Patent ID: 7114289

Claim:
A dispensing apparatus for dispensing a fluid into a tree, the dispensing apparatus comprising: a) a canister for containing an injection fluid, the canister having an interior cavity with inside cylindrical walls and an output port communicating with the interior cavity; b) a partition within the interior cavity dividing such interior cavity into a first subchamber communicating with the output port and a second subchamber on the side of the partition opposite such output port, the partition being a movable partition which is positioned within the interior cavity for sliding displacement therein and having a sealing fit against the inside walls of the interior cavity; c) a valve/closure disposed at the output port for permitting the release of fluid contained within the first subchamber; d) spring means for applying a force on the movable partition disposed within the second subchamber, the spring means being seated on the canister and being oriented to apply a force on the moveable partition, biasing the partition for displacement towards the valve/closure; in combination with: e) a nozzle having a bore extending there through, the nozzle being shaped at a first end for communication with the output port and being shaped at its other, second end in the shape for connection with a hole formed in a tree into which fluid is to be injected, wherein, upon connection of the nozzle at the output port, a flow path is available from the first subchamber through the valve/closure to permit fluid, expressed from the first subchamber by displacement of the partition in response to the force applied by the spring means, to pass through the bore of the nozzle, thereby dispensing the fluid from the dispensing apparatus, and wherein i) the valve/closure comprises a self-sealing solid plug of penetratable elastomeric material; ii) the nozzle comprises a needle having a needle bore and needle tip, the needle being positioned at a recessed location within the first end of the nozzle for insertion through the plug for permitting a flow of fluid through the needle, iii) the needle tip is positioned within a recess in the nozzle whereby the needle tip does not extend beyond the first end of the nozzle, and iv) the first end of the nozzle has a hammerable outermost end, extending beyond the needle tip, for use in inserting of the nozzle into a tree.