Closure assembly with a one-piece inner closure and a one-piece outer sheath

Abstract

A closure assembly (10) comprises a one-piece inner closure (100) comprising a cap (110), an attachment ring (120), and inner tamper-evident means (150), which link the cap (110) and the attachment ri

Description

closure assembly with a one-piece inner closure and a one-piece outer sheathTechnical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of closure assemblies for containers and, more specifically, to a closure assembly having an inner closure and an outer sheath, and which is equipped with tamper-evident means, which must be broken to give access to an opening of the container.Prior art

[0002] EP2822869 discloses a closure assembly for closing a container neck, comprising an inner closure and an outer sheath, which covers at least a part of the inner closure. The outer sheath comprises an upper part, a lower part operational to be permanently attached the container neck, and outer tamper-evident means, which have to be broken to move the upper part relative to the lower part to an open position to give first access to at least an upper part of the inner closure. By pulling the outer tamper-evident means, a connecting portion between the upper part and the lower part of the outer sheath is torn off and the upper part is separated from the lower part and constitutes uncontrolled waste. The inner closure comprises a cap, a ring portion configured to be permanently attached to the container neck, and a permanent hinge linking the ring portion to the cap. The inner closure also comprises inner tamper-evident means in the form of a tear-off tab connected to an upper edge of the ring portion by a first set of frangible bridges distributed along a first parting line, and connected to a lower edge of the cap by a second set of frangible bridges distributed along a second parting line spaced apart from the first parting line. To open the inner closure, the tear off tab is pulled and separated from the ring portion and from the cap, while the cap remains connected to the ring portion via the hinge. The separated tab becomes uncontrolled waste.

[0003] US2016167840 discloses a closure assembly for closing a container neck, comprising a one-piece inner closure covered with a one-piece outer sheath. The inner closure is provided with a threaded cap, an attachment ring operational to be permanently attached to the container neck, and a tearable tamper-evident band connected to the cap by a first line of weakness and to the attachment ring by a second line of weakness. The one-piece outer sheath is provided with lines of weakness and with a tab that can be grasped and pulled to tear the sheath along the lines of weakness and remove it from the closure. The closure assembly is therefore provided with two successive tamper-evident means, both of which are separated from the attachment ring and become uncontrolled waste after opening.

[0004] A hinged dispensing closure covered with a tamper-evident sheath is known from US 6,655,553. The closure comprises a closure body to be fixed on a container neck and a closure lid hinged to the closure body. The tamper-evident sheath surrounds and engages the closure with sufficient force to hold the sheath, the closure body, and the lid together. The tamper-evident sheath is provided with lines of weakness and with a tab that can be grasped and pulled to tear the sleeve along the lines of weakness and remove the sleeve from the closure. This closure assembly has only one tamper-evident means, namely the sheath, and does not remain in one piece attached to the container neck after opening, generating uncontrolled waste.Disclosure of the invention

[0005] The invention aims to provide a closure assembly having an inner closure and an outer sheath, and which is equipped with two successive tamper-evident means, which must be broken to give access to an opening of the container, but do not result in excessive uncontrolled waste after opening.

[0006] To this end, there is provided, according to a first aspect of the invention, a closure assembly for closing a container neck, comprising a one-piece inner closure and a one-piece outer sheath. The one-piece inner closure comprising a cap, an attachment ring operational to be permanently attached to the container neck, and inner tamper-evident means, which link the cap and the attachment ring, the inner tamper-evident means being breakable to move the cap relative to the attachment ring from a closed position of the inner closure to an open position of the inner closure to give access to an opening of the container neck. The one-piece outer sheath comprising an upper part which covers a covered part of the inner closure, a lower part operational to be permanently attached to the container neck or to the attachment ring of the inner closure, and outer tamper-evident means that link the upper part and the lower part, the outer tamper-evident means being breakable to move the upper part relative to the lower part to an open position of the outer sheath to give access to at least the covered part of the inner closure. The inner closure is such that after breaking the inner tamper-evident means and moving the cap of the inner closure to the open position of the inner closure, the inner closure remains in one piece and the attachment ring remains operational to be permanently attached to the container neck. As an alternative or in addition, the outer sheath is such that after breaking the outer tamper-evident means and moving the upper part to the open position of the outer sheath, the outer sheath remains in one piece and the lower part remains operational to be permanently attached to the container neck.

[0007] The tamper-evident means preserve the integrity of the container and indicate that the interior of the container has not been accessed. Specifically, the inner tamper-evident means ensure that the container has not been accessed, and the outer tamper-evident means provide an additional indication that the inner closure has not been tampered with. Additionally, by being permanently attached to the container neck, the closure assembly does not generate excessive waste after opening. Obviously, an even better control of potential waste is achieved if both the inner closure and the outer sheath remain in one piece after opening.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the one-piece inner closure comprises at least one inner permanent connection portion between the cap and the attachment ring, which is deformable to guide the cap relative to the attachment ring from the closed position of the inner closure to the open position of the inner closure. Preferably, to ensure the integrity of the inner closure, and to allow a controlled opening of the cap, the one-piece inner closure comprises two deformable inner permanent connection portions between the cap and the attachment ring.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the inner permanent connection portion is a flexible strip that is integral with the inner closure before the first opening of the inner closure.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the inner tamper-evident means comprise at least one frangible inner parting line, which links a lower edge of the cap and an upper edge of the attachment ring, and extends along a circumference of the lower edge of the cap and of the upper edge of the attachment ring from a side of the inner permanent connection portion to an opposite side of the inner permanent connection portion. In particular, the frangible inner parting line may comprise one or more of the following: a web of reduced thickness between the lower edge of the cap and the upper edge of the attachment ring; and / or a gap or slit with intermittently arranged bridging webs between the lower edge of the cap and the upper edge of the attachment ring; and / or a plurality of perforations.

[0011] Because the frangible inner parting line is directly linked to the lower edge of the cap and upper edge of the attachment ring, it does not generate waste separated from the attachment ring and from the cap after opening.

[0012] According to one embodiment, an inner thread is formed on the cap. Preferably, the inner thread is located on an inner sidewall of the cap. The inner thread is designed to cooperate with an outer thread formed on the container neck. In a preferred embodiment, the inner tamper-evident means break when the inner closure is opened for the first time by unscrewing the cap. The inner permanent connection portion can be designed in different ways. In particular, it may comprise one of the following:a single arcuate strip permanently attached by an upper end to the cap and by a lower end to the attachment ring, and extending from the upper end to the lower end in an angular direction identical to a direction in which the cap is unscrewed; ortwo arcuate strips each permanently attached by an upper end to the cap and by a lower end to the attachment ring, and each extending from the upper end to the lower end in an angular direction identical to a direction in which the cap is unscrewed; ortwo arcuate strips symmetrical to each other on either side of a plane of symmetry containing a thread axis of the inner thread, each permanently attached by an upper end to the cap and by a lower end to the attachment ring.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the covered part of the inner closure includes the cap. In one embodiment, the closure assembly arrangement is such that in the closed position of the outer sheath, the outer sheath covers the entire inner closure.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the covered part of the inner closure includes at least part of the attachment ring . Preferably, the covered part includes the attachment ring and the cap of the inner closure. This arrangement restricts the access to the cap of the inner closure while the outer sheath is in a closed position. Thus, the outer sheath must be in an open position for a user to access the inner closure.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the lower part of the outer sheath protrudes axially from the attachment ring and is operational to be permanently attached to the container neck.

[0016] According to one embodiment, to avoid the separation of the inner closure from the container, a lower edge of the attachment ring axially opposite the cap is permanently covered by the lower part of the outer sheath .

[0017] The one-piece inner closure is preferably made of plastics, e.g. PEHD or PET.

[0018] The one-piece outer sheath can be made of plastics or of a thin semi-rigid multilayered material, which may include plastics and / or metal.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the outer tamper-evident means comprise at least one frangible outer parting line that links the upper part and the lower part, the outer parting line being breakable to move the upper part relative to the lower part to the open position of the outer sheath . According to another embodiment, the outer tamper-evident means comprise a plurality of breakable thin bridges that link the upper part and the lower part.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the outer sheath comprises at least one outer permanent connection portion between the upper part and the lower part, which is deformable to guide the upper part relative to the lower part from the closed position of the outer sheath to the open position of the outer sheath, whereby after breaking the outer parting line and moving the upper part to the open position of the outer sheath, the outer sheath remains in one piece.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the upper part of the outer sheath comprises an upper sleeve, the lower part of the outer sheath comprises a lower sleeve, and the outer parting line extends around a circumference of a lower edge of the upper sleeve and of an upper edge of the lower sleeve from a side of the outer permanent connection portion to an opposite side of the outer permanent connection portion.

[0022] Advantageously, to facilitate a complete opening of the cap of the inner closure, the attachment ring of the inner closure is axially closer to the container opening than the upper edge of the lower sleeve.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the upper part of the outer sheath comprises a pull tab, an additional outer permanent connection portion formed between the pull tab and the upper sleeve, and at least one additional frangible outer parting line between the pull tab and the upper sleeve. The pull tab may comprise a protruding portion to allow a user to handle the pull tab. By pulling the pull tab, the user breaks the outer tamper-evident means. Moreover, the upper part of the outer sheath may comprise a notch that forms a space between the upper part of the outer sheath and the pull tab to allow the pull tab to be grasped.

[0024] According to one embodiment, at least part of the additional frangible outer parting line is formed between the pull tab and an upper annular edge of the upper sleeve . Preferably, the outer sheath comprises two additional frangible outer parting lines, each parting line extending from one end of the pull tab to one end of the additional outer permanent connection portion.

[0025] Optionally, the additional frangible outer parting line intersects the frangible outer parting line . Both can be torn in a continuous tearing movement.

[0026] In particular, the frangible outer parting line(s) and, as the case may be, the additional parting line(s) may comprise one or more of the following: a web of reduced thickness; and / or a gap or a slit with intermittently arranged bridging webs; and / or a plurality of perforations.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the pull tab comprises a flat portion which extends in a radial plane perpendicular to a main axis of the outer sheath . The flat portion serves as a bottom of the outer sheath in the closed position.

[0028] There is provided, according to a second aspect of the invention, a closure assembly for closing a container neck, comprising a one-piece inner closure and a one-piece outer sheath. The one-piece inner closure comprises a cap, an attachment ring operational to be permanently attached to the container neck, and at least one inner permanent connection portion between the cap and the attachment ring, which is deformable to guide the cap relative to the attachment ring from a closed position of the inner closure to an open position of the inner closure to give access to an opening of the container neck. The one-piece outer sheath comprises an upper part which covers a covered part of the inner closure, a lower part operational to be permanently attached to the container neck, and at least one frangible outer parting line that links the upper part and the lower part, the outer parting line being breakable to move the upper part relative to the lower part to an open position of the outer sheath to give access to at least the covered part of the inner closure. The inner closure may comprise at least one frangible inner parting line, which links a lower edge of the cap and an upper edge of the attachment ring, and extends along a circumference of the lower edge of the cap and of the upper edge of the attachment ring from a side of the inner permanent connection portion to an opposite side of the inner permanent connection portion, whereby after breaking the frangible inner parting line and moving the cap of the inner closure to the open position of the inner closure, the inner closure remains in one piece and the attachment ring remains operational to be permanently attached to the container neck. In addition or as an alternative, the outer sheath may at least one outer permanent connection portion between the upper part and the lower part, which is deformable to guide the upper part relative to the lower part from the closed position of the outer sheath to the open position of the outer sheath, whereby after breaking the outer parting line and moving the upper part to the open position of the outer sheath, the outer sheath remains in one piece and the lower part remains operational to be permanently attached to the container neck.Brief description of the figures

[0029] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description, with reference to the appended figures, which show:: a schematic sectional view of a closure assembly in a closed position, according to an embodiment of the invention.: a schematic front view of a first embodiment of an inner closure of the closure assembly of, in a closed position.: a schematic side view of the inner closure of.: a schematic rear view of the inner closure of.: a schematic front sectional view of the inner closure of.: a schematic front view of a second embodiment of an inner closure of the closure assembly of, in a closed position.: a schematic front view of a embodiment of an outer sheath of the closure assembly of, in a closed position, which can be combined with any of the embodiments of the inner closure illustrated in figures 2 to 6.: a schematic side view of the outer sheath of.: a schematic isometric view of the outer sheath of.: a sectional view of the outer sheath of.: a schematic isometric view of a closure assembly according to one embodiment of the invention, comprising the outer sheath of figures 7 to 10 in the open position and the inner closure of figures 1 to 5 in the open position.: a schematic isometric view of a closure assembly according to another embodiment of the invention, comprising the outer sheath of figures 7 to 10 in the open position and the inner closure of figures 6 in the open position.: a schematic isometric view of the closure assembly comprising the outer sheath in the open position and the inner closure in the open position, according to a sixth embodiment of the invention.

[0030] For greater clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical reference signs in all the Figures.Detailed description

[0031] shows a schematic sectional view of a closure assembly10for closing a container, according to an embodiment of the invention. The closure assembly10comprises a one-piece inner closure100and a one-piece outer sheath200mounted on a container neck20.

[0032] The container neck20has a substantially hollow cylindrical shape, with an inner lateral face20’ and an outer lateral face20’’, on which an outer thread22is formed. The container neck20is centred on a central axis which is aligned with a reference axisXof the closure assembly10. The container neck20protrudes axially from a container body up to a circular upper edge21, which surrounds a container opening19.

[0033] In the closed position of the closure assembly10, the inner closure100has the shape of a hollow cylinder comprising a cap110and an attachment ring120permanently linked together by an inner permanent connection portion140,and frangibly connected to one another by inner tamper evident means150.

[0034] The cap110,visible in Figures 2 to 5 in the closed position, comprises a cylindrical body with an annular outer wall130which extends axially between an upper edge110’ and a lower edge110’’. The outer wall130can be fluted. The cap110comprises a bottom111, which can be flat. In one embodiment of the invention, an inner annular sealing skirt112protrudes axially from the bottom111. In the closed position of the inner closure100, the bottom111covers the container opening21and a lip112’ formed at the free end of the sealing skirt112pressed? against the inner lateral face20’ of the container neck20to seal the container opening21.

[0035] The inner side of the outer wall130is provided with an inner thread113which, in the closed position of the inner closure 100, engages the outer thread22of the outer lateral face20’’ of the container neck20. The inner thread113defines an angular directionωin which the cap110is unscrewed. When screwing the cap110, the sealing skirt112may serve as a guiding skirt to ensure the proper closing of the cap110on the container neck20.

[0036] The attachment ring120of the inner closure100is mounted around a lower part of the container neck20and comprises a main body extending axially between an upper part120’ and a lower part120’’. The attachment ring120is operational to be permanently attached to the container neck20. In that respect, the attachment ring120comprises an inner abutment portion121which protrudes radially toward the central axisXand is stopped by an outer abutment portion20b, e.g. an annular bead or a set of radial protrusions, of the container neck20. Once the inner closure100is mounted on the container neck 20, the inner abutment portion121is irreversibly hooked under the outer abutment portion20b. Thus, even if the attachment ring120is axially pulled upwards, its translation is stopped by the outer abutment portion20b.

[0037] The cap110and the attachment ring120are permanently connected to each other via the inner permanent connection portion140. In the embodiment of Figures 2 to 5 and 12, the inner permanent connection portion140comprises a first and a second arcuate strip141,142symmetrical to each other on either side of a plane of symmetry comprising the central axisX, each arcuate strip141,142being permanently attached respectively by an upper end141’,142’ to the cap110and by a lower end141’’,142’’ to the attachment ring120.

[0038] In a second embodiment of the inner closure illustrated inand 12, the inner permanent connection portion140comprises a first and a second arcuate strip143,144each permanently attached respectively by an upper end143’,144’ to the cap110and by a lower end143’’,144’’ to the attachment ring120and each extending from the upper end143’,144’ to the lower end143’’,144’’ in the angular directionωin which the cap110is unscrewed.

[0039] In a third embodiment of the inner closure illustrated in, the inner permanent connection portion 140 comprises a single arcuate strip 143 permanently attached by an upper end 143’ to the cap 110 and by a lower end 143’’ to the attachment ring 120, and extending from the upper end 143’ to the lower end 143’’ in the angular direction ω in which the cap 110 is unscrewed.

[0040] It is understood that other embodiments may be used to achieve an inner permanent connection portion140which permanently connects the cap110to the attachment ring120. Some of these embodiments are described further down below in the description.

[0041] In the closed position of the inner closure100, before the first opening of said inner closure100, the cap110is linked to the attachment ring120by the inner tamper-evident means150. Broken inner tamper-evident means150indicate that the inner closure100has been opened.

[0042] The inner tamper-evident means150comprise one or a plurality of frangible inner parting lines which link a lower edge110’’ of the cap110and an upper edge120’ of the attachment ring120and extend along a circumference of the lower edge110’’ of the cap110and of the upper edge120’ of the attachment ring120, from a side of the inner permanent connection portion140to an opposite side of said inner permanent connection portion140. More specifically,

[0043] In the first embodiment of Figures 2 to 5 and 11, the inner closure100comprises a first parting line151extending from the lower end141’’ of the first arcuate strip141to the lower end142’’ of the second arcuate strip142; the first parting line151delimiting radially between the first and the second arcuate strips141,142a tab153linked to the lower edge110’’ of the cap110and symmetrical to the plane of symmetry comprising the central axisX;

[0044] In the second embodiment ofand 12, the inner closure100comprises a first parting line151extending from the lower end143’’ of the first arcuate strip143to the upper end144’ of the second arcuate strip144, and a second parting line152extending from the upper end143’ of the first arcuate strip143to the lower end144’’ of the second arcuate strip144; the second parting line152delimiting radially between the first and the second arcuate strips143,144a first tab153protruding from the lower edge110’’ of the cap110and a second tab155protruding from the upper edge120’ of the attachment ring120.

[0045] In the third embodiment of, the inner closure100comprises a spiral-shaped parting line extending from the lower end143’’ to the upper end143’of the single arcuate strip143over an angle of more than 360°.

[0046] The frangible inner parting line(s) may comprise, according to various embodiments of the invention:a web of reduced thickness between the lower edge110’’ of the cap110and the upper edge120’ of the attachment ring120; and / ora gap with intermittently arranged bridging webs between the lower edge110’’ of the cap110and the upper edge120’ of the attachment ring120; and / ora plurality of perforations.

[0047] To open the inner closure100for the first time, a user must unscrew the cap110in the angular directionω. Unscrewing the cap110causes the frangible inner parting line(s) to break and the cap110to move upwards and to detach itself from the attachment ring120, except for the inner permanent connection portion140which connects permanently a portion of the lower edge110’’ of the cap110to a portion of the upper edge120’ of the attachment ring120.

[0048] In the first above-mentioned embodiment, unscrewing the cap110causes the tab153to rotate in the angular directionωrelative to the attachment ring120and, once the cap 110 has been flipped to an open position, the tab153abuts against a surface of the attachment ring120in order to maintain the cap110in an open position. In the second above-mentioned embodiment, unscrewing the cap110causes the first tab153to rotate relative to the attachment ring120and to the second tab155in the angular directionω. Once the cap has been flipped to an open position, the first tab153abuts against the second tab155in order to maintain the cap110in the open position. The different geometries of the open position of the cap110will be described further below.

[0049] and 7 to 10 represent cross and isometric views of the outer sheath200of the closure assembly10.

[0050] The outer sheath200of the closure assembly10has a substantially cylindrical shape and comprises an upper part210, a lower part220and outer tamper-evident means250linking the upper part210to the lower part220. Additionally, the outer sheath200comprises an outer permanent connection portion240which permanently connects the upper part210to the lower part220. As shown in, the upper part210of the outer sheath200covers a part of the inner closure100, in such a way that the access to the inner closure is prevented when the outer sheath200is in the closed position. The lower part220of the outer sheath covers at least a part of the outer lateral face20’’of the container neck20.

[0051] The upper part210of the outer sheath200comprises an upper sleeve211which comprises a cylindrical body extending axially between an upper edge211’ and a lower edge211’’, and a pull tab213which extends radially from the upper edge211’ of the upper sleeve211and is provided with a flat portion214, which forms a bottom of the outer sheath200in the closed position of the closure assembly10.

[0052] The upper sleeve211may comprise an inner abutment portion215which abuts against the lower edge120’’ of the cap120of the inner closure100to maintain the outer sheath200axially attached to the inner closure100. It may also include vertical ribs230, which can fit into flutes of the fluted annular outer wall130of the cap200to prevent the outer sheath from rotating relative to the inner closure100.

[0053] The lower part220of the outer sheath200comprises a lower sleeve221which consists of a cylindrical body which extends radially between an upper edge221’ and a lower edge221’’.

[0054] Preferably, the lower sleeve221is mounted on the container neck20and is operational to be permanently attached to the container neck20. More specifically, the lower sleeve221comprises an inner abutment portion217which abuts against a shoulder20cof the outer lateral face20’’of the container neck20to prevent the lower sleeve221from translating relative to the container neck20. According to another embodiment, the lower sleeve221may be partially mounted on the attachment ring120of the inner closure120.

[0055] The upper part210and the lower part220of the outer sheath200are permanently connected to each other via the outer permanent connection portion240, visible on Figures 7 to 10. The outer permanent connection portion240consists of a reinforced part which links the lower edge211’’ of the upper sleeve211to the upper edge221’ of the lower sleeve221.

[0056] In the closed position of the outer sheath200, before the first opening of said outer sheath200, the upper part210is linked to the lower part220by the outer tamper-evident means250. Broken outer tamper-evident means250indicate that the outer sheath200has been opened.

[0057] The outer tamper-evident means250comprise one frangible outer parting line251which links the lower edge211’’ of the upper sleeve211to the upper edge221’ of the lower sleeve221, and extends along a circumference of the lower edge211’’ of the upper sleeve211and of the upper edge221’ of the lower sleeve221, from a side of the outer permanent connection portion240to an opposite side of said outer permanent connection portion240.

[0058] The frangible outer parting line251may comprise, according to various embodiments of the invention:a web of reduced thickness between the lower edge211’’ of the upper sleeve211and the upper edge221’ of the lower sleeve221; and / ora gap with intermittently arranged bridging webs between the lower edge211’’ of the upper sleeve211and the upper edge221’ of the lower sleeve221; and / ora plurality of perforations.

[0059] The upper edge211’ of the upper sleeve211is connected to the pull tab213via an additional outer permanent connection portion260. More specifically, to facilitate the grip of the user, the upper edge211’of the upper sleeve211partlyforms a notch216to allow the user to grasp a handling portion213’of the pull tab213.

[0060] According to the embodiment shown on Figures 7 to 10, the pull tab213comprises an additional frangible outer parting line270.

[0061] The additional frangible outer parting line270extends froma first end of the additional outer permanent connection portion260proximal to the outer permanent connection portion240to a second end of said additional connection portion260. At the second end of the additional connection portion260, the parting line270meets a first frangible end line252which extends from the upper edge211’of the upper sleeve211to a point of intersection with the frangible outer parting line251of the outer sheath200. At the first end of the additional connection portion260, the parting line270meets a second end line252which extends from the upper edge211’of the upper sleeve211to a permanent connection portion254which separates the second frangible end line252from the lower edge211’’of the upper sleeve211,.The first and the second frangible end lines252,253are preferably axially parallel to each other and to the reference axisX, and delimit a portion of the upper sleeve211that is intended to break first at the opening of the outer sheath200.

[0062] The additional frangible outer parting line270may consist of a gap with intermittently arranged bridging webs between the upper edge211’ of the upper sleeve211and the flat portion214and along the first and the second end lines252,253, however, this embodiment is not limitative.

[0063] To open the outer sheath200, the user can grasp the pull tab213and pull it in an upward and transverse direction. The flat portion214of the pull tab213detaches itself from the upper edge211’ of the upper sleeve211, except for the additional outer permanent connection portion260, which stays linked to the upper sleeve211. When the pull tab213is pulled further, the first frangible end line252and the second end line253of the additional frangible outer parting line270break, the pull tab213remain attached to the sleeve by means of the additional connection portion260and of the permanent connection portion254, and as a result, the outer frangible outer parting line251breaks. When this action is completed, the upper part210of the outer sheath200, including the upper sleeve211and the pull tab213, remains attached to the lower sleeve221via the outer permanent connection portion240, as shown in figures 11 to 14, which are identical in this respect. The lower part220of the outer sheath200remains connected to the container neck20. Once the outer sheath200has reached the open position of figures 11 to 14, the user can access and open the inner closure100as described above.

[0064] Figures 11 to 13 show various embodiments of the closure assembly10in which the outer sheath100is in the open position and the inner closure100is in the open position.

[0065] More specifically, Figures 11 and 12 show embodiments wherein the inner permanent connection portion140of the inner closure100comprises two arcuate strips141,142that extend symmetrical to each other on either side of the plane of symmetry containing the central axisX.

[0066] In, the lateral surface of the tab 153 of the inner closure 100 in the open position is at an acute angle to the lateral wall of the attachment ring 120, in such a way that:the bottom111of the cap110makes an acute angle with the lateral wall of the attachment ring120; andthe bottom111of the cap110is axially below the upper edge120’ of the attachment ring120.

[0067] On, the lateral surface of the tab 153 of the inner closure 100 in the open position abuts against the lateral wall of the attachment ring 120, in such a way that:the upper edge110’’ of the cap110lays radially parallel to the upper edge120’ of the attachment ring120, preferably axially aligned with said upper edge120’; andthe bottom111of the cap110is axially above the upper edge120’ of the attachment ring120and above the container opening21.

[0068] illustrates another embodiment of the inner closure 100, wherein the inner permanent connection portion 140 comprises a single arcuate strip 145 attached by an upper end 145’ to the cap 110 and by a lower end 145’’ to the attachment ring 120 and extending from the upper end 145 to the lower end 145’’ in the angular direction ω identical to the direction in which the cap 110 is unscrewed.

[0069] In the open position of the inner closure100, the lateral wall of the cap120is at an obtuse angle to the lateral wall of the attachment ring120, in such a way thatthe bottom111of the cap110makes an obtuse angle with the lateral wall of the attachment ring120; andthe bottom111of the cap110is axially below the upper edge120’ of the attachment ring120.

[0070] Of course, the invention is described in the foregoing by way of example. It is understood that a person skilled in the art is able to produce different variants of embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0071] For example, the inner closure100may be as disclosed above while the outer sheath200does not comprise an outer permanent connection portion240and / or outer tamper-evident means250. According to another embodiment, the outer sheath200may be as disclosed above while the cap110of the inner closure100can be completely removed from the attachment ring120.

[0072] It is emphasized that all of the features, as they are taught to the person skilled in the art from the present disclosure, drawings and attached claims, even though they have specifically been described in relation to other determined features, both individually and in any combinations, may be combined with other features or feature groups disclosed herein, as long as not expressly excluded and no technical circumstances make such combinations impossible or nonsensical.

Claims

A closure assembly (10) for closing a container neck (20), comprisinga one-piece inner closure (100) comprising a cap (110), an attachment ring (120) operational to be permanently attached to the container neck (20), and inner tamper-evident means (150), which link the cap (110) and the attachment ring (120), the inner tamper-evident means (150) being breakable to move the cap (110) relative to the attachment ring (120) from a closed position of the inner closure (100) to an open position of the inner closure (100) to give access to an opening (21) of the container neck (20), anda one-piece outer sheath (200) comprising an upper part (210) which covers a covered part of the inner closure (100), a lower part (220) operational to be permanently attached to the container neck (20) , and outer tamper-evident means (250) that link the upper part (210) and the lower part (220), the outer tamper-evident means (250) being breakable to move the upper part (210) relative to the lower part (220) to an open position of the outer sheath (200) to give access to at least the covered part of the inner closure (100),characterised in thatthe inner closure (100) is such that after breaking the inner tamper-evident means (150) and moving the cap (110) of the inner closure (100) to the open position of the inner closure (100), the inner closure (100) remains in one piece and the attachment ring (120) remains operational to be permanently attached to the container neck (20) and / orthe outer sheath (200) is such that after breaking the outer tamper-evident means (250) and moving the upper part (210) to the open position of the outer sheath (200), the outer sheath (200) remains in one piece and the lower part (220) remains operational to be permanently attached to the container neck (20).The closure of claim 1, wherein the one-piece inner closure (100) comprises at least one inner permanent connection portion (140) between the cap (110) and the attachment ring (120), which is deformable to guide the cap (110) relative to the attachment ring (120) from the closed position of the inner closure (100) to the open position of the inner closure (100).The closure of claim 2, wherein the inner tamper-evident means (150) comprise at least one frangible inner parting line (151), which links a lower edge (110’’) of the cap (110) and an upper edge (120’) of the attachment ring (120), and extends along a circumference of the lower edge (110’’) of the cap (110) and of the upper edge (120’) of the attachment ring (120) from a side of the inner permanent connection portion (140) to an opposite side of the inner permanent connection portion (140).The closure assembly (10) of claim 3, wherein the frangible inner parting line (151) comprises one or more of the following:a web of reduced thickness between the lower edge (110’’) of the cap (110) and the upper edge (120’) of the attachment ring (120); and / ora gap with intermittently arranged bridging webs between the lower edge (110’’) of the cap (110) and the upper edge (120’) of the attachment ring (120); and / ora plurality of perforations.The closure assembly (10) of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein an inner thread (113) is formed on the cap (110).The closure assembly (10) of claim 5, wherein at least one inner permanent connection portion (140) comprises one of the following:a single arcuate strip (141) permanently attached by an upper end (141’) to the cap (110) and by a lower end (141’’) to the attachment ring (120), and extending from the upper end (141’) to the lower end (141’’) in an angular (ω) direction identical to a direction in which the cap (110) is unscrewed; ortwo arcuate strips (141, 142) each permanently attached by an upper end (141’, 142’) to the cap (110) and by a lower end (141’’, 142’’) to the attachment ring (120), and each extending from the upper end (141’, 142’) to the lower end (141’’, 142’’) in an angular direction (ω) identical to a direction in which the cap (120) is unscrewed; ortwo arcuate strips (141, 142) symmetrical to each other on either side of a plane of symmetry containing a thread axis (X) of the inner thread (113), each permanently attached by an upper end (141’, 142’) to the cap (110) and by a lower end (141’’, 142’’) to the attachment ring (120).The closure assembly (10) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the covered part of the inner closure (100) includes the cap (110).The closure assembly (10) of claim 7, whereinthe covered part of the inner closure (100) includes at least part of the attachment ring (120) and / orthe lower part of the outer sheath (200) protrudes axially from the attachment ring (120) and is operational to be permanently attached to the container neck (20).The closure assembly (10) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a lower edge (120’’) of the attachment ring (120) axially opposite the cap (110) is permanently covered by the lower part (220) of the outer sheath (200).The closure assembly (10) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer tamper-evident means (250) comprise at least one frangible outer parting line (251) that links the upper part (210) and the lower part (220), the outer parting line (251) being breakable to move the upper part (210) relative to the lower part (220) to the open position of the outer sheath (200).The closure assembly (10) of claim 10, wherein the outer sheath (200) comprises at least one outer permanent connection portion (240) between the upper part (210) and the lower part (220), which is deformable to guide the upper part (210) relative to the lower part (220) from the closed position of the outer sheath (200) to the open position of the outer sheath (200), whereby after breaking the outer parting line (251) and moving the upper part (210) to the open position of the outer sheath (200), the outer sheath (200) remains in one piece.The closure assembly (10) of any one of claims 10 to 11, wherein the upper part (210) of the outer sheath (200) comprises an upper sleeve (211), the lower part (220) of the outer sheath (200) comprises a lower sleeve (221), and the outer parting line (251) extends around a circumference of a lower edge (211’’) of the upper sleeve (211) and of an upper edge (221’) of the lower sleeve (221) from a side of the outer permanent connection portion (240) to an opposite side of the outer permanent connection portion (240).The closure assembly (10) of claim 12, wherein the upper part (210) of the outer sheath (200) comprises a pull tab (213), an additional outer permanent connection portion (260) formed between the pull tab (213) and the upper sleeve (211), and at least one additional frangible outer parting line (270) between the pull tab (213) and the upper sleeve (211).The closure assembly (10) of claim 13, wherein at least part of the additional frangible outer parting line (270) is formed between the pull tab (213) and an upper annular edge (211’) of the upper sleeve (211).The closure assembly (10) of any one of claims 13 to 14, wherein the upper part (210) of the outer sheath (200) comprises a first frangible end line (252) which connects the additional frangible outer parting line (270) to the frangible outer parting line (251).The closure assembly (10) of any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the pull tab (213) comprises a flat portion (214) which extends in a radial plane perpendicular to a main axis (X) of the outer sheath.A closure assembly (10) for closing a container neck (20), comprisinga one-piece inner closure (100) comprising a cap (110), an attachment ring (120) operational to be permanently attached to the container neck (20), and at least one inner permanent connection portion (140) between the cap (110) and the attachment ring (120), which is deformable to guide the cap (110) relative to the attachment ring (120) from a closed position of the inner closure (100) to an open position of the inner closure (100) to give access to an opening (21) of the container neck (20), anda one-piece outer sheath (200) comprising an upper part (210) which covers a covered part of the inner closure (100), a lower part (220) operational to be permanently attached to the container neck (20), and at least one frangible outer parting line (251) that links the upper part (210) and the lower part (220), the outer parting line (250) being breakable to move the upper part (210) relative to the lower part (220) to an open position of the outer sheath (200) to give access to at least the covered part of the inner closure (100),characterised in thatthe inner closure (100) comprises at least one frangible inner parting line (150), which links a lower edge (110’’) of the cap (110) and an upper edge (120’) of the attachment ring (120), and extends along a circumference of the lower edge (110’’) of the cap (110) and of the upper edge (120’) of the attachment ring (120) from a side of the inner permanent connection portion (140) to an opposite side of the inner permanent connection portion (140), whereby after breaking the frangible inner parting line (151) and moving the cap (110) of the inner closure (100) to the open position of the inner closure (100), the inner closure (100) remains in one piece and the attachment ring (120) remains operational to be permanently attached to the container neck (20); and / orthe outer sheath (200) comprises at least one outer permanent connection portion (240) between the upper part (210) and the lower part (220), which is deformable to guide the upper part (210) relative to the lower part (220) from the closed position of the outer sheath (200) to the open position of the outer sheath (200), whereby after breaking the outer parting line (251) and moving the upper part (210) to the open position of the outer sheath (200), the outer sheath (200) remains in one piece and the lower part (220) remains operational to be permanently attached to the container neck (20).

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