Closure assembly comprising a cap with an integrated tamper-evident ring member

Abstract

A closure assembly comprises an article (10, 10, 10, 410) and a cap (40, 40, 40, 40, 440) provided with an integrated tamper-evident ring member (50, 50, 50, 450). The article further comprises a circumferential flange structure (20) with an annular flange portion and a peripheral protective rim portion (25) so that the top face (21a) of the flange portion and the protective rim define an annular recess (30) around the neck (14). The tamper-evident ring member is integrally formed to the lower edge of the skirt (42) of the cap via one or more breakable bridges (70). The ring member comprises an annular ring member flange portion (51) that has a top face (51a) and a bottom face (51b). Multiple hook members (53) are integrally formed to the bottom of the ring member flange portion, and the annular flange portion on the neck is provided with multiple hook member passages (1S). Each hook member passage is adapted to receive a hook member when the cap with the integrated tamper-evident ring member is axially mounted on the neck by means of an axial securing motion, wherein the hook portion (55) of each hook member snaps underneath the bottom face (21b) of the annular flange portion on the neck of the article. The periphery of the annular flange portion of the ring member is shaped to fit within the protective rim portion and the rim portion obstructs lateral access from outside to the interface between flange portions.

Claims

1. A closure assembly comprising an article and comprising a plastic cap provided with an integrated tamper-evident ring member, wherein: the article forms a tubular neck around a product passage in said article, said neck having a main axis and forming a mouth at a top end of said product passage, wherein the article further comprises a flange structure which comprises a flange portion that is integrally formed to the neck, which flange portion has a top face and a bottom face, the plastic cap provided with the integrated tamper-evident ring member is adapted to be secured or is secured on said neck of the article by means of an axial securing motion along the main axis, wherein the cap comprises a downward depending skirt, said skirt having an interior side, an exterior side, and a lower edge remote from a top wall structure, wherein the cap is adapted to seal the product passage in a closed position of the cap on said neck, and wherein the cap is adapted to be manually removed from the neck of the article by a user to open the product passage, wherein the tamper-evident ring member is integrally formed to the skirt of the cap and connected to said skirt via one or more breakable bridges, wherein the tamper-evident ring member comprises an annular ring member flange portion that has a bottom face, an inner face, and an outer face, wherein multiple hook members are integrally formed to the bottom of the ring member flange portion, the hook members being distributed in a circumferential direction of the ring member flange portion, wherein each hook member comprises a leg having an upper end integral with the ring member portion and protruding downward from the ring member flange portion, wherein each hook member comprises a hook portion at the lower free end of the leg, wherein the flange structure on the neck of the article is provided with multiple hook member passages that each extend between the top face and the bottom face through said flange portion thereof, each hook member passage being adapted to receive a hook member when the cap with the integrated tamper-evident ring member is axially mounted on the neck by means of said axial securing motion along the main axis, wherein the hook portion of each hook member engages underneath the bottom face of the flange portion on the neck of the article, and wherein the closure assembly is embodied such that upon first time opening of the closure assembly by removal of the cap by a user the one or more breakable bridges break and the tamper-evident ring member is retained on the article by means of the hook members, wherein the leg of at least one hook member has an inner bevel face at a lower end thereof, and wherein the neck is integrally formed with a corresponding bevel faced boss at a location below the corresponding hook member passage, such that upon axially mounting the cap with the integrated tamper-evident ring member on the neck by means of said axial securing motion along the main axis, the bevelled face of the boss contacts the inner bevel face of the leg and thereby assists in keeping the hook portion of the hook member engaged underneath the bottom face of the flange portion on the neck of the article.

2. Closure assembly according to claim 1, wherein the hook members passages are located directly adjoining the neck, and/or wherein the legs of the hook members each have an inner leg face, said inner leg face adjoining the inner face of the flange portion of the ring member.

3. Closure assembly according to claim 1, wherein the upper face of the flange portion on the neck of the article is planar, and wherein the bottom face of the ring member flange portion is planar.

4. 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.

5. Closure assembly according to claim 1, wherein the leg of all hook members has an inner bevel face at the lower end thereof.

6. Closure assembly according to claim 1, wherein the inner bevel face is at a junction of an inner leg face and a lower end face of the leg.

7. Closure assembly according to claim 3, wherein the exterior side of the neck of the article and the interior side of the skirt of the cap have co-operating snap connector formations to provide the snap-on functionality.

8. Closure assembly according to claim 3, wherein the skirt of the cap on the one hand and the circumferential flange structure of the article have co-operating snap connector formations to provide the snap-on functionality.

9. Closure assembly according to claim 8, wherein a peripheral protective rim portion on the one hand and the exterior side of the skirt of the cap having co-operating snap connector formations.

10. Closure assembly according to claim 9, the peripheral protective rim being provided with at least one upwardly protruding latch wall portion having a window or recess therein and the exterior side of the skirt being provided with a latching tab that is snapped into said window or recess in the closed position of the cap.

11. Closure assembly according to claim 1, wherein the closure assembly comprises: at least one first cam portion defining a cam surface, which cam surface is angled with respect to the main axis, which first cam portion is integrally formed on one of the lower edge of the skirt and the flange portion of the tamper-evident ring member, and at least one second cam portion defining a cam follower surface adapted to interact with the cam surface of the first cam portion and which second cam portion is integrally formed on the other one of the lower edge of the skirt and the flange portion of the tamper-evident ring member, whereinupon first time opening of the closure assembly by rotation of the cap relative to the article about the main axisthe first and second cam portions interact in order to cause axial lifting of the cap relative to the neck.

12. Closure assembly according to claim 11, wherein a pair of first cam portions is integrally formed at a top face of the ring member flange portion, at diametrically opposed locations, and wherein a pair of second cam portions is integrally formed at a lower end of the skirt, at diametrically opposed locations.

13. Closure assembly according to claim 11, wherein the first cam portion has an arched first cam surface with a centre raised above the ring member flange portion and with a first and second ends where the arched first cam surface adjoins a top face of the ring member flange portion.

14. Closure assembly according to claim 13, wherein a breakable bridge is present at each end of the upwardly arched first cam surface.

15. Closure assembly according to claim 12, wherein the second cam portion comprises an outwardly extending tab integrally formed at the lower end of the skirt and adapted to cooperate with the first cam surface, the cap having two diametrically opposed tabs.

16. Closure assembly according to claim 15, wherein a peripheral protective rim is provided with at least one upwardly protruding latch wall portion having a window or recess therein and wherein said outwardly extending tab is snapped into said window or recess in the closed position of the cap.

17. Closure assembly according to claim 1, wherein, in order to enhance grip on the cap and/or to enhance anti-choke properties of the cap, the cap has two diametrically opposed, wing portions that extend outwardly from the skirt in an imaginary vertical plane through the main axis of the neck.

18. Closure assembly according to claim 17, wherein a first cam portion has an arched first cam surface with a centre raised above the flange portion and with a first and second ends where the arched first cam surface adjoins the top face of the flange portion, and wherein cam portions of the pair of first cam portions are located on diametrically opposed locations relative to said imaginary vertical plane through the wing portions of the cap.

19. Closure assembly according to claim 17, wherein at least one pair of hook members and corresponding hook member passages is located on diametrically opposite locations relative to the neck and in the imaginary vertical plane through the wing portions of the cap.

20. Closure assembly according to claim 1, wherein the article is a fitment to be secured or secured to a container body.

21. Closure assembly according to claim 1, 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.

22. A container provided with a closure assembly according to claim 1.

Description

(1) The invention and various aspects thereof will now be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a first example of a closure assembly according to the invention in assembled state,

(3) FIG. 2 shows the spout of the closure assembly of FIG. 1, in a perspective view from above,

(4) FIG. 3 shows the spout of FIG. 2, in a perspective view from below,

(5) FIG. 4 shows the cap with integrated tamper-evident ring member of the closure assembly of FIG. 1,

(6) FIG. 5 shows the cap with integrated tamper-evident ring member of FIG. 4, in a perspective view from below,

(7) FIG. 6 shows a cross section of the cap with integrated tamper-evident ring member of FIG. 4,

(8) FIG. 7 shows the closure assembly of FIG. 1, in a perspective view from below,

(9) FIG. 8 shows a larger scale detail of the closure assembly of FIG. 7,

(10) FIG. 9 shows a cross section of the closure assembly of FIG. 1,

(11) FIG. 10 shows in cross section and on larger scale a detail of the closure assembly of FIG. 7,

(12) FIG. 11 shows in a cross sectional perspective view the closure assembly of FIG. 1,

(13) FIG. 12 shows in a horizontal cross sectional perspective view the spout and the lower region of the cap with integrated tamper-evident ring member of FIG. 1,

(14) FIG. 13 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a closure assembly according to the invention in assembled state,

(15) FIG. 14 shows the spout of the closure assembly of FIG. 13 in perspective view from above,

(16) FIG. 15 shows the spout of FIG. 14 in perspective view from below,

(17) FIG. 16 shows the cap with integrated tamper-evident ring member of the closure assembly of FIG. 13,

(18) FIG. 17 shows the cap with integrated tamper-evident ring member of FIG. 16 in perspective view from below, and

(19) FIG. 18 shows on a larger scale a detail of the closure assembly of FIG. 13,

(20) FIG. 19 shows a cross section of the closure assembly of FIG. 13,

(21) FIG. 20 shows a third example of a closure assembly according to the invention in assembled state,

(22) FIG. 21 shows the spout of the closure assembly of FIG. 20, in a perspective view from above,

(23) FIG. 22 shows the spout of FIG. 21, in a perspective view from below,

(24) FIG. 23 shows the cap with integrated tamper-evident ring member of the closure assembly of FIG. 20,

(25) FIG. 24 shows the cap with integrated tamper-evident ring member of FIG. 23, in a perspective view from below,

(26) FIG. 25 shows a cross section of the cap with integrated tamper-evident ring member of FIG. 24,

(27) FIG. 26 shows another cross section of the cap with integrated tamper-evident ring member of FIG. 24,

(28) FIG. 27 shows a cross section of the closure assembly of FIG. 20,

(29) FIG. 28 shows another cross section of the closure assembly of FIG. 20,

(30) FIG. 29 shows a fourth example of a closure assembly according to the invention in assembled state,

(31) FIG. 30 shows a fifth example of a closure assembly according to the invention in assembled state,

(32) FIG. 31 shows the cap with integrated tamper-evident ring member of the closure assembly of FIG. 30,

(33) FIG. 32 shows the spout of the closure assembly of FIG. 30, in a perspective view from above,

(34) FIG. 33 shows the spout of FIG. 32, in a perspective view from below,

(35) FIG. 34 shows the spout of FIG. 32 from above,

(36) FIG. 35 shows a sixth example of a closure assembly according to the invention in assembled state.

(37) With reference to FIGS. 1-12, a first example of a closure assembly according to the invention will be described in more detail.

(38) FIG. 1 shows a closure assembly 1 in assembled stated. As explained, in an embodiment, this pre-assembled closure assembly can be fitted to a container, e.g. a collapsible pouch container.

(39) The closure assembly 1 is composed of two components, namely on the one hand an article 10, here embodied as a spout 10, and on the other hand a cap 40 provided with an integrated tamper-evident ring member 50.

(40) The spout 10 is made, e.g. injection moulded, of a plastic material and forms a tubular neck 14 around a product passage 15 in the spout. The neck has a main axis 16, which is discussed herein as being vertical. The neck 14 forms a mouth 17 at a top end of the product passage 15. It will be appreciated that the term vertical, as well as top, bottom, upper, lower, etc. are merely used to identify relative orientation and location of components and details thereof in the closure assembly. In practical use the spout or other article may be arranged at the top of a container, e.g. pouch container, but also other arrangements, e.g. the neck facing sideways, being inclined, facing downwards, etc. are comprised within the invention.

(41) The spout 10 further comprises a circumferential flange structure 20 which comprises an annular flange portion 21 that is integrally formed, e.g. injection molded, to the neck 14 and extends around the neck 14. The flange portion 21 has a top face 21a, a bottom face 21b, and a periphery 21c, here a circular outer contour periphery.

(42) The flange structure 20 further comprises a peripheral protective rim portion 25 that is integral to and extends upwards from the flange portion 21 at the periphery 21c thereof, so that the top face 21a of the flange portion 21 and the protective rim portion 25 define an annular recess 30 around the neck 14.

(43) The spout 10 represents one embodiment of a fitment that is configured to be secured to a container body, e.g. of a collapsible pouch container.

(44) The spout 10 has a lower connector portion 12, here embodied as a seal boat, that is adapted to be secured, e.g. by heat-sealing, between opposed film walls of a collapsible pouch container. The neck 14 extends upwards from the top of the lower connector portion 12. In this example, the seal boat portion 12 is provided with horizontal welding ribs 12a,b,c in vertically spaced apart horizontal planes, the ribs 13 serving to be welded to the film walls of the pouch container as is known in the art.

(45) In another embodiment, the lower connector portion 12 may be embodied with a lower circumferential flange or plate portion that is adapted to be secured or secured onto a panel of a container, e.g. a panel of a carton or a wall of a collapsible pouch.

(46) The cap 40 that is provided with the integrated tamper-evident ring member 50 is made, e.g. injection moulded, of a plastic material.

(47) The cap 40 with ring member 50 is adapted to be secured on the neck 14 of the spout 10 by means of an axial securing motion along the main axis 16.

(48) The cap 40 has a top wall structure 41 and a downward depending skirt 42.

(49) As illustrated, the top wall structure 41 may comprises a W-seal arrangement protruding into the neck 14. Herein the W-seal arrangement comprises a downward projecting bulbous and annular top wall section around a central raised top wall section. It will be appreciated that the top wall structure 41 could have other designs, e.g. like a substantially planar disc, or with a downwardly protruding hollow pin design that fits inside the neck to provide a seal at a position well below the mouth, etc.

(50) The skirt 42 has an interior side 42a, an exterior side 42b, and a lower edge 42c that is remote from the top wall structure 41.

(51) The tamper-evident ring member 50 is integrally formed to the lower edge 42c of the skirt of the cap 40 and is connected to this lower edge via one or more breakable bridges 70.

(52) The cap 40 is adapted to seal the product passage 15 in a closed position of the cap on the neck 14.

(53) The cap 40 is adapted to be manually removed from the neck 14 by a user to open the product passage 15. In this example, as preferred in the context of the invention, the cap 40 is a quarter-turn type opening snap-on type cap, so that rotating the cap over about a quarter turn causes sufficient lift to disengage a snap retention of the cap and, also, breaks the breakable bridges 70 as will be discussed below.

(54) The tamper-evident ring member 50 comprises an annular ring member flange portion 51 that has a top face 51a, a bottom face 51b, an inner face 52a directed to the neck 14, and an outer face 52b.

(55) Multiple hook members 53 are integrally formed to the bottom of the ring member flange portion 51. These hook members 53 are distributed in a circumferential direction of the ring member flange portion 51.

(56) Each hook member 53 comprises a resilient leg 54 having an upper end integral with the ring member flange portion 51 and protruding downward from the ring member flange portion. Each hook member 53 further comprises a hook portion 55 at the lower free end of the leg 54. In the depicted embodiment, as practically preferred, the hook portion 55 is directed outwards. As preferred, the flange portion 51 extends further outwards than the hook portion 55.

(57) The annular flange portion 21 on the neck 14 of the spout is provided with multiple hook member passages 18, distributed in circumferential direction about the neck, which passages 18 each extend between the top face 21a and the bottom face 21b through this annular flange portion 21.

(58) Each hook member passage 18 is adapted to receive a respective hook member 53 when the cap 40 with the integrated tamper-evident ring member 50 is axially mounted or secured on the neck 14 by means of an axial securing motion along the main axis 16. Herein the hook portion 55 of each hook member 53 engages, e.g. snaps, underneath the bottom face 21b of the annular flange portion 21 on the neck 14 of the spout 1.

(59) The periphery of the annular flange portion 51 of the ring member 50, here of non-circular contour, is shaped to fit within the, here equally non-circular contoured, protective rim portion as the annular flange portion 51 is inserted in the annular recess 30 upon axially mounting of the cap 40 with the integrated tamper-evident ring member 50 on the neck 14.

(60) It will be appreciated that the adjoining contours of the annular flange portion 51 and of the rim portion 25 may also be of other non-circular designs, e.g. square, hexagonal, oval, etc. The mating non-circular contours may be present in view of an anti-rotation locking effect, so that the ring member 50 is hindered from rotating about the neck. The same anti-rotation effect may also, or alternatively, be provided for by other measures, e.g. by the hook members and their corresponding passages, and/or by mating reliefs on the adjoining lower face of the flange portion 21 and upper face of the flange portion 21. In an embodiment, the adjoining contours of the annular flange portion 51 and of the rim portion 25 may be circular.

(61) The peripheral protective rim 25 is configured to obstruct a lateral access from the outside to the interface between the top face 21a of the flange portion 21 of the spout 10 and the bottom face 51b of the flange portion 51 of the ring member 50. For example one cannot access said interface by biting on the assembly, e.g. when used in combination with a child food or beverage container, or with cutlery, e.g. a knife, etc. in an attempt, e.g. unconscious, to dislodge the ring member 50, possibly along with the cap 40, from the spout 10.

(62) The closure assembly 1 is embodied such that upon first time opening of the closure assembly by removal of the cap 40, here a quarter turn of the cap 40, by a user the one or more breakable bridges 70 break and the ring member 50 is retained in the recess 30 of the spout 10 by means of the hook members 53.

(63) As shown here it is preferred that the protective rim portion 25 is devoid of openings therein. This strengthens the portion 25, and thus the entire circumferential flange structure, and further reduces the possibility for lateral access to the ring member 50.

(64) The protective rim portion 25 has a height such that in the secured position of the cap provided with the integrated tamper-evident ring member an outer annular zone of the top face 51a of the flange portion 51 thereof does not protrude above the protective rim portion 25. Even more preferred, e.g. as can be seen in FIGS. 9-12 this outer annular zone of the top face is located lower than the top of the rim portion 25. Hereby access to the flange portion 51 is difficult.

(65) As illustrated, e.g. in FIGS. 2, 3, 8, 9, and 10, the hook members passages 18 may be located directly adjoining the neck 14.

(66) Preferably, the passages 18 are located radially spaced inward from the rim portion 25.

(67) The legs 54 of the hook members 53 each have an inner leg face 54a facing the neck 14. As preferred, see e.g. FIGS. 5, 6, 9, 10, this inner leg face 54a adjoins, or is continuous with, the inner face 52a of the flange portion 51 of the ring member 50.

(68) As shown here, it is preferred for all hook members 53 to have a leg 53 with an inner bevel face 54b at the lower end thereof, here at a junction of an inner leg face 54a and a lower end face 54c of the leg 54.

(69) As shown here, the neck 14 may be integrally formed with a corresponding bevel faced boss 19 at a location below the corresponding hook member passage 18, such that upon axially mounting the cap 40 with the integrated tamper-evident ring member 50 on the neck 14 by means of an axial securing motion along the main axis 16, the bevelled face of the boss 19 contacts the inner bevel face 54b of the leg 54 and thereby assists in keeping the hook portion 55 of the hook member 53 engaged, e.g. snapped, underneath the bottom face 21b of the annular flange portion 21 on the neck 14 of the spout 10.

(70) As illustrated, in an embodiment, the outside or outer contour of the protective rim portion 25 provides at least one pair of opposed parallel side faces. Here two pairs 26, 27 that are orthogonal to one another are provided, here so that the protective rim portion 25 is four-sided with rounded corner faces.

(71) In an embodiment, as shown here, the upper face 21a of the flange portion 21 on the neck 14 of the spout 10 is substantially planar, radial and perpendicular to the main axis 16. The bottom face 51b of the ring member flange portion 51 here equally is substantially planar, radial and perpendicular to the main axis 16.

(72) The closure assembly 1 here, as preferred, comprises a snap-on type cap 40 providing in use of the closure assembly a snap-on functionality so that said axially securing motion, e.g. by a capping device, causes the cap 40 to snap onto the neck 14. Here, as preferred, the interior side of the skirt 42 of the cap 40 and the exterior side of the neck of the article have co-operating snap connector formations. A first snap ridge 13 is provided on the exterior side of the neck 14, between the mouth and the circumferential wall structure, and a second snap ridge 43 is provided on the interior side of the skirt in order to provide the snap-on functionality. As preferred and as shown the first snap ridge 13, axially spaced from the circumferential flange structure, is formed by a series of snap ridge segments that are circumferentially spaced from one another. The inside of the skirt of the cap 40 here forms a circumferentially continuous snap ridge. For example, the snap-on type cap 40 can be replaced on the neck 14 after first time opening, with the snap features 13, 43 then properly retaining the cap on the neck.

(73) In order to facilitate the opening of the closure assembly by the user, who is here expected to turn the cap 40 over a quarter turn for opening of the closure, the closure assembly comprises: at least one first cam portion 61 defining a cam surface 62, which cam surface 62 is angled with respect to the main axis 16, seen when the cap 40 with ring member 50 are secured on the neck 14, which first cam portion 61 is integrally formed on the flange portion 51 of the tamper-evident ring member 50, and at least one second cam portion 45 defining a cam follower surface 46 adapted to interact with the cam surface 62 of the first cam portion 61, which second cam portion 45 is integrally formed on the lower edge of the skirt 42, whereinupon first time opening of the closure assembly by rotation of the cap 40 relative to the spout 10 about the main axis 16the first and second cam portions 61, 45 interact in order to cause axial lifting of the cap 40 relative to the neck 14, so that the co-operating snap connector formations 13, 43 disengage.

(74) In the illustrated embodiment a pair of first cam portions 61 is integrally formed at the top face 51a of the ring member flange portion 51, at diametrically opposed locations relative to the opening through which the neck 14 extends. A pair of second cam portions 45 is integrally formed at the lower end of the skirt 42 of the cap, at diametrically opposed locations.

(75) Each first cam portion 61 has an arched first cam surface 62 with a centre raised above, or higher than, the flange portion 51 and with a first and second ends 62a,b where the arched first cam surface 62 adjoins the top face 51a of the flange portion 51. A breakable bridge 70 is present at each end 62a, b of the upwardly arched first cam surface 62.

(76) As preferred, and as can be seen for instance in FIG. 12, the bridges 70 in the pair of breakable bridges 70 associated with each of the two first cam portion 61 of the ring member 50 are not arranged symmetrically such that, once the cap is removed and then placed back on the neck in a position 180 rotated relative to the initial molded position, the remains of each of the bridges 70 do not line up. They would do so of the arrangement of the bridges 70 was symmetrical. Due to this arrangement any tampering may be better visible. Of course, embodiments are possible with another arrangement and/or other number of breakable bridges between the lower edge of the skirt of the cap and the ring member 50.

(77) In the illustrated embodiment, each second cam portion 45 comprises an outwardly extending tab 46 that is integrally formed at the lower end of the skirt 42 and is adapted to cooperate with the first cam surface 61. As preferred the cap has two diametrically opposed tabs 46.

(78) In order to enhance grip on the cap and/or to enhance anti-choke properties of the cap 40, the cap has two diametrically opposed, substantially planar wing portions 47 that extend outwardly from the skirt 42 in an imaginary vertical plane through the main axis 16 of the neck 14.

(79) It can be seen that the single pair of first cam portions 61 are located on diametrically opposed locations relative to this imaginary vertical plane through the wing portions 47 of the cap. This is effective in view of injection molding and of strength of the cap and integrated tamper-evident ring member.

(80) It can be seen that at least one pair of hook members 53 and corresponding hook member passages 18 is located on diametrically opposite locations relative to the neck 14 and in the imaginary vertical plane through the wing portions 47 of the cap.

(81) It can be seen that at least one hook member, here as preferred two hook members 53, and corresponding hook member passages 18 are located on diametrically opposed locations relative to the imaginary vertical plane through the wing portions 47 of the cap.

(82) With reference to FIGS. 13-19 a second exemplary embodiment 100 of the closure assembly according to the invention will be described. Herein components and details thereof corresponding to components and details thereof included in the first exemplary embodiment will be denoted with the same reference numeral provided with an accent.

(83) A main difference with the first exemplary embodiment is the shape of the flange portions 21, 51. In the depicted embodiment of FIGS. 13-19 the upper face 21a of the flange portion 21 of on the neck 14 of the article 10 is saddle shaped. This upper face has two diametrically opposed downwardly curved upper face zones 21a1. The bottom face 51b of the ring member flange portion 51 is complementary saddle shaped. As can be seen these flange portions 21, 51 also have their other, bottom or upper, face saddle shaped, so that these flange portions are saddle shaped in form.

(84) As can be seen the breakable bridges are arranged between the saddle shaped flange portion 51 and a correspondingly shaped lower edge 42c of the skirt.

(85) The cap 40 here is, as in the first exemplary embodiment, a quarter-turn snap-on cap that is released from the article 10 by the user turning the cap over about a quarter turn.

(86) The snap-on cap 40 is retained on the neck by means of cooperating snap formations 13, 43

(87) A lift effect of the cap 40 upon opening is achieved here by the fact that the saddle shape of the upper face of the flange portion 51 cooperates with the corresponding saddle shape of the lower edge 42c of the skirt 42. Therefore no additional cam and cam follower arrangement is required.

(88) The ring member 50 here has four hook members 53 that protrude downwardly from the bottom of the flange portion 51. The flange portion 21 has four respective passages 18.

(89) The outer contour of the rim portion 25, in this second example, lacks parallel faces. Therefore, as an option, the article is provided with a pair of parallel faces 28 in a region of the neck 14 below the flange portion 21, here between the flange portion and the seal boat 12.

(90) With reference to FIGS. 20-26 a third example of a closure assembly according to the invention will be discussed. Herein items corresponding to items discussed with herein in conjunction with the first and/or second exemplary embodiment are provided with the same reference numeral with an addition of double quote marks.

(91) The FIG. 20 shows closure assembly 200 comprising an article 10 and comprising a cap 40 provided with an integrated tamper-evident ring member 50.

(92) As can be seen for instance in FIG. 21 the article 10 forms a tubular neck 14 around a product passage, the neck having a main axis and forming a mouth at a top end.

(93) The article further comprises a flange structure 20 which is integrally formed to the neck 14 and comprises one or more flange portions, here a circumferential flange portion, having a top face, a bottom face, and a periphery. As preferred, a peripheral protective rim 25 is integral to and extends upwards from the flange portion at the periphery thereof.

(94) The cap 40 provided with an integrated tamper-evident ring member 50 is adapted to be secured or is secured on said neck of the article by means of an axial securing motion along the main axis.

(95) In these figures, it is illustrated that the cap 40 has an annular top wall 41 having an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter. A downward depending skirt 42 is integral with the outer perimeter. A hollow pin portion 48 depends from the inner perimeter. The hollow pin portion 48 has a circumferential face extending along a length thereof and a closed pin bottom. The hollow pin portion here is open at a top thereof.

(96) The circumferential face of the hollow pin portion 48 and the article 10 have at least one pair of cooperating sealing surfaces such that hollow pin portion 48, in the closed position cap, closes the product passage 15. As preferred, a top seal is established in a top region of the neck 14 between the portion 48 and the interior of the neck 14, e.g. at A in FIG. 27. As preferred, a lower seal is established between a lower end region of the pin portion 48, e.g. at B in FIG. 27. So, preferably, two seals are created at different heights between the pin portion 48 and the article 10.

(97) It is shown that, as preferred, the hollow pin portion 48 extends from the annular top wall downward at least to the level of the tamper-evident ring member, preferably further downward, e.g. to a top horizontal wall of a spout 10 forming the article.

(98) The skirt 42 has an interior side, an exterior side, and a lower edge remote from the top wall structure.

(99) The cap 40 is adapted to be manually removed from the neck of the article by a user to open the product passage. The illustrated cap 40 is a quarter-turn cap.

(100) The tamper-evident ring member 50 is integrally formed to the skirt 42 of the cap and connected to the skirt via one or more breakable bridges 70.

(101) The tamper-evident ring member comprises an annular ring member flange portion 51 that has a top face, a bottom face, an inner face, and an outer face. Multiple hook members 53 are integrally formed to the ring member flange portion, the hook members being distributed in a circumferential direction of the ring member flange portion.

(102) The flange structure 20 on the neck of the article is provided with multiple hook member passages 18, each hook member passage being adapted to receive therein a hook member when the cap 40 with the integrated tamper-evident ring member 50 is axially mounted on the neck by means of an d axial securing motion along the main axis. Herein a hook portion of each hook member snaps onto, here underneath, the flange structure.

(103) The figures also illustrate that the skirt 42 of the cap 40 on the one hand and the flange structure 20 of the article 10 on the other hand have co-operating snap connector formations to provide a snap-on functionality of the cap.

(104) Herein the closure assembly 200 is embodied such that upon first time opening of the closure assembly by removal of the cap 40 by a user the one or more breakable bridges 70 break and the tamper-evident ring member 50 is retained by means of the hook members 53.

(105) The removed cap 40 is later replaceable on the neck 14 by the user, with the co-operating snap connector formations on the skirt of the cap on the one hand and on the flange structure of the article on the other hand releasably latching the cap 40 onto the article.

(106) In the depicted example, the peripheral protective rim portion 25 of the flange structure on the one hand and the exterior side of the skirt 42 of the cap having co-operating snap connector formations. In more detail in this example, the peripheral protective rim 25 of the flange structure is provided with at least one upwardly protruding latch wall portion 26 having a window 27 or recess therein. The exterior side of the skirt 42 is provided with a latching tab 46 that is snapped into said window 27 or recess in the closed position of the cap 40. The tab 46 becomes unsnapped and released from the window 27 or recess when the user removes the cap 40.

(107) As shown, here the outside or outer contour of the protective rim portion 25 provides at least one pair of opposed parallel side faces. As preferred, the two upwardly protruding latch wall portions 26 are erected on parallel parts of the rim portion 25 so that the assembly 200 has relative large parallel surfaces which may be advantageous in view of handling of the article 10 and/or the assembly 200, e.g. in view of guiding and/or gripping the article 10 or the assembly 200.

(108) As will be recognized, the depicted third exemplary embodiment further has: at least one first cam portion 61 defining a cam surface, which cam surface is angled with respect to the main axis, which first cam portion is integrally formed on one of the lower edge of the skirt and the flange portion 51 of the tamper-evident ring member, and at least one second cam portion 44 defining a cam follower surface adapted to interact with the cam surface of the first cam portion 61 and which second cam portion is integrally formed on the other one of the lower edge of the skirt 42 and the flange portion of the tamper-evident ring member, whereinupon first time opening of the closure assembly by rotation of the cap 40 relative to the article about the main axisthe first and second cam portions 61, 44 interact in order to cause, practically immediately upon turning the cap, an axial lifting of the cap relative to the neck, so upward, e.g. so that the co-operating snap connector formations disengage due to said lifting and the bridges 70 breaking.

(109) Depending on the design of the first cam portion and the second cam portion the cap may be rotatable about the neck for opening the closure in both directions, so clockwise and counter clockwise, or the design may be such that the cap is rotatable in just one direction, e.g. only clockwise.

(110) In embodiments the tab 46 on the exterior of the skirt provides both the snap-on functionality for the cap 40 and serves as a part of the second cam portion, said dual functionality tab 46 being adapted to cooperateonce released from the respective window 27 or recess as the user turns the cap 40 for openingwith the first cam surface.

(111) It is illustrated that the cap 40 has two diametrically opposed tabs 46 and that the peripheral protective rim 25 is provided with two upwardly protruding latch wall portions 26, each of them having a window 27 or recess therein. Each of said pair of tabs 46 is snapped into a corresponding window 27 or recess in the closed position of the cap.

(112) In FIG. 29 the closure assembly 300 is generally the same as closure assembly 200. The difference is that the cap 40 now has two diametrically opposed, wing portions 47 that extend outwardly from the skirt in an imaginary vertical plane through the main axis of the neck. This is done in order to enhance grip on the cap and/or to enhance anti-choke properties of the cap.

(113) With reference to FIGS. 30-35 a fifth example of a closure assembly according to the invention will be discussed. Herein items corresponding to items discussed with herein in conjunction with the first and/or second exemplary embodiment are provided with the same reference numeral increased with 400, so reference numeral 1 in FIG. 1 is numeral 401 in these FIGS. 30-35.

(114) The FIG. 30 shows closure assembly 401 comprising an article 410 and comprising a cap 440 provided with an integrated tamper-evident ring member 450.

(115) As can be seen for instance in FIG. 32 the article 410 forms a tubular neck 414 around a product passage, the neck having a main axis and forming a mouth at a top end.

(116) The article further comprises a flange structure 420 which is integrally formed to the neck 414 and comprises one or more flange portions, here a circumferential flange portion, having a top face, a bottom face, and a periphery.

(117) As shown the article has the flange structure 420 as a top flange structure, and further has a lower or second flange structure 422 below said top or first flange structure 420.

(118) As preferred, a peripheral protective rim 425 is integral to and extends upwards from the top flange portion 420 at the periphery thereof.

(119) Between the two vertically spaced flange structures 420, 422 the article 410 forms two parallel vertical faces 423, that define together with the flange structures 420, 422 a guidance and handling functionality for the spout, e.g. when sliding the spout between parallel guide rails.

(120) The cap 440 provided with an integrated tamper-evident ring member 450 is adapted to be secured or is secured on said neck of the article by means of an axial securing motion along the main axis.

(121) In these figures it is illustrated that the cap 440 has a top wall 441 with a W-seal arrangement protruding into the neck 414, e.g. as shown in FIG. 6. Herein the W-seal arrangement comprises a downward projecting bulbous and annular top wall section around a central raised top wall section. A top seal is established in a top region of the neck 414 between the W-seal arrangement and the interior of the neck 414.

(122) The skirt 442 has an interior side, an exterior side, and a lower edge remote from the top wall structure.

(123) The cap 440 is adapted to be manually removed from the neck of the article by a user to open the product passage. The illustrated cap 440 is a quarter-turn cap.

(124) The tamper-evident ring member 450 is integrally formed to the skirt 442 of the cap and connected to the skirt via one or more breakable bridges 470.

(125) The tamper-evident ring member comprises an annular ring member flange portion 451 that has a top face, a bottom face, an inner face, and an outer face. Multiple hook members 453 are integrally formed to the ring member flange portion, the hook members being distributed in a circumferential direction of the ring member flange portion.

(126) The flange structure 420 on the neck of the article is provided with multiple hook member passages 418, each hook member passage being adapted to receive therein a hook member when the cap 440 with the integrated tamper-evident ring member 450 is axially mounted on the neck by means of an d axial securing motion along the main axis. Herein a hook portion of each hook member snaps onto, here underneath, the flange structure.

(127) The figures also illustrate that the skirt 442 on the one hand and the neck 414 of the article 410 on the other hand have co-operating snap connector formations to provide a snap-on functionality of the cap.

(128) Herein the closure assembly 400 is embodied such that upon first time opening of the closure assembly by removal of the cap 440 by a user the one or more breakable bridges 470 break and the tamper-evident ring member 450 is retained by means of the hook members 453.

(129) The removed cap 440 is later replaceable on the neck 414 by the user, with the co-operating snap connector formations on the skirt of the cap on the one hand and on the neck of the article on the other hand releasably latching the cap 440 onto the article.

(130) The cap 440 has two diametrically opposed, wing portions 447 that extend outwardly from the skirt 442 in an imaginary vertical plane through the main axis of the neck 414. This is done in order to enhance grip on the cap and/or to enhance anti-choke properties of the cap.

(131) As will be recognized, the depicted fifth exemplary embodiment further has: at least one first cam portion 461 defining a cam surface, which cam surface is angled with respect to the main axis, which first cam portion is integrally formed on one of the lower edge of the skirt and the flange portion 451 of the tamper-evident ring member, and at least one second cam portion 444 defining a cam follower surface adapted to interact with the cam surface of the first cam portion 461 and which second cam portion is integrally formed on the other one of the lower edge of the skirt 442 and the flange portion of the tamper-evident ring member, whereinupon first time opening of the closure assembly by rotation of the cap 440 relative to the article about the main axisthe first and second cam portions 461, 444 interact in order to cause, practically immediately upon turning the cap, an axial lifting of the cap relative to the neck, so upward, e.g. so that the co-operating snap connector formations disengage due to said lifting and the bridges 470 breaking.

(132) Depending on the design of the first cam portion and the second cam portion the cap may be rotatable about the neck for opening the closure in both directions, so clockwise and counter clockwise, or the design may be such that the cap is rotatable in just one direction, e.g. only clockwise.

(133) In FIG. 35 the closure assembly 401 is generally the same as closure assembly 401. The difference is that the cap 440 does not have a W-seal arrangement, e.g. just sealing on the exterior of the neck 414, e.g. in proximity of the top thereof, by contact with a sealing surface on the inside of the skirt 442. The wings 447 are joined by a vertical panel portion 447a extending over the top wall 441 of the cap.