Child-resistant container and container cap

A container assembly comprising a container and a container closure comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein:

• said lower portion is configured to be attached to said container;
• said upper portion is moveable between a closed condition engaging said lower portion and an open condition disengaged from said lower portion;
• said upper portion has two opposing side wall regions;
• at least one of said upper portion side wall regions has an inwardly directed lower-portion-engaging portion moveable between a first position where said inwardly directed lower-portion-engaging portion engages said lower portion to resist opening of said upper portion, and a second position where said inwardly directed lower-portion-engaging portion moves outwardly from said lower portion to be disengaged from said lower portion to allow opening of said upper portion;
• said upper portion and said lower portion have approximately the same perimeter dimensions so that when said upper portion is in said closed condition the perimeter of said lower portion, including side wall regions of said lower portion, generally aligns with the perimeter of said upper portion including said side wall regions and inwardly directed lower-portion-engaging portion of said upper portion;
• and
• said lower portion is attached to said container and said container has the same perimeter dimensions as said lower portion of said container closure.

A cap for a container, said cap comprising an upper portion and a lower portion;

• wherein:
• said upper portion is coupled to said lower portion and pivotable with respect to said lower portion between a closed condition engaged with said lower portion and an open condition disengaged from said lower portion;
• said upper portion is generally oblong in plan view, with two major, opposing side wall regions connected by a front region and a rear region opposite said front region, and a top connecting said side wall regions, said front region, and said rear region;
• at least one of said side wall regions has a lower-portion-engaging portion moveable between (a) a first position engaging said lower portion to resist movement of said upper portion into said open condition, and (b) a second position disengaged from said lower portion to allow movement of said upper portion into said open condition;
• said upper portion is moveable from said closed condition to said open condition by a user (a) pressing an upper region of said at least one side wall region toward the other of said opposing side wall regions with at least two fingers of one of the user's hands to move said lower-portion-engaging portion of said at least one side wall region into said first position, and (b) applying a force to said upper portion of said cap with at least one finger of the other of the user's hands to move said upper portion of said cap into said open condition;
• and
• said upper region of said at least one side wall region does not extend above said top of said upper portion such that said at least one side wall region blends smoothly with the outer perimeter of said upper portion without protruding from or being indented within said upper portion.

A method of opening a cap comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, said method comprising:

• grasping said upper portion of said cap with one of a user's hands;
• grasping said lower portion of said cap with the other of the user's hands;
• urging upper regions of said upper portion of said cap towards each other with the thumb and a finger of said one of the user's hands;
• and
• using at least one finger of said other of the user's hands to contact said cap and to urge said cap to its open condition;
• wherein:
• said upper portion of said cap is generally oblong in plan view, with two major, opposing side wall regions connected by a front region and a rear region opposite said front region, and a top connecting said side wall regions, said front region, and said rear region;
• said upper portion is coupled to said lower portion along said rear region of said upper portion and is pivotable with respect to said lower portion between a closed condition engaged with said lower portion and an open condition disengaged from said lower portion;
• at least one of said side wall regions has a lower-portion-engaging portion moveable between (a) a first position engaging said lower portion to resist movement of said upper portion into said open condition, and (b) a second position disengaged from said lower portion to allow movement of said upper portion into said open condition;
• said upper region of said at least one side wall region does not extend above said top of said upper portion such that said at least one side wall region blends smoothly with the outer perimeter of said upper portion without protruding from or being indented within said upper portion;
• said upper portion is moveable from said closed condition to said open condition by a user (a) pressing an upper region of said at least one side wall region toward the other of said opposing side wall regions with at least two fingers of one of the user's hands to move said lower-portion-engaging portion of said at least one side wall region into said first position, and (b) applying a force to said upper portion of said cap with at least one finger of the other of the user's hands to move said upper portion of said cap into said open condition;
• and
• using at least one finger of said other of the user's hands to contact said cap includes contacting said front region of said upper portion of said cap to pivot said upper portion with respect to said lower portion to urge said cap to its open condition.