closure

Abstract

The invention relates to a closure device for a container, the closure device comprising a cap body, a tamper-evident band, a first hinging system and a second hinging system, a first arm and a second arm wherein, said first arm connects said first hinging system to said tamper-evident band and said second arm connects said second hinging system to said tamper-evident band and a tongue protruding from the cap body, between the first hinging system and the second hinging system, towards the tamper-evident band in a closed position.

Description

[0001] CLOSURE

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a closure device. Particularly, although not exclusively, the present invention relates to a tamper-evident closure and / or a tethered closure.

[0003] Tamper-evident closures are well known and include some means for indicating the closure has been opened / used at least once. In order for such closures to be effective the tamper-evident mechanism must be reliable i.e. it should activate when the closure is opened for the first time. More particular, the cap needs to be easily secured in a stable open position.

[0004] Tethered closures are a type of closures that are permanently attached to a container / bottle, preventing it from becoming separated and littered during or after consumption of product. Arranged on the lower edge of the cap wall of closure caps of this type is a retaining / tethering ring that typically engages beneath a bead on a container mouth when the closure cap is in position. On opening the container, the upper cap portion can be removed from the container to enable dispensing, while the lower retaining ring / part of the tamper evident remains firmly connected to the container.

[0005] According to certain aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a closure device for a container, the closure device comprising

[0006] - a cap body,

[0007] - a tamper-evident band,

[0008] - a first hinging system and a second hinging system,

[0009] - a first arm and a second arm wherein

[0010] - the first arm connects the first hinging system to the tamper-evident band and

[0011] - the second arm connects the second hinging system to the tamper-evident band

[0012] - a tongue protruding from the cap body, between the first hinging system and the second hinging system, towards the tamper-evident band in a closed position.

[0013] In some embodiments, the closure is made of plastic. In some embodiments, the closure is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and / or polypropylene (PP) and / or high-density polyethylene (HDPE).

[0014] The closure comprises a central axis. The central axis can be defined has the axis revolution of the cap body.In some embodiments, the cap body has a maximum diameter between 30 mm and 45 mm. In some embodiments, the cap body has a maximum diameter between 35 mm and 40 mm. The maximum diameter being the greatest diameter of the cap body.

[0015] In some embodiments, the cap body comprises an annular flange.

[0016] In some embodiments, the cap body is substantially a cylindrical shell with one closed end and an open edge.

[0017] In some embodiments, the cap body is a sport cap body. In some embodiments, the sport cap body comprises a cylindrical shall and an outlet element. For example the outlet element can be a spout or mouthpiece. In some embodiments, the outlet element can be displaced between a closed position, in which the outlet is sealed, and an open position, in which the outlet allows flow of the product. In some embodiments, the cap body comprises a valve or sealing member preventing leakage when the outlet is closed.

[0018] The sport cap is typically designed to be operable with one hand and to allow drinking directly from the container without removing the closure.

[0019] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the cap body is a flat cap. In some preferred embodiments, the flat cap body comprises a cylindrical shall and a flat-top wall.

[0020] In some embodiments, the cap body comprises an internal thread formed on the inside of the shell, which can interact with an external thread of a container neck delimiting the pouring opening.

[0021] In some embodiments, the cap body is retained in the closed position by means of a threaded interface with the neck.

[0022] In some embodiments, said cap body comprises a first open edge facing said first hinging system and a second open edge facing said second hinging system, wherein first and second open edges are tapered inwards. The first open edge and the second open edge each comprise a start and an end, wherein the end is respectively facing the first and second hinging systems.In some embodiments, the first open edge is tapered / inclined / chamfered / sloped as to form an angle from 40 to 80 degrees e.g. with respect to the part of the cap body from which it extends and / or with the radial direction of the end of the first tapered edge; and the second open edge is tapered / inclined / chamfered / sloped as to form an angle from 40 to 80 degrees e.g. with respect to the part of the cap body from which it extends and / or with the radial direction of the end of the second tapered edge. In some preferred embodiments, the edges are tapered such thatthey form an angle from 50 to 70 degrees with the radial direction of the end of the tapered edge.

[0023] These inclined surfaces are crucial to deform the closure after injecting. The inventors have surprisingly found out that incorporating of such tampered or chamfered edges next to the hinging systems on opposite sides dramatically decrease the stress of the closure during demoulding as well as increase the demoulding process in general, allowing the cycling time to increase.

[0024] In some embodiments, the first and second hinging systems comprises a first hinge and a second hinge, wherein the thickness of the second hinge is greater than the thickness of the first hinge and wherein the first is connected to the cap body and to the second hinge and wherein the second hinge is connected to the first hinge and to the arm. In a closed position, the first hinge is above the second hinge.

[0025] In some embodiment, the first hinges and second hinges of the first and second hinging systems can be film hinges.

[0026] In some embodiments, the thickness of the first and second arm is greater than the thickness of the second hinges.

[0027] In some embodiments, the first hinges have a thickness from 0.35 to 0.55 mm. In some preferred embodiments, the first hinges have a thickness from 0.40 to 0.50 mm.

[0028] In some embodiments, the second hinges have a thickness from 0.40 to 0.80 mm. In some preferred embodiments, the second hinges have a thickness from 0.50 to 0.70 mm.

[0029] In some embodiments, the first and second arms have a thickness from 0.75 to 1.15 mm. In some preferred embodiments, the first and second arms have a thickness from 0.85 to 1.05 mm.In some embodiments, the thickness of the first hinges is from 0.55 to 0.95 the thickness of the second hinges. In some preferred embodiments, the thickness of the first hinges is from 0.65 to 0.85 the thickness of the second hinges.

[0030] In some embodiments, the thickness of the second hinges is from 0.43 to 0.83 the thickness of the arms. In some preferred embodiments, the thickness of the second hinges is from 0.53 to 0.73 the thickness of the arms.

[0031] Apparently, each of this parameter taken individually or in group improve the stability of the body cap in an opened position, especially for cap having a maximum diameter greater than 30 mm and even more for cap body having a maximum diameter greater than 35 mm.

[0032] The first hinges and the second hinges are defined by internal surface, facingthe central axis, and external surface, visible in a closed configuration.

[0033] In some embodiments the first hinges comprise an external surface and wherein said external surface of the first hinges is positioned at a smaller radial distance from the central axis than the second hinges.

[0034] In some embodiments, the second hinges comprise an external surface and wherein said external surface of the second hinges is positioned at a smaller radial distance from the central axis than said first and second arms.

[0035] In some embodiments, the height of the second hinge of each hinging system is greater than the height of the first hinge of its respective hinging system.

[0036] Apparently, such a hinging system improves the stability of the body cap in an opened position, especially for cap having a maximum diameter greater than 30 mm and even more for cap body having a maximum diameter greater than 35 mm.

[0037] In some embodiments, the tamper-evident band is defined such that when assembled onto the container, the tamper-evident band is positioned below the annular flange of the cap body for cooperation therewith.In some embodiments, the tamper-evident band is frangibly connected to the first and / or second arms.

[0038] In some embodiments, the tamper-evident band is frangibly connected to the cap body.

[0039] In some embodiments, the frangible connections is assured by frangible links. In some embodiments, the frangible links are more fragile than the first or second arms.

[0040] In some embodiments, the first arm and the second arm originates from separate locations on the tamper-evident band.

[0041] In some embodiments, the first arm and the second arm extend in an angular direction.

[0042] In some embodiments, the first arm and the second arm are sized to allowthe cap body a degree of rotational freedom sufficient to disengage the threaded interface during the passage from the closed position to the opened position.

[0043] In some embodiments, the first arm and the second arm are configured to allow the cap body to be separated from the container neck while the cap body is able to be retained to the tamper-evident band.

[0044] In some embodiments, in a closed position, a tongue protrudes from the cap body towards the tamper-evident band. In some preferred embodiments, this tongue comprises a slightly inclined wall leaning outward and a vertical wall. Alternatively, in some preferred embodiments, this tongue is essentially a vertical wall.

[0045] In some embodiments, at least part of the tongue extends beyond the outside circumference of the cap body. Alternatively, in some embodiments the tongue does not extends beyond the outside circumference of the cap body.

[0046] In some embodiments, said tamper-evident band comprises a U-shaped protrusion or a U-shaped reinforced wall. In some preferred embodiments, said U-shaped protrusion or U-shaped reinforced wall encompasses, at least partially, the tongue. Such a protrusion improves the band rigidity and ease the handling of the closure. Such a protrusion can also be interpreted as areinforced section of the tongue, with a greater thickness than the wall on each lateral side of the protrusion.

[0047] In some embodiments, the tamper-evident band comprises a protective wall on each lateral side of the U-shaped protrusion and extending parallel to and being vertically spaced from 0.3 to 0.5 mm from the arms. In some embodiments, the spaces between the tamper-evident band and the arms, between the arms and the cap body and between the tongue and the tamper-evident band is from 0.3 to 0.5 mm. In some embodiments, the protective walls are essentially shaped to follow the contour of the arms. Apparently, such a space prevents flies and / or insects to enters the closures.

[0048] In some preferred embodiments, said U-shaped protrusion has a greater thickness than the protective wall. In some even more preferred embodiments, the thickness of the U-shaped protrusion is from 1.1 to 1.5 the thickness of the U-shaped protrusion.

[0049] The hinging system does not necessarily flank the tongue meaning that an element can be located between a hinging system and the tongue.

[0050] In some embodiments the tongue has essentially a trapezoidal shape flanked by shoulders on each side. In some alternative embodiments, the tongue protrudes from the cap body towards the tamper-evident band and protrudes away from the central axis, such that a section of the tongue describes a C-shaped curve.

[0051] In some embodiments, the lowest point of the tongue is substantially at the same height or level as the tamper evident band underneath the arms. The lowest point of the tongue being the closest to the tamper-evident band in the closed position.

[0052] In some embodiments, the tongue exhibits a plane of symmetry.

[0053] In some embodiments, tamper-evident band comprises a blocking system. In some preferred embodiments, the blocking system comprises a first protrusion and a second protrusion.

[0054] In some embodiments, in a closed position, the first protrusion protrudes from the tamper-evident band towards the cap body and is located between the first arm and the tongue. In some embodiments, the first protrusion comprises a notch inward. In some preferred embodiments,the notch inwards of the first protrusion is located essentially at the level of the second hinge of the first hinging system.

[0055] In some embodiments, in a closed position, the second protrusion protrudes from the tamper-evident band towards the cap body and is located between the second arm and the tongue. In some embodiments, the second protrusion comprises a notch inward. In some preferred embodiments, the notch inwards of the second protrusion is located essentially at the level of the second hinge of the second hinging system.

[0056] Such protrusion with inward notches allows to achieve a stable position for the cap body in an opened position, especially for cap having a maximum diameter greater than 30 mm and even more for cap body having a maximum diameter greater than 35 mm.

[0057] In some embodiments, in the opened position, the blocking system is able to retain the tongue. In some embodiments, in the opened position, the lateral extensions connected to each end of the upper segment of the U (or V) is located and retained by the notch of the protrusions of the blocking system.

[0058] In some embodiments, in the opened position, the tongue is able to be retained in a stable manner by the container neck.

[0059] In some embodiments, the tamper-evident band comprises a U (or V).

[0060] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0061] The non-limiting embodiments will be more fully appreciated by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0062] - Figure 1 is a frontviewof a closure device when the closure is in a closed position, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention,

[0063] - Figure 2 is a perspective view of a closure device when the closure is in a closed position, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention,

[0064] - Figure 3 is a section view of a closure device when the closure is in a closed position, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention,

[0065] - Figure 4 is a side view of a closure device when the closure is in a closed position, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention,- Figure 5 is a perspective view of a closure device when the closure is in an opened position, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention,

[0066] - Figure 6 is a section view of a closure device when the closure is in an opened position, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention,

[0067] - Figure 7 is a view of a closure device when the closure is in an opened position, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention,

[0068] - Figure 8 is a view of a hinging system,

[0069] - Figure 9 is a view of a hinging system,

[0070] - Figure 10 is a front view of a closure device when the closure is in a closed position, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention,

[0071] - Figure 11 is a front view of a closure device when the closure is in a closed position, in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention,

[0072] - Figure 12 is a perspective view of a closure device when the closure is in a closed position, in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention,

[0073] - Figure 13 is a side view of a closure device when the closure is in a closed position, in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention,

[0074] - Figure 14 is a section view of a closure device when the closure is in a closed position, in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention,

[0075] - Figure 15 is a front view of a part of the closure device when the closure is in a closed position, in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention,

[0076] - Figure 16 is a side view of a part of the closure device when the closure is in a closed position, in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention,

[0077] - Figure 17 is a top view of a part of the closure device when the closure is in a closed position, in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention,

[0078] - Figure 18 is a bottom view of a part of the closure device when the closure is in a closed position, in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention,

[0079] - Figure 19 is an embodiment of a view of the closure device when the closure is in an open position, in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention,

[0080] - Figure 20 is a view of a part of the closure device when the closure is in an open position, in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0081] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENTS

[0082] Reference will now be made in detail to various non-limiting embodiment(s) of a closure device for a container. It should be understood that other non-limiting embodiment(s), modifications and equivalents will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the non-limitingembodiment(s) disclosed herein and that these variants could be within scope of the invention, which is solely defined by the appended claims.

[0083] Furthermore, it will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art that certain structural and operational details of the non-limiting embodiment(s) discussed hereafter may be modified or omitted (i.e. nonessential) altogether. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail.

[0084] According to non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a closure device 100 for a container. The container with which the closure device 100 is useable is not limited in its use, position or material.

[0085] In the first embodiments illustrated herein, the container is a bottle, such as a drink bottle made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). For example, the container can be a blow-moulded bottle for containing still water beverage, sport beverage or another flat beverage. Alternatively, the container can be fora carbonated beverage. In yet further embodiments, the container can be for a hot fill type of beverage. However, the closure device 100 can be used with other types of containers.

[0086] As illustrated in Figure 3, the container 10 comprises a neck 11 including an external thread 12 and an annular flange 13 along an outer surface of the neck. The container neck delimits a pouring opening of the container. Figures 1B only illustrate the uppermost part of the container as shoulder, body and base are not represented in Figure 3.

[0087] The cap body is able to be actuated from a closed position, wherein the cap body 110 occludes the pouring opening of the container, to an open position, wherein the pouring opening of the container is freed, thereby permitting access to the interior of the container.

[0088] The closure 100 comprises a central axis.

[0089] Referring to Figure 1 , Figure 2, Figure 3 and Figure 4, the closure 100 comprises a cap body 110. The cap body 110 is a shell with one closed end and an open end. The cap body 110 comprises an internal thread 111 formed on the inside of the shell and able to interact with the external thread of the container neck delimiting the pouring opening. In closed position, the cap body 110 is retained by means of cooperation between the internal thread 111 of the cap body and the external thread 12 of the container.The closure 100 comprises a tamper-evident band 120. The tamper-evident band 120 is defined such that when assembled onto the container, the tamper-evident band is positioned belowthe annular flange 13 of the container for cooperation therewith.

[0090] The closure 100 comprises a first hinging system 130 and a second hinging system 140.

[0091] The closure 100 comprises a first arm 150 and a second arm 160. The first arm 150 connects the tamper-evident band 120 to the first hinging system 130. The second arm 160 connects the tamper-evident band 120 to the second hinging system 140. As illustrated in Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 4, the first arm 150 and the second arm 160 originate from separate locations on the tamper-evident band 120. The first arm 150 and the second arm 160 extends in an angular direction. So that the first and second arms extends around a central axis.

[0092] The first arm 150 and the second arm 160 are sized to allow the cap body a degree of rotational freedom sufficient to disengage the threaded interface during the passage from the closed position to the opened position. The first arm 150 and the second arm 160 are configured to allow the cap body to be separated from the container neck while the cap body is able to be retained to the tamper-evident band 120.

[0093] The closure 100 comprises a tongue 170 protruding from the cap body 110. The tongue 170 is situated between the first hinging system 130 and the second hinging system 140. As illustrated in Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4, elements can be positioned between a hinging system and the tongue. The hinging system does not must flank the tongue 170.

[0094] As illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 2, the uppermost part of the tongue 180 is above the lowest part of the cap body.

[0095] As illustrated in Figure 8 and in Figure 9, the cap body 110 comprises a first open edge 112 facing a lateral side 149 of the first hinging system 130 and a second open edge 113 facing the lateral side of the second hinging system 140. As illustrated in Figure 8 and Figure 9, the wall of the first and second open edges are narrower towards the inside of the cap body. The first open edge 112 and the second open edge 113 are tapered or chamfered inwards.In the embodiments represented in Figure 8 and 9, for example, the edges are tapered such that they form an angle of approximately 63 degrees with the radial direction of the tape ring section.

[0096] Each hinging system (130, 140) comprises a first hinge (131 , 141) and a second hinge (132, 142). The second hinge (132, 142) of each hinging system has a greater thickness than the thickness of the first hinge (131, 141 ) of its respective hinging system. The height of the second hinge of each hinging system is greater than the height of the first hinge of its respective hinging system.

[0097] The first hinges and the second hinges are defined by an internal surface, facing the central axis, and an external surface, visible in a closed configuration. The external surface of the first hinges is positioned at a smaller radial distance from the central axis than the second hinges. The external surface of the second hinges is positioned at a smaller radial distance from the central axis than the arms, described down below.

[0098] The first hinges have a thickness of 0.42 mm. The second hinges have a thickness of 0.62 mm. The first and second arms have a thickness of 0.94 mm.

[0099] In a closed position, the tongue 170 protrudes from the cap body 100 towards the tamper-evident band 120. As illustrated Figure 8 and Figure 9, the tongue 170 has essentially a trapezoidal shape 171 flanked by shoulders 172 on each side. Alternatively described, the tongue has a U (or V) shaped portion 171 with lateral extensions 172 connected to each end of the upper segment of the U. The tongue exhibits a plane of symmetry.

[0100] The lowest point of the tongue 170 is substantially at the same level as the lowest point of the arms (150, 160).

[0101] The tamper-evident band 120 comprises a blocking system 180. The blocking system comprises a first protrusion 181 and a second protrusion 182.

[0102] As illustrated in Figure 9, in a closed position, the first protrusion 181 protrudes from the tamper-evident band 120 towards the cap body 110 and is located between the first arm 150 and the U (or V) shaped portion 171 of the tongue 170. The first protrusion 181 comprises a notch inward. As illustrated in Figure 9, in a closed position, the second protrusion 182 protrudes from the tamper-evident band 120 towards the cap body 110 and is located between the second arm 160and the U (or V) shaped portion 171 of the tongue 170. The second protrusion 182 comprises a notch inward.

[0103] As illustrated in Figure 7, in the open position, the blocking system (180, 181 , 182) is able to retain the tongue 170. In the open position, the lateral extensions (or shoulders) 172 connected to each end of the upper segment of the U (or V) is located and retained by the notch of the protrusions (181, 182) of the blocking system 180.

[0104] In the second embodiments illustrated herein, the container is a bottle, such as a drink bottle made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). For example, the container can be a blow-moulded bottle for containing still water beverage, sport beverage or another flat beverage. Alternatively, the container can be for a carbonated beverage. In yet further embodiments, the container can be for a hot fill type of beverage. However, the closure device 200 can be used with other types of containers.

[0105] The container comprises a neck including an external thread and an annular flange along an outer surface of the neck. The container neck delimits a pouring opening of the container.

[0106] The cap body is able to be actuated from a closed position, wherein he cap body 110 occludes the pouring opening of the container, to an open position, wherein the pouring opening of the container is freed, thereby permitting access to the interior of the container.

[0107] The closure 200 comprises a central axis.

[0108] Referring to Figure 10, the closure 200 comprises a cap body 210. The cap body 210 is essentially a shell with one closed end and an open edge. The cap body 210 comprises an internal thread formed on the inside of the shell and able to interact with the external thread of the container neck delimiting the pouring opening. In closed position, the cap body 200 is retained in the by means of cooperation between the internal thread of the cap body and the external thread of the container.

[0109] The open edge 212 of the cap body 210 facing lateral side of the hinging systems (230, 240) are a chamfered. The chamfer is inward.The closure 200 comprises a tamper-evident band 220. The tamper-evident band 220 is defined such that when assembled onto the container, the tamper-evident band is positioned belowthe annular flange of the container for cooperation therewith.

[0110] The closure 200 comprises a first hinging system 130 and a second hinging system 140. Each hinging system comprises a first hinge (131 , 141) and a second hinge (132, 142). The second hinge of each hinging system have a greater thickness than the first hinge of its respective hinging system. The second hinge of each hinging system have a greater height than the first hinge of its respective hinging system.

[0111] The first hinges and the second hinges are defined by internal surface, facingthe central axis, and external surface, visible in a closed configuration. The external surface of the first hinges is positioned at a smaller radial distance from the central axis than the second hinges. The external surface of the second hinges is positioned at a smaller radial distance from the central axis than the arms, described down below.

[0112] The closure 200 comprises a first arm 250 and a second arm 260. The first arm 250 connects the tamper-evident band 220 to the first hinging system 230. The second arm 260 connects the tamper-evident band 220 to the second hinging system 240. As illustrated in Figure 10, the first arm 250 and the second arm 260 originate from separate locations on the tamper-evident band 220. The first arm 250 and the second arm 260 extend in an angular direction. So that the first and second arms extends at around a central axis.

[0113] The first arm 250 and the second arm 260 are sized to allow the cap body a degree of rotational freedom sufficient to disengage the threaded interface during the passage from the closed position to the opened position. The first arm 250 and the second arm 260 are configured to allow the cap body to be separated from the container neck while the cap body is able to be retained to the tamper-evident band 220.

[0114] The closure 200 comprises a tongue 270 protruding from the cap body 210. The tongue 270 is situated between the first hinging system 230 and the second hinging system 240. As illustrated in Figure 10, elements can be positioned between a hinging system and the tongue.In a closed position, the tongue 270 protrudes from the cap body 200 towards the tamper-evident band 220 and protrudes away from the central axis, such that a section of the tongue describes a C-shaped curve. The tongue exhibits a plane of symmetry.

[0115] The lowest point of the tongue 170 is substantially at the same height as the tamper evident band underneath the arms (250, 260).

[0116] In the opened position, the tongue 170 is able to be retained in a stable manner by the container neck.

[0117] Figures 11 to 20 illustrates a third embodiment of the invention. The closure of the third embodiment can be disposed on a bottle, such as a bottle made of plastic such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). For example, the container can be a blow-moulded bottle for containing still water beverage, sport beverage or another flat beverage. However, the closure device 100 can be used with other types of containers.

[0118] The cap body is able to be actuated from a closed position, wherein the cap body occludes the pouring opening of the container, to an open position, wherein the pouring opening of the container is freed, thereby permitting access to the interior of the container.

[0119] The closure 100 comprises a central axis.

[0120] Referring to Figure 11 , Figure 12, Figure 13 and Figure 14, the closure 100’ comprises a cap body 110’. The cap body 110’ is a shell with one closed end and an open end. The cap body 110’ comprises an internal thread 111’ formed on the inside of the shell and able to interact with an external thread of a container neck. In closed position, the cap body 110’ is retained by means of cooperation between the internal thread 111 of the cap body and an external thread of a container.

[0121] The closure 100’ comprises a tamper-evident band 120’. The tamper-evident band 120’ is defined such that when assembled onto the container, the tamper-evident band can positioned below an annular flange of a container for cooperation therewith.

[0122] As illustrated in Figure 14, the closure 100’ can be a flat cap wherein the cap body 110’ has an essentially flat top wall. The cap body can comprise an internal skirt 114’ and an annular bead 115’.The closure 100’ comprises a first hinging system 130’ and a second hinging system 140’.

[0123] The closure 100’ comprises a first arm 150’ and a second arm 160’. The first arm 150’ connects the tamper-evident band 120’ to the first hinging system 130’. The second arm 160’ connects the tamper-evident band 120’ to the second hinging system 140’. As illustrated in Figure 11, Figure 12, Figure 13 and Figure 14, the first arm 150’ and the second arm 160’ originate from separate locations on the tamper-evident band 120’. The first arm 150’ and the second arm 160’ extends in an angular direction. So that the first and second arms extends around a central axis.

[0124] The first arm 150’ and the second arm 160’ are sized to allow the cap body a degree of rotational freedom sufficient to disengage the threaded interface during the passage from the closed position to the opened position. The first arm 150’ and the second arm 160’ are configured to allow the cap body to be separated from the container neck while the cap body is able to be retained to the tamper-evident band 120’.

[0125] The first hinges have a thickness of 0.45 mm. The second hinges have a thickness of 0.60 mm. The first and second arms have a thickness of 0.95 mm.

[0126] The closure 100’ comprises a tongue 170’ protruding from the cap body 110’. The tongue 170’ is situated between the first hinging system 130’ and the second hinging system 140’. As illustrated in Figure 11 and Figure 12 elements can be positioned between a hinging system and the tongue. The hinging system does not necessarily flank the tongue 170’.

[0127] As illustrated in Figure 11 and Figure 12, the uppermost part of the tongue 180’ is above the lowest part of the cap body 110’.

[0128] As illustrated in Figure 11 , Figure 12 and Figure 15, the cap body 110’ comprises a first open edge 112’ facing a lateral side 149’ of the first hinging system 130’ and a second open edge 113’ facing the lateral side of the second hinging system 140’. The wall of the first and second open edges are narrower towards the inside of the cap body. The first open edge 112’ and the second open edge 113’ are tapered or chamfered inwards.

[0129] In the embodiments represented in Figure 20, the edges are tapered such that they form an angle of approximately 61 degrees with the radial direction of the tapering section.Each hinging system (130’, 140’) comprises a first hinge (131’, 141’) and a second hinge (132’, 142’). The first hinges and second hingescan be film hinges. The second hinge (132’, 142’) of each hinging system has a greater thickness than the thickness of the first hinge (131’, 141’) of its respective hinging system. The height of the second hinge of each hinging system is greater than the height of the first hinge of its respective hinging system.

[0130] The first hinges and the second hinges are defined by an internal surface, facing the central axis, and an external surface, visible in a closed configuration. The external surface of the first hinges is positioned at a smaller radial distance from the central axis than the second hinges. The external surface of the second hinges is positioned at a smaller radial distance from the central axis than the arms, described down below.

[0131] In a closed position, the tongue 170’ protrudes from the cap body 100’ towards the tamper-evident band 120’. As illustrated in Figure 11 , Figure 12, Figure 15 and Figure 16, the tongue 170’ comprises a slightly inclined wall 174’ leaning outward and a vertical wall 175’. As illustrated, at least part of the tongue 170’ extends beyond the outside circumference of the cap body 110’.

[0132] The tamper-evident band comprises a U-shaped protrusion or a U-shaped reinforced wall 190 encompassing partially the tongue and configured to flank the tongue 170. This protrusion protrudes outwards and can be seen as a reinforced wall having a greater thickness than the wall on each lateral side of the protrusion. This U-shaped protrusion 190’ and the tongue can be connected by a tamper-evident frangible connection before the first opening of the cap.

[0133] The cap body 110’ comprises two protrusions (116’ and 117’), one on each side of the tongue 170’. The protrusions (116’ and 117’) are spaced from the tongue 170’ and from the first open edge 112 and the second open edge 113 respectively. The protrusions extends towards said U-shaped protrusion or a U-shaped reinforced wall. The U-shaped protrusion or a U-shaped reinforced wall have a thickness of 1 mm.

[0134] The tamper-evident band 120’ comprises protective walls (121 ’, 122’) on each lateral side of the U-shaped protrusion or the U-shaped reinforced wall and extending parallel to and being vertically spaced from the arms. The protective wall have a thickness of 0.75 mm.

[0135] The protective walls are spaced from 0.3 to 0.5 mm from the arms.The space orgap between the tamper-evident band and the arms is from 0.3 to 0.5 mm. The space or gap between the arms and the cap body is from 0.3 to 0.5 mm. The space orgap between the tongue and the tamper-evident band is from 0.3 to 0.5 mm.

[0136] The protrusions and protective walls permits to create such gaps.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A closure device for a container, the closure device comprising a cap body, a tamper-evident band, a first hinging system and a second hinging system, a first arm and a second arm wherein, said first arm connects said first hinging system to said tamper-evident band and said second arm connects said second hinging system to said tamper-evident band and a tongue protruding from the cap body, between the first hinging system and the second hinging system, towards the tamper-evident band in a closed position.

2. A closure device for a container according to claim 1 , wherein said cap body comprises a first open edge facing said first hinging system and a second open edge facing said second hinging system, wherein first and second open edges are tapered inwards.

3. A closure device for a container according to claim 2, wherein the first open edge is tapered as to form an angle from 40 to 80 degrees with the radial direction of the end of the first tapered edge and the second open edge is tapered as to form an angle from 40 to 80 degrees with the radial direction of the end of the second tapered edge.

4. A closure device for a container according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein said first and second hinging systems comprises a first hinge and a second hinge, wherein the thickness of the second hinge is greater than the thickness of the first hinge and wherein the first is connected to the cap body and to the second hinge and wherein the second hinge is connected to the first hinge and to the arm.

5. A closure device for a container according to claim 4, wherein the thickness of the first and second arm is greater than the thickness of the second hinges.

6. A closure device fora container according to anyone of the claims 4 or 5, wherein the first hinges comprise an external surface and wherein said external surface of the first hinges is positioned at a smaller radial distance from the central axis than the second hinges.

7. A closure device for a container according to any one of the claims 4 to 6, wherein the second hinges comprise an external surface and wherein said external surface of the second hinges is positioned at a smaller radial distance from the central axis than said first and second arms.

8. A closure device for a container according to any one of the claims 1 to 7, wherein the tamper-evident band comprises a blocking system comprising a first protrusion and a second protrusion wherein in a closed position, the first protrusion protrudes from the tamper-evident band towards the cap body and is located between the first arm and the tongue and the second protrusion protrudes from the tamper-evident band towards the cap body and is located between the second arm and the tongue.

9. A closure device for a container according to claim 8, wherein the tongue has essentially a trapezoidal shape flanked by shoulders on each side.

10. A closure device for a container according to, wherein, in a closed position, the lowest point of the tongue is substantially at the same level as the lowest point of said first and second arms11. A closure device for a container according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the first protrusion comprises a first notch inward and the second protrusion comprises a second notch inward.

12. A closure device fora container according to anyone of the claim 8 or 10, wherein the first notch is located essentially at the level of the second hinge of the first hinging system and the second notch is located essentially at the level of the second hinge of the second hinging system 13. A closure device for a container according to any one of the claims 8 to 10, wherein in an opened position, the blocking system the blocking system is able to retain the tongue.

14. A closure device according to any one of the claims 1 to 7, wherein said tamper-evident band comprises a U-shaped protrusion or a U-shaped reinforced wall.

15. A closure device according to claim 14, wherein said U-shaped protrusion encompasses, at least partially, the tongue.

16. A closure according to any one of the claims 14 or 15, wherein said cap body comprises two protrusions one on each side of the tongue.

17. A closure according to any one of the claims 14 to 16, wherein said cap body comprises two protrusions, one on each side of the tongue, extending towards said U-shaped protrusion or a U-shaped reinforced wall.

18. A closure according to any one of the claims 14 to 17, wherein the tamper-evident band comprises protective walls on each lateral side of the U-shaped protrusion or the U-shaped reinforced wall and extends parallel to and being vertically spaced from 0.3 to 0.5 mm from the arms.

19. A closure according to any one of the claims 14 to 18, said U-shaped protrusion or said U-shaped reinforced wall has a greater thickness than the protective walls.

20. A closure device according to any one of the claims 1 to 19, wherein the spaces between the tamper-evident band and the arms, between the arms and the cap body and between the tongue and the tamper-evident band is from 0.3 to 0.5 mm.

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