| 摘要 |
The present invention is related to inflatable devices, and, more specifically, to inflatable devices in combination with rigid surfaces and a method for deflating an inflatable device. According to one embodiment of the present invention an inflatable device is provided. The inflatable device includes a substantially fluid impermeable bladder (20) and an outlet (30) in the bladder (20). The inflatable device also includes a first substantially rigid surface (40) in contact with a first surface (44) of the fluid impermeable bladder and a second substantially rigid surface (42) in contact with the first surface (44) of the fluid impermeable bladder. In this embodiment, the first and second substantially rigid surfaces (40, 42) collectively are in contact with more than half of the first surface of the fluid impermeable barrier. According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method of deflating an inflatable device is provided. This method includes positioning a first and a second substantially rigid surface (40, 42) in contact with a first surface (44) of the inflatable device such that the first and second substantially rigid surfaces (40, 42) collectively are in contact with more than half of the first surface of the fluid impermeable barrier. The method further includes applying pressure to at least one of the first and second substantially rigid surfaces to force air out of the bladder. According to another embodiment of the present invention, an inflatable device is provided. The inflatable device includes a substantially fluid-impermeable bladder, an outlet disposed within the bladder, a covering layer comprising an opening and an anchor positioned proximate to the outlet and connected to the bladder and the covering layer.
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