Patent ID: 6765222
Filing Date: 2004-07-20
Classification: H01J,H01L

Abstract:
In a front-opening interface mechanical standard (FIMS) system including a transport box comprising a front-opening box cover and a removable box door that opens and closes the front opening of the box, a box door latch mechanism operatively connected to a latch actuating coupler to releasably secure the box door to the box cover in response to rotation of external latch keys inserted into the box to operate the latch actuating coupler, and a box bottom comprising a front clamping feature and a physical alignment interface having mating features that mate with mating surfaces to which the transport box is intended to be mounted, a box load interface, comprising:a retractable port door attachable to the box door to selectively move the box door toward or away from the box cover to thereby close or open it; a port plate having a front surface and a port plate aperture through which the box door can move as the port door moves the box door toward or away from the box cover; a slidable tray slidably mounted to a support positioned transversely of the port plate, and a box hold down clamping mechanism mounted to the support for releasably mounting the box to the mating surfaces; a slidable tray positioning mechanism for selectively moving the slidable tray on the support, the tray positioning mechanism moving the transport box in a direction toward or away from the port plate when the transport box is mounted to the mating surfaces; and a tray motion controller operatively associated with the tray positioning mechanism and including a motive force detection system that is responsive to the force being applied to the transport box during the movement of the slidable tray.