The present invention relates to the field of spouted containers, e.g. spouted pouches.

For example, as discussed in W02020221801 , it is known in the art to provide a pouch with a spout having a tubular neck. The pouch also has a unitary plastic cap unit that includes a cap body, a base portion, and an integrated strap. The base portion is integrally formed to the lower edge of the skirt of the cap body via one or more breakable bridges. The base portion is configured to remain connected to the spout upon removal of the cap body from the neck by the user. The cap is a snap-on type cap and the cap body comprises a pair of wing-shaped handles that extend diametrically opposite from a central cap body portion. Each handle has, seen in side view thereon, an outer periphery with a bottom side, a top side, and a tip remote from the skirt. The strap is integral at a first end thereof to the annular base portion and at a second end thereof to one of the wing-shaped handles and is adapted to remain connected to both the base portion, and thus to the spout, and to the respective wing-shaped handle upon removal of the cap body from the neck of the article by the user. The provision of the strap seeks to avoid that the cap body becomes separated from the pouch, e.g. reducing the chance that the cap body ends up in the environment instead of being properly disposed of, e.g. in view of recycling. The document discloses embodiments wherein the length of the strap is between 30 and 50 millimetres, e.g. sufficient to allow moving the cap body over the top end or mouth end of the neck for removal and replacement of the cap body. This length also allows to keep the cap body a fair distance away from the neck, which facilitates drinking directly from the pouch as the user puts the neck between his/her lips.

In WO2021/214596 a spouted pouch disclosed wherein the cap unit has a cap body, a base portion, and an integrated strap. In this disclosure, the cap is screw cap that is screwed onto the neck of the spout. The base portion is embodied as a ring that is freely rotatable about the neck allowing the ring to follow the cap body during screw motion thereof. The strap connects the base portion to the lower region of the skirt of the central cap body portion. The cap body further has a gripping paddle portion, that is embodied as a flat panel in the vertical plane through the main axis. It is disclosed that, after unscrewing the cap body from the neck for opening of the pouch, the user can press a side edge of the paddle portion into a coupling seat that is formed between two vertically spaced flange portions of the spout. This arrangement serves to retain the opened cap body in a predefined position relative to the spout, e.g. in view facilitating drinking directly from the pouch as the user puts the neck between his/her lips.

The present invention aims to provide a spouted pouch with further enhanced comfort for the user, in particular in view of dispensing, more in particular in view of drinking directly from the pouch as the user puts the neck between his/her lips.

According to the invention a spouted container according to claim 1 is provided.

The spouted container is, in practical embodiments, generally composed of a container body, a spout, and a cap unit.

The container body is filled or is to be filled with a product to be dispensed, e.g. with a liquid food product, e.g. a beverage, a fruit product, a diary (e.g. yogurt) product, or other product for human consumption. Other products can be filled into the container body as well, e.g. detergents, oil products, liquid cosmetics, powdery products, etc. Whilst this includes products that are not suited for drinking directly from the container, the inventive solution affords a reduced risk of spillage as the cap body does not infer with pouring the product from the container.

The spout has a spout body made, e.g. moulded, e.g. injection molded, of plastic material, which spout body has an attachment portion that is attached to the container body and has a tubular neck extending upward along a main axis thereof from the attachment portion, which neck delimits a section of a product passage that extends through the spout body to a mouth at the top end of the neck.

The cap unit is made, e.g. moulded, e.g. injection moulded, as one piece of plastic material that is distinct from the spout. The cap unit comprises a cap body and an integrated base portion, wherein the cap body comprises a central cap body portion with a top wall structure and a downward depending skirt having an interior side, an exterior side, and a lower edge remote from the top wall structure, wherein the base portion is integrally connected to the skirt via one or more breakable bridges.

The base portion is permanently fixed on the spout body both in axial direction and in circumferential direction relative to the neck. For example, the base portion and the spout body have cooperating permanent snap-fit joint portions which fix the base portion on the spout body both in axial direction and in circumferential direction relative to the neck and which keep the base portion fixed to the spout body upon removal of the central cap from the neck by a user for dispensing of product from the container via the product passage.

The cap unit further comprises a cantilever arm portion having an inner end that is integral with the base portion, which cantilever arm portion extends laterally away to an outer end thereof that is laterally outward of the skirt of the central cap body portion in a closed position of the cap body. As the base portion is not movable relative to the spout, the cantilever arm has a fixed orientation relative to the spout, e.g. in contrast to the freely rotatable ring base portion of WO2021/214596.

The cap unit further comprises a lateral cap body portion that adjoins the central cap body portion and extends laterally away from the central cap body portion towards the outer end of the cantilever arm portion.

The outer end of the cantilever arm portion and the lateral cap body portion are joined via a hinge portion of the cap unit which defines a hinge axis perpendicular to the lateral extension of the cantilever arm portion and of the lateral cap body portion.

Cooperating snap connector formations are provided which are configured to provide for a snap-on functionality for the central cap body portion relative to the neck. This snap-on functionality allows for the cap body to be replaced and then retained on the spout so that the container is closed again.

The cap unit is configured such that, for removal of the cap body from the neck by the user from the closed position, the cap body is lifted from the neck through pivoting thereof about the hinge axis of the hinge portion into a dispensing position allowing dispensing of product from the container via the product passage.

Preferably, one or more locking formations are provided that are configured to lock the cap body relative to the cantilever arm so as to keep the cap body in the dispensing position. For example, the cantilever arm portion and the lateral cap body portion are provided with cooperation locking formations that are configured to cooperate and lock the cap body as the cap body reaches the dispensing position so as to keep the cap body in the dispensing position.

Whereas the coupling solution disclosed in WO2021/214596 retains the cap body in close proximity to the neck of the spout, the inventive design retains the cap body, in particular the central cap body portion thereof, at a location that is further remote from the neck of the spout. This allows to enhance user comfort as the cap body, in particular the central cap body portion thereof, may now be properly spaced away from the face of the person drinking from the neck of the spout, e.g. to the left or to the right of the mouth of the person. Most preferably, the cap body is in a locked condition when at the dispensing position, so that the cap body effectively remains in place relative to the container. This, e.g. avoids, undesirable motion of the cap body during drinking from the container, e.g. with the effect that the cap body is or may be in motion, e.g. (repeatedly) touches the face of the person drinking from the container.

Basically the length of the cantilever arm, and the technically linked length of the lateral cap body portion, define the distance between the cap body and the neck of the spout. Clearly the angle over which the cap body is rotated about the hinge axis during removal of the cap to arrive at the locked dispensing position plays a role as well in achieving a desired dispensing position.

In embodiments, the cap body is upside-down in the dispensing position, so with the top wall structure of the cap body directed towards, e.g. closely adjacent, the container. For example, in the dispensing position the top wall structure of the cap body is adjacent a top edge of a spouted pouch.

In embodiments, the central cap body portion and the neck of the spout have cooperating sealing surfaces that close the product passage in the closed position of the cap body.

In embodiments, the angle may correspond to the cap body being in close proximity or against a top edge of the pouch.

In practical embodiments, the angle over which the cap body is swung from the closed position to the dispensing position about the hinge axis may be between 120 and 210 degrees from the closed position, e.g. between 150 - 180 degrees.

In embodiments, in the dispensing position, the lateral cap body portion forms an outwardly directed extension of the cantilever arm.

When desiring to reclose the spouted pouch, the user can simply take hold of the cap body and fold it back about the hinge portion to the neck so as the place the central cap body portion over the neck. The one or more locking formations herein disengage, preferably automatically disengage without further action of the user being required. The replacing of the cap body causes the snap formations to retain the cap body in closed position by snap-fit action.

In practical embodiments, the container is pouch having a flexible material pouch body, which pouch has a top edge, wherein the attachment portion of the spout is sealed in a top edge seal of the pouch, e.g. between two pouch walls, and wherein the cantilever arm extends along the top edge of the pouch. This arrangement is advantageous for drinking directly from the pouch as the cap body is effectively cleared from the neck in the dispensing position of the cap body. The lateral extension of the cantilever arm portion is, seen in view from above, in embodiments aligned with the top edge of the pouch. In other embodiments, the cantilever arm can be at an angle, seen in view from above, relative to the top edge of the pouch, e.g. the angle being at most 25 degrees.

In practical embodiments, the cap unit is configured such that in the dispensing position, for embodiments wherein the neck has an outer diameter between 6 and 15 mm, the central cap body portion is laterally spaced at least 25 mm, preferably at least 35 mm, from the outer surface of the neck.

In practical embodiments, the outer end of the cantilever arm portion is located at least one time the outer diameter of the neck away from the outer surface of the neck. For example, the outer end of the cantilever arm portion is about twice the diameter of the neck away from the neck.

In practical embodiment, in the closed position of the cap body, the outer end of the cantilever arm portion is located at least 10 mm away from the skirt of the central cap body portion., e.g. for embodiments wherein the neck has an outer diameter between 6 and 15 mm, e.g. at least 15 mm away.

In practical embodiments, the cap unit is configured such that in the dispensing position the lower edge of the skirt of the central cap body portion is located below an imaginary plane of the mouth, perpendicular to the main axis of the neck. In practical embodiments wherein the cantilever arm extends in direction of the top edge of a spouted pouch, this may mean that the top of the central cap body portion is directed downwards and is in close proximity to, or even contact with, the top edge of the spouted pouch. In practical embodiments, the lateral cap body portion has a downward projecting tab at the underside thereof, which adjoins the hinge portion.

In practical embodiments, the cap body further comprises a lifting portion that adjoins the central cap body portion and, preferably, extends laterally away from the central cap body portion diametrically opposite the lateral cap body portion.

Preferably, neither the lateral cap body portion nor the lifting portion, when present, extend above the top wall of the cap body, seen with the cap body in closed position. This allows for an optimized operational angle of the hinge, in particular when the cantilever arm extends in direction of the top edge of a spouted pouch. This may mean that the top of the central cap body portion is directed downwards and is in close proximity to, or even contact with, the top edge of the spouted pouch.

In an embodiment, in the dispensing position, the central cap body portion is spaced further from the neck than a vertical side edge of the container, e.g. of the pouch.

In embodiments, the lifting portion is embodied as a lifting tab that is configured to be engaged from below by a finger of the user, e.g. the tab extending at least 10 mm outwards from the skirt of the central cap body portion, e.g. between 20 and 35 mm, e.g. for a spout having an outer diameter of the neck between 8 and 15 mm. For example, the lifting tab extends from a top region of the skirt of the cap body, e.g. with the lateral cap body portion also extending from said top region yet at the diametrically opposite side of the skirt. For example, in the closed position of the cap body, a vertical spacing of at least 10 mm is present between the container, e.g. the top edge of the pouch, and the lifting portion. This facilitates the placing of a finger underneath the lifting portion for opening the pouch.

In embodiments, the cantilever arm portion has a first locking formation inward of the hinge portion, and the lateral cap body portion has a second locking formation outward of the hinge portion when the central cap body is in closed position, which second locking portion is configured to cooperate with the first locking portion as the central cap body reaches the dispensing position. For example, one or both of the locking formations are embodied as resilient formations that allow the one formation to flex and pass the other formation when moving the cap body to the dispensing position. The one locking formation, or both formations, then spring back so as to provide the locking action. In another embodiment, locking is caused by frictional engagement between the first and second locking formations. In embodiments, the first locking formation is arranged at an underside of the cantilever arm portion. Preferably, seen from above, the first locking formation is within the contour of the cantilever arm and does not extend outward thereof. This, e.g., avoids damage to the (rather small) first locking formation.

In embodiments, the second locking formation is arranged at an underside of the lateral cap body portion when the central cap body is in closed position. Preferably, seen from above, the second locking formation is within the contour of the lateral cap body portion and does not extend outward thereof. This, e.g., avoids damage to the (rather small) second locking formation.

In embodiments, the first locking formation is arranged at an underside of the cantilever arm portion and the second locking formation is arranged at an underside of the lateral cap body portion when the central cap body is in closed position. Herein the lateral cap body portion is configured such that, in closed position, the second locking formation is located further laterally outward than the hinge axis. When moving the cap body towards the dispensing position around the hinge axis, the second locking formation travels to locking engagement with the first locking formation.

In practical embodiments, the cantilever arm portion has a width of at least 4 mm, e.g. between 5 and 8 mm, e.g. with an outer diameter of the neck of between 6 and 15 mm.

In practical embodiments, the cantilever arm portion has a greatest width at its inner end, tapering to a smallest width at its outer end.

In practical embodiments, the cantilever arm portion is formed by an upper broad strip having a thickness of at most 1.5 mm, a width of at least 4 mm, combined with one or more reinforcement ribs extending along the length of the cantilever arm portion, e.g. a single reinforcement rib extending centrally at the underside of the upper broad strip.

In practical embodiments, a first snap connector formation is provided on the base portion and a second snap connector formation is provided on the skirt of the central cap body portion.

In practical embodiments, the first snap connector formation is located on the base portion diametrically opposite the cantilever arm portion. In practical embodiments, the first snap connector formation is embodied as a resilient hook having an inward hook portion, wherein the second snap connector formation is embodied as an outwardly protruding tab engaging underneath the hook portion.

In practical embodiments, the outer surface of the neck is cylindrical and the inner surface of the skirt is oval, the oval inner surface having a greatest diameter in the plane perpendicular to the hinge axis. The oval shape facilitates moving the cap body over the neck of the spout during opening and re-closing.

In practical embodiments, the lateral cap body portion is V-shaped in a vertical cross-section perpendicular to the length thereof. This provides for strength and stability whilst limiting the plastic volume of this body portion. Other cross-section shapes, e.g. like T-shaped, are also practical.

In embodiments, the base portion is embodied as an annular base portion that has a top face, a bottom face, an inner face, and an outer face, wherein multiple hook members are integrally formed to the bottom of the base portion, the hook members being distributed in a circumferential direction of the base portion, wherein each hook member comprises a leg having an upper end integral with the base portion and protruding downward from the base portion, wherein each hook member comprises a hook portion at the lower free end of the leg, wherein the spout body has an annular spout body flange portion that is integrally formed to the neck and extends around the neck, which flange portion has a top face, a bottom face, and a periphery, wherein the annular flange portion is provided with multiple hook member passages that each extend between the top face and the bottom face through said annular flange portion, each hook member passage being adapted to receive a hook member when the cap unit is axially mounted on the neck by means of an axial securing motion along the main axis, wherein the hook portion of each hook member engages underneath the bottom face of the annular flange portion on the neck of the article.

In embodiments, one of the hook members is located where the cantilever arm adjoins the base portion, so as to create a stable connection of the cantilever arm to the spout. In embodiments, another hook is located diametrically opposite from where the cantilever arm adjoins the base portion. This further enhances stability and strength.

In embodiments, the flange structure on the spout further comprises a peripheral protective rim portion that is integral to and extends upwards from the flange portion at the periphery thereof, so that the top face of the flange portion and the protective rim portion define an annular recess around the neck, wherein the periphery of the base portion is shaped to fit within the protective rim portion as the base portion is at least partially inserted in said annular recess upon axially mounting of the cap unit on the spout. Herein the peripheral protective rim portion is adapted to obstruct lateral access from outside to the interface between the top face of the spout body flange portion and the bottom face of the base portion.

In embodiments, the spout comprises a circumferential wall which is positioned around a bottom region of the neck and spaced from the neck forming an inner space which is open from above and receives the base portion therein, wherein the circumferential wall comprises at least one window which extends through said circumferential wall, wherein the base portion has at least one snap fit portion which is snap fitted in a window of the circumferential wall to retain the base portion axially and such that a rotation of the base portion is blocked.

In embodiments, the container is a carton, e.g. filled or to be filled with a liquid product for human consumption, e.g. a beverage, and the spout is attached to a panel of the carton. For example, the carton is made of cardboard/plastic composite material, e.g. with an inner layer of plastic, e.g. a parallelepipedal carton, e.g. with a gable top.

In embodiments, the spouted container further comprises a flow control device which flow control device is configured to provide control of the flow of product from the pouch body through the product passage. For example, the flow control device is a slit valve that is fitted in the neck of the spout or co-moulded with the neck of the spout. In an embodiment, the flow control device is made distinct from the spout and from the cap unit, which flow control device is mounted to the neck. For example, the flow control device has an external part that is located outside of the exterior surface of the neck, wherein the cap body is arranged over the neck and over the flow control device. For example, the flow control device is a push - pull valve member slidable up and down relative to the neck to open and close the product passage.

The present invention also relates to a closure assembly for a spouted container as described herein.

The present invention also relates to a cap unit as described herein configured to be mounted on a spout of a spouted container, which container has a container body filled or to be filled with a product to be dispensed. The present invention also relates to a method for dispensing a product from a spouted container as described herein, wherein, for removal of the cap body from the neck by the user from a closed position, the cap body is lifted from the neck through pivoting thereof about the hinge axis of the hinge portion into a dispensing position allowing dispensing of product from the container via the product passage. Preferably, one or more locking formations lock the cap body relative to the cantilever arm so as to keep the cap body in the dispensing position.

The invention also relates to a spouted container and/or closure assembly for a spouted container as described herein, wherein the one or more locking formations that are configured to lock the cap body relative to the cantilever arm portion so as to keep the cap body in the dispensing position are absent. For example, in the dispensing position, the cap body is then freely pivotal about the hinge portion. Whilst this may not provide the optimal user comfort as when the one or more locking formations would be present, it still provides an enhancement over the prior art. In another embodiment, the cap body locks to the container, e.g. the cap body being hooked or clamped to the container. For example, the pouch has an opening in which the user can insert a portion of the cap body when in the dispensing position, e.g. a hook portion on the cap body, e.g. on the lateral portion thereof. In another embodiment, the hinge portion is fairly stiff so that the cap body is more or less retained in the dispensing position by the stiffness of the hinge portion.

The invention will now be discussed with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

- fig. 1 shows an example of a closure assembly for a spouted container according to the invention,

- fig. 2 shows the closure assembly of figure 1 from a different angle,

- fig. 3 shows a vertical cross-section of the closure assembly of figure 1 ,

- fig. 4 shows another vertical cross-section of the closure assembly of figure 1 ,

- fig. 5 illustrates a pouch provided with the closure assembly of figure 1 , wherein the cap body is depicted both in closed position and in dispensing position,

- figs. 6a, b show the cap unit of the the closure assembly of figure 1 ,

- figs. 7a, b show the spout the closure assembly of figure 1 ,

- fig. 8 shows another example of a closure assembly for a spouted container according to the invention.

With reference to the figures 1 - 7 a first example of a closure assembly for a spouted container as well as a spouted container provided with the closure assembly according to the invention is discussed. The closure assembly is generally denoted with reference numeral 1.

The container is denoted with reference numeral 100 and is partly shown in figure 5. In this example, the container 100 is embodied as a pouch having a flexible material pouch body, e.g. of film material, e.g. a plastic film material with or (preferably) without a metallic layer. For example, the pouch body is made of film material composed of one or more layers of plastic material only, e.g. of polyethylene film material (possibly with an EVOH barrier layer).

Figure 5 illustrates that the pouch 100 has a top edge 101 as well as vertical side edges 102, 103.

For example, the width of the top of the pouch 100 between the side edges is between 70 and 110 mm, e.g. between 70 and 90 mm, e.g. about 80 mm. For example, the pouch 100 holds 90 grammes of product.

In the illustrated embodiment, it is understood that the user/consumer intends to drink directly from the pouch, e.g. as the pouch 100 is filled with a food product, e.g. a beverage, yogurt, fruit puree, etc.

Generally the closure assembly 1 is assembled from two plastic parts:

- a spout 20;

- a cap unit 50.

The spout 20 and cap unit 50 are injection molded.

The spout has a spout body 21 made of plastic material, which spout body has an attachment portion 22 that is configured to be attached to the container body 100 and has a tubular neck 23 extending upward along a main axis 24 thereof from the attachment portion, which neck delimits a section of a product passage 25 that extends through the spout body to a mouth 26 at the top end of the neck 23.

The attachment portion 22 of the spout 20 is sealed between pouch walls in a top edge seal of the pouch 100.

The cap unit 50 is made as one piece of plastic material that is distinct from the spout 20. The cap unit 50 comprises a cap body 51 and an integrated base portion 65. The cap body 51 comprises a central cap body portion 52 having a top wall structure 53 and a downward depending skirt 54 with an interior side, an exterior side, and a lower edge 54a remote from the top wall structure 53.

The base portion 65 is integrally connected to the skirt 54 via breakable bridges 55,

The base portion 65 is permanently fixed on the spout body 21 both in axial direction and in circumferential direction relative to the neck 23.

The cap unit 50 further comprises a cantilever arm portion 70 having an inner end that is integral with the base portion 65. The cantilever arm portion 70 extends laterally away to an outer end 71 thereof that is laterally outward of the skirt 54 of the central cap body portion 52 in closed position. As the base portion 65 is not movable relative to the spout 20, the cantilever arm 70 has a fixed orientation relative to the spout 20.

The cap body 51 further comprises a lateral cap body portion 80 that adjoins the central cap body portion 52 and extends laterally away from the central cap body portion 52 towards the outer end 71 of the cantilever arm portion 70.

The outer end of the cantilever arm portion 70 and the lateral cap body portion 80 are joined via a hinge portion 90 which defines a hinge axis 91 perpendicular to the lateral extension of the cantilever arm portion 70 and of the lateral cap body portion 80.

Cooperating snap connector formations 58, 59 are provided which are configured to provide for a snap-on functionality for the central cap body portion on the neck.

As illustrated in figure 5, the cap unit 50 is configured such that, for removal of the cap body 51 from the neck 23 by the user from a closed position, the cap body i51 s lifted from the neck through pivoting thereof about the hinge axis 91 of the hinge portion 90 into a dispensing position allowing dispensing of product from the pouch 100 via the product passage.

It is shown here that the cantilever arm portion extends along the top edge 101 of the pouch 100. As can be understood from the example shown in the drawings, this arrangement is advantageous for drinking directly from the pouch 100 as the cap body 51 is effectively cleared from the neck 23 in the dispensing position of the cap body 51. One or more locking formations, here 75, 85, are provided that are configured to lock the cap body 51 relative to the cantilever arm 70 as the cap body 51 reaches the dispensing position so as to keep the cap body 51 in the dispensing position.

This allows to enhance user comfort as the cap body 51 , in particular the central cap body portion thereof, is now properly spaced away from the face of the person drinking from the neck 23 of the spout 20, e.g. to the left or to the right of the mouth of the person.

Basically the length of the cantilever arm portion 70, and the technically linked length of the lateral cap body portion 80, define the distance between the cap body 51 and the neck 23 of the spout. Clearly the angle over which the cap body 51 is rotated about the hinge axis 91 during removal of the cap to arrive at the locked dispensing position plays a role as well in achieving a desired dispensing position.

The figures, in particular figure 5, illustrate that the cap body 51 is upside-down in the dispensing position, so with the top wall structure of the cap body directed towards, e.g. closely adjacent, the pouch 100. It is shown that in the dispensing position the top wall structure of the cap body 51 is adjacent an imaginary line 105 through the top edge of the spouted pouch.

The central cap body portion 52 and the neck 23 of the spout have cooperating sealing surfaces that close the product passage in the closed position of the cap body. In figure 4 it is shown that the top wall portion is configured to seal against a sealing surface on the interior of the neck 23 of the spout. Other arrangements of sealing, e.g. with one or more additional and/or alternative sealing surfaces at one or more other locations are also possible.

It is shown here that the angle over which the cap body 51 is pivoted to the dispensing position corresponds to the cap body 51 being in close proximity of the top edge of the pouch.

In practical embodiments, the angle over which the cap body 51 is swung from the closed position to the dispensing position about the hinge axis 91 may be between 120 and 210 degrees from the closed position, e.g. between 150 - 180 degrees as shown here.

It is shown here that, in the dispensing position, the lateral cap body portion 80 forms an outwardly directed extension of the cantilever arm portion 70. When desiring to reclose the spouted pouch 100, the user can simply take hold of the cap body 51 and fold it back about the hinge portion 90 to the neck 23 so as the place the central cap body portion 52 over the neck 23. The one or more locking formations 75, 85 herein disengage, here automatically disengage without further action of the user being required. The replacing of the cap body 51 causes the snap connector formations 58, 59 to retain the cap body 51 in closed position by snap-fit action.

In the depicted practical embodiment, the neck has an outer diameter between 6 mm and 15 mm, here of 10 mm.

The cap unit 50 is configured such that in the dispensing position, the central cap body portion 52 is laterally spaced at least 25 mm, preferably at least 35 mm, from the outer surface of the neck 23.

In practical embodiments, as here, the outer end 71 of the cantilever arm portion is located at least one time the outer diameter of the neck 23 away from the outer surface of the neck 23. For example, as here, the outer end 71 of the cantilever arm portion is about twice the diameter of the neck away from the neck, so about 20 mm.

In practical embodiments, as here, in the closed position of the cap body, the outer end 71 of the cantilever arm portion is located at least 10 mm away from the skirt of the central cap body portion, e.g. at least 15 mm away.

In practical embodiments, as shown here, the cap unit 50 is configured such that in the dispensing position the lower edge 54a of the skirt 54 of the central cap body portion 52 is located below an imaginary plane of the mouth, perpendicular to the main axis of the neck 23.

The figure 5 illustrates, that in an embodiment, in the dispensing position, the central cap body portion is spaced further from the neck than a vertical side edge of the pouch 100. This, e.g. is advantageous for small pouches containing between 50 and 250 ml of product.

In practical embodiments, as shown here, the lateral cap body portion 80 has a downward projecting tab 84 at the underside thereof, which adjoins the hinge portion 90. The tab 84 is closer to the tip of the portion 80 than to the skirt 54, yet spaced from the tip. In practical embodiments, as shown here, the cap body 51 further comprises a lifting portion 60 that adjoins the central cap body portion 52 and extends laterally away from the central cap body portion 52 diametrically opposite the lateral cap body portion 80.

It is shown here that, as preferred, neither the lateral cap body portion 80 nor the lifting portion 60 extend above the top wall 53 of the cap body 51 , seen with the cap body in closed position. This allows for an optimized operational angle of the hinge, in particular when the cantilever arm extends in direction of the top edge of a spouted pouch as shown.

The lifting portion 60 is embodied as a lifting tab that is configured to be engaged from below by a finger of the user, e.g. the tab 60 extending at least 5 mm outwards from the skirt of the central cap body portion, e.g. between 20 and 35 mm, e.g. for a spout having an outer diameter of the neck between 8 and 15 mm.

The lifting tab 60 extends from a top region of the skirt 54 of the cap body 51 , here with the lateral cap body portion 80 also extending from this top region yet at the diametrically opposite side of the skirt 54.

It is shown here that in the closed position of the cap body a vertical spacing of at least 10 mm is present between the container, here the top edge of the pouch 100, and the lifting portion 60. This facilitates the placing of a finger underneath the lifting portion for opening the pouch.

It is shown here that the cantilever arm portion 70 has a first locking formation 75 inward of the hinge portion, and the lateral cap body portion 80 has a second locking formation 85 outward of the hinge portion 90 when the cap body 51 is in closed position.

The second locking portion 85 is configured to cooperate with the first locking portion 75 as the cap body 51 reaches the dispensing position. For example, one or both of the locking formations 75, 85 are embodied as resilient formations that allow the one formation, here 85, to flex and pass the other formation, here 75, when moving the cap body to the dispensing position. The one locking formation 85 then springs back so as to provide the locking action. In another embodiment, locking is caused by frictional engagement between first and second locking formations.

The figures illustrate that the first locking formation 75 is arranged at an underside of the cantilever arm portion 70. Seen from above, the first locking formation 75 is within the contour of the cantilever arm portion 70 and does not extend outward thereof. This, e.g., avoids damage to the (rather small) first locking formation 75.

The figures illustrate that the second locking formation 85 is arranged at an underside of the lateral cap body portion 80 when the cap body 51 is in closed position. Preferably, seen from above, the second locking formation 85 is within the contour of the lateral cap body portion 80 and does not extend outward thereof. This, e.g., avoids damage to the (rather small) second locking formation 85.

The lateral cap body portion 80 is configured such that, in closed position, the second locking formation 85 is located further laterally outward than the hinge axis 90. When moving the cap body 51 towards the dispensing position around the hinge axis 91 , the second locking formation 85 travels to locking engagement with the first locking formation 75.

The figures illustrate that the cantilever arm portion 70 has a width of at least 4 mm, e.g. between 5 and 8 mm, e.g. with an outer diameter of the neck 23 of between 6 and 15 mm.

The figures illustrate that the cantilever arm portion 70 has a greatest width at its inner end, tapering to a smallest width at its outer end 71.

The figures illustrate that the cantilever arm portion 70 is formed by an upper broad strip 70a having a thickness of at most 1.5 mm, a width of at least 4 mm, combined with one or more reinforcement ribs 70b extending along the length of the cantilever arm portion 70, here a single reinforcement rib extending centrally at the underside of the upper broad strip.

The figures illustrate that a first snap connector formation 58 is provided on the base portion 65 and a second snap connector formation 59 is provided on the skirt 54 of the central cap body portion 52.

The figures illustrate that the first snap connector formation 58 is located on the base portion 65 diametrically opposite the cantilever arm portion 70.

The figures 1 - 7 illustrate that the first snap connector formation 58 is embodied as a resilient hook having an inward hook portion, wherein the second snap connector formation 59 is embodied as an outwardly protruding tab engaging underneath the hook portion 58. The figures illustrate that the outer surface of the neck 23 is cylindrical and the inner surface of the skirt 54 is oval. Herein the oval inner surface has a greatest diameter in the plane perpendicular to the hinge axis 91. The oval shape facilitates moving the cap body 51 over the neck 23 of the spout during opening and re-closing.

The figures illustrate that the lateral cap body portion 80 is V-shaped in a vertical crosssection perpendicular to the length thereof. This provides for strength and stability whilst limiting the plastic volume of this body portion 80. Other cross-section shapes, e.g. like T- shaped, are also practical.

The figures 1 - 7 illustrate that the base portion 65 is embodied as an annular base portion that has a top face, a bottom face, an inner face, and an outer face, wherein multiple hook members 66 are integrally formed to the bottom of the base portion.

The hook members 66 are distributed in a circumferential direction of the base portion 65.

Each hook member 66 comprises a leg having an upper end integral with the base portion and protruding downward from the base portion. Each hook member comprises a hook portion at the lower free end of the leg.

The spout body has an annular spout body flange portion 27 that is integrally formed to the neck 23 and extends around the neck, which flange portion has a top face, a bottom face, and a periphery. The annular flange portion is provided with multiple hook member passages 28 that each extend between the top face and the bottom face through the annular flange portion.

Each hook member passage 28 is adapted to receive a hook member 66 when the cap unit 50 is axially mounted on the neck by means of an axial securing motion along the main axis, wherein the hook portion of each hook member engages underneath the bottom face of the annular flange portion on the neck of the article.

One of the hook members 66 is located where the cantilever arm portion 70 adjoins the base portion 65, so as to create a stable connection of the cantilever arm portion 70 to the spout 20. Another hook member 66 is located diametrically opposite from where the cantilever arm portion 70 adjoins the base portion 65. This further enhances stability and strength. The flange structure on the spout further comprises a peripheral protective rim portion that is integral to and extends upwards from the flange portion 27 at the periphery thereof, so that the top face of the flange portion and the protective rim portion define an annular recess around the neck 23. The periphery of the base portion 65 is shaped to fit within the protective rim portion as the base portion 65 is at least partially inserted in this annular recess upon axially mounting of the cap unit 50 on the spout. Herein the peripheral protective rim portion is adapted to obstruct lateral access from outside to the interface between the top face of the spout body flange portion and the bottom face of the base portion.

Figure 8 shows another example of a closure assembly T for a spouted container according to the invention. Compared to the embodiment of figures 1 - 7, the main variation is the location and design of the snap connector formations 58, 59. Here, pairs of cooperating formations 58, 59 are located at diametrically opposite sides of the base portion 65 relative to the neck 23. In more detail, in this example, the skirt 54 has a recess at its lower edge, which recess delimits a formation 59 that protrudes in direction of cantilever arm portion 70. The base portion 65 has a hook formation 58 that is received in this recess and extends over the formation 58. is Io snap formations