Child resistant container and method of opening same

Abstract

A child resistant container is for containing at least one product, such as medicine. The child resistant container includes a body, a lid, and a directing portion. The body has an end portion defining an opening leading to an interior of the body. The lid is connected to the body via a hinge, and includes a cover portion and a protrusion extending outwardly therefrom. The cover portion is configured to move between a FIRST position corresponding to the cover portion covering the opening, and a SECOND position corresponding to the cover portion not covering the opening. The directing portion extends from one of the body and the cover portion, and at least partially encloses the protrusion when the cover portion is in the FIRST position. When the cover portion moves from the FIRST position to the SECOND position, the protrusion moves away from the directing portion.

1 . A child resistant container for containing at least one product, the child resistant container comprising:
 a body comprising a base, a sidewall extending from the base, and an end portion disposed opposite the base, the end portion defining an opening leading to an interior of the body for containing the at least one product;   a lid connected to the body via a hinge, the lid comprising a cover portion and a protrusion extending outwardly from the cover portion, the cover portion being configured to move between a FIRST position corresponding to the cover portion covering the opening, and a SECOND position corresponding to the cover portion not covering the opening; and   a directing portion extending from one of the body and the cover portion, the directing portion at least partially enclosing the protrusion when the cover portion is in the FIRST position,   wherein, when the cover portion moves from the FIRST position to the SECOND position, the protrusion moves away from the directing portion.   
     
     
         2 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises a latch portion extending outwardly from the sidewall; wherein the latch portion is disposed proximate the end portion; and wherein, when the cover portion is in the FIRST position, the protrusion engages and is interlocked with the latch portion; and wherein, when the cover portion moves from the FIRST position toward the SECOND position, the protrusion disengages the latch portion. 
     
     
         3 . The container according to  claim 2 , wherein, when the cover portion is in the FIRST position, the protrusion is biased toward engagement with the latch portion. 
     
     
         4 . The container according to  claim 3 , wherein the protrusion has a first end and a second end disposed opposite and distal the first end; wherein the first end extends from the cover portion; and wherein, when the cover portion moves from the FIRST position toward the SECOND position, the second end pivots toward the cover portion. 
     
     
         5 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the directing portion extends from the cover portion. 
     
     
         6 . The container according to  claim 5 , wherein the directing portion comprises a primary wall portion extending from the cover portion and being substantially concave facing the cover portion. 
     
     
         7 . The container according to  claim 6 , wherein the directing portion further comprises a number of rib portions extending from the primary wall portion toward the cover portion. 
     
     
         8 . The container according to  claim 7 , wherein the number of rib portions comprises a first rib portion and a second rib portion; and wherein, when the cover portion is in the FIRST position, the protrusion is disposed between the first rib portion and the second rib portion. 
     
     
         9 . The container according to  claim 7 , wherein the directing portion further comprises a secondary wall portion extending outwardly from the cover portion and being disposed substantially perpendicular to the primary wall portion; and wherein each of the number of rib portions extends from the secondary wall portion. 
     
     
         10 . The container according to  claim 7 , wherein each of the number of rib portions is spaced from the cover portion. 
     
     
         11 . The container according to  claim 7 , wherein the hinge and the protrusion are disposed on opposing sides of the cover portion. 
     
     
         12 . The container according to  claim 7 , wherein the container is a unitary component made from a single piece of material. 
     
     
         13 .- 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A child resistant container for containing at least one product, the child resistant container comprising:
 a body comprising a base, a sidewall extending from the base, and an end portion disposed opposite the base, the end portion defining an opening leading to an interior of the body;   a lid connected to the body via a hinge, the lid comprising a cover portion and a protrusion extending outwardly from one side of the cover portion, the cover portion being configured to move between a FIRST position corresponding to the cover portion covering the opening, and a SECOND position corresponding to the cover portion not covering the opening; and   a directing portion extending from one of the body and the cover portion, the directing portion at least partially enclosing the protrusion when the cover portion is in the FIRST position,   wherein, when the cover portion moves from the FIRST position to the SECOND position, the protrusion moves away from the directing portion and toward the one side of the cover portion.   
     
     
         18 . The container according to  claim 17 , wherein the lid is configured such that a tool can be inserted between the directing portion and the cover portion in a direction generally parallel with a vertical axis of the body to move the protrusion. 
     
     
         19 . The container according to  claim 17 , wherein the container is free-standing. 
     
     
         20 . The container according to  claim 17 , wherein he interior of the body is configured to loosely contain the at least one product therein. 
     
     
         21 . The container according to  claim 17 , wherein the body further comprises a latch portion extending outwardly from the sidewall; wherein the latch portion is disposed proximate the end portion; and wherein, when the cover portion is in the FIRST position, the protrusion engages and is interlocked with the latch portion; and wherein, when the cover portion moves from the FIRST position toward the SECOND position, the protrusion disengages the latch portion. 
     
     
         22 . The container according to  claim 17 , wherein the directing portion extends from the cover portion, and wherein the directing portion comprises a primary wall portion extending from the cover portion and being substantially concave facing the cover portion. 
     
     
         23 . The container according to  claim 22 , wherein the directing portion further comprises a number of rib portions extending from the primary wall portion toward the cover portion.