Patent ID: 6447232
Filing Date: 2002-09-10
Classification: H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
A system for processing articles stored in a container, comprising:an interface section and a processing section with an enclosure and separated by a wall with the interface section including: an entry port; an inventory station having a plurality of positions for holding the article containers; an input/output subassembly positioned for loading article containers between the entry port and the inventory station; and a container docking subassembly having a container transfer mechanism to carry a container from the inventory station to a hatch opening in the wall separating the interface section and the processing section; and with the processing section including: an extractor extendable from the processing section, through the hatch opening and into an article container in the interface section positioned at the hatch opening, to move an article out of the article container and into the processing section, or to move an article from the processing section into an article container; at least one processing station in the processing section; and a robot conveyor movable between the extractor and the at least one processing station, for carrying articles between them.