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An apparatus has a valve body defining a first passageway, a valve seat, and a flow aperture extending through the valve body and coupled in fluid communication with the first passageway. An elastic valve cover includes a valve portion overlying the valve seat, forming an interference fit with the v

An apparatus has a valve body defining a first passageway, a valve seat, and a flow aperture extending through the valve body and coupled in fluid communication with the first passageway. An elastic valve cover includes a valve portion overlying the valve seat, forming an interference fit with the valve seat, and defining an axially-extending valve opening therebetween. 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 the passage of fluid from the flow aperture through the valve opening. A hermetically sealed variable-volume storage chamber is connectible in fluid communication with the one-way valve assembly. A pump is coupled between the variable-volume storage chamber and the one-way valve assembly to dispense discrete portions of fluid through the valve assembly.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. 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 le

What is claimed is: 1. 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 flexible container defining therein a hermetically sealed, variable volume storage chamber for storing therein multiple portions of the fluid in an aseptic condition and connected in fluid communication with the one-way valve; a relatively rigid housing receiving therein the flexible container; and 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. 2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the valve body defines a first axially-extending passageway coupled in fluid communication between the storage chamber and the at least one flow aperture, and the apparatus further comprises a fitting coupled to the valve body and forming a hermetic seal therebetween, wherein the fitting defines a second passageway coupled in fluid communication with the first axially-extending passageway for allowing the flow of fluid therebetween, and at least one tube connection surface hermetically connectable to a tube with the second passageway coupled in fluid communication with the tube to thereby allow the passage of fluid from the tube, through the second passageway and, in turn, through the first axially-extending passageway, flow aperture and valve opening. 3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the valve body further includes a body base and a first substantially frusto-conical portion extending between the body base and the valve seat, the at least one flow aperture extends axially through the substantially frusto-conical portion adjacent to the valve seat, and the valve cover includes a second substantially frusto-conical shaped portion extending between the cover base and valve portion, overlying the first substantially frusto-conical shaped portion of the body, and forming an interference fit therebetween. 4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the valve portion includes a substantially annular segment that engages the valve seat substantially throughout any period of dispensing fluid through the valve opening to maintain a hermetic seal between the valve opening and ambient atmosphere. 5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of(i) the valve cover and valve seat define a decreasing degree of interference therebetween in a direction from an upstream end toward downstream end of the valve opening, (ii) the valve portion defines a decreasing radial thickness when moving axially in a direction from an upstream end toward a downstream end of the valve seat; and (iii) the valve seat is defined by a radius that progressively increases in magnitude in a direction from an upstream end toward a downstream end of the valve seat. 6. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, further comprising a tube coupled to the tube connection surface, and defining a tube passageway coupled in fluid communication with the second passageway. 7. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the storage chamber stores the fluid therein in a substantially airless condition during shelf life and dispensing of fluid through the one-way valve. 8. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the pump is one of (i) a peristaltic pump, wherein the apparatus further comprises a flexible tube coupled in fluid communication between the variable-volume storage chamber and the one-way valve, and the peristaltic pump engages an external portion of the flexible tube for pumping discrete portions of fluid therethrough; and (ii) a pump including a compression chamber, a compressive surface receivable within the compression chamber, and a manually-engageable or pedal actuator coupled to at least one of the compression chamber and compressive surface, wherein at least one of the compressive surface and compression chamber is movable relative to the other by the manually-engageable or pedal actuator between a rest position and at least one actuated position for pressurizing fluid within the compression chamber and, in turn, dispensing fluid through the one-way valve. 9. An apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein at least one of the compressive surface and compression chamber is movable relative to the other by the manually-engageable or pedal actuator between (ii) a first position with the compression chamber coupled in fluid communication with the variable-volume storage chamber for receiving fluid from the variable-volume storage chamber into the compression chamber, and (ii) a second position with the compressive surface received within the compression chamber and the compression chamber substantially sealed with respect to the variable-volume storage chamber to pressurize the fluid within the compression chamber and, in turn, dispense pressurized fluid through the one-way valve. 10. An apparatus as defined in claim 9, further comprising a flexible member defining on one side thereof the manually-engageable or pedal actuator, and defining on another side thereof the compressive surface. 11. An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the flexible member is substantially dome shaped, and the compression chamber is defined by a recess opposing the substantially dome-shaped flexible member. 12. An apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the dome-shaped flexible member is formed integral with the valve cover. 13. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the pump, the valve cover, the valve body, and a surface defining the variable-volume storage chamber is penetrable by a needle for filling the variable-volume storage chamber through the needle with the fluid to be stored therein, and the resulting penetration aperture is thermally resealable by applying laser energy thereto. 14. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, further comprising a flange extending radially outwardly relative to the valve cover for mounting the one-way valve. 15. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a flexible tube fixedly connected to the one-way valve and the flexible container and providing fluid communication between the one-way valve and the flexible container. 16. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the flexible container is received within the housing, and the one-way valve is mounted on the housing. 17. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the pump is mounted on the housing. 18. An apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein the pump is mounted on the one-way valve. 19. 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. 20. 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. 21. 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. 22. An apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein the valve cover defines an annular flange on an end portion thereof that extends over the gap. 23. 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. 24. An apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein (A) the first means is; (B) the second means is a housing; and (C) the third means is a pump. 25. An apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein the housing is relatively rigid.