Patent ID: 11937571
Assignee: RAPID LAB, INC.
Field: Other special machines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 0:
1. An applicator comprising:
a set of pliers in a grip-to-close configuration and including:
an upper jaw, distal of a pivot, defining a tag ejection boss proximal a tip of the upper jaw; and
a lower jaw, distal of the pivot, defining a backing plate ejection boss proximal a tip of the lower jaw;

an upper tongue comprising:
a proximal end mounted to the upper jaw proximal the pivot;
a distal end;
defining a pair of upper forks extending on each lateral side of the tag ejection boss and configured to splay outwardly to receive a tag;
defining a lower seat configured to engage opposing lateral sides of the tag; and
biased downwardly off of the tip of the upper jaw; and

a set of upper stops extending downwardly from the pair of upper forks between the proximal end and the distal end of the upper tongue;

a lower tongue comprising:
a proximal end mounted to the lower jaw proximal the pivot;
a distal end:
defining a pair of lower forks extending on each lateral side of the backing plate ejection boss and configured to splay outwardly to receive a backing plate;
configured to insert into a pocket of a tag receptacle in a tray;
defining a lower seat configured to engage opposing lateral sides of the backing plate; and
biased upwardly off of the tip of the lower jaw; and

a set of lower stops:
extending upwardly from the pair of lower forks between the proximal end and the distal end of the lower tongue; and
configured to engage the set of upper stops during actuation of the set of pliers to:
drive the distal end of the upper tongue toward the tag ejection boss to eject the tag from the pair of upper forks; and
drive the distal end of the lower tongue toward the backing plate ejection boss to eject the backing plate from the pair of lower forks; and

wherein, during actuation of the set of pliers, the tag ejection boss and the backing plate ejection boss cooperate to:
retain the tag following ejection from the pair of upper forks;
retain the backing plate following ejection from the pair of lower forks; and
drive a barb of the tag into a receiver of the backing plate to seat the barb within the receiver.