Substrate cassette

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.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to a substrate cassette used to store various types of substrates such as glass substrates used in liquid crystal displays. More particularly, the present invention relates to a substrate cassette that prevents contact between substrates stored on support bars at the time of use.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]In the production process of liquid crystal displays, substrate cassettes that house a plurality of horizontally oriented glass substrates in multiple levels in the vertical direction are used to temporarily store glass substrates. These substrate cassettes, when viewed from the front of the substrate cassette in the state of storing substrates, normally contain a plurality of support bars that support each substrate by being alternately positioned with a plurality of substrates in the vertical direction.[0005]From the viewpoint of production efficiency of the liquid crys...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a substrate cassette that can easily adjust the angle of support bars to prevent bending of the substrates. The cassette includes a vertical direction adjustment mechanism and a horizontal direction adjustment mechanism that can be screwed into the frame and support bars to adjust distortion. The support bars are made of a carbon fiber composite material or a combination of carbon fiber composite material and other materials. The technical effect of the invention is to provide a substrate cassette that can easily adjust the angle of support bars to prevent bending of the substrates."

Problems solved by technology

Namely, although a substrate cassette normally houses several tens of glass substrates, the vertically adjacent glass substrates must not be allowed to contact each other resulting in damage to the surfaces thereof.

In particular, since the glass substrates used in the production of liquid crystal displays have become increasingly large in recent years, the substrate cassettes used for the storage thereof are also becoming correspondingly larger.

However, since it is necessary to firmly attach the support bar to the frame of the substrate cassette, reattaching the support bar resulted in an extremely large burden in terms of time and labor.

Consequently, even the slightest amount of distortion when the support bars are installed can end up becoming quite large at the end of the support bars, potentially causing contact between glass substrates depending on the particular case.

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