Closure assembly comprising a cap and tether

Abstract

A closure assembly which comprises a cap and an article with a neck. The plastic moulded cap being secured to the neck of the article and comprising a cap body and an integrated tamper-evident ring member. The cap body comprises an annular gripping ring which is connected to the skirt of the cap body via a spoke structure. The tamper-evident ring member is connected to the skirt by breakable bridges. The cap is further provided with a tether which extends undulating between the tamper-evident ring member and the gripping ring.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a closure assembly and a container provided with the closure assembly.

[0002] Closure assemblies are known with a plastic cap which can be removed by a user through lifting and / or rotational movement from a neck, e.g. the neck of a plastic article or the neck of a spout that has been fitted on a collapsible pouch container.

[0003] In manufacturing a closure assembly, a tamper-evident structure is often integrally moulded as part of the plastic cap. Examples of such closure assemblies are shown in WO 2014 / 007612 and WO2012 / 044166.

[0004] It is also known to provide an integrally moulded tether, also called strap or string, between the tamper-evident structure and the cap body, such that the cap body cannot become separated from the article, e.g. reducing the chance that the cap ends up in de environment instead of being properly disposed. Examples are shown in WO 2020 / 221801 and US 11780651.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide an improved closure assembly, or at least aims to provide an alternative for known closure assemblies.

[0006] In particular, the invention aims to provide a closure assembly which clearly indicates to a user that the cap body is configured to remain attached to the article after removal of the cap body from the neck, as well as providing an improved user experience.

[0007] The present invention provides a closure assembly according to claim 1.

[0008] The inventive closure assembly allows a user to easily see and identify the tether. The tether is located between the tamper-evident ring member and the gripping ring, when viewed in a side view of the cap. So a user can see the entire tether and to which components both ends of the tether are attached. This provides a user with a direct understanding that the cap body will remain attached to the article by means of the tether.

[0009] The undulating section with elongated tether portions of the tether allows for a longer tether length compared to a tether that would extend directly, without such undulation, between the tamper-evident ring member and the annular gripping ring. This longer length allows a user-when the cap body is removed from the neck - to place the cap body further away from the neck of the article, allowing for easier drinking or pouring from the neck, e.g. the cap body does not interfere with the neck or the liquid coming out of the neck. Furthermore, by having the tether located inside of the contour of the annular gripping ring - in top view - the tether can be integrally moulded without the need of a larger mould and with easier handling during assembly of the closure assembly.

[0010] By having the tamper-evident ring member which is non-rotatably and fixedly connected to the neck with joint portions, e.g. snap-fit joint portions, the tamper-evident ring member will not rotate with respect to the neck when the cap body is removed. This ensures that the connection point between the tamper-evident ring member and the tether remains in the same place with respect to the neck of the article.

[0011] In an embodiment, the tether has exactly three or five or seven substantially vertically, e.g. vertically, oriented elongated tether portions, which are preferably parallel to each other and to the main axis of the neck. Preferably, the tether has exactly three elongated tether portions. Having more elongated tether portions increases the length of the tether, allowing a user to place the cap body further away from the neck of the article, however, increasing the number of elongated tether portions also increases the manufacturing complexity, e.g. the horizontal distance between the elongated tether portions becomes smaller.

[0012] In an alternative embodiment, the tether has exactly three, five or seven substantially horizontally, e.g. horizontally, oriented elongated tether portions which may be parallel to each other and each extend in a plane perpendicular to the main axis of the neck. Alternatively, the tether has three or five or seven elongated tether portions are oriented with an angle or inclination with respect to the main axis of the neck of the article.

[0013] In an embodiment, the tether extends in a vertical plane comprising the main axis of the neck. This allows for efficient moulding of the cap as well as for an attractive design.

[0014] In an embodiment, the spoke portions each extend radially and each in a vertical plane between the skirt of the cap body and the gripping ring, and the tether extends in a vertical plane of one of the spoke portions such that the tether - in top view - is vertically underneath one of the spoke portions. The tether being in the same vertical plane as one of the spoke portions allows for easier manufacturing of cap.

[0015] In an embodiment, the tether is moulded to the gripping ring or spoke portion at the point where the spoke portion and the gripping member are moulded to each other.

[0016] In an embodiment, the tether is configured to be bendable in each direction thereof, e.g. bendable over its length. Preferably, the tether has a small, e.g. circular, cross-section such that the tether acts like a string which can be bended to each desired position.

[0017] In an embodiment, the gripping ring comprises a lower edge, and an elongated tether portion extends straight downwards from the lower edge of the gripping ring or one of the spoke portions.

[0018] In an embodiment, the tether is integrally moulded to the lower end of one of the spoke portions, wherein the tether is configured to be moulded to the lower end of one of the spoke portions along the entire radial length of the spoke portions. Preferably, the tether is integrally moulded to one of the spoke portions at a location close to the annular gripping ring, e.g. such that length of the tether is as long as possible.

[0019] In an embodiment, the tether is integrally moulded to the lower end of the one of the spoke portions at a location in proximity of the skirt of the cap body. In this alternative embodiment, the tether comprises an even amount of substantially horizontally orientated elongated tether portions, e.g. first extending radially outwards from the tamper-evident ring member and then extending back inwards towards the skirt of the cap body.

[0020] In an embodiment, an elongated tether portion extends straight upwards from the tamper-evident ring member. Preferably, the connection point between the elongated tether portion and tamper-evident ring member is located substantially radially closer to the skirt of the cap body than to the gripping ring. Preferably, the connection point between the tamper-evident ring member and the tether is closer to the main axis than the connection point between the gripping ring and the tether, e.g. the tether not only extending vertically but also radially outwards from the tamper-evident ring member towards the gripping ring.

[0021] In an embodiment, an elongated tether portion extends substantially radially outwards from the tamper-evident ring member, e.g. wherein the elongated tether portions are substantially horizontally oriented or wherein after extending radially outwards the further elongated tether portions extend upwards towards the gripping ring.

[0022] In an embodiment, one or more of the spoke portions extend in part below the lower end of the gripping ring, e.g. the tether being moulded to one of the spoke portion which extends below the lower end of the gripping ring, e.g. the tether being moulded to the lower end of the spoke portion.

[0023] In an embodiment, the annular gripping ring extends to a level higher than the top wall of the neck. For example, the one or more spoke portions extend up to a level which is lower than the upper end of the annular gripping ring and higher than the top wall of the cap.

[0024] In an embodiment, the tether is at one or more locations between the ends thereof connected to a spoke portion and / or the skirt via one or more breakable bridges, which are configured to break when the cap body is removed from the neck by a user. The breakable bridge(s) ensure(s) that undue sagging of the tether is prevented. For example, one or more bending tether portions are connected to a spoke portion via a breakable bridge. For example, the tether has vertically oriented elongated tether portions wherein one or more upper bending tether portions are connected to one of the spoke portions via a breakable bridge.

[0025] In an embodiment, the tether is configured to be stretched into a straighter form, wherein the bending tether portions are permanently deformable by stretching the tether, e.g. wherein the bending tether portions are permanently deformed when the cap body is removed from the neck. This allows a user to place the cap body further away from the neck of the article.

[0026] In an embodiment, the tether has a cross-section which is adapted to withstand a pulling force of at least 12N at 20°C without breaking.

[0027] In an embodiment, the annular gripping is embodied as a circular gripping ring. For example, the lower end of the gripping ring has a smaller diameter than the upper end of the gripping ring. For example, the diameter of the gripping ring gradually increases from the lower end towards the upper end thereof.

[0028] In an embodiment, the annular gripping ring is embodied as a non-circular gripping ring, e.g. an oval gripping ring or a multi-sided, e.g. a rectangular gripping ring or a triangular gripping ring or an octagonal gripping ring or a hexagonal gripping ring.

[0029] In an embodiment, the spoke structure comprises or has four spokes which extend radially and each in a vertical plane, e.g. the angle between each adjacent spoke being 90 degrees when seen in top view. In an alternative embodiment, the spoke structure has two or three or five or six spoke portions.

[0030] In an embodiment, the vertical distance between the tamper-evident ring member and the gripping ring is between 5-15 millimetres, e.g. between 7-10 millimetres.

[0031] In an embodiment, the cap comprises a second tether which extends between the tamper-evident ring member and the annular gripping ring, e.g. wherein the second tether is arranged diametrically opposed to the location where the first tether extends. Preferably, the second tether is of the same design as the first tether.

[0032] In an embodiment, the top wall of the cap body is provided with an indentation and a middle protrusion to form a w-seal which seals onto the inside of the neck.

[0033] In an embodiment, the article is embodied as a spout, wherein the spout comprises a spout base and a neck. For example, the spout base is configured to be heat sealed to the container, e.g. to a pouch or a carton. The integrally moulded neck may protrude upward from the spout base. For example, the neck generally has a circular cross section as seen in top view, wherein the centre of the circular cross section coincides with the main axis of the neck.

[0034] In an embodiment, the neck of the article is provided with a horizontal flange structure which, e.g., has an upper and a lower horizontal flange. The upper and lower horizontal flanges both extend radially outward from the neck. Preferably, the horizontal flanges extend further radially from the main axis than the tamper-evident ring member when the cap is secured to the neck of the article. Preferably, the horizontal flanges - when seen in top view - are of a non-circular cross-sectional shape.

[0035] The lower horizontal flange may be located at a vertical level above the spout base, the upper horizontal flange being located at a vertical level above the lower horizontal flange. Two straight and parallel walls may extend between the lower and upper horizontal flange, wherein the two walls are tangent to the neck.

[0036] In an embodiment, the neck is provided with two opposed integrally moulded outwardly protruding retention members and the tamper-evident ring member is provided with two opposed retention windows. Each retention window is configured to retain a retention member therein, such that the tamper-evident ring member is axially and rotationally fixed with respect to the neck.

[0037] In an embodiment, the tether is connected to the tamper-evident ring member at a location in a plane between the retention windows.

[0038] In an embodiment, when the cap is secured to the neck of the article, the retention members of the neck are retained in the retention windows of the tamper-evident ring member, blocking axial and rotational movement of the cap with respect to the neck. Preferably, a lower edge of the tamper-evident ring member is adjacent to or lies on the upper flange of the horizontal flange structure.

[0039] In an embodiment, the cap comprises: two cam ramps each having a first ramp profile which is angled with respect to the main axis, which cams are arranged at the upper end of the tamper-evident ring member, e.g. wherein the camp ramps are integrally moulded with the tamper-evident ring member, two cam recesses each having a second ramp profile which is angled with respect to the main axis to interact with the first ramp profile, and wherein each cam recess is positioned opposite a respective cam ramp at the lower edge of the skirt, wherein - upon first time opening of the closure assembly by rotation of the cap relative to the article about the main axis - the first and second ramp profiles interact in order to cause axial displacement of the cap body with respect to the tamper-evident ring member.

[0040] In an embodiment, each cam ramp is connected to the skirt via a breakable bridge.

[0041] In an embodiment, each cam ramp and cam recess have a vertical blocking surface, wherein a breakable bridge connects the vertical blocking surfaces of the respective cam ramp and the cam recess to each other.

[0042] The invention further relates to a container, e.g. comprising a collapsible pouch, for containing a liquid, e.g. a beverage, wherein the container comprises the closure assemble as described herein.

[0043] The invention will now be discussed with reference to the drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows a front view of the closure assembly, Fig. 2 shows a vertical cross-section of the closure assembly, Fig. 3 shows a close-up view of the tether, Fig. 4 show a perspective view of the closure assembly, Figs. 5a-d show different views of the closure assembly, Figs. 6a-l show different embodiments of the closure assembly.

[0044] Figure 1 shows the closure assembly 1 which comprises an article 10 and a cap 50.

[0045] The article 10 is moulded of a plastic material and is here embodied as a spout, which comprises a spout base 15 and has a neck 11 around a product passage 12 in the article, shown in Figure 2. The neck 11 is integrally moulded to the spout base 15 and protrudes upwards.

[0046] The neck has a main axis 13 and forms a mouth at the top end of the product passage 12.

[0047] The neck 11 further has a circular cross section, wherein the centre of the circular cross section coincides with the main axis 13 of the neck 11.

[0048] The cap 50 is provided with the integrated tamper-evident ring member 60 and is moulded of a plastic material. The cap 50 is secured on the neck 11 of the article 10 by means of a securing motion which, in this example, comprises both an axial and rotational component along and about the main axis 13.

[0049] The cap 50 comprises a cap body 51 which has a top wall structure 52 and a downward depending skirt 53. The skirt has a lower edge 53a remote from the top wall structure 52. The cap body 51 seals the product passage 12 in a closed position of the cap on said neck 11.

[0050] The top wall structure 52 comprises an indentation 52a and a central protrusion 52b to form a W-seal, which seals onto the inside of the neck.

[0051] The cap 50 is a snap-cap and adapted to be manually removed from the neck 11 of the article 10 by a user to open the product passage 12.

[0052] The tamper-evident ring member 60 is integrally formed to the lower edge of the skirt 53a of the cap and connected to the lower edge via breakable bridges 61a,b.

[0053] The tamper-evident ring member 60 and the neck 11 have cooperating permanent snap-fit joint portions 14, 62, configured to non-rotatably fix the tamper-evident ring member 60 to the article 10. Here the neck is provided with two opposed outwardly protruding retention members. These members are integrally moulded to the neck. The tamper-evident ring member is provided with two opposed retention windows. Each retention window is configured to retain therein a respective one of the retention members, such that the tamper-evident ring is axially and rotationally fixed with respect to the neck. So, once a retention member is snapped into a window, the tamper-evident ring member cannot be rotated in any direction and cannot be moved up and down. Other arrangements are also envisaged.

[0054] The cap body further comprises an annular gripping ring 70 which extends about the cap body skirt 53. The annular gripping ring has an outer contour 70d and a lower end 70a.

[0055] The gripping ring 70 is integral with the skirt 53 via a spoke structure including spoke portions 71, each spoke portion having a lower end 71a. In this example, four spoke portions are present.

[0056] The lower end of the gripping ring 70a is located at a level above the tamper-evident ring member 60.

[0057] As shown in Figure 2, the cap 50 is embodied as a snap cap, wherein an interior side of the skirt 53 and the exterior side of the neck 11 are provided with cooperating snap-fit portions 56a,b that allow to snap-fit the cap body 51 on the neck 11. Here the neck is provided with protrusions 56a, while the neck is locally decreased in diameter 56b, wherein when the cap body 51 is placed back on the neck 11 after the first-time removal of the cap body, the snap-fit portions 56a,b removable secure the cap body to the neck.

[0058] The zone 56b of locally decreased diameter is located below the lower edge of the gripping ring.

[0059] The cap further has a tether 100 which is at a first end 100a thereof integrally moulded to the tamper-evident ring member 60 and at a second end 100b thereof integrally moulded to the lower end of the gripping ring 70a or to the lower end of one of the spoke portions 71a.

[0060] As shown in Figures 1 - 5a,d the tether is integrally moulded to the lower end of one of the spoke portions 71a.

[0061] Prior to a user removing the cap body 51 from the neck 11 of the article, the tether 100 comprises an undulating tether section having elongated tether portions 101. Successive elongated tether portions 101 are connected to each other by a bending tether portion 102.

[0062] The tether 100 is located in its entirety between a lower plane and an upper plane which planes are perpendicular to the main axis 13 and extend through the first end 100a and the second end 100b of the tether respectively. In top view, the tether 100 is located inside of the outer contour 70d of the annular gripping ring 70.

[0063] As shown in Figures 1 - 5a,d, the tether 100 has exactly three vertically oriented elongated tether portions 101 which are parallel to each other and to the main axis of the neck. The three elongated tether portions 101 are connected to each other by two bending tether portions 101, an upper bending tether portion and a lower bending tether portion. As can be seen, each bending tether portion is located between a lower plane and an upper plane which are perpendicular to the main axis 13 and extend through the first end 100a and the second end 100b of the tether respectively, such that the entire tether 100 can be seen by a user in a side view.

[0064] The tether 100 extends in a vertical plane comprising the main axis 13 of the neck, as can be seen in Figure 5a.

[0065] The spoke portions 71 each extend radially and in a vertical plane between the skirt 53 of the cap body and the gripping ring 70.

[0066] The tether 100 extends in a vertical plane of one of the spoke portions 71 such that the tether - in top view - is vertically underneath one of the spoke portions. The tether - in top view - is located underneath one of the spoke portions as well as entirely inside of the contour of the gripping ring, as can be seen in Figure 5d.

[0067] The tether 100 is configured to be bendable in each direction thereof, e.g. bendable over its length. Preferably, the tether having a small, e.g. circular, cross-section such that the tether acts like a string which can be bended to each desired position.

[0068] The gripping ring comprises a lower edge, and wherein an elongated tether portion extends straight downwards from the lower end of one of the spoke portions 71a.

[0069] The tether 100 is integrally moulded to the lower end of one of the spoke portions 71a. The tether is configured to be moulded to the lower end of one of the spoke portions along the entire radial length of the spoke portions. The tether is integrally moulded to one of the spoke portions at a location close to the annular gripping ring 70, e.g. such that length of the tether is as long as possible.

[0070] The first end of the elongated tether 100a extends substantially straight upwards from the tamper-evident ring member 60. The first end of the tether 100a is located substantially radially closer to the skirt 53 of the cap body than to the gripping ring 70. For example, the first end of the elongated tether 100a is located closer to the main axis than the second end of the elongated tether 100b, e.g. the tether 100 not only extends vertically but also radially outwards from the tamper-evident ring member towards the gripping ring.

[0071] The tether 100 is configured to be stretched into a straighter form, e.g. wherein the bending tether portions are permanently deformed when the cap body is removed from the neck. This allows a user to place the cap body further away from the neck of the article.

[0072] The tether has a cross-section which is adapted to withstand a pulling force of at least 90N at 20°C without breaking.

[0073] The annular gripping 70 is a circular gripping ring. Here the lower end of the gripping ring 70a has a substantially smaller diameter than the upper end of the gripping ring 70b, and the diameter of the gripping ring gradually increases from the lower end towards the upper end thereof.

[0074] In an embodiment not shown, the annular gripping ring is embodied as a non-circular gripping ring, e.g. an oval gripping ring or a rectangular gripping ring or a triangular gripping ring or another multi-sided gripping ring, e.g. octagonal or hexagonal.

[0075] The annular gripping ring 70 extends up to above the top wall of the neck 52. The one or more spoke portions 71 extend up to a level lower than the upper end of the annular gripping ring 70b and above the top wall of the neck 52.

[0076] The spoke structure here has four spoke portions 71 which extend radially and each in a vertical plane, wherein the angle between adjacent spokes is 90 degrees.

[0077] The vertical distance between the tamper-evident ring member 60 and the gripping ring 70 may, in embodiments, be between 5-15 millimetres, e.g. between 7-10 millimetres.

[0078] The neck of the article 11 is provided with a horizontal flange structure which here has an upper horizontal flange 16b and a lower horizontal flange 16a. The upper and lower horizontal flanges 16a,b both extend radially outward from the neck 11. The horizontal flanges 16a,b extend further radially from the main axis 13 than the tamper-evident ring member 60 when the cap 50 is secured to the neck of the article 11. In top view the horizontal flanges are of a non-circular cross-sectional shape.

[0079] The lower horizontal flange 16a is located at a vertical level above the spout base 15, and the upper horizontal flange 16b is located at a vertical level above the lower horizontal flange 16a. Two straight and parallel walls extend between the lower and upper horizontal flange, wherein the two walls are tangent to the neck.

[0080] The neck 11 is provided with two opposed outwardly protruding retention members 14 which are internally moulded and wherein the tamper-evident ring member 60 is provided with two opposed retention windows 62. Each retention window 62 is configured to retain a respective retention member 14 therein such that the tamper-evident ring member 60 is axially and rotationally fixed with respect to the neck 11.

[0081] The tether 100 is connected to the tamper-evident ring member 60 in a plane between the retention windows 62.

[0082] When the cap is secured to the neck of the article 11, the retention members 14 of the neck are retained in the retention windows 62 of the tamper-evident ring member 60, blocking axial and rotational movement of the cap 50 with respect to the neck 11.

[0083] A lower edge of the tamper-evident ring member 60 lies on the upper flange 16b of the horizontal flange structure.

[0084] The cap 50 further comprises: two cam ramps 54 integrally moulded with the tamper-evident ring member 60 and each having a first ramp profile which is angled with respect to the main axis 13, which cam ramps 54 are arranged at the upper end of the tamper-evident ring member 60b, two cam recesses 55 wherein each cam recess 54 is positioned opposite a respective cam ramp 54 at the lower edge of the skirt 53a each having a second ramp profile which is angled with respect to the main axis 13 to interact with the first ramp profile.

[0085] Upon first time opening of the closure assembly by rotation of the cap body 51 relative to the article 10 about the main axis 13, the first and second ramp profiles interact in order to cause axial displacement of the cap body 51 with respect to the tamper-evident ring member 60.

[0086] The cam ramps 54 have a considerable height at their highest point which may, in embodiments, be between 1.5 and 2.5 millimetres. The ramp height creates a significant axial displacement of the cap body, e.g. an axial displacement at least sufficient to push the snap-fit portion of the cap 56b past the snap-fit portion of the spout 56a, releasing the cap for easy removal by the user.

[0087] Each cam ramp 54 is connected to the skirt via a breakable bridge 61b. Here the breakable bridges 61b connects the respective cam ramps and cam recesses.

[0088] Each cam ramp 54 and cam recess 55 has a vertical torque load surface. One breakable bridge connects the vertical torque load surfaces of the respective cam ramp and the cam recess to each other.

[0089] Figures 6a - 6l show alternative embodiments of the tether.

[0090] Figures 6a shows a tether 100 which has five parallel and vertically oriented elongated tether portions 101 and four corresponding bending tether portions 102.

[0091] Figure 6b shows a tether 100 which has seven parallel and vertically oriented elongated tether portions 101 and six corresponding bending tether portions. Increasing the number of elongated tether portions increases the length of the tether 100, allowing a user to place the cap body 51 further away from the neck 11 of the article, however, increasing the number of elongated tether portions 101 also increase the manufacturing complexity, e.g. the horizontal distance between the elongated tether portions becomes smaller. In both these embodiments the second end of the tether 100b is connected to the lower edge of the gripping ring 70c.

[0092] Figure 6c shows a tether 100 with three parallel vertically oriented elongated tether portions 101 and two corresponding bending tether portions 102, wherein the first end of the elongated tether 100a extends horizontally from the tamper-evident ring member after which the elongated tether portion bend upwards and extends vertically towards the gripping ring 70.

[0093] Figures 6d - e show a tether which comprises horizontally oriented elongated tether portions 101 which are parallel to each other and each extend in a plane perpendicular to the main axis 13 of the neck 11. The first end of the elongated tether 100a extends horizontally from the tamper-evident ring member instead of vertically, while the second end of the elongated tether 100b extends straight down vertically from the lower end of a spoke portion 71a. Figure 6d shows a tether with three horizontal elongated tether portions 101 connected by two corresponding bending tether portions 102, where the bending tether portions are located vertically in a zone between the tamper-evident ring member 60 and the lower end of the gripping ring 70.

[0094] Figure 6e shows a tether 100 with six horizontal elongated tether portions 101, here the second end of the tether 100b is located at a location close to the skirt 53.

[0095] Figure 6f shows a tether 100 comprising three elongated tether portions 101 which are oriented with an angle with respect to the main axis 13 to the main axis of the neck 11 of the article.

[0096] Figure 6g shows a cap body wherein one of the spoke portions 71 extends in part below the lower end of the gripping ring 70a and wherein the second end of the tether 100b is moulded to said the spoke portion which extends below the lower end of the gripping ring.

[0097] Figure 6h shows a tether with vertically oriented elongated tether portions, wherein the upper bending tether portion is connected to one of the spoke portions via a breakable bridge 103, which is configured to break when the cap body 51 is removed from the neck by a user. In figs. 6j-6l alternative locations of the breakable bridge 103 are shown. The breakable bridges ensure that undue sagging of the tether is prevented.

[0098] Figure 6i shows a cap with two tether 100 which both extend from the tamper-evident ring member and to the annular gripping ring, the second tether extends from the tamper-evident ring member from a location that is diametrically opposed to the location from which the first tether extends.

Claims

1. A closure assembly (1) comprising: - an article (10) which is made of plastic material and forms a neck (11) around a product passage (12) in the article, the neck (11) having a main axis (13) and forming a mouth at a top end of the product passage, - a cap (50) which is secured on or is adapted to be secured on the neck of the article, wherein the cap is moulded of plastic material and comprises a cap body (51) and an integrated tamper-evident ring member (60), the cap body (51) being adapted to be manually removed from the neck of the article by a user to open the product passage, wherein the cap body comprises a top wall structure (52) and a downwardly depending skirt (53), said skirt having a lower edge remote from the top wall structure, wherein the cap body further comprises an annular gripping ring (70) which extends about the skirt, the annular gripping ring having an outer contour and a lower end, wherein the gripping ring is integral with the skirt via a spoke structure including one or more spoke portions (71), each spoke portion having a lower end, wherein the tamper-evident ring member is connected to the skirt via one or more breakable bridges (61a,b), wherein the tamper-evident ring member and the neck have cooperating permanent joint portions (14,62) configured to non-rotatably fix the tamper-evident ring member to the article, wherein the lower end of the gripping ring (70) is located at a level above the tamper-evident ring member (60), - a tether (100) which is at a first end thereof integrally moulded to the tamper-evident ring member (60) and at a second end thereof integrally moulded to the lower end of the gripping ring (70) or to the lower end of one of the spoke portions (71), wherein - prior to a user removing the cap body (51) from the neck of the article - the tether comprises an undulating tether section having elongated tether portions (101), wherein successive elongated tether portions are connected to each other by a bending tether portion (102), wherein the tether (100) is located in its entirety between a lower plane and an upper plane which planes are perpendicular to the main axis (13) and extend through the first end and the second end of the tether (100) respectively, and wherein - in a top view - the tether (100) is located inside of the outer contour of the annular gripping ring (70).

2. Closure assembly according to claim 1, wherein the tether comprises three or five or seven substantially vertically oriented elongated tether portions (101), which are preferably parallel to each other and to the main axis (13) of the neck.

3. Closure assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tether (100) extends in a vertical plane comprising the main axis of the neck (11).

4. Closure assembly according to any one or more of claims 1 - 3, wherein the spoke portions (71) each extend radially and in a vertical plane between the skirt (52) of the cap body and the gripping ring (70), and wherein the tether (100) extends in a vertical plane of one of the spoke portions (71), e.g. the tether (100) - in top view - is arranged vertically underneath one of the spoke portions.

5. Closure assembly according to any one or more of claims 1 - 4, wherein the tether (100) is configured to be bendable in each direction thereof, e.g. bendable over its length.

6. Closure assembly according to any one or more of claims 1 - 5, wherein the gripping ring (70) comprises a lower edge, and wherein an elongated tether portion (101) extends straight downwards from the lower edge of the gripping ring.

7. Closure assembly according to any one or more of claims 1 - 5, wherein the tether (100) is integrally moulded to the lower end of one of the spoke portions, wherein the tether is configured to be moulded to the lower end of one of the spoke portions along the entire length of the spoke portion.

8. Closure assembly according to any one or more of claims 1 - 7, wherein an elongated tether portion (101) extends upwards from the tamper-evident ring member (60).

9. Closure assembly according to any one or more of claims 1 - 8, wherein one or more of the spoke portions (71) extend in part below the lower end of the gripping ring.

10. Closure assembly according to any one or more of claims 1 - 9, wherein one or more bending tether portions (102) of the tether are connected to a spoke portion via a breakable bridge, e.g. an upper bending tether portion is connected to a spoke portion via a breakable bridge.

11. Closure assembly according to any one or more of claims 1 - 10, wherein the tether (100) is configured to be stretched into a straighter form when the cap body is removed from the neck (11), e.g. wherein the bending tether portions (102) are permanently deformable by stretching the tether.

12. Closure assembly according to any one or more of claims 1 - 11, wherein the tether (100) has a cross-section which is adapted to withstand a pulling force of at least 12 N at 20 °C without breaking.

13. Closure assembly according to any one or more of claims 1 - 12, wherein the annular gripping ring (70) is embodied as a circular gripping ring, preferably wherein the lower end of the gripping ring has a smaller diameter than the upper end of the gripping ring.

14. A container, e.g. comprising a collapsible pouch, for containing a liquid, e.g. a beverage, wherein the container comprises the closure assembly (1) according to any one or more of claims 1-13.

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