Dispenser with variable-volume storage chamber, one-way valve, and manually-depressible actuator
View Patent ↗A dispenser has a housing, and a variable-volume storage chamber formed within the housing and defining a substantially fluid-tight seal between the chamber and exterior of the housing for storing a substance to be dispensed. A piston is mounted within the housing, and a one-way valve is mounted within the housing and coupled in fluid communication with the variable-volume storage chamber. A compression chamber is coupled in fluid communication between the piston and one-way valve, and at least one of the piston and valve is manually depressible relative to the other between (i) a first position in which the piston is located at least partially outside of the compression chamber for permitting substance to flow from the variable-volume storage chamber into the compression chamber, and (ii) a second position in which the piston is located at least partially within the compression chamber for pressurizing substance within the compression chamber above a valve opening pressure and, in turn, dispensing substance through the one-way valve and out of the dispenser.
1. A dispenser comprising:
a housing;
a variable-volume storage chamber formed within the housing and defining a substantially fluid-tight seal between the chamber and exterior of the housing for storing a substance to be dispensed;
a piston mounted on the dispenser movable between rest and second positions;
a compression chamber connectible in fluid communication with the variable volume storage chamber;
a one-way valve mounted on the dispenser connectible in fluid communication with the compression chamber, the one-way valve including a valve seat and a valve member, having a closed condition in which the valve member engages the valve seat, defining a normally-closed outlet, and an open condition in which at a least portion of the valve member is moved away from the valve seat to allow the passage of substance through the outlet and out of the dispenser;
wherein (i) during movement of the piston in a direction from the second position toward the rest position, the variable-volume storage chamber is in fluid communication with the compression chamber for permitting the substance to flow from the variable-volume storage chamber into the compression chamber, reducing the volume of the variable-volume storage chamber by an amount approximately equal to the amount of substance that flows into the compression chamber, and (ii) during movement of the piston in a direction from the rest position toward the second position, the substance is pressurized above a valve opening pressure of the one-way valve, thereby moving the at least a portion of the valve member away from the valve seat from the closed condition to the open condition, and dispensing substance through the one-way valve and out of the dispenser.
2. A dispenser as defined in claim 1 , further comprising a biasing member for biasing the piston in the direction from the second position toward the rest position.
3. A dispenser as defined in claim 2 , wherein the biasing member is a coil spring.
4. A dispenser as defined in claim 1 , wherein the variable volume storage chamber is defined by a flexible bladder.
5. A dispenser as defined in claim 1 , wherein the one-way valve is configured to prevent ingress of germs, bacteria, contaminants or other unwanted substances external to the dispenser through the one-way valve.
6. A dispenser as defined in claim 1 , wherein the one-way valve is configured to prevent ingress of air through the one-way valve.
7. A dispenser as defined in claim 1 , where the piston is movable relative to the housing.
8. A dispenser as defined in claim 7 , wherein the piston is depressible relative to the housing.
9. A dispenser as defined in claim 1 , wherein the piston includes a manually engageable surface for actuating the dispenser.
10. A dispenser as defined in claim 1 , wherein the variable volume storage chamber is substantially airless.
11. A dispenser as defined in claim 1 , wherein the variable volume storage chamber is movable to change the volume of the storage chamber.
12. A dispenser as defined in claim 1 , wherein the substance is preservative free.
13. A dispenser as defined in claim 1 , wherein the substance is sterile.