Patent · US Expired

Device for holding a mask

US4963921A · kind A · utility

24Cited by
7References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 21, 1989
Grant dateOct 16, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 21, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03F7/707
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A device for detachably holding a mask at least a portion of which is made of a magnetic material. The device includes a holding member, on which the mask is to be held, the holding member having a portion made of a magnetic material; a first system for producing holding magnetic lines of force so as to generate a magnetic force between the magnetic portion of the holding member and the magnetic portion of the mask, to thereby hold the mask on the holding member; and a second system for producing releasing magnetic lines of force which are operative against the magnetic lines of force produced by the first system so as to reduce the same to a degree sufficient to disengage the mask from the holding member. Also, disclosed is a mask holding device for detachably holding a mask, typically for use in the manufacture of microcircuits, which device is arranged to hold the mask by use of a magnetically attracting force, the magnetically attracting force being made variably controllable so as to correct the flatness of the mask.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.