# US 12,006,114 B2 · Tethered cap and spout > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,006,114 B2 - Document ID: US12006114B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/618,025 - Filed: 2020-06-10 - Published: 2022-10-06 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2019-06-10 - Assignees: Nypro Inc. - Applicants: Nypro Inc. - Inventors: Jeffrey C. Minnette; Ryan P. Davidson; Pau Mauri Pinol; Randall K. Julian - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12006114B2 ## CPC - B65D 5/747: {with means for piercing or cutting the container wall or a membrane connected to said wall} - B65D 55/16: Devices preventing loss of removable closure members - B65D 41/325: {with integral internal sealing means} - B65D 41/3447: {the tamper element being integrally connected to the closure by means of bridges} - B65D 47/0842: {consisting of a strap of flexible material} - B65D 47/122: {Threaded caps} - B65D 51/22: having means for piercing, cutting, or tearing the inner closure - B65D 55/06: Deformable or tearable wires, strings or strips (caps or cap-like closures with tear-strips B65D41/32); Use of seals - B65D 2251/1008: Means for locking the closure in open position - B65D 2401/30: Tamper-ring remaining connected to closure after initial removal - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES ## Abstract Disclosed herein are tethered cap and spout combinations. The tethered cap and spout combinations prevent loss of the cap after opening. In an implementation, the tethered cap and spout combinations may provide mechanisms for puncturing or opening a seal that may be present at a throat or neck of the container which provides both an anti-tampering and freshness function. In an implementation, the tethered cap and spout combinations may provide anti-tampering mechanisms. In an implementation, the tethered cap and spout combinations may provide mechanisms to hold an opened and tethered cap away from the container opening during use. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device comprising: a cap including a base, a sidewall and a camming mechanism on an internal side of the base and the sidewall; a spout, the spout configured to engage the cap; a cutting mechanism configured to be in engagement with at least the camming mechanism; a retaining element secured with respect to the spout; and a tether mechanism connected to the retaining element and the sidewall of the cap, wherein at least rotation of the cap: engages the camming mechanism with the cutting mechanism to push through a seal; and causes the tether mechanism to rise and engage with a neck of the spout in a stay-back position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the tether mechanism further comprising: a tab connected to at least the sidewall, the tab configured to engage the neck when the cap is opened. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the tether mechanism further comprising: a pair of flexible members connected to the tab and to the retaining element, the pair of flexible members configured to rise and provide distance between a mouth of the spout and the cap when the cap is opened. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The device of claim 3, wherein the pair of flexible members converge and are connected at a same point to the retaining element. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The device of claim 4, wherein the tab is a radial extending from a junction including the pair of flexible members and the sidewall. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the pair of flexible members are in a serpentine-type configuration. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the tether mechanism further comprising: a pair of flexible members connected to the tab, each flexible member connected to a different portion of the retaining element, the pair of flexible members configured to rise and provide distance between a mouth of the spout and the cap when the cap is opened. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The device of claim 7, wherein the pair of flexible members are in a circumferential arc configuration. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8, wherein the tab is a downward tab from the sidewall. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the tether mechanism further comprising: a pair of flexible members, each flexible member connected to a different portion of the sidewall and a different portion of the retaining element, the pair of flexible members configured to rise and provide distance between a mouth of the spout and the cap when the cap is opened. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the pair of flexible members are in a L-shaped configuration. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein the tab is a downward tab from the sidewall. ### Claim 13 A device comprising: a cap including a base and a sidewall; a spout, the spout configured to engage the cap; a retaining element secured with respect to the spout; a tab connected to the sidewall; and a pair of non-linear flexible members connected to at least the retaining element, wherein at least rotation of the cap causes the pair of non-linear flexible members to rise and the tab to engage with a neck of the spout in a stay-back position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The device of claim 13, wherein the tether mechanism further comprising: a cutting mechanism configured to be in engagement with at least a camming mechanism included in the cap, wherein the camming mechanism engages the cutting mechanism to push through a seal. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The device of claim 13, wherein the pair of non-linear flexible members are connected to the tab, the tab is a radial tab extending from a junction including the pair of flexible members and the sidewall, the pair of flexible members converge and are connected at a same point to the retaining element, and the pair of flexible members are in a serpentine-type configuration. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The device of claim 13, wherein the pair of flexible members are connected to the tab, the tab is a downward tab from the sidewall, each flexible member is connected to a different portion of the retaining element, and the pair of flexible members are in a circumferential arc configuration. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The device of claim 13, wherein the pair of flexible members are connected to a different portion of the sidewall, the pair of flexible members are connected to a different portion of the retaining element, and the pair of flexible members are in a L-shaped configuration. ### Claim 18 A device comprising: a container; a cap configured to open and close with respect to the container, the cap comprising a base, a sidewall and a camming mechanism on an internal side of the base and the sidewall; a spout positioned on the container, the spout configured to engage the cap; a cutting mechanism configured to be in engagement with at least the camming mechanism; a retaining element secured with respect to the spout; and a tether mechanism connected to the retaining element and the sidewall of the cap, wherein at least rotation of the cap: engages the camming mechanism with the cutting mechanism to push through a seal in the container; and causes the tether mechanism to rise and engage with a neck of the spout in a stay-back position. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The device of claim 18, wherein the tether mechanism further comprising: a tab connected to at least the sidewall, the tab configured to engage the neck when the cap is opened. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The device of claim 19, wherein the tether mechanism further comprising: a pair of flexible members connected to the tab and to the retaining element, the pair of flexible members configured to rise and provide distance between a mouth of the spout and the cap when the cap is opened.