System for preventing improper insertion of FOUP door into FOUP

A pod for storing and transporting articles, comprising:

• a pod shell having a door opening;
• a pod door, said pod door having a configuration complementary to the configuration of said door opening such that said pod door engages said door opening in a first orientation and a second orientation;
• and
• a latch mechanism in said pod door, said latch mechanism having latched and unlatched positions and being adapted to move to said latched position only if said pod door is inserted into said pod door opening in said first orientation.

A pod for storing and transporting workpieces, comprising:

• a pod door having an interior side, said interior side having a plurality of workpiece alignment protrusions;
• a pod shell having an opening to receive said pod door in first and second orientations, said opening including latch engagement slots;
• and
• a latch mechanism mounted on said pod door, said latch mechanism engaging said latch engagement slots only if said pod door is inserted into said opening in said pod shell in said first orientation.