Abstract:
A child-resistant/senior friendly dispensing package comprising a dispensing member having a dispensing cavity and a product storage cavity, the dispensing member being mounted within a sleeve movable from a first stored position to a second position wherein the dispensing cavity is exterior of the housing to permit dispensing of the product, a device having first and second locks which must be operated either sequentially or simultaneously in order to move the dispensing cavity exteriorly of the housing. The device preferably permits the dispensing of only a single tablet or product.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to containers and more particularly, relates to child-resistant container packaging. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The use of child-resistant packaging is well known in the art and is utilized for many different types of goods. Primarily, this type of packaging is used for those products which represent a potential hazard in the hands of children—i.e. medicants and the like. The approach adopted for the child resistant packaging usually depends upon the product per se—i.e. its size, format, etc. Thus, for example, in the field of medicines many different types of pill containers have locking tops. These locking tops can only be released by performing a manocuver while turning the top. Generally, one may be required to either depress or lift the top while turning in order to disengage various locking mechanisms. Similarly, it is known in the art to package tablets in different types of blister packages which are designed to prevent easy access by children. 
   In designing child-resistant packages, it is also important that the package can be opened without undue difficulty by the average consumer for whom the product is intended. This is frequently a problem in that one of the primary groups of medicant users are the elderly, and packaging which relies on the user having a certain amount of strength to open the packages is often self-defeating in that the elderly find it difficult or impossible to open such packaging. This has led to the use of the term “senior friendly” packaging. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a child-resistant/senior friendly packaging suitable for a number of different products wherein a substantial amount of strength is not required to open the packaging. 
   According to one aspect of the present invention, a device for dispensing a controlled quantity of product comprising a housing, a dispensing member having a dispensing cavity formed therein, the dispensing member being movable from a first position wherein the dispensing cavity is rendered inaccessible and a second position wherein the dispensing cavity is exterior of the housing to permit dispensing a product therefrom, and first and second cooperative locking means on both of the dispensing member and the housing, both of the first and second locking means being operative such that when the dispensing member is in the first position with the dispensing cavity mostly within the housing, the first locking means function to maintain the dispensing member and housing in a locked relationship, the second locking means permitting limited movement between the dispensing member and housing while maintaining a locking relationship such that when the first locking means are moved from a locked to an unlocked position, the second locking means remain locked. The device, as aforementioned, has a housing and a dispensing member which is movable with respect thereto. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the housing takes the form of a sleeve with the dispensing member being movable therein. As will be understood by those knowledgeable in the art, many different configurations could be utilized although a conventional arrangement is one wherein the dispensing container and the sleeve have an overall rectangular appearance. 
   The dispensing member, in the preferred embodiment, has a product storage cavity and a dispensing cavity with a channel extending between the two cavities. Preferably, the channel is sized such that only a single product may pass from the storage cavity to the dispensing cavity with the dispensing cavity also preferably being sized to receive only a single unit of the product being dispensed. 
   As aforementioned, there are provided first and second cooperative locking means on the dispensing member and the housing. The first and second locking means may be designed to either be operated sequentially or simultaneously in order to provide access to a product in the dispensing cavity of the dispensing member. 
   A dispensing member, relative to the housing, is in a first position when the dispensing cavity is covered by the housing and no access may be had thereto. In an intermediate position, when the first locking means are operated, the dispensing member is movable to a certain degree such that the dispensing cavity is partially visible and exposed exteriorly of the housing. However, a product cannot be dispensed at this point in time. 
   In its final open position, the second locking means must be operated and a force exerted on the dispensing member such that the dispensing cavity is fully outside of the housing such that access may be had thereto and permitting the dispensing of the product by inverting the package. 
   In one arrangement, the first locking means may be operated to prevent limited movement of the dispensing member to the intermediate position. However, the second locking means, until opened by the user, retain the dispensing member in a position wherein one may see a portion of the dispensing cavity, but will not have access thereto. It is only the sequential step of operating the second locking means which will permit full access to the dispensing cavity. 
   In a preferred embodiment, rather than in a sequential opening of the locking means, a simultaneous operation must be performed. In other words, although the first locking means will permit limited movement, unless there is a force to retain the first locking means in an unlocked position, they will return to the locked position. 
   Simultaneous with the operation of both the first and second locking means, the dispensing member must be urged to the open position. In the preferred embodiment, a portion of the dispensing member extend exteriorly of the sleeve such that pressure may be applied thereto. 
   In a preferred embodiment, there are provided resilient biasing means which bias the dispensing member to a closed position and which force must be overcome by the pressure exerted in opening the package or device. Many biasing means may be used such as spring members and the like. In a preferred embodiment, an integrated specially ribbed resilient member is formed as a part of the dispensing member. 
   The device may be formed of various materials although in the preferred embodiment, it is formed of an injection molded plastic, both for ease of manufacture and operation. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the device when in a closed non-dispensing position; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 1  when the device is in a partially open intermediate position; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view similar to  FIGS. 1 and 2  when the device is in a fully open dispensing position; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the device when in a closed position with the cover of the housing removed for clarity; 
       FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the arrangement of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the device when the dispensing member is in a partially open position, again with the top of the housing removed; 
       FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the arrangement of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the device in a fully open dispensing condition, again with the top wall of the housing portion being removed for purposes of clarity; 
       FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the arrangement of  FIG. 8 ; and 
       FIG. 10  is a top plan view of the dispensing member following manufacture and before assembly. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, there is illustrated a dispensing device which is generally designated by reference numeral  10  and which dispensing device  10  includes a housing generally designated by reference numeral  12 . 
   Housing  12  includes a top wall  14 , a first side wall  16 , a second side wall  18  and a front wall  20 . A bottom wall (not shown) extends between side walls  16  and  18 . There is also provided a front wall opening or aperture  22  for reasons which will become apparent hereinbelow. Top wall  14  has, at its rear marginal edge, a V-shaped configuration generally designated by reference numeral  24 . 
   Mounted interiorly of housing  12  is a dispensing member generally designated by reference numeral  26 . Dispensing member  26  has a bottom wall  28 , a back wall  30  and a partial top wall  32 . A first side wall generally designated by reference numeral  34  is comprised of a rear segment  36  and an inset segment  38  which merges to a front segment  40 . Extending rearwardly from front segment  40  is a locking tab generally designated by reference numeral  42 . Locking tab  42  includes a flexing portion  44  and a locking portion  46 . An abutment shoulder  48  is provided on locking portion  46  and which abutment shoulder has a reverse angle to ensure secure locking. 
   A second side wall generally designated by reference numeral  50  is comprised of a rear segment  52  which merges with an inset segment  54  similar that of first side wall  34 . However, from inset segment  54 , there is provided an inwardly extending segment  56  which in turn merges with a front segment  58 . A front wall  60  extends between front segments  40  and  58 . 
   Extending rearwardly is a second locking tab generally designated by reference numeral  62  and, which is similar to locking tab  42  in that there is provided a flexing portion  64 , a locking portion  66  and an abutment shoulder  68 . 
   Extending outwardly from front segment  58  is a locking element  70  having a hook  71 . Similarly, a horizontal locking tab  72  extends forwardly from inwardly extending segment  56 . Locking tab  72  includes a raised land portion  73  which forms an abutment shoulder  74 . Bottom wall  28  is substantially planer except in the area proximate front segments  40  and  58 . Thus, there is provided an upwardly extending ramp  76  which leads to a stepped portion  78  having downwardly extending ramp  79 . Defined between front segments  40  and  58  and front wall  60  is a dispensing cavity generally designated by reference numeral  80 . Rearwardly of stepped portion  78 , there is formed a product storage cavity generally designated by reference numeral  82 . 
   In manufacture, and as may be best seen in  FIG. 10 , the back wall  30  and top wall  32  are formed integrally with bottom wall  28  and are provided with a living hinge. A pair of locking bars  86  on top wall  32  are designed to engage with a locking bar  88  on bottom wall  28 . 
   There is also provided a ribbed spring member  90  which comprises a flexible member extending outwardly at the juncture of inwardly extending segment  56  and front segment  58 . Tapered ribs  91  on the front and back of spring member  90  along with the extension of the spring member ensures proper biasing. 
   In operation, after forming back wall  30  and top wall  32 , the product to be dispensed may be placed within product storage cavity  82  and the dispensing member  26  placed within housing  12 . In the fully closed position, as seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  4  and  5 , the rear portion of the dispensing member extends outwardly due to the V-shaped edge  24  of top wall  14 . Locking element  70  prevents rearward movement of dispensing member  26 . When closed, locking tab  72  has abutment shoulder  74  engaging a portion of top wall  14 . 
   When in a closed position, as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  4  and  5 , dispensing member  26  is located within housing  12  with back wall  30  extending beyond V-shaped notch  24 . Dispensing cavity  80  is inaccessible and the dispensing member is prevented from moving rearwardly due to locking element  70  engaging front wall  20 . 
   In a first movement, the dispensing member  26  may be moved to the position illustrated in  FIGS. 2 ,  6  and  7 . In order to do so, a first locking means is unlocked and this may be done by depressing raised land portion  73  such that abutment shoulder  74  is disengaged from top wall  14  of housing  12 . In so doing, dispensing cavity  80  moves slightly outwardly such that visual access may be had thereto, but a product may not be dispensed. With this movement, abutment shoulders  48  and  74  of locking tabs  42  and  72  respectively will engage the side wall of housing  12 . 
   In order to fully open and to have access to dispensing cavity  80 , both of locking tabs  42  and  72  must be pushed inwardly as shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  8  and  9 . Then, access may be had to the product contained therein. 
   The movement of dispensing member  26  is achieved by pressing on back wall  30  of dispensing member  26  while pressing on front wall  20  as in a squeezing motion using the thumb and second finger. At the same time, and as may be seen in  FIGS. 6 through 9 , spring member  90  abuts against front wall  20  of housing  12  to exert a biasing force rearwardly. Thus, pressure must be maintained on back wall  30  and on front wall  20  in order to provide access to the dispensing cavity  80 . 
   In use, the product may be placed within product storage cavity  82 . Prior to opening the container, the dispensing device would be tilted downwardly such that the product would enter through the channel formed between product storage cavity  82  and dispensing cavity  80 . As previously mentioned, a channel is sized to permit the passage of only a single product. Also, a dessicant could be placed within the compartment below locking tab  72 , if required. 
   It will be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.