Patent Description:
Various types of containers are often used to store food or other items. In some examples, it may be advantageous to maintain a temperature of the contents being stored in the container. Accordingly, an insulating container may be used. However, certain conventional insulating containers are often not very durable and lack an adequate means to secure the lid in a closed position. For instance, they have lids that may be lost or broken, handles that may protrude from a base portion of the container, and/or ineffective latches used to secure the lid. In these examples, the lid, handle, and/or the latches may be susceptible to breakage, which, in some cases, may render the insulating container virtually useless.

A food and beverage dispenser with a dynamic seal is known from <CIT>.

Improvements in fastenings for the lids of airtight and watertight metal boxes are known from <CIT>.

Some optional features are defined by the dependent claims.

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:.

Aspects of this disclosure relate to an insulating container configured to store contents or a volume of liquid. The insulating container includes a lid lockable or securable with at least one latch or at least one latching device, and the lid may be hinged to allow the lid to rotate from a closed position to an open position that is approximately <NUM>° from the closed position, and/or be non-destructively removable (e.g., able to be removed and replaced) from a base portion of the insulating container. Additionally or alternatively, the insulating container may include a pressure regulation device that aids in venting the insulating container to prevent lid lock due to pressure or temperature changes. Additionally or alternatively, the insulating container may have handles that are integrally formed in the base portion of the insulating container. These and various other features and aspects of the insulating container will be described more fully herein.

In the following description of the various embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration various embodiments in which aspects of the disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

<FIG> depict perspective views of an insulting container <NUM>. The insulating container comprises a base portion <NUM> and a lid <NUM> that, in some examples, may be non-destructively, removably coupled thereto. The base portion <NUM> may be an insulated structure forming an interior void for containing contents or a liquid, as will be discussed more fully herein. In some examples, the base portion <NUM> may be cuboidal or substantially cuboidal in shape. In still other examples, the base portion <NUM> may be substantially cylindrical in shape or may have a substantially rectangular cross section. Various other shapes may be used without departing from the invention.

The base portion <NUM> may include a first end <NUM>, having a bottom surface <NUM>. The bottom surface <NUM> may be configured to support the insulating container on a surface, such as a table, the ground, a vehicle bed, boat deck, or the like. The base portion <NUM> may also include carry handle or carry strap <NUM>. Carry handle or strap <NUM> may be connected to handle pivot <NUM>. In certain examples, the insulating container is configured with a plurality of handle pivots <NUM>. Each end of the handle or carry strap <NUM> may be attached to a handle pivot <NUM> allowing the handle or carry strap <NUM> to freely rotate from the front of the insulating container to the rear of the insulating container. As shown in <FIG>, handle <NUM> engages handle pivot <NUM>. Handle pivot <NUM> is configured to rotate approximately <NUM>° and allows the handle <NUM> to be rotated from the front of insulating container <NUM> to the rear of the insulating container <NUM>. In another example, the handle <NUM> engages handle pivot <NUM> and is configured to travel in an arc over the lid <NUM>. In other examples, the handle pivot <NUM> is configured to travel at least <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, or <NUM>°. In other examples, the handle pivot <NUM> is configured to travel from about <NUM>° to <NUM>° of travel. In certain examples, as shown in <FIG>, an insert 109b is integrally molded in the base portion <NUM>. The handle pivot <NUM> is configured to engage the insert 109b. Insert 109b further includes stops 109c that are configured to engage a protrusion 109d on the handle pivot <NUM>. The movement of the handle <NUM> is limited by the engagement of the protrusion 109d with the stops 109c. In some examples, handle pivot <NUM> is secured to the base portion <NUM> and insert 109b by pivot hardware 109a. In certain examples, pivot hardware 109a may be a screw, bolt, rivet, etc. In other examples, handle pivot <NUM> further includes a strap loop <NUM> configured to allow attachment of a carry strap or handle <NUM> to the handle pivot <NUM>. In some examples, the handle or carry strap <NUM> may be formed of various suitable materials, such as one or more plastics. For instance, the handle <NUM> may have a core formed of polyvinyl chloride and an outer portion formed of ethylene vinyl acetate. In other examples, the handle or carry strap <NUM> may be formed of rope (such as polyester rope), or a nylon webbing. In yet other examples, the handle or carry strap <NUM> may be constructed of various materials, such as one or more metals, alloys, polymers, ceramics, or fiber-reinforced materials. In still other examples, the handle or carry strap <NUM> may include padding to facilitate easier carrying via the shoulder or by hand.

<FIG> illustrate another example handle pivot <NUM>. Handle pivot <NUM> may include a handle or carry strap <NUM> attachment point <NUM>. In other examples, as shown in <FIG>, the handle pivot <NUM> may include a first and second stop <NUM>. Stops <NUM> are configured to engage at least one or a plurality of stops 109c or a protrusion (not shown) when the handle pivot <NUM> engages the insert 109b. The configuration and geometry of the insert 109b and the handle pivot <NUM> may prevent the carry strap or handle <NUM> from rotating under the insulating container <NUM>.

The base portion <NUM> further includes a second end <NUM> defining an opening <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) that may be used to access the interior void of the insulating container. The opening <NUM> may be covered by lid <NUM>, when the insulting container is in use (e.g., when the insulating container is in a closed configuration). The base portion <NUM> may further include a plurality of side portions <NUM> connected to the bottom surface that define a void for receiving contents in the insulating container <NUM>. The side portions <NUM> may be arranged such that they extend generally perpendicularly from the bottom surface <NUM>.

In some examples, one or more side pocket handles <NUM> may be arranged in one or more side portions <NUM> (or other region of the base portion <NUM>). The side pocket handles may be integrally molded with the base portion <NUM> and may generally be an undercut or cutout formed in the side portion <NUM> of the base <NUM>. In some examples, such as shown in <FIG>, the undercut or cutout forming the side pocket handle may include a recess extending along substantially all or a majority of the side portion <NUM>. This may provide ease of manufacturing the base <NUM> with the integrally molded handles <NUM>. In some examples, the side pocket handles <NUM> may be flush with an exterior surface of the base <NUM> in order to reduce the risk of breakage.

As discussed above, the insulating container <NUM> may be configured to contain, store, carry, etc., a volume of contents or possibly a liquid. In some examples, the insulting container <NUM> may be configured to store between twenty-two (<NUM>) and twenty-eight (<NUM>) quarts of contents. In some examples, the insulating container may be configured to store approximately twenty-four (<NUM>) quarts of contents. In other examples, the insulating container may be configured to store at least twenty-two (<NUM>) quarts of contents, or the insulating container may be configured to store at least twenty-eight (<NUM>) quarts of contents, among others. In yet other examples, the insulating container may be configured to store approximately sixteen (<NUM>) quarts of contents, twenty-four (<NUM>) quarts of contents, thirty-six (<NUM>) to thirty-eight (<NUM>) quarts of contents, or forty-eight (<NUM>) to fifty-eight (<NUM>) quarts of contents. In still other examples, the insulting container <NUM> may be configured to store between about fourteen (<NUM>) and about forty-five twenty-eight (<NUM>) quarts of contents. Additionally or alternatively, the insulating container <NUM> may be configured to store materials in a solid, liquid, or a gaseous state, or combinations thereof, without departing from the scope of the disclosure described herein.

In at least some examples, the insulating container <NUM> (and various other containers described herein) may be sized to accommodate the volume of contents described above. For example, the insulating container <NUM> may be at least seventeen (<NUM>) inches tall, at least sixteen (<NUM>) inches wide, and at least fourteen (<NUM>) inches deep. Additionally or alternatively, the insulating container <NUM> may be configured in different sizes (i.e., height, width, and depth) without departing from the scope of the disclosure described herein.

As previously discussed, the insulating container <NUM> includes a lid <NUM>. In some examples, the lid <NUM> may connect to the base <NUM> in a closed configuration using a press fit. Additionally or alternatively, other securing systems or devices may be used to secure the lid <NUM> to the base. Insulating container <NUM> includes latching devices <NUM> and keepers <NUM> of the base <NUM> on the front of the container, as shown in <FIG>, to secure the lid <NUM> in the closed position. In some examples, the insulating container <NUM> includes at least one or a plurality of latch slots <NUM> integrally molded at the top of base <NUM>. The latch slots <NUM> may be configured to provide a recess sized appropriately to accommodate the latch <NUM> in such a manner that the latch <NUM> is flush with the latch slot <NUM> when the lid <NUM> is in a closed and secured configuration. In other examples, the latch <NUM> is flush with the latch slot <NUM> and the keeper <NUM> when the lid <NUM> is in a closed and secured configuration. In other configurations, insulating container <NUM> may include a lid <NUM> and base <NUM> that form at least one corner lift ledge <NUM> to facilitate easy gripping of the lid for opening. In other examples, the insulating container may include a plurality of corner lift ledges <NUM>. In certain examples, the lift ledge <NUM> may be formed by an integrally molded portion of the corner of the lid <NUM>, and an integrally molded portion of the front corner at the top of the base <NUM>. In still other configurations, insulating container <NUM> may include front lift ledge <NUM> integrally molded in the base <NUM>. The front lift ledge <NUM> may integrally molded at the top of the base <NUM>. The lift ledge is configured to provide the insulating container an easily accessible region to allow an individual to grasp the lid <NUM> for ease of opening (i.e., one handed operation).

In some examples, the lid <NUM> may be hinged such that it is connected to (either removably or permanently) the base <NUM> at a hinge <NUM> and may be rotated about the hinge <NUM>. The hinge may be one of various types of hinges, including a continuous piano hinge, double hinge, ball joint hinge, living hinge, and the like. The hinge <NUM> may permit the lid <NUM> to be opened and rotated away from the base portion <NUM>, to allow access to the internal void defined by the base portion <NUM> (e.g., via opening <NUM>). That is, the hinge may facilitate rotation of the lid <NUM> from a closed configuration of the insulating container (e.g., when the lid is in place covering the internal void formed by the base) to an open configuration (e.g., when the lid is not covering the internal void formed by the base), and vice versa. In some examples, the insulating container <NUM> is configured with at least one hinge <NUM>. In another example, the insulating container is configured with a plurality of hinges. In still other configurations, hinge <NUM> comprises a first portion integrally molded in the lid <NUM> and a second portion integrally molded in the base <NUM>. In yet other examples, the hinge <NUM> may further include at least one pin pocket <NUM> or a plurality of pin pockets <NUM> to secure the lid <NUM> to the base <NUM> via at least one hinge pin <NUM> thus allowing the lid to rotate from a closed position to an open position. In other examples, a plurality of hinge pins <NUM> secure the lid <NUM> to the base <NUM>.

In the examples described herein, base <NUM> and lid <NUM> may include an exterior surface or outer shell <NUM> surrounding and enclosing an insulating portion <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. The shell <NUM> is typically formed from various materials, such as one or more metals, alloys, polymers, ceramics, or fiber-reinforced materials. In some examples, the shell <NUM> may be formed of a plastic material, such as polyethylene, that is molded to form both the base <NUM> and lid <NUM> portions. In some examples, the insulating portion <NUM> is formed of an insulating material that exhibits low thermal conductivity. For instance, the insulating portion <NUM> may be formed of (or filled with) a polymer foam, such as polyurethane foam. Additional or other insulating materials may be used without departing from the invention. In some examples, the base <NUM> and lid <NUM> portions are formed using a roto-molded process as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art (not shown). However, various other types of molding or other manufacturing processes (e.g., stamping, casting, forging, and the like) may be used to form the insulating container without departing from the invention.

In other embodiments, as illustrated in <FIG>, the insulating container <NUM> includes latching devices <NUM> similar to those discussed with respect to <FIG>. That is, the latching devices include keepers <NUM> of the base <NUM> on the front of the container <NUM> (e.g., similar to keepers <NUM> on container <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, including latching devices <NUM> to secure the lid <NUM> in the closed position). Accordingly, when the lid <NUM> is in the fully closed position, the engaging portion of a latch (not shown) will be received in and engaged with keepers <NUM> formed on the front of the insulating container <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>). In other configurations, insulating container <NUM> may include a lid <NUM> and base <NUM> that form at least one integrally molded corner lift ledge <NUM> to facilitate easy gripping of the lid for opening. In still other configurations, insulating container <NUM> may include front lift ledge <NUM> integrally molded in the base <NUM>.

Similar to the examples discussed above, the keepers <NUM> and <NUM> may be molded into the base <NUM> and <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, respectively. A similar process to that described below may be used to engage/disengage the latch <NUM> with the keepers <NUM>. In still other embodiments, the base portion <NUM> may also include carry handle or carry strap <NUM> (not shown). Carry handle or strap <NUM> may be connected to pivot <NUM>. In still other embodiments, the insulating container may lack a carry handle or strap and pivots. In other embodiments, insulating container <NUM> may include pressure regulation device <NUM> arranged in a rear or back side <NUM> of the base <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In yet other examples, the pressure regulation device <NUM> may be configured in the lid <NUM>.

In other embodiments, the lid <NUM> of insulating container <NUM> may include a plurality of accessory magnets <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The magnets <NUM> may be arranged on a top, exterior surface <NUM> of the lid <NUM>. In some examples, the magnet may be substantially disc shaped or substantially ring shaped. In other examples, the magnets are configured to secure additional accessories to the top of the lid. In yet other examples, the magnet <NUM> is secured to the top of the lid via a press fit or adhesive. In another example, the magnet <NUM> is threaded and screwed into the lid <NUM>. In still other examples, the magnet <NUM> is secured to the top of the lid by a fastener 205a (as shown in FIG. <NUM>) such as a screw, bolt, rivet, or the like. Some example attachable and removable accessories may include a lid pack, a plastic or wooden cutting board, a seat cushion, or a lid net. The base portion <NUM> may include a first end <NUM>, having a bottom surface <NUM>. The bottom surface <NUM> may be configured to support the insulating container on a surface, such as a table, the ground, a vehicle bed, boat deck, or the like and may include a plurality of feet <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Feet <NUM> may be configured to provide a non-skid or no-slip surface, and may be configured to keep the insulating container <NUM> elevated off the ground. In another example, feet <NUM> may be configured to reduce friction with the ground or surface so that the insulating container may be moved more easily while the container is on the ground (i.e., the insulating container may easily slide or be easily pushed across the ground). Feet <NUM> may be constructed of rubber, foam, plastic, or other suitable material. In still other embodiments, the bottom surface <NUM> may include a logo or name of a company or manufacturer of the insulating container embossed, integrally molded, or pressed into the exterior shell <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In some embodiments, bottom pocket <NUM> may be integrally molded in the bottom surface <NUM> of the base portion <NUM>. Bottom pocket <NUM> allows an individual to grasp the base portion <NUM> from the bottom surface <NUM> to facilitate easy emptying or dumping out the contents of the insulating container (e.g., ice, melted ice, water, etc.).

<FIG> illustrates the lid <NUM> of the insulating container <NUM> in a substantially open position. As shown in <FIG>, the lid <NUM> is in a substantially closed, but unsecured position. That is, the lid <NUM> is substantially perpendicular to the base <NUM> and is covering the opening. In order to open the lid <NUM>, and thereby access the internal void defined by the base <NUM> of the insulating container <NUM>, the lid <NUM> may be lifted upward, in the direction of the arrow shown in <FIG>. When the lid <NUM> is configured in the closed and secured position, the lid seals the opening <NUM>. The lid is configured to travel approximately <NUM>° from the fully closed to fully open position. In some examples, the lid is configured to travel at least <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, or <NUM>° from the fully closed to fully open position. In other examples, the lid <NUM> may be configured to travel from about <NUM>° to <NUM>° in the fully open position. In some examples, the lid remains upright when configured in the fully upright position. In still other examples, with further reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, to open the lid <NUM> (e.g., to allow access to an interior void formed by the base <NUM>), the hinged lid <NUM> may be rotated away from the base portion <NUM> and may rest along a rear side <NUM> of the base portion <NUM> (e.g., the lid may rotate at least <NUM>° from a closed configuration (e.g., the position shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>) to an open configuration (e.g., the position shown in <FIG>). In some examples the fully open position or configuration may include at least a portion of a top, exterior surface of the lid <NUM> being in contact with a rear (or other) side portion <NUM> of the base portion <NUM> of the insulating container <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, some example insulating containers may include a plurality of foam plugs <NUM> in the underside of the lid <NUM>. In other examples, the foam plug <NUM> may further include an accessory clip <NUM>. The accessory clip may be configured to engage with and secure additional accessories or devices to the bottom (i.e., underside) of the lid <NUM> for convenient storage. For example, a net mesh accessory may be attached to a plurality of clips <NUM>. In some examples, the net mesh (not shown) may be constructed of a flexible rubber and it may prevent certain items from getting exposed to water or ice residing in the interior void of the insulating container. Other accessories such as trays or baskets may be stored in the bottom of the interior void of the insulating container, and/or may be configured to rest at the top of the interior void. In some examples, a tray or basket may include a lip around the perimeter of the tray (not shown) that allows the tray to hang from the edge of the opening <NUM> while remaining within the interior void of the insulating container. Such a configuration allows the lid <NUM> to be configured in the closed and secured position thereby sealing the interior void while the tray or basket is secured in place inside/within the insulating container <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the underside of the lid <NUM> may include a logo or name of a company or manufacturer of the insulating container that is embossed, integrally molded, or pressed into the bottom of the lid <NUM>.

In addition, in some examples, the insulating container may include a gasket or other sealing device. The gasket may be arranged in either the lid or the base and may aid in sealing the lid and the base when the lid is in a closed and secured configuration. In other examples, the gasket may be arranged in either the lid or the base and may provide a watertight seal when the lid is in a closed and secured configuration. In some examples, the gasket may be seated in a recess formed in at least one of the base and the lid and extending around a perimeter of the at least one of the base or the lid. In other examples, as shown in <FIG>, the gasket <NUM> may be seated in a gasket adapter <NUM> formed in at least one of the base <NUM> or the lid <NUM> and extending around a perimeter of the at least one of the base or the lid. In other examples, the gasket <NUM> may be constructed of rubber, silicone, or other suitable material. The gasket may aid in maintaining the temperature of the contents or liquid contained within the insulating container. Various other gasket examples may be used with any of the insulating containers described herein.

In some examples, the gasket may include strategically placed cut-outs that may reduce or eliminate a need for a vent (e.g., a vent to prevent lid lock), as will be discussed more fully below. In some examples, the gasket may be a traditional gasket having a substantially circular cross section. In other examples, the gasket may have a particular cross section configured to aid in venting the insulting container. In some examples, the cross section is a V-shaped or substantially V-shaped portion of the gasket. In yet other examples, the gasket may also include at least one weep hole to allow passive venting of air or fluids in and out of the interior void when the insulating container is in a closed and secured configuration to prevent lid lock. In other examples, the gasket may include a plurality of weep holes. In still other examples, the gasket is configured to provide a watertight seal when the lid is in a closed and secured configuration.

In some examples, the lid <NUM> may be configured to remain secured or locked in a closed position using latching devices <NUM>. The latching devices <NUM> may be various types of latches, including a latch having a latch portion and a keeper portion on the base <NUM>, as well as various other types of latches.

<FIG> illustrates the latching device <NUM> in a closed and secured position, while <FIG> illustrates the latching device <NUM> in an unsecured position while the lid <NUM> is in a closed, but unsecured configuration. When in a secured position, the latching device <NUM> is positioned such that the lid <NUM> abuts the base <NUM> of the insulating container <NUM>, thus closing, securing, and/or sealing the container. To disengage the latching device <NUM>, the grasping portion or latch lower <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, is pulled/flipped away from the base <NUM> of the container <NUM>. In other words, the latch upper <NUM> stretches so that the latch lower engaging tab <NUM> disengages from the latch keeper <NUM>. Once the engaging tab <NUM> clears the latch keeper <NUM>, the latch <NUM> is swung upward, away from the container, and in an arc. As illustrated in <FIG>, the latch lower <NUM> may be pivotally attached and secured to the latch upper <NUM>. The latch upper <NUM> may be pivotally attached and secured to the lid <NUM> of the insulating container <NUM>.

Similarly, to close the container <NUM>, the latch device <NUM> is moved in a downward arc, toward the container <NUM>. When the movement of the latch upper <NUM> and the latch lower <NUM> reaches the latch keeper <NUM>, the latch lower <NUM> is rotated so the engaging tab <NUM> is positioned downward, toward the base <NUM> and the engaging tab <NUM> is seated/positioned within the keeper groove <NUM> in the bottom of the keeper <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The latch lower <NUM> is then rotated/pushed downward until the latch lower <NUM> and latch upper <NUM> are seated and secured. When in the seated and secured position, the latch upper <NUM> is stretched and tensioned thus maintaining a constant downward force on the lid <NUM> securing and sealing it in the closed configuration. In certain examples, the latch lower may be more rigid than the latch upper. In some examples, the latch upper may be more rigid than the latch lower. In still other examples, the engaging tab may be formed of a rigid material and the latch lower may be formed of an elastomeric material. The latch lower and the engaging tab may be formed by co-molding or injection molding (e.g., multi-material injection molding). In other examples, the engaging tab of the latch lower is a rigid material and the remainder of the latch lower is an elastomeric material. In some examples, the latch lower and the engaging tab may be formed of the same materials. In another example, the latch upper and the latch lower may be not be elastic and/or the latch upper and the latch lower may be semi-rigid. In this example, the gasket is further configured to compress allowing the latch lower to be rotated so that the engaging tab can be seated/positioned within the keeper groove in the bottom of the keeper thus securing the lid in the closed configuration. In certain examples, the gasket may be further configured as the elastic component (i.e., in place of the latch upper or lower) to provide the necessary clearance required to engage the latch lower engaging tab with the latch keeper. When in the seated and secured position, the latch upper and latch lower maintain the lid in a position that compresses the gasket. The gasket thus maintains a constant force on the lid securing and sealing the lid in the closed and configuration. Further, when in the seated position, the latch upper <NUM> and the latch lower <NUM> of the latch <NUM> may be mostly recessed within the latch slot <NUM>, and, in some examples, the latch mechanism <NUM> does not extend or protrude beyond the surface thereof. In other examples, the latch device/mechanism <NUM> is substantially rectangular shaped when the lid <NUM> is secured in the closed position/configuration.

As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the latch upper <NUM> is made of materials and sized such that when in the closed/seated and secured position, enough force remains to maintain the closed position of the container lid <NUM>. In other words, in the closed position, a certain amount of tension is maintained on the latch upper <NUM> as it is not completely returned to its unstretched position/state. In some examples, the latch upper <NUM> may be an elastomeric rubber and the latch lower <NUM> may be a rigid plastic or composite material. In other examples, the latch upper <NUM> may be a rigid plastic or composite material and the latch lower <NUM> may be an elastomeric rubber. In yet other examples, the latch upper <NUM> may be constructed of both an elastomeric rubber and/or a rigid plastic or composite material. In still other examples, the latch lower <NUM> may be constructed of both an elastomeric rubber and/or a rigid plastic or composite material. In certain examples, the latch upper <NUM> and/or latch lower may be wholly or partly constructed of a semi-rigid and/or semi-elastomeric material. In another example, both the latch upper <NUM> and the latch lower <NUM> are an elastomeric rubber. In still another example, both the latch upper <NUM> and the latch lower <NUM> are a rigid plastic or composite material. In the closed position, the engaging tab <NUM> of the latch lower <NUM> is received within the recessed groove <NUM> of the latch keeper <NUM>. In some example examples, the engaging tab <NUM> is sized and shaped so as to provide maximum contact with the recessed groove <NUM>, thus ensuring an easily maintainable closure.

One example latching device <NUM> that may be used with the insulating container <NUM> is described with reference to <FIG>. The latching device <NUM> shown and described is merely one example latch that may be used and various other types of latches may be used without departing from the invention.

<FIG> are front, perspective, and rear views of an example latching device <NUM> to secure the lid in a closed configuration. The latching device <NUM> includes a latch upper <NUM> and a latch lower <NUM>. The latch lower further includes engaging tab <NUM> configured to engage a groove or slot <NUM> formed on the bottom of keeper portion <NUM>. The latch lower may further include a finger lift <NUM> positioned opposite the engaging tab <NUM>. In other examples, the finger lift <NUM> may extend out and away or distally from the insulating container lid <NUM>.

According to the invention, the latch upper <NUM> is made of a flexible, stretchable, resilient, elastomeric, one-piece molded material that is typically pivotally/hingedly attached to the lid portion <NUM> of the container <NUM> and received within a recessed, elongated latch slot <NUM> which is typically integrally molded to the container <NUM>. In some examples, the latch slot may be integrally molded as part of both the lid <NUM> and the bottom portion <NUM>. The latch upper <NUM> and latch lower <NUM> may be molded in a single-piece construction from rubbery materials as would be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. The latch upper <NUM> and latch lower <NUM> may also 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 upper <NUM> and latch lower <NUM> may be made of sufficient size, thickness and materials of construction to withstand repeated cycles of stress as the latch <NUM> is engage/disengaged with the latch keeper <NUM> over time.

As further depicted in <FIG>, the latch upper <NUM> may include a base <NUM>, a first arm <NUM>, and a second arm <NUM>. The first arm <NUM> and the second arm <NUM> may be substantially perpendicular to the base <NUM>. The first arm <NUM> may be substantially parallel to the second arm <NUM>. The latch upper <NUM> may be substantially shaped like an inverted U. In other examples, the latch lower <NUM> includes the engaging tab <NUM>. Engaging tab <NUM> may be configured to pivotally rotate within/between the latch upper first arm <NUM> and the latch upper second arm <NUM>. In another example, the keeper <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, may be located between the latch upper first arm <NUM>, the latch upper second arm <NUM>, and below the latch upper base <NUM>. <FIG> further illustrates that the keeper <NUM> may be flush with the latch upper base <NUM>, first arm <NUM>, second arm <NUM>, and latch lower <NUM> when the insulating container lid is in the closed and secured configuration.

<FIG> illustrate that latch lower <NUM> is pivotally attached to the latch upper <NUM> and secured to the latch upper <NUM> by latch lower pin <NUM>. Latch upper <NUM> may be pivotally attached to lid <NUM> and secured to the lid <NUM> by latch upper pin <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

In some examples, the latch <NUM> is configured such that the finger lift <NUM> extends from the latch lower <NUM> at an angle that departs from the plane of the latch <NUM>. The angle between the finger lift <NUM> and the latch lower <NUM> and the latch upper <NUM> may aid in or facilitate grasping the finger lift <NUM> by a user. At this angle, the user is easily able to slip his or her fingers between the finger lift <NUM> and the side of the base portion <NUM> of the insulating container <NUM> for disengaging the latch <NUM> from the keeper <NUM>. Further, because the latch upper <NUM> is made from a resilient material, even though the finger lift <NUM> may extend from the body of the container, it is not easily dislodged or broken.

The finger lift <NUM>, as best shown in <FIG>, is typically formed into a shape that is easily grasped or accessed by a user. Without intending to be limited thereby, other shapes and geometries are contemplated for the finger lift <NUM> for manipulation of the latch <NUM>.

Similar to the examples discussed above, another feature of the latching mechanism or device <NUM>, the latch keeper <NUM> may be integrally molded within the base portion <NUM>. The latch keeper <NUM> may be positioned within an elongated keeper slot <NUM>. As previously discussed, the latch keeper may include a groove or slot <NUM> formed in the bottom of the keeper <NUM>. The recessed groove <NUM> is typically configured for receiving the engaging tab <NUM> of the latch lower <NUM>. In other examples, the latch keeper <NUM> may be substantially square or substantially rectangular shaped. Similarly, the elongated keeper slot <NUM> may be substantially rectangular shaped. This combination of features provides a strong and very secure lid latching system.

<FIG> illustrate another example insulating container <NUM> with the lid removed to better illustrate the interior void <NUM>. In some examples, at least one pressure regulation device <NUM> may be configured in the rear side portion <NUM> of the base <NUM>. The pressure regulation device <NUM> may be configured to regulate the internal pressure of the interior void <NUM> with the external atmospheric pressure. The pressure regulation device <NUM> may be permanently affixed or removably inserted into a bore (not shown) integrally molded in the rear side portion <NUM>. In certain examples, the pressure regulation device may include vent <NUM> positioned on the interior rear side portion <NUM> and within the interior void <NUM>. In some examples, vent <NUM> may include a plurality of umbrella valve vents <NUM> configured to allow the one way passage and release of air from the interior void <NUM> via an umbrella valve <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The pressure regulation valve may also include a vent gasket <NUM>, umbrella valve gasket <NUM>, and vent stem <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In certain examples, the vent stem <NUM> may include a plurality of ribs configured to provide a friction or press fit in a substantially cylinder-shaped bore integrally molded in the rear side portion <NUM>. In still other configurations, the pressure regulation device may be secured in the rear side portion <NUM> by an adhesive, RF welding, etc. In another example, the umbrella valve <NUM> may be configured within and over the stem <NUM> and umbrella gasket <NUM>. In other examples, the pressure regulation device may also include a duckbill valve <NUM> within the stem <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, the pressure regulation device <NUM> may include umbrella valve <NUM> and duckbill valve <NUM>. The duckbill valve <NUM> and umbrella valve <NUM> may be configured to allow the passive transmission of air into and out of the interior void <NUM> of the insulating container <NUM> to regulate and potentially equalize the internal pressure of the insulating container <NUM> with the atmospheric pressure. In one example, the umbrella valve <NUM> is an elastomeric valve with a diaphragm-shaped sealing disk <NUM> that creates a seal over the umbrella valve vents <NUM>. When the pressure within the interior void <NUM> reaches a predetermined level, the proper force is reached to lift the convex diaphragm <NUM> from the umbrella valve vents <NUM> to allow flow of air in a one-way direction (i.e., out of the interior void <NUM>). The diaphragm <NUM> is further configured to prevent the back flow immediately in the opposite direction of air. The pressure regulation device thus reduces the pressure within the insulating container, for example, when the atmospheric pressure is reduced (e.g., climbing a mountain or driving up a hill). In still other examples, the pressure regulation device <NUM> may also include a duckbill valve <NUM>. The duckbill valve <NUM> includes a channel <NUM> configured to allow the passage of air from the exterior of the insulating container <NUM> into the interior void <NUM> when the internal pressure of the interior void <NUM> is less than the atmospheric pressure. In another example, the duckbill valve <NUM> may be a one-piece, elastomeric component that includes a channel <NUM>. The valve <NUM> may include elastomeric lips <NUM> substantially shaped like a duckbill configured to prevent the backflow of fluid out of the interior void <NUM> and configured to allow the flow of air into the interior void <NUM> when the atmospheric pressure is greater than the internal pressure of the insulating container <NUM> (e.g., descending from a mountain or driving down a hill).

Additionally or alternatively, various other venting or pressure regulation arrangements may be used without departing from the invention. For instance, a portion of the base may include a material that is breathable for air but does not permit water or other liquids to penetrate. This mesh material may allow venting without permitting spillage of the liquid contained within the insulating container.

The insulating containers described herein include various features that ensure easy and efficient manufacture of the insulating containers, while providing durability and wear resistance. The insulating containers and the various integrally molded features, such as side pocket handles, pressure regulation mechanisms or devices, latch devices, etc., may be advantageous in improving durability and wear resistance.

Claim 1:
An insulating container, comprising:
a base (<NUM>, <NUM>) and a lid (<NUM>), the base including
a sidewall structure having a plurality of sides;
a bottom portion connected to a first end of each side of the plurality of sides of the sidewall structure, the bottom portion being configured to support the insulating container on a surface;
the plurality of sides of the sidewall structure defining an opening (<NUM>) at a second end, opposite the first end of each side of the plurality of sides of the sidewall structure, the opening (<NUM>) being configured to allow access to an interior void of the insulating container formed by the sidewall structure and the bottom portion, and wherein a gasket (<NUM>) is configured to seal the opening (<NUM>) when the lid (<NUM>) is in a closed position; and
at least one latch device (<NUM>) configured to secure the lid (<NUM>) when the lid (<NUM>) is in a closed position and wherein the gasket (<NUM>) is further configured to provide a watertight seal when the latch device (<NUM>) secures the lid (<NUM>), the latch device (<NUM>) further including:
a latch upper (<NUM>), wherein the latch upper (<NUM>) is pivotally attached to the lid (<NUM>) and
wherein the latch upper (<NUM>) is an elastomeric material; and a latch lower (<NUM>), wherein the latch lower (<NUM>) is pivotally attached to the latch upper (<NUM>),
wherein the latch lower (<NUM>) further includes an engaging tab (<NUM>),
wherein the engaging tab (<NUM>) is configured to engage a keeper (<NUM>, <NUM>) when the lid (<NUM>) is secured in the closed position,
wherein the keeper (<NUM>, <NUM>) is positioned on a front side of the bottom portion of the insulating container, and
wherein the latch upper (<NUM>) and the latch lower (<NUM>) when in a closed position are maintained in a recess within the lid (<NUM>) and within the bottom portion of the insulating container.