One-way valve and apparatus using the valve

An apparatus for storing fluid and dispensing multiple portions of the stored fluid therefrom, comprising:

• a one-way valve and variable volume storage chamber assembly comprising (a) a one-way valve including (i) a valve body defining an axially-extending valve seat and at least one flow aperture extending through at least one of the valve body and valve seat;
• and (ii) a valve cover formed of an elastic material and including a cover base mounted on the valve body and fixedly secured against movement relative thereto, and an axially-extending valve portion overlying the valve seat and covering a substantial axially-extending portion thereof, wherein 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 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 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 fluid from the at least one flow aperture through the valve opening;
• and (b) a hermetically sealed, variable volume storage chamber defined by a rigid body including a piston slidably received within the body, and forming a fluid-tight seal between a peripheral portion of the piston and the body, and defining the variable-volume storage chamber between the piston and the at least one flow aperture of the one-way valve;
• a pump coupled between the storage chamber and the one-way valve and configured to pump discrete portions of fluid from the storage chamber, through the at least one flow aperture, and through the valve opening to dispense the portions of fluid therethrough.

An apparatus for storing fluid and dispensing multiple portions of the stored fluid therefrom, comprising:

• a one-way valve assembly including (i) a valve body defining an axially-extending valve seat and at least one flow aperture extending through at least one of the valve body and valve seat;
• and (ii) a valve cover formed of an elastic material and including a cover base mounted on the valve body and fixedly secured against movement relative thereto, and a valve portion overlying the valve seat, wherein 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 a normally closed, axially-extending valve opening therebetween, and the valve portion is movable radially 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 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 fluid from the at least one flow aperture through the valve opening, and wherein the valve body defines an axially exposed portion defining a relatively raised, substantially annular edge portion formed adjacent to an outlet interface of the valve cover and valve seat, and a relatively recessed portion formed within the relatively raised portion, and wherein the edge portion defines a radial width that is substantially less than an axial depth of the recessed portion to substantially prevent the collection of fluid at the outlet interface;
• and
• a storage chamber for storing therein multiple portions of the fluid in an aseptic condition and connectible in fluid communication with the one-way valve assembly;
• and
• a pump coupled between the storage chamber and the one-way valve assembly and configured to pump discrete portions of fluid from the storage chamber, through the at least one flow aperture, and through the valve opening to dispense the portions of fluid therethrough.

An apparatus for storing fluid and dispensing multiple portions of the stored fluid therefrom, comprising:

• a one-way valve assembly including (i) a valve body defining an axially-extending valve seat;
• and at least one flow aperture extending through at least one of the valve body and valve seat;
• and (ii) a valve cover formed of an elastic material and including a cover base mounted on the valve body and fixedly secured against movement relative thereto, and a valve portion overlying the valve seat, wherein 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 a normally closed, axially-extending valve opening therebetween, and the valve portion is movable radially 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 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 fluid from the at least one flow aperture through the valve opening;
• a storage chamber for storing therein multiple portions of the fluid in an aseptic condition and connectible in fluid communication with the one-way valve assembly;
• a pump coupled between the storage chamber and the one-way valve assembly and configured to pump discrete portions of fluid from the storage chamber, through the at least one flow aperture, and through the valve opening to dispense the portions of fluid therethrough;
• and
• a securing member including a base in engagement with the valve cover and valve body fixedly securing the valve cover to the valve body, and an extension extending outwardly relative to the base and adjacent to the valve cover, wherein the extension is spaced relative to the valve cover and defines a gap therebetween to allow for movement of the valve cover between the valve seat and extension.

An apparatus for storing fluid and dispensing multiple portions of the stored fluid therefrom, comprising:

• a one-way valve assembly including (i) a valve body defining an axially-extending valve seat and at least one flow aperture extending through at least one of the valve body and valve seat;
• and (ii) a valve cover formed of an elastic material and including a cover base mounted on the valve body and fixedly secured against movement relative thereto, and an axially-extending valve portion overlying the valve seat and covering a substantial axially-extending portion thereof, wherein 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 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 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 fluid from the at least one flow aperture through the valve opening;
• first means defining a hermetically sealed variable-volume storage chamber for storing therein multiple portions of the fluid and connected in fluid communication with the one-way valve assembly;
• second means for forming an enclosure and receiving therein the first means;
• and
• third means coupled between the variable-volume storage chamber and the one-way valve assembly for pumping discrete portions of fluid from the variable-volume storage chamber, through the at least one flow aperture, and through the valve opening to dispense the portions of fluid therethrough.