APPLICATOR

• US 20130261532A1
• Filed: 03/26/2013
• Published: 10/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Datamars SA (Province of Québec)
• Original Assignee: Simcro Limited (Province of Québec)
• Inventors: Trow, David Andrew
• Granted Patent: US 10,463,465 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/19
• CPC Class Codes: A61D 7/00 Devices or methods for introducing solid, liquid, or gaseous remedies or other materials into or onto the bodies of animals for reproduction or fertilisation A61D19/00 ; devices for implanting pellets, radon seeds or the like A61M37/0069

Abstract

An applicator 102 has a fluid supply inlet (14), an outlet (4) and a barrel (1) having a barrel outlet (2) and a barrel inlet (15a). The barrel inlet (15) is in fluid communication, or selective fluid communication, with the fluid supply inlet (14).

A one way outlet valve (3) is in fluid communication with the barrel outlet (2) and with the outlet (4). The applicator 100 has piston actuation means (32) for moving a piston (5) relative to the barrel (1). The applicator further comprises pressure limiting means (10) for limiting a maximum pressure of fluid entering the barrel (1) from the fluid supply inlet (14).

Claims

1. An applicator comprising:

a fluid supply inlet;

an outlet;

a barrel having a barrel outlet and a barrel inlet which is in fluid communication, or selective fluid communication, with the fluid supply inlet;

a one way outlet valve in fluid communication with the barrel outlet and with the outlet;

a piston moveable relative to the barrel and in sealing engagement with the barrel;

piston actuation means for moving the piston relative to the barrel;

the applicator further comprising pressure limiting means for limiting a maximum pressure of fluid entering the barrel from the fluid supply inlet.

2. The applicator of claim 1 wherein the pressure limiting means is configured such that the fluid entering the barrel has a pressure which is at or below an ambient atmospheric pressure.

3. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the pressure limiting means is configured such that the fluid entering the barrel has a pressure which is at or below a pressure required to open the outlet valve.

4. The applicator of claim 1 wherein the pressure limiting means is provided at or adjacent the barrel inlet.

5. The applicator of claim 4 wherein the pressure limiting means is integral with the piston.

6. The applicator of claim 1 wherein the pressure limiting means comprises a diaphragm.

7. The applicator of claim 1 wherein a first side of the diaphragm is in fluid communication, or selective fluid communication, with fluid in the barrel.

8. The applicator of claim 7 wherein an opposite second side of the diaphragm is exposed to ambient atmospheric pressure.

9. The applicator of claim 6 wherein displacement of the diaphragm changes an internal volume of a conduit supplying fluid to the barrel inlet.

10. The applicator of claim 6 wherein the diaphragm is carried by the piston.

11. The applicator of claim 6 provided with a one way valve means for preventing fluid flow from the barrel though the barrel inlet.

12. The applicator of claim 1 wherein the pressure limiting means is adapted to prevent fluid flow from the barrel inlet to the fluid supply inlet.

13. The applicator of claim 6 wherein the pressure limiting means comprises a first valve head and a first valve seat, wherein the first valve head can be moved from a closed position to an open position by movement of the diaphragm.

14. The applicator of claim 13 wherein the pressure limiting means comprises a second valve head and second valve seat, wherein the second valve head is connected to the first valve head and moves with the first valve head.

15. The applicator of claim 14 wherein a pressure difference across said first valve head is substantially equal to a pressure difference across said second valve head.

16. The applicator of claim 15 wherein the pressure difference across said first valve head creates a resultant force in a first direction and the pressure difference across said second valve head creates a resultant force in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction.

17. The applicator of claim 16 wherein the resultant forces are substantially equal.

18. The applicator of claim 16 wherein the resultant force on the second valve head is greater than the resultant force on the first valve head.

19. An applicator comprising:

a fluid supply inlet;

an outlet;

a barrel having a barrel outlet and a barrel inlet in fluid communication, or selective fluid communication, with the fluid supply inlet;

a one way outlet valve in fluid communication with the barrel outlet and with the outlet;

a piston moveable relative to the barrel and in sealing engagement with the barrel;

piston actuation means for moving the piston relative to the barrel; and

a diaphragm in fluid contact, or selective fluid communication, with a fluid within the barrel, wherein movement of the diaphragm controls a valve means provided between the fluid supply inlet and the barrel inlet.

20. An applicator system comprising an applicator and fluid supply conduit, the applicator comprising:

a fluid supply inlet;

an outlet

a barrel having a barrel outlet and a barrel inlet in fluid communication, or selective fluid communication, with the fluid supply inlet;

a one way outlet valve in fluid communication with the barrel outlet;

a piston moveable relative to the barrel and in sealing engagement with the barrel;

piston actuation means for moving the piston relative to the barrel;

the fluid supply conduit having an inlet and an outlet which is in fluid communication, or selective fluid communication, with the fluid supply inlet of the applicator;

the system further comprising pressure limiting means for limiting a maximum pressure of fluid entering the barrel in use.