PINCH VALVE

The invention relates to a pinch valve comprising a valve element (4) with precisely one flow channel (20) that is surrounded by a circumferential wall (21) and has an inlet opening (24), which is designed for connecting a connection member (2) or which adjoins a connection element (2a), at a first end and an outlet opening (25), which is designed for connecting a connection member (2) or adjoins a connection element (2a), at a second end. The valve element (4) additionally has a pair of force transmitting elements (19, 19′) or a force transmitting element (19) and a fixing element (26) which are connected to the circumferential wall (21) in a central closing region (18) that is arranged between the inlet opening and the outlet opening. The force transmitting elements (19, 19′) or the force transmitting element (19) and the fixing element (26) are arranged at least substantially perpendicularly to the flow direction of the flow channel (20). The circumferential wall (21) consists of an elastic material such that the force transmitting elements (19, 19′), or the force transmitting element (19) and the fixing element (26), can be moved towards each other under the effect of a pressure or tensile force perpendicularly to the flow direction of the flow channel (20). In the absence of a pressure or tensile force acting on a force transmitting element (19, 19′), the circumferential wall (21) has a cross-section which differs from a circle in the central closing region (18). In the cross-section, the circumferential wall (21) surrounds a flow channel (20) surface area which is constant at least substantially over the entire valve element (4). Thus, the average flow speed is at least substantially uniform at all positions along the valve element (4).