Patent ID: 7086562

Claim:
A tray retainer for holding a tray stack having a plurality of trays that are configured to carry microelectronic devices, comprising: a guide structure having a first region, a second region spaced apart from the first region, a first channel section extending in a direction of a load/unload path between the first and second regions, and a second channel section extending in the direction of the load/unload path between the first and second regions, the second channel section facing the first channel section; a cross-member extending transverse to the load/unload path and at least partially across the first region of the guide structure between the first and second channel sections; and a moveable retaining element positioned at the second region of the guide structure, the retaining element being moveable to a storage position in which the retaining element projects a first distance transverse to the load/unload path into the second region of the guide structure, and the retaining element being moveable to a load/unload position in which the retaining element either does not project into the second region of the guide structure or projects a second distance less than the first distance, wherein when the tray retainer holds the tray stack and the retaining element is in the storage position, the cross-member contacts a tray at one end of the tray stack and the retaining element contacts a tray at the opposite end of the tray stack.