초록 ▼

A transportable, sealable container, for example a SMIF pod, has a box and a box door. The box has a first sealing surface and the box door has a second sealing surface which forms a seal with the first sealing surface when the box door is moved in a sealing direction with respect to the box. A latc

A transportable, sealable container, for example a SMIF pod, has a box and a box door. The box has a first sealing surface and the box door has a second sealing surface which forms a seal with the first sealing surface when the box door is moved in a sealing direction with respect to the box. A latch mechanism provided in the box door is operable in two stages. The first stage of operation moves latch members from a retracted position to an extended position, in the retracted position the latch members are contained in the box door to allow movement of the box door with respect to the box, and in the extended position the latch members are adjacent to latch surfaces of the box. Movement from the retracted to the extended position is performed without contact between the latch members and the latch surfaces to avoid any scraping or rubbing action which would create particles in the “clean”interior region of the box. The second stage of operation engages latch members with the latch surfaces to move the box door in the sealing direction; this second stage of the operation is also performed without scraping or rubbing of the latch members and the latch surfaces.

대표청구항 ▼

A sealable, transportable container, comprising: a box having an interior region and a first sealing surface; a box door having a peripheral edge and a second sealing surface adapted to mate with said first sealing surface when said box door is moved in a sealing direction; and latch means for non-s

A sealable, transportable container, comprising: a box having an interior region and a first sealing surface; a box door having a peripheral edge and a second sealing surface adapted to mate with said first sealing surface when said box door is moved in a sealing direction; and latch means for non-scraping motion in a first direction between a first position, which allows motion of said box door with respect to said box, and a second position, which limits the motion of said box door with respect to said box, and for non-scraping motion in a second direction between said second position and a third position, in which said latch means supports said box door at positions spaced from said peripheral edge of said box door to prevent said box door from deflecting, to move said box door in the sealing direction and to bring said first and second sealing surfaces into contact.