POUCH CLOSURE ASSEMBLY WITH TAMPER INDICATION

A container closure assembly includes a cap and a spout assembly. The cap includes an internal thread that is configured to engage with an external thread located on the spout assembly. The cap further includes an engagement prong assembly that is configured to engage with the cylindrical band located on the spout assembly. The cylindrical band is supported by a plurality of tabs such that the engagement prong assembly extends between the band and the external threads when the internal and external threads are engaged and the cap is rotated such that the interaction of the threads moves the cap toward the band, the engagement prong assembly engaging the band when the cap seals the open end of the hollow cylinder, and the engagement prong assembly breaks the tabs when the cap is rotated causing the cap to unseal the open end.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cap and spout assembly for closing a container such as a pouch which holds a material having a liquid or gel-like consistency. In particular, the present invention relates to an interaction between the cap and spout which provides an indication of cap opening or tampering in the form of the removal of a portion of the spout when the cap is opened.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention relates to a container closure assembly. The container closure assembly includes a cap, a closed cylinder, a support structure and a spout assembly. The cap includes a hollow rim that provides an external gripping surface. The closed cylinder includes a closed end, an open end and an internal thread extending from the open end toward the closed end. The closed cylinder further includes an engagement prong assembly. The support structure supports the hollow rim outside the cylinder so that fluid flow is permitted between the hollow rim and the cylinder, and rotational force can be transferred between the rim and cylinder. The spout assembly includes a hollow cylinder and a cylindrical band. The hollow cylinder includes an open end and an external thread configured to interact with the internal thread. The cylindrical band is supported by a plurality of tabs relative to the cylinder such that the engagement prong assembly extends between the band and the external threads when the internal and external threads are engaged and the cap is rotated such that the interaction of the threads moves the cap toward the band, the engagement prong assembly engaging the band when the cap seals the open end of the hollow cylinder, and the engagement prong assembly breaks the tabs when the cap is rotated such that the interaction of the internal and external threads causes the cap to unseal the open end.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a container closure assembly. The container closure assembly includes a cap and a spout assembly. The cap includes a closed cylinder. The closed cylinder includes a closed end, an open end and an internal thread extending from the open end toward the closed end. The closed cylinder further includes an engagement prong assembly. The spout assembly includes a hollow cylinder and a cylindrical band. The hollow cylinder includes an open end, an outside surface and an external thread extending from the outside surface and configured to interact with the internal thread. The cylindrical band is supported by a plurality of tabs relative to the cylinder such that the engagement prong assembly extends between the band and the outside surface when the internal and external threads are engaged and the cap is rotated such that the interaction of the threads moves the cap toward the band, the engagement prong assembly engaging the band when the cap seals the open end of the hollow cylinder, and the engagement prong assembly breaks the tabs when the cap is rotated such that the interaction of the internal and external threads causes the cap to unseal the open end.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a plastic cap for interacting with a spout of a container. The cap includes a hollow rim, a closed cylinder and a support structure. The hollow rim provides an external gripping surface that has a generally cylindrical shape and includes a surface configuration which improves gripping of the cap. The surface configuration includes at least one of the following features, scallops, knurls, ribs and projections. The closed cylinder includes a longitudinal axis, a closed end, an open end and an internal thread extending from the open end toward the closed end. They closed cylinder further includes an engagement prong assembly that includes at least 2 prongs extending from the open end of the closed cylinder with each prong including a barb which extends outwardly from the center of the closed cylinder, the barbs being configured to engage and remove a structure on a container capped by the cap. The support structure includes at least 2 gussets which are parallel to the longitudinal axis, extend from the hollow rim inward to the closed cylinder and support the hollow rim concentric with the closed cylinder so that fluid flow is permitted between the hollow rim and the cylinder and rotational force can be transferred between the rim and cylinder.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a plastic neck finish for a container. The plastic neck finish for the container includes a hollow cylinder, an external thread, a flange, a plurality of tabs and a cylindrical band. The hollow cylinder includes an outside surface with an external radius, and extends from a first open end to a second open end, and includes a longitudinal axis. The external thread is formed into an outside surface of the cylinder and configured to interact with the internal thread of a cap. The flange extends from the outside surface and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The plurality of tabs extends from the flange toward the first open end, the threads being located between the flange and the first open end. The cylindrical band includes an internal surface having an internal diameter. The cylindrical band is supported by the tabs relative to the cylinder to create a gap between the outside and internal surfaces wherein the gap is the difference between the external and internal radii, wherein the tabs are configured to break and permit the band to be engaged and removed by a cap including a structure for engaging the band when the cap is engaged with the external threads and positioned to seal the first open end of the hollow cylinder.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a container. The container includes a container with a plastic neck finish and a plastic cap. The container with a plastic neck finish includes a hollow cylinder, an external thread, a flange, a plurality of tabs and a cylindrical band. The hollow cylinder includes an outside surface with an external radius, and extends from a first open end to a second open end, and includes a longitudinal axis. The external thread is formed into an outside surface of the cylinder and configured to interact with the internal thread of a cap. The flange extends from the outside surface and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The plurality of tabs extends from the flange and the first open end. The cylindrical band includes an internal surface having an internal diameter. The cylindrical band is supported by the tabs relative to the cylinder to create a gap between the outside and internal surfaces wherein the gaps is the difference between the external and internal radii, wherein the tabs are configured to break and permit the band to be engaged and removed by a cap including a structure for engaging the band when the cap is engaged with the external threads and positioned to seal the first open end of the hollow cylinder. The plastic cap interacts with a spout of a container. The plastic cap includes a hollow rim, a closed cylinder and a support structure. The hollow rim provides an external gripping surface that has a generally cylindrical shape and includes a surface configuration which improves gripping of the cap. The surface configuration includes at least one of the following features, scallops, knurls, ribs and projections. The closed cylinder includes a longitudinal axis, a closed end, an open end and an internal thread extending from the open end toward the closed end. They closed cylinder further includes an engagement prong assembly that includes at least 2 prongs extending from the open end of the closed cylinder with each prong including a barb which extends outwardly from the center of the closed cylinder, the barbs being configured to engage and remove a structure on a container capped by the cap. The support structure includes at least 2 gussets which are parallel to the longitudinal axis, extend from the hollow rim inward to the closed cylinder and support the hollow rim concentric with the closed cylinder so that fluid flow is permitted between the hollow rim and the cylinder and rotational force can be transferred between the rim and cylinder. The plastic cap is engaged with the plastic neck finish having the barbs engaged with the band when the internal threads are engaged with the external threads.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to the figures, in one embodiment a container closure assembly that includes a cap that is molded and a separately molded spout assembly having a plastic neck finish are provided. The cap includes an engagement feature that extends from the bottom end of the cap. The spout assembly is configured to engage with the engagement feature to couple the spout assembly to the cap to create a seal. The spout assembly may be coupled to a container, e.g. a pouch container, which contains contents that is permitted to flow from the pouch container through the spout assembly.

FIG. 1illustrates an embodiment of a molded plastic cap10. The cap10includes a hollow rim12, a closed cylinder14and a support structure16. The cap10is molded, all or in part, of plastic (e.g., injection molded from a thermoplastic such as polyethylene).

Referring toFIG. 1, the hollow rim12is generally cylindrical in shape that includes a top end18, a bottom end20, an interior surface22, a height H10 and provides cap10with an external gripping surface24that permits the gripping of the cap10. The external gripping surface24is configured to improve the grip of the cap by a user, such that a user may grasp the cap10to lift the cap10or rotate cap10relative to a container or pouch. Portions of the external gripping surface24extend the entire height H10 from the top end18to the bottom end20and other portions of the external gripping surface24extend only a portion of the height H10 from the bottom end20towards the top end18. Portions of the external gripping surface24extend the circumference of the hollow rim12. The external gripping surface24may include a structure that is configured to permit gripping of the cap10of at least one of the following features: scallops, knurls, ribs and projections or a combination of features, such as ribs and projections or scallops and knurls, etc. In one exemplary embodiment, the external gripping surface24has a scallop gripping feature. For example, the external gripping surface24may include a continuous series of rounded or circular segments that provide the hollow rim12with varying depths on both the interior surface22and the external gripping surface24that extend the circumference of the hollow rim12. In other embodiments, the hollow rim12may be more oval or square in shape and may have an external gripping surface24that includes a series of projections or ribs that only extend a portion of the circumference of the hollow rim12.

Referring again toFIG. 1, the cap10includes the closed cylinder14. The closed cylinder14includes a closed end26(shown inFIG. 2), an open end28, an internal thread30(shown inFIG. 3), an engagement prong assembly32, an outside surface34, an inside surface36and has a longitudinal axis39.

Referring toFIG. 2, the top end18of the hollow rim12has a width W10 and the bottom end20of the hollow rim12has a width W12. In one exemplary embodiment, the width W10 is less than the width W12. For example, the width W10 may be approximately 1 mm or smaller and the width W12 may be approximately 2 mm or larger. In other embodiments, the width W10 may be larger than the width W12. For example, the width W10 may be approximately 2.5 mm and the width W12 may be approximately 1.3 mm. In other embodiments, the width W10 may be substantially similar to the width W12. For example, the width W10 may be approximately 1.5 mm and the width W12 may be approximately 1.5 mm.

Referring toFIG. 2, the cap10includes the support structure16. The support structure16supports the hollow rim12outside of the closed cylinder14so that fluid or material is permitted to flow between the hollow rim12and the closed cylinder14and rotational force can be transferred between the hollow rim12and the closed cylinder14. The support structure16may include at least 4 gussets38which are parallel to the longitudinal axis39(shown inFIG. 3) that extend from the hollow rim12inward to the closed cylinder14and support the hollow rim12concentric with the closed cylinder14. The gussets38include a top edge40and a bottom edge42(shown inFIG. 1). The top edge40is conjoined to the top end18of the hollow rim12and the bottom edge42is conjoined to the bottom end20of the hollow rim12. The top edge40extends from the top end18at a downward angle towards the closed end26, such that a portion of the gusset38is conjoined with a portion of the closed end26. The bottom edge42extends from the bottom end20of the hollow rim12towards the outside surface34, such that the bottom end20and the entire length of the bottom edge42are planar. In one embodiment the support structure16includes 4 gussets38that are parallel with the longitudinal axis39. In other embodiments, the support structure16may include at least 2 gussets38.

Referring toFIG. 2, the cap10has a 12 o'clock position, a 3 o'clock position, a 6 o'clock position and a 9 o'clock position that refer generally to the angular position of elements of cap10, specifically the position of the gussets38. One gusset38is located at the 12 o'clock position. Another gusset38is located at the 6 o'clock position, the area that is located 180° from the 12 o'clock position. Another gusset38is located at the 3 o'clock and another gusset38is located at the 9 o'clock positions, which are 90° clockwise from the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions, respectively. In other embodiments, the support structure may include more than 4 gussets or may include less than 4 gussets38.

Referring toFIG. 3, the gussets38have a height H12 and a height H14. The height H12 is located near the hollow rim12and is the height of the gusset38from the top edge40to the bottom edge42. The height H14 is located near the closed cylinder14and is the height of the gusset38from the top edge40to the bottom edge42. In one embodiment, the height H12 is greater than the height H14. For example, the height H12 may be approximately 1.3 mm and the height H14 may be approximately 1.1 mm. In other embodiments, the height H12 may be less than the height H14. For example, the height H12 may be approximately 0.9 mm and the height H14 may be approximately 1.2 mm. In other embodiments, the height H12 may be substantially similar to the height H14. For example, the height H12 may be approximately 1.0 mm and the height H14 may be approximately 1.0 mm.

Referring toFIG. 3, the outside surface34of the closed cylinder14extends from the closed end26to the open end28. The closed cylinder14extends beyond the bottom end20of the hollow rim12, such that the open end28is located in a different plane than the bottom end20and the bottom edge42. The portion of the closed cylinder14that extends beyond the plane of the bottom end20and the bottom edge42includes the engagement prong assembly32. The internal thread30is located on the inside surface36of the closed cylinder14near the engagement prong assembly, and extends from the open end28toward the closed end26.

Referring toFIG. 3, the engagement prong assembly32includes a plurality of prongs44. The prongs44extend from the open end28of the closed cylinder14. In the exemplary embodiment, the engagement prong assembly32includes 4 prongs44. The prongs44are located at an angular position in between the gusset38positions. For example, one prong44is located midway between the gussets38located at the 12 o'clock position and the 3 o'clock position. Another prong44is located midway between the gussets38located at the 3 o'clock position and the 6 o'clock position. Another prong44is located midway between the gussets38located at the 6 o'clock position and the 9 o'clock position. Another prong44is located midway between the gussets38located at the 9 o'clock position and the 12 o'clock position. Each of the prongs44includes a barb46. Each barb46includes a barb engagement surface48and is configured to engage and remove a structure on a container capped with the cap10. The barb engagement surface48extends from the outside surface34. The barb engagement surface48is perpendicular to the outside surface34, such that a 90° angle or less is formed between the outside surface34and the barb engagement surface48. The barbs46have a distance D7 that is the distance between the outermost portion of the barb46and the inside surface36of the open end28. In one embodiment, the engagement prong assembly32includes at least 2 prongs44extending from the open end28of the closed cylinder14, with each prong44having a barb46extending outwardly from the center of the closed cylinder14. In other embodiments, the engagement prong assembly32may include at least 4 prongs44with each prong44including a barb46extending outwardly from the center of the closed cylinder14.

FIG. 4illustrates an embodiment of a molded plastic spout assembly50. The spout assembly50includes a hollow cylinder52and a cylindrical band54. The spout assembly50is molded, all or in part, of plastic (e.g., injection molded from a thermoplastic, such as polyethylene).

Referring toFIG. 4, the hollow cylinder52is generally cylindrical in shape that includes a first platform56, a second platform58, a first open end60, a second open end62, an external thread64, a cap surface66with an external radius distance D5, an interior hollow cylinder surface68and a longitudinal axis51. The external thread64extends from the cap surface66and is configured to interact with the internal thread30located in the closed cylinder14. The external threads64are located between the first platform56and the first open end60. The first open end60is generally cylindrical in shape and extends from the interior hollow cylinder surface68towards the cap surface66. The first open end60defines an opening70and has a diameter D1. The diameter D1 is the distance between two points of the cap surface66that are located 180° from each other near the first open end60. The longitudinal axis51is located at the center of the opening70and extends from the first open end60to the second open end62of the hollow cylinder52. The external radius distance D5 is the distance from a point on the cap surface66to the center of the opening70. The external radius distance D5 is uniform for the entire length of the hollow cylinder52from the first open end60to the second open end62. The first open end60has a uniform width throughout the entire circumference of the first open end60. The cap surface66extends downward, away from the first open end60and towards the location of the cylindrical band54. The external thread64is located on the cap surface66of the hollow cylinder52and is configured to interact with the internal thread30of the cap10. In other embodiments the hollow cylinder52and the first open end60may be more oval or square in shape. In other embodiments, the first open end60may not have a uniform width between the cap surface66and the interior hollow cylinder surface68and may also not have a uniform external radius distance D5 throughout the length of the hollow cylinder52.

Referring again toFIG. 4, the cylindrical band54is supported by a plurality of tabs72and includes a cylinder surface74and an exterior surface77. The tabs72are attached to the first platform56. The cylindrical band54is supported by the tabs72relative to the hollow cylinder52such that the engagement prong assembly32extends between the cylindrical band54and the cap surface66and external threads64when the internal threads30and the external threads64are engaged and the cap10is rotated such that the interaction of the internal threads30and external threads64moves the cap10toward the cylindrical band54. The engagement prong assembly32engaging the cylindrical band54when the cap10seals the first open end60of the hollow cylinder52. The engagement prong assembly32breaks the tabs72, causing the tabs72to disconnect from the first platform56when the cap10is rotated such that the interaction of the internal threads30and the external threads64causes the cap10to unseal the first open end60.

Referring again toFIG. 4, the spout assembly50has a 12 o'clock position, a 3 o'clock position, a 6 o'clock position and a 9 o'clock position that refer generally to the angular position of elements of the spout assembly50, specifically the position of the tabs72. In one embodiment, the cylindrical band54is supported by at least 4 tabs72. One tab72is located at the 12 o'clock position. Another tab72is located at the 6 o'clock position, the area that is located 180° from the 12 o'clock position. Another tab72is located at the 3 o'clock and another tab72is located at the 9 o'clock positions, which are 90° clockwise from the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions, respectively. In other embodiments, the cylindrical band54may include more or less than 4 tabs72.

Referring toFIG. 4, the cylindrical band54has an internal diameter D2 that is the distance between two points of the cylinder surface74that are located 180° from each other. The diameter D2 is larger than the diameter D1 of the first open end60. The cylindrical band54may be capable of moving up or down the hollow cylinder52between the first open end60and the first platform56when the tabs72are broken or detached from the first platform56. The hollow cylinder52and the cylindrical band54are concentric with each other. The cylindrical band54is configured to receive the prongs44and the barbs46of the engagement prong assembly32located at the open end28of the closed cylinder14and has a distance D6. The distance D6 is the distance between the external thread portion64and the cylinder surface74of the cylindrical band54. The distance D6 is slightly larger than the distance D7. For example, the distance D6 in one embodiment may be 0.15 mm and the distance D7 may be 0.13 mm, enabling the cylindrical band54to receive the barbs46and prongs44of the engagement prong assembly32. In other embodiments, the distance D6 may be smaller or larger than 0.15 mm and the distance D7 may be smaller or larger than 0.13 mm.

Referring toFIG. 4, the first platform56and the second platform58extend from the periphery of the cap surface66of the hollow cylinder52on the opposite side of the cylindrical band54relative to the first open end60. The first platform56and the second platform58extend from the cap surface66perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis51. The first platform56provides an attachment surface76for the plurality of tabs72to attach to the first platform56. The plurality of tabs72extend from the first platform56toward the first open end60and are configured to break away from the attachment surface76. The first platform56further includes a first left side78, a first right side80, a first front side82, a first back side84and an underside86. A first beam88and a second beam90extend from the underside86near the first left side78and the first right side80, respectively towards the top surface92of the second platform58. The second platform58further includes a second left side94, a second right side96, a second front side98, a second back side100and a pouch surface102. The first beam88and the second beam90conjoin with portions of the cap surface66of the hollow cylinder52. The first beam88and the second beam90extend for a portion of the length from the first front side82to the first back side84and a portion of the length from the second front side98to the second back side100.

Referring toFIG. 4, the first platform56has a length L10 (shown inFIG. 6). The length L10 is the distance between the first left side78and the first right side80near the first front side82and the first back side84. The length L10 is larger than the diameter D2 of the cylindrical band54. The second platform58has a length L12 (shown inFIG. 6). The length L12 is the distance between the second left side94and the second right side96near the second front side98and the second back side100. The length L12 is smaller than the length L10. In other embodiments, the length L10 may be smaller than the length L12 or substantially similar to each other.

Referring toFIG. 4, a first pouch sealing flange110and a second pouch sealing flange112extend from the periphery of the cap surface66of the hollow cylinder52and the pouch surface102on the opposite side of the cylindrical band54relative to the first open end60. The first pouch sealing flange110and the second pouch sealing flange112extend from the cap surface66perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis51. The first pouch sealing flange110includes a first flange end106and a first left support109. The second pouch sealing flange112includes a second flange end108and a second left support111. Both the first pouch sealing flange110and the second pouch sealing flange112include a plurality of ribs114and a bottom surface116. The first flange end106extends from the cap surface66and the pouch surface102. A portion of the first flange end106is adjacent to the second left side94. The first flange end106extends at a downward angle towards the left support109. The left support109extends downward from the first flange end106towards the bottom surface116. The second flange end108extends from the cap surface66and the pouch surface102. A portion of the second flange end108is adjacent to the second right side96. The second flange end108extends at a downward angle towards the right support111. The right support111extends downward from the second flange end108towards the bottom surface116. In one embodiment there are 4 ribs114located horizontally extending between the first pouch sealing flange110and the second pouch sealing flange112. The first rib114extends the length from the point where the first flange end106abuts with the left support109to the point where the second flange end108abuts with the right support111. The remaining ribs114are located below the first rib114, evenly spaced apart from each other the height of the left support109and the right support111. Each rib114may have the same length and width. In other embodiments, the ribs114may have different lengths and widths from each other and there may also be more or less than 4 ribs extending between the first pouch sealing flange110and the second pouch sealing flange112.

Referring toFIG. 4, the pouch support104extends from the bottom surface116. The pouch support104includes a first brace118, a second brace120, a first ring122, a second ring124and the second open end62. The first ring122extends from the bottom surface116. The first ring122has the same longitudinal axis51as the hollow cylinder52. The first ring122includes a front portion134and a back portion (not shown). The front portion134of the first ring122extends from the first brace118to the second brace120. On the opposite sides of the first brace118and the second brace120, the back portion (not shown) extends between the first brace118and the second brace120, such that a portion of the first brace118, a portion of the second brace120, the back portion (not shown) and the front portion134of the first ring122form a circle. The first ring122has a diameter that is substantially similar to the diameter D1. The first brace118extends from the first ring122and the second brace120extends from the first ring122at a point 180° from the point where the first brace118extends from the first ring122. The first brace118and the second brace120are parallel with each other. The first brace118includes a first ridge126that extends the entire length of the first brace118. The first ridge126extends outwardly from the first brace118, away from the center of the hollow cylinder52. The second brace120includes a second ridge128that extends the entire length of the second brace120. The second ridge128extends outwardly from the second brace120, away from the center of the hollow cylinder52. The first brace118and the first ridge126extend towards the second ring124. The second brace120and the second ridge128extend towards the second ring124. The second ring124includes a front portion130and a back portion132. The front portion130of the second ring124extends from the first brace118to the second brace120. On the opposite sides of the first brace118and the second brace120, the back portion132extends between the first brace118and the second brace120, such that a portion of the first brace118, a portion of the second brace120, the back portion132and the front portion130of the second ring124form a circle. The second ring124has the same longitudinal axis51as the hollow cylinder52and the first ring122. The second ring124has a diameter that is substantially similar to diameter D1. The first ring122and the second ring124are concentric with each other and have substantially the same circumference. In other embodiments, the first ring122and the second ring124may be more oval or square in shape and may have different length diameters.

Referring toFIG. 4, the first ring122, the first brace118, the second brace120and the second ring124form a first window138and a second window140. The first window138is adjacent to portions of the front portion130of the second ring124and the front portion134of the first ring122. The second window140is adjacent to portions of the back portion132of the second ring124and the back portion (not shown) of the first ring122. The first window138and the second window140are configured to permit fluid, materials, granules and other contents to move through both the first window138and the second window140in any direction.

FIG. 5illustrates the cap10engaged with the spout assembly50. The cap10is engaged with the spout assembly50when the engagement prong assembly32extends between the cylindrical band54and the hollow cylinder52, more specifically between the cylinder surface74and the cap surface66(shown inFIG. 4). The external threads64and the internal threads30are engaged with each other when the engagement prong assembly32extends between the cylindrical band54and the hollow cylinder52. The cap10may rotate, such that the interaction of the external threads64and the internal threads30moves the cap10toward the cylindrical band54. The cap10seals the opening70at the first open end60(shown inFIG. 6) of the hollow cylinder52when the engagement prong assembly32is fully engaged with the cylindrical band54. Therefore, when the internal threads30and the external threads64are engaged, the cap10is located in a position to seal the opening70at the first open end60of the spout assembly50.

Referring toFIG. 5, the opening70at the first open end60of the hollow cylinder52is sealed when the prongs44of the engagement prong assembly32are located between the cylindrical band54and the external threads64on the hollow cylinder52are engaged with the internal threads30. Each of the barbs46on each of the prongs44are hooked to the cylindrical band54when the cap10is engaged with the spout assembly50. The barb engagement surface48is located under the surface of the cylindrical band54that is adjacent to the tabs72. The engagement prong assembly32is engaged with the cylindrical band54when the positioning of the prongs44with the barbs46alternate with the tabs72supporting the cylindrical band54, such that throughout the circumference of the engaged cylindrical band54and the engagement prong assembly32, one tab72is located in between two of the prongs44with barbs46and one prong44with barb46is located in between two of the tabs72. The prong44and the barbs46may contact the attachment surface76of the first platform56when the internal threads30are engaged with the external threads64and the cap10may no longer be rotated to move the engagement prong assembly32towards the first platform56.

FIG. 6illustrates the cap10disengaged from the spout assembly50. The cap10no longer creating a seal with the first open end60of the hollow cylinder52. The prongs44are located between the cylindrical band54and the external threads64of the hollow cylinder52. The barbs46of the prongs44are hooked to the cylindrical band54such that when the cap10is removed from the spout assembly50, the tabs72are broken and the cylindrical band54remains engaged with the cap10when the cap10is removed from the spout assembly50. More specifically, the barbs46of the prongs44on the engagement prong assembly32are hooked to the cylindrical band54between the tabs72such that when the cap10is removed from the spout assembly50, the tabs72are broken or detached from the attachment surface76by the pulling action applied by the prongs44on the cylindrical band54and contact between the barbs46and the tabs72, such that the cylindrical band54remains engaged with the cap10when the cap10is removed from the spout assembly50. The cap10may be rotated until the cap10is removed from the spout assembly50.

FIG. 7illustrates the cap10engaged with the spout assembly50integrated with a pouch container142. The first pouch sealing flange110and the second pouch sealing flange112provide a surface at which the pouch container142is hermetically sealed to the spout assembly50, such that the contents of the pouch container142is sealed within the pouch container142when the cap10seals the first open end60(not shown) and the barbs46are hooked to the cylindrical band54between the tabs72. The pouch support104that extends from the spout assembly50is located inside the pouch container142when the pouch container142is sealed to the first pouch sealing flange110and the second pouch sealing flange112. The pouch support104facilitates the movement of contents from the pouch container142as the contents are removed from the pouch container142. The contents of the pouch container142are permitted to flow from the pouch container142through the spout assembly50and out of the first open end60when the cap10is removed from the spout assembly50. The cap10may be removed from the spout assembly50when rotation force is transferred between the hollow rim52and the closed cylinder14. As more rotational force is applied to the cap10, the tension between the tabs72and the attachment surface76increases. Enough rotational force is applied to the cap10when the tabs72break and detach from the attachment surface76, permitting the cylindrical band54to be removed from the spout assembly50and remain intact with the cap10.

The cap10and the spout assembly50described may provide a user with the knowledge whether the cap10has been tampered with at any time. The cylindrical band54is attached to the attachment surface76of the first platform56extending from the periphery of the hollow cylinder52of the spout assembly50. When the cap10is engaged with the spout assembly50, the barbs46on the engagement prong assembly32are engaged with the cylindrical band54when the internal threads30are engaged with the external threads64. If the cap10is tampered with, possibly by a user or being jostled during a shipment, the tabs72extending from the cylindrical band54may break away from the attachment surface76, causing the cylindrical band to detach from the spout assembly50and remain engaged with the engagement prong assembly32located on the cap10. When the cylindrical band54is engaged with the engagement prong assembly32and the tabs72are attached to the attachment surface76, the cap10creates a seal with the spout assembly50, keeping the contents of the pouch container142sealed inside. When the cylindrical band54is engaged with the engagement prong assembly32and the tabs72are no longer attached to the attachment surface76, the seal between the cap10and the spout assembly50may be broken, allowing the contents of the pouch container142to be exposed to outside elements. The location of the cylindrical band54provides a user with a visual aid with whether the contents of the pouch container142are sealed inside or whether it is possible the contents may be exposed to elements outside the pouch container142due to the cap10and the spout assembly50no longer creating a seal.

In various exemplary embodiments, the relative dimensions, including angles, lengths and radii, as shown in the Figures are to scale. Actual measurements of the Figures will disclose relative dimensions, angles and proportions of the various exemplary embodiments. Various exemplary embodiments extend to various ranges around the absolute and relative dimensions, angles and proportions that may be determined from the Figures. Various exemplary embodiments include any combination of one or more relative dimensions or angles that may be determined from the Figures. Further, actual dimensions not expressly set out in this description can be determined by using the ratios of dimensions measured in the Figures in combination with the express dimensions set out in this description.