Patent ID: 7578650
Filing Date: 2009-08-25
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for reducing the load on an automated material handling system during processing of materials, comprising: a materials processing tool having a front end with one or more load ports and one or more storage locations adapted to receive a materials pod from the automated material handling system, wherein each of the one or more storage locations is level with a corresponding one of the one or more load ports, and wherein each of the one or more storage locations is arranged in line abreast with a corresponding one of the one or more load ports; and at least one movable buffer attached to the front end, wherein the buffer comprises a translating mechanism, wherein the buffer is configured to move a materials pod from one of the one or more of the storage locations to a corresponding one of the one or more load ports by direct translation parallel to the front end, and/or wherein the buffer is configured to receive a pod from the one of the one or more load ports and move the pod to the corresponding one of the one or more of the storage locations by direct translation parallel to the front end, wherein the buffer is configured to support a pod on the buffer from below and allow access to the pod by the material handling system during translation, and wherein each of the one or more storage locations at the front end is configured to support a pod from below and wherein each of the one or more storage locations is configured such that a pod at any of the one or more storage locations is accessible by the material handling system without having to move the pod with the buffer.