Abstract: A high torque polymer fittings useful in fluid handling systems. The fittings are especially useful for fluid handling fittings having diameters of one inch or greater. Various embodiments of the fittings disclosed accommodate specialized wrenches for securing the fittings, the wrenches being used to tighten the fittings to a desired torque.

Abstract: An alignment system for aligning the cover and base of an inner pod of a reticle carrier. The cover and base can each be provided with hard planar surface seal zones on the bottom surface and the top surface, respectively. The cover of the inner pod may be provided with a through hole or a blind hole into which an alignment pin is disposed. The base is provided with a guide recess to receive the distal end of the alignment pin. The alignment pin operates to limit contact surface area between the cover and the base during that is in sliding contact, thus inhibiting particulate generation. Low particulate-generating materials, such as stainless steel or polyamide-imide, can also be utilized to further reduce particulate generation. Furthermore, the cover and base can each be unitary without need for fastening components thereto, thereby eliminating clamped surfaces that can entrap and subsequently shed particulates.

Abstract: A high torque polymer fittings useful in fluid handling systems. The fittings are especially useful for fluid handling fittings having diameters of one inch or greater. Various embodiments of the fittings disclosed accommodate specialized wrenches for securing the fittings, the wrenches being used to tighten the fittings to a desired torque.

Abstract: A dual containment pod having an outer pod and an inner pod that provides support structure and environmental control means. The inner pod includes a base having a flat, polished surface with protrusions upon which the reticle seats and providing a gap between the reticle and the polished surface. The gap separates the reticle from the flat, polished surface of the base and is dimensioned to inhibit migration of particles into the gap, thereby preventing contamination of sensitive surfaces of the wafer or reticle. The top cover of the inner pod seats on the polished surface proximate a periphery of the base. Moveable reticle engaging pins on the top cover of the inner pod are engaged by the top cover of the outer container when the inner pod is assembled inside the outer pod providing reticle restraint.

Abstract: An alignment system for aligning the cover and base of an inner pod of a reticle carrier. The cover and base can each be provided with hard planar surface seal zones on the bottom surface and the top surface, respectively. The cover of the inner pod may be provided with a through hole or a blind hole into which an alignment pin is disposed. The base is provided with a guide recess to receive the distal end of the alignment pin. The alignment pin operates to limit contact surface area between the cover and the base during that is in sliding contact, thus inhibiting particulate generation. Low particulate-generating materials, such as stainless steel or polyamide-imide, can also be utilized to further reduce particulate generation. Furthermore, the cover and base can each be unitary without need for fastening components thereto, thereby eliminating clamped surfaces that can entrap and subsequently shed particulates.

Abstract: A dual containment pod having an outer pod and an inner pod that provides support structure and environmental control means. The inner pod includes a base having a flat, polished surface with protrusions upon which the reticle seats and providing a gap between the reticle and the polished surface. The gap separates the reticle from the flat, polished surface of the base and is dimensioned to inhibit migration of particles into the gap, thereby preventing contamination of sensitive surfaces of the wafer or reticle. The top cover of the inner pod seats on the polished surface proximate a periphery of the base. Moveable reticle engaging pins on the top cover of the inner pod are engaged by the top cover of the outer container when the inner pod is assembled inside the outer pod providing reticle restraint.

Abstract: A dual containment pod having an outer pod and an inner pod that provides support structure and environmental control means. The inner pod includes a base having a flat, polished surface with protrusions upon which the reticle seats and providing a gap between the reticle and the polished surface. The gap separates the reticle from the flat, polished surface of the base and is dimensioned to inhibit migration of particles into the gap, thereby preventing contamination of sensitive surfaces of the wafer or reticle. The top cover of the inner pod seats on the polished surface proximate a periphery of the base. Moveable reticle engaging pins on the top cover of the inner pod are engaged by the top cover of the outer container when the inner pod is assembled inside the outer pod providing reticle restraint.

Abstract: A container that provides support structure and environmental control means including, for example, minimal contact with a wafer or reticle contained therein that cooperates with wafer or reticle to provide a diffusion barrier mitigates against particles settling on a face of the wafer or reticle. The container includes a base having a flat, polished surface with protrusions upon which the wafer or reticle rests. The protrusions are of a geometry, such as a sphere, that imparts minimum contact with the wafer or reticle and suspends the wafer or reticle over the base, providing a gap therebetween. The gap isolates the wafer or reticle from the flat, polished surface of the base, but is dimensioned to inhibit migration of particles into the gap, thereby preventing contamination of sensitive surfaces of the wafer or reticle. Diffusion filters provide pressure equalization without filter media. Moveable reticle pins on the top cover provide reticle restraint.

Abstract: A purging station with a substrate container receiving zone having at least one upwardly extending purging nozzle. The nozzle has a circular engaging lip. The substrate container has support means for at least one substrate and a purge port assembly that includes an externally facing sealing flange facing downward from the container. The sealing flange has a central aperture and a cantilevered flange portion that engages with the circular engaging lip of the nozzle. The weight of the substrate container on the nozzle carried by the canilevered portion of the flange causes bending of the flange for a resilient soft seal.

Abstract: A purging station with a substrate container receiving zone having at least one upwardly extending purging nozzle. The nozzle has a circular engaging lip. The substrate container has support means for at least one substrate and a purge port assembly that includes an externally facing sealing flange facing downward from the container. The sealing flange has a central aperture and a cantilevered flange portion that engages with the circular engaging lip of the nozzle. The weight of the substrate container on the nozzle carried by the canilevered portion of the flange causes bending of the flange for a resilient soft seal.

Abstract: A carrier tape for holding a plurality of disks includes a thin, elongate strip of polymer material presenting a longitudinal axis and having a plurality of pockets defined therein. Each pocket is adapted to receive a separate one of the disks. The pockets are spaced apart and arranged along the longitudinal axis of the strip, and each pocket has at least one operable disk restraining structure for retaining the disk when the disk is received in the pocket.

Abstract: A shipper for memory disks comprises a cassette having an open top and an open bottom, a top cover to cover the open top, and a bottom cover to cover the bottom. The body portion has opposing side walls and opposing end walls. The two side walls each have with a vertical upper portions and an inwardly converging bottom portion. Said sidewalls have inwardly facing elongate teeth or spacers defining slots to hold the substrates in a vertically positioned and spaced array. Each tooth is continuous from the open top to the open bottom and each tooth has a upper vertical portion at the vertical upper portion of the side wall and a converging lower portion at the bottom portion of the side walls. The converging lower portion of each tooth follows the convergence of the bottom portions of the sidewalls.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a sight tube flowmeter is formed of a plurality of fluoropolymer components welded together to form a unitary flowmeter body. The components can comprise a PFA upright sight tube having two end portions, a flow conduit extending therethrough and two fitting portions that are uniquely welded onto each end of the sight tube, and a fluoropolymer float device movable to various positions within the flow conduit depending on the flow level of the fluid flowing therethrough. The float device can be of conventional design or for those flowmeter embodiments where low fluid flow rates are to be measured, an elongate float can be utilized. The floats and, in particular, a designated portion thereof, are visible through the sight tube to provide visual indication of the position, and thus the flow rate of fluid flowing through the flowmeter. In addition, alternative embodiments include the implementation of the unique sight tube and elongate float design in conventional flowmeters.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a sight tube flowmeter is formed of a plurality of fluoropolymer components welded together to form a unitary flowmeter body. The components can comprise a PFA upright sight tube having two end portions, a flow conduit extending therethrough and two fitting portions that are uniquely welded onto each end of the sight tube, and a fluoropolymer float device movable to various positions within the flow conduit depending on the flow level of the fluid flowing therethrough. The float device can be of conventional design or for those flowmeter embodiments where low fluid flow rates are to be measured, an elongate float can be utilized. The floats and, in particular, a designated portion thereof, are visible through the sight tube to provide visual indication of the position, and thus the flow rate of fluid flowing through the flowmeter. In addition, alternative embodiments include the implementation of the unique sight tube and elongate float design in conventional flowmeters.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a sight tube flowmeter is formed of a plurality of fluoropolymer components welded together to form a unitary flowmeter body. The components can comprise a PFA upright sight tube having two end portions, a flow conduit extending therethrough and two fitting portions that are uniquely welded onto each end of the sight tube, and a fluoropolymer float device movable to various positions within the flow conduit depending on the flow level of the fluid flowing therethrough. The float device can be of conventional design or for those flowmeter embodiments where low fluid flow rates are to be measured, an elongate float can be utilized. The floats and, in particular, a designated portion thereof, are visible through the sight tube to provide visual indication of the position, and thus the flow rate of fluid flowing through the flowmeter. In addition, alternative embodiments include the implementation of the unique sight tube and elongate float design in conventional flowmeters.