Patent ID: 7004508

Claim:
A flexible drain element comprising: a) a hollow tubular one-piece body having (1) a distal end, (2) a proximal end, and (3) a central axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end; b) a section of said one-piece body which includes (1) a first end located near and spaced apart from the distal end, (2) a second end located near and spaced apart from the proximal end, (3) said section being stiffer adjacent to the first end than adjacent to the second end with the stiffness of said section of said one-piece body increasing in a flow direction of fluid flowing through said one-piece body from the proximal end to the distal end; c) said body having a first uniform stiffness between the distal end and the first end of said section, with the first stiffness being equal to the stiffness of said section adjacent to the first end; d) said body having a second uniform stiffness between the proximal end and the second end of said section, with the second stiffness being equal to the stiffness of said section adjacent to the second end; e) a first clamp surrounding said body adjacent to the distal end of said body; and f) a second clamp surrounding said body adjacent to the proximal end of said body.