Patent ID: 7134826

Claim:
A substrate transfer apparatus for receiving a container for storing at least one substrate therein, and for performing one of a first transport process and a second transport process, said first transport process transporting said at least one substrate out of said container, said second transport process transporting said at least one substrate into said container, said substrate transfer apparatus comprising: a receiving section for receiving said container; a holding table for placing and holding said container thereon during one of said first transport process and said second transport process; and a transport element for transporting said container between said receiving section and said holding table in a horizontal transport direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of said first transport process and said second transport process, said transport element having a transport arm movable up and down substantially in a vertical direction while supporting said container from beneath, said receiving section being disposed on one side relative to the vertical direction of said transport arm and said holding table being disposed on an opposite side relative to the vertical direction of said transport arm when said transport element is centered along said horizontal transport direction, said transport arm being further moveable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction while transporting said container between said receiving section and said holding table, said holding table being formed with a notch permitting said transport arm to pass therethrough substantially vertically and substantially horizontally towards said receiving section, said notch being open on a side facing said receiving section.