Patent ID: 6506009
Filing Date: 2003-01-14
Classification: H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
An apparatus for storing cassettes, comprising:two or more vertically disposed docking stations, each docking station including structure adapted to support a cassette; a first plurality of cassette storage shelves arranged in a vertical column positioned vertically relative to the docking stations; a second plurality of cassette storage shelves arranged in a vertical column and separated by a vertical channel from the first plurality of cassette storage shelves, the vertical channel being sized to permit movement of a cassette therethrough in a vertical direction; structure adapted to support the first and second pluralities of cassette storage shelves; a loading platform positioned vertically below the vertical channel; a cassette mover having a support member positioned adjacent the shelves and movable in a path generally parallel to the shelves to carry a cassette between the shelves and the two or more docking stations, the cassette mover including a mechanism adapted to impart movement to the cassette mover; and an end effector movably connected to the support member and configured to engage a cassette by moving in at least one of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction.