Combination of container and closure element

Abstract

A combination of a container (C) and a closure element (4). The container (C) defines an accommodation space and comprises a portion (2) defining a through opening (A) leading to the accommodation space. A closure element (4) is movable relative to the portion (2) to open or close the opening (A), and the closure element together with the portion (2) defines a closure assembly (1) for the container (C). The portion (2) and / or the closure element (4) are / is provided with an interface layer (5) on a surface portion between the portion (2) and the closure element (4) which interacts frictionally during opening or closing of the container "C", which interface layer is adapted to promote sliding between the portion (2) and the closure element (4). At least the portion (2) and the closure element (4) are made of polyethylene terephthalate and the interface layer (5) is made of polyethylene.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a combination of a container and a closure element. Background Art

[0002] The term "container" may be understood to mean a bottle or other device defining a containing space, the upper part of which is adapted to be closed by a cap or other similar device.

[0003] One of the most common materials used in the manufacture of containers, such as bottles, is PET (polyethylene terephthalate). In contrast, PE (polyethylene) is often used to manufacture caps or closure elements for containers.

[0004] Until now, when recycling the container and the cap, the two elements had to be separated so that they could be placed in suitable containers. A disadvantage is that the two elements cannot always be separated, which makes the efficient recycling of the container and / or the cap difficult.

[0005] One possible solution being investigated is to manufacture both components from PET, eliminating the need to separate them for subsequent recycling.

[0006] A disadvantage is that when a cap made of PET is coupled to the neck of a container made of PET, it is difficult to screw on and unscrew it because the material of the cap does not slide easily on the material of the neck.

[0007] Therefore, due to the difficulty in screwing and unscrewing, plastic residues may remain on the cap and / or the neck, which further hinders the separation of these two elements and / or the effective closure of the container.

[0008] The term "residue" may refer to dust, filaments, clumps, etc. that result from difficulties in screwing / unscrewing the cap onto the neck.

[0009] Furthermore, due to the difficulty in screwing / unscrewing, the neck and / or cap may be damaged (eg, scratched, deformed, etc.), resulting in the cap or neck being unable to form a seal.

[0010] Similar problems may also arise in cellulosic products or products made from natural fibers. Summary of the Invention

[0011] Therefore, the technical object of the present invention is to provide a combination of a container and a closure element that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0012] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a combination of container and closure element which allows accurate separation of the cap from the neck of the container without this operation generating residues.

[0013] It is therefore another object of the present invention to provide a container and closure element combination that is easily recyclable.

[0014] Said technical aim and said objects are substantially achieved by a combination of a container and a closure element, said combination comprising the technical features set out in one or more of the appended claims. The dependent claims correspond to possible embodiments of the invention.

[0015] In particular, the technical aim and the objects are substantially achieved by a combination of a container and a closure element.

[0016] The container defines a receiving space, and the container includes a portion defining a through opening to the receiving space.

[0017] A closure element is movable relative to the portion to open or close the opening, and the closure element and the portion together define a closure assembly for the container.

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, the portion is provided with an interface layer on the surface portion where frictional interaction occurs between the portion and the closure element during opening or closing of the container, the interface layer being adapted to promote sliding between the portion and the closure element.

[0019] According to another aspect of the invention, the closure element is provided with an interface layer on the surface portion where frictional interaction occurs between the portion and the closure element during opening or closing of the container, the interface layer being adapted to promote sliding between the portion and the closure element.

[0020] According to another aspect of the invention, both the part and the closure element are provided with an interface layer on the surface portions of the frictional interaction between the part and the closure element during opening or closing of the container, the interface layer being adapted to promote sliding between the part and the closure element.

[0021] In other words, the portion of the container and / or the closure element may be provided with an interface layer which improves the sliding properties.

[0022] According to one aspect of the invention, the portion and the closing element are made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0023] According to one aspect of the present invention, the interface layer is made of a material having low friction with polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0024] According to one aspect of the present invention, the interface layer is made of a material that can be recycled together with polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0025] According to one aspect of the present invention, the interface layer is made of a material that does not affect the recyclability of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0026] According to one aspect of the present invention, the interface layer is made of polyethylene (PE).

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, the polyethylene content is below a threshold of 15% of the total weight of the combination of container and closure element.

[0028] Preferably, the polyethylene content is below a threshold of 15% of the total weight of the closure assembly, which enables the polyethylene to be recycled together with the polyethylene terephthalate.

[0029] Preferably, the polyethylene content is below a threshold of 15% of the total weight of the bottle, which enables the polyethylene to be recycled together with the polyethylene terephthalate.

[0030] In one embodiment, the container is a bottle and the closure assembly is defined by a bottle neck and a bottle cap.

[0031] According to one aspect of the invention, the portion and the closing element are made of a natural fiber material. Preferably, the portion and the closing element may be made of cellulose, and the interface layer may be made of polyethylene, which interface layer may be detachable from the portion and / or the closing element.

[0032] According to one aspect of the invention, the portion and closure element may be made of cellulose, while the interface layer may be made of PLA to facilitate composting of the closure assembly.

[0033] Advantageously, the portion made of cellulose and the closure element, with the aid of the interface layer, allow the sealing properties of the closure assembly to be improved, ie a barrier to liquids is achieved.

[0034] According to one aspect of the invention, the portion and the closing element may be made of cellulose, while the interface layer may be made of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) or nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC).

[0035] According to one aspect of the invention, the portion and the closing element may be made of cellulose, while the interface layer may be made of a silicon-based material.

[0036] According to one aspect of the invention, the interface layer is produced in the form of a film and applied to the portion and / or the closing element.

[0037] According to one aspect of the invention, the interface layer is produced by moulding the portion and / or the closing element starting from a multilayer material.

[0038] According to one aspect of the invention, the interface layer comprises, in the portion facing the surface of the portion and / or closing element to which it is applied, an adhesive layer which ensures that the interface layer remains fixed to the element to which it is applied.

[0039] According to one aspect of the invention, the interface layer is applied to the portion and / or the closing element by subjecting it to a pre-treatment, preferably a plasma pre-treatment, in order to activate it.

[0040] Advantageously, the interface layer may comprise a relatively low polyethylene content, which reduces the overall cost of the container provided with the closure assembly.

[0041] Advantageously, the interface layer improves the sealing properties of the closure assembly.

[0042] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following exemplary and non-limiting description of embodiments of a combination of a container and a closure element. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] The description will now be elucidated with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are provided by way of example only and are therefore non-limiting, in which:

[0044] - Figure 1 and Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a combination according to the present invention;

[0045] - Figure 3 and Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a combination according to the present invention;

[0046] - Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a combination according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] Referring to the drawings, reference numeral 1 generally designates a closure assembly for a container C, which will be referred to as assembly 1 hereinafter for ease of description.

[0048] The term "container C" refers to a body that defines a containing space and is suitable for containing liquid or other similar products. For example, the container C can be a bottle, a box-shaped body, a can, a tube or other similar bodies.

[0049] Therefore, the term "assembly 1" refers to one or more components for closing a container C, as will become clearer in the following description.

[0050] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a combination of a container C and a closure element 4 .

[0051] The container C defines the aforementioned accommodation space and includes a portion 2 defining a through opening A leading to the accommodation space. Generally, the term "opening A" refers to the upper opening of the container relative to the resting surface thereof.

[0052] The closure element 4 is movable relative to the portion 2 in order to open or close the opening A of the container C. The closure element 4 together with said portion 2 define a closure assembly 1 for a container C.

[0053] During the operation of opening or closing the container C, friction occurs between surface portions of the portion 2 and surface portions of the closure element 4. In other words, corresponding surfaces or components of the portion 2 and the closure element 4 rub against each other during the opening or closing operation.

[0054] In one embodiment of the invention, part 2 is provided with an interface layer 5 on the surface portion of the interaction between part 2 and closing element 4 where friction occurs during opening or closing of the container C, and the interface layer is adapted to promote sliding between part 2 and closing element 4.

[0055] Advantageously, this interface layer 5 is able to improve the sliding properties between the portion 2 and the closing element 4 and to significantly reduce the friction between them, thereby avoiding undesirable adhesion between the closing element 4 and the portion 2 or the formation of deformed portions that would hinder or complicate their opening or closing movements.

[0056] In another embodiment, the closing element 4 is provided with an interface layer 5 on the surface portion of the interaction between the part 2 and the closing element 4 where friction occurs during the opening or closing of the container C, which interface layer is suitable for promoting sliding between the part 2 and the closing element 4.

[0057] In another embodiment, both the portion 2 and the closing element 4 are provided with an interface layer 5 .

[0058] In order to simplify the drawings, the interface layer 5 is schematically shown as a perimeter that “coincides” with the portion of the interaction between the portion 2 and the closing element 4 .

[0059] In practice, the interface layer 5 is applied to the portion 2 and / or to the closing element 4 or is made in one piece with the portion 2 .

[0060] Preferably, the interface layer 5 is made in the form of a film and applied to the portion 2 and / or the closing element 4. In other words, in this embodiment, the assembly 1 comprises an interface layer 5, for example made in the form of a film or other similar covering and applied to the portion 2 or the closing element 4, or to both elements.

[0061] Preferably, the interface layer 5 is produced by molding the portion 2 and / or the closing element 4 starting from a multilayer material. In other words, the material used to manufacture the portion 2 and the closing element 4 is a multilayer composite material comprising a base material of the container C and a material defining the interface layer 5. Thus, during the operation of forming the assembly 1 or the container C, the material is processed (for example by compression molding) such that the interface layer 5 of the portion 2 and / or the closing element 4 is located in the corresponding interacting surface portions.

[0062] According to one aspect of the invention, the interface layer 5 comprises an adhesive layer in the surface facing the surface of the portion 2 and / or of the closing element 4 to which it is applied, which ensures that the interface layer 5 remains fixed to the element to which it is applied.

[0063] According to one aspect of the invention, the interface layer 5 is applied to the portion 2 and / or the closing element 4 by subjecting it to a pretreatment, preferably by plasma pretreatment, in order to activate it.

[0064] At least the portion 2 (or the container C) and the closure element 4 are made of polyethylene terephthalate, and the interface layer 5 is made of a material having low friction with polyethylene terephthalate. Preferably, the interface layer 5 is made of a material having a low coefficient of friction.

[0065] Preferably, the material with the lower coefficient of friction can be recycled together with the polyethylene terephthalate.

[0066] Preferably, the material with a lower coefficient of friction does not affect the recyclability of the polyethylene terephthalate. In particular, some types of materials can be present in smaller proportions when recycling polyethylene terephthalate because they can be separated and, if necessary, recycled separately.

[0067] According to one aspect of the present invention, the interface layer 5 is made of polyethylene.

[0068] In this way, the entire container C can be recycled without having to separate one or more elements of the assembly 1 from the container C itself.

[0069] The polyethylene content is below a threshold of 15% of the total weight of the combination of container C and closing element 4 .

[0070] According to one embodiment of the invention, the polyethylene content is below a threshold of 15% of the total weight of the container C.

[0071] According to one embodiment of the invention, the polyethylene content is below a threshold of 15% of the total weight of the closure assembly 1 .

[0072] Advantageously, when the polyethylene content is below a threshold of 15% of the total weight of the combination, closure element 1 or container C, the polyethylene can be recycled together with the polyethylene terephthalate.

[0073] Advantageously, the interface layer 5 ensures improved sealing properties of the container C or the closure assembly 1 .

[0074] In an alternative embodiment, the portion 2 and the closing element 4 are made of natural fiber materials. Preferably, the portion 2 and the closing element 4 are made of cellulose, while the interface layer 5 is made of polyethylene, which can be separated from the portion 2 and / or the closing element 4.

[0075] In an alternative embodiment, portion 2 and closure element 4 may be made of cellulose, while interface layer 5 may be made of PLA, to facilitate composting of closure assembly 1 .

[0076] Advantageously, the portion 2 made of cellulose and the closing element 4 , with the help of the interface layer 5 , allow the sealing properties of the closing assembly 1 to be improved, ie a barrier to liquids is achieved.

[0077] In an alternative embodiment, the portion 2 and the closing element 4 may be made of cellulose, while the interface layer 5 may be made of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) or nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC).

[0078] In an alternative embodiment, the portion 2 and the closing element 4 may be made of cellulose, while the interface layer 5 may be made of a silicon-based material.

[0079] In a first embodiment, the portion 2 defines a neck 3 of the container C, comprising a side surface.

[0080] In this embodiment, the closing element 4 is made in the form of a cap comprising a side wall 6 and an upper wall 7 positioned transversely to the side wall 6 .

[0081] The side wall 6 extends around the axis Z. In the example shown in the figures, the side wall 6 is substantially cylindrical.

[0082] When the cap is applied to the neck 3 of the container C, the side wall 6 is substantially vertical.

[0083] The upper wall 7 is oriented transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the axis Z. The upper wall 7 is substantially flat and has a substantially circular shape when viewed in plan.

[0084] When the cap is applied to the neck 3 , the upper wall 7 is positioned higher than the side wall 6 to close the open upper end of the container C (or opening A).

[0085] The side surface of the neck 3 of the container C defines interacting surface portions with at least the side wall 6. Thus, the interface layer 5 is defined or applied to the side wall 6 (in the inner portion of this side wall facing the neck 3) and / or is defined or applied to the side surface of the neck 3 (on the outside and facing the cap or side wall 6).

[0086] In this context, the cap is fitted into the neck 3 by plug-fitting, and the interface layer 5 prevents damaging friction between the inner portion of the side wall 6 and the outer portion of the side surface of the neck 3, which may hinder the opening of the container C by removing the cap after prolonged use.

[0087] Specific reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the embodiment schematically shown in FIG, the assembly 1 comprises an anchoring element 10 defining interacting surface portions and made in the form of threads 10a and 10b formed respectively on the inside of the side wall 6 of the cap and on the outside surface of the neck 3.

[0088] The anchoring element 10 enables the cap to be removably fixed to the neck 3 of the container C to be closed. In the example shown, the anchoring element 10 comprises a plurality of threaded portions 10a adapted to engage with corresponding threads 10b formed on the neck 3 of the container C.

[0089] In an alternative embodiment not shown, the shape of the anchoring element 10 may be different from Figure 1 and Figure 2 The shape of the threaded portions 10a and 10b is shown in FIG. For example, the anchoring element 10 may comprise a protrusion or a cam-like element.

[0090] Specifically, the threads 10 a and 10 b allow the cap to be rotated relative to the neck 3 for screwing the cap in or out to close or open the container C. In addition, the presence of the interface layer 5 (located on the threads 10 a and / or the threads 10 b ) can prevent the threads 10 a and 10 b from sticking or deforming, which would hinder screwing the cap in / out of the neck 3 .

[0091] Preferably, the cap (or closure element 4 ) comprises a connecting area 8 in which the side wall 6 and the upper wall 7 are connected, the connecting area comprising a first wall portion 8 a protruding from the side wall 6 towards the interior of the cap and a second wall portion 8 b connecting the first wall portion 8 a to the upper wall 7 .

[0092] The first wall portion 8a is inclined relative to the side wall 6 and projects toward the interior of the cap. The first wall portion 8a extends around the axis Z. The first wall portion 8a is positioned transversely to the axis Z. The first wall portion 8a projects from the upper edge region of the side wall 6 toward the inside of the cap or toward the axis Z.

[0093] The second wall portion 8b is interposed between the first wall portion 8a and the upper wall 7. Specifically, the second wall portion 8b connects the first wall portion 8a to the periphery of the upper wall 7. The second wall portion 8b also extends around the axis Z.

[0094] The inclination of the second wall portion 8b is different from the inclination of the first wall portion 8a. In particular, the second wall portion 8b can be less inclined than the first wall portion 8a, or be in a configuration closer to a vertical configuration. The adjective "vertical" is used here with reference to the position that the cap adopts when it is applied to the container, in which the axis Z is substantially vertical and the upper wall 7 is positioned at a higher position than the side wall 6.

[0095] In the example shown, the second wall portion 8b is substantially vertical.

[0096] The thickness of the first wall portion 8a is substantially equal to the thickness of the second wall portion 8b.

[0097] The second wall portion 8b is delimited inside the cap by a sealing surface 8c adapted to engage in a sealing manner with the outside surface of the neck 3 so as to define interacting surface portions.

[0098] The sealing surface 8c may be slightly convex towards the interior of the cap, or may be shaped like a lip protruding towards the interior of the cap so that it is easier to apply a sealing action when the sealing surface 8c comes into contact with the neck 3 of the container C.

[0099] Preferably, the closure element 4 (or more precisely the cap) further comprises an inner sealing lip 9 having an annular shape, projecting from the upper wall 7 to engage with the inside surface of the neck 3 , defining interacting surface portions.

[0100] In other words, the inner sealing lip 9 is adapted to be inserted into the neck 3 of the container C for sealingly engaging with the inside surface of the neck 3. Specifically, the inner sealing lip 9 may be defined by a convex sealing surface for contacting the inside surface of the neck 3 of the container C.

[0101] Preferably, the cap may also comprise a safety ring 11 connected to the lower edge of the side wall 6 in a breakable manner, for example by a plurality of bridging elements.

[0102] The safety ring 11 may include an outer annular portion 12 connected to and extending below the side wall 6. The safety ring 11 may also include a bent portion 13 connected to the outer annular portion 12 and bent upwardly toward the interior of the cap so that the bent portion is surrounded by the outer annular portion 12. The bent portion 13 is adapted to interact with an annular protrusion located on the outside of the neck 3 of the container C.

[0103] exist Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the embodiment in FIG. 1 , the assembly 1 may comprise one or more elements as previously described, and the cap further comprises a retaining ring 14 adapted to be connected to the neck 3 .

[0104] The cap 1 further comprises a hinge structure 15 between the retaining ring 14 and the side wall 6 to allow the cap to rotate relative to the retaining ring 14, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown in .

[0105] In other words, the retaining ring 14 is suitable for being fixed to the neck 3 of the container C and retaining the cap on the neck 3. The retaining ring 14 extends around the axis Z.

[0106] The closing element 4 is thus movable between the open position and the closed position substantially by means of a rotational movement about an articulation axis (which may be perpendicular to the axis Z).

[0107] In the closed position, a separation line 16 is defined between the closure element 4 and the retaining ring 14 , along which the closure element 4 is spaced apart from the retaining ring 14 .

[0108] The separation line 16 can extend in a plane that is oriented transversely to (in particular perpendicular to) the Z axis.

[0109] Since the closing element 4 is connected to the retaining ring 14 at least along the hinge structure 15 , the circumferential extension of the separation line 16 along the axis Z is less than 360°.

[0110] exist Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the embodiment shown in FIG, the interface layer 5 is formed on or applied to the front surface of the Figure 1 and Figure 2 The same part of the description of the implementation method in .

[0111] In an embodiment not shown, the assembly 1 comprises another closing element provided with an anchoring structure suitable for being fixed in a removable manner to the neck 3 of the container C, or more precisely to the portion 2 .

[0112] This further closing element also comprises a tubular body extending from the anchoring structure and communicating with the opening A defined by the neck 3 .

[0113] In this embodiment, the closing element 4 is made in the form of a cap comprising a side wall 6 and an upper wall 7 positioned transversely thereto, adapted to slide at least partially along the tubular body in order to open or close the opening A. In other words, the tubular body itself comprises an opening to allow the contents of the container C to flow out.

[0114] The inner portion of the side wall 6 and the outer surface of the tubular body define interacting surface portions. Therefore, the assembly 1 comprises an interface layer 5 defined or applied to the inner portion of the side wall 6 and / or the outer portion of the tubular body to prevent friction during removal of the closure element 4.

[0115] Preferably, the opening in the tubular body is closed or opened by sliding the second closing element 4 along a portion or the entire height of the tubular body.

[0116] Preferably, if the sliding is only partial, the closing element 4 itself is also provided with an opening to allow the contents of the container C to flow out.

[0117] exist Figure 5 In the embodiment of FIG, portion 2 defines the upper opening of container C, and closure element 4 is made in the form of a lid comprising a covering wall 17 positioned to close the upper opening A of container C and an anchoring wall 18 adapted to engage with the upper opening A to define interacting surface portions. In other words, interface layer 5 is applied or defined on the upper opening A of the container and / or on anchoring wall 18. Preferably, interface layer 5 is applied or defined on anchoring wall 18 and on the peripheral portion of covering wall 17.

[0118] Preferably, an annular protrusion 18a is provided on the inner surface of the anchoring wall 18, and the upper opening A comprises a thickened edge 19. The annular protrusion 18a is adapted to engage with the thickened edge 19 to define interacting surface portions.

[0119] The lid thus comprises a covering wall 17 or transverse wall positioned to close the upper opening of the container C. Figure 5 The lid further comprises an anchoring wall 18 or side wall having an annular protrusion 18a on its inner surface. The annular protrusion 18a is adapted to engage with a thickened edge 19 of the container C, for example in a snap-fit ​​manner, so as to be removably fixed to the container C.

[0120] The covering wall 17 and the anchoring wall 18 give the cover a concave shape.

[0121] The covering wall 17 extends around the axis Z.

[0122] Advantageously, during the repeated opening-closing movements of the lid to open or close the container C, the interface layer 5 prevents these movements from damaging the lid itself or the thickened edge 19 or from causing adhesion of these two elements.

[0123] Advantageously, the present invention can overcome the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0124] Advantageously, the interface layer 5 allows the sliding properties of the portion 2 and the closing element 4 to be improved, both being made of the same material.

[0125] Advantageously, the material of the interface layer 5 represents only a small proportion of the closure assembly, but this does not exclude the possibility of recycling the entire container together with the device used to close / open it.

Claims

1. A combination of a container (C) and a closure element (4), wherein: - the container defines a receiving space, and the container comprises a portion (2) defining a through opening (A) leading to the receiving space; - the closure element (4) is movable relative to the portion (2) to open or close the opening (A), and the closure element and the portion (2) together define a closure assembly (1) for the container (C); wherein the portion (2) and / or the closure element (4) are provided with an interface layer (5) on a surface portion of the interaction between the portion (2) and the closure element (4) where friction occurs during the process of opening or closing the container (C), wherein the interface layer is suitable for promoting sliding between the portion (2) and the closure element (4); wherein at least the portion (2) and the closure element (4) are made of polyethylene terephthalate, and wherein the interface layer (5) is made of polyethylene; and wherein the content of the polyethylene is below a threshold value of 15% of the total weight of the combination.

2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein The polyethylene content is below a threshold of 15% of the total weight of the container (C).

3. The combination according to claim 1, wherein The polyethylene content is below a threshold of 15% of the total weight of the closure component (1).

4. The combination according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein: The interface layer (5) is produced in the form of a film and is applied to the portion (2) and / or the closing element (4).

5. The combination according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The interface layer (5) is produced by moulding the portion (2) and / or the closing element (4) starting from a multilayer material.

6. The combination according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein: Said portion (2) defines a neck (3) of said container (C), said neck comprising a side surface, and wherein said closure element (4) is made in the form of a cap comprising a side wall (6) and an upper wall (7) positioned transversely to said side wall (6), said side surface of said neck (3) of said container (C) defining said interacting surface portion with at least said side wall (6).

7. A combination according to claim 6, comprising an anchoring element (10) defining said interacting surface portion and made in the form of a thread (10a, 10b) formed respectively on the inside of said side wall (6) of said cap and on the outside surface of said neck (3).

8. A combination according to claim 6 or 7, wherein The cap comprises a connection area (8) in which the side wall (6) and the upper wall (7) are connected, the connection area comprising a first wall portion (8a) and a second wall portion (8b), the first wall portion protruding from the side wall (6) towards the interior of the cap, the second wall portion connecting the first wall portion (8a) to the upper wall (7), the second wall portion (8a) comprising a sealing surface (8c) adapted to engage in a sealing manner with an outer side surface of the neck (3) to define the interacting surface portion.

9. The combination according to one or more of claims 6 to 8, wherein The cap comprises an inner sealing lip (9) having an annular shape, which projects from the upper wall (7) to engage with the inside surface of the neck (3), thereby defining interacting surface portions.

10. The combination according to one or more of claims 6 to 9, wherein The cap further comprises a retaining ring (14) adapted to be connected to the neck (3) and a hinge structure (15) between the retaining ring (14) and at least the side wall (6) to allow the cap to rotate relative to the retaining ring (14).

11. The combination according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The closure element (4) is made in the form of a cover comprising a covering wall (17) positioned to close the opening (A) of the container (C) and an anchoring wall (18) adapted to engage with the upper opening (A) to define the interacting surface portion.

12. The combination according to claim 11, wherein An annular protrusion (18a) is provided on the inner surface of the anchoring wall (18), and the opening (A) comprises a thickened edge (19), the annular protrusion (18a) being adapted to engage with the thickened edge (19) to define the interacting surface portion.

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