Abstract:
A simultaneous stop and alignment feature of a package having an outer sleeve and a slide card slidably disposed within the outer sleeve. A stop panel disposed on an inside surface of the outer sleeve has a stop panel edge spaced a predetermined distance (L) from a first end of the outer sleeve. A raised flap edge of the slide card may travel across a sliding distance (M) defined by the relationship L&gt;M≧0. When the raised flap edge engages the stop panel edge, the sliding distance is defined by the relationship M=0, the slide card is prevented from further sliding within the outer sleeve, and at least one blister pocket receiving aperture and at least one exit aperture of the outer sleeve align with corresponding at least one aligning aperture of the slide card.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to a blister package having a stop and align feature that stops the sliding movement of a slide card within an outer sleeve and simultaneously aligns the apertures of the slide card with the apertures of the outer sleeve so that articles retained by the blister pockets can be removed from the package. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   It is common practice to use blister packages to package small solid articles or products which may be dispensed from the package by applying pressure to the blister to force the article or product from an individual blister or capsule through a rupturable membrane. Since this type of packaging is typically used for marketing medicines, the invention will be referred to herein with respect to a package particularly suitable for such use, but it should be understood that the package maybe used for other products as well. Recently, a substantial effort has been directed toward providing packaging that contains sufficient impediments to prevent children from easily opening the package and gaining access to the package articles or products while still providing adults with easy access to the articles or products contained therein. 
   For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,047,829 to Johnstone et al. (hereinafter “Johnstone”) discloses a unit dose package having an outer sleeve blank  2  and inner slide card blank  100 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-3  of the Johnstone patent, the outer sleeve blank  2  has extension panels  4  and  8 . Extension panel  4  is folded over and adhesively attached to extension panel  8 . Extension panel  8  is then folded over side panel  10 . As shown in  FIGS. 6-9 , the inner slide card blank  100  has an extension panel  106  that is folded over side panel  102 . 
   Once fully assembled, a user can pull the inner slide card  100  within the outer sleeve  50  formed by the outer sleeve blank  2  until the extension  106  of the inner slide card  100  is caught and retained by the folded extension panels  4  and  8  of the outer sleeve  50 . Folded extension panels  4  and  8  of the outer sleeve  50  and extension panel  106  of the inner slide card  100 , which form the locking means of the Johnstone unit dose package, prevent the inner slide card from being completely removed from the outer sleeve  50 . 
   However, the locking means  4 ,  8 , and  106  of the Johnstone unit dose package does not align the holes within the slide card  100  with the blisters of the blister package while simultaneously retaining the sliding card from being removed from the package. Put simply, the Johnstone unit dose package does not provide a stop feature that retains the inner slide card  100  within the outer sleeve  50  while simultaneously aligning the holes within the slide card  100  with the blisters of the blister package. 
   In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,793 to Tannenbaum discloses a device for inhibiting the removal of an article from a blister type container  14  positioned within a housing  32  in manner such that the container  14  may slide in a left to right direction when viewing  FIG. 2   a  of the Tannenbaum patent. The container  14  slides between a dispensing position, as shown in  FIG. 2   b , in which articles  12  may be removed from the container  14 , and a non-dispensing position as shown in  FIG. 2   a , which prevents removal of the articles  12  from the container  14 . 
   The Tannenbaum container includes a base  34  of the housing  32  that has openings  36  which are in registry with the blisters  22  of the container  14 . The housing  32  includes a first enclosure  38  having an abutment  42  that contacts a portion  44  of the outer surface  23  of the blister and a biasing means. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the biasing means has a first end  48  and folds  54  that form a spring member  52 . 
   The biasing means is positioned within the first enclosure  38  of the housing  32 . See  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  of Tannenbaum. When the container  14  is slid within the housing  32  in a left to right direction when  FIG. 2   a , the folds  54  of the biasing means are compressed as shown in  FIG. 2   b , and the blisters  22  are aligned with the openings  36  in the base  34  of the housing  32  to facilitate removal of the articles. The sliding motion of the container  14  within the housing  32  is stopped when the abutment  42  of the first enclosure  38  engages the outer surface  23  of the blister  22 . However, the Tannenbaum package does not disclose a slide card positioned between the container  14  and the openings  36  in the base  34  and having a stop feature that engages a stop feature on an inside surface of the housing  32  that aligns the holes in the container  14  with the openings  36  while simultaneously stopping the container  14  from sliding any further within the housing  32 . 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of this invention to at least overcome the above-discussed drawbacks of the conventional child resistant packages and dispensers. 
   Another object of this invention is to provide a unique child resistant blister package that is child resistant and senior citizen friendly. 
   Yet another object of this invention is to provide a pharmaceutical slide package having a feature that aligns holes of a slide card within the package with blisters contained in blister packaging attached to the package while simultaneously preventing the slide card from further movement. 
   The package includes a first component that is a sliding card contained within a second component or outer sleeve. A sealed blister package is attached to an interior of the outer sleeve. The slide card is then inserted in the outer sleeve, which is then folded and sealed, thereby securing the slide card therein. 
   A stop feature integrally formed within the outer sleeve and slide card limits the sliding range of the slide card within the outer sleeve. An aspect of the stop feature is that the holes within the slide card are aligned with the pill blisters in the blister package at the point where the stop feature stops the slide card from further movement within the outer sleeve. The stop feature includes the raised edge of the folded panel on the slide card which engages a corresponding edge on the inside of the outer sleeve. 
   When the holes on the slide card are aligned with the blisters of the blister packaging, a user can push an article contained in the blister packaging through a hole in the foil backing on the back side surface of the blister packaging, through a hole in the slide card, and out a corresponding hole in the back of the outer sleeve of the package. When the slide card is returned to a start or free position, the holes in the back side surface of the blister packaging are blocked, and the articles contained in the blister packaging cannot be removed. 
   A stop feature that limits the movement of the slide card within the package provides the child-resistant feature. The sliding movement of the slide card within the package stops when a raised edge of a folded panel on the slide card engages an edge on the inside of the outer sleeve. At the same time or simultaneous with the sliding movement of the slide card within the package being stopped by the stop feature, the holes on the slide card are aligned with corresponding blisters in the blister packaging so that a user can push the article contained within the blister packaging out of the back of the package. 
   When the slide card is returned to the start or free position, the exit holes in the package are blocked, thereby offering resistance to children accessing the pills. The holes on the back of the package are formed by non-continuous cut lines such that the package remains intact and the portions delimited by the cut lines removed or punctured when the article exits the package. This feature also makes it difficult for a child to pick at the package and remove the articles therefrom. As the slide card is secured in the package on all four sides, the ability of the child to pick and tear the package is substantially reduced. 
   A lock feature may also be provided that prevents any sliding of the slide card until the lock is disengaged. Once the lock is disengaged, then the slide card may be slid within the outer sleeve until the stop and align feature stops the sliding movement and simultaneously aligns the apertures so the articles may be removed from the package. 
   A cover may also be provided that contains indicia that would be ornamental and/or informative in nature. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects and features of this invention will be better understood from the following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a top view of a disassembled outer sleeve of the package according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of the package showing a stop panel incorporated on the second panel of the outer sleeve of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of the package showing a blister package attached to the stop panel of the outer sleeve of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of the package showing a second panel with the stop panel and blister package folded onto the first panel; 
       FIG. 5  is a top view of a disassembled slide card of the package according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of the slide card with a second slide panel folded over a first slide panel of the slide card of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a top view of the slide card with the first and second flaps of the first slide panel folded onto the second slide panel; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the assembled package according to the preferred embodiment of the invention with the slide card inserted in the outer sleeve and the slide card blocking the articles contained in the package from being removed; 
       FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram of the arrangement shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the assembled package according to the preferred embodiment of the invention with the slide card inserted in the outer sleeve and the slide card positioned so the articles contained in the package can be removed; 
       FIG. 11  is a schematic diagram of the arrangement shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
       FIG. 12  is a top view of an outer sleeve of the dissembled package according to second embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 13  is a top view of the outer sleeve of  FIG. 12  with a second embodiment of the stop panel; 
       FIG. 14  is a top view of a slide card of the dissembled package according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 15  is a top view of the slide card of  FIG. 14  with the second slide panel adhered to the first panel; 
       FIG. 16  is a top view of the slide card of  FIG. 15  with the first and second flaps folded over the second slide panel of the slide card; 
       FIG. 17  is a top view of the slide card of  FIG. 16  with the lock folded over the first panel of the slide card; 
       FIG. 18  is a top view of the assembled package according to a third embodiment of the invention; and 
       FIG. 19  is a top view of a disassembled outer sleeve according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , the outer sleeve  10  of the package  1  is formed from a flat, substantially rectangular shaped single blank  11 , ideally made form paperboard. However, it is within the scope of this invention to use any suitable material well known or later developed in the art, such as, for example, paper, plastic, metal, natural or man made, and the like. Furthermore, although not illustrated but well understood in the art, it is within the scope of this invention to use any suitable geometric shape, such as, for example, square, trapezoidal, circular, oval, and the like to form the outer sleeve  10 . 
   The outer sleeve  10  includes a first panel  20  separated from a second panel  30  by a score line  40 . The score line  40  enables the second panel  30  to be folded over the first panel  20  as will be explained in further detail below. Score line  41  delimits a first flap  50  of the first panel  20  while score line  42  delimits a second flap  60  of the first panel. Score lines  41  and  42  enable the first and second flaps  50  and  60 , respectively, to be folded over the second panel  30  as will be explained in further detail below. The second panel  30  is separated from a guide panel  38  by a score line  39 . The guide panel  38  defines a channel C for guiding an inner slide card  100  (See  FIG. 5 ) therethrough when folded over the score line  39 , as will be described in further detail below. 
   The first panel  20  includes a gripping aperture  21  sized and configured to permit a user of the package  1  to have access to the slide card  100  contained in the outer sleeve  10 , as will be explained in further detail below. The gripping aperture  21  is shown as being oval but it is within the scope of this invention to configure the gripping aperture  21  to be of any suitable geometric shape that will provide the user access to the slide card  100 . For example, although not illustrated, one of ordinary skill in the art would readily comprehend that the gripping aperture could be square, rectangular, triangular, circular, trapezoidal, pentagon shaped, octagonal, and the like. 
   Furthermore, a plurality of exit apertures  22  are formed in the first panel  20 , the exit apertures being defined by non-continuous cut lines  23 . Although a single row of seven exit apertures  22  are shown being positioned relatively in the center of the first panel  20 , it is within the scope of this invention to place any number of exit apertures  21  anywhere on the first panel  20  in as many or little rows as necessary. For example only, there could be two or more rows of any number of exit apertures  21  provided on the first panel  20 . 
   The second panel  30 , like the first panel  20 , includes a gripping aperture  31  that is configured to coincide and overlap the gripping aperture  21  of the first panel  20 . The second panel  30  also includes a plurality of blister pocket receiving apertures  32  that correspond to the number of exit apertures  22  in the first panel  20 . The blister pocket receiving apertures  32  typically will contain blister packaging (not shown) that is well known in the art and is made from such materials as, for example only, clear plastic, foil, or the like. It should be noted that blister packaging is well known in the art and includes a backing that includes a foil portion (fp) through which each article must pass when being removed from the package  1 . 
   The first flap  50  of the first panel  20  includes a gripping aperture  51  that is configured to coincide and overlap the gripping apertures  21  and  31  of the first and second panels  20  and  30 , respectively. 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , a stop panel  70  is attached or incorporated onto the second panel  30 . In other words, it is within the scope of this invention to have the stop panel  70  be a separate panel attached or adhered onto the second panel  30 . In such a configuration, a first edge  70   a  of the stop panel  70  would not have to coincide with a first edge  30   a  of the second panel  30 . 
   Alternatively, the stop panel  70  could be a flap of the second panel  30  that is delimited by a score line  43  at a first edge  30   a  and  70   a  of the second panel  30  and stop panel  70 , respectively, wherein the stop panel  70  is folded over the score line  43  or first edge  30   a / 70   a  and adhered or otherwise permanently attached to the second panel  30 . In other words, the first edge  70   a  of the stop panel  70  would coincide with the first edge  30   a  of the second panel, as shown in FIG.  2 . 
   The stop panel  70  has a second edge  70   b  that is relatively parallel to and remote from the first edge  70   a . Furthermore, it is important to note that the stop panel  70  is sized to be smaller than the second panel  30  such that second edge  70   b  of the stop panel  70  is separated from a second edge  30   b  of the second panel  30  by a distance L as the second edge  70   b  of the stop panel  70  is a portion of a stopper and alignment feature of the package  1 . 
   The stop panel  70  also includes a gripping aperture  71  that is configured to coincide and overlap the gripping apertures  21  and  31  of the first and second panels  20  and  30 , respectively, as well as to coincide with and be overlapped by the gripping aperture  51  of the first flap  50  of the first panel  20 . 
   To form the inner slide card  100  guiding channel C, an adhesive is applied to a first surface  38 B of the guide panel  38  as shown in FIG.  2 . Then, the guide panel  38  is folded over the score line  39 . The channel C through which the inner slide card  100  is guided is defined between the edge  38   e  of the guide panel  38  and the score line  40  separating the first and second panels  20  and  30 , respectively. See FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 3  shows a blister package  80  that is affixed to the stop panel  70 . As noted above, the blister package  80  is well known in the art and includes a backing that includes a foil portion fp through which each article held in the blister pocket must pass when being removed from the package  1 . It should be noted that the blister pocket receiving apertures  32  and  72  of the second and stop panels  30  and  70 , respectively, are shown merely for illustration and that in actuality, the apertures  32  and  72  would not be visible until the foil portion (fp) was ruptured upon removing an article from a corresponding blister pocket. 
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , an adhesive is applied anywhere within adhesive regions  50 A and  60 A of the first and second flaps of the first panel  20 . Furthermore, an adhesive is applied to a second surface  38 A of the guide panel  38 . The second panel  30  is then folded over the score line  40  and adhered to the first panel  20 , as shown in  FIG. 4  to form the outer sleeve  10  of the package  1 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , the inner slide card  100  of the package  1  is formed from a flat, substantially rectangular shaped single blank  111 , ideally made form paperboard. However, it is within the scope of this invention to use any suitable material well known or later developed in the art, such as, for example, paper, plastic, metal, natural or man made, and the like. Furthermore, although not illustrated but well understood in the art, it is within the scope of this invention to use any suitable geometric shape, such as, for example, square, trapezoidal, circular, oval, and the like to form the inner slide card  100 . 
   The slide card  100  includes a first slide panel  120  separated from a second slide panel  130  by a score line  140 . The score line  140  enables the second slide panel  130  to be folded over the first slide panel  120  as will be explained in further detail below. Score line  141  delimits a first flap  150  of the first slide panel  120  while score line  142  delimits a second flap  160  of the first slide panel. Score lines  141  and  142  enable the first and second flaps  150  and  160 , respectively, to be folded over the second slide panel  130  as will be explained in further detail below. 
   The first slide panel  120  includes a plurality of aligning apertures  122  sized and configured to permit passage of the articles contained in the blister package from passing therethrough. Although the aligning apertures  122  are illustrated as being oval in shape, it should be noted that it is within the scope of this invention for the apertures to be any geometric shape that will facilitate passage of the articles therethrough. For example only, although not illustrated but well known in the art, the apertures can be circular, oblong, rectangular, square, trapezoidal, triangular, and the like. Furthermore, the number of aligning apertures  122  as well as their positioning are selected so as to coincide with the number and positioning of the exit apertures  22  in the first panel  20  of the outer sleeve  10  and the blister pocket receiving apertures  32  in the second panel  30  of the outer sleeve  10 . 
   Likewise, the second slide panel  130  includes a plurality of aligning apertures  132  sized and configured to permit passage of the articles contained in the blister package from passing therethrough. Although the aligning apertures  132  are illustrated as being oval in shape, it should be noted that it is within the scope of this invention for the apertures to be any geometric shape that will facilitate passage of the articles therethrough. For example only, although not illustrated but well known in the art, the apertures can be circular, oblong, rectangular, square, trapezoidal, triangular, and the like. Furthermore, the number of aligning apertures  132  as well as their positioning are selected so as to coincide with the number and positioning of the exit apertures  22  in the first panel  20  of the outer sleeve  10 , the blister pocket receiving apertures  32  in the second panel  30  of the outer sleeve  10 , and the aligning apertures  122  in the first slide panel  120  of the slide card  100 . 
   In other words, when the package  1  is fully assembled and the apertures  122  and  132  of the slide card  100  are positioned so that a user may remove an article from the package  1 , the blister pocket receiving apertures  32  of the second panel  30  of the outer sleeve will coincide with and overlap the aligning apertures  132  of the second slide panel  130  of the slide card  100 . The aligning apertures  132  of the second slide card will coincide with and overlap the aligning apertures  122  of the first slide panel of the slide card  100 . Finally, the aligning apertures  122  of the first slide card  120  coincide with and overlap the exit apertures  22  of the first panel of the outer sleeve  10 . 
   It should be noted that the geometric configuration of the exit apertures  22  and blister pocket receiving apertures  32  are shown as circular merely for illustrative purposes. Likewise, the geometric configuration of the aligning apertures  122  and  132  are shown as oval merely for illustrative purposes. It is within the scope of this invention to have the exits apertures  22 , blister pocket receiving apertures  32 , and aligning apertures  122  and  132  each be of the same geometric configuration or each may be a different geometric configuration so long as the articles contained in the blister package can pass therethrough. 
     FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary embodiment where an adhesive region  130 A is provided around an outer periphery of the second slide panel  130 . However, it should be noted that the adhesive region  130 A is not limited to the periphery of the second slide card  130  but can include the entire surface area of the second slide card  130  that does not correspond to the exit apertures  132  defined therein. In other words, the adhesive can be applied anywhere on the second slide card  130  so long as the exit apertures  132  are not covered or blocked by the adhesive. 
   The second slide panel  130  is then folded over the score line  140  and adhered to the first slide panel  120 , as shown in  FIG. 6  to form the slide card  100  of the package  1 .  FIG. 6  clearly shows the aligning apertures  122  and  132  of the first and second slide panels  120  and  130 , respectively, as coinciding with and overlapping each other. 
   An adhesive is applied anywhere within adhesive region  150 A of the first flap  150  of the first slide panel  120  of the slide card  100 . Furthermore, it should be noted that adhesive is not provided on the second flap  160  of the first slide panel  120  for reasons that will be discussed in further detail below. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the first flap  150  of the first slide panel  120  is folded over score line  141  and adhered to the second slide panel  130 , which is adhered to the first slide panel  120 . Similarly, the second flap  160  of the first slide panel  120  is folded over score line  142 , but not adhered to the second slide panel  130 , to form a completely assembled slide card  100 . 
   The second flap  160  of the first slide panel  120  has a first edge  160   a  that coincides with score line  142 . Opposite and substantially parallel to the first edge  160   a  and score line  142  is a second edge  160   b  of the second flap  160 . Since the second flap  160  is not adhered to the first slide panel  120 , the second edge  160   b  remains slightly elevated from the surface of the first slide panel  120 . As will be clear from the discussion below, the second edge  160   b  of the second flap  160  forms a portion of the stopper and alignment feature of the package  1 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 8 , the slide card  100  is inserted within the outer sleeve shown in FIG.  4  and the first and second flaps  50  and  60  of the outer sleeve are folded over respective score lines  41  and  42  to complete assembly of the package  1 . The operational state of the package  1  shown in  FIG. 8  is where the exit and blister pocket receiving apertures  22  and  32  of the first and second panels  50  and  60  of the outer sleeve  10  are not aligned with the aligning apertures  122  and  132  of the first and second slide panels  150  and  160  of the slide card  100 . The aligning apertures  122  and  132  are, at a minimum, partially blocking the exit and blister pocket receiving apertures  22  and  32  so that articles contained in the blister package cannot pass therethrough, which prevents the articles from being removed from the assembled package  1 . 
     FIG. 9  shows a schematic diagram of the arrangement illustrated in FIG.  8 . In particular, it can be seen that when the score line  142  of the slide card  100  abuts the score line  42  of the outer sleeve, the first panel  150  of the slide card  100  does not substantially occupy the gripping aperture  21 ,  31 ,  51 , and  71  of the outer sleeve. Additionally, the channel C through which the slide card  100  travels is defined by the edge  38   e  of the guide panel  38  and score line  40 . 
   Furthermore, a sliding distance M between the second edge  70   b  of the stop panel  70  and the second edge  160   b  of the second flap  160  of the slide card  100  is less than L but greater than zero. That is, the sliding distance M is defined by the relationship L&gt;M≧0. Additionally, the partial blockage of the exit and blister pocket receiving apertures by the aligning apertures  122  and  132  is more clearly illustrated. 
   As shown in  FIG. 10 , the operational state of the package  1  illustrated is the slide card  100  being slid through the channel C defined within the outer sleeve  10  by a user grabbing the first flap  150  of the slide card  100  and sliding the slide card  100  upwards as viewed in the drawing such that the gripping aperture  21 ,  31 ,  51 , and  71  is substantially blocked by the first flap  150 . Furthermore, the aligning apertures  122  and  132  are not visible as they are substantially aligned with the exit and blister pocket receiving apertures  22  and  32  such that an article (not shown) contained in a blister pocket (not shown) may pass therethrough. 
     FIG. 11  shows a schematic diagram of the arrangement shown in FIG.  9 . Specifically, as the slide card  100  is held by a user via the gripping aperture  21 ,  31 ,  51 , and  71  and slid upward through the channel C as viewed in the drawing, the sliding distance M approaches zero. That is, the sliding distance M is defined as M→0. When M=0, the second edge  70   b  of the stop panel  70  abuts the raised second edge  160   b  of the second flap  160  of the slide card  100 . The second edge  70   b  of the stop panel  70  prevents the slide card  100  from any further sliding movement. In other words, the second edge  70   b  of the stop panel  70  prevents the slide card  100  from moving any further in an upwards direction when viewing the drawing. Simultaneously with the stoppage of the slide card  100  from moving any further, the exit and blister pocket receiving apertures  22  and  32 , respectively, are aligned with the aligning apertures  122  and  132  of the slide card  100 . 
   The above described structural configuration of the package  1  provides a package that is easy to use by adults yet prevents unwanted access to the articles therein by children. In particular, the simultaneous stop and alignment feature of the package  1  requires an individual to recognize that the only way to have access to the articles contained therein is to slide the slide card  100  until a raised stop feature  160   b  thereon engages a stop feature  70   b  in the outer sleeve  10 , which simultaneously prevents further sliding motion of the slide card  100  therein but also aligns the relevant apertures  22 ,  32 ,  122 , and  132  so that the desired articles may pass therethrough. 
   A second embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to drawing  FIGS. 12-17 , wherein common reference characters are used to identify common features. 
   The primary difference between the second embodiment and the above described preferred embodiment is the provision of a lock aperture  200  in the second panel  30 A. The lock aperture  200  provides a user access to a lock  250  provided on the first flap  150  of the slide card  100 A, which is described in further detail below. The lock aperture  200  is illustrated as being hemispherical in  FIG. 12 , but it should be understood that it is within the scope of this invention to have the lock aperture  200  be any suitable geometric configuration that will permit a user access to the lock  250  therein. For example only, although not shown but well understood in the art, the lock aperture  200  can be circular, oval, oblong, square, rectangular, trapezoidal, triangular, and the like. 
     FIG. 13  illustrates a second embodiment of the stop panel  70 A having a lock stop  700  that is configured to encompass the lock aperture  200  on the second panel  30 A of the outer sleeve  10 A. The geometric configuration of the lock stop  700  should be chosen so that the lock stop  700  encompasses the lock aperture  200  and is able to engage the lock  250  on the first flap  150  of the slide card  100 A so that the slide card cannot be slid within the outer sleeve  100 A until the lock  250  is depressed, as will be explained in further detail below. The lock stop  700  includes a stop edge  700   b  that engages a second lock edge  250   b  on the lock  250  that prevents the slide card  100 A from sliding until the lock  250  is depressed by a user through the lock aperture  200 . 
   In particular, as shown in  FIG. 14 , the slide card  100 A of the second embodiment has the lock  250  attached to an edge  150   a  of the first flap  150  at a first lock edge  250   a . The geometric configuration of the lock  250  corresponds to the geometric configuration of the lock stop  700 . It should be noted that the geometric configurations of the lock stop  700  and lock  250  shown in  FIGS. 13-17  are merely illustrative and in no way intended to limit the scope of this invention. The geometric shape of the lock stop  700  and lock  250 , although not shown but easily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, can be circular, arc shaped, hemispherical, square, rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal, and the like. 
   As shown in  FIG. 15 , a second lock edge  250   b  of the lock  250  is relatively parallel to and remote from the first lock edge  250   a . The lock  250  is folded over a score line  240  that delimits the lock  250  from the first flap  150  of the slide card  100 A. Therefore, after the first flap  150  has been adhered to the second slide panel  130 , as shown in  FIG. 16 , the lock  250  is folded over the score line  240  as shown in FIG.  17  and can be biased to and from the first flap  150  when depressed and released by a user. 
   Accordingly, when the slide card  100 A of the second embodiment is inserted into the outer sleeve  100 A of the second embodiment, the lock  250  biases upward so that the second lock edge  250   b  engages the stop edge  700   b  of the lock stop  700 . To unlock the lock  250 , a user simply reaches through the lock aperture  200  in the second panel  30 A of the outer sleeve  100 A and depresses the lock  250 , whereupon the second lock edge  250   b  is disengaged from the stop edge  700   b.    
   A user then accesses the articles contained in the blister pockets by sliding the slide card  100 A until the raised second edge  160   b  of the second flap  160  of the slide card engages the stop feature  70   b  of the stop panel  70 A as described above for the preferred embodiment. 
   As such, the above described embodiment of the invention provides a child resistant package that has an additional feature to restrict child access to the articles contained therein. In particular, the embodiment provides a two step process for accessing the articles, which includes unlocking the slide card  100 A contained in the package  1 A before sliding the slide card  100 A until the apertures  22 ,  32 ,  122 , and  132  are aligned when the sliding movement is stopped by the engagement of the edges  160   b  and  70   b  of the second flap panel  160  and stop panel  70 A, respectively. 
   A third embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to drawing  FIG. 18 , wherein common reference characters are used to identify common features. 
   The package  1 B is substantially similar to both the package  1  of the preferred embodiment as well as the package  12  of the second embodiment described above with regards top  FIGS. 1-17 . As such a detailed discussion of the panels  20 ,  30 ,  120 , and  130  is omitted. However, it should be noted that a hinge panel  800  is adjoined to the first panel  20  of the package  1 B at a score line  801  that delimits the hinge panel  800  with another score line  802 . As shown in  FIG. 18 , the hinge panel  800  is between the first panel  20  and a cover panel  900 . The cover panel  900  is foldable over the score lines  801  and  802  that form the hinge panel  800 . 
   As such, the package  1 B can take the form of a book when the cover panel  900  is folded over the score lines  801  and  802  that delimit the hinge panel  800 . It should be noted that the cover may include indicia, such as, for example only, the name of the article manufacturer, the dosage of the article, when the article should be taken, how the article should be taken, and other such information that would be considered useful to the user. 
   Many modifications may be made to adapt the teachings of the package of this invention to particular situations or materials without departing form the scope thereof. For example, as shown in  FIG. 19 , the first and second flaps  50  and  60 , respectively, of the first panel  20  for the outer sleeve  10 B of any of the above-described three exemplary embodiments may be omitted and the peripheral portions of the first and second ends  30   b  and  30   a  of the second panel  30  be provided with adhesive  300 A to seal the first and second panels  20  and  30  together, along with the adhesive  300 A on the second side  38 B of the guide panel  38 . Therefore, this invention should not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all embodiments within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.