Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for holding and conveying platelike substrates

US5133635A · kind A · utility

77Cited by
5References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 21, 1990
Grant dateJul 28, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 21, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S414/141
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method of handling and securing platelike substrates, such as wafers, is described in which a substrate is gripped between supporting elements situated opposite each other in the plane of the substrate to be applied against opposite side edges of the substrate. The gripping forces are applied through resilient means in order to limit the gripping force applied. Apparatus for gripping a substrate in accordance with this method has the supporting element or elements on one side in a fixed position and the other movable towards the substrate to apply the gripping force, the resillient means being disposed between said other element or elements and the driving means for said movement. There is also described an optical sensing system for positioning the supporting element relative to a substrate.

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