Abstract:
A childproof closure for a dispensing apparatus ( 5 ) having first bayonet fastening means ( 20 ), wherein the closure ( 40, 50, 80, 100 ) has second bayonet fastening means ( 21 ). One of the two bayonet fastening means ( 20, 21 ) has bayonet lugs ( 30, 32 ) which can be introduced into corresponding socket elements ( 25, 27 ) of the other bayonet fastening means ( 20, 21 ). Both bayonet fastening means ( 20, 21 ) moreover have coding elements ( 13, 23, 35, 38 ) for a preset alignment of the closure ( 40, 50, 80, 100 ) and of the dispensing apparatus ( 5 ). The closure ( 40, 50, 80, 100 ) has a closure element ( 40, 50 ) having first engagement elements ( 43, 70 ) and a securing cap ( 80, 100 ) which at least partly covers the closure element ( 40, 50 ) and has second engagement elements ( 75, 130 ). The securing cap ( 80, 100 ) and the closure element ( 40, 50 ) are connected cohesively strongly, but rotatably with respect to one another, by means of shape-matched elements ( 58, 60, 90, 120 ). The securing cap ( 80, 100 ) is configured at least partly elastically deformably such that the first and second engagement elements ( 43, 70, 75, 130 ) can be brought into engagement with one another by pressing the securing cap ( 80, 100 ) toward the closure element ( 40, 50 ).

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the priority of European Application No. 10 176 212.8, filed on Sep. 10, 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a childproof closure for a dispensing apparatus having bayonet fastening with a childproof closure to prevent children from unauthorized access to substances in the dispensing apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Dispensing apparatus and in particular multicartridges for mixing and discharging multicomponent materials are known from EP-A-0730913, for example. A closure cap or a mixer element is fastened to the dispensing apparatus by means of a bayonet closure. 
     In many cases, substances are used in such dispensing apparatus which are chemically more or less aggressive and whose ingestion or contact with the skin has to be prevented since otherwise poisoning or chemical burns of persons or animals can occur. Whereas adults are generally in control of the correct handling of such substances, there is in particular the risk with children that they consider the content of the dispensing apparatus for something edible and ingest it. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of the present invention to propose a childproof closure for a dispensing apparatus having bayonet fastening means which in particular prevents children from unauthorized access to such substances present in the dispensing apparatus. 
     This object is satisfied by a dispensing apparatus having the features disclosed herein. Advantageous aspects and expedient further developments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims. 
     The closure in accordance with the invention requires the coordination of different movement procedures with an additional application of force for the opening of the dispensing apparatus, which cannot be effected by children, in particular small children. As a consequence, the proposed closure is childproof. 
     The childproof closure is in particular suitable for a multi component cartridge containing a plurality of cylindrical containers. The childproof closure is preferably suitable for a double-cartridge for dispensing two components. The containers preferably contain cylindrical chambers. The chambers, i.e. the inner space of the hollow-cylindrical cartridge containers, can have a cylindrical shape or an elliptical or polygonal cross-section. The multi component cartridge also includes an expulsion plunger which has a shape-matched piston for each chamber. 
     The multicomponent cartridges also include, in addition to the cylindrical chambers, a molding serving as an outlet part. In this respect, the outlet part relates, for example, to a totality of tubular moldings of the individual chambers and/or a cylindrical connector part. The outlet part can be engaged over by the closure and has an output opening for every component at the closure side, i.e. the individual components are held separate from one another up to the end of the outlet part at the closure side so that a premature mixing of the components is prevented. 
     The outlet part of the multicomponent cartridge, for example, contains first bayonet fastening means. The closure thus contains corresponding second bayonet fastening parts. One of the two fastening means has bayonet lugs which can be introduced into corresponding socket elements of the other bayonet fastening means. Both bayonet fastening means expediently also have coding elements for a preset alignment of the closure and of the dispensing apparatus or multicomponent cartridge. 
     The childproof closure in accordance with the invention now has a closure element having first engagement elements and a securing hap having second engagement elements and at least partly covering the closure element. In addition, the securing cap and the closure element contain shape-matched elements which allow the cohesively strong connection of the closure element and of the securing cap such that the closure element and the securing cap remain freely rotatably supported with respect to one another as long as the securing element remains pressure-free with respect to the closure element, i.e. as long as no mechanical pressure is exerted onto the securing cap from the outside. The securing cap is configured at least partly elastically deformably such that the first and second engagement elements can be brought into engagement with one another by pressing the securing the cap against the closure element. 
     The securing cap preferably represents a beaker-like or cap-like element which is configured such that it can be pushed over the closure element. In this respect, the closure element and the securing cap are preferably hollow cylindrical elements having a base or cover, wherein the securing cap has a larger cross-section than the closure element so that the securing cap can be pushed with its hollow cylindrical part over the hollow cylindrical part of the closure element. 
     The closure element is preferably a beaker-like element having a hollow cylindrical part and a base, wherein the closure element has first engagement elements at its jacket surface, i.e. at the outer side of the hollow cylindrical part or at the outer side of the base. 
     The securing cap is preferably an element which can be pushed over the closure element and is likewise of beaker shape or of hat shape and has a hollow cylindrical part and a base, wherein the securing cap preferably has second engagement elements at its inner side, i.e. at the inner side of the hollow cylindrical part on the inner side of the base. 
     The securing cap is dimensioned such that the securing cap pushed over the closure element is freely rotatable with respect to the closure element in the mechanically non-strained state, i.e. the first and second engagement means are not in engagement with one another. In this respect, the expression “in the mechanically non-strained state” means that no external force is exerted onto the securing cap pushed over the closure element such as could occur, for example, by compressing the cap or by pushing or pressing the securing cap onto the closure element. 
     The engagement elements at the closure element as well as also at the securing cap are preferably made up of a saw tooth structure, i.e. ribs having the shape of saw teeth. The engagement elements of the closure element and of the securing cap nevertheless together preferably describe a saw tooth coupling. 
     The securing cap should be fixable captively, but freely rotatably in the pressureless state, at the closure element. This is preferably done by use of tongue and groove connection elements. For this purpose, the closure element, for example, has a groove which extends transversely to its concentric longitudinal axis and is peripheral or sector-shaped and the securing cap, for example, has a spring element which can engage elastically into the groove of the closure element and is molded to the securing cap. On the other hand, the securing cap can also have a groove which extends transversely to its concentric longitudinal axis and is peripheral or sector-shaped, wherein then the closure element has at least one spring element which can engage elastically into the groove and is molded to the closure element. 
     The socket elements of the dispensing apparatus or of the closure element, for example, represent ring-shaped or sector-shaped elements optionally having an undercut. The ring-shaped or sector-shaped elements thus serve for the at least partial shape-matched reception of the bayonet lugs. 
     The cut-outs at the socket elements, i.e. the free space located between two segment-shaped socket elements, as well as correspondingly designed bayonet lugs of different widths together preferably serve as coding elements. The latter are configured such that the bayonet lugs of the closure element or of the dispensing apparatus can only be introduced in a specific position with respect to the cut-outs of the ring-shaped or sector-shaped socket elements. 
     The socket elements and the dispensing apparatus are preferably configured in one piece, expediently in the form of a cast molded body. The bayonet lugs are likewise preferably molded in one piece to the closure element in the form of a cast molded body. Alternatively, the socket elements can also be configured in one piece with the closure element in the form of a cast molded body and the bayonet lugs can be molded to the dispensing apparatus in one piece as a cast body element. 
     Very preferably, the closure element represents a cylindrical element which has a saw tooth structure extending parallel to its concentric longitudinal axis at at least a part of its jacket surface, wherein the securing cap is configured as a beaker-like element having a hollow cylindrical part and a base and the inner side of the beaker-like element has a saw tooth structure which extends parallel to its concentric longitudinal axis and can engage into the saw tooth structure of the closure element. In this respect, the closure element has radially projecting segment-like bayonet lugs at the margin of its jacket surface directed toward the dispensing apparatus transversely to its concentric longitudinal axis. 
     In a further preferred embodiment, the closure element is a beaker-like element having a hollow cylindrical part and a base which has a radially outwardly extending saw tooth structure at at least a part of its outer base surface and the securing cap likewise represents a beaker-like element having a hollow cylindrical part and a base, wherein the inner side of the base of the securing cap has a saw tooth structure which extends radially outwardly and can engage into the saw tooth structure of the closure element. In this respect, the closure element again has radially projecting segment-like bayonet lugs at the margin of its jacket surface directed toward the dispensing apparatus transversely to its concentric longitudinal axis. 
     Further preferably, abutment flanks are present as a rotational boundary of the two bayonet fastening means at the dispensing apparatus or at the closure element and extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the closure element and are arranged over the bayonet lugs. 
     The closure in accordance with the invention can represent a cap for closing a dispensing apparatus, but can also have a mixer element, in particular a static mixer element, which can be brought into fluid communication with the content of the dispensing apparatus, wherein the mixer element pierces the closure element and the securing cap, wherein further the closure element and the securing cap are configured as freely rotatable, but sealing, with respect to the mixer. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be further explained below by way of example by the following Figures. 
         FIG. 1  is a longitudinal section of a double cartridge; 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of the cartridge of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of the second bayonet fastening means of the closure element; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a closure fastened onto a double cartridge by means of a bayonet closure; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the closure shown in  FIG. 4  in a partly open representation; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective representation of the closure element and of the securing cap matching it of the closure shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a closure fastened onto a double cartridge by means of a bayonet closure; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the closure shown in  FIG. 7  in a partly open representation; and 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective representation of the closure element and of the securing cap matching it of the closure shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a longitudinal section through a dispensing apparatus  5  which is configured as a double cartridge and which has two cylindrical containers of the same cross-sectional area for a metering ratio 1:1. The containers  8  open into two separate cylindrical and mutually spaced apart outlets  9  and  10 . If a static two-component mixer is connected to the dispensing apparatus, the outlets  9 ,  10  of the dispensing apparatus fit into or onto the inlets of the mixer such that a tight connection results. The dispensing apparatus  5  furthermore has first bayonet fastening means  20  in the form of socket elements  25 ,  27 . The socket elements describe a ring-shaped or segment shaped groove  22  extending around the outlets  9 ,  10  for receiving second bayonet fastening means. 
       FIG. 2  shows a plan view of the dispensing apparatus  5  shown in  FIG. 1  having two cylindrical containers  8  of the same cross-section. The front side  6  of the dispensing apparatus  5  has, beside the outlets  9 ,  10 , two mutually oppositely disposed segment-like socket elements  25  and  27 , wherein the segment  25  is somewhat wider than the segment  27 . The segment-shaped socket elements  25 ,  27  have correspondingly segment-shaped grooves  22  (see  FIG. 1 ) which serve for the reception of bayonet lugs  30 ,  32  of the closure element  50  (see  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 ). The socket elements  25 ,  27  are reinforced by reinforcement ribs  7 . The front side  6  of the dispensing apparatus  5  moreover has a V-shaped notch  13  as a visual coding means. The segment-shaped socket element  25  contains a radially inwardly open V-shaped recess  23  which can cooperate with a code nose  35  molded to the closure element (see  FIG. 3 ) so that the closure element  50  can only be inserted in one direction, which is in particular of importance on a closure with an integrated mixer. The dispensing apparatus  5  configured as a double cartridge and having the two containers  8 , the outlets  9  and  10 , the segment-shaped socket elements  25  and  27  as well as the reinforcement ribs  7  together preferably form a cast plastic part, in particular an injection die cast part. 
       FIG. 3  shows a plan view of the second bayonet fastening means of a closure element  50  as well as of the cylindrical part  55  of the closure element  50 . The closure element  50  has two segment-shaped bayonet lugs  30  and  32 . The bayonet lug  30  moreover contains an outwardly open V-shaped notch  38  as a coding means which corresponds, for example, to the notch  13  of the dispensing apparatus  5  so that, with a closure element pushed, but not latched, into the socket elements of the dispensing apparatus  5 , the notches  13  and  38  lie over one another, for example. The closure element  50  contains at its cylindrical part  55  a molded coding nose  35  which corresponds to the V-shaped recess  23  of the socket element  25  for introducing the closure into the bayonet socket  25 ,  27  of the dispensing apparatus  5 . The notch  13  of the dispensing apparatus  5  can further correspond to the coding nose  35  with a closure element  50  completely latched into the socket elements of the dispensing apparatus  5 , i.e. the coding nose  35  and the notch  13  then lie over one another. The bayonet lug  30 ,  32  and the coding nose  35  are preferably molded in one piece with the beaker-like closure element  50  so that the closure element, including bayonet lugs and coding nose, preferably represents a molded part, in particular a plastic injection molded part. 
       FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a closure fastened onto a double cartridge by means of a bayonet closure. The double cartridge contains two containers  8  and segment-like socket elements  25 ,  27  are molded on the front side  6  of the cartridge and are stabilized in the radial direction by reinforcement ribs. The closure element  50  is fastened by means of bayonet lugs  30 ,  32  introduced into the segment-shaped groove  22  of the socket elements  25 ,  27 . The bayonet lugs  30 ,  32  are molded in one piece to the closure element  50 . The closure element  50  moreover has a coding nose  35  which in the closed state shown, i.e. with the bayonet lugs  30 ,  32  of the closure element  50  completely pushed into the socket elements of the cartridge, is aligned with the V-shaped notch  13  on the front side  6  of the cartridge. The closure element is mostly covered by a securing cap  80 , i.e. the securing cap reaches up to the socket elements  25 ,  27  in the closed state so that only a lower part of the closure element  50  which is directed toward the cartridge and contains the bayonet lugs  30 ,  32  and the coding nose  35  is exposed and is visible from the outside. The securing cap  80  has at its jacket surface a corrugation  85 , which serves for the simpler handling of the securing cap  80 . The corrugation  85  is made up of a number of webs extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the securing cap  80 , wherein the webs are arranged circumferentially over the whole periphery of the securing cap. The length of the webs is, however, shorter than the length of the jacket surface of the securing cap measured to the longitudinal axis of the securing cap, wherein the corrugation reaches up to the lower margin of the securing cap  80  directed toward the cartridge. 
       FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the closure shown in  FIG. 4  in a partly open representation. It can clearly be seen in  FIG. 5  that the closure element  50  has a peripheral latch groove  60 , into which spring elements  90  of the securing cap engage, at the inner side of the hollow cylindrical part  55  in the upper region, i.e. in the region facing away from the bayonet flanges. The securing cap  80  shown in  FIG. 5  has three recesses  61 ,  62 ,  63  at its cover and a spring element  90  is molded to each of them. The latch groove  60  and the spring elements  90  together form a tongue and groove latch connection or a snap-in connection. The closure element  50  and the securing cap  80  form a unit due to the tongue and groove latch elements  60 ,  90 , wherein the securing cap  80  is freely rotatable with respect to the closure element  50  in the mechanically non-stressed state, i.e. in the radially non-pressurized state, but the securing cap  80  is captively connected to the closure element  50 , i.e. the closure is made up of a closure element  50  and of a securing cap  80  latched cohesively strongly thereto, but rotatably supported. 
     As can be seen from  FIG. 5 , the closure element  50  has at its jacket surface a saw tooth structure  70  which is made up of ribs in saw tooth form extending in the longitudinal direction of the closure element  50 . The securing cap  80  has a saw tooth structure  75  corresponding thereto. As long as the securing cap  80  is not pressurized radially, the saw tooth structures  70 ,  75  of the closure element  50  and of the securing cap  80  do not engage into one another, i.e. the inner diameter of the securing cap  80 , including the saw tooth structure, is larger than the outer diameter of the closure element including the saw tooth structure. The securing cap  80  is made from elastic material so that when a radial pressure a is exerted onto the securing cap  80 , the saw tooth structures  70 ,  75  of the closure element  50  and of the securing cap  80  engage into one another and the closure element  50  can thereby be rotated in the direction b. The fixing to and also the removal of the closure  50 ,  80  from the cartridge  5  consequently requires a radial pressure movement a as well as a corresponding rotational movement b (see  FIG. 4 ). 
       FIG. 6  shows a perspective representation of the closure element  50  and of the securing cap  80  matching it of the closure shown in  FIG. 50 . The closure element  50  shown in  FIG. 6  has at the lower end of its cylindrical part  55  the segment-shaped bayonet lugs  30 ,  32 , an outwardly open V-shaped notch  38  as a coding means and a coding nose  35  corresponding to a recess  23  (see  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 7 ) of the socket element  25  of the double cartridge. The jacket surface of the cylindrical part  55  of the closure element  50  shows a saw tooth structure  70 , wherein this structure  70  is made up of ribs in saw tooth form extending in the longitudinal direction of the closure element  50 . The peripheral latch groove  60  is located in the upper region at the inner side of the hollow cylindrical part  55  of the closure element  50 . 
       FIG. 6  further shows a securing cap  80  matching the closure element  50  having a spring element  90  molded to the cover of the securing cap  80 . The inner wall of the hollow cylindrical part  83  of the securing cap  80  has a saw tooth structure  75  corresponding to the saw tooth structure  70  of the closure element  50 . The jacket surface of the securing cap  80  moreover has a corrugation  85  for better handling. 
       FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a closure fastened onto a double cartridge by means of a bayonet closure. The double cartridge contains two containers  8  for the reception of at least one chemical component each. Segment-shaped socket elements  25 ,  27  are molded on the front side  6  of the cartridge and are stabilized in the radial direction by reinforcement ribs  7 . The closure element  40  is of a cup-shaped or cap-shaped structure, wherein its exposed margin has a flange structure corresponding to the closure element  50  shown in  FIGS. 4 to 6 , i.e. the closure element  40  also has segment-shaped bayonet lugs  30 ,  32  and a coding nose  35  since the closure element  40  of a second kind should also fit onto a commercial double cartridge having a bayonet fastening means. Consequently, the closure element  40  can be fastened by means of bayonet lugs  30 ,  32  introduced into the segment-shaped groove  22  of the socket elements  25 ,  27  of the dispensing apparatus  5 . The bayonet lugs  30 ,  32  and the coding noses  35  are preferably molded to the closure element  40  in one piece. The coding nose  35  in the shown closed state, i.e. with the bayonet lugs  30 ,  32  pushed into the socket elements of the cartridge, is aligned with the V-shaped notch  13  on the front side  6  of the cartridge. The closure element  40  is in turn very largely covered by a securing cap  100 , i.e. the securing cap reaches up to the socket elements  25 ,  27  in the closed state so that only a lower part of the closure element  40  which is directed toward the cartridge and contains the bayonet lugs  30 ,  32  and the coding nose  35  is exposed and is visible from the outside. The securing cap  100  has at its cover element  105  a rotary hoop  110  which serves for the simpler handling of the securing cap  100 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of the closure shown in  FIG. 7  in a partly open representation. In  FIG. 8 , a peripheral groove which is called a latch groove  48  and serves for the engagement of spring elements  120  of the securing cap of a second kind is visible at the upper part of the jacket surface of the cylindrical part  45  of the closure element  40 , i.e. at the side of the jacket surface of the closure element  40  facing away from the bayonet fastening means. The securing cap  100  shown in  FIG. 8  has an exposed, peripheral margin which is configured either overall as a spring element  120  or has a number of separate spring elements  120 , in particular three. The spring elements  120  are preferably configured as hook-shaped noses such that each of the hook-shaped noses can engage into the optionally slightly undercut latch groove  48 . Since the securing cap and in particular its exposed margin is configured at least partly elastically, the securing cap  100  with the hook-shaped noses can be pushed over the closure element  40 , wherein in the end position the hook-shaped noses engage behind the peripheral latch groove  48  so that the securing cap  100  is thereby captively fastened to the closure element  40 . The latch groove  48  and the spring elements  120  configured as hook-shaped noses together form a tongue and groove latch connection  125  or a snap-in connection. The closure element  40  and the securing cap  100  form a unit due to the tongue and groove latch connection  125 , wherein the securing cap  100  is freely rotatable with respect to the closure element  40  in the mechanically not stressed state, i.e. in state not pressurized axially in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the closure element  40  and of the securing cap  100 , but the securing cap  100  is captively connected to the closure element  40 , i.e. the closure is made up of a closure element  40  and of a securing cap  100  cohesively strongly latched thereto, but rotatably supported by the tongue and groove latch connection  125 . 
     It can also be clearly seen from  FIG. 8  that the rotary hoop  110  of the securing cap  100  as well as the spring elements  120  molded to the securing cap  100  form a unit with the securing cap, i.e. form a cast piece which preferably represents a plastic cast element. 
       FIG. 9  shows a perspective representation of the closure element  40  and of the securing cap  100  matching it of the closure shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     The closure element  40  shown in  FIG. 9  has the segment-shaped bayonet lugs  30  and  32  at the lower end of its cylindrical part  45 . The upper surface of the bayonet lugs can in this respect have a chamfer  28  so that the initial introduction of the bayonet lugs  30 ,  32  into the socket elements  25  and  27  of the dispensing apparatus is facilitated. 
     The jacket surface of the cylindrical part  45  of the closure element  40  has, on the one hand, the peripheral latch groove  48  and the cover region has a radially extending saw tooth structure  43 . The saw tooth structure  43  at the outer side of the cover of the closure element  40  is formed by radially extending ribs in saw tooth form, wherein the length of the ribs does not cover the whole radius of the cover region, but rather only approximately ½ to ⅔ of the outer region of the cover. 
       FIG. 9  further shows a securing cap  100  matching the closure element  40  and having spring elements  120  molded at the inner surface of the cylindrical part  115  of the closure element  100  in the region of the peripheral free end. The inner side of the cover part  105  of the securing cap  100  has a saw tooth structure  130  which corresponds to the saw tooth structure  43  of the closure element and is made up of radially extending ribs in saw tooth form. The closure cap  100  further has a rotational hoop  110  which serves for the simpler handling of the closure. 
     The closure element  40  and the securing cap  100  are configured such that the closure element  40  and the securing cap  100  are freely rotatable in their mutually latched state with a non-pressurized securing cap, i.e. the saw tooth structures  43  and  130  do not engage into one another, i.e. the spring elements  120  have a certain clearance in the latch groove  48 . On the exertion of an axial pressure a, i.e. pressure in the direction of the dispensing apparatus of the double cartridge, onto the securing cap  100 , the two saw tooth structures  43  and  130  engage into one another and thus form a saw tooth coupling  140 . In the meshed state, the closure element  40  can also be rotated by rotating the securing cap  100  in direction b so that the closure made up of the closure element  40  and the securing cap  100  can be rotated in or out of the socket elements  30 ,  32  of the dispensing apparatus  5 . The fixing to and also the removal of the closure from the cartridge  5  consequently requires an axial pressure movement a as well as a corresponding rotational movement b.