Compact fast-opening cap and cap and mouthpiece assembly for a container

Abstract

A compact fast-opening cap for a container having a mouthpiece with an outer annular perimetric rib, includes a base ring preventing separation from the mouthpiece; a protective cap or cover for opening and closing the mouthpiece; a hinge integrally joining the base ring and the cover; and frangible bridges that connect a lower edge of the cover with an upper edge of the base ring. The hinge includes strips or bridges connecting the cover to the base ring and an extension enlarged outwardly that forms an integral part of a lower end of the cover and that becomes engaged to the perimetric rib of the mouthpiece when the cover rotates around the hinge from a closed to an open position to create a stable positioning in the open position. A multi-thread or multi-start thread. provided inside the cover. is coupled with threads on an external wall of the mouthpiece.

1 . A cap for a container, the cap being fast-opening and configured to be arranged on a mouthpiece having an external side surface with a perimetric rib protruding outwardly therefrom, the cap comprising:
 a base ring with an inwardly protruding annular rib configured to engage the perimetric rib to prevent separation of the cap from the mouthpiece;   a protective cover for opening and closing the mouthpiece;   a hinge making the base ring and the protective cover integral with each other, the hinge being configured to be produced in a single piece by molding a plastic material; and   a series of frangible bridges connecting a lower edge of the protective cover with an upper edge of the base ring when the protective cover is arranged for closure on the base ring and on the mouthpiece,   wherein the hinge comprises,
 a plurality of strips or bridges spaced apart from each other within an arcuate section on the base ring and connecting the protective cover to the base ring, and 
 an extension: i) positioned between the spaced apart plurality of strips or bridges, ii) enlarged outwardly and iii) forming an integral part of a lower end of the protective cover facing the base ring, wherein the extension includes at least one camming facet that increases engagement between the perimetric rib and the protective cover when the protective cover is rotated around the hinge from a closed position to an open position so as to maintain the protective cover in the open position, and 
   wherein a multi-thread or multi-start thread is provided inside a side wall of the protective cover, the multi-thread or multi-start thread being arranged to be coupled with a plurality of threads defined on an external wall of the mouthpiece.   
     
     
         2 . The cap according to  claim 1 , wherein the multi-thread or multi-start thread is formed by twelve sections of thread inside the side wall of the protective cover. 
     
     
         3 . The cap according to  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of threads defined on the external wall of the mouthpiece comprises six sections of thread to provide an arrangement configured to be coupled with the twelve sections of thread inside the protective cover. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The cap according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of strips or bridges are foldable. 
     
     
         6 . The cap according to  claim 1 , wherein the protective cover has an inverted cup shape and comprises a flat upper closing wall and a knurled side wall. 
     
     
         7 . The cap according to  claim 6 , wherein, a collar or annular element extends from an interior face of the flat upper closing wall of the protective cover toward an internal portion of the cap, the collar or annular element having a smaller diameter than the protective cover and being coaxial therewith, the collar or annular element being configured to engage an internal wall of the mouthpiece. 
     
     
         8 . The cap according to  claim 1 , wherein the lower edge of the protective cover has two recessed seats defined on opposite sides of the protective cover, and wherein the upper edge of the base ring has two shaped teeth or extensions arranged on opposite sides of the base ring and insertable in the recessed seats. 
     
     
         9 . The cap according to  claim 1 , wherein the protective cover has a reinforcing and strengthening web defined in an internal wall of the protective cover beneath the external wall of the protective cover. 
     
     
         10 . The cap according to  claim 1 , wherein the cap is made of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and is configured to be coupled with the mouthpiece made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). 
     
     
         11 . A cap and mouthpiece assembly for a container, the cap being fast-opening and comprising:
 a base ring with an inwardly protruding annular rib configured to engage the perimetric rib to prevent separation of the cap from the mouthpiece;   a protective cover for opening and closing the mouthpiece;   a hinge making the base ring and the protective cover integral with each other, the hinge being configured to be produced in a single piece by molding a plastic material; and   a series of frangible bridges connecting a lower edge of the protective cover with an upper edge of the base ring when the protective cover is arranged for closure on the base ring and on the mouthpiece,   wherein the hinge comprises,
 a plurality of strips or bridges spaced apart from each other and connecting the protective cover to the base ring, and 
 an extension enlarged outwardly and forming an integral part of a lower end of the protective cover facing the base ring, the extension: i) positioned in between the plurality of strips or bridges on only a portion of the base ring and ii) having facets that create a cam effect with a perimetric rib on the mouthpiece when the protective cover rotates around the hinge from a closed position to an open position to increase engagement and permanently maintain the protective cover in the open position, and 
   wherein a multi-thread or multi-start thread is provided inside a side wall of the protective cover, the multi-thread or multi-start thread being arranged to be coupled with a plurality of threads defined on an external wall of the mouthpiece.   
     
     
         12 . The assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the multi-thread or multi-start thread is formed by twelve sections of thread inside the side wall of the protective cover. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of threads defined on the external wall of the mouthpiece comprises six sections of thread to provide an arrangement configured to be coupled with the twelve sections of thread inside the protective cover. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the protective cover is made of HDPE and the mouthpiece of PET.