Apparatus for simultaneously controlling the flow of fluids in a plurality of flow paths

Claim 2

In apparatus for simultaneously controlling the flow of fluids in a plurality of fluid flow paths, the improvements comprising, a first compressible tube forming a first fluid flow path, a second compressible tube forming a second fluid flow path, means to prevent fluid flow in said first compressible tube by the substantial compression thereof while enabling fluid flow in said second compressible tube, and for preventing fluid flow in said second compressible tube by the substantial compression thereof while enabling fluid flow in said first compressible tube whereby the flow of fluids in said first and second compressible tubes may be simultaneously controlled, said means to substantially compress said first and second compressible tubes comprising actuator means which includes in actuator which is moveable only between a first mechanically stable position thereof in which said first compressible tube is substantially compressed and a second mechanically stable position thereof in which said second compressible tube is substantially compressed, said actuator being pivotally mounted in generally over center fashion to be pivotally moveable between said first and second positions thereof, said actuator means also comprising biasing means which is effective to bias said actuator to each of said positions, said actuator means comprising rotating motor means which is mechanically connected to said actuator and effective to alternately move the latter between said first and second, and second and first positions thereof, respectively for every approximately 180* of rotation of said motor means, and said actuator means further comprising first and second switch means which are respectively effective to be alternately actuated by said rotating motor means for approximately 180* of rotation of the latter to stop the motor means.

Claim 3

In apparatus for simultaneously controlling the flow of fluids in a plurality of flow paths, the improvements comprising, a first compressible tube forming a first fluid flow path, a second compressible tube forming a second fluid flow path, pinch valve means to prevent fluid flow in either said first compressible tube or said second compressible tube by the substantial compression thereof while enabling fluid flow in the other compressible tube, first fluid flow means connected to said first and second flow paths upstream of the valve means for providing an alternative flow path to each compressible tube for pressure relief when that tube is closed by said valve means, and second fluid flow means connected to said first and second flow paths downstream of said valve means for receiving fluids alternately from said first and second flow paths, said first fluid flow means comprising a third compressible tube forming a third fluid flow path connected to said first compressible tube upstream of said valve means and operable to be substantially compressed with said second compressible tube by said valve means, and a fourth compressible tube forming a fourth fluid flow path connected to said second compressible tube upstream of said valve means and operable to be substantially compressed with said first compressible tube by said valve means, whereby the flow of fluids in said first and fourth compressible tubes and said second and third compressible tubes may be simultaneously controlled, said valve means being operatively connected to motor means for reciprocating the valve means between its operative positions, said pinch valve means being moveable between its operative positions by a bistable, spring-biased, toggle action device, a rotary drive member operatively coupled to said valve means to reciprocate said valve means upon rotation of the rotary drive member, and first and second switch means actuatable alternately by the rotary drive member to stop said motor means when the valve means is moved from one position thereof to the other.

Claim 4

In apparatus for simultaneously controlling the flow of fluids in a plurality of flow paths, the improvements comprising, a first compressible tube forming a first fluid flow path, a second compressible tube forming a second fluid flow path, pinch valve means to prevent fluid flow in either said first compressible tube or said second compressible tube by the substantial compression thereof while enabling fluid flow in the other compressible tube, first fluid flow means connected to said first and second flow paths upstream of the valve means for providing an alternative flow path to each compressible tube for pressure relief when that tube is closed by said valve means, and second fluid flow means connected to said first and second flow paths downstream of said valve means for receiving fluids alternately from said first and second flow paths, said first fluid flow means comprising a third compressible tube forming a third fluid flow path connected to said first compressible tube upstream of said valve means and operable to be substantially compressed with said second compressible tube by said valve means, and a fourth compressible tube forming a fourth fluid flow path connected to said second compressible tube upstream of said valve means and operable to be substantially compressed with said first compressible tube by said valve means, whereby the flow of fluids in said first and fourth compressible tubes and said second and third compressible tubes may be simultaneously controlled, said valve means being operatively connected to motor means for reciprocating the valve means between its operative positions, said pinch valve means being moveable between its operative positions by a bistable, spring-biased, toggle action device, a rotary drive member operatively coupled to said valve means to reciprocate said valve means upon rotation of the rotary drive member, and first and second switch means actuatable alternately by the rotary drive member to stop said motor means when the valve means is moved from one position thereof to the other.