Wafer storage and shipping container

Claim 1

A wafer storage and shipping container comprising: a. a housing having a wafer receiving cavity therein with an opening having inner dimensions larger than the peripheral dimensions of a wafer to be positioned therein; b. said housing having an inner surface at least partially defining the cavity, which surface tapers inwardly from adjacent the opening toward substantially the center of said surface and away from the opening, for engaging a wafer only adjacent at least portions of the edges of said wafer; c. cover means engaged with said housing over the opening of the cavity to substantially close the opening; and d. spring means having a central portion with a plurality of legs radiating outwardly therefrom and having a generally arcuate cross section so that the central portion of said spring means bears against said cover means and said legs bear against the inner surface of said housing adjacent the ends of said legs with the spring means properly positioned in the container, said spring means being constructed of a size, relative to a wafer positioned in said container, for engaging the wafer only adjacent the edges of said wafer.