Device and method for clearing tubing
A device for moving contents of a tube by acting on the exterior of the tube is provided. The device includes a housing having a tube passageway extending along a length thereof for holding a tube therein. A first roller and a second roller are moveable between a first position and a second position and configured to compress the tube in the second position. A first roller chassis is coupled to the housing for mounting the first roller therein and a second roller chassis is coupled to the housing for mounting the second roller therein. The first and second roller chasses are moveable between a first position in which the tube is disengaged and a second position in which the tube is engaged. A lever operably coupled to the housing causes the first or second roller to pivot and engage the tube positioned within the passageway.
1. A device for moving contents of a tube by acting on the exterior of the tube comprising:
a housing including a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion including a tube passageway extending along a length thereof for holding the tube therein;
a first roller and a second roller moveable between a first positon and a second position and configured to compress the tube in the second position;
a first roller chassis coupled to the housing for mounting the first roller therein and a second roller chassis coupled to the housing for mounting the second roller therein, the first and second roller chassis moveable between a first position in which the tube is disengaged and a second position in which the tube is engaged;
a motor for energizing at least the first roller; and
at least one lever operably coupled to the housing for actuating the motor.
2. The device for clearing tubing of claim 1 wherein the first roller includes a convex projection and the second roller includes a concave channel that matingly receives the convex projection.
3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first roller comprises a convex projection.
4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the second roller comprises a concave channel.
5. The device for clearing tubing of claim 1 further comprising biasing means for biasing the first roller chassis in the first position.
6. The device for clearing tubing of claim 5 wherein the biasing means is a leaf spring.
7. The device for clearing tubing of claim 5 wherein the biasing means is a compression spring.
8. The device for clearing tubing of claim 1 wherein the at least one lever comprises first and second levers mounted to the housing at a single pivot point.
9. The device of claim 1 wherein the motor energizes the first and second rollers.
10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the motor is a first motor that energizes the first roller, and wherein the device further comprises a second motor that energizes the second roller.
11. The device of claim 1 wherein the motor energizes only the first roller or the second roller.
12. The device of claim 1 wherein the first and second rollers are configured to matingly compress the tubing by a pre-determined amount.
13. The device of claim 1 wherein said first and second roller chassis are pivotally coupled to the housing to pivot from the first position to the second position.
14. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one lever is configured to actuate the motor causing the first or second roller to pivot and engage the tube positioned within the passageway.