Abstract: A pump and pump/oxygenator system including a generally cylindrical pump housing, a tube arranged in a helical turn within the pump housing, and a rotor assembly rotatably mountable in the housing for pumping fluid through the tube by peristaltic action. The tube may be preformed with a D-shaped cross-section, a helical turn of about 380.degree. and a compression portion having a decreasing volume per unit length in a direction from the proximal end to the distal end thereof. In one aspect, the rotor assembly includes a cam operated occlusivity adjusting mechanism for translating the drive roller in a radial direction of the rotor assembly from a non-occluding storage position to a tube-occluding operative position. In another aspect, the housing includes a door forming an arcuate portion of the sidewall of the housing.

Abstract: A product delivery system for delivering sterile liquid product having a positive shut-off valve. The product delivery system comprises a compressible reservoir, a flexible delivery element extending from the reservoir, and a shut-off valve movable from a closed position to an opened position, the hollow interior of the delivery element being closed when the shut-off valve is in its closed position and open when the shut-off valve is in its opened position to prevent the backflow of the delivered liquid product into the delivery element and reservoir to thereby maintain the sterility of the liquid product contained within the reservoir and the delivery element.

Abstract: A fruit juice dispenser or the like has a receiving device (1) for a concentrate container (3), and is equipped with a spigot hose (5), having a hose pump (7) which is driven by an electric motor. A squeezing device extends into a hose-receiving chamber (15), and is displaceable in direction of conveyance. An electromagnetically controlled water-feed device (8) is arranged between the hose pump (7) and the spigot opening. To obtain the greatest possible reliability in operation with a compact arrangement, there is provided a linear course of the spigot hose (5) from the concentrate container (3) to the spigot valve (6). The pump includes a plate-block squeezing contour (W) against which contour the spigot hose (5) is held by means of a spring-actuated rear wall (13) of a flap (16) which can be opened in forward direction for the insertion of the spigot hose (5).

Abstract: A peristaltic action pump filler includes a frame for supporting an elongate fill tube. A carriage member is mounted to the frame for reciprocating translation therealong. The carriage member includes a pair of pivotably mounted and oppositely disposed roller assemblies. The roller assemblies are interconnected to the carriage member such that, dependant upon the direction the carriage member is being translated, they are caused to pivot toward or away from the elongate fill tube which is supported therebetween. A valve mechanism is mounted to the support frame and coupled to fill the tube. The valve mechanism is interconnected to the carriage member so as to govern the amount of material discharged therefrom.

Abstract: A drug pump is disclosed having at least one rotatable cam and a reciprocally mounted follower engaged with the cam, and a tube which is compressed by the follower during rotation of the cam. The drug pump preferably has three followers, including an expulsor follower, an inlet valve follower, and an outlet valve follower. Three cams are provided to reciprocally move the followers, with one cam engaging each follower. The cams are interconnected by a cam shaft. The drug pump is ambulatory and provides two activations per revolution of the cams. The tube loading is nonlinear. Such nonlinear tube loading is taken into consideration to minimize energy consumption and to reduce peak torque loads. A design optimization and manufacturing system is provided to optimize energy consumption of the pump.

Abstract: A pump and pump/oxygenator system including a generally cylindrical pump housing, a tube arranged in a helical turn within the pump housing, and a rotor assembly rotatably mountable in the housing for pumping fluid through the tube by peristaltic action. The tube may be performed with a D-shaped cross-section, a helical turn of about 380.degree. and a compression portion having a decreasing volume per unit length in a direction from the proximal end to the distal end thereof. In one aspect, the rotor assembly includes a cam operated occlusivity adjusting mechanism for translating the drive roller in a radial direction of the rotor assembly from a non-occluding storage position to a tube-occluding operative position. In another aspect, the housing includes a door forming an arcuate portion of the sidewall of the housing.

Abstract: An improved rotor for use with a segmented peristaltic cartridge comprising a housing and a cover for assembly, said assembled housing and cover defining a pumping chamber which holds the improved rotor, a rotor sleeve and a section of flexible tubing wrapped around the rotor and connected to respective inlet and outlet ports of the cartridge. The flexible rotor includes an eccentric structure wherein flexible beam members provided on an outer surface of the rotor form a compliant member which improves the flexibility of the rotor assembly to avoid excessive compression loads or high torque and/or dynamic leak back or low torque for the tubing in the cartridge.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump is provided having an adjustable flow regulation provided by an adjustable axial elongation means for the variable elongation of resilient tubing disposed between the associated rotors of a rotary peristaltic pump or the plurality of reciprocal pushers or fingers in a linear peristaltic pump to provide a radial compression of successive sections of the resilient tubing. The rotary or linear peristaltic pump includes a calibrated display and a variable speed electric motor having forward and reversing capabilities along with computer interface control for precisely metering and monitoring the volume of liquids for medical, biological and laboratory applications.

Abstract: An eccentric drive rotates inside a ring that is hinged to a plate and an astomeric curtain is wrapped around the ring and across an articulated plate. The curtain moves along a cylindrical wall inside the pump cavity to move fluid from an inlet to an outlet end of the chamber. Two or more chambers can be coupled in series or in parallel with one another.

Abstract: An improved segmented peristaltic cartridge comprising a housing and a cover for assembly in snap-fit relation, said housing and cover defining a pumping chamber having an open segment therein wherein the pumping chamber holds a rotor, a rotor sleeve and a section of flexible tubing looped around the rotor and connected to respective inlet and outlet ports of the cartridge. Mounted on an exterior face of the housing is a safety shield which protects the tubing exposed in the open segment of the cartridge when the cartridge is inserted into a motor pump frame. The cartridge includes free standing walls on the cartridge housing engaging registration surfaces on the cartridge cover, an improved dowel pin structure and peripheral ribs on the rear cover and engaging a rear face of the rotor to minimize friction therebetween.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump has an occluder ring (1) and a rotor (5) with drive rollers (16,17) for squeezing a flexible pipe (11) against the ring (1). The rotor has dogs (12a,12b) for overriding a bight of the pipe to load it through a gap (10) between a cover plate (8) of the rotor and the ring (1).

Abstract: Viscous active ingredients are introduced into the case of a galvanic cell by extrusion from a nozzle fed with the ingredients by a pumping device. The pumping device includes an elastic, substantially straight piece of hose, and a pressure roll which can be moved along the hose between two established limits, both in the general direction of the outlet nozzle to compress the hose, and in the opposite direction to assume a retracted position along the hose. The piece of hose is compressed at a point immediately adjacent to the hose segment defined between the established limits of the pressure roll so that the material to be metered does not come into contact with parts in relative motion to each other.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump, which includes a flexible tube arranged along a circular path and in which a compression member is driven by an electric motor via a gearing, is to be compact and easy to manufacture, so that it can be produced at such a low cost as to be also suitable for applications where it has previously been too expensive. To accomplish this, parts of the pump are combined with parts of the gearing.

Abstract: A medical fluid delivery system comprising a peristaltic pump unit and a fluid delivery set adapted to be operatively mounted on the pump unit. The fluid delivery set comprises a drip container for holding fluid to be pumped by the pump unit, and a formation on the drip container having an external contour of unique configuration. The pump unit comprising a holder having a socket therein for receiving and holding the drip container in an operative position on the pump unit. The socket has a uniquely configured internal contour adapted to mate with the uniquely configured external contour of the formation on the drip container whereby a fluid delivery set without the uniquely configured formation cannot be mounted in operative position on the pump unit.

Abstract: There is provided a medical fluid cassette made of thermoformed plastic material which cooperates with a medical control unit having retaining structure cooperable with the cassette to assist in controlling the flow of fluid through tubing associated with the cassette.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump is provided having an adjustable flow regulation provided by an adjustable axial elongation apparatus for the variable elongation of resilient tubing disposed between the associated rotors of a rotary peristaltic pump or the plurality of reciprocal pushers or fingers in a linear peristaltic pump to provide a radial compression of successive sections of the resilient tubing. The rotary or linear peristaltic pump include a calibrated display and a variable speed electric motor having forward and reversing capabilities along with computer interface control for precisely metering and monitoring the volume of liquids for medical, biological and laboratory applications.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a housing, a curved wall surface on the housing and a tube compressor carried by the housing. A compressible tube, which defines at least a portion of the passage, is positioned between the curved wall surface and the tube compressor. The tube compressor is mounted on the housing for free radial movement relative to the curved wall surface and for rotational movement. The tube compressor can be releasably drivingly coupled to an external rotary input so that the tube compressor can be rolled along the tube to pump fluid in the tube.

Abstract: In order to provide for the deflation of a tire, there is provided an orie in the rim of a wheel, a pusher element extending through the rim in a gas tight manner, the pusher element having one end communicating with gas pressure inside the tire and including means for selectively closing the orifice. The pusher element is mounted to the rim for movement between a first position wherein the means for selectively closing closes the orifice and a second position wherein the means for selectively closing opens the orifice. The pusher element has another end outside of the tire with a cam mounted thereto. A presser means mounted to be stationary relative to the rotation of the tire selectively engages the cam and moves the pusher element to the second position to control the opening of a valve to deflate the tire.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump wherein an annular internal surface of the housing and a sleeve-like annular section of an elastically deformable diaphragm define an annular pumping chamber which communicates with the fluid-admitting inlet and with the fluid-discharging outlet of the housing. The diaphragm is provided with an extension which projects radially outwardly from the sleeve-like section and is partially anchored in a socket of the housing. A weakened portion of the extension between the anchored portion and the sleeve-like section is received in a compartment between the inlet and outlet of the housing and is provided with one or more empty or fluid-filled cavities, with one or more recesses, with one or more holes and/or other elasticity enhancing features to ensure that the resistance of the sleeve-like section to deformation will be uniform in each of its parts including that which is integral with the extension.

Abstract: A pulsatile flow delivery apparatus includes a horse shoe shaped raceway, a tube, a milking mechanism, an occlusive clamp and a control device. The tube is disposed along the raceway. The milking mechanism has a pivot shaft, a rotating arm fixedly secured to the shaft and one milking roller rotatably mounted on one end of the rotating arm. The occlusive clamp has a stationary component, a mobile component disposed in opposed relation to the stationary component, and an actuator connected to the mobile component for moving the mobile component toward and away from the stationary component to clamp and release the downstream portion of the tube. The timing of opening and closing of the occlusive clamp is controlled by the control device to produce a pulsatile flow.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an elastic tubing pump and more particularly to an elastic tubing pump. The pump has an elastic tube communicating with a liquid supply source, a pressing means for pressing at least two points of a section of the elastic tube to seal the liquid therein, a driving means for pushing the pressing means in one direction of the elastic tube, a locking means for firmly holding the elastic tube from being moved by the pressing means, a shifting means for unlocking the locking means according to the driving operations of the driving means and for advancing the elastic tube by the length of its compressed section. The driving means can accelerate to compensate for the possible decrease in the liquid's flow through the tube during a time of shifting the elastic tube by one section's length.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump for pumping fluids through a flexible tube is described which has a quick release and engagement mechanism that permits easy and rapid removal or insertion of the flexible tube into the device. The quick release and engagement mechanism of the invention consists of a shoe mounted for vertical displacement on the body of the pump. Upward movement of the shoe engages the flexible tube holding the fluid to be pumped and locks the tube against the roller assembly containing an eccentrically mounted roller which intermittently engages the tube and forces fluid out of it. To disengage the flexible tube from the pump, the shoe is moved downward out of contact with the flexible tube.

Abstract: A hose pump (1) consisting of a hose (2), at least one, preferably two pressure rollers (3,4), a support plate (9) and a drive source (26). The hose (2) is paced in a hose receiving track (6) in the support plate (9). The rollers (3,4) are rotatably journalled on a common rotary shaft (10), whose center (11) is firmly connected with a drive shaft (12), which is perpendicular to the support face (5) of the support plate (9) engaging the rollers (3,4). The rollers (3,4) act on the hose (2) in the flow direction of the pump (1) and alternately determine, in specific angle ranges, the liquid volume flow discharged. The succeeding roller (4) cooperates with the hose (2) in such a manner that the hose is completely closed when the forwardly disposed roller (3), as seen in the flow direction, initiates its disengaging movement away from the hose (2).

Abstract: A peristaltic pump which utilizes a length of elastic tubing in effecting pumping action comprising a frame; a pumping chamber on the frame including peristaltic pumping means for progressively squeezing and releasing consecutive portions of an intermediate section of the tubing to pump fluid in the tubing in a predetermined direction; and tubing feeding means on the frame comprising gripping means to engage the outer periphery of the tubing, on at least one section adjacent to the tubing intermediate section, and feed the tubing through the pumping chamber in the predetermined direction at a controlled rate during pumping of the fluid. Preferably, the means to engage and feed the tubing comprises a powered wheel or roller mechanism having a friction gripping surface to controllably feed the tubing into the pump chamber. The roller may be configured to engage both tubing being fed into and tubing being fed out of the pump chamber.

Abstract: A self-loading peristaltic pump including a rotor rotatably mounted about a rotor axis, and a race having an internal surface for supporting a flexible tube in a pumping region between the rotor and the race, the surface including points that are at equal radii from the rotor axis in planes that are perpendicular to the rotor axis, the rotor including a roller for intermittently and progressively compressing the flexible tube against the race in the pumping region, the rotor including a radially extending rotor tab located outside of the pumping region for displacing the flexible tube toward the pumping region as the rotor rotates.

Abstract: A microsurgical irrigation/aspiration system is provided, including a controller having a pump roller head, actuators for occluding tubing, a suction sensor, and apparatus for mounting a pump cassette. The system cassette is suitable for mounting on the controller and has an opening with a pump tubing segment passing along an arcuate wall of the opening. When the cassette is mounted on the console, the roller head is engaged in the cassette opening and compresses the pump tubing segment against the arcuate wall. An infusion line passes through the cassette and is occludable by one of the actuators, and a vent line connected to the pump tubing segment is occludable by a second actuator. A suction sensing port on the cassette couples with the suction sensor in the controller.

Abstract: A medical drainage and irrigation system employs a reversible peristaltic pump to perform both drainage and irrigation. A motor control system independently controls the duty cycle and flow rate during drainage and irrigation using an electronic control to transfer the pumping direction between drainage and irrigation. A loop comprising a flow control valve assembly and external tubes connected thereto may be removed as an assembly for cleaning or discard.

Abstract: A dispenser for use particularly with viscous liquids which has a housing having positioned therein a collapsible reservoir for the liquid, a dispensing tube extending from the reservoir and positioned in front of a rolling member, and a front bar member which when pushed, causes the rolling member to contact the top of the dispensing tube and roll therealong to dispense predetermined, controlled amounts of liquid from the reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pumping chamber to be constructed as follows:A collapsible tubing is attached to an inlet fitting and to and outlet fitting to transport a biologic fluid such as blood therethrough. An outer tubing surrounds the collapsible tubing and is secured to the outer surface of the inlet fitting and to the outer surface of the outlet fitting, forming a chamber thereby. At least a duality of ports defining passageways through the wall of the outer tubing permits communication of the chamber with ambient conditions outside the chamber. The ports are designed to accept such devices as pressure gauges, alarm systems and devices to regulate intrachamber pressure, to observe arterial pressure, and to regulate collapse and occlusion of collapsible tubing in response to inadequate blood volumes.

Abstract: A system for delivering a drug to a patient according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown as being of modular construction including a control module and a reservoir module. The reservoir module is removably secured to the control module by a removable hinge member at one end and a locking member at the other end. The reservoir module includes a pressure plate upon which a tube extending from a drug container bag to the patient is supported. The control module includes a pumping mechanism including a camshaft which reciprocates valves and an expulsor in the control module engaging and interacting with the tube located on the pressure plate for forcing the drug from the drug container bag to the patient. In its most preferred form, the pressure plate includes standoffs which abut with the pump chassis for insuring proper spacing maintenance between the pressure plate of the reservoir module and the control module.

Abstract: A device in a peristaltic pump of the type including at least one pressure body (8) driven along a circular path, there being disposed concentrically around at least the major portion of this path a support structure (9, 10) accommodating an elastic hose (11) which is subjected to a local compression against the support structure by means of the pressure body as this body moves along its circular path, and an annular member (12) placed between the pressure body (8) and the hose (11), with its inner circumference abutting against the pressure body and its outer circumference abutting against the hose, towards which the annular member is locally pressed by the pressure body. The primary characteristic feature of the inventive device is a non-return valve (15) acting adjacent the end of the hose (11) connected to the pressure outlet (16) of the pump, at least part of the outer circumference of the annular member (12) together with the pressure body (8) constituting the operating means for this valve.

Abstract: A pressure pump for fluids having a pressure member 12, 12a of generally circular periphery, means 14, 14a for moving the pressure member in an orbital motion about an axis of rotation, and a sleeve member 16, 16a made of a pair of hinged jaws 22, 22a positionable about the pressure member and spaced for receiving and retaining flexible tubing 18, 18a in an annular space between the pressure member and the sleeve member with the tubing surrounding the pressure member for pumping of fluids through the tubing. In accordance with this invention the jaws define end surfaces which abut together in the closed position having slots 34, 34a defined through the end surfaces communicating between the annular space and the outside to receive lengths of the flexible tubing occupying the annular space and extending into and out of the annular space through the slots.

Abstract: A system for delivering a drug to a patient according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown as being of modular construction including a control module and a reservoir module. The reservoir module is removably secured to the control module by a removable hinge member at one end and a locking member at the other end. The reservoir module includes a pressure plate upon which a tube extending from a drug container bag to the patient is supported. The control module includes a pumping mechanism including a camshaft which reciprocates valves and an expulsor in the control module. The valves and expulsor engage and interact with the tube located on the pressure plate for forcing the drug from the drug container bag to the patient. In its most preferred form, the pressure plate includes standoffs which abut with the pump chassis for insuring proper spacing maintenance between the pressure plate of the reservoir module and the control module.

Abstract: A chamber of a peristaltic pump is described wherein a segment of the stator is removed so that said chamber containing the rotor and resilient tube may be stored with the resilient tube not pinched by the eccentric rotor. When the chamber is to be used, a cap is snapped over the chamber which completes the missing segment of the stator and the rotor is engaged to the motor shaft. When the rotor turns in the stator with all segments snapped together, liquid is conducted from inlet to outlet ports.

Abstract: A pressure pump for fluids having a pressure member 12, 12a of generally circular periphery, means 14, 14a for moving the pressure member in an orbital motion about an axis of rotation, and a sleeve member 16, 16a made of a pair of hinged jaws 22, 22a positionable about the pressure member and spaced for receiving and retaining flexible tubing 18, 18a in an annular space between the pressure member and the sleeve member with the tubing surrounding the pressure member for pumping of fluids through the tubing. In accordance with this invention the jaws define end surfaces which abut together in the closed position having slots 34, 34a defined through the end surfaces communicating between the annular space and the outside to receive lengths of the flexible tubing occupying the annular space and extending into and out of the annular space through the slots.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump having a single pumping roller mounted on an eccentric portion of a drive shaft for compression of an elastomeric tube wrapped at least one revolution therearound. The peripheral surface of the roller around which the tube is disposed comprises a frusto-conical surface. A tube compressor includes a central bore having a frusto-conical surface coaxial with the drive shaft and corresponding to the surface of the roller. Means are provided for selectively adjusting the axial position of the tube compressor to either increase or decrease the degree to which the tube is compressed upon rotation of the roller, thereby providing selective control of the output pressure of the pump. The output of the pump may be selectively varied by variation of the speed of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A pressure pump for fluids in flexible tubing, which comprises a pressure member of generally circular periphery adapted for orbital motion about an axis of rotation. A sleeve member is positioned about the pressure member and defines channel means for receiving and retaining the flexible tubing in a predetermined position between the pressure member and sleeve member, and surrounding the pressure member. The sleeve member may be divided into a pair of substantially semi-circular jaws attached together at one end in hinged relation, to permit opening and closing of the jaws about the pressure member to facilitate installation of the tubing.

Abstract: An integral tube-loading assembly for a peristaltic pump having an eccentric motor shaft mounting a rotor within a housing wall including a trunnion mounted on the rotor shaft, a first link pivotally mounted on the trunnion, a second link pivotally mounted on the first link, a tube-loading pin member carried in a slot in the second link, the trunnion and first and second links being positioned on the rotor so that the pin member is always directed at the maximum spacing between the rotor and the housing wall, and a threaded bore in the rotor for receiving the pin member in a stowed condition.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump comprising a housing member containing a member having resilient walls defining a lumen, a shaft is rotatably mounted in the housing and carries a pumping member thereon extending radially of the shaft which acts on the lumen in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the shaft. The defined lumen is preferably elliptical in cross-section.

Abstract: A hose pump comprises a housing in which a drive shaft is mounted. The shaft is provided with an obliquely extending shaft piece on which a swash plate is mounted. The swash plate end face presses against a hose which lies in an annular groove located in the underside of the housing cover. The swash plate does not substantially rotate relative to the housing or to the hose and therefore exerts substantially no shear on the hose.

Abstract: A peristaltic pumping system in which a length of elastic tubing connected at opposite ends to storage spools is advanced alternately in opposite directions through a pinch roll pair and in which opposite ends of the elastic tubing are connected in fluid communication alternately with pump intake and pump discharge conduits by a reversing valve. The valve is adjusted by means dependent on the direction of tubing travel through the pinch roll pair. The system is preferably incorporated in a cassette-like enclosure which may be removable received in a drive console. Alternately, the system may be self-contained in an enclosure adapted to be implanted in an animal body.

Abstract: A pressure pump for fluid in which tubing is wound about an orbitally movable pressure member inside of a sleeve member which is defined by a pair of pivotally mounted, substantially semi-circular jaws to permit opening and closing of the jaws about the pressure member to facilitate installation of tubing. Sliding gripper means may be carried by the pump and positioned to interact in one position with grippable means on the free ends of the jaws to hold them in closed relation, and for the sliding gripper means to be moved to a second position to permit the jaws to open. Simultaneously, the sliding gripper means can serve as a latch for a lid of the casing in which the pump is carried. Also the casing may have a partition with groove means having an enlarged portion for receiving joined connectors in the tubing, and a power source such as a battery may be attached to a removable portion of the casing in such a manner as to prevent accidental reverse installation of the battery.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting wave energy by utilizing the movement of the waves has a support or foundation suitably anchored so as to be relatively stable to wave movement. Pivotally attaching to the support is a pontoon member. The pontoon is so pivoted on the support that it moves in respect to the support in response to wave movement. The interior of the pontoon is partitioned to include two chambers, one located at each end of the pontoon. Each of the chambers includes a gas inlet and a gas outlet which are equipped with one way valves which restrict gas flow into the chambers via the inlet and out of the chambers via the outlet. A gas collecting system is attached to the gas outlet. The two chambers are connected together near the bottom of the pontoon by a connecting member. A movable member within the interior of the pontoon which is operatively associated with the connection member moves in response to wave movement.

Abstract: A dispensing device for use in dispensing measured quantities of fluent materials through a plurality of resiliently compressible dispensing tubes, the device comprising a housing having a tube zone for receiving a plurality of dispensing tubes; collapsing device for collapsing, in compression zones, dispensing tubes when located in the tube zone; displacement device for displacing the collapsing device to advance the compression zones along compression paths to dispense fluent materials through such dispensing tubes; and adjustment device for adjusting the effective length of at least one of the compression paths effected by the collapsing device during displacement thereof. A dispensing kit comprising a dispensing device as described, and a plurality of resiliently compressible dispensing tubes for location in the tube zone.

Abstract: A dispensing device for use in dispensing measured quantities of fluent material through a resiliently compressible dispensing tube, the device comprising a housing having a tube zone for receiving a dispensing tube, collapsing apparatus adapted to be rotatably driven by drive apparatus relatively to a tube located in the tube zone to collapse the tube in a compression zone and to advance the compression zone along a compression arc to dispense fluent material through the tube, and adjustment apparatus for adjusting the effective length of the compression arc, the adjustment apparatus comprising an adjustable cam member to co-operate with the collapsing apparatus and control the effective length of a compression arc during a revolution of the collapsing apparatus.

Abstract: A dispensing device for use in dispensing measured quantities of fluent materials through a plurality of resiliently compressible dispensing tubes, the device comprising a housing having a tube zone for receiving a plurality of dispensing tubes; collapsing device for collapsing, in compression zones, dispensing tubes when located in the tube zone; and displacement device for diplacing the collapsing device to advance the compression zones along compression paths to dispense fluent materials through such dispensing tubes, the compression paths being of differing effective lengths. A dispensing kit comprising a dispensing device as described, and a plurality of resiliently compressible dispensing tubes for location in the tube zone.

Abstract: An improved peristaltic pump includes a pivotably mounted pressure plate which, together with the pump roller elements, defines the pump chamber. The pivotal mounting of the pressure plate facilitates accessibility to the pump chamber in order to simplify the pump tube loading and unloading procedures. The mounting system for the pressure plate includes a mechanically-advantaged four-bar linkage arrangement which automatically retains the pressure plate in either its fully open or fully closed position as a result of an over-center type locking construction. The pump also includes a mechanism for adjusting the volume flow rate characteristic of a pump tube. This is particularly adaptable for a dual-tube system wherein a predetermined volume flow rate ratio is to be achieved.

Abstract: A dispensing device for toothpaste or other paste-like material, comprising an elastically deformable duct arranged within a housing and connected at one end to a container of the material to be dispensed and at the other end to a delivery mouth. Parallel to the duct there is movable a carriage having a member capable of engaging the duct to squeeze it in a given direction, thus causing dispensing of a controlled amount of the material contained in the duct, while simultaneously sucking up therein a substantially equal amount of material. The carriage is operable by a toothbrush or other receiving member which is insertable into the housing below the delivery mouth. The material is dispensed directly on the bristles of the toothbrush or other receiving member while the same travels below the delivery mouth during return of the carriage and toothbrush under the action of a return spring.

Abstract: A plant growing device includes a two sectional base having an upper and a lower portion, wherein a mechanism is provided for the controlled rotation of the upper portion relative to the stationary lower portion, and a flower pot containing a plant is positioned on top of the upper portion. A mechanism for delivering a controlled supply of water is coupled to the mechanism for rotation.

Abstract: An instrument for use with surgical procedures such as for clearing and disloding the contents of chest tubing, catheters, common duct T-tubing and IV tubing and the like. A pair of rollers are mounted on shafts which are hinged together at one end. A cylindrical handle is mounted on an opposite end of one shaft and an opposed thumb rest is mounted on the end of the other shaft. The hand of a user grasps the handle and thumb rest for moving the rollers into and out of engagement with opposite sides of the tubing. The instrument compresses the tubing and is moved any desired distance along its length for propelling tubing contents or creating suction within the tubing.