Carrier apparatus and method for shaped sheet materials

A carrier apparatus for holding a shaped sheet material, the apparatus comprising:

• a first C-like frame member including two first arm sections each with a first length from a first base to a first end integrally extended from a first middle section, the two first arm sections each including two side-ridges with substantially first half of the first length from the first end, a middle slot formed between the two side ridges, and a middle hole extended further from the middle slot with a same lateral dimension and substantially second half of the first length;
• a second C-like frame member including two second arm sections each with a second length from a second base to a second end integrally extended from a second middle section, the two second arm sections each including a middle rod with substantially first half of the second length from the second end and two side slots further extended substantially second half the second length, the second length being substantially equal to the first length, the middle rod being configured to slidingly mate with the middle slot and further with the middle hole till a close position as the two side slots fully engage with the two side-ridges;
• a first trench formed through a first inner side of the first C-like frame member with a predetermined depth, the first trench being offset the middle hole and two side ridges;
• and
• a second trench formed through a second inner side of the second C-like frame member with substantially the same predetermined depth, the second trench and the first trench being connected at the close position.

A carrier cassette for a plurality of carrier apparatus, the carrier cassette comprising:

• a length of a bulk structure with a U-like cross section including a bottom surface and an inner surface, the inner surface including a plurality of slots disposed perpendicular to the length of the bulk structure with a predetermined spacing between each other, each of the plurality of slots being configured to be inserted with a carrier apparatus, the carrier apparatus comprising:
• a first frame structure having a first front surface including a first outer peripheral region and a first inner peripheral region separated by a first step, the first inner peripheral region being characterized by a width of a ledge extended circumferentially from the first step and one or more athwart dimensions from the first step at one side of the first inner peripheral region to the first step at an opposing side of the first inner peripheral region in one or more diagonal orientations;
• a second frame structure having a second front surface including a second outer peripheral region and a second inner peripheral region separated by a second step, the second front surface being configured to engage with the first front surface at a close position so that the second outer peripheral region is at least partially in contact with the first outer peripheral region and the second step circumferentially mates the first step with the second inner peripheral region opposing to the first inner peripheral region by a gap;
• one or more locking mechanisms to secure the second frame structure engaged with the first frame structure;
• and
• a shaped wing structure integrally extended from outer peripheral edge of the first frame structure;
• one or more holes disposed at the bottom portion of each of the plurality of slots penetrating through the bottom surface.

A method for handling a shaped sheet material, the method comprising:

• providing a shaped sheet material characterized by one or more lateral dimensions and a thickness;
• providing a carrier apparatus adapted to the shaped sheet material based on at least information of the one or more lateral dimensions and the thickness, the carrier apparatus comprising:
• a first frame structure having a first front surface including a first outer peripheral region and a first inner peripheral region separated by a first step, the first inner peripheral region being characterized by a width of a ledge extended circumferentially from the first step and one or more athwart dimensions from the first step at one side of the first inner peripheral region to the first step at an opposing side of the first inner peripheral region in one or more diagonal orientations;
• p2 a second frame structure having a second front surface including a second outer peripheral region and a second inner peripheral region separated by a second step, the second front surface being configured to engage with the first front surface at a close position so that the second outer peripheral region is at least partially in contact with the first outer peripheral region and the second step circumferentially mates the first step with the second inner peripheral region opposing to the first inner peripheral region by a gap;
• one or more locking mechanisms to withhold the second frame structure engaged with the first frame structure;
• and
• a shaped wing structure integrally extended from outer peripheral edge of the first frame structure;
• exposing the first front surface;
• loading the shaped sheet material onto the first inner peripheral region;
• disposing the second frame structure to mate the first frame structure so that the second front surface engages with the first front surface at the close position of the carrier apparatus;
• securing the engaged first frame structure and the second frame structure;
• and
• transferring the carrier apparatus to process the shaped sheet material held therein.