Panel storage container

Abstract

The utility model provides a panel storage container which can restrain reduction of leakproofness of a container body during carrying. The panel storage container comprises: a container body for storing a panel; the carrying handle is arranged on the side wall of the container body; and a fastening member for fixing the handle to the side wall, the fastening member extending in the left-right direction across the handle and the side wall.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a panel storage container. BACKGROUND

[0002] A panel storage container that stores a plurality of panels is known. For example, a substrate storage container described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-70578 includes a container body that stores a plurality of substrates, a lid that closes an opening of the container body, and a pair of top flanges that are fixed to a top surface of the container body. SUMMARY

[0003] In the substrate storage container described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-70578, the top flanges are fixed to the container body by being screwed to support columns provided on the top surface of the container body. The arm of a conveyance device is inserted under the pair of top flanges, and an upward force is applied to the top flanges by the arm, thereby lifting the substrate storage container to convey it. At this time, in the portion of the top surface on which the top flanges are fixed, a force with which the top flanges pull the top surface acts upward in correspondence with the weight of the substrate storage container. Therefore, there is a risk that the top surface will be deformed and the airtightness of the container body will decrease.

[0004] The present disclosure describes a panel storage container that can suppress a decrease in the airtightness of the container body during conveyance.

[0005] The panel storage container according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a container body that stores panels, a handle for conveyance that is provided to a side wall of the container body, and a fastening member that fixes the handle to the side wall, and the fastening member extends in the left-right direction across the handle and the side wall.

[0006] In the panel storage container, the handle is fixed to the side wall by the fastening member that extends in the left-right direction across the handle and the side wall of the container body. Therefore, for example, in a case where the conveyance device lifts the panel storage container by the handle, in the portion of the side wall on which the handle is fixed, a force with which the handle pulls the side wall acts upward in correspondence with the weight of the panel storage container. That is, the force acts on the side wall in the direction along the side wall, and thus the deformation of the side wall is suppressed. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the airtightness of the container body during conveyance.

[0007] The handle can also have a handle body that extends in the front-rear direction, a support portion that extends downward from the handle body, and a fixing portion that is provided to a lower end of the support portion and is fixed to the side wall in the left-right direction. The side wall can also have a housing portion that houses the fixing portion. The fixing portion can be fixed to the side wall by the fastening member in a state of being housed in the housing portion. At this time, the mounting position of the handle is determined by housing the fixing portion of the handle in the housing portion of the side wall. Therefore, it is possible to improve the assembly of the panel storage container.

[0008] The fixed portion can also project further in the front-rear direction than the support portion. The housing portion can also have a pair of wall portions extending in the up-down direction and spaced apart in the front-rear direction in a manner capable of housing the fixed portion, a pair of locking pieces provided at upper ends of the pair of wall portions and protruding in a manner of approaching each other in the front-rear direction, and a base portion provided between the pair of wall portions and provided with a fastening hole into which the fastening member is inserted. The front ends of the pair of locking pieces can also be spaced apart in the front-rear direction by a distance longer than the length of the support portion in the front-rear direction and shorter than the length of the fixed portion in the front-rear direction. The fixed portion housed in the housing portion can sometimes move in the up direction with respect to the side wall due to loosening of the fastening member or the like. At this time, the fixed portion interferes with the pair of locking pieces, and thus the likelihood of the fixed portion remaining in the housing portion increases. Therefore, the likelihood of the container body falling off during conveyance can be reduced.

[0009] The container body can also have a flange demarcating an opening for passage of the panel into and out of the container body. The housing portion can also house the fixed portion in a manner in which the outer edge of the handle in the left-right direction is disposed at the same position as or inward of the outer edge of the flange in the left-right direction. In a case where the maximum length of the panel storage container in the left-right direction is specified in accordance with a specification, the specification can be followed without reducing the capacity of the container body.

[0010] The panel storage container can also further include other fastening members that fix the handle to the side wall and extend in the left-right direction across the handle and the side wall. The fastening member can be a screw, and the other fastening member can be a pin. At this time, the handle is positioned in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction by the pin and positioned in the left-right direction by the screw. Therefore, the handle is more firmly fixed to the side wall, and thus the likelihood of the container body falling off during conveyance can be further reduced.

[0011] The handle can be a one-piece product. At this time, the number of parts constituting the panel storage container is reduced, and thus the assemblability of the panel storage container can be improved.

[0012] According to the present disclosure, the decline in the airtightness of the container body during conveyance can be suppressed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a panel storage container according to an embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a handle according to an embodiment. Figure 1

[0015] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a top plate and a side wall according to an embodiment. Figure 1

[0016] Figure 4 ​​is a view for explaining Figure 1 is a perspective view of the installation of the handle to the container body.

[0017] Figure 5 is a view in which the installation portion of the handle is enlarged.

[0018] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the section along Figure 5 VI-VI.

[0019] Figure 7 is a plan view of the panel storage container 1. Figure 1

[0020] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] 1: Panel storage container

[0022] 2: Container body

[0023] 2a: Opening

[0024] 3: Cover body

[0025] 4: Handle

[0026] 20: Internal space

[0027] 21: Top plate

[0028] 21a, 23a: Body portion

[0029] 21b, 23b: Front end portion

[0030] 21c, 23c: Rear end portion

[0031] 21d: Side end portion

[0032] 21e, 23f, 23h: Plate portion

[0033] 21f, 23g, 23i: Female threaded portion

[0034] 21g: Concave portion

[0035] 22: Bottom plate

[0036] 23: Side wall

[0037] 23d: Upper end portion

[0038] 23e: Lower end portion

[0039] 24: Back wall

[0040] 25: Flange

[0041] 25a, 41b: Outer rim

[0042] ​25h: upper lock hole

[0043] 31: lid body

[0044] 32: cover member

[0045] 32h: key hole

[0046] 33: lock mechanism

[0047] 41: handle body

[0048] 41a, 43a: through hole

[0049] 42: support portion

[0050] 43: fixing portion

[0051] 43b: pin hole

[0052] 50: housing portion

[0053] 51: base portion

[0054] 51a: abutting surface

[0055] 51b: screw hole (fastening hole)

[0056] 51c: pin hole (fastening hole)

[0057] 52: side wall portion (wall portion)

[0058] 53: bottom wall portion

[0059] 54: locking piece

[0060] 61, 62: support member

[0061] 63: holding body

[0062] 71: fastening member

[0063] 72: screw (fastening member)

[0064] 73: pin (fastening member, other fastening member)

[0065] L1, L2: length

[0066] L3: distance

[0067] V: housing space DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0068] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Also, in the description of the drawings, the same signs are attached to the same elements, and overlapping description is omitted. XYZ coordinate systems are shown in each drawing. The Y-axis direction is a direction that intersects (here, is orthogonal to) the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. The Z-axis direction is a direction that intersects (here, is orthogonal to) the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. As an example, the X-axis direction is the left-right direction (width direction), the Y-axis direction is the front-rear direction (depth direction), and the Z-axis direction is the up-down direction (height direction). Terms of "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "left", and "right" are used for convenience of explanation, but are not limited to these directions.

[0069] An embodiment of a panel storage container will be described below with reference to Figure 1 Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a panel storage container according to an embodiment. Figure 1 The panel storage container 1 shown is a container for storing a plurality of panels. The panel storage container 1, for example, conforms to the Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) standard. As examples of the panels, a glass substrate for a liquid crystal panel and a panel on which an electronic component is mounted can be cited. The panel has a rectangular shape. As examples of the panel size, 510 mm x 515 mm and 600 mm x 600 mm can be cited. The number of pieces of the panels that can be stored in the panel storage container 1 is arbitrarily determined, and, for example, can be six, twelve, sixteen, or twenty-four.

[0070] The panel storage container 1 is used, for example, in a manufacturing apparatus that manufactures an electronic component assembly. The electronic component assembly is manufactured, for example, by processes such as mounting a plurality of electronic components on a large-sized carrier such as a glass plate or a stainless steel plate, sealing the electronic components with an epoxy resin or the like, peeling the sealed electronic components from the carrier in a panel form, and cutting the electronic components in the panel form individually. The panel storage container 1 is used to transfer the panels between these processes.

[0071] The panel storage container 1 includes a container body 2, a lid 3, and a pair of handles 4.

[0072] The container body 2 is a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped container whose front surface (front surface) is open. In other words, the container body 2 is a front opening box type container in which an opening 2a is provided in the front surface. The container body 2 stores panels. Specifically, the container body 2 stores a plurality of panels in a state in which the panels are stacked at intervals from each other in the up-down direction. The panels are taken in and out of the container body 2 through the opening 2a.

[0073] ​The container body 2 includes a top plate 21, a bottom plate 22, a pair of side walls 23, a back wall 24, and a flange 25.

[0074] The top plate 21, the bottom plate 22, the side walls 23, and the back wall 24 are rectangular plates. The top plate 21 and the bottom plate 22 are opposed to each other in the vertical direction and are arranged substantially in parallel. The pair of side walls 23 are opposed to each other in the lateral direction and are arranged substantially in parallel. The back wall 24 is opposed to the cover 3 in the front-back direction in a state where the cover 3 closes the opening 2a. Two members adjacent to each other among the top plate 21, the bottom plate 22, the side walls 23, and the back wall 24 are joined by fastening members such as screws. The inside space 20 for housing a plurality of panels is defined by the top plate 21, the bottom plate 22, the pair of side walls 23, and the back wall 24.

[0075] The top plate 21, the bottom plate 22, and the side walls 23 include, for example, a metal material such as aluminum and stainless steel. The back wall 24 includes, for example, a transparent resin material through which the inside space 20 can be visually observed from the outside of the container body 2. A portion of the back wall 24 can also include a transparent resin material. As examples of the transparent resin material, an acrylic resin, a polycarbonate, a vinyl chloride resin, and a cyclic olefin polymer can be listed. Details of the top plate 21 and the side walls 23 will be described later.

[0076] The flange 25 is a rectangular frame provided over the front end of the top plate 21, the front end of the bottom plate 22, and the front ends of the pair of side walls 23. The opening 2a is defined by the flange 25. The flange 25 includes, for example, the resin material described above or a metal material such as aluminum and stainless steel. Two upper lock holes 25h arranged apart in the lateral direction are provided in the upper frame portion and the lower frame portion of the flange 25, respectively. The upper lock hole 25h of the upper frame portion and the upper lock hole 25h of the lower frame portion are provided at positions opposed to each other in the vertical direction.

[0077] The cover 3 is a member for closing the opening 2a of the container body 2. The cover 3 hermetically closes the opening 2a of the container body 2 via a sealing member such as a gasket. The cover 3 is detachably mounted to the flange 25 that defines the opening 2a. The cover 3 is opposed to the panels housed in the container body 2 in the front-back direction in a state where the cover 3 closes the opening 2a. The cover 3 includes a cover body 31, a cover member 32, and an upper lock mechanism 33.

[0078] The cover body 31 is a body portion of the cover 3. The cover body 31 is a rectangular plate. The cover body 31 includes, for example, a metal material such as an aluminum and magnesium alloy. The cover body 31 can also include a thermoplastic resin such as a polycarbonate resin. The cover member 32 is a member that covers the front surface of the cover body 31. The cover member 32 is a rectangular plate. The cover member 32 includes, for example, a resin material such as a polycarbonate. A keyhole 32h is provided in the cover member 32. A key not shown is inserted in the keyhole 32h.

[0079] The locking mechanism 33 locks or unlocks the cover 3 by operating a key inserted into the keyhole 32h. The locking mechanism 33 includes a latch that is not shown in the drawings. In a state where the cover 3 is mounted to the flange 25, the latch is inserted into a locking hole 25h provided in the flange 25 by operation of the key, thereby locking the cover 3. In a state where the cover 3 is locked, the latch is pulled out of the locking hole 25h by operation of the key, thereby unlocking the cover 3.

[0080] A pair of handles 4 is a member for conveyance, and is used when a conveyance device conveys the panel storage container 1. The handle 4 is also referred to as a robot flange (top flange). The pair of handles 4 is provided in the pair of side walls 23, respectively. The conveyance device can use the pair of handles 4 to lift the panel storage container 1 to convey it. Details of the handle 4 will be described later.

[0081] The container body 2, the cover 3, and the handle 4 are configured by combining a plurality of parts formed of a metal material or a resin material. As an example of a resin contained in a molding material of a resin material, a thermoplastic resin can be given. As an example of a thermoplastic resin, polycarbonate, a cyclic olefin polymer, polyetherimide, polyether ketone, polyether ether ketone, polybutylene terephthalate, polyacetal, a liquid crystal polymer, an acrylic resin such as polymethyl methacrylate, and an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer can be given. As a resin contained in a molding material of a resin material, a mixture thereof can also be used.

[0082] A conductive substance and various antistatic agents can also be added to these resins. The conductive substance includes, for example, carbon fibers, carbon powder, carbon nanotubes, or a conductive polymer. As an antistatic agent, an antistatic agent of an anionic type, a cationic type, a nonionic type, and the like can be used. An ultraviolet absorber of a benzotriazole type, a salicylate type, a cyanoacrylate type, an oxalic aniline type, and a hindered amine type can also be added. Glass fibers or carbon fibers or the like that increase rigidity can also be selectively added.

[0083] The panel storage container 1 further includes a plurality of support members 61, a plurality of support members 62, and a plurality of holders 63 as mechanisms for supporting a panel.

[0084] Each support member 61 is a member for supporting a central portion in the left-right direction of a panel. Each support member 62 is a member for supporting an end portion in the left-right direction of a panel. Each support member 61, 62 includes a columnar (for example, cylindrical) shaft extending in the front-rear direction, and a plurality of elastic bodies provided in a ring shape (for example, a circular ring shape) on an outer circumferential surface of the shaft around an axis of the shaft.

[0085] The rear end of the shaft is fixed to the inner surface of the back wall 24. The shaft contains, for example, a material having high bending rigidity. As examples of the material constituting the shaft, metals such as stainless steel and aluminum, and carbon fiber reinforced plastic can be listed. The length of the shaft of the support member 62 in the front-rear direction is slightly longer than the length of the panel in the front-rear direction, and longer than the length of the shaft of the support member 61 in the front-rear direction. Each of the elastic bodies is provided to suppress the sliding of the panel and improve the positioning accuracy of the panel. Each of the elastic bodies contains, for example, a rubber material. As examples of the rubber material, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), silicone rubber, and fluororubber can be listed. The plurality of elastic bodies are arranged at a certain interval along the extension direction of the shaft.

[0086] The number of the support members 61 and the support members 62 is changed in correspondence with the number of the panels that can be accommodated in the panel accommodating container 1. In the present embodiment, the panel accommodating container 1 contains one support member 61 and two support members 62 in correspondence with each of the panels. In other words, one support member 61 and two support members 62 form an accommodation layer that accommodates one panel. One support member 61 is disposed between the two support members 62 in the left-right direction.

[0087] Each of the holding bodies 63 is a member for holding (supporting) the shaft of the support member 62 and supporting the end portion in the left-right direction of the panel. In the front end portion of the holding body 63, a through-hole that penetrates the holding body 63 in the front-rear direction is provided, and the shaft of the support member 62 is inserted through the through-hole. The bottom end portion of the holding body 63 is fixed to the inner surface of the side wall 23.

[0088] Next, the handle 4 will be described in detail with reference to Figure 2 , while being described in detail. Figure 2 is Figure 1 a perspective view of the handle. As shown in Figure 2 , each of the handles 4 contains a handle body 41, a support portion 42, and a fixing portion 43. In addition, each of the handles 4 is a unitary molded product.

[0089] The handle body 41 is a portion on which the force acting upward by the conveyance device acts. The handle body 41 has a plate-like shape disposed substantially in parallel with the ceiling 21. The handle body 41 extends in the front-rear direction. In the front-rear both end portions of the handle body 41, a through-hole 41a that penetrates the handle body 41 in the up-down direction is provided. The through-hole 41a is used for positioning of the arm of the conveyance device. The outer edge 41b, which is located on the outer side among the end portions of the handle body 41 in the left-right direction, is located slightly on the outer side than the end portion of the ceiling 21 in the left-right direction on which the handle 4 is provided, and extends along the end portion.

[0090] The support portion 42 is a portion that supports the handle body 41. The support portion 42 is provided at a lower surface of the handle body 41, and extends downward from the handle body 41. The support portion 42 has a columnar shape (for example, a cylindrical shape). In the present embodiment, the handle 4 includes three support portions 42 arranged at substantially equal intervals in the front-rear direction.

[0091] The fixing portion 43 is a portion that is fixed to the side wall 23 in the left-right direction. The fixing portion 43 is provided at a lower end of the support portion 42, and extends downward from the lower end of the support portion 42. The fixing portion 43 has a rectangular plate shape that spreads in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction. The fixing portion 43 protrudes further in the front-rear direction than the support portion 42. In other words, a length L2 (see FIG. 6) of the fixing portion 43 in the front-rear direction is longer than a length L1 (see FIG. 6) of the support portion 42 in the front-rear direction. A front end portion of the fixing portion 43 is located further forward than a front end edge of the support portion 42, and a rear end portion of the fixing portion 43 is located further rearward than a rear end edge of the support portion 42. Figure 5 Figure 5

[0092] In the fixing portion 43, a through-hole 43a that penetrates the fixing portion 43 in the left-right direction is provided. A screw 72 (fastening member) described later is inserted into the through-hole 43a. On an inner surface of the fixing portion 43 opposite the side wall 23, a pin hole 43b into which a pin 73 (fastening member, another fastening member) described later is fitted (pressed) is provided. The pin hole 43b is recessed from the inner surface of the fixing portion 43 toward an outer surface of the fixing portion 43, and a portion of the outer surface corresponding to the pin hole 43b is protruded in a columnar shape toward the outside.

[0093] Next, the top plate 21 and the side wall 23 will be described in detail with reference to Figure 3 . Figure 3 is a perspective view of the top plate and the side wall. Figure 1

[0094] As shown in Figure 3 , the top plate 21 has a body portion 21a, a front end portion 21b, a rear end portion 21c, and a pair of side end portions 21d. The body portion 21a is a portion that constitutes a body of the top plate 21, and has a rectangular plate shape that spreads in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction. The front end portion 21b is a plate-shaped portion provided across an entire front end edge of the body portion 21a, and is provided in a state of standing upward from the front end edge of the body portion 21a. In the front end portion 21b, a plurality of insertion holes that penetrate the front end portion 21b in the front-rear direction are provided. Fastening members such as screws used when the top plate 21 is joined to the flange 25 are inserted into these insertion holes.

[0095] ​​​The rear end portion 21c includes a plate-shaped portion 21e provided in a state of standing upward from the rear end edge of the body portion 21a, and a plurality of female screw portions 21f used for fixing the back wall 24. The plate-shaped portion 21e is provided over the entire rear end edge of the body portion 21a. Each of the female screw portions 21f protrudes forward from the plate-shaped portion 21e.

[0096] A pair of side end portions 21d are portions provided along the side end edges of the body portion 21a. In each of the side end portions 21d, a plurality of insertion holes penetrating the side end portion 21d in the up-down direction are provided. Fastening members 71 such as screws used when the top plate 21 and the side wall 23 are joined are inserted into these insertion holes. In each of the side end portions 21d, recessed portions 21g through which the support portions 42 are inserted are provided. In the present embodiment, three recessed portions 21g arranged in the front-rear direction are provided in each of the side end portions 21d. Each of the recessed portions 21g is recessed toward the side end edge of the body portion 21a in the left-right direction.

[0097] The side wall 23 has a body portion 23a, a front end portion 23b, a rear end portion 23c, an upper end portion 23d, and a lower end portion 23e. The body portion 23a is a portion constituting the body of the side wall 23, and has a shape of a rectangular plate spreading in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction. The front end portion 23b is a plate-shaped portion provided over the entire front end edge of the body portion 23a, and is provided in a state of standing toward the outside of the container body 2 from the front end edge of the body portion 23a. In the front end portion 23b, a plurality of insertion holes penetrating the front end portion 23b in the front-rear direction are provided. Fastening members such as screws used when the side wall 23 and the flange 25 are joined are inserted into these insertion holes.

[0098] The rear end portion 23c includes a plate-shaped portion 23f provided in a state of standing toward the outside of the container body 2 from the rear end edge of the body portion 23a, and a plurality of female screw portions 23g used for fixing the back wall 24. The plate-shaped portion 23f is provided over the entire rear end edge of the body portion 23a. Each of the female screw portions 23g protrudes forward from the plate-shaped portion 23f.

[0099] The upper end portion 23d includes a plate-shaped portion 23h provided in a state of standing toward the outside of the container body 2 from the upper end edge of the body portion 23a, and a plurality of female screw portions 23i used for fixing the top plate 21. The plate-shaped portion 23h is provided along the upper end edge of the body portion 23a. Each of the female screw portions 23i protrudes downward from the plate-shaped portion 23h.

[0100] The upper end portion 23d further includes a number of accommodation portions 50 equal to the number of the fixing portions 43 included in one of the handles 4. The accommodation portion 50 is a portion that accommodates the fixing portion 43. Details of the accommodation portion 50 will be described later.

[0101] In the present embodiment, the side wall 23 has a shape symmetrical in the up-down direction. That is, the lower end portion 23e has the same shape as the upper end portion 23d, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0102] Next, the housing portion 50 will be described in detail further with reference to Figures 4 to 7 , while. Figure 4 is a perspective view for illustrating Figure 1 the mounting of the handle toward the container body. Figure 5 is a view in which the mounting portion of the handle is enlarged. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a cross section along VI-VI of Figure 5 . Figure 7 is a plan view of the panel storage container 1 shown in Figure 1 .

[0103] As shown in Figures 3 to 6 , the housing portion 50 includes a base portion 51, a pair of side wall portions 52, a bottom wall portion 53, and a pair of locking pieces 54.

[0104] The base portion 51 is a portion that abuts against the inner surface of the fixing portion 43. The base portion 51 has an abutting surface 51a that abuts against the inner surface of the fixing portion 43. The abutting surface 51a is located more inward than the outer surface of the body portion 23a. In other words, the abutting surface 51a is closer to the inner space 20 in the left-right direction than the outer surface of the body portion 23a. On the abutting surface 51a, a screw hole 51b (fastening hole) and a pin hole 51c (fastening hole) are provided. The screw hole 51b is recessed from the abutting surface 51a toward the inner space 20. A screw groove is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the screw hole 51b. The screw 72 is inserted into the screw hole 51b and screwed. The pin hole 51c is recessed from the abutting surface 51a toward the inner space 20. The pin 73 is pressed into the pin hole 51c.

[0105] That is, the panel storage container 1 further includes the screw 72 and the pin 73. The screw 72 and the pin 73 are each a fastening member that fixes the handle 4 to the side wall 23, and extend across the handle 4 (fixing portion 43) and the side wall 23 (base portion 51) in the left-right direction.

[0106] The pair of side wall portions 52 extend in the up-down direction, and are provided spaced apart in the front-rear direction in a manner that can house the fixing portion 43. The pair of side wall portions 52 are provided along both the front and rear end edges of the base portion 51 in a state of standing from the abutting surface 51a toward the outside. In other words, the base portion 51 is provided between the pair of side wall portions 52. The bottom wall portion 53 extends in the left-right direction, and links the lower ends of the pair of side wall portions 52 to each other. The bottom wall portion 53 is provided along the lower end edge of the base portion 51 in a state of standing from the abutting surface 51a toward the outside. The housing space V that houses the fixing portion 43 is demarcated by the base portion 51, the pair of side wall portions 52, and the bottom wall portion 53.

[0107] A pair of locking tabs 54 are provided on the upper ends of a pair of sidewall portions 52 and protrude from each other in a manner that brings them closer together in the front-rear direction. The front ends of the pair of locking tabs 54 are spaced apart by a distance L3 in the front-rear direction that is longer than the length L1 of the support portion 42 in the front-rear direction and shorter than the length L2 of the fixing portion 43 in the front-rear direction.

[0108] like Figure 7 As shown, the receiving part 50 receives the fixing part 43 in such a way that the outer edge of the handle 4 (the outer edge 41b of the handle body 41) is positioned at the same position as or inside the outer edge 25a of the flange 25 in the left-right direction. The fixing part 43 is fixed to the side wall 23 by screws 72 and pins 73 when it is received in the receiving space V of the receiving part 50.

[0109] Next, the assembly process for the top plate 21, side wall 23, and handle 4 will be explained. Figure 3 As shown, the side end portion 21d of the top plate 21 is disposed on the upper end portion 23d of the side wall 23 such that the front ends of a pair of locking tabs 54 coincide with the inner peripheral surface of the recess 21g in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the shaft portion of the fastening member 71 is inserted through a through hole provided in the side end portion 21d and screwed into the female thread portion 23i. Thus, the top plate 21 and the side wall 23 are connected.

[0110] Furthermore, such as Figure 4 As shown, with one end of the pin 73 inserted (pressed into) the pin hole 51c of the base 51, the support part 42 is inserted from the left and right sides into the space between the recess 21g and the pair of locking pieces 54, and the fixing part 43 of the handle 4 is received from the left and right sides into the receiving space V. At this time, the fixing part 43 is pressed towards the abutment surface 51a until the inner surface of the fixing part 43 abuts against the abutment surface 51a of the base 51, thereby inserting (pressing into) the other end of the pin 73 into the pin hole 43b. Thus, the handle 4 is fixed in the vertical and horizontal directions and the front and back directions. Furthermore, the shaft of the screw 72 is inserted through the through hole 43a and into the screw hole 51b and screwed in. Thus, the fixing part 43 is clamped in the left and right directions by the head of the screw 72 and the base 51, thereby fixing the handle 4 in the left and right directions. Through the above steps, the handle 4 is installed on the side wall 23.

[0111] In the panel storage container 1 described above, the handle 4 is fixed to the side wall 23 by the screw 72 and the pin 73 extending in the left-right direction across the handle 4 and the side wall 23. Therefore, for example, in a case where the conveying device uses the handle 4 to lift the panel storage container 1, a force by which the handle 4 pulls the side wall 23 upward is exerted on the portion of the side wall 23 (the base 51 of the storage portion 50) to which the handle 4 is fixed, in correspondence with the weight of the panel storage container 1. That is, the force acts on the side wall 23 in the direction along the side wall 23, and thus the deformation of the side wall 23 is suppressed. As a result, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the airtightness of the container body 2 at the time of conveyance.

[0112] The handle 4 is positioned in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction by the pin 73 and is positioned in the left-right direction by the screw 72. Therefore, compared to a case where either of the screw 72 and the pin 73 is used, the handle 4 is more firmly fixed to the side wall 23, and thus it is possible to reduce the possibility that the container body 2 falls off at the time of conveyance.

[0113] The fixing portion 43 of the handle 4 is fixed to the side wall 23 by the screw 72 and the pin 73 in a state where it is stored in the storage space V of the storage portion 50. According to this structure, as long as the fixing portion 43 is stored in the storage space V of the storage portion 50, the installation position of the handle 4 is determined. Therefore, it is possible to improve the assemblability of the panel storage container 1.

[0114] Sometimes, the fixing portion 43 stored in the storage portion 50 moves in the upward direction with respect to the side wall 23 due to loosening of the screw 72, falling of the pin 73, or the like. In the panel storage container 1, the front ends of the pair of locking pieces 54 are separated from each other in the front-rear direction by a distance L3 longer than the length LI of the support portion 42 in the front-rear direction and shorter than the length L2 of the fixing portion 43 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, when the fixing portion 43 moves in the upward direction, the fixing portion 43 interferes with the pair of locking pieces 54 and cannot pass between the pair of locking pieces 54. Therefore, the possibility that the fixing portion 43 stays in the storage space V of the storage portion 50 increases. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the container body 2 falls off at the time of conveyance.

[0115] In the SEMI standard, the maximum length in the left-right direction of the panel storage container 1 is specified. For example, in a case where the handle 4 is installed to the outer surface of the body portion 23a of the side wall 23, in the left-right direction, the outer edge (the outer edge 41b) of the handle 4 is located more outward than the outer edge 25a of the flange 25. At this time, the maximum length in the left-right direction of the panel storage container 1 becomes the distance between the outer edges 41b of the pair of handles 4. Therefore, if the maximum length in the left-right direction of the panel storage container 1 is made to satisfy the specification of the SEMI standard, the distance between the pair of side walls 23 becomes shorter, and the capacity of the container body 2 becomes smaller. For example, there is a risk that the panel cannot be stored in the container body 2 any more.

[0116] To address this problem, in the panel storage container 1, the housing portion 50 houses the fixing portion 43 in a manner that the outer edge 41b of the handle 4 is disposed at the same position as the outer edge 25a of the flange 25 or inward of the same. Specifically, the abutting surface 51a of the base portion 51 is located inward of the outer surface of the body portion 23a, and thus the outer edge 41b is disposed at the same position as the outer edge 25a or inward of the same. Therefore, it is possible to comply with the SEMI standards without reducing the capacity of the container body 2.

[0117] For example, in a case where the handle is mounted to the top plate 21 of the container body 2, a support member corresponding to the support portion 42 of the handle 4 is fixed to the top plate 21 by a fastening member such as a screw, and a member corresponding to the handle body 41 is fixed to the support member by a fastening member such as a screw. That is, the handle includes a plurality of independent members. On the other hand, in the panel storage container 1, the handle 4 is mounted to the side wall 23 of the container body 2. That is, in the left-right direction intersecting the extending direction (the up-down direction) of the support portion 42, the screw 72 and the pin 73 join the fixing portion 43 and the base portion 51, and thus a one-piece product can be used as the handle 4. Therefore, the number of members constituting the panel storage container 1 is reduced, and thus the assemblability of the panel storage container 1 can be improved.

[0118] In addition, the panel storage container of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment described above.

[0119] As long as the handle 4 is fixed to the side wall 23, the panel storage container 1 can include either one of the screw 72 and the pin 73.

[0120] The handle 4 can not be a one-piece product. For example, the handle body 41 can be an independent member, and the handle body 41 can be fixed to the upper end of the support portion 42 by a fastening member such as a screw.

[0121] The housing portion 50 can not include the pair of locking pieces 54. In this case, the length L2 in the front-rear direction of the fixing portion 43 can be substantially the same as the length LI in the front-rear direction of the support portion 42, or can be shorter than the length LI.

[0122] The side wall 23 can not include the housing portion 50, and the fixing portion 43 of the handle 4 can be fixed to the outer surface of the body portion 23a.

[0123] In the embodiment described above, the container body 2 is configured by joining independent members of the top plate 21, the bottom plate 22, the side wall 23, the back wall 24, and the flange 25. The structure of the container body 2 is not limited to the structure of joining independent members. For example, the container body 2 can be a one-piece product. Alternatively, the top plate 21, the bottom plate 22, the side wall 23, and the back wall 24 can be a one-piece product, and the flange 25 can be an independent member.

[0124] The panel storage container 1 is sometimes used in a state where the handle 4 is not attached. Therefore, the panel storage container 1 can not include the pair of handles 4.

[0125] (Notes)

[0126] [Clause 1]

[0127] A panel storage container includes:

[0128] a container body that stores a panel;

[0129] a handle for conveyance that is provided to a side wall of the container body; and

[0130] a fastening member that fastens the handle to the side wall, and the fastening member extends in a left-right direction across the handle and the side wall.

[0131] [Clause 2]

[0132] The panel storage container according to Clause 1, wherein the handle has a handle body that extends in a front-rear direction, a support portion that extends downward from the handle body, and a fixing portion that is provided to a lower end of the support portion and is fixed to the side wall in the left-right direction,

[0133] the side wall has a housing portion that houses the fixing portion,

[0134] the fixing portion is fixed to the side wall by the fastening member in a state of being housed in the housing portion.

[0135] [Clause 3]

[0136] The panel storage container according to Clause 2, wherein

[0137] the fixing portion protrudes more in the front-rear direction than the support portion,

[0138] the housing portion has:

[0139] a pair of wall portions that extend in an up-down direction and are provided to be spaced apart in the front-rear direction in a manner capable of housing the fixing portion;

[0140] a pair of locking pieces that are provided to upper ends of the pair of wall portions and protrude in a manner of approaching each other in the front-rear direction; and

[0141] a base portion that is provided between the pair of wall portions and is provided with a fastening hole into which the fastening member is inserted,

[0142] front ends of the pair of locking pieces are spaced apart in the front-rear direction from each other by a distance that is longer than a length of the support portion in the front-rear direction and shorter than a length of the fixing portion in the front-rear direction.

[0143] [Clause 4]

[0144] The panel storage container according to Clause 2 or Clause 3, wherein the container body has a flange that demarcates an opening for the panel to enter and exit the container body,

[0145] The housing portion houses the fixing portion in a manner that the outer edge of the handle in the left-right direction is disposed at the same position as or inward of the outer edge of the flange.

[0146] [Clause 5]

[0147] The panel storage container according to any one of Clauses 1 to 4, further comprising: another fastening member that fixes the handle to the side wall, and the other fastening member extends across and in the left-right direction between the handle and the side wall,

[0148] The fastening member is a screw,

[0149] The other fastening member is a pin.

[0150] [Clause 6]

[0151] The panel storage container according to any one of Clauses 1 to 5, wherein the handle is a one-piece product.

Claims

1. A panel storage container characterized by, Including: a container body that houses a panel; a handle for carrying provided on a side wall of the container body; and a fastening member that fastens the handle to the side wall, and that extends in the left-right direction across the handle and the side wall. The handle has a handle body that extends in the front-rear direction, a support portion that extends downward from the handle body, and a fixed portion provided at a lower end of the support portion and fastened to the side wall in the left-right direction, 2. The panel storage container of claim 1, wherein, The side wall has a housing portion that houses the fixed portion, The fixed portion is fastened to the side wall by the fastening member in a state of being housed in the housing portion.

3. The panel housing container according to claim 2, wherein The fixed portion projects further in the front-rear direction than the support portion, The housing portion has: a pair of wall portions that extend in the up-down direction and are provided spaced apart in the front-rear direction in a manner capable of housing the fixed portion; a pair of locking pieces provided at upper ends of the pair of wall portions and projecting in a manner of approaching each other in the front-rear direction; and a base portion provided between the pair of wall portions and provided with a fastening hole into which the fastening member is inserted, The front ends of the pair of locking pieces are spaced apart in the front-rear direction from each other by a distance longer than the length of the support portion in the front-rear direction and shorter than the length of the fixed portion in the front-rear direction. The container body has a flange that defines an opening for the panel to enter and exit the container body, 4. The panel housing container according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by The housing portion houses the fixed portion in a manner that the outer edge of the handle in the left-right direction is disposed at the same position as or inward of the outer edge of the flange. Further including:

5. The panel housing container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that another fastening member that fastens the handle to the side wall, and that extends in the left-right direction across the handle and the side wall, The fastening member is a screw, The other fastening member is a pin. The handle is a one-piece molded product.

6. The panel housing container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by ​

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