Continental White Cap, Inc.

Daniel M Carson

Robert E Sparks

Robert J Heilman

Norbert S Mason

This relates to the provision of a vacuum actuated button type closure with a tamper indicating arrangement which will visually indicate when a container has been opened or more particularly when the vacuum within a vacuum packed container has been lost. The deflectable button of the closure is utilized to squeeze a dye from a sponge like member into a layer of absorbent material so as to color the absorbent material. The absorbent material, in turn, is provided with non-absorbent areas which define indicia to indicate that an associated container has been opened. The layer of absorbent material is carried by an arched cross sectional cover and in several forms of the cover, a central portion of the cover is downwardly deformable under pressure to move the layer of absorbent material from an inoperative position to a lowered position for cooperation with the sponge like member when the button returns to its up position to effect the flow of the dye from the sponge like member into the layer of absorbent material.

Tamper indicating means for vacuum closures

This relates to an improvement of a conventional closure having a tamper evident feature in the form of a safety button. In accordance with the improvement, the surface of the safety button is provided with a coating in the form of a suitable binder incorporating rupturable microcapsules containing an FDA approved colorant. A relatively stiff layer of translucent material overlies an end panel of the closure in position to be engaged by the microcapsules and to effect rupture of the microcapsules when the safety button everts from a lower axial position to an upper axial position and the microcapsules strike against the underside of the layer of translucent material. In order to prevent accidental rupture of the microcapsules prior to the closure being applied to a container, there is incorporated in the coating spacers which normally prevent the rupture of the microcapsules during conditions of manufacture and handling. The colorant carried by the microcapsules will give a clear and irreversible indication of the opening of the container.

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Danbury, CT, United States of America

Daniel M Carson