The present disclosure relates generally to non-rigid, portable, insulated devices or containers useful for keeping food and beverages cool or warm, and, more particularly, an insulating device with a waterproof closure.
Coolers are designed to keep food and beverages at lower temperatures. Containers may be composed of rigid materials such as metal or plastics or flexible materials such as fabric or foams. Coolers can be designed to promote portability. For example, rigid containers can be designed to incorporate wheels that facilitate ease of transport or coolers can be designed in smaller shapes to allow individuals to carry the entire device. Non-rigid containers can be provided with straps and/or handles and may in certain instances be made of lighter weight materials to facilitate mobility. Non-rigid coolers that maximize portability can be designed with an aperture on the top that allows access to the interior contents of the cooler. The aperture can also be provided with a closure.
This Summary provides an introduction to some general concepts relating to this invention in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the invention.
Aspects of the disclosure herein may relate to insulating devices having one or more of (1) a waterproof closure (2) an outer shell, (3) an inner liner, (4) an insulating layer floating freely in between the outer shell and the inner liner, or (5) a waterproof storage compartment.
In certain examples, an insulating device may comprise: a body assembly comprising an outer shell defining a sidewall; an inner liner forming a storage compartment; an insulating layer positioned in between the outer shell and the inner liner, the insulating layer providing insulation for the storage compartment; a lid assembly; an opening formed between the body assembly and the lid assembly, the opening configured to allow access to the storage compartment; and a closure. The closure may comprise a lid collar structure and a body collar structure. The lid collar structure may extend around a perimeter of the lid assembly, comprising a first lateral compression surface and a first longitudinal compression surface. The body collar structure may extend around a perimeter of the body assembly at the opening, comprising a second lateral compression surface and a second longitudinal compression surface. When the closure is closed, the first lateral compression surface of the lid collar structure may be configured to compress against the second lateral compression surface of the body collar structure. Additionally, the first longitudinal compression surface of the lid collar structure may be configured to compress against the second longitudinal compression surface of the body collar structure to seal the opening.
In other examples, an insulating container may comprise: a body assembly comprising a storage compartment; a lid assembly; an opening formed between the body assembly and the lid assembly, the opening configured to allow access to the storage compartment; and a closure adapted to substantially seal the opening. The closure may comprise a lid collar structure extending around a perimeter of the lid assembly and a body collar structure extending around a perimeter of the body assembly at the opening. When the closure is closed, at least a portion of the lid collar structure may be configured to compress against at least a portion of the body collar structure to seal the opening.
In yet another example, a method of forming an insulating device may comprise the following steps: forming an inner liner first portion and an outer shell first portion; securing the inner liner first portion to the outer shell first portion to form a lid assembly; forming an inner liner second portion and an outer shell second portion; securing the inner liner second portion to the outer shell second portion to form a body assembly, wherein the body assembly comprises an opening into a storage compartment; and forming a sealable closure of the opening into the storage compartment. Forming the sealable closure of the opening into the storage compartment may comprise forming a lid collar structure extending around a perimeter of the lid assembly and forming a body collar structure extending around a perimeter of the body assembly. The lid collar structure may be configured to compress against the body collar structure to resealably seal the sealable closure.
In one embodiment, the closure may further comprise a zipper. The zipper may comprise an upper portion extending along a lid collar zipper flange surface and a lower portion extending along a body collar zipper flange surface. The upper portion and the lower portion may be configured to be removably coupled to one another to seal the opening.
In another embodiment, the insulating device may further comprise a V-shaped gasket extending around at least a portion of the lid collar structure. The V-shaped gasket may comprise a seal body; a primary seal arm extending from a first end of the seal body; and a secondary seal arm extending from a second end opposite the first end of the body seal. When the closure is closed, the primary seal arm may be configured to compress against the second lateral compression surface of the body collar structure and the second longitudinal compression surface of the body collar structure.
In another embodiment, the insulating device may further comprise a dual-seal gasket extending around at least a portion of the lid collar structure. The dual-seal gasket may comprise a primary seal arm and a secondary seal arm. When the closure is closed, the primary seal arm may be configured to compress against the second lateral compression surface of the body collar structure and the secondary seal arm may be configured to compress against the second longitudinal compression surface of the body collar structure.
In yet another embodiment, the insulating device may further comprise a longitudinal gasket extending around at least a portion of the first longitudinal compression surface of the lid collar structure and a lateral gasket extending around at least a portion of the first lateral compression surface of the lid collar structure. When the closure is closed, the longitudinal gasket may be configured to compress against the second longitudinal compression surface of the body collar structure and the lateral gasket may be configured to compress against the second lateral compression surface of the body collar structure.
In another embodiment, the insulating device may further comprise a plunger extending from the second longitudinal compression surface of the body collar structure; a longitudinal gasket channel extending around at least a portion of the first longitudinal compression surface of the lid collar structure; and a longitudinal gasket, at least a portion of which is configured to be received into the longitudinal gasket channel. When the closure is closed, the plunger may be configured to compress the longitudinal gasket to seal the opening.
In another embodiment, the insulating device may further comprise lateral gasket channel extending around at least a portion of the first lateral compression surface of the lid collar structure and a lateral gasket, at least a portion of which is configured to be received into the lateral gasket channel. When the closure is closed, the lateral gasket may be configured to compress against the second lateral compression surface to seal the opening.
The foregoing Summary, as well as the following Detailed Description, will be better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements in all of the various views in which that reference number appears.
In the following description of the various examples and components of this disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example structures and environments in which aspects of the disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood that other structures and environments may be utilized and that structural and functional modifications may be made from the specifically described structures and methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
Also, while the terms “frontside,” “backside,” “top,” “base,” “bottom,” “side,” “forward,” and “rearward” and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures and/or the orientations in typical use. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three dimensional or spatial orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of the claims.
The example insulating device 100 generally includes a body assembly 110 and a lid assembly 112. As illustrated in
The insulating container/device 100 is one example container that may be utilized with the closure embodiments described herein. Additional insulating containers are described in U.S. application Ser. No. 17/174,964, filed 12 Feb. 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for any and all non-limiting purposes.
The body assembly 400 further includes a body collar structure 430 that extends around a perimeter of the body assembly 400 at the opening 408. This body collar structure 430 may be implemented with various geometrical features configured to form a portion of a closure mechanism that is described in further detail with reference to the proceeding figures.
The body assembly 400 may be formed by one or more injection molding processes. In certain examples, the body assembly 400 may be formed from one or more polymers, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, one or more thermoplastic elastomers, among others. Additionally or alternatively, the body assembly 400 may be formed from one or more fiber-reinforced materials, metals and/or alloys. Further, the body assembly 400 may be formed as a single element, or from two or more elements that are affixed to one another. The body assembly 400 may additionally include one or more thermoformed sheets configured to act as a migration barrier to impede chemical migration and to block moisture and/or odor. In one example, the body collar structure 430 may be utilized without forming the sides 402-406.
The body assembly 603 further includes a body collar structure 630 that extends around a perimeter of the body assembly 603 at the opening. This body collar structure 630 may be implemented with various geometrical features configured to form a portion of the closure mechanism 600. The body collar structure 630 may include a shoulder element 610 that extends around at least a portion of a perimeter of the body collar structure 630. This shoulder element 610 may include a longitudinal compression surface 612 and a lateral compression surface 614. Accordingly, when the closure formed by the lid assembly 601 and the body assembly 603 is closed, the lateral compression surface 604 is configured to compress against the lateral compression surface 614, and the longitudinal compression surface 606 is configured to compress against the longitudinal compression surface 612 to seal the opening.
In one example, the lateral compression surface 604 forms a portion of a top collar flexure structure 616. Accordingly, the top collar flexure structure 616 may be configured to flex when the lid collar structure 602 is compressed against the body collar structure 630. Further, the top collar flexure structure 616 may urge the lateral compression surface 604 toward the lateral compression surface 614. In one example, the lid collar structure 602 includes a lateral gasket 620A that extends around at least a portion of the lateral compression surface 604. This lateral gasket 620A may be received into a lateral gasket channel 622 that extends into the lateral compression surface 604. In one implementation, the lateral gasket 620A includes a wiper structure 624 that extends outward along direction 609b and upward along direction 607a. However, it is contemplated that lateral gasket 620A, and any other gasket described throughout this disclosure may utilize different gasket geometries, or combination of geometries. For example, gaskets may be embodied with c-shaped, d-shaped, e-shaped, p-shaped, and/or lip seal geometries. Further, the gaskets may be formed from any one or more suitable materials, such as polymer materials.
The lid collar structure 602 may additionally include a longitudinal gasket 620B that extends around at least a portion of the longitudinal compression surface 606 of the lid collar structure 602. Accordingly, when the closure mechanism 600 is closed, the longitudinal gasket 620B is configured to compress against the longitudinal compression surface 612 of the body collar structure 630 and the lateral gasket 620A is configured to compress against the lateral compression surface 614 of the body collar structure 630. Compression of the longitudinal compression surface 606 against the longitudinal compression surface 612 may result in direct or indirect contact between the surfaces 606 and 612. Similarly, compression of the lateral compression surface 604 against a lateral compression surface 614 may result in direct or indirect contact between surfaces 604 and 614.
The closure mechanism 600 may additionally include a zipper 641 that is schematically depicted in
In one example, the zipper 641 formed by upper portion 644 and lower portion 646 may be configured to be partially or wholly watertight when closed. In one example, the closure mechanism 600 includes a gutter structure 650 formed between a ledge surface 652 of the body collar structure 630 and the shoulder element 610. This gutter structure 650 may be configured to prevent liquid that passes through the zipper 641 from draining into the storage compartment through the opening 408.
The body collar structure 730 may include a shoulder element 710 that extends around at least a portion of a perimeter of the body collar structure 730. This shoulder element 710 may include a longitudinal compression surface 712 and a lateral compression surface 714. Accordingly, when the closure formed by the lid assembly 701 and the body assembly 703 is closed, the lateral compression surface 704 is configured to compress against the lateral compression surface 714, and the longitudinal compression surface 706 is configured to compress against the longitudinal compression surface 712 to seal the opening.
In one example, the lateral compression surface 704 forms a portion of a top collar flexure structure 716. Accordingly, the top collar flexure structure 716 may be configured to flex when the lid collar structure 702 is compressed against the body collar structure 730. Further, the top collar flexure structure 716 may urge the lateral compression surface 704 toward the lateral compression surface 714. In one example, the lid collar structure 702 includes a gasket 720 that extends around at least a portion of the lateral compression surface 704. This gasket 720 may be received into a gasket channel 722 that extends into the lateral compression surface 704.
Accordingly, when the closure mechanism 700 is closed, the gasket 720 is configured to compress against the lateral compression surface 714 of the body collar structure 730. Compression of the lateral compression surface 704 against a lateral compression surface 714 may result in direct or indirect contact between surfaces 704 and 714.
The closure mechanism 700 may additionally include a zipper 741 that is schematically depicted in
In one example, the zipper 741 formed by upper portion 744 and lower portion 746 may be configured to be partially or wholly watertight when closed. In one example, the closure mechanism 700 includes a gutter structure 750 formed between a ledge surface 752 of the body collar structure 704 and the shoulder element 710. This gutter structure 750 may be configured to prevent liquid that passes through the zipper from draining into the storage compartment of an insulating container to which the closure mechanism 700 is affixed.
The body collar structure 1030 may include a shoulder element 1010 that extends around at least a portion of a perimeter of the body collar structure 1030. This shoulder element 1010 may include a longitudinal compression surface 1012 and a lateral compression surface 1014. Accordingly, when the closure formed by the lid assembly 1001 and the body assembly 1003 is closed, the lateral compression surface 1004 is configured to compress against the lateral compression surface 1014, and the longitudinal compression surface 1006 is configured to compress against the longitudinal compression surface 1012 to seal an opening of an insulating container or device, such as opening 104.
In one example, the lateral compression surface 1004 forms a portion of a top collar flexure structure 1016. Accordingly, the top collar flexure structure 1016 may be configured to flex when the lid collar structure 1002 is compressed against the body collar structure 1004. Further, the top collar flexure structure 1016 may urge the lateral compression surface 1004 toward the lateral compression surface 1014. In one example, the lid collar structure 1002 includes a longitudinal gasket 1020 that extends around at least a portion of the longitudinal compression surface 1006. This longitudinal gasket 1020 may be received into a longitudinal gasket channel 1022 that extends into the longitudinal compression surface 1006.
Accordingly, when the closure mechanism 1000 is closed, the longitudinal gasket 1020 is configured to compress against a plunger element 1025 that extends from the longitudinal compression surface 1012. In one example, the plunger element 1025 may be formed as a raised rim on the longitudinal compression surface 1012. However, additional or alternative plunger geometries may be utilized, without departing from the scope of these disclosures. Compression of the lateral compression surface 1004 against a lateral compression surface 1014 may result in direct or indirect contact between surfaces 1004 and 1014.
The closure mechanism 1000 may additionally include a zipper 1041 that is schematically depicted in
The body assembly 1303 further includes a body collar structure 1330 that extends around a perimeter of the body assembly 1303. This body collar structure 1330 may be implemented with various geometrical features configured to form a portion of the closure mechanism 1300. The lid assembly 1301 includes a lid collar structure 1302 that extends around a perimeter of the lid assembly 1301. This lid collar structure 1302 includes a lateral compression surface 1304 and a longitudinal compression surface 1306. The lateral compression surface 1304 may be configured to compress substantially in a lateral plane that is parallel to the direction indicated by arrow 1309a and 1309b. Similarly, the longitudinal compression surface 1306 may be configured to compress substantially in a longitudinal plane that is parallel to the direction indicated by arrow 1307a and 1307b.
The body collar structure 1330 may include a shoulder element 1310 that extends around at least a portion of a perimeter of the body collar structure 1330. This shoulder element 1310 may include a longitudinal compression surface 1312 and a lateral compression surface 1314. Accordingly, when the closure formed by the lid assembly 1301 and the body assembly 1303 is closed, the lateral compression surface 1304 may be configured to compress against the lateral compression surface 1314, and the longitudinal compression surface 1306 may be configured to compress against the longitudinal compression surface 1312 to seal the opening.
In one example, the lateral compression surface 1304 forms a portion of a top collar flexure structure 1316. Accordingly, the top collar flexure structure 1316 may be configured to flex when the lid collar structure 1303 is compressed against the body collar structure 1330. Further, the top collar flexure structure 1316 may urge the lateral compression surface 1304 toward the lateral compression surface 1314.
In one example, the lid collar structure 1302 includes a dual-seal gasket 1320 that extends around at least a portion of a gasket channel 1322 of the lid collar structure 1302. In one implementation, the dual-seal gasket includes a primary seal arm 1323, otherwise referred to as a primary wiper arm 1323, a secondary seal arm 1325, otherwise referred to as a secondary wiper arm 1325, and a standoff arm 1327. In one example, the standoff arm 1327 is configured to compress against an inner wall of the gasket channel 1322 to position the gasket 1320 correctly within the channel 1322. Further, the primary seal arm 1323 may be configured to compress against the lateral compression surface 1314, and the secondary seal arm 1325 may be configured to compress against the longitudinal compression surface 1312 of the body collar structure 1330 to seal an opening between the lid assembly 1301 and the body assembly 1303. It is contemplated that dual-seal gasket 1320, and any other gasket described throughout this disclosure, may utilize different gasket geometries, or combination of geometries. For example, gaskets may be embodied with c-shaped, d-shaped, e-shaped, p-shaped, and/or lip seal geometries. Further, the gaskets may be formed from any one or more suitable materials, such as polymer materials.
The closure mechanism 1300 may additionally include a zipper 1341 that is schematically depicted in
In one example, the zipper 1341 formed by upper portion 1344 and lower portion 1346 may be configured to be partially or wholly watertight when closed. In one example, the closure mechanism 1300 may include a gutter structure 1350 formed between a ledge surface 1352 of the body collar structure 1330 and the shoulder element 1310. This gutter structure 1350 may be configured to prevent liquid that passes through the zipper from draining into a storage compartment sealed by the closure 1300.
The body collar structure 1430 may include a shoulder element 1410 that extends around at least a portion of a perimeter of the body collar structure 1430. Additionally, the body collar structure 1430 may include an angled surface 1432 that angles inward from the external portion of the insulating container 1400. The angled surface 1432 may improve the interface of the lid assembly 1401 and the body assembly 1403. Additionally, the angled surface 1432 may improve in the alignment of the lid assembly 1401 and the body assembly 1403. This shoulder element 1410 may include a longitudinal compression surface 1412 and a lateral compression surface 1414. Accordingly, when the closure formed by the lid assembly 1401 and the body assembly 1403 is closed, the lateral compression surface 1404 is configured to compress against the lateral compression surface 1414, and the longitudinal compression surface 1406 is configured to compress against the longitudinal compression surface 1412 to seal an opening of an insulating container or device, such as opening 104.
In one example, the lateral compression surface 1404 forms a portion of a top collar flexure structure 1416. Accordingly, the top collar flexure structure 1416 may be configured to flex when the lid collar structure 1402 is compressed against the body collar structure 1404. Further, the top collar flexure structure 1416 may urge the lateral compression surface 1404 toward the lateral compression surface 1414. In one example, the lid collar structure 1402 includes a gasket 1420 that extends around at least a portion of the longitudinal compression surface 1406. This gasket 1420 may be received into a gasket channel 1422 that extends into the longitudinal compression surface 1406. Additionally, the top collar flexure structure 1416 may include a lid gasket arm 1418. The lid gasket arm 1418 may be a lead that extends from the top collar flexure structure 1416 below the gasket 1420 in order to protect the tip of the gasket 1420 from being folded up when the lid assembly 1401 is lining up with the body assembly 1403. The lid gasket arm 1418 may also be used to protect the gasket 1420 from peeling when pressing the lid assembly 1401 into the body assembly 1403.
The gasket 1420 may be a V-shaped gasket. The V-shaped gasket 1420 may resist pressure and hold pressure better than other gasket types. Generally, the internal pressure of the insulating container 1400 may push to engage the gasket 1420 and sealing arms further against the lid assembly 1401 and the body assembly 1403. The V-shaped gasket 1420 may place the primary sealing surface further down the base wall for more reliable compression. Additionally, the V-shaped gasket 1420 may reduce the force to close the lid assembly 1401 on the base assembly 1403. The gasket 1420 may include a seal body 1428 with a primary seal arm 1426 extending from the seal body 1428 and a secondary seal arm 1425 extending from the other side of the seal body 1428. The primary seal arm 1426 may be referred to as a primary wiper arm 1426 The secondary seal arm 1425, otherwise referred to as a secondary wiper arm 1425. The primary seal arm 1426 may also include a wiper structure 1427. The wiper structure 1427 may also be called scraper, and may protect and seal the insulating container 1400 against moisture, dust, and/or dirt. In one example, the seal body 1428 and the secondary seal arm 1425 are configured to compress against an inner wall of the gasket channel 1422 to position the gasket 1420 correctly within the channel 1422. Further, the primary seal arm 1426 may be configured to compress against the lateral compression surface 1414 and the longitudinal compression surface 1412 of the body collar structure 1430 to seal an opening between the lid assembly 1401 and the body assembly 1403. It is contemplated that gasket 1420, and any other gasket described throughout this disclosure, may utilize different gasket geometries, or combination of geometries. For example, gaskets may be embodied with c-shaped, d-shaped, e-shaped, p-shaped, and/or lip seal geometries. Further, the gaskets may be formed from any one or more suitable materials, such as polymer materials.
The V-shaped gasket 1420 may need to impart a stiffness to part of the seal geometry, while having the primary seal arm 1426 acting as a compliant portion and the secondary seal arm 1425 acting as a stiff element. The secondary seal arm 1425 or the stiff element may resist torqueing and deformation and drive unity of movement between the lid assembly 1401 and the body assembly 1403. The primary seal arm 1426 or the compliant portion may deliver the sealing between the lid assembly 1401 and the body assembly 1403 and modulate enough to compensate for any deformation that does occur during drop scenarios to ensure leak protection for the insulating container 1400.
The closure mechanism 1400 may additionally include a zipper 1441 that is schematically depicted in
In one example, an insulating device may include a body assembly that has an outer shell defining a first sidewall, a second sidewall, the third sidewall, and the fourth sidewall. The insulating device may also include an inner liner forming a storage compartment, and an insulating layer positioned in between the outer shell and the inner liner, with the insulating layer providing insulation for the storage compartment. The insulating device may also include a lid assembly. An opening may be formed between the body assembly and the lid assembly, with the opening configured to allow access to the storage compartment. The insulating device may also include a closure adapted to substantially seal the opening. The closure may additionally include a lid collar structure that extends around a perimeter of the lid assembly, with the lid collar structure having a first lateral compression surface and a first longitudinal compression surface. The closure may also include a body collar structure that extends around a perimeter of the body assembly at the opening, with the body collar structure having a second lateral compression surface and a second longitudinal compression surface. When the closure is closed, the first lateral compression surface of the lid collar structure may be configured to compress against the second lateral compression surface of the body collar structure and the first longitudinal compression surface of the lid collar structure may be configured to compress against the second longitudinal compression surface of the body collar structure to seal the opening.
The closure may additionally include a zipper that has an upper portion extending along a lid collar zipper flange surface and a lower portion extending along a body collar zipper flange surface, such that the upper portion and the lower portion are configured to be removably coupled to one another to seal the opening of the insulating device.
When the closure is closed, the zipper may urge the first longitudinal compression surface of the lid collar structure to compress against the second longitudinal compression surface of the body collar structure.
When the closure is closed, an interference fit may compress the first lateral compression surface of the lid collar structure against the second lateral compression surface of the body collar structure.
The lid collar structure may include a lid rib and the body collar structure may include a body rib, such that the lid rib and the body rib are configured to brace the lid collar structure and the body collar structure during compression to form the interference fit.
The insulating device may also include a V-shaped gasket extending around at least a portion of the lid collar structure. The V-shaped gasket may further comprise: a seal body; a primary seal arm extending from a first end of the seal body; and a secondary seal arm extending from a second end opposite the first end of the body seal. When the closure is closed, the primary seal arm may be configured to compress against the second lateral compression surface of the body collar structure and the second longitudinal compression surface of the body collar structure.
The V-shaped gasket may further comprise a wiper structure.
The seal body and the secondary seal arm may be configured to compress against an inner wall of a gasket channel to position the V-shaped gasket correctly within the gasket channel.
The insulating device may also include a dual-seal gasket extending around at least a portion of the lid collar structure, with the dual-seal having a primary seal arm and a secondary seal arm, such that when the closure is closed, the primary seal arm may be configured to compress against the second lateral compression surface of the body collar structure and the secondary seal arm may be configured to compress against the second longitudinal compression surface of the body collar structure.
The insulating device may also include a longitudinal gasket extending around at least a portion of the first longitudinal compression surface of the lid collar structure, and a lateral gasket extending around at least a portion of the first lateral compression surface of the lid collar structure. When the closure is closed, the longitudinal gasket may be configured to compress against the second longitudinal compression surface of the body collar structure and the lateral gasket may be configured to compress against the second lateral compression surface of the body collar structure.
The lateral gasket may further include a wiper structure.
The insulating device may also include a plunger that extends from the second longitudinal compression surface of the body collar structure, a longitudinal gasket channel extending around at least a portion of the first longitudinal compression surface of the lid collar structure, and a longitudinal gasket, at least a portion of which is configured to be received into the longitudinal gasket channel. When the closure is closed, the plunger may be configured to compress the longitudinal gasket to seal the opening.
The insulating device may also include a lateral gasket channel extending around at least a portion of the first lateral compression surface of the lid collar structure, and a lateral gasket, at least a portion of which may be configured to be received into the lateral gasket channel. When the closure is closed, the lateral gasket may be configured to compress against the second lateral compression surface to seal the opening.
In another aspect, an insulating device may include a body assembly that includes a storage compartment, a lid assembly, and an opening formed between the body assembly and the lid assembly, with the opening configured to allow access to the storage compartment. The insulating device may also include a closure adapted to substantially seal the opening, with the closure including a lid collar structure extending around a perimeter of the lid assembly, and a body collar structure extending around a perimeter of the body assembly at the opening. When the closure is closed, at least a portion of the lid collar structure may be configured to compress against at least a portion of the body collar structure to seal the opening.
The lid collar structure may further include a first longitudinal compression element and a first lateral compression element, and the body collar structure may further include a second longitudinal compression element and a second lateral compression element.
The closure of the insulating device may further include a zipper that has an upper portion extending along a lid collar zipper phalange surface, and a lower portion extending along a body collar zipper phalange surface. The upper portion and the lower portion may be configured to be removably coupled to one another to seal the opening.
When the closure is closed, the zipper urges the first longitudinal compression element of the lid collar structure to compress against lung tool compression element of the body collar structure.
When the closure is closed, an interference fit compresses the first lateral compression element of the lid collar structure against the second lateral compression element of the body includes a body rib, such that the lid rib and the body rib are configured to brace the lid collar structure the body collar structure during compression to form the interference fit.
The insulating device may also include a longitudinal gasket extending around at least a portion of the first longitudinal compression surface of the lid collar structure, and a lateral gasket extending around at least a portion of the first lateral compression surface of the lid collar structure. When the closure is closed, the longitudinal gasket may be configured to compress against the second longitudinal compression surface of the body collar structure and the lateral gasket may be configured to compress against the second lateral compression surface of the body collar structure.
The lateral gasket may further include a wiper structure.
The insulating device may also include a plunger that extends from the second longitudinal compression surface of the body collar structure, a longitudinal gasket channel extending around at least a portion of the first longitudinal compression surface of the lid collar structure, and a longitudinal gasket, at least a portion of which may be configured to be received into the longitudinal gasket channel. When the closure is closed, the plunger may be configured to compress the longitudinal gasket to seal the opening.
The insulating device may also include a lateral gasket channel extending around at least a portion of the first lateral compression surface of the lid collar structure, and a lateral gasket, at least a portion of which may be configured to be received into the lateral gasket channel. When the closure is closed, the lateral gasket may be configured to compress against the second lateral compression surface to seal the opening.
An example method of forming an insulating device can include forming an inner liner first portion and an outer shell first portion, securing the inner liner first portion and the outer shell first portion to a sealable closure to form a lid assembly, forming an inner liner second portion and an outer shell second portion, securing the inner liner second portion to the outer shell second portion to form a body assembly, such that the body assembly includes an opening into a storage compartment. The method may additionally include forming a sealable closure of the opening into the storage compartment, which further includes forming a lid collar structure that extends around a perimeter of the lid assembly, forming a body collar structure extending around a perimeter of the body assembly, such that the lid collar structure may be configured to compress against the body collar structure to resealably seal the sealable closure.
The present invention is disclosed above and in the accompanying drawings with reference to a variety of examples. The purpose served by the disclosure, however, is to provide examples of the various features and concepts related to the invention, not to limit the scope of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the examples described above without departing from the scope of the present invention.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/389,641, filed Jul. 15, 2022, which is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 17/174,964 filed on Feb. 12, 2021, U.S. application Ser. No. 16/295,682, filed Mar. 7, 2019 now U.S. Pat. No. 11,076,666, U.S. application Ser. No. 16/096,206, filed Oct. 24, 2018 now U.S. Pat. No. 11,229,268, PCT/US18/21546, filed Mar. 8, 2018, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/468,673, filed Mar. 8, 2017 which are all incorporated by reference in their entirety for any and all non-limiting purposes.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63389641 | Jul 2022 | US |