Patent ID: 6848598

Claim:
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 ).