Patent ID: 8308675

Claim:
An applicator device capable of housing an insertable element comprising: a. an insertion member having a cylindrical central portion, an insertion end and an opposed gripper end having a smaller outer diameter than the cylindrical central portion of the insertion member, b. a plunger insertable into the smaller diameter of the gripper end of the insertion member and having an insertion end and an opposed gripper end, and c. a locking mechanism comprising at least one plunger lock element and at least one insertion member lock element; wherein (1) the plunger is slidable in the insertion member between a second position, substantially withdrawn from the insertion member and a first position, substantially contained within the insertion member with the plunger insertion end disposed toward the insertion member insertion end to expel the insertable element contained within the insertion member; (2) the at least one plunger lock element and the at least one insertion member lock element are arranged and configured to engage when the plunger is disposed in the first position after expulsion of the insertable member; (3) at least one lock element has a taper lead; (4) the outer diameter of the gripper end of the plunger decreases in a direction towards the insertion end to create a sloped surface, the outer diameter of the gripper end of the tubular insertion member decreases in a direction away from the insertion end to create a sloped outer surface such that the outer diameter of the applicator device is substantially continuous where the gripper end of the plunger abuts the gripper end of the tubular insertion member; and (5) whereby the outer diameter of the plunger decreases to create a shoulder on the outer surface of the plunger such that the gripper end of the tubular insertion member is flush against the shoulder of the plunger.