Patent ID: 6539987
Filing Date: 2003-04-01
Classification: B43K,F16K

Abstract:
A method of altering the pressure within an enclosure, comprising the steps of:(a) providing the enclosure, wherein the enclosure comprises a passageway by which the enclosure is in fluid communication with a gaseous external environment, wherein said passageway comprises a valve, wherein said valve comprises a bi-stable invertible element comprising a first port therein, and wherein said bi-stable invertible element comprises an open mode wherein said first port allows fluid passage therethrough, and a closed mode wherein said first port is blocked and fluid communication therethrough is prevented; (b) placing the enclosure into a chamber providing said gaseous external environment at a first pressure with said bi-stable invertible element in said open mode; (c) changing said gaseous external environment of step â€œbâ€  to a second pressure, wherein said second pressure is different from said first pressure; (d) changing said gaseous external environment of step â€œcâ€  to a third pressure different from said second pressure at a rate sufficient to convert said bi-stable invertible element from said open mode to said closed mode, whereby said passageway is blocked; and (e) removing the enclosure from said chamber.