Load port apparatus and method of mounting container

A load port apparatus comprising:

• a mount member configured to mount a container for containing a substrate;
• a purge nozzle configured to introduce a cleaning gas into the container mounted on the mount member via a purge port in a bottom of the container;
• a plurality of pins configured to support the container from below by each of the plurality of pins contacting a pin contact part at a predetermined position of the bottom of the container;
• and
• a pin moving mechanism configured to move and hold the plurality of pins in set positions;
• wherein
• the each of the plurality of pins (1) is vertically movable by the pin moving mechanism relative to the mount member between a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position of the set positions and (2) includes an upper tip,
• the upper tip of the each of the plurality of pins (1) is located lower when the each of the plurality of pins is in the second position than when the each of the plurality of pins is in the first position and (2) contacts a surface of the pin contact part facing a top surface of the mount member,
• the plurality of pins is configured such that, when the plurality of pins is in the first predetermined position and the container is mounted on the plurality pins, the plurality of pins supports and holds the container such that the container is in a set container position relative to the mount member in which
• the purge port is spaced from the purge nozzle,
• when the plurality of pins supports the container with the each of the plurality of pins in the second predetermined position, the purge port is in contact with the purge nozzle,
• the mount member has a stopper configured to stop a downward movement of the each of the plurality of pins at the second predetermined position, and
• the pin moving mechanism is a pin driver configured to move the plurality of pins between the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position.