Patent ID: 7810677

Claim:
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.