Patent ID: 8869815
Filing Date: 2014-10-28
Classification: F04B,F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for manufacturing a pinch valve, the method comprising: providing a first substrate and a second substrate, each having at least one recess; providing a third elastic substrate; connecting the first substrate to the third substrate and connecting the third substrate to the second substrate; wherein the pinch valve is a microfluidic pinch valve, which includes: wherein the third substrate is formed from an elastic material and is situated between the first substrate and the second substrate; wherein the first substrate adjoins the third substrate and has at least one first recess on a side of the first substrate that is adjacent to the third substrate; wherein the second substrate adjoins the third substrate and has at least one second recess on a side of the second substrate that is adjacent to the third substrate; wherein the first recess and the second recess are situated at least partially opposite each other; prior to connecting the third substrate to the first substrate and the second substrate, forming an energy director structure on at least one of the first substrate, the second substrate, and the third substrate; and using ultrasonic welding to connect the third substrate to the first and the second substrates, wherein each energy director structure pinches the third substrate between the first and the second substrates and causes the welding to occur at a location of the energy director structure.