Substrate storage pod and lid opening/closing system for the same

A substrate storage pod comprising:

• a pod case having an opening with a seat portion provided around a periphery thereof and an inner space with a processing substrate housed therein;
• and
• a lid which is insertable into the opening so that a back surface of said lid is pushed onto the seat portion of said pod case so as to close and seal the opening;
• wherein
• the pod case includes at least one latch mechanism movable in a moving direction that is angled in a direction corresponding to an inserting direction in which the lid is inserted in the opening, and the latch mechanism including at least one arm portion projecting in a direction different from the moving direction of the at least one latch mechanism and at least one engaging portion attached to a leading end of the at least one arm portion,
• the lid comprises at least one engagement portion on at least one side surface of the lid, the at least one engagement portion including a first groove having a first inclined inner wall and a second groove extending from a side of the back surface of the lid and communicating with the first groove at a communicating portion substantially opposite to the side of the back surface, wherein a distance between the surface of the first inclined inner wall of the first groove and the back surface of the lid increases according to an increase in distance from the communicating portion,
• when the lid is inserted into the opening, the at least one engaging portion of the at least one latch mechanism first enters in the second groove and moves toward the communicating portion, and
• when the at least one latch mechanism is moved in the moving direction after the lid is inserted into the opening, the at least one engaging portion of the at least one latch mechanism moves into the first groove to an end side to press the first inclined inner wall toward the seat portion so that the lid is pressed against and firmly fixed to the seat portion.