Patent ID: 8480346

Claim:
Apparatus capable of cooperation with at least one wafer processing equipment, and capable of being placed under vacuum, said apparatus comprising: a first opening comprising leak proof means for connection to a first equipment chosen from a transfer lock and a wafer processing chamber which are kept under vacuum; a second opening comprising leak proof means of connection to a wafer transport case containing a basket, comprising a series of parallel stacked trays adapted to store a wafer each, the basket being able to be transported within the apparatus while both the apparatus and the wafer transport case are kept under vacuum; means for moving the basket from and to the wafer transport case while under vacuum; means for immobilizing the trays; a third opening comprising leak proof means for connection to a second piece of equipment chosen from an EFEM module and a second wafer processing chamber; and means for placement and support of a wafer in a given position, capable of working together with the means for moving the basket and the means for immobilizing the trays to enable the passage of the wafer through either the first or the third opening.