Patent ID: 7563068

Claim:
In a workpiece processing system in which a plurality of workpieces are movable to and from a process chamber arrangement, said process chamber arrangement using at least two side-by-side, first and second process stations each of which is configured for executing a treatment process on one of the workpieces located at each of the first and second process stations such that two workpieces can simultaneously be exposed to the treatment process, a method comprising: arranging a workpiece support arrangement, separate from said process chamber arrangement, for supporting at least two of said workpieces at least generally in a stacked relationship to form a workpiece column; supporting a workpiece transfer arrangement, separate from said process chamber arrangement, for transporting at least two of the workpieces between the workpiece column and the process chamber arrangement by simultaneously moving the two workpieces at least generally along first and second transfer paths, respectively, that are defined between said workpiece column and the first and second process stations such that the first transfer path is terminated by the workpiece column and the first process station and the second transfer path is terminated by the workpiece column and the second process station; configuring said workpiece transfer arrangement for using rotation to move the two workpieces to and from the workpiece column and to and from each of the first and second process stations along said first and second transfer paths such that a rotational component of movement between the workpiece column and the first and second process stations generally characterizes the first and second transfer paths with any horizontal component of movement of each one of the first and second transfer paths being limited to a first circular arcuate path and a second circular arcuate path, respectively; wherein the first and second transfer paths at least partially overlap by intersecting first at the workpiece column and then intersecting at a second, intermediate position between the workpiece column and the process stations when projected onto a plane that is generally parallel to said rotational component of movement; and wherein each workpiece includes opposing major surfaces and wherein the first and second transfer paths provide for one confronting relationship between two of the major surfaces of the two workpieces in a stacked relationship at the workpiece column and further provide for moving the two workpieces through another confronting relationship of the two major surfaces at the second, intermediate position between the workpiece column and the process stations.