formed or molded into a shape and thus retain the shape to which it has been formed. The latch  22  needs to be made of sufficient size, thickness and materials of construction to withstand repeated cycles of stress as the latch is engage/disengaged with the latch keeper over time. In any case, the material of construction is one that is stretchable and/or resilient (e.g. EPDM or Neoprene rubber) such that when the latch  22  is extended or otherwise stretched to an elongated position, either to engage or disengage the latch keeper  40  (as described in more detail below), it rebounds or otherwise returns to its originally un-stretched state or partially stretched state to maintain sufficient tension to maintain the closed position, with little or no deformation. In other words, the latch  22  is able to recoil or spring back or otherwise return into its original or near-original shape after bending, stretching, or being compressed and when in an un-stretched position. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , the latch  22  is configured such that the grasping portion  24  extends from the body portion  26  at an angle α 1  that departs from the plane of the latch  22 . The angle α 1  is preferably between about 20 and about 40 degrees, more preferably between about 30 and about 35 degrees, and more preferably about 31 degrees. Having such an angle between the grasping portion  24  and the body portion  26  facilitates grasping the latch  22  by a user. At this angle, the user is easily able to slip his or her fingers between the grasping portion  24  and the side of the second portion  12  of the container  10  for disengaging the latch  22  from the keeper  40 . Further, because the latch  22  is made from a resilient material, even though the latch extends from the body of the container, it is not easily dislodged or broken. 
     The grasping portion  24  is typically formed into a shape that is easily grasped by a user, and as shown in the figures, the grasping portion  24  is formed into a t-shape to facilitate grasping by a user. Without intending to be limited thereby, other shapes contemplated for the grasping portion  24  include y-shaped and tab-shaped (not shown), or a small flap of material extending from the engaging portion and capable of being grasped for manipulation of the latch. 
     Turning to another feature of the latching mechanism  20 , the latch keeper  40  is integrally molded within the second portion  12 . The latch keeper  40  includes an elongated keeper slot  41  and a recessed pocket  42  formed in the keeper slot  41 . The recessed pocket  42  is typically configured for receiving the engaging portion  28  of the latch  22 , and the keeper slot  41  is typically configured for receiving the body portion  26  of the latch  22 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 5  and in an embodiment, the body portion  26  of the latch  22  is formed into a cross-sectional inverted triangular shape  43  and the elongated keeper slot  41  of the latch keeper  40  is also formed/molded into a complimentary triangularly shape receiving portion to match the body portion  26  of the latch  22 . In an embodiment, when the latch  22  is seated/received within the elongated keeper slot  41 , the latch  22  forms a friction fit with the elongated keeper slot  41 . Similarly, the body portion  26  and elongated keeper slot  41  could be formed into complimentary three dimensional pyramidal, square or rectangular shapes (not shown). 
     Yet another feature according to an aspect of the invention is that the engaging portion  28  of the latch  22  may be formed into a ball-shape and the recessed pocket  42  of the latch keeper  40  is configured as a complimentary shaped socket  42  to receive the ball-shaped engaging portion  28 . Thus, when the engaging portion  28  is seated within the recessed pocket  42 , the parts are mechanically coupled and there is an increased contact area between the surfaces of parts, which further ensures maintenance of the closed and/or sealed position. It is also contemplated that the engaging portion is capable of taking any shape that is easily received by a reciprocatingly shaped recessed pocket formed in the latch keeper. For instance, the engaging portion could be formed into any geometric shape, such as a triangle, square, and the like. Thus, the recessed pocket of the latch keeper would have a corresponding configuration capable of receiving the shaped engaging portion. In other words, the engaging portion of the latch and the recessed pocket of the latch keeper are shaped so as to be matingly coupled together. Thus, the recessed pocket has a shape configured to receive the engaging portion while providing a surface-to-surface contact area sufficient to maintain the closure. 
     More specifically, in an embodiment, the invention is an integrated ball and socket latching system for a portable ice chest  10 . The latch keeper  40  is designed to be part of the mold of the ice chest  10  and an exact fit for the ball-shaped engaging portion  28  is molded on a stretchable rubber latch  22  having a t-shaped end. This combination provides a strong and very secure lid latching system. 
     Turning again to  FIG. 7 , the insulating container  10  typically includes lip  15  that extends from an upper edge of the top portion  11  of the container  10 . The lip  15  is configured to conceal/hide/protect at least a portion of the base portion  30  of the latch  22 . As seen in the figure, the lip  15  also limits the range of motion that the latch  22  can swing/pivot away from the container by an angle α 2 . As shown herein, the angle α 2  is typically between about 90 and about 120 degrees, preferably about 95 to about 115 degrees. In addition to providing protection to the base portion  30  of the latch  22 , the lip  15  also provides a more aesthetically pleasing appearance to the container  10 , giving an appearance that the latch is somewhat integrated into the container. 
     According to another aspect of the invention and as found in  FIGS. 4 and 8 , a mounting mechanism  50  is provided for releasable attachment of the latch  22  to the container  10 . As seen for instance in  FIG. 8 , a retaining mechanism  32 , shown herein as an elongated pin, is configured to be inserted into and received within a bore or cavity  31  formed in the first portion  11  of the container  10 . Similarly, the base portion  30  of the latch  22  includes a latch bore or cavity  33 . Thus, when the base portion  30  of the latch  22  is positioned within the latch slot  16  with the base portion abutting an inner surface of the lip  15 , the latch bore  33  aligns with the cavity  31  in the first portion  11 , such that when the retaining mechanism  32  is positioned within the end of the latch slot  16  and the base portion  30 , the latch  22  is pivotally attached to the first portion  11  of the container  10  ( FIG. 4 ). In this way, the latch  22  is easily replaceable in the event that the latch wears over time. 
     With reference again to  FIG. 7 , the method of engaging and disengaging the latching mechanism will be discussed in detail. As shown with phantom lines in  FIG. 7 , the latch  22  is positioned in the closed position such that the first portion  11  abuts the second portion  12  of the container  10 , thus closing and/or sealing the container. To disengage the latch  22 , the grasping portion  24  is pulled/stretched generally in the direction shown by Arrow A. In other words, the body portion  26  of the latch  22  stretches so that the engaging portion  28  disengages from the latch keeper  40 . Once the engaging portion clears the latch keeper  40 , the latch  22  is swung in the direction of Arrow B, away from the container, and in the arc shown by angle α 2 . Thus, the base portion  30  pivots around the retaining mechanism  32 . In the most extended position, the base portion  30  and/or the body portion  26  abuts the lip  15  of the first portion  11  to stop movement of the latch  22 . 
     Similarly, to close the container  10 , the latch  22  is moved in the direction opposite to Arrow B. When the movement of the latch  22  reaches the latch keeper  40 , the latch  22  is once again extended/stretched in the direction of Arrow A and the body portion  26  of the latch  22  is seated/positioned within the keeper slot  41 , preferably in a friction fit as described above. Further, as depicted in  FIG. 7 , when in the seated position, the body portion  26  of the latch  22  is mostly recessed within the latch slot  16  and the keeper slot  41 , and does not extend or protrude beyond the surface thereof. When the stretching force is removed from the latch  22 , the latch is free to attempt to return to its former state, thus allowing the engaging portion  28  of the latch  22  to become seated and received within the recessed pocket  42  of the latch keeper  40 , thus closing the latching mechanism. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the latch  22  is made of materials and sized such that when in the closed/seated position, enough force remains to maintain the closed position of the container. In other words, in the closed position, a certain amount of tension is maintained on the latch  22  as it is not completely returned to its unstretched position/state. In the closed position, the engaging portion  28  of the latch  22  is received within the recessed pocket  42  of the keeper slot  40 . In a preferred embodiment, the engaging portion  28  is sized and shaped so as to provide maximum contact with the recessed pocket  42 , thus ensuring an easily maintainable closure. 
     As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. 
     Exemplary embodiments of mechanisms and methods for providing a closing or latching are described above in detail. The mechanisms and methods illustrated are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of the device may be utilized independently and separately from other components described herein. While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.