Variable Metered Airless Applicator With Cartridge

Abstract

The present invention relates to a variable metered amount airless applicator with cartridge. Examples of such an applicator include, for example, syringes and gun-shaped applicators. A variable amount selector is a feature of an embodiment of the applicator. The applicator can be attached to a variety of pass-through devices.

1 .- 3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The applicator of  claim 9 , wherein the pump comprises a one-way check valve or a stopcock. 
     
     
         5 . The cartridge of  claim 25 , wherein the moveable plug is arranged within the cartridge to define a cavity within the cartridge for containing the fluid to be dispensed. 
     
     
         6 . The applicator of  claim 4 , wherein the pump comprises a valve arranged in a flow path between the cartridge and the tip of the housing. 
     
     
         7 . The applicator of  claim 6 , wherein the valve is constructed to prevent flow along said flow path in a direction from the tip of the housing to the cartridge while allowing flow along said flow path in a direction from the cartridge to the tip of the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The applicator of  claim 9 , wherein the interchangeable tip comprises a male or female luer lock connection. 
     
     
         9 . An applicator comprising:
 a housing with a distal end and a proximal end; and   an interchangeable tip attachable to the distal end of the housing and in fluid communication with an interior of the housing;
 wherein the housing comprises a pump in fluid communication with the interchangeable tip for dispensing a fluid in a cartridge, which is removably inserted into the housing, through the tip by operation of the pump via depressing a trigger which, when depressed, moves a lever to slide the cartridge to actuate the pump to dispense the predetermined amount of the fluid. 
   
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The applicator of  claim 9  further comprising a display counter for indicating how much fluid has been dispensed. 
     
     
         12 .- 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The cartridge of  claim 25  further comprises an auto-sealing port at an anterior end of the cartridge for engaging a pump for allowing the fluid to flow from the cartridge to the pump. 
     
     
         16 . The cartridge of  claim 25  further comprises a radio frequency identification label. 
     
     
         17 . The applicator of  claim 9  further comprises a data capture module. 
     
     
         18 . The applicator of  claim 9  further comprises a light source. 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method of using the applicator of  claim 9 , comprising:
 inserting a cartridge prefilled with the fluid into an elongated passageway of the housing of the applicator; and   actuating the pump by depressing a trigger to dispense the predetermined amount of the fluid.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising counting the number of the predetermined amount of the fluid dispensed. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising identifying the cartridge inserted. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the fluid comprises an insecticide. 
     
     
         24 . The applicator of  claim 17 , wherein the data capture module captures a data selected from number of doses dispensed, discrete volumetric amounts dispensed, cumulative volumetric amounts dispensed, product applied, time stamp, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         25 . A cartridge prefilled with a fluid comprising
 a moveable plug for preventing air from contacting the fluid in the cartridge when a predetermined amount of the fluid is dispensed,   an opening at the distal end of the cartridge, and   a valve disposed at the distal end of the cartridge for releasing the fluid from the cartridge via the opening.   
     
     
         26 . The cartridge of  claim 25 , wherein the fluid comprises an insecticide 
     
     
         27 . A method for controlling an insect or a pest comprising delivering a predetermined amount of an insecticide to an area where the insect or the pest needs to be controlled by using an applicator which delivers the predetermined amount of an insecticide to the area. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the predetermine amount of insecticide is pre-filled in a cartridge removably inserted into the applicator. 
     
     
         29 . The applicator of  claim 9  further comprises the cartridge.