Multi-compartment container for fragile disks

Abstract

Abstract A flexible multi-compartment container is provided for the storage, handling and shipping of fragile disks such as silicon wafers used in the manufacture of integrated circuits. The container comprises a generally tubular hollow bellows section formed of identical longitudinal halves from thin sheets of pliant self-supportable plastic sheet material. Each fold of the bellows section defines an interior annular groove forming a compartment for a disk of corresponding pre-selected or standardized size. Integral with the bellows section are longitudinally flexible end spacers of a diameter greater than the diameter of the bellows section. Each end spacer includes ridges adapted to confront the interior of a rigid outer box for suppotring the bellows section therein. In particular embodiments, the end spacers include an exterior annular ridge and adjacent trough for receiving a rubber band which is used to hold the mating halves together. The annular ridges include an indentation of suitable size to accommodate the insertion of a finger beneath the rubber band in the trough in order to expedite the release of the rubber band and the opening of the container. In addition, each halve of the bellows section includes a longitudinal lip on one side margin and along the opposing side margin an integrally formed resilient longitudinal catch. The catch is formed as a longitudinal fold of an extension of the longitudinal lip. In addition, a longitudinal stiffening backbone is formed along the outer surfaces of the bellows section between the side margins to prevent sag between the end spacers.

Inventors

• 👤 Kenneth V. Merrill

Bibliographic Details