Child-resistant compact for blister card products

Abstract

A child-resistant compact for dispensing product on blister cards including a first portion having a first cover hinged to a first clamp, a second portion having a second cover hinged to a second clamp, and means connecting the first and second clamp to each other, both to clamp at least one blister card between the clamps and to position the first and second covers to form a closable cavity for enclosing the at least one blister card. Also, a first child-resistant latch includes a first latch arm extending from one of the first and second covers remote from the clamps and a corresponding first latch engagement feature on the other of the first and second covers for engagement with the first latch arm. Further, second and third child-resistant latches include second and third latch arms extending from opposite sides of the other of the first and second covers, and corresponding second and third latch engagement features on sides of the one of the first and second covers for engagement with the second and third latch arms.

Description

The present disclosure relates to a child-resistant compact-style container for dispensing product, such as medications or the like, from blister cards.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

It has heretofore been proposed to provide compact-style child-resistant packages for holding blister cards. One such package includes opposed panels hinged to opposed clamps, which capture edges of blister cards. The opposed clamps include first clamp members integrally joined to their respective panels by first linear hinges and second clamp members integrally joined to first clamp members by second linear hinges. The second clamp members are folded along the second linear hinges over the first clamp members and pegs of the first clamp members cooperate with sockets of the second clamp members to capture the edges of the blister cards therebetween. The opposed clamps are connected to one another when pegs of one folded-over second clamp member are connected to corresponding sockets of the other folded-over second clamp member. Child-resistant latches are provided on the front and sides of just one of the opposed panels for opening the panels with respect to the clamps for access to the blister cards. A package of this type is illustrated in US 2007/0023317A1.

A general object of the present disclosure is to provide a child-resistant compact for dispensing product on blister cards having improved stackability for manufacturing operations, improved ease of assembly and use, increased strength and rigidity in opposed portions that form a case of the compact, and/or improved alignment between the portions of the compact as the portions are closed.

The present disclosure embodies a number of aspects that can be implemented separately from or in combination with each other.

A child-resistant compact for dispensing product on blister cards, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, includes a first portion having a first cover hinged to a first clamp, a second portion having a second cover hinged to a second clamp, and means connecting the first and second clamp to each other, both to clamp at least one blister card between the clamps and to position the first and second covers to form a closable cavity for enclosing the at least one blister card. Also, a first child-resistant latch includes a first latch arm extending from one of the first and second covers remote from the clamps and a corresponding first latch engagement feature on the other of the first and second covers for engagement with the first latch arm. Further, second and third child-resistant latches include second and third latch arms extending from opposite sides of the other of the first and second covers, and corresponding second and third latch engagement features on sides of the one of the first and second covers for engagement with the second and third latch arms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure, together with additional objects, features, advantages and aspects thereof, will best be understood from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a closed child-resistant compact in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the compact in FIG. 1 in an opened condition;

FIG. 3 is an exploded front perspective view of the compact in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a left side view of the compact in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of the compact in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the compact in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 7-7 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-8 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 9-9 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 10-10 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 11-11 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 12-12 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 13-13 in FIG. 4, illustrating an exemplary retainer post and retainer socket arrangement;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 14-14 in FIG. 6, and also illustrating the exemplary retainer post and retainer socket arrangement;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a first portion of the compact in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 16 and 17 are fragmentary sectional and elevational views taken substantially along the respective lines 16-16 and 17-17 in FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary sectional and elevational view taken substantially along line 18-18 of the first portion of the compact in FIG. 15;

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 19-19 in FIG. 15;

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 20-20 in FIG. 15;

FIG. 21 is a plan view of a second portion of the compact in FIG. 1;

FIG. 22 is a rear fragmentary sectional and elevational view taken substantially along line 22-22 of the second portion in FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a side fragmentary sectional and elevational view taken substantially along line 23-23 of the second portion in FIG. 21;

FIG. 24 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 24-24 in FIG. 21;

FIG. 25 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken from oval 25 in FIG. 24;

FIG. 26A is a perspective view of stacked first portions of the compact in FIG. 1;

FIG. 26B is a perspective view of stacked second portions of the compact in FIG. 1;

FIG. 27 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of a child-resistant compact in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure and illustrating a retainer post and retainer socket arrangement alternative to that shown in FIGS. 13 and 14;

FIG. 28 is a front perspective view of a blister pack alternative to that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3; and

FIG. 29 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of a child-resistant compact in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure and illustrating the blister pack of FIG. 28 being retained by a retainer post and retainer socket arrangement alternative to that shown in FIGS. 13, 14, and 27.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-26B illustrate at least portions of a child-resistant compact 30 in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the compact 30 includes a container or case 32 in which there may be disposed one or more blister packs 34 that include blister cards 36 and blisters 38 (FIGS. 2-3), which may contain dispensable product, such as medication or the like in tablet form. The case 32 includes a top, lid, or first portion 40 and a bottom, base, or second portion 42 that are secured to each other at a rear end of the case 32. (The terms “top” and “bottom” are employed by way of description and not limitation with respect to the overturned orientation of the compact as illustrated in FIG. 3. The term “compact” is employed by way of description to refer to a package of a size similar to a cosmetic compact or the like.)

The first portion 40 includes a first clamp 44 that may be connected by a living hinge 52 to a first cover 48 of the first portion 40 and, likewise, the second portion 42 may include a second clamp 46 that may be connected by another living hinge 52 to a second cover 50 of the second portion 42. The clamps 44, 46 are coupled together so that the covers 48, 50 can be opened along the hinges 52, as shown in FIG. 3, to provide access to the blister packs 34. The clamps 44, 46 may be generally rectangular and parallel to each other, as best seen in FIG. 1, along axes lateral to a generally front-to-back axis of the compact 30.

Referring to FIG. 3, the first clamp 44 includes one or more engagement features such as laterally spaced split pegs, barbed retainer posts 54 as shown, or any other engagement features. (Directional words such as “laterally” are employed by way of description and not limitation with respect to the back-to-front dimension of the compact, with the “back” being at the clamps 44, 46 and the “front” being at the end opposite to the clamps 44, 46.) Likewise, the second clamp 46 correspondingly includes one or more engagement features such as laterally spaced retainer sockets 56, which are longitudinally aligned and correspond with the retainer posts 54. When the clamps 44, 46 are assembled together, the posts 54 and the sockets 56 engage one another and capture the blister packs 34. For example, the posts 54 and sockets 56 may retain the blister cards 36 through retainer holes 37 of the blister cards 36. The engagement features provide one means for interengaging the clamps 44, 46 to clamp blister cards 36 between the clamps 44,46 and to position the first and second covers 48, 50 to form a closable cavity for enclosing the blister cards 36.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the retainer posts 54 may include barbs 58 and the retainer sockets 56 may include shoulders 60 that cooperate with the barbs 58 to couple the posts 54 and the sockets 56. The retainer posts 54 may also include ribs 62 to provide some rigidity to the posts 54. The retainer sockets 56 may be of such length so as to extend through both blister cards 36.

As shown in FIG. 14, the retainer posts 54 may further include tapered shoulders 64 that serve to center or pilot the retainer holes 37 of the blister cards 36 for ease in aligning the blister cards 36 to the portion 40. Also, basal ends 53 of the posts 54 may be wider than free ends 57 of the sockets 56 so that the compact 30 assembles easily, wherein the blister cards 36 do not get caught between the free ends 57 of the sockets 56 and the first portion 40 during assembly. To accommodate the wider basal ends 53 of the posts 54, the retainer sockets 56 may also include slots 66 to receive the tapered shoulders 64 of the posts 54. Also, the retainer sockets 56 may be tapered from a relatively wider basal ends 55 to relatively free ends 57 for ease in aligning the retainer holes 37 of the blister cards 36 to the sockets 56.

Referring now to FIG. 27, a child-resistant compact 130 in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes an alternative retaining arrangement for corresponding portions 140, 142 of the compact 130. One portion may include one or more retainer posts 154 and the other portion 142 may include one or more corresponding retainer sockets 156. The retainer posts 154 fit into the sockets 156 and may include split barbs 158 that cooperate with corresponding socket shoulders 160. The retainer posts 154 include tapered shoulders 164 that are integral with basal ends 153 of the posts 154 and serve to center or pilot the retainer holes 37 of the blister cards 36. Also, the basal ends 153 are wider than free ends 157 of the sockets 156 so that the compact 130 assembles easily, wherein the blister cards 36 do not get caught between the free ends 157 of the sockets 156 and the first portion 140 during assembly. Accordingly, the retainer sockets 156 may also include slots 166 to receive the tapered shoulders 164 of the posts 154. Also, the retainer sockets 156 may be tapered from a relatively wider basal ends 155 to the free ends 157 for ease in aligning the retainer holes 37 of the blister cards 36 to the sockets 156.

Referring now to FIGS. 28 and 29 another child-resistant compact 230 in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a blister pack 234 having blister cards 236 coupled by a connecting portion 235 and having retainer holes 237. As shown in FIG. 29, the compact 230 includes a first portion 240 coupled to a second portion 242 with the blister pack 234 coupled therebetween to the compact 230. The first and second portions 240, 242 include clamps 244, 246 coupled to covers 248, 250 by living hinges 252. The blister pack 234 is retained and the portions 240, 242 are coupled by a retainer post 254 that may snap fit into a retainer socket 256. The retainer socket 256 is relatively long compared to the retainer post 254 and may be of such length so as to extend through both blister cards 236 of the blister pack 234. The retainer post 254 may be a split peg as shown or any other suitable retention feature, and the retainer socket 256 may be a tapered open cylinder as shown or any other suitable retention feature for cooperating with the retainer post 254.

Referring again to FIGS. 2-3, the first and second covers 48, 50 may include base panels 68, exterior walls 70 extending integrally substantially from the peripheries of the base panels 68, and interior walls 72 extending from the base panels 68 inboard of the exterior walls 70. The first and second covers 48, 50 may also include gussets 74 extending from the base panels 68 and substantially transversely with respect to the exterior and interior walls 70, 72. The interior walls 72 and/or the gussets 74 may provide increased rigidity to the compact 30 compared to prior art compacts.

Referring also to FIGS. 8-10, the first and second covers 48, 50 may also include corresponding guide features to align and rigidify the compact 30 in a closed condition. For example, the second cover 50 may include guide posts 76 that may be extensions of the gussets 74 and that may fit between the exterior and interior walls 70, 72. Referring now to FIGS. 8-10, the guide posts 76 fit into corresponding guide sockets 78 that may be defined between the walls 70, 72 and may be additionally defined by adjacent gussets 74. The guide posts 76 may be sized to be just smaller than the guide sockets 78 to allow ease of closing the compact 30, yet still provide rigidity. The guide features may be provided in any desired quantity, and in any desired arrangement, for example, wherein the first cover 48 may instead carry the guide posts 76 and the second cover 50 may carry the guide sockets 78, or any combination thereof.

As also shown in FIGS. 8-10, the covers 48, 50 may also carry blister card retaining features for frictional engagement with edges of the blister card 36. For example, retainers 80 may be integrally molded with the interior walls 72 near free ends thereof and spaced away from the panels 68. The retainers 80 may include declined or tapered surfaces 81 to allow for easy insertion of the blister cards 36. The retainers 80 may also include generally straight surfaces 79 to prevent easy displacement of the cards 36 from the covers 48, 50 for good card retention.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-3, the compact 30 may include one or more child-resistant flexible and resilient latches to hold the covers 48, 50 together. For example, a pair of opposed side latches 82 and/or a front latch 84 may releasably hold the first and second covers 48, 50 in the closed position illustrated in FIG. 1. The overall size of the compact 30 may be such that the latches 82, 84 can be actuated simultaneously by two hands of an adult user. Because at least one latch is carried on one of the covers 48, 50, and at least one other latch is carried on the other of the covers 48, 50, the latches can be continuously engaged by a user as the covers 48, 50 are separated to open the compact 30.

Referring to FIG. 7, an exemplary one of the side latches 82 is illustrated. The exemplary side latch 82 includes a latch arm 86, which may be integrally formed with the panel 68 of the second cover 50 so as to be flexible with respect thereto. The latch arm 86 may include a latch barb 88 at a free end thereof and may have a tapered rib 90 to provide some rigidity to the flexible and resilient arm 86. The first cover 48 includes a corresponding latch engagement feature such as a latch shoulder 92, which cooperates with the latch barb 88 to inhibit the compact 30 from opening. However, when a user presses a latch pad 87 of the latch arm 86, the side latch 82 flexes inwardly to a position indicated in phantom by reference numeral 82′ such that the barb 88 clears the shoulder 92 to at least partially permit the first cover 48 to be raised with respect to the second cover 50.

Referring to FIG. 11, the front latch 84 may be similar to the side latches 82 at least in some respects. The front latch 84 includes a latch arm 94, which may be integrally formed with the panel 68 of the first cover 48 so as to be flexible with respect thereto. The latch arm 94 may include latch barbs 96 (both shown in FIG. 3) at opposed sides of a free end thereof and may have a tapered rib 98 to provide some rigidity to the flexible and resilient arm 94. The second cover 50 includes corresponding latch engagement features such as latch shoulders 100 (both shown in FIG. 3), which cooperate with the latch barbs 96 to inhibit the compact 30 from opening. However, when a user presses a latch pad 95 of the latch arm 94, the front latch 84 flexes inwardly to a position indicated in phantom by reference numeral 84′ such that the barbs 96 clear the shoulders 100 to at least partially permit the first cover 48 to be raised with respect to the second cover 50. When the covers 48, 50 are closed together, ramps 102 of the barbs 96 engage corresponding ramps 104 of the shoulders 100 to enable the barbs 96 to ride along the shoulders 100 as the latch 84 flexes outwardly. When the covers 48, 50 are closed together, the latch 84 flexes back to a position where the barbs 96 snap behind the shoulders 100 to help retain the covers 48, 50 together.

Referring to FIG. 3, the cover 50 opposing the front latch 84 may include a fingernail recess 69 to permit clearance for a user's fingernail when depressing the latch 84. The guide posts 76 and guide sockets 78 are constructed such that the guide posts 76 engage the guide sockets 78 to align the covers 48, 50 before the latches 82, 84 engage their corresponding latch engagement features.

Referring now to FIGS. 26A and 26B, the retainer posts 54, retainer sockets 56, and the latches 82, 84 on the respective portions 40, 42 are sized and located such that the portions 40, 42 can be stacked level one upon another. More specifically, and referring to FIG. 26A, the posts 54 and the latches 84 are located inboard of the lateral outer periphery of the exterior walls 70 of the covers 40. Also, the length of the retainer posts 54 and the latches 84 are such that the distance between a first surface 39 of the first cover 40 and free ends 59, 85 of the posts 54 and latches 84 is substantially equal. Accordingly, a distance between the first surface 39 of one cover 40 and the second surface 41 of another, adjacent, stacked cover 40 is substantially the same from front to rear and side to side of the stacked covers 40. Similarly, and referring to FIG. 26B, the posts 56 and the latches 82 are located inboard of the lateral outer periphery of the exterior walls 70 of the covers 42. Also, the length of the retainer sockets 56 and the latches 82 are such that the distance between a first surface 43 of the second cover 42 and free ends 57, 83 of the posts 56 and latches 82 is substantially equal. Accordingly, a distance between the first surface 43 of one cover 40 and a second surface 45 of another, adjacent, stacked cover 42 is substantially the same from front to rear and side to side of the stacked covers 42. Therefore, the covers 40, 42 can be stacked in a relatively level fashion.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-26B, the portions 40, 42 of the case 32 may be manufactured in any suitable manner, such as injection molded from plastic. In particular, the portions may be of separate, one-piece, integrally molded plastic construction. Also, the compact 30 may be assembled in any suitable manner, such as sequentially or from sub-assemblies.

In a first example, and referring to FIG. 3, a first one of the blister packs 34 may be assembled to a first one of the portions 42 such that the blister card 36 is snapped past the retainers 80 and the sockets 56 are inserted through the card holes 37. Then, a second one of the blister packs 34 may be inverted and placed atop the first blister pack 34 such that the blisters 38 from the packs 34 are generally aligned and wherein the sockets 56 are also inserted through the card holes 37 of the second blister pack 34. Thereafter, a second one of the portions 40 may be assembled to the first of the portions 42 wherein the retainer posts 54 are snapped into engagement with the retainer sockets 56 to clamp the blister cards 36 between the clamps 44, 46 of the portions 40, 42. Finally, the cover 48 of the second of the portions 40 may be snapped into engagement with the cover 50 of the first of the portions 42 such that the guide posts 76 align with the respective guide sockets 78 (FIGS. 8-10), the latches 82, 84 engage their corresponding latch shoulders, and the blister card 36 of the second one of the blister packs 34 snaps past retainers 80 (FIG. 2) of the portion 40.

In a second assembly example, a first sub-assembly may be created wherein a first one of the blister packs 34 may be assembled to a first one of the portions 42 such that the blister card 36 is snapped past the retainers 80 and the sockets 56 are inserted through the card holes 37. Then, a second sub-assembly may be created wherein a second one of the blister packs 34 may be assembled to a second one of the portions 40 such that the blister card 36 is snapped past the retainers 80 and the posts 54 are also inserted through the card holes 37 of the second blister pack 34. Thereafter, the sub-assemblies are assembled to one another wherein the retainer posts 54 are snapped into engagement with the retainer sockets 56 to clamp the blister cards 36 between the clamps 44, 46 of the portions 40, 42, and the cover 48 of the second of the portions 40 may be snapped into engagement with the cover 50 of the first of the portions 42 such that the guide posts 76 align with the respective guide sockets 78 (FIGS. 8-10) and the latches 82, 84 engage their corresponding latch shoulders.

To open the compact 30, the front latch 84 and the side latches 82 are depressed simultaneously and the covers 48, 50 pulled apart. The front latch 84 is released by pressing the latch arm 94 inwardly, from the position shown in solid in FIG. 11 to the position shown in phantom wherein the barbs 96 on the latch arm 94 clear the shoulders 100 on the cover 50. Similarly, the side latches 82 are released when the latch arms 86 are pushed inwardly from the position shown in solid lines to the position shown in phantom in FIG. 7 wherein the barbs 88 on the latch arms 86 clear the shoulders 92 on the other cover 48. Consumer instructions to open the package can be molded, printed or applied as a label to one or all of the latches 82, 84.

There thus has been disclosed a child-resistant compact for dispensing product on blister cards, such as medication or the like, that fully satisfies all of the objects and aims previously set forth. The disclosure has been presented in conjunction with several exemplary embodiments, and additional modifications and variations have been discussed. Other modifications and variations readily will suggest themselves to persons of ordinary skill in the art in view of the foregoing discussion. The disclosure is intended to embrace all such modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A child-resistant compact for dispensing product on blister cards, which includes:

a first portion having a first cover hinged to a first clamp,

a second portion having a second cover hinged to a second clamp,

means connecting said first and second clamps to each other, both to clamp at least one blister card between said clamps and to position said first and second covers to form a closable cavity for enclosing said at least one blister card,

a first child-resistant latch including a first latch arm extending from one of said first and second covers remote from said clamps and a corresponding first latch engagement feature on the other of said first and second covers for engagement with said first latch arm, and

second and third child-resistant latches including second and third latch arms extending from opposite sides of said other of said first and second covers, and corresponding second and third latch engagement features on sides of said one of said first and second covers for engagement with said second and third latch arms.

2. The compact set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second covers include panel walls, exterior walls extending peripherally around said panel walls, and interior walls disposed inboard of and generally parallel with respect to said exterior walls to strengthen said covers against bending.

3. The compact set forth in claim 2 including a plurality of gussets extending between said exterior and interior walls to further strengthen said covers against bending.

4. The compact set forth in claim 3 including a plurality of guide posts between said exterior and interior walls of at least one of said covers and a plurality of corresponding guide sockets between said exterior and interior walls of at least the other of said covers, wherein said guide posts and guide sockets are constructed such that said guide posts engage said guide sockets to align said covers before said latches engage.

5. The compact set forth in claim 3 including card retainer features extending from said interior walls in an inboard direction for retaining said at least one blister card.

6. The compact set forth in claim 1 wherein said means and said latch arms are sized such that both said first portion and said second portion are level when stacked one upon another.

7. The compact set forth in clam 1 wherein said means includes a plurality of retainer posts carried by said first clamp and a corresponding plurality of retainer sockets carried by said second clamp, wherein said retainer sockets include free ends and said retainer posts include tapered shoulders to pilot retainer holes of said at least one blister card, and basal ends wider than said free ends of said retainer sockets.

8. The compact set forth in claim 7 wherein said retainer sockets include slots in said free ends to accommodate said tapered shoulders of said retainer posts.

9. The compact set forth in claim 8 wherein said at least one blister card is piloted on said basal ends of said retainer posts.

10. The compact set forth in claim 7 wherein said retainer posts, retainer sockets, and latches are located inboard of said lateral outer periphery of said portions, and wherein a distance between first surfaces of said portions and free ends of said posts, sockets, and latches is substantially equal for level stacking of said portions.

11. The compact set forth in claim 1 wherein said blister pack includes two opposing blister cards connected by a connection portion, and wherein said means includes a plurality of retainer sockets extending through corresponding holes in both opposing blister cards and a corresponding plurality of retainer posts engaging said plurality of retainer sockets to retain said portions together.

12. The compact set forth in claim 1 wherein said first portion and said second portion are of separate molded plastic constructions.

13. The compact set forth in claim 1 wherein said first portion and said second portion together are of one-piece integrally molded plastic construction, wherein said covers are integrally connected to said clamps by living hinges.

14. The compact set forth in claim 1 wherein said latches bend as said covers are closed such that said latches snap into engagement behind said latch engagement features by resiliency of said latch arms when said covers are fully closed.

15. A child-resistant compact for dispensing product on blister cards, which includes:

a first portion of integrally molded plastic construction including a first cover connected to a first clamp by a first living hinge,

a second portion of integrally molded plastic construction including a second cover connected to a second clamp by a second living hinge,

at least one blister pack carried between said first and second portions,

a plurality of retainer posts carried by said first clamp and a plurality of retainer sockets carried by said second clamp to clamp said at least one blister pack between said first and second clamps and to position said first and second covers to form a closable cavity for enclosing said at least one blister pack, wherein said retainer sockets include free ends and said retainer posts include tapered shoulders and basal ends, which are wider than said free ends of said retainer sockets,

a first latch including a first latch arm extending from an end of one of said first and second covers remote from said clamps and a corresponding first latch engagement feature on the other of said first and second covers for engagement with said first latch arm, and

second and third latches including second and third latch arms extending from opposite sides of said other of said first and second covers, and corresponding second and third latch engagement features on sides of said one of said first and second covers for engagement with said second and third latch arms, wherein opening of said compact requires simultaneous activation of said latches by two hands of a user.

16. The compact set forth in claim 15 wherein said first and second covers include:

base panels,

exterior walls extending peripherally around said base panels,

interior walls disposed inboard of and generally parallel with respect to said exterior walls to strengthen said covers against bending, and

a plurality of gussets extending between said exterior and interior walls to further strengthen said covers against bending.

17. The compact set forth in claim 16 wherein said first and second covers further include a plurality of guide posts between said exterior and interior walls of at least one of said covers and a plurality of corresponding guide sockets between said exterior and interior walls of at least the other of said covers, wherein said guide posts and guide sockets are constructed such that said guide posts engage said guide sockets to align said covers before said latches engage.

18. The compact set forth in claim 16 including card retainer features extending from said interior walls in an inboard direction for retaining said at least one blister card.

19. The compact set forth in claim 15 wherein said means and said latch arms are sized such that both said first portion and said second portion are level when stacked one upon another.

20. The compact set forth in clam 15 wherein said retainer sockets include free ends and said retainer posts include tapered shoulders to pilot retainer holes of said at least one blister card, and basal ends wider than said free ends of said retainer sockets, and wherein said retainer sockets include slots in said free ends to accommodate said tapered shoulders of said retainer posts.

21. The compact set forth in claim 20 wherein said at least one blister card is piloted on said basal ends of said retainer posts.

22. The compact set forth in claim 15 wherein said retainer posts, retainer sockets, and latches are located inboard of said lateral outer periphery of said portions, and wherein a distance between first surfaces of said portions and free ends of said posts, sockets, and latches is substantially equal for level stacking of said portions.