EP4698456A1 - Closing cap for a container and relative making method - Google Patents

Abstract

What is proposed is a closing cap for a container, comprising a lateral wall extending around an axis and a transversal wall positioned at one end of the lateral wall, an intended separating line being provided on the lateral wall to define: a retaining ring, which is configured to remain anchored to a neck of the container, and a closing element removably engageable with the neck, so as to open or close the container; wherein the cap comprises a joining zone in which the retaining ring and the closing element are joined; wherein the intended separating line is positioned in a strip of the lateral wall having an enlarged first part, whose thickness is increased relative to the thickness of a remaining second part; and wherein the intended separating line is made by means of an incision extending for 360° which partly cuts into the enlarged first part and passes through an entire thickness of the lateral wall in the remaining second part; in such a way that the joining zone is defined in the enlarged first part.

Description

Closing cap for a container and relative making method

The invention relates to a closing cap for a container and a relative method for making that cap.

In particular, the invention relates to closing cap provided with a retaining ring, joinable to a neck of a container, the cap also being provided with a closing element which, after opening, remains connected to the retaining ring. The cap according to the invention is particularly, but not exclusively, suitable for being applied on containers such as bottles intended to contain liquid substances.

There are prior art caps for containers comprising a cup-shaped body provided with a transversal wall and with a lateral wall extending around an axis, which are typically made of plastic material and are provided with an intended separating line in the lateral wall to define a retaining ring and a closing element, removably engageable with the neck, so as to open or close the container. The retaining ring is configured to remain anchored to a neck of the container. The closing element is provided with an inner thread structure, suitable for engaging with an outer thread structure of the neck, to allow the cap to be unscrewed from and screwed back onto the neck.

Along the intended separating line there are breakable bridges present, which are intended to be broken when the cap is opened for the first time. In fact, when the cap is opened for the first time and is unscrewed from the neck of the container, the closing element separates from the retaining ring along the intended separating line following breaking of the breakable bridges and in this way the retaining ring can remain joined to the neck of the bottle, whilst the closing element can be separated from the container and, subsequently, be screwed back onto the neck.

The shape of the intended separating line determines the way in which the closing element and the retaining ring separate from each other following the first opening of the cap.

In caps in which the intended separating line is configured to extend circumferentially for the entire lateral wall, the closing element completely detaches from the retaining ring, at the time of first opening of the cap. With these caps the user can throw the closing element on the ground, intentionally or accidentally, and this behaviour is obviously unwanted.

To overcome this problem caps have been proposed in which the intended separating line is circumferentially interrupted to leave the closing element and the retaining ring joined in a joining zone. In these caps, typically, the closing element is rotated and at a distance from the neck of the container, in the cap open condition, despite still being connected to the retaining ring by means of the joining zone.

These caps are particularly complex and expensive to make above all due to the need to make the interrupted intended separating line in the lateral wall of the cap, which is a further processing step which must be carried out in a shell made by moulding.

The interrupted intended separating line can be made by means of a cutting operation carried out with a cutting tool, which is in turn interrupted. In this case, it is necessary to have available a plurality of cutting tools, which are different from each other, each shaped in a specific way for a particular cap format.

Otherwise, the cutting tool may be made to interact with the cap only for the entire angular extent of the intended separating line but not in the joining zone and in this latter case the cutting operation is itself interrupted and must be synchronised with any further characteristic parts of the cap. It follows that, in this case, it is necessary to design different cutting operations for different cap formats, each of them specific for the particular cap format. In both cases, the cutting operation is an expensive operation, which affects the final cost of the cap.

One aim of the invention is to improve the prior art caps for container, in particular the caps provided with a closing element which remains connected to a retaining ring. Another aim of the invention is to provide a cap for a container, provided with a closing element which remains connected to the retaining ring, which can be made in a simple and inexpensive way.

In detail, according to the invention, what is provided is a closing cap for a container, comprising a lateral wall extending around an axis and a transversal wall positioned at one end of the lateral wall, an intended separating line being provided on the lateral wall to define: a retaining ring, which is configured to remain anchored to a neck of the container, and a closing element removably engageable with the neck, so as to open or close the container; wherein the cap comprises a joining zone in which the retaining ring and the closing element are joined; wherein the intended separating line is positioned in a strip of the lateral wall having an enlarged first part, whose thickness is increased relative to the thickness of a remaining second part; and wherein the intended separating line is made by means of an incision extending for 360° which partly cuts into the enlarged first part and passes through an entire thickness of the lateral wall in the remaining second part; in such a way that the joining zone is defined in the enlarged first part.

Thanks to the enlarged first part and to the cut made along the entire circumference of the cap for 360°, making the cap is simplified.

In fact, it is possible to obtain the enlarged first part by means of usual moulding operations while making the cap, so that subsequently, the cutting operation can be carried out always by means of a single cutting operation and with a single cutting tool. Not only are different types of cutting tools no longer necessary for respective cap formats, but it is also no longer necessary to design different cutting operations for different cap formats. Therefore, the cap is inexpensive and simple to make.

According to one embodiment, the enlarged first part is projecting inwards towards the inside of the cap relative to the remaining second part.

Thanks to that, cap usability is not compromised for a user since, externally, the cap has a surface without projections. According to another embodiment, the strip on which the enlarged first part is made has an axial height greater than or equal to 0.7 mm and less than or equal to 4.5 mm; preferably greater than or equal to 1.0 mm and less than or equal to 3.0 mm.

Thanks to that height, a high level of axial precision is not necessary in the incision made for 360° and therefore the cutting operation can be further simplified.

According to a further embodiment, the strip comprises a plurality of further enlarged first parts, which are circumferentially distributed in the strip and configured to be partly cut into by the cut, in such a way as to define breakable bridges along the intended separating line, which are intended to break when the cap is opened for the first time.

Thanks to the plurality of enlarged first parts, the same 360° incision line capable of defining the joining zone can simultaneously make the breakable bridges in the cap, without the need to use interrupted blades, thereby further simplifying the making of the cap.

Advantageously, thanks to the invention, making of the joining zone in the cap in a simple and inexpensive way can be guaranteed.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for making a closing cap for a container, wherein the cap comprises a lateral wall extending around an axis and a transversal wall positioned at one end of the lateral wall, wherein the method comprises a step of

- providing a strip of the lateral wall having an enlarged first part, whose thickness is increased relative to the thickness of a remaining second part;

- making an intended separating line on the strip of the lateral wall to define: a retaining ring, configured to remain anchored to a neck of the container and a closing element removably engageable with the neck, so as to open or close the container; wherein the step of making the intended separating line comprises making a 360° incision such that it partly cuts into the enlarged first part and passes through an entire thickness of the lateral wall in the remaining second part; thereby defining a joining zone in the enlarged first part, in which the retaining ring and the closing element are joined.

Thanks to the method for making this invention, the joining zone is made in a simple and inexpensive way thanks to the 360° cut and the enlarged first part.

The invention can be better understood and implemented with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate several example, non-limiting embodiments of it, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a closing cap in accordance with the invention, in which a transversal wall extends transversally to an axis Z, which comprises a closing element and a retaining ring connected to each other by a joining zone, in which the retaining ring extends as far as a free edge and comprises an engaging element, having the shape of a flap, which has an initial end provided with a weakened portion which defines a deformable band;

Figure 2 is a cross-section of the cap of Figure 1 , comprising a strip in which an enlarged first part capable of defining the joining zone is present;

Figure 3 is another cross-section of the cap of Figure 1 , obtained with a section plane passing through a centre line of the joining zone, the centre line being parallel to the axis Z;

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a detail of the cross-section of Figure 3, taken from the right, showing the enlarged first part of the lateral wall;

Figure 5 is another enlarged view of another detail of the cross-section of Figure 3, taken from the left, showing a remaining second part of the lateral wall;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the cap of Figure 1 joined to a neck of a container, in the open condition;

Figure 7 is a perspective front view of a variant of the cap of Figure 1 , in which the lateral wall comprises a pair of cuts positioned in a central part of the deformable band, in such a way as to define in the retaining ring, in conjunction with the weakened portion, a tab when the cap is in the open condition;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the cap of Figure 7, in the open condition in which the tab is resting on the neck;

Figure 9 is a perspective front view of a variant of the cap of Figure 7, in which on the tab a protrusion which projects outwards is present;

With reference to Figures 1 to 9, the numeral 1 denotes a closing cap for a container 2, of which container only a neck 201 is shown, wherein the container 2 may be, for example, a bottle intended to contain a liquid substance such as a beverage.

It should be noticed that elements common to the various embodiments will be labelled with the same reference numbers.

The cap 1 is made of polymeric material. Any polymeric material suitable for moulding can be used to obtain the cap 1 .

The cap 1 is shown in Figure 1 in a closed condition in which it is applied on the container 2. In this condition, the cap 1 comprises a lateral wall 3 which extends around an axis Z, and a transversal wall 4 positioned at one end of the lateral wall 3, so as to close that end. The transversal wall 4 extends transversally, in particular perpendicularly, to the axis Z. The transversal wall 4 can be flat, even though other shapes are theoretically possible. In the example shown, the transversal wall 4 has a substantially circular shape in plan view.

The lateral wall 3 and the transversal wall 4 define a cup-shaped body suitable for receiving an end portion of the neck 201 of the container 2, so that the cap 1 can close the self-same container 2.

In particular, the lateral wall 3 is connected to the transversal wall 4 by means of a connecting zone 401 , which may be shaped, in cross-section, like a bevelled edge or a circular connector.

The cap 1 comprises an intended separating line 5, which is provided on the lateral wall 3 to define a retaining ring 301 , which is configured to remain anchored to the neck 201 of the container 2, and a closing element 302, removably engageable with the neck 201 , so as to open or close the container 2, that is to say, to open or close a supply opening 203 of the neck 201.

The retaining ring 301 extends as far as a free edge 303.

It should be noticed that the lateral wall 3 may be provided, on an outer surface thereof, with a plurality of knurling lines 312, extending parallel to the axis Z and suitable for facilitating gripping of the cap 1 by the user or by the capping machine which applies the cap 1 on the container 2 to be closed.

The knurling lines 312 may be positioned in the closing element 302, as shown in the accompanying figures, but may also optionally continue, according to a variant not illustrated, in the retaining ring 301 .

The free edge 303 delimits the retaining ring 301 on the opposite side to the transversal wall 4. Therefore, the retaining ring 301 extends between the intended separating line 5 and the free edge 303 and may be delimited by a cylindrical or frustoconical outer surface. Preferably, the intended separating line 5 is parallel to the free edge 303.

The cap comprises a joining zone 305 in which the retaining ring 301 and the closing element 302 are joined.

The joining zone 305 extends circumferentially for an angle a around the axis Z. The angle a was shown in Figure 2, as if the view of the cap 1 were from above, that is to say, from the transversal wall 4 side.

The intended separating line 5 extends from a first end 501 to a second end 502, between which the joining zone 305 is defined.

The intended separating line 5 is positioned in a strip of the lateral wall 3 having an enlarged first part 316, whose radial thickness is increased relative to the radial thickness of a remaining second part 317.

The intended separating line 5 is made by means of an incision, that is to say, a cut, which extends for 360°, which partly cuts into the enlarged first part 316 and passes through an entire thickness of the lateral wall 3 in the remaining second part 317, in such a way that the joining zone 305 is defined in the enlarged first part 316.

Thanks to the enlarged first part 316 and to the cut made on the entire circumference of the cap for 360°, not only are different types of cutting tools no longer necessary for respective cap formats, but it is also no longer necessary to design different cutting operations for different cap formats.

In fact, the enlarged first part 316 can be obtained by means of usual moulding operations with compression, or injection technology, by designing suitable moulds, whilst the cut made circumferentially for 360° requires a single cutting tool and a single cutting operation.

As indicated below, even if the cap 1 has components which have to be angularly adjusted relative to the joining zone 305, the 360° cutting operation remains unchanged relative to this adjustment.

Consequently, the cap is inexpensive and simple to make.

The first end 501 and the second end 502 of the intended separating line 5 are immediately adjacent to the enlarged first part 316, although lying in the remaining second part 317.

In fact, the first end 501 and the second end 502 delimit the intended separating line 5 when the retaining ring 301 separates from the closing element 302, although remaining joined to the latter in the joining zone 305. The enlarged first part 316 may have a constant thickness and this thickness may be greater than or equal to 1 .5 times and less than or equal to 3 times a thickness of the remaining second part 317.

Thanks to this difference in thickness between the enlarged first part 316 and the remaining second part 317, the enlarged first part 316 is only partly cut (Figure 4) whilst the through incision passes through the remaining second part 317 (Figure 5). The difference between the two thicknesses guarantees that the uncut portion of the enlarged first part 316 is sturdy and guarantees many container 2 opening and closing actions by a user.

It should be noticed that the enlarged first part 316 is projecting inwards towards the inside of the cap relative to the remaining second part 317. Although this is not necessary, since the enlarged first part 316 can even be shaped like an external projection relative to the cap 1 , the shape projecting inwards towards the inside allows an outer surface of the cap 1 to be kept straight, making it easier for a user to grip the cap 1 .

Considering the strip of the lateral wall 3 in which the enlarged first part 316 is present, it has an axial height (considered parallel to the axis Z) which is greater than or equal to 0.7 mm and less than or equal to 4.5 mm; preferably greater than or equal to 1 .0 mm and less than or equal to 3 mm.

Thanks to the fact that the enlarged first part 316 extends axially for the height indicated above, the through incision made for 360° to make the intended separating line 5 can be made without excessive checking of its axial positioning and that helps to further simplify the making of the cap 1 .

Along the intended separating line 5 breakable bridges 503 are present, which are intended to break when the cap 1 is opened for the first time, and which are shown, already broken, in Figures 6 and 8.

Cap 1 “first opening” is the first time that the cap 1 is opened and the closing element 302 is separated from the retaining element 301 .

For that purpose, the strip comprises a plurality of further enlarged first parts 318 with an angular extent less than that of the enlarged first part 316, which are circumferentially distributed in the strip and are configured to be partly cut into by the 360° cut in such a way as to define the breakable bridges 503.

Thanks to the fact that even the breakable bridges 503 are made by means of the further enlarged parts 318, making the 360° cut simultaneously makes both the joining zone 305 and the breakable bridges 503.

The further enlarged first parts 318 have a constant thickness which is greater than or equal to 1 .2 times and less than or equal to 1 .45 times the thickness of the remaining second part 317.

In other words, the thickness of the further enlarged first parts 318 is less than the thickness of the enlarged first part 316, so that the further enlarged first parts 318 have respective further uncut portions which can, however, be broken by a user when the cap 1 is opened for the first time so as to define the breakable bridges 503.

Even if the enlarged first part 316 extends axially for the entire strip with axial height greater than or equal to 0.7 mm and less than or equal to 4.5 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 1 .0 mm and less than or equal to 3 mm, that is not necessary for the further enlarged first parts 318, which can extend axially for respective heights which are less than the height of the strip provided that those respective heights are such that they are intercepted by the intended separating line 5 made by means of the 360° cut.

According to an alternative variant of the cap 1 , not shown in the accompanying figures, the enlarged first part can be made by means of a plurality of sections alongside each other extending parallel to the axis Z.

In other words, the plurality of sections of the enlarged first part can be similar to the further enlarged first parts 318 and can extend parallel to the axis Z.

Therefore, the enlarged first part 316 can have a thickness which is not angularly constant, since it has a maximum thickness at each section and a minimum thickness, for example equal to the thickness of the remaining second part 317, between two adjacent sections.

Similarly to what was previously said, it remains the case that each section has a maximum thickness which is greater than or equal to 1.5 times and less than or equal to 3 times a thickness of the remaining second part 317, to guarantee the sturdiness of each section, and which extends axially for said height indicated above for the strip which is greater than or equal to 0.7 mm and less than or equal to 4.5 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 1 .0 mm and less than or equal to 3 mm.

It should be noticed that, as shown in Figure 1 , the retaining ring 301 comprises an engaging element 306 which projects inwards and has an initial end 306a, which is positioned on the free edge 303, or near the free edge 303, and a final end 306b, which is configured to engage with a stop ring 202 of the neck 201 of the container 2, during a passage from a closed condition to an open condition of the cap 1 .

In other words, the engaging element 306 can project from the free edge 303, or from an inner region of the retaining ring 301 placed near the free edge 303, as shown in the accompanying figures.

When the cap 1 is in the closed condition, the engaging element 306 is positioned in a bent configuration between the retaining ring 301 and the neck 201 of the container 2.

It should be noticed that, in use, at the end of a moulding procedure, a cupshaped shell is obtained, not illustrated, which has the lateral wall 3 which extends from the transversal wall 4 as far as the free edge 303, beyond which a panel intended to make the engaging element 306 extends.

The panel has the initial end 306a, positioned adjacent to the free edge 303, or near the free edge 303, and the final end 306b.

The engaging element 306 can be moulded inwards, that is to say, it can be formed in the shell already directly bent inwards towards the inside of the cap 1 , or it can be moulded outwards from the cap 1 , that is to say, it can be made as a protrusion which extends beyond the free edge 303 and then must be bent.

The engaging element 306 can be made as a single continuous flap, or alternatively it can be made as a plurality of projecting flaps, and both in the case of the single continuous flap, and the plurality of projecting flaps, they project inwards from the initial end 306a. In other words, the engaging element 306 can be interrupted, or continuous.

It should be noticed that, in the accompanying figures, the engaging element 306 comprises a continuous annular root, which projects inwards from the initial end 306a, from which a plurality of equally spaced apart and separate projecting flaps project, which extend as far as the final end 306b.

The single continuous flap, or the plurality of projecting flaps, has at most a length, measured as the distance from the free edge 303 between the initial end 306a and the final end 306b, which is suitably selected in such a way that the final end 306b can engage with the stop ring 202 when the cap 1 is opened for the first time, that is to say, in the first passage from the closed condition to the open condition of the cap 1 .

Therefore, the engaging element 306 is positioned in a lower portion of the retaining ring 301 , and therefore of the cap 1 , when the cap 1 is joined to the container 2 and the container 2 is positioned vertically. The engaging element 306 extends circumferentially for the entire circumference of the cap 1 to make contact with the stop ring 202.

It should be noticed that the stop ring 202, shown in Figures 6 and 8, projects from an outer surface of the neck 201 .

The stop ring 202 is an annular protuberance, which extends in a plane placed transversally to the axis Z and has, considering a plane passing through the axis Z, a substantially triangular cross-section. An upper wall of the stop ring 202, directed towards the supply opening 203, is inclined relative to a lower wall, which is directed towards a bottom (not illustrated) of the container 2 and is substantially planar. In other words, the stop ring 202 has a frustoconical shape and the upper wall and the lower wall are connected to each other.

The initial end 306a of the engaging element 306 comprises a weakened portion 307, which extends circumferentially at least in said angle a, which corresponds to the joining zone 305, and is such that it defines a deformable band 308 in the retaining ring 301 capable of separating from the engaging element 306 and facilitating a passage from a closed condition to an open condition of the cap 1 .

It should be noticed that the weakened portion 307 extends angularly for the entire angle a.

It should be emphasised that the weakened portion 307 is obtainable by means of usual moulding operations, during the making of the cap 1 , and therefore there is no need for further processing operations, or incisions in the lateral wall 3 except for the incision necessary to make the intended separating line 5. Thanks to the intended separating line 5 made by means of the 360° cut and to the enlarged first part 316, which define the joining zone 305, it is not necessary to angularly align the cutting operation with the positioning of the weakened portion 307.

Both the enlarged first part 316 and the weakened portion 317 can be made during the moulding, by designing suitable moulds, so that subsequently the 360° circumferential incision can define in a simple way the joining zone 305 and optionally the bridges 503, if the bridges 503 are made by means of the further enlarged first parts 318.

Therefore, a cap 1 is made which is inexpensive and is simple to make, despite being easy for a user to use.

It should be noticed that the deformable band 308 is configured to separate from an inner part (not shown) of the engaging element 306.

Thanks to that, it has an axial movement capability such that it follows the movement of the closing element 302, when the closing element 302 moves away from the retaining ring 301 still retained below the stop ring 202. This makes it easier for a user to unscrew the cap from the neck 201 , or screw it back onto the neck.

The circumferential extent of the weakened portion 307 determines a corresponding length of the deformable band 308 and therefore the capability of the deformable band 308 to deform, and/or incline, and/or rotate when the cap 1 is in the open condition.

Therefore, a user can easily disengage the closing element 302 from the neck 201 of the container 2, in the passage from the closed condition to the open condition, or engage it again on the neck 201 , in the opposite passage to closed condition.

It should be noticed that the deformable band 308 extends axially, that is to say, parallel to the axis Z, for the entire axial extent of the retaining ring 301 since, by making the weakened portion 307 at the initial end 306a of the engaging element 306, during opening of the cap 1 , the inner part of the engaging element 306, which is inside the cap 1 and is facing the deformable band 308, is separated from the deformable band 308 which is on the outside of the cap 1 . Consequently, the deformable band 308 is sturdy even for caps 1 with a small height.

The inner part of the engaging element 306 remains in contact with the neck 201 , even when the deformable band 308 separates from the engaging element 306.

The weakened portion 307 may be a slit, which defines an outer edge 307’ on the deformable band 307 side and an inner edge 307” on the engaging element 306 side, which are facing each other in the closed condition, as shown at least in Figure 1 .

As already emphasised, the slit is obtainable during a moulding of the cap 1 and does not require further additional operations.

Alternatively, the weakened portion 307 may be a cut.

Optionally, according to an embodiment not shown, the weakened portion 307 may have breakable elements, for example positioned equally spaced apart from each other along the slit. The breakable elements of the weakened portion 307, together with the breakable bridges 503 positioned along the intended separating line 5, are also intended to break when the cap 1 is opened for the first time.

Along the initial end 306a of the engaging element 306 there is a plurality of drainage openings 304, which have an angular extent less than that of the weakened portion 307, are equally spaced apart from each other and serve to drain any washing liquid after moulding of the cap 1 .

If the weakened portion 307 has an angular extent greater than that of the joining zone 305, the deformable band 308 has a central part 309 circumferentially corresponding to the joining zone 305, which is positioned between a first lateral part 310 and a second lateral part 31 1 , as shown at least in Figure 6.

The central part 309 is configured to rotate together with the closing element 302, in the passage from the closed condition to the open condition, and to rest on the neck 201 when the closing element 302 is in the open condition. Thanks to the fact that the central part 309 remains substantially aligned with the closing element 301 and resting on the neck 201 , it can stably lock the closing element 301 and prevent any rotation around the neck 201 .

It should be noticed that the central part 309 has a respective end portion which corresponds to a central stretch 307’a of the outer edge 307’, which is directed towards the supply opening 203 of the neck 201 in the open condition.

The intended separating line 5 comprises a first lateral section 504, which extends starting from a first end 501 of the intended separating line 5, and a second lateral section 505, which extends starting from a second end 502 of the intended separating line 5, which are positioned at the sides of the joining zone 305.

The first lateral part 310 of the deformable band 308 is defined between the first lateral section 504 and a first lateral stretch 307’b of the outer edge 307’. The second lateral part 311 of the deformable band 308 is defined between the second lateral section 505 of the intended separating line 5 and a second lateral stretch (not illustrated) of the outer edge 307’.

As can be seen in Figure 6, the first lateral part 310 and the second lateral part 31 1 of the deformable band 308 are configured to twist, when the cap 1 is in the open condition.

Thanks to that twisting, the closing element 302 is locked in the movement towards the supply opening 203 and therefore the position of the closing element 302 in the open condition is stable, even when a user inadvertently knocks the closing element 302.

It should be noticed that in the cap 1 a centre line of the joining zone 305 is aligned with a corresponding centre line of the weakened portion 307.

However, this is not necessary, since the joining zone 305 may be angularly offset relative to the weakened portion 307 and in this case the first lateral part 310 and the second lateral part 31 1 may have a different circumferential extent, and therefore different length. Figures 7 and 8 show a variant 1 ’ of the cap 1 , which differs from the cap 1 only in that it has a central part 309’ of the deformable band 308 which differs from the central part 309 of the cap 1 in that it comprises two cuts 6 to define a tab 313 in the retaining ring 301 , in conjunction with the weakened portion 307, when the cap is in the open condition.

For this cap 1 , the weakened portion 307 may angularly extend in the joining zone 305. In other words, the deformable band 308 may correspond to the central part 309’ in the sense that it can extend exclusively to the joining zone 305.

Thanks to the two cuts 6 the deformability of the deformable band 308 is increased and the tab 313 is created which, when the cap T is in the open condition, rests on the neck 201 , as shown in Figure 8.

The cuts 6 may be made by means of a cutting operation carried out with cutting tools which engage with the cup-shaped shell, after the latter has been made.

The cutting tools may pass through the entire thickness of the lateral wall 3, but may also not cut the entire thickness of the lateral wall 3 and only partly cut into the lateral wall 3, so as to leave, along the cuts 6, a thin membrane intended to be broken when the cap 1 ’ is opened for the first time.

That membrane may extend for the entire extent of the cuts 6, or for a limited portion of them, the remaining portion of the cuts 6 being made by means of a cut passing through the entire thickness of the lateral wall 3.

It should be noticed that the cuts 6 extend inside the central part 309’ of the deformable band starting from the free edge 303, or from a region near the free edge 303.

If the cuts 6 are made by means of through cuts passing through the entire thickness of the lateral wall 3, the retaining ring 301 , in which the cuts 6 are placed, may comprise respective breakable parts (not illustrated) intended to break when the cap T is opened for the first time, to define the tab 313, each breakable part being positioned along a respective cut 6. For example, the breakable parts may be positioned near the free edge 303. The cutting tools, in the case of through cuts passing through the entire thickness of the lateral wall 3, may interact from the outside of the latter, or from the inside.

However, the cutting operation described above is not necessary, since the cuts 6 can also be made at the time of moulding the cup-shaped shell, using suitably designed moulds.

Thanks to the tab 313, configured to rest on the neck 201 , the closing element 302 can be further stably locked on the neck 201 in the open condition. This too helps to create a stable open condition for the user.

However what was previously said still applies, that is to say, the deformable band 308 may optionally comprise a first lateral part 310 and a second lateral part 31 1 , respectively defined between the first lateral section 504 of the intended separating line 4 and the first lateral stretch 307’b of the outer edge 307’ and between the second lateral section 505 of the intended separating line 5 and the second lateral stretch of the outer edge 307, if it is necessary to have a deformable band 308 with large dimensions, larger than the joining zone 305.

The cap 1 ’ comprises a first hinge element 314, positioned between the first end 501 of the intended separating line 5 and one cut 6, and a second hinge element 315, positioned between the second end 502 of the intended separating line 5 and the other cut 6.

In the presence of the tab 313, exclusively the first hinge element 314 and the second hinge element 315 are configured to twist when the cap T is in the open condition, as shown in Figure 10, but not the first lateral part 310 and the second lateral part 311 of the deformable band, as for the cap 1 . In fact, the first lateral part 310 and the second lateral part 311 are configured to allow a movement capability, along the axial line, such that it guarantees disengagement of the closing element 302 from the neck 201 of the container 2.

The first hinge element 314 and the second hinge element 315 are in fact respectively portions of the central part 309’, which are positioned at the sides of the tab 313. In fact, the tab 313 has a respective end portion, which is directed towards the supply opening 203 of the neck 201 in the open condition and has an angular extent less than that of the central stretch 307’a of the outer edge 307’, only corresponding to part of that central stretch 307’a.

Thanks to the twisting of the hinge elements 314 and 315, even for the cap T, locking of the closing element 302 in the movement towards the supply opening 203 is guaranteed.

It should be noticed that for the cap T of Figures 7 and 8 too, the enlarged first part 316 and the further enlarged first parts 318 are present, to make respectively the joining zone 305 and the breakable bridges 503. The enlarged first part also favours optional reinforcement at the tab 313.

Figure 9 shows a variant 1 ” of the cap 1 ’, which differs from the cap 1 ’ only in that the tab 313, defined in the retaining ring 301 , in conjunction with the weakened portion 307, externally has a protrusion 320 which projects from the tab 313 so that, when the closing element 302 is in the open position, the protrusion 320 can rest on the neck 201 .

Everything previously said for the cap 1 , and T still applies, unless specifically otherwise indicated.

Preferably, the protrusion 320 is positioned centrally in the tab 313, that is to say, it is positioned centrally relative to a plane containing the axis Z and a centre line of the tab 313.

If we now consider a thickness of the protrusion 320, measured in the closed position along a line parallel to the axis Z, that thickness may be appropriately selected, in order to allow selection of the preferred place where the protrusion 320 makes contact with the neck 201 .

The thickness of the protrusion 320 may be constant along the entire circumferential angle of extension of the protrusion 320 around the axis Z, or the protrusion 320 may have a variable thickness around the axis Z.

If we now consider a height of the protrusion 320, measured in the closed position along a transversal line, in particular perpendicular to the axis Z, that is to say, radially if we consider that the lateral wall 3 has a cylindrical shape, that height may be constant for the entire angle of extension of the protrusion 320 around the axis Z as shown in Figure 9.

Alternatively, the height of the protrusion 320 may be variable along the entire angle of extension of the protrusion 320 around the axis Z to define a protrusion 320 having a final edge which is concave, or convex, or interrupted, or planar.

The lateral wall 3 of the cap 1 , T, or 1 ” is internally provided with a coupling structure 7, configured to removably couple the closing element 302 to the neck 201 of the container 2, in such a way that the cap 1 , T, or 1 ” is movable from the closed condition, in which the cap 1 , T, or 1 ” closes the supply opening 203 of the container 2, to the open condition.

The coupling structure 7 of the cap 1 , T, or 1 ” is positioned inside the closing element 302 and is shaped to engage with a corresponding coupling structure 204 present on the outside of the neck 201 of the container 2. The coupling structure 7 of the closing element 302 and the coupling structure 204 of the neck 201 are, as illustrated in the accompanying figures, made in the form of a thread structure. In this case, the passage from the closed condition to the open condition is performed by means of a rotation of the closing element 302 relative to the neck 201 of the container 2.

The closing element 302 completely disengages from the neck 201 when the coupling structure 7 of the cap 1 , T, or 1 ”, that is to say, the thread structure 7 of the cap 1 , T, or 1 ”, is unscrewed from the coupling structure 204 of the neck 201 , that is to say, from the thread structure 204 of neck 201.

When the cap 1 , T, or 1 ” is in the closed condition and has never yet been opened, the engaging element 306 is placed at least partly below the stop ring 202.

The cap 1 , T, or 1 ” described here may be, for example, applied to containers 2 having a neck 201 , which extends for a height X along the axis Z which is greater than or equal to 9 mm and is less than or equal to 27 mm, that is to say, 9 mm < X < 27 mm.

Considering the standards of CETIE, the international organisation which publishes reference technical documentation and standards relating to the bottling sector, the cap 1 , 1 ’, or 1 ” according to this invention may advantageously, but not exclusively, be applied to necks 201 included in the list supplied below: gme 30.39; gme 30.28; gme 30.37; gme 30.38; gme 30.32; gme 30.23; gme 30.24; PCO1881 ; PCO1873; PCO1810; gme 30.26; gme 30.33; gme 30.21 ; gme 30.22; gme 30.36; gme 30.31 ; gme 30.30; gme 30.25; gme 30.29.

The “gme” coding refers to the CETIE coding standard for specifications for necks (Finishes data-sheets).

The “PCO” coding refers to the English acronym for Plastic Closure Only and that term, followed by a four digit number such as 1881 , is often used by the ISBT (International Society of Beverage Technologists) association. The coding supplied above identifies all size features of the necks 201 .

In use, at the end of a moulding procedure, the cup-shaped shell (not illustrated) is obtained which has the lateral wall 3 which extends from the transversal wall 4 as far as the free edge 303, beyond which there extends the panel intended to make the engaging element 306, which has the initial end 306a and the final end 306b.

When the cup-shaped object receives an end portion of the neck 201 of the container 2, the panel is for example bent to form the engaging element 306 which projects from the free edge 303 and has the final end 306b configured to engage with the stop ring 202 of the neck 201. In this way a cap 1 is obtained which is provided with a cup-shaped body which can close the container 2, as shown in Figure 1 .

It should be noticed that what applied for the cap 1 , can also be applied to the cap T, or 1 ” previously described. Any differences will be described in more detail below. The method for making the cap 1 , previously described, comprises the step of

- providing a strip of the lateral wall 3 having an enlarged first part 316, whose thickness is increased relative to the thickness of a remaining second part 317;

- making an intended separating line 5 on the strip of the lateral wall 3 to define: a retaining ring 301 , configured to remain anchored to a neck 201 of the container 2 and a closing element 302 removably engageable with the neck 201 , so as to open or close the container 2.

The step of making the intended separating line 5 comprises

- making a 360° incision such that it partly cuts into the enlarged first part 316 and passes through an entire thickness of the lateral wall 3 in the remaining second part 317;

- thereby defining a joining zone 305 in the enlarged first part 316, in which the retaining ring 301 and the closing element 302 are joined.

The cap 1 , obtained in this way has a closing element 302 and a retaining element 301 which are configured to be joined to each other in the joining zone 305.

Similarly, by means of the same moulding procedure it is possible to make a plurality of further enlarged first parts 318, which are circumferentially distributed in the strip, and to also partly cut into them with the same 360° cut, in such a way as to define respective breakable bridges 503 along the intended separating line 5, which are intended to break when the cap is opened for the first time.

The operations necessary to make the cap 1 are therefore reduced and simplified.

It should be noticed that the moulding procedure also allows making of the weakened portion 307 of the initial end 306a of the engaging element 306, which extends circumferentially angularly at least at the joining zone 305, in such a way as to define the deformable band 308 capable of separating from the engaging element 306. Before the cap 1 is opened for the first time, when the cap 1 is in the closed condition, the engaging element 306 is below the stop ring of the neck 201 . When the user wishes to open the container for the first time, the user grips the closing element 302 and rotates the closing element 302 around the axis Z, in order to unscrew the closing element 302 from the neck 201 .

During the passage from the closed condition to the open condition, initially, the closing element 302 and the retaining ring 301 are rotated together around the axis Z, and they simultaneously move together along a line parallel to the axis Z, away from the neck 201 .

That happens until the engaging element 306 of the retaining ring 301 abuts against the stop ring 202, and at this point the stop ring 202 prevents the retaining ring 301 from rising further along the axis Z, acting as a stop for the movement of the retaining ring 301 , away from the neck 201 .

The breakable bridges 305 present along the intended separating line 5 are tensioned until causing them to break.

The outer edge 307’ separates from the inner edge 307” of the weakened portion 307 and in this way the deformable band 308 is defined, which separates from the inner part of the engaging element 306 whilst the remaining part of the engaging element 306 is still retained below the stop ring 302 to prevent the retaining ring 301 from slipping off the stop ring 202. Even the breakable elements of the weakened portion 307, if present, are tensioned and break when the cap 1 is opened for the first time.

In this way, the closing element 302 separates from the retaining ring 301 along the intended separating line 5, but remains joined to the retaining ring 301 at the joining zone 305.

Now considering the fact that the breakable portion 307 has an angular size greater than that of the joining zone 305, as the deformable band 308 gradually begins to deform, a central part 309 of the deformable band 308 which angularly corresponds to the joining zone 305 continues to be fixed to the closing element 302 and rotates together with the closing element 302, so that it is rested on the neck 201 of the container 2 when the user brings the cap 1 into the open condition, as shown in Figure 6.

At the sides of the central part 309, the first lateral part 310 and the second lateral part 31 1 of the deformable band 308 connect the retaining ring 301 , still locked below the stop ring 202 to the closing element 302.

The first lateral part 310 and the second lateral part 311 , which initially rise continuing to follow the joining zone 305 and the closing element 302 away from the neck 201 of the container 2, are subjected to twisting, when the user positions the closing element 302 in the open condition and the central part 309 resting on the neck 201 , as shown in Figure 6.

Optionally, in the case of the cap T in which the cuts 6 are present in the central part 309’, which define the tab 313, only the first hinge element 314 and the second hinge element 315 are subjected to twisting, whilst the tab 313 rests on the neck 201 .

Even in the case of the cap 1 ”, in which the cuts 6 are present in the central part 309 which define the tab 313 and the protrusion 320 projects from the tab 313, only the first hinge element 314 and the second hinge element 315 are subjected to twisting, whilst the protrusion 320 is resting on the neck 201.

Therefore, when the cap 1 , T, or 1 ” is in the open condition, the closing element 302 is at a distance from the neck 201 and is stably locked relative to the neck 201 .

That prevents the closing element 302 from performing any involuntary rotating movement, either towards the supply opening 203 or around the neck 201 of the container 2, due to an unintentional knock by the user.

After use, the user can return the cap 1 , T, or 1 ” from the open condition to the closed condition by means of a sequence of operations in reverse compared with what was previously described.

The user must first move the closing element 302 away from the neck 201 to rotate the closing element 302 around the joining zone 305, by moving the closing element 302 axially away from the neck 201 , before screwing the closing element 302 onto the thread structure 204 of the neck 201 again. When the closing element 302 moves towards the supply opening 203, the twisting of the first lateral part 310 and of the second lateral part 31 1 , or of the first hinge element 314 and of the second hinge element 315 is eliminated, whilst the central part 309, or the tab 313, remains substantially undeformed and fixed to the closing element 302.

Continuing closing the container 2, that is to say, by again completely engaging the thread structure 204 of the neck 201 until the closing element 302 is again positioned in the closed condition, the deformable band 308 returns to being aligned with the remaining part of the retaining ring 201 and the outer edge 307’ of the weakened portion 307 returns to being facing the inner edge 307”.

The cap 1 , T, or 1 ” of this invention is therefore simple and inexpensive to make, although being simple for a user to use.

The following applies to the plastic material used to make the cap 1 , T, or 1 ”.

If PE is used, its density may range from low density to high density. In particular, it is possible to use high density polyethylene (HDPE). The high density polyethylene (HDPE) used to make the cap previously described may have the following properties:

- density variable between 950 and 968 kg/m3;

- melt index variable from 0.3 to 20 g, in the following measuring conditions: 10 minutes, 190°C, 2.16 kg;

- molecular weight distribution wide, or narrow, or unimodal, or multimodal. If PP, polypropylene, is used, that material may be in the form of a homopolymer, or heterophasic copolymer, or even statistical copolymer.

The melt index of PP may vary from 2 to 20 g, in the following measuring conditions: 10 minutes, 230°C, 2.16 kg.

As regards the type of beverage which can be contained in the container 2, it should be noticed that this invention is particularly applicable to a cap 1 , T, or 1 ” which is suitable for use for beverages on the following list: carbonated beverage up to 11 g/l of CO2; carbonated beverage up to 9 g/l of CO2; carbonated beverage up to 7 g/l of CO2; non-carbonated beverage, for example still water; pressurised beverage, for example due to the presence of N2 (nitrogen) in a head space of the container with overpressure of up to 1 .5 bar, preferably up to 1 bar; beverage sensitive to oxidative degradation, or beverage sensitive to microbial degradation; cold filled beverages (<35°C); hot filled beverages <95°C, preferably 70<Tf (Filling temperature) <89°C.

As regards the transversal wall 4, it should be noticed that this invention is particularly applicable to a cap 1 , 1 ’, or 1 ”, in which the transversal wall 4: may be flat, or concave, or may have an outer annular zone, flat or concave, at a first distance from the free edge and a central zone, flat or concave, at a second distance from the free edge, the second distance being greater than the first distance, to define a raised space; it may optionally have internal logos, or external logos; it may have a smooth or rough outer surface, as defined in accordance with standard ISO1302, for example between NO and N10, preferably N4 and N9; it may have a thickness of between 0.4 mm and 2 mm; it may have an inner surface provided with a reinforcing ribbing, where the reinforcing ribbing can be made using spokes, or concentric rings, or a combination thereof.

As regards the lateral wall 3, as already indicated it can be provided with knurling lines 312.

With reference to those knurling lines 312, it should be noticed that this invention is particularly applicable to a cap 1 , 1 ’, or 1 ”, in which the knurling lines 312: can be angularly equally spaced apart from each other, with a number between 30 and 144, preferably between 60 and 120; they can be grouped and each group can be separated from the adjacent group by a space without a knurling line, for example there can be 24 groups present, in which each group has 3 knurling lines which are equally spaced apart from each other; there can be service knurling lines present, with reduced length, used to guide the cap during a cutting operation; they can be present on the lateral wall and optionally on the transversal wall and/or on the retaining ring.

As regards the coupling structure 7, which is configured to removably couple the closing element 302 to the neck 201 of the container 2, it should be noticed that this invention is particularly applicable to a cap 1 , 1 ’, or 1 ”, in which the coupling structure 7 can have: a thread structure with single helical thread with angular extent between 500° and 930°, preferably between 650° and 760°, in which the thread optionally has a plurality of interruptions numbering between 4 and 30; a thread structure with multiple helical threads, for example with two helical threads, or with three helical threads, in which each thread has an angular extent between 90° and 380°, preferably between 120° and 250°, wherein each thread optionally has a plurality of interruptions numbering between 2 and 15, for example the coupling structure can comprise two helical threads, or three helical threads; at least one circular ridge, continuous or interrupted, for removably locking the cap on the neck 201 using pressure.

The interruptions of each thread, in the thread structures described above, are preferential escape routes for the gas which may be present inside the container 2. It should be noticed that this invention is particularly applicable to a cap in which the interruptions can be made exclusively on the thread, or can be dug on the lateral wall 3 of the cap 1 , T, or 1 ”, to guarantee greater depth for the interruption and therefore to increase a passage for the gas which may be present in the container 2. As regards the making method, it should be noticed that this invention is particularly applicable to a cap 1 , 1 ’, or 1 ”, which can be made as a cupshaped shell obtained by means of injection moulding, or compression moulding, or injection - compression. As regards the cutting operations, it should be noticed that this invention is particularly applicable to a cap 1 , 1 ’, or 1 ”, in which the intended separating line 5 and the cuts 6, if present, can be made with cutting operations by means of respective blades, for example circular or linear.

Claims

1. A closing cap (1 ; 1 ’; 1 ”) for a container (2), comprising a lateral wall (3) extending around an axis (Z) and a transversal wall (4) positioned at one end of the lateral wall (3), an intended separating line (5) being provided on the lateral wall (3) to define: a retaining ring (301 ), which is configured to remain anchored to a neck (201 ) of the container (2); a closing element (302) removably engageable with the neck (201 ), so as to open or close the container (2); wherein the cap comprises a joining zone (305) in which the retaining ring (301 ) and the closing element (302) are joined; wherein the intended separating line (5) is positioned in a strip of the lateral wall (3) having an enlarged first part (316), whose thickness is increased relative to the thickness of a remaining second part (317); and wherein the intended separating line (5) is made by means of an incision extending for 360° which partly cuts into the enlarged first part (316) and passes through an entire thickness of the lateral wall (3) in the remaining second part (317); in such a way that the joining zone (305) is defined in the enlarged first part (316).

2. The cap (1 ; T; 1 ”) according to claim 1 , wherein the intended separating line (5) has a first end (501 ) and a second end (502), which are immediately adjacent to the enlarged first part (316), although lying in the remaining second part (317).

3. The cap (1 ; T; 1 ”) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the enlarged first part (316) has a constant thickness which is greater than or equal to 1.5 times and less than or equal to 3 times a thickness of the remaining second part (317).

4. The cap (1 ; T; 1 ”) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the enlarged first part (316) is made by means of a plurality of sections alongside each other extending parallel to the axis (Z), wherein each section has a maximum thickness which is greater than or equal to 1.5 times and less than or equal to 3 times a thickness of the remaining second part (317).

5. The cap (1 ; T; 1 ”) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the enlarged first part (316) is projecting inwards towards the inside of the cap (1 ; T; 1 ”) relative to the remaining second part (317).

6. The cap (1 ; T; 1 ”) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an axial height of the strip is greater than or equal to 0.7 mm and less than or equal to 4.5 mm; said height preferably being greater than or equal to 1 .0 mm and less than or equal to 3.0 mm.

7. The cap (1 ; T; 1 ”) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the strip comprises a plurality of further enlarged first parts (318) with an angular extent less than that of the enlarged first part (316), which are circumferentially distributed in the strip and configured to be partly cut into by the 360° cut in such a way as to define breakable bridges (503) along the intended separating line (5), which are intended to break when the cap (1 ; T; 1 ”) is opened for the first time.

8. The cap (1 ; T; 1 ”) according to claim 7, wherein the further enlarged first parts (318) have a constant thickness which is greater than or equal to 1 .2 times and less than or equal to 1.45 times a thickness of the remaining second part (317).

9. A method for making a closing cap (1 ; T; 1 ”) for a container (2), wherein the cap (1 ; T; 1 ”) comprises a lateral wall (3) extending around an axis (Z) and a transversal wall (4) positioned at one end of the lateral wall (3), wherein the method comprises a step of

- providing a strip of the lateral wall (3) having an enlarged first part (316), whose thickness is increased relative to the thickness of a remaining second part (317);

- making an intended separating line (5) on the strip of the lateral wall (3) to define: a retaining ring (301 ), configured to remain anchored to a neck (201 ) of the container (2) and a closing element (302) removably engageable with the neck (201 ), so as to open or close the container (2); wherein the step of making the intended separating line (5) comprises - making a 360° incision such that it partly cuts into the enlarged first part (316) and passes through an entire thickness of the lateral wall (3) in the remaining second part (317);

- thereby defining a joining zone (305) in the enlarged first part (316), in which the retaining ring (301 ) and the closing element (302) are joined.