Closure assembly and container provided with said closure assembly

Abstract

Closure assembly comprising a spout (1) and a cap (2) including a tamper-evident ring (3). The spout (1) has a neck (14) around a product passage (15) and a wall (10). The wall is spaced from the neck (14) to form an inner space (11) which is open from above to receive the tamper-evident ring (3). The tamper-evident ring (3) is integrally moulded via breakable bridges (34) to the cap and comprises a base portion (32) with at least one snap portion (33) at abase portion outer face (32a). The wall (10) of the spout (1) comprises at least one window (16), wherein the at least one snap portion (33) fits inside the window (16) to snap the tamper-evident ring (3) to the spout (1) when the tamper-evident ring (3) is inserted in the inner space (11).

Claims

1. A closure assembly comprising an article and a cap including a tamper-evident ring, wherein: the article is made of a plastic material and forms a tubular neck around a product passage in said article, said tubular neck having a main axis and forming a mouth at a top end of said product passage, wherein the article further comprises a circumferential wall which is positioned around a bottom region of the tubular neck and spaced from the tubular neck forming an inner space which is open from above and adapted to receive the tamper-evident ring therein, the cap is made of a plastic material and is secured on or is to be secured on said tubular neck of the article, the cap sealing the product passage in a closed position of the cap on said tubular neck, and the cap being adapted to be manually removed from the tubular neck of the article by a user to open the product passage, wherein the cap comprises a top wall and a downward depending skirt, said skirt having an interior side, an exterior side, and a lower edge remote from the top wall, wherein the tamper-evident ring is integrally formed to the lower edge of the skirt of the cap, said tamper-evident ring comprising an annular base portion which is connected via one or more breakable bridges to the skirt, a lower edge of the tamper-evident ring being a continuous ring, wherein said annular base portion is at least partially inserted or adapted to be at least partially inserted into said inner space, wherein the circumferential wall of the article comprises at least one window which extends through said circumferential wall from a wall outer face to a wall inner face, wherein said annular base portion has a base portion outer face and a base portion inner face and has at least one snap portion which is positioned at the base portion outer face, wherein the at least one snap portion is adapted to snap in the at least one window of the circumferential wall when the annular base portion of the tamper-evident ring is at least partially inserted into the inner space, wherein the at least one snap portion comprises an axial stopper face which is adapted to retain the annular base portion axially within the inner space, and wherein the closure assembly is embodied to allow that a rotation of the annular base portion received in the inner space is blocked or limited to allow that upon first time opening of the closure assembly by removal of the cap by a user the one or more bridges break and the annular base portion remains in the inner space of the article.

2. The closure assembly according to claim 1, wherein, when the cap is secured on the tubular neck, the annular base portion of the tamper-evident ring is arranged in an initial position thereof relative to said circumferential wall, and wherein the annular base portion of the tamper-evident ring is displaceable from said initial position to a lower position thereof that is deeper downward in said inner space relative to said initial position, and wherein the closure assembly is embodied to allow that a first time removal of the cap by the user, causes said annular base portion of the tamper-evident ring to be moved to said lower position.

3. The closure assembly according to claim 2, wherein, in the initial position thereof, the annular base portion of the tamper-evident ring protrudes above the circumferential wall, and wherein, in the lower position thereof, the annular base portion of the tamper-evident ring does not protrude above the circumferential wall.

4. The closure assembly according to claim 2, wherein in addition to a first or primary snap connection between the article and the tamper-evident ring provided by the at least one snap portion and a corresponding one of the at least one window in the circumferential wall, the cap further comprises at least one auxiliary or secondary snap connection structure that is activated as the annular base portion of the tamper-evident ring is moved into said lower position thereof and is adapted to retain the tamper-evident ring in said lower position.

5. The closure assembly according to claim 1, wherein the closure assembly comprises: at least one cam including a first ramp profile in which the first ramp profile is angled with respect to the main axis, in which the at least one cam is positioned at one of the lower edge of the skirt and the annular base portion of the tamper-evident ring, and at least one cam recess in which the at least one cam recess includes a second ramp profile to interact with the first ramp profile of the at least one cam and in which the at least one cam recess is positioned opposite the at least one cam at the other one of the lower edge of the skirt and the annular base portion of the tamper-evident ring, wherein, upon first time opening of the closure assembly by rotation of the cap relative to the article about the main axis, the first and second ramp profiles interact in order to cause axial displacement of the tamper-evident ring with respect to the skirt of the cap.

6. The closure assembly according to claim 5, wherein the first and second ramp profiles define a total stroke of axial displacement of the tamper-evident ring with respect to the skirt which is larger than a stroke of axial displacement of the tamper-evident ring with respect to the article between the initial position and the lower position, thereby assisting the release of co-operating snap connector formations of the cap and the tubular neck.

7. The closure assembly according to claim 1, wherein the closure assembly comprises a snap-on type cap providing in use of the closure assembly a snap-on functionality, wherein the interior side of the skirt of the cap and an exterior side of the tubular neck of the article have co-operating snap connector formations to provide the snap-on functionality.

8. The closure assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one snap portion forms a protrusion which extends outward from the annular base portion outer face and which has an inclined bottom face which serves to force a portion of the circumferential wall elastically outwards when introducing the annular base portion of the tamper-evident ring into the inner space during assembly of the closure assembly.

9. The closure assembly according to claim 8, wherein at least a lower region or section of the tubular neck of the article, which delimits said inner space, has a cross-section that substantially corresponds to an inner cross-section of the annular base portion to allow that an inward motion of said at least one snap portion is substantially blocked.

10. The closure assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one window comprises at least one pair of windows including a first and second window which are positioned diametrically opposite each other.

11. The closure assembly according to claim 1, wherein the article is a fitment to be secured or secured to a container body.

12. The closure assembly according to claim 11, wherein the article is a spout which comprises a lower connector portion secured or to be secured between opposed film walls of a collapsible pouch container.

13. A container provided with the closure assembly according to claim 1.

14. A method for manufacturing and filling the container according to claim 13, comprising the steps of: providing the container having the article thereon without the cap, filling the container, placing the cap onto the tubular neck of the article to allow that the cap seals the product passage and the annular base portion of the tamper-evident ring of the cap is at least partially introduced into the inner space of the article, wherein the at least one snap portion is snapped in said corresponding at least one window of the circumferential wall of the article.

15. The closure assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lower edge of the tamper-evident ring further comprises at least one snap portion at an outer lateral surface of the tamper-evident ring.

16. A closure assembly comprising an article and a cap including a tamper-evident ring, wherein: the article is made of a plastic material and forms a tubular neck around a product passage in said article, said tubular neck having a main axis and forming a mouth at a top end of said product passage, wherein the article further comprises a circumferential wall which is positioned around a bottom region of the tubular neck and spaced from the tubular neck forming an inner space which is open from above and adapted to receive the tamper-evident ring therein, the cap is made of a plastic material and is secured on or is to be secured on said tubular neck of the article, the cap sealing the product passage in a closed position of the cap on said tubular neck, and the cap being adapted to be manually removed from the tubular neck of the article by a user to open the product passage, wherein the cap comprises a top wall and a downward depending skirt, said skirt having an interior side, an exterior side, and a lower edge remote from the top wall, wherein the tamper-evident ring is integrally formed to the lower edge of the skirt of the cap, said tamper-evident ring comprising an annular base portion which is connected via one or more breakable bridges to the skirt, wherein said annular base portion is at least partially inserted or adapted to be at least partially inserted into said inner space, wherein the circumferential wall of the article comprises at least one window which extends through said circumferential wall from a wall outer face to a wall inner face, wherein said annular base portion has a base portion outer face and a base portion inner face and has at least one snap portion which is positioned at the base portion outer face, wherein the at least one snap portion is adapted to snap in the at least one window of the circumferential wall when the annular base portion of the tamper-evident ring is at least partially inserted into the inner space, wherein the at least one snap portion comprises an axial stopper face which is adapted to retain the annular base portion axially within the inner space, and wherein the closure assembly is embodied to allow that a rotation of the annular base portion received in the inner space is blocked or limited to allow that upon first time opening of the closure assembly by removal of the cap by a user the one or more bridges break and the annular base portion remains in the inner space of the article, wherein, when the cap is secured on the tubular neck, the annular base portion of the tamper-evident ring is arranged in an initial position thereof relative to said circumferential wall, and wherein the annular base portion of the tamper-evident ring is displaceable from said initial position to a lower position thereof that is deeper downward in said inner space relative to said initial position, and wherein the closure assembly is embodied to allow that a first time removal of the cap by the user, causes said annular base portion of the tamper-evident ring to be moved to said lower position, and wherein in addition to a first or primary snap connection between the article and the tamper-evident ring provided by the at least one snap portion and a corresponding one of the at least one window in the circumferential wall, the cap further comprises at least one auxiliary or secondary snap connection structure that is activated as the annular base portion of the tamper-evident ring is moved into said lower position thereof and is adapted to retain the tamper-evident ring in said lower position.

17. The closure assembly according to claim 16, wherein, in the initial position thereof, the annular base portion of the tamper-evident ring protrudes above the circumferential wall, and wherein, in the lower position thereof, the annular base portion of the tamper-evident ring does not protrude above the circumferential wall.

18. The closure assembly according to claim 16, wherein the closure assembly comprises: at least one cam including a first ramp profile in which the first ramp profile is angled with respect to the main axis, in which the at least one cam is positioned at one of the lower edge of the skirt and the annular base portion of the tamper-evident ring, and at least one cam recess in which the at least one cam recess includes a second ramp profile to interact with the first ramp profile of the at least one cam and in which the at least one cam recess is positioned opposite the at least one cam at the other one of the lower edge of the skirt and the annular base portion of the tamper-evident ring, wherein, upon first time opening of the closure assembly by rotation of the cap relative to the article about the main axis, the first and second ramp profiles interact in order to cause axial displacement of the tamper-evident ring with respect to the skirt of the cap.

19. The closure assembly according to claim 16, wherein the closure assembly comprises a snap-on type cap providing in use of the closure assembly a snap-on functionality, wherein the interior side of the skirt of the cap and an exterior side of the tubular neck of the article have co-operating snap connector formations to provide the snap-on functionality.

20. The closure assembly according to claim 19, wherein the first and second ramp profiles define a total stroke of axial displacement of the tamper-evident ring with respect to the skirt which is larger than a stroke of axial displacement of the tamper-evident ring with respect to the article between the initial position and the lower position, thereby assisting the release of co-operating snap connector formations of the cap and the tubular neck.

Description

(1) The invention will now be explained with reference to non-limiting embodiments of the closure assembly as shown in the drawings. In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a spout of a closure assembly as shown in FIG. 3;

(3) FIG. 1B shows a front view of the spout from FIG. 1A;

(4) FIG. 1C shows a sectional view in a longitudinal direction about a main axis of the spout;

(5) FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of a cap of the closure assembly as shown in FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 2B shows a front view of the cap with a tamper-evident ring as shown in FIG. 2A;

(7) FIG. 2C shows an enlarged view of the tamper-evident ring of FIG. 2B;

(8) FIG. 2D shows a sectional view in a longitudinal direction about a main axis of the cap;

(9) FIG. 3A shows in a perspective view a closure assembly including the spout and cap as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 in which the closure assembly is shown in an initial-state, in which the spout and cap are positioned relative to each other in a manner as how they are initially connected to each other;

(10) FIG. 3B shows a front view of the closure assembly as shown in FIG. 3A;

(11) FIG. 3C shows an exploded view in a longitudinal direction about a main axis of the closure assembly of FIG. 3B;

(12) FIG. 3D shows a sectional exploded front view of the closure assembly in a used-state in which the cap is removed away from the spout and in which the tamper-evident ring is now left behind and attached to the spout;

(13) FIG. 3E shows a sectional view in a longitudinal direction about the main axis of the closure assembly of FIG. 3D;

(14) FIG. 4A shows in a view corresponding to FIG. 3C an alternative embodiment of a closure assembly according to the invention in the initial state,

(15) FIG. 4B shows the embodiment of FIG. 4A where the cap has been removed from the article;

(16) FIG. 5 shows in a perspective view, with part of the circumferential wall removed, an alternative spout according to the invention.

(17) In the appended figures, the closure assembly according to the invention is illustrated. Now, with a reference to FIGS. 1-3, a first embodiment of a closure assembly according to the invention will be discussed.

(18) The assembly is generally composed of two separate plastic items, namely an article 1, here embodied as a spout and a cap 2 which includes a tamper-evident ring 3.

(19) The embodiment of the closure assembly comprises a spout 1 as shown in FIG. 1A and a cap 2 as shown in FIG. 2A. As is preferred, the spout 1 is manufactured by injection moulding as a one piece item in a mould.

(20) Here, the spout 1 is adapted to be secured with a lower connector portion 12 thereof between opposed film walls of a collapsible pouch container. The lower connector portion 12 is preferably heat sealed between opposed film walls of a pouch container. Such techniques are known in the art. The lower connector portion 12, as is preferred, here includes two fins 13a, 13b that extend in opposite directions from a central tubular part 12a of the lower connector portion 12. These fins 13a, 13b lie in a common imaginary vertical plane. The central part 12a here is essentially circular in horizontal cross-section but other shapes, e.g. oval, elliptical, etc., are also possible.

(21) The spout 1 forms, here above the lower connector portion 12, a tubular neck 14 around a product passage 15 in the spout. As is known, the passage 15 extends through the lower connector portion 12 to one or more lower openings 18. The figures relate to a design wherein the passage 15 has a diameter of about 8 mm.

(22) The neck 14 as an exterior side that may be provided with screw thread formations, e.g. a double screw thread formations as is preferred to provide two 180° angularly offset starting positions for the cap 2. Here, the closure assembly is configured as a snap-closure in which no screw threads are provided. In a middle region, the neck 14 comprises a snap ridge 19 for snapping the cap 2 onto the article.

(23) As shown in further detail in FIGS. 1B and 1C, the spout 1 comprises an annular inner space 11 at a bottom region of the tubular neck 14. The inner space 11 is formed by the tubular neck 4 and a circumferential wall 10. The wall 10 extends in parallel with the tubular neck 14. The wall 10 is spaced apart from the tubular neck 4. The inner space is open from above for receiving the tamper-evident ring 3 of the cap 2. The wall circumferences a bottom region of the neck 4. The wall 10 extends in a circumferential direction about a main axis 6. The wall 10 has an outer wall face 10a and an inner wall face 10b. The wall 10 extends in axial direction.

(24) The wall 10 has a predetermined wall height and extends from a wall base 10c upwards to a wall top 10d. The wall base 10c is connected to the tubular neck 14. The wall base 10c delimits a lower region of the inner space 11. The wall top 10d delimits an upper region of the inner space 11. The inner space 11 has a height which substantially equals a height of the tamper-evident ring 3. Preferably, the height of the inner space 11 is about 10% larger than the height of the tamper-evident ring 3, such that the tamper-evident ring 3 can be fully received by the inner space 11. At the wall top 10d, the wall 10 comprises a wall ridge 10e which is positioned at the inner wall face 10b. The wall ridge 10e is shown in FIG. 10. The wall ridge 10e is positioned adjacent to an upper edge of the wall 10. Here, the wall ridge 10e extends as a single feature along the circumference of the wall 10, but alternatively, the wall ridge 10e may be featured by several wall ridge segments. The wall ridge 10e is configured for snapping with a corresponding ridge 37 of the cap 2, which will hereafter be further elucidated by reference to FIG. 3E.

(25) The wall 10 comprises at least one receiving feature, like an aperture, groove or ridge for receiving a snapping feature of the tamper-evident ring 3. The aperture may have a predetermined depth, but preferably as shown here, the aperture is a through aperture, also called a window 16, more particularly a viewing window. The at least one aperture is open from the inner wall face 10a to the outer wall face 10b. The window 16 is configured to snap the cap 2 to the spout 1. The window 16 is configured to receive a snap portion 33 at the tamper-evident ring 3 of the cap 2. The snap portion 33 has a predetermined width which fits inside the window 16. Advantageously, the window 16 makes an engagement of a snap portion 33 of the tamper-evident ring 3 visible from the outside.

(26) Here, the wall 10 comprises four windows 16.1, 16.2, 16.3, 16.4 which are equally distributed about the circumference of the wall 10. Preferably, the wall 10 comprises at least one pair of windows 16.1, 16.3; 16.2, 16.4 including a first and second window positioned diametrically opposite each other. Seen from above, the first and second window are positioned in mirror symmetry.

(27) Each window 16 of such a pair of windows has a predetermined height and width. As shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, the predetermined height ‘h’ of the window 16 provides a first and second guidance surface 16a, 16b. These guidance surfaces 16a, 16b can be used by a rail-tool during manufacturing of the article 1 for conveying the article from one station to another or during assembly in an assembly line. The outer wall face 10b is a smooth-surfaced cylinder. Advantageously, in comparison with other similar articles, the outer wall face 10b can remain free of guiding ridges or added flanges which allows a minimisation of plastic material to produce this article 1.

(28) As shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, the article is a spout. The spout comprises the lower connector portion 12 for heat sealing the spout between opposed film walls of a collapsible pouch container. The lower connector portion includes two fins 13a, 13b that extent in opposite directions from a central tubular part 12a of the lower connector portion. The fins 13a, 13b extend in a perpendicular direction with respect to an imaginary line crossing the pair of windows 16.1, 16.3, such that the guidance surfaces provided by the pair of windows are accessible from the outside by a guidance tool of the assembly or production line.

(29) The closure assembly further comprises a cap 2 which is shown in FIG. 2A-2D. The cap 2 is adapted to be secured onto the neck 14, which can be done in an assembly line to manufacture pre-assembled assemblies as shown in FIG. 3A. Such a pre-assembled closure assembly can be attached to an already filled pouch container. The cap 2 can also be delivered separately from the spout 1 to e.g. a company producing filled pouches. For example, the spout 1 is sealed into a pouch, the pouch is filled via the passage 15 and then the cap 2 is placed on the neck 14 by an automatic cap screwing device. In another example, a pouch is filled, the spout 1 is sealed into the filled pouch and then the cap 2 is place on the neck 14. In another example, the spout 1 is preassembled with the cap 2 and as a pre-assembly sealed into a pouch, wherein the pouch may be filled beforehand or via a pouch opening or initial open sew at a bottom region of the pouch.

(30) The cap 2 seals the product passage 15 in a closed position of the cap on the neck as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

(31) For removal of the cap 2 from the neck 14 by a user to open the product passage 15, a user manually rotates the cap from the closed position in an opening direction, here counter clockwise as is preferred. The closure assembly in an open position is shown in FIG. 3C.

(32) As shown in FIG. 2A, the cap 2 comprises a top wall 21 and a downward depending annular skirt 22. The cap 2 is a hollow item. The cap 2 is cylindrically shaped and has an inner space 25. The skirt has an interior side, exterior side and a lower edge remote from the top wall 21.

(33) The interior side of the skirt may be provided with screw thread formations that cooperate with the screw thread formations on the neck 14 of the spout 1. Here, the cap 2 is arranged as a snap-closure.

(34) At a middle region, the interior side of the skirt 22 is provided with a snap ridge 23 for snapping the cap 2 onto the spout 1. The snap ridge 23 of the cap interacts with the snap ridge 19 at the middle region of the neck 14 of the spout.

(35) The exterior side of the skirt 22 is provided with a grip for manually operating the closure assembly. Here, the grip includes two opposite positioned wing shaped handles which despite the provided snap-closure arrangement stimulates a user to rotate the cap 2 from the spout 1.

(36) As further shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the cap 2 comprises a tamper-evident ring 3 that is integrally moulded to the skirt 22. Here, the tamper-evident ring 3 is composed of a single ring element. The ring element extends about a main axis 6. The ring element has a base portion 32 and at least one snap portion 33 at an outer face 32a of the base portion.

(37) The base portion 32 is connected via one or more breakable bridges 34 to the skirt 22. Here, the base portion 32 is provided with four bridges 34 to provide an initial connection of the tamper-evident ring 3 to the skirt 22 of the cap 2. The bridges 34 are formed by small injection moulded bridges in between the skirt 22 and the base portion 32 of the tamper-evident ring 3. Before use of the closure assembly, the tamper-evident ring 3 is connected to the cap 2 by the breakable bridges 34. When in use removing the cap 2 from the closure assembly, the bridges 34 break and the tamper-evident ring 3 is left attached to the spout 1.

(38) Further, the lower edge of the skirt 22 of the cap 2 is provided with supporting bosses 34b which support a downwards pressing of the tamper-evident ring 3 into the inner space 11 of the article and which bosses 34b contribute to prevent a too early breaking of the bridges 34.

(39) The attachment of the tamper-evident ring 3 to the article 1 is provided by the at least one snap portion 33. The at least one snap portion 33 is integrally moulded with the base portion 32. The snap portion 33 forms a protrusion which outwardly extends from the outer face of the base portion 32. The snap portion 33 engages and snaps with a complementary designed feature of the article 1 which is here a window 16 to provide a connection between the tamper-evident ring 3 and the article 1.

(40) As shown in FIG. 2C, in a longitudinal sectional view along the main axis 6, the snap portion 33 is wedge shaped. The wedge shaped snap portion 33 has an inclined bottom face 33a which serves for centring the tamper-evident ring 3 with respect to the article 1 when placing the ring 3 onto the article 1 in assembling the closure assembly. The wedge shaped snap portion 33 has an upper stopper face 33b which serves as a stopper when snapping the snap portion 33 into the window 16 of the article 1 in assembling the closure assembly. The wedge shaped snap portion 33 has a side stopper faces 33c which serve as a stopper for the tamper-evident ring 3 in a rotational direction about the main axis 6. In assembling the tamper-evident ring 3 to the article 1, the upper stopper face 33b limits an axial movement of the tamper-evident ring 3 with respect to the article 1. In assembling the tamper-evident ring 3 to the article 1, the side stopper face 33c limits a rotational movement of the tamper-evident ring 3 with respect to the article 1 which is further shown in FIG. 3B. Herewith, the tamper-evident ring 3 is coupled to the article 1.

(41) As further shown in FIG. 2C, the cap 2 is provided with at least one cam 35. The cam 35 is positioned in between the skirt 22 and the bottom portion 32 of the tamper-evident ring 3. Here, as preferred, the cam 35 is integrally moulded with the cap 2. Alternatively, the cam 35 may be integrally moulded with the base portion 32 of the tamper-evident ring.

(42) The cam 35 is formed as a tooth. The cam 35 downwardly extends from a lower edge of the skirt 22. In an upper region, the base portion 32 of the tamper-evident ring 3 comprises a cam recess 36 which is complementary shaped to the cam 35. The recess 36 is positioned at the upper edge of the base portion 32.

(43) The cam 35 and the recess 36 each comprise a ramp profile 35a, 36a which are complementary to each other. The cam 35 comprises a first ramp profile 35a. The cam recess 36 comprises a second ramp profile 36a. Each ramp profile has an inclined face with respect to a normal plane of the main axis 6. The ramp profiles 35a, 36a serve to generate an axial movement of the tamper-evident ring 3 when rotating the above positioned skirt 22 of the cap 2 about the main axis 6. When in use rotating the cap 2, the bridges 34 will break and the cam 35 will engage to the base portion 32 of the tamper-evident ring 3. The engagement of the cam 35 will exert an axial force to the tamper-evident ring 3 which will cause a downwardly directed movement of the tamper-evident ring 3 with respect to the article 1. As indicated in FIG. 2D, the relative movement between the cap 2 and the tamper-evident ring 3 includes a total stroke ‘st’ determined by a height of overlapping of the ramp profiles 35a, 35b.

(44) As further shown in FIG. 2C, the tamper-evident ring 3 comprises a ridge 37. The ridge 37 serves to snap fit the tamper-evident ring 3 at a lower position to the article 1 to indicate a used-state.

(45) As is preferred, the ridge 37 is wedge shaped. The wedge shaped ridge 37 has an inclined bottom face 37a, which contributes to a snapping of the ridge 37 to the article 1. The ridge 37 has an upper stopper face 37b which serves as a stopper after snapping the ridge 37 to the article 1. The upper stopper face 37b limits a upwards movement of the tamper-evident ring 3 after being positioned in the lower position. This is further illustrated in FIG. 3E.

(46) The ridge 37 extends along the outer face 32a of the base portion 32 in a circumferential direction about the main axis 6 in the normal plane of the main axis 6. Here, the ridge 37 is formed as a single feature extending along the outer face 32a, but alternatively the ridge 37 may comprise a plurality of ridge segments. The ridge 37 may extend along the full outer circumference of the base portion 32. Here, the ridge 37 is positioned at the upper region of the base portion and interrupted by the recess 36. The ridge 37 has a first and second end which are positioned adjacent both lateral sides of the recess 36.

(47) FIG. 2D shows a longitudinal sectional view about a main axis 6 of the cap 2 including the tamper-evident ring 3. The tamper-evident ring 3 is connected to the skirt 22 of the cap 2 by the tiny bridge shaped bridges 34. The cap 2 including the tamper-evident ring 3 is manufactured as a one piece item by injection moulding.

(48) The base portion 32 of the tamper-evident ring 3 has a base portion inner face 32b. The inner face 32b is formed as a circumferential flat plane. The inner face 32b is a smooth-surfaced cylinder. The inner face 32b is free from any protrusions.

(49) FIG. 2D and FIG. 3C further show a presence of multiple cams 35. Here, the cap 2 comprises a second cam 35.2 which is positioned opposite the first cam 35.1 as described above and shown in FIG. 2C. In use, the first and second cams 35.1, 35.2 provide an axial force to the tamper-evident ring 3 at two locations which eliminates an introduction of a moment and contributes to a proper guidance of the tamper-evident ring 3. Preferably, the cap 2 comprises two cams to prevent a tilting of the tamper-evident ring 3 when pressing the ring 3 downwards.

(50) The closure assembly is further shown in FIG. 3A-FIG. 3E.

(51) As shown in FIG. 3A, the closure assembly is in an initial state. In the initial state of the closure assembly, the closure assembly is ready for use. The closure assembly is delivered by the assembly line in the initial state. The closure assembly can be connected to a container, a plastic bottle, a package, a carton, a pouch etc. while maintaining the closure assembly in the initial state.

(52) FIG. 3B shows a front view of the closure assembly as shown in FIG. 3A. The closure assembly comprises two items i.e. the spout 1 and the cap 2, which cap 2 includes the tamper-evident ring 3. The items of the closure assembly were separately manufactured by injection moulding. In the initial state, the cap 2 is snapped onto the spout 1. The cap 2 is snapped onto the spout 1 by moving the snap ridge 23 of the cap 2 across the snap ridge 19 at the neck 14 of the spout 1. The tamper-evident ring 3 is introduced in the inner space of 11 of the spout 1 until the at least one snap portion 33 engages with at least one of the windows 16. In the initial state, an axial movement of the cap 2 relative to the spout 1 is still available in a downwards direction, but the snapping of the snap portion 33 into the window 16 prevents an undesired release of the cap 2 from the article 1 in an upwards direction.

(53) As shown in FIG. 3B, the window 16 of the article 1 has a width which corresponds with a width of a snap portion 33 to be received into the window. By receiving the snap portion 33 inside the window 16, a rotational movement about the main axis 6 of the snap portion 33 is limited. When exerting a rotational force onto the tamper-evident ring 3, a side face of the snap portion 33 will abut to a side face of the window 16 which will stop a further rotational movement of the tamper-evident ring 3. So, and engagement of the snap portion 33 in the window 16 provides a rotational constraint to a received tamper-evident ring 3.

(54) FIG. 3C shows in a front view the closure assembly in a used-state. In the used-state, the cap 2 is removed from the spout 1. The cap 2 is removed by a rotational movement of the cap 2 with respect to the spout 1. During the rotational movement, the tamper-evident ring 3 is broken from the skirt 22 of the cap 2. The bridges 34 in between the skirt 22 and the base portion 32 of the tamper-evident ring 3 are broken. The base portion 32 is left behind in the inner space 11 of the article 1. Additionally, the base portion 32 is moved downwards over a stroke ‘s’ during the rotational movement of the cap 2.

(55) FIG. 3D shows the closure assembly as shown in FIG. 3C in a sectional view in a longitudinal direction along the main axis 6. Subsequently, FIG. 3E shows an enlarged view of FIG. 3D to enlarge the inner space 11 of the article 1. It is shown that the base portion 32 of the tamper-evident ring 3 is situated within the inner space 11. The wall 10 shields the tamper-evident ring 3 in the inner space 11. During the rotational movement of the cap 2, the base portion 32 has moved over the stroke ‘s’ from an upper initial position—as provided by the initial state which is provided just after an assembly of the items—to a lower position which position characterises the used-state. The lower position of the base portion 32 is a fixed position caused by an engagement of the wall ridge 10e and the ridge 37 at the base portion outer face 32a. Advantageously, the tamper-evident ring 3 is received deeply inside the inner space 11 which increases a safety of the closure assembly in the used-state.

(56) As shown in FIG. 3E, the tamper-evident ring 3 is displaced and is arrived at its lowest position inside the inner space 11. In the lowest position, the tamper-evident ring 3 is blocked by the wall base 10c and cannot be displaced any further. Here, the lowest position coincidences with a lower position of a second snap connection provided by the ridge 37 and the wall ridge 10e. The ring 3 is displaced from the initial position to the lowest position about a stroke ‘s’. As is preferred, this stroke ‘s’ is smaller than the available total stroke ‘st’ as indicated in FIG. 2D. Hence, a further rotation of the cap 2 will result in a lift of the cap 2 with respect to the spout 1. The cap 2 will move in upwards direction across the snap ridge 19. Advantageously, the rotational movement of the cap 2 supports a removal of a snap-on type cap from the spout.

(57) Thus, the invention provides a closure assembly comprising a spout 1 and a cap 2 including a tamper-evident ring 3. The spout 1 has a neck 14 around a product passage 15 and a wall 10. The wall is spaced from the neck 14 to form an inner space 11 which is open from above to receive the tamper-evident ring 3. The tamper-evident ring 3 is integrally moulded via breakable bridges 34 to the cap and comprises a base portion 32 with at least one snap portion 33 at a base portion outer face 32a. The wall 10 of the spout 1 comprises at least one window 16, wherein the at least one snap portion 33 fits inside the window 16 to snap the tamper-evident ring 3 to the spout 1 when the tamper-evident ring 3 is inserted in the inner space 11.

(58) With reference to the FIGS. 4A and 4B now a variant of a closure assembly according to the invention will be discussed. In this embodiment the ramp profiles on the skirt and the base portion as discussed above are absent as can be best seen in FIG. 4B when compared to FIG. 3C.

(59) In the initial state the base portion 32 extends with a top region thereof above the circumferential wall 10 which is in particular visible if the colours are different. As can be seen snap portion 33′ is snapped into window 16′.

(60) Whilst not visible it is assumed here that the base portion 32′ can be moved deeper into the inner space to a lower position thereof, as is preferred such that the base portion 32′ no longer protrudes above the circumferential wall 10.

(61) In the embodiment of FIG. 4A, B it is envisaged that the base portion 32′ and the circumferential wall 10 have cooperating ramp formations to cause said motion of the base portion deeper into the inner space when the user opens the closure assembly for the first time.

(62) In more detail, in this example, the window 16′ has an upper edge that forms a ramp face 16a′, and the snap portion 33′ is adapted to engage said ramp face 16a′ and to slide along said face 16a′ when the user rotates the cap 2′. In said opening direction of the cap 2′ the ramp face 16a′ is downwardly inclined, so that the snap portion 33′ is forced downward as the user rotates the cap 2′. This causes the base portion 32′ to be moved deeper into the inner space.

(63) Comparing the initial state of FIG. 4A to the state of FIG. 4B in view of the visual evidence of a first time removal of the cap, it is observed that in the initial position the base portion protrudes above the circumferential wall, e.g. about 1-3 millimeters, and in the lower position the base portion is hidden from lateral view by said circumferential wall. Also, one can observe that a window 16′ is dimensioned such that in the initial position a lower edge of the base portion is spaced above a lower edge of the window, so that one can look underneath the base portion through the window. In the lower position the base portion is now flush with the lower edge of the window, so that the base portion effectively fills the entire window. These effects are also provided in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3. The skilled person will appreciate that in the FIG. 4 embodiment the visual tamper-evident function is further enhanced by the fact that the snap portion 33′ has clearly been moved in rotational direction within the window 16a′ from the initial position, here from left to right.

(64) The retention of the base member 32′ in its lowered, and now also rotationally offset, position, can be effected as discussed with reference to FIGS. 1-3. In an alternative, one could embody the window and snap portion such that the snap portion becomes locked, e.g. wedged, in said position in the window and/or retained in a locking recess formed along the ramp face 16a′.

(65) Upon opening the closure the downward forced motion of the base portion 32′ will strain, and possibly break, the one or more bridges 34. No effective lifting of the cap 2′ will now be provided as the ramp profiles of the previously discussed embodiment are absent, thereby the user will be required to then pull the cap from the neck in the case of a snap connector fit as shown.

(66) FIG. 5 shows in a perspective view, with part of the circumferential wall removed, an alternative spout according to the invention. This figure illustrates yet another alternative design to cause the downward motion of the tamper-evident ring from its initial position to the mentioned lowered position in the inner space between the circumferential wall 10 and the lower region 14a of the neck 14. This design allows to dispense with any ramp structure between the cap and the tamper-evident ring, or between the tamper-evident ring and the circumferential wall.

(67) In more detail, the lower region 14a of the neck 14 is provided with a groove 45, e.g. two at diametrically opposed locations, which groove 45 is embodied in bayonet shape with a first vertical portion 45a and a second adjoining portion 45b that extends at an incline. Upon assembly of the closure assembly, with the tamper-evident ring in a higher initial position relative to the wall 10, a protrusion on the inside of the base portion of the tamper-evident ring is received in the groove portion 45a, preferably at the lower end thereof at the entrance of the second portion 45b. Upon opening of the cap, involving user induced rotation of the tamper-evident ring relative to the neck 14 and wall 10, the protrusion enters the groove portion 45b and is thus forced downward. This causes the tamper-evident ring to be pulled into the inner space between the neck and the circumferential wall. At some point, e.g. when the protrusion has reached the end of the portion 45b and/or when the ring cannot be moved further down, the ring will be blocked from any further rotation. In combination with the downward motion any breakable bridges to the cap will break and the cap will be released from the tamper-evident ring.

(68) The bayonet cooperation between the lower region of the neck and the tamper-evident ring render it very hard to release the tamper-evident ring from the inner space.

(69) It is shown here that the second portion 45b of the groove 45 is formed in the neck 14 opposite a window 16 in the circumferential wall 10. In injection molding the spout this allows to use a movable core member that forms the window 16 as well as least said second portion 45b of the groove 45. The first portion 45a can effectively be formed by another core part of the injection mold.

(70) The same window or windows 16 are preferably also used to cooperate with a snap portion of the base portion of the tamper-evident ring as described herein, said snap portion and respective window being adapted to allow for said limited rotation of the tamper-evident ring as the protrusion travels through the second portion of the bayonet groove 45.

(71) In the FIG. 5 it is shown that wall base 10c, which extends as a radial flange portion around the neck 14, is vertically spaced from the lower connector portion 12, here embodied as a well know seal boat. Here a median panel portion 46, 47 of the one piece spout is present between the lowermost region of the neck 14, the upper face of the connector portion 12, and the wall base 10c, each median panel portion 46, 47 lying in the vertical median plane of the connector portion. These panel portions 46, 47 provide enhanced stability of the spout, e.g. of the wall base 10c and the wall 10. In an alternative these panel portions are absent and, e.g. a pair of parallel flat faces are formed on opposite sides of the lowermost region of the neck allowing to guide the spout through a slot between guide rails.