Flexible tube-metering devices

Claim 2

A fluid metering device comprising, a. a housing, b. a length of flexible tubing in said housing, said tubing having an inlet end secured relative to said housing and connectable to a source of secondary fluid and an outlet end secured relative to said housing and connectable to a receiver for metered fluid, c. bending means for bending said tubing mounted in said housing and having a movable head portion engaging said tubing intermediate the ends thereof, said bending means being operable to move said head portion rapidly to and fro in a straight path between the first position spaced a substantial distance from one secured end of said tubing and a second position more closely disposed with respect to said one secured end, d. said tubing having a first portion of a sufficient length to extend between said secured inlet end and said head portion of said bending means in a deep curved configuration without restricting the flow of fluid therethrough when said head is in said first position, said first portion of said tubing being folded upon itself about a single-fold line located between said head and said secured inlet and to prevent the flow of fluid therethrough when said head is in said second position, said flexible tubing having a second portion extending from said head to the other end thereof in a configuration and of a sufficient length so as to provide unrestricted flow between said head and said second end in all positions of said head, e. and timer means mounted in said housing for controlling the movement of said head in said first and second positions.

Claim 3

A fluid-metering device comprising, a. a housing, b. a fluid inductor mounted in said housing and having input passage means opening out of said housing connectable to a source of primary fluid, output passage means opening out of said housing connectable to a fluid receiver and inductor passage means intermediate said input and output passage means, said inductor being operable in response to the flow of a primary fluid therethrough to create a negative pressure condition in said conductor passage, c. a length of flexible tubing in said housing, said tubing having an inlet end secured relative to said housing and connectable to a source of secondary fluid and an outlet end secured to said inductor in fluid communication with said inductor passage, d. bending means for bending said tubing mounted in said housing and having a movable head portion engaging said tubing intermediate the ends thereof, said bending means being operable to move said head portion rapidly to and fro in a straight path between the first position spaced a substantial distance from one secured end of said tubing and a second position more closely disposed with respect to said one secured end, e. said tubing having a first portion of a suffIcient length to extend between said secured inlet end and said head portion of said bending means in a deep curved configuration without restricting the flow of fluid therethrough when said head is in said first position, said first portion of said tubing being folded upon itself about a single-fold line located between said head and said secured inlet end to prevent the flow of fluid therethrough when said head is in said second position, said flexible tubing having a second portion extending from said head to the other end thereof in a configuration and of a sufficient length so as to provide unrestricted flow between said head and said second end in all positions of said head, f. and timer means mounted in said housing for controlling the movement of said head in said first and second positions.

Claim 4

A fluid-metering device comprising, a. a housing, b. a fluid inductor mounted in said housing and having input passage means opening out of said housing connectable to a source of primary fluid, output passage means opening out of said housing connectable to a fluid receiver and inductor passage means intermediate said input and output passage means, said inductor being operable in response to the flow of a primary fluid therethrough to create a negative pressure condition in said conductor passage, c. a length of flexible tubing in said housing, said tubing having an inlet end secured relative to said housing and connectable to a source of secondary fluid and an outlet end secured to said inductor in fluid communication with said inductor passage, d. bending means for bending said tubing mounted in said housing and having a movable head portion engaging said tubing intermediate the ends thereof, said bending means being operable to move said head portion rapidly to and fro in a straight path between the first position spaced a substantial distance from one secured end of said tubing and a second position more closely disposed with respect to said one secured end, e. said tubing having a first portion of a suffIcient length to extend between said secured inlet end and said head portion of said bending means in a deep curved configuration without restricting the flow of fluid therethrough when said head is in said first position, said first portion of said tubing being folded upon itself about a single-fold line located between said head and said secured inlet end to prevent the flow of fluid therethrough when said head is in said second position, said flexible tubing having a second portion extending from said head to the other end thereof in a configuration and of a sufficient length so as to provide unrestricted flow between said head and said second end in all positions of said head, f. and timer means mounted in said housing for controlling the movement of said head in said first and second positions.

Claim 5

A device as claimed in claim 2, in which said bending means consists of a solenoid having its plunger fixed to said length of tubing and spring means, also fixed to said length of tubing and biased to bend said tube, said solenoid being operative to overcome said spring means as to open the bend in said length of tubing.