Wafer container with external passive getter module

1. A substrate container assembly, comprising:

a container, the container defining an exterior and defining an interior having a substrate storage area adapted to support one or more substrates, the container also defining an opening in the container between the exterior and the interior; the container having a door and a latching mechanism to sealingly secure the door closed, the door being openable for access to the substrate storage area, the door defining an interior side facing the interior of the container; and

a getter module mounted to the container, the getter module comprising:

a substantially rigid housing with an access opening;

a getter material disposed within the substantially rigid housing, the getter material arranged to passively decrease concentration of contaminants within the substrate storage area of the container via the access opening and the opening in the container, free of any active purge flow through the getter module; and

a filter positioned at the access opening, the filter including a filter housing containing a filter material, the housing defining windows therein.

2. The substrate container assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a connection structure, the connection structure adapted to removably and sealingly secure the getter module with respect to the exterior of the container and to connect the access opening in the getter module housing to the opening in the container, whereby the getter material is positioned exterior the container and is communicable outside the module housing with the interior of the container.

3. The container assembly of claim 1 , wherein the getter module comprises a base, getter material supported by the base, a cover to close the base, and a seal disposed between the cover and the base.

4. The container assembly of claim 1 , wherein the getter material is disposed in or formed as a readily removable and replaceable getter cartridge.

5. The container assembly of claim 1 , wherein the getter module comprises a slidable tray, the slidable tray being adapted to slide into and out of the housing for access to and replacement of the getter material.

6. The container assembly of claim 1 , wherein the getter material comprises any one of a desiccant, a physiosoptive media, a chemisorptive media, a particulate filter media, and combinations thereof.

7. The container assembly of claim 2 , wherein the container exterior is substantially curved and the getter module is substantially flat, the opening in the container being substantially tapered in cross section to sealingly accommodate the connection structure of the container.

8. A getter cartridge, comprising:

a substantially rigid housing defining at least one access opening;

a getter material supported within the housing;

a filter disposed in the substantially rigid housing and positioned at the at least one passageway, the filter including a filter housing containing a filter material, the housing defining windows therein; and

a connection structure adapted to secure the getter cartridge to the exterior surface of a back wall of a substrate container, such that getter material supported within the housing and the filter is exposed to an interior of the substrate container.

9. The getter cartridge of claim 8 , wherein the connection structure defines the at least one passageway and is adapted for sealing to an opening in the substrate container to provide fluid communication between the interior of the substrate container and the getter material in the cartridge.

10. The getter cartridge of claim 8 , wherein the connection structure further comprises a mounting tab adapted for securement to the structure on the exterior of the front opening wafer container.