The present invention relates to an insemination device. Mom particularly, the present invention relates to an insemination device that is particularly suited to inseminate dogs, Various insemination devices / devices for vaginal lubricating or oieaning are known. For instance, WO2009/0G1270 "Disposable device for women", US2003/0171647 "Self lubricating sex aids", US2004/0034315 ""Lubricating dildo", US2011/0224482 "Intimate inseminator", US2G 13/0324792 "Targeted lubricant delivery device", US2014/0107410 "Method and apparatus for artificial insemination", US2014/0148740 "Adult toy with self- lubricating system", US2014/0200400 "Device for artificial insemination", US2014/0309488 "insemination apparatus and method" and US7,163,508 "Lubricating sexual aid" describe a penis-shaped dispenser that houses a fluid, an outlet at or near the tip of the dispenser, and means for discharging fluid via the outlet A drawback of known insemination / vaginal lubricating / vaginal cleaning devices is that they are not particularly suited to inseminate dogs of varying sized and breeds. It is an object of the present invention to address this drawback.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an insemination device that includes: an elongate body in the shape of a penis; a reservoir for storing semen, which reservoir is disposed within the body; an outlet from the reservoir at or near a first axial end of the body; means for discharging semen from the reservoir via the outlet; and a limiter that extends radially from the body, the limiter being secured to, and slidably movable along the body, such that, in use, the limiter can be adjusted to limit the depth to which the body can be inserted into the vagina of an animal.

Typically, the Ismiier has means for locking the limiter In a select position along the body.

Generally, the body includes a guide for assisting a user to set the limiter to a predetermined position along the body, depending on the type of animal, breed of animal or size of animal to be inseminated.

Optionally, the body and/or limiter includes incrementing means for controlling movement of the limiter along the body.

Preferably, the limiter is a ring that is concentric with the shaft.

Typically, the body is in the shape of a dog's penis. Generally, tne discharging means includes: (i) a plunger that is movable along the reservoir; and (ii) a rod that is connected to the plunger at a first axial end and that protrudes from the body at a second axial end.

Preferably, the reservoir defines: (I) a first inlet at or near a second axial end of the body for receiving the plunger therethrough; and (11) a second inlet, disposed between the reservoir outlet and the first inlet, for charging the reservoir with semen.

Typically, the insemination device further includes a cap for closing the second inlet to the reservoir.

Generally, the body comprises: (i) a substantially cylindrical shaft; and (ii) a tip, wherein the axis of the tip is angularly offset relative to the axis of the shaft by between 20 degrees and 50 degrees. Preferably, (i) the length of the shaft between the tip and the limiter is between 70 mm and 90 mm in length and between 4 mm and 6 mm in diameter; and (ii) the tip is between 4 mm and 6 mm In length. Typically, the outlet from the reservoir is offset relative to the axis of the body shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of an example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an insemination device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-section view of the insemination device in Figure 1 ; and Figure 3 is an exploded view of the insemination device in Figure 1

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, an insemination device 10 includes a body 12, a reservoir 14, means 16 for discharging semen from the reservoir 14, and a iimiter 17.

The body 12 is elongate, in the shape of a dog's penis. Preferably, the outer surface of the body 12 is made of latex, or another suitably soft, non-absorbent material,. The body 12 comprises: (i) a substantially cylindrical shaft 18; and (ii) a tip 20, which is between 4 mm and 6 mm in length. The axis of the tip 20 is angularly offset relative to the axis of the shaft 18 (-) by between 20 degrees and 50 degrees, The body 12 is hollow, defining an infernal reservoir 14. The reservoir 14 wall is substantially right circular cylindrical and defines an outlet 22 at or near a first axial end of the body 12. More specifically, the reservoir 14 outlet 22 is offset from the axis of the body 12 shaft 18, Even more specifically _s the reservoir 14 outlet 22 is located at the axis of the body 12 tip 20. The reservoir 14 also defines first and second inlets 24 and 26, respectively. The first inlet 24 is defined at or near the second axial end of the body 12 _» whereas the second inlet 26 is disposed between the reservoir 14 outlet 22 and the reservoir 12 first inlet 24, The second inlet 28 is used to charge the reservoir 14 with semen (not shown). A cap 28 closes and seals the second inlet 26. The reservoir 14 in axial cross-section Is circular. However, the axial cross-sectional diameter of the reservoir 14 in She region between the reservoir 14 outlet 22 and second inlet 26 is smaller than the diameter of the axial cross-sectional diameter of the reservoir 14 in the region between the reservoir 14 second inlet 28 and first inlet 24.

The discharging means 16 comprises a plunger 30 with elongate rod 32. The plunger 30 In axial cross-section corresponds to the axial cross-section of the reservoir 14, so as to facilitate a seaied fit between the eiastomeric plunger 30 and reservoir 14 wall In the region of the reservoir 14 between the reservoir 14 second inlet 26 and first inlet 24, The plunger 30 is oversized relative to the axial cross-section of the reservoir between the reservoir 12 outlet 22 and second inlet 26, The reservoir 14 first inlet 24 is sized and shaped to permit the plunger 30 to be introduced into the reservoir 14, and the plunger 30 ss movable along the reservoir 14 towards the reservoir 14 second inlet 26 to cause semen stored within the reservoir 14 to be discharged therefrom via the reservoir 14 outlet 22. The rod 32 is connected to the plunger at a first axial end of the rod, and extends to the reservoir 12 first inlet 24, protruding from the second axial end of the body 12. The second axial end of the rod 32 terminates in a finger tab 33. Depression of the rod 32 causes the plunger 30 to travel towards the reservoir 14 second inlet 28, thereby discharging semen from the reservoir 14 .

The limiter 17 comprises a ring 34 that is concentric with, but having a radius greater than the shaft 18. The limiter 17 is made from a soft, non-absorbent material, such as latex, and., in use, limits the depth that the body 12 can be inserted into the vagina of a dog (not shown) - the limiter 17 bearing against the opening of the vagina and preventing further insertion of the body 12 therein. The limiter 1 ? is slidably connected to the body 12. The body 12 includes indicia / a guide 38 for assisting a user to set the limiter 17 to a predetermined position along the body 12. depending on the type, breed or size of animal to he inseminated. Preferably, incrementing means (e.g. a ratchet and pawl arrangement) provides feedback to a user as the limiter 17 is moved along the body 12. A locking means (not shown) locks the limiter 17 in a select position along the body 12. Optionally, the locking means could be substituted by a friction fit between the limiter 17 and body 12. Alternatively, the limiter 17 could comprise a pair of tabs (not shown) that extend radially from opposite sides of the shaft 18.

Generally, the length of the shaft 18 between the tip 20 and the limiter 17 is between 70 mm and 90 mm In length and between 4 mm and 6 mm in diameter. Also: (i) the reservoir 14 second inlet 26 is preferably spaced between 20 mm and 40 mm from the limiter 17; and (ii) the reservoir 14 second inlet 26 Is preferably spaced from the reservoir 14 first inlet 24 by between 20 mm and 40 mm. It will be appreciated that the shape of the body 12 Is particularly suited to inseminate dogs. Furthermore, the limiter 17 controls the depth that the body can be inserted Into a dog's vagina, and the ability to adjust the position of the limiter 17 along the body 12 renders the insemsnation device 10 suitable for a variety of dog breeds and sizes.