The present invention relates to a device for holding two objects together. The invention relates in particular to a device that comprises two components that can be connected together and as such can connect two objects together .

Such devices are known in the art. They can be produced as bolt/nut connections. The disadvantage of such connections is that they can be detached after use, so that they can be reused. However, reuse is not desired in particular if the devices are used to fasten packaging which may contain contaminated objects that should not be reused, such as are found in hospitals and the like.

The object of the invention is to provide a device for connecting together two objects which device can be used once. The object of the invention is in particular to provide such a device that consists of two parts and that in one position connects the objects and in another

position disconnects the objects again. The invention also relates to a practically usable method.

At least one of the above-mentioned objects is achieved with a device that comprises the aspects according to claim 1 and with a method according to claim 16.

Because of the out-of-round shape the locking plate in the openings of the objects to be connected together will remain in an essentially fixed position while the turn lock can be turned relative to the locking plate, and therefore relative to the opening in the objects. The turn lock has a projecting fastening hook having a dimension that falls within the first relatively larger diameter but outside the second relatively smaller diameter. As a result the fastening hook will fall within the circumference of the openings in the objects in a first direction but outside this circumference in a second direction. This provides a suitable connection of the objects.

The two parts can be connected together in a first position relative to each other (with the fastening hook being oriented in the first direction) , and in this first position can be placed in aligned openings in the objects to be connected. If the turn lock is turned in the second direction relative to the locking plate, the fastening hook will fall outside the circumference of the device, past the objects to be connected.

In order to provide a suitable positioning of the device against the objects to be connected it is to be preferred that the turn lock comprises a stop element with a stop surface for adjacent positioning against a surface of the first object, said surface being located on the entry side.

It is also to be preferred that the end of the fastening hook points away from the axis of rotation in order to provide an embodiment of the device according to the invention that is simple to manufacture and to use.

It is also to be preferred that the wall of the opening of the locking plate comprises a cut-out to guide and receive the fastening hook when the turn lock is inserted into the locking plate. The turn lock can then be inserted into the locking plate only in this particular position .

It is also to be preferred that the turn lock

comprises a stop element with a greater diameter than the first diameter of the locking plate, with the stop element comprising a surface for adjacent positioning against a surface of the first object and the fastening hook

comprises a surface that points towards the surface for adjacent positioning against a surface of the second object. This provides a most simple solution to prevent the whole device being pushed through the openings in the objects to be connected. It is also to be preferred that the turn lock

comprises at least two fastening hooks located opposite each other and that the locking plate comprises at least two cut-outs in the wall that mate with these fastening hooks. This provides a stable connection of the objects. It is in particular to be preferred that the at least two fastening hooks on the element are provided symmetrically over the circumference of the element.

It is especially to be preferred that the turn lock comprises two fastening hooks located opposite each other as well as at least one coupling hook. The coupling hook serves to connect the two parts of the device, while the fastening hooks ensure that the two objects are fastened together using the device according to the invention. It is in particular to be preferred that the turn lock comprises two coupling hooks located opposite each other.

In a further preferred embodiment the locking plate is designed for at least partial insertion into the

openings provided in the objects. This provides a compact assembly of the objects to be connected and the device according to the invention.

It is also to be preferred that the axis of rotation is located in the middle of the locking plate. This makes it possible to form a compact device.

It is also to be preferred that the wall of the locking plate comprises a run-on side with teeth to guide a leg of the turn lock over the run-in side and to lock the leg behind the teeth during a rotation of the turn lock relative to the locking plate. This means that the turn lock can be turned in only one direction when it is

inserted into the locking plate. Turning back to the starting position in which the turn lock was inserted into the locking plate is then prevented so that the same device can be used only once. This then prevents contamination of the objects to be connected by the device that has already been used and has become contaminated during that use. It is to be preferred that a cam provided on the leg is designed to provide guidance over the run-in side.

It is also to be preferred that the hook on the side that is located away from the stop surface and from the axis of rotation is chamfered. The hook can then be easily inserted into the locking plate. A slight elasticity of the hook can then ensure that the insertion takes place simply if the hook is somewhat larger than the opening through which it has to be inserted into the locking plate. The hook cannot then return through this opening once the hook has been positioned behind the shoulder of the locking plate. This applies to both the fastening hook and the coupling hook.

Finally the invention relates to an assembly of devices according to the invention, comprising two sets of devices, wherein a first set of devices differs from a second set of devices on the basis of at least one of: - colour; - shape; and - a symbol on the surface. As a result the first set can be used in a contaminated environment and the second set can be used in a cleaned environment. The first set can for example be coloured red and the second set can be coloured green. So-called emoticons could be used as markings, for example a smiling emoticon (smiley face) for the cleaned environment and a sad emoticon (sad face) for the contaminated environment. Indications such as "plus" and "minus" can also be used on the surface of the turn lock or the locking plate. The shape of the device, for example of the turn lock, can also be modified to suit the environment where the device is used, in which case the turn lock is for example shaped like a "plus" in the cleaned environment and like a "minus" in the contaminated environment, seen in plan view.

The invention will be explained below with reference to the drawings .

Figure 1 is an exploded view of the device according to the invention. Figure 2 is perspective bottom view of the device according to the invention.

Figure 3 is a perspective bottom view of the turn lock according to the invention.

Figure 4 is a perspective plan view of the locking plate according to the invention.

Figure 5 is a side view in cross-section of the device according to the invention.

Figure 6 is a side view of the device according to the invention.

Figure 7 is a side view in cross-section of the device according to the invention.

Figure 8 is another side view in cross-section of the device according to the invention.

Figure 9 is a bottom view in cross-section of three positions of the turn lock in the locking plate.

Figure 10 shows packaging that has been produced as a drawer with a lid through which the device according to the invention is inserted.

Figure 11 shows a detail of the turn lock on the drawer of the device of figure 10.

The same and equivalent parts are indicated by the same reference numerals in the figures. Not all the parts present in practice are shown in the figures. Only parts that are necessary for a correct understanding of invention are shown and described below.

Figure 1 is an exploded view of a device 1 according to the invention. The device 1 consists of a locking plate 2 and a turn lock 3 that can be partially received in an opening 4 of the locking plate 2. In the embodiment shown the locking plate 2 has two cut-outs 12 located opposite each other, in which hook members 7; 8 of the turn lock 3 can be inserted. The hook members 7; 8 are provided with legs 20 (see for example figure 9) . The distances of the ends of hooks located opposite each other are somewhat greater than the distance between a wall 11 of the opening 4 alongside or against which these hooks 7; 8 are inserted when the turn lock 3 is inserted into the opening 4 of the locking plate 2. The legs are elastic so that, when they are inserted into the opening 4, the legs bend elastically and, when the hooks 7; 8 are fully inserted through the opening 4, the legs bend back elastically so that the hook 7; 8 catches behind a cam or shoulder 6 of the wall 11 of the opening 4 and the turn lock 3 is locked in the locking plate 2. The hooks are chamfered 14 in order to facilitate the insertion into the opening 4.

Figure 2 is a perspective bottom view of the device 1 according to the invention. This shows clearly that the hook 7 of the turn lock 3 catches behind the shoulder 6 of the locking plate 2 and prevents the turn lock 3 being removed from the locking plate 2.

Figure 3 is a perspective bottom view of the turn lock 3 according to the invention. The turn lock 3 has a surface 16 that can be placed against a surface of one of the objects to be connected. The locking plate 2, as shown in figure 4, can for example be placed fully in aligned openings of the objects to be connected. This is shown in figure 5. Two plate-shaped parts of the objects to be connected are positioned on top of each other. The locking plate 2 is placed in openings of the two objects, which are aligned with each other.

It can also be seen in figure 5 that the turn lock 3 has been received into the locking plate 2. Figure 5 is a side view in cross-section of the device 1 according to the invention. In this embodiment the turn lock is placed in the locking plate in such a way that the hook 7 extends past the outside circumference of the locking plate 2 and against the bottom object in the figure. The surface 17 is located against the bottom of the objects. As a result the device 1 cannot be removed from the opening and the objects are connected securely together. The turn lock has been turned through 90° about the axis of rotation 13 for this position to be achieved.

Figure 6 is a side view of the device 1 according to the invention in the secured position of the turn lock relative to the locking plate, as shown in figure 5. The turn lock comprises a stop element 15 the surface 16 of which is located against the objects to be connected.

Figure 7 is a side view in cross-section of the device 1 according to the invention. Here the turn lock is in a disconnected position. The hook 7 does not now extend beyond the outside circumference of the locking plate. The surface 17 is located against the bottom of the locking plate 2. A side view of the device 1 in this position is shown in figure 8, from a position turned through 90°. Here it can be clearly seen that hook 8 extends under a cam- shaped shoulder 21, as a result of which the turn lock 3 is locked in the locking plate 2.

The distance 10 is a greatest measurement between opposite parts of the locking plate 2; the distance 9 is a smallest distance between opposite parts of the locking plate 2. These measurements can be designated as diameter, in particular but not exclusively if the locking plate has a somewhat oval shape.

Figure 9 shows in a bottom view in cross-section (in the direction IX-IX according to figure 7) three positions (9A, 9B, 9C) of the turn lock 3 in the locking plate 2. The surface 16 of the turn lock 3 is located against a surface of an object to be connected, as shown in Figure 9A. The locking plate 2 is placed such that it fits into aligned openings of the objects to be connected. The leg 20 is inserted into the opening 12 and is locked in by the wall 22. The leg 20' is in principle not locked in. The turn lock 3 can be moved only in one direction, initially to a position as shown in Figure 9B, with the leg 20 being moved over the run-in side 18 and guided over the cam 19. There the leg 20 is stopped by the cam 19 so that it cannot be turned back into the position according to Figure 9A.

Figure 9C shows that the turn lock 3 has again been turned further to the left through 90°. The leg 20 is definitively locked into the cut-out 12' . The turn lock 3 cannot now be turned any further and cannot be turned backwards. The hooks 7 allow the device 1 to be removed from the openings in the objects. It is not possible to reuse the device 1 as this is locked to prevent it being turned .

Using the elements of the device 1 explained above or to be explained below a method has proved advantageous in which the contents of a two-part packaging 25, 26, which can be locked with said device, can be safely used once and cannot be used again safely until it has been cleaned. An example of such packaging, in this case configured as a drawer having a generally transparent lid 26 on top of it, is shown in figure 10 and in figure 5. The device 1 is then used to lock these parts 25, 26 of the packaging in which the content is located. One example of such content might be an endoscope. In a cleaning department the parts 25, 26 of the packaging are fastened and the cleaned content is put into said packaging, after which a first, for example green, turn lock element 2, 3 is attached. This element comprises both the locking plate 2 and the turn lock 3 that can be turned in it. This locks the parts 25, 26

inseparably in the situation in figure 9B . When the

packaging arrives at the department where the content is used, it is opened by separating the parts 25, 26 after the turn lock 3 of the first turn lock element 2, 3 is turned through 90°. This situation is shown in figure 9C, in which the parts can thus be separated so that the content can be removed from the packaging. The removed first turn lock element 2, 3, namely the locking plate 2 in which the turn lock 3 is held in the situation shown in figure 9C, can then be discarded. Only second, red, turn lock elements are locally present in a dispenser. After the endoscope has been used, it is placed in the packaging and the parts 25, 26 are fastened, wherein the second turn lock element 2, 3 available there is then attached. This produces the

situation shown in figure 9A. After the turn lock 3 of the second turn lock element 2 has been turned, the parts 25, 26 are again locked inseparably, as shown in figure 9B . At the cleaning department the red turn lock element 2, 3 is removed as a whole, and the endoscope is cleaned and put into clean packaging of which the parts 25, 26 are locked by being provided with a green turn lock element 2, 3 as a marking element. Figure 1 shows a + sign as a marking element M.

Preferably, for manufacturing reasons, the turn lock elements 2, 3, which are usually made from plastic, are identical except for their markings. Moreover, the manually turnable turn lock 3 needs to be able to be turned in only one direction in the locking plate 2.