Abstract: A wafer container with a latch mechanism that provides sealing for large wafer containers, such as for 450 mm wafers, accomplishes secure door closing and latching with reduced torque requirements for rotating the central rotatable cam plate. In various embodiments, a camming slot formed in the rotatable cammed plate is arcuate and defined by opposing cam surfaces which are selectively engaged by a cam follower, such as a roller, attached to a proximal end of a latch arm. The roller can include unitary axle portions that snap into the proximal end of the latch arm and is supported at both axial ends of the roller. The proximal end of the latch arm can include parallel extensions separated by a gap, and have guide in surfaces to deflect the extensions as the axle portions of the roller are forced into position thereby seating the roller at both axial ends.

Abstract: A reticle pod includes an outer pod, an inner pod cover and an inner base plate. A reticle is supported on the base and is contained within the environment created by the inner pod cover and the inner pod base. The inner pod cover can include a plurality of reticle retainers configured to contact a side wall of the reticle and limit movement of the reticle in a horizontal direction.

Abstract: A substrate container (1100) includes a shell (1105) defining an opening and a door (1505) for selectively sealing the opening. A cantilevered support tray (1120) supports a substrate (1115) within the shell (1105). The support tray (1120) includes a support collar (1300) for coupling the support tray (1120) to a support post (1215) such that the support tray (1120) is cantilevered from the support post (1215).

Abstract: A purge configurable wafer shipper. The container includes an enclosure portion with an open side or bottom, a door to sealing close the open side or bottom. One of the door and the container portion includes an opening formed in the enclosure portion to provide a fluid passageway from an interior of the wafer shipper to an exterior region. The opening may include a module receiving structure that defines the fluid passageway. A sealing member is included for insertion into the module receiving structure. The sealing member has a body portion including a support flange positioned proximate a lower portion of the body portion, a circumferential groove in the exterior surface of the body portion, and an O-ring positioned at least partially within the circumferential groove.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods providing a ballast system for adjusting the center of gravity of a standardized front opening wafer container. Various embodiments of the disclosure present ballast systems that are low profile, do not require modifications to the shell of the wafer container, and can be retrofit to existing wafer carriers. In some embodiments, these capabilities are accomplished by a ballast that mounts to a kinematic coupling plate of the wafer container. In one embodiment, the ballasting can also provide sufficient counter force to the lifting forces associated with purging of the wafer container, thereby preventing “lift off” of the wafer container during purging operations. The ballasts can be removed for shipping of the wafer container, thereby decreasing shipping costs.

Abstract: An improved wafer support mechanism in a wafer container useful for carrying a plurality of axially aligned thin mostly circular wafer substrates. The container includes a cassette that has a plurality of adjacently disposed teeth for receiving the substrates, wherein each rib member is continuous from the cassette open top to the cassette open bottom, a removable top cover portion, a removable bottom cover portion, a cushion assembly removably attached to the container top cover, and another cushion assembly removably located in the container bottom cover and held in place by the weight of the wafer cassette. The top cushions are formed of individual segments having an extended lead-in feature at the end of each segment, spring sections in each segment and each segment has a V-shaped cross section to receive the wafer edge. The top and bottom cushions are installed in the top and bottom container covers, respectively, and extend the wafer support to approximately the entire circumference of each wafer.

Abstract: A wafer container with a latch mechanism that provides sealing for large wafer containers, such as for 450 mm wafers, accomplishes secure door closing and latching with reduced torque requirements for rotating the central rotatable cam plate. In various embodiments, a camming slot formed in the rotatable cammed plate is arcuate and defined by opposing cam surfaces which are selectively engaged by a cam follower, such as a roller, attached to a proximal end of a latch arm. The roller can include unitary axle portions that snap into the proximal end of the latch arm and is supported at both axial ends of the roller. The proximal end of the latch arm can include parallel extensions separated by a gap, and have guide in surfaces to deflect the extensions as the axle portions of the roller are forced into position thereby seating the roller at both axial ends.

Abstract: A substrate container (100) includes a base (105) and a cover (115). The cover (115) mates with the base (105) to define an enclosure. A stack of interlocking trays (405) can be disposed within the base (105). Each interlocking tray (405) includes an inset flange (410) defining a registration face (420) for supporting a substrate. The interlocking tray (405) also includes a shoulder portion (415). A relief feature (435) is defined at the junction point between the shoulder portion (415) and the registration face (420). The relief feature (435) may prevent the sharp edges of the substrate from contacting the shoulder portion (415), thereby reducing particle generation.

Abstract: A substrate container (100) includes a receptacle (105) and a cover (110). The receptacle (105) includes a base portion (115) for supporting a substrate and a side wall portion (120) extending upward from the base portion (115). The cover (110) defines a closure over the receptacle (105). In one embodiment, the receptacle (105) includes a first alignment feature (300, 305) located on an exterior surface of the receptacle (105). The first alignment feature (300, 305) interfaces with automation for aligning the receptacle (105). In another embodiment, the cover (110) includes a contoured surface (135) for applying a compressive load to the contents of the substrate container (100).

Abstract: A wafer container with a latch mechanism that provides sealing for large wafer containers, such as for 450 mm wafers, accomplishes secure door closing and latching with reduced torque requirements for rotating the central rotatable cam plate. In various embodiments, a camming slot formed in the rotatable cammed plate is arcuate and defined by opposing cam surfaces which are selectively engaged by a cam follower, such as a roller, attached to a proximal end of a latch arm. The roller can include unitary axle portions that snap into the proximal end of the latch arm and is supported at both axial ends of the roller. The proximal end of the latch arm can include parallel extensions separated by a gap, and have guide in surfaces to deflect the extensions as the axle portions of the roller are forced into position thereby seating the roller at both axial ends.

Abstract: A front opening wafer container suitable for large wafers such as 450 mm utilizes componentry with separate fasteners to lock the componentry together in an expedient manner providing robust connections and cost efficiencies. A container portion has an open front and receives on a bottom surface a base plate secured by twist lock connectors that also provide recesses for purge grommets. Kinematic coupling components readily and robustly lock onto the base plate. Interior wafer support components latch onto brackets on the side walls utilizing a separate locking insert with holding tabs and locking detents. A wafer retainer provides support and counters enhanced wafer sag associated with 450 mm wafers when the door is installed and seated.

Abstract: A front opening wafer container suitable, for large diameter wafers, 300 mm and above, utilizes a removable robotic flange that attaches vertically, without separate fasteners, using detents having resilient bending members that extend vertically to attach to an upwardly extending flange on the top wall of the container portion. A multiplicity of upwardly and outwardly extending strengthening ribs extend upwardly from the top wall of the container portion and extend along the top wall toward the left and right sides and the back side of the container portion, ad each of all four sides of the attachment flange. A further locking piece or core may be inserted and retained at the neck of the robotic flange to lock the resilient deflectable portions in their retention position. The locking piece further may be secured in place with a detent mechanism formed by part of the core and flanges.

Abstract: A front opening wafer container with a forward and rearward sets of stacked V-shaped wafer edge receiving portions, the rearward set part of a wafer shelf component and comprising a thin film of PBT preformed and overmolded with a polycarbonate. The sets of stacked V-shaped wafer edge receiving portions providing between-shelf seating positions above on-shelf seating positions. The PBT providing a low friction sliding engagement surface for the wafer edges thereby providing uniform and consistent dropping of wafers from the between shelf position to the on-shelf position when the door of the wafer container is removed.

Abstract: A purge configurable wafer shipper. The container includes an enclosure portion with an open side or bottom, a door to sealing close the open side or bottom. One of the door and the container portion includes an opening formed in the enclosure to provide a fluid passageway from an interior of the wafer shipper to an exterior region. The opening may include a module receiving structure that defines the fluid passageway. A sealing member is included for insertion into the module receiving structure. The sealing member has a body portion including a support flange positioned proximate a lower portion of the body portion, a circumferential groove in the exterior surface of the body portion, and an O-ring positioned at least partially within the circumferential groove.

Abstract: A wafer container that reduces or alleviates one or more of the problems associated with excessive container wall deflection due to loading and excessive particulate generation, particularly as those problems are experienced with containers for 450 mm diameter and larger wafers. The container has an enclosure and door with interlocking features to enable transfer of tension load to the door to minimize deflection of container surfaces. The container may include a gasketing arrangement compatible with the interlock feature. The container may include a removable door guide that improves centering of the door during door installation, and that is made of low particle generating material to reduce particulates.

Abstract: A wafer container that reduces or alleviates one or more of the problems associated with excessive container wall deflection due to loading and excessive particulate generation, particularly as those problems are experienced with containers for 450 mm diameter and larger wafers. The container has an enclosure and door with interlocking features to enable transfer of tension load to the door to minimize deflection of container surfaces. The container may include a gasketing arrangement compatible with the interlock feature. The container may include a removable door guide that improves centering of the door during door installation, and that is made of low particle generating material to reduce particulates.

Abstract: A cushioned wafer container system having removable wafer cushions for transporting large-diameter wafers. The system includes a wafer container enclosure defining a front opening and including a rear wall, and a plurality of wafer supports defining a plurality of slots; a front door configured to attach to the wafer enclosure at the front opening and defining a front side and a rear side; a primary wafer cushion coupled to a rear side of the front door at a central portion of the front door, the primary wafer cushion defining a plurality of wafer grooves, each of the grooves of the primary wafer cushion aligned with a slot of the wafer supports; and a first removable wafer cushion attachable to the rear side of the front door adjacent the primary wafer cushion, the first removable wafer cushion defining a plurality of wafer-receiving grooves in alignment with the grooves and slots.

Abstract: A front semiconductor opening wafer container for large diameter wafers includes a container portion and a door. The container portion includes a left closed side, a right closed side, a closed back, an open front, and an open interior including a plurality of slots for receiving and containing the wafers. The door is attachable to the container portion to close the open front and selectively latchable to the container portion. Optimized sag control is provided as well as enhanced structural rigidity, and wafer seating features.

Abstract: An improved wafer support mechanism in a wafer container useful for carrying a plurality of axially aligned thin mostly circular wafer substrates. The container includes a cassette that has a plurality of adjacently disposed teeth for receiving the substrates, wherein each rib member is continuous from the cassette open top to the cassette open bottom, a removable top cover portion, a removable bottom cover portion, a cushion assembly removably attached to the container top cover, and another cushion assembly removably located in the container bottom cover and held in place by the weight of the wafer cassette. The top cushions are formed of individual segments having an extended lead-in feature at the end of each segment, spring sections in each segment and each segment has a V-shaped cross section to receive the wafer edge. The top and bottom cushions are installed in the top and bottom container covers, respectively, and extend the wafer support to approximately the entire circumference of each wafer.

Abstract: A wafer container may be a front opening wafer container comprising a container portion and a door, one of the container portion and the door having a radially installed seal with a plurality of opposing lateral projections that deflect from a normal position in a direction away from an install direction when the seal is installed in a groove, the lateral projections resisting removal of the seal after the seal is seated in the groove. A core portion and a cantilevered finger member engages the other of the door and container portion when the door is seated in the container portion. Other lateral projections on the seal effectively seal the path between the seal and groove surfaces.