Workpiece support structures and apparatus for accessing same

Abstract

The present invention comprises a workpiece container for storing at least one workpiece having a bottom surface and a peripheral edge. In one embodiment, a workpiece support structure is located within the container enclosure, which forms multiple vertically stacked storage shelves within the enclosure. Each storage shelf includes, in one embodiment, a first tine and a second tine for supporting the workpiece in a substantially horizontal orientation. The bottom surface and peripheral edge of a workpiece seated on a storage shelf extends beyond the outer edge of both the first tine and the second tine. An end effector according to the present invention may engage these extended portions or “grip zones” of the workpiece.

1 . A workpiece container for storing at least one workpiece having a bottom surface and a peripheral edge, comprising: 
 an enclosure defined by a container shell and a container door;    a workpiece support structure located within said enclosure, said workpiece support structure forming a plurality of vertically stacked storage shelves within said enclosure, each vertically stacked storage shelf for supporting a workpiece in a substantially horizontal orientation and comprising: 
 a base member;  
 a first tine having an outer edge facing said container shell; and  
 a second tine having an outer edge facing said container shell;  
   wherein, when a workpiece is seated on one of said plurality of vertically stacked storage shelves, a portion of the workpiece's peripheral edge extends beyond said outer edges of said first and second tines.    
     
     
         2 . The workpiece container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said workpiece support structure is molded as part of said container door.  
     
     
         3 . The workpiece container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said workpiece support structure is molded as part of said container shell.  
     
     
         4 . The workpiece container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said workpiece support structure is affixed to said container shell.  
     
     
         5 . The workpiece container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said workpiece support structure is affixed to said container door.  
     
     
         6 . The workpiece container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second tines extend horizontally from said base member.  
     
     
         7 . The workpiece container as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said first and second tines each include a proximal end affixed to said base member.  
     
     
         8 . The workpiece container as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said first and second tines each have a proximal end molded with said base member.  
     
     
         9 . The workpiece container as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said base member comprises a single structure.  
     
     
         10 . The workpiece container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said base member comprises: 
 a first base member; and    a second base member.    
     
     
         11 . The workpiece container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each said vertically stacked storage shelf includes at least two support pads for supporting a workpiece.  
     
     
         12 . The workpiece container as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said first tine extends horizontally from said first base member and said second tine extends horizontally from said second base member.  
     
     
         13 . The workpiece container as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said first and second base members are molded into said container shell.  
     
     
         14 . The workpiece container as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said first and second base members are molded into said container door.  
     
     
         15 . A workpiece container for storing at least one workpiece having a bottom surface and a peripheral edge, comprising: 
 an enclosure defined by a container shell;    a workpiece support structure located within said enclosure, said workpiece support structure forming a plurality of vertically stacked storage shelves within said enclosure, each one of said plurality of vertically stacked storage shelves for supporting a workpiece and comprising: 
 a base member;  
 a first tine having an outer edge facing said container shell; and  
 a second tine having an outer edge facing said container shell;  
   wherein, when a workpiece is seated on one of said plurality of vertically stacked storage shelves, a portion of the workpiece's peripheral edge extends beyond said outer edges of said first and second tines.    
     
     
         16 . The workpiece container as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said base member is molded as part of said container shell.  
     
     
         17 . The workpiece container as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said base member is affixed to said container shell.  
     
     
         18 . The workpiece container as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said first tine includes a distal end having a support pad.  
     
     
         19 . The workpiece container as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said second tine includes a distal end having a support pad.  
     
     
         20 . The workpiece container as recited in  claim 15 , wherein each one of said plurality of storage shelves includes at least two support pads.  
     
     
         21 . The workpiece container as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said first tine and said second tine extend horizontally from said base member.  
     
     
         22 . The workpiece container as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said base member comprises a first base member and a second base member, and said first tine extends horizontally from said first base member and said second tine extends horizontally from said second base member.  
     
     
         23 . A workpiece container for storing at least one workpiece having a bottom surface and a peripheral edge, comprising: 
 an enclosure defined by a container shell having a top interior surface, a rear interior surface, a first side interior surface, a second side interior surface and a bottom interior surface;    a workpiece support structure located within said enclosure, said workpiece support structure forming a plurality of vertically stacked storage shelves within said enclosure, each one of said plurality of vertically stacked storage shelves for supporting a workpiece and comprising: 
 a first tine having an edge facing said first interior surface of said container shell; and  
 a second tine having an edge facing said second interior surface of said container shell;  
   wherein, when a workpiece is seated on one of said plurality of vertically stacked storage shelves, a portion of the workpiece's peripheral edge extends beyond said edge of said first tine facing said first interior surface and said edge of said second tine facing said second interior  1   0  surface.    
     
     
         24 . The workpiece container as recited in  claim 23 , wherein said first and second tines include a proximal end molded into said rear interior surface of said container shell.  
     
     
         25 . The workpiece container as recited in  claim 23 , wherein said first and second tines include a proximal end affixed to said rear interior surface of said container shell.  
     
     
         26 . The workpiece container as recited in  claim 23 , wherein said first tine includes a proximal end molded into said first interior surface of said container shell and said second tine includes a proximal end molded into said second interior surface of said container shell.  
     
     
         27 . The workpiece container as recited in  claim 23 , wherein said first tine includes a proximal end affixed to said first interior surface of said container shell and said second tine includes a proximal end affixed to said second interior surface of said container shell.