Patent ID: 8083272

Claim:
A mechanically actuated airtight device for a wafer carrier, the device comprising: a cover, having a stem, a first face and a second face, and the cover being formed with at least one hole therethrough; at least one sealing gasket, the sealing gasket being positioned above the hole of the cover, the sealing gasket having a base in a form of a wedged ramp, and the base having a through opening; a first plate and a second plate, wherein the first plate having a first and a second face, the second plate having a first and a second face, and each of the first plate and the second plate having a lug with a first side and a second side, the first side of the lug being provided with a protuberance, and the first face of the first plate being provided with at least one wedged ramp, and the wedged ramp of the first face of the first plate having a slope equal to that of the wedged ramp of the base, such that the wedged ramp of the first face of the first plate and the wedged ramp of the base mate each other along the slope surfaces; a driving wheel, having a first face and a second face, the first face of the driving wheel being provided with stops and a first guiding groove, the first face of the driving wheel facing the second face of the first plate and the second face of the second plate, the second face of the driving wheel being provided with a second guiding groove, wherein the driving wheel abuts the lug of the first plate and the lug of the second plate, and the abutment allows the protuberance of the first plate and the protuberance of the second plate to move along the first guiding groove and is limited by the stops; and a bottom having a first face and a second face, the first face of the bottom being coupled to the second face of the driving wheel, and the bottom being engaged with the cover, wherein a circular rail is provided on the first face of the bottom and moves along the second guiding groove on the second face of the driving wheel; wherein the first plate and the second plate linearly move inward toward the stem and outward away from the stem by rotating the driving wheel such that the wedged ramp of the base and the wedged ramp of the first face of the first plate seal or release the through opening.