Lift wheel lock for installation and / or removal of the vaporizer container

Abstract

The delivery system includes a handheld motorized lift configured to lift at least one vaporizer container and a cabinet configured to hold at least one vaporizer container. The lift includes an elongated mast, an effector attached to the mast, a handler configured to move the lift, and at least one caster. The effector is controlled by a power source to move along the mast. Each of the at least one caster includes a stopper and a wheel. The stopper is elongated and disposed above the wheel. The stopper is configured to engage with the wheel to prevent the wheel from pivoting when the stopper is depressed. The stopper is further configured to disengage from the wheel to allow the wheel to pivot when the stopper is released. The cabinet includes at least one channel configured to accommodate the at least one caster.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to the installation and / or removal of a vaporizer vessel to and / or from a cabinet (e.g., a solid delivery cabinet). More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus and system for installing and / or removing a vaporizer vessel to and / or from a solid delivery cabinet using a hand-held electric lift having a stopper that interacts with a channel of the solid delivery cabinet to engage and / or disengage wheels of the hand-held electric lift.

Background Art

[0002] In the use of a source reagent (e.g., a liquid and / or solid source reagent for vapor in processes such as chemical vapor deposition, atomic layer deposition, and / or ion implantation processes) that is heated to form a source reagent vapor for deposition or injection, a vaporizer vessel can be adapted to hold the source reagent. The vaporizer vessel should be installed to or removed from a cabinet (e.g., a solid delivery cabinet) before and / or after operation, and the safety requirements for installation and removal need to be met according to industry standards.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to the installation and / or removal of a vaporizer vessel to and / or from a cabinet (e.g., a solid delivery cabinet). More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus and system for installing and / or removing a vaporizer vessel to and / or from a solid delivery cabinet using a hand-held electric lift having a stopper that interacts with a channel of the solid delivery cabinet to engage and / or disengage wheels of the hand-held electric lift.

[0004] When installing and / or removing a vaporizer container in and / or from a cabinet, such as a solid delivery cabinet, before and / or after operation, safety requirements and other requirements for installation and removal (e.g., referring to the Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) standards, e.g., https: / / www.semi.org) need to be met. It is also necessary to consider the installation area constraints of the solid delivery cabinet installed at the customer's site (typically within a narrow area with, for example, a grid floor), as well as the weight capacity required to lift the heavy solid delivery vaporizer container. The embodiments disclosed herein provide a hand-held electric lift having a stopper that interacts with the channels of the solid delivery cabinet, ensuring safe and assisted installation and / or removal of the vaporizer container to and / or from the solid delivery cabinet.

[0005] In one embodiment, the hand-held electric lift includes an elongate mast, an effector attached to the mast, a handler configured to move the lift, and at least one caster. The effector is controlled by a power source to move along the mast. Each of the at least one caster includes a stopper and a wheel. The stopper is elongate and disposed above the wheel. The stopper is configured to engage the wheel to prevent the wheel from swiveling when the stopper is depressed. The stopper is further configured to disengage from the wheel to allow the wheel to swivel when the stopper is released.

[0006] In one embodiment, the wheels are swivel wheels.

[0007] In one embodiment, the at least one caster includes two front casters, and the lift further includes two back casters.

[0008] In one embodiment, the width of the lift is 21 inches or about 21 inches.

[0009] In one embodiment, the weight capacity of the lift is in the range of 120 pounds or about 120 pounds to 200 pounds or about 200 pounds.

[0010] In one embodiment, the stopper includes an elongated pin.

[0011] In one embodiment, the stopper includes an elastomer. When the stopper is not being pushed, the elastomer is configured to release the stopper so that the stopper disengages from the wheel.

[0012] In one embodiment, the delivery system includes a handheld electric lift configured to lift at least one vaporizer container and a cabinet configured to hold at least one vaporizer container. The lift includes an elongated mast, an effector attached to the mast, a handler configured to move the lift, and at least one caster. The effector is controlled by a power source to move along the mast. Each of the at least one caster includes a stopper and a wheel. The stopper is elongated and disposed above the wheel. The stopper is configured to engage the wheel to prevent the wheel from turning when the stopper is pushed down. The stopper is further configured to disengage from the wheel to allow the wheel to turn when the stopper is released. The cabinet includes at least one channel configured to receive at least one caster.

[0013] In one embodiment, the at least one channel includes two channels. Each of the two channels is configured to receive each of two front casters, respectively.

[0014] In one embodiment, the at least one channel is disposed at the bottom of the cabinet.

[0015] In one embodiment, at least one channel is configured such that the top wall of the at least one channel presses down on a stopper to prevent the wheel from turning when at least one caster is received within the at least one channel.

[0016] In one embodiment, the cabinet is fixed to the grid floor.

[0017] In one embodiment, the cabinet is bolted to the grid floor.

[0018] In one embodiment, at least one channel includes a top wall. When the stopper is disengaged from the wheel, the height of the top wall is lower than the height of the stopper such that the top wall presses down on the stopper and the stopper engages the wheel when at least one caster is received within the at least one channel.

[0019] Refer to the accompanying drawings that form a part of this disclosure and illustrate embodiments that can practice the systems and methods described herein.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4A

Figure 4B

Figure 4C

Figure 4D

Figure 5

Figure 6A

Figure 6B

Figure 6C

Figure 6D

Figure 7A

Figure 7B

Figure 7C

Figure 7D

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Like reference numerals represent like parts throughout.

[0022] This disclosure generally relates to the installation and / or removal of a vaporizer vessel to and / or from a cabinet (e.g., a solid delivery cabinet). More specifically, this disclosure relates to an apparatus and system for installing and / or removing a vaporizer vessel to and / or from a solid delivery cabinet using a hand-held electric lift having a stopper that interacts with a channel of the solid delivery cabinet to engage and / or disengage wheels of the hand-held electric lift.

[0023] The following definitions are applicable throughout this disclosure. As defined herein, the term "solid delivery cabinet" can refer to a cabinet (e.g., a cabinet with shelves) for storing a container (e.g., a solid delivery vaporizer vessel, etc.).

[0024] As defined herein, the term "solid delivery vaporizer" can refer to a vaporizer in which a solid reactant, such as aluminum trichloride (e.g., AlCl3) or any other suitable chemical, is provided for volatilization when the vaporizer is heated.

[0025] As defined herein, the term "container" or "vaporizer vessel" can refer to a container adapted to hold a source reagent. In one embodiment, the container can have a cylindrical shape machined to very close tolerances (e.g., in the range of 1 / 1000 to 3 / 1000 inches). It will be understood that different embodiments of the vaporizer and / or container are described in U.S. Patent No. 8,821,640, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. In one embodiment, "container" can also refer to, for example, an "ampoule". It will be understood that different embodiments of the vaporizer and / or ampoule are described in U.S. Patent No. 6,921,062, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0026] As defined herein, the term "height" can refer to, for example, the height of an object or point relative to ground level. For example, during operation, a handheld electric lift is placed on the ground with its wheels in contact with the ground, and the height of the stopper can be the vertical distance from the ground to the highest point of the stopper.

[0027] Certain embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the present disclosure, which can be embodied in various forms. Well-known functions or structures are not described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure with unnecessary details. Accordingly, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but rather as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to use the present disclosure in substantially any appropriately detailed structure and as a basis for the claims. In this specification and the drawings, like reference numerals represent elements that can perform the same, similar, or equivalent functions.

[0028] The scope of the present disclosure should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples shown herein. Further, elements are not essential to the practice of the present disclosure unless specifically described herein as "important" or "essential".

[0029] It will be appreciated that using the delivery system disclosed herein in semiconductor manufacturing applications can have certain advantages and can solve certain technical problems. For example, the gap area under the solid delivery cabinet (e.g., of the channel) is sized such that when the wheels turn within the channel, a hand-held electric lift cannot be removed from under the solid delivery cabinet or cannot be accommodated within the channel. That is, since the channel is sized to allow the wheels to turn or rotate when the wheels are removed, the wheels need to be locked (from turning) when the vaporizer container is installed and need to remain locked (from turning) until the wheels are completely removed from the cabinet. If the operator has to manually lock the wheels, the lock step can be missed and the lift can be caught in the small gap area. The locking needs to be done automatically and reliably.

[0030] It will also be appreciated that the solid delivery cabinet is typically installed in a narrow area (e.g., a passageway having a width of 23 inches or about 23 inches to 26 inches or about 26 inches). In the application, the narrow area can be in a "U" shape. Thus, the wheels need to be in a linear position for moving forward and / or backward (and not rotatable in any other direction) when the wheels enter and exit the channel of the solid delivery cabinet to avoid the wheels being caught in the channel under the solid delivery cabinet. Also, due to the small installation area of the passageway, the wheels need to be able to freely turn and / or move in any direction so that the operator can slide the hand-held electric lift laterally in and / or out of the passageway (narrow space) after the wheels are pulled out of the channel under the solid delivery cabinet or before the wheels are pushed into the channel.

[0031] The embodiments disclosed herein provide a directional lock mechanism (e.g., a stopper that engages / disengages with the wheels) that functions in conjunction with a channel of the solid delivery cabinet (e.g., having a predetermined altitude) to prevent the wheels of a hand-held electric lift from being caught in a narrow passage when the wheels slide under the solid delivery cabinet. The stopper can prevent the wheels from turning. That is, when actuated (e.g., pushed down to engage with the wheels), the lock mechanism is configured to prevent the wheels from turning and only allow movement of the wheels forward and / or backward.

[0032] It will be further understood that safety requirements and other requirements (e.g., SEMI standards) for the installation and removal of the vaporizer container need to be met. Thus, the lift for lifting the vaporizer container is narrow enough to fit in a narrow passage, can slide laterally through the passage, and then be pushed forward to properly place the vaporizer container on the cabinet, and has a weight capacity capable of safely lifting the vaporizer container (using a heavy-duty electric motor such as a constant-torque motor), and is light enough to be pushed / moved by an operator while the lift action is electric (e.g., non-manual movement / lifting) (e.g., the weight of the lift is 100 pounds or less). A constant-torque motor can be considered a "heavy-duty" motor because, unlike variable-torque motors that typically drive fans and / or pumps, it can be subject to high-torque loads throughout its "on" cycle and may not require much power when the variable-torque motor starts and operates. In addition, the production floor (where the cabinet is installed) is typically a grid floor that requires wheels having a diameter within a certain range (e.g., the diameter of the wheels is 2 inches or more). The swivel wheels having such a diameter are sized to freely move by swiveling on the grid floor.

[0033] The embodiments disclosed herein provide a delivery system (e.g., having a handheld electric lift with fully rotating wheels and stoppers) for meeting safety requirements, weight requirements, and other requirements for semiconductor manufacturing applications.

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a lift 310 of a delivery system (110, 210, 310) that lifts a container 210 and installs the container 210 in a cabinet 110, according to one embodiment. It will be understood that FIG. 1 can also show a lift 310 that lifts the container 210 and removes the container 210 from the cabinet 110. It will also be understood that in one embodiment, the delivery system can include the lift 310 and the cabinet 110 without the container 210.

[0035] FIG. 2 shows a rear view of a lift 310 of a delivery system (110, 210, 310) that interacts with a cabinet 110 with the container 210 installed in the cabinet 110, according to one embodiment. It will be understood that FIG. 2 can also show a lift 310 that interacts with the cabinet 110 to remove the container 210 from the cabinet 110.

[0036] In one embodiment, the lift 310 can be a hand-held electric lift. In one embodiment, the hand-held electric lift can have a width of 21 inches or about 21 inches. The hand-held electric lift 310 includes, for example, an elongated mast 330 that extends vertically. The hand-held electric lift 310 also includes an effector 320 attached to the mast 330. The effector 320 can be controlled by the power source 350 of the hand-held electric lift 310 to move along the mast 330. The hand-held electric lift 310 further includes a handler 380 configured to move the hand-held electric lift 310 (e.g., by an operator). Also, the hand-held electric lift 310 includes casters 340, 360. In one embodiment, the hand-held electric lift 310 includes two front casters 340 and two back casters 360. In one embodiment, one or more of the back casters 360 can have a brake (e.g., a foot brake, etc.) to prevent the hand-held electric lift 310 from moving forward and / or backward.

[0037] In one embodiment, the hand-held electric lift 310 further includes a holder 370 attached to the effector 320. The holder 370 is configured to hold, for example, the container 210 such that the container 210 can be moved (e.g., lifted up and down) along the mast 330 when the effector 320 is controlled by the power source 350 controlled by an operator.

[0038] In one embodiment, the container 210 can be a vaporizer container. The vaporizer container can have a minimum weight of 120 pounds or about 120 pounds and / or a maximum weight of 200 pounds or about 200 pounds.

[0039] In one embodiment, the handheld electric lift 310 also includes legs 305, a body portion 375, and / or an adapter 385. The handheld electric lift 310 can include two legs 305, two body portions 375, and two adapters 385. Each leg 305 is connected (e.g., fixed, attached, etc.) to a caster 340 and the body portion 375. Each body portion 375 is connected (e.g., fixed, attached, etc.) to an adapter 385. Each adapter 385 is connected (e.g., fixed, attached, etc.) to a caster 360. The first intermediate bar 390 of the handheld electric lift 310 is configured to connect the upper portions of the two body portions 375. The second intermediate bar 395 of the handheld electric lift 310 is configured to connect the lower portions of the two body portions 375. The mast 330 is connected (e.g., fixed, attached, etc.) to the central portion of the second intermediate bar 395.

[0040] In one embodiment, during operation, all of the casters 340, 360 are disposed on the ground and in contact with the ground, and all other components of the handheld electric lift 310 are spaced apart from the ground.

[0041] In one embodiment, the cabinet 110 can be a solid delivery cabinet. The solid delivery cabinet 110 can include one or more shelves arranged horizontally (e.g., side by side). Each shelf can be configured to house a vaporizer container 210. The solid delivery cabinet 110 includes a channel 120 disposed at the bottom of the solid delivery cabinet 110. In one embodiment, the solid delivery cabinet 110 includes two channels 120. Each channel 120 has a recess with a top wall 122 and can house a caster 340. The solid delivery cabinet 110 can be permanently fixed (e.g., bolted or via any other suitable attachment mechanism) to the production floor (e.g., a grid floor, etc.).

[0042] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the caster 340 of the handheld electric lift 310 of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to one embodiment.

[0043] It will be understood that the embodiments described and recited herein are not limited to the amounts, sizes, and / or shapes, etc. described. That is, the amounts, sizes, and / or shapes, etc. described and recited herein are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, the caster 340 includes a stopper 341, a wheel 347, and a connector (or frame) 346. In one embodiment, the wheel 347 can be a thin wheel having a compact frame. In one embodiment, the caster 340 can include at least two wheels 347 arranged side by side. The leg 305 includes a first opening 305A and a second opening 305B at an end portion of the leg 305. The connector 346 includes a recess 346A and a protrusion 346B. In one embodiment, the recess 346A can be an opening. The protrusion 346B extends, for example, in a vertical direction. The protrusion 346B is configured such that the diameter of the protrusion 346B is slightly smaller than, slightly larger than, or the same as the diameter of the second opening 305B. The protrusion 346B can pass through the second opening 305B to connect (e.g., fix, attach, etc.) the caster 340 to the leg 305 using, for example, any suitable connection (e.g., press fit, interference fit, fastener, adhesive, etc.). The upper surface of the protrusion 346B can be flush with the upper surface of the end portion of the leg 305 (see, for example, FIG. 4A below).

[0045] In one embodiment, the stopper 341 includes pins (342, 344). The pins (342, 344) can be elongated. The pins (342, 344) include an integral upper portion 342 and an integral lower portion 344. The upper portion 342 includes a head 342A, a neck 342B, and a body 342C. The lower portion 344 includes a protrusion 344A, a shoulder 344B, and a bottom 344C. The stopper 341 also includes an elastomer 343. In one embodiment, the elastomer 343 can be a spring or any suitable elastic component, etc. The stopper 341 further includes a housing 345.

[0046] FIG. 4A shows a side cross-sectional view of a disengaged caster 340 of a hand-held electric lift 310 according to one embodiment. FIG. 4B shows a cross-sectional view of the disengaged caster 340 of FIG. 4A (of the hand-held electric lift 310) at a different angle. FIG. 4C shows a front view of the disengaged caster 340 of FIG. 4A (of the hand-held electric lift 310) according to one embodiment.

[0047] In one embodiment, the head 342A has a conical shape with a flat or curved top and a cylindrical bottom. The neck 342B has a cylindrical shape. At least a part of the neck 342B is accommodated within the housing 345. The housing 345 is hollow and has an upper opening and a lower opening. The neck 342B is configured such that the diameter of the neck 342B is slightly smaller than the diameter of the upper opening (i.e., the inner diameter of the housing 345), whereby the neck 342B can slide vertically within the housing 345. The neck 342B can be accommodated in the housing 345 with no gap or only a slight gap between the inner surface of the housing 345 and the outer surface of the neck 342B. The cylindrical bottom of the head 342A is configured such that the diameter of the cylindrical bottom is larger than the inner diameter of the housing 345, whereby the cylindrical bottom can be prevented from moving further downward vertically by the upper surface of the housing 345.

[0048] In one embodiment, the housing 345 is configured such that the outer diameter of the housing 345 is slightly smaller than, slightly larger than, or the same as the diameter of the first opening 305A. The housing 345 can pass through the first opening 305A, for example, to connect (e.g., fix, attach, etc.) the stopper 341 to the leg portion 305 using any suitable connection (e.g., press fit, interference fit, fastener, adhesive, etc.). The upper surface of the housing 345 can be flush with the upper surface of the end portion of the leg portion 305.

[0049] In one embodiment, the main body 342C is configured such that the diameter of the main body 342C is smaller than the diameter of the neck portion 342B. The lower portion of the main body 342C has a recess for accommodating the protrusion 344A. The protrusion 344A can be accommodated in the recess of the main body 342C with no gap or only a slight gap between the inner surface of the recess and the outer surface of the protrusion 344A. The main body 342C can be placed on the shoulder portion 344B such that the lower surface of the main body 342C can contact the upper surface of the shoulder portion 344B.

[0050] In one embodiment, the main body 342C is configured such that the diameter of the main body 342C is slightly smaller than the diameter of the lower opening of the housing 345, whereby the main body 342C can slide vertically through the lower opening of the housing 345. There may be no gap or only a slight gap between the main body 342C and the lower opening of the housing 345. At least a part of the main body 342C is accommodated within the housing 345. In one embodiment, the shoulder portion 344B is configured such that the diameter of the shoulder portion 344B is larger than the diameter of the lower opening of the housing 345, whereby the shoulder portion 344B can be prevented from moving further upward in the vertical direction by the lower surface of the housing 345.

[0051] In one embodiment, the spring 343 can be disposed inside the housing 345 and outside the main body 342C. The spring 343 can be disposed between the neck portion 342B and the inner surface of the bottom of the housing 345 in the vertical direction. The spring 343 can be compressed by the force from the neck portion 342B when the head portion 342A is pushed down (e.g., in the vertical direction). When there is no force on the head portion 342A (i.e., the head portion 342A is released), the spring 343 can be decompressed and the neck portion 342B (and the head portion 342A) can be released to its un-pushed position. After the stopper 341 is assembled and connected to the leg portion 305, the upper portion 342 can be connected (e.g., fixed, attached, etc.) to the lower portion 344 by using, for example, any suitable connection (e.g., press-fitting, interference fit, fasteners, adhesives, etc.), such as by connecting the main body 342C and the protrusion 344A together. Thereby, it will be understood that the pins (342, 344) can move vertically up and down as a whole by the force from, for example, the spring 343, the top wall 122 of the channel 120 (see FIGS. 6C and 6D, for example), etc.

[0052] In one embodiment, the recess 346A is configured such that the diameter of the recess 346A is larger than the diameter of the bottom 344C, whereby when the head portion 342A is pushed down, the bottom 344C can slide vertically through the recess 346A to reach the wheel 347 and engage with the wheel 347. When the head portion 342A is not pushed down, the bottom surface of the bottom 344C is on, above, or around the upper surface of the recess 346A, and the recess 346A is disposed above the wheel 347 in the vertical direction.

[0053] In one embodiment, the wheel 347 has a center 347A. In the vertical direction, the axes of the head portion 342A, the neck portion 342B, the main body 342C, the spring 343, the housing 345, the protrusion 344A, the shoulder portion 344B, and the bottom 344C are all aligned or overlap with each other and pass through the center 347A in a side view.

[0054] FIG. 4D shows a side view of the disengaged caster 340 of FIG. 4A (of the hand-held electric lift 310) in a delivery system (110, 210, 310) according to one embodiment.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 4D, the height of the top wall 122 of the channel 120 is lower than the height of the top of the head 342A of the upper portion 342 and higher than the height of the bottom (e.g., the cylindrical bottom) of the head 342A of the upper portion 342. The height of the top wall 122 of the channel 120 is higher than all other components of the caster 340 and all other components of the leg 305 so that the caster 340 can be received in the channel 120.

[0056] FIG. 5 shows a side cross-sectional view of the caster 340 of the hand-held electric lift 310 according to one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the head 342A of the upper portion 342 of the stopper 341 is pushed downward in the vertical direction so that the bottom of the lower portion passes through the recess 346A, but the stopper 341 is not pushed down enough to engage the wheel 347. That is, the stopper 341 is still above the wheel 347, not engaged with the wheel 347, and prevents the wheel 347 from turning.

[0057] FIG. 6A shows a cross-sectional view of the engaged caster 340 of the hand-held electric lift 310 according to one embodiment. FIG. 6B shows a front view of the engaged caster 340 of FIG. 6A (of the hand-held electric lift 310) according to one embodiment. FIG. 6C shows a rear view of the engaged caster 340 of FIG. 6A (of the hand-held electric lift 310) in a delivery system (110, 210, 310) according to one embodiment. FIG. 6D shows a side view of the engaged caster 340 of FIG. 6A (of the hand-held electric lift 310) in a delivery system (110, 310) according to one embodiment.

[0058] In one embodiment, during operation, the wheels 347 of the caster 340 are placed on a floor (e.g., a shaped floor such as a grid floor). As the caster 340 moves towards the channel 120, the top wall 122 of the channel 120 can contact the conical head 342A of the upper portion 342. As the caster 340 moves further towards and into the channel 120, the top wall 122 of the channel 120 slides along the side surface of the conical head 342A to reach the top surface of the head 342A, thereby pushing down the vertical stopper 341 (the upper portion 342 and the lower portion 344) and compressing the spring 343. It will be appreciated that the conical shape design (or disc design, curved shape design, or any other suitable design) of the head 342A can enable such a slide. The channel 120 is configured such that when the entire stopper 341 of the caster 340 is received in the channel 120 (see FIGS. 6C and 6D), the bottom 344C of the lower portion 344 engages with the wheel 347 to prevent the wheel 347 from turning. That is, the height of the top wall 122 of the channel 120 (i.e., the height of the fully pushed-in top of the head 342A) ensures that the bottom 344C of the lower portion 344 engages with the wheel 347 to prevent the wheel 347 from turning when the entire stopper 341 of the caster 340 is received in the channel 120. It will be appreciated that the wheel 347 can still move backward and / or forward in the direction towards the channel 120 or away from the channel 120 when the bottom 344C of the lower portion 344 engages with the wheel 347 to prevent the wheel 347 from turning.

[0059] In one embodiment, during operation, when the entire stopper 341 of the caster 340 is received in the channel 120 and the caster 340 moves away from the channel 120, the top of the head 342A begins to separate from the top wall 122 of the channel 120 (i.e., the stopper 341 is not pushed by the top wall 122), and the spring 343 of the stopper 341 decompresses and pushes up the vertical stopper 341 in the vertical direction. Thus, when the stopper 341 is released from the wheel 347, the stopper 341 can disengage from the wheel 347 and enable the wheel 347 to turn.

[0060] FIG. 7A shows a side view of a disengaged caster of the handheld electric lift 310 according to one embodiment. FIG. 7B shows a side view of an engaged caster of the handheld electric lift 310 according to one embodiment. The heads 342D of FIGS. 7A and 7B have a different design from the heads 342A of FIGS. 1-6D. Other components of the stoppers of FIGS. 7A and 7B may be the same as those of FIGS. 1-6D.

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the head 342D has a disk shape and is attached to the neck of the stopper. In one embodiment, the head 342D can be fixed. In another embodiment, the head 342D may be rotatable in a direction perpendicular to the paper along its axis. When the stopper is disengaged from the wheel, the top of the head 342D has an altitude A2, and the neck of the caster (where the head 342D is attached) has an altitude A1. A1 is the location / altitude where an object (e.g., the top wall 122 of the channel 120) can start to push down the stopper (e.g., the pin) so as to prevent the wheel from turning when the stopper engages with the wheel (e.g., engages with a slot in the wheel). When the stopper engages with the wheel, the altitude of the top of the head 342D becomes A3, which is the altitude of the top wall of the channel (e.g., the channel 120). A3 is less than A2. A1 is less than A2. In one embodiment, A3 may be less than A1. In another embodiment, A3 can be made equal to A1. In one embodiment, A1, A2, and / or A3 can be designed such that when the stopper is pushed down, the stopper (e.g., the pin) can engage with the slot of the wheel by a distance of 0.50 inches or more.

[0062] In some embodiments, for example, in order to prevent the wheels from turning when the wheels are under the stopper, it will be appreciated that other designed or modified stoppers (such as key locks in sockets, etc.) can be used to engage with the wheels. For example, FIG. 7C shows a side view of a disengaged caster of a hand-held electric lift 310 according to one embodiment. FIG. 7D shows a side view of an engaged caster of a hand-held electric lift 310 according to one embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 7C and 7D, the stopper 710 can be a spring loaded wheel catch (such as a flap, etc.). The mechanical edge 720 can be designed or configured to push down the stopper 710 to prevent the wheels from turning.

[0063] Aspect: Any one of Aspects 1-7 can be combined with any one of Aspects 8-20.

[0064] Aspect 1. A hand-held electric lift, comprising an elongated mast, an effector attached to the mast and controlled by a power source to move along the mast, a handler configured to move the lift, and at least one caster, each of the at least one caster including a stopper and a wheel, the stopper being elongated and disposed above the wheel, the stopper being configured to engage with the wheel to prevent the wheel from turning when the stopper is pushed down, and the stopper being further configured to disengage from the wheel to allow the wheel to turn when the stopper is released.

[0065] Aspect 2. The hand-held electric lift according to Aspect 1, wherein the wheel is a swivel wheel.

[0066] Aspect 3. The at least one caster includes two front casters, and the lift further includes two back casters, the hand-held electric lift according to Aspect 1 or Aspect 2.

[0067] Aspect 4. The width of the lift is 21 inches or about 21 inches, the hand-held electric lift according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3.

[0068] Aspect 5. The weight capacity of the lift is in the range of 120 pounds or about 120 pounds to 200 pounds or about 200 pounds, the hand-held electric lift according to any one of Aspects 1 to 4.

[0069] Aspect 6. The stopper includes an elongated pin, the hand-held electric lift according to any one of Aspects 1 to 5.

[0070] Aspect 7. The stopper includes an elastomer, and when the stopper is not pressed, the elastomer is configured to release the stopper so that the stopper disengages from the wheel, the hand-held electric lift according to any one of Aspects 1 to 6.

[0071] Aspect 8. A delivery system comprising a handheld electric lift configured to lift at least one vaporizer container, and a cabinet configured to hold the at least one vaporizer container, the lift including an elongate mast, an effector attached to the mast and controlled by a power source to move along the mast, a handler configured to move the lift, and at least one caster, each of the at least one caster including a stopper and a wheel, the stopper being elongate and disposed above the wheel, the stopper being configured to engage the wheel to prevent the wheel from swiveling when the stopper is depressed, and the stopper being further configured to disengage the wheel to allow the wheel to swivel when the stopper is released, the cabinet including at least one channel configured to receive the at least one caster.

[0072] Aspect 9. The delivery system according to aspect 8, wherein the wheel is a swivel wheel.

[0073] Aspect 10. The delivery system according to aspect 8 or aspect 9, wherein the at least one caster includes two front casters, and the lift further includes two back casters.

[0074] Aspect 11. The delivery system according to aspect 10, wherein the at least one channel includes two channels, each of the two channels being configured to receive each of the two front casters.

[0075] Aspect 12. The delivery system according to any one of aspects 8 to 11, wherein the width of the lift is 21 inches or about 21 inches.

[0076] Aspect 13. The delivery system according to any one of aspects 8 to 12, wherein the weight capacity of the lift is in the range of 120 pounds or about 120 pounds to 200 pounds or about 200 pounds.

[0077] Aspect 14. The delivery system according to any one of Aspects 8 to 13, wherein the stopper includes an elongated pin.

[0078] Aspect 15. The delivery system according to any one of Aspects 8 to 14, wherein the stopper includes an elastomer, and when the stopper is not pressed, the elastomer is configured to release the stopper so that the stopper disengages from the wheel.

[0079] Aspect 16. The delivery system according to any one of Aspects 8 to 15, wherein the at least one channel is disposed at the bottom of the cabinet.

[0080] Aspect 17. The delivery system according to any one of Aspects 8 to 16, wherein the top wall of the at least one channel is configured to push down the stopper to prevent the wheel from turning when the at least one caster is received in the at least one channel.

[0081] Aspect 18. The delivery system according to any one of Aspects 8 to 17, wherein the cabinet is fixed to a grid floor.

[0082] Aspect 19. The delivery system according to Aspect 18, wherein the cabinet is bolted to the grid floor.

[0083] Aspect 20. The delivery system according to any one of Aspects 8 to 19, wherein the at least one channel includes a top wall, and when the stopper is disengaged from the wheel, the height of the top wall is lower than the height of the stopper such that the top wall pushes down the stopper and the stopper engages with the wheel when the at least one caster is received in the at least one channel.

[0084] The examples disclosed in this application should be considered illustrative and non-limiting in all respects. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included within the claims.

[0085] The terminology used herein is intended to describe particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting. The terms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural form unless specifically stated otherwise. The terms "comprises" and / or "comprising," as used herein, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components.

[0086] Regarding the foregoing description, it should be understood that modifications can be made in detail regarding the building materials used in particular, as well as matters of the shape, size, and arrangement of the components, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This specification and the described embodiments are merely illustrative, and the true scope and spirit of the present disclosure are indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. A handheld electric lift for cooperating with a cabinet, comprising: An elongated mast, An effector attached to the mast and controlled by a power source to move along the mast, A handler configured to move the handheld electric lift, At least one caster And, The at least one caster includes a stopper and a wheel, The stopper is elongated and disposed above the wheel, The stopper is pushed down to engage with the wheel to prevent the wheel from turning by the wall of the cabinet during operation, and The stopper is further configured to disengage from the wheel to allow the wheel to turn when the stopper is released, A handheld electric lift.

2. The handheld electric lift according to claim 1, wherein the wheel is a swivel wheel.

3. The handheld electric lift according to claim 1, further comprising two front casters and two back casters.

4. A delivery system, comprising: A handheld electric lift configured to lift at least one vaporizer container, A cabinet configured to hold the at least one vaporizer container And, The handheld electric lift includes: An elongated mast, An effector attached to the mast and controlled by a power source to move along the mast, A handler configured to move the handheld electric lift, At least one caster Including, The at least one caster includes a stopper and a wheel, The stopper is elongated and disposed above the wheel, The stopper is configured to engage with the wheel to prevent the wheel from turning when the stopper is pushed down, The stopper is further configured to disengage from the wheel to allow the wheel to turn when the stopper is released, The cabinet includes at least one channel configured to accommodate the at least one caster, The at least one channel is configured such that a top wall of the at least one channel pushes down the stopper to prevent the wheel from turning when the at least one caster is received within the at least one channel. Delivery system.

5. The delivery system according to claim 4, wherein a bottom portion of the stopper reaches the wheel and engages with the wheel when the stopper is pushed down.

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