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

摘要

A flexible pouch and valve assembly is provided for aseptically storing a substance, dispensing multiple portions of the stored substance therefrom, and maintaining substance remaining in the pouch in an aseptic condition sealed with respect to ambient atmosphere. The flexible pouch and valve assembly are receivable within a relatively rigid housing, and are adapted to cooperate with a pump for pumping discrete portions of substance from the pouch and through the one-way valve to dispense the substance therefrom. The assembly comprises a 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. A one-way valve of the assembly includes a valve body defining an axially-extending valve seat and at least one flow aperture extending through the valve body and/or the valve seat.

主权项

1. An assembly for aseptically storing a substance in a flexible pouch, dispensing multiple portions of the stored substance therefrom, and maintaining substance remaining in the flexible pouch in an aseptic condition sealed with respect to ambient atmosphere, the assembly comprising:
a 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; a port in fluid communication with the storage chamber; one or more of (a) a valve or (b) a penetrable and resealable portion that is penetrable with a filling or injection member and resealable to reseal a resultant penetrated region of the penetrable and resealable portion in fluid communication with the port for aseptically filing the storage chamber; and one-way valve connectible in fluid communication with the substance from the variable-volume storage chamber and including a valve seat; a valve portion overlying the valve seat, wherein the valve portion defines 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 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.