Door opening system and method.

摘要

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. <IMAGE>