Method and apparatus for transporting articles

Abstract

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment, a method and apparatus for transporting articles includes a container, which has at least one support member and at least one stabilizing member. The stabilizing elements are adapted to engage the articles and secure the articles to the support members, and disengage the articles during unloading.

1 . An apparatus for transporting articles, comprising: 
 a container;    at least one stabilizing member; and    at least one support member, wherein the at least one stabilizing member is adapted to cooperatively engage at least one of the articles and secure the at least one article to at least one support member, and to disengage the at least one article during unloading.    
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one stabilizing element is adapted to receive a fluid.  
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one clamping mechanism that moves the stabilizing elements relative to the support members.  
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one stabilizing member and the at least one support member are disposed in the container.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the container is adapted to collapse.  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the fluid is as gas, and the at least one stabilizing element is inflated during the cooperative engaging of the article, and deflated during the disengaging of the article.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the container has an interior bottom surface that is substantially frictionless.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 3 , wherein each of the at least one stabilizing elements has at least one cushioning surface that contacts a portion of a respective one of the articles.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the at least one clamping mechanism is a rack and pinion mechanism.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 3 , wherein each of the at least one clamping mechanisms is spring loaded.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the at least one support members is stationary relative to the container.  
     
     
         12 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the at least one support members is adapted to move relative to the container.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the at least one support members is adapted to be removed from the container.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the support members are integral with the container.  
     
     
         15 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the container is a cassette that is loaded on a structure for transportation.  
     
     
         16 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the container includes a device for locomotion.  
     
     
         17 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the articles is a glass substrate.  
     
     
         18 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the stabilizing members is adapted to be removed.  
     
     
         19 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the stabilizing members are adjustable.  
     
     
         20 . A method of transporting articles, the method comprising: 
 providing a container having at least one support member and at least one stabilizing member;    engaging each of the articles with one or more of the at least one stabilizing members and securing each of the articles to one or more of the at least one of the support members.    
     
     
         21 . A method as recited in  claim 20 , the method further comprising disengaging the articles during unloading of the articles in the container.  
     
     
         22 . A method as recited in  claim 20 , wherein each of the at least one stabilizing members provide a cushion to the articles during transportation.  
     
     
         23 . A method as recited in  claim 20 , wherein each of the at least one the stabilizing members is adapted to receive a fluid.  
     
     
         24 . A method as recited in  claim 20 , further comprising at least one clamping mechanism that moves the at least one stabilizing element relative to a respective one of the at least one support members.  
     
     
         25 . A method as recited in  claim 20 , wherein the at least one stabilizing member and the at least one support member are disposed in the container.  
     
     
         26 . A method as recited in  claim 20 , wherein the container is adapted to collapse.  
     
     
         27 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the fluid is as gas, and the at least one stabilizing element is inflated during the cooperative engaging of the article, and deflated during the disengaging of the article.  
     
     
         28 . A method as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the container has an interior bottom surface that is substantially frictionless.  
     
     
         29 . A method as recited in  claim 22 , wherein each of the at least one stabilizing elements has at least one cushioning surface that contact a portion a respective one of the articles.  
     
     
         30 . A method as recited in  claim 22 , wherein each of the at least one clamping mechanisms are rack and pinion mechanisms.  
     
     
         31 . A method as recited in  claim 22 , wherein each of the at least one clamping mechanisms is spring loaded.  
     
     
         32 . A method as recited in  claim 20 , wherein at least one of the at least one support members is stationary relative to the container.  
     
     
         33 . A method as recited in  claim 20 , wherein at least one of the at least one support embers is adapted to move relative to the container.  
     
     
         34 . A method as recited in  claim 20 , wherein at least one of the at least one support members is adapted to be removed from the container.  
     
     
         35 . A method as recited in  claim 20 , wherein at least one of the support members are integral with the container.  
     
     
         36 . A method as recited in  claim 20 , wherein the container is a cassette that is loaded on a structure for transportation.  
     
     
         37 . A method as recited in  claim 20 , wherein at least one of the articles is a glass substrate.  
     
     
         38 . A method as recited in  claim 20 , wherein at least one of the stabilizing members is adapted to be removed.  
     
     
         39 . A method as recited in  claim 20 , wherein one or more of the stabilizing members are adjustable.