Patent ID: 7597523
Filing Date: 2009-10-06
Classification: H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A variable lot size load port assembly comprising: a tool interface extending generally in a vertical dimension, the tool interface having a front surface facing a front of the tool interface, a back surface generally parallel to the front surface, and an aperture; an advance plate positioned to the front of the tool interface below the aperture, the advance plate extending generally horizontally, and being configured to support a front opening unified pod (FOUP) and translate between a retracted position and an advanced position, the advanced position being proximate the tool interface and the retracted position being spaced from the tool interface; and a seal plate having an upper end secured to the tool interface and a lower end covering a portion of the aperture to form a reduced aperture, the seal plate being shaped to provide a proximity seal with a front flange of a FOUP of a selected capacity mounted to the advance plate and brought to the advanced position; wherein the tool interface includes a recessed shoulder formed into a left, right, and bottom edge of the aperture, and the seal plate has a recessed shoulder formed into a bottom edge of the seal plate, the recessed shoulders of the tool interface and the seal plate forming a continuous substantially flat shoulder formed on a plane parallel to the front surface of the tool interface and between the front surface and the back surface of the tool interface, the continuous substantially flat shoulder being configured to establish a proximity seal with the front flange of the FOUP, and the port door is sized to fit within an aperture that is smaller than the reduced aperture formed by the tool interface and the seal plate, the port door further comprising an extension plate, the extension plate extending vertically up from the port door to at least partially occlude the reduced aperture when the port door is in the closed position.