초록 ▼

A method for storing fluid and dispensing multiple portions of the stored fluid uses a container defining a variable-volume storage chamber; a dispensing valve including a valve inlet coupled in fluid communication with the variable-volume storage chamber, and an elastic valve member in fluid commun

A method for storing fluid and dispensing multiple portions of the stored fluid uses a container defining a variable-volume storage chamber; a dispensing valve including a valve inlet coupled in fluid communication with the variable-volume storage chamber, and an elastic valve member in fluid communication with the valve inlet and defining a normally-closed valve opening; a manually engageable actuator; and a pump including a compressible member defining a compression chamber coupled in fluid communication with the variable-volume storage chamber. Multiple portions of the stored fluid are hermetically sealed in the variable-volume storage chamber. The actuator is manually engageable and movable between (i) a first position wherein the compression chamber defines a first volume, and (ii) a second position wherein the compression chamber defines a second volume less than the first volume. In the second position the fluid in the compression chamber exceeds a valve opening pressure and, in turn, moves the elastic valve member between (i) a normally closed position hermetically sealing the one-way valve and variable-volume storage chamber with respect to ambient atmosphere, and (ii) an open position permitting fluid flow through the valve opening.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method comprising the following steps: providing an apparatus and providing said apparatus with a container defining a variable-volume storage chamber; a housing defining at least a portion of the exterior of the apparatus and receiving therein the variable-volume storage chamber, a one-way dis

1. A method comprising the following steps: providing an apparatus and providing said apparatus with a container defining a variable-volume storage chamber; a housing defining at least a portion of the exterior of the apparatus and receiving therein the variable-volume storage chamber, a one-way dispensing valve, movable relative to the housing between (i) a storage position located at least partially within the housing, and (ii) a dispensing position located at least partially outside of the housing, including a valve inlet coupled in fluid communication with the variable-volume storage chamber and an elastic valve member in fluid communication with the valve inlet and defining a normally-closed valve opening and an outlet at the exterior of the apparatus, wherein, in the dispensing position, the elastic valve member is movable between (i) a normally-closed position hermetically sealing the one-way dispensing valve and variable-volume storage chamber with respect to ambient atmosphere, and (ii) an open position permitting fluid flow through the valve opening to the exterior of the apparatus; a manually engageable actuator; and a pump including a compressible member defining a compression chamber coupled in fluid communication with the variable-volume storage chamber;hermetically sealing and storing multiple portions of a fluid in the variable-volume storage chamber; andmanually engaging and moving the actuator between (i) a first position wherein the compression chamber defines a first volume, and (ii) a second position wherein the compression chamber defines a second volume less than the first volume, pressurizing fluid in the compression chamber to a pressure exceeding a valve opening pressure and, in turn, moving with the pressurized fluid the elastic valve member between (i) the normally closed position, and (ii) the open position. 2. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising storing sufficient energy in the compressible member when moving from the first position to the second position, and using the stored energy to drive the compressible member from the second position back to the first position. 3. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising moving the one-way dispensing valve between the storage position and the dispensing position. 4. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the manually engageable actuator is movable between (i) a storage position with the manually engageable actuator located at least partially within the housing, and (ii) a dispensing position with the manually engageable actuator located at least partially outside of the housing. 5. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of hermetically sealing and storing multiple portions of a fluid in the variable-volume storage chamber comprises hermetically sealing and storing multiple portions of a sterile fluid in the variable-volume storage chamber, and further comprising the step of maintaining the fluid within the storage chamber sterile and hermetically sealed with respect to ambient atmosphere throughout storage and dispensing of fluid through the one-way dispensing valve. 6. A method as defined in claim 5, wherein the fluid is selected from the group consisting of a milk-containing fluid, soy-containing fluid, non-dairy creamer, baby formula, low-acid fluid, and dairy-based fluid. 7. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising providing a sealing surface located between (i) at least one of the pump and one-way dispensing valve, and (ii) the variable-volume storage chamber; and moving at least one of (i) at least one of the sealing surface and the container and (ii) at least one of the one-way dispensing valve and pump relative to the other between (i) a sealing position sealing at least one of the pump and one-way dispensing valve relative to the variable-volume storage chamber and preventing fluid flow therebetween, and (ii) a non-sealing position allowing fluid flow therebetween. 8. A method as defined in claim 7, further comprising providing a sterile variable-volume storage chamber on one side of the sealing surface and a sterile chamber in fluid communication with at least one of the pump and one-way dispensing valve on an opposite side of the sealing surface. 9. A method as defined in claim 7, further comprising at least one of pulling, pushing and rotating the one-way dispensing valve relative to the container to move the sealing surface between the sealing and non-sealing positions. 10. A method as defined 7, further comprising providing the sealing surface defined by a pierceable wall, providing the apparatus with at least one piercing portion engageable with the pierceable wall, and moving at least one of the piercing portion and pierceable wall relative to the other between a first position wherein the pierceable portion is not piercing the pierceable wall, and a second position wherein the pierceable portion is piercing the pierceable wall and the storage chamber is in fluid communication with the one-way dispensing valve allowing fluid from the storage chamber to flow therethrough. 11. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising providing an actuator defined by a palm engaging surface located on the compressible member, engaging the palm engaging surface with the palm of a user's hand, and depressing the palm engaging surface and compressible member between the first and second positions. 12. A method as defined in claim 11, further comprising providing a frame supporting thereon the compressible member and positioned relative thereto such that the palm engaging surface is engageable with a user's palm, and gripping with a plurality of fingers the frame and simultaneously engaging with the palm of the same hand the palm engaging surface and depressing the palm engaging surface between the first and second positions. 13. A method as defined in claim 4, further comprising moving the manually engageable actuator between the storage position and the dispensing position. 14. A method as defined in claim 7, further comprising at least one of pulling, pushing and rotating at least one of the one-way dispensing valve and pump relative to the container to move between the sealing and non-sealing positions. 15. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising providing the one-way dispensing valve with a valve seat, at least a portion of the elastic valve member overlying the valve seat, and at least one of the elastic valve member and the valve seat dimensioned to form an interference fit between the elastic valve member and the valve seat. 16. A method as defined in claim 15, further comprising providing the elastic valve member and valve seat defining a decreasing degree of interference therebetween when moving in a direction from the inlet toward the outlet. 17. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising providing the valve opening defining a dispensing axis extending in a direction substantially along which fluid is dispensed from the valve, and the step of moving the elastic valve member between the normally closed position and the open position comprises moving the elastic valve member outwardly away from the dispensing axis. 18. A method as defined in claim 17, wherein the step of moving the elastic valve member outwardly comprises moving the elastic valve member radially outwardly. 19. A method as defined in claim 17, further comprising providing the one-way dispensing valve with a valve seat and at least a portion of the elastic valve member overlying the valve seat to define the valve opening. 20. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising providing the elastic valve member defining a thickness and the valve opening defining a length that is greater than the thickness of the elastic valve member. 21. A method as defined in claim, further comprising providing the elastic valve member defining a thickness that progressively decreases in a direction from the inlet toward the outlet. 22. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising providing the one-way dispensing valve requiring progressively less energy to open the one-way dispensing valve when moving in a direction from the inlet toward the outlet. 23. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising providing the elastic valve member requiring progressively less energy to open respective axial segments of the elastic valve member when moving in a direction from the inlet toward the outlet. 24. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising providing the valve opening defined by at least a portion of the elastic valve member overlying a valve seat and at least a portion of the elastic valve member engaging the valve seat substantially throughout any period of dispensing substance through the valve opening. 25. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising providing the valve opening defined by at least a portion of the elastic valve member overlying a valve seat and the valve seat defining a progressively increasing diameter when moving in a direction from the inlet toward the outlet. 26. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising passing fluid through the valve opening to the exterior of the apparatus when the elastic valve member is in the open position.