Insulating container and latching mechanism

摘要

According to an aspect of the invention, a latching mechanism/device is provided, as well as a method of maintaining a closed position between opposing first and second portions of a container. The latching mechanism includes a latch attached to the first portion and a latch keeper integrally molded to the second portion. The latch keeper includes an elongated keeper slot and a recessed pocket formed in the keeper slot, such that when at least a portion of the latch is received within the recessed pocket, the container is closed and/or sealed.

主权项

1. A latching mechanism for maintaining a closed position between opposing first and second portions of a container, comprising:
a latch pivotally attached to the first portion, the latch comprising a base portion, a body portion extending from the base portion, an engaging portion extending from the body portion, and a grasping portion extending from the engaging portion; wherein the latch comprises a flexible, stretchable, resilient, molded material; a recessed latch slot integrally molded within the first portion, wherein the base portion of the latch is configured to be received within the recessed latch slot; a latch keeper integrally molded within the second portion, the latch keeper comprising a vertically elongated keeper slot and a recessed pocket formed in a base of the keeper slot, the recessed pocket configured for receiving the engaging portion of the latch, and the keeper slot configured for receiving the body portion of the latch; a latch bore formed in the base portion of the latch, wherein the latch bore is configured to align with a bore formed in the first portion, and wherein the latch bore and the bore are configured to receive a latch pin configured to attach the base portion of the latch to the first portion; wherein the engaging portion of the latch comprises an engaging surface having a partially spherical geometric shape and the recessed pocket comprises a receiving surface having a correspondingly partially spherical geometric shape; wherein the recessed pocket comprises a pair of opposing recesses defined in opposing sides of the keeper slot at the base of the keeper slot; wherein the receiving surface of the recessed pocket is configured to receive the engaging surface of the engaging portion of the latch, and wherein the receiving surface of the recessed pocket is configured to provide at least a partial surface-to-surface contact with the engaging surface of the engaging portion of the latch when the latch is engaged;wherein the engaging portion of the latch comprises a front portion and a rear portion;
wherein the second portion of the container comprises a vertical front face of the container, wherein the vertical front face extends from the base of the keeper slot to a bottom base of the container; and wherein the rear portion of the engaging portion does not contact the vertical front face of the container when the latch is engaged.