Patent Publication Number: US-2022238362-A1

Title: Reticle pod with quick-release support mechanism

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) on Patent Application No(s). 110103159 filed in Taiwan on Jan. 28, 2021, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to a reticle pod, and more particularly, to a reticle pod with a quick-release mechanism. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     Reticles are placed in reticle pods for transportation during manufacturing processes in the semiconductor industry. When a reticle is placed inside a prior art reticle pod, a slope, sphere or cylinder of a support mechanism supporting the reticle may have its abutting surface (which abuts against the reticle) worn down due to recurrent collisions. Such collisions may further wear down the support mechanism and result in unwanted particles. Typically, when the wear is severe, the only solution is to replace the reticle pod, which would be a waste of resources. 
     Therefore, an improved reticle pod is needed to address the above-described problem related to particles resulting from the wear of support mechanisms, and to reduce the waste of resources as well as manufacturing costs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides a reticle pod with quick-release mechanism in order to solve foregoing problems such as particles produced from the abutting surface of a reticle through frequent wearing and the hardware waste. 
     The invention provides a reticle pod including a lower cover having a carrying surface and a plurality of mounting seats extending from the carrying surface; and a support mechanism having a supporting member extending upward for supporting a reticle or a reticle carrier and a mounting member opposite to the supporting member. The mounting member is configured to detachably connected to the corresponding one of the mounting seats such that the support mechanism is optionally loaded to the lower cover. 
     In one embodiment, the mounting member has at least one flexible leg with at least one holding member provided at a distal end of the leg, the corresponding mounting seat has at least one notch configured to receive and secure the holding member of the flexible leg. 
     In one embodiment, the mounting member is configured to connect to the corresponding mounting seat by threading, the mounting seat is a threaded post extending upward from the carrying surface. 
     In one embodiment, the mounting member is configured to connect to the corresponding mounting seat by a male-female connection to avoid the support mechanism from rotating relatively to the corresponding mounting seat. 
     In one embodiment, the mounting member is a female connector and the corresponding mounting seat is a male connector. 
     In one embodiment, the supporting member includes at least one first supporting post for contacting a bottom of the reticle and at least one second supporting post for limiting a side displacement of the reticle. 
     The invention provides another reticle pod including an upper cover having an abutting surface and a plurality of upper-cover mounting seats located on the abutting surface; a lower cover having a carrying surface and a plurality of lower-cover mounting seats located on the carrying surface; at least one first support mechanism having a supporting member extending upward for supporting a bottom of a reticle or a reticle carrier and a mounting member opposite to the supporting member, wherein the mounting member is configured to detachably connect to the corresponding lower-cover seat such that the first support mechanism is optionally loaded to the lower cover; and at least one second support mechanism having an abutting portion for abutting a top of the reticle or the reticle carrier and a joint portion connecting with the abutting portion, wherein the joint portion is configured to detachably connect to the corresponding upper-cover mounting seat such that the second support mechanism is optionally loaded to the upper cover. 
     In one embodiment, the upper-mounting seat has multiple protruding wing portions that is coupled to the corresponding joint portion. 
     In one embodiment, the joint portion of the second support mechanism has an opening defined therethrough, the opening has a first channel that allows the corresponding upper-cover mounting seat enters therein or departs therefrom, the opening has a second channel that allows the corresponding upper-cover mounting seat rotates relatively to the opening. 
     In one embodiment, the opening has at least one first rib, the upper-cover mounting seat has at least one second rib, the opening is shaped to allow the second rib slides over the first rib along a first rotation direction but prohibit the second rib rotates along a second rotation direction. 
     The present invention further provides a reticle pod including an upper cover having an abutting surface and a plurality of upper-cover mounting seats located on the abutting surface; a lower cover having a carrying surface and a plurality of lower-cover mounting seats located on the carrying surface; at least one support mechanism for contacting a bottom or a top of a reticle or a reticle carrier, the support mechanism is configured to rotatably detachably connected to the corresponding upper-cover mounting seat or the corresponding lower-cover mounting seat. 
     In one embodiment, the upper-cover mounting seat has multiple protruding wing portions. 
     In one embodiment, the support mechanism has an abutting portion for abutting a top of the reticle and a joint portion connecting with the abutting portion, the joint portion has an opening defined therethrough, the opening has a first channel that allows the corresponding upper-cover mounting seat enters therein or departs therefrom, the opening has a second channel that allows the corresponding upper-cover mounting seat rotates relatively to the opening. 
     In one embodiment, the opening has at least one first rib, the upper-cover mounting seat has at least one second rib, the opening is shaped to allow the second rib slides over the first rib along a first rotation direction but prohibit the second rib rotates along a second rotation direction. 
     In one embodiment, the support mechanism has a supporting member extending upward for supporting a bottom of the reticle and a mounting member opposite to the supporting member. 
     In one embodiment, the lower-cover mounting seat has an opening defined therethrough, the opening has a first channel that allows the mounting member of the support mechanism enters therein or departs therefrom, and the opening has a second channel that allows the mounting member of the support mechanism rotates relatively to the opening. 
     In one embodiment, the supporting member has a first inclined surface, a second inclined surface and a third inclined surface, the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are configured to contact with the reticle while the third inclined surface is sandwiched between the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface for exhausting particles fell from the first and second inclined surfaces. 
     In one embodiment, the third inclined surface has multiple inclined surfaces. 
     The present invention yet provides a reticle pod including an upper cover having an abutting surface and a plurality of upper-cover mounting seats located on the abutting surface; a lower cover having a carrying surface and a plurality of lower-cover mounting seats located on the carrying surface; at least one first support mechanism having a supporting member extending upward for supporting a reticle or a reticle carrier and a mounting member opposite to the supporting member, wherein the mounting member is configured to detachably connect to the corresponding lower-cover mounting seat such that the first support mechanism is optionally loaded to the lower cover, wherein the mounting member is configured to connect to the corresponding lower-cover mounting seat by male-female connection; and at least one second support mechanism having an abutting portion for abutting a top of the reticle and a joint portion connecting with the abutting portion, wherein the joint portion is configured to detachably connect to the corresponding upper-cover mounting seat such that the second support mechanism is optionally loaded to the upper cover, wherein the joint portion is configured to connect to the upper-cover mounting seat by male-female connection. 
     In one embodiment, the upper-cover mounting seat has multiple protruding wing portions, the joint portion of the second support mechanism has an opening defined therethrough, the opening has a first channel that allows the protruding wing portions enter therein or depart therefrom, and the opening has a second channel that allows the protruding wing portions rotate relatively to the opening. 
     In one embodiment, said male-female connection between the mounting member of the first support mechanism and the lower-cover mounting seat prevents the first support mechanism from rotating relatively to the lower-cover mounting seat. 
     In one embodiment, the first support mechanism has a lateral extension portion, a first inclined arm and a second inclined arm, wherein the first inclined arm and the second inclined arm are configured to support the reticle or the reticle carrier. 
     The present invention provides still another reticle pod including an upper cover having an abutting surface and a plurality of upper-cover mounting seats located on the abutting surface; and a support mechanism having an abutting portion for abutting a top of a reticle or a reticle carrier and a joint portion connecting with the abutting portion, wherein the joint portion is configured to detachably connect to the corresponding upper-cover mounting seat such that the support mechanism is optionally loaded to the upper cover. 
     In one embodiment, the upper-cover seat has multiple protruding wing portions that couple to the corresponding joint portion. 
     In one embodiment, the joint portion of the support mechanism has an opening defined therethrough, the opening has a first channel that allows the upper-cover mounting seat enters therein or departs therefrom, the opening has a second channel that allows the upper-cover mounting seat rotates relatively to the opening. 
     In one embodiment, the opening has at least one first rib, the upper-cover mounting seat has at least one second rib, the opening is shaped to allow the second rib slides over the first rib along a first rotation direction but prohibit the second rib rotates along a second rotation direction. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For the actual embodiments of the present invention, the scale of the elements shown in the drawings should not be interpreted in a restrictive sense. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view showing the relationship between a reticle pod (with the upper cover removed) and a reticle according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a partially enlarged schematic view showing a support mechanism of the reticle pod according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a partially enlarged schematic view showing a support mechanism of the reticle pod according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a partially enlarged schematic view showing a support mechanism of the reticle pod according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing the appearance of a reticle pod according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6A  is a top view showing the appearance of the reticle pod according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional view along line AA of  FIG. 6A . 
         FIG. 7  is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the support mechanism of the reticle pod illustrated in  FIG. 6B . 
         FIG. 8  shows an upper-cover support mechanism of the reticle pod being separated from an upper-cover securing seat. 
         FIG. 9A  is a bottom view of an upper cover of the reticle pod in a first state. 
         FIG. 9B  is an enlarged view of one of the upper-cover support mechanisms shown in  FIG. 9A . 
         FIG. 9C  is a partial cross-sectional view of an upper-cover support mechanism along line BB illustrated in  FIG. 9A . 
         FIG. 10A  is a bottom view of the upper cover of the reticle pod in a second state. 
         FIG. 10B  is an enlarged bottom view of one of the upper-cover support mechanisms shown in  FIG. 10A . 
         FIG. 10C  is a partial cross-sectional view of the upper-cover support mechanism along line CC illustrated in  FIG. 10A . 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing a reticle pod (with the upper cover removed) and a reticle according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 12A  is a cross-sectional views of a support mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, along line DD illustrated in  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 12B  is a cross-sectional views of a support mechanism according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, along line DD illustrated in  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 12C  is a cross-sectional views of a support mechanism according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, along line DD illustrated in  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13A  is a perspective view showing a reticle pod (with the upper cover removed) and a reticle according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 13B  is a perspective view showing a support mechanism (before the assembling step) illustrated in  FIG. 13A . 
         FIG. 13C  is a cross-sectional view of the support mechanism along line EE illustrated in  FIG. 13A . 
         FIGS. 14A to 14C  show the process of installing the lower-cover support mechanism on the securing seat of the lower cover. 
         FIGS. 14D to 14F  show the process of installing the lower-cover support mechanism on the securing seat of the lower cover in cross-sectional views. 
         FIG. 15A  is a front view showing a reticle pod (with the upper cover removed) and a reticle according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 15B  is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the contact between the reticle and one lower-cover support mechanism illustrated in  FIG. 15A . 
         FIG. 15C  is a cross-sectional view showing the lower-cover support mechanism and the reticle from another perspective. 
         FIG. 15D  is a partial perspective view of the lower-cover support mechanism. 
         FIG. 16A  is a perspective view showing a reticle pod (with the upper cover removed) and a reticle carrier according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 16B  is a front view showing the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 16A . 
         FIG. 16C  is a perspective view showing a lower-cover support mechanism of the reticle pod. 
         FIG. 16D  is a perspective view showing the lower cover and the lower-cover support mechanism of the reticle pod. 
         FIG. 16E  is a cross-sectional view showing the lower-cover support mechanism along line FF as illustrated in  FIG. 16A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention provides a reticle pod, and more particularly to a reticle pod with a quick-release mechanism. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, illustrate in details the embodiments of the present invention. In these accompanying drawings, identical and/or equivalent elements are marked with the same reference numbers. 
     Various embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. Nevertheless, it is essential to know that the disclosed embodiments are used as examples to demonstrate the various forms of the invention. Each drawing provided with respect to the specific embodiment is intended as an example only, not as a limitation. In addition, the drawings are not necessarily proportional to the actual scale, and some features may be enlarged to emphasize details of a particular element (all the scales, materials, and the like shown in the drawings are merely provided as examples, not as limitations). Therefore, details of specific structures and functions disclosed herein shall not be construed as a limitation. Rather, they are merely used as a basis for teaching a person ordinarily skilled in the art how to practice the embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view showing a reticle pod  100  and a reticle  10  according to the present disclosure; in particular, the drawing shows a view where the reticle  10  is accommodated within the reticle pod  100  (the upper cover is not shown). The reticle pod  100  comprises a lower cover  120  and a plurality of support mechanisms  140 , which are connected to the lower cover  120  by a detachable means. Detailed descriptions of the embodiments are provided hereinafter. In particular, the lower cover  120  comprises a carrying surface  122  and a plurality of mounting seats  124 , which are used to connect to the support mechanisms  140  and are distributed on the carrying surface. The mounting seats  124  and the support mechanisms  140  together lift the reticle  10  above the carrying surface  122 . 
       FIG. 2  is a partially enlarged schematic view showing one support mechanism  140  of the reticle pod  100  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The support mechanism  140  comprises a supporting member  142  extending upward for supporting the reticle  10 , and a mounting member  144  opposite the supporting member  142  to face the lower cover  120 , wherein the mounting member  144  is detachably connected with the corresponding mounting seat  124 , so that the support mechanism  140  can be selectively installed on the lower cover  120 . In the embodiment, the mounting member  144  comprises two flexible legs  145 , and each flexible leg  145  has a holding member  146  at the end. The mounting seat  124  comprises two notches  147  configured to receive and stably accommodate the holding members  146  of the flexible legs  145 . For example, the mounting seat  124  may be provided with sliding grooves, which enable the holding members  146  of the flexible legs  145  of the support mechanism  140  to slide into the corresponding notches  147  along the surfaces of the mounting seat  124 . The support mechanism  140  may be provided with a pressing mechanism, which may be operated to release the holding members  146  of the flexible legs  145  from the corresponding notches  147 , and the holding members  146  may be hook-shaped or have other configurations. 
       FIG. 3  is a partially enlarged schematic view showing the support mechanism  140  of the reticle pod  100  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The support mechanism  140  comprises a supporting member  142  extending upward for supporting the reticle  10  and a mounting member  144  opposite the supporting member  142  to face the lower cover  120 , wherein the mounting member  144  is detachably connected with the corresponding mounting seat  124 , so that the support mechanism  140  can be selectively installed on the lower cover  120 . The mounting member  144  is configured to be connected with the mounting seat  124  in a lockable manner; the mounting seat  124  is a securing post extending upward from the carrying surface  122  and comprises a cap portion  125  on the top. The mounting member  144  of the support mechanism  140  and the cap portion  125  can be connected by a proper fit. For example, the mounting member  144  and the cap portion  125  can have mating structural forms, so that the mounting member  144  can fit to the cap portion  125  and be prevented from rotation due to the mating structure. Alternatively, the mounting member  144  can be connected with the cap portion  125  by friction. 
     In another embodiment, the mounting member  144  can be configured with a thread, whereas the corresponding mounting post  124  or the cap portion  125  has another thread that can mate with the one on the mounting member  144 . 
       FIG. 4  is a partially enlarged schematic view showing the support mechanism  140  of the reticle pod  100  according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. Likewise, the support mechanism  140  comprises a supporting member  142  extending upward for supporting the reticle  10  and a mounting member  144  opposite the supporting member  142 , wherein the mounting member  144  is detachably connected with the corresponding mounting seat  124 , so that the support mechanism  140  can be selectively installed on the lower cover  120 . The mounting member  144  and the securing seat  124  are configured to form a mating connection, wherein the mounting member  144  is a female connector, and the mounting seat  124  is a male connector, and vice versa. Similar to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the female connector and the male connector can have mating structural forms, so as to prevent rotation of the mounting member  144  relative to the mounting seat  124 . 
     Please see  FIGS. 2-4 . In one embodiment, the supporting member  142  further comprises at least one first supporting post  143   a  for contacting the bottom surface of the reticle  10  and at least one second supporting post  143   b  for preventing displacement of the side part of the reticle  10 . However, there is no restriction on the number of supporting posts in the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing the appearance of a reticle pod  500  according to an embodiment. The reticle pod  500  can be an outer reticle pod for accommodating an inner reticle pod or a reticle carrier.  FIG. 6A  is a top view of the reticle pod  500 ;  FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional view of the reticle pod  500  along line AA of  FIG. 6A .  FIGS. 5, 6A, and 6B  demonstrate the relationship between the reticle pod  500  and the reticle  10 . The reticle  10  is accommodated in the reticle pod  500 , which comprises a lower cover  520 , lower-cover support mechanisms  540 , an upper cover  560 , and upper-cover support mechanisms  580 . The upper cover  560  and the lower cover  520  define an accommodating space within the reticle pod  500 . Alternatively, besides accommodating the reticle  10 , the reticle pod  500  can also accommodate an inner reticle pod or other types of carriers (e.g., a pellicle-packaging container). The lower cover  520  comprises a carrying surface  522  and a plurality of lower-cover mounting seats  524  distributed on the carrying surface  522 . Each lower-cover mechanism  540  is connected with the lower-cover mounting seat  524  on the lower cover  520  by a detachable means. The lower-cover support mechanisms  540  are used to support the bottom of the reticle  10 . The upper cover  560  comprises an abutting surface  562  and a plurality of upper-cover mounting seats  564  distributed on the abutting surface  562 . Each upper-cover support mechanism  580  is connected with the upper-cover mounting seat  564  on the upper cover  560  by a detachable means. The upper-cover support mechanisms  580  are used to abut against the top of the reticle  10 . 
       FIG. 7  shows another perspective of the cross-sectional view of the reticle pod  500  illustrated in  FIG. 6B . It is seen that the reticle  10  accommodated in the reticle pod  500  is confined between the lower-cover support mechanism  540  and the upper-cover support mechanism  580 . The lower-cover support mechanism  540  comprises a supporting portion  542  extending upward for supporting the reticle  10  and a mounting member  544  that is opposite the supporting portion  542  and faces the lower cover  520 . The mounting member  544  is detachably connected with the corresponding mounting seat  524 , so that the lower-cover support mechanism  540  can be selectively installed on the lower cover  520 . In this embodiment, the mounting member  544  is connected with the mounting seat  524  in a lockable manner; the mounting member  544  may be further configured with a thread, whereas the corresponding mounting seat  524  may have another thread that can mate with the one on the mounting member  544 . 
       FIG. 8  shows the upper-cover support mechanism  580  being separated from the upper-cover mounting seat  564 . The upper cover  560  comprises an abutting surface  562  and a plurality of upper-cover mounting seats  564  distributed on the abutting surface  562 . The abutting surface  562  is a downward-facing surface on the inside of the upper cover  560 , and this downward-facing surface is not in contact with the lower cover  520 . Each of the upper-cover mounting seat  564  is a structure extending downward from the abutting surface  562 . In this embodiment, the upper-cover mounting seat  564  comprises a cylinder portion and two protruding wing portions  565   a  and  565   b  that extend laterally from the cylinder portion. In other possible embodiments, the upper-cover mounting seats  564  may be arranged on the side surface on the inside of the upper cover  560 . Each upper-cover support mechanism  580  is connected to the upper-cover mounting seat  564  on the upper cover  560  by a detachable means, and the connection method is provided hereinafter. 
       FIG. 9A  is a bottom view of the upper cover  560  of the reticle pod  500  in a first state.  FIG. 9B  shows the first state when one of the upper-cover support mechanisms  580  of  FIG. 9A  is connected with one upper-cover mounting seat  564 ; in the first state, the upper-cover support mechanism  580  can be pulled out and separated from the mounting seat  564 .  FIG. 9C  is a cross-sectional view of the upper-cover support mechanism  580  along line BB illustrated in  FIG. 9A .  FIG. 10A  is a bottom view of the upper cover  560  of the reticle pod  500  in a second state.  FIG. 10B  shows the second state when one of the upper-cover support mechanisms  580  of  FIG. 10A  is connected with one upper-cover mounting seat  564 ; in the second state, the upper-cover support mechanism  580  cannot be pulled out and separated from the mounting seat  564 .  FIG. 10C  is a cross-sectional view of the upper-cover support mechanism  580  along line CC illustrated in  FIG. 10A . 
     To be specific,  FIGS. 9A to 9C  demonstrate that the upper-cover support mechanism  580  is connected with the upper-cover mounting seat  564 , while the upper-cover support mechanism  580  is in a first orientation relative to the upper-cover mounting seat  564 .  FIGS. 10A to 10C  demonstrate that the upper-cover support mechanism  580  is pivoted to be in a second orientation relative to the upper-cover mounting seat  564 , and the second orientation causes the upper-cover support mechanism  580  to be firmly fastened and therefore inseparable from the upper cover  560 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9B and 10B , the upper-cover support mechanism  580  comprises an abutting portion  582  to abut against the top of the reticle, and a joint portion  583  that connects to the abutting portion  582 . The abutting portion  582  is like a triangle in shape, with its width narrowing gradually from the joint portion  583  to the distal end. Further, the abutting portion  582  has a bendable structure near the distal end; the bendable structure is configured to properly contact the top rim of the reticle or the upper surface nearby when the upper cover  560  and lower cover  520  are coupled, as shown in  FIG. 7 , but the structure or configuration of the abutting portion  582  is not limited to what is shown in the illustrated embodiment. The joint portion  583  of the upper-cover support mechanism  580  comprises an opening  584 , which is used to accommodate the upper-cover mounting seat  564  and allows the upper-cover mounting seat  564  to pivot within it. The opening  584  has a butterfly-like shape and provides a space for the wing portions  565   a  and  565   b  to pivot. The joint portion  583  comprises a plurality of first ribs  586  on the inner side which face the opening  584 , and the upper-cover mounting seat  564  comprises second ribs  588  on the surface of the cylinder portion. As shown in the drawings, the four first ribs  586  are basically in contact with the surface on the cylinder portion of the upper-cover mounting seat  564 . The shape of the opening is configured to allow the second ribs  588  of the upper-cover mounting seat  564  to slide past the first ribs  586  in a first rotational direction R 1  (clockwise in the drawings), i.e., from the state of  FIG. 9B  to the state of  FIG. 10B , but to prohibit the second ribs  588  in  FIG. 9B  from rotating in the second rotational direction R 2  (counterclockwise). As shown in  FIG. 9B , there is a structure formed between two adjacent first ribs  586  to prevent the upper-cover mounting seat  564  from rotating in the R 2  direction. To reverse the state of  FIG. 10B  back to the state of  FIG. 9B , a greater force may be applied to cause the second ribs  588  to snap past the first ribs  586 , so that the upper-cover support mechanism  580  is back to a state where it can be pulled out. It should be understood that the first rotational direction R 1  and the second rotational direction R 2  are used to express the relative directions of the upper-cover support mechanism  580  and the upper-cover securing seat  584 ; in practice, it is the upper-cover support mechanism  580  that is being rotated. To change from the state of  FIG. 9B  to the state of  FIG. 10B , an appropriate force can be applied to the upper-cover support mechanism  580 , so that the first ribs  586  can snap past the second ribs  588  to complete the installation of the upper-cover support mechanism  580 . On the contrary, to reverse from the state of  FIG. 10B  back to the state of  FIG. 9B , a greater force in the opposite direction is applied to the upper-cover support mechanism  580  to cause the first ribs  586  to snap past the second ribs  588 , so that the upper-cover support mechanism  580  is back to a state where it can be detached. 
     To be specific, the opening  584  has a first passage that allows the upper-cover mounting seat  564  to enter or leave, and a second passage that allows the upper-cover mounting seat  564  to rotate relative to the opening  584 . As shown in  FIG. 9C , the opening  584  is configured to allow the upper-cover mounting seat  564  to enter and leave the opening  584  through the first passage when the upper-cover support mechanism  580  is in a first orientation. As shown in  FIG. 10C , the opening  584  is configured such that when the upper-cover support mechanism  580  is in a second orientation, the upper-cover mounting seat  564  is restricted in the opening  584  by a stopper  589  through the second passage. That is, the stopper  589  contacts and restricts the wing portions  565   a  and  565   b  of the upper-cover mounting seat  564 , so that the upper-cover support mechanism  580  cannot be pulled up. 
       FIG. 11  shows a reticle pod  600  (with the upper cover removed) and a reticle  10  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIGS. 12A-12C  are cross-sectional views of a support mechanism along line DD illustrated in  FIG. 11 , showing different embodiments of the support mechanism respectively.  FIG. 11  shows the relationship between the reticle pod  600  and the reticle  10 . The reticle  10  is supported and accommodated in the reticle pod  600  (as shown in  FIG. 7 ). The reticle pod  600  comprises a lower cover  620  and a plurality of lower-cover support mechanisms  640 . 
     As shown in the embodiment in  FIG. 12A , each lower-cover support mechanism  640  comprises a supporting member  642  extending upward for supporting the reticle  10 , and a mounting member  644  opposite the supporting member  642  and facing the lower cover  620 . The mounting member  644  is detachably connected with a corresponding securing portion (a hole in this embodiment) of the lower cover  620 , so that the lower-cover support mechanism  640  can be selectively installed on the lower cover  620 . In this embodiment, the mounting member  644  has two flexible legs  645 , and each flexible leg  645  has a holding member  646  at the end. The securing portion (hole) of the lower cover  620  is configured to receive and stably accommodate the holding member  646  of the flexible leg  645 . For example, the lower cover  620  may be provided with sliding grooves (not shown) for the holding members  646  of the flexible legs  645  of the lower-cover support mechanism  640  to enter the hole along the sliding grooves; thus, the holding members  646  can abut against a shoulder portion of the hole, so that the lower-cover support mechanism  640  can be secured to the lower cover  640 . A sealing means (such as an airtight sealing ring) may be provided between the supporting member  642  and the mounting member  644  of the lower-cover support mechanism  640  to prevent the accommodating space of the reticle pod from communicating with the space outside the cover via the hole. Moreover, the lower-cover support mechanism  640  may be provided with a pressing mechanism, which can be operated to release the holding members  646  of the flexible legs  645  from the corresponding grooves. Alternatively, a tool may be used to release the flexible legs  645  via the hole of the lower cover  620 ; also, the holding members  646  may be hook-shaped or have other configurations. 
     As shown in the embodiment in  FIG. 12B , the mounting member  644  (a hole in this embodiment) of the lower-cover support mechanism  640  is detachably connected with a screw provided on the lower cover  620 , so that the lower-cover support mechanism  640  can be selectively installed on the lower cover  620 . The mounting member  644  can be a threaded hole for fitting the screw, so that the lower-cover support mechanism  640  can be fastened to the lower cover  620 . The mounting member  644  may be provided with a positioning structure  647  at the end; the positioning structure  647  can be used to align the lower-cover support mechanism  640  with the installation position before the screw is provided on the lower cover  620 . 
     As shown in the embodiment in  FIG. 12C , the mounting member  644  of the lower-cover support mechanism  640  is a hole; the mounting member  644  fits a corresponding mounting seat  624  from above, so that the lower-cover support mechanism  640  can be selectively installed on the lower cover  620 . A mating connection can thus be formed, with the mounting member  644  being a female connector and the mounting seat  624  being a male connector, and vice versa. The mounting member  644  and the mounting seat  624  can have mating structural forms; in particular, such structural forms can include certain angles to prevent the mounting member  644  from rotating relative to the mounting seat  624 . 
       FIG. 13A  shows a reticle pod  700  (with the upper cover removed) and a reticle  10  according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 13B  shows a lower-cover support mechanism  740  and a lower-cover securing seat (a hole) of a lower cover  720 .  FIG. 13C  is a cross-sectional view of one lower-cover support mechanism  740  along line EE illustrated in  FIG. 13A . Each lower-cover support mechanism  740  comprises a supporting portion  742  extending upward for supporting the reticle  10 , and a securing portion  744  opposite the supporting portion  742  and facing the lower cover  720 . The securing portion  744  is detachably connected with a corresponding lower-cover securing seat  724 , so that the lower-cover support mechanism  740  can be selectively installed on the lower cover  720 . The securing portion  744  basically comprises a cylinder portion and two wing portions extending from the surface of the cylinder portion. As shown in  FIG. 13B , the lower-cover securing seat  724  has an opening  725  having a shape that mates with the shape of the securing portion  744 , thereby allowing the securing portion  744  of the lower-cover support mechanism  740  to enter or leave through the opening  725 . Similar to the structure depicted in  FIG. 9 , the opening  725  is also configured to include a first passage that allows the securing portion  744  to enter or leave, and a second passage that allows the securing portion  744  to rotate relative to the opening  725 . The process of mounting the lower-cover support mechanism  740  to the lower-cover securing seat  724  of the lower cover  720  is described as follows. 
       FIGS. 14A to 14C  show the process of installing the lower-cover support mechanism  740  on the lower cover  720 . First, as  FIG. 14A  shows, the lower-cover support mechanism  740  is inserted into the opening  725  in the orientation as illustrated in  FIG. 13B . Next, as  FIG. 14B  shows, the lower-cover support mechanism  740  is rotated in a direction R 3 . Finally, the lower-cover support mechanism  740  maintains in the orientation as shown in  FIG. 14C  and cannot be pulled up. 
       FIGS. 14D to 14F  show the process of installing the lower-cover support mechanism  740  on the lower cover  720  in cross-sectional views.  FIG. 14D  shows that the lower-cover support mechanism  740 , which is in a first orientation, can be aligned with the opening  725 ;  FIG. 14E  shows the lower-cover support mechanism  740  after it is inserted into the opening  725 .  FIG. 14F  shows that the lower-cover support mechanism  740  is in a second orientation after being rotated, and a stopper (not shown) at the opening  725  contacts and restricts the wing portions of the lower-cover support mechanism  740 , so that the lower-cover support mechanism  740  cannot be pulled up. 
       FIG. 15A  is a front view showing a reticle pod  800  (with the upper cover removed) and a reticle  10 .  FIG. 15B  is a cross-sectional view showing the reticle  10  and one lower-cover support mechanism  840 .  FIG. 15C  is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the lower-cover support mechanism  840  and the reticle  10 .  FIG. 15D  shows an embodiment of the supporting portion  842  of the lower-cover support mechanism  840 . The securing portion of the lower-cover support mechanism  840  can be in any form as described in the previous embodiments. 
     Please see  FIG. 15D . The lower-cover support mechanism  840  has a first wall  841  and a second wall  842  extending upward from its bottom. The top ends (i.e., the supporting portion) of the first wall  841  and the second wall  842  are provided with a first inclined surface  841   a  and a second inclined surface  842   a , respectively; the two inclined surfaces are inclined downward from the top ends toward the intersection of the first wall  841  and the second wall  842 . When the reticle  10  is placed on the lower-cover support mechanisms  840 , the lower edge of the reticle  10  will contact the first inclined surface  841   a  and the second inclined surface  842   a  of each lower-cover support mechanisms  840 . This design allows the reticle  10  to be placed correctly after gradually sliding down along the first inclined surfaces  841   a  and the second inclined surfaces  842   a . Furthermore, a dust collecting mechanism, which is defined by one or more third inclined surfaces  843 , is provided at the intersection of the first inclined surface  841   a  and the second inclined surface  842   a . In the illustrated embodiment, there are two third inclined surfaces  843 . As shown in  FIGS. 15B to 15D , the two third inclined surfaces  843  are inclined toward the same direction (for example, toward a direction away from the reticle), so that dust or fine particles generated by the friction between the lower edge of the reticle  10  and the first and second inclined surfaces  841   a ,  842   a  can fall on the third inclined surfaces  843  and then slide down to the lower cover in a direction away from the reticle  10  to avoid contamination of the bottom surface of the reticle  10 . 
     The function of a lower-cover support mechanism according to the present invention is not limited to supporting a reticle.  FIG. 16A  shows a reticle pod  900  (with the upper cover removed) and a reticle carrier  901  according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure, and  FIG. 16B  is a front view depicting the same embodiment.  FIG. 16C  is a perspective view showing a lower-cover support mechanism  940  according to the embodiment.  FIG. 16D  shows a lower cover and a lower-cover support mechanism  940  mounted thereon.  FIG. 16E  is a cross-sectional view showing the lower-cover support mechanism  940  along line FF as illustrated in  FIG. 16A . 
     As shown in  FIG. 16C , the lower-cover support mechanism  940  has a lateral extension portion  941 , a first inclined arm  942   a , and a second inclined arm  942   b . The lateral extension portion  941  may function similarly as the securing portion described in the previous embodiments and can be connected with the lower cover  920 ; for example, the embodiment shown in  FIG. 16E  can be compared to the one shown in  FIG. 12C . The first inclined arm  942   a  and the second inclined arm  942   b  each extend from the lateral extending portion  941 . To be specific, each of the first inclined arm  942   a  and the second inclined arm  942   b  is composed of a flat extension part and an inclined extension part in this embodiment.  FIG. 16D  shows one lower-cover support mechanism  940  installed on the lower cover. As shown in  FIG. 16D , the lateral extension portion  941  slightly extends toward the direction of the reticle carrier  901 ; meanwhile, the first inclined arm  942   a  and the second inclined arm  942   b  extend toward the periphery of the lower cover  920 , and in particular, toward different edges of the lower cover  920 . As shown in  FIG. 16E , the first inclined arm  942   a  and the second inclined arm  942   b  allow the reticle carrier  901  to gradually slide down to be placed appropriately, avoiding a severe tilt of the reticle carrier  901 . 
     In prior art, a slope, sphere or cylinder of a support mechanism supporting the reticle may have its abutting surface (which abuts against the reticle) worn down due to recurrent collisions. Such collisions may further wear down the support mechanism and result in unwanted particles. And when the wear is severe, the only solution is to replace the reticle pod or disassemble the reticle pod in a destructive way, which would be a waste of resources. As described in the various embodiments given above, the present invention provides a quick-release support mechanism, which can also provide a buffer when a reticle is being placed. When a support mechanism according to the present invention is worn down, it can be quickly replaced to reduce the generation of particles. In this way, there is no need to replace a whole reticle pod; thus, manufacturing costs and the waste of resources can both be reduced. 
     Although one or more embodiments have been provided to describe the present invention, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein. For example, the structural form of a support mechanism according to the present invention is not limited to those disclosed in the embodiments. Also, the upper cover and the lower cover may be designed to have the same configurations; or alternatively, the upper-cover support mechanism and the lower-cover support mechanism may be designed to have different configurations. All modifications and similar arrangements without departing from the spirit of scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims should be interpreted in the broadest sense as covered by the present invention. The disclosure of the present invention also includes all the embodiments described in the following appended claims.