Patent ID: 7052577

Claim:
An annular receptacle for receiving a rotating carrier that receives a disk-shaped object, said annular receptacle comprising: at least one annular channel ( 26 , 26 ′) in the radial extension of a supporting surface of the carrier for the object, wherein said at least one annular channel is operable to guide a liquid away from said object, said receptacle having a central lengthwise axis, at least one annular suction device neighboring the at least one annular channel ( 26 , 26 ′), starting from an inner wall ( 12 ) of said receptacle, wherein the at least one suction device includes: (a) suction openings ( 16 ) to draw gas away from the object, said suction openings radially spaced from the central lengthwise axis in the region of the inner wall ( 12 ), and (b) annular suction chamber ( 18 , 18 ′, 18 ″) radially adjoining the suction end of the suction openings ( 16 ), wherein said rotating carrier rotates the object relative to the at least one suction device that remains stationary, a pressure distribution chamber ( 30 ) in fluid communication with a suction line ( 38 ) and the suction chamber ( 18 , 18 ′, 18 ″).