Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the priority benefit of European Patent Application No. 04 016 844.5 filed on Jul. 16, 2004. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a multichamber ampoule for dispensing a mixture consisting of several substances. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART 
     Multichamber ampoules are known from EP 1 203 593 A1. The multichamber ampoule disclosed in EP 1 203 593 A1 was invented by the inventor of the present invention and designed as a single-use disposable article. A need exists for a multiuse multichamber ampoule. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The objective of the invention is to create a multichamber ampoule that is suitable for multiple use, easy to handle, and inexpensive to manufacture. This objective is achieved by providing a multichamber ampoule in which an adapter and multiple-plug closure can be replaced. 
     The invention makes it possible to separate the adapter together with the multiple-plug closure from the container of the multichamber ampoule immediately after using the multichamber ampoule, and replace it with a new adapter and multiple-plug closure assembly. An advantage of the invention is that not only can the adapter be separated from the container and discarded without requiring additional steps, but the multiple-plug closure can also be discarded. With removal of the multiple-plug closure, residual substance that was dispensed from the chambers and adhered to the closure as well as the portion still contained in the chambers can be removed. The newly assembled adapter with multiple-plug closure assembly then closes off only portions of the substances in the chambers that have not yet come in contact with each other. 
     The solution according to the invention provides in principle for an assembly consisting of an adapter and a multiple-plug closure for a multi-use multichamber ampoule, in which the multiple-plug closure is mounted on the adapter so as to be freely rotatable but is otherwise essentially not slidable, so that the assembly can be inserted into a container simply by manipulation of the adapter, can be removed from the container, and can be made operational in its inserted state as needed by sliding and/or rotating the adapter. 
     According to a preferred further development of the invention, catches are formed on the adapter and on the multiple-plug closure such that the adapter and the multiple-plug closure can interact with each other to engage in a particular rotational position. This has the advantage that when the assembly is first inserted into the container, only the rotational angle of the adapter has to be adjusted, and the multiple-plug closure automatically assumes a rotational position such that the plugs of the multiple-plug closure are aligned with the outlet openings of the chambers. 
     According to a further development of the invention, a radial or transverse projection is formed to project laterally from the multiple-plug closure, and a recess is formed on the container. The recess interacts with the projection such that the multiple-plug closure can only be inserted in a prescribed rotational position such that the plugs are aligned with the outlet openings of the chambers. This also facilitates the initial insertion of the assembly, particularly in combination with the above-described rotational engagement between the adapter and multiple-plug closure. 
     The above-described rotational alignment of the multiple-plug closure and container facilitates initial insertion, particularly when the outlet openings of the chambers and the plugs that fit into them have different cross-sectional dimensions. If a static mixer is provided in the dispensing channel of the adapter, of course the mixer will also be replaced when the adapter and multiple-plug closure assembly is replaced. 
     The foregoing and other objectives and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which there is shown by way of illustration a preferred embodiment of the invention. Such embodiment does not necessarily represent the full scope of the invention, however, and reference is made therefore to the claims herein for interpreting the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below using diagrams in the below described Figures, in which invisible edges are marked with broken lines in several diagrams for better visualization. 
         FIG. 1  shows a partial lateral sectional view of a first embodiment of a multichamber ampoule according to the invention in closed state; 
         FIG. 2  shows a partial lateral view from the same perspective as in  FIG. 1  of a multichamber ampoule in the activated state; 
         FIG. 3  shows a partial lateral sectional view of the multichamber ampoule in the emptied state from the same perspective as in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  shows a lateral sectional view of a container of the multichamber ampoule; 
         FIG. 5  shows a lateral view of the container rotated 90° in relation to  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  shows a top view of the container depicted in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  shows a lateral view of a plunger assembly of the multichamber ampoule; 
         FIG. 8  shows a top view of the plunger assembly depicted in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  shows a lateral sectional view of an adapter of the multichamber ampoule; 
         FIG. 10  shows a top view of the adapter depicted in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  shows a lateral view of the adapter rotated 90° in relation to  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 12  shows a top view of the adapter depicted in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  shows an enlarged side view of a multiple-plug closure of the multichamber ampoule; 
         FIG. 14  shows a top view of the multiple-plug closure depicted in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  shows a lateral sectional view of the multiple-plug closure depicted in  FIGS. 13 and 14   
         FIG. 16  shows a lateral view of a container of a second embodiment of a multichamber ampoule according to the invention; 
         FIG. 17  shows a lateral view of the container rotated 90° in relation to  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 18 , a top view of the container depicted in  FIGS. 16 and 17 ; 
         FIG. 19  shows a lateral sectional view of an adapter of the second embodiment of the multichamber ampoule; 
         FIG. 20  shows a lateral view of the adapter rotated 90° in relation to  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  shows a lateral view of a multiple-plug closure of the second embodiment of the multichamber ampoule; 
         FIG. 22  shows a top view of the multiple-plug closure depicted in  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 23  shows a lateral sectional view describing a rotational connection between adapter and multiple-plug closure; 
         FIG. 24  shows a lateral view of a part of the rear section of the adapter depicted in  FIG. 19 , and a lateral sectional view of a slidable stop piece in the form of a clip on the rear section of the adapter; 
         FIG. 25  shows a top view of the clip depicted in  FIG. 24 ; 
         FIG. 26  shows a partial lateral sectional view of the adapter and container of a first further development of the first embodiment in the closed state; 
         FIG. 27  shows a top view of the container depicted in  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 28  shows a partial lateral sectional view of the adapter and container of the first development of the first embodiment depicted in  FIG. 26  in the activated state; 
         FIG. 29  shows a top view of the container depicted in  FIG. 28 ; 
         FIG. 30  shows a partial lateral sectional view of the adapter and container of a second development of the first embodiment in the closed state; 
         FIG. 31  shows a top view of the container depicted in  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 32  shows a partial lateral sectional view of the adapter and container of the second development of the first embodiment depicted in  FIG. 26  in the activated state; and 
         FIG. 33  shows a top view of the container depicted in  FIG. 32 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A first embodiment of the invention depicted in  FIGS. 1 through 15  is provided in the form of double-chamber ampoule  100 . Double-chamber ampoule  100  according to the invention consists mainly of four components: container  10 , plunger assembly  20 , adapter  30 , and multiple-plug closure  40 . 
     As is evident in particular from  FIGS. 4 through 6 , container  10  has two tube-shaped chambers  12  and  14  that are arranged parallel to each other and that extend along the length of container  10 . Chambers  12  and  14  are open along their entire cross-section at the back end. Back plate  18  that projects in a transverse or radial direction is formed on the external sides of the back ends of chambers  12  and  14 . The front ends of chambers  12  and  14  are connected to each other by front plate  18 . Outlet opening  11  for chamber  12  and outlet opening  13  for chamber  14  are provided in front plate  18 . Whereas chambers  12  and  14  adjoin at the underside of the front plate  18 , neck  15  is formed at the top side of front plate  18  in such a way that neck  15  surrounds outlet openings  11  and  13 . Likewise to chambers  12  and  14 , neck  15  extends along the length of the container  10 . In the present embodiment, chamber  14  has a cross-section four times larger than chamber  12 . Accordingly, the cross-section of outlet opening  13  is four times larger than that of outlet opening  11 . 
     As is evident in particular from  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the plunger assembly  20  comprises two plunger rods  22  and  24 , whose back ends are connected by means of pressure plate  26 . Plunger  21  for chamber  12  is provided at the front end of plunger rod  22 . Plunger  23  for chamber  14  is provided at the front end of plunger rod  24 . Plungers  21  and  23  have external cross-sectional dimensions that correspond to the internal cross-sectional dimensions of chambers  12  and  14 . Plungers  21  and  23  can be inserted into the back open ends of chambers  12  and  24 , and provide a fluid-tight seal when moved in chambers  12  and  14 . 
     As is evident in particular from  FIGS. 9 through 12 , adapter  30 , which is in the form of a dispenser piece, has cylindrical back section  32 . Cylindrical back section  32  has an external diameter such that back section  32  can be inserted from above into the open front end of neck  15  and is fluid tight when pushed and rotated within it. Circumferential wall  31  that is directed inward and forward is formed along the internal surface of cylindrical back section  32  at a distance from the back end. Circumferential wall  31  borders a truncated cone-shaped mixing chamber  33  that is open at the rear. The narrower front end of circumferential wall  31  turns into a tube-shaped structure that projects beyond the front end of rear section  32 , and represents front section  34  of adapter  30 . Dispensing channel  36  within front section  34  extends along the length of adapter  30 . The back end of dispensing channel  36  and the front end of mixing chamber  33  merge. 
     Transverse cross member  35  that projects radially outwards is formed at the front end of cylindrical back section  32 . Locking arms  38  that project backward are formed at the underside of cross member  35 , at a distance from the external circumference of the cylindrical back section  32 . 
     As is evident in particular from  FIGS. 13 through 15 , multiple-plug closure  40  has two plugs  42  and  44  that are formed on the underside of shared plate-shaped body  46 . Plate-shaped body  46  that adjoins plugs  42  and  44  comprises ground plate  64 , intermediate plate  62  formed on the top side of the ground plate, and cover plate  60  that represents the front end of multiple-plug closure  40  is formed on the top side of the intermediate plate. 
     Two longitudinal channels  41  and  43  project downward from the top side of cover plate  60  into plugs  42  and  44 . Longitudinal channel  41  joins transverse channel  45  that intersects plug  42  in a transverse direction. Longitudinal channel  43  joins transverse channel  47  that intersects plug  44  transversely. Transverse channels  45  and  47  are provided at a preset distance from the lower ends of plugs  42  and  44 . 
     Cover plate  60  has a circular circumferential wall with a diameter that is larger than that of intermediate plate  62 . To produce a rotating joint between adapter  30  and multiple-plug closure  40 , cover plate  60  can be snapped from the back end of adapter  30  into ring-shaped mounting groove  50  that is provided under circumferential wall  31  on the internal surface of cylindrical back section  32  of adapter  30 . The dimensions of groove  50  and cover plate  60  are coordinated in relation to each other such that cover plate  60  can rotate in groove  50 . Removal of cover plate  60  from groove  50  is prevented by ring-shaped shoulder  52  that is provided at the back end of the internal surface of cylindrical back section  32 . In order to facilitate snapping the cover plate into groove  50  during assembly, the surface of shoulder  52  that points radially inward is beveled as shown. Longitudinal sliding of cover plate  60  upward or forward is limited by shoulder  54  that is provided on the underside of circumferential wall  31 . 
     Transverse rib  63  that is formed on the top side of cover plate  60  interacts with two diametrically opposed recesses  53  in shoulder  54  such that rotatable multiple-plug closure  40  mounted in adapter  30  can be engaged and released at a predetermined angular or rotational position. Adapter  30  and multiple-plug closure  40  are thus designed such that these components form a single assembly  30 ,  40 . 
     When inserting the assembly consisting of adapter  30  and multiple-plug closure  40  into neck  15  of container  10  from the front or from above, plugs  42  and  44  penetrate outlet openings  11  and  13  of chambers  12  and  14 . Plugs  42  and  44  are dimensioned in relation to outlet openings  11  and  13  such that the plugs in a first penetration position create a fluid-tight seal with the back end sections of outlet openings  11  and  13 . Here, transverse channels  45  and  47  are located above front plate  18 . The back portion of plug  44  that has penetrated outlet opening  13  has a cross-section that is four times larger than that of the back section of plug  42  that penetrates outlet opening  11 . 
     In a further second penetration position of plugs  42  and  44  pushed further down or back, transverse channels  45  and  47  are located below front plate  18  so that a fluid connection is created above transverse channels  45  and  47  along with longitudinal channels  41  and  43  between the insides of chambers  12  and  14  and mixture chamber  33  and/or dispensing channel  36  of adapter  30 . The internal cross-section of longitudinal channel  43  is four times larger than that of longitudinal channel  41 . A corresponding relationship pertains to transverse channel  47  in comparison to transverse channel  45 . 
     To better guide multiple-plug closure  40  into neck  15 , ground plate  64  has a circumferential wall that fits over at least portions of the circumference of the internal circumferential wall of neck  15 . Projection  61  is formed and projects radially from such a portion of the circumferential wall of the ground plate  64 . Projection  61  interacts during initial insertion of multiple-plug closure  40  into neck  15  with longitudinal groove  71  that is formed along the internal surface of neck  15 , such that multiple-plug closure  40  can only be inserted into neck  15  in a predetermined angular or rotational position such that plugs  42  and  44  are aligned with outlet openings  11  and  13  of chambers  12  and  14 . 
     Locking noses  70  that project radially outward from the top side of front plate  18  are formed at a predetermined distance from the external circumferential wall of neck  15 . Additional locking noses  77  that are displaced by 90° in the circumferential direction in relation to locking noses  70  and are less distant from the front plate  18  are formed on and project radially outward from the external circumferential wall of neck  15 . Locking noses  77  are located above a circumferential area of front plate  18  in which recesses  17  are provided in front plate  18 . Locking noses  77  project radially along recesses  17  beyond the external edge of the front plate  18 , whereas locking noses  70  are provided in an unrecessed circumferential area of front plate  18 , where front plate  18  projects radially beyond locking noses  70 . 
     Locking ridges  37  that point radially inward and longitudinally running guide grooves  39  that border the underside of locking ridges  37  and run as far as the lower end of the locking arms are provided on the inside of the locking arms  38 . Locking ridges  37  and guide grooves  39  interact with locking noses  70  and  77 . The front surface of the lower end of locking arms  38  interacts with front plate  18 . This interaction as well as the assembly and operation of double-chamber ampoule  100  will be described in the following, in particular with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 3 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , before placing the assembly consisting of adapter  30  and multiple-plug closure  40  into container  10 , adapter  30  and multiple-plug closure  40  are engaged at a predetermined rotational position relative to each other, such that transverse rib  63 , or locking ridge, catches locking recesses  53 . Assembly  30 ,  40  is pushed into neck  15  of container  10  from above in this engaged state. In the process, projection  61  on multiple-plug closure  40  is aligned with longitudinal groove  71  in neck  15 . In this initial rotational position of assembly  30 ,  40  in relation to container  10 , locking arms  38  are aligned with locking noses  70 . As a result, the locking noses engage guide grooves  39  when assembly  30 ,  40  is inserted in the initial rotational position, and plugs  42  and  44  penetrate outlet openings  11  and  13  of chambers  12  and  14 . If this first rotational position of adapter  30  is pushed further in the direction of container  10 , locking ridges  37  snap into locking noses  70 . This prevents movement of assembly  30 ,  40  upward from or toward neck  15  of container  10 . At the same time, continued pushing of assembly  30 ,  40  in the direction of container  10  is limited in this locked state in that the front surfaces at the lower end of locking arms  38  strike the top side of front plate  18 . In the process, a predetermined distance is reached between plate-shaped body  46  and front plate  18 , and plugs  42  and  44  penetrate just far enough into outlet openings  11  and  13  that the plugs create a fluid-tight seal with the outlet openings. 
     When plugs  42  and  44  are in the locked position, chambers  12  and  14  can be filled with substances through their open back ends. After being filled with substances, chambers  12  and  14  are closed from behind with plungers  21  and  23  of the plunger assembly  20 . This closed position due to the plugs and the plungers is depicted in  FIG. 1 . The substances filling chambers  12  and  14  are not shown. 
     To activate double-chamber ampoule  100  that is filled with the substances, adapter  30  is rotated 90° in relation to container  10  to a second rotational position. At the beginning of rotation to the second rotational position, locking arms  38  are rotated sideways away from locking noses  70 . Toward the end of the rotation, locking noses  77  spring sideways into guide grooves  39 . At the same time, locking arms  38  come into alignment with recesses  17  in front plate  18 . Recesses  17  in front plate  18  make it possible to push assembly  30 ,  40  further in the direction of container  10 . In the course of this pushing, plugs  42  and  44  assume a flow position, in which transverse channels  45  and  47  are located within chambers  12  and  14 . In the flow position of the plugs, locking arms  38  project downward beyond front plate  18 , and locking ridges  37  snap over locking noses  77 . Locking ridges  37  and locking noses  77  prevent assembly  30 ,  40  from being further moved forward or up from container  10  while the plugs are in the flow position. Further movement of assembly  30 ,  40  backward or down is prevented because the upper end of neck  15  strikes the underside of transverse cross member  35 . Alternatively, further movement of assembly  30 ,  40  while it is in the flow position can also be prevented by the fact that plate-shaped body  46  strikes front plate  18 . This activated state of double-chamber ampoule  100  is depicted in  FIG. 2   
     By applying pressure to pressure plate  26  of plunger assembly  20 , the substances contained in chambers  12  and  14  can now be expressed through the transverse and longitudinal channels of multiple-plug closure  40  into mixing chamber  33  and dispensing channel  36 , and then be dispensed through the tip at front section  34  of adapter  30 . For better mixing of the substances, a static mixer that is not shown is provided in the dispenser channel. 
     Double-chamber ampoule  100  as depicted is meant for multiple use. For this reason, only a fractional portion of the substances contained in chambers  12  and  14  is dispensed during each application. After an application is completed, adapter  30  is rotated 45° in relation to container  10  from the second rotational position to a third rotational position. This is possible because recess  17  is connected to a second recess  19 , which makes rotation of the adapter from the second to the third rotational position possible. During rotation of the adapter into the third rotational position, locking arms  38  spring sideways out of locking noses  77 . As a result, it is possible when in the third rotational position to pull assembly  30 ,  40  out of container  10  by lifting it up. As described above, a new assembly  30 ,  40  can then be inserted into container  10  in the initial first rotational position. 
     Assembly  30 ,  40  can be replaced multiple times by a new assembly until chambers  12  and  14  are completely empty. The empty state of multiple-chamber ampoule  100  is depicted in  FIG. 3 , in which case assembly  30 ,  40  is in the second rotational position. 
     A second embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 16 through 22  is also provided in the form of a double-chamber ampoule. Accordingly, container  110  of the second embodiment of the invention depicted in  FIGS. 16 through 18  has two chambers  112  and  114  that are arranged in parallel to each other with outlet openings  111  and  113  provided for in front plate  118 . In contrast to container  10  of the first embodiment, chambers  112  and  114  have the same cross-sectional dimensions. The same applies to outlet openings  111  and  113 . 
     As with container  10 , neck  115  is formed on the top side of front plate  118 , into which the outlet openings  111  and  113  flow. In contrast to container  10  in the first embodiment, however, the outside of neck  115  and front plate  118  of container  110  of the second embodiment are designed differently. In other respects, container  110  and container  10  are essentially the same. 
     As is evident from  FIGS. 16 through 18 , two locking noses  170  that project radially outward and two other locking noses  177  that project radially outward are formed on the external circumferential wall of neck  115 . Locking noses  170  are placed at a predetermined distance from the top side of front plate  118  and lie diametrically opposite to each other. Locking noses  177  are placed at a shorter distance from the top side of front plate  118  and also lie diametrically opposite to each other. Furthermore, in each case one of locking noses  177  is axially aligned with one of locking noses  170 . 
     Two diagonally running ramps  172  are formed in an area of the external circumferential wall of the neck located between locking noses  170  and  177 , as also is evident from  FIGS. 16 through 18 . Ramps  172  lie symmetrically between locking noses  170  and  177 , respectively that are displaced 180° in relation to each other and enclose an angular range of approximately 90° on the cylindrical outside of neck  115 . Ramps  172  have a top side that extends from one end of the ramps on the top side of front plate  118  to the other end of the ramps on the top side of front plate  118  at a predetermined distance. Viewed from the circumferential direction of neck  115 , both opposing ramps  172  have the same helical sense. The function of locking noses  170  and  177  as well as of ramps  172  will be described below with reference to adapter  130  of the second embodiment of the invention depicted in  FIGS. 19 and 20 . 
     Adapter  130  differs from adapter  30  in the first embodiment largely in that locking arms  138  do not project as far down or back as in locking arms  38  in the first embodiment. Locking arms  138  end shortly or immediately behind locking ridge  137 , which corresponds to locking ridge  37  of adapter  30  in the first embodiment. Furthermore, as in the first embodiment of the invention, adapter  130  is connected to multiple-plug closure  140  depicted in  FIGS. 21 and 22  such that it can rotate freely. The freely rotatable connection between adapter  130  and multiple-plug closure  140  is depicted in detail in  FIG. 23 , which shows back section  132  of adapter  130  and a front section of multiple-plug closure  140 , each in cross-section. Multiple-plug closure  140  has ring-shaped cover plate  160  that is snapped into ring-shaped mounting groove  150  of adapter  130 . Mounting groove  150  of adapter  130  corresponds to mounting groove  50  of adapter  30  of the first embodiment and, when viewed axially, is limited at the back end by shoulder  152  and at the front end by shoulder  154 . Shoulders  152  and  154  serve as a bearing surface for cover plate  160 . 
     Two locking noses  163  that project axially are formed on the top side of cover plate  160  in diametrically opposing positions and have the function of transverse rib  63  of cover plate  60  and interact with two diametrically opposing recesses  153  in shoulder  154  such that rotatable multiple-plug closure  140  mounted on adapter  130  can be engaged and released at a predetermined angular or rotational position. Furthermore, as with multiple-plug closure  40 , multiple-plug closure  140  has two plugs  142  and  144 , which, however, have the same cross-section; plate-shaped body  146 , consisting of cover plate  160 , intermediate plate  162 , and ground plate  164 ; as well as two longitudinal channels  141  and  143  and two transverse channels  145  and  147 . Radially projecting projection  161  is formed on the circumferential wall of ground plate  164  and interacts with longitudinal groove  171  in the inner surface of neck  115  in the same manner as described in the first embodiment of the invention. The structure and operation of the multi-chamber ampoule according to the second embodiment is explained below. 
     As in the first embodiment of the invention, before attaching the assembly consisting of adapter  130  and multiple-plug closure  140  to container  110 , adapter  130  and multiple-plug closure  140  are engaged in a predetermined rotational position, in which locking noses  163  catch the locking recesses. In this engaged state, assembly  130 ,  140  is pushed into neck  115  of container  110  from above. As a result, projection  161  on multiple-plug closure  140  is aligned with longitudinal groove  171  in neck  115 . In this rotational position of assembly  130 ,  140  in relation to container  110 , locking arms  138  are aligned with locking noses  170 . Because of this, when assembly  130 ,  140  is pushed in, locking ridges  137  strike the upper beveled section of locking noses  170 , and plugs  142  and  144  begin to penetrate into outlet openings  111  and  113  of chambers  112  and  114 . If in this position the adapter  130  is pushed further into container  110 , locking ridges  137  snap over locking noses  170 . This prevents a back movement of assembly  130 ,  140  up or forward out of neck  115  of the container  110 . In this blocked or locked state, plugs  142  and  144  have penetrated sufficiently far into outlet openings  111  and  113  that the plugs create a fluid-tight seal with the outlet openings. 
     Once the above-described closed position of the plugs is achieved in which locking ridges  137  have just snapped into locking noses  170 , the front surfaces of the lower end of locking arms  138  are at a distance from the top side of front plate  118 . This occurs because in the second embodiment of the invention locking arms  138  are shorter than locking arms  38  in the first embodiment. However, at a suitable position between adapter  130  and container  110 , a stop piece is preferably provided in the second embodiment, not shown in the Figure, which prevents continued pushing of assembly  130 ,  140  downward or backward in the direction of container  110  beyond the closed position of plugs  142  and  144 . Such a stop piece can, for example, consist of a clip that can be torn off by hand and which is formed on adapter  130  or on container  110 , and which strikes the upper side of front plate  118  of container  110  when the above-described closed position of plugs  142  and  144  is reached. 
     As in the first embodiment of the invention when plugs  142  and  144  are in the closed position, chambers  112  and  114  can be filled with substances through their open back end and then closed off with plungers. To activate a double-chamber ampoule that is filled with substances according to the second embodiment, the above-mentioned stop piece is removed, and the adapter and multiple-plug closure assembly  130 ,  140  are pushed further backward in the direction of container  110 . In the course of this movement, locking ridges  137  snap over locking noses  177 , while at the same time plugs  142  and  144  assume the flow position. Locking ridges  137  that snap over locking noses  177  prevent assembly  130 ,  140  from being pushed forward or up from container  110  while in the flow position. Pushing assembly  130 ,  140  further back or down is prevented because the front surfaces of the lower end of locking arms  138  strike the top side of front plate  118 . 
     With regard to the above-mentioned stop piece,  FIGS. 24 and 25  show an embodiment of slidable clip  180  on cylindrical back section  132  of adapter  130 . Clip  180  consists of open ring-shaped section  182 , which, for example, extends over 270°, and pull tab  184  that is formed at a position diametrically opposite the opening in ring-shaped section  182  on the outside of ring-shaped section  182  in the manner shown. When slid open, clip  180  strikes the top side of neck  115  of container  110 , and in this manner prevents adapter  130  from being pushed beyond the closed position when the multichamber ampoule is activated. Clip  180  is pulled off of back section  132  by grabbing hold of pull tab  184  before activating the multichamber ampoule. 
     With the clip  180  pulled off of back section  132 , the double-chamber ampoule according to the second embodiment of the invention is now in the activated state. In the activated state, pressure exerted on the plungers in chambers  112  and  114  dispenses the substances contained in the chambers through the transverse and longitudinal channels of multiple-plug closure  140  into mixing chamber  133  of adapter  130 . The substances are dispensed in a mixed state out through the front tip of adapter  130 . 
     The double-chamber ampoule according to the second embodiment of the invention is envisioned for either single use or multiple use, just like double-chamber ampoule  100  according to the first embodiment. In multiple use, only a fractional portion of the substances stored in chambers  112  and  114  are dispensed during any single application. After an application is completed, adapter  130  is rotated out of its original inserted position in container  110 . When adapter  130  is rotated, locking arms  138  spring sideways out of locking noses  177 , and the front surfaces of the lower ends of locking arms  138  reach ramps  172  that run diagonally upward or forward. 
     In the course of rotating adapter  130  further in relation to container  110 , adapter  130  is pushed away upward or forward from container  110  by ramps  172 . In the process, multiple-plug closure  140  that is connected with adapter  130  such that it can rotate is also pulled forward or upward. The gradient of ramps  172  is calculated such that before reaching the foremost end of the ramp, plugs  142  and  144  have been almost completely pulled out of outlet openings  111  and  113 . Assembly  130 ,  140  can then be removed from neck  115  of container  110  without effort. A new assembly  130 ,  140  can then be inserted into container  110 . 
     It should be mentioned that the multichamber ampoule according to the invention can either be applied directly by hand by using the plunger assembly shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , or by using a known dispensing gun. When using a dispensing gun, the plunger rods including pressure plate shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  are omitted. In that case, plungers in the form of plugs that are directly activated by the output gun are used in the container chambers. 
     In order to enable snap closure between locking arms  38 ,  138  of adapter  30 ,  130  and locking noses  70 ,  77 ,  170 ,  177  as well as releasable engagement between transverse rib  63  or locking noses  163  and locking recesses  53 ,  153 , the interacting portions of the components must be manufactured out of a material that allows for a certain elasticity. Thermoplastics such as polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, cycloolefin copolymers, and the like, that are processable by compression molding or injection molding are preferred for manufacturing the parts of the multichamber ampoule according to the invention. 
     The above-described embodiments of the invention should not be viewed as limitations on the invention. Rather, one skilled in the art can make changes and alterations that are still within the scope of the invention. Thus, for example, the ramps can enclose an angular range other than 90°. Moreover, for example, instead of a ramp on the neck of the container, a bevel can be formed on the adapter or on both the adapter and the container. At the same time, the specified engaging and locking mechanisms can be varied in various ways while serving the same function. 
     With regard to the above-cited bevels on the adapter and/or containers, see  FIGS. 26 through 33 . The same reference numbers are used in  FIGS. 26 through 33  to represent what are essentially the same components as in  FIGS. 1 through 15 . Altered or additional characteristics are identified with additional reference numbers. In addition, for the sake of clarity only container  10  and the adapter  30  are depicted in  FIGS. 26 through 33 . 
       FIGS. 26 through 29  serve to explain a first further development of the first embodiment of the invention. As is evident from  FIGS. 26 and 28 , bevel  274  is provided on the lower or rear end of locking arm  38 . As is evident from  FIGS. 27 and 29 , recess  19  has been omitted from front plate  18  of container  10 . 
       FIG. 26  shows the position between adapter  30  and container  10  in the closed position. Here, locking ridge  37  is snapped in behind locking nose  70 , and the lowest or hindmost end of locking arm  38  that is not touched by bevel  274  strikes front plate  18  of the container in order to prevent movement while in the activated position. 
     To activate, adapter  30  is rotated 90° as in the first embodiment of the invention, and then pushed downward or backward until locking ridge  37  snaps over locking nose  77 . To remove adapter  30  and multiple-plug closure  40 , which is not depicted, adapter  30  is rotated further in the same direction. Because of the distance between bevel  274  and the edge of recess  17 , which is shown in  FIG. 28 , this continued rotation of adapter  30  ends in the unlocked state. Subsequently, bevel  274  catches recess  17  and pushes adapter  30  together with multiple-plug closure  40 , which is not depicted, up and out of neck  15  of container  10 . 
       FIGS. 30 through 33  serve to explain a second development of the first embodiment of the invention. As is evident from  FIGS. 30 and 32 , rectangular recess  376  is provided in the right half of the lower section of locking arm  38  shown in the diagram, which extends at most to the lower side of locking ridge  37 . The left half of the section of locking ridge  37  shown in the diagram is in the form of bevel  374  as indicated. 
     As is evident from  FIGS. 30 through 33 , two diametrically opposed ramps  372  are formed on the top side of front plate  18 .  FIG. 30  shows the relationship between container  10  and adapter  30  when the multichamber ampoule is in the closed state. Here, locking ridge  37  is snapped in behind locking nose  70 . Pushing adapter  30  downward or backward beyond the closed position is prevented by the fact that the lowest or hindmost end of bevel  374  strikes the top side of front plate  18  and/or the upper edge of recess  376  at the top side of ramp  372 . Ramp  372  is shaped in such a way that it is at its greatest distance from the top side of front plate  18  where it is at locking nose  70 , and this decreases from there in the direction of recess  19  until it reaches the level of front plate  18 . 
     In order to activate the multichamber ampoule in the first development of the first embodiment of the invention, adapter  30  is rotated by 90° in relation to container  10  and is then pushed down into the position shown in  FIG. 32 . In this connection, it should be noted that when rotating from the closed position depicted in  FIG. 30 , the end located at locking nose  70  represents a catch that allows rotation in only one direction. In the example depicted, the direction of rotation is to the right. 
     To remove adapter  30 , including multiple-plug closure  40 , which is not depicted, adapter  30  is rotated further to the right and out of the position shown in  FIG. 32 . Because of the distance between the edge of recess  19  and bevel  374 , the adapter first assumes the unlocked position. When then rotated to the right, bevel  374  runs up the edge of recess  19  and reaches the top side of ramp  372 . The dimensions of ramp  372  and of the bevel are such that when rotation of adapter  30  out of the activated position is continued, locking arm  38  is pushed up so far that before reaching locking nose  70 , locking ridge  37  is lifted over locking nose  70  so that accidental locking is avoided when removing adapter  30 . 
     While there has been shown and described what are at present considered the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.

Technology Category: 7