EP1973792A2 - Soupape unidirectionnelle et procédé d'utilisation afférent - Google Patents

Soupape unidirectionnelle et procédé d'utilisation afférent

Info

Publication number
EP1973792A2
EP1973792A2 EP07709610A EP07709610A EP1973792A2 EP 1973792 A2 EP1973792 A2 EP 1973792A2 EP 07709610 A EP07709610 A EP 07709610A EP 07709610 A EP07709610 A EP 07709610A EP 1973792 A2 EP1973792 A2 EP 1973792A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
valve
substance
assembly
storage chamber
pouch
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP07709610A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1973792A4 (fr
Inventor
Daniel Py
Julian V. Chan
Benoit Adamo
Nathaniel Houle
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Medinstill Development LLC
Original Assignee
Medinstill Development LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Medinstill Development LLC filed Critical Medinstill Development LLC
Publication of EP1973792A2 publication Critical patent/EP1973792A2/fr
Publication of EP1973792A4 publication Critical patent/EP1973792A4/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/0003—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being a single liquid
    • B67D1/0004—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being a single liquid the beverage being stored in a container, e.g. bottle, cartridge, bag-in-box, bowl
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/0042—Details of specific parts of the dispensers
    • B67D1/0081—Dispensing valves
    • B67D1/0082—Dispensing valves entirely mechanical
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/10—Pump mechanism
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/10—Pump mechanism
    • B67D1/108—Pump mechanism of the peristaltic type
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K15/00—Check valves
    • F16K15/14—Check valves with flexible valve members
    • F16K15/144—Check valves with flexible valve members the closure elements being fixed along all or a part of their periphery
    • F16K15/145—Check valves with flexible valve members the closure elements being fixed along all or a part of their periphery the closure elements being shaped as a solids of revolution, e.g. cylindrical or conical
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/0801—Details of beverage containers, e.g. casks, kegs
    • B67D2001/0827—Bags in box

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to one-way valves and apparatus and methods using one-way valves, and more particularly, to one-way valves defining valve seats and flexible valve covers overlying the valve seats, and to dispensers and packaging incorporating such valves and methods of using such valves.
  • a one-way valve of the assembly includes a valve body defining an axially-extending valve seat, and at least one flow aperture extending through at least one of the valve body and valve seat.
  • a valve cover is mounted on the valve body, and includes an axially-extending portion formed of an elastic material overlying the valve seat and covering a substantial axially-extending portion thereof.
  • the flexible pouch defines a sealed, empty, aseptic storage chamber adapted to receive therein a substance to be stored and dispensed therefrom.
  • the flexible pouch is aseptically filled with a substance that is at least one of a food and beverage.
  • the pouch is formed of a plastic laminate including an oxygen/water barrier and an approved food contact layer.
  • the substance is selected from the group including a milk-based product, milk, evaporated milk, condensed milk, cream, half- and-half, baby formula, growing up milk, yogurt, soup, ice cream, juice, syrup, coffee, condiments, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, and coffee aroma.
  • the dispenser further includes at least one pouch containing coffee aroma.
  • the present invention is directed to a flexible pouch and valve assembly for aseptically storing a substance, dispensing multiple portions of the stored substance therefrom, and maintaining substance remaining in the pouch in an aseptic condition sealed with respect to ambient atmosphere.
  • 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 substance from the pouch and through the one-way valve to dispense the substance therefrom.
  • the assembly comprises first means defining therein a flexible, variable-volume storage chamber sealed with respect to the ambient atmosphere for aseptically storing therein multiple portions of the substance.
  • FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an apparatus embodying the present invention including a one-way valve and tube assembly;
  • FIG. 2 is a somewhat schematic view of a dispenser employing the one-way valve and tube assembly in combination with a reservoir storing a substance to be dispensed, and a pump for pumping the substance from the reservoir through the tube and one-way valve assembly;
  • FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a valve assembly, dome- shaped actuator, and flexible pouch coupled in fluid communication with the dome-shaped actuator and valve assembly and mounted within a relatively rigid container;
  • FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the snap ring of the assembly of FlG. 17 that secures the integral dome-shaped actuator and valve cover to the container;
  • FIG. 20 is a somewhat schematic, cross-sectional view of another apparatus of the invention including a container defining a storage chamber therein, a microbial filter coupled in fluid communication between the ambient atmosphere and the storage chamber for filtering and, in turn, sterilizing the air flowing into the chamber, and a pump and one-way valve assembly coupled in fluid communication with the storage chamber for dispensing the fluid product therefrom.
  • the apparatus 10 is mountable within a dispenser 16 comprising a pump 18 that is connectable to the tube 14 to squeeze the tube and, in turn, dispense a substance within the tube through the one-way valve 12 and into a container 20.
  • the dispenser also includes a reservoir 22 which in the illustrated embodiment defines a variable-volume storage chamber 24 for storing the substance to be dispensed.
  • the reservoir 24 includes a fitting 26 connected to the end of the tube 24 opposite the one-way valve 12 and coupled in fluid communication between the tube and variable-volume storage chamber 24 for allowing the passage of substance from the storage chamber into the tube.
  • a fitting 46 is fixedly secured to the valve body 30 and forms a hermetic seal therebetween.
  • the fitting 46 defines a second passageway 48 coupled in fluid communication with the first axially- extending passageway 32 for allowing the flow of substance therebetween, and an annular, axially-extending tube connection surface 50 that is hermetically connectable to the tube 14 with the second passageway 48 coupled in fluid communication with the tube to thereby allow the passage of substance from the tube 14, through the second passageway 48 and, in turn, through the first axially-extending passageway 32, flow aperture 36 and valve opening 44.
  • Substance is dispensed through the valve by pumping the substance at a sufficient pressure (either by manually, mechanically or electro-mechanically squeezing the tube 14, or otherwise pumping the substance through the tube or into the valve) through the flow aperture 36 to open the valve opening or seam 44 (the "valve opening pressure").
  • a sufficient pressure either by manually, mechanically or electro-mechanically squeezing the tube 14, or otherwise pumping the substance through the tube or into the valve
  • the valve opening pressure the "valve opening pressure”
  • valve portion 42 engages the valve seat 34 substantially throughout any period of dispensing substance through the valve opening 44 to maintain a hermetic seal between the valve opening 44 and ambient atmosphere.
  • the valve can be configured in other ways in order to require progressively less energy to open the valve (i.e., to decrease the valve opening pressure) when moving in the axial direction from the interior toward the exterior of the valve.
  • the valve cover 38 and valve body 30 may define a decreasing degree of interference therebetween when moving in a direction from the interior toward the exterior of the valve assembly.
  • valve assembly 12 otherwise is preferably constructed in accordance with the teachings of the following commonly assigned, co-pending patent applications which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties as part of the present disclosure: U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 10/640,500, filed August 13, 2003, entitled “Container And Valve Assembly For Storing And Dispensing Substances, And Related Method”, U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 29/174,939, filed January 27, 2003, entitled “Container and Valve Assembly", U.S. Patent Application 60/613,583, filed September 27, 2004, entitled “Laterally-Actuated Dispenser with One-Way Valve for Storing and Dispensing Metered Amounts of Substances", U.S. Patent Application Serial No.
  • At least one of the valve seat diameter D2, the degree of interference between the valve portion 42 and valve seat 34 (as indicated by the overlapping lines in FIG. 3), the predetermined radial thickness of the valve portion 42, and a predetermined modulus of elasticity of the valve cover 38 material is selected to (1) define a predetermined valve opening pressure generated upon squeezing the tube 14 that allows passage of the substance from the tube through the normally-closed valve opening 44, and (2) hermetically seal the valve 12 and prevent the ingress of bacteria or contamination through the valve opening 44 and into the tube 14 in the normally closed position.
  • each of the valve seat diameter D2, the degree of interference between the valve portion 42 and valve seat 34, the predetermined radial thickness of the valve portion 42, and the predetermined modulus of elasticity of the valve cover 38 material is selected to (i) define a predetermined valve opening pressure generated upon squeezing the tube 14 that allows passage of the substance from the tube (or variable-volume storage chamber coupled in fluid communication thereto) through the valve opening 44, and (2) hermetically seal the valve opening 44 and prevent the ingress of bacteria through the valve opening and into the tube in the normally-closed position.
  • the flow aperture 36 extends angularly relative the valve seat.
  • the flow aperture extends angularly within the range of about 30° to about 45°.
  • this angular range is only exemplary, and may be changed as desired, or otherwise required.
  • one or more additional flow apertures 36 may be added and angularly spaced relative to the aperture 36 as shown, for example, in any of the commonly- assigned, co-pending patent applications incorporated by reference above.
  • the valve body 30 defines an annular recess 60 formed at the junction of the base 52 and frusto-conical portion 56.
  • the valve cover 38 includes a corresponding annular flange 62 that projects radially inwardly, is received within the annular recess 60 of the valve body 30 to secure the valve cover to the valve body.
  • the valve body 30 defines a tapered surface 64 on the axially outer or front side of the annular recess 62 to facilitate movement of the annular flange 62 into the annular recess 60.
  • the valve assembly 12 further includes a protective cover or shield 66 that extends annularly about the flexible valve cover 38, and extends axially from the base of the valve cover 38 to a point adjacent to the dispensing tip of the valve but spaced axially inwardly therefrom.
  • the valve body 30 defines a first peripheral recess 68 formed at the junction of the mounting flange 54 and body base 52, and the valve shield 66 defines a first corresponding annular protuberance 70 that projects radially inwardly and is snap fit into the peripheral recess 68 to lock the valve shield to the valve body.
  • valve shield 66 defines a second peripheral recess 72 formed on the axially inner side of the first annular protuberance 70, and the body base 52 defines a second corresponding annular protuberance 74 that projects radially outwardly and is snap fit into the peripheral recess 72 Io further lock the valve shield to the valve body.
  • valve shield 66 is spaced radially relative to the second frusto-conical portion 58 and valve portion 42 of the valve cover 38 to form an annular, axially extending gap 76 therebetween.
  • the gap 76 allows the valve cover to freely expand or move radially outwardly during dispensing of substance through the normally closed valve opening or seam 44.
  • the tip 78 of the valve portion 42 defines an annular portion 80 that tapers radially outwardly toward the distal end 82 of the valve shield 66 to substantially block, or block a substantial portion of, the distal end of the annular gap 76 to thereby prevent any unwanted substances from becoming deposited therein.
  • the fitting 46 includes an annular mounting flange 84 that is received within a corresponding mounting recess 86 to mount the fitting to the valve body 30.
  • the fitting and valve body form an interference at the inner annular surfaces 88 and 90 thereof to allow the fitting and valve body to be ultrasonically welded to each other and form a hermetic seal therebetween at the annular engagement line of these surfaces.
  • One advantage of the illustrated shear joint design is that it ensures relatively high joint strength and a hermetic seal throughout.
  • the fitting and valve body may be connected to one another in any of numerous different ways that are currently known, or that later become known.
  • valve and tube assembly 10 may be mounted within a dispenser 16 and connected to a conventional peristaltic pump 18 that is rotatably driven, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 2, to squeeze the tube 14 and, in turn, pump substance from the reservoir 24, through the one-way valve 12, and into a receiving container or other receptacle 20.
  • the valve and tube assembly 10 may be mounted within any of numerous different containers or dispensers, and may be used in combination with any of numerous different pumps, such as electrically-actuated, manually-actuated, or pedal actuated pumps, or may be used with dispensers that employ pressurized air or other gas to pump the fluid through the valve, that are currently known, or that later become known.
  • valve assembly 1 12 is substantially similar to the valve assembly 12 described above, and therefore like reference numerals preceded by the numeral "1" are used to indicate like elements.
  • the primary difference of the valve assembly 112 in comparison to the valve assembly 12 is that the dispensing tip of the valve seat 134 defines a recess 192 therein, and a very thin, annular, chamfered edge 194 formed between the recess 192 and the distal edge of the valve seat 134.
  • the radial width of the chamfered edge 194 is substantially less than the axial depth of the recess 192 and the diameter of the valve seat 134 (by a magnitude in both instances of at least about 5 and preferably of at least about 10). In one embodiment of the present invention, the radial width of the edge portion is within the range of about 5mm to about 25 mm.
  • the thin, annular edge 194 substantially prevents any substance from collecting at the dispensing tip after being dispensed from the valve.
  • the valve 1 12 is mounted in a substantially vertical or upright orientation (as shown typically in FlG.
  • FIGS. 7-9 another tube and valve assembly embodying the present invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 210.
  • the tube and valve assembly 210 is substantially similar to the tube and valve assemblies 10, 1 10 described above, and therefore like reference numerals preceded by the numeral "2", or preceded by the numeral "2" instead of the numeral "1 ", are used to indicate like elements.
  • a primary difference of the tube and valve assembly 210 in comparison to the tube and valve assemblies described above, is that the tube 214 is formed integral with a flexible pouch forming the reservoir 224, and the flexible pouch, tube and valve assembly may be mounted within a relatively rigid box 225.
  • the inlet end 226 of the tube 214 is built into the base of the pouch 222, such as by heat-sealing, ultrasonically welding, crimping, or adhesively attaching the tube to the pouch material.
  • the tube may be connected in fluid communication with the pouch, or formed integral with the pouch, in any of numerous different ways that are currently known, or that later become known.
  • the tube 214 when mounted within the dispenser housing 216, the tube 214 is coupled to a peristaltic pump 218 of a type known to those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art, and the valve assembly 212 extends through a dispensing opening 221 formed in a panel 223 of the dispenser housing 216.
  • the mounting flange 254 is seated on the inner side of the panel 223, and a clamp 229 with one or more suitable fasteners 221, such as thumb screws, that releasably secure the valve 212 in place.
  • a control unit 233 is electrically coupled to the pump 218 to control operation of the pump and, in turn, control dispensing of the food or beverage product or other substance within the reservoir 224 of the pouch 222 through the tube 214, one-way valve assembly 212, and into the cup or other receptacle 220.
  • the dispenser may include suitable controls to allow a user to actuate the control unit 233 and pump 218, such as buttons or switches, all of a type known to those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
  • the tube 214 preferably is made of a material that is sufficiently soft that it can be squeezed or otherwise deformed by, for example, the peristaltic pump 218, but does not puncture or permanently deform when so squeezed or deformed.
  • the material is a co-extruded metallocene catalyzed polyethylene, such as the metallocene catalyzed resin sold by Dow Chemical Corporation under the designation Dow AG 8180.
  • the tube material may be heat sealed, crimped, or adhesively attached to the pouch material.
  • the box 225 can provide a convenient mechanism for holding and transporting the flexible pouch 222, and/or for mounting the pouch 222 within the dispenser housing 216.
  • the box 216 is a cardboard box of a type known to those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
  • the box 225 may define an aperture 227 extending through a base wall thereof that allows the tube and valve assembly to be passed therethrough.
  • the box 225 may be provided with a perforated or frangible portion allowing part of the box to be removed to access the tube and valve assembly.
  • the box may be formed of any of numerous different materials, and may define any of numerous different shapes and/or configurations, that are currently known, or that later become known.
  • the flexible pouch and valve assembly may be mounted within any of numerous different containers or dispensers, and may be used in combination with any of numerous different pumps, such as electrically-actuated, manually-actuated, or pedal actuated pumps, or may be used with dispensers that employ pressurized air or other gas to pump or otherwise pressurize the fluid to flow through the valve, that are currently known, or that later become known.
  • the pouch 222 preferably includes a needle penetrable and thermally resealable stopper 235 for filling the reservoir 224 through the stopper with a needle or other injection member, and thermally resealing the resulting needle hole with a laser or other thermal or chemical source.
  • the stopper 235 is mounted or otherwise received within a port 237 extending through an upper portion of the pouch 222.
  • the port 237 may extend through an aperture formed in an upper wall of the box 225.
  • a support ring 239 may be located between a flange 241 of the port 237 and the adjacent wall of the box 225.
  • the stopper 235 may be retained within the port 237 by a cover 245 that is snap-fit to the port 237 to fixedly secure the stopper within the port.
  • the cover 245 includes an internal flange 247 that engages a peripheral flange 249 of the stopper 235 to fixedly secure the stopper to the port.
  • the internal flange 247 defines a central aperture 251 for receiving therein a central raised portion 253 of the stopper 235 defining the needle penetrable and thermally resealable portion of the stopper.
  • the cover 245 further defines a plurality of snapping flanges 255 angularly spaced relative to each other below the internal flange 247.
  • Each snapping flange 255 defines a tapered cross- sectional configuration to permit the cover 245 to be slidably mounted over the flange 237 of the port 239 and to form a snap-fit in engagement with the underside of the flange 237 of the port to prevent the cover from being removed from the port.
  • the internal flange 247 applies a substantially predetermined compressive preload to the elastic flange 249 of the stopper 235 to thereby form a fluid-tight seal between the cover, stopper and port.
  • the internal peripheral edge 257 of the stopper is configured in a manner known to those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art based on the teachings herein to engage the internal surfaces of the port 237 and form a fluid-tight seal therebetween throughout the shelf-life and usage of the pouch.
  • the cover 245 includes a cover disk 259 that is received within a peripheral recess 261 formed within the cover on the upper side of the internal flange 247.
  • the cover disk 259 defines an annular protuberance 263, and the cover disk defines an annular recess 265 for receiving therein the annular protuberance of the cover and thereby fixedly securing the cover disk thereto.
  • the cover disk 259 is fixedly secured to the cover after needle penetrating and thermally resealing the region 253 of the stopper to thereby prevent access to the stopper and provide an added barrier to prevent the transmission of moisture, vapor, or gas through the stopper.
  • FIGS. 10-13 another assembly embodying the present invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 310.
  • the assembly 310 is similar in many respects to the assembly 210 described above with reference to FIGS. 7-9, and therefore like reference numerals preceded by the numeral "3" instead of the numeral "2" are used to indicate like elements.
  • the one-way valve assembly 312 includes a manually engageabie, dome-shaped actuator 315 for dispensing substantially metered amounts of fluid from a pouch 322 (FIG. 14) defining a variable-volume storage chamber 324 through the valve.
  • the valve assembly 312 includes an integral rigid tube 314 defining on an upstream end thereof a mounting flange 317 for mounting the tube and valve assembly to a relatively rigid box 325 that contains therein the flexible pouch 322 (FIG. 14).
  • the box 325 and pouch 322 may be the same as or substantially similar to the box and pouch described above, or may be made of any of numerous different materials, and/or may take any of numerous different shapes and/or configurations that are currently known or that later become known.
  • the dome-shaped actuator 315 is made of an elastomeric material that is flexible and can be manually engaged and pressed inwardly to operate the actuator and thereby pump fluid from the variable-volume storage chamber 324 through the one-way valve 312. As shown in FIG.
  • the one-way valve 312 includes a flap 317 extending inwardly from the actuator 315, a valve body 330 defining a compression chamber 332 for receiving therein from the variable-volume storage chamber 324 each dosage or discrete portion or serving of fluid to be dispensed, a relatively rigid valve seat 334, and at least one flow aperture 336 extending through the valve body 330 adjacent to the valve seat 334 and coupled in fluid communication with the compression chamber 332.
  • the one-way valve assembly 312 further includes a valve cover 338 formed of an elastic material and including a cover base 340 mounted on the valve body 330 and fixedly secured against axial movement relative thereto, and a valve portion 342 overlying the valve seat 334.
  • valve portion 342 and valve body 330 form an interference fit therebetween.
  • the valve portion 342 and the valve seat 334 define a normally closed, axially-extending valve opening or seam 344 therebetween.
  • the valve portion 342 is movable radially between a normally closed position, as shown, with the valve portion 342 engaging the valve seat 334, and an open position (not shown) with at least a segment of the valve portion 342 spaced radially away from the valve seat 334 to connect the valve opening 344 in fluid communication with the flow aperture 336 and thereby allow the passage of fluid from the compression chamber 332 to the flow aperture 336 and through the valve seam 344.
  • the one-way valve 312 also includes an inlet passageway 348 extending through the tube 314 and coupled in fluid communication with the variable-volume storage chamber 324 (FIG. 12).
  • the one-way valve 312 may be connected directly to the variable -volume storage chamber 324 and then welded or otherwise sealed to the pouch 322 so as to prevent contaminants from entering the compression chamber or valve.
  • the inlet passageway 348 can be coupled to a flexible tube of the type shown, for example, in FIG. 2, and the flexible tube can, in turn, connect the valve 312 to the storage chamber 324.
  • the flap 317 separates the compression chamber 332 from the inlet passageway 348 and storage chamber 324.
  • valve assembly 312 otherwise may be constructed in accordance with the teachings of the commonly assigned, co-pending patent applications incorporated by reference above.
  • at. least one of the valve seat diameter D2 (as shown in FIG. 1 1 , the valve seat defines a gradually decreasing diameter when moving from the upstream toward the downstream end of the valve seat), the degree of interference between the valve portion 342 and valve seat 334, the predetermined radial thickness of the valve portion 342, and a predetermined modulus of elasticity of the valve cover 338 material, is selected to (1) define a predetermined valve opening pressure generated upon depressing the dome shaped actuator 315 that allows passage of fluid from the compression chamber 332 through the normally-closed valve opening 344, and (2) hermetically seal the valve 312 and prevent the ingress of bacteria or other contaminants through the valve opening 344 and into the passageway 348 in the normally closed position.
  • each of the valve seat diameter D2, the degree of interference between the valve portion 342 and valve seat 334, the predetermined radial thickness of the valve portion 342, and the predetermined modulus of elasticity of the valve cover 338 material is selected to (i) define a predetermined valve opening pressure generated upon depressing the actuator 315 that allows passage of a substantially predetermined volume of fluid from the reservoir 324 into the chamber 332 and through the valve opening 344, and (2) hermetically seal the valve opening 344 and prevent the ingress of bacteria or other contaminants through the valve opening in the normally- closed position.
  • the valve assembly 312 further includes a protective cover or shield 366 (not shown in FIG. 10) that extends annularly about the flexible valve cover 338, and extends axially from the base of the valve cover 338 to a point adjacent to the dispensing tip of the valve but spaced axially inwardly therefrom.
  • the shield 366 is mounted to the valve body 330 and includes a peripheral flange 367 that compressively engages a corresponding peripheral flange 369 of the dome-shaped actuator 315 to fixedly secure the dome-shaped actuator to the valve body, and includes a lower annular flange 371 that compressively engages the cover base 340 of the valve cover to fixedly secure the valve cover to the valve body.
  • the one-way valve assembly 312 operates as follows.
  • the dome-shaped actuator 315 is pressed downward, such as my manual engagement, to pressurize and in turn displace a substantially predetermined volume of fluid located within the compression chamber 332.
  • the resulting fluid pressure within the compression chamber 332 causes the flap 317 to seal itself against the valve body wall surrounding the inlet passageway 348 to thereby prevent fluid communication between the inlet passageway and compression chamber.
  • the flap 317 and/or the wall surrounding the inlet passageway 348 may be angled to assist in creating a seal between the flap and wall.
  • a substantially predetermined volume of fluid then moves from the compression chamber 332 through the flow aperture 336, into valve seat 334, and out through the valve opening 344.
  • the chamber 332 When the actuator 315 is pressed downwardly, the chamber 332 is emptied or substantially emptied. When the user releases the actuator 315, a vacuum is created within the chamber 332 and the flap swings outwardly away from passageway 348, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 11, which allows fluid to flow from the reservoir 324 into the compression chamber 332.
  • the valve body 330 may include an arm 319 that is spaced downstream of, and adjacent to the flap 317 a distance sufficient to define a gap 321 between the arm and flap when the flap is located in the normally closed position.
  • the arm 319 operates as a stop to prevent further downstream movement of the flap and thereby prevent the flap from swinging out of position.
  • the arm 319 may define one or more flow apertures through itself to allow the fluid to flow freely when the flap is in the open position.
  • the valve and tube assembly may further include a tube cover or shell 321 spaced radially outwardly from the tube 314 to cover the tube and, if desired, support the valve and tube assembly against the box 325 (FIG. 10).
  • the actuator 315, and the compression chamber 332 may take any of numerous different shapes and/or configurations, and/or may be formed of any of numerous different materials that are currently known, or that later become known for performing the functions of these components.
  • the compression chamber 332 may define a curvilinear shape to facilitate engagement between the underside of the dome-shaped actuator and compression chamber on the downward stroke of the actuator.
  • the underside of the actuator may form a more traditional piston shape, such as a cylindrical protrusion, that is slidably received within a correspondingly shaped compression chamber.
  • the actuator may include a lever or other operator that is manually engageable to depress the actuator and, in turn, dispense metered amounts or substantially metered amounts of fluids from the variable-volume storage chamber and through the one-way valve.
  • variable-volume storage chamber 324 is not defined by a flexible pouch mounted within a box as described above with reference to FIGS. 7-14, but rather is defined by a relatively rigid tubular body 322.
  • a plunger 325 is slidably mounted within the tubular body 322 and forms a fluid-tight seal between the peripheral surface of the plunger and the internal wall of the tubular body.
  • the variable-volume storage chamber 324 is formed between the plunger 325 and the inlet passageway 348 to the valve assembly 312.
  • the apparatus and methods for pre-sterilizing the sealed, empty pouch, tube and valve assemblies, for assembling the stopper to the pouch or other container, and/or for aseptically needle filling the sterilized pouch, tube and valve assemblies through the needle penetrable and laser resealable stoppers may take the form of any of the apparatus and methods disclosed in the following commonly assigned patents and patent applications which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference as part of the present disclosure: U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 10/766,172, filed January 28, 2004, entitled "Medicament Vial Having A Heat-Sealable Cap, And Apparatus and Method For Filling The Vial", which is a continuation-in-part of similarly titled U.S. Patent Application Serial No.
  • Each stopper includes a thermoplastic body defining (i) a predetermined wall thickness in an axial direction thereof, (ii) a predetermined color and opacity that substantially absorbs the laser radiation at the predetermined wavelength and substantially prevents the passage of the radiation through the- predetermined wall thickness thereof, and (iii) a predetermined color and opacity that causes the laser radiation at the predetermined wavelength and power to hermetically seal the needle aperture formed in the needle penetration region thereof in a predetermined time period and substantially without burning the needle penetration region and/or the cover portion of the cap (i.e., without creating an irreversible change in molecular structure or chemical properties of the material).
  • the predetermined time period is approximately 2 seconds, is preferably less than or equal to about 1.5 seconds, and most preferably is less than or equal to about 1 second.
  • the predetermined wavelength of the laser radiation is about 980 nm, and the predetermined power of each laser is preferably less than about 30 Watts, and preferably less than or equal to about 10 Watts, or within the range of about 8 to about 10 Watts.
  • the predetermined color of the material is gray, and the predetermined opacity is defined by a dark gray colorant (or pigment) added to the stopper material in an amount within the range of about 0.3% to about 0:6% by weight.
  • a lubricant of a type known to those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art may be added to or included within each of the above-mentioned thermoplastic compounds, in order to prevent or otherwise reduce the formation of particles upon penetrating the needle penetration region of the thermoplastic portion with the needle.
  • the lubricant is a mineral oil that is added to the styrene block copolymer or other thermoplastic compound in an amount sufficient to prevent, or substantially prevent, the formation of particles upon penetrating same with the needle or other filling member.
  • the lubricant is a silicone, such as the liquid silicone sold by Dow Corning Corporation under the designation "360 Medical Fluid, 350 CST", or a silicone oil, that is added to the styrene block copolymer or other thermoplastic compound in an amount sufficient to prevent, or substantially prevent, the formation of particles upon penetrating same with the needle or other filling member.
  • the silicone oil is included in an amount within the range of about 0.4% to about 1% by weight, and preferably within the range of about 0.4 to about 0.6% by weight, and most preferably within the range of about 0.51 or about 0.5% by weight.
  • the configuration of the needle that is penetrating the stopper, the friction forces created at the needle/stopper interface, and/or the needle stroke through the stopper also can be controlled to further reduce or substantially prevent the formation of particles upon penetrating the stoppers with the needles.
  • the needle penetrable and laser resealable stopper comprises: (i) a styrene block copolymer, such as any such styrene block copolymers described above, within the range of about 80% to about 97% by weight (e.g., 95% by weight as described above); (ii) an olefin, such as any of the ethylene alpha- olefins, polyolefins or olefins described above, within the range of about 3% to about 20% by weight (e.g., about 5% as described above); (iii) a pigment or colorant added in an amount sufficient to absorb the laser energy, convert the radiation to heat, and melt the stopper material, preferably to a depth equal to at least about 1/3 to about Vi of the depth of the needle hole, within a time period of less than about 3 seconds, more preferably less than about 1-1/2 seconds, and most preferably less than about 1/2 second; and
  • the pigment is sold under the brand name LumogenTM IR 788 by BASF Aktiengesellschaft of Ludwigshafen, Germany.
  • the Lumogen IR products are highly transparent selective near infrared absorbers designed for absorption of radiation from semi-conductor lasers with wavelengths near about 800 nm.
  • the Lumogen pigment is added to the elastomeric blend in an amount sufficient to convert the radiation to heat, and melt the stopper material, preferably to a depth equal to at least about 1/3 to about ⁇ ⁇ of the depth of the needle hole, within a time period of less than about 3 seconds, more preferably less than about 1-1/2 seconds, and most preferably less than about 1/2 second.
  • the Lumogen IR 788 pigment is added to the elastomeric blend in a concentration of less than about 150 ppm, is preferably within the range of about 10 ppm to about 100 ppm, and most preferably is within the range of about 20 ppm to about 80 ppm.
  • the power level of the 800 nm laser is preferably less than about 30 Watts, or within the range of about 8 Watts to about 18 Watts.
  • the needle penetrable and laser resealable stopper comprises: (i) a first thermoplastic material within the range of about 80% to about 97% be weight and defining a first elongation; (ii) a second thermoplastic material within the range of about 3% to about 20% by weight and defining a second elongation less than the elongation of the first material; (iii) a pigment or colorant added in an amount sufficient to absorb the laser energy, convert the radiation to heat, and melt the stopper material, preferably to a depth equal to at least about 1/3 to about Vz of the depth of the needle hole, within a time period of less than about 2 seconds, more preferably less than about 1.5 seconds, and most preferably less than about 1 second; and (iv) a lubricant, such as a mineral oil, liquid silicone, or silicone oil as described above, added in an amount sufficient to substantially reduce friction forces at the needle/stopper interface during needle penetration of the stopper to, in turn
  • the first material defines a lower melting point (or Vicat softening temperature) than does the second material.
  • the first material is a styrene block copolymer
  • the second material is an olefin, such as any of a variety of ethylene alpha-olefins or polyolefins.
  • the first material defines an elongation of at least about 75% at 10 lbs force (i.e., the length increases by about 75% when subjected to a 10 Ib.
  • An elastic substantially dome-shaped pump or actuator 415 defines on its inner side a compression chamber valve member 417 that forms a tapered cross-sectional configuration that tapers inwardly toward the free end of the valve member.
  • the free end of the compression chamber valve member 417 is received within the inlet passageway 448 of the tube 414 to thereby prevent any additional fluid from flowing from the storage chamber 424 into the compression chamber 432 and, in turn, to sufficiently pressurize with further manual compression of the dome-shaped actuator 415 the fluid within the compression chamber 432 to overcome the valve opening pressure and to dispense a substantially predetermined amount of fluid through the one-way valve 412.
  • the valve portion 442 is arcuate shaped when viewed in a plane perpendicular to the elongated axis "X" of the assembly, and as shown typically in FIG.16, when viewed in a plane of the elongated axis X, the valve portion 442 defines a substantially tapered cross-sectional configuration that tapers inwardly when moving in a direction from the interior toward the exterior of the valve (or from the base toward the dispensing tip of the valve).
  • the valve portion 442 defines a predetermined radial thickness that is progressively thinner when moving in the direction from the interior toward the exterior of the valve (or from the base toward the dispensing tip of the valve). As shown in FIG.
  • the inner surface of the valve cover 442 is defined by a first varying radius Rl that progressively increases in magnitude when moving in the direction from the base toward the dispensing tip of the valve cover
  • the outer surface of the valve seat 434 is defined by a second varying radius R2 that likewise progressively increases in magnitude when moving in the direction from the base toward the dispensing tip of the valve seat.
  • R2 is greater than Rl to thereby form an interference fit between the valve cover and valve seat. Accordingly, as with the one-way valves described above, the flexible valve portion 442 and valve seat 434 cooperate to define a normally closed, axially-extending valve opening or seam 444 therebetween.
  • valve portion 442 is movable radially between a normally closed position, as shown in FIG. 16, with the valve portion 442 engaging the valve seat 434, and an open position (not shown) with at least a segment of the valve portion 442 spaced radially away from the valve seat 434 to connect the valve opening 444 in fluid communication with the flow aperture 436 to thereby allow the passage of fluid from the flow aperture 436 through the valve opening 444.
  • the valve portion 442 is substantially semi-circular when viewed in a plane perpendicular to the elongated axis X of the assembly. As indicated in FIG.
  • valve seat 434 corresponds in shape and extent to the valve portion 442 to thereby form the normally closed, axially extending valve opening or seam 444 therebetween.
  • shape or the valve seat and valve portion including the arcuate extent of each such component may vary from that shown herein as desired or otherwise dictated by the application of the assembly and the desired performance characteristics.
  • the snap-ring 466 includes opposing snap flanges 469 that engage corresponding lateral portions of the valve seat 434 to fixedly secure the snap- ring to the valve seat, and in turn, fixedly retain the valve cover and valve portion therebetween. 90] As shown in FIG.
  • the tube 414 is formed integral on one end thereof with a base wall 471 of the compression chamber 432, and is formed integral on another end thereof with a flange 473 fixedly secured to the pouch 422.
  • the base wall 471 of the compression chamber 432 is received within an aperture 475 of the container 425, and includes a peripheral flange 477 sealingly engaged within an annular recess 479 of the container.
  • the snap-ring 466 defines a peripheral snap flange 481 that engages the underside of a peripheral flange 483 of the container 425 to compress the peripheral flange 469 and cover base 440 between the snap-ring and container flange at a substantially predetermined compressive preload to prevent any leakage throughout shelf-life and usage of the assembly, and thereby fixedly secure together the assembled integral dome-shaped actuator and valve cover, tube and pouch assembly, and container.
  • a user dispenses .a substantially predetermined amount of fluid through the one-way valve 412 by manually engaging the dome-shaped actuator 415 with, for example, one or more fingers or the palm of a hand, and depresses the dome-shaped actuator downwardly.
  • the free end of the compression chamber valve member 417 is received within the outlet aperture 448 of the tube 414 to thereby block the flow of any fluid between the compression chamber '432 and storage chamber 424.
  • the free end of the compression chamber valve member 417 is removed from the inlet passageway 448 which, in turn, allows fluid to be drawn upwardly from the storage chamber into the compression chamber due to the vacuum or suction created within the compression chamber on the upward stroke of the dome-shaped actuator.
  • the compression chamber 432 is filled with fluid and the assembly is ready to dispense another predetermined volume of fluid.
  • the box 425 may define at least one vent to allow air to flow into the space between the pouch 422 and box 425 to facilitate the ability of the pouch to fold inwardly on itself upon dispensing fluid therefrom.
  • the pouch or dome-shaped actuator may include a needle penetrable and laser resealable stopper or other portion for needle filling the variable-volume storage chamber and laser resealing the resulting needle hole as described above.
  • the pouch 422 and box 425 may be made of the same materials as the pouch and box described above, respectively, or may be made of any of numerous other materials that are currently known, or that later become known.
  • the box 425 may be made of plastic, such as by blow molding or thermoforming.
  • the one-valve 412 may define a configuration that is the same as or more similar to any of the one-way valves described above in connection with the other embodiments.
  • FIG. 20 another apparatus embodying the present invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 610.
  • the apparatus 610 is similar in many respect to various embodiments described above, and therefore like reference numerals preceded by the numeral "6", or preceded by the numeral "6" instead of another numeral, are used to indicate like elements.
  • the primary difference of the apparatus 610 in comparison to the apparatus described above is that the apparatus 610 does not include a flexible bladder or pouch defining a variable-volume storage chamber, but rather the storage chamber 624 is defined by the interior of the container 628.
  • a sterilizing filter 631 is mounted on the container 628 and coupled in fluid communication between the storage chamber 624 and ambient atmosphere for allowing air or other gas to flow into the storage chamber and sterilizing the air or other gas upon passage through the filter to thereby maintain the fluid product in the container in an aseptic condition.
  • the filter 631 may take the form of any of numerous different filters that are currently known, or that later become known for performing the function of the filter 631 , including a microbial filter.
  • One such filter defines a pore size of less than about 10 microns, preferably less than about 5 microns, and most preferably less than or equal to about 2 microns.
  • the container 628 may be rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible, and may be made of any of numerous different materials, or be formed in any of numerous different shapes or configurations, that are currently known or that later become known.
  • the apparatus includes a manually-engageable actuator 615 for pumping metered portions or doses of fluid through the valve assembly 612.
  • a manually-engageable actuator 615 for pumping metered portions or doses of fluid through the valve assembly 612.
  • any of numerous different manually engageable, pedal actuated, electrically actuated, or electro- mechanically actuated pumps that are currently known, or that later become known, equally may be employed.
  • the apparatus 710 is similar in many respect to various embodiments described above, and therefore like reference numerals preceded by the numeral "7", or preceded by the numeral "7" instead of another numeral, are used to indicate like elements.
  • the apparatus 710 includes a flexible pouch 722 defining a variable- volume storage chamber 724, a one-way valve assembly 712, and a flexible tube 714 coupled in fluid communication between the one-way valve and storage chamber.
  • An inlet valve 729 is mounted on the container 728 and is ⁇ onnectable in fluid communication between a source of pressurized fluid, such as air or other gas, and the interior chamber 727 formed between the flexible pouch 722 and relatively rigid container 728.
  • a source of pressurized fluid such as air or other gas
  • the pressure source 733 introduces pressurized air or other gas into the chamber 727 to, in turn, pressurize the pouch 722 and fluid product contained within the pouch.
  • a valve 715 of a type known to those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art is movable between (i) a closed position in which it pinches the flexible tube 714 into a closed position to prevent the passage of fluid therethrough, and (ii) an open position in which it releases the flexible tube 714 and allows the passage of fluid therethrough.
  • the pressurized gas within the chamber 727 creates sufficient pressure to move the fluid product through the one-way valve 712.
  • the valve 715 may be manually engageable to open and close the valve, or may be electrically or electro- mechanically actuated between the open and closed positions.
  • the container is initially filled with pressurized gas, and this amount of pressurized gas is sufficient to dispense all of the fluid product through the valve.
  • the pressure source 733 may take the form of a pump that pumps pressurized air or other gas into the chamber 727 to dispense product through the one-way valve.
  • the valve 715 may be eliminated and the pump 733 may be actuated to dispense fluid through the valve.
  • the apparatus 810 includes a flexible pouch 822 defining a variable-volume storage chamber 824, a one-way valve assembly 812, and a flexible tube 814 coupled in fluid communication between the one-way valve and storage chamber.
  • the apparatus 810 comprises a manually-actuated peristaltic pump 815 mounted adjacent to and engageable with the flexible tube 814 for pumping metered portions or doses of fluid product from the variable-volume storage chamber 824 through the tube 814 and one-way valve assembly 812.
  • the pump 815 is manually or pedal actuated, and comprises a rotatably mounted peristaltic pumping member 835 including a plurality of rollers 837 mounted about the periphery thereof for rotatably engaging the flexible tube 814 and squeezing the tube to in turn pump the fluid product therethrough.
  • a curvilinear shaped, rigid pump block 839 is mounted on the opposite side of the flexible tube 814 relative to the peristaltic pumping member 835 to allow the rollers 837 to compress the flexible tube 814 against the block and pump the fluid product therethrough.
  • a linkage assembly 841 such as the illustrated multi-bar linkage, is drivingly connected to the peristaltic pumping member 835 to rotatably drive the pumping member.
  • a manually engageable lever or foot pedal (not shown) is drivingly connected to the linkage 841 to drive the linkage and, in turn, rotatably drive the peristaltic pumping member 835 to pump metered portions of fluid product from the variable-volume storage chamber 824 through the one-way valve assembly 812.
  • the flexible pouch, tube and valve assemblies are provided in a disposable form so that they are disposed of when emptied; however, the container 810 and pump 815 normally do not touch the fluid product and therefore may be reused with numerous different pouch, tube and valve assemblies, or likewise may be provided in disposable form.
  • FIG. 23 another apparatus embodying the present invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 910.
  • the apparatus 910 is similar in many respect to various embodiments described above, and therefore like reference numerals preceded by the numeral "9", or preceded by the numeral "9” instead of another numeral, are used to indicate like elements.
  • the apparatus 910 includes a flexible pouch 922 defining a variable- volume storage chamber 924, a one-way valve assembly 912, and a flexible tube 914 coupled in fluid communication between the one-way valve and storage chamber.
  • the pump 915 is manually or pedal actuated, and comprises pump block 939 mounted on one side of the flexible tube 914, and a rocker arm 935 pivo tally mounted on the opposite side of the flexible tube.
  • the rocker arm is manually actuated downwardly in the drawing to engage the flexible tube 914 and, in turn, squeeze the tube to pump metered portions or doses of fluid product therethrough.
  • the rocker arm 935 may be manually engageable itself, or a manually engageable lever or other actuator may be coupled to the rocker to move the rocker arm in the manner indicated and, in turn, pump metered portions of fluid product through the one-way valve.
  • the flexible pouch, tube and valve assemblies are provided in a disposable form so that they are disposed of when emptied; however, the container 810 and pump 815 normally do not touch the fluid product and therefore may be reused with numerous different pouch, tube and valve assemblies, or likewise may be provided in disposable form.
  • a significant advantage of the currently preferred embodiments of the present invention is that they allow the above-mentioned and any of numerous other products to be distributed and stored at an ambient temperature and allow the product to remain shelf-stable even after dispensing product from the pouch, whether refrigerated or not.
  • the components of the apparatus may be made of any of numerous different materials that are currently known, or that later become known for performing the function(s) of each such component.
  • the components of the apparatus may take any of numerous different shapes and/or configurations, additional components may be added, components may be combined, and one or more components or features may be removed.
  • the apparatus may be used to dispense any of numerous different types of fluids or other substances for any of numerous different applications, including, for example, nutritional, food, beverage, hospital, biopharmaceutical, bioprocessing and pharmaceutical applications.
  • the dispenser may take the form of an automated food or beverage dispenser of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 10/328,826, filed December 24, 2002, entitled “Clean-In-Place Automated Food Or Beverage Dispenser” (Publication No. US 2004/01 18291 Al), or U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 10/833,110, filed April 28, 2004, entitled “Clean-In-Place Automated Food Or Beverage Dispenser” (Publication No.
  • the one-way valve, tube and pouch assemblies may be used to store any of numerous different products for dispensing, such as milk-based products, including milk concentrate, half-and-half, and other creamers, baby food or formulas, growing-up milks, other liquid nutrition products, coffee, coffee concentrate, tea, tea concentrate, syrup, such as chocolate syrup for hot chocolate, cappuccino syrups, or other drink mixes or syrups, coffee aroma for dispensing a "fresh" coffee aroma at the time of, or substantially the same time of, dispensing coffee, or other dairy products such as yogurt and ice cream, or non-dairy products, such as juices, soy-based products, nutritional supplement drinks, functional food products, drink mixes, or meal replacement drinks.
  • milk-based products including milk concentrate, half-and-half, and other creamers, baby food or formulas, growing-up milks, other liquid nutrition products, coffee, coffee concentrate, tea, tea concentrate, syrup, such as chocolate syrup for hot chocolate, cappuccino syrups, or other drink mixes or syrups, coffee aroma for dispens
  • the filling machines used to fill the reservoirs used with the apparatus of the present invention may take any of numerous different configurations that are currently known, or that later become known for filling the reservoirs, pouches or dispensers.
  • the filling machines may have any of numerous different mechanisms for sterilizing, feeding, evacuating and/or filling the one-way valve, tube and pouch assemblies, or otherwise for filling the reservoirs.
  • the reservoir may employ a filling valve as disclosed in the following patent application that is assigned to the Assignee of the present invention, and is hereby incorporated by reference as part of the present disclosure: U.S. Application Serial No.
  • the filling valve may extend through the pouch or otherwise may be coupled in fluid communication with the storage chamber to evacuate and/or fill the storage chamber.
  • the reservoir may include a one-way valve for evacuating the interior of the reservoir and another valve for filling the storage chamber of the reservoir.
  • any of numerous different types of pouch filling machines and/or methods that are currently known, or that later become known, may be used instead.
  • the pump and/or dispensing valve each may take a configuration that is different than that disclosed herein.
  • the pump may take the form of any of numerous different pumps that are currently known, or that later become known.
  • the pump may include a piston that is movable within a piston chamber connectable in fluid communication with the tube and/or variable- volume storage chamber, and a manually engageable portion that is manually engageable to move the piston and, in turn, pump the substance from the variable volume storage chamber through the one-way valve.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
  • Check Valves (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur une poche souple et sur un ensemble formant soupape permettant de stocker une substance en milieu aseptique, de diffuser plusieurs fractions de ladite substance stockée et de conserver la substance restante dans la poche dans un milieu aseptique isolé de l'atmosphère ambiante. La poche souple et l'ensemble formant soupape viennent se loger dans un corps relativement rigide et sont conçus pour coopérer avec une pompe destinée à pomper des fractions distinctes de substance de la poche et, via la soupape unidirectionnelle, pour diffuser la substance provenant de ladite poche. L'ensemble comprend une poche souple définissant à l'intérieur une chambre de stockage à volume variable isolée de l'atmosphère ambiante lui permettant de stocker en milieu aseptique plusieurs fractions de ladite substance. Une soupape unidirectionnelle de l'ensemble comprend un corps de soupape définissant un siège de soupape s'étendant axialement et au moins une ouverture pour le flux s'étendant dans le corps de la soupape et/ou dans le siège de la soupape. Un couvercle de soupape est montés sur le corps de la soupape et comprend une partie s'étendant axialement formée d'un matériau élastique sus-jacent et recouvrant une de ses parties s'étendant axialement. La partie de la soupape et le siège de la soupape définissent un joint s'étendant axialement entre les deux éléments formant ainsi une ouverture de soupape s'étendant axialement, normalement fermée, et la partie de la soupape est mobile radialement entre (i) une position généralement fermée avec la partie de la soupape venant en contact du siège de la soupape, et (ii) une position ouverte avec au moins un segment de la partie de la soupape s'écartant radialement du siège de la soupape pour venir raccorder l'ouverture de la soupape de manière fluidique avec au moins une ouverture pour le flux et pour ainsi permettre la passage de la substance depuis la chambre de stockage à volume variable via l'ouverture de la soupape. Dans les positions généralement fermées et ouvertes, la soupape unidirectionnelle conserve la substance restant dans la chambre de stockage à volume variable en milieu aseptique et isolée de l'atmosphère ambiante.
EP07709610A 2006-01-05 2007-01-05 Soupape unidirectionnelle et procédé d'utilisation afférent Withdrawn EP1973792A4 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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US75716106P 2006-01-05 2006-01-05
PCT/US2007/000419 WO2007133297A2 (fr) 2006-01-05 2007-01-05 Soupape unidirectionnelle et procédé d'utilisation afférent

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CN (2) CN101389542A (fr)
AU (1) AU2007250178C1 (fr)
BR (1) BRPI0706436A2 (fr)
CA (1) CA2636311C (fr)
MX (1) MX2008008761A (fr)
RU (1) RU2527119C2 (fr)
WO (1) WO2007133297A2 (fr)
ZA (1) ZA200805870B (fr)

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EP2383553A1 (fr) * 2010-04-30 2011-11-02 Nestec S.A. Emballage pour le stockage et le dosage d'un fluide
EP2953889B1 (fr) 2013-02-05 2020-11-25 F.R.I.D.A. S.r.l. Récipient pour liquides destiné à être utilisé dans des distributeurs de boisson, et distributeur de boisson comprenant ledit récipient
CN106219476A (zh) * 2016-08-30 2016-12-14 南京乐惠轻工装备制造有限公司 一种啤酒容器
EP3713849B1 (fr) * 2017-11-24 2022-06-29 Société des Produits Nestlé S.A. Fixation pour récipient de boissons
DE102020127493B4 (de) 2020-10-19 2024-08-14 Bürkert Werke GmbH & Co. KG Ventil mit Ventilkörper

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1973792A4 (fr) 2011-08-31
ZA200805870B (en) 2010-02-24
CA2636311A1 (fr) 2007-11-22
AU2007250178A1 (en) 2007-11-22
CN103964052A (zh) 2014-08-06
BRPI0706436A2 (pt) 2011-03-29
CN103964052B (zh) 2017-10-17
MX2008008761A (es) 2008-09-12
AU2007250178C1 (en) 2012-07-12
WO2007133297A2 (fr) 2007-11-22
CN101389542A (zh) 2009-03-18
AU2007250178B2 (en) 2011-09-01
CA2636311C (fr) 2014-09-23
WO2007133297A3 (fr) 2008-02-28
RU2008127114A (ru) 2010-02-10
RU2527119C2 (ru) 2014-08-27

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