Patent ID: 7278813
Filing Date: 2007-10-09
Classification: H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A system for processing flat articles or wafers, comprising: a transfer station; a carrier at the transfer station, with the carrier having a first ring, a second ring, and a plurality of bars joined to the first and second rings, and with the side bars having grooves forming wafer holding positions, between the first and second rings; a first retainer arm pivotably attached to the first and second rings; a second retainer arm pivotably attached to the first and second rings; with the first and second retainer arms moveable between opened and closed positions on the carrier, and with the carrier having a wafer opening to allow movement of wafers into and out of the carrier, through the wafer opening, while the wafers are in a horizontal orientation, and generally parallel to the first and second rings; at least one retainer actuator engagable to pivot the retainer arms on the carrier; a process station; one or more process chambers in the process station; and a robot for moving the carrier from the transfer station to the process station.