Closure device for container
A closure device for a container that defines a neck and an annular flange. The closure device comprises a cap body, a tamper evidence (TE) band positioned below the annular flange, a tongue that extends from the cap body towards the tamper evidence band and first and second leashes positioned on either side of the tongue. The first and second leashes connect the cap body to the tamper evidence (TE) band, and allow the cap body to be removed from the neck of the container while remaining attached to the tamper evidence (TE) band. When the cap body is actuated to a fully open position the first and second leashes act as a torsion spring for causing the tongue to exert a force against the neck of the container for retaining the cap body in the fully open position.
1 . A closure device for a container, the container defining a neck and an annular flange positioned along an exterior surface of the neck, the closure device comprising:
a cap body;
a tamper evidence band that is positioned below the annular flange when the closure device is positioned on the neck of the container;
a tongue extending from the cap body towards the tamper evidence band, wherein a root end of the tongue is positioned inwardly of a rim of the cap body towards a closed end of the cap body; and
a first leash and a second leash positioned on either side of the tongue and connecting the cap body to the tamper evidence band, the first leash and the second leash allowing the cap body to be removed from the neck of the container while remaining attached to the tamper evidence band, wherein when the cap body is actuated to a fully open position:
the first leash and the second leash act as a torsion bar such that the tongue exerts a force against the neck of the container for retaining the cap body in the fully open position;
the first leash and the second leash each comprise a first portion and a second portion, with the second portion being directly connected to the first portion, wherein when the closure device is in a fully closed position an entire bottom edge of the first portion lies in a plane substantially parallel to an upper edge of the tamper evidence band, and the second portion extends at an angle from the first portion into the cap body towards the root end of the tongue such that the second portion is positioned only at or above the entire bottom edge of the first portion.
2 . The closure device of claim 1 , wherein the tongue exerts a force directly against the neck of the container when the cap body is actuated to the fully open position.
3 . The closure device of claim 1 , wherein the tongue exerts a force on the neck of the container at a position between the annular flange and an open end of the container when the cap body is actuated to the fully open position.
4 . The closure device of claim 1 , wherein the tongue comprises a projecting lip, the projecting lip defining a contact surface between the tongue and the exterior surface of the neck when the cap body is actuated to the fully open position.
5 . The closure device of claim 4 , wherein the projecting lip is a first projecting lip, the tongue further comprising a second projecting lip, wherein the first projecting lip and the second projecting lip together define the contact surface between the tongue and the exterior surface of the neck when the cap body is actuated to the fully open position.
6 . The closure device of claim 5 , wherein the first projecting lip is positioned at a free end of the tongue and the second projecting lip is positioned at the root end of the tongue.
7 . The closure device of claim 6 , wherein the first leash and the second leash connect to the cap body in proximity to the root end of the tongue.
8 . The closure device of claim 6 , wherein the tongue comprises a rib extending between the first projecting lip and the second projecting lip.
9 . The closure device of claim 1 , wherein at least one frangible bridge connects the cap body to the tamper evidence band.
10 . The closure device of claim 1 , wherein at least one frangible bridge connects the first leash and the second leash to the tamper evidence band.
11 . The closure device of claim 10 , wherein the at least one frangible bridge is more fragile than the first leash and the second leash.
12 . The closure device of claim 1 , wherein the first portion of each of the first leash and the second leash is formed within the tamper evidence band.
13 . The closure device of claim 1 , wherein the first leash and the second leash undergo twisting as the cap body moves from a closed position to the fully open position.
14 . The closure device of claim 1 , wherein the first leash and the second leash are sized to allow the cap body to be removed from the neck of the container.
15 . The closure device of claim 1 , wherein the cap body is positioned at an angle of 90° to 180° in relation to the container when in the fully open position.
16 . The closure device of claim 1 , wherein the cap body is retained in a closed position on the container by means of a threaded interface with the neck.
17 . The closure device of claim 1 , wherein from the fully open position, the cap body is configured to be actuated back to a closed configuration and be retained in the closed configuration via a threaded interface.
18 . A mold comprising a female cavity piece and a male core piece, the female cavity piece and the male core piece defining a molding cavity configured to form the closure device of claim 1 .
19 . The closure device of claim 1 , wherein the angle between the first portion and the second portion is between 135-160 degrees.
20 . The closure device of claim 1 , wherein the second portion of each of the first leash and second leash extend into the cap body towards the root end of the tongue.
21 . The closure device of claim 1 , wherein the second portion extends to the root end of the tongue.
22 . The closure device of claim 1 , wherein the second portion extends at an obtuse angle.
23 . The closure device of claim 1 , further comprising a root plane substantially parallel to the upper edge of the tamper evidence band extending from a root edge of the tongue, wherein the second portion connects to the cap body approximately at the root plane.
24 . The closure device of claim 1 further comprising:
a triangular protrusion disposed on each side of the tongue between the tongue and the second portion on a same side of the tongue, wherein each triangular protrusion extends from a base portion connected to the tamper evidence band towards an apex of the triangular protrusion located towards the closed end of the cap, wherein each protrusion comprises a side edge substantially parallel to the second portion on the same side of the tongue.
25 . The closure device of claim 24 , wherein the side edge of each triangular protrusion is frangibly connected to the second portion on the same side of the tongue.
26 . The closure device of claim 25 , wherein the first leash and the second leash have a substantially uniform cross sectional area along a length of each leash extending between the cap body and the tamper evidence band.
27 . The closure device of claim 1 , wherein the second portion of each leash connects to the cap body.