WO2017209569A1

WO2017209569A1 - Apparatus and methods for fixing a plurality of glass substrates on a crate

Info

Publication number: WO2017209569A1
Application number: PCT/KR2017/005807
Authority: WO
Inventors: Weonshek CHOI; Yuri HAN; Dongwoo Kim; Jaejeon KIM; Insuk WOO
Original assignee: Corning Precision Materials Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2016-06-03
Filing date: 2017-06-02
Publication date: 2017-12-07
Also published as: KR20170137384A; TW201802018A; JP7025353B2; KR102607392B1; CN109789964A; TWI734791B; CN109789964B; JP2019517439A

Abstract

A crate includes a frame and at least one binding unit. A stack of glass substrates is loaded on a base adjacent to a back member of the frame, the width and height of the stack perpendicularly intersecting each other. The at least one binding unit includes a restraining part, first and second gripping parts and a strap. The restraining part includes a longitudinal part extending across the stack in the width direction and a central protruding part protruding from a central portion of the longitudinal part in a direction normal to a front surface of the stack. The first and second gripping parts are aligned with the longitudinal part and fixed to the back member. The strap is fastened to and extends between the first and second gripping parts, is in contact with the central protruding part, and applies force to the front surface of the stack via the restraining part.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR FIXING A PLURALITY OF GLASS SUBSTRATES ON A CRATE

This application claims the benefit of priority of Korean Patent Application Serial No. 10-2016-0069454 filed on June 3, 2016 the contents of which are relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth below.

The present disclosure relates to apparatus and methods for fixing a plurality of glass substrates arranged in a stack on a crate, and more particularly, a fixing device that minimizes the difference between pressure applied to both side portions of the stack of glass substrates and pressure applied to the central portion of the stack of glass substrates.

Glass substrates are used in a variety of applications, such as display devices, buildings, vehicles, photovoltaic cells, and the like. Glass substrates are manufactured by, for example, melting a raw material of glass and shaping the molten material into the shape of a substrate. When it is necessary to transport the manufactured glass substrates using conventional methods, a plurality of glass substrates are packed together in one glass substrate crate to reduce transportation costs. For example, a stack of glass substrates is loaded onto the crate and packed using a fixing bar that extends in a transverse direction (width direction) across the front surface of the foremost glass substrate. Both ends of the fixing bar are engaged with a frame of the crate using cam-type fixing levers. With this configuration, a large amount of pressure can be applied to both side portions of the stack, but the central portion of the stack may suffer from warping because the fixing bar is lifted from the stack of glass substrates at the central portion of the stack. Accordingly, the fixing force applied to the stack of glass substrates at the central portion is reduced. When the stack of glass substrates is transported in this position, glass substrates may collide with each other due to movements thereof during transportation. This may consequently cause defects, such as cracks or fractures, to glass substrates in the stack.

Various aspects of the present disclosure provide a crate on which glass substrates are loaded, the crate being able to increase an overall amount of force applied to a stack of glass substrates to fix the stack of glass substrates in place, and especially, an amount of force applied to the central portion of the stack of glass substrates, thereby minimizing the difference between pressure applied to both side portions of the stack of glass substrates and pressure applied to the central portion of the stack of glass substrates.

According to embodiments disclosed herein, a crate may include: a frame and at least one binding unit. The frame may include a base and a back member, wherein a stack of glass substrates is loaded on the base adjacent to the back member, the width and height of the stack perpendicularly intersecting each other. The at least one binding unit can include: a restraining part including a longitudinal part extending across the stack in a direction of the width of the stack and a central protruding part protruding from a central portion of the longitudinal part in a direction normal to the front surface of the stack; a first gripping part and a second gripping part aligned with the longitudinal part of the restraining part and fixed to the back member of the frame; and a strap fastened to and extending between the first and second gripping parts such that the strap is in contact with the central protruding part, wherein the strap applies force to the front surface of the stack via the central protruding part and the longitudinal part.

In some embodiments, the crate may comprise a plurality of binding units, for example at least two binding units. Accordingly, a crate comprising at least two binding units may further comprise at least one connecting member that connects the restraining parts of the at least two binding units to each other.

According to the present disclosure, the central protruding part protruding forward from the central portion of the longitudinal part of the restraining part can increase an overall amount of pressure applied to a stack of glass substrates, especially, an amount of pressure applied to the central portion of the stack of glass substrates. This can consequently minimize the difference between pressure applied to both side portions of the stack of glass substrates and pressure applied to the central portion of the stack of glass substrates. Accordingly, the fixing force applied to the stack of glass substrates by the fixing devices can be increased, and the plurality of glass substrates can be reliably packed and transported after being loaded onto the crate.

In addition, the degree of winding the strap around a bobbin can be adjusted, for example using a torque wrench, whereby pressure can be applied precisely and uniformly to entire stacks of glass substrates loaded on a plurality of crates.

Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, the connecting members connecting the restraining parts of multiple binding units can facilitate handling of the fixing device.

In addition, guides disposed on the front portions of the central protruding part and side protruding parts can prevent the straps from being dislodged during or after the fastening of the straps.

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

In further embodiments, a method of fixing glass substrates to a crate is disclosed, the method comprising loading a plurality of glass substrates onto the crate, the crate comprising a frame including a base and a back member, the plurality of glass substrates loaded on the base adjacent to the back member to form a stack of glass substrates, the stack of glass substrates comprising a width and a height perpendicularly intersecting each other.

The method may further comprise positioning at least one binding unit across the stack of glass substrates. The at least one binding unit may comprise a restraining part comprising a longitudinal part extending across the stack in a direction of the width of the stack and a central protruding part protruding from a central portion of the longitudinal part in a direction normal to a front surface of the stack. The at least one binding unit may still further comprise a first gripping part and a second gripping part, the first and second gripping parts aligned with the longitudinal part of the restraining part and fixed to the back member of the frame. The at least one binding unit may include a strap fastened to and extending between the first and second gripping parts such that the strap is in contact with the central protruding part, wherein the method may further comprise applying a force to the front surface of the stack via the restraining part by tensioning the strap.

In some embodiments, tensioning the strap may comprise rotating the first gripping part such that the strap is wound around the first gripping part.

In some embodiments, the first gripping part can comprise a bobbin including an angled head and rotating the first gripping part can comprise rotating the angled head of the bobbin.

In some embodiments, the crate can comprise at least two binding units, the method further comprising connecting the restraining parts of the at least two binding units to each other with at least one connecting member.

The methods and apparatus of the present disclosure have other features and advantages that will be apparent from or that are set forth in greater detail in the accompanying drawings which are incorporated herein, and in the following Detailed Description, which together serve to explain certain principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a crate according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

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

FIG. 3 is a right side elevation view of the crate of FIG. 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 elevation view of the glass substrate fixing device of FIG. 4; and

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

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

FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are perspective views of a first gripping part of a glass fixing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a right side elevation view of the first gripping part of FIGS. 9 and 10;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the first gripping part of FIGS. 9 and 10;

FIG. 13 is a left side elevation view illustrating the first gripping part of FIGS. 9 and 10 when the support is in a first position in which the support does not support the restraining part;

FIG. 14 is a left side elevation view illustrating the first gripping part of FIGS. 9 and 10 when the support is in a second position in which the support supports the restraining part;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating the relationship between the upper longitudinal part and the second gripping part;

FIG. 16 is a graph illustrating the result of an analysis of Comparative Example 1;

FIG. 17 is a graph illustrating the result of an analysis of Comparative Example 2; and

FIG. 18 is a graph illustrating the result of analysis of an exemplary fixing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Reference will now be made in detail to a fixing device for fixing a stack of glass substrates and a crate including the same on which glass substrates are loaded according to the present disclosure, embodiments of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below, so that a person skilled in the art to which the present disclosure relates could easily put the present disclosure into practice.

Throughout this document, reference should be made to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals and symbols will be used throughout the different drawings to designate the same or like components. In the following description, detailed descriptions of known functions and components incorporated herein will be omitted in the case that the subject matter of the present disclosure is rendered unclear by the inclusion thereof.

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 as used herein - for example up, down, right, left, front, back, top, bottom - are made only with reference to the figures as drawn and are not intended to imply absolute orientation.

Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order, nor that with any apparatus, specific orientations be required. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps, or that any apparatus claim does not actually recite an order or orientation to individual components, or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or description that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, or that a specific order or orientation to components of an apparatus is not recited, it is in no way intended that an order or orientation be inferred, in any respect. This holds for any possible non-express basis for interpretation, including: matters of logic with respect to arrangement of steps, operational flow, order of components, or orientation of components; plain meaning derived from grammatical organization or punctuation, and; the number or type of embodiments 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" component includes aspects having two or more such components, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 are schematic views illustrating a crate according to an exemplary embodiment in which a glass substrate fixing device is fixed to a frame on which glass substrates are loaded.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the crate 10 includes the frame 11 and the glass substrate fixing device 100. The crate 10 is a means for packing a glass stack 20, that is, a stack of a plurality of glass substrates, for transportation. The frame 11 includes a base 11a and a back member 11b. The glass stack 20 is loaded on the base 11a adjacent to the back member 11b. In some embodiments, the glass stack 20 may be loaded in an upright position on the frame 11 as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3. However, in further embodiments, the glass stack 20 may be loaded in an inclined position. In the case of inclined loading, the base 11a and the back 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 in the direction of the front surface of the stack 20 from the back member 11b. In general, the width of stack 20 is in the horizontal direction, and the height of stack 20 is in the vertical direction. As described herein, when the frame is an inclined frame, the vertical direction is also inclined at an 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 against the stack 20 from the front. Although the glass substrate fixing device 100 is illustrated as being in close contact with the front surface of the glass stack 20 for the sake of brevity, at least one layer including, for example, a buffer pad or board, may be disposed between the glass stack 20 and the glass substrate fixing device 100 to protect the glass stack 20. In addition, when the fixing of 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 illustrated in FIG. 4 to FIG. 7, the glass substrate fixing device 100 that fixes and packs a glass stack 20 loaded on a frame 10 includes two or more binding units 101 and one or more connecting members 130. Each of the binding units 101 includes a restraining part 103, a first gripping part 150, a second gripping part 160, and a strap 140. The restraining part 103 includes a longitudinal part 110, a central protruding part 120, and side protruding parts 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 using pressure transferred from the strap 140. The longitudinal part 110 has the shape of a bar extending across the glass stack 20 in the transverse direction thereof, and is in close contact with the front side of the glass stack 20. The present embodiment may include two or more longitudinal parts 110 to obtain uniform contact or fixing force on the entire surface of the glass stack 20. It may be advantageous to provide the fixing device 100 with more than two longitudinal parts 110 to increase the fixing force on the entire surface of the glass stack 20. However, since the glass substrate fixing device 100 is transported by a worker, an excessive number of the longitudinal parts 110 may lower workability, for example by increasing fixing and/or unfixing time. The illustrated embodiment provides two longitudinal parts 110, an upper longitudinal part 110 and a lower longitudinal part 110 that extend in the transverse direction in close contact with the upper and lower portions of the front surface of the glass stack 20, respectively. In addition, the upper and lower longitudinal parts 110 may be arranged in parallel to each other. In some embodiments, the upper and lower longitudinal parts 110 may be connected to each other by means of the connecting members 130, although in further embodiments the upper and lower longitudinal parts may be unconnected. In addition, each of the central protruding 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. Hooks 111 can be disposed on both ends of the upper longitudinal part 110. The hooks 111 serve to connect the upper longitudinal part 110 to the first gripping part 150 and the second gripping part 160. The relationship thereof will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

As illustrated in FIG. 5 to FIG. 8, the central protruding part 120 protrudes forward from the central portion of the corresponding one of the upper and lower longitudinal parts 110. The central protruding part 120 serves to lift the strap 140 from the central portion of the longitudinal part 110, the strap 140 being combined with the central protruding part 120 and the longitudinal part 110 in a belt-like manner. When the strap 140 is lifted in this manner, pressure applied to the central portion of the longitudinal part 110 is increased. Likewise, the side protruding parts 125 protrude forward from both longitudinal ends of each of the upper and lower longitudinal parts 110. Accordingly, the central protruding part 120 and the side protruding parts 125 allow portions of the strap 140 extending between the central protruding part 120 and the side protruding parts 125 to be spaced apart from the longitudinal part 110. It is preferable that an amount by which the central protruding part 120 protrudes from the longitudinal part 110 be greater than an amount by which the side protruding parts 125 protrude from the longitudinal part 110.

In general, if the strap 140 is combined with the longitudinal part 110 without the central protruding part 120, pressure is concentrated on both side portions of the longitudinal part 110. Accordingly, the contact force of the central portions of the longitudinal parts 110 with the front surface of the glass stack 20 is lowered, thereby causing the fixing force against the central portion of the glass stack 20 to be lowered. To prevent this, the central protruding part 120 may be provided on the central portion of each of the upper and lower longitudinal parts 110, as in the present embodiment. This configuration can increase pressure applied to the central portion, thereby increasing the contact force of the central portions of the longitudinal parts 110 with the glass stack 20. In addition, when pressure applied to the central portions of the glass stack 20 is increased using the central protruding parts 120, the difference in pressure between both the side portions otherwise subjected to pressure concentration and the central portions can 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 securely fix the glass stack 20 on the frame 11 and the glass stack be reliably packed and transported.

In some embodiments, each of the central protruding parts 120 may include at least one hole 121 passing through the central protruding part 120 in the vertical direction. Since the glass substrate fixing device 100 may be manually handled, the glass substrate fixing device 100 should have minimal weight to facilitate transportation or improve handling by operators. The central part 120 is only required to lift the strap 140 from the central portion of the longitudinal part 110. In addition, as will be described hereinafter, only the height to which the strap 140 is lifted affects an increase in the pressure applied to the glass stack. An increase in the length along which the strap 140 is in contact with the central protruding part 120 does not have a significant effect on an increase in the pressure applied to the glass stack. Thus, to reduce the weight of the glass substrate fixing device 100, the central protruding part 120 can be designed to have the minimum size necessary to withstand pressure applied by the strap 140, and the hole 121, which represents unnecessary material, can have a maximum size within a range for which the supporting force of the central protruding part 120 is not lowered.

The connecting members 130, when present, connect the upper and lower longitudinal parts 110, whereby the upper and lower longitudinal parts 110 may remain parallel to each other. For example, the connecting members 130 may be provided as a pair, and extend in the vertical direction on both sides of the central protruding parts 120. In addition, both longitudinal ends of the connecting members 130 can be coupled to the upper and lower longitudinal parts 110. Since pressure is applied to the glass stack 20 using the longitudinal parts 110, the connecting parts 130 may be coupled to the front sides of the longitudinal parts 110. The connecting members 130 can serve to maintain the upper and lower longitudinal parts 110 parallel to each other at a predetermined distance. In addition, the connecting members 130 may serve as handles that allow a worker to simultaneously carry the pair of longitudinal parts 110 and easily locate the pair of longitudinal parts 110 positioned on the front side of the glass stack 20. In addition, as will be described hereinafter, the connecting members 130 may permit supports and hooks to be omitted from the lower binding unit. That is, without the connecting members 130, the supports and the hooks can be provided for both the upper binding unit and the lower binding unit.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the straps 140 are members applying pressure to the upper and lower longitudinal parts 110 such that the longitudinal parts 110 are brought into close contact with the front side of the glass stack 20. The straps 140 may be provided in the shape of a bend, for example, a cord strap. Each of the straps 140 is combined with the front sides of the longitudinal parts 110, via the central protruding part 120 and the side protruding parts 125, such that pressure applied to the longitudinal part 110 is adjustable. When the strap 140 is provided in the belt-like manner described above, the strap 140 is lifted by the central protruding part 120 such that the strap 140 is in contact with portions of the longitudinal part 110 via the central protruding part 120 and the side protruding parts 125. That is, the strap 140 is in contact with the central protruding part 120 and the side protruding parts 125, but is not in contact with the other portions of the longitudinal part 110.

FIG. 16 is a graph illustrating the result of an analysis of Comparative Example 1. In Comparative Example 1, both ends of a fixing bar without a protruding part were fixed to a frame using cam-type fixing levers. In the case of Comparative Example 1, the maximum values of stress were measured as 137.4 MPa at both ends of the fixing bar and as 0 MPa at the central portion. It will be appreciated that stress for Comparative Example 1 was concentrated on both ends of the fixing bar and substantially no stress was applied to the central portion.

FIG. 17 is a graph illustrating the result of an analysis of Comparative Example 2. Comparative Example 2 differs from Comparative Example 1 in that the shape of a restraining part is modified into a triangular shape when viewed from above. It will be appreciated that maximum values of stress and contact pressure in the case of Comparative Example 2 were measured at both longitudinal ends and the central portion. That is, the values of stress due to pressing were measured as 92.5 MPa at the central portion and as 190.2 MPa at both ends. The values of stress on the portions of both oblique sides of the triangle were measured as 0.1 MPa. This indicates that only the central portion protruding by the maximum distance contributes to an increase in pressure. In addition, comparing Comparative Example 2 to Comparative Example 1, it can be appreciated that stress on both ends was also increased in Comparative Example 2, so the overall amount of stress was increased.

FIG. 18 is a graph illustrating the result of an analysis of an embodiment according to the present disclosure. In the present embodiment, the protruding parts were formed only on the central portion and both end portions of the longitudinal part. As in Comparative Example 2, it will be appreciated that stress was concentrated on both longitudinal ends and the central portion of the longitudinal part. Specifically, maximum values of stress due to pressing were measured as 120.8 MPa at the central portion, as 165 Mpa at both ends, and as 0 MPa at the portions therebetween. It will be appreciated in respect of the present embodiment that stress on the central portion was increased and the difference between pressure on both ends and pressure on the central portion was reduced compared to Comparative Example 2. When the protruding parts protruding forward are formed on the central portion and both side portions of the longitudinal part as in the present embodiment, it is possible to better distribute pressure to the central portion of the longitudinal part,as in Comparative Example 2 in which pressure is also concentrated on the central portion. On the other hand, the difference in pressure between the central portion and both ends, through which force is transferred to the stack of glass substrates, can be reduced in respect of the embodiment of FIG. 18 compared to Comparative Example 2. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the restraining part having the protruding parts only on the central portion and both end portions, as in present embodiment, can uniformly distribute pressure and reduce the weight of the fixing device.

According to the present embodiment, one end of the strap 140 can be fixed to the first gripping part 150 that will be described hereinafter. The second gripping part 160 comprises a shaft 163. The strap 140 extending from the first gripping part 150 is looped around and extends beyond the shaft 163. The other end portion of the strap 140 extending beyond the shaft 163 is positioned to overlap the portion of the strap 140 that extends between the first gripping part 15 the shaft 163, and then, the two portions of the strap are coupled with each other by means of a coupling member 170. That is, the coupling member 170 couples the two portions of the strap extending from the shaft 163 to each other. The coupling member 170 may be a buckle. In addition, the strap 140 may be guided by a plurality of

guides

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

guides

180 and 185 set the path along which the strap 140 moves by forming loops in front of the central protruding part 120 and in front of the side protruding parts 125. When the plurality of

guides

180 and 185 are formed on the path along which the strap 140 is fastened, it is possible to prevent the strap 140 from being dislodged during or after the fastening of the strap 140, thereby improving the reliability of the glass substrate fixing device 100.

To connect the strap 140 and the pair of longitudinal parts 110 to the frame 11 as described above, the glass substrate fixing device 100 may include the first gripping parts 150 and the second gripping parts 160. The

gripping parts

150 and 160 can be aligned with the longitudinal parts 110.

The first gripping parts 150 may be disposed on the upper and lower portions of the right wall of the frame 11. The upper and lower first gripping parts 150 may be further disposed at the same distance as the distance between the upper and lower longitudinal parts 110. The first gripping parts 150 fix right ends of the straps 140. In addition, the first gripping parts 150 adjust the amount of pressure applied to the longitudinal parts 110 via the straps 140 by pulling and winding the straps 140. That is, a worker can adjust the amount of pressure applied to the stack 20 of glass substrates loaded on the frame 11 by manipulating the first gripping parts 150.

As illustrated in FIG. 9 to FIG. 12, each of the first gripping parts 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 bobbin 152 is a member substantially fixing a corresponding one of the straps 140. The bobbin 152 winds the corresponding strap 140 therearound by rotation such that the strap 140 is tensioned. In this regard, the bobbin 152 is engaged with the body 151 such that the bobbin 152 can rotate on the vertical axis thereof. As illustrated in FIG. 9 to FIG. 12, the bobbin 152 is engaged with the body 151 in a position in which the bobbin 152 extends through the upper and lower horizontal bracket plates of the body 151 that face each other. Specifically, the upper portion of the bobbin 152 protrudes beyond the 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 that face each other. The bobbin 152 has a slit 152a in the portion thereof disposed between the upper and lower horizontal bracket plates of the body 151. The strap 140 passes through the slit 152a and then extends toward the longitudinal part 110. In this case, since one end of the strap 140 must be fixed to the bobbin 152, the one end of the strap 140 may be thicker than the width of the slit 152a such that the one end of the strap 140 cannot pass through the slit 152a. Alternatively, the one end of the strap 140 may be fixed to the bobbin 152 using a separate catching member or may be fixed directly to the bobbin 152.

According to the present embodiment, the degree of winding the strap 140 in a first direction around the bobbin 152 may be adjusted using a torque wrench. For example, the degree of winding the strap 140 may be adjusted such that the maximum amount of pressure applied to the strap 140 ranges from 200 kgf/cm² to 500 kgf/cm². When the torque wrench is used in this manner, the amount of tension applied to the strap 140 can be numerically adjusted. It is thereby possible to precisely and uniformly apply pressure to entire stacks of glass substrates loaded on a plurality of frames 10. For this, it is preferable that the head of the bobbin 152 be angled such that the torque wrench can be used.

Each of the first gripping parts 150 includes an anti-reverse rotation part 153 to maintain the strap 140 in a pressing position in which the strap 140 is tensioned to apply pressure to the protruding

parts

120 and 125 and the longitudinal part 110. The anti-reverse rotation part 153 is a device preventing the bobbin 152 from rotating in the opposite direction, and includes a ratchet wheel 153a and a pawl 153b. The ratchet wheel 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 configuration, when the bobbin 152 rotates, the ratchet wheel 153a rotates along with the bobbin 152. The pawl 153b is pivotably disposed on the portion of the body 151 adjacent to the ratchet wheel 153a, more particularly, on the upper horizontal bracket plate of the body 151 adjacent to the ratchet wheel 153a. The pawl 153b is engaged with the ratchet wheel 153a such that the pawl 153b allows the ratchet wheel 153a and the bobbin 152 to rotate in the first direction in which the strap 140 is wound around the outer circumference of the bobbin 152, while preventing the ratchet wheel 153a from rotating in a second direction opposite the first direction (that is, in reverse), thereby preventing the strap 140 from being unwound from the outer circumference of the bobbin 152. In this manner, 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 rotation part 153. The ratchet mechanism allows setting the tension in predetermined increments.

The second gripping parts 160 may be disposed on the upper and lower portions of the left wall of the frame 11. The upper and lower second gripping parts 160 may be disposed in positions corresponding to the upper and lower first gripping parts 150. In each of the second gripping parts 160, the shaft 163 acts as a redirection shaft by which the strap 140 extending from the first gripping unit 150 is redirected toward the first gripping part 150. The shaft 163 of the second gripping part 160 allows the strap 140 to be looped therearound. Specifically, the shaft 163 of the second gripping part 160 guides the left end of the strap 140 to be redirected toward the first gripping part 150. The left end of the strap 140 extending from the second gripping part 160 toward the first gripping part 150 is put to overlap the portion of the strap 140 extending between the first gripping part 150 and the second gripping part 160, and then, the two portions are combined with each other by means of the buckle-type coupling member 170.

The upper first gripping part 150 and the upper second gripping part 160 may include

supports

150a and 160a respectively. The

supports

150a and 160a are respectively disposed on the first gripping part 150 and the second gripping part 160 such that the

supports

150a and 160a are pivotable in the direction of the upper longitudinal part 110. The

supports

150a and 160a are in the shape of a bar. The hooks 111 disposed on both ends of the upper longitudinal part 110 can be placed on the

supports

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

supports

150a and 160a may be hooked upwardly to prevent the hooks 111 placed thereon from slipping away therefrom. As illustrated in FIG. 13, before placing the hooks 111 on the

supports

150a and 160a, the

supports

150a and 160a are positioned adjacent to the sidewalls of the frame 11 in an upright position (first position) not to obstruct an operation of loading the glass stack 20 on the frame 11. The

supports

150a and 160a in the first position are apart from the restraining part 103 and thus, do not support the restraining part 103. When the glass substrate fixing device 100 is connected to the frame 11, the

supports

150a and 160a are rotated from the upright position illustrated in FIG. 13 into a horizontal position (second position) illustrated in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, such that the hooks 111 of the upper longitudinal part 110 can be placed on the

supports

150a and 160a.

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

First, a worker holds the connecting members 130, and then, moves the assembly of the connecting members 130 and the restraining parts 103 such that the hooks 111 of the upper longitudinal part 110 are placed on the

supports

150a and 160a of the first and second

gripping parts

150 and 160. Afterwards, the worker fixes one end of a strap 140 to the lower first gripping part 150, and subsequently fastens the strap 140 to the front portions of the protruding

parts

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

guides

180 and 185 disposed in front of the protruding

parts

120 and 125. Thereafter, the strap 140 is looped around the shaft 163 and then, the two portions of the strap 140 extending from the shaft 163 are fixed using a coupling member 170. Afterwards, the worker pulls the strap 140 by rotating the bobbin 152 of the first gripping part 150 to a preset level using a torque wrench such that the strap 140 can apply an intended amount of pressure to the longitudinal part 110. After the operation of fixing the lower longitudinal part 110 is completed, the upper longitudinal part 110 is fixed in the same manner, whereby the operation of connecting the glass substrate fixing device 100 to the frame 11 is completed.

After the crate 10 packed as described above is transported, the glass substrate fixing device 100 is separated from the frame 11 to unload the glass stack 20 from the crate 10. For this, first, the strap 140 fastened to the lower longitudinal part 110 is cut, and subsequently the strap 140 fastened to the upper longitudinal part 110 is cut. Afterwards, a worker holds the connecting members 130 and then, moves the assembly of the connecting members 130 and the restraining parts 103 such that the hooks 111 on both ends of the longitudinal part 110 are separated from the

supports

150a and 160a of the first and second

gripping parts

150 and 160, whereby the operation of separating the glass substrate fixing device 100 from the crate 11 is completed easily.

The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented with respect to the drawings. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible for a person having ordinary skill in the art in light of the above teachings.

It is intended therefore that the scope of the present disclosure not be limited to the foregoing embodiments, but be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

Claims

A crate onto which glass substrates are loaded comprising:

a frame comprising a base and a back member, wherein a stack of glass substrates is loaded on the base adjacent to the back member, the stack comprising a width and a height perpendicularly intersecting each other;

at least one binding unit, comprising:

a restraining part comprising a longitudinal part extending across the stack in a direction of the width of the stack and a central protruding part protruding from a central portion of the longitudinal part in a direction normal to a front surface of the stack;

a first gripping part and a second gripping part, the first and second gripping parts aligned with the longitudinal part of the restraining part and fixed to the back member of the frame; and

a strap fastened to and extending between the first and second gripping parts such that the strap is in contact with the central protruding part, thereby applying a force to the front surface of the stack via the restraining part.
The crate of claim 1, wherein the first and second gripping parts are fixed to the back member on both sides of the restraining part in the direction of the width of the stack.
The crate of claim 1, wherein an amount of the force that the strap applies to the front surface of the stack is adjustable.
The crate of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second gripping parts adjusts a tension of the strap, thereby adjusting an amount of the force that the strap applies to the front surface of the stack.
The crate of claim 1, wherein the first gripping part pulls the strap such that the strap is wound around the first gripping part, thereby adjusting an amount of the force that the strap applies to the front surface of the stack.
The crate of claim 1, wherein the first gripping part comprises:

a body fixed to the back member of the frame; and

a bobbin rotatably connected to the body, one end of the strap being fixed to the bobbin.
The crate of claim 6, wherein the bobbin comprises an angled head, the bobbin rotatable in a first direction by rotating the angled head.
The crate of claim 7, wherein the first gripping part further comprises an anti-reverse rotation part preventing the bobbin from rotating in a second direction opposite the first direction.
The crate of claim 8, wherein the anti-reverse rotation part comprises:

a ratchet wheel fixed to an outer circumference of the bobbin of the first gripping part; and

a pawl pivotably connected to the body of the first gripping part such that the pawl, when engaged with the ratchet wheel, prevents the ratchet wheel and the bobbin from rotating in the second direction.
The crate of claim 1, wherein the second gripping part comprises a shaft around which the strap is looped.
The crate of claim 10, wherein the at least one binding unit further comprises a coupling member coupling both portions of the strap extending from the shaft to each other.
The crate of claim 1, wherein each of the first gripping part and the second gripping part of the at least one binding unit comprises a support, the support switchable between a first position in which the support is apart from the restraining part and a second position in which the support supports the restraining part.
The crate of claim 12, wherein the restraining part of the at least one binding unit further comprises hooks disposed such that the hooks are supported by the supports of the first gripping part and the second gripping part.
The crate of claim 1, wherein the restraining part further comprises side protruding parts protruding from both end portions of the longitudinal part in a direction normal to the front surface of the stack.
The crate of claim 14, wherein the central protruding part and the side protruding parts allow portions of the strap extending between the central protruding part and the side protruding parts to be spaced apart from the longitudinal part.
The crate of claim 14, wherein an amount by which the central protruding part protrudes from the longitudinal part is greater than an amount by which the side protruding parts protrude from the longitudinal part.
The crate of claim 14, wherein the restraining part further comprises a guide disposed on at least one of the central protruding part and the side protruding parts to guide the strap.
The crate of any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one binding unit comprises at least two binding units, the crate further comprising at least one connecting member connecting the restraining parts of the at least two binding units with each other.
The crate of claim 18, wherein the at least one connecting member extends in a direction of the height of the stack.
The crate of claim 18, wherein the at least one connecting member comprises two connecting members disposed on both sides of the central protruding parts of the restraining parts of the at least two binding units.
A method of fixing glass substrates to a crate comprising:

loading a plurality of glass substrates onto the crate, the crate comprising a frame including a base and a back member, the plurality of glass substrates loaded on the base adjacent to the back member to form a stack of glass substrates, the stack of glass substrates comprising a width and a height perpendicularly intersecting each other;

positioning at least one binding unit across the stack of glass substrates, the at least one binding unit comprising:

a restraining part comprising a longitudinal part extending across the stack in a direction of the width of the stack and a central protruding part protruding from a central portion of the longitudinal part in a direction normal to a front surface of the stack;

a first gripping part and a second gripping part, the first and second gripping parts aligned with the longitudinal part of the restraining part and fixed to the back member of the frame;

a strap fastened to and extending between the first and second gripping parts such that the strap is in contact with the central protruding part; and

applying a force to the front surface of the stack via the restraining part by tensioning the strap.
The method of claim 21, wherein tensioning the strap comprises rotating the first gripping part such that the strap is wound around the first gripping part.
The method of claim 22, wherein the first gripping part comprises a bobbin including an angled head and rotating the first gripping part comprises rotating the angled head of the bobbin.
The method of any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein the at least one binding unit comprises at least two binding units, the method further comprising connecting the restraining parts of the at least two binding units to each other with at least one connecting member.