Patent ID: 7637400

Claim:
A device for storing and dispensing a substance therefrom, comprising: a device body defining therein a variable-volume storage chamber for receiving and storing a substance; and a one-way valve assembly mounted on the device body comprising: (a) a valve body including: a body base defining a passageway coupled in fluid communication with the variable-volume storage chamber a valve seat; and at least one flow aperture extending through the valve body; and (b) a valve cover formed of an elastic material, and including: an outer valve cover shaped to receive thereon a user's mouth to consume the substance from the storage chamber out of the outer valve cover; a valve shield mounted inwardly relative to the outer valve cover, wherein the valve shield supports the outer valve cover when a user applies pressure to the outer valve cover; a valve portion overlying the valve seat, wherein the valve portion and valve seat define a normally closed, annular, axially extending valve opening therebetween, and the valve portion is movable radially between a normally closed position with the valve portion engaging the valve seat and an open position with a segment of the valve portion spaced radially away from the valve seat to allow the passage of substance from the variable-volume storage chamber therebetween; and wherein at least part of the valve shield is spaced radially away from the valve portion so as not to interfere with the valve opening.