Abstract:
A child-resistant lift-off cap for a container is adapted to be difficult to unseat independently to open the container. An overlay portion associated with the cap is adapted for use to lift the cap from a container to unseat it. The overlay portion has a thumb tab and is deformable to engage and lift the seated cap only when the thumb tab is lifted. The overlay portion raises independently of the cap when the deformable portion is not deformed into engagement with the cap. Alternatively, a lift-top cap having a slot through it, the slot having a first opening near an edge of the cap to be lifted to unseat the cap and a second opening. A slide in the slot has a first end biased to be flush with or recessed into the first opening and a second end biased to normally protrude out of the second opening. The second end of the slide can be depressed against the bias of the slide to displace the first end of the slide out of the first opening to function as a thumb tab to assist in lifting the cap from a container.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of PCT application PCT/US2004/028760 to Jean-Pierre Giraud, filed 3 Sep. 2004, entitled, “Unitary Container and Flip-Top Cap Assembly Having Child Resistant Safety Features,” designating the United States, which claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/500,428, entitled, “Unitary Container and Flip-Top Cap assembly Having Child Resistant Safety Features,” to Jean-Pierre Giraud, filed Sep. 5, 2003, and U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/538,596, entitled, “Unitary Container and Cap Assembly with Sliding Part for Child Resistance,” to Jean-Pierre Giraud, filed Jan. 23, 2004. 
     PCT Published Application WO 2005/026013 A2 (corresponding to PCT/US2004/028760) and all the applications identified in the preceding paragraph are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties to provide continuity of disclosure. 
    
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     [Not Applicable] 
     MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE 
     [Not Applicable] 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to child-resistant safety caps and containers with such caps. 
     There is an increasing awareness of the need to protect children from inadvertently gaining access to medications, especially prescribed medications. Sometimes, ingestion of only one or two pills of a prescribed medication will prove fatal to a child. Moreover, there is an increasing awareness of the necessity to provide containers for prescribed medications that are readily and easily opened by a person of responsible age, that is, any person having the cognitive ability to understand the instructions for opening a pill container, which requires certain manipulation and manual dexterity. Such persons are assumed, as well, to have the ability to understand that the act of opening a pill container to gain access to the prescribed medication is a deliberate action, and is only undertaken when there is a necessity to attain access to the prescribed medication in the pill container. 
     There are several conventional, so-called, “childproof” or “child-resistant” pill containers and bottles in the market, which are generally employed by dispensing pharmacists for use in filling prescriptions, where the prescription requires that the pharmacist dispense one or more of a plurality of pills, tablets, gel-caps, capsules, or the like, or a quantity of a liquid medicine. For example, the container may include a “push-and-turn” closure for pill containers, or an “arrow-alignment” closure for pill containers. 
     The “push-and-turn” system for pill containers conventionally refers to a system in which the closure or cap for the pill container must be pushed axially downwardly and rotated at the same time to open the container. The “arrow alignment” system for pill containers conventionally refers to a system in which an arrow on the closure or cap must be aligned with an arrow on the pill container, such as one which is embossed on the container, in order to open the container. However, these containers are often complicated for adults to use. 
     Conventional container assemblies, whether or not of the type where the cap or closure is tethered to the container, may have a fixed protrusion (also referred to as a “thumb tab”) attached to the cap that is configured to assist in the opening of the cap. More typically, this fixed protrusion is opposite the hinge, and thus, acts as a lever to allow the intended user to open the container when a sufficient force is applied under the fixed protrusion. 
     However, these containers are easily opened by a child. 
     Therefore it is an object of the invention to provide an improved container and cap system which is child resistant, yet easily opened by an adult. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One aspect of the invention is a child-resistant lift-off cap for a container. The cap is adapted to be difficult to unseat independently to open the container, except by using an overlay portion attached to the cap and adapted for use to lift the cap from a container to unseat it. The overlay portion has a thumb tab and is deformable to engage and lift the seated cap only when the thumb tab is lifted. The overlay portion raises independently of the cap when the deformable portion is not deformed into engagement with the cap. 
     In an embodiment, not limiting the scope of the invention, the overlay fits over at least a portion of the cap&#39;s solid base. At an end of a first portion of the overlay, the overlay has a thumb tab for facilitating the opening and closing of the cap. Two notches are in the overlay&#39;s tubular skirt and located on opposing sides of the overlay where the first end portion meets the second end portion. When the cap is shut, the overlay is secured directly over the cap. If an upward force is only applied to the thumb tab, and then the first end portion of the overlay is lifted up, and the solid base of the cap remains secured to the container. If an upward force is applied to the thumb tab while simultaneously, sufficient inward force is applied to opposing sides of the overlay so as to contact and secure the tubular skirt of the cap, then the solid base is of the cap is simultaneously lifted up along with the first end portion of the overlay, thereby opening the container. 
     Another aspect of the invention is a lift-top cap having a slot through it, the slot having a first opening near an edge of the cap to be lifted to unseat the cap and a second opening. A slide in the slot has a first end biased to be flush with or recessed into the first opening and a second end biased to normally protrude out of the second opening. The second end of the slide can be depressed against the bias of the slide to displace the first end of the slide out of the first opening to function as a thumb tab to assist in lifting the cap from a container. 
     In an embodiment, not limiting the overall invention, a container and cap assembly contains a sliding part in the cap. The sliding part may be supplied separate from the container and cap assembly, allowing the user to determine if a child-resistant or non-child resistant cap is formed. In the child resistant embodiment, the sliding part is configured within the cap whereby at least a portion of the sliding part protrudes out from the cap in a location near or proximate to the hinge. To open the cap, the user applies sufficient force to the sliding part, pushing it in a direction away from the hinge so that at least a portion of the sliding part protrudes out of the portion of the cap that is substantially opposite the hinge. 
     Embodiments of the invention can be made so the same parts can be assembled in a child-resistant or a non-child resistant orientation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A ,  1 B and  1 C are perspective views of an embodiment of a container and cap assembly. 
         FIGS. 2A ,  2 B and  2 C are elevations of the same embodiment. 
         FIGS. 3A  is a side elevation and  FIGS. 3B and 3C  are longitudinal sectional views of the same embodiment, viewed respectively from the side and from the rear. 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the same embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view similar to  FIG. 3B , but with the cap in an open position. 
         FIG. 6A  is a top plan view of the same embodiment, with the cap in an open position. 
         FIG. 6B  is a top plan view of the same embodiment in a closed position. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the top portion of a container according to another embodiment, showing a cap in the closed position containing a sliding element  82  withdrawn into the cap on the right side and protruding on the left side. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 7 , but showing the sliding element advanced according to the lower arrow and the cap lifted to the open position according to the upper arrow. 
         FIG. 9  is an illustration of a kit of the parts shown in  FIG. 7 , containing a sliding element and a container with a cap with a space for a sliding element. 
         FIG. 10  is a radial section taken along section line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 7 , through and in the plane of the slide  82  and slot  86 , showing the slide  82  in its child-resistant orientation, at rest in full lines and advanced against its bias to present a thumb tab in phantom lines. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Definitions 
     As generally used herein, a “child-resistant” cap or closure for a pill container means that the cap or closure meets the following standard. 
     When a child-resistant package is tested by a group of children under five years old, the child-resistant package cannot be opened by at least 85% of those children prior to a demonstration to them of the proper means of opening the package; and still cannot be opened by at least 80% of those children after they receive a demonstration of the proper means for opening the package. In the case where a child-resistant package is provided to a test group of adults, at least 90% of those adults must be capable of opening the package. Where the package is designed so that it may be re-closed, it can be re-closed by at least 90% of those adults but still cannot be opened by at least 85% of children to whom no demonstration of the proper method of opening the package has been given, nor by 80% of those children after a demonstration has been made. 
     As generally used herein, “moisture-tight” means the moisture ingress of the container after three days is less than about 750 micrograms of water, preferably, about 250 micrograms of water, more preferably, about 150 micrograms of water determined by the following test method: (a) place 0.25 grams of molecular sieve in the container and record the weight; (b) fully close the container; (c) place the closed container in an environmental chamber at conditions of 80% relative humidity and 72° F. (22° C.); (c) after one day; weigh the container containing the molecular sieve; (d) after four days, weigh the container containing the molecular sieve; and (e) subtract the first day weight of the sample from the fourth day weight of the sample to calculate the moisture ingress of the container in units of micrograms of water. 
     Container and Cap Assembly 
     The container may have any shape that is suitable for storing medicaments or other objects to be kept out of the hands of young children. The container may, in an embodiment, be a bottle, jar, jug, or other type of container intended for solid or liquid contents. Such containers commonly have a generally cylindrical neck or top portion defining an opening. In an embodiment, the container is in the shape of a cylinder. Typically, the container is closed at one end and is open at the opposite end. Optionally, the container is open at both ends. Optionally, when the container is closed, the container is moisture tight. 
     The cap can be attached to the container by way of a hinge, defining a flip-top cap. The cap also can have a mating sealing element that interfaces with the open end of the container, thereby forming a container and cap assembly. 
     The assembly is preferably molded of plastic. Suitable material for the assembly includes plastics like thermoplastics such as polypropylene and polyethylene. The assembly may be produced in accordance with the operation disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,783,056 to Abrams, RE37,676 to Abrams et al. or U.S. Pat. No. 6,303,064 to Abrams et al. The disclosures of these patents are incorporated herein by reference. 
     Optionally, the container includes a lining of a material that absorbs or releases materials. As an example, if the material absorbs water vapor, it may be included to keep the contents at a low relative humidity since any moisture that permeates through the seal or is present in the container would be absorbed. The lining material may be a desiccant entrained plastic. 
     Suitable desiccant plastics include, but are not limited to those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,911,937; 6,214,255; 6,130,263; 6,080,350; 6,174,952; 6,124,006; and 6,221,446, all to Hekal. These disclosures of these patents are incorporated herein by reference. The lining may also release a gas, such as an inert gas that prevents oxidation of the enclosed medicament, a flavoring or fragrance, or moisture, in the case of a medicament that should not be allowed to dry out. 
     Cap With Overlay 
     One embodiment of the child resistant container and cap assembly is depicted in  FIGS. 1A-6B . As depicted in  FIGS. 1A-1C , the assembly  10  includes a container  20  having a base  28 , an internal cavity  27  (see  FIGS. 3B and 3C ), an outer surface  25 , a flange  21 , a lip  22  (see  FIG. 5 ), and a lower portion  26 . 
     The assembly  10  also has a two-part cap  30  including an inner cap  31  and an outer cap  60 . The inner cap or solid base  31  has a web  29  overlying and closing the container when the cap  30  is fixed to the container  20  and a skirt  33  extending perpendicularly from the web  29  and overlying the lip  22  of the container  20  to close the container. The inner cap  31  can be removably secured to the container  20  in a variety of ways, for example, by providing a beaded lip  22  of the container  20  and a corresponding circumferential groove  32  in the inner side of the tubular skirt  33 , similar to the arrangement illustrated in  FIG. 8  and further described below. The illustrated arrangement is a conventional interference fit of the cap on the container, providing a tight seal. Other seating and sealing arrangements can also be used. The cap  30  may be a flip-top cap with a hinge, as illustrated, in an embodiment. Other types of caps can also be used. 
     In an embodiment, the inner cap  31  fits tightly on the lip  22 , and has no provision such as a thumb tab or pad or a friction surface to allow an ordinary user, or at least a young child, to get a sufficient grip on the inner cap to easily unseat and open it without using the outer cap or overlay  60  as explained below. 
     The cap  30  also includes a second, outer cap or overlay  60 , which is equipped to capture and lift the inner cap  31  when manipulated in a certain way as explained below; the outer cap  60  is used to unseat the inner cap  31  and thus open the container  20 . The overlay  60  has a base  61  with an outer periphery and a skirt  62  extending over the outer periphery of the base. The overlay is sized to fit over at least a portion of the cap&#39;s solid base  31  and tubular skirt  33 , so the skirts  33  and  62  are at least nearly concentric, with a small clearance between them, in an embodiment. 
     The overlay  60  has a first or flap portion  65  and a second portion  66 . An overlay hinge  70  (see e.g.  FIG. 4 ) connects the first portion  65  with the second portion  66  of the overlay. In an embodiment, at the end of the first portion  65  opposite the overlay hinge  70 , the overlay has a thumb tab  36  for facilitating the opening and closing of the outer cap. 
     The second portion  66  of the overlay  60  covers the area of the inner cap  31  near the hinge  40 . Optionally, the second portion  66  can be attached to or integral with the inner cap  31 , as by joining them with ultrasonic welds Z, molding them as a single part, joining them with adhesive or a fastener, providing an interference fit, or in other ways. The overlay  60  can also be provided as a separate part. 
     In an embodiment, with the reference to  FIGS. 1C and 3B , the outer surface of the skirt  33  and the inner surface of the skirt  62  of the first part  65  of the overlay portion or outer cap  60  can have complementary parts, such as a lug  35  on the outside surface of the skirt  33  and a lug  63  on the inside surface of the skirt  62 , or a lug in one part and a recess in the other, or roughened or grooved or toothed portions, that can selectively be engaged by squeezing or pressing the skirt  62  radially inward in one or more places, but that do not engage if the skirt  62  is not manipulated inward. These complementary parts can be located in various places, such as near the thumb tab  36  or, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2A-C  and  4 , within the finger pads  68 A and  68 B, provided to show the user where to grasp the skirt  62 . In an embodiment, the force needed to press the skirt  62  inward can be reduced by providing a tab formed integrally with the skirt  62  but only joined to the balance of the skirt along part of its perimeter. 
     Optionally, the container also has a flange  21  projecting radially outwardly from the outer surface  25  of the container  20 , against which the outer cap  60  and/or the inner cap  31  can seat. The hinge  40  may also be attached to the container flange  21 . 
     In an embodiment, the hinges  40  and  70  may be conventional integral hinges. The overlay hinge  70  may have a recess  42  that functions as a bending point during the opening and closing of the container. 
     In an embodiment, the recess  42  is characterized by a relatively thinner section of plastic material which bridges thicker sections  41 A and  41 B. The recess  42  bends relatively easily so the first or flap portion  65  of the outer cap  60  can lay flat against or near the inner cap  31  or flex away from the inner cap  31 . In the hinge  40 , similar construction can be used, in an embodiment. 
     When the two-part cap  30  is shut, the inner cap  31  is seated on the container and the overlay  60  is positioned directly over the inner cap  31 , in an embodiment. If an upward force is only applied to the thumb tab  36 , then the first portion  65  of the overlay is lifted up and bends at the overlay hinge  70 . This lifting force does not engage the lugs  35  and  63  of the skirts  33  and  62 . Thus, when the flap portion  65  of the overlay is lifted it does not engage the inner cap  31 , the inner cap  31  remains secured to the container  20 , and the container remains closed, as shown in  FIG. 2B . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2C , if an upward force is applied to the thumb tab  36  while, simultaneously, a sufficient inward force is applied to the skirt  62  of the flap portion  65  of the overlay  60  to engage the complementary parts such as the lug  35  projecting outward from the skirt  33  and the lug  63  projecting inward from the skirt  62  (see especially  FIG. 3B , showing the lugs  35  and  63 ), then the inner cap  31  is simultaneously lifted up along with the entire overlay  60 , resulting in the container  20  being opened. In an embodiment, the inner cap  31  remains nested within the overlay  60  when the container is opened. 
     In an embodiment, two sets of the lugs  35  and  63  can respectively be located near the grip area  68 A and a corresponding diametrically opposed grip area  68 B of the skirt  62 . The grip areas  68 A and  68 B can be pinched together with one hand to engage the respective sets of lugs, so the inner cap is lifted when the outer cap is raised using the thumb tab  36 . 
     In the same or another embodiment, the lugs  35  and  63  can be located within the skirt  62  in proximity to the thumb tab  36 , so an inward force can be applied just at that part of the skirt  62  while an upward force is applied to the thumb tab  36 . 
     A “sufficient force” is a force above a threshold that causes the lugs  63  of the opposing sides  68 A and  68 B of the overlay  60  to contact and engage the lugs  35  projecting outward from the tubular skirt  33  of the inner cap  31 , and allow the solid base  31  of the cap to be simultaneously lifted up along with the first portion  65  of the overlay resulting in an open container. Children who are too young to comprehend the dangers of taking medicines unintended for them, or large doses of medicines, do not generally possess the strength necessary to apply a force at or above the threshold. 
     A person of ordinary skill in the art would understand how to construct opposing sides  68 A and  68 B of the overlay  60  that bends only upon application of a sufficient force. In one embodiment, the cap includes a suitable amount of elastomer in the thermoplastic formulation used to construct opposing sides  68 A and  68 B. In another embodiment, the dimensions of the closure are selected to make a certain force sufficient. 
     The degree of coverage of the overlay  60  over the solid base  31  may vary from what is shown in the Figures, as long as the overlay serves the desired function. In an embodiment, the overlay is of a suitable size and construction so that only the first portion  65  is lifted, if only an upward force is applied to the thumb tab, and both the overlay  60  (including both the first portion  66  and second portion  65 ) and the solid base  31  are lifted, if sufficient inward force is applied to  68 A and  68  B while an upward force is applied to the thumb tab. 
     In an embodiment, the second portion  66  is secured or tethered to the solid base  31  in any suitable way, temporarily or permanently, so the second portion  66  remains secured to the solid base  31  when a force is applied only to the thumb tab. Suitable methods of securing include molding, co-molding, in-mold and adhesion methods. In an alternative embodiment, the second portion  66  can be omitted. 
     Notches  67 A and  67 B ( FIG. 4 ) may be any suitable size that does not prevent the first or flap portion  65  from sufficiently bending when a force is applied to the thumb tab but insufficient or no inward force is applied to  68 A and  68  B. 
     The degree of force that is required to lift the second portion  66  can be varied based on at least the following: the material of construction, the size of the notch, the locations of the engaging parts of the inner cap  31  and overlay  60 , the shape and depth of the recess, the size of the thumb tab, and other factors. 
     Cap With Sliding Part 
       FIGS. 7-10  show a second embodiment of the invention in which the container and cap assembly  80  contains a sliding part  82  in the cap  84  that travels in the slot  86 . A kit containing the container and cap assembly  80  and the sliding part  82  may be provided in an unassembled form (see  FIG. 9 ). 
     In an embodiment, shown best in  FIG. 8 , the assembly  80  comprises a container  81  and a cap  84 . The container  81  has a beaded upper lip  22  and a circumferential flange  21 , which may be similar to the corresponding parts of  FIGS. 1-6 . 
     In an embodiment, the cap  84  has an upper portion  85  having a slot  86  passing through it and a lower portion  87  similar to the inner cap  31 . The lower portion  87  has a web  89  and a skirt  90 . The lower portion  87  can be removably secured to the container  20  in a variety of ways, for example, by providing a beaded lip  22  of the container  20  and a corresponding circumferential groove  32  in the inner side of the tubular skirt  90 . To seat the cap  84  on the container  20 , the skirt  90  is pressed onto the bead of the lip  22  to advance the groove  32  of the skirt  90  over the bead of the lip  22 , capturing the bead Y in the groove  32  and positively holding the cap  84  in its seated position against the lip  22 . The illustrated arrangement is a conventional interference fit of the cap on the container, providing a tight seal. Optionally, the container is moisture tight when it is closed. Other seating and sealing arrangements can also be used. In an embodiment, the cap  84  is adapted to fit tightly and to have a relatively low friction outer surface without projections so it is not easily opened without assistance from the sliding part  82  as described below. The cap  84  may be a flip-top cap with a hinge, as illustrated, in an embodiment. Other types of caps can also be used. 
     The slot  86  has a first opening  91  on the hinged side of the cap  84  and a second opening  92  at the swinging side of the cap  84 . Referring to  FIG. 10 , side pockets  93  and  94  extend laterally from the slot  86 . The side pockets  93  and  94  define primary bearing surfaces  95  and  96  and alternate bearing surfaces  97  and  98 . The slot  86  is further defined by guide surfaces  99 ,  100 ,  101 , and  102 . 
     The sliding part  82  has resilient spring leaves  88 A and  88 B, a first end  103 , a second end  105 , and guide projections  107 ,  109 ,  111 , and  113 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 10 , to make the container child-resistant, the end  103  of the slide  82  is inserted into the opening  92  of the slot  86 . The slide  82  is advanced into the slot  86  far enough that the resilient spring arms  88 A and  88 B are folded laterally inward by contact with the guide surfaces  99  and  100 , and still further into the slot  86  so the resilient spring arms  88 A and  88 B spring back out to their relaxed positions in the pockets  93  and  94 . 
     In an embodiment, the spring arms  88 A and  88 B capture the slide  82  in the slot  86  by acting as barbs bearing against the primary bearing surfaces  95  and  96 , preventing the slide  82  from being withdrawn. In this embodiment, the opening  91  of the slot  86  can optionally be made too small to pass the guide projections  107  and  109 , so the slide  82  cannot be withdrawn from the slot  82  through the opening  91 , either. This embodiment is useful to prevent the slide  82  from being removed and possibly subsequently lost (making the container difficult for anyone to open without a tool) or ingested by a child. 
     When the spring arms are in the pockets  93  and  94 , the end  105  of the slide  86  is essentially retracted essentially flush with or into the opening  92 , so it does not function as a thumb tab to assist the user in opening the container  81 . The spring arms  88 A and  88 B bear against the primary bearing surfaces  95  and  96  if the slide  82  is advanced out of the opening  92 , thus biasing the slide  82  to its retracted position. When the slide  82  is in its retracted position, the end  103  protrudes out of the slot opening  91 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , to open the container when in the child-resistant configuration of  FIG. 7 , the slide  82  is advanced against its bias by pushing in on the end  103 , shown by the lower left arrow in  FIG. 8 . This advances the end  105  of the slide  82  out of the opening  92 , presenting the end  105  as an accessible thumb tab, as shown in  FIG. 8 . While manually holding in the end  103  in against its bias, as with the thumb of one hand, the thumb tab  105  can be lifted as shown by the upper right arrow in  FIG. 8 , as with the thumb of the other hand, to unseat the cap  84  and open the container. When sufficient force is applied in two perpendicular directions, the user is able to open the cap. 
     The sliding part  82  returns to its original position when the user releases the force on it. Upon retraction, at least a portion of the sliding part  82  protrudes out from the hinge side of the cap  84  in a location near or proximate to the hinge  40  and substantially no sufficient portion of the sliding part protrudes out of the portion of the cap  84  that is substantially opposite the hinge to allow the container to be opened easily. 
     In another embodiment, the spring arms  88 A and  88 B can be adapted not to capture the slide  82  in the slot  86 , or the opening  91  of the slot  86  can optionally be made large enough to pass the guide projections  107  and  109 , so the slide  82  can be withdrawn from the slot through the opening  91 . This embodiment has the advantage of allowing the user the option to either insert the slide  82  into place from the slot opening  92 , to make it child-resistant, or from the slot opening  91 , to make it non-child-resistant and thus easier for a person having limited hand strength or dexterity to open it. If the slide  82  is inserted into the slot opening  91 , with the leading end  103  foremost, the spring arms  88 A and  88 B will spring into the pockets  93  and  94  in the opposite orientation, bearing against the alternate bearing surfaces  97  and  98  and thus biasing the end  103  of the slide  82  to normally protrude from the opening  92 , allowing it to function as a thumb tab when opening the container  81  without the need to manipulate the slide  82  against its bias. Also, in this embodiment the alternate bearing surfaces  97  and  98  can be shaped as shown in  FIG. 10 , which bias the slide as described above for the non-child-resistant orientation. 
     Thus, in an embodiment the consumer can determine whether or not the child resistant feature is needed. The consumer can insert the sliding part  82  in the desired direction to form a child resistant cap or a non-child resistant cap. When assembled, the sliding part is inserted into the slot such that sliding part and slot are in parallel alignment and the sliding part extends longitudinally inside the slot. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates one embodiment of the unassembled sliding part  82  in relation to the integral cap and container assembly  80 . 
     In the non-child resistant embodiment, not shown, the sliding part is inserted in the opening in the slot  86  that is on the side of the hinge. At least a portion of the sliding part  82  protrudes out from the cap  84  in a location substantially opposite from the hinge  40 . Then, the user is able to open the cap by merely applying an upward force on the portion of the sliding element that extends outside of the cap  84 . 
     Optionally, the slot in the cap is above a continuous web or surface  89  defining the underside of the cap  90  so that it does not affect the moisture-proof characteristics of the container assembly. 
     In an embodiment, the container assembly  80  may be produced a two shot injection molding process or an in mold liner process. Optionally, the container assembly may be produced by assembling a molded container and a sleeve either automatically or manually. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the following claims.