Closure assembly comprising a cap and a snap fitted tether

Abstract

A closure assembly comprising 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. The cap comprises a tether which has at a second end thereof a tether snap fit portion, the cap body has a corresponding cap body snap fit portion. In an initial configuration the tether snap fit portion is connected to the cap body via breakable bridges, in an assembled configuration a snap fit connection is established between the tether snap fit portion and the cap body snap fit portion.

Description

[0001] P36916PC00

[0002] CLOSURE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A CAP AND A SNAP FITTED TETHER

[0003] The present invention relates to a closure assembly and a method for assembling the closure assembly.

[0004] Closure assemblies are known with a plastic cap comprising a cap body which can be removed by a user from a neck. For example, an article with a neck is a plastic spout which has been fitted on a container, such as a collapsible pouch container or a carton, e.g. for a beverage or other liquid or flowable product.

[0005] It is known to provide a tether which is at one end thereof connected to a tamper-evident ring member of the cap or to the article and at the other end thereof connected to the cap body, such that the cap body cannot become separated from the article. This reduces the chance that the cap body ends up in the environment instead of being properly disposed. It is known to integrally mould the tether at one end thereof to the cap body and at the other end to the tamper-evident ring member, see for example WO 2020 / 221801.

[0006] It is further known to connect the tether to the cap body, for example by forcing a tether portion over a button having a conical head and a stem arranged on a top wall structure of the cap body such that the tether remains attached to the cap body, see for example US1924242 and US1836811. US1836811 also discloses an approach wherein a knob of the cap body is deformed in order to permanently connect the tether to the cap body.

[0007] The present invention aims to provide an improved closure assembly with an improved connection between the tether and the cap body or tamper-evident ring member, e.g. in view of mass production of closure assemblies and / or caps thereof.

[0008] The present invention provides a closure assembly according to claim 1.

[0009] The inventive closure assembly according to claim 1 comprises a tether and a cap body with respectively a tether snap fit portion and a cap body snap fit portion, which are configured to establish a snap fit connection between the tether and the cap body.

[0010] In an initial moulded configuration, the tether snap fit portion is connected via one or more breakable snap fit bridges to the cap body, wherein the one or more snap fit bridges are configured to be broken upon establishing a snap fit connection between the cap body snap fit portion and the tether snap fit portion.

[0011] In an assembled configuration, the one or more breakable snap fit bridges initially connecting the tether snap fit portion and the cap body have been broken and a snap fit connection is established between the tether snap fit portion and the cap body snap fit portion.

[0012] The inventive concept of claim 1 is especially beneficial when the tether snap fit portion and the cap body snap fit portion are configured to rotatably connect the cap body with the tether in the assembled configuration, which allows the cap body to be rotated with respect to the tether. For example, the cap body is configured to be removed from the neck by a movement comprising a rotational component. By rotatably connecting the cap body with the tether, the cap body can be removed without the tether twisting or rotating along with the cap body.

[0013] The connection between the tether and the cap body in the assembled configuration can also be a fixed connection, or a hinged connection, or a connection which allows for an axial and / or transversal movement of the cap body with respect to the tether.

[0014] The present invention further provides a closure assembly according to claim 3.

[0015] The inventive closure assembly according to claim 3 comprises a cap with a tamper-evident ring member and comprises a tether. The tether is provided at the first end thereof with a tether snap fit portion and is at the second end thereof integral with a portion of the cap body. The tamper-evident ring member comprises a tamper-evident ring member snap fit portion. The tether snap fit portion and the tamper-evident ring member snap fit portion are configured to establish a snap fit connection between the tether and the tamper-evident ring member.

[0016] In an initial moulded configuration, the tether snap fit portion is connected via one or more breakable snap fit bridges to the tamper-evident ring member, e.g. to the tamper-evident ring member snap fit portion. The one or more snap fit bridges are configured to be broken upon establishing a snap fit connection between the tamper-evident ring member snap fit portion and the tether snap fit portion.

[0017] In an assembled configuration, the one or more breakable snap fit bridges initially connecting the tether snap fit portion and the tamper-evident ring member have been broken and a snap fit connection is established between the tether snap fit portion and the cap body snap fit portion. In an advantageous embodiment of the inventive concept of claim 3 the tether snap fit portion and the tamper-evident ring member snap fit portion are configured to rotatably connect the tamper-evident ring member to the tether in the assembled configuration, which allows the tether to rotate with respect to the tamper-evident ring member, e.g. when the latter is rotatably fixed on the neck. For example, the cap body is configured to be removed from the neck by a movement comprising a rotational component, e.g. a screw cap or a quarter turn cap. By rotatably connecting the tether with the tamper-evident ring member, when the cap body is rotated, the tether can rotate along with the cap body, this allows for the use of a shorter tether.

[0018] The connection between the tether and the tamper-evident ring member in the assembled configuration can also be a fixed connection, or a hinged connection, or a connection which allows for an axial and / or transversal movement of the tether with respect to the tamper- evident ring member.

[0019] The inventive concept of the closure assemblies as described in claim 1 and in claim 3 respectively eliminates the need for manually attaching a loose end of the tether as discussed with reference to the prior art above, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency. The concept allows for a variety of functionalities of the connection obtained by the snap fit arrangement, e.g. a rotational connection, between the tether and the associated portion of the closure assembly.

[0020] Now optional features of the closure assembly according to claim 1 will be discussed.

[0021] In an embodiment, the tether snap fit portion and the cap body snap fit portion are configured such that the tether is rotatably connected to the cap body in the assembled configuration allowing for the cap body to rotate with respect to the tether. This is especially beneficial when the cap body is configured to be removed by a movement which comprises a rotational component, e.g. a screw cap or a cap which requires a quarter turn to be removed from the neck, as it allows a user to rotate the cap body without twisting the tether or wrapping the tether around the cap body or neck. By providing such a tether snap fit portion and cap body snap fit portion, it allows for a rotatable connection between the tether and the cap body while the tether is still integrally moulded to the cap body and, e.g., without the need to deform a part of the cap body as is disclosed in US1836811.

[0022] In an embodiment, the cap comprises a tamper-evident ring member and the tether is at the first end thereof moulded to the tamper-evident ring member. In an embodiment, the tether is at the first end thereof configured to be connected or is connected to the article, e.g. to a base plate of the article. This increases the chance that the cap body remains connected to the article when the cap body is removed, e.g. unscrewed, from the article, thereby decreasing the chance that the cap body ends up in the environment.

[0023] In embodiments, the tether is connected to the tamper-evident ring member and - in the assembled configuration - rotatably connected to the cap body such that the cap body can rotate with respect to the tamper-evident ring member and tether such that the tamper- evident ring member and the tether can remain in a fixed position without the tether twisting around the cap body. By axially and / or rotationally fixing the tamper-evident ring member with respect to the article, e.g. the neck of the article, it may be more difficult for a user to remove the tamper-evident ring member from the neck, thereby decreasing the chance that the tamper-evident ring member and / or the entire cap ends up in the environment.

[0024] In an embodiment, the tether snap fit portion and the cap body snap fit portion are configured such that in order to establish the snap fit connection a force in the direction of the cap body is to be applied on the tether snap fit portion, in which process the snap fit bridges break. The force can be applied while the cap and tether are still in the mould or after the cap with the tether has been removed from the mould in a further assembly step, e.g. directly after leaving the mould, or during assembly on the neck of the article.

[0025] In an embodiment, the cap body snap fit portion has a stem part which extends upward from the top wall structure, preferably coaxially with the main axis, and has an outer diameter. The cap body snap fit portion further comprises a head part which extends coaxially from an upper end of the stem part and has a larger outer diameter than the outer diameter of the stem part. The second end of the tether snap fit portion is embodied as a circular loop portion having an inner and an outer diameter, wherein the inner diameter of the loop portion is smaller than the outer diameter of the head part of the cap body snap fit portion and is larger than the outer diameter of the stem part of the cap body snap fit portion. Preferably, the outer diameter of the loop portion is larger than the outer diameter of the head part. Herein - in the initial moulded configuration - the loop portion is arranged coaxially and above, i.e. further away from the top wall structure than the cap body snap fit portion, the cap body snap fit portion is connected to the head part of the cap body snap fit portion via the snap fit bridges, and wherein - in the assembled configuration - the loop portion is snapped under the head part, i.e. the loop portion is located in between the head part and the top-wall structure, and rotatably engages the stem part of the cap body snap fit portions. It is envisaged, in embodiments, that the inner diameter of the loop portion closely matches the outer diameter of the stem part such that the loop portion is in contact with the stem part, however it may be that there momentarily is no contact between the loop portion and the stem part, i.e. the term engages in this embodiment does not mean that the loop portion is always in direct contact with the stem part of the cap body snap fit portion.

[0026] By providing - in the initial moulded configuration - the loop portion above the cap body snap fit portion, it is easy to engage the loop portion, e.g. to apply a downward force thereon, in order to establish the snap-fit connection. In the assembled configuration, the larger diameter of the head part ensures that the loop portion is retained axially with respect to the cap body snap fit portion, the smaller diameter of the stem part ensures that the loop portion can rotatably engage the stem part.

[0027] In an embodiment, the head part of the cap body snap fit portion has a bevelled section which is configured to help establish the snap fit connection between the cap body snap fit portion and the tether snap fit portion. For example, an outer section of the head part has a bevelled section, which - when a downward force is applied to the loop portion and, thus, the loop portion is moved downwards - helps to urge the loop portion to elastically expand such that it can be moved over the head part, whereafter the loop portion goes back to its original diameter such that it cannot move back upwards past the head part.

[0028] In an embodiment, the cap body snap fit portion is embodied as an annular groove extending along the periphery of the downward depending skirt, e.g. at a lower end of the skirt. The annular groove is defined by two vertically spaced apart annular wall sections. The tether snap fit portion is embodied as a, preferably circular, loop portion, wherein an inner diameter of the loop portion is smaller than an outer diameter of the annular wall sections, and wherein the inner diameter of the loop portion is larger than a diameter of the annular groove. Herein - in the initial moulded configuration - the loop portion is arranged coaxially with the main axis and above the annular groove, and the loop portion is connected to the skirt via snap fit bridges, e.g. the breakable snap fit bridges are connected to an upper annular wall section. In the assembled configuration - the loop portion is snapped over the upper annular wall section, is rotatably received in the annular groove, and is axially restrained with respect to the annular wall sections.

[0029] In an embodiment, the first end of the tether is connected to the tamper-evident ring member and extends outwardly therefrom and gradually bends upwards and inwards such that the tether snap fit portion is connected to the cap body. Alternatively, the first end of the tether is connected to the article, e.g. a base plate thereof, and extends upwardly therefrom and gradually bends upwards and inwards such that the tether snap fit portion is connected to the cap body.

[0030] Now optional features of the closure assembly according to claim 3 will be discussed.

[0031] In an embodiment, the tether snap fit portion and the tamper-evident ring member snap fit portion are configured such that the tether is - in the assembled configuration - rotatably connected to the tamper-evident ring member allowing for the tether to rotate with respect to the tamper-evident ring member. This is especially beneficial when the cap body is configured to be removed by a movement which comprises a rotational component, e.g. a screw cap or a cap which requires a quarter turn to remove from the neck, as it allows the tether to rotate along with the cap body when a user rotates the cap body. By providing such a tether snap fit portion and tamper-evident ring member snap fit portion, it allows for a rotatable connection between the tether and the tamper-evident ring member while the tether is still integrally moulded to the tamper-evident ring member via the breakable bridges.

[0032] In an embodiment, the tether is connected to the cap body and - in the assembled configuration - rotatably connected to the tamper-evident ring member such that the tether can rotate with respect to the tamper-evident ring member such that the tether can rotate along with the cap body, e.g. during opening of the closure assembly. By axially and / or rotationally fixing the tamper-evident ring member with respect to the article, e.g. the neck of the article, it is more difficult for a user to remove the tamper-evident ring member from the neck, thereby decreasing the chance that the tamper-evident member and / or the entire cap ends up in the environment.

[0033] In an embodiment, the tether snap fit portion is embodied as a, preferably circular, loop portion having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, and the tamper-evident ring member comprises an annular groove extending along the periphery of the tamper-evident ring member. The annular groove is defined by a lower and upper annular tamper-evident ring wall section which are vertically spaced from each other, e.g. the annular tamper-evident ring wall sections having a larger diameter than the rest of the tamper-evident ring member. The inner diameter of the loop portion is smaller than an outer diameter of the annular tamper- evident ring wall section, and wherein the inner diameter of the loop portion is larger than a diameter of the annular groove. In the initial moulded configuration, the loop portion is arranged coaxially with the main axis and arranged further away from the cap body than the tamper-evident ring member, and wherein the loop portion is connected to the tamper-evident ring member via snap fit bridges, e.g. wherein the breakable snap fit bridges are connected to the lower annular tamper-evident ring wall section. In the assembled configuration, the loop portion is snapped over the lower annular wall section, and is rotatably received in the annular groove, and is axially restrained by the upper and lower annular tamper-evident ring wall sections. Preferably, the lower annular tamper-evident ring wall section has a bevelled edge which is configured to help establish the snap fit connection between the tamper-evident ring snap fit portion and the tether snap fit portion. It is envisaged, in embodiments, that the inner diameter of the loop portion closely matches the diameter of the annular groove such that the loop portion is in contact with the annular groove, however it may be that there momentarily is no contact between the loop portion and the annular groove, e.g. at least in the radial direction, i.e. the term engages in this embodiment does not mean that the loop portion is always in direct contact with the annular groove of the tamper-evident ring member.

[0034] By providing - in the initial moulded configuration - the loop portion below the tamper-evident ring member, it is easy to engage the loop portion, e.g. to apply a force thereon, in order to establish the snap-fit connection. In the assembled configuration, the larger diameter of the annular tamper-evident ring wall sections ensures that the loop portion is retained axially with respect to the tamper-evident ring member snap fit portion, the smaller diameter of the annular groove ensures that the loop portion can rotatably engage the annular groove.

[0035] In an embodiment, the circular loop portion is - in the assembled configuration - recessed or level with the annular tamper-evident ring wall sections.

[0036] Now optional features applicable to each of the closure assemblies of claim 1 and of claim 3 will be discussed.

[0037] In an embodiment, the cap is embodied as a rotational cap, wherein the exterior side of the neck and the interior side of the downward depending skirt comprise cooperating rotational connection means, preferably first and second screw threads on the neck and skirt respectively. Preferably, the exterior side of the skirt comprises gripping elements which increases the grip of a user.

[0038] In an embodiment, the cap is embodied as a snap cap, e.g. a snap cap configured to be opened by a quarter turn, e.g. as disclosed in WO 2020 / 221801 , e.g. in combination with a ramp structure which causes lift of the cap when the cap is rotated for opening.

[0039] In an embodiment, the tamper-evident ring member is - when the cap is secured on the neck of the article - rotationally and / or axially fixed with respect to the neck of the article. In an embodiment, the tether snap fit portion is embodied as a loop portion. Preferably, the snap fit bridges connecting the loop portion and the cap body snap fit portion or tamper- evident ring member snap fit portion are arranged uniformly around the loop portion.

[0040] In practical embodiments, the loop portion is arranged coaxially with the main axis of the neck. By arranging the loop portion coaxially with the main axis, it is, for example, ensured that the axis of rotation of the cap body is aligned with a rotational axis of the loop portion.

[0041] In an embodiment, the loop portion defines a circular inner aperture, e.g. the loop portion is a circular loop portion with a circular outer periphery.

[0042] In an embodiment, the loop portion has a non-circular aperture, e.g. elliptical, triangular, square, etc.

[0043] In an embodiment, the loop portion defines a circular inner aperture, wherein an outer periphery of the loop portion is non-circular. Alternatively, the non-circular loop portion defines a non-circular inner aperture, e.g. an elliptical inner aperture.

[0044] In an embodiment, the tether snap fit portion is embodied as a circular loop portion, and the loop portion and the cap body snap fit portion or the tamper-evident ring member snap fit portion are configured such that the force forces the loop portion over a section of the cap body snap fit portion or the tamper-evident ring member snap fit member which has a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the loop portion, thereby ensuring that the tether is axially retained with respect to the cap body or tamper-evident ring member such that the tether cannot be disconnected from the cap body or tamper-evident ring member.

[0045] In an embodiment, the loop portion comprises a number of indentations, recesses and / or cutouts. The indentations, recesses and / or cut-outs facilitate the elastic expansion of the loop portion, making it easier to force the loop portion over a section of the cap body snap fit portion, e.g. the head part, or over the tamper-evident ring member snap fit member, e.g. the lower annular tamper-evident ring wall section.

[0046] In an embodiment, the cap body has an annular sealing wall which abuts an upper part of the interior side of the neck, wherein the annular sealing wall depends downward from the top wall structure. The sealing wall is configured to seal the product passage when the cap body is secured on the neck. In an embodiment, the tether comprises an undulating, or a zig-zag, section allowing for a longer total length of the tether, which allows a user to place the cap body further from the neck of the article, e.g. during pouring.

[0047] In an embodiment, the cap comprises:

[0048] - 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 cam ramps are integrally moulded with the tamper-evident ring member,

[0049] - 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 body 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. Preferably, the tether is rotatably connected to the cap body such that the cap body can be rotated with respect to the neck while the tether remains stationary.

[0050] The invention further relates to a container, e.g. a collapsible pouch or carton, for containing or containing a flowable product, e.g. a liquid product, a (liquid) food product, e.g. a beverage, wherein the container comprises any of the closure assemblies as described herein.

[0051] The invention further relates to a method for assembly of a closure assembly, wherein the closure assembly comprises:

[0052] - an article which is made of a plastic material and forms a neck around a product passage, the neck having a main axis, an interior side and an exterior side, and forming a mouth at a top end of the product passage,

[0053] - a cap 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, the cap body is configured to be manually removed from the neck of the article by a user to open the product passage, wherein the cap body comprises:

[0054] - a top wall structure; and

[0055] - a downward depending skirt having an interior side, exterior side, and a lower edge remote from the top wall structure, wherein the cap, optionally, comprises a tamper-evident ring member which is integrally formed to the lower edge of the skirt via one or more breakable bridges and wherein the tamper-evident ring member is configured to remain connected to the article upon removal of the cap body from the neck of the article by the user, wherein the cap body further comprises a tether which is at a first end thereof connected to the tamper-evident ring member or to the article, and wherein the tether is at a second end thereof provided with a tether snap fit portion, and wherein the cap body is provided with a corresponding cap body snap fit portion, wherein - in an initial moulded configuration - the tether snap fit portion is connected via one or more breakable snap fit bridges to the cap body, e.g. to the cap body snap fit portion, wherein the one or more breakable snap fit bridges are configured to be broken upon establishing a snap fit connection between the cap body snap fit portion and the tether snap fit portion, and wherein the method comprises the step of exerting a force in order to establish the snap fit connection, which force causes the one or more breakable snap fit bridges, initially connecting the tether snap fit portion and the cap body, to break and the snap fit connection to be established between the tether snap fit portion and the cap body snap fit portion so as to achieve an assembled configuration.

[0056] The invention further relates to a method for assembly of a closure assembly, wherein the closure assembly comprises:

[0057] - an article which is made of a plastic material and forms a neck around a product passage, the neck having a main axis, an interior side, and an exterior side, and the neck forming a mouth at a top end of the product passage,

[0058] - a cap 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, wherein the cap body is configured to be manually removed from the neck of the article by a user to open the product passage, wherein the cap body comprises:

[0059] - a top wall structure,

[0060] - a downward depending skirt having an interior side, exterior side, and a lower edge remote from the top wall structure, wherein the closure assembly comprises a tamper-evident ring member which is integrally formed to the lower edge of the skirt of the cap body, wherein the tamper-evident ring member is connected via one or more breakable bridges to the skirt, and wherein the tamper- evident ring member is configured to remain connected to the article upon removal of the cap body from the neck of the article by the user, wherein the closure assembly further comprises a tether which is at a first end thereof connected to the tamper-evident ring member, and wherein the tether is at a second end thereof integral with a portion of the cap body other than the tamper-evident ring member, wherein the tether at the first end thereof is provided with a tether snap fit portion, and wherein the tamper-evident ring member is provided with a corresponding tamper-evident ring member snap fit portion, wherein - in an initial moulded configuration - the tether snap fit portion is connected via one or more breakable snap fit bridges to the tamper-evident ring member, e.g. to the tamper- evident ring member snap fit portion, wherein the one or more breakable snap fit bridges are configured to be broken upon establishing a snap fit connection between the tamper-evident ring member snap fit portion and the tether snap fit portion, and wherein the method comprises the step of exerting a force in order to establish the snap fit connection, which force causes the one or more breakable snap fit bridges, initially connecting the tether snap fit portion and the tamper-evident ring member, to break and the snap fit connection to be established between the tether snap fit portion and the tamper- evident ring member snap fit portion so as to achieve an assembled configuration.

[0061] In an embodiment, the tether snap fit portion and the cap body snap fit portion are configured such that the tether is - in the assembled configuration - rotatably connected to the cap body allowing for the cap body to be rotated with respect to the tether.

[0062] In an embodiment, the tether snap fit portion and the tamper-evident ring member snap fit portion are configured such that the tether is - in the assembled configuration - rotatably connected to the tamper-evident ring member allowing for the tether to be rotated with respect to the tamper-evident ring member. In an embodiment, the force is a force acting on the tether snap fit portion and directed towards the cap body, wherein the tether snap fit portion is a loop portion with an inner and an outer diameter, and wherein the force is configured to force the loop portion over an upper section of the cap body snap fit portion or over a lower section of the tamper-evident ring member snap fit portion which has a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the loop portion.

[0063] In an embodiment, the closure assembly is assembled by an assembly system which comprises a force application member which is configured to apply a force to the loop portion, wherein the force application member is embodied as an annular force application member such that the force can be applied uniformly over the surface of the loop portion of the tether, and wherein the inner diameter of the force application member is larger than the outer diameter of the upper section of the cap body snap fit portion, such that the force application member can move vertically past the upper section or lower section of respectively the capbody snap fit portion or the tamper-evident ring member snap fit portion.

[0064] In an embodiment, the cap body has a cap body snap fit portion, the force is a downward force acting on the tether snap fit portion.

[0065] In an embodiment, the tamper-evident ring member has a tamper-evident ring member snap fit portion, the force is an upward force acting on the tether snap fit portion.

[0066] In an embodiment, the cap body snap fit portion has a stem part which extends upward from the top wall structure, preferably coaxially with the main axis, and has a diameter. The cap body snap fit portion further comprises a head part which extends coaxially from an upper end of the stem part and has a larger diameter than the stem part, and wherein the second end of the tether is embodied as a loop portion having an inner and an outer diameter, wherein the inner diameter of the loop portion is smaller than the outer diameter of the head part of the cap body snap fit portion and is larger than the outer diameter of the stem part of the cap body snap fit portion, and wherein the outer diameter of the loop portion is larger than the outer diameter of the head part. In the initial moulded configuration the loop portion is arranged coaxially and above the cap body snap fit portion and is connected to the head part of the cap body snap fit portion via the snap fit bridges. In the assembled configuration the loop portion is snapped under the head part and rotatably engages the stem part of the cap body snap fit portions, and wherein the annular force application member has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the head part and wherein the force application member is configured to apply the downward force on an outer section of the loop portion, such that the force application member can move vertically past the head part in order to force the loop portion over the head part.

[0067] In an embodiment, the tether snap fit portion is embodied as a circular loop portion having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, and the tamper-evident ring member comprises an annular groove extending along the periphery of the tamper-evident ring member. The annular groove is defined by a lower and upper annular tamper-evident ring wall section which are vertically spaced from each other. The inner diameter of the loop portion is smaller than an outer diameter of the annular tamper-evident ring wall section, and wherein the inner diameter of the loop portion is larger than a diameter of the annular groove. In the initial moulded configuration, the loop portion is arranged coaxially with the main axis and arranged further away from the cap body than the tamper-evident ring member, and wherein the loop portion is connected to the tamper-evident ring member via snap fit bridges. In the assembled configuration, the loop portion is snapped over the lower annular wall section, and is rotatably received in the annular groove, and is axially restrained by the upper and lower annular tamper-evident ring wall sections. The force application member has inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the lower annular tamper-evident ring wall section, and wherein the force application member is configured to apply an upward force on the loop portion, such that the force application member can move vertically past the lower annular tamper-evident ring wall section in order to force the loop portion over the lower annular tamper-evident ring wall section.

[0068] In an embodiment, the assembly method further comprises the step of securing the cap on the neck of the article, wherein the securing step can occur before or after the step of establishing of the snap fit connection.

[0069] The invention further relates to method for producing a closure assembly as described herein, wherein the cap is moulded using a mould, and wherein the snap fit connection between the tether snap fit portion and the cap body snap fit portion is established while the cap and tether are in the mould.

[0070] The invention will now be discussed with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

[0071] Fig. 1 shows a cross sectional view of a closure assembly,

[0072] Figs. 2a-b show a front view of a closure assembly in the initial and assembled configuration, Fig. 3 shows a close up perspective view of the snap fit portions, Figs. 4a-b show a close up cross sectional view of the snap fit portions, Figs. 5a-b show an embodiment of the snap fit portions, Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of the closure assembly,

[0073] Fig. 7 shows a cross sectional view of another closure assembly,

[0074] Fig. 8 shows a cross sectional view of a variant of the closure assembly of Fig. 7 with wing shaped handles,

[0075] Fig. 9 shows a cross sectional view of a variant of the closure assembly of Fig. 8 with an outer gripping ring.

[0076] Figure 1 shows a closure assembly 1 comprising an article 10 and a cap 20.

[0077] The article 10 is made of a plastic material and forms a neck 11 around a product passage 12 in the article 10. The neck 11 has a main axis 15, an interior side and an exterior side, and forming a mouth at a top end of the product passage 12.

[0078] In this example, the article 10 has a seal boat 13 which is configured to be secured between opposed walls of a collapsible pouch container.

[0079] The cap 20 is secured on the neck 11 of the article 10.

[0080] The cap 20 is moulded of plastic material.

[0081] The cap 20 comprises a tamper-evident ring member 21 and a cap body 30, wherein the cap body 30 is configured to be manually removed from the neck 11 of the article 10 by a user to open the product passage 12.

[0082] The cap body 30 comprises a top wall structure 31 and a downward depending skirt 32 having an interior side, an exterior side, and a lower edge remote from the top wall structure 31.

[0083] As shown, the cap 20 is embodied as a rotational cap wherein the exterior side of the neck 11 and the interior side of the downward depending skirt 32 comprise a first and second screw threads 22a, 22b on the neck and skirt respectively. The exterior of the skirt 32 comprises gripping elements 33 which increase the grip of a user when rotating the cap body with respect to the neck 11 .

[0084] The cap body 30 has an annular sealing wall 31a which abuts an upper part of the interior side of the neck 11 , wherein the annular sealing wall 31 a depends downward from the top wall structure 31. The tamper-evident ring member 21 is integrally formed to the lower edge of the skirt 32 of the cap body 30. The tamper-evident ring member 21 is connected via one or more breakable bridges 23 to the skirt 32. The tamper-evident ring member 21 is configured to remain connected to the article 10 upon removal of the cap body 30 from the neck 11 of the article 10 by the user.

[0085] In an embodiment, as shown, the ring member 21 is rotationally fixed on the neck. In another embodiment, the ring member 21 can rotate about the neck.

[0086] A tether 40 is at a first end thereof 41 integrally moulded to the tamper evident ring member 21. The first end of the tether 41 extends outwardly therefrom and gradually bends upwards and inwards such that the tether snap fit portion 42 is connected to the cap body 30.

[0087] The tether is at a second end thereof 42 provided with a tether snap fit portion 42. The cap body 30 is provided with a corresponding cap body snap fit portion 34.

[0088] In an initial moulded configuration, for example shown in Figure 2a, the tether snap fit portion 42 is connected via four breakable snap fit bridges 43 to the cap body snap fit portion 34 of the cap body 30. The four snap fit bridges 43 are configured to be broken upon establishing a snap fit connection between the cap body snap fit portion 34 and the tether snap fit portion 42.

[0089] In an assembled configuration, for example shown in Figure 2b, the four breakable snap fit bridges 43, initially connecting the tether snap fit portion 42 and the cap body 30, have been broken and a snap fit connection is established between the tether snap fit portion 42 and the cap body snap fit portion 34.

[0090] In the assembled configuration the tether snap fit portion 42 and the cap body snap fit portion 34 are configured such that the tether 40 is rotatably connected to the cap body 30 allowing for the cap body 30 to be rotated with respect to the tether 40.

[0091] In an embodiment, when the cap 20 is secured to the neck 11 of the article 10, the tamper- evident ring member 21 is rotationally and axially fixed with respect to the neck 11 of the article 12.

[0092] The tether snap fit portion 42 is embodied as a circular loop portion 42 which is arranged coaxially with the main axis 15 of the neck 11. The snap fit bridges 43 are arranged uniformly around the loop portion 42 and connect the loop portion 42 to the cap body snap fit portion 34. The loop portion 42 has an inner diameter d1 and an outer diameter d2.

[0093] The tether snap fit portion 42 and the cap body snap fit portion 34 are configured such that in order to establish the snap fit connection a downward force is applied on the tether snap fit portion 42.

[0094] The cap body snap fit portion 34 has a stem part 35 which extends upwards from the top wall structure 31, is coaxial with the main axis 15, and has a diameter d3.

[0095] The cap body snap fit portion 34 further comprises a head part 36 which extends coaxially from an upper end of the stem part 35 and has a larger diameter d4 than the stem part 35.

[0096] The inner diameter d1 of the loop portion 42 is smaller than the outer diameter d4 of the head part 36 and is larger than the outer diameter d3 of the stem part 35.

[0097] The outer diameter d2 of the loop portion 42 is larger than the outer diameter d4 of the head part 36.

[0098] In the initial moulded configuration, as shown in Figure 4a, the loop portion 42 is arranged coaxially and above the head part 36 and connected to the head part 36 via the breakable snap fit bridges 43.

[0099] In the assembled configuration, as shown in Figure 4b, the loop portion 42 is snapped under the head part 36 and rotatably engages the stem part 35.

[0100] The head part 36 has a bevelled section 37 which is configured to help establish the snap fit connection between the cap body snap fit portion 34 and the tether snap fit portion 42. An outer section of the periphery of the head part 36 has a bevelled section 36, which - when the loop portion 42 is moved downwards - helps urge the loop portion 42 to elastically expand such that it can be moved over the head part 36, whereafter the loop portion 42 goes back to its original diameter such that it cannot move back past the head part 36.

[0101] The loop portion 42 has a four indentations 44 facilitating the elastic deformation of the loop portion 42 when said loop portion is forced over the head part 36. In an embodiment of the cap shown in Figures 5a-b, the cap body snap fit portion 34 is embodied as an annular groove 38 extending along the periphery of at a lower end of the downward depending skirt 32.

[0102] The annular groove 38 is defined by two vertically spaced apart annular wall sections 39a, b, and the tether snap fit portion 42 is embodied as a loop portion 42.

[0103] The inner diameter d1 of the loop portion 42 is smaller than an outer diameter of the annular wall sections 39a, b. The inner diameter d1 of the loop portion 42 is larger than a diameter of the annular groove 38.

[0104] In the initial moulded configuration, as shown in Figure 5a, the loop portion 42 is arranged coaxially with the main axis 15 and above the annular groove 38, and wherein the loop portion 42 is connected to the skirt 32 via snap fit bridges 43. The snap fit bridges 43 are connected to the upper annular wall section 39a.

[0105] In the assembled configuration, as shown in Figure 5b, the loop portion 42 is snapped over the upper annular wall section 39a and is rotatably received in the annular groove 38.

[0106] In the shown embodiments of figures 2a, b and 6, the cap 20 further comprises:

[0107] - two cam ramps 24 each having a first ramp profile which is angled with respect to the main axis 15, which cams 24 are arranged at the upper end of the tamper-evident ring member 21,

[0108] - two cam recesses 25 each having a second ramp profile which is angled with respect to the main axis 15 to interact with the first ramp profile 24, and wherein each cam recess 25 is positioned opposite a respective cam ramp at the lower edge of the skirt 32.

[0109] Upon first time opening of the closure assembly 1 by rotation of the cap body 30 relative to the article 10 about the main axis 15 - the first and second ramp profiles 24, 25 interact in order to cause axial displacement of the cap body with respect to the tamper-evident ring member.

[0110] In an embodiment of the closure assembly 1 , as shown in Figure 6, the article 10 comprises a base plate 14 which is connected to a container, here a carton 16. The tether 40 is at the first end 41 thereof connected to the base plate 14 of the article 10. Here the cap is shown in the assembled configuration. The invention further relates to a method for assembly of the closure assembly 1 , wherein the method comprises the step of exerting a force in order to establish the snap fit connection, which force causes the one or more breakable bridges 43 connecting the tether snap fit portion 42 and the cap body 30 to break and the snap fit connection to be established between the tether snap fit portion 42 and the cap body snap fit portion 34 so as to achieve an assembled configuration, as show in Figures 2b, 4b, 5b, 6 where the tether 40 is rotatably connected to the cap body 30.

[0111] The force is a downward force, i.e. a force directed towards the cap body 20, acting on the tether snap fit portion 42, wherein the tether snap fit portion 42 is a loop portion 42 with an inner diameter d1 and an outer diameter d2. The downward force is configured to force the loop portion 42 over an upper section 36, 37, 39a of the cap body snap fit portion 34 which has a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the loop portion 42.

[0112] The closure assembly 1 is assembled by an assembly system which comprises a force application member 60, as shown in Figure 4a-4b, which is configured to apply a force to the loop portion 42. The force application member 60 is embodied as an annular force application member 60 such that the force can be applied uniformly over the surface of the loop portion 42 of the tether 40. The inner diameter d5 of the force application member 60 is larger than the outer diameter d4 of the upper section 36, 39a of the cap body snap fit portion 34, such that the force application member 60 can move vertically past the upper section 36, 37, 39a in order to force the loop portion 42 over the upper section 36, 37, 39a, as shown in Figure 4b.

[0113] In an embodiment, the assembly method further comprises the step of securing the cap 20 on the neck 11 of the article 10, wherein the securing step can occur before or after the step of establishing of the snap fit connection.

[0114] Figures 7 - 9 show embodiments of the closure assembly 1 according to the invention, wherein the tether 140 which is at a first end 141 thereof configured to be connected or connected to the tamper-evident ring member 121 via the inventive snap fit arrangement, and at a second end thereof integral with the cap body 30.

[0115] In these embodiments of Figs. 7 - 9, the closure assembly comprises a tamper-evident ring member 121 which is integrally formed to the lower edge of the skirt 32 of the cap body. The tamper-evident ring member 121 is connected via one or more breakable bridges 23 to the skirt 32. The tamper-evident ring member 121 is configured to remain connected to the article 10 upon removal of the cap body from the neck 11 of the article by the user. The tether 140 at the first end 141 thereof is provided with a tether snap fit portion 142. The tether snap fit portion 142 is embodied as a circular loop portion having an inner diameter and an outer diameter.

[0116] The tamper-evident ring member 121 is provided with a corresponding tamper-evident ring member snap fit portion 134. The tamper-evident ring member 121 comprises an annular groove 134a extending along the periphery of the tamper-evident ring member 121. The annular groove 134a is defined between a lower and an upper annular tamper-evident ring wall section 134b, 134c which are vertically spaced from each other.

[0117] The inner diameter of the loop portion 142 is smaller than an outer diameter of the annular tamper-evident ring wall sections 134b, 134c. The inner diameter of the loop portion is larger than a diameter of the annular groove 134a.

[0118] In an initial moulded configuration, as shown in each of the Figures 7 - 9, the loop portion 142 is arranged coaxially with the main axis 15 and arranged further away from the cap body 30 than the tamper-evident ring member 121 , i.e. below the tamper-evident ring member 121.

[0119] The loop portion 142 is connected to the lower annular tamper-evident ring wall section 134b via snap fit bridges 143.

[0120] In the assembled configuration, not shown, the loop portion 142 is snapped over the lower annular wall section 134b, and is rotatably received in the annular groove 134a. The loop portion 142 is axially restrained between the upper and lower annular tamper-evident ring wall sections 134b, 134c.

[0121] As preferred, the lower annular tamper-evident ring wall section 134b has a bevelled edge which is configured to help establish the snap fit connection between the tamper-evident ring snap fit portion 134 and the tether snap fit portion 142.

[0122] As shown in Figure 8, the cap body may comprise a pair of wing-shaped handles 150, the wing shaped handles 150 extending outwardly from the exterior side of the downward depending skirt 32 in mutually opposite directions. The wing-shaped handles 150 are configured to be engaged by a user for the removal of the cap. The second end of the tether 140 is integrally formed with one of the wing-shaped handles 150. As shown in Figure 9, the cap body may comprise an annular outer gripping ring 151 which is connected to the downward depending skirt 32 via multiple spoke portions 152. The outer gripping 151 is configured to be engaged by a user for the removal of the cap. The second end of the tether 140 is integrally formed with the outer gripping ring 151 or with one of the spoke portions. For example, the spoke portions extend radially away from the skirt, e.g. each spoke portion being a vertical panel portion between the skirt and the gripping ring.

[0123] The closure assemblies 1 shown in Figures 7 - 9 can be assembled by a method comprising the step of exerting a force in order to establish the snap fit connection, which force causes the one or more breakable bridges 143 connecting the tether snap fit portion 142 and the lower annular tamper-evident ring wall section 134b to break and the snap fit connection to be established between the tether snap fit portion 142 and the tamper-evident ring member snap fit portion 134 so as to achieve an assembled configuration where the tether 140 is rotatably connected to the tamper-evident ring member.

[0124] The force is an upward force, i.e. a force directed towards the cap body 20, acting on the tether snap fit portion 142, wherein the tether snap fit portion 142 is a loop portion 42 with an inner diameter d1 and an outer diameter d2. The upward force is configured to force the loop portion 142 over the lower annular tamper-evident ring wall section 134b of the tamper- evident ring member 121 which has a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the loop portion 142.

Claims

C L A I M S1. A closure assembly (1) comprising:- an article (10) which is made of a plastic material and forms a neck (11) around a product passage (12), the neck having a main axis (15), an interior side, and an exterior side, and the neck forming a mouth at a top end of the product passage,- a cap (20) which is secured on or is adapted to be secured on the neck (11) of the article, wherein the cap is moulded of plastic material and comprises a cap body (30), wherein the cap body is configured to be manually removed from the neck of the article by a user to open the product passage, wherein the cap body (30) comprises:- a top wall structure (31),- a downward depending skirt (32) having an interior side, exterior side, and a lower edge remote from the top wall structure, wherein the cap, optionally, comprises a tamper-evident ring member (21) which is integrally formed to the lower edge of the skirt (32) via one or more breakable bridges (23) and wherein the tamper-evident ring member is configured to remain connected to the article (10) upon removal of the cap body from the neck (11) of the article by the user, wherein the closure assembly further comprises a tether (40) which is at a first end (41) thereof connected to the tamper-evident ring member (21) or to the article (10), and wherein the tether (40) is at a second end thereof provided with a tether snap fit portion (42), and wherein the cap body (30) is provided with a corresponding cap body snap fit portion (34), wherein - in an initial moulded configuration - the tether snap fit portion (42) is connected via one or more breakable snap fit bridges (43) to the cap body (30), e.g. to the cap body snap fit portion (34), wherein the one or more breakable snap fit bridges are configured to be broken upon establishing a snap fit connection between the cap body snap fit portion (34) and the tether snap fit portion (42),wherein - in an assembled configuration - the one or more breakable snap fit bridges (43) initially connecting the tether snap fit portion (42) and the cap body (30) have been broken and a snap fit connection is established between the tether snap fit portion (42) and the cap body snap fit portion (34).

2. Closure assembly according to claim 1 , wherein - in the assembled configuration - the tether snap fit portion (42) and the cap body snap fit portion (34) are configured such that the tether (40) is rotatably connected to the cap body (30) allowing for the cap body to be rotated with respect to the tether.

3. A closure assembly (1) comprising:- an article (10) which is made of a plastic material and forms a neck (11) around a product passage (12), the neck having a main axis (15), an interior side, and an exterior side, and the neck forming a mouth at a top end of the product passage,- a cap (20) which is secured on or is adapted to be secured on the neck (11) of the article, wherein the cap is moulded of plastic material and comprises a cap body (30), wherein the cap body is configured to be manually removed from the neck of the article by a user to open the product passage, wherein the cap body (30) comprises:- a top wall structure (31),- a downward depending skirt (32) having an interior side, exterior side, and a lower edge remote from the top wall structure, wherein the cap comprises a tamper-evident ring member (121) which is integrally formed to the lower edge of the skirt (32) of the cap body, wherein the tamper-evident ring member is connected via one or more breakable bridges (23) to the skirt, and wherein the tamper- evident ring member is configured to remain connected to the article (10) upon removal of the cap body from the neck (11) of the article by the user, wherein the closure assembly further comprises a tether (140) which is at a first end (141) thereof connected to the tamper-evident ring member (121), and wherein the tether (140) is at a second end thereof integrally moulded with a portion of the cap body,wherein the tether at the first end (141) thereof is provided with a tether snap fit portion (142), and wherein the tamper-evident ring member (121) is provided with a corresponding tamper- evident ring member snap fit portion (134), wherein - in an initial moulded configuration - the tether snap fit portion (142) is connected via one or more breakable snap fit bridges (143) to the tamper-evident ring member (121), e.g. to the tamper-evident ring member snap fit portion (134), wherein the one or more breakable snap fit bridges are configured to be broken upon establishing a snap fit connection between the tamper-evident ring member snap fit portion (134) and the tether snap fit portion (142), wherein - in an assembled configuration - the one or more breakable snap fit bridges (143) initially connecting the tether snap fit portion (142) and the tamper-evident ring member (121) have been broken and a snap fit connection is established between the tether snap fit portion (142) and the tamper-evident ring member snap fit portion (134).

4. Closure assembly according to claim 3, wherein - in the assembled configuration - the tether snap fit portion (142) and the tamper-evident ring member snap fit portion (134) are configured such that the tether (140) is rotatably connected to the tamper-evident ring member (121) allowing for the tether to rotate with respect to the tamper-evident ring member.

5. Closure assembly according to any one or more of claims 1 - 4, wherein the cap body (30) is embodied as a rotational cap, wherein the exterior side of the neck (11) and the interior side of the downward depending skirt (32) comprise cooperating rotational connection means (22a, 22b), preferably first and second screw threads on the neck and skirt respectively.

6. Closure assembly according to any one or more of claims 1 - 5, wherein - when the cap (20) is secured on the neck (11) of the article - the tamper-evident ring member (21 , 121) is rotationally fixed with respect to the neck of the article.

7. Closure assembly according to any one or more of claims 1 - 6, wherein the tether snap fit portion (42, 142) is embodied as a loop portion, e.g. a circular loop portion arranged coaxially with the main axis (15) of the neck.

8. Closure assembly according to any one or more of claims 1 - 7, wherein the tether snap fit portion (42, 142) and the cap body snap fit portion (34) or tamper-evident ring member snap fit portion (134) are configured such that in order to establish the snap fit connection, a force in the direction of the cap body (30) is applied on the tether snap fit portion.

9. Closure assembly according to at least claim 1 , wherein the tether (40) is at the first end (41) thereof moulded to the tamper-evident ring member (21) which is integrally formed to the lower edge of the skirt (32) of the cap body and connected via one or more breakable bridges (23) to the skirt, which tamper-evident ring member is configured to remain connected to the article (10) upon removal of the cap body from the neck (11) of the article by the user.

10. Closure assembly according to at least claim 1 , wherein the tether (40) is at the first end (41) thereof configured to be connected or connected to the article (10), e.g. to a base plate (14) of the article.

11. Closure assembly according to at least claim 1 , wherein the cap body snap fit portion (34) has a stem part (35) which extends upward from the top wall structure (31), preferably coaxially with the main axis, and has an outer diameter (d3), and wherein the cap body snap fit portion further comprises a head part (36) which extends coaxially from an upper end of the stem part and has a larger outer diameter (d4) than the outer diameter of the stem part (d3), and wherein the second end of the tether (42) is embodied as a, preferably circular, loop portion having an inner and an outer diameter (d1, d2), wherein the inner diameter (d1) of the loop portion is smaller than the outer diameter (d4) of the head part (36) of the cap body snap fit portion and is larger than the outer diameter (d3) of the stem part (35) of the cap body snap fit portion, and preferably, wherein the outer diameter (d2) of the loop portion is larger than the outer diameter (d4) of the head part, wherein - in the initial moulded configuration - the loop portion (42) is arranged coaxially and above the cap body snap fit portion and is connected to the head part of the cap body snap fit portion via the breakable snap fit bridges (43), wherein - in the assembled configuration - the loop portion is snapped under the head part (36) and rotatably engages the stem part (35) of the cap body snap fit portions,wherein, optionally, the head part (36) of the cap body snap fit portion has a bevelled section (37) which is configured to help establish the snap fit connection between the cap body snap fit portion and the tether snap fit portion.

12. Closure assembly according to at least claim 3, wherein the tether snap fit portion (142) is embodied as a, preferably circular, loop portion having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, wherein the tamper-evident ring member (121) comprises an annular groove (134a) extending along the periphery of the tamper-evident ring member, wherein the annular groove is defined by a lower and an upper annular tamper-evident ring wall section (134b, 134c) which are vertically spaced from each other, wherein the inner diameter of the loop portion is smaller than an outer diameter of the annular tamper-evident ring wall sections, and wherein, preferably, the inner diameter of the loop portion is larger than a diameter of the annular groove, wherein - in the initial moulded configuration - the loop portion is arranged coaxially with the main axis and arranged at the side of the tamper-evident ring member opposite the cap body, and wherein the loop portion is connected to the tamper-evident ring member via one or more breakable snap fit bridges, e.g. wherein the breakable snap fit bridges are connected to the lower annular tamper-evident ring wall section (134b), wherein - in the assembled configuration - the loop portion is snapped over the lower annular tamper-evident ring wall section (134b), and is received in the annular groove (134a), and is axially restrained between the upper and lower annular tamper-evident ring wall sections (134b, 134c), wherein, preferably, the lower annular tamper-evident ring wall section has a bevelled edge which is configured to help establish the snap fit connection between the tamper-evident ring snap fit portion and the tether snap fit portion.

13. Container, e.g. a collapsible pouch or a carton, for containing or containing a flowable product, e.g. a liquid product, e.g. a (liquid) food product, e.g. a beverage, wherein the container comprises a closure assembly according to any one or more of claims 1 - 12.

14. A method for the assembly of a closure assembly according to any one or more of claim 1 - 12, wherein the method comprises the step of exerting a force in order to establish the snap fit connection, which force causes the one or more breakable snap fit bridges to break and the snap fit connection to be established between the tether snap fit portion and the cap body snap fit portion or between the tether snap fit portion and the tamper-evident ring member snap fit portion so as to achieve the assembled configuration.

15. Method according to claim 14, wherein - in the assembled configuration - the tether snap fit portion (42) and the cap body snap fit portion (34) are configured such that the tether (40) is rotatably connected to the cap body (30) allowing for the cap body to be rotated with respect to the tether, or wherein - in the assembled configuration - the tether snap fit portion (142) and the tamper- evident ring member snap fit portion (134) are configured such that the tether (140) is rotatably connected to the tamper-evident ring member allowing for the tether to be rotated with respect to the tamper-evident ring member.

16. Method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the force is a force acting on the tether snap fit portion and directed towards the cap body, wherein the snap fit portion is a circular loop portion with an inner and an outer diameter, and wherein the force is configured to force the loop portion over an upper section (36, 39a) of the cap body snap fit portion which has a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the loop portion or over a lower section (134b) of the tamper-evident ring member which has a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the loop portion, preferably, wherein the closure assembly is assembled by an assembly system which comprises a force application member (60) which is configured to apply a force to the loop portion, wherein the force application member is embodied as a corresponding annular force application member such that the force can be applied uniformly over the surface of the loop portion of the tether, and wherein the inner diameter (d5) of the force application member is larger than an outer diameter (d4) of the upper section of the cap body snap fit portion or larger than an outer diameter of the lower section of the tamper-evident ring member snap fit portion.

17. Method according to any one or more of claims 14 - 16, wherein the assembly further comprises the step of securing the cap on the neck of the article, wherein the securing step can occur before or after the step of establishing of the snap fit connection.

18. A method for producing a closure assembly according to any one or more of claims 1- 12, wherein the cap and the tether are moulded using a mould, and wherein the snap fit connection between the tether snap fit portion and the cap body snap fit portion or the tamper-evident ring member snap fit portion is established while the cap and tether are in the mould.

Images