The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 27, 2000
Filed:
Apr. 22, 1998
Richard S Muka, Topsfield, MA (US);
Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc., Gloucester, MA (US);
Abstract
An automated wafer buffer is provided for use with a wafer processing system. The wafer buffer includes an I/O port for loading and unloading wafer containers, each holding a batch of wafers, a storage structure for storing up to a predetermined number of wafer containers and a container port for holding at least one wafer container during transfer of wafers to and between the wafer container and the processing system. A container transfer mechanism transfers the wafer containers to and between the I/O port, the storage structure and the container port. A wafer transfer mechanism transfers wafers to and between a wafer container at the container port and the processing system.