US20260001692A1

US20260001692A1 - Tethered cap

Info

Publication number: US20260001692A1
Application number: US18/758,832
Authority: US
Inventors: Paul Van Den Hoonaard
Original assignee: Cheer Pack North America LLC
Current assignee: Cheer Pack North America LLC
Priority date: 2024-06-28
Filing date: 2024-06-28
Publication date: 2026-01-01
Also published as: WO2026005970A1

Abstract

A beverage container closure is provided. The beverage container closure may include one or more of a cap, a tethered ring, frangibly coupled to the cap, and a tether. The tethered ring includes a pair of ring notches on opposite sides of an upper surface of the tethered ring. The tether is coupled to the cap and the tethered ring, radially orthogonally oriented relative to the ring notches.

Description

FIELD

Illustrative embodiments of the invention generally relate to beverage containers and, more particularly, various embodiments of the invention relate to safe beverage container closures.

BACKGROUND

Various types of disposable, portable containers are known in the art for storing products, such as a liquid, granular materials, powders, or the like. Examples Such of containers include a cup, a metal can, a plastic bottle, a glass bottle or a flexible pouch. Consumers may prefer the convenience of flexible pouches over other types of containers due to their shape, size, shelf life and storage adaptability. In some cases, manufacturers recognize the packaging benefits of a flexible pouch since the pouch is relatively inexpensive and can be formed and filled on the same manufacturing line.
Flexible pouches may be made from a flexible or pliable material, preferably an extrusion or a laminate composed of sheets of plastic or aluminum or the like. An outer layer of the material may include preprinted information, such as a logo or the like, to provide the consumer with information regarding the contents of the pouch. The pouch may be formed and/or filled using conventionally known manufacturing techniques, such as a horizontal form-fill-seal machine with a single or multiple lanes, a flatbed pre-made pouch machine, a vertical form-fill machine, or the like.
The pouch may include a tube spout fitment having a spout for dispensing the product. The pouch may also include a cap for enclosing the pouch and protecting the spout from contamination.

SUMMARY OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a beverage container closure for a container spout is provided. The beverage container closure may include one or more of a cap, a tethered ring, frangibly coupled to the cap, and a tether. The tethered ring includes a pair of ring notches on opposite sides of an upper surface of the tethered ring. The tether is coupled to the cap and the tethered ring, radially orthogonally oriented relative to the ring notches.
In accordance with other embodiments, the tethered ring frangibly coupled to the cap may include one or more bridges connecting the lower surface of the cap with the upper surface of the tethered ring, where the bridges are configured to fracture in response to the cap is rotated or lifted upward relative to the container spout.
In accordance with other embodiments, the cap may include a visual indication of a rotation direction to remove the cap from the container spout in response to the closure is installed to the container spout.
In accordance with other embodiments, the cap includes a pair of cap notches on opposite sides of a lower surface of the cap. The cap notches may be configured to allow moisture to evaporate from an interior of the cap in response to the closure is installed to the container spout.
In accordance with other embodiments, in response to the tethered ring is installed to the container spout, the tethered ring may be configured to not break and remain affixed to the cap in response to up to 90 Newtons (N) of pull force is applied to the cap.
In accordance with other embodiments, in response to the tethered ring is installed to the container spout, the tethered ring may be configured to remain affixed to the container spout in response to up to 90 Newtons (N) of pull force is applied to the tether.
In accordance with other embodiments, the upper surface of the tethered ring between the pair of ring notches and opposite the tether remain below an annular bead on the exterior of the container spout in response to a pulling and/or a twisting force is applied to the tether.
In accordance with other embodiments, the annular bead includes a lead-in on an upper surface and a flat bottom surface.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the cap includes a plug extending partially downward within the cap, where the plug may be configured to provide a seal to the container spout in response to the closure is installed to the container spout.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the cap may include threads on an inner lateral surface of the cap, where the threads may be configured to engage matching threads on an outside surface of the container spout.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a beverage container is provided, which may include a container pouch, configured to retain a beverage when filled and a hollow tubular spout, affixed to the container pouch and configured to allow passage of the beverage therethrough. The beverage container may include an annular bead and a retention feature on an exterior surface of the spout. The beverage container may also include a cap, a tethered ring, frangibly coupled to the cap, and a tether, coupled to the cap and the tethered ring, radially orthogonally oriented relative to the ring notches. The tethered ring may include a pair of ring notches on opposite sides of an upper surface of the tethered ring.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a method for attaching a beverage container closure to a beverage container is provided. The method may include placing the closure on a top end of a tubular spout affixed to and extending upward from the beverage container, engaging matching threads between an inside surface of the cap and an outside surface of the spout, twisting the closure in a predetermined direction relative to the spout to lower the closure until a lower surface of the tethered ring makes contact with a lead-in on a top surface of an annular ring on the outside surface of the spout, and continuing to twist the closure on the matching threads until the lead-in forces the tethered ring outward such that the tethered ring moves completely below the annular ring. The closure may include a cap joined to a tethered ring by a flexible tether. The annular ring may include a lead-in on a top surface, a flat bottom surface, and a sharp outer edge. The tethered ring may include a pair of ring notches disposed on opposite sides of an upper surface of the tethered ring and disposed radially orthogonally relative to the tether.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Those skilled in the art should more fully appreciate advantages of various embodiments of the invention from the following “Description of Illustrative Embodiments,” discussed with reference to the drawings summarized immediately below.

FIG. 1 schematically shows an unopened beverage container in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 schematically shows an opened beverage container in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 schematically shows an opened beverage container with a secured cap in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 schematically shows a perspective view of in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4 schematically shows a perspective view of a beverage container closure coupled to a container spout in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 schematically shows a perspective view of a beverage container closure in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 6 schematically shows a perspective view of a container spout in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 7 schematically shows an interior perspective view of a beverage container closure in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 8A schematically shows a side cutaway view of a beverage container closure separated from a container spout in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 8B schematically shows a side cutaway view of a beverage container closure attached to a container spout in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 9A schematically shows a perspective view of a beverage container closure ready to be installed to a threaded container spout in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 9B schematically shows a perspective view of a beverage container closure lowered onto a threaded container spout in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 9C schematically shows a perspective view of a beverage container closure rotated on threads of a threaded container spout in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 9D schematically shows a perspective view of a beverage container closure installed to a threaded container spout in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 10A schematically shows a perspective view of a beverage container closure twisted to break a frangible seal with a threaded container spout in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 10B schematically shows a perspective view of a beverage container closure with a broken frangible seal to a threaded container spout in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 10C schematically shows a perspective view of a beverage container closure lifted away from a threaded container spout in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 10D schematically shows a perspective view of a beverage container closure moved away from a threaded container spout in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 11A schematically shows a perspective view of a beverage container closure ready to be installed to a snap-fit container spout in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 11B schematically shows a perspective view of a beverage container closure lowered onto a snap-fit container spout in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 11C schematically shows a perspective view of a beverage container closure pushed down to engage a snap bead of a snap-fit container spout in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 11D schematically shows a perspective view of a beverage container closure installed to a snap-fit container spout in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 12A schematically shows a perspective view of upward force applied to a cap to break a frangible seal to a tethered ring of a beverage container closure in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 12B schematically shows a perspective view of a cap separated from a tethered ring of a beverage container closure in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 12C schematically shows a perspective view of a beverage container closure lifted away from a snap-fit container spout in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 12D schematically shows a perspective view of a beverage container closure moved away from a snap-fit container spout in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 13 shows a flowchart of a process to install a beverage container closure to a threaded container spout in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 14 shows a flowchart of a process to remove a beverage container closure from a threaded container spout in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In illustrative embodiments, a tethered cap provides a safe and user-removable closure for a beverage container. The closure includes a cap tethered to a tethered ring and also attached to the tethered ring by a frangible connection. The frangible connection provides tamper security for a consumer by demonstrating the cap has not been removed from the beverage container when the frangible connection is intact. When installed to a container spout of the beverage container, the tethered ring is axially secured to the spout and rotatable relative to the spout, and the cap seals an otherwise open end of the spout. The tethered ring includes a pair of ring notches on opposite sides of an upper surface of the tethered ring. The tether that connects the cap to the tethered ring is radially orthogonally oriented relative to the ring notches.
Current caps often become separated from the container when consumer opens the package. Caps by themselves are prone to littering and present challenges for recycling processes because of the small size of the caps. The present invention is intended to keep the container and the cap together as a single piece when it is being disposed by the consumer and thus the entire tethered cap can be collected for recycling.
FIG. 1 schematically shows an unopened beverage container 100 in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention. FIG. 1 reflects a beverage container 100 in an as-manufactured and as-sold configuration prior to a beverage within the beverage container 100 being consumed. The beverage container 100 may include a container pouch 104 that retains a beverage within. The beverage may be any consumable liquid including, but not limited to water, flavored water, fruit juice, milk or flavored milk, or carbonated or non-carbonated beverages. The container pouch 104 may be a flexible pouch such as a sealed foil pouch and may have any combination of graphics or text on one or more outside surfaces. The container pouch 104 may hold any specific amount of a beverage (e.g., 6-8 fluid oz.).
The container pouch 104 may be permanently attached to a container spout 108, which provides a means for a user to consume the beverage within the container pouch 104. The container spout 108 may include features that retain a lower portion of the container spout 108 within the container pouch 104. An upper portion of the container spout 108 extends away from the container pouch 104 and includes features that retain a beverage container closure 112 and provide a fluid pathway for consumption of the beverage in the container pouch 104.
FIG. 2 schematically shows an opened beverage container 200 in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention. FIG. 2 . Illustrates a cap removed from the spout 204 in preparation for the user consuming the beverage within the container pouch 104. At this point, the spout 108 is no longer sealed.
FIG. 3 schematically shows an opened beverage container with a secured cap 300 in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention. FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment where a tether joining the cap to a tethered ring is reversed. This may advantageously allow the cap to be “hooked” to the spout 304 and limit the cap from interfering with fingers or a hand of the user when consuming the beverage. For example, the cap may include a laterally projecting lip that may engage a projection near a base of the spout. The reversed tether may provide a small amount of spring force to keep the cap projection engaged with the spout projection. A user may easily “unhook” the cap 504 from the container spout 108 by applying finger pressure to the laterally projecting lip.
FIG. 4 schematically shows a perspective view of a beverage container closure coupled to a container spout 400 in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention. The beverage container closure 112 is a single molded part formed from a resilient polymer. Once formed, the beverage container closure 112 is affixed to the container spout 108. Typically, the container spout 108 is affixed to the container pouch 104 and filled with the desired beverage before the beverage container closure 112 is affixed to the spout 108. FIG. 4 includes section lines A-A that apply to cutaway drawings in FIGS. 8A and 8B. In one embodiment, the beverage container closure 112 and the container spout 108 may be molded from polyethylene, polypropylene, or a suitable polyester material.
FIG. 5 schematically shows a perspective view of a beverage container closure 112 in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention. The beverage container closure 112 includes a cap 504 coupled to a tethered ring 508 by a tether 512. The tether 512 prevents the cap 504 from being separated from the tethered ring 508 so that a cap 504 by itself doesn't become a choking hazard for a user, such as a child.
The cap 504 is also connected to the tethered ring 508 by one or more bridges 524. The bridges 524 are part of the same molding as the cap 504, the tether 512, and the tethered ring 508, and provide a frangible connection that serves as a tamper safety seal for the beverage container 100. The bridges 524 may be narrow plastic sections that fracture when the cap 504 is pulled from or twisted relative to the tethered ring 508 under finger pressure. The cap 504 may include a projecting lip at a top surface of the cap 504 to aid in cap 504 manipulation by the user's fingers to remove the cap 504 from the spout 108 or to reconnect the cap 504 to the spout 108.
In one embodiment, a top surface of the cap 504 may include an opening direction indication 528 (e.g., an embossed or painted rotational arrow) to indicate a rotation direction to open the cap 504 to a user.
In one embodiment, the cap 504 may include one or more cap notches 516. Cap notches 516 may facilitate moisture draining and evaporation of a spilled beverage when the beverage is being added to the spout 108 when filling the beverage container 100.
In one embodiment, the tethered ring 508 may include a pair of ring notches 520 on an upper surface of the tethered ring 508. The ring notches 520 are preferable disposed on opposite sides of the tethered ring 508 and radially orthogonal to the tether 512. Orienting the ring notches 520 in this fashion provides a greatest amount of resistance to the tethered ring 508 being pulled off the spout 108 by the tether 512. Although the cap notches 516 are illustrated as being aligned with the ring notches 520, such alignment is not required and the cap notches 516 may have any orientation with respect to the ring notches 520.
FIG. 6 schematically shows a perspective view of a container spout 108 in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention. The container spout 108 may include a lower portion that fits within the container pouch 104 and an upper portion that projects from the container pouch 104. The lower portion may include various projections and bulkheads that aid in retaining the spout 108 to the container pouch 104. For example, a lateral bulkhead may fit around an opening of the container pouch 104 and prevent the spout 108 from being pulled out of the container pouch 104. In one embodiment, a lateral bulkhead may include a spout bulkhead 616 to facilitate hooking the cap 504 with a reversed tether, as shown in FIG. 3 .
The container spout 108 may also include an annular bead 608 that facilitates retention of the beverage container closure 112 after initial installation to the container spout 108. This is shown and described in detail with respect to FIGS. 8A and 8B.
In one embodiment, the container spout 108 may include spout threads 604 that provide controlled engagement with the cap 504 during initial installation, normal cap 504 removal, and re-capping by a user. In another embodiment, shown and described with respect to FIGS. 11A-11D, a snap closure may be used in lieu of spout threads 604. In conjunction with the spout threads 604, the spout 108 may also include an end stop 612 feature located at a lower terminus of the spout threads 604. The end stop 612 keeps the cap 504 from being rotated past the end stop 612. This may protect the tethered ring 508 from further compression below the annular bead 608 and protect the spout threads 608 and corresponding cap threads 704 from being deformed.
FIG. 7 schematically shows an interior perspective view of a beverage container closure 112 in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the beverage container closure 112 may attach to the container spout 108 with matching threads. The cap 504 may include cap threads 704 that engage the spout threads 604 when the beverage container closure 112 is rotated. Also visible in FIG. 7 is a ring notch 520 and a cap notch 516. Other ring notches 520 and cap notches 516 may be present on the exterior of the beverage container closure 112.
The beverage container closure 112 may also include a plug 708 that projects within a top surface of the cap 504. When the beverage container closure 112 is installed to the container spout 108, the plug 704 seals the top of the spout 108, preventing liquid or beverage ingress to or egress from the container pouch 104. The plug 708 preferably has an interference fit with a mouth of the spout 108. The plug 708 may be molded from the same material as the rest of the beverage container closure 112.
FIG. 8A schematically shows a side cutaway view of a beverage container closure separated from a container spout 800 in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention. The cutaway drawing shown in FIG. 8A corresponds to section A-A in FIG. 4 of the beverage container closure 112 separated from the container spout 108 and shows the relationship of various features of the present invention.
The beverage container closure 112 illustrates the plug 708 projecting downward within the cap 504, the cap threads 704, the tethered ring 508, and the tether 512. A pair of bridges 524 and a ring notch 520/cap notch 516 pair are visible at the side surface where the cap 504 meets the tethered ring 508.
The container spout 108 includes a hollow tube 804 that allows a beverage to be filled to and consumed from the container pouch 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the container spout 108 uses spout threads 604 to couple the beverage container closure 112 to the container spout 108. Visible in FIG. 8A are the spout threads 604, the end stop 612, the annular bead 608, and the spout bulkhead 616.
FIG. 8B schematically shows a side cutaway view of a beverage container closure attached to a container spout 850 in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention. The cutaway drawing shown in FIG. 8B corresponds to section A-A of FIG. 4 and illustrates the beverage container closure 112 when attached to the container spout 108 and the relationship of various features of the present invention.
Once the beverage container closure 112 is installed to the container spout 108, the plug is seated within the end of the spout 854, the cap threads are engaged to the spout threads 858, and the tethered ring is secured below the annular bead 862. FIG. 8B reflects the configuration a packaged beverage would be manufactured and sold in.
FIG. 9A schematically shows a perspective view of a beverage container closure ready to be installed to a threaded container spout in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention. FIGS. 9A-9D reflect a beverage container closure attachment process for a threaded container spout 108. At FIG. 9A, the container pouch 104 has been filled with a beverage and is ready to be capped. The beverage container closure 112 is positioned above the spout 108 opening.
FIG. 9B schematically shows a perspective view of a beverage container closure lowered onto a threaded container spout in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention. At FIG. 9B, the beverage container closure 112 is lowered onto the spout threads 604.
FIG. 9C schematically shows a perspective view of a beverage container closure rotated on threads of a threaded container spout in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention. At FIG. 9C, the spout threads 604 are engaged with the cap threads 704 and the beverage container closure 112 is rotated in an opposite direction to the rotation direction 528 indicated on the top surface of the cap 504. The indicated rotation direction denoted by the heavy line reflects a direction to install the beverage container closure 112 to the container spout 108. Rotating the beverage container closure 112 in this way lowers the beverage container closure 112 onto the spout threads 604.
FIG. 9D schematically shows a perspective view of a beverage container closure installed to a threaded container spout in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention. FIG. 9D reflects a final view of the packaged beverage container 100 when the cap threads 704 have abutted the end stop 612 at the end of rotation. At this point, the tethered ring 508 is completely below the annular bead 608 such that the top surface of the tethered ring 508 is complexly below the lower surface of the annular bead 608. In this position, the tethered ring 508 is not separable from the container spout 108 if up to 90 Newtons (N) of force is applied. Additionally, the tether 512 is not separable from the tethered ring 508 if up to 90 Newtons (N) of force is applied.
FIG. 10A schematically shows a perspective view of a beverage container closure twisted to break a frangible seal with a threaded container spout in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention. FIGS. 10A-10D reflect an opening operation to remove the cap 504 from a threaded container spout 108, such as when a user wants to initially consume the beverage within the container pouch 104. At FIG. 10A, the beverage container closure 112 is rotated in an opening direction, or a same direction as an indicated direction 528 on the top surface of the cap 504.
FIG. 10B schematically shows a perspective view of a beverage container closure with a broken frangible seal to a threaded container spout in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention. At FIG. 10B, as the beverage container closure 112 is rotated in the direction shown, it moves upward as a unit and an upper surface of the tethered ring 508 makes contact with the lower flat surface of the annular bead 608. Continued rotation forces the cap 504 to rise on the spout threads 604. Because the tethered ring 508 cannot rise (i.e., because stopped by the annular bead 608), force is placed on the bridges 524. The force on the bridges 524 overcomes the strength of the bridges 524 and the bridges 524 fracture. At this point the cap 504 is separated from the tethered ring 508, except through the tether 512.
FIG. 10C schematically shows a perspective view of a beverage container closure lifted away from a threaded container spout in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention. At FIG. 10C, the beverage container closure 112 continues to rotate on the spout threads 604 until the cap 504 separates from the spout 108. The tether 512 tends to relax to a “unlooped” position, thereby pulling the cap 504 partially away from the spout 108.
FIG. 10D schematically shows a perspective view of a beverage container closure moved away from a threaded container spout in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention. At FIG. 10D, the cap 504 may be in a relaxed position away from the spout 108. Alternately, the user may reverse the tether 512 as shown in FIG. 3 to hook the cap onto the spout 304.
FIG. 11A schematically shows a perspective view of a beverage container closure ready to be installed to a snap-fit container spout in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention. FIGS. 11A-11D reflect a beverage container closure attachment process for a snap-fit container spout 108. At FIG. 11A, the container pouch 104 has been filled with a beverage and is ready to be capped. The beverage container closure 112 is positioned above the spout 108 opening.
FIG. 11B schematically shows a perspective view of a beverage container closure lowered onto a snap-fit container spout in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention. At FIG. 11B, the beverage container closure 112 is lowered until a snap projection on the container spout 108 above the annular bead 306 has been reached.
FIG. 11C schematically shows a perspective view of a beverage container closure pushed down to engage a snap bead of a snap-fit container spout in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention. In one embodiment, the cap 504 may have a circular recess on an interior surface that corresponds to the snap-fit bead. At FIG. 11C, continued downward pressure is applied to the top surface of the cap 504. This causes the cap 504 to snap over the snap-fit bead and the annular bead 306 (below the snap-fit bead).
FIG. 11D schematically shows a perspective view of a beverage container closure installed to a snap-fit container spout in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention. FIG. 11D reflects a final view of the packaged beverage container 100 when the beverage container closure 112 is installed to the container spout 108. At this point, the tethered ring 508 is completely below the annular bead 608 such that the top surface of the tethered ring 508 is complexly below the lower surface of the annular bead 608. In this position, the tethered ring 508 is not separable from the container spout 108 if up to 90 Newtons (N) of force is applied. Additionally, the tether 512 is not separable from the tethered ring 508 if up to 90 Newtons (N) of force is applied.
FIG. 12A schematically shows a perspective view of upward force applied to a cap to break a frangible seal to a tethered ring of a beverage container closure in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention. FIGS. 10A-10D reflect an opening operation to remove the cap 504 from a snap-fit container spout 108, such as when a user wants to initially consume the beverage within the container pouch 104. At FIG. 12A, upward force is applied to a projecting edge of the beverage container closure 112 away from the tether 512.
FIG. 12B schematically shows a perspective view of a cap separated from a tethered ring of a beverage container closure in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention. At FIG. 12B, because the tethered ring 508 cannot rise (i.e., because stopped by the annular bead 608), force is placed on the bridges 524. The force on the bridges 524 overcomes the strength of the bridges 524 and the bridges 524 fracture. At this point the cap 504 is separated from the tethered ring 508, except through the tether 512.
FIG. 12C schematically shows a perspective view of a beverage container closure lifted away from a snap-fit container spout in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention. At FIG. 12C, the beverage container closure 112 continues to lift relative to the spout 108 until the cap 504 separates from the spout 108. The tether 512 tends to relax to a “unlooped” position, thereby pulling the cap 504 partially away from the spout 108.
FIG. 12D schematically shows a perspective view of a beverage container closure moved away from a snap-fit container spout in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention. At FIG. 12D, the cap 504 may be in a relaxed position away from the spout 108. Alternately, the user may reverse the tether 512 as shown in FIG. 3 to hook the cap onto the spout 304.
FIG. 13 shows a flowchart of a process to install a beverage container closure 112 to a threaded container spout 108 in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention. The process begins at block 1304.
At block 1304, the beverage container closure 112 is placed on the top end of a tubular container spout 108. The beverage container closure 112 has intact bridge(s) 524. Flow proceeds to block 1308.
At block 1308, threads 604 of the spout 108 engage matching threads 704 of the cap 504 interior. Flow proceeds to block 1312.
At block 1312, the beverage container closure 112 is rotated in a closing direction to lower the beverage container closure 112 onto the container spout 108. Flow proceeds to block 1316.
At block 1316, the beverage container closure 112 is continued to be rotated until the tethered ring 508 is forced below an annular bead 608 of the container spout 108. Flow ends at block 1316.
FIG. 14 shows a flowchart of a process to remove a beverage container closure 112 from a threaded container spout 108 in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention. Flow begins at block 1404.
At block 1404, the beverage container closure 112 is rotated in an opening direction to raise the closure on the spout threads. Flow proceeds to block 1408.
At block 1408, the beverage container closure 112 is continued to be rotated until the bridge(s) 524 fracture. Flow proceeds to block 1412.
At block 1412, the beverage container closure 112 is continued to be rotated until the cap threads 704 disengage from the spout threads 604. Flow proceeds to block 1416.
At block 1416, the tether 512 is allowed to relax and the cap 504 moves away from the container spout 108. Flow ends at block 1416.
Various embodiments of the invention have been described in fulfillment of the various objectives of the invention. It should be recognized that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and adaptions thereof will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A beverage container closure for a container spout, comprising:

a cap:

a tethered ring, frangibly coupled to the cap, comprising:

a pair of ring notches on opposite sides of an upper surface of the tethered ring; and

a tether, coupled to the cap and the tethered ring, radially orthogonally oriented relative to the ring notches.

2. The beverage container closure of claim 1, wherein the tethered ring frangibly coupled to the cap comprises one or more bridges connecting a lower surface of the cap with the upper surface of the tethered ring, wherein the bridges are configured to fracture in response to the cap is rotated or lifted upward relative to the container spout.

3. The beverage container closure of claim 1, wherein the cap includes a visual indication of a rotation direction to remove the cap from the container spout in response to the closure is installed to the container spout.

4. The beverage container closure of claim 1, wherein the cap comprises a pair of cap notches on opposite sides of a lower surface of the cap, wherein the cap notches are configured to allow moisture to evaporate from an interior of the cap in response to the closure is installed to the container spout.

5. The beverage container closure of claim 1, wherein in response to the tethered ring is installed to the container spout, the tether is configured to not break and remain affixed to the cap in response to up to 90 Newtons (N) of pull force is applied to the cap.

6. The beverage container closure of claim 1, wherein in response to the tethered ring is installed to the container spout, the tethered ring is configured to remain affixed to the container spout in response to up to 90 Newtons (N) of pull force is applied to the tether.

7. The beverage container closure of claim 6, wherein the upper surface of the tethered ring between the pair of ring notches and opposite the tether remain below an annular bead on the exterior of the container spout in response to a pulling and/or a twisting force is applied to the tether.

8. The beverage container closure of claim 7, wherein the annular bead comprises a lead-in on an upper surface and a flat bottom surface.

9. The beverage container closure of claim 1, wherein the cap comprises a plug extending partially downward within the cap, wherein the plug is configured to provide a seal to the container spout in response to the closure is installed to the container spout.

10. The beverage container closure of claim 1, wherein the cap comprises threads on an inner lateral surface of the cap, wherein the threads are configured to engage matching threads on an outside surface of the container spout.

11. A beverage container, comprising:

a container pouch, configured to retain a beverage when filled; and

a hollow tubular spout, affixed to the container pouch and configured to allow passage of the beverage therethrough, comprising on an exterior surface of the spout:

an annular bead; and

a retention feature;

a cap;

a tethered ring, frangibly coupled to the cap, comprising:

12. The beverage container of claim 11, wherein the cap comprises a pair of cap notches on opposite sides of a lower surface of the cap, wherein the cap notches are configured to allow moisture to evaporate from an interior of the cap.

13. The beverage container of claim 11, wherein the tethered ring frangibly coupled to the cap comprises one or more bridges connecting a lower surface of the cap with the upper surface of the tethered ring, wherein the bridges are configured to fracture in response to the cap is rotated or lifted upward relative to the spout.

14. The beverage container of claim 11, wherein the tethered ring is configured to remain affixed to the spout in response to up to 90 Newtons (N) of pull force is applied to the tether.

15. The beverage container of claim 11, wherein the upper surface of the tethered ring between the pair of ring notches and opposite the tether remain below the annular bead in response to a pulling and/or a twisting force is applied to the tether.

16. The beverage container of claim 11, wherein the annular bead comprises a lead-in on an upper surface and a flat bottom surface.

17. The beverage container of claim 11, wherein the cap comprises a plug extending partially downward within the cap within the spout to provide a seal to the spout.

18. The beverage container of claim 11, wherein the retention feature comprises threads on an inner lateral surface of the cap, wherein the threads are configured to engage matching threads on an outside surface of the spout.

19. The beverage container of claim 19, wherein the spout comprises an end stop at a bottom end of the threads, wherein the end stop is configured to prevent further turning of the cap and the tethered ring, wherein the tethered ring is disposed below the annular bead when the cap engages the end stop.

20. The beverage container of claim 11, wherein the retention feature comprises a snap projection on an inner lateral surface of the cap, wherein the snap projection engages a spout projection to axially secure the cap to the spout.

21. A method for attaching a beverage container closure to a beverage container, comprising:

placing the closure on a top end of a tubular spout affixed to and extending upward from the beverage container, the closure including a cap joined to a tethered ring by a flexible tether;

engaging matching threads between an inside surface of the cap and an outside surface of the spout;

twisting the closure in a predetermined direction relative to the spout to lower the closure until a lower surface of the tethered ring makes contact with a lead-in on a top surface of an annular ring on the outside surface of the spout, the annular ring having a lead-in on a top surface, a flat bottom surface, and a sharp outer edge;

continuing to twist the closure on the matching threads until the lead-in forces the tethered ring outward such that the tethered ring moves completely below the annular ring, the tethered ring including a pair of ring notches disposed on opposite sides of an upper surface of the tethered ring and disposed radially orthogonally relative to the tether.