CAP FOR A CONTAINER

Abstract

A cap for a container including: a body, configured to be coupled and uncoupled relative to the neck of the container and including a side wall and a transverse wall; a tamper evident ring, configured to engage a locking member on the neck of the container; a joining zone, where the tamper evident ring is joined to the body, wherein the joining zone includes a tether, connected to the tamper evident ring in a first connecting zone, and to the body in a second connecting zone, a first narrow thickness zone configured to connect a first flank of the tether to the tamper evident ring, and a second narrow thickness zone to connect a second flank of the tether to the side wall of the body, wherein the first narrow thickness zone and the second narrow thickness zone are configured to be torn in response to a displacement of the body away from the tamper evident ring.

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 engage a locking member on the neck of the container, so that the tamper evident ring remains attached to the neck of the container even when the cap body is uncoupled from the neck; a joining zone, where the tamper evident ring is joined to the cap body, the joining zone being configured to be torn at least partly along a perimeter surrounding the longitudinal axis in response to a displacement of the body away from the tamper evident ring, wherein the joining zone includes a tether, including a first end, connected to the tamper evident ring in a first connecting zone forming part of the tamper evident ring, a second end, connected to the body in a second connecting zone forming part of the side wall of the body, a first flank and a second flank opposite to the first flank, a first narrow thickness zone that is thinner than the tether, the tamper evident ring and the side wall of the body, the first narrow thickness zone extending around the longitudinal axis (X), along the first flank of the tether, to connect the first flank of the tether to the tamper evident ring, along the second connecting zone and beyond the second connecting zone and the second end of the tether, to form a separating stretch that connects the tamper evident ring to the side wall of the body, the separating stretch having, in at least one portion of it, an extension less than 3 mm parallel to the longitudinal axis, and being interrupted in the first connecting zone, a second narrow thickness zone, extending angularly around the longitudinal axis along a stretch running from the second end of the tether to the first connecting zone, so that the second narrow thickness zone connects the second flank of the tether and the first connecting zone to the side wall of the body, wherein the first narrow thickness zone and second narrow thickness zone are configured to be torn in response to the displacement of the body away from the tamper evident ring.

2. The cap according to claim 1, wherein the joining zone comprises an additional tether, including: a first end, connected to the tamper evident ring in the first connecting zone; a second end, connected to the body in the second connecting zone; a first flank and a second flank opposite to the first flank, wherein the first narrow thickness zone extends also along the first flank of the additional tether, to connect the first flank of the additional tether to the tamper evident ring, and beyond the second end of the additional tether, and wherein the second narrow thickness zone extends angularly around the longitudinal axis along an additional stretch running from the second end of the additional tether to the first connecting zone, so that the second narrow thickness zone also connects the second flank of the additional tether to the side wall of the body, and wherein the first end of the tether and the first end of the additional tether are disposed angularly one after the other consecutively and are interposed between the second end of the tether and the second end of the additional tether.

3. The cap according to claim 2, wherein the second connecting zone includes a connecting element and an additional connecting element which are distinct and angularly spaced from each other, wherein the second ends of the tether and additional tether are connected to the connecting element and to the additional connecting element of the second connecting zone, respectively.

4. The cap according to claim 3, wherein the first connecting zone includes, alternatively, a connecting element and an additional connecting element which are distinct and angularly spaced from each other, wherein the first ends of the tether and additional tether are connected to the connecting element and to the additional connecting element of the first connecting zone, respectively; a single connecting element, wherein the first ends of the tether and additional tether are both connected to the single connecting element.

5. The cap according to claim 2, wherein the angular distance between the first end of the tether and the first end of the additional tether is less than the angular distance between the second end of the tether and the second end of the additional tether.

6. The cap according to claim 2, wherein the first narrow thickness zone has a first thickness and the second narrow thickness zone has, at least in a main portion of it, adjacent to the second flank of the tether and of the additional tether, a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness.

7. The cap according to claim 6, wherein the second narrow thickness zone has, in a secondary portion of it, at the first connecting zone, a thickness that is less than or equal to the first thickness.

8. The cap according to claim 1, wherein the tether, between its first end and its second end, extends along a path running angularly in a single direction around the longitudinal axis.

9. The cap according to claim 1, comprising a first operating configuration, in which the tamper evident ring is engaged with the locking member on the neck of the container, the cap body is coupled to the neck of the container and the joining zone is intact; a second operating configuration, in response to a first displacement of the body away from the tamper evident ring, wherein the first narrow thickness zone is torn, the second narrow thickness zone is intact, the tamper evident ring is engaged with the locking member on the neck of the container, and the body is uncoupled from the neck of the container; a third operating configuration, in response to a second displacement of the body away from the tamper evident ring, additional to the first displacement, wherein both the first narrow thickness zone and the second narrow thickness zone are torn and the tamper evident ring is joined to the body by the tether.

10. A method for making a cap for a container, comprising a step of forming in a mould that defines a forming cavity having the shape of the cap to be made, wherein the step of forming makes the following features: 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 engage a locking member on the neck of the container, so that the tamper evident ring remains attached to the neck of the container even when the cap body is uncoupled from the neck; a joining zone, where the tamper evident ring is joined to the cap body, the joining zone being configured to be torn at least partly along a perimeter surrounding the longitudinal axis in response to a displacement of the body away from the tamper evident ring, wherein the step of forming makes the following features in the joining zone: a tether, including a first end, connected to the tamper evident ring in a first connecting zone forming part of the tamper evident ring, a second end, connected to the body in a second connecting zone forming part of the side wall of the body, a first flank and a second flank opposite to the first flank, a first narrow thickness zone that is thinner than the tether, the tamper evident ring and the side wall of the body, the first narrow thickness zone extending around the longitudinal axis, along the first flank of the tether, to connect the first flank of the tether to the tamper evident ring, along the second connecting zone and beyond the second connecting zone and the second end of the tether, to form a separating stretch that connects the tamper evident ring to the side wall of the body, the separating stretch having, in at least one portion of it, an extension less than 3 mm parallel to the longitudinal axis, and being interrupted in the first connecting zone, a second narrow thickness zone, extending angularly around the longitudinal axis along a stretch running from the second end of the tether to the first connecting zone, so that the second narrow thickness zone connects the second flank of the tether and the first connecting zone to the side wall of the body, wherein the first narrow thickness zone and second narrow thickness zone are configured to be torn in response to the displacement of the body away from the tamper evident ring.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the step of forming makes, in the joining zone an additional tether, including: a first end, connected to the tamper evident ring in the first connecting zone; a second end, connected to the body in the second connecting zone; a first flank and a second flank opposite to the first flank, wherein the first narrow thickness zone extends also along the first flank of the additional tether, to connect the first flank of the additional tether to the tamper evident ring, and beyond the second end of the additional tether, and wherein the second narrow thickness zone extends angularly around the longitudinal axis along an additional stretch running from the second end of the additional tether to the first connecting zone, so that the second narrow thickness zone also connects the second flank of the additional tether to the side wall of the body, and wherein the first end of the tether and the first end of the additional tether are disposed angularly one after the other consecutively and are interposed between the second end of the tether and the second end of the additional tether.

12. The method according to claim 10, comprising a step of displacing an upper unit and a lower unit of the mould towards each other along the longitudinal axis to define the forming cavity, wherein the upper unit comprises an extractor, including a first jutting element that juts towards the longitudinal axis to form the first narrow thickness zone of the cap, the lower unit comprises a second jutting element that juts towards the longitudinal axis to form the second narrow thickness zone of the cap, and wherein, when the mould is in the closed configuration, the extractor and the lower unit act in conjunction to delimit a recess that extends radially away from the longitudinal axis to form the tether of the cap.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the upper unit comprises a central core, the central core and the extractor being movable relative to each other parallel to the longitudinal axis, between a retaining configuration, wherein the extractor is at a lowered position to hold a cap at the tether, and a releasing configuration, wherein the extractor is at a retracted position, and the central core bends a retaining portion of a tamper evident ring of the cap towards the longitudinal axis to release the cap from the extractor.

14. 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 having the shape of the cap to be made, and including: a side hollow that includes a body portion that is internally threaded and extends around a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, a tamper evidence portion that extends around the longitudinal axis, a joining zone that extends around the longitudinal axis and is connected to the second end of the body portion, so that the joining zone is interposed between the body portion and the tamper evidence portion; a transverse hollow, connected to the first end of the body portion of the side hollow, wherein the joining portion includes a tether portion, elongated between a first end and a second end, the first end being in communication with the tamper evidence portion through a first connecting portion forming part of the tamper evidence portion, and the second end being in communication with the body portion through a second connecting portion forming part of the body portion, a first narrow thickness portion that is thinner than the tether portion, the tamper evidence portion and the body portion, the first narrow thickness portion extending around the longitudinal axis, along a first flank of the tether portion, to connect the first flank of the tether portion to the tamper evidence portion, along the second connecting portion and beyond the second connecting portion and the second end of the tether portion, to form a separating stretch that connects the tamper evidence portion to the body portion of the side hollow, the separating stretch having, in at least one portion of it, an extension less than 3 mm parallel to the longitudinal axis, and being interrupted in the first connecting portion, a second narrow thickness portion, extending angularly around the longitudinal axis along a stretch running from the second end of the tether portion to the first connecting portion, so that the second narrow thickness portion connects a second flank of the tether portion and the first connecting portion to the body portion of the side hollow.

15. The mould according to claim 14, wherein the joining portion comprises an additional a tether portion, elongated between a first end and a second end, the first end being in communication with the tamper evidence portion through the first connecting portion and the second end being in communication with the body portion through the second connecting portion, wherein the first narrow thickness portion extends also along a first flank of the additional tether portion, to connect the first flank of the additional tether portion to the tamper evidence portion, and beyond the second end of the additional tether portion, and wherein the second narrow thickness portion extends angularly around the longitudinal axis along an additional stretch running from the second end of the additional tether portion to the first connecting portion, so that the second narrow thickness portion also connects a second flank of the additional tether portion to the body portion of the side hollow, and wherein the first end of the tether portion and the first end of the additional tether portion are disposed angularly one after the other consecutively and are interposed between the second end of the tether portion and the second end of the additional tether portion.

16. The mould according to claim 14, comprises an upper unit and a lower unit, movable relative to each other along the longitudinal axis between a spaced-apart position, to define the open configuration of the mould, and a close-together position, to define the closed configuration of the mould, wherein the upper unit comprises an extractor, including a first jutting element that juts towards the longitudinal axis, configured to delimit the first narrow thickness portion of the forming cavity, the lower unit comprises a second jutting element that juts towards the longitudinal axis, configured to delimit the second narrow thickness portion of the forming cavity, and wherein, when the mould is in the closed configuration, the extractor and the lower unit act in conjunction to delimit a recess that extends radially away from the longitudinal axis to delimit the tether portion of the forming cavity.

17. The mould according to claim 16, wherein the upper unit comprises a central core, the central core and the extractor being movable relative to each other parallel to the longitudinal axis, between a retaining configuration, wherein the extractor is at a lowered position and is configured to hold a cap at the tether, and a releasing configuration, wherein the extractor is at a retracted position, and the central core is configured to bend a retaining portion of a tamper evident ring of the cap towards the longitudinal axis to release the cap from the extractor.

18. The cap according to claim 2, wherein the tether presents a longitudinal extending portion, the longitudinal extending portion extending between the first flank and the second flank of the tether and having a variable height relative to the longitudinal direction, wherein the height decreases between the second end and a point located between the first end and the second end and is constant between the point located between the first end and the second end and the first end of the tether.

19. The cap according to claim 2, wherein the joining zone comprises an intermediate section, wherein the intermediate section: is located between a portion of the second flank and the second narrow thickness zone proximal to the second flank; extends around the longitudinal axis between the second end and a point located between the first end and the second end; connects the portion of the second flank to the second narrow thickness zone, and has a longitudinal extending portion presenting a maximum height at the second end of the tether and a minimum height at a point located between the first and the second end of the tether.

20. The cep according to claim 19, wherein the intermediate section presents a thickness defined in the radial direction having a value comprised between the thickness of the tether and the thickness of the second narrow thickness zone.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0068] 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:

[0069] FIG. 1 illustrates a cap according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure;

[0070] FIGS. 1A-1E illustrate a cap in the operating configurations according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure, specifically, FIG. 1E illustrates a cap that is closed on the neck of a container, where the first and the second narrow thickness zones are both torn, according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure;

[0071] FIG. 2 illustrates a flat representation around a longitudinal axis of a cap according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure;

[0072] FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E each show a cross section of a cap according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure at lines A, B, C, D and E of FIG. 2, respectively;

[0073] FIG. 3 illustrates a flat representation around a longitudinal axis of a cap according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure;

[0074] FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D and 3E each show a cross section of a cap according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure at lines A, B, C, D and E of FIG. 3, respectively;

[0075] FIGS. 4-8, 14 and 15 illustrate flat representations around a longitudinal axis of a cap according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure;

[0076] FIG. 9A illustrates a cap according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure, as made in a forming cavity;

[0077] FIG. 9B illustrates a mould for forming a cap and FIG. 9C illustrates a detail of the mould shown in FIG. 9B to form a cap according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure;

[0078] FIGS. 10-13 illustrate, in sequence, operating configurations of a mould for forming a cap according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0079] With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes a cap for a container.

[0080] 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 to be uncoupled from the neck of the container to open the container. The body comprises an internally threaded side wall 21 (that is to say, including an internal thread) to be connected to a corresponding thread on the neck of the container. The side wall 21 extends around a longitudinal axis X. The side wall 21 is radially symmetric about the longitudinal axis X. The side wall 21 has a first end, annular in shape, and a second end, also annular in shape. The body comprises a transverse wall 22, oriented transversely to the side wall and connected to the first end of the side wall 21. Preferably, the transverse wall 22 is circular in shape. However, the transverse wall 22 might have other shapes and the side wall 21 might have other types of symmetry about the longitudinal axis; for example, the transverse wall 22 might be polygonal in shape and the side wall 21 might have polygon symmetry about the longitudinal axis.

[0081] The cap 1 comprises a tamper evident ring 3. The tamper evident ring 3 includes a retaining portion 31 configured to engage a locking member on the neck of the container, so that the tamper evident ring remains attached to the neck of the container even when the cap body 2 is uncoupled from the neck; the retaining portion 31 is annular in shape.

[0082] The cap 1 includes a joining zone 4, where the tamper evident ring 3 is joined to the cap body 2. The joining zone 4 is configured to be torn at least partly along a perimeter surrounding the longitudinal axis X, in response to a displacement 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). The joining zone 4 comprises a tether 41. The tether 41 includes a first end 410 connected to the tamper evident ring 3 in a first connecting zone 32 forming part of the tamper evident ring 3. The tether 41 includes a second end 411 connected to the side wall 21 of the body 2 in a second connecting zone 23 forming part of the side wall 21 of the body 2. The tether 41 has a first flank 412 and a second flank 413, opposite to the first flank 412. The joining zone 4 also includes a first narrow thickness zone 42 that is thinner than the tether 41, the tamper evident ring 3 and the side wall 21. The first narrow thickness zone 42 extends around the longitudinal axis X, along the first flank 412 of the tether 41, to connect the first flank 412 to the tamper evident ring 3, and along the second connecting zone 23. The first narrow thickness zone 42 extends beyond the second connecting zone 23 and the second end 411 of the tether 41, to form a separating stretch. The separating stretch connects the tamper evident ring 3 to the side wall 21 of the body 2 and, preferably, in at least one portion of it, the separating stretch has an extension less than 3 mm parallel to the longitudinal axis X. The first narrow thickness zone 42 is interrupted in the first connecting zone 410 (preferably, it is interrupted only in the first connecting zone). The first narrow thickness zone 42 is configured to be torn in response to a displacement of the body 2 away from the tamper evident ring 3.

[0083] The joining zone 4 includes a second narrow thickness zone 43 that is thinner than the tether 41, the side wall 21 of the body 2 and the tamper evident ring 3. The second narrow thickness zone 43 extends around the longitudinal axis, along a stretch running from the second end 411 of the tether 41 to the first connecting zone 32. Thus, the second narrow thickness zone 43 is adjacent to the second flank 413 of the tether 41 and connects the second flank 413 and the first connecting zone 32 to the side wall 21 of the body 2.

[0084] The second narrow thickness zone 43 is also configured to be torn in response to a displacement of the body 2 away from the tamper evident ring 3.

[0085] In one or more embodiments, the joining zone 4 comprises an additional tether 44. The additional tether 44 includes a first end 440 connected to the tamper evident ring 3 in the first connecting zone 32. The additional tether 44 includes a second end 441 connected to the side wall 21 of the body 2 in the second connecting zone 23. The additional tether 44 includes a first flank 442 and a second flank 443 opposite to the first flank 442. Thus, the first narrow thickness zone 42 also extends along the first flank 442 of the additional tether 44 to connect the first flank 442 to the tamper evident ring 3. Further, the first narrow thickness zone 42 extends beyond the second end 441 of the tether 44. Preferably, the second narrow thickness zone 43 extends angularly around the longitudinal axis X along an additional stretch running from the second end 441 of the additional tether 44 to the first connecting zone, so as to also connect the second flank 443 of the additional tether 44 to the side portion 21 of the body 2. Preferably, the first end 410 of the tether 41 and the first end 440 of the additional tether 44 are disposed angularly one after the other consecutively and are interposed between the second end 411 of the tether 41 and the second end 441 of the additional tether 44.

[0086] In one or more embodiments, the second connecting zone 23 includes a connecting element 23A and an additional connecting element 23B which are distinct and angularly spaced from each other; in this case, preferably, the second end 411 of the tether 41 is connected to the connecting element 23A and the second end 441 of the additional tether 44 is connected to the additional connecting element 23B. When the connecting element 23A and the additional connecting element 23B of the second connecting zone 23 are provided, the second connecting zone 23 is interrupted, around the longitudinal axis X, in a first angular interrupting stretch 24 between a portion of the connecting element 23A opposite to a portion of the connecting element 23A connected to the second end 411 of the tether 41, and a portion of the additional connecting element 23B opposite to a portion of the additional connecting element 23B connected to the second end 441 of the additional tether 44; more specifically, the first narrow thickness zone 42 also extends at the first interrupting stretch 24 of the second narrow thickness zone 23.

[0087] In one or more embodiments, the first connecting zone 32 includes a connecting element 32A and an additional connecting element 32B which are distinct and angularly spaced from each other. In this case, preferably, the first end 410 of the tether 41 is connected to the connecting element 32A and the second end 440 of the additional tether 44 is connected to the additional connecting element 32B. Thus, when provided, the second narrow thickness zone 43 connects to the side wall 21 of the body 2 both the connecting element 32A and the additional connecting element 32B of the first connecting zone 32, and the first narrow thickness zone 42 connects to the tamper evident ring 3 both the connecting element 23A and the additional connecting element 23B of the second connecting zone 23. When the connecting element 32A and the additional connecting element 32B of the first connecting zone 32 are provided, the first connecting zone 32 is interrupted, around the longitudinal axis X, in a first angular interrupting stretch 33 between a portion of the connecting element 32A opposite to a portion of the connecting element 32A connected to the first end 410 of the tether 41, and a portion of the additional connecting element 32B opposite to a portion of the additional connecting element 32B connected to the first end 440 of the additional tether 44.

[0088] In one or more embodiments, the first connecting zone 32 includes a single connecting element 32C and the first end 410 of the tether 41 and the first end 411 of the additional tether 44 are both connected to the single connecting element 32C of the first connecting zone 32. Preferably, the single connecting element 32C extends angularly for a longer stretch than the connecting element 32A or the additional connecting element 32B. For example, when provided, the connecting element 32A and the additional connecting element 32B each extend angularly for a circular arc of at least 4 degrees; for example, when provided, the single connecting element 32C extends angularly for a circular arc of at least 30 degrees.

[0089] In an example, the angular distance between the first end 410 of the tether 41 and the first end 440 of the additional tether 44 is less than the angular distance between the second end 411 of the tether 41 and the second end 441 of the additional tether 44; preferably, the first ends 410 and 440 of the tether 41 and additional tether 44 are located at the ends of a circular arc, around the longitudinal axis X, between 50 degrees and 45 degrees. Further, the first ends 410 and 440 are interposed between the second ends 411 and 441 of the tether 41 and additional tether 44. In another example, the angular distance between the first end 410 of the tether 41 and the first end 440 of the additional tether 44 is greater than the angular distance between the second end 411 of the tether 41 and the second end 441 of the additional tether 44; further, the second ends 411 and 441 are interposed between the first ends 410, 440 of the tether 41 and additional tether 44.

[0090] In one or more embodiments, the first narrow thickness zone 42 and the second narrow thickness zone 43 are the same in thickness in a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis.

[0091] In one or more embodiments, the first narrow thickness zone 42 has a first thickness (preferably 0.03 mm) and the second narrow thickness zone 43 has, at least in a main portion 43A of it, adjacent to the second flank 413 of the tether 41 and to the second flank 443 of the additional tether, a second thickness (preferably 0.1 mm) that is greater than the first thickness.

[0092] In one or more embodiments, the second narrow thickness zone has, in a secondary portion of it, a thickness that is less than the thickness of the main portion 43A, preferably equal to the first thickness of the first narrow thickness zone 42.

[0093] When the first connecting zone 32 has a single connecting element 32C, the secondary portion comprises a single secondary portion 43B, which may be located at the single connecting element 32C, adjacent to it and interposed between the stretch and the additional stretch of the second narrow thickness zone 43 (that is, interposed between the first ends of the tether 41 and additional tether 44). In an example, the single secondary portion 43B, located at the single connecting element 32C, may comprise first thickness zones and second thickness zones, disposed alternately with each other, where the first thickness zones have a thickness that is equal to the first thickness (hence substantially equal to 0.03 mm) and the second thickness zones have a thickness that is equal to the second thickness (hence substantially equal to 0.1 mm).

[0094] When the first connecting element 32A and the additional connecting element 32B are provided, the secondary portion may include a first secondary portion 430B and a second secondary portion 431B. The first secondary portion 430B and the second secondary portion 431B may extend for a stretch in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis X and be adjacent to the stretch and the additional stretch of the second narrow thickness zone 43, respectively, near the connecting element 32A and the additional connecting element 32B. Preferably, the first secondary portion 430B and the second secondary portion 431B are connected to the first narrow thickness zone 42 in an angular stretch between the connecting element 32A and the additional connecting element 32B. The first and second secondary portions 430B and 431B have the function of making it easier to start tearing the second narrow thickness zone 43 (that is, to make the cap pass from the second to the third operating configuration).

[0095] In one or more embodiments, the tether 41, between its first end 410 and its second end 411, extends along a path running angularly in a single direction V1 around the longitudinal axis X. When provided, the additional tether 44, between its first end 440 and its second end 441, extends along an additional path running angularly in an additional single direction V2, preferably opposite to the single direction V1 of the tether 41. In an example, the path followed by the tether 41 (and, when provided, by the additional tether 44) is substantially parallel to a transverse axis Y perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X.

[0096] In one or more embodiments, the path followed by the tether 41 is, in at least one portion of it, between the first end 410 and the second end 411, inclined to the transverse axis Y. When the additional tether 44 is also provided, the paths followed by the tether 41 and the additional tether 44 are inclined relative to the transverse direction Y so they are convergent towards the tamper evident ring 3 and divergent towards the side wall 21 of the cap body 2.

[0097] In one or more embodiments, the tether 41 and the additional tether 44 respectively include a first transversely extending portion 414A, 444A to connect the respective first end 410, 440 to the first connecting zone 32 (to the single connecting element 32C or to the connecting element 32A and the connecting element 32B, respectively); the tether 41 and the additional tether 44 respectively include a first transversely extending portion 414B, 444B to connect the respective second end 411, 441 to the second connecting zone 23 (to the connecting element 23A and the connecting element 23B, respectively).

[0098] In one or more embodiments, the first narrow thickness zone 42 has a first thickness and the second narrow thickness zone 43 has a first thickness equal to the first thickness of the first narrow thickness zone 42; preferably, the first thickness of the first narrow thickness zone 42 and the first thickness of the second narrow thickness zone 43 are substantially equal to 0.03 mm.

[0099] In an example, the tether 41 presents a longitudinal extending portion, extending between the first flank 412 and the second flank 413 of the tether 41, and the longitudinal extending portion presents a height, relatively to the longitudinal direction, which is variable. The height of the longitudinal extending portion may vary between the second end 411 of the tether 41 a point located between the first 410 end and the second end 411 of the tether 41. In particular, the height of the longitudinal extending portion decreases between the second end 411 and the point located between the first 410 and the second end 411 of the tether 41, while the height of the longitudinal extending portion says constant going from said point and the first end 410 of the tether 41. When the additional tether 44 is present, also the additional tether 44 may present a longitudinal extending portion, extending between the first end 440 and the second end 441 of the additional tether, and said longitudinal extending portion may have a height, relatively to the longitudinal direction, which is variable. Preferably, the height of the longitudinal extending portion is variable between the second end 441 of the additional tether 44 and a point located between the first end 440 and the second end 441 of the additional tether. In particular, the height of the longitudinal extending portion decreases from the second end 441 to the point located between the first end 440 and the second end 441, while it stays constant between said point and the first end 440 of the additional tether.

[0100] According to an example, the joining zone 4 comprises an intermediate section 45, located between a portion of the second flank 413 of the tether 41 and the second narrow thickness zone 43 which is proximal to the second flank 413 of the tether 41. The intermediate section 45 extends around the longitudinal axis between the second end 441 of the tether 41 and a point located between the first end 410 and the second end 411 of the tether 41, and connects the portion of the second flank 413 of the tether 41 to the second narrow thickness zone 43. The tether 41 may have a longitudinal extending portion and the height of the longitudinal extending portion may be constant between the first 410 end and the second end 411, while the intermediate section 45 may have a longitudinal extending portion having a height that is variable at the second end 411 of the tether 41 and at the point located between the first 410 and second 411 ends. In particular, at the second end 411, the longitudinal extending portion presents a maximum height and at the point located between the first 410 and second 411 ends it has a minimum height, i.e. zero.

[0101] According to an embodiment, the intermediate section 45 is further located between a portion of the second flank 443 of the additional tether 44 and the second narrow thickness zone 43 which is proximal to the second flank 443 of the additional tether 44. The intermediate section 45 extends around the longitudinal axis between the second end 441 of the additional tether 44 and a point located between the first end 440 and the second end 441 of the additional tether 44, and connects the portion of the second flank 443 of the additional tether 44 to the second narrow thickness zone 43. The additional tether 44 may have a longitudinal extending portion and the height of the longitudinal extending portion may be constant between the first 440 end and the second end 441, while the intermediate section 45 may have a longitudinal extending portion having a height that is variable at the second end 441 of the tether 44 and at the point located between the first 440 and second 441 ends. In particular, at the second end 441, the longitudinal extending portion presents a maximum height and at the point located between the first 440 and second 441 ends it has a minimum height, i.e. zero.

[0102] The intermediate section 45 presents a thickness defined in the radial direction that may be equal to the thickness of the tether 41 (and to the thickness of the additional tether 44, when present); in particular, the intermediate section presents a radial thickness between the thickness of the tether 41 (and/or of the additional tether 44) and the thickness of the second narrow thickness zone 43. Preferably, the thickness of the intermediate section 45 is equal to or greater than 0.03 mm.

[0103] In one or more embodiments, the cap 1 includes a fastening element 51 and a protrusion 52 extending radially away from the longitudinal axis X. The fastening element 51 may be provided in the tamper evident ring 3 and the protrusion 52 may be provided in the body 2, or the fastening element 51 may be provided in the body 2 and the protrusion 52 may be provided in the tamper evident ring 3. The fastening element 51 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. Preferably, the protrusion 52 is provided in the body 2 and is located in a zone between the stretch and the additional stretch of the second narrow thickness zone 43.

[0104] This disclosure also provides a mould 6 for forming the cap 1.

[0105] The mould comprises 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 X. 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.

[0106] The lower unit 62 includes (or defines) a cavity 62A. The cavity 62A is configured to receive a charge of extruded thermoplastic material.

[0107] The upper unit 61 includes a core 611. In an embodiment, 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 X. The central core 611B includes a plurality of recesses configured to form the internal thread on the side wall 21 of the cap 1.

[0108] In one or more embodiments, the upper unit 61 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). Preferably, the inner core 611A and the central core 611B define a male element, configured to penetrate the cavity 62A of the lower unit 62 when the mould 6 is in the closed configuration. More specifically, when the mould is in the closed configuration, the core 611, the extractor 612 and the lower unit 62 define a forming cavity 7 having the shape of the cap to be made. More specifically, the lower unit 62 (that is, the cavity 62A) externally delimits part of the forming cavity 7, the male element (that is, the inner core 611A and the central core 611B) internally delimits the forming cavity 7 and the extractor 612 and the outer core 611C externally delimit part of the forming cavity 7.

[0109] 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 62A remain adherent to the cap 1. After that, there is a downward movement of the cavity 62A 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, while the extractor 612 moves downwards under the action of an elastic means that is released when the cavity 62A is moved away. After that, there is a further downward movement of the extractor 612, under the action of a cam. The extractor 612, being in contact with an upper edge of the cap 1, entrains the cap downwards with it (more specifically, the extractor 612 and the central core 611 define a retaining configuration in which the extractor 612 is at a lowered position relative to the central core 611B and holds the cap 1 at a tether). As it moves downwards, the extractor 612 releases the inside wall of the cap 1 from the central core 611B, thereby extracting the internal thread from the recesses of the central core 611B. Next, the extractor 612 moves upwards under the action of the cam, and the central core 611B elastically deforms a retaining element of the cap, bending it towards the longitudinal axis X, so as to release the cap from the extractor 612, if necessary with the aid of compressed air blown between the inner core 611A and the central core 611B (specifically, the extractor 612 and the central core 611B define a releasing configuration, where the extractor 612 is at a retracted position relative to the central core 611B and the central core 611B elastically deforms the retaining element of the cap 1 towards the longitudinal axis X to release the cap 1 from the extractor 612).

[0110] The forming cavity 7 comprises a side hollow 71, extending around the longitudinal axis X, and a transverse hollow 72, oriented along the transverse axis Y 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 portion 711, a joining portion 712 and a tamper evidence portion 713. The body portion 711, the joining portion 712 and the tamper evidence portion 713 each extend around the longitudinal axis X (and are thus annular in shape). The joining portion 712 is interposed between the body portion 711 and the tamper evidence portion 713. The body portion 711 is internally threaded and extends around a longitudinal axis X between a first and a second end. The joining portion 712 is connected to the second end of the body portion 711. The body portion is configured to form the side wall 21 of the body 2 of the cap 1; the joining portion 712 is configured to form the joining zone 4 of the cap 1; the tamper evidence portion 713 is configured to form the tamper evidence zone 3 of the cap 1. The mould 6 comprises a transverse hollow 72, connected to the first end of the body portion 711 of the side hollow 71. The transverse hollow 72 is configured to form the transverse wall 22 of the body 2 of the cap 1.

[0111] The joining portion 712 includes a tether portion 73. The tether portion 73 is elongated between a first end and a second end. The first end is in (fluid) communication with the tamper evidence portion 713 through a first connecting portion forming part of the tamper evidence portion 713. The first connecting portion is configured to form the first connecting zone 32. The second end is in (fluid) communication with the body portion 711 through a second connecting portion forming part of the body portion 711. The second connecting portion is configured to form the second connecting zone 23. The tether portion 73 is configured to form the tether 41 of the cap 1.

[0112] The joining portion 712 includes a first narrow thickness portion 76 that is thinner than the tether portion 73, the tamper evidence portion 713 and the body portion 711. The first narrow thickness portion 76 extends around the longitudinal axis X, along a first flank of the tether portion 73, to connect the first flank of the tether portion 73 to the tamper evidence portion 713. Preferably, the first narrow thickness portion 76 extends around the longitudinal axis X, along the second connecting portion and beyond the second connecting portion and the second end of the tether portion 73, to form a separating stretch that connects the tamper evidence portion 713 to the body portion 711 of the side hollow 71. Preferably, the separating stretch has, in at least one portion of it, an extension less than 3 mm parallel to the longitudinal axis X. The first narrow thickness portion 76 is interrupted only in the first connecting portion. The first narrow thickness portion 76 is configured to form the first narrow thickness zone 42 of the cap 1.

[0113] The joining portion 712 includes a second narrow thickness portion 77. The second narrow thickness portion 77 extends angularly around the longitudinal axis X along a stretch running from the second end of the tether portion 73 to the first connecting portion, so that the second narrow thickness portion 77 connects a second flank of the tether portion 73 and the first connecting portion to the body portion 711 of the side hollow 71. The second narrow thickness portion 77 is configured to form the second narrow thickness zone 43 of the cap 1.

[0114] The extractor 612 includes a first jutting element 612A that juts towards the longitudinal axis X. The first jutting element 612A delimits (that is defines) in the side hollow 71, the first narrow thickness portion 76 of the forming cavity 7. Thus, the first jutting element 612A is configured to form the first narrow thickness zone 42 of the cap 1. Preferably, the lower unit 62 comprises a second jutting element 62B that juts towards the longitudinal axis X. The second jutting element 62B delimits (that is defines) the second narrow thickness portion 77 of the forming cavity 7. Thus, the second jutting element 62B is configured to form the second narrow thickness zone 77 of the cap 1. Preferably, when the mould 6 is in the closed configuration, the extractor 612 and the lower unit 62 act in conjunction to delimit a recess that extends radially away from the longitudinal axis X to delimit the tether portion 73 of the forming cavity 7. Thus, the recess is configured to form the tether 41 of the cap 1.

[0115] Therefore, the lower unit 62 and the upper unit 61 (specifically, the extractor 612) may be shaped to match each other to define, in the closed configuration of the mould 6, an annular contact surface which includes a portion S lying in a closing plane P (orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X). More specifically, the portion S lies in a zone interposed between the first flank and the second flank of the tether portion 73, so that the upper unit 61 (specifically, the extractor 612) and the lower unit 62 act in conjunction to form the tether 41 of the cap 1.

[0116] It is noted, however, that in the embodiments in which the first narrow thickness zone 42 has a first thickness and the second narrow thickness zone 43 has a second thickness equal to the first thickness of the first narrow thickness zone 42 (preferably equal to 0.03 mm), the upper unit 61 (preferably the extractor 612) might be configured to form the tether 41 and, when provided, the additional tether 44 (that is to say, without the upper unit 61 and the lower unit 62 acting in conjunction).