Child-resistant compact for blister card products

Abstract

A child-resistant compact for dispensing product on blister cards including a first portion having a first cover hinged to a first clamp, a second portion having a second cover hinged to a second clamp, and means connecting the first and second clamp to each other, both to clamp at least one blister card between the clamps and to position the first and second covers to form a closable cavity for enclosing the at least one blister card. Also, a first child-resistant latch includes a first latch arm extending from one of the first and second covers remote from the clamps and a corresponding first latch engagement feature on the other of the first and second covers for engagement with the first latch arm. Further, second and third child-resistant latches include second and third latch arms extending from opposite sides of the other of the first and second covers, and corresponding second and third latch engagement features on sides of the one of the first and second covers for engagement with the second and third latch arms.

1 . A child-resistant compact for dispensing product on blister cards, which includes:
 a first portion having a first cover hinged to a first clamp,   a second portion having a second cover hinged to a second clamp,   means connecting said first and second clamps to each other, both to clamp at least one blister card between said clamps and to position said first and second covers to form a closable cavity for enclosing said at least one blister card,   a first child-resistant latch including a first latch arm extending from one of said first and second covers remote from said clamps and a corresponding first latch engagement feature on the other of said first and second covers for engagement with said first latch arm, and   second and third child-resistant latches including second and third latch arms extending from opposite sides of said other of said first and second covers, and corresponding second and third latch engagement features on sides of said one of said first and second covers for engagement with said second and third latch arms.   
     
     
         2 . The compact set forth in  claim 1  wherein said first and second covers include panel walls, exterior walls extending peripherally around said panel walls, and interior walls disposed inboard of and generally parallel with respect to said exterior walls to strengthen said covers against bending. 
     
     
         3 . The compact set forth in  claim 2  including a plurality of gussets extending between said exterior and interior walls to further strengthen said covers against bending. 
     
     
         4 . The compact set forth in  claim 3  including a plurality of guide posts between said exterior and interior walls of at least one of said covers and a plurality of corresponding guide sockets between said exterior and interior walls of at least the other of said covers, wherein said guide posts and guide sockets are constructed such that said guide posts engage said guide sockets to align said covers before said latches engage. 
     
     
         5 . The compact set forth in  claim 3  including card retainer features extending from said interior walls in an inboard direction for retaining said at least one blister card. 
     
     
         6 . The compact set forth in  claim 1  wherein said means and said latch arms are sized such that both said first portion and said second portion are level when stacked one upon another. 
     
     
         7 . The compact set forth in clam  1  wherein said means includes a plurality of retainer posts carried by said first clamp and a corresponding plurality of retainer sockets carried by said second clamp, wherein said retainer sockets include free ends and said retainer posts include tapered shoulders to pilot retainer holes of said at least one blister card, and basal ends wider than said free ends of said retainer sockets. 
     
     
         8 . The compact set forth in  claim 7  wherein said retainer sockets include slots in said free ends to accommodate said tapered shoulders of said retainer posts. 
     
     
         9 . The compact set forth in  claim 8  wherein said at least one blister card is piloted on said basal ends of said retainer posts. 
     
     
         10 . The compact set forth in  claim 7  wherein said retainer posts, retainer sockets, and latches are located inboard of said lateral outer periphery of said portions, and wherein a distance between first surfaces of said portions and free ends of said posts, sockets, and latches is substantially equal for level stacking of said portions. 
     
     
         11 . The compact set forth in  claim 1  wherein said blister pack includes two opposing blister cards connected by a connection portion, and wherein said means includes a plurality of retainer sockets extending through corresponding holes in both opposing blister cards and a corresponding plurality of retainer posts engaging said plurality of retainer sockets to retain said portions together. 
     
     
         12 . The compact set forth in  claim 1  wherein said first portion and said second portion are of separate molded plastic constructions. 
     
     
         13 . The compact set forth in  claim 1  wherein said first portion and said second portion together are of one-piece integrally molded plastic construction, wherein said covers are integrally connected to said clamps by living hinges. 
     
     
         14 . The compact set forth in  claim 1  wherein said latches bend as said covers are closed such that said latches snap into engagement behind said latch engagement features by resiliency of said latch arms when said covers are fully closed. 
     
     
         15 . A child-resistant compact for dispensing product on blister cards, which includes:
 a first portion of integrally molded plastic construction including a first cover connected to a first clamp by a first living hinge,   a second portion of integrally molded plastic construction including a second cover connected to a second clamp by a second living hinge,   at least one blister pack carried between said first and second portions,   a plurality of retainer posts carried by said first clamp and a plurality of retainer sockets carried by said second clamp to clamp said at least one blister pack between said first and second clamps and to position said first and second covers to form a closable cavity for enclosing said at least one blister pack, wherein said retainer sockets include free ends and said retainer posts include tapered shoulders and basal ends, which are wider than said free ends of said retainer sockets,   a first latch including a first latch arm extending from an end of one of said first and second covers remote from said clamps and a corresponding first latch engagement feature on the other of said first and second covers for engagement with said first latch arm, and   second and third latches including second and third latch arms extending from opposite sides of said other of said first and second covers, and corresponding second and third latch engagement features on sides of said one of said first and second covers for engagement with said second and third latch arms, wherein opening of said compact requires simultaneous activation of said latches by two hands of a user.   
     
     
         16 . The compact set forth in  claim 15  wherein said first and second covers include:
 base panels,   exterior walls extending peripherally around said base panels,   interior walls disposed inboard of and generally parallel with respect to said exterior walls to strengthen said covers against bending, and   a plurality of gussets extending between said exterior and interior walls to further strengthen said covers against bending.   
     
     
         17 . The compact set forth in  claim 16  wherein said first and second covers further include a plurality of guide posts between said exterior and interior walls of at least one of said covers and a plurality of corresponding guide sockets between said exterior and interior walls of at least the other of said covers, wherein said guide posts and guide sockets are constructed such that said guide posts engage said guide sockets to align said covers before said latches engage. 
     
     
         18 . The compact set forth in  claim 16  including card retainer features extending from said interior walls in an inboard direction for retaining said at least one blister card. 
     
     
         19 . The compact set forth in  claim 15  wherein said means and said latch arms are sized such that both said first portion and said second portion are level when stacked one upon another. 
     
     
         20 . The compact set forth in clam  15  wherein said retainer sockets include free ends and said retainer posts include tapered shoulders to pilot retainer holes of said at least one blister card, and basal ends wider than said free ends of said retainer sockets, and wherein said retainer sockets include slots in said free ends to accommodate said tapered shoulders of said retainer posts. 
     
     
         21 . The compact set forth in  claim 20  wherein said at least one blister card is piloted on said basal ends of said retainer posts. 
     
     
         22 . The compact set forth in  claim 15  wherein said retainer posts, retainer sockets, and latches are located inboard of said lateral outer periphery of said portions, and wherein a distance between first surfaces of said portions and free ends of said posts, sockets, and latches is substantially equal for level stacking of said portions.