Abstract:
A wafer container includes a base, a guide, a cover, a locking member and a sealing member. The base includes an installing surface thereon. The guide is disposed on the installing surface of the base. The guide is configured to confine a plurality of wafers horizontally stacked upon the installing surface of the base. The cover is configured to cover the installing surface. The locking member is configured to lock the cover to the base. The sealing member is configured to create an air-tight seal between the locking member and the guide.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0186131, filed on Dec. 24, 2015 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The described technology relates to a wafer container, and more particularly, to a wafer container for receiving horizontally arranged wafers. 
       DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART 
       [0003]    In fabricating semiconductors, there is frequently a need to store semiconductor wafers in a manner that leaves the wafers protected from possible contamination. Generally, a wafer container may include a base, a cover and a locking member. A plurality of guides may be formed on an upper surface of the base to define a space where wafers may be received and supported. The cover may be configured to cover the base and protect the wafer. The locking member may be configured to lock the cover to the base. 
         [0004]    When the cover is locked to the base, a gap may be formed between the base and the cover. Further, the locking member may have its own gap. Air, which may include contaminants, may infiltrate into the receiving space of the wafer container through the aforementioned gaps to contaminate the wafers. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a wafer container that might suppress air infiltration. 
         [0006]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a wafer container is provided. The wafer container includes a base, a guide, a cover, a locking member and a sealing member. The base includes an installing surface thereon. The guide is disposed on the installing surface of the base. The guide is configured to confine a plurality of wafers horizontally stacked upon the installing surface of the base. The cover is configured to cover the installing surface. The locking member is configured to lock the cover to the base. The sealing member is configured to create an air-tight seal between the locking member and the guide. 
         [0007]    The sealing member may include a sealing screen. The sealing screen may be configured to surround the guide and contact the cover and the installing surface. The sealing screen may be integrally formed with an inner surface of the cover. The base may further include a sealing groove. The sealing groove may be configured to receive the sealing screen. The sealing member may further include a sealing pad. The sealing pad may be attached to a lower end of the sealing screen. The sealing screen may be integrally formed with the installing surface of the base. The cover may further include a sealing groove. The sealing groove may be configured to receive the sealing screen. The sealing member may further include a sealing pad. The sealing pad may be attached to an upper end of the sealing screen. 
         [0008]    The wafer container may further include a gasket. The gasket may be disposed between the guide and the locking member. The gasket may contact the sealing member. The gasket may include a sealing groove. The sealing groove may be configured to receive the sealing member. The gasket may further include a fixing groove. The fixing groove may be configured to receive a fixing protrusion disposed on an outer surface of the guide. The fixing groove may be configured to receive a fixing protrusion disposed on the installing surface of the base. 
         [0009]    The locking member may include at least one locking plate. The locking plate may be disposed on the installing surface of the base. The locking plate may include a locking protrusion. The locking member may also include a locking groove. The locking groove may be disposed on the cover. The locking groove may be configured to receive the locking protrusion. 
         [0010]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a wafer container is provided. The wafer container includes a base, a cover and a gasket. The base includes an installing surface, a plurality of guides and a plurality of locking plates. The guides vertically extend from the installing surface in a circumferential direction. The locking plates vertically extend from a portion of the installing surface beyond the guides with respect to a center of the installing surface. The locking plates are arranged in the circumferential direction of the installing surface. The locking plates include a locking protrusion. The cover includes a sealing screen. The sealing screen is disposed between the guides and the locking plates. The sealing screen contacts an edge portion of the installing surface of the base. The cover also includes a locking groove. The locking groove is configured to receive the locking protrusion. The gasket is detachably attached to the base. The gasket contacts the sealing screen. 
         [0011]    The cover may further include a sealing pad. The sealing pad may be attached to a lower end of the sealing screen. The base may further include a sealing groove. The sealing groove may be configured to receive the sealing pad. The base may further include a fixing groove. The fixing groove may be formed on the installing surface. The gasket may include a fixing protrusion. The fixing protrusion may be configured to be received by the fixing groove. 
         [0012]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a wafer container is provided. The wafer container includes a base, a guide, a cover, a locking member, and a sealing member. The base includes an installing surface thereon. The guide is disposed on the installing surface of the base. The guide is configured to contain a plurality of wafers horizontally stacked on the installing surface. The cover is configured to cover the installing surface. The locking member is configured to lock the cover to the base. The sealing member includes a sealing screen. The sealing member is configured to create an air-tight seal between the locking member and the guide. The sealing screen is integrally formed with the installing surface. The sealing screen is configured to surround the guide and contact the cover and the installing surface. 
         [0013]    The cover may further include a sealing groove. The sealing groove may be configured to receive the sealing screen. The sealing member may further include a sealing pad. The sealing pad may be attached to an upper end of the sealing screen. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    A more complete appreciation of the present disclosure and many of the attendant aspects thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a wafer container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a wafer container of  FIG. 1  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a wafer container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a wafer container of  FIG. 3  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a wafer container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a wafer container of  FIG. 5  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a wafer container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a wafer container of  FIG. 7  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described more fully herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiments of the present invention may, however, encompass many different forms and should therefore not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments as set forth herein. 
         [0024]    In the drawings, the sizes and relative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. Like numerals may refer to like elements throughout the figures and disclosure and redundant explanations may be omitted. 
         [0025]    It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. 
         [0026]    Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature in relation to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the drawings. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation as illustrated in the drawings. 
         [0027]    Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a wafer container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a wafer container of  FIG. 1  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a wafer container  100  may include a base  110 , a plurality of guides  120 , a cover  130 , a locking member  140  and a sealing member. 
         [0030]    The base  110  may include an installing surface  112 . A plurality of wafers may be placed on the installing surface  112 . The wafers may be horizontally stacked on the installing surface  112 . The installing surface  112  may correspond to an upper surface of the base  110 . The base  110  may be formed, at least in part, of a plastic material. 
         [0031]    The guides  120  may be arranged on the installing surface  112  of the base  110 . The arrangement of the guides  120  may define a receiving space within the wafer container  100 . Wafers may be received within the receiving space, for example, by placing a first wafer down upon the installing surface  112  and then stacking additional wafers on the first wafer. The guides  120  may be arranged on the installing surface  112  in a circumferential direction around the base  110 . Thus, a radius from a center point of the installing surface  112  to the guides  120  may be greater than a radius of each of the wafers. The guides  120  may vertically extend from the installing surface  112 . The guides  120  may be integrally formed with the base  110 . Alternatively, the guides  120  may be a separate parts attached to the installing surface  112  of the base  110 . Further, the guides  120  may be arranged in a rectangular shape, for example, where rectangular wafers are to be received. 
         [0032]      FIG. 1  illustrates a portion of the cover  130 . Another portion of the cover  130  may be shaped substantially the same as the portion of the cover  130  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The cover  130  may be configured to cover the installing surface  112  of the base  110 . The cover  130  may include a lower end. The lower end of the cover  130  may be configured to contact an edge portion of the installing surface  112 . A gap may be formed between the lower end of the cover  130  and the edge portion of the installing surface  112 . The cover  130  may define the receiving space together with the guides  120 . Thus, the cover  130  may include a center point substantially corresponding to a center point of the base  110 . The cover  130  may be formed from a material substantially the same as that of the base  110 . Accordingly, the cover  130  may include a plastic material. 
         [0033]    The locking member  140  may be configured to lock the cover  130  to the base  110 . The locking member  140  may include a plurality of locking plates  142  that are attached to the base  110 . The locking member  140  may further include a plurality of locking grooves  144  that are built into the cover  130 . 
         [0034]    The locking plates  142  may be arranged on a portion of the installing surface  112  outside the guides  120 . The locking plates  142  may be arranged on the portion of the installing surface  112  outside the guides  120  in the circumferential direction of the base  110 . Thus, the locking plates  142  may be spaced apart from the guides  120 . Alternatively, the locking plates  142  may be arranged in a rectangular shape. The locking plates  142  may vertically extend from the installing surface  112 . The locking plates  142  may be integrally formed with the base  110 . Alternatively, the locking plates  142  may be separate parts attached to the installing surface  112  of the base  110 . Each of the locking plates  142  may include a locking protrusion  143 . The locking protrusion  143  may be formed at an upper portion of the locking plate  142 . The locking protrusion  143  may be formed on an inner surface of the upper portion of the locking plate  142 . Alternatively, the locking protrusion  143  may be formed on an outer surface of the upper portion of the locking plate  142 . 
         [0035]    The locking grooves  144  may be formed on the cover  130 . Since the locking plates  142  may be arranged in the circumferential direction of the base  110 , the locking grooves  144  may also be arranged in a circumferential direction of the cover  130 . The locking protrusions  143  may be inserted into the locking grooves  144 . Gaps may be formed between the locking protrusions  143  and the locking grooves  144 . 
         [0036]    The sealing member may be configured to seal the gaps between the guides  120  and the locking plates  142  and to thereby prevent air from passing therethrough. Therefore, the sealing member may be configured to suppress air from infiltrating into the receiving space through the gaps between the lower end of the cover  130  and the gaps between the locking protrusions  143  and the locking grooves  144 . The sealing member may include a sealing screen  150 . The sealing member may also include a sealing pad  152 . 
         [0037]    The sealing screen  150  may vertically extend from an inner surface of the cover  130  substantially toward a space between the guides  120  and the locking plates  142 . The sealing screen  150  may be integrally formed with the cover  130 . Alternatively, the sealing screen  150  may be a separate part attached to the cover  130 . The sealing screen  150  may be configured to surround the guides  120 . For example, the sealing screen  150  may be shaped in an annular shape. Alternatively, the sealing screen  150  may be shaped in a rectangular shape. 
         [0038]    The sealing pad  152  may be attached to a lower end of the sealing screen  150 . The suiting pad  152  may be configured to contact the portion of the installing surface  112  between the guides  120  and the locking plates  142 . The sealing pad  152  may include a flexible material. For example, the sealing pad  152  may include a rubber such as an elastomer. 
         [0039]    The base  110  may include a sealing groove  114 . The sealing pad  152  may be inserted into the sealing groove  114  of the base  110 . The sealing groove  114  may be formed on the installing surface  112  in the circumferential direction of the base  110 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a wafer container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a wafer container of  FIG. 3  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0041]    A wafer container  100   a  may include elements substantially the same as those of the wafer container  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . However, the wafer container  100   a  may include a sealing member that differs from the sealing member of the wafer container  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the sealing member may include a sealing screen  160 . The sealing member may also include a sealing pad  162 . 
         [0043]    The sealing screen  160  may vertically extend from a portion of the installing surface  112  between the guides  120  and the locking plates  142 . The sealing screen  160  may be integrally formed with the base  110 . Alternatively, the sealing screen  160  may be a separate part attached to the base  110 . The sealing screen  160  may be configured to surround the guides  120 . For example, the sealing screen  160  may have an annular shape. Alternatively, the sealing screen  160  may have a rectangular shape. 
         [0044]    The sealing pad  162  may be attached to an upper end of the sealing screen  160 . The sealing pad  162  may be configured to contact the inner surface of the cover  130 . The sealing pad  162  may include a flexible material. For example, the sealing pad  162  may include a rubber such as an elastomer. 
         [0045]    The cover  130  may include a sealing groove  132 . The scaling pad  162  may be inserted into the sealing groove  132 . The sealing groove  132  may be formed on the inner surface of the cover  130  in the circumferential direction of the cover  130 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a wafer container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6  is a crass-sectional view illustrating a wafer container of  FIG. 5  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0047]    A wafer container  100   b  may include elements substantially the same as those of a wafer container  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-2  and a wafer container  100   a  illustrated in  FIGS. 3-4 . However, a wafer container  100   b  as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6  may further include a gasket. 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a gasket  170  may be arranged between the guides  120  and the locking plates  142 . The gasket  170  may be configured to contact a lower end of the sealing screen  150 . The gasket  170  may be attached to the installing surface  112  of the base  110 . The gasket  170  may include a flexible material. For example, the gasket  170  may include a rubber such as an elastomer. 
         [0049]    The gasket  170  may include supporting protrusions  171 . The supporting protrusions  171  may be formed on an inner surface of the gasket  170 . The supporting protrusions  171  may be configured to contact both side surfaces of the guides  120 . As such, the guides  120  may support the gasket  170 . 
         [0050]    The gasket  170  may include a sealing groove  172 . The sealing groove  172  may be formed on an upper surface of the gasket  170 . The lower end of the sealing screen  150  may be inserted into the sealing groove  172 . 
         [0051]    The gasket  170  may include a receiving groove  174 . The receiving groove  174  may be formed on an outer surface of the gasket  170 . When the lower end of the sealing screen  150  inserted into the sealing groove  172  presses the gasket  170 , the gasket  170  may be inserted into the receiving groove  174 . Accordingly, adhesion between the lower end of the sealing screen  150  and an inner surface of the sealing groove  172  may be increased. 
         [0052]    The gasket  170  may include a fixing protrusion  176 . The fixing protrusion  176  may be formed on a lower surface of the gasket  170 . A fixing groove  116  may be formed on the installing surface  112  of the base  110 . The fixing protrusion  176  may be inserted into the fixing groove  116 . The gasket  170  may be combined with the base  110  by inserting the fixing protrusion  176  into the fixing groove  116 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a wafer container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a wafer container of  FIG. 7  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0054]    A wafer container  100   c  may include elements substantially the same as those of a wafer container  100   b  illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . However, the wafer container  100   c  may include a gasket that differs from the gasket of the wafer container  100   b  illustrated in FIGS,  5  and  6 . 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a gasket  180  may include supporting protrusions  181 . The supporting protrusions  181  may be formed on an inner surface of the gasket  180 . The supporting protrusions  181  may be configured to contact both side surfaces of the guides  120 . As such, the guides  120  may support the gasket  180 . 
         [0056]    The gasket  180  may include a sealing groove  182 . The sealing groove  182  may be formed on an upper surface of the gasket  180 . A lower end of the sealing screen  150  may be inserted into the sealing groove  182 . 
         [0057]    The gasket  180  may include a receiving groove  184 . The receiving groove  184  may be formed on an outer surface of the gasket  180 . The lower end of the sealing screen  150  may be inserted into the sealing groove  182  and may press the gasket  180 . Therefore, the gasket  180  may be inserted into the receiving groove  184  and may increase adhesion between the lower end of the sealing screen  150  and an inner surface of the sealing groove  182 . 
         [0058]    The gasket  180  may include a fixing groove  186 . The fixing groove  186  may be formed on an inner surface of the gasket  180 . A fixing protrusion  122  may be formed on the outer surface of the guides  120 . The fixing protrusion  122  may be inserted into the fixing groove  186 . The gasket  180  may be combined with the guide  120  by inserting the fixing protrusion  122  into the fixing groove  186 . 
         [0059]    The sealing member may be configured to seal a gap between the guides  120  and the locking member  140 . Accordingly, air may be prevented from infiltrating into the receiving space in the guides  120 . Thus, contamination of the wafers in the receiving space may be suppressed. 
         [0060]    The foregoing is illustrative of exemplary embodiments of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof Although a few exemplary embodiments have been described herein, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the present inventive concept. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the embodiments of the present invention.