PASSIVE VALVES FOR VACUUM MANIFOLDS

A valve can be located in a vacuum manifold between a vacuum chamber and a port. The valve includes a moving component that has opposing first and second ends and is movable between a closed position and an open position. A channel extends through the moving component between the first and second ends. A bleed orifice extends through the moving component between the channel and a side of the moving component. In the closed position, the first end of the moving component is in contact with the vacuum chamber. When a vacuum is drawn in the vacuum chamber and an object engages the port, the bleed orifice permits gas to such so that a pressure on the second end of the moving component is reduced to overcome a force of the biasing mechanism and cause the moving component to passively move from the closed position to the open position.