Patent Publication Number: US-10322856-B2

Title: Container having a child resistant closure with a small profile

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/294,330, filed Jun. 3, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 61/830,697, filed Jun. 4, 2013; 61/838,385, filed Jun. 24, 2013 and 61/951,313, filed Mar. 11, 2014, all of which are incorporated herein as if fully set forth. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The invention pertains to a container. More specifically, the invention pertains to a container having a child resistant mechanism. Optionally, the invention also pertains to a container having a sealing system and a closure system that are independent of each other. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Moisture sensitive items such as pharmaceuticals, food items, confections, tobacco products and test strips are often provided in resealable, moisture-tight containers. Such containers typically include a container body having an interior portion and an opening, and a cap that sealably engages the container body to cover the opening. Such containers are provided with a seal and a closure mechanism, and in some cases may include a child resistant closure mechanism, such as that disclosed in WO 02/16218, which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth. 
     The child resistant closure mechanism disclosed in WO 02/16218 includes a pliable “spacer” (as the component is named in that publication), which is synonymous with a “guard” (as the component is named herein), positioned on the outer surface of the container. When the cap is in the closed position, the spacer is under the thumb tab. In one embodiment, when the cap is in the closed position, the spacer prevents a user from contacting the underside of the thumb tab with his or her finger, effectively prohibiting the opening of the container. However, the spacer is movable inwardly in the direction of the container when a sufficient inward force is applied to it. Inward movement of the spacer permits the holder of the container to access the underside of the thumb tab so an upward force can be applied to it, thereby opening the container. 
     In one embodiment, the outer-most surface of the spacer disclosed in WO 02/16218 is about 6 mm to 8 mm from an outer surface of the side wall of the container body. While the child resistant functionality of such an embodiment is good, for some applications, a spacer or guard with a smaller profile is preferred. In the art, the difference of even one or two millimeters between guard profiles can make the difference between a desirable design and an undesirable design, for some applications. For example, in certain applications, a spacer or guard having an outer-most surface that is about 2 mm to 4 mm, or less, from an outer surface of the side wall of the container body, is desired because it allows for more convenient and less conspicuous storage, e.g., in one&#39;s pocket. However, the inventors have found that as the profile of the guard is reduced, the functionality of the child resistant closure may be adversely affected. Accordingly, there is a need for a child resistant closure having a small profile guard without a substantial corresponding loss of child resistant closure functionality. 
     Seals known in the art often include abutting surfaces on the cap and container body, which may be in the form of, for example, a protrusion on one of the cap or container body that is received by a groove on the other of the cap or container body. Similarly, closure mechanisms often include a protrusion on one of the cap and container body that is received by a groove on the other of the cap and container body, in order to form an interlocking relationship that retains the cap in place on the container body. Due to the similarity in structure of these common configurations, the seal and closure mechanism are often combined in a single structure including the above-mentioned protrusion and groove. This is potentially limiting to the integrity of both the seal and the closure mechanism, as different dimensions and constructions may be desirable for each of these components. For example, to create an effective seal, it may be desirable to form the outer dimensions of the cap as slightly larger than the inner dimensions of the container opening that receives a portion of the cap, in order to create an interference fit and in turn a tight seal. This can be problematic with respect to a closure mechanism, as it may cause deformation of the container body such that the closure mechanism portion thereof does not sufficiently engage the closure mechanism portion of the cap. Accordingly, a need exists for a container having a closure mechanism and seal that function independently of each other, such that varying the construction of one in order to maximize effectiveness does not negatively impact the effectiveness of the other. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention relates to a container that includes a body defining an interior and an opening that leads to the interior. A cap removably affixes over the opening to move the container between an opened position and a closed position. A child resistant closure moves between an engaged position and a disengaged position, and impedes moving the container from the closed position to the opened position when in the engaged position. 
     The child resistant closure may include a guard extending outwardly from the body, adjacent to the opening, a support frame extending from an inner surface of the guard towards the body, a protrusion extending from the support frame towards the inner surface of the guard and a catch extending from an underside of the cap. The catch has an aperture. The child resistant closure is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The child resistant closure impedes movement of the container from the closed position to the opened position when in the engaged position. The engaged position includes disposal of the catch in a space between the support frame and the inner surface of the guard where the protrusion mates with the aperture. 
     In another aspect, the invention relates to a container that includes a body defining an interior and an opening that leads to the interior. A cap removably affixes over the opening to move the container between an opened position and a closed position. An engagement is formed between the body and the cap, and retains the cap over the opening when in the closed position. A seal is formed between the body and the cap when the container is in the closed position. The engagement and the seal are separate and independent of each other. 
     In another aspect, a method for opening a container is provided. The method includes providing a container and moving a cap on the container from a closed position to an opened position. The container includes a body a body having a base and a side wall extending up from the base leading to an opening that permits access to an interior of the body. The container further includes a cap pivotally secured to the body by a hinge. The cap is movable about the hinge with respect to the body to move the cap between a closed position in which the cap covers the opening to an opened position in which the opening is exposed. The container also includes a child resistant closure configured to impede moving the cap from the closed position to the opened position when the child resistant closure is in an engaged position. The child resistant closure includes a resilient guard extending radially outward from the body, adjacent to the opening. The guard in a fully extended position has an outer-most surface that is 4 mm or less from an outer surface of the side wall of the body and/or a guard width to depth ratio of at least 6:1. The child resistant closure also includes a front tab of the cap located opposite the hinge. The front tab has an underside configured for receiving upward pressure to pivot the cap from the closed position to the opened position. The engaged position of the child resistant closure includes the guard being in its fully extended position with the cap in the closed position, such that the guard blocks access to the underside of the front tab. The method further includes applying inward radial pressure on the guard sufficient to inwardly deflect the guard so as to displace at least a portion of the outer-most surface of the guard radially inward to a disengaged position of the child resistant closure. In the disengaged position, at least a portion of the underside of the front tab is exposed for manual application of upward pressure. After applying the aforesaid inward radial pressure, the method further includes applying upward pressure to the underside of the front tab to pivot the cap from the closed position to the opened position. Upon release of the inward radial pressure on the guard, the guard automatically returns to its fully extended position. 
     Optionally in any method according to the invention, after step lifting the cap, one may release the inward radial pressure on the guard, whereupon the guard automatically returns to its fully extended position. 
     Optionally in any method according to the invention, the guard is substantially flush with or extends radially outward relative to the front tab when the child resistant closure is in the engaged position. 
     Optionally in any method according to the invention, the cap has a top wall and a skirt extending downward from the top wall, about an outer perimeter of the top wall. 
     Optionally in any method according to the invention, the guard consists of a single strip of polymeric material. 
     Optionally in any method according to the invention, the strip has an outward facing surface that is substantially rounded. 
     Optionally in any method according to the invention, the guard in its fully extended position has an outer-most surface that is from 2 mm to 4 mm from the outer surface of the sidewall of the body. 
     Optionally in any method according to the invention, a seal is formed between the body and the cap when the container is in the closed position. The seal is not dependent upon the child resistant closure being in the engaged position or the disengaged position. Optionally, the seal is a moisture tight seal. 
     Optionally in any method according to the invention, the container is made from a single-shot of injection molded polymeric material. 
     Optionally in any method according to the invention, the guard has first and second inner ends that are respective locations of attachment of an inside of the guard to the outer surface of the side wall of the body. The guard has a width (W G ) measured in a straight line from the first inner end to the second inner end. The guard has a depth (D G ) measured in a straight line from the outer surface of the side wall to the outer-most surface of the guard. The ratio of W G :D G  is at least 6:1. 
     Optionally in any method according to the invention, the container is held by a single hand and the child resistant closure is disengaged and the cap is opened using the single hand. 
     Optionally in any method according to the invention, the guard consists of a single strip of polymeric material. The strip has an outward facing surface that is substantially rounded. The guard includes axially extending channels formed on an inner surface of the guard facing the side wall of the body. The channels serve as bending points of the guard to facilitate inward deflection of the guard when the guard is depressed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a container according to the invention, in a closed position; 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the container of  FIG. 1 , in an opened position; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged detail of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the container of  FIG. 1 , in an opened position; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged detail of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 5A  is a top view of the container of  FIG. 1 , in an opened position; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross section taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged detail of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged cross sectional view of the container as shown in  FIG. 7 , with the guard in a depressed position; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross section taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged detail of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a container according to the invention, in a closed position; 
         FIG. 12  is a front perspective view of the container of  FIG. 11 , in a partially opened position; 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is an enlarged detail of a front perspective view of the container of  FIG. 11 , in an opened position; 
         FIG. 15  is a rear perspective view of the container of  FIG. 11 , in an opened position; 
         FIG. 16  is a top view of the container of  FIG. 11 , in an opened position; 
         FIG. 17  is an enlarged detail of a cross section taken along line  17 - 17  of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a front perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of a container according to the invention, in a closed position; 
         FIG. 19  is a front view of the container of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a side view of the container of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 21  is an enlarged side view of the container of  FIG. 18 ; and 
         FIG. 22  is a top view of the container of  FIG. 18 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein, but it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
     Certain terminology is used in the foregoing description for convenience and is not intended to be limiting. Words such as “front,” “back,” “top,” and “bottom” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. This terminology includes the words specifically noted above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. Additionally, the words “a” and “one” are defined as including one or more of the referenced item unless specifically noted. The phrase “at least one of” followed by a list of two or more items, such as “A, B or C,” means any individual one of A, B or C, as well as any combination thereof. 
     An exemplary container  10  according to the invention is shown in  FIGS. 1-10 . In the embodiment shown, the container  10  is in the form of a vial. As shown, the container  10  includes a body  20  and a cap  50 . The body  20  includes a base wall  22  and a tubular side wall  24  that extends upward from the base wall  22  about an outer perimeter thereof. The base wall  22  and side wall  24  together define a container interior  12  for housing a plurality of products. In the illustrated embodiment, the base wall  22  is of an oval shape and the side wall  24  has a similar oval cross section, but the container body  20  could take on other shapes as well. An opening  26  leading to the interior  12  is defined by an upper edge of the side wall  24 . The cap  50  is configured to removably affix over the opening  26  to move the container  10  between an opened position in which the opening  26  is exposed, as shown in  FIGS. 2-5 , and a closed position in which the cap  50  covers the opening  26 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The cap  50  may be pivotally attached to the container body  20  by a hinge  28 , which allows the cap  50  to pivot between the opened position and the closed position. The container  10  includes a seal  90  formed between the body  20  and the cap  50 , as well as an engagement  92  to retain the cap  50  on the body  20  when in the closed position. The seal  90  and engagement  92  are separate and independent of each other. 
     Optionally in any embodiment, the integrity of the seal is dependent only on whether the container is opened or closed; the seal is not dependent upon the child resistant closure being in the engaged position or the disengaged position. 
     The seal of the container  10  of the present invention may be a moisture-tight seal. As used herein, the term “moisture-tight” is defined as having a moisture ingress (after three days) of less than 1500 micrograms of water, in another embodiment, less than 500 micrograms of water, in a further embodiment, less than 300 micrograms of water, in yet another embodiment, less than 150 micrograms of water, determined by the following test method: (a) place one gram plus or minus 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.; (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 sample from the fourth day sample to calculate the moisture ingress of the container in units of micrograms of water. 
     The cap  50  includes a top wall  52  and an outer skirt  54  extending downwardly therefrom, about an outer perimeter thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the top wall  52  and the skirt  54  are curved downward towards the container body  20 , forming a substantially oval dome shape. When the container  10  is in the closed position, a lower portion of the skirt  54  meets with an upper portion of the side wall  24  to close the container  10 . The hinge  28  extends between the skirt  54  and upper edge of the side wall  24  to pivotally join the cap  50  with the body  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, the hinge  28  is of the living hinge type, i.e., formed integrally with the body  20  and cap  50 , for example by co-molding or simply being formed as a continuation of the material of the body  20  and cap  50 . This can be achieved, for example, by molding the body  50  and cap  20  together, such that they are joined by a section of material thin enough so as to permit folding, and in turn pivoting between the body  50  and cap  20 . In other embodiments, the hinge  28  could be a separate mechanical element affixed to the body  20  and cap  50 . 
     The cap  50  further includes a front tab  56 . The tab  56  extends forward from a front portion of the cap  50 , located opposite the hinge  28 . In the illustrated embodiment, the tab  56  is simply an irregular extension along the front of the cap  50 , and includes portions of both the top wall  52  and the skirt  54 . The tab  56  serves to provide a user with access to a front, underside portion of the cap  50  in order to initiate pivoting outwardly in direction P 1 , to open the container  10 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-3, 5, 5A, 6 and 7 , a guard  30  extends forward from a front portion of the side wall  24 , near the top thereof, at a location beneath the tab  56  when the container  10  is in the closed position, and opposite the hinge  28 . As shown, the guard  30  is formed as a strip projecting from a front portion of the side wall  24 . The guard  30  has first and second outer ends  32 ,  34  attached to the side wall, extends in a direction perpendicular to a central axis X of the side wall, and curves outwardly from the side wall  24  between the first and second outer ends  32 ,  34 . Optionally, the outward facing surface of the guard is substantially rounded. The guard  30  is constructed of a resilient material, optionally a plastic or thermoplastic material. When the container  10  is in the closed position, as shown in  FIGS. 1, 6 and 7 , the outer surface of the guard  30  is substantially flush with the outer surface of the skirt portion of the tab  56 . The guard  30  may extend slightly further out in the radial direction of the container  10  than the skirt portion of the tab  56 . The guard  30  may serve as a safety mechanism, for example as part of a child resistant closure mechanism that moves between an engaged position and a disengaged position, to impede opening of the container  10  by undesired individuals, such as children, when in the engaged position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5A , the guard  30  includes first and second inner ends  32   a,    34   b  which are the respective locations of attachment of the inside of the guard  30  to the side wall  24 . An important aspect of the guard is that it have a small profile without a substantial corresponding loss of child resistant closure functionality—a problem that was not adequately addressed in the prior art. In nominal terms, it is preferred that the outer-most surface of the guard  30  is preferably 4 mm or less from an outer surface of the side wall  24  of the container body  20 . In addition or in the alternative, the low profile may be expressed as a ratio of the width of the guard to the depth of the guard. The width of the guard W G  is measured in a straight line from the first inner end  32   a  to the second inner end  34   b.  The depth of the guard D G  is measured in a straight line from an outermost surface of the side wall  24  of the container body  20  to the outer-most surface of the guard. In an optional embodiment, W G  is about or exactly 25 mm and D G  is about or exactly 4 mm. Optionally, in any embodiment, the ratio of W G :D G  is 6.25:1. Optionally, in any embodiment, the ratio of W G :D G  is at least 5:1, optionally at least 6:1, optionally at least 7:1, optionally at least 8:1, optionally at least 9:1, optionally at least 10:1. Optionally, in any embodiment, the ratio of W G :D G  is from 5:1 to 10:1, optionally from 6:1 to 10:1, optionally from 6:1 to 9:1. 
     In order to open the container  10 , the child resistant closure is moved from the engaged position, shown in  FIG. 7 , to the disengaged position, shown in  FIG. 8 . To accomplish this, guard  30  is first depressed in direction P 2 , causing it to deform inwardly, from the position shown in  FIG. 7  to the position shown in  FIG. 8 , such that the user can access the underside  58  of tab  56 . As further shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the guard  30  includes a step  31  formed on the top surface thereof. The step  31  divides the guard  30  into a front portion  33  that is located radially outward with respect to the tab  56  and a rear portion  35  that is located axially beneath the tab  56 . The front portion  33  has a first height H 1  and the rear portion  35  has a second height H 2 . The first height H 1  is greater than the second height H 2 , as measured in the axial direction of the container  10 . An upper protrusion  37  formed by the step  31  and formed at the top of front portion  33  sits directly in front of (radially outward with respect to) a bottom portion of the tab  56  when the container  10  is in the closed position. This prevents the guard  30  from being depressed inward in direction P 2 , unless a sufficient force is applied so as to deform the protrusion  37  and/or the tab  56  so as to permit the guard  30  to move inward, past the tab  56 . As used herein, the term “sufficient force” is defined as a force above a threshold force that causes sufficient deformation in the protrusion  37  and/or the tab  56  so as to permit the guard  30  to move radially inward in direction P 2 , past the tab  56 . 
     The guard  30  may include axially extending channels  36  formed on the inner surface thereof, facing the side wall  24 . The channels  36  can serve as bending points of the guard  30  to facilitate deformation in direction P 2 . Notches  82 ,  84  may optionally be formed between the guard  30  and the side wall  24  to which the guard  30  is attached, adjacent to the first and second outer ends  32 ,  34  of the guard and extending downward from the upper edge thereof. Notches  82 ,  84  may further facilitate bending the guard  30  to cause deformation in direction P 2 . For some embodiments, however, it may be preferred to omit notches to the extent that they may undesirably provide an access point for prying open the cap (e.g., with fingers or teeth), thus circumventing the child resistant closure. Once the guard  30  is depressed sufficiently in direction P 2  so as to expose the underside  58  of tab  56 , the user can force the tab  56  and in turn the cap  50  to pivot in direction P 1 , by applying force to the underside  58  of tab  56  in direction P 1 . The guard  30  is resilient and biased to the engaged position shown in  FIGS. 1-7 , such that it returns to that shape when the pressure in direction P 2  is released. 
     In one embodiment, the above-described deformation in the protrusion  37  and/or tab  56  causes a snapping back into position of the protrusion  37  and/or the tab  56 , once the guard  30  is moved past the tab  56 . This snapping may result in a sound that alerts the user that the child resistant mechanism has been moved into the disengaged position and the container  10  can be opened in the manner described above. 
     The seal  90  and engagement  92  mechanisms of the present invention will now be described in detail. In the illustrated embodiment, the seal  90  is located below the engagement  92  in an axial direction of the container body  20 . In other embodiments, this configuration could be reversed, such that the engagement  92  is located below the seal  90  in the axial direction of the container body  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, the seal  90  and engagement  92  each comprise abutments between surfaces of the container cap  50  and body  20 , in which pressure is applied in opposite radial directions. In the illustrated embodiment, pressure is applied in an outward radial RO direction by abutting surfaces forming the seal  90 , and in an inward radial direction RI by abutting surfaces forming the engagement  92 . In other embodiments, this configuration could be reversed, such that pressure is applied in an inward radial direction RI by abutting surfaces forming the engagement  92 , and in an outward radial direction RO by abutting surfaces forming the seal  90 . 
       FIGS. 6, 7, 9 and 10  show the seal formed between the body  20  and the cap  50 . As shown, the cap  50  includes a downwardly extending lip  60 , which is configured to fit snugly within the side wall  24  of the body  20 . The lip  60  may take on the configuration shown, in which it extends downward from the skirt  54  about most of the perimeter of the cap  50 , with the exception of the portion of the skirt  54  forming the tab  56 , at which portion the lip  60  simply extends across the front of the cap  50  in a path that is straight, substantially straight, or simply configured to match that of the side wall  24 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6, 7, 9 and 10 , the lip  60  includes an outwardly extending sealing protrusion  62 . The sealing protrusion  62  extends around the entire outer surface  64  of the lip  60 . In one embodiment, the inner surface  38  of the side wall  24  includes a sealing groove configured to receive the sealing protrusion  62  when the container  10  is in the closed position. The lip  60  and sealing protrusion  62  preferably engage the side wall  24  in an interference fit, to form a sealed relationship therebetween. The lip  60  and side wall  24  have sealing surfaces  44 ,  68  that contact each other in a sealed relationship when the container  10  is in the closed position. 
     The outer diameter of the lip  60 , and in particular the portion of the lip  60  including the sealing protrusion  62 , may be substantially equal to, or slightly greater than the inner diameter of the side wall  24 , and in particular the portion of the side wall  24  defining the sealing surface  44 . By employing this configuration, the lip  60  is slightly compressed by the side wall  24 , to ensure contact between the two when the container  10  is in the closed position and the lip  60  is received by the side wall  24 , to form a seal therebetween. The difference in diameters should be great enough so as to create such continuous contact, but not so great so as to cause undue deformation in the shape of the container body  20 , due to excess outward pressure on the side wall  24  from the lip  60 . A person of ordinary skill in the art would be capable of selecting the appropriate dimensions of these components so as to maximize the sealing capacity of the container  10 . 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  show the engagement between the body  20  and the cap  50 . As shown, the lip  60  includes an inwardly extending engagement groove  66 , located on the outer surface  64  thereof, above the sealing protrusion  62 . The side wall  24  includes an outwardly extending engagement protrusion  42 , located on the inner surface  38  thereof, above the sealing surface  44 . The engagement groove  66  is configured to receive the engagement protrusion  42  in a snapping engagement when the container  10  is in the closed position. The engagement protrusion  42  and engagement groove  66  are preferably configured to interlock in a snapping engagement, i.e., to only permit removal of the engagement protrusion  42  from the engagement groove  66  and in turn disengagement of the cap  50  from the body  20  when a preselected amount of force is applied, to cause sufficient deformation of the side wall  24  in a radially outward direction RO and/or deformation of the lip  60  in an radially inward direction RI to permit release of the engagement and in turn the cap  50  from the container body  20 . Such force is applied by pivoting the cap  50  in direction P 1  as described above. A person of ordinary skill in the art would be capable of selecting the appropriate sizes and shapes for the engagement protrusion  42  and groove  66  to achieve this end. The engagement protrusion  42  and groove  66  include engagement surfaces  46 ,  70  that are substantially horizontal or perpendicular to the central axis x of the container  10 . When the container  10  is in the closed position, the cap engagement surface  70  is below side wall engagement surface  46 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the engagement protrusion  42  and groove  66  each only extend partially around the side wall  24  and lip  60 , along opposite sides thereof, between the hinge  28  and tab  56  locations. The engagement protrusion  42  and groove  66  could alternatively be located at other portions of the side wall  24  and lip  60 , or could extend all of the way around these components. 
       FIGS. 3 and 5  show the locations of sink marks formed during molding of the container. As shown in  FIG. 3 , a hinge sink mark  94  is formed on the inner surface  38  of the side wall  24  directly below the hinge. According to the configuration shown in the drawings, the hinge sink mark  94  advantageously does not interfere with the engagement protrusion  42 , which extends only around portions of the side wall  24 , as just described. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , two guard sink marks  96 ,  98  are formed on the inner surface of the side wall  24  at locations approximately aligned with the first and second outer ends  32 ,  34  of the guard  30 . These sink marks are advantageously formed below the sealing surface  44 . The location of the guard sink marks can be adjusted by modifying the length of the notches  82 ,  84 . Lengthening the notches  82 ,  84  lowers the location of guard sink marks,  96 ,  98 , while shortening the length of notches  82 ,  84  raises the location of guard sink marks  96 ,  98 . Accordingly, notches  82 ,  84  are preferably formed having sufficient length so as to locate guard sink marks  96 ,  98  directly below the sealing surface  44 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 11-17 , there is shown an alternative embodiment of a container  110  according to the present invention. In the embodiment shown, the container  110  is in the form of a vial. The container  110  may include some, substantially all, or all features of the container  10  of  FIGS. 1-10  described above, such as the basic design, shape, container structure, seal structure, moisture-tightness of seal, etc. The following description of the container  110  is intended to provide a frame of reference or context for the child resistant closure that may be incorporated onto the container  110 . Other aspects of the container  110  that are not explicitly set forth herein with reference to the container  110  of  FIGS. 11-17  are described above with respect to the container  10  of  FIGS. 1-10  and may be equally applicable to, and are incorporated by reference with respect to, the container  110 . 
     The container  110  includes a body  120  and a cap  150 . The body  120  includes a base wall  122  and a tubular side wall  124  that extends upward from the base wall  122  about an outer perimeter thereof. The base wall  122  and side wall  124  together define a container interior  112  for housing a plurality of products. In the illustrated embodiment, the base wall is of an oval shape and the side wall  124  has a similar oval cross section, but the container body  120  could take on other shapes as well. An opening  126  leading to the interior  112  is defined by an upper edge of the side wall  124 . The cap  150  is configured to removably affix over the opening  126  to move the container  110  between an opened position in which the opening is exposed, as shown in  FIGS. 14-16 , and a closed position in which the cap  150  covers the opening  126 , as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 17 .  FIGS. 12 and 13  show the container  110  in a partially opened position to provide views of the child resistant closure, discussed below. The cap  150  may be pivotally attached to the container body  20  by a hinge  128 , which allows the cap  150  to pivot between the opened position and the closed position. 
     The cap  150  includes a top wall  152  and an outer skirt  154  extending downwardly therefrom, about an outer perimeter thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the top wall  152  and the skirt  154  are curved downward towards the container body  120 , forming a substantially oval dome shape. When the container  110  is in the closed position, a lower portion of the skirt  154  meets with an upper portion of the side wall  124  to close the container  110 . The hinge  128  extends between the skirt  154  and upper edge of the side wall  124  to pivotally join the cap  150  with the body  120 . In the illustrated embodiment, the hinge  128  is of the living hinge type, i.e., formed integrally with the body  120  and cap  150 , for example by co-molding or simply being formed as a continuation of the material of the body  120  and cap  150 . This can be achieved, for example, by molding the body  150  and cap  120  together, such that they are joined by a section of material thin enough so as to permit folding, and in turn pivoting between the body  150  and cap  120 . In other embodiments, the hinge  128  could be a separate mechanical element affixed to the body  120  and cap  150 . 
     The cap  150  further includes a front tab  156 . The tab  156  extends forward from a front portion of the cap  150 , located opposite the hinge  128 . In the illustrated embodiment, the tab  156  is simply an irregular extension along the front of the cap  150 , and includes portions of both the top wall  152  and the skirt  154 . The tab  156  serves to provide a user with access to a front, underside portion of the cap  150  in order to initiate pivoting outwardly in direction P 1 , to open the container  110 . 
     A guard  130  extends forward from a front portion of the side wall  124 , near the top thereof, at a location beneath the tab  156  when the container  110  is in the closed position, and opposite the hinge  128 . As shown, the guard  130  is formed as a strip projecting from a front portion of the side wall  124 . The guard  130  has first and second outer ends  132 ,  134  attached to the side wall, extends in a direction perpendicular to a central axis X of the side wall, and curves outwardly from the side wall  124  between the first and second outer ends  132 ,  134 . When the container  110  is in the closed position, as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 17 , the outer surface of the guard  130  is substantially flush with the outer surface of the skirt portion of the tab  156 . The guard  130  may extend slightly further out in the radial direction of the container  110  than the skirt portion of the tab  156 . The guard  130  preferably has a small profile. For example, the outer-most surface of the guard  130  is preferably about 2 mm to about 4 mm, or less (e.g., about 1 mm), from an outer surface of the side wall  124  of the container body  120 . More preferably, the outer-most surface of the guard  130  is about 3 mm to about 4 mm from the outer surface of the side wall  124  of the container body  120 . 
     A catch  210  extends, e.g., perpendicularly, from the underside  158  of the tab  156 . The catch  210  is preferably recessed slightly back from the front surface of the tab  156 . The catch includes an aperture  212 . A support frame  214  extends from the inner surface of the guard  130  in a direction towards the side wall  124  of the container body  120 . The support frame  214  is preferably symmetrical and includes an outward facing surface  215  with a protrusion  216  extending therefrom in a direction away from the side wall  124  of the container body  120 . The protrusion  216  is preferably substantially rectangular or trapezoidal in shape, but other shapes are contemplated as well, including, but not limited to, square, triangular, circular and spherical. In the embodiment shown, the protrusion  216  includes a slanted top surface  218 . 
     When the container  110  is closed, as shown in  FIG. 17 , the catch  210  is disposed in the space between the support frame  214  and the inner surface of the guard  130 . In this position, the protrusion  216  mates with the aperture  212  to secure the container  110  in a closed position. The container  110  cannot be opened by pivoting the cap  150  in direction P 1  while the protrusion  216  mates with the aperture  212 . Thus, the guard  130  in combination with the catch  210  and support frame  214  may serve as a safety mechanism, for example as part of a child resistant closure mechanism that moves between an engaged position and a disengaged position, to impede opening of the container  110  by undesired individuals, such as children, when in the engaged position. 
     In order to open the container  110 , the child resistant closure is moved from the engaged position, shown, e.g., in  FIGS. 11 and 17 , to the disengaged position, shown, e.g., in  FIGS. 12 and 14 . To accomplish this, guard  130  is first depressed in direction P 2 , causing it to deform inwardly, thus moving the support frame  214  and also the protrusion  216  slightly towards the side wall  124  of the container body  120 . This causes the protrusion  216  to disengage from the aperture  212  in the catch  210 , which enables the cap  150  to be pivoted in direction P 1 . This further provides a user with access to the underside  158  of tab  156 , e.g., to pivot the cap  150  in direction P 1 . The slanted top surface  218  of the protrusion  216  helps facilitate transitioning between the closure mechanism&#39;s engagement position and disengagement position, and vice versa. 
     The guard  130  may include axially extending channels  136  formed on the inner surface thereof, facing the side wall  124 . The channels  136  can serve as bending points of the guard  130  to facilitate deformation in direction P 2 . Notches  182 ,  184  may also be formed between the guard  130  and the side wall  124  to which the guard  130  is attached, adjacent to the first and second outer ends  132 ,  134  of the guard and extending downward from the upper edge thereof. Notches  182 ,  184  further facilitate bending the guard  130  to cause deformation in direction P 2 . Once the guard  130  is depressed sufficiently in direction P 2  so as to expose the underside  158  of tab  156 , the user can force the tab  156  and in turn the cap  150  to pivot in direction P 1 , by applying force to the underside  158  of tab  156  in direction P 1 . The guard  130  is biased to the engaged position shown in  FIGS. 11 and 17 , such that it returns to that shape when the pressure in direction P 2  is released. 
     The embodiment of the container shown in  FIGS. 11-17  nicely balances the need for a guard  130  with a small profile (e.g., having an outer-most surface that is about 2 mm to 4 mm, or less, from the outer surface of the side wall  124  of the container body  120 ), which substantially retains the child resistant closure functionality of a larger profiled guard. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 18-22 , there is shown a second alternative embodiment of a container  310  according to the present invention. The container  310  may include some, substantially all, or all features of the container  10  of  FIGS. 1-10  and/or the container  110  of  FIGS. 11-17 , described above, such as the basic design, shape, container structure, seal structure, moisture-tightness of seal, etc. Preferably, the container  310  is essentially identical to alternative container  110 , except for the following three features. 
     First, the container  310  includes no notches at the upper edge of the first and second outer ends  332 ,  334  of the guard  330 . Omission of notches may be preferred to the extent that they may undesirably provide an access point for prying open the cap (e.g., with fingers or teeth), thus circumventing the child resistant closure. 
     Second, as best shown in  FIG. 21 , the tab  356  of the cap  350  includes a bill  351  having a more gradual slope than the cap  150  of container  110 . 
     Third, as best shown in  FIG. 22  (but optionally applicable to any embodiment), the cap  350  preferably has an outer perimeter  357 , at least a portion of which is slightly smaller than, i.e., disposed radially inward with respect to, the side wall  324  of the container body  320 . This preferred feature would preferably render the entire under side of the cap  350  inaccessible to prevent circumvention of the child release mechanism to pry open the container  310 . Optionally, the perimeter of the cap  350  is disposed radially inward by at least 1 mm with respect to the side wall  324  of the container body  320  along the perimeter of the side wall  324 , optionally with the exception of the hinge and the guard. 
     Optionally, in any embodiment, the container is constructed of one or more polymeric materials, optionally an injection moldable plastic such as polypropylene, polyethylene or cyclic olefin copolymer, for example. Optionally, in any embodiment, the guard is constructed of a thermoplastic elastomer material. In any embodiment, the guard is resilient and configured to return to its original shape after numerous cycles of being depressed radially to open the container. Optionally, in any embodiment, the outward facing surface of the guard is substantially rounded. 
     Optionally, in any embodiment, the cap may be moved from the opened position to the closed position by applying downward pressure onto the top of the cap, without the need to engage the guard. For example, one may close the cap on the container without depressing and/or releasing the guard, since the guard optionally does not function to hold the cap closed. 
     Optionally, in any embodiment, the child resistant closure is disengaged and the cap opened all with a single hand. 
     Optionally, in any embodiment, the container is made from a single-shot of injection molded polymeric material. 
     Optionally, in any embodiment, the container body is elongate and tubular. Optionally, in any embodiment, the container body has an internal cross section and/or an external cross section that is elliptical. 
     Optionally, embodiments of containers used according to aspects of the present invention can be molded according to techniques disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. Re 37,676 (a reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 5,723,085), U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,812,116, and 4,783,056, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail above, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described, which should be considered as merely exemplary.