Patent ID: 8851820
Filing Date: 2014-10-07
Classification: H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A storage system, comprising: a storage system assembly positioned at a height that is greater than a height of a tool used for handling substrates to be processed, the storage system assembly configured to locally store one or more containers of substrates before or after being processed by the tool, the storage system assembly including, (a) a frame; (b) a base plate coupled to the frame, the base plate includes a drive pulley, an idler pulley, a belt, a track coupled to the base plate, and a motor, the base plate is oriented to define a horizontal plane; (c) a plurality of storage shelves, each of the plurality of storage shelves have shelf plates with a plurality of shelf features for supporting a container, and each of the plurality of storage shelves being coupled to the belt to enable movement and being coupled to the track to enable guiding to one or more positions; wherein the motor is coupled to the drive pulley for moving the belt, such that each of the plurality of storage shelves move together along the track to the one or more positions, the track having at least some sections that are linear and some sections that are nonlinear and the sections are arranged in a loop over the base plate; wherein the frame of the storage system assembly is coupled to and is positioned above a frame assembly of the tool; and (d) an active port assembly connected to the frame of the storage system assembly, the active port assembly having a port plate, the port plate having a plurality of port features, the port plate positioned at one of the positions along the track, the active port assembly further including, wherein the down position places the port plate under one of the shelf plates; wherein the up position places the port plate above one of the shelf plates.