Bottom-fill container with an integral child-resistant lid

Abstract

A child-resistant container of one-piece integrally molded construction for storing and dispensing products. A body includes an open bottom through which product is introduced into the container, and a top wall with a dispensing opening through which product is dispensed out of the container. A lid is pivotably coupled to the body and is closeable with respect to the body in a child-resistant configuration.

1 . A package for storing and dispensing products, which includes:
 a container of one-piece integrally molded plastic construction having a generally rectangular body including an open bottom and a top wall extending across said body opposite said open bottom with a dispensing opening in said top wall, and also having a lid pivotably coupled by a hinge to said body at one edge of said top wall, a plug on said lid for sealing receipt within said dispensing opening in a closed position of said lid over said top wall, and cooperating child-resistant latch elements at a front of said lid opposite said hinge and at a front of said body opposite said hinge for selectively latching said lid in said closed position overlying said top wall, and   a bottom plug selectively receivable by press fit into said open bottom of said body after introducing products into said body through said open end.   
   
   
       2 . The package set forth in  claim 1  wherein said lid is non-removably hinged to said body. 
   
   
       3 . The package set forth in  claim 1  wherein said bottom plug is recessed in said open bottom of said body. 
   
   
       4 . The package set forth in  claim 1  wherein said open bottom of said body includes closure engagement elements, a bottom surface, and a pocket in said bottom surface, and said bottom plug includes a base wall, axially extending walls extending from said base wall and having container engagement elements engaged to said closure engagement elements of said container. 
   
   
       5 . The package set forth in  claim 4  wherein said closure and container engagement elements include axially spaced interengaged concentric ribs. 
   
   
       6 . The package set forth in  claim 1  wherein said bottom plug also includes a peripheral flange extending from said axially extending walls, wherein said flange defines a bottom surface of said plug and fits within said pocket such that said bottom surface of said plug is recessed with respect to said bottom surface of said container body. 
   
   
       7 . The package set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a label applied to said body of said container. 
   
   
       8 . The package set forth in  claim 7 , wherein said label also at least partially covers at least one of said lid or said bottom plug as a tamper-indicating measure. 
   
   
       9 . The package set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said lid has a flat top permitting said container to be rested on said lid to facilitate introduction of product through said open bottom into said body. 
   
   
       10 . The package set forth in  claim 1  wherein said container is composed of polypropylene and said bottom plug is composed of high density polyethylene. 
   
   
       11 . A child-resistant package for storing and dispensing products that includes:
 a child-resistant container of one-piece integrally molded plastic construction including a body having an open bottom and a top wall with a dispensing opening, and a lid pivotably coupled to said body and being closeable with respect to said body in a child-resistant configuration; and   a closure coupled to said open bottom of said container body in a child-resistant configuration.   
   
   
       12 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein said lid is coupled to said body by an integral hinge and has a flat top permitting said container to be rested on said lid to facilitate introduction of product through said open bottom into said body. 
   
   
       13 . The package set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said body is generally oblong in shape having a front wall, a rear wall, and side walls. 
   
   
       14 . The package set forth in  claim 13  further comprising a label applied to said container body and to at least one of said lid or said closure as a tamper-indicating measure. 
   
   
       15 . The package set forth in  claim 11  wherein said open bottom of said body includes closure engagement elements, a bottom surface, and a pocket in said bottom surface, and said closure includes a base wall, axially extending walls extending from said base wall and having container engagement elements engaged with said closure engagement elements, and said closure also includes a peripheral flange extending from said axially extending walls, wherein said flange defines a bottom surface of said closure and fits within said pocket such that said bottom surface of said closure is recessed with respect to said bottom surface of said container body. 
   
   
       16 . A child-resistant container of one-piece integrally molded construction for storing and dispensing products that includes:
 a body including an open bottom through which product is introduced into said container, and a top wall with a dispensing opening through which product is dispensed out of said container; and   a lid pivotably coupled to said body and being closeable with respect to said body in a child-resistant configuration.   
   
   
       17 . The container set forth in  claim 16 , further comprising a first child-resistant latch element carried by said body, and a second child-resistant latch element carried by said lid and cooperable with said first child-resistant element of said body when said lid is closed. 
   
   
       18 . The container set forth in  claim 16 , wherein said lid includes a flat top to permit said container to be inverted and rested on said lid to facilitate introduction of product through said open bottom of said body. 
   
   
       19 . The container set forth in  claim 16 , wherein said body includes a peripheral recessed portion around said top wall, and said lid includes a base wall and a plug extending therefrom to seal said dispensing opening when said lid is in a closed position, and said lid includes a peripheral lip extending from said base wall to cooperate with said peripheral recessed portion around said top wall when said lid is in a closed position. 
   
   
       20 . A package including the container set forth in  claim 16  and a closure applied to said open bottom in a child-resistant configuration. 
   
   
       21 . The package set forth in  claim 20  further including a label applied to said container body and to at least one of said lid or said closure as a tamper-indicating measure.