Closure assembly comprising a cap with a ring member of integral tamper evidence

Abstract

The present invention relates to a closure assembly comprising an article and a cap provided with an integral tamper-evident ring member. The article further comprises a circumferential flange structure having an annular flange portion and a peripheral protective rim portion, such that the top face of the flange portion and the protective rim define an annular recess around the neck. The tamper-evident 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 having a top face and a bottom face. A plurality of 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 a plurality of hook member passages. When the cap provided with the integral tamper-evident ring member is axially mounted on the neck by means of an axial securing movement, each hook member passage is adapted to accommodate a hook member, wherein the hook portion of each hook member snaps under the bottom face of the annular flange portion on the neck of the article. The peripheral 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 to the interface between the outer side and the flange portion.

Description

[0001] This invention is a divisional application of the invention entitled "A Closure Assembly Including a Cover with an Integrated Theft Detection Ring" filed on August 23, 2019, with application number 201980058171.0. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a closure component, a container having the closure component, and a method for manufacturing a filling container having the closure component. Background Technology

[0003] A closure assembly with a plastic cap is known, which a user can remove by rotating the cap from the neck, such as the neck of a plastic container with an integrally molded neck or the neck of a nozzle already assembled on a collapsible bag container.

[0004] In the manufacture of closure components, the tamper-evident structure is typically molded integrally as part of the plastic cover. Examples of such closure components are shown in WO2014 / 007612, WO2012 / 044166, EP2380820 and GB 2492586.

[0005] WO2017 / 135824 discloses a closure assembly in which a tamper-evident ring is disposed on the lower edge of a skirt of a cap. The ring includes an annular base connected to the skirt via one or more breakable bridging members. An embodiment is disclosed in which a snap-fit ​​portion is located on one or both of the outer and inner surfaces of the annular base. In one example, the snap-fit ​​portion located on the outer surface of the annular base snaps into a window disposed in a circumferential wall of a structure integral with the neck of the nozzle. The snap-fit ​​portion prevents axial movement of the base relative to the neck, leaving the tamper-evident ring, which was once snapped, on the article of manufacture, and causing the bridging members to disengage when the user rotates the cap. The presence of the circumferential wall provides a shield that covers the tamper-evident ring that has been introduced into the internal space between the neck of the article of manufacture and the circumferential wall. This reduces the risk of unintended release of the tamper-evident ring once the cap is removed. The wall surrounding the tamper-evident ring makes it more difficult to release the ring by external action, such as by biting the neck of the opened closure. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention aims to provide an improved closure assembly, or at least an alternative to a known closure assembly. Specifically, the present invention aims to reduce the use of plastic material while maintaining or even enhancing the connection strength between the tamper-evident ring and the article of manufacture. According to a first aspect of the invention, one or more of the above objectives are achieved by providing a closure assembly comprising an article of manufacture and a cap having an integrally formed tamper-evident ring component, wherein:

[0007] The article is made of a plastic material, for example, molded, and has a tubular neck forming around a product passage in the article, the neck having a main axis and forming a mouth at the top of the product passage.

[0008] The article further includes a circumferential flange structure comprising an annular flange portion integrally formed to and extending around the neck, the flange portion having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a periphery. The flange structure also includes a peripheral protective edge portion integrally formed with the flange portion at its periphery and extending upward from the flange portion, such that the top surface of the flange portion and the protective edge portion define an annular recess around the neck.

[0009] The cover, which has an integrated tamper-evident ring component, is made of plastic material, for example, molded, and is adapted to be fixed or secured to the neck of the article by means of axial fixed movement along the main axis.

[0010] The cover includes a top wall structure and a drooping skirt having an inner side, an outer side, and a lower edge away from the top wall structure. The cover is adapted to seal the product passage in the closed position at the neck of the article. The cover is also adapted to be manually removed by a user from the neck of the article to open the product passage.

[0011] The ring component for detecting the theft is integrally formed to the lower edge of the skirt of the cover and is connected to the lower edge via one or more breakable bridging members.

[0012] The aforementioned thief-detecting ring component includes an annular ring component flange portion having a top surface, a bottom surface, an inner surface, and an outer surface, wherein a plurality of hook components are integrally formed to the bottom of the annular ring component flange portion, the hook components being distributed along the circumferential direction of the annular ring component flange portion, wherein each hook component includes a leg, the upper end of the leg being integral with the annular ring component flange portion and projecting downward from the annular ring component flange portion, wherein each hook component includes a hook portion at the lower free end of the leg portion.

[0013] The annular flange portion on the neck of the article is provided with a plurality of hook component passages, each extending between the top and bottom surfaces through the annular flange portion. Each hook component passage is adapted to receive a hook component when the cover with the integrated tamper-evident ring component is axially mounted on the neck by means of axial fixed movement along the main axis, wherein the hook portion of each hook component engages, for example, snaps onto the underside of the bottom surface of the annular flange portion on the neck of the article.

[0014] Since the annular flange portion is at least partially inserted into the annular recess when the cover with the integrated tamper-evident ring component is axially mounted onto the neck, the periphery of the annular flange portion of the ring component is shaped to fit within the protective edge portion.

[0015] The outer protective edge portion is adapted to prevent lateral entry from the outside into the interface between the top surface of the flange portion of the article and the bottom surface of the flange portion of the ring member.

[0016] Furthermore, the closure component is configured such that when the user first opens the closure component by removing the cover, the one or more breakable bridging members break and the ring component is held in the recess of the article by means of the hook component.

[0017] Here, the integrated thief-tampering ring component is embodied as having an annular ring component flange portion and a plurality of hook components integrally formed to the bottom of the ring component flange portion. These hook components are distributed along the circumferential direction of the ring component flange portion. Each hook component includes a leg portion, the upper end of which is integral with the ring component flange portion and protrudes downward from the ring component flange portion. Each hook component includes a hook portion at the lower free end of the leg portion.

[0018] The annular flange portion on the neck of the article is provided with multiple hook component passages, each extending between the top and bottom surfaces of the annular flange portion. When a cap with an integrated tamper-evident ring component is axially mounted on the neck, for example by means of a sealing device after the container containing the article is filled, by means of an axially fixed movement along the main axis of the neck, each hook component passage is adapted to accommodate a hook component. Here, the hook portion of each hook component engages (e.g., snaps) below the bottom surface of the annular flange portion on the neck of the article.

[0019] The outer periphery of the annular flange portion of the ring component is shaped to fit within a protective edge portion, because when the cap of the ring component with an integrated tamper-evident mechanism is axially mounted onto the neck, the annular flange portion is at least partially, preferably completely, inserted into the annular recess. Here, the outer protective edge, preferably without any openings therein, is adapted to prevent lateral entry from the outside into the interface between the top surface of the flange portion of the article and the bottom surface of the flange portion of the ring component.

[0020] Through the design of the first aspect, a strong connection can be achieved between the ring that enables the theft and the workpiece on the other hand, and these two components are made of almost no plastic.

[0021] For example, compared to the circumferential wall of the embodiment shown in WO2017135824, the protective edge can be designed to have a reduced height because the pulling force on the ring member attempting to pull it is absorbed at least primarily by the downwardly projecting hook member and the flange portion on the neck of the article. The protective edge has at least some additional effect in increasing the stability of the flange portion on the neck of the article, and thus helps to resist pulling forces on the ring member.

[0022] As noted, the protective edge preferably has no openings therein, which enhances the protective effect, strengthens the structure and interconnection of the components, and is advantageous for injection-molded articles.

[0023] In one embodiment, the protective edge portion has a height such that, in the fixed position of the cap with the integrated tamper-evident ring component, the outer annular region of the top surface of its flange portion does not protrude above the protective edge portion. Preferably, this outer annular region of the top surface is located below the top of the edge portion. This further hinders lateral access to the ring component, thus reducing the practical possibility of applying a force thereon that would pull the ring component away from the neck of the article.

[0024] In one embodiment, the hook component passage is located directly adjacent to the neck.

[0025] In one embodiment, each leg of the hook member has an inner leg face that abuts the inner surface of the flange portion of the ring member. This effectively positions the hook member close to the outside of the neck, and is found to be effective when providing retaining strength to the ring member with very little plastic material compared to using the hook member positioned further outward relative to the neck of the article.

[0026] In a practical embodiment, the hook portion protrudes outward and away from the neck.

[0027] In alternative designs, the hook portion may protrude from the leg in a circumferential or tangential direction relative to the neck.

[0028] In one embodiment, the hook component has two legs, or a single forked leg at its lower end, wherein each of the legs or each forked end has a corresponding hook portion. For example, an inverted V-shaped hook component is envisioned to have two legs or forked legs. The lower end of the legs or fork is then preferably positioned in an arrangement tangential to or relative to the main axis, for example, such that the associated hook portion protrudes in the opposite tangential direction.

[0029] In one embodiment, at least one leg of the hook component, such as all the legs of the hook components, has an inner bevel at its lower end, for example, at the junction of the inner leg surface and the lower end surface of the leg. Here, the neck is integrally formed with a corresponding beveled boss at a position below the corresponding hook component passage, such that when the cover of the ring component with the integrated tamper-evident mechanism is axially mounted on the neck by means of the axial fixing movement along the main axis, the bevel of the boss contacts the inner bevel of the leg, thereby helping to keep the hook portion of the hook component engaged (e.g., snapped) below the bottom surface of the annular flange portion on the neck of the article. This embodiment is most practical when the hook portion points outward away from the neck.

[0030] In one embodiment, the outer periphery of the annular flange portion of the ring member and the inner periphery of the protective edge portion are shaped to be non-circular, for example, thereby providing enhanced resistance when the closure is first opened to prevent the ring member from rotating with the cover.

[0031] In one embodiment, preferably in combination with the features discussed above, the outer side of the protective edge provides at least one pair of opposing parallel sides, preferably two pairs orthogonal to each other; for example, the protective edge is tetrahedral, preferably with rounded corners. This embodiment, for example, allows the use of parallel side pairs during article guidance in production and / or filling lines, for example, articles of bags with nozzles embodying this. Such parallel sides having two orthogonal pairs allow guidance in two orthogonal directions, for example, in a bag production line along one direction, and in a bag filling line directly downstream of it along another orthogonal direction. It should be appreciated that the interior of the protective edge may also preferably be the periphery of the flange portion of the ring member, which may have the same design.

[0032] In one embodiment, the upper surface of the flange portion on the neck of the article is substantially planar, preferably radially relative to the main axis, wherein the bottom surface of the flange portion of the ring component is substantially planar, preferably radially relative to the main axis. Therefore, the interface between these flange portions lies in a plane preferably radial or perpendicular to the main axis; in other words, it is horizontal in this context.

[0033] In one embodiment, these surfaces of the flange portion are flat and smooth; in another embodiment, these surfaces have mating reliefs, such as ribs and grooves, to provide an axial shape-locking engagement of these surfaces, for example, resisting any torque on the ring component about the main axis (e.g., when the cover is first opened). This embodiment with axially mating reliefs on these surfaces can be combined, for example, with the circular periphery of the flange portion and the protective edge.

[0034] In yet another embodiment, an example of which is also shown in the drawings, the upper surface of the flange portion on the neck of the article is saddle-shaped, having two opposing downwardly curved upper regions along the diametrical direction, wherein the bottom surface of the flange portion of the ring member is a complementary saddle shape. Preferably, these flange portions also have another saddle shape (bottom or top), such that the shape of these flange portions is saddle-shaped. Here, preferably, the cap is a quarter-circle opening cap, and the saddle shape of the flange portion of the ring member cooperates with the lower edge of the complementary shape of the skirt portion to provide a lifting effect on the cap when rotated by the user. This lifting effect is preferably used to release the cooperative snap-lock retention construction on the neck and the skirt of the cap.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the closure assembly includes a snap-on cap that provides a snap-on function during use of the closure assembly. The inner side of the cap's skirt and the outer side of the article's neck have a cooperative snap-on connector configuration, for example, formed by a first snap-on ridge and a second snap-on ridge, to provide the snap-on function. For example, the neck is provided with a series of snap-on ridge segments axially spaced from a circumferential flange structure, the snap-on ridge segments being circumferentially spaced from each other, for example, in combination with circumferentially continuous snap-on ridges within the cap's skirt. For example, the cap can be reset onto the neck after an initial opening, wherein the snap-on feature then properly holds the cap on the neck.

[0036] For example, the neck has a smooth (e.g., predominantly cylindrical) exterior, at least in the area between any snap ridges and the mouth, and preferably in the area between any snap ridges on the circumferential flange structure. Such a smooth design is advantageous, for example, if the neck is designed to sit between the consumer's lips for drinking from a container with a closure.

[0037] In one embodiment, the skirt of one side of the cover and the circumferential flange structure of the other side of the article have a cooperative snap-fit ​​connector configuration to provide a snap-fit ​​function. For example, the outer perimeter of one side and the outer side of the skirt of the other side of the cover have a cooperative snap-fit ​​connector configuration, for example, the edge portion has a recess or window, and the skirt is provided with a latch lug that snaps into the recess or window in the closed position of the cover, so that when the cover is removed, the lug does not lock and is released from the window or recess. In a practical embodiment, the outer perimeter has at least one upwardly projecting latch wall portion having a window or recess therein, and the outer side of the skirt is provided with a latch lug that snaps into the window or recess in the closed position of the cover.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment with a snap-on cap, the closure assembly includes:

[0039] - At least one first cam portion defining a cam surface, the cam surface being at an angle relative to the main axis, the first cam portion being integrally formed onto the lower edge of the skirt and one of the flange portions of the ring member for displaying the opening, and

[0040] - At least one second cam portion defining a cam follower surface adapted to interact with the cam surface of the first cam portion, and the second cam portion being integrally formed onto the lower edge of the skirt and the flange portion of the ring member.

[0041] When the closure assembly is first opened by rotating the cover relative to the article about the main axis, the first cam portion and the second cam portion interact so that, in effect, the cover is immediately lifted axially relative to the neck upon rotation, thus upward, for example, causing the cooperative snap-fit ​​connector structure to disengage due to the lift.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment, the cover is a quarter-turn snap-on cover, such that rotating the cover approximately a quarter turn produces sufficient lift to disengage the snap-on retainer and also breaks the breakable bridging element. Depending on the design of the first and second cam portions, the cover can rotate around the neck to open the closure in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions, or it can be designed so that the cover can rotate in only one direction, such as clockwise only.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, a pair of first cam portions, preferably only one pair, are integrally formed onto the top surface of the flange portion of the ring member at diametrically opposite positions, wherein a pair of second cam portions are integrally formed at the lower end of the skirt at diametrically opposite positions. In a practical embodiment, the first cam portions extend partially above the height of the protective edge, making their presence visible, thereby enhancing the user's understanding of the closure assembly.

[0044] In one embodiment, the first cam portion has an arched first cam surface with a center that rises above the top surface of the flange portion and has first and second ends, wherein the arched first cam surface abuts the top surface of the flange portion. Therefore, when the second cam portion has a correspondingly shaped (e.g., arched) cam follower surface, the arched first cam surface provides two opposing inclined ramps to allow the closure to be opened by rotating the cover about the neck in either direction (clockwise and counterclockwise). In one embodiment of the invention, a breakable bridging element is present at each of the first and second ends of the upwardly arched first cam surface. The arched first cam surface may have a flattened center, and / or the arc need not have a constant radius.

[0045] In a practical embodiment, the second cam portion is at least partially formed by a complementary section (e.g., arched, curved, polygonal) at the lower end of the cover's skirt, such as an upwardly arched section at the lower end directly above the arched first cam surface, the center of which rises relative to the flange portion of the annular member, wherein the breakable bridging member initially holds the arrangement.

[0046] In another embodiment, at least one first cam portion defines a cam surface that functions only when the cover is rotated clockwise. For example, the first cam portion also defines a stop surface for the cover (e.g., vertical or near-vertical) that cooperates with a stop surface on the skirt of the cover when an attempt is made to rotate the cover counterclockwise.

[0047] In practical embodiments, for example, in conjunction with the features of the front section, the cover includes outwardly extending lugs integrally formed at the lower end of the skirt and adapted to cooperate with the first cam surface. Preferably, the cover has two lugs that are diametrically opposed. Thus, the cover may have a lower skirt edge having two upwardly arched sections at diametrically opposed positions, and additionally have a pair of outwardly extending lugs, each lug located at a section of the lower skirt edge between the upwardly arched sections.

[0048] In one embodiment, the cover has a pair of wing-shaped handles that extend generally through the main axis of the neck in an imaginary plane, and the cam portions of the pair of first cam portions are located diametrically opposite to the neck and each extends laterally to the imaginary plane. In one embodiment, the cover includes two lugs extending outward from the skirt, such as horizontally extending lugs, wherein the two lugs are positioned opposite each other relative to the imaginary plane.

[0049] In one embodiment, to enhance grip on the cap and / or enhance the cap's anti-choke performance, the cap has two opposing, generally planar wing portions that extend outward from the skirt in an imaginary vertical plane through the main axis of the neck.

[0050] In one embodiment, the paired first beveled portions are diametrically opposed to an imaginary vertical plane passing through the wing portion of the cap. This is effective given the injection molding and the strength of the cap and the integrally formed tamper-evident ring component.

[0051] In one embodiment, at least one pair of hook components and corresponding hook component passages are located in a position diametrically opposed to the neck and in an imaginary vertical plane passing through the wing portion of the cap. These hook components are then effectively positioned below the wing components, and in a practical embodiment, above the top edge of the bag, which aligns with the wing portion when the cap with the integrated ring component is secured to the neck. This position makes these hook components effective when it comes to preventing the ring component from being removed from the neck.

[0052] In one embodiment, at least one hook component, preferably two hook components, and a corresponding hook component passage are located at a diametrically opposite position relative to an imaginary vertical plane passing through the wing portion of the cover.

[0053] In a practically preferred embodiment, there are six hook components and corresponding hook component passages. For example, the outer diameter of the neck of such an assembly is between 7 and 15 millimeters. In another embodiment, there are four hook components and corresponding hook component passages, for example, two sets of hook components positioned opposite each other relative to a vertical plane passing through the main axis of the cover.

[0054] In one embodiment, the cap has an annular top wall with an inner and outer periphery, wherein a drooping skirt is integral with the outer periphery, and wherein a hollow pin portion hangs from the inner periphery, the hollow pin portion having a circumferential surface extending along its length and a closed pin bottom, for example, the hollow pin portion being open at its top, wherein the circumferential surface of the hollow pin portion and the article have at least one pair of mating sealing surfaces, such that the hollow pin closes the product passage in the closed position of the cap. Preferably, the hollow pin portion extends downward from the annular top wall at least to the level of the tamper-evident ring member, and preferably further downward.

[0055] In one embodiment, the cover has at least one handle, such as a wing-shaped handle, that extends outward from the skirt and is configured to be engaged by a user to open the assembly. For example, the cover has a pair of opposing wing-shaped handles.

[0056] In one embodiment, each handle has a panel portion and at least one reinforcing top protrusion integral with the panel portion along at least a portion of the top side of the handle. This at least one top protrusion reinforces the handle, for example, allowing the panel portion to be relatively thin and thus saving plastic material. Each top protrusion projects away from the panel portion in a direction substantially along or opposite to the opening direction of the cap, for example, vertically or nearly vertically.

[0057] In one embodiment, the handle has two diverging top projections that extend upwardly from the panel portion on the top side and diverge from each other to define a Y-shaped vertical cross-section of the wing-shaped handle together with the panel portion. In an alternative embodiment, each handle may have one top projection, for example, defining an inverted L-shaped cross-section together with the panel portion. Alternatively, in yet another embodiment, each handle may have two top projections in opposite directions that define a T-shaped cross-section of the handle together with the panel portion.

[0058] In one embodiment, the article is an accessory to be secured or secured to the container body. For example, the article is a nozzle, which has, for example, a lower connector portion, such as a sealing boat portion, adapted to be secured or secured between opposing membrane walls of a collapsible bag container, or has a lower circumferential flange or plate portion to be secured or secured to a panel of the container, such as the panel of a carton or the wall of a collapsible bag.

[0059] In one embodiment, the article is a nozzle that includes a lower connector portion which is secured or to be secured, for example by heat sealing, between opposing membrane walls of a collapsible bag container, such as a sealing boat.

[0060] The present invention also relates to a container having a closure component as described herein, such as a collapsible bag container.

[0061] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a pre-assembled closed component as described herein for subsequent mounting as a unit on a container, the method comprising:

[0062] - Manufacture (e.g., molding, injection molding) of articles made of plastic materials; - Manufacture (e.g., molding, injection molding) of caps with one-piece tamper-evident ring components.

[0063] - By means of axial fixed movement along the main axis, the cap and the integrated tamper-evident ring component are secured to the neck of the article, such that the cap seals the product passage, wherein the hook component enters and passes through the corresponding hook component passage, and its hook portion snaps onto the underside of the annular flange portion on the neck, wherein the flange portion of the ring component is at least partially inserted into the annular recess.

[0064] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing and filling a container, comprising the following steps:

[0065] - Provides a container on which articles are placed, the container without a lid and an integral tamper-evident ring component.

[0066] - For example, filling the container via the product passage in the article.

[0067] - By means of axial fixed movement along the main axis, the cap and the integrated tamper-evident ring component are secured to the neck of the article, such that the cap seals the product passage, wherein the hook component enters and passes through the corresponding hook component passage, and its hook portion snaps onto the underside of the annular flange portion on the neck, and wherein the flange portion of the ring component is at least partially inserted into the annular recess.

[0068] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing and filling a container, the method comprising the following steps:

[0069] - Provides a container with a product mounting location, such as an opening, like the top edge or seam of a bag package, suitable for mounting the product onto the container with a cap and an integrated tamper-evident ring of the type described herein.

[0070] -For example, filling a container via an opening.

[0071] - The product and the cap, including the integrated tamper-evident ring component, are mounted as a unit on the container at the product mounting location.

[0072] A second aspect of the invention relates to a sealing assembly comprising an article and a cap having an integrally tamper-evident ring member, wherein:

[0073] - An article of manufacture forms a tubular neck surrounding a product passage, the neck having a main axis and forming a mouth at the apex of the product passage.

[0074] The article also includes a circumferential flange structure, which includes an annular flange portion integrally formed onto the neck and extending around the neck. The annular flange portion has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a periphery.

[0075] - A cover with an integrated tamper-evident ring component is adapted to be fixed or secured to the neck of the article by means of axial fixed movement along the main axis.

[0076] The cover includes a skirt having an inner side, an outer side, and a lower edge away from the top wall structure, wherein the cover is adapted to seal the product passage in the closed position on the neck, and wherein the cover is adapted to be manually removed by a user from the neck of the article to open the neck of the product.

[0077] The ring component for opening the cover is integrally formed to the lower edge of the skirt and is connected to the lower edge via one or more breakable bridging members.

[0078] The ring component for detecting theft includes an annular flange portion having a top surface, a bottom surface, an inner surface, and an outer surface. Multiple hook components are integrally formed to the bottom of the flange portion, distributed circumferentially along the flange portion. Each hook component includes a leg, the upper end of which is integral with the flange portion and protrudes downward from it. Each hook component includes a hook portion at the lower free end of the leg.

[0079] The annular flange portion on the neck of the article has multiple hook component passages, each extending between a top and a bottom surface through the annular flange portion. Each hook component passage is adapted to receive a hook component when a cover with an integrated tamper-evident ring component is axially mounted on the neck by means of axial fixed movement along the main axis. The hook portion of each hook component engages below the bottom surface of the annular flange portion on the neck of the article.

[0080] The closure component is implemented such that when the closure component is first opened by the user by removing the cover, one or more breakable bridging components break, and the ring component is held in place by means of the hook component.

[0081] As explained with reference to the first aspect of the invention, the closure assembly according to the second aspect of the invention allows for a secure connection between the ring member and the article of manufacture in an embodiment. Optionally, an edge 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 a protective edge portion because, when the cap of the ring member with an integral tamper-evident mechanism is axially mounted onto the neck, the annular flange portion is at least partially inserted into the annular recess. Preferably, the peripheral protective edge portion is adapted to prevent lateral entry from the outside into the interface between the top surface of the flange portion of the article of manufacture and the bottom surface of the flange portion of the ring member.

[0082] It should be recognized that the closed component of the second aspect of the invention can be enhanced by one or more features described herein with reference to the first aspect of the invention.

[0083] A third aspect of the invention relates to a closure assembly according to claim 1, the closure assembly comprising an article and including a plastic cap having an integrally tamper-evident ring member, wherein:

[0084] - An article of manufacture forms a tubular neck surrounding a product passage, the neck having a main axis and forming a mouth at the apex of the product passage.

[0085] The article further includes a flange structure, the flange structure including a flange portion integrally formed to the neck, the flange portion having a top surface and a bottom surface.

[0086] - A plastic cap with an integrated tamper-evident ring component is adapted to be fixed or secured to the neck of the article by means of axial fixed movement along the main axis.

[0087] The cover includes a drooping skirt having an inner side, an outer side, and a lower edge away from the top wall structure. The cover is adapted to seal the product passage in the closed position on the neck of the article, and the cover is adapted to be manually removed by a user from the neck of the article to open the neck.

[0088] The ring component for opening is integrally formed to the skirt of the cover and connected to the skirt via one or more breakable bridging members.

[0089] The ring component for detecting theft includes an annular ring component portion having a bottom surface, an inner surface, and an outer surface. A plurality of hook components are integrally formed to the bottom of the ring component portion, distributed along the circumferential direction of the ring component. Each hook component includes a leg, the upper end of which is integrally formed with a flange portion of the ring component and protrudes downward from the ring component portion. Each hook component includes a hook portion at the lower free end of the leg.

[0090] The flange structure on the neck of the article has multiple hook component passages, each extending between a top and a bottom surface via its flange portion. Each hook component passage is adapted to receive a hook component when a cover with an integrated tamper-evident ring component is axially mounted on the neck by means of axial fixed movement along the main axis. The hook portion of each hook component engages (e.g., snaps) below the bottom surface of the flange portion on the neck of the article.

[0091] The closure component is implemented such that when the closure component is first opened by the user by removing the cover, one or more breakable bridging components break, and the ring component is held on the article by means of the hook component.

[0092] At least one leg of a hook component, for example, all legs of the hook components, has an inner bevel at its lower end, for example, at the junction between the inner leg surface and the lower end surface of the leg, and wherein the neck is integrally formed with a corresponding beveled boss at a position below the corresponding hook component passage, such that when the cover with the integrally tamper-evident ring component is axially mounted on the neck by means of an axially fixed movement along the main axis, the bevel of the boss contacts the inner bevel of the leg, and thereby helps to keep the hook portion of the hook component engaged, for example, snapped below the bottom surface of the annular flange portion of the neck of the article.

[0093] As explained with reference to the first aspect of the invention, the closure assembly according to the third aspect of the invention allows for a secure connection between the ring component and the article of manufacture in an embodiment. Optionally, the flange structure on the neck includes an annular flange portion. In an alternative, two separate flange portions are disposed in a common plane at radially opposite positions relative to the neck.

[0094] Optionally, an edge portion of the first aspect of the invention is provided. Optionally, the ring member has a flange portion, such as an annular flange portion. Optionally, the periphery of the annular flange portion of the ring member is shaped to fit within the protective edge portion, because when the cap of the ring member with an integrated tamper-evident mechanism is axially mounted onto the neck, the annular flange portion is at least partially inserted into the annular recess.

[0095] It should be recognized that the closing components of the third aspect of the invention may be enhanced or supplemented by reference to one or more features discussed or disclosed herein in any other aspect of the invention.

[0096] A fourth aspect of the invention relates to a closure assembly according to claim 16, the closure assembly comprising an article and a cap having an integrally tamper-evident ring member, wherein:

[0097] - An article of manufacture forms a tubular neck surrounding a product passage, the neck having a main axis and forming a mouth at the apex of the product passage.

[0098] The article further includes a flange structure integrally formed to the neck and includes one or more flange portions having a top surface, a bottom surface and a periphery;

[0099] - A cover with an integrated tamper-evident ring component is adapted to be fixed or secured to the neck of the article by means of axial fixed movement along the main axis.

[0100] The cover includes a skirt having an inner side, an outer side, and a lower edge away from the top wall structure, wherein the cover is adapted to seal the product passage in the closed position on the neck, and wherein the cover is adapted to be manually removed by a user from the neck of the article to open the neck of the product.

[0101] The ring component for opening the cover is integrally formed into the skirt of the cover and is connected to the skirt via one or more breakable bridging components.

[0102] The ring component for detecting theft includes multiple hook components. For example, the ring component includes an annular flange portion having a top surface, a bottom surface, an inner surface, and an outer surface. The multiple hook components are integrally formed to the annular flange portion and are distributed along the circumferential direction of the annular flange portion.

[0103] The flange structure on the neck of the workpiece is provided with multiple hook component passages, each of which is adapted to receive a hook component when the cover with the integrated tamper-evident ring component is axially mounted on the neck by means of axial fixed movement along the main axis, wherein the hook portion of each hook component snaps onto the flange structure.

[0104] One side of the article and the other side of the cover have a cooperative snap-fit ​​connector construction to provide the cover with a snap-fit ​​function, so that the cover can be reset on the neck after the first opening.

[0105] The closure assembly is implemented such that when the closure assembly is first opened by the user by removing the cover, one or more breakable bridging members break, and the tamper-evident ring member is held in place by means of a hook member.

[0106] The removed cap can then be repositioned on the neck, with a cooperative snap-fit ​​connector construction that releasably retains the cap on the article.

[0107] The closure assembly according to the fourth aspect of the invention allows for efficient axial mounting of the cap on the article, for example, using a robotic assembly device at high speed, wherein a strong and reliable connection between the integrally tamper-evident ring component and the flange structure is obtained by means of a hook component, while simultaneously providing a reusable and reliable snap-fit ​​function between the cap and the article.

[0108] In one embodiment, the outer side of the tubular neck of the article and the inner side of the skirt are provided with a mating snap connector configuration, for example, formed by a first snap ridge and a second snap ridge, to provide a snap function.

[0109] In one embodiment, the article, such as a flange structure of the article, has two latching members, such as two latching wall portions, located radially opposite to the neck of the article, for example, each arranged around the periphery of a circumferential flange extending around the neck, and the cover has two mating latching members, such as two latching lugs, located diametrically opposite to each other. The latching members on the article and on the cover are configured to provide a releasable snap-fit ​​connection between the cover and the article. For example, the latching lugs on the cover are each configured to be received in or accommodated in a corresponding recess or window in a latching wall portion of the article to allow the cover to snap onto the article, for example, during the axial fixing movement of the cover.

[0110] For example, on the one hand, the peripheral edge portion extending around the periphery of the circumferential flange structure of the article and the outer side of the skirt of the cover have a cooperative snap-fit ​​connector construction, such as a peripheral edge portion having a recess or window, and the skirt is provided with a latch lug that snaps into the recess or window in the closed position of the cover, so that when the cover is removed, the lug becomes unsecured and releases from the window or recess.

[0111] In a practical embodiment, the flange structure of the article, such as its outer edge, is provided with at least one upwardly projecting latch wall portion having a window or recess therein, and the outer side of the skirt is provided with a latch lug that engages with the window or recess in the closed position of the cover.

[0112] For example, the outer edge portion of the flange structure and the outer side of the skirt of the cover have a cooperative snap-fit ​​connector construction, such as an edge portion with a recess or window, and the skirt is provided with a latch lug that snaps into the recess or window in the closed position of the cover, so that when the cover is removed, the lug becomes unsecured and releases from the window or recess.

[0113] In a practical embodiment, the edge of the flange structure is provided with at least one upwardly projecting latch wall portion, which has a window or recess therein, and the outer side of the skirt is provided with a latch lug that snaps into the window or recess in the closed position of the cover.

[0114] In an embodiment of the fourth aspect of the invention, the closure component includes:

[0115] - Defining at least one first cam portion of a cam surface, the cam surface being at an angle relative to the main axis, the first cam portion being integrally formed onto the lower edge of the skirt and one of the ring components of the display screen, and

[0116] - At least one second cam portion defining a cam follower surface adapted to interact with the cam surface of the first cam portion, and the second cam portion being integrally formed onto the lower edge of the skirt and another of the ring members of the display panel.

[0117] When the closure assembly is first opened by rotating the cover relative to the article about the main axis, the first cam portion and the second cam portion interact so as to cause an axial lift of the cover relative to the neck, so upward, for example, causing the cooperative snap-fit ​​connector structure to disengage due to the lift.

[0118] In a preferred embodiment of the fourth aspect of the invention, the cover is a quarter-turn snap-on cover, such that rotating the cover by about a quarter turn produces sufficient lift to disengage the cover from its snap-on retention and also breaks the breakable bridging element. Depending on the design of the first cam portion and the second cam portion, the cover can rotate about the neck to open the closure in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions, or it can be designed so that the cover can rotate in only one direction, such as only clockwise.

[0119] For example, the lug on the exterior of the skirt that provides the snap-fit ​​function of the fourth aspect of the invention also serves as part of the second cam portion and is integrally formed at the lower end of the skirt. The dual-function lug is adapted to cooperate with the surface of the first cam (and be released from the corresponding window or recess once the cover is turned open by the user).

[0120] For example, in a fourth aspect of the invention, the cover has two lugs that are diametrically opposed, and the flange structure (e.g., its peripheral edge) has two upwardly projecting latch wall portions, each latch wall portion having a window or recess therein, and wherein each of the pair of lugs snaps into the corresponding window or recess in the closed position of the cover.

[0121] It should be recognized that the closing components of the fourth aspect of the invention may be enhanced or supplemented by reference to one or more features discussed or disclosed herein by reference to any one or more other aspects of the invention.

[0122] A fifth aspect of the invention relates to a closure assembly according to claim 23, the closure assembly comprising an article and a quarter-turn lift cap, the cap comprising an integrally tamper-evident ring, wherein:

[0123] - An article of paper forms a tubular neck surrounding a product passage, the neck forming a mouth at the apex of the product passage.

[0124] - A quarter-turn lift cap, including an integrated tamper-evident ring, is made (e.g., molded) as a single piece of plastic material. Unlike the article of manufacture, the cap is secured to or adapted to be secured to the neck of the article of manufacture. The cap is adapted to be manually removed by a user from the neck of the article of manufacture to open the product passage.

[0125] The cover has a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the cover is located on the neck and thereby seals the product passage. In the open position, the cover is removed from the neck, thereby keeping the product passage open.

[0126] The cover includes a top wall structure and a drooping skirt, the skirt having an inner side, an outer side, and a lower edge away from the top wall structure.

[0127] The thief-proof ring is integrally formed to the lower edge of the skirt of the cover, and the thief-proof ring includes a base, such as an annular base, which is connected to the skirt via one or more breakable bridging members.

[0128] The cover is a snap-on type, providing a snap-on function in the use of the closure assembly. The article and the cover are equipped with a cooperative snap-on connector structure to provide the snap-on function.

[0129] The enclosed components include:

[0130] - At least one first cam portion defining a cam surface, the cam surface being at an angle relative to the main axis, the first cam portion being integrally formed onto the base of the ring for displaying the thief's action, and

[0131] - At least one second cam portion defining a cam follower surface adapted to interact with the cam surface of the first cam portion, and the second cam portion being integrally formed onto the lower edge of the skirt.

[0132] During the initial opening of the closure assembly by rotating the cover at most a quarter turn relative to the article about the main axis, the first and second cam portions interact to axially lift the cover relative to the neck, for example, to disengage the cooperative snap-fit ​​connector configuration.

[0133] The base of the ring that is used to open the theft device includes one or more integrally formed hook components.

[0134] The article includes one or more hook component passages, each of which is adapted to receive a hook component when the cap is secured to the neck, for example, wherein the article has an annular flange portion on the neck of the article, and wherein the hook portion of each hook component engages, for example, snaps onto the underside of the annular flange portion on the neck of the article.

[0135] In the arrangement of the fifth aspect of the invention, one or more hook components firmly hold the base relative to the article and help absorb the force applied to the first cam portion during cap removal.

[0136] In one embodiment, at least one hook component is vertically arranged below the upwardly oriented first cam portion. For example, one hook component is located below the central region of the upwardly oriented first cam portion, and two other hook components are located below the first and second ends of the upwardly oriented first cam portion, respectively.

[0137] It should be recognized that the closing component of the fifth aspect of the invention may include one or more features discussed herein according to any other aspect of the invention (e.g., the first and / or second and / or third and / or fourth aspects of the invention).

[0138] Any of these aspects also involves containers with enclosed components.

[0139] Any of these aspects also relates to a method for manufacturing a pre-assembled, closed component as described herein for subsequent mounting as a unit onto a container, the method comprising:

[0140] - Manufacturing (e.g., molding, such as injection molding) of articles made of plastic materials,

[0141] - Manufacture (e.g., molding, injection molding) of caps with one-piece tamper-evident ring components, such as those made of plastic materials.

[0142] - By means of axial fixed movement along the main axis, the cap and the integrated tamper-evident ring component are secured to the neck of the product, so that the cap seals the product passage.

[0143] Any of these aspects also relates to a method for manufacturing and filling a container, comprising the following steps:

[0144] - Provides a container on which articles are placed, the container without a lid and an integral tamper-evident ring component.

[0145] - For example, filling the container via the product passage in the article.

[0146] - By means of axial fixed movement along the main axis, the cap and the integrated tamper-evident ring component are secured to the neck of the product, so that the cap seals the product passage.

[0147] Any of these aspects also relates to a method for manufacturing and filling a container, the method comprising the following steps:

[0148] - Provides a container with a product mounting location, such as an opening, like the top edge or seam of a bag package, suitable for mounting the product onto the container with a cap and an integrated tamper-evident ring of the type described herein.

[0149] -For example, filling a container via an opening.

[0150] - The product, including the integrated tamper-evident ring component and the cap assembly, is mounted on the container as a unit at the product mounting location. Attached Figure Description

[0151] The invention and its various aspects will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0152] Figure 1 A first example of a closed assembly according to the invention in an assembled state is shown.

[0153] Figure 2 Shown from the perspective above Figure 1 The nozzle of the closed component,

[0154] Figure 3 Shown from the perspective below Figure 2 The nozzle,

[0155] Figure 4 Show Figure 1 The cover of the enclosed assembly features an integrated ring component that indicates the tamper-evident mechanism.

[0156] Figure 5 Shown from the perspective below Figure 4 The cover features an integrated ring component for detecting theft.

[0157] Figure 6 Showing has Figure 4 The cross-section of the cover of the integrated ring component for opening the device.

[0158] Figure 7 Shown from the perspective below Figure 1 Closed components,

[0159] Figure 8 Show Figure 7 A larger proportion of the details of the enclosed components,

[0160] Figure 9 Show Figure 1 The cross-section of the closed component,

[0161] Figure 10 Shown in enlarged cross-sectional view Figure 7 Details of the enclosed components,

[0162] Figure 11 Shown in cross-sectional perspective view Figure 1 Closed components,

[0163] Figure 12 The nozzle and its components are shown in a horizontal cross-sectional perspective view. Figure 1 The lower area of ​​the cover of the integrated ring component for theft detection.

[0164] Figure 13 A second exemplary embodiment of the closed component according to the invention in an assembled state is shown.

[0165] Figure 14 Shown from the perspective above Figure 13 The nozzle of the closed component,

[0166] Figure 15 Shown from the perspective below Figure 14 The nozzle,

[0167] Figure 16 Show Figure 13 The cover of the enclosed assembly features an integrated ring component that indicates the tamper-evident mechanism.

[0168] Figure 17 Shown from the perspective below Figure 16 The cover with an integrated ring component for tamper detection, and

[0169] Figure 18 Show at a larger scale Figure 13 Details of the enclosed components,

[0170] Figure 19 Show Figure 13 The cross-section of the closed component,

[0171] Figure 20 A third example of a closed assembly according to the invention in an assembled state is shown.

[0172] Figure 21 Shown from the perspective above Figure 20 The nozzle of the closed component,

[0173] Figure 22 Shown from the perspective below Figure 21 The nozzle,

[0174] Figure 23 Show Figure 20 The cover of the enclosed assembly features an integrated ring component that indicates the tamper-evident mechanism.

[0175] Figure 24 Shown from the perspective below Figure 23 The cover features an integrated ring component for detecting theft.

[0176] Figure 25 Showing has Figure 24 The cross-section of the cover of the integrated ring component for opening the device.

[0177] Figure 26 Showing has Figure 24 Another cross-section of the cover of the integrated display ring component for opening the device.

[0178] Figure 27 Show Figure 20 The cross-section of the closed component,

[0179] Figure 28 Show Figure 20 Another cross-section of the closed component,

[0180] Figure 29 A fourth example of a closed assembly according to the invention in an assembled state is shown.

[0181] Figure 30 A fifth example of a closed assembly according to the invention in an assembled state is shown.

[0182] Figure 31 Show Figure 30 The cover of the enclosed assembly features an integrated ring component that indicates the tamper-evident mechanism.

[0183] Figure 32 Shown from the perspective above Figure 30 The nozzle of the closed component,

[0184] Figure 33 Shown from the perspective below Figure 32 The nozzle,

[0185] Figure 34 As shown above Figure 32 The nozzle,

[0186] Figure 35 A sixth example of a closed assembly according to the invention in an assembled state is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0187] refer to Figures 1 to 12 A first example of the closed component according to the invention will be described in more detail below.

[0188] Figure 1 The closure component 1 is shown in an assembled state. As explained, in one embodiment, the pre-assembled closure component can be fitted into a container, such as a collapsible bag container.

[0189] The sealing component 1 consists of two parts: one is the product 10, which is manifested here as the nozzle 10, and the other is the cover 40, which is provided with an integrated ring component 50 for opening and closing.

[0190] The nozzle 10 is made of a plastic material, such as injection molded, and has a tubular neck 14 formed around the product passage 15 within the nozzle. The neck has a main axis 16, which is described herein as vertical. The neck 14 forms a mouth 17 at the top of the product passage 15. It should be understood that the terms "vertical" and "top," "bottom," "upper," "lower," etc., are used only to identify the relative orientation and position of components in the closure assembly and their details. In practical use, the nozzle or other article may be arranged on top of a container, such as a bag container, but other arrangements (e.g., a neck facing sideways, inclined, downward, etc.) are also included in this invention.

[0191] The nozzle 10 also includes a circumferential flange structure 20, which includes an annular flange portion 21 integrally formed (e.g., injection molded) to and extending around the neck 14. The flange portion 21 has a top surface 21a, a bottom surface 21b, and a periphery 21c, which is a circular outer contour periphery.

[0192] The flange structure 20 also includes a peripheral protective edge portion 25, which is integral with the flange portion at the periphery 21c of the flange portion 21 and extends upward from the flange portion, such that the top surface 21a of the flange portion 21 and the protective edge portion 25 define an annular recess 30 surrounding the neck 14.

[0193] Nozzle 10 represents one embodiment of an accessory configured to be attached to a container body, such as a collapsible bag container.

[0194] The nozzle 10 has a lower connector portion 12, implemented herein as a sealing boat, which is adapted to be secured, for example by heat sealing, between opposing membrane walls of a collapsible bag container. A neck 14 extends upward from the top of the lower connector portion 12. In this example, the sealing boat portion 12 is provided with horizontal welding ribs 12a,b,c in vertically spaced horizontal planes, ribs 13 for welding to the membrane wall of the bag container, as is known in the art.

[0195] In another embodiment, the lower connector portion 12 may be embodied as having a lower circumferential flange or plate portion adapted to be fixed or fixed to the panel of a container, such as the panel of a carton or the wall of a collapsible bag.

[0196] The cover 40, which has an integrated tamper-evident ring component 50, is made of plastic material, such as injection molding.

[0197] The cap 40 with the ring component 50 is adapted to be fixed to the neck 14 of the nozzle 10 by means of axial fixed movement along the main axis 16.

[0198] The cover 40 has a top wall structure 41 and a drooping skirt 42.

[0199] As shown in the figure, the top wall structure 41 may include a W-shaped sealing arrangement projecting into the neck 14. Here, the W-shaped sealing arrangement includes downwardly projecting spherical and annular top wall sections surrounding a centrally raised top wall section. It should be appreciated that the top wall structure 41 may have other designs, such as a substantially flat disc, or a design with a downwardly projecting hollow pin that fits within the neck to provide a seal at a position far below the mouth, etc.

[0200] The skirt 42 has an inner side 42a, an outer side 42b, and a lower edge 42c away from the top wall structure 41.

[0201] The ring component 50 for opening is integrally formed onto the lower edge 42c of the skirt of the cover 40 and is connected to the lower edge via one or more breakable bridging members 70.

[0202] The cap 40 is adapted to seal the product passage 15 in the closed position on the neck 14.

[0203] The cap 40 is adapted to be manually removed by the user from the neck 14 to open the product passage 15. In this example, as is preferred in the context of the invention, the cap 40 is a quarter-turn type snap-on cap, such that rotating the cap about a quarter turn causes sufficient lift to release the cap's snap-on retention and, as will be discussed below, cause the breakable bridge 70 to break.

[0204] The ring component 50 for displaying the thief includes an annular ring component flange portion 51, which has a top surface 51a, a bottom surface 51b, an inner surface 52a pointing towards the neck 14, and an outer surface 52b.

[0205] Multiple hook components 53 are integrally formed to the bottom of the flange portion 51 of the ring component. These hook components 53 are distributed along the circumferential direction of the flange portion 51 of the ring component.

[0206] Each hook member 53 includes a resilient leg 54, the upper end of which is integral with and projectes downward from the ring member flange portion 51. Each hook member 53 also includes a hook portion 55 at the lower free end of the leg 54. In the illustrated embodiment, as practically preferred, the hook portion 55 points outward. Preferably, the flange portion 51 extends further outward than the hook portion 55.

[0207] The annular flange portion 21 on the neck 14 of the nozzle is provided with a plurality of hook component passages 18, which are distributed in a circumferential direction around the neck, and each passage 18 extends through the annular flange portion 21 between the top surface 21a and the bottom surface 21b.

[0208] When the cover 40 with the integrated anti-theft ring component 50 is axially mounted or fixed to the neck 14 by means of axial fixed movement along the main axis 16, each hook component passage 18 is adapted to receive the corresponding hook component 53. Here, the hook portion 55 of each hook component 53 engages (e.g., snaps) below the bottom surface 21b of the annular flange portion 21 on the neck 14 of the nozzle 1.

[0209] The outer periphery (non-circular profile) of the annular flange portion 51 of the ring member 50 is shaped to fit within the protective edge portion 25 (which is also quite non-circular profile), because when the cover 40 of the ring member 50 with an integrated tamper-evident opening is axially mounted on the neck 14, the annular flange portion 51 is inserted into the annular recess 30.

[0210] It should be recognized that the adjacent contours of the annular flange portion 51 and the edge portion 25 can also be other non-circular designs, such as squares, hexagons, ellipses, etc. Considering the anti-rotation locking effect, there can be mating non-circular contours that prevent the ring member 50 from rotating around the neck. The same anti-rotation effect can also be provided by other measures, such as by hook members and their corresponding channels, and / or by mating reliefs on the adjacent underside and top surface of the flange portion 21. In one embodiment, the adjacent contours of the annular flange portion 51 and the edge portion 25 can be circular.

[0211] The outer protective edge 25 is configured to prevent lateral entry from the outside into the interface between the top surface 21a of the flange portion 21 of the nozzle 10 and the bottom surface 51b of the flange portion 51 of the ring member 50. For example, when used with children's food or beverage containers, or when used with cutlery (e.g., knives, etc.) in an attempt (e.g., unconsciously) to remove the ring member 50 (possibly together with the cap 40) from the nozzle 10, people cannot access the interface, for example, by biting the component.

[0212] The closure assembly 1 is implemented such that when the user first opens the closure assembly by removing the cover 40 (here, a quarter turn of the cover 40), one or more breakable bridging members 70 break and the ring member 50 is held in the recess 30 of the nozzle 10 by means of the hook member 53.

[0213] As shown here, preferably, the protective edge portion 25 has no opening therein. This reinforces portion 25, and thus the entire circumferential flange structure, and further reduces the possibility of lateral entry into the ring component 50.

[0214] The protective edge portion 25 has a certain height such that, in the fixed position of the cover with the integrated tamper-evident ring component, the outer annular region of the top surface 51a of the flange portion 51 does not protrude above the protective edge portion 25. Even more preferably, for example, as... Figure 9-12 As shown, the outer annular region of the top surface is lower than the top of the edge portion 25. Therefore, it is difficult to access the flange portion 51.

[0215] As shown in the figure, for example in Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 8 , Figure 9 and Figure 10 In the middle, the hook component passage 18 may be located directly adjacent to the neck 14.

[0216] Preferably, the passage 18 is located radially inward from the edge portion 25.

[0217] Each leg 54 of the hook member 53 has an inner leg surface 54a facing the neck 14. As a preferred embodiment, see, for example, [link to example]. Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 9 , Figure 10 The inner leg surface 54a is adjacent to or continuous with the inner surface 52a of the flange portion 51 of the ring component 50.

[0218] As shown here, all hook parts 53 preferably have a leg 53 with an inner bevel 54b at its lower end, where the inner leg surface 54a joins the lower end surface 54c of the leg part 54.

[0219] As shown here, the neck 14 can be integrally formed with the corresponding beveled boss 19 at a position below the corresponding hook member passage 18, such that when the cover 40 with the integrated tamper-evident ring member 50 is axially mounted on the neck 14 by means of an axial fixed movement along the main axis 16, the bevel of the boss 19 contacts the inner bevel 54b of the leg 54, thereby helping to keep the hook portion 55 of the hook member 53 engaged (e.g., snapped) below the bottom surface 21b of the annular flange portion 21 on the neck 14 of the nozzle 10.

[0220] As shown in the figure, in one embodiment, the outer side or outer contour of the protective edge portion 25 provides at least one pair of opposing parallel side surfaces. Two pairs 26, 27 are provided here that are orthogonal to each other, such that the protective edge portion 25 has rounded corners on all four sides.

[0221] In one embodiment, as shown here, the upper surface 21a of the flange portion 21 on the neck 14 of the nozzle 10 is substantially planar, radial, and perpendicular to the main axis 16. Similarly, the bottom surface 51b of the ring member flange portion 51 is substantially planar, radial, and perpendicular to the main axis 16.

[0222] The closure assembly 1 preferably includes a snap-on cap 40, which provides a snap-on function during use of the closure assembly, such that, for example, the axial fixing movement of the capping device causes the cap 40 to snap onto the neck 14. Preferably, the inner side of the skirt 42 of the cap 40 and the outer side of the neck of the article have a cooperative snap-on connector configuration. A first snap-on ridge 13 is provided on the outer side of the neck 14, between the opening and the circumferential wall structure, and a second snap-on ridge 43 is provided on the inner side of the skirt to provide a snap-on function. Preferably, and as shown, the first snap-on ridge 13, axially spaced from the circumferential flange structure, is formed by a series of circumferentially spaced snap-on ridge segments. A circumferentially continuous snap-on ridge is formed on the inner side of the skirt of the cap 40. For example, the snap-on cap 40 can be reset onto the neck 14 after the first opening, and then the snap-on features 13, 43 can be used to properly hold the cap on the neck.

[0223] To facilitate the user's opening of the closure assembly, he would like to rotate the cover 40 by a quarter turn to open the closure. The closure assembly includes:

[0224] - At least one first cam portion 61 defining a cam surface 62, the cam surface 62 being angled relative to the main axis 16, the first cam portion 61 being integrally formed onto the flange portion 51 of the tamper-evident ring member 50 when the cover 40 having the ring member 50 is secured to the neck 14, and

[0225] - 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, the second cam portion 45 being integrally formed on the lower edge of the skirt 42.

[0226] When the closure assembly is first opened by rotating the cover 40 relative to the nozzle 10 about the main axis 16, the first cam portion 61 and the second cam portion 45 interact to axially lift the cover 40 relative to the neck 14, thereby disengaging the cooperative snap-fit ​​connector configurations 13, 43.

[0227] In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of first cam portions 61 are integrally formed onto the top surface 51a of the annular flange portion 51 at diametrically opposite positions relative to the opening through which the neck 14 extends. A pair of second cam portions 45 are integrally formed at diametrically opposite positions on the lower end of the skirt 42 of the cover.

[0228] Each first cam portion 61 has an arched first cam surface 62 that rises above or above the center of the flange portion 51 and has a first end 62a and a second end 62b, wherein the arched first cam surface 62 is adjacent to the top surface 51a of the flange portion 51. A breakable bridging member 70 is present at each end 62a,b of the upwardly arched first cam surface 62.

[0229] As a preferred option, and for example from Figure 12 As can be seen, the bridging elements 70 in the pairs of breakable bridges 70 associated with each of the two first cam portions 61 of the ring member 50 are not arranged symmetrically, such that once the cover is removed and then placed on the neck in a position rotated 180° relative to the initial molding position, the remainder of each bridging element 70 will not align. They do this because the arrangement of the bridging elements 70 is symmetrical. Due to this arrangement, any tampering may be more readily visible. Of course, embodiments with another arrangement and / or another number of breakable bridging elements between the lower edge of the cover skirt and the ring member 50 are possible.

[0230] In the illustrated embodiment, each second cam portion 45 includes an outwardly extending lug 46 integrally formed to the lower end of the skirt 42 and adapted to cooperate with the first cam surface 61. Preferably, the cover has two lugs 46 that are diametrically opposed.

[0231] To enhance grip on the cap 40 and / or improve its anti-clogging performance, the cap has two opposing, generally planar wing portions 47 that extend outward from the skirt 42 in an imaginary vertical plane through the main axis 16 of the neck 14.

[0232] It can be seen that the single pair of first cam portions 61 are diametrically opposite to the imaginary vertical plane passing through the wing portion 47 of the cover. This is effective given the injection molding and the strength of the cover and the integrated tamper-evident ring component.

[0233] It can be seen that at least one pair of hook parts 53 and the corresponding hook part passage 18 are located in a diametrically opposite position relative to the neck 14 and in an imaginary vertical plane passing through the wing portion 47 of the cover.

[0234] As can be seen, at least one hook component, preferably two hook components 53, and the corresponding hook component passage 18 are located at a diametrically opposite position relative to the imaginary vertical plane of the wing portion 47 passing through the cover.

[0235] See Figure 13-19 A second exemplary embodiment 100 of the closure assembly according to the present invention will be described. Here, components and details corresponding to those included in the first exemplary embodiment will be indicated by the same reference numerals and with accent marks. The main difference from the first exemplary embodiment lies in the shape of the flange portions 21', 51. Figure 13-19 In the illustrated embodiment, the upper surface 21a' of the flange portion 21' on the neck 14' of the article 10' is saddle-shaped. This upper surface has two downwardly curved upper regions 21a1' opposite in diameter. The bottom surface 51b' of the ring member flange portion 51' is a complementary saddle shape. It can be seen that these flange portions 21', 51' also have another (bottom or top) saddle shape, making the shape of these flange portions saddle-shaped.

[0236] It can be seen that the fractured bridging element is arranged between the saddle-shaped flange portion 51' and the lower edge 42c' of the corresponding shape of the skirt portion.

[0237] As in the first exemplary embodiment, here the cover 40' is a quarter-turn snap cover that is released from the article 10' by the user turning the cover a quarter turn.

[0238] The snap-on cover 40' is held on the neck by means of a cooperative snap-on mechanism 13', 43'.

[0239] The lifting effect of the cover 40' when opened is achieved by the fact that the saddle shape on the upper part of the flange portion 51' matches the corresponding saddle shape on the lower edge 42c' of the skirt portion 42'. Therefore, no additional cam and cam follower arrangement is required.

[0240] The ring component 50' here has four hook components 53' protruding downward from the bottom of the flange portion 21'. The flange portion 21' has four corresponding passages 18'.

[0241] In this second example, the outer contour of the edge portion 25' lacks a parallel surface.

[0242] Therefore, as an alternative, the article has a pair of parallel surfaces 28 in the region of the neck 14' below the flange portion 21' (here between the flange portion and the sealing boat 12).

[0243] See Figure 20-26 A third example of a closed component according to the invention will be discussed herein. Throughout this document, items corresponding to those discussed in conjunction with the first and / or second exemplary embodiments have the same reference numerals and are enclosed in quotation marks.

[0244] Figure 20 The closure assembly 200 is shown, which includes an article 10" and a cover 40" having an integrally tamper-evident ring 50".

[0245] For example in Figure 21 As can be seen, the article 10" forms a tubular neck 14" around the product passage, the neck having a main axis and forming a mouth at the top.

[0246] The article also includes a flange structure 20", which is integrally formed to the neck 14" and includes one or more flange portions, here being circumferential flange portions, having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a periphery. Preferably, a peripheral protective edge 25" is integral with the flange portion at its periphery and extends upward from the flange portion.

[0247] The cover 40" with an integrated tamper-evident ring component 50" is adapted to be fixed or secured to the neck of the article by means of axial fixed movement along the main axis.

[0248] In these figures, a cover 40" is shown with an annular top wall 41" having an inner periphery and an outer periphery. A drooping skirt 42" is integral with the outer periphery. A hollow pin portion 48" hangs down from the inner periphery. The hollow pin portion 48" has a circumferential surface extending along its length and a closed pin bottom. The hollow pin portion is open at its top.

[0249] The circumferential surface of the hollow pin portion 48" and the article 10" have at least one pair of cooperating sealing surfaces, such that the hollow pin portion 48" closes the product passage 15" in the closed position of the cap. Preferably, a top seal is established in the top region of the neck 14" between the interior of the portion 48" and the neck 14", for example in... Figure 27 Point A in the diagram.

[0250] Preferably, a lower seal is established between the lower end regions of the 48" pin portion, for example in... Figure 27Point B in the diagram. Therefore, preferably, two seals are formed at different heights between the pin portion 48" and the article 10".

[0251] As shown in the figure, preferably, the hollow pin portion 48" extends downward from the annular top wall at least to the level of the ring component that is exposed to the thief, and preferably further downward, for example, to the top horizontal wall of the nozzle 10" that forms the article.

[0252] The skirt 42" has an inner side, an outer side, and a lower edge away from the top wall structure.

[0253] The 40" cap is designed to be manually removed by the user from the neck of the article to open the product passage. The 40" cap shown is a quarter-turn cap.

[0254] The ring component 50" is integrally formed to the skirt 42" of the cover and is connected to the skirt via one or more breakable bridging components 70".

[0255] The ring component for displaying theft includes an annular ring component flange portion 51" having a top surface, a bottom surface, an inner surface, and an outer surface. A plurality of hook components 53" are integrally formed to the ring component flange portion, and these hook components are distributed along the circumferential direction of the ring component flange portion.

[0256] The flange structure 20" on the neck of the article has multiple hook component passages 18". When the cover 40" with the integrated tamper-evident ring component 50" is axially mounted on the neck by means of axial fixed movement along the main axis, each hook component passage is adapted to receive a hook component therein. Here, the hook portion of each hook component snaps onto the flange structure, which is shown below.

[0257] These figures also show that the skirt 42" of the cover 40" and the flange structure 20" of the article 10" on the other hand have a cooperative snap-fit ​​connector construction to provide the snap-fit ​​function of the cover.

[0258] Here, the closure assembly 200 is implemented such that when the closure assembly is first opened by the user removing the cover 40", one or more breakable bridging members 70" break, and the ring member 50" is held open by means of the hook member 53".

[0259] The removed cap 40" can then be reset by the user on the neck 14", where a cooperative snap-fit ​​connector construction on the skirt of the cap and on the flange structure of the article releasably latches the cap 40" to the article.

[0260] In the illustrated example, on one hand, the outer protective edge portion 25" of the flange structure and the outer side of the skirt portion 42" of the cover have a cooperative snap-fit ​​connector configuration. More specifically in this example, the outer protective edge 25" of the flange structure is provided with at least one upwardly projecting latch wall portion 26" having a window 27" or recess therein. The outer side of the skirt portion 42" is provided with a latch lug 46" that snaps into the window 27" or recess in the closed position of the cover 40". When the user removes the cover 40", the lug 46" becomes unsecured and releases from the window 27" or recess.

[0261] As shown, the outer or outer contour of the protective edge portion 25" here provides at least a pair of opposing parallel sides. Preferably, two upwardly projecting latch wall portions 26" stand on the parallel portions of the edge portion 25", such that the assembly 200 has a relatively large parallel surface, which may be advantageous for handling the article 10" and / or the assembly 200, for example for guiding and / or gripping the article 10" or the assembly 200.

[0262] It will be appreciated that the third exemplary embodiment shown also has:

[0263] - At least one first cam portion 61'' defining a cam surface, the cam surface being at an angle relative to the main axis, the first cam portion being integrally formed onto one of the lower edge of the skirt and the flange portion 51'' of the ring member, and

[0264] - 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 the second cam portion being integrally formed on the lower edge of the skirt 42'' and another of the flange portions of the ring member.

[0265] When the closure assembly is first opened by rotating the cover 40'' relative to the article about the main axis, the first cam portion 61'' and the second cam portion 44'' interact to cause an axial lift of the cover relative to the neck, so that, for example, the cooperative snap-fit ​​connector structure disengages due to the lift, and the bridging member 70'' breaks.

[0266] Depending on the design of the first cam portion and the second cam portion, the cover can rotate around the neck to open the closure in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions, or the design can allow the cover to rotate in only one direction, such as only clockwise.

[0267] In one embodiment, the protrusion 46" on the outside of the skirt provides both a snap-fit ​​function for the cover 40" and acts as part of the second cam portion, the dual-function lug 46" being adapted to cooperate with the surface of the first cam (and be released from the corresponding window 27'' or recess once the cover 40'' is turned open by the user).

[0268] The cover 40" is shown to have two lugs 46" opposite each other along its diameter, and the outer protective edge 25" is provided with two upwardly projecting latch wall portions 26", each latch wall portion having a window 27" or recess therein. Each of the pair of lugs 46" snaps into the corresponding window 27" or recess in the closed position of the cover.

[0269] exist Figure 29 In this case, the closure assembly 300 is largely the same as the closure assembly 200. The difference is that the cap 40''' now has two wing portions 47"' opposite each other along its diameter, which extend outward from the skirt in an imaginary vertical plane passing through the main axis of the neck. This is done to enhance grip on the cap and / or enhance the cap's anti-blocking performance.

[0270] See Figures 30-35 A fifth example of a closed component according to the invention will be discussed. Here, the items corresponding to those discussed in conjunction with the first and / or second exemplary embodiments are given the same reference numeral increased by 400, therefore Figure 1 The reference number 1 in these Figures 30-35 The number in the middle is 401.

[0271] Figure 30 A closure assembly 401 is shown, which includes an article 410 and a cover 440 having an integrally tamper-evident ring 450.

[0272] For example in Figure 32 As can be seen, the article 410 forms a tubular neck 414 around the product passage, the neck having a main axis and forming a mouth at the top.

[0273] The article also includes a flange structure 420 integrally formed to the neck 414 and including one or more flange portions, here being circumferential flange portions, having a top surface, a bottom surface and a periphery.

[0274] As shown in the figure, the article has a flange structure 420 as a top flange structure, and also has a lower flange structure or a second flange structure 422 below the top or first flange structure 420.

[0275] Preferably, the outer protective edge 425 is integral with the top flange portion 420 at its periphery and extends upward from the top flange portion.

[0276] The article 410 forms two parallel vertical surfaces 423 between two vertically spaced flange structures 420, 422, which together with the flange structures 420, 422 define the guiding and manipulating functions of the nozzle, for example, when the nozzle slides between parallel guide rails.

[0277] The cover 440, which has an integrated tamper-evident ring component 450, is adapted to be fixed or secured to the neck of the article by means of axial fixed movement along the main axis.

[0278] In these figures, the cover 440 is shown to have a top wall 441 with a W-shaped sealing arrangement protruding into the neck 414, for example as... Figure 6 As shown. Here, the W-shaped sealing arrangement includes downwardly projecting spherical and annular top wall sections surrounding a centrally raised top wall section. A top seal is established in the top region of the neck 414 between the W-shaped sealing arrangement and the interior of the neck 414.

[0279] The skirt 442 has an inner side, an outer side, and a lower edge away from the top wall structure.

[0280] The cap 440 is designed to be manually removed by a user from the neck of the article to open the product passage. The cap 440 shown is a quarter-turn cap.

[0281] The ring component 450 for opening is integrally formed to the skirt 442 of the cover and is connected to the skirt via one or more breakable bridging members 470.

[0282] The ring component for detecting theft includes an annular ring component flange portion 451 having a top surface, a bottom surface, an inner surface, and an outer surface. A plurality of hook components 453 are integrally formed to the ring component flange portion, and these hook components are distributed along the circumferential direction of the ring component flange portion.

[0283] The flange structure 420 on the neck of the article has a plurality of hook component passages 418, each hook component passage being adapted to receive a hook component when the cover 440 with the integrated tamper-evident ring component 450 is axially mounted on the neck by means of axial fixed movement along the main axis. Here, the hook portion of each hook component snaps onto the flange structure, which is shown below.

[0284] These figures also show that the skirt 442 on one side and the neck 414 of the article 410 on the other side have a cooperative snap-fit ​​connector construction to provide the snap-fit ​​function of the cover.

[0285] Here, the closure assembly 400 is implemented such that when the closure assembly is first opened by the user removing the cover 440, one or more breakable bridging members 470 break, and the ring member 450 that is open is held in place by means of the hook member 453.

[0286] The removed cap 440 can then be reset by the user on the neck 414, where a cooperative snap-fit ​​connector construction, on one side on the skirt of the cap and on the other side on the neck of the article, releasably latches the cap 440 onto the article.

[0287] The cap 440 has two wing portions 447 that are diametrically opposed and extend outward from the skirt 442 in an imaginary vertical plane passing through the main axis of the neck 414. This is done to enhance grip on the cap and / or enhance its anti-clogging performance.

[0288] It will be appreciated that the fifth exemplary embodiment shown also has:

[0289] - At least one first cam portion 461 defining a cam surface, the cam surface being at an angle relative to the main axis, the first cam portion being integrally formed onto one of the lower edge of the skirt and the flange portion 451 of the ring member, and

[0290] - At least one second cam portion 444 defines a cam follower surface adapted to interact with the cam surface of the first cam portion 461, and the second cam portion is integrally formed on the lower edge of the skirt 442 and another of the flange portions of the ring member.

[0291] When the closure assembly is first opened by rotating the cover 440 relative to the article about the main axis, the first cam portion 461 and the second cam portion 444 interact to cause an axial lift of the cover relative to the neck, so that, for example, the cooperative snap-fit ​​connector structure disengages due to the lift and the bridging member 470 breaks.

[0292] Depending on the design of the first cam portion and the second cam portion, the cover can rotate around the neck to open the closure in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions, or the design can allow the cover to rotate in only one direction, such as only clockwise.

[0293] exist Figure 35 In this case, the closure assembly 401' is largely the same as the closure assembly 401. The difference is that the cover 440' does not have a W-shaped sealing arrangement, for example, it is sealed only on the outside of the neck 414 (e.g., near its top) by contact with the sealing surface inside the skirt 442. The wing 447 is connected by a vertical panel portion 447a extending on the top wall 441 of the cover.

Claims

1. A sealing assembly comprising an article (10, 10', 10"; 410) and a plastic cap (40, 40', 40", 40'''; 440), the plastic cap having an integrally tamper-evident ring member (50, 50', 50", 450), wherein: The article (10) forms a tubular neck (14) around the product passage (15) in the article, the neck having a main axis (16) and forming a mouth (17) at the top of the product passage (15). The article (10) further includes a flange structure (20), the flange structure including a flange portion integrally formed to the neck (14), the flange portion having a top surface (21a), a bottom surface (21b), and a periphery. The plastic cap (40), which has an integrated tamper-evident ring component (50), is fixed to the neck of the article by means of axial fixed movement along the main axis (16). The cover (40) includes a drooping skirt (42) having an inner side (42a), an outer side (42b), and a lower edge (42c) away from the top wall structure. The cover is adapted to seal the product passage at the neck (14) in the closed position, and the cover is adapted to be manually removed by a user from the neck of the article to open the product passage. The tamper-evident ring component (50) is integrally formed to the skirt (42) of the cover and is connected to the skirt via one or more breakable bridging members (70). The aforementioned thief-detecting ring component (50) includes an annular ring component flange portion (51) having a bottom surface (51b), an inner surface (52a), and an outer surface (52b), wherein a plurality of hook components (53) are integrally formed to the bottom of the ring component flange portion (51), the hook components (53) being distributed along the circumferential direction of the ring component flange portion (51), wherein each hook component includes a leg (54), the upper end of the leg being integral with the ring component flange portion (51) and projecting downward from the annular ring component flange portion, wherein each hook component includes a hook portion (55) at the lower free end of the leg. The flange structure (20) on the neck (14) of the article has a plurality of hook component passages (18), each of which extends between the top surface (21a) and the bottom surface (21b) via its flange portion. Each hook component passage is adapted to receive a hook component (53) when the cover (40) with the integrated tamper-evident ring component (50) is axially mounted on the neck by means of axial fixed movement along the main axis (16), wherein the hook portion (55) of each hook component engages below the bottom surface (21b) of the flange portion on the neck (14) of the article. Furthermore, the closure assembly is configured such that when the user first opens the closure assembly by removing the cover (40), the one or more breakable bridging members (70) break and the ring member (50) is held on the article (10) by means of the hook member (53). At least one of the hook components (53) has a leg (54) with an inner bevel (54b) at its lower end, and wherein the neck (14) is integrally formed with a corresponding beveled boss (19) at a position below the corresponding hook component passage (18), such that when the cover (40) with the integrally tamper-evident ring component (50) is axially mounted on the neck by means of an axially fixed movement along the main axis (16), the bevel of the boss (19) contacts the inner bevel (54b) of the leg, thereby helping to keep the hook portion (55) of the hook component (53) engaged below the bottom surface (21b) of the annular flange portion of the neck of the article.

2. The enclosed component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hook member passage (18) is located directly adjacent to the neck (14), and / or the legs (54) of the hook member each have an inner leg surface (54a) adjacent to the inner surface (52a) of the ring member flange portion (51).

3. The enclosed component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper surface (21a) of the flange portion (21) on the neck of the article is substantially flat, and the bottom surface (51b) of the flange portion (51) of the ring member is substantially flat.

4. The enclosed component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The closure assembly includes a snap-on cap (40) that provides a snap-on function when the closure assembly is used.

5. The enclosed component according to claim 4, characterized in that, The outer side of the neck of the article and the inner side of the skirt of the cover have a cooperative snap-fit ​​connector construction (13, 43) to provide the snap-fit ​​function.

6. The enclosed component according to claim 4, characterized in that, On the one hand, the skirt of the cover and the circumferential flange structure of the article have a cooperative snap-fit ​​connector construction to provide a snap-fit ​​function.

7. The enclosed component according to claim 5, characterized in that, On the one hand, the skirt of the cover and the circumferential flange structure of the article have a cooperative snap-fit ​​connector construction to provide a snap-fit ​​function.

8. The enclosed component according to claim 4, characterized in that, The enclosed component includes: At least one first cam portion (61) of a defining cam surface (62), the cam surface (62) being at an angle relative to the main axis (16), the first cam portion (61) being integrally formed on the lower edge of the skirt and on one of the ring member flange portions (51) of the revealing ring member (50), and At least one second cam portion (44) defines a cam follower surface adapted to interact with the cam surface (62) of the first cam portion (61), and the second cam portion is integrally formed on the lower edge of the skirt (42) and the other of the ring member flange portion of the ring member. When the closure assembly is first opened by rotating the cover (40) about the main axis (16) relative to the article (10), the first cam portion and the second cam portion interact to cause the cover to be axially lifted relative to the neck (14).

9. The enclosed component according to claim 8, characterized in that, A pair of first cam portions (61) are integrally formed on the top surface of the flange portion of the ring member at a diametrically opposite position, and a pair of second cam portions (44) are integrally formed at the lower end of the skirt (42) at a diametrically opposite position.

10. The enclosed assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first cam portion has an arched first cam surface (62) with a center that rises above the flange portion of the ring component and has a first end (62a) and a second end (62b), wherein the arched first cam surface is adjacent to the top surface (51a) of the flange portion of the ring component.

11. The enclosed assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that, The second cam portion (44) includes an outwardly extending lug (46) integrally formed at the lower end of the skirt and adapted to cooperate with the first cam surface (62).

12. The enclosed component according to claim 1, characterized in that, To enhance grip on the cover and / or improve its anti-blocking properties, the cover has two diametrically opposed wing portions (47) that extend outward from the skirt in an imaginary vertical plane passing through the main axis (16) of the neck.

13. The enclosed assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that, To enhance grip on the cover and / or enhance its anti-blocking properties, the cover has two diametrically opposed wing portions (47) extending outward from the skirt in an imaginary vertical plane passing through the main axis (16) of the neck, wherein the cam portions of a pair of first cam portions (61) are positioned diametrically opposed to the imaginary vertical plane passing through the wing portions (47) of the cover.

14. The enclosed assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that, At least one pair of hook parts (53; 53'; 53") and corresponding hook part passages (18; 18', 18") are located in a diametrically opposite position relative to the neck (14) and in an imaginary vertical plane passing through the wing portion (47) of the cover.

15. The enclosed assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The product (10;10';10") is an accessory to be fixed to the container body.

16. The enclosed component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The article (10) is a nozzle, the nozzle including a lower connector portion to be fixed between opposing membrane walls of a collapsible bag container, wherein the lower connector portion is a sealing boat (12).

17. A container provided with the closure assembly (1; 100; 200; 300; 401) according to claim 1.

18. A closure assembly comprising an article and a cap, the cap having an integrally tamper-evident ring member, wherein: The article forms a tubular neck around a product passage, the neck having a main axis and forming a mouth at the top of the product passage. The article further includes a flange structure integrally formed to the neck and includes one or more flange portions having a top surface, a bottom surface and a periphery; The cover, which includes an integrated anti-theft ring component, is fixed to the neck of the product by means of axial fixed movement along the main axis. The cover includes a skirt having an inner side, an outer side, and a lower edge away from the top wall structure. The cover is adapted to seal the product passage in the closed position on the neck of the article, and the cover is adapted to be manually removed by a user from the neck of the article to open the neck. The tamper-evident ring component is integrally formed to the skirt of the cover and connected to the skirt via one or more breakable bridging members. The ring component for detecting theft includes multiple hook components. The flange structure on the neck of the article is provided with a plurality of hook component passages, each hook component passage being adapted to receive a hook component therein when the cover with the integrated tamper-evident ring component is axially mounted on the neck by means of axial fixed movement along the main axis, wherein the hook portion of each hook component snaps onto the flange structure. One aspect of the article and the other aspect of the cover have a cooperative snap-fit ​​connector construction to provide a snap-fit ​​function for the cover, allowing it to be reset onto the neck after the first opening. The closure assembly is configured such that when the closure assembly is first opened by a user by removing the cover, the one or more breakable bridging members break, and the tamper-evident ring member is held in place by means of the hook member. The removed cap can then be repositioned on the neck, wherein the cooperative snap-fit ​​connector configuration releasably retains the cap on the article.

19. The article of claim 18, characterized in that, The article (10) has two latching members at radially opposite positions relative to the neck of the article, and the cover has two mating latching members at diametrically opposite positions. The latching members on the article and on the cover are configured to provide a releasable snap-fit ​​connection between the cover and the article.

20. The article of claim 19, characterized in that, The flange structure (20) of the article has two latching members, which are implemented as two latching wall portions (26''), at a radially opposite position relative to the neck of the article, each arranged around the periphery of a circumferential flange extending around the neck.

21. The enclosed assembly according to claim 18, characterized in that, Each of the latch lugs (46'') on the cover is configured to be received in or accommodated in a corresponding recess or window in the latch wall portion (26'') of the article, so as to allow the cover to be snapped onto the article.

22. The enclosed assembly according to claim 18, characterized in that, The peripheral edge portion (25'') extending around the periphery of the circumferential flange structure has a recess or window, and wherein the skirt portion is provided with a latch lug (46'') that engages with the recess or window in the closed position of the cover, so that when the cover is removed, the lug becomes unengaged and releases from the window or recess.

23. The enclosed assembly according to claim 18, characterized in that, The periphery of the flange structure is provided with at least one upwardly projecting latch wall portion (26''), the latch wall portion having a window or recess therein, and wherein the outer side of the skirt is provided with a latch lug (46''), the latch lug engaging with the window or recess in the closed position of the cover.

24. The enclosed assembly according to claim 18, characterized in that, The enclosed component includes: At least one first cam portion defining a cam surface, the cam surface being at an angle relative to the main axis, the first cam portion being integrally formed on the lower edge of the skirt and one of the ring components of the thief-revealing mechanism, and At least one second cam portion defining a cam follower surface adapted to interact with a cam surface of the first cam portion, and the second cam portion being integrally formed on the lower edge of the skirt and another of the ring members of the throttling device. When the closure assembly is first opened by rotation of the cover relative to the article about the main axis, the first cam portion and the second cam portion interact to cause an axial lift of the cover relative to the neck, which is actually caused immediately upon rotation of the cover.

25. The enclosure assembly according to claim 18, characterized in that, The cover is a quarter-turn snap-on type cover, such that rotating the cover about a quarter turn produces enough lift to disengage the snap-on retainer of the cover and also breaks the breakable bridging element.

Images