US-12623828-B2 - Insulating container

US12623828B2US 12623828 B2US12623828 B2US 12623828B2US-12623828-B2

Abstract

An insulating container having a base and a lid is provided. The lid may be rotatable about a hinge from a closed configuration to an open configuration and may be secured, via one or more latching devices, in the closed configuration. In some examples, the insulating container further includes a strap assembly with a convertible shoulder strap and handle that can convert between a handle configuration and a shoulder strap configuration. In some examples, the insulating container further includes a removable strap assembly with a clip over button interface that includes an outer pivot post located on the lateral sidewalls of the base and a pivot clip attached to the strap with the pivot clip sliding over the outer pivot post.

Inventors

Matthew Shaffer Corbin
Chris Franks
Corey Levin
John Warren Dow
Nicolai Marcel Luksza

Assignees

YETI COOLERS, LLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20240402

Claims (19)

1 . An insulating container, comprising: a base; a lid hingedly attached to the base; the base including: a sidewall structure having a front sidewall, a rear sidewall opposite the front sidewall, and two lateral sidewalls between the front sidewall and the rear sidewall; a bottom portion connected to a first end of each sidewall of the sidewall structure, the bottom portion being configured to support the insulating container on a surface; and an opening formed at a second end of each sidewall of the sidewall structure, opposite the first end of each sidewall of the sidewall structure, the opening being configured to allow access to an interior void of the insulating container formed by the sidewall structure and the bottom portion, wherein a gasket is configured to provide a water-resistant seal when the lid is in a closed and secured position; and a removable strap assembly including: a pivot assembly having an outer pivot post located on both of the two lateral sidewalls of the base, and a pivot clip attached to an end of a strap, wherein the pivot clip includes a receptacle configured to slide over and receive the outer pivot post to connect the strap to the insulating container, and wherein the pivot clip and the strap freely rotate from a front of the insulating container to a rear of the insulating container, wherein the pivot clip further includes resilient arms that provide a locking mechanism when sliding the pivot clip over the pivot assembly and securely attaching the pivot clip to the pivot assembly.
2 . The insulating container of claim 1 , wherein the pivot clip includes a base portion, a strap arm, and a transverse portion extending between the base portion and the strap arm, and wherein the strap arm is configured to hold the end of the strap.
3 . The insulating container of claim 2 , wherein the resilient arms are spaced from the transverse portion defining a gap between the resilient arms and the transverse portion, wherein the receptacle and resilient arms have an arced shape that arcs upward from the base portion on both sides of the pivot clip.
4 . The insulating container of claim 2 , wherein the pivot clip includes one or more stop surfaces located along the transverse portion of the pivot clip within the receptacle, the one or more stop surfaces configured to engage with a stop located on the pivot assembly to limit the rotation of the pivot clip relative to the pivot assembly.
5 . The insulating container of claim 4 , wherein the stop is located on the outer pivot post and extends from a center top location of the outer pivot post and has a triangular shape to engage with the one or more stop surfaces on the pivot clip.
6 . The insulating container of claim 2 , wherein the strap arm is offset and extends from the transverse portion with one or more offset arms.
7 . The insulating container of claim 1 , wherein the pivot assembly includes a pivot insert block located within the lateral sidewalls of the base, the pivot insert block comprising: one or more positioning slots located on a front surface of the pivot insert block, the one or more positioning slots configured to receive protrusions on the outer pivot post when connecting the outer pivot post to the pivot insert block; and a fastener recess located in an approximate center of the pivot insert block, the fastener recess includes internal threads to engage with a fastener that extends through and connects the outer pivot post to the pivot insert block.
8 . The insulating container of claim 7 , wherein the pivot insert block includes multiple ribs extending from a rear surface that provide stability for the pivot assembly within the base.
9 . The insulating container of claim 7 , wherein the pivot assembly includes a pivot standoff plate that provides a bearing surface for the pivot clip and is located between the pivot insert block and the outer pivot post, wherein the pivot standoff plate comprises: one or more positioning slots that extend through the pivot standoff plate and are spaced and shaped to correspond to the positioning slots on the pivot insert block and the protrusions on the outer pivot post; and a fastener hole located in an approximate center of the pivot standoff plate, the fastener hole allows the fastener to freely slide through the pivot standoff plate to connect the outer pivot post to the pivot insert block.
10 . An insulating container, comprising: a base; a lid hingedly attached to the base; the base including: a sidewall structure having a front sidewall, a rear sidewall opposite the front sidewall, and two lateral sidewalls between the front sidewall and the rear sidewall; a bottom portion connected to a first end of each sidewall of the sidewall structure, the bottom portion being configured to support the insulating container on a surface; and an opening formed at a second end of each sidewall of the sidewall structure, opposite the first end of each sidewall of the sidewall structure, the opening being configured to allow access to an interior void of the insulating container formed by the sidewall structure and the bottom portion, wherein a gasket is configured to provide a water-resistant seal when the lid is in a closed and secured position; and at least one latch configured to secure the lid when the lid is in a closed position; and a strap assembly including: a pivot assembly with an outer pivot post located on both of the two lateral sidewalls of the base, a pivot clip attached to an end of a strap, wherein the pivot clip slides over the outer pivot post to connect the strap assembly to the insulating container and the strap assembly freely rotates from a front of the insulating container to a rear of the insulating container, wherein the pivot clip further includes resilient arms that provide a locking mechanism when sliding the pivot clip over the pivot assembly and securely attaching the pivot clip to the pivot assembly, and a handle, wherein the strap assembly converts between a shoulder strap configuration and a handle configuration, wherein in the shoulder strap configuration, the strap has a first length that allows a user to carry the insulating container using the shoulder strap, and wherein in the handle configuration, the strap has a second length shorter than the first length that allows the user to carry the insulating container using the handle.
11 . The insulating container of claim 10 , wherein the pivot clip includes a base portion, a strap arm, and a transverse portion extending between the base portion and the strap arm, the strap arm configured to hold the end of the strap, the pivot clip further including a receptacle defined within the base portion configured to slide over and receive the outer pivot post to connect the strap assembly to the insulating container.
12 . The insulating container of claim 11 , wherein the resilient arms are spaced from the transverse portion defining a gap between the resilient arms and the transverse portion, wherein the receptacle and the resilient arms have an arced shape that arcs upward from the base portion on both sides of the pivot clip to provide the locking mechanism for the strap assembly when sliding the pivot clip over the outer pivot post and the pivot assembly.
13 . The insulating container of claim 11 , wherein the pivot clip includes one or more stop surfaces located along the transverse portion of the pivot clip within the receptacle, the one or more stop surfaces configured to engage with a stop located on the pivot assembly, wherein rotation of the strap assembly is limited by the engagement of the stop with the one or more stop surfaces on the pivot clip when the strap assembly is rotated from the front of the insulating container to the rear of the insulating container.
14 . The insulating container of claim 13 , wherein the stop is located on the outer pivot post and extends from a center top location along the outer pivot post and has a triangular shape to engage with the one or more stop surfaces on the pivot clip.
15 . The insulating container of claim 11 , wherein the strap arm is offset and extends from the transverse portion with one or more offset arms.
16 . The insulating container of claim 10 , wherein the pivot assembly includes a pivot insert block located within the lateral sidewalls of the base, the pivot insert block comprising: one or more positioning slots located on a front surface of the pivot insert block, the one or more positioning slots configured to receive protrusions on the outer pivot post when connecting the outer pivot post to the pivot insert block; and a fastener recess located in an approximate center of the pivot insert block, the fastener recess includes internal threads to engage with a fastener that extends through and connects the outer pivot post to the pivot insert block.
17 . The insulating container of claim 16 , wherein the pivot insert block includes multiple ribs extending from a rear surface that provide stability for the pivot assembly within the base.
18 . The insulating container of claim 16 , wherein the pivot assembly includes a pivot standoff plate that provides a bearing surface for the pivot clip and is located between the pivot insert block and the outer pivot post, wherein the pivot standoff plate comprises: one or more positioning slots that extend through the pivot standoff plate and are spaced and shaped to correspond to the positioning slots on the pivot insert block and the protrusions on the outer pivot post; and a fastener hole located in an approximate center of the pivot standoff plate, the fastener hole allows the fastener to freely slide through the pivot standoff plate to connect the outer pivot post to the pivot insert block.
19 . The insulating container of claim 10 , wherein the strap assembly comprises: a first pivot clip that connects to a first lateral sidewall of the base, a first slider clip, and a first strap that connects to a first side of the shoulder strap; and a second pivot clip that connects to a second lateral sidewall of the base, a second slider clip, and a second strap that connects to a second side of the shoulder strap, wherein the first slider clip and the second slider clip are tri-glide slider clips that provide adjustable tension and a secure hold with the strap assembly, wherein each of the first slider clip and the second slider clip is rectangular-shaped with two side arms and a middle arm extending in between the two side arms forming two parallel slots.

Description

BACKGROUND Various types of containers are often used to store food or other items. In some examples, it may be advantageous to maintain a temperature of the contents being stored in the container. Accordingly, an insulating container may be used. However, certain conventional insulating containers are often not very durable and lack an adequate means to secure the lid in a closed position. For instance, they have lids that may be lost or broken, handles that may protrude from a base portion of the container, and/or ineffective latches used to secure the lid. In these examples, the lid, handle, and/or the latches may be susceptible to breakage, which, in some cases, may render the insulating container virtually useless. BRIEF SUMMARY This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. The 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. Insulating containers have various features are described herein. In some examples, the insulating containers may include a base or bottom portion formed by a plurality of sides and a lid. The lid may secure an opening formed by one end of each of the plurality of sides forming the base. The opening may be configured to provide access to an interior void of the insulating container that may also be formed by a sidewall structure or plurality of sides and the bottom portion. The lid may be rotatable about a hinge or hinges from a closed position or configuration to an open configuration. The lid may also include a gasket configured to seal the opening and configured to provide a water-resistant seal when the lid is in the closed and secured configuration. In some examples, the insulating container may include a removable strap assembly that includes: a pivot assembly having an outer pivot post located on both of the two lateral sidewalls of the base and a pivot clip attached to an end of a strap. The pivot clip may include a receptacle configured to slide over and receive the outer pivot post to connect the strap to the insulating container. The pivot clip and the strap may freely rotate from a front of the insulating container to a rear of the insulating container. The pivot clip may provide a locking mechanism for the strap when sliding the pivot clip over the outer pivot post and the pivot assembly, securely attaching the pivot clip to the pivot assembly. The pivot clip may include a base portion, a strap arm, and a transverse portion extending between the base portion and the strap arm. The strap arm may be configured to hold the end of the strap. The pivot clip may further include resilient arms spaced from the transverse portion defining a gap between the resilient arms and the transverse portion, wherein the receptacle and resilient arms have an arced shape that arcs upward from the base portion on both sides of the pivot clip. The pivot clip may include one or more stop surfaces located along the transverse portion of the pivot clip within the receptacle. The one or more stop surfaces may be configured to engage with a stop located on the pivot assembly to limit the rotation of the pivot clip relative to the pivot assembly. The stop may be located on the outer pivot post and may extend from a center top location of the outer pivot post and has a triangular shape to engage with the one or more stop surfaces on the pivot clip. The strap arm may be offset and extend from the transverse portion with one or more offset arms. The pivot assembly may include a pivot insert block located within the lateral sidewalls of the base. The pivot insert block may comprise one or more positioning slots located on a front surface of the pivot insert block. The one or more positioning slots may be configured to receive protrusions on the outer pivot post when connecting the outer pivot post to the pivot insert block. The pivot insert block may also comprise a fastener recess located in an approximate center of the pivot insert block. The fastener recess may include internal threads to engage with a fastener that extends through and connects the outer pivot post to the pivot insert block. The pivot insert block may include multiple ribs extending from a rear surface that provide stability for the pivot assembly within the base. The pivot assembly may include a pivot standoff plate that provides a bearing surface for the pivot clip and may be located between the pivot insert block and the outer pivot post. The pivot standoff plate may comprise one or more positioning slots that extend through the pivot standoff plate and are spaced and shaped to correspond to the positioning slots on the pivot insert block and the protrusions on the outer pivot post. The pivot standoff plate may also comprise a fastener hole located in an approximate center of the pivot standoff plate