SPOUT-CAP UNIT, POUCH COMPRISING SUCH A SPOUT-CAP UNIT

Abstract

A spout-cap unit is provided. The spout-cap unit includes a spout including a sealboat, an outlet tube, a retaining member and a cap for closing the outlet tube in a closed position. The spout and the cap are tethered together via at least one tethering member to form the spout-cap unit, the tethering member is connected to the spout at one end and to the cap at the opposite end. The cap is releasable from the outlet tube and can be brought into a released state. In the released state, the cap and the spout remain tethered via the tethering member. The tethering member allows the cap to be moved to a retaining position away from the outlet of the outlet tube. The cap or tethering member can be coupled with the retaining member of the spout for retaining the cap at the retaining position.

Claims

1. A spout-cap unit (1), comprising: a spout part including a sealboat, an outlet tube, and a retaining member; and a cap part for closing an outlet of the outlet tube in a closed position of the cap part; wherein the spout part and the cap part are tethered together via at least one tethering member to form the spout-cap unit, the at least one tethering member being coupled with the spout part at one end of the at least one tethering member and with the cap part at an opposite end of the at least one tethering member, wherein the cap part is releasable from the outlet tube of the spout part for providing the cap part in a released state, wherein in the released state the cap part and the spout part remain tethered together via the at least one tethering member, the at least one tethering member allowing the cap part to be moved to a retaining position that is positioned away from the outlet of the outlet tube, wherein the cap part or the at least one tethering member is configured to be coupled with the retaining member of the spout part for retaining the cap part at the retaining position, and wherein the cap part comprises at least two elements: a body element manufactured together with the spout part, the body element enclosing the outlet tube of the spout part in a circumferential direction, the body element coupled with the at least one tethering member, and the body element being hollow and having open ends, and a plug element manufactured separately from the spout part and the body element, the plug element for closing one of the open ends of the body element, so that when the plug element (214) is received in the body element (211), the cap part closes the outlet tube (112) of the spout part (11).

2. The spout-cap unit according to claim 1, wherein the plug element, on a side facing the cap part, comprises at least two concentric annular grooves, each defined by a respective outer wall and a respective inner wall, wherein a first of the at least two concentric annular grooves is arranged at a radially outer side with respect to a second of the at least two concentric annular grooves and is configured for a non-releasable connection with the body element of the cap part, wherein the second of the at least two concentric grooves is arranged at a radially inner side and configured for a releasable connection with the outlet tube of the spout part.

3. The spout-cap unit according to claim 2, wherein the inner wall of the first annular groove is longer than the respective outer wall thereof or wherein the inner wall of the second annular groove is longer than the respective outer wall thereof.

4. The spout-cap unit according to claim 2, wherein the inner wall of the first annular groove is the outer wall of the second annular groove.

5. The spout-cap unit according to any one of the claim 2, wherein the inner wall of the second annular groove has a non-constant cross-sectional shape, with a circumferential recess at a radially outer surface, for receiving a circumferential protrusion arranged on a radially inner surface of the outlet tube.

6. The spout-cap unit according claim 1, wherein the cap part and the spout part are made from a same material.

7. The spout-cap unit according to claim 1, wherein the spout-cap unit is injection molded.

8. The spout-cap unit according to claim 1, wherein the plug element has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of a body of the cap, wherein the cap, near a lower edge, has a flange, and wherein a ring element surrounds the body element of the cap and is movable between an upper edge of the cap and the flange, the at least one tethering member being connected to the ring element.

9. The spout-cap unit according to claim 1, wherein the cap part and the spout part are free from screw thread.

10. The spout-cap unit according to claim 1, wherein outer dimensions of the cap part and the least one tethering member have a width of 24 mm or less or have a height of 19 mm or less.

11. The spout-cap unit according to claim 1, wherein a tamper-evident connection further connects the spout part and the cap part to each other when the cap part has been unopened.

12. The spout-cap unit according to claim 11, wherein the tamper-evident connection is connected to an outer surface of the cap part.

13. The spout-cap unit according to claim 1, wherein the spout part comprises a ramp at a surface that faces one of the open ends of the cap part, and wherein an edge of the cap part that faces the ramp of the spout part comprises a notch, a shape of the notch matching the shape of the ramp, wherein the notch preferably has a substantially straight edge at one end thereof.

14. The spout-cap unit according to claim 1, wherein in the retaining position, the cap part is located to a side of and below the cap part in the closed position.

15. A pouch comprising: a spout-cap unit according to claim 1.

16. A spout-cap unit (1), comprising: a spout part including a sealboat, an outlet tube, and a retaining member; and a cap part for closing an outlet of the outlet tube in a closed position of the cap part, the cap part comprising a flange at a lower edge, a radial projection at an upper edge, and a body element in between; wherein the spout part and the cap part (21) are tethered together via at least one tethering member (31, 32) to form the spout-cap unit (1), the at least one tethering member being connected to the spout part at one end of the at least one tethering member and comprising a ring element that encloses the cap part at an opposite end of the at least one tethering member, wherein the cap part is upwardly movable with respect to the outlet tube (112) of the spout part and is releasable therefrom for providing the cap part in a released state, wherein in the released state the cap part and the spout part remain tethered together via the ring element of the at least one tethering member, the at least one tethering member allowing the cap part to be moved to a retaining position that is positioned away from the outlet of the outlet tube, wherein the at least one tethering member can be coupled with the retaining member of the spout part for retaining the cap part at the retaining position (R).

17. The spout-cap unit according to claim 7, wherein the spout-cap unit is injection molded in a single step.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0050] These and other aspects of the present inventive concept will now be elucidated further with reference to the attached figures, wherein the same reference numerals denote like or the same elements of the spout-cap unit. In these figures:

[0051] FIGS. 1A and 1B schematically show a frontal view of a first embodiment of the spout-cap unit according to the present inventive concept;

[0052] FIG. 2 schematically shows a side view of a second embodiment of the spout-cap unit according to the present inventive concept, with the cap in both the closed as well as the retained position;

[0053] FIG. 3 schematically shows a partially open-worked view of a third embodiment of the spout-cap unit according to the present inventive concept;

[0054] FIG. 4 schematically shows a frontal view of a fourth embodiment of the spout-cap unit according to the present inventive concept;

[0055] FIG. 5 schematically shows a side view of the spout-cap unit according to FIG. 4, with the cap in the closed position as well as the retained position;

[0056] FIG. 6 schematically shows a side view of a fifth embodiment of the spout-cap unit according to the present inventive concept, with the cap in the closed position as well as the retained position;

[0057] FIG. 7 schematically shows a sixth embodiment of the spout-cap unit according to the present inventive concept, on a transport rail;

[0058] FIGS. 8A and 8B schematically show a seventh embodiment of the spout-cap unit according to the present inventive concept;

[0059] FIGS. 9A to 9C schematically show an eight embodiment of the spout-cap unit according to the disclosure;

[0060] FIGS. 10A to 10D schematically show a ninth embodiment of the spout-cap unit according to the present inventive concept;

[0061] FIGS. 11A to 11D schematically show a tenth embodiment of the spout-cap unit according to the present inventive concept;

[0062] FIGS. 12A to 12E schematically show an eleventh embodiment of the spout-cap unit according to the present inventive concept; and

[0063] FIG. 13 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the spout-cap unit according to FIGS. 12A to 12E.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0064] With reference to FIG. 1A initially, shown is a spout-cap unit 1 comprising a spout 11 and a cap 21. The spout 11 comprises a sealboat 111, against which a pouch can be sealed to form a pouch with an outlet. The spout 11 further comprises an outlet tube 112. Outlet tube 112 and sealboat 111 are formed integrally with each other. When the pouch is sealed to the sealboat 111 and the pouch is filled with a consumable, the consumable can be removed from the pouch through the outlet tube 112. The outlet tube 112 comprises an outlet opening 114, through which the consumable leaves the spout 11. As will be familiar to one working in the field of spouts and pouches, the pouch can also be filled through the outlet tube 112, which then for the purpose of filling the pouch also serves as an inlet tube.

[0065] The spout 11 also comprises a retaining member 113, the function of which will become more clear with reference to FIG. 2 described in the below.

[0066] The cap 21 closes off the outlet 114. The cap 21 fully surrounds the outlet 114 in the circumferential direction, and also has a closed upper surface. The cap 21 is assembled from a body element 211, manufactured integrally with the spout 11, and a plug element 214, manufactured separately from the spout 11 and clamped into the body element 211. In one possible filling method, for example, after the spout 11 and body element 211 are manufactured in a single manufacturing step, the spout 11 body element 211 combination is sealed to a pouch. The pouch is filled with a consumable through the outlet tube 112 (which for that purpose functions as an inlet tube). The body element 211 circumvents the outlet opening 114 in the radial direction, but leaves open the outlet opening 114 in an axial direction so that the pouch can be filled. After filling, to reliably close the outlet opening 114, plug element 214 is pressed into body element 211, preferably in an unreleasable manner, to form the cap 21. In the position shown, the cap 21 is in a closed position, closing the outlet 114 of the spout 11.

[0067] Further shown in FIG. 1A is grip element 41, substantially wing-shaped, which allows the user to more easily grab the cap 21 and twist it to open it. The grip element 41 can be formed integrally with the cap 21, or the grip element 41 can be separately manufactured, to be attached to the cap 21 e.g., after the pouch is filled.

[0068] Preferably, as the spout 11 and the body element 211 are made at the same time, e.g., in the same injection mould in a single injection moulding step, they are made from the same material. This makes it easy and cost-efficient to manufacture the spout 11 body element 211 combination. Preferably also the plug element 214 is made of said material, and preferably also the grip element 41 is made of the same material. Although in principle different materials could be chosen for the plug element 214 and the grip element 41, when making these of the same material as well, recycling of the spout-cap unit 1 as a whole is easier.

[0069] As an alternative to using a plug unit 214 to be inserted into body element 211 to close off the outlet tube 114 (after filling the pouch), the cap unit 21 can also be made as one part, preferably in one injection moulding step together with the spout 11. This would mostly be applied when the spout-cap unit 1 is sealed to a pouch after the pouch is filled with a consumable, and when the outlet tube 114 does not need to act as an inlet tube as well.

[0070] The body element 211 and the outlet tube 112 are connected to each other via tamper evident members 51, which is better shown in the exploded view of FIG. 1B. Thus, the tamper evident members 51 connect cap 21 and spout 11. The tamper evident member 51 connects on one end to the outer surface of the outlet tube 112, and on the other end to the outer surface of the body element 211. When the tamper evident members 51 are connected to both cap 21 and spout 11, the user can rely on the fact that the outlet has not been opened after production of the spout-cap unit 1, hence that the contents of the pouch have not been tampered with.

[0071] Turning now to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 shows a tethering member 31. The tethering member 31, like the tamper evident member 51, connects the cap 21 to the spout 11. However, unlike the tamper evident member 51, tethering member 31 remains connected to the spout 11 and the cap 21 when the cap 21 is opened, i.e., removed from the outlet tube 112 of the spout 11. The tethering member 31 may e.g., be shaped as a wire connection, having one end 31A connected to the spout 11 and an opposite end 31B connected to the cap 21. Even though it will typically be possible to break the tethering member 31 when an excessive amount of force is applied to it, or when it is e.g., cut with a knife, a blade or another sharp item, in normal use the tethering member 31 connects the cap 21 and the spout 11 at all times, in both the closed position C as well as in the retained position R. As shown, in the closed cap position C, wherein the cap 21 closes off the outlet 114 of the outlet tube 112, the tethering member 31 connects spout 11 and cap 21 so that they form a spout-cap unit 1. Also in the retaining position R, the cap 21 and the spout 11 remain connected via tethering member 31. While connecting cap 21 and spout 11, the tethering member 31 allows the cap 21 to be moved away from its closed position C, towards a retaining position R below the closed position C and to the side of the closed position C as shown, exposing the outlet 114 of the outlet tube 112 so that a user can e.g., drink the consumable of the pouch. At the retaining position R, the cap 21 is coupled with retaining member 113 of the spout 11. In the presently shown embodiment, the cap 21 is clicked on the retaining member 113. Preferably, the tethering member 31 is shaped in such a way that a compressive or tensile force is enacted on the cap 21 when the cap 21 is in the retained position R, so that the cap 21 remains in the retained position R more securely.

[0072] Turning now to FIG. 3, an embodiment of the spout-cap unit 1 is shown. In FIG. 3, the part where the outlet tube 112 and the body element 211 of cap 21 are arranged over one another is worked open, to explain how the unit 1 can be made via an injection moulding process. As visible from FIG. 3, and as preferred, outlet tube 112 and cap 21 are substantially spaced apart from each other. There is no screw thread at which the cap 21 and the outlet tube 112 physically connect, and there are very few points of contact between the cap 21 and the outlet tube 112. While this lack of contact between cap 21 and outlet tube 112 makes it relatively easy to remove the cap 21 from the outlet 114, it raises difficulties in terms of manufacturing the unit 1, especially in a single injection moulding step.

[0073] The only point where the body element 211 and the outlet tube 112 are connected is the tamper evident seal 52, here located at the inner side of the cap 21, in between cap 21 and outlet tube 112. The tamper evident seal 52 of the embodiment shown here is too small to allow all material of the cap 21 to be reliably injected for the formation of body element 211 of cap 21 when a single injection moulding step is desired. However, when the tamper evident members are e.g., arranged at the outside of the cap 21, they may be large enough to allow the material of the body element 211 to be filled therethrough during injection moulding.

[0074] Further shown in FIG. 3 is a notch 216, protruding with respect to a lower edge 215 of the cap 21. The notch 216 is received in a ramp 116 arranged in the surface 115 of the spout 11 that faces the lower edge 215 of the cap 21.

[0075] Turning now to FIGS. 4 and 5, which are described in conjunction, a further embodiment of a retaining member 113 is shown. Here the retaining member 113 is circular, having an outer circumference that substantially matches the inner diameter of the bottom opening 214 of the cap 21. In FIG. 4, the retaining member 113 is shown in a frontal view, with cap 21 in the closed position C and the tethering members 31, 32 connecting cap 21 and spout 11. In FIG. 5, the cap is shown in both the closed position C as well as the retained position R, with the tethering members 31, 32 connecting the cap 21 and the spout 11 in each of the closed position C and the retained position R. In various embodiments, it is possible that the cap 21, once opened, can be placed back on the outlet tube 112, with the cap 21 again reliably closing the outlet 114.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 4, there may be two tethering members 31, 32. When two tethering members are present, the movement of the cap 21 with respect to the spout 11 is limited. In the present example, the cap 21 can only be moved in a direction in and out of the paper once the cap 21 is released from the outlet 112. However, in principle one tethering member 31, 32 will suffice to perform the tethering function of coupling the cap 21 and spout 11 in both the closed C and the retained R position. When there are two tethering members 31, 32, they preferably have same lengths, as shown here.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 5, there may be two retaining members 113, one on the right (where the cap 21 is placed) and one on the left. In such an embodiment, a user can choose where the cap 21 is placed in the retained position R. In principle, one retaining member 113 will however be sufficient.

[0078] Turning now to FIG. 6, a yet further embodiment of the spout-cap unit 1 is shown. Here, the retaining members 113 are formed as projection members on the outlet tube 112. The cap 21 comprises a flange 218 near the lower edge thereof. When moving the cap 21 to the retaining position R, the flange 218 can be hooked under the protrusion 113, to retain the cap 21 in the retained position R. Preferably, some tension force is applied on the cap 21 in such an embodiment by the tethering member 31, so that the cap 21 is reliable secured in the retaining position R.

[0079] FIG. 7 shows a yet further embodiment of the spout-cap unit 1. In this embodiment, dimensions of the tethering members 31, 32 and the cap 21 are reduced or minimized to ensure that the spout-cap unit 1 fits in the same transport rail as used from transporting ordinary spouts. As such, the width w of the spout-cap unit 1 is maximized at 24 mm, for example, whereas the height of the cap part 21 of the spout-cap unit 1 is maximized at 19 mm, for example.

[0080] FIGS. 8A and 8B show a further embodiment of the spout-cap unit 1. The tethering member 31 is here generally W-shaped and connected to the spout unit 11 on one end and to the cap unit 21 on the other end. The generally W-shaped form of the tethering member 31 allows the cap 21 to be easily pulled upwards from a closed position C as indicated in FIG. 8A to a released position. From the released position the cap 21 may be mounted on the retaining member 113 indicated in FIG. 8B to bring the cap 21 into its retained position. The W shape of the tethering member 31 provides a sufficient length to release the cap 21 from the spout 11. When in the retained position, as indicated in FIG. 8B, the open end of the cap 21 faces away from the spout 11, while the closed end of the cap 21 engages with the retaining member 113. More specifically, the closed end of the cap is clamped in position at the retaining member 113.

[0081] The embodiment shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C is comparable to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, with the difference that the cap part 21 has a cut-out. The tethering member 31 is housed in said cut-out. This has the technical advantage that the tethering member 31 is less prone to breaking and being damaged while being transported and on a shelf of a store. It can have the further technical advantage that when the cap 21 is turned 90 degrees compared to its closed position (closed position C shown in FIG. 9A; turned position shown in FIG. 9B), a protruding lip is formed. This lip can then easily and reliably be coupled with retaining member 113 to position the cap 21 in the retaining position R. Note that, further in contrast with the embodiment of FIGS. 8A and 8B, in the embodiment of FIG. 9B the open, lower end of the cap 21 engages with the retaining member 113 to retain the cap 21.

[0082] Turning now to FIGS. 10A to 10D, a ring member 33 is visible. The ring member 33 encloses a body portion of the cap 21, the ring member 33 being enclosed in between a flange 218 at the lower edge of the cap 21 and grip element 41 at the upper edge of the cap 21. Attached to the ring member 33 is tethering member 31, the tethering member 31 in this way being coupled with the cap 21. As follows from a comparison of FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C, body portion of the cap 21 can move up and down with respect to the ring element 33, so that the cap 21 can be pulled from the outlet tube 112 of the spout 11 without needing to stretch the tethering member 31 too much (FIG. 10B) as the ring member 33 remains at a stationary position compared to outlet 112 as the cap 21 moves upwards. In that process, ring member 33 moves from a position adjacent the grip member 41 to a position adjacent flange 218. This means that the tethering member 31 can be of a relatively short length, while still allowing the cap 21 to be removed from the spout 11 and remaining attached to it. As shown in FIG. 10C and in more detail in FIG. 10D the ring member 33 is then moved to its upper position adjacent grip element 41 again to couple the cap 21 with the retaining member 113 at a position fully below the outlet tube 112. Conveniently, in this embodiment the protruding corners of the grip element 41, which are gripped by a user to open the cap 21, can be clamped in the retaining member 113 of the spout 11 to retain the cap 21 in the retaining position R.

[0083] Turning to FIGS. 11A to 11D, here the tethering member 31 is of a more substantial width than in the other embodiments and has a cut-out in the lower middle part thereof. As such, the tethering member 31 itself can be coupled with the retaining member 113 in the way shown in FIG. 11C. In the embodiment shown here again a ring member 33 which encloses the body of the cap 21 is used to allow the cap 21 to be removed from the spout 11 without the tethering member 31 elongating too much. When the cap 21 is then released (FIG. 11B) and moved to the retaining position R (FIGS. 11C and 11D), the tethering member 31 is hooked under the retaining member 113 that is formed on the spout 11, to retain the cap 21 in the retained position away from the outlet 112 of the spout.

[0084] Shown in FIG. 12A is a cap-spout unit 1 that is made from two components: a plug element 214 and a spout-cap-assembly having an open cap body element 211. The spout-cap-assembly is made as a single injection moulding part, including sealboat 111, outlet tube 112, retaining member 113, cap body element 211 and retaining member 31, including ring element 33. It is noted that cap body element 211 and outlet tube 112 are separated from each other except for at the tamper evident connectors 51. It is also via these tamper evident connectors 51 that the cap body element 211 can be injection moulded. It is further noted that ring element 33 and cap body element 211 are separated from each other. FIG. 12A then shows the spout-cap-assembly with an open-ended cap and the outlet tube 112 of the spout part 11 left open. This advantageously allows the spout-cap-assembly to be sealed to a pouch before said pouch is filled.

[0085] In FIG. 12B, compared to FIG. 12A, plug element 219 is mounted onto the cap body element 211. As such the outlet 112 of the spout part 11 is closed and the cap 21 is formed. Attention is drawn to ramp 116 at the surface of the spout part 11 that faces the bottom of the cap part, notch 216 on the side of the cap part 21 and the tamper evident connectors 51 in between notch 216 and ramp 116. Turning now to FIG. 12C, the tamper evident connectors 51 can be broken by turning cap 21 and moving notch 216 up on the ramp 116. In this way, the cap 21 is unsealed. It is noted that in this unsealed position, the radial projection 219 of the cap 21, as defined by the plug element 214, contacts the ring element 33.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 12D, from the unsealed position as shown in FIG. 12C the cap 21 may be moved upwards with respect to the outlet tube 211. Even though the cap part 21 moves, it remains coupled with the spout part 11 as the ring element 33 of the tethering member 31 and the flange 218 of the cap part 21 together prevent the separation of cap 21 from spout 11.

[0087] From the upward cap position shown in FIG. 12D the cap part 21 may be rotated to the side, and free outlet tube 112. As shown, the cap part 21 may be manipulated towards a retaining position R in which the tethering member 31 is coupled with retaining member 113, to grip the cap in the retaining position R. It is noticed that both the lateral and the vertical separation between cap 21 and outlet tube 112 is quite large in the retained position R, with the cap 21 most notably being completely below the outlet tube 112. This makes it highly comfortable to drink from the outlet tube 112 without noticing the cap 21.

[0088] FIG. 13 can be seen as a cross sectional view of FIG. 12B. As described, the spout-cap-assembly, including seal boat 111, outlet tube 112, retaining member 113, tethering member 31, ring element 33, cap body element 211 and tamper evident connectors are manufactured as one part, whereas the plug element 214 is manufactured as a separate part. Due to concentric annular grooves 2141, 2142 defined between inner walls 2144, 2145 and inner walls 2143, 2144 of the plug element 214, the plug element 214 may be connected with the spout-cap assembly. In particular, the connection between cap body element 211 and outer groove 2141 may be unreleasable, whereas the connection between outlet tube 112 and inner groove 2142 may be releasableto allow the cap 21 to be separated from the outlet tube 112, but to prevent separation between plug element 214 and cap 21. Besides a connection between inner groove 2142 and the upper end of outlet tube 112, a further connection may be established between a circumferential recess 2146 at the most inner wall 2145 of the plug element 214 and a complementary circumferential projection 1121 at the inner wall of the outlet tube 112.

[0089] Advantageously, at least the spout-cap units 1 shown in FIGS. 7 to 13 can be transported in a standard spout transport rail as in use today, despite a tethering member 31 and a cap 21 being added to the spout 11 as compared to known spouts. This is an important requirement, as this allows the spout-cap unit 1 of the present inventive concept to be put to use in spout processing factories across the globe without the need for new equipment in said factories.

[0090] Whereas in the shown figures multiple embodiments of the spout-cap unit 1 have been shown, one skilled in the art of spouts, cap, and single-use containers will be able to define many more alternative embodiments, all falling within the inventive concept of the present inventive concept, which inventive concept is defined by the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0091]

TABLE-US-00001 1 spout-cap unit 11 spout part 111 sealboat 112 outlet tube 1121circumferential protrusion 113 retaining member 114 outlet of outlet tube 115 surface facing bottom opening cap part 116 ramp 21 cap part 211 body element 212 top opening 213 bottom opening 214 plug element 2141first annular groove 2142second annular groove 2143outer wall first groove 2144inner wall first groove/outer wall second groove 2145inner wall second groove 2146circumferential recess 215 edge at bottom opening 216 notch in edge bottom opening 217 edge of notch 218 flange 219 radial projection 31 tethering member 32 tethering member 33 ring element 41 grip element 51 tamper-evident connection 52 tamper-evident connection C closed position cap h height cap part and tethering member R retained position cap w width cap part and tethering member

Clauses

[0092] 1. A spout-cap unit (1), comprising: [0093] a spout part (11) including a sealboat (111), an outlet tube (112), and a retaining member (113); and [0094] a cap part (21) for closing an outlet (114) of the outlet tube (112) in a closed position (C) of the cap part (21); [0095] wherein the spout part (11) and the cap part (21) are tethered together via at least one tethering member (31, 32) to form the spout-cap unit (1), the tethering member (31, 32) being connected to the spout part (11) at one end (31A, 32A) of the tethering member (31, 32) and to the cap part (21) at the opposite end (31B, 32B) of the tethering member (31, 32), [0096] wherein the cap part (21) is releasable from the outlet tube (114) of the spout part (11) for providing the cap part (21) in a released state (S), [0097] wherein in said released state (S) the cap part (21) and the spout part (11) remain tethered together via the tethering member (31, 32), the tethering member (31, 32) allowing the cap part (21) to be moved to a retaining position (R) that is positioned away from the outlet (114) of the outlet tube (112), [0098] wherein the cap part (21) or the tethering member (31, 32) can be coupled with the retaining member (113) of the spout part (11) for retaining the cap part (21) at the retaining position (R). [0099] 2. The spout-cap unit according to clause 1, wherein the cap part (21) and the spout part (11) are made from the same material. [0100] 3. The spout-cap unit according to clause 1 or 2, wherein the spout-cap unit (1) is injection moulded, preferably in a single injection moulding step. [0101] 4. The spout-cap unit according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the spout-cap unit (1) is made as a single part. [0102] 5. The spout-cap unit according to any one of the clauses 1-3, wherein the cap part (21) is composed out of at least two elements: [0103] a body element (211) that is manufactured together with the spout part (11), the body element (211) enclosing the outlet tube (112) of the spout part (11) in a circumferential direction, the body element (211) connected to the tethering member (31, 32), and the body element (211) being hollow and having open ends (212, 213), and [0104] a plug element (214) manufactured separately from the spout part (11) and the body element (211), the plug element (214) for closing an open end (212) of the body element (211), so that when the plug element (214) is received in the body element (211), the cap part (21) closes the outlet tube (112) of the spout part (11). [0105] 6. The spout-cap unit according to clause 5, wherein the plug element (214), on the side facing the cap part (21), comprises at least two concentric annular grooves (2141, 2142), each defined by a respective outer wall (2143, 2144) and a respective inner wall (2144, 2145), wherein the first (2141) of the at least two concentric annular grooves (2141, 2142) is arranged at the radially outer side with respect to the other (2142) of the at least two concentric annular grooves (2141, 2142) and is configured for a non-releasable connection with the body element (211) of the cap part (21), whereas the second (2142) of the at least two concentric grooves (2141, 2142) is arranged at the radially inner side and configured for a releasable connection with the outlet tube (112) of the spout part (11). [0106] 7. The spout-cap unit according to clause 6, wherein the inner wall (2144) of the first annular groove (2141) is longer than the respective outer wall (2143) thereof and/or wherein the inner wall (2145) of the second annular groove (2144) is longer than the respective outer wall (2144) thereof. [0107] 8. The spout-cap unit according to clause 6 or 7, wherein the inner wall (2144) of the first groove (2141) equals the outer wall (2144) of the second groove (2142). [0108] 9. The spout-cap unit according to any one of the clauses 6-8, wherein the inner wall of the second groove (2142) has a non-constant cross-sectional shape, with a circumferential recess (2146) at its radially outer surface, for receiving a circumferential protrusion (1121) arranged on the radially inner surface of the outlet tube (112). [0109] 10. The spout-cap unit according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein an upper edge of the cap (21) has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of a body (211) of the cap (21), wherein the cap (21), near its lower edge, has a flange (218), and wherein a ring element (33) circumvents the body element (211) of the cap (21) and is moveable between the upper edge of the cap (21) and the flange (218), the tethering member (31, 32) being connected to said ring element (33). [0110] 11. The spout-cap unit according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the cap part (21) and the spout part (11) are free from screw thread. [0111] 12. The spout-cap unit according to any one of the preceding clauses, further comprising a grip element (41) attached to the cap part (21), the grip element (41), used by a user to remove the cap part (21) from its closed position (C). [0112] 13. The spout-cap unit according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the outer dimensions of the cap part (21) and the tethering member (31, 32) have a width (w) of at most 24 mm and/or have a height (h) of at most 19 mm. [0113] 14. The spout-cap unit according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein a tamper-evident connection (51, 52) further connects the spout part (11) and the cap part (21) to each other when the cap part (21) has been unopened. [0114] 15. The spout-cap unit according to clause 14, wherein the tamper-evident connection (51) is connected to an outer surface of the cap part (21). [0115] 16. The spout-cap unit according to clause 14 or 15, wherein the tamper-evident connection (52) is connected to an inner surface of the cap part (21). [0116] 17. The spout-cap unit according to any one of the preceding clauses, comprising two tethering members (31, 32), each of the tethering members (31, 32) preferably having a substantially equal length. [0117] 18. The spout-cap unit according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the tethering member (31, 32) allows the cap part (21) to be twisted over an angle (y) of at most 120? with respect to the spout part (11). [0118] 19. The spout-cap unit according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the spout part (1) comprises a ramp (116) at the surface (115) that faces the bottom opening (213) the cap part (21), and wherein the edge (215) of the cap part (21) that faces the ramp (116) of the spout part (11) comprises a notch (216), a shape of the notch (216) matching the shape of the ramp (116), wherein the notch (216) preferably has a substantially straight edge (217) at one end thereof. [0119] 20. The spout-cap unit according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the retaining position (R) of the cap part (21) is located to the side of and/or below the closed position (C) of the cap part (21). [0120] 21. A pouch (61) comprising a spout-cap unit (1) according to any one of the preceding clauses. [0121] 22. A method for manufacturing the spout-cap unit (1) according to any one of the clauses 1-20 via injection moulding, wherein while filling the mould with a molten material, the cap part material is filled at least partially through the mould openings defining the tethering member.