Back to results
US 7,874,467 B2Granted
Metered drop push button dispenser system
AssigneeReSeal International Limited Partnership
InventorsGreg Pardes, Stewart Swiss, Paul Mulhauser, Lyndon T. Treacy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A reusable continuously sealing metered dosing one-way valve assembly and delivery system flows a premeasured amount of a sterile flowable substance from a source which is coupled to an actuator assembly to an outlet orifice and prevents any backflow of contaminants through the continuously sealing one way valve assembly when the flowable substance ceases to flow. The valve assembly includes an elastomeric membrane which aids in preventing any backflow of contaminants when dispensing of the flowable substance is stopped. Multiple dosing of preservative-free flowable substance is provided.
Claims19
A continuously sealing one way valve assembly and delivery system for dispensing a flowable substance, comprising:
- a source for storage of the flowable substance, the source having an opening;
- an actuator assembly coupled to the opening of the source and
- a valve assembly coupled to the actuator assembly, said valve assembly including
- (i) an inner core having an inlet opening for receiving the flowable substance into a passageway and at least one port opening from the passageway,
- (ii) a hollow flexible membrane having a first end and a second end, the first end being thicker than the second end, wherein the hollow flexible membrane is fitted over an outer surface of the inner core and when the flowable substance is placed under pressure the flowable substance exits through the at least one port opening and expands said membrane outwardly from said outer surface of said inner core;
- and
- (iii) a cover enclosing the flexible membrane and having an outlet orifice for dispensing the flowable substance from the valve assembly when pressure is applied to the flowable substance;
- wherein when the pressure on the flowable substance is released, the first end of the hollow flexible membrane moves back into tightly fitting contact with the outer surface of the inner core before the remainder of the hollow flexible membrane moves back into tightly fitting contact with the outer surface of said inner core.
5 more elements
A continuously sealing one way valve assembly and delivery system for dispensing a flowable substance, comprising:
- a source for storage of the flowable substance, the source having an opening;
- an actuator assembly coupled to the opening of the source and
- a valve assembly coupled to the actuator assembly, said valve assembly including
- (i) an inner core having an inlet opening for receiving the flowable substance into a passageway and at least one port opening from the passageway,
- (ii) a hollow flexible membrane having a first end and a second end, the first end being thicker than the second end, wherein the hollow flexible membrane is fitted over an outer surface of the inner core and when the flowable substance is placed under pressure the flowable substance exits through the at least one port opening and expands said membrane outwardly from said outer surface of said inner core;
- and
- (iii) a cover enclosing the flexible membrane and having an outlet orifice for dispensing the flowable substance from the valve assembly when pressure is applied to the flowable substance;
- wherein when the pressure on the flowable substance is released, the first end of the hollow flexible membrane moves back into tightly fitting contact with the outer surface of the inner core before the remainder of the hollow flexible membrane moves back into tightly fitting contact with the outer surface of said inner core, and
- wherein the actuator assembly comprises a compressible chamber.
6 more elements
A continuously sealing one way valve assembly and delivery system for dispensing a flowable substance, comprising:
- a source for storage of the flowable substance, the source having an opening;
- an actuator assembly coupled to the opening of the source and
- a valve assembly coupled to the actuator assembly, said valve assembly including
- (i) an inner core having an inlet opening for receiving the flowable substance into a passageway and at least one port opening from the passageway,
- (ii) a hollow flexible membrane having a first end and a second end, the first end being thicker than the second end, wherein the hollow flexible membrane is fitted over an outer surface of the inner core and when the flowable substance is placed under pressure the flowable substance exits through the at least one port opening and expands said membrane outwardly from said outer surface of said inner core;
- and
- (iii) a cover enclosing the flexible membrane and having an outlet orifice for dispensing the flowable substance from the valve assembly when pressure is applied to the flowable substance;
- wherein when the pressure on the flowable substance is released, the first end of the hollow flexible membrane moves back into tightly fitting contact with the outer surface of the inner core before the remainder of the hollow flexible membrane moves back into tightly fitting contact with the outer surface of said inner core, and
- wherein the actuator assembly comprises a traveling piston.
6 more elements
A continuously sealing one way valve assembly and delivery system for dispensing a flowable substance, comprising:
- a source for storage of the flowable substance, the source having an opening;
- an actuator assembly coupled to the opening of the source and
- a valve assembly coupled to the actuator assembly, said valve assembly including
- (i) an inner core having an inlet opening for receiving the flowable substance into a passageway and at least one port opening from the passageway,
- (ii) a hollow flexible membrane having a first end and a second end, the first end being thicker than the second end, wherein the hollow flexible membrane is fitted over an outer surface of the inner core and when the flowable substance is placed under pressure the flowable substance exits through the at least one port opening and expands said membrane outwardly from said outer surface of said inner core;
- and
- (iii) a cover enclosing the flexible membrane and having an outlet orifice for dispensing the flowable substance from the valve assembly when pressure is applied to the flowable substance;
- wherein when the pressure on the flowable substance is released, the first end of the hollow flexible membrane moves back into tightly fitting contact with the outer surface of the inner core before the remainder of the hollow flexible membrane moves back into tightly fitting contact with the outer surface of said inner core and
- wherein one or more of said valve assembly, actuator assembly and source comprise an anti-microbial or water repelling substance.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.