Patents by Inventor Robert C. May

Robert C. May has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9224628
    Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment a semiconductor workpiece processing system having at least one processing tool for processing semiconductor workpieces, a container for holding at least one semiconductor workpiece therein for transport to and from the at least one processing tool and a first transport section elongated and defining a travel direction. The first transport section has parts, that interface the container, supporting and transporting the container along the travel direction to and from the at least one processing tool. The container is in substantially continuous transport at a substantially constant rate in the travel direction, when supported by the first transport section. A second transport section is connected to the at least one process tool for transporting the container to and from the at least one processing tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Brooks Automation. Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Bufano, Ulysses Gilchrist, William Fosnight, Christopher Hofmeister, Daniel Babbs, Robert C. May
  • Patent number: 9105673
    Abstract: A substrate processing system including a processing section arranged to hold a processing atmosphere therein, a carrier having a shell forming an internal volume for holding at least one substrate for transport to the processing section, the shell being configured to allow the internal volume to be pumped down to a predetermined vacuum pressure that is different than an exterior atmosphere outside the substrate processing system, and a load port communicably connected to the processing section to isolate the processing atmosphere from the exterior atmosphere, the load port being configured to couple with the carrier to pump down the internal volume of the carrier and to communicably connect the carrier to the processing section, for loading the substrate into the processing section through the load port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Babbs, William Fosnight, Robert C. May, William Weaver
  • Patent number: 8827618
    Abstract: A semiconductor workpiece processing system including at least one substrate processing tool that has a common housing with a first side having a first substrate holding container interface and a second side having a second substrate holding container interface having a different orientation than the first substrate holding container interface, a first transport section disposed corresponding to the first side of the tool, a second transport section being separate and distinct from the first transport section and interfacing with the first transport section and being configured to transport the substrate holding container between the first transport section and the tool and between the first side and the second side of the tool, the second transport section including at least one overhead gantry disposed above the tool, where the second transfer section is capable of interfacing with at least the second substrate holding container interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Babbs, Robert C. May
  • Publication number: 20140202921
    Abstract: A substrate transport system includes a carrier having a housing forming an interior environment having an opening for holding at least one substrate and a door for sealing the opening from an outside atmosphere where when sealed the interior environment is configured to maintain an interior atmosphere therein, the housing including a fluid reservoir exterior to the interior environment and configured to contain a fluid, forming a different atmosphere in the fluid reservoir than the interior atmosphere, to form a fluidic barrier seal that seals the interior environment from an environment exterior to the carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Daniel Babbs, Robert T. Caveney, Robert C. May, Krysztof A. Majczak
  • Patent number: 8328495
    Abstract: A semiconductor workpiece processing system having at least one processing apparatus for processing workpieces, a primary transport system, a secondary transport system and one or more interfaces between first transport system and second transport system. The primary and secondary transport systems each have one or more sections of substantially constant velocity and in queue sections communicating with the constant velocity sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Bufano, Ulysses Gilchrist, William Fosnight, Christopher Hofmeister, Daniel Babbs, Robert C. May
  • Patent number: 8272827
    Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment a semiconductor workpiece processing system having at least one processing tool for processing semiconductor workpieces, a container for holding at least one semiconductor workpiece therein for transport to and from the at least one processing tool and a first transport section elongated and defining a travel direction. The first transport section has parts, that interface the container, supporting and transporting the container along the travel direction to and from the at least one processing tool. The container is in substantially continuous transport at a substantially constant rate in the travel direction, when supported by the first transport section. A second transport section is connected to the at least one process tool for transporting the container to and from the at least one processing tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Inventors: Michael L. Bufano, Ulysses Gilchrist, William Fosnight, Christopher Hofmeister, Daniel Babbs, Robert C. May
  • Patent number: 8267634
    Abstract: A semiconductor workpiece processing system having at least one processing apparatus for processing workpieces, a primary transport system, a secondary transport system and one or more interfaces between first transport system and second transport system. The primary and secondary transport systems each have one or more sections of substantially constant velocity and in queue sections communicating with the constant velocity sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Bufano, Ulysses Gilchrist, William Fosnight, Christopher Hofmeister, Daniel Babbs, Robert C. May
  • Publication number: 20110008136
    Abstract: A load port including a frame defining a load port opening, a substrate carrier interface connected to the frame and configured to removably couple with a substrate carrier shell, a load port door configured to interface with a substrate carrier door, the load port door being movably coupled to frame and having a first position substantially blocking the load port opening, and a second position where the load port opening is substantially unblocked by the load port door, and a door coupling member without moving parts, located on the load port door configured to releasably couple with a corresponding member without moving parts on the substrate carrier door, wherein activation of the door coupling member effects coupling between the load port door and substrate carrier door and a passive release of the substrate carrier door from the substrate carrier shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Bufano, Ulysses Gilchrist, William Fosnight, Christopher Hofmeister, Daniel Babbs, Robert C. May
  • Patent number: 7798758
    Abstract: A semiconductor workpiece processing system having at least one processing apparatus for processing workpieces, a primary transport system, a secondary transport system and one or more interfaces between first transport system and second transport system. The primary and secondary transport systems each have one or more sections of substantially constant velocity and in queue sections communicating with the constant velocity sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Bufano, Ulysses Gilchrist, William Fosnight, Christopher Hofmeister, Daniel Babbs, Robert C. May
  • Publication number: 20100054897
    Abstract: A semiconductor workpiece processing system having at least one processing apparatus for processing workpieces, a primary transport system, a secondary transport system and one or more interfaces between first transport system and second transport system. The primary and secondary transport systems each have one or more sections of substantially constant velocity and in queue sections communicating with the constant velocity sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: Brooks Automation Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Bufano, Ulysses Gilchrist, William Fosnight, Christopher Hofmeister, Daniel Babbs, Robert C. May
  • Publication number: 20090129897
    Abstract: A substrate processing system including a processing section arranged to hold a processing atmosphere therein, a carrier having a shell forming an internal volume for holding at least one substrate for transport to the processing section, the shell being configured to allow the internal volume to be pumped down to a predetermined vacuum pressure that is different than an exterior atmosphere outside the substrate processing system, and a load port communicably connected to the processing section to isolate the processing atmosphere from the exterior atmosphere, the load port being configured to couple with the carrier to pump down the internal volume of the carrier and to communicably connect the carrier to the processing section, for loading the substrate into the processing section through the load port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Babbs, William Fosnight, Robert C. May, William Weaver
  • Publication number: 20080107507
    Abstract: A semiconductor workpiece processing system having at least one processing apparatus for processing workpieces, a primary transport system, a secondary transport system and one or more interfaces between first transport system and second transport system. The primary and secondary transport systems each have one or more sections of substantially constant velocity and in queue sections communicating with the constant velocity sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Michael L. Bufano, Ulysses Gilchrist, William Fosnight, Chrstopher Hofmeister, Daniel Babbs, Robert C. May
  • Patent number: 6672474
    Abstract: A combination tissue dispenser and waste collector for dispensing clean tissues or towels and collecting and compacting the waste material. The tissue dispenser and waste collector comprises two compartments, one for dispensing clean tissues or towels and the other for receiving the compacted waste paper. The dispenser slides within the waste collector compartment, thus compacting the waste paper. The two compartments remain attached during use by the abutment of stops on the sides thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Inventors: Robert C. May, Christopher S Ayers
  • Publication number: 20030189059
    Abstract: A combination tissue dispenser and waste collector for dispensing clean tissues or towels and collecting and compacting the waste material. The tissue dispenser and waste collector comprises two compartments, one for dispensing clean tissues or towels and the other for receiving the compacted waste paper. The dispenser slides within the waste collector compartment, thus compacting the waste paper. The two compartments remain attached during use by the abutment of stops on the sides thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventors: Robert C. May, Christopher S. Ayers
  • Patent number: 6524676
    Abstract: An adhesive tape for holding paper articles such as photographs and notecards edgewise on a surface. Opposing, flexible channel members are formed integral with and extend upwards from the top surface of the tape body to define a longitudinal channel, which receives and pinches the edges of the flat articles, holding the paper article on its edge. An underlying, peel-away sticker exposes an adhesive allowing the tape to be applied to a surface, whereby the flat article is situated perpendicular to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Inventor: Robert C. May