Patent ID: 7007824

Claim:
A flow control apparatus for controlling the flow of a fluent material, the flow control apparatus comprising: a flexible container comprising, a first flexible sheet; a second flexible sheet at least partially in opposed relation with the first sheet such that the first and second sheets define at least one cell capable of holding the fluent material; a manifold located between the first and second sheets for passaging fluent material within the container, the manifold including port structure extending into said cell and defining a port providing fluid communication between the cell and the manifold, the port structure being substantially rigid; a shell sized and shaped for receiving at least a portion of the flexible container therein; a fluid pressure system capable of selectively applying positive pressure and vacuum pressure to the flexible container for deforming at least one of the first and second flexible sheets to move fluent material within the container, the port structure of the manifold holding the port open as the fluid pressure system deforms the flexible material.