Insulating container

Abstract

An insulating container includes a plurality of walls defining an outer body member, an outer body ring disposed about the outer body member, a base member that supports the outer body member, a liner disposed within and spaced apart from the plurality of walls, an internal cavity defined by the inner liner, a soft-shelled lid releasably and pivotably coupled to the outer body member to move between an open position in which the internal cavity of the insulating container is accessible and a closed position in which a seal is formed between the soft-shelled lid and the outer body member, a lid ring disposed about the soft-shelled lid, a latching member that secures the lid ring to the outer body ring, wherein the lid may be pivoted from either of two sides or released from the outer body ring.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An insulating container comprising:
 a plurality of walls defining an outer body member, the outer body member being a soft-shelled member;   an outer body ring disposed about the outer body member;   a base member configured to support the outer body member;   a liner disposed within and spaced apart from the plurality of walls, the liner defining an internal cavity of the insulating container;   a soft-shelled lid releasably and pivotably coupled to the outer body member, the soft-shelled lid being configured to move between an open position in which the internal cavity of the insulating container is accessible and a closed position in which a seal is formed between the soft-shelled lid and the outer body member;   a lid ring disposed about the soft-shelled lid, such that the lid ring is sealed to the outer body ring when the soft-shelled lid is in the closed position;   a latching member configured to secure the lid ring to the outer body ring, the latching member being pivotable between a pivoting position and a release position;   a knuckle fixedly attached to the outer body ring and extending between the outer body member and the liner, the knuckle further including a seat; and   a pin member that couples the latching member to the lid ring and the seat of the knuckle, such that the latching member is pivotable relative the pin member.   
     
     
         2 . The insulating container of  claim 1 , wherein the latching member is non-planar with the outer body ring. 
     
     
         3 . The insulating container of  claim 1 , wherein the latching member is non-planar with the lid ring. 
     
     
         4 . The insulating container of  claim 1 , wherein the outer body ring and the lid ring are both rigid. 
     
     
         5 . The insulating container of  claim 1 , wherein the soft-shelled lid is translatable from the closed position to the open position when the latching member is in the pivoting position. 
     
     
         6 . The insulating container of  claim 1 , wherein the soft-shelled lid is fully removable from the outer body member when the latching member is in the release position. 
     
     
         7 . The insulating container of  claim 1 , wherein the lid ring further includes a gasket for forming the seal with the outer body ring when the soft-shelled lid is in the closed position. 
     
     
         8 . The insulating container of  claim 1 , wherein the latching member further includes a latch cord for moving the latching member from the pivoting position to the release position. 
     
     
         9 . The insulating container of  claim 1 , wherein the outer body ring further includes a plurality of bars configured to receive a handle member. 
     
     
         10 . The insulating container of  claim 1 , wherein the latching member includes a plurality of latching members, and the plurality of latching members are disposed on opposing sides of the lid ring. 
     
     
         11 . The insulating container of  claim 1 , further comprising an insulation material disposed between the outer body member and the liner. 
     
     
         12 . The insulating container of  claim 1 , wherein the latching member includes at least a first latching member secured to a first side of the lid ring and a second latching member secured to a second side of the lid ring opposite the first side. 
     
     
         13 . The insulating container of  claim 12 , wherein, when the first latching member is in the pivoting position and the second latching member is in the release position, the soft-shelled lid pivots relative the first latching member between the open position and the closed position, wherein, when the second latching member is in the pivoting position and the first latching member is in the release position, the soft-shelled lid pivots relative the second latching member between the open position and the closed position, and, wherein, when the first latching member is in the release position and the second latching member is in the release position, the soft-shelled lid is removable from the outer body ring. 
     
     
         14 . The insulating container of  claim 12 , further comprising a back pad disposed on one wall of the plurality of walls. 
     
     
         15 . The insulating container of  claim 12 , further comprising shoulder straps extending from said one wall having said back pad. 
     
     
         16 . An insulating container comprising:
 a plurality of walls defining an outer body member;   an outer body ring disposed about the outer body member;   a base member configured to support the outer body member;   a liner disposed within and spaced apart from the plurality of walls, the liner defining an internal cavity of the insulating container;   a soft-shelled lid configured to move between an open position in which the internal cavity of the insulating container is accessible and a closed position in which the soft-shelled lid forms a seal with the outer body member;   a lid ring disposed about the lid, such that the lid ring is sealed to the outer body ring when the soft-shelled lid is in the closed position;   a first latching member secured to a first side of the lid ring and a second latching member secured to a second side of the lid ring opposite the first side, the first latching member and the second latching member being configured to secure the lid ring to the outer body ring, the first latching member and the second latching member being pivotable between a pivoting position and a release position;   a plurality of knuckles fixedly attached to the outer body ring and extending between the outer body member and the liner, each of the plurality of knuckles further including a seat; and   a plurality of pin members that couple the first latching member and the second latching member to the lid ring and the seat of the plurality of knuckles, such that the first latching member and the second latching member are pivotable relative the plurality of pin members;   wherein, when the first latching member is in the pivoting position and the second latching member is in the release position, the soft-shelled lid pivots relative the first latching member between the open position and the closed position.   
     
     
         17 . The insulating container of  claim 16 , wherein, when the second latching member is in the pivoting position and the first latching member is in the release position, the soft-shelled lid pivots relative the second latching member between the open position and the closed position. 
     
     
         18 . The insulating container of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of walls of the outer body member are collapsible between the base member and the outer body ring. 
     
     
         19 . The insulating container of  claim 16 , wherein the first latching member and the second latching member each may or may not include a latch cord for moving the first latching member and the second latching member from the pivoting position to the release position. 
     
     
         20 . The insulating container of  claim 16 , wherein the outer body ring further includes a plurality of bars configured to receive a handle member.