CLOSURE ASSEMBLY, CONTAINER PROVIDED WITH THE CLOSURE ASSEMBLY, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING FILLED CONTAINERS PROVIDED WITH THE CLOSURE ASSEMBLY

Abstract

The present invention relates to a closure assembly (1) for a container and a method for manufacturing and filling a container with such a closure assembly. The closure assembly comprises a plastic spout (5) having an attachment portion (5a) which is configured to be sealed or is sealed to a container. It further comprises a plastic cap (10) to be mounted on the spout, comprising a cap body (11) with a protective slotted skirt (11b) and a connecting lever (14). The lever is provided with a spout connector portion (14a) at the lower end thereof. The spout is provided with an associated lever connector portion (5k), wherein the spout connector portion and the lever connector portion are interconnectable.

Description

The present invention relates to a closure assembly, a container provided with the closure assembly, and to a method for producing filled containers provided with the closure assembly.

Closure assemblies comprising a spout and cap are known in the art, with a plastic cap that can be removed by a user through a lifting and/or rotational movement from the spout, e.g. a spout that has been fitted on a collapsible pouch container. For example WO2017/135824 of the same applicant discloses a closure assembly with a spout and a cap which in a closed and mounted state thereof sealingly interacts with the spout to close and seal the product passage of the spout. WO2020/221801 of the same applicant also relates to a spout and discloses a closure assembly that seeks to avoid that the cap becomes separated from the spout.

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

In particular, the invention aims to provide an easy to operate closure assembly that seeks to avoid that the cap becomes separated from the spout, e.g. reducing the chance that the cap ends up in the environment instead of being properly disposed of, e.g. in view of recycling.

According to the present invention one or more of the above-mentioned objects are achieved by a closure assembly according to claim 1.

The inventive closure assembly allows for a combination of a spout with a tubular neck and attractive manufacturing of the cap, as well as easy opening by the user and allows for a simple and attractive structural design of the cap. The connecting lever of the cap allows an easy assembly with the spout via associated connector portions, preferably by an axial securing motion of the cap along the main axis, when mounting the cap on the spout.

The connecting lever further allows an easy manual movement of the cap, which requires little relative motion of the cap relative to the article to disengage the snap connection, e.g. compared to a screw-type cap.

The inventive closure assembly preferably allows a minimum of 15 times opening and closing of the cap.

The closure assembly comprises a plastic spout, e.g. an injection moulded spout, having an attachment portion which is configured to be sealed or is sealed to a container, e.g. a pouch type container. The container is suitable to be filled with a fluid product, e.g. food product, e.g. a beverage.

In embodiments, the attachment portion is a so-called seal boat adapted to be secured, e.g. by heat-sealing, to the container, e.g. between opposed film walls of a collapsible pouch container.

In another embodiment, the attachment portion is embodied with a lower circumferential flange or plate portion that is adapted to be secured or secured onto a panel of a container, e.g. a panel of a carton or a wall of a collapsible pouch.

The spout further has a tubular neck with a vertical main axis, preferably an elongated neck having a diameter smaller than its length. Such a neck e.g. allows consumption of a product as if the neck is a straw, and/or facilitates an outflow of product from the container. It will be appreciated that the term vertical, as well as top, bottom, upper, lower, etc. are merely used to identify relative orientation and location of components and details thereof in the closure assembly. In practical use the spout may be arranged at the top of a container, e.g. pouch container, but also other arrangements, e.g. the neck facing sideways, being inclined, facing downwards, etc. are comprised within the invention.

A product passage extends through the neck to a mouth at a top of the neck allowing to dispense a product from the container. The lower opening of the product passage, opposite the mouth, is provided at the lower end of spout. In general, the attachment portion is provided at the lower end of the spout, end hence the lower opening is provided at the lower end of the attachment portion. The mouth is commonly of circular shape, having a similar diameter a the tubular neck. The lower opening is in embodiments also of circular shape. It is also conceivable that the lower opening is larger than the diameter of the tubular neck. The geometry of the lower opening is in embodiments determined by the configuration of the attachment portion.

In embodiments, the spout further comprises a circumferential flange structure which comprises an annular flange portion that is integrally formed, e.g. injection moulded, to the spout and extends around the neck, e.g. at a bottom end thereof, e.g. between the attachment portion and the tubular neck of the spout.

The plastic cap of the closure assembly is integrally formed, e.g. (injection) moulded, as one piece distinct from the spout. Commonly, the cap has an attractive colour and design, distinguishing products and/or manufacturers. The cap is configured to be mounted on the spout. In the cap assembly of the invention, it is conceivable that the cap is mounted on the spout or is to be mounted on the spout.

In order to mount the cap on the spout, the cap is provided with a spout connector portion, and the spout is provided with an associated connector portion, wherein the spout connector portion and the associated connector portion are configured to be interconnected. When mounting the cap on the spout, preferably by an axial motion of the cap along the main axis, the connector portions are interconnected.

In the mounted state, cap and spout cannot be manually disconnected by disconnecting the connector portions. The associated connector portions are e.g. formed by hook members and slots, wherein the hook member engages, e.g. snaps in the slots. Up to a certain separation force this is irreversible. Separation force is estimated <90N, preferably >25N.

The cap comprises, seen in a closed and mounted state thereof, a cap body with a top end wall extending over the mouth of the neck and a protective slotted skirt depending downward from the top end wall along the neck to an open lower cap end of the cap body.

The cap body is provided with a sealing portion which—in the closed and mounted state of the cap—sealingly interacts with the neck of the spout to close and seal the product passage of the spout. It is conceivable that the product passage is sealed at the inside thereof, or at the mouth, or at the outer circumference of the neck. The seal may be provided at an upper end of the neck, or at a lower end thereof.

In embodiments, top end wall comprises a W-seal arrangement protruding into the neck. Herein the W-seal arrangement comprises a downward projecting bulbous and annular top wall section around a central raised top wall section. It will be appreciated that the top end wall could have other designs, e.g. like a substantially planar disc, or with a downwardly protruding hollow pin design that fits inside the neck to provide a seal at a position well below the mouth, etc.

In embodiments, the cap has an annular top end wall having an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter, wherein the downward depending skirt is integral with the outer perimeter, and wherein a hollow pin portion depends from the inner perimeter, the hollow pin portion having a circumferential face extending along a length thereof and a closed pin bottom, e.g. the hollow pin portion being open at a top thereof, wherein the circumferential face of the hollow pin portion and the spout have at least one pair of cooperating sealing surfaces such that hollow pin portion, in the closed position of the cap, closes the product passage.

In the closed and mounted state of the cap the protective slotted skirt protects the neck of the spout, e.g. against impact. In embodiments, the skirt is of an open design, e.g. comprising decorative perforations.

In embodiments, open lower cap end of the cap body extends to the lower end of the neck, in the vicinity or adjacent the attachment portion or a flange portion, when present. It is also conceivable that a portion of the neck is not protected by the skirt, e.g. when the skirt does not extend to the lower end of the neck over its entire length. E.g, the lower end of the skirt may have a zig-zag, criss-cross, wavy, serrated, jagged or crenellated shape.

The skirt defines a slot at a backside of the cap body which extends from the open lower cap end upward towards the top end wall of the cap body and allows for passing of the neck there through upon manual opening of the cap. Manual opening occurs by a pivotal motion of the cap, wherein the cap is engaged by a user at a front side thereof, and pivoted about two parallel pivot axes, extending perpendicular to the main axis.

The width of the slot is preferably between 50-100% of the diameter of the tubular neck, in particular between 75-90%. The length of the slot is preferably 50-100% of the length of the tubular neck, in particular between 75-90%. The dimensions of the slot are such that upon opening, the tubular neck is allowed to pass through the slot.

In embodiments, the width of the slot, or at least the smallest portion of the slot, is smaller as the width of the neck. This necessitates the user to rotate the cap portion sufficiently open in the primary pivoting motion, before cap can be opened via the secondary pivoting motion. This is in particular advantageous when reclosing the cap: the primary pivoting motion can only be carried out after completion of the secondary pivoting motion.

The slot may have an essentially rectangular shape, but it is also conceivable that the skirt surrounds the slot in a more rounded fashion, e.g. wherein the slot has the shape of a reverse “U”, or the shape of the upper part of an (elongated) “O”, wherein the skirt portions adjacent the slot have the shape of rounded brackets ( ) or { }. In such embodiments, the slot slightly narrows towards the open lower cap end, to an extent still allowing the tubular neck to pass through the slot.

In addition to the cap body, the cap comprises a connecting lever. The connecting lever extends—in the closed and mounted state of the cap—along the neck at the backside of the cap body. The lever may extend in the slot defined by the skirt, or in the vicinity thereof, e.g. in a plane parallel to the slot. The lever extends from an upper end thereof that is integral with the cap body via an integrally formed upper hinge defining an upper pivot axis to a lower end of the lever. The integrally formed upper hinge is e.g. formed by one or more weakened portions of plastic, such as a film hinge or living hinge. The upper pivot axis extends perpendicular to the main axis of the spout.

The lever is provided with a spout connector portion at the lower end thereof, and the spout is provided with an associated lever connector portion. The spout connector portion and the lever connector portion are configured to be interconnected or are interconnected, preferably by an axial motion of the cap along the main axis, when mounting the cap on the spout. The connecting lever thus provides a connection between spout and cap when the cap is mounted to the spout. This connection is preferably inseparable by a user, to avoid that the cap becomes separated from the spout and thereby reducing the chance that the cap ends up in the environment instead of being properly disposed of, e.g. in view of recycling.

Furthermore, the connecting lever is pivotal about a lower hinge defining a lower pivot axis. The upper and lower pivot axes are parallel to one another and perpendicular to the main axis of the spout.

The inventive cap is configured to be manually moved by user from the closed state into an opened state through:

• • a primary pivoting motion of the cap body about the upper pivot axis, moving the cap body into a semi-open position in which the sealing portion of the cap body is disengaged from the neck of the spout, during which primary pivoting motion of the cap body the lever remains extending upward along the neck at said backside of the cap body, and
  • a subsequent secondary pivoting motion of the lever about the lower pivot axis moving the cap body from the semi-open position towards the backside, i.e. the side of the lever, to an open consumption position wherein the cap body is remote from the neck.

During the primary pivoting motion, a lower end of the skirt describes part of a circle during the primary pivoting motion, e.g. between 30-180°, in particular between 30-90°. During the first 90° of the circle, the lower end of the skirt starts moving from a 6 o'clock position, into a forward direction, more remote from the spout and from the lever. In embodiments, the primary pivoting motion allows a further pivot of the cap body wherein the lower end of the skirt moves from a 9 o'clock position towards the lever, e.g. to a 12 o'clock position, i.e. 180°.

In embodiments, the configuration of the cap body may allow a further pivot of the lower end may pivot or up to 270°, or even up to almost 360° is possible. In embodiments, a fixation of the cap after the primary pivoting motion is foreseen.

During the secondary pivoting motion, the lever pivots about the lower pivot axis and describes part of a circle during the secondary pivoting motion. The lever moves from an upwards extending 12 o'clock direction adjacent the spout e.g. over 90° until a 3 o'clock position wherein the lever extends perpendicular to the spout, or further, e.g. over 180° to a 6 o'clock position wherein the lever extends parallel to the spout in a downward extending direction. Intermediate positions between 90 and 180° are foreseen: the cap body should be remote from the neck in the open position, e.g. to allow the consumer to drink from the neck as if it is a straw, or to pour substance from the container via the neck of the spout without interference of the cap.

In addition, the inventive cap is advantageously also configured to be manually moved by user from the opened state into the closed state through:

• • a pivoting motion of the lever about the lower pivot axis moving the cap body from the open consumption position to a semi-open position, wherein lever extends upward along the neck at the backside of the cap body, and
  • a subsequent pivoting motion of the cap body about the upper pivot axis, moving the cap body from the semi-open position to the closed position in which the sealing portion of the cap body is engaged with the neck of the spout, during which pivoting motion of the cap body the lever remains extending upward along the neck at said backside of the cap body.

During the pivoting motion of the lever, the lever pivots about the lower pivot axis and describes part of a circle towards an upwards extending 12 o'clock direction adjacent the spout, e.g. over 90° from a 3 o'clock position wherein the lever extends perpendicular to the spout, or e.g. over 180°, from a 6 o'clock position wherein the lever extends parallel to the spout in a downward extending direction.

During the pivoting motion of the cap body, a lower end of the skirt describes part of a circle, e.g. starting from a 12 o'clock position in which the lower end extends upwards and parallel to the spout. Starting in that position, during the first 90° of the circle, the lower end of the skirt moves away from the lever to a 9 o'clock position remote from the spout and from the lever. During the final 90° of the circle, the lower end of the skirt moves towards the lever from the 9 o'clock position to the 6 o'clock position.

In embodiments, the cap body comprises positioning ribs at an upper end of its inside, which positioning ribs engage the neck of the spout during movement of the cap into the closed state. In particular to ensure sealing of the product passage of the spout by the cap, the sealing portion of the cap has to be accurately positioned. Positioning ribs, e.g. extending inward from the skirt or from the top wall, may engage the mouth or the neck of the spout to improve such positioning.

According to the invention, there is a lower pivot axis about which the lever pivots. Alternative locations for this lower pivot axis are foreseen.

In embodiments, the lower pivot axis is defined by the interconnection between the spout connector portion and complementary lever connector portion. Hence, the connection does not provide rigidly fix the spout to the lever, but simultaneously provides a connection and pivot axis.

In alternative embodiments, the lever comprises at a lower end thereof an integrally formed lower hinge defining the lower pivot axis. In embodiments, the lower hinge is embodied similar to the upper hinge, e.g. as a film hinge or living hinge. The lower hinge is provided above the spout connector portion of the lever. Consequently, the connecting lever has a relatively small fixed portion at the lower end comprising the spout connector portion, connected to the spout. The part of the connecting lever extending between the two hinges operates as a lever.

In yet alternative embodiments of a closure assembly the spout comprises below the lever connector portion an integrally formed lower hinge defining the lower pivot axis. In such embodiments, the connecting lever pivots about the lower pivot axis, together with the lever connector portion of the spout.

In particular in these two last-mentioned embodiments, it is conceivable that a lower end of the connecting lever extends beyond a lower end of the slotted skirt. For the first-mentioned embodiment, the lower end of the connecting lever may be level with the lower end of the slotted skirt, or even be slightly above that level—as long as the configuration allows the claimed opening of the cap.

In embodiments, the connecting lever in a top view is arranged inside the outer circumference of the cap body. This is e.g. advantageous in preventing damage caused by protruding parts. On the other hand, it is also conceivable that part of the lever, e.g. including the spout connector portion, extends outside this circumference. Such striking appearance may attribute to the character of the closure assembly.

In embodiments, the connecting lever is mirror-symmetrical about an axis parallel to the main axis of the spout, attributing to the appearance of the closure assembly.

In embodiments, the spout is mirror-symmetrical about an axis parallel to the main axis of the spout. In particular a spout having 2 (or more) symmetrically provided lever connector portions will be advantageous during the assembly of spout and cap of the closure assembly. With one lever connector portion, only a single matching orientation of the cap will enable a connection between spout and pouch. With two lever connector portions, two relative orientations of the cap will enable interconnection of spout and cap during mounting.

In embodiments, the skirt is connected via one or more breakable tamper-evident bridges to the connecting lever in a secured and closed position of the cap. Such tamper-evident bridges are well known in the art and commonly applied to prove that a cap has not been opened prior to sale.

In embodiments, the connecting lever further comprising an engagement (snap) portion below the lower hinge to receive and engage a part of the connecting lever portion in the open consumption position. Yet alternatively, it is conceivable that the spout comprises such an engagement portion to receive and engage a part of the connecting lever portion in the open consumption position.

The drawings illustrate several embodiments of the invention as follows:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of a closure assembly 1 for a container in a slightly opened configuration;

FIG. 2 shows a plastic cap of a closure assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a plastic spout of a closure assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4a shows the back side of the closure assembly of FIG. 1 in its closed configuration;

FIG. 4b shows the back side of the closure assembly of FIG. 1 wherein the plastic cap and the plastic spout are shown separately;

FIG. 5 shows the front side of the closure assembly of FIG. 1 in its closed configuration;

FIGS. 6a,6b,6c,6d and 6e show a sideview illustrating the process of opening, and/or closing, of the closure assembly of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 6f,6g,6h,6i,6j show a cross-sectional sideview illustrating the process of opening, and/or closing, of the closure assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7a shows a second embodiment of the closure assembly in its halfway opened configuration;

FIG. 7b is an exploded view of the second embodiment of the closure assembly illustrating the assembling process;

FIGS. 8a, 8b and 8c show a sideview of the closure assembly of FIGS. 7a, 7b illustrating the process of opening, and/or closing, of the second embodiment of the closure assembly;

FIG. 9a shows the front side of the closure assembly of FIGS. 7a, 7b in its closed configuration;

FIG. 9b shows the back side of the closure assembly of FIG. 9a in its closed configuration;

FIGS. 10a, 10b and 10c show isometric views of the back side of the closure assembly of FIGS. 7a, 7b in its closed configuration wherein FIG. 10a is a cross-sectional isometric view of the closure assembly along the plane spanned by the line A to A′ and the line A to A″ and FIG. 10c is a cross-sectional isometric view of the closure assembly along the plane spanned by the line B to B′ and the line B to B″;

FIG. 11a shows the front side of a third embodiment of the closure assembly in its closed configuration;

FIG. 11b shows the back side of the closure assembly of FIG. 11a in its closed configuration;

FIGS. 12a, 12b shows the spout and cap of the third embodiment of the closure assembly as seen from the front side;

FIGS. 13a, 13b shows the spout and cap of the third embodiment of the closure assembly as seen from the back side;

FIG. 14a is a cross-sectional isometric view along the plane spanned by the lines A to A′ and B to B′ of the third embodiment of the closure assembly in a closed configuration as seen from the front side;

FIG. 14b shows the third embodiment of the closure assembly in its closed configuration as seen from the front side;

FIG. 14c is a cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the closure assembly in a closed configuration as seen from the front side;

FIGS. 15a,15b,15c,15d,15e and 15f show the third embodiment of the closure assembly in its open configuration as seen from: 15a above, 15b an isometrical front view, 15c a slightly rotated side view, 15d the front, 15e the side, 15f the back;

FIGS. 16a,16b,16c,16d and 16e show a sideview of the third embodiment of the closure assembly and illustrate the process of opening, and/or closing, of the closure assembly;

FIGS. 16f,16g,16h,16i,16j show a cross-sectional sideview of the third embodiment of the closure assembly and illustrates the process of opening, and/or closing, of the closure assembly.

In FIGS. 1-6j a first embodiment of a closure assembly 1 according to the invention is shown. The closure assembly is to be attached to a container, which is known per se and not shown in the drawings. Examples of a container are a pouch and a hard or flexible container.

The closure assembly comprises a plastic spout 5 and a plastic cap 10. The plastic spout 5, shown in detail in FIG. 3, comprises an attachment portion 5a which is configured to be sealed to a container. The attachment portion 5a here includes ribs 5a′ which are known from the state of the art, to sealingly attach to a container so as to enable a fluidum tight seal. In alternative embodiments this attachment portion 5a is provided with alternative means of achieving a fluidum tight seal.

The plastic spout 5 further has a tubular neck 5b with a vertical main axis A illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. This neck 5b encompasses a product passage 6, herein line with this axis A. The product passage 6 extends through the neck 5b to a mouth 6a shown in FIG. 4b at a top 5c of the neck 5, allowing to dispense a product from the container. In alternative not-shown embodiments this product passage can deviate from the axis A, for instance by incorporating a curvature, as long as the product passage remains unobstructed and a plastic cap and accompanying mechanism as part of the assembly can still operate as intended.

The top 5c of the tubular neck of the spout as shown in FIGS. 3, 4b is in the shown embodiment slightly narrower than the tubular neck 5b. This can be beneficial for alignment and a proper sealing with the cap 10.

The mouth 6a of the neck 5b extends in a plane perpendicular to the product passage 6. In embodiments, not shown, it is conceivable that (part of) the mouth 6a extends at an angle of e.g. 70-88° with respect to the product passage, in particular at the side where the cap 10 is hinged to the spout. This may attribute to re-closing the cap 2 onto the neck 5b.

In FIG. 4b it is shown that the spout 5 further comprises a circumferential flange structure which comprises an annular flange portion 5f that is integrally formed, e.g. injection moulded, to the spout and extends around the neck at a bottom end thereof between the attachment portion 5a and the tubular neck 5b of the spout.

In FIG. 4b, above the flange portion 5f, ribs 5r are provided onto the neck of the spout, extending in a direction parallel to product passage 6. These ribs ‘bridge’ the space between the relatively narrow neck 5b of the spout and relatively wide skirt 11 of cap 10. As such, the ribs 5r provide tactile and audible feedback upon reclosing the cap onto the spout: the consumer will feel that the cap engages the rib.

The product passage 6 is e.g. suitable to dispense liquids for human consumption and in this embodiment the neck is meant for direct ingestion and as such, this product passage is of appropriate size to accommodate this action.

The plastic cap 10 is integrally formed, e.g. moulded, as one piece distinct from the spout 5. The cap 10 is in FIG. 1 mounted on the spout such that the closure assembly 1 is shown in a partially opened configuration.

To assist with manually opening and closing the closure assembly the cap 10 of this first embodiment has been provided with two protruding wing parts 2 on both sides of the cap. As seen in FIG. 5 the wing parts 2 are curved and dome shaped to increase the stiffness which can be used to increase the allowable force upon the wing parts. Instead or in addition thereto, it is possible to add a finger imprint on the cap body 11 to assist a consumer in opening of the cap. In particular a “{circumflex over ( )}” shape guides the consumer that the cap is to be openened in this direction.

The plastic cap 10, shown in detail in FIG. 2, comprises a cap body 11 with a top end wall 11a extending over the mouth of the neck and a protective slotted skirt 11b depending downward from the top end wall 11a along the neck to an open lower cap end 11c of the cap body 11.

The skirt 11b defines a slot 13 at a backside of the cap body 11 which extends from the open lower cap end 11c upward towards the top end wall 11a of the cap body. This slot 13 allows for passing of the neck 5 of a spout there through upon opening of the cap.

As is best seen from FIG. 2, the lower end of the slotted skirt 11b comprises two protrusions 15, pointing inwards towards each other. The protrusions 15 will, during the operation of opening the closure assembly 1, bend slightly following the contour of the neck.

The cap body 11 is provided with a sealing portion 11d, shown in the cross sectional views in FIGS. 6f-6j, which, in the closed state of the closure assembly and mounted state of the cap, sealingly interacts with the neck of the spout 5 to close and seal the product passage of the spout.

The plastic cap 10 furthers comprises a connecting lever 14. In the closed and mounted state of the cap the connecting lever 14 extends along the neck of the spout at the backside of the cap body.

In the shown embodiment, the lever 14 extends within the slot 13. In FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 breakable tamper-evident bridges 17 are provided between the skirt 11b of the cap and the lever 14, across the slot 13, acting as a seal which can indicate if the closure assembly 1 has been opened before. Instead of tamper-evident bridges 17, it is also possible to provide a tear film between the skirt 11b of the cap and the lever 14, across the slot, to protect the spout top from contamination. The tear film will open at first opening, and thus function as visual tamper evident indication. Instead of tamper-evident bridges 17 or a tear film, or in addition thereto, it is possible to provide tamper-evident bridges at the side of the cap visible in FIG. 5, close to lip 20, discussed below.

The shown embodiment of the connecting lever 14 has a rib 16 extending over almost the entire length of the lever 14, parallel to the vertical main axis A of the neck of the spout of the closure assembly 1. This rib 16 adds structural rigidity to the lever, and could ease in correct opening of the assembly.

The lever 14 extends from an upper end of the lever, which is integral with the cap body 11, via an integrally formed upper hinge 14b defining a pivot axis P1 to a lower end of the lever.

The upper hinge 14b defining pivot axis P1 comprises rounded cut-outs 18a and 18b which aim to reduce stress concentrations within the material when the hinge is operated.

Furthermore these cut-outs 18a, 18b can be beneficial in reducing the material necessary to produce the cap.

The wing parts 2 on both sides of this embodiment of cap 10 extend in a direction parallel to the pivot axis P1, yet distanced from it such that a moment can be created around the pivot axis P1 by applying force upon the wing parts 2.

The lever 14 is provided with a spout connector portion 14a at the lower end of the lever, which in this embodiment is formed in the shape of an anchor as seen in FIG. 2. Here, the anchor-shaped spout connector portion 14a is provided with cut-outs 14e, that are meant to ease the process of assembling the cap upon the spout in the mounting direction.

The spout 5, as shown in FIG. 3, is provided with an associated lever connector portion 5k.

The spout connector portion 14a and the lever connector portion 5k are interconnected in FIGS. 1, 4a, 5 and 6a-6j. In FIGS. 4a and 4b it is visible that the spout connector portion 14a and the lever connector portion 5k are interconnectable by an axial motion of the cap 10 along the main axis A, when mounting the cap 10 on the spout 5. To prevent tangential displacement of spout connector portion 14a, when mounted to the lever connector portion 5k, end stops 5x are provided, which are best seen in FIG. 3.

According to the present invention, the lever 14 is pivotal about a lower hinge defining a lower pivot axis P2, wherein the upper and lower pivot axes P1, P2 are parallel to one another and perpendicular to the main axis A of the spout.

In the first embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1-6j, the lower pivot axis P2 is defined by the interconnection between the anchor shaped spout connector portion 14a at the lower end of the lever 14 and complementary lever connector portion 5k. In other words, in the interconnected state the lever connector portion 5k and the spout connector portion 14a together form a lower hinge and define the lower pivot axis P2.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 1 the closure assembly 1 is in a partially opened state wherein the cap 10 has been loosened from the spout 5 and has been pivoted slightly around the lower pivot axis P2.

In FIG. 5 the opposite side of the cap 10 is visible, as compared to the side shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4a, 4b. In FIG. 5 cap 10 is mounted upon the spout 5, and the cap is in a fully closed position. FIG. 5 further shows a lip 20 at the lower cap end 11c of the cap body 11, situated opposite the spout connector portion 14a. Lip 20 is provided to ease the manual opening of the closure assembly.

Near the lip 20, when in closed position, there is an open space 21 at the tubular neck 5b. This open space 21 in conjuncture with the lip 20 may allow ease of access to the cap when opening the closure assembly. The open space 21 may also allow for a greater torque to be put on the cap to open the closure assembly.

In the shown embodiment, the spout is symmetrical in that at opposite sides of the spout a lever connector portion 5k is provided. This is advantageous from a productional point of view. In the show embodiment, in this lever connector portion 5k, the open space 21 is provided. At one side, this open space 21 in the lever connector portion 5k is filled by the spout connector portion 14a upon interconnection. At the opposite side, visible in FIG. 5, the open space 21 in conjuncture with the lip 20 may allow ease of access to the cap.

In the shown embodiment the top of the plastic cap 10 is provided with an indentation 19 with a middle protrusion 19a which contributes to the proper sealing of the cap with the spout.

The sequence shown in FIGS. 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d and 6e, and its cross sectional version 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i and 6j of the first embodiment of the closure assembly 1 illustrate the process of opening of the closure assembly, or closing the closure assembly when the sequence is reversed.

FIGS. 6a-6j further show that the lever 14 is pivotal about a lower hinge as defined by the lower pivot axis P2, and about the upper pivot axis P1 wherein the upper and lower pivot axis P1 and P2 are parallel to one another and perpendicular to the main axis A of the spout.

The sequences of FIGS. 6a-6j of the first embodiment of the assembly show how the cap 10 is configured to be manually moved by a user from the closed state visible in FIGS. 6a and 6f, into the opened state visible in FIGS. 6e and 6j, via the intermediate states 6b, 6c, 6d and 6g, 6h, 6i respectively.

In the cross sectional view of FIGS. 6f-6j beam structures 22 are visible. These beam structures 22 may help guide the cap onto or from the spout and/or aid in keeping the assembly closed.

Also apparent from the cross sectional view of FIGS. 6f-6j, is sealing portion 11d of the cap which sealingly interacts with the neck of the spout to close and seal the product passage of the spout. The sealing portion here includes a circular slot 11d which together with the narrowing of the end of the spout 5c ensures a centering of the cap 10 upon the spout 5, to contribute to a proper fluidum tight seal of the end of the spout.

The manual movement from the closed state into an opened state by a user of the cap is achieved through a primary pivoting motion of the cap body, shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b, about the upper pivot axis P1. By this primary pivoting motion the cap body 10 is moved into a semi-open position as visible in FIG. 6b, in which the sealing portion 11d of the cap body 11 is disengaged from the neck 5b of the spout. During the primary pivoting motion of the cap body 11 the lever 14 remains extending upward along the neck 5b at the backside of the cap body.

In FIG. 6c a subsequent secondary pivoting motion of the lever 14 about the lower pivot axis P2 is visible, moving the cap body 11 from the semi-open position towards the backside, i.e. the side of the lever.

In FIG. 6d the cap body 11 has moved to the back side. In addition, the cap body 11 is rotated back about upper pivot axis P1. This rotation can help in enabling range of motion of rotation about axis P2 to the fullest extent possible. This counter rotation may prevent the cap to collide with a container attached to the attachment portion 5a.

In FIG. 6e the cap body 11 has moved to an open consumption position wherein the cap body 11 is remote from the tubular neck.

It follows that in all steps as shown in FIGS. 6a-6j the cap 10 will remain connected to the spout 5 by means of the interconnection of the spout connector portion and the lever connector portion. In the shown embodiment of these connector portions a certain degree of play is incorporated allowing a limited degree of ‘wiggle room’ to ease the process of opening and/or closing of the assembly while still properly functioning as a hinge and hindering the intentional or unintentional disassembly of the hinge.

FIGS. 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 8c, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b and 10c show a second embodiment of the closure assembly 100, comprising a plastic spout 105 and a plastic cap 110.

The spout comprises an attachment portion 105a which can be sealingly attached to a container, not shown. The spout further comprises a tubular neck 105b with a vertical main axis A. The neck 105b encompasses a product passage 106 here in line with the axis A extending through the neck towards a mouth 106a, allowing to dispense a product from the container.

A spout top portion 105c is slightly narrower than the tubular neck 105b.

The cap 110 is shown in FIG. 7a mounted on the spout 105 and in FIG. 7b in an unmounted or pre-mounted configuration. Both FIGS. 7a and 7b show the cap 110 in a half opened configuration.

The cap 110 comprises a cap body 111 with a top end wall 111a extending over the mouth of the neck and a protective slotted skirt 111b depending downward from the top end wall along the neck to an open lower cap end 111c of the cap body. At the top end wall 111a an indentation 119 is provided, visible in FIGS. 9a and 9b.

A slot 113 is defined by the skirt 111b at a backside of the cap body 111. The slot 113 extends from the open lower cap end 111c, upward towards the top end wall 111a of the cap body.

This slot 113 allows for passing of the neck 105, seen in FIGS. 7a and 7b, of a spout 105 there through upon opening of the cap.

The cap body 111 is provided with a sealing portion 111d, as shown in the cross sectional views of the closure assembly in FIGS. 10a and 10c, which, in the closed state of the closure assembly and mounted state of the cap, sealingly interacts with the neck 105b of the spout 105 to close and seal the product passage of the spout.

The cap 110 furthers comprises a connecting lever 114 extending, in the closed and mounted state of the cap, along the neck of the spout at the backside of the cap body. The lever 114 extends from an upper end thereof that is integral with the cap body 111 via an integrally formed upper hinge 114b, as shown in FIG. 9b, defining a pivot axis P1 to a lower end of the lever.

The lever 114 is provided with a spout connector portion 114a at the lower end of the lever, which in this embodiment shown in FIG. 7b is formed by two hooked protrusions 114a.

The spout is provided with an associated lever connector portion 105k.

According to the invention, the lever 114 is pivotal about a lower hinge defining a lower pivot axis P2. Unlike the first embodiment the lower pivot axis P2 is not defined by the interconnection between the spout connector portion and complementary lever connector portion.

In this second embodiment, the spout 105 comprises below the lever connector portion 105k an integrally formed lower hinge defining the lower pivot axis P2, visible in FIG. 8c.

The spout connector portion 114a and the lever connector portion 105k of the second embodiment of the closure assembly are configured to be interconnected by an axial motion of the cap along the main axis A, when mounting the cap on the spout, as follows from FIG. 7b.

This interconnection is preferably done such that the two hooked protrusions 114a are aligned with the lever connector portion 105k, here comprising corresponding openings.

Pivot axes P1 and P2 are parallel to one another and perpendicular to the main axis A of the spout.

To assist with manually opening and closing the closure assembly the cap 110 of the second embodiment has been provided with two protruding wing parts 102. The wing parts are provided on two opposing sides of the cap in the direction parallel to the pivot axis P1 yet distanced from it such that a moment can be created around the pivot axis by applying force upon the wing parts 102.

The second embodiment of the closure assembly is provided with a tamper evident part 117. Prior to opening, tamper evident bridges 117a form a bridging connection between the cap 110 and the tamper evident part 117.

The tamper evident part 117 is provided with two hooked protrusions 117c. These two hooked protrusions 117c are here identical to the hooked protrusions 114a of the spout connector portion, mirrored about a plane through the main axis A. The spout 105 is also symmetrical in that lever connector portions 105k are provided at both sides of the spout. The hooked protrusions 117c of the tamper evident part fit into a lever connector portion 105k.

When the cap 110 is mounted upon the spout 105, during assembly the hooked protrusions 117c of the tamper evident part 117 will lock into place into a lever connection portion 105k, opposite the lever connection portion 105k in which the spout connection portion 114a of the lever 114 engages.

After tamper evident part 117 is locked into place opening the closure assembly 100 will, under normal operating circumstances, break the tamper evident bridges 117a from the cap 110. This action will leave tamper evident part 117 locked into its associated lever connector portion 105k. The breaking of these tamper evident bridges 117a then indicates that the closure assembly has been opened before.

The sequence shown in FIGS. 8a, 8b and 8c illustrate the process of opening the closure assembly 100, or closing of the closure assembly if the sequence is reversed.

FIGS. 8a, 8b and 8c show that the lever 114 is pivotal about a lower hinge as defined by the lower pivot axis P2, wherein the lower hinge is comprised by the spout 105 below the lever connector portion 105k. Hence, with the lever 114 connected to the lever connector portion 105k, the assembly will pivot together about the lower pivot axis P2.

FIGS. 8a, 8b and 8c show that upon opening of the closure assembly, in a primary pivoting motion the cap 110 is able to pivot about the upper hinge 114b and pivot axis P1 allowing the tubular neck 105b of the spout 105 to pass through the opening formed by the slot 113.

The manual movement from the closed state in FIG. 8a into an opened state 8c by the user is achieved through a primary pivoting motion of the cap body 110 about the upper pivot axis P1 and moving the cap body into a semi-open position in which the sealing portion 111d, seen in the cross sectional view of FIGS. 10a and 10c, of the cap body 111 is disengaged from the neck 105b of the spout, during which primary pivoting motion of the cap body 111 the lever 114 remains extending upward along the neck at the backside of the cap body 111.

In FIG. 8c a subsequent secondary pivoting motion is shown, of the lever 114 with the lever connector portion 105k about the lower pivot axis P2, thereby moving the cap body 111 from the semi-open position towards the backside, i.e. the side of the lever 114, to an open consumption position wherein the cap body 111 is remote from the neck.

FIGS. 11a-16j show a third embodiment of a closure assembly 200, comprising a plastic spout 205 and a plastic cap 210.

The spout comprises an attachment portion 205a which can be sealingly attached to a container, not shown The cap 210 is shown in FIGS. 11a and 11b mounted on the spout 205 such that the closure assembly 200 is in a closed configuration. FIGS. 12a, 12b, 13a and 13b show cap 210 in an unmounted or pre-mounted configuration from the spout 205. In FIGS. 12a, 12b and 13a, 13b the spout 205 and cap 210 are shown separately in a front view and rear view respectively. These figures show that the spout 205 comprises a tubular neck 205b with a vertical main axis A.

The neck 205b encompasses a product passage 206 in line with the axis A extending through the neck towards a mouth 206a allowing to dispense a product from the container. The top of the spout 205c is here slightly narrower than the tubular neck 205b.

The cap 210 comprises a cap body 211 with a top end wall 211a extending over the mouth of the neck and a protective slotted skirt 211b depending downward from the top end wall along the neck to an open lower cap end 211c of the cap body. Furthermore the cap 210 comprises a slot 213, defined by the skirt 211b, at a backside of the cap body 211. The slot 213 is visible in FIG. 13b and extends from the lower cap end 211c upward towards the top end wall 11a of the cap body. This slot 213 allows for passing of the neck 205b of spout 205 there through upon opening of the cap.

The cap body 211 is provided with a sealing portion 211d, as shown in the cross sectional views of the closure assembly in FIGS. 14a and 14c, which, in the closed state of the closure assembly and the mounted state of the cap, sealingly interacts with the neck 205b of the spout to close and seal the product passage of the spout.

The cap 210 further comprises a connecting lever 214 extending, in the closed and mounted state of the cap, along the neck of the spout at the backside of the cap body.

The lever 214 is integral with the cap body 211 via an integrally formed upper hinge 214b defining a pivot axis P1. Adjacent the upper hinge 214b rounded cut-outs 218a and 218b are provided, to reduce the stress concentrations within the material when the hinge is operated.

In the closed position of FIG. 11b, the lever 214 extends from an upper end of the neck of the cap to a lower end of the lever.

The lever 214 is provided with a spout connector portion 214a at the lower end of the lever 214, which in this embodiment is formed by an extending protrusion at a lower end of the lever 214. The spout connector portion 214a creates a socket for encapsulating a lever connector portion 205k when engagingly mounted. In FIG. 13a this lever connector portion 205k is shown in detail.

FIGS. 16f-16j show the interaction between the spout connector portion 214a and the lever connector portion 205k in a cross sectional side view. The socket shaped spout connector portion 214a comprises inner socket slots 214d which accommodate and lock into place ends 205k′ of the lever connector portion 205k.

The action of locking into place the ends of the lever connector portion 205k is aided by socket bridges 214e which here are slanted on the side towards the opening. These inner socket slots 214d also allow for a pivoting motion of the lever 214 about a pivot axis P2 defined by the interconnection between the spout connector portion 214a and the complementary lever connector portion 205k. Pivot axis P1 and P2 are parallel to one another and perpendicular to the main axis A of the spout.

To assist with manually opening and closing the closure assembly the cap 210 of the third embodiment is provided with a wing 202, partly following the contour of the cap body 211 and wrapped around a front part of the cap 210. By following the contour of the cap the wing 202 adds stiffness to the cap body 211. Furthermore this wing 202 allows force to be applied upon it and subsequently upon the cap creating a moment about the pivot axes P1 and/or P2.

The cap 210 shown in FIGS. 11b-13 is also provided with an indentation 219 and a middle protrusion 219a, contributing to the proper sealing of the cap with the spout.

The cap 210 comprises four tamper evident bridges 217. Before mounting the cap 210 upon the spout 205 and before opening the closure assembly for the first time the tamper evident bridges 217 are integral part of the cap 210 and connect the lever 214 to the skirt 211b of the cap. Upon opening of the closure assembly and the cap the tamper evident bridges 217 will break allowing the skirt 211b to move away from the lever 214 and pivot about axis P1. The breaking of the tamper evident bridges 217 indicates if the closure assembly has been opened before.

FIGS. 16a,16b,16c,16d and 16e illustrate the process of opening the closure assembly or closing of the closure assembly if the sequence is reversed.

Similar to the first embodiment here in the cross sectional view of the third embodiment of the closure assembly in FIGS. 16g-16j beam structures 222 are provided to guide the cap onto or from the spout and/or aid in keeping the assembly closed. The beam structures 222 may also add stiffness and rigidity to the cap 210.

Also apparent from the cross sectional views of figures of FIGS. 16g-16j is the utility of the indentation 219 and the protrusion 219a in conjuncture with the circular slot 223 which is formed as a result of the indentation 219. Together with the narrowing of the end of the spout 205c they attribute to centering of the cap upon the spout when closed and contribute to a proper fluidum tight seal of the end of the spout.

The manual movement from the closed state in FIG. 16a into an opened state 16e by the user is achieved through a primary pivoting motion of the cap body 210 about the upper pivot axis P1 and moving the cap body into a semi-open position in which the sealing portion 211d, seen in the cross sectional views in FIGS. 14a, 14c, 16f and 16g, of the cap body 211 is disengaged from the neck of the spout 205b, during which the primary pivoting motion of the cap body 211 the lever 214 remains extending upward along the neck at the backside of the cap body 211. In a subsequent secondary pivoting motion of the lever 214 pivots about the lower pivot axis P2, thereby moving the cap body 211 from the semi-open position towards the backside, i.e. the side of the lever 214, to an open consumption position wherein the cap body is remote from the neck.

Claims

1. A closure assembly for a container, comprising: wherein the cap is configured to be manually moved by user from the closed state into an opened state through:

a plastic spout having an attachment portion which is configured to be sealed or is sealed to a container, which spout further has a tubular neck with a vertical main axis, wherein a product passage extends through the neck to a mouth at a top of the neck allowing to dispense a product from the container,

a plastic cap which is integrally formed as one piece distinct from the spout, which cap is configured to be mounted, or is mounted on the spout, wherein the cap comprises, seen in a closed and mounted state thereof: a cap body with a top end wall extending over the mouth of the neck and a protective slotted skirt depending downward from the top end wall along the neck to an open lower cap end of the cap body, the skirt defining a slot at a backside of the cap body which extends from the open lower cap end upward towards the top end wall of the cap body and allows for passing of the neck there through upon opening of the cap, wherein the cap body is provided with a sealing portion which—in the closed state and mounted state of the cap—sealingly interacts with the neck of the spout to close and seal the product passage of the spout; wherein the cap further comprises, seen in a closed and mounted state thereof a connecting lever extending—in the closed and mounted state of the cap—along the neck at the backside of the cap body, which lever extends from an upper end thereof that is integral with the cap body via an integrally formed upper hinge defining an upper pivot axis to a lower end of the lever,

wherein the lever is provided with a spout connector portion at the lower end thereof, and wherein the spout is provided with an associated lever connector portion, wherein the spout connector portion and the lever connector portion are configured to be interconnected or are interconnected, when mounting the cap on the spout,

wherein the lever is pivotal about a lower hinge defining a lower pivot axis,

wherein the upper and lower pivot axes are parallel to one another and perpendicular to the main axis of the spout,

a primary pivoting motion of the cap body about the upper pivot axis, moving the cap body into a semi-open position in which the sealing portion of the cap body is disengaged from the neck of the spout, during which primary pivoting motion of the cap body the lever remains extending upward along the neck at said backside of the cap body, and

a subsequent secondary pivoting motion of the lever about the lower pivot axis, moving the cap body from the semi-open position towards the backside, i.e. the side of the lever, to an open consumption position wherein the cap body is remote from the neck.

2. Closure assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lower pivot axis is defined by the interconnection between the spout connector portion and complementary lever connector portion.

3. Closure assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lever comprises at a lower end thereof above the spout connector portion an integrally formed lower hinge defining the lower pivot axis.

4. Closure assembly according to claim 1, wherein the spout comprises below the lever connector portion an integrally formed lower hinge defining the lower pivot axis.

5. Closure assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lever in a top view is arranged inside the outer circumference of the cap body.

6. Closure assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lever is mirror-symmetrical about an axis parallel to the main axis of the spout.

7. Closure assembly according to claim 1, wherein the spout is mirror-symmetrical about an axis parallel to the main axis of the spout.

8. Closure assembly according to claim 1, wherein the skirt is connected via one or more breakable tamper-evident bridges to the lever in a secured and closed position of the cap.

9. Closure assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cap body is secured in the open consumption position.

10. Container provided with a closure assembly according to claim 1.

11. Method for manufacturing and filling a container with a closure assembly of claim 1 mounted on said container, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a container having a spout mounting location,

mounting the attachment portion of the spout in the spout mounting location

filling the container via the product passage of the spout,

interconnecting the spout connector portion and the lever connector portion to mount the cap onto the spout.

12. Method for manufacturing and filling a container with a closure assembly of claim 1 mounted on said container, said method comprising the steps of:

providing and filling a container having a spout mounting location,

mounting the attachment portion of the spout in the spout mounting location,

interconnecting the spout connector portion and the lever connector portion to mount the cap onto the spout.