Injection blow molding process for forming a package exhibiting improved child resistance

A method for producing an integral bottle/collar combination for use in a package for storing and dispensing potentially dangerous material, said package being resistant to opening by children yet readily openable by adults, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) injection molding a polymeric part comprising a finish portion, a perform portion comprising a tube having a closed rounded end continuously joined to the lowermost surface of said finish portion, a flange portion oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis of said finish portion and said preform portion and located at the area of joinder between said finish portion and said preform portion, said flange portion including at least one integrally formed socket having a resiliently deformable pushtab hingedly connected thereto at its lowermost end, said socket further including a cantilevered beam spring to impart depression resistance to said pushtab;
• (b) blow molding said preform portion of said injection molded part into contact with said socket and into the shape of said bottle by injecting pressurized gas into said preform portion of said part while said preform is surrounded by a blow molding cavity having an internal configuration identical to that desired in said bottle, thereby forming said bottle/collar combination;
• and
• (c) folding said hingedly connected pushtab into its in-use position about said hinge after removal from said blow molding cavity, whereby said cantilevered beam spring in said socket imparts depression resistance to said folded, hingedly connected pushtab whenever an external force is applied thereto.