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US 4,307,868 AGranted
Flow control device
AssigneeCutter Laboratories, Inc.
InventorMarius J. Morin
Life of this patent
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AssigneeCutter Laboratories, Inc.
InventorMarius J. Morin
Estimating the term…
An improvement in a flow control device for permitting fine adjustment of flow rates of fluid in tubing and maintaining established rates of flow. The device includes a clamping member pivotally mounted adjacent a clamping surface and a tubing-engaging surface on the clamping member which progressively closes the orifice of tubing as the clamping member is rotated in one direction. Coacting means on the clamping member cooperate with actuating means on a force-inducing member mounted for rotational movement on the body of the device. The coacting means is located at a point from the point of pivotal attachment of the clamping member which is at least twice the distance from the pivotal attachment to the tubing-engaging surface. Thus a large movement at the coacting point translates into a small movement of the tubing-engaging surface and results in fine adjustment of flow rates. Preferably, the device includes a segment of elastomeric tubing which is secured within the device on which the clamping surfaces react.
A flow control device comprising a body member with a passage for receiving flexible tubing and which provides a clamping surface for the tubing and having a clamping member associated with the body member for urging the tubing against the clamping surface, the clamping member being pivotally attached to the body member and having a tubing-engaging surface, the tubing-engaging surface and the clamping surface having configurations such that rotational movement of the clamping member in one direction causes the tubing to be progressively compressed, the clamping member further having means for coacting with a force-inducing member mounted on the body member and adapted for rotational movement, the distance between the coacting means and the pivotal attachment of the clamping member being at least twice the distance between the pivotal attachment and the tubing-engaging surface, the force-inducing member having means for activating the coacting means of the clamping member, the clamping member comprising a wheel with its pivotal attachment at the center, the tubing-engaging surface comprising a hub portion projecting from one side of the wheel, the hub portion having a cammed surface for engagement with the tubing, the coacting means comprising a multiplicity of sprockets on the periphery of the wheel;
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.