Abstract:
A lid-opening/closing device includes a device body, a lock-opening/closing mechanism, and a container-securing unit. A pod including a container body, a lid portion defining a bottom portion that is openable and closable with respect to the container body, and a locking mechanism performing unlocking and locking of the lid portion with respect to the container body is placed on the device body. The lock-opening/closing mechanism performs unlocking operation to cause the locking mechanism to perform the unlocking, and performs locking operation to cause the locking mechanism to perform the locking by moving an engaging portion configured to engage with the locking mechanism when the pod is placed on the device body. The container-securing unit secures the container body to the device body in conjunction with the lock-opening/closing mechanism when the locking mechanism is caused to perform the unlocking.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a lid-opening/closing device that opens and closes a lid portion with respect to a container body in a storage container that stores therein an object to be stored. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In a clean room of a factory manufacturing semiconductor devices or liquid crystal displays, for example, semiconductor wafers or glass substrates, for example, are conveyed while being stored in a storage container. Accordingly, when such objects to be stored are transferred between the storage container and each device, a lid portion needs to be opened and closed with respect to a container body by a lid-opening/closing device. To quickly and stably open and close such a lid portion with respect to a container body, various techniques have been proposed (see Japanese Patent No. 3180600, for example) in which, for example, a lid-opening/closing device is provided with a pressure-equalizing mechanism for equalizing pressures between the interior and the exterior of a storage container. 
     Because such a factory manufacturing semiconductor devices or liquid crystal displays described above urgently needs improvement in the efficiency of conveying various parts, improving the efficiency of transferring objects to be stored between storage containers and various devices is also very important. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of this, preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a lid-opening/closing device that accurately attaches a lid portion to a container body. 
     A lid-opening/closing device according to one aspect of various preferred embodiments of the present invention is a lid-opening/closing device for a storage container provided with a container body storing therein an object to be stored, a lid portion defining a bottom portion that is openable and closable with respect to the container body and on which an object to be stored is placed, and a locking mechanism configured to perform unlocking and locking of the lid portion with respect to the container body, the lid-opening/closing device being configured to open and close the lid portion with respect to the container body and including a device body on which the storage container is placed; a moving unit that includes an engaging portion configured to engage with the locking mechanism when the storage container is placed on the device body, and configured to perform an unlocking operation to cause the locking mechanism to perform the unlocking and a locking operation to cause the locking mechanism to perform the locking by moving the engaging portion; and a container-securing unit configured to secure the container body to the device body in conjunction with the moving unit when the locking mechanism is caused to perform the unlocking. 
     In the lid-opening/closing device, when the locking mechanism is caused to perform the unlocking by moving the moving unit, the container-securing unit secures the container body to the device body in conjunction with the moving unit. Because the container body is secured to the device body in conjunction with the unlocking operation of the locking mechanism in this manner, for example, even if the lid portion is attached when the locking mechanism is in an unlocked state, lifting of the container body and positional misalignment of the lid portion, for example, is prevented from occurring. Thus, this lid-opening/closing device enables the lid portion to be accurately attached to the container body. 
     It is preferable that the moving unit include a plurality of rotating members each of which: includes the engaging portion, is rotatably supported by the device body, and is configured to move the engaging portions; a connecting member configured to connect at least a pair of the rotating members and rotate the pair of rotating members; and an actuator that is attached to the device body and is configured to impart a driving force to the connecting member; and the container-securing unit is linked with movement of the connecting member. 
     With this configuration, by using the connecting member to connect at least a pair of the rotating members, engaging portions provided to the pair of the rotating members are operated at the same timing. This makes it possible to simultaneously perform the unlocking operation and the locking operation of a plurality of locking mechanisms that are provided corresponding to the engaging portions of the rotating members. Accordingly, lifting of the container body and positional misalignment of the lid portion, for example, due to variations in the unlocking operation and the locking operation of the locking mechanisms are prevented from occurring. Thus, this lid-opening/closing device enables the lid portion to be more accurately attached to the container body. 
     It is preferable that the container-securing unit include a pressing member configured to press the container body and a biasing member configured to bias the pressing member toward the container body; and the moving unit includes a linkage member configured to separate the pressing member from the container body in a direction against a biasing force of the biasing member when the locking operation is performed, and is configured to allow the biasing member to bias the pressing member when the unlocking operation is performed. 
     With this configuration, when the container body is secured, the pressing member can be pressed against the container body by using the biasing force of the biasing member, which eliminates the necessity of special actuators, for example, for securing the container body, and thus the device configuration can be simplified. 
     It is preferable that the container-securing unit further include a lever portion including a base-end side rotatably supported by the device body and a leading-end side that is movable; the pressing member includes an elastic roller configured to elastically abut the container body and be rotatably attached to the leading-end side of the lever portion; the biasing member includes a spring configured to bias the leading-end side of the lever portion; and the linkage member includes a cam follower that is fixed in a position on the connecting member where the linkage member is capable of abutting on and separating from the lever portion in connection with the movement of the connecting member and rotates the lever portion. With this configuration, by using the container-securing unit as a rotatable lever portion and rotating the lever portion by the cam follower, the operation of pressing the elastic roller against the container body and operation of releasing this pressing is performed in conjunction with the movement of the moving unit. This eliminates the necessity of special actuators, for example, for rotating the lever portion, and thus the device configuration is greatly simplified and power savings are achieved. 
     Various preferred embodiments of the present invention enable a lid-opening/closing device to be provided that accurately attaches a lid portion to a container body. 
     The above and other elements, features, steps, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a storage cabinet including a lid-opening/closing device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the storage cabinet along line II-II of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the storage cabinet along line III-III of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a longitudinal sectional view of the lid-opening/closing device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of the lid-opening/closing device of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a longitudinal sectional view of the lid-opening/closing device of  FIG. 4  in another state. 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of a pod the lid portion of which is opened and closed by the lid-opening/closing device of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  include enlarged views of a locking mechanism of the pod of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a sectional view of the lid-opening/closing device along line IX-IX of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 10  includes enlarged sectional views around a container-securing unit. 
         FIG. 11  is a sectional view along line XI-XI in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 12  is a sectional view along line XII-XII in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 13  is a sectional view of the lid-opening/closing device of  FIG. 9  in another state. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, like reference signs indicate like or corresponding components, and duplicate description is omitted. 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of a storage cabinet including a lid-opening/closing device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the storage cabinet along line II-II of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the storage cabinet along line III-III of  FIG. 1 . As depicted in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , this storage cabinet  50  includes a reticle-specific rotating rack  51  and a pod-specific rotating rack  52 . The reticle-specific rotating rack  51  stores therein a plurality of reticles R each of which preferably has a rectangular or substantially rectangular plate shape and is used when a semiconductor wafer or a glass substrate, for example, is exposed to light to forma predetermined pattern on the surface thereof. The pod-specific rotating rack  52  stores therein a plurality of pods  70  for storing therein and conveying the reticles R in an empty state. The pods  70  configured to store the reticles R each typically have a configuration according to the SEMI standard that is an international standard for semiconductors, for example. These storage cabinets  50  are installed in a clean room of a factory manufacturing semiconductor devices or liquid crystal displays, for example. 
     The reticle-specific rotating rack  51  is rotated around an axis line CL by a driving unit  53 . The reticle-specific rotating rack  51  includes a plurality of blocks  51   a  that are arranged along the rotating direction. The respective blocks  51   a  are configured to be able to store the reticles R on a plurality of shelves provided therein one above another. The pod-specific rotating rack  52  is rotated around the axis line CL by the driving unit  54  below the reticle-specific rotating rack  51 . The pod-specific rotating rack  52  is configured to be able to store therein the pods  70  along the rotating direction. 
     The storage cabinet  50  further includes a reticle conveying device  55 , a pod conveying device  56 , and the lid-opening/closing device  1 . The reticle conveying device  55  is a robot arm that ascends and descends along an elevating guide  57 , and conveys the reticles R between the lid-opening/closing device  1  and the reticle-specific rotating rack  51 . The pod conveying device  56  is a robot arm that ascends and descends along an elevating guide  58 , and conveys the pods  70  being empty between the lid-opening/closing device  1  and the pod-specific rotating rack  52 . The lid-opening/closing device  1  is a device called a pod opener, and opens and closes the pods  70 . Near the lid-opening/closing device  1 , a pod-specific stationary rack  59  is installed and configured to temporarily store therein the pods  70  storing therein the reticles R and the pods  70  being empty. 
     The rotating racks  51  and  52 , the driving units  53  and  54 , the conveying devices  55  and  56 , the stationary rack  59 , and the lid-opening/closing device  1  are arranged in a casing  61 . The casing  61  is provided with ports  62  and  63  through which an overhead traveling vehicle, for example, has access. The pods  70  storing therein the reticles R are put into the casing  61  through the port  62 , and the pods  70  storing therein the reticles R are taken out of the casing  61  through the port  63 . 
     On an upper wall of the casing  61 , a clean-gas supplying device  64  is installed. The clean-gas supplying device  64  supplies clean gas such as clean air or nitrogen as a downflow into the casing  61 . The clean gas supplied into the casing  61  is discharged out of the casing  61  from a lower portion of the casing  61 . 
     The following describes operation of the storage cabinet  50  when a pod  70  storing therein a reticle R is put in. After the pod  70  is conveyed to the port  62  by an overhead traveling vehicle, for example, the pod  70  is conveyed to the lid-opening/closing device  1  by the pod conveying device  56 . After the pod  70  is conveyed to the lid-opening/closing device  1 , the reticle R stored in the pod  70  is stored in the reticle-specific rotating rack  51  by the reticle conveying device  55 . Then, the empty pod  70  that is left in the lid-opening/closing device  1  is stored in the pod-specific rotating rack  52  by the pod conveying device  56 . When a plurality of pods  70  are consecutively put into the casing  61 , the pods  70  are temporarily stored in the pod-specific stationary rack  59 , and are sequentially conveyed to the lid-opening/closing device  1 . 
     The following describes operation of the storage cabinet  50  when a pod  70  storing therein a reticle R is taken out. After a reticle R is conveyed from the reticle-specific rotating rack  51  to the lid-opening/closing device  1  by the reticle conveying device  55 , the reticle R is stored in an empty pod  70  that is conveyed from the pod-specific rotating rack  52  to the lid-opening/closing device  1  by the pod conveying device  56 . The pod  70  storing therein the reticle R is conveyed from the lid-opening/closing device  1  to the port  63  by the pod conveying device  56 , and is conveyed from the port  63  to a predetermined destination by an overhead traveling vehicle, for example. When a plurality of pods  70  are consecutively taken out of the casing  61 , the pods  70  are temporarily stored in the pod-specific stationary rack  59 , and are sequentially conveyed to the port  63 . 
       FIG. 4  is a longitudinal sectional view of the lid-opening/closing device of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 5  is a plan view of the lid-opening/closing device of  FIG. 4 . In the following description, the side through which the reticles R are loaded into and unloaded from the lid-opening/closing device  1  is referred to as “front side”, and the opposite side is referred to as “rear side”. The left side of the lid-opening/closing device  1  in an erect state when seen from the front side is simply referred to as “left side”, and the right side of the lid-opening/closing device  1  in the erect state when seen from the front side is simply referred to as “right side”. 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the lid-opening/closing device  1  includes a device body  2  preferably having a shape of a rectangular or substantially rectangular parallelepiped box. The device body  2  preferably includes an upper wall  3 , a lower wall  4 , side walls  5 , and a partition  6 . The inner space of the device body  2  is divided by the partition  6  into a reticle load/unload area  2   a  and an apparatus installation area  2   b  that are arranged one above the other. However, the reticle load/unload area  2   a  and the apparatus installation area  2   b  are communicated with each other in an area on the left side and in an area on the right side of the partition  6 . The upper wall  3  is provided with a recessed portion  3   a  preferably having a rectangular or substantially rectangular cross-section, and the bottom surface of the recessed portion  3   a  is provided with an opening  3   b  preferably having a rectangular or substantially rectangular, for example. The bottom surface of the recessed portion  3   a  defines and serves as a placement surface  10  on which a pod (storage container)  70  conveyed by the pod conveying device  56  is placed. The pod  70  includes a container body  71  that preferably has a rectangular or substantially rectangular parallelepiped box and stores therein a reticle (object to be stored) R and a lid portion  72  that preferably has a rectangular or substantially rectangular plate shape and on which the reticle R is placed, for example. The lid portion  72  defines a bottom portion that is configured to be opened and closed with respect to the container body  71 . The top portion of the container body  71  is provided with a held portion  73  that is held by the pod conveying device  56 . The lid-opening/closing device  1  is a device that opens and closes the lid portion  72  with respect to the container body  71  for the pod  70  storing therein the reticle R. 
     In the device body  2 , an elevating stage  7  is configured to ascend and descend in the reticle load/unload area  2   a . The elevating stage  7  preferably includes a body portion  8  preferably having a rectangular or substantially rectangular plate shape and a flange portion  9  that preferably has a rectangular or substantially rectangular plate shape and is provided to the lower end of the body portion  8 . When the elevating stage  7  ascends, the body portion  8  is arranged in the opening  3   b , and the flange portion  9  abuts the inner surface of the upper wall  3 . At this time, the opening  3   b  of the upper wall  3  is air-tightly closed with a sealing member  11  that preferably has a rectangular preferably or substantially rectangular ring shape and is provided on the flange portion  9 , and the upper surface  8   a  of the body portion  8  is flush with the placement surface  10  (i.e., the bottom surface of the recessed portion  3   a ). 
     In the device body  2 , an air cylinder  12  is configured to move the elevating stage  7  up and down. The air cylinder  12  preferably includes a cylinder portion  12   a  that is fixed on the inner surface of the lower wall  4  and a rod portion  12   b  the base end of which is inserted into the cylinder portion  12   a . The leading end of the rod portion  12   b  is fixed on the lower surface of the elevating stage  7  through an opening  6   a  that preferably has a rectangular or substantially rectangular cross-section and is provided at the central portion of the partition  6 . In the apparatus installation area  2   b  in the device body  2 , various apparatuses are provided such as an electromagnetic valve configured to control charge and discharge of gas into and from the air cylinder  12 . To move up and down the elevating stage  7 , a plurality of air cylinders may be used, or another actuator may be used instead of the air cylinder. 
     The side wall  5  on the front side of the device body  2  is provided with a reticle load/unload port  5   a  preferably having a rectangular or substantially rectangular cross-section and configured to communicate between the exterior and the reticle load/unload area  2   a  in the device body  2 . The reticle load/unload port  5   a  is opened and closed from inside by a closing plate  14  that is operated by an actuator such as an air cylinder, for example. When the reticle load/unload port  5   a  is closed by the closing plate  14 , the reticle load/unload port  5   a  is air-tightly closed with a sealing member  15  that preferably has a rectangular or substantially rectangular ring shape and is provided to the closing plate  14 . 
     The following describes operation of the lid-opening/closing device  1  when a pod  70  storing therein a reticle R is put in. As depicted in  FIG. 4 , the lid-opening/closing device  1  stands by with the opening  3   b  of the upper wall  3  air-tightly closed by the elevating stage  7  and with the reticle load/unload port  5   a  air-tightly closed by the closing plate  14 . In this state, after the pod  70  that is conveyed from the port  62  into the lid-opening/closing device  1  by the pod conveying device  56  is placed on the placement surface  10  of the lid-opening/closing device  1 , the locking mechanism of the pod  70  is put into the unlock state by the lid-opening/closing device  1  (the detail will be described later). 
     Subsequently, as depicted in  FIG. 6 , the elevating stage  7  descends together with the lid portion  72  on which the reticle R is placed, and the reticle R is arranged in the reticle load/unload area  2   a . After the closing plate  14  operates to open the reticle load/unload port  5   a , the reticle conveying device  55  accesses the reticle load/unload area  2   a  through the reticle load/unload port  5   a  to store the reticle R arranged in the reticle load/unload area  2   a  in the reticle-specific rotating rack  51 . 
     Subsequently, the closing plate  14  operates, so that the reticle load/unload port  5   a  is air-tightly closed by the closing plate  14 . In addition, the elevating stage  7  ascends together with the lid portion  72 , so that the opening  3   b  of the upper wall  3  is air-tightly closed by the elevating stage  7 . Then, the locking mechanism of the empty pod  70  placed on the placement surface  10  of the lid-opening/closing device  1  is put into a locked state by the lid-opening/closing device  1  (the detail will be described later). The empty pod  70 , the locking mechanism of which is in the locked state, is stored in the pod-specific rotating rack  52  by the pod conveying device  56 . 
     The following describes operation of the storage cabinet  50  when a pod  70  storing therein a reticle R is taken out. As depicted in  FIG. 4 , the lid-opening/closing device  1  stands by with the opening  3   b  of the upper wall  3  air-tightly closed by the elevating stage  7  and with the reticle load/unload port  5   a  air-tightly closed by the closing plate  14 . In this state, after an empty pod  70  that is conveyed from the pod-specific rotating rack  52  to the lid-opening/closing device  1  by the pod conveying device  56  is placed on the placement surface  10  of the lid-opening/closing device  1 , the locking mechanism of this pod is put into the unlocked state by the lid-opening/closing device  1  (the detail will be described later). 
     Subsequently, as depicted in  FIG. 6 , the elevating stage  7  descends together with the lid portion  72 , and the lid portion  72  is arranged in the reticle load/unload area  2   a . After the closing plate  14  operates to open the reticle load/unload port  5   a , the reticle conveying device  55  that has conveyed the reticle R from the reticle-specific rotating rack  51  accesses the reticle load/unload area  2   a  through the reticle load/unload port  5   a  to place the reticle R on the lid portion  72  arranged in the reticle load/unload area  2   a.    
     Subsequently, the closing plate  14  operates, so that the reticle load/unload port  5   a  is air-tightly closed by the closing plate  14 . In addition, the elevating stage  7  ascends together with the lid portion  72  on which the reticle R is placed, so that the opening  3   b  of the upper wall  3  is air-tightly closed by the elevating stage  7 . Then, the locking mechanism of the pod  70  placed on the placement surface  10  of the lid-opening/closing device  1  is put into the locked state by the lid-opening/closing device  1  (the detail will be described later). The pod  70  the locking mechanism of which is in the locked state is conveyed to the port  62  by the pod conveying device  56 . 
     Prior to describing a lock-opening/closing mechanism of the lid-opening/closing device  1 , the locking mechanism of a pod  70  will be described.  FIG. 7  is a bottom view of a pod the lid portion of which is opened and closed by the lid-opening/closing device of  FIG. 4 , and  FIGS. 8A and 8B  include enlarged views of a locking mechanism of the pod of  FIG. 7 . As depicted in  FIG. 7 , in the pod  70 , a plurality of locking mechanisms  74  are provided at the bottom portion of the container body  71 . More specifically, the locking mechanisms  74  are provided at the bottom portion of the container body  71  so that a pair thereof are located at the bottom portion of the side wall on the front side of the container body  71  and another pair thereof are located at the bottom portion of the side wall on the rear side of the container body  71 . The locking mechanisms  74  lock and unlock the lid portion  72  with respect to the container body  71 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , each locking mechanism  74  preferably includes an arm  75  and a biasing member  76  such as a compression spring, for example. The base-end portion of the arm  75  is pivotally supported by a shaft  77  in a rotatable manner on the bottom portion of the container body  71 . The leading-end portion of the arm  75  is provided with an engaging portion  78 . The engaging portion  78  engages with a notch  72   a  provided to the lid portion  72 . The notch  72   a  is provided in plurality to the lid portion  72  so as to correspond to the engaging portion  78  of each locking mechanism  74 , and is open to the side of the corresponding engaging portion  78  and to the lower side. The engaging portion  78  is provided with a recessed portion  78   a  that has an elongated hole shape and is open to the lower side. Each of engaging portions  35 A to  35 D of the lid-opening/closing device  1 , described later, engages with this recessed portion  78   a.    
     The biasing member  76  is arranged between the container body  71  and the arm  75 , and biases the arm  75  so that the engaging portion  78  engages with the notch  72   a . Accordingly, when a pod  70  is conveyed to the lid-opening/closing device  1 , the engaging portion  78  is engaged with the notch  72   a , so that the locking mechanism  74  is put in the locked state (see  FIG. 8A ). In contrast, when the lid portion  72  is attached to and detached from the container body  71 , the engaging portion  78  is disengaged from the notch  72   a , so that the locking mechanism  74  is put in the unlocked state (see  FIG. 8B ). In this manner, the locking mechanism  74  locks and unlocks the lid portion  72  with respect to the container body  71 . It should be noted that the above-described configuration of the locking mechanism  74  is merely one example, and another configuration may be used as long as it can lock and unlock the lid portion  72  with respect to container body  71  in a pod having a configuration according to the SEMI standard, for example. 
     The following describes the lock-opening/closing mechanism of the lid-opening/closing device  1 .  FIG. 9  is a sectional view of the lid-opening/closing device along line IX-IX of  FIG. 4 . As depicted in  FIG. 9 , the lock-opening/closing mechanism (moving unit)  30  is preferably provided in a recessed portion  3   c  that is provided to the upper wall  3 . The recessed portion  3   c  extends in a circumference of the opening  3   b  so as to extend from front-side portion to rear-side portion via right-side portion. 
     The lock-opening/closing mechanism  30  preferably includes plate-shaped first rotating members  34 A,  34 B,  34 C, and  34 D, engaging portions  35 A,  35 B,  35 C, and  35 D such as latch pins, plate-shaped first connecting members  37 A and  37 B, a pair of second rotating members  38  that preferably are plate-shaped, a plate-shaped second connecting member  39 , and an air cylinder (actuator)  33 . The first rotating members  34 A to  34 D are rotatably supported by respective bearings  36  on the bottom surface of the recessed portion  3   c . The first rotating members  34 A to  34 D each are arranged so as to face each locking mechanism  74  of a pod  70  in the vertical direction when the pod  70  is placed on the placement surface  10  of the lid-opening/closing device  1 . 
     In the first rotating members  34 A and  34 B on the front side (i.e., located on the front side of the lid portion  72  when a pod  70  is placed on the placement surface  10 ), the engaging portions  35 A and  35 B are installed upright on the respective upper surfaces of the first rotating members  34 A and  34 B at positions on the left side of the bearings  36 . On the lower surface of the first rotating member  34 A on the front side, a spring-engaging portion  42 A is installed upright at a position on the right side of the bearing  36 . In the first rotating members  34 C and  34 D on the rear side (i.e., located on the rear side of the lid portion  72  when a pod  70  is placed on the placement surface  10 ), the engaging portions  35 C and  35 D are installed upright on the respective upper surfaces of the first rotating members  34 C and  34 D at positions on the right side of the bearings  36 . On the lower surface of the first rotating member  34 D on the rear side, a spring-engaging portion  42 D is installed upright at a position on the left side of the bearing  36 . 
     The first connecting member  37 A on the front side preferably is a rod-shaped member extending in the right-to-left direction in the front-side portion of the recessed portion  3   c , and is rotatably attached to the respective first rotating members  34 A and  34 B in a pair on the front side, at positions on the front side of the bearings  36 . In this manner, the first connecting member  37 A on the front side connects the pair of the first rotating members  34 A and  34 B on the front side to rotate the first rotating members  34 A and  34 B. The first connecting member  37 B on the rear side is a rod-shaped member extending in a right-to-left direction in the rear-side portion of the recessed portion  3   c , and is rotatably attached to the respective first rotating members  34 C and  34 D in a pair on the rear side, at positions on the rear side of the bearings  36 . In this manner, the first connecting member  37 B on the rear side connects the pair of the first rotating members  34 C and  34 D on the rear side to rotate the first rotating members  34 C and  34 D. 
     The respective second rotating members  38  in a pair are rotatably supported by bearings  41  on the bottom surface of the recessed portion  3   c . To the second rotating member  38  on the front side, the right-side end portion of the first connecting member  37 A on the front side is rotatably attached at a position on the front side of the bearing  41 . In this manner, the first connecting member  37 A on the front side is connected to the second rotating member  38  on the front side. To the second rotating member  38  on the rear side, the right-side end portion of the first connecting member  37 B on the rear side is rotatably attached at a position on the rear side of the bearing  41 . In this manner, the first connecting member  37 B on the rear side is connected to the second rotating member  38  on the rear side. 
     The second connecting member  39  preferably is a rod-shaped member extending in the front-to-rear direction in the right-side portion of the recessed portion  3   c , and is rotatably attached to the respective second rotating members  38  in a pair at positions on the right side of the bearings  41 . In this manner, the second connecting member  39  connects the pair of the second rotating members  38  to rotate the second rotating members  38 . 
     The air cylinder  33  is an actuator configured to impart a driving force to the first connecting members  37 A and  37 B, and is arranged on the lower side of the second connecting member  39 . The air cylinder  33  includes a cylinder portion  33   a  that is rotatably attached to the device body  2  and a rod portion  33   b  the base-end portion of which is inserted in the cylinder portion  33   a . The leading-end portion of the rod portion  33   b  is rotatably attached to a middle portion of the second connecting member  39 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 9 , a container-securing unit  80 A is provided near an edge portion on the front side of the upper wall  3 . Similarly, a container-securing unit  80 B is provided near an edge portion on the rear side of the upper wall  3 . The following describes details of the container-securing units  80 A and  80 B.  FIG. 10  includes enlarged sectional views around the container-securing units,  FIG. 10A  illustrates the container-securing unit provided on the front side, and  FIG. 10B  illustrates the container-securing unit provided on the rear side.  FIG. 11  is a sectional view along line XI-XI in  FIG. 9 , and  FIG. 12  is a sectional view along line XII-XII in  FIG. 9 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 10A, 11, and 12 , the container-securing unit  80 A includes a lever portion  81 A, an elastic roller (pressing member)  82 A, a spring-engaging portion  84 A, and a spring (biasing member)  85 A. The base-end side of the lever portion  81 A is connected to the upper wall  3  with a spacer  86 A interposed therebetween. The spacer  86 A extends from near an edge portion on the front side of the upper wall  3  to above the first connecting member  37 A, and is rotatably connected to the base-end side of the lever portion  81 A above the first connecting member  37 A. The connecting portion between the lever portion  81 A and the spacer  86 A is located approximately in the middle of the opening  3   b  in the right-to-left direction. The leading end of the lever portion  81 A extends toward the left side. 
     The elastic roller  82 A is rotatably attached to the upper surface of the leading-end side of the lever portion  81 A, and is configured to elastically abut the circumferential surface of the container body  71 . The spring-engaging portion  84 A is installed upright on the lower surface of the leading end of the lever portion  81 A. One end of the spring  85 A is engaged with the spring-engaging portion  42 A that is installed upright on the lower surface of the first rotating member  34 A, and the other end is engaged with the spring-engaging portion  84 A. The spring  85 A biases both of the spring-engaging portion  42 A and the spring-engaging portion  84 A in the direction of bringing them closer to each other. 
     The upper surface of the first connecting member  37 A is provided with a cam follower (linkage member)  45 A that is configured to abut on and separate from the lever portion  81 A when the first connecting member  37 A moves. The lever portion  81 A is provided with a cam surface  83 A in a position of abutting the cam follower  45 A. The abutting of the cam follower  45 A on the cam surface  83 A rotates the lever portion  81 A so that the leading-end side of the lever portion  81 A (on the side of the elastic roller  82 A) moves away from the opening  3   b . Specifically, when the first connecting member  37 A slides to the left side, the cam follower  45 A abuts the cam surface  83 A, and the cam follower  45 A pushes the cam surface  83 A to the front side, thus rotating the lever portion  81 A. Conversely, when the first connecting member  37 A slides to the right side, the cam follower  45 A separates from the cam surface  83 A, and the lever portion  81 A rotates so that the leading-end side of the lever portion  81 A is moved to the side of the opening  3   b  by a biasing force of the spring  85 A. 
     Similarly to the container-securing unit  80 A, the container-securing unit  80 B includes, as depicted in  FIG. 10B , a lever portion  81 B, an elastic roller (pressing member)  82 B, a spring-engaging portion  84 B, and a spring (biasing member)  85 B. The base-end side of the lever portion  81 B is connected to the upper wall  3  with a spacer  86 B interposed therebetween. The spacer  86 B extends from near an edge portion on the rear side of the upper wall  3  to above the first connecting member  37 B, and is rotatably connected to the base-end side of the lever portion  81 B above the first connecting member  37 B. The connecting portion between the lever portion  81 B and the spacer  86 B is located approximately in the middle of the opening  3   b  in the right-to-left direction. The leading end of the lever portion  81 B extends toward the right side. 
     The elastic roller  82 B is rotatably attached to the upper surface of the leading-end side of the lever portion  81 B, and is configured to elastically abut the circumferential surface of the container body  71 . The spring-engaging portion  84 B is installed upright on the lower surface of the leading end of the lever portion  81 B. One end of the spring  85 B is engaged with the spring-engaging portion  42 D that is installed upright on the lower surface of the first rotating member  34 D, and the other end is engaged with the spring-engaging portion  84 B. The spring  85 B biases both of the spring-engaging portion  42 D and the spring-engaging portion  84 B in the direction of bringing them closer to each other. 
     The upper surface of the first connecting member  37 B is provided with a cam follower (linkage member)  45 B that is configured to abut on and separate from the lever portion  81 B when the first connecting member  37 B moves. The lever portion  81 B is provided with a cam surface  83 B in a position of abutting the cam follower  45 B. The abutting of the cam follower  45 B on the cam surface  83 B rotates the lever portion  81 B so that the leading-end side of the lever portion  81 B (on the side of the elastic roller  82 B) moves away from the opening  3   b . Specifically, when the first connecting member  37 B slides to the right side, the cam follower  45 B abuts the cam surface  83 B, and the cam follower  45 B pushes the cam surface  83 B to the rear side, thus rotating the lever portion  81 B. Conversely, when the first connecting member  37 B slides to the left side, the cam follower  45 B separates from the cam surface  83 B, and the lever portion  81 B rotates so that the leading-end side of the lever portion  81 B is moved to the side of the opening  3   b  by a biasing force of the spring  85 B. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 5 , the respective engaging portions  35 A to  35 D protrude upward through respective openings  3   e  each preferably having an elongated hole shape and provided in plurality to a top panel portion  3   d  that defines a portion of the upper wall  3  and covers the recessed portion  3   c . The container-securing units  80 A and  80 B protrude upward through respective openings  3   f  and  3   g  provided to the top panel portion  3   d . Accordingly, when a pod  70  is placed on the placement surface  10  of the lid-opening/closing device  1 , with the recessed portion  78   a  of each locking mechanism  74  of the pod  70 , each vertically facing one of the engaging portions  35 A to  35 D engages. The respective elastic rollers  82 A and  82 B of the container-securing units  80 A and  80 B face the circumferential surface of the container body  71 . 
     The following describes unlocking operation of the lock-opening/closing mechanism  30  to cause the locking mechanisms  74  of the pod  70  to perform unlocking. As depicted in  FIG. 5 , the lock-opening/closing mechanism  30  stands by with the engaging portions  35 A to  35 D positioned on the inner side (i.e., on the side of opening  3   b ) in the respective openings  3   e  each preferably having an elongated hole shape and provided to the top panel portion  3   d  and with the elastic roller  82 A of the container-securing unit  80 A and the elastic roller  82 B of the container-securing unit  80 B positioned on the outer side (i.e., on the side away from the opening  3   b ). At this time, the first connecting members  37 A and  37 B, the second connecting member  39 , and the air cylinder  33  of the lock-opening/closing mechanism  30  are in a state depicted in  FIG. 9 . In this state, when a pod  70  is placed on the placement surface  10  of the lid-opening/closing device  1 , with the recessed portion  78   a  of each locking mechanism  74  that is in the locked state in the pod  70  (see  FIG. 8A ), each vertically facing one of the engaging portions  35 A to  35 D engages. 
     Subsequently, as depicted in  FIG. 13 , in the lock-opening/closing mechanism  30 , the rod portion  33   b  is slid to the rear side by charging or discharging gas into or from the cylinder portion  33   a . This rotates the second rotating member  38  on the front side counterclockwise in plan view, thus moving the first connecting member  37 A on the front side to the right side. Furthermore, the first rotating members  34 A and  34 B on the front side are rotated counterclockwise in plan view, such that the engaging portions  35 A and  35 B are moved to the front side. Meanwhile, the second rotating member  38  on the rear side is rotated counterclockwise in plan view, such that the first connecting member  37 B on the rear side is moved to the left side. Furthermore, the pair of the first rotating members  34 C and  34 D on the rear side are rotated counterclockwise in plan view, such that the engaging portions  35 A to  35 D are moved to the rear side. In other words, in the respective openings  3   e  each having an elongated hole shape and provided to the top panel portion  3   d , the engaging portions  35 A to  35 D are positioned in the outer side (i.e., on the side opposite to the opening  3   b ). Accordingly, in each locking mechanism  74  of the pod  70 , the engaging portion  78  is removed from the recessed portion  72   a , such that each locking mechanism  74  is put into the unlocked state (see  FIG. 8B ), and the lid portion  72  is removed from the container body  71 . 
     The first connecting member  37 A on the front side is moved to the right side, and the first rotating member  34 A is rotated counterclockwise in plan view, such that the leading-end side (the side in which the elastic roller  82 A is attached) of the lever portion  81 A is moved to the side of opening  3   b  by a biasing force of the spring  85 A engaged with the spring-engaging portion  42 A. At this time, the cam follower  45 A separates from the cam surface  83 A, thus allowing the leading-end side of the lever portion  81 A to move to the side of the opening  3   b . Meanwhile, the first connecting member  37 B on the rear side is moved to the left side, and the first rotating member  34 D is rotated counterclockwise in plan view, such that the leading-end side (the side in which the elastic roller  82 B is attached) of the lever portion  81 B is moved to the side of opening  3   b  by a biasing force of the spring  85 B engaged with the spring-engaging portion  42 D. At this time, the cam follower  45 B separates from the cam surface  83 B, thus allowing the leading-end side of the lever portion  81 B to move to the side of the opening  3   b.    
     In other words, the elastic rollers  82 A and  82 B are moved to the side of the opening  3   b  in conjunction with the unlocking operation of the lock-opening/closing mechanism  30 , such that the circumferential surface of the container body  71  is caught in between the elastic rollers  82 A and  82 B, and thus the container body  71  is secured with respect to the device body  2 . The securing of the container body  71  with the elastic rollers  82 A and  82 B is performed by the biasing forces of the springs  85 A and  85 B. Thus, even if variations occur in the size of the container body  71 , the container body  71  is appropriately and reliably secured. 
     The following describes locking operation of the lock-opening/closing mechanism  30  to cause the locking mechanisms  74  of the pod  70  to perform locking. The lock-opening/closing mechanism  30  stands by with the engaging portions  35 A to  35 D positioned on the outer side (i.e., on the side opposite to the opening  3   b ) in the respective openings  3   e  each preferably having an elongated hole shape and provided to the top panel portion  3   d . At this time, the first connecting members  37 A and  37 B, the second connecting member  39 , and the air cylinder  33  of the lock-opening/closing mechanism  30  are in a state depicted in  FIG. 13 . With the recessed portion  78   a  of each locking mechanism  74  that is in the unlocked state in the pod  70  (see  FIG. 8B ), each vertically facing one of the engaging portions  35 A to  35 D engages. 
     In this state, when the lid portion  72  is attached to the container body  71 , as depicted in  FIG. 9 , in the lock-opening/closing mechanism  30 , the rod portion  33   b  is slid to the front side by charging or discharging gas into or from the cylinder portion  33   a . This rotates the second rotating member  38  on the front side clockwise in plan view, thus moving the first connecting member  37 A on the front side to the left side. Furthermore, the pair of the first rotating members  34 A and  34 B on the front side are rotated clockwise in plan view, such that the engaging portions  35 A and  35 B are moved to the rear side. Meanwhile, the second rotating member  38  on the rear side is rotated clockwise in plan view, such that the first connecting member  37 B on the rear side is moved to the right side. Furthermore, the pair of the first rotating members  34 C and  34 D on the rear side are rotated clockwise in plan view, such that the engaging portions  35 C and  35 D are moved to the front side. In other words, as depicted in  FIG. 5 , in the respective openings  3   e  each preferably having an elongated hole shape and provided to the top panel portion  3   d , the engaging portions  35 A to  35 D are positioned in the inner side (i.e., on the side of the opening  3   b ). Accordingly, in each locking mechanism  74  of the pod  70 , the engaging portion  78  engages with the recessed portion  72   a , such that each locking mechanism  74  is put into the locked state (see  FIG. 8A ). 
     The first connecting member  37 A on the front side is moved to the left side, and the first rotating member  34 A is rotated clockwise in plan view, such that the biasing of the spring  85 A acting on the leading-end side (the side in which the elastic roller  82 A is attached) of the lever portion  81 A is released. At the same time, when the first connecting member  37 A is moved to the left side, the cam follower  45 A abuts the cam surface  83 A of the container-securing unit  80 A, and the cam follower  45 A pushes the leading-end side of the lever portion  81 A in a direction against the biasing force of the spring  85 A (to the front side). This releases the securing of the container body  71  by the elastic roller  82 A. Meanwhile, the first connecting member  37 B on the rear side is moved to the right side, and the first rotating member  34 D is rotated clockwise in plan view, such that biasing of the spring  85 B acting on the leading-end side (the side in which the elastic roller  82 B is attached) of the lever portion  81 B is released. At the same time, when the first connecting member  37 B is moved to the right side, the cam follower  45 B abuts the cam surface  83 B of the container-securing unit  80 B, and the cam follower  45 B pushes the leading-end side of the lever portion  81 B in a direction against the biasing force of the spring  85 B (to the rear side). This releases the securing of the container body  71  by the elastic roller  82 B. 
     As described above, in the lid-opening/closing device  1 , when the unlocking of the locking mechanisms  74  of the pod  70  is performed by moving the first connecting members  37 A and  37 B, for example, of the lock-opening/closing mechanism  30 , the container-securing units  80 A and  80 B secure the container body  71  to the device body  2  in conjunction with the first connecting members  37 A and  37 B. Because the container body  71  is secured to the device body  2  in conjunction with the unlocking operation of the locking mechanism  74  in this manner, for example, even if the lid portion  72  is attached when the locking mechanism  74  is in the unlocked state, lifting of the container body  71  and positional misalignment of the lid portion  72 , for example, is prevented from occurring. Thus, this lid-opening/closing device  1  enables the lid portion  72  to be accurately attached to the container body  71 . 
     The first rotating members  34 A to  34 D are provided with the engaging portions  35 A to  35 D, respectively, and the first rotating members  34 A to  34 D are connected with the first connecting members  37 A and  37 B, the second rotating members  38 , and the second connecting member  39 . This enables the engaging portions  35 A to  35 D provided to the first rotating members  34 A to  34 D to be simultaneously operated. Accordingly, the unlocking operation and the locking operation of the locking mechanisms  74  that are provided corresponding to the engaging portions  35 A to  35 D are performed simultaneously. This prevents the occurrence of lifting of the container body  71  and positional misalignment of the lid portion  72 , for example, due to variations in the unlocking operation and the locking operation of the locking mechanisms  74 . Thus, this lid-opening/closing device  1  enables the lid portion  72  to be more accurately attached to the container body  71 . 
     When the container body  71  is secured by the container-securing units  80 A and  80 B, the elastic rollers  82 A and  82 B are pressed against the container body  71  by using the biasing force of the springs  85 A and  85 B, which eliminates the necessity of special actuators, for example, to secure the container body  71 , and thus the device configuration is greatly simplified. 
     By configuring the lever portions  81 A and  81 B of the container-securing units  80 A and  80 B to be rotatable and rotating the lever portions  81 A and  81 B by the cam followers  45 A and  45 B, operation of pressing the elastic rollers  82 A and  82 B against the container body  71  and operation of releasing this pressing preferably is performed in conjunction with the movement of the first connecting members  37 A and  37 B. This eliminates the necessity of special actuators, for example, for rotating the lever portions  81 A and  81 B, and thus the device configuration is capable of being simplified and power savings are achieved. 
     One preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described preferred embodiment. For example, the target for the lid-opening/closing device of the present invention is not limited to the pod  70  that stores therein a reticle R, and may be another storage container that stores therein another object to be stored. As an actuator that imparts a driving force to the lock-opening/closing mechanism  30 , an actuator other than the air cylinder  33  may be used. As shapes or materials in all configurations described above, not limited to those described above, various shapes or materials can be used. The connecting members of various preferred embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described rod-shaped members. Even if the connecting members are other types of connecting members such as wires, an operation mechanism similar to those described above can be implemented. The unlocking operation and the locking operation of the lock-opening/closing mechanism  30  can be performed even when the rotating directions of the rotating members  34 A to  34 D and  38  and the moving directions of the connecting members  37 A,  37 B, and  39  are reversed from the above-described case. 
     One aspect of various preferred embodiments of the present invention enables a lid-opening/closing device to be provided that accurately attaches a lid portion to a container body. 
     While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is to be understood that variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention, therefore, is to be determined solely by the following claims.