Patent · US Expired

Methods and apparatus for transporting substrate carriers

US7077264B2 · kind B2 · utility

27Cited by
124References
37Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 26, 2004
Grant dateJul 18, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 26, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S414/135
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

According to a first aspect, a first conveyor system is provided that is adapted to deliver substrate carriers within a semiconductor device manufacturing facility. The first conveyor system includes a ribbon that forms a closed loop along at least a portion of the semiconductor device manufacturing facility. The ribbon is adapted to (1) be flexible in a horizontal plane and rigid in a vertical plane; and (2) transport a plurality of substrate carriers within at least a portion of the semiconductor device manufacturing facility. Numerous other aspects are provided, as are systems, methods and computer program products in accordance with these and other aspects.

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