Container and latching system

Abstract

The container has a base with a lid rotatable about a hinge from a closed state to an open state. The lid may be secured to the base by a latch assembly. The latch assembly may have a locked position and an unlocked position and includes a latch body pivotally connected to the lid, a latch button slidably connected to the latch body and having a latch button locking member, a latch lock arm pivotally connected to the latch body, and a latch lock arm biasing member that applies a rotational force to the latch lock arm. When the latch assembly is moved to the locked position, the latch lock arm engages the base and rotates against a rotational force from the latch lock arm, which causes the latch button to be moved against a linear force before the latch button locking member can engage the arm locking member.

Description

Related Applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 530,053, filed on November 18, 2021, and for all non-limiting purposes, the entire content thereof is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.

Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to a portable container having a latching system.

Background Art

[0003] There are various different types of containers and latching systems. Containers can be used for food, beverages, and other materials or articles. There are latching systems for locking the container in a closed state. However, conventional containers and latching systems are often poor in durability and difficult to use. For example, a container may not be sturdy enough to hold a particular article and may not be sturdy enough to hold an article on the container. Additionally, some latching systems may latch even when the user does not desire the system to latch, and in another case, may not provide sufficient locking therebetween for the container. In such devices, due to these and other deficiencies, the container and / or the latching system become substantially useless.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] This summary is provided to introduce a selected concept in a simplified form that will be further described in the detailed description below. 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.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a container, the container comprising: (a) a base comprising: (1) a sidewall structure having at least a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the sidewall structure having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; (2) a bottom portion connected to the first end of the sidewall structure and configured to support the container on a surface; and (3) a base opening formed at the second end of the sidewall structure and configured to allow access to an internal void of the container formed by the sidewall structure and the bottom portion; (b) a lid pivotally connected to the base, the lid having a shape corresponding to the shape of the base and configured to rotate between an open state allowing access to the base opening and a closed state preventing access to the base opening; and (c) a latch assembly having a lock position and an unlock position. The latch assembly may comprise: (a) a latch body pivotally connected to the lid; (b) a latch button having a latch button lock member slidably connected to the latch body; (c) a latch lock arm having a latch arm lock member pivotally connected to the latch body; (d) a latch button biasing member applying a linear force to the latch button; and (e) a latch lock arm biasing member applying a rotational force to the latch lock arm. To move the latch assembly to the lock position, the latch lock arm engages the base and rotates against the rotational force of the latch lock arm biasing member, the latch button moves against the linear force of the latch button biasing member, and then the latch button lock member engages the arm lock member. Additionally, the latch button lock member engages the arm lock member when the latch lock arm is in a substantially vertical position. In an exemplary embodiment, the latch lock arm biasing member is a torsion spring. The latch arm lock member may include a first lock surface and a curved upper surface extending from an upper edge of the first lock surface, and the latch arm lock member may be substantially centered along the latch lock arm. The latch lock arm may have a pair of engagement members disposed on each side of the arm lock member, and each engagement member of the pair of engagement members may be spaced apart from the arm lock member.Additionally, each of the pair of engagement members of the latch lock arm may have an end portion with a curved surface that engages a receiving portion positioned below a lip extending along the first side of the base. The latch assembly may include a mating claw that is rotatably attached to the latch body and is disposed near the upper edge of the latch body rather than the lower edge of the latch body. The mating claw includes a central member with a hole extending through the base, a first protrusion extending outward from the central member, and a second protrusion extending outward from the central member on the side opposite the first protrusion. The first protrusion of the mating claw can contact the latch button to prevent upward movement of the latch button when the latch assembly is in the unlocked position. The second protrusion of the mating claw may have a curved outer surface that contacts the lid to prevent locking of the latch assembly before the lid closes when the latch assembly is in the unlocked position. The latch assembly may include a third biasing member that applies a second rotational force to the mating claw. In some examples, the container may include a divider extending across the lid opening of the lid, and the divider is pivotally connected to the lid. The divider is connected to the lid by a hinge and may be selectively fixed to the lid on the side opposite the hinge to prevent rotational movement of the divider. The divider may be removably snap-fitted to the lid. The divider may include a plurality of elongated openings.

[0006] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a container, the container comprising: (a) a base having (1) a base sidewall structure having at least a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a first end, and a second end; (2) a bottom portion connected to the first end of the base sidewall structure and configured to support the container on a surface; and (3) a base opening formed at the second end of the base sidewall structure and configured to allow access to a base internal void of the base formed by the base sidewall structure and the bottom portion; (b) a lid pivotally connected to the base, the lid having (1) a lid sidewall structure having at least a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end; (2) an upper portion connected to the second end of the lid sidewall structure; (3) a lid opening formed at the first end of the lid sidewall structure and configured to allow access to a lid internal void formed by the lid sidewall structure and the upper portion; and (4) a divider pivotally connected to an inner portion of the lid and separating the base internal void and the lid internal void; and (c) a latch assembly pivotally connected to the lid and having a locked position and an unlocked position. The divider may include a front side, a rear side, a first side including an incorporated hinge, and a second side opposite the first side, the incorporated hinge being connected to a hinge receiving portion of the lid. The lid may be configured to rotate between an open state allowing access to the base opening and a closed state blocking access to the base opening. The second side of the divider may include a centrally disposed recess forming a pair of tabs, each tab of the pair of tabs including an engagement receiving portion. The engagement receiving portion forms a friction fit with a lid engagement member extending from an inner surface of the lid to prevent rotational movement of the divider. In some examples, the divider may include a plurality of elongated openings extending across a portion of the front side of the divider in a direction from the first side of the divider to the second side of the divider.The latch assembly of the container may include: (a) a latch body pivotally connected to the lid; (b) a latch button having a latch button lock member slidably coupled to the latch body; (c) a latch lock arm having an arm lock member pivotally connected to the latch body; (d) a latch button biasing member that applies a linear force to the latch button; and (e) a latch lock arm biasing member that applies a rotational force to the latch lock arm. When the latch assembly is moved to the locked position, the latch lock arm engages with the base and rotates against the rotational force, the latch button moves against the linear force, and then the latch button lock member engages with the arm lock member.

[0007] This summary is provided to introduce, in a simplified form, selected 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.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] The present invention is illustrated by way of example and is not limited to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals indicate like elements.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16A

Figure 16B

Figure 16C

Figure 16D

Figure 17A

Figure 17B

Figure 17C

Figure 18

Figure 19

Figure 20

[0009] Furthermore, it should be understood that while the drawings may represent the relative scales of the various components of one embodiment, the disclosed embodiments are not limited to that particular scale.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] In the following description of various different exemplary structures according to the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof. The accompanying drawings illustratively show various different exemplary devices, systems and environments in which aspects of the present invention can be implemented. It should be understood that without departing from the scope of the present invention, parts, other specific arrangements and environments of exemplary devices and systems can be utilized and structural and functional modifications can be made. Also, terms such as "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "side", "back", etc. may be used herein to describe various different 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 drawings or the typical orientation during use. Further, the term "plurality" as used herein indicates any number greater than one and optionally or sequentially indicates up to an infinite number as necessary. No part of this specification should be construed as requiring a particular three-dimensional orientation of the structure to fall within the scope of the present invention. Also, the reader is advised that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to the correct scale.

[0011] Generally, aspects of the present invention relate to a container and a latching assembly for the container. According to various different aspects and embodiments, the containers and latching assemblies described herein may be formed from one or more of various different materials such as metals (including metal alloys), polymers, and composites, and may be formed from one of various different configurations without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is understood that the container and the latch assembly may include components formed from a plurality of mutually different materials. Additionally, the components may be formed by various molding methods. For example, metal components can be formed by forging, molding, casting, stamping, machining, and / or other known techniques. Further, polymer components such as elastomers can be manufactured by polymer processing techniques, such as various different molding and injection molding techniques, and / or other known techniques.

[0012] The various drawings in this application show examples of containers and latch assemblies according to the present invention. When the same reference numeral is used in two or more drawings, this reference numeral is used consistently herein, and the drawings refer to the same or similar parts throughout.

[0013] Figures 1 - 15 show various different views of the container 100. The container 100 may include a base 110 and a lid 150. In some examples, the lid 150 may be connected to the base 110, or in some examples, may be removably connected to the base 110 without being destroyed. The base 110 may be a structure that forms a void for accommodating an article, as more fully described herein. In some examples, the base 110 may be in the shape of a rectangular prism or substantially in the shape of a rectangular prism. In another example, the base 110 may be in the shape of a frustum of a pyramid or substantially in the shape of a frustum of a pyramid (e.g., a quadrangular prism, pentagonal prism, hexagonal prism, heptagonal prism, etc.). In yet another example, the base 110 may have a substantially cylindrical shape or may have a substantially trapezoidal cross-section. Without departing from the present invention, various different other shapes may be used.

[0014] The base 110 may include a base sidewall structure 112 having a first side 114, a second side 116 opposite the first side 114, a third side 118 extending between an edge of the first side 114 and an edge of the second side 116, and a fourth side 120 opposite the third side 118. The base sidewall structure 112 has a first end 124 and a second end 122 and may include a bottom portion 126 connected to the first end 124 of the base sidewall structure 112. The bottom portion 126 may be configured to support the container 100 on a surface such as a table, the ground, or the like. In some embodiments, the bottom portion 126 may include, and / or include, a support member 128. The support member 128 may be attached to the bottom portion 126 to assist in providing a non-slip surface for the container 100. The support member 128 may be a single member that can be integrally formed with the base 110 or a single member that can be attached to the base 110 after the base 110 is formed. The support member 128 may have a size that occupies at least 50% of the surface area of the bottom portion 126. Although not shown, in some embodiments, the support member 128 may include a plurality of legs disposed on the bottom portion 126.

[0015] The base 110 may include a base opening 130 at the second end 122 of the base sidewall structure 112 (see FIGS. 3-5). The base opening 130 is configured to allow access to a base internal void 132 formed by the base sidewall structure 112 and the bottom portion 126.

[0016] Container 100 may include a lid 150. The lid 150 may be pivotally connected to the base 110 and may be configured to rotate between an open state and a closed state. The open state allows access to the base opening 130 and the base internal void 132, and the closed state prevents access to the base opening 130 and the base internal void 132. In some examples, rotating the lid 150 from the closed state to the open state may include rotating the lid approximately 90° from the closed state, or approximately 180° from the closed state, or approximately 270° from the closed state. As shown in FIG. 1, when the container 100 is in the closed state, the base opening 130 may be covered by the lid 150. In some devices, the lid 150 can be connected to the base 110 in the closed state using a press fit. Additionally or alternatively, as more fully described herein, another fixing system or fixing device can be used to fix the lid 150 to the base 110.

[0017] In some examples, the lid 150 may be hinged such that the lid 150 is (removably or permanently) connected to the base 110 at the hinge 142 and may be rotated about the hinge 142. The hinge 142 may be one of various different types of hinges, including a continuous piano hinge, a double hinge, a ball joint hinge, a living hinge, etc. These hinges and various other hinge devices may be more fully described herein. The hinge 142 can be configured to allow the lid 150 to be opened and rotated away from the base 110 to allow access to the base internal void 132 defined by the base 110 (e.g., via the base opening 130). That is, the hinge 142 can facilitate rotation of the lid 150 from the closed state of the container 100 (e.g., when the lid 150 is in a position covering the base internal void 132 formed by the base 110 as shown in FIG. 1) to the open state (e.g., when the lid 150 does not cover the base internal void 132 formed by the base 110 as shown in FIGS. 3-5), and vice versa.

[0018] The lid 150 may include a lid sidewall structure 152 having a first side 154, a second side 156 opposite the first side 154, a third side 158 extending between the edge of the first side 154 and the edge of the second side 156, and a fourth side 160 opposite the third side 158. The lid sidewall structure 152 may include a first end 162 and a second end 164, and an upper portion 166 is connected to the second end 164 of the lid sidewall structure 152. The upper portion 166 may be configured to function as a cover for the container 100 that can support an article disposed on the container 100. In some examples, the upper portion 166 may have a recessed portion 168 disposed centrally along the upper portion such that a second container can be disposed on the upper portion 166. Further, the lid 150 may include a lid opening 170 at the first end 162 of the lid sidewall structure 152. The lid opening 170 is configured to allow access to a lid internal void 172 formed by the lid sidewall structure 152 and the upper portion 166 at the second end 164 of the lid sidewall structure 152. In most examples, the height of the lid sidewall structure 152 may be less than the height of the base sidewall structure 112. Accordingly, the volume of the base internal void 132 may be greater than the volume of the lid internal void 172.

[0019] In some devices, the container 100 may include a gasket 199 or another sealing device. The gasket 199 may be disposed on either the lid 150 or the base 110 and can assist in sealing between the lid 150 and the base 110 when the lid 150 is in the closed state. For example, in one example, the container 100 may be manufactured to be dustproof when tested for 8 hours and / or waterproof when tested for 30 minutes at a water depth of 1 meter. In some embodiments, the container 100 can obtain an IP68 rating (as defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission), which specifies that there is no dust ingress or complete protection from dust when tested for 8 hours, and that no harmful amount of water can enter when the enclosure is immersed in water under specified pressure and time conditions (1 meter submersion). The IP68 dustproof test is 8 hours long and the enclosure is tested in a vacuum. The IP68 waterproof test is 30 minutes long and the enclosure is tested with the lowest point of the enclosure at a water depth of 1 meter.

[0020] In some examples (and as best shown in FIGS. 12-14), gasket 199 may seat in a recess 174 formed in lid 150 that extends around the perimeter of lid 150. Additionally, in some examples, container 100 may include a raised portion 134 provided on base 110. Raised portion 134 extends around the perimeter of base 110. Gasket 199 may be disposed between recess 174 and raised portion 134. When lid 150 is in a closed state, raised portion 134 having a shape corresponding to recess 174 contacts gasket 199, compresses gasket 199, and can assist in sealing lid 150 and base 110 in the closed state as shown in FIGS. 12-14. In some examples, gasket 199 may be a conventional gasket having a substantially circular cross-section. In another device, gasket 199 may include strategically placed cutouts that can reduce or eliminate the need for ventilation holes (e.g., ventilation holes to prevent locking of the lid). Gasket 199 can assist in maintaining a seal between the interior of container 100 and the outside environment, and in some examples, gasket 199 can assist in maintaining the temperature of the articles contained within container 100. Alternatively, gasket 199 may be disposed within a recess or channel formed in base 110.

[0021] Container 100 may include additional features such as lanyard 198 shown in FIG. 2 to enable a user to carry container 100 or attach container 100 to another object. Lanyard 198 may be connected at its base at the third side 118 and extend along bottom portion 126 to the fourth side 120. As shown in the illustrated example, support member 128 may have a groove 136 (or a pair of grooves) that houses and guides lanyard 198 along bottom portion 126. Additionally, the third side 118 and the fourth side 120 of base sidewall structure 112 may include guide rails 138 for engaging lanyard 198 and guiding this lanyard 198 along the third side 118 and the fourth side 120. Base sidewall structure 112 may also include a connection member 140 adjacent to guide rail 138 for securing lanyard 198 to base 110 of container 100. Guide rail 138 and the connection member may be integrally formed with base 110.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 12-15, the lid 150 may include a split body 178 pivotally connected to an inner portion of the lid 150, whereby articles that may be stored within the lid inner void 172 can be separated from the base inner void 132. The split body 178 may extend across the lid opening 170 while separating the base inner void 132 from the lid inner void 172. The split body 178 may have a front side 179 and a rear side 180, and an incorporated hinge 181 formed along a first side 182, the hinge 181 being pivotally connected to the lid 150 at a hinge receiving portion 175 of the lid 150. The incorporated hinge 181 may include a plurality of holes spaced from an edge of the first side 182. Additionally, the incorporated hinge 181 may be disposed at a predetermined angle relative to the front side 179 and may be snap-fitted into the hinge receiving portion 175 of the lid 150 to fix the split body 178 to the lid 150. Thereby, the split body 178 is removably fixed to the lid 150. The split body 178 may include a plurality of elongated openings 184. The elongated openings 184 may generally extend across a portion of the split body 178 in a direction from the first side 182 towards a second side 183 opposite the first side 182. Each elongated opening 184 may have a length L that extends over at least 50% of the width W of the split body 178 or in the range of 55% - 80% of the width, where the width W is the distance from the first side 182 to the second side 183. Alternatively, the split body 178 may be a continuous surface without openings.

[0023] When the split body 178 is installed, the second side 183 of the split body 178 may be selectively fixed to the lid 150, as best illustrated in FIG. 15, to prevent rotational movement of the split body 178. The split body 178 may include a central recessed portion 185 that forms a pair of tabs 186 along the second side 183. Each tab 186 may have an engagement receiving portion 187 that forms a friction fit or snap fit with a lid engagement member 177 extending from the inner surface of the lid 150. The lid engagement member 177 may be fitted into a groove formed by the engagement receiving portion 187 of the split body 178.

[0024] Container 100 may include a removable tray 188. The tray 188 can enable another level for the user to store articles in the container 100. The tray 188 is placed along a shelf portion 148 extending along the inner circumference of the base inner void 132. The tray 188 may include an upward overhang 190 with a peripheral wall 192, and the peripheral wall 192 extends from the inner edge 194 of the upward overhang 190 to a bottom wall 196 forming the bottom portion of the tray 188. The volume formed by the peripheral wall 192 and the bottom wall 196 of the tray can form an upper storage area of the base inner void 132. The tray 188 may have a tray depth smaller than the depth of the base sidewall structure 112 of the base 110, whereby the bottom wall 196 of the tray 188 is spaced from the bottom portion 126 of the base 110, which enables a secondary storage area within the base inner void 132 below the bottom wall 196 of the tray 188. As described above, the tray 188 is removable, and when the tray 188 is removed, the base inner void 132 can form a single accommodation area within the base 110.

[0025] The upward overhang 190 may be continuous along the peripheral wall 192 to form a solid upward overhang 190. Similarly, the peripheral wall 192 and the bottom wall 196 may be continuous such that no holes or apertures are present in the tray 188. Alternatively, the peripheral wall 192 and / or the bottom wall 196 may include holes. In some examples, the shelf portion 148 may be continuous along the inner circumference of the base inner void 132, while in another example, the shelf portion 148 may be interrupted, or a plurality of mounts (not shown) may be positioned along the inner surface of the base sidewall structure 112, and these mounts are adapted to form a flat surface for supporting the tray 188.

[0026] The segmented body 178 and the tray 188 may provide a soft touch and feel and may have an elastomeric material coating for storing delicate objects. The segmented body 178 and / or the tray 188 may be overmolded onto a more rigid base, or in some cases, the segmented body 178 and / or the tray 188 may be formed from an elastomeric material. Elastomeric materials used to form or partially form exemplary segmented bodies 178 and / or trays 188 are materials such as natural and synthetic rubbers, thermoplastic urethane (TPU), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or other similar materials, or may include these materials.

[0027] In some devices, container 100 may include a latch assembly 200. As best shown in FIGS. 16A-20, the latch assembly 200 may have a locked position and an unlocked position, and the latch assembly 200 is configured to lock the lid 150 when the lid 150 is in a closed state. The latch assembly 200 may include a latch body 210 pivotally connected to the lid 150, a latch button 230 slidably connected to the latch body 210, and a latch lock arm 250 pivotally connected to the latch body 210 about a latch pin 270 connected to the latch body 210. The latch assembly 200 may also include a latch button biasing member 280 that applies a vertical force to the latch button 230 and a lock arm biasing member 282 that applies a rotational force to the latch lock arm 250. The latch button 230 may have a latch button locking member 232, and the latch lock arm 250 may have an arm locking member 252. In some examples, the latch assembly 200 may further include a mating claw 288 that is rotatably attached to the latch body 210 via a pin connection portion, in which case the mating claw 288 is disposed near the upper edge 212 of the latch body 210 rather than the lower edge 214 of the latch body 210. As will be described in more detail below, when the latch assembly 200 is moved to the locked position, the latch lock arm 250 engages the base 110 and rotates against the rotational force of the lock arm biasing member 282, and the latch button 230 moves against the vertical force of the latch button biasing member 280, and then the latch button locking member 232 engages the arm locking member 252 as shown in FIGS. 16A-16D.

[0028] Figures 16A - 16D illustrate the movement of the latch assembly 200 from the unlocked position to the locked position. As shown in Figure 16A, the latch assembly 200 is in the unlocked position with the latch lock arm 250 extending away from the latch body 210 towards the base 110. The engaging claw 288 can prevent the latch lock arm 250 from accidentally engaging the latch button 230 and moving to its locked position when the container 100 is in an open state (e.g., the base 110 and the lid 150 are separated from each other on at least one side). The engaging claw 288 may include a central member 290, which has a hole 292 extending therethrough, a first protrusion 294 extending outwardly from the central member 290, and a second protrusion 296 extending outwardly from the central member 290 on the side opposite to the first protrusion 294. The first protrusion 294 can contact the latch button 230 when the latch assembly 200 is in the unlocked position, thereby preventing the latch button 230 from moving upward towards the upper edge 212 of the latch body 210. The second protrusion 296 of the engaging claw 288 may have a curved outer surface, which may contact the lid 150 when the latch assembly 200 is in the unlocked position, thereby preventing the latch lock arm 250 from being locked before the lid 150 reaches the closed state. Additionally, a claw biasing member 298 can apply a rotational force to the engaging claw 288 to keep the engaging claw 288 in contact with the latch button 230 when the container 100 is in an open state. Since the latch button 230 cannot slide, the latch lock arm 250 cannot rotate and accidentally engage the latch button 230 before the lid 150 is closed onto the base 110. For example, the claw biasing member 298 may be a torsion spring that applies a rotational force to bias the first protrusion 294 towards the latch body 210 (i.e., in the clockwise direction as shown in Figure 16A). The rotational movement of the engaging claw 288 can be controlled by a cam - like interaction between the outer surface of the second protrusion 296 of the claw 288 and the lid 150.In some examples, the corresponding engagement region 176 comprises a corresponding curved surface for engaging the curved outer surface of the second protrusion 296.

[0029] FIGS. 16B and 16C illustrate the latch assembly 200 engaging the base 110, which causes the latch assembly 200 to begin to move from the unlocked position to the locked position. (As best shown in FIG. 13,) when the lock arm engagement member 254 of the latch lock arm 250 engages the receiving portion 144 positioned below the lip 146 extending outwardly along the first side 114 of the side wall structure, the latch lock arm 250 begins to rotate toward the latch body 210 (i.e., the latch lock arm 250 rotates counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 16B). In some examples, the lip 146 may extend outwardly along the entire circumference of the base 110. The receiving portion 144 may have a concave cross-sectional shape, and the lock arm engagement member 254 may have a convex cross-sectional shape. When the latch lock arm 250 contacts the base 110, the latch lock arm 250 begins to move below the base 110. Due to the rotational movement of the latch lock arm 250, the latch button lock member 232 is brought into contact with and raised along the outer surface 258 of the arm lock member 252. As the latch button lock member 232 moves along the outer surface 258, the latch button 230 can translate upward in a sliding motion toward the upper edge 212 of the latch body 210. When the latch lock arm 250 rotates, the entire latch assembly 200 rotates toward the vertical orientation.

[0030] Figure 16D illustrates the latch assembly 200 in the locked position. In the locked position, the latch button lock member 232 engages with the arm lock member 252, and in this case, the latch lock arm 250 is in a substantially vertical orientation. Each lock member 232, 252 may each include lock surfaces 234, 256 that face each other when the latch assembly 200 is in the locked position. Further, when in the locked position, each lock surface 234, 256 may be oriented substantially vertically. When the latch button lock member 232 moves along the curved outer surface 258 of the arm lock member 252, the latch button lock member 232 eventually reaches the upper edge 260 of the curved outer surface 258. The upper edge 260 may be the upper edge of the lock surface 256, such that as soon as the latch button lock member 232 passes over the upper edge 260 of the outer surface 258, the latch button lock member 232 drops, causing the lock surface 234 to move downward so as to face the lock surface 256 of the arm lock member 252.

[0031] To move the latch assembly 200 from the locked position to the unlocked position, the above-described process is reversed as shown in FIGS. 17A - 17C. The user can push the latch button 230 upward, in which case the lock surface 234 is disengaged from the lock surface 256. Next, the lock arm biasing member 282 rotates the latch lock arm 250 towards the base 110, thereby sliding the latch button lock member 232 downward along the outer surface 258 of the arm lock member 252. Additionally, the latch button biasing member 280 applies a downward force to the latch button 230, thereby assisting in the withdrawal of the latch button 230 and assisting in sliding the latch button lock member 232 downward along the outer surface 258 of the arm lock member 252. In some examples, the latch assembly 200 can operate without the engagement pawl 288.

[0032] Figures 18 to 20 illustrate the latch assembly 200 removed from the lid 150. As described above, the latch assembly 200 may include a latch body 210, a latch button 230 slidably connected to the latch body 210, and a latch lock arm 250 pivotally connected to the latch body 210 about a latch pin 270 connected to the latch body 210.

[0033] The latch body 210 may include an upper edge 212, a lower edge 214, and an outward-facing surface 216 extending between the upper edge 212 and the lower edge 214. On the inner side 217 opposite the outward-facing surface 216, the latch body 210 may further include a pair of hinge members 223, a latch pin receiving portion 218, a pair of latch button guides 220, and a button biasing member receiving portion 222. The hinge member 223 may be configured to receive a lid latch pin 272 for connecting the latch assembly 200 to the lid 150. The latch pin receiving portion 218 may include a hole 228 disposed on a side surface 226 of the latch body 210 and may include a pin support 221 that receives the latch pin 270 on at least two sides. Additionally, each latch button guide 220 may be a protrusion disposed on each side of the latch button 230 such that the latch button 230 continues to move in a linear orientation. The button biasing member receiving portion 222 may include a recess or a pair of recesses in the latch body 210 configured to hold a portion of the latch button biasing member 280. The latch button biasing member 280 may be a compression spring or a pair of compression springs for applying a linear force toward the lower edge 214 to the latch button 230. This linear force serves to keep the latch button lock member 232 engaged with the arm lock member 252. In an exemplary latch assembly 200 including an engagement claw 288, the latch body 210 may further include a claw receiving portion 224 that receives a pin and claw biasing member 298.

[0034] While the latch button 230 may include a latch button lock member 232 that extends outwardly from the rear surface 236, the front surface 238 may be configured to face the inner surface of the inner side 217 of the latch body 210 and slide along this inner surface. The latch button 230 may further include a bottom surface 240 that provides an interface for the user to apply an upward force to disengage and / or engage the latch assembly 200. A latch button pin receiving portion 242 may be positioned above the bottom surface 240. The latch button pin receiving portion 242 may include a hole for receiving the latch pin 270. The latch button pin receiving portion 242 may have a height greater than the diameter of the latch pin 270 to allow the latch button 230 to slide along the latch body 210 while the latch pin 270 is fixed to the latch body 210. For example, the height of the latch button pin receiving portion 242 may be twice the diameter of the latch pin 270. In some examples, the height of the latch button pin receiving portion 242 may be in the range of 1.5 to 3 times the diameter of the latch pin 270. As another feature, the front surface 238 may include a recessed portion that is substantially aligned with a button biasing member receiving portion 222 provided on the latch body 210 and configured to hold a part of the latch button biasing member 280.

[0035] The latch button lock member 232 may be disposed centrally on the latch button 230 and may include a lock surface 234 that extends substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface 240. The latch button lock member 232 may include a slide surface 244 adjacent to the lower edge of the lock surface 234, in which case the slide surface 244 may be configured to slide along the outer surface 258 of the arm lock member 252. The slide surface 244 may be disposed at an acute angle (i.e., in the range of 1 degree to 89 degrees) with respect to the lock surface 234. In some examples, a stopper 245 may extend from the upper surface 246 of the latch button 230, in which case the stopper is configured to contact the engagement claw 288 to prevent the latch button 230 from moving unintentionally when the latch assembly 200 is in the unlocked position.

[0036] The latch lock arm 250 may have a front side 268 facing the latch body 210 and a rear side 269 facing the base 110. The latch lock arm 250 may include an arm lock member 252 substantially centered along the latch lock arm 250 and a pair of lock arm engagement members 254 disposed on each side of the arm lock member 252, in which case each engagement member 254 may be spaced apart from the arm lock member 252. Further, each engagement member 254 may have a free end 262 having a curved or convex cross-sectional shape that engages the receiving portion 144 on the base 110 and a fixed end 264 that receives the latch pin 270. The lock arm biasing member 282 may be a torsion spring or a pair of torsion springs connected to the latch pin 270 and applying a rotational force to the engagement member 254. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 14, the free end 262 of each engagement member 254 may include a locking surface 266 that can confront and contact a locking member 149 positioned within the receiving portion 144 of the base 110. The locking surface 266 may be substantially parallel to the locking surface 256 of the arm lock member 252 and may be spaced forward (toward the latch body 210) from the locking surface 256.

[0037] The present disclosure is disclosed above and in the accompanying drawings with reference to various different examples. However, the purpose provided by the present disclosure is not to limit the scope of the present invention, but to provide examples of various different features and concepts related to the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes and modifications can be made to the above-described examples without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described item by item. Embodiment 1 In a container, a base portion, a side wall structure having at least a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, the side wall structure having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, a bottom portion connected to the first end of the side wall structure and configured to support the container on a surface, a base opening formed at the second end of the side wall structure and configured to allow access to an internal void of the container formed by the side wall structure and the bottom portion, a base portion including the above, a lid pivotally connected to the base portion and configured to rotate between an open state allowing access to the base opening and a closed state blocking access to the base opening, a latch assembly having a lock position and an unlock position, a latch body pivotally connected to the lid, a latch button having a latch button lock member slidably connected to the latch body, a latch lock arm having an arm lock member pivotally connected to the latch body, a latch button biasing member that applies a linear force to the latch button, a latch lock arm biasing member that applies a rotational force to the latch lock arm, a latch assembly including the above, is provided, When the latch assembly is moved to the lock position, the latch lock arm engages with the base portion, rotates against the rotational force, and the latch button moves against the linear force, and then the latch button lock member engages with the arm lock member. Container. Embodiment 2 The container according to Embodiment 1, wherein the latch button lock member engages with the arm lock member when the latch lock arm is in a substantially vertical position. Embodiment 3 The container according to Embodiment 1, wherein the latch lock arm biasing member is a torsion spring. Embodiment 4 The container according to Embodiment 1, wherein the arm lock member includes a first lock surface and an upper surface curved and extending from an upper edge portion of the first lock surface. Embodiment 5 The container according to Embodiment 1, wherein the arm lock member is substantially centered along the latch lock arm. Embodiment 6 The latch lock arm has a pair of engagement members disposed on each side of the arm lock member, and each engagement member of the pair of engagement members is spaced apart from the arm lock member. The container according to Embodiment 1. Embodiment 7 The container according to Embodiment 6, wherein each engagement member of the pair of engagement members of the latch lock arm has an end portion provided with a curved surface that engages with a receiving portion positioned below a lip extending along the first side of the base. Embodiment 8 The container according to Embodiment 1, wherein the engaging claw is rotatably attached to the latch body and is disposed near the upper edge portion of the latch body rather than the lower edge portion of the latch body. Embodiment 9 The container according to Embodiment 8, wherein the engaging claw includes a central member having a hole extending through the base, a first protrusion extending outward from the central member, and a second protrusion extending outward from the central member on the side opposite to the first protrusion. Embodiment 10 The container according to Embodiment 9, wherein the first protrusion of the engaging claw is configured to contact the latch button to prevent upward movement of the latch button when the latch assembly is in the unlocked position. Embodiment 11 The container according to Embodiment 10, wherein the second protrusion of the engaging claw has a curved outer surface that contacts the lid to prevent locking of the latch assembly before the lid reaches the closed state when the latch assembly is in the unlocked position. Embodiment 12 The container according to Embodiment 10, wherein the latch assembly further includes a third biasing member that applies a second rotational force to the engaging claw. Embodiment 13 The container according to Embodiment 1, further having a dividing body extending across the lid opening of the lid, the dividing body being pivotally connected to the lid. Embodiment 14 The container according to Embodiment 13, wherein the dividing body is connected to the lid by a hinge and is selectively fixed to the lid on the side opposite to the hinge to prevent rotational movement of the dividing body. Embodiment 15 The container according to embodiment 14, wherein the dividing body is removably fixed by snap fitting. Embodiment 16 The container according to embodiment 15, wherein the dividing body includes a plurality of elongated openings. Embodiment 17 In a container, a base, a base side wall structure having at least a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end, a bottom portion connected to the first end of the base side wall structure and configured to support the container on a surface, a base opening formed at the second end of the base side wall structure and configured to allow access to a base internal void of the base formed by the base side wall structure and the bottom portion, including a base, a lid pivotally connected to the base, a lid side wall structure having at least a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end, an upper portion connected to the second end of the lid side wall structure, a lid opening formed at the first end of the lid side wall structure and configured to allow access to a lid internal void formed by the lid side wall structure and the upper portion, a dividing body pivotally connected to an inner portion of the lid, separating the base internal void and the lid internal void, and including a front side, a rear side, a first side including an incorporated hinge, and a second side opposite the first side, the incorporated hinge being connected to a hinge receiving portion of the lid, including, configured to rotate between an open state allowing access to the base opening and a closed state blocking access to the base opening, a lid, a latch assembly pivotally connected to the lid and having a locked position and an unlocked position A container comprising. Embodiment 18 The container according to embodiment 17, wherein the second side of the dividing body includes a centrally disposed recess forming a pair of tabs, each tab of the pair of tabs including an engagement receiving portion, the engagement receiving portion forming a friction fit with a lid engagement member extending from an inner surface of the lid to prevent rotational movement of the dividing body. Embodiment 19 The container according to embodiment 17, wherein the dividing body includes a plurality of elongated openings extending across a front portion of the dividing body in a direction from the first side of the dividing body toward the second side of the dividing body. Embodiment 20 The latch assembly includes a latch body pivotally connected to the lid, a latch button having a latch button lock member slidably connected to the latch body, a latch lock arm having an arm lock member pivotally connected to the latch body, a latch button biasing member that applies a linear force to the latch button, a latch lock arm biasing member that applies a rotational force to the latch lock arm and further includes, when the latch assembly is moved to the locked position, the latch lock arm engages the base, rotates against the rotational force, and the latch button moves against the linear force, and then the latch button lock member engages the arm lock member, the container according to Embodiment 17.

Claims

1. In a container, a base portion comprising a sidewall structure having at least a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the sidewall structure having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a bottom portion connected to the first end of the sidewall structure and configured to support the container on a surface; a base opening formed at the second end of the sidewall structure and configured to provide access to an interior void of the container formed by the sidewall structure and the bottom portion; a base portion including the above; a lid pivotally connected to the base portion and configured to rotate between an open state allowing access to the base opening and a closed state blocking access to the base opening; a latch assembly having a lock position and an unlock position, a latch body pivotally connected to the lid; a latch button having a latch button lock member slidably connected to the latch body; a latch lock arm having an arm lock member pivotally connected to the latch body; a latch button biasing member applying a linear force to the latch button; a latch lock arm biasing member applying a rotational force to the latch lock arm; a latch assembly comprising the above; comprising when the latch assembly is moved to the lock position, the latch lock arm engages the base portion, rotates against the rotational force, and the latch button moves against the linear force, and then the latch button lock member engages the arm lock member; a container.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the latch button lock member engages the arm lock member when the latch lock arm is in a substantially vertical position.

3. The container according to claim 1, wherein the latch lock arm biasing member is a torsion spring.

4. The container according to claim 1, wherein the arm lock member includes a first locking surface and a curved upper surface extending from an upper edge of the first locking surface.

5. The container according to claim 1, wherein the arm lock member is at a longitudinal center of the latch lock arm.

6. The latch lock arm has a pair of engaging members disposed on each side of the arm lock member, and each engaging member of the pair of engaging members is spaced apart from the arm lock member. The container according to claim 1.

7. The container according to claim 6, wherein each of the pair of engaging members of the latch lock arm has an end portion provided with a curved surface that engages with a receiving portion positioned below a lip extending along the first side of the base portion.

8. The container according to claim 1, wherein the engaging claw is rotatably attached to the latch body and is disposed in the vicinity of the upper edge of the latch body rather than the lower edge of the latch body.

9. The container according to claim 8, wherein the engaging claw includes a central member having a hole extending through the base portion, a first protrusion extending outward from the central member, and a second protrusion extending outward from the central member on the side opposite to the first protrusion.

10. The container according to claim 9, wherein the first protrusion of the engaging claw is configured to contact the latch button in order to prevent upward movement of the latch button when the latch assembly is in the unlock position.

11. The container according to claim 10, wherein the second protrusion of the engaging claw has a curved outer surface that contacts the lid in order to prevent locking of the latch assembly before the lid reaches the closed state when the latch assembly is in the unlock position.

12. The container according to claim 10, wherein the latch assembly further includes a third biasing member that applies a second rotational force to the engaging claw.

13. The container according to claim 1, further comprising a dividing body extending across the lid opening of the lid, the dividing body being pivotally connected to the lid.

14. The container according to claim 13, wherein the dividing body is connected to the lid by a hinge and is selectively fixed to the lid on the side opposite to the hinge in order to prevent rotational movement of the dividing body.

15. The container according to claim 14, wherein the hinge of the dividing body is removably snap-fixed to a hinge receiving portion of the lid.

16. The container according to claim 15, wherein the dividing body includes a plurality of elongated openings.

Images