Cap for a container, and method for producing a cap

Abstract

A method for producing a cap for a container wherein the cap includes a retaining ring suitable for being associated with a neck of the container and a closure element hinged to the retaining ring for opening or closing an opening defined by the neck of the container. The method includes providing a cup-shaped body having a side wall extending about an axis and an end wall extending transversely to the axis, and cutting the side wall along a separation line for defining the retaining ring and the closure element such that during the cutting step there is interacting with the material forming the side wall along an angular extension of the side wall about the axis as to leave intact at least one connection band which connects the retaining ring to the closure element, and producing at least one delimitation line which laterally delimits the connection band.

1 . A method for producing a cap for a container, wherein the cap comprises:
 a retaining ring suitable for being associated with a neck of the container;   a closure element hinged to the retaining ring for opening or closing an opening defined by the neck of the container;   
       and wherein the method comprises the steps of:
 providing a cup-shaped body having a side wall extending about an axis and an end wall extending transversely to the axis; 
 cutting the side wall along a separation line for defining the retaining ring and the closure element, wherein during the cutting step there is provided interacting with the material forming the side wall along an angular extension of the side wall about the axis, said angular extension being less than 360°, so as to leave intact at least one connection band which connects the retaining ring to the closure element; 
 producing at least one delimitation line which laterally delimits the connection band, the delimitation line extending transversely to the end wall. 
 
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the connection band is provided in a recess, the step of cutting the side wall along a separation line being carried out by a cutting element that scores the side wall by a thickness that is less than a depth of the recess towards the inside of the side wall, so that the cutting element leaves intact the connection band inside the recess. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein during the cutting step, one selected between the cup-shaped body and the cutting element rotates by at least 360° about another selected between the cutting element and the cup-shaped body. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the recess extends up to the end wall. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of cutting the side wall along a separation line comprises making a cut that is interrupted at the connection band. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of producing at least one delimitation line comprises obtaining said at least one delimitation line by moulding inside a mould in which the cup-shaped body is formed. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one delimitation line is conformed as a slit passing through the thickness of the side wall or as a weakening line having a thickness lower than the thickness of the side wall. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of producing at least one delimitation line is performed by cutting the side wall at said at least one delimitation line, after the step of providing the cup-shaped body. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein during the step of cutting the side wall along a separation line at least two connection bands are left intact, a cutting line being further created during the step of cutting, the cutting line being interposed between said at least two connection bands and extending transversely to the axis. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one delimitation line extends up to the end wall.