Sealable transportable container having improved latch mechanism
US4995430A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 19, 1989 |
| Grant date | Feb 26, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 19, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S414/14
- WIPO fieldSemiconductors
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A transportable, sealable container, for example a SMIF pod, has a box and a box door. The box has a first sealing surface and the box door has a second sealing surface which forms a seal with the first sealing surface when the box door is moved in a sealing direction with respect to the box. A latch mechanism provided in the box door is operable in two stages. The first stage of operation moves latch members from a retracted position to an extended position, in the retracted position the latch members are contained in the box door to allow movement of the box door with respect to the box, and in the extended position the latch members are adjacent to latch surfaces of the box. Movement from the retracted to the extended position is performed without contact between the latch members and the latch surfaces to avoid any scraping or rubbing action which would create particles in the "clean" interior region of the box. The second stage of operation engages latch members with the latch surfaces to move the box door in the sealing direction; this second stage of the operation is also performed without scraping or rubbing of the latch members and the latch surfaces.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.