Patent ID: 7322491
Filing Date: 2008-01-29
Classification: B65B,B67D,F04B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for aseptically storing fluid and dispensing multiple portions of the stored fluid therefrom, comprising the following steps: providing a hermetically sealed variable-volume storage chamber defined by one of (i) a flexible pouch, and (ii) a rigid body including a piston slidably received within the body, and forming a fluid-tight seal between a peripheral portion of the piston and the body; providing a one-way valve assembly including an elastic valve member defining a normally closed valve opening connectable in fluid communication with the variable-volume storage chamber, wherein the elastic valve member is movable between a normally closed position, and an open position with at least a segment of the elastic valve member spaced away from the closed position to connect the valve opening in fluid communication with the varible-volume storage chamber and thereby allow the passage of the fluid from the variable-volume storage chamber through the valve opening; providing a pump coupled between the variable-volume storage chamber and the one-way valve assembly; substantially sterilizing the sealed, empty variable-volume storage chamber prior to filling same; aseptically filling the variable-volume storage chamber with the fluid and storing therein multiple portions of the fluid in an asentic condition and sealed with respect to ambient atmosphere; pumping with the pump the multiple portions of the fluid from the variable-volume storage chamber through the valve opening; and maintaining the fluid in the variable-volume storage chamber in an aseptic condotion sealed with respect to the ambient atmosphere and substantially at ambient temperature throughout a shelf life and dispensing of the fluid from the variable-volume storage chamber through the one-way valve assembly.