Mortar applicator and mortar application system having same

A mortar applicator comprising:

• a duct having a first end and a second end;
• a piston movably mounted within the duct, the piston dividing the duct into first and second variable volume chambers on opposite sides of the piston, the first variable volume chamber being defined between the piston and the first end of the duct, the second variable volume chamber being defined between the piston and the second end of the duct;
• a piston actuator operatively connected to the piston, the piston actuator being operable to move the piston within the duct;
• a nozzle assembly located at the first end of the duct, the nozzle assembly having a tip defining a nozzle opening in fluid communication with the first variable volume chamber to discharge mortar contained therein;
• and
• a cover member selectively movable between an open position and a closed position to respectively allow and prevent mortar to be discharged through the nozzle opening,
• in the open position, the cover member being disposed clear of the nozzle opening,
• in the closed position, the cover member being disposed such that:
• the cover member covers the nozzle opening at the tip of the nozzle assembly;
• and
• an inner surface of the cover member is in contact with an outer surface of the tip of the nozzle assembly so as to substantially seal the nozzle opening;
• and
• a cover member actuator operatively connected to the cover member, the cover member actuator being operable to move the cover member between the open position and the closed position.