Technical Field

The present invention relates to a device for introducing substances inside animals, such as heads of cattle or the like.

Background Art

Devices are known shaped like guns and intended to introduce medicinal products inside animals.

One of these devices is illustrated in the patent document US 5,514,101.

Such device comprises a base body, from which appears a hollow injection needle, and a grip for gripping by the user.

In correspondence to the hollow needle is associable a cartridge containing one or more doses of medicinal substance in the form of pellets, i.e., small cylindrical capsules to be introduced into the animal.

The cartridge has a series of cavities containing the pellets and which can be aligned with the hollow needle to be crossed by a longitudinally-moving push rod.

The push rod is operated manually by the user by means of a lever hinged to the grip. The lever has a toothed segment which, once made to rotate by the user, causes the rotation of a spool and a corresponding push rod guide system.

This device of known type has a number of drawbacks including the fact that the use of the lever to operate the push rod is not always practical and, after numerous operations, can cause the user's hand to become tired.

The push rod operating system is also rather complicated from a constructive and structural viewpoint and can sometimes lead to operating problems.

The operation of the lever furthermore is accompanied by a skip of the operating mechanism which causes sounds or noises which can scare or make the animal nervous.

To this must be added that the device forming the subject of the patent US 5,514,101 is specifically prepared for the introduction of medicinal substances in the form of pellets and is unusable for administering substances in other forms, such as, e.g., vaccines or serums in liquid state.

Another drawback of this type of device consists in the fact that only one cartridge at a time can be loaded in this gun, forcing the user to inconveniently have to use a separate cartridge belt or holder.

This latter drawback is particularly felt in all farms comprising a large number of animals, where the substances contained in a single cartridge are very quickly finished and frequent replacements are needed of the old cartridges, with serious loss of time, which inevitably translates into limited productivity and an inconvenient increase in labour costs.

Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to provide a device for introducing substances inside animals which can be used in a practical, easy and functional way without tiring the user too much.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for introducing substances inside animals which can be used both for introducing capsules and for injecting liquids or fluids.

Not the last object of the present invention is to provide a device for introducing substances inside animals which is more efficient and less noisy than the traditional devices and allows to increase labour productivity, thus reducing its cost.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for introducing substances inside animals which allows to overcome the mentioned drawbacks of the state of the art within the ambit of a simple, rational, easy and effective to use as well as low cost solution.

The above objects are achieved by the present device for introducing substances inside animals, comprising:

- at least a base body which can be gripped by a user and having at least a receiving seat suitable for housing at least a cartridge which comprises at least a cavity containing a substance to be introduced into an animal;

at least a hollow needle which is associated with said base body and is suitable for penetrating said animal for the introduction of said substance;

- at least a push rod substantially aligned and coaxial with said hollow needle, said cartridge being placeable in a use position wherein said cavity is placed between said hollow needle and said push rod and is aligned with these;

operating means suitable for moving said push rod through said cavity in use position to push said substance through said hollow needle;

characterised by the fact that said operating means comprise:

at least a buffer body associated with said base body in a translatable way along a direction substantially parallel to said hollow needle and suitable for coming into contact with said animal during the penetration/extraction of said hollow needle into/from said animal, and

- transformation means for transforming the movement of said buffer body into the movement of said push rod.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more evident from the description of some preferred, but not sole, embodiments of a device for introducing substances inside animals, illustrated purely as an example but not limited to the annexed drawings in which:

figure 1 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention;

figure 2 is an axonometric view, partially broken-out, of the device of figure 1 ;

figure 3 is a side, partially transparent view of the device of figure 1 in idle configuration;

figure 4 is a side, partially transparent view of the device of figure 1 in operating configuration;

figures from 5 to 7 show, in a succession of cross section views, the operation of the automatic movement means provided in the device of figure 1 ;

figure 8 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention;

figure 9 is a longitudinal section view of the device of figure 8 in idle configuration; figure 10 is a longitudinal section view of the device of figure 8 in operating configuration;

figure 11 is a side view of a portion of the device of figure 8 in idle configuration; figure 12 is a section view along the plane XII - XII of figure 1 1 ;

figure 13 is a side view of the portion of figure 11 in operating configuration;

figure 14 is a section view along the plane XIV - XIV of figure 13;

figures from 15 to 17 show, in a succession of cross section views, the operation of the automatic movement means provided in a third embodiment of the device according to the invention;

figure 18 is an axonometric view, partially broken-out, of an alternative embodiment of the cartridge provided in the device according to the invention;

figures from 19 to 21 show, in a succession of cross section views, the operation of a fourth embodiment of the device according to the invention for the use of cartridge of figure 18.

Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to the embodiment of figures from 1 to 7, globally indicated by 1 is a device for introducing substances inside animals. In this embodiment, the substance S to be introduced in an animal A is made in the form of pellets, i.e., small capsules of substantially cylindrical shape.

The pellets S are contained in a series of cartridges 2, each of which comprises a plurality of cavities 3 containing the pellets S.

The cavities 3 have a cylindrical shape, with constant section of circular or polygonal shape.

The axial extremities of each cavity 3 are open.

The cartridges 2 are substantially plate-shaped and the cavities 3 cross them from one side to another parallel to one of the larger faces of the cartridges 2.

Furthermore, the cavities 3 are arranged parallel to one another and equally distanced from one another.

By means of one or more assembly walls 4 the cartridges 2 are grouped together to form a pack.

In particular, there are two assembly walls 4 and these are arranged on the opposite sides of the cartridges 2 so as to close the open extremities of the cavities 3.

Furthermore, the assembly walls 4 are outer walls, in the sense that they only cover the lateral sides of the pack of cartridges 2 and keep their relative sliding free in a transversal direction to the cavities 3.

This way, one cartridge 2 can be made to slide with respect to the others, causing the open extremities of the cavities 3 to come to the surface and allow their introduction into the animal A.

This particular conformation of the cartridges 2 makes them completely symmetric and specular, both open extremities of the cavities 3 being able to act both as inlet opening and outlet opening for the substance S.

Such particular feature favours the use of the cartridges 2 which, in a practical and easy way, can be used indiscriminately both in one direction and the other.

Alternative embodiments cannot however be ruled out wherein the cartridges 2 have a different conformation, e.g., they have just one cavity 3 and/or are not grouped together to form a pack but, rather, are single and separate the one from the other. The device 1 comprises a base body 5 shaped like a gun and having a grip 6 which can be economically gripped by a user.

The base body 5 consists, e.g., of two half-shells 7 which can be coupled together. The base body 5, once assembled, defines a receiving seat 8 suitable for housing one of the cartridges 2.

For such purpose, the base body 5 has a block 9 for housing the pack of cartridges 2. The block 9 is arranged so one of the cartridges 2 of the pack is coinciding with the receiving seat 8 and can be inserted in the receiving seat 8 by simply sliding with respect to the assembly walls 4.

With reference to the normal grip position of the base body 5, i.e., with the grip 6 turned downwards, the block 9 is housed at the top of the device 1 and the cartridges 2 can be inserted in the receiving seat 8 with a movement from top downwards and/or from bottom upwards.

For this reason, the fact is underlined that in the present treatise, the terms "top/upwards" and "bottom/downwards" are used with reference to the above arrangement of the block 9.

Alternative embodiments are however possible wherein the loading and the unloading of the cartridges 2 occurs along a different direction, e.g., laterally, in which case the terms "top/upwards" and "bottom/downwards" must be interpreted with the due adaptations of the case.

To the base body 5 is associated a hollow needle 10, which is suitable for penetrating the animal A for the introduction of the substance S and which extends along a longitudinal direction.

In this respect, it is underlined that in the present treatise, the terms "longitudinal" and "transversal" are used with reference to the orientation of the hollow needle 10, which also defines the direction of penetration in the hide of the animal A.

Inside the base body 5 is also housed a push rod 11 substantially aligned and coaxial with the hollow needle 10, the cartridges 2 inserted in the receiving seat 8 being positionable in a sequential way in a use position wherein each cavity 3 is placed between the hollow needle 10 and the push rod 11 and is aligned with these.

Operating means 12, 13 are also provided suitable for moving the push rod 11 longitudinally through the cavity 3 which is placed in use position, so as to push the substance S contained in it through the hollow needle 10 inside the animal A.

In particular, the push rod 11 can be moved between an idle configuration, wherein the push rod 11 is outside the cavity 3, and an operating configuration, wherein the push rod 11 is inserted in the cavity 3.

Usefully, the operating means 12, 13 comprise:

a buffer body 12 associated with the base body 5 in a translatable way along a longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the hollow needle 10 and suitable for coming into contact with the animal A during penetration/removal of the hollow needle 10 in/from the animal A, and transformation means 13 for transforming the movement of the buffer body 12 into the movement of the push rod 1 1.

In point of fact, while the hollow needle 10 penetrates the animal A, the buffer body 12 remains resting on the hide of the animal A, moves with respect to the base body 5 and, by means of the transformation means 13, causes the movement of the push rod 11 for the introduction of the substance S.

The movement of the push rod 11 by effect of the movement of the buffer body 12 can occur according to different procedures and methods.

In particular, the transformation means 13 shown in the illustrations are such that the movement of the buffer body 12 and that of the push rod 1 1 are perfectly proportionate.

In other words, during the penetration of the hollow needle 10 in the animal A, the buffer body 12 covers an outward stroke which determines a corresponding outward stroke of the push rod 11 while, during the removal of the hollow needle 10 from the animal A, the buffer body 12 and the push rod 11 cover a corresponding return stroke with a procedure identical but reversed with respect to the outward stroke.

The introduction into the animal A of the substance S thus occurs as the hollow needle 10 gradually penetrates the animal A while, during its removal, the buffer body 12 and the push rod 1 1 simply return to the initial position.

Other embodiments are however possible wherein the movement of the buffer body 12 and of the push rod 1 1 are not linear and such, e.g., to allow the push rod 11 to introduce the substance S inside the animal A only during the removal phase of the hollow needle 10, i.e., during the return stroke of the buffer body 12.

Usefully, the buffer body 12 comprises a reference plate 14, arranged transversally and suitable for contacting the animal A, and two supporting bars 15 arranged longitudinally, which support the reference plate 14 and which are associated with the base body 5 in a sliding way.

The reference plate 14 has a through opening 16 which allows the passage of the hollow needle 10.

In particular, the through opening 16 is located at the centre of the reference plate 14 and the supporting bars 15 are arranged coplanar with the hollow needle 10 and symmetrically on opposite sides of the latter.

This particular arrangement allows moving the buffer body 12 in a way perfectly centred and parallel to the hollow needle 10, preventing inconvenient bending or balking of the supporting bars 15 and/or transmitting the movement to the push rod 11 in a jerky or unbalanced way.

The transmission of movement from the buffer body 12 to the push rod 11 during the penetration of the hollow needle 10 in the animal A usefully occurs in contrast to elastic return means 17.

In this embodiment, the elastic return means 17 consist, e.g., of a pair of helical springs arranged longitudinally and up tight, on the one side, against the supporting bars 15 and, on the other, on two corresponding shoulders 18 obtained on the base body 5.

Advantageously, the transformation means 13 comprise:

a first mechanism 19, 20 suitable for transforming the rectilinear movement of the buffer body 12 into the rotary movement of a revolving body 21 , and

a second mechanism 22, 23, 24 suitable for transforming the rotary movement of the revolving body 21 into the rectilinear movement of the push rod 1 1, with opposite direction of forward movement compared to the buffer body 12.

The first mechanism 19, 20, in turn, comprises:

- at least a rack element 19 associated with the buffer body 12; and

at least a toothed pinion element 20 associated in a revolving way with the base body 5 and engaging with the rack element 19, the toothed pinion element 20 being associated with the revolving body 21.

More in detail, in the particular embodiment of the figures from 1 to 7, there are two rack elements 19, one for each supporting bar 15.

In the same way, there are two toothed pinion elements 20 and these are made integral with one another, so as to make synchronous the movement transmitted through the corresponding rack elements 19.

The second mechanism 22, 23, 24 comprises:

- a first wheel 22 and a second wheel 23 associated with the base body 5 in a revolving way, the first wheel 22 being suitable for receiving the movement, i.e., for being driven in rotation, by the revolving body 21 ; and

a flexible element 24, of the type of a belt or the like, closed on itself in a loop and wrapped around the first wheel 22 and the second wheel 23, the push rod 11 being associated with a slide 25 guided in a sliding way inside the base body 5 and entrainable by the flexible element 24.

In particular, the first wheel 22 and the second wheel 23 are rotatable around rotation axes at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the hollow needle 10.

Preferably, the first wheel 22 and the second wheel 23 are toothed and engage with the flexible element 24, this too equipped with corresponding gears. The transformation means 13 also comprise multiplication means 26, 27 suitable for multiplying the stroke of the push rod 11 with respect to the stroke of the buffer body 12.

In other words, the stroke of the buffer body 12 is considerably smaller than the stroke of the push rod 11 so as to allow the push rod 1 1 to cross not only the cavity 3 arranged in use position, but also the hollow needle 10 and to push the substance S inside the animal A.

The multiplication means 26, 27 comprise, e.g., a series of gearwheels placed between the toothed pinion elements 20 and the first wheel 22 and suitable for increasing the drive ratio between these revolving members.

In particular, on the revolving body 21 are fitted two first gearwheels 26 coaxial with the toothed pinion elements 20 and having a larger number of teeth compared with the toothed pinion elements 20.

The first gearwheels 26 engage with two corresponding second gearwheels 27 associated coaxially with the first wheel 22 and having a smaller number of teeth compared to the first gearwheels 26.

Inside the receiving seat 8, the cartridges 2 are sliding along a sliding direction D substantially transversal to the hollow needle 10 to place in succession the cavities 3 in use position.

For this purpose, each cartridge 2 has a succession of grip teeth 28 engageable by automatic movement means 29 suitable for moving the cartridge 2 in the receiving seat 8 at each operating cycle to place a different cavity 3 in the use position.

In the embodiment of the figures from 1 to 7, the automatic movement means 29 comprise:

- an elastic push element 30 suitable for pushing the cartridge 2 in operation along the receiving seat 8; and

at least one stop element 31 suitable for stopping the cartridge 2, the stop element 31 being mobile by effect of the movement of the buffer body 12 to temporarily release the cartridge 2 and allow the sliding of the cartridge itself along the receiving seat 8 by means of the operation of the elastic push element 30.

More in detail, the receiving seat 8 has a closed bottom 32 on which is housed the - elastic push element 30.

By means of a manual thrust exercised by the user, the cartridges 2 are inserted in the receiving seat 8 from the top downwards in contrast to the force of the elastic push element 30. There are two stop elements 31 arranged on the opposite sides of the receiving seat 8. Each stop element 31 consists, e.g., in a hook associated with the base body 5 in a way revolving around a rotation axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the hollow needle 10.

The hooks 31 are kept in hooking position by means of two corresponding first belt springs 33, placed between the base body 5 and the hooks themselves.

Each hook 31 is controlled in rotation in contrast to its first belt spring 33 by means of a corresponding control element 34.

The control elements 34 are mobile along the sliding direction D in contrast to corresponding contrast springs 35.

For such purpose, each control element 34 has a sloped surface 36 engageable by a corresponding wedge element 37 associated with the buffer body 12.

There are two control elements 34, contrast springs 35 and wedge elements 37, one for each stop element 31.

Each wedge element 37 is mounted on a corresponding supporting bar 15 and, in idle configuration, engages a corresponding sloped surface 36, with the control element 34 which is pushed downwards to compress the contrast spring 35, while, in operating configuration, this moves away from the sloped surface 36 and the contrast spring 35 moves the control element 34 upwards.

Furthermore, with the control elements 34 are associated in a revolving way two respective knee elements 38 able to turn with respect to the control elements 34 in contrast to two second belt springs 39.

The knee elements 38 are hinged in such a way as to skip beyond the hooks 31 when the control elements 34 move upwards, without releasing them from the grip teeth 28, and to jib on the hooks 31 , temporarily releasing them from the grip teeth 28, when the control elements 34 move downwards.

The single skip which allows switching from one grip tooth 28 to the next without skipping other grip teeth 28 is achieved by a combination of the climbing speed of the cartridge 2 and the return speed of the hook 31.

The operation of the device 1 of the figures from 1 to 7 is the following.

Once the pack of cartridges has been loaded in the block 9, the first cartridge 2, arranged in correspondence to the receiving seat 8, is pushed manually from top to bottom by the user inside the receiving seat 8 until it is close to the closed bottom 32. Inside the receiving seat 8, the cartridge 2 is blocked by means of the hooks 31 leaving one of the cavities 3 in use position. At this point, the user rests the buffer body 12 on the hide of the animal A and presses the base body 5 against it, causing the hollow needle 10 to penetrate the animal A. During the penetration, the buffer body 12 remains resting on the hide of the animal A causing it to slide with respect to the base body 5, which causes the operation of the push rod 1 1 by means of the transformation means 13.

The push rod 11 therefore switches from the idle configuration (figure 3) to the operating configuration (figure 4) and introduces the substance S contained in the cavity 3 into the animal A.

At the same time, the wedge elements 37 move away from the sloped surfaces 36, causing the control elements 34 to switch from lowered position (figure 5) to raised position (figure 6); during such switch, the knee elements 38 slide on the hooks 31 without releasing them from the grip teeth 28.

At the time of removal of the hollow needle 10, the buffer body 12 returns to the initial position, pushed by the elastic return means 17 and also dragging with it the push rod 11, which returns to the idle configuration.

At this time, the wedge elements 37 return on the sloped surfaces 36 and cause the lowering of the control elements 34 and the jibbing of the knee elements 38 on the hooks 31.

The hooks 31 are made to swing in contrast to the first belt springs 33 and are momentarily released from the grip teeth 28, allowing the cartridge 2 to move up by one step and position the next cavity 3 in use position (figure 7).

Once all the cavities 3 have been emptied, the elastic push element 30 expels the cartridge 2 from the receiving seat 8 and the user replaces it with another cartridge 2 of the pack fitted in the block 9.

With reference to the embodiment shown in the figures from 8 to 14, the device 1 continues to be ready to operate with cartridges 2 grouped together in packs and containing substances S in the form of pellets.

The device 1 again comprises a base body 5 shaped like a gun.

The base body 5, however, no longer consists of two half-shells 7 but, rather, of a first element 40, of a second element 41 and of a third element 42, coupled together longitudinally, besides the grip 6, associated with the second element 41.

The device 1 also comprises a hollow needle 10, a push rod 11, a receiving seat 8 and a block 9 operating in the same way as those described in the previous embodiment, to which reference is made.

The first element 40 defines the receiving seat 8 and the block 9 and supports the hollow needle 10.

Inside the second element 41 the push rod 11 is instead housed.

In this embodiment as well, operating means 12, 13 are provided comprising:

a buffer body 12, shaped to define a reference plate 14 and two supporting bars 15; and

transformation means 13 for transforming the movement of the buffer body 12 into the movement of the push rod 11 in contrast to the elastic return means 17. The buffer body 12 and the transformation means 13 operate in the same way as those described in the embodiment of the figures from 1 to 7, with the difference that in the embodiment of the figures from 8 to 14 the transformation means 13 comprise:

at least a sealed first chamber 43 and at least a sealed second chamber 44, which extend substantially parallel to the hollow needle 10, contain an operator fluid and are placed in fluidic connection the one with the other;

at least a first plunger 45 associated with the buffer body 12 and mobile sealed in the first chamber 43 along a direction of forward movement;

at least a second plunger 46 associated with the push rod 11 and mobile sealed in the second chamber 44 along a direction of forward movement opposite to the first plunger 45.

In practice, the movement of the buffer body 12 pushes the first plunger 45 in a direction inside the first chamber 43 and the operator fluid, which moves between the first chamber 43 and the second chamber 44, pushes the second plunger 46 in the opposite direction along the second chamber 44.

The operator fluid is a substantially incompressible fluid in liquid state, such as oil or the like.

More in detail, there are two first chambers 43 and these contain two first plungers 45, each of which is associated with a respective supporting bar 15 of the buffer body 12. The chambers 43, 44 are obtained inside the second element 41.

In particular, the second element 41 consists in a tubular body wherein are obtained three longitudinal through holes, defining the first chambers 43 and the second chamber 44.

The three longitudinal holes 43, 44 are arranged one alongside the other, with the hole which defines the second chamber 44 which is arranged centrally between the two holes defining the two first chambers 43.

The extremities of the first chambers 43 and of the second chamber 44 which are turned towards the first element 40 are closed by means of specific seal caps 47. The opposite extremities, on the other hand, are placed in fluidic connection by means of the third element 42.

For such purpose, the third element 42 is shaped to internally define a connection manifold 48 which places the three chambers 43, 44 in communication.

The sealed closing of the three chambers 43, 44 is in any case safeguarded by means of a specific seal, not shown in the illustrations, which is placed between the second element 41 and the third element 42.

In the embodiment in the figures from 8 to 14, the elastic return means 17 consist of a pair of helical springs, arranged longitudinally inside the first chambers 43, and of a third helical spring arranged longitudinally inside the second chamber 43.

The helical springs 17 arranged in the first chambers 43 are up fast, on one side, against the first plungers 45 and, on the other side, on the base body 5 (in particular on the third element 42).

The helical spring 17 arranged in the second chamber 44, on the other hand, is up fast, on the one side, on the second plunger 46 and, on the other side, on the base body 5 (in particular on one of the seal caps 47 made integral with the second element 41).

The helical spring 17 arranged in the second chamber 44 helps the return of the second plunger 46 to the initial position, preventing, during the switch from the operating configuration to the idle configuration, the operator fluid disadvantageously becoming vacuumed in the second chamber 44.

In this embodiment as well, furthermore, multiplication means 26, 27 are present suitable for multiplying the stroke of the push rod 1 1 compared to the stroke of the buffer body 12.

Unlike the previous embodiment, nevertheless, the multiplication means 26, 27 comprise a first total useful area 26 of the first plungers 45 and a second total useful area 27 of the second plunger 46, the first total useful area 26 being substantially bigger than the second total useful area 27.

In this respect, it is underlined that in this treatise, by the term "useful area" of the plungers 45, 46 is meant the surface of the plungers 45, 46 acting on the operator fluid as they move along the chambers 43, 44; clearly, the first total useful area 26 is defined by the sum of the useful areas of the first plungers 45.

The fact that the first total useful area 26 is bigger than the second total useful area 27, the volume moved between the first chambers 43 and the second chamber 44 being equal, results in the section covered by the first plungers 45, and therefore by the buffer body 12, being shorter than the corresponding section covered by the second plunger 46, and therefore by the push rod 1 1.

Similarly to the previous embodiment, the cartridges 2 are sliding inside the receiving seat 8 along the sliding direction D by means of automatic movement means 29.

In the embodiment of the figures from 8 to 14, however, the automatic movement means 29 are different and comprise at least a fastening element 50 which, due to the movement of the buffer body 12, is mobile with reciprocating motion along the sliding direction D.

The fastening element 50 is suitable for:

skip fastening the grip teeth 28 of the cartridges 2 when the push rod 11 is in operating configuration and fitted in one of the cavities 3 to stop the sliding of the cartridge 2, and

dragging the cartridge 2 along the sliding direction D when the push rod 11 is in idle configuration and outside the cavity 3.

More in detail, there are two fastening elements 50 arranged on opposite sides of the receiving seat 8.

Each fastening element 50 consists, e.g., of a tooth which snap engages with the grip teeth 28 and is mounted on a bracket 51.

The bracket 51 is sliding along the receiving seat 8 in contrast with an elastic return system 52 made up, e.g., of a series of springs placed between the bracket 51 and the base body 5.

The bracket 51, furthermore, has a pair of sloped surfaces 53 engageable by two corresponding wedge-shaped bodies 54.

The wedge-shaped bodies 54 are associated with the buffer body 12, one for each supporting bar 15.

In idle configuration, the wedge-shaped bodies 54 are moved away from the sloped surfaces 53 and the elastic return system 52 keeps the bracket 51 pressed downwards. In operating configuration, on the other hand, the wedge-shaped bodies 54 engage the sloped surfaces 36 and push the bracket 51 upwards, compressing the elastic return system 52 and causing the fastening elements 50 to skip engage the next grip tooth 28. In this embodiment, the movement of the cartridge 2 along the receiving seat 8 occurs from top to bottom; in this respect, the receiving seat 8 has an open bottom 55 through which the cartridges 2 come out once run down.

The operation of the device 1 of figures 8 to 14 is the following.

Once the pack of cartridges has been loaded in the block 9, the user manually pushes one of the cartridges 2 from the top downwards inside the receiving seat 8, until the fastening elements 50 fasten onto the first grip teeth 28 of the cartridge 2.

When the fastening elements 50 fasten onto the grip teeth 28, one of the cavities 3 is arranged in use position.

At this point, the user rests the buffer body 12 on the hide of animal A and presses the base body 5 against it, causing the hollow needle 10 to penetrate the animal A.

During penetration, the buffer body 12 remains resting on the hide of the animal A causing it to slide with respect to the base body 5, which causes the operation of the first plungers 45 inside the first chamber 43.

The operator fluid moved by the first plungers 45 passes through the connection manifold 48, enters the second chamber 44 and pushes the second plunger 46 and the push rod 1 1.

The push rod 1 1 therefore switches from the idle configuration (figure 9) to the operating configuration (figure 10) introducing the substance S contained in the cavity 3 into the animal A.

At the same time, the wedge-shaped bodies 54 move closer to the sloped surfaces 53, determining the switch of the bracket 51 from the lowered position (figures 11 and 12) to the raised position (figures 13 and 14).

During this switch the following occur:

the cartridge 2 remains blocked by the push rod 1 1, which is inserted in one of the cavities 3, preventing it from sliding;

the fastening elements 50 skip engage the successive pair of grip teeth 28;

the elastic return system 52 is compressed.

At the time of the extraction of the hollow needle 10, the buffer body 12 returns to the initial position pushed by the elastic return means 17 and dragging with it also the push rod 11 , which returns to idle configuration.

In this instant the wedge-shaped bodies 54 move away from the sloped surfaces 53 and the elastic return system 52 pushes the bracket 51 so this returns to the initial position, lowering the cartridge 2, which is no longer kept blocked by the push rod 1 1, and placing the next cavity 3 in use position.

Once all the cavities 3 have been emptied, the cartridge 2 comes out of the open bottom 55 and the user replaces it with another cartridge 2 of the pack inserted in the block 9.

The embodiments in the figures from 1 to 7 and from 8 to 14 show two different embodiment solutions of both the transformation means 13 and the automatic movement means 29. Clearly, alternative solutions cannot be ruled out wherein the automatic movement means of the figures from 1 to 7 are combined with the transformation means of the figures from 8 to 14, or vice versa.

Similarly, other embodiments are also possible wherein the transformation means 13 and the automatic movement means 29 are different.

In the figures from 15 to 17, e.g., an alternative embodiment is shown of the automatic movement means 29 which can be mounted both on the device 1 of the figures from 1 to 7 and on that of the figures from 8 to 14.

The automatic movement means 29 comprise:

- a grip element 56 which is mobile with reciprocating motion along the sliding direction D, by effect of the movement of the buffer body 12. Following such movement, the grip element 56 is suitable for skip fastening onto the grip teeth 28 and dragging the cartridge 2 along the sliding direction D; and

a yielding retention element 57, arranged inside the receiving seat 8 and suitable for temporarily retaining the cartridge 2.

The grip element 56 consists, e.g., in a tooth which is snap engageable with the grip teeth 28 and mounted on a sliding body 58.

The sliding body 58 is mobile along the sliding direction D in contrast with a corresponding resistant spring 59.

For the sliding of the sliding body 58, a system with sloped surface 36 and wedge element 37 is provided totally similar to the embodiment of the figures from 1 to 7. In particular the sliding body 58 has a sloped surface 36 engageable by a wedge element 37 associated with one of the supporting bars 15.

In idle configuration, the wedge element 37 contacts the sloped surface 36, with the sliding body 58 which is pushed downwards to compress the resistant spring 59, while in operating configuration, the wedge element 37 moves away from the sloped surface

36 and the resistant spring 59 moves the sliding body 58 upwards.

The yielding retention element 57, on the other hand, consists of an undulated blade which is associated with the base body 5 along the receiving seat 8.

The shape of the undulated blade 57 permits fastening onto the grip teeth 28 in a yielding way, i.e., retaining the cartridge 2 until enough force is applied to it to overcome the resistance of the undulated blade 57.

In this embodiment, the movement of the cartridge 2 along the receiving seat 8 is from - the top downwards; for this purpose the receiving seat 8 is equipped with an open bottom 55 through which the cartridges 2 come out once run down. The operation of the device 1 of the figures from 15 to 17 is similar to that of the other embodiments as regards the operation of the push rod 11 and only differs in the way of blocking and moving automatically the cartridge 2 in the receiving seat 8.

In particular, once the pack of cartridges has been loaded in the block 9, the user manually pushes one of the cartridges 2 from top downwards inside the receiving seat 8, until the grip element 56 fastens onto the first grip tooth 28 of the cartridge 2.

When the grip element 56 fastens onto the grip teeth 28, one of the cavities 3 is arranged in use position.

At this point, the user rests the buffer body 12 on the hide of the animal A and presses the base body 5 against it, causing the hollow needle 10 to penetrate the animal A and at the same time the operation of the push rod 11 by means of the transformation means 13.

In this stage, the wedge element 37 moves away from the sloped surface 36, determining the switch of the sliding body 58 from the lowered position (figure 15) to the raised position (figure 16); during such switch, the cartridge 2 remains blocked by means of the yielding retention element 57 and the grip element 56 fastens onto the next grip tooth 28.

At the time of removal of the hollow needle 10, the buffer body 12 and the push rod 11 return to the initial positions, returning the wedge element 37 onto the sloped surface 36.

This determines the lowering of the sliding body 58 and of the grip element 56, which also drags the cartridge 2 downwards (figure 17).

Once all the cavities 3 have been emptied, the cartridge 2 comes out of the open bottom 55 and the user replaces it with another cartridge 2 of the pack inserted in the block 9.

The figure 18 shows an alternative embodiment of the cartridges 2 wherein the substance S contained in them is in the form of a fluid and not of pellets.

In this respect, it is specified that in this treatise by the term "fluid substance" is not meant only liquid products but also viscous or powdered products having sufficient flowability.

For the containment of such fluid substance S, the cavities 3 of the cartridges 2 have a first extremity 60 which is hermetically sealed by means of a knockout partition 61, and a second extremity 62, which is closed by a piston 63 inserted sliding and sealed in the relative cavity 3.

In this particular type of cartridge 2, the push rod 11 does not come directly into contact with the substance S but is suitable for pushing the piston 63 so the substance S comes out through the first extremity 60.

A possible embodiment of the device 1 for the use of such cartridges is shown in the figures from 19 to 21.

This embodiment is identical in every aspect with the solution of the figures from 1 to 7 except for the fact that the hollow needle 10 is not stably fixed to the base body 5 but, rather, is associated with it in a longitudinally sliding way.

For such purpose in fact, the hollow needle 10 is fitted on a guide cylinder 64 housed in a complementary guide seat 65 fixed to the base body 5.

The longitudinal sliding of the hollow needle 10 occurs in contrast to a helical spring 66.

The helical spring 66 is arranged up fast, on one side, against the guide cylinder 64, and on the other side, against the base body 5.

The hollow needle 10, furthermore, has an external tip 10a, which is suitable for penetrating the animal A, and an internal tip 10b, which is opposite the external tip 10a and is suitable for knocking down the knockout partition 61.

Clearly, alternative embodiments of the device 1 cannot be ruled out wherein the hollow needle 10 is sliding, for the use of the cartridge 2 of figure 18, and combined with transformation means 13 and automatic movement means 29 different to those of the figures from 1 to 7, e.g. with those of the figures from 8 to 14 or from 15 to 17.

The operation of the device 1 of the figures from 19 to 21 is substantially the same as that of the embodiment shown in the figures from 1 to 7 and only differs in the fact that the hollow needle 10 slides longitudinally during the penetration of the animal A. In fact, when the buffer body 12 is rested on the hide of the animal A (figure 19) and we start to push the base body 5 against it (figure 20), the hollow needle 10 comes into contact with the hide of the animal A and encounters a certain amount of resistance to penetration, which causes it to slide backwards.

This brings the internal tip 10b of the hollow needle 10 close to the cartridge 2 until it penetrates through the knockout partition 61.

At the same time, the push rod 11 reaches the piston 63 and pushes it towards the first extremity 60 of the cavity 3, determining the dispensing of the fluid substance S through the hollow needle 10 (figure 21).

After the administering of the fluid substance S, the device 1 is moved away from the animal A and the hollow needle 10 returns to the initial position by effect of the action of the helical spring 66.