Container and latching system

Abstract

A container comprising: a base; a lid pivotally connected to the base, the lid configured to rotate between an open configuration that allows access to an opening of the base and a closed configuration that prevents access to the opening of the base; and, a latch assembly having a locked position and an unlocked position, the latch assembly comprising: a latch body pivotally connected to the lid; a latch locking arm pivotally connected to the latch body; a latch locking arm biasing member exerting a first rotational force on the latch locking arm; and, an interlock pawl rotatably attached to the latch body, the interlock pawl positioned closer to an upper edge of the latch body than to a lower edge of the latch body, wherein the interlock pawl is configured to contact 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; and wherein the latch locking arm engages the base and rotates against the first rotational force when the latch assembly is moved to the locked position.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of Chinese application entitled “Container and Latch System”, filed on November 11, 2022, with application number 202280076584.3. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to portable containers with a latching system. Background Technology

[0003] Various types of containers and latching systems exist. Containers can be used for food, beverages, and other materials or articles. Latching systems exist to lock containers in a closed configuration. However, conventional containers and latching systems are often not very durable and may not be easy to use. For example, a container may not be strong enough to hold certain items, and may not be strong enough to keep items on top of the container. Additionally, some latching systems may engage when the user does not want the system to be engaged, and in other cases may not provide sufficient locking to the container. In such an arrangement, these and other defects may render the container and / or latching system virtually useless. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This summary is provided to present, in a simplified form, a selection of concepts further described below in the detailed description. The summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0005] One aspect of this disclosure relates to a container comprising: a base including: a sidewall structure having at least a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, the sidewall structure having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end; a bottom portion connected to the first end of the sidewall structure and configured to support the container on a surface; and a base opening formed at the second end of the sidewall structure, the base opening being configured to allow access to the interior space of the container formed by the sidewall structure and the bottom portion; a lid pivotally connected to the base, wherein the lid is configured to rotate between an opening configuration allowing access to the base opening and a closing configuration preventing access to the base opening; and a latch. An assembly having a locked position and an unlocked position, the latch assembly comprising: a latch body pivotally connected to a cover; a latch locking arm pivotally connected to the latch body; a latch locking arm biasing member applying a first rotational force to the latch locking arm; and an interlocking pawl rotatably attached to the latch body, the interlocking pawl being positioned closer to an upper edge of the latch body than a lower edge of the latch body, wherein the interlocking pawl is configured to contact the cover when the latch assembly is in the unlocked position to prevent the latch assembly from locking before the cover is in a closed configuration; and wherein, when the latch assembly is moved to the locked position, the latch locking arm engages a base and rotates against the first rotational force.

[0006] Another aspect of this disclosure may relate to a container comprising: a base including: a sidewall structure having at least a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, the sidewall structure having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end; a bottom portion connected to the first end of the sidewall structure and configured to support the container on a surface; and a base opening formed at the second end of the sidewall structure, the base opening being configured to allow access to the interior space of the container formed by the sidewall structure and the bottom portion; and a lid pivotally connected to the base, wherein the lid is configured to allow access to the interior space of the container. The base opening rotates between an opening configuration and a closing configuration that prevents entry into the base opening; and a latch assembly having a locked position and an unlocked position, the latch assembly comprising: a latch body pivotally connected to a cover; a latch button slidably connected to the latch body, the latch button having a latch button locking member; a latch locking arm having an arm locking member; and a latch button biasing member applying a linear force to the latch button; and wherein, when the latch assembly is moved to the locked position, the latch button moves against the linear force until the latch button locking member engages the arm locking member.

[0007] Other aspects of this disclosure may relate to a container comprising: a base including: a base sidewall structure having at least a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, a first end, and a second end opposite to the first end; a bottom portion connected to the first end of the base sidewall structure and configured to support the container on a surface; and a base opening formed at the second end of the base sidewall structure, the base opening being configured to allow access to a base interior space of the base formed by the base sidewall structure and the bottom portion; and a lid pivotally connected to the base, the lid including: a lid sidewall structure having at least a first side, a second side opposite to the first side, a first end, and a second end opposite to the first end; and an upper portion connected to the lid. The second end of the sidewall structure; a cover opening formed at the first end of the cover sidewall structure, the cover opening being configured to allow access to the cover interior space formed by the cover sidewall structure and the upper portion; and a separator pivotally connected to the interior portion of the cover, the separator separating the base interior space from the cover interior space; wherein the separator includes a front side, a rear side, a first side including an integral hinge, and a second side opposite to the first side, wherein the integral hinge is connected to a hinge receiving member of the cover; and wherein the cover is configured to rotate between an open configuration allowing access to the base opening and a closed configuration preventing access to the base opening; and a latch assembly pivotally connected to the cover, the latch assembly having a locked position and an unlocked position.

[0008] This summary is provided to present, in a simplified form, a selection of concepts further described below in the detailed description. The summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Attached Figure Description

[0009] The invention is illustrated by way of example and is not limited to the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference numerals indicate similar elements, and wherein:

[0010] Figure 1 A top perspective view of a container in a closed configuration, according to one or more aspects described herein, is shown.

[0011] Figure 2 This illustrates a closed construction based on one or more aspects described herein. Figure 1 Bottom perspective view of the container.

[0012] Figure 3 The open construction shown is illustrated by one or more aspects described herein. Figure 1 Top perspective view of the container.

[0013] Figure 4 The open construction shown is illustrated by one or more aspects described herein. Figure 1 The top perspective of the container's breakdown.

[0014] Figure 5 The open construction shown is illustrated by one or more aspects described herein. Figure 1 The top perspective view of the container, with some parts removed for clarity.

[0015] Figure 6 This illustrates a closed construction based on one or more aspects described herein. Figure 1 A top view of the container, with some parts removed for clarity.

[0016] Figure 7 This illustrates a closed construction based on one or more aspects described herein. Figure 1 The front view of the container, where some parts have been removed for clarity.

[0017] Figure 8 This illustrates a closed construction based on one or more aspects described herein. Figure 1 A bottom view of the container, with some parts removed for clarity.

[0018] Figure 9 This illustrates a closed construction based on one or more aspects described herein. Figure 1 The rear view of the container, where some parts have been removed for clarity.

[0019] Figure 10 This illustrates a closed construction based on one or more aspects described herein. Figure 1The right-hand view of the container, where some parts have been removed for clarity.

[0020] Figure 11 This illustrates a closed construction based on one or more aspects described herein. Figure 1 The left-hand view of the container, where some parts have been removed for clarity.

[0021] Figure 12 The following are shown along line 12-12, representing one or more aspects according to the description herein. Figure 1 A side cross-sectional view of the container.

[0022] Figure 13 The following are shown along line 13-13, representing one or more aspects described herein. Figure 1 A side cross-sectional view of the container.

[0023] Figure 14 The following are shown along line 14-14, representing one or more aspects described herein. Figure 1 A side cross-sectional view of the container.

[0024] Figure 15 The following are shown along line 15-15, representing one or more aspects described herein. Figure 1 Side cross-sectional view of the container's lid and dividers.

[0025] Figures 16A to 16D This illustrates the movement from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration according to one or more aspects described herein. Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of the latch assembly of the container.

[0026] Figures 17A to 17C This illustrates the movement from the locking configuration to the unlocking configuration according to one or more aspects described herein. Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of the latch assembly of the container.

[0027] Figure 18 One or more aspects described herein are shown. Figure 1 Rear perspective view of the latching assembly of the container.

[0028] Figure 19 This illustrates one or more aspects described herein in which a component has been removed. Figure 18 Rear perspective view of the latch assembly.

[0029] Figure 20 One or more aspects described herein are shown. Figure 18 A side cross-sectional view of the latch assembly.

[0030] Furthermore, it should be understood that the accompanying drawings may represent the proportions of different components in a single embodiment; however, the disclosed embodiments are not limited to that particular proportion. Detailed Implementation

[0031] In the following description of various exemplary structures according to the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form part of the invention and illustrate by way of illustration various exemplary devices, systems, and environments in which some aspects of the invention may be practiced. It will be understood that other specific arrangements of components, exemplary devices, systems, and environments may be utilized, and structural and functional modifications may be made, without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, although the terms “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “back,” etc., may be used in this specification to describe various exemplary features and elements of the invention, these terms are used herein for convenience, for example, based on the exemplary orientation shown in the figures or the orientation during typical use. Additionally, the term “complex” as used herein refers to any number greater than 1, which may be disjunctive or conjunctive as needed, up to infinity. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three-dimensional orientation of the structure to fall within the scope of the invention. Additionally, the reader should understand that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0032] Generally, some aspects of the present invention relate to containers and latching assemblies for containers. Depending on various aspects and embodiments, the containers and latching assemblies described herein can be formed from one or more of a variety of materials, such as metals (including metal alloys), polymers, and composite materials, and can be formed in a variety of configurations without departing from the scope of the invention. It should be understood that the containers and latching assemblies can comprise components made of several different materials. Additionally, the components can be formed by various forming methods. For example, metal components can 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.

[0033] The various figures in this application illustrate examples of containers and latch assemblies according to the invention. When the same reference numerals appear in more than one figure, those reference numerals are used consistently throughout this specification, and the figures always refer to the same or similar parts.

[0034] Figures 1 to 15Different views of container 100 are depicted. Container 100 may include a base 110 and a lid 150, which in some examples may be coupled together, or in some examples may be non-destructively and removably coupled together. The base 110 may be a structure forming a space for containing an object, as will be discussed more fully herein. In some examples, the shape of the base 110 may be cubic or generally cubic. In other examples, the shape of the base 110 may be prismatic or generally prismatic (e.g., rectangular prism, pentagonal prism, hexagonal prism, heptagonal prism, etc.). In other examples, the shape of the base 110 may be generally cylindrical, or the base 110 may have a generally trapezoidal cross section. Various other shapes may be used without departing from the invention.

[0035] The base 110 may include a base sidewall structure 112 having a first side 114, a second side 116 opposite to the first side 114, a third side 118 extending between the edge of the first side 114 and the edge of the second side 116, and a fourth side 120 opposite to 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. The bottom portion 126 may be configured to support the container 100 on a surface such as a table, floor, etc. In some embodiments, the bottom portion 126 may also include a support member 128, which may be attached to the bottom portion 126 to help provide a non-slip surface to the container 100. The support member 128 may be a single member, which 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 includes at least 50% of the surface area of ​​the bottom portion 126. Although not shown, in some examples, the support member 128 may include a plurality of legs arranged on the bottom portion 126.

[0036] The base 110 may include a base opening 130 at the second end 124 of the base sidewall structure 112 (in Figures 3 to 5 (As shown in the image). The base opening 130 is configured to allow access to the base interior space 132 formed by the base sidewall structure 112 and the bottom portion 126.

[0037] Container 100 may include a lid 150. Lid 150 may be pivotally connected to base 110 and configured to rotate between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein the open configuration allows access to base opening 130 and base interior space 132, and the closed configuration prevents access to base opening 130 and base interior space 132. In some examples, rotating lid 150 from the closed configuration to the open configuration includes rotating the lid from the closed configuration by about 90°, or about 180°, or about 270°. Figure 1 As shown, when container 100 is in a closed configuration, base opening 130 can be covered by lid 150. In some arrangements, lid 150 can be press-fitted to base 110 for a closed configuration. Additionally or alternatively, other securing systems or devices can be used to secure lid 150 to base 110, as will be discussed more fully herein.

[0038] In some examples, the lid 150 may be hinged such that the lid 150 is (removably or permanently) attached to the base 110 at hinge 142 and can rotate about hinge 142. Hinge 142 may be one of various types of hinges, including continuous piano hinges, double hinges, ball joint hinges, movable hinges, etc. These and various other hinge arrangements can be discussed more fully herein. Hinge 142 may allow the lid 150 to be opened and rotated away from the base 110 to allow (e.g., via base opening 130) access to the base interior space 132 defined by the base 110. That is, hinge 142 may facilitate the lid 150 from the closed configuration of the container 100 (e.g., when the lid 150 is in a position covering the base interior space 132 formed by the base 110, such as...). Figure 1 (As shown) rotated to the open configuration (e.g., when the cover 150 does not cover the base interior space 132 formed by the base 110, as shown) Figures 3 to 5 (as shown), and vice versa.

[0039] The lid 150 may include a lid sidewall structure 152 having a first side 154, a second side 156 opposite to the first side 154, a third side 158 extending between the edge of the first side 154 and the edge of the second side 156, and a fourth side 160 opposite to 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. The upper portion 166 may be configured to act as a lid for a container 100, which may support an item placed on top of the container 100. In some examples, the upper portion 166 may have a recess 168 centrally located along the upper portion to allow a second container to be placed on top of the upper portion 166. The lid 150 may also 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 the lid interior space 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, the height of the lid sidewall structure 152 can be less than the height of the base sidewall structure 112. Therefore, the volume of the base interior space 132 can be greater than the volume of the lid interior space 172.

[0040] In some arrangements, container 100 may include a gasket 199 or other sealing device. Gasket 199 may be disposed in cap 150 or base 110, and when cap 150 is in a closed configuration, gasket 199 may contribute to sealing cap 150 and base 110. For example, in one example, container 100 may be manufactured such that: container 100 is dustproof after an 8-hour test, and / or waterproof after a 30-minute test underwater at 1 meter depth. In some embodiments, container 100 is capable of achieving an IP68 rating (as published by the International Electrotechnical Commission), which specifies that no dust ingress or complete protection from dust occurs after an 8-hour test, and that no harmful amount of water can ingress when the housing is immersed in water under defined pressure and time conditions (at a depth of 1 meter). The IP68 dust test lasts up to 8 hours, and the housing is tested in a vacuum. The IP68 water test lasts up to 30 minutes, and the housing is tested with the lowest point of the housing submerged in water at a depth of 1 meter.

[0041] In some examples, (such as) Figures 12 to 14(As best shown in the image), gasket 199 can be disposed in a recess 174 formed in the cap 150, the recess 174 extending around the periphery of the cap 150. Additionally, in some examples, the container 100 may include a ridge 134 in the base 110, the ridge 134 extending around the periphery of the base 110. Gasket 199 can be placed between the recess 174 and the ridge 134. When the cap 150 is in a closed configuration, the ridge 134, having a shape corresponding to the recess 174, can contact and compress the gasket 199, and contribute to sealing the cap 150 and the base 110 in the closed configuration, as... Figures 12 to 14 As shown. In some examples, gasket 199 may be a conventional gasket with a generally circular cross-section. In other arrangements, gasket 199 may include strategically arranged cutouts that may reduce or eliminate the need for a discharge port (e.g., a discharge port to prevent cap locking). Gasket 199 may help maintain a seal between the interior of container 100 and the external environment, and in some examples, gasket 199 may help maintain the temperature of the contents contained within container 100. Alternatively, gasket 199 may be arranged in a recess or channel formed in base 110.

[0042] Container 100 may include additional features, such as Figure 2 The tether 198 shown allows a user to carry the container 100 or attach the container 100 to other objects. The tether 198 may be attached to the base on the third side 118 to the fourth side 120 and extend along the bottom portion 126. As shown in the example, the support member 128 may have a groove 136 (or a pair of grooves) that receives and guides the tether 198 along the bottom portion 126. Furthermore, the third side 118 and fourth side 120 of the base sidewall structure 112 may include guide rails 138 to engage and guide the tether 198 along the third side 118 and fourth side 120. The base sidewall structure 112 may also include a connecting member 140 adjacent to the guide rails 138 to secure the tether 198 to the base 110 of the container 100. The guide rails 138 and the connecting member may be integrally formed with the base 110.

[0043] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figures 12 to 15As shown, the cover 150 may include a divider 178 pivotally connected to an interior portion of the cover 150 to separate any object that may be stored in the interior space 172 of the cover from the base interior space 132. The divider 178 may extend across the cover opening 170, thereby separating the base interior space 132 from the interior space 172 of the cover. The divider 178 may have a front side 179 and a rear side 180, and an integral hinge 181 formed along a first side 182, the integral hinge 181 being pivotally connected to the cover 150 at a hinged receiver 175 of the cover 150. The integral hinge 181 may include a plurality of holes spaced apart from the edge of the first side 182. Furthermore, the integral hinge 181 may be angled onto the front side 179 and may be snap-fitted into the hinged receiver 175 of the cover 150 to secure the divider 178 to the cover 150. Thus, the divider 178 is releasably secured to the cover 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 a first side 182 to a second side 183 opposite to the first side 182. Each elongated opening 184 may have a length L that extends at least 50% of the width W of the divider 178, or extends between 55% and 80% of the width, wherein 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.

[0044] When the partition 178 is installed, the second side 183 of the partition 178 can be selectively fixed to the cover 150 to prevent rotational movement of the partition 178, such as... Figure 15 The separator 178 may include a central recess 185 along the second side 183, the central recess 185 forming a pair of protrusions 186. Each protrusion 186 may have an engagement receiver 187 that forms a frictional or snap-fit ​​engagement with a cover engagement member 177 extending from the inner surface of the cover 150. The cover engagement member 177 may be fitted into a groove formed by the engagement receiver 187 of the separator 178.

[0045] Container 100 may also include a removable tray 188. Tray 188 allows a user to store items on another horizontal surface within container 100. Tray 188 rests along a shelf 148 that extends along the inner periphery of the base interior space 132. Tray 188 may include an upper flange 190 having a peripheral wall 192 extending from an inner edge 194 of the upper flange 190 to a bottom wall 196 forming the bottom portion of tray 188. The volume formed by the peripheral wall 192 and the bottom wall 196 of the tray can form an upper storage area within the base interior space 132. Tray 188 may have a tray depth less than the depth of the base sidewall structure 112 of base 110, such that the bottom wall 196 of tray 188 is spaced apart from the bottom portion 126 of base 110, which allows for a second storage area within the base interior space 132 below the bottom wall 196 of tray 188. As can be noted, since the tray 188 is removable, when the tray 188 is removed, the base interior space 132 can form a single storage area within the base 110.

[0046] The upper flange 190 may be continuous along the peripheral wall 192 to form a continuous, uninterrupted upper flange 190. Similarly, the peripheral wall 192 and the bottom wall 196 may be continuous, such that there are no openings or holes in the tray 188. Alternatively, the peripheral wall 192 and / or the bottom wall 196 may include holes. In some examples, the shelf 148 may be continuous along the inner periphery of the base interior space 132, while in other examples, the shelf 148 may be discontinuous, or multiple mounting members (not shown) may be positioned along the inner surface of the base sidewall structure 112 such that the mounting members form a plane to support the tray 188.

[0047] The divider 178 and tray 188 may have a coating of elastic material to provide a soft touch and for storing fragile objects. The divider 178 and / or tray 188 may be overmolded onto a more rigid base, or in some cases, the divider 178 or tray 188 may be formed of an elastic material. The elastic material used to form or partially form the exemplary divider 178 and / or tray 188 may be a material such as or including natural and synthetic rubber, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), or other similar materials.

[0048] In some arrangements, container 100 may also include latch assembly 200. For example... Figures 16A to 20As best shown, the latch assembly 200 may have a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the latch assembly is configured to lock the cover 150 when the cover 150 is in a closed configuration. The latch assembly 200 may include: a latch body 210 pivotally connected to the cover 150; a latch button 230 slidably connected to the latch body 210; and a latch locking arm 250 pivotally connected to the latch body 210 about a latch pin 270 connected to the latch body 210. The latch assembly 200 may also include a latch button biasing member 280 and a locking arm biasing member 282, the latch button biasing member 280 applying a vertical directional force to the latch button 230, and the locking arm biasing member 282 applying a rotational force to 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 also include an interlocking pawl 288, which is rotatably attached to the latch body 210 via a pin connection, wherein the interlocking pawl 288 is closer to the upper edge 212 of the latch body 210 than to the 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 vertical directional force of the latch button biasing member 280 until the latch button locking member 232 engages the arm locking member 252, as... Figures 16A to 16D As shown.

[0049] Figures 16A to 16D The movement of the latch assembly 200 from the unlocked position to the locked position is shown. (See diagram.) Figure 16AAs shown, the latch assembly 200 is in the unlocked position, with the latch locking arm 250 extending from the latch body 210 toward the base 110. An interlocking pawl 288 prevents the latch locking arm 250 from unintentionally engaging the latch button 230 in its locked position when the container 100 is in an open configuration (e.g., the base 110 and the cap 150 are separated from each other on at least one side). The interlocking pawl 288 may include: a central member 290 having a hole 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 to the first protrusion 294. When the latch assembly 200 is in the unlocked position, the first protrusion 294 can contact the latch button 230 to prevent the latch button 230 from moving upward toward the upper edge 212 of the latch body 210. The second protrusion 296 of the interlocking pawl 288 may have a curved outer surface that can contact the cover 150 when the latch assembly 200 is in the unlocked position to prevent the latch locking arm 250 from locking before the cover 150 is in the closed configuration. Furthermore, when the container 100 is in the open configuration, the pawl biasing member 298 can apply a rotational force to the interlocking pawl 288 to keep the interlocking pawl 288 in contact with the latch button 230. Because the latch button 230 cannot slide, the latch locking arm 250 cannot rotate to unintentionally engage the latch button 230 before the cover 150 is closed onto the base 110. For example, the pawl biasing member 298 may be a torsion spring that applies a rotational force toward the latch body 210 (i.e., as shown in the image). Figure 16A The first protrusion 294 is biased (in a clockwise direction as shown). The rotational action of the interlocking pawl 288 can be controlled by a cam-like interaction between the outer surface of the second protrusion 296 of the pawl 288 and the cover 150. In some examples, the corresponding engagement region 176 has a corresponding curved surface to engage the curved outer surface of the second protrusion 296.

[0050] Figure 16B and Figure 16C This illustrates how the latch assembly 200 engages with the base 110, causing the latch assembly to begin moving from the unlocked position to the locked position. This occurs when the locking arm engagement member 254 of the latch locking arm 250 engages with the receiver 144 positioned below the lip 146 (as shown). Figure 13 As best shown in the image, the latch locking arm 250 begins to rotate toward the latch body 210 (i.e., the latch locking arm 250 rotates along the...). Figure 16B(As shown in the counterclockwise rotation direction), the lip 146 extends outward along the first side 114 of the sidewall structure. In some examples, the lip 146 may extend outward along the entire periphery 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 cross-sectional shape. As the latch locking arm 250 contacts the base 110, the latch locking arm 250 begins to move below the base 110. The rotational movement of the latch locking arm 250 may cause the latch button locking member 232 to contact the outer surface 258 of the arm locking member 252 and travel upward along the 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 slide upward toward the upper edge 212 of the latch body 210. As the latch locking arm 250 rotates, the entire latch assembly 200 rotates toward a vertical orientation.

[0051] Figure 16D A latch assembly 200 in the locked position is shown. In the locked position, the latch button locking member 232 engages the arm locking member 252, wherein the latch locking arm 250 is in a generally vertical orientation. Each locking member 232, 252 may include locking surfaces 234, 256, which face each other when the latch assembly 200 is in the locked position. Further, each locking surface 234, 256 may be generally vertically oriented when in the locked position. 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 the 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 the outer surface 258, the latch button locking member 232 descends, causing the locking surface 234 to move downward to face the locking surface 256 of the arm locking member 252.

[0052] To move the latch assembly 200 from the locked position to the unlocked position, the process described above is reversed, as follows: Figures 17A to 17C As shown. The user can push the latch button 230 upward, disengaging the locking surface 234 from the locking surface 256. The locking arm biasing member 282 can then rotate the latch locking arm 250 toward the base 110, causing the latch button locking member 232 to slide downward along the outer surface 258 of the arm locking member 252. Furthermore, the latch button biasing member 280 applies a downward force on the latch button 230 to aid in pulling the latch button 230 and assist in sliding the latch button locking member 232 downward along the outer surface 258 of the arm locking member 252. In some examples, the latch assembly 200 can operate without the interlocking pawl 288.

[0053] Figures 18 to 20A latch assembly 200 disconnected from cover 150 is shown. As discussed above, latch assembly 200 may include: a latch body 210; a latch button 230 slidably connected to latch body 210; and a latch locking arm 250 pivotally connected to latch body 210 about latch pin 270 connected to latch body 210.

[0054] The latch body 210 may include an upper edge 212, a lower edge 214, and an outward surface 216 extending between the upper edge 212 and the lower edge 214. On an inner side 217 opposite the outward surface 216, the latch body 210 may further include 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 cover latch pin 272 to connect the latch assembly 200 to the cover 150. The latch pin receiver 218 may include a hole 228 disposed on a side surface 226 of the latch body 210, and the latch pin receiver 218 may also include a pin support 221 that receives the latch pin 270 on at least two sides. Furthermore, each latch button guide 220 may be a protrusion disposed on either side of the latch button 230 to retain the latch button 230 along a linear orientation. A button biasing member receiver 222 may include a recess or a pair of recesses in the latch body 210 configured to retain a portion of the latch button biasing member 280. The latch button biasing member 280 may be a compression spring or a pair of compression springs to apply a linear force toward the lower edge 214 to the latch button 230. This linear force helps retain the latch button locking member 232 engaged with the arm locking member 252. In an exemplary latch assembly 200 including an interlocking pawl 288, the latch body 210 may also include a pawl receiver 224, a pawl receiver 224 receiving a pin, and a pawl biasing member 298.

[0055] The latch button 230 may include a latch button locking member 232 extending outward from a rear surface 236, while a front surface 238 may be configured to face and slidably move along the inner surface 217 of the latch body 210. The latch button 230 may also include a bottom surface 240 to provide an interface for applying an upward force to the user to unlock 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 include a hole for receiving a latch pin 270. The latch button pin receiver 242 may have a height greater than the diameter of the latch pin 270 to allow the latch button 230 to slide along the latch body 210 while the latch pin 270 remains secured to the latch body 210. For example, the height of the latch button pin receiver 242 may be greater than twice the diameter of the latch pin 270. In some examples, the height of the latch button pin receiver 242 may be in the range of 1.5 to 3 times the diameter of the latch pin 270. As another feature, the front surface 238 may include a recess that is generally aligned with a button bias member receiver 222 in the latch body 210, which is configured to retain a portion of the latch button bias member 280.

[0056] The latch button locking member 232 may be centrally located on the latch button 230 and may include a locking surface 234 extending substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface 240. The latch button locking member 232 may include a sliding surface 244 adjacent to the lower edge of the locking surface 234, wherein the sliding surface 244 may be configured to slide along the outer surface 258 of the arm locking member 252. The sliding surface 244 may be arranged at an acute angle to the locking surface 234 (i.e., within the range of 1 degree to 89 degrees). In some examples, a stop 245 may extend from the upper surface 246 of the latch button 230, wherein the stop is configured to engage an interlocking pawl 288 to prevent unintentional movement of the latch button 230 when the latch assembly 200 is in the unlocked position.

[0057] The latch locking arm 250 may have a front side 268 and a rear side 269, with the front side 268 facing the latch body 210 and the rear side 269 facing the base 110. The latch locking arm 250 may include an arm locking member 252 and a pair of locking arm engaging members 254, the arm locking member 252 being generally centered along the latch locking arm 250, the pair of locking arm engaging members 254 being arranged on each side of the arm locking member 252, and wherein each engaging member 254 may be spaced apart from the arm locking member 252. Further, each engaging member 254 may have a free end 262 and a fixed end 264, the free end 262 having a curved or convex cross-sectional shape, the free end 262 engaging a receiver 144 on the base 110, and the fixed end 264 receiving a latch pin 270. The locking arm biasing member 282 may be a torsion spring or a pair of torsion springs connected to the latch pin 270 and applying a rotational force to the engaging member 254. In addition, such as Figure 14 As shown, the free end 262 of each engaging member 254 may include a locking surface 266 that may face and contact the locking member 149 positioned in the receiver 144 of the base 110. The locking surface 266 may be generally parallel to the locking surface 256 of the arm locking member 252 and may be spaced forward (towards the latch body 210) from the locking surface 256.

[0058] This disclosure has been made with reference to various examples in the foregoing and accompanying drawings. However, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide examples of various features and concepts related to this disclosure, and not to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations and modifications can be made to the examples described above without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A container comprising: The base includes: A sidewall structure having at least a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, the sidewall structure having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end; The bottom portion is connected to the first end of the sidewall structure and is configured to support the container on the surface; and A base opening is formed at the second end of the sidewall structure, the base opening being configured to allow access to the interior space of the container formed by the sidewall structure and the bottom portion; A cover, pivotally connected to the base, wherein the cover is configured to rotate between an opening configuration that allows access to the base opening and a closing configuration that prevents access to the base opening; and A latch assembly having a locked position and an unlocked position, the latch assembly comprising: The latch body is pivotally connected to the cover; A latch locking arm is pivotally connected to the latch body; A latch locking arm biasing member applies a first rotational force to the latch locking arm; An interlocking pawl is rotatably attached to the latch body, and the interlocking pawl is positioned closer to the upper edge of the latch body than the lower edge of the latch body, wherein the interlocking pawl is configured to contact the cover when the latch assembly is in the unlocked position to prevent the latch assembly from locking before the cover is in the closed configuration; Wherein, when the latch assembly is moved to the locked position, the latch locking arm engages the base and rotates against the first rotational force; and The latch assembly further includes a pawl biasing member that applies a second rotational force to the interlocking pawl.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein, The latch assembly further includes a latch button slidably connected to the latch body, the latch button having a latch button locking member, wherein when the latch assembly is in the locked position, the latch button engages the latch locking arm.

3. The container according to claim 2, wherein, When the latch locking arm is in a generally vertical position, the latch button locking member engages the latch locking arm.

4. The container according to claim 1, wherein, The latch locking arm biasing member is a torsion spring.

5. The container according to claim 2, wherein, The latch locking arm includes an arm locking member, wherein the arm locking member includes a first locking surface and a curved upper surface extending from the upper edge of the first locking surface.

6. The container according to claim 5, wherein, The arm locking member is approximately centered along the latch locking arm.

7. The container according to claim 5, wherein, The latch locking arm has a pair of engaging members, which are arranged on each side of the arm locking member, and Each of the pair of engaging members is spaced apart from the arm locking member.

8. The container according to claim 7, wherein, Each of the pair of engaging members of the latch locking arm has an end with a curved surface that engages a receiving member positioned below a lip extending along the first side of the base.

9. The container of claim 1, further comprising a divider extending across the lid opening of the lid, wherein, The separator is releasably connected to the cover.

10. The container according to claim 9, wherein, The separator includes multiple openings.

11. The container according to claim 9, wherein, The separator is made of an elastic material.

12. A container comprising: The base includes: A sidewall structure having at least a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, the sidewall structure having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end; The bottom portion is connected to the first end of the sidewall structure and is configured to support the container on the surface; and A base opening is formed at the second end of the sidewall structure, the base opening being configured to allow access to the interior space of the container formed by the sidewall structure and the bottom portion; A cover, pivotally connected to the base, wherein the cover is configured to rotate between an opening configuration that allows access to the base opening and a closing configuration that prevents access to the base opening; and A latch assembly having a locked position and an unlocked position, the latch assembly comprising: The latch body is pivotally connected to the cover; A latch button is slidably connected to the latch body, and the latch button has a latch button locking member; A latch locking arm having an arm locking member; A latch button biasing member applies a linear force to the latch button; An interlocking pawl is rotatably attached to the latch body, wherein the interlocking pawl is configured to contact the cover when the latch assembly is in the unlocked position to prevent the latch assembly from locking before the cover is in the closed configuration; Wherein, when the latch assembly is moved to the locked position, the latch button moves against the linear force until the latch button locking member engages the arm locking member; and The latch assembly further includes a pawl biasing member that applies a rotational force to the interlocking pawl.

13. The container according to claim 12, wherein, When the latch locking arm is in a generally vertical position, the latch button locking member engages the arm locking member.

14. The container according to claim 13, wherein, The latch locking arm is pivotally connected to the latch body.

15. The container according to claim 12, wherein, Compared to the lower edge of the latch body, the interlocking pawl is positioned closer to the upper edge of the latch body.

16. The container according to claim 15, wherein, The interlocking pawl includes: a central member having a hole extending through the base; a first protrusion extending outward from the central member; and a second protrusion extending outward from the central member opposite to the first protrusion.

17. The container according to claim 16, wherein, The first protrusion of the interlocking pawl is configured to contact the latch button when the latch assembly is in the unlocked position to prevent the latch button from moving upward.

18. The container according to claim 16, wherein, The second protrusion of the interlocking pawl has a curved outer surface configured to contact the cover when the latch assembly is in the unlocked position to prevent the latch assembly from locking before the cover is in the closed configuration.

19. A container comprising: The base includes: The base sidewall structure has at least a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, a first end and a second end opposite to the first end; The bottom portion is connected to the first end of the base sidewall structure and is configured to support the container on the surface; and A base opening is formed at the second end of the base sidewall structure, the base opening being configured to allow access to the base interior space of the base formed by the base sidewall structure and the bottom portion; A cover, pivotally connected to the base, the cover comprising: The cover sidewall structure has at least a first side, a second side opposite to the first side, a first end, and a second end opposite to the first end; The upper portion is connected to the second end of the cover sidewall structure; A lid opening is formed at the first end of the lid sidewall structure, the lid opening being configured to allow access to the lid interior space formed by the lid sidewall structure and the upper portion; and A partition, pivotally connected to an interior portion of the cover, separates the interior space of the base from the interior space of the cover; wherein the partition includes a front side, a rear side, a first side including an integral hinge, and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the integral hinge is connected to a hinge housing of the cover; and The cover is configured to rotate between an opening configuration that allows access to the base opening and a closing configuration that prevents access to the base opening; and A latch assembly, pivotally connected to the cover, the latch assembly having a locked position and an unlocked position, the latch assembly comprising: The latch body is pivotally connected to the cover; A latch button is slidably connected to the latch body, and the latch button has a latch button locking member; A latch locking arm is pivotally connected to the latch body, the latch locking arm having an arm locking member; A latch button biasing member applies a linear force to the latch button; A latch locking arm biasing member that applies a rotational force to the latch locking arm; and When the latch assembly is moved to the locked position, the latch locking arm engages the base and rotates against the rotational force, and the latch button moves against the linear force until the latch button locking member engages the arm locking member.

20. The container according to claim 19, wherein, The second side of the divider includes a centrally located recess forming a pair of protrusions, each of the pair of protrusions including an engagement receiving member that forms a frictional engagement with a cover engagement member extending from the inner surface of the cover to prevent rotational movement of the divider.

21. The container according to claim 19, wherein, The separator includes a plurality of elongated openings that extend across a portion of the front side of the separator along a direction oriented from the first side of the separator to the second side of the separator.

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