Abstract: A press is provided for simultaneously pressing and piercing an object. The piercing means moves from a sheathed to unsheathed position in response to compressive pressure. The piercing means are normally biased in the sheathed position by a bias means. Methods and apparatus for piercing an object are disclosed. The press can be used to produce a pierced dispensing device having a compression coating by (a) charging to a die mold a quantity of powder to be compressed; (b) delivering to the die mold an unpierced dispensing device core; (c) charging to the die mold an additional quantity of powder to be compressed; and (d) substantially simultaneously (i) compressing the elements within the die mold to produce a compression coating, and (ii) piercing the compression coating. The compression coating can comprise, for example, a loading dose or a semipermeable membrane.

Abstract: An agent dispenser of the fluid imbibing type wherein the dispenser has a closure, such as a plug, closing an open end of the dispenser. The closure has a catheter coupled with it, and the catheter is in agent communication with the interior of the agent receiving means of the dispenser when the closure is put into place in closing relationship to the dispenser. Thus, when the agent receiving portion (reservoir) of the agent receiving means is filled, such as by a needle passing through a septum at the outer end of the closure, not only will the reservoir be filled, but also the catheter will be filled and thereby be primed, so that the catheter will be ready for use after it has been completely primed. The present invention, therefore, permits the filling of the reservoir and the priming of the catheter in a single step.