Patent Publication Number: US-8528759-B2

Title: Closure means

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is the U.S. national phase of International Application No. PCT/IB2007/000119, filed 17 Jan. 2007, which designated the U.S. The entire contents of that application is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     The invention relates to a closure arrangement comprising a container neck and a cap provided with an opening indicating device arranged to interact with said neck. 
     Containers are known that comprise a neck arranged for receiving a cap and provided with a mouth delimited by a lateral wall on which a threading is externally provided. An annular projection projects from the lateral wall, which annular projection extends circumferentially with respect to the neck and is arranged more distantly from an opening of the container with respect to the threading. 
     The cap is provided with a cylindrical skirt comprising a first portion which cooperates with a bottom wall in order to define a base body of the cap and a second portion comprising an opening indicating device suitable for informing a user of the integrity of a product packaged in the container. The opening indicating device is provided with a tamper-evident ring which interacts with the above-mentioned projection. 
     The first portion and the second portion are separated by an intended separation line constituted by a weakened zone, or a plurality of cuts, or openings, passing through the cylindrical skirt and spaced by bridge elements extending between the first portion and the second portion, the bridge elements being suitable to break during a first opening of the container. 
     A plurality of flaps emerge from an edge zone of the tamper-evident ring, which flaps, during use, are arranged internally of the cap and face towards the bottom wall. 
     When the container is opened for the first time, the flaps interact with the projection to prevent the detachment of the tamper-evident ring from the neck of the container and to promote the breakage of the bridge elements. 
     A drawback of known necks is that they have an axial dimension, i.e. a length, which is very large and therefore to manufacture these necks a considerable quantity of material is required, for example plastics. 
     A further drawback of known necks is that long forming cycles are required as the necks are formed from a considerable quantity of plastic material. 
     A further drawback is that in order to form the necks, complex and expensive moulds are required. 
     As the above-mentioned necks have a large height, the caps too which are to be associated with it have a relevant axial extension. 
     It follows that the manufacturing of the caps too requires the use of large quantities of plastic material and very long forming cycles. 
     Further, complex and expensive moulds are required for forming also the caps. An object of the invention is to improve the container necks. 
     A further object is to improve the caps which are associable to the necks of containers. 
     A further object is to obtain a container neck with which a cap provided with an opening indicating device can be associated, which cap has a limited height and which requires a modest quantity of plastic material for manufacture thereof. 
     A further object is to obtain a container neck which is simple to manufacture and which requires moderate forming times. 
     A still further object of the invention is to obtain a cap provided with an opening indicating device which cap has a contained axial extension and the manufacturing of which requires a modest quantity of plastic material. 
     A still further object of the invention is to obtain a cap which can be manufactured simply and with modest forming times. 
     In the present patent application, the term “helix arrangement” refers either to a threading (having one start only, or a plurality of starts) of a container neck, or of a cap associable to a container neck, and a helical path defined by the aforesaid threading in a case in which the thread has a single start, or a plurality of helical paths defined by the aforementioned threading in a case in which the threading has a plurality of starts. 
     In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a container comprising a neck provided with a thread arrangement on which a cap is screwable, and a contrast arrangement suitable for interacting with an opening indicating device of said cap, wherein said contrast arrangement is provided along a helix arrangement of said thread arrangement. 
     In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a cap comprising a thread arrangement suitable for interacting with a further thread arrangement of a neck of a container and an opening indicating device provided with a stop arrangement, wherein said stop arrangement is provided along a helix arrangement of said thread arrangement. 
     In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a closure arrangement comprising a cap provided with an opening indicating device and a neck of a container provided with a thread arrangement, wherein there is provided a contrast arrangement arranged along a helix arrangement of said thread arrangement for interacting with said opening indicating device. 
     In a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a closure arrangement, comprising a cap provided with a thread arrangement and with an opening indicating device comprising a stop arrangement, said closure arrangement further comprising a neck of a container provided with a further thread arrangement, wherein said stop arrangement is provided along a helix arrangement of said thread arrangement and interact with an abutting arrangement projecting from said neck. 
     In a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided use of a thread arrangement of a neck of a container with which a cap is associable, said cap being provided with an opening indicating device, as a contrast arrangement for promoting separation of said opening indicating device from a body of said cap along an intended separation line arrangement. 
     In a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided use of a thread arrangement of a cap associable with a neck of a container and provided with an opening indicating device as a contrast arrangement for promoting separation of said opening indicating device from a body of said cap along an intended separation line arrangement. 
     Owing to these aspects of the invention a container can be obtained which are provided with a neck having a reduced height and being obtainable with forming cycles of short duration. It is further possible to produce a neck using a smaller quantity of plastic material than that required for obtaining known necks. 
     Owing to the invention it is further possible to obtain a cap provided with an opening indicating device having a limited axial dimension and being formed from a smaller quantity of plastic with respect to known caps. 
     The cap according to the invention can also be obtained simply and with very short forming cycles. 
    
    
     
       The invention can be better understood and implemented with reference to the enclosed drawings, which illustrate some embodiments thereof by way of non-limitative example, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a neck; 
         FIG. 2  is another side view of the neck of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a partially-section side view which shows a first cap associated with the neck of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a view like the one in  FIG. 3 , showing a second cap associated with the neck of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a view like the one in  FIG. 3 , showing a third cap associated with the neck of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a view like the one in  FIG. 3  showing a fourth cap associated to the neck of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of a further version of a neck; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view schematically showing a neck cooperating with a first locking device of a cap; 
         FIG. 9  is a view like the one in  FIG. 8 , schematically showing a neck cooperating with a second locking device of a cap; 
         FIG. 10  is a view like the one in  FIG. 8 , schematically showing a neck cooperating with a third locking device of a cap; 
         FIG. 11  is a view like the one in  FIG. 8 , schematically showing a neck cooperating with a fourth locking device of a cap; 
         FIG. 12  is a view like the one in  FIG. 8 , schematically showing a neck cooperating with a fifth locking device of a cap; 
         FIG. 13  is a view like the one in  FIG. 8 , schematically showing a neck cooperating with a sixth locking device of a cap; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a first version of a cap; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a second version of a cap; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a third version of a cap; 
         FIG. 17  is a fragmentary axial section showing the cap of one of  FIGS. 14 to 16  in an intermediate screwing position on the neck of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a section like the one in  FIG. 17  showing the cap of one of  FIGS. 14 to 16  in a final locking position on the neck of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a schematic and fragmentary axial section showing a locking device cooperating with a contrast arrangement of the neck in an intermediate screwing configuration on the neck; 
         FIG. 20  is a section like the one in  FIG. 19  showing the locking device cooperating with the contrast arrangement in a final locking configuration on the neck; 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective and fragmentary side view of a neck; 
         FIG. 22  is a view like the one in  FIG. 21 , showing a variant of the neck; 
         FIG. 23  is a further view like the one in  FIG. 21 , showing a further variant of the neck; 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective side view of a cap; 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective view from below of the cap of  FIG. 24 ; 
         FIG. 26  is a perspective side view of the cap of  FIG. 24  and a neck with which the cap are associable; 
         FIG. 27  is a perspective and fragmentary side view of the neck of  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 28  is a view like the one in  FIG. 27  showing a variant of the neck; 
         FIG. 29  is a view like the one in  FIG. 27  showing a further variant of the neck; 
         FIG. 30  is a view like the one in  FIG. 27  showing a further variant of the neck; 
         FIG. 31  is a perspective and partially sectioned view from above of a neck showing an abutting arrangement of the neck. 
     
    
    
       FIGS. 1 to 13  show a neck  1  of a container having a longitudinal axis A and comprising a mouth wall  2  from which a threading  3  transversally projects. The threading  3  comprises an initial portion  4 , closer to an opening  5  of the container, and a final portion  6 , more distant from the aforementioned opening  5 . The initial portion  4  and the final portion  6  are arranged at opposite ends of the helical path defined by the threading  3 . The final portion  6  comprises a first abutting surface  7 , arranged transversally with respect to an external surface  8  of the mouth wall  2 . In particular the first abutting surface  7  can lie on a plane passing through the longitudinal axis A and can be substantially perpendicular to the external surface  8 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . Alternatively, the first abutting surface  7  can lie on an inclined plane with respect to the longitudinal axis A. In particular the first abutting surface  7  can be shaped in such a way as to define an inclined plane, or a cam profile which—when a cap body is unscrewed from the body  1 —interacts with a flap arrangement or a hook arrangement, of a tamper-evident band of the cap, inducing the tamper-evident band to move away from the body. In this way, the body and the tamper-evident band move away from one another. This leads to a more immediate breaking of breakable bridge elements which connect the tamper-evident band to the body and offers greater evidence that the container has been opened. 
     The final portion  6  comprises a second abutting surface  20  arranged transversally with respect to the first abutting surface  7  and facing an opposite side of the opening  5 . The second abutting surface  20  is obtained in a lower side of the threading  3 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a cap  9 , comprising a base body  10 , provided with a bottom wall  12  from which a lateral wall  13  transversally projects. A further threading  14  is obtained internally of the cap  9 , which threading  14  projects from the lateral wall  13  and is suitable for cooperating with the threading  3 . The cap  9  is provided with a first opening indicating device  11  associated with a lower edge of the lateral wall  13  and provided with a tamper-evident ring  15 . An intended separation line is interposed between the first opening indicating device  11  and the base body  10 , which intended separation line is constituted by a plurality of cuts, or openings, between which bridge elements  21  are provided extending between the lateral wall  13  and the tamper-evident ring  15  and suitable to be fractured during the first opening of the container. A flap arrangement  17  is provided at a lower edge  16  of the tamper-evident ring  15 , which a flap arrangement  17  interacts with the first abutting surface  7  and/or with the second abutting surface  20  in order to promote breakage of the bridge elements  21 . 
     As schematically shown in  FIG. 8 , the flap arrangement  17  can comprise a plurality of flap  100  provided with a face  101  arranged for interacting with the first abutting surface  7 . 
     Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 9 , the flap arrangement  17  can comprise first portions  18  and second portions  19  which are adjacent and arranged along a peripheral edge of the tamper-evident ring  15 . The first portions  18  has a dimension, measured transversally to the lower edge  16 , which is larger than a corresponding further dimension of the second portions  19 , measured transversally to the lower edge  16 . 
     In a non-shown version, the first portions  18  can be spaced away from the second portions  19 , instead of being adjacent thereto. 
     When the container is opened for the first time, a face  101  of one of the first portions  18  interacts with the first abutting surface  7 , while a further face  301  of one of the second portions  19  interacts with the second abutting surface  20 , the first abutting surface  7  being arranged transversally with respect to an intended opening direction along which the cap  9  is unscrewed from the neck  1 . 
     A flap arrangement  17  can be provided, comprising further first portions  33  having a still further dimension measured transversally to the lower edge  16 , which dimension is greater than the transversal dimension of the first portions  18 , so as to be able to interact, at a still further face  302 , with a zone  120 —which defines a third abutting surface—of an intermediate portion  34  of the threading  3  arranged above the final portion  6 , as schematically shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . In this way, interaction between the intermediate portion  34  and the further first portion  33  contributes to further locking the tamper-evident ring  15  in the axial direction, so as to ensure separation thereof from the base body  10  during a first opening of the container. 
     Similarly, the flaps  100  too can comprise a further face  301  and a still further face  302 . The flap arrangement can comprise a continuous flap, i.e. a flap extending over all the lower edge  16 . 
     Alternatively it is possible to provide that the flap arrangement  17  does not extend along all the lower edge, buy only along part thereof, in order for interrupted zones to be identified, i.e. zones not occupied by first portions  18  and/or by second portions  19 . For example, the flap arrangement may comprise variable-height flap elements, each of which comprises at least a second portion  19  which precedes—or which, in a variant, is preceded by—a first portion  18 , in a rotation direction along which the cap  9  is screwed onto the neck  1 , the second portion  19  and the first portion  18  being reciprocally connected. 
     Alternatively, each flap element may comprise a first portion  18  and a pair of second portions  19 , the first portion  18  being interposed between the second portions  19 . 
     When the container is opened for the first time, the cap  9  is rotated in a rotation direction H in order to be unscrewed from the neck  1 . 
     During the rotation, the first abutting surface  7  supportingly receives a first portion  18 , thus preventing the tamper-evident ring  15  from rotating together with the base body  10 . In this way, there is a relative rotation between the base body  10  and the first opening indicating device  11 , this generating a shear stress on the bridge elements  21 . Further, during the unscrewing of the cap  9 , the base body  10  moves away from the final portion  6 , moving parallel to the longitudinal axis A. The second abutting surface  20  prevents a second portion  19 , and therefore the tamper-evident ring  15 , from moving parallel to the longitudinal axis A. This generates a traction stress which, together with the shear stress aforementioned, rapidly and effectively fractures the bridge element  21 , so that the tamper-evident ring  15  is separated from the lateral wall  13 . 
     As described above, a cap may be associated with the neck  1 , which cap has an opening indicating device provided with flaps  100  comprising only first portions  18  (as schematically shown in  FIG. 8 ), or only further first portions  33  (as schematically shown in  FIG. 10 ) and without second portions  19 . In this case, during the first opening of the container a first portion  18 , or a further first portion  33 , interacts with the first abutting surface  7  and is locked so as not to rotate together with the base body  10 . In this way, a shear stress is generated which fractures the bridge elements  21  and separates the first opening indicating device  11  from the base body  10 . 
       FIG. 4  shows the neck  1  cooperating with a further cap  22  conformed substantially similarly to the cap  9  and provided with a second opening indicating device  23 . The second opening indicating device  23  differs from the first opening indicating device  11  inasmuch as it is provided with a further flap arrangement  24  devoid of the first portions  18  and comprising only second portions  19  which interact, during use, with the second abutting surface  20 . In this case, during the first opening of the container, the second portions  19  are locked along a direction which is parallel to the longitudinal axis A. In this way a traction stress is generated which fractures the bridge elements  21  and separates the second opening indicating device  23  from the base body  10 . 
     Alternatively, the further flap arrangement  24  may comprise a continuous flap.  FIG. 5  shows the neck  1  to which a still further cap  25  is associated. The still further cap  25  is provided with a third opening indicating device comprising a further tamper-evident ring  27  from which hook portions  28  project circumferentially, the hook portions  28  facing towards the longitudinal axis A and being conformed in such a way as to cooperate with the first abutting surface  7 . During a first opening of the container, the first abutting surface  7  interacts with a hook portion  28 , preventing the tamper-evident ring  27  from rotating and fracturing the bridge elements  21 , prevalently due to a cutting stress. 
     The hook portions  28  can be configured according to the versions shown in  FIGS. 8 ,  9 ,  10  and  11 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a fourth opening indicating device  30  comprising a still further tamper-evident ring  102  from which further hook portions  29  project circumferentially, the further hook portions  29  being configured in such a way as to cooperate with the second abutting surface  20 . 
     During a first opening of the container, the second abutting surface  20  interacts with a further hook portion  29  preventing the tamper-evident ring  27  from moving parallel to the longitudinal axis A while fracturing the bridge elements  21 , prevalently due to a traction stress. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 6 , the neck  1  comprises a threading having a plurality of starts, and, therefore being provided with a plurality of initial portions and a plurality of final portions. The plurality of final portions acts to lock the first opening indicating device  11 , in the case of the cap  9 , the second opening indicating device  23 , in the case of the further cap  22 , the third opening indicating device  26  and the fourth opening indicating device  30  in the case of the still further cap  25 , more effectively with respect to the case in which there is a single final portion. In particular, each final portion comprises a first abutting surface  7  which cooperates with a corresponding first portion  18 , or with a corresponding hook portion  28 . 
     Similarly, each final portion comprises a second abutting surface  20  which cooperates with a corresponding second portion  19 , or with a corresponding further hook portion  29 . 
     In this way, during the first opening of the container, the first opening indicating device  11 , or the second opening indicating device  23 , or the third opening indicating device  26 , or the fourth opening indicating device  30  are contrasted at a plurality of peripheral zones and can be separated effectively and rapidly from the base body  10 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a version of the neck  1  in which the threading  3  comprises a transversal section an extension of which increases proceeding moving away from the opening  5 . The threading  3  comprises a further final portion  6   a  having dimensions that are greater than the final portion  6  and which projects from the mouth wall  2  further with respect to the remaining part of the threading  3 . The further final portion  6   a  comprises a further first abutting surface  31  larger that the first abutting surface  7  and a further second abutting surface  32  which is larger than the second abutting surface  20 , so as to render the contrast with an opening indicating device more effective. 
     In a further version, not shown, the neck  1  may comprise a threading having more than one start, therefore provided with a plurality of initial portions and a plurality of further final portions  6   a , similarly to what is described herein above with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 6 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 27 to 30 , the neck  1  comprises an abutting arrangement  70  arranged further from the opening  5  than the threading  3  and extending circumferentially from the neck  1 . The abutting arrangement  70  is in addition, or are an alternative, to the first abutting surface  7  and to the second abutting surface  20 , or to the further first abutting surface  31  and to the further second abutting surface  32 . 
     The abutting arrangement  70  comprises at least a abutting element  71  provided with an active surface  72  arranged for interacting with an opening indicating device of a cap associated with the neck  1 . 
     In particular, the active surface  72  is shaped in such a way as to generate shearing stress in the breakable bridge elements associated with the opening indicating device. 
     The active surface  72  is arranged transversally with respect to an intended opening direction along which the aforesaid cap is unscrewed from the neck  1 . 
     The active surface  72  is arranged transversally with respect to the external surface  8  of the mouth wall  2 . In particular, the active surface  72  can lie on a plane passing through the longitudinal axis A and being substantially perpendicular to the external surface  8 , as shown in  FIG. 27 . Alternatively, the active surface  72  can lie on an inclined plane with respect to the longitudinal axis A. 
     In particular, the active surface  72  can be shaped in such a way as to define an inclined plane, or a cam profile which—when a body of the cap is unscrewed from the neck  1 —interacts with a flap arrangement, or a hook arrangement, of the opening indicating device, inducing the opening indicating device to move away from the aforesaid body. In this way, the body and the opening indicating device move away from one another, moving in opposite directions. This leads to a more immediate breakage of the breakable bridge elements that connect the opening indicating device to the body and a greater evidence that opening of the container has occurred. 
     The abutting elements  71  can further comprise a further active face  82 . 
     The further active face  82  is arranged for interacting with the aforesaid opening indicating device. 
     The further active face  82  is so shaped as to generate a further stress on the breakable bridge elements, in particular a traction stress, in addition—or alternatively—to the stress generated by the active surface  72 . 
     The further active face  82  can be arranged substantially parallel to a plane defined by the opening  5 . 
     The abutting arrangement  70  can comprise a number of abutting elements  71  which number is equal to the number of threads of the threading  3 . 
     For example, the threading  3  may comprise three threads, i.e. a first thread  3   a , a second thread  3   b  and a third thread  3   c . In this case, the abutting arrangement  70  comprises a first abutting element  71   a , associated to the first thread  3   a , a second abutting element  71   b , associated to the second thread  3   b  and a third abutting element (not illustrated in  FIGS. 27 to 30 ), associated to the third thread  3   c . Alternatively, the threading  3  may comprise a single thread and the abutting arrangement  70  may comprise a single abutting element  71 . 
     Also alternatively, the threading  3  may comprise a different number of threads. The active surface  72  of the abutting element  71  and the first face  7  of a corresponding thread can be coplanar. 
     In a version, a flap—or a hook—of the opening indicating device interacts contemporaneously with the active surface  72  and with the first face  7 . In this case, the active surface  72  exerts a contrasting action which adds to the action exerted by the first face  7 . 
     In a further version, a flap—or a hook—of the opening indicating device interacts only with the active surface  72 . 
     In a further version, which will be described in greater detail with reference to  FIGS. 24 to 26 , a portion of a threading of a cap, provided in the opening indicating device, interacts with the active surface  72  to promote the breakage of breakable bridge elements with which the cap is provided. 
     The abutting element  71  comprises a portion  73 , closer to the opening  5 , which is in contact with the threading  3 . Alternatively, in a version which is not shown, between the portion  73  and the threading  3  there can be a gap, in which case the abutting element  71  is separated from the threading  3 . 
     The abutting arrangement  70  can further comprise abutting bodies  74 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 28 , a first version of a neck  1  is shown, in which the abutting arrangement  70  comprises a plurality of abutting bodies  74   a.    
     In particular, the threading  3  comprises three threads and the abutting arrangement  70  comprises three abutting elements  71  and three abutting bodies  74   a  which are separated from the three abutting elements  71 . 
     The abutting arrangement  70  is shaped in such a way that between two consecutive abutting elements  71  there is a abutting body  74   a  and that between two consecutive abutting bodies  74   a  there is a abutting element  71 . In other words, the abutting elements  71  and the abutting bodies  74   a  are mutually alternated along a peripheral edge of the neck  1 . 
     The abutting elements  71  and the abutting bodies  74   a  are arranged substantially on a same plane, which extends transversally (and, in particular, substantially perpendicular) to the longitudinal axis A. 
     The abutting bodies  74   a  comprise an active face  75 . The active face  75  is so shaped as to interact with the above-mentioned opening indicating device. 
     In particular, the active face  75  is arranged such as to generate a shearing stress on the breakable bridge elements. 
     The active face  75  is arranged transversally of an intended opening direction along which the cap is unscrewed from the neck  1 . 
     The active face  75  is arranged transversally of the external surface  8  of the mouth wall  2 . 
     In particular, the active face  75  can lie on a plane passing through the longitudinal axis A and can be substantially perpendicular to the external surface  8 , as shown in  FIG. 28 . Alternatively, the active face  75  can lie on an inclined plane with respect to the longitudinal axis A. 
     In particular, the active face  75  can be so shaped as to define an inclined plane, or a cam profile which—when a body of the cap is unscrewed from the neck  1 —interacts with a flap arrangement, or a hook arrangement, of the opening indicating device, inducing the opening indicating device to move away from the body. In this way, the body and the opening indicating device move away from one another, moving in opposite directions. This leads to a more immediate fracturing of the breakable bridge elements connecting the opening indicating device to the body, as well as clearer evidence that the container has in fact been opened. 
     The abutting bodies  74   a  may further comprise a further active face  76 . 
     The further active face  76  is predisposed to interact with the aforesaid opening indicating device. 
     In particular, the first active face  76  is so shaped as to interact, for example with the described ways with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 11 , with flap elements—or with hook elements—of the opening indicating device in order to generate a traction stress on the breakable bridge elements. 
     The further active face  76  can be arranged substantially parallel to a plane defined by the opening  5 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 29 , a second version of a neck  1  is shown, in which the abutting arrangement  70  comprises a plurality of abutting bodies  74   b.    
     The second version substantially corresponds to the first version described with reference to  FIG. 28  and differs therefrom in that the abutting bodies  74   b  are not separated from the abutting elements  71 . 
     Each abutting element  74   b  comprises an end portion  78  which is connected to a corresponding abutting element  71 . 
     In particular, the end portion  78  extends from the active surface  72 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 30 , a third version of a neck  1  is shown, in which an abutting arrangement  70  comprises a abutting body  74   c.    
     The third version substantially corresponds to the second version described with reference to  FIG. 29  and differs therefrom in that instead of a plurality of abutting bodies  74   b  a single abutting body  74   c  is included, which is ring-shaped and extending from the external surface  8  as a projection. 
     The abutting body  74   c  comprises three abutting portions  77 , each of which is interposed between a pair of adjacent abutting elements  71 . 
     Each abutting portion  77  comprises a further end portion  79  which is connected to a corresponding abutting element  71 . 
     In particular, the further end portion  79  extends from the active surface  72 . 
     The abutting body  74   c  is provided with the further active face  76 , but not with the active face  75 . 
     With reference to the versions of  FIGS. 28 to 30 , a flap—or a hook—of the opening indicating device can interact with the active face  75  and/or with the further active face  76 , while a further flap—or hook—of the opening indicating device interacts with the active surface  72  and/or the first face  7 . In this case, the active face  75  and/or the further active face  76  performs a contrasting action which is added to the action exerted by the active surface  72  and/or the first face  7 . 
     The abutting bodies  74  can serve as reference elements and/or abutting elements and/or guide elements for the transport of containers or container preforms, since the abutting bodies  74  comprise significantly large surfaces—especially the further active surfaces  82 —at which transporter devices can interact with the containers or the preforms. 
     In particular, thanks to the abutting bodies  74 , the containers or preforms can be transported more effectively than in a case where the neck comprises only the abutting elements  71 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 21 to 23 , the neck  1  comprises an abutting arrangement  70 . 
     The abutting arrangement  70  and the final portions  6 —or the further final portions  6   a —are arranged substantially on a same plane, extending transversally (and, in particular, substantially perpendicular) to the longitudinal axis A. 
     In a version, the abutting arrangement  70  and the final portions  6  are mutually alternated so that each final portion  6  is interposed between two consecutive abutting arrangements. 
     The abutting arrangement exerts a contrasting action on an opening indicating device associated with the neck; this contrasting action is added to the action of the first surfaces  7  and/or the second surfaces  20 , enabling a simpler and more immediate fracturing of the bridge elements  21 . 
     The abutting arrangement  70  comprises at least an abutting body  84  arranged for interacting with an opening indicating device associated with the neck  1 . 
     The abutting arrangement  70  may comprise a number of abutting bodies  84  which is equal to the number of threads of the threading  3 . 
     For example, the threading  3  can comprise three threads, that is, a first thread  3   a , a second thread  3   b  and a third thread  3   c , and the abutting arrangement  70  can comprise a first abutting body, a second abutting body and a third abutting body. 
     Alternatively, the threading  3  can comprise a single thread and the abutting arrangement  70  can comprise a single abutting body. 
     Also alternatively, the threading  3  can comprise a different number of threads. 
     The abutting arrangement  70  comprises abutting bodies  84  conformed substantially in the same way as the abutting bodies  74  described with reference to  FIGS. 27 to 30 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 21 , a first version of a neck  1  is shown, in which the abutting arrangement  70  comprises a plurality of abutting bodies  84   a.    
     In particular, the threading  3  comprises three threads, each provided with respective final portion  6 , and the abutting arrangement  70  comprises three abutting bodies  84   a  separated from the three threads. 
     The abutting arrangement  70  is so shaped that between two consecutive final portions a abutting body  84   a  is interposed, and between two consecutive abutting bodies  84   a  a final portion  6  is interposed. In other words, the final portions  6  and the abutting bodies  84   a  are mutually alternated along a peripheral edge of the neck  1 . 
     The final portions  6  and the abutting bodies  84   a  are arranged substantially on a same plane which extends transversally (and, in particular, substantially perpendicular) to the longitudinal axis A. 
     The abutting bodies  84   a  comprise an active face  85 . 
     The active face  85  is so shaped as to interact with an opening indicating device associated to the neck  1 . 
     In particular, the active face  85  is arranged for generating a shearing force on breakable bridge elements of the opening indicating device. 
     The active face  85  is arranged transversally to an intended opening direction, along which the cap is unscrewed from the neck  1 . 
     The active face  85  is arranged transversally to the external surface  8  of the mouth wall  2 . 
     In particular, the active face  85  can lie on a plane passing through the longitudinal axis A and can be substantially perpendicular to the external surface  8 , as shown in  FIG. 21 . Alternatively, the active face  85  can lie on an inclined plane with respect to the longitudinal axis A. 
     In particular, the active face  85  can be so shaped as to define an inclined plane, or a cam profile which—when a body of the cap is unscrewed from the neck  1 —interacts with a flap arrangement, or a hook arrangement, of the opening indicating device, inducing the opening indicating device to move away from the body. In this way, the body and the opening indicating device move away from one another, moving in opposite directions. This leads to a more immediate fracturing of the breakable bridge elements which connect the opening indicating device to the body and a clearer evidence that the container has been opened. 
     The abutting bodies  84   a  can further comprise a further active face  86 . 
     The further active face  86  is arranged for interacting with the opening indicating device. 
     In particular, the further active face  86  is so shaped as to interact, for example following the ways described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 11 , with a flap arrangement—or a hook arrangement—of the opening indicating device, in order to generate a traction stress on the breakable bridge elements. 
     The further active face  86  can be arranged substantially parallel to a plane defined by the opening  5 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 22 , a second version of a neck  1  is shown in which the abutting arrangement  70  comprises a plurality of abutting bodies  84   b.    
     The second version substantially corresponds to the first version described with reference to  FIG. 22  and differs therefrom in that the abutting bodies  84   b  are not separated from the final portions  6  of the threads. 
     Each abutting element  84   b , in fact, comprises an end portion  88  which is connected to a corresponding final portion  6 . 
     In particular, the end portion  88  extends from the first face  7 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 23 , a third version is shown of a neck  1  in which an abutting arrangement  70  comprises an abutting body  84   c.    
     The third version substantially corresponds to the second version described with reference to  FIG. 22  and differs therefrom due to the fact that instead of a plurality of abutting bodies  84   b  a single abutting body  84   c  is included, ring-shaped and extending from the external surface  8  as a projection. 
     The abutting body  84   c  comprises three abutting portions  87 , each of which is interposed between a pair of adjacent final portions  6 . 
     Each abutting portion  87  comprises a further end portion  89  which is connected to a corresponding final portion  6 . 
     In particular, the further portion  89  extends from the first face  7 . 
     The abutting body  84   c  is provided with the further active face  86 , but not the active face  85 . 
     A flap—or a hook—of the opening indicating device can interact with the active face  85  and/or the further active face  86 , while a further flap—or further hook—of the opening indicating device interacts with the first face  7  and/or the second face  20 . In this case, the active face  85  and/or the further active face  86  exert a contrasting action which is added to the action exerted by the first surface  7  and/or the second face  20 . 
     The abutting bodies  84  can serve as reference elements and/or as abutting elements and/or as guide elements for the transport of containers or container preforms, as the abutting bodies comprise surfaces of a significant size—especially the further active faces  86 —at which transfer devices can interact with the containers or preforms. 
     In a non-shown version, a recess can be obtained in the mouth wall  2 —extending over a portion of the thickness of mouth wall  2 —a surface of which constitutes a part of the second abutting surface  20 , or of the further second abutting surface  32 , in such a way as further to increase the size of the second abutting surface  20 , or of the further second abutting surface  32 . 
     Similarly, a further recess can be obtained in the mouth wall  2 —extending over a portion of the thickness of the mouth wall  2 —a surface of which constitutes a part of the first abutting surface  7 , or of the further first abutting surface  31 , in such a way as further to increase the size of the first abutting surface  7 , or of the further first abutting surface  31 . 
       FIG. 12  shows a projecting element  200  of a tamper-evident ring (which may comprise, for example, a flap, or a hook, shaped as shown with reference to  FIGS. 3 to 11 ), which is provided with a face  201  arranged substantially parallel to the threading  3 . 
     In particular the face  201  is substantially parallel to the second abutting surface  20  with which it interacts when the cap is removed for the first time from the neck  1 . 
     Similarly, the further face  301  and the still further face  302 , described with reference to  FIGS. 9 to 11 , can be arranged substantially parallel to the second abutting surface  20  and the third abutting surface  120  respectively. With reference to  FIG. 13 , a variant of the projecting element  200  is shown, in which the face  201  is provided with a gripping promoting arrangement  202  arranged for cooperating with a further gripping promoting arrangement  203  with which the second abutting surface  20  is provided. 
     The gripping promoting arrangement  202  may comprise a corrugated zone, or a toothed zone  204 . 
     Similarly the further gripping promoting arrangement  203  may comprise a further corrugated zone, or a further toothed zone  205 , conformed in such a way as to engage with the corrugated or toothed zone  204 . 
     Also the further face  301  and the still further face  302 , described with reference to  FIGS. 9 to 11 , may comprise a gripping promoting arrangement. 
     Figures from  14  to  18  show a cap  35  comprising a further bottom wall  36  from which a cylindrical skirt  37  transversally projects. A thread arrangement  30  projects from the cylindrical skirt  37  internally of the cap  35  and comprises interrupted zones  52 . During packing of a product in the container, the interrupted zones  52  enable evacuation through the thread arrangement  38  of any portion of product which has been accidentally deposited externally of the container, or which may have exited therefrom. 
     The interrupted zones  52  also facilitate evacuation of any gas dissolved in the product during a first opening of the container. 
     The thread arrangement  38  comprises an opening indicating device  39  which serves to inform a user regarding any previous opening of the bottle with which the cap  35  is associated. 
     The opening indicating device  39  comprises a stop arrangement  600  provided with a locking portion  40  obtained on a thread end portion  43  of the thread arrangement  38  further from the further bottom wall  36 . In particular, the locking portion  40  is arranged in proximity of an end zone  41  of the thread end portion  43  and at a certain distance from an end edge  42  of the cap  35 . 
     The locking portion  40  extends towards the further bottom wall  36  in such a way as to project transversally with respect to the thread end portion  43  by a smaller amount than a step of the thread arrangement  38 . 
     The locking portion  40 , then, extends towards a thread intermediate portion  46  of the thread arrangement  38  closest to the further bottom wall  36  with respect to the thread end portion  43 . 
       FIG. 14  shows a first version of an opening indicating device  39  comprising a first intended separation line arrangement  44  which defines a first removable portion  62  destined to be separated from the cylindrical skirt  37  during a first opening of the container. 
     The first intended separation line arrangement  44  surrounds the locking portion  40  and comprise a plurality of incisions, or cuts, passing through the cylindrical skirt  37 . 
     Alternatively, the first intended separation line arrangement  44  may comprise, instead of the incisions, or cuts, a weakening line along which the cylindrical skirt  37  exhibits a narrowed thickness. 
     The first intended separation line arrangement  44  comprises a first intended separation line  45  arranged transversally with respect to the thread end portion  34  and also arranged opposite the end zone  41  with respect to the locking portion  40 . The first intended separation line  45  extends from a zone of the end edge  42  to a further zone comprised between the locking portion  40  and the thread intermediate portion  46 . 
     The first intended separation line arrangement  44  further comprises a second intended separation line  47  arranged substantially parallel to the first intended separation line  45  and on an opposite side thereto with respect to the locking portion  40 . The second intended separation line  47  is close to the locking portion  40  and extends in such a way as to cross the thread end portion  43 . 
     Between the thread intermediate portion  46  and the locking portion  40  is a third intended separation line  48 , which connects an end  114  of the first intended separation line  45  to a further end  115  of the second intended separation line  47 .  FIG. 15  shows a second version of the opening indicating device  39  comprising a second intended separation line arrangement  49  which defines a second removable portion  63  destined to be separated from the cylindrical skirt  37  during a first opening of the container. The second intended separation line arrangement  49  comprises a fourth intended separation line  50  which extends substantially parallel to the end edge  42  and which is arranged further from the further bottom wall  36  than the thread arrangement  38 . 
     The fourth intended separation line  50  is interrupted at the thread end portion  43 . The second intended separation line arrangement  49  further comprises a fifth intended separation line  53  which is substantially parallel to the lower edge  42  and is arranged between the thread intermediate portion  46  and the thread end portion  43 . The fifth intended separation line  53  is circumferentially larger than the thread end portion and extends bilaterally therefrom. In the interrupted zone  52  there is provided a sixth intended separation line  54  which extends transversally to the lower edge  42  in such a way as to connect a first end  110  of the fifth intended separation line  53  with a further first end  111  of the fourth intended separation line  50 . In a region of the cylindrical skirt  37  opposite the interrupted zone  52  with respect to the locking portion  40 , a seventh intended separation line  55  extends transversally to the lower edge  42  in such a way that it connects a second end  112  of the fifth intended separation line  53  with a further second end  113  of the fourth intended separation line  50 . 
       FIG. 16  shows a third version of an opening indicating device  39  comprising a third intended separation line arrangement  56  defining a third removable portion  64  destined to be separated from the cylindrical skirt  37  during a first opening of the container. 
     The third intended separation line arrangement  56  comprises an eighth intended separation line  57  which extends parallel to the thread arrangement  38 . In particular, the eighth intended separation line  57  extends from a first zone  59 , arranged inferiorly of the thread intermediate portion  46  and close to a further interrupted zone  58 , to a second zone  60 , arranged superiorly of the thread intermediate portion  46  and close to the further interrupted zone  58 , in such a way as to affect the cylindrical skirt  37  substantially over the whole perimeter. 
     In other words, the eighth intended separation line  57  comprises a first end  116  arranged in the further interrupted zone  58 , superiorly of the thread intermediate portion  46 , and a second end  117  arranged in the further interrupted zone  58 , inferiorly of the thread intermediate portion  46 . 
     The third intended separation line arrangement  56  further comprises a ninth intended separation line  61  which extends along the further interrupted zone  58  transversally to the lower edge  42  and connects the first end  116  and the second end  117  of the eighth intended separation line  57 . 
     Alternatively, the first intended separation line arrangement  44 , the second intended separation line arrangement  49  and the third intended separation line arrangement  56  can comprise at least a non-weakened portion, in such a way that the part of the cap  35  which comprises the locking portion  40 , and which functions as a tamper-evident ring, does not separate completely from the remaining part of the cap  35  so as to be discarded into the environment. 
       FIG. 17  shows the cap  35  cooperating with the neck  1  in an intermediate screwing-on position on the container. The locking portion  40  has such a dimension so as to be able to advance, while the cap  35  is being screwed onto the neck  1 , along cavities interposed between successive helices of the thread arrangement  38 . In particular,  FIG. 17  shows the locking portion  40  arranged in a cavity  103  defined between a first helix  65  of the thread arrangement  38  and a second helix of the thread arrangement  38 . 
       FIG. 18  shows a final screw-on position of the cap  35  on the container. When the cap  35  is screwed on the neck  1 , a lower surface  68  of the thread arrangement  38  interacts with an upper surface  67  of the locking portion  40 , such as to elastically deform the locking portion  40  so as to move away from the further bottom wall  36 , as is schematically shown in  FIG. 19 . When the cap  35  has been completely screwed on the neck  1 , the locking portion  40  is arranged such that the upper surface  67  is disengaged from the lower surface  68 , as schematically shown in  FIG. 20 . The locking portion  40  is then arranged such that a locking surface  69  provided thereon is facing the abutting surface  7 . Alternatively, the locking portion  40  can be shaped such that the upper surface  67  does not interact with the thread  3  when the cap  35  is screwed onto the neck  1 . 
     During the first opening of the container, the abutting surface  7  prevents the locking portion  40 , which is in the final screw-on position, from moving in an opening direction B. Thus shearing and traction forces are generated, which act along the first intended separation line arrangement  44 , or along the second intended separation line arrangement  49 , or along the third intended separation line arrangement  56 , so that there is a separation either of the first removable portion  62  or the second removable portion  63 , or the third removable portion  64 , from the cylindrical skirt  37 . 
     The locking surface  69  is arranged transversally to a wall  500  of the cylindrical skirt  37 . In particular, the locking surface  39  can lie on a plane passing through a longitudinal axis W of the cap  35  and can be substantially perpendicular to the wall  500 , as shown in  FIG. 16 . Alternatively, the locking surface  39  can lie on an inclined plane with respect to the further longitudinal axis W. 
       FIGS. 24 to 26  show a cap  135  comprising a bottom wall  136  from which a cylindrical skirt  137  projects transversally. The bottom wall  136  and the cylindrical skirt  137  define, together, a base body  406  of the cap  135 . 
     A thread arrangement  138  projects from the cylindrical skirt  137  internally of the cap  135 . 
     The cap  135  comprises a tamper-evident band  401 . An intended separation line  402  is defined between the tamper-evident band  401  and the cylindrical skirt  137 , identified by a plurality of breakable bridge elements  403  which extend between the tamper-evident band  401  and the cylindrical skirt  137 . Alternatively, the intended separation line can be defined by weakened portions, for example non-through cuts, or by portions of plastics, continuous or interrupted, having a smaller thickness than the tamper-evident band  401  and the cylindrical skirt  137 . 
     The tamper-evident band  401  comprises a stop arrangement  600  predisposed to promote the breakage of the bridge elements  403  when the cap  135  is removed for the first time from a neck of a container. 
     The stop arrangement is arranged along a helix arrangement of the thread arrangement  138 . 
     The thread arrangement  138  comprises a first thread portion arrangement  404  and a second thread portion arrangement  405 , mutually distinct, a cavity  407  being interposed between the first thread portion arrangement  404  and the second thread portion arrangement  405 . 
     The first thread portion arrangement  404  and the second thread portion arrangement  405  extend along a same helix of the thread arrangement  138 . 
     The first thread portion arrangement  404  extends in the base body  406 , in particular in the cylindrical skirt  137 . 
     The second thread portion arrangement  405  extends in the tamper-evident band  401 . 
     The first thread portion arrangement  404  and the second thread portion arrangement  405  are arranged on opposite side of the intended separation line  402 , the intended separation line  402  crossing the cavity  407 . 
     The second thread portion arrangement  405  comprises a contrast surface arrangement  408  arranged for interacting with abutting elements associated with a neck of a container in order to promote breakage of the bridge elements  403  when the cap is unscrewed from the neck of the container for the first time. 
     In the version shown in  FIGS. 24 and 25 , the stop arrangement  600  comprises the second thread portion arrangement. 
     In a not-shown version, the stop arrangement can comprise a flap arrangement—or a hook arrangement—provided with a contrast surface arrangement  408  and lying on a helix of the thread arrangement  138  on which the first thread arrangement  404  also lies. 
     The flap arrangement—or the hook arrangement—has dimensions such as to be received between two consecutive helices of the thread arrangement  138 , when the cap  135  is screwed on the neck  1 . 
       FIG. 26  shows how a cap  135  of the type shown in  FIGS. 24 and 25  is associable with a neck  1  of the type described with reference to  FIGS. 27 to 30 . In this case, the thread arrangement  138  comprises a first further thread  138   a , a second further thread  138   b  and a third further thread, not shown in  FIG. 26 , which engage with the first thread  3   a , with the second thread  3   b  and with the third thread  3   c  of the threading  3 . The second thread portion arrangement  405  comprises three contrast portions, a first contrast portion  405   a  obtained in the first further thread  138   a , a second contrast portion  405   b , obtained in the second further thread  138   b , and a third contrast portion, not shown in  FIG. 26 , obtained in the third further thread. 
     Alternatively, the thread arrangement  138  can comprise a number of threads other than three, in particular the thread arrangement can comprise a single thread. 
     When the cap  135  is screwed onto the neck  1  for the first time, the second thread portion arrangement  405  is received between consecutive helices of the thread arrangement and screws onto the thread arrangement. 
     The neck  1  comprises a plurality of contrast elements  71 , in particular a first contrast element  71   a , a second contrast element  71   b  and a third contrast element, not shown in  FIG. 26 . 
     The cap  135  is rotated up until when the first contrast portion  405   a  has passed beyond the first contrast element  71   a , the second contrast portion  405   b  has passed beyond the second contrast element  71   b , and the third contrast portion has passed beyond the third contrast element. 
     To enable the second thread portion arrangement  405  to pass the abutting elements  71  more easily, the abutting elements are provided with a curved surface  409  which extends between the external surface  8  and the active surface  72 . The abutting elements  71  have a dimension, measured radially with respect to the neck  1 , which increases as it proceeds in a direction along which the cap  135  is screwed onto the neck  1 . 
     When the cap  135  is unscrewed from the neck  1  for the first time, the contrast surface arrangement  408  interacts with the active surface  72  of the contrast elements in order to generate a shearing force which causes the fracturing of the bridge elements  403 . 
     In the version shown in  FIG. 26 , the contrast surface arrangement  408  and the active surfaces  72  are arranged substantially perpendicular with respect to an intended opening direction along which the cap  135  is unscrewed from the neck  1 . 
     In a not-shown version, the active surfaces  72  are inclined with respect to the intended opening direction, in order to define an inclined plane, or a cam profile, which facilitates fracturing of the bridge elements  403 , as described with reference to Figures from  27  to  30 . In this case, the contrast surface arrangement  408  is also inclined with respect to the intended opening direction, according to the active surfaces  72 , in order to engage with the active surfaces  72 . 
     In particular, the contrast surface arrangement  408  comprises a first contrast surface  408   a  obtained in the first contrast portion  405   a  and interacting with the first active surface  72   a , a second contrast surface  408   b  obtained in the second contrast portion  405   b  and interacting with the second active surface  72   b  and a third contrast surface, not shown in  FIGS. 24 and 25 , obtained in the third contrast portion interacting with the third active surface. 
     A cap comprising a stop arrangement  600  provided with a flap arrangement—or a hook arrangement—instead of the second thread portion arrangement  405 , interacts with the neck  1 , and in particular with the abutting elements  71 , in similar ways to the ways described above with reference to the second thread portion arrangement  405 . 
       FIG. 31  shows a version of the neck  1  shown in  FIGS. 26 to 30 . 
     The neck  1  comprises a first abutting element  71   a , a second abutting element  71   b  and a third abutting element  71   c , arranged at angular intervals of substantially 120°. 
     The first abutting element  71   a  comprises an active surface  72   a  arranged substantially radially with respect to the neck  1 . 
     The second abutting element  71   b  comprises a second active surface  72   b  with forms an obtuse angle □ 1  with a plane X 1  which is tangential to the external surface  8  at a point P 1  in which the second active surface  72   b  intersects the external surface  8 . 
     The third abutting element  71   c  comprises a third active surface  72   c  which forms an acute angle □ 2  with a plane X 2  which is tangential to the external surface  8  at a point P 2  in which the third active surface  72   c  intersects the external surface  8 . The neck  1  shown in  FIG. 31  can be obtained using usual moulds comprising a pair of half-moulds which are linearly movable towards and away from one another along the direction F. 
     When the mould is in a closed forming configuration, the half-moulds are placed in reciprocal contact along a plane Z comprising the first active surface  72   a  and arranged substantially perpendicular to direction F. 
     As the second active surface  72   b  is inclined at angle □ 1  and the third active surface  72   c  is inclined at angle □ 2 , the neck  1 —and in particular the second abutting element  71   b  and the third abutting element  71   c —does not comprise undercut portions which would prevent the displacement of the half-moulds along direction F, and consequently would prevent the extract of the neck  1  from the mould.