Container and One-Way Valve Assembly for Storing and Dispensing Substances, and Related Method

A device for storing and dispensing a substance comprising:

• a container comprising a flexible body defining therein a storage chamber for receiving and storing the substance, a first passageway that is coupled in fluid communication with the storage chamber of the flexible body and defines a flow path therebetween, a pierceable wall located on an opposite side of the passageway relative to the storage chamber, and a first threaded connecting portion located at one end of the flexible body for connecting another component thereto;
• and
• a one-way valve assembly comprising:
• a valve body defining a second passageway internal to the valve body;
• a piercing portion connected to the valve body and engageable with the pierceable wall of the container, wherein at least one of the piercing portion of the valve assembly and the pierceable wall of the container is movable relative to each other between a first position wherein the piercing portion is not piercing the pierceable wall, and a second position wherein the piercing portion is piercing the pierceable wall and the first passageway of the container is in fluid communication with the second passageway of the valve body for allowing flow of the substance from the storage chamber therethrough;
• a second threaded connecting portion that is connectable to the first threaded connecting portion of the container for fixedly securing the valve assembly to the container when the valve assembly and container are threadedly engaged with each other;
• a valve seat;
• and an elastic valve portion overlying the valve seat;
• and at least one flow aperture extending from the second passageway and through the valve body to the exterior thereof and coupled in fluid communication with the second passageway for receiving the substance from the storage chamber therethrough;
• wherein the valve portion and the valve seat define a normally closed valve opening therebetween, and the valve portion is movable between a normally closed position with the valve portion engaging the valve seat, and an open position with at least a segment of the valve portion spaced away from the valve seat to allow passage of the substance therebetween.

A device for storing and dispensing a substance comprising:

• first means for storing a substance and including a pierceable wall;
• second means assembled to the first means for dispensing the substance and preventing the substance from flowing therethrough in an opposite direction;
• third means disposed on the second means for piercing the pierceable wall;
• and
• fourth means mounted on the second means for preventing the third means from piercing the pierceable wall until desired,
• wherein at least one of the first means and the second means is movable relative to the other between a first position in which the third means is not piercing the pierceable wall, and a second position in which the third means is piercing the pierceable wall and the first means and the second means are in fluid communication with each other.

A device for storing and dispensing a substance comprising:

• a container for storing a substance comprising a body including therein a storage chamber for receiving and storing the substance, a head located at one end of the body, a container passageway that is in fluid communication with the storage chamber of the body and defines a flow path therebetween and a pierceable wall sealing the storage chamber;
• a one-way valve assembly assembled to the container for dispensing the substance and preventing the substance from flowing therethrough in an opposite direction comprising:
• a valve body defining a valve passageway internal to the valve body;
• a valve seat;
• valve portion overlying the valve seat;
• and at least one flow aperture extending from the valve passageway through the valve body to the exterior thereof adjacent to the valve seat and in fluid communication with the valve passageway for receiving the substance from the storage chamber therethrough;
• a piercing portion disposed on the one-way valve assembly and engageable with the pierceable wall for piercing the pierceable wall;
• and
• a frangible member disposed at the one-way valve assembly for preventing the piercing portion from piercing the pierceable wall until desired,
• wherein at least one of the container and the one-way valve assembly is movable relative to the other between a first position in which the piercing portion is not piercing the pierceable wall, and a second position in which the piercing portion is piercing the pierceable wall and the storage chamber and the one-way valve assembly are in fluid communication with each other.

A method comprising:

• dispensing substance from a device, wherein the device comprises
• a container having a pierceable wall and a storage chamber containing a substance and in fluid communication with the pierceable wall;
• a one-way valve assembly having a piercing member and engaging the container so that the valve assembly and the container are located in a first position without the piercing member piercing the pierceable wall;
• and
• a removable member between the valve assembly and container with the valve assembly located in the first position and, in turn, preventing movement of the piercing member toward the pierceable wall;
• the dispensing step comprising:
• removing the removable member from between the valve body assembly and container;
• and
• moving at least one of the valve assembly and the container relative to the other to a second position with the piercing member piercing the pierceable wall and, in turn, placing the valve assembly in fluid communication with the storage chamber to allow dispensing of the substance in the storage chamber through the valve assembly.