Substrate storage container and exterior component

Abstract

A substrate storage container 1 is provided with a fixing component 85 which is movable between a fixed position and a non-fixed position in a state of being supported by an exterior component 8. In the fixed position, a movement-blocking member 853 is disposed on the trajectory of movement of a receiving object 256 relative to the exterior component 8 so that a receiving object 2 abuts the movement-blocking member 853, thereby blocking movement of the exterior component 8 with respect to the receiving object 256. The receiving object serves to receive attachment of the component. In the non-fixed position, the movement-blocking member 853 is disposed at a position offset from the trajectory of movement of the receiving object 256 relative to the exterior component 8 so that the receiving object 2 is placed in a state of not abutting the movement-blocking member 853, thereby allowing movement of the exterior component 8 with respect to the receiving object 2.

Description

Substrate storage container and exterior parts

[0001] The present invention relates to a substrate storage container used for storing, preserving, transporting, and shipping substrates such as semiconductor wafers, reticles, and printed circuit boards, and to an exterior part attached to the substrate storage container.

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Substrate storage containers for storing various types of substrates have been known which are configured to include a container body and a lid (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 4).

[0003] One end of the container body has a container body opening. The other end of the container body has a closed cylindrical wall. A substrate storage space is formed within the container body. The substrate storage space is surrounded by the wall and is capable of storing substrates. The lid is detachable from the container body opening and is capable of closing the container body opening. The side substrate support portions are provided on the wall in pairs within the substrate storage space. When the container body opening is not closed by the lid, the side substrate support portions are capable of supporting the edges of adjacent substrates in a state where they are arranged side by side and spaced a predetermined distance apart.

[0004] A front retainer (lid-side substrate support portion) is provided on a portion of the lid that faces the substrate storage space when the container body opening is closed. The front retainer is capable of supporting the edge of the substrate when the container body opening is closed by the lid. A rear-side substrate support portion is provided on the wall portion so as to form a pair with the front retainer. The rear-side substrate support portion is capable of supporting the edge of the substrate. When the container body opening is closed by the lid, the rear-side substrate support portion cooperates with the front retainer to support the substrate, thereby supporting the substrates in a state in which adjacent substrates are spaced apart and aligned in parallel at a predetermined distance.

[0005] Japanese Patent No. 5328627 Japanese Patent No. 7333416 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-173331 Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-534394

[0006] In a substrate storage container, an exterior part such as a handle for gripping the container body is attached to the part-attached object such as the container body by sliding it relative to the container body and hooking a fixing part (hook, etc.) provided on the handle body that constitutes the handle onto the container body side.

[0007] In this case, if the substrate storage container comes into contact with something, or if a force is applied in the opposite direction to the sliding attachment direction when the substrate storage container is placed on or taken off a table, rack, etc., the hook that serves as the fixing part may come off, causing the handle to come off the container body and the container body to fall, damaging the substrates. One way to prevent this is to attach a separate part (a clip, etc.) to prevent it from coming off, but since this separate part must be attached after the handle is attached to the container body, there are concerns that it is time-consuming and the part may be lost.

[0008] To provide a substrate storage container that does not require the attachment of another component after the attachment of an exterior component to a component-receiving object and that can prevent the exterior component from coming off the component-receiving object, and an exterior component that can be attached to the substrate storage container.

[0009] The present invention comprises a container body having an opening periphery at one end where a container body opening is formed and a cylindrical wall portion having a closed other end, the inner surface of the wall portion forming a substrate storage space capable of storing a substrate and communicating with the container body opening; a lid body that is detachable from the container body opening and capable of closing the container body opening; and an exterior part that is slidably attached to a component mounting object that is at least one of the container body and the lid body, and the exterior part has a support member that is supported by the exterior part between a fixed position that prevents the exterior part from moving relative to the component mounting object and an unfixed position that allows the exterior part to move relative to the component mounting object. and a fixing part that is movable in a locked state, the fixing part having a movement-preventing member, wherein, in the fixed position, the movement-preventing member is disposed on a trajectory of movement of the component-mounted object relative to the external part, and the component-mounted object abuts against the movement-preventing member, thereby preventing movement of the external part relative to the component-mounted object; and, in the non-fixed position, the movement-preventing member is disposed at a position offset from the trajectory of movement of the component-mounted object relative to the external part, and the component-mounted object is not abutted against the movement-preventing member, thereby allowing movement of the external part relative to the component-mounted object.

[0010] Furthermore, it is preferable that the fixing component be rotatably supported relative to the exterior component, and that the movement be achieved by rotation of the fixing component relative to the exterior component. It is also preferable that the fixing component has a rotation prevention portion that prevents rotation of the fixing component. It is also preferable that the rotation prevention portion be configured as a hook-shaped portion that can be engaged with the component-mounted object. It is also preferable that the exterior component be configured as at least one of a handle, a top flange, a bottom plate, and an infopad. It is also preferable that the fixing component be configured from any one of crystalline resins selected from PBT, POM, and PE.

[0011] The present invention also provides an exterior part that is slidably mounted on at least one of a container body having an opening periphery at one end where a container body opening is formed and a cylindrical wall portion that is closed at the other end, and in which a substrate storage space that can store a substrate and communicates with the container body opening is formed by the inner surface of the wall portion, and a lid that is detachable from the container body opening and can close the container body opening, and the exterior part is movable while supported by the exterior part between a fixed position that prevents the exterior part from moving relative to the component mounting object and an unfixed position that allows the exterior part to move relative to the component mounting object. The present invention relates to an exterior component having a movable fixing part, the fixing part having a movement-preventing member, and in the fixed position, the movement-preventing member is arranged on a trajectory of movement of the component-mounted object relative to the exterior component, and the component-mounted object abuts against the movement-preventing member, thereby preventing movement of the exterior component relative to the component-mounted object; and in the non-fixed position, the movement-preventing member is arranged at a position offset from the trajectory of movement of the component-mounted object relative to the exterior component, and the component-mounted object is not abutted against the movement-preventing member, thereby allowing the exterior component to move relative to the component-mounted object.

[0012] Furthermore, it is preferable that the fixing component be rotatably supported relative to the exterior component, and that the movement be achieved by rotation of the fixing component relative to the exterior component. It is also preferable that the fixing component has a rotation prevention portion that prevents rotation of the fixing component. It is also preferable that the rotation prevention portion be configured as a hook-shaped portion that can be engaged with the component-mounted object. It is also preferable that the exterior component be configured as at least one of a handle, a top flange, a bottom plate, and an infopad. It is also preferable that the fixing component be configured from any one of crystalline resins selected from PBT, POM, and PE.

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a substrate storage container that does not require the attachment of another component after the attachment of the exterior component to the component-receiving object, and that can prevent the exterior component from coming off the component-receiving object, and an exterior component that can be attached to the substrate storage container.

[0014] 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a substrate storage container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an upper perspective view showing a container body 2 of the substrate storage container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a lower perspective view showing the container body 2 of the substrate storage container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view showing the container body 2 of the substrate storage container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a side perspective view showing the container body 2 of the substrate storage container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the A-A plane of FIG. 5. FIG. 11 is an enlarged plan cross-sectional view showing a portion where a handle 8 is fixed to the container body 2 of the substrate storage container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view showing the handle 8 fixed to the container body 2 of the substrate storage container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention by a fixing part. FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view showing the handle 8 released from being fixed to the container body 2 of the substrate storage container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention by the fixing part. FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view showing the handle 8 released from being fixed to the container body 2 of the substrate storage container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention by the fixing part 85, and the fixing part 85 has been rotated. FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view showing the handle 8 removed from the container body 2 of the substrate storage container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the fixing part 85 of the handle 8 of the substrate storage container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from one side. FIG. 1 is a perspective view, seen from the other direction, showing a fixing part 85 of a handle 8 of a substrate storing container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a handle 8 of a substrate storing container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view showing a container body 2A of a substrate storing container according to a first modified example of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view showing a container body 2B of a substrate storing container according to a second modified example of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] [Overall Configuration of Substrate Storage Container 1] The substrate storage container 1 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. For ease of explanation, the direction from the container body 2 (described below) toward the lid 3 (the direction from the upper right to the lower left in FIG. 1 ) is defined as the front direction D11, and the opposite direction is defined as the rear direction D12. These directions are collectively defined as the front-to-rear direction D1. Furthermore, the direction from the lower wall 24 (described below) toward the upper wall 23 (the upward direction in FIG. 1 ) is defined as the upward direction D21, and the opposite direction is defined as the downward direction D22. These directions are collectively defined as the up-down direction D2. Furthermore, the direction from the second side wall 26 (described below) toward the first side wall 25 (the direction from the lower right to the upper left in FIG. 1 ) is defined as the leftward direction D31, and the opposite direction is defined as the rightward direction D32. These directions are collectively defined as the left-right direction D3. Arrows indicating these directions are shown in the main drawings.

[0016] The substrates stored in the substrate storage container 1 are thin, disc-shaped silicon wafers, glass wafers, sapphire wafers, etc., which are used in industry. The substrates in this embodiment are silicon wafers with a diameter of 300 mm.

[0017] 1 to 4, the substrate storage container 1 is used to store substrates made of silicon wafers as described above and transport them in processes within a factory, or as a shipping container for transporting substrates by land, air, sea, or other transportation means, and is composed of a container body 2 and a lid 3. The container body 2 includes a substrate support plate 5 as a side substrate support portion, and a rear substrate support portion 6. The lid 3 includes a front retainer 7 (see FIG. 4, etc.) as a lid-side substrate support portion.

[0018] The container body 2 has a cylindrical wall portion 20 with a container body opening 21 formed at one end and a closed other end. A substrate storage space 27 is formed within the container body 2. The substrate storage space 27 is surrounded by the wall portion 20. A substrate support plate portion 5 is disposed in the portion of the wall portion 20 that forms the substrate storage space 27. As shown in FIG. 1 , the substrate storage space 27 can store a plurality of substrates.

[0019] The substrate support plate portions 5 are interior components arranged in a pair within the substrate storage space 27, and are detachably fixed to the wall portion 20. When the container body opening 21 is not closed by the lid 3, the substrate support plate portions 5 abut against the edges of multiple substrates, thereby supporting the edges of the multiple substrates while arranging adjacent substrates in parallel and spaced apart at a predetermined interval. A rear substrate support portion 6 is provided at the rear side of the substrate support plate portion 5 and is molded integrally with the substrate support plate portion 5.

[0020] The rear board support portion 6 is provided on the wall portion 20 so as to form a pair with a front retainer 7 (described later) within the board storage space 27. The rear board support portion 6 can support the rear portions of the edges of multiple boards by abutting against the edges of multiple boards.

[0021] The lid 3 is detachable from the opening periphery 28 that forms the container body opening 21, and is capable of closing the container body opening 21. The front retainer 7 is provided on the lid 3 at a portion that faces the substrate storage space 27 when the container body opening 21 is closed by the lid 3. The front retainer 7 is disposed inside the substrate storage space 27 so as to form a pair with the rear substrate support part 6.

[0022] The front retainer 7 can support the front portions of the edges of the plurality of substrates by abutting against the edges of the plurality of substrates when the container body opening 21 is closed by the lid 3. When the container body opening 21 is closed by the lid 3, the front retainer 7 supports the plurality of substrates in cooperation with the rear substrate support portion 6, thereby holding adjacent substrates in a parallel arrangement with a predetermined distance between them.

[0023] The substrate storage container 1 is made of a resin such as a plastic material, and unless otherwise specified, examples of the resin material include thermoplastic resins such as polycarbonate, cycloolefin polymer, polyetherimide, polyetherketone, polybutylene terephthalate, polyetheretherketone, and liquid crystal polymer, as well as alloys of these. To impart conductivity to these molding material resins, conductive materials such as carbon fiber, carbon powder, carbon nanotubes, and conductive polymers are selectively added. Glass fiber, carbon fiber, and the like can also be added to increase rigidity.

[0024] [Container body 2] Each part will be described in detail below. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the wall portion 20 of the container body 2 has a rear wall 22, an upper wall 23, a lower wall 24, a first side wall 25, and a second side wall 26. The rear wall 22, the upper wall 23, the lower wall 24, the first side wall 25, and the second side wall 26 are made of the materials described above and are integrally molded.

[0025] The first side wall 25 and the second side wall 26 face each other, and the upper wall 23 and the lower wall 24 face each other. The rear end of the upper wall 23, the rear end of the lower wall 24, the rear end of the first side wall 25, and the rear end of the second side wall 26 are all connected to the rear wall 22. The front end of the upper wall 23, the front end of the lower wall 24, the front end of the first side wall 25, and the front end of the second side wall 26 form an opening periphery 28 that defines the container body opening 21, which has a substantially rectangular shape.

[0026] The opening periphery 28 is provided at one end of the container body 2, and the rear wall 22 is located at the other end of the container body 2. The container body 2 has a box-like outer shape formed by the outer surfaces of the wall 20. The inner surfaces of the wall 20, i.e., the inner surface of the rear wall 22, the inner surface of the upper wall 23, the inner surface of the lower wall 24, the inner surface of the first side wall 25, and the inner surface of the second side wall 26, form a substrate storage space 27 surrounded thereby. The container body opening 21 formed in the opening periphery 28 is surrounded by the wall 20 and communicates with the substrate storage space 27 formed inside the container body 2. A maximum of 25 substrates can be stored in the substrate storage space 27.

[0027] Latch engagement recesses 231A, 231B, 241A, and 241B recessed outward from the board storage space 27 are formed in the upper wall 23 and the lower wall 24 near the opening periphery 28. A total of four latch engagement recesses 231A, 231B, 241A, and 241B are formed, one near each of the left and right ends of the upper wall 23 and the lower wall 24.

[0028] Ribs 235 are formed integrally with the upper wall 23 on the outer surface of the upper wall 23. The ribs 235 increase the rigidity of the container body 2. A top flange 236 is fixed to the center of the upper wall 23. The top flange 236 is a member that is hung on and suspended from the substrate storage container 1 when the substrate storage container 1 is suspended in an AMHS (automated wafer transport system), PGV (wafer substrate transport vehicle), or the like.

[0029] [Board Support Plate Portions 5] The board support plate portions 5 are provided on the first side wall 25 and the second side wall 26, respectively, and are interior components arranged in pairs in the left-right direction D3 within the board storage space 27. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the board support plate portions 5 have a plate portion 51 and a support wall 52 as a plate portion support portion. The plate portion 51 and the support wall 52 are formed by integrally molding a resin material, and the plate portion 51 is supported by the support wall 52.

[0030] The plate portions 51 have a generally arcuate plate shape. 25 plate portions 51 are provided on each of the first side wall 25 and the second side wall 26 in the vertical direction D2, for a total of 50 plate portions 51. Adjacent plate portions 51 are spaced apart from each other by 10 mm to 12 mm in the vertical direction D2 and are positioned parallel to each other. Above the topmost plate portion 51, another plate-like member 59 is positioned parallel to the plate portion 51. This plate-like member 59 is positioned at the top and serves as a guide for the board being inserted into the board storage space 27.

[0031] The 25 plate portions 51 provided on the first side wall 25 and the 25 plate portions 51 provided on the second side wall 26 are positioned opposite each other in the left-right direction D3. The 50 plate portions 51 and the plate-shaped guide members 59 parallel to the plate portions 51 are positioned parallel to the inner surface of the bottom wall 24. Protrusions 511 and 512 are provided on the upper surfaces of the plate portions 51. A substrate supported by the plate portions 51 contacts only the protruding ends of the protrusions 511 and 512, and does not contact the plate portions 51 at their surfaces.

[0032] The support wall 52 has a plate shape extending in the up-down direction D2 and in the approximately front-rear direction D1. As shown in Figure 4 and other figures, the support wall 52 has a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction of the plate portion 51, and a plurality of support walls 52 are provided in the front-rear direction of the board support plate portion 5. The plate-shaped support wall 52 curves along the outer edge of the plate portion 51 toward the board storage space 27.

[0033] That is, the 25 plate portions 51 provided on the first side wall 25 are connected to the support wall 52 provided on the first side wall 25 side. Similarly, the 25 plate portions 51 provided on the second side wall 26 are connected to the support wall 52 provided on the second side wall 26 side. The support wall 52 is fixed to the first side wall 25 and the second side wall 26, respectively.

[0034] The substrate support plate-shaped portion 5 having such a configuration can support the edges of a plurality of substrates while keeping adjacent substrates among the plurality of substrates spaced apart at a predetermined distance and parallel to each other.

[0035] [Rear-Side Board Support Portion 6] As shown in Figure 4, the rear-side board support portion 6 has a rear-side edge support portion 60. The rear-side edge support portion 60 is formed integrally with the plate portion 51 and the support wall 52 at the rear end of the plate portion 51 of the board support plate portion 5. Therefore, the board support plate portion 5 as a side board support portion and the rear-side board support portion 6 form a single combined interior part that is fixed to the container body 2 inside the container body 2. Note that the rear-side board support portion 6 may be formed separately from the board support plate portion 5, i.e., the rear-side edge support portion 60 may be formed separately from the plate portion 51 of the board support plate portion 5.

[0036] The number of rear edge support portions 60 provided corresponds to the number of boards that can be stored in the board storage space 27, specifically 25. The rear edge support portions 60 arranged on the first side wall 25 and the second side wall 26 are positioned in a positional relationship in the front-to-rear direction D1 so as to form pairs with the front retainers 7, which will be described later. When a board is stored in the board storage space 27 and the lid 3 is closed, the rear edge support portions 60 clamp and support the edge of the board.

[0037] 11 , a pair of guide ribs 255 that guide the handle 8 (described below) is provided on each of the first side wall 25 and the second side wall 26 of the container body 2. Because the pair of guide ribs 255 provided on each of the first side wall 25 and the second side wall 26 have the same configuration, only one pair of guide ribs 255 will be described, and a description of the other pair of guide ribs 255 will be omitted.

[0038] The pair of guide ribs 255 extend from midway along the first side wall 25 and the second side wall 26 in the front-rear direction D1 to the container body opening 21, and the distance between the pair of guide ribs 255 tapers off as it extends forward in the forward direction D11. A pair of container body side stopper ribs 256 are provided midway along the guide ribs 255, protruding in the direction in which the pair of guide ribs 255 approach each other.

[0039] Furthermore, flat plate-like portions 257 are integrally formed in portions of the pair of guide ribs 255 that are closer to the rear direction D12 than the container body side stopper rib 256, in a positional relationship perpendicular to the guide ribs 255. In the vicinity of the container body opening 21, the pair of guide ribs 255 are bent in a crank shape, and the distance between the pair of guide ribs 255 becomes wider.

[0040] Handles 8 serving as exterior components are detachably fixed to the first side wall 25 and the second side wall 26 of the container body 2. The handles 8 provided on the first side wall 25 and the second side wall 26 have the same configuration, so only one of the handles 8 will be described, and a description of the other handle 8 will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 14 , the handle 8 has a handle main body 81, a gripping portion 82, a guided portion 83, a component support portion 84, and a fixing component 85.

[0041] 14, the handle body 81 has a rectangular shape that is narrowed toward the rear direction D12 and forms the center of the handle 8, and both ends in the longitudinal direction are integrally formed with and connected to guided portions 83. In addition, the center of a circular grip portion 82 is fixed to the center of the handle body 81 in the longitudinal direction.

[0042] The guided portion 83 has a hollow rectangular shape that is long in the vertical direction, and has a lower portion that increases in thickness from the lower end toward the upper end in Fig. 14, and an upper portion that is above the lower portion in Fig. 14 and has a constant thickness. A component support portion 84 that is narrower than the upper portion is integrally molded and connected to the upper end of the upper portion.

[0043] A pair of guide ribs 255 on the first side wall 25 and the second side wall 26 of the container body 2 are inserted into the guided portion 83 and the component support portion 84, respectively. Specifically, as the handle 8 slides and moves from the rear ends of the pair of guide ribs 255 in the forward direction D11 relative to the first side wall 25 and the second side wall 26 of the container body, the guide ribs 255 are inserted relatively from the component support portion 84, and then inserted into the guided portion 83 as well.

[0044] As the guide rib 255 is inserted into the component support portion 84 and the guided portion 83, the guide rib 255 slides against the inner surfaces of the guided portion 83 and the component support portion 84, and the guided portion 83 and the component support portion 84 are thereby guided by the guide rib 255 to the position where the handle 8 is fixed, as shown in Figures 1 to 3 and 5. When guided in this manner, the guide rib 255 restricts movement of the handle 8 in the up-down direction D2, and the plate-like portion 257 restricts movement of the handle 8 away from the first side wall 25 and the second side wall 26.

[0045] 8 to 10, a fixing part 85 is rotatably supported on the part support part 84. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the fixing part 85 has a rectangular plate-like main body 851 with both corners of one short side chamfered and both corners of the other short side not chamfered.

[0046] C-shaped shaft support portions 852 are integrally molded on both ends of the other short side of the rectangular plate-like main body 851. A component-side stopper rib 853 is integrally molded on the center of the other short side of the rectangular plate-like main body 851. As shown in FIG. 13 , the component-side stopper rib 853 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0047] A rotation-preventing portion 854 is integrally molded near the center of one short side of the rectangular plate-like main body 851. The rotation-preventing portion 854 is configured as a hook-shaped portion that can be engaged with an engaged recess 842 of the component support portion 84, which will be described later. The fixing component 85 is configured from any one of crystalline resins such as PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), POM (polyacetal), and PE (polyethylene).

[0048] A cutout 843 is formed in the component support portion 84, and the formation of this cutout 843 gives the component support portion 84 an overall angular C-shaped cutout shape. Cylindrical shaft portions that protrude toward each other are provided at both ends of the C-shaped component support portion 84, and the shaft portions are inserted one by one into the shaft support portions 852 to rotatably support the fixing component 85, as shown in Figures 8 to 10 .

[0049] 10 and 9, when the fixing part 85 rotates to the state shown in Fig. 8, the component-side stopper rib 853 of the fixing part 85 is inserted into the notch 843. In this state, the component-side stopper rib 853 is in a fixed position that prevents the handle 8, which serves as an exterior part, from moving in the rear direction D12 relative to the container body 2, which serves as a part to be attached.

[0050] At this time, the component side stopper rib 853 is positioned on the trajectory of movement of the container body side stopper rib 256 of the container body 2 relative to the handle 8, and when such movement is attempted, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the container body side stopper rib 256 abuts against the component side stopper rib 853, thereby preventing movement of the handle 8 in the rearward direction D12 relative to the container body 2.

[0051] 9 and 10, the component-side stopper rib 853 of the fixing part 85 is not inserted into the notch 843. In this state, the component-side stopper rib 853 is in an unfixed position that allows the handle 8, which serves as an exterior component, to move in the rear direction D12 relative to the container body 2, which serves as a component-mounted object.

[0052] At this time, the component-side stopper rib 853 is arranged at a position offset from the trajectory of movement of the container body-side stopper rib 256 of the container body 2 relative to the handle 8, and is configured so that when the movement is attempted, the container body-side stopper rib 256 does not come into contact with the component-side stopper rib 853, thereby allowing the handle 8 to move in the rearward direction D12 relative to the container body 2. The fixing component 85 can rotate and move between a fixed position and an unlocked position while being supported by the component support portion 84 of the handle 8.

[0053] The C-shaped component support portion 84 has a thin central portion 841. The fixing component 85 rotates as shown in Figures 10 and 9, and the plate-shaped main body portion 851 of the fixing component 85 can be fitted into the thin portion 841 as shown in Figure 8. In this fitted state, the thickness of the portion of the component support portion 84 other than the thin portion 841 adjacent to the thin portion 841 is the same as the sum of the thicknesses of the thin portion 841 and the plate-shaped main body portion 851, so that the plate-shaped main body portion 851 does not protrude beyond the portion of the component support portion 84 other than the thin portion 841 adjacent to the thin portion 841.

[0054] A hook locking recess 842 is formed on the back side of the thin-walled portion 841 into which the plate-shaped main body portion 851 fits. When the fixing component 85 rotates in the hook locking recess 842 as shown in Figures 10 and 9, and the plate-shaped main body portion 851 fits into the thin-walled portion 841 as shown in Figure 8, the rotation-preventing portion 854 is locked in the hook locking recess 842. This prevents the fixing component 85 from rotating.

[0055] 1 , the lid body 3 has a generally rectangular shape that generally matches the shape of the opening periphery 28 of the container body 2. The lid body 3 is detachable from the opening periphery 28 of the container body 2, and by attaching the lid body 3 to the opening periphery 28, the lid body 3 can close the container body opening 21 in a positional relationship in which it is surrounded by the opening periphery 28.

[0056] An annular sealing member 4 is attached to the inner surface of the lid 3 (the back surface of the lid 3 shown in FIG. 1 ), which faces the surface of a step (sealing surface 281) formed immediately in the rear direction D12 of the opening peripheral edge 28 when the lid 3 is closing the container body opening 21, so as to go around the outer periphery of the lid 3. The sealing member 4 is arranged so as to go around the lid 3. The sealing member 4 is made of various thermoplastic elastomers such as elastically deformable polyesters and polyolefins, fluororubber, silicone rubber, etc.

[0057] When the lid 3 is attached to the opening periphery 28, the sealing member 4 is sandwiched between the sealing surface 281 of the container body 2 and the inner surface of the lid 3 and elastically deforms. In other words, with the sealing member 4 interposed between the lid 3 and the container body 2, the lid 3 can close the container body opening 21 while the lid 3 and the opening periphery 28 are spaced apart without coming into contact with each other. By removing the lid 3 from the opening periphery 28, substrates can be inserted into and removed from the substrate storage space 27 within the container body 2.

[0058] A latch mechanism is provided in the lid 3. The latch mechanism is provided near both left and right ends of the lid 3, and as shown in Fig. 1, includes two upper latch portions 32A, 32A that can protrude in an upward direction D21 from the upper edge of the lid 3, and two lower latch portions 32B, 32B that can protrude in a downward direction D22 from the lower edge of the lid 3. The two upper latch portions 32A, 32A are located near both left and right ends of the upper edge of the lid 3, and the two lower latch portions 32B, 32B are located near both left and right ends of the lower edge of the lid 3.

[0059] An operating portion 33 is provided on the outer surface of the lid body 3. By operating the operating portion 33 from the front side of the lid body 3, the upper latch portions 32A, 32A and the lower latch portions 32B, 32B can be made to protrude from the upper and lower edges of the lid body 3, or can be made to not protrude from the upper and lower edges. The upper latch portions 32A, 32A protrude in the upward direction D21 from the upper edge of the lid body 3 and engage with the latch engagement recesses 231A, 231B of the container body 2, and the lower latch portions 32B, 32B protrude in the downward direction D22 from the lower edge of the lid body 3 and engage with the latch engagement recesses 241A, 241B of the container body 2, thereby fixing the lid body 3 to the container body opening 21 of the container body 2.

[0060] A recess (not shown) is formed inside the cover 3, recessed outward from the board storage space 27. A front retainer 7 (see FIG. 4) is fixed to the recess (not shown) and to the cover 3 outside the recess.

[0061] The front retainer 7 has front retainer board receiving portions. The front retainer board receiving portions are arranged in pairs, two at a predetermined distance in the left-right direction D3. These pairs of front retainer board receiving portions are arranged in 25 parallel pairs in the up-down direction D2. When a board is stored in the board storage space 27 and the lid 3 is closed, the front retainer board receiving portions clamp and support the edge of the board.

[0062] Effects of the embodiment The substrate storage container 1 according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration can provide the following effects. In the substrate storage container 1 according to the present embodiment, the handle 8 as an exterior component is provided with a fixing component 85 that is movable while supported by the handle 8 between a fixed position that prevents the handle 8 from moving relative to the container body 2 that is a component-mounted object, and an unfixed position that allows the handle 8 to move relative to the container body 2. The fixing component 85 has a component-side stopper rib 853 as a movement-preventing member, and at the fixed position, the component-side stopper rib 853 is positioned on the trajectory of movement of the container body-side stopper rib 256 of the container body 2 relative to the component-side stopper rib 853 of the handle 8. In the non-fixed position, the component-side stopper rib 853 is arranged so that the container body-side stopper rib 256 of the container body 2 abuts against the component-side stopper rib 853, thereby preventing movement of the handle 8 relative to the container body 2, and in the non-fixed position, the component-side stopper rib 853 is arranged at a position offset from the trajectory of movement of the container body-side stopper rib 256 of the container body 2 relative to the component-side stopper rib 853 of the handle 8, so that the container body-side stopper rib 256 does not abut against the component-side stopper rib 853, thereby allowing movement of the handle 8 relative to the container body 2.

[0063] As a result, the component-side stopper rib 853 is not hook-shaped and is not configured to hook and engage like a hook, but rather the container body-side stopper rib 256 and the component-side stopper rib 853 come into contact with each other, thereby preventing movement of the handle 8 relative to the container body 2, and therefore making it possible to prevent the handle 8 from coming off the container body 2. Furthermore, because the fixing part 85 moves between a fixed position and an unfixed position while being supported by the handle 8, it is possible to eliminate the need to attach a separate part after the handle 8 is attached to the container body 2.

[0064] Furthermore, in the substrate storage container 1 according to this embodiment, the fixing part 85 is rotatably supported by the part support part 84 of the handle 8, which serves as an exterior part, and movement is achieved by rotation of the fixing part 85 relative to the handle 8. This makes it possible to easily realize a configuration in which the substrate storage container 1 is movable between a fixed position and an unfixed position while being supported by the handle 8.

[0065] Furthermore, the substrate storing container 1 according to this embodiment has a rotation prevention portion 854 that prevents rotation of the fixing component 85. This prevents the fixing component 85 from naturally rotating and moving from the fixed position to the non-fixed position.

[0066] Furthermore, in the substrate storage container 1 according to this embodiment, the rotation prevention part 854 is configured by a hook-shaped part that can be engaged with the container body 2 as the component mounting object. This makes it possible to easily switch between a state in which the rotation of the fixing part 85 is prevented and a state in which it is not prevented.

[0067] Furthermore, in the substrate storage container 1 according to this embodiment, the exterior part is constituted by the handle 8. This makes it possible to prevent the container body 2 from falling and damaging the substrates if the handle 8 comes off the container body 2.

[0068] Furthermore, in the substrate storage container 1 according to this embodiment, the fixing parts 85 are made of any one of crystalline resins, such as PBT, POM, and PE, which allows the fixing parts 85 to have good sliding properties.

[0069] [Modifications] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications are possible within the technical scope described in the claims.

[0070] [First Modification] For example, in this embodiment, the handle 8 has been described as an exterior component, but this is not limiting. For example, as shown in Fig. 15, in a configuration in which a bottom plate 244A is provided on a lower wall 24A constituting the wall portion 20A of the container body 2A and the bottom plate 244A is attached by sliding relative to the lower wall 24A, the present invention may be applied to the bottom plate 244A as an exterior component. The bottom plate 244A is fixed to the lower wall 24A. The bottom plate 244A has a plate shape and is disposed opposite substantially the entire lower surface constituting the outer surface of the lower wall 24A.

[0071] [Second Modification] Similarly, for example, in a configuration in which an infopad 245B is provided on the rear wall 22B constituting the wall portion 20B of the container body 2B as shown in FIG. 16, and the infopad 245B is attached by sliding it relative to the rear wall 22B, the present invention may be applied to the infopad 245B as an exterior part.

[0072] The infopad 245B is an exterior component that is detachably attached to the lower rear portion of the container body 2B to identify information about the substrates housed in the substrate storage container. Depending on its shape, the infopad 245B may be positioned in a rearward direction D12 from the ground surface when attached to the container body 2B. However, when the container body 2B is to be placed with the rear wall 22B facing downward, the infopad 245B is first removed from the container body 2B.

[0073] [Other Modifications] Furthermore, in the case of a configuration in which the top flange 236 in this embodiment is attached by sliding relative to the upper wall 23, the present invention may be applied to the top flange 236 as an exterior component. Similarly, in the case of a configuration in which the front retainer 7 in this embodiment is attached by sliding relative to the lid 3, the present invention may be applied to the front retainer 7 as an exterior component.

[0074] Furthermore, the shapes of the container body and the lid, and the number and dimensions of the substrates that can be stored in the container body are not limited to the shapes of the container body 2 and the lid 3, and the number and dimensions of the substrates that can be stored in the container body 2 in this embodiment. For example, the movement of the fixing part 854 between the fixed position and the non-fixed position is performed by rotation, but this is not limiting and the movement may be performed by other methods.

[0075] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 substrate storage container 2 container body (item to be mounted) 3 lid 8 handle (exterior part) 20 wall 21 container body opening 27 substrate storage space 85 fixing part 236 top flange 244A bottom plate 245B info pad 256 container body side stopper rib 853 component side stopper rib (movement prevention member) 854 rotation prevention part

Claims

1. A container body having an opening rim at one end where a container body opening is formed and a cylindrical wall portion having a closed other end, the inner surface of which defines a substrate storage space capable of storing a substrate and communicating with the container body opening; a lid body that is detachable from the container body opening and capable of closing the container body opening; and an exterior part that is slidably attached to a component mounting object that is at least one of the container body and the lid body, wherein the exterior part is provided with a fixing part that is movable while supported by the exterior part between a fixed position that prevents the exterior part from moving relative to the component mounting object and an unfixed position that allows the exterior part to move relative to the component mounting object, the fixing part having a movement preventing member, wherein at the fixed position, the movement preventing member is positioned on a trajectory of movement of the component mounting object relative to the exterior part, and the component mounting object abuts against the movement preventing member to prevent movement of the exterior part relative to the component mounting object, In the non-fixed position, the movement-preventing member is positioned at a position offset from the trajectory of movement of the component-mounted object relative to the external component, and the component-mounted object is not in contact with the movement-preventing member, thereby allowing the external component to move relative to the component-mounted object.

2. A substrate storage container according to claim 1, wherein the fixing part is rotatably supported relative to the exterior part, and the movement is achieved by rotation of the fixing part relative to the exterior part.

3. A substrate storage container according to claim 2, further comprising a rotation prevention portion for preventing rotation of the fixing part.

4. A substrate storage container according to claim 3, wherein said rotation preventing portion is constituted by a hook-shaped portion that can be engaged with said component mounting object.

5. A substrate storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the exterior part is constituted by at least one of a handle, a top flange, a bottom plate, and an infopad.

6. A substrate storage container according to claim 5, wherein the fixing part is made of any one of crystalline resins selected from PBT, POM, and PE.

7. An exterior part that is slidably attached to at least one of a container body having an opening periphery at one end where a container body opening is formed and a cylindrical wall having a closed other end, the inner surface of which forms a substrate storage space that is capable of storing a substrate and communicates with the container body opening, and a lid that is detachable from the container body opening and can close the container body opening, and a fixing part that is movable while supported by the exterior part between a fixed position that prevents the exterior part from moving relative to the component mounting object and an unfixed position that allows the exterior part to move relative to the component mounting object, the fixing part having a movement preventing member, and at the fixed position, the movement preventing member is positioned on a trajectory of movement of the component mounting object relative to the exterior part, and the component mounting object abuts against the movement preventing member to prevent the exterior part from moving relative to the component mounting object, In the non-fixed position, the movement-preventing member is positioned at a position offset from the trajectory of movement of the component-mounted object relative to the exterior part, and the component-mounted object is not in contact with the movement-preventing member, thereby allowing the exterior part to move relative to the component-mounted object.

8. An exterior part according to claim 7, wherein the fixing part is supported rotatably relative to the exterior part, and the movement is achieved by rotating the fixing part relative to the exterior part.

9. An exterior part according to claim 8, which has a rotation prevention portion that prevents rotation of the fixing part.

10. An exterior part according to claim 9, wherein the rotation preventing portion is configured as a hook-shaped portion that can be engaged with the object to which the part is attached.

11. An exterior part according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the exterior part is composed of at least one of a handle, a top flange, a bottom plate, and an infopad.

12. The exterior part according to claim 11, wherein the fixing part is made of a crystalline resin selected from the group consisting of PBT, POM, and PE.

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