Abstract: A system mounted with a transportable container for carrying articles such as semiconductor wafers which comprises a non-volatile memory used to store the identity, status and history of the articles in the container. Further, the system includes means for transmitting data from the memory to an information processor associated with a processing station which processes the articles in a carrier. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes data processing capability and both receives data from and transmits data to the processing station.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system mounted with a transportable container for carrying articles such as semiconductor wafers which comprises a non-volatile memory used to store the identity, status and history of the articles in the container. Further, the system includes means for transmitting data from the memory to an information processor associated with a processing station which processes the articles in a carrier. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes data processing capability and both receives data from and transmits data to the processing station.

Abstract: A system for storing transporting and processing articles includes a plurality of transportable containers, each transportable container having an interior region adapted to receive a plurality of articles and data processing device provided on the transportable container for receiving, storing, transmitting and displaying information related to the articles received by the corresponding transportable container. A plurality of workstations are adapted to receive one of the transportable containers and to process selected ones of the articles. The workstation also verifies that at least one of the articles in the transportable container has arrived at the appropriate workstation and communicates with a central processing unit to receive and transmit status information and processing information, and to transmit information stored by the data processing device provided on the transportable container.

Abstract: A transportable container for articles to be processed, for use with a passage elevator for passing the articles between locations, is provided which comprises: a box defining a box opening; a box door for being received by the box opening; a cassette for holding the articles, the cassette supported by the box door and sized for passage through the box opening, the passage elevator passing the cassette through the box opening; a retainer, extending adjacent to the cassette, for substantially retaining the articles held by the cassette, the retainer being movably coupled to the box such that the retainer can move in a direction substantially transverse to a direction of movement of the holder substantially during a passage of the cassette through the box opening.

Abstract: The present invention is a transportable container for storing articles and maintaining a clean article, such as semiconductor wafers, clean. The container provides a box which defines an interior space for containing the articles. The box includes a box top and box base which supports the box top and includes a box door for opening and closing the container. The box door provide a region for supporting the articles in the interior space. A liner is insertable into the interior space and surrounds the region. The box door is retractable from the box space. The articles in the region are retractable with the box door.

Abstract: A sealable transportable container for use with processing equipment having a port plate and port door sealably mating to the port plate, the transportable container including a box having an interior space for containing the articles. The box including a conduit for communicating between the interior space and the environment external the box. The conduit including a filter for filtering fluids passing through the conduit. The box including a box top having sealing surfaces and a box door sealably mating with the box top. The port plate also includes sealing surfaces and is sealably mated to the box top. The port door includes a sealing surface and is sealably mated to the port plate. The box door includes a latch for mechanically opening and closing of the box and the port door includes a device for activating the latch.

Abstract: A particle-free dockable interface is disclosed for linking together two spaces each enclosing a clean air environment. The interface is composed of interlocking doors on each space which fit together to trap particles which have accumulated from the dirty ambient environment on the outer surfaces of the doors.

Abstract: A particle-free dockable interface is disclosed for linking together two spaces each enclosing a clean air environment. The interface is composed of interlocking doors on each space which fit together to trap particles which have accumulated from the dirty ambient environment on the outer surfaces of the doors.