Tethered closure device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12325568-B2
Application number	US-202318482368-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 6, 2023
Priority date	Feb 8, 2019
Publication date	Jun 10, 2025
Grant date	Jun 10, 2025

Abstract

A tethered closure device for a beverage container, a cap element and a beverage container. It is provided that a tethered closure device for a beverage container comprises the following components: A frame device and a cap element with an at least partially connected recloseable lid element, wherein the cap element is rotatable disposed to the frame device. The tethered closure device further comprises at least two temper evident elements, wherein the first temper evident element is disposed between the cap element and the frame device and the second temper evident element is disposed between the cap element and the lid element. Furthermore, a cap element and a beverage container is provided.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A tethered closure device for a container comprising:
a frame device; and
a cap element including a tethered lid element;
a first tamper evident element disposed between the cap element and the frame device and coupled to an external surface of the frame device; and
a second tamper evident element disposed between the cap element and the tethered lid element,
wherein rotation of the cap element with respect to the frame device engages a seal opening device to partially open a seal element disposed between the container and the frame device so that contents within the container can flow from the container through the partially opened seal element and through the tethered closure device to outside the container, and
wherein the rotation of the cap element with respect to the frame device is configured to rupture the first tamper evident element while the second tamper evident element is configured to remain intact.

2. The tethered closure device of claim 1 , wherein the tethered lid element is reclosable.

3. The tethered closure device of claim 1 , wherein
the second tamper evident element includes a first portion that is connected to the tethered lid element and a second portion that is connected to the cap element, and wherein the first portion is releasable engaged to the second portion.

4. The tethered closure device according to claim 3 , wherein the first tamper evident element is disposed between the cap element and a base element of the frame, and wherein the base element is configured to contact and be coupled to the container.

5. The tethered closure device according to claim 3 , wherein the first portion and the second portion form a closing mechanism configured to enable the lid element to reclose with the cap element after opening of the lid element with respect to the cap element,
wherein the first portion is hook element projecting from the lid element, and
wherein the second portion is a semi-annular receiving area of the cap element.

6. The tethered closure device according to claim 4 , wherein the first tamper evident element includes at least one bridge element which forms a breakable connection between the cap element and the base element, and a broken connection being evidence of an opening of the container after a first rotation of the cap element with respect to the frame device.

7. The tethered closure device of claim 1 , wherein the seal opening device includes at least one tooth element configured to at least partially open the seal element upon rotation of the cap element.

8. The tethered closure device according to claim 7 , wherein the seal opening device has a cylindrical shape and the at least one tooth element is positioned on an outer edge of the cylindrical shape on an opposite side with regard to a closing position of the tethered lid element on the cap element.

9. The tethered closure device according to claim 7 , wherein an outer diameter of the seal opening device fits into an inner diameter of a collar element of the frame to enable the cap element to be rotatably disposed to the frame device and the at least one tooth element is in contact with the seal element.

10. The tethered closure device according to claim 9 , wherein the frame device includes a base element and the collar element is disposed at the base element, wherein the collar element is adapted to receive the cap element.

11. The tethered closure device according to claim 1 ,
wherein the frame device includes a collar element configured to receive the cap element and includes a guiding device with at least one guiding element,
wherein the cap element includes an outer wall element,
wherein the collar element is disposed between the outer wall element and the seal opening device, and
wherein the guiding device is configured to lead the seal opening device in a defined manner from a first position to a second position to at least partially open the seal element during the rotation of the cap element with respect to the frame device.

12. The tethered closure device according to claim 1 ,
wherein the cap element includes an outer wall element,
wherein a collar element of the frame device is disposed between the outer wall element and the seal opening device,
wherein the collar element includes a guiding device, and
wherein the guiding device is configured to lead the seal opening device in a defined manner from a first position to a second position to at least partially open the seal element during the rotation of the cap element with respect to the frame device.

13. A tethered closure device for a container comprising:
a cap element including a seal opening device, an outer wall element, and a guiding device;
a lid element movably coupled to the cap element by a physical connection area located therebetween;
a frame device including a collar element disposed between the outer wall element and the seal opening device;
a first tamper evident element disposed between the cap element and the frame device, wherein the first tamper evident element includes bridge elements extending between the frame device and the cap element that are configured to break based upon rotation of the cap element with respect to the frame; and
a second tamper evident element disposed between the cap element and the lid element, wherein the second tamper evident element is spaced apart from the physical connection area,
wherein the guiding device is configured to lead the seal opening device in a defined manner from a first position to a second position to at least partially open a seal element during a rotation movement of the cap element with regard to the frame device to permit contents within the container to flow from the container through the partially opened seal element and through the tethered closure device to outside the container.

14. The tethered closure device of claim 13 , wherein the seal opening device includes at least one tooth element configured to at least partially open the seal element upon rotation of the cap element.

15. The tethered closure device according to claim 14 , wherein the seal opening device has a cylindrical shape and the at least one tooth element is positioned on an outer edge of the cylindrical shape on an opposite side with regard to a closing position of a lid element on the cap element.

16. The tethered closure device according to claim 15 , wherein an outer diameter of the seal opening device fits into an inner diameter of the collar element to enable the cap element to be rotatably disposed to the frame device and the at least one tooth element is in contact with the seal element.

17. The tethered closure device according to claim 14 , wherein the cap element includes a closing mechanism configured to enable a reclosable lid element to reclose with the cap element after a first usage.

18. A cap for use in a tethered closure device, comprising:
a cap element including a seal opening device with at least one tooth;
a lid element tethered to the cap element by a physical connection area located therebetween; and
a pair of tamper evident elements, each tamper evident element disposed relative to the cap element,
wherein the seal opening device is configured to at least partially open a seal element during rotation of the cap element,
wherein the physical connection area is configured to maintain connection between the lid element and the cap element when the cap element is rotated, and
wherein the seal element is configured to be positioned with respect to a container such that contents can f

Assignees

• Nypro Inc

Inventors

• Gauxachs Nuria
• Castellvi Ismael
• Mauri Pau
• Castella Emilio
• Minnette Jeffrey C
• Davidson Ryan P

Classifications

• B65D2251/1025

  Integral locking elements penetrating in an opening, e.g. a flap through a slit, a hook in an opening · CPC title

• B65D55/16

  Devices preventing loss of removable closure members · CPC title

• B65D47/0857

  made separately from the base element provided with the spout or discharge passage · CPC title

• B65D5/748

  a major part of the container wall or membrane being left inside the container after the opening · CPC title

• B65D2401/15

  Tearable part of the closure (B65D2401/60 takes precedence) · CPC title