Abstract: A container and method for filling same. The container includes a penetrable and resealable portion that is resealable, and a container body having a sealed empty chamber in fluid communication with the penetrable and resealable portion for receiving therein a substance. The container also includes a base, a mid-portion, and an upper portion axially spaced from the base on an opposite side of the mid-portion relative to the base. Each of the base and upper portion define a laterally-extending dimension greater than a maximum laterally-extending dimension of the mid-portion. The method of filling the container includes penetrating the penetrable and resealable portion with an injection member and introducing a substance into the chamber, withdrawing the injection member while engaging the base of the body to substantially prevent upward movement of the body, and applying energy to the penetrable and resealable portion to form a gas-tight seal.

Abstract: A dispenser is provided for the delivery of controlled, metered amounts of any of numerous different substances to humans or animals, such as medicaments, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food products, or to deliver materials that may react upon exposure to air, such as glue. Means are provided in the dispenser to effect controlled delivery of a pre-determined amount of the substance contained in the dispenser. A one-way valve is provided to hermetically seal the portion of the dispenser containing the substance to be dispensed.

Abstract: An injection member penetrates an elastic septum of a device defining a sealed, empty, sterile chamber in fluid communication with the septum. During penetrating, an annular interface is formed between the septum and the injection member extending axially between a penetration point on an interior surface of the septum in fluid communication with the sterile chamber, and an exterior surface of the septum engaging the injection member. The injection member is de-contaminated by (i) friction between the septum and injection member at the annular interface, and (ii) elongation of the septum at the annular interface. A substance is introduced through the injection member and into the sterile chamber of the device, the injection member is then withdrawn from the septum, the septum reseals itself at the resulting penetration aperture, and the chamber is maintained sterile throughout the foregoing steps.

Abstract: A septum is penetrable by a needle for decontamination by physical interaction. The septum can include a peripheral portion, an exterior surface], and an interior surface. A penetration portion extends between the exterior and interior surfaces, is spaced inwardly of the peripheral portion, and is penetrable by the needle or other penetrating element. A flex portion is located between the penetration portion and the peripheral portion. A thicker portion extends between the flex portion and the penetration portion, and defines an increased thickness between the exterior and interior surfaces relative to the flex portion. The flex portion is flexible inwardly relative to the peripheral portion during penetration of the penetration portion by a needle or other penetrating element. The penetration portion physically interacts with and decontaminates the needle when it penetrates the septum. The septum may also reduce or prevent retrograde contamination when the needle is withdrawn.

Abstract: A device comprising a body including a first polymer and a closure including a second polymer that is substantially not bondable to the first polymer and has a relatively higher shrinkage rate than the first polymer, wherein at least a portion of the closure overlaps at least a portion of the body, forming a hermetic seal therebetween and defining a sealed, empty, sterile container.

Abstract: Apparatus for filling devices that are penetrable for filling the devices with a substance, and resealable for sealing the resulting hole. A device support supports at least one such device in a substantially fixed position relative to the support during filling and/or resealing. A manifold drivingly mounted over the device support can include (1) a cartridge including a filling needle for penetrating a resealable stopper and introducing a substance therethrough into the device, a mount for mounting the cartridge on the manifold, and a removable cover releasably coupled to the mount for covering the filling needle during transportation, installation and/or removal of the cartridge from the manifold. The manifold can include a thermal source for heating a penetrated region of the stopper and, sealing the hole.

Abstract: A device that has a device body defining an opening at one end thereof, a storage chamber within the device body for storing multiple doses of a substance therein, and a sliding stopper, sealing engageable with the device body, through which the chamber is filled. The stopper has a body and a flexible portion, which may be in the form of a plurality of flexible members, extending therefrom. The flexible portion or members are movable between first and second positions. In the first position, during filling, the portion or members are substantially laterally extending from the stopper body and engaging the opening of the device body. Accordingly, the axial position of the stopper with respect to the device body is secured during filling of the chamber therethrough. In the second position, after filling, the portion or members are substantially axially-extending from the stopper body and disengaged from the rim or opening of the device body. Accordingly, the stopper is axially slideable through the body.

Abstract: A device and method for aseptically storing and dispensing a liquid. The device has container forming a variable-volume storage chamber, and a one-way valve coupled in fluid communication with the storage chamber and having an elastic valve member forming a normally closed valve opening. The valve member is movable between a normally closed position, and an open position with at least a segment of the elastic valve member spaced radially away from the closed position to allow the passage of fluid from the storage chamber through the valve opening. The liquid is maintained hermetically sealed in the storage chamber with respect to ambient atmosphere throughout dispensing multiple portions of the liquid from the storage chamber through the one-way valve.

Abstract: Device and method for needle penetrating and filling a chamber with a predetermined substance, and hermetically resealing a resulting needle hole in the device by applying radiation thereto. The needle penetrable and resealable portion defines a predetermined wall thickness in an axial direction thereof, and may include a thermoplastic that substantially prevents the formation of particles released into the chamber from the needle penetrable and resealable portion during penetration by and withdrawal of the needle. Such thermoplastic may include a predetermined amount of pigment that allows the thermoplastic to substantially absorb laser radiation at a predetermined wavelength, substantially prevent the passage of radiation through the predetermined wall thickness thereof, and hermetically seal a needle aperture formed in the needle penetration region thereof in a predetermined time period.

Abstract: Apparatus for filling containers having stoppers that are penetrable for filling the containers with a substance, and thermally resealable for thermally sealing the resulting hole. A container support supports at least one such container in a substantially fixed position during filling and resealing. A manifold drivingly mounted over the container support comprises (1) a cartridge including a filling needle for penetrating the resealable stopper and introducing a substance therethrough into the container, a mount for mounting the cartridge on the manifold, and a removable cover releasably coupled to the mount for covering the filling needle during transportation, installation and/or removal of the cartridge from the manifold. The manifold includes a thermal source for heating a penetrated region of the stopper and, sealing the hole.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a substance, such as a liquid lipstick or other cosmetic, pharmaceutical or cosmeceutical product, has a body with a variable-volume storage chamber for storing the product. A dispensing portion is connected with the body and a one-way valve for dispensing amounts of product therethrough. The dispensing portion defines a compression chamber in fluid communication with the storage chamber for receiving product therefrom, and an outlet aperture coupled in fluid communication with the compression chamber. The one-way valve has a valve seat, and a visco-elastic valve cover seated on the valve seat and defining a normally-closed, axially-extending seam therebetween forming a fluid-tight seal between the valve cover and valve seat. The flexible valve cover is movable relative to the valve seat, and the seam is connectable in fluid communication with the outlet aperture to allow the passage of product through the seam and out of the dispenser.

Abstract: A one-way valve is connectable in fluid communication with a fluid-receiving chamber, such as a dilution chamber or a mixing chamber for diluting or mixing a perishable food product, such as a milk product or chocolate product, and forming a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween. The valve comprises a relatively rigid valve seat, and a relatively flexible valve member overlying the valve seat and forming an axially-elongated, normally-closed valve opening therebetween defining an inlet at one end of the valve seat, an outlet at an opposite end of the valve seat, and an axially-extending seal therebetween that forms a fluid-tight seal between the inlet and outlet of the normally-closed valve opening. An axially-extending valve body is radially spaced relative to the valve member and forms a space therebetween allowing fluid-flow therethrough for cleaning the valve and the fluid-receiving chamber.

Abstract: A device that has a device body defining an opening at one end thereof, a storage chamber within the device body for storing multiple doses of a substance therein, and a sliding stopper, sealing engageable with the device body, through which the chamber is filled. The stopper has a body and a flexible portion, which may be in the form of a plurality of flexible members, extending therefrom. The flexible portion or members are movable between first and second positions. In the first position, during filling, the portion or members are substantially laterally extending from the stopper body and engaging the opening of the device body. Accordingly, the axial position of the stopper with respect to the device body is secured during filling of the chamber therethrough. In the second position, after filling, the portion or members are substantially axially-extending from the stopper body and disengaged from the rim or opening of the device body. Accordingly, the stopper is axially slideable through the body.

Abstract: A device and method for aseptically storing and dispensing a liquid. The device has container forming a variable-volume storage chamber, and a one-way valve coupled in fluid communication with the storage chamber and having an elastic valve member forming a normally closed valve opening. The valve member is movable between a normally closed position, and an open position with at least a segment of the elastic valve member spaced radially away from the closed position to allow the passage of fluid from the storage chamber through the valve opening. The liquid is maintained hermetically sealed in the storage chamber with respect to ambient atmosphere throughout dispensing multiple portions of the liquid from the storage chamber through the one-way valve.

Abstract: A container is provided for storing a product, such as a fat containing liquid product, and includes a body defining a chamber for receiving the product; and a container closure including a sealing portion for sealing the product within the chamber. The container closure includes a member forming a substantially fluid-tight seal between the container closure and the body; a nipple in fluid communication with the chamber that seals the chamber with respect to the ambient atmosphere during storage of the product in the chamber and that can be opened to dispense product from the chamber therethrough; and a needle penetrable and laser resealable portion that is penetrable by the needle for aseptically filling the chamber with the product, and that is thermally resealable by the application of laser radiation thereto to seal the product within the chamber.

Abstract: A pouch comprises a film including (i) a fold defining a fold plane and a first marginal edge portion of the pouch, (ii) a first side transverse to the fold plane, and (iii) a second side opposite the first side and transverse to the fold plane. A fitment of the pouch includes a port and a base. The base defines a mid-portion engaging the fold at the fold plane, a first side located on one side of the mid-portion, and a second side located on an opposite side of the mid-portion relative to the first side. The first and second sides of the base are transverse to the fold plane, and are engaged with the first or second sides of the film, respectively. The base or film overlaps the other and defines an overlapping region. The base and film are sealed to each other within the overlapping region and form a fluid-tight seal that extends about the port.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A flexible pouch and valve assembly is provided 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 are 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 a flexible pouch defining therein a variable-volume storage chamber sealed with respect to the ambient atmosphere for aseptically storing therein multiple portions of the substance. 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 the valve body and/or the valve seat.

Abstract: A container and method are provided for storing fat containing liquid products. The container includes a body defining a storage chamber for receiving the product, and a container closure. A first material portion forms at least most of the surface area overlying the storage chamber that can contact any product therein. Neither the body nor the first material portion leach more than a predetermined amount of leachables into the product or undesirably alter a taste profile thereof. A needle penetrable and thermally resealable second material portion either (i) overlies the first material portion and cannot contact any product within the storage chamber, or (ii) forms a substantially lesser surface area overlying the storage chamber that can contact any product therein in comparison to the first material portion. A sealing portion is engageable with the body to form a substantially dry hermetic seal between the container closure and body.

Abstract: A multiple dose syringe has a first valve defining a first valve opening pressure and a second valve defining a second valve opening pressure. A storage chamber in fluid communication with the second valve stores multiple doses of a substance therein and includes an outlet for dispensing multiple doses of the stored substance therethrough. A compression surface is movable between first and second positions and defines a compression chamber between the compression surface and the first valve. Movement of the compression surface in a direction from the first position toward the second position dispenses substance in the compression chamber through the first valve and out of the syringe. Movement of the compression surface in a direction from the second position toward the first position causes substance to flow from the storage chamber through the second valve and into the compression chamber.