One-way valve and apparatus and method of using the valve

A flexible pouch and valve assembly for aseptically storing a substance, dispensing multiple portions of stored substance therefrom, and maintaining substance remaining in the pouch in an aseptic condition sealed with respect to ambient atmosphere, wherein the flexible pouch and valve assembly are receivable within a relatively rigid housing and adapted to cooperate with a pump for pumping discrete portions of the substance from the pouch and through a one-way valve to dispense the substance therefrom, the assembly comprising:

• the 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;
• and
• a one-way valve connectible in fluid communication with the substance from the variable-volume storage chamber and including a valve seat and a valve portion overlying the valve seat, wherein the valve portion defines a dimension that is less than a dimension of the valve seat to form an interference fit with the valve seat in at least one location where the valve portion overlies the valve seat, the valve portion and the valve seat define a normally closed valve opening therebetween, and the valve portion is movable 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 away from the valve seat to allow passage of substance from the variable-volume storage chamber through the valve opening, wherein in the normally closed and open positions the one-way valve maintains the substance remaining in the variable-volume storage chamber in an aseptic condition and sealed with respect to the ambient atmosphere.