Constrictable tube valve

Claim 2

In a valve of the type in which a constrictable tube is mechanically flattened to form a barrier to the flow of fluid material therethrough, the improvement comprising a constrictable tube, external clamping means disposed at opposite sides of said tube for maintaining a region at each side in constantly constricted fluid sealing condition, and mechanical compressor means for adjustably constricting the remainder of said tube between said clamping means for controlling the closing of said valve such that the entire remainder of said tube at least along a line between said clamping means is Substantially engaged by said compressor means in a closed position.

Claim 3

A valve according to claim 1, wherein said means disposed at opposite sides of said tube comprises at each side a fluid impervious element located on the interior of said tube with said clamping means securing the corresponding side of said tube in fluid sealing embrace about said element.

Claim 4

A valve according to claim 1, wherein said means disposed at opposite sides of said tube comprises at each side a separate fluid impervious filler piece disposed on the interior of said tube with said clamping means securing the corresponding side of said tube in fluid sealing embrace about said filler piece.

Claim 5

A valve according to claim 3, wherein said tube is wrapped around said filler piece so as to close upon itself and is so constrained by said clamping means, said filler piece having a smoothly curving contour to which said tube conforms.

Claim 6

A valve according to claim 3, wherein said filler piece is in the form of a cylinder with a directrix of substantially tear-drop shape such that the piece has substantially a featheredge, said tube being wrapped around said filler piece and maintained in sealing engagement therewith with said featheredge facing radially inwardly of the tube.

Claim 7

A valve according to claim 5, wherein said tube includes at least a lining layer of a substantially inelastic flexible generally crack sensitive plastic.

Claim 8

A valve according to claim 6, wherein said plastic is polytetrafluoroethylene resin.

Claim 9

A valve according to claim 7, wherein said filler piece is formed from polytetrafluoroethylene resin.

Claim 10

A valve according to claim 8, wherein each of said clamping means comprises two members which when secured together form a substantially C-shape assembly having a jaw configuration which is similar to the shape of said filler piece.

Claim 11

A valve according to claim 3, wherein said tube includes at least a lining layer of a substantially inelastic flexible generally crack sensitive plastic.

Claim 12

A valve according to claim 10, wherein said plastic is polytetrafluoroethylene resin.

Claim 13

A valve according to claim 11, wherein said filler piece is formed from polytetrafluoroethylene resin.

Claim 14

A valve according to claim 3, wherein each of said clamping means comprises two members which when secured together form a substantially C-shape assembly, the side of said tube being confined by the jaws of the C-shape assembly in sealing engagement with said filler piece.

Claim 15

A valve according to claim 3, wherein said tube includes at least a lining layer of a substantially inelastic flexible generally crack sensitive plastic, said tube being wrapped around said filler piece so as to close upon itself and being so constrained by said clamping means, and said filler piece is characterized by a smoothly curving contour to which said tube conforms.

Claim 16

A valve according to claim 14, wherein said plastic is polytetrafluoroethylene resin.

Claim 17

A valve according to claim 15, wherein said filler piece is formed from polytetrafluoroethylene resin.

Claim 18

In a valve of the type in which a constrictable tube is flattened to form a barrier to the flow of fluid material therethrough, the improvement comprising a constrictable tube, means disposed at opposite sides of said tube for maintaining a region at each side in constantly constricted fluid sealing condition, said means including at each side of said tube a separate fluid impervious filler piece disposed on the interior of said tube and a clamping device disposed on the exterior of said tube, said clamping device being constructed and arranged to constrict the side of said tube about said filler piece in fluid sealing embrace, and means for adjustably constricting the remainder of said tube between said regions for controlling the closing of said valve.

Claim 19

In a valve of the type in which a constrictable tube is flattened to form a barrier to the flow of fluid material therethrough, the improvement comprising a constrictable tube, means disposed at opposite sides of said tube for maintaining a region at each side in constantly constricted fluid sealing condition, said means including at each side of said tube a separate fluid impervious filler piece disposed on the interior of said tube and a clamping device disposed on the exterior of said tube, said clamping device being constructed and arranged to constrict the side of said tube about said filler piece in fluid sealing embrace, and means for adjustably constricting the remainder of said tube between said regions for controlling the closing of said valve.