CAP FOR A CONTAINER

Abstract

A cap (1) for a container comprises: a body (2), configured to be coupled and uncoupled relative to the neck of the container and including an internally threaded side wall (21), which extends around a longitudinal axis (A), and a transverse wall (22); a tamper evident ring (3), including a retaining element (31), configured to engage a locking member on the neck of the container, and a joining portion (32), where the tamper evident ring (3) is joined to the cap body (2), the joining portion (32) being configured to be torn along a perimeter surrounding the longitudinal axis (A) in response to a movement of the body (2) away from the tamper evident ring (3), wherein the cap (1) comprises a connecting window (4) including a connecting band (40) and a film (400) which is thinner than the connecting band (40).

Claims

1. A cap for a container, comprising: a body configured to be coupled and uncoupled relative to the neck of the container and including a side wall, internally threaded and extending around a longitudinal axis between a first and a second end, and a transverse wall joined to the first end of the side wall; a tamper evident ring, configured to remain anchored to the neck of the container even when the cap body is uncoupled from the neck, and including a retaining element, configured to engage a locking member on the neck of the container, and a joining portion, where the tamper evident ring is joined to the cap body, the joining portion being configured to be torn along a perimeter surrounding the longitudinal axis in response to a movement of the body away from the tamper evident ring, a connecting window, formed of a portion of the side wall of the cap body, a corresponding portion of the retaining element and the stretch of the joining portion interposed between them, wherein the connecting window has a first dimension, along the direction of the longitudinal axis, and a second dimension, along a perimeter surrounding the longitudinal axis, and wherein the connecting window includes a connecting band which is greater in length than the first dimension of the connecting window, the connecting band having a first end connected to the side wall of the cap body, a second end connected to the retaining portion of the tamper evident ring, a first flank and a second flank opposite to the first flank; and a film, having a reduced thickness compared to the connecting band and being adjacent to the first and the second flank of the connecting band to join the first and the second flank of the connecting band to respective portions of the cap body side wall and of the retaining element which surround the connecting window, so the cap is positionable in a first working configuration, where the retaining portion of the tamper evident ring engages the locking member of the container neck, the cap body is coupled to the container neck and the joining portion of the tamper evident ring and the film of the connecting window are intact, and in a second working configuration, where the retaining portion of the tamper evident ring engages the locking member of the container neck, the cap body is uncoupled from the container neck, the joining portion of the tamper evident ring and the film of the connecting window are torn and the tamper evident ring is joined to the cap body by the connecting band.

2. The cap according to claim 1, wherein the second dimension of the connecting window is greater than the first dimension of the connecting window.

3. The cap according to claim 1, wherein the tamper evident ring includes a fastening element and the cap body includes a protrusion extending radially away from the longitudinal axis or, conversely, wherein the cap body includes a fastening element and the tamper evident ring includes a protrusion extending radially away from the longitudinal axis, the fastening element and the protrusion being longitudinally aligned in the first working configuration of the cap so that, in the second working configuration of the cap, the fastening element is configured to engage the protrusion so as to keep the cap body at a flipped over position relative to the tamper evident ring.

4. The cap according to claim 3, wherein the fastening element is in the form of a tooth extending radially away from the longitudinal axis, and wherein the cap body includes a pair of protrusions, defining between them a recess for receiving the tooth.

5. The cap according to claim 3, comprising, in addition to the connecting window, an additional connecting window including an additional connecting band, wherein the respective second ends of the connecting band and of the additional connecting band are disposed in the retaining portion of the tamper evident ring, at the ends of a circular arc of less than 180 degrees and wherein the fastening element is interposed between the second ends relative to that circular arc.

6. The cap according to claim 5, wherein the respective second dimensions of the connecting window and of the additional connecting window are each at least 60 degrees measured along an arc (α) around the longitudinal axis.

7. The cap according to claim 1, wherein the side wall of the cap body and the tamper evident ring define an inside surface that faces towards the longitudinal axis, and wherein the connecting band has an increased thickness zone, protuberant radially from the inside surface at a cutting plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and passing through the joining portion.

8. The cap according to any claim 1, wherein the film includes: a first film portion, interposed between the first flank of the connecting band and respective portions of the cap body side wall and of the retaining element which surround the connecting window; a second film portion, interposed between the second flank of the connecting band and respective portions of the cap body side wall and of the retaining element which surround the connecting window.

9. The cap according to claim 1, wherein the length of the connecting band is greater than the second dimension of the connecting window.

10. A method for making a cap for a container, comprising a step of forming in a mould, in which the following are made: a body configured to be coupled and uncoupled relative to the neck of the container and including a side wall, which is internally threaded and extends around a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, and a transverse wall joined to the first end of the side wall; a tamper evident ring, configured to remain anchored to the neck of the container even when the cap body is uncoupled from the neck, and including a retaining element, configured to engage a locking member on the neck of the container, and a joining portion, where the tamper evident ring is joined to the cap body, the joining portion being configured to be torn along a perimeter surrounding the longitudinal axis in response to a movement of the body away from the tamper evident ring, a connecting window, formed of a portion of the side wall of the cap body, a corresponding portion of the retaining element and the stretch of the joining portion interposed between them, wherein the connecting window has a first dimension, along the direction of the longitudinal axis, and a second dimension, along a perimeter surrounding the longitudinal axis, and wherein the connecting window defines a connecting band inside it, the connecting band being greater in length than the first extension of the connecting window and being joined to the side wall of the cap body and to the retaining portion of the tamper evident ring at a first and second end, respectively, and being separated from the remaining zones of the side wall of the cap body and of the retaining portion of the tamper evident ring by a film which has a reduced thickness compared to the connecting band and is adjacent to the first and the second flank of the connecting band to join the first and the second flank of the connecting band to respective portions of the cap body side wall and of the retaining element which surround the connecting window.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the step of forming comprises: moving an upper unit and a lower unit towards each other along the longitudinal axis to define a forming cavity; moving a drawer, whose top surface has a groove made in it, in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, wherein, when the mould is at the closed position, where the upper unit, the lower unit and the drawer are close together, the top surface of the drawer delimits the outside of a connecting window.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the movement of the drawer is mechanically synchronized with the movement of the upper unit and/or of the lower unit, the movement of the upper unit or of the lower unit causing the drawer to move also.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the movement of the drawer is synchronized with the movement of the upper unit and of the lower unit so that a charge starts being pressed in the mould before the drawer has completed its forward movement towards the closed position of the mould.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein the step of forming also makes the following: in the cap body, a fastening element; in the tamper evident ring, a protrusion, extending radially away from the longitudinal axis, or vice versa: in the cap body, a protrusion, extending radially away from the longitudinal axis; in the tamper evident ring, a fastening element; the fastening element and the protrusion being positioned relative to each other in such a way that the fastening element can engage the protrusion to keep the cap body at an upturned position relative to the tamper evident ring.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the step of forming makes an additional connecting window including an additional connecting band, wherein the respective second ends of the connecting band and of the additional connecting band are disposed in the retaining portion of the tamper evident ring, at the ends of a circular arc of less than 180 degrees and wherein the fastening element is interposed between the second ends, relative to that circular arc.

16. The method according to claim 10, comprising, after the step of forming, a step of incising to make an incision along at least one stretch of the joining portion of the tamper evident ring, wherein one of the following conditions is true: i) the incision is made along the full perimeter of the joining portion, wherein the side wall of the cap body and the tamper evident ring define an inside surface that faces towards the longitudinal axis, and wherein the connecting band has an increased thickness zone, protuberant radially from the inside surface at a cutting plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and passing through the joining portion, the increased thickness zone being at least partly unaffected by the incision; ii) the incision is made selectively by interrupting it at least at the part of the connecting band located in the joining zone.

17. A mould for making a cap for a container, movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration in which it defines a forming cavity, the forming cavity including: a side hollow that includes a body zone that is internally threaded and extends around a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, a joining zone that extends around the longitudinal axis and is connected to the second end of the body zone, a tamper evidence zone which extends around the longitudinal axis and which is connected to the joining zone, so that the joining zone is interposed between the body zone and the tamper evidence zone and defines a passage between the body zone and the tamper evidence zone; a transverse hollow, connected to the first end of the body zone of the side hollow, a connecting zone formed of respective portions of the cap body zone, of the joining zone and of the tamper evidence zone, the connecting zone including a connecting portion and a reduced thickness portion surrounding the connecting portion.

18. The mould according to claim 17, comprising: an upper unit and a lower unit movable relative to each other along the longitudinal axis to define the forming cavity; a drawer, whose top surface has a groove made in it, the drawer being movable in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis so that when the mould is at the closed position, where the upper unit, the lower unit and the drawer are close together, the top surface of the drawer delimits the outside of the connecting zone of the forming cavity.

19. The mould according to claim 18, wherein the drawer has a contoured portion which is configured to interact with a corresponding portion of the upper unit or of the lower unit so that a longitudinal movement of the upper unit or of the lower unit towards the closed configuration of the mould causes the drawer to move transversely towards the closed configuration of the mould.

20. The mould according to claim 18, comprising: an additional drawer, whose top surface has a groove made in it, the additional drawer being movable in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis so that when the mould is at the closed position, where the upper unit, the lower unit and the additional drawer are close together, the top surface of the additional drawer delimits the outside of an additional connecting zone; an auxiliary drawer, movable transversely to the longitudinal axis so that when the mould is at the closed position, where the upper unit, the lower unit and the auxiliary drawer are close together, a top surface of the auxiliary drawer delimits the outside of a portion of the forming cavity to form at least one protuberant zone and one contoured zone in the forming cavity; wherein the drawer is movable along a first transverse axis, the additional drawer is movable along a second transverse axis and the auxiliary drawer is movable along a third transverse axis, the first, second and third transverse axes being oriented radially relative to the longitudinal axis, wherein the third transverse axis is interposed between, and angularly equidistant from, the first and the second transverse axis.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0069] These and other features will become more apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0070] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a cap of this disclosure, in a first working configuration;

[0071] FIG. 1A shows a detail of the cap of FIG. 1 in a second working configuration;

[0072] FIG. 1B shows a cross section of a detail of the cap of FIG. 1;

[0073] FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment of a cap of this disclosure, in a first working configuration;

[0074] FIG. 2A shows a detail of the cap of FIG. 2 in a second working configuration;

[0075] FIG. 2B shows a cross section of a detail of the cap of FIG. 2;

[0076] FIG. 3 shows a mould of this disclosure at a working position;

[0077] FIGS. 4A and 4B show respective cross sectional views of a drawer and an auxiliary drawer of the mould of FIG. 3 at an open position and at a closed position, respectively;

[0078] FIGS. 5A and 5B show respective top views of a drawer, an additional drawer and an auxiliary drawer of the mould of FIG. 3 at an open position and at a closed position, respectively;

[0079] FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 show further embodiments of the cap of this disclosure;

[0080] FIGS. 12A, 12B and 12C show the mould of this disclosure in successive instants during its closure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0081] With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes a cap (or closure) for a container.

[0082] The cap 1 comprises a body 2. The body 2 is configured to be coupled to the neck of the container to close the container and uncoupled from the neck of the container to open the container. The body 2 comprises an internally threaded side wall 21 (that is, comprising an internal thread) to connect to a corresponding thread on the neck of the container. The side wall 21 extends around a longitudinal axis A. The side wall 21 is radially symmetric about the longitudinal axis A. The side wall 21 has a first end, annular in shape, and a second end, opposite to the first end and also annular in shape. The body 2 comprises a transverse wall 22, oriented transversely to the side wall and connected to the first end of the side wall 21. The transverse wall 22 is circular in shape.

[0083] The cap 1 comprises a tamper evident ring 3. The tamper evident ring 3 is configured to remain anchored to the neck of the container even when the cap body 2 is uncoupled from the neck. The tamper evident ring 3 includes a retaining portion 31 configured to engage a locking member on the neck of the container; the retaining portion 31 is annular in shape. The tamper evident ring 3 includes a joining portion 32, where the tamper evident ring 3 is joined to the cap body 2. The joining portion 32 includes a plurality of bridges or hinges which connect the retaining portion 31 to the transverse wall 21. The bridges are separated from each other by a corresponding plurality of windows. The joining portion 32 is configured to be torn along a full (circular) perimeter surrounding the longitudinal axis A, in response to a movement of the body 2 away from the tamper evident ring 3 (due to unscrewing the thread of the side wall 21 on the body 2 from the thread on the neck of the container).

[0084] The cap 1 also comprises a connecting window 4, formed of a portion of the side wall 21 of the cap body 2, a corresponding portion of the retaining element 31 and the stretch of the joining portion 32 interposed between them. The connecting window 4 has a first dimension L1, along the direction of the longitudinal axis A, and a second dimension L2, along a perimeter surrounding the longitudinal axis A. Preferably, the second dimension L2 is greater than the first dimension L1.

[0085] The connecting window 4 includes a connecting band 40. Preferably, the length of the connecting band 40 is greater than the first dimension L1 of the connecting window 4. Preferably, the length of the connecting band 40 is greater than the second dimension L2 of the connecting window 4.

[0086] The connecting band 40 extends between a first end 41, connected to the side wall 21 of the body 2, and a second end 42, connected to the retaining portion 31 of the tamper evident ring 3. The connecting band 40 has a first flank 43 and a second flank 44, opposite to the first flank 43.

[0087] The connecting window 4 includes a film 400. The film 400 has a reduced thickness compared to the connecting band 40; the film 400 is adjacent to the first and second flanks 43, 44 of the connecting band 40 and connects the first and second flanks 43, 44 of the connecting band 40 to respective portions of the cap body 2 side wall 21 and of the retaining element 31 which surround the connecting window 4.

[0088] More specifically, in one or more embodiments, the film 400 includes a first film portion 400A, connected to the first flank 43 of the connecting band 4 and to respective portions of the cap body 2 side wall 21 and of the retaining element 31 which surround the connecting window 4. The film 400 also includes a second film portion 400B, connected to the second flank of the connecting band 40 and to respective portions of the cap body 2 side wall 21 and of the retaining element 31 which surround the connecting window 4. In one or more embodiments, the connecting window 4 includes a plurality of connecting bands 40 (for example, a first and a second connecting band 40), connected to the film 400 (more specifically, to the first film portion 400A and to the second film portion 400B). In the case where they are provided, the first connecting band 40 and the second connecting band 40 are preferably symmetrical about a longitudinal axis of the connecting window 4, parallel to the longitudinal axis A.

[0089] Each connecting band 40 may have the shape of a loop or a hairpin bend, inside the connecting window 4; more specifically, each connecting band may include a first straight stretch, which starts at the first end 41, a second straight stretch, which reaches the second end, and a curved zone interposed between the first straight stretch and the second straight stretch. In the case where a first connecting band 40 and a second connecting band 40 are provided, the respective curved zones may be located at opposite ends of the connecting window 4 relative to the longitudinal axis of the connecting window 4; in another embodiment, the first ends and the second ends may be located at opposite ends of the connecting window 4 relative to the longitudinal axis of the connecting window 4.

[0090] Preferably, the cap 1 includes a fastening element and a protrusion 52 extending radially away from the longitudinal axis A. In an embodiment, the fastening element is provided in the tamper evident ring 3 and the protrusion 52 is provided in the cap body 2; in another embodiment, the fastening element is provided in the cap body 2 and the protrusion 52 is provided in the tamper evident ring 3. The fastening element is configured to releasably engage the protrusion 52 so as to keep the cap body 2 at a flipped over position relative to the tamper evident ring 3.

[0091] More specifically, in an embodiment, the fastening element defines a recess 510 (or hollow), configured to receive the protrusion 52. In another embodiment, the fastening element includes a tooth 51 and the protrusion 52 defines a recess (for example, the cap might include a pair of protrusions 52 defining the recess between them), where the recess of the protrusion 52 is configured to receive and retain the tooth 51.

[0092] In an embodiment, the fastening element 51, 510 and the protrusion 52 are made on the inside of the connecting window 4. In another embodiment, the fastening element 51, 510 and the protrusion 52 are made on the outside of the connecting window 4 (at a certain distance from it).

[0093] In an embodiment, the cap comprises an additional connecting window 4A, including an additional connecting band and an additional film. The respective second ends 42 of the connecting band 40 and of the additional connecting band (connected to the tamper evident ring 3) are disposed in the retaining portion 31 of the tamper evident ring 3, at the ends of a circular arc of less than 180 degrees (preferably less than 160 degrees). The fastening element 51, 510 (or, alternatively, the protrusion 52) is interposed between the second ends relative to the circular arc.

[0094] Preferably, the respective second dimensions L2 of the connecting window 4 and of the additional connecting window 4A are each at least 60 degrees measured along an arc ‘α’ around the longitudinal axis A.

[0095] It should be noted that the side wall 21 of the cap body 2 and the tamper evident ring 3 define an inside surface S that faces towards the longitudinal axis A. In one or more embodiments, the connecting band 4 has an increased thickness zone 45, protuberant radially from the inside surface S at a cutting plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis A and passing through the joining portion 32. Thus, the inside wall S has a protuberance at the increased thickness zone 45. Therefore, the inside wall S is not radially symmetrical. Thanks to the increased thickness zone 45, the connecting band 4 remains intact even when the joining zone 32 is cut from the outside of the cap 1.

[0096] This disclosure also provides a mould 6 for forming the cap 1.

[0097] The mould 6 includes an upper unit 61 and a lower unit 62, movable towards and away from each other along an axis of the mould 6 which, operatively (when the cap 1 is formed in the mould 6), coincides with the longitudinal axis A. More specifically, the upper unit 61 and the lower unit 62 are movable between a spaced-apart position, to define an open configuration of the mould 6, and a close-together position, to define a closed configuration of the mould 6.

[0098] The lower unit 62 includes (or defines) a cavity. The cavity is configured to receive a charge 9 of extruded thermoplastic material.

[0099] The upper unit 61 includes a core 611. The core 611 is configured to penetrate the cavity of the lower unit 62 when the mould 6 is in the closed configuration.

[0100] More specifically, the core 611 includes an inner core 611A, a central core 611B and an outer core 611C. The outer core 611C surrounds the central core 611B which in turn surrounds the inner core 611A. The inner core 611A, the central core 611B and the outer core 611C are movable relative to each other along the longitudinal axis A; more specifically, in a possible embodiment, the inner core 611A and the outer core 611C are stationary, whilst the central core 611B is movable.

[0101] The upper unit 61 also includes an extractor 612, which surrounds the core 611 and is movable relative to the core 611 (that is, relative to the inner core 611A, the central core 611B and the outer core 611C) along the longitudinal axis A. The central core 611B includes a plurality of recesses configured to form the internal thread on the side wall of the cap.

[0102] In a sequence in which the mould 1 is opened, there is first of all a downward movement of all the components except the outer core 611C and the inner core 611A (in practice equivalent to an upward movement of the outer core 611C and of the inner core 611A); at this stage, the central core 611B and the cavity of the lower unit 62 remain adherent to the cap 1. After that, a specific actuator causes a downward movement of the lower unit 62 away from the upper unit 61 and from the cap 1, thereby releasing an outside wall of the cap 1; at this stage, the central core 611B remains adherent to an inside wall of the cap 1. After that, the extractor 612 moves downwards and, being in contact with the upper edge of the cap 1, entrains the cap 1 downwards with it; at first, the cap 1, pushed downwards by the extractor 612, entrains the central core 611B with it until the central core 611B reaches a stop shoulder (defined, for example, by the inner core 611A, which is stationary). When the central core 611B reaches the stop shoulder, the extractor 612 continues moving downwards and (if necessary with the aid of compressed air injected between the inner core 611A and the central core 611B) elastically deforms the side wall of the cap 1, until extracting the internal thread from the recesses of the central core 611B and releasing the inside wall of the cap 1. To form the connecting window 4, the mould 6 includes a drawer 63. The drawer 63 is movable along a first transverse axis T1, oriented radially relative to the longitudinal axis A. The drawer 63 (at the end of it facing towards the longitudinal axis A) has a top surface with a groove made in it. When the mould 6 is at the closed position, where the upper unit 61, the lower unit 62 and the drawer 63 are close together, the top surface of the drawer 63 delimits the outside of a connecting zone 73 of the forming cavity 7; the connecting zone 73 is configured to form the connecting window 4. In the embodiment illustrated, the drawer 63 has a contoured portion 630 which is configured to interact with a corresponding portion of the upper unit 61 (specifically, of the extractor 612) so that a longitudinal movement of the upper unit 61 towards the closed configuration of the mould 6 causes the drawer 63 to move transversely towards the closed configuration of the mould 6. Thus, the drawer 63 is supported by the lower unit 62 but is moved by the upper unit 61.

[0103] More specifically, the cap 1 includes an elastic device (for example, a spring or a plurality of springs) associated with the drawer 63 and configured to push the drawer 63 towards its retracted position, away from the longitudinal axis A. When the contoured portion 630 comes into contact with the upper unit 61, the upper unit 61 applies on the drawer 63 a force that moves it to the advanced position, towards the longitudinal axis A, and overcomes the force of the spring or springs.

[0104] To form the additional connecting window 4A, the mould 6 includes an additional drawer 65. The additional drawer 65 is movable along a second transverse axis T2, oriented radially relative to the longitudinal axis A. The additional drawer 65 (at the end of it facing towards the longitudinal axis A) has a top surface with a groove made in it. When the mould 6 is at the closed position, where the upper unit 61, the lower unit 62 and the additional drawer 65 are close together, the top surface of the additional drawer 65 delimits the outside of an additional connecting zone 74 of the forming cavity 7; the additional connecting zone 74 is configured to form the additional connecting window 4A.

[0105] The additional drawer 65, too, has a contoured portion which is configured to interact with a corresponding portion of the upper unit 61 so that a longitudinal movement of the upper unit 61 towards the closed configuration of the mould 6 causes the additional drawer 65 to move transversely towards the closed configuration of the mould 6.

[0106] More specifically, the cap 1 includes an elastic device (for example, a spring or a plurality of springs) associated with the additional drawer 65 and configured to push the additional drawer 65 towards its retracted position, away from the longitudinal axis A. When the contoured portion of the additional drawer comes into contact with the upper unit 61, the upper unit 61 applies on the additional drawer 65 a force that moves it to the advanced position, towards the longitudinal axis A, and overcomes the force of the spring or springs.

[0107] To form the fastening element 51, 510 and the protrusion 52 (if these are provided on the outside of the connecting window 4), the mould 6 may include an auxiliary drawer 64, movable transversely to the longitudinal axis A along a third transverse axis T3; when the mould 6 is at a closed position, where the upper unit 61, the lower unit 62 and the auxiliary drawer 64 are close together, a top surface of the auxiliary drawer 64 delimits the outside of a portion of the forming cavity 7 to form at least one protuberant zone and one contoured zone in the forming cavity (the protuberant zone being configured to form the protrusion 52 and the contoured zone being configured to form the fastening element 51, 510).

[0108] The auxiliary drawer 64, too, has a contoured portion which is configured to interact with a corresponding portion of the upper unit 61 so that a longitudinal movement of the upper unit 61 towards the closed configuration of the mould 6 causes the auxiliary drawer 64 to move transversely towards the closed configuration of the mould 6.

[0109] More specifically, the cap 1 includes an elastic device (for example, a spring or a plurality of springs) associated with the auxiliary drawer 64 and configured to push the auxiliary drawer 64 towards its retracted position, away from the longitudinal axis A. When the contoured portion of the auxiliary drawer comes into contact with the upper unit 61, the upper unit 61 applies on the drawer 64 a force that moves it to the advanced position, towards the longitudinal axis A, and overcomes the force of the spring or springs. Preferably, the third transverse axis T3 is interposed between, and angularly equidistant from, the first and the second transverse axis T1, T2.

[0110] In an embodiment, the first, second and third transverse axes T1, T2, T3 are angularly equispaced around the longitudinal axis A. In other embodiments, the angle made by the third transverse axis T3 with the first transverse axis T1 is equal to the angle made by the third transverse axis T3 with the second transverse axis T2 but smaller than the angle made by the first transverse axis T1 with the second transverse axis T2.

[0111] The inside of the mould 6 defines a forming cavity 7 for forming the cap 1 from the charge 9. The forming cavity 7 includes a side hollow 71, extending around the longitudinal axis A, and a transverse hollow 72, oriented transversely to the side hollow 71 and connected to one end of the side hollow 71. The transverse hollow 72 is configured to form the transverse wall 22 of the cap 1. The side hollow 71 includes a body zone 711, a joining zone 712 and a tamper evidence zone 713. The body zone 711, the joining zone 712 and a tamper evidence zone 713 each extend around the longitudinal axis A (and are thus annular in shape). The joining zone 712 is interposed between the body zone 711 and the tamper evidence zone 713. The body zone 711 has a first end which is connected to the transverse hollow 72 and a second end which is connected to the joining zone 712. It should be noted that the joining zone 712 is configured to create the joining portion 32 of the cap 1; the joining zone 712 is configured to create a pre-weakened portion in the joining zone 712 or, alternatively, the pre-weakened portion is created after forming (for example, with a cutting device).

[0112] The forming cavity 7 also includes the connecting zone 73 formed of respective portions of the cap body zone 711, of the joining zone 712 and of the tamper evidence zone 713 confronted by the drawer 63. The connecting zone 73 includes a connecting portion (configured to form the connecting band 4) and a reduced thickness zone (configured to form the film 400) surrounding the connecting portion.

[0113] The forming cavity 7 may also include the additional connecting zone 74 formed of respective portions of the cap body zone 711, of the joining zone 712 and of the tamper evidence zone 713 confronted by the additional drawer 65. The additional connecting zone 74 includes a connecting portion (configured to form the additional connecting band) and a reduced thickness zone (configured to form the additional film) surrounding the connecting portion.

[0114] The forming cavity 7 may also include the protuberant zone and the contoured zone formed of respective portions of the cap body zone 711, of the joining zone 712 and of the tamper evidence zone 713 confronted by the auxiliary drawer 64.

[0115] In an embodiment (not illustrated) the mould 1 comprises a plunger associated with the lower unit 62. The plunger is movable relative to the lower unit 62 between a retracted position, where it acts in conjunction with the lower unit 62 to form the cavity that receives the charge 9, and an advanced position, where it at least partly occupies the cavity defined by the lower unit 62. The plunger is movable along a respective axis which may be parallel or transverse to the longitudinal axis A. The mould 1 may also comprise a thrust actuator connected to the plunger to move it from the retracted position to the advanced position, thereby squeezing the charge 9 so that the plastic material is forced to occupy the forming space 7. Instead of providing the actuator, the plunger, too, might be moved by the effect of the relative movement between the lower unit and the upper unit (by means of specific contoured portions).

[0116] In this context, the step of forming the cap would include the following sub-steps: [0117] positioning at least part of the charge 9 in the forming cavity; [0118] closing the mould 1 to form a closed forming space delimited by the upper unit 61 and the lower unit 62; the step of closing the mould comprises moving the lower unit and the upper unit towards each other and simultaneously advancing the drawer 63 (and, if provided, the additional drawer 65 and/or the auxiliary drawer 64) from the retracted position to the respective advanced position; [0119] moving the plunger from the retracted position to the advanced position to squeeze the charge 9 so that the plastic material is forced to occupy the forming space.

[0120] The movement of the plunger might be synchronized with the movement of the upper unit 61 and lower unit 62 (hence of the drawer 63, of the additional drawer 65 and/or of the auxiliary drawer 64) towards each other, or it might be performed after the movement of the upper unit 61 and lower unit 62.