Sifter-top closure.

Application filed November 17,1913. Serial Wo. 801,383.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Alfred Frankenberg, a· citizen of the United States, residing at . Rockford, in the county of Winnebago and δ State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sifter-Top Closures, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to closures for 10 packages adapted to contain condiments, such as spices, and similar substances, particularly when it is desired to sift or sprinkle the substances out of the package.

One of the objects of the invention is to 15 produce a package closure which, while of inexpensive construction, may be quickly and firmly attached to the package and also may be quickly and conveniently removed therefrom.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for sifting the contents of the package when desired, the sifting means being so arranged that, the apertures through which the sifting is to take place may be 25 readily opened or closed.

A further object is to combine the closure and the sprinkling means into one unit, so as to simplify the structure by using certain portions of the structure as parts of both the 30 closure and the sifting means.

I have illustrated one exemplification of my invention by use of the accompanying drawings, in which—

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pack35 age with a sifter-top closure which embodies the features of the invention, and which shows the sifter-top closed. Fig. 2 is a perspective of the upper end of the package showing the sifter-top opened. Fig. 3 is an. 40 enlarged cross-section along the line 3—3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the closure with the sifter removed; and Fig. 5 is an end view of the same. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the sifter, and Fig. 7 is an end view of . 45 the same.

The upper end wall of top 2 of the package 1 may be attached to the sides 3 of the package by any ordinary or suitable means, for example By crimping the flange _4 upon 50 the edges of the sides 3 of the package. The horizontal portion 5 of the end or top 2 is depressed as indicated in Fig. 3, so that the closure will not project upward beyond the upper edges of the sides 3, and also so 55 as to provide a space for inserting an in strument when forcing the closure off from the cover. Upwardly extending flanges 6 and downwardly extending flanges 7 are provided in the top 2 for receiving the closure, as indicated in Fig. 3. The closure in 60 this instance is composed of the oblong metallic member 8, and comprises the horizontal flat portion 9 having apertures 19 therethrough, the upwardly extending flange 10, and the outwardly extending horizontal 65 portion 11, and the guide portions 12. The flange 7 of the top and the flange 10 of the closure are so shaped that the closure flange fits snugly in the top flange. When the closure is to be removed, an instrument may be 70 placed under the flange 11, and the closure pried up.

The sifting member 13 comprises the flat portion 14 having apertures 18 therethrough, the upwardly extending flanges 15, 75 the guide flanges 16, and the operating han- ^xdies 17. As indicated in Fig. 3, this member is? adapted to fit loosely in the closure 8, the guide flanges 16 coacting with the guide 12 of the closure, the shape of the different 80 parts being such that the sifter may be easily slipped along the guides 12 by means of the handles 17. When in the position indicated by Fig. 2, the apertures 18 of the sifter register with apertures 19 of the closure, so that 85 the contents of the package may be sifted out. But when the sifter is in the position indicated in Fig. 1, the apertures 18 and 19 do not register and the package is closed.

In practice, the can is filled through the 90 opening defined by the flange 7, and the closure then seated in said opening.

The top, the closure and th® sifter, which I have herein shown and described, are all of such shape that they may be easily 95 punched and pressed into shape; the top may be quickly applied to the package; the closure and the sifter may be readily assembled as a unit and may be easily and conveniently placed firmly on the top; and the ¹⁰⁰sifter may be readily manipulated to open or close the sifting apertures.