Patent ID: 8132996

Claim:
A substrate-treating apparatus, comprising: a plurality of modules disposed along a first direction, each of the plurality of modules having an inner space for containing a substrate; a transfer unit for transferring the substrate among the plurality of modules, the transfer unit including first and second tracks disposed along the first direction on a horizontal plane and first and second movable transfer chambers for moving along the first and second tracks; and a gate valve fixed to each of the plurality of modules and combined with one of the first and second movable transfer chambers, wherein the first and second movable transfer chambers are isolated from an exterior atmosphere while moving, wherein the first movable transfer chamber is adapted to move under the second movable transfer chamber, wherein the first and second movable transfer chambers are adapted to move parallel with the horizontal plane, wherein the first and second movable transfer chambers overlap each other in plan view, wherein the first and second movable transfer chambers move parallel with the horizontal plane along the first and second tracks, respectively, such that the first and second movable transfer chambers are connected to corresponding ones of the plurality of modules without breaking a pressure condition, and wherein each of the plurality of modules includes a transfer hole, wherein each of the first and second movable transfer chambers includes an open portion corresponding to the transfer hole and a first valve for opening and closing the open portion, and wherein the gate valve includes a second valve for opening and closing the transfer hole, a first blocking means corresponding to the first valve, and a second blocking means corresponding to the second valve for opening and closing the transfer hole, and a propping means for supporting the first and second blocking means to close the transfer hole and the open portion without direct contact.