Container for the storage and transport of sensitive plate-like objects

Abstract

The invention relates to a container for receiving and transporting sensitive plate-like objects, in particular for transporting surface-modified glass substrates. The container comprises an upper part and a lower part. The lower part comprises two lateral sides, two longitudinal sides and a bottom which commonly circumscribe a hollow space for receiving plate-like objects. At each of the lateral sides a series of first ridges is arranged perpendicularly to the bottom, forming a plurality of guide grooves for the plate-like objects. The upper part comprises an inner surface which is parallel to the bottom when the container is closed. At the inner surface at least one second protruding ridge is arranged extending in parallel to both lateral sides along the total inner surface, thus limiting the mobility of the plate-like objects within the guide grooves.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A container for storage and transport of sensitive plate-like objects, comprising: 
 an upper part comprising two lateral walls, two longitudinal walls and a top face having an inner surface;    a lower part connected with the upper part, said lower part comprising two lateral walls, two longitudinal walls and a bottom which commonly enclose a cavity for receiving plate-like objects therein, said inner surface of said upper part and said bottom being parallel to each other when said container is closed;    a hinge pivotably connecting said upper part and said lower part, said hinge comprising at least a first hook-shaped part provided on one of said upper and lower parts and further comprising at least a second pin-shaped part provided on another one of said upper and lower parts, said first hook-shaped part and said second pin-shaped part commonly defining a plug-in hinge;    one series of first ridges extending perpendicularly to the bottom along an inner side of a first one of said lateral walls, another series of first ridges extending perpendicularly to the bottom face along an inner side of a second one of said lateral walls opposite said one series of first ridges, the two series of first ridges defining a plurality of guide grooves there between for receiving plate-like objects therein;    at least one second ridge protruding from an inner surface of said upper part extending in parallel to said two lateral walls of said upper part and ending at said longitudinal walls of said upper part, thus limiting any movability of plate-like objects received within said guide grooves;    at least one pair of second ridges extending along said inner surface of said upper part in parallel to said lateral walls;    a first damping strip received in press fit between said pair of said second ridges; and    a damping element located at the bottom of the lower part, said damping element configured H-shaped and being positioned by resting against said lateral sides and against said longitudinal sides of said lower part.    
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said damping strips and said damping elements comprises the material polytetrafluoroethylene.  
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said upper part and said lower part can be detached from each other by separating said first hook-shaped part from said second pin-shaped part.  
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said upper part and said lower part are made of a homopolymeric plastic.  
     
     
         5 . A container for storage and transport of sensitive plate-like objects, comprising: 
 an upper part comprising two lateral walls, two longitudinal walls and a top face having an inner surface;    a lower part connected pivotably with the upper part, said lower part comprising two lateral walls, two longitudinal walls and a bottom which commonly enclose a cavity for receiving plate-like objects therein, said inner surface of said upper part and said bottom being parallel to each other when said container is closed;    one series of first ridges extending perpendicularly to the bottom along an inner side of a first one of said lateral walls, another series of first ridges extending perpendicularly to the bottom face along an inner side of a second one of said lateral walls opposite said one series of first ridges, the two series of first ridges defining a plurality of guide grooves there between for receiving plate-like objects therein;    at least one second ridge protruding from an inner surface of said upper part extending in parallel to said two lateral walls of said upper part and ending at said longitudinal walls of said upper part, thus limiting any movability of plate-like objects received within said guide grooves; and    a damping element located at the bottom of the lower part and being positioned by resting against said lateral sides and against said longitudinal sides of said lower part.    
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein said damping element comprises two second damping strips extending along said lateral sides of said lower part and having ends being enclosed by said longitudinal sides, and further comprises one linking strip connecting said two second damping strips.  
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein the damping element is configured H-shaped.  
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein said damping element comprises the material polytetrafluoroethylene.  
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein said upper part and said lower part are connected by a hinge.  
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein said hinge comprises at least two parts, one of which being attached to one of said upper and lower parts, another one of which being attached to another one of said upper and lower parts, said two parts being detachable from each other.  
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein said hinge comprises at least a first hook-shaped part provided on one of said upper and lower parts and further comprising at least a second pin-shaped part provided on another one of said upper and lower parts, said first hook-shaped part and said second pin-shaped part commonly defining a plug-in hinge.  
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein said hook-shaped first part is designed so as to allow detaching from the pin-shaped second part by translational motion when pivoted with respect to each by a pivot angle of more than 135°.  
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one hook-shaped first part tapers conically toward an end section thereof.  
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 5 , further comprising a locking mechanism having a closure lug configured for positively engaging around a locking protrusion being arranged at a first container outer side.  
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein said lower part is configured so as to allow receiving the upper part in a position in which the closure lug rests against the second container outer side.  
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein said upper part and said lower part are made of a homopolymeric plastic.  
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 5 , further comprising at least one pair of second ridges extending along said inner surface of said upper part in parallel to said lateral walls, and further comprising a first damping strip received in press fit between said pair of said second ridges.  
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of said first damping strips comprises the material polytetrafluoroethylene.  
     
     
         19 . A container for storage and transport of sensitive plate-like objects, comprising: 
 an upper part comprising two lateral walls, two longitudinal walls and a top face having an inner surface;    a lower part connected pivotably with the upper part, said lower part comprising two lateral walls, two longitudinal walls and a bottom which commonly enclose a cavity for receiving plate-like objects therein, said inner surface of said upper part and said bottom being parallel to each other when said container is closed;    one series of first ridges extending perpendicularly to the bottom along an inner side of a first one of said lateral walls, another series of first ridges extending perpendicularly to the bottom face along an inner side of a second one of said lateral walls opposite said one series of first ridges, the two series of first ridges defining a plurality of guide grooves there between for receiving plate-like objects therein;    at least one second ridge protruding from an inner surface of said upper part extending in parallel to said two lateral walls of said upper part and ending at said longitudinal walls of said upper part, thus limiting any movability of plate-like objects received within said guide grooves;    at least one pair of second ridges extending along said inner surface of said upper part in parallel to said lateral walls; and    a first damping strip received in press fit between said pair of said second ridges.    
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 19 , wherein at least one of said damping strips comprises the material polytetrafluoroethylene.  
     
     
         21 . The container of  claim 19 , wherein said upper part and said lower part are connected by a hinge.  
     
     
         22 . The container of  claim 21 , wherein said hinge comprises at least two parts, one of which being attached to one of said upper and lower parts, another one of which being attached to another one of said upper and lower parts, said two parts allowing detachment from each other for detaching said upper and lower parts.  
     
     
         23 . The container of  claim 21 , wherein said hinge comprises at least a first hook-shaped part provided on one of said upper and lower parts and further comprising at least a second pin-shaped part provided on another one of said upper and lower parts, said first hook-shaped part and said second pin-shaped part commonly defining a plug-in hinge.  
     
     
         24 . The container of  claim 23 , wherein said hook-shaped first part is designed so as to allow detaching from the pin-shaped second part by translational motion when pivoted with respect to each by a pivot angle of more than 135°.  
     
     
         25 . The container of  claim 23 , wherein said at least one hook-shaped first part tapers conically toward an end section therof.  
     
     
         26 . The container of  claim 19 , further comprising a locking mechanism having a closure lug configured for positively engaging around a locking protrusion being arranged at a first container outer side.  
     
     
         27 . The container of  claim 26 , wherein said lower part is configured so as to allow receiving the upper part in a position in which the closure lug rests against the second container outer side.  
     
     
         28 . The container of  claim 19 , wherein said upper part and said lower part are made of a homopolymeric plastic.  
     
     
         29 . A container for storage and transport of sensitive plate-like objects, comprising: 
 an upper part comprising two lateral walls, two longitudinal walls and a top face having an inner surface;    a lower part connected pivotably with the upper part, said lower part comprising two lateral walls, two longitudinal walls and a bottom which commonly enclose a cavity for receiving plate-like objects therein, said inner surface of said upper part and said bottom being parallel to each other when said container is closed;    one series of first ridges extending perpendicularly to the bottom along an inner side of a first one of said lateral walls, another series of first ridges extending perpendicularly to the bottom face along an inner side of a second one of said lateral walls opposite said one series of first ridges, the two series of first ridges defining a plurality of guide grooves there between for receiving plate-like objects therein;    at least one second ridge protruding from an inner surface of said upper part extending in parallel to said two lateral walls of said upper part and ending at said longitudinal walls of said upper part, thus limiting any movability of plate-like objects received within said guide grooves.