Collapsible dispensing system
First Claim
1. A valve assembly for dispensing flowable materials, wherein said valve assembly comprises:
- (a) a valve body having a longitudinal bore therethrough;
(b) an elastomeric sheath having a longitudinal bore therethrough; and
(c) an enclosing sleeve having a longitudinal bore therethrough;
wherein all of said valve body, said elastomeric sheath and said enclosing sleeve are conically shaped, and positioned such that said longitudinal bores of said valve body, said elastomeric sheath and said enclosing sleeve are coaxial.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A collapsible dispensing system for flowable materials is disclosed. A conical one-way valve assembly of coaxially conforming parts is attached to a collapsible container. An enclosing sleeve seals an elastomeric sheath to a valve body. Flowable materials are dispensed under positive pressure without back flow of external gases and contaminants, even after repeated dispensing of container contents. This enables flowable materials that are susceptible to oxidation and contamination to be reformulated without antioxidants and/or preservatives. The collapsible multiple dose dispensing system maintains the integrity and sterility of flowable materials, thereby prolonging product use life. The system takes advantage of a conical design, allowing for quicker, easier and cheaper manufacturing and assembly.
50 Citations
48 Claims
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1. A valve assembly for dispensing flowable materials, wherein said valve assembly comprises:
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(a) a valve body having a longitudinal bore therethrough;
(b) an elastomeric sheath having a longitudinal bore therethrough; and
(c) an enclosing sleeve having a longitudinal bore therethrough;
wherein all of said valve body, said elastomeric sheath and said enclosing sleeve are conically shaped, and positioned such that said longitudinal bores of said valve body, said elastomeric sheath and said enclosing sleeve are coaxial. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 25)
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17. A valve assembly for dispensing flowable materials, wherein said valve assembly comprises:
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(a) a valve body having first and second ends and a longitudinal bore therethrough;
(b) an elastomeric sheath having first and second ends and a longitudinal bore therethrough; and
(c) an enclosing sleeve having first and second ends and a longitudinal bore therethrough;
wherein said first end of said valve body is wider than said second end of said valve body, and wherein said first end of said elastomeric sheath is wider than said second end of said elastomeric sheath, and wherein said first end of said enclosing sleeve is wider than said second end of said enclosing sleeve, and wherein all of said valve body, said elastomeric sheath and said enclosing sleeve are conically shaped, and positioned such that said longitudinal bares of said valve body, said elastomeric sheath and said enclosing sleeve are coaxial. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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26. A method for dispensing flowable materials while preventing contamination of said flowable materials, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) distributing flowable materials through a first end of a valve body;
(b) increasing pressure to deform an elastomeric sheath thereby allowing fluid to enter an expansion chamber;
(c) passing said flowable materials into said valve body and out through a second end; and
(d) reducing said pressure to collapse said elatomeric sheath;
wherein said first end of said valve body is wider than said second end of said valve body, wherein said valve body and said elastomeric sheath are conically shaped and wherein said reduction of said pressure ensures that no contaminants enter said valve body through said second end. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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28. A valve assembly for dispensing flowable materials, wherein said valve assembly comprises:
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(a) a valve body having (i) a longitudinal bore therethrough, wherein said longitudinal bore of said valve body forms an inlet conical space, (ii) an outside surface, and (iii) an inlet channel wherein said inlet channel passes from the inlet conical space to the outside surface of said valve body; and
(b) an elastomeric sheath having a longitudinal bore therethrough;
wherein said valve body and said elastomeric sheath are conically shaped, and positioned such that said longitudinal bores of said valve body and said elastomeric sheath are coaxial. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A valve assembly for dispensing flowable materials, wherein said valve assembly comprises;
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(a) a valve body having (i) a longitudinal bore therethrough, wherein said longitudinal bore of said valve body forms an inlet conical space, (ii) an outside surface, and (iii) an inlet channel, wherein said inlet channel passes from the inlet conical suave to the outside surface of said valve body; and
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(b) an elastomeric sheath having first and second ends and a longitudinal bore therethrough;
wherein said first end of said valve body is wider than said second end of said valve body, and wherein said first end of said elastomeric sheath is wider than said second end of said elastomeric sheath, and wherein said valve body and said elastomeric sheath are conically shaped, and positioned such that said longitudinal bores of said valve body and said elastomeric sheath are coaxial. - View Dependent Claims (41, 43, 44, 45, 47, 48)
(a) an inlet port, wherein said inlet port is located on the outside of said valve body, and wherein said inlet channel connects said inlet port and said longitude bore of said valve body;
(b) an outlet end;
(c) an outlet port, wherein said outlet port is located on the outside of said valve body; and
(d) an outlet channel, wherein said outlet channel connects said outlet port and said outlet end of said valve body.
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48. A valve assembly comprising the valve assembly of claim 47 and an enclosing sleeve.
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42. The valve assembly, wherein said valve body and said elastomeric sheath form a closure to prevent back flow of materials.
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46. The valve assembly of wherein said valve body and said elastomeric sheath are coated with an anti-microbial agent.
Specification