Apparatuses for applying glutinous substances

An apparatus for delivering a glutinous substance from a cartridge to an applicator, the apparatus comprising:

• a sleeve, comprising a central axis, an inlet, and an outlet opposite the inlet, wherein the sleeve is configured to receive the cartridge through the inlet;
• a pressure-cap assembly, coupled to the sleeve and comprising:
• a pressure cap, proximate the inlet of the sleeve, wherein:
• with the cartridge received within the sleeve, the pressure cap is movable between, inclusively, a closed position, in which the pressure cap is in sealed engagement with a trailing end of the cartridge, and an open position, in which the pressure cap provides clearance sufficient for insertion of the cartridge inside the sleeve through the inlet of the sleeve, and
• the pressure cap comprises a first pressure input, through which pneumatic pressure is selectively applied to the glutinous substance in the cartridge when the cartridge is received within the sleeve, the pressure cap is in the closed position, and a leading end of the cartridge is in sealed engagement with the applicator;
• and
• an actuator, coupled to the pressure cap and to the sleeve, wherein the actuator is selectively operable to move the pressure cap relative to the sleeve between, inclusively, the closed position and the open position;
• and
• an automated coupler, configured to automatically reversibly sealingly couple the applicator with the leading end of the cartridge when the cartridge is inside the sleeve and the pressure cap is in the closed position, wherein:
• the automated coupler comprises an applicator mount, configured to fixedly receive the applicator and comprising a geometric feature comprising a first surface, oblique to the central axis;
• the automated coupler further comprises an engagement assembly, coupled to the sleeve;
• the engagement assembly is configured to releasably interlock with the applicator mount and comprises at least one detent;
• the at least one detent is engageable with the first surface of the geometric feature of the applicator mount to couple the engagement assembly with the applicator mount;
• and
• the at least one detent is disengageable from the first surface of the geometric feature of the applicator mount to decouple the engagement assembly from the applicator mount.