Patent Description:
According to EU Directive <NUM>/<NUM>, any beverage container that is intended for single-use only may no longer contain parts - such as caps or temper evident members - that are removable from the spout when sold in the EU after <NUM> July <NUM>. This Directive is aimed at reducing the amount of plastic waste in the environment.

At present, many single-use beverage containers, e.g. pouches filled with a fruit substance, yoghurt, a liquid, etc. etc. etc. comprise caps that are screwed on the spout and that are attached to said spout via a tamper evident closure. The cap is typically screwed on the spout after the pouch is filled with the substance, and closes the outlet tube of the spout. Once the pouch is opened by removing the cap from the outlet tube of the spout, the cap is physically disconnected from the spout. Although it can be screwed back on, often such caps end up in the environment. Examples of such spouts and caps for closing beverage containers can easily be found in the patent literature. To mention just one example, reference is made to <CIT>.

Often, the cap and the spout are made of (slightly) different plastic compositions. When the cap is screwed back on the spout, recycling of the two different materials is actually quite difficult, as it is difficult to sort and distinguish the two slightly different plastic materials during recycling.

Non-separable spouts and caps complying with EU Directive <NUM>/<NUM> may e.g. be obtained by using a flip-top closure having a film hinge to connect cap and spout, as e.g. found nowadays on bottles comprising a liquid. For example, a film hinge is disclosed in patent application <CIT>. A first disadvantage of such a film hinge is that the cap tends to move back to its closed position when opened, and pricks into the nose of a user drinking from the bottle. This is unpleasant for the user. A second disadvantage of such film hinges is that they do not solve the recycling problem described in the above, as the bottle and the cap are often made of different materials which are not easily sorted during recycling.

<CIT> relates to a spout assembly comprising a spout and a cap. The spout has a cylindrical outer tube to be placed outside a package and a base to be bonded to the inner surface of the package. The cap is separably connected to an extremity of the cylindrical outer tube coaxially with the cylinder outer tube in a position in which the cap is pushed into the cylindrical outer tube. A first disadvantage of this solution is that it is not possible to fill the package after the spout-and-cap-assembly has been sealed to it. Instead the package must be filled before the spout-and-cap assembly is mounted to it. This is not always practical and deviates from the standard practice in factories around the world. In particular, this results in a relatively inefficient filling of the pouch, in the sense that more pouch material is needed for a particular volume of goods. A second disadvantage is that although the cap can be clicked on the spout in the open position of the cap, in this open position (as e.g. illustrated in Figure <NUM> of <CIT>) the cap remains quite close to the outlet tube of the spout so that a consumer cannot comfortably drink from the spout, the lips will contact the cap which is unpleasant. It must thus be rather uncomfortable and awkward to drink from such a spout.

<CIT> relates to a one-piece dispensing closure for a pouch-like container, including an integrally formed closure body, dispensing neck, hinged cap, a tamper-evident closure system and a latch for maintaining the cap in an open position. A first disadvantage of the solution of <CIT> is that once the closure is assembled to the pouch, it cannot be filled without breaking the tamper evident closure. A second disadvantage is that although the cap can be maintained in an open position due to the latch (see e.g. <FIG>), the position in which the cap is maintained is not very inviting and friendly for consumers to consume the contents of the pouch through the outlet tube.

<CIT> relates to a spout assembly including a spout sealing portion coupled on a container sealing portion, a spouting portion formed on the spouting sealing portion and extending upward, a closure for closing the spouting portion, the closure being connected to the spouting portion by a connecting member, and a closure location maintaining member for, when the closure is opened, maintaining the closure at a location where the closure does not obstruct the flow of contents discharged through the spouting portion.

Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to provide a user-friendly cap-spout unit that complies with EU Directive <NUM>/<NUM>, i.e. of which the cap and the spout cannot be separated (in normal use). Preferably, such a cap-spout unit should be made of a single material, to make recycling more easy.

A second objective of the present invention is to provide a cap-spout unit of which the different parts cannot be separated, that can be sealed to a pouch before the pouch is filled, through which the pouch can be filled and that preferably may also comprise a temper evident measure.

A first aspect of the present invention relates to a spout-cap unit according to claim <NUM>.

In general, the longer the outlet tube the more pleasant it is for a consumer to consume a good therethrough, but the more difficult it is to allow the cap to be removed from the outlet tube (when relying on some sort of hinge mechanism and not screw thread). Advantageously, the implementation of the ring element along which the cap may be moved allows the use of a relative long outlet tube on the spout, of up to <NUM> or <NUM>, while still allowing the cap to be removed from the outlet tube and keeping overall proportions minimal
Because of the ring element, the protrusion on the upper edge of the cap and the flange of the lower edge of the cap, the cap may be moved up and down with respect to the ring element / outlet tube without it becoming detached from the spout. This has the effect that one can initially pull the cap upwards with respect to the outlet tube, remove the cap from the outlet tube, and then move it away from the outlet tube.

This leads to the second advantage, as in the retained position the cap can be slid down again with respect to the ring element, so that the cap is very far away from the outlet tube, possibly entirely below the outlet tube. With the cap in such a position a consumer can drink from the outlet tube in a highly friendly and convenient manner.

Further advantageously, the cap part and the spout part of the spout-cap unit remain coupled in both the closed position and the retaining position of the cap part, as well as in any intermediate position. Of course, when using an excessive force it may be possible to break the tethering member(s) and physically separate the spout part and the cap part. However, in normal use the cap part and the spout part remain coupled, thereby complying with EU Directive <NUM>/<NUM>. In embodiments, after having opened the cap and placing it in the retained position to consume a consumable from the pouch or container of which the spout-cap unit is a part, the cap can be placed back on the outlet tube to close the outlet again.

Further advantageously, the retaining position is located away from the outlet of the outlet tube, and the cap or tethering member is coupled with the retaining member to retain the cap in the retaining position. At this retaining position, the cap is temporarily fixed at a position away from the outlet of the spout - either directly by coupling the cap itself with the retaining member, or indirectly by coupling the tethering member with the retaining member - so that the cap does not hinder a user when consuming the contents of the pouch to which the spout-cap unit will typically be sealed. For example, the coupling of the cap or tethering member with the retaining member can be achieved by clicking the cap on the retaining member, by hooking the cap under the retaining member, or by pressing the cap on the retaining member. For example, the tethering member can be coupled with the retaining member.

According to the present invention, the spout-cap unit comprises a spout part. A spout is an element well known to those skilled in the art of single-use plastic containers, such as pouches. A spout is typically sealed to a pouch before or after the pouch is filled with a consumable good (which consumable good can be a food product, or a non-food product). All known spouts comprise at least a sealboat, to which the pouch is sealed and an outlet tube, through which the consumable good in the pouch is consumed by a user.

As explained in the above, when filling the pouch the outlet tube may be used as an inlet, particularly when the spout is sealed to the pouch before the pouch is filled. The consumable product is then typically introduced in the pouch through the outlet tube of the spout, which then thus functions as an inlet tube. However, to the end consumer it is an outlet tube, through which the consumable good comes out of the spout / pouch.

According to the present invention, the cap part of the spout-cap unit, in a closed position, closes the outlet of the outlet tube. Also a cap is an element well known to one skilled in the art of single-use plastic containers. Typically, on presently available single-use plastic pouches the cap is screwed on the spout and must be unscrewed to open the pouch. It is noted that such a screw connection may not be implemented on the spout-cap unit according to the present disclosure.

According to the present invention, the spout part and the cap part are tethered together via at least one tethering member. The tethering member is e.g. a line, wire or hinge element of injection-moulded material, that is formed at the same time, i.e. in a single mould together with, the cap and the spout. The tethering member will typically be of the same material as the spout part and the cap part. The tethering member may typically not prevent separation of the spout and the cap from each other under all circumstances. For example, one willing to do so may separate the spout and the cap by cutting the tethering member or by snapping the tethering member by pulling on the cap. However, in normal operating conditions, where the cap is manipulated with some care, the spout and cap should remain attached to each other via the tethering member. The tethering member effectively forms a flexible bridge between the spout part and the cap part, joining the two together.

The area in between the inner surface of the cap part and the outer surface of the outlet tube is preferably substantially empty, the inner surface of the cap being substantially free (i.e. spaced apart) from the outer surface of the outlet tube, allowing the cap part to be released from the outlet tube. Compared to the closed position, wherein the cap covers the outlet tube, when the cap is removed from the outlet tube it is in a released state.

The tethering member preferably has a flexibility that allows the cap, once it is released from the spout, to be brought to a retaining position away from the outlet of the outlet tube. In embodiments, the tethering member may act as a hinge or spring that allows the cap to transfer to the retaining position once released from the outlet tube, or even urges the cap towards said retaining position.

In embodiments the retaining position is defined by a retaining member. The retaining member is e.g. formed on the spout, and allows the cap or the tethering member to be coupled with the spout at the retaining position.

For example, the retaining member may have a shape that substantially matches the inner circumference of the cap part, so that the cap part can be clicked on the retaining member.

For example, the retaining member may define a protrusion, under which the cap or tethering member can be clamped or secured.

For example, the retaining member may define a protrusion, on which the cap can be clamped.

In other embodiments the tethering member is coupled with the retaining member to retain the cap at a position away from the outlet tube.

Even though EU Directive <NUM>/<NUM> refers to single use containers only, it should be noted that the spout-cap unit as disclosed herein is also advantageous on containers which are intended for multiple use, especially if the cap can be reliably placed back in the closed position again. In other words, the present invention is not limited to only spouts-cap units forming a part of single-use containers.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a distance between the flange and the radial projection of the cap exceeds <NUM>. This advantageously ensures that the cap may be positioned relatively far away from the outlet tube in the retained position, so that the outlet tube is freed as good as possible and drinking therefrom is as pleasant as possible.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the cap part and the spout part are made from the same material. This may allow the spout part and the cap part to be made in one injection mould, in just a single process step. This may allow the spout part and the cap part to be recycled in an effective manner, as the material of the cap needs not be separated from the material of the spout, but can be processed in the same stream when the two are made from the same material.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the spout-cap unit is injection moulded. Injection moulding is the present day standard for manufacturing spouts and caps, and the spout-cap unit as presented herein can quite easily be injection moulded. However, it is not excluded that in the future other manufacturing techniques may be competitive with injection moulding in terms of speed and cost price. It is expected that also such techniques are capable to produce a spout-cap unit as presented herein.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the spout-cap unit may be made as a single part. This is mainly advantageous when the spout-cap unit is sealed to a pouch after the pouch is filled with a consumable product. In such an embodiment, the cap fully circumvents the outlet of the outlet tube, in both the radial and the axial direction, when the unit is manufactured.

In an embodiment of the present invention an upper edge of the cap unit, as e.g. formed by the plug element has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of a body of the cap, the cap furthermore having a flange near its lower edge. A ring element circumvents the body of the cap at the outer side of the body and is moveable between the upper edge of the cap and the flange. The tethering member is connected to this ring element. Due to the moveability of the ring member along the body of the cap, this allows the combination of cap and tethering member to move a relatively large distance with respect to the spout even when a relatively small tethering member is used. This ensures that the outer dimensions of the cap-spout unit can be minimized.

In an embodiment of the present invention the cap part and the spout part are free from screw thread. Instead the space between the inner surface of the cap and the outer surface of the outlet tube may be substantially vacant. To prevent the cap and the spout from accidental disengagement, the tethering member is provided. Preferably, before the cap is opened, also tamper evident elements may physically connect the cap to the outlet tube. In embodiments where the container (pouch) is for multiple-use, preferably the cap can be placed back on the spout, the cap then closing the spout reliably again.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the outer dimensions of the cap part and the tethering member do not exceed a width of <NUM> and/or do not exceed a height of <NUM>. Presently used spouts are typically transported on rails, having an inner dimension of <NUM> width x <NUM> height. To allow easy market adaption of the presently disclosed spout-cap unit, transportation in the same rail should advantageously be possible.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a tamper-evident connection further connects the spout part and the cap part to each other when the cap part has been unopened. Preferably, said tamper evident connection is visible when the cap part is unopened. For example, this can be achieved by injection moulding one or more relatively thin - and thus: weak - bridge lines from the outer surface of the cap part to the outer surface of the spout part, e.g. the outlet tube.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the spout part comprises a ramp at the surface that faces the bottom opening the cap part, and the edge of the cap part that faces the ramp of the spout part comprises a notch, a shape of the notch matching the shape of the ramp. This will help to twist open the spout-cap unit more easily. Preferably, said notch has a substantially straight edge at one end thereof. This makes it advantageously very intuitive for a user which direction to turn the cap into with respect to the outlet tube to open the cap.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the retaining position of the cap part is located to the side and/or below of the closed position of the cap part. Preferably and advantageously, the outlet of the outlet tube is freed up as much as possible, to make it as pleasant as possible to allow a consumer to consume the contents of the pouch.

A second aspect of the present invention relates to a pouch comprising a spout-cap unit as described in the above. Advantages of such a pouch are the same as advantages of the spout-cap units according to the first and second aspect of the present invention. Besides a pouch, the spout-cap unit may in principle by connected to any container containing a liquid, gaseous, granular or other substance.

These and other aspects of the present invention will now be elucidated further with reference to the attached figures, wherein the same reference numerals denote like or the same elements of the spout-cap unit. In these figures:.

With reference to <FIG> initially, shown is a spout-cap unit <NUM> comprising a spout <NUM> and a cap <NUM>. The spout <NUM> comprises a sealboat <NUM>, against which a pouch can be sealed to form a pouch with an outlet. The spout <NUM> further comprises an outlet tube <NUM>. Outlet tube <NUM> and sealboat <NUM> are formed integrally with each other. When the pouch is sealed to the sealboat <NUM> and the pouch is filled with a consumable, the consumable can be removed from the pouch through the outlet tube <NUM>. The outlet tube <NUM> comprises an outlet opening <NUM>, through which the consumable leaves the spout <NUM>. As will be familiar to one working in the field of spouts and pouches, the pouch can also be filled through the outlet tube <NUM>, which then for the purpose of filling the pouch also serves as an inlet tube.

The spout <NUM> also comprises a retaining member <NUM>, the function of which will become more clear with reference to <FIG> described in the below.

The cap <NUM> closes off the outlet <NUM>. The cap <NUM> fully surrounds the outlet <NUM> in the circumferential direction, and also has a closed upper surface. The cap <NUM> is assembled from a body element <NUM>, manufactured integrally with the spout <NUM>, and a plug element <NUM>, manufactured separately from the spout <NUM> and clamped into the body element <NUM>. In one possible filling method, after the spout <NUM> and body element <NUM> are manufactured in a single manufacturing step, the spout <NUM> body element <NUM> combination is sealed to a pouch. The pouch is filled with a consumable through the outlet tube <NUM> (which for that purpose functions as an inlet tube). The body element <NUM> circumvents the outlet opening <NUM> in the radial direction, but leaves open the outlet opening <NUM> in an axial direction so that the pouch can be filled. After filling, to reliable close the outlet opening <NUM>, plug element <NUM> is pressed into body element <NUM>, preferably in an unreleasable manner, to form the cap <NUM>. In the position as shown here, the cap <NUM> is in its closed position, where it closes the outlet <NUM> of the spout <NUM>.

Further shown in <FIG> is grip element <NUM>, substantially wing-shaped, which allows the user to more easily grab the cap <NUM> and twist it to open it. The grip element <NUM> can be formed integrally with the cap <NUM>, or the grip element <NUM> can be separately manufactured, to be attached to the cap <NUM> e.g. after the pouch is filled.

Preferably, as the spout <NUM> and the body element <NUM> are made at the same time, e.g. in the same injection mould in a single injection moulding step, they are made from the same material. This makes it easy and cost-efficient to manufacture the spout <NUM> body element <NUM> combination. Preferably also the plug element <NUM> is made of said material, and preferably also the grip element <NUM> is made of the same material. Although in principle different materials could be chosen for the plug element <NUM> and the grip element <NUM>, when making these of the same material as well, recycling of the spout-cap unit <NUM> as a whole is made much more easy.

As an alternative to using a plug unit <NUM> to be inserted into body element <NUM> to close off the outlet tube <NUM> (after filling the pouch), the cap unit <NUM> can also be made as one part, preferably in one injection moulding step together with the spout <NUM>. This would mostly be applied when the spout-cap unit <NUM> is sealed to a pouch after the pouch is filled with a consumable, and when the outlet tube <NUM> does not need to act as an inlet tube as well.

The body element <NUM> and the outlet tube <NUM> are connected to each other via tamper evident members <NUM>, which is better shown in the exploded view of <FIG>. Thus, the tamper evident members <NUM> connect cap <NUM> and spout <NUM>. The tamper evident member <NUM> connects on one end to the outer surface of the outlet tube <NUM>, and on the other end to the outer surface of the body element <NUM>. When the tamper evident members <NUM> are connected to both cap <NUM> and spout <NUM>, the user can rely on the fact that the outlet has not been opened after production of the spout-cap unit <NUM>, hence that the contents of the pouch have not been tampered with.

Turning now to <FIG>, well visible compared to <FIG> is tethering member <NUM>. The tethering member <NUM>, like the tamper evident member <NUM>, connects the cap <NUM> to the spout <NUM>. However, unlike the tamper evident member <NUM>, tethering member <NUM> remains connected to the spout <NUM> and the cap <NUM> when the cap <NUM> is opened, i.e. removed from the outlet tube <NUM> of the spout <NUM>. The tethering member <NUM> may e.g. be shaped as a wire connection, having one end 31A connected to the spout <NUM> and an opposite end 31B connected to the cap <NUM>. Even though it will typically be possible to break the tethering member <NUM> when an excessive amount of force is applied to it, or when it is e.g. cut with a knife, a blade or another sharp item, in normal use the tethering member <NUM> connects the cap <NUM> and the spout <NUM> at all times, in both the closed position C as well as in the retained position R. As shown, in the closed cap position C, wherein the cap <NUM> closes off the outlet <NUM> of the outlet tube <NUM>, the tethering member <NUM> connects spout <NUM> and cap <NUM> so that they form a spout-cap unit <NUM>. Also in the retaining position R, the cap <NUM> and the spout <NUM> remain connected via tethering member <NUM>. While connecting cap <NUM> and spout <NUM>, the tethering member <NUM> allows the cap <NUM> to be moved away from its closed position C, towards a retaining position R below the closed position C and to the side of the closed position C as shown, exposing the outlet <NUM> of the outlet tube <NUM> so that a user can e.g. drink the consumable of the pouch. At the retaining position R, the cap <NUM> is coupled with retaining member <NUM> of the spout <NUM>. In the presently shown embodiment, the cap <NUM> is clicked on the retaining member <NUM>. Preferably, the tethering member <NUM> is shaped in such a way that a compressive or tensile force is enacted on the cap <NUM> when the cap <NUM> is in the retained position R, so that the cap <NUM> remains in the retained position R more securely.

Turning now to <FIG>, an embodiment of the spout-cap unit <NUM> somewhat similar to the embodiment of <FIG> is shown. In <FIG>, the part where the outlet tube <NUM> and the body element <NUM> of cap <NUM> are arranged over one another is worked open, to explain how the unit <NUM> can be made via an injection moulding process. As visible from <FIG>, and as preferred, outlet tube <NUM> and cap <NUM> are substantially spaced apart from each other. There is no screw thread at which the cap <NUM> and the outlet tube <NUM> physically connect, and there are very few points of contact between the cap <NUM> and the outlet tube <NUM>. While this lack of contact between cap <NUM> and outlet tube <NUM> makes it relatively easy to remove the cap <NUM> from the outlet <NUM>, it raises difficulties in terms of manufacturing the unit <NUM>, especially in a single injection moulding step.

The only point where the body element <NUM> and the outlet tube <NUM> are connected is the tamper evident seal <NUM>, here located at the inner side of the cap <NUM>, in between cap <NUM> and outlet tube <NUM>. The tamper evident seal <NUM> of the embodiment shown here is too small to allow all material of the cap <NUM> to be reliable injected for the formation of body element <NUM> of cap <NUM> when a single injection moulding step is desired. However, when the tamper evident members are e.g. arranged at the outside of the cap <NUM>, they may be large enough to allow the material of the body element <NUM> to be filled therethrough during injection moulding.

Further shown in <FIG> is a notch <NUM>, protruding with respect to a lower edge <NUM> of the cap <NUM>. The notch <NUM> is received in a ramp <NUM> arranged in the surface <NUM> of the spout <NUM> that faces the lower edge <NUM> of the cap <NUM>.

Turning now to <FIG> and <FIG>, which are described in conjunction, a further embodiment of a retaining member <NUM> is shown. Here the retaining member <NUM> is circular, having an outer circumference that substantially matches the inner diameter of the bottom opening <NUM> of the cap <NUM>. In <FIG>, the retaining member <NUM> is shown in a frontal view, with cap <NUM> in the closed position C and the tethering members <NUM>, <NUM> connecting cap <NUM> and spout <NUM>. In <FIG>, the cap is shown in both the closed position C as well as the retained position R, with the tethering members <NUM>, <NUM> connecting the cap <NUM> and the spout <NUM> in each of the closed position C and the retained position R. In embodiments, not necessarily associated with the present figure, it is possible that the cap <NUM>, once opened, can be placed back on the outlet tube <NUM>, with the cap <NUM> again reliably closing the outlet <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, there may be two tethering members <NUM>, <NUM>. When two tethering members are present, the movement of the cap <NUM> with respect to the spout <NUM> is limited. In the present example, the cap <NUM> can only be moved in a direction in and out of the paper once the cap <NUM> is released from the outlet <NUM>. However, in principle one tethering member <NUM>, <NUM> will suffice to perform the tethering function of coupling the cap <NUM> and spout <NUM> in both the closed C and the retained R position. When there are two tethering members <NUM>, <NUM>, they preferably have same lengths, as shown here.

As shown in <FIG>, there may be two retaining members <NUM>, one on the right (where the cap <NUM> is placed) and one on the left. In such an embodiment, a user can choose where the cap <NUM> is placed in the retained position R. In principle, one retaining member <NUM> will however be sufficient.

Turning now to <FIG>, a yet further embodiment of the spout-cap unit <NUM> is shown. Here, the retaining members <NUM> are formed as projection members on the outlet tube <NUM>. The cap <NUM> comprises a flange <NUM> near the lower edge thereof. When moving the cap <NUM> to the retaining position R, the flange <NUM> can be hooked under the protrusion <NUM>, to retain the cap <NUM> in the retained position R. Preferably, some tension force is applied on the cap <NUM> in such an embodiment by the tethering member <NUM>, so that the cap <NUM> is reliable secured in the retaining position R.

<FIG> shows a yet further embodiment of the spout-cap unit <NUM>. In this embodiment, dimensions of the tethering members <NUM>, <NUM> and the cap <NUM> are minimized to ensure that the spout-cap unit <NUM> fits in the same transport rail as used nowadays from transporting 'ordinary' spouts. As such, the width w of the spout-cap unit <NUM> is maximized at <NUM>, whereas the height of the cap part <NUM> of the spout-cap unit <NUM> is maximized at <NUM>.

<FIG> show a further embodiment of the spout-cap unit <NUM>. The tethering member <NUM> is here generally W-shaped and connected to the spout unit <NUM> on one end and to the cap unit <NUM> on the other end. The generally W-shaped form of the tethering member <NUM> allows the cap <NUM> to be easily pulled upwards from a closed position C as indicated in <FIG> to a released position (not shown). From the released position the cap <NUM> may be mounted on the retaining member <NUM> indicated in <FIG> to bring the cap <NUM> into its retained position. The W shape of the tethering member <NUM> provides a sufficient length to release the cap <NUM> from the spout <NUM>. When in the retained position, as indicated in <FIG>, the open end of the cap <NUM> faces away from the spout <NUM>, while the closed end of the cap <NUM> engages with the retaining member <NUM>. More specifically, the closed end of the cap is clamped in position at the retaining member <NUM>.

The embodiment shown in <FIG> is comparable to the embodiment shown in <FIG>, with the difference that the cap part <NUM> here has a cut-out. The tethering member <NUM> is housed in said cut-out. This has the technical advantage that the tethering member <NUM> is less prone to breaking and being damaged while being transported and on a shelf of a store. It can have the further technical advantage that when the cap <NUM> is turned <NUM> degrees compared to its closed position (closed position C shown in <FIG>; turned position shown in <FIG>), a protruding lip is formed. This lip can then easily and reliably be coupled with retaining member <NUM> to position the cap <NUM> in the retaining position R. Note that, further in contrast with the embodiment of <FIG>, in the embodiment of <FIG> the open, lower end of the cap <NUM> engages with the retaining member <NUM> to retain the cap <NUM>.

Turning now to <FIG>, a ring member <NUM> is visible. The ring member <NUM> encloses a body portion of the cap <NUM>, the ring member <NUM> being enclosed in between a flange <NUM> at the lower edge of the cap <NUM> and grip element <NUM> at the upper edge of the cap <NUM>. Attached to the ring member <NUM> is tethering member <NUM>, the tethering member <NUM> in this way being coupled with the cap <NUM>. As follows from a comparison of <FIG>, body portion of the cap <NUM> can move up and down with respect to the ring element <NUM>, so that the cap <NUM> can be pulled from the outlet tube <NUM> of the spout <NUM> without needing to stretch the tethering member <NUM> too much (<FIG>) as the ring member <NUM> remains at a stationary position compared to outlet <NUM> as the cap <NUM> moves upwards. In that process, ring member <NUM> moves from a position adjacent the grip member <NUM> to a position adjacent flange <NUM>. This means that the tethering member <NUM> can be of a relatively short length, while still allowing the cap <NUM> to be removed from the spout <NUM> and remaining attached to it. As shown in <FIG> and in more detail in <FIG> the ring member <NUM> is then moved to its upper position adjacent grip element <NUM> again to couple the cap <NUM> with the retaining member <NUM> at a position fully below the outlet tube <NUM>. Conveniently, in this embodiment the protruding corners of the grip element <NUM>, which are gripped by a user to open the cap <NUM>, can be clamped in the retaining member <NUM> of the spout <NUM> to retain the cap <NUM> in the retaining position R.

Turning to <FIG>, here the tethering member <NUM> is of a more substantial width than in the other embodiments and has a cut-out in the lower middle part thereof. As such, the tethering member <NUM> itself can be coupled with the retaining member <NUM> in the way shown in <FIG>. In the embodiment shown here again a ring member <NUM> which encloses the body of the cap <NUM> is used to allow the cap <NUM> to be removed from the spout <NUM> without the tethering member <NUM> elongating too much. When the cap <NUM> is then released (<FIG>) and moved to the retaining position R (<FIG>), the tethering member <NUM> is hooked under the retaining member <NUM> that is formed on the spout <NUM>, to retain the cap <NUM> in the retained position away from the outlet <NUM> of the spout.

Shown in <FIG> is a cap-spout unit <NUM> that is made from two components: a plug element <NUM> and a spout-cap-assembly having an open cap body element <NUM>. The spout-cap-assembly is made as a single injection moulding part, including sealboat <NUM>, outlet tube <NUM>, retaining member <NUM>, cap body element <NUM> and retaining member <NUM>, including ring element <NUM>. It is noted that cap body element <NUM> and outlet tube <NUM> are separated from each other except for at the tamper evident connectors <NUM>. It is also via these tamper evident connectors <NUM> that the cap body element <NUM> can be injection moulded. It is further noted that ring element <NUM> and cap body element <NUM> are separated from each other. <FIG> then shows the spout-cap-assembly with an open-ended cap and the outlet tube <NUM> of the spout part <NUM> left open. This advantageously allows the spout-cap-assembly to be sealed to a pouch before said pouch is filled.

In <FIG>, compared to <FIG>, plug element <NUM> is mounted onto the cap body element <NUM>. As such the outlet <NUM> of the spout part <NUM> is closed and the cap <NUM> is formed. Attention is drawn to ramp <NUM> at the surface of the spout part <NUM> that faces the bottom of the cap part, notch <NUM> on the side of the cap part <NUM> and the tamper evident connectors <NUM> in between notch <NUM> and ramp <NUM>. Turning now to <FIG>, the tamper evident connectors <NUM> can be broken by turning cap <NUM> and moving notch <NUM> up on the ramp <NUM>. In this way, the cap <NUM> is unsealed. It is noted that in this unsealed position, the radial projection <NUM> of the cap <NUM>, as defined by the plug element <NUM>, contacts the ring element <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, from the unsealed position as shown in <FIG> the cap <NUM> may be moved upwards with respect to the outlet tube <NUM>. Even though the cap part <NUM> moves, it remains coupled with the spout part <NUM> as the ring element <NUM> of the tethering member <NUM> and the flange <NUM> of the cap part <NUM> together prevent the separation of cap <NUM> from spout <NUM>.

From the upward cap position shown in <FIG> the cap part <NUM> may be rotated to the side, and free outlet tube <NUM>. As shown, the cap part <NUM> may be manipulated towards a retaining position R in which the tethering member <NUM> is coupled with retaining member <NUM>, to fixate the cap in the retaining position R. It is noticed that both the lateral and the vertical separation between cap <NUM> and outlet tube <NUM> is quite large in the retained position R, with the cap <NUM> most notably being completely below the outlet tube <NUM>. This makes it highly comfortable to drink from the outlet tube <NUM> without noticing the cap <NUM> at all.

<FIG> can be seen as a cross sectional view of <FIG>. As described, the spout-cap-assembly, including seal boat <NUM>, outlet tube <NUM>, retaining member <NUM>, tethering member <NUM>, ring element <NUM>, cap body element <NUM> and tamper evident connectors (not shown) are manufactured as one part, whereas the plug element <NUM> is manufactured as a separate part. Due to concentric annular grooves <NUM>, <NUM> defined between inner walls <NUM>, <NUM> and inner walls <NUM>, <NUM> of the plug element <NUM>, the plug element <NUM> may be connected with the spout-cap assembly. In particular, the connection between cap body element <NUM> and outer groove <NUM> may be unreleasable, whereas the connection between outlet tube <NUM> and inner groove <NUM> may be releasable - to allow the cap <NUM> to be separated from the outlet tube <NUM>, but to prevent separation between plug element <NUM> and cap <NUM>. Besides a connection between inner groove <NUM> and the upper end of outlet tube <NUM>, a further connection may be established between a circumferential recess <NUM> at the most inner wall <NUM> of the plug element <NUM> and a complementary circumferential projection <NUM> at the inner wall of the outlet tube <NUM>.

Advantageously, at least the spout-cap units <NUM> shown in <FIG> can be transported in a "standard" spout transport rail as in use today, despite a tethering member <NUM> and a cap <NUM> being "added" to the spout <NUM> as compared to known spouts. This is an important requirement, as this allows the spout-cap unit <NUM> as presented herein to be put to use in spout processing factories across the globe without the need for new equipment in said factories.

Claim 1:
A spout-cap unit (<NUM>), comprising:
a spout part (<NUM>) including a sealboat (<NUM>), an outlet tube (<NUM>), and a retaining member (<NUM>); and
a cap part (<NUM>) for closing an outlet (<NUM>) of the outlet tube (<NUM>) in a closed position (C) of the cap part (<NUM>);
wherein the spout part (<NUM>) and the cap part (<NUM>) are tethered together via at least one tethering member (<NUM>, <NUM>) to form the spout-cap unit (<NUM>), the tethering member (<NUM>, <NUM>) being connected to the spout part (<NUM>) at one end (31A, 32A) of the tethering member (<NUM>, <NUM>),
wherein the cap part (<NUM>) is releasable from the outlet tube (<NUM>) of the spout part (<NUM>) for providing the cap part (<NUM>) in a released state (S),
wherein in said released state (S), the tethering member (<NUM>, <NUM>) allows the cap part (<NUM>) to be moved to a retaining position (R) that is positioned away from the outlet (<NUM>) of the outlet tube (<NUM>),
wherein the tethering member (<NUM>, <NUM>) can be coupled with the retaining member (<NUM>) of the spout part (<NUM>) for retaining the cap part (<NUM>) at the retaining position (R),
characterized, in that
the cap part (<NUM>) comprises a flange (<NUM>) at its lower edge, a radial projection (<NUM>) at its upper edge, and a body element (<NUM>) in between;
the tethering member (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprises a ring element (<NUM>) that encloses the cap part (<NUM>) at the opposite end (31B, 32B) of the tethering member (<NUM>, <NUM>);
the cap part (<NUM>) is upwardly moveable with respect to the outlet tube (<NUM>) of the spout part (<NUM>); and
in said release state (S) the cap part (<NUM>) and the spout part (<NUM>) remain tethered together via the ring element (<NUM>) of the tethering member (<NUM>, <NUM>).