Flexible container for storage and dispensing of sterile solutions

A self-closing flexible container assembly for the controlled dispensing of fluid, comprising:

• a container having a deformable body, a neck portion and a head portion, said body defining a cylindrical shape having a central axis before deformation and having a cylindrical cavity therein of a known volume but capable of being deformed such that said volume of said cylindrical cavity is reduced, said neck portion having a first cylindrically shaped attachment surface adjacent said body, said head portion having a first sealing surface, a second sealing surface, a valve stem and at least one outlet opening to said cylindrical cavity positioned between said first sealing surface and said second sealing surface, said valve stem including a tapered portion projecting away from said body;
• a resiliently pliable valve closure having a sealing flange, a first seal portion, a diaphragm and a nozzle member, said first seal portion being aligned with said first sealing surface of said head portion, said nozzle member having an inner surface and defining a discharge outlet, said inner surface being seated in immediate contact with and elastically gripping said tapered portion of said valve stem when in a closed position to produce a first fluid-tight seal but being capable of ballooning outwardly away from said tapered portion when enough fluid pressure is applied to said inner surface thereby allowing fluid to escape via said discharge outlet, said valve closure resiliently returning to said closed position when the fluid pressure is relieved;
• and
• a retaining ring having an opposing attachment surface and a sealing flange, said opposing attachment surface being attached to said first attachment surface of said neck portion, said first seal portion of said valve closure being pinched between said first sealing surface and said sealing flange forming a second fluid-tight seal;
• whereby after said body has been deformed to dispense a portion of the stored fluid within the container, said first fluid-tight seal and said second fluid tight seal prevent ambient air from entering said container thus preventing contamination of the remaining fluid stored within the container;
• the container assembly further comprising a cap defining a cap cavity sized to substantially cover said neck and said head portion of said container, said cap including a threaded portion;
• said retaining ring further including an opposing threaded portion projecting radially outward from said central axis for threadedly engaging said threaded portion of said cap;
• and
• said cap including a ring seal surface disposed within said cap cavity in opposition to said second sealing surface of said head portion, a portion of said diaphragm being pinched between said ring seal surface and said second sealing surface to produce a third fluid-tight seal when said cap is secured onto the container.