Patent · US Expired

Wafer carrier

US5788082A · kind A · utility

73Cited by
12References
31Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJul 12, 1996
Grant dateAug 4, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 12, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B7/008
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A wafer container for transporting or holding wafers in a horizontal axially aligned arrangement has minimal four point regions of wafer support at the edge portion of the wafers. A preferred embodiment has a first container portion and a closeable door. The first container portion has a first molded portion of a static dissipative material having an upright door frame with integral planar top portion. An integral bottom base portion with an equipment interface also extends from the door frame. A second molded portion has a transparent shell which connects to the door frame, to the planar top portion, and to the bottom base portion. Separately molded wafer support columns connect to the top planar portion and to the bottom base portion and include vertically arranged shelves with upwardly facing projection providing minimal point or point region contact with the wafers. The shelves include wafer stops to interfere with forward or rearward movement of the wafers when supported by the projections and to prevent insertion beyond a seating position. A side handle engaging both the first molded portion and the second molded portion operates to secure the molded portions together. A robo…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.