The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 08, 1994
Filed:
Sep. 24, 1992
Gary M Gallagher, Wappingers Falls, NY (US);
Gordon E Johnson, Redding, CT (US);
Internatinal Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
A reusable isolation structure features an easily cleanable shell. The opening of the shell includes a groove formed around the periphery thereof and is preferably not more than slightly smaller than an interior cross-section of the shell. A closure member (door) of the isolation structure is dimensioned to fit within the opening and has a resilient seal member clamped to the periphery of a backbone by front and rear plates. The front and rear plates cooperate with grooves formed in the backbone to define a preferred form of manifold for coupling pressure or a vacuum to the interior of the resilient seal member whereby the resilient seal member may be collapsed to allow removal of the closure member or allowed to expand or pressurized to provide secure closure member. A vacuum structure for handling the closure member simultaneously provides for evacuation and controlled collapse of the resilient seal member as well as containment of contamination of the exterior thereof.