Annularly closable band and use thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to an annularly closable band for encircling one or more articles, having an inner side, which is intended to face the article or articles to be encircled, an outer side located opposite the inner side, and two end regions ( 4, 5 ), which are made to overlap one another in order to close the band, wherein the end regions have corresponding closing elements, which are designed to be brought into engagement with one another such that the band has a substantially smooth outer circumferential surface in the closed state. The invention also relates to the use of a corresponding band as a protective cover for a component of a dispensing device, preferably as a protective cover for a breakaway coupling of a dispensing nozzle.

1 . An annularly closable band ( 1 ) for encircling one or more articles, having
 a) an inner side ( 2 ), which is intended to face an article or articles to be encircled,   b) an outer side ( 3 ) located opposite the inner side ( 2 ), and   c) two end regions ( 4 ,  5 ), which are made to overlap one another in order to close the band,   wherein the end regions ( 4 ,  5 ) have corresponding closing elements ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 ), which are designed to be brought into engagement with one another when the band ( 1 ) is in a closed state, such that the band ( 1 ) has a substantially smooth outer circumferential surface in the closed state.   
     
     
         2 . The band of  claim 1 , wherein the dimensions of the closing elements ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 ) are coordinated with one another. 
     
     
         3 . The band of  claim 1 , wherein the closing elements ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 ) can be brought into engagement with one another in a form-fitting manner. 
     
     
         4 . The band of  claim 1 , wherein the closing elements ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 ) are designed to prevent a relative movement of the end regions ( 4 ,  5 ) in a circumferential direction and an axial direction when the closing elements ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 ) are in engagement with one another. 
     
     
         5 . The band of  claim 1 , wherein the direction in which the closing elements ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 ) can be brought into engagement with one another differs from the main direction of loading of the end regions ( 4 ,  5 ). 
     
     
         6 . The band of  claim 1 , wherein the direction in which the closing elements ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 ) can be brought into engagement with one another differs from the circumferential direction. 
     
     
         7 . The band of  claim 6 , wherein the closing elements ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 ) can be brought into engagement with one another in a radial direction. 
     
     
         8 . The band of  claim 1 , having a force required to close the band and a force required to open the band, wherein the force required to close the band is less than the force required to open the band. 
     
     
         9 . The band of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the closing elements ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 ) comprises at least one latching element, which is arranged preferably on the inner side ( 2 ) of the band. 
     
     
         10 . The band of  claim 1 , wherein the closing elements ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 ) each comprise a plurality of protrusions ( 6   a ) and cutouts ( 6   b ) which extend in the axial direction and are spaced apart from one another, said protrusions ( 6   a ) and cutouts ( 6   b ) being formed such that the protrusions of one closing element can be brought into engagement with the cutouts of the other closing element. 
     
     
         11 . The band of  claim 10 , wherein the cutouts and protrusions are coordinated with one another in terms of their dimensions such that the band ( 1 ) has a substantially smooth outer circumferential surface in the closed state. 
     
     
         12 . The band of  claim 10 , wherein the protrusions are arranged on the outer side of one end region and on the inner side of the other end region. 
     
     
         13 . The band of  claim 1 , wherein at least one end region comprises at least two closing elements ( 7 ,  8 ) that are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction, it being possible for each of said closing elements ( 7 ,  8 ) to be brought into engagement with a corresponding closing element ( 9 ) of the other end region in order to close the band, such that optionally at least two closed states with different inner radii of the band ( 1 ) can be obtained. 
     
     
         14 . The band of  claim 1 , wherein it has an anti-twist means ( 10 ) arranged to interact with structural elements of the article to be encircled, in order to prevent twisting of the band ( 1 ). 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The band of  claim 9 , wherein said at least one latching element is arranged on the inner side ( 2 ) of the band. 
     
     
         17 . The band of  claim 14 , wherein said anti-twist means ( 10 ) is arranged such that, in the closed state of the band, it is spaced apart from the end regions ( 4 ,  5 ) at least by 90°. 
     
     
         18 . The band of  claim 14 , wherein said anti-twist means ( 10 ) has at least one protrusion ( 11 ,  12 ) or cutout arranged on the inner side ( 2 ) of the band ( 1 ), it being possible for said at least one protrusion ( 11 ,  12 ) or cutout on the inner side ( 2 ) of band ( 1 ) to interact with structural elements of the article to be encircled, in order to prevent twisting of the band ( 1 ). 
     
     
         19 . The band of  claim 18 , wherein said anti-twist means ( 10 ) has at least two protrusions ( 11 ,  12 ) or cutouts arranged on the inner side ( 2 ) of the band ( 1 ). 
     
     
         20 . A method of providing a protective cover for a component of a dispensing device, comprising:
 i) applying a band according to  claim 1  to a component of a dispensing device and   ii) bringing corresponding closing elements of end regions ( 4 , 5 ) into engagement with one another such that the band ( 1 ) is in a closed state,   wherein said band ( 1 ) in a closed state is a protective cover for said component of a dispending device.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said component of a dispending device is a breakaway coupling of a dispensing nozzle.