Patent ID: 6082948
Filing Date: 2000-07-04
Classification: H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
An apparatus for transporting an object from a first environment into a second environment without contamination by ambient air, the system comprising:(a) a first housing having the first environment therein, the first housing having a moveable wall for supporting the object and for closing the first housing;(b) a second housing having the second environment therein, the second housing having a moveable wall for closing the second housing;(c) a locator for locating the first housing relative to the second housing with the moveable wall of the first housing in proximate contact with the moveable wall of the second housing, an interface volume extending between the two moveable walls;(d) a passage in fluid communication with the interface volume to remove contaminants from said interface volume, the passage and said interface volume being isolated from the first and second chambers when the chambers are closed by their respective moveable walls; and(e) an elevator for moving the moveable wall of the second housing and the moveable wall of the first housing into the second housing.