Carrier for flat panel displays

Abstract

A strong and rigid carrier of substantial size fabricated of melt processible plastic for flat glass panels being processed for use in flat panel displays. The carrier has a pair of light weight but rigid and strong end walls in confronting and spaced relation to each other. Each end wall has a periphery thereabout and central ribs with an inclined panel adjoining the central ribs and traversing the height of the central ribs. Outwardly extending mounting flanges adjoin the periphery with a multiplicity of annular bosses protruding inwardly from the flanges. Large openings are in the end walls to allow machine and fluid processing access to the glass panel within the carrier. The carrier has a front open side and two sidewalls in confronting and spaced relation. The sidewalls each have a multiplicity of elongate sidewall segments each preferably being tubular and oblong in cross section or having portions which extend transversely and obliquely of the peripheries of each end wall. This construction further adds strength and rigidity to the carrier. The sidewall segments have end portions that extend to and are welded to the adjacent annular bosses of the adjacent end wall flanges. The side wall segments also have glass panel supporting and spacing ribs facing inwardly. A back wall is provided having a multiplicity of melt processible plastic tubular rails in spaced relation from each other, each extending between and welded to the adjacent annular bosses of the back wall flanges to confine the glass panels witin the carrier.