US2054031A - Container closure - Google Patents

Description

p 1936- B. F. CONNER ET AL 7 2,054,031

CONTAINER CLQSURE Original Filed March 24, 1934 [HI/En i 02"5 Benjamin F Caz 7n 51 M X jam F Sahma/z Patented Sept. 8, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFHE CONTAINER CLOSURE Application March 24, 1934, Serial No. 717,192 Renewed January 27, 1936 41 Claims.

This invention relates particularly to container closures having readily breakable portions which are necessarily broken before the container can be unsealed to permit access to or discharge of the contents thereof. A device of this character when properly put in place on a container serves, so long as it remains unbroken, as a definite indication to the ultimate consumer and to each intermediate distributor or dealer who handles the package that the original contents are intact and that there has been no substitution or adulteration. Closure devices embodying the invention are applicable to containers of various types, and they may be used to protect various commodities, whether liquid or otherwise, such as beverages, medicines, cosmetics, food products, lubricating oils, etc.

In accordance with the present invention there is a readily breakable indicator member which may be formed to also constitute a closure for the container. Preferably there is an inner or primary closure which serves to close the mouth of the container and to prevent the escape of the contents, and a separate outer sealing or indicator member which encloses or partly encloses the primary closure. The readily breakable indicator member, whether separate from the the primary closure or otherwise, is preformed and is adapted to be put in place on the container without substantial change in size or shape, and it is to be distinguished from various devices of the prior artconsisting of sheet metal or paper or fabric or other material adapted to be crimped or folded or shrunk or otherwise put into place by a change in size or shape. Associated with the readily breakable indicator member is a rigid relatively movable device which, upon movement of the indicator member in the opening or unsealing direction, is relatively moved in such a way as to cause the breaking of a portion of the indicator member. A broken indicator member serves as a definite warning to anyone handling the package that the container may have been opened and the contents tampered with. The ultimate consumer or any distributor or'dealer, by refusing to accept a package having the indicator thereof br :cn, can thereby be certain that he is obtaining the original contents of the package as shown by the trade mark or label or other marking thereon.

The structures herein disclosed and embodying the present invention are to be regarded as alternative embodiments of the broader invention disclosed and claimed in our copending applica-v tion for Container closure means, Serial No. 723,865 filed May 4, 1934. In the accompanying drawing there are shown three somewhat different embodiments of the T a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a container closure embodying the invention, the closure being in place on a bottle which is shown in elevation.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the sealing closure with the movable rollers in place thereon.

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the indicating member or outer closure.

Fig. 4 is a developed circular sectional view taken along the line 4--4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the indicator member or outer closure turned slightly in the unscrewing or opening direction so as to break the upper portion thereof.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing another alternative embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary developed circular sectional view taken along the line B-8 of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8, but showing the indicator member or outer closure turned slightly in the opening direction to cause the 3 breaking of the top thereof.

Referring to the drawing, particularly Figs. 1 to 5, l represents a container with which the closure means embodying the invention may be used, the said container having a mouth or opening 2. The container is shown as being a glass bottle, but it will be understood that the invention is not so limited and that a closure means embodying the invention may be used with a wide variety of containers. For instance, the container l, instead of being a glass bottle, may be a metal receptacle, such as a can or barrel, having projecting metallic parts for engaging the closure means.

The sealing or indicator member is represented at 3, and it is shown as being a complete closure entirely covering the opening 2 in the container. A means is provided for normally guiding the said member either in the direction to assemble it with the container or in the direction to separate it therefrom. As shown, the construction is such that the indicator member, after being engaged, is restrained from moving directly upward or outward away from the container although relative rotative movement is permitted. Preferably this guiding and restraining means consists of an internal thread 4 on the indicator member adapted to engage an external thread 5 on the container. The indicator member 3 has an externally visible portion which is adapted to be readily broken or separated from the remaincler of the member. As shown this readily breakable or separable portion is at the top, as indicated at 5, being connected with the main body of the indicator member by an annular zone of weakness shown at I.

The indicator member 3 may be formed of any one of a variety of materials, but it is preferred to mold the said member from a material of the synthetic resin class. Such a material is somewhat brittle and is readily breakable when provided with a sufficiently thin zone of weakness such as that at I, and it has the further advantages that it is available in a variety of colors and can be readily molded to provide any desired external ornamental design.

Associated with the readily breakable indicator portion 6 of the member 3 is at least one rigid relatively movable breaking device and preferably there are two or more such devices. The

indicator member 3 whether threaded or otherwise is movable in opposite directions on to and off from the container. There are preferably provided in association with each breaking device, surfaces which converge in the one of the directions of movement of the indicator member with respect to the container. When the indicator member is in threaded engagement with the container it must obviously be separated therefrom by a rotary unscrewing movement as guided by the threads, and the said surfaces therefore converge in one direction of rotary movement. With a threaded indicator member one of the surfaces, ordinarily that on the indicator member or closure, is horizontal, and the other surface, ordinarily that carried by the container, is inclined.

When there are converging surfaces as described, each breaking device engages directly with both of them, and is so constructed that, upon movement of the indicator member or closure in the said separating direction, relative movement is effected between the breaking device and at least one of the said two converging surfaces. The result of this relative movement is that the indicator portion of the indicator member is broken by the breaking device or devices. When one of the surfaces is horizontal, as is preferred, relative movement is effectedbetween the breaking device and the surface which is inclined, and it is the relative movement along the incline which causes the breaking.

Preferably, whether converging surfaces are or are not provided, each breaking device is movable relatively to both the indicator member and the container. As shown, each breaking device is in the form of a narrow disc or roller 8 and preferably there are two such discs or rollers positioned oppositely. The discs or rollers 8, 8 engage at their tops with a horizontal surface in the form of a circular track 9 on the bottom of the indicator portion 6, and they engage at their bottoms with inclined surfaces in the form of cam paths II], III carried by the container. It will be observed that the track 9 and. each cam path I0 converge in the direction of unscrewing movement.

While the invention is not necessarily so limited, the cam paths II], II] are shown as being formed on a closure II which serves as the primary means for closing the container. The closure II may be of any one of a variety of types, but it is shown as being of the cap type and as having an internal thread I2 engaging an external thread I3 on the container I adjacent the opening 2. For a purpose to be presently set forth, the thread I3 preferably has a considerably larger lead than the thread 5. The closure cap II may also be molded from a material of the synthetic resin class, and it is provided with a gasket or liner I 4 which engages the top of the container or bottle to seal it in the usual manner.

When there is an inner or primary closure such as I I, it is not necessary that the indicator memher 3 be a complete closure as shown. Instead of being a complete closure, the member 3 may have an opening at the top to expose more or less of the inner closure I I. It is essential, however, that the indicator member 3 shall at least partly cover the closure i I, so as to prevent the removal thereof while the indicator member is in place and intact.

When a primary closure such as I I is provided the cam paths Ill, I6 are preferably formed at the bottom of arcuate grooves I5, I 5 in the top of the closure. The lead of the cam paths I0, I0 is considerably greater than that of the thread 5. At the lower end of each cam path I 0 is a shoulder It with which the corresponding roller 8 normally engages. Preferably the rollers 8, 8 are peripherally serrated and corresponding teeth or serrations are formed on the track 9. Similar teeth or serrations are formed on the cam paths Ill, I0, but preferably the serrations are omitted at the extreme lower portion of the cam paths, as clearly indicated in Fig. 4.

In using the closure means shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the bottle or container is filled in any usual or preferred manner, and the inner closure II is put in place in accordance with usual practice.

proaches its final position the rollers 8 are engaged by the serrations on the track 9 and they are turned in the counter-clockwise direction as indicated. Inasmuch as there are no serrations at the lower ends of the grooves I5, I5 the rollers can turn as indicated, but they do not turn freely as the teeth thereon tend to bite into the surfaces on the shoulders I6, I S and at the bottoms of the grooves. Thus the rollers 8, 8 tend to additionally turn the main closure ii in the tightening direction. This is an important feature, as the indicating memberoi outer closure while being screwed into place thus tends to eliminate any possible looseness of the inner or sealing closure. Ordinarily the inner or primary closure is screwed into place with considerable force, but

any defect or omission in this respect will be corrected when the indicator member is tightened.

It is to be furthermore observed that the rollers 8, 8 serve to lock both the closure II and the indicator member 3 so as to prevent any accidental loosening of either of them by vibration or otherwise. The rollers are engaged with the serrations on the track 9 of the indicator member and they are also firmly engaged with the surfaces on the shoulders l6, I6 and at the bottoms of the grooves l5, E5 of the closure. Any unscrewing movement of the closure relatively to the indicator member is positively prevented; and any unscrewing movement of the indicator member relatively to the closure could occur only by forcing the rollers to roll upward along the cam paths it, ill. Furthermore on account of the difference in lead between the threads l3 and 5 the closure and the indicator member are prevented from turning in unison in the unscrewing direction. Any tendency for them to so turn would be resisted by the increased upward pressure exerted by the closure against the rollers 8, 8.

When it is desired to open the container the indicating member or outer closure 3 is moved in the direction to separate it from the container; and when the indicating member is held and guided by a thread as shown, it is separated from the container by being turned in the opening or unscrewing direction. This causes the rollers 8 to roll upward along the cam surfaces It as indicated in Fig. 5. Inasmuch as the lead of the cam surfaces Ill, Ill is greater than that of the thread 5 the rollers 8, 8 exert a constantly increasing pressure against the top indicator portion 6, with the result that the said portion is broken or separated at the before-1nentioncd zone of weakness 1. After the portion 6 has been broken away the remainder of the indicator member 3 can be removed and then the closure I! can be removed in the usual way.

It will be understood that the closure ii is normally screwed so tightly in place on the container that it cannot move in the unscrewing direction by the action of the rollers 8, 8. However, in the event that the closure II should be so loose as to tend to turn with the indicator member 3, breaking of the indicator portion 6 would nevertheless occur as the result of the difference in lead between the threads l3 and 5. If the closure H and the member 3 were to turn in unison, the said closure would risefaster than the said member 3, with the result that the top indicator portion 6 would be forced upward and broken out.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that it is entirely impossible to obtain access to the contents of the container I without first breaking out the indicator portion 6 of the member 3. With this indicator portion broken out the consumer, or in fact anyone else handling the package, will know or at least have reason to suspect that the contents of the container have been tampered with, and he should refuse to accept the package. Thus by refusing to accept any package on which the indicator member is not intact, the consumer can positively protect himself against adulteration or substitution of the contents of the container.

The construction shown in Figs. 6 is in many respects similar to that shown in Figs. 1 to 5, but in order to illustrate the fact that the indicator member need not be a complete closure there is shown an indicator member I! having a large opening at the top to expose a part of the primary closure Hi. It will be observed that the indicator member I1, while not completely covering the closure 58, nevertheless serves so long as in place and intact to prevent removal of the said closure. The opening at the top of the member I! is optional, and if preferred the top may be entirely closed.

The rollers 59, i9 corresponding to the rollers 8, 8 are positioned in cam grooves at the sides of the closure 58 instead of at the top thereof. The indicator member i1 is formed with a track at 28 positioned to engage the rollers l5, E9. The

breakable top indicator portion 2i of the member breaking out of the indicator portion 2! and on account of the different leads of the threads this breaking would occur even though the closure and member were turned in unison.

In Figs. 7 to 9 there is shown a construction which is similar to that shown in Figs. 1 to 5 with the exception that tiltable pins 23, .23 are provided in lieu of the rollers 8, 8. The indicator member or outer closure 24 is or may be identical in construction with the closure 3, and is provided with a breakable or separable top indicator portion 25. The primary closure 26 is or may be similar to the primary closure H with the eX- ception that instead of being formed with the long cam grooves it is formed with narrow recesses 2?, 2? adapted to hold the tiltable pins 23, 23 in inclined positions as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. When the indicator member or outer closure 26 is turned in the tightening direction, as indicated in Fig. 8, the serrations thereon will ride over the tops of the pins 23, 23 until further relative rotation is impossible. With the pins in this position, as shown in Fig. 8, they serve to lock the closure 26 and the indicator member 24 in place. connection with Figs. 1 to 5, accidental loosening of either the closure or the indicator member prevented.

To effect opening, the indicator member or outer closure 26 is forcibly moved in the opening or unscrewing direction, and thereupon each of the pins 23 moves from the inclined position shown'in Fig. 8 toward the upright position shown in Fig. 9 with the result that the top indicator portion 25 is forced upward and is broken away from the remainder of the member 24. If the main closure 2b should be loose and should start to turn in unison with the member 24 the top indicator portion 25 would nevertheless be broken out by reason of the different leads of the threads as already explained in connection with Figs. 1 to 5.

What we claim is:

1. A package comprising in combination, a container having an opening, a closure normally completely covering the opening and having an integral portion constituting an externally visible readily breakable indicator, a rigid relatively movable device interposed between the container and the indicator portion of the closure and directly engaging the latter, and means carried by the container and engaging the said movable device for causing it to move relatively to both the container and the closure when the closure is moved in a direction to separate it from For the reasons already explained in g the container, the said device as the result of so moving serving to break the indicator portion of the closure.

2. A package comprising in combination, an externally threaded container having an opening, an internally threaded closure normally engaging the container thread and completely covering the container opening and having an integral portion constituting an externally visible readily breakable indicator, a rigid relatively movable device interposed between the container and the indicator portion of the closure and directly engaging the latter, and means carried by the container and engaging the said movable device for causing it to move relatively to both the container and the closure when the closure is turned in the unscrewing direction, the said device as the result of so moving serving to break the indicator portion of the closure.

3. In combination, a closure adapted to normally close a container opening, a rigid relatively movable device adapted to directly engage the closure, an externally visible readily breakable indicator member adapted to cover and engage 1e said movable device and to at least partly cover the closure to prevent removal thereof while the indicator member is in place and unbroken, and means formed on the closure and on the indicator member for causing the movable device to move relatively to both the closure and the indicator member when the latter is moved in a direction to separate it from the 010- sure and for causing the said device as the result of so moving to break a portion of the indicator member.

4. In combination, a threaded closure adapted to normally close a container opening, an externally visible readily breakable indicator member adapted to at least partly cover the closure to prevent removal thereof while the indicator member is in place and unbroken, means adapted to normally prevent outward movement of the indicator member relative to the closure while permitting relative rotative movement, and a rigid device adapted to interengage between the closure and a portion of the indicator member and adapted to move relatively to both the closure and the indicator member when the latter is turned in the direction to unscrew the closure and serving as the result of so moving to break a portion of the indicator member.

5. In combination, a primary closure adapted to normally close a container opening, an externally visible readily breakable indicator member having a thread by which it is normally held in place and being adapted to at least partly cover the closure to prevent removal thereof while the indicator member is in place and unbroken, and a rigid device adapted to interengage between the primary closure and a portion of the indicator member and adapted to move relatively to both the closure and the indicator member when the latter is turned in the direction to unscrew it and serving as the result of so moving to break a portion of the indicator member.

6. In combination, a primary closure adapted to normally close a container opening, an externally visible readily breakable indicator member adapted to at least partly cover the closure to prevent removal thereof while the indicator member is in place and unbroken, means for normally connecting the indicator member with the container to prevent outward movement and permit rotative movement relative thereto, and a rigid device adapted. to interengage between the closure and a portion of the indicator member and adapted to move relatively to both the closure and the indicator member when the latter is turned relatively to the closure and serving as the result of so moving to break a portion of the indicator member.

7. In combination, a closure adapted to norreally close a container opening, an externally visible readily breakable threaded indicator member adapted to be freely engaged with a thread on the container and adapted to at least partly cover the closure to prevent removal thereof while the indicator member is in place and unbroken, and a rigid device adapted to interengage between the closure and a portion of the indicator member and adapted to move relatively to both the closure and the indicator member When the latter is turned in the direction to unscrew it and serving as the result of so moving to break a portion of the indicator member.

8. In combination, a threaded closure adapted to normally engage a thread on a container to close the opening thereof, an externally visible readily breakable indicator member having a thread with a smaller lead than that on the 010- sure and adapted to normally engage a corresponding thread of smaller lead on the container, the said indicator member being adapted to at east partly cover the closure to prevent removal thereof while the indicator member is in place and unbroken, and a rigid relatively movable device adapted to interengage between the closure and a portion of the indicator member and adapted to move relatively to both the closure and the indicator member so as to break a portion of the latter when it is turned in the unscrewing direction independently of the closure, the said movable device serving by reason of the smaller lead of the thread on the indicator member to also cause the breaking of a portion of the said member in the event that the closure and indicator member turn in unison.

9. A package comprising in combination, a container having an opening and an adjacent external thread and also having another thread below the first thread with a smaller lead, a threaded closure engaging the first said thread and sealing the opening, an externally visible readily breakable indicator member having a thread engaging the second said thread on the U closure, the said indicator member at least partly covering the closure to prevent removal thereof while the said member is in place and unbroken, and a rigid relatively movable device interengaged between the closure and a portion of the indicator member, the last said device being movable relatively to both the closure and the indicator member so as to break a portion of the latter when it is turned in the unscrewing direction independently of the closure and the said ble readily breakable indicator, the said container F carrying and the said indicator portion being formed with adjacent surfaces which converge, and a device positioned in the space between the two converging surfaces and engaging both of them whereby relative movement is eflected between the said device and at least one of the said two converging surfaces during movement of the closure in the separating direction and. the said device serves as the result of such relative movement to break the indicator closure.

11. A package comprising in combination, an externally threaded container having an opening, an internally threaded closure normally engag' ing the container thread and completely covering the container opening and having an integral portion constituting an externally visible readily breakable indicator, the said container carrying and the said indicator portion being formed with adjacent surfaces one of which is horizontal and the other of which converges toward the horizontal surface, and a device positioned in the space between the two converging surfaces and engaging both of them whereby the said device serves upon unscrewing movement of the closure to move along the second said surface and to thereby break the indicator portion of the closure.

12. A package comprising in combination, an externally threaded container having an opening, an internally threaded closure normally engaging the container threads and completely covering the container opening and having an integral portion constituting an externally visible readily breakable indicator, the said indicator portion of the closure being formed with a horizontal surface and the said container carrying a surface adjacent the said horizontal surface and converging toward it in the direction of unscrewing rotation of the closure, and a device posi-' tioned in the space between the two converging surfaces and'engaging both of them, the said device serving upon unscrewing movement oi" the closure to move along the surface carried by the container and to thereby break the indicator portion of the closure.

13. The combination of a closure adapted to normally close a container opening, an externally visible readily breakable indicator member adapted to at least partly cover the closure to prevent removal thereof while the indicator member is in place and unbroken, the said closure and the said indicator portion of the indicator member being provided with adjacent surfaces which converge, and a device positioned in the space between the two converging surfaces and engaging both of them whereby relative movement is effected between the said device and at least one of the said two converging surfaces during movement of the indicator member in the separating direction and the said device serves as the result of such relative movement to break the indicator portion of the said member. j

14. The combination of .a closure adapted to normally close a container opening, an internally threaded readily breakable indicator member adapted to engage an external thread on the container and to at least partly cover the closure to prevent removal thereof while the indicator member is in place and unbroken, the said closure and the said indicator member being formed with adjacent surfaces one of which is horizontal and the other of which converges toward the horizontal surface, and a device positioned in the space between the two converging surfaces and engaging both of them whereby the said device serves upon unscrewing movement of the indicator member to move along the second said surface and to thereby break the indicator member.

portion of the 15. The combination of a closure adapted to normally close a container opening, an internally threaded readily breakabie indicator member adapted to engage an internal thread on the container and to at least partly cover the closure to prevent removal thereof while the indicator member is in place and unbroken, the said indicator member being formed with a horizontal surface and the said closure being formed with a surface adjacent the said horizontal surface and converging toward it in the direction of unscrewing rotation of the indicator member, and a device positioned in the space between the two converging surfaces and engaging both of them, the said device serving upon unscrewing movement of the indicator member to move along the said surface on the closure andto thereby break the indicator member.

16. A package comprising in combination, a container having an opening, a closure normally completely covering the opening and having an integral portion at the top constituting an externally visible readily breakable indicator, a rigid relatively movable device within the closure and directly engaging the top indicator portion thereof, and means carried by the container and engaging the said movable device for causing it to move relatively to both the container and the closure when the closure is moved in a direction to separate it from the container, the said device as the result of so moving serving to break the indicator portion of the closure.

1'7. In combination, a primary closure adapted to normally close a container opening, a rigid relatively movable device adapted to directly engage the closure at the top thereof, an outer closure adapted to completely cover the primary closure and having an integral top portion constituting an externally visible readily breakable indicator, the said outer closure when in place and unbroken being adapted to cover and engage the said movable device and to prevent removal of the primary closure, and means formed on the two closures for causing the movable device to move relatively to both of them when the outer closure is moved in a direction to separate it from the primary closure and for causing the said device as the result of so moving to break the top indicator portion of the outer closure.

18. In combination, a primary closure adapted to normally close a container opening, a threaded outer closure adapted to be freely engaged with a thread on the container and adapted to entirely cover the primary closure, the said outer closure having an integral top portion constituting an externally visible readily breakable indicator, and a rigid relatively movable device adapted to interengage between the primary closure and the top indicator portion of the outer closure, the last said device being adapted to move-relatively to both closures when the outer closure is turned in the direction to unscrew it and serving as the result of so moving to break the-top indicator portion of the outer closure.

19. A package comprising in combination, a container having an opening and having an adjacent external closure engaging thread and also having another thread with a smaller lead below the first'said thread, a threaded primary closure engaging the first said thread on the container and closing the opening thereof, a threaded outer closure engaging the second said thread on the container and entirely covering the closing closure, the said outer closure having an integral central top portion constituting an externally visible readily breakable indicator, and a rigid relatively movable device interengagcd between the closing closure and the indicator portion of the outer closure and movable relatively to both of the closures so as to break the indicator portion of the outer closure when the latter is turned in the unscrewing direction independently of the closing closure, the said movable device serving by reason of the smaller lead of the thread on the outer closure to cause the breaking of the indicator portion thereof in the event that both closures turn in unison.

.20. A package comprising in combination, an externally threaded container having an opening, an internally threaded closure normally engaging the container threads and completely covering the container opening and having an integral portion at the top above the thread constituting an externally visible readily breakable indicator, the said container carrying and the said indicator portion being formed with adjacent surfaces one of which is horizontal and the other of which converges toward the horizontal, and a device positioned in the space between the 7 two converging surfaces and engaging both of them whereby the said device serves "upon unscrewing movement of the closure to move along the second said surface and to thereby break the top indicator portion of the closure.

21. The combination of a closure adapted to normally close a container opening, an internally threaded readily breakable indicator member adapted to engage an internal thread on the container and to at least partly cover the closure to prevent removal thereof while the indicator member is in place and unbroken, the said closure and the said indicator member being formed at the top with adjacent external and internal surfaces, one of which is horizontal and the other of which converges toward the horizontal surface, and a device positioned in the space between the two converging surfaces and engaging both of them whereby the said device serves upon unscrewing movement of the indicator member to move along the second said surface and to thereby break the top portion of the indicator member.

22. A package comprising in combination, a container having an opening, a closure normally completely covering the opening and having an integral portion constituting an externally visible readily breakable indicator, the said container carrying and the said indicator portion being formed with adjacent surfaces which converge, and a roller positioned in the space between the two converging surfaces and engaging both of them whereby the said roller rolls along both of the said two converging surfaces during move-- ment of the closure in the said separating direction and serves as the result of such rolling movement to break the indicator portion of the closure.

23. A package comprising in combination, a container having an opening, a closure normally completely covering the opening and having an integral portion constituting an externally visible readily breakable indicator, means for preventing outward movement of the closure relative to the container while permitting relative rotative movement, a relatively movable roller interposed between the container and the indicator portion of the closure and directly engaging the latter, and an inclined cam path carried by the container and engaging the said roller for causing it to roll along the cam path relatively to both the container and the closure when the closure is rotated relatively to the container. the said roller upon so rolling along the cam path serving to break the indicator portion of the closure.

24. A package comprising in combination, an externally threaded container having an opening, an internally threaded closure normally engaging the container thread and completely covering the container opening and having an integral portion constituting an externally visible readily breakable indicator, the said container carrying and the said indicator portion being formed with adjacent surfaces, one of which is horizontal and the other of which converges toward the horizontal surface, and a roller positioned in the space between the two converging surfaces and engaging both of them whereby the said roller rolls along both of the said two converging surfaces during unscrewing movement of the closure and serves as the result of such rolling movement to break the indicator portion of the closure.

25. A package comprising in combination, an externally threaded container having an opening, an internally threaded closure normally engaging the container thread and completely covering the container opening and having an integral portion constituting an externally visible readily breakable indicator, the said indicator portion being formed with a horizontal arcuate track and the said container carrying an inclined arcuate cam path-or track which converges toward the horizontal track on the indicator portion in the direction of unscrewing rotation of the closure, and a roller positioned in the space between the two converging tracks and engaging both of them, the said roller rolling along both of the said two converging tracks during unscrewing movement of the closure and serving as the result of such rolling movement to break the indicator portion of the closure.

2.6. In combination, a closure adapted to normally close a container opening and having an inclined cam path thereon, a relatively movable roller device adapted to directly engage the cam path on the closure, and an externally visible readily breakable indicator member adapted to cover .and engage the said roller and to at least partly cover the closure to prevent removal thereof while the indicator member is in place and unbroken, the said indicator member when moved in a direction to separate it from the closure causing the roller to roll along the inclined cam path and to thus break a portion of the indicator member.

27. In combination, a closure adapted to normally close .a container opening, an externally visible readily breakable indicator member adapted to at least partly cover the closure to prevent removal thereof while the indicator member is in place and unbroken, the said indicator member being rotatable with respect to the closure and the said closure and indicator member being provided respectively with adjacent arcuate tracks one of which is horizontal and the other of which converges toward the horizontal track, means for preventing direct upward movement of the indicator member while permitting the said rotary movement thereof, and a roller positioned in the space between the two converging tracks and engaging both of them, the said roller rolling along both of the said converging tracks during rotary movement of the indicator member in one direction and serving as the result of such rolling movement to break the said indicator member.

28. In combination, a primary closure adapted to normally close a container opening, a threaded outer closure having an integral top portion constituting an externally visible readily breakable indicator, the said primary closure and the top indicator portion of the outer closure being provided respectively with adjacent arcuate tracks one of which is horizontal and the other of which converges toward the horizontal track, and a roller positioned in the space between the two converging tracks and engaging both of them whereby the said roller rolls along both of the said converging tracks during unscrewing movement of the outer closure and serving as the result of such rolling movement to break the said top indicator portion of the outer closure.

29. In combination, a closure adapted to normally close a container opening, an externally visible readily breakable threaded indicator member adapted to at least partly cover the closure to pr vent removal thereof while the indicator member is in place and unbroken, the said closure and indicator member being provided respectively with adjacent arcuate tracks one of which is horizontal and the other of which converges toward the horizontal track and the track on the closure being at the bottom of a groove in the top thereof, and a roller positioned in part in the said groove and engaging both of the said converging tracks whereby the said roller rolls along both of the said converging tracks during unscrewing move ment of the outer closure and serves as the result of such rolling movement to break the said top indicator portion of the outer closure.

30. In combination, a closure adapted to normally close a container opening and having a curved upward inclined cam path thereon, an externally visible readily breakable indicator member having a thread for normally holding it in place which thread has a lead less than that of the cam path on the closure, the said indicator member being adapted to at least partly cover the closure to prevent removal thereof While the indicator member is in place and unbroken, and a roller adapted to interengage between the cam path on the closure and a portion of the indicator member, the said roller being caused to roll upward along the cam path when the indicator member is turned in the direction to unscrew it and thereupon serving by reason of the greater lead of the cam path to break a, portion of the indicator member.

31. A package comprising in combination, a container having an opening and an external thread and also having second thread with a smaller lead below the first thread, a threaded closure engaging the first said thread and closing the opening, the said closure being provided with a curved upward inclined cam path with a lead greater than that of the second thread of smaller lead, an externally visible readily breakable indicator member having a thread engaging the second said thread on the closure, the said indicator member at least partly covering the closure to prevent removal thereof while the said member is in place and unbroken, and a roller adapted to interengage between the cam path on the closure and a portion of the indicator member which roller is caused to roll upward along the cam path when the indicator member is turned in the direction to unscrew it and thereupon serving by reason of the greater lead of the cam path to break a portion of the indicator member.

32. In combination, a threaded primary closure adapted to normally engage a thread on a container to close the opening thereof, the said closure being provided with a curved upward inclined cam path and a shoulder at the lower end of the cam path, an externally visible readily breakable indicator member adapted to at least partly cover the closure to prevent removal thereof while the indicator member is in place and unbroken, and a roller adapted to interengage between the cam path on the primary closure and the said indicator member, the said roller being forced against the shoulder of the primary closure when the indicator member is turned in the tightening direction and thus tending to turn the primary closure in the tightening direction and the said roller being caused to roll upward along the cam path when the indicator member is turned in the unscrewing direction and thereupon serving to break the indicator member.

In combination, a threaded primary closure adapted to normally engage a thread on a container to close the opening thereof, the said closure being provided with a curved upward inclined cam path and a shoulder at the lower end of the cam path, a threaded outer closure adapted to normally engage a thread on the container and adapted to completely cover the primary closure, the said outer closure having an integral top portion constituting an externally visible readily breakable indicator member, and a roller adapted to interengage between the cam path on the primary closure and the indicator portion of the outer closure, the said roller being forced against the shoulder of the primary closure when the outer closure is turned in the tightening direction and thus tending to turn the primary closure in the tightening direction and the said roller being caused to roll upward along the cam path when the outer closure is turned in the unscrewing direction and thereupon serving to break the indicator portion of the outer closure.

34. A primary container closure adapted to normally close a container opening and adapted for use in conjunction with a preformed outer indicator member having a readily breakable integral portion at the top, the said primary closure being provided at the top with an arcuate track having teeth thereon and adapted to engage a roller for breaking the readily breakable top portion of the indicator member.

35. A primary container closure adapted to normally close a container opening and adapted for use in conjunction with a preformed outer indicator member having a readily breakable integral portion at the top, the said primary closure being provided at the top with an inclined arcuate track adapted to engage a roller for breaking the readily breakable top portion of the indicator member.

36. A primary container closure adapted to normally close a container opening and adapted for use in conjunction with a preformed outer indicator member having a readily breakable integral portion at the top, the said primary closure being provided at the top with an arcuate groove having at the bottom thereof a track adapted to engage a roller for breaking the readily breakable top portion of the indicator member.

37. A primary container closure adapted to normally close a container opening and adapted for use in conjunction with a preformed outer indicator member having a readily breakable integral portion at the top, the said primary closure being provided at the top with an arcuate groove having at the bottom thereof an inclined track having teeth thereon and adapted to engage a roller for breaking the readily breakable top portion of the indicator member.

38. A package comprising in combination, a

container having an opening, a closure normally completely covering the opening and having an integral portion constituting an externally visible readily breakable indicator, a rigid relatively tiltable pin interposed between the container and the indicator portion of the closure and directly engaging the latter. and means carried by the container and engaging the pin to normally hold it in an inclined position, the said pin by reason of its engagement with the indicator portion of the closure being tilted toward an upright position when the closure is moved in a direction to separate it from the container and the said pin upon being so tilted serving to break the said indicator portion.

39. In combination, a closure adapted to normally close a container opening and having a recess therein for normally holding a tiltable pin in inclined position, an externally visible readily breakable indicator member adapted to at least partly cover the closure to prevent removal thereof while the indicator member is in place and unbroken, means adapted to normally prevent outward movement of the indicator member relatively to the closure while permitting relative rotative movement, and a tiltable pin normally in an inclined position in the said recess in the closure and normally engaged by the indicator member, the said pin permitting free rotation of the indicator member relatively to the closure in the tightening direction and the said pin by reason of its engagement with the indicator member being tilted toward an upright position to break the said member when it is turned in the opposite direction.

40. In combination, a closure adapted to normally close a container opening and having a recess therein for normally holding a tiltable pin in inclined position, an externally visible readily breakable indicator member having threads for normally holding it in place, the said indicator member being adapted to at least partly cover the closure to prevent removal thereof while the indicator member is in place and unbroken, and a tiltable pin normally in an inclined position in the recess in the closure and normally engaged by the indicator member, the said pin permitting free rotation of the indicator member in the tightening direction and the said pin by reason of its engagement with the indicator member being tilted toward an upright position to break the indicator member when the said member is turned in the unscrewing direction.

41. Arprimary container closure adapted to normally close a container opening and adapted for use in conjunction with a preformed outer indicator member having a readily breakable integral portion at the top, the said primary closure being provided at the top with a V-shaped recess adapted to receive and hold a tiltable pin for breaking the readily breakable top portion of the indicator member.

BENJAMIN F. CONNER. WILLIAM F. SCHMALZ.

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