Patent ID: 7140590

Claim:
A pinch valve for regulating fluid flow through a flush valve extending between a fluid inlet in connection with a source of fluid and a fluid outlet in connection with a plumbing fixture, the pinch valve comprising: a cartridge member having a cartridge chamber wall extending between a fluid inlet opening and a fluid outlet opening and defining a cartridge chamber therebetween; a flexible sealing member positioned at least partially within the cartridge chamber and having a flexible wall with an inner surface defining a flow chamber extending between the fluid inlet opening and the fluid outlet opening of the cartridge member, and an outer surface defining a pressure chamber between the outer surface of the flexible wall and the cartridge chamber wall, wherein the flexible wall is adapted to constrict upon itself when a fluid force in the pressure chamber is at least equal to the fluid force in the flow chamber to close the flow chamber and prevent fluid flow therethrough; wherein the cartridge member comprises at least one fluid inlet channel extending therethrough and in fluid communication with the fluid inlet for fluid flow into the pressure chamber; and at least one separate fluid outlet channel extending therethrough and in fluid communication with the fluid outlet for fluid flow out of the pressure chamber, and said fluid outlet channel configured to be sealed to prevent fluid flow out of the pressure chamber.