Patent ID: 8356733
Filing Date: 2013-01-22
Classification: B05B,B65D,B67D

Abstract:
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; and manually 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.