Patent ID: 8905680

Claim:
A method relating to the transport of at least one thin planar workpiece comprising the steps of: a) positioning the at least one thin planar workpiece adjacent at least one transport-assist tool comprising at least one non-contact positioner using at least one flow of fluid in accordance with Bernoulli's principle; b) generating at least one localized negative-pressure region adjacent at least one discrete sub-portion of the at least one thin planar workpiece to induce at least one temporary dimple-shaped deflection within the at least one thin planar workpiece; and c) limiting lateral movement of the at least one thin planar workpiece while the at least one thin planar workpiece is suspended adjacent such transport-assist tool by configuring such at least one transport-assist tool to capture the at least one dimple-shaped deflection induced within the at least one thin planar workpiece.