Abstract: A wafer carrying apparatus or cassette is disclosed, which includes a binding or retention unit, so as to prevent wafers from being damaged by crash, inadvertent egress or exiting, and so on. The wafer carrying apparatus includes a main body provided with a plurality of wafer insertion grooves formed on inner sides and an opening formed on a front surface to take wafers in and out, a binding unit configured to move up and down on the front surface of the main body, its position relative to the insertion grooves being variable so as to close and open the insertion grooves, and a mechanism for varying the position of the binding unit relative to the insertion grooves, the mechanism being connected to the binding unit.

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: A container having a top cover and a bottom cover is provided, which includes a canopy disposed on the bottom cover to form therewith a space to accommodate an article. A plurality of locators is disposed on a surface of the bottom cover so that when the bottom cover is tightly combined with the top cover, the locators are clipped between the bottom cover and the top cover to orient the canopy in a fixed position.

Abstract: A loading tray 13 supports at least one thin plate safely and reliably. It comprises a first loading portion 18, provided on one side thereof, on which at least one thin plate is loaded; a second loading portion 19, provided on the other side thereof, fitted to the first loading portion 18 of adjacent loading tray 13 to form a housing space sealed off from the external environment, for sandwiching the thin plate within the housing space, and for loading the thin plate on the loading tray when the loading tray is placed upside-down; a hook 30, provided on one side thereof, for coupling with an adjacent loading tray 13; and a hook locking mechanism 31, provided on the other side thereof, for coupling with the hook 30 of an adjacent loading tray 13. As many loading trays 13 as the number of the thin plate is stacked to constitute a thin plate container 11. The thin plate container 11 can support the thin plate from both upper and lower sides.

Abstract: A container comprises a first cover and a second cover, in which the first cover comprises an internal space. The container further comprises a plate disposed on the second cover. The second cover is provided with at least one first foolproof device, while the plate is provided with at least one second foolproof device. When the second foolproof device is engaged with the first foolproof device, the plate and the second cover are generally fixedly positioned with respect to each other.

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 sheet shipping and storage container includes a base supporting a stack of glass sheets in a vertical orientation, and a pair of telescoping end caps mounted on each side of the stack in facing relationship to one another. A first endless strap has its course around the end caps to bias the end caps toward one another about the stack; a second endless strap has it course around back end of each end caps and the back side of the stack to bias the back surface of the stack and the end caps downward toward the front of the base, and a third endless strap around the opposite end of the end caps and the front side of the stack to bias the end caps and the front side of the stack downward toward back side of the base to unitize the plurality of sheets, end caps and base.

Abstract: A corrugated container for shipping a glass sheet, such as an automotive windshield, is disclosed. The container includes one or more support braces for contacting a first side of the glass sheet and one or more braces for contacting the opposing second side of the glass sheet. Suction cups can be connected to the braces. A cross-brace, generally perpendicular to the other support braces, can be provided for added protection and support of the glass sheet.

Abstract: A container for transporting a plurality of curved glass sheets lined up side by side. The container includes a bottom structure, such as a pallet, a back wall extending upward from the bottom structure, a first side wall connected to a first end of the back wall and extending upward from the bottom structure, and a second side wall connected to a second end of the back wall and extending upward from the bottom structure. The container includes a cradle portion proximate the back wall extending into an interior portion of the container. The cradle portion including a glass sheet supporting surface for contacting a backmost one of the plurality of glass sheets. The supporting surface has a radius of curvature to correspond with the curvature of the backmost one of the plurality of glass sheets. The container also includes two back corner support structures, each configured to support a portion of the respective side walls and a portion of the back wall.

Abstract: A packaging assembly for protecting a fragile article comprises a fragile article, packaging material around the fragile article, an outer carton containing the packaging material and the fragile article, and at least one cavity within the outer carton. The cavity is outside of the packaging material.

Abstract: A flexible substrate storage equipment of the present invention includes at least a pair of opposed members that constitute an outer frame of a storage equipment main body, wherein the pair of opposed members are disposed so as to maintain a predetermined interval to wedge a plurality of flexible substrates in between to hold them in a shape of a curve. As a result, a flexible substrate storage equipment for surely storing and holding a plastic substrate or other flexible substrate with a simple structure, and a storing method of such substrate can be realized.

Abstract: A display device arrangement (1) comprises a display device (10). The display device (10) comprises a component being degradable upon exposure to an environmental factor such as light or moisture. Such a component may for instance be an organic semiconductor or an organic electro-optical material. The display device arrangement (1) further comprises a container (100) for storing the display device (10). The container (100) comprises protective means (120) that are detached from the flexible display device (10) for reducing the exposure of the degradable component to the environmental factor. Consequently, the lifetime of the display device (10) is increased without having to attach protective barriers to the display device (10) itself.

Abstract: A substrate kinematic coupling or guide plate for a substrate carrier having textured or patterned surfaces at the points of contact to reduce frictional forces generated between automated processing equipment and the kinematic coupling. The textured surface reduces the contact area between the processing equipment and the contact portion of the kinematic coupling, thereby reducing the resultant frictional force. By reducing the frictional force, the substrate carrier more readily settles on the mounting pins of the processing equipment, thus avoiding intolerable height and angular deviations during automated access to the substrates. Textures include, but are not limited to, a knurl pattern, ridges running laterally along the contact portions, and ridges running longitudinally along the contact portions. The textures may be formed by a blow molding, injection molding or in an overmolding process, or by a machining or imprinting process.

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: A glass pack with a base having two opposed pockets on opposing sides for receiving legs of opposing side panels, connected on one side of each to the base, and a pair of opposing end panels that each connect on one side to the base, with aligned tabs for connecting adjacent edges of the side panels and end panels, such that one of the side panels or one of the end panels is selectively removable for access into the container for loading and unloading sheet articles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a standardized mechanical interface (SMIF) reticle pod that is configured to provide a controlled environment for supporting a reticle wherein the controlled environment is maintained substantially free of crystal growth causing contaminants. Accordingly, there is provided a layered filter with filter elements capable of filtering particulates and adsorbing gaseous contaminants. The filter has an inwardly facing face generally planar shaped with a surface area that is substantially half or more of the area of the reticle face. The inwardly facing face is placed in close proximity to the reticle patterned surface and has an area that is a significant fraction of the reticle patterned surface area. The SMIF pod is also provided with a purge system configured to inject a very dry gas within the controlled environment to flush the controlled environment of contaminants as well as to regenerate the filter.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to an apparatus, system and/or method for holding coated glass sheets (e.g., mirrors) during transport, storage and/or the like. In certain example, embodiments, spacers are used between adjacent glass sheets so as to reduce the amount of contact between the spacers and the glass sheets when such glass sheets are stored and/or transported.

Abstract: A carrier for a semiconductor device includes a body having an opening formed therein to receive the semiconductor device and a pair of rollers to hold the semiconductor device between the rollers in the opening.

Abstract: A cosmetic container has a base and a cap. The base has a sidewall half. The sidewall half has a first end, a second end, a lower pivot element and a lower engagement element. The lower pivot element is formed on the first end. The lower engagement element is defined on the second end. The cap is mounted pivotally on the base and has a sidewall half. The sidewall half is mounted pivotally on the lower pivot element of the base and has a first end and an upper engagement element. The upper engagement element engages detachably with the lower engagement element of the base and is formed on the first end of the sidewall of the cap. The sidewall half of the cap contacts a table surface on which the cosmetic container is put to prevent the cosmetic container from falling down.

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: A reticle carrier has a cover. A gasket is attached to the cover. A door mates with the cover.

Abstract: A container apparatus for the handling of at least one object is provided. The container apparatus generally includes a cover and a base. The cover includes an uppermost wall abutted in generally perpendicular relation to at least one cover sidewall. The base includes a lowermost wall abutted in generally perpendicular relation to at least one base sidewall. The at least one base sidewall is configured to slide with respect to and overlap the at least one cover sidewall. The container apparatus further includes a first and a second tube engaged at the uppermost wall and at the least one object, and a third and a fourth tube engaged at the lowermost base and at the at least one object.

Abstract: A system and method for hermetic packaging of glass sheets, that includes applying to the glass sheets surfaces that will be in contact with other adjacent glass sheets, from the cutting line, an anti-humidity chemical treatment that includes a watery solution from 1 to 2% in weight of a mixture of adipic and malic, adipic and citric, or malic and citric acids 50-50 in a dosage preferably between 100 and 400 mg/m2, to protect glass against condensation humidity or rain. Sprinkling over said surfaces of the glass sheets, 500 to 700 mg/m2 of separating powder of a selected granulometry less than 300 microns, forming a group of glass sheets. Placing a strip of cushioning material, such as the known as Polybubble Plastic, or corrugated cardboard, around the sides of the group of glass sheets, to provide a cushioning condition to the group of glass sheets during shipping and handling.

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 attaching-and-detaching operation of a lid unit, and the operation of taking in and out semiconductor wafers stored in a container body are facilitated. Thin-plate supporting units for supporting semiconductor wafers are provided in the container body of a thin-plate supporting container, and wafer holding units for pressing and supporting the semiconductor wafers, supported by the thin-plate supporting units, from a lid unit side are provided inside a lid unit. The area of a lower surface of a V-shaped groove of the wafer holding unit is increased. The V-shaped groove easily fits the peripheral portion of the semiconductor wafer when attaching the lid unit to the container body. The lower surface of a V-shaped groove of the thin-plate supporting portion is roughened to enhance slipping property with respect to the semiconductor wafer. The angle of inclination of a ridge is determined to be 2 to 5 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction.

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: A wafer pod. The wafer pod comprises a main body, a working sheet holder disposed on the main body, and a lock disposed between the working sheet holder and the main body. The working sheet holder is fixed to the main body by the lock to form an accommodating space.

Abstract: A wafer carrier door having an inner door portion and an outer door portion. The inner door portion has a substantially continuous inner surface. The outer door portion extends over at least a portion of the inner door portion. The outer door portion has a plurality of apertures formed therein. The outer door portion is attached to the inner door portion.

Abstract: A substrate storage container comprises: a container casing having an aperture through which a plurality of substrates are placed in or taken out; a cover adapted to fit into the aperture of the container casing; a sealing gasket capable of elastic deformation provided between the container casing and the cover; and a retainer, mounted on the cover, capable of retaining the periphery of the substrates. The retainer has: a supporting body mounted on the inside face of the cover; a plurality of elastic pieces provided in elastically deformable fashion on the supporting body; and a block provided on each of the elastic pieces, the block retaining the periphery of one of the substrates. A relation 10.8×w<y<34.3×w is satisfied when a substrate retaining force of each of the elastic pieces is y [unit: N] and a weight per the substrate is w [unit: kg].

Abstract: An LCD module covered a protective film and stored in a vinyl bag is held by cushioning material, and the cushioning material is placed in a box. A plurality of grooves are formed in a mutually parallel fashion on the lower and upper members of the cushioning material. The grooves form a supporting portion for supporting the edges of LCD modules that are fitted in the grooves. The depth of the grooves is slightly less than the width of the frame area of the LCD modules. An upwardly protruding convexity is formed in the area between the grooves and on both sides of the rows comprising the plurality of grooves. The convexity is a pop-out prevention portion for preventing LCD modules from popping out from the cushioning material during transport. Soiling can thereby be prevented from occurring on the display area of the display modules.

Abstract: A substrate-supporting rod (4) includes a resin body (41) and a metal rod (43). The resin body (41) includes a body portion (411) being cylinder-shaped and having a first through hole (413) in a direction of the axis thereof, and a number of shelves (415, 415?) arising from said body portion and extending in parallel away from said body portion at a predetermined pitch. The body portion and the number of shelves are unitary portions of the resin body. The metal rod is received in the first through hole. A projection (4151) is defined on the end of each of shelf to support a substrate (45). The projection is cylindrical in shape of which the diameter is larger than the thickness of the corresponding shelf, and a central axis thereof is substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the body portion.

Abstract: An air-purifying device for a front-opening unified pod to purify the air in it is provided. The air in the front-opening unified pod 51 is sucked through one of its breathing holes 58a and directed into an air-purifying device (M) that includes a fan-driving means 1, a dust-filtering means 2, and a chemical-filtering means 3. The moisture, chemical gases, and dust in the air are removed by the air-purifying device (M), and then the purified air is forced into the front-opening unified pod 51 through the other breathing hole 58b. Thus the air in the front-opening unified pod 51 is purified, and its purity is maintained by circulating the air.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a metal photomask box structure, which is composed of an upper cover member, a lower cover member, and a ring-shaped airtight washer positioned between the upper metal cover member and the lower metal cover member. At least a movable connecting mechanism is disposed on one side of the metal photomask box to connect the upper metal cover member and the lower metal cover member. And at least a latch piece is disposed on an opposite side of the movable connecting mechanism to latch the upper metal cover member and the lower metal cover member.

Abstract: A reticle SMIF pod includes a dome having a plurality of latchkeys and a cassette having a plurality of primary engagement locations thereon into which the latchkeys are intended to engage when sealing the cassette to the dome. A plurality of secondary engagement locations are positioned in the cassette above the plurality of primary engagement locations to prevent the cassette from falling should the plurality of latchkeys fail to engage in the primary engagement locations.

Abstract: A cassette for storing a plurality of semiconductor wafers with a space in the vertical direction has a plurality of support plates which are provided spaced apart from one another in the vertical direction. A receiving cut-out having a shape corresponding to the shape of an adsorber for suction-holding a semiconductor wafer are formed in the front half portion of each of the support plates. The cassette further comprises separation plates between adjacent support plates.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for simultaneously processing two single-sided hard memory disks is provided. Disks are positioned in pairs, with one surface of one disk positioned adjacent one surface of the second disk, with the disk surfaces touching or with a slight separation between them. In this back-to-back orientation, the disk pairs may be processed using conventional double-sided disk processing equipment and techniques. However, each disk will not have two active surfaces. Because of the positioning of the disks during processing, only one surface of each disk will be subjected to full processing. Therefore, each disk will only have one active side.

Abstract: A shock absorber designed for insertion within a container. The shock absorber presents a support surface on one side intended to contact the surface of one or more items contained within the container, and a spring side including compression elements, in contact with an interior surface of the container, intended to urge the support surface into contact with the items contained within the container. Use of the Shock absorber of the invention may eliminate the need for foam inserts or cushions, which can greatly reduce outgassing of anions or cations generally associated with foam. The container and shock absorber may be suitable for reuse and recycling.

Abstract: A wafer storage container has a container body and a lid. The container body has lid support inserts in a lid receptacle, and the lid has corner inserts for contact with the lid support inserts to support the lid. A supporting member is attached to the container body. The supporting member includes a base plate portion, side plates extending from the base plate portion, and a handle on each side plate for lifting the container body. The thin plate supporting member has contacting portions to support the thin plates, supporting members which elastically support the contacting portions, and a base support bar to support the supporting portions. The tip end of each supporting portion contacts a support stage, and elastically supports the contacting portions from both sides.

Abstract: A wafer container comprising a base and a cover that nest together. The cover includes tabs on a lower portion that engage notches on the frame. The cover can be combined with the base without indexing to a precise opening on the frame. A handle on the cover enables an operator to easily rotate the container into a locked position. A ribbed pattern on the exterior surface of the frame enables the wafer container to be stacked with another wafer container.

Abstract: Methods for heat treating glass sheets (13) are disclosed in which the sheets (13) are held in a vertical orientation in a treatment container (15) during the heat treatment. The container (15) includes a support system for the glass sheets (13) that comprises a bottom support (17), two side supports (19a, 19b), and a top support (21). The sheets (13) are slid into the container (15) without contact between their side edges (23a, 23b) and the side supports (19a, 19b). The top support (21) is then slid onto the tops of the sheets (13) without contacting the sheets' top edges (25). In certain embodiments, flushing air which has been HEPA filtered and pre-heated is passed through the container (15) during the heat treatment. Apparatus for practicing the methods of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A folding container (3) comprises: an upper frame (31) including a pair of first and second opposite sides; a pair of side plates (35) being pivotally connected to a respective first side and movable relative to the upper frame; a pair of folding plates (37) positioned between the side plates, each of the folding plates including an upper plate (371) and a lower plate (373), each of the upper plate being pivotally connected to a respective second side; a bottom plate (33) including a pair of second opposite sides corresponding to the second sides of the upper frame, each lower plate being pivotally connected to the bottom plate, the side plates and folding plates and bottom plate cooperatively forming a receptacle; and a pair of slot plates (38) with a plurality of slots (381), each of the slot plates being adjacent to a respective one of the side plates.

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: Supports used in pairs for storing and handling large sheets of heavy materials such as granite, stone and glass. Each support comprises a vertical, steel A-frame welded to a horizontal steel I-beam. Spaced-apart steel post holders are welded to the web of the I-beam. Removable vertical steel posts are inserted into some or all of the post holders to create “slots” for holding and supporting the sheets of material. Inserts can be placed in cavities parallel to the flanges of the I-beam to prevent the edges of the sheets of material from hitting the I-beam. Protective coatings can be attached or applied to the surfaces of the A-frame, the posts and the I-beam in order to protect the sheets of material. When the supports are used, sheets of material can be moved away from each other, utilizing the A-frame and posts, when a particular sheet is selected for removal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel means for supporting multiple fragile articles which are often mounted upon a fixed substrate such as a pallet during shipment thereof. These longitudinal supporting members are generally rectangular in cross-section and can be of any length. Each support member includes an upper support surface and a longitudinally extending slot or recess which can form a mounting member, lip or recess therein to facilitate driving and retaining of securement members such as staples, therethrough, into the substrate located therebelow for securement to the substrate while defining a safety zone between the staples and the supported fragile articles for protection thereof. An upper panel of dissimilar material can be laminated over the upper supporting surface of the support member to control the coefficient of friction thereof.

Abstract: A packaging structure for a container. The packaging structure includes a main frame including a first portion, a second portion and a connecting plate connecting the first and second portions, and a plurality of separators inserted in first and second grooves defined at the first and second portions respectively. The glass substrate is sealed in a loading slot formed by the separators.

Abstract: A plastic insert (20) is configured to provide support of thin wafers (49) in wafer carriers (45) configured to provide peripheral wafer support. The invention includes the insert, the insert in combination with a wafer carrier, and the, methods of supporting the thin wafers as provided by the insert and the wafer carrier. The insert (20), in preferred embodiments, utilize tabs (80, 82) that fit into the side wall recesses (53) and have an interference fit in said recesses to secure the insert in place.

Abstract: An antistatic transport package for LCD cells. A case includes a body and a cover with cushioning members mounted on the inner surfaces thereof. Protective film surrounds the LCD cells in the case. The antistatic transport package also uses replaceable film in the body, enclosing the protective film and the LCD cells, preventing contamination.

Abstract: A wafer storage container has a container body and a lid. The container body has lid support inserts in a lid receptacle, and the lid has corner inserts for contact with the lid support inserts to support the lid. A supporting member is attached to the container body. The supporting member includes a base plate portion, side plates extending from the base plate portion, and a handle on each side plate for lifting the container body. The thin plate supporting member has contacting portions to support the thin plates, supporting members which elastically support the contacting portions, and a base support bar to support the supporting portions. The tip end of each supporting portion contacts a support stage, and elastically supports the contacting portions from both sides.

Abstract: A glass sheet packing apparatus has a base plate 3 for supporting a plurality of glass sheets 10 in parallel and upright; a side frame 2 for holding faces of a group of glass sheets loaded on the base plate; and a top frame 4 for holding the top face of the glass sheets loaded on the base plate; wherein the glass sheets are fixed by a band 5 together with the side frame 2 and the top frame. The side frame 2 is a pair of a male frame 6 and a female frame 7, each formed in a L-shape by a vertical square pipe and a horizontal square pipe, the horizontal square pipe of the male frame 6 is inserted into the horizontal square pipe of the female frame 7 to form a letter U like shape.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a transport module suitable for 300 mm wafers has a cushioning system that attaches to the interior of an enclosure door. The system comprises a pair of upright parallel cushions, each comprising an elongate base portion with a plurality of integral fingers extending at an acute angle from the base members. Each sequential finger of each cushion engaging every other wafer. Each finger having an arm portion and a wafer engaging portion. The wafer engaging portion comprising a curved convex surface to provide minimal vertical line contact with the circumferential outer surface of the wafer without providing axial constrainment of the wafer. The base portions are attached to the inside facing door panels by a plurality of attachment portions each comprising a split shank portion that extends through the aperture and a plurality of flange portions on the ends of the split shank portions for securing the base portions to the inside panel.