Child-resistant, senior-friendly package having a squeeze-release mechanism

摘要

A package (10) for containing tablets or like separate dispensable items is provided having so-called child-resistant and senior-friendly storage and dispensing properties. An elongate outer sleeve (12) houses a separate blister card (14) carrying tablets or like items. The card slides into the sleeve (12) to a storage position in which the card (14) is housed within the outer sleeve and slides in the reverse direction to a dispensing position in which the card at least partially extends from the open end (18) of the sleeve. The sleeve (12) includes an internal locking restriction (54a) secured to a wall (26) thereof, and the card (14) includes a tail end (104) having an integral latch (92). The locking restriction (54a) and latch (92) cooperate to form a locking engagement thereby locking the card (14) within the sleeve (12) when the card is in the storage position. The sleeve (12) includes visually defined squeeze locations (60) on opposite side edges (30, 32) thereof that correspond to a location of the internal locking restriction (54a). The locking engagement of the latch (92) to the internal locking mechanism is released when the outer sleeve (12) is squeezed at the visually defined squeeze locations (60). The construction of the outer sleeve from a paperboard blank (24), the construction of the blister card (14) having the latch (92), and a method of assembling the above referenced package are also disclosed.