CN116635308A - Closure for a container - Google Patents

Abstract

A closure (1) for a container, comprising: a first component (2); a second part (3) movable relative to the first part (2) to move between a closed state in which the opening (21) of the closure (1) is covered and an open state in which the opening (21) is exposed; and a tamper-evident element (5) connected on the one hand to the second part (3) by means of a frangible connection (51) and on the other hand arranged to be held relative to the first part (2) such that the frangible connection (51) is ruptured by the opening movement when the second part (3) is moved in an opening movement relative to the first part (2) from the closed state to the open state. The tamper-evident element (5) is adapted to be actuated to rupture the frangible connection (51) independently of the movement of the second part (3) relative to the first part (2) by an opening movement, and the closure (1) further comprises retaining means (22) arranged on the first part (2) and adapted to fix the tamper-evident element (5) to the first part (2) after the frangible connection (51) has ruptured.

Description

Closure for a container

The present invention relates to a closure for a container and a system comprising a container with such a closure.

Such closures may be used to contain and provide liquid, pasty or powdered products (e.g., infant formulas), such as in the chemical, pharmaceutical and/or food industries. The tamper-evident element is used to indicate and preserve the original state, i.e. in particular to indicate unauthorized access. An undamaged tamper-evident element indicates that the container is in a sealed (i.e., original) state, while a damaged or removed tamper-evident element indicates that the container is in an unsealed state. For example, the tamper-evident element corresponds to the film to be removed when first used, so that the damaged or removed state of the film indicates the unsealed state of the container.

The tamper-evident element is usually separated into small pieces, which need to be discarded to avoid environmental pollution. However, a disadvantage is that once separated, the tamper-evident element may be easily lost, making it difficult for the tamper-evident element to be discarded or recycled. Another disadvantage is that when it is desired to initially open the closure, it is not easy and/or intuitive to open the closure comprising a tamper-evident element, e.g. in the form of a (shrink) film. A further disadvantage is the poor indication of the unsealed condition of the container by the tamper-evident element and the two-handed operation, in particular for opening the closure and removing the tamper-evident element.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome these disadvantages. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a closure having improved recovery capability, which is easier and more intuitive to handle, and which indicates tampering, i.e. an initial (sealed) state and an unsealed state, more clearly.

These and other objects, which will become apparent after reading the following description, are solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. The dependent claims relate to preferred embodiments of the invention.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a closure for a container. The closure includes: a first component; and a second member movable relative to the first member to move between a closed state in which the opening of the closure is covered and an open state in which the opening is exposed. The closure further comprises a tamper-evident element which is connected on the one hand to the second part by means of a frangible connection and on the other hand arranged to be held/inhibited relative to the first part such that the frangible connection is ruptured by the opening movement when the second part is moved in the opening movement relative to the first part from the closed state to the open state. Furthermore, the tamper-evident element is adapted to be actuated in order to rupture the frangible connection independently of the movement of the second part relative to the first part by the opening movement. The closure further comprises retaining means arranged on (and preferably integrally formed with) the first part and adapted to secure the tamper-evident element to the first part after the frangible connection has been broken.

The retaining means thus advantageously achieves that the tamper-evident element is not lost once the frangible connection has been broken, and that the tamper-evident element is disconnected from the second component as a result of this breakage. Thus, after the frangible connection has been broken, the tamper-evident element remains connected to the closure; i.e. providing a tamper-evident element that is not detachable. This reduces the risk of the tamper-evident element contaminating the environment, since the closure does not create the element as a small piece (e.g. a small piece of plastic) resulting in throwing away waste (i.e. improved sustainability is achieved). In other words, the holding means serves as a loss prevention means for the tamper-evident element. Thus, the tamper-evident element may be better recovered, for example in the same recovery stream as the other parts of the closure and/or as the main packaging material (such as the container). This greatly increases the chance of recycling the tamper-evident element.

Furthermore, since the tamper-evident element may be actuated to rupture the frangible connection (i.e., the tamper-evident element is at least partially designed as an actuating element), the user may more intuitively and easily open the closure for first use. And since the user perceives the tamper element as an element to be actuated (i.e. as an actuating element), the (visual, tactile, etc.) indication of the sealed and unsealed state is improved. Further advantages achieved by the closure are (overall) reduced size and weight (up to 15% weight reduction), especially compared to closures with tamper-evident elements (hinge covers, etc.) that are not shrink sleeves or tear strips, elimination of shrink sleeves as tamper-evident elements, and improved look and feel.

The retaining means may be adapted to retain the tamper-evident element relative to the first part when the second part is moved relative to the first part by the opening movement to fracture the frangible connection. The holding means thus serve both to secure the tamper-evident element when the frangible connection has been broken, and to hold the tamper-evident element during the opening movement (which thus breaks the frangible connection). Thus, a closure is provided which is of simple design and easy to produce.

The holding means may be adapted to fix the tamper-evident element such that the tamper-evident element is movable with a defined play relative to the holding means after the frangible connection has been broken. The mobility of the tamper-evident element with a defined play gives a clear (visual and/or tactile, etc.) indication to the user that the frangible connection is broken and thus the closure is in an unsealed state. In the sealed state, i.e. when the frangible connection is unbroken and thus connects the tamper-evident element to the second component, this defined play may not exist as the frangible connection is unbroken. Thus, the user can easily distinguish the sealed state from the unsealed state with the defined play.

The retaining means may comprise a section for securing the tamper-evident element to the first component, wherein the tamper-evident element is movable towards the section by actuation of the tamper-evident element in order to rupture the frangible connection. Thus, if the tamper-evident element is secured to the first component by this section (and is thus less visible, e.g. from the outside of the closure, i.e. no longer represents a critical visible element), the user can easily determine that the tamper-evident element has been actuated (e.g. actuated to rupture the frangible connection); the closure then transitions to a state in which attention is paid to opening the closure by an opening movement. Accordingly, if the tamper-evident element is not secured by the section (but is movable with a defined play, e.g. with respect to the holding means), the user can easily determine that the frangible connection has been broken by an opening movement which moves the second part with respect to the first part. The retaining means thus provides a means for easily distinguishing between frangible connections broken by the opening movement and frangible connections broken by actuation of the tamper-evident element. Preferably, the section is adapted to fix the tamper-evident element such that the tamper-evident element is immovable relative to the holding section or is movable relative to the holding section with a further defined play, which is preferably smaller than the previously defined play. In this way, a user can easily determine (e.g., visually and/or tactilely) whether the tamper-evident element has been actuated and/or whether the frangible connection has been ruptured by an opening movement or actuation of the tamper-evident element.

The holding means, in particular the section, may be adapted to fix the tamper-evident element with a snap fit. The snap fit may secure the tamper-evident element to the first part particularly securely. This in turn makes the tamper-evident element less prone to loss after the frangible connection has broken. Furthermore, the fixing of the tamper-evident element by means of a snap-fit provides a clear (visual and/or tactile) indication that the tamper-evident element is in an unsealed state achieved by actuation of the tamper-evident element. Preferably, the snap fit does not provide a defined play and/or the snap fit does not provide a (defined) play or at least provides a further defined play. In this way, a user can easily determine whether the tamper-evident element has been actuated and/or whether the frangible connection has been broken by an opening movement or actuation of the tamper-evident element.

If the holding means comprises the section (with e.g. a snap fit), the tamper-evident element may be engaged with the section by actuation of the tamper-evident element by a user (but preferably not by an opening movement), such as by a snap action. In other words, the section may be arranged such that actuation of only the tamper-evident element may enable the movement of the tamper-evident element into a position to be secured by the section, in particular by a snap fit.

The tamper-evident element may be adapted to be pushed so as to be actuated. Thus, the tamper-evident element can be actuated very easily in order to rupture the frangible connection. This makes the closure very easy and intuitive to handle, especially for first use when the frangible connection needs to be broken. The tamper-evident element may comprise a defined actuation (e.g. pushing) surface that may be actuated (e.g. pushed) by a user. The actuation surface may be visible when viewed on the second component and/or in a direction perpendicular to the planar surface of the second component (e.g., as part of the cover). Thus, the tamper-evident element provides improved accessibility and improved visibility to the actuated. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the tamper-evident element is designed at least in part as a button, for example a push button. Thus, a particularly good visibility of the tamper-evident element for indicating a sealed/unsealed state and a particularly good actuation of the tamper-evident element for rupturing the frangible connection are provided. Preferably, the tamper-evident element is not in the form of a band (tear band, etc.) and/or is not in the form of a sleeve (shrink sleeve, etc.).

The second component may comprise a wall portion, wherein the tamper-evident element exposes the wall portion after the frangible connection has been broken, at least when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the wall portion. The exposed wall portion provides an improved indication of the frangible connection being broken and thus an improved indication of the unsealed condition. Preferably, the tamper-evident element covers the wall portion when viewed at least in said direction when the frangible connection has not been broken but connects the tamper-evident element to the second component. This improves the indication of the non-ruptured state of the frangible connection and thus the indication of the sealed state.

The first component may include an opening, wherein the second component covers the opening in the closed state and exposes (or exposes) the opening in the open state. For example, the second component comprises a cover part which in a closed state covers the opening and in an open state exposes or exposes the opening. Alternatively, the second part may comprise an opening, wherein the first part covers the opening in the closed state and exposes the opening in the open state; in this case, the first member may include a cover portion.

The first component may comprise a sealing wall having an inclined section, wherein the second component comprises a first wall contactable with the sealing wall, e.g. the first wall is contactable with the inclined section and/or a flat section of the sealing wall, and wherein the second component further comprises a second wall which is further from an outer edge of the second component than the first wall and contactable with the inclined section, e.g. with a distal end of the sealing wall being part of the inclined section. This provides a very good seal between the first and second parts, in particular because the fluid or liquid inside the container (e.g. oxygen or (liquid, pasty, etc.) needs to travel a tortuous path defined by the sealing wall on the one hand and by the first and second walls on the other hand. Preferably, the first wall and/or the second wall is in laminar (i.e. flat or planar) contact with the sealing wall.

The first component and/or the second component may comprise one or more fastening elements for fastening the second component to the first component in the closed state. The one or more fastening elements may provide a reclosable and/or resealable closure. Preferably, the one or more fastening elements form a snap fit. In particular, the second part (such as a top part) may serve as a (dust or protective) cover after the first opening (i.e. after the frangible connection has been broken).

The second part may comprise a gripping portion for gripping the second part for moving the second part relative to the first part. The grip portion in particular enables easy movement of the closure between the closed and the open state. In particular, the grip portion facilitates the user to easily break the frangible connection with an opening movement. The grip may be provided at least in part by a protrusion and/or a depression. The tamper-evident element may be arranged between the grip portion and the wall portion of the second part, at least when the tamper-evident element is connected to the second part by means of the frangible connection, in particular when viewed in a direction for actuating the tamper-evident element and/or in a direction perpendicular to the flat portion or flat surface of the second part.

The second component may be hinged to the first component. This results in particular in the second part being retained on the first part in the open state. In this way, in both the open and closed condition, the first and second parts are fixed to each other, avoiding the loss of one of the parts relative to the respective other.

The first component may be integral with the second component. In other words, at least the first component and the second component may form a single component. In this way, the first component and the second component can be produced very easily, in particular in the same production process and/or in the same production step. For example, the first component is integral with the second component via a hinge for hinging the second component to the first component. Additionally or alternatively, the tamper-evident element may be integral with the second component, in particular via a frangible connection. Thus, the first part, the second part and the tamper-evident element may form a single part. Preferably, the first and second parts, and preferably also the tamper-evident element, are made of the same material.

The closure may be made partially or completely of bio-based and/or biodegradable (and/or compostable) materials. "biobased" means that the material (such as polypropylene, PP) is derived from renewable sources, particularly not from petroleum; renewable sources include, for example, one or more of the following: food crops, wood chips, renewable oils, vegetable oils, waste or residues (used cooking oils, animal fats from food industry waste, vegetable oil processing waste and residues, fish fat from fish processing waste, industrial corn oil, etc.), and combinations thereof. "biobased" preferably does not necessarily mean that the material is biodegradable; conversely, "biobased" preferably generally means that the material must be recovered with the plastic stream. For example, a "biobased" material may contain an amount of bio-resin (i.e., a resin that is not petroleum-based, but is derived from grain crops, wood chips, etc.), which makes it more sustainable than current supplies of, for example, non-biobased plastic materials. A material is understood to be "compostable" or "biodegradable" when it meets the requirements established by european norm EN 13431 ("Packaging-Requirements for Packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation-Test scheme and evaluation criteria for the final acceptance of Packaging"). For example, biodegradable materials are materials comprising biodegradable and/or compostable polymers, paper, and/or cellulose. For example, the bio-based and/or biodegradable material is a bio-based and/or biodegradable thermoplastic material, such as bio-polypropylene. Preferably, at least the tamper-evident element is made of a bio-based and/or biodegradable material. In one embodiment, the closure may be made partially or entirely of a bio-based material, but may not include biodegradable (and/or compostable) materials.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a system is provided. The system comprises a container (such as a large diameter container, e.g. from 73mm to 127mm, and/or a container in the form of a can) and a closure as described above. In one embodiment, the first component is attached to the container. That is, the container may include an upper portion having an opening, wherein the component of the closure (i.e., the first component or the second component) including the opening is attached to the upper portion. The attachment may be provided by a form fit and/or friction fit and/or by an adhesive bond. Alternatively, the first or second component may be part of the container and/or may be integral with the container and/or at least partially provide said upper portion of the container.

Other advantages, features and embodiments of the invention are exemplarily described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a closure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a closed state;

FIG. 2A is a schematic top view of the closure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is a detailed view of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the closure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is another schematic side view of the closure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional detail view of the closure shown in FIG. 1 taken along section line A-A in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 6A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the closure shown in FIG. 1 taken along section line B-B in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 6B is a detailed view of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the closure shown in FIG. 1, showing an alternative fastening element;

FIG. 8A is a schematic perspective view of the closure shown in FIG. 1, with the closure in an open state;

FIG. 8B is a detailed view of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 9 is a schematic top view of the closure of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 10A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the closure shown in FIG. 8A taken along section line C-C in FIG. 9;

FIG. 10B is a detailed view of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 10C is a detail of FIG. 10A showing a hinge connecting a first component to a second component;

FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of the closure shown in FIG. 3 after the tamper-evident element has been actuated;

FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the closure shown in FIG. 5 after the tamper-evident element has been actuated;

FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the closure shown in FIG. 6A after the tamper-evident element has been actuated;

FIG. 14 is a schematic top view of the closure shown in FIG. 1 with the tamper-evident element omitted;

FIG. 15 is the closure shown in FIG. 6A with the tamper-evident element omitted;

FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional exploded view of a closure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16B is a detail of FIG. 16A;

FIG. 16C is a schematic cross-sectional view of the closure shown in FIG. 16A;

FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view of a closure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18A is a schematic top view of the closure shown in FIG. 17; and is also provided with

FIG. 18B is a detail of FIG. 18A; and is also provided with

Fig. 18C is a detailed view of fig. 18A.

Fig. 1 shows an example of a closure 1 according to a preferred embodiment, such as in the form of a cap and/or lid, for example a dome cover. The closure 1 is suitable for a container (not shown). The container may contain any form of product, such as liquid, paste, powder and/or pourable forms. The product may be an infant formula (such as an infant formula) and/or the container may be an infant formula container (such that the closure 1 and container form, for example, an infant formula package). For example, the container is a can. The closure 1 comprises a first part 2, which is exemplarily provided as a lower part. The closure 1 further comprises a second part 3, which is exemplarily provided as an upper part (top). The terms "upper" and "lower" particularly refer to an orientation relative to the container. For example, when the closure 1 is attached to a container, the second component 3 may represent an upper portion of the system (which includes the closure 1 and the container), wherein the first component 1 connects the second component 3 with the container.

The second part 3 is movable relative to the first part 2. In this way, the closure 1 is movable between a closed state and an open state. The closed state is schematically illustrated in fig. 1 and the open state is schematically illustrated in fig. 8. One example for moving the first part 2 and the second part 3 relative to each other is shown in the figures. According to this example, the second part 3 is hinged to the first part 1, in particular by means of a hinge 4 (see for example fig. 4 and 10B). As shown, the hinge 4 may be integral with the first part 2 and/or the second part 3. Furthermore, other examples (such as no hinge) may also enable the second part 3 to move relative to the first part 2.

As shown in fig. 8, the lower portion includes an opening 21. In the closed state, the opening 21 is covered by the second part 3 (see fig. 1). For example, the second member 3 includes a cover portion 31 that covers the opening 21 in a closed state. The cover 31 may be part of a dome structure, for example, the top of which may be formed. To cover the opening, the cover 31 may have a planar or flat surface (or cross section), or may extend in a substantially planar manner. Accordingly, when the second part 3 is moved to an open state relative to the first part 2, the second part 3 exposes (i.e. exposes) the opening 21. In this case, the closure 1 can enter the container via the exposed opening 21. In this case, the user can remove at least part of the product from the container via the opening 21.

In order to easily move the second part 3 relative to the first part 2, the second part 3 may comprise a grip 32. The grip 32 is specifically designed to be easily grasped by the fingers of a user. As shown in fig. 1, the grip 32 may include protrusions and/or gripping surfaces (the grip may be part of the protrusions) that are adapted to be gripped by the fingers of a user. Additionally or alternatively, the grip 32 may include a depression adapted to be gripped by a user's fingers. In general, any form suitable for grasping by the fingers of a user may be used for the grasping portion 32.

The closure 1 further comprises a tamper-resistant element 5. The closure 1 thus represents a tamper-evident system. The tamper-evident element 5 is arranged to indicate a sealed state and an unsealed state of the closure 1. In this way the tamper-evident element 5 is particularly adapted to indicate whether the closure 1 has been opened by moving the second part 3 relative to the first part 2 and into the open state. Thus, the tamper-evident element 5 can easily indicate unauthorized access to the product contained in the container. The tamper-evident element 5 is arranged to provide good visibility to the user. For this purpose, the tamper element 5 may be arranged between the cover surface 31 and/or the wall portion 33 and the grip portion 32 of the first component 2, when seen in the plane of the second component 3, such as in a direction perpendicular to the cover surface 31 (perpendicular to the drawing surface of fig. 2A). In this way, the user can easily see with his own eyes the tamper-evident element 5 and thus whether there is an unsealed or sealed state of the closure 1. This further provides the advantage of easy actuation of the tamper element 5 as described herein below. Preferably, the tamper-evident element 5 (such as the top surface of the tamper-evident element 5 and/or the actuation surface of the tamper-evident element 5 described below) may be arranged and/or positioned substantially flush with or slightly below the lid 31 in the closed state. The second part 3 may comprise a recess 33a in which at least a part of the tamper element 5 is arranged when in the closed state. The recess 33a may be defined by the wall portion 33 and/or the grip portion 32.

As shown in fig. 2B, the tamper element 5 is connected to the second part 3 by a frangible connection 51. In particular, the frangible connection 51 connects the tamper-evident element 5 to the cover portion 31 or the wall portion 33 and/or the grip portion 32 of the second component 3. The frangible connection 51 may be integrally formed with the tamper element 5 at one end and with the second part 3 at the other end, such as with the cap portion 31 or the wall portion 33 and/or the grip portion 32. As shown in fig. 2B, the frangible connection 51 may include a weakened section for providing frangibility. For example, frangible connection 51 includes one or more frangible or weakened bridges 52, such as only two or at least two connections to cap portion 31 or wall portion 33 and/or only two or at least two connections to grip portion 32.

On the other hand, as shown in fig. 5, the tamper element 5 may be held with respect to the first part 2. For this purpose, the tamper-evident element 5 may engage with a structure fixed relative to the first part 2, such as with a form-fit and/or friction-fit. For example, the structure is integral with the first part 2 and is thus fixed relative to the first part. The tamper-evident element 5 may comprise one or more protrusions 53 (and/or one or more recesses) arranged to engage with the structure, such as to be held relative to the first part 2.

Thus, when the second part 3 is moved in an opening movement relative to the first part 2 in order to move the closure 1 from the closed state, in which the closure 1 is in an unsealed state and the (unbroken) frangible connection 51 thus connects the tamper-evident element 5 to the second part 3, to the open state or towards the open state, the second part 3 simultaneously forces the tamper-evident element 2 to move relative to the first part 2. This is due to the frangible connection 2 connecting the tamper-evident element 5 to the second part 3. However, since the tamper-evident element 5 is held relative to the first part 2, the tamper-evident element 5 cannot move relative to the first part 2 during this opening movement. Conversely, the opening movement causes the frangible connection 51 to break. In other words, during the opening movement, the second part 2 moves with respect to the tamper-evident element 5 due to the held tamper-evident element 5, thereby creating a force in the frangible connection 51 that breaks the frangible connection 51. Thereby, the closure 1 is moved to the unsealed state.

In the state in which the frangible connection 51 is broken and thus the tamper-evident element 5 is not connected to the second part 3, the tamper-evident element 5 indicates an unsealed state. In this state, for example, the tamper-evident element 5 indicates an unsealed state by a visual appearance and/or a haptic effect. For example, the tamper-evident element 5 may have a different position and/or orientation in the unsealed state and/or may be more loosely arranged, i.e. less firmly arranged, than in the sealed state.

The tamper-evident element 5 is also adapted to be actuated. Thus, instead of breaking the frangible connection 51 by an opening movement of the second part 3 relative to the first part 2, the frangible connection 51 can also be broken by actuating the tamper-evident element 5. Thus, the tamper-evident element 5 can be moved by actuation from the position shown in fig. 5 towards or into the position shown in fig. 12 (i.e. in the up-down direction in these figures). Thus, the user can actuate the tamper-evident element 5 in a first step in order to break the frangible connection 51 and in a subsequent second step then move the second part 3 with respect to the first part 2 in order to move the closure 1 to the open state. This provides a convenient and intuitive way for transitioning the closure 1 from a sealed to an unsealed state. Furthermore, during the opening movement of the parts 2, 3 relative to each other, the user does not need to overcome the force for breaking the frangible connection 51, since the frangible connection 51 has been broken by actuation. In addition, the tamper-evident element 5 adapted (i.e. designed) to be actuated facilitates that the user can easily position the tamper-evident element 5 to fracture the frangible connection 51 and that the user can easily apply a force for the fracture.

For advantageous actuation, the tamper-evident element 5 is preferably adapted to be pushed so as to be actuated. In particular, and as shown in fig. 2B, the tamper-evident element 5 may comprise an actuation surface 54, which is designed to be actuated, such as pushed. The actuation surface 54 particularly provides sufficient surface area to be contacted by a user's finger for actuation. Preferably, the actuation surface 54 is for displaying or includes an indication (to a user) that the surface 54 is to be actuated. The indication may be at least partially inscribed on the actuation surface 54. For example, the indication may comprise one or more graphical symbols (such as one or more letters), preferably describing the required actuation. For example, the indication enumerates the word PUSH. In one embodiment, the tamper-evident element 5 may be designed at least partly as or provided by a tab and/or a button, such as a push button.

The closure 1, in particular the second part 3, may comprise one or more protection structures (such as in the form of bumps) arranged to protect the tamper-evident element 5, in particular against accidental actuation. The tamper-evident element 5 may be arranged between two such protective structures and/or one or more protective structures may be arranged adjacent to the tamper-evident element 5. When the frangible connection 51 is unbroken, the one or more protective structures preferably extend over (i.e. beyond) the tamper-evident element 5, such as over the actuation surface 54.

Once the frangible connection 51 has been broken, the tamper-evident element 5 can no longer be retained by the second part 3. In order to avoid detachment or disengagement of the tamper-evident element 5 from the parts 2, 3, the closure 1 further comprises retaining means 22 arranged on the first part 2 and preferably formed integrally therewith. After the frangible connection 51 has been broken, i.e. in the unsealed or broken state, the retaining means 22 secure the tamper-evident element 5 to the first part 2. The securing of the tamper-evident element 5 to the first part 2 by means of the retaining means 22 may be provided in different ways. For example, in the broken state of the frangible connection 51, the retaining means 21 may secure the tamper-evident element 5 such that the tamper-evident element 5 is movable with a defined play (i.e. gap) with respect to the retaining means 22. By means of the defined play, the tamper-evident element 5 is loosely fixed, so that a particularly good (in particular visual and/or tactile) indication of the unsealed state can be provided. As shown in fig. 5, the holding device 22 may comprise a (upper) section 23 which secures the tamper-evident element 5 with a defined play and is for example at least partially defined by one or more side walls 24 of the holding device 22. The section 23 may comprise one or more protrusions for securing the tamper-evident element 5 and/or at least partially defining the defined play. One or more protrusions are preferably formed in one or more of the side walls 24.

As shown in fig. 5, the holding means 22 may comprise a (lower) section 25 for securing the tamper-evident element 5 to the first component 2. The section 25 is arranged such that when the tamper-evident element 5 is actuated to fracture the frangible connection 51, the tamper-evident element 5 moves, for example, from the (upper) section 23 towards the section 25. This makes it particularly possible that by actuating the tamper-evident element 5 to move in a direction corresponding to the direction for moving the tamper-evident element 5 to fracture the frangible connection 51, the tamper-evident element 5 can be moved into a position in which the section 25 secures the tamper-evident element 5 to the first part 2. Thus, actuation of the tamper-evident element 2 not only enables the breakage of the frangible connection 51, but also engagement with the section 25 to be fixed to the first part 2 and/or at least partial immersion in the holding means 21.

The section 25 may be adapted to fix the tamper-evident element 5 to the first part 1 such that the tamper-evident element 5 is not movable relative to the holding means 22, or at least is movable relative to the holding means 22 with a further defined play smaller than the defined play provided by the section 23, for example. Preferably, the section 25 comprises one or more protrusions for securing the tamper-evident element 5. The section 25 may further comprise a bottom wall 26, which together with one or more protrusions may fix the tamper-evident element 5, optionally such that the tamper-evident element 5 is not movable relative to the holding means 22 or at least movable with a further defined play. That is, the movement of the tamper-evident element 5 fixed to the section 25 may be limited by one or more protrusions of the section 25 and the bottom wall 26. In the state secured by the section 25, the one or more protrusions 53 of the tamper-evident element 5 may be at least partially arranged between the wall 26 on the one hand and the one or more protrusions of the section 25 on the other hand. Preferably, the section 25 secures the tamper-evident element 5 by means of a snap fit, which may be provided by one or more protrusions of the section 25 and/or the bottom wall 26.

The (upper) section 23 may be arranged relative to the (lower) section 25 such that the tamper-evident element 5 may be moved from the section 23 towards the section 24 by actuation. By "lower section" is preferably meant that this section is further away from the second part 3 (in the closed position) than the "upper section". The section 25 may be at least partially defined by one or more side walls of the retaining device 22, such as also by one or more side walls 24. For example, one or more of the side walls may include one or more protrusions of the section 25 and/or may extend from the bottom wall 26.

The retaining means 22 may comprise a side wall 24a arranged to at least partially cover the tamper-evident element 5 at least after the frangible connection 51 has been broken. After the tamper-evident element 5 has been actuated (and thus moved, for example, towards the section 25), the side wall 24a may be arranged to cover more parts of the tamper-evident element 5 than in a state in which the tamper-evident element 5 is connected to the second part 3 via the frangible connection 5. In other words, the tamper-evident element 5 may comprise a wall portion 55 that is exposed (i.e. not covered by the first part 2 or the side wall 24 a; see fig. 3) when the tamper-evident element 5 is connected to the second part 3 via the frangible connection 5, so as to indicate a sealed state. To this end, the wall portion 55 may include an indication (color (e.g., green), one or more indicia, letters, a locking padlock indicia, etc.) such that the indication is visible when the wall portion 55 is exposed. Thus, the wall portion 55 provides a clear visual indication that the frangible connection 51 is unbroken, i.e. that the closure 1 is in a sealed condition. Accordingly, after the tamper-evident element 5 has been actuated (and thus moved, for example, towards the section 25), the side wall 24a may be arranged to cover this wall 55 so as to cover an indication of the wall 55 (see fig. 11). Side wall 24a may extend from bottom wall 26.

If the opening movement of the second part 3 with respect to the first part 3 breaks the frangible connection 51, the tamper-evident element 5 will be displaced or moved by gravity with respect to the holding means 22 (and further into the holding means) and be secured by the holding means 22, such as with the (upper) section 23, with a defined play (see fig. 5: the tamper-evident element 5 is displaced downwards by gravity onto the one or more protrusions of the section 25). The defined play is then defined on the one hand by the one or more projections of the section 23 and on the other hand by the one or more projections of the section 25. The opening movement does not cause the tamper-evident element 5 to move to a position where the (lower) section 25 secures the tamper-evident element 5. However, the tamper-evident element 5 may be moved into this position by actuation of the tamper-evident element 5, for example, by a user's finger. In this way, the retaining means 22 can also be used to indicate whether the frangible connection 51 has been ruptured by an opening movement of the part 2, 3 (so as not to engage with the section 25, but for example only on one or more projections of the section 25) or by actuation of the tamper-evident element 5 (so as to move towards the section 25 and for example engage with this section, such as with one or more projections of the section 25).

As previously mentioned, the tamper-evident element 5 is held relative to the first part 2 so as to rupture the frangible connection 51 by an opening movement. Preferably, the retaining means 22 is adapted to provide this function. More specifically, the holding means 22, preferably the (upper) section 23, may be adapted to hold the tamper-evident element 5 relative to the first part 2 when the second part 3 is moved relative to the first part 2. If retained by section 23, one or more protrusions of section 23 may engage with the tamper-evident element 5, such as with one or more protrusions thereof, to retain the tamper-evident element 5. Thus, forcing the tamper-evident element 5 (such as one or more protrusions 53) into engagement with the retaining means 22 (such as with the section 23 or one or more protrusions of the section 23) by an opening movement will generate a reaction force that ruptures the frangible connection 51.

The tamper-evident element 5 may interact with the wall portion 33 of the second part 3 in order to provide a particularly good indication of the sealed and unsealed state. For example, after the frangible connection 51 has been broken, in particular by actuating the tamper-evident element 5, the tamper-evident element 5 exposes the wall portion 33 (when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the wall portion 33, which is perpendicular to the drawing plane in fig. 5). In other words, when the tamper-evident element 5 is moved (such as by gravity and/or by actuation) due to the broken frangible connection 51, the tamper-evident element 5 simultaneously moves along the wall portion 33 and thus exposes or exposes the wall portion 33. The wall portion 33 may include an indication (color (e.g., red), one or more indicia, letters, unlock padlock indicia, etc.) such that when the wall portion 33 is exposed, the indication becomes visible to indicate an unsealed condition. Thus, the wall portion 33 provides a clear visual indication of the breakage of the frangible connection 51, i.e. the closure 1 is in an unsealed state.

The closure 1 is preferably a reclosable and/or resealable closure or lid. For example, as shown in fig. 7, one or more fastening elements 6 are provided which fasten the parts 2, 3 to each other in the closed state of the closure 1. The first part 2 and/or the second part 3 may comprise one or more fastening elements. The one or more fastening elements may fasten the parts 2, 3 to each other by a form fit and/or friction fit and/or by a snap fit. The one or more fastening elements 6 are preferably designed such that an opening movement of the parts 2, 3 can release the fastening connection provided by the one or more fastening elements 6, thereby releasing the parts 2, 3 to move the closure 1 to the open state.

In the closed state, the first part 2 and the second part 3 are preferably sealingly engaged (or in sealing contact) with each other. An example of a seal is shown in fig. 6B. As shown in fig. 6B, the first component 2 may comprise a sealing wall 27 comprising at least an inclined (or horizontal) section 28 and preferably a straight (or vertical) section 29. The inclined section 28 preferably extends horizontally and/or at an angle (vertical, inclined, etc.) with respect to the straight section 29. The sealing wall 27 is preferably a circumferential wall. Furthermore, the second part 3 comprises a first wall 34 and a second wall 35, wherein the second wall 35 is further from the outer edge of the second part 3 than the first wall 34. In other words, the second wall 35 may be arranged in the space defined by the first wall 34. According to one example, the first wall 34 is an outer edge.

In the closed state, the first wall 34 (sealingly) contacts the sealing wall 27, e.g. a step, such as the inclined section 28, but preferably does not contact the distal end of the sealing wall 27. Additionally or alternatively, the first wall 34 may contact the flat section 29 of the sealing wall 27 in the closed state. In the closed state, the first wall 34 contacts the sealing wall 27 (such as the inclined section 28 and/or the flat section 29), preferably in a planar contact. Further, in the closed state, the second wall 35 contacts (e.g., only) the distal end of the angled section 28, such as the sealing wall 27 as part of the angled section 28. The sealing wall 27 (such as the angled section 28), the first wall 34, and the second wall 35 may be arranged to define a cavity 36.

Thus, a particularly good seal is provided, wherein the second wall 35 contacting the inclined section 28 provides an "inner seal" and the first wall 34 contacting the sealing wall 27 provides an "outer seal". Thus, a particularly good seal is provided, which prevents fluids (such as oxygen, air, liquids, paste-like substances) from passing through the interface between the first part 2 and the second part 3. This in particular prevents leakage of the product through the closure 1 in the closed state and/or degradation of the product inside the container by fluid (in particular oxygen) flowing from the outside into the container through the closure 1.

The first part 2 is preferably formed integrally with the second part 3. Furthermore, the tamper-evident element 5 is preferably formed integrally with the second part 3, i.e. by means of a frangible connection. The closure 1 may be manufactured by any suitable manufacturing method, such as injection moulding. For example, in a first production step, a closure 1 is obtained in an open state (such as in the state shown in fig. 8A to 8B, 9, 10A), wherein the first part 2 is integral with the second part 3 (for example by means of a hinge 4) and the tamper-evident element 5 is integral with the second part 3 by means of a frangible connection 51. In a second step, the second part 3 can be moved relative to the first part 2 in order to connect the tamper element 5 to the first part 2, i.e. such that the tamper element 5 can be held relative to the first part 2 when the second part 3 is moved relative to the first part 2 with an opening movement. Fig. 16D shows a state immediately before the connection to the first member 2. For example, in this second production step, the tamper-evident element 5 is attached or engaged (e.g. snapped into) with the holding means 22 to be held. In a second step, the tamper-evident element is connected to the first part 2 such that the frangible connection 51 is not broken. Thus, the closure 1 is obtained in a sealed state and ready for application, for example for attachment to a container.

The closure 1 is not limited to a particular material. For example, the closure 1 may be made of transparent and/or opaque material. Preferably, the closure 1 is partly or entirely made of bio-based and/or biodegradable material, such as bio-based and/or biodegradable polypropylene (PP). Additionally or alternatively, the closure 1 may be partly or entirely made of a thermoplastic material, such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PET) and/or plastic. To avoid environmental pollution, bio-based and/or biodegradable materials are preferred. To increase the recyclability of the closure 1, the closure 1 may comprise a defined portion, such as a weakened portion, which facilitates the breaking down of the closure 1 into different components, for example, to put these different components into different recycling streams (such as a recycling stream for biodegradable material and another recycling stream for non-biodegradable and/or bio-based material). An example of such a component is shown in fig. 8B. According to this example, the second component 3 comprises a portion 37 that facilitates easy detachment of the second component 3, such as by easy cutting (e.g. with scissors) along the portion 37 in order to detach the second component 3.

The closure 1 is not limited to a particular size. That is, the tamper-evident element 5 may be used with closures (caps, etc.) and/or containers of any size or dimension. For example, the closure 1 may be suitable for large diameter containers having a diameter in the range 73mm to 127 mm. In some examples, the diameter of the closure 1 ranges from 73mm to 127mm, in particular from 80mm to 120mm or from 90mm to 110mm.

As shown in fig. 17 and 18A-18D, the closure 1 may include one or more structures 38 (such as in the form of one or more protrusions and/or recesses) for receiving one or more appliances, such as cutlery (spoons, forks, knives, etc.). As shown in these figures, the second component 3 may include these one or more structures 38. The one or more structures 38 may be arranged on the rear side of the second part 3 facing away from the cover 31. In other words, in the closed state, one or more structures 38 may be arranged between the opening 21 and the cover 31.

If the closure 1 is provided with a container (closure 1 and container providing system), the first part 2 may be attached to the container by a form fit and/or friction fit and/or by an adhesive bond. As shown in fig. 16C, the first component 2 may comprise one or more fastening elements (such as in the form of a snap fit) 200 for attaching and fastening the first component 2 and thus the closure 1 to the container. The fastening force provided by the one or more fastening elements 200 for attaching the first component 2 to the container is preferably such that the closure 1 cannot be detached from the container without damaging the closure 1 and/or the container. Thus, the one or more fastening elements may also be used as some kind of tamper-evident element. In one embodiment, the first part 2 may be an integral part of the container.

It will be clear to the skilled person that the embodiment shown in the figures is only a preferred embodiment, but that other designs of the closure 1 can be used.

Claims (15)

1. Closure (1) for a container, comprising

A first part (2),

a second part (3) movable relative to the first part (2) to move between a closed state in which the opening (21) of the closure (1) is covered and an open state in which the opening (21) is uncovered, and

-a tamper-evident element (5) connected on the one hand to the second part (3) by means of a frangible connection (51) and on the other hand arranged to be held with respect to the first part (2) such that when the second part (3) is moved in an opening movement with respect to the first part (2) from the closed state to the open state, the opening movement breaks the frangible connection (51),

wherein the tamper-evident element (5) is adapted to be actuated to rupture the frangible connection (51) independently of the movement of the second part (3) relative to the first part (2) by the opening movement,

wherein the closure (1) further comprises a retaining means (22) arranged on the first part (2) and adapted to fix the tamper-evident element (5) to the first part (2) after the frangible connection (51) has been broken.

2. Closure (1) according to claim 1, wherein the holding means (22) are adapted to hold the tamper-evident element (5) relative to the first part (2) when the second part (3) is moved relative to the first part (2) by the opening movement to rupture the frangible connection (51).

3. Closure (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the holding means (22) is adapted to fix the tamper-evident element (5) such that the tamper-evident element (5) is movable with a defined play relative to the holding means (22) after the frangible connection (51) has been broken.

4. Closure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding means (22) comprises a section (25) for fixing the tamper-evident element (5) to the first component (2), and wherein by actuating the tamper-evident element (5), the tamper-evident element (5) is movable towards the section (25) in order to rupture the frangible connection (51), wherein optionally the holding means (22), such as the section (25), is adapted to fix the tamper-evident element (5) immovably with respect to a holding section (22) or movable with respect to the holding section (22) with a further defined play, preferably smaller than the defined play.

5. Closure (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the holding means (22), in particular the section (25), is adapted to fix the tamper-evident element (5) with a snap fit.

6. A closure (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tamper-evident element (5) is adapted to be pushed so as to be actuated, and/or wherein the tamper-evident element (5) is at least partly designed as a button, such as a push button.

7. Closure (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second part (3) comprises a wall portion (33), wherein the tamper-evident element (5) exposes the wall portion (33) after the frangible connection (51) has been broken, when viewed at least in a direction perpendicular to the wall portion (33).

8. The closure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first part (2) comprises the opening (21), and wherein the second part (3) covers the opening (21) in the closed state and exposes the opening (21) in the open state.

9. Closure (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first part (2) comprises a sealing wall (27) with an inclined section (28), wherein the second part (3) comprises a first wall (34) contactable with the sealing wall (27), such as a flat section (29) of the inclined section (28) and/or the sealing wall (27), and wherein the second part (3) further comprises a second wall (35) farther from the outer edge of the second part (3) than the first wall (34) and contactable with the inclined section (28), such as with a distal end of the sealing wall (27) being part of the inclined section (28).

10. Closure (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first part (2) and/or the second part (3) comprises one or more fastening elements (6) for fastening the second part (3) to the first part (2) in the closed state.

11. Closure (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second part (3) comprises a grip portion (32) for gripping the second part (3) in order to move the second part (3) relative to the first part (2), wherein the tamper-evident element (5) is preferably arranged between the grip portion (32) and the wall portion (33) of the second part (3) when the tamper-evident element (5) is connected to the second part (3) by the frangible connection (51).

12. A closure (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second part (3) is hinged to the first part (2).

13. A closure (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first part (2) is integral with the second part (3).

14. Closure (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the closure (1) is partly or completely made of bio-based and/or biodegradable material.

15. A system comprising a container and a closure (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first component (2) or the second component (3) of the closure (1) is part of or attached to the container.