Closure

Abstract

A closure for a liquid container includes a base portion and a top portion. The base portion includes a top deck and an outer skirt extending from an outer end of the top deck in a lower direction away from the top deck. The outer skirt comprises a fastening means to interconnect the closure to the container neck. The top deck further has a spout extending in an upper direction away from the top deck. The top portion includes an annular base interconnectable to the base portion and a cover having an outer wall. At least one tamper element extends from the annular base in the upper direction above the annular base along the outer wall but spaced a distance apart from said outer wall. The tamper element is also initially interconnected to the outer wall by a predetermined breaking linkage.

1 . A closure ( 1 ) for a liquid container comprising:
 a. a base portion ( 2 ) comprising
 i. a top deck ( 3 ) with a spout ( 4 ) extending in an upper direction (z) away from the top deck ( 3 ); and 
 ii. an outer skirt ( 5 ) extending from an outer end ( 6 ) of the top deck ( 3 ) in a lower direction away from the top deck ( 3 ), said outer skirt ( 5 ) comprising a fastening means ( 7 ) to interconnect the closure ( 1 ) to a neck of the container; 
   b. a top portion ( 8 ) comprising
 i. an annular base ( 9 ) interconnectable to the base portion ( 2 ); and 
 ii. a cover ( 10 ) with an outer wall ( 11 ) interconnected to the annular base ( 9 ); and 
 iii. at least one tamper element ( 13 ) extending from the annular base ( 9 ) in the upper direction (z) above the annular base ( 9 ) along the outer wall ( 11 ) spaced a distance apart from the outer wall ( 11 ) and being interconnected to the outer wall ( 11 ) by a predetermined breaking linkage ( 14 ). 
   
     
     
         2 . The closure according to  claim 1 , wherein the tamper element ( 13 ) is interconnected to the annular base ( 9 ) by a hinge arrangement ( 15 ), said hinge arrangement ( 15 ) being arranged between the annular base ( 9 ) and the at least one predetermined breaking linkage ( 14 ), such that the tamper element ( 13 ) can be bent away from the outer wall ( 11 ) after tearing the predetermined breaking linkage ( 14 ). 
     
     
         3 . The closure ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein the hinge arrangement ( 15 ) provides at least one stable position in which the tamper element ( 13 ) remains bent away from the cover ( 10 ). 
     
     
         4 . The closure ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein the hinge arrangement ( 15 ) comprises a first and a second stable position. 
     
     
         5 . The closure ( 1 ) according to  claim 4 , wherein in the first stable position the tamper element ( 13 ) extends along the outer wall ( 11 ) of the cover ( 10 ) and in the second stable position the tamper element ( 13 ) is folded away from the cover ( 10 ). 
     
     
         6 . The closure ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein the hinge arrangement ( 15 ) comprises at least two film-hinges. 
     
     
         7 . The closure ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the cover ( 10 ) comprises a pocket ( 16 ) to accommodate the tamper element ( 13 ). 
     
     
         8 . The closure ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein a rib ( 17 ) extends from the outer wall ( 11 ) interconnecting the cover ( 10 ) with the tamper element ( 13 ). 
     
     
         9 . The closure ( 1 ) according to  claim 8 , wherein the rib ( 17 ) has a T-shaped cross-section in the upper direction. 
     
     
         10 . The closure ( 1 ) according to  claim 8 , wherein the at least one predetermined breaking linkage ( 14 ) is arranged between the rib ( 17 ) and the tamper element ( 13 ). 
     
     
         11 . The closure ( 1 ) according to  claim 8 , wherein the tamper element ( 13 ) comprises an opening ( 18 ), which is initially at least partially closed by a part of the rib and/or the at least one predetermined breaking linkage ( 14 ). 
     
     
         12 . The closure ( 1 ) according to  claim 11  wherein the at least one predetermined breaking linkage ( 14 ) is a film layer. 
     
     
         13 . The closure ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein fragile bridges ( 19 ) interconnect the cover ( 10 ) and the annular base ( 9 ) along the circumference of the closure ( 1 ). 
     
     
         14 . The closure ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein a hinge ( 12 ) interconnects the cover ( 10 ) and the annular base ( 9 ).