Abstract: A substrate storage container which includes: a front-opening box type container body for storing a multiple number of substrates in alignment therein; a door for opening and closing the open front of the container body in a sealing manner; and inner-pressure adjustment devices attached to the mounting ports in the container body and the door for adjusting the pressure inside the container body closed with the door. The inner-pressure adjustment device is configured of an elastic attachment cylinder, a filter support structure fitted into, and protected by, the attachment cylinder and a multiple number of filters held inside the filter support structure. Since the inner-pressure adjustment device can be set by mounting an attachment cylinder of a simple structure by use of elastic deformation to the attachment hole, which is provided for the container body and/or the door, there is no need of forming screw holes which need time and effort.

Abstract: A retainer includes a frame, a pair of first elastic parts projected from a pair of opposing parts of the frame so as to approach to each other, and a second elastic part that is supported at the bent free ends of the paired first elastic parts to hold a substrate. The outside end of the second elastic part is positioned outside the free end of the first elastic part and closer to the opposing part of the frame. Also, first and second holds for holding the rim of the substrate are formed apart from each other. The second hold is positioned on the outer end side of the second elastic part from the first hold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a substrate cassette that houses a plurality of horizontally oriented substrates in multiple levels in the vertical direction and in which support bars are arranged that support the substrates so as to inhibit bending of the central portion of each substrate, wherein a vertical direction adjustment mechanism that adjusts distortion of the support bars in the vertical direction is provided between the support bars and a frame formed on the back of the opposite side from the substrate insertion side.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a substrate cassette support bar in a substrate cassette for housing a plurality of horizontally oriented substrates in multiple levels in the vertical direction, the substrate bar being arranged so as to inhibit bending of the central portion of each substrate, comprising: an upper plate made of a carbon fiber composite material; a lower plate made of a carbon fiber composite material; and an intermediate member disposed between the upper plate and the lower plate, and made of a material other than a carbon fiber composite material.

Abstract: A fully collapsible pallet is provided with easily adjustable rear stops, lower rear stops, and side restraints. A telescoping member is provided to allow shipment of partial pallets of windshields. Extensions allow the pallet to be used with windshields of various heights. The pallet is stackable in a folded condition as well as a loaded condition, even when extensions are used. A latch is provided to prevent leaning of the pallet even when the load is not centered in the pallet.

Abstract: An Apparatus for framing and/or hanging a picture (1) which comprises one or more framing portions (2). Each framing portion (2) is made from a flexible material. Each framing portion (2) is adapted so as to have a first position in which it can be freely removed from a substantially flat conformation to other conformations and a second position in which it is secured in the shape of a three-dimensional shape, by means such as flaps (3) and corresponding slits (4). The apparatus may be provided with an integral packaging means. Also provided is a framed picture (1) provided with four framing portions (2) such that each edge of the picture (1) is provided with a framing portion (2).

Abstract: A semiconductor reticle transportation container includes a box and a base, the box having an opening and the base including a reticle support. The reticle is placed on the support and the box is placed on the base so that the reticle passes through the opening while being lifted off of the support by plungers contacting the lower edge of the reticle. After the box is closed, the reticle is compliantly constrained horizontally and vertically and is held away from the support.

Abstract: A substrate accommodating apparatus (10) is constituted by stacking a plurality of accommodation bodies (20) on an upper surface of a rigid plate (15). Each accommodation body (20) is provided with a buffer (21) having elasticity and some conductivity and a load receptacle (22) having a frame-shaped body, while an upper surface of the buffer (21) is provided with a substrate protect layer (23) made of cellulose. The substrate accommodating apparatus (10) is arranged to enclose a substrate (S) therein by stacking the accommodation bodies (20) where the substrates are placed, and when the accommodation bodies (20) are stacked, each load receptacle (22) places the load of the respective accommodation body (20) on a periphery of the adjacent lower accommodation body (20) so that any load is not placed on the central portion of the lower accommodation body (20) where the substrate (S) is placed.

Abstract: Various apparatus and methods are provided for positioning and handling hard memory disks. A disk carrier is provided with adjustably positionable side wall inserts. The inserts or panels may be moved between a plurality of positions to accommodate disks of different diameters. The inserts may also be substituted to accommodate disks of different thickness or different orientations, such as pairs of disks in gap merge orientation or contact merge orientation.

Abstract: A headliner packaging system may be configured to package a headliner that has a non-planer surface and a width. The system may include one or more elongated clamps. Each elongated clamp may have a length that exceeds the width of the headliner. Each elongated clamp may be configured to releasable secure the headliner by applying clamping force to an area of the non-planer surface of the headliner in a manner that causes the elongated clamping force to be substantially uniform throughout the area of the non-planer surface of the headliner and in a direction that is not substantially perpendicular to the length of the elongated clamp. The packaging system may be configured to package an article other than a headliner.

Abstract: A transport pod (1) of the invention for a mask or a semiconductor wafer (2) comprises a leakproof peripheral wall (3) surrounding an inside space (4) receiving the mask or the semiconductor wafer (2). Thermally conductive support means (11) hold the mask or the semiconductor wafer (2). A cold plate (7) thermally coupled to a cold source (8) generates a temperature gradient facing the main face (6) of the mask or the semiconductor wafer (2) that is to be protected against particulate pollution. The cold plate (7) is held by connection means (7b) including thermal insulation means (7c). An on-board energy source (9) powers the cold source (8). This significantly reduces deposition of polluting particles on the main face (6) of the mask or the semiconductor wafer (2).

Abstract: A reticle pod, comprising an upper cover having a first accommodating space and a lower cover having a second accommodating space, a third accommodating space being formed after the upper cover and the lower cover close together, wherein the characteristic of the reticle pad is in that: the reticle pod includes a plurality of supporting pieces respectively and suspendingly disposed at each corner of the inner surfaces of the upper cover and of the lower cover, and two ends of each of the plurality of supporting pieces are respectively connected to two neighboring sides of corner of the inner surface to form a closed sheet body and a gap is formed at the bend of the closed sheet body.

Abstract: A product vulnerable to damage during shipping, such as an automobile windshield glass, for example, is mounted on a support pad and fixed onto the pad by wrapping a stretch wrapping film around the combination of the pad and glass. The borders of the pad extend beyond the borders of the glass so the package containing the glass can be stood on edge, but the edge of the glass is spaced away from the surface on which the package is stood. Thus the glass, secured to the pad, is suspended away from that surface. Multiple packages can be packed into a shipping container and the loaded container can be lifted and transported by a lift truck with lifting forks received in passageways formed in the container by notches in the bottom edges of the support pads. The pads and containers are made of die-cut corrugated fiberboard material although other material might also be used in the practice of the invention.

Abstract: A tray for loading substrates includes a base, an outer frame, plural lateral supporters and plural corner bumps. The base has an upper surface with one or more grooves. The outer frame is located around four edges of the upper surface to thereby form a first space, and has two oppositely arranged first cavities. The lateral supporters are arranged on the base at four edges defining the first space against the outer frame, have second cavities arranged on internal surfaces of the lateral supporters and corresponding to the grooves. The corner bumps are arranged at corners of the outer frame, and are adjacent to the lateral supporters, the base and the outer frame. The corner bumps each have buffer openings to prevent a loaded substrate from damage by collision with the corner bumps. A package box is also disclosed, which can save cost and space in carrying the trays.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a lid unit having a latching mechanism for firmly fixing the lid unit to a container body for containing semiconductor wafers and the like, which latching mechanism can be easily disassembled for cleaning and drying of its components, and to a wafer presser for retaining the semiconductor wafers in position when the container is shaken. The latching mechanism includes a locking member which, when projected, secures the lid unit to the container body; an actuator for moving the locking member between projected and retracted positions; a tip-side cam for pressing a tip portion of the locking member in one direction relative to the lid unit when the locking member is projected by the actuator; a base-end lower cam for pressing a base-end of the locking member in a second direction, opposite the one direction; and a base-end upper cam and a cam projection follower for pressing the base-end in the second direction.

Abstract: A wafer carrier positioning structure including a carrier body having a bottom face and a frame body provided in a peripheral part of the bottom face to project downwardly, for housing a wafer therein so that the wafer is parallel to the bottom face. Further, the wafer positioning structure includes a guide member detachably attached to the bottom face of the carrier body, a guide groove provided in the guide member, for engaging with a positioning pin projecting from a mounting face upon mounting the carrier body to the mounting face, so as to guide the carrier body to a regular mounting position, and a locking portion provided in the guide member, locking to an inside face of the frame body while elastically having contact with the inside face.

Abstract: A container configured to hold a plurality of substrates lined up vertically with space therebetween, which includes a container main unit formed in a tube shape having a quadrangular cross section as a whole that includes a first opening provided on one end side and a second opening provided on the other end side of the container spaced apart in the horizontal direction from the first opening, the first opening serving as an entrance for loading and unloading the substrates, a fan filter unit that is provided in an area of the second opening and that causes movement of air from the second opening toward the first opening, and a lid configured to be attached in an area of the entrance of the container main unit, the lid having an open state and a closed state, and forming a ventilation opening that allows air to pass in the closed state.

Abstract: A wafer shipping container has a first housing subcontainer. A second housing subcontainer mates with the first housing subcontainer to form a housing. The first housing subcontainer is substantially the same as the second housing subcontainer. A process carrier fits inside the housing.

Abstract: In a bulk package system the stack of plates having a height Hplate is contacted and stabilized by an internal packaging structure with a height Hint which is higher than the stack to aid in protection of the plates from forces from above. A separate external packaging structure is provided with a height Hext being equal or larger than Hint. Forces acting upon the external packaging structure caused by e.g., collisions are not transferred to the stack of plates. The external packaging structure is assembled after the internal packaging structure.

Abstract: A method of joining two silicon members, the adhesive used for the method, and the joined product, especially a silicon tower for supporting multiple silicon wafers. A flowable adhesive is prepared comprising silicon particles of size less than 100 ?m and preferably less than 100 nm and a silica bridging agent, such as a spin-on glass. Nano-silicon crystallites of about 20 nm size may be formed by CVD. Larger particles may be milled from virgin polysilicon. If necessary, a retardant such as a heavy, preferably water-insoluble alcohol such as terpineol is added to slow setting of the adhesive at room temperature. The mixture is applied to the joining areas. The silicon parts are assembled and annealed at a temperature sufficient to link the silica, preferably at 900° C. to 1100° C. for nano-silicon but higher for milled silicon.

Abstract: This invention is related to a carrier of reticle pod. The carrier of reticle pod comprises an upper cover and a lower cover, and the upper cover is configured to be coupled to the lower cover to form an interior space for accommodation. The lower cover includes several pairs of guide tracks disposed on two opposite lateral sides of inner surface of the lower cover. Clapboards are set into the lower cover via the guide tracks to separate the space for accommodation into a plurality of spaces for accommodation for storing reticle pod. Fixing elements including a clipping portion and a resisting portion are disposed on the top surface of the inner surface of upper cover. When the upper cover closes the lower cover, each fixing element of the upper cover is configured to be coupled to each reticle pod stored in the carrier.

Abstract: A wafer container includes a container body that having an open front on sidewall, a plurality of slots disposed in the container body for support wafers, and a door is assembled with opening of the container body for protecting the wafer therein, the characteristic in that: an recess is disposed in the inner surface, and a wafer restraint modules on the sides of the recess. The wafer restraint module includes a base portion for fixing the wafer restraint module on the platform, and a plurality of curve portions is formed on the side of the platform, in which each curve portion and the free ends constructed the protruding portion, thereby, the guiding notch of the protruding portion contacted the wafer to restrict the wafer from moving.

Abstract: A pallet (2) for packing a glass plate includes: a base part (3) which is disposed at a bottommost portion, for supporting from below a plurality of glass plates (G) piled one upon another in an upright posture, and has a fork insertion portion (6) for insertion of forks of a forklift; a backside part (4) rising from a rear side of the base part (3), for supporting the glass plates (G) from a rear thereof; and a pedestal part (5) mounted in engagement with at least one of the base part (3) and the backside part (4) so as to receive bottom side portions of the glass plates (G), in which a lowermost portion of the pedestal part (5) is set lower than a substantial top surface of the base part (3).

Abstract: A continuously electrically-conductive container contains an electrically-insulating support for holding an electric-field-sensitive article, such as a reticle, so that the article is shielded from external electric fields and is not in electrical contact with a conductive container wall. A SMIF pod comprises an electrically conductive container for holding an electric-field-sensitive article. A system has boundary walls that form a chamber for a controlled environment. The system includes a load port for receiving a SMIF pod and an end effector made of insulating material for moving a field-sensitive article within the chamber to and from the SMIF pod. An ionizer neutralizes electric charges on the field-sensitive article.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for protecting glass with the use of glassine paper.

Abstract: A disk processing device holds and rotates a disk with a spindle. Processing tapes are supplied out and wound up by a tape reel unit so as to sandwich and be pressed on both surfaces of the disk through contact rollers. As a crankshaft is rotated, a sliding plate rotates around it and a slidable shaft rotates around a fulcrum part while sliding along the sliding plate such that the contact roller undergoes a reciprocating motion in a radial direction of the disk together with a slider rotatably attached to the slidable shaft.

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: Arbitrary pieces of semiconductor wafers are supported flexibly on either the upper side or the lower side. The present invention is a thin plate container for supporting plural semiconductor wafers for use in carriage, storage, processing, etc. It comprises processing trays plurally stacked in a state of each supporting at least one semiconductor wafer individually and a coupling mechanism for integrally coupling the processing trays in a state where the processing trays are plurally stacked and separating the processing trays at an arbitrary location. Each processing tray has a one-side support for supporting at least one semiconductor wafer on its one side and the other-side support mutually fitted to the one-side support of the other processing tray on the other side to form a housing space sealed off from the external environment for constraining and supporting the thin plate.

Abstract: A single thin plate storage container 1 includes a main body 2 for storing one thin wafer A4 inside and a lid attached to the main body 2. The single thin plate storage container 1 includes a bottom side support member 35 that is located on the main body 2 side and supports the lid 3 from the bottom side, and a front side support member 36 that is located on the lid 3 side and supports the thin wafer 4A from the upper front side. The bottom side support member 35 includes a center support part 37, an outer periphery support part 38, a peripheral edge support part 39, and a ring plate 40 for combining integrally the center support part 37 and the outer support part 38. The front side support member 36 includes a disc 43 for covering the thin wafer 4A from the upper side and abutting parts 44, 45 to sandwich the thin wafer 4A between the two abutting parts and the bottom side support member 35.

Abstract: A semiconductor reticle transportation container includes a box and a base, the box having an opening and the base including a reticle support. The reticle is placed on the support and the box is placed on the base so that the reticle passes through the opening while being lifted off of the support by plungers contacting the lower edge of the reticle. After the box is closed, the reticle is compliantly constrained horizontally and vertically and is held away from the support.

Abstract: A protective and cushioning package (1) includes a base wall (2), two boxes (3), two flaps (4, 5), a device for maintaining the boxes (3) and the flaps (4, 5) in raised position; and for each box (3), an outer side wall (100), and intermediate wall (11) and an inner side wall (13) form a triangular profile linked by an articulation (14, 52) to the base wall (2) and at least one cushioning tab (20, 21) is arranged in an opening (15) provided in the box (3) by being attached to the box (3) solely by one end opposite the base wall (2).

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved structure for a fragile plate packaging and protection device, comprising: a box main body provided with an accommodating space, a bottom plate, two first fixing elements, two second fixing elements, and a plurality of buffer elements having gaps. Wherein, said bottom plate is provided in said accommodating space of said box main body, and is in contact with a bottom portion of said box main body; said two first fixing elements are provided in said accommodating space of said box main body face-to-face, and are disposed vertically at a bottom portion of said box main body; said two second fixing elements are disposed on said two first fixing elements respectively, thus ensuring better safety protection of said fragile plate in said box main body during transportation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cushion structure, which includes a box, a holding structure and a first cushion therein. The first cushion includes a bearing part, two buffer parts and two supporting parts. The buffer parts are joined with two sides of the bearing part to form a first angle and a second angle. The supporting parts are joined with opposite sides to the sides of the buffer parts joined with the buffer parts to form a third angle and a fourth angle. The cushion structure further includes a second cushion disposed parallel to the first cushion between the box and the holding structure. Alternatively, the second cushion can be disposed opposite to or superimposed over the first cushion between the first cushion and the holding structure. Both the first and second cushions can be formed as one-piece.

Abstract: A wafer-retaining cushion sheet (5) has a wafer suction-adhering surface (5C) formed on a surface thereof, which adheres by suction to a semiconductor wafer (W). A wafer tray (1) is provided with a plurality of bottom openings (17) opening to the reverse side of the wafer-retaining cushion sheet (5), an air chamber (16) communicating with the bottom openings, and an air inlet (11) for supplying pressurized air into the air chamber (16) from the outside. Consequently, when pressurized air is supplied into the air chamber (16) through the air inlet (11) to increase the air pressure in the air chamber (16), the wafer-retaining cushion sheet (5) is elastically deformed into an inflated form at regions facing the bottom openings (17), thus causing separation between the semiconductor wafer (W) and at least a part of the wafer suction-adhering surface (5C) of the wafer-retaining cushion sheet (5).

Abstract: A substrate container is generally comprised of a cover, a base, a latching mechanism, and a substrate retention system. Substrate container has corners with flanges disposed at the corners. Each flange has a hole there through to enhance shock absorption capability by the container, and thus provide greater protection to the substrate.

Abstract: A photo mask retainer, mounted inside a photo mask delivery box for holding a photo mask, in which the photo mask retainer includes a base, a U-turn extending from the top of the rear side of the base and curving toward the top side of the base, a bearing portion formed on the free end of the U-turn for pressing on the vertical peripheral sidewall of the photo mask, a retaining end portion formed on the free end of the U-turn for pressing on the top surface of the photo mask, and a clamp extending from the front side of the base for fastening to a respective locating block on the wall surface of the photo mask delivery box

Abstract: A cushion structure comprises a first fixing element, a second fixing element, a first cushion element, and a second cushion element. The first fixing element comprises a first board. The second fixing element comprises a second board and faces the first fixing element. The first cushion element is fixed on the first board and the second board near a side thereof. The first cushion element comprises a plurality of first spacers and first grooves. The second cushion element is fixed on the first board and the second board near another side thereof facing the first cushion element. The second cushion element comprises a plurality of second spacers and second grooves. The second grooves face the first grooves.

Abstract: The packing materials for the module of the display apparatus comprise a plane frame having an opening in its center, a side frame formed to be connected to the plane frame in the direction approximately perpendicular to the circumference of the plane frame, a combination unit formed on the rear surface of the plane frame and a guiding unit mounted at the corner of the side frame and combined with the combination unit.

Abstract: A cassette device for accepting substrates includes a frame, a plurality of slots protruding from opposing sides of the frame, and at least two supporting bars connected to at least two of the slots.

Abstract: A wafer holding device for a wafer pod is disclosed. The disclosed wafer holding device includes a support frame mounted on one side of the housing of the wafer pod, an actuating frame, two rotating arms and two wafer retainers. When the housing and the base of a wafer pod are assembled, the actuating frame moves and forces the wafer retainers to rotate in a direction perpendicular to the edge surface of the wafers.

Abstract: A reusable shipping container having hingeable lids is described for use in transporting fragile items and artwork, such as paintings, mirrors, and the like. The container is made up of two substantially parallel end panels, a bottom panel extending between and perpendicular to the two end panels, a back panel extending perpendicular to the bottom panel and the two end panels, a lower front panel extending substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel and to the end panels, an upper front panel co-planar with the lower front panel and attached to the upper edge of the lower front panel with a hingeable means allowing for hingeable rotation, and a top panel that is substantially parallel to the bottom panel and is attached to the upper edge of the back panel with an attachment means that allows the top panel to rotate out of parallel with the bottom panel.

Abstract: An optical sheet, an optical sheet for a display and a method for producing an optical sheet for a display suitable for producing a high quality optical sheet in a simple method without decrease in adhesion strength upon bonding optical sheets are provided. A coating film of an aqueous solution containing a water-soluble antistatic agent and a fluorine surfactant is formed on optical sheets whose plane size is equal to or larger than a product size in a thickness after drying of 0.03 to 0.2 g/m2. After stacking the optical sheets, the optical sheets are bonded at one or more joining parts, and periphery of a laminate of the optical sheets after bonding is cut into the product size.

Abstract: A windshield packaging system that provides effective support for the windshield during substantial vertical drops, protects the windshield against side impacts, is simple in design, requires only modest skill to effectively assemble, protects windshields of different size with the same size carton, and minimizes inventory management problems. The windshield packaging system includes jaw components having a synergistic effect, horizontally-running flutes, and pressure-regulated clamps.

Abstract: A wafer storage container includes an outer peripheral portion located outside an outer peripheral edge of a wafer, and a placing portion which extends from a position lower than an uppermost surface of the outer peripheral portion to a radial inside of the wafer and on which the wafer is placed at a position lower than the uppermost surface of the outer peripheral portion. The placing portion includes a first inclined surface which descends toward the radial inside of the wafer and can be brought into contact with only the outer peripheral edge of the wafer when the wafer is placed and a second inclined surface which is on a rear side of the first inclined surface, ascends toward the radial inside of the wafer, and can be brought into contact with only the outer peripheral edge of a lower wafer when a plurality of wafer storage containers are stacked.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reticle storage apparatus and a semiconductor element storage apparatus each equipped with a filtering device. The reticle storage apparatus or the semiconductor element storage apparatus is constructed from a first cover and a second cover, which are assembled together to form an inner space therebetween for accommodating a reticle or a semiconductor element. The second cover of the reticle storage apparatus or the semiconductor element storage apparatus comprises at least one aperture for communicating the inner space and an outer of the reticle storage apparatus or the semiconductor element storage apparatus and a filtering device for covering the aperture.

Abstract: A wafer container providing improved wafer restraint during physical shock events. In embodiments of the invention, a secondary wafer restraint structure defining a plurality of notches is interposed between opposing wafer restraint members on the door of the container. The notches may be defined by one or more converging edges or surfaces meeting at a junction. The junctions are positioned so as to align with the wafer receiving portions of each opposing pair of wafer restraint member so that when the door is fully sealingly engaged with the enclosure of the container, the edge of the wafer is contacting the junction. In this position, any vertical movement of the wafer due to shock imparted to the container causes the wafer to contact the converging surfaces or edges, thereby limiting such movement.

Abstract: A thin plate supporting container includes a container body for housing therein semiconductor wafers, a lid unit for closing the container body, and slotted plates for supporting the semiconductor wafers from opposing sides. There are provided an upper fitting portion for supporting an upper portion of the slotted plate, and a lower fitting portion for supporting a lower portion of the slotted plate. An upper fitting piece of the upper fitting portion has a planar contact face which comes into contact with the slotted plate to thereby position the slotted plate in the front/rear direction while suppressing swing of the slotted plate. The upper receiving element on the slotted plate has a planar contact face. The lower fitting portion provides vertical, horizontal and front/rear positioning.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wafer storage container which contains a semiconductor wafer one by one and provides a technology to effectively reduce adhesion of particles on semiconductor wafer surfaces during the storage of the wafer. A wafer storage container which contains a wafer one by one, includes: a wafer containing member including a domed-shape recess which abuts on a circumferential edge of the wafer and is capable of holding the wafer; and a cover member which is engaged with the wafer containing member and is capable of sealing the wafer containing member; and a wafer rear surface protection member which is formed into a shape substantially same as an opening of the domed-shape recess and comes into contact with an entire rear surface of the wafer placed so that a front surface is directed the domed-shape recess.

Abstract: A cassette and a method for fabricating a liquid crystal display device. The cassette comprises a frame having a box shape, at least one side plate movably positioned at an inner side surface of the frame and having a plurality of slots, a model converting device disposed at a certain region of upper and lower surfaces of the frame, and a converting lever positioned in the model converting device for moving the side plate according to a size of a glass to be received.

Abstract: A container for creating a microenvironment is disclosed. The container includes a shell, a door and a plurality of supports having a unique design which are used to securely retain items, such as silicon wafers, in a spaced apart parallel relationship. The supports are removable. An electrical path is provided to ground the supports. Kinematic coupling structures are also provided for positioning the container on a surface so as to, for example, properly align the door with the port of a wafer processing tool.