Patent ID: 8967935
Filing Date: 2015-03-03
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A substrate loader adapted to load and unload a substrate to and from a moveable holder, the substrate, when captured by the moveable holder, being contacted on a first side by the moveable holder and by a seal on a second side opposite the first side, the substrate loader comprising: a base; a holder support frame coupled to the base, the holder support frame adapted to repeatably position the moveable holder relative to a predetermined datum; and a substrate transport coupled to the base and having a substrate chuck and adapted to move and transport the substrate relative to the holder; wherein the substrate transport is deterministically positioned relative to the predetermined datum and is adapted to move the substrate from a first position, with the substrate captured by the moveable holder, to a second position with the substrate disengaged from the holder and the seal, the substrate transport movement of the substrate from the first position to the second position effecting disengagement from the holder and the seal substantially without contacting the substrate; and wherein the seal is coupled to the holder in the first position and the seal is engaged with the substrate in the first position, and wherein the seal is disengaged from the holder and held by the substrate transport in the second position, such that in the second position both the substrate and the seal are held by the substrate transport with the seal disengaged from the substrate.