초록 ▼

A flexible pouch defining a variable volume storage chamber and one-way valve assembly for aseptically storing a substance, dispensing multiple portions of the stored substance therefrom in cooperation with a pump, and maintaining substance remaining in the pouch in an aseptic condition sealed with

A flexible pouch defining a variable volume storage chamber and one-way valve assembly for aseptically storing a substance, dispensing multiple portions of the stored substance therefrom in cooperation with a pump, and maintaining substance remaining in the pouch in an aseptic condition sealed with respect to ambient atmosphere. The one-way valve includes a valve seat and elastic valve cover portion overlying the valve seat forming an interference fit therewith defining a normally-closed seam therebetween. The valve portion is movable radially 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 radially away from the valve seat to allow substance from the storage chamber through the valve opening. The one-way valve maintains substance remaining in the variable-volume storage chamber in an aseptic condition sealed with respect to the ambient atmosphere.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. 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

What is claimed is: 1. 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 the one-way valve including a valve body defining a valve seat and at least one flow aperture extending through at least one of the valve body and valve seat; and a valve cover mounted on the valve body, and including a valve portion formed of an elastic material, overlying the valve seat and covering a substantial portion thereof, wherein the valve portion defines a predetermined radial thickness and 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 seam therebetween forming a normally closed valve opening, and the valve portion is movable radially 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 radially away from the valve seat to connect the valve opening in fluid communication with the at least one flow aperture and thereby allow passage of the 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. 2. An assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the flexible pouch defines a sealed, empty, aseptic storage chamber adapted to receive therein a substance to be stored and dispensed therefrom. 3. An assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the flexible pouch is aseptically filled with a substance that is at least one of a food and beverage. 4. An assembly as defined in claim 3, wherein the substance is selected from the group consisting of a milk-based product, milk, evaporated milk, condensed milk, cream, half-and-half, baby formula, growing up milk, yogurt, soup, ice cream, juice, syrup, coffee, condiments, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, and coffee aroma. 5. An assembly as defined in claim 1, further comprising a flexible tube coupled in fluid communication between the pouch and one-way valve. 6. An assembly as defined in claim 5, wherein the flexible tube is connected to the flexible pouch and one-way valve by at least one of (i) a fitting mounted on at least one of the flexible pouch and one-way valve that frictionally engages a respective end of the tube to form a hermetic seal therebetween, (ii) a heat seal, (iii) a weld, and (iv) an adhesive. 7. An assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the pouch is formed of a plastic laminate including an oxygen/water barrier and an approved food contact layer. 8. An assembly as defined in claim 1, in combination with a dispenser comprising a relatively rigid container receiving therein the flexible pouch, and a surface for supporting and positioning the one-way valve for dispensing substances therefrom and into another container. 9. An assembly as defined in claim 1, further including an elastic actuator coupled in fluid communication between the pouch and one-way valve and manually movable to pump substance from the variable-volume storage chamber through the one-way valve. 10. An assembly as defined in claim 9, wherein the elastic actuator is approximately dome-shaped. 11. An assembly as defined in claim 10, further comprising a manually-engageable operator that is manually engageable to depress the elastic actuator and, in turn, dispense the substance from the variable-volume storage chamber through the one-way valve. 12. An assembly as defined in claim 11, wherein the manually-engageable operator is a lever. 13. An assembly as defined in claim 11, further comprising a relatively rigid container receiving therein the flexible pouch. 14. An assembly as defined in claim 13, wherein the relatively rigid container is made of either cardboard or plastic. 15. An assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of (i) the valve portion and valve seat define a decreasing degree of interference therebetween in a direction from an upstream end toward a downstream end of the valve opening, (ii) the valve portion defines a decreasing radial thickness when moving in a direction from an upstream end toward a downstream end of the valve opening, and (iii) the valve portion and valve seat define a configuration such that the energy required to open respective segments in the valve portion progressively decreases in a direction from an upstream end toward a downstream end of the valve opening. 16. An assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein flow through the at least one flow aperture is in a substantially axial direction. 17. An assembly and dispenser as defined in claim 8, wherein the dispenser further includes a pump operatively coupled between the variable-volume storage chamber and the one-way valve, and a control unit electrically coupled to the pump to control operation of the pump and, in turn, control dispensing of substance within the variable-volume storage chamber, through the one-way valve, and into the other container. 18. An assembly and dispenser as defined in claim 17, wherein the dispenser includes at least one pouch, and the at least one pouch includes at least one of coffee, coffee concentrate, milk, milk-based product, half-and-half, and creamer. 19. An assembly and dispenser as defined in claim 18, wherein the dispenser includes at least one pouch containing coffee aroma. 20. An assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the valve seat, valve portion, substantial portion, seam and valve opening are axially-extending. 21. 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; the one-way valve including a valve body defining a valve seat and at least one flow aperture extending through at least one of the valve body and valve seat; and a valve cover mounted on the valve body, and including a portion formed of an elastic material, overlying the valve seat and covering a substantial 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 a seam therebetween forming a normally closed, valve opening, and the valve portion is movable radially 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 radially away from the valve seat to connect the valve opening in fluid communication with the at least one flow aperture and thereby allow passage of the 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; in combination with a dispenser comprising a relatively rigid container receiving therein the flexible pouch, and a surface for supporting and positioning the one-way valve for dispensing substances therefrom and into another container, wherein the dispenser further includes the pump operatively coupled between the variable-volume storage chamber and the one-way valve, and a control unit electrically coupled to the pump to control operation of the pump and, in turn, control dispensing of the substance within the variable-volume storage chamber, through the one-way valve, and into the other container. 22. An assembly and dispenser as defined in claim 21, wherein the dispenser includes at least one pouch, and the at least one pouch includes at least one of coffee, coffee concentrate, milk, milk-based product, half-and-half, and creamer. 23. An assembly and dispenser as defined in claim 22, wherein the dispenser includes at least one additional pouch containing coffee aroma. 24. An assembly as defined in claim 21, wherein the valve seat, valve cover portion, substantial portion, seam and valve opening are axially-extending. 25. An assembly for aseptically storing a substance, dispensing multiple portions of stored substance therefrom, and maintaining the substance remaining stored therein in an aseptic condition sealed with respect to ambient atmosphere, wherein the assembly is receivable within a relatively rigid housing and adapted to cooperate with a pump for pumping discrete portions of the substance therefrom, the assembly comprising: first means defining therein a flexible, variable-volume storage chamber sealed with respect to the ambient atmosphere for aseptically storing therein multiple portions of the substance; and second means for allowing the substance from the variable-volume storage chamber to be dispensed therethrough, and for maintaining the substance remaining in the variable-volume storage chamber in an aseptic condition and sealed with respect to the ambient atmosphere during and after dispensing of the substance therethrough; wherein the second means includes third means for forming a valve seat and at least one flow aperture, and fourth means mounted on the third means, and including an elastic valve portion overlying the third means and covering a substantial portion thereof, defining a predetermined radial thickness and a dimension that is less than a dimension of the valve seat forming an interference fit with the third means in at least one location where the valve portion overlies the valve seat, and defining a seam between the third and fourth means, for forming a normally closed valve opening, and for moving radially between (i) a normally closed position with the fourth means engaging the third means, and (ii) an open position with at least a segment of the fourth means spaced radially away from the third means to connect the valve opening in fluid communication with the at least one flow aperture and thereby allow passage of the substance from the variable-volume storage chamber through the valve opening, and for maintaining the substance remaining in the variable-volume storage chamber in an aseptic condition and sealed with respect to the ambient atmosphere in the normally closed and open positions. 26. An assembly as defined in claim 25, wherein the variable-volume storage chamber contains a milk-based product, and the second means is for substantially preventing micro-organisms from entering into the variable-volume storage chamber and for permitting the milk-based product to be stored and dispensed without refrigeration. 27. An assembly as defined in claim 25, wherein the first means is a flexible pouch, the second means is a one-way valve, the third means is a valve body, and the fourth means is a flexible valve cover. 28. An assembly as defined in claim 25, wherein at least one of (i) the valve portion and valve seat define a decreasing degree of interference therebetween in a direction from an upstream end toward a downstream end of the valve opening, (ii) the valve portion defines a decreasing radial thickness when moving in a direction from an upstream end toward a downstream end of the valve opening, and (iii) the valve portion and valve seat define a configuration such that the energy required to open respective segments in the valve portion progressively decreases in a direction from an upstream end toward a downstream end of the valve opening. 29. An assembly as defined in claim 25, wherein flow through the at least one flow aperture is in a substantially axial direction. 30. An assembly as defined in claim 25, wherein the valve seat, valve portion, substantial portion, seam and valve opening are axially-extending. 31. A method for storing fluid and dispensing multiple portions of the stored fluid therefrom, comprising the following steps: (1) providing a storage chamber and storing therein multiple portions of the fluid in an aseptic condition; (2) providing a one-way valve assembly including (i) a valve body defining a valve seat and a 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 valve portion overlying the valve seat, wherein the valve portion defines a predetermined radial thickness and 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 relative to the valve seat 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 connect the valve opening in fluid communication with the flow aperture and thereby allow the passage of the fluid from the flow aperture through the valve opening; and (3) maintaining the fluid in the storage chamber in an aseptic condition during the shelf life and dispensing of the fluid through the one-way valve assembly. 32. A method as defined in claim 31, further comprising the step of providing a hermetically sealed variable-volume storage chamber and storing therein multiple portions of the fluid in a substantially airless condition, and maintaining the fluid in the variable-volume storage chamber substantially airless during the shelf life and dispensing of the fluid through the one-way valve assembly. 33. A method as defined in claim 31, wherein the step of providing a one-way valve assembly includes providing at least one of (i) the valve portion and valve seat define a decreasing degree of interference therebetween in a direction from an upstream end toward a downstream end of the valve opening, (ii) the valve portion defines a decreasing radial thickness when moving in a direction from an upstream end toward a downstream end of the valve opening, and (iii) the valve portion and valve seat define a configuration such that the energy required to open respective segments in the valve portion progressively decreases in a direction from an upstream end toward a downstream end of the valve opening. 34. A method as defined in claim 31, wherein the step of providing a one-way valve assembly includes providing that flow through the at least one flow aperture is in a substantially axial direction. 35. A method as defined in claim 31, further comprising the step of aseptically filling the storage chamber with at least one of a milk-based product, a baby formula, and a water-based product. 36. A method as defined in claim 35, further comprising the step of maintaining the milk-based product, baby formula, or water-based product substantially preservative-free substantially throughout the filling and dispensing of the product. 37. A method as defined in claim 36, further comprising the step of maintaining the milk-based product, baby formula, or water-based product substantially at ambient temperature throughout the shelf-life and dispensing of multiple servings of the product from the storage chamber. 38. An assembly as defined in claim 31, wherein the valve opening is axially-extending. 39. A method for storing fluid and dispensing multiple portions of the stored fluid therefrom, comprising the following steps: (1) providing a storage chamber; (2) aseptically filling the storage chamber and storing therein multiple portions of at least one of a milk-based product, a baby formula, and a water-based product in an aseptic condition; (3) providing a one-way valve assembly including (i) a valve body defining a valve seat and a 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 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 valve opening therebetween, and the valve portion is movable relative to the valve seat 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 connect the valve opening in fluid communication with the flow aperture and thereby allow the passage of fluid from the flow aperture through the valve opening; and (4) maintaining the fluid in the storage chamber in an aseptic condition during the shelf life and dispensing of the fluid through the one-way valve assembly. 40. A method as defined in claim 39, further comprising the step of maintaining the milk-based product, baby formula, or water-based product substantially preservative-free substantially throughout the filling and dispensing of the product. 41. A method as defined in claim 39, further comprising the step of maintaining the milk-based product, baby formula, or water-based product substantially at ambient temperature throughout the shelf-life and dispensing of multiple servings of the product from the storage chamber. 42. An assembly as defined in claim 39, wherein the valve opening is axially-extending.