Child-resistant container for tobacco-containing products

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to child-resistant containers and methods of making same for oral products made or derived from tobacco, incorporate tobacco, or may be tobacco-free and are intended for human consumption.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container comprising:
 a body portion defining an internal space accessible via an opening, the body portion comprising a bottom wall and a sidewall extending upwardly from a peripheral edge of the bottom wall, wherein the sidewall comprises:
 a primary wall extending along a perimeter of the bottom wall and having an inner surface and an outer surface and an upper rim defining the opening; and 
 a secondary wall spaced inwardly from and at least partially surrounding a portion of the inner surface of the primary wall thereby defining a channel between the primary and secondary walls, wherein the secondary wall comprises a first vertical edge, a second vertical edge, a top horizontal edge, and a bottom horizontal edge and the secondary wall is coupled to the primary wall along the first and second vertical edges and the top horizontal edge, thereby defining a channel between the primary wall and the secondary wall and an opening between the bottom horizontal edge of the secondary wall and the primary wall proximate the peripheral edge of the bottom wall, such that a portion of the primary wall flexes relative to the secondary wall upon application of a force thereto; and 
   a cover comprising a top wall and a sidewall extending downwardly from and about a peripheral edge of the top wall, cover configured to securely and removably engage the body portion.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewall of the cover engages with at least a portion of the primary wall of the body portion. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the cover engages the body portion via an interference fit or a snap fit. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the cover sidewall is configured to sit substantially flush with the outer surface of the primary wall of the body portion when engaged. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the cover is removable by flexing a portion of the primary wall aligning with the secondary wall inwardly to expose an edge of the sidewall of the cover. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein the primary wall returns to an unflexed position after removal of the force. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the top horizontal edge of the secondary wall is at least partially coupled to the primary wall via a bridge spanning the channel and enclosing a top opening of the channel. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein the bridge comprises a lower yield strength than the primary wall, the secondary wall, or both. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the body portion comprises a plurality of secondary walls, each spaced inwardly from and at least partially surrounding a portion of the inner surface of the primary wall, the secondary walls and the primary wall defining a plurality of channels therebetween, wherein each secondary wall comprises a first vertical edge, a second vertical edge, a top horizontal edge, and a bottom horizontal edge and each secondary wall is coupled to the primary wall along the first and second vertical edges and the top horizontal edges, thereby defining a plurality of channels between the primary wall and the secondary walls and openings between the bottom horizontal edges of the secondary walls and the primary wall proximate the peripheral edge of the bottom wall, such that corresponding portions of the primary wall flex relative to the plurality of secondary walls upon application of a force thereto. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the secondary walls are spaced equidistant about a perimeter of the body portion. 
     
     
         11 . A container comprising:
 a body portion defining an internal space accessible via an opening, the body portion comprising a bottom wall and a sidewall extending upwardly from a peripheral edge of the bottom wall, the sidewall extending along a perimeter of the bottom wall and having an inner surface and an outer surface and an upper rim defining the opening,   wherein a portion of the sidewall comprises a gap extending along a length of the sidewall and between the inner and outer surfaces, such that the gap defines a channel running from an area below the upper rim to an area proximate the peripheral edge of the bottom wall and further defines an opening between a bottom edge of the outer surface of the sidewall and the peripheral edge of the bottom wall, such that the outer surface of the sidewall flexes relative to the inner surface of the sidewall upon application of a force thereto; and   a cover comprising a top wall and a sidewall extending downwardly from and about a peripheral edge of the top wall, cover configured to securely and removably engage the body portion.   
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the sidewall of the cover engages with at least a portion of the sidewall of the body portion. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the cover engages the body portion via an interference fit or a snap fit. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein an outer surface of the cover sidewall is configured to sit substantially flush with the outer surface of the sidewall of the body portion when engaged. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the cover is removable by flexing a portion of the outer surface of the sidewall of the body portion relative to the inner surface of the sidewall to expose an edge of the sidewall of the cover. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein the outer surface of the sidewall of the body portion returns to an unflexed position after removal of the force. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein a plurality of portions of the sidewall each comprise a gap extending along a length of the sidewall and between the inner and outer surfaces, such that each gap defines a channel running from an area below the upper rim to an area proximate the bottom wall and defines an opening between a bottom edge of the outer surface of the sidewall and the peripheral edge of the bottom wall, such that the outer surface of the sidewall flexes relative to the inner surface of the sidewall upon application of a force thereto. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 17 , wherein the portions of the sidewall comprising a gap are spaced equidistant about a perimeter of the body portion. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein a top edge of the outer surface of the sidewall is at least partially coupled to the inner surface of the sidewall via a bridge spanning the channel and enclosing a top opening of the channel. 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 19 , wherein the bridge comprises a lower yield strength than the sidewall.