Abstract: An apparatus is provided for opening a Standardized Mechanical Interface transport box and facilitating access to the articles within the transport box by mechanisms inside a pressurized, isolated, controlled environment while maintaining isolated, controlled environment conditions, the apparatus comprising: a base for opening the transport box and supporting the box port and articles within, a platform for lifting the remainder of the transport box, a mechanism for lifting the platform, a flexible seal between the base and platform with devices for controlling contamination by use of the controlled environment pressurization and a pocket-style door providing isolation to the controlled environment when the transport box is either closed or not present. The apparatus further includes a base extender slidably movable into the controlled environment and devices for sensing mispositioned articles following return of the articles from the controlled environment to the base of the transport box.