Patent Description:
The present invention also relates to a container having a closure assembly.

As is known, many liquid or pourable food products, such as fruit juice, UHT (ultra-high-temperature treated) milk, wine, tomato sauce, etc., are sold in containers, such as packages made of sterilized packaging material, bottles, cans and the like.

It is furthermore known that often such containers are provided with a closure assembly being provided with a collar delimiting a pouring outlet allowing the outpouring of the pourable product from the container and a lid configured to selectively open and close the pouring outlet and being connected to the collar when closing the pouring outlet. Document <CIT> discloses a closure assembly for a packaging container.

It is further known that the closure assembly typically also comprises a ring member surrounding the collar and, prior to the first removal of the lid, the ring member and the lid are connected to one another by means of coupling bridges, which rupture during the first removal of the lid from the collar. Thus, the lost connection between the ring element and the lid by means of the ruptured coupling bridges provides a tamper-evidence.

An inconvenience is seen in that the lid is separated from the other portions of the closure assembly and the container when opening the pouring outlet. This means e.g. that a user needs to keep the lid in one hand and the other portions of the closure assembly and the container need to be kept in the other one. Furthermore, such inconvenience may lead to an undesired littering of the lid.

In order to overcome such inconveniences, it has been proposed to hinge the lid to the ring member or to use a tethering element for connecting the ring member and the lid to one another. For example, patent documents <CIT> and <CIT> disclose closure devices wherein the lid is tethered to the container.

While these solutions work well with lids that do not require rotation of the lid for loosening and fastening the lid to the collar, the application of such concepts have not led to the desired results with respect to closure assemblies that require the unscrewing and the screwing of the lid for opening and closing the pouring outlet.

<CIT> discloses a closure assembly according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

It has also been found that some solutions are such that the lid may disturb a user during the outpouring of the pourable food product.

Therefore, the need is felt in the sector to provide a closure assembly overcoming at least one of the aforementioned inconveniences.

In particular, the need is felt to provide a closure assembly, which guarantees that the lid remains coupled to the container with the pouring outlet being open and to provide a reliable tamper-evidence.

In addition or alternatively, the need is felt to provide a closure assembly, which allows to fasten and loosen the lid to the collar by means of a rotation and to guarantee that the lid remains coupled to the container with the pouring outlet being open and providing for a reliable tamper-evidence.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide in a straightforward and low-cost manner an improved closure assembly for containers, in particular filled or fillable with a pourable product, even more particular filled or fillable with a pourable food product.

It is another object of the present invention to provide in a straightforward and low-cost manner an improved closure assembly for containers, which guarantees the coupling of various portions of the containers to one another during the steps of their use.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide in a straightforward and low-cost manner a container, in particular filled or fillable with a pourable product, even more particular filled or fillable with a pourable food product, having a closure assembly.

According to the present invention, there is provided a closure assembly according to independent claim <NUM>.

Further advantageous embodiments of the closure assembly are specified in the dependent claims.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a container according to claim <NUM>.

Number <NUM> indicates as a whole a container, such as a bottle, a package, a can or the like, comprising a main body <NUM> and a closure assembly <NUM> coupled or coupleable to main body <NUM>.

Container <NUM> is filled or fillable with a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product, even more particular a sterilized and/or a sterile-processed pourable food product, such as fruit juice, milk (e.g. ultra-high-temperature treated milk), wine, tomato sauce, sugar, salt and others.

The following description will refer to containers <NUM>, in particular main bodies <NUM>, obtained from a web of packaging material having a multilayer structure, although this is in no way intended to limit the scope of protection as defined by the accompanying claims.

In particular, the web of packaging material comprises at least a layer of fibrous material, such as e.g. a paper or cardboard layer, and at least two layers of heat-seal plastic material, e.g. polyethylene, interposing the layer of fibrous material in between one another. One of these two layers of heat-seal plastic material defining the inner face of main body <NUM> contacting the pourable product.

Preferably but not necessarily, the web of packaging material also comprises a layer of gas- and light-barrier material, e.g. aluminum foil or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, in particular being arranged between one of the layers of the heat-seal plastic material and the layer of fibrous material. Preferentially but not necessarily, the web of packaging material also comprises a further layer of heat-seal plastic material being interposed between the layer of gas- and light-barrier material and the layer of fibrous material.

According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, main body <NUM> defines a sealed package, in particular a sealed carton package, having a designated pour opening surface area (not shown and known as such), and closure assembly <NUM> is fitted to main body <NUM> about the designated pour opening surface area.

According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, closure assembly(ies) <NUM> is(are) applied to main body(ies) <NUM> prior, during or after formation, filling and sealing of main body(ies) <NUM> by means of a molding process and/or adhesive bonding and/or ultrasonic bonding.

Alternatively, closure assembly(ies) <NUM> can be applied onto the web of packaging material prior to arranging the web of packaging material within or during advancement of the web of packaging material within a packaging machine for forming, filling and sealing main body(ies) <NUM> from the web of packaging material.

With particular reference to <FIG>, main body <NUM> extends along a longitudinal axis A, a first transversal axis B and a second transversal axis C. In particular, longitudinal axis A is perpendicular to first transversal axis B and second transversal axis C and first transversal axis B and second transversal axis C are perpendicular to one another.

Preferentially but not necessarily, the extension of main body <NUM> along longitudinal axis A is larger than the extension of main body <NUM> along first transversal axis B and second transversal axis C.

Preferentially but not necessarily, main body <NUM> is parallelepiped-shaped.

According to the non-limiting embodiment disclosed, main body <NUM> comprises a first wall portion <NUM>, in particular being transversal, even more particular perpendicular, to longitudinal axis A, from which main body <NUM> extends along longitudinal axis A. Preferably but not necessarily, first wall portion <NUM> defines a support surface of container <NUM>, in particular main body <NUM>, which, in use, can be put in contact with a support, such as e.g. a shelf, when, in use, being e.g. exposed within a sales point or when being stored. In particular, when being arranged on a support and/or, in use, during consumption of the pourable food product by a consumer from container <NUM> first wall portion <NUM> defines a bottom wall portion.

Preferably but not necessarily, main body <NUM> also comprises a plurality of lateral walls <NUM> being (fixedly) connected to first wall portion <NUM> and extending, in particular substantially parallel to longitudinal axis A, from first wall portion <NUM>.

Preferably but not necessarily, main body <NUM> also comprises a second wall portion <NUM> opposite to first wall portion <NUM> and being (fixedly) connected to lateral walls <NUM>. In other words, lateral walls <NUM> are interposed between first wall portion <NUM> and second wall portion <NUM>. In particular, when being arranged on a support and/or, in use, during consumption of the pourable food product by a consumer from container <NUM>, second wall portion <NUM> defines a top wall portion.

According to some non-limiting embodiments, first wall portion <NUM> and second wall portion <NUM> may be parallel to one another.

According to a non-limiting alternative embodiment not shown, first wall portion <NUM> and second wall portion <NUM> could be inclined with respect to one another.

According to some non-limiting embodiments, second wall portion <NUM> comprises the designated pour opening surface area.

According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, the designated pour opening surface area of main body <NUM> comprises a pouring hole allowing for the outflow of the pourable product from main body <NUM>.

According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, the designated pour opening surface area also comprises a separation membrane sealing the pouring hole. In particular, the separation membrane is configured to retain the pourable product within main body <NUM> when being intact and to be at least partially (and non-reversibly) openable and/or rupturable and/or cuttable and/or piercable so as to allow the outflow of the pourable product from main body <NUM> through at least a portion of the pouring hole. In particular, the separation membrane is configured to allow the outflow of the pourable product after its loss of integrity and to protect the pourable product from the outer environment prior to its cutting and/or opening and/or rupturing and/or piercing.

Preferentially but not necessarily, the separation membrane comprises a gas- and light-barrier material, e.g. aluminum foil or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film.

According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, the separation membrane is defined by a portion of the web of packaging material, in particular a portion of the layers of the web of packaging material being different from the layer of fibrous material.

According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, closure assembly <NUM> comprises and/or is formed from a polymeric material. In alternative, closure assembly <NUM> could comprise and/or is formed from a metallic material.

With particular reference to <FIG>, closure assembly <NUM> comprises at least:.

Advantageously, closure assembly <NUM> also comprises:.

It should be noted that coupling element <NUM> is connected to lid <NUM> and first ring member <NUM> or second ring member <NUM> in a non-rupturable manner and/or separation resistant manner. This means that upon a normal use of closure assembly <NUM> coupling element <NUM> remains connected to lid <NUM> and first ring member <NUM> or second ring member <NUM>. In particular, the respective connections between lid <NUM> and first ring member <NUM> or second ring member <NUM> are designed to resist an acting force, which exceeds the forces that typically act during a normal use of closure assembly <NUM>. An example of the occurrence of such an exceeding acting force is the case when a user intends to willingly detach coupling element <NUM> from lid <NUM> and/or first ring member <NUM> or second ring member <NUM> by pulling lid <NUM> and first ring member <NUM> and/or second ring member <NUM> along different directions from one another.

According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, coupling element <NUM> is string-shaped.

In alternative, coupling element <NUM> could have any other shape (e.g. being an endless coupling element) and/or closure assembly <NUM> comprises more than one coupling element <NUM> and/or coupling clement <NUM> comprises different portions being connected to lid <NUM> and/or first ring member <NUM> and/or second ring member <NUM>.

Advantageously, each first coupling bridge <NUM> is arranged in a respective non-ruptured configuration when being connected to first ring member <NUM> and second ring member <NUM> and a respective ruptured configuration when being ruptured (i.e. the respective first coupling bridge <NUM> is disconnected from first ring member <NUM> and/or second ring member <NUM>.

Advantageously, each second coupling bridge <NUM> is arranged in a respective non-ruptured configuration when being connected to second ring member <NUM> and lid <NUM> and a respective ruptured configuration when being ruptured (i.e. the respective second coupling bridge <NUM> is disconnected from second ring member <NUM> and/or lid <NUM>).

In particular, the non-ruptured configuration of each first coupling bridge <NUM> and each second coupling bridge <NUM> is the respective initial configuration (i.e. a user handling container <NUM> for the first time, finds first coupling bridges and second coupling bridges <NUM> in their non-ruptured configuration) and the control from the respective non-ruptured configuration to the respective ruptured configuration is irreversible.

In particular, first coupling bridges <NUM> and second coupling bridges <NUM> are designed to define at least an initial state of closure assembly <NUM> in which first coupling bridges <NUM> and second coupling bridges <NUM> are arranged in the respective non-ruptured configuration (i.e. first coupling bridges <NUM> and second coupling bridges <NUM> are connected to respectively first ring member <NUM> and second ring member <NUM> and to lid <NUM> and second ring member <NUM>). In particular, closure assembly <NUM>, when being in the initial state is intact (i.e. no manipulation or use of closure assembly <NUM> has been initiated or tried). In other words, the state of closure assembly <NUM> corresponds to the one in which closure assembly <NUM> was applied to main body <NUM>.

According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, closure assembly <NUM> is arranged in a manipulated state with first coupling bridges <NUM> and second coupling bridges <NUM> being arranged in the respective ruptured configurations (i.e. lid <NUM> is disconnected from second ring member <NUM> by means of second coupling bridges <NUM> (while still being connected by means of coupling element <NUM>) and first ring member <NUM> and second ring member <NUM> are disconnected from one another).

According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, each first coupling bridge <NUM> is designed to rupture at a force being equal or larger than a first rupturing force and each second coupling bridge <NUM> is designed to rupture at a force being equal or larger than a second rupturing force. In particular, the first rupturing force is smaller than the second rupturing force. In this way, it is guaranteed that in use, during a manipulation of closure assembly <NUM>, first coupling bridges <NUM> rupture prior to second coupling bridges <NUM>.

The first ring member <NUM> acts as a tamper-evidence or in other words, first ring member <NUM> is designed as a tamper-evidence element.

Preferentially but not necessarily, also second ring member <NUM> acts as a tamper-evidence.

Preferentially but not necessarily, closure assembly <NUM> is in an intermediate state with first coupling bridges <NUM> being arranged in the ruptured configuration ad second coupling bridges <NUM> being arranged in the non-ruptured configuration.

As will be explained further below in more detail, in use, during a first manipulation of closure assembly <NUM>, closure assembly <NUM> is at first controlled from the initial state to the intermediate state and then from the intermediate state to the manipulated state.

According to some non-limiting embodiments, closure assembly <NUM> also comprises a collar <NUM> delimiting and/or defining a pouring outlet <NUM> (of container <NUM>), the pouring outlet <NUM> being configured to allow for the outflow of the pourable product from container <NUM>.

In particular, first ring member <NUM> and second ring member <NUM> are coupled to and surround collar <NUM>; and lid <NUM> is connected and/or connectable to collar <NUM> and is configured to selectively close and open pouring outlet <NUM> for respectively impeding and allowing the outflow of the pourable product from container <NUM> through pouring outlet <NUM>.

According to some non-limiting embodiments, first ring member <NUM> and second ring member <NUM> are coaxial to collar <NUM>.

According to some non-limiting embodiments, first ring member <NUM> and/or second ring member <NUM> is/are coupled to collar <NUM> in a rotatable manner around respectively a rotation axis E and a rotation axis F, and in particular around collar <NUM>. In particular, rotation axis E and rotation axis F being transversal to first transversal axis B and second transversal axis C.

According to some non-limiting embodiments, lid <NUM> and collar <NUM> are designed such that lid <NUM> can be fastened to and loosened from collar <NUM> by means of rotation (by means of respectively screwing and unscrewing) of lid <NUM> with respect to collar <NUM> around a rotation axis G. In particular, rotation axis G being transversal to first transversal axis B and second transversal axis C.

Preferentially but not necessarily, lid <NUM> comprises an inner threaded portion <NUM>, in particular arranged at an inner surface of lid <NUM>, and collar <NUM> comprises an outer threaded portion <NUM>, in particular arranged at an outer surface of collar <NUM>. Inner threaded portion <NUM> and outer threaded portion <NUM> are configured to allow for selectively fastening and loosening lid <NUM> to and from collar <NUM> by means of a relative rotation between lid <NUM> and collar <NUM>.

According to some non-limiting embodiments, closure assembly <NUM> further comprises a coupling base <NUM> carrying collar <NUM> and being configured to couple and/or connect (see <FIG>) and/or being coupled and/or connected to (see <FIG>) main body <NUM>.

Preferentially but not necessarily, coupling base <NUM> is configured to be fixed and/or is fixed to an outer surface of main body <NUM>, in particular of second wall portion <NUM>. In particular, coupling base <NUM> is arranged in the area of, even more particular at, the designated pour opening surface area.

In particular, coupling base <NUM> comprises an opening, in particular a circular opening, and collar <NUM> surrounds the opening so that, in use, with the separation membrane being opened and/or cut and/or ruptured and/or pierced a fluid connection between the inside of main body <NUM> and pouring outlet <NUM> is established (i.e. the pourable product can flow out of container <NUM>).

Preferentially but not necessarily, at least a portion of coupling base <NUM> (substantially) has a plate-like configuration.

Preferentially but not necessarily, collar <NUM> extends, in particular from coupling base <NUM>, along, in particular parallel to, a longitudinal axis I, in particular longitudinal axis I being a central axis of collar <NUM>. In particular, the opening of coupling base <NUM>, collar <NUM> and the pouring hole are coaxial to one another.

Preferentially but not necessarily, rotation axis G and longitudinal axis I are parallel, in particular coaxial, to one another.

According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, collar <NUM> has a circular shape, in particular a circular cross-sectional shape with respect to a sectional plane being orthogonal to longitudinal axis I.

With particular reference to <FIG>, closure assembly <NUM> also comprises a cutting device <NUM> configured to rupture and/or pierce and/or cut and/or open the separation membrane and a control device configured to control cutting device <NUM> from a rest position to an operative position in which cutting device <NUM> is adapted to rupture and/or pierce and/or cut and/or open the separation membrane.

Preferentially but not necessarily, cutting device <NUM> has an annular shape and is arranged within an inner space <NUM> of collar <NUM> when being arranged in the rest position and protrudes at least partially out of inner space <NUM> when being controlled in the operative position.

In particular, cutting device <NUM> is arranged in the rest position with closure assembly <NUM> being arranged in the initial state and is arranged in the operative position with closure assembly <NUM> being arranged in the manipulated state.

Cutting device <NUM> is, in use, controlled by means of the control device from the rest configuration to the operative configuration during control of closure assembly <NUM> from the intermediate state to the manipulated state.

Preferentially but not necessarily, cutting device <NUM> is in an axially raised position (with respect to longitudinal axis I) when being arranged in the rest position and with respect to the operative position.

According to some non-limiting embodiments, the control
device comprises control flaps <NUM>, in particular connected to lid <NUM>, interaction elements <NUM> connected to cutting device <NUM> and a cam mechanism <NUM> (see <FIG>; known as such and not described in detail) partially associated to cutting device <NUM> and partially associated to collar <NUM>.

In particular, control flaps <NUM> are configured to protrude and/or protrude into inner space <NUM>.

Preferentially but not necessarily, control flaps <NUM> are connected to and protrude away from an inner surface portion of lid <NUM>.

Preferentially but not necessarily, the control device is actuatable through rotation of control flaps <NUM> around a respective rotation axis, in particular by means of rotation of lid <NUM> around rotation axis G. In particular, rotation of control flaps <NUM> leads, in use, to a rototraslatory movement of cutting device <NUM>, which is guided by means of cam mechanism <NUM>.

Lid <NUM> is controllable in at least a first operative configuration (see <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) in which lid <NUM> is coaxial to first ring member <NUM> and/or second ring member <NUM> and a second operative configuration (see <FIG> and <FIG>) in which lid <NUM> is transversally arranged with respect to first ring member <NUM> and/or second ring member <NUM>.

In particular, lid <NUM> is configured to close and open pouring outlet <NUM> with lid <NUM> being controlled in respectively the first operative configuration and the second operative configuration.

Preferentially but not necessarily, lid <NUM> is controlled in the first operative configuration and the second operative configuration with lid <NUM> itself being respectively connected to and detached from collar <NUM>.

particular, lid <NUM> is coaxial to collar <NUM> when being controlled in the first operative configuration and preferentially but not necessarily is transversal to collar <NUM> when being controlled in the second operative configuration. In other words, when lid <NUM> is arranged in the first operative configuration lid <NUM> is connected to collar <NUM> and covers pouring outlet <NUM> and when lid <NUM> is arranged in the second operative configuration lid <NUM> is detached from collar <NUM> and clears pouring outlet <NUM>.

In particular, a ring portion <NUM> of lid <NUM> is parallel to and transversal to ring member <NUM> when being controlled in respectively the first operative configuration and the second operative configuration. This latter reflects the fact that lid <NUM> needs to be distanced and/or separated from first ring member <NUM> and/or second ring member <NUM> for allowing the outflow of the pourable product through pouring outlet <NUM> (see e.g. <FIG> and <FIG>).

Preferentially but not necessarily, coupling element <NUM> is connected to ring portion <NUM>.

Second ring member <NUM> is interposed between lid <NUM> and first ring member <NUM> with lid <NUM> being controlled in the first operative configuration.

In particular, lid <NUM> is arranged in the first operative configuration with closure assembly <NUM> being controlled in the initial state.

In particular, closure assembly <NUM>, in particular lid <NUM>, first ring member <NUM>, second ring member <NUM>, first coupling bridges <NUM> and second coupling bridges <NUM> are designed such that the first time lid <NUM> is controlled from the first operative configuration, closure assembly <NUM> is controlled from the initial state to the manipulated state, in particular from the initial state to the intermediate state and from the intermediate state to the manipulated state.

It should be noted that preferably but not necessarily, while the control of closure assembly <NUM> from the initial state to the intermediate state and/or manipulated state is irreversible, the control of lid <NUM> from the first operative configuration to the second operative configuration is reversible (i.e. lid <NUM> can be controlled between the first operative configuration and the second operative configuration a plurality of times).

According to some non-limiting embodiments, the control device is configured to move cutting device <NUM> from the rest position to the operative position when, in use, closure assembly <NUM> is in the initial state and during control of lid <NUM> from the first operative configuration to the second operative configuration.

Preferentially but not necessarily, control flaps <NUM> protrude into and are removed from inner space <NUM> with lid <NUM> being arranged in respectively the first operative configuration and the second operative configuration.

According to some non-limiting embodiments, lid <NUM> is configured to be controlled between the first operative configuration and the second operative configuration by means of a relative rotation of lid <NUM> around rotation axis G. In particular, inner threaded portion <NUM> and outer threaded portion <NUM> are configured to guide the control of lid <NUM> between the first operative configuration and the second operative configuration.

In particular, lid <NUM> is controlled, in use, from the first operative configuration to the second operative configuration and from the second operative configuration to the first operative configuration by rotation of lid <NUM> around rotation axis G in, respectively, a first sense of rotation and a second sense of rotation opposite to the first sense of rotation.

According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, first ring member <NUM> and second ring member <NUM> are axially displaced (with respect to rotation axis G and/or longitudinal axis I) from one another.

In particular, first ring member <NUM> is interposed between second ring member <NUM> and coupling base <NUM>.

With particular reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, closure assembly <NUM> further comprises:.

In particular, the first rupturing device and the second rupturing device are activated during control of lid <NUM> from the first operative configuration to the second operative configuration, in particular by means of rotation of lid <NUM> around rotation axis G.

According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, the first rupturing device and the second rupturing device are configured such that first coupling bridges <NUM> rupture prior to second coupling bridges <NUM> during control of closure assembly <NUM> from the initial state to the manipulated state.

In particular, the first rupturing device is activated, in use, during control of closure assembly <NUM> from the initial state to the intermediate state and the second rupturing device is activated, in use, during control of closure assembly <NUM> from the intermediate state to the manipulated state.

In particular, the first rupturing device is configured to create a force which equals or is larger than the first rupturing force and which is lower than the second rupturing force, while the second rupturing device is configured to create a force, which equals or is larger than the second rupturing force.

With particular reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the first rupturing device comprises one or more first interaction elements <NUM> associated to and/or carried by collar <NUM> and one or more second interaction elements <NUM> associated to and/or carried by first ring member <NUM>. In particular, each second interaction element <NUM> is configured to abut against one respective first interaction element <NUM> for actuating the non-reversible rupturing of first coupling bridges <NUM>. Even more particular, each second interaction element <NUM> and the respective first interaction element <NUM> are designed such that the second interaction element <NUM> abuts, in use, against the respective first interaction element <NUM> upon a relative rotation of first ring member <NUM> (around rotation axis E and) with respect to collar <NUM>.

Preferentially but not necessarily, each second interaction element <NUM> and the respective first interaction element <NUM> are arranged such that each second interaction element <NUM> abuts, in use, against the respective first interaction element <NUM> within a relative angular movement of first ring member <NUM> with respect to first interaction elements <NUM> of at most <NUM>°.

Preferentially but not necessarily, first interaction elements <NUM> are connected to an outer surface of collar <NUM> and radially protrude away from collar <NUM>. In particular, first interaction elements <NUM> are equally spaced around longitudinal axis I.

Preferentially but not necessarily, second interaction elements <NUM> are connected to an inner surface of first ring member <NUM> facing the outer surface of collar <NUM> and radially protrude away from first ring member <NUM>. In particular, second interaction elements <NUM> are equally spaced around rotation axis E.

With particular reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the second rupturing device comprises at least one first interaction member <NUM> associated to and/or carried by collar <NUM> and one or more second interaction members <NUM> associated to and/or carried by second ring member <NUM>.

According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, each second interaction member <NUM> is configured to abut against at least one respective portion of first interaction member <NUM> for actuating the non-reversible rupturing of second coupling bridges <NUM>. In particular, each second interaction member <NUM> and the respective first interaction member <NUM> are designed such that each second interaction element <NUM> abuts, in use, against at least a respective portion of first interaction member <NUM> upon a relative axial movement of second ring member <NUM> with respect to first interaction member <NUM> and/or collar <NUM>. Even more particular, the relative axial movement is actuated by means of rotation of lid <NUM> around rotation axis G and the interaction between inner threaded portion <NUM> and outer threaded portion <NUM>.

Preferentially but not necessarily, second interaction members <NUM>, first interaction member <NUM> and inner threaded portion <NUM> and outer threaded portion <NUM> are arranged such that second interaction members <NUM> abut, in use, against the respective portions of first interaction member <NUM> within a relative angular movement of lid <NUM> around rotation axis G of at least <NUM>° and of at most <NUM>°.

Preferentially but not necessarily, first interaction member <NUM> is connected to the outer surface of collar <NUM> and radially protrudes away from collar <NUM>. In particular, first interaction member <NUM> comprises a ring element connected to and surrounding collar <NUM> in a non-rotatable manner. Even more particular, the ring element is integral to collar <NUM>.

Preferentially but not necessarily, first interaction member <NUM> is axially displaced (with respect to longitudinal axis I and) with respect to first interaction elements <NUM>. In particular, first interaction elements <NUM> are interposed between first interaction member <NUM> and coupling base <NUM>.

Preferentially but not necessarily, second interaction members <NUM> are connected to an inner surface of second ring member <NUM> facing the outer surface of collar <NUM> and radially protrude away from second ring member <NUM>. In particular, second interaction members <NUM> are equally spaced around rotation axis F.

According to the non-limiting embodiment shown, second interaction members <NUM> are in the form of flaps protruding from the inner surface of second ring member <NUM>.

According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, second ring member <NUM> comprises a recess <NUM> for hosting at least a portion of coupling element <NUM> and second ring member <NUM> and lid <NUM> are axially spaced from another such to host another portion of coupling element <NUM> with closure assembly <NUM> being in the first operative configuration.

In use, a user needs to execute a first step of controlling, during which closure assembly <NUM> is controlled from the initial state to the manipulated state (prior to a step of outpouring of the pourable product from container <NUM>).

In particular, during the first step of controlling, closure assembly <NUM> is controlled such that first coupling bridges <NUM> and second coupling bridges <NUM> rupture, while lid <NUM> and second ring member <NUM> remain connected to one another by means of coupling element <NUM>.

Even more particular, during the first step of controlling, at first closure assembly <NUM> is controlled from the initial state to the intermediate state followed by the control of closure assembly <NUM> from the intermediate state to the manipulated state.

Preferentially but not necessarily, during the control from the initial state to the intermediate state first coupling bridges <NUM> rupture disconnecting first ring member <NUM> and second ring member <NUM> from one another and during the control from the intermediate state to the manipulated state second coupling bridges <NUM> rupture so that second ring member <NUM> and lid <NUM> remain connected to one another only by means of coupling element <NUM>.

According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, during the first step of controlling, at first the first rupturing device is activated followed by the activation of the second rupturing device.

According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, during the first step of controlling a second step of controlling is executed, during which lid <NUM> is controlled from the first operative configuration to the second operative configuration.

Preferentially but not necessarily, during the second step of controlling, lid <NUM> is (reversibly) controlled form the first operative configuration to the second operative configuration by means of rotation of lid <NUM> around rotation axis G and/or collar <NUM>.

Preferentially but not necessarily, during the first step of controlling and during the second step of controlling, control of lid <NUM> from the first operative configuration to the second operative configuration actuates (at first) the first rupturing device and (then) the second rupturing device for rupturing respectively the first coupling bridges <NUM> and the second coupling bridges <NUM>.

In particular, during the first step of controlling and during the second step of controlling and during the rotation of lid <NUM> around rotation axis E both first ring member <NUM> and second ring member <NUM> rotate around respectively rotation axis E and rotation axis F due the connection of lid <NUM> and second ring member <NUM> by means of coupling element <NUM> and second coupling bridges <NUM> and the connection of second ring member <NUM> and first ring member <NUM> by means of first coupling bridges <NUM>.

According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, the rotation of first ring member <NUM> results in a relative angular movement between each second interaction element <NUM> and the respective first interaction element <NUM> until each second interaction element <NUM> abuts against the respective first interaction element <NUM>, leading to the establishment of the first rupturing force and the rupturing of first coupling bridges <NUM>. This also means that any further rotation of lid <NUM> is not transferred to first ring member <NUM>.

According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, during the first step of controlling and during the second step of controlling and during the rotation of lid <NUM> around rotation axis E second ring member <NUM> is (together with lid <NUM>) also axially displaced, in particular due to the interaction between inner threaded portion <NUM> and outer threaded portion <NUM>, resulting in a relative axial movement between second interaction members <NUM> and first interaction member <NUM> until each second interaction member <NUM> abuts against the respective portion of first interaction member <NUM>, leading to the establishment of the second rupturing force and the rupturing of second coupling bridges <NUM>. This also means that any further rotation of lid <NUM> is transferred to second ring member <NUM> by means of coupling element <NUM> only. In particular, during further control steps of lid <NUM> between the first operative configuration and the second operative configuration, second ring member <NUM> rotates around rotation axis F.

According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, during the first step of controlling and/or the second step of controlling, cutting device <NUM> is activated for rupturing and/or cutting and/or piercing and/or opening the separation membrane.

The advantages of closure assembly <NUM> according to the present invention will be clear from the foregoing description.

In particular, lid <NUM> is coupled to container <NUM> independently on whether lid <NUM> is controlled in the first operative configuration or the second operative configuration or any configuration intermediate to both. At the same time first ring member <NUM> clearly allows for a tamper evidence as additionally also the second coupling bridges <NUM> indicate a tampering.

Another advantage has been identified in that the production of closure assemblies <NUM> can be realized relying on molds similar to the one known requiring only minor modifications.

An even other advantage resides in that the gradual control of closure assembly <NUM> from the initial state to the intermediate state and from the intermediate state to the manipulated state also allows to understand whether cutting device <NUM> has already cut and/or opened and/or pierced and/or ruptured the separation membrane. Indeed, cutting device <NUM> only starts to interact with the separation membrane after the control of closure assembly <NUM> in the intermediate state. Thus, a user understands from the unbroken second coupling bridges <NUM> that the separation membrane is still intact.

A further advantage resides in that coupling element <NUM> allows to control the relative position and the distance between lid <NUM> and second ring member <NUM> in a flexible manner.

Claim 1:
- A closure assembly (<NUM>) for a container (<NUM>) filled or fillable with a pourable product;
the closure assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
- a lid (<NUM>);
- a first ring member (<NUM>); wherein the first ring member (<NUM>) is designed as a tamper-evidence element;
- a cutting device (<NUM>) configured to rupture and/or pierce and/or cut and/or open a separation membrane, and
- a control device configured to control the cutting device (<NUM>) from a rest position to an operative position in which cutting device (<NUM>) is adapted to rupture and/or pierce and/or cut and/or open the separation membrane,
characterized by further comprising:
- a second ring member (<NUM>) coaxial to the first ring member (<NUM>);
- a coupling element (<NUM>) connected to the lid (<NUM>) and to the second ring member (<NUM>),
wherein the lid (<NUM>) is controllable in at least a first operative configuration in which the lid (<NUM>) is coaxial to the first ring member (<NUM>) and/or the second ring member (<NUM>) and a second operative configuration in which the lid (<NUM>) is transversally arranged with respect to the first ring member (<NUM>) and/or the second ring member (<NUM>),
wherein the second ring member (<NUM>) is interposed between the lid (<NUM>) and the first ring member (<NUM>) with the lid (<NUM>) being controlled in the first operative configuration.