Abstract: An elastic tube, having an inlet end adapted to communicate with liquid to be metered incrementally and an outlet end connected to a discharge nozzle having an orifice, is arranged to be collapsed at inlet, outlet and intermediate positions (at least three positions) in a programmed cycle such that liquid is trapped in the intermediate position between collapsed inlet and outlet positions, thereby determining the size of the increment. Air is drawn in through the nozzle upon unloading the inlet position, thereby to suck in any liquid which may have accumulated at the nozzle and thus to prevent any inadvertent dropping off of liquid from the nozzle. The liquid is then discharged through the nozzle by collapsing the intermediate and outlet positions in succession, and liquid is drawn in through the inlet end upon unloading the inlet and intermediate positions, thereby starting the cycle over.

Abstract: A serial dilution is effected by sucking a determined increment of liquid to be diluted and air into an elastic tube and discharging both the air and the liquid through a nozzle into a diluting liquid by collapsing the tube at predetermined pressing points in a predetermined cycle.