Hinged key retention system for product packaging

A package for a product, comprising:

• a container body configured to support the product and including a key support, the key support including a channel having first and second ends;
• a retaining key having opposing first and second ends and supported by the key support, the retaining key extending through the channel with the first and second ends thereof respectively projecting from the first and second ends of the channel, wherein the retaining key is configured for movement along a longitudinal axis between locked and released configurations, wherein in the locked configuration the retaining key retains a portion of the product when the product is supported by the container body and in the released configuration the retaining key is retracted to facilitate removal of the product from the container body when the product is supported thereby;
• and
• a key latch disposed proximate the second end of the retaining key and movable between installation and operational configurations, the key latch including a retaining ear configured to extend generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the retaining key and beyond a width of the channel when the key latch is in the operational configuration such that the retaining ear restricts movement of the retaining key through the channel beyond the locked configuration, and wherein when the key latch is in the installation configuration, the retaining ear allows insertion of the second end of the retaining key into the first end of the channel and out of the second end of the channel.