Patent ID: 7318465

Claim:
A reinforcement ring applicator for sequentially applying a plurality of reinforcement rings from a stack of said rings each having an underside coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive to sheet material therebeneath comprising: a base formed with a hollow, tubular lower portion having a lower extremity forming an open mouth, and a hollow upper portion defining a plunger guide, a plunger mounted for longitudinal reciprocal movement and laterally constrained by said plunger guide of said base, a spring biasing said plunger away from said open mouth of said base, and a reinforcer cartridge releaseably coupled to said plunger wherein said cartridge has a central core with a lower member depending from a stem, and said lower member has a lower extremity with a plurality of turned out toes that support said stack of rings and said stem has outwardly projecting and downwardly inclined barbs defined thereon, and said cartridge is further comprised of an annular pressure pad disposed above said stack of reinforcing rings and a hollow, annular collar supported upon said pressure pad and defining a radially inwardly directed stem-engaging element that interacts with said stem to facilitate longitudinal passage of said barbs therethrough in a direction away from said pressure pad and to resist passage of said barbs therethrough in a direction toward said pressure pad.