Container with Magnetic Closure

Abstract

A container device that has an outer shell with an opening that is sealed by a closure mechanism. The closure mechanism can include magnetic strips that are configured to partially or wholly seal the opening.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A container, comprising:
 an outer shell having a front portion, a back portion, side portions, and a base portion, the outer shell further comprising:
 an opening at a top of the container extending into a storage compartment, the opening having a substantially rectilinear geometry when fully open, and having a front, a back, a first side, and a second side; 
   a closure mechanism, further comprising:
 a flap extending from the back portion of the outer shell above the opening, the flap being configured to be fastened to the front portion of the outer shell by a fastener; and 
 wherein the fastener includes a magnetic cleat, wherein the magnetic cleat comprises a first portion that is coupled to the flap and a second portion coupled to the front portion of the outer shell; and 
 wherein the first portion is configured to be magnetically coupled to a magnetic surface of the second portion. 
   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the flap includes a reinforcing polymeric plate. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic cleat has a wedge-shaped geometry. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein a series of webbing loops coupled to an outer surface of the front portion, and wherein the second portion of the magnetic cleat is coupled to the series of webbing loops. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion is coupled to a strap that extends from a lower edge of the flap. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic cleat includes a hook structure that prevents the first portion from being sheared away from the second portion. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion includes an elongated protrusion that extends across the magnetic surface. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein the first portion includes a first depression that receives the elongated protrusion. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion includes a second protrusion ( 4506 ) that extends from a first portion magnetic surface that is received in a second depression of the second portion. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container includes a folding magnetic collar configured to be folded between an open configuration and a closed configuration to seal the opening. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle coupled to the back portion of the outer shell. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the storage compartment is insulated. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising an inner liner forming the storage compartment. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 13 , further comprising an insulating layer positioned in between the outer shell and the inner liner, the insulating layer providing insulation for the storage compartment. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein the insulating layer floats between the inner liner and the outer shell. 
     
     
         16 . An insulated container, comprising:
 an outer shell having a front portion, a back portion, side portions, and a base portion, the outer shell further comprising:
 an opening at a top of the insulated container extending into a storage compartment; 
 an insulating layer positioned in between the outer shell and an inner liner, the insulating layer providing insulation for the storage compartment; 
   a closure mechanism, further comprising:
 a flap extending from the back portion of the outer shell above the opening, the flap being configured to be fastened to the front portion of the outer shell by a fastener; and 
 wherein the fastener includes a magnetic cleat, wherein the magnetic cleat ( 4200 ) comprises a first portion that is coupled to the flap and a second portion coupled to the front portion of the outer shell; and 
 wherein the first portion is configured to be magnetically coupled to a magnetic surface of the second portion, and 
 wherein the magnetic cleat includes a hook structure that prevents the first portion from being sheared away from the second portion. 
   
     
     
         17 . The insulated container of  claim 16 , wherein the insulating layer floats between the inner liner and the outer shell. 
     
     
         18 . The insulated container of  claim 16 , wherein the second portion includes an elongated protrusion that extends across the magnetic surface. 
     
     
         19 . The insulated container of  claim 18 , wherein the first portion includes a first depression that receives the elongated protrusion. 
     
     
         20 . The insulated container of  claim 16 , wherein the first portion includes a second protrusion that extends from a first portion magnetic surface that is received in a second depression of the second portion.