NL2021578B1

NL2021578B1 - A closure assembly comprising a cap with an integrated tamper-evident ring member.

Info

Publication number: NL2021578B1
Application number: NL2021578A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Pieter Fiere Jeroen; Jan Adriaan Oosterling Willem; Wilhelmus Van Tuil Johannes; Adriaan Van Spronsen Frederik
Original assignee: Scholle Ipn Ip Bv
Priority date: 2018-09-07
Filing date: 2018-09-07
Publication date: 2020-05-01

Abstract

A closure assembly comprises an article and a cap provided with an integrated tamperevident ring member. The article further comprises a circumferential flange structure with an annular flange portion and a peripheral protective rim portion so that the top face of the flange portion and the protective rim define an annular recess around the neck. The tamperevident ring member is integrally formed to the lower edge of the skirt of the cap via one or more breakable bridges. The ring member comprises an annular ring member flange portion that has a top face and a bottom face. Multiple hook members 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. 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 of each hook member snaps underneath the bottom face 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.

Description

A CLOSURE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A CAP WITH AN INTEGRATED TAMPEREVIDENT RING MEMBER.

The present invention relates to a closure assembly, a container provided with the closure assembly, and to a method for producing filled containers provided with the closure assembly.

Closure assemblies are known with a plastic cap that can be removed by a user through a rotational movement from a neck, e.g. the neck of a plastic container with integrally molded neck or the neck of a spout that has been fitted on a collapsible pouch container.

In manufacturing a closure assembly, a tamper-evident structure is often integrally molded as a part of the plastic cap. Examples of such closure assemblies are for example shown in WO2014/007612, WO2012/044166, EP2380820, and GB 2492586.

In WO2017/135824 a closure assembly is disclosed wherein a tamper-evident ring is provided to the lower edge of the skirt of the cap. This ring comprises an annular base portion which is connected via one or more breakable bridges to the skirt. Embodiments are disclosed wherein a snap portion is located on one or both of the outer face and the inner face of the annular base portion. In an example a snap portion located in the outer face of the annular base portion snaps into a window provided in a circumferential wall of a structure that is integral with the neck of the spout. The snap portion blocks an axial movement of the base portion with respect to the neck, such that a once snapped tamper-evident ring remains on the article and that the bridges break when the user rotates the cap. The presence of the circumferential wall provides a shield that shields the tamper-evident ring that has been introduced in the inner space between the neck and the circumferential wall of the article. This reduces a risk of an undesired release of the tamper-evident ring once the cap has been removed. The wall around the tamper-evident ring may make it more difficult to loosen the tamper-evident ring by an act from the outside, like for example releasing the ring by nibbling on the neck of an opened closure.

The present invention aims to provide an improved closure assembly, or at least aims to provide an alternative for known closure assemblies. In particular the invention aims to allow for a reduction of the use of plastic material, while maintaining or even enhancing the strength of the connection between the tamper-evident ring and the article.

-2According to a first aspect thereof the present invention achieves one or more of the abovementioned objects by providing a closure assembly according to claim 1.

Herein the integrated tamper-evident ring member is embodied with the annular ring member flange portion and with the multiple hook members that are integrally formed to the bottom of the ring member flange portion. These hook members are distributed in a circumferential direction of the ring member flange portion. Each hook member comprises a leg having an upper end integral with the ring member flange portion and protruding downward from the ring member flange portion. Each hook member comprises a hook portion at the lower free end of the leg.

The annular flange portion 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 the annular flange portion. Each hook member passage is adapted to receive a hook member when the cap with the integrated tamper-evident ring member is axially mounted, e.g. by a capping device, e.g. after filling of a container provided with the article, on the neck by means of an axial securing motion along the main axis of the neck. Herein the hook portion of each hook member engages, e.g. snaps, underneath the bottom face 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 as the annular flange portion is at least partially, preferably entirely, inserted in the annular recess upon axially mounting of the cap with the integrated tamperevident ring member on the neck. Herein the peripheral protective rim, which is preferably devoid of any openings therein, is adapted to obstruct lateral access from outside to the interface between the top face of the flange portion of the article and the bottom face of the flange portion of the ring member.

Through the first aspect inventive design a strong connection can be achieved between the tamper-evident ring on the one hand and the article on the other hand, using little plastic material for both components.

For example the protective rim can be designed with a reduced height compared to the circumferential wall of the embodiments shown in WO2017135824 as a pull force on the ring member in attempt to pull of the ring member is, at least predominantly, absorbed by the downward protruding hook members and the flange portion on the neck of the article.

-3The protective rim does, at least to a degree, have the additional effect that it adds to the stability of the flange portion on the neck of the article and thus contributes to the resistance to a pull force on the ring member.

As indicated the protective rim is preferably devoid of any openings therein, which enhances the protective effect, strengthens the structure and interconnection of the components, and is beneficial in view of injection molding the article.

In an embodiment the protective rim portion 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 of the flange portion thereof does not protrude above the protective rim portion. Preferably this outer annular zone of the top face is located lower than the top of the rim portion. Hereby lateral access to the ring member is even further obstructed, thus reducing the practical possibility to exert a force thereon that would pull the ring member off the neck of the article.

In an embodiment the hook members passages are located directly adjoining the neck.

In an embodiment the legs of the hook members each have an inner leg face, this inner leg face adjoining the inner face of the flange portion of the ring member. This effectively locates the hook members closely adjacent the exterior of the neck, which is found effective when it comes to providing retention strength for the ring member using little plastic material compared to a location of the hook members further outward relative to the neck of the article.

In practical embodiments, the hook portion protrudes outwardly and away from the neck.

In an alternative design the hook portion could protrude from the leg in a circumferential or tangential, direction relative to the neck.

In an embodiment a hook member has two legs, or a single leg forked at its lower end, wherein each of said legs, or each forked end, has a corresponding hook portion. For example an inverted V-shaped hook member is envisaged with two legs, or a forked leg. The legs or forked lower ends are then preferably located in an arrangement that is tangential or relative to the main axis, e.g. with the associated hook portions protruding in opposed tangential directions.

-4In an embodiment the leg of at least one hook member, e.g. of all hook members, has an inner bevel face at the lower end thereof, e.g. at a junction of an inner leg face and a lower end face of the leg. Herein 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, e.g. snapped, underneath the bottom face of the annular flange portion on the neck of the article. This embodiment is most practical when the hook portion is directed outward, away from the neck.

In an embodiment the outer periphery of the annular flange portion of the ring member and the inner periphery of the protective rim portion are shaped non-circular, e.g. thereby providing enhanced resistance against the ring member being rotated along with the cap upon first time opening of the closure.

In an embodiment, e.g. preferably combined with the feature discussed in the preceding paragraph, the outside of the protective rim provides at least one pair of opposed parallel side faces, preferably two pairs that are orthogonal to one another, e.g. the protective rim being four-sided preferably with rounded corner faces. This embodiment e.g. allows for the parallel side face pairs to be used in the course of guidance of the article, e.g. of a pouch provided with a spout embodied like this, in a production and/or filling line. Having two orthogonal pairs of such parallel side faces e.g. allows for guidance in two orthogonal directions, e.g. in a pouch manufacturing line along one direction, and in a filling line of pouches directly downstream thereof in another, orthogonal direction. It will be appreciated that the inside of the protective rim, preferably also the periphery of the flange portion of the ring member, may have the same design.

In an embodiment the upper face of the flange portion on the neck of the article is substantially planar, preferably radial to the main axis, wherein the bottom face of the ring member flange portion is substantially planar, preferably radial to the main axis. Thereby the interface between these flange portions is in a plane that is preferably radial or perpendicular to the main axis, in other words in this context horizontal.

In an embodiment these faces of the flange portions are flat and smooth, in another embodiment these faces have mating reliefs, e.g. ribs and grooves, to provide an axial form locking engagement of these faces that, e.g., counters any torque on the ring member about

-5the main axis (e.g. upon first time opening of the cap). This embodiment, with axially mating relief on these faces may, e.g. be combined with a circular periphery of the flange portions and of the protective rim.

In yet another embodiment, of which an example is also illustrated in the drawings, the upper face of the flange portion of on the neck of the article is saddle shaped with two diametrically opposed downwardly curved upper face zones, wherein the bottom face of the ring member flange portion is complementary saddle shaped. Preferably these flange portions also have their other, bottom or upper, face saddle shaped, so that these flange portions are saddle shaped in form. Herein, as preferred, the cap is a quarter turn opening cap, and the saddle shape of the flange portion of the ring member cooperates with a complementary shaped lower edge of the skirt to provide a lift effect of the cap upon turning the cap by the user. This lift effect is preferably applied to release cooperating snap retention formations on the neck and on the skirt of the cap.

In a preferred embodiment the closure assembly comprises a snap-on type cap providing in use of the closure assembly a snap-on functionality, wherein the interior side of the skirt of the cap and the exterior side of the neck of the article have co-operating snap connector formations, e.g. formed by first and second snap ridges, to provide the snap-on functionality. For example the neck is provided, axially spaced from the circumferential flange structure, with a series of snap ridge segments that are circumferentially spaced from one another, e.g. in combination with a circumferentially continuous snap ridge inside the skirt of the cap. For example, the cap can be replaced on the neck after first time opening, with the snap features then properly retaining the cap on the neck.

For example the neck has a smooth, e.g. main cylindrical, exterior, at least in the region between any snap-on ridge and the mouth, preferably also between any snap-on ridge on the circumferential flange structure. Such a smooth design is, for example, advantageous if the neck is designed to be placed between the lips of a consumer for drinking a product out of a container provided with the closure assembly.

In an embodiment, preferably with a snap-on type cap, 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

-6other one of the lower edge of the skirt and the flange portion of the tamper-evident ring member, wherein - upon first time opening of the closure assembly by rotation of the cap relative to the article about the main axis - the first and second cam portions 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.

In a practically preferred embodiment the cap is a quarter-turn opening snap-on type cap, so that rotating the cap over about a quarter turn causes sufficient lift to disengage the snap retention of the cap and, also, break the breakable bridges. 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.

In a practically preferred embodiment a pair of first cam portions, preferably a single pair only, is integrally formed at the top face of the ring member flange portion, at diametrically opposed locations, wherein a pair of second cam portions is integrally formed at the lower end of the skirt, at diametrically opposed locations. In a practical embodiment the first cam portions extend in part above the height of the protective rim, so that their presence is well visible enhancing the understanding by a user of the closure assembly.

In an embodiment the first cam portion has an arched first cam surface with a centre raised higher than the top face of the flange portion and with a first and second ends where the arched first cam surface adjoins the top face of the flange portion. Hereby the arched first cam surface provides two oppositely inclined slopes allowing for opening of the closure by rotation of the cap in either direction about the neck, so clockwise and counter clockwise, when the second cam portion has a correspondingly shaped, e.g. arched, cam follower surface. In an embodiment hereof, a breakable bridge is present at each of said first and second ends of the upwardly arched first cam surface. The arched first cam surface may have a flattened centre, and/or the arc need not have a constant radius.

In a practical embodiment the second cam portion is at least in part formed by a complementary section, e.g. arched, curved, polygonal, of the lower end of the skirt of the cap, e.g. an upwardly arched section of the lower end that is located just above the arched first cam surface with a centre raised relative to the flange portion of the ring member, wherein the breakable bridges initially maintain said arrangement.

-7In another embodiment the at least one first cam portion defines a cam surface that is functional only when rotating the cap in clockwise direction, e.g. with the first came portion also defining a stop face, e.g. vertical or nearly vertical, for the cap that cooperates with a stop face on the skirt of the cap when attempting to rotate the cap in counter clockwise direction.

In a practical embodiment, e.g. in combination with the feature of the preceding paragraph, the cap comprises an outwardly extending tab integrally formed at the lower end of the skirt and adapted to cooperate with the first cam surface, preferably the cap having two diametrically opposed tabs. Therefore, the cap may have a lower skirt edge with two upwardly arched sections at diametrically opposed locations, and in addition a pair of outwardly extending tabs, each tab located at the section of the lower skirt edge between the upwardly arched sections.

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

In an embodiment the pair of first ramp portions are located on diametrically opposed locations relative to the imaginary vertical plane through the wing portions of the cap. This is effective in view of injection molding and of strength of the cap and integrated tamper-evident ring member.

In an embodiment 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. Effectively these hook members are then underneath the wing members and, in a practical embodiment, above the top edge of a pouch, which top edge is aligned with the wing portions when the cap with integrated ring member is secured on the neck. This location renders these hook members effective when it comes to resisting removal of the ring member from the neck.

In an embodiment at least one hook member, preferably two hook members, and corresponding hook member passages are located on diametrically opposed locations relative to the imaginary vertical plane through the wing portions of the cap.

-8In a practically preferred embodiment, there are six hook members and corresponding hook member passages. For example the neck of such assembly has an external diameter between 7 and 15 millimeters.

In an embodiment, the article is a fitment to be secured or secured to a container body. For example the article is a spout, e.g. having a lower connector portion, e.g. a seal boat portion, adapted to be secured or secured between opposed film walls of a collapsible pouch container or having a lower circumferential flange or plate portion 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.

In an embodiment the article is a spout which comprises a lower connector portion secured or to be secured, e.g. by heat sealing, between opposed film walls of a collapsible pouch container, e.g. wherein the lower connector portion is a seal boat.

The present invention also relates to a container provided with a closure assembly as described herein, e.g. a collapsible pouch container.

The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a pre-assembled closure assembly as described herein for later mounting thereof as a unit on a container, the method comprising:

making, e.g. moulding, e.g. injection moulding, the article of plastic material, making, e.g. moulding, e.g. injection moulding, the cap provided with an integrated temper-evident ring member, securing the cap and integrated tamper-evident ring member onto the neck of the article by means of an axial securing motion along the main axis such that the cap seals the product passage, wherein the hook members enter into and through the respective hook member passages and their hook portions snap underneath the bottom face of the annular flange portion on the neck, wherein the flange portion of the ring member is at least partially inserted in the annular recess.

The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing and filling a container, comprising the steps of:

- providing a container having the article thereon without the cap and integrated tamperevident ring member,

- filling the container e.g. via the product passage in the article,

- securing the cap and integrated tamper-evident ring member onto the neck of the article by means of an axial securing motion along the main axis such that the cap seals the product

-9passage, wherein the hook members enter into and through the respective hook member passages and their hook portions snap underneath the bottom face of the annular flange portion on the neck, and wherein the flange portion of the ring member is at least partially inserted in the annular recess.

The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing and filling a container, said method comprising the steps of:

- providing a container having an article mounting location, e.g. an opening, e.g. an opening in a top edge or seam of a pouch packing, adapted to mount the article with the cap and integrated tamper-evident ring member of the type discussed herein on the container,

- filling the container, e.g. via the opening,

- mounting an assembly of the article and cap including the integrated tamper-evident ring member as a unit on the container at the article mounting location.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a closure assembly comprising an article and comprising a 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 circumferential flange structure which comprises an annular flange portion that is integrally formed to the neck and extends around the neck, which flange portion has a top face, a bottom face, and a periphery,

- the cap provided with an 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 skirt, said skirt having an interior side, an exterior side, and a lower edge remote from the 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 lower edge of the skirt of the cap and connected to said lower edge via one or more breakable bridges,

-10wherein the tamper-evident ring member comprises an annular ring member flange portion that has a top face, 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 flange 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 annular flange portion 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 annular flange portion, 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 annular 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 ring member is retained in the recess of the article by means of the hook members.

As explained with reference to the first aspect of the invention the closure assembly according to the second aspect of the invention allows to achieve in embodiments a strong connection of the ring member to the article. Optionally the rim portion of the first aspect of the invention is provided. Optionally the periphery of the annular flange portion of the ring member is shaped to fit within the protective rim portion as the annular flange portion is at least partially inserted in an annular recess upon said axially mounting of the cap with the integrated tamper-evident ring member on the neck. Preferably the peripheral protective rim portion is adapted to obstruct lateral access from outside to the interface between the top face of the flange portion of the article and the bottom face of the flange portion of the ring member.

It will be appreciated that the closure assembly of the second aspect of the invention may be enhanced by one or more features discussed herein with reference to the first aspect of the invention.

The second aspect also relates to a container provided with the closure assembly.

-11The second aspect also relates to a method for manufacturing a pre-assembled closure assembly as described herein for later mounting thereof as a unit on a container, the method comprising:

making, e.g. moulding, e.g. injection moulding, the article, e.g. of plastic material, making, e.g. moulding, e.g. injection moulding, the cap provided with an integrated temper-evident ring member, e.g. of plastic material, securing the cap and integrated tamper-evident ring member onto the neck of the article by means of an axial securing motion along the main axis such that the cap seals the product passage, wherein the hook members enter into and through the respective hook member passages and their hook portions engage, e.g. snap, underneath the bottom face of the annular flange portion on the neck.

The second aspect of the present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing and filling a container, comprising the steps of:

- filling the container e.g. via the product passage in the article,

- securing the cap and integrated tamper-evident ring member onto the neck of the article by means of an axial securing motion along the main axis such that the cap seals the product passage, wherein the hook members enter into and through the respective hook member passages and their hook portions engage, e.g. snap, underneath the bottom face of the annular flange portion on the neck.

The second aspect of the present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing and filling a container, said method comprising the steps of:

- filling the container, e.g. via the opening,

A third aspect of the present invention relates to 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, a bottom face,

- the plastic cap provided with an 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 the 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 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 portion, the hook members being distributed in a circumferential direction of the ring member 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, e.g. snaps, underneath the bottom face of the flange portion on the neck of the article,

-13and 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 ring member is retained on the article by means of the hook members.

As explained with reference to the first aspect of the invention the closure assembly according to the third aspect of the invention allows to achieve in embodiments a strong connection of the ring member to the article. Optionally the flange structure on the neck comprises an annular flange portion. In an alternative two separate flange portions are provided in a common plane at diametrically opposed locations relative to the neck. Optionally the rim portion of the first aspect of the invention is provided. Optionally the ring member has a flange portion, e.g. an annular flange portion. Optionally the periphery of the annular flange portion of the ring member is shaped to fit within the protective rim portion as the annular flange portion is at least partially inserted in an annular recess upon said axially mounting of the cap with the integrated tamper-evident ring member on the neck.

It will be appreciated that the closure assembly of the third aspect of the invention may be enhanced or complemented by one or more features discussed or disclosed herein with reference to any of the other aspects of the invention.

The third aspect also relates to a container provided with the closure assembly.

The third aspect also relates to a method for manufacturing a pre-assembled closure assembly as described herein for later mounting thereof as a unit on a container, the method comprising:

making, e.g. moulding, e.g. injection moulding, the article, e.g. of plastic material, making, e.g. moulding, e.g. injection moulding, the cap provided with an integrated temper-evident ring member, e.g. of plastic material, securing the cap and integrated tamper-evident ring member onto the neck of the article by means of an axial securing motion along the main axis such that the cap seals the product passage, wherein the hook members enter into and through the respective hook member passages and their hook portions engage, e.g. snap, underneath the bottom face of the flange structure on the neck.

The third aspect of the present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing and filling a container, comprising the steps of:

- filling the container e.g. via the product passage in the article,

- securing the cap and integrated tamper-evident ring member onto the neck of the article by means of an axial securing motion along the main axis such that the cap seals the product passage, wherein the hook members enter into and through the respective hook member passages and their hook portions engage, e.g. snap, underneath the bottom face of the flange structure on the neck.

The third aspect of the present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing and filling a container, said method comprising the steps of:

- filling the container, e.g. via the opening,

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a first example of a closure assembly according to the invention in assembled state,

Fig.2 shows the spout of the closure assembly of figure 1, in a perspective view from above,

Fig. 3 shows the spout of figure 2, in a perspective view from below,

Fig. 4 shows the cap with integrated tamper-evident ring member of the closure assembly of figure 1,

Fig. 5 shows the cap with integrated tamper-evident ring member of figure 4, in a perspective view from below,

Fig. 6 shows a cross section of the cap with integrated tamper-evident ring member of figure 4,

Fig. 7 shows the closure assembly of figure 1, in a perspective view from below,

Fig. 8 shows a larger scale detail of the closure assembly of figure 7,

Fig. 9 shows a cross section of the closure assembly of figure 1,

Fig. 10 shows in cross section and on larger scale a detail of the closure assembly of figure 7,

Fig. 11 shows in a cross sectional perspective view the closure assembly of figure 1, 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 figure 1,

-15Fig. 13 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a closure assembly according to the invention in assembled state,

Fig. 14 shows the spout of the closure assembly of figure 13 in perspective view from above,

Fig. 15 shows the spout of figure 14 in perspective view from below,

Fig. 16 shows the cap with integrated tamper-evident ring member of the closure assembly of figure 13,

Fig. 17 shows the cap with integrated tamper-evident ring member of figure 16 in perspective view from below, and

Fig. 18 shows on a larger scale a detail of the closure assembly of figure 13, Fig. 19 shows a cross section of the closure assembly of figure 13.

With reference to figures 1 - 12 a first example of a closure assembly according to the invention will be described in more detail.

Figure 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.

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.

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.

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.

-16The 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

-17The 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

-18The 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 25 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.

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.

The peripheral protective rim 25 is configuredto 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.

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.

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.

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 figures 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.

-19As illustrated, e.g. in figures 2, 3, 8, 9, and 10, the hook members passages 18 are located directly adjoining the neck 14, e.g. radially spaced from the rim portion 25.

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

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.

As shown here, the neck 14 is 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.

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 foursided with rounded corner faces.

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.

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

-20on 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.

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, wherein - upon first time opening of the closure assembly by rotation of the cap 40 relative to the spout 10 about the main axis 16 - the 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.

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.

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.

As preferred, and as can be seen for instance in figure 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

-21each 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

With reference to figures 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.

A main difference with the first exemplary embodiment is the shape of the flange portions 21’, 51. In the depicted embodiment of figures 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 21aT. The bottom face 51b’ of the ring member flange portion 51’ is complementary saddle shaped. As can be seen these

-22flange portions 21’, 51’ also have their other, bottom or upper, face saddle shaped, so that these flange portions are saddle shaped in form.

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.

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.

The snap-on cap 40’ is retained on the neck by means of cooperating snap formations 13’, 43’.

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.

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’.

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’.

Claims

1. Afsluitsamenstel omvattende een artikel (10) en omvattende een dop (40) voorzien van een geïntegreerd tamper-evident ringorgaan (50), waarbij:A sealing assembly comprising an article (10) and comprising a cap (40) provided with an integrated tamper-evident ring member (50), wherein:

het artikel (10) is gemaakt, bijvoorbeeld gegoten, van een kunststofmateriaal en vormt een buisvormige nek (14) om een productpassage (15) in het artikel, waarbij de nek een hoofdas (16) heeft en een mond (17) vormt aan een bovenste einde van de genoemde productpassage (15);the article (10) is made, for example, molded, from a plastic material and forms a tubular neck (14) about a product passage (15) in the article, the neck having a major axis (16) and a mouth (17) forming a top end of said product passage (15);

waarbij het artikel (10) verder een omtrekflensstructuur (20) omvat die een ringvormig flensgedeelte omvat dat integraal aan de nek is gevormd en dat zich rond de nek (14) uitstrekt, welk flensgedeelte een bovenvlak (21a), een ondervlak (21b) en een omtrek heeft, waarbij de flensstructuur verder een zich om de omtrek uitstrekkend beschermingsrandgedeelte (25) omvat dat integraal is met en zich naar boven uitstrekt vanaf het flensgedeelte aan de omtrek daarvan, zodat het bovenvlak van het flensgedeelte (21) en de beschermende rand (25) een ringvormige verdieping (30) rond de nek (14) vormen, de dop (40) voorzien van een geïntegreerd tamper-evident ringorgaan (50) is gemaakt, bijvoorbeeld gegoten, van een kunststofmateriaal en is ingericht om te worden vastgezet of is vastgezet op de nek (14) van het artikel door middel van een axiale bevestigingsbeweging langs de hoofdas (16), waarbij de dop (40) een bovenwandstructuur (41) en een naar beneden afhangende rok (42) omvat, welke rok een binnenzijde (42a), een buitenzijde (42b), en een onderste rand (42c) op een afstand van de bovenwandstructuur heeft, waarbij de dop is ingericht om de productpassage (15) af te sluiten in een gesloten stand van de dop op de nek, en waarbij de dop is ingericht om door een gebruiker met de hand te worden verwijderd van de nek (14) van het artikel om de productpassage te openen, waarbij het tamper-evident ringorgaan (50) integraal is gevormd aan de onderste rand van de rok (42) van de dop en met die onderste rand is verbonden via één of meer verbreekbare bruggen (70), waarbij het tamper-evident ringorgaan (50) een ringvormig ringorgaanflensgedeelte (51) omvat dat een bovenvlak (51a), een ondervlak (51b), een binnenvlak (52a), en een buitenvlak (52b) omvat, waarbij meerdere haakorganen (53) integraal aan de onderzijde van het ringorgaanflensgedeelte (51) zijn gevormd, waarbij de haakorganen verdeeld zijn in een omtrekrichting van het ringorgaanflensgedeelte (51), waarbij elk haakorgaan (53) een poot (54) omvat met een bovenste einde dat integraal is met het ringorgaanflensgedeelte (51) en naar beneden steekt vanaf het ringorgaanflensgedeelte, waarbij elk haakorgaan een haakgedeelte (55) omvat aan het onderste vrije einde van de poot, waarbij het ringvormige flensgedeelte (21) op de nek (14) van het artikel is voorzien van meerdere haakorgaandoorlaten (18) die zich elk uitstrekken tussen het bovenvlak (21a) en het ondervlak (21b) door het genoemde ringvormige flensgedeelte (21), waarbij elke haakorgaandoorlaat (18) is ingericht om een haakorgaan (53) op te nemen wanneer de dop (40) met geïntegreerd tamper-evident ringorgaan (50) axiaal wordt gemonteerd op de nek (14) door middel van de genoemde axiale bevestigingsbeweging langs de hoofdas (16), waarbij het haakgedeelte (55) van elk haakorgaan (53) aangrijpt, bijvoorbeeld snapt, onder het bodemvlak (21b) van het ringvormige flensgedeelte (21) op de nek van het artikel, waarbij de omtrek van het ringvormige flensgedeelte (51) van het ringorgaan (50) is gevormd om binnen het beschermende randgedeelte (25) te passen wanneer het ringvormige flensgedeelte (51) ten minste gedeeltelijk in de genoemde ringvormige verdieping (53) wordt ingebracht bij het axiaal op de nek aanbrengen van de dop (40) met het integrale tamperevident ringorgaan (50), waarbij het zich in omtrekrichting uitstrekkende beschermende randgedeelte (25) is ingericht om zijwaartse toegang van buitenaf naar de interface tussen het bovenvlak (21a) van het flensgedeelte (21) van het artikel (10) en het ondervlak (51b) van het flensgedeelte (51) van het ringorgaan (50) te blokkeren, en waarbij het afsluitsamenstel is ingericht zodat bij het voor de eerste keer openen van het afsluitsamenstel door het verwijderen van de dop (40) door een gebruiker de één of meer verbreekbare bruggen (70) breken en het ringorgaan (50) wordt vastgehouden in de verdieping (30) van het artikel door middel van de haakorganen (53).the article (10) further comprising a peripheral flange structure (20) comprising an annular flange portion integrally formed on the neck and extending around the neck (14), the flange portion being a top face (21a), a bottom face (21b), and a circumference, the flange structure further comprising a circumferential protective edge portion (25) integral with and extending upwardly from the flange portion at the circumference thereof, so that the top surface of the flange portion (21) and the protective edge ( 25) form an annular recess (30) around the neck (14), the cap (40) having an integrated tamper-evident ring member (50) is made, for example, cast, of a plastic material and is arranged to be secured or secured to the neck (14) of the article by an axial fastening movement along the major axis (16), the cap (40) comprising an upper wall structure (41) and a down-hanging skirt (42), which skirt is a bi inner side (42a), an outer side (42b), and a bottom rim (42c) spaced from the top wall structure, the cap being arranged to close the product passage (15) in a closed position of the cap on the neck , and wherein the cap is arranged to be manually removed from the neck (14) of the article by a user to open the product passage, the tamper-evident ring member (50) being integrally formed at the bottom edge of the skirt (42) of the cap and connected to said lower rim via one or more breakable bridges (70), the tamper evident ring member (50) comprising an annular ring member flange portion (51) comprising a top surface (51a), a bottom surface ( 51b), an inner surface (52a), and an outer surface (52b), a plurality of hook members (53) formed integrally at the bottom of the ring member flange portion (51), the hook members being distributed in a circumferential direction of the ring member flange portion (51) each hooking member (53) a leg (54) having an upper end integral with the ring member flange portion (51) and projecting downwardly from the ring member flange portion, each hook member including a hook portion (55) at the lower free end of the leg, the annular flange portion ( 21) on the neck (14) of the article includes a plurality of hook member passages (18) each extending between the top surface (21a) and the bottom surface (21b) through said annular flange portion (21), each hook member pass (18) is adapted to receive a hook member (53) when the cap (40) with integrated tamper evident ring member (50) is axially mounted on the neck (14) by said axial fastening movement along the main axis (16), the hook portion (55) of each hook member (53) engages, for example snaps, under the bottom face (21b) of the annular flange portion (21) on the neck of the article, the circumference of the annular flange portion (5 1) of the ring member (50) is configured to fit within the protective rim portion (25) when the annular flange portion (51) is inserted at least partially into said annular recess (53) when the cap is fitted axially to the neck (40) with the integral tamper evident ring member (50), the circumferentially extending protective edge portion (25) being arranged to provide lateral access from the outside to the interface between the top surface (21a) of the flange portion (21) of the article (10). ) and the bottom surface (51b) of the flange portion (51) of the ring member (50), and wherein the closure assembly is arranged such that when opening the closure assembly for the first time by removing the cap (40) through a user break the one or more breakable bridges (70) and the ring member (50) is held in the recess (30) of the article by the hook members (53).

2. Afsluitsamenstel volgens conclusie 1, waarbij het beschermende randgedeelte (25) is uitgevoerd zonder openingen daarin.A sealing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the protective edge portion (25) is formed with no openings therein.

3. Afsluitsamenstel volgens conclusie 1 of 2, waarbij het beschermende randgedeelte (25) een zodanige hoogte heeft dat in de bevestigde positie van de dop voorzien van het integrale tamper-evident ringorgaan (50) een buitenste ringvormige zone van het bovenvlak van het flensgedeelte (51) daarvan niet uitsteekt boven het beschermende randgedeelte (25), bij voorkeur waarbij die buitenste ringvormige zone van het bovenvlak lager ligt dan de bovenzijde van het randgedeelte (25).The sealing assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the protective rim portion (25) has a height such that in the attached position of the cap provided with the integral tamper-evident ring member (50) an outer annular zone of the top surface of the flange portion ( 51) thereof does not protrude above the protective edge portion (25), preferably wherein said outer annular zone of the top surface is lower than the top of the edge portion (25).

4. Afsluitsamenstel volgens een van de conclusies 1-3, waarbij de haakorgaandoorlaten (18) direct grenzend aan de nek (14) zijn gelegen, en waarbij de poten (54) van de haakorganen elk een binnenpootvlak (54a) hebben, welk binnenpootvlak grenst aan het binnenvlak (52a) van het flensgedeelte (51) van het ringorgaan.A closure assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hook member passages (18) are located directly adjacent to the neck (14), and wherein the legs (54) of the hook members each have an inner leg surface (54a) adjacent to the inner leg surface on the inner surface (52a) of the flange portion (51) of the ring member.

5. Afsluitsamenstel volgens een van de conclusies 1-4, waarbij de poot van ten minste één haakorgaan, bijvoorbeeld van alle haakorganen (53), een binnenste afschuinvlak (54b) heeft aan een onderste einde daarvan, bijvoorbeeld bij een overgang van een binnenste pootvlak (54a) en een ondereindevlak (54c) van de poot, en waarbij de nek (14) integraal is gevormd met een overeenkomstig afgeschuinde nok (19) op een locatie onder de betreffende haakorgaandoorlaat (18), zodat bij het axiaal aanbrengen van de dop (40) met integreerde tamper-evident ringorgaan (50) op de nek door middel van de genoemde axiale bevestigingsbeweging langs de hoofdas (16), het afgeschuinde vlak van de nok (19) in contact komt met het binnenste afschuinvlak (54b) van de poot en daardoor bijdraagt aan het in aangrijping houden van het haakgedeelte (55) van het haakorgaan (53), bijvoorbeeld gesnapt, onder het bodemvlak (21b) van het ringvormige flensgedeelte op de nek van het artikel.A closure assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the leg of at least one hook member, for example of all hook members (53), has an inner bevel surface (54b) at a lower end thereof, for example at a transition from an inner leg surface (54a) and a bottom end face (54c) of the leg, and wherein the neck (14) is integrally formed with a corresponding chamfered cam (19) at a location below the respective hook organ passage (18) such that when axially fitting the cap (40) with integrated tamper evident ring member (50) on the neck by means of said axial fastening movement along the major axis (16), the beveled face of the cam (19) contacts the inner beveled face (54b) of the leg and thereby contributes to keeping the hook portion (55) of the hook member (53) engaged, e.g., snapped, below the bottom face (21b) of the annular flange portion on the neck of the article.

6. Afsluitsamenstel volgens een van de conclusies 1-5, waarbij de omtrek van het ringvormige flensgedeelte (51) van het ringorgaan en van het beschermende randgedeelte (25) niet-cirkelvormig zijn gevormd.A sealing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the periphery of the annular flange portion (51) of the ring member and of the protective edge portion (25) are non-circular in shape.

7. Afsluitsamenstel volgens een van de conclusies 1-6, waarbij de buitenzijde van het beschermende randgedeelte (25) ten minste één paar van tegenover elkaar gelegen en evenwijdige zijvlakken verschaft, bij voorkeur twee paren (26, 27) die orthogonaal zijn ten opzichte van elkaar, bijvoorbeeld waarbij de beschermende rand vierzijdig is, bij voorkeur met afgeronde hoekvlakken.A closure assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the outside of the protective edge portion (25) provides at least one pair of opposed and parallel side faces, preferably two pairs (26, 27) orthogonal to one another, for example where the protective edge is four-sided, preferably with rounded corner surfaces.

8. Afsluitsamenstel volgens een van de conclusies 1-7, waarbij het bovenvlak (21a) van het flensgedeelte (21) op de nek van het artikel in hoofdzaak plat is, bij voorkeur radiaal en loodrecht op de hoofdas (16), en waarbij het bodemvlak (51b) van het ringorgaanflensgedeelte (51) in hoofdzaak plat is, bij voorkeur radiaal en loodrecht op de hoofdas.A closure assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the top surface (21a) of the flange portion (21) on the neck of the article is substantially flat, preferably radially and perpendicular to the major axis (16), and wherein the bottom face (51b) of the ring member flange portion (51) is substantially flat, preferably radially and perpendicular to the major axis.

9. Afsluitsamenstel volgens een van de conclusies 1-8, waarbij het afsluitsamenstel een snap-on type dop (40) omvat die bij gebruik van het afsluitsamenstel een snap-on functionaliteit verschaft, waarbij de buitenzijde van de nek van het artikel en de binnenzijde van de rok van de dop samenwerkende snapverbindingsformaties (13, 43) hebben, bijvoorbeeld gevormd door eerste en tweede snapranden, om de snap-on functionaliteit te verschaffen.The closure assembly of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the closure assembly includes a snap-on type cap (40) which provides snap-on functionality when using the closure assembly, the outer side of the article's neck and the inner side of the skirt of the cap have cooperative snap connection formations (13, 43) formed, for example, by first and second snap edges, to provide the snap-on functionality.

10. Afsluitsamenstel volgens een van de conclusies 1-9, bij voorkeur ten minste conclusie 9, waarbij het afsluitsamenstel omvat:A sealing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, preferably at least claim 9, wherein the sealing assembly comprises:

ten minste één eerste vormnokgedeelte (61) dat een vormnokoppervlak (62) definieert, welke vormnokoppervlak (62) onder een hoek staat ten opzichte van de hoofdas (16), welk eerste vormnokgedeelte (61) integraal is gevormd op één van de onderste rand van de rok en het flensgedeelte (51) van het tamper-evident ringorgaan (50), en ten minste één tweede vormnokgedeelte (44) dat een vormnokvolgeroppervlak (45) definieert dat is ingericht om samen te werken met het vormnokoppervlak (62) van het eerste vormnokgedeelte (61) en welk tweede vormnokgedeelte integraal is gevormd op de andere van de onderste rand van de rok (42) en het flensgedeelte van het tamper-evident ringorgaan, waarbij - bij het voor de eerste keer openen van het afsluitsamenstel door draaiing van de dop (40) ten opzichte van het artikel (10) om de hoofdas (16) - de eerste en tweede vormnokgedeeltes samenwerken teneinde een axiaal optillen van de dop ten opzichte van de nek (14) te bewerkstelligen, bijvoorbeeld zodat de samenwerkende snapverbindingsformaties (13, 43) ontkoppelen.at least one first molding cam portion (61) defining a molding cam surface (62), said molding cam surface (62) being angled with respect to the major axis (16), said first molding cam portion (61) being integrally formed on one of the lower edge of the skirt and the flange portion (51) of the tamper-evident ring member (50), and at least one second molding cam portion (44) defining a molding cam follower surface (45) adapted to cooperate with the molding cam surface (62) of the first molding cam portion (61) and which second molding cam portion is integrally formed on the other of the bottom edge of the skirt (42) and the flange portion of the tamper-evident ring member, wherein - upon opening the closure assembly for the first time by rotation of the cap (40) relative to the article (10) about the major axis (16) - the first and second mold cam portions cooperate to effect an axial lifting of the cap relative to the neck (14), for example so that the Disconnect working snap connection formations (13, 43).

11. Afsluitsamenstel volgens conclusie 10, waarbij een paar van eerste vormnokgedeeltes (61) integraal is gevormd aan het bovenvlak van het ringorgaanflensgedeelte, op diametraal tegenover elkaar gelegen plaatsen, en waarbij een paar van tweede vormnokgedeeltes (44) integraal is gevormd aan het onderste einde van de rok (42), op diametraal tegenover elkaar gelegen plaatsen.The closure assembly of claim 10, wherein a pair of first molding cam portions (61) is integrally formed on the top surface of the annular flange portion, in diametrically opposed positions, and wherein a pair of second molding cam portions (44) is integrally formed on the lower end. of the skirt (42), in diametrically opposite places.

12. Afsluitsamenstel volgens conclusie 10 of 11, waarbij het eerste vormnokgedeelte een gewelfd eerste vormnokoppervlak (62) heeft met een centrum dat hoger ligt boven het flensgedeelte en met eerste en tweede einden (62a, b) waar het gewelfde eerste vormnokoppervlak aansluit op het bovenvlak (51a) van het flensgedeelte.A closure assembly according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the first mold cam portion has a curved first mold cam surface (62) with a center higher above the flange portion and with first and second ends (62a, b) where the curved first mold cam surface joins the top surface. (51a) of the flange section.

13. Afsluitsamenstel volgens conclusie 12, waarbij een verbreekbare brug (70) aanwezig is bij elke einde (62a, b) van het naar boven gewelfde eerste vormnokoppervlak (62).The closure assembly of claim 12, wherein a breakable bridge (70) is provided at each end (62a, b) of the upwardly curved first mold cam surface (62).

14. Afsluitsamenstel volgens een van de conclusies 10-13, waarbij het tweede vormnokgedeelte (44) een zich naar buiten uitstrekkende lip (46) omvat die integraal is gevormd aan het onderste einde van de rok en is ingericht om samen te werken met het eerste vormnokoppervlak (62), bij voorkeur waarbij de dop twee diametraal tegenover elkaar gelegen lippen (46) heeft.A closure assembly according to any one of claims 10-13, wherein the second molding cam portion (44) comprises an outwardly extending lip (46) integrally formed on the bottom end of the skirt and adapted to cooperate with the first molding cam surface (62), preferably wherein the cap has two diametrically opposed lips (46).

15. Afsluitsamenstel volgens een van de conclusies 1-14, waarbij, ten einde de grip op de dop te verbeteren en/of de anti-verstikkingsgevaareigenschappen van de dop te verbeteren, de dop twee diametraal tegenover elkaar gelegen vleugelgedeeltes (47) heeft die zich vanaf de rok naar buiten uitstrekken in een denkbeeldig verticaal vlak door de hoofdas (16) van de nek.A sealing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein, in order to improve the grip on the cap and / or to improve the anti-choking hazard properties of the cap, the cap has two diametrically opposed wing sections (47) located extend outward from the skirt in an imaginary vertical plane through the major axis (16) of the neck.

16. Afsluitsamenstel volgens een van de volgende conclusies 11 en 15, waarbij de vormnokgedeeltes van het paar van eerste vormnokgedeeltes (61) zijn gelegen op diametraal tegenover elkaar gelegen plaatsen ten opzichte van het genoemde denkbeeldige verticale vlak door de vleugelgedeeltes (47) van de dop.A closure assembly according to any of claims 11 and 15, wherein the molding cam portions of the pair of first molding cam portions (61) are located in diametrically opposed positions relative to said imaginary vertical plane through the cap wing portions (47). .

17. Afsluitsamenstel volgens conclusie 15 of 16, waarbij ten minste één paar van haakorganen (53) en overeenkomstige haakorgaandoorlaten (18) ligt op diametraal tegenover elkaar gelegen plaatsen ten opzichte van de nek (14) en in het denkbeeldige verticale vlak door de vleugelgedeeltes (47) van de dop.A closure assembly according to claim 15 or 16, wherein at least one pair of hook members (53) and corresponding hook member passages (18) lie in diametrically opposed positions relative to the neck (14) and in the imaginary vertical plane through the wing portions ( 47) from the cap.

18. Afsluitsamenstel volgens een van de conclusies 15-17, waarbij ten minste één haakorgaan, bij voorkeur twee haakorganen (53) en overeenkomstige haakorgaandoorlaten (18) zijn gelegen op diametraal tegenover elkaar gelegen plaatsen ten opzichte van het denkbeeldige verticale vlak door de vleugelgedeeltes van de dop.A closure assembly according to any of claims 15-17, wherein at least one hook member, preferably two hook members (53) and corresponding hook member passages (18) are located at diametrically opposed positions relative to the imaginary vertical plane through the wing portions of the cap.

19. Afsluitsamenstel volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij het artikel (10) een aansluitstuk is dat is bevestigd aan of bestemd is te worden bevestigd aan een containerlichaam, bijvoorbeeld waarbij het artikel een spout is, bijvoorbeeld met een onderste bevestigingsgedeelte (12), bijvoorbeeld een sealbootgedeelte, ingericht om te worden bevestigd of bevestigd tussen tegenover elkaar gelegen foliewanden van een samendrukbare zakcontainer of met een onderste omtrekflens of plaatgedeelte dat is bevestigd of is bestemd om te worden bevestigd op een paneel van een container, bijvoorbeeld een paneel van een karton of een wand van een samendrukbare zak.A closure assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the article (10) is a connector which is attached to or is intended to be attached to a container body, for example, the article being a spout, for example with a lower fastening portion (12), for example, a seal boat portion, arranged to be attached or secured between opposed foil walls of a compressible bag container or with a lower peripheral flange or plate portion secured or intended to be mounted on a panel of a container, for example, a panel of a carton or a wall of a compressible bag.

20. Afsluitsamenstel volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij het artikel (10) een spout is die een onderste bevestigingsgedeelte omvat dat is bevestigd of dient te worden bevestigd, bijvoorbeeld door heat sealing, tussen tegenover elkaar gelegen foliewanden van een samendrukbare zakcontainer, bijvoorbeeld waarbij het onderste bevestigingsgedeelte een sealboot (12) is.A sealing assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the article (10) is a spout comprising a lower fastening portion which is attached or is to be fastened, for example by heat sealing, between opposing foil walls of a compressible bag container, for example wherein the lower mounting part is a seal boat (12).

21. Container voorzien van een afsluitsamenstel (1) volgens een of meer van de voorgaande conclusies, bijvoorbeeld een samendrukbare zakcontainer.Container provided with a sealing assembly (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, for instance a compressible bag container.

22. Werkwijze voor het vervaardigen en vullen van een container, omvattende de stappen van:A method of manufacturing and filling a container, comprising the steps of:

verschaffen van een container met het artikel (10) volgens een van de conclusies 120 daarop zonder de dop met het geïntegreerde tamper-evident ringorgaan, vullen van de container, bijvoorbeeld via de productpassage (15) in het artikel, bevestigen van de dop (40) en geïntegreerd tamper-evident ringorgaan (50) volgens een van de conclusies 1-20 op de nek (14) van het artikel (10) door middel van een axiale bevestigingsbeweging langs de hoofdas (16) zodat de dop de productpassage afdicht, waarbij de haakorganen (53) in en door de respectieve haakorgaandoorlaten (18) passeren en hun haakgedeeltes (55) aangrijpen, bijvoorbeeld snappen, onder het bodemvlak (21b) van het ringvormige flensgedeelte (21) op de nek, en waarbij het flensgedeelte (51) van het ringorgaan ten minste gedeeltelijk wordt ingebracht in de ringvormige verdieping (30).providing a container with the article (10) according to any one of claims 120 thereon without the cap with the integrated tamper-evident ring member, filling the container, e.g., through the product passage (15) in the article, attaching the cap (40 ) and an integrated tamper-evident ring member (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 20 on the neck (14) of the article (10) by an axial fastening movement along the main axis (16) so that the cap seals the product passage, wherein pass the hook members (53) into and through the respective hook member passages (18) and engage their hook portions (55), for example snap, below the bottom face (21b) of the annular flange portion (21) on the neck, and the flange portion (51) of the ring member is at least partially inserted into the annular recess (30).

23. Werkwijze voor het vervaardigen en vullen van een container, waarbij de werkwijze omvat de stappen van:A method of manufacturing and filling a container, the method comprising the steps of:

verschaffen van een container met een artikelaanbrenglocatie, bijvoorbeeld een opening, bijvoorbeeld een opening in een bovenrand of zoom van een zakverpakking, ingericht om het artikel met de dop en geïntegreerd tamper-evident ringorgaan volgens een van de conclusies 1-20 op de container aan te brengen, vullen van de container, bijvoorbeeld via de opening, monteren van een samenstel van het artikel en dop met geïntegreerd tamper-evident ringorgaan volgens een van de conclusies 1-20 als een eenheid op de container op de artikelbevestigingsplaat.providing a container with an article application location, for example an opening, for example an opening in a top edge or seam of a bag package, arranged to attach the article with the cap and integrated tamper-evident ring member according to any one of claims 1-20 to the container loading, filling the container, for example through the opening, mounting an assembly of the article and cap with integrated tamper-evident ring member according to any one of claims 1-20 as a unit on the container on the article mounting plate.