CN115605404A

CN115605404A - Closure device for fixing to the neck of a container

Info

Publication number: CN115605404A
Application number: CN202180023739.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 弗朗西斯科·哈维尔·贝罗亚·加尔恰
Original assignee: Betapack SA
Current assignee: Betapack SA
Priority date: 2020-01-24
Filing date: 2021-01-25
Publication date: 2023-01-13
Also published as: WO2021148706A1; FR3106584A1; BR112022014594A2; EP4095063B1; UY39034A; ES2845226A1; JP2023516549A; AR121110A1; FR3106584B1; ES2845226B2; EP4095063A1; PT4095063T

Abstract

Closure means for fixing to a neck (2) of a container, comprising a cap (1) having a helical thread (7) to cooperate with a helical thread (6) formed on said neck (2); a lower ring (9) axially fixed to the neck (2); hinge means (10) connecting said lid (1) to a second section (17) of said lower ring (9) and extending over a first angular range cut into two equal parts by a bisecting plane (Pb); the helical thread (7) is developed around the axis (X) in a first direction and has a lower end and an upper end. The lower end is arranged within a second angular range defined between a bisecting plane (Pb) and a radial plane forming 160 ° with the bisecting plane (Pb) according to a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Description

Closure device for fixing to the neck of a container

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an assembly comprising a container and a closure device equipped with a cap and which can be kept fixed to the neck of the container, thus avoiding the complete loss of the cap.

Background

Document ES1232089U discloses a closure device comprising a lower ring designed to be axially fixed on the neck of a container, a cap comprising a thread designed to engage a complementary thread formed on the neck of the container, and a hinge connecting the cap with the lower ring. The lower ring comprises engagement means for retaining the lower ring on the neck of the container. The portion of the diameter of the lower ring with the engagement means extends between 25% and 75% of the diameter of said lower ring. The portion of the lower ring connected to the lid by the hinge means lacks engagement means allowing the portion to be rotated between a lowered position and a raised position, in particular allowing the lid to be unscrewed. In another aspect, the lid includes ratchet means for cooperating with complementary ratchet means formed in the lower ring, thereby allowing the lid to be held in a tilted open position.

Such capping devices are not entirely satisfactory. In fact, although there are no engagement means in the portion of the lower ring connected to the lid by the hinge, the lid should not easily move from the tilted open position to the closed position when the lid is manipulated to allow the portion of the lower ring connected to the lid to rotate to the raised position.

Disclosure of Invention

The basic idea of the present invention is to propose a closure device that allows to keep a cap attached to the neck of a container, which is reliable, easy to manufacture and use.

According to one embodiment, the present invention provides a closure device for securing to a neck of a container, the neck including an aperture and an engagement ring, the closure device comprising:

a cap comprising an upper wall and a peripheral skirt having a helical thread for cooperating with a helical thread formed on the neck to allow:

unscrewing said cap on said neck about an axis to close said orifice of said neck from said upper wall and moving said cap about said neck toward a release position in which said cap is no longer engaged with said neck; and

screwing the cap to the neck to move the cap from the release position to the closed position;

a lower ring axially fixed to and rotatably movable on said neck about said axis, said lower ring comprising a first section having a plurality of engagement elements radially projecting into said lower ring and for being disposed below said engagement ring to axially retain said lower ring in said neck of said container, said first and second sections of said lower ring being interconnected such that said second section rotates relative to said first section between a lowered position in which said second section is disposed below said engagement ring and a raised position in which said second section is at least partially disposed above said engagement ring;

a hinge means connecting said cap to said second section of said lower ring and configured to allow said cap to rotate between said release position and an inclined open position in which said cap is disengaged from said neck aperture, said hinge means extending over a first angular range, said first angular range being cut into two equal portions by a bisecting plane;

the lower ring is configured to rotate the second section relative to the first section from the lowered position to the raised position to allow the cover to move from the closed position to the released position;

during the movement of the second section between the lowered position and the release position, the lower ring can be moved radially from front to back so as to pass a portion of the second section on each side of the engagement ring, the helical thread developing about the shaft according to a first direction and having a lower end and an upper end, the lower end of the helical thread being arranged within a second angular range defined between the bisecting plane and a radial plane forming 160 ° with the bisecting plane according to a second direction opposite to the first direction.

This facilitates engagement of the cap on the neck when the cap is moved from the inclined open position to the closed position.

According to other advantageous embodiments, this type of capping device may have one or more of the following features.

According to one embodiment, the lower end of the helical thread is arranged within an angular range defined between two radial planes rotated according to the second direction forming 90 ° and 160 °, respectively, with the bisecting plane (Pb).

According to one embodiment, the first section of the lower ring comprises a front region radially opposite the second section and two joining regions arranged between the front region of the first section and the second section, respectively, the plurality of joining elements being arranged only in the two joining regions to allow radial movement of the lower ring. In this way, the pulling force to be exerted on the lower ring to allow the second section to move between the lowered position and the raised position is small, which facilitates the use of the closure device.

According to an embodiment, the front region of the first section extends over an angular range between 90 ° and 150 °.

According to one embodiment, each of said two joining zones extends over an angular range between 30 ° and 90 °.

According to one embodiment, said two joining areas extend on a plurality of angular sections symmetrical to each other with respect to said bisecting plane (Pb).

According to an embodiment, the plurality of engagement elements are a plurality of protrusions protruding radially inwards.

According to an embodiment, the second section extends over an angular range between 90 ° and 150 °.

According to an embodiment, the second section is free of the plurality of engagement elements.

According to an embodiment, the closure device further comprises a locking device configured to lock the cap in the tilted open position, the locking device comprising a stop projecting radially outwards from the cap and configured to bear against the engagement ring of the neck during movement of the cap from the tilted open position to the release position, exerting a pulling force on the second section, the pulling force having a radially outwards component and an axially upwards component to assist movement of the second section between the lowered position and the raised position. This makes it possible to further facilitate the use of the closure device, in particular when the lid has to be moved from the inclined open position towards the closed position.

According to an embodiment, the stop is configured such that during movement of the lid from the release position towards the inclined open position, the stop bears against an upper end of the second section of the lower ring to move the second section from the raised position to the lowered position. This also makes the use of the closure easier.

According to an embodiment, the locking means further comprises a heel formed on the peripheral skirt of the cap and extending axially, said heel being configured to bear against a helical rib of a helical thread formed on the neck of the container during movement of the cap from the tilted open position towards the release position, applying a pulling force to the second section, said pulling force having a radially outward component and an axially upward component to assist movement of the second section from the lowered position to the raised position.

According to an embodiment, the stop protrudes radially outwards from the heel.

According to an embodiment, the hinge device comprises two foils and the heel is formed between the two foils.

According to one embodiment, the hinge means comprise two foils and the closure device further comprises means for locking the lid in the tilted open position, the locking means comprising a stop member formed in the peripheral skirt between the two foils of the hinge and configured to rest on the neck of the container when the lid is in the tilted open position, the heel having an inner side on which at least one rib of the helical thread is formed. This makes it possible to improve the pressure resistance of the capping device.

According to one embodiment, the invention also relates to an assembly comprising a container equipped with a neck comprising a mating hole, an engagement ring and a helical thread, and the above-mentioned closure device, the lower ring being axially fixed on the neck and being rotatably movable on the neck about the axis.

Drawings

The present invention will be better understood and other objects, details, features and advantages will become more apparent in the following description of several specific embodiments thereof, given by way of illustration and not of limitation with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a three-quarter perspective view of the closure.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a neck of a container for receiving the closure of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the closure assembly mounted on the neck of a container, showing the cap of the closure assembly in a release position in which it is no longer engaged with the neck of the container.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the closure mounted on the neck of a container showing the cap of the closure in an inclined open position, wherein the cap is unscrewed from the orifice of the neck.

Fig. 5 is a side perspective view of the capping device.

Fig. 6 is another side perspective view of the capping device.

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the closure.

Fig. 8 is a front perspective view of the capping device.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the closure mounted on the neck of a container showing the cap of the closure in the tilted open position, wherein the cap is unscrewed from the orifice of the neck.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the closure mounted on the neck of a container showing the closure cap in an intermediate position between the release position and the inclined open position.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the closure mounted on the neck of a container showing the cap of the closure in the tilted open position.

Detailed Description

In the description and in the drawings, the axis X corresponds to the axis of rotation of the cap 1 of the closure device when screwed onto the neck 2 of the container. By convention, the "radial" direction is perpendicular to the axis X and the axial direction is parallel to the axis X. The terms "outer" and "inner" are used to define the relative position of one element with respect to another, with reference to axis X, and therefore elements near axis X are classified as inner elements, as opposed to outer elements located radially outward.

The terms "upper" and "lower" are used to define the relative position of one element with respect to the other, with reference to the position in which the orifice 3 of the neck 2 is oriented upwards, and the cap 1 is in the closed position on the neck 2 of the container, the element intended to be placed in the lower position being named lower and the element intended to be placed in the higher position being named upper. The terms "front" and "rear" are used to define the relative position of one element with respect to another along a diameter perpendicular to axis X.

With reference to fig. 1 to 10, an assembly is described hereinafter comprising a closure device, in particular represented in fig. 1, and a container equipped with a neck 2, in particular represented in fig. 2.

As shown in fig. 2, the neck 2 of the container has an upper end formed with an aperture 3 allowing the contents of the container to be poured. The neck 2 of the container comprises a support ring 4 and an engagement ring 5, the support ring 4 projecting radially outwards, the engagement ring 5 also projecting radially outwards and being arranged axially between the support ring 4 and the orifice 3. A cylindrical portion is formed axially between the support ring 4 and the orifice 3. On the other hand, the neck 2 comprises a helical thread 6 positioned axially between the engagement ring 5 and the orifice 3, the helical thread 6 being formed by a series of helical ribs, projecting radially outwards from the outer surface of the neck 2. The helical thread 6 is intended to cooperate with a complementary helical thread 7 formed by a series of helical ribs formed on the cap 1 of the closure device.

According to an embodiment, the helical thread 6 formed on the neck 2 and the helical thread 7 formed on the cap 1 are interrupted. In other words, adjacent helical ribs are separated by a space forming a vent, which particularly allows venting of gas inside the container while the cap 1 is still attached to the neck 2.

The closure comprises a lower ring 9, a cap 1, a hinge means 10 and a locking means, the lower ring 9 being retained in the neck 2 of the container, the cap 1 being intended to cover the aperture 3 of the container to seal it, the hinge means 10 connecting the cap 1 with the lower ring 9, the locking means being positioned to lock the cap 1 in an inclined open position, as shown in figures 4, 9 and 11. In the inclined open position, the cap 1 is disengaged from the aperture 3 of the container and does not interfere with the pouring of the contents of the container.

As shown in fig. 7 and 8, the hinge device 10 extends over an angular range S1, the angular range S1 being divided into two equal parts by a perpendicular bisecting plane Pb.

Returning to fig. 1, it can be seen that said cap 1 comprises an upper wall 13, said upper wall 13 being arranged substantially and orthogonally to said axis X, opposite said aperture 3 of said neck 2, when said cap 1 is in said closed position. The cap 1 further comprises a peripheral skirt 14, said peripheral skirt 14 being adapted to surround the neck 2 of the container when the cap 1 is in the closed position. The peripheral skirt 14 extends downward from the periphery of the upper wall 13 perpendicularly to the upper wall 13.

The peripheral skirt 14 has on its inner surface a helical thread 7, which helical thread 7 is formed by a series of helical ribs extending in rotation in a first direction about the axis X, visible in fig. 2 and 5 to 7. The helical thread 7 is intended to cooperate with the helical thread 6 formed on the outer surface of the neck 2. In this way, the cap 1 can be screwed into the neck 2 to close the container and unscrewed from the neck 2 to open the container. The lid 1 is thus movable between a closed position and a release position, as shown in fig. 3. In the release position, the cap 1 is no longer engaged with the neck 2. The cap 1 can thus be tilted towards the tilted open position, as shown in fig. 4, 9 and 11, wherein the cap 1 is disengaged from the aperture 3 of the neck 2 so as not to impede pouring of the contents of the container.

As shown in particular in fig. 9, the cap 1 further comprises an inner skirt 8, the inner skirt 8 extending vertically downwards from the upper wall 13 of the cap 1 and being dimensioned to be inserted into the aperture 3 of the neck 2. The cap 1 also comprises an annular lip 15 extending radially from the upper wall 13 between the inner skirt 8 and the outer peripheral skirt 14. The dimensions of the inner skirt 8 and the annular lip 15 are such that, in the neck 2 of the container when the cap 1 is in the closed position, the inner skirt 8 is in contact with the inner surface of the neck 2 and the annular lip 15 is in contact with the outer surface of the neck 2. In this way, the inner skirt 8 and the annular lip 15 ensure sealing of the closure.

Advantageously, before the first opening of the container, the lower ring 9 is connected to the lid 1 by some frangible bridges, not visible in the figures, which are intended to be broken during the opening of the lid 1. These frangible bridges thus constitute a tamper-proof seal.

The lower ring 9 is axially retained on the neck 2 of the container, while the lower ring 9 can rotate about the axis X with respect to the neck 2. As shown in fig. 3, the lower ring 9 comprises two sections, a first section 16 and a second section 17, hinged to each other, whereby the lower ring 9 is connected to the lid 1 by the hinge means 10.

According to an embodiment, the lower ring 9 comprises two narrowing regions, i.e. its radial thickness is smaller than the radial thickness of the lower ring 9 outside the narrowing regions. The two narrowed regions define the first section 16 and the second section 17. The narrowed region thus forms a pivot allowing the second section 17 to articulate relative to the first section 16.

According to a further embodiment, the lower ring 9 has no narrowing area delimiting the first section 16 and the second section 17.

The second portion 17 is rotatable upwards relative to the first portion 16, between a lowered position and a raised position of the second portion 17 arranged below the adapter ring 5, wherein the second portion 17 is arranged at least partially above the adapter ring 5. This allows the cap 1 to be moved upwardly relative to the neck 2 of the container until the helical thread 7 of the cap 1 disengages from the helical thread 6 formed on the neck 2 of the container. In other words, when unscrewing the cap 1, the lower ring 9 is rotatably driven about the axis X, while the second section 17 of the lower ring 9 rotates relative to the first section 16 to the raised position to allow axial movement, moving the cap 1 upwards from the closed position to the release position, as shown in fig. 3. When the cover 1 is rotated from the release position to the tilted open position, the second section 17 of the lower ring 9 rotates in the opposite direction with respect to the first section 16 and then returns to the lowered position. On the other hand, as described in more detail below, when the cover 1 is rotated from the tilted open position to the release position, the second section 17 is also rotated relative to the first section 16 from the lowered position to the raised position.

The lower ring 9 is axially retained on the neck 2 of the container by the engagement ring 5, as can be seen in particular in fig. 5 to 7. The adapter ring 5 has a frustoconical outer surface tapering upwards, i.e. in the direction of the orifice 3 of the container. The engagement ring 5 defines a projection downwards, i.e. in the opposite direction to the aperture 3. The first section 16 of the lower ring 9 comprises a plurality of engagement elements 18, said plurality of engagement elements 18 cooperating with the engagement ring 5 formed on the container to axially retain the lower ring 9 on the neck 2 of the container. The plurality of engagement elements 18 are projections, in particular as shown in fig. 5 and 6, which project radially inwards from the first section 16 of the lower ring 9. The radial dimension of the plurality of engagement elements 18 increases from bottom to top, that is to say in the direction of the upper edge of the lower ring 9. During the fitting of the closure on the neck 2 of the container, the engagement elements 18 slide against the frustoconical surface of the engagement ring 5 and are then locked by elastic return behind the engagement ring 5.

As shown in fig. 5 and 6, the first section 16 of the lower ring 9 comprises a front zone 19 and two joining

zones

20, 21. The front zone 19 is diametrically opposite the second section 17 of the lower ring 9, the two joining

zones

20, 21 being arranged on each side of the front zone 19 and each being arranged between the front zone 19 and the second section 17 of the lower ring 9. The joining element 18 is arranged only in the two joining

regions

20, 21. Thus, since there is no said engaging element 18 in the front region of said first section 16, there is a radial space between said lower ring 9 and said neck 2 that allows said lower ring 9 to move from front to back and vice versa. The radial clearance of the lower ring 9 from the neck 2 in the front-rear direction is, for example, 0.5 to 1 millimeter (mm). This facilitates the passage of a portion of the second section 17 on either side of the adapter ring 5 during movement of the second section 17 between the lowered position and the raised position. In other words, less tension should be exerted on the lower ring 9 to allow the second section 17 to be transferred to each side of the engaging ring 5.

Advantageously, the second section 17 extends over an angular range of between 90 ° and 150 °, for example in the order of 120 °, the front region of the second section 16 extends over an angular range of between 90 ° and 150 °, for example approximately 120 °, and each of the two joining

regions

20, 21 extends over an angular range of between 30 ° and 90 °, for example approximately 60 °.

On the other hand, the bisecting plane Pb cuts the second section 17 and the front of the second section 17 into two equal parts. Thus, the angular ranges corresponding to the two joining

zones

20, 21 are symmetrical to each other about the bisecting plane Pb.

The hinge means 10 are configured to allow the lid 1 to rotate between the release position, as shown in fig. 3, and the tilted open position, as shown in fig. 4, 9 and 11. In the release position, the peripheral skirt 14 extends downwardly from the upper wall 13 of the cap 1, and in the inclined open position, the peripheral skirt 14 extends upwardly from the upper wall 13 of the cap 1. In the embodiment shown, the hinge means 10 comprise two

foils

11, 12, visible in particular in fig. 4, which connect the cap 1, more particularly the peripheral skirt 14 of the cap 1, with the lower ring 9 or the like. In particular the second section 17 of the lower ring 9. The two foils 11, 12 are symmetrical with respect to the bisecting plane Pb.

The locking means comprise a heel 22, visible in particular in figure 1, formed on the peripheral skirt 14 of the cap 1. The heel 22 is arranged between the two foils 11, 12. The lower end of the heel 22 is advantageously located at the same height as the lower end of the peripheral skirt 14. The heel 22 includes a stop 23 that extends circumferentially about the axis X and projects radially outwardly from the heel 22.

During the movement of the cover 1 from the release position towards the inclined open position, the stop 23 abuts against the upper end of the second section 17 of the lower ring 9, which tends to return the second section 17 towards the lowered position.

On the other hand, during the movement of the cover 1 from the inclined open position to the release position, firstly the stop 23 rests on the engagement ring 5, as shown in fig. 10, to exert a pulling force having a radially outward component and an axially upward component on the second section 17 of the lower ring 9. This allows the lower ring 9 to move from front to back to press the front region 19 of the first section 16 of the lower ring 9 against the neck 2 of the container to facilitate movement of the second section 17 towards the raised position. This also allows to facilitate the movement of the second section 17 between the lowered position and the raised position.

Then, as shown in fig. 10, during the movement of the cap 1 from the inclined open position to the release position, the outer surface of the heel 22 reaches, at a second moment, against the upper surface of the helical rib of the helical thread 6 formed in the neck 2 of the container, which also allows to exert a pulling force on the second section 17 having a radially outward component and an upward component to move the second section 17 towards the raised position.

On the other hand, as shown in fig. 11, the lower end 24 of the helical thread 7 formed on the inner surface of the peripheral skirt 14 of S S1, i.e., the start of the helical thread 7, is disposed within an angular range S2 defined between the bisecting plane Pb and a radial plane Pr located at 160 ° from the bisecting plane Pb in a second direction radially opposite to the first direction, i.e., in the rotational direction of the helical thread 7 about the axis X. The front lower portion 25 of the peripheral skirt 14 is therefore devoid of the helical thread 7, which makes the cap 1 easier to mount on the neck 2 of the container. This arrangement is particularly advantageous when the cap 1 is able to assume a slightly rearward position when in contact with the neck 2 of the container. This is particularly the case when the plurality of engaging elements 18 are absent from the front region 19 of the first section 16 and the lower ring 9 can move radially from front to back with respect to the neck 2 of the container.

Advantageously, the lower end of the helical thread 7 is arranged in an angular range defined between two radial planes positioned at 90 ° and 160 °, respectively, rotated according to a second direction opposite to the direction of the helical thread 7 of the cap 1, from the bisecting plane Pb.

On the other hand, as schematically represented in fig. 8, 9 and 10, at least one rib of the series of ribs of the helical thread 7 is formed on the inner surface of the heel 22. In other words, at least one rib of the helical thread 7 is formed between the two foils 11, 12 of the hinge device 10. The presence of the rib formed on the heel 22 makes it possible to increase the pressure resistance of the helical thread 7 and thus prevent the accidental opening of the lid 1 due to excessive pressure on the container, in particular when it is intended to receive carbonated beverages.

The movement of the cover 1 is as follows. On first unscrewing, the lid 1 leaves the closed position and is moved away from the lower ring 9 to the release position, as shown in fig. 3. The frangible bridges break during this movement. Furthermore, during this unscrewing movement of the cap 1, the lower ring 9 is rotatably driven about the axis X, and as the cap 1 moves away from the engaging ring 5, the second section 17 of the lower ring 9 rotates towards the raised position.

The lid 1 can then be rotated backwards in the direction of the inclined open position in which the peripheral skirt 14 extends upwards from the upper wall 13. During the return movement of the cover 1 in the direction of its inclined open position, the stop 23 abuts against the upper end of the second section 17 of the lower ring 9, so that the second section 17 of the lower ring 9 rotates from the raised position to the lowered position.

As shown in fig. 9, the stop 23 is supported on the engagement ring 5 when the second section 17 of the lower ring 9 is in the lowered position and the cover 1 is in the tilted open position. In this way, the cap 1 is maintained in the tilted open position, since, thanks to the abutment of the stop 23 against the engaging ring 5, the cap 1 cannot rotate towards the release position in which the cap 1 faces the orifice 3, while the second section 17 of the lower ring 9 remains in the lowered position. This makes it possible to increase the minimum opening angle of the cover 1. Advantageously, therefore, when the lid 1 is in the inclined open position and the second section 17 of the lower ring 9 is in the lowered position, the opening angle of the lid 1 is greater than 120 ° and advantageously greater than or equal to 145 °, for example about 180 °. Wherein the opening angle corresponds to a protruding angular section formed at the intersection between a plane parallel to the upper wall 13 of the lid 1 and a horizontal plane.

To close the lid 1 again, the user tilts the lid 1 forward to the release position. During tilting, the stop 23 bears against the engaging ring 5 to exert a pulling force with a radially outward component on the second section 17 of the lower ring 9, which makes it possible to move the lower ring 9 from the front to the rear, and the axially upward element allows to assist the second section 17 of the lower ring 9 to move towards the raised position. The outer surface of the heel 22 also abuts the helical rib of the helical thread 6, which also facilitates the movement of the second section 17 of the lower ring 9 towards the raised position.

When the second section 17 is in the raised position and the cap 1 is in the release position, the cap 1 may then be screwed back into the neck 2 of the container. During screwing, the lower ring 9 is rotatably driven about the axis X and the second section 17 of the lower ring 9 rotates towards the lowered position as the cover 1 approaches the engaging ring 5.

Advantageously, the entire closure is moulded in a single piece of synthetic material, for example polyethylene and advantageously high density polyethylene. Advantageously, the closure device is moulded in the configuration of fig. 1, i.e. in the closed position, in which it can be mounted directly on the neck 2 of the container.

Although the invention has been described with reference to various specific embodiments, it is clear that the invention is not in any way restricted thereto, but comprises all technical equivalents of the means described, as well as combinations thereof, if they belong to the framework of the invention as defined by the claims.

Use of the verbs "consisting of … …," comprising "or" including "and their inflected forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or stages as may be established in the claims.

In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim.

Claims

1. A closure device for fixing on a neck (2) of a container, said neck (2) comprising an orifice (3) and an engagement ring (4), characterized in that: the capping device comprises:

a cap (1) comprising an upper wall (13) and a peripheral skirt (14), said peripheral skirt (14) having a helical thread (7), said helical thread (7) being intended to cooperate with a helical thread (6) formed on said neck (2) to allow:

unscrewing said cap (1) on said neck (2) about an axis (X) for moving said cap (1) from a closed position, in which said upper wall (13) closes said orifice (3) of said neck (2), and said peripheral skirt (14) around said neck (2) towards a release position, in which said cap (1) is no longer engaged with said neck (2); and

-screwing the cap (1) to the neck (2) for moving the cap (1) from the release position to the closed position;

a lower ring (9) axially fixed to said neck (2) and rotatably movable on said neck (2) about said axis (X), said lower ring (9) comprising a first section (16) having a plurality of engagement elements (18), said engagement elements (18) radially projecting into said lower ring (9) and being intended to be arranged below said engagement ring (4) to axially retain said lower ring (9) in said neck (2) of said container, said first section (16) and second section (17) of said lower ring (9) being mutually connected so that said second section (17) rotates with respect to said first section (16) between a lowered position in which said second section (17) is arranged below said engagement ring (4) and a raised position in which said second section (17) is arranged at least partially above said engagement ring (4);

-a hinge device connecting said cap (1) to the second section (17) of said lower ring (9) and configured to allow rotation of said cap (1) between said release position and an inclined opening position in which said cap (1) is disengaged from the orifice (3) of said neck (2), said hinge device extending over a first angular range cut into two equal parts by a bisecting plane (Pb);

the lower ring (9) is configured such that the second section (17) rotates relative to the first section (16) from the lowered position to the raised position to allow the cover (1) to move from the closed position to the release position;

the helical thread (7) develops about the axis (X) according to a first direction and has a lower end and an upper end, the lower end of the helical thread (7) being arranged within a second angular range defined between the bisecting plane (Pb) and a radial plane forming 160 DEG with the bisecting plane (Pb) according to a second direction opposite to the first direction.

2. The capping apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the lower end of the helical thread (7) is arranged within an angular range defined between two radial planes which, according to the rotation in the second direction, form respectively 90 ° and 160 ° with the bisecting plane (Pb).

3. A closure assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: the first section (16) of the lower ring (9) comprises a front region (19) radially opposite the second section (17) and two joining regions (20, 21), the two joining regions (20, 21) being arranged respectively between the front region (19) of the first section (16) and the second section (17), the plurality of joining elements (18) being arranged only in the two joining regions (20, 21) to allow radial movement of the lower ring (9).

4. A capping apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: the front region (19) of the first section (16) extends over an angular range between 90 ° and 150 °.

5. A capping apparatus as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, in which: each of the two joining zones (20, 21) extends over an angular range of between 30 ° and 90 °.

6. A closure assembly as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein: the two joining zones (20, 21) extend on a plurality of angular sections symmetrical to each other with respect to the bisecting plane (Pb).

7. The capping device of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: the plurality of engagement elements (18) are a plurality of projections projecting radially inwardly.

8. The capping device of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: the second section (17) extends over an angular range between 90 DEG and 150 deg.

9. A closure assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: the capping device further comprises a locking device configured to lock the cap (1) in the tilted open position, the locking device comprising a stop (23) projecting radially outwards from the cap (1) and configured to bear against the engagement ring (5) of the neck (2) during movement of the cap (1) from the tilted open position to the release position, exerting a pulling force on the second section (17), the pulling force having a radially outwards component and an axially upwards component to assist movement of the second section (17) between the lowered position and the raised position.

10. A capping apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein: the stop (23) is configured such that during movement of the lid (1) from the release position towards the inclined open position, the stop (23) bears against an upper end of the second section (17) of the lower ring (9) to move the second section (17) from the raised position to the lowered position.

11. A closure assembly as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, wherein: the locking device further comprises a heel (22) formed on the peripheral skirt (14) of the cap (1) and extending axially, the heel (22) being configured such that, during movement of the cap (1) from the tilted open position towards the release position, the heel (22) bears against a helical rib of a helical thread (6) formed on the neck (2) of the container, exerting a pulling force on the second section (17), the pulling force having a radially outward component and an axially upward component to assist movement of the second section (17) from the lowered position to the raised position.

12. Assembly comprising a container provided with a neck (2) and a closure device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, said neck (2) comprising a fitting hole (3), an engagement ring (5) and a helical thread (6), said lower ring (9) being axially fixed on said neck (2) and being rotatably movable on said neck (2) about said axis (X).