Abstract:
A blister and package system ( 1 ) made of a blister card ( 3 ) and an outer package ( 5 ) with unique interacting locking mechanisms ( 23 ). The blister card is inserted in the outer package and locks immediately without having to further process the outer package or the blister card. The user is able to expose the blisters from the outer package by disengaging the lock. The blister card includes a formable, pliable sheet material ( 7 ), into which one or more individual cavities or blisters ( 9 ) are formed. The separated cavities are loaded with product ( 11 ) and sealed with one or more layers of puncturable or tearable sheet material, such as aluminum foil ( 13 ). The blister card contains a stop ( 21 ), which may be one or more additional cavities that form an interference mechanism, or an interference blister cavity. The interference blister is trapped by a locking mechanism and stopped by a catch flap ( 41 ) included in the outer package.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/534,401, filed Jan. 7, 2004 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/570,494, filed May 13, 2004. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     There are many examples of packages with features meant to provide some level of child resistance to access to blister cards and products therein. Devices are particularly needed in the OTC and physician sample markets.  
         [0003]     Examples include special peel-away backings on the blister, attaching the blister to some other carrier (such as MeadWestvaco&#39;s SUREPAK product), sealing the blister between additional layers of material, or some combination of, these (such as MeadWestvaco&#39;s DOSEPAK product).  
         [0004]     Needs exist for additional package for blister cards in a manner that provides some level of child resistance without preventing adults from gaining access to the blister cards and their contents.  
         [0005]     Needs exist for improved methods of containing blister packs where the blister is easily accessible, but not readily separated from the outer package.  
       SUMMARY OF THE NVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention may be used for any products that are used singly or in small quantities at one time, for example, but not limited to, fasteners, needles and threads, foods and treats. This invention has two primary components, a blister card and an outer package. The blister card is similar to typical blisters available on the market and can be made from any materials known to the art for blister package. These materials normally include a pliable sheet material, usually plastic, into which one or more cavities are formed. The cavities are loaded with products and are sealed with one or more layers of sheet material, such as aluminum.  
         [0007]     In one preferred form, the device is similar to those described later, but does not have any provisions for child resistance. The blister card slides into or is placed inside of an outer protective package, where both the blister card and outer package have interference mechanisms that prevent the blister card from being separated from the outer package. This feature may be used as an option in the child resistant package. The interaction of the outer package structure with the structure of the blister card is novel and unique, with or without the child resistant locking feature.  
         [0008]     The blister card contains one or more additional cavities that form an interference mechanism or interference blister. The interference blister cavity does not hold product. A catch flap that is included in the outer package traps the blister cavity. The catch flap in the outer package abuts the interference blister, thus, preventing the blister card from being removed from the outer package. The interference blister is located at either end or both ends of the blister card. The blister card can be formed as one continuous, self-contained entity or can be assembled from a combination of several individual components, such as separate blisters, a one or two-piece carrier card and an interference blister.  
         [0009]     The outer package is formed, folded or assembled from one or more pieces of material. The material or combination of materials used is of any type that meets the functional needs of the outer package, typically paper or plastic. The shape of the outer package would typically mimic that of the rectangular blister card, but could vary so long as there is still a slot into which the blister card is concealed. The outer package contains a catch flap that abuts against the interference blister, preventing the blister card from sliding out of the package. One package employs a catch flap at both ends of the outer package, and the blister card also has an interference blister at either end. That allows the user to pull the blister card out of the package from either end.  
         [0010]     Both the blister card and the outer package have unique locking mechanisms that interact with each other. The blister card is inserted or placed in the outer package and locks immediately without having to add any further processing to the outer package or to the blister card. In one embodiment, exposing the blisters from a child resistant outer package requires disengaging the lock.  
         [0011]     The blister card in the child resistant embodiment also contains a stop, which may be one or more additional cavities that form an interference mechanism, or an interference blister cavity. The interference blister cavity does not hold product. The interference blister is trapped by a locking mechanism and stopped by a catch flap included in the outer package. The locking mechanism in the outer package prevents the blister card from being exposed from the outer package unless a release mechanism is activated. The interference blister is located near one end of the blister card, typically the end that corresponds to the sealed end of the outer package. The interference blister is near a blister card&#39;s inner end, which is the trailing end of the blister card as it is being exposed from the outer package.  
         [0012]     The child resistant outer package can be formed, folded, or assembled from one or more pieces of material. The material or combination of materials used can be of any type that meets the functional needs of the outer package. For example, a paperboard, box or a coated paper or plastic sleeve with a locking insert may satisfy the requirements. The shape of the outer package preferably mimics that of the blister card. The outer package shape can vary so long as there is a slot into which the blister card can be concealed. The outer package contains an internal member, the locking mechanism, that abuts the stop or interference blister, preventing the blister card from unintentionally sliding outward through the open end of the package. The user must activate a release mechanism in order to slide the blister card outward through the package. Preferably, an additional member, the catch flap, is extended inward from the open end of the outer package to engage the interference blister and to prevent the blister card from being separated from the outer package.  
         [0013]     In preferred examples, one continuous blank of paperboard is cut, scored, folded and glued to create a rectangular package, mimicking the general shape of the blister card. The package contains a front panel, two side panels, a back panel, an elongated internal panel, a number of functional-locking panels, and closure panels at one end of the package. The elongated internal panel is approximately equal in dimension to the width of the front panel, but is not so long as to interfere with the folding scores.  
         [0014]     The internal panel has an additional series of panels attached to the end closest to the package end closure flaps. The first panel is attached by a score and is folded 180-degrees, unprinted side-to-unprinted side and later is adhered to the internal panel by any means known. The adhered panel has another panel extended from it that is folded approximately 180-degrees, printed side-to-printed side, but is not adhered. This panel becomes the locking and release mechanism for the blister card in the package. The first adhered panel allows the locking panel to be positioned appropriately with respect to the stop or interference blister and controls the angle of the locking panel. The folding sequence and the memory in the paperboard provides the needed spring back for the locking and release mechanism. Different materials and structures may provide the new springing and locking.  
         [0015]     The locking panel has an extension formed by a cut extending into the attached panel or has an aperture cut that extends through both the attached panel and the locking panel. This cut or aperture extends through the score between the locking panel and the attached panel. The interrupted score between the adhered panel and the locking panel on both sides of the extension acts as the pivot for the locking panel. The extension creates the lever for the release mechanism. When the lever is activated, the locking panel rotates about the score pivot point, and the locking panel is moved out of the way of the interference blister.  
         [0016]     The internal panel also contains an aperture or one cut or a series of cuts that corresponds in location to the aperture or cuts on the locking panel. Likewise, the back panel contains an aperture or one cut or a series of cuts that correspond to those on the internal panel and the locking panel. The internal panel is folded 90-degrees to one side panel, and the back panel is folded 90-degrees to the other side panel. The back panel is adhered to the internal panel, such that the panels are aligned with each other and the apertures, cuts and scores are aligned with the locking mechanism. The aligned cuts and apertures allow the user to activate the lever/lock release mechanism when the package is formed.  
         [0017]     Closure flaps are extended from end edges on the back and front panels or side panels.  
         [0018]     Additional panels and features are extended from available raw edges or surfaces to create informational literature pockets, visual design features, and the like.  
         [0019]     One panel feature that is added to the packages is a catch flap. The catch flap is attached to the internal panel near the open end of the package and extends into the package. The catch flap is long enough to ride on top of the blisters without getting caught on any of them, and yet the catch flap will still catch the interference blister. This prevents the user from separating the blister card and the outer package, thus increasing the likelihood that pushing the blister card back within the package following each use of the product will reactivate the child resistant feature.  
         [0020]     The catch flap could also be made such that it would lie flat under the blister card, coinciding with the layered side of the blister card. With the flap in this orientation the interference blister would be designed such that the catch flap would extend up into the cavity of that blister.  
         [0021]     Other examples include additional panels that can be used as fold over flaps for improved appearance, closure flaps, or tuck in flaps at the open end. A panel that is included for aesthetics purposes extends from the front panel and is folded inward 180-degrees unprinted side-to-unprinted side and adhered to an inside of the front panel. That effectively removes a raw edge, giving a more pleasing and finished look to the package.  
         [0022]     A modified blister card has a fold-over paper card carrier aligned opposite apertures. One group of apertures on one side of the fold-over and card carrier receives blisters from a blister card. The opposite group of apertures on the other side of the carrier provides access to foil covering the back of each blister for tearing the foil and removing the product. The blister card carrier has a stop formed at one end spaced from the blister and foil openings.  
         [0023]     In a preferred form, the stop is a large hollow blister with a flange that fits between the sides of the carrier. The large blister fits through a large hole on the first side of the carrier and is aligned with a second large hole on the other side of the carrier so that a releasable lock in the inner end of the outer package and a catch flap at the open end of the package may engage the large stop blister.  
         [0024]     The carrier is folded over a conventional blister card, for example having twelve blisters in two rows of six, and slid into the outer package. The opposite sides of the carrier may be glued or may be held together by insertion in the outer package.  
         [0025]     These and further and other objects and features of the invention are apparent in the disclosure, which includes the above and ongoing written specification, with the drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0026]      FIG. 1  shows a blister sheet ready for sliding into a package.  
         [0027]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the blister pack held in the package by a locking flap.  
         [0028]      FIG. 3  shows the blister pack partially slide out of the package after pushing inward on a release lever to lift the locking flap.  
         [0029]      FIG. 4  shows a catch flap in engagement with the locking blister.  
         [0030]      FIG. 5  shows a one-piece package blank.  
         [0031]      FIG. 6  shows the locking mechanism and catch flap folded inward 180-degrees on the inner panel.  
         [0032]      FIG. 7  shows the locking flap folded back 180-degrees with the lever extended before the adhered panel is secured to the inner panel.  
         [0033]      FIG. 8  shows the inner panel folded inward 180-degrees.  
         [0034]      FIG. 9  shows one side panel and the back panel folded inward 180-degrees to align with and adhere to the inner panel.  
         [0035]      FIG. 10  shows another blank with an aesthetic panel for providing a smooth edge on the open end of the front panel.  
         [0036]      FIG. 11  shows a similar outer package blank with a pull-up lock release.  
         [0037]      FIG. 12  shows a similar blank with a push down lock release and related apertures, cuts and scores.  
         [0038]      FIG. 13  shows a similar blank with a literature-receiving flap.  
         [0039]      FIG. 14  shows a box with a literature-receiving flap.  
         [0040]      FIG. 15  shows the blister card with a hollow interference blister.  
         [0041]      FIG. 16  shows components of an alternate blister card and carrier.  
         [0042]      FIG. 17  shows an assembly of the alternate blister card carrier.  
         [0043]      FIG. 18  shows a card for forming an assembled blister.  
         [0044]      FIG. 19  shows a blank for forming a base package.  
         [0045]      FIG. 20  is an illustration of a blank for forming a base package with additional panels for information as well as aesthetics.  
         [0046]      FIG. 21 a  view of a finished package with blisters partially removed from the package.  
         [0047]      FIG. 22  shows a package and blister card side by side.  
         [0048]      FIG. 23  shows a perspective view of a combined blister card and package.  
         [0049]      FIG. 24  shows an assembled blister. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0050]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , a blister package is generally indicated by the numeral  1 . Two primary components are a blister card  3  and an outer package  5 .  
         [0051]     The blister card is similar to typical blisters available on the market and can be made from any materials known to the art for blister package. These materials normally include a pliable sheet material  7 , usually plastic, in which one or more cavities or blisters  9  are formed. The cavities are loaded doses of products  11  and are sealed with one or more layers of sheet material, such as aluminum foil  13 . The aluminum foil is punched, cut or tom to remove one capsule at a time.  
         [0052]     The blister card  3  has blank spaces  15  without capsules and has near one end  17  one or more additional blister cavities  19  that form an interference blister  21 . This interference blister cavity does not hold product; it is trapped by the locking mechanism included in the outer package  5 . The locking mechanism in the outer package prevents the blister card from being slid outward from the outer package unless the release mechanism  25  is activated.  
         [0053]     The interference blister  21  is located near one end  17  of the blister card  3  that corresponds to the sealed end  27  of the outer package  5 .  
         [0054]     The outer package  5  contains the internal locking mechanism  23  that abuts the interference blister  21 , preventing the blister card  3  from sliding outward in the package  5 . The user must activate a release mechanism  25  in order to slide the blister card  3  outward from the package  3 . An additional catch flap member  41  extends from the open end  42  of the outer package  5  to prevent the blister card from being separated from the outer package.  
         [0055]     As shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , the package  5  has a locking mechanism  23 . A locking flap  31  has an end  33  that engages interference blister  21  and holds the blister pack  3  inside the package  5 . An adhered panel  37  has a fold  39  which supports flap  31 . The resilience of the adhered panel  37  and the locking flap  35  around the fold  39  holds the end  33  of the flap  31  downward until the locking flap is intentionally lifted.  
         [0056]      FIG. 3  shows the lifting of the locking flap  31  and engaging  33  by pushing downward on the release mechanism  25  on the outer package. The release mechanism pushes downward on the lever  35 , which is an extension of locking flap  31 , rotating flap  31  around the resilient fold  39  and lifting the end  33  of the flap above the interference blister  21 . That allows the blister pack  3  to be slid outward in the package in the direction  40 .  
         [0057]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , once the mechanism  25  is released the locking flap  31  springs downward by the memory resilience of the fold  39 . A catch flap  41  at the open end  42  of outer package  5  has an end  43  that is held above the adjacent blister cavities  9 , because the length of the flap  41  exceeds the spacing of the blister cavities. When the blank spaces  15  of the blister pack  3  reach the flap  41 , the catch flap drops under the spring pressure of the fold  49  and the end  43  engages the interference blister  21 , preventing complete removal of the blister pack  3  from the outer package  5 .  
         [0058]     After one capsule has been removed from the blister card by puncturing the foil covering the cavity in which that capsule is stored, the blister card  3  is pushed back into the package. The blisters  9  lift flaps  41  and  31  until flap  31  drops into place with the edge  33  adjacent the interference blister  21 , returning the package to the condition shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0059]     As shown in  FIGS. 5-13 , the outer package  5  can be formed, folded, or assembled from one piece  51  of a foldable, relatively rigid sheet material. The material (or combination of materials) used can be of any type that meets the functional needs of the outer package, preferably paperboard, and forms a slot  52  into which the blister card  3  can be concealed.  
         [0060]     One continuous blank  51  of paperboard is cut  53 , scored  55 , and folded  57  to create a rectangular package  51  in the general shape of the blister card  3 . The package  51  contains a front panel  63 , a back panel  65 , two side panels  67 ,  69 , an elongated internal panel  71 , functional-locking panels  30 ,  41 , and closure panels  77 ,  79  at one end of the package. The elongated internal panel  71  is approximately equal in dimension to the width of the front panel  63 , but is not so long as to interfere with the folding scores  55 . Internal panel  71  has a series of panels  30  attached to the end closest to the closure flaps  77 ,  79 . The first panel  37  is attached by a score  83  and is folded 180-degrees, unprinted side-to-unprinted side and later is adhered to the internal panel  71 . This adhered panel  37  has locking panel flap  31  extended from it that is folded approximately 180-degrees, printed side-to-printed side, but is not adhered. This panel  31  becomes the locking and release mechanism  23  for the package. The first attached panel  37  allows the locking panel flap  31  to be positioned appropriately with respect to the interference blister  21  at the angle of the locking panel shown in  FIG. 2 . The folding sequence and the memory in the paperboard provide the needed spring back for the locking  23  and release  25  mechanisms. The locking panel flap  31  has a cut  83  extending into the attached panel  81 . The cut  83  is located between the folds  39  that join the locking panel flap  31  to the attached panel  81 .  
         [0061]     When the panel  37  is adhered to the inside of inner panel  71 , the folds  39  act as the pivot and create the lever  35  for the release mechanism  25 . When the lever  35  is activated, the locking panel flap  31  rotates about the fold pivots  39  and is moved out of the way of the interference blister  21 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The internal panel  71  also contains an aperture  73  that corresponds in location to the lever  35  on the locking panel flap  31 . Likewise, the back panel  65  contains a cut  75  that forms release lever  25  in a position that corresponds to the aperture  73  on the internal panel and the lever  35  on the locking panel flap  31 .  
         [0062]     As shown in  FIGS. 7-9 , in assembling the outer package, the locking panel  31  is bent around folds  39 , which extends the lever  35 . Then the adhered panel  37  is adhered to the inside of the internal panel. The internal panel  71  is folded 180-degrees, and then the back panel  63  is folded 180-degrees and adhered to the internal panel, such that the panels are aligned with each other, as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , and the aperture cuts  73 ,  75  and folds  39  are aligned with the locking  23  and release mechanisms  25 . These cuts and apertures allow the user to activate the lever/lock release mechanism when the package is formed.  
         [0063]     Additional panel features are extended from available raw edges or surfaces to create closure flaps, informational literature pockets, visual design features, and the like. One panel feature that is added to the package is a catch flap  41 .  
         [0064]     As shown in  FIGS. 5-10 , the catch flap  41  is attached to the internal panel  71  near open end  42  of the package  5  and extends into the package. The catch flap  41  is long enough to ride on top of the blisters  9  without getting caught on any of them, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , and yet will still catch the interference blister  21 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . That prevents the user from separating the blister card  3  and the outer package  5 , thus increasing the likelihood that sliding the blister card  3  back into the outer package  5  following each use of the product will reactivate the child resistant feature.  
         [0065]     As shown in  FIG. 11 , a catch flap  91  is made such that it lies flat under the blister card  3 , coinciding with the foil  13  layered side of the blister card. With the flap in this orientation the interference blister  21  is hollow and without a backing, such that the catch flap  91  extends up into the cavity of the blister  21 .  
         [0066]      FIG. 11  shows a modified locking panel flap  92  that has a finger hole  95  rather than a lever. To release the blister card for sliding in the package, a user inserts a finger through aligned holes  99 ,  73 ,  97  and  95  to lift locking panel flap  92  out of engagement with the interference blister  21  to release the blister card  3 .  
         [0067]     Other examples include additional panels that can be used as fold over flaps for improved appearance, closure flaps, or tuck in flaps.  
         [0068]     Tuck-in flap  101  is shown connected to the open end  42  of front panel  63  in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . Also shown joined to back panel  65  are panels  102 ,  104  and glue panel  106  which become a literature slot flap  108 .  
         [0069]      FIGS. 5-10  illustrate a panel  62  that has been included for aesthetics purposes. This aesthetic panel extends from the open end  42  of the front panel  63  and is folded 180-degrees unprinted side-to-unprinted side and adhered to the inside of front panel  63 . That effectively removes a raw edge, giving a more pleasing and finished look to the package.  
         [0070]      FIG. 15  shows a blister card  3  with hollow interference blisters  21  for engagement by a catch flap such as shown in  FIG. 11 .  
         [0071]      FIG. 16  shows an alternate blister card  103  formed from a large card  105  with a central fold  107  and opposite sides  109 ,  111  with similar cutouts  113 ,  115 . Cutouts  113  on side  109  receive blisters  117  from standard twelve-dose blister card  119 . Cutouts  115  provide access to the foil on the back of card  119  for piercing the foil to remove individual doses. A large opening  121  near an inner end  123  of side  109  receives a hollow upper portion  127  of a stop  125 . A base  129  of stop  125  is secured between the sides  109  and  111  when they are joined together.  
         [0072]      FIG. 17  shows the assembly of card  119  and stop  125  into apertures in side  109  of the blister card  103  before side  111  is folded over side  109 . The sides may be glued with a strip of adhesive near the remote edges or held together by insertion in the outer package  5 .  
         [0073]     In an alternate form, an aperture may be provided in side  111  opposite the hollow portion  127  to allow use with a catch flap such as shown in  FIG. 11 .  
         [0074]     Referring to  FIGS. 18-24 , the device is similar to those described previously, but does not have any provisions for child resistance. This invention is primarily for blister packed products. This invention has two primary components, a blister card and an outer package.  
         [0075]      FIG. 18  shows a card  201  for forming an assembled blister. The card  201  has two halves  203 ,  205  connected by a hinge  207  that may be a score in the paperboard or a similar device. The first half  203  has openings  209  for passing the contents of a blister  211 . One or more blisters are located in openings  211  in the second half  205 .  
         [0076]     Blisters inserted in the blister card  201  are similar to typical blisters available on the market and can be made from any materials known to the art for blister package. These materials normally include a pliable sheet material, usually plastic, into which one or more cavities are formed. The cavities are loaded with doses of product and are sealed with one or more layers of sheet material, such as aluminum foil. The blisters may be joined in a sheet or may be separate with flanges that are held between the card halves  203 ,  205  when glued and folded. The blister card  201  can be formed as one continuous, self-contained entity or can be assembled from a combination of several individual components, such as separate blisters, a one or two-piece carrier card and an interference blister.  
         [0077]     The blister card  201  contains one or more additional cavities  213  that form an interference mechanism or hold an interference blister. The interference blister in cavity  213  does not hold products.  
         [0078]     As shown in  FIG. 19 , a catch flap  217  is folded inward, but not glued, when forming an outer package from the outer package  215 . Catch flap  217  traps the blister cavity  213 . The catch flap  217  in the outer package  215  abuts the interference blister in opening  213  or engages opening  213  itself, preventing the blister card  201  from being removed from the outer package. The interference blister opening  213  is located at either end or both ends of the blister card  201 . In the later case, catch flaps  217  are formed and folded inward at both ends of the outer package blank  215 , and the ends of the outer package are left open. In both cases, the catch flap or flaps  217  are sufficiently long to rest upon the tops of the product holding blisters so as not to prevent their outward sliding.  
         [0079]      FIG. 19  shows a blank  215  for forming a base package. The outer package  215  is cut, scored, folded and/or assembled from one or more pieces of material. In this embodiment, one continuous piece of paperboard is used. The material or combination of materials used is of any type that meets the functional needs of the outer package, typically paper or plastic. The shape of the outer package  215  would typically mimic that of the rectangular or other shaped blister card  201 , but could vary as long as there is still a slot into which the blister card is concealed. The outer package contains a catch flap  217  that abuts against the interference blister in opening  213  or against opening  213 , preventing the blister card  201  from sliding out of the package. One package employs a catch flap at both ends of the outer package, and the blister card also has an interference blister at either end. That allows the user to pull the blister card out of the package form either end. The embodiment in  FIG. 19  shows an outer package blank  215  formed from a single sheet of material. Scores for folding create a front panel  219 , a back panel  221 , two side panels  223 , a glue panel  225 , two end panels  227 , one of which is glued to the other, and a catch flap  217  to form the finished shape. The catch flap  217  may have an opening  229 . Folds, creases, or scores in the material separate each panel.  
         [0080]     The catch flap  217  is attached to the front panel  219  or back panel  221  at the open end of the package and folded such that it extends inside the package. The catch flap  217  is long enough to ride on top of the product hold blisters in card openings  211  without getting caught on any of them, yet still abuts or falls into the interference blisters in openings  213 . This prevents the user from separating the blister card  201  from the outer package, increasing the likelihood that the product information printed on the package stays with the product. The catch flap  217  can also be made such that it lies flat under the blister card  201 , coinciding with the layered side of the blister card  201 . With the flap  217  in this orientation, the interference blister in opening  213  is formed so that the catch flap  217  extends up into the cavity of the blister.  
         [0081]      FIG. 20  is an illustration of a blank  231  for forming an outer package with additional panels  233 ,  235  for information as well as aesthetics. The blank  231  is similar to that of  FIG. 19 . Additional panels/features can be extended from available raw edges or surfaces to create closure flaps, informational literature pockets, visual design features and other similar forms. A panel  237  is added to the open edge of the outer package opening end for aesthetic reasons. The aesthetic panel  237  extends from the front panel  219  or back panel  221  and is folded 180-degrees, unprinted side-to-unprinted side, and adhered to the inside of front panel  219  or back panel  221 . This configuration effectively hides a raw edge, giving a more pleasing and finished look to the package. The aesthetic panel  237  may also have an opening  239 . Unlike  FIG. 19 , two additional panels  233 ,  235  are attached to the glue panel  225  for holding information.  
         [0082]      FIG. 21 a  view of a finished container  241  with a blister card  243  partially removed from the outer package  245 . Blisters  247  hold products or other materials. The openings  229 ,  239  in the outer package blanks become thumb holds  249  when the outer package  245  is glued and folded.  FIG. 22  shows an outer package  245  and blister card  243  side by side, with the end opening  251  in the outer package that receives the blister card  243 . An interference mechanism  253  is also shown.  FIG. 23  is a perspective view of a combined blister card and package  241 .  FIG. 24  shows an assembled blister card  243  with the interference mechanism  253 , which may be a slotted and raised part of the card.  
         [0083]     The loaded blister card  243  slides into or is placed inside of the outer package  245 . Both the blister card  243  and outer package  245  have cooperating interference mechanisms that prevent the blister card  243  from being separated from the outer package  245 . The interaction of the outer card structure  245  with the structure of the blister card  243  is novel and unique, with or without the child resistant locking feature.  
         [0084]     While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, modifications and variations of the invention may be constructed without departing from the scope of the invention.