Abstract: A cushioned cover for a wafer carrier having panel portions overlying and closing the top of the carrier and end walls with offsets, closing the U-shaped end walls of the carrier, a removable cushioning device in the cover having a single row of hold down elements mounted on flexible horizontal arms allowing up and down movement of the hold down elements to apply pressure against the edges of the wafers, the mounting arms of adjacent hold down elements being attached to opposite sides of the frame of the cushioning device.

Abstract: A container for storing and transporting a wafer carrier filled with wafers and comprising a box with an openable lid, the box bottom having an inclined bottom panel portion and an inclined sidewall panel portion, supporting the bottom of the carrier and the H-bar end wall.

Abstract: A wafer jig which can relieve a decline in precision of wafer processing is provided. Wafers (30) under processing are placed on supporting plates (6) and, in this condition, set into a heating furnace. This condition allows any possible warp of wafer due to its own weight to be eliminated. Further, particles (dust) contaminating the back side of the wafer (30) do not fall onto a processing surface of another wafer (30) thereunder. Moreover, the wafer (30) is placed in such a way that it is isolated from pillars (4) by a distance (L2) and, for this reason, gas flow disturbance which occurs in the vicinity of pillars does not lower the precision of wafer processing. In addition, a slit (7) which is provided for the supporting plate (6) facilitates wafer conveyance.

Abstract: An improvement which allows precise positioning of wafers within cassettes in preparation for removal of the wafers by automated equipment. The improvement includes mounting two sawtooth jigs upon the surface upon which the cassette tray is to be placed which extend up into the cassette. Wafers within the cassette rest within the precisely aligned grooves of the sawtooth jigs.When the cassette is placed upon the surface, automated equipment can readily remove the precisely aligned wafers from the cassette.

Abstract: A storage system for motor vehicle roof inserts has two matched body portions which are mounted in a motor vehicle. Each body portion includes a pair of channels which are shaped to conform to the shape of the roof inserts. The storage bodies are spaced a distance which corresponds to the length of the roof inserts such that the edge portions of the inserts can be inserted into the channels where they are supported spanning the space between the storage bodies. Resilient opposed rollers in association with each channel guide and support the roof inserts in the channels. The storage bodies may include pin-receiving bores positioned to receive retractable roof insert posts to secure the roof inserts in position in the storage system. The storage bodies may be conveniently formed by an injection molding process using ABS plastic.

Abstract: A wafer basket in which the recesses provided for the engagement with the basket lifter are each formed with a dent at the upper and innermost corner of the recess, and a pair of stays are provided at the lower bent portions of the side walls in a manner such that the upper edges of the stays are of the same height and elevated to the extent that the downward movement of the wafers is checked by the stays rather than by the ribs.

Abstract: A package for storing and transporting a single wafer of silicon or the like which may be 300 millimeters or more in diameter.

Abstract: A recyclable and reusable container for shipping and stacking glass sheets includes a creased recyclable cardboard piece forming the rear and two sides of the container, with underflaps connected to a reusable wooden pallet; an easily removable front wall without underflaps and made of the same recyclable cardboard; recyclable cardboard corner posts and recyclable cardboard cross-members resting on top of the glass sheets flush with the top of the container. The container, without vertical wooden or metal structures, can support other containers filled with glass sheets stacked on top due, in part, to the use of the glass sheets as load-bearing members during stacking.

Abstract: A moldable plastic, distortion and warp resistant wafer carrier with forked end wall portions that tie into the sidewalls of the carrier. The forked end wall portions from triangular column like supports between an end wall and sidewalls of the carrier such that the carrier maintains structural integrity even when its temperature fluctuates between ambient and 180.degree. C. temperatures in a relatively short time period. The structural integrity of the carrier is further enhanced by the end wall having an integrally formed bend which is disposed at a right angle relative to the forked end wall portions.

Abstract: A sheet material handling frame comprises a plurality of base portions (18) for supporting material, such as sheet glass. A stanchion (16) extends from each base portion (18). The stanchions (16) are held in a spaced relationship by means of cross-bars (12, 14). Each stanchion (16) is formed with a slot in which a strap guide (24) is slideably movable. A securing strap passes inside the stanchion (16) through the hollow base (18) around the sheet material and over the strap guide (24). Thus, the strap guide is movable to accommodate different heights of material loaded on the frame. The frames are securable back-to-back to form a structure which is capable of carrying sheets of different sizes. When the sheet material is being loaded, the strap guide (24) is pivoted about a pair of retaining lugs into the slot so that it is out of the way. The strap guide (24) is provided with a hook-like recess (27) which is used to engage a retaining pin inside the slot when it is not in use.

Abstract: An improvement which allows precise positioning of wafers within cassettes in preparation for removal of the wafers by automated equipment. The improvement includes mounting two sawtooth jigs upon the surface upon which the cassette tray is to be placed which extend up into the cassette. Wafers within the cassette rest within the precisely aligned grooves of the sawtooth jigs.

Abstract: A holder for packaging a biological specimen slide is heat formed from a single sheet of plastic. The holder has tray and cover portions separated by a hinge line, and when folded along the hinge line the cover closes a slide receiving recess on the tray portion. Integrally molded spacer elements positvely hold the slide to avoid smearing of the specimen. A window opening in the cover portion allows viewing of identification markings on one portion of the slide. An internal partition on the cover portion isolates the specimen bearing portion of the slide from exposure to the exterior environment through the window.

Abstract: A pallet having a base frame and an upright rear frame to stand glass plates, which may include curved glass plates, on the base frame against the rear frame is disclosed. To keep the glass plate in the rearmost position apart from the rear frame the pallet has stoppers projecting from the rear frame. For each stopper, an upright support member defining therein a cross-sectionally rectangular channel is fixed to the rear frame, and a vertical slit is formed in the front wall of the support member. The stopper is attached to the support member by using a receptacle having an elongate main part and a perpendicularly projecting part both of which are cross-sectionally rectangular and either of which is fittable in the channel in the support member. The receptacle is formed with three receptive holes, which are of the same shape and size, at different locations. Each stopper has a holder to which a stopper head is attached, and the holder is fitted in one of the receptive holes of the receptacle.

Abstract: Disclosed are a sheet package and a sheet feeding apparatus in which such a sheet package is preferably employed. The sheet package is comprises a cover for covering a stack of sheets in its entirety and openable by being broken away to expose at least an end portion of the stack of sheets and a member extending outward from the bottom of the stack of sheets. The sheet feeding apparatus is provided with cassette body capable of accomodating the sheet package therein, and a holding portion for fixedly holding the extending member of the sheet package.

Abstract: A package for one or a plurality of card-like items is provided, having a protective outer shell and an inner insert into which the card-like items may be placed. The shell and insert may be a monolithic structure, or they may be produced separately, possibly of different materials--although both are typically corrugated cardboard. The insert has front, bottom, and rear articulated panels, each having a fold line along the length thereof so that each panel protrudes inwardly into the interior of the shell at the fold line, and a cover panel. At least one and usually a plurality of slots is formed in each of the articulated panels, so that an edge of any card-like item to be placed into the package is inserted into the slots. In general, as the edge of each card-like item intrudes into the slot in the bottom articulated panel, and the cover panel is closed over the top edge, at least the rear articulated panel tends to protrude further into the shell to secure the item.

Abstract: A collector's album includes a binder and at least one display page having a plurality of pockets to receive collectible display items such as sports cards, stamps, slides, and the like. Each display page has transparent front and back panels with the front panels having pockets defined by recessed base surfaces and peripheral retaining walls. Retaining members are cooperative with the peripheral retaining walls to releasably retain display items and associated transparent display covers within the corresponding pockets. In one embodiment, transparent lids are hinged to the front panel to overlie the pockets and retain collectible items within the pockets for display.

Abstract: A moldable plastic carrier for predictably and steadfastly locating the carrier and wafers therein upon wafer transfer equipment has an open top for insertion and removal of the wafers, a pair of opposed upright sidewalls with inner opposed ribs and wafer pockets therebetween for spacing and supporting the axially aligned wafers in the carrier. The carrier has a pair of opposed upright end walls with one upright end wall being indexable upon the transfer equipment. The one end wall has opposing transfer equipment to contact rails each with upper and lower portions. An arch is formed between the upper and lower portions thereby forming a 4-point contact with the transfer equipment.

Abstract: A container for shipping sheets of glass or other fragile material wherein a cradle and a wedge are provided to maintain the sheets of glass in an upright position during shipment. Upon removal of the wedge, the sheets recline against the cradle for stability purposes during unloading. The container is of the front opening type and has interlocking members on the front and back portions to hold the front gate portion in a locked manner.

Abstract: A shipping log for supporting components which cannot be supported on edge, such as an automotive lite having a gasket mounted on a peripheral edge of the lite. The shipping log has a plurality of slits or gaps positioned to accept the bottom portions of components and a plurality of fingers having surfaces for mating with the component to maintain the position of the components. The support log is formed of a body having a rigid frame and a smooth outer surface formed of resilient closed-cell-poly-linked foam.

Abstract: A card holding device is provided which comprises a lower section and an upper section. The lower section comprises a surface having a recessed portion having a depth for receiving a card, the depth being approximately equal to the thickness of the card, the recessed portion comprising a lower display panel for contacting a first surface of the card and indentations for enclosing each of the corners of the card without contacting the corners, and a first channel disposed about the surface, the inner surface of the channel defining a female mating surface. The upper section comprises an upper display panel for contacting a second surface of the card, a second channel disposed about the upper display panel, the outer surface of the second channel defining a male mating surface, a peripheral surface disposed about said second channel, and an outer sidewall descending from said peripheral surface.

Abstract: A hanger which includes two depending strips of resilient material interconnected at their upper margins by a flexible link which enables the hanger at its link to be placed over the upper marinal edge of a sheet of material with the strips straddling of the sheet material and thus acting as a spacer preventing contact between adjacent sheets of material stacked in an upright orientation.

Abstract: An electrophoretic gel container for protecting an electrophoresis plate during shipment and storage, the electrophoresis plate being the type including a substrate having a major surface and a gel layer adhered to a portion of the major surface with the substrate including a peripheral portion free of the gel layer. The container includes a top portion and a bottom portion which are sealingly engageable with one another. The top and bottom portions have cooperating projections such that the top and bottom may be interlocked together. The gel layer substrate includes alignment apertures and the container includes alignment sockets in the bottom portion and locking pins in the top portion. The alignment sockets extend through the alignment apertures in the electrophoresis plate and has locking pins engage the alignment sockets to further secure the electrophoresis plate against movement.

Abstract: A novel process for the packaging of double-side coated X-ray films is described. This process employs the use of plastic or plastic or polymer coated cardboard as top and bottom stiffening members in a stack of sheets of the X-ray film. The top and bottom sheets of film packaged in this manner will harden in the same way as the remainder of the sheets whereas film packaged with conventional, plain cardboard stiffening members will not.

Abstract: A combination of a product and a package and point-of-purchase display unit for the product. The package and display unit includes a border section surrounding a centrally located wall section which serves as a supporting surface for the product. Retainer means which are preferably transparent are connected to the central wall section with legs defined by the retainer means being received in openings defined by the central wall section for securing the retainer means to the central wall section. The retainer means define an overlapping section located between the legs with this overlapping section being spaced from the central wall section. A corner or other part of the product being displayed is received between the surface and the overlapping section for achieving retention of the product on the surface while this part of the product remains visible when the retainer means are transparent.

Abstract: A carrier-susceptor for use in a continuous chemical vapor deposition reactor system serves as a carrier, cover and heat susceptor for a semiconductor wafer being processes through the reactor system.

Abstract: A device for fixation of the spatial interrelationship of upended and somewhat spaced apart frames is used in e.g. complete windows, including the frame, casement and window-panes.The device consists of a connection member which is arranged to be attached to the outer edge face of the frame. The connection member comprises a cross bar serving as an insert between two juxtaposed frames, and an interconnecting part of the member is arranged to be inserted into a recess formed in an adjacent connection member which is attached to a frame adjacent the first-mentioned frame. The interconnecting part and the recess are designed to matingly engage to interlock the connection members and consequently the frames.

Abstract: A cage boat having easily replaceable parts utilizes removable spacer rails for holding semiconductor wafers contained within a cage formed from slats removably attached to end pieces perpendicular to the slats.

Abstract: A disk shipper assembly consists of a bottom and a cover which mates therewith in latching engagement. The bottom and cover can be handled, as a complete package, by its constituent components and in assembly and disassembly entirely by robotics. The shipper bottom is configured to permit ID or OD handling of the disk contents. The bottom is further configured to be compatible with certain existing disk carriers in manually transferring the disk content to the carrier and vice versa. Since the particular disk carrier with which the bottom of the disk shipper is compatibly designed prohibits external diameter handling, the novel disk shipper bottom facilitates transposing the disks from the carrier into a configuration that permits both ID and OD handling.

Abstract: An electrophoretic gel container for protecting an electrophoresis plate during shipment and storage, the electrophoresis plate being the type including a substrate having a major surface and a gel layer adhered to a portion of the major surface with the substrate including a peripheral portion free of the gel layer. The container includes a top portion and a bottom portion which are sealingly engageable with one another. The top and bottom portions have cooperating projections such that the top and bottom may be interlocked together. The gel layer substrate includes alignment apertures and the container includes alignment sockets in the bottom portion and locking pins in the top portion. The alignment sockets extend through the alignment apertures in the electrophoresis plate and the locking pins engage the alignment sockets to further secure the electrophoresis plate against movement.

Abstract: A pellicle packaging and handling system include a pellicle having a transparent pellicle film extending across a peripheral pellicle frame. A pellicle holder releasably grips the pellicle frame to form a holder/pellicle assembly, the pellicle holder being graspable to handle the holder/pellicle assembly and release the pellicle from the holder. The selectively openable enclosure houses the holder/pellicle assembly with the holder/pellicle assembly releasably retained in a fixed position within the enclosure.

Abstract: A cartridge case in which a microcapsule-carrying sheet to be used as an image recording medium is stored, is filled with a non-oxidative gas which makes it possible to store the microcapsule-carrying sheet for extended periods without affecting its performance. Nitrogen gas or inert gas such as neon, argon, helium, and xenon is suitable as the non-oxidative gas.

Abstract: A container for electronic parts consists of a case, a plurality of inner bodies placed in the case and a plurality of lid members corresponding to the inner bodies. Each lid member includes at least one supporting structure consisting of a pair of resilient front end portions curved in a horseshoe shape and defining a hollow or space between them. The opposed sidewalls of the inner bodies include a plurality of opposed vertical supporting grooves for receiving plate-like contents, such as photomasks or photomask blanks. The front end portions of the supporting structures contact the corners of the plate-like contents to hold same securely in place. The resilient nature of the front end portions accomodates any expansion or contraction in the contents which results from a thermal change within the container.

Abstract: A sealable contamination proof container package bottom and top for storing and transporting a plurality of substrate or wafers in a robotic wafer carrier. The package bottom includes four sides, a continuous vertical surface for tape sealing surrounding the four sides, a lip positioned on a vertical edge, opposing hook latches on opposing sides, opposing hand grip recesses on the opposing sides and a raised bottom surface for package stacking. The package top includes four sides, a continuous vertical surface for tape sealing surrounding the four sides, a lip positioned on the vertical surface, opposing hook catches on the opposing side, a top surface with raised stacking surfaces, and two rows of wafer support springs positioned on bars on the underside of the top surface. The package top and bottom halves provide that the robotic wafer carrier mates between the package top and package bottom with the wafers or substrates in the carrier.

Abstract: A container for transporting and for storing semiconductor wafers situated in processing cassettes comprises a bottom plate, a hood, a locking lever and a seal element that is provided between the hood and the bottom plate. In order to avoid contamination of the semiconductor wafers during transport and during storage, the container is of such a nature that it is particle-tight and itself releases only a minimum of particles. The semiconductor wafer securing arrangement is movable on the basis of film hinges and is mechanically moved by the bottom plate when opening and closing the container, whereby no sliding friction occurs.

Abstract: Wafer supporting method and apparatus having at least two wafer supporting slots for each edge-wise oriented wafer in a plurality of coaxial edge-wise aligned wafers. The two wafer locations are essentially at the bottom and at an upper "side" i.e., slightly below the widest diameter dimension of and edge-wise wafer with a pair of spaced apart upper slots having the same loose fitting cross-sectional shape as the lower slot. The supported wafer at the upper location touches the slot support at one slot wall only. A cross sectional shape of the slots for each wafer includes: (a) a rounded bottom wafer-supporting wall having a diameter that is essentially the same as the wafer's thickness; (b) an angle-controlling side wall; and (c) a third gravity feed wall that joins the tight fitting bottom to a wide loose fitting wafer entry slot opening. Close spacing between adjacent slots is provided by a pair of slot walls that are parallel to each other and are at the wafer lean angle.

Abstract: A sealable contamination proof container package bottom and top for storing and transporting a plurality of substrates or wafers in a robotic wafer carrier. The package bottom includes four sides, a continuous vertical surface for tape sealing surrounding the four sides, a lip positioned on a vertical edge, opposing hook latches on opposing sides, opposing hand grip recesses on the opposing sides and a raised bottom surface for package stacking. The package top includes four sides, a continuous vertical surface for tape sealing surrounding the four sides, a lip positioned on the vertical surface, opposing hook catches on the opposing side, a top surface with raised stacking surfaces, and two rows of wafer support springs positioned on bars on the underside of the top surface. The package top and bottom halves provide that the robotic wafer carrier mates between the package top and package bottom with the wafers or substrates in the carrier.

Abstract: An item storage device with a plurality of open-topped storage pockets in a matrix of rows and columns is formed of a single sheet of material, preferably of woven fabric. The single sheet is lapped over in a series of horizontal fold lines, forming alternating three-ply areas and single-ply areas. An overlap opening at the top of each three-ply area or row forms the pockets of that row. Left and right ends of the folded sheet are folded on a vertical fold line to form a small hem which is stitched on a vertical line to form closed margins at left and right. Horizontal stitch lines are made to hold at least two of the three plies together along horizontal lines which define the bottoms of the pockets. Additional vertical stitch lines are made to define and separate the pockets laterally. In preferred embodiments a series of circular grommets are secured through a doubled-over fabric hem along the top edge of the carrying device, to enable suspending the device vertically.

Abstract: A contoured X-ray imaging system consists of an X-ray source and X-ray film holding cassette for taking X-ray pictures closely adjacent to a body surface without unnecessary exposure of adjacent body parts to X-rays. The X-ray cassette is contoured to the outline of a structure or a body part to evaluate it without the radiation spreading unnecessarily to the adjacent areas. The X-ray cassette is a thin flat box which has an edge wall contoured outline of the subject or an adjacent structure. The X-ray source and intervening shields or the like are each configured to project an X-ray beam which is contoured in the same contour as the film-holding cassette so that the X-rays reach the film in the same contour as avoid unnecessary exposure of adjacent portions of the body to the X-rays.

Abstract: A strong and rigid carrier of substantial size fabricated of melt processible plastic for flat glass panels being processed for use in flat panel displays. The carrier has a pair of light weight but rigid and strong end walls in confronting and spaced relation to each other. Each end wall has a periphery thereabout and central ribs with an inclined panel adjoining the central ribs and traversing the height of the central ribs. Outwardly extending mounting flanges adjoin the periphery with a multiplicity of annular bosses protruding inwardly from the flanges. Large openings are in the end walls to allow machine and fluid processing access to the glass panel within the carrier. The carrier has a front open side and two sidewalls in confronting and spaced relation. The sidewalls each have a multiplicity of elongate sidewall segments each preferably being tubular and oblong in cross section or having portions which extend transversely and obliquely of the peripheries of each end wall.

Abstract: A storage holder for computer diskettes includes a page-like member of a size corresponding generally to that of a loose-leaf page and adapted to be used with a binder of the loose-leaf type. The page-like member provides recesses for receiving diskettes, access to which is through openings dimensioned to correspond with the dimensions of the diskettes. Engagement of the diskettes with the recesses is positive and by snap action, to prevent the diskettes from inadvertently falling from the holder regardless of the holder's position and orientation.

Abstract: The present invention is a rack for shipping sun roof modules including a bottom wall having a width and length and an upstanding end wall at each end of the length of the bottom wall. A pair of laterally spaced channel members extend upwardly along each end wall and an insert extends longitudinally and having ends disposed within longitudinally opposed channel members and adapted to receive sun roof modules placed thereon. The insert includes means for allowing successive inserts to be stacked with a sun roof module contained therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shipping rack including a dunnage bar locking mechanism for removably securing a dunnage bar between the end walls of the shipping rack. The mechanism comprises a housing secured to one end wall. A piston element is mounted within the housing for reciprocal movement. The piston element is removably secured to one end of a dunnage bar. A handle is pivotally mounted to the housing. The handle has an open position to move the piston element toward the end of the dunnage bar and a closed position to move the piston element away from the end of the dunnage bar. A means interconnects the handle and the piston element for allowing relative movement between the piston element and handle when the handle is in the closed position as a consequence of the dunnage bar being impacted by an external force.

Abstract: A conductive device for protecting and securing electrical circuit substrates during manufacture and shipment which includes a plurality of spring driven pin slides anchored on a common support member, each slide securing a substrate against a corresponding substrate stop.

Abstract: A packaging separator adapted to be disposed in load bearing engagement between a pair of articles, such as windshields. The separator includes a sheet-like supporting element constructed of a generally nonresilient plastic foam and having enlarged opposed side surfaces for respectively contacting opposed surfaces associated with a pair of adjacent windshields. The supporting member has one or more shallow recesses formed inwardly from one of said side surfaces, and each recess contains therein a sheet-like gripping pad constructed of a resilient foam. The gripping pad, in a resiliently nondeformed condition, has a thickness which is significantly greater than the depth of the recess to define an outer gripping surface which extend generally parallel with but is normally spaced outwardly from the respectively adjacent side surface of the supporting element.

Abstract: A packaging system for substantially planar objects such as paintings and prints is disclosed which has two major components made of expanded plastic such as polystyrene foam. The two major components may be a bottom with a lid, two bottoms or two lids. The two major components are sealed around the object with flexible adhesive tape. The outside of the container so formed may be covered with a plastic coating to protect the expanded plastic from damage and soiling and the two major components may be joined by a hinge. Impact strips of plastic foam are provided to protect the artwork from impact forces and plastic foam cushions and expanded plastic spacers are used to securely fasten and protect the artwork.

Abstract: A container specifically designed for vacumm holding and shipping a silicon wafer, is provided with two circular portions having circumferentially, on bulged top and lower faces outer rasied edges and, within the top face of the circular portion forming the bottom portion of the assembled container, an inner edge.

Abstract: A robotic accessible wafer shipper assembly comprises a shipper base, a wafer carrier which supports the disks within the base, and a shipper cover which mates with the base and wafer carrier in latching attachment. The base, carrier and cover are provided with certain specific design features which allow them to be handled, as a completely assembled package, by its constituent components and is assembled and disassembled entirely by robotics.

Abstract: A shipping rack for vehicle air dams is provided. The air dams are of the type fabricated of a flexible plastic material and have an elongated central portion with relatively short end portions. The shipping rack includes air dam support members which support the end portions of the air dams and have interlocking structure to prevent flopping of the end portions of the air dams when the air dams are loading onto the shipping rack.

Abstract: An automated system lifts a batch of semiconductor wafers from a slotted carrier, transfers them laterally and lowers them into a second slotted carrier. In doing this, jaws on the lifting apparatus open automatically to receive or release the wafers. With a carrier having relatively high slotted sides, such as the commonly used plastic cassette, a pusher engages the lower edge of the wafers exposed through the bottom of the cassette and pushes them upwardly sufficiently far to permit the lifter jaws to receive and lift the wafers. The apparatus is oriented at a slight angle to insure that the wafers are all arranged in precise, spaced, parallel relation so as to cooperate with slots in the lifter jaws and slots in the receiving carrier. The system has the capability to move two batches of 25 wafers to a quartz boat having 50 more-closely spaced slots, and similarly, two batches from a quartz boat may be transferred to two different plastic cassettes.

Abstract: A carrier for substrate and media disk members is disclosed having a base member with upstanding side and end walls and a top surface having a media supporting recess projecting downwardly and including a plurality of continuous semi-circular V-shaped grooves each subtending an angle of less than 180 degrees. Locating means are provided along one side of the carrier for locating the carrier with respect to disk handling equipment. The carrier is provided with a transparent lid having side and end walls respectively telescopically enclosing side and end walls of the base member. The base member has elongate indentations for engaging the top surface of the lid member on which the base member is stacked, and the lid member is provided with elongate upwardly projecting support ridges which contact the underside of the base member stacked thereon.