US Patent 6871660 Pinch valve and method of operating same

A valve comprising valve members which are biased toward a closed or open position is provided with a flexible cable which is used to reposition the valve members by moving the cable so as to overcome the force generated by the biasing means. The cable may be moved by an appropriate actuator, such as a motor. When desired, the cable is moved to its original position allowing the biasing means to return the valve members to their original position. In one embodiment, the cable is slidably constrained within a flexible, non-compressible sleeve. The valve members according to one embodiment ensure complete closure of a resilient tube passing therethrough without the need to radially align the valve members.