Abstract:
A dispenser for holding multiple doses of fluids or other substances, and for dispensing the substances, has a vial, a flexible bladder received within the vial, and a variable volume storage chamber formed between the bladder and vial. A filling valve is coupled in fluid communication with the storage chamber and defines (1) a normally closed, fluid-tight position hermetically sealing the storage chamber from the ambient atmosphere, and (2) an open position allowing the passage of fluid through the valve both to evacuate the storage chamber and to introduce fluid through the valve to fill the storage chamber. A pump is coupled in fluid communication with the storage chamber for pumping fluids out of the storage chamber. A dispensing valve is coupled in fluid communication with the pump and defines (1) a normally closed, fluid-tight position preventing the passage of fluid out of the dispenser, and (2) an open position for dispensing pumped fluid therethrough. The sealed, empty dispenser is sterilized, such as by applying gamma radiation thereto. Then, the sterilized, sealed, empty dispenser is filled with fluid by engaging the filling valve with an evacuating/dispensing member to evacuate the storage chamber, and by introducing fluid from the filling member through the open filling valve and into the storage chamber. The filling member is withdrawn from the valve, and a spring moves the valve to a closed position to hermetically seal the fluid within the dispenser.
Abstract:
A syringe is provided for the delivery of controlled, metered amounts of any of numerous different substances to humans or animals, such as medicaments, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food products, or to deliver materials which may react upon exposure to air, such as glue. The syringes include a body and a plunger. Means are provided in the syringe body and the plunger to effect controlled movement of the plunger into the syringe to permit delivery of a pre-determined amount of the substance contained in the syringe. A one-way valve is provided at the dispensing tip of the syringe to hermetically seal the portion of the syringe containing the substance to be dispensed.
Abstract:
A method for storing fluid and dispensing multiple portions of the stored fluid uses a container defining a variable-volume storage chamber; a dispensing valve including a valve inlet coupled in fluid communication with the variable-volume storage chamber, and an elastic valve member in fluid communication with the valve inlet and defining a normally-closed valve opening; a manually engageable actuator; and a pump including a compressible member defining a compression chamber coupled in fluid communication with the variable-volume storage chamber. Multiple portions of the stored fluid are hermetically sealed in the variable-volume storage chamber. The actuator is manually engageable and movable between (i) a first position wherein the compression chamber defines a first volume, and (ii) a second position wherein the compression chamber defines a second volume less than the first volume. In the second position the fluid in the compression chamber exceeds a valve opening pressure and, in turn, moves the elastic valve member between (i) a normally closed position hermetically sealing the one-way valve and variable-volume storage chamber with respect to ambient atmosphere, and (ii) an open position permitting fluid flow through the valve opening.
Abstract:
A dispenser for dispensing a substance, such as a liquid lipstick or other product, has a body defining a variable-volume storage chamber for storing the product. A dispensing portion is connected with the body and defines a bore coupled in fluid communication with the storage chamber for receiving product therefrom, and an outlet aperture coupled in fluid communication with the bore. A piston is received within the bore, and a one-way valve is mounted on the dispensing portion for dispensing metered amounts of product therethrough. The one-way valve has an axially-extending valve seat, and an axially-extending visco-elastic valve cover seated on the valve seat and defining a normally-closed, axially-extending seam therebetween forming a fluid-tight seal between the valve cover and valve seat. The flexible valve cover is movable relative to the valve seat, and the seam is connectable in fluid communication with the outlet aperture to allow the passage of product through the seam and out of the dispenser. An actuator is drivingly connected to the piston for moving the piston within the bore and dispensing a predetermined amount of product within the bore through the outlet aperture.
Abstract:
A dispenser has a housing, and a variable-volume storage chamber formed within the housing and defining a substantially fluid-tight seal between the chamber and exterior of the housing for storing a substance to be dispensed. A piston is mounted within the housing, and a one-way valve is mounted within the housing and coupled in fluid communication with the variable-volume storage chamber. A compression chamber is coupled in fluid communication between the piston and one-way valve, and at least one of the piston and valve is manually depressible relative to the other between (i) a first position in which the piston is located at least partially outside of the compression chamber for permitting substance to flow from the variable-volume storage chamber into the compression chamber, and (ii) a second position in which the piston is located at least partially within the compression chamber for pressurizing substance within the compression chamber above a valve opening pressuring and, in turn, dispensing substance through the one-way valve and out of the dispenser.
Abstract:
A flexible pouch and valve assembly is provided for aseptically storing a substance, dispensing multiple portions of the stored substance therefrom, and maintaining substance remaining in the pouch in an aseptic condition sealed with respect to ambient atmosphere. The flexible pouch and valve assembly are receivable within a relatively rigid housing, and are adapted to cooperate with a pump for pumping discrete portions of substance from the pouch and through the one-way valve to dispense the substance therefrom. The assembly comprises a flexible pouch defining therein a variable-volume storage chamber sealed with respect to the ambient atmosphere for aseptically storing therein multiple portions of the substance. A one-way valve of the assembly includes a valve body defining an axially-extending valve seat and at least one flow aperture extending through the valve body and/or the valve seat. A valve cover is mounted on the valve body, and includes an axially-extending portion formed of an elastic material overlying the valve seat and covering a substantial axially-extending portion thereof. The valve portion defines a predetermined radial thickness and forms an interference fit with the valve seat. The valve portion and the valve seat define an axially-extending seam therebetween forming a normally closed, axially-extending valve opening, and the valve portion is movable radially between (i) a normally closed position with the valve portion engaging the valve seat, and (ii) an open position with at least a segment of the valve portion spaced radially away from the valve seat to connect the valve opening in fluid communication with the at least one flow aperture and thereby allow the passage of substance from the variable-volume storage chamber through the valve opening. In the normally closed and open positions, the one-way valve maintains substance remaining in the variable-volume storage chamber in an aseptic condition and sealed with respect to the ambient atmosphere.