Abstract: A dumpster having a moveable false floor which moves from a bottom of the dumpster toward a top opening when the dumpster is tilted to a substantially inverted orientation during collection of trash. The moveable false floor has freedom to move a predetermined length toward the top opening, where upon reaching the predetermined length a restraining means abruptly stops the floor causing the dumpster to shake dislodging adhered trash. Upon being returned to an upright orientation the moveable false floor moves back to the bottom.

Abstract: When a conventional semiconductor container opening/closing apparatus opens a lid of a semiconductor container, foreign particles enter into the container from outside through a gap between the container and a wall surface of the container opening/closing apparatus and adhere to a wafer in the container. An apparatus is provided to reduce the number of foreign particles adhering to the wafer by preventing foreign particles from entering into the container at the time of opening the container by the opening/closing apparatus. To achieve this, a velocity-differential pressure ratio obtained by dividing the maximum velocity at the time of opening the lid of the container in a vertical direction to an opening of the container, by the differential pressure between the inside pressure and the outside pressure of said semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, is set to be 0.06 ((m/s) Pa) or less.

Abstract: A multi-modal container handling system includes a tool presentation platform mounted to a multi-axis robot. The platform has a number of mechanically locking collets for handling either empty or full containers, and a number of multi-jawed grippers telescopically mounted to the platform for handling empty containers. Both the collets and grippers may be used for moving empty containers, with the collets being used exclusively for inserting full containers into a shipping rack.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and a method to unload bulk powders from large bulk containers. The system and method are particularly useful for unloading bulk cohesive powders.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for the automatic loading and advancement of component feeder tape in a component feeder for use with a pick-and-place system. The feeder employs sensing technology to determine when a component tape leader is inserted into a tape guide, and subsequently auto-loads the feeder with the tape, including initiating the peeling of cover tape. Subsequently, the feeder operates to sense the presence of parts or components in the component tape pockets and to advance the component tape to a position where the first component is presented at the pick location. The feeder is also capable of detecting repeatable features in the component tape in order to automatically determine the component tape pitch.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking semiconductor wafers comprises a housing configured to releasably maintain a plurality of semiconductor wafers in fixed positions relative to the housing. The apparatus also includes a transfer guide proximate to the housing, the transfer guide configured to facilitate the transfer of the plurality of semiconductor wafers into the housing. Also included is a member configured to detach the semiconductor wafers from the housing so as to collect the semiconductor wafers into a stack.

Abstract: While the manufacturing of integrated circuits (IC) has become a mostly automated process, the loading of the ICs into storage and shipping tubes 105 still requires a large amount of human interaction. A major stumbling block to the automation is the removal and insertion of retention pins 115 in the tubes. The present invention uses pressurized air 406 to hold a partially extracted retention pin 115 in position while the tube 105 is loaded. Once loaded, the retention pin 115 is reinserted. By not fully extracting the retention pin 115, alignment is maintained, simplifying the reinsertion step.

Abstract: When a conventional semiconductor container opening/closing apparatus opens a lid of a semiconductor container, foreign particles enter into the container from outside through a gap between the container and a wall surface of the container opening/closing apparatus and adhere to a wafer in the container. A method is provided to reduce the number of foreign particles adhering to the wafer by preventing foreign particles from entering into the container at the time of opening the container by the opening/closing apparatus. To achieve this, a velocity-differential pressure ratio obtained by dividing the maximum velocity at the time of opening the lid of the container in a vertical direction to an opening of the container, by the differential pressure between the inside pressure and the outside pressure of said semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, is set to be 0.06 ((m/s) Pa) or less.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting syringes containing radioactive material. The apparatus includes a radiopharmaceutical pig having an inner chamber in which a sharps container can be secured. The sharps container has a housing and an attachable cap. The method includes assembling the radiopharmaceutical pig so that the chamber of the radiopharmaceutical pig contains the syringe in the sharps container housing. The radiopharmaceutical pig is disassembled, where upon the syringe is removed, discharged, and then replaced in the sharps container housing. The cap of the sharps container is affixed to the housing of the sharps container, thus enclosing the contaminated syringe therein. The radiopharmaceutical pig is assembled so that its chamber contains the sharps container and the syringe. The radiopharmaceutical pig is transported to a disposal area, where it is disassembled and the sharps container containing the syringe is placed in a particular disposal container.

Abstract: A pipe handling device with an auxiliary pipe loading device for use with a horizontal boring machine is disclosed. The auxiliary pipe loading device includes an auxiliary pipe receiving member that is connected to a pipe handling assembly at a location remote from the boring machine. The pipe receiving member is adapted to receive and support a pipe section when the pipe handling assembly is retracted such that the auxiliary pipe receiving member is positioned beyond the magazine of the pipe handling device. The auxiliary pipe receiving member is pivotally connected to a lockout assembly that is operable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the lockout assembly prevents a pipe section from entering the auxiliary pipe receiving member. Whereas in the open position, the lockout assembly permits a pipe section to be manually placed in the auxiliary pipe receiving member.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for providing easier, more ergonomic access to parts stored in a shipping container to be used in a manufacturing environment. Shipping containers having trays with packaging cells for containing production parts may be accessed by a person whose responsibility it is to remove the parts from the container for use on an assembly line, for example. By enabling the trays containing packaging cells to be moved forward as parts are removed from the container, the person's job is rendered easier to access parts that would have otherwise remained at the rear of the container. In a preferred embodiment, the packaging cells or packs are arranged to slidably move closer to the person removing the parts.

Abstract: A method of feeding cigars to a hopper of a wrapping machine, wherein the cigars are housed in bulk and in orderly manner inside containers; each container has a top opening by which to receive and unload the cigars in the aforementioned orderly manner; a full container of cigars is picked up and inverted at the hopper by means of a manipulating device so that the opening faces downwards; and the full container is rested on a supporting surface having a passage smaller than the opening, so as to partly close the opening and provide for controlled unloading of the cigars.

Abstract: A substrate transport apparatus comprising a drive section and a robot transport arm. The robot transport arm is mounted to the drive section. The robot transport arm has a wrist and an end effector to hold the substrate thereon. The end effector is rotatably mounted to the wrist to rotate about the wrist. The rotation of the end effector about the wrist is slaved to the robot transport arm. The robot transport arm is adapted to transport substrates into and out of two general side-by-side orientated substrate holding areas with the drive section being located in only one location relative to the two holding areas.

Abstract: A multi-chamber system of an etching facility for manufacturing semiconductor devices occupies a minimum amount of floor space in a cleanroom by installing a plurality of processing chambers in multi-layers and in parallel along a transfer path situated between the processing chambers. The multi-layers number 2 to 5, and the transfer path can be rectangular in shape and need only be slightly wider than the diameter of a wafer. The total width of the multi-chamber system is the sum of the width of one processing chamber plus the width of the transfer path.

Abstract: A substrate storage cassette and a method of orienting a substrate disposed therein are provided. In one embodiment, the substrate storage cassette includes a plurality of flanges pairs disposed between a first lateral sidewall coupled in a spaced-apart relation to a second lateral sidewall. Each of the flange pairs adapted to support a substrate thereon. At least a first alignment feature disposed between the flange pair and adapted to mate with an orientation feature of the substrate when the substrate is in a predefined orientation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for high speed tray unloading and mail transporting includes a tray unloading apparatus which receives a continuous stream of mail trays and sequentially unloads them in proper orientation onto a conveyor assembly; a dual conveyor system for delivering the unloaded mail to a transport system; and a spiral transport system having optimal drive means for controllably moving mail pieces from one location to another.

Abstract: A system and method for unloading a viscous product from a bag constrained by a bin where movable scrapers are utilized to increase the amount of product evacuated from the bag, to prevent damage to the bag containing the product, and to ease removal of the pump after pumping is complete by breaking the vacuum created during pumping.

Abstract: A dumper apparatus and method for transferring bulk parts from a parts container into a receptacle includes an outer hopper having a parts container cradle pivotally mounted therein. The hopper is swung up from an upright front end up position while the cradle is thereby also simultaneously pivoted thereby by a linkage from a horizontal position, causing the parts to be dumped from the container into the hopper and thence from the hopper into the receptacle as the hopper reaches a front end downwardly inclined position.

Abstract: A substrate receiving apparatus and a method thereof that prevents substrate damage from occurring when a substrate is loaded/unloaded on/from a cassette. The present invention includes a cassette having a plurality of plates inside so as to receive a plurality of substrates; a cassette loading unit uploading/downloading the cassette; a port supporting the cassette loading unit; and a plurality of auxiliary plates inserted inside the cassette from outside. The method includes downloading a cassette so as to move substrates from plates of the cassette to auxiliary plates, unloading and loading the substrates placed on the auxiliary plates from/on the cassette, and uploading the cassette so as to move the substrates from the auxiliary plates to the plates of the cassette.

Abstract: A method and system of relocating materials in shelf list order includes at least one book caddie, at least one conveyor section and at least one cart. The conveyor sections may be detachably coupled to extend the length of a plurality of shelves containing a collection of materials in shelf list order. The book caddies may be placed on the conveyor sections and sequentially filled with materials such that shelf list order of the materials is maintained. The book caddies may then be conveyed along the conveyor to the carts. Groups of the book caddies may be arranged on the carts to maintain shelf list order of the materials. The carts may be relocated to a new location. At the new location, the conveyor sections may again be detachably coupled and the book caddies may be sequentially removed from the carts and conveyed along the conveyor sections. The book caddies may be adjacently positioned on shelves and the material slid out to recreate the collection in shelf list order at the new location.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for high speed workpiece handling are provided. The method for workpiece handling includes removing a workpiece from a first cassette with a first robot, transferring the workpiece from the first robot directly to a second robot without transferring the workpiece to a transfer station, placing the workpiece on a workpiece holder at a processing station with the second robot, and transferring the workpiece from the workpiece holder to the first cassette with the first robot following processing. End effectors of the first and second robots may each have a plurality of vertical positions for efficient workpiece handling. Displacement error and rotational error of the workpiece may be sensed and corrected without use of a transfer station. The methods and apparatus may be used for handling semiconductor wafers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for high speed tray unloading and mail transporting includes a tray unloading apparatus which receives a continuous stream of mail trays and sequentially unloads them in proper orientation onto a conveyor assembly; a dual conveyor system for delivering the unloaded mail to a transport system; and a spiral transport system having optimal drive means for controllably moving mail pieces from one location to another.

Abstract: A portable tube holder apparatus and tube loading method facilitates safe and rapid loading of tubes containing electronic components into a machine. The tube holder has a tube guide sized to receive a plurality of tubes and a support to selectively hold the tubes in that guide. The holder can be loaded with a relatively large number of tubes at a workstation area and then used to safely transport the tubes to the machine without risk of the components falling out of the tubes. The support, which is preferably slidable, permits all of the tubes in the guide to be readily released into the machine's feeding system, enabling fast loading of the machine and also minimizing down-time for machines that cannot run while being loaded. The portable tube holder preferably has an interface designed to facilitate alignment of the tube holder's guide with the feeding system guide in the machine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for gripping containers, each having a circumference, for dumping material in a material collection vehicle including more than one gripping mechanisms, wherein each of the gripping mechanisms can engage a container around at least one-half of the circumference of the container. In one embodiment, the gripping mechanism is attached to a base member and includes an outer gripping member pivotally attached to the base member and an inner gripping member pivotally attached to the base member and an actuating mechanism for moving at least one gripping member toward the other gripping member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for minimizing the surface contamination of semiconductor wafers (11) during the semiconductor device manufacturing process. Semiconductor wafers (11) are stored in a storage cassette (12) with their face sides (17) facing downward and their back sides (16) facing upward. Particulate contamination present on the back sides of the wafers is thereby secured to the wafers by the force of gravity, and the faces of the wafers are shielded from falling debris. An automated wafer handling device (19) is provided with a rotary joint (22) to accomplish the wafer flipping motion before inserting a wafer into a cassette and after removing the wafer from the cassette.

Abstract: A method for conveying and a conveyor system having a plurality of conveyor sections arranged in series transports articles. The articles can be accelerated on the conveyor system but adjacent conveyor sections have substantially the same speed when the articles are passed between them so as to reduce wear or damage to the articles.

Abstract: A control and method of use implemented by an unloading mechanism for unloading products from an intermediate container onto a conveyor for downstream processing. The controls tilt the mechanism, in embodiments, to a relative angle from a horizontal or supporting surface and proximate the conveyor. A gate is controlled to slidably mount between an open position and a closed position in order to allow product slide from the structure.

Abstract: A system and method for unloading a viscous product from a bag constrained by a bin where movable scrapers are utilized to increase the amount of product evacuated from the bag, to prevent damage to the bag containing the product, and to ease removal of the pump after pumping is complete by breaking the vacuum created during pumping.

Abstract: Within a method for operating a fabrication tool which requires transfer of a series substrates from a storage carrier to a process carrier when fabricating the series of substrates within the process carrier within the fabrication tool, a specific series of substrates is transferred from a storage carrier to a process carrier (and/or the reverse) simultaneously with fabricating a separate series of substrates within a process carrier within the fabrication tool. By employing the method, the fabrication tool may be operated more efficiently.

Abstract: A method of utilizing a mini-pallet to create, organize, and move product stacks. In a preferred configuration, the mini-pallet is a nestable lightweight shipping tray which provides a convenient means for handling packaged units, in particular packages of beverage containers. The mini-pallet can support loads at an elevation above a supporting surface through the use of a deck supported by two side legs and a central support. The legs are located to facilitate a user in positioning a carrier under the deck for transportation. The central support, in a preferred embodiment, compatibly fits with a designated opening in the lifting portion of the carrier. When not loaded, the mini-pallet is capable of “nesting” within another mini-pallet for convenient storage.

Abstract: A method and a device are disclosed for supplying a plurality of labels to a labeling device. The device includes a carton containing a stack of labels. The labels are packaged in the carton with the top ends of the labels adjacent to a bottom wall of the carton and the bottom ends of the labels are positioned at an open top end of the carton. A feed carriage of the labeling device is filled by inverting and positioning the carton on the feed carriage with the open end facing the bottom wall of the feed carriage. The carton is then removed from the feed carriage, leaving the labels on the feed carriage in an upright position. The feed carriage is then delivered to the labeling device for applying the labels to the containers.

Abstract: A loader conveyor adapted so as to receive a wafer carrier from a transfer conveyor and adapted to terminate at an intersection with a processing system, is provided. Thus, the need for a front-end loader robot may be eliminated.

Abstract: A series of successive filled and closed containers for filter rod sections or other products of the tobacco processing industry is advanced stepwise along a horizontal path. When the foremost container of the series reaches a given portion of the path, it is moved forwardly and away from the next-following container into the cage of an elevator. The foremost container is opened while in or at the cage, and the cage is thereupon lifted to a level at which the opened container therein can be tilted to dump its contents into a chute, a magazine of the like. The thus emptied container is thereupon tilted back to its original orientation and is transported away to a dump, to a recycling station or to a refilling station. All of the above-enumerated undertakings are carried out automatically. The next-following container, i.e., the foremost container of the remainder of the series, is thereupon manipulated in the same way as the aforementioned foremost container, and so forth.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and a method to unload bulk powders from large bulk containers. The system and method are particularly useful for unloading bulk cohesive powders.

Abstract: A method, device and trays for transferring ophthalmic lenses from one work station to another. The first tray supports the lenses after release from the mold. The second tray supports the lenses during further processing including surface treatment. The articles are precisely placed and inverted as they are transferred from the first tray unto the second tray. Additionally, both sides of the ophthalmic lenses may be plasma reacted while supported on the second tray.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for preventing damage to wafers arranged in a wafer cassette. In particular, an apparatus is provided to protect wafers arranged in a wafer cassette during insertion of a wafer into the cassette. In one embodiment, the apparatus may be a separate entity from the wafer cassette. In this manner, the apparatus may be situated about the cassette such that the wafers arranged in the cassette are protected during insertion of a wafer. In another embodiment, the wafer cassette itself may be adapted to partially cover and protect the wafers arranged in the cassette during insertion of a wafer. Consequently, a method is provided using either embodiment of the apparatus. In particular, the method may include inserting a wafer into a wafer cassette by shielding one or more slots of the cassette, exposing a designated slot of the cassette, and inserting a wafer into the designated slot.

Abstract: A plastic canister for storing and shipping drill bits, especially roller cone drill bit, has a pin-holder built into the lid of the canister for ease of field dressing the bit. The lid and body of the container are slip fit to one another and indexed to each other for positive positioning in their relationship. Safety features include the use of a conductive plastic polymer, a non-rolling base, mating protrusions and recesses for stacking, recessed areas for strapping, and welded loop handles.

Abstract: A method of transferring semi-conductor substrates from a first location to a second location. The first and second locations are adapted to hold a plurality of the substrates in individual support area. The method comprises use of a transfer mechanism with two substrate holding end effectors which each have support areas adapted to individually support different maximum numbers of substrates thereon. The substrates are transferred from the first location to the second location with the first end effector and, when empty individual support areas in the second location or substrates at the first location are less than the maximum number of support areas on the first end effector, transferring substrates from the first location to the second location with use of the second end effector.

Abstract: A four-bar linkage mechanism for a material transfer device includes a center driving linkage, a center interconnecting linkage, right and left hand support linkages, and right and left hand main linkages. The present invention further includes the method of transferring material using a material transfer device incorporating the four-bar linkage by loading the material container into a dumper frame, positioning a pour hood over the material container, activating a hydraulic cylinder thereby rotating the material container and pour hood about 180 degrees, and releasing the contents of the material container.

Abstract: Within a method for operating a fabrication tool which requires transfer of a series substrates from a storage carrier to a process carrier when fabricating the series of substrates within the process carrier within the fabrication tool, a specific series of substrates is transferred from a storage carrier to a process carrier (and/or the reverse) simultaneously with fabricating a separate series of substrates within a process carrier within the fabrication tool. By employing the method, the fabrication tool may be operated more efficiently.

Abstract: An apparatus for unloading packages, parcels, postal items, baggage, etc., from a container having an open side. The apparatus has a sliding wall that is disposed over the open side of the container when the container is receiving within the apparatus. The apparatus, along with the container, is tilted such that the open side of the container is generally directed downward. From this tilted orientation, the sliding wall of the apparatus is withdrawn, incrementally exposing the open side of the container, permitting the controlled egress of the packages, etc., from the container.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for transferring ordered articles between carriers. Generally, an empty partitioned carrier is aligned in a generally opposing relationship with partitions in a carrier containing at least one article to be transferred to the empty carriers. The carriers are aligned to perform the transfer of the articles, while maintaining the relative order, or arrangement, of the articles in the carrier. The aligned carriers are then rotated through a gravitational field to exert a sufficient force to transfer the articles between the carriers. An apparatus of the present invention for transferring articles preferably includes a fulcrum and a lever arm having a transfer end. The lever arm is attached to the fulcrum to allow the lever arm to be rotated about the fulcrum. The transfer end includes a clamp having first and second adjacent carrier retaining portions configured to retain two carriers in an opposing relationship to allow for the transfer of articles between the carriers.

Abstract: An apparatus for presenting components stored in stackable trays, and removing empty trays having a base member having an input and an output portion; a discharge area; a shuttle member which removes empty storage trays and places them in the discharge area.

Abstract: A die-level test and burn-in flipping tray. A tray having a plurality of pockets adapted to receive die-level carriers formed thereon is provided. The pockets are defined by four risers, one riser defining each corner of the pocket and a support at the base of each riser to support a die-level carrier disposed within the pocket. The riser and the tray are molded such that a second tray may be mated with the original tray, the second tray having pockets in one-to-one correspondence with the first tray. The mated tray pair may then be inverted causing carriers in pockets of the first tray to transition under the influence of gravity to corresponding pockets of the second tray in an orientation inverted about the z-axis.

Abstract: A machine for manufacturing semiconductor devices has a processing chamber for processing the semiconductor wafer. A transfer chamber has at least two positions, one position to facilitate the transfer of a wafer to be processed into the transfer chamber and to facilitate the transfer of a processed wafer from the transfer chamber to the cassette from which the wafer originated. The second position facilitates the transfer of a wafer to and from the processing chamber. A transfer arm simultaneously transfers an unprocessed wafer from the first position to the second position with the transfer of a processed wafer from the second position to the first position.

Abstract: A method and device for unloading stacked sheet-like items from an open box-shaped container with an open top into a v-shaped receiving device is provided. The box-shaped container is inserted into a holding device. The top of the box-shaped container is closed off with a plunger. The box-shaped container and holding device is swung such that a side wall of the holding device is approximately aligned against and overlaps a flank of the v-shaped receiving device. The plunger is lifted off the top of the box-shaped container and swung to the side such that the items slide into the receiving device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting and transferring refuse to a transportation truck for hauling to its ultimate disposal site, such as a landfill. The apparatus comprises a refuse collection and transfer container movable between a first, lowered position and a second, raised position. When the container is in the raised position and the transportation truck is underneath, transfer of the collected refuse is accomplished by opening angled, retractable bottom doors on the container. The bottom doors allow for the regulation of the amount of refuse transferred to the truck, thus ensuring a full load within the truck while at the same time preventing spillage. The movement of the container and the doors may be powered by the hydraulic system of the truck and controlled by a control panel on the apparatus. The apparatus may be partially below ground level.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inserting and removing a wafer into and from a plating apparatus, includes an elongated primary arm having a wafer seat for supporting the wafer, an elongated secondary arm for supporting the primary arm, and a mounting surface for supporting the secondary arm. The apparatus further includes a drive band mechanically coupled to the primary arm for causing the movement thereof. The drive band includes a portion wound around a drum that is driven by a motor. The motor, in rotating the drum, causes the drive band to move the primary arm along an axis between a retracted position wherein the primary arm, the secondary arm, and the mounting surface are in a stacked relationship, and an extended position wherein the secondary arm protrudes from the mounting surface along the axis, and the primary arm protrudes from the secondary arm along the axis.

Abstract: The invention is a carrier comprising three support elements connected by an underlying frame. The periphery of a wafer rests upon the support elements. The invention also comprises a wafer handler with a plurality of arms. Spacers space the carrier above a base plate associated with a station in a wafer handling area. An arm slides beneath the frame and between the spacers, but the handler does not contact the wafer. A method of using the handler and carrier is provided where the handler lifts and rotates the carrier with the wafer through various stations in a wafer handling area. A control device reduces the handler speed only at critical points of the processing cycle. The handler is capable of moving a plurality of carriers and wafers simultaneously.

Abstract: A mechanism for accurately transferring a predetermined number of IC (Integrated Circuit) packages from a first IC (integrated Circuit) storage tube to a second IC (Integrated Circuit) storage tube. A first tube platform holds the first IC package storage tube at an inclination, and a second tube platform holds the second IC package storage tube at an inclination. Additionally, an IC (Integrated Circuit) package transfer wheel is disposed between the first tube platform and the second tube platform. The IC package transfer wheel has a plurality of spokes radiating outward from a center of the IC package transfer wheel. An IC package from the first IC package storage tube encounters a stopping spoke of the plurality of spokes of the IC package transfer wheel when the first IC package storage tube is placed on the first tube platform, and the stopping spoke prevents the IC package from entering the second IC package storage tube.