Patent ID: 8226346

Claim:
A tray handling apparatus, comprising: a plurality of guides erected relative to a horizontal surface, wherein the guides define a rectangular space configured to accommodate stacked trays; a chuck device comprising a chuck and configured to move the stacked trays vertically, wherein the chuck is disposed at a center position of a bottom area of the space, when the guides horizontally shift on the horizontal surface, and the chuck is disposed above the horizontal surface; a plurality of linear movement devices disposed corresponding to the guides, wherein each linear movement device is disposed substantially orthogonal to a corresponding guide, each of the linear movement devices includes a guide member and a rail slidable on the guide member, the rail connects with the corresponding guide, and when the rail moves, the linear movement device is configured to move the corresponding guide to change a distance between the guide and the chuck; and a rack and pinion device coupled to the linear movement devices and configured to move the guide symmetrically.