US4440378A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flow control apparatus
Assignee: Baxter International Inc
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Filing: 1981-10-16
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Granted: 1984-04-03
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Expires: 2001-10-16
Abstract
Abstract A device including a valving mechanism which can be operated by one hand. The device includes a housing which surrounds a resilient block of material. The housing may be squeezed to depress and deform the resilient block. Passageways extend through the resilient block to conduct liquid therethrough. A first passage includes a solid valve positioned therein. Compression of the resilient block breaks the seal around the valve by distorting the passageway to allow flow therethrough. A second passage includes a capillary to allow continuous low volume flow not controlled by an operator.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael P. Sullivan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:00
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M39/00; A61M39/22; A61M39/225
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A flow control apparatus comprising a housing having a hollow body and a plunger slidably positioned in and extending from said hollow body, said housing including a central cavity defined by said hollow body and said plunger, an inlet into said central cavity and an outlet from said central cavity; a block of resilient material positioned in said central cavity between said inlet and said outlet and having a first passage therethrough oriented to provide communication between said inlet and said outlet and a second passage therethrough oriented to provide communication between said inlet and said outlet, said second passage including a rigid flow restrictor therein; and a valve in said passage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A flow control apparatus comprising a housing having a hollow body and a plunger slidably positioned in and extending from said hollow body, said housing including a central cavity defined by said hollow body and said plunger, an inlet into said central cavity and an outlet from said central cavity; a block of resilient material positioned in said central cavity between said inlet and said outlet and having a first passage therethrough oriented to provide communication between said inlet and said outlet and a second passage therethrough oriented to provide communication between said inlet and said outlet, said second passage including a rigid flow restrictor therein; and a valve in said passage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said inlet is in said plunger and said outlet is in said hollow body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said valve is a ball having a diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of said first passage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said housing forms a squeezable hand grip.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said block includes a manifold adjacent a first end of each of said first and second passages and with one of said inlet and said outlet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said outlet is a through passageway in communication with said first passage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
125 words
A flow control apparatus comprising a rigid housing having two parts defining a cavity therein, said two parts being constructed and arranged to be squeezed together to reduce the size of said cavity, said housing further including an inlet into said cavity and an outlet from said cavity; a block of resilient material positioned in said cavity between said inlet and said outlet and having a first passage therethrough oriented to provide communication between said inlet and said outlet and a second passage therethrough oriented to provide communication between said inlet and said outlet, said second passage including a rigid flow restrictor therein; space within said cavity not filled with resilient material to allow deformation of said block; and a valve in said first passage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
125 words
A flow control apparatus comprising a rigid housing having two parts defining a cavity therein, said two parts being constructed and arranged to be squeezed together to reduce the size of said cavity, said housing further including an inlet into said cavity and an outlet from said cavity; a block of resilient material positioned in said cavity between said inlet and said outlet and having a first passage therethrough oriented to provide communication between said inlet and said outlet and a second passage therethrough oriented to provide communication between said inlet and said outlet, said second passage including a rigid flow restrictor therein; space within said cavity not filled with resilient material to allow deformation of said block; and a valve in said first passage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said valve is a ball having a diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of said first passage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said block of resilient material further includes a second passage therethrough oriented to provide communication between said inlet and said outlet, said second passage having a rigid flow restrictor positioned therein.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said block of resilient material further includes a manifold adjacent one end of each of said first and second passages.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said space is adjacent and not in communication with said first passage and said valve therein.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
128 words
A flow control apparatus comprising a housing having a hollow body and a plunger slidably positioned in and extending from said hollow body, said housing including a central cavity defined by said hollow body and said plunger, an inlet into said central cavity and an outlet from said central cavity; a block of resilient material positioned in said central cavity between said inlet and said outlet and having a first passage therethrough oriented to provide communication between said inlet and said outlet and a second passage therethrough oriented to provide communication between said inlet and said outlet, said second passage including a rigid flow restrictor therein; space within said cavity not filled with resilient material to allow deformation of said block; and a valve in said first passage.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
128 words
A flow control apparatus comprising a housing having a hollow body and a plunger slidably positioned in and extending from said hollow body, said housing including a central cavity defined by said hollow body and said plunger, an inlet into said central cavity and an outlet from said central cavity; a block of resilient material positioned in said central cavity between said inlet and said outlet and having a first passage therethrough oriented to provide communication between said inlet and said outlet and a second passage therethrough oriented to provide communication between said inlet and said outlet, said second passage including a rigid flow restrictor therein; space within said cavity not filled with resilient material to allow deformation of said block; and a valve in said first passage.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-04-03 | 1987-10-03 | 1988-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-04-03 | 1991-10-03 | 1992-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-04-03 | 1995-10-03 | 1996-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |