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A fluid dispensing apparatus (10) for dispensing a quantity of fluid (10) from a sealed container (12) onto a device (16) or the like. The apparatus (10) comprises a venting needle (18) having a fluid delivery portion (22) and a contain portion (24), a housing (26), a fluid container (12) contained

A fluid dispensing apparatus (10) for dispensing a quantity of fluid (10) from a sealed container (12) onto a device (16) or the like. The apparatus (10) comprises a venting needle (18) having a fluid delivery portion (22) and a contain portion (24), a housing (26), a fluid container (12) contained within the housing (26) and an aperture (28) in the housing (26) for passage of fluid (20) from the container (12) onto a fluid receiving portion (14) of the device (16).

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1. A fluid dispensing apparatus (10) for dispensing fluid from a hermetically sealed container (12), the apparatus (10) comprising a venting needle (18) for venting the fluid from the container (12), the venting needle (18) comprising a fluid delivery portion (22) and a container venting portion (24

1. A fluid dispensing apparatus (10) for dispensing fluid from a hermetically sealed container (12), the apparatus (10) comprising a venting needle (18) for venting the fluid from the container (12), the venting needle (18) comprising a fluid delivery portion (22) and a container venting portion (24), the container venting portion (24) being distal along the needle (18) of the delivery portion (22), the delivery portion (22) and the venting portion (24) each defining a channel (44) extending from the respective portion through the sidewall of the needle (18);the fluid dispensing apparatus (10) further comprising a housing (26), a fluid container (12) contained within a cavity (36) defined by the housing (26) and an aperture (28) in the housing (26) for passage of fluid born the container (12) from the fluid delivery portion (22) of the venting needle (18); characterised in that: in a venting position, the venting needle (18) extends through the fluid container (12) through two wall portions (48, 50) thereof such that the venting portion (24) forms a passage through the first wall portion (48) to allow the container (12) to be vented and the delivery portion (22) forms a passage through the second wall portion (50) to allow fluid to be dispensed from the container (12). 2. A fluid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing is sealed other than at its aperture and is provided with at least one passageway circumventing the container within the housing to allow air, or the like, entering the housing through the aperture in the housing to circulate (56) from the aperture (28), around the container (12) and then to the venting portion (24) of the needle (18).3. A fluid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the venting needle, in a venting position, extends through a central, upper sidewall of a fluid container for venting and a central nipple or convex lower sidewall of the container for dispensing.4. A fluid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the venting needle is at least partially a cannula having a cannulated point at the delivery portion.5. A fluid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the venting needle has a non-cannulated point.6. A fluid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the venting needle (18) comprises a proximal portion (52) and a distal portion (54), the distal portion (54) comprising both the venting portion (24) and the delivery portion (22).7. A fluid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the channels are unitary, the channel extending from the venting portion to the delivery portion.8. A fluid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the needle has a C-shaped section at the venting portion and the delivery portion.9. A fluid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cavity retains the fluid container in a fixed position.10. A fluid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a cap (30) is provided for the housing to provide a top of the cavity.11. A fluid dispensing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the cap (30) is snap-fitted onto the housing.12. A fluid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fluid container is substantially filled with fluid and hermetically sealed.13. A fluid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the needle has a push button (34) for use by a user for pressing the venting needle (18) through the container to dispense fluid therefrom.14. A fluid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fluid container has an upper sidewall (48) and a convex lower sidewall (50).15. A fluid dispensing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the fluid container is substantially disc shaped.16. A fluid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in use, the venting apparatus is arranged substantially vertically so that gravity will draw fluid down and out through the delivery portion, through the channel in the delivery portion.17. A fluid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lower sidewall of the container (12) comprises a central downwardly extending nipple (38).18. A fluid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fluid enables migration of motile spermatozoa.19. A fluid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the channel at the delivery portion is a through channel.20. A fluid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a step is provided in the needle towards the point of the needle.21. A fluid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the needle is formed of a stiff or rigid plastics material.