Patent ID: 6959905

Claim:
A pinch valve for regulating fluid flow through a flush valve extending between a fluid inlet in fluid communication with a source of fluid and a fluid outlet in fluid communication 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 fluid inlet in connection with the source of fluid is in fluid communication with the flow chamber and the pressure chamber of the pinch valve; wherein the cartridge member further comprises at least one fluid outlet channel extending therethrough for fluid flow out of the pressure chamber; wherein the fluid outlet channel includes a sealing member for sealing engagement to prevent fluid flow out of the pressure chamber; and wherein the plumbing fixture includes an actuation mechanism in operative communication with the pressure chamber, such that actuation of the actuation mechanism relieves the pressure chamber of pressure, reducing the fluid force in the pressure chamber to less than the fluid force in the flow chamber, such that the flexible wall of the flexible sealing member collapses, thereby permitting fluid flow through the flow chamber.