Patent Description:
Sealing a fluid cartridge, such as a syringe, with a sealing cap is generally known in the art. There are different types of fluid cartridge assemblies that include a cap capable of being attached, secured, and removed to and from a fluid cartridge to control fluid from entering and exiting the fluid cartridge.

Examples of sealing cap and cartridge assemblies include twist type connections, barb type connections, snap type connections, or other connections. Twist type connections may include, for example, a threaded connection or a bayonet twist connection between the sealing cap and the fluid cartridge. In twist type connections, the cap can be rotated in opposing directions to attach and to remove the cap to and from the fluid cartridge. With barb type and snap type connections, barbs of the cap attach to flanges of the cartridge. In these conventional cap and cartridge assemblies, sealing caps can be inadvertently removed from the fluid cartridge (e.g. inadvertent child access), which can prematurely leak contents of the fluid cartridge and cause harm to the user or other individuals in proximity to the cap and cartridge assembly. <CIT> discloses a vapor-sealing, child-resistant closure for a container. The closure comprises a one-piece plastic body with an annual integral ring or abutment provided on an inside surface of a top panel of the body. The closure further comprises a one-piece liner formed from a flexible, resilient material. <CIT> discloses a childproof closure for a dispensing apparatus having a first bayonet fastening means, the closure having a second bayonet fastening means. One of the two bayonet fastening means has bayonet lugs which can be introduced into corresponding socket elements of the other bayonet fastening means, and both bayonet fastening means have coding elements for a preset alignment of the closure and of the dispensing apparatus.

There is a need for an improved sealing cap to prevent the premature leak of contents from the fluid cartridge.

The present disclosure provides an improved fluid cartridge assembly for securely attaching and removing a sealing cap to and from a fluid cartridge. The sealing cap includes a positive locking feature that is adapted for use with existing fluid cartridges on the market that do not currently have any options for securing/locking sealing caps.

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a cap for sealing a fluid cartridge as disclosed in appended claim <NUM>. The fluid cartridge includes a cartridge body and a flange extending outwardly from the cartridge body. The cartridge body defines a cartridge outlet. The cap comprises a cap body, a plug, and a biasing member. The cap body includes a distal wall (e.g. cap wall) and an annular wall extending from the distal wall in a proximal direction. The annular wall defines a channel within and includes a retention member. The plug is positioned at least partially within the channel of the cap body and is configured to substantially seal the cartridge outlet. The biasing member is configured to provide a biasing force to bias the distal wall in the distal direction. The cap is configured to rotatingly transition between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position the retention member is secured to the flange and the plug member substantially seals the cartridge outlet. The biasing force provided by the biasing member retains the cap in the locked position. In the unlocked position the retention member is not secured to the flange.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a fluid cartridge assembly that includes a fluid cartridge and a cap, as disclosed in claim <NUM>. The fluid cartridge comprises a cartridge body and a flange extending outwardly from said cartridge body. The cap is configured to couple to the fluid cartridge to seal the fluid within.

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the present application, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustrating the present application, there is shown in the drawings illustrative embodiments of the disclosure. It should be understood, however, that the application is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:.

The disclosure relates generally to single and dual fluid cartridge assemblies for carrying one or more fluids. The fluid cartridge assemblies include a cap configured to mate with a fluid cartridge in such a way as to reduce the risk of accidental removal of the cap from the fluid cartridge. Accidental removal may occur during transport, child access, or other types of movement of the cartridge assembly. The cap includes a locking mechanism which substantially prevents removal of the cap from the cartridge assembly until the locking mechanism is activated.

Certain terminology is used in the description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words "proximal" and "distal" generally refer to positions or directions toward and away from, respectively, an individual operating a cartridge assembly. The words "inward", "outward", "axial", "radial," and "transverse" designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The term "substantially" is intended to mean considerable in extent or largely but not necessarily wholly that which is specified. The terminology includes the above-listed words, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

<FIG> illustrates a side view of a fluid cartridge assembly <NUM>, according to an aspect of this disclosure. The fluid cartridge assembly <NUM> includes a fluid cartridge <NUM> configured to contain a fluid to be dispensed and a sealing cap <NUM> configured to mate with the fluid cartridge <NUM> to seal the fluid within the fluid cartridge <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the sealing cap <NUM> is coupled to the fluid cartridge <NUM>. The fluid cartridge assembly <NUM> may also include a piston or plunger <NUM> configured to slide within a fluid chamber <NUM> of the fluid cartridge <NUM>. The fluid chamber <NUM> being defined by a cartridge body <NUM> of the fluid cartridge <NUM>. To dispense the fluid, the piston <NUM> moves through the fluid chamber <NUM> in a distal direction D providing a force to the fluid that causes the fluid to dispense from a distal end <NUM> of the fluid cartridge <NUM>. The piston <NUM> may include, for example, a pneumatically or mechanically actuated piston or other actuator configured to dispense fluid.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view of the distal end <NUM> of the fluid cartridge <NUM>, according to an aspect of this disclosure. The fluid cartridge <NUM> includes the fluid chamber <NUM> extending from the distal end <NUM> to a proximal end <NUM> of the fluid cartridge <NUM>. In an aspect, the fluid cartridge <NUM> is a dual fluid cartridge (e.g. <NUM> cartridge). The proximal end <NUM> of the fluid cartridge <NUM> is configured to receive the pistons <NUM> to push fluid out of the fluid chambers <NUM> at the distal end <NUM> of the fluid cartridge <NUM>. The distal end <NUM> includes an outlet socket <NUM> for connecting to the cap <NUM> as described in further detail below.

The outlet socket <NUM> includes a first flange 110a and a second flange 110b, a first cartridge outlet annular wall 112a, and a second cartridge outlet annular wall 112b. The cartridge outlet annular walls 112a and 112b extend distally from the distal end <NUM> of the fluid cartridge <NUM>. The cartridge outlet annular walls 112a and 112b define cartridge outlets 116a and 116b, respectively. The cartridge outlets 116a and 116b are in fluid communication with the fluid chamber <NUM>. The cartridge outlet annular walls 112a and 112b are uninterrupted about the periphery of the cartridge outlets 116a and 116b. It will be appreciated that the cartridge outlet annular walls 112a and 112b may include radial projections extending therefrom or recesses formed within.

Each flange 110a and 110b extends outwardly from the cartridge body <NUM>. Each flange 110a and 110b extends at least partially in the distal direction D. In an alternative aspect, each flange 110a and 110b may also extend at least partially radially outward from the cartridge body <NUM>. Each flange 110a and 110b includes a locking notch flange 113a and 113b, respectively. Each locking notch flange 113a and 113b is on a side of the respective flange 110a and 110b that faces at least partially in a radially inward direction. Each locking notch flange 113a and 113b is configured to engage corresponding structure of the cap <NUM> as described in further detail below. Each flange 110a and 110b may also include a support member attached to the distal end <NUM> of the cartridge body <NUM> to provide support to each respective flange 110a and 110b to minimize deflection and/or movement of each flange 110a and 110b. Each flange 110a and 110b may also include an alignment recess <NUM>. In an aspect, only one flange 110a and 110b includes the alignment recess <NUM>. The alignment recess <NUM> may extend radially outward from a central longitudinal axis of the fluid cartridge <NUM>. The alignment recess <NUM> may divide the respective flange 110a,110b into two flanges spaced apart by the recess <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view of an alternate aspect of a distal end <NUM>' of the fluid cartridge <NUM>. The distal end <NUM>' has an outlet socket <NUM>' that includes a first flange 110a', a second flange 110b', a first cartridge outlet annular wall 112a', and a second cartridge outlet annular wall 112b'. Each flange 110a' and 110b' may include an alignment recess <NUM>'. In an aspect, only one flange 110a' and 110b' includes the alignment recess <NUM>'. The alignment recess <NUM>' may extend partially through the respective flange 110a',110b'.

<FIG> illustrate the sealing cap <NUM> configured to couple to the outlet socket <NUM> of the fluid cartridge <NUM>, according to aspects of this disclosure. The sealing cap <NUM> includes a cap body <NUM>. The cap body <NUM> includes a closed distal wall <NUM> (e.g. cap wall), a cap annular wall <NUM>, a first retention member <NUM>, a second retention member <NUM>, and a handle <NUM> for gripping and rotating the cap body <NUM>. In an aspect, the closed distal wall <NUM>, the cap annular wall <NUM>, the first retention member <NUM>, and the handle <NUM> form a single unitary cap body <NUM>. The cap annular wall <NUM> extends from the closed distal wall <NUM> in the proximal direction P, and defines a substantially cylindrical channel <NUM> with a retention bead. The cap annular wall <NUM> includes an alignment protrusion <NUM> extending radially outward from an outer surface. The alignment protrusion <NUM> is configured to align with the alignment recess <NUM> to assist in the alignment of the sealing cap <NUM> with the fluid cartridge <NUM>. In an aspect, the alignment protrusion <NUM> is further configured to allow the attachment of the sealing cap <NUM> on only one flange 110a or 110b of the fluid cartridge <NUM>. In alternative aspects, there may be a single protrusion extending from the cap annular wall <NUM>, or there may be two or more protrusions extending from the cap annular wall <NUM>. Preferably, the number of alignment protrusions <NUM> extending from the cap annular wall <NUM> is the same as the number of alignment recesses <NUM> on the flanges 110a and 110b.

<FIG> illustrates an alternative aspect of a sealing cap that includes an alignment protrusion <NUM>'. The alignment protrusion <NUM>' has a triangular or pyramidal shape. The alignment protrusion <NUM>' functions similarly to the alignment protrusion <NUM> described above. The alignment protrusion <NUM>' is configured to align with the alignment recess <NUM>' to assist in the alignment of the sealing cap <NUM> with the fluid cartridge <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the shapes of the alignment protrusions <NUM>, <NUM>' may include, for example, square shapes, rectangular shapes, curved or rounded shapes, trapezoidal shapes, or other shapes for aligning the cap <NUM> with the cartridge <NUM>.

The first retention member <NUM> includes a barb <NUM>, a stop <NUM> spaced apart from the barb <NUM>, and a base <NUM> that extends circumferentially about the cap annular wall <NUM> from the barb <NUM> to the stop <NUM>. In an aspect, the first retention member <NUM> is disposed on an outer surface of the cap annular wall <NUM>, and extends from the proximal end of the cap annular wall <NUM>. In a further aspect, proximal ends of the barb <NUM>, the stop <NUM>, and the base <NUM> are substantially flush with the proximal end of the cap annular wall <NUM>.

The barb <NUM> includes a first barb edge <NUM> that is angled relative to the proximal end of the cap annular wall <NUM>, and a second barb edge <NUM>. The base <NUM> includes a base edge <NUM> that is substantially parallel to the proximal end of the cap annular wall <NUM>. The stop <NUM> includes a stop edge <NUM>. The second barb edge <NUM>, the base edge <NUM>, and the stop edge <NUM> define a first retention channel <NUM>. A circumferential length of the first retention channel <NUM> may depend on a circumferential length of the locking notch flange 113a of the first flange 110a, as further described below. In an aspect the second barb edge <NUM> and the stop edge <NUM> are substantially perpendicular to the proximal end of the cap annular wall <NUM>.

The second retention member <NUM> includes a stop <NUM> and a base <NUM> that extends circumferentially about the cap annular wall <NUM> from the stop <NUM>. In an aspect, the second retention member <NUM> is disposed on the outer surface of the cap annular wall <NUM>, and extends from the proximal end of the cap annular wall <NUM>. In a further aspect, proximal ends of the stop <NUM>, and the base <NUM> are substantially flush with the proximal end of the cap annular wall <NUM>.

The base <NUM> includes a base edge <NUM> that is substantially parallel to the proximal end of the cap annular wall <NUM>. The stop <NUM> includes a stop edge <NUM>. The base edge <NUM> and the stop edge <NUM> define a second retention channel <NUM>. A circumferential length of the second retention channel <NUM> may depend on a circumferential length of the locking notch flange 113b of the flange 110b, as further described below. In an aspect, the stop edge <NUM> is substantially perpendicular to the proximal end of the cap annular wall <NUM>. It will be appreciated that in alternate aspects, the cap body <NUM> may include only the first retention member <NUM>, two first retention members <NUM>, or other configurations based on the disclosure of this specification.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view of a plug <NUM>, according to an aspect of this disclosure. The sealing cap <NUM> includes the plug <NUM>. The plug <NUM> is configured to be positioned at least partially within the channel <NUM> of the cap body <NUM>. The plug <NUM> includes a plug wall <NUM> and plug members 254a and 254b that extend from the plug wall <NUM> in the proximal direction P. The plug members 254a and 254b are configured to be positioned within the cartridge outlets 116a and 116b of the fluid cartridge <NUM>, such that fluid flow through the cartridge outlets 116a and 116b from the fluid chambers <NUM> is substantially prevented. In an aspect, each of the plug members 254a and 254b form substantially solid cylindrical members.

The plug <NUM> further includes a biasing member <NUM>. The biasing member <NUM> is formed on a distal side of the plug wall <NUM> such that the plug <NUM> and the biasing member <NUM> form a single component. In an alternative aspect, the biasing member <NUM> may be a separate and distinct component such that the plug <NUM> and the biasing member <NUM> are two separate and distinct components. In an aspect, the biasing member <NUM> is a separate and distinct spring. The biasing member <NUM> includes resilient spring arms <NUM>. The resilient spring arms <NUM> comprise a resilient material capable of recoiling or springing back into shape after bending, stretching, or being compressed. In an aspect, the biasing member <NUM> includes three (<NUM>) resilient spring arms <NUM>. It will be appreciated, that fewer or more resilient spring arms <NUM> may compose the biasing member <NUM> based on the disclosure of this specification.

The plug <NUM> is configured to be positioned at least partially within the channel <NUM> of the cap body <NUM> such that the biasing member <NUM> abuts against the distal wall <NUM> of the cap body <NUM>. The plug wall <NUM> is configured to be slidable within the channel <NUM> so that when the plug <NUM> is compressed and recoiled against the distal wall <NUM> the plug wall <NUM> moves distally and proximally, respectively.

<FIG> illustrate an alternate embodiment of a fluid cartridge assembly <NUM>. Portions of the embodiment disclosed in <FIG> are similar to aspects described above in <FIG> and those portions function similarly to those described above. The fluid cartridge assembly <NUM> is a dual fluid cartridge assembly that includes a dual fluid cartridge <NUM> (e.g. <NUM> cartridge) and a sealing cap <NUM>. The dual fluid cartridge <NUM> is configured to contain two fluids to be dispensed and the sealing cap <NUM> is configured to mate with the dual fluid cartridge <NUM> to seal the fluids within the fluid cartridge <NUM>.

The dual fluid cartridge <NUM> includes fluid chamber 302a and 302b adjacent to one another for containing two fluids to be mixed together before dispensing. Although the two fluid chambers 302a and 302b are shown with similar sizes in <FIG>, it will be appreciated that the fluid chambers 302a and 302b may be resized relative to one another in other aspects consistent with this disclosure. The fluid chambers 302a and 302b are defined by a body <NUM> of the fluid cartridge <NUM>. In alternative aspects, the body <NUM> may include more fluid chambers without departing from this disclosure. A distal end <NUM> of the fluid cartridge <NUM> is configured substantially similarly to the distal end <NUM> of the fluid cartridge <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate the sealing cap <NUM> configured to couple to the distal end <NUM> of the fluid cartridge <NUM>, according to aspects of this disclosure. The sealing cap <NUM> includes a cap body <NUM>. The cap body <NUM> includes a closed distal wall <NUM>, a cap annular wall <NUM>, a first retention member <NUM>, a second retention member <NUM>, and a handle <NUM> for gripping and rotating the cap body <NUM>. The closed distal wall <NUM>, the cap annular wall <NUM>, the first retention member <NUM>, the second retention member <NUM>, and the handle <NUM> may be configured substantially similarly as the closed distal wall <NUM>, the cap annular wall <NUM>, the first retention member <NUM>, the second retention member <NUM>, and the handle <NUM> of the cap body <NUM>, respectively, as described above.

The closed distal wall <NUM> includes a biasing member <NUM>. The biasing member <NUM> is formed on a proximal side of the distal wall <NUM> such that the cap body <NUM> and the biasing member <NUM> form a single component. The biasing member <NUM> includes resilient spring arms <NUM>. The resilient spring arms <NUM> may be configured substantially similarly to the resilient spring arms <NUM> of the biasing member <NUM> as described above.

The cap annular wall <NUM> defines a substantially cylindrical channel <NUM>, and includes an access window <NUM> formed within. The access window <NUM> enables an operator to see through the cap annular wall <NUM> into the channel <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view of a plug <NUM>, according to an aspect of this disclosure. The sealing cap <NUM> includes the plug <NUM>. The plug <NUM> is configured to be positioned at least partially within the channel <NUM> of the cap body <NUM> formed by the cap annular wall <NUM>. The plug <NUM> includes a plug wall <NUM> and plug members 454a and 454b that extend from the plug wall <NUM> in the proximal direction P'. A distal side of the plug wall <NUM> is configured to abut against the biasing member <NUM> formed on the cap body <NUM> when the plug <NUM> is positioned within the channel <NUM>. The plug members 454a and 454b are configured to be positioned within cartridge outlets defined by the fluid cartridge <NUM>, such that fluid flow through the cartridge outlets from the fluid chambers <NUM> is substantially prevented. In an aspect, each of the plug members 454a and 454b form substantially solid cylindrical members.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an alternate embodiment of a fluid cartridge assembly <NUM>. Portions of the embodiment disclosed in <FIG> and <FIG> are similar to aspects described above in <FIG> related to the fluid cartridge assemblies <NUM> and <NUM>, and those portions function similarly to those described above. The fluid cartridge assembly <NUM> is a dual fluid cartridge assembly that includes a dual fluid cartridge <NUM> (e.g. <NUM> cartridge) and a sealing cap <NUM>. The sealing cap <NUM> may be configured substantially similarly as the sealing caps <NUM> and <NUM> as described above.

A distal end <NUM> of the fluid cartridge <NUM> includes an outlet socket <NUM> for connecting to the sealing cap <NUM>. The outlet socket <NUM> includes a first flange 510a, a second flange 510b, and first and second cartridge outlet annular walls 512a and 512b. The cartridge outlet annular walls 512a and 512b may be configured substantially similarly as the cartridge outlet annular walls 112a and 112b of the outlet socket <NUM> of the fluid cartridge <NUM>.

Each flange 510a and 510b extends outwardly from a cartridge body <NUM>. Each flange 510a and 510b extends at least partially in a distal direction D". Each flange 510a and 510b includes a locking notch 513a and 513b, respectively. Each locking notch 513a and 513b is on a side of the respective flange 510a and 510b that faces at least partially in a radially inward direction. Each flange 510a and 510b is configured to receive corresponding structure of the sealing cap <NUM>.

The second flange 510b and the corresponding locking notch 513b form a flange channel <NUM>. The flange channel <NUM> extends circumferentially about an inner surface of the second flange 510b and corresponding locking notch 513b. The outlet socket <NUM> further includes a biasing member <NUM>. The biasing member <NUM> is formed on a distal side of the distal end <NUM> of the fluid cartridge <NUM> such that the fluid cartridge <NUM> and the biasing member <NUM> form a single component. The biasing member <NUM> includes a resilient spring arm <NUM>. The resilient spring arm <NUM> is positioned within the flange channel <NUM> and extends from the fluid cartridge <NUM> in the distal direction D". In an aspect, the resilient spring arm <NUM> extends at least partially circumferentially within the flange channel <NUM>, such that the resilient spring arm <NUM> is substantially parallel to the inner surface of the second flange 510b and corresponding locking notch 513b. In alternative aspects, the resilient spring arm <NUM> may include one or more arms that are configured substantially similarly to the resilient spring arms <NUM> and <NUM> of the biasing member <NUM> and <NUM>, as described above. It will be appreciated that the fluid cartridge <NUM> may include a second biasing member (not shown) configured substantially similarly to the biasing member <NUM>, and positioned within a flange channel formed by the first flange 510a and the corresponding locking notch 513a.

The biasing member <NUM> is configured to abut against a proximal end of a cap annular wall <NUM> of the sealing cap <NUM> when the sealing cap <NUM> is coupled to the fluid cartridge <NUM>. The biasing member <NUM> provides a force to the cap annular wall <NUM> of the sealing cap <NUM> to bias the cap annular wall <NUM> in the distal direction D".

<FIG> illustrate another alternate embodiment of a fluid cartridge assembly <NUM>. Portions of the embodiment disclosed in <FIG> are similar to aspects described above in <FIG> related to the fluid cartridge assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and those portions function similarly to those described above. The fluid cartridge assembly <NUM> includes a single fluid cartridge <NUM> (e.g. <NUM> cartridge) and a sealing cap <NUM>. The fluid cartridge <NUM> includes a fluid chamber <NUM> extending from a distal end <NUM> to a proximal end <NUM> of the fluid cartridge <NUM>. The proximal end <NUM> of the fluid cartridge <NUM> is configured to receive a piston or plunger to push fluid out of the fluid chamber <NUM> at the distal end <NUM> of the fluid cartridge <NUM>. The distal end <NUM> includes an outlet socket <NUM> for connecting to the sealing cap <NUM>.

The outlet socket <NUM> of the fluid cartridge <NUM> is shown in further detail in <FIG>. The outlet socket <NUM> includes a first flange 710a and a second flange 710b, a cartridge outlet annular wall <NUM>, and a fluid outlet sealing wall <NUM>. The cartridge outlet annular wall <NUM> and the fluid outlet sealing wall <NUM> extend distally from the distal end <NUM> of the fluid cartridge <NUM>. The cartridge outlet annular wall <NUM> defines a hollow port <NUM> within, and substantially surrounds the fluid outlet sealing wall <NUM> such that the fluid outlet sealing wall <NUM> is positioned within the hollow port <NUM>. The fluid outlet sealing wall <NUM> defines an outlet socket <NUM> that is in fluid communication with the fluid chamber <NUM>. The fluid outlet sealing wall <NUM> includes a sealing surface that defines a luer taper. The cartridge outlet annular wall <NUM> is uninterrupted about the periphery of the hollow port <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate the sealing cap <NUM> configured to couple to the distal end <NUM> of the fluid cartridge <NUM>, according to aspects of this disclosure. The sealing cap <NUM> includes a cap body <NUM>. The cap body <NUM> includes a closed distal wall <NUM>, a cap annular wall <NUM>, a first retention member <NUM>, a second retention member <NUM>, and a handle <NUM> for gripping and rotating the cap body <NUM>. The closed distal wall <NUM>, the cap annular wall <NUM>, the first retention member <NUM>, and the handle <NUM> may be configured substantially similarly as the closed distal walls <NUM> and <NUM>, the cap annular walls <NUM> and <NUM>, the first retention members <NUM> and <NUM>, and the handles <NUM> and <NUM> of the cap bodies <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, as described above. The second retention member <NUM> may be configured substantially similarly as the first retention member <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view of a plug <NUM>, according to an aspect of this disclosure. The sealing cap <NUM> includes the plug <NUM>. The plug <NUM> is configured to be positioned at least partially within a channel of the cap body <NUM> formed by the cap annular wall <NUM>. The plug <NUM> includes a plug wall <NUM> and plug member <NUM> that extends from the plug wall <NUM> in the proximal direction P‴. The plug member <NUM> is configured to be positioned within the cartridge outlet annular wall <NUM> extending from the fluid cartridge <NUM>, such that the inner surface of the plug cap seals on the outer surface of the cartridge outlet, thus fluid flow through the outlet socket <NUM> from the fluid chamber <NUM> is substantially prevented. In an aspect, the plug member <NUM> forms substantially hollow cylindrical member.

The plug <NUM> further includes a biasing member <NUM>. The biasing member <NUM> is formed on a distal side of the plug wall <NUM> such that the plug <NUM> and the biasing member <NUM> form a single component. The biasing member <NUM> includes resilient band <NUM>. The resilient band <NUM> extends across the plug wall <NUM> and comprises a resilient material capable of recoiling or springing back into shape after bending, stretching, or being compressed. In an aspect, the biasing member <NUM> includes a single resilient spring arm <NUM>. It will be appreciated, that fewer or more resilient spring arms <NUM> may compose the biasing member <NUM> based on the disclosure of this specification.

<FIG> illustrate an alternate embodiment of a fluid cartridge assembly <NUM>. Portions of the embodiment disclosed in <FIG> are similar to aspects described above in <FIG> and those portions function similarly to those described above. The fluid cartridge assembly <NUM> is a dual fluid cartridge assembly that includes a dual fluid cartridge <NUM> (e.g. <NUM> cartridge) and a sealing cap <NUM>. In an aspect, the dual fluid cartridge <NUM> is a standard or commercial dual fluid cartridge that is currently produced and on the market. The dual fluid cartridge <NUM> is configured to contain two fluids to be dispensed and the sealing cap <NUM> is configured to mate with the dual fluid cartridge <NUM> to seal the fluids within the fluid cartridge <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate the sealing cap <NUM> configured to couple to the distal end <NUM> of the fluid cartridge <NUM>, according to aspects of this disclosure. The sealing cap <NUM> includes a cap body <NUM>. The cap body <NUM> includes a closed distal wall <NUM>, a cap annular wall <NUM>, a first retention member <NUM>, and a second retention member <NUM>. The closed distal wall <NUM>, the cap annular wall <NUM>, and the first retention member <NUM> may be configured substantially similarly as the closed distal walls <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, the cap annular walls <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and the first retention members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, of the cap bodies <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, respectively, as described above. The second retention member <NUM> may be configured substantially similarly as the first retention member <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view of a plug <NUM>, according to an aspect of this disclosure. The sealing cap <NUM> includes the plug <NUM>. The plug <NUM> is configured to be positioned at least partially within a channel <NUM> of the cap body <NUM>. The plug <NUM> includes a plug wall <NUM> and plug members 1054a and 1054b that extend from the plug wall <NUM> in the proximal direction P'. The plug members 1054a and 1054b are configured to be positioned within cartridge outlets of the fluid cartridge <NUM>, such that fluid flow through the cartridge outlets from fluid chambers <NUM> is substantially prevented.

The plug <NUM> further includes a biasing member <NUM>. The biasing member <NUM> is formed on a distal side of the plug wall <NUM> such that the plug <NUM> and the biasing member <NUM> form a single component. The biasing member <NUM> includes resilient spring arms <NUM> in the form of an x-shape. The biasing member <NUM> is configured to function substantially similarly as the biasing members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

The precise appearance and structure defined by the fluid cartridges <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and sealing caps <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be modified without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, elements described with respect to the fluid cartridge assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be incorporated into one another.

One example of a method for using the fluid cartridge assembly <NUM> commences by attaching the sealing cap <NUM> to the fluid cartridge <NUM>. The sealing cap <NUM> is attached to the fluid cartridge <NUM> by inserting the plug members 254a and 254b of the plug <NUM> into the cartridge outlets 116a and 116b of the fluid cartridge <NUM>, respectively. As the plug <NUM> is being inserted, the alignment protrusion <NUM> of the sealing cap <NUM> is aligned with the alignment recess <NUM> of the fluid cartridge <NUM>, maintaining alignment of the sealing cap <NUM> relative to the fluid cartridge <NUM>.

After the plug members 254a and 254b are inserted into the cartridge outlets 116a and 116b, the cap body <NUM> is rotated such that the retention members <NUM> and <NUM> of the sealing cap <NUM> rotate relative to the flanges 110a and 110b. During rotation of the cap body <NUM>, the first barb edge <NUM> engages the first flange 110a, which moves the cap body <NUM> towards the fluid cartridge <NUM>. The cap body <NUM> continues to rotate until the stop <NUM> and/or the stop <NUM> contact an end of the flanges 110a and 110b, respectively. After rotation of the cap body <NUM> is complete, a biasing force provided by the biasing member <NUM> against the distal wall <NUM> of the cap body <NUM> moves each flange 110a and 110b into the first retention channel <NUM> and the second retention channel <NUM>, respectively, securing the sealing cap <NUM> to the fluid cartridge <NUM>. The plug <NUM> rotates relative to the cap body <NUM> during rotation of the cap body <NUM>.

Prior to rotating the cap body <NUM> to secure the sealing cap <NUM> to the fluid cartridge <NUM> may be referred to as an "unlocked" position of the sealing cap <NUM>. After the plug members 254a and 254b are inserted into the cartridge outlets 116a and 116b and during rotation of the cap body <NUM> until the stops <NUM> and <NUM> contact the respective flange 110a and 110b, may be referred to as a "released" position of the sealing cap <NUM>. Once each flange 110a and 110b is positioned within the respective retention channel <NUM> and <NUM> may be referred to as a "locked" position of the sealing cap <NUM>. When the sealing cap <NUM> is in the locked position, the risk of accidental removal (e.g. child access) of the sealing cap <NUM> from the fluid cartridge <NUM> is reduced. The retention members <NUM> and <NUM> of the sealing cap <NUM> and the flanges 110a and 110b of the fluid cartridge <NUM> act to make it more difficult for a child release the cap from the fluid cartridge. The retention members <NUM> and <NUM> and the flanges 110a and 110b also reduce the risk of accidental removal during, for example, shipping, handling, or other types of movement.

To remove the sealing cap <NUM> from the fluid cartridge <NUM>, an operator may transition the sealing cap <NUM> from the locked position to the released position depressing the cap body <NUM> in the proximal direction P. Once the sealing cap <NUM> is in the released position, the cap body <NUM> is rotated until the retention members <NUM> and <NUM> are no longer in contact with the respective flange 110a and 110b (e.g. unlock position). Once the sealing cap <NUM> is in the unlock position, the sealing cap <NUM> may be removed by pulling the sealing cap <NUM> away from the fluid cartridge <NUM> in the distal direction D.

Although reference was made to the fluid cartridge assembly <NUM> in the above described example for using the fluid cartridge assembly <NUM>, similar methods may also be employed by the fluid cartridge assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A cap (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) for sealing a cartridge (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) containing fluid, the cartridge including a cartridge body (<NUM>, <NUM>) and a flange (110a,b, 310a,b, 510a,b, 710a,b) extending outwardly from the cartridge body, the cartridge body defining a cartridge outlet (116a,b), the cap comprising:
a cap body (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) including a cap wall (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and an annular wall (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) extending from the cap wall in a proximal direction (P, P', P", P‴, Pʺʺ), the annular wall defining a channel (<NUM>, <NUM>) within and including a retention member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
a plug (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) positioned at least partially within the channel of the cap body, the plug being configured to substantially seal the cartridge outlet; and
a biasing member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) configured to provide a biasing force to bias the cap wall in a distal direction (D, D', D'', D‴, Dʺʺ) opposite the proximal direction,
wherein the cap is configured to rotatingly transition between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein in the locked position the retention member is secured to the flange of the cartridge and the plug substantially seals the cartridge outlet, wherein the biasing force provided by the biasing member retains the cap in the locked position, and wherein in the unlocked position the retention member is not secured to the flange,
characterized in that the cap includes at least one of the following features:
(a) the retention member includes a barb (<NUM>), a stop (<NUM>) spaced apart from the barb, and a base (<NUM>) extending circumferentially about the annular wall from the barb to the stop, wherein the barb, the stop, and the base define a retention channel (<NUM>) and the flange is positioned within the retention channel when the cap is in the locked position; and
(b) the retention member is disposed on an outer surface of the annular wall.