Collapsible dispensing system

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.

1 - 20 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         21 . A valve assembly for dispensing flowable materials, wherein said valve assembly comprises: 
 (a) a valve body having a longitudinal bore therethrough, wherein said valve body is rigid; and    (b) a valve stem of a compressible material having a longitudinal bore therethrough,    wherein said valve body and said valve stem are conically shaped, and wherein said valve body and said valve stem are coaxial.    
     
     
         22 . The valve assembly according to  claim 21 , wherein said valve body further comprises an inlet end and an outlet end.  
     
     
         23 . The valve assembly according to  claim 22 , wherein said inlet end of said valve body is wider than said outlet end of said valve body.  
     
     
         24 . The valve assembly according to  claim 21 , wherein said valve stem further comprises an inlet end and an outlet end.  
     
     
         25 . The valve assembly according to  claim 24 , wherein said inlet end of said valve stem is wider than said outlet end of said valve stem.  
     
     
         26 . The valve assembly according to  claim 21 , wherein said valve stem is positioned within said valve body.  
     
     
         27 . The valve assembly according to  claim 21 , wherein said valve stem and said valve body form a closure to prevent backflow of materials.  
     
     
         28 . The valve assembly according to  claim 21 , wherein said valve body and said valve stem are coated with an anti-microbial agent to prevent contamination of sterile fluids.  
     
     
         29 . The valve assembly according to  claim 21 , wherein means for securing said valve stem in said valve body are located at a first end of said valve body.  
     
     
         30 . The valve assembly according to  claim 21 , wherein said valve stem has a hollow space.  
     
     
         31 . The valve assembly according to  claim 30 , wherein said valve body has an inside surface and means are provided within said hollow space for pressing said valve stem radially outward against the inside surface of said valve body.  
     
     
         32 . The valve assembly of  claim 21 , wherein said valve body and said valve stem are wedge shaped with ovular sides.  
     
     
         33 . The valve assembly of  claim 21 , wherein said valve body and said valve stem are wedge shaped with flat sides and wherein said valve body and said valve stem each have a plurality of sides.  
     
     
         34 . A valve assembly for dispensing flowable materials, wherein said valve assembly comprises: 
 (a) a valve body having a first end and a second end and a longitudinal bore therethrough;    (b) a valve stem having a first end and a second end 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 valve stem is wider than said second end of said valve stem, and wherein said valve body and said valve stem are conically shaped and positioned such that said longitudinal bores of said valve body and said valve stem are coaxial.    
     
     
         35 . The valve assembly according to  claim 34 , wherein said valve stem is positioned within said valve body.  
     
     
         36 . The valve assembly according to  claim 34 , wherein said valve stem and said valve body form a closure to prevent backflow of materials.  
     
     
         37 . The valve assembly according to  claim 34 , wherein said valve body and said valve stem are coated with an anti-microbial agent to prevent contamination of sterile fluids.  
     
     
         38 . The valve assembly of  claim 34 , wherein said valve body and said valve stem are wedge shaped with ovular sides.  
     
     
         39 . The valve assembly of  claim 34 , wherein said valve body and said valve stem are wedge shaped with flat sides, and wherein said valve body and said valve stem each have a plurality of sides.  
     
     
         40 . The valve assembly according to  claim 34 , wherein means for securing said valve stem in said valve body are located at a first end of said valve body.  
     
     
         41 . The valve assembly according to  claim 34 , wherein said valve stem has a hollow space.  
     
     
         42 . The valve assembly according to  claim 41 , wherein means are provided within said hollow space for pressing said valve stem radially outward against the inside surface of the valve body.  
     
     
         43 . A method for dispensing flowable materials while preventing contamination of said flowable materials, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) distributing flowable materials through a first end of a valve body;    (b) increasing pressure to deform a valve stem thereby allowing fluid to enter a compression chamber;    (c) passing said flowable materials into said valve body and out through a second end; and    (d) reducing said pressure to decompress said valve stem;    wherein said first end of said valve body is wider than said second end of said valve body, wherein said valve body and said valve stem are conically shaped and wherein said reduction of said pressure ensures that contaminants do not enter said valve body through said second end.    
     
     
         44 . The method according to  claim 43 , wherein said flowable materials in said compression chamber flow in a spiral fashion prior to passing through said second end of said valve body.  
     
     
         45 . The valve assembly according to  claim 21 , wherein an outlet nozzle is located at a second end of said valve body for providing a flowable substance being dispensed in a desired form.  
     
     
         46 . The valve assembly according to  claim 34 , wherein an outlet nozzle is located at the second end of said valve body for providing a flowable substance to be dispensed in a desired form.