Abstract:
A dosing apparatus for fluid, in particular pasty, substances such as toothpaste, liquid soap, mustard, etc., comprises a pump which has a filling nozzle which forms a suction opening of the pump in order to pump the pasty substance out of a container. An adapter has an inlet opening and an outlet opening for connecting a neck or an opening of the container to the filling nozzle of the pump. The outlet opening can be connected to the suction opening. The apparatus includes a two-part adapter housing where the upper part can be substituted for using different sized and shaped containers. The connection between the suction opening of the pump and the outlet opening of the adapter is designed to be releasable. The filling nozzle is formed coaxially to the adapter.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a Continuation application of International patent application PCT/EP2008/008496, filed Oct. 8, 2008, which claims the priority of German patent application DE 10 2007 049 367.5, filed Oct. 8, 2007. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a dosing apparatus for fluid, in particular pasty, substances such as toothpaste, liquid soap, mustard, etc., comprising a pump which has a filling nozzle which forms a suction opening of the pump in order to pump the pasty substance out of a container, an adapter which has an inlet opening and an outlet opening for connecting a neck or an opening of the container to the filling nozzle of the pump, wherein the outlet opening can be connected to the suction opening. 
     The invention also relates to a pump for dosing fluid, in particular pasty, substances such as toothpaste, liquid soap, mustard, etc., comprising a basic body, a filling nozzle which is formed on the basic body and which forms a suction opening for sucking in a pasty substance, an outlet nozzle which is formed on the basic body and which is connected to an outlet valve, for dispensing the pasty substance. 
     The invention also relates to an adapter for a dosing dispenser with an inlet opening and an outlet opening for connecting a pump to a container, comprising a fixing sleeve or fixing means which is or are arranged on the inlet opening, for holding a neck or a connecting portion of the container, a line portion which connects the pump to the container, wherein a valve which determines a flow direction in the line portion is arranged in the line portion, a sealing member which has a sealing membrane which forms a sealed connection between the line portion and the neck or the connecting portion, a housing to which the sealing membrane and the fixing sleeve or the fixing means are fastened. 
     Such metering devices serve to provide defined amounts of the pasty substance from a supply container and thus facilitate the handling. 
     WO 2005/070272 A1 discloses a dosing apparatus for dispensing toothpaste onto a toothbrush head. Here, a sleeve of the dosing apparatus is connected to a toothpaste container. The sleeve is also connected to a pump bellows which can produce both an overpressure and a negative pressure. By means of two non-return valves, the toothpaste can be sucked out of the container, conveyed through the bellows and be dispensed dosed from a spout valve. 
     DE 299 06 082 U1 discloses a tube holder which comprises a suction pump and a tube holder housing into which a tube to be emptied can be screwed. Here, the suction pump is fixedly connected to the tube holder housing. 
     A disadvantage with the known tube holders and dosing apparatus is that only one connecting sleeve is provided for connecting a supply container and thus only a defined supply container can be used. A further disadvantage is that the whole pumping device has a closed design and it is thus made more difficult to clean the pumping device to remove, for example, dried-on or spoiled substances. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a dosing apparatus which can be used for different supply containers and is easy to clean. 
     This object is achieved in the initially mentioned dosing apparatus in that the connection between the suction opening of the pump and the outlet opening of the adapter is designed to be releasable, and the filling nozzle is formed coaxially to the adapter. 
     Furthermore, the above object is achieved by an initially mentioned pump in which there is also formed on the basic body a pump flange to which an elastic pump member is connected, for producing an overpressure or negative pressure in the basic body of the pump. 
     Furthermore, the above object is achieved by an initially mentioned adapter in which the fixing sleeve or the fixing means is or are designed to be exchangeable separately from the sealing membrane. 
     The advantage of the dosing apparatus according to the invention is that the pump can be released from the adapter and thus the basic body can be cleaned through the suction opening. 
     The advantage of the pump according to the invention is that the basic body can be easily cleaned through the three openings formed therein. 
     The advantage of the adapter according to the invention is that differently formed fixing sleeves can be used in order thus to be able to connect different containers. 
     The object of the invention is thus completely achieved. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the pump member is formed as an elastic pump membrane. As a result, an overpressure or negative pressure can be produced in the basic body and thus a pump can be produced with little structural outlay. 
     In a preferred embodiment, a plunger is arranged on the pump membrane in such a way that the pump membrane can be deflected with respect to the basic body by means of pressure on the plunger. 
     Consequently, by exerting a pressure on the plunger, an overpressure can be produced in the basic body and a pumping action can thus be easily achieved. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the outlet valve is designed as a nonreturn valve. This makes it possible to prevent the negative pressure produced in the basic body from being equalized by sucking in ambient air. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the outlet valve is designed as a spout valve. It is advantageous here for the spout valve to form both a dispenser opening and to simultaneously serve as a nonreturn valve. 
     It is particularly preferred for the housing of the adapter to be formed from an upper part and a lower part. 
     This has the advantage that the housing of the adapter can be easily disassembled and a simple and complete cleaning is possible. 
     In a further embodiment, the upper part can be connected to the lower part by snap-fastening. As a result, the upper part can be easily and quickly connected to or released from the lower part. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the upper part can be screwed to the lower part by means of a thread. 
     As a result, the upper part can be fixedly connected to and easily released from the lower part. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the adapter, the fixing sleeve or the fixing means have, on an outer edge, a rib portion which engages in a groove portion on an inner edge of the opening of the upper part. 
     As a result, different fixing sleeves can be releasably and stably connected to the upper part. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the sealing membrane and the line portion are formed in one piece. As a result, the sealing membrane can be produced in a single manufacturing step together with the line portion. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the sealing membrane is elastically preloaded by means of a spring element such that the sealing membrane bears on the fixing sleeve or the fixing means. 
     As a result, the sealing membrane can be pressed against the neck of the container and thus a sealed connection can be ensured. 
     It is preferred if the fixing means comprise fixing grippers which can be brought into engagement with a connecting portion of the container. 
     As a result, differently designed containers with different connecting portions can be connected to the adapter. 
     Alternatively, it is preferred if the fixing means comprise a screw portion which can be connected to the fixing portion of the container. 
     As a result, differently formed containers can be connected in a simple manner to the adapter. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the valve is designed as a spout valve. 
     As a result, a nonreturn valve can be produced simply and cost-effectively in the line portion. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the line portion has, at an end opposite to the sealing member, a cylindrical portion which is designed to surround a filling nozzle of the pump if the sealing membrane is pressed in by introducing a neck of a container into the adapter. 
     As a result, the line portion can be connected in a sealed manner to the filling nozzle of the pump. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the line portion has, at an end opposite to the sealing membrane, a cylindrical portion which is designed to surround a filling nozzle of the pump if the upper part and the lower part are connected to one another. 
     As a result, the line portion can be connected in a sealed manner to the filling nozzle of the pump by a simple manual maneuver. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the line portion has, at an end opposite to the sealing membrane, a cylindrical portion which is designed to be introduced into a filling nozzle of the pump if the sealing membrane is pressed in by introducing a neck of a container into the adapter. 
     As a result, the filling nozzle of the pump can be clamped in between the flange of the adapter and the cylindrical portion, thereby forming a sealed connection. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the line portion has, at an end opposite to the sealing membrane, a cylindrical portion which is designed to be introduced into a filling nozzle of the pump if the upper part and the lower part are connected to one another. 
     It is thus possible to achieve a sealed and stable connection between the adapter and the pump, which can be mounted by simple manual maneuvers. 
     In a further embodiment, the cylindrical portion is arranged between a conical flange of the lower part and the filling nozzle of the pump when it surrounds the filling nozzle. 
     It is advantageous here for the cylindrical portion to be supported laterally in this position by the conical flange and thus form a rigid connection with the filling nozzle. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the cylindrical portion has, at an end facing the pump, an annular shoulder on its inner circumferential surface. 
     As a result, the line portion can be mechanically fixedly connected and securely sealed to the filling nozzle of the pump. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the spring element is designed as a coil spring. 
     As a result, the spring element can be arranged coaxially around the line portion and exert a uniform pressure on the sealing membrane. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the sealing member comprises a double-cylindrical component of an elastic material, wherein the two coaxial cylinders are connected to the sealing membrane. 
     As a result, the sealing membrane can be manufactured cost-effectively and mounted together with the line portion. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the valve is arranged in the inner cylinder of the sealing member. 
     It is thus possible to prevent the overpressure produced by the pump from escaping through the line portion. 
     It will be understood that the features mentioned above and the ones still to be mentioned below can be used not only in the respectively indicated combination but also in other combinations or in isolation without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawing and are explained in more detail below in the following description. In the drawing: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective exploded illustration of the dosing apparatus according to the invention with a container, an adapter and a pump; 
         FIG. 2  shows a sectional view of an embodiment of the dosing apparatus; 
         FIG. 3  shows a sectional view of an embodiment of the dosing apparatus in which the adapter is connected ready for operation to the container and to the pump; 
         FIG. 4  shows a schematic sectional view of a holding device for the dosing apparatus according to the invention; 
         FIG. 5  shows a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the adapter with fixing grippers; and 
         FIG. 6  shows a sectional view of an embodiment of the adapter with a fixing screw. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In  FIG. 1 , the dosing apparatus according to the invention is generally designated by  10 . 
     The dosing apparatus  10  has three subassemblies in one embodiment. These subassemblies are a container  12 , an adapter  14  and a pump  16 . At one end, the container  12  has a cover  17  and, at an end opposite to the cover  17 , a neck  18  which encloses an opening  20 . The cover  17  is arranged on a filling opening  21  of the container  12 . The adapter  14  has an inlet opening  22  and an outlet opening  24 . The neck  18  is introduced into the inlet opening  22 , thereby connecting the container  12  to the adapter  14 . The pump  16  has a basic body  26  on which there is arranged a filling nozzle  28  which surrounds a suction opening  30  of the pump  16 . On the basic body  26  is formed a pump flange  32  on which there is arranged an elastic pump membrane  34  which tightly closes the pump flange  32 . A pump plunger  36  on which a cap  37  is arranged is fastened to the pump membrane  34 . Also arranged on the basic body  26  is an outlet nozzle  38  which is connected at a free end to a spout valve  40 . 
     The container  12  serves as a supply vessel for a pasty substance which is to be dosed by the dosing apparatus. The container  12  has a neck  18  which is introduced into the inlet opening  22  of the adapter  14  and fastened there. The neck  18  surrounds the opening  20  which serves for emptying the container  12 . Since the neck  18  of the container  12  is connected to the inlet opening  22  of the adapter  14 , the pasty substance is provided to the adapter  14 . The cover  17  closes the filling opening  21  through which the container  12  can be filled. 
     The filling nozzle  28  can be connected to the outlet opening  24  of the adapter  14 . It is thus made possible for the pump  16  to be able to suck in the pasty substance through the suction opening  30 , which substance is supplied to the adapter  14  through the opening  20  and can be provided dosed to a user through the outlet nozzle  38  and the spout valve  40 . A pumping action is produced by exerting a force on the cap  37 , which transmits this force to the pump plunger  36 , the operation being explained in more detail below. 
       FIG. 2  shows a sectional view of the subassemblies of the dosing apparatus  10 . Here, the container  12 , the adapter  14  and the pump  16  are represented coaxially to a longitudinal axis which is not depicted in greater detail, the dosing apparatus  10  in the position represented in  FIG. 2  not being ready for operation. 
     The neck  18  of the container  12  has a collar  42  which is formed from a projecting edge on an outer circumferential surface of the neck  18 . The collar  42  has a perpendicular portion  44  which extends perpendicular to a main axis of the container, and an oblique portion  46  which extends obliquely to the main axis of the container  12 . 
     The adapter  14  has a cylindrical upper part  50  and a cylindrical lower part  52  which together form a housing  54  of the adapter  14 . The upper part  50  and the lower part  52  each have a thread  56 ,  58  by means of which they can be connected to one another. The thread  56  is arranged on an inner circumferential surface of the upper part  50  and the thread  58  is arranged on an outer circumferential surface of the lower part  52 . The upper part  50  has, at an end axially opposite to the thread  56 , an opening  60  on whose edge is formed a circumferential groove  62 . Arranged on the opening  60  of the upper part  50  is a flat, round fixing sleeve  64  which has an annular rib  66  at its radially outer edge. The rib  66  engages in a sealing manner in the groove  62 . 
     The fixing sleeve  64  has, coaxially to the rib  66 , the inlet opening  22  which is bounded by an inner edge  68  of the fixing sleeve  64  and the diameter of which corresponds to an outside diameter of the neck  18 , in particular being smaller than or equal to the outside diameter. In the housing  54 , the adapter  14  has a cylindrical sealing member  69  which is formed from an elastic material. The sealing member  69  has two coaxial cylindrical elements which are connected to one another at an axial end by a sealing membrane  70 . The cylindrical elements comprise an outer cylindrical element  71  which bears on an inner circumferential surface of the lower part  52 , and an inner line portion  74 . Arranged in the line portion  74  is a nonreturn valve  76 . The line portion  74  has, at an axial end opposite to the sealing membrane  70 , a conical portion  78  on an outer circumferential surface. The line portion  74  has, at the axial end opposite to the sealing membrane  70 , an annular shoulder  80  on an inner circumferential surface. In the housing  54 , a coil spring  82  is arranged coaxially between the line portion  74  and the cylindrical element  71 . The coil spring  82  is supported on the lower part  52  and presses the sealing membrane  70  against the fixing sleeve  64 . 
     The lower part  52  has an end face  83  in which a conical flange  84  is formed coaxially to the outer circumferential surface of the lower part  52 , which flange surrounds the outlet opening  24  of the adapter  14 . The lower part  52  has the thread  56  on its outer circumferential surface and is designed in such a way that it can be introduced into the upper part  54  and can be screwed to the latter, with the result that the upper part  54  partially circumferentially surrounds the lower part  52 . The lower part  52  has, at an axial end opposite to the end face  83 , a free end  86  which bears on the fixing sleeve  64  in a region of the rib  66  so as to press the latter into the groove  62 . 
     The filling nozzle  28  of the pump  16  is arranged in the outlet opening  24  of the adapter  14  in such a way that the flange  84  coaxially surrounds the filling nozzle  28 . The basic body  26  of the pump  16  has the cylindrical outlet nozzle  38  which lies opposite to the filling nozzle  28  and is arranged at an angle with respect to an axis of the filling nozzle  28 . Fastened to an axial end of the outlet nozzle  38  opposite to the basic body  26  is the spout valve  40  which has a dispenser opening  88 . The pump flange  32  is formed in the basic body  26  between the filling nozzle  28  and the outlet nozzle  38 . The pump flange is oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis. Acting on the pump membrane  34 , which seals the pump flange  32 , is the pump plunger  36  which is formed on a side facing the pump membrane  34  in such a way that it can be introduced at least partially through the pump flange  32  into the basic body  26  in order to reduce or to increase a pump chamber in the basic body  26 . 
     The inside diameter of the circumferential edge  68  of the fixing sleeve  64  is smaller than or equal to the outside diameter of the neck  18  of the container  12  such that the neck  18  can be accommodated by the inlet opening  22  of the adapter  14  and fixedly surrounded by the fixing sleeve  64 . The fixing sleeve  64  is fastened to the upper part  50  in that the annular rib  66  of the fixing sleeve  64  engages in the peripheral groove  62  of the upper part  50  and is pressed into the groove  62  by the free end  86  of the lower part  52 . By means of the threads  56  and  58 , the upper part  50  is firmly screwed to the lower part  52  and the rib  66  of the fixing sleeve  64  is pressed into the groove  62  of the upper part  50 , with the result that the fixing sleeve  64  is simultaneously fixed by the free end  86 . By introducing the neck  18  into the inlet opening  22  of the adapter  14 , the neck  18  presses against the sealing membrane  70  and displaces the line portion  74 , which is connected in one piece to the sealing membrane  70 , in the axial direction toward the pump  16 , with the result that the conical portion  78  is introduced between an inner circumferential surface of the flange  84  and an outer circumferential surface of the filling nozzle  28 . 
     The filling nozzle  28  can be formed as a suction or filling opening of any type. This means that as an alternative a nozzle can also be formed on the adapter  14  which is connected to an opening in the basic body  26  of the pump  16 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a sectional view of the dosing apparatus  10  ready for operation. 
     In  FIG. 3 , the neck  18  of the container  12  is arranged in the inlet opening  22  of the adapter  14  in such a way that the perpendicular portion  44  of the collar  42  engages behind the inner circumferential edge  68  of the fixing sleeve  64 . With respect to a position which is represented in  FIG. 2 , the line portion  74  is displaced axially in the direction of the flange  84 . The conical portion  78  of the line portion  74  is arranged between the inner circumferential surface of the flange  84  and the outer circumferential surface of the filling nozzle  28 . 
     Because the inside diameter of the circumferential edge  68  is identical or smaller than the outside diameter of the neck  18  and because the perpendicular portion  44  engages the circumferential edge  68  of the fixing sleeve  64 , the container  12  is mechanically fixedly connected to the adapter  14 . The oblique portion  46  of the collar  42  facilitates the introduction of the neck  18  into the inlet opening  22 . The perpendicular portion  44  of the collar  42  engages behind the fixing sleeve  64  and prevents the container  12  being pressed out of this position. The neck  18  presses against the sealing membrane  70 , and a spring force which is exerted by the coil spring  82  in the direction of the container  12  presses the sealing membrane  70  against the neck  18 . As a result, the neck  18  forms a sealed connection with the sealing membrane  70 . 
     In the position represented in  FIG. 3 , the line portion  74  in the region of the conical portion  78  tightly surrounds the filling nozzle  28 . Here, the inside diameter of the line portion  74  is identical to the outside diameter of the filling nozzle  28  so as to form a sealed connection. The projection  80 , which reduces the inside diameter of the line portion  74  at this end, furthermore serves to improve the sealing of the line portion  74  with respect to the filling nozzle  28 . In this position, the conical portion  78  is arranged between the inner circumferential surface of the flange  84  and the outer circumferential surface of the filling nozzle  28 . 
     In the operating position represented in  FIG. 3 , a sealed connection is thus formed between the container  12  via the adapter  14  and the pump  16  up to the dispenser opening  88  in the spout valve  40 . Here, the spout valve  40  exclusively allows the substance to be conveyed out of the pump  16 . Since the nonreturn valve  76  in the line portion  74  permits a flow direction of the pasty substance exclusively in the direction of the pump  16 , actuating the pump  16  causes the pasty substance from the container  12  to be conveyed through the adapter  14  and the basic body  26  out of the dispenser opening  88 . Here, the pump acts as follows. 
     By exerting a force on the cap  37 , the pump plunger  36  is pressed into the basic body  26  of the pump  16  and, as a result of the sealed connection between the pump membrane  34  and the pump flange  32 , produces an overpressure in the basic body  26 . The nonreturn valve  76  prevents this overpressure from escaping into the container  12 . The spout valve  40  allows this overpressure to escape through the dispenser opening  88  in that, if the basic body  26  is filled with pasty substance, some of the pasty substance is dispensed through the dispenser opening  88 . If the pump plunger  36  retreats by an elastic restoring force which is produced by a deflection of the elastic pump membrane  34 , a negative pressure results in the basic body  26 . The spout valve  40  prevents this negative pressure being equalized by sucking in, for example, ambient air. The nonreturn valve  76  allows the negative pressure to be able to be equalized by sucking in pasty substance from the container  12 . As a result, by moving the pump plunger  36  into the basic body  26  and by retreating the pump plunger  36  from the basic body  26 , pasty substance can be sucked out of the container  12  and be dispensed dosed through the dispenser opening  88 . 
     By exchanging the fixing sleeve  64  with sleeves which have a different shape or a different inside diameter of the circumferential edge  68 , different containers with different diameters of the neck  18  can be used, for example the container  12  shown which is suitable for accommodating pasty substances (for example soap)from supply packs, but also any type of freely commercially available tubes (toothpaste tubes for example). 
     Because the housing  54  is formed from the upper part  50  and the lower part  52  and these parts can be easily separated or connected by means of the threads  56  and  58 , the adapter  14  can easily be cleaned to remove residues of the pasty substance. 
     The pump  16  can be easily cleaned just like the adapter  14 . This is possible because the basic body  26  has three openings and at least the pump membrane  34  on the pump flange  32  and preferably also the spout valve  40  on the outlet nozzle  38  are releasably connected, with the result that cleaning is possible without residues remaining in the basic body  26 . 
     This allows the use of a single dosing apparatus  10  for different pasty substances in succession, which, for example for hygienic reasons, should not come into contact with one another. 
     As a variant of the embodiment of the adapter represented in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , it is also conceivable for the line portion  74  to be introduced into the filling nozzle  28  of the pump  16  in order to form a sealed connection. Here, the filling nozzle  28  is clamped in between the line portion  74  and the flange  84  and can thus form a mechanically stable connection. It will be understood that this variant of the adapter can be applied to all embodiments of the adapter. 
       FIG. 4  shows a schematic sectional view of a holder in which the dosing apparatus  10  according to the invention is accommodated. 
       FIG. 4  shows the dosing apparatus  10  in a schematic representation with the container  12 , the adapter  14  and the pump  16 . The dosing apparatus  10  is accommodated in a holding device  90  which is fixed by means of anchoring elements  92  in a wall  94 . 
     The holding device  90  is designed in such a way that the outlet nozzle  38  protrudes from the holding device with the spout valve  40  and the dispenser opening  88 , and the pump plunger  36  protrudes from the holding device with the cap  37  and thus are accessible for a user. Furthermore, the adapter  14  and the container  12  protrude from the holding device  90  in order to ensure a simple exchange of the container  12 . The holding device  90  is anchored in the wall  94  by means of the anchoring elements  92  in order to fixedly mount the dosing apparatus  10 . The holding device  90  is designed in such a way that it fixedly encloses the pump  16 . Furthermore, the holding device  90  can be opened so that the dosing apparatus  10  can be easily released from the holding device  90  for cleaning. 
     It is also conceivable for the holding device  90  to be designed as a base which can stand on a horizontal surface and thus securely mounts the dosing apparatus. 
       FIG. 5  shows a schematic sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the adapter with fixing grippers. The adapter represented in  FIG. 5  is generally designated by  100 . Identical elements are designated by identical reference numbers, although here only the differences over the adapter shown in  FIG. 2  are described. 
     The adapter has two fixing grippers  102  which are arranged in the opening  60  of the upper part  50  and partially protrude from the adapter  100 . The fixing grippers  102  each have an engagement portion  104  which serves to be connected to the perpendicular portion  44  of the collar  42 . The fixing grippers  102  have an actuating portion  105  inside the adapter  100 . The fixing grippers  102  are mounted inside the housing  54  by means of a holding ring  106 . The holding ring  106  is formed in a lower region as a continuous ring which is represented in dashed lines in  FIG. 5 . The holding ring  106  is designed to be interrupted in an upper portion by cutouts  107 . The cutouts  107  are formed in the region of the fixing grippers  102  and accommodate the actuating portion  105  of the fixing grippers  102 . The holding ring  106  is mounted at the free end  86  of the lower part  52 . Provided in the holding ring  106  is a circumferential groove  110  which is of elongate design in the axial direction of the adapter  100  and in which a restoring ring  108  is arranged. The sealing member  69  comprises the cylindrical element  71  and the sealing membrane  70 . Furthermore, an edge  112  which bears on the holding ring  106  is formed at a lower end of the cylindrical element  71 . The coil spring  82  is arranged between the sealing membrane  70  and the end face  83  of the lower part  52 . 
     The fixing grippers  102  are movably mounted in the cutouts  107  of the restoring ring  108 . During an outward pivoting movement of the engagement portions  104  in the radial direction, the actuating portions  105  of the fixing grippers  102  are pivoted radially inwardly, with the result that the holding ring  106  is deflected in the groove  110  in the axial direction. If the lower part  52  is screwed by means of the thread  56  to the upper part  50 , the lower portion of the holding ring  106  is pressed in the axial direction against the actuating portions  105 , with the result that the actuating portions  105  are blocked from being pivoted out and the engagement portions  104  are pressed radially inwardly. Consequently, the engagement portions  104  are brought into engagement with, for example, the collar  42  of the container  12  and fix the container  12  to the adapter  100 . The fixing grippers  102  are resiliently mounted by means of the restoring ring  108 , with the result that the fixing grippers  102  can pivot out when plugging the adapter  100  onto the neck  18  and the engagement portions  104  engage behind the collar  42 . By screwing the lower part  52  to the upper part  50 , the fixing grippers  102  can be fixed in this position. 
     By means of the coil spring  82 , the sealing membrane  70  is pressed in the axial direction against the neck  18  of the container  12  and thereby seals the opening  20 . Pasty material can pass from the container  12  into the adapter  100  through an opening  114  formed in the sealing membrane  70 . 
     Preferably, the adapter  100  has four fixing grippers  102  distributed in the circumferential direction in order to securely fix the container  12 . However, it is also conceivable for the adapter  100  to have only three or more fixing grippers. 
     The line portion  74  with the nonreturn valve  76  and with the conical portion  78  for fixing the filling nozzle  28  of the pump  16  is not represented separately in  FIG. 5 . It will be understood that the line portion  74  with the nonreturn valve  76  is provided between the opening  114  and the outlet opening  24  of the embodiment according to  FIG. 5 , as is represented in  FIG. 2 . 
     In  FIG. 6 , a sectional representation of an embodiment of the adapter with a screw connection is schematically represented. The adapter with screw connection is generally designated by  120 . Identical elements are designated with identical reference numbers, although here only the differences are explained. 
     The adapter  120  has a screw element  122  which has the circumferential rib  66 . The rib  66  is accommodated in the circumferential groove  62  of the upper part  50 . 
     The screw element  122  has an opening  124  which is formed by an axially projecting attachment portion  126 . The attachment portion  126  has a screw portion  128  which is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the attachment portion  126 . The attachment portion  126  is surrounded by a seal  130 . The screw element  122  has a cylindrical portion  132  on a side opposite to the attachment portion  126 . The cylindrical portion  132  is connected to the opening  124 . In the representation of the adapter  120  in  FIG. 6 , the upper part  50  is screwed to the lower part  52 . As described in the explanations with regard to  FIG. 2 , the free end  86  here fixes the rib  66  in the groove  62 . The cylindrical portion  132  bears on the sealing membrane  70  of the sealing member  69 . The coil spring  82  is arranged between the sealing membrane  70  and the end face  83 . 
     By means of the coil spring  82 , the sealing membrane  70  of the sealing member  69  is pressed against the cylindrical portion  132  of the screw element  122  and thus forms a sealed connection between the opening  124  and the line portion  74 . The attachment portion  126  is provided circumferentially with the screw portion  128  in order to screw the attachment portion  126  to an attachment portion of the container  12 . Here, an edge of the opening  20  of the container  12  is pressed axially against the seal  130  and forms a seal connection between the opening  20  and the opening  124  of the adapter  120 . 
     The screw portion  128  of the attachment portion  126  can, for example, be screwed into an internal thread of the neck  18  of the container  12  and thus connect the opening  124  to the opening  20 . 
     It is also conceivable that the container  12  does not have a neck  18  and the screw portion  128  is screwed directly into the opening  20  of the container  12 . For that purpose, a thread can be provided on an inner side of the opening  20 . It is also conceivable that the screw portion  128  has a cutting thread. As a result, the screw portion  128  can cut a thread into the connecting portion of the container  12  when screwing in and thus produce a stable connection with the container. 
     It is also conceivable that the screw portion  128  is formed on the inner side of the attachment portion and is screwed onto the neck  18  of the container  12 . Here, the inner screw portion  128  can likewise have a cutting thread. As a result, the adapter  120  can be screwed onto the neck  18  of virtually any design, since the cutting thread cuts a thread into the connecting portion of the neck  18  when screwing on.