Patent ID: 6878955

Claim:
An apparatus for handling a microelectronic workpiece initially positioned in a container having a plurality of workpiece support members each configured to support a microelectronic workpiece, the workpiece support members including a first workpiece support member and a second workpiece support member with the second workpiece support member positioned at a distalmost location relative to the first workpiece support member, the apparatus comprising: a container support positionable proximate to an aperture of an enclosure that at least partially encloses a region for handling a microelectronic workpiece, the container support being configured to support the container; an actuator coupled to the container support to move the container support along a path between a first position at a first height and a second position at a second height different than the first height; and a workpiece transfer device having an engaging portion configured to releasably engage the microelectronic workpiece, the workpiece transfer device being movable relative to the aperture to move the microelectronic workpiece, the engaging portion having a range of travel that extends from a first position to a second position, and wherein the engaging portion is aligned proximate to the first workpiece support member of the container when the engaging portion is in the first position, the engaging portion being aligned with the second workpiece support member of the container when the engaging portion is in the second position.