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A dispenser for dispensing a substance, such as a liquid lipstick or other product, has a body defining a variable-volume storage chamber for storing the product. A dispensing portion is connected with the body and defines a bore coupled in fluid communication with the storage chamber for receiving

A dispenser for dispensing a substance, such as a liquid lipstick or other product, has a body defining a variable-volume storage chamber for storing the product. A dispensing portion is connected with the body and defines a bore coupled in fluid communication with the storage chamber for receiving product therefrom, and an outlet aperture coupled in fluid communication with the bore. A piston is received within the bore, and a one-way valve is mounted on the dispensing portion for dispensing metered amounts of product therethrough. The one-way valve has an axially-extending valve seat, and an axially-extending visco-elastic valve cover seated on the valve seat and defining a normally-closed, axially-extending seam therebetween forming a fluid-tight seal between the valve cover and valve seat. The flexible valve cover is movable relative to the valve seat, and the seam is connectable in fluid communication with the outlet aperture to allow the passage of product through the seam and out of the dispenser. An actuator is drivingly connected to the piston for moving the piston within the bore and dispensing a predetermined amount of product within the bore through the outlet aperture.

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What is claimed is: 1. A dispenser for dispensing a substance, comprising: a body defining a variable-volume storage chamber for storing the substance; a dispensing portion connected with the body and defining a compression chamber connectable in fluid communication with the storage chamber for rec

What is claimed is: 1. A dispenser for dispensing a substance, comprising: a body defining a variable-volume storage chamber for storing the substance; a dispensing portion connected with the body and defining a compression chamber connectable in fluid communication with the storage chamber for receiving substance therefrom, and an outlet aperture coupled in fluid communication with the compression chamber; a one-way valve including an axially-extending valve seat and an axially-extending flexible valve cover overlying the valve seat and defining a normally-closed, axially-extending seam therebetween forming a fluid-tight seal between the valve cover and valve seat, wherein the flexible valve cover is movable relative to the valve seat and the seam is connectable in fluid communication with the outlet aperture to allow the passage of a predetermined amount of substance through the seam and out of the dispenser; a manually engageable actuator adjacent to the compression chamber and defining a manually depressible portion movable between first and second positions and normally biased in the direction from the second position toward the first position, wherein (i) during movement of the manually depressible portion from the second position toward the first position the compression chamber is in fluid communication with the variable-volume storage chamber for permitting substance to flow from the variable-volume storage chamber into the compression chamber, and (ii) during movement of the manually depressible portion from the first position toward the second position the compression chamber is not in fluid communication with the variable-volume storage chamber and a portion of the of the manually depressible portion extends at least partially into the compression chamber to pressurize the substance within the compression chamber above an opening pressure of the one-way valve and, in turn, dispense the substance through the normally closed seam of the one-way valve and out of the dispenser; and a piston slidably received within the body and forming a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween, wherein the variable-volume storage chamber is formed between the piston and the compression chamber, and the piston is movable toward the compression chamber upon dispensing a dosage from the storage chamber to reduce the volume of the storage chamber in an amount approximately equal to the volume of the dose dispensed. 2. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the flexible valve cover is responsive to a flow of substance in the outlet aperture exceeding the valve opening pressure to move between (i) a normally-closed closed condition, and (ii) an open condition wherein portions of the valve cover axially spaced relative to each other substantially sequentially move substantially radially relative to the valve seat to allow the passage of substance through the seam and out of the dispenser. 3. A dispenser for dispensing a substance, comprising: a body; a flexible bladder mounted within the body and defining a variable-volume storage chamber between the bladder and body; a dispensing portion connected with the body and defining a bore coupled in fluid communication with the storage chamber for receiving substance therefrom, and an outlet aperture coupled in fluid communication with the bore; a piston receivable within the bore; a one-way valve including an axially-extending valve seat and an axially-extending flexible valve cover seated on the valve seat and defining a normally-closed, axially-extending seam therebetween forming a fluid-tight seal between the valve cover and valve seat, wherein the flexible valve cover is movable relative to the valve seat and the seam is connectable in fluid communication with the outlet aperture to allow the passage of a predetermined amount of substance through the seam and out of the dispenser; and an actuator drivingly connected to at least one of the piston and the bore for moving at least one of the piston and the bore relative to the other and dispensing a predetermined amount of substance within the bore through the outlet aperture. 4. A dispenser for dispensing a substance, comprising: a body defining a variable-volume storage chamber for storing the substance; a dispensing portion connected with the body and defining a bore coupled in fluid communication with the storage chamber for receiving substance therefrom, and an outlet aperture coupled in fluid communication with the bore; a piston receivable within the bore; a spring coupled to the piston and biasing the piston; a one-way valve including an axially-extending valve seat and an axially-extending flexible valve cover seated on the valve seat and defining a normally-closed, axially-extending seam therebetween forming a fluid-tight seal between the valve cover and valve seat, wherein the flexible valve cover is movable relative to the valve seat and the seam is connectable in fluid communication with the outlet aperture to allow the passage of a predetermined amount of substance through the seam and out of the dispenser; and an actuator drivingly connected to at least one of the piston and the bore for moving at least one of the piston and the bore relative to the other and dispensing a predetermined amount of substance within the bore through the outlet aperture. 5. A dispenser as defined in claim 4, further comprising a flexible bladder mounted within the body and defining the storage chamber between the bladder and body, and wherein the spring is integral with the bladder. 6. A dispenser as defined in claim 5, wherein the spring is formed by a substantially dome-shaped portion of the bladder. 7. A dispenser for dispensing a substance, comprising: a body; a flexible bladder mounted within the body and defining a variable-volume storage chamber for storing the substance between the bladder and body; a dispensing portion connected with the body and defining a bore coupled in fluid communication with the storage chamber for receiving substance therefrom, and an outlet aperture coupled in fluid communication with the bore; a piston receivable within the bore, wherein at least one of the piston and bore is movable relative to the other between a first position with the piston spaced away from the outlet aperture and defining a compression chamber therebetween, and a second position with the piston located adjacent to the outlet aperture for dispensing a predetermined amount of substance within the compression chamber through the outlet aperture; a one-way valve including an axially-extending valve seat and an axially-extending flexible valve cover seated on the valve seat and defining a normally-closed, axially-extending seam therebetween forming a fluid-tight seal between the valve cover and valve seat, wherein the flexible valve cover is movable relative to the valve seat and the seam is connectable in fluid communication with the outlet aperture to allow the passage of a predetermined amount of substance through the seam and out of the dispenser; and an actuator drivingly connected to at least one of the piston and the bore for moving at least one of the piston and bore between the first and second positions and dispensing a predetermined amount of substance within the compression chamber through the outlet aperture and one-way valve. 8. A dispenser as defined in claim 7, further comprising a manually engageable portion drivingly connected with the piston for moving the piston between the first and second positions. 9. A dispenser as defined in claim 4, wherein the bore defines a compression chamber formed adjacent to the outlet aperture and connectable in fluid communication with the storage chamber, and the piston is slidably engageable with an annular surface of the compression chamber for forming a fluid-tight seal therebetween to, in turn, pressurize substance within compression chamber and dispense pressurized substance through the outlet aperture and one-way valve. 10. A dispenser as defined in claim 9, wherein at least one of the piston and bore is movable relative to the other between a first position with the piston spaced away from the outlet aperture and the compression chamber located therebetween, and a second position with the piston located adjacent to the outlet aperture for dispensing a predetermined amount of substance within the compression chamber through the outlet aperture. 11. A dispenser for dispensing a substance, comprising: a body defining a variable-volume storage chamber for storing the substance; a dispensing portion connected with the body and defining a bore coupled in fluid communication with the storage chamber for receiving substance therefrom, and an outlet aperture coupled in fluid communication with the bore, wherein the bore defines a compression chamber formed adjacent to the outlet aperture and connectable in fluid communication with the storage chamber; a piston receivable within the bore, wherein at least one of the piston and bore is movable between a first position and a second position and (i) in the first position, the piston is located outside of the compression chamber and the compression chamber is coupled in fluid communication with the storage chamber, and (ii) in the second position, the piston is located within the compression chamber and the compression chamber is not coupled in fluid communication with the storage chamber; a one-way valve including an axially-extending valve seat and an axially-extending flexible valve cover seated on the valve seat and defining a normally-closed, axially-extending seam therebetween forming a fluid-tight seal between the valve cover and valve seat, wherein the flexible valve cover is movable relative to the valve seat and the seam is connectable in fluid communication with the outlet aperture to allow the passage of a predetermined amount of substance through the seam and out of the dispenser; and an actuator drivingly connected to at least one of the piston and the bore for moving at least one of the piston and the bore relative to the other between the first and second positions to pressurize substance within the compression chamber and, in turn, dispense a predetermined amount of substance within the compression chamber through the outlet aperture and one-way valve. 12. A dispenser as for dispensing a substance, comprising: a body defining a variable-volume storage chamber for storing the substance; a dispensing portion connected with the body and defining a bore coupled in fluid communication with the storage chamber for receiving substance therefrom, and an outlet aperture coupled in fluid communication with the bore; a piston receivable within the bore; a one-way valve including an axially-extending valve seat and an axially-extending flexible valve cover seated on the valve seat and defining a normally-closed, axially-extending seam therebetween forming a fluid-tight seal between the valve cover and valve seat, wherein the flexible valve cover is movable relative to the valve seat and the seam is connectable in fluid communication with the outlet aperture to allow the passage of a predetermined amount of substance through the seam and out of the dispenser; an actuator drivingly connected to at least one of the piston and the bore for moving at least one of the piston and the bore relative to the other and dispensing a predetermined amount of substance within the bore through the outlet aperture; and a substantially annular second piston slidably received within the body and forming a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween, wherein the variable-volume storage chamber is formed between the substantially annular second piston and the other piston, and the substantially annular second piston is movable toward the other piston upon dispensing a dosage from the storage chamber to reduce the volume of the storage chamber in an amount approximately equal to the volume of the dose dispensed. 13. A dispenser for dispensing a substance, comprising: a body; a variable-volume storage chamber; first means connectible in fluid communication with the variable-volume storage chamber for receiving a substantially metered dose of the substance from the variable-volume storage chamber and compressing therein the substantially metered dose; second means connectible in fluid communication with the first means (i) for normally sealing the first means along an annular, axially-extending seam and preventing the dispensing of substance below a threshold pressure through the second means, and (ii) for substantially sequentially opening the seam in an axial direction thereof to allow the passage of substance at a pressure greater than the threshold pressure through the second means and out of the dispenser; third means (i) for manual engagement and movement from a first position toward a second position, for preventing fluid communication between the first means and the variable-volume storage chamber during movement from the first position toward the second position, and for extending the third means at least partially into the first means for pressurizing the substantially metered dosage of substance in the first means above the threshold pressure of the second means and dispensing the substantially metered dosage of substance through the second means and out of the dispenser, and (ii) for movement from the second position toward the first position, for allowing fluid communication between the first means and the variable-volume storage chamber during movement from the second position toward the first position, and for permitting substance to flow from the variable-volume storage chamber into the first means; and fourth means for slidably moving within the body upon dispensing a substantially metered dosage of the substance from the first means, and forming a fluid-tight seal therebetween, for reducing the volume of the storage chamber in an amount approximately equal to the volume of the substantially metered dose. 14. A dispenser as defined in claim 13, wherein the first means is a dispensing portion defining a compression chamber, the second means is a one-way valve including an axially-extending valve seat and an axially-extending flexible valve cover seated on the valve seat and defining a normally-closed, axially-extending seam therebetween forming a fluid-tight seal between the valve cover and valve seat, and the third means is an elastic actuator defining a manually depressible portion. 15. A method for storing and dispensing a substance with a dispenser including a variable-volume storage chamber, a dispensing valve including an annular, axially-extending valve seat, and an annular, axially-extending flexible valve cover overlying the valve seat and forming an axially-extending valve seam therebetween, a compression chamber coupled in fluid communication between the variable-volume storage chamber and the valve seam, and a manually engageable actuator defining a manually depressible portion movable between first and second positions and normally biased towards the first position, the method comprising the following steps: storing substance in the variable-volume storage chamber; normally sealing the dispensing valve along the annular, axially-extending valve seam and preventing both the dispensing of substance below a threshold pressure through the valve seam and external contamination of the substance in the variable-volume storage chamber through the valve seam; manually depressing the manually depressible portion between the first and second positions, wherein (i) during movement of the manually depressible portion from the second position toward the first position, substance is permitted to flow from the variable-volume storage chamber into the compression chamber, and (ii) during movement of the manually engageable portion from the first position toward the second position, a portion of the manually depressible portion extends at least partially into the compression chamber to pressunze a metered dose of substance in the compression chamber to a pressure greater than the threshold pressure and, in turn, substantially sequentially opening the valve seam in an axial direction thereof to allow the passage of substance at a pressure greater than the threshold pressure through the valve seam and out of the dispenser; and decreasing the volume of the variable-volume storage chamber in an amount approximately equal to the volume of the dosage of substance dispensed. 16. A method for storing and dispensing a substance with a dispenser including a variable-volume storage chamber, a dispensing valve including an annular, axially-extending valve seat, and an annular, axially-extending flexible valve cover overlying the valve seat and forming an axially-extending valve seam therebetween, and a pump coupled in fluid communication between the variable-volume storage chamber and the valve seam, the method comprising the following steps: providing a filling conduit mounted within a body portion of the dispenser, and a second one-way valve coupled in fluid communication between the filling conduit and variable-volume storage chamber, and including an axially-extending valve seat and an axially-extending flexible valve cover seated on the valve seat and defining a normally-closed, axially-extending seam therebetween forming a fluid-tight seal between the valve cover and valve seat; inserting a filling member into the filling conduit; pumping substance through the filling conduit and into the seam of the second one-way valve at sufficient pressure to substantially radially move the flexible valve cover relative to the valve seat and, in turn, introduce the substance through the seam and into the variable-volume storage chamber; terminating pumping substance into the seam; allowing the valve cover to return to its normally-closed position, and hermetically sealing the substance within the variable-volume storage chamber; storing substance in the variable-volume storage chamber; normally sealing the dispensing valve along the annular, axially-extending valve seam and preventing both the dispensing of substance below a threshold pressure through the valve seam and external contamination of the substance in the variable-volume storage chamber through the valve seam; manually actuating the pump to pressurize a metered dose of substance to a pressure greater than the threshold pressure and, in turn, substantially sequentially opening the valve seam in an axial direction thereof to allow the passage of substance at a pressure greater than the threshold pressure through the valve seam and out of the dispenser; and decreasing the volume of the variable-volume storage chamber in an amount approximately equal to the volume of the dosage of substance dispensed. 17. A dispenser for dispensing a substance, comprising: a body defining a variable-volume storage chamber for storing the substance; a dispensing portion connected with the body and defining a compression chamber connectable in fluid communication with the storage chamber for receiving substance therefrom, and an outlet aperture coupled in fluid communication with the compression chamber; a one-way valve including an axially-extending valve seat and an axially-extending flexible valve cover overlying the valve seat and defining a normally-closed, axially-extending seam therebetween forming a fluid-tight seal between the valve cover and valve seat, wherein the flexible valve cover is movable relative to the valve seat and the seam is connectable in fluid communication with the outlet aperture to allow the passage of a predetermined amount of substance through the seam and out of the dispenser; a manually engageable actuator adjacent to the compression chamber and defining a manually depressible portion movable between first and second positions; and a spring that biases the manually depressible portion in the direction from the second position toward the first position; wherein (i) during movement of the manually depressible portion from the second position toward the first position the compression chamber is in fluid communication with the variable-volume storage chamber for permitting substance to flow from the variable-volume storage chamber into the compression chamber, and (ii) during movement of the manually depressible portion from the first position toward the second position the compression chamber is not in fluid communication with the variable-volume storage chamber and a portion of the of the manually depressible portion extends at least partially into the compression chamber to pressurize the substance within the compression chamber above an opening pressure of the one-way valve and, in turn, dispense the substance through the normally closed seam of the one-way valve and out of the dispenser. 18. A dispenser as defined in claim 17, wherein the spring is an elastic spring. 19. A dispenser as defined in claim 18, wherein the elastic spring is dome shaped. 20. A dispenser as defined in claim 17, wherein the spring is connected to the actuator.