Exhibit 10.9


                                PROMISSORY NOTE



Principal Sum:   $1,366,009.41

Date:            May 31, 2001

Maker:           Thomas B. Clark and Karen A. Clark, or the survivor of them

Holder:          Alltrista Corporation


FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned Maker promises to pay to the order of the
Holder the Principal Sum, plus interest from the date hereof until the date paid
at the rate of 5.36% per annum, compounded semi-annually. The Maker agrees that
a portion of the Principal Sum in an amount to be determined by the Holder shall
be used to pay a premium on a life insurance policy insuring the lives of Thomas
B. Clark and Karen A. Clark (the "Policy"). The date of this note shall be the
date on which the Holder pays the Principal Sum to the Maker.

The entire Principal Sum, plus accrued interest thereon, shall be due and
payable within ninety (90) days following the death of the last surviving Maker.
All payments hereon shall be made in lawful money of the United States of
America to the order of the Holder at Suite 440, 5875 Castle Creek Parkway,
North Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46250-4330 or at such other place as the Holder
may designate in writing to the Maker from time to time. This Note may be
prepaid by the Maker in whole or in part at any time without penalty or premium.
If any payment due is not paid within ten (10) business days of the due date,
such overdue amount shall bear interest from and after the due date until paid
in full at the rate of 10% per annum, compounded annually, or at the maximum
rate permitted by law, whichever is less.

The Maker agrees that the Policy shall be owned solely by the Maker (or the last
survivor of them), that the estate of the last surviving Maker shall be
designated as beneficiary to receive the Policy death benefit or any benefit
paid at policy maturity, and that no other person or entity will have any
interest in the policy, except as otherwise provided herein. Also, Maker shall
not surrender the Policy in whole or in part, withdraw cash value from, or
otherwise pledge or encumber the Policy, except as expressly permitted by the
Terms of the Note. Maker further agrees that the entire Principal Sum and
accrued interest shall become immediately due and payable, without any further
demand or notice, all of which are expressly waived, upon the occurrence of any
of the following events:

(1)  The Policy is not issued and the entire premium paid within ninety (90)
     days of the date of this Promissory Note, except that this period can be
     extended up to an additional sixty (60) days upon written agreement of the
     Holder and Maker.

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(2)  The Maker attempts to transfer all or any part of its interest in the
     Policy to any other party without the prior written consent of the Holder.

(3)  The Maker surrenders the Policy in whole or in part, or borrows from or
     withdraws cash value from the Policy without the prior written consent of
     the Holder.

(4)  The Maker reduces the face amount of the Policy without the consent of the
     Holder, but only if the face amount reduction results in a distribution of
     policy cash values.


The Maker shall not be responsible for paying any additional amounts as Policy
premiums, even if it becomes necessary to do so to prevent the Policy from
lapsing. However, the Maker, or any other party acting on behalf of the Maker,
may pay additional Policy premiums as it elects.

The Holder may transfer or assign its rights under this Note to any individual
or entity without the consent of the Maker. However, notice of any such transfer
or assignment shall be given to the Maker by the Holder.

At any time while this Promissory Note is outstanding, the Holder may require
the Maker to designate the Holder as beneficiary of the entire Policy death
benefit, or, if less, the outstanding balance due under this Promissory Note,
including any accrued and unpaid interest. Upon the Maker's receipt of a written
request from the Holder that the Holder be so designated, the Maker shall, by
policy endorsement filed with and recorded by the insurer that issues the
Policy, provide for the Holder to receive such portion of the Policy death
Benefit from the insurer when such amount becomes payable under the Policy.

The Maker hereby waives presentment, demand for payment, notice of default and
notice of protest. The Maker agrees to pay on demand all losses, costs and
expenses incurred by the Holder in connection with the enforcement of this Note.

This Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
state of Indiana.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned parties have caused this Note to be duly
executed under seal as of the date first above written.


Holder                                      Maker


By: /s/ Kevin D. Bower                      /s/ Thomas B. Clark
------------------------------------        ----------------------------------
Alltrista Corporation                       Thomas B. Clark


                                            /s/ Karen A. Clark
                                            ----------------------------------
                                            Karen A. Clark

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