CN109789964B

CN109789964B - Apparatus and method for securing a plurality of glass substrates on a crate

Info

Publication number: CN109789964B
Application number: CN201780049373.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 禹寅锡; 金东佑; 金梓铨; 崔元硕; 韩由利
Original assignee: Corning Inc
Current assignee: Corning Inc
Priority date: 2016-06-03
Filing date: 2017-06-02
Publication date: 2020-12-01
Anticipated expiration: 2037-06-02
Also published as: KR20170137384A; TW201802018A; JP7025353B2; WO2017209569A1; KR102607392B1; CN109789964A; TWI734791B; JP2019517439A

Abstract

A crate includes a frame and at least one coupling unit. A glass substrate stack is loaded on the base adjacent the rear member, the stack having a width and a height that perpendicularly intersect one another. The at least one bonding unit includes a constraining member, first and second clamping members, and a strap. The restraint members comprise longitudinal members extending across the stack in a direction of the width of the stack, and a central projecting member projecting from a central portion of the longitudinal members in a direction perpendicular to the front surface of the stack. The first clip member and the second clip member are aligned with the longitudinal member and secured to the rear member. The strap is secured to and extends between the first and second clamp members, contacts the central rising member, and applies a force to the front surface of the stack through the restraining member.

Description

Apparatus and method for securing a plurality of glass substrates on a crate

Technical Field

This application claims the benefit of priority from korean patent No. 10-2016-0069454, filed 2016, 3.6.2016, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for securing a plurality of glass substrates in a stacked arrangement on a crate, and more particularly, to a securing device that minimizes a difference between pressure applied on both side portions of a glass substrate stack and pressure applied on a central portion of the glass substrate stack.

Background

Glass substrates are used in various applications such as display devices, buildings, vehicles, photovoltaic cells, and the like. Glass substrates are manufactured by, for example, melting glass raw materials and forming the molten material into the shape of a substrate. When it is necessary to transport the manufactured glass substrate using a conventional method, a plurality of glass substrates are packaged together in one glass substrate crate to reduce the transportation cost. For example, the glass substrate stack is loaded onto a crate and packaged using a fixing rod that extends in the lateral direction (width direction) through the front surface of the foremost glass substrate. The two ends of the retaining bars are engaged with the frame of the crate using cam-type retaining bars. With this configuration, a large amount of pressure can be applied to both side portions of the stack, but since the fixing rods are lifted from the glass substrate stack at the central portion of the stack, the central portion of the stack may be subjected to warpage. Therefore, the fixing force applied to the glass substrate stack at the central portion is reduced. When the glass substrate stack is conveyed at this position, the glass substrates may collide with each other due to their movement during transportation. This may thus lead to defects such as cracks or breaks in the glass substrates in the stack.

Disclosure of Invention

Means for solving the problems

Various aspects of the present disclosure provide for a crate loaded with glass substrates that is capable of increasing the amount of force applied to the glass substrate stack to secure the glass substrate stack in place, and in particular, the amount of force applied to the central portion of the glass substrate stack, thereby minimizing the difference between the pressure applied to the two side portions of the glass substrate stack and the pressure applied to the central portion of the glass substrate stack.

According to embodiments disclosed herein, a crate may include: a frame and at least one coupling unit. The frame may include a base and a rear member, wherein the glass substrate stack is loaded on the base adjacent to the rear member, and a width and a height of the stack perpendicularly intersect each other. The at least one binding unit may include: a constraining member comprising a longitudinal member extending across the stack in a direction of the width of the stack and a central projecting member projecting from a central portion of the longitudinal member in a direction perpendicular to a front surface of the stack; first and second clip members aligned with the longitudinal members of the restraint member and secured to the rear member of the frame; and a band secured to and extending between the first and second clamp members such that the band is in contact with the central protruding member, wherein the band applies a force to the front surface of the stack via the central protruding member and the longitudinal members

In some embodiments, the crate may include a plurality of coupling units, such as at least two coupling units. Accordingly, the crate comprising at least two coupling units may further comprise at least one connecting member connecting the restricting parts of the at least two coupling units to each other.

According to the present disclosure, the central protrusion member protruding forward from the central portion of the longitudinal member of the constraining member may increase the amount of pressure applied to the glass substrate stack, particularly, the amount of pressure applied to the central portion of the glass substrate stack. Therefore, this may minimize a difference between the pressure applied to both side portions of the glass substrate stack and the pressure applied to the central portion of the glass substrate stack. Therefore, the fixing force applied to the glass substrate stack by the fixing device can be increased, and the plurality of glass substrates can be reliably packaged and transported after being loaded onto the crate.

In addition, the degree of winding of the tape around the spool can be adjusted, for example, using a torque wrench, whereby pressure can be accurately and uniformly applied to the entire glass substrate stack loaded on a plurality of crates.

Further, according to the present disclosure, the connection member connecting the constraining parts of the plurality of coupling units may facilitate handling of the fixing device.

In addition, the guides provided on the front portion of the central protruding member and the side protruding members may prevent the strap from being displaced during or after fastening of the strap.

In addition, the weight of the glass substrate fixing device can be reduced by removing the surplus material, thereby facilitating transportation and improving workability of the fixing device.

In a further embodiment, a method of securing a glass substrate to a crate is disclosed, the method comprising loading a plurality of glass substrates onto the crate, the crate comprising a frame comprising a base and a back member, the plurality of glass substrates being loaded on the base adjacent to the back member to form a glass substrate stack, the glass substrate stack comprising a width and a height that perpendicularly intersect one another.

The method may further include positioning at least one bonding unit on the glass substrate stack. The at least one joining unit may comprise a constraining member comprising a longitudinal member extending across the stack in a direction of the width of the stack and a central projecting member projecting from a central portion of the longitudinal member in a direction perpendicular to a front surface of the stack; the at least one coupling unit may further comprise first and second clamping members aligned with the longitudinal component of the constraining member and secured to the rear member of the frame. The at least one joining unit may comprise a strap fastened to and extending between the first and second clip members such that the strap is in contact with the central protruding member, wherein the method may further comprise applying a force to the front surface of the stack via the constraining member by fastening the strap.

In some embodiments, tensioning the strap may include rotating the first clamp member such that the strap wraps around the first clamp member.

In some embodiments, the first clamp member may comprise a spool including an angled head, and rotating the first clamp member may comprise rotating the angled head of the spool.

In some embodiments, the crate may comprise at least two joining units, the method further comprising connecting the constraining members of the at least two joining units to each other with at least one connecting member.

The disclosed method and apparatus have other features and advantages which will be apparent from or are set forth in more detail in the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, and the following detailed description of the invention, which together serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a front view of a crate according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the crate of FIG. 1; and

figure 3 is a right side view of the crate of figure 1,

fig. 4 is a plan view schematically illustrating the structure of a glass substrate fixing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the glass substrate fixing device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the glass substrate fixing device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a right side view of the glass substrate fixing device of FIG. 4;

fig. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a central protrusion part of a glass substrate fixing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are perspective views of a first clamping member of a glass securing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a right side view of the first clamping member of FIGS. 9 and 10;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the first clamping member of FIGS. 9 and 10;

FIG. 13 is a left side elevational view showing the first clamping member of FIGS. 9 and 10 when the support is in the first position in which the support does not support the restricting member;

FIG. 14 is a left side elevational view showing the first clamping member of FIGS. 9 and 10 when the support is in the second position in which the support supports the restricting member;

fig. 15 is a perspective view showing the relationship of the upper longitudinal member and the second clamping member.

FIG. 16 is a graph showing the analysis results of comparative example 1;

FIG. 17 is a graph showing the analysis results of comparative example 2; and

fig. 18 is a graph illustrating analysis results of an exemplary fixture according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to a fixing device for fixing a glass substrate stack and a crate including the same on which glass substrates are loaded according to the present invention, embodiments of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below, so that those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure relates can easily carry out the present disclosure.

This document refers generally to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals and characters may be used to refer to the same or like parts throughout the different views. In the following description, a detailed description of known functions and components incorporated herein will be omitted when it may be made unclear by the subject matter including the present disclosure.

Ranges can be expressed herein as from "about" one particular value, and/or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.

Directional terms used herein, such as upper, lower, right, left, front, rear, top, bottom, are made with reference to the drawings as drawn only, and are not meant to imply absolute orientations.

Unless otherwise stated, it is in no way intended that any method described herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order, nor that it require any equipment, specific orientation. Thus, where a method claim does not recite exactly the order to be followed by the steps of the method, or where any apparatus claim does not recite exactly the order or direction of individual components, or where it is not otherwise stated in the claims or specification that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, or where a specific order or direction of components of an apparatus is not recited, no order or direction should be inferred, in any respect. This applies to any possible non-explicit basis for interpretation, including: logical considerations regarding step arrangement, operational flow, component order, or component orientation; obvious meanings derived from grammatical organization or numbering, and; the number or type of embodiments are described in the specification.

As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a" or "an" element includes aspects having two or more such elements, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Fig. 1 to 3 are schematic views illustrating a crate according to an exemplary embodiment in which a glass substrate fixture is fixed to a frame on which a glass substrate is loaded.

As shown in fig. 1 to 3, the crate 10 includes a frame 11 and a glass substrate fixture 100. The crate 10 is a device for packaging a glass stack 20, i.e. a plurality of glass substrates in a stack, for transportation. The frame 11 includes a base 11a and a rear member 11 b. Adjacent to the rear member 11b, a glass stack 20 is loaded on the base 11 a. In some embodiments, the glass stack 20 can be loaded on the frame 11 in an upright position, as shown in fig. 1-3. However, in further embodiments, the glass stack 20 may be loaded in an inclined position. In the case of tilt loading, the base 11a and the rear member 11b may have corresponding structures.

The front surface of the foremost glass substrate of the stack 20 forms the front surface of the stack. The glass substrates are stacked on the frame 11 from the rear member 11b in the direction of the front surface of the stack 20. Typically, the width of the stack 20 is in the horizontal direction and the height of the stack 20 is in the vertical direction. As described herein, when the frame is an inclined frame, the vertical direction is also inclined at the angle at which the frame is inclined.

The glass substrate fixing device 100 is disposed in front of the glass stack 20 and is coupled to the frame 11. In this position, the glass substrate fixing device 100 fixes the glass stack 20 by pressing the stack 20 from the front. Although the glass substrate fixing device 100 is shown in intimate contact with the front surface of the glass stack 20 for the sake of brevity, at least one layer including, for example, a cushion or plate may be disposed between the glass stack 20 and the glass substrate fixing device 100 to protect the glass stack 20. In addition, when fixing the glass stack 20 to the crate 10 using the glass substrate fixing device 100 is completed, the crate 10 may be wrapped with a vinyl wrap or the like before transportation.

As shown in fig. 4 to 7, the glass substrate fixing device 100 fixing and packaging the glass stack 20 loaded on the frame 10 includes two or more coupling units 101 and one or more connecting members 130. Each bonding unit 101 includes a constraining member 103, a first clamping member 150, a second clamping member 160, and a strap 140. The restricting member 103 includes a longitudinal member 110, a central protruding member 120 and side protruding members 125.

The longitudinal part 110 is a member that fixedly brings the glass stack 20 into close contact with the frame 11 by pressing the front side of the glass stack 20 with the pressure transmitted from the tape 140. The longitudinal member 110 has the shape of a bar extending across the glass stack 20 in its transverse direction, and is in close contact with the front side of the glass stack 20. The present embodiment may include two or more longitudinal members 110 to achieve a uniform contact or securing force across the surface of the glass stack 20. It may be advantageous to provide more than two longitudinal members 110 to the fixation device 100 to increase the fixation force over the entire surface of the glass stack. However, since the glass substrate fixing device 100 is transported by a worker, an excessive number of the longitudinal parts 110 may reduce workability by, for example, increasing the fixing time and/or releasing the fixing time. The illustrated embodiment provides two longitudinal members 110, an upper longitudinal member 110 and a lower longitudinal member 110 extending in the transverse direction and being in close contact with an upper portion and a lower portion of the front surface of the glass stack, respectively. Further, the upper longitudinal member 110 and the lower longitudinal member 110 may be arranged parallel to each other. In some embodiments, the upper longitudinal component 110 and the lower longitudinal component 110 may be connected to each other by a connecting member 130, although in other embodiments the upper longitudinal component and the lower longitudinal portion may be unconnected. In addition, each of the central protrusion parts 120 may be disposed on the central portion of a corresponding one of the longitudinal parts 110 to increase pressure applied to the central portion. The hook pieces 111 may be provided at both ends of the upper longitudinal member 110. The hook 111 is used to connect the upper longitudinal member 110 to the first and

second clamping members

150 and 160. The relationship will be described in more detail below.

As shown in fig. 5 to 8, the central protrusion member 120 protrudes forward from a central portion of a corresponding one of the upper and lower

longitudinal members

110 and 110. The central protrusion part 120 serves to lift the band 140 from the central portion of the longitudinal part 110, and the band 140 is combined with the central protrusion part 120 and the longitudinal part 110 in a band-like manner. When the strap 140 is lifted in this manner, the pressure applied to the central portion of the longitudinal member 110 increases. Also, side protruding parts 125 protrude forward from both longitudinal ends of each upper longitudinal part 110 and each lower longitudinal part 110. Thus, the central protruding feature 120 and the side protruding features 125 allow the portion of the strap 140 extending between the central protruding feature 120 and the side protruding features 125 to be spaced apart from the longitudinal features 110. Preferably, the central protrusion part 120 protrudes from the longitudinal part 110 by an amount greater than the side protrusion parts 125 protrude from the longitudinal part 110.

Generally, if the straps 140 are combined with the longitudinal members 110 rather than the central protruding member 120, the pressure is concentrated on both side portions of the longitudinal members 110. Therefore, the contact force of the central portion of the longitudinal member 110 with the front surface of the glass stack 20 is reduced, so that the fixing force of the glass stack 20 against the central portion is reduced. To prevent this, a central protrusion member 120 may be provided on a central portion of each upper longitudinal member 110 and each lower longitudinal member 110, as in the present embodiment. This configuration can increase the pressure applied to the central portion, thereby increasing the contact force of the central portion of the longitudinal members 110 with the glass stack 20. Further, when the central protruded member 120 is used to increase the pressure applied to the central portion of the glass stack 20, the pressure difference between the two side portions and the central portion, which are otherwise subjected to pressure concentration, may be reduced or minimized. Thus, a more uniform pressure can be applied to the entire surface of the glass stack 20, whereby the fixing device 100 can more firmly fix the glass stack 20 on the frame 11 and reliably package and transport the glass stack.

In some embodiments, each central protruding member 120 may include at least one hole 121 passing through the central protruding member 120 in a vertical direction. Since the glass substrate fixing device 100 can be manually manipulated, the glass substrate fixing device 100 should have a minimum weight to facilitate transportation by an operator or to improve manipulation by the operator. The central member 120 need only lift the strap 140 from the central portion of the longitudinal member 110. Furthermore, as described below, only the height at which the straps 140 are raised affects the increase in pressure applied to the glass laminate. The increase in the length of contact with the central rising member 120 along the ribbon 140 has no significant effect on the increase in pressure applied to the glass stack. Therefore, in order to reduce the weight of the glass substrate fixing device 100, the central protrusion part 120 may be designed to have a minimum size required to withstand the pressure applied by the strap 140, and the hole 121 representing an unnecessary material may have a maximum size within a range in which the supporting force of the central protrusion part 120 is not reduced.

When present, the connecting member 130 connects the upper longitudinal part 110 and the lower longitudinal part 110, whereby the upper longitudinal part 110 and the lower longitudinal part 110 may be maintained parallel to each other. For example, the connection members 130 may be provided in pairs and extend in a vertical direction at both sides of the central protrusion part 120. In addition, both longitudinal ends of the connection member 130 may be coupled to the upper and lower

longitudinal parts

110 and 110. Since the pressure is applied to the glass stack 20 using the longitudinal member 110, the connection member 130 may be coupled to the front side of the longitudinal member 110. The connection member 130 may serve to keep the upper longitudinal part 110 and the lower longitudinal part 110 parallel to each other at a predetermined distance. In addition, the connecting member 130 may serve as a handle, which allows a worker to simultaneously carry a pair of longitudinal parts 110 and easily position the pair of longitudinal parts 110 on the front side of the glass stack 20. In addition, as described below, the connection member 130 may allow the support and the hook to be omitted from the lower coupling unit. That is, in the absence of the connection member 130, the upper and lower coupling units may be provided with the support and hook pieces.

As shown in fig. 1 to 3, the tape 140 is a member that applies pressure to the upper longitudinal part 110 and the lower longitudinal part 110 so that the longitudinal part 110 is in close contact with the front side of the glass stack 20. The strap 140 may be provided in a curved shape, for example, of a lace. Each of the straps 140 is coupled with the front side of the longitudinal member 110 via the central protruding part 120 and the side protruding parts 125 such that the pressure applied to the longitudinal member 110 is adjustable. When the tape 140 is disposed in the above-described band-like manner, the tape 140 is lifted by the central protrusion part 120 so that the tape 140 is in contact with portions of the longitudinal parts 110 via the central protrusion part 120 and the side protrusion parts 125. That is, the band 140 is in contact with the central protrusion part 120 and the side protrusion parts 125, but is not in contact with other portions of the longitudinal part 110.

FIG. 16 is a graph showing the analysis results of comparative example 1. In comparative example 1, both end portions of a fixing lever having no protruding part were fixed to a frame using a cam type fixing lever. In the case of comparative example 1, the maximum stress value was 137.4MPa measured at both ends of the fixing rod and 0MPa measured at the central portion. It is understood that the stress of comparative example 1 is concentrated on both ends of the fixing rod, and substantially no stress is applied to the central portion.

FIG. 17 is a graph showing the analysis results of comparative example 2. Comparative example 2 is different from comparative example 1 in that the shape of the constraining member is changed to a triangle when viewed from above. It is understood that in the case of comparative example 2, the maximum values of stress and contact pressure were measured at both longitudinal end portions and the central portion. That is, the stress value due to pressing was measured at 92.5MPa in the central portion and 190.2MPa in both end portions. The stress value measured on the portions of the two hypotenuses of the triangle was 0.1 MPa. This indicates that only the central portion protruding the greatest distance results in an increase in pressure. In addition, comparing comparative example 2 and comparative example 1, it can be understood that in comparative example 2, the stresses of both end portions are also increased, and thus the total stress is increased.

Fig. 18 is a graph illustrating analysis results according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the protruding parts are formed only on the central portion and both end portions of the longitudinal part. As in comparative example 2, it is understood that the stress is concentrated on both longitudinal end portions and the central portion of the longitudinal member. Specifically, the maximum value of stress due to pressure was measured at 120.8MPa in the central portion, 165MPa in both end portions, and 0MPa in the portion between them. As can be understood with respect to the present embodiment, the stress on the central portion increases and the difference between the pressures on the both end portions and the pressure on the central portion decreases as compared with comparative example 2. When the protruding parts protruding forward are formed on the central portion and both side portions of the longitudinal member as in the present embodiment, it is possible to better distribute the pressing force to the central portion of the longitudinal member as in comparative example 2, in which the pressing force is also concentrated on the central portion. On the other hand, the embodiment of fig. 18 can reduce the pressure difference between the center portion and both end portions through which the force is transmitted to the stack of glass substrates, as compared to comparative example 2. Therefore, it is understood that the constraining member having the protruding members only on the central portion and both end portions as in the present embodiment can distribute the pressure uniformly and reduce the weight of the fixing device.

According to the present embodiment, one end of the strap 140 may be fixed to the first clamping member 150, which will be described below. The second clamping member 160 includes a shaft 163. The strap 140 extending from the first clamping member 150 encircles and extends beyond the axis 163. The other end of the strap 140 extending beyond the shaft 163 is positioned to overlap the portion of the strap 140 extending between the first clamping member 15 and the shaft 163, and then the two portions of the strap are coupled to each other by means of the coupling 170. That is, the coupling member 170 couples two portions of the strap extending from the shaft 163 to each other. The coupling member 170 may be a buckle. In addition, the band 140 may be guided by a plurality of

guides

180 and 185 disposed in front of the central protrusion part 120 and in front of the side protrusion parts 125. The

guides

180 and 185 set the path along which the strap 140 moves by forming a loop in front of the central protruding member 120 and in front of the side protruding members 125. The plurality of

guides

180 and 185 are formed on the path along which the tape strip 140 is fastened, and when the plurality of

guides

180 and 185 are formed on the path, the tape strip 140 may be prevented from being displaced during or after the fastening of the tape strip 140, thereby improving the reliability of the glass substrate fixing device 100.

As described above, in order to connect the tape 140 and the pair of longitudinal members 110 to the frame 11, the glass substrate fixing device 100 may include the first clamping member 150 and the second clamping member 160. The

clip members

150 and 160 may be aligned with the longitudinal members 110.

The first clamping member 150 may be disposed on upper and lower portions of the right wall of the frame 11. The upper and lower first clamping members 150 may be further provided at the same distance as the distance between the upper and lower

longitudinal members

110 and 110. The first clamping member 150 fixes the right end of the strap 140. Further, the first clamping member 150 adjusts the amount of pressure applied to the longitudinal member 110 via the strap 140 by pulling and winding the strap 140. That is, the worker may adjust the amount of pressure applied to the stack 20 of glass substrates loaded on the frame 11 by manipulating the first clamping member 150.

As shown in fig. 9 to 12, each of the first clamping members 150 includes a body 151 and a bobbin 152. The body 151 is fixed to the right wall of the frame 11 and serves to support the bobbin 152 engaged therewith. The spool 152 is the corresponding member that substantially secures the strap 140. The spools 152 rotate to wind the respective straps 140 therearound such that the straps 140 are tensioned. In this regard, the bobbin 152 is engaged with the body 151 such that the bobbin 152 can be rotated on the vertical axis thereof as shown in fig. 9 to 12, the bobbin 152 being engaged with the body 151 at a position where the bobbin 152 extends through upper and lower horizontal bracket plates of the body 151 facing each other. Specifically, an upper portion of the bobbin 152 protrudes beyond an upper horizontal bracket plate of the body 151, and the remaining portion of the bobbin 152 is disposed between the upper and lower horizontal bracket plates of the body 151 facing each other. The bobbin 152 has a slit 152a provided between upper and lower horizontal bracket plates of the body 151 in a portion thereof. The strap 140 passes through the slit 152a and then extends toward the longitudinal member 110. In this case, since one end of the tape 140 must be fixed to the bobbin 152, the one end of the tape 140 may be thicker than the width of the slit 152a so that the one end of the tape 140 cannot pass through the slit 152 a. Alternatively, one end of the strap 140 may be secured to the spool 152 using a separate capture member, or may be secured directly to the spool 152.

According to this embodiment, a torque wrench may be used to adjust the degree of winding of the strap 140 in the first direction about the spool 152. For example, the degree of winding of the tape strip 140 may be adjusted such that the maximum pressure applied to the tape strip 140 is from 200kgf/cm2 to 500kgf/cm 2. When using a torque wrench in this manner, the amount of tension applied to the strap 140 can be digitally adjusted. It is thereby possible to accurately and uniformly apply pressure to the entire glass substrate stack loaded on the plurality of frames 10. To this end, it is preferred that the head of the spool 152 be angled so that a torque wrench can be used.

Each first clip member 150 includes an anti-reverse portion 153 to hold the strap 140 in a pressed position in which the strap 140 is tensioned to apply pressure to the protruding

members

120 and 125 and the longitudinal member 110. The anti-reverse part 153 is a device that prevents the spool 152 from rotating in the opposite direction, and includes a ratchet gear 153a and a pawl 153 b. The ratchet gear 153a is provided on the outer circumference of the upper portion of the bobbin 152, protruding above the upper horizontal bracket plate of the body 151. With this structure, when the spool 152 rotates, the ratchet 153a rotates together with the spool 152. The pawl 153b is pivotally provided on a portion of the main body 151 adjacent to the ratchet gear 153a, more specifically, on an upper horizontal bracket plate of the main body 151 adjacent to the ratchet gear 153 a. The pawl 153b engages with the ratchet gear 153a such that the pawl 153b allows the ratchet gear 153a and the spool 152 to rotate in a first direction in which the strap 140 is wound on the outer circumference of the spool 152, while preventing the ratchet gear 153a from rotating in a second direction opposite (i.e., reversed) to the first direction, thereby preventing the strap 140 from unwinding from the outer circumference of the spool 152. In this way, the glass substrate fixing device 100 according to the present embodiment can continuously maintain the fixing force on the glass stack 20 using the anti-reverse part 153. The ratchet mechanism allows the tension to be set in predetermined increments.

The second clamping member 160 may be provided on upper and lower portions of the left wall of the frame 11. The upper and lower second clamping members 160 may be disposed at positions corresponding to the upper and lower first clamping members 150. In each second clamping member 160, the shaft 163 serves as a redirection shaft through which the tape 140 extending from the first clamping unit 150 is redirected toward the first clamping member 150. The shaft 163 of the second clip member 160 allows the strap 140 to be looped around it. Specifically, the shaft 163 of the second clip member 160 guides the left end of the strap 140 to be redirected toward the first clip member 150. The left end of the strap 140 extending from the second clip member 160 toward the first clip member 150 is placed to overlap with the portion of the strap 140 extending between the first clip member 150 and the second clip member 160, and then, the two portions are coupled to each other by means of the buckle-type coupling 170.

The upper first clamping member 150 and the upper second clamping member 160 may include

supports

150a and 160a, respectively. The

supports

150a and 160a are respectively provided on the first and

second clamping members

150 and 160 such that the

supports

150a and 160a can pivot the

supports

150a and 160a in the direction of the upper longitudinal member 110 to have a bar shape. The hook pieces 111 provided on both end portions of the upper longitudinal member 110 may be placed on the supporting

pieces

150a, 160 a. In addition, the distal ends of the supporting

pieces

150a and 160a may be hooked upward to prevent the hook 111 placed thereon from sliding off therefrom. As shown in fig. 13, before placing the hooks 111 on the

supports

150a and 160a, the

supports

150a and 160a are positioned adjacent to the side walls of the frame 11 in the upright position (first position) so as not to interfere with the loading operation of the glass stack on the frame 11. The

supports

150a and 160a in the first position are remote from the restricting member 103 and therefore do not support the restricting member 103. When the glass substrate fixing device 100 is attached to the frame 11, the supporting

members

150a and 160a are rotated from the upright position shown in fig. 13 to the horizontal position (second position) shown in fig. 14 and 15, so that the hook pieces 111 of the upper longitudinal member 110 can be placed on the supporting

members

150a and 160 a.

Hereinafter, a method of attaching the glass substrate fixing device according to the present embodiment to a frame will be described.

First, a worker holds the connection member 130, and then, moves the assembly of the connection member 130 and the constraining part 103 such that the hook 111 of the upper longitudinal part 110 is placed on the

supports

150a and 160a of the first and

second clamping parts

150 and 160. Then, the worker fastens one end of the strap 140 to the lower first clamping member 150, and then fixes the strap 140 to the front portions of the protruding

members

120 and 125 in a band-like manner by sequentially moving the strap 140 through a plurality of

guides

180 and 185 disposed in front of the protruding

members

120 and 125. Thereafter, the band 140 is looped around the shaft 163, and then two portions of the band 140 extending from the shaft 163 are fixed using the coupling member 170. Then, the worker pulls the strap 140 by rotating the spool 152 of the first clamping member 150 to a preset level using a torque wrench so that the strap 140 can apply a desired amount of pressure to the longitudinal member 110. After the fixing operation of the lower longitudinal member 110 is completed, the upper longitudinal member 110 is fixed in the same manner, thereby completing the operation of attaching the glass substrate fixing device 100 to the frame 11.

After transporting the crate 10 packaged as described above, the glass substrate fixture 100 is separated from the frame 11 to unload the glass stack 20 from the crate 10. For this, first, the tape strip 140 fastened to the lower longitudinal member 110 is cut, and then the tape strip 140 fastened to the upper longitudinal member 110 is cut. Then, the worker holds the connection member 130, and then moves the assembly of the connection member 130 and the restraint member 103 such that the hooks 111 of both ends of the longitudinal part 110 are separated from the

supports

150a and 160a of the first and

second clamping parts

150 and 160, thereby easily completing the operation of separating the glass substrate fixing device 100 from the crate 11.

The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented with reference to the accompanying drawings. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the above teaching.

Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments, but is defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A crate for carrying glass substrates, comprising:

a frame comprising a base and a rear member, wherein a glass substrate stack is loaded on the base adjacent to the rear member, the stack comprising a width and a height that perpendicularly intersect each other;

at least one binding unit comprising:

a constraining member comprising a longitudinal member extending across the stack in a direction of a width of the stack and a central protruding member protruding from a central portion of the longitudinal member in a direction perpendicular to a front surface of the stack, the constraining member further comprising side protruding members protruding from both end portions of the longitudinal member in a direction perpendicular to the front surface of the stack;

a first clip member and a second clip member aligned with the longitudinal component of the restraint member and secured to the rear member of the frame; and

a strap secured to and extending between the first and second clamp members such that the strap is in contact with the central and side projecting members, thereby applying a force to the front surface of the stack via the restraining member, wherein the central and side projecting members allow portions of the strap extending between the central and side projecting members to be spaced apart from the longitudinal members.

2. A crate according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second clamping members are fixed to the rear member on both sides of the constraining member in the width direction of the stack.

3. The crate of claim 1, wherein an amount of force applied by the strap to the front surface of the stack is adjustable.

4. The crate of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first clamping member and the second clamping member adjusts a tension of the strap to adjust an amount of force the strap applies to the front surface of the stack.

5. The crate of claim 1, wherein the first clamping member pulls the strap such that the strap wraps around the first clamping member, thereby adjusting an amount of force the strap applies to the front surface of the stack.

6. The crate of claim 1, wherein the first clamping member comprises:

a main body fixed to the rear member of the frame; and

a spool rotatably connected to the body, one end of the strap being secured to the spool.

7. The crate of claim 6, wherein the spool includes an angled head, the spool being rotatable in a first direction by rotating the angled head.

8. The crate of claim 7, wherein the first clamp member further includes an anti-reverse feature that prevents rotation of the spool in a second direction opposite the first direction.

9. The crate of claim 8, wherein the anti-reverse feature comprises:

a ratchet fixed to an outer periphery of the spool of the first clamp member; and

a pawl pivotally connected to said body of said first clamp member such that said ratchet and said spool are prevented from rotating in said second direction when said pawl is engaged with said ratchet.

10. The crate of claim 1, wherein the second clamping member includes a shaft about which the strap is looped.

11. The crate of claim 10, wherein the at least one coupling unit further comprises a coupling member coupling two portions of the strap extending from the shaft to each other.

12. A crate according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second clamping members of each of the at least one coupling unit comprise a support, which is switchable between a first position, in which the support is spaced from the constraining member, and a second position, in which the support supports the constraining member.

13. The crate of claim 12, wherein the constraining member of the at least one coupling unit further comprises a hook disposed such that the hook is supported by the supports of the first and second clamping members.

14. A crate according to claim 1, characterized in that the central protruding part protrudes from the longitudinal part by a larger amount than the side protruding parts protrude from the longitudinal part.

15. The crate of claim 1, wherein the constraining member further comprises a guide disposed on at least one of the central protruding member and the lateral protruding member to guide the strap.

16. Crate according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one coupling unit comprises at least two coupling units, the crate further comprising at least one connecting member connecting the constraining parts of the at least two coupling units to each other.

17. A crate according to claim 16, characterized in that the at least one connecting member extends in the height direction of the stack.

18. A crate according to claim 16, characterized in that the at least one connecting member comprises two connecting members arranged on both sides of the central protruding part of the constraining part of the at least two joining units.

19. A method of securing a glass substrate to a crate, comprising:

loading a plurality of glass substrates onto a crate, the crate including a base and a back member frame, the plurality of glass substrates being loaded on the base and adjacent to the back member to form a glass substrate stack, the glass substrate stack including a width and a height that perpendicularly intersect one another;

positioning at least one bonding unit across the glass substrate stack, the at least one bonding unit comprising:

first and second clip members aligned with the longitudinal component of the constraining member and secured to the rear member of the frame;

a strap secured to and extending between the first and second clamp members such that the strap is in contact with the central protruding member; and

applying a force to the front surface of the stack via the constraining member by tensioning the strap such that portions of the strap extending between the central and side projecting members are spaced apart from the longitudinal members.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein tensioning the strap comprises rotating the first clamping member such that the strap wraps around the first clamping member.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the first clamp member comprises a spool of angled head, and rotating the first clamp member comprises rotating the angled head of the spool.

22. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the at least one joining unit comprises at least two joining units, the method further comprising connecting the constraining members of the at least two joining units to each other with the at least one connecting member.