CN219447766U

CN219447766U - Panel container

Info

Publication number: CN219447766U
Application number: CN202320484909.3U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 大贯和正
Original assignee: Shin Etsu Polymer Co Ltd
Current assignee: Shin Etsu Polymer Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-03-28
Filing date: 2023-03-14
Publication date: 2023-08-01
Anticipated expiration: 2033-03-14
Also published as: TWM649921U; JP2023144300A; KR20230001920U

Abstract

The utility model provides a panel storage container capable of reducing the number of parts. The panel storage container includes: a bottom plate and side walls defining an accommodation space for accommodating a plurality of panels; the supporting member is arranged on the bottom plate and used for supporting the bottom plate; a rail member for placing the panel storage container on the conveying device; and a connecting member that connects the bottom plate and the side wall and fixes the support member and the rail member.

Description

Panel container

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a panel storage container.

Background

In a manufacturing process for processing a panel such as a glass substrate for a liquid crystal panel, a panel storage container for storing a plurality of panels may be used when transferring a rectangular panel from a manufacturing apparatus to a manufacturing apparatus in another process and when temporarily storing the panel. For example, japanese patent application laid-open No. 2019-31297 describes a panel storage container including: a container body accommodating the panel; and a cover body which can freely cover the opening part of the container body in an opening and closing manner.

Disclosure of Invention

In the panel storage container described in japanese patent application laid-open No. 2019-31297, a container body is configured by combining a plurality of parts. For example, when the top plate, the side wall, the bottom plate, and the rear wall of the container body are each formed of different members, a connecting member is used to connect the members. The container body may include a structure provided under the floor, and a rail member to be placed on a conveyor or the like when the panel is conveyed to house the container. In this case, parts for mounting these members to the base plate are further used. In the art, it is desired to reduce the number of parts.

The present disclosure describes a panel storage container capable of reducing the number of parts.

A panel housing container of an aspect of the present disclosure is for housing a plurality of panels, the panel housing container including: a bottom plate and side walls defining an accommodation space for accommodating a plurality of panels; the supporting member is arranged on the bottom plate and used for supporting the bottom plate; a rail member for placing the panel storage container on the conveying device; and a connecting member that connects the bottom plate and the side wall and fixes the support member and the rail member.

In the panel storage container, the connecting member connects the bottom plate and the side wall, and fixes the support member and the rail member. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately prepare a part for fixing the support member and a part for fixing the rail member. As a result, the number of parts can be reduced.

In some embodiments, the coupling member may be provided with a first engagement groove for holding the bottom plate and a second engagement groove for holding the side wall. In this case, the bottom plate and the side wall can be coupled by simply inserting the bottom plate into the first engagement groove and inserting the side wall into the second engagement groove. Therefore, the bottom plate and the side wall can be coupled without using a fastening member such as a bolt. As a result, the number of parts can be further reduced.

In several embodiments, the joining member may include: a connecting part for connecting the bottom plate and the side wall; a fixing part for fixing the support member and the rail member; and a connecting portion connecting the connecting portion and the fixing portion. The fixing portion may be attached to an end surface of the support member. The connecting portion may connect the connecting portion and the fixing portion such that the side wall is away from the end surface of the support member. In this case, the housing space can be expanded as compared with a structure in which the side wall is disposed in the vicinity of the end surface of the support member.

According to the present disclosure, the number of parts can be reduced.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a panel housing container according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the panel container shown in fig. 1 as seen from below.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view showing a connection structure between frames shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a view with the connecting member removed from the connecting structure shown in fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the frame shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the coupling member shown in fig. 3.

Fig. 8 (a) is a diagram for explaining a connection structure in the panel storage container shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 8 (b) is a diagram for explaining a connection structure in the panel storage container of the comparative example.

[ description of symbols ]

1: panel container

2: container body

2a, 40a: an opening

3: cover body

20: accommodation space

21: top plate

22: bottom plate

23: side wall

24: back wall

25: flange

25h: upper lock hole

26: base portion

26a: support member

27: rail member

28: handle grip

31: cover body

31h: key hole

32: locking mechanism

40: space of

41. 42, 43, 44: frame (connecting component)

41a, 41b, 42a, 42b, 43a: clamping groove

45: block component

46: cover member

51: positioning member

52: air supply and exhaust mechanism

61. 62: support part

71: connecting part

71a: clamping groove (first clamping groove)

71b: clamping groove (second clamping groove)

72. 74: fixing part

73: connecting part

74a, 74b, 74c: baffle plate

74s: slit(s)

75: convex part

75a, 75b, 75c: fitting sheet

144. 145: and a connecting member.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof is omitted. In each figure, an XYZ coordinate system is shown. The Y-axis direction is a direction intersecting (here, orthogonal to) the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. The Z-axis direction is a direction intersecting (here, orthogonal to) the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. As an example, the X-axis direction is the left-right direction (width direction), the Y-axis direction is the front-back direction (depth direction), and the Z-axis direction is the up-down direction (height direction). For convenience of description, terms such as "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "left", and "right" are used, but are not limited to these directions.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, a panel storage container according to an embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a panel housing container according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the panel container shown in fig. 1 as seen from below. The panel storage container 1 shown in fig. 1 and 2 is a container for storing a plurality of panels. The panel housing container 1 is in accordance with, for example, the international society for semiconductor devices and materials (Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International, SEMI) standard. Examples of the panel include a glass substrate for a liquid crystal panel and a panel on which electronic components are mounted. The panel has a rectangular shape. Examples of the dimensions of the panel include 510mm×515mm and 600mm×600mm. The number of panels that can be accommodated in the panel accommodating container 1 is arbitrarily determined, and may be 6, 12, 16, or 24, for example.

The panel storage container 1 is used, for example, in a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an electronic component assembly. The electronic component assembly is manufactured, for example, through the following steps: a large carrier panel such as a glass plate or a stainless steel plate is mounted with a plurality of electronic components; sealing the electronic parts with epoxy resin or the like; peeling the sealed electronic part from the carrier panel in the form of a panel; and cutting out the panel-shaped electronic parts. The panel storage container 1 is used to transfer the panel between these steps.

The panel storage container 1 includes a container body 2 and a lid 3.

The container body 2 is a rectangular parallelepiped container with an open front face (front face). In other words, the container body 2 is a front open box container provided with an opening 2a on the front surface. The container body 2 accommodates a plurality of panels. Specifically, the container body 2 houses a plurality of panels in a state of being aligned in the vertical direction. The panel is taken out of the container body 2 or put into the container body 2 through the opening 2a. Details of the container body 2 will be described later.

The lid 3 is a member for closing the opening 2a of the container body 2. The lid 3 hermetically closes the opening 2a of the container body 2 via a sealing member such as a gasket. The cover 3 is detachably attached to a flange 25 defining the opening 2a. The cover 3 includes a cover body 31 and a locking mechanism 32. The cover body 31 is a body portion of the cover body 3. The cover body 31 is a rectangular plate material. The lid body 31 is made of a metal material such as aluminum or magnesium alloy. The lid body 31 may be made of a thermoplastic resin such as a polycarbonate resin. A key hole 31h is provided in the front surface of the cover body 31. A key, not shown, is inserted into the key hole 31h.

The locking mechanism 32 is configured to lock or unlock the cover 3 by operating a key inserted into the key hole 31h. The locking mechanism 32 includes a latch (not shown). In a state where the cover 3 is attached to the flange 25, the lock catch is fitted into the upper lock hole 25h provided in the flange 25 by an operation of a key, whereby the cover 3 is locked. In a state where the cover 3 is locked, the lock catch is pulled out from the upper lock hole 25h by an operation of a key, whereby the cover 3 is unlocked.

The container body 2 and the lid 3 may be formed by combining a plurality of parts formed of a metal material or a resin material. Examples of the resin contained in the molding material of the resin material include thermoplastic resins. Examples of the thermoplastic resin include: polycarbonates, cycloolefin polymers, polyetherimides, polyetherketones, polyetheretherketones, polybutylene terephthalates, polyacetals, liquid crystal polymers, acrylic resins such as polymethyl methacrylate, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymers. As the resin contained in the molding material of the resin material, an alloy (alloy) of these can be used.

Conductive materials and various antistatic agents may be added to these resins. The conductive substance includes, for example, carbon fibers, carbon powder, carbon nanotubes, conductive polymers, or the like. As the antistatic agent, anionic, cationic, nonionic, and other antistatic agents can be used. Ultraviolet absorbers of benzotriazole-based, salicylic acid-based, cyanoacrylate-based, oxanilide (oxalic acid anilide) -based and hindered amine-based may also be added. Glass fibers, carbon fibers, or the like may be optionally added to improve rigidity.

Next, the container body 2 will be described in detail. The container body 2 includes a top plate 21, a bottom plate 22, a pair of side walls 23, a back wall 24, a flange 25, a pedestal 26, a pair of rail members 27, and a pair of handles 28.

The top plate 21, the bottom plate 22, the side walls 23, and the back wall 24 are rectangular plate materials. The top plate 21 and the bottom plate 22 are disposed substantially parallel to each other and face each other in the vertical direction. The pair of side walls 23 are disposed substantially parallel to each other and face each other in the left-right direction. The back wall 24 faces the lid 3 in the front-rear direction in a state where the lid 3 blocks the opening 2a. The top plate 21, the bottom plate 22, the pair of side walls 23, and the back wall 24 define a housing space 20 for housing a plurality of panels.

The top plate 21, the bottom plate 22, and the side walls 23 are made of a metal material such as aluminum or stainless steel. The back wall 24 is made of, for example, a transparent resin material capable of visually observing the accommodating space 20 from the outside of the container body 2. A portion of the back wall 24 may also be formed of a transparent resin material. Examples of the transparent resin material include acrylic resin, polycarbonate, vinyl chloride resin and cycloolefin polymer.

The flange 25 is a rectangular frame and is provided across the front end of the top plate 21, the front end of the bottom plate 22, and the front ends of the pair of side walls 23. The opening 2a is delimited by a flange 25. The flange 25 is made of, for example, the above-described resin material or a metal material such as aluminum or stainless steel. Two upper lock holes 25h are provided in the upper frame portion and the lower frame portion of the flange 25, respectively, and are arranged apart in the left-right direction. The upper lock hole 25h of the upper frame portion and the upper lock hole 25h of the lower frame portion are provided at positions opposite to each other in the up-down direction.

The pedestal portion 26 is a portion that serves as a base of the container body 2. The pedestal portion 26 is provided on the lower surface of the bottom plate 22 for supporting the container body 2 (bottom plate 22). The base portion 26 is made of a metal material such as aluminum or stainless steel. The base portion 26 is formed by combining a plurality of columnar support members 26 a. Each support member 26a is a columnar member extending in the left-right direction.

The pair of rail members 27 are members for placing the panel storage container 1 on a conveying device such as a conveyor. Each rail member 27 is a plate-like member extending in the front-rear direction. Each rail member 27 is made of, for example, the resin material. The pair of rail members 27 are provided below the pedestal portion 26 at both left and right end portions of the container body 2.

The pair of handles 28 are members used when the conveying device conveys the panel storage container 1. A pair of handles 28 are provided at both left and right end portions of the top plate 21. The panel container 1 is lifted by holding the pair of handles 28 by the conveying device, and the conveying device can convey the panel container 1.

Next, a member provided at the bottom of the container body 2 will be described. As shown in fig. 2, the panel housing container 1 further includes a positioning member 51 and an air supply and exhaust mechanism 52.

The positioning member 51 is a member for positioning the panel storage container 1 (container body 2) by an external device such as a conveyor or a processing device. The positioning member 51 is made of a metal material such as aluminum or stainless steel. The positioning member 51 is a V-shaped plate material. The positioning member 51 is recessed toward (above) the bottom plate 22. The V-shaped groove is defined by the V-shaped surface of the positioning member 51. The V-shaped surface may be subjected to a surface treatment for improving wear resistance and sliding property as required. In the present embodiment, the panel housing container 1 includes three positioning members 51. The number and arrangement of the positioning members 51 may be changed as appropriate.

The gas supply/exhaust mechanism 52 is a mechanism for supplying gas into the storage space 20 and exhausting gas from the storage space 20 in order to maintain the cleanliness and low humidity of the interior (the storage space 20) of the panel storage container 1. As an example of the gas supplied into the accommodation space 20, an inert gas may be cited. In the present embodiment, the panel storage container 1 includes four air supply and exhaust mechanisms 52. In the present embodiment, the two gas supply and exhaust mechanisms 52 provided at the front discharge gas from the housing space 20, and the two gas supply and exhaust mechanisms 52 provided at the rear supply gas to the housing space 20. The number, arrangement, and function of the air supply and exhaust mechanisms 52 may be arbitrarily changed.

Next, the structure in the housing space 20 will be briefly described. As shown in fig. 1, the panel storage container 1 further includes a plurality of support portions 61 and a plurality of support portions 62. The support portion 61 is a portion for supporting a central portion of the panel in the left-right direction. The support portion 62 is a portion for supporting both end portions of the panel in the left-right direction. The support portions 61 and 62 each include a columnar (e.g., columnar) main shaft extending in the front-rear direction, and a plurality of annular (e.g., annular) elastic bodies provided on the outer peripheral surface of the main shaft. Each spindle is fixed to a post (not shown) provided between a pair of frames 43 described later. The main shaft of the support portion 62 is supported by a support body provided laterally of the housing space 20. The number of the support portions 61 and 62 is changed according to the number of panels that can be stored in the panel storage container 1. In the present embodiment, the panel storage container 1 includes one support portion 61 and two support portions 62 for each panel.

Next, a method of connecting the members of the container body 2 will be described with further reference to fig. 3 to 7. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view showing a connection structure between frames shown in fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a view with the connecting member removed from the connecting structure shown in fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the frame shown in fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the coupling member shown in fig. 3.

As shown in fig. 1 to 3, the container body 2 further includes a pair of frames 41, a pair of frames 42, a pair of frames 43, a pair of frames 44 (coupling members), four block members 45, and four cover members 46. The frames 41 to 44 are each made of, for example, a metal material. Examples of the metal material include aluminum and stainless steel. The frames 41 to 44 are each formed by, for example, extrusion molding.

Each frame 41 is a member connecting the top plate 21 and the side wall 23. Each frame 41 is an elongated L-shaped member extending in the front-rear direction. The pair of frames 41 are disposed at both right and left ends of the top plate 21. The left frame 41 extends over the entire length of the left end edge of the top plate 21, and extends over the entire length of the upper end edge of the left side wall 23. The right frame 41 extends over the entire length of the right end edge of the top plate 21, and extends over the entire length of the upper end edge of the right side wall 23.

As shown in fig. 4, each frame 41 is provided with an engagement groove 41a for holding the top plate 21 and an engagement groove 41b for holding the side wall 23. The engagement groove 41a is provided at the front end of a portion of the frame 41 protruding toward the other frame 41, opens toward the other frame 41, and extends in the front-rear direction. The engagement groove 41b is provided at the lower end of the portion of the frame 41 protruding downward, opens downward, and extends in the front-rear direction. The left end portion of the top plate 21 is inserted into the engagement groove 41a of the left frame 41. The upper end of the left side wall 23 is inserted into the engagement groove 41b of the left frame 41. The right end portion of the top plate 21 is inserted into the engagement groove 41a of the right frame 41. The upper end portion of the right side wall 23 is inserted into the engagement groove 41b of the right frame 41.

Each frame 42 is a member for connecting the side wall 23 and the rear wall 24. Each frame 42 is an elongated L-shaped member extending in the up-down direction. A pair of frames 42 are disposed at the left and right ends of the back wall 24. The left frame 42 extends over the entire length of the rear end edge of the left side wall 23 and the entire length of the left end edge of the rear wall 24. The right frame 42 extends over the entire length of the rear end edge of the right side wall 23 and the entire length of the right end edge of the rear wall 24.

As shown in fig. 4, each frame 42 is provided with an engagement groove 42a for holding the side wall 23 and an engagement groove 42b for holding the back wall 24. The engagement groove 42a is provided at the front end of the portion of the frame 42 protruding forward, is open forward, and extends in the up-down direction. The engagement groove 42b is provided at a front end of a portion of the frame 42 protruding toward the other frame 42, opens toward the other frame 42, and extends in the up-down direction. The rear end portion of the left side wall 23 is inserted into the engagement groove 42a of the left frame 42. The left end portion of the back surface wall 24 is inserted into the engagement groove 42b of the left frame 42. The rear end portion of the right side wall 23 is inserted into the engagement groove 42a of the right frame 42. The right end portion of the back surface wall 24 is inserted into the engagement groove 42b of the right frame 42.

Each frame 43 is a member for connecting the top plate 21 and the back surface wall 24. Each frame 43 is an elongated L-shaped member extending in the left-right direction. A pair of frames 43 are disposed at the upper and lower ends of the back wall 24. The upper frame 43 extends over the entire length of the rear end edge of the top plate 21 and the entire length of the upper end edge of the rear wall 24. The lower frame 43 extends over the entire length of the rear end edge of the bottom plate 22 and the entire length of the lower end edge of the rear wall 24.

As shown in fig. 4, each frame 43 is provided with an engagement groove 43a for holding the back surface wall 24. The engagement groove 43a is provided at a front end of a portion of the frame 43 protruding toward the other frame 43, is open toward the other frame 43, and extends in the left-right direction. The upper end portion of the back surface wall 24 is inserted into the engagement groove 43a of the upper frame 43. The lower end portion of the back surface wall 24 is inserted into the engagement groove 43a of the lower frame 43. The upper frame 43 is further provided with an engagement groove, not shown, for holding the top plate 21, and the rear end portion of the top plate 21 is inserted into the engagement groove. The lower frame 43 is further provided with an engagement groove, not shown, for holding the bottom plate 22, into which the rear end portion of the bottom plate 22 is inserted.

Each frame 44 is a member that connects the bottom plate 22 and the side wall 23 and fixes the support member 26a and the rail member 27. Each frame 44 is an elongated member extending in the front-rear direction. A pair of frames 44 are disposed at both left and right ends of the bottom plate 22. The left frame 44 extends over the entire length of the left end edge of the bottom plate 22, and extends over the entire length of the lower end edge of the left side wall 23. The right frame 44 extends over the entire length of the right end edge of the bottom plate 22, and extends over the entire length of the lower end edge of the right side wall 23.

As shown in fig. 5 and 6, each frame 44 includes a connecting portion 71, a fixing portion 72, and a connecting portion 73.

The connection portion 71 is a portion connecting the bottom plate 22 and the side wall 23. The connecting portion 71 has an L-shape extending in the front-rear direction. The coupling portion 71 is provided with an engagement groove 71a (first engagement groove) for holding the bottom plate 22 and an engagement groove 71b (second engagement groove) for holding the side wall 23. The engagement groove 71b is provided at an upper end of an upwardly protruding portion of the coupling portion 71, is upwardly open, and extends in the front-rear direction. The engagement groove 71a is provided at the front end of the portion of the coupling portion 71 protruding toward the other frame 44, opens toward the other frame 44, and extends in the front-rear direction. The left end portion of the bottom plate 22 is inserted into the engagement groove 71a of the left frame 44. The lower end portion of the left side wall 23 is inserted into the engagement groove 71b of the left frame 44. The right end portion of the bottom plate 22 is inserted into the engagement groove 71a of the right frame 44. The lower end portion of the right side wall 23 is inserted into the engagement groove 71b of the right frame 44.

The fixing portion 72 is a portion for fixing the support member 26a and the rail member 27. The fixing portion 72 has a plate-like shape extending in the front-rear direction. The fixing portion 72 is disposed on the upper surface of the rail member 27 and is provided across all the support members 26a included in the pedestal portion 26. The fixing portion 72 is attached to the end surface of each support member 26a and the upper surface of the rail member 27.

Specifically, the fixing portion 72 of the left frame 44 is placed on the upper surface of the left rail member 27, and is overlapped so as to contact the left end surface of each support member 26a in the left-right direction. In this state, a fastening member such as a bolt is inserted into an insertion hole penetrating the fixing portion 72 in the left-right direction, and the fastening member is screwed into a screw hole provided in the left end surface of the support member 26 a. Further, a fastening member such as a bolt is inserted into an insertion hole penetrating the rail member 27 in the up-down direction, and the fastening member is screwed into a screw hole provided in the lower surface of the fixing portion 72.

Similarly, the fixing portion 72 of the right frame 44 is placed on the upper surface of the right rail member 27, and is overlapped so as to contact the right end surface of each support member 26a in the left-right direction. In this state, a fastening member such as a bolt is inserted into an insertion hole penetrating the fixing portion 72 in the left-right direction, and the fastening member is screwed into a screw hole provided in the right end surface of the support member 26 a. Further, a fastening member such as a bolt is inserted into an insertion hole penetrating the rail member 27 in the up-down direction, and the fastening member is screwed into a screw hole provided in the lower surface of the fixing portion 72.

The connection portion 73 is a portion connecting the connection portion 71 and the fixing portion 72. The connection portion 73 has a plate-like shape extending in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the connecting portion 73 connects the tip of the portion of the connecting portion 71 protruding toward the other frame 44 with the upper end of the fixing portion 72. The connection portion 73 is inclined so as to be away from the end surface of the support member 26a in the left-right direction (toward the outside of the container body 2) as it goes upward. In other words, the connecting portion 73 connects the connecting portion 71 and the fixing portion 72 in the left-right direction in such a manner that the side wall 23 is away from the end surface (of the support member 26 a) on which the fixing portion 72 is mounted.

Each block member 45 is a member for connecting three frames. Since each of the block members 45 connects the three frames substantially identically, the block members 45 connecting the right frame 41, the right frame 42, and the upper frame 43 will be described here. As shown in fig. 4, each of the frames 41 to 43 has an L-shape, and the corners of the L are disposed so as to face the outside of the container body 2. The space 40 is defined by the rear end face of the frame 41, the upper end face of the frame 42, and the right end face of the frame 43, and the opening 40a that communicates the space 40 with the housing space 20 is defined by the L-shaped recess of each end face. The block members 45 are accommodated in the space 40 and fixed to the respective end surfaces.

As shown in fig. 7, the block member 45 includes a fixing portion 74 and a protruding portion 75.

The fixing portion 74 is a portion fixed to the end surfaces of the frames 41 to 43. The fixing portion 74 includes a plate 74a, a plate 74b, and a plate 74c. The plates 74a to 74c each have a rectangular plate shape. The baffle 74b and the baffle 74c are provided on the upper surface (main surface) of the baffle 74a along the adjacent two end edges of the baffle 74 a. The baffle 74a forms substantially a right angle with the baffle 74b and the baffle 74c, respectively. The baffle 74b forms substantially a right angle with the baffle 74c.

The baffle plates 74a to 74c are respectively provided with insertion holes penetrating the baffle plates in the thickness direction. The inner diameter of the insertion holes is larger than the outer diameter of the shaft portion of the fastening member such as a bolt. A slit 74s into which the corner of the side wall 23 fits is provided in a surface (back surface) of the baffle plate 74b opposite to the baffle plate 74 a. A slit 74s into which the corner of the back surface wall 24 fits is provided in the surface (back surface) of the back plate 74c opposite to the back plate 74 a. Each slit 74s is substantially orthogonal to the upper surface of the baffle 74 a.

The protruding portion 75 is a portion for pressing the frames 41 to 43 from the housing space 20. The convex portion 75 has a shape along the periphery of the opening 40a. The protruding portion 75 includes a fitting piece 75a, a fitting piece 75b, and a fitting piece 75c. The fitting piece 75a is provided on the back surface of the plate 74a, and has a shape of an L-shaped recess along the frame 42 to which the plate 74a is fixed. The fitting piece 75b is provided on the back surface of the plate 74b, and has a shape along the L-shaped recess of the frame 41 to which the plate 74b is fixed. The fitting piece 75c is provided on the back surface of the plate 74c, and has a shape of an L-shaped recess along the frame 43 to which the plate 74c is fixed.

The block member 45 thus constituted is accommodated in the space 40. Specifically, the plate 74a overlaps the upper end surface of the frame 42, the plate 74b overlaps the rear end surface of the frame 41, and the plate 74c overlaps the right end surface of the frame 43. At this time, the protruding portion 75 is fitted in the opening 40a, the corner portion of the side wall 23 is inserted into the slit 74s of the flap 74b, and the corner portion of the back surface wall 24 is inserted into the slit 74s of the flap 74c.

In this state, a fastening member such as a bolt is inserted into the insertion hole of the baffle plate 74a, and the fastening member is screwed into a screw hole provided in the upper end surface of the frame 42. Further, a fastening member such as a bolt is inserted into the insertion hole of the baffle plate 74b, and the fastening member is screwed into a screw hole provided in the rear end surface of the frame 41. Further, a fastening member such as a bolt is inserted into the insertion hole of the baffle plate 74c, and the fastening member is screwed into a screw hole provided in the right end surface of the frame 43.

Since the inner diameter of each insertion hole is larger than the outer diameter of the shaft portion of the fastening member, the fixing portion 74 positions each frame in the fastening direction, but does not position it in the other direction. For example, the frame 41 abuts against the baffle 74b in the front-rear direction, and is thus positioned in the front-rear direction. The frame 42 is positioned in the up-down direction by abutting against the baffle 74a in the up-down direction, and the frame 43 is positioned in the left-right direction by abutting against the baffle 74c in the left-right direction.

In the block member 45, the protruding portions 75 are fitted into the openings 40a, and therefore, each frame is pressed from the housing space 20 by the protruding portions 75. For example, the frame 41 is positioned in the up-down direction and the left-right direction because it is in contact with the end edge of the fitting piece 75b in the up-down direction and the left-right direction. The frame 42 is positioned in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction because it abuts against the end edge of the fitting piece 75a in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. The frame 43 is positioned in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction because it is in contact with the end edge of the fitting piece 75c in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction.

As a result, the frames are positioned in the up-down direction, the front-back direction, and the left-right direction.

Each cover member 46 is a member for preventing particles (grains) from accumulating on the baffle 74 a. Each cover member 46 is made of, for example, the resin material. The cover member 46 is provided in such a manner as to cover the block member 45. The cover member 46 is provided with a through hole for reducing water residue and improving drying property.

Next, the operational effects of the panel storage container 1 will be described with reference to fig. 8 (a) and 8 (b). Fig. 8 (a) is a diagram for explaining a connection structure of the panel storage container shown in fig. 1. Fig. 8 (b) is a diagram for explaining a connection structure in the panel storage container of the comparative example. As shown in fig. 8 (b), the panel storage container of the comparative example is different from the panel storage container 1 mainly in that the frame 44 includes the coupling members 144 and 145 and the lower end portions of the side walls 23, which are bent outward.

The connecting member 144 is an L-shaped member extending in the front-rear direction. The coupling member 145 is a member having a male screw at a lower end and a female screw (screw hole) at an upper end. In the panel storage container of the comparative example, the side wall portions of the coupling members 144 overlap so as to contact the right end surfaces of the respective support members 26a in the left-right direction. In this state, a fastening member such as a bolt is inserted into an insertion hole penetrating the side wall portion of the connecting member 144 in the left-right direction, and the fastening member is screwed into a screw hole provided in the right end surface of the support member 26 a.

Further, the external screw thread of the coupling member 145 is screwed into a screw hole provided in the rail member 27, and the coupling member 144 is disposed on the rail member 27 so that the screw hole of the coupling member 145 overlaps with an insertion hole provided in the upper plate portion of the coupling member 144. A side end portion of the bottom plate 22 is placed on the upper surface of the upper plate portion of the connecting member 144, and further, a lower end portion of the side wall 23 is overlapped with the side end portion of the bottom plate 22. In this state, a fastening member such as a bolt is inserted into the insertion hole of the lower end portion of the side wall 23, the insertion hole of the side end portion of the bottom plate 22, and the insertion hole of the upper plate portion of the coupling member 144, and a screw is screwed into the screw hole of the coupling member 145. Thereby, the side end portion of the bottom plate 22 is sandwiched between the lower end portion of the side wall 23 and the upper plate portion of the connecting member 144. As a result, the bottom plate 22 and the side walls 23 are coupled, and the pedestal portion 26 (support member 26 a) and the rail member 27 are fixed.

On the other hand, as shown in fig. 8 (a), in the panel storage container 1, the frame 44 not only connects the bottom plate 22 and the side wall 23, but also fixes the support member 26a and the rail member 27. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately prepare a part for fixing the support member 26a and a part for fixing the rail member 27. As a result, the number of parts can be reduced.

The coupling portion 71 of the frame 44 is provided with an engagement groove 71a for holding the bottom plate 22 and an engagement groove 71b for holding the side wall 23. According to the above configuration, the bottom plate 22 and the side wall 23 can be coupled by simply inserting the bottom plate 22 into the engagement groove 71a and inserting the side wall 23 into the engagement groove 71b. Therefore, the bottom plate 22 and the side wall 23 can be coupled without using a fastening member such as a bolt. As a result, the number of parts can be further reduced. Further, since the lower end portion of the side wall 23 does not need to be bent, the structure of the side wall 23 can be simplified.

Similarly, the upper frame 41 is provided with an engagement groove 41a for holding the top plate 21 and an engagement groove 41b for holding the side wall 23. The lower frame 41 is provided with an engagement groove 41a for holding the bottom plate 22 and an engagement groove 41b for holding the side wall 23. The frame 42 is provided with an engagement groove 42a for holding the side wall 23 and an engagement groove 42b for holding the back wall 24. The upper frame 43 is provided with an engagement groove 43a for holding the back surface wall 24 and an engagement groove (not shown) for holding the top plate 21. The lower frame 43 is provided with an engagement groove 43a for holding the back wall 24 and an engagement groove (not shown) for holding the bottom plate 22. These members can be connected to each other by simply inserting the top plate 21, the bottom plate 22, the side walls 23, and the back wall 24 into the respective engagement grooves. Therefore, the top plate 21, the bottom plate 22, the side walls 23, and the rear wall 24 can be coupled without using fastening members such as bolts. As a result, the number of parts can be further reduced.

In the panel storage container of the comparative example, the side end portion of the bottom plate 22 is sandwiched between the upper plate portion of the connecting member 144 and the lower end portion bent outward of the side wall 23, and the side wall portion of the connecting member 144 is attached to the end face of the support member 26 a. Accordingly, the side wall 23 is located near the end face of the support member 26a in the left-right direction. On the other hand, in the panel storage container 1, the connecting portion 73 connects the connecting portion 71 and the fixing portion 72 in the left-right direction so that the side wall 23 is away from the end surface of the support member 26a to which the fixing portion 72 is attached. According to the above configuration, the accommodation space 20 can be expanded as compared with the panel accommodation container of the comparative example. In addition, in the SEMI standard, the positions of the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the flange 25 are specified. Therefore, the position of the side wall 23 can be adjusted between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the flange 25 in the left-right direction. Accordingly, by bringing the side wall 23 close to the outer peripheral surface of the flange 25, the accommodation space 20 can be expanded.

Since the frames 41 to 44 are formed by extrusion molding, the frames 41 to 44 can be made thicker. As a result, the strength of the frames 41 to 44 can be improved.

Further, the panel housing container of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment.

In the above embodiment, two engaging grooves are provided in each of the frames 41 to 44, but three or more engaging grooves may be provided. For example, at least one of the top plate 21, the bottom plate 22, the side walls 23, and the back wall 24 may be provided in double layers.

The connection portion 73 may connect the connection portion 71 and the fixing portion 72 so that the connection portion 71 is located directly above the fixing portion 72.

Claims

1. A panel storage container for storing a plurality of panels, the panel storage container comprising:

a bottom plate and side walls defining an accommodation space for accommodating the plurality of panels;

a support member provided to the base plate for supporting the base plate;

a rail member for placing the panel storage container on a conveying device; and

and a connecting member that connects the bottom plate and the side wall and fixes the support member and the rail member.

2. The panel storage container according to claim 1, wherein the coupling member is provided with a first engagement groove for holding the bottom plate and a second engagement groove for holding the side wall.

3. The panel storage container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the coupling member includes: a connecting portion connecting the bottom plate and the side wall; a fixing portion that fixes the support member and the rail member; and a connecting portion connecting the connecting portion and the fixing portion,

the fixing part is arranged on the end surface of the supporting member,

the connecting portion connects the connecting portion and the fixing portion such that the side wall is away from the end surface.