Patent ID: 7976261
Filing Date: 2011-07-12
Classification: B65G,H01L

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for transferring and securing a substrate, comprising: a pressure source that is adapted to provide positive and negative pressure; a vacuum chuck having a top side with a plurality of vacuum chuck portals formed therein, each vacuum chuck portal being in fluid communication with the pressure source, wherein the substrate is secured to the top side of the vacuum chuck when the pressure source provides negative pressure to the vacuum chuck portals; an intermediate member that selectively cooperates with the vacuum chuck to support the substrate for transfer of the substrate between the vacuum chuck and the intermediate member, the intermediate member having a plurality of receiving spaces and a plurality of transfer members, the receiving spaces and transfer members being adjacent to one another in an alternating pattern, wherein each transfer member has a top side with a plurality of transfer member portals formed therein, and wherein each transfer member portal is in fluid communication with the pressure source; and a carriage extending along at least a portion of the periphery of the vacuum chuck and along at least a portion of the periphery of the intermediate member, wherein the carriage engages at least a portion of the substrate when the pressure source provides positive pressure to the vacuum chuck portals and transfer member portals to transfer the substrate between the intermediate member and the vacuum chuck.