Container and latch system

Abstract

To provide a container consisting of a base, a lid connected to the base, and a lid support body attached to the lid.SOLUTION: A base includes a sidewall structure that has a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a first end part and a second end part, a bottom part connected to the first end part of the sidewall structure, and an opening that is formed on the second end part of the sidewall structure opposite the first end part and configured to allow access to a gap inside the container formed by the sidewall structure and the bottom part. The lid is connected to the base, has an open form and a closed form, and is configured to cover the opening formed in the second end part of the sidewall structure when the container is in the closed form. The lid support body includes a primary wall that has a front surface and a rear surface opposite the front surface, a peripheral wall in contact with the primary wall, and multiple elongated openings extending through the primary wall and configured to receive straps for fixing an article to the lid support member. The primary wall is in touch with an inner surface of the lid at multiple first positions, and the peripheral wall is in touch with the inner surface of the lid at multiple second positions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 47

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 123,746, filed on December 16, 2020. U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 123,746 claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 518,358, filed on June 12, 2017, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 006,344, filed on June 12, 2018, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 828,282, filed on March 24, 2020. This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 735,013, filed on January 6, 2020, and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 788,886, filed on January 6, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 788,888, filed on January 6, 2019, and is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 839,311, filed on April 3, 2020. Further, U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 839,311 also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 830,203, filed on April 5, 2019. All of the applications mentioned above are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety into this application.

Background Art

[0002] Background There are various types of containers and latching systems. The containers can be used for food, beverages, and other materials or articles. The latching systems are present to lock the containers in a closed configuration. However, conventional containers and latching systems may not be very durable and may not be easy to use. For example, the containers may not be strong enough to hold certain articles, and may not be strong enough to hold articles on top of the containers. Further, some latching systems may engage when the user does not want the system to engage, and in other cases, may not provide a sufficient lock with the container. In such configurations, these and other deficiencies may render the containers and / or latching systems substantially useless.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] Brief Summary This summary is provided to introduce, in simplified form, a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0004] One aspect of this disclosure may relate to a container, the container comprising: (a) a base including: (1) a sidewall structure having a first side surface and a second side surface opposite the first side surface, and having a first end and a second end; (2) a bottom connected to the first end of the sidewall structure; (3) an opening formed at the second end of the sidewall structure opposite the first end and configured to enable access to an internal void of the container formed by the sidewall structure and the bottom; (4) a latch keeper extending from the sidewall structure and having an upper surface, an inner surface, and a lower surface; (b) a lid having an open configuration and a closed configuration and configured to cover an opening formed at the second end of the sidewall structure when the container is in the closed configuration; (c) a latch assembly having a locked position and an unlocked position. The latch assembly can include: (1) a latch body rotatably engaged with the lid; (2) a lock member slidably engaged with the latch body, the lock member being slidable at least between a first position and a second position, and configured to lock the lid in the closed configuration when the lock member is in the first position and configured to unlock the lid when the lock member is in the second position; (3) at least one biasing member engaged with the latch body and the lock member and configured to bias the lock member to the first position; (4) an actuating member engaged with the latch body and configured to move the lock member from the first position to the second position and including an actuating barrel having a plurality of ridges spaced apart from each other. A hook portion of the lock member can engage with the latch keeper when the latch assembly is in the locked position. The at least one biasing member can be positioned laterally between the plurality of ridges. In some examples, the at least one biasing member can include two biasing members positioned laterally between the plurality of ridges. The lock member can have at least one engaging member in contact with one of the plurality of ridges of the actuating barrel. Further, the at least one engaging member can include two engaging members spaced apart from each other and forming an opening therebetween. Each of the plurality of ridges can have a substantially triangular shape.In some embodiments, the container may include a second latch assembly, and the second latch assembly may be positioned on the opposite side of the container as the latch assembly. As another option, the container may include a second latch assembly, and the second latch assembly may be positioned on an adjacent side of the container as the latch assembly.

[0005] Further aspects of the present disclosure may relate to a container, the container comprising: (a) a base, the base comprising: (1) a sidewall structure having a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a third side between the first side and the second side, and a fourth side opposite the third side, and having a first end and a second end; (2) a bottom connected to the first end of the sidewall structure; (3) an opening formed at the second end of the sidewall structure opposite the first end and configured to allow access to an internal void of the container formed by the sidewall structure and the bottom; (4) a first latch keeper extending from the second side of the sidewall structure; (5) a kick-out rib on the second side of the sidewall structure extending outwardly beyond the front surface of the first latch keeper; (6) a second latch keeper extending from the third side of the sidewall structure and having an upper surface, an inner surface, and a lower surface; and (b) a lid pivotally connected to the base by a hinge and having an open configuration and a closed configuration. The lid may be configured to cover the opening formed at the second end of the sidewall structure when the container is in the closed configuration. The lid may have a plurality of latch assemblies including a first latch assembly and a second latch assembly, the first latch assembly and the second latch assembly each having a locked position and an unlocked position. The first latch assembly may be engageable with the first latch keeper when the first latch assembly is in the locked position. When the lid is moved from the open position to the closed position, the kick-out rib may push the first latch assembly away from the base so that the first latch assembly does not engage when the lid moves from the open configuration to the closed configuration. The kick-out rib may have an upper inclined surface extending outwardly and downwardly from the sidewall structure and a lower inclined surface converging toward the upper inclined surface. A rounded edge may extend between the upper inclined surface and the lower inclined surface. When the lid is in the closed configuration, the kick-out rib may be fitted between a first raised portion of the sidewall structure and the first latch assembly. Further, the base may include a first inclined surface disposed adjacent to the first end of the first latch keeper and a second inclined surface disposed at the second end of the first latch keeper. The kick-out rib may include a first kick-out rib extending from the first inclined surface and a second kick-out rib extending from the second inclined surface.

[0006] Other aspects of the present disclosure may relate to a container, the container comprising: (a) a base, the base including: (1) a sidewall structure having a first side surface and a second side surface opposite the first side surface, and having a first end and a second end; (2) a bottom connected to the first end of the sidewall structure; (3) an opening formed at the second end of the sidewall structure opposite the first end and configured to enable access to an internal void of the container formed by the sidewall structure and the bottom; (4) a pair of wheels connected to the second side surface of the sidewall structure; and (5) a pull handle assembly connected to the first side surface of the sidewall structure; and (b) a lid connected to the base and having an open configuration and a closed configuration. The lid may be configured to cover an opening formed at the second end of the sidewall structure when the container is in the closed configuration. The pull handle assembly may include: (1) a pull handle rotatably attached to the first side surface of the sidewall structure; (2) a primary hinge plate rotatably attached to the pull handle; and (3) a secondary hinge plate rotatably attached to the primary hinge plate and the first side surface. The pull handle assembly may have an extended configuration and a nested configuration that enable a user to pull the container. The pull handle may be positioned within a recess in the first side surface of the sidewall structure in the nested configuration. When the pull handle assembly is in the nested configuration, an upper surface of the pull handle may be disposed substantially parallel to an outward-facing surface of the first side surface. The pull handle may include a first handle end rotatably connected to the first side surface of the sidewall structure, a second handle end opposite the first handle end, and a pull handle body extending between the first handle end and the second handle end. The primary hinge plate may be rotatably connected to the pull handle body at a position closer to the first handle end of the pull handle body than to the second handle end. Further, when the pull handle assembly is in the nested configuration, the secondary hinge plate may be positioned between the pull handle and the first side surface of the sidewall structure, and the secondary hinge plate may be positioned between the primary hinge plate and the first side surface of the sidewall structure. Further, when the pull handle assembly is in the nested configuration, the secondary hinge plate and the primary hinge plate may be substantially parallel to an upper surface of the pull handle.The side wall structure can include a third side surface extending between a first side surface and a second side surface, and a fourth side surface opposite to the third side surface, the third side surface including a pair of tracks, each of the pair of tracks including a hollow cavity. Further, the side wall structure may be a third side surface extending between the first side surface and the second side surface, and a fourth side surface opposite to the third side surface, a first corner being formed at an intersection of the first side surface and the third side surface, and a first corner support body may extend inwardly from the first corner. The first corner support body can include a hollow cavity.

[0007] Further aspects of the present disclosure may relate to a container, the container comprising: (a) a base, the base comprising: (1) a sidewall structure having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and having a first end and a second end; (2) a bottom connected to the first end of the sidewall structure; and (3) an opening formed at the second end of the sidewall structure opposite the first end and configured to allow access to an internal void of the container formed by the sidewall structure and the bottom; and (b) a lid connected to the base and having an open configuration and a closed configuration. The lid may be configured to cover an opening formed at the second end of the sidewall structure when the container is in the closed configuration. A lid support member may be attached to the lid, the lid support member comprising: (1) a primary wall having a front face and a rear face opposite the front face; (2) an outer peripheral wall connected to the primary wall; and (3) a plurality of openings extending through the primary wall and configured to receive straps for securing an article to the lid support member. The primary wall may contact the inner surface of the lid at a plurality of positions, and the outer peripheral wall may contact the inner surface of the lid at a plurality of positions. As another option, the container may include a lid stay rod assembly extending between the base and the lid support member, the lid stay rod assembly being pivotally attached to the base and pivotally attached to the lid support member. When the lid is in the fully open configuration, the lid stay rod assembly can prevent the lid from closing. In some examples, the lid support member may include: (1) a lattice-like front face formed from a plurality of front ribs intersecting each other in a substantially vertical orientation; and (2) a rear face opposite the front face, a portion of the rear face contacting the inner surface of the lid. Most of the plurality of front ribs have openings. The rear face may have a lattice-like shape and may be formed from a plurality of rear ribs intersecting each other in a substantially vertical orientation. The lid support member may further include opening support ribs extending behind each of the plurality of elongated openings of the plurality of elongated openings. The lid support member may further include a plurality of connecting members positioned between the front face and the rear face, each connecting member connecting adjacent ones of the plurality of front ribs and extending between the adjacent front ribs.

[0008] Aspects of this disclosure may relate to a strap for lifting a container, the strap including a base member having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and an elongate member extending between the first end and the second end. The base member may be formed from a woven fiber material. The strap may have a first end portion located at the first end having a first engaging member, the first engaging member including a first layer, and a second end portion located at the second end, the second end portion including a second engaging member having a second layer. The strap may also have a carry handle including a first opening and a second opening, the elongate member extending through the first opening and the second opening. The base member may include a pair of overlapping regions disposed on both sides of the carry handle, each overlapping region including a plurality of layers of the base member and stitches for joining the plurality of layers together. The carry handle may be substantially centered along the entire length of the strap. Also, both the first end portion and the second end portion may include stitches joining the first layer and the second layer. The stitches of the first layer may be disposed at a predetermined distance from a first end defining an inner portion and an outer portion of the first layer, the inner portion having a first length defined as the distance from the centerline of the stitches to the first end of the base member, and the outer portion having a second length defined as the distance from the centerline of the stitches to the end of the outer portion. The first length of the inner portion may be shorter than the second length of the outer portion. The base member may be a single integral member, and in some examples, the strap may have a variable width along the entire length of the strap.

[0009] Other aspects of the present disclosure may relate to a strap system for lifting a container having a first side handle including a first elongated opening on a first side surface of the container and a second side handle having a second elongated opening on a second side surface of the container opposite the first side surface, the first elongated opening having a first opening width and the second elongated opening having a second opening width. The strap can include a base member having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a elongate member extending between the first end and the second end, the base member having a strap width. The strap can also include a first end portion located at the first end having a first engaging member including a first layer portion, and a second end portion located at the second end, the second end including a second engaging member having a second layer portion. The strap can also include a carry handle having a first opening and a second opening opposite the first opening, the elongate member extending through the first opening and the second opening. The first end portion may extend through the first elongated opening, the second end may extend through the second elongated opening, and the strap may be fixed to the container using a friction fit. The strap width of the base member at the first end portion may be greater than the width of the first elongated opening of the container. The strap width may be in a range 1% to 10% greater than the first opening width. The first engaging member can include stitches located at a predetermined distance from the first end to a centerline of the stitches defining an inner portion and an outer portion of the first end portion, the inner portion having a first length defined as the distance from the centerline of the stitches to the first end of the strap, the outer portion having a second length defined as the distance from the centerline of the stitches to the end of the outer portion, the first length being shorter than the second length. The container can include a first recess offset below an upper surface of a first upper end of the first side handle, the first recess having an inner recess portion extending from the first elongated opening toward an inner void of the container and an outer recess portion extending away from the first elongated opening in a direction extending away from the inner void of the container, the inner portion of the first end portion being received in the inner recess portion. The depth of the first recess may be greater than the thickness of the first end portion.Most of the strap may extend below the first side handle.

[0010] Still other aspects of this disclosure relate to a method for attaching a strap to a container, the method comprising: (a) opening a lid from a base of the container, the lid being rotatably coupled to the base; (b) inserting a first end portion of the strap into a first elongated opening on a first handle of the base, the first end portion being inserted at a first acute angle with respect to a first upper end surface of the first handle; (c) rotating a first inner portion of the first end portion onto the first upper end surface of the first handle; (d) rotating a first outer portion of the first end portion onto the first upper end surface of the first handle; (e) inserting a second end portion of the strap into a second opening on a second handle of the base, the strap being inserted at a second acute angle with respect to a second upper end surface of the second handle; (f) rotating a second inner portion of the second end portion onto the second upper end surface of the second handle; and (g) spreading a second outer portion of the second end portion onto the second upper end surface of the second handle. In some examples, the method may further comprise: (a) placing the first inner portion within a first inner recess, the first inner recess being offset below the first upper end surface of the first handle and extending from the first elongated opening towards an interior void of the container; (b) placing the first outer portion within a first outer recess, the first outer recess being offset below the first upper end surface of the first handle and extending away from the interior void of the container from the first elongated opening; (c) closing the lid onto the base; and (d) lifting the strap by a centrally located strap handle, the base member of the strap extending around the first handle and contacting an outer surface of the first handle. The first acute angle may be between 1 degree and 55 degrees. The width of the first end portion may be greater than the width of the first elongated opening.

[0011] According to another aspect, a container is disclosed. The container has a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a third side extending between the edge of the first side and the edge of the second side, and a fourth side opposite the third side, and has a sidewall structure having a first end and a second end, a bottom connected to the first end of the sidewall structure and configured to support the container on a surface, and an opening formed at the second end of the sidewall structure opposite the first end and configured to allow access to the internal void of the container formed by the sidewall structure and the bottom. The base can further include a latch keeper extending from the sidewall structure, and the latch keeper has an upper surface, an inner surface, and a lower surface. The container can also include a lid rotatable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the lid having a shape corresponding to the shape of the base and configured to cover the opening formed at the second end of the sidewall structure when the container is in the closed configuration. A hinge may be configured to connect the lid to the base, in which case the lid is rotatable from the closed configuration to the open configuration. The container can further include a latch assembly having a locked position and an unlocked position.

[0012] The latch assembly can include a latch body that is rotatably engaged with the lid, and the latch body has at least one engaging lug. The latch assembly can further include a locking member that is slidably engaged with the latch body, and the locking member is slidable at least between a lower position and an upper position. The locking member may be configured to lock the lid in a closed configuration when the locking member is in the lower position, and may be configured to unlock the lid when the locking member is in the upper position. Further, the latch assembly includes a biasing member that engages with the latch body and the locking member to bias the locking member to the lower position, and an actuating member that is rotatably engaged with the latch body, engages with the locking member, and is configured to move the locking member from the lower position to the upper position. The latch assembly can move from the unlocked position to the locked position only when the locking member is in the upper position. Another aspect of the latch assembly is that at least one engaging lug of the latch body can be engaged with the lower surface of the latch keeper when the latch assembly is in the locked position, and that the hook portion of the locking member can be engaged with the upper surface of the latch keeper when the latch assembly is in the locked position.

[0013] Other aspects of the present disclosure may relate to that a lid of a container rotated from a closed form to an open form may include rotating the lid 90 degrees from the closed form. Further, the latch keeper may further include a support rib extending from the outer surface of the base to the inner surface of the latch keeper, and the support rib may be centrally located with respect to the upper surface of the latch keeper. The lock member may further include at least two hook portions such that the support rib is positioned between at least two hook portions of the lock member when the latch assembly is in the locked position. The base may further include at least one inclined surface adjacent to the latch keeper, whereby the inclined surface extends downward at an angle away from the interface surface of the base. The at least one inclined surface forms an angle of 30 degrees to 60 degrees with respect to the interface surface of the base. A gasket may be disposed within a recess formed in at least one of the base and the lid. As another feature, the base may further include a handle on each side surface of the container, and each handle is integrally formed with the base. The handle may have a curved profile below the outer surface of the handle, and the curved profile is formed by a plurality of ribs extending from one of the side surfaces of the side wall structure to the inner surface of the handle.

[0014] Other aspects of this disclosure relate to a container, the container having a sidewall structure having at least a first side and a second side opposite the first side and having a first end and a second end, a bottom connected to the first end of the sidewall structure and configured to support the container on a surface, and an opening formed at the second end of the sidewall structure opposite the first end, the opening being configured to allow access to an internal void of the container formed by the sidewall structure and the bottom. The base may also include a latch keeper extending from the sidewall structure, the latch keeper having an upper surface, an inner surface, and a lower surface. The container may also include a lid rotatable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the lid having a shape corresponding to the shape of the base and configured to cover an opening formed at the second end of the sidewall structure when the container is in the closed configuration. A hinge may be configured to connect the lid to the base, the lid being rotatable about the hinge from the closed configuration to the open configuration, and the latch assembly having a locked position and an unlocked position. The latch assembly may include a latch body rotatably engaged with the lid, the latch body having at least one engagement lug, and a lock member engaged with the latch body and movable between a lower position and an upper position. The lock member may be configured to lock the lid in the closed configuration when the lock member is in the lower position and to unlock the lid when the lock member is in the upper position. The latch assembly may also include a biasing member engaged with the latch body and the lock member to bias the lock member to the lower position, and an actuating member rotatably engaged with the latch body and engaged with the lock member and configured to move the lock member from the lower position to the upper position.

[0015] A further aspect of this disclosure can relate to a base of a container that includes a plurality of tabs positioned along an inner surface of an internal void. Each tab of the plurality of tabs can extend from one of the inner surfaces and can include an upper support surface and an opening, and the opening of each tab can have an elongated shape. The upper support surface can be positioned in an upper region of the internal void of the base or at a height exceeding 50% of the height of the internal void. Further, the base can include a pair of tracks positioned on at least an inner surface of at least one sidewall, and the pair of tracks can be positioned on at least an inner surface of at least two sidewalls. Similarly, the lid can include a plurality of clips positioned along an inner surface of the lid, each clip can include an engagement member and an elongated opening, and the elongated opening of each tab of the plurality of tabs can have a width substantially the same as the elongated opening of each clip. Also, the container can have a gasket disposed within a recess formed in at least one of the base and the lid, and a channel integrally formed with an outer surface of the base, and the channel extends around the entire outer surface of the base.

[0016] Still other aspects of this disclosure relate to a container, the container comprising a sidewall structure having at least a first side and a second side opposite the first side and having a first end and a second end, a bottom connected to the first end of the sidewall structure and configured to support the container on a surface, and a base including an opening formed at the second end of the sidewall structure opposite the first end and configured to allow access to an internal void of the container formed by the sidewall structure and the bottom. The container can also include a lid rotatable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the lid having a shape corresponding to the shape of the base and configured to cover an opening formed at the second end of the sidewall structure when the container is in the closed configuration. The container can also include a latch assembly having a lock position and an unlock position, the latch assembly including a latch body rotatably engaged with the lid and a lock member engaged with the latch body, the lock member being movable between a lower position and an upper position. The lock member is configured to lock the lid in the closed configuration when the lock member is in the lower position and to unlock the lid when the lock member is in the upper position. An actuating member can be rotatably engaged with the latch body and also engaged with the lock member, the actuating member being configured to move the lock member from the lower position to the upper position.

[0017] Another aspect of the container described within this disclosure can include a latch assembly having a biasing member engaged with the latch body and the lock member, the biasing member biasing the lock member to the lower position. The lock member can be slidable between the lower position and the upper position, and the latch assembly can be moved from the unlock position to the lock position only when the lock member is in the upper position. The latch body can include an inner surface and at least one engaging lug, and the base can include a latch keeper having an upper surface, an inner surface, and a lower surface. At least one engaging lug of the latch body can engage the lower surface of the latch keeper when the latch assembly is in the lock position, and when the latch assembly is in the lock position, the lower surface of a hook portion of the lock member engages the upper surface of the latch keeper.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] The present invention is shown by way of example and is not limited to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate like elements.

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] In the following description of various exemplary structures according to the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, various exemplary devices, systems, and environments that form part of and in which aspects of the present invention may be practiced. It should be understood that other specific arrangements of components, exemplary devices, systems, and environments may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention and that structural and functional modifications may be made. Also, in this specification, terms such as "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "side", "back", etc. may be used to describe various exemplary features and elements of the present invention, but these terms are used herein for convenience, for example, based on the exemplary orientation shown in the figures or the typical orientation during use. Further, the term "plurality", as used herein, indicates any number of two or more, up to an infinite number, either separately or combined as necessary. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a particular three-dimensional orientation of the structure for inclusion within the scope of the present invention. Also, the reader is advised that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0020] Generally, aspects of the present invention relate to a container and a latch assembly for the container. According to various aspects and embodiments, the suitcase and latch assembly described herein may be formed from one or more of various materials such as metals (including metal alloys), polymers, and composite materials, and may be formed in one of various configurations without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is understood that the container and the latch assembly may include components made of several different materials. Also, they may be formed by various forming methods. For example, metal parts can be formed by forging, machining, molding, stamping, machining, and / or other known techniques. Further, polymer components such as elastomers can be manufactured by various molding and casting techniques and / or polymer processing techniques such as other known techniques.

[0021] The various figures of this application illustrate examples of a container and a latch assembly according to the present invention. When the same reference number appears in multiple drawings, that reference number is used consistently herein and refers to the same or similar parts throughout the drawings.

[0022] Figures 1A, 1B, and 2A show perspective views of the container 2. In one example, the container 2 may include a base 4 and a lid 5 that may be coupled in some examples or removably coupled non-destructively in some examples. The base portion 4 may be a structure that forms a void for accommodating an article, as more fully described herein. In some examples, the base portion 4 may be in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped or substantially a rectangular parallelepiped. In other examples, the base 4 may be in the shape of a prism or substantially a prism (e.g., pentagonal prism, hexagonal prism, heptagonal prism, etc.). In still other examples, the base 4 may be substantially cylindrical in shape or may have a substantially trapezoidal cross-section. Without departing from the present invention, various other shapes can be used.

[0023] The base portion 4 can include a sidewall structure 6 having a first side surface 8, a second side surface 10 opposite the first side surface, a third side surface 12 extending between an edge of the first side surface and an edge of the second side surface, and a fourth side surface 14 opposite the third side surface. The sidewall structure 6 may also have a first end portion 16 and a second end portion 18. The sidewall structure 6 may also include a bottom portion 20 connected to the first end portion 16 of the sidewall structure 6 and configured to support the container on a surface such as a table, the ground, a vehicle bed, etc. In some embodiments, the bottom portion 20 can also include and / or alternatively include one or more legs 22 that can support the container 2 on a surface such as a table, the ground, a vehicle bed, etc. The legs 22 may be integrally formed with the base 4 or may be attached to the base 4 after the base is formed.

[0024] The base portion 4 further includes a second end portion 18 that defines an opening 19 (shown in FIG. 3). The opening 19 is configured to allow access to the internal void 21 of the container 2 formed by the sidewall structure 6 and the bottom portion 20.

[0025] The container 2 may include a lid 5. The lid 5 is rotatable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In some embodiments, rotating the lid from the closed configuration to the open configuration includes rotating the lid approximately 90° from the closed configuration, or approximately 180° from the closed configuration, or approximately 270° from the closed configuration. As shown in FIG. 1, the opening 19 may be covered by the lid 5 when the container is in use (e.g., when the container is in the closed configuration). In some configurations, the lid 5 can be connected to the base 4 in a closed configuration using press fit. In addition to or instead of this, as more fully described herein, other fixing systems or devices can be used to fix the lid 5 to the base 4.

[0026] In some examples, the lid 5 may be (removably or permanently) connected to the base 4 by a hinge 37 and hingedly coupled so as to be rotatable about the hinge 37. The hinge 37 may be one of various types of hinges including a continuous piano hinge, a double hinge, a ball joint hinge, a living hinge, etc. These and various other hinge configurations can be more fully described herein. The hinge 37 can be configured to allow the lid 5 to rotate away from the base 4 as it opens to enable access to the void defined by the base 4 (e.g., via the opening 19). That is, the hinge 37 can facilitate rotation of the lid 5 from a closed configuration of the container (e.g., when the lid is in a predetermined position covering the void 21 formed by the base 4 as shown in FIG. 1A) to an open configuration (e.g., when the lid does not cover the void 21 formed by the base 4 as shown in FIG. 1B), and vice versa.

[0027] Further, in some configurations, the container 2 can include a gasket 30 or other sealing device. The gasket 30 can be disposed on either the lid 5 or the base 4 and can assist in sealing the lid 5 and the base 4 when the lid 5 is in the closed configuration. For example, in one embodiment, the container 2 can be manufactured to be dustproof when tested under 1 meter of water for 8 hours and / or waterproof when tested for 30 minutes. In some embodiments, the container 2 can achieve an IP67 (defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission) rating specifying that there is no ingress of dust or complete protection from dust when tested for 8 hours and that there is no ingress of a harmful amount of water when the housing is immersed in water under specified pressure and time (maximum 1 m immersion) conditions. The IP67 dust test is 8 hours in length and the housing is tested in a vacuum. The IP67 water test is 30 minutes in length and the housing is tested at a depth such that either the lowest point of the housing is 1000 mm below the water surface or the highest point of the housing is 150 mm below the water surface, whichever is deeper.

[0028] In some examples, as best shown in FIGS. 10A - 11C, gasket 30 can be formed on at least one of base 4 and lid 5 and can seat within a recess 32 that extends around at least one of the perimeters of base 4 or lid 5. Further, in some examples, container 2 can include a ridge 34 on the opposite side of base 4 or lid 5 that extends around the perimeter of base 4 or lid 5. Gasket 30 can be disposed between recess 32 and ridge 34. Gasket 30 can help maintain a seal between the interior of container 2 and the external environment and, in some examples, can help maintain the temperature of an article housed within container 2. One exemplary gasket arrangement is shown in FIGS. 10A - 11C, but this gasket arrangement and various other gasket arrangements can be used with any of the containers described herein.

[0029] As shown, gasket 30 is disposed within a recess or channel 32 in lid 5. Alternatively, gasket 30 can be disposed within a recess or channel formed in base 4. When lid 5 is in the closed configuration, a ridge 34 having a shape corresponding to recess 32 contacts gasket 30, compresses gasket 30, and can help seal lid 5 and base 4 in the closed configuration. In some examples, gasket 30 can be a conventional gasket having a substantially circular cross - section. In other configurations, gasket 30 can include strategically placed cutouts that can reduce or eliminate the need for a vent (e.g., a vent to prevent locking of the lid).

[0030] In some configurations, the container 2 can include additional features such as one or more handles 40. The handle can be disposed on one or more portions of the sidewall structure 6, including opposing sides such as sides 12 and 14 as shown. As best shown in FIGS. 4A - 4D, the handle 40 may be composed of a first and a second arm 42, 44 connected by a grip member 46. The handle 40 may be pivotable about a hinge 43 that passes through a portion of the sidewall structure 6 and through each of the first and second arms 42, 44. The handle 40 can also include features for reducing movement of the handle when not in use and rattling noise that may be associated with the handle. As shown in FIGS. 4A - 4D, one or both of the arms 42, 44 can include a protrusion 48 at the distal end of the arm. In some embodiments, the protrusion 48 may be attached to an elastic member 50. As best shown in FIGS. 4A and 4D, the container 2 can include a recess 52. The protrusion 48 may be configured to be positioned within the recess 52 of the sidewall structure 6 when the handle 40 is not in use. This can reduce movement of the handle 40 when not in use. However, when the user moves the handle 40 for use, the elastic member 50 retreats and the user can rotate the handle outwardly.

[0031] In other examples, as shown in FIGS. 14 - 16B and as described in more detail below, the handle 240 may be integrally formed with the base portion 204 and, in some examples, may generally be an undercut formed in the sidewall structure of the base 204. In some examples, the undercut forming the handle can include a recess extending along substantially all or most of the sidewall structure 6. This can facilitate the manufacture of the base 204 having the integrally formed handle 240. In some examples, the integrally formed handle 240 may be flush with the outer surface of the base 204 to reduce the risk of breakage.

[0032] In some configurations, the container 2 can also include one or more latch assemblies 100. The latch assembly 100 may have a locked position and an unlocked position, and may be configured to lock the lid 5 when the lid 5 is in the closed configuration. The latch assembly 100 can include one or more parts that are integrally formed with the container 2 or are otherwise attached to the container 2. As shown in FIGS. 5B and 9, the container 2 may include a latch keeper 70. The latch keeper 70 may extend from the sidewall structure 6 and may form a pocket within the container 2. The pocket of the latch keeper 70 has a shape configured to receive a portion of the locking member 130, as will be described in more detail below. The latch keeper may have an upper surface 72, an inner surface 74, and a lower surface 76. As will be described in more detail below, the latch assembly 100 can engage the latch keeper 70 to lock the lid 5 to the base 4 when the container 2 is in the closed configuration.

[0033] The container 2 can also include various features for improving the strength and / or functionality of the container 2. For example, the container can include various ridges where certain portions of the base 4 and / or the lid 5 extend further outward than other portions of the base 4 and / or the lid. As best shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B, the base 4 can include a J-shaped ridge or wall 59 that forms a channel 60, and the raised wall 59 engages the sidewall structure 6. The channel 60 may surround the entire perimeter of the container 2. The channel 60 can also include strengthening members 62 at various positions within the channel. The channel 60 formed by the J-shaped wall 59 can increase the strength of the container 2 or the base 4. In some embodiments, for example, as shown in FIG. 2B, the J-shaped wall 59 can enable the base 4 to be constructed such that the inner surface 6A of the sidewall structure 6 is substantially smooth across the entire interior of the container 2. Thus, substantially all or all of the inner surface 6A of the sidewall structure 6, including, for example, one or all of the first side 8, the second side 10 opposite the first side, and the third side 12, can be substantially flat and / or smooth.

[0034] The container 2 can also include raised portions 64, 66 that respectively surround the latch assembly 100 and the handle 40. As shown in FIG. 4, the raised portions 64, 66 may be present on one or both of the base 4 or the lid 5. The raised portions 64, 66 may each be raised to a height greater than that of the latch assembly 100 and the handle 40 so that the latch assembly 100 and / or the handle 40 do not extend outward beyond the raised portions 64, 66 of the container 2. This can protect the latch assembly 100 and / or the handle 40 and reduce breakage of these components during use.

[0035] The container 2 may be configured to contain, store, transport, etc. articles including food, beverages, or any other articles. In addition to or instead of this, the container 2 may be configured to store materials in a solid or gaseous state, or combinations thereof, without departing from the scope of the disclosure described herein.

[0036] The container 2 including the base 4 and the lid 5 may be formed from various materials such as one or more metals, alloys, polymers, ceramics, or fiber-reinforced materials. In some examples, the base 4 and the lid 5 may be formed of a plastic material such as polyethylene molded to form both portions of the base 4 and the lid 5. In some configurations, the outer shell of the portions of the base 4 and the lid 5 is formed using an injection molding or rotational molding / rotational forming process (not shown) as would be understood by those skilled in the art. However, without departing from the present invention, the container 2 can be formed using various other types of molding or other manufacturing processes (e.g., stamping, casting, forging, etc.).

[0037] In some configurations of this specification, the base 4 and the lid 5 can include an outer surface or outer shell that surrounds an insulating portion (not shown), thereby forming an insulating container. The outer shell can generally be formed from various materials such as one or more metals, alloys, polymers, ceramics, or fiber-reinforced materials. In some examples, the outer shell can be formed from a plastic material such as polyethylene that is shaped to form both the base 4 portion and the lid 5 portion. In some examples, the insulating portion (not shown) can be formed from an insulating material that exhibits a low thermal conductivity. For example, the insulating portion can be formed (or filled) with a polymer foam such as polyurethane foam. Without departing from the present invention, additional or other insulating materials can be used, including, for example, vacuum insulating panels. In some configurations, the outer shells of the base 4 and lid 5 portions can be formed using injection molding or rotational molding / rotational forming processes, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art (not shown). However, without departing from the present invention, the container can be formed using various other types of molding or other manufacturing processes (e.g., stamping, casting, forging, etc.).

[0038] Referring now more specifically to the latch assembly 100, as best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the latch assembly 100 can include a plurality of components including a latch body 102, a locking member 130, a biasing member 150, and an actuating member 170. As described above, the latch assembly 100 can include a locked position and an unlocked position.

[0039] The latch body 102 can be rotatably engaged with the lid 5. As shown in FIG. 9, the latch body can be rotatably engaged with the lid 5 using a hinge 106, although any suitable rotatable engagement can be used. In some embodiments, the hinge 106 may be removably engaged with the container 2. This hinge 106 can enable a user to easily remove and replace the latch assembly in the event that the latch assembly 100 is damaged. The latch body 102 can include an inner surface 108 and an outer surface 110. The outer surface may be curved and can generally follow the curvature of the sidewall structure 6 of the container 2. As described above, in some instances, the outer surface 110 of the latch body 102 may not extend beyond the outer edge of the sidewall structure 6 of the container 2. The inner surface 108 may also be curved and may include several different features. One exemplary feature that may be included in the latch body 102 may be one or more engagement lugs 112. As will be described in more detail below, the engagement lugs 112 can engage with the container base 4 or the latch keeper 70 and can assist in compressing the lid 5 against the base 4 of the container 2.

[0040] The latch body 102 may also engage with a lock member 130. As shown in FIG. 8, the lock member 130 can be slidably engaged with the latch body 102 such that the lock member 130 can move between an upper position and a lower position along a generally linear path. The lock member 130 may be configured to lock the lid 5 in a closed configuration when the lock member 130 is in the lower position and to unlock the lid 5 when the lock member 130 is in the upper position.

[0041] As mainly shown in FIG. 8, the lock member 130 can be movably engaged with one or more guide members 132 such that the lock member 130 can slide up and down the guide member 132. In one embodiment, the lock member 130 can include an opening 134 that passes through the lock member 130 and through which the guide member 132 can also pass. The guide member 132 can engage with the latch body 102 at the upper end 136 and the lower end 138. As shown in FIG. 8, the guide member 132 is a cylindrical rod, but any suitable shape that allows the lock member 130 to move upward and downward can be used. For example, the guide member 132 may have a prismatic or substantially prismatic shape (e.g., pentagonal prism, hexagonal prism, heptagonal prism, etc.). In still other examples, the latch assembly 100 can include other devices suitable for allowing substantially linear movement between the lock member 130 and the latch body 102, such as, for example, rails.

[0042] As also shown in FIG. 8, the latch assembly 100 can also include at least one biasing member 150 that engages with the latch body 102 and the lock member 130. As will be described in more detail below, the biasing member 150 is configured to bias the lock member 130 to a lower position. The biasing member 150 may be a compression spring as shown in FIG. 8, but in alternative embodiments, it may be any suitable device for biasing the lock member 130 to a lower position.

[0043] The lock member 130 can include a base portion 140 and a hook portion 142 that extends inwardly from the base portion 140. The hook portion 142 can include a lower surface 144 and an inward-facing surface 146. As shown in FIG. 9, when the latch assembly 100 is in the locked position, the lower surface 144 of the hook portion 142 of the lock member 130 may engage with the upper surface 72 of the latch keeper 70, and the inward-facing surface 146 of the hook portion 142 may engage with the inner surface 74 of the latch keeper 70. Further, when the latch assembly 100 is in the locked position, the upper surface of the engagement lug 112 can engage with the lower surface 76 of the latch keeper 70.

[0044] The latch body 102 may also be rotatably engaged with the actuating member 170. The actuating member 170 may also be engaged with the locking member 130 and may be configured to move the locking member 130 from a lower position to an upper position. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the actuating member 170 can be rotatably engaged with the latch body 102 by a hinge 172 that extends through the latch body 102 and the actuating member 170. The actuating member 170 can include a grip portion 174, an actuating barrel 176, and one or more arms 178 that connect the grip portion 174 and the actuating barrel 176. As shown in FIG. 9, the grip portion 174 is disposed at a distance from the side wall structure 6 of the container 2. This distance allows the user to grip the back surface 180 of the grip portion 174 with a finger placed between the side wall structure 6 and the grip portion 174. As shown in FIG. 9, the actuating barrel 176 of the actuating member 170 may be engaged with the locking member 130. The actuating barrel 176 can include a raised portion 182. As will be described in more detail below, the user can pull the grip portion 174 of the actuating member 170 forward, rotate the raised portion 182 of the actuating barrel 176, and lift the locking member 130. This movement unlocks the latch assembly 100 and allows the lid 5 to move from a closed configuration to an open configuration.

[0045] Referring now to FIGS. 10A - 10D, a procedure for moving a latch assembly 100 from a locked position to an unlocked position is shown with side cross-sectional views of the latch assembly 100 and portions of the base 4 and lid 5. FIG. 10A shows the latch assembly 100 in the locked position, FIG. 10B shows the latch assembly 100 that has been unlocked, FIG. 10C shows the latch assembly 100 in the unlocked position, and FIG. 10D shows the latch assembly 100 in the unlocked position and shows an anti-rotation mechanism. As shown in FIG. 10A, in the locked position, the lower surface 144 of the hook portion 142 is engaged with the upper surface 72 of the latch keeper 70, the inward-facing surface 146 of the hook portion 142 is engaged with the inner surface 74 of the latch keeper 70, and the engagement lug 112 is engaged with the lower surface 76 of the latch keeper 70.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 10B, the latch assembly 100 can be moved to the unlocked position by rotating the actuating member 170 as indicated by arrow 190. This rotation can be achieved by the user pulling the back surface 180 forward. As shown in FIG. 10B, when the actuating barrel 176 rotates, the protrusion 182 engages with the locking member 130 and raises the locking member 130. As shown in FIG. 10C, the latch assembly 100 is in the unlocked position. When the locking member 130 rises above the latch keeper 70, the lock of the latch assembly 100 is released, and the latch body 102 including the locking member 130 and the actuating member 170 can rotate forward as indicated by arrow 194.

[0047] FIG. 10D shows the anti-rotation mechanism of the latch assembly 100 and the container 2. As shown in FIG. 10D, the latch assembly 100 is in the unlocked position and has rotated further outward from the position shown in FIG. 10C. To limit the rotation of the latch assembly 100, the latch body 102 can include a back surface 187 configured to engage with the anti-rotation surface 7 of the lid when the user rotates the latch assembly 100 by a certain amount of rotation from the locked position. For example, the back surface 187 may be configured to engage with the anti-rotation surface 7 when the user rotates the latch assembly 100 at least 20 degrees, or at least 30 degrees, or at least 45 degrees, or at least 90 degrees from the locked position. Preferably, this anti-rotation mechanism may also enable the user to utilize the latch assembly 100 as a handle for opening the container 2.

[0048] Referring now to FIGS. 11A - 11C, a procedure for moving the latch assembly 100 from the unlocked position to the locked position is shown together with side cross-sectional views of a portion of the latch assembly 100 and the base 4 and the lid 5. FIG. 11A shows the latch assembly 100 in the unlocked position, FIG. 11B shows the locking of the latch assembly 100, and FIG. 11C shows the latch assembly 100 in the locked position.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 11A and also as indicated by arrow 196, in one embodiment, the user can return the latch assembly 100 to the locked position by pushing the latch body 102. As shown in FIG. 11B, when the latch body 102 is pushed inward, the locking member 130 contacts the latch keeper 70 and can lift the locking member 130 upward as indicated by arrow 198. In other examples, in addition to pushing the latch body 102 inward, the user must also pull the actuating member 170 outward to move the latch assembly 100 to the locked position. In such embodiments, the latch assembly 100 can preferably be moved from the unlocked position to the locked position only when the locking member 130 is moved to an upward position by the actuating member 170. This can reduce the possibility that the container 2 is accidentally locked.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 11C, when the hook portion 142 moves behind the raised portion of the latch keeper 70, the biasing member 150 can push the locking member 130 downward. As shown in FIG. 11C, the latch assembly 100 is in the locked position, the lower surface 144 of the hook portion 142 is engaged with the upper surface 72 of the latch keeper 70, the inward-facing surface 146 of the hook portion 142 is engaged with the inner surface 74 of the latch keeper 70, and the engaging lug 112 is engaged with the lower surface 76 of the latch keeper 70. When in the closed position, the latch assembly 100 is arranged such that the lid 5 abuts against the base 4 of the container 2, thus closing, fixing, and / or sealing the container 2. Further, when the latch assembly moves from the unlocked position (FIG. 11A) to the locked position (FIG. 11C), the gasket 30 is compressed between the lid 5 and the base 4 of the container 2. Thus, when the latch assembly 100 is in the locked position, the gasket 30 is more compressed than when the latch assembly 100 is in the unlocked position.

[0051] Figures 12A-12C illustrate a procedure similar to that shown in FIGS. 10A-10C for moving one embodiment of the latch assembly 100 from the locked position to the unlocked position, and FIGS. 13A-13C illustrate a procedure similar to that shown in FIGS. 11A-11C for moving one embodiment of the latch assembly 100 from the locked position to the unlocked position. In some embodiments, for example, as shown in FIGS. 10A-11C, the actuating member 170 can automatically return to the lower position as shown in FIG. 10A after being rotated outwardly by the user. However, in other embodiments, the actuating member 170 can move to the lower position only when manually pushed inwardly by the user. Further, in some embodiments, the actuating member may extend further outward than the latch body 102 when the actuating member is in the lower position.

[0052] The latch assembly 100, including the latch body 102, the locking member 130, and the actuating member 170, may be formed separately, respectively, and may be formed of a material such as a plastic material or another suitable material that can be formed or molded into a desired shape. The latch assembly 100 may be made of a size, thickness, and constituent material sufficient to withstand repeated stress cycles when the latch engages / disengages with the latch keeper 70 over time. The containers described herein include various features that ensure easy and efficient manufacture of the containers while providing durability and wear resistance.

[0053] Figures 14 through 16B show another exemplary container 202 having a latch assembly 100, with like reference numerals referring to the same or similar elements within container 2, including reference numerals in the 200 series. Container 202 is substantially similar to container 2, and thus, like aspects of container 202 will not be discussed again herein. However, container 202 can include several differences from container 2. Container 202 includes, for example, a handle 240 that can be integrally molded with a base portion 204 in a sidewall structure of a base 4. As shown in FIGS. 14 through 16B, the integrally molded handle 240 can be formed from a J-shaped wall 259 and / or can include a portion of the J-shaped wall 259. Thus, the integrally molded handle 240 can include a portion of a channel 260 that extends around the perimeter of container 202.

[0054] Figures 17A through 26D show another exemplary container 302 having a latch assembly 400 described below, with like reference numerals referring to the same or similar elements within containers 2 and 202, including reference numerals in the 300 series. Container 302 is substantially similar to containers 2 and 202, and thus, like aspects of container 302 will not be discussed again herein. However, container 302 can include several differences from containers 2 and 202. Container 302 includes, for example, a handle 340 that can be integrally molded with a base 304 on each of side surfaces 308, 310, 312, 314 of a sidewall structure 306 of a base portion 304. Further, container 302 can include a plurality of attachment points for positioning and supporting various accessories that can be connected to container 302. These attachment points will be described in more detail below.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 17B, the base 304 can include a latch keeper 370, along with 19A and 19B. The latch keeper 370 may extend from the sidewall structure 306 and may form a pocket within the base 304. The latch keeper 370 can have a shape configured to receive a portion of the lock member 430, as will be described in more detail below. The latch keeper 370 may have an upper surface 372, an inner surface 374, a rib 375, and a lower surface 376. The rib 375 may extend from the sidewall structure 306 to the lower surface 376 of the latch keeper 370. Optionally, the rib 375 may also connect to the upper surface 372 and the lower surface 376 or the inner surface 374 of the latch keeper 370. The rib 375 may be disposed substantially centrally along the latch keeper 370. The rib 375 can add structural support to the latch keeper 370 to improve durability. As another option, the latch keeper 370 can include a plurality of ribs 375 disposed on one side of the pocket formed by the latch keeper 370 to provide additional support to the latch keeper 370. As will be described in more detail below, the latch assembly 400 can engage the latch keeper 370 to lock the lid 305 to the base 304 when the container 302 is in the closed configuration.

[0056] Furthermore, the base 304 can include a plurality of inclined or tapered surfaces 371 disposed on both sides of the latch keeper 370. The inclined surfaces 371 can slope downward from the interface surface 336 of the base 304, which can be substantially flat and extend around at least three sides of the perimeter of the base 304. The interface surface 336 of the base 304 can contact the interface surface 335 of the lid 305 when the container 302 is in the closed position. The inclined surfaces 371 can slope downward at an angle of about 45 degrees, or within the range of 30 degrees to 60 degrees, or within the range of 20 degrees to 80 degrees from the interface surface 336. The inclined surfaces 371 can prevent the latch assembly 400 from jamming against the base 304 when closing the container 302, and also, as shown in FIG. 21, contact the lower part of the latch assembly 400 when the lid 305 is closed, and can push the latch assembly 400 out of the base when the lid 305 is closed.

[0057] The base 304 can further include a plurality of engagement members 337 extending from the interface surface 336 of the base 304. The engagement members 337 may be disposed outside the raised portion 334. The engagement members 337 may extend into the recess or cavity 339 of the lid 305. The interaction between the engagement members 337 and the recess 339 can provide additional structural support to strengthen the joint between the lid 305 and the base 304 when the container 302 is in the closed position, when a plurality of containers are stacked, or when additional articles are placed on top of the container 302. The base 304 can have any number of engagement members 337. For example, the exemplary embodiment shows four engagement members 337, but the base 304 may include two engagement members, three engagement members, five or more engagement members. The number of recesses 339 in the lid 305 is equal to the number of engagement members 337 and may be disposed on the lid 305 at positions corresponding to each engagement member 337 of the base 304. The engagement members 337 of the present embodiment have a substantially square cross-sectional shape, but may have any cross-sectional shape such as circular, triangular, or other polygonal shapes. Each engagement member 337 can have a height that is less than or equal to the width of the engagement member 337. Further, the engagement members 337 and the recesses 339 of the exemplary embodiment are disposed on the first side surface 308 of the container 302, but the engagement members 337 and the recesses 339 may be on any side surface and may have an embodiment in which they are disposed on a plurality of side surfaces.

[0058] As another feature, the base 304 can have a plurality of tabs 321 disposed along the inner surface 306A of the sidewall structure 306 of the base 304. For example, as shown in Figures 17B and 19A, the tabs 321A may be disposed at each corner of the sidewall structure 306. Further, the tabs 321B and 321C may be disposed along the inner surfaces of the first side 308 and the second side 310. The tabs 321B and 321C may be disposed opposite each other as shown in Figure 19A such that they are aligned along the length of the first side 308. As shown in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 19A, the interior portion can include eight tabs 321, with the tabs 321A being disposed at each of the corners and the tabs 321B and 321C being disposed along the inner surfaces of the sidewalls 308, 310. The tabs 321B and 321C may be disposed substantially centrally such that at least one of the tabs 321B, 321C can be disposed near the centerline of the container 302, but preferably are disposed on both sides of the centerline. As another option, the plurality of tabs 321 may not be aligned with the tabs 321 on the opposite inner surface and may have an alternating arrangement. The tabs 321 can provide attachment locations for various accessories, as further described below.

[0059] Each tab 321 can extend from the inner surface 306A of the sidewall structure 306 and include an upper support surface 323, an opening 324 extending through the upper support surface 323, and a pair of side surfaces at both ends of the tab 321. The upper support surface 323 of each tab can provide an engagement surface for supporting various accessories inside the container 302, such as the tray 500 further described below. The upper support surfaces 323 of the plurality of tabs 321 may be substantially in the same plane as each other to allow the support surface 323 to extend across the base 304 and hold accessories that can be supported by the plurality of tabs 321. The upper support surface 323 of the tab 321 may be disposed in the upper region of the inner surface 306A at a height higher than 50% of the height inside the base portion. As another option, the upper support surface 323 of the tab 321 may be disposed at a height higher than 60% of the height inside the base portion, or even higher than 70% of the height inside the base portion. To minimize the impact on the internal space, each tab 321 can have a thin profile such that each tab 321 can extend a distance of less than 1 inch, or less than 0.5 inch, or even less than 0.25 inch from the inner surface. Also, the opening 324 can be of any shape, but is preferably an elongated shape. The opening 324 can provide an attachment point for straps or other attachment means for further supporting different accessories.

[0060] As another option, a pair of tracks 326 may be disposed along at least two of the inner surfaces 306A of the sidewall structure 306. As shown in the exemplary embodiment, the pair of tracks may be disposed on the inner surfaces of the first and second side surfaces 308, 310, respectively. Each of the pair of tracks 326 may be centrally disposed so as to be aligned with the pair of tracks 326 on the opposing inner surfaces. Each of the tracks 326 may extend from the inner surface of the base 304 and have a height that extends along most of the height of the inner portion. To minimize the impact on the internal space, each track 326 may be thin such that each track 326 can extend a distance of less than 1 inch, or less than 0.5 inch, or even less than 0.25 inch from the inner surface 306A. The pair of tracks 326 may support a removable partition wall 510 that can also function as a cutting board to separate the interior of the container into two parts to better organize the stored articles. Each of the tracks 326 may have a plurality of detents or protrusions to securely hold the partition wall 510 and prevent the partition wall from moving and limit any vibration.

[0061] Similar to the exemplary container 302 described above, the embodiments of FIGS. 17 - 26D can have integrally molded handles 340 disposed along each of the sidewalls 308, 310, 312, 314. Each of the integrally molded handles 340 may be formed from a J - shaped wall 359 and / or may include a portion of the J - shaped wall 359. Thus, the integrally molded handle 340 can include a portion of a channel 360 that extends around the perimeter of the container 302. Thus, the exemplary container 302 can include four handles 340. The handle 340 may be integrally molded with the base portion 304. In some examples, each handle 340 can be formed with an undercut and include a recess that extends along substantially all or most of the sidewall structure 306. This integrally molded handle 340 can simplify the manufacturing process of the base 304. In some examples, the integrally molded handle may be flush with the outer surface of the base 304 to reduce the risk of breakage.

[0062] As shown in FIGS. 22A to 22C, each handle 340 can have a curved inner contour 345 to provide an ergonomic and comfortable gripping surface for the user. The inner contour 345 of the handle can include a plurality of handle ribs 347 extending from the sidewall to the inner surface of the handle 340, and each handle rib 347 can have a curved contour such that a plurality of ribs 347 spaced apart from each other form the curved inner contour 345 of the handle 340. Each rib 347 can have a spacing between the ribs 347 that is smaller than the width of each rib 347. Alternatively, each rib 347 may have a spacing between the ribs 347 that is greater than or equal to the width of each rib 347.

[0063] Each handle 340 can have an opening 341 extending through the handle upper end surface 343 of the handle 340, and each opening 341 can be aligned with the opening 349 of the lid 305. Thus, by aligning the opening 341 of the handle and the opening 349 of the lid 305, a position for a strap or similar device to pass through the openings 341, 349 to secure or restrain the container 302 becomes possible. Each opening 341, 349 may have an elongated shape and may all have substantially the same length and width. Thus, these openings 341, 349 can not only simply secure the container 302, but also provide versatility for other operations to the user. To further assist in securing or fastening the container 302, the lid 305 can have a recess or channel 351 that is aligned with the opening 349 to provide a guide surface for a strap to restrain the container 302. As another option, a clip 520 can be inserted into the opening 341 to provide an additional position for using a hook-and-loop type connection, adding further versatility of options for holding additional accessories as shown in FIGS. 23A and 23B.

[0064] The lid 305 of the container 302 can further include a plurality of clips 315 arranged along the inner surface 309 of the lid 305. For example, as shown in FIG. 24A, the clip 315A may be arranged at the center of each of the inner surfaces 325, and the pair of clips 315B and 315C may be arranged at equal intervals along each of the inner surfaces 327, 329. Each of the clips 315 can also extend onto or contact the lower inner surface 331 of the lid 305. The clips 315B and 315C may be aligned so as to face each other. As shown in the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 17B and 24A, the lid 305 can include six clips 315, but the lid 305 can include any number of clips 315. As another option, the plurality of clips 315 may be arranged in an alternating pattern rather than facing each other on the inner surface of the side wall. The clips 315 can provide attachment locations for various accessories such as a cargo net or a bungee cord net 515, or a strap 516, including additional hitch points for securing any additional item desired by the user.

[0065] Each clip 315 can extend from the inner surface of the lid 305 and can include an engagement member 317 and an opening 319 extending through the engagement member 317. The opening 319 may have an elongated shape or may have any shape. Further, the opening 319 of the clip 315 can have the same width as the opening 324 of the tab 321. These openings 319 can provide attachment points for straps or other attachment means for further supporting different accessories, as shown in FIGS. 26B-26D.

[0066] As described above with respect to lid 5, lid 305 can include a recess 332 in which gasket 330 can be seated, and recess 332 extends around the perimeter of lid 305. Recess 332 may be disposed within the interface surface 335 of lid 305. Recess 332 may include a plurality of retaining members 333 extending from the side surface of recess 332, as shown in FIG. 24B. Retaining members 333 can engage gasket 330 at a plurality of positions around the perimeter of recess 332 to secure gasket 330 within recess 332. Each retaining member 333 can include at least one tapered surface such that the retaining member 333 has a thickness near the top of the retaining member closer to the open end of recess 332 than the thickness of the central portion of the retaining member 333. Further, in some exemplary embodiments, container 302 can include a raised portion 334 of base 304 that faces recess 332 of lid 305 and extends around the perimeter of base 304. Raised portion 334 may be disposed on interface surface 336 of base 304. Gasket 330 may be disposed between recess 332 and raised portion 334 when lid 305 engages base 304.

[0067] In some embodiments, bottom 320 can also and / or alternatively include one or more legs 322 that can support container 302 on a surface 1 such as a table, the ground, a vehicle bed, etc. Legs 322 can be formed separately from a non-slip material such as rubber or elastomer and attached to base 304 after formation. Legs 322 can have a height that can be considered "thin" such that when container 304 is tilted at an angle greater than 15 degrees with respect to surface 1 on which container 302 is supported, container 302 can be slid along one of its edges. Alternatively, legs 322 can be formed integrally with base 304.

[0068] Figures 20A - 21 show an exemplary latch assembly 400, with like reference numerals referring to the same or similar elements within latch assembly 100, including reference numerals in the 400 series. Latch assembly 400 is substantially similar to latch assembly 100, and thus, like aspects of latch assembly 400 are not described again herein. Latch assembly 400 can include a plurality of components including a latch body 402, a lock member 430, a biasing member 450, and an actuating member 470, as shown in FIG. 20A. Similar to the aforementioned latch assembly 100, latch assembly 400 can include a locked position and an unlocked position.

[0069] The lock member 430 can include a base portion 440 and a plurality of hook portions 442 extending inwardly from the base portion 440. The plurality of hook portions 442 may be spaced apart from each other by a gap 441. Each hook portion 442 can include a bottom surface 444 and an inward-facing surface 446, respectively. As shown in FIG. 20B, when the latch assembly 400 is in the locked position, the bottom surface 444 of each hook portion 442 can engage the upper surface 372 of the latch keeper 370, and the inward-facing surface 446 of each hook portion 442 can engage the inner surface 374 of the latch keeper 370. Also, as shown in FIG. 20C, a rib 375 of the latch keeper 370 may be fitted into the gap 441 between each pair of claw portions 442. Further, when the latch assembly 400 is in the locked position, the upper surface of the engagement lug 412 can engage the lower surface 376 of the latch keeper 370.

[0070] The latch body 402 can include a plurality of ribs 413 along the inner surface 408 from the upper portion of the inner surface 408 towards the lock member 430. Each rib 413 can have a contoured height such that each rib 413 has a lower height in an upper region than in a lower region as the rib extends towards the lock member 430. The ribs 413 help strengthen the latch body 402 while reducing the overall weight of the latch assembly 400.

[0071] Similar to the latch assembly 100, the latch body 402 may also be rotatably engaged with the actuating member 470. The actuating member 470 may also be engaged with the locking member 430 and may be configured to move the locking member 430 from a lower position to an upper position. The actuating member 470 can be rotatably engaged with the latch body 402 by a hinge 472 that extends through the latch body 402 and the actuating member 470. The actuating member 470 can include a grip portion 474, an actuating barrel 476, and one or more arms 478 connecting the grip portion 474 and the actuating barrel 476, and the actuating barrel 476 can include a raised portion 482. The raised portion 482 and the actuating barrel 476 may be joined to each other along a substantially flat contact surface 483. To properly support the actuating barrel 476, the inner surface 408 of the latch body 402 within that region is substantially parallel to the contact surface 483, supports the contact surface 483, and thus supports the actuating barrel 476, helping to prevent the actuating member 470 from rotating rearward beyond the outer surface 410 of the latch body 402. As another option, the grip portion 474 can include a raised portion 475 that extends at least a portion of the length of the grip portion 474 to further assist the user in gripping the grip portion 474 without slipping.

[0072] As described above, the inclined surface 371 acts to prevent the latch assembly from jamming in the base 304 and also acts to help position the latch assembly properly engaged with the latch keeper 370.

[0073] Figures 26A - 26D show the aforementioned container 302 composed of various accessories. For example, FIG. 26A shows an embodiment of a storage system including the container 302 and a tray 500, where the tray 500 is supported by a plurality of tabs 321 and a partition wall 510 installed between a pair of tracks 326. FIG. 26B shows the system shown in FIG. 26A having a cargo net 515 attached to the clip 315 of the lid 305. Yet another embodiment of the storage system is shown in FIG. 26C, where the container 302 includes two trays 500 supported by tabs 321 and a pair of utility straps 516 connected to the clip 315 of the lid 305, providing multiple locations for the user to attach and organize any desired items within the container 302. FIG. 26D shows another option of a soft-sided storage bag 518 including a plurality of zippered storage compartments. As described above, by providing a plurality of attachment points within the base and the lid, the container 302 can be equipped with various options of accessories to provide a storage system for the user to provide an organized storage solution.

[0074] Figures 27A through 27C show further details of the tray 500. The tray 500 can have a body 502 with an attachment surface 503 along with a plurality of storage cavities 504. The storage cavities 504 can have any size and can be configured to have any number of cavities 504. For example, the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 27A through 27C includes three cavities, two of which are smaller than the third cavity. As another feature of the tray 500, the tray 500 can include a movable handle 505. The handle 505 can move vertically from the extended position shown in Figure 27B to the retracted or stowed position shown in Figure 27C. In the extended position, the user can easily lift the tray 500 from the container 302 while in the retracted position, and the tray 500 has a lower profile or footprint. The handle 505 can have a U-shaped tubular structure with two ends 506 that engage an opening 507 in the body 502 of the tray. Each end 506 of the tubular structure can have a tapered surface 508 that allows for installation into the opening 507 and a retaining surface 509 that provides a secure stop to prevent the handle from being removed and to limit the vertical movement of the handle 505.

[0075] As another option, as shown in FIGS. 28 to 36 to 36H, a carry strap 600 can be attached to the container 302 to enable a user to easily lift and carry the container 302. As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the carry strap 600 may be installed by inserting end portions 616 of each end 604, 606 into openings 341 of opposing side handles 340 of the base 304 of the container 302. The carry strap 600 may include a base member 602 having a first end 604, a second end 606 opposite the first end 604, an elongate member 608 extending between the first end 604 and the second end 606, and a carry handle 610. The first end 604 and the second end 606 may each have an end portion 616 that includes an engagement member 618 useful for securing the strap 600 to the handle 340 of the container 302 using a friction fit. As defined herein, the term "friction fit" can relate to a means by which two components are secured to each other using only mechanical interference or mechanical contact created by the two components when assembled together. The carry handle 610 may include an opening 612 at each end 614 such that the elongate member 608 can extend through each opening 612.

[0076] As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the carry strap 600 may be installed on the container 302 by inserting one of the end portions 616 from below the handle 340 through the opening 341 of the handle 340, and the end portion 616 may be rotated onto the upper end surface 343 of the handle 340 with respect to the elongate member 608. As shown in the illustrated example, the side handle 340 can include a recess 342 offset below the upper end surface 343 that receives the engagement member 618. The engagement member 618 of each end portion 616 can include a layered or folded portion 620. The elongate member 608 can be folded onto itself and joined together to form an inner portion 626 and an outer portion 628 of the engagement member 618. The folded portion 620 can include at least two layers of the elongate member 608 and may have at least one fold. As shown in the illustrated example, the folded portion 620 can include three layers and three folds of the elongate member 608. In other examples, the folded portion 620 may exceed three layers and three folds. The folded portion 620 can be joined using mechanical elements 622 such as stitches, grommets, or other means known to those skilled in the art for joining layers together. In the illustrated example, the stitch 622 can be a bartack stitch, a lock stitch, or other stitch known to those skilled in the art. The stitch 622 can have a width in the range of about 2 mm, or from 1 mm to 3 mm, to provide adequate strength at the joint. The stitches 622 are arranged at a fixed distance 624 from each of the ends 604, 606 to the centerline 625 of the stitch 622 and can form the inner portion 626 and the outer portion 628. The engagement member 618 can then be rotated with respect to the elongate member 608 on both sides of the stitch 622 to secure the strap 600 to the container 302. The bartack stitch 622 can also help enhance the strength of the joint. Alternatively, the folded portion 620 may be joined using an adhesive, tape, or other means known to those skilled in the art. The adhesive or tape can be used alone or in combination with the stitch 622.As shown in FIG. 28, when the end portion 616 of the strap 600 extends through the upper end surface 343 of the handle 340, the engaging member 618 can rotate along the stitch 622 such that the inner portion 626 is received in the inner recess portion 342A of the recess 342 and the outer portion 628 is received in the outer recess portion 342B of the recess 342. As described above, the stitch 622 may be disposed at a certain distance from each of the end portions 604, 606 such that the inner portion 626 of the engaging member 618 has a length shorter than that of the outer portion 628. For example, the length of the inner portion 626 may be within the range of 60% to 66% of the length of the outer portion 628, or within the range of 55% to 70% of the length of the outer portion 628. The length of the inner portion 626 can be measured as the length of the engaging member 618 from the center line of the stitch 622 of the engaging member 618 to each end. Similarly, the length of the outer portion 628 can be measured as the length of the engaging member 618 from the center line of the stitch 622 to the end 629 of the outer portion 628 located at the fold of the folded portion 620. For example, the length of the inner portion 626 may be about 7 mm, or within the range of 5 mm to 10 mm, and the length of the outer portion 628 may be about 11 mm, or within the range of 9 mm to 16 mm.

[0077] To enhance the friction fit between the strap 600 and the opening 341, the elongate member 608 of the strap 600 can have a width of each end portion 616 that is greater than the width of the opening 341 on the handle 340. The width W1 of the elongate member 608 may be the distance from the first side surface 630 to the second side surface 632 of the elongate member 608, and the width W2 of the opening 341 may be measured as the distance across the span between the smaller ends of the elongate opening 341. In some examples, the width W1 of the base member 602 may be about 5% greater than the width W2 of the opening 341, or may be within the range of 3% to 7% greater than the width W2 of the opening 341. The width W1 of the base member 602 may be a constant width, the width W1 may be within the range of about 38 mm or 35 mm to 41 mm, or alternatively, the base member 602 may have a variable width, and the width of the base member 602 may have a width that is smaller than the width of the base member 602 at the end portion 616 in a central region extending through the carry handle 610, as shown in FIG. 35. In the illustrated example, the carry strap 600 has a base member 602 with a constant width, and the elongate member 608 can curl or wrap along the inner surface of the carry handle 610, as shown in FIG. 30. Thereby, the carry handle 610 can have a width that is smaller than the width of the base member 602 at the end portion 616. In some examples, the width of the handle 610 may be within the range of 60 to 75% of the width of the base member 602 at the end portion 616.

[0078] As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, to attach the strap 600 to the container 302, the first end 604 of the strap 600 may be inserted through an elongated opening 341 on the handle 340 located on the first side of the base 304 of the container 302. The end portion 616 may extend through the opening 341 above the upper end face 343 with most of the elongated member 608 still below the handle 340. In some examples, the end portion 616 may be inserted at an angle through the opening 341 that forms an acute angle with the upper end face 343 of the handle 340 when the end portion 616 is inserted into the opening 341. This acute angle may be in the range of 1 degree to 55 degrees. Next, the engaging member 618 can be rotated relative to the elongated member 608 such that the inner portion 626 of the engaging member 618 lies flat within the inner recess 342A of the recess 342 and the outer recess 342B of the recess 342. The inner recess portion 342A may be a portion of the recess 342 that extends from the elongated opening 341 towards the inner void of the container 302, and the outer recess portion 342B may be a portion of the recess 342 that extends from the elongated opening 341 away from the inner void of the container 302. The depth of the recess 342 may be greater than the thickness of both the inner portion 626 and the outer portion 328. When the first end 604 of the strap 600 engages with the handle 340 on the first side of the base 304, this process is repeated by attaching the second end 606 of the strap 600 to the handle 340 on the second side of the base 304 opposite the handle 340. For example, the second end 606 is inserted through an elongated opening 341 on the handle 340 located on the second side of the base 304 of the container 302, the end portion 616 extends above the upper end face 343, and most of the elongated member 608 is below the handle 340. Similar to installing the first end portion 604, the second end portion 616 of the end 606 may be inserted, in which case the end portion 616 forms an acute angle with the upper end face 343 of the handle 340 when inserted into the opening 341. This acute angle may be in the range of 1 degree to 55 degrees. Finally, the second engaging member 618 may be rotated relative to the elongated member 608 such that the inner portion 626 of the engaging member 618 lies flat within the inner portion 342A of the recess 342 and the outer portion 342B of the recess 342.Next, the strap 600 is fixed to each handle 340 of the base 304 at both ends 604, 606. The container 302 may be closed, and the strap 600 may be gripped by the user by the strap handle 610 to lift the container 302. When the strap 600 is lifted, the elongate member 608 can wrap around the outer portion of the bottom of the handle 340 and contact the outer surface 346 of the handle 340.

[0079] As described above, the carry strap 600 can include a base member 602 having a first end 604, a second end 606, and an elongate member 608 extending between the first end 604 and the second end 606, and a carry handle 610. The carry handle 610 may be disposed at a substantially central position along the overall length L of the carry strap 600. Further, the strap 600 can include a pair of overlapping regions 634 disposed at a certain distance from the ends 614 of the carry handle 610. The overlapping regions 634 can include three layers of the elongate member 608 that are folded over themselves and then joined to each other. In some examples, the overlapping regions 634 can include three or more layers. The overlapping regions 634 can be permanently joined using stitches 636 such as box-x stitches that extend around the perimeter of the overlapping regions 634 and have a diagonal stitch region extending between the corners of the stitches. The stitches 636 may have a rectangular shape such that the box × stitch is within a length of about 30 mm or in the range of 28 to 32 mm, and may be within a width of about 34 mm or in the range of 32 to 38 mm.

[0080] As an alternative to the stitch 636 shown in FIGS. 28-34, the stitch 636 can have various shapes. For example, the stitch 636 may be in several forms as follows. (a) Regular or irregular backstitches substantially parallel to the webbing as shown in FIG. 36A; (b) A box stitch with bartack reinforcement at the end closest to the fold as shown in FIG. 36B; (c) A box knitting with bartack reinforcement at the end closest to the fold as shown in FIG. 36C; (d) A single bartack or a series of bartacks arranged substantially parallel to the fold as shown in FIG. 36D; (e) Regular or irregular backstitches substantially perpendicular to the webbing as shown in FIG. 36E; (f) A double W stitch pattern as shown in FIG. 36F; (g) A zigzag stitch pattern as shown in FIG. 36G; (h) A circular or pattern bartack as shown in FIG. 36H, and the pattern bartack may be any geometric shape such as a triangle, a quadrilateral, or a shape including more than four sides. Further, the bartack pattern of FIG. 36H can include different geometric shapes, such as having rectangular and triangular bartacks in a pattern together.

[0081] In some examples, the overlap region 634 may be joined using only stitches, using an adhesive, or using stitches together with an adhesive. These overlap regions 634 can provide additional strength to the carry strap 600 while maintaining the carry handle 610 substantially centered along the length L of the carry strap 600. The total length L of the carry strap 600 may have a length that allows the carry strap to clear either the front face 308 or the rear face 310 of the container 302 so as not to prevent the second container 302 from being stacked on top of the first container 302.

[0082] The carry handle 610 may be formed from a polymer wrap around an elongate member 608 that forms a smooth surface along the bottom surface 638, and may also have a slot 640 that extends along the top surface 642 over the entire length of the handle 610. The carry handle 610 can have a concave curvature along the bottom surface 638, as shown in FIG. 33. The base member 602 may be formed from a woven fiber material or webbing. The woven fiber material or webbing may be a single integral member that forms the base member 602 of the carry strap 600. In other examples, the base member 602 may be formed by a plurality of webbing or fabric strips. The strap material may be formed from nylon, polypropylene, polyester, or other polymeric materials. The woven fiber material or webbing may be solution dyed, piece dyed, gray, or undyed.

[0083] Furthermore, the carry strap 600 as described above can be attached in the same manner as the container 202, or alternatively, the carry strap 600 can include a mechanical clip or similar mechanical structure for securing the carry strap 600 to any of the containers described herein at 2,202 and 302.

[0084] Figures 37-44 show another exemplary container 702 having a latch assembly 800 described below. Like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements within containers 2, 202, 302, including reference numerals in the 7XX series. Container 702 is similar to containers 2, 202, and 302 in many respects, and thus, similar aspects of container 702 will not be described again herein. Similar to the other containers disclosed herein, lid 705 may be pivotally attached to base 704. However, container 702 can include some differences from containers 2, 202, and 302. Container 702 includes, for example, strap handles 780 attached to each end of container 702 as shown in FIG. 40. Each strap handle 780 can be attached to handle 740 at each end of container 702. Further, container 702 may be larger than container 302 and may include a plurality of attachment points for positioning and supporting various accessories that can be attached to container 302, similar to the accessories attached to container 702 shown in FIGS. 26A-26D.

[0085] Each strap handle 780 can provide a flexible interface for allowing a user to lift and move container 702. Each strap handle 780 can include a strap portion 781 and a carry handle 782, and each end 783 of the strap portion 781 can have an overlapping region forming an opening for receiving a pin 784. To secure the strap handle 780 to container 702, the pin 784 can extend through the openings at each end 783 of the strap portion 781 and be received in clevis portions 785 disposed at both ends of the handle 740. The strap portion 781 may be of a material similar to base member 602, and the carry handle 782 may be similar to the carry handle 610 of the aforementioned carry strap 600.

[0086] Figs. 41-44 illustrate an exemplary latch assembly 800, with like reference numerals referring to the same or similar elements as latch assemblies 100 and 400, including 8xx series reference numerals. The latch assembly 800 is similar to latch assemblies 100 and 400, and thus, like aspects of the latch assembly 800 are not described again herein. The latch assembly 800 can include a plurality of components including a latch body 802, a locking member 830, a biasing member 850, and an actuating member 870, as shown in Figs. 41 and 42. Similar to the latch assemblies 100 and 400 described above, the latch assembly 800 can include a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking member 830 can be slidably engaged with the latch body 802 such that the locking member 830 can move between an upper or unlocked position and a lower or locked position along a substantially linear path. The locking member 830 may be configured to lock the lid 705 in a closed configuration when the locking member 830 is in the lower or locked position and to unlock the lid 705 when the locking member 830 is in the upper or unlocked position. Alternatively, the latch assembly 800 may be arranged such that the slidably disposed locking member 830 can move to an upper position corresponding to the locked position and can move to a lower position corresponding to the unlocked position.

[0087] The locking member 830 can include a base portion 840 and a plurality of hook portions 842 extending inwardly from the base portion 840. The plurality of hook portions 842 may be spaced apart from each other by a gap 841. Each hook portion 842 can include a lower surface 844 and an inward-facing surface 846 respectively. When the latch assembly 800 is in the locked position, the lower surface 844 of each hook portion 842 can engage with the upper surface 772 of the latch keeper 770, and the inward-facing surface 846 of each hook portion 842 can engage with the inner surface of the latch keeper 770. Also, a rib 775 of the latch keeper 770 may be fitted into the gap 841 between each hook portion 842. Further, when the latch assembly 800 is in the locked position, the upper surface of the engagement lug 812 can engage with the lower surface 776 of the latch keeper 770. Similar to the base 304, the base 704 can include a plurality of inclined surfaces or tapered surfaces 771 disposed on both sides of the latch keeper 770. The inclined surface 771 may be inclined downwardly from the boundary surface 736 of the base 704.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 41, the latch body 802 can include a plurality of ribs 813 along the inner surface 808, and can include a vertically oriented rib 813A disposed adjacent to the lock member 830. The rib 813 can also include a horizontally oriented rib 813B that extends across most or all of the inner surface 808. Further, the rib 813C is disposed below the rib 813B and extends intermittently across the inner surface 808 and can function as a vertical stopper for the lock member 830 when the lock member 830 is moved upward to the unlocked position. The rib 813 can also help strengthen the latch body 802 while reducing the overall weight of the latch assembly 800. The rib 813B can include a mount 814 that supports the guide member 832, and the guide member 832 can be connected from the mount 814 to the base 840 of the lock member 830. In some examples, the guide member 832 can extend through an opening in the base 840 of the lock member 830. The biasing member 850 may be disposed between the mount 814 of the latch body 802 and the base 840 of the lock member 830, and in some examples, the guide member 832 may cooperate with the biasing member 850 to enable smooth movement of the lock member 830 relative to the latch body 802. As shown in the illustrative examples of FIGS. 41-44, the biasing member 850 may be a compression spring, and the guide member 832 may have a cylindrical shape that extends through an opening in the biasing member 850. Similar to the latch assemblies 100 and 400, the biasing member 850 may be configured to bias the lock member 830 to the lower or locked position. In an alternative example, the biasing member 850 may be any suitable device for biasing the lock member 830 to the lower position. As shown in FIGS. 42-44, each latch assembly 800 can include a pair of guide members 832 and a pair of biasing members 850.

[0089] Similar to the latch assemblies 100 and 400, the latch body 802 can also be rotatably engaged with the actuating member 870. The actuating member 870 can be configured to engage with the locking member 830 and move the locking member 830 from a lower or locked position to an upper or unlocked position. The actuating member 870 can be rotatably engaged with the latch body 802 by a hinge 872 that extends through the latch body 802 and the actuating member 870. In some examples, the actuating member 870 can be slidably engaged with the latch body 802. The actuating member 870 can include a grip portion 874, an actuating barrel 876, and one or more arms 878 that connect the grip portion 874. The actuating barrel 876 can include a pair of ridges 882, and each ridge 882 can engage with an engaging member 848 that extends from the bottom surface of the base 840 of the locking member 830. Each ridge 882 can have a substantially triangular shape, or in other examples, can have a different geometric shape. Each engaging member 848 can be spaced apart from each other to form an opening 849 between the bottom surface of the base 840 and the actuating barrel 876. In some examples, the distance between the engaging members 848 (the distance across the opening 849) can be in the range of 30 mm to 40 mm from each other. By spacing the engaging members 848 apart from each other, the load path through the latch 800 can be improved, so that the latch 800 is more robust and can remain better closed during high stress events such as drop impacts. A portion of each guide member 832 can extend into the opening 849 between the engaging members 848 of the locking member 830. As shown in FIGS. 43 and 44, the biasing member 850 and the guide member 832 can be laterally disposed between the pair of ridges 882. This arrangement of the laterally disposed and spaced-apart ridges 882 can help improve the durability of the latch assembly 800 and keep it in the locked position when the latch assembly 800 is subjected to different environmental stresses such as a large impact load when it falls on a corner of the container 702. Similar to the latch assemblies 100 and 400, when the actuating barrel 876 rotates, the ridges 882 contact and engage the engaging members 848 of the locking member 830, thereby causing the locking member 830 to rise.When the locking member 830 moves upward, the hook portion 842 disengages from the latch keeper 770, and the latch assembly 800 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0090] Figures 45 - 56 can be similar to containers 2, 202, 302, 702 in many aspects, and show another exemplary container 902 described with similar reference numerals, referring to the same or similar elements within containers 2, 202, 302, 702 but including 9XX series reference numerals. Container 902 is similar to containers 2, 202, 302, 702 in many aspects, and thus, similar aspects of container 902 will not be described again herein. For example, container 902 can include strap handles 980 at each end of the container, similar to strap handle 780. Container 902 can also include a plurality of latch assemblies 800, and the plurality of latch assemblies 800 can be arranged on adjacent sides of container 902. For example, container 902 includes three latch assemblies 800 on the front face 908 and a single latch assembly 800 on each of the adjacent side faces 912, 914 of the front face 908. The front face 908 may be longer than the left and right side faces 912, 914. However, container 902 can include some differences from containers 2, 202, 302, 702. In particular, container 902 may be larger than containers 2, 202, 302, 702 in both length, width, and volume. Optionally, in some examples, containers 2, 202, 302, 702, 902 can have a lid removably connected to the base, and latches can be arranged along each side of the body and the lid such that the lid can be removed by unlatching all of the latches, with latches arranged on the front face 908, the rear face 910 opposite the front face 908, the right side face 912, and the left side face 914 opposite the right side face 912.

[0091] Due to its larger size, container 902 can include a pair of wheel assemblies 986 to assist the user in easily moving it, as shown in FIGS. 45 and 46. The wheel assemblies 986 may be attached to the bottom 920 of the base portion 904, or may be attached to both the bottom 920 and the right side 912 of the base portion 904. The wheel assemblies 986 can include a wheel housing 987 and a wheel 988, and each wheel 988 can be attached to the wheel housing 987 before the wheel housing 987 is attached to the base portion 904. Each wheel assembly 986 may be fixed within a wheel recess 989 on the base portion 904. Each wheel assembly 986 may be fixed within the recess using at least one mechanical fastener.

[0092] The base portion 904 of the container 902 can include a pair of tracks 926 disposed along at least two of the inner surfaces 906A of the sidewall structure 906. As shown in FIGS. 47-49, the inner surface 906A can include two pairs of tracks 926 disposed and aligned opposite each other on the inner surfaces of the front and rear sides 908, 910, respectively. Each pair of tracks 926 may be spaced apart from each other, and each pair of tracks can receive a removable partition wall 525 as shown in FIG. 57. The removable partition wall 525 for the container 902 may be similar to the partition wall 510, but may be larger to fit the container 902. Each track 926 may also extend from the inner surface 906A of the sidewall structure 906 to the inner surface of the bottom 920. Further, as shown in FIG. 49, each track 926 can include a hollow cavity 990 between the outward-facing surface 991 of each track 926 and the outward-facing surface of the sidewall structure 906 and / or the outward-facing surface of the bottom 920 of the container 902. The hollow cavity 990 may be formed by a gas-assisted molding process when the base portion 904 is molded. The hollow cavity 990 can enable each track 926 to have a substantially constant wall thickness. In some examples, the hollow cavity 990 can have a length greater than its height, where the length is measured along the longest dimension of the container 902 and the height is measured in the upward to downward direction. The length of the hollow cavity 990 may be about three times the wall thickness of each track 926, or within the range of two to four times the wall thickness of each track 926. The height of the hollow cavity 990 may be 1.5 to 2.5 times the wall thickness of each track 926. As described above, the tracks 926 can receive removable partitions, but can also act as ribs for structurally reinforcing the sidewall structure 906 of the container 902.

[0093] The base 904 can also include a plurality of tabs 921 similar to the aforementioned tabs 321 disposed along the inner surface 906A of the side wall structure 906. For example, as shown in FIG. 48, the tabs may be disposed along each inner surface 906A of the side wall structure 906. Pairs of tabs 921 may be disposed opposite each other to support various accessories. As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 48, the inner surface 906A can include 12 tabs 921, although the number of tabs 921 can be more or less than 12. Further, the base 904 can include corner supports 992 at each corner of the inner surface 906A. Each corner support 992 may project inwardly from the inner surface 906A toward the internal void of the container 902. The corner supports 992 can have an upper surface 993 that is substantially coplanar with the upper support surface 923 of each tab 921. These corner supports 992 can help support accessories such as the tray 560 or other accessories as needed. As shown in FIG. 50, each corner support 992 can include a hollow cavity 994 between the outward-facing surface 995 of the corner support 992 and the outward-facing surfaces of the side wall structure 906 and the bottom 920. The hollow cavity 994 may be formed by a gas-assisted molding process when the base portion 904 is molded similarly to the hollow cavity 990. The hollow cavity 990 can enable each corner support 992 to have a substantially constant wall thickness. Further, each corner support 992 may extend along a majority of the height of the base 904 and extend onto the inner surface of the side wall structure 906 to the bottom 920. The corner supports 992 can also serve to strengthen and reinforce the base 904.

[0094] In some examples, the tracks 926 and the corner supports 992 may be formed integrally with the side wall structure 906 as a single piece. Alternatively, the tracks 926 and the corner supports 992 may be separately and permanently attached using polymer welding techniques such as Emabond (登録商標) or may be attached using adhesives or other permanent joining techniques.

[0095] Similar to other containers disclosed in this specification, the lid 905 may be rotatably attached to the base 904. In some examples, the lid 905 may also have a lid support member 1000. The lid support member 1000 may be removably or permanently attached to the inner surface 909 of the lid 905. A portion of the lid support member 1000 may contact the inner surface 909 of the lid 905 to provide additional bending strength to the lid 905 during loading, such as when a heavy item is placed on the lid 905. Further, the lid support member 1000 can function as a mounting board for removably connecting various accessories 550 or other items to the lid support member 1000 to allow a user to easily access these items. The various accessories 550 may be secured to the lid support member 1000 using a strap 1030 that extends through an opening in the lid support member 1000. As shown in FIGS. 55-56, various storage bags or other items may be releasably attached to the lid support member 1000 using the strap 1030.

[0096] As shown in FIGS. 51 to 56, the lid support member 1000 can include a primary wall 1001 having a front surface 1002 formed by a plurality of front horizontal ribs 1004 and a plurality of front vertical ribs 1006. Most of the front horizontal ribs 1004 and the front vertical ribs intersect each other in a substantially vertical orientation forming a lattice structure. The front surface 1002 may be substantially planar, or may have a lattice shape in which the front horizontal ribs 1004 form a wider portion on the front surface 1002 than the front vertical ribs 1006. The primary wall 1001 can be connected to an outer peripheral wall 1008, and the outer peripheral wall 1008 can include an opening 1010 for receiving mechanical fasteners for attaching the lid support member 1000 to the lid 905. The primary wall can also include a rear surface 1012 located on the opposite side of the front surface 1002, and the rear surface 1012 can be formed by a plurality of rear horizontal ribs 1014 and a plurality of rear vertical ribs 1016. The rear surface 1012 may have a lattice shape, or may be substantially planar and substantially parallel to the front surface 1002. Further, the rear vertical ribs 1016 may be arranged in pairs 1018 spaced apart from each other with a larger gap between adjacent pairs 1018 of the rear vertical ribs 1016. A portion of the rear surface 1012 can contact the inner surface 909 of the lid 905 to help provide additional support to the lid 905 as needed. Alternatively, the lid support member 1000 can have a plurality of contact members extending from the rear surface 1012 and contacting the inner surface 909 of the lid 905 to help provide additional support to the lid 905 as needed. These contact members may be rear ribs and / or bosses removably or permanently connected to the lid 905 using mechanical fasteners extending through the primary wall 1001. The mechanical fasteners may be spaced equidistantly from each other, or may be arranged in an asymmetric pattern. A plurality of connecting members 1020 may be arranged between the front surface 1002 and the rear surface 1012. Each connecting member 1020 can connect to and extend between an adjacent rear horizontal rib 1014 and an adjacent pair 1018 of rear vertical ribs 1016. Each connecting member 1020 can also connect to and extend between an adjacent front horizontal rib 1004 and an adjacent front vertical rib 1006. Each of the front ribs 1004, 1006 can include a tapered region extending from the front surface 1002 to the adjacent connecting member 1020.In the illustrated example, the front and rear horizontal ribs 1004, 1014 are oriented substantially horizontally, and the front and rear vertical ribs 1006, 1016 are oriented substantially perpendicular to the outer peripheral wall 1008. However, it is considered that the horizontal ribs 1004, 1014 and the vertical ribs 1006, 1016 may be oriented at various angles with respect to the edge of the outer peripheral wall 1008. Further, the horizontal ribs 1004, 1014 may be oriented at various angles with respect to the corresponding vertical ribs 1006, 1016, and in some examples, the front ribs 1004, 1006 may be oriented with respect to each other at an angle different from the angle at which the rear ribs 1014, 1016 are oriented with respect to each other.

[0097] Furthermore, most of the front transverse ribs 1004 can have a transverse rib opening 1022 extending through the rib 1004. The transverse rib opening 1022 may be disposed between the front face 1002 and the outward face 1024 of each connecting member 1020. In some examples, each of the front transverse ribs 1004 can have a transverse rib opening 1022. Each transverse rib opening 1022 may be elongate in shape and may form a path for passing a strap 1030 through the rib opening 1022 to secure an article to the lid support member 1000. Similarly, most of the front longitudinal ribs 1006 can have a longitudinal rib opening 1026 extending through the rib 1006. The longitudinal rib opening 1026 may be disposed between the front face 1002 and the outward face 1024 of each connecting member 1020. In some examples, each of the front longitudinal ribs 1006 can have a longitudinal rib opening 1026. Each longitudinal rib opening 1026 may be elongate in shape and may form a path for passing a strap 1030 through the longitudinal rib opening 1026 to secure an accessory 550 to the lid support member 1000. The plurality of transverse and longitudinal rib openings 1022, 1026 form a plurality of paths for receiving the strap 1030 either longitudinally or transversely to secure the accessory 550 to the lid support member 1000. To secure the accessory 550 to the lid support member 1000, the strap 1030 can be inserted into either the transverse rib opening 1022 or the longitudinal rib opening 1026, then the strap 1030 can be wrapped around a portion of the accessory to be attached and then secured to itself by a hook-and-loop connector or other type of connection. Alternatively, the accessory 550 may have an integral or removable strap 1030 that can be passed through one of the rib openings 1022, 1026 to secure the accessory 550 to the lid support member 1000.

[0098] Figures 57-59 show another version of the exemplary container 902, except having a lid support member 1100 instead of the lid support member 1000. Further, the container 902 of FIGS. 57-59 can include a lid stay rod assembly 1140 and a kick-out rib 1170, described below. Similar to other containers disclosed herein, the lid 905 may be pivotally attached to the base 904 by a hinge. In some examples, the lid 905 may also have a lid support member 1100. The lid support member 1100 may be removably or permanently attached to the inner surface 909 of the lid 905. The lid support member 1100 can include a primary wall 1102 having a front face 1104 and a rear face opposite the front face 1104. The primary wall 1102 can be connected to an outer peripheral wall 1108, and the outer peripheral wall 1108 can include an opening 1110 for receiving a mechanical fastener 1112 for attaching the lid support member 1100 to the lid 905. The primary wall 1102 can contact the inner surface 909 of the lid 905 at multiple locations. For example, the primary wall 1102 can include rear ribs or bosses that extend from the rear face and contact the inner surface 909 of the lid 905 to help support the lid 905. These rear ribs and / or bosses may be removably or permanently connected to the lid 905 using mechanical fasteners 1112 that extend through the primary wall 1102. The mechanical fasteners 1112 may be equally spaced from each other as shown in FIG. 58, or may be arranged in an asymmetric pattern. The lid support member 1100 can provide additional bending strength to the lid 905 during loading, such as when heavy items are placed on the lid 905.

[0099] A plurality of openings 1114 extending through the primary wall 1102 and configured to receive a strap or other member used to secure an article such as a storage bag 540 to the lid support member 1100. The openings 1114 may have an elongated shape. In some examples, the openings 1114 may have a rectangular shape with a length that can be two or three times the width. Further, opening support ribs 1116 may extend across each opening 1114. The opening support ribs 1116 may extend behind each opening 1114, may be spaced a predetermined distance from the rear surface 1106, and form a gap 1118 between the edge 1120 of the opening support rib 1116 and the end 1122 of the opening 1114 to route a strap from an article attached to the lid support member 1100. The gap 1118 may be disposed near both ends 1122 of the opening 1114. Further, the lid support member 1100 can act to enable other articles such as various accessories 550 shown in FIGS. 55-56 or a storage bag 540 shown in FIG. 57.

[0100] As another option, the container 902 can have a lid stay rod assembly 1140 that extends between the base 904 and the lid 905 to prevent the lid 905 from accidentally closing when the lid 905 is in a fully open configuration (i.e., the lid 905 is oriented substantially perpendicular to the base 904). The lid stay rod assembly 1140 can be a telescoping assembly that automatically locks into a rigid structure when the lid 905 is opened to its fully open position. The lid stay rod assembly 1140 can require the user to activate a release mechanism 1142 to enable closing of the lid 905. The lid stay rod assembly 1140 can be pivotally attached to both the lid 905 and the base 904 to allow the rod assembly 1140 to be folded into a stowed configuration when the lid 905 is in the closed position. The lid stay rod assembly 1140 can be disposed near the right side surface 912 of the side wall structure 906. Alternatively, the lid stay rod assembly 1140 can be disposed on the left side 914 of the side wall structure 906. Although shown on the container 902, similarly disposed lid stay rod assemblies 1140 can be included in any of the containers described herein.

[0101] As described above, the container 902 can include a plurality of latch assemblies 800 disposed on the lid 905 to engage with latch keepers 970 disposed on the front surface 908 of the side wall structure 906 and the side surfaces 912, 914 of the side wall structure 906. When the lid 905 is pivotally connected to the base 904 using a hinge, the lid 905 can open in an arcuate motion as it pivots about the hinge. In order for the latch assemblies 800A disposed on the side surfaces 912, 914 not to couple and / or inhibit the opening and closing of the lid 905, the side surfaces 912, 914 of the side wall structure can include kick-out ribs 1170. Similar to the bases 304 and 704, the base 904 can include a plurality of inclined surfaces or tapered surfaces 971 disposed on both sides of the latch keeper 970. The inclined surface 971 may be inclined downward from the boundary surface 936 of the base 904. The inclined surface 971 can include a first inclined surface 971 adjacent to the first end of the latch keeper 970A and a second inclined surface 971 adjacent to the second end of the latch keeper 970A. The kick-out rib 1170 may extend from the side surfaces 912, 914 of the side wall structure 906, or as shown in FIG. 59, may extend from any one or both of the inclined surfaces 971 disposed on both sides of the latch keeper 970A. The kick-out rib 1170 may be disposed on the outer portion of the inclined surface 971. The kick-out rib 1170 can push the latch assembly 800A away from the base 904 to prevent the latch assembly 800A from engaging when the lid 905 moves from the open configuration to the closed configuration or when the lid 905 moves from the closed configuration to the open configuration.

[0102] As described above, each latch assembly 800 can be pivotally engaged with the lid 905 using a hinge or latch pin 806. Each latch assembly 800 can engage with a latch keeper 970 when the latch assembly 800 is in the locked position. Each latch keeper 970A may be disposed on side surfaces 912 and 914 of the sidewall structure 906 and may include an upper surface 972, an inner surface, and a lower surface 976. In some examples, the kick-out rib 1170 may extend from the inclined surface 971 and may be disposed at both ends of the inclined surface 971. The inclined surface 971 can have the same characteristics as the inclined surface 371 described above. As shown in the illustrated example, the kick-out rib 1170 may extend from the upper part of the inclined surface 971 or may extend from the edge of the joint surface 936 of the base 904. Each kick-out rib 1170 may extend outwardly beyond the front surface 977 of the latch keeper 970. Each kick-out rib 1170 can have an upper inclined surface 1172 that branches from the inclined surface 971 and extends outwardly downward, and a lower inclined surface 1174 that converges toward the upper inclined surface 1172. In some examples, the upper inclined surface 1172 may be substantially in the same plane as the inclined surface 971. The rounded edge 1176 can extend between the upper inclined surface 1172 and the lower inclined surface 1174. Further, when the lid 905 is in the closed configuration, the kick-out rib 1170 may be disposed between the latch body 802 of the latch assembly 800 and the protrusion 964 of the sidewall structure 906.

[0103] When the lid 905 moves from the open configuration to the closed configuration, the kick-out rib 1170 contacts the latch assembly 800 and can push the latch assembly 800 away from the sidewall structure 906 to prevent the latch assembly 800 from engaging or prevent the lid 905 from closing. Similarly, when the lid 905 moves from the closed configuration to the open configuration, the latch assembly 800 can contact the kick-out rib 1170 to prevent the latch assembly 800 from engaging or prevent the lid 905 from opening. The kick-out rib 1170 may be present only on the side surfaces 912, 914 of the sidewall structure 906.

[0104] The lid support members 1000, 1100, the lid stay rod assembly 1140, and the kick-out rib 1170 have been described with respect to the container 902, but these features may be disposed in any of the containers described herein.

[0105] Figures 60-63 show an alternative version of the container 902 in place of the strap handle 980. The container 902 includes a pull handle assembly 1050 that enables a user to ergonomically manipulate the container 902. The pull handle assembly 1050 can assist when the container 902 tilts to a rotated position by keeping the opposite end of the wheel 988 away from the stationary surface of the container. The pull handle assembly 1050 may be connected to a side surface 914 of a side wall structure 906 disposed on the opposite side of the side surface 912 that includes the wheel assembly 986. The user can grip the handle 1052 and lift the side surface 914 upward, thereby shifting the weight of the container 902 onto the wheel 988 and enabling the user to pull the container 902. The pull handle assembly 1050 can have an extended form that enables the user to pull the container 902 and a nested form in which the pull handle assembly 1050 is disposed within a recess 996 of the side surface 914. When the pull handle assembly 1050 is in the nested form, the upper surface 1058 of the pull handle 1052 may be substantially parallel to the outward-facing surface of the side surface 914.

[0106] The pull handle assembly 1050 can include a pull handle 1052 rotatably attached to the side surface 914, a primary hinge plate 1054 rotatably attached to the pull handle 1052, and a secondary hinge plate 1056 rotatably attached to both the primary hinge plate 1054 and the side surface 914. The pull handle 1052 may include a first handle end 1060 rotatably connected to the side surface 914 of the side wall structure 906, a second handle end 1062 opposite the first handle end 1060, and a pull handle body 1064 extending between the first handle end 1060 and the second handle end 1062. The first handle end 1060 may have a pair of engagement members 1066 received within the clevis portions 985 at both ends of the handle 940. The engagement members 1066 may be rotatably connected to the clevis portion 985 using pins. The primary hinge plate 1054 may be rotatably connected to the pull handle body 1064 at a position closer to the first handle end 1060 of the pull handle body 1064 than the second handle end 1062. The primary hinge plate 1054 and the secondary hinge plate 1056 may be nested together such that when the pull handle assembly 1050 is in a nested configuration, the primary hinge plate 1054 is disposed between the pull handle 1052 and the secondary hinge plate 1056, and the secondary hinge plate 1056 is disposed between the primary hinge plate 1054 and the side surface 914. A spring and a damper can be connected between the primary hinge plate 1054 and the secondary hinge plate 1056 to bias the pull handle assembly 1050 into the nested position. Further, when the pull handle assembly 1050 is in the nested configuration, the secondary hinge plate 1056 and the primary hinge plate 1054 are substantially parallel to the pull handle 1052. As described above, when the container 902 includes the articulated pull handle assembly 1050, the side surface 914 can include a recess 996 extending for most of the height of the side surface 914 to allow the handle assembly 1050 to be nested within the recess 996.

[0107] The pull handle body 1064 can include at least one grip opening 1068 extending through the pull handle body 1052 to enable a user to easily grasp the pull handle 1064. In some examples, the pull handle body 1064 can include a plurality of grip openings 1068 to allow for user flexibility at locations where the pull handle body 1064 can be grasped. Each opening 1068 can extend over a majority of the length of the pull handle body 1064, have the same width, or have different widths. As shown in the illustrated example, each opening 1068 can be disposed closer to the first handle end 1060 than the second handle end 1062 on the pull handle body 1064. The primary hinge plate 1054 can be attached to the pull handle body 1064 behind the opening 1068 (closer to the second handle end 1062 than the opening 1068).

[0108] Further, FIGS. 60-63 show a pull handle assembly 1050 transitioning from the nested configuration shown in FIG. 60 to the extended positions of FIGS. 62-63. FIG. 61 shows the pull handle assembly 1050 in a partially extended state where the pull handle 1052 is slightly lifted and the primary hinge plate 1054 forms an acute angle with the secondary hinge plate 1056. FIGS. 62-63 show the pull handle assembly 1050 in an extended configuration. When the pull handle 1052 is fully extended, the primary hinge plate 1054 can form an acute angle with the secondary hinge plate 1056. The hinge plates 1054, 1056 can act to limit over-rotation of the pull handle 1052 while providing additional strength to the pull handle assembly 1050.

[0109] The components of the lid support member 1000 and the pull handle assembly 1050 may be formed from a polymeric material which may be a filled or unfilled polymer. For example, the polymeric material may be PC-ABS, polyethylene, or other similar materials. Further, the components of the lid support member 1000 and the pull handle assembly 1050 can be manufactured by various molding and casting techniques and / or polymeric processing techniques such as other known techniques. Alternatively or optionally, the lid support member 1000 and the pull handle assembly 1050 may be formed from a metallic material such as an aluminum alloy, a magnesium alloy, or other metallic materials having a density of less than 3 g / cc. As another option, the container components such as the lid, the body, the lid support member, and the pull handle assembly can include a structural foam having a composite polymeric material with a low density foam core and a high density polymeric skin.

[0110] According to one aspect, a container is disclosed. The container has a first side surface, a second side surface opposite the first side surface, a third side surface extending between an edge of the first side surface and an edge of the second side surface, and a fourth side surface opposite the third side surface, and includes a sidewall structure having a first end and a second end, a bottom connected to the first end of the sidewall structure and configured to support the container on a surface, and a molded base including an opening formed at the second end of the sidewall structure opposite the first end and configured to allow access to an internal void of the container formed by the sidewall structure and the bottom. Further, the container can include a latch keeper extending from the sidewall structure and having an upper surface, an inner surface, and a lower surface, a lid rotatable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, having a shape corresponding to the shape of the base, and configured to cover an opening formed at the second end of the sidewall structure when the container is in the closed configuration, and a hinge configured to connect the lid to the base, the lid being rotatable about the hinge from the closed configuration to the open configuration. Further, the container can include a latch assembly, the latch assembly having a locked position and an unlocked position, the latch assembly including a latch body rotatably engaged with the lid and having at least one engagement lug, a lock member slidably engaged with the latch body, the lock member being slidable at least between a lower position and an upper position, the lock member being configured to lock the lid in the closed configuration when the lock member is in the lower position and to unlock the lid when the lock member is in the upper position, a biasing member engaged with the latch body and the lock member and biasing the lock member to the lower position, and an actuating member rotatably engaged with the latch body and engaged with the lock member and configured to move the lock member from the lower position to the upper position. The latch assembly can move from the unlocked position to the locked position only when the lock member is in the upper position. At least one engagement lug of the latch body can engage with the lower surface of the latch keeper when the latch assembly is in the locked position. The lower surface of the lock member engages with the upper surface of the latch keeper when the latch assembly is in the locked position.

[0111] Rotating the lid from the closed configuration to the open configuration may include rotating the lid 90 o from the closed configuration. The container can accommodate an insulator within the sidewall structure. The container can include a second latch assembly. The container can include a gasket disposed in a recess formed in at least one of the base and the lid. The container can include a channel integrally formed with the outer surface of the base. The channel may extend across the entire outer periphery of the base. Also, the container can include at least one handle. The handle can include a first arm and a second arm, and each of the first arm and the second arm can include a raised portion at the distal end of the arm.

[0112] According to another aspect, a container is disclosed. The container includes a sidewall structure having at least a first side surface and a second side surface opposite the first side surface, and having a first end and a second end, a bottom connected to the first end of the sidewall structure and configured to support the container on a surface, an opening formed at the second end of the sidewall structure opposite the first end and configured to allow access to an internal void of the container formed by the sidewall structure and the bottom, and a base including a latch keeper extending from the sidewall structure and having an upper surface, an inner surface, and a lower surface. The container can also be rotatable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, and includes a lid having a shape corresponding to the shape of the base and configured to cover an opening formed at the second end of the sidewall structure when the container is in the closed configuration, a hinge configured to connect the lid to the base and about which the lid is rotatable from the closed configuration to the open configuration, and a latch assembly having a locked position and an unlocked position. The latch assembly includes a latch body rotatably engaged with the lid and having at least one engagement lug, a lock member engaged with the latch body and movable between at least a lower position and an upper position, the lock member being configured to lock the lid in the closed configuration when in the lower position and to unlock the lid when in the upper position, a biasing member engaged with the latch body and the lock member and biasing the lock member to the lower position, and an actuating member rotatably engaged with the latch body and engaged with the lock member and configured to move the lock member from the lower position to the upper position.

[0113] The locking member may be slidably engaged with the latch body, and the locking member is slidable between a lower position and an upper position. The latch assembly can move from the unlocked position to the locked position only when the locking member is in the upper position. At least one engaging lug of the latch body engages with the lower surface of the latch keeper when the latch assembly is in the locked position. The lower surface of the locking member may engage with the upper surface of the latch keeper when the latch assembly is in the locked position. Further, the container may include a gasket disposed in a recess formed in at least one of the base and the lid. Further, the container may include a channel integrally formed with the outer surface of the base, and the channel extends across the entire outer surface of the base. Further, the container may include at least one handle having a first arm and a second arm, and each of the first arm and the second arm includes a raised portion at the distal end of the arm.

[0114] According to another aspect, a latch assembly for a structure is disclosed. The structure can have an open configuration and a closed configuration, and the structure includes a first portion movable relative to a second portion and a latch keeper engaged with the first portion. The structure includes a latch assembly having a locked position and an unlocked position, the latch assembly including a latch body rotatably engaged with the second portion and a locking member engaged with the latch body and movable at least between a lower position and an upper position, the locking member being configured to lock the lid in the closed configuration when the locking member is in the lower position and to unlock the lid when the locking member is in the upper position, and an actuating member rotatably engaged with the latch body and engaged with the locking member and configured to move the locking member from the lower position to the upper position.

[0115] The latch assembly can also include a latch body and a biasing member that engages with the locking member, and the biasing member biases the locking member to a lower position. The locking member may be slidably engaged with the latch body, and the locking member is slidable between a lower position and an upper position. The latch assembly can move from the unlocked position to the locked position only when the locking member is in the upper position.

[0116] The latch body may include an inner surface, and the latch keeper may include an upper surface, an inner surface, and a lower surface. At least one engaging lug of the latch body can engage with the lower surface of the latch keeper when the latch assembly is in the locked position, and when the latch assembly is in the locked position, the lower surface of the locking member can engage with the upper surface of the latch keeper.

[0117] The present disclosure is disclosed above and in the accompanying drawings in connection with various examples. However, the purposes served by the present disclosure are to provide examples of various features and concepts related to the present disclosure, and not to limit the scope of the present invention. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, numerous modifications and variations can be made to the foregoing examples without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A container comprising: a base, a lid connected to the base, and a lid support attached to the lid, wherein the base has a first side surface and a second side surface opposite the first side surface, and a side wall structure having a first end and a second end; a bottom connected to the first end of the side wall structure; an opening formed at the second end of the side wall structure opposite the first end and configured to allow access to an internal void of the container formed by the side wall structure and the bottom; the lid is connected to the base and has an open form and a closed form, and is configured to cover the opening formed at the second end of the side wall structure when the container is in the closed form; wherein the lid support has a primary wall having a front surface and a rear surface opposite the front surface; an outer peripheral wall in contact with the primary wall; a plurality of elongated openings extending through the primary wall and configured to receive straps for fixing an article to the lid support member; and the primary wall is in contact with the inner surface of the lid at a first plurality of positions; a container.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the front surface of the primary wall has a lattice-like shape formed by a plurality of front ribs intersecting each other in a substantially vertical direction, and the plurality of elongated openings extend through most of the plurality of front ribs.

3. The container according to claim 2, wherein the rear surface of the primary wall has a lattice-like shape and is formed by a plurality of rear ribs intersecting each other in a substantially vertical direction.

4. The lid support includes a plurality of connecting members positioned between the front surface and the rear surface, each of the plurality of connecting members connecting between adjacent ones of the plurality of front ribs and extending therebetween.

5. The container according to claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of front ribs includes a tapered region extending from the front surface to the adjacent connecting member of the plurality of connecting members.

6. The container according to claim 1, wherein the lid support member further includes opening support ribs extending behind each of the plurality of elongated openings.

7. The container according to claim 1, wherein the rear surface of the primary wall has a plurality of rear longitudinal ribs arranged in pairs with spaces therebetween, and pairs of adjacent rear longitudinal ribs are further spaced apart.

8. further comprising a lid stay rod assembly extending between the base and the lid support member The lid stay rod assembly is rotatably attached to the base and rotatably attached to the lid support member, and when the lid is in the fully open configuration, the lid stay rod assembly prevents the lid from closing, the container according to claim 1.

9. Including a first latch assembly having a locked position and an unlocked position, The first latch assembly has a first latch body rotatably engaged with the lid and a first lock member slidably engaged with the first latch body, The first lock member is slidable at least between a first position and a second position, The first lock member is configured to lock the lid in the closed configuration when in the first position and to unlock the lid when in the second position, The container according to claim 1.

10. Including a second latch assembly, The second latch assembly is disposed adjacent to the side of the container as the first latch assembly, the container according to claim 9.

11. The base further, A first latch keeper extending from the second side surface of the side wall structure, A kick-out rib provided on the second side surface of the side wall structure and extending outwardly beyond the front surface of the first latch keeper, Including, The first latch assembly is engaged with the first latch keeper when in the locked position, When the lid moves from the open position to the closed position, the kick-out rib pushes the first latch assembly away from the base to prevent the first latch assembly from engaging while the lid moves from the open configuration to the closed configuration, the container according to claim 9.

12. The kick-out rib has an upper inclined surface extending outwardly downward from the side wall structure and a lower inclined surface converging toward the upper inclined surface, and a rounded edge extends between the upper inclined surface and the lower inclined surface, When the lid is in the closed configuration, the kick-out rib fits between a first raised portion of the side wall structure and the first latch assembly, the container according to claim 11.

13. A container, Having a base, a lid pivotally connected to the base via a hinge, and a plurality of latch assemblies, The base, It has a first side surface, a second side surface opposite to the first side surface, a third side surface extending between the first side surface and the second side surface, and a fourth side surface opposite to the third side surface, and a side wall structure having a first end portion and a second end portion. A bottom connected to the first end portion of the side wall structure. An opening formed at the second end portion of the side wall structure on the opposite side of the first end portion, and configured to enable access to the internal void of the container formed by the side wall structure and the bottom. A first latch keeper extending from the second side surface of the side wall structure. A kick-out rib provided on the second side surface of the side wall structure and extending outward beyond the front surface of the first latch keeper. A second latch keeper extending from the third side surface of the side wall structure. It has. The lid has an open form and a closed form, and is configured to cover the opening formed at the second end portion of the side wall structure when the container is in the closed form. The plurality of latch assemblies have a first latch assembly and a second latch assembly, and the first latch assembly and the second latch assembly each have a locked position and an unlocked position. The first latch assembly is engaged with the first latch keeper when in the locked position. When the lid moves from the closed position to the open position, the kick-out rib pushes the first latch assembly away from the base to prevent the first latch assembly from engaging while the lid moves from the open form to the closed form. Container.

14. The container according to claim 13, wherein the kick-out rib has an upper inclined surface extending outward and downward from the side wall structure, and a lower inclined surface converging toward the upper inclined surface.

15. The container according to claim 14, wherein a rounded edge extends between the upper inclined surface and the lower inclined surface.

16. The container according to claim 14, wherein when the lid is in the closed form, the kick-out rib fits between a first raised portion of the side wall structure and the first latch assembly.

17. The base further includes a first inclined surface disposed adjacent to the first end portion of the first latch keeper, and a second inclined surface disposed at the second end portion of the first latch keeper. The kick-out rib according to claim 13, wherein the kick-out rib includes a first kick-out rib extending from the first inclined surface and a second kick-out rib extending from the second inclined surface.

18. A pair of wheels connected to the second side surface of the side wall structure, and a pull handle assembly connected to the first side surface of the side wall structure further comprising, the pull handle assembly a pull handle rotatably attached to the first side surface of the side wall structure, a primary hinge plate rotatably attached to the pull handle, and a secondary hinge plate rotatably attached to the primary hinge plate and the first side surface, including The pull handle assembly has an extended form that allows a user to pull the container, and a nested form in which the pull handle is located within a recess in the first side surface of the side wall structure. The container according to claim 13.

19. The container according to claim 18, wherein when the pull handle assembly is in the nested form, an upper surface of the pull handle is disposed substantially parallel to an outward-facing surface of the first side surface.

20. The container according to claim 13, wherein the third side surface of the side wall structure includes a pair of tracks, and each track of the pair of tracks includes a hollow cavity.

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